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Golf Central Magazine- Vol 19 Issue 8
®
Play Legendary Golf at French Lick Resort W W W . G O L F C E N T R A L M A G . C O M
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With award-winning dining experiences, a booming craft beer scene and exceptional year-round golf on courses along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, plus Jerry Pate's Kiva Dunes and Arnold Palmer's Craft Farms in Gulf Shores, from the mountains to the coast, you can take it all in.
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header from the publisher
Reliable to the Core The term "ole reliable" is a
Publisher: Terrie L. Purdum Editor in Chief: Shannon Coates Regional Partner: Doug Hollandsworth,
person whom you can always call on when you need them.
Founder-Georgia Golf Trail
Ole Reliable was our nickname for Rick Harris who we lost this past December at age 88. For 18 of the magazine's 19 years Rick worked for me, but really he worked with me. Rick did it all for us. He delivered magazines, wrote articles, and represented us ten years in a row at the World
Editor Emeritus: Joel Jackson, CGCS Retired Chief Fertilizer Spreader: Eric Rasberry Golf Gym: Ken Pierce Ambassador of Buzz: Jennifer Jolly Associate Editor/Photographer: Greg Corbo Photographers: Lynn Pelham, Brion Price, Peter Hakansson Mike Coonan, Becky Galloway Senior Correspondent: Rick Harris, Sr.
Junior Correspondent: Bella Dovhey International Correspondent: Dove Jones Contributing Writers: Jay Golden, PGA; Greg Wise,
Amateur in Myrtle Beach. Rick was always there for us, loving,
Bob Bolton, Greg Corbo, Elisa Gaudet, Mike Jamison, Mike May, Ron Heller, Rich Styles, Fred Seely, Deb Shuck, JL Quebbeman, Mitch Sadowsky, Linda Williams-Sieg
working and playing the game. His favorite "job" was nominating
Graphic Design: Melahn Cable, melahn@mac.com Website Design/Network Support: ryjo.com
cart girls, second onto showing
Golf Central Magazine is published monthly by:
the love, care, and concern he had
Sand Hill Publishing & Public Relations 1549 Warrington Court, Winter Springs, FL 32708
for his family and friends.
NEW PHONE: 321.765.7550 E-mail: info@golfcentralmag.com
We knew back at the office whenever Rick had made a stop. Everyone always commented what a nice guy Rick was, with everyone knowing Rick was there by the sound of him whistling in the background. He left everyone with a smile and made a positive impression on what Golf Central Magazine's mission is. Rick not only served his friends but his country as well, serving in the US Marines during the Korean War. Rick was incredibly proud of his family, especially his wife of 45 years, Betty, his 4 children (5 includ-
©2018 Golf Central Magazine. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Editorial contributions are welcome, but Golf Central Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited proposals, manuscripts and photographs. All materials submitted not accompanied by a selfaddressed stamped envelope will not be returned. Mailing, electronic mailing or faxing of contributions constitutes an expressed warrant on the part of the contributor that all material is original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Golf Central Magazine retains all reprint rights and reserves the right to edit any submitted material to meet our specifications for publishing and or use in advertising or promotion. The Publisher and staff are not responsible for any loss or grievance by any person or persons whatsoever, due in any way or in part to the content of this publication. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse to accept any material deemed inappropriate or in bad taste.
ing me who he always called his fourth daughter), 10 grandkids, and too many other friends to count. Rick knew we often didn't answer his calls just so we could hear his parodies of "On the Road Again" and "Folsom Prison Blues". Rick was no Willie but he was "Our Rick" and made an incredible impact on our lives and those whose lives he touched.
2017 Want to participate in a fun, global species-counting competition?
Ask the staff at your local golf course if they are participating in BioBlitz 2017!
2009 North Florida PGA Amateur of the Year 6
518-767-9051 www.auduboninternational.org
Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
Volume 19, Issue 8 19th Hole 24	Sam Snead's Cart Girl 32	Mandy Stone Cuisine on the Green 22	Hammock Dunes Fashion Forward 16	Knights of Golf Golf Bachelor 16	Steven Richter FEATURE 36	French Lick Resort Georgia Golf Central 26	Georgia Golf & Travel Awards Golf Business 18	Tour Edge Golf 56	2019 PGA Merchandise Show
Golf Travel 42	Oglebay 44	Montana Improving Performance 30	Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf PGA Tour 46	Oasis Championship Special Events 38	Shell Landing Special Events 10	Diamond Reosrts Tournament of Champions 12	2019 World Golf Hall of Fame Inductees Stay & Play 20	Marriott Resort - Singer Island Women in Golf 28	Black Girls Golf
golfcentralmag.com
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Lick Resor
W W W . G O L F C E N T R A L M A G . C O M
Feature Article Pg 36
R A I SI NG
TH E
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Lightning in a
It's an event that people find interesting – not just in the golf world, but also the casual fan and when you put that together, we kind of caught
We had thousands of fans out here on Saturday experiencing and watching the best female golfers in the world play alongside of celebrities like Cole Swindell, Lee Brice, Colt Ford, Toby Keith. It's an event that people find interesting – not just in the golf world, but also the casual fan and when you put that together, we kind of caught lightning in a bottle. Mike Flaskey, Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Resorts
No one was quite sure what to expect from the inaugural Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions Presented by Insurance Office of America, held Jan. 17-20, 2019 at Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Its unique format – bringing together LPGA Tour winners from the past two seasons to play alongside sports and entertainment celebrities – is unlike any other tournament in the golf world. And as the LPGA Tour's official season opener, some were worried the celebrities might distract from the professional game. But after the first day, it was clear Diamond Resorts and the LPGA had created something special. The unique format proved successful for four-time LPGA winner Eun-Hee Ji of South Korea, who won the inaugural event by two strokes, finishing the four-day tournament at 14-under par with a 270. Afterward, the 2009 U.S. Women's Open champion credited the relaxed atmosphere and sports star partners for her impeccable game. 10
TOP RIGHT Baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz and LPGA Tour champion Eun-Hee Ji stand proudly after winning the inaugural Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. MIDDLE RIGHT Country music singer-songwriter Colt Ford poses for a selfie with an excited fan at Tranquilo Golf Course. BOTTOM RIGHT Ariya Jutanugarn, the LPGA's 2018 No. 1 player in the world, said she enjoyed the tournament's unique format and learned a few things from her celebrity partners.
"I just enjoyed my game with my celebrity partners," Ji said after her win. "It makes it more fun and I relaxed more. So I didn't get nervous."
Her final round partner, baseball Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, might not have been quite as relaxed the last day. "I was playing math the last five holes," said Smoltz, who qualified for last year's U.S. Senior Open. "I was counting in my head. I was trying to figure out which points would put me over the top. I played real defensively for obvious reasons. A par for two points is valuable. We went in today saying par is our friend."
But his strategy proved successful, as Smoltz claimed victory in the celebrity division by three points over former All-Star pitcher Mark Mulder under the modified Stableford system. "This is a great event, and it was a grind," Smoltz said in a post-win press conference. "I've learned a lot. This feels good."
The 72-hole tournament featured 26 LPGA winners from the past two seasons playing for $1.2 million in official prize money and 49 sports and entertainment celebrities competing for their own $500,000. All four days were televised live, with Thursday and Friday on Golf Channel and Saturday and Sunday on NBC. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
For Ariya Jutanugarn, the No. 1 player in the world in 2018, the tournament was more than just a season opener – she ended up learning a few things from her round two partner, basketball Hall of Famer Ray Allen. "Actually, I asked him how to manage when you're like the best player, like how to manage everything," Ariya said after their round together. "We talked all 18 holes." Numerous LPGA players, including Ji, said they can't wait for the 2020 event, which will feature winners from the 2018 and 2019 seasons. In fact, Lydia Ko, who has won 15 LPGA titles, enjoyed the tournament so much she said she wants to win a 2019 event – not just to win, but to qualify for the 2020 Tournament of Champions.
"I think they do such an amazing job of hosting not only us, but the celebrities and the family members," she said about Diamond Resorts. "It's not that many events that you're allowed to bring in four guests and they're treated well. I think the fans are treated really well. I think that's the really cool thing about an event like this."
Details about next year's event are expected to be released later this year. Stay tuned to
DiamondLPGA.com
and follow Diamond Resorts on Twitter @DiamondResorts #DiamondLPGA 11
from their legendary careers as they toured the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum. While visiting, all four expressed their excitement in anticipation of their upcoming Induction. "It's extraordinary to be in the World Golf Hall of Fame," said Payne. "I reflect back on the journey and how I got here. It's pretty simple – I had the opportunity to lead what may be the finest organization in all of golf, and most importantly, an organization which has an unparalleled staff and members who became my best friends and didn't want me to fail. And because they didn't, I've ended up here in the Hall of Fame." "It's a great honor to be with all these great past champions and people who have done so much for the game of golf," said Goosen. "For me to be inducted is a great honor. I'm pretty proud of myself that what I've achieved in this game has got me this far." During the visit, the Inductees reflected on their successes on and off the golf course, how they would like to be remembered, and their emotions
Road to Induction Begins with Class of 2019 Inductees' First Meeting at World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum
greatest players and contributors as members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. "One of my most memorable moments was when Ray Volpe - the LPGA
The Class of 2019 Induct-
Commissioner at the time
ees officially began their
I would be the new image
"Road to Induction" when they met for the first time Monday at the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum in St. Augustine, Florida. The four living Inductees – Retief Goosen, Billy Payne, Jan Stephenson and Dennis Walters – will join the ranks of the World Golf Hall of Fame along with the late Peggy Kirk Bell during the 2019 Induction Ceremony on Monday, June 10, in Pebble Beach, the week of the U.S. Open Championship. Together, the five Inductees will bring the Hall of Fame Member total up to 160. During their initial meeting, the Class of 2019 shared stories 12
about standing alongside the game's
- came to me and asked if of the LPGA," said Stephenson. "It definitely changed everything for me." "When people look at my career, I'd like them to remember that I had a good spirit and I wasn't going to give up," said Walters. "I'm hoping that's contagious." The World Golf Hall of Fame 2019 Induction Ceremony will be staged at the Sunset Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea in California on Monday, June 10, kicking off the week of the U.S. Open Championship. For more information about the Class of 2019 Inductees and Induction Ceremony, visit www. worldgolfhalloffame.org. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
We'd Like To Put A Few Holes In Your Vacation Plans. Quite a few in fact. You see, Fairfield Glade Resort in Tennessee has 90 holes of Championship Golf alone, including Stonehenge, named among the top public courses in Tennessee by Golf Digest, GolfWeek and Golf Magazine. Then there are the many outstanding courses around nearby Crossville, widely known as the golf capital of Tennessee. In all, more than 180 holes of golf just waiting to be played atop the Cumberland Plateau. But your vacation doesn't have to be all golf. We offer 11 pristine lakes for boating and fishing, 12 miles of nature trails, a state-of-the-art Racquet Center and remarkable restaurants. This year, plan to spend your vacation at Fairfield Glade Resort and Crossville, Tennessee. The South's holey land for golfers. For information or reservations, call 931-707-2061 • www.fairfieldglade.cc Located between Knoxville and Nashville, just a few miles from I-40 (Exit 322)
Now the fun begins.
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Plantation Bay Prestigious, Private, and Convenient
Few communities offer the kind of resort-lifestyle that has come to be expected at Plantation Bay.
Live the Florida Lifestyle
Miles of pristine natural beauty blends with mature landscaping to provide the backdrop for a sparkling array of amenities all nestled within hundreds of acres of public conservation land and state parks. The history and small town charm of Ormond Beach is a place where an unhurried pace rules the day. With over twenty years of being among the best of the best, Plantation Bay is one of the best kept secrets on Florida's east coast and continues to grow and offer the type of resort-lifestyle its residents demand.
Discovery Tour Experience
See for yourself why so many have chosen to make Plantation Bay their home. Play a round of golf, dine at the club, enjoy a little tennis or just relax by the pool. Explore the area, take long walks, and talk to the residents. That's the best way to decide if Plantation Bay is a good fit for you and your family. We offer a two night/three day stay on property.
24 Hour Manned Gates Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with living in an exclusive gated community. All entrances are guard gated 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.
Community Pools The Wellness Center features two seasonally heated pools. The lap pool is a great way to stay in shape while the zero-entry pool is ideal for swimming and water aerobics classes.
Championship Golf Forty-five holes allow a congenial test of sport and spirit while offering tee placements to accommodate players of all skill levels.
Tennis, Pickleball & Bocce Courts The tennis complex boasts ten lighted Har-tru courts for members to enjoy year round, day or night. Four Pickleball courts and two bocce courts are conveniently located just steps away from the Wellness Center.
Dining & Entertainment Two clubhouses and a poolside Cabana provide a backdrop for the community's social activity and offer a variety of quality dining choices, all framed by spectacular lake and golf views.
Golf Instructional Center State of the art technology enhances the instructional experience. Our Professionals use Trackman, Boditrack, K-Motion 3d, as well as V1 High Speed Video.
Spa & Wellness Center A 7,000 square foot fitness facility includes a spacious work out center, group exercise studio and private spa treatment rooms.
Walking & Biking Trails There's no better way to take advantage of our 3,600 acres than to take a stroll or go for a bike ride on sidewalks and endless trails.
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For those looking to find a community that promises instant social life, warmth, and camaraderie, it's all right here at Plantation Bay. *$599 pricing good through 3/31/19. Availability is limited.
fashion forward header
Knights of Golf Mixes Humor and Style
Knights of Golf apparel company was created as a hurricane approached South Florida in 2017. Founder Ian Marcroft was working in construction at the time, and he was preparing for hurricane Irma when he found an old sketch pad. The images he had drawn in the book reminded him of how much he enjoyed sketching and illustrating. In the days that followed the storm, he combined his English heritage, love of Golf, and drawing skills to create "Sir Curse A Lot," – his first shirt design. As a boy, Ian spent time with his older brother hitting golf balls into coffee cans. He played his first game of golf when he was 5 years old and continued to play the game as he moved from England to Florida in the 80s. Knights of Golf was created for people who are looking to express their sense of humor and sense
Gary Williams of the Golf Channel
of style on and off the course.
six-time Major Champion and real knight, Sir Nick Faldo. Knights of Golf is currently pleased to be designing a special shirt for Sir Nick's 30th anniversary of his first Masters victory. In 2019, Knights of Golf is preparing to release its new line for women focused on women's empowerment. Featuring powerful images of a female golfer, and "Bringing it," the new shirts will also display red, white and blue Tees and the line "Your choice." "I'm very proud of Knights of Golf and am excited about the new line for women. I have been surrounded by strong women my whole life – my mom, my What started as an idea for friends and family caught fire when Ian was spotted wearing one of his T-Shirts by a retail golf merchandise manager from PGA Tour Superstore. She contacted her headquarters and within a few weeks, an order was place for over 1,000 shirts. Then people began to ask for apparel they could wear on the course and women's apparel. Meanwhile, through social media, Knights of Golf captured the attention of the Golf Channel and
wife, my sisters and my lovely daughters - and am happy to create an affordable clothing line for women that reminds them of how much they can achieve on and off the course," said Ian Marcroft, owner, Knights of Golf. "My hope is that everyone can find something in our clothing line that they enjoy." For more information, visit www.Knightsofgolf.com or follow Knights of Golf on Twitter or Instagram. You may also call/text 954.464.7032.
well-known golf celebrities such as
golf business
2019 is the Year of Exotics Tour Edge continues to take off and this time it's
letting its Exotics tour-winning line lead the way Tour Edge experienced a banner year in 2018 in which they saw their best sales and best market share numbers in company history, their most wins on the PGA Tours in a year (7 wins), their driver winning the Women's World Long Drive Championship for the 2nd time, their most aggressive advertising and consumer awareness to date and extreme growth with their top partners that led to a third straight year of handover-fist growth. These are no easy tasks for a company who has been at it for 33 years. So what's in the water over at Tour Edge? And what do they have in store for 2019? Let's take a closer look. First of all, it was hard not to notice that Tour Edge had double the size booth at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando this January for the annual trade show. The message was received; after 33 years, Tour Edge has finally arrived as a major manufacturer. It was also hard to miss their huge presence at the annual PGA Show Demo Day, where Tour Edge featured musicians and libations along with their stellar new Exotics releases for 2019. Their founder and President David Glod and his new Exotics EXS Driver were awarded the International Network of Golf's Product Ingenuity award for the new Exotics EXS at the PGA Merchandise Show. "It used to be that we would say that we were a Top 10 manufacturer in almost every club category, but our recent growth has led us to leap-frog 18
some long standing entities to where we can confidently say that we are a Top 6 or 7 golf club manufacturer," said Glod. It was also hard not to notice how Tour Edge started off the PGA Show week with a well-timed win by their staff player Tom Lehman. When Lehman opened up the 2019 PGA Tour Champions season with a victory at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, he did so with the brand new Exotics CBX 119 hybrid and a #2 Exotics CBX Iron-Wood by Tour Edge in the bag. Tour Edge announced that Lehman officially signed a deal to wear a Tour Edge Exotics logo on his chest, to carry an Exotics CBX 119 staff bag and to play their Exotics metalwoods just a few days before the season-opening win. "For Tour Edge, Hollywood could not have scripted it any better. We had just finished our awards dinner at our National Sales Conference to kick off PGA Show week in Orlando," said Tour Edge President David Glod. "Right as dinner ended, the entire company and sales force gathered around the hotel bar TV with two holes left. A big celebration ensued when Tom won because it means so much to us as a company to have our logo getting that amount of air time and for us to get our 8th victory in the last year on the PGA Tours. Our on
fire 2018 just continued right on into 2019 and it couldn't have happened at a better time." Lehman will be joined by Scott McCarron, the #2 ranking player on the PGA Tour Champions in 2018, who signed a deal with Tour Edge to play Exotics and to have the Tour Edge Exotics logo on his sleeve. Tour Edge has also signed Tim Petrovic and Duffy Waldorf to deals in 2019 to wear Tour Edge Exotics headwear and play their clubs. All in all, Tour Edge attracted over 60 different players to play their equipment on the PGA Tours in 2018. Their Exotics CBX line of tour preferred fairway woods, hybrids and iron-woods received numerous national awards including the "Most Wanted Fairway Wood of 2018" by world-renowned golf website My Golf Spy. Now they have launched the new versions of CBX with the CBX 119 fairway woods and hybrid that Lehman recently won with. The new Exotics CBX 119 continues the CBX technology of a Titanium face combo brazed onto a stainless steel body in conjunction with a carbon fiber sole. This remains the only design to ever incorporate Titanium, steel and carbon and the hybrid remains the only Titanium faced version in golf. The new CBX 119 features new shapes based on tour player feedback like more compact heads with deeper faces and shorter heel to toe ratios. Master club designer and President of Tour Edge David Glod was able to save more weight through the use of more carbon fiber on the sole, giving these clubs already known for their spin-killing properties even less spin. He was also able to raise the MOI on the both the fairway and the hybrid by widening the Speed Ramp Sole on the sole of the club by 15%. The other new Exotics, the Exotics EXS line, is loaded with technology and innovation at prices designed to be the best bang for your buck in golf in the ultra-premium sector. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
The EXS driver, fairway metal and hybrid all feature a myriad of game-enhancing innovations. For example, the loaded-with-technology EXS driver features a Flight Tuning System (FTS) that includes two interchangeable weights, an adjustable hosel that allows for plus two or minus two degrees in loft, Roll Face Technology for an expanded sweet spot, Dual Carbon Fiber placement for ideal weight distribution and a new and improved SlipStream™ Sole for faster clubhead speed. "This is the most technology we've ever been able to fit into a design and
each one works in concert with one another to provide the best performing driver possible, said Tour Edge President, founder and Master Club Designer David Glod. "The shapes are beautiful and we utilized only the finest in materials and components. I believe that at the aggressive price point that we are offering, the EXS driver will have its highest impact on the driver market over any other previous Exotics release." Their aggressive price points ($299.99 for the Exotics EXS driver, $229.99 for the EXS fairway metal and $199.99 for the EXS hybrid, all clubs that feature a
genuine Mitsubishi Tensei shaft that retails for $140 on its own!) and Tour Edge is currently advertising the Exotics EXS line heavily on the Golf Channel and across the golf industry media to create even more brand awareness than it has ever received. All signs point to another banner year for Tour Edge, with their new Exotics products leading the way on the professional tours and in the marketplace. For more information on Tour Edge and to find a local Tour Edge dealer, visit their website at www.touredge.com.
stay & play
Beachfront Resort Offers Spring Training and Honda Classic Packages
There are few things more enjoyable than a day at the big game (well, maybe a day at the beach). This month, die-hard baseball fans and golf fanatics can enjoy the best of both worlds with Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa's action packed Spring Training and The Honda Classic experiences. Vacationing baseball fans can catch a glimpse of MLB greats during Spring Training at two stadiums located minutes from the resort: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium and FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Roger Dean Stadium is the host of the St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins as well as four minor league teams. And the brand new FITTEAM Ballpark, home to the Washington Nationals and 2017 World Series Champions – the Houston Astros, is a 160-acre complex with six practice fields and a fan-friendly stadium with a host of amenities. Available for stays Feb. 23 through March 23, 2019, the resort's Baseball Fever Spring Training Package starts at
$549 per night and includes: • Overnight accommodations for two in a one-bedroom suite • Baseball, marker for autographs and Cracker Jack® snacks • Breakfast at the resort's signature restaurant 3800 Ocean • Complimentary hot dog and cold beer at the resort's oceanside Reef Tiki Bar when guests show their game day tickets at check-in
Golf travelers can catch a glimpse of PGA Tour long bombers as they showcase their skills on PGA National's Championship Course during The Honda Classic with Marriott Singer Island's VIP Tournament Package. The picturesque course, designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, is minutes away from the resort and historically brings the best players in the world to the Palm Beaches. The hole-in-one VIP Tournament Package, valid for stays Feb. 27 through March 3, 2019, with rates starting at $799 per night, includes: • Two-night stay for two in a one-bedroom suite (two-night minimum required) • Two signature Honda Classic cocktails on arrival • Two tickets to the Honda Classics in the Club for Clubs Chalet at Nicklaus Village with unlimited food and beverage service and a preferred daily parking pass. Tickets are for the second day of stay. When the games are over, guests will welcome the chance to discover Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa's endless opportunities for adventures on land and sea. Luxurious suites come fully-equipped with kitchens, living rooms and private balconies for views of sunsets on the beach. Guests can enjoy exceptionGolf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
al dining at 3800 Ocean, poolside snacks from the comfort of their cabana, or a Kitchen Table experience with wine pairings; sea-inspired pampering at its award-winning SiSpa; and comfortably furnished outdoor spaces for relaxing poolside or by a fire pit. World-class diving excursions to visit Florida's colorful underwater friends at the nearby Blue Heron Bridge as well as shark diving also await. Non-motorized water sports are available from the resort's private white sand beach, as well as two resort pools that are ideal for family fun. Interested parties can book both packages by calling 561-340-1700. Rising 21 stories above a beautiful stretch of palm-fringed sand, Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa is the only all-suite beachfront property in Palm Beach County. Each of its 193 suites offers spacious and stylish condo-style living in surroundings that are equally ideal for family vacations, romantic getaways and business travel. The décor is sleek and contemporary, with modern fur-
nishings and a palette that evokes the sand, sea and sky. Dining choices range from exceptional American regional cuisine to casual Caribbean fare. The resort's award-winning SiSpa offers seainspired pampering and wellness therapies, while its boutique-style meeting space beautifully accommodates highpowered conferences, exquisite beach weddings, and sophisticated social
events. Comfortably furnished outdoor spaces make the most of the Florida sun and sea breezes, inviting guests to relax poolside or gather for an evening of drinks and conversation by a fire pit. The resort is operated byUrgo Hotels and Resorts under license from Marriott International, Inc. or one of its affiliates. For more information visit www.palmbeachmarriottresort.com
cuisine on theheader green
Hammock Dunes Club Executive Chef Lance S. Cook Awarded Two Gold Medals by the American Culinary Federation
Hammock Dunes Club,
a private oceanfront member-owned, memberoperated club along the Central Atlantic Coast of Florida, announced today that Executive Chef Lance S. Cook, CEC, CCA, WCEC, CFBE, FSM, was awarded two Gold Medals by the American Culinary Federation (AFC) in the National Chef of the Year Competition Semifinals and Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Supply Show. The National Semifinals competition took place on Jan. 12 at the Culinary Institute at Virginia Western in Roanoke, Virginia, and was streamed globally. On Jan. 30 the Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Supply Show took place in Myrtle Beach, SC where Chef Lance Cook received a Gold Medal and second place overall out of 35 contestants. The ACF is the largest professional chefs' organization in North America, with more than 15,000 members nationwide. The Chef of the Year process starts with a submission by the contestant. After a rigorous review process by the ACF Headquarters, only four chefs are selected to represent each one of the four quadrants of the nation (Southeast, Northeast, Southwest and Northwest) for a total of 16 national candidates. Each region holds its own regional competition with the top scoring contestant advancing to the national competition to be held in Orlando, Florida, from Aug. 4-8. "It was an honor to be awarded a gold medal by one of the top organizations in the culinary field, in a competition with some of the most prominent chefs in the southeastern region," said Lance Cook. "Events like these improve culinary skills tenfold, increases efficiency in a culinarian and adds finesse to plating techniques. Most importantly, competitions push us to be better than the day before." A graduate from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New 22
York, Executive Chef Lance Cook joined Hammock Dunes Club in 2017 from Eau Gallie Yacht Club. Since earning his degree, Chef Cook has been awarded honors/certifications through the American Culinary Federation (ACF), American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) and Chaine des Rotisseurs; among others. Hammock Dunes Club is known for its unmatched oceanfront lifestyle along the coast of Florida. In addition to decadent cuisine and oceanfront dining by Chef Cook, the golf experience at Hammock Dunes Club consistently ranks among the top residential courses in the U.S.
by Golfweek. The golf experience at Hammock Dunes includes two 18-hole layouts, the Links Course, designed by Tom Fazio, and the Creek Course, designed by Rees Jones, which will play host to the 2019 Florida Open in July. The club is also set to unveil a $7.2 million expansion project later this year to showcase a newly remodeled 40,000 square-foot oceanfront Links Clubhouse that includes a new fitness center, expanded 19th Hole Bar with outdoor dining and open concept kitchen. To learn more about membership opportunities, please call 386445-0747, email information@hammockdunesclub.com or visit https:// www.hammockdunesclub.com/. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
S a d d le br ook R e s o r t • p referred go lfers p acka ge
"We are proud of the work done on the golf courses, greens, and new Golf Training Center and Range ... come play and enjoy your stay!"
Renewed Golf Courses
Receiving Rave Reviews!
Great golf is only the beginning.
Preferred Golfers Package Includes: ◆
Accommodations in a Deluxe Guest Room, 1 or 2 Bedroom Suite
Full Breakfast Buffet
18-Holes of Golf (cart & greens fees), including arrival and departure days
Unlimited Use of the Practice Facility
Nightly Club Cleaning and Storage... and More!
For Seasonal Package Pricing and Reservations Call 813-907-4401 Groups of 12 or More Call 813-907-4726
5700 Saddlebrook Way ◆ Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Ph: 813.973.1111 ◆ Fax: 813.973.1312 ◆ saddlebrook.com
More Than A Meal ... A Legendary Experience Sam Snead's Tavern like a walk through a golf museum...with really good food!
BY JEFF SHAIN
at Casey knew the end was finally near when he could see his signage again. For the better part of three years, the proprietor of Sam Snead's Tavern in Orlando had watched construction of a new Interstate 4 off-ramp envelop his restaurant, located a mere driver/wedge from the RDV Sportsplex. As Casey returned from dropping his wife's car off at the shop last December, though, he glanced up to catch a
glimpse of Snead's signature and iconic Panama Straw hat emboss the side of his building. "That was the first time I'd seen my sign in three years," Casey recalled. "I went, 'Whoa, it's still working.' Construction had just blocked everything; you couldn't see it." Such a snarl might have doomed other eateries – indeed, the colossal I-4 overhaul has brought its share of closings. But Sam Snead's remains a landmark, thanks to a loyal following that keeps coming back for an oak-fired selection of steaks, chicken and seafood in a relaxed setting. "We've been fortunate that we built up 18 years of clientele through consistency," Casey said. "So even though we lost some sales on a regular basis, it was still pretty darn good. We just made adjustments. You just sell (the staff) on the concept of excellence." Sam Snead's
Taverns, currently numbering nine locations, are scattered from West Palm Beach and Naples all the way to Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada. The restaurants honor the Hall of Famer's legacy, rising from backwoods beginnings to holding the PGA Tour's record of 82 wins (at least until Tiger Woods passes him). The dark-paneled walls are packed with Snead memorabilia – mostly photos and magazine covers but also newspaper clippings and the occasional golf club. Before reaching the hostess station, visitors can linger over photos from his 1938 Masters win and a not-so-happy moment from the 1947 U.S. Open when Snead missed a 30-inch putt on the final hole of an 18-hole playoff won by Lew Worsham. There's a thank-you note from President Gerald Ford after a 1974 round together. On another wall, a 1993 White House invitation from President Bill Clinton. There's a reproduction of the 1948 debut edition of Golf World magazine, with Snead on the cover. Casey, who acquired licensing rights from Snead's family two decades ago, said there's enough memorabilia to Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
keep several more franchises stocked. "You have no idea," Casey said with a wry smile. "I don't think Sam threw a thing away." Some photos have been reproduced to make sure they hang in all the locales. "You have to have the presidents," Casey said. "You have to have Jackie Gleason. Andy Griffith – they hunted a lot of pheasant and things like that. Ted Williams – he and Sam used to do a lot of bonefishing."
Sam Snead's Tavern proprietor, Pat Casey, and his wife, Reeta, enjoy a glass of wine after dinner. They will celebrate their 36th anniversary this month.
Casey, who has spent more than four decades in restaurant management, opened the first Sam Snead's Tavern in Orlando's MetroWest development in 1992. The space originally was slated to serve southwestern fare, but that changed when a golf buddy mentioned the Snead family had an idea for eateries. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
After meeting with the Sneads – which included 18 holes with 79-yearold Sam – Casey changed the MetroWest locale's theme. "Golf at the time was peaking," Casey recalled. "(John) Daly was hot, Tiger was just coming on. It was in a huge growth surge. And it seemed like the right place at the right time. We were close to Bay Hill, close to Windermere." The RDV Sportsplex location opened in 2000, eventually outlasting the MetroWest site and another near downtown. All was humming nicely until freeway construction commenced. The worst, Casey recalled, were the weeks when the overpass's massive I-beams were being driven into the ground. "It was like a Shaolin temple – 'BONNNG!' " he quipped. "You could see water (glasses) shake on the tables outside." Despite the disruption, Sam Snead's never laid anyone off or cut their wages. They also held the line on prices for the entire 3 ½ years. "We just felt like if nothing else, we were kind of honoring our end of the bargain with our guests," Casey said. "It's like golf. There's a certain honor to it, and integrity with what you do. "We probably could have gotten
away with some price increases, but it didn't feel right doing it at that time. I didn't want to give anybody an opportunity to say, 'I can't believe they raised their prices after driving through this maze.' " Quality and consistency has been the key to Sam Snead's popularity and longevity. Lunch favorites include Angus beef burgers, flat breads, signature soups, salads and more. Dinner entrees feature steaks, ribs, chicken, salmon, grouper, and a variety of decadent desserts. The restaurant soon will unveil a new menu, though Casey wasn't ready to offer details. With business finally on the rise, it's a good time to offer some fresh options, while continuing to uphold Sam Snead's reputation – both the eatery and the man. "I don't know anything I would have enjoyed doing more than I've done here," Casey said.
1801 Maitland Blvd. (adjacent to RDV SportsPlex) Mon - Fri: 11:30 am to 10:30 pm Sat: 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm Closed Sundays and major holidays. For reservations or catering: 407-622-8800 www.samsneadstavern.com 25
By Mike May
georgia golf central
Georgia Golf Trail Awards: Honoring The Best In 2018, the Georgia Golf & Travel Awards program was conducted throughout the U.S. and Canada. The goal of the program was to honor the 'best of' the Georgia Golf Trail. There were 13 categories such as the Favorite Golf Course, Best Par 3, Best Par 4, Best Par 5, Favorite Restaurant, Favorite Hotel/Inn/Lodge/Cottage, Favorite Resort, Favorite State Park, Favorite Attraction in Georgia, Best Value for Golf Travel in Georgia, Favorite 19th Hole, Favorite Place To Hold Meetings, and Favorite City To Visit in Georgia. Listed below is a comment about four of the winners:
Favorite Golf Course:
Brasstown Valley Resort winds its way through wildlife preserves, ponds, and streams. At all times, you have spectacular views of the surrounding mountainous terrain. Golf course designer Denis Griffiths carved a gem out of those mountains in north Georgia.
Best Par 4:
The 11th at Wallace Adams Golf Course should be called "Uphill." This short uphill par four is defined by its slight right-to-left layout and a large (and distinct) sand bunker in the middle of the fairway. From any of the four tee boxes at the 11th, that fairway
sand trap can influence your club selection. Since the hole is only 305 yards from the tips, it's best to determine what distance you want for your second shot…and then hit your tee shot to that spot on the fairway. At the 11th, the green sits on a raised plateau. Keep your approach shot below the pin. Don't 'airmail' the green. Getting 'up & down' from behind the green is not easy, as the shot is downhill and slick.
The 10th at Lakeview at Callaway Resort & Gardens is the 'signature' hole at Lake View. It features an island tee and a serpentine bridge. This is a selfie 'hot-spot.' A birdie at the 10th is a memory maker. As you transition from the 10th green to the 11th tee, you'll pass a rustic looking two-story building that is the original golf clubhouse at Callaway Gardens. While it's still an operational facility, the top story is a fine dining option – The Gardens Restaurant. Down below is a snack shop for golfers. While dining at The Gardens Restaurant, you will have a splendid view of Mountain Creek Lake and the 10th hole.
Favorite City To Visit:
Savannah is classy, charming, enlightening, historical, diverse, and classic Southern
destination. Dining in Savannah is an experience unto itself. According to Hollandsworth, the average age of each voter was 48. Men were 66% of the voters and women 34%. The participants were asked 13 questions about their favorite golf travel experiences in Georgia. "We are very pleased with our 1st Annual Georgia Golf & Travel Awards," said Doug Hollandsworth, founder, Georgia Golf Trail. "We heard from travelers and golfers from 20 states and Canada. We were very pleased with the response of signups over the six months and, especially, their comments about golf and the fun things to do here in Georgia. We received some great remarks about how glad that they are to hear about places to visit here in Georgia. Many people had no idea how much great golf there is to play in Georgia." Each month, Georgia Golf & Travel randomly picked one person to be the winner for that month and that recipient received Bridgestone golf balls, as well as a Georgia State Park goodie bag. The 2nd Annual Georgia Golf & Travel Awards will begin this June. Check out GeorgiaGolfandTravel.com for details.
Chateau Elan Winery
The winners of the 13 categories are listed below: Favorite Golf Course: Brasstown Valley Resort (Young Harris, GA)
Best Par 3: #10 of Lakeview at Callaway Resort & Gardens (Pine Mountain, GA)
Best Par 4: #11 of Wallace Adams Golf Course at Little Ocmulgee State Park (McRae, GA)
Best Par 5: #16 of Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course at Richard B. Russell State Park (Elberton, GA)
Favorite Restaurant: The Wharf, Jekyll Island Club Resort (Jekyll Island, GA)
Georgia Hidden Gems
Brasstown Valley-Favorite Golf Course
Favorite Hotel/Inn/Lodge/Cottage: Callaway Resort & Gardens (Pine Mountain, GA)
Favorite Resort: The Westin Savannah Harbor (Savannah, GA)
Favorite State Park: Amicalola Falls State Park (Dawsonville, GA)
Favorite Attraction in Georgia: Stone Mountain State Park (Stone Mountain, GA)
Best Value for Golf Travel in Georgia: Georgia State Parks
Favorite 19th Hole: The Echo at King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort ( GA)
Favorite Place To Hold Meetings: Chateau Elan Winery and Resort (Braselton, GA)
Favorite City To Visit in Georgia: Savannah, GA #10 Lake View at Callaway Gardens Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
women in golf Black Girls Golf was created out of a need to empower Black women to move from behind the desk and solidify a spot for themselves at the meetings that typically happen after the meetings on the golf course. While working in corporate America, Tiffany would notice on Fridays when it was nice outside, you could roll a bowling ball through the office because no one was there. That was her first "ah-ha" moment when she found that most of the men in the office had gone out to play golf together. She would soon realize these meetings were affecting her position. Essentially, what often happened on the golf course, was the meeting after the meet-
Kim Burrows ing, and if you aren't at the meeting after the meeting, you miss the discussions and the changes that took place. "What I found happening to me was a project would totally change course from what I was working on because they talked about it on the golf course and by the time the next project meeting came around, everyone knew what was going on except for me because I never got the invitation to play. They assumed I didn't play, and they weren't wrong because I didn't, so I decided they weren't going
Kim Burrows 28
to have another meeting without me." This is when Black Girls Golf was born. Created in 2011, Black Girls Golf was birthed after Tiffany spent several years in corporate America watching the many opportunities that were made available to her male colleagues who played golf. "I needed to build better relationships with my male colleagues and superiors at work. But how would I do that?" Golf was the answer. As Fitzgerald became a more experienced golfer, she noticed how few Black women were involved in the sport and decided to create a safe space for women to learn the game and build the confidence to get out there and play. Based in Atlanta, GA, BGG is the largest, non-competitive, membershipbased golf club for black women with over 3,000 women across 28 states. This past fall, the ladies of BGG were invited to play in the Emmy's Golf Classic and made the front page of the Emmy's newsletter. What most don't know, is that the golf industry pulls in about $84 billion dollars annually and women make up about 1% of that; Black women even less. BGG seeks to be the change. With judgment free golf outings and golf lessons for all stages, BGG has a mission to push ALL women beyond their comfort zones and into the forefront of change. In addition to the membership component, Fitzgerald created the Black Girls Golf Foundation for Diversity and Inclusion to create a more diverse and inclusive pipeline into careers in the golf industry. In partnership with Clemson University, BGG Foundation hosts teen golfers from across the U.S. for a weeklong immersive experience on the school's campus. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 6
Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
Personalized Golf Instruction Around The World Imagine taking a golf trip to Hong Kong, or Sao Paulo, Brazil, or Marbella, Spain, or Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico and being able to continue with the same instruction you are taking back home in Orlando! Through a unique arrangement called the Nicklaus Academy Club, Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf locations throughout the world offer a reciprocal program to their students and members. Each Nicklaus Academy is unique in their offering based on the amenities their facilities have on-site or have access to nearby. Some have championship golf courses while others offer state-of-the-art driving ranges and teaching facilities. Others have luxury suites on property or special relationships with area hotels to provide accommodation options. A discount on instruction, or clinics, or rounds of golf, meals and rooms
Jack Nicklaus -- 1978 British Open
Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy 30
is offered depending on the location. Travelers are treated like 'members' at whatever Academy they visit. Regardless of the varied amenities, every Nicklaus Academy offers the same proven Jack Nicklaus instruction philosophy and teaching system for its students. Prior communication between the coaches at the facilities ensures the students personalized instruction picks up right where they left it back home. From recreational adults to developing performance juniors, every student can be accommodated. The Nicklaus Academy Club is available to not only students and members of Nicklaus Academy locations, but also to their Certified Instructors. Nicklaus Academy professionals are welcomed with open arms to teach their students while at any of the participating facilities. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
Orlando World Center Marriott "We have such a great network of 'partners' as I like to refer to our clients", states Ted Simons, Exec VP/COO for Nicklaus Academies. "The cross-marketing between the locations and their willingness to open up their facilities to our students and instructors speaks volumes about how passionate they are about sharing their love of the game.
And it reflects their deepest respect for Mr. Nicklaus and his legacy in golf that they have the opportunity and responsibility to carry forward. This is a special benefit for our students to see and experience golf in virtually every corner of the world without having to leave their golf game, and instruction, behind." For those in the US that would like to
take advantage of the Nicklaus Academy Club, check out the Nicklaus Academy at Hawk's Landing Golf Club at the Orlando World Center Marriott (www. nicklausacademyorlando.com). Sign up to become a Nicklaus Academy Member and enjoy the benefit of access to some of the more special golf facilities in the world – and a better golf game.
Finca Cortesin, Spain Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
cart girl Where did you grow up? Born and raised in Florida!
What is your favorite sport to play? It's not really considered a sport, but I absolutely love to run! I started running cross-country in high school and have loved it ever since. It clears my mind and gives me a sense of accomplishment when I'm finished.
What do you feel makes this club special? I love the fact that the Harmony golf course is a nature preserve. Every day that I work I see rabbits, deer, Sandhill cranes, wild turkey, turtles, and alligators.
What is your favorite part of being a cart girl? My favorite part of being a cart girl is being outside in the Sun! It is so therapeutic to be out in the Florida sunshine, riding around our beautiful course.
If you weren't a cart girl, what would you be doing? Soon I will be a nurse! This May I will be graduating with my registered nursing license, and hope to start work right away. Through shadowing in the hospital, I have found a real passion for caring for people and helping them get better. I can't wait to start my career there soon.
What hobbies do you enjoy? When I'm not at work or studying for school, I enjoy running and reading.
e n o t S y d n a M Photo by Terrie Purdum
Tyler Gottstein
golf bachelor header Where were you born? Did you grow up there?
Born in Los Angeles, CA. Spent my childhood on the beaches of Orange County, CA.
Is "acting your age" overrated? One day when I act my age, I will let you know.
What do you do for a living? I am an entrepreneur. I started my first business at 20 years old and haven't looked back. I enjoy the challenges of building something scratch and overcoming difficult problems.
What is your Business? I am one of the founding members
and CEO of Cadi. Cadi is an unattended, Automated Retail Technology company. Cadi allows Golfers to demo and compare the latest and greatest golf equipment in the ideal setting, Right on the golf course during their round or on the driving range. Cadi allows to a golfer to try before they buy and experience the feel and improved performance of the clubs before making a purchase decision. Cadi removes the overhead of a traditional golf shop thus passes the savings down to the golfer. We believe Cadi is the future of Golf retail.
What would you like to do for a living? If there was something I wanted, I would quit my current situation and chase that dream. Currently, I want to create a disruptive company and be the best version of myself.
Name the three most important things to you in this world. This is my interview, I and naming four things. Family, Friends, Love and Health
What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy golf foursome? Richard Branson, Lebron James,
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Assuming they play golf.
What are some of your great accomplishments? My Greatest Accomplishments are still to come. To date, my two master's degrees, my collegiate basketball career and my perseverance with Cadi are my greatest accomplishments. 31200 Eagle Falls Drive Brooksville, Florida
Favorite comedian? I like many comedians, but I love Ellen 31200 Eagle Falls Drive
DeGeneres. Maybe I can do something to be on her show.
Brooksville, Florida Directions
Favorite charity to support? Jimmy V foundation for Cancer
Located on RouteDirections 50 just East of I-75 about 1/2 mile. Turn left/right, on Route 50 course is about 1/2 mile on just left.East of Eagle Falls Drive What else would you like31200 for us toLocated know about you? Check I-75 about 1/2 mile. Turn out the Cadi Kiosk at Orange Lake Golf Course in Kissimmee, left/right Brooksville, Florida course is about 1/2 mile on left. FL. I would love to meet you. Research.
Tournament Chairman Located on Route 50 just East of I-75 about 1/2 mile. Turn left/right, Tournament Chairman course is about 1/2 mile on left. Gene Smith (904) 910-5593 Gene Smith Smith1424@aol.com (904) 910-5593 Smith1424@aol.com Tournament Chairman
Entries must be received by April 14, 2019 Entries must be received by Gene Smith April 14, 2019
(904) 910-5593 Smith1424@aol.com
Entries must be received by April 14, 2019
Whom do you most admire for their inner and outer beauty? I love Dolly Parton. Even If I can't time travel back to the 70s, I still love her personality and her impact on the world. I hope I can positively affect the world like her. Tell us something about yourself that only your closest friends know. I have Heterochromia iridium. Meaning I have two
different colored Eyes. One is Brown and the other is Green. And all my secrets. You must ask them. 34
f t,
The U. S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association Foundation (Florida Chapter) invites The U. S. Marine Corps Combat you to play in and/or be a sponsor or Correspondents Association patron in the 2019 15th Annual Benefit Foundation (Florida Chapter) invites Golf Tournament at the Sherman Hills you to play in and/or be a sponsor or Golf Club. This event is a primary patron in the 2019 15th Annual Benefit The U.Golf S. Marine CorpsatCombat fundraiser that supports theSherman "CC's" Hills Tournament the patriotic, charitable and educational Correspondents Association Golf Club. This event is a primary programs for both dutythe and Foundation (Florida Chapter) invites fundraiser thatactive supports "CC's" retired Marines and their families. you topatriotic, play in and/or be aand sponsor or charitable educational Benefit patronprograms in the 2019 for 15th both Annual active duty and The Tournament USMC Hills retiredCombat Marines andSherman their families. Golf at Correspondents the Association formed The Golf Club. This eventinis1945. a primary USMCCCA membership includes The USMC Combat Correspondents fundraiser that supports the "CC's" Marines from every conflict sinceThe World Association formed in 1945. patriotic, charitable and educational War II to the present war in Afghanistan USMCCCA membership includes programs for both active duty and Marines from World and Iraq. Membership isconflict open tosince those retired Marines andevery their families. Warwho II totell the the present warCorps in Afghanistan Marines Marine story and Iraq. Membership is open to those via the printed word, photography, The USMC Combat Correspondents who art tell the Marine Corps story radio,Marines film, video, and reproduction. Association in 1945. The via the formed printed word, photography, USMCCCA membership radio, film, video, artincludes and The CCs provide tangible and reproduction. intangible Marines from every conflict since World support for our wounded Marines, their War II The to and the present war in Afghanistan CCs provide tangible and intangible widows their children. This proud support for our wounded Marines, and Iraq. Membership is open to thosetheir organization also provides scholarships widows and their children. proud Marines who tell the Marine Corps story to Marines and their dependents,This and organization also provides scholarships via the printed word, photography, supports annual professional development to Marines and and radio, film, video, arttheir anddependents, reproduction. and awards of excellence for active duty supports annual professional development Marines in the public affairs, photography, and awards of excellence for active duty The provide tangible and intangible andCCs art occupational fields. Marines in the public affairs, photography, support for our wounded Marines, their and art occupational fields. widows and their children. This proud The USMCCCA organization also provides scholarships Foundation is a The USMCCCA to Marines and their dependents, and 501(c) 3 tax-exempt Foundation is a development supports annual professional organization as 501(c) 3 tax-exempt and awards of excellence for active duty defined by the IRS. as photography, Marines in the public affairs,organization defined by the IRS. and art occupational fields.
The USMCCCA Foundation is a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization as defined by the IRS.
Printing Courtesy of
352.787.4650 • www.fordpress.com
2019 Our 15th Year 2019 USMC 15th Year CombatOur Correspondents USMC Foundation Golf Tournament 2019 Combat Correspondents (Florida Chapter) Our 15th Foundation Golf Year Tournament Friday, April 26, 2019 USMC (Florida Chapter) Combat Correspondents Friday, April 26, 2019 Foundation Golf Tournament to benefit (Florida Chapter) America's wounded Marines Friday, April 26, 2019
12:30 p.m. Shotgun Start 12:30 p.m. Shotgun Start Sherman Hills Golf Club Sherman HillsFlorida Golf Club Brooksville, Brooksville, Florida DIRECTIONS: Located on Route just East of 1-I-75 12:30 p.m.50Shotgun Start about 1/2 mile. Turn left/right, Sherman Golf Club course is aboutHills 1/2 mile on left.
Brooksville, Florida
TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN Gene Smith (904) 910-5593 Smith1424@aol.com
feature header
By Kevin Frisch
A Buddy Trip Golf Destination with Modern and Historic Charm A golf test: circle the item that best defines great golf buddy trip destinations: 1) Quantity of golf 2) Quality of golf 3) Great dining and lodging venues as well as activities to do in addition to golf 4) All of the above
Write us down for a 4,
and note that destinations like French Lick Resort in southern Indiana, Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst, Streamsong, Kiawah and Kohler fit the profile and have earned reputations as great trip destinations for golfers. Regarded as one of the Best Golf Resorts in the Americas by Golf Digest magazine, French Lick Resort is a top resort in the Midwest that fits in with those same courses and is a destination that circles all the items. Situated atop the rolling hills overlooking the Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana, this historic resort is located in the small town of French Lick, where for over two centuries the Pluto Mineral Springs have attracted visitors. (It is also well-known as the hometown of basketball legend Larry Bird, and his former high school gym is only a few blocks away.) For quantity and quality of golf it features 45 holes of championship golf designed by Donald Ross, Pete Dye, and Tom Bendelow. 36
For dining, lodging and activities choose among a pair of historic and iconic hotel destinations with great restaurants, a casino and many other amenities, as well as short, quick-trip access to restaurants and activities like fishing and hunting in the welcoming resort community around French Lick. Since the early 1900's, golf has been an integral part of this resort area. Tom Bendelow designed the first course in the area in 1907, and the great Donald Ross designed a course 10 years later that has withstood the test of time. Speaking of time, in 2009 Hall of Fame architect Pete Dye designed a visually stunning masterpiece on timeless property, and it has quickly become one of the most highly Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
Wilstem Grizzly Encounter acclaimed courses in the country. The Pete Dye course achieved a rare double honor in 2009 by being selected as America's best new course by the two leading golf publications in the country – Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine. It is located on a dramatic hilltop, which is one of the highest points in the state of Indiana, and offers panoramic views of the Hoosier National Forest that stretch as far as 40 miles. "I have spent over five decades designing golf courses all over the world, includ-
ing courses on great coastal sites, and this course at French Lick is on arguably the best inland site I have ever worked on," Dye has proclaimed. As for the historic Donald Ross Course, it underwent a $4.6 million restoration project in recent years that brought the course back to Ross's original genius plans. If the Ross Course could talk, what stories it could tell from a rich history. It was site of the 1924 PGA Championship won by the legendary Walter Hagen, and has hosted other golf greats and celebrities including Gene Sarazen, Chick Evans, and Bing Crosby. Locals also are proud that 1979 Masters winner Fuzzy Zoeller lives not far away and often proclaims he would play the course to prep for his trips Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
to Augusta National. It is a parkland gem that meanders up and down the rolling hills a few miles from the main resort. The wonderful routing of the holes takes full advantage of the many elevation points for classic Ross green sites, which are sloped dramatically and in classic form – from back to front. French Lick is the only resort in the world that combines the classic historic work of Ross with the extraordinary modern-day work of Dye providing a spectacular opportunity for golfers to experience two of the best designers in golf history on one trip. A trip that scores a perfect 4 for buddies can be best experienced through French Lick Resort's Hall of Fame Golf Package. It provides opportunities to play both the Ross and Dye courses all day over a two-day period. Golfers can opt to stay at either the French Lick Springs Hotel, which is connected to the 51,000-square foot casino, or the elegant West Baden Springs Hotel. Both hotels underwent a $600 million historic restoration back in
the mid-2000's, bringing the resort back to national prominence and both hotels back to their original sophistication and luxury. Whether the group opts to play 27 or 36 or more in one day, the value can't be beat with an all-day one-price option. On the arrival day, golfers also receive a 9-hole welcome warmup round on the Bendelow course, which is a classic, fun parkland design. If all-day golf is not everybody's option, then beckoning are the spa, pool area or outdoor area activities such as private hunting and fishing experiences, or testing luck at the casino. Check out the new Grizzly Encounter at nearby Wilstem Ranch. In the evenings the group can experience a variety of fine dining options at each hotel, or head into the town of French Lick and check out the likes of 33 Brick Street, which is named after its beloved basketball son, Larry Bird. Write us down for a 4: All of the above. Visit www.frenchlick.com.
grip it &header sip it
takes a non-interventionist approach towards this clas-
sic Margaret River blend of sauvignon blanc and semillon, with the aim to preserve as much fruit intensity and regional character as possible. The style accentuates the fresh, vibrant fruit characters of both varieties with the added complexity and palate weight offered through a small component of barrel fermentation.
TASTING NOTES Appearance Bright and shiny, white gold with silver hues. Nose The nose is a perfect painting of our Margaret River surroundings - a patch of ancient earth surrounded by vast oceans where fresh, crisp saline scents of the sauvignon blanc meld with the earthy unctuosity of the semillon. The nose is intense with nuances of yellow peach, rockmelon, passionfruit, lemon zest and juniper berry aromas, topped by a hint of white pepper corn. Palate The first approach is very fresh with excellent vibrancy and tension, developing into citrus and melon characters. The
wine is then textural and unctuous, ending with a long, zesty finish accompanied by a line of minerality that brings us back to the ocean cliffs and Margaret River mouth. Food pairing Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon will be your best friend with a platter of freshly shucked oysters, ideally served alongside a water view. The winemakers also recommend it with pacific or atlantic salmon with a gingersoy dressing and Asian greens or pink snapper with beurre blanc and a summer salad. "Oyster and Sauvignon Blanc Semillon by the Cape Mentelle beach, air full of iodine and warm sunset" – Frédérique Perrin, Technical Director
By Dove Jones
competitive spirits
Joining the great names in American Distilling – Jim (Beam) 1795 – Jack (Daniels) 1864 – is Willie (Blazer) 2010. Located in the tiny Montana town of Ennis (population 900) the distillery that proudly bears his name is adding another chapter to America's great distilling culture, practiced even by George Washington. Willie, along with his wife, Robin, are changing the way the west was won, one handcrafted bottle of spirits at a time. Their tagline – Spirits of the American West – perfectly describes, in under a decade, that they are achieving their goal of producing spirits that embody the tradition of the American West's independent spirit and authenticity. The small batch distillery prides itself on making all their spirit line in house with only locally sourced ingredients – especially their secret – pure Montana mountain water from the source. The quality alone of these handcrafted, small batch spirits is enough to go to the trouble of scoring for your personal stash, but there's another reason to support Willie's – Willie himself is a veteran and makes a point to employ veterans in all aspects of the business from production to marketing. In addition, Robin currently serves as not only President of Willie's but also the Montana Distillers Guild, echoing Montana's Prohibition-era trend of women in the distilling industry. Currently Montana law prohibits state-to-state shipping but check the website (williesdistillery.com) for other
on-line ordering options and states where their products are sold. There is also a line of other great non-alcoholic Willie's gear and products available. Better yet schedule a visit to Montana. Current product line includes: Big Horn Bourbon, Montana Moonshine, Montana Honey Moonshine, Wild Montana Chokecherry Liqueur, Huckleberry Sweet Cream Liqueur, Willie's Genuine Canadian Whisky, Willie's Coffee Liqueur, Snowcrest Vodka. Hailing from the Appalachian Mountain area of North Carolina, known for its Moonshine, Willie says you can use Montana Moonshine in place of vodka, whiskey or tequila in your favorite cocktails.
Keeping with the authentic theme try their soon to be famous "Moonshine Mule." I mean seriously have you ever seen a real mule in Moscow?
Moonshine Mule INGREDIENTS 2 oz. Montana Moonshine Cock N Bull Ginger Beer Fresh Lime Juice DIRECTIONS Pour all ingredients into an ice filled copper mug and garnish with a fresh lime wedge.
Kenny Perry and Trevor Immelman have made Transitions® lenses part of their game.
www.TurfLife.club Come see us at the PGA Show booth #3516
On the PGA TOUR®, vision is a golfer's most important equipment. Transitions lenses adapt to changing light to help golfers see more comfortably in all light conditions and help protect eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays.
Visit your local Vision Source doctor, Dr. James Podschun, located at 2828 Casa Aloma Way, Suite 400 in Winter Park, FL 32792, to ask which Transitions lenses are right for you. 407-671-0960
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Transitions and the swirl are registered trademarks and Transitions Adaptive Lenses is a trademark of Transitions Optical, Inc. ©2012 Transitions Optical, Inc.
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golfheader travel Olgebay Mansion Wedding
A Proper Dose of Old and New at Oglebay Oglebay is nestled
in the beautiful rolling hills of Wheeling, West Virginia. One year removed from the resort's 90th anniversary in 2018, Oglebay offers both classic and modern golf layouts that appeal to purist and contemporary architecture enthusiasts. With the
Crispin Course's debut in the 1930's, Robert Trent Jones Sr. Course in 1971 and Palmer Course in 2000, few resorts can boast a near 70-year span between course openings set amid one of the most beautiful backdrops in America. In 1900, Cleveland industrialist Earl
The Outdoor Pool at Oglebay
Oglebay aerial challenge
Oglebay purchased a stately mansion surrounding 750 acres to serve as his summer home. For the next 25 years, Mr. Oglebay spared no expense in turning his property into a beautiful country estate and model farm, which included extensive research in soil culture and crop rotation. Upon his death, the philanthropist willed his property to the City of Wheeling for as long as they "shall operate it for public recreation." The picturesque estate has since expanded to 2,000 acres of year-round recreational activities and exceptional overnight accommodations. Today, Wheeling Park is studied by planners worldwide as the only self-supporting public municipal park in operation in the United States. As part of Oglebay's dedication to offering firstclass public experiences, their price levels remain reasonable to the everyday guest. In a state not typically acclaimed for its golf courses, Oglebay is truly a diamond in the rough. The Jones Course previously
hosted the West Virginia LPGA Classic for 11 years. The Palmer Course, Oglebay's second championship design, possesses all the characteristics of a modern resort course, and the Crispin Course – Oglebay's original design – is perfect for players of all skill levels. Oglebay is one hour's drive from Pittsburgh and easily accessible from Columbus, Charleston (W.V.), Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit and numerous Midwest and Northeast metropolitan areas. For more information, visit www.oglebaygolf.com. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
Montana Marvels – Spanish Peaks Mountain Club and Moonlight Basin "Lions and tigers and BEARS, Oh My!!!" OK, while there might not be any lions or tigers, you can find moose and elk and oh yes, bears, some of the Grizzly kind, occasionally sharing the fairways in Montana. I've been privileged to find some special amenities in my golf carts throughout the years, mainly of the alcoholic variety, but also balls, towels, hats, etc. but I must say the menacing looking black and red can of Bear Spray in my luxury Club Car™ at Moonlight Basin was a first. Moonlight Basin is perhaps the most scenic course you've never heard of – definitely rivaling any famous course along the coast including Pebble Beach, Teeth of the Dog or Ailsa at Trump Turnberry. Instead it is a visual roller coaster of a Jack
Nicklaus-design that routes itself taking full advantage of bordering literally hundreds of thousands of protected mountain vistas in every direction. Make no mistake, regardless of the wildlife; this is no walking course, rather a wild ride over a very playable layout through some of the West's last unspoiled territory. You may feel as if you are hundreds of miles from civilization but members and guests enjoy a variety of exceptional and unique on course refreshments to keep them fortified during their round. The comfort stations are more like general stores, stocked with all sorts of complimentary savory and sweet treats with a variety of beverages to go with them. Best of all there are some "hidden" tree bars – literally boxes in the trees that usually hold a bottle of local favorite Big Horn Bourbon (as pictured) bottled at neighboring Willie's Distillery. Just around the mountain lies the Spanish Peaks Mountain Club. Its centerpiece is a Tom Weiskopf classic that doesn't require bear spray in their carts but provides equally magnificent vistas and tamer local wildlife sightings.
Bear Spray - Don't leave Moonlight Basin clubhouse without it!!! The course plays right out of the intimate Lodge which offers a handful of over the top comfortable rooms, cozy bar, rustic dining with gourmet regional cuisine, complimentary snacks throughout, a pool and the golf pro shop with locker room facilities. The menu at the Lodge's restaurant isn't expansive but the chef works magic with the freshest and locally sourced larder. I enjoyed seared scallops over sweet corn chowder that I still dream
Fabulous Chef's seasonal creations
Spanish Peaks Clubhouse - photo credit Tony Demin is a year round playground destination. The area is world renown for its extraordinary fly-fishing beats. Almost as exciting as making a hole-in-one was catching my first trout due to a very patient and knowledgeable local guide. Crossharbor Capital, the current owners of Moonlight Basin and Spanish of – one of my top five meals of the year. Peaks Mountain Clubs – along with exMoonlight Basin and sister memberpanding a portfolio of varying real estate ship property Spanish Peaks Mountain options in a variety of price ranges have Club both sit in the shadow of the Big made a commitment to the members to Sky Ski Resort and just above the growprovide the finest amenities – both suming charming mountain town of Big Sky. mer and winter – available to any year While the golf season is short usually round residential recreational commufrom mid-June to the first of October, this nity in the world. Besides the existing facilities there are plans to build a world-class shooting facility; provide onsite lift access at the Moonlight Basin Clubhouse; expansion of trails – ski, mountain biking and hiking; addition of accommodation options with an ultra-luxury Montage Hotel & Spa at Spanish Peaks; etc. They also have made a commitment to the Town of Big Sky with new accommodation, retail and cultural arts facilities. This all in conjunction with their working relationship with Boyne Resorts to provide exceptional stewardship of the environmental areas to ensure generations to follow will enjoy the same outdoor experiences. The Communities are also only a short drive from the Western entrance to Yellowstone National Park opening up endless outdoor pursuits for members and visitors alike. Try fly fishing in spectacular scenery Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
The Lodge at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club enjoys fantastic views from every vantage Both Moonlight Basin and Spanish Peaks Mountain Club are separate membership clubs. There is limited access to amenities, including golf, for non-members by staying at certain facilities and when evaluating real estate purchases. Please contact the Clubs prior to traveling to confirm current access policies. Big Sky is located a scenic 45-minute drive from the Bozeman/Yellowstone airport through the Gallatin Canyon. www.moonlightbasin.com spanishpeaks.findyourbigsky.com
Moonlight Basin's hidden stashes of local Big Horn Bourbon 45
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Photos by Scott Halleran
Bernhard Langer and caddie daughter Jackie Langer John
Langer Shoots Tournament-Record 19- Under To win Oasis Championship After dramatically taking
the Oasis Championship lead Saturday with a final-hole eagle, Bernhard Langer made sure there wouldn't be a question of who would win. Five birdies on the first seven holes on The Old Course at Broken Sound made it clear to everyone this Oasis Championship belonged to Langer. Thanks to a final-round 65, he cruised to a five-shot victory with a tournament-record 19-under 197 in front of record crowds. "It was an amazing start, one of my best starts ever," Langer said. "In these conditions, as windy as it was today, it was very, very good. I made the putts I had to make. I didn't put myself into any great trouble." It was Langer's 39th career PGA TOUR Champions win – six shy of Hale Irwin's record – and the $255,000 first prize moved Langer past Irwin as the tour's all-time leader in earnings ($27,120,554). Marco Dawson birdied the last two holes to finish second at 14-under 202. But somebody has to finish second, right? Langer was temporarily tied for the lead when David Toms eagled the first hole, but Langer responded with birdies at No. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 to 46
Bernhard Langer
take a five-shot lead. Ball game! "It was kind of deflating, really," Toms said. "When you start two shots back, you get off to a good start and then all
of a sudden you're four shots back not very far into the round. You see what he's doing and you see how he played on this golf course today in the conditions that we played. That stuff competes on the PGA TOUR, in my opinion. It's unfortunate that he's not playing out there, that we have to try and beat him." Langer may live 10 minutes from Broken Sound, but he basically owns the Oasis Championship. In 12 starts at Broken Sound, he has two wins, two seconds, two thirds, eight top10s and has earned $1.2 million. That's a nice career for most folks. Langer became the first repeat winner in the event's 13-year history and shattered the previous largest margin of victory of two shots (three times). He made only one bogey all week, on the 17th hole Saturday – and followed that with an eagle on the next hole to take the lead for good. He got to share the victory with his daughter, Jackie. It was the third time she caddied for him and their first win together. "I have a lot of things to celebrate," Langer said. "It means a great deal to win in front of your family and friends. Winning at home is always special." Once again, the Oasis Championship winner was a family affair. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
Bob Estes
Defending champion Mark Calcavecchia, playing despite severe back pain, made 10 birdies to earn $20,000 for the Moabery Family Foundation.
David Toms Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
Marco Dawson 47
Mayfair Country Club: Rooted in the Late 1800s
Golf in Sanford,
Florida can trace its roots back to the late 1800s, when Henry Sanford lived in the area. Back in 1870, Sanford purchased a 20,000 acre tract of land and in 1878, he sold a portion of that big piece of real estate to Charles Armory. Soon after the purchase was complete, Armory, a retired sea captain, transformed the property by clearing much of the land, planting a number of citrus trees, inserting a double row of oak trees, and building a ship-shaped house. Those oak trees remain today and actually line the entrance to what is now the Mayfair Country Club in Sanford. That original house is also intact and is part of the clubhouse of the Mayfair Country Club. Construction of this golf course began in 1922. The labor force for the golf course was a 50-man crew. Later that year, the first nine holes were opened. Initially, this course was called the Sanford Country Club. This course's historical roots are a big reason why it is one of 54 golf courses in Florida that comprise the Florida Historic Golf Trail. Today, the course is called the Mayfair Country Club (3536 Country Club Road, Sanford, Florida) and it features 18 holes. This par-70 layout features four
sets of tees that range from 5,000 to 6,400 yards. "Our people who work here make visitors feel like this is their home course," said Pete Sands, general manager, Mayfair Country Club. "The atmosphere here makes everybody feel welcome." Another appealing aspect of the Mayfair is the condition of the course – 24/7/365. "Our superintendent, Chris Zinna, is an outside-the-box thinker who is a magic man on course maintenance," added Sands. "Our greens are always PGA Tour quality. Area golfers love our greens." It didn't take long for this course to attract two of the game's biggest stars for an exhibition. In 1927, Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen traveled to Sanford to compete in an 18-hole exhibition match at the club. It was a match play competition that day which was over and done with after 14 holes. It was not Sarazen's day as 'The Haig' defeated 'The Squire' 5 and 4. By the end of their playing careers, Hagen had won 11 majors and Sarazen had won seven majors. By the early 1950s, this course hosted an annual PGA Tour event from 1955-1958 -- The Mayfair Inn Open. A number of well-known pros, such as Sarazen, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, and Canada's Moe Norman, Mayfair Clubhouse
under construction in 1919 played in this pro tourney. The Mayfair Inn Open is where Palmer won his first professional check for $528 in December 1956. The Mayfair Inn Open had a short shelf-life as a pro tournament, as they say, but it was brought back for area professionals and local golfers in 2018. It now attracts roughly 40 pros and more than 100 amateurs. Also, Baseball Hall of Famer Babe Ruth was also a frequent visitor to the Mayfair Country Club. Another regular event at the Mayfair is the Points Game, which is a skins game held every Saturday morning. A pair of hurricanes that swept through central Florida in the early 2000s led to the loss of many of the old oak trees that were dripping with Spanish moss and had helped build an atmosphere which was symbolic of old Florida. Now, the course is more open, which is great for higher handicap players, but the approaches to the green still retain a somewhat high degree of difficulty. The course does have a strong Floridian trait, as more than half of the holes have a water hazard. After playing golf, enjoy a meal and a drink at the 1922 Grill, which provides "great food and ambience at its finest," according to the course's website. To secure a tee time at the Mayfair Country Club, call the pro shop (407322-2531). It will give you a chance to play the same course where Arnie won his first check and where 'The Haig' once defeated 'The Squire.' Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
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Lunch sponsored by:
By Fred Seely
freddy's fairway thoughts header
ciously explained the error which cost DeVicenzo a chance to win a playoff the next day with Bob Goalby. The press horde had been hunting Aaron and saw us, and Linc and I graciously told him that he didn't need to talk to anyone else and to get on his way. (That was back when newspapers competed.)
Illustration by Greg Wise
Thoughts on having been a daily newspaper golf writer back when newspapers had golf writers: • Remembering my one shot at notoriety. The Greensboro tournament is still known as the Pop Top Open and here's why. It used to be played the week before the Masters, thus it was the signal of springtime for the North Carolina folks. Among the PGA Tour pros, it was known as the Beer Can Open because, as the late Dan Sikes explained, "They've been inside all winter and all you can hear are the beer cans getting opened." I wrote a column about it and the desk back in Jacksonville wrote the headline: Pop My Top, It's the GGO. I'd never received hate mail until then. One of the Carolina teams came to the Gator Bowl that year and I recall being kicked by the wife of the Greensboro sports editor. I still occasionally hear about it and it seems the name sticks despite the move to the fall. • Going to the L&M Match Play tournament (back when there were L&M cigarettes) and staying at the Carolina Inn in Pinehurst, and publicist Bob Drum telling the assembled media to "put it on my tab, boys." (Back when there were no girls in the media.) The next morning, he called everyone together and begged us to forget what he said the night before. "The big brass thought I was buying a few beers. You guys didn't drink just a few beers." • Going to the U.S. Open in Pebble Beach without any sweaters, then (literally) paying the price in the pro shop because we didn't realize it was cold out there in June. • In the same tournament, sitting on the practice range tee about 10 feet away as Jack Nicklaus tried to help Tom Watson hit tee shots straight. • Watching Rafe Botts hit one off the clubhouse roof in the Pensacola Open. • Interviewing Tommy Aaron in the parking lot after he put in the wrong 17th hole score on Roberto deVicenzo's card. There were only two of us there (Lincoln Werden of the New York Times was the other) and Aaron gra50
• Sitting in the Sawgrass locker room in 1979 after the third round of what was then called the Tournament Players Championship and watching player after player be forced to sit in the barber chair and explain what happened to him on that oh-so-blustery day when the field averaged over 79 strokes. • Sitting with several beered-up pros after a round at the old Disney tournament and hearing tales of cheaters on the Tour. • Getting told by company lawyers that I couldn't name the names that the beered-up pros named. • Enjoying the press room banter about ways each of us had convinced our sports editor that covering golf was a miserable experience so they wouldn't pull rank and take the trips. • Sitting in amazement at Augusta while Clifford Roberts, when asked about the absence of black players, spoke of "our dark-complected friends" in an oh-so-condescending tone. • Sharing a typewriter at Augusta with an English writer and forgetting that we weren't sharing the telephone on the counter, too. I called my office and was connected with an indignant Cockney editor at the London Daily Mail who told me to "git da hell offa me line." • Tour qualifying once had fields almost as good as Tour events and I covered one in West Palm Beach, where the field included the likes of Tom Watson, Lanny Wadkins and Steve Melnyk. Part of the school was a difficult written exam and then-Commissioner Joe Dey let me take it. He wouldn't tell me how I did until several years later, when he admitted that I scored better than over half the field. • In a U.S. Open full of bizarre things (1970 at Hazletine,) the organizers got mad at the media for going along with complaints about the course and pulled the beer out of the press tent. Most of us were on the last bus back to Minneapolis and faced the spectre of an hour's drive with no beer until we heard the party going on in the ABC tent. While a half-dozen of us lurked outside, Greensboro writer David Lamm (all 5-foot-7, 230 pounds of him) slipped under the tent and handed beers back out.
Comments? fs4569@comcast.net. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
Please Drink Responsibly. Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 43% Alc./Vol., 46% Alc./Vol. © 2019 Imported by Moët Hennessy USA Inc., New York, NY
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North Florida PGA Proudly Announces 2019 Section Award Winners! The best of the best! The North Florida PGA is proud to announce our 2019 Section Award Winners. These deserving people came from a strong list of Chapter Award Winners. Our Section has 4 Chapters thus there were 4 strong candidates for each Section Award. Thank you to all of the committee members who gave their time and passion in selecting Chapter and Section Award winners. Congratulations to all of the nominees. As always the process demands some tough decisions and a lot of review. Winners will be featured at our 2019 Annual Meeting. And now, our 2019 North Florida PGA Award Winners:
Golf Professional of the Year: Russ Libby, Hidden Hills Golf & CC
Teacher of the Year: Fred Griffin, Grand Cypress Golf Academy
Horton Smith Award: Darin Hoff, Grand Cypress Resort
Bill Strausbaugh Award: Kennie Sims, Tampa Sports Authority
Youth Player Development: Jack Aschenbach, North Florida Junior Golf Foundation
Merchandiser of the Year Resort: Brian Riddle, TPC Sawgrass
Assistant of the Year: Brett Donnelly, Country Club of Orlando
Deacon Palmer Award: Mike Clayton, Lakewood Ranch Golf & CC
Sales Representatives of the Year: Chip Holcombe, Srixon Cleveland Golf; Mike Angelo, Titleist; Jamie Wilson, Cobra Puma Golf
Amateurs of the Year:
Bill Filson, Royal St Cloud Golf Links
Wayne Raath, Lone Palm Golf Club; Jeff Tanner, Orlando; Jeff Adams, Jacksonville; Taffie Brisley, Sarasota
Patriot Award:
Superintendent of the Year:
Bobby Welborn, Walt Disney World Golf
Jeff Plotts, TPC Sawgrass
Player Development:
Russ Libby – Golf Professional of the Year
Merchandiser of the Year Private:
2018 Player of the Year:
Todd Bork, San Jose CC
Rod Perry, Crane Lakes Golf & CC
Merchandiser of the Year Public:
2018 Senior Player of the Year:
Mark Verkey, The Villages Palmer Legends
Brad Rollinson, Ponte Vedra Beach Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
B E U L D T T D A B GOLF TOURNAMENT Y Sponsored by
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2019 Women's Golf Day Successes Stretching across the entire length of the driving range and peppering the chipping green, over 100 women from south Florida dominated the practice facilities of Jupiter Country Club. The South Florida PGA hosted their seventh annual Women's Golf Day in Jupiter this past Saturday. This event was for ladies interested in gaining golf skills in a fun and social setting. Women rotated to three different skills stations, where they received personal and group instruction from PGA Professionals, experts on the game of golf. AT each station participants learned how to perfect their putting, chip or pitch to minimize their scoring and how to swing toward a target. Following the skills instruction, former LPGA Tour player, Barb Bunkowsky, LPGA gave a group clinic showcasing her acclimated golf skills. Bunkowsky shared how she practices, what it was like playing on the LPGA Tour and answered questions including proper club fitting practices for the average female golfer. To complete the day, the host facility invited all into the clubhouse for a cocktail reception. The entire event was free for all who attended, provided by the South Florida PGA in an effort to empower women of all skill levels to get out and golfing with the new skills and friends they acquired at this event. For more information about the South Florida PGA www.sfpgagolf.com
Bonita Bay Club Saturday, February 3rd over 200 women took over Bonita Bay Club's practice facilities, finessing their golf skills. This is the seventh Women's Golf Day hosted by the South Florida PGA on the west coast of Florida. With the intention to help women gain golf skills in a fun and social setting, this event has inspired many women to get on the course with a new playing partner in tow. Nearly thirty PGA and LPGA Pro-
fessionals provided their expertise at three different stations of putting, short game and full swing on the driving range. At each station women received group and personal instruction from these professionals. Many women learned how to get out of a bunker easier, adapt their swing to their flexibility, and new games and drills to get better at putting. To cap off the event, Megan Padua, PGA an Assistant Professional at Bonita Bay Club gave a putting clinic while women enjoyed a cocktail reception provided by Bonita Bay Club. Padua, one of Golf Digest Best Young Teachers in America and one of the Top 50 LPGA Teachers, provided games and drills to practice their recently acquired putting techniques and recommended women putt more like Wonder Woman. Throughout the day, women had the opportunity to ask lots of questions, meet fellow female golfers, and mingle with merchandisers that were present on the driving range including Adidas, Golf Buddy and Nike. Women walked away from the event with a new club in their bag, the confidence to try a new skill from green to tee that was gifted to them from a local PGA & LPGA Professional. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
Three South Florida PGA Professionals Compete In Tour Events During the month of February three South Florida PGA Professional will tee it up with the Professionals. Ben DeArmond, PGA Head Golf Professional at TPC Treviso Bay will compete in the 2019 LECOM Suncoast Classica at Lakewood National Golf Club. Ben earned his spot through a sponsors exemption into this Web.com Tour event. In addition to Ben, our 2018 Section Champion, Kyle Sanders, PGA Sales Representative for Summit Brands will compete in the 2019 Puerto Rico Open February 21st-24th at Coco Beach Golf Resort. As our Section Champion, Kyle was exempt into this PGA Tour event. For the second consecutive year, Andrew Filbert, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples will compete in the Honda Classic. As the 2018 South Florida PGA Player of the Year for the second year in a row, Andrew earned his way into this 2019 Honda Classic which will be held February 28th – March 3rd. We wish all of them well, and look forward to following along with them during each event. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
By Mike Jamison
For those of you who couldn't attend golf's largest trade show – the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando in January - here's some of what you missed.
Terrie Purdom
Tim Clarke
ING INDUSTRY HONORS Golf Central Magazine, Wilson Golf GM Tim Clarke, Tour Edge's Exotics EXS Driver, Knuth Golf's High Heat 257+ metalwoods and Zero Friction SuperTubes were among the winners in the 25th Annual ING Industry Honors awards program. Results in 12 categories were announced at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando in late January The ING Industry Honors program recognizes outstanding achievement in the golf business. The non-profit, media-based networking organization International Network of Golf conducts the awards program. Golf Central Magazine was recognized in the Digital/Social Media Marketing category for its campaign with TPC Sawgrass. The results were impressive with email open and click thru rates 60% higher than industry average. Clarke is widely credited for bring56
ing Wilson Golf back into relevancy in recent years and was honored by ING in the Business Achievement Category for those efforts. Tour Edge and Knuth 257+ each won their respective Product Ingenuity categories for their cutting edge products, as did Zero Friction's innovative SuperTube packaging of colormatched balls, tees and glove. Other winners included Youth On Course in the Player Development Category, CopperTech Glove in the Product Ingenuity-Soft Goods/Accessories Category and Voice Caddie in the Product Ingenuity-Technology Category. LPGA took home the TV Commercial Award and Callaway the Print Advertising top honor. www.inggolf.com.
ARGOLF PUTTERS The best golf products are often created by golfers who are trying to fix an issue in their game. Such was the case with ARGOLF Putters, designed by avid golfing brothers Oliver and Sébastien Colas. The brothers were both executives at Armor Meca – a family owned company that services and manufactures components for the aeronautics, defense, submarine, food and medical industries. Both avid golfers, the Colas brothers decided to capitalize on their aeronautical expertise and create a putter for their own individual use. It proved to be too successful to keep for their own personal use.
"We benefited from long-standing expertise in the machining of aeronautical components, modern production techniques and a research department that used Siemens' integrated, highperformance CAD and CAM software solutions," said Olivier Colas, Founder of ARGOLF. ARGOLF combines design and technology with Siemens software to achieve precision and quality. "ARGOLF putters are precisely milled from one solid piece of metal," said Colas. "Major brands mass produce with an oversize cast mold and then mill the face for grooves and other aesthetics. By doing so, you lose the feel and consistency in your putter. To avoid this, there is no post-manufacturing handwork done to our putter. How they come off the machinery is how they are sold – finish, grooves and all – straight from the milling process versus being done afterwards." The award-winning collection includes the Arthur, Arthur LT, Lancelot, Merlin, and the newly launched Excalibur putters. www.argolfusa.com.
CHIPPO If you are a golfer who likes to play Cornhole in your backyard or favorite bar, then you are going to love Chippo. The invention of two avid golfers, Matt Moss and Brendan McAuley, Chippo plays just like Cornhole, but instead of pitching beanbags at the target, you chip golf balls. There are various games you can play with Chippo, but the basic is Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
scored like Cornhole. And the good news is, while having fun with your buddies, you will also improve a crucial part of your golf game – chipping. Reflective of that benefit is the fact that Chippo won the "Best New Product" award at the 2018 PGA Merchandise Show. The package includes two boards, hitting mats and a bag of lightweight golf balls. www.chippo.com.
BALD HEAD BLUES CORKCICLE It all started back in 2010 with a question: How do you chill wine to the perfect drinking temperature without the mess of an ice bucket? After dozens of prototypes, the original Corkcicle in-bottle wine chiller (now the Corkcicle Air) was born. Since then the company, based in Orlando, has been adding practical products left and right. First they created innovative barware, then found their way into hydration space, and today, continues to push the boundaries of keeping things cool in style. The products are made to enhance personal style and reduce personal impact on the planet. Every time you use your Canteen or Tumbler, you help the environment by reducing plastic waste in landfills and the ocean. Plus, the Tumbler Straws are completely reusable too, so you can feel good about sipping in style. www.corkcicle.com. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
SQRDUP Nominated for an ING Industry Honors award in Product Ingenuity, SQRDUP is a s the only golf alignment aid which provides precision alignment for every club in the bag – woods, irons, AND putter. SQRDUP is like a personal coach checking your alignment, anywhere, anytime. From irons to driver, SQRDUP is the only golf alignment aid that teaches precision on the driving range using a laser to help create the perfect alignment. SQRDUP provides a fixed line which can easily be tracked by your eye and understood by golfers at all levels. SQRDUP is especially effective on the putting green, where it provides a fixed putting line which can easily be tracked by your eye and understood by golfers at all levels. Works on any putt, anywhere, any time. www.sqrdup.com.
Bald Head Blues is an apparel line born from a family's love of the lifestyle and ambience found at Bald Head Island, SC. For over 25 years, the Pope family has enjoyed the wonder of Bald Head Island with its acres of beaches, untouched marshes, maritime forests, pristine harbor and casual coastal lifestyle. The casual lifestyle inspired the formation of Bald Head Blues, apparel company that embraces the island's extraordinary experience. All pieces in the Bald Head Blues Collections are fun, casual, colorful and classic. They employ high performance fabrics, refined designs and an inimitable attention to details. Bald Head Blues is known for their coastal and island style but their collections also incorporate technology like "Comfort Flex" which combines pima cotton with the performance and stretch of spandex. For rounds played in the heat, Bald Head Blues has utilized "Comfort Dry." This polyester/spandex blend is moisture wicking, lightweight and has a 4-way stretch for ultimate performance. The new Albatross Polo is also treated with a UPF 50+ for UV protection. www.baldheadblues.com. 57
CHANGING LIVES THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF
Patriot Golf Day® has become the largest grass-roots golf fundraiser in America – a joint initiative of The PGA of America and the USGA, Patriot Golf Day enlists the support of public and private golf facilities across the country. Funds support Folds of Honor, providing educational scholarships to the children and spouses of service members killed or disabled while serving in America's Armed Forces.
GET INVOLVED Although the national promotion of Patriot Golf Day is over Labor Day weekend, you can play golf any time of the year to support the families of our fallen and disabled service members. Here are a few ways to get involved.
HOST AN
EVENT CONDUCT A GOLF
MARATHON PARTICIPATE IN THE
DONATION BOX CAMPAIGN
LEARN MORE AT PATRIOTGOLFDAY.ORG
SUPERSpotlight: Darren J. Davis
Darren J Davis
Darren J. Davis, CGCS, has been employed as the Golf Course Superintendent at Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, Florida since September 1992. Prior to accepting this position, Davis was employed as the Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at the Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter, Florida. Additional professional experience
includes two stints at the Augusta National Golf Club, the first serving as an Apprentice Superintendent in 1990 and returning as the IPM Technician in 1991. Davis attended the Turfgrass Management program at The Pennsylvania State University where he graduated with highest distinction in 1991. He also obtained an Associate in Arts Degree from Tallahassee Community College in 1987, and in 2007 Florida Gulf Coast University conferred upon him a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Summa Cum Laude. Davis has served on the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Board of Directors since 2012, and was elected the 82nd President of the association at its 2018 annual meeting. Davis has also served as a Director of the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation since 2011. He is a Past President of the Everglades Golf Course Superintendents Association, the Florida Turfgrass Association (FTGA), and the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association (FGCSA). Davis has been published in Golf Course Management, the trade journal
of the GCSAA, seven times and is a two-time winner of the Leo Feser Award, presented annually by the GCSAA for the best superintendent written article. In 1995 the GCSAA also presented Davis with the National Environmental Steward Award in the private course division, in 2004 the FGCSA honored him with its Distinguished Service Award and in 2011 the FTGA presented Davis with the Wreath of Grass - the associations highest award.
Olde Florida Golf Club Team: Darren J Davis, Club President Tom Kukk, Director of Golf Tom Wildenhaus
Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
SUPERSpotlight: Ted Horton Long time golf course superintendent extraordinaire, Ted Horton was honored for his lifetime of successful innovation in golf course management. He was nationally recognized as part of Anuvia's Legends Initiative on Thursday at the Golf Industry Show in California. The Legends Initiative recognizes industry leaders who have integrity, passion and innovation in golf course management. "Innovation and leadership are critical to continued success in this industry," explains Hugh MacGillivray, Anuvia Plant Nutrients chief commercial officer. "Ted Horton is widely renowned as one of the top golf course superintendents in the country, and we're proud to be able to honor his life's work through this program." Horton is a Senior Consulting Superintendent for BrightView Golf Course Maintenance, which oversees maintenance of approximately 100 golf course properties nationwide. Horton's years of dedicated leadership at Pebble Beach Company—including the conceptualization of the design of the Pebble Beach Golf Links 18th hole sea wall, which would eventually become the standard adopted by the California Coastal Commission for oceanside sea walls—are lauded
throughout the golf industry. He was
Brightview Golf Course Maintenance
be joined by 2018 Legends Initiative recipient Bob Farren, Director of Golf Course Maintenance, Pinehurst Resort, and Matt Shaffer, former director of Golf Course Operations at Merion Golf Club, for an engaging conversation on their shared experiences and a look at some career highlights. "Ted's accolades through the decades speak for themselves. He's been an amazing colleague, friend and mentor to so many for so long. Ted's wisdom, passion for the industry and stewardship for the environment has become the Gold Standard for what the turf management industry stands for," says Farren. "Whether it's his work at Pebble Beach, at Westchester, or
Hugh MacGillivray, Anuvia chief commercial officer, (right) presents Ted Horton (left) with the 2019 Legend Initiative award.
overseas on courses in places like Thailand, Taiwan or Morocco, Ted has a focus and depth of knowledge that is unmatched
in this industry," says Shaffer. "Our profession truly offers it all," says Horton. "One of the things I try to impart on to people who are new to the industry is to always keep an open mind toward learning from others, so it feels really special to be recognized for passion, integrity and innovation in my own work." As part of the recognition, Horton received a quantity of GreenTRX, paid expenses and a cash stipend to do with as he chooses. Announcing his plans on stage and keeping in sync with caring and appreciation for nature, he is using the money to restore native habitat for monarch in his neighborhood. "Horton and his colleagues, Shaffer and Farren, are among those who have truly enriched the golf course industry with their leadership, wisdom, mentorship and character," says MacGillivray. For more information on Anu-
Three legendary golf course superintendents, (from left) Matt Shaffer, Bob Farren and this year's honoree Ted Horton captivate the audience with stories from a life-time of achievement.
via Plant Nutrients, visit www.anuviaplantnutrients.com. Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
What is Sunniland? Sunniland
Professional Grade Fertilizers and Weed & Feeds Specially formulated for Southern Growers, Sunniland Corporation, Inc. offers a full line of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and many other products that enhance plant production.
#1 Choice for Turf Management Turf management professionals are constantly battling weeds, insects, weather and more. With unfettered access to Sunniland experienced representatives and a full range of quality turf and ornamental products, turf grass managers have a powerful ally to ensure that their turf looks and performs its best! Slow-Release and Extended Feeding Sunniland offers several different turf grass weed & feed fertilizers, guaranteed to make turf beautiful, lush and green. Many of these in-stock turf grass fertilizers are available in slow-release version for extended feeding. Each of these fertilizers are excellent to apply on all warm-season grasses including Centipede, St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia.
Custom Blended Fertilizers Take control with Sunniland's uni-
form granular custom blended fertilizer. These blends use premium nitrogen and micro-nutrients to out-perform the competition. Pesticides are disbursed evenly as each granule of fertilizer is coated with the best type of pesticide for the job.
Clean and Free of Impurities Sunniland's water soluble fertilizers are manufactured on a dedicated line and are the industry standard blends pros have used for years on lawns, sports turf and golf courses including: • 33-0-17 • 0-0-62 • 46-0-0 • 23-0-31 These are the blends are clean and
free of impurities and are most efficient for delivering the nutrients needed for growing quality turf. Plus, Sunniland's 23-0-31 blend has a stabilized nitrogen source for the highest efficient delivery of Nitrogen.
Better for the Environment and You A pioneer in fertilizer technology, Sunniland Corporation manufactures and distributes its Professional line of advanced slow-release fertilizers, which are better for the environment and better for you. Helping professional turf grass managers chart and maintain an effective, cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable turf program is job one. Sunniland offers extensive blending options on all of their professional use products. The company builds unique formulation programs to satisfy each customer's specific need to better meet their requirements.
Who Uses Sunniland Pro? Sunniland Professional products are used every day by: • Athletic Field Groundskeepers – including the Florida Gators • Golf Course Superintendents • Ground Maintenance Supervisors • Landscape Contractors • Nursery's – including Lukas Nursery • Turf Grass Management Professionals With the Sunniland Family of products, you can't go wrong!
www.sunnilandcorp.com
Audubon International brings sustainable golf message to 2019 Golf Industry Show
Marcus Gray, Program Manager of our Monarchs in the Rough program and Wayne Mills, Golf Course Superintendent La Cumbre CC in Santa Barbara, CA
Earlier this month, Audubon International brought their message of environmentally sustainable golf course management to the annual Golf Industry Show (GIS) in San Diego. The show attracts over 11,000 golf course superintendents and equipment and service providers as well as broad range of other golf industry management and maintenance personnel from around the world. According to Christine Kane, CEO of Audubon International, "Many of those attending the GIS are the industry's key decision-makers, looking to improve their respective courses for the golfing public. Through presentations, interactive demonstrations and an expo
booth, we can have meaningful conversations about environmentally-focused property management with our current (and hopefully future), members away from the day-to-day pressures of their golf course." Audubon International's team focused on three key programs during the two-day trade show this year: its most popular program, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) for Golf, its fastest growing program, Monarchs in the Rough and its newest program, the Raptor Relocation Network. As the industry's leading environmental standard, the ACSP for Golf is recognized around the world and is valued for its focus on minimizing the potentially harmful impacts of golf course operations to enhance the valuable natural areas and wildlife habitats that golf courses provide.
Monarchs in the Rough is leading the way for golf courses to help off-set the decline in monarch population by developing desperately needed new habitat. In the last 20 years, Monarchs have declined by 90%. Al is working to establish essential habitat for butterflies by increasing awareness of conservation challenges and providing milkweed seed and technical support for on-the-ground projects at golf courses enrolled in the program. Audubon International also provided one of the highlights of the show by bringing in a Peregrine Falcon and a Great Horned Owl on the expo's opening day to highlight the Raptor Relocation Network, its newest initiative. AI's staff, along with a representative of the Raptor Institute of San Diego, appeared on a GCSAA-TV segment and at AI's booth to increase awareness of the program. A partnership between AI and the United Airlines Eco-Skies, the Raptor Relocation Network is designed to protect raptors trapped at airports – including hawks, ospreys and owls – by relocating them to safe, healthy and more suitable habitat on golf courses within the ACSP. The raptors are being relocated for safety reasons, including bird strikes. "The GIS is key component of our outreach and education efforts each year," says Kane. "We're already planning for the 2020 show in Orlando." Golf Central • Volume 19, Issue 8
THERE ARE A MILLION THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN FOR YOUR COURSE TO BE PLAYABLE.
AND YOUR GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT IS THINKING ABOUT THEM ALL.
The pH of this.
The growth of that.
Too much moisture.
Not enough moisture.
Looking out for the environment.
To learn more visit gcsaa.org/GC
Looking out for the health of the course. And that's just over coffee.
So say thanks to your golf course superintendent. Or make that, thanks a million.
Half-An-Hour Of Yoga Each Week May Significantly Improve Golf Swing Just half-an-hour of yoga each week may significantly improve your golf swing, according to new research from Abertay University in Dundee. Participants in the study, who were all golfers, took part in two 15-minute yoga sessions each week for a period of six-weeks. The main focus of the exercise was the rotation of the hips to the torso, a key aspect of golf performance commonly known as the X-Factor stretch. Sport scientists recorded a two to three degree difference in this range of motion, which can equate to increased club head speed during the golf swing. They also recorded a slight improvement in hand speed. Each yoga session was designed to be simple to execute, with participants following an online tutorial after having a demonstration from the lead researcher. Dr Ashley Richardson,
who co-authored the study with Dr Graeme Sorbie, said: "A common issue with golfers when it comes to training is the fear that they can't become stronger as they'll lose flexibility. This in turn could affect their golf swing. "While yoga has a slightly different demographic to golf, it promotes both flexibility and strength. Each session was short, meaning it won't take much time out of a golfer's life. Golf has traditionally lagged behind other sports when it comes to fitness, but that is starting to change as people realise how important it is." Dr Sorbie added: "The difference in X-Factor stretch may seem small, but in context it's not. The study was conducted over a six week period and it's possible that the improvement would be even greater over a longer period of time. Although yoga is becoming more popular in football as a way of recovering from injury, it's not an area which
Dr Graeme Sorbie
has been hugely researched. It's possible that it could be applied to other sports, with similar rates of success." The data was collected by an undergraduate student, and it is now hoped that a larger study can be conducted in the future. For information about Abertay University's sport courses visit: https://www.abertay.ac.uk
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Golf Central Magazine