AZGOLFINSIDER Spring-Summer 2019
Backyard beauties!
YOUR ARIZONA SUMMER GOLF SURVIVAL GUIDE
SUN CITY
SCOTTSDALE - FLW SUPERSTORE
EAST MESA
ORACLE - TUCSON
10001 West Bell Road, Ste #118 623-972-0171
8720 E. Frank Lloyd Wright 480-483-1800
801 S. Power Road, Ste.#115 480-985-0601
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GILBERT - SAN TAN
PHOENIX - CAMELBACK
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2716 S. Market Street 480-963-9441
3217 E. Camelback 602-957-0001
4861 E. Grant Rd #161 520-721-2111
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– Serving Arizona Golfers Since 1963 –
PUTTERS & WEDGES ADJUSTABLE SHAFT
The adjustable length sha! allows golfers to modify length between 32” and 36” through the use of an adjustment tool that inse"s into the top of the grip.
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– Serving Arizona Golfers Since 1963 –
SCOTTSDALE - FLW SUPERSTORE 8720 E. Frank Lloyd Wright 480-483-1800
GILBERT - SAN TAN 2716 S. Market Street 480-963-9441
PHOENIX - CAMELBACK 3217 E. Camelback 602-957-0001
ORACLE - TUCSON 4230 N. Oracle Rd., Ste #180 520-293-1381
SUN CITY 10001 West Bell Road, Ste #118 623-972-0171
CROSSROADS - TUCSON 4861 E. Grant Rd #161 520-721-2111
EAST MESA 801 S. Power Road, Ste.#115 480-985-0601
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– Serving Arizona Golfers Since 1963 –
SUN CITY
SCOTTSDALE - FLW SUPERSTORE
EAST MESA
ORACLE - TUCSON
10001 West Bell Road, Ste #118 623-972-0171
8720 E. Frank Lloyd Wright 480-483-1800
801 S. Power Road, Ste.#115 480-985-0601
4230 N. Oracle Rd., Ste #180 520-293-1381
GILBERT - SAN TAN
PHOENIX - CAMELBACK
CROSSROADS - TUCSON
2716 S. Market Street 480-963-9441
3217 E. Camelback 602-957-0001
4861 E. Grant Rd #161 520-721-2111
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SUN CITY
SCOTTSDALE - FLW SUPERSTORE
EAST MESA
ORACLE - TUCSON
10001 West Bell Road, Ste #118 623-972-0171
8720 E. Frank Lloyd Wright 480-483-1800
801 S. Power Road, Ste.#115 480-985-0601
4230 N. Oracle Rd., Ste #180 520-293-1381
GILBERT - SAN TAN
PHOENIX - CAMELBACK
CROSSROADS - TUCSON
2716 S. Market Street 480-963-9441
3217 E. Camelback 602-957-0001
4861 E. Grant Rd #161 520-721-2111
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6 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
www.azgolf.org
www.azgolf.org
SPRINGSUMMER 2019 | AZ GOLF Insider | 7
AZGOLFINSIDER Inside this issue
SPRING-SUMMER 2019
FEATURES
16 19TH HOLE: ARIZONA ORIGINALS | By the AZGOLF Insider Staff Exotic and unique items from some of Arizona’s top 19th holes.
18 BACK NINE WITH JAY BELL | By John Davis
“The original Diamondback” talks about his love for the game of golf.
20 SUMMER SURVIVAL GUIDE | By Tom Mackin
Expert advice about how the summer heat can affect your golf game.
21 YOUR GUIDE TO COOL GOLF IN AZ | By Joe Passov
“Traveling Joe” takes you north for great golf in the cool pines.
26 WMPO REPLAY | By Tom Mackin
One of the event’s big moments was made by a young girl with Down Syndrome.
18
28 COVER STORY | By Bill Huffman
Local designer PuttTek elevates backyard greens to another level.
28 A LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | By Ed Gowan A look at what lies ahead this summer for Arizona golf.
12 MEMBERS ONLY
| By the AZGOLF Insider Staff Local products, places and things you need to know about.
14 SPIRITS OF THE GAME
| By the AZGOLF Insider Staff Seasonal bottles and local recipes worth sipping.
8 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
32
UPDEGRAFF, PEASE AND VOLUNTEER AWARDS
34
AWGA, JGAA, FIRST TEE AND LPGA-USGA NEWS
39
RULES AND HANDICAPPING
42
ARIZONA SCOREBOARD
| By Ed Gowan
12
DEPARTMENTS
8
ARIZONA GOLF ASSOCIATION NEWS
31 GOLF FITNESS
| By Adam Swanson Two glute stretches that make a difference.
40 MOVERS & SHAKEUPS
| By Bill Huffman ASU Karsten closes its doors on May 5.
44 OUT OF BOUNDS
| By Gary Van Sickle Is it time for Phil to fulfill his Open dream?
ON THE COVER The putting course at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa is just one of the man creative putting courses from innovative upstart PuttTek.
To read AZ GOLF Insider online, visit azgolf.org. TALK TO US! Send a letter to the editorial staff of AZ GOLF Insider and we may publish it in the next edition. E-mail letters to BackspinMediaGroup@gmail.com. www.azgolf.org
A UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIP Golf Course in the Heart of Phoenix
Grand Canyon University proudly presents the Grand Canyon University Golf Course masterfully redesigned by the renowned architect John Fought. The course is a plush parkland oasis of green fairways and mature trees nestled in the heart of Phoenix. GCU Golf Course invites local players and visitors of all levels to a one-of-a-kind affordable golfing experience. 5 9 0 2 W. I N D I A N S C H O O L R O A D | P H O E N I X , A Z 8 5 0 0 3 G C U G O L F. C O M | 6 2 3 - 8 4 6 - 4 0 2 2 18GLF0056
From the Executive Director
By Ed Gowan
AZGOLFINSIDER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS PRESIDENT. .................................................................Mike McWilliams VICE PRESIDENT ............................................................... Bill Burgesser EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS VICE PRESIDENT .............................................................Bob McNichols PRESIDENT............................................................................. Mike McWilliams 1ST VICE PRESIDENT .................................................................Bill Burgesser SECRETARY ......................................................................Michelle Cross 2ND VICE PRESIDENT .....................................................................BillBrown Phipps TREASURER ............................................................................Tim
Golf season headlined by Rules, Lefty
W
ith the season now fully underway nationwide, and golf garnering quite a bit of attention, it’s worth a comment of two. First, Google Eamon Lynch’s Golfweek essay of March 4 — “Whining about new rules is not a good look for PGA Tour playersâ€? — for a perspective held by many. Then take a few hints from our Rules article in this issue. Finally, enjoy Gary Van Sickle’s Out of Bounds column, also in this issue. Back to Lynch’s Golfweek article (briefly). The author expresses a constant frustration held by the game’s administrators, that those players involved at the highest level care least about the game. They want it all going their way and, despite their millions, spend less time on the Rules than the average person does learning traffic laws. But, who knows? Maybe they’ve taken the hint from their boss, and have quit complaining, at least in public. The Rules hints are just that ‌ giving you a head start on understanding the game’s principles. We agree that much has changed, but most will agree that it’s easier to understand than at any time since the original 13 rules were written in 1744. Following on that thought, the Arizona Golf Association will host the USGA’s 80-question Rules qualifying test in our offices later in the month. Prep classes for those interested in improving their knowledge will precede the test. [It’s a great way to learn, all multiple10 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGďšşSUMMER 2019
SECRETARY ................................................................................Bob McNichols TREASURER ........................................................................................Tim Brown
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Vera Ciancola, Barbara Fitzgerald, Ed Gowan, Mark Jeery, Jerry Hu, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS TimBrown, Hulscher, Mike Kane,Vera LeslieCiancola, Kramer, Ann Martin, ScottBarbara McNevin, Tim Bill Burgesser, Michelle Cross, Fitzgerald, Ed Gowan, Mark Mary Jeery, Jerry Hu, Hulscher, Suzy O’Hara, Judi Polidori, Pomroy, Juna Tim Rowland, JohnMike Souza Kane, Leslie Kramer, Ann Martin, Scott McNevin, Bob McNichols, Mike McWilliams, Suzy O’Hara, Judi Polidori, Mary Pomroy, Juna Rowland, AGA STAFF John Souza EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ............................................................ Ed Gowan
choice questions and it’s another great opportunity for friendly wagers.] Van Sickle’s take on Phil Mickelson’s Open prospects is insightful. All of us would enjoy seeing Phil win the trophy. If that were to happen, you and I both know it would not be “normal� in any sort of way. It would be replete with birdies, bogeys, wildly challenging successes interspersed with the occasional tragedy. If Phil is in the hunt, every other player would push his envelope to compete. Let’s hope for just this kind of championship with no better place for it than Pebble Beach. History has given us Watson’s chipin, Nicklaus’ 2-iron to a few inches, and many more like that. Please, Phil, no Winged Foot finishes this time. Lastly as we move into our championship season, highlighted by the Amateur in late July at Superstition Mountain Country Club, I’m reminded how generous the golf community is in hosting everything from our championships to the myriad charity events that make our game so special. Add your own touch this year, and best wishes for an improving handicap and at least one more round than last year. n
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ...............................................Mary Pomroy AGA STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.................................................................... EdFinger, Gowan STAFF ........................................................... Anj Brown, Le Ann CHIEF OPERATING ..................................................Mary Michelle Evens, JimOFFICER Franko, Paris Garcia, Sharon Goldstone, Pomroy STAFF......................................................................Anj Brown, Le Ann Finger, Erin Groeneveld, Vivian Kelley, Mike Mason, Derek McKenzie, Michelle Evens, Jim Franko, Paris Garcia, Sharon Goldstone, Robyn Noll, Betty Saltzgiver, Alex Tsakiris, Susan Woods Erin Groeneveld, Vivian Kelley, Mike Mason, Derek McKenzie, PARTNERSHIP CONTACT...........................................Chris Montgomery Robyn Noll, Betty Saltzgiver, Alex Tsakiris, Susan Woods NATIONAL ADVERTISING ....................................Brian Foster PARTNERSHIP CONTACTCONTACT ............................................. Chris Montgomery NATIONAL ADVERTISING CONTACT .................................... Brian Foster *Denotes independent contractor
*Denotes independent contractor
THEAZGOLF AZGOLFINSIDER INSIDERSTAFF STAFF THE PUBLISHER .........................................................................Mark Nothaft PUBLISHER.....................................................................................Mark Nothaft EDITOR-IN-CHIEF .........................................................................Bill ...............................................................Bill Human EDITORINCHIEF Human DESIGNER............................................................................Carl Bezuidenhout DESIGNER..................................................................Carl Bezuidenhout AGA Thies AGAEDITOR EDITOR.................................................................................Lorraine ......................................................................Lorraine Thies SENIOR EDITOR ................................................................................John Davis SENIOR EDITOR ...................................................................... John Davis REAL ESTATE EDITOR ...................................... Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell REALEDITOR ESTATE EDITOR ................................... Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell FOOD ................................................................................Carey Sweet FOOD EDITOR ...................................................................... Sweet GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS ..........................................................Carey Je Heisner PHOTO EDITOR ......................................................................... Jane Zarzynski GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS .....................................................Je Heisner SENIOR .......................................................Dennis Scully PHOTOPHOTOGRAPHER EDITOR .................................................................Jane Zarzynski SENIOR ........................................................WadeScully Moran SENIORPHOTOGRAPHER PHOTOGRAPHER ..................................................Dennis CONTRIBUTORS .......................... Ed Gowan, Lorraine Thies, SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER .................................................. Wade Moran Scott McNevin, 5om Mackin, Joe Passov, Cori Matheson CONTRIBUTORS ............................................Ed Gowan, Lorraine ADVERTISING GRAPHIC DESIGNER ........................................ SteveThies, Copas Scott Tominquiries, Mackin, Joe Passov, Cori Matheson ForMcNevin, magazine backspinmediagroup@gmail.com ADVERTISING GRAPHIC DESIGNER .....................................Steve Copas
BACKSPIN GROUP ForMEDIA magazine inquiries, backspinmediagroup@gmail.com PRESIDENT.......................................................................................Bill Human GENERAL MANAGER ................................................................Mark Nothaft BACKSPIN MEDIA GROUP BackspinMediaGroup@gmail.com
PRESIDENT ..........................................................................Bill Human
AZGOLF is published four times a year by the Arizona GENERALInsider, MANAGER .........................................................Mark Nothaft Golf Association. ItBackspinMediaGroup@gmail.com is supported by members’ dues, utilizing $5 per member per year. We welcome all editorial submissions, including letters, but assume no responsibility for the loss or AZGOLF Insider, is publishedmaterial. four timesThey a yearwill by the Golf Association. damage of unsolicited not Arizona be returned unless It is supported bybymembers’ dues, utilizing $5stamped per memberenvelope. per year. We welcome accompanied a self-addressed, Views all editorialwithin submissions, but necessarily assume no responsibility expressed theseincluding pages letters, do not reflect thefor the loss or of unsolicited material. They will returned Golf unless opinions of damage the editors or official policies of not thebeArizona accompanied No by a self-addressed, envelope. expressed Association. part of thisstamped magazine is Views intended as within an these pages doofnotany necessarily reflect thepublication, opinions of thevideotape, editors or oďŹƒcial endorsement equipment, golf policies or of theother Arizonaentity. Golf Association. No part this magazine is intended course No part of ofthis magazine may as bean endorsementfor of any equipment, publication, videotape, golfor course or other entity. reproduced use as an advertising, publicity endorsement No part of this magazine be reproduced for use as anAZGOLF advertising,Insider publicityisor item without writtenmay approval of the AGA. endorsement without written approval the AGA.annually. AZGOLF Insider is oered offered on aitem subscription basis for of$12.95 Individual on a subscription basis for $12.95 annually. Individual copies may bebelow. obtained by copies may be obtained by forwarding $5 to the address forwarding $5 to the address below.
Arizona Golf Association 7600 E. Redfield Rd., Suite 130 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (602) 944-3035 www.AzGolf.org www.azgolf.org
OFFICIAL BALL OF THE ARIZONA GOLF ASSOCIATION
MTB-X
MTB BLACK
The NEW MTB-X is a updated 3 piece model which will improve performance on all shots. Composed of a thicker mantle layer and smaller core to offer you a firmer feel and more spin control on mid-irons and approach shots.
The next generation of our award winning, original MTB, is a 3 piece model offering exceptional distance, spin control, soft feel and durability.
MT B B LA CK
Members Only < Trust your eyes
Read the green and enjoy the refined aviator style of Maui Jim’s premium polarized Ola golf sunglasses. Featuring patented PolarizedPlus2 super-thin lens technology that is 20-30 percent lighter than standard glass; glare is virtually eliminated while depth perception is enhanced and harmful rays completely blocked. Engineered for a comfortable fit and made with a durable monel metal frame and rubber grip, Ola takes a beating while delivering classic Maui Jim styling. Available in matte black, gunmetal gray, brown and black gold.
$340 • www.mauijim.com
> Mellow yellow
Titleist has entered the high visibility and high performance categories with the new Optic Yellow Pro V1 and Pro V1X. Both balls deliver the same Titleist total performance and consistency while allowing a player to track his ball with ease. The new yellow version is a Tour ball aimed at extraordinary distance, low spin, penetrating flight and Drop-and-Stop control, a Titleist trademark. Available at all Van’s Golf Shops in Phoenix and Tucson.
$47.99 • www.worldwidegolf.com
< Stay cool
The Arizona Golf Association member survey for March requested ways to stay cool in the Arizona summer. Perhaps not surprising, many of you travel to Northern Arizona or California to beat the heat and continue to play golf. Others who stay behind and suffer with the rest of us mentioned “cool towels” as a way to keep refreshed. The ProActive Sports Sub-Zero 2.0 Cooling Towel could be just the solution as temperatures climb. Active cooling technology immediately brings down the heat up to 15 degrees. The SubZero 2.0 measures 40 x 12 inches and can be used as a neck wrap, bandana, under your hat, on your forehead, or any other way you see fit. Available at Van’s Golf Shops.
$10 • www.worldwidegolfshops.com
> Solid foundation
A premium look built for the links, adidas’ all-new Tour360 XT-SL shoe is clearly designed for stability and a locked-in feel that supports your every move. A leather and microfiber synthetic upper offers a soft feel along with support, while its responsive midsole cushioning and PureMotion outsole returns whatever energy you dish out while providing enhanced flexibility and grip.
$200 • www.adidas.com 12 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
> SoCal dreamin’
Chances are you’ll end up in California at least once this summer, so do it right and check into one of the world’s great luxury golf experiences at the AAA FiveDiamond Monarch Beach Resort and Golf Links in Orange County. Overlooking the mighty Pacific just south of Laguna Beach in Dana Point, this property exudes grace and grandeur, while challenging even the lowest handicaps. Master architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. fashions a oneof-a-kind design with ocean views on every hole. Reserve a GolfBoard or PhatScooter for even more fun.
Rates vary www.monarchbeachresort.com
< New PINGs
Local golf club manufacturer PING reshapes game-improvement technology for an even better iron experience with its all-new G410 irons. Players of all levels will appreciate less offset and a shorter blade length that maintains MOI to create one of the most forgiving irons on the market. To generate power, face hinging and a larger flexing zone increase ball speeds for more distance and higher peak trajectories so you’re able to hit and hold more greens. Feel and sound are improved with a co-molded cavity badge that damps vibrations. Available in steel and graphite shafts.
Sets range from $750 to $1,100 • www.PING.com
> Glowing
Designed to be fashionable on and off the course, and worn by LPGA Tour pros Paula Reto and Jacqui Concolino, Nivo brand golf cloths offer a decidedly Montreal flair to its new Glow Collection. Make an easy transition to the clubhouse in the breezy Gillian polo, Marika skort and Iris hat and join the rest of your foursome for lunch. Each available in seasonal colors.
$36 hat, $88 skort and $72 polo • www.nivosligo.com
< Style detected
Complementing Nivo Glow, the men’s new Stealth Collection from Sligo presents a veritable yang to her yin in both form and function. The Brody polo, Simon short and Downie belt maintains a high performance standard along with heat-beating comfort and moisture wicking. Each available in seasonal colors.
$60 belt, $75 short and polo • www.nivosligo.com www.azgolf.org
SPRINGSUMMER 2019 | AZ GOLF Insider | 13
SPIRITS OF THE GAME
By AZ Golf Insider Staff
> A nod to ‘Ernest’ If he were still here to sample, Ernest Hemingway would no doubt appreciate the incarnation of his beloved daiquiri at Toro at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort. Savor a
Prickly Pear Hemingway
while overlooking the 18th green of the Championship Course at TPC Scottsdale and imagine “Papa” sinking a putt with “croquet mallets and billiard cues.
$15 • www.scottsdaleprincess.com
>
PRICKLY PEAR HEMINGWAY
Local favorite
When golfers at Alta Mesa Golf Club in Mesa look for a smooth, refreshing drink after 18, some request the thirst-quenching Mary Pomroy, named after the Arizona Golf Association COO and longtime leader of the Arizona Women’s Golf Association. Remember, lots of (lime) wedges!
3 ounces Brugal Blanco rum 1 ounce prickly pear puree Splash lime juice Splash simple syrup Preparation: Combine ingredients in shaker with ice and shake until cold. Serve up in martini glass. Garnish with lime wedge.
www.altamesagolf.com MARY POMROY
1.5 ounces tequila 3 ounces orange juice Club soda Lime wedges Preparation: Fill highball glass with ice. Add tequila, orange juice and squeeze in three lime wedges. Top with club soda and gently stir. Garnish with lime wedge. Enjoy!
< Summer spirit
Jan Stephenson, a three-time major winner
on the LPGA Tour and avid winemaker, recently branched out into the spirits space with the help of award-winning distiller Dented Brick of Salt Lake City. The Australia native released a series of flavored and silver rums under the Jan Stephenson name, including passion fruit, pineapple and mango. The 16-time winner chose a good partner as Dented Brick won the prestigious Rum XP Gold Award in 2017. Serve on the rocks, or perhaps with a splash of club soda.
$30 • www.jswinespirits.com
14 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
< Exotic taste
From the 18th century to your 18th hole, join Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama for something altogether exotic -- Malabar Spiced Liqueur, an elixir originally reserved exclusively for the sophisticated palates of the maharajas of India. The flavorful, gluten-free spirit incorporates orange, cinnamon, cardamom and clove notes, creating a taste inspired by da Gama’s search for the East India Spice Route. Enjoy neat, on the rocks or mixed into creative cocktails like the Malbarita.
$30 • www.drinkmalabar.com
Where to buy These selections and others are available at fine wine and spirits retailers like Total Wine & More, BevMo and AJ’s Fine Foods Valley-wide. www.azgolf.org
THE ULTIMATE SUMMER PASS 6 ROUNDS / 5 COURSES / ANY DAY / ANY TIME
The Arizona Biltmore Golf Club and The Wigwam’s expanded 2019 Summer Pass is now on sale. For just $144, the Summer Pass includes six rounds of golf at either The Wigwam and/or the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club. Pass rounds are valid any day and at any time May 13 through September 13, 2019. Plus, this year’s Summer Pass is loaded with cool perks, such as discounts at restaurants, 2-for-1 drink coupons, greens fee discounts for friends, and discounts on future golf rounds this fall.
THE BLUE COURSE
THE LINKS COURSE
THE RED COURSE
THE ADOBE COURSE
EXPLORE ARIZONA’S GOLF HISTORY. ENJOY FIVE OF THE STATE’S BEST. GOLF COURSES. T H E AR I ZONA BILTMO RE GOLF CLU B The Adobe Course circa 1928, a William Bell design The Links Course circa 1978, a Bill Johnston design
602.955.9656 AZBiltmoreGC.com 2400 EAST MISSOURI AVE. | PHOENIX, AZ 85016
THE GOLD COURSE
T H E W I G WA M G O L F C L U B The Blue Course circa 1965, a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design The Red Course circa 1974, a Robert “Red” Lawrence design The Gold Course circa 1965, a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design
623.935.3811 WigwamGolf.com 300 EAST WIGWAM BLVD. | LITCHFIELD PARK, AZ 85340
By AZ Golf Insider Staff
COURTESY TROON NORTH
THE 19TH HOLE
COURTESY WHIRLWIND GOLF CLUB
MADE IN AZ GOLF FOODIES SAVOR THESE NATIVE DELIGHTS
E
ver wonder how Arizona’s 19th holes stack up against those in the rest of the country? AZ is regarded as one of the top five golf destinations in America, and the state didn’t achieve that lofty status without great innovations in the kitchen and bar. But what makes Arizona’s 19th holes unique? From time to time, AZGOLF Insider will introduce items made in Arizona that you won’t find on other golf trips. Best of all, these 19th holes are all open to the public. Here is a sampling:
Blackened Shrimp Taco Wedge Salad
Without a doubt, Phil’s Grill at Grayhawk is one of the special 19th holes in AZ. Lefty’s lair earned that
reputation based on a massive menu boasting multiple items that draw golfers to the PGA Tour superstar’s hangout. (OK, the Masters memorabilia helps, too.) Outstanding offerings like the Barn Burger, haystack fries, wraps, bowls, steaks, seafood? Yep, they’re all there. But the item AZGOLF Insider never has seen anywhere else is the Blackened Shrimp Taco Wedge Salad ($18). Sounds like a mouthful, and it IS a magnificent mouthful: shrimp individually blackened to perfection, chilled Iceberg wedge, avocado, black beans, corn, chiles, queso fresco, fresh tomatoes and seasoned tortilla chips garnished with a chipotle ranch dressing.
16 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
Not only does it Phil fill up, it’s also healthy, and Lefty loves to be healthy. And it is not the only salad that is killer at Mick’s. The Southwest Caesar ($13) and the Super Greens Quinoa salad ($16) are firmly entrenched in the amazing category. PBJBB (Peanut butter and jelly buffalo burger)
At first glance, this 19th-hole food item at Whirlwind Golf Club’s Silvik Grill might not seem like a tasty pairing. Wrong-o! The extra-lean buffalo burger is a perfect match when seared with the peanut butter and jelly. You see, Whirlwind’s innovative chef John Farley
It’s hard beat the Dynamite Grille at Troon North Golf Club (above) when it comes to Arizona’s most awesome 19th holes. The same could be said of Whirlwind Golf Club’s Silvik Grill, where the PBJBB (peanut butter and jelly buffalo burger) is one of a kind, complete with the club’s logo seared into the bun.
wouldn’t have it any other way. Farley masterfully combines ingredients for lots of exotic foods, such as Chorizo Fundido ($8, Oaxaca cheese blend, jalapenos, pico de gallo and house chips), Chicharrones ($4, house fried pork cracklins) and Borracho Nacho ($12, Manchego-nacho beer cheese, jalapenos, crema, pico de gallo and beef, pork or chicken). And he makes lot of other interesting sandwiches, like Sriracha turkey ($12) and salmon burgers ($14). But it’s hard to look past the PBJBB, which includes fresh ground buffalo, peanut butter, Fresno pepper jelly, bacon, Cheddar cheese and onions. Keep it wild and crazy, Chef Farley! www.azgolf.org
GOLD CANYON GOLF RESORT COURTESY TROON NORTH
Troon North Golf Club’s signature cocktail, the Prickly Pear Margarita, is in a league of its own. The same could be said of El Conquistador Golf & Tennis’ Southwest Egg Rolls, the brainchild of Chef Tony Fitch.
Tucson is well-known for its “best 23 miles of Mexican food,” but believe it or not, this isn’t Mexican food, though it easily could be. The Southwest Egg Roll ($11) is the brilliant work of El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Chef Tony Fitch, and the egg roll reference is in name only. First the chef grabs a sack of those locally made tortillas, then wraps them around some chicken, corn and savory black beans. What is this type of food called besides “appetizer.” Turns out, Fitch calls it “New American cuisine with an international twist.” If you think about it, that makes sense. What’s even more fantastic about Fitch’s food is that you can enjoy it while sitting on the veranda of the www.azgolf.org
COURTESY EL CONQUISTADOR
Southwest Egg Rolls
Overlook Restaurant, where sunsets against the mountains are magical, especially when the lights of Tucson start twinkling below. And if you really need a Mexican food fix, every Tuesday night is Taco Tuesday on the Overlook. Prickly Pear Margarita
The professional bartenders at Troon North serve up some outstanding drinks from behind their perch in the
Dynamite Grill. And there is no place in golf where it’s better to enjoy some food and a beverage while gazing out over two of Arizona’s greatest golf courses. That view will improve if you can also sip simultaneously on Troon North’s signature cocktail, the Prickly Pear Margarita ($14). Oh, sure, others make a prickly pear, but not like they do at Troon North, where the drink really has gone
into another stratosphere. That’s because the Prickly Pear Margarita at Troon North is made with Casamigos Repo tequila ($50 a bottle), the high-end pure agave blend founded by actor George Clooney and a couple of his golf buddies. Silky smooth, the Casamigos Repo is then blended with Cointreau, prickly pear nectar, Grand Marnier and a muddled lime. It’s a cocktail that screams “Made in AZ.” n
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THE
BACK
NINE
‘THE ORIGINAL DIAMONDBACK’ LOVES TO TEE IT UP
Jay Bell holds the flagstick during the Diamondbacks Golf Classic at Whirlwind Golf Club.
By John Davis
H
e was the first player ever signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks and, perhaps fittingly, scored the winning run in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series against the Yankees. When he wasn’t on the baseball field, he often could be found on golf courses around the Phoenix area, where he has played to a plus handicap and teed it up with Tiger Woods in the pro-am portion of the former Williams World Challenge (now Hero World Challenge) at Grayhawk Golf Club. As the Diamondbacks begin their 22nd season, Jay Bell is now a minor league manager in the Yankees organization after a playing career with several memorable moments. Bell is among 13 players in history to hit the first pitch they ever saw in the major leagues for a home run, but in his case, it had some added twists. It came the day after he was called up to the Cleveland Indians against Minnesota Twins starter Bert Blyleven, 18 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
the player for whom Bell was traded one year earlier and who became a Hall of Famer. After getting a tip from minor league manager Mike Hargrove, Bell hit the pitch out of the park to literally launch his major league career. He considers another home run an even greater achievement as he hit a grand slam for the Diamondbacks that won a Valley woman $1 million against steep odds when she picked him to hit it in the sixth inning of a game at then-Bank One Ballpark. Gylene Hoyle of Chandler, who chose Bell, had won tickets to attend her first Diamondbacks game and later explained that her family had modest income and couldn’t afford to buy tickets. Recently, AZGolf Insider caught up with Bell at Whirlwind Golf Club for the annual Diamondbacks Golf Classic, which has raised nearly $2 million in support of military veterans, to talk about his golf game, baseball career and teeing off with Tiger:
What was your introduction to golf? I grew up in Florida and, in 1978, we moved to a neighborhood with a golf community. We lived on the sixth hole, so I basically had a big back yard and a putting green. I’m sure I left a lot of pitch marks out there that I didn’t fix as well as I should have, and I got chased off the green a few times. I was about 13 at the time. When I got to pro baseball, I had a lot of teammates who were good golfers, and we were always very competitive so it was a lot of fun playing golf with them.
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How would you describe your golf game? Before 2012 it was extremely competitive. Then I went back to work (as a coach) and didn’t have the time for it, so right now it is not all that great. When I was away from (baseball), I was playing golf five days a week and a couple rounds a lot of those days, so 10 rounds a week and practicing. My
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KEVIN ABELE/ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
JAY BELL
How does hitting a golf ball compare with hitting a baseball? It’s much harder to hit a golf ball, especially when it comes to hitting it straight. You’ve got about 90 degrees to work with in baseball, from one foul line to the other. You can use the entirety of those 90 degrees, which is nice. In golf, you might have 30 or 40 degrees and a little clubface that looks even smaller sometimes. It’s the same concept as far as putting the sweet spot of the club or the fat part of the bat on the ball, so there’s some comparison there. Golf is a game that I have always had a lot respect for and have loved the competition aspect of it. It’s the same concept as far as the one-on-one battle with a ball you have to hit.
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Do you enjoy charity events like this one? I love it, in part because I get to see a lot of old friends. To still have a relationship with the Diamondbacks family and be able to come out to a great course and tee off with these guys is pretty special. We get to reminisce. This particular event means a lot because it benefits military families, and I come from a military family. My dad was a career Air Force guy, which was a great way to grow up, so to be able to be part of this event honoring veterans makes it very special to me.
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What has it been like to play golf with tour pros? I’ve been able to play a lot with (former U.S. Open champion) Steve Jones, which has been great, but the most memorable was playing in the pro-am with Tiger. It was in 1999, right before he went on the hot streak where he was winning all the majors. I was 33, he had just turned 23 and it was a blast. I had such a great time It was so much fun playing that day, and Tiger was extremely gracious. I enjoyed every second of it. I was just amazed to see some of the stuff he was capable of doing with a golf ball.
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Jay Bell talks with a local TV reporter (above), and then takes a few questions from AZGOLF Insider’s John Davis.
Do you take pride in being the original Diamondbacks player? I do because we started from scratch and built something special, and it was a hard decision for me, going to an expansion team with no indication that we were going to win as fast as we did. I had known Buck (Showalter) for a long time and always had a great relationship with him, and having met Jerry (Colangelo), getting a feel for his vision, I was amazed at how much I enjoyed it from the start. I was fearful to some degree that I made the wrong decision, but once I met Jerry and the other people involved with the organization, I was convinced that I made the right one.
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That first at-bat in 1986 must have been a thrill? It was such a cool moment and a day I will never forget. Grover (Mike Hargrove) told me I couldn’t hit Bert’s curveball so I should sit on a fastball and that probably would be the first pitch I got. Sure enough, he threw me a fastball about belt high. I was ready for it, made good contact and it just barely cleared the fence at the old Metrodome. I still have videotape of it. What was neat was coming around the bases and seeing guys like Andre Thornton and Phil Niekro watching from the dugout. Bert tipped his cap when I walked off, which was such a classy thing to do.
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How does it compare to the milliondollar grand slam? That is the favorite moment in my career. First of all, the odds against it were astronomical, but also the fact that I could do something I love and have the
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KEVIN ABELE/ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
handicap kept going down to the point where I was better than scratch and I had a blast playing. The first time I ever broke par, down at Southern Dunes, was probably my most memorable round. I just don’t have as much time for it now.
opportunity to change somebody’s life in the process, was amazing. I couldn’t believe that the lady picked me when we had all these guys so much more capable of hitting a home run. Then I had made an out in the fifth inning, so there is no way I should have been batting in the sixth, but we got a rally going and the next thing you know, the bases are loaded and now I’m up. The count went to 3-1 and I’m thinking I have to swing the bat. I fouled one off, then stepped into the box and my legs started shaking, so I stepped out and I said, “Lord I don’t know what the theology is here, so I’m not going to pray for a home run but I’m going to pray for calmness.” I fouled off another one, then got a fastball up in the zone and took my cut. It went over the fence and it was probably the only time in my career that I showed any real emotion going around the bases. It was quite a day and by far the favorite highlight of my career. How about scoring the winning run in the World Series? That was just amazing. To be able to do that, it’s something that, first of all, you know is probably never going to happen again in your life. But thinking about the fact that the Diamondbacks had shown the confidence in me to offer me a contract as their first player and I had been with them every step of the way to get to that point of playing in a World Series and then having the absolute privilege to score that run is something that is just hard to describe. I feel very blessed that I was ever in a position to do that. n
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By Tom Mackin
EXPERTS’ ADVICE ON COURSES, WATER, FASHION, WEATHER, MUSCLE MOVEMENT, ELEVATION, EQUPIMENT — IT’S ALL HERE!
Summer means three things for golfers in Arizona: substantially lower green fees, more available tee times, and hot conditions. Really, really hot. In 2018 there were 129 days above 100 degrees, and 22 days above 110 degrees in the state. Just check out the average temperatures last year for June (104), July (106) and August (105). And because of a dry climate, sweat evaporates much more quickly here than in other parts of the country. So you’re probably losing more water through your skin (which should be loaded up with sunscreen) and breath than you know. Dealing with the higher temperatures is serious business, and knowing how to survive the heat is critical to your health, not to mention your scores. Here are some factors to be aware of if you plan on teeing it up this summer.
Seven Canyons Golf Club, Sedona 20 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
www.azgolf.org
SUMMER GOLF
WATER WORLD
COOL COURSES Take advantage of what the course gives you. At the Westin Kierland Golf Club you can warm up under two 83-foot-long CoverShot canopies. Whirlwind Golf Club offers ice cold, mango-scented towels, which this summer will be offered to golfers post-round underneath two massive Tucci umbrellas in the staging/ finishing area. Book a tee time at The Boulders this summer and mention a “Truly Golf Round” (or when you sign up on line) and you will receive a complimentary Truly Hard Seltzer after the round. Grayhawk Golf Club created a UV protection station stocked with sun protection shirts. A UV Index alert sits prominently in the display pointing out the strength of the damaging UV rays
Drinking fluids is a must to stay hydrated. But when you do that, and exactly what you drink is as important as how much you drink. “Definitely think about hydrating the night before or the morning of your round,” said Dr. Denise Millstine, Director of Integrated Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. “Also think about what you are doing that Whirlwind Golf Club might be causing dehydration. What are you putting in your body that might for any given day. Sun screen lotion, be taking fluid out? Things like alcohol sprays, lip balm, sun glasses and other and coffee, or caffeine in general, protective gear are also on display. contribute to that.” Warning signs of Golfers are paying attention — the UV dehydration can include feeling unwell Index meter and accompanying products in general, headaches, nausea, sweating led to a 20 percent increase in the profusely, lower than normal urine sales of sun-protection-related goods. output (and/or dark/cloudy urine), and an increased heart rate. “You should be drinking water all day anyway just to flush out your system, but if you’re going to be active outside during extreme heat, you really need water with salt,” said Dr. Millstine. “I would say lean toward sports drinks with the lowest sugar level and Grayhawk Golf Club avoid sweeteners. Diet
COOL CHANGE WHEN ARIZONA SUMMER TEMPERATURES SPIKE, GO NORTH! By Joe Passov When the sizzling Phoenix heat of June, July and August finally start to wear you down, there’s only one solution: Road Trip. If crisp mountain mornings followed by pine-scented fairways sound like a sure cure for what’s ailing you, then here’s a sampling of where to play in sweater weather this summer. www.azgolf.org
Payson
First stop out of the Valley is Payson, a pine-forested town at 5,000 feet that sits southeast of the Verde Valley, just under a 90-minute drive from Phoenix/Scottsdale. To the north is the Mogollon Rim plateau, a remarkable high-desert ridge that plunges 2,000 feet in its 200-mile swath. Its namesake golf destination is The Rim Golf Club. A private club and residential community, this is
The Rim Club the final design produced by the Tom Weiskopf/Jay Morrish duo in 1999, and they clearly went out in style. “The 12 finest consecutive holes Jay and I ever designed are right here at The Rim Club, starting with hole number 7,” said Weiskopf. The Rim features an incredible variety of holes—most framed by towering Ponderosa pines—that are filled with superb strategic options and natural wonders, such
as the boulder escarpment that backdrops the 581-yard, par-5 13th. Membership at the Rim Golf Club affords access to the Golf Club at Chaparral Pines, another aptly named private layout with real estate that sports the design handiwork of Gary Panks and former U.S. Open champ David Graham. Tall pines, rock outcroppings and dramatic vistas grace the majority of the holes, and converge memorably at the reachable par-5 12th. If you have a connection at the club, or maybe are considering membership, you’ve a shot at playing one or both of this dynamic duo. Public players can swat it around at Payson Golf Course, a mature, par-
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SUMMER GOLF drinks are not really better. Keep your fluids as natural as possible — if the drink is blue or purple or red, there’s junk in that. An electrolyte drink, or an electrolyte powder (without added colors or additional chemicals), added to water is the best way to go. It might not taste as good as the sugary drinks, but it’s what you’re after when you need to hydrate.” How much fluid you should be taking in depends on your size and weight. “A 200-pound man needs more fluid than a woman who weighs 100 pounds. But does that make the heavier person more prone to dehydration?” said Dr. Millstine. “Maybe if they didn’t keep up with hydration on the front end. Being in better physical condition 71 track that checks in just shy of 5,900 yards. While the conditioning can be iffy, the price is right (under $50 to ride and under $40 to walk), there are some fun, scenic holes and the daytime highs are generally 15-20 degrees cooler than what you’ll find in downtown Phoenix.
can help somewhat, because a fitter body will be a bit more tolerant to a drop in hydration levels.”
FUNCTIONAL FASHION What you wear is another safeguard against the heat. A hat is a must of course, and sun sleeves can provide another layer of protection. The latest golf shirts not only help keep you cooler, but they also protect against harmful rays. “The wicking and moisture management fabrics became real dominant in the 2003 time frame,” said Ron McPherson, president of Antigua, the Peoriabased sports apparel company celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. “Nike introduced ‘Dry Antigua Fit,’ Adidas introduced
‘Clima Cool’, Antigua introduced ‘Desert Dry,’ and other companies introduced their versions. All the wicking fabrics are of primarily synthetic materials and synthetic blends like polyester and spandex. The ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) on these shirts will relate directly to the gram weight of the fabric.”
WEATHER REPORT Paul Horton, chief meteorologist at CBS 5, saves most Paul Horton of his vacation time to get out of town for a chunk of each summer. But he’s also a golfer, and knows that not much will stop the diehards from heading to the fairways, no matter the temperatures. “Sunrise is the best time to start your round,” he said. “Normal lows during the summer are in the lower 80s. The worst part of the day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.” He advises keeping an eye on the weather radar during the monsoon
Sedona
Talking Rock
Prescott
Ninety miles northwest of Phoenix, at an elevation of 5,400 feet, Prescott is the true golf secret of the Southwest. If you can pull a string or two, don’t miss Jay Morrish’s Talking Rock, a Troon Prive facility, Tom Weiskopf’s Capital Canyon Club (formerly Hassayampa), another Troon Prive property or Hale Irwin’s Prescott Lakes while you’re in the area. Still, if no invites are forthcoming, you’ll do just fine paying green fees at a quartet of enjoyable spreads. StoneRidge Golf Course in Prescott Valley is a Randy Heckenkemper design/roller coaster ride that calls for accuracy and uphill approaches in a high-desert
setting, with a couple of stunning postcard par-3s that spice the play on the back nine. You won’t pay much more than $80 to play. Antelope Hills’ North course celebrates its 63rd birthday in 2019. It toots its horn with multiple doglegs framed by AARP-worthy elms in its 6,844-yard journey amid the scenic splendor of the Granite Dells. Kid brother to the North, the longer, more wide-open South was crafted by Gary Panks. Watch for huge, fast greens and
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a bit more breeze than the North receives. With both courses under $30 to walk and under $50 to ride, Antelope Hills scores high on the 3-V Scale: Variety, views and value. Prescott Golf & Country Club’s 6,655 yards in the Prescott Valley town of Dewey dates to 1971 and while it won’t wow you with design tricks, its price tag ($27-$38, including cart) and pleasant surrounds will certainly make you smile.
Sedona’s red rock allure is nearly overwhelming. The golf is mighty good, too. At 4,350 feet, Sedona doesn’t chill quite as significantly as our other northern Arizona destinations, but mornings and late afternoons are sublime and the scenic beauty is more than sufficient to make the hour-and 45 minute drive from Phoenix. The late Karsten Solheim of PING fame once termed Sedona Golf Resort, “the prettiest golf course in the United States,” and he likely had the unforgettable vista at the 10th tee in his sights at the time. The 210-yard par-3 anchors a rollicking design by Gary Panks, and if it overshadows the other 17 holes, it’s easy to understand why. The elevated tee box boasts a jaw-dropping view of Cathedral Rock, a local landmark. With fees well under $100 and under the management banner of OB Sports, Sedona will rock your world. Sporting a more traditional tree-lined framework but dazzling www.azgolf.org
season, which runs from June 15 to September 30. “When those storms pass, it brings cool temps from way up in the atmosphere to the surface. We can see temperatures drop up to 30 degrees in some cases (although the humidity does rise). Check the radar closely and if the monsoon didn’t bring a significant amount of rain, and there’s not storms behind it, you might be able to enjoy a cooler round.” Then there’s the “urban heat island,” a term Horton uses to describe the evergrowing city landscape in the Valley. “As Phoenix and the surrounding areas continue to grow, all of that asphalt and the concrete stores heat longer, and they’re also slower to release heat at night,” he said. “If I were to head out to play golf in the summer months, I’d consider finding courses on the outskirts of the city where you don’t have as much of the concrete. It makes a huge difference in how hot it can feel. I wouldn’t want to schedule a morning round in August at a course near downtown, for instance.”
Yoga for Golfers
MUSCLE MOVEMENT Think the heat means your muscles are naturally looser, and warming up or cooling down isn’t necessary? Think again. Katherine Roberts, founder and president of Yoga For Golfers, says a proper warm-up is still important to prepare the body for the explosive nature of the golf swing. “It would be a false sense of preparation to think because the temperature is higher that your body is ready,” she said. “And when it’s really hot and the body is taxed, it’s even more important to incorporate a post-round routine like a
series of exercises to reduce the lactic acid in the body and offset fatigue.” An easy post-round activity when you get home can be important for recovery purposes. “It could be as simple as lying down with your legs upright against a wall or up on an ottoman,” said Roberts. “What you’re trying to do is reduce the lactic acid in the lower extremities and reduce inflammation by putting your legs higher than your heart. You have likely been riding in a cart, so doing that is also a passive stretch for hamstrings, which enables you to go from a more kyphotic position (where your upper back becomes rounded) to a proper posture.”
GET HIGHER A favorite way to escape from the Valley’s summer heat? Head to higher ground. While moving up in elevation does bring down the temperature, it also raises its own issues. “The sun is a bit more intense up here, meaning you’re more
CHANGE OF
E S R U O C Golf in Tucson means a break from the average links. Challenge your game on daring desert layouts or hit it long on fairways that host the champions. Whatever your style, Tucson has it in the bag. Find Your Course at
VisitTucson.org/Golf
www.azgolf.org
SPRINGSUMMER 2019 | AZ GOLF Insider | 23
SUMMER GOLF susceptible to sunburn, and the air tends to be drier, so hydration is still equally important,” says Dave Bisbee, general manager of Seven Canyons Golf Club, located 4,600 feet above sea level in Sedona. “Warning signs of trouble at elevation can start with hint of a headache, shortness of breath, dizziness. Pay attention to yourself and your playing partners, and save the adult beverages for after the round.”
HOT BALLS It’s not just you that needs to beat the heat — it’s your equipment, too. Take the golf ball. According to Steve Aoyama, principal scientist for Titleist Golf Ball Research & Development, there are two separate issues to consider in regard to temperature and golf ball performance: the temperature of the air, and the temperature of the golf ball. “When a golf ball flies through warmer air, it gains distance because warm air
is less dense (“lighter”) than cold air,” he said. “Warmer air decreases both the lift and drag forces acting on the ball, which results in a slightly flatter and longer trajectory. There is nothing a golfer can do about the effect of air temperature, besides taking it into account when planning the next shot.” Using warm golf balls won’t mean hitting it much farther, unfortunately. “As a ball gets warmer, its materials gain some resiliency, resulting in an increase of initial velocity off the club face,” said Aoyama. “It is, however, a case of diminishing returns. Above 100°F (when the ball feels warm to the touch) there is relatively little to be gained, and the ball may start to feel too soft.” Aoyoma recommends playing with near room temperature golf balls, and storing them indoors at room temperature throughout the year. “Avoid leaving your golf balls in extremely cold or hot conditions, i.e., in your car, during the winter or summer. If your golf balls are exposed to these conditions, as long as you let them return to a normal temperature gradually, they will perform as designed.”
Flagstaff
Sedona Golf Resort on its own with crimson panoramas is Oakcreek Country Club, an early 1970s Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. creation. With a green fee that’s usually less than a Benjamin and stellar holes such as the 185-yard, par-3 13th, amid red rock grandeur, Oakcreek is another must-play. Tom Weiskopf’s Seven Canyons is hands-down the region’s most spectacular spread. Seven Canyons is private although you can book a tee time through a
package at Enchantment, the luxury resort nearby. While the package runs several hundred dollars and more, it’s worth the freight for access to a sensational course via a superb hotel. If you’re seeking a quick round on a nine-hole, par-3 tract, Canyon Mesa will satisfy. Designed by Jack Snyder, at $22-$50 and splashed against a red rock canvas, Canyon Mesa is a pint-sized delight.
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GRASS IS GREENER (AND COOLER) Need another reason to find more fairways and stay out of bunkers? You’ll be slightly cooler. “All grass areas are significantly cooler than non-grass areas,” said Jeff Spangler, senior vice president of Science and Agronomy at Troon. “On an anecodotal basis, desert areas are the hottest, followed by bunkers, and then grass.” Even slightly higher ground can help as well.
One hundred and forty miles north of Phoenix—but a world away—sits Flagstaff, at a lofty elevation of 7,000 feet. With summer daytime temperatures that can be 25 to 30 degrees cooler than Phoenix, you have the ultimate summer escape. Unfortunately, most of Flagstaff’s finer golf destinations are strictly private. If you have any way aboard, do it. The roster of closeddoor masterpieces starts with Forest Highlands. Its Canyon course, now 32 years old, is a Weiskopf-Morrish collaboration that’s often ranked as the state’s greatest 18 holes. Younger by 10 years, Meadow, is a Weiskopf solo design on higher ground. Architect Jay Morrish did enjoy a remarkable second act of his own in Flagstaff, carving out the private Pine Canyon from, well, canyons and pine-studded slopes. If you’re pining to try Pine Canyon, plan a Discovery Visit and show some interest in the real estate. It’s worth the effort.
The village elder among private playgrounds is Aspen Valley Golf Club, which features nine holes that date to 1973 and nine to 1981, all the handiwork of architects Jeff Hardin and Greg Nash. Lakes, bunkers, trees and mountain vistas keep the golfer alert throughout. Flagstaff Ranch, a private Jerry Pate creation, has managed to fly under the radar after many stops and starts since inception, yet its par-71, 7,160-yard journey will linger long in memory, thanks to handsome long views, elevation change and arboreal splendor. While there are slender pickings on Flagstaff’s public-access front, go anyway, because what’s there is worth the drive. Continental Golf Club has been known by many names since architect Bob Baldock unfurled his layout in 1960, most recently Elden Hills. Now it’s back to Continental, with a soothing mid-summer price tag of $62-$79. And if you can handle www.azgolf.org
IT’S ALSO VERY COOL IN TUBAC
Troon North
“We have found over the years that elevation change affects temperature significantly more than all the other factors,” said Spangler, who recalls experiencing just six days over 100 degrees in the summer of 1989 during the construction of Troon North Golf Club. “If you played at Papago versus Troon North in June, Troon North can be anywhere from six to 10 degrees cooler because of the difference in elevation.” n
the altitude, you can walk nine for $39. What you see is what you get: a meadow-style course with gentle undulations, lakes, rough and nice variety, with some holes open, others hemmed in by pines. A summer treat that’s now more accessible is semi-private Pinewood Country Club in Munds Park, 20 miles south of Flagstaff. Celebrating its 60th birthday in 2019, and managed by OB Sports, the once private spread at 6,590 feet now opens its doors to limited outside play, mostly in late mornings and afternoons. In prime summer time, you’ll still get change back from a $100 bill and at many times, the fees are significantly less, especially for walkers. It’s an easy stroll atop flattish terrain with eye candy that includes lakes, pines and mountains. Another wonderful detour is to Elephant Rocks Golf Course in Williams, 35 miles west of Flagstaff. Named for the distinctive lava rock shapes that frame the entrance to www.azgolf.org
Heat relief can also be found to the south of Greater Phoenix, perhaps most delightfully so in the little artisan community of Tubac. Situated at 3,209 feet (mornings and evenings will feel very refreshing), some 45 miles south of Tucson, Tubac charms with a wealth of historic and cultural attractions. For golfers, the prime enticement is Tubac Golf Resort & Spa, a rustic retreat with upscale accents founded by a Bing Crosby-led group in 1959. Even with its acclaimed additions over the years, its rural character and laid-
Elephant Rocks the club, this historic layout long featured nine holes built by railroad workers in 1922 and sand greens. By 2000, Gary Panks had revised the nine and added nine new holes (now holes 6-14). They’re more open, with more modern bells and whistles. Besides the modest green fees, what gets you grinning, however, are the old holes that zigzag through the pines. The unusual 18th, a downhill 212-yard par-3 that plunges eight stories, is outstanding.
Pinetop-Lakeside
Generations of desert dwellers have experienced the annual summer
back vibe remains intact. Its Stables restaurant, formally known as the Stables Ranch Grille & Patios is not to be missed. And where else can you sit on a real horse saddle why enjoying a cocktail at the bar? In 1995, Hollywood discovered Tubac Golf Resort’s shining star, filming key scenes of the hit golf movie Tin Cup here. Aside from stars Kevin Costner and Don Johnson, many PGA Tour pros and broadcasters had cameos, including Gary McCord, Peter Kostis, Craig Stadler and a young Phil Mickelson. Their stage was a terrific Red Lawrence design that mixed pleasantly pastoral holes framed by cottonwood trees with a rugged lay-ofthe-land test that tangles mesquite trees into groves
rite of trekking three-andhalf-hours (190 miles) to the northeast towns of Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low. Just step out of the car and you’ll understand why. At 6,800 feet, it’s much cooler. Amid the splendor of the White Mountains, trout fishing, picnicking among the pines and surprisingly strong golf are among the idyllic attractions. White Mountain Country Club and Pinetop Country Club set the standards for refined, if relaxed elegance when their pine-framed fairways opened in the late 1950s and mid-1960s, respectively. They still occupy the highest rungs on the private club summer retreat scene in northern Arizona. In nearby Show Low, the private Torreon has 36 artfully crafted holes carved from the Sitgreaves National Forest. Architect Robert Von Hagge and his partners Mike Smelek and Rick Baril delivered the Tower course
along the Santa Cruz River. Architect Ken Kavanaugh added another nine holes in 2006, dividing the 27 holes into the Otero, Anza and Rancho nines. Otero essentially is the old Tubac front nine and features three dramatic water holes — Nos. 5, 8 and 9. The first six Rancho holes were part of the old back nine. Most memorable is the 568-yard, par-5 fourth, where caddie Roy McAvoy (Costner) challenged his boss (Johnson) to go for the green, clearing a lake that was built specifically for the film. Anza is not without its appeal, notably the 140-yard, par-3 ninth, which concludes in an island green. Twenty-four years may have passed, but you’re still a star at Tubac. tubacgolfresort.com
in 1999 and the Cabin course in 2007. The Cabin is a slightly stronger test and features more elevation change, but both are packed with pines, lakes and a ton of natural beauty. Of the courses you can play in Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low, the long-time charmer is Pinetop Lakes Golf & Country Club. Admired for its variety—the 4,558-yard, par-63 executive layout sports two risk/reward par-5s, five-par4s and 11 par-3s—and for its aesthetic appeal, with mature, fragrant pines framing the holes, Pinetop Lakes can be walked for as low as $35 in mid-summer. For championship play, Silver Creek in Show Low tops the list of public-access tests in the region. An early Gary Panks design dating to 1985, Silver Creek relies more on sagebrush, slick, multi-tiered greens and afternoon breezes for its challenge, rather than pine trees. With a small tariff, this is a course worth seeking out. n
SPRINGSUMMER 2019 | AZ GOLF Insider | 25
WMPO PHOTO
Amy Bockerstette takes in the crowd at the 16th hole at the TPC Scottsdale with PGA Tour star Gary Woodland, who helped coach Amy to her sensational par.
The Par seen ’round the world LOCAL COLLEGE GOLFER GOES VIRAL AT WMPO By Tom Mackin
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f the 296 pars made on the legendary 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale during the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open, none got a louder roar than the one Amy Bockerstette made there during a Tuesday practice round. The Sandra Day O’Connor High School graduate and current member of the Paradise Valley Community College women’s golf team was part of “Dream Day,” when athletes from the Special Olympics Arizona program are invited to play with pros. Despite being paired with Gary Woodland and Matt Kuchar, Bockerstette (who was born with Down Syndrome) didn’t hesitate. Her impressive performance – solid tee shot, stellar greenside bunker shot, and then sinking
26 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
the par putt — turned into a heartwarming PGA TOUR video that racked up millions of views on Facebook and Twitter. Her skills certainly impressed Woodland, the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open champion. “I was hoping she got it off the tee box,” he said later that day. “I figured she would be a little nervous with a couple thousand people there watching her. And when it was in the bunker I asked her if she wanted me to take it out. I didn’t know if she wanted to go in. She said, no, I got this. And she was right, she did, it was awesome to see. And then the putt, I mean I never rooted so hard for something and it went in center cut. It just looked good the whole time.” Her college coach and long-time instructor also were thrilled. “We have a group text for the team and that was blowing up afterwards. The team was ecstatic for her,” said Matt Keel, the women’s golf coach at Paradise Valley Community College and Director of Instruction at JW Marriott Wildfire Golf Club. “I had offered her a scholarship to play at PVCC (making Amy the first person with Down Syndrome to ever earn a college athletic scholarship, according to ESPN) because I felt she could make a contribution to the team and be a player. My expectations for her are the same as for everyone else on the team: Be at practice and perform well in tournaments.” Matt Acuff, president and director of Instruction at True North Golf School in Phoenix, has worked with Amy www.azgolf.org
WMPO PHOTO
Amy Bockerstette gets a couple of hugs from Coyotes mascot Howler and winger Clayton Keller, who was Amy’s partner in a special putting contest.
since 2013. “She is a gamer, she rises to the occasion and she always has,” Acuff noted. “That’s exactly what we saw on 16. That was completely within her wheelhouse and her ability. Where most of us would fold under that kind of pressure, she thrives on it. We live one shot at a time with her and I wish all my students did that.” The 20-year-old, who twice qualified for the Arizona High School state championship (once as an individual), is now working toward earning a spot in the National Junior College Athletic Association Women’s Golf Championship this year or next. Even if she doesn’t meet that lofty goal, Bockerstette has already made a lasting impression on the golf world and beyond. “We’ve had a lot of people reach out to us to share their appreciation for the impact Amy had on their lives,” said her father, Joe Bockerstette. “That’s been fantastic. Many parents of younger children with Down Syndrome have indicated that she has given them new hope of the potential for their child. We’ve had parents tell us that Amy attending college on a golf scholarship sort of opens up a whole new world of opportunity for people with disabilities, and with Down Syndrome in particular.” The Bockerstettes had no clue that the video of Amy playing the hole would go viral. “We knew she was wearing a microphone, but we didn’t know what was really said between her and Gary (Woodland),” said Joe Bockerstette. “So when we got the video the next day, my wife Jenny and I looked at it and we were both visibly moved by what we saw. “The thing that struck me at the time was that it had been on Facebook for just 40 minutes and had already had over 100,000 views before I even saw it. n www.azgolf.org
SPRINGSUMMER 2019 | AZ GOLF Insider | 27
THE BUSINESS OF GOLF
By Bill Huffman
‘TRUE GOLF’ PuttTek builds realistic courses without windmills or loop de loops
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ost people who work in the golf industry got into it via their love for the game. Believe it or not, that wasn’t the chief reason why Camron Howell, the Arizona Golf Association’s Player of the Year in 2011, took that giant leap of faith three years ago and left a career as a successful financial broker to found PuttTek. “I guess the reason I wanted to switch careers midstream, so to speak, was because I wanted to do something meaningful,” Howell said of his booming backyard/commercial putting course company called PuttTek. “I’d already made money through my insurance and tax strategies business. And with the financial world driven off 28 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
rates and making money, you can’t always guarantee the market. But I can guarantee you this: Our putting courses always make people happy — even nongolfers — and that makes me feel like we’re making a difference, which is what it’s all about.” Like the putting course PuttTek built at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa, where a giant red heart adorns the sixth and final hole. “Say a dad comes out, his child is stricken with cancer, and he needs that place where he can get away, at least for the moment,” Howell noted of the course that was built specifically for wheelchairs and walkers. “That’s a wonderful feeling knowing we can help him and his child out. Or any kid or parent that might need a fun moment to forget about everything.”
Howell also has built an elaborate Putt-Tek course in his neighborhood in Queen Creek. “Everyone seems to love it,” he said of those residents who live in The Pecans. “In fact, I see this father and his daughter over there playing it almost every day. That’s the part of the business that I really enjoy.” They are amazing works of art, these 25- to 50-foot-long Putt-Tek greens that feature a teeing area, fairway, penalty area and greens that are so true that they Stimp out at 10.5 to 11. And they are a kaleidoscope, as PuttTek blends three shades of green (fairway, rough and green surface), as well as blues, yellows, reds and whites to perfection. Oh, yes, and stone bridges, fancy scoreboards and everything else that’s golf. “I wanted true golf, where balls don’t ricochet off edges. Where you can go (out of bounds) or end up in a water hazard and take a penalty. Where reading the slope matters,” Howell noted. “And while each hole plays to a par of two or three, and you always want www.azgolf.org
www.azgolf.org
COURTESY PUTTTEK
to card an ace or two, you can easily make a six or seven, just like real golf. According to Howell, PuttTek builds realistic-looking courses with real routing. “Unlike a putting green that can get old fast, PuttTek courses generate so much entertainment value for friends and family that they have become known as ‘relationship courses,’ ” he said. “And that’s also what we are — a ‘relationship company.’ “We want to build something special for you, and sometimes we go a little overboard to make sure that happens. But that’s our promise: Putting courses, perfected. No loop de loops or windmills.” To date, Howell has built 22 of them at a rather hefty cost of $7,000 to $8,000 a hole — or more! — with six new sites in the building stage. It takes anywhere from a week to a month per course depending on the number of holes: three, six, nine or 18. And still the calls for PuttTek to build more pour in from virtually every corner of the world. “I got an inquiry from China last week,” said the 41-year-old Howell, who already has an impressive 12,000-plus followers on Instagram. “I wish I could have helped him, but as you might expect, the inquiry was in Chinese.” What started out as a small company run out of Howell’s GMC truck has now left the mainland. And in a big way, as two major 18hole projects are in the works. “We’re scheduled to build them at two resorts — one is proposed at Turtle Bay in Oahu (Hawaii) and the other is in Jamaica at Montego Bay,” Howell noted of the layouts that have price tags well into the six-figures. “It’s been exciting to see the way it just keeps growing since I built the very first putting course in my backyard. At least a dozen more commercial projects are in the early stages of design and will be started late 2019 and early 2020.” While putting greens tend to keep you in a constant state, PuttTek takes you on a trek. With the use of several sets of tees and even different cups, the course can change along with the conditions. And records are made to be broken, Howell noted, which amps up the fun.
PuttTek is a family affair for Camron and Lauren Howell, as well as their children (from left) Blake, Audrey, Luke, Jack and Grace. They love Howell’s miniMasters course (opposite page) in their own backyard called Amen Corner Golf Club. Or these other beauties, including the neighborhood course at The Pecans in Queen Creek (top) and a neighbor’s backyard. SPRINGSUMMER 2019 | AZ GOLF Insider | 29
Beautiful backyards like this one are PuttTek’s specialty, like the Links at Shangri-La, which is located in Scottsdale off Shangri-La Lane.
Plus, there’s the fantasy of owning your own course. Howell dubbed his layout Amen Corner Golf Club, and it comes complete with the traditional Masters leaderboard and the Hogan Bridge. Former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin named his PuttTek course Aces Golf Club after his German shepherd, Ace, and former Arizona reliever Brad Boxberger kept it simple with Boxberger Golf Club. “I’m building a course right now that looks a lot like Shadow Creek, and the guy who I’m building it for has already named it Shadow Way, and we’ve designed the logo and the scorecard,” Howell explained. “And if there are two holes we get a lot of requests for, it’s probably Number 12 at Augusta National or Number 7 at Pebble (Beach). And, yep, we do them both.” Howell said he’s built his company through three basic principles. First, each putting course is 100 percent custom and maintenance free (you just need a blower). What’s fun, Howell said, is that the client helps design his course with Howell, who serves as the company’s relentless president, traveling hundreds of miles each week to “be at every job.” Second, the quality is there, with premium turf that gives a “realistic, true golfing experience.” Every piece of carpet is nailed to the inch, which makes labor costly but also explains PuttTek’s 30 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
COURTESY PUTTTEK
THE BUSINESS OF GOLF
15-year warranty. And finally, this is a complete putting course rather than a green, so your friends and family relationships grow tighter. “We understand what golf feels and looks like, and that’s what we deliver,” he added. “A quality experience just for you, as no two courses ever look the same.” Andrew Augustyniak, like Howell another regular on the AGA circuit, said he knew immediately that Howell had landed in the winner’s circle with PuttTek. So much so that Augustyniak has become a minority partner in the business. “My buddy and I went over to Camron’s house to play the original PuttTek course and we ended up staying for four hours,” Augustyniak recalled. “It’s like golf, with realistic characteristics. “But what I really loved about PuttTek was it’s fun for adults AND it’s also fun for kids. So you get the best of both worlds.” Which is why Howell, who earned his business degree at Arizona State, decided to leave the financial world for a career in golf. “I grew up in Thatcher, which is where I got hooked on golf,” said Howell, who won four state high school championships before playing collegiately at Central Arizona and Grand Canyon University. “And over the years, I’ve noticed that my relationships with family and friends have only improved through the game of golf. “So to be able to build a business
model around golf has been the perfect fit. In fact, my wife, Lauren, tells me she’s never seen me so happy when it comes to my work.” The same could be said of Howell’s five children — Grace (13), Audrey (11), Blake (7), Luke (4) and Jack (1). “Blake plays every day, and even asks me if he can go to work with me,” said Howell, whose golf resume includes qualifying for seven USGA national championships. “That’s really the kind of experience that makes it all worth it to me.” Yes, putting courses have taken on new meaning under Howell, who feels like the big thing he’s been doing for the past two years is “just establishing a brand.” But a closer look reveals he’s also helping to grow the game. “These days, people don’t have a lot of time to play golf. I know that I don’t,” Howell noted. “But with PuttTek it only takes 30 to 45 minutes for your foursome to play 18 holes. And you can go faster if you want.” There’s another thing to like about PuttTek courses, Howell said, and that’s the serenity and safety of being in your backyard. “Your stress level goes way down because you’re not in front of a lot of people like if you’d go to Topgolf or to a real golf course.” Yes, PuttTek already has made a lot of people very happy, and Howell is excited because the company is just in its infancy. “There’s a lot of ways to make money in this world, but loving what you do and being excited to get out of bed each morning is priceless,” he said of the new gig. “Winning Arizona Golf’s POY in 2011 was definitely my big moment in golf, and winning championships and trophies is always exciting. “But that’s not really why we all play golf, right? The game is NOT designed to be played alone, and that’s really where PuttTek comes in — to build those relationships.” n Howell can be reached at www.PuttTek.com or by calling (602) 586-1599 or text (480) 326-8665. www.azgolf.org
GOLFSTRETCH
By Adam Swanson
Two glute stretches that make a difference
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any golfers hit bad shots and place the blame on their swings. They watch YouTube videos of PGA Professionals, searching for the right swing tip, the correct way to “get to the top.” After years as a golf fitness instructor, I’ve learned that many bad swings come from bad movement patterns. Put simply, it isn’t that you’re rusty or that you keep lifting your head. The inconsistency in your swing happens because you don’t have the proper mobility and flexibility to get into the correct positions time after time. What is the quickest way to swing better? Increase your flexibility and core strength — then practice to create the correct motor patterns. Once you’re there, you’ll add yards to every club and improve your accuracy exponentially. Golfstretch can help your journey. Let me give you an example of one of the problems I often see — lack of hip turn. Golfers with this ailment think they’re turning like a tour player. The reality is that their turn doesn’t end by “loading up” the right muscle groups for a powerful swing. Instead, these golfers simply straighten their trail leg and push their pelvis backwards. This puts the spine and hips in a poor position — and the lack of hip rotation drains power from the downswing.
Hip-leg exercises
Mini-resistence band exercise What is the solution? By creating more flexibility through your glutes, you can create more internal rotation of the hip and properly load the muscle groups for a more powerful swing. Gaining mobility of the hips, learning proper weight distribution on your plant foot, and keeping your right knee flexed throughout the swing can help you get into a great position at the top and build a more consistent swing. Here are two glute stretches that can really help. First, lie on your back and cross your ankle over your knee (left, upper photo). Then reach through to the other knee and pull the knee back toward your chest. I promise you’ll feel this one in the glute on the opposite side. Follow that stretch by crossing your shin underneath your body (left, lower photo). Then slide your body backwards, stretching the hip of the leg that is crossed. A swing drill performed with a mini-resistance band (above) can also help strengthen that area of your body and improve your hip rotation. Place the resistance band just below your knees. Keep your right knee flexed and your weight toward the inside rear of your arches. Now, swing at medium speed. At the top of your swing, you should feel the tension build in your glute. After a few rehearsals, hit some full shots to ingrain the movement into your swing. The more mobile you are, the better you’ll hit the ball. I guarantee it works better than trying to mimic old YouTube videos of Ben Hogan. n If you want to learn more about golf fitness, or book an introductory session at Golfstretch, visit www.GolfStretchTherapies.com or call 480-269-1119.
www.azgolf.org
SPRINGSUMMER 2019 | AZ GOLF Insider | 31
AGA NEWS
AWARDS
AGA NEWS
Updegraff Award Drew Woods’ dedication earns ‘incredible honor’ n STORIES BY JOHN DAVIS
Drew Woods
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hen Drew Woods was asked to serve on the Executive Committee, he decided that he needed to learn all he could about the inner workings of the Arizona Golf Association. In that pursuit, he has served on the board of governors and every one of the AGA committees as well as handicap chairman and course rater. He has assisted in marking courses, fixing handicap computers and serves as a starter and rules official for multiple college events each year. His dedication to those tasks led to Woods being named the 2018 winner of the Updegraff Award, which is the highest honor given by the AGA and goes to an individual who, “By his or her actions and accomplishments exemplify the spirit of the game.” “The way I Iooked at it was that you couldn’t serve on the Executive 32 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
Committee and be efficient at it unless you fully understood all of the inner workings, so I tried to learn everything I could about every facet of what it does,” Woods said. “No matter what role I was in at the time, I always wanted to leave the place in better shape than it was when I got there. I hope I have been able to do that.” The Indiana native was introduced to golf in Arizona in 1977 when he was serving in the Air Force. He later moved to Colorado and returned to Arizona in 1998. He began serving on the Board of Governors in 2002 and Executive Committee two years later. Along with his AGA involvement, Woods has worked with the Pacific Coast Golf Association for 12 years, serving as its president in 2009 and ’14, and he and his wife Janice have played a significant role in the prestigious Patriot AllAmerica tournament since its inception. Being a fellow Tucson resident and friend of Dr. Ed Updegraff made this award all the more special to Woods. “I know him fairly well and obviously know what he has meant to golf in Arizona,” Woods said. “To be mentioned in the same breath as Dr. Ed is an incredible honor and extremely humbling.”
Dorothy Pease Achievement Award Barrett’s life runs gamut from LPGA to First Tee Tina Barrett has experienced just about every facet of golf, from a successful LPGA Tour career to teaching young children how to hold a club in First Tee, and says it has provided her with more than she could ever give back to the game. “Golf has given me my home, my husband, a comfortable way of living, my whole life really,” she said. “I have enjoyed it so much. I really want to pass that along to whoever I come in contact with now, so that’s what drives me to help others in the game. “I believe that you get more than you give when you volunteer and I try to make that part of what I want my life to be.” Those efforts led to her receiving the Dorothy Pease Award, the highest honor presented annually by the Arizona Women’s Golf Association.
“No matter what role I was in at the time, I always wanted to leave the place in better shape than it was when I got there, and I hope I have been able to do that.” — Drew Woods Tina Barrett www.azgolf.org
AGA NEWS
AWARDS
“What I loved about First Tee was the life skills element of the program and being able to interact with kids and give back to a game that has given me so much.” — Tina Barrett
After leaving Longwood College in Virginia, Barrett began a successful LPGA career, winning as a rookie in the 1989 Mitsubishi Motors Ocean State Open, posting 53 top10 finishes in 19 years on the tour and earning more than $3 million. After retiring from competition, she served nearly 10 years as a First Tee volunteer and now is in her second year as assistant women’s coach at Ottawa University. When her schedule allows, she continues to work with the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program. “After I retired from competition, I wanted to stay in the game but didn’t want to stand on a lesson tee all day,” she said. “What I loved about First Tee was the life skills element of the program and being able to interact with kids and give back to a game that has given me so much. The girls’ golf program has allowed me to continue with that.” “It’s nice to be recognized for some of those things I’ve done, although that certainly isn’t the reason I do them. And knowing all that Dorothy Pease did for golf in Arizona, it is incredibly humbling and makes me feel like I’m not deserving. I haven’t scratched the surface yet of what she accomplished.”
Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year Vincent joins group of ‘special guys’ Jeff Vincent has spent nearly 10 years rating golf courses around Arizona as part of the AGA ratings team, so it’s safe to say he has earned his spurs. Receiving the Doc Graves Volunteer of the Year Award made that official. “There are three or four others who were rating courses when I first started who have received this award, too, so it kind of puts me in a class of guys who are special.” “But what makes it truly special is to have the name Doc Graves on the award. He is such a great guy and what volunteerism is all about.” Vincent, who grew up in northeast Ohio and moved to Arizona in 1978, was serving as greens chairman for the Arizona Sunset Golf Association when he heard that the AGA was in need of course raters. He took to the task quickly and has attended numerous rating seminars, as well as representing
John Spenieri
Champion of Golf Award Spensieri makes history of his own
Jeff Vincent www.azgolf.org
Arizona in two USGA National Course Calibration Seminars. He has rated nearly 150 courses in the Phoenix metro area, logging more than 7,000 miles in the process. “There are so many volunteers who are deserving of recognition,” Vincent said. “To receive this award reflects well on me but it really reflects on all the volunteers who do such a great job.”
When he saw a Phoenix Country Club employee wearing a badge 10 years ago from the 1983 Phoenix Open, it piqued John Spensieri’s interest in the club’s role in that event. That led to the creation of PCC’s highly successful History Week, which in turn led to the club landing the Charles Schwab Cup, the final event of the season on the PGA Tour Champions. SPRINGSUMMER 2019 | AZ GOLF Insider | 33
ARIZONA NEWS
AWARDS
“I had an idea that we should celebrate the history of championship golf here,” Spinsieri said. “Of course I had no idea it would result in us bringing pro golf back to the city of Phoenix, and then to extend the contract to 10 years is something we are very proud of.” Spensieri also was instrumental in bringing the Goldwater Cup back to PCC, which hosted the Phoenix Open more than 40 times between 1932-86. His efforts have helped raise tens of thousands of dollars to help at-risk kids through Elevate Phoenix and other programs. Those endeavors led to him receiving the AGA Champion of Golf Award for 2018. “I’ll never be able to pay golf back for what it’s done for me, but this award is a huge deal for me,” he said. “I never dreamed I would be recognized for any of the things I’ve done.”
Honorary Captain Award Gallup honored for giving back to game As the men’s golf coach at Boise State during the 1980s, Lyman Gallup thought he owed it to his players to become more knowledgeable about the rules of the game. After he left coaching, that interest grew when he attended his first USGA Rules workshop, and now he applies what he has learned to events around Arizona. Through those efforts, he received the Honorary Captain Award for 2018. “I think it’s a great honor and it’s great that the AGA gives such an award,” Gallup said. “As a longtime rules official, I think it’s good that they recognize the contributions those folks make to the game. What we’re trying to do is 34 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
Lyman Gallup
give back to the game we love, and officiating is a great way to do that.” Gallup, who was born in Montana, served as the executive director of the Idaho Golf Association from 1993-98 and was on the USGA’s MidAmateur Committee for 10 years. “The best part about it is the appreciation I get from golfers when I help them with the rules,” Gallup said. “We try to maintain the attitude that we are here to help the golfers rather than waiting until the end of a round and springing a penalty on them. I think they recognize that and appreciate it, which is rewarding to see.”
she didn’t start playing on a regular basis until she was 39 and living in Colorado. She moved to Arizona in 2009 and began working as a volunteer for the AWGA in 2013, increasing her workload each year. That resulted in her being named the Kathy Ehrlich Volunteer of the Year for 2018. “My volunteer work is when I began to understand that I was helping to provide a positive environment for golfers,” she said. “The fact that I learned the industry from top to bottom has allowed me to provide support to many golfers ranging from young teenagers to retirees.” As a tournament official, she accepted the additional duty as tournament chair in 2018, officiating at seven championships and tournaments, and recruiting and training other tournament officials. Over the years, she also has been actively involved with the Joanne Winter Arizona Silver Belle Championship for junior girls, and said she is something of a “kindred spirit” with Kathy Ehrlich, after whom the award is named. “I never had the honor to meet Kathy, but our earlier lives were somewhat similar,” Biddle said. “The stories of Kathy’s efforts that I have heard make this award very humbling to me.” n
Kathy Ehrlich Volunteer of the Year Biddle feted for positive impact on game As a kid, Jan Biddle was exposed to golf literally from the ground up, helping her father build two courses from scratch near Council Bluffs, Iowa, even though
Jan Biddle www.azgolf.org
ARIZONA NEWS
AWARDS
The Arizona Golf Association has hired Tim Eberlein, former campus president for the Golf Academy of America, as its director of rules and competitions. Eberlein, a graduate of Gannon University and a Master PGA Professional, will oversee the AGA’s men’s championships and tour events -- including a volunteer group of nearly 100 individuals -- to manage 60 events annually. As head of the Golf Academy of America’s campus in Chandler since 2003, Eberlein has developed hundreds of professionals in all areas of golf services. “Tim’s knowledge of all facets of golf operations at the club level, and many years educating young men and women in tournament management, Rules of Golf, and customer relations will bring extraordinary benefits to Arizona golf’s members and competitions,” said Ed Gowan, the AGA’s executive director. “We look forward to Tim sharing those extensive business experiences with our staff in service of the 80,000 members of the Association. “Arizona Golf is blessed to have found a person with such a varied background, especially with the volunteer and personal development aspects of his former profession.” During his professional career, Tim achieved Master Professional status with the PGA of America in teaching and has served six years on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Section PGA, as chairperson for education. Eberlein has been the recipient of the SWPGA Horton Smith Award in 2010, 2014 and 2017. Since 2009, he has served on the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) Rules Committee for the high school golf state championships. n www.azgolf.org
Medina selected top pro by SWPGA
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anny Medina, director of golf at Omni Tucson National Golf Resort, has been named the 45th recipient of Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award, the highest annual honor bestowed by the Southwest PGA on a PGA Professional. “It’s a huge privilege and an awesome feeling to be honored as the Southwest PGA Professional of the year,” said Medina. “We have countless outstanding PGA Professionals in our Section who deserve this honor. To be singled out and recognized by my peers for the hard work I put into my career and my dedication to the Southwest PGA is greatly appreciated.” Medina heads the 2018 Southwest PGA awards class for “qualities of leadership, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service” to the Southwest Section and the game of golf. He was honored at the Southwest PGA Awards Ceremony in February along with these other honorees: • Tyler Hoeft of Pinnacle Peak Country Club — Assistant Golf Professional of the Year • Jeremy Anderson of The Legacy Golf Club — Teacher of the Year
SWPGA
AGA tabs Eberlein tournament director
Danny Medina Earns Southwest Section’s highest honor.
• Brady Wilson of Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club — Horton Smith Award • Mark Croft of Yuma Golf and Country Club — Player Development Award • Mark Croft of Yuma Golf and Country Club — Patriot Award • Matt Brooks of Superstition Mountain Country Club — Merchandiser of the Year for private facilities • Joe Shershenovich of Grayhawk Golf Club — Merchandiser of the Year for public facilities • Kristie Fowler of Tubac Golf Resort — Merchandiser of the Year for resort facilities
• Landyn Lewis of The First Tee of Tucson — Youth Player Development Award • Dick Hyland of The Country Club at DC Ranch — Bill Strausbaugh Award SPRINGSUMMER 2019 | AZ GOLF Insider | 35
ARIZONA NEWS
JUNIOR GOLF
39 JGAA members sign college letters
JGAA
The Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) has announced that 39 JGAA members have signed National Letters of Intent this year to play collegiate golf. “Congratulation to everyone moving on to an exciting new chapter of their lives within the game of golf,” said Scott McNevin, executive director of the JGAA. “There is no substitute for the type of hard work and dedication it takes to play at the collegiate level. And although they have no doubt grown through playing in JGAA events, the learning experience has just begun. We are honored to have played a part in preparing them for the next step.” For more information about the JGAA, visit www.jgaa.org or call 602-944-6168. n Soon-to-be Lumberjack Alyza Flores of Vail, Arizona, will make the move to the pines of Flagstaff to play for Northern Arizona University.
JGAA
CLASS OF 2019 SIGNEES
JGAA member since 2014, Kohl Kuebler of Gilbert, bound for Grand Canyon University, pictured accepting the 2018 JGAA Sportsmanship and Hole in One awards.
36 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
Allison Acosta — Chadron State College Nate Anderson — University of Washington Chaz Aurilia — UCLA Belle Balkan — California Baptist University Brooke Beyer — University of Illinois Chicago Ethan Bishop — Colorado Mesa University Breann Brennan — Utah Valley University Izzy Cantwell — Lipscomb University Jake Carlson — Grand Canyon University Caden Christopherson — Texas Christian University Emily Cons — University of Arizona Davis Cottrell — South Mountain Community College Jonathan Curran — St Mary’s College Alejandro de Zavala — Weber State Caleigh Essert — Arizona Christian University Nicole Ewing — Rutgers University Alyza Flores — Northern Arizona University Joey Geary — Western New Mexico University
Jacob Goode — University of San Francisco Jordan Grasis — West Texas A&M Lorel Hayward — Northern Arizona University Tony Hendricks — UCLA Reyna Hernandez — Grand Canyon University Will Koepke — Seattle University Kohl Kuebler — Grand Canyon University Kalie Llewellyn — Ottawa University Paige Lucero — University of Nebraska — Kearney James Mackie — California Baptist University Alex Manalang — Lawrence Tech Payne Moses — Oklahoma Baptist University Mason Quagliata — Stetson University Cam Sandland — Grand Canyon University Hayden Sayre — University of Arizona Meghan Singh — University of Idaho Hannah Spiller — Redlands Community College Ty Sullivan — University of Nevada Las Vegas Brooke Veres — University of Memphis Eve Worden — United State Naval Academy
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ARIZONA NEWS
JUNIOR GOLF
Exciting week for First Tee at WMPO
T
he First Tee of Phoenix had some big moments during the Waste Management Phoenix Open, which ran Jan. 29-Feb. 3. First Tee celebrations took place on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of tournament week. On Tuesday, more than 650 students from area schools participated in the First Tee of Phoenix’s annual R.S. Hoyt Jr. Dream Day. Activities included a trickshot show with Joey-O; a clinic run by local PGA Professionals and First Tee of Phoenix staff and volunteers; and a complimentary lunch. Archie Bradley of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs and Cameron Champ of the PGA Tour/former First Tee alumnus were among the special guests. This was the largest attended Dream Day since it became part of the PGA Tour event. Also on Tuesday, 12 the First
Tee of Phoenix participants worked with Kirk Triplett and Stan Utley on the driving range. This was a great opportunity for the juniors as they got to practice on the driving range as well as the putting green with these two long-time professional golfers from Arizona. As the juniors were leaving, they had the opportunity to get autographs from Justin Thomas, who also took part. Also taking place on Thursday and Friday, members of the First Tee who are pursuing journalism careers got to go behind the ropes as junior course reporters. The budding media were granted access to the media room, 16th hole suites, PING’s trailer and the medical tent. The dynamic duo also visited the Thunderbirds’ tournament headquarters. Junior course reporters were treated like professionals of the industry and had the opportunity to interview the players as they finished their round. Junior course reporters also toured the Golf Channel suite on hole 16 and even got to interview Brandel Chamblee and some of his colleagues. For more information on The First Tee of Phoenix, visit www.thefirstteephoenix.org. n
M A K E I T A DAT E AT C H A R L E ST ON ’ S
PGA Tour player Cameron Champ takes time to pose with a young fan during the First Tee of Phoenix’s annual R.S. Hoyt Jr. Dream Day.
SCOTTSDA LE 17001 N Scottsdale Road | 480-563-7666
MESA 1623 S Stapley Drive | 480-635-9500
CREDIT
CHANDLER 1040 N 54th Street | 480-961-9434 www.azgolf.org
SPRINGSUMMER 2019 | AZ GOLF Insider | 37
ARIZONA NEWS
LADIES GOLF
T
hirty years ago, Sandy LaBauve had a big dream to impact the lives of Phoenix area girls that would forever change the golf community. LaBauve, founder of Girls Golf and director of golf at Westin Kierland Golf Club, shared her passion by developing the “Girls Golf Club” that has since reached more than 80,000 girls internationally (2018 LPGA Foundation Annual Report) and has grown to 500 program sites through the LPGA Foundation. Now known as the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix, our “club” is the most active, strongest and most innovative site paving the way for female empowerment. This year, we continue to chase LaBauve’s dreams by providing more than 40 events to engage our 230-plus paid members (girls ages 3-18). The event schedule includes 10 practice sessions (also known as Game Changers)
that are open to girls of all skill levels; a national Girls Golf Academy in August; and the fifth annual Girls Golf Day, our biggest day of the year, on Oct. 5. We are celebrating the program’s success with a 30th birthday brunch on May 2 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort. This ticketed event will relive the last 30 years through a slideshow and presentations by alumni, staff and members. Dreams for the future of Girls Golf of Phoenix will also be shared. The event theme “Chasing Unicorns” was inspired by a newly released periwinkle unicorn headcover by Daphne’s Headcovers (a Girls Golf of Phoenix partner). Single-seat tickets to our birthday brunch are $130, or three tickets for $300. Sponsored tables that seat 10 guests are also available for $1,030. To purchase tickets or get more information, visit girlsgolfpofphoenix.org/birthday. n
LGPA
n BY CORI MATHESON
LGPA
Chasing Unicorns
Daphne’s Headcovers created a Unicorn headcover for LPGA * USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix, which is marking its 30th anniversary. Director Cori Matheson holds the coveted headcover (above) and celebrates with some of her girls (top photo).
AGA NEWS
It’s official: Arizona Golf Month returns in May May is Golf Month is created in conjunction with National Golf Day, which is designated for May 1. National Golf Day was founded in 2007 in an effort to communicate the game’s economic, charitable, environmental and fitness benefits. The golf industry generates $84 billion a year, impacting more than two million jobs and nearly $4 billion in charitable giving. In Arizona, golf has more than a $3.2 billion impact on the state’s economy. 38 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
The Arizona Golf Association will host a May is Golf Month page on its www.azgolf.org website starting May 1. AGA members will be able to check out a variety of special offers from golf courses around the state. Among the many featured promotions, members will find special offers for Mother’s Day, as well as special promotions for golf, dining and more. Get in the game and celebrate May is Golf Month by taking advantage of these offers on www.azgolf.org. n www.azgolf.org
RULES & HANDICAPPING
By Ed Gowan
‘Hints’ to help you play within the rules 9. The person attending the flagstick, which may be left in the hole if not attended, may touch the putting green with it to show a line for putting without penalty to the player. 10. A player can fix any new damage on a putting green, but this does not include poor conditioning or aeration holes. There are a hundred little hints like this in the free USGA/R&A Players Guide, of which AGA has distributed more than 35,000 in the last several months. If your club or course does not have one for you, contact us! n
F
ollowing is a primer for nonTour players who do care about playing within the rules. These “hints” should make your game a little easier to manage and understand. 1. Everywhere in the new Rules that the word “player” is used, it also refers to a partner. That includes lifting, placing or dropping. 2. The handicap used in a competition is the course handicap and NOT the handicap index (decimal). 3. If a higher handicap is declared and it affects the number of strokes a player either gives or gets, that player is disqualified. what does this mean? 4. Each player in a handicap match is responsible for knowing where strokes are given. If one forgets, once the next hole begins with any stroke, any previous agreement understanding becomes fact.
www.azgolf.org
5. The only excuse for a wrong scorecard is when the player is not aware of a penalty he has incurred. Disqualifications are separate. 6. If, before starting the round, a player realizes he or she has more than 14 clubs, a simple declaration before starting and taking excess club(s) out of play are sufficient to avoid a penalty. The club can be turned upside down, put on the floor of a cart, etc. 7. Players should take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke. Forget the PGA Tour’s lack of enforcement. 8. If a ball at rest is accidentally moved by anyone or anything, it is always replaced. On the putting green, there is no penalty. Elsewhere, it depends on the circumstances whether a penalty applies.
Correction: The February Rules question left out a word that changed the outcome. It should have said that both balls when placed rolled immediately into the penalty area. Then the correct answer is “No penalties.” Taken as written, the answer is one stroke for the penalty area again and two more for wrong place, total of three penalty strokes. This was NOT the Ricky Fowler situation.
SPRINGSUMMER 2019 | AZ GOLF Insider | 39
MOVERS&SHAKEUPS
By Bill Huffman
ASU Karsten sets May 5 for last day ‘House that Lefty built’ to close after 30 years
40 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
ASU KARSTEN PHOTO
I
n September 1989, the ASU Karsten Golf Course opened to much fanfare in northeast Tempe. Smack dab on the campus of Arizona State University, its future seemed so bright you needed sunglasses. Indeed, ASU Karsten was named after one of Arizona’s most celebrated golf icons, Karsten Solheim, the founder of PING. It also had been created by one of the biggest names in golf — Dye Design, even if Perry and Alice had more to do with it than the more celebrated Pete Dye, Alice’s husband and Perry’s father. If that wasn’t enough, a young phenom named Phil Mickelson had just arrived on campus. His presence over the next four years would certainly factor into what would become known as the “House that Lefty built.” Fast-forward 30 years (and a whole lot more history and lore of ASU golf), and ASU Karsten is getting ready to shutter. Oh, my, you’re probably saying, “Say it ain’t so!” “I’m afraid it’s so,” said ASU Karsten’s general manager, Derek Crawford. “Cinco de Mayo, May 5, will be our swan song.” Crawford was only half joking when he suggested the course will throw a party on that last day complete with “free tequila and margaritas.” But there will be some type of goodbye event, he added. “Simply put, the land underneath the golf course became too valuable,” Crawford noted. “And what’s going to happen on it in the future turns out to be a really big deal, with corporate, retail, condos and a massive sports complex that includes softball and soccer and other athletics.”
It’s always hard to lose a golf course, especially one that has so much history tied to ASU golf as well as the memories made by its guests. But ASU Karsten Golf Course will close on May 5.
ASU Karsten includes 100 acres of land that was originally donated to the university by its neighbor, APS. It had been a rag-tag piece of desert scrub under huge electrical lines and in an airport flightpath when the school acquired it from APS. Today, thanks partly to the millions donated in Solheim’s name, it’s one of the largest greenbelts on a college campus in the country. Add in 80 more acres around ASU Karsten’s perimeter, another 150 acres to the south and west, and you have the 330-acre parcel now known as Novus Innovation Corridor, which is being master-planned by ASU and Catellus Development Corporation. While the course and rather large clubhouse have yet to be bulldozed (they’re coming like a tsunami), the ASU golf teams have moved their headquarters to Papago Golf Course, a highly regarded municipal where a new facility and practice area for the teams have been built. Completed in 2014, the city of Phoenix and ASU signed a 30-year deal for a foundation to manage the course through Scottsdale-based OB Sports. “It’s been in the works for a while,” Crawford explained. “In fact, a lot of people thought we were already closed, and that’s been a tough rumor to overcome for the last year or two.
“But it’s going to happen, so I hope a lot of people come out to say farewell. In a way, it’s really sad, because when it debuted as a high-end golf course 30 years ago, everyone pretty much thought it would be here forever.” Not everyone adored the course, which had an extremely short, tight front nine. But as far as challenge goes, and with a tough closing stretch, it certainly fit the bill over the years, testing some of the best golfers in the collegiate ranks. ASU Karsten’s last four holes were truly championship caliber, reaching a crescendo with a 457-yard par 4; a 248-yard par 3 guarded by water; a 581-yard, uphill par 5; and a confounding, 471-yard par 4 over water. It’s always hard to lose a golf course, especially one that has so much history tied to ASU golf as well as the memories made by its guests. Even Crawford, whose twin brother, Daryl, just happens to be GM at Papago, struggles to find the right words. “I hate to use this line, but, unfortunately, it is what it is,” he said. “And having said that, it’s still a great course today, that’s, ironically, in great shape as we have to say goodbye.” So instead of a 30th birthday party, ASU Karsten gets a funeral. Oh, my! Say it ain’t so! www.azgolf.org
Troon founder Dana Garmany has stepped down as chief executive officer of the world’s largest golf management company. Tim Schantz, currently the Scottsdale-based company’s president, will succeed Garmany as CEO. Garmany will remain as chairman of the board of the company he founded in 1990. In his new role, Garmany said he will focus on working with the Troon board on longTim Schantz term strategic goals and big-picture issues across the golf industry. He said day-to-day operations “will continue as usual” at Troon, which has more than 270 high-end courses in its portfolio. Under Garmany, Troon has expanded its reach not only by adding management and lease contracts but through acquisitions. It purchased Honours Golf and its portfolio of 16 courses in 2014, and CaddieMaster, a provider of caddie services, in 2015. Recently, Troon closed a deal to buy Cliff Drysdale Management, the largest tennis club management firm in the U.S. Schantz, a licensed attorney, joined Troon in 1998. He has more than 25 years’ experience specializing in corporate and real estate transactions and has been a key player in Troon’s rapid expansion during the past 15 years.
SHAKEUPS General manager Brady Wilson and his Ak Chin-Southern Dunes gang are always shaking it up, especially when it comes to the food and beverage related to their club’s award-winning Arroyo Grille. Or have you forgotten their shake shack modeled after those famous chocolate malted milks at Castle Pines in Colorado? This time Wilson has created Freddy’s Corner, which features made-to-order items designed for the golfer who is looking for a quick bite as he makes the turn. Freddy, of
course, is a reference to Fred Couples, the architect of Southern Dunes. But here’s what makes Freddy’s Corner just a little bit different than other halfway houses: There is no set menu. Guests will find out what the daily special is upon arrival at the property. Everything will be super fresh at Freddy’s Corner and cost $9 plus tax. Some of the items that already have been savored include the prime rib sandwich, Italian sausage and peppers, and the smoked pulled-pork sandwich. Boom, boom!
H IT TH E
MOVERS
OBITUARY One of the good guys in Arizona golf, Randy Beaupre, died on March 21 after a sudden and severe illness. Beaupre, who was the director of golf at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, was 55. Beaupre, who grew up in the White Mountains and graduated from Blue Ridge High School in Greer, served as head professional at the Arizona Biltmore before taking a similar position at McCormick Ranch in 2001. He was head professional at McCormick until last year, when he was named to the director of golf position Randy Beaupre in February. He was an active and lifelong professional in the PGA of America, and was known for his Junior Golf Academy each summer at McCormick. Besides golf, friends and family said Beaupre loved to fish. His favorite haunts were Apache, Bartlett and Canyon lakes, as well as Roosevelt Lake and Dam, where he landed lunker bass on a regular basis. A celebration of Beaupre’s life was held in late March at McCormick Ranch. He is survived by his former wife, Patricia Marble Beaupre, who was at his side throughout his final days, as well as his children, Beau and Kassi, and two grandchildren. RIP, Randy. n
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ARIZONA NEWS
ARIZONA SCOREBOARD
AGA MEN’S TOURNAMENTS
2019 San Tan Amateur Alta Mesa Golf Club February 23-24, 2019
Walicki, Adam .................72 Hedman, Nick .................69 Yoo, Jimin ........................73 Neville, Ted ......................70 Wagner, Mike ..................75 Anderson, Cade...............77 Escobedo, Josh ................71 Benton, Jeff .....................73 Esquibel, Kellen...............72 Evans, Davis.....................73 McIver, Rob .....................76 Thompson, Al..................73 Brown, Rusty...................74 Merdinger, Brian .............72 Hoskins, Kevin .................73 Salvanera, Gabriel ...........74 Wiemiller, Aaron .............74 Candelaria, Abe ...............73 Bagneschi, Tony ..............74 Figueroa, Jason ...............75 Natarajan, Shankar .........77 Tomita, Rodney ...............73 Ness, James .....................74 Nierman, Camden...........75 Apps, Marc ......................76 St. Clair, Sean...................77 Leonard, Michael ............81 Virgin, Eric .......................73 Larkey, Kaden ..................77 Hietala, Dwight ...............75 Hilton, Jimmy..................76 Wall, Kevin ......................76 Cesarek, Grant .................77 Curry, Kevin .....................77 Powell, Matt ....................78 Mentjox, Jonas ................74 New, Jeff..........................78 Bailey, Wayne ..................78 Hansen, Eric ....................78 Hall, Gerard .....................78 Smith, Austin ..................77 Blau, Tim .........................78 Holmes, Mitchell .............79 Gomez, Matthew ............77 Brown, Steven .................78 Kalis, Travis ......................79 Harris, Neil .......................85 Demeter, Sean.................75 Juengst, Carl....................74 Smothermon, Mike.........74
65 69 68 72 67 66 73 72 74 73 70 74 73 76 75 74 74 76 75 74 72 77 76 75 74 73 69 78 74 77 76 76 75 75 74 79 75 75 75 75 77 76 75 78 77 76 70 81 82 82
137 138 141 142 142 143 144 145 146 146 146 147 147 148 148 148 148 149 149 149 149 150 150 150 150 150 150 151 151 152 152 152 152 152 152 153 153 153 153 153 154 154 154 155 155 155 155 156 156 156
Hatten, Brady ..................79 Sciacero, Michael ............86 Johnson, Nathan .............77 Quartarone, Stephen ......79 Ziltz, Jack .........................81 Mitchell, Murph ..............83 Wood, Ron ......................79 Wise, Craig ......................80 Anderson, Nate ...............82 Ramos, Gabe ...................80 Bailey, Travis ....................83 Ellenburg, Frank ..............85 Moses, Payne ..................86 Lamma, Nate ..................75 Hess, Carl .........................81 Cruz, Ray .........................82 Deki, Roy .........................79 Cohen, Warren.................79 Geesling, Steve ................85 Cheung, David .................87 Archuleta, Scott ..............80 Hopkins, Trevor ................82 Kayce, Daniel ...................82 Kelber, T.J. ........................85 Glashan, Jason ................87 Russell, Steve ..................78 Peterson, Paige................84 Howard, William .............84 Breyfogle, Mark...............86 Smith, Todd .....................86 Birkholz, Hans .................84 Chor, Kevin ......................88 Galloway, John................82 Hailey, Jack ......................90 Griggs, Anthony ..............96 Santistevan, Bill ..............93
77 70 81 79 77 75 80 79 77 80 77 75 75 87 81 80 84 84 78 76 84 82 82 80 78 88 82 82 81 82 86 83 94 96 90 96
156 156 158 158 158 158 159 159 159 160 160 160 161 162 162 162 163 163 163 163 164 164 164 165 165 166 166 166 167 168 170 171 176 186 186 189
2019 AGA Championship Aguila Golf Course March 8-10, 2019 Markham, George ...........65 Salvanera, Gabriel ...........70 O’Donnell, Sean ..............72 Salazar, Michael ..............72 Sekulic, Max ....................72 Kertson, Tyler...................73 Evans, Davis.....................71 Smith, Preston.................77 Walicki , Adam ................72 Hedman, Nick .................70 Larkey, Kaden ..................74 Yoo, Jimin ........................75 Veenstra, Adam...............74 Wagner, Mike ..................73 Weber, Caden ..................75 Benton, Jeff .....................73
69 68 66 71 68 68 74 68 70 72 73 71 74 71 70 70
65 67 69 65 70 71 69 69 73 74 69 70 70 74 74 78
199 205 207 208 210 212 214 214 215 216 216 216 218 218 219 221
New, Jeff..........................72 Candelaria, Abe ...............76 Holmes, Mitchell .............76 Plaster, Jack .....................76 Brown, Rusty...................75 Esquibel, Kellen...............78 Nolan, Tyler......................79 Strang , Cooper ...............71 Terry, Justin .....................73 Watamaniuk, Dale ..........77 Lawson Jr., Michael.........80 Bagneschi, Tony ..............77 Cesarek , Grant ................84 Reycroft, Don...................77 Tomita, Rod .....................76 St. Clair, Sean...................79 Graff, Jason......................82 Kemp, Carson ..................80 Ellenburg, Frank ..............83 Hawkinson, Ty .................76 Juengst, Carl....................80 Lahmar, Marco ................79 Natarajan, Shankar .........80 Neils, Matt .......................80 Shaw, Phelan ..................85 Wayment, Brad ...............73 Wood, Ron ......................85 Kalis, Travis ......................79 Geesling , Steve...............79 John, Dillon .....................85 Miller, Alec ......................79 Curry, Kevin .....................79 Watton, Jason .................79 Celaya, Daniel..................76 Hatten, Brady ..................80 Stineman, Andrew ..........88 Wommer, John ...............74 Nierman, Camden...........82 Snyder, Jack.....................75 Brown, Paul .....................79 Hall, Gerard .....................81 Larson, Dennis ................82 Archuleta, Scott ..............82 Gibbons, Brad..................86 Sciacero, Michael ............88
76 70 74 78 73 72 72 72 74 71 75 76 76 76 73 79 72 75 74 78 77 78 74 76 74 79 74 76 81 72 80 79 80 79 76 73 81 78 82 79 79 79 77 75 73
74 77 73 69 76 74 73 81 78 77 71 74 67 74 78 71 76 75 74 77 74 75 78 76 73 80 73 78 74 77 76 78 77 82 81 76 82 78 81 81 79 81 85 83 84
222 223 223 223 224 224 224 224 225 225 226 227 227 227 227 229 230 230 231 231 231 232 232 232 232 232 232 233 234 234 235 236 236 237 237 237 237 238 238 239 239 242 244 244 245
AGA WOMEN’S TOURNAMENTS
2019 Season Opener Omni Tucson National Golf Club, Sonoran Course, Tucson February 9, 2019
Overall Net Champion Bonnie Marsh / Jeannie Lallensack .................63 First Flight Chris Giza / Gayle Maroon Johnson.................76 Rose Cassidy / Jordan Cassidy .........................81 Sandra Young / Dee Baker ...............................81 Susan McDonough / Susan Browning ............82 Robin Lane / Christine Jones ...........................84 Marie Caldwell / Deb Bene ..............................90 Second Flight Nell Odonnell / Lisa Brownell..........................81 Kelly Lathrop / Linda Torkington .....................82 Eva Prince / Nancy Harden ..............................82 Odette Rose / Audrey Vickers...........................83 Meredith Anderson-Rice / Frieda Gutshall .....88 Jan Rintala / Jo Barefoot ..................................90 Betsy Mosher / Carol Yde .................................93 Alex Anna / Janice Mihora ............................103 Third Flight Denise Moser / Connie Colerick .......................91 Sharon Graham / Margaret Quarrie.................93 Beth Bartholow / Vicky Scott...........................94 Jane Hee / Carolyn Suttles ...............................98 Kathi Hall / Karen Borka...................................98 Lorna Hardy / Hannah Sutton .........................99 Diane Kompier / Ardes Yearout .....................100 NET RESULTS First Flight Rose Cassidy / Jordan Cassidy .........................70 Susan McDonough / Susan Browning ............71 Robin Lane / Christine Jones ...........................73 Sandra Young / Dee Baker ...............................74 Marie Caldwell / Deb Bene ..............................78 Second Flight Eva Prince / Nancy Harden ..............................65 Odette Rose / Audrey Vickers...........................68 Meredith Anderson-Rice / Frieda Gutshall .....70 Jan Rintala / Jo Barefoot ..................................74 Betsy Mosher / Carol Yde .................................77 Alex Anna / Janice Mihora ..............................85 Third Flight Lorna Hardy / Hannah Sutton .........................72 Kathi Hall / Karen Borka...................................72 Beth Bartholow / Vicky Scott...........................73 Sharon Graham / Margaret Quarrie.................74 Jane Hee / Carolyn Suttles ...............................76 Diane Kompier / Ardes Yearout .......................81
Overall Champion Judy Miller / Sarah-Anne Smurlick .................73
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ARIZONA NEWS
JGAA TOURNAMENTS
Desert Mashie Spring Championship Encanto 18 and GCU March 9-10, 2019 Boys Championship Encanto 18 Zachary Missigman .....................67 Joseph Lloyd ................................67 Preston Summerhays...................67 Ben Lorenz ...................................70 Anawin Pikulthong ......................71 Jacob Goode.................................69 Andy Knoll....................................68 Brandon Robison .........................73 Jacob Tarkany ...............................71 Bryan Beyer ..................................67 Colby Gramhill .............................74 Tyler Macpherson.........................72 Noah Nuez....................................70 Carl Miltun ...................................67 Cam Sandland..............................73 Pierce Braun .................................72 Rio Newcombe.............................72 Max Lyons ....................................73 Daniel Thompson .........................73 James Mackie...............................73 Rajveer Sethi ................................70 Skyler Ngo ....................................69 Joey Geary....................................67 Ethan Bishop ................................76 Alan Quezada ...............................72
67 67 68 67 67 70 71 67 69 73 68 70 72 75 70 71 71 71 71 71 74 75 77 69 73
134 134 135 137 138 139 139 140 140 140 142 142 142 142 143 143 143 144 144 144 144 144 144 145 145
Boys 13-14 GCU Carlos Astiazaran..........................63 Dallin Delgado .............................72 James Rogers ...............................74 Evan Bryan ...................................77 Kush Shah ....................................79 Ryan Hanawalt.............................78 Oscar Uribe ...................................81 Dylan Kohner ...............................80 Mason Shaffer ..............................84 Caeden Bolander..........................79 Nero Nuez.....................................86 Nicholas Butkiewicz .....................88 Quinn Dorward ............................84 Daniel Morris................................86 Camarion Ross .......................... 100 Cole Campbell ........................... 111
68 74 74 75 75 78 76 78 75 80 82 83 87 86 93 97
131 146 148 152 154 156 157 158 159 159 168 171 171 172 193 208
Boys 15-18 Encanto 18 Robbie Herzig...............................73 Matthew Rodi ..............................75 Jack Dozer ....................................77 Tomas Rohrborn...........................71 Adam Gibson ...............................75 Scott Albrecht ..............................81 Aadith Mosur ...............................74 Ethan Hightower ..........................78 Charlie Curtis ................................76 Tristan Kertesz ..............................75 Zachary Frye.................................80 Caydon Klassen ............................80 Jackson Lehman ..........................79 Daniel Rosztoczy ..........................82 Spencer Brown.............................81 Chris Kiricoples .............................81 Clayton Tash .................................80 Barrett Bowers .............................78 Devon Sanders .............................79 Antonio Vanegas-Blonk ...............80 Matt Herberger ............................84 Gehrig Geiss .................................83 Nicholas Lippe..............................86 Tyler Gerace ..................................85 Max Loyet.....................................89
71 73 72 80 77 72 79 77 79 80 77 78 79 77 78 81 83 85 85 86 85 87 87 88 85
144 148 149 151 152 153 153 155 155 155 157 158 158 159 159 162 163 163 164 166 169 170 173 173 174
Girls 13-14 GCU Ailis Tribolet ..................................72 Jennifer Seo..................................77 Alexis Vakasiuola ..........................76 Paige Hammarstrom....................77 Brantlee Howard ..........................75 Brooke McGlasson .......................78 Kalyn Doss ....................................80 Raya Schulz ..................................82 Raegan Capizzi .............................80 Hailey Bolander............................85 Jayden Jevnick .............................90 Kaley Maxey .................................96
73 70 76 77 79 79 79 79 82 83 81 103
145 147 152 154 154 157 159 161 162 168 171 199
Girls 15-18 Encanto 18 Talia Gutman ................................75 Olivia Serpa ..................................78 Jessica Mason ..............................81 Megan Marty ...............................79 Marsa Waite .................................80 Ciana Reynoso..............................79 Julie Huggins ...............................78 Taylor Naumann...........................82 Elisabeth Axen .............................84
77 77 80 84 84 85 86 83 82
152 155 161 163 164 164 164 165 166
Emily Lei .......................................82 Breann Brennan ...........................80 Madison OSullivan .......................83 Elizabeth Nowaczyk .....................89 Kylie Franklin ................................87 Presley Pickron .............................85 Abigale Morris .............................90 Erin McGuire.................................86 Paige Lucero .................................91 Caroline Axen ...............................89 Kendal Gutierrez...........................88 Vivianna Holguin .........................88 Paige Layaoen ..............................90 Malerie Nyberg ............................94 Mayumi Murphy ....................... 113
84 86 85 81 84 87 87 91 87 89 90 90 90 98 110
166 166 168 170 171 172 177 177 178 178 178 178 180 192 223
Girls Championship Encanto 18 Grace Summerhays......................72 Madeleine Laux............................71 Kailani Deedon.............................76 Angelina Huang ...........................76 Maya Benita .................................76 Sneha Yadav .................................75 Kyla Wilde.....................................75 Joy Callinan ..................................74 Makenna Cabardo ........................78 Mary Beth Doss............................76 Raina Ports ...................................74 Michelle Koo ................................80 Carly Strole ...................................78 Kylee Loewe .................................77 Alyzzah Vakasiuola.......................79 Malia Uyeshiro .............................79 Reyna Hernandez.........................75 Chloe Tarkany ...............................80 Ivy Song .......................................79 Carolyn Fuller ...............................79 MiKayla Sgrillo .............................79 Brooke Beyer ................................79 Hannah Ports ...............................78 Isabella Cantwell..........................78 Jessica Osden ...............................79
71 74 73 75 76 77 78 79 76 78 80 75 77 78 77 77 81 77 78 78 78 78 79 80 80
143 145 149 151 152 152 153 153 154 154 154 155 155 155 156 156 156 157 157 157 157 157 157 158 159
68 72 70 71
138 141 143 143
Raven Invitational - PING Junior Masters Raven Golf Club February 16-17, 2019 Boys Championship Gunnar Broin ................................70 Mahanth Chirravuri......................69 Tucker Clark ..................................73 Brayden Bozak .............................72
Caden Christopherson..................68 Rylan Johnson..............................67 Chaz Aurilia ..................................72 Preston Summerhays...................72 Nicholas Kling ..............................71 Anawin Pikulthong ......................73 Charlie Palmer ..............................73 Ethan Dezzani ..............................72 Ben Lorenz ...................................77 William Koepke ............................72 Riley Lewis ...................................72 Daniel Thompson .........................70 Noah Nuez....................................75 Scott Schlader ..............................74 Jacob Goode.................................74 Cade Anderson.............................73 Johnny Walker..............................71 Zachary Missigman .....................75 Abhinav Ramesh..........................74 Kobe Valociek ...............................73 Trevor Lewis .................................71 Mason Quagliata..........................82 Zachary Erskine ............................78 Jake Slocum .................................78 Jacob Tarkany ...............................74 Damon Vilkauskas ........................73 Kohl Kuebler .................................77
75 76 72 72 73 72 72 74 70 75 75 77 74 75 75 76 78 75 76 77 79 69 73 74 78 80 77
143 143 144 144 144 145 145 146 147 147 147 147 149 149 149 149 149 150 150 150 150 151 151 152 152 153 154
Girls Championship Madeleine Laux............................71 Grace Summerhays......................71 Sydney Bryan ...............................76 Leighton Shosted .........................74 Alyzzah Vakasiuola.......................73 Carly Carter...................................74 Alexandria Schmunk....................73 Lorel Hayward ..............................78 Reagan Zibilski .............................77 Maya Benita .................................77 Millburn Ho ..................................77 Madeline Adam ...........................75 Bailee Tayles .................................78 Mary Beth Doss............................75 Michelle Koo ................................78 Reyna Hernandez.........................82 Makenna Cabardo ........................78 Brooke Veres .................................77 Mattison Frick ..............................84 Eve Worden ..................................82 Kailani Deedon.............................78 Lauren Garcia ...............................80 Belle Balkan .................................83 Kyla Wilde.....................................81 Kylee Loewe .................................84
70 73 73 75 77 77 78 74 77 77 77 79 77 80 78 75 79 80 75 77 82 82 81 83 81
141 144 149 149 150 151 151 152 154 154 154 154 155 155 156 157 157 157 159 159 160 162 164 164 165
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SPRINGSUMMER 2019 | AZ GOLF Insider | 43
OUT OF BOUNDS
By Gary Van Sickle
Inquiring minds want to know: Will Phil fulfill his Open dream?
I
can’t afford to go to the 2019 United States Open at Pebble Beach in June. Rooms at the media hotel are going for $350 a night, plus tax. Yikes. I can’t afford not to go, either. And I blame Phil Mickelson for that. Well, the budget will just have to break, which won’t be the first time that’s happened in California. I have to be there because, barring an all-out Tiger-resurrection, Mickelson is going to be the man in the spotlight at Pebble Beach. Let’s get in the mood with a combo platter of the Phil headlines sure to come your way in June: This could be a Phil of a year. Philharmonic convergence? Time to Phil the trophy case? The Phil has come due. Past Opens have been a bitter Phil to swallow. Philler-diller! Where there’s a Phil, there’s a way. All right, all right. What about Brooks Koepka? He’s going for history, trying to win a third straight Open. That’s a big deal. Even notorious big deal Ron Burgundy would say, “Holy tornado!” But Phil still moves the needle for John Q. Hacker and the media. Koepka doesn’t, at least not yet. Teddy Roosevelt was president when Willie Anderson completed the first Open three-peat in 1905. Forget such antiquity. This pre-tournament buildup is going to be all Phil all the time. 44 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRINGSUMMER 2019
Lefty is the story that won’t go away. Start with his record six runner-up finishes in the U.S. Open. Some were heartbreaking, some were unheroically self-induced. Such as his 2006 classic at Winged Foot: “I am such an idiot.” There’s also the Mickelson who won’t go away. He won a World Golf Championship last year at 47. Then he faded away, especially at the Ryder Cup. That led to his Pebble Beach victory this year. His closing 66 ranks among his best final rounds. And not to invite an age-discrimination suit, but Mickelson looked really good for a 48-year-old. He’ll turn 49 in June. The U.S. Open would complete his Grand Slam, and he could do it on his birthday. What a present it could be! So the fan favorite who’s never won the Open will play this Open at the same course he won at a few months earlier. An Open setup isn’t the same as an AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am setup, but let’s not ruin a good fake-news story with facts. “It’s a totally different golf course,” Mickelson acknowledged after his AT&T victory. “The greens will be firm, the rough will be high. “At AT&T, I’m trying to hit the ball as far as I can and not worry too much about the rough. So there’s no carryover other than I really enjoy this place. I seem to play some of my best golf here and that’s
probably about it.” Mickelson has won at Pebble Beach five times. The first was in 1998. He finished three strokes behind Graeme McDowell in the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Mickelson is The Horse. Pebble Beach is clearly his course, more so than any other. “I would have a hard time arguing another course—maybe Augusta,” Mickelson said. “The thing about Pebble Beach is that when it rains, you have to put the pins on higher spots because water will collect on that spongy poa annua. “I have the ability to hit these little low, no-spinning shots to try to get the ball to chase up the green. Those are hard shots that a lot of guys don’t practice. I’ve become very proficient at that and it’s become a strength of my game.” Here’s another reason not to forget him: He is golf’s most resilient player. Honestly, I wrote him off after his embarrassing spectacle at last year’s Open at Shinnecock Hills. Remember how he played hockey, hitting a moving ball to keep it from rolling off the green and violated the most sacred and trusted tenet of the game? He was frustrated, he made up a baloney of an excuse and later apologized for it. Even Oscar Mayer saw through that one. Anyway, I felt as if Mickelson quit. Once a quitter, always a quitter and a quitter always knows he quit. He was done as a competitor, I mistakenly believed. Well, I forgot about Phil’s bounce-back ability. He has come off as Pollyannish over the years, sometimes delusional, but he is the most positive-thinking golfer I’ve ever met. His unwavering optimism is real. That’s who he is as a golfer. So when June arrives, don’t count out Mickelson. He may make this Open worth your trouble … even at $350 a night. n
From his office in Pittsburgh, Gary Van Sickle writes about golf for several national news outlets and publications.
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The Rim Golf Club, Payson
May 16, 2019 - 10:00 a.m. Shotgun Registration: 4/1 - 5/3 Entry Fee: $110
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May 17, 2019 - 10:00 a.m. Shotgun Registration: 4/1 - 5/3 Entry Fee: $110
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