W W W . G O L F C E N T R A L M A G . C O M
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Call now 866.228.5878 | OnTopoftheWorld.com | 8447 SW 99th St. Rd., Ocala, Florida 34481 Take the FL Turnpike North to I-75, exit 350. Take SR 200 west 6.5 miles. Turn right at SW 99th St. Rd. *At least one guest must be 55 years of age or older to participate in our World Tour Adventure. All guests must be at least 18 years of age. A tour with one of our knowledgeable sales professionals is required. Accommodations are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. A World Tour is $129.00 and is subject to sales tax. Offer can be withdrawn at any time. Call for rates and availability. Must qualify to be eligible for world tour. On Top of the World Communities LLC, Ocala,Florida a 55+ community. On Top of the World Communities reserves the right to change or withdraw any offer at any time. Prices, features and specifications are subject to change without notice.
#12503 - 11/19
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header from the publisher
Volume 21, Issue 2 Publisher: Terrie L. Purdum Editor in Chief: Shannon Coates Graphic Design: Melahn Cable, Photojournalists: Greg and Beverly Wise Photographers: Lynn Pelham, Brion Price, Peter Hakansson
Breathe in Positive, Exhale Negative
Mike Coonan, Becky Galloway Senior Correspondent: Rick Harris, Sr. International Correspondent: Dove Jones Contributing Writers: Jay Golden, PGA; Greg Wise, Bob Bolton, Greg Corbo, Elisa Gaudet, Mike Jamison, Mike May, Ron Heller, Rich Styles, Fred Seely, Deb Shuck, JL Quebbeman, Linda Williams-Sieg Editor Emeritus: Joel Jackson, CGCS Retired
Regional Partner: Doug Hollandsworth, Founder-Georgia Golf Trail Golf Central Magazine is published monthly by: Sand Hill Publishing & Public Relations 1549 Warrington Court, Winter Springs, FL 32708
NEW PHONE: 321.765.7550 E-mail: info@golfcentralmag.com
Yoga and Golf it’s the “OMmmmm” effect. Golf has a calming effect on you as yoga does and it has officially been documented as a stress reducer. Environmental psychologist Professor Jenny Roe of the University of Virginia says golf course environments possess many of the natural features – including water, biodiversity, spatial variety and light patterns – that help reduce stress and induce calm. It should come as no surprise that many golf clubs are reporting strong demand for play and membership after closures that occurred
©2020 Golf Central Magazine. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Editorial contributions are welcome, but Golf Central Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited proposals, manuscripts and photographs. All materials submitted not accompanied by a selfaddressed stamped envelope will not be returned. Mailing, electronic mailing or faxing of contributions constitutes an expressed warrant on the part of the contributor that all material is original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Golf Central Magazine retains all reprint rights and reserves the right to edit any submitted material to meet our specifications for publishing and or use in advertising or promotion. The Publisher and staff are not responsible for any loss or grievance by any person or persons whatsoever, due in any way or in part to the content of this publication. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse to accept any material deemed inappropriate or in bad taste.
during the initial phase of the Covid-19 (C-19) pandemic. Even with new rules in place to reduce the spread of C-19 the demand to play a round of golf is greater than ever. Global market research from Syngenta suggests prospective players are attracted to the game because 1) it is outdoors and 2) offers relaxation and stress relief. In contrast other physical exercises like those done in a gym ranked fifth (5th). So, in the “new normal” post Covid-19 world could golf clubs and courses reposition themselves as valuable green space destination? The value and benefits golf and it’s course environments offer both people and the planet is unmatched so the answer is a definite yes. Golf needs to reposition and make itself relevant to a larger, more diverse audience. The long-term business sustainability of golf courses and opportunity to increase female participation alone is worth a potential $35 billion a year. Now that’s what I call an economic stimulus program. I wonder if I can deduct my country club membership as a medicallyrelated expense now. Let me meditate on that with my accountant…
2009 North Florida PGA Amateur of the Year 6
Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
Escape to the Mountains this Summer. The ultimate 36-hole golf destination on stunning Lake Lure, NC.
Located on the north end of Lake Lure, Rumbling Bald is one of Western North Carolina’s only multi-course golf resorts. An hour’s drive from Asheville and less than two hours from Charlotte, it features two contrasting 18-hole layouts. APPLE VALLEY - Designed by noted golf course architect and Pinehurst native Dan Maples, Apple Valley stretches to nearly 6,800 yards and features expansive views of Bald Mountain and the surrounding Lake Lure area. Maples estimated that 75% of all shots at Apple Valley are either level or downhill, virtually unheard for a mountain course. Shimmering mountain lakes adorn 12 holes on Apple Valley, but water only occasionally comes into play. The back nine is widely regarded as one of the best closing stretches in the Western Carolinas. The par-3 14th hole, with its shallow green and back bunker, is reminiscent of No. 12 at Augusta National. BALD MOUNTAIN - Designed by W.B. Lewis, 6,300-yard Bald Mountain is renowned for its unique configuration of five par 5s and five par 3s. Movie buffs appreciate the 16th green, the backdrop of a scene from the movie “Dirty Dancing.” A protégé of golf course architect George Cobb, Lewis is known for his traditional approach to course design. This philosophy is reflected in Bald Mountain’s playability from tee to green. In contrast to Apple Valley, Bald Mountain is what many golf aficionados refer to as a “true North Carolina mountain course.” Elevation changes, particularly on the back, offer a beguiling mix of uphill and downhill shots amid a variety of doglegs and straight fairways. Th The majority of green fronts are open, bringing both the ground and aerial game into play.
4.1 STAR RATING By golfer just like you on GolfAdvisor.com
To learn more about our golf courses and available “Stay & Play” packages, please call 828.694.3072.
Discover more at RumblingBald.com OUTDOOR LIVING • MOUNTAINS • PRIVATE BEACH • LAKE ACCESS • 36-HOLES OF GOLF
Volume 21, Issue 2 54 19th Hole 20 CafĂŠ Tu Tu Tango Cart Girl 18 Taylor Beeny FEATURE 10 BOYNE Golf Georgia Golf Central 24 Coral Hospitality
Departments
14 26 38 40 43 50
Golf History Georgia Golf Trail Golf History Golf History Freddy's Fairway Thoughts South FLorida PGA
Golf Bachelorette 30 Janet Ademek Growing the Game 28 The First Tee In Memory Of 34 Jimmey Pursell
W W W . G O L F C E N T R A L M A G . C O M
Featur
e Artic
International Golf Travel 46 Switzerland
le Pg 1
0
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Stay & Play 14 Rumbling Bald 16 Sapelo Hammock Turf Life 52 Monarchs in the Rough 54 Audunom International 56 Sunniland Superspotlight: Scott Scamehorn 58 St. Edonoc
46 golfcentralmag.com
Double Down on Bucket-List Golf
Play 18. Repeat. Now’s the time to play two award-winning courses to their fullest. Our Pete Dye and Donald Ross Courses have been #1 and #2 on GolfWeek’s “Best You Can Play” in Indiana for 10 years running. Book your round in 2020, and replays are free the same day at The Pete Dye Course while same-day Donald Ross replays are $50. Visit frenchlick.com/golf or call (888) 936-9360 to get that road trip rolling. Forecaddie fee additional at The Pete Dye Course. Same-day replays based on availability; must tee off for final nine holes by 6pm.
Must be 21 years or older to enter the casino. Gambling Problem? Call 1.800.9.WITH.IT!
feature
By Kevin Frisch
MICHIGAN’S MAGNIFICENT TEN
Overview of The Alpine and The Monument courses at Boyne Mountain Resort
When searching for a golf buddies trip location, BOYNE Golf seemed to check all the boxes. Its location in the northwest portion of Lower Michigan provides perfect summer weather and long summer days allowing you to play 36 holes or more! BOYNE Golf is home to 10 courses, including two in the Golf Digest Top 100, all located within 20 minutes of Petoskey, Michigan. It is the largest golf resort group in America north of the famous Pinehurst, N.C. For diehard golf 10
junkies, Boyne Highlands is the place to set up base camp. We selected the Ross Cottages, which were the perfect gathering place each night after golf. It helped that we noticed Golf.com readers selected the Highlands as the country’s “No. 1 Golf Resort for Value.” The BOYNE collection of golf started in 1965 when founder Everett Kircher hired world-famous architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. to put Boyne Highlands on the map as more than a ski destination. We opened our four-day
golf boondoggle on The Heather. The design, selected as the 2019 National Golf Course Owners Course of the Year, is an old-school parkland classic with massive bunkers and fun challenging green complexes. Day 2 started on Donald Ross Memorial, a wonderful rendition of 18 great Donald Ross holes from around the world. Holes were carefully selected to match topography and the green complexes are nearly perfect. Seminole, Oakland Hills, Pinehurst, and Inverness Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
holes are among the amazing collection. That afternoon we enjoyed the Arthur Hills course. A big, bold design, it kept building in an almost suspenseful way with one fun golf hole leading to another. Six tee box options on all of the BOYNE Golf courses make it enjoyable for all levels of golfers. Golf is about FUN at Boyne and not just length! Most memorable was the 13th hole, a par 5 which features a downhill 400-foot drop from tee-to-green and a view of 4000 acres, so have your camera ready! We slept in a bit on Day 3 in anticipation of playing BOYNE Golf’s flagship property, Bay Harbor Golf Club’s 27-holes (Links, Quarry, Preserve) designed by Art Hills. It is nestled dramatically along a five-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline. We played the marque course, the Links/Quarry. It was spectacular as holes ran both inland and along the bluffs overlooking the big lake. The two contrasting nines offered an unmatched variety of holes. One minute we found ourselves playing along the cliffs overlooking Lake Michigan, and
Arthur Hills #13 at Boyne Highlands Resort in early fall (overlooks approximately 4000 acres with no visible buildings, approximately 400 drop from tee-to-green) the next minute we were hitting shots down through a scenic rock-quarry. Our final day included a stop Boyne Mountain, offering The Alpine and The Monument courses. After a ten-minute drive to the top of the mountain and the first tees, the courses offer tremendous views of Deer Lake as you play down the back-side of Boyne Mountain. The Beach
House across the street offered the perfect patio lunch setting to end our trip! BOYNE Golf clearly checked off all of the requirements for our great golf vacation and was recognized by FORBES.com as one of the Best Golf Resorts in the America, along with Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, Whistling Straights, Kapalua, and Pinehurst. Whether it is a group of
Inn at Bay Harbor looking west over Lake Michigan at sunset
Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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buddies, couples, or just a trip with a significant other, BOYNE is the place to go. It offers a variety of courses, lodging and package options including unlimited golf. If you have time, the Great Escape week is an unbelievable value! Several scenic Lake Michigan beach towns are close-by and a side trip to Mackinac Island is easily managed. Guests can enjoy award-winning spas, local wineries and breweries, waterfront dining and so much more in the nearby towns of Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Boyne City! Golfers looking to fly to the area can access Traverse City (TVC) with a variety of direct options, or Pellston (PLN) regional airport with connecting flights. Private planes, including jets, can also land directly at Boyne Mountain’s private airstrip. For more information visit www.boynegolf.com or call 855.427.6316.
Arthur Hills #5 at Boyne Highlands Resort
The sunset over #18 on the Links/Quarry course at Bay Harbor Golf Club
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Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
The Alpine #15 overlooking Deer Lake at Boyne Mountain Resort
Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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stay & play
Apple Valley Golf Course at Rumbling Bald Reopening with new Championship Bermuda Greens 36-Hole R esort on Stunning Lake Lure is R olling Out a Superior Putting Experience for Golfers this Fall
Gone are the days of grainy Bermuda grass greens that even PGA Tour pros struggle to read. The strands of this popular turf grass developed over the past decade have improved to the point that many experts believe they roll just as true as bentgrass, minus all the Bald Mountain #16 summer-season pampering in the Southeastern U.S. golf destinations keeps getting better That’s exactly how Matt and better with numerous enhanceLovell, Director of Golf Course Maintements to both Apple Valley and sister nance at Rumbling Bald in Lake Lure, course, Bald Mountain. From tree North Carolina, feels about the resort’s removal and new landscape to E-Z-GO new Champion Bermuda greens on its golf carts with USB ports, complimentaApple Valley Golf Course. Lovell was ry coolers and rolled towels, Rumbling impressed with a similar strand used Bald continues to evolve. at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, site For stay-and-plays, the resort’s 150 of the 2017 PGA Championship, and on sparkling clean vacation rental homes, famed Pinehurst No. 2, host of the 1999, condos and studios are ideal for social 2005, 2014 and 2024 U.S. Opens. distancing and feature golf course and “Golfers are going to love putting mountain views. Golfers can grab to-go on these greens, and my staff is going meals from Legends on the Lake, the reto enjoy taking care of them,” he says. sort’s casual dining restaurant on Lake “Bentgrass requires more maintenance Lure. And once Apple Valley reopens, so throughout the summer, from addiwill Pinnacle Southern Kitchen, serving tional water to fans. With Champion up comfort food favorites. Bermuda, we’ll be able to focus entirely “We want golfers to get here, unplug, on the golfer experience.” play 18 or 36 holes and shed the stress And the golfer experience at one of of the hurry-up, always-on lifestyle Western North Carolina’s only 36-hole we lead,” says Rumbling Bald General 14
Manager Geisler. “Post round, they can relax over a hearty meal and a cold beverage, then retreat to the deck of their vacation rental with cigar or night cap.”
The Golf Courses – Apple Valley Apple Valley began its transition from bentgrass greens to the smooth-rolling Champion Bermuda in June. According to Lovell and Geisler, Champion was chosen for its superior performance profile, heat tolerance and maintainability. It has speeds up to two feet faster than other ultradwarf cultivars as measured by stimpmeter. “We provide our golfers with the best possible experiences and Champion Bermuda checked all the boxes,” Geisler says. “Dan Maples’ layout and routing at Apple Valley is so pure from tee to green that smooth, true rolling Champion greens are the perfect fit.” Apple Valley stretches to nearly 6,800 yards and features expansive views of Bald Mountain and the surrounding Lake Lure area. Maples estimated 75 percent of shots at Apple Valley are either level or downhill, virtually unheard for a mountain course. Shimmering mountain lakes adorn 12 holes, but water only occasionally comes into play. Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
The course is scheduled to open in late August, and golfers can call ahead for an exact date in order to best plan their late summer or early fall golf trip.
Bald Mountain In addition to Apple Valley, golfers enjoy Bald Mountain, the resort’s original 18-hole mountain-style course. Designed by George Cobb protégé W.B. Lewis, Bald Mountain is a 6,300-yard shotmaker’s venue conveniently located next to lodging and amenities. Bald Mountain, at 6,300 yards, is renowned for its unique configuration of five par 5s and five par 3s. Movie buffs appreciate the 16th green, the backdrop of a scene from the movie “Dirty Dancing.” A protégé of golf course architect George Cobb, Lewis is known for his traditional approach to course design. This philosophy is reflected in Bald Mountain’s playability from tee to green. “Bald Mountain is what most golfers would refer to as a classic mountain course,” says Adam Bowles, Head of Golf Operations at Rumbling Bald. “The back nine especially offers a mix of uphill and downhill holes that require adjustments in club selection, trajectory and spin.”
Amenities and Activities Rumbling Bald is rich with amenities and activities, including scenic Lake Lure boat tours, boat rentals, tennis, pickleball, a full-service spa and hiking trails. Families enjoy the Trout Stream Pool and Lazy River, winding its way through the outdoor pool area where guests relax under fan-cooled covered seating. It’s the perfect base camp for exploring the natural wonders of western North Caro-
lina and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Getting There Tucked along scenic Lake Lure surrounded by Blue Ridge Mountains, Rumbling Bald is secluded yet accessible from metro areas throughout the Southeast in less than half a day’s drive. Asheville Regional Airport is an hour away, Green-
ville-Spartanburg International Airport is 1:15 and Charlotte-Douglas International is 1:45, for those flying in.
To learn more about Rumbling Bald’s golf courses and packages, visit www.rumblingbald.com, or call (828) 694.3072.
Apple Valley #7
Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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stay & play
Story and Photos by Greg Corbo
A Low-Key “Peach” of an Adventure on Georgia’s Coast There’s this place in Shellman Bluff, Georgia, in all likelihood you’ve never been to or even heard of. Just a few miles East off Interstate (I-95) in McIntosh County, Sapelo Hammock Golf Club (50 miles south of Savannah) is a worthy marsh-side golfing adventure to check out in your golf travels. With Stay and Play options above the clubhouse in the “Eagles Nest,” make sure you pack an overnight bag – just in case you want to check in. Wild Shrimp, fresh crab, coastline golf and historical attractions – if you can
16
roll with these selections on the menu, you‘ll fit in just fine here. Designed by Rusty Simmons opening in 1999 as a semi-private club, Sapelo‘s brief history is a familiar one we’ve all heard before. The club experienced economic hardship during the 2008 recession and was forced to temporarily close in 2010. Local investors, members and volunteers rallied to save the majestic 100-acre property which served as a recreational centerpiece flanked by two low-key residential communities. Without pinpointing certain standout holes which require a handful of force-carries over marsh, the entire presentation has an island like feel to it teeming with wildlife and soul soothing views.. The finishing trio of holes, including the par 3 17th Island green, leaves you wanting a replay or return visit. The Monday all day rate for $30 could be the best one day golf bargain in the Peach State? The crushed white stone cart paths preserve the natural flavor of the intimate surroundings as you weave your way around. “We are a semi-private club that has an unpretentious private club atmosphere,” said Andy Brown, GM Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
and Director of Golf. “Once people come here for the first time and see our golf course, they usually come back and see us for the value and conditions they are getting. Our staff was recently ranked #22 in the US in terms of Best Customer Service and Friendliness.” A Par 72 maxing out at 6,698 yards, Sapelo’s greens are Champion Bermuda grass while the tees and fairways are 419 Bermuda. The course has garnered state-wide recognition as host to State Section PGA events and the annual NeSmith Invitational – a couples event that is greatly anticipated by the locals each year. “The course has breathtaking views of the coastal marshlands,” said Brown. “It is not a very long course by today’s standards, but we have narrow fairways and small greens which are quite challenging for any golfer. This immediate area is also known for excellent fishing, boating and kayaking. As you would expect, the seafood restaurants are top-notch and you can’t come here without eating the local seafood. But honestly, the views of the bluff are so good you may not want to do anything else and find a rocking chair and soak in the wildlife and fantastic sunset.” After golf, I took my overnight operation 20 minutes south to historic Darien, Georgia in pursuit of Old Fort King George – built in 1721, the first English fort on Georgia›s coast. Staying with the nautical theme, I got a room at the Darien Waterfront Inn, a clean-cut 5-room boutique hotel perfectly situated on Old Fort King George Road with easy walking distance to downtown activities and establishments like Skipper’s Fish Camp Bar & Grill. The super friendly owners of the hotel keep a ziplock bag full of local shrimp in the refrigerator for the guests to pick on as they please. It’s evident the people here in Darien, a gateway to the sea since 1736 have been making a living on the Altamaha River for generations. Old Fort King George (closed on Mondays) turned out to be the most eerily impressive structures I’ve witnessed with a camera by my lonesome. This is a quality assurance approved itinerary and one you should consider penciling in when the time’s right. Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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cart girl
Tayler Beeny Where did you grow up? Tampa, Florida Which group of people did you associate most with in high school? Popular preppy girls.
What is your favorite sport to play? Favorite to watch?
Soccer, I played it for 11 years and hockey to watch.
What do you feel makes this club special?
The members & regulars make us all feel like a small family. They take care of us and we take care of them!
If you weren’t a cart girl, what would you be doing? Well, I would be a stay at home mom
What is your memorable moment working as a cart girl? Working the Hard Rock tournament and selling out of everything by the 3rd hole!
What is the funniest thing you’ve ever seen on the golf course? I saw a guy bending down to read the greens and when he bent down his pants split and under his pants were obviously boxers, but I swear they had a picture of his dog on them! What type of music do you prefer? Country What hobbies do you enjoy? Long boarding, skim boarding, fishing, and kayaking.
Relaxed evening at home, or nightclub and cocktails?
Both!!!!!! I love to go out dancing at least twice a month.
Favorite comedian? Kevin Hart Favorite type of movie? Drama Favorite charity to support? Anything raising money for children. What else would you like for us to know about you?
I’m a mom of 4, but I also have 2 bonus kids, which makes me a mom of 6! I love my kids but my GOAL in life is to raise them to be successful so they move out at 18 and I can live on the beach and travel the world! 18
Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
19th hole
Food. Art. Fun. Fore!
at Café Tu Tu Tango on International Drive
Let loose after your game with bottomless brunch and craft cocktails at this I-Drive staple. Locals have loved Café Tu Tu Tango for decades, and for good reason! The restaurant’s slogan of “Food. Art. Fun.” is on full display each day, with guests greeted by a flurry of colors, music and original art from the moment they step in the door. Located at the junction of Austrian Avenue and International Drive in Orlando’s tourism corridor, Café Tu Tu Tango’s eclectic selection of small, shareable plates, creative craft cocktails and live entertainment in an outrageous atmosphere makes it one of Orlando’s most unique and memorable dining experiences. Café Tu Tu Tango is owned and operated by Alexandria Restaurant Partners, which also operates sister restaurant, Mia’s Italian Kitchen, next door. The Spanish influence is seen throughout
the restaurant and in its architecture — the owners were directly inspired by the work of architect Antoni Gaudi
Smoked Thai Spare Ribs
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and surrealist artist Salvador Dali. The menu is a collection of innovative small, sharable plates served tapas style. Café Tu Tu Tango’s sangria, an authentic recipe from Barcelona, mixes red or white wine, fruit juice, Spanish brandy, triple sec, gin and mascerated fresh fruit. It’s a perfect way to cool down after a day on the course, served either by the glass or in a bottle for the table. The restaurant is famous for its Bottomless Brunch, available Saturday and Sunday from opening until 3 p.m. For one price, guests can enjoy as many dishes from the menu as they like, plus unlimited trips to the DIY waffle bar. For just a few bucks more, enjoy unlimited mimosas or visits to the buildyour-own Bloody Mary bar. Don’t miss the Monkey Bread, a perennial guest favorite, covered with dulce de leche, golden raisins and pecans. The Shrimp and Grits are equally popular, with crispy bacon, caramelized shallots, and lemon-manchego grits accompanying the tender shrimp. Café Tu Tu Tango recently rolled out a list of exciting new cocktails from their full bar, inspired by artists from around the globe. Try the Van Gogh’s Yellow Paint Martini with vodka, dry vermouth, basil reduction and lemon juice, or the Banksy Smash, which Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
Guava & Sweet Plantain Bread Pudding
combines bourbon, aperol and passion fruit puree for a bittersweet beauty of a beverage. Get your phones out for an Instagram classic, the Starry Night, with vodka, blueberry puree, lemon juice, pearl dust and a black sugar rim. Café Tu Tu Tango also features a selection of non-spirited drinks called Frescos, as well as a full list of wine and beer both in the bottle and on draft. Since it’s located near many of Orlando’s top golf resorts, Café Tu Tu Tango is just a chip shot away from many of the area’s most revered courses, including the Four Seasons Golf & Sports Club, the Marriott Golf Academy, the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club and Shingle Creek Golf Club. With a bevy of options, including an incredible patio primed for peoplewatching, Café Tu Tu Tango is the kind of restaurant where you can undo your collar buttons, kick back with a few snacks and cold beverage, and enjoy live music, flamenco dancing and original art right before your eyes.
Korean Fried Egg Tacos
Banana, Cinnamon and Caramel Empanada
Address: 8625 International Dr., Orlando, FL, 32819 Hours: Monday – Friday: 12 pm – 10 pm Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm Sunday: 10 am – 9 pm Menu Link: CafeTuTuTango.com Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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CHANGING LIVES THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF
Patriot Golf Day® has become the largest grass-roots golf fundraiser in America – a joint initiative of The PGA of America and the USGA, Patriot Golf Day enlists the support of public and private golf facilities across the country. Funds support Folds of Honor, providing educational scholarships to the children and spouses of service members killed or disabled while serving in America’s Armed Forces.
GET INVOLVED Although the national promotion of Patriot Golf Day is over Labor Day weekend, you can play golf any time of the year to support the families of our fallen and disabled service members. Here are a few ways to get involved.
HOST AN
EVENT CONDUCT A GOLF
MARATHON PARTICIPATE IN THE
DONATION BOX CAMPAIGN
LEARN MORE AT PATRIOTGOLFDAY.ORG
georgia golf central
Brasstown Valley
Coral Hospitality Has Fully Reopened Its Georgia Resorts And Lodges person. The offer is available on overnight stays through September 14, 2020.
Lake Blackshear Campsite
Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa
Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club
Located amongst the northern mountains of Young Harris, GA, Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa is a luxurious retreat for a mountain getaway. Activities abound on this 503-acre property which features an 18-hole championship golf course, horse stables and trail riding, a 7,500-sq. ft. Equani spa and an array of outdoor activities. Accommodations consist of a 102-room main
Situated within Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park in the historic town of Cordele, Ga., Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club as a popular destination for both local and long-distance travelers. The state park’s 1,300 acres serves as a playground for a variety of outdoor activities and houses the SAM Shortline Excursion Train and the Military Museum, which pays tribute to veterans from the Revolutionary War through the present day. Activities include golf, archery and air rifle, biking, disc golf, volleyball, hiking and a variety
Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge Located amongst the peaceful pine trees of the South in Helena, Georgia, is a charming destination for a relaxing getaway. Little Ocmulgee State Park is home to 1,360-acres of activities, including first-class golf at Wallace Adams Golf Course, a children’s splash pad, a private pool and Little Ocmulgee lake. Accommodations consist of a 60-room main lodge, 10 lakeside cabins and 54 campsites. Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge is managed by Coral Hospitality, a full-service hospitality management and investment company.
lodge, 32 cottage guest rooms and one deluxe spa suite.
Horseback Riding at Brasstown Valley
• Summer Lodge Special: Welcoming guests to experience its newly renovated (and reopened) lodge and pristine golf courses, Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge is including unlimited golf and breakfast for two with an overnight stay in its lodge rooms, starting at $49 per 24
Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
Lake Blackshear Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge of water activities: boating, jet skiing, paddling by kayak or canoe, fishing and swimming. The resort is outfitted with 14 renovated main lodge guest rooms, 64 villa guest rooms and ten lakeside cabins.
George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge Located along the shores of Lake Walter F. George in Fort Gaines, GA, George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge is a secluded retreat for a relaxing getaway. George T. Bagby State Park is home to the 48,000-acre Lake Walter F. George and Meadow Links Golf Course, ranked by Golf Digest as “the nation’s sixth best new affordable public course.” Popular attractions include swimming at the lakeshore beach and the lodge’s private pool, trophy fishing, volleyball, tennis and more. Accommodations consist of a 60-room main lodge and five secluded cabins. George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge is managed by Coral Hospitality, a full-service hospitality management and investment company. George T. Bagby
Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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By Mike May
georgia golf trail
The Georgia Golf Trails’s Top Dining Destinations The Georgia Golf Trail Presented by
Three of the more popular golf destinations along the Georgia Golf Trail are the Jekyll Island Golf Club on Jekyll Island, Sky Valley Country Club in Sky Valley, and the Club at Savannah Harbor in Savannah. Each layout has many characteristics which are very appealing to avid golfers which helps put each golf club in the ‘must-play’ category. It’s also worth noting that each course is also located close to wonderful restaurants, which enhances their appeal. After all, golfers have to eat. And that includes dessert!
THE WHARF – A Jekyll Island Favorite After playing at the Jekyll Island Golf Club (www.JekyllIsland.com), your next meal is just minutes away at the nearby restaurant known as The Wharf.
Fish sandwich and crab cakes at The wharf
Affiliated with the legendary, historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel, The Wharf is a fully re-imagined restaurant and bar situated at the end of the pier, which extends out into the intracoastal waterway. The Wharf – which serves lunch and dinner daily – features indoor and outdoor dining and a variety of drink options, all with a Southern twist. The casual dining venue is an ideal setting to enjoy a drink, have an appetizer, relax, and watch the sunset over the western horizon. Usually, ‘live’ music is being played which adds to the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere of The Wharf. The variety of seafood on the menu is tasty and delicious. After one meal, I guarantee you that you’ll return another day to eat at The Wharf (www.jekyllwharf.com; 912-635-3612).
THE DILLARD HOUSE – Where an Appetite is Required After golf at the Sky Valley Country Club (www.skyvalleycountryclub.com; 26
A variety of seafood at The Wharf
800-541-0671), hungry golfers should visit the Dillard House. The Dillard House, a 15-minute drive from the Sky Valley CC, is located in Dillard, Georgia -- not far from the North CarolinaGeorgia border. Dillard House’s location provides visitors great views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. The food at the Dillard House (www.dillardhouse.com; 706-746-5348) is homemade and served “family-style” -- Southern cooking at its finest. That’s the case for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – 365 days a year. Each item on the menu at the Dillard House comes from a recipe that has been passed along from one generation of the Dillard family to the next. The fried chicken may be the best in the South. All the Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
vegetables are as good, if not better, than your grandmother’s. The sweet iced tea gets better with every sip. The Dillard House has been serving three meals a day since it opened in 1917. “Our family prides itself on serving only the freshest food which is prepared on site and cooked daily,” said Louise Dillard, owner, Dillard House. “We are truly a farm-to-table restaurant.”
HUEY’S – A Savannah Stalwart In Savannah, restaurant dining and playing golf are taken to an entirely new level. In Savannah, meals are relished, not rushed; enjoyed, not engulfed; and
Lunch and Dinner at The Dillard House
Beignets– a favorite at Huey's Southern Cafe
The Dillard House savored, not swallowed. The same attention to detail is given to the golf course at the nearby Club at Savannah Harbor (www.theclubatsavannahharbor.com), which is why the Champions Tour staged the Legends of Golf tournament there on 14 occasions. One of Savannah’s great dining destinations is Huey’s On the River. Located along Savannah’s world-famous River Street, Huey’s is named after Huey Long, the former, flamboyant governor of Louisiana. At Huey’s, the menu items are a blend of Cajun cuisine and true Southern cooking. Huey’s (www.hueysontheriver.net; 912-234-7385) is open seven days a week. At Huey’s, the day starts with breakfast. Breakfast is served till 3:00 pm daily. Its world-famous beignets are also served every day, all-day long. Eggs are served many different ways at Huey’s. With Savannah being in the South, grits are Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For lunch and dinner, it’s shrimp and grits – delicious. At Huey’s, order the Bloody Mary, considered the best in Savannah. The Cajun cuisine starts with gumbo – as an appetizer. Adding a side dish of fried green tomatoes would be a wise decision, too. The fried green tomatoes are as delicious as the movie by the same name is entertaining. Other Cajun classics at Huey’s are shrimp creole, shrimp or crawfish etouffee, pasta jambalaya, and shrimp & scallop thermador. Huey’s desserts – key lime pie, bread pudding, pecan pie, praline cheesecake, and beignets – are all house-made. For complete information about playing the Georgia Golf Trail, please call 1-833-877-6988 or access GeorgiaGolfandTravel.com
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growing the game
President George W. Bush Surprises First Tee College Scholarship Program Recipients Scholars will receive financial assistance, ongoing mentoring and participate in professional development workshops to encourage continuous personal growth throughout college Seven high school graduates received a surprise personal congratulatory message today from President George W. Bush, Honorary Chair of First Tee, on their selection into the inaugural class of the First Tee College Scholarship Program. This Class of Scholars includes aspiring doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs, several of whom will be attending Harvard, Yale and Duke University. “Your hard work has paid off,” said President George W. Bush, via video message. “The coming years will bring new learning, new friendships, new challenges and new opportunities. Remembering the values you have learned through the First Tee will help you for the years to come. Laura and I join your family and friends and recognize you on this special ccasion, and we send our best wishes.”
Kelly Low
First Tee’s College Scholarship Class of 2020 includes: Luke Boldt | First Tee Coastal Carolinas | East Carolina University Luke has been an active First Tee participant since he was four years old. In that time, he has earned Ace certification, the highest level in the program, and developed into a leader on and off the golf course. He founded a 28
Luke Boldt
Blake Brantley
Ricky Lam
Nicole Monsalva
Sara Rintoul
Remi Shendell
special needs golf program with his twin brother, "Buddy Tee." He is an Eagle Scout and played in the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee with Jeff Maggert at Pebble Beach, Calif. Luke plans to major in Public Health at East Carolina University.
major in Economics and PreLaw. He was the captain and MVP of his high school’s varsity golf team and served as the captain of the Academic Team. He credits First Tee with inspiring him to give back to members of his community and cofounded a charity called “Golf For Life” in which he helped raise $50,000 for a scholarship fund for other First Tee participants. Blake has been a participant at his chapter for eight years, earning Ace certification
Blake Brantley | First Tee Triad | Yale University Blake will pursue golf at the collegiate level as a member of the men’s golf team at Yale University where he will
and volunteering as a coach and mentor to younger participants. Ricky Lam | First Tee - TriValley | Harvard University A first-generation college student, Ricky will attend Harvard University majoring in Economics. He aspires to become a leading financial advisor and entrepreneur. He is the Salutatorian of the Oakland Technical Class of 2020 and a National Merit Commended Scholar. He is a Boy Scout and peer tutor Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
for AP Statistic students and plays on the varsity golf team. An Ace participant at First Tee, Ricky volunteers as a coach and mentor to the kids at his chapter. Kelly Low | First Tee - Fort Worth | University of Texas at Dallas Kelly has been a First Tee participant for five years, earning Ace certification and volunteering as a junior coach and member of the chapter’s Junior Advisory Board. She is a first-generation U.S. citizen and will attend the University of Texas at Dallas where she will major in computer science. Her passion for science extends beyond the classroom. Kelly was a member of the Rocket Science Club, interned at Lockheed Martin and volunteered at the River Legacy Foundation where she taught children
about nature. She is also an AP scholar and member of the varsity golf team.
counselor while also an active member of the First Tee Junior Advisory Board.
Nicole Monsalve | First Tee Miami | Duke University Nicole is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a National Hispanic Scholar. She will attend Duke University, majoring in Pre-Med, Biology and aspires to be an NFL team doctor. A two-sport athlete in both golf and track, Nicole also spent her time volunteering with the First Tee - Miami High School Prep Bootcamp, providing young athletes help with schoolwork and time management. She also serves as the founder and director of “Box It Tournament,” raising more than $6,000 for a local homeless shelter. Nicole has been a First Tee participant for more than five years, serving as a junior coach and
Sara Rintoul | First Tee Central Florida | University of Florida Sara will attend the University of Florida and major in Health Sciences and International Studies. She is a recipient of the National Security Language Initiative for Youth Scholarship, where she traveled to North Africa in 2019 to represent the U.S. and learn Arabic. Her extracurriculars include President of the Model United Nations team, Vice President of We Dine Together Club, promoting inclusion at school, and captain of her varsity golf team. She has been a First Tee participant for seven years attending the Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy in 2018 where she was awarded
the Renee Powell Outstanding Female Leader Award. Remi Shendell | First Tee - Metropolitan New York | Emory University Remi aspires to attend medical school and become a doctor for infectious diseases at the CDC or WHO. She will attend Emory University, majoring in Biology and Human Health. Remi is an AP Scholar with honors and was active at her school serving as captain of the golf team and Director of Public Relations for the Girls Learn International chapter, empowering middle and high school students to advocate for human rights, equality and universal education around the world. An Ace First Tee participant, Remi has been involved at First Tee - Metropolitan New York for nine years and serves as a tutor and junior coach.
The First Tee College Scholarship Program
extends its impact to alumni by providing support throughout their post-graduate career. Each of the scholars will be paired with a dedicated, trained adult mentor who will help encourage and guide them throughout the college experience, including virtual and in-person meetups. The program also provides scholarships up to $5,000 per year for four years, plus professional development workshops held in-person throughout the year. In addition, scholars will receive assistance with internships and full-time employment placement post-graduation. First Tee is a youth development organization dedicated to providing active learning experiences that empowers young people to build their character through the game of golf. “We are so proud of the First Tee College Scholarship Class of 2020,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee. “We are inspired by this remarkable group of young leaders who were selected from an impressive applicant pool of First Tee alumni candidates. We look forward to continuing to empower them to build their confidence and inner-strength as they set out to accomplish their dreams and make a difference in the world.” who meet the minimum requirements. Applications were received from participants at 32 chapters in 24 states across the nation. Following an online application process, 10 finalists were selected by a committee for one-on-one interviews. Applicants were considered based on financial need, academic performance, chapter involvement, volunteerism, community service and other criteria. President George W. Bush has been First Tee’s Honorary Chair since 2009. He succeeded his father, President George H.W. Bush, who served as First Tee’s Honorary Chair since the organization’s inception in 1997. For more information on First Tee, visit firsttee.org.
President George W. Bush
The First Tee College Scholarship Program is open to active participants of First Tee chapters graduating from high school. Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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golf bachelorette
Tell us about your first kiss? I’ve never been one to kiss and tell but I will tell you it was on a golf course. Steak, chicken, or seafood? Steak! Harris Ranch from CA What three things would you need to survive on a deserted island? A gun, a boat, and alcohol. Who would you like to have with you on the same deserted island; and why? Johnny Depp, he’s the perfect pirate! What do you find to be the most annoying habit people demonstrate on the golf course? I hate when people get mad over bad shots or expect every shot to be perfect; it can ruin the mood of the entire foursome. Name the three most important things to you in this world. My kids, my family, and my faith. Given the choice; would you select love, success, or money to keep yourself happy? Love anyone can be successful and have money What do you fear the most? Lightning
Janet Adamek Where were you born? Did you grow up there? I was born in Beverly, MA and grew up in Ormond Beach, FL
What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy golf foursome? Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicholas
What do you do for a living? I am a district sales representative for Cheney Brothers Inc. We are a broadline distributor. I sell food and supplies to restaurants, hotels, ALF’s, basically anywhere that sells food or needs supplies. I love my job and am blessed to work for such a great company.
What are some of your great accomplishments? Raising my children and seeing them as healthy and happy adults. When I was younger I played a lot of Florida State Amateur tournaments and actually won a few of them, but that was so long ago I would have to take out the scrap books to see which ones. I completed the Disney inline marathon a few years back.
What would you like to do for a living? I would love to own and operate a Bed and Breakfast in Pinehurst, NC.
Relaxed evening at home, or nightclub and cocktails? Relaxed evening at home sunset cocktails poolside.
Aside from golf; what do you prefer for fun and relaxation? I love being outdoors gardening, boating and I just took up Pickleball.
Favorite comedian? Howie Mandel
What golf apparel do you like to wear? Nancy Lopez Golf is my go to for golf, workout, and pickleball. it’s nice to finally have found a clothing line that fits the real woman. Whom do you most admire for their inner and outer beauty? My sister she is the most positive and happy person I know! I can talk to her and I always feel great after we hang up. 30
How much do you workout during a week? Golf, walk and workout 3 x a week.
Movies:…comedy, drama, action, romance? Comedy and romance I guess I don’t watch too many movies I can’t sit still that long Last book you read? The Shack News, current events; hardcopy or on-line? Hard copy, I still get the paper delivered everyday. Favorite charity to support? Animals and youth sport groups. Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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freddy's fairway thoughts
By Fred Seely
The female contestants in the 59th Jacksonville Amateur: USGA Women’s champion Gabriela Ruffels and top Jacksonville players Hannah Stevens and Tori Mouton.
The ladies tee • One of our area’s busiest is Jennifer Borocz, who works for the PGA’s North Florida Section, helps the local amateur association with administration, handles a 6-year-old son and a golf pro husband, and still finds time to win the local PGA chapter’s championship. • Our city amateur got a lot of national publicity when USGA Women’s Amateur champ Gabriela Ruffels entered. She needed competition to prepare to defend her title and COVID-19 caused a lot of cancellations, so she inquired to the Jacksonville tournament’s leaders. The by-laws don’t mention gender and she was in, the first woman in the event’s 59 years. Word got out and two good local players also entered. They played with the boys at about 6,700 yards and it turned out that about six holes were too long and they all missed the cut. The national publicity included a piece on the NBC coverage on the Women’s Am. And a nice note from her mom: “We wanted to send a big thanks to you all for the wonderful hospitality and for allowing Gabi to play the event. She Her dad’s a college golf coach but she’s was hoping to do a little better the family’s golf champion. This is Kaitlyn but the experience she gained Schroeder, who shot a final round 64 was well-worth the trip. Tough to win the Florida State GA girls’ 13-15 course, difficult conditions and championship. Her dad is Scott Schroeder, the men’s golf coach at the University of a great tuneup for the North Forida.
Women’s Amateur
“Thanks for making her feel very comfortable out here. The other players were so respectful and nice too and we couldn’t have asked for a kinder community.” • University of North Florida golf coach Scott Schroeder turns out very acceptable teams each year and now he’s the dad of a very good prospect. Daughter Kaitlyn won the Florida Girls 13-15 division with a final-round 64. Six shots behind going into the final round, she finished birdieeagle-birdie to win by six with rounds of 72-71-64.
32
success because some enlightened politicians decided to do it right. They hired ex-Ponte Vedra Inn pro Bruce Mohler to run the operation, pulled in PV superintendent Trevor Hughes and spend the money to hire ex-Arnold Palmer Course Design architect Harrison Minchew to fix up the place. In three years, each month has exceeded the previous year’s month and they’re aiming at a 10 percent increase to 70,000 rounds this year. They’re installing a range cover and lighting which will give them until way past dark in any weather for practice and events. • The PGA Tour’s new headquarters is on course for a soft opening in December and a blowout opening after the first of the year. • With the PGA Tour’s minor tours shut down, there’s some very good competition each week at the TPC Sawgrass. Players from the Latin American and Canadian tours gather with whoever is in town from the big Tour and the Korn Ferry with everyone tossing $40 in the hat plus $5 tip to the cart guys. • The handicap system may equalize everyone but the proverbial cream still rises to the top. Jim Furyk became a member of Jacksonville’s Timuquana CC and — plus 5.5 handicap and all — teamed with aspiring Tour player Josh Lee to win a Four-Ball over 40-some other teams. • Look for a lot of state golf associations and PGA chapters to go to electronic scoring next year. A member of each group will be the designated scorer using an app — like Golf Genius or BlueGolf — and the scores will go on the internet for anyone to see. You’ll still have to sign a scorecard, of course. • University of Florida men’s golf coach J.C. Deacon gets flak from prominent alums for the team’s so-so performances but the record shows he’s headed in the right direction. His Southeastern Conference tournament finishes in his five years started weak — 13th and eighth — but since he’s gone third, fourth and second. Still some griping as alums used to NCAA titles say he’s playing more than recruiting...he won the Florida Open last month.
Just wondering • Does anyone care who is the No. 1 ranked player on the PGA Tour? Including the players? • Is the World Golf Hall of Fame destined to move from St. Augustine? The big sponsorship from Shell is over and the county deal runs out soon, and there doesn’t seem to be much excitement about it among the various golf organizations who own it. • Has there been a better golf executive anywhere than Jim Demick of the Florida State GA? He took over a sleepy organization in 1997 and has built a powerhouse with over 500 tournament days a year and a seven-figure foundation. He’s stepping back from the admin side and will oversee the foundation. • The real loser is the PGA Tour’s various cutbacks? The charities who benefitted each year. Most of that money was based on ticket sales.
Great quote
News and notes
• From Fr. Jose Kulathinal, priest at St. Matthew’s in Jacksonville: “A golf course is the only place where prayers aren’t answered.”
• A great success story in these parts of the Jax Beach muny, which has morphed from a so-so civic afterthought to a big
Comments? fs4569@comcast.net Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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in memory header of
James Taylor Pursell, Sr. July 3, 1930 – June 21, 2020
In today’s modern language, we often eulogize a person by saying their life was “legendary,” elevating their memory to being almost supernatural or mythological. Actually, the origin of the meaning of “legend” actually comes from the Middle Ages-English word, “legende,” which meant “a written account of a saint’s life.” The Jimmy Pursell we all knew and loved wouldn’t want anyone to call him a saint, because he always knew where his strength, favor, and blessing came from: not from any superhuman ability of his, but solely the saving grace of the LORD Jesus Christ. James Taylor “Jimmy” Pursell was born to Howard and Eunice Pursell, both educators, on July 3rd , 1930. His early childhood years were spent in Ashland, Alabama before the family moved to Talladega. In his teen years, Jimmy attended Talladega High School where his 100-yard dash in under 10 seconds earned him the nickname “Twinkle Toes” as well as a solid spot as scatback for the football team. On the 4 th game of their 1947 season, the Tigers were up against their big rival, the Sylacauga Aggies, and Jimmy suffered 34
Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
a broken leg from an opposing defensive tackle. Jimmy was rushed to the hospital and he received a special visit from future Andy Griffith Show & Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. star, Jim Nabors. It was the start of a loyal friendship that would last their entire lifetimes. Nabors would eventually introduce Jimmy to his future wife, Chris Parker. After graduating from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (the future Auburn University) with a degree in business administration, Jimmy joined the United States Air Force and served as a bombardier navigator in preparation to go overseas to Korea. Chris Parker and her family drove across the country to Mathers Air Force Base in Sacramento, California in the summer of 1953 and on July 10 she and Jimmy were married, with Jim Nabors serving a triple role as best man, usher, and wedding singer. The Korean conflict ended just 2 weeks later so instead of going to war, Jimmy was soon honorably discharged as a First
Jimmy, David andTaylor Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
Jimmy and Chris getting Married at Mather Airforce Base – Jim Nabors present Lieutenant and returned to his wife’s hometown of Sylacauga, Alabama to work alongside his father-in-law, Howard A. Parker, as a salesman for the Parker
Fertilizer Company. Jimmy led the way for the company to transition from the days of big agriculture into the lawn and garden business by marketing their newest product, Sta-Green. During these early years, he and Chris had three children: a son, Taylor; a daughter, Chris, and another son, David. Jimmy’s father-in-law passed in 1964 and was unexpectedly followed by his brother-in-law, Howard, Jr. in 1966, so Jimmy then assumed full responsibility for the Parker Fertilizer Company. It was business as usual until 1976, when Jimmy and his wife Chris both had an encounter with the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jimmy made a radical decision to commit the entire business over to the LORD, and openly gathered all of his employees together to relay the message. To underscore his commitment to follow Christ, Jimmy also chose to forever forsake his partying lifestyle which included a lot of smoking and drinking. During this season, Jimmy and his family bought and restored an old home in Fayetteville, just outside of Sylacauga. They named their little spot “Pennywinkle Farm” and once it was finished, the couple decided to officially retire from city life and begin a new adventure out in the country. The 1980s saw an explosive move into the international scene of the industry. Jimmy created a second branch of the company, Pursell Industries, through which he began to make strategic plays into the latest advancements of fertilizer technology. In this decade Jimmy oversaw construction and operation of the 4 th sulfur-coated urea plant in the world, right in Sylacauga. 35
RTJ-PursellFarms-A SPECIAL PLACE This was closely followed by the patent of Polyon, Pursell Industries’ very own controlled-release fertilizer technology. This product eventually became the favored product of golf course superintendents across the world, even at some of the most prestigious clubs. The increase in business activity brought more and more interaction with customers as well as partners in the industry. Jimmy and Chris opened up Pennywinkle Farm to everyone, frequently hosting cookouts and leading fourwheeler excursions around the property. They only wanted the best accommodations for those whom they hosted, so the couple built a small guest house next door to their own home to provide overnight lodging for folks who needed it. This early hospitality operation would be the beginnings of something even bigger than Jimmy, Chris, or anyone else could imagine. In the mid-1990s Pursell Industries split into two companies, leaving Pursell Industries to focus on consumer products and the newly formed Pursell Technologies (PTI) to concentrate on the professional golf course and ornamental nursery markets. Jimmy remained in charge of PTI and they decided to move the company headquarters out of town to the country. With the surge in business from the golf course industry, a wild card idea was presented by Jimmy’s son David to build their own golf course on the farm as a dual tool to both entertain customers but also serve as a site for turfgrass research and demonstration. In 2001, Jimmy led the charge with a giant backhoe to begin breaking ground 36
on what would eventually be known as FarmLinks: the first research and demonstration golf course in the world. After construction on the course as well as a 3-story 8-bedroom lodge was complete, FarmLinks opened with grand fanfare in 2003 and each year for the next 4 years, Jimmy and the PTI team hosted 1200 golf course superintendents that came from all over North America (and even beyond) to have the “Experience.” In August 2006, a Canadian-based company, Agrium, purchased Pursell Technologies, leaving Jimmy to focus on another mission in his golden years, which was loving and serving others through hospitality. His final legacy with the business was to establish the family-owned boutique resort, Pursell Farms. This included the partnership with the Orvis company with the creation of the Orvis Shooting Grounds, the addition of a 40-room Inn, 2 restaurants, a spa, and the Hamilton Place wedding venue. Although Jimmy’s achievements in business were outstanding, his real legacy is remembered through countless acts of generosity, both big and small. He made significant investments into civic entities including education, social services, and public policy. Jimmy served as an elder of Knollwood Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Sylacauga, was a founding member of Fellowship of Companies for Christ, and served on the Alabama Board of Directors for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In July 1998, the Pursell Family endowed the James T. Pursell, Sr. Eminent Scholar Chair in Ethics at Auburn University College of Business. In addition was created the James T.
Pursell, Sr. CHAMPS/Life Skills Program supporting the character and educational development of Auburn University student athletes. Jimmy served as Chairman of the State of Alabama Ethics Commission and was a member of the Alabama Certificate of Need (CON) board. In 2012, Jimmy also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Auburn University College of Human Sciences. Jimmy received his final earthly accolade in 2018 when he was inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame. At the ceremony, he gave a short speech, acknowledging his LORD and Savior Jesus Christ for his success, and concluded with the following quote: “When you see a turtle sitting on a fence post, you know he didn’t get there by himself.” Jimmy is survived by his son Taylor (wife, Lydia), daughter Chris (husband, Aaron), son David (wife, Ellen); 10 adoring grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; hundreds of former and current employees of the fertilizer business and Pursell Farms; and thousands of other men, women, and children in the community and abroad who were each profoundly touched by the ministry of his life that was truly, unequivocally legendary . He accomplished so much in various industries—as evidenced Pursell Farms’ rankings among so much else: one of GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Golf Resorts with FarmLinks at Pursell Farms named Golfweek’s No. 1 all-access golf course in Alabama for eight years, and Golf Advisor’s No. 1 course in Alabama and No. 4 of the Top 50 courses in the US. www.pursellfarms.com Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
ARNOLD
PALMER
CELEBRATE GOLF’S
Greatest LEGENDS PLAN YOUR VISIT TODAY.
WORLD GOLF VILLAGE | ST. AUGUSTINE, FL | worldgolfhalloffame.org
By Greg Wise
golf history
Moving toward the Future… just a Tad Moore. To re-write a little golf history, the Florida State Golf Association has partnered with the Florida Hickory Golfers to promote the use of Wood Shafted clubs in the FSGA Tournaments. Imagine, the year is 1913, and the FSGA is in its earliest days of existence. The founders, and the competitors, all over the state, are playing hickory shafted clubs. For the first decade or so, everyone played hickory clubs. It wasn’t until the mid ‘20s when steel shafts were introduced that golfers slowly migrated away from hickory clubs in the
mid ‘30s. “Since 1913 our mission has been
Mike Stevens, Captain of the Florida Hickory Golfers, said “I am
to preserve and protect the game of golf,” Kevin Hammer, FSGA President, Florida State Golf Association, said. “What better way to preserve the game than to protect and promote a style of play that was prevalent for hundreds of years, and which numerous niches of the golf world still enjoy today.”
38
Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
is a growing at a very surprising rate and the exciting part of golf in America
the Florida State Golf Association. We will be traveling to Tad Moore
today. Tad is once again an innovator
Golf in Selma, Alabama to get a closer
in the manufacturing of clubs for the
look at his Hickory Clubs and the pro-
American golf market.
cess in which they are made. Follow
With his deep history of club design
the story on Golf Central Magazine’s
and craftsmanship, Tad Moore Golf of
Facebook page for “Moore Updates,” or
Selma, Alabama has been named as the
visit them on the web at https://hicko-
“Official” Hickory Club manufacturer to
ries.tadmoore.com.
pleased to announce that the FHG has entered into a partnership with the Florida State Golf Association to promote Hickory Golf in the state. The FSGA will provide a portal on their website about hickory golf and the Florida Hickory Golfers. Also, next year we will jointly conduct a Florida State Hickory Open Championship. Designing custom golf clubs since 1963, Tad Moore has worked with some of the most discriminating amateur and professional golfers in the world. Tad has for a long time has been recognized around the world as one of today’s premier club designers. Tad Moore, said. “I was first introduced to hickory golf in 1986. I found it is a wonderful game in that scoring is not the main reason I play, but rather the hitting of a fine shot as I envisioned. The feeling of hickory clubs is hard to describe but you get instant feedback. Good or bad.” In 2005 Tad Moore Golf, Inc., introduced a line of Hickory Shafted Golf clubs that are used for playing traditional golf. Tad’s clubs are similar in design to the 1925 MacGregor and William Gibson clubs, two of the more popular brands of this era. These are the first NEW hickory shafted clubs to be produced here since the early 1930’s. This interesting new niche market of people enjoying the playing of traditional golf Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
39
By Mike May
golf history
Memories of Mingling with Masters Maestros Current Winter Park & Former Daytona Beach Resident Reflects on Life Playing Golf
Joe Eubank & wife Marjie
13 year old Joe Eubank at Daytona Beach Golf Course
Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Jimmy Demaret, Dr. Cary Middlecoff, and Jack Nicklaus are all past Masters champions – and hall of fame golfers, as well. Those six golfing legends are also people that former Daytona Beach youth golfing icon and former Daytona Beach-based attorney Joe Eubank either met or saw play when they visited Daytona Beach to play golf over the years. Eubank is now 83, retired, and living in Winter Park with his wife Marjie. He enjoys reflecting 40
on his time spent chasing Old Man Par and the great people he has met along the way. It’s worth noting that Eubank still plays golf and plays it quite well. He’s a six handicap at the Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park. He can still talk the talk and walk the walk.
The Early Days Eubank has been playing golf since he was in kindergarten. It didn’t take long for him to start mingling with and meeting many of golf’s greatest players. “I was two weeks shy of my
ninth birthday when Hogan, Nelson, Snead, and Demaret came to Daytona Beach to play in an exhibition at the South Course at the Daytona Beach Golf Course in March 1946,” recalls Eubank. “I was with my dad who had just returned from the service in the Philippines.” That day, Demaret won the exhibition with a 63. Hogan and Snead had matching 67s and Nelson carded a 69. “It’s amazing how those four great players did while playing a course for the first time,” reflects Eubank. “I bet I played the old original South course well over 1,500 times and don’t recall ever shooting below 67, which would have barely been competitive with these fellows on their first outing. So much for early dreams of going on the PGA Tour.” Soon after that celebrity foursome played in Daytona Beach, longtime Daytona Beach News-Journal sportswriter Benny Kahn asked young Joe if he learned something while watching Hogan, Nelson, Snead, and Demeret showcase their driving, pitching, chipping, and putting skills. “Not at all, my dad is my golf teacher,” said young Joe Eubank.
Establishing Winning Ways Three years later, in 1949, Eubank recorded his first big win – the National Pee-Wee Tournament at the Dubsdread Golf Course in nearby Orlando. And then, in 1950, Eubank, then 13, captured his first club championship at the Daytona Beach Golf Course. “I won a few of those,” adds Eubank, who was a scratch golfer for a number of years while living in Daytona Beach. “I also won a few city golf championships in Daytona Beach.” As a youngster, Eubank seemed to spend every spare moment of Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
his childhood either playing golf or thinking about playing golf. His passion for golf was one of the reasons that he was able to get a driver’s license earlier than his peers. “I got my license at 15, not 16, so my mother would no longer have to drive me to the golf course,” admits Eubank, who graduated from Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach. As Eubank grew older, he kept pursuing opportunities in competitive golf, though he quickly realized that the competition was tough. “I tried unsuccessfully to qualify for the U.S. Open only one time,” said Eubank. “The qualifier was in West Palm Beach on the day before graduating from Seabreeze High School in 1955.” He failed to qualify for the 1955 U.S. Open, which was won by journeyman pro Jack Fleck who upset Hogan that year in an 18-hole playoff to win the Open. In retrospect, Eubank was trying to be Jack Fleck that year. It was not to be.
Life After High School Upon graduating from Seabreeze, Eubank enrolled at the University of Florida to pursue a degree in chemistry and to play golf for head coach Conrad Rehling. But, within a year, Eubank realized that college life was not for him, but his love of golf remained strong. Soon after leaving UF and returning home to Daytona Beach in 1956, he played in the North-South amateur golf tournament. Then, Eubank took a flyer on life and joined well-known trick-shot artist Paul Hahn as the straight man on his national trick-shot exhibition tour. After being on the road and away from home for a year, Eubank returned to Daytona Beach. Upon his arrival back home, he enrolled at Stetson University in nearby Deland in the fall of 1957. He immediately joined the Stetson Hatter golf team. “There were no golf scholarships at Stetson, but we played Florida Southern and Rollins,” remembered Eubank. “Golf at Stetson was not as serious, as we drove our own cars to away matches.”
Practicing Law & Playing Golf Eubank eventually graduated from Stetson and then extended his stay at Stetson to get his law degree, which he earned in 1960. He then started his law practice in Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
Jack Nicklaus with Doug Sanders 1968 at Daytona Beach Golf Course South Course insurance defense where he represented the interests of insurance companies and their insureds in automobile and premise liability matters. He eventually joined the firm of Smalbein, Eubank, Johnson, Rosier, & Bussey. When he wasn’t seeking legal justice, Eubank continued to excel in golf. Eubank continued to play golf. His highlights were playing in the first few Riviera Opens in the mid-1960s at the Riviera Country Club in nearby Ormond Beach. It’s worth noting that Eubank had the course record – a 63 – at Riviera until the ownership made some course changes, which means his course record remains intact.
The Nicklaus Experience On February 29, 1968, Eubank, then 31, was the on-course commentator during a challenge match between PGA Tour pros Jack Nicklaus and Doug Sanders. The match was held on Eubank’s favorite local course. It was the grand opening of the North Course at the Daytona Beach Golf Course. Eubank had the honor of picking Nicklaus up at the Daytona Beach airport. He had known Sanders for years as they had competed against each as juniors. Eubank’s biggest memory from that day was Nicklaus’ ability to hit a one iron. “Nicklaus could hit a one-iron high, straight, and long. And it landed softly,” said Eubank. “I’ve never seen anybody hit a one-iron like he could.”
Playing Links Golf in Britain
While Eubank had accepted that he was not going to be a successful professional golfer, he could still be an accomplished amateur golfer. His two big opportunities came in 1969 and 1971 – overseas. “In 1969 and 1971, I played in the British Amateur. That was a dream,” said Eubank. “In 1969, the British Amateur was played at Hoylake in England. In 1971, it was at Carnoustie in Scotland.” In both years, he was eliminated in the first round of match play, but he battled to the bitter end on both occasions. “In 1969, I lost on the second playoff hole. During that match, I was three holes down and was able to bring the match back to all square after 17. We tied the 18th hole which sent the match to extra holes,” recalled Eubank. “At the beginning of the match, my opponent had his wife pulling his clubs on a pull cart. I thought I had an easy win and then his first drive went 310 yards. I knew it was going to be a tough day. And, it was. And, in 1971, I lost my first-round match on the 18th hole.” But, his trips to Great Britain were memorable because his dad joined him. “While in Scotland, we had a chance to play the Old Course at St. Andrews,” said Eubank. “That was a thrill for both of us.”
Golfing Heroes and Idols When asked who are the four players that he would like to play with, if given 41
a chance, he quickly said Bobby Jones, Nelson, Hogan, and current world number-one Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland. “Bobby Jones was an incredible player,” says Eubank. “I once shook his hand while attending the Masters. He was a great old gentleman.” As for Nelson, Eubank was impressed with his sense of kindness and respect. “I once sent a hand-written note to Nelson where I asked him for a lesson,” says Eubank. “He wrote back to me. He told me that he was too busy and only had time for one student. It was a young Tom Watson. I understood and was impressed that he took the time to reply.” Eubank idolized Hogan. “Ben Hogan was my hero,” says Eubank. As for McIlroy, Eubank says that McIlroy does things in golf that are simply amazing. “Rory McIlroy is simply a very talented golfer,” states Eubank. “He’s also a favorite player of my wife.” Eubank has a special memory of seeing Hogan practice one day in south Florida, back in 1957. Eubank was in Palm Beach County while he was driving through Juno Beach, located just north of West Palm Beach, when he realized it was time to stop his car, get out, and take a short hike. “I was driving past the exclusive Seminole Golf Club (in Juno Beach). I decided to stop so that I could take a look at this private club,” recalled Eubank. “I walked through a wooded area and hopped across a small stream in order to sneak on the property of the Seminole Golf Club. I walked across the fairways in the direction of the clubhouse, fully expecting to be approached by a club official to be told that I must leave. But nobody seemed to notice. I eventually arrived at the driving range where I sat on a small hill and watched Ben Hogan on the driving range. He was the only player hitting balls on the range. He was getting ready for an upcoming edition of the Masters. I was about 20 feet away from him and not once did he acknowledge my presence. I just sat there and watched. I then watched him practice his putting. When Hogan finished, I walked back across the fairway, hopped over the stream, walked through the wooded area, and climbed into my car to drive home.” One other prominent PGA Tour player who had a presence in the greater Daytona Beach area was Dr. Cary Middlecoff, 42
who won the U.S. Open in 1949 and 1956 plus the Masters in 1955. Middlecoff had an affiliation with Ellinor Village, which owned the Oceanside Country Club in Ormond Beach, located immediately north of Daytona Beach. “I got to know Cary and he introduced me to other pros such as Tommy Bolt and ‘Porky’ Oliver,” said Eubank.
Ebbs & Flows of Life As Eubank got older, the demands of his law practice took more and more of his time. He played less golf. The year 1988 was life-changing for Eubank – both professionally and personally. That year, Eubank broke away from Smalbein, Eubank, Johnson, Rosier & Bussey in order to partner with Brad Hassell to create Eubank, Hassell & Associates. And, on a personal note, he got married for a second time. He married Marjie and they are still together. “We had both been married previously and divorced and single for several years when introduced by a friend in 1987,” remembers Eubank. It quickly became a ‘Brady Bunch’type scenario in the Eubank household. Marjie had two children and Eubank had three children. And, both had custody of their children. “We married and Marjie and her two children moved to Daytona Beach at that time and so we suddenly had a large family together under one roof,” said Eubank. “Marjie had graduated from Duke University where she was a cheerleader and valedictorian, in that order she says.” Eubank proposed on a mountaintop in North Carolina with his dad’s old high school basketball charm with the comment “the ball is now in your court.” Marjie said yes. “So, the UF dropout and former golf trick-shot employee snared the Phi Beta Kappa. Only in America,” said Eubank. Truth be told, as was stated earlier, Eubank did graduate from Stetson University’s Law School in 1960.
Life After Law In 1996, Eubank retired from his law practice. That gave him more time to spend with Marjie, their joint families, and to play more golf. It’s worth noting that their joint families now include five children, 11 grandchildren, and one great grandchild – all of whom are athletically inclined and are staying physically active, which includes a round or two of golf with dad and/or grandad from time to time.
Looking back, while Eubank’s golfing career didn’t yield too many victories, the ones that he has had have been significant and meaningful, especially two of his most recent trips to the winner’s circle. In 2010, Eubank won the Senior Club Championship at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. As a result, he became Captain of the Club team for competition against other clubs in the great Washington, D.C. area. “I played with some good people and we played on some good old, well-known courses in the Washington, D.C. area,” said Eubank. And, another meaningful win for Eubank was in a Florida State Golf Association Super Senior event when he was in his late 70s. Upon accepting the first-place trophy, he said that it had been awhile since his last big win. “I told them in accepting the prize that I was truly happy as I had been in a 65-year ‘slump’ since my last ‘major’ win -- the National Pee-Wee Tournament at Dubsdread in 1949,” said Eubank. Eubank, who plays with the latest and greatest equipment (Calloway irons and hybrids, Ping driver, Scotty Cameron putter, and Titleist ProV1X golf balls), seems to enjoy talking about golf as much, if not more so, as he does enjoy playing golf. “I like to sit around afterwards and exchange a bunch of old golf experiences,” admits Eubank. “That’s one of my favorite things and I am capable of boring you to tears with golf stuff so be careful.” As Eubank reflects on the hundreds of rounds of golf he has played in the last 75+ years, he can relate to one of his grandfather’s comments who spent years fishing, forever in pursuit of ‘The Big One,’ which he never caught. But his grandfather had no regrets. “Golf for me has been like my grandfather with his love for fishing,” remembered Eubank. “Someone asked him how it went and he said he didn’t catch one fish, but he spent the whole enjoyable day trying. And, for me with golf, I have spent every enjoyable day trying. There have been no regrets.” It’s fair to say that Eubank has many more enjoyable days trying to play golf in his future, just as Hogan, Nelson, Snead, and Demaret did in Daytona Beach on March 13, 1946. And, Eubank will tell a few more golf stories along the way and have no regrets. Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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By Allan Duncan
playing from the tips
Want to be a better investor? Think like a golfer.
While many of our favorite pastimes like eating out and going to movies have been impossible during the pandemic, I am grateful that golf courses have remained open in much of the country. Golf has provided a way to recreate and interact with friends while making it easy to maintain social distance. As the markets rollercoaster up and down it’s easy to draw parallels between investing and golf. Both require patience and consistency and it certainly takes time to develop a high level of skill.
Diversification A well-diversified portfolio has various assets earning the highest return for the least amount of risk. A typical diversified portfolio has a mixture of stocks, fixed income, and commodities. Diversification works because these assets react differently to the same economic event. The same is true in golf. My favorite club is my eight iron. It wouldn’t serve me well if I had a bag full of eight irons. I need fourteen clubs of different lofts to manage a variety 44
of distances I’ll encounter during the round.
Developing a Plan A plan is critical to a successful investing outcome. You need a goal and a strategy to reach the objective. In golf that is known as “course management.” It refers to a plan of attack for each hole that helps minimize mistakes and maximize opportunities to reach a desired score.
In It for The Long Haul Great golf requires great patience. You have to be willing spend the time and learn from your mistakes to improve. It also takes time and patience to invest. “If you aren’t willing to own a stock for ten years, don’t even think about owning it for ten minutes.” – Warren Buffett
The Good with the Bad When you are in the market you win some, you lose some. Hopefully your plan is diversified enough to balance the losses with the wins. When Tiger Woods was at his peak, he won 28% of the events he entered. This means he
still lost most of the time. But, he won enough to make his career more than worthwhile.
Work with a Pro One of the biggest mistakes novice golfers make is not getting lessons early in the process. Without instruction it becomes easy to develop bad habits that are hard to break. Ignoring the fundamentals insures a long and rocky road filled with frustration. Same thing in financial planning. As financial advisors, it’s our job to help you develop a strategy to determine what’s important and adjust things if needed along the way. Remember, that in golf and investing, even when you feel you are at the top of your game, there is still work to do. For more information about how to tee up a plan to fund your life’s passions, hobbies and long-term dreams, contact Allan Duncan, Independent Wealth Advisor at 800-871-1219 EXT 7 or email Allan@scarletoakfs.com. Advisory services offered through Capital Asset Advisory Services, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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Golf in the Wide, Open Spaces of Switzerland‘s Engadine Valley
With overseas golf trips back on the agenda, now is the ideal time to visit the wide open spaces and crystal clear air of Switzerland’s Engadine Valley to experience a spectacular Alpine round against a backdrop of majestic moun-
tains and expansive blue skies. There is no better place to stay than the iconic Kulm Hotel St. Moritz (www.kulm.com) or its sister property Grand Hotel Kronenhof (www. kronenhof.com) in nearby Pontresina, two luxurious grand dames with
Kulm Hotel - Chesa al Parc summer view 46
plenty of public areas and private grounds to relax in after a round at one of the region’s three courses. Golf has long been associated with the Kulm Hotel, which established its own historic course in 1891, making it one of the first in Switzerland. The 9-hole, par 3 meanders up and down hills, past the Olympia Bob Run and the former Olympic Stadium, through shady pine copses whilst also enjoying superb vistas over Lake St. Moritz, all just a 7 iron from the Kulm Hotel. Built at a height of 1,860 metres (among the highest in Europe), the mountainous layout makes it physically demanding, which makes the postgolf drinks on the terrace of the Chesa al Parc club house taste all the sweeter! Meanwhile the Engadine Golf Club, the oldest golf club in Switzerland, has two courses – Samedan and ZuozMadulain, which are a 10 and 20 minute drive respectively from the Kulm Hotel and Grand Hotel Kronenhof. In 1893, Samedan was the first 18-hole golf course to open its doors in Switzerland. A classic, parkland Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
Kulm Golf St Moritz against the stunning Alpine backdrop
The Samedan clubhouse from the 9th green course, Samedan is set mainly on the valley floor, though some gently undulating holes and greens give the course a links feel. Its broad fairways are flanked by ancient, giant larch trees, some of which are over 700 years old, whilst a host of water hazards make for a tricky golfing challenge. Zuoz-Madulain (known simply as Zuoz to the locals) opened in 2003 and was designed by the renowned Canadian golf course architect Les Furber. In contrast to the golf course in Samedan, the layout at Zuoz offers a challenging combination of undulating fairways, elevation changes and receptive greens,
plus a super attractive setting as it is flanked on one side by natural thick pine forest, which has made it very popular among the golfing community. Away from the golf courses, visitors can explore the extensive Engadine valley via its hiking routes and mountain bike paths, whilst the numerous lakes provide plenty of opportunities for a range of water sports, such as wild swimming, stand-up paddle boarding and kite surfing. After an active day outdoors, both hotels have large luxurious spas and multiple bars and restaurants in which to enjoy some well-deserved R&R.
Impressive bunker at the 9th green at the Samedan course, Engadine Golf Club
The first tee of Samedan golf course in the Egadine Valley from the clubhouse
Grand Hotel Kronenhof - sun loungers with a view Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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outh orth florida PGA north south florida florida PGA PGA north southflorida floridaPGA PGAnorth southflorida floridaPGA PGAnorth south
Michael Kartrude Wins E-Z-GO South Florida Open, Holds Off Morin’s BackNine 30 Michael Kartrude of West Palm Beach was determined to win his second E-ZGO South Florida Open during the final round on June 25th. Kartrude wasn’t bothered by a sizzling 30 shot on the back nine by playing partner Alan Morin. Kartrude responded with a 32 to win by stroke at 17-under 199 at Bonita Bay Club. Kartrude also won in 2016. “I stuck to what I needed to do,” Kartrude said. “I stayed focused on what I had to do. I made it so Alan had to come get me.” The savvy of the 30-year-old PGA Professional at the Bear’s Club was evident throughout the last three days. Kartrude held a share of the lead after the first two rounds and secured the victory with four birdies in a six-hole stretch. He made 20 birdies against a bogey and a double bogey. Earlier this year, Kartrude qualified for his first PGA Tour event, in the Dominican Republic – only to see the event in March postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. “I was like ‘Great!,’ then boom, it’s gone!” he said. The tournament has been rescheduled for Sept. 24-27. At least they can’t take away Thursday’s win. “It means a lot,” he said. “I’m just really hoping for a great summer of golf, not just for me but for all of golf. With everything that’s going on (with 50
the virus), we just want to go out and do what we do best – play golf.”
Justin Bertsch to Play in Second PGA Championship Following the cancellation of the 2020 PGA Professional Championship, Justin Bertsch, PGA Professional at Club Pelican Bay will be one of 20 PGA Professionals from around the nation who will receive an invitation to play in the PGA Championship August 6-9 at TPC
Harding Park. This will be the second appearance for Bertsch at the PGA Championship. He previously competed last year at Bethpage Black after qualifying via the PGA Professional Championship. The PGA of America made the decision to cancel the PGA Professional Championship due to ongoing concerns around COVID-19. In addition to being the national championship of golf for PGA Club Professionals who qualify for the tournament through Section Professional Championships across the nation, the PGA Professional Championship also serves as a qualifier for the PGA Championship, taking the top 20 Professionals each year. With the cancellation, the PGA of America announced that the Top 20 Professionals from the 2019 Player of the Year list will automaticaly receive a PGA Championship bid which includes Bertsch, who was the 2019 South Florida PGA Player of the Year. In addition to the PGA Championship, Bertsch has also made starts on the PGA TOUR at the 2020 Honda Classic, 2020 Puerto Rico Open and the 2019 Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship.
Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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Golf Courses Create Over 1,000 Acres of Butterfly Habitat through Monarchs in the Rough
Audubon International
is leading golf courses across North America in doing their part to save the monarch butterfly and other pollinators. Through Audubon International’s popular Monarchs in the Rough initiative, over 700 golf properties have committed 1,020 acres to planting milkweed that monarchs need to survive. By developing a unique partnership of golf course superintendents, golf management companies, Environmental Defense Fund, Monarch Joint Venture and the United States Golf Association (USGA), Audubon International moved the golf industry to a leadership position in the efforts to save pollinators and, specifically, the monarch butterfly and its legendary annual migration across North America. Milkweed is the only plant that monarch caterpillars eat, which make it critical to the butterfly’s life cycle.
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Monarch butterflies, as well as many other pollinators, also feed on the nectar of milkweed flowers. Many golf superintendents are already receiving positive feedback on their efforts from golfers, Boards of Directors and course owners. Leveraging a $150,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,
Audubon International offers regionally appropriate seed mixes in key areas, along with technical assistance to superintendents and others in golf operations in creating, protecting, and maintaining milkweed and other native plantings. The organization is also tracking the success of the plantings from site preparation through full
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establishment. “Audubon International is proud to be leading this exciting and unique Monarchs in the Rough partnership. We’re already seeing positive results from the plantings and interest in the program continues to grow,” says Marcus Gray, Conservation Initiatives Director at Audubon International. “Our thanks go out to all Monarchs in the Rough sponsors, supporters and friends who have helped it grow so quickly, but, most particularly, to the golf course superintendents, without whose efforts this success could not have happened.” The goal-topping acre came with the registration of Lockhart State Park Golf Course in Texas. When asked about the reasons for joining Monarchs in the Rough, Austin Vieh, Park Superintendent, said, “Part of the mission of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is to conserve the natural resources of Texas. Lockhart State Park is lucky enough to have areas that could serve as valuable monarch habitat, so we wanted to do our part in conserving this iconic species.” Funding is now being sought to continue assisting superintendents interested in transitioning areas to native milkweed and wildflowers as well as those wishing to scale up now that they have observed how the project fits into their routine. As more operations see the ecological and financial benefits enjoyed by their peers, the concepts are expected to spread, growing the habitat network butterflies use on their migration and for reproduction. Daniel Kaiser, Western Strategies Director for the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), said, “As a founding partner of Monarchs in the Rough, EDF is proud Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
of these accomplishments, but we’re even more excited for the next stage of the program where we can demonstrate economic advantages for golf courses that actively preserve diverse native habitat.” Cole Thompson, Environmental Research Director at the USGA, added, “Golf courses can serve as wildlife sanctuaries when they are managed properly. Monarchs in the Rough has made it easier for golf courses to get involved by establishing and enhancing pollinator habitat that directly benefits their communities.
The USGA has been proud to champion this project as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and is excited by the program’s progress and future goals.” The next phase of the work is to use Monarchs in the Rough plots as study sites to measure planting results, butterfly use and management practice adaptation in response to the need for lower inputs required for restored sites. For a full list of program funders and other partners, visit www.monarchsintherough.org. 53
Putting Safety First
An Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary’s journey during COVID-19 The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in a huge impact on golf courses across the country, which has forced many courses to close their doors temporarily. Some courses, however, have been able to enact strict safety procedures allowing them to stay open, but this hasn’t come without its challenges. The Landings Club on Skidaway Island is a private, residential golf club and community just outside of Savannah, Georgia which is home to six championship caliber golf courses designed by names like Hills, Byrd, Fazio and Palmer. All six courses are certified, Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries (ACSP), and in 2018, The Landings on Skidaway Island was named the
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first community in the state of Georgia to become an Audubon International, certified Sustainable Community. Typically, ACSP members are focused on things like water conservation, water quality management and chemical use reduction and safety, as well as wildlife and habitat management, but ever since the COVID-19 outbreak, operations at golf courses like The Landings Club, have altered to emphasize safety of both members and staff. The beautiful thing about the game of golf, is that it lends itself very well to social distancing. Thankfully, The Landings Club found it relatively easy to adjust their operations to help keep their members safe and playing the game for a longer period. The USGA and others
have been providing regular updates for courses that are able to stay open and have even created best practices to help courses implement protocols that allow for social distancing. For example, at The Landings Club, club golf carts are labeled green (sanitized) or red (dirty) for easy of member use and only people who live in the same household are allowed to ride in the same golf cart together. Anything along the course that was “communal” property, such as bunker rakes and ball washers, has been removed and golf shops are closed to the public. Additionally, scores must be implemented online and all starters are located outside. The Landings Club also chose to close two of their six courses
Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
together in support of their community. Golfers, pickleballers, tennis players, and residents of all ages came together to provide meals for front-line professionals and first responders in the Savannah area. Staff at The Landings Club also prepared over 2200 meals with the help of The Landings Company. Until such time that life can go ‘back to normal’ this story from an Audubon International certified Sustainable Community, and its certified Cooperative Sanctuary golf courses, shows us that our community engagement efforts are more important than ever. Just as the great game of golf brings people together on the course, the need to protect friends and neighbors has brought together an entire island. In these tough times, The Landings has pulled together to help keep everyone safe and flatten the curve! Thank you to Christina Danos, Communications Manager at The Landings Club, for her help with this article. This article was completed in mid-April 2020 and refers to COVID-19 stay at home guidance in place at that time.
to temporarily consolidate golf course maintenance. “Our Club has taken an aggressive approach,” says, Steven Freund, Executive Director of The Landings Club. “We’ve implemented every reasonable protocol to limit the transmission of the virus, ideas every operator is aware of.” “Our members have responded brilliantly – adhering to the mitigation protocols but actually increasing member play since the shelter at home emergency order has been put in place by our state,” says Freund. “While indoor operations have been modified at our Club, golf is demonstrating that it’s a healthy, safe and socially conscious outdoor activity – great for our members and the great game of golf!” During this time of world-wide crisis, members and residents of The Landings on Skidaway Island have rallied Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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SunnilandSUPERSpotlight: Scott Scamehorn
I was born and raised in Polk County and am currently living in Winter Haven, FL. My support system is my wife Donna and my three children Madelaine 20, Jack 18 and Emily 18. They have been the foundation to my success in the golf industry. I started playing golf at the age of 3 with my father Bruce. I grew up on the golf course. While working summers on the golf course during high school my passion grew for the game and I decided to pursue it as my career. I graduated from Lake City Community College in 1993 with a degree in Golf Course Operations. I traveled the Southeast working for Western Golf Properties with stops in Orlando, Pensacola, and Myrtle Beach before returning home. During this time, I was the Superintendent of Lost Key Golf Club in Pensacola, FL, where I helped build an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Design course. Then after 3 years of successful construction, grow-in and operation, Western Golf Properties moved me to Wild Wing Plantation. There I became the Director of Golf Maintenance of a 72-hole golf resort in Myrtle Beach, SC. Then, after 4 years returned home to Polk County where I spent the past 15 years at Mountain Lake, a top 100 course in the US, in Lake Wales, FL. During this time the club has moved to 3rd best in the State, received Distinguished Club of America, Elite status and many other top awards. My extensive experience in Daily Fee, Resort and Private clubs will bring experience and expertise to my new home at Reunion. Throughout my career I have relied on support from many quality vendors. Sunniland and Richard Kirkland (Southeast Partners) have been one of the vendors that I can rely on. Their attention to detail, quality products and service orientation have made them a pleasure to work with. 56
Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
Sunn 28-0-0
Minors Blend
Sunn 6-0-0 Blend
Total Nitrogen ..........................28% 20.2% .......... Slow release Nitrogen 7.8% ......................... Urea Nitrogen
Total Magnesium (Mg) ..........0.50% Soluble Magnesium (Mg) ....0.050% Soluble Iron (Fe) ...................3.40% Chelated Iron (Fe) .................1.60% Total Manganese (Mn) ..........0.25% Soluble Manganese (Mn) ......0.25% Soluble Zinc (Zn) ..................0.10% Sulfur (S) combined ..............3.50%
Total Magnesium (Mg) ..........0.50% Soluble Magnesium (Mg) ......0.50% Soluble Iron (Fe) ...................3.40% Chelated Iron (Fe) .................1.60% Total Manganese (Mn) ..........0.25% Soluble Manganese (Mn) ......0.25% Soluble Zinc (Zn) ..................0.10% Sulfur (S) combined ..............3.50%
Derived from: Manganese Sulphate, Zinc Sulphate, Iron Glucoheptonate, Iron Sulphate, Magnesium Sulphate.
Derived from: Manganese Sulphate, Zinc Sulphate, Iron Glucoheptonate, Iron Sulphate, Magnesium Sulphate.
N-SURE ITEM #160031 GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Sunn KTS
PRO LIQUID FERTILIZER Item# 160041 GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Soluble Potash (K2O) ..............25% Total Sulfur (S) .........................17% 17% combined sulfur 0% free sulfur Derived from: potassium thiosulfate
LIQUID FERTILIZER ITEM #160000 GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
PRO LIQUID FERTILIZER Item# 160010 GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Sunn 12-0-0 Blend PRO LIQUID FERTILIZER ITEM# 160021 GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Total Nitrogen ..........................12% 12% Urea Nitrogen Chlorine not more than ..............2%
SECONDARY PLANT FOODS Iron as Fe ...................................6% Manganese as Mn .....................2% Derived from: Urea, Iron Glucoheptonate, Manganese Glucoheptonate
Manufactured by
SUNNILAND CORPORATION
PO Box 8001 Sanford, Florida 32773-8001
www.sunnilandcorp.com Share your photos & videos #sunnilandcorp Follow us @sunnilandcorp
www.sunnilandcorp.com • 800-432-1130
England’s St. Enodoc Golf Club To Return Its Courses To Biodiverse Landscape Clubhouse and terrace at St Enodoc Photo credit– Stuart Morley
The St. Enodoc Golf Club -- located in Rock, Cornwall, England -- has embarked on a five-year ecological management plan to return both its Church Course and Holywell Course back to a biodiverse landscape that will benefit both nature and the golf courses. The changes will also better reflect the terrain on which St. Enodoc was originally established more by golf course architect James Braid, a five-time (British) Open champion, back in 1890.
St. Enodoc has already spent the last few years working alongside Natural England to remove the scrub plant species that had taken root on both courses. Now, fescue and other natural grasses are returning to the two golf courses.
A program of dune restoration, for example, has been undertaken with Natural England to reinstate the more natural links landscape that Braid saw when he designed St. Enodoc. “By undertaking this ecological plan, the club is committed to ripping
Scrub clearance on the 15th Hole of St Enodoc's Church Course
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Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
out the scrub plant species such as ivy, buckthorn and gorse, and even trees, that have encroached on the land where two courses are set in order to allow it to return to its original state,” says Simon Greatorex, St. Enodoc’s general manager. For this project, St. Enodoc is getting input from Chris Haspell, an agronomist/golf course advisor, who has wide experience in constructing golf courses that sit naturally in their environment. Haspell, best known for his work at Scotland’s Castle Stuart Golf Links, has also consulted in Europe and North America. “The goal is to firm surfaces whilst reducing inputs of water, chemicals and fertilizers,” explains Haspell. “Maintaining good quality surfaces throughout the course is crucial to the success of any golf course and, coupled with the ecology plan, we can keep the course fun and engaging.” St. Enodoc is also getting input from Rowan Rumball of STRI who has produced ecological management plans for St. Enodoc. “The purpose of the ecological management plans is to preserve the biosphere found through the two courses, maximizing the ecosystem services they provide, and ensuring vegetation encroachment does not degrade the play of golf through them,” explains Rumball. As part of the STRI program, the club has planted sand dunes and marram grass while it has eradicated many non-native trees.
In time, the various changes to
Scrub Clearance 15th to 5th Holes Church Course the courses’ flora will see a return of sand lizards, skylarks, butterflies, spiders, and moths to St. Enodoc. “Over the last few years, I have worked with over 100 golf courses in order to restore native flora and fauna back into the rough as golf courses have the potential to be fantastic for nature and golf simultaneously; the golf is improved by playing through a natural area while the management of golf courses in natural areas helps promote wildlife and habitats,” adds Rumball.
taking these plans is for St. Enodoc to become GEO-certified as this sustainability distinction is a requirement for clubs planning to host an R&A tournament, which is in the club’s future plans. The Church Course, well known for its fairway undulations and firm greens, boasts spectacular panoramas of the north Atlantic Ocean and the Camel Estuary. Thanks to Cornwall’s temperate micro-climate, St. Enodoc remains open for play all year round.
The long-term objective of under-
Dune slack creation and remodelling of 12th tee complex - Church Course Golf Central • Volume 21, Issue 2
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