Golf Central Magazine- Vol 22 Issue 3

W W W . G O L F C E N T R A L M A G . C O M

We’d Like To Put A Few Holes In Your Vacation Plans.

Quite a few in fact. You see, our Fairfield Glade Resort offers 90 dramatic and challenging holes of Championship Golf. And our Stonehenge course was named among the top public courses in Tennessee by Golf Digest, GolfWeek and Golf Magazine. But your vacation doesn’t have to be all about golf. There are also 11 pristine, cold water lakes for boating and fishing, miles of nature trails, a state-of-the-art Racquet Center and a convenient on-site restaurant. This year, plan to spend your vacation at Fairfield Glade Resort. Come see why we’re called the state’s holey land for golfers.

For information or reservations, call 931-707-2052 • www.fairfieldgladeresort .com.

Located between Knoxville and Nashville, just a few miles from I-40 (Exit 322)

Now the fun begins.

Legendary Lifestyle

There’s a reason Gary Player chose Boca Grove to be his first American home and it’s not just because he made history here.

Legends don’t make tee times and neither will you Located in the heart of Boca Raton, Florida | Limited Number of Non-Resident Memberships Available Contact Valerie at (561) 487-5300 ext 132 | vroca@bocagrove.org | www.bocagrove.org

A PREMIER NORTH CAROLINA GOLF COMMUNITY

• Close to home, far from it all • The natural gifts surrounding us are our greatest asset, offering a canvas to create memories, unwind, and reconnect. Whether you’re most at home wandering the trails along the Blue Ridge Mountains, floating or fishing the serene waters of Lake Lure, or challenging yourself on one of our championship golf courses, there’s something for everyone to discover here.

NEW “DISCOVERY PACKAGE” $337 Two nights lodging and a scenic Lake Lure cruise for two.

*

VISIT US ONLINE AT RUMBLINGBALD.COM

Learn more by calling 828.694.3001 and ask about our new “Discovery Package”. *This discounted package is based on double occupancy and availability in select Apple Valley Studios. It is designed to experience the community’s lifestyle up close and may require a guided real estate tour of the community. Price includes all taxes and fees.

Some exclusions and blackout dates apply. Price is subject to change without notice.

the amazing

GOLF BALL CHAIR If you love golf you’ll love this.

Treat yourself or your partner to their very own Golf Ball Chair this golf season!

You can even logo the chair with your own motif!

BUY ONLINE TODAY!

• Luxe upholstered, quilted seat • Strong, steel revolving base • Unique shape, inspired by a golf ball texture

www.DimpleDesignedUSA.com

STOCK NOW AVAILABLE IN FLORIDA, CALL MARK ON +1 321 747 8428 TO FIND OUT MORE OR TO ARRANGE A VIEWING. ORDER YOUR CHAIR ONLINE Our full range is available online at www.DimpleDesignedUSA.com

DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

All orders are fulfilled from our Florida based stock, and delivered to your door, ready to use.

DIMPLE IS HERE...

Our range is growing, find out more online or get in touch!

For more information on all our products, visit www.DimpleDesignedUSA.com

or follow us on

header from the publisher

Volume 22, Issue 3 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

You’re Welcome If you are one of our readers who fancy the magazine, you are familiar with and understand why I’m so thankful for all the different people we attract. I, for one, want to know I’m welcome- all the time, everywhere.

Over two decades, continuing to feel welcome in the industry with so many supporters, is something I am forever grateful for. We have been welcomed to the swankiest resorts and so many great events. Most of these have been charitable golf tournaments supporting people in need.

Everyone has fun playing the game while welcoming the chance to give.

One of our goals has been creating a comfortable space where readers, advertisers and, most importantly, newcomers to the game can enjoy.

Anyone who has their heart in the right place is welcome to share in the excitement and create awareness of the game. We welcome you to do the same and get out whether playing in the event, donating or sponsoring to the event, or even volunteering. Bring friends and family and spread the love.

Golf Datatech, one the golf industry’s leading independent research firms, announced that rounds played beginning May 2020 more than doubled from the previous record set in 2012. This was due to golf being recognized as a relatively safe escape during the pandemic. Golf continues to grow and it is an exciting time to get even more involved with the game we love. Skill levels don’t matter- it’s the size of your heart that does.

Our team at Golf Central has grown since people like Shannon “Loyal or Insane” Coates joined me 19 years ago. We welcome all suggestions, input and ideas, even those I feel are stupid (but may not be). We want sexy, we want lifestyle, we want heartfelt content that makes our readers enjoy Golf Central even more.

Mike Coonan, Becky Galloway Senior Correspondent: Rick Harris, Sr. International Correspondent: Dove Jones Inflluencer/Ambassador: Chad Smith 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 Turf Tender: Rich Havyer 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 ©2021 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.

Thank you!

2009 North Florida PGA Amateur of the Year

6

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

Volume 22, Issue 3 Cart Girl 20 Brianna Hovis FEATURE 10 Edison Golf Fore Your Health 12 Altwell 38 Sol Sport Golf Bachelor 14 Adam Burton

Departments 16 18 24 36 40 41 42 28

Growing The Game 26 First Tee Scholars

Georgia Golf Trail Golf Histyory Comeptitive Spirits Product Showcase North Florida PGA South Florida PGA Playing From The Tips Freddy’s Fairway Thoughts

30

Golf Travel 30 Gaylord, MI

Feature Artic

le Pg 10

Improving Performance 34 Bottle Tee Special Events 22 Reunion Resort Weddings Turf Life 44 Sunniland Super Spotlight: Dr. Bryan Unrah 48 Performance Nutrition Superstar: John G. Ballard 50 Turf Pirate 53 Amelia Island

24 44

golfcentralmag.com

22

feature

Meet Terry Koehler: “The Wedge Guy” T

erry Koehler has been focused on the wedge category for over 30 years, and has continuously advanced his approach to designing wedges . . .

NOT for tour players, but for the rest of us — the millions who do not have tour caliber skills. His wedge innovations are numerous. He patented his “Koehler sole” in 1993, combining both high- and low-bounce into wedges to eliminate the specialization of grinds. From his first designs, he put more mass in the top of the wedge head than anyone before or since. He pioneered milled grooves in his EIDOLON® wedges long before that became a staple in the category, and his progressive weighting in his SCOR™ wedges influenced the leading brand to do something similar a few years later. His latest creation, the Edison® Forged wedges, push his quest to make wedges as forgiving as your irons to another level.

For nearly 20 years Koehler has written a popular weekly blog as “The Wedge Guy” published every Wednesday on www.GolfWRX.com.

We felt fortunate to be able to sit down with Terry and get inside the mind of a master wedge designer.

10

Q. How did you get into the golf industry?

A. My career started in the advertising business, and I landed Ray Cook putters as an account. I found myself spending more and more time in the back end of the house, learning how putters were made and how and why they worked. As I added golf companies to my client list, that learning curve accelerated.

Q. Why did you become a club designer?

Like anyone, I thought I could see a better way. It started with putters – over 100 designs – but wedges became by specialty by 1990.

Q. What was your vision for launching Edison Golf?

A. Every brand focuses on tour players and ‘tour design’ wedges, that frankly don’t vary much from one another, and haven’t since the 1980s or earlier. My vision was to design and craft wedges for ‘the rest of us’- everyday golfers of all skill levels - who simply do not have tour player skills and consistency.

Q. Golf has a variety of boutique wedge brands, what makes Edison different?

A. Most boutique brands offer some slight variation on the core

‘tour design’ of wedges. Just as we’ve seen irons, drivers and even putters revolutionized for forgiveness, Edison Forged wedges are designed with a bigger sweet spot, forgiveness, and intentional spin, which helps golfers turn “not so good shots” into good ones and experience more “bite” with their wedge shots. That makes golf fun.

Q. What is “smash factor” and why does it matter in your wedges?

A. Very simply, smash factor is the ratio of clubhead speed to ball speed. In drivers, it can be in the 1.4 range on a dead center hit, because of the face technologies. But on

wedges, a perfect shot on the 3rd or 4th groove will have a smash factor of about 1.18, regardless of the brand. ‘Tour design’ wedges see a rapid fall off that efficiency as impact moves up the face or toward the toe.

If smash factor declines up to 20%, you just can’t get the same distance.

Fixing that was my singular goal with the Edison design. Creating peneGolf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

trating trajectories and improved spin were the “extras” in our secret sauce.

Q. How does Edison improve scoring performance?

A. By completely re-arranging the mass across the back of the golf club, we made a dramatic improvement in smash factor consistency.

So, the shot hit a bit high on the face or toward the toe – which are the most common misses, even for tour players – turns out more like a solid shot in distance and spin. The improvement is huge and has been proven on the swing robot – on a half inch miss, high on the face, the Edison wedge delivers 30 feet more distance at 90 yards.

Q. What is the biggest misconception, most golfers have about wedge design?

A. There are many, but a common one is that bounce can be fitted.

If your turf conditions are constantly varying and you don’t take the same divot every time, how can you fit that? But the biggest one might be that a tour player’s wedge is good for your game. When 98% of golfers don’t believe they are good enough to play tour blade irons, then opt to buy a ‘tour design’ wedge . . . well, that just doesn’t make sense to me.

Q. You believe that ‘tour design’ wedges are the ficklest clubs in your bag – why?

A. Because the “sweet spot” is infinitely small. Face it, a perfect impact low on the face will turn out good regardless of the brand, but ‘tour design’ wedges experience dramatic fall-off of impact efficiency with misses as small as ¼”. And a half inch miss high in the face loses 15-18% of its smash factor. That’s why most golfers miss wedge shots short, often very short.

evenly across the back of the clubhead, so that you get more ‘oomph’ on those shots not hit exactly right.

And that delivers more distance, better spin and more accuracy.

Q. How many wedges should the average golfer carry and why?

A. I think most golfers should carry at least 3, if not 4, and not just because we make them. Set match “pitching wedges’ are now as strong as 43-44 degrees, many have fast face technologies, and golfers are stronger and go at it harder than ever. But even on the PGA Tour, scoring happens inside wedge range, so you should have more options to keep your distance gapping between wedges to 11-13 yards.

Q. What is Edison’s Wedge-Fit Scoring Range Analysis?

A. It’s a simple process that lets us see what wedge lofts and shafts will fit you the best. What we seek is what we call a ‘seamless transition” from your irons to your wedges, so you can optimize your feel and performance as you get into prime scoring range.

Q. How can you order or demo an Edison Wedge?

A. Currently the easiest way is through our website – www.EdisonWedges.com. We build every day and are currently shipping orders within a week of the order date. edisonwedges.com

Edison debuts four new wedge lofts

E

dison Golf announces the immediate availability of four new loft designs expanding their industry leading, higher spin and more forgiving, forged wedge product line.

Two new pitching wedges in 45and 47-degree lofts join the Edison combination of predictability and performance. At address, the leading edge of these wedges is straighter, the toe is more square, and the heel is shorter. These features provide more penetrating trajectories and tighter distance control than any cavity back pitching wedge, and more forgiveness than any blade style. From 125 yards and in, these pitching wedges deliver the precision and higher spin that most golfers need and the confidence to hit more greens.

Edison’s two new lob wedges - 61 and 63 degrees - further expand Edison Golf’s performance versatility and superiority. The face has a larger, rounder appearance, taller heel, softer leading edge and a more rounded toe.

The uncompromising design make these wedges extremely forgiving and easy to hit, the ball flight is very predictable off the face, and the unforced shot-making and spin around the greens makes distance control exciting and fun.

Q. What makes Edison the most forgiving and accurate wedges on the market?

A. It’s all about the distribution of mass. We spread the mass more Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

11

fore your health

Is ALTWELL CBD Right for You? Whether you’re playing a Sunday morning round or competing in a Club Championship, your performance will be at its best when you’re feeling calm, centered, and in control. That’s why so many golfers have turned to CBD for its ability to help soothe anxiety, promote calm, and enhance focus.

If you’re new to CBD, here’s what you need to know: Cannabidiol (aka CBD) is one of the many cannabinoids found in the hemp plant.

Unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating and non-psychoactive, so it does not have the ability to get you high.

CBD offers incredible perks that can help enhance your performance on the course. Golf is often a stressful game, and the last thing you want is jitters on the tee or while you’re putting on the greens. In recent research, CBD has shown potential to help soothe stress by interacting with receptors in the brain that regulate fear and anxiety ¹. Another study showed that CBD can help bring on feelings of calm ².

12

CBD comes in many forms, including topicals and ingestibles.

ALTWELL, a modern wellness brand committed to high quality and effective CBD, offers an array of products that can help you up your game.

ALTWELL Balance Tincture helps promote calm and ease. This tincture, like all ALTWELL products, is made with ethically grown, high quality hemp extract. Tinctures are perfect for new CBD users because you control your dose. Just put a couple drops under your tongue or add a dropperful to your morning coffee or tea.

If you’re looking for a treat with your calming perks, try ALTWELL Balance Gummies. They contain 25mg of Broad Spectrum CBD, and they offer similar calming effects as the tincture. Gummies are a great option for consistent daily dosing. Enjoy them first thing in the morning or anytime throughout your day to feel balanced and peaceful.

Whichever form you choose, CBD will help you feel your best and conquer the course.

Sources: 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/ 2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/ pii/B9780128007563000971?via%3Dihub

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

“It ’s no secret I’ve always been prepared to out-train and out-condition my opponents on the football field, and it’s the same goal on the golf course. I come to the course t o w i n . T h o s e a c h e s a n d p a i n s c a n ’ t g e t i n m y w a y. I ’ v e t r i e d a l l s o r t s o f c r e a m s a n d rubs to ease my muscles and joints over t he years, and most didn’t make a dif ference.

Then, t he Pic kett ’s who have been my longtime friends and were t he original creators o f M u s c l e M i l k , i n t r o d u c e d m e t o t h e i r C B D b r a n d . N o w A LT W E L L S p o r t s B a l m i s m y go-to. I use it daily and it lets me focus on my game. It ’s become an impor tant par t of my recover y routine.”

JERRY RICE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER AND 3-TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION

GOLFCENTRAL 2 0 % O F F * YO U R F I R S T O R D E R at altwell.com

USE CODE FOR

@ A LT W E L LC B D

A LT W E L L . C O M

*Must be 21 or over. Some exclusions apply. Discount valid at altwell. com only. Not valid for resale, cash or cash equivalent.

golf bachelor

Where were you born? Did you grow up there?

Gainesville, FL & I grew up on the outskirts in a small town Chiefland, FL. Is “acting your age” overrated?

Depends on the crowd What do you do for a living?

Regional Sales Manager for Mirimichi Green What would you like to do for a living?

Full time stock trader.

Aside from golf; what do you prefer for fun and relaxation?

Taking the skiff out to catch some reds or snook and tailgating for my Gators.

What golf apparel do you like to wear?

Nike or Adidas Tell us about your first kiss?

Oh man. I was 13 and had a crush on my friend’s older sister. It was my birthday and all the parents were around so we snuck off into the woods. They had to send a search party for us!

What three things would you need to survive on a deserted island?

Spear, machete, flint.

Who would you like to have with you on the same deserted island; and why?

Bear Grylls, he survives everything.

What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy golf foursome?

Phil, Tiger, Chipper Jones

Adam Burton 14

Favorite comedian?

Lately...Andrew Santino

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

• Colorful, convenient, functional accessory • Clips to your belt or waist • Durable, lightweight, comfortable to wear • Quick-release design for easy access • Custom logo available - makes a

great promotional item

By Mike May

georgia golf trail

Inaugural State Park Golf Cup: Overwhelming Success!

Thanks to the arrival

of the inaugural State Park Golf Cup, competitive golf is alive and well at the grassroots level in Georgia. Earlier this year, the state of Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources conducted the first-ever State Park Golf Cup. By utilizing the golf courses at eight state parks as qualifying sites, a series of one-round, four-person scramble tournaments were conducted. The winner of each qualifying tournament then advanced to the state finals which were held on Saturday, May 7 at the Arrowhead Point Golf Course, which is located within the Richard B. Russell State Park in Elberton, Georgia.

The eight state park golf courses – all of which are members of the Georgia Golf Trail – which were used as qualifying sites for the inaugural State Park Golf Cup were the Wallace Adams Golf Course in Helena (Little Ocmulgee State Park), Lake Blackshear Golf Course in Cordele (Georgia Veterans State Park), Brazells Creek Golf Course in Reidsville (Jack Hill State Park), The Lakes Golf Course in Waycross (Laura S. Walker

Georgia State Park Golf Cup Winners: Bennett, Bryant, Dye, Yeargin

State Park), The Creek Golf Course in Social Circle (Hard Labor Creek State Park), Meadow Links Golf Course in Fort Gaines (George T. Bagby State Park), Highland Walk Golf Course in Royston (Victoria Bryant State Park), and Arrowhead Point Golf Course in Elberton (Richard B. Russell State Park). The first qualifier was held on Saturday, Febru-

Arrowhead Pointe GC Greenside overlooking Lake Russell 16

ary 20 at the Wallace Adams GC and the final qualifier was conducted on Saturday, April 3 at Arrowhead Point GC. Again, the winner of each qualifier advanced to the finals at Arrowhead Point GC in early May. If a qualifier had more than 12 teams, then the top two teams advanced to the state finals. If any team did not advance at one tournament, then any team could travel to another qualifier in order to secure a spot in the state finals on May 7.

Each team was allowed to include one professional golfer on its squad.

When all was said and done, the winning team of the 2021 State Park Golf Cup was the foursome of Shayne Bryant, Billy Bennett, Kevin Dye, and Todd Yeargin. The winning team recorded a scramble score of 55, which was three shots clear of two other groups.

It’s worth noting that the state finals winning team actually failed to advance to the state finals when it finished in a 10th-place tie at the Highland Walk qualifying tournament on Saturday, Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

Arrowhead Pointe GC Greenside Lakeside View March 27. So, the Bryant-BennettDye-Yeargin team traveled to the final qualifier at Arrowhead Point GC on April 3 where it recorded a one-shot victory with a round of 57. Then, just over a month later, Bryant, Bennett, Dye, and Yeargin returned to Arrowhead Point for the state finals which they won with a better score of 55.

The state finale at Arrowhead Point was a two-day event featuring a practice round and a dinner on Friday, May 6. The following day, the festivities started with an 8:00 am breakfast, a practice/warmup session at 9:00 am, and a shotgun start at 10:00 am. Boxed lunches were provided to all participants after nine

holes and the awards ceremony was held immediately after the tournament concluded.

Besides a championship trophy, the winning squad was given a complimentary weekend of housing, golf, and food at the Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, Georgia, which is also a member of the Georgia Golf Trail.

“It was great that the state of Georgia utilized our state park golf courses to host an incredible statewide competitive golf tournament,” said Georgia Golf Trail Founder Doug Hollandsworth. “The State Park Golf Cup is a true showcase for the quality of public-access golf courses that we have in the state of

Georgia. Barry Johnston from the State Parks did a wonderful job managing all the things that go into a big event like this. He is excited about next year’s event and knows this can grow into a large event helping to promote the (Georgia) State Parks.”

Participating players do not have to reside in Georgia.

For a complete summary of all qualifying tournaments and the finals of the State Park Golf Cup, access gastateparks.org. For complete details on travel packages to all the destinations on the Georgia Golf Trail, please call 1-833-877-6988 or go online to GeorgiaGolfandTravel.com.

To celebrate Gynecological Cancer Patients and Survivors, Honor the Caregivers, Increase Awareness, and Raise Funds for Research.

Wednesday September 1, 2021 12:00pm - 3:00pm At The Longwood Community Center

FOOD, FUN, AUCTION! Proceeds to Benefit: To bid on auction item or make a donation Visit: bidpal.net/teal For further information: Contact Dave Walker - 321-277-9094 or auctionsbydesign02@gmail.com Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

Cancer Institute 17

By Mike May

golf history

A Hurricane Survivor

Key West Golf Club TODAY - 1st Hole

With June 1 marking the beginning of the 2021 hurricane season, golf course superintendents in Florida are well aware of the negative implications – specifically wind and water damage -- associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, and tropical depressions.

That is especially the case for Troy Stewart, the superintendent at the Key West Golf Club in Key West, Florida.

“My employment with the Key West Golf Club was made possible because of the devastation both Hurricanes Irma and Maria brought to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2017,” admits Stewart.

There are few, if any, golf clubs in the U.S. which have survived more wind and water onslaughts and attacks than the Key West Golf Club (6450 East College Road, Key West, Florida; 305-294-5232; www.keywestgolf.com).

“For me, having spent the past 13 years as a superintendent in the Caribbean in places like Belize and St. Thomas (Virgin Islands) and having grown up in South Florida, you quickly realize how unforgiving and lifechanging these hurricanes can be,” says 18

Key West Golf Club circa 1920's Stewart. “So, with that being said, hurricane preparation has always started for me well before June 1 and that is no different here at Key West Golf Course.”

In Key West, it’s not a matter of if there will be another tropical weather system or hurricane. Instead, it’s a question of when they will arrive.

Fortunately, the Key West Golf Club can be compared to Eveready batteries as ‘It takes a lickin’, but it keeps on tickin,’ -- with each and every tropical storm and hurricane that hits the

Florida Keys, specifically Key West.

There are a few issues which Stewart addresses as the hurricane season approaches such as renting a boom lift to trim all coconut palms and limbs near important infrastructure, request fuel tanks be filled if an approaching storm has the potential to pass nearby, and buy necessities such as new chains for the chain saws, extra bars for the saws, spark plugs, round files, gloves, and machetes.

When a big storm rolls through Key Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

the Dapper Drive West, there’s little that can be done at the Key West Golf Club -- one of 53 courses which comprise the Florida Historic Golf Trail -- other than hunker down and hope for the best. People can evacuate, but golf courses cannot budge.

One of the more powerful storms to negatively impact the Key West Golf Club was Hurricane Wilma. Back on October 24, 2005, Wilma generated an eight-foot storm surge that flooded the Key West Golf Club, the southernmost golf course not only in Florida but in the continental U.S. When Wilma hit the Key West GC, four feet of salt water inundated the irrigation ponds with ocean water, which left no source for fresh water. However, the golf course remained open and some golfers even

Key West Golf Club TODAY Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

came out to play the day after the storm.

Other significant hurricanes to hit Key West and the Key West GC include Hurricane Georges in September 1998, Hurricane Irma in September 2017, and countless tropical storms in recent decades.

In many respects, building the Key West Golf Club was as difficult as it has been maintaining it.

It all started in the early 1920s when the decision was made to build this municipal golf course. In 1923, the City of Key West hired golf course architects William Langford and Theodore Moreau to design an 18-hole layout.

Because of this golf club’s coral rock foundation, dynamite was used to create a pathway for fairways. Then, soil for this golf course was imported

on barges. The construction of this golf course was not easy, but it was worth it, according to Langford.

“The site for the golf course presented unusual difficulties such as would be found nowhere else in America, nevertheless the course is coming along fine and shows great improvement,” said Langford, back in the early 1920s.

As the course was being built and holes were being completed, local golfers were allowed to play for free.

The first nine holes were officially opened on September 3, 1924, but the original 18-hole layout was never completed due to financial limitations.

The final nine holes were not added until the 1960s. In 1983, golf course architect Rees Jones and codesigner Keith Evans completely redesigned this 18-hole layout.

In the summer of 2006 and 2007, the club rebuilt all 18 greens.

Today, the par-70 Key West Golf Club features four sets of tees that play from 5,000 to 6,500 yards. Located at the entrance to the island of Key West, this 200acre club showcases stately palms, dense mangrove-lined fairways, serene lakes, and undulating multi-tiered greens.

The most memorable hole at the Key West GC is the par-3 8th hole. It’s called the “Mangrove Hole.” It plays from 129 to 185 yards. Here, the tee shot must travel over a field of thickly intertwined tropical mangroves. You have to see it to believe it. Pars are precious at the “Mangrove Hole.”

On your next visit to Key West, play golf at the Key West GC, which remains one of stalwart survivors of the many hurricanes and tropical storms that have hit the southernmost golf course in the U.S. 19

cart girl Where did you grow up?

I grew up in an extremely small town called Stoneboro, Pennsylvania. It’s in between Erie and Pittsburgh.

What is your favorite sport to play?

Favorite to watch?

My favorite sport growing up was competitive cheerleading and dance (if you consider those sports). And now golf is almost always on our TV at home and has become one of my most enjoyable sports to watch!

Do you enjoy playing golf? Are there any golfers in your family?

I do enjoy golfing! I started golfing in college for fun and as a hobby but learned I was actually fairly decent at the sport. Both my dad and brother have always been golfers as well as my Fiancé! My brother actually owns a golf fitness business called Par4 Fitness in Bonita Springs.

And one of the first dates I ever had with my now fiancé was at a golf course!

What do you feel makes this club special?

I’ve worked at Fiddlesticks for 10 years and the thing that truly makes this club special is the members. All of them are genuinely nice people and are sure to take care of me and ask about my personal life and truly care. They offer scholarships to their employees through member donations and it was extremely helpful to me when I was pursing my master’s degree!

What is your favorite part of being a cart girl? What is your least favor-

a n n a i r B Hovis

ite part? My favorite part is being outside and getting to watch golf at the same time. Who would complain? I really don’t have a least favorite part of the country club! I truly enjoy being there!

If you weren’t a cart girl, what would you be doing? I am actually a nurse and have been for the past 5 years with both my BSN and MSN! While being a nurse, I have flexible hours that allows for me to still work as a cart girl for special events and tournaments. I typically say that being a cart girl is my less stressful job and I mostly do it for fun and the extra spending money from tips!

What is your memorable moment working as a cart girl? Over the years, the most fun events are always the Member Guest Tournaments and Charity events but I would say my most memorable moment would be that I have had the opportunity to witness several hole in one’s from members and that’s always a fun sight to see!

What hobbies do you enjoy? I enjoy golfing, laying out by the pool, working out, and hanging with my two dogs!

What is your idea of “the perfect date”? Anything adventurous! My fiancé and I like to change things up and travel to different areas like Sedona, Scottsdale, or Colorado to go hiking. But typically we like to go to Tiger Woods’ Popstroke attraction for some great drinks and golf!

Favorite charity to support? I always like supporting the local children’s hospital or local humane societies!

What else would you like for us to know about you? A fun fact about me is that I have actually been to several golf tournaments locally here in Florida to watch PGA events but my favorite event that I have ever attended was the Waste Management Open in Phoenix, where we spent a day on the infamous 16th hole. You have to wake up extremely early and sprint to the 16th green to get a good spot but it is definitely something that I recommend everyone experiences at least once in your lifetime, especially if you’re a golf fan!

20

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

special events

A Beautifully Tailored Wedding Destination

Plan the perfect destination wedding celebration in a setting that you and your guests will never forget. From the nuptials to the reception, stunning spaces await you.

Whether the picturesque Linear Park or the sprawling and elegant Grande Ballroom, Reunion Resort & Golf Club offers gorgeous ceremony settings.

Dance the night away with the one you love! Whether you’re planning to celebrate indoors or outdoors, each of the wedding reception venues at Reunion will leave your guests in awe.

Before the big day, tee off on one of 3 award winning, signature golf courses designed by PGA legends, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson.

WEDDING AMENITIES

• 2,300 acres to relax, enjoy and entertain, with numerous outdoor options for the ceremony and/or reception • Six wedding venues to choose from • Gourmet catering • On-site wedding planner • Vacation Homes, which range in size from three to 14-bedrooms, making a great place for families to gather/stay together • Three championship golf courses at one location – great option for groom/ groomsmen • FootGolf – another fun activity to enjoy (available on the Watson Course, starting at 3 p.m. Sun-Wed) • Five-acre water park • Numerous dining options – casual to fine-dining steakhouse (7593 Chophouse) • Full-service spa – great for bride/ bridesmaids

Visit www.reunionresortweddings.com and start planning now!

22

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

Elevate Your Game With

A seemingly weightless precision shoe equipped with an EVA upper that hugs your foot, yet remains flexible, giving you both reassurance and very little resistance in your swing.

Add a shock absorbing, dual density mid-sole, and get into a game improved technically, and made more enjoyable.

Welcome to Biion Golf.

Try on a Biion for 25% off with promo code: GOLFCENTRAL My favorite golf shoe hands down Johnny Damon

BIIONFOOTWEAR.COM

competitive spirits ​Jan Stephenson Flavored Rum Jan is as passionate about her Flavored Rum as she is about her award-winning wine. Close your eyes, take a sip you will be transported as you “Taste the World”.

You will see why her Mango, Pineapple and Passion Fruit Flavored Rum are quickly becoming everyone’s “Favorite”.

PATRIOTS PUNCH Jan Stephenson Pineapple Rum Watermelon Schnapps Peach Schnapps Banana Schnapps Orange Juice Pineapple Juice Grenadine OORAH Jan Stephenson Craft Vodka Blue Curacoa Sprite Grenadine 24

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

growing the game

First Tee College Scholarship Program Twelve high school graduates have been selected to the First Tee College Scholarship Program based on academic performance, length and involvement in First Tee programs, financial need and commitment to volunteerism. This class of scholars includes aspiring engineers, accountants, teachers and environmental activists, all of whom will be attending stand out colleges and universities, including Dartmouth College, University of Pennsylvania, Boston College, Indiana University and other top institutions across the country.

Selected from a national pool of candidates, the Scholars represent diverse backgrounds from communities across the First Tee network. The class is comprised of eight females and four males and 59% are ethnically diverse.

The Scholars’ average GPA is 4.19 on a 4.0 scale and hold an average of 1,422 out of 1,600 on SAT and 31 out of 36 on ACT. Five of the Scholars will play on

their college’s golf team.

“I offer congratulations and a warm welcome to our new class of First Tee College Scholars,” said Greg McLaugh-

also provides professional development workshops held in-person throughout the year.

Applications were received from

lin, CEO of First Tee. “I am proud to

participants at 44 chapters in 28 states

continue First Tee’s support of these

across the nation. Following an online

students at such an important time in

application process, finalists were

their lives – through their matricula-

selected by a committee for one-on-

tion and beyond. These outstanding

one interviews. In addition to academic

young leaders remind us how bright

performance, applicants were consid-

the future is for them and for the

ered based on financial need, chapter

industries and communities they will

involvement, volunteerism and other

eventually serve. We are appreciative of

criteria.

donors to the First Tee College Scholar-

First Tee College Scholarship Pro-

ship Program who make this program

gram is made possible by donors and

possible.”

corporate partners who stand behind

First Tee College Scholarship Pro-

the program and First Tee’s mission,

gram extends its impact to alumni by

including Astros Golf Foundation, Peter

providing support throughout their

A. Bonanni Scholarship Fund, Chev-

post-graduate career. Each of the

ron Corporation, A. James & Alice B.

scholars are paired with a dedicated,

Clark Foundation, Timothy W. Finchem

trained adult mentor who will help

Scholarship Fund, Paul and Ruth Flow-

encourage and guide them throughout

ers, Morrell Studios, Charles Schwab,

the college experience, including virtual

TruGreen, Edward and Lisa Vaughan

and in-person meetups. The program

and Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund.

First Tee’s College Scholarship Class of 2021 includes: (Listed alphabetically; all GPAs are on a 4.0 scale)

Claire Alford, First Tee — Central Coast Santa Clara University Graduating with a 4.56 GPA Claire has received many honors and accolades for her hard work and plans to major in Public Health and Biology with a goal of attending medical school.

26

Marion Caldwell, First Tee — Four Corners Dartmouth College Pursuing a future in teaching, Marion is passionate about passing down the knowledge she has obtained throughout her life to the children within her community and will major in both English and History.

Natalie Cao, First Tee — Greater Houston University of Pennsylvania Natalie strives for greatness in both the classroom and on the course and will play on the women’s golf team while majoring in economics.

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

Molly Castle, First Tee — Tennessee University of Tennessee Knoxville As a First Tee — Tennessee participant for seven years, Molly has used that experience and her love of golf for helping others within her community. She plans to major in agriculture sciences.

Malisone Chanthapanya, First Tee — Fort Worth Texas Wesleyan University With a cumulative 4.0 GPA combined with her success on the course, Malisone plans to continue her golf career at Texas Wesleyan University while double majoring in

Quincy Crawford, First Tee — Greater Washington, D.C. University of Cincinnati Quincy has plans to study Aerospace Engineering in pursuit of his goal to create fuel-efficient aircrafts, lessoning the overall carbon footprint and possibly slow

Rebecca Jones, First Tee — Indiana Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Rebecca will be studying environmental engineering and plans to use her degree to focus on land remediation and implementing new systems to reduce pollution.

Josh Lendach, First Tee — Triangle University of Cincinnati Josh has earned the privilege to play golf at the University of Cincinnati where he will pursue his passions for golf and environmental/atmospheric sciences.

Meghna Mazumdar, First Tee — Connecticut Boston College Scoring a 1430 on her SATs while achieving a 4.12 cumulative GPA, Meghna will study Business Economics where she will pursue her passion for investing in the stock market.

Benjamin Nganga, First Tee — Tennessee Indiana University A first-generation college student, Benjamin’s 4.46 GPA has earned him the prestigious Fry Scholarship to attend the University of Indiana Kelly Business School where he will double major in Finance and Computer Science.

Kaleb Palm, First Tee — Central Florida Florida Atlantic University Graduating with 4.69 GPA, Kaleb will major in marketing and business while playing on the men’s golf team at Florida Atlantic University.

Borina Sutikto, First Tee — Silicon Valley Santa Clara University A nine-year participant at First Tee — Silicon Valley, Borina is graduating with a 4.25 GPA and plans to study Accounting & Information Systems while playing on the women’s golf team.

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

27

By Fred Seely

freddy's fairway thoughts

Rivalry Some people seem to go out of their way to annoy us. A incomplete list would include the Yankees, Serena Williams, the Lakers, Nancy Pelosi, Jerry Jones, Dr. Fauci, Megan Rapinhoe.

Tiger Woods keeps popping up. So does Meghan Markle.

The neighbor down the street qualifies. So does the guy who doesn’t fill divots.

Surely, in the traveling circus that is the PGA Tour, there are people who don’t like each other. But it’s part of the deal and too much is riding on your attitude to get it cluttered up with non-golf things. Same in life. Tolerate the neighbor, fill the guy’s divots. Shut up and move on.

But, it appears that Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau have chosen to deal with each other on the public stage.

Contrary to the initial media reaction, this isn’t good for business.

They are oil and water. It didn’t have to happen but it has, triggered by the inner urges of Alpha males who are too big for the Tour to quiet down.

Koepka is the bully who sits in the back of the room and never raises his hand, a guy who came up the tough way.

A public school guy, FSU. When the going toughens, he somehow manages to tie for fourth.

DeChambeau is the guy who sits on the front row and always raises his hand. A luxe background, SMU. When the going toughens, he has a back-nine 44.

The Tour’s attitude is firm. Go along to get along. There are too many of us out here for everyone to like each other. You’re supposed to love your neighbor but that doesn’t mean you have to like him/her. Shut up and work on your short game.

You have to reach pretty far back to get real nasty feelings among two Tour players, and maybe that’s because everyone wants to appear to be nice so the sponsors will stay around. Patrick Reed and Jordan Speith got it on briefly.

Seve Ballesteros is dead but he left behind people who still remember him non-fondly. Tom Watson had enough of Gary

Player and let him — and everyone else — know. Remember Greg Norman and Mark McCumber after the cheating issue at Firestone?

This one could be the most outfront of all.

This isn’t wrestling and the Tour doesn’t like it, but all they can do is talk to the two.

Not sure these two will listen.

Fast tracking

The Players has a volunteer component, just like almost every other tournament, and there’s a hierarchy that oversees the 1,500 or so who help each spring. There are 47 — 47! — committees with chairs and vice chairs and egos around each corner.

The leadership is an unforgiving task: a chairman, who has worked his way to the top, a first vice chairman who is heir to the throne, and four vice chairs. All are lightning rods for the better part of a year.

In these Northeast Florida parts, the hassle is worth it. It’s a great honor to wear the chairman’s red coat or a vice chairman’s blue jacket.

Since the first vice chair moves up, one person is chosen each year to get into the line. The selection is usually made shortly after the last tournament ends and it was, but oddly it was kept quiet. The word got out; the first African-American had been chosen, but calls weren’t returned.

Finally, the day after the U.S. Open, out came a news release. Yes, the new vice chair — five years removed from the top — is a man of color. Looks qualified, a local banker who has been a volunteer since 2017. Great guy, I hear.

But the grumbling, quiet as it has been, is there: the newbie

This year’s class of Jacksonville Area Golf Association scholars includes (from left) Maya Victor, Natalie Drake, David Collins; Joe Libby, Caroline Davis, Grace Richards and Olivia Lyle. Also receiving grants but not present for the photo were Rebecca Gaza, Brayden James, Austin Jacobs, Scotty Kennon, Miniya McNair, James Tucker and Kylie Turner.

28

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

hasn’t been around nearly as long as others who want to be at the top. The new chair, for instance, had over 10 years service when he was moved to the leadership team.

The news release also was noteworthy. In all the years I’ve been around this tournament, I don’t recall ever seeing a photo of the new vice chairman added to the release about the new chairman. The wording is a bit stilted; one suspects that the editing process went all the way to the commissioner’s office.

Sign of the times.

Announcer talk It’s always fun to track silliness from TV announcers who should know better: • “The is the U.S. Open, where every shot counts.” We can assume that mulligans are allowed elsewhere.

• “You always want to get something decent on the scoreboard in a major championship, particularly the U.S. Open.” 75s are okay at Houston?

• “If you get it on the right line, and get it rolling well, your percentage chance of making it will be good.” A free putting lesson for all!

More Don Veller Last month, we gave you a few offering from the typewriter (ask your mother what that was) of the late Don Veller, the FSU golf coach who also wrote poetry. Lots of you liked it so here are two more: “His golf was getting awful, more painful day by day.

‘Twas worse than Chinese torture, each round he had to pay.

So he went for acupuncture, and his trouble quickly fled.

They diagnosed his problem spot and stuck him in the head.”

“This golfer had a girlfriend But red-faced he forsook her.

Though she claimed to be a slicer, He discovered she’s a hooker.”

Final thoughts: • Bones Mackay doesn’t talk fast when he isn’t on television, so why does he babble when the camera is on?

• Everyone wants to be like Augusta National (a laudable goal) and TPC Sawgrass has cottages back on the table.

The newly-cleared area behind the media center, where the tournament headquarters used to be, seems to be the chosen location. Nothing new on the 5-star hotel near the new headquarters.

• The LPGA has a wonderful product and the TV ratings are showing that there are viewers out there. The networks (particularly Golf) do them no favor by continuing to force cheerleaders upon us, telling us what we’re seeing is wonderful.

This seems to be a pandemic through women’s sport, particularly basketball. Please, TV executives, put professionals in the booth and let the cheerleaders stay on the sidelines.

Comments? I’m at fs4569@comcast.net.

Kenny Perry and Trevor Immelman have made Transitions® lenses part of their game.

www.TurfLife.club Come see us at the PGA Show booth #3516

On the PGA TOUR®, vision is a golfer’s most important equipment. Transitions lenses adapt to changing light to help golfers see more comfortably in all light conditions and help protect eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Visit your local Vision Source doctor, Dr. James Podschun, located at 2828 Casa Aloma Way, Suite 400 in Winter Park, FL 32792, to ask which Transitions lenses are right for you. 407-671-0960

P ER FORMANCE SUNW E A R

Transitions and the swirl are registered trademarks and Transitions Adaptive Lenses is a trademark of Transitions Optical, Inc. ©2012 Transitions Optical, Inc.

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

transitions.com

29

By Greg Wise

golf travel

297 Reasons to Visit

Imagine a golf resort area with elevation changes from tee to green, the likes of a ski slope to test your endurance… natural tree lined fairways to focus your energy and define your game… and a smorgasbord of the ‘Finest Golf Course Architects’ that will take your game to the next level.

Websters Dictionary defines a “Mecca” as an area that attracts many people.

Add in those 297 holes of golf from 17 Golf Courses and 5 Resorts within a 45-minute radius and some of the friendliest people in golf… and you have found, Northern Michigan’s… Gaylord Golf Mecca.

“Although golf began in the 1920’s with the Gaylord Golf Club, it wasn’t until 1987 when the Gaylord Golf Mecca came into existence with the opening of the ‘Masterpiece’ designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., course at the newly renamed, Treetops Resort,” Paul Beachnau, Executive Director of the Mecca, mentioned in our welcome meeting. Paul went on to explain, “when Jones stood on the 6th tee of what was then called Sylvan Resort, he explained to the late owner Harry Melling, and Rick Smith, PGA Teaching Professional… ‘All I can see is the tops of trees… you should call this place Treetops!’ When the course opened in 1986 it was the highest slope rating in all of Michigan. People were talking about the area and coming to Gaylord to take the Masterpiece Chal30

lenge.”

Gaylord experienced the slow down in early 2020 from the Pandemic, but when it was determined that was safe because of being outdoors… golf came back with a roar.

“We didn’t see our friends from Canada or the South, but what we did see were a lot of people at the spur of the moment, jumping in their cars and coming to see us in the Gaylord Golf Mecca,” said Kevin Henley, general manager at The Natural. Kevin contin-

ued, “People who had stopped playing for one reason or another were coming back. Bringing their families and friends. We also found that so many people were starting to play golf for the very first time, through lessons and clinics we were offering.”

Possibly one of the most affordable Golf Resort areas I have ever found, there is something for everyone in Otsego County. For me… the Gaylord Golf Mecca = Quality Golf and Affordable Rates.

So… if it is not golf (Imagine that!)…

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

or you just need a break, we experienced the swift moving cool water rafting adventure on the Sturgeon River. With the headspring of the river beginning in Otsego County and flowing North some 45 miles to Lake Michigan near the Mackinac Bridge. Although we only floated down stream for about 2 ½ hours, it was just enough time to relax before preparing to take on ‘Jones’ Masterpiece course at Treetops Resort in the afternoon.

Maybe river rafting is not your cup of tee (sorry… I just had to do that) as a mixer to golf… there is fly fishing on Sturgeon River for Trout… or the many cycling and mountain biking trails… or the hiking trail system in the area.

There is something to do for everyone in the Gaylord Golf Mecca. But wait a few months and golf transforms in to skiing the slopes… or cross-country skiing – this is a 4-Season Resort Area.

It’s time to plan to visit the Gaylord Golf Mecca.

HOW DO WE GET THERE? Flying in? – Look to Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) for ease and convenient. A regional airport, TVC is serviced by American, Delta and United, and is just a scenic 60-minute drive to the Gaylord Golf Mecca.

Driving In? - I-75 heads North into the Northern Lower Peninsula. Gaylord Golf Mecca is a beautiful drive with rustic woods, farms, and picturesque waterway along the way North.

The Tribute - Hole 18

WHERE DO WE STAY? The Mecca has 21 lodging partners.

From smaller Mom and Pop type housing to the name brands that we are accustom too… but when you have 5 of the resorts providing housing on-site as well as food and beverage… maybe that is something to consider. All lodging partners can talk Stay and Play packages, so you are definitely in charge of your own budget.

Great Designs and a Tremendous Variety Add to the Gaylord Golf Mecca We were able to squeeze in 7 courses during our visit. That’s a lot of golf but looking at what we missed. Looking through the Northern Michigan Golfer

Guide, by the Gaylord Golf Mecca, there is a second trip in our plans.

The Masterpiece – Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1987) at Treetops Resort The anchor to the Gaylord Golf Mecca, this course set the tone for others to follow. Rumor has it… when the Masterpiece was complete, Jones never played the course. He said, it may be too difficult for his game. Aptly named Treetops by Jones… when you get to the 6th tee box, you will understand very visibly what he saw. The dramatic 6th hole is a simple 180-yard, par 3 hole from the tips. Chose your club wisely on this hole… it could range between 3 or 4 clubs less than

The Natureal - Hole 10 Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

31

to mind… and to share one of Gary’s quotes used quite often on NBC… this course… “is better than most.”

The Natural at Beaver Creek – Designed

by Jerry Matthews (1992) Beaver Creek Resort Designed to accentuate the natural beauty of the area, Jerry Matthews set out to create a peaceful track, winding through elevated forested terrain and around some of the most scenic wetlands in Northern Michigan. Playing this course, you will find yourself connected to nature. A different view and feeling with each hole. Heading to the first tee… don’t forget to take a picture of the Beaver… welcoming you to your adventure with The Natural.

Masterpiece - Hole 8

you are thinking because of the 120-foot vertical drop to the green.

The Tribute – Designed by Rick Robbins and PGA Tour Player and NBC golf analyst Gary Koch (2002) at Otsego Resort An unbelievable 1,100 acres of hardwoods has been transformed in a true test of golf at the Tribute. Spacious Greens and expert bunkering, Robbins and Koch created as real golf challenge

as the Signature Course at Otsego Resort. An interesting design to give Risk – Reward area. But you will soon find out… if there is not a lot of challenge in the fairways to for the player… you will find severe undulating greens… and vice versa… if you have been through the ringer on the way to the green, you’ll have a little flatter putt. Not much… but at least it is a good thought.

Playing the 18-track a thought came

Lakes of the North – Bill Newcomb and Jerry Matthews Bill Newcomb in 1968 first designed a nine-hole links style course in upand-coming community, just North of Gaylord. In the 1980’s Jerry Matthews was asked to create a back-nine in the Northern section of the community, which combined to create a unique golf experience. Gentle rolling terrain and more open and forgiving fairways make this golf course manageable for everyones game. With 5 sets of tees, Lakes of the North ranges in distance from

Threetops - Par 3 32

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

Masterpiece - Hole 11 5,004 yards to just over 7,000 yards. One incredibly unique asset to this course is the private landing strip on the property. Although no lodging is on-site… this location gives the private pilot a distinct advantage with close proximity to Gaylord.

The Fountains Course – Michael Benkusky (2010) – Garland Lodge and Golf Resort Originally built in 1995, The Fountains experienced a total redesign at the hands of Michael Benkusky. Although yardage from 4,617 to 6,760, don’t let the length of this course fool you. Plan for some major adjustments and calculation to find the correct location of these undulating green complexes. Offering the unique 6-6-6 design – you’ll be faced with several risk – reward challenges with the numerous par 5’s.

The Pines – (1980’s) Michaywe’, Michigan Featuring secluded fairways winding though white birch forests and pine forests along the AuSable River, The Pines truly lends itself to a walking course.

But just because it may be somewhat flat, the challenge still surrounds this Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

course. A little narrower fairway, a smaller green complex footprint, and The Pines steps up to make this course one of the favorites for qualifying events of the Golf Association of Michigan. We met the President of the Gaylord Golf Mecca, Judy Mason, LPGA Professional at The Pines, who commented, “The Mecca is a collective reflection of many talented individual designers. We may not be as popular as some of the best known ‘Golf Destinations,’ but the Gaylord Golf Mecca has some of the finest golf courses at incredible values, that overshadow those other locations.”

Threetops – Rick Smith – Treetops Resort “This is the golf course that will keep me coming back to the Gaylord Golf Mecca.” Threetops is a simple Par 3 course at the Treetops Resort. Okay… far be it from me… to call this a “Simple Par 3 Course.” The sign at the first tee explained this is the “Most Difficult Par 3 course in America.” The next sign you see said… “Steep Grade… Use Extreme Caution.” And… this is the first course that I have ever had to sign a cart liability waiver. That being said.

Rick Smith asked to create a true

test of shot making on a grand scale.

A total of 1,435 yards from the tips… this will challenge every iron in your bag. Through the years legends such as Nicklaus, Palmer and Floyd… as well as stars of today in Mickelson and Couples, just to name a few have played the Threetops.

This year (2021) is the 20th Anniversary of the shot heard round the world,

by Lee Trevino at Treetops #7. Lee playing in the Charity Match hit a Hole-InOne on number 7 that won him a cool $1,090,000. There is a commemorative plaque from the point where Trevino contacted the ball. Legend has it… according to Christy Walcott, Director of Marketing and Communication, Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau, “if you tap the plaque before taking your shot… that good things will happen for you.” Okay… I proved that theory is only a wife’s tail. Nothing but a solid par 3 for me on Old #7 for me.

This is truly a “Bucket List” golf course. To only come to play this par 3 a few times would be shameful with all the other courses in the Mecca… but if that is all there is time for…

“This is the one!”

33

improving performance

Bottle Tee Training Aid Helps Produce Inside And Upward Swing Naturally One of the most important

reasons good golfers can consistently drive it long off the tee is their ability to repeat the “in and up” swing plane time after time. Their downswing comes from the inside, and when the clubhead strikes the ball it is on an upward path. That is the right combination for big distance.

Now there is a simple-to-use training aid that makes it easy to perfect the in and up swing plane. It’s called the Bottle Tee, and it is easy as sticking a tee into the ground and letting your natural instincts take over.

“Learning the in and up swing can be challenging because there are a lot of moving parts to remember when you’re trying to perform what ultimately needs to be a natural, seamless movement,” said Frank Carroll, co-owner with his brother Jim of Green Keepers Inc., parent company for the Bottle Tee. “And it is typically taught in books or in person with a lot of visuals and verbal instruction.

That’s where Bottle Tee is different. It places the ball up so high, your brain and body naturally and automatically adjust to swing from the inside out and on the upswing, producing longer and more piercing, draw-shaped drives. The idea is, if you practice enough hitting off the Bottle Tee, you will naturally develop the right in and up swing plane.”

The name Bottle Tee comes from a non-golf product that was used by some instructors to teach this 34

method: a water bottle. They would fill it up with sand, pierce a hole in the lid, put a tee in the hole, place the ball on the tee, and then have their students swing away.

“It looked ugly, but with the ball up so high, it worked great to naturally produce an in and up swing without having to think about it,” said Carroll. “Now we have our brand-new invention that works even better – and certainly a lot more consistent and effective – than using a bottle.”

Why does an inside and upward swing produce more distance? You’d need to sit through a physics class to fully understand why this produces longer shots, but in simply put, hitting the ball from the inside and on the upswing does three things: 1. It reduces spin.

2. It increases energy transfer (and therefore, ball speed).

3. It produces lower-lofted, draw-biased shots (which roll out after they land).

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

It all adds up to more distance. Just listen to the experts.

“Attack the ball from inside the target line and hit up on it. This path will produce the high, drawing ball flight I prefer.” - Jordan Spieth, 3-Time Major Championship Winner.

“The driver is the only club you want to hit slightly on the upswing.” - Tiger Woods, 15-Time Major Championship Winner.

“That upswing hit creates a high launch…you’ll get more carry.” Butch Harmon, Golf Digest’s “50 Best Teachers in America” (Rank: #1).

The Bottle Tee is a new invention, but the company behind it has a long history in manufacturing…and golf.

Green Keepers, Inc. was founded in 1996 as one of the pioneers in the non-metal cleat revolution. Their invention of the outward-angled, traction-tooth golf cleats is still being used around the world today.

Since then, Green Keepers has introduced several products many golfers know and love, including the 4 Yards More Performance Golf Tee, the Line-M-Up stenciling device, the Myball golf ball personalizer, and

the PosiSet grip counterweights.

“All our products are designed, tooled, and produced in Philadelphia,” says Carroll. “We take our time inventing new products. We want to make products that make a difference in somebody’s game.”

The Bottle Tee fits that philosophy according to some of the game’s best instructors.

“This new Bottle Tee is easy and it gets results,” said Mike Malaska, 2011 PGA Teacher of the Year. “It gives you a new picture about how to make a swing, so your instincts take over rather than thinking about positions.

And as you get better hitting it off this, you’re going to feel a whole different swing. The bottled tee gives you a new picture, it gives you a new feel, and it’s going to change your swing.

Simply by using the Bottle Tee, you will develop a powerful new driver swing that approaches the ball from the “inside out” and on the upswing, producing the longest, most piercing drives you’ve ever hit.

The Bottle Tee retails for $24.95 and comes with a money-back guarantee. The package includes two Bottle

Tees and bonus “4 Yards More” tees.

Speaking of “4 Yards More” performance golf tees, they have proven to be the most successful product in the line, with various lengths for various clubs.

The unique, durable design flexes at contact, reducing ball spin and providing tighter control and greater distance.

One of the more popular Green Keepers products is Myball, a personalized ball-marking tool. There are several design choices, including “man’s best friend,” and “the gambler.” The players simply color in the design they choose.

The LineMup Pro is a precision ball alignment tool that provides multiple marking options. The lines improve aim, stroke and green-reading abilities, helping players to save strokes.

The PosiSet product is a weight for every club in your bag, including your putter. Attaching easily to the top of your grip, this PosiSet is the easiest method to adjust the weight in your clubs. It puts a sense of direct heaviness in your hands to help stabilize the club and putter head.

For more information or to order any of these products, visit www.bottletee.net.

Use Discount code: green & get

15% off your 1st order turifegear.com

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

35

BIGGS Golf Talk product showcase

The Claw Glove One of the most comfortable gloves I’ve worn in quite a while. Durable and Long Lasting. Your are going to probably loose this glove before you wear it out.

ClawGlove.com

BIGGSGOLFTALK.COM

Red Belly Active Coming from Down Under… Red Belly Active is named after the iconic “Red Bellied” Snake. “We’re here to disrupt the golf and active wear with a different and daring point of view.

Men’s and Women’s Golf Wear Collection RedBellyActive.com

Sqairz Introducing the new series just for Ladies.

Adding Power and Stability to the game.

Sqairz.com 36

Golf Knickers Get in touch with the History of this Great Game. Golf Knickers for Men, Women, and even kids. Dust off those old Hickories and get into the History of the Game GolfKnickers.com

Aero-Swing Power up your Swing Speed with what our testers label “The Power Pineapple” – You can even practice hitting golf balls with this Swing Trainer.

Aero-Swing.com Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

www.nonablue.com

fore your health

Sunscreen Designed for the Game Caribbean Sol’s Sol Sport line of Natural, broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen is the first to be formulated with a natural dry-grip formula. Sol Sport takes away the inconvenience of applying sunscreen on the golf course with its easy-to-use pump for controlled and targeted application. The dry grip formula takes away the desire to wash hands immediately after application, making re-application throughout the course less of a burden.

Sol Sport is the first of its kind and is the perfect addition to any golf bag.

Most, if not all, golfers understand the importance of wearing sunscreen, but more so the frustration that comes with applying it mid-round and needing to wash the residue off to not interfere with their grip. To this, most choose to apply only once, prior to tee off.

Using sunscreen regularly protects the skin from sun damage caused by UV rays, and re-application of sunscreen every two hours is crucial for continued protection. Without proper application

38

and reapplication, you risk skin damage, painful sunburns, early skin aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Sol Sport makes the application and reapplication process quick, easy, and convenient throughout the entire round.

Sol Sport is naturally formulated without any chemicals that can cause harm to the skin and the environment.

Most sunscreens are formulated with synthetic chemicals that penetrate the pores and enter the blood stream.

Recent studies have proven some of these chemicals to cause hormonal disruption and skin irritation. These same chemicals have recently been shown to cause physical and fatal damage to our environment.

Sol Sport, along with all other products made by Caribbean Sol, are made with natural, plant-based ingredients that are not only safe for the skin, but safe for our environment.

Sol Sport is the perfect addition to golf bags everywhere. The easy mist pump, targeted application, and its natural dry-grip formula make applying sunscreen less of a chore. It’s natural formula and broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection make it trustworthy for your skin and the sustainability of our environment.

Contact info: Alexis Sieg - Sales Representative Alexislpgapro@gmail.com

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

Make A Lasting Impression Rigid Aluminum Business Cards that Make a statement, WOW!

Vivid High Gloss Finish Direct print technology to create a vivid, Eye catching print that shines.

Aluminum Cards .040 gauge Single and Double-sided 3.5” x 2” sold in sets of 55

www.AlumiCards.com

orth florida PGA north florida PGA north florida PGA north florida PGA north

By Daniel Calderon

North Florida PGA: 42nd Annual Meeting:

Reunited at Reunion Resort

Kevin Paschall

As the famous saying goes:

“Reunited and it feels so good.” But this year was exceptionally different. Following a year synonymous with virtual connection and canceled events, when the opportunity arose for Section Members to congregate in-person for the 42nd Annual Meeting at Reunion Resort, people jumped at the opportunity.

The action-packed day kicked off 45 minutes after sunrise. Attendees began arriving at 7:15 a.m., strolling toward the registration counter to receive their name tags and table assignments.

Taking advantage of the semblance of normalcy, Members gathered and interacted with each other. In-person!

As the clock ticked, showtime approached. Section President Kevin Paschall introduced the Meeting and set the scene for the first roundtable discussion of the day: “Lessons from the Pandemic.” It was impossible to not launch Monday’s festivities with the lingering topic that has encapsulated everyone’s minds for the past 15 months. Members reveled in gratitude

Keith Kulzer, Jennifer Borocz, and Rod Perry as they expressed their appreciation for golf not only surviving but thriving during the pandemic. As Members shared thoughts and opinions in a variety of fruitful discussions, Partners assembled inside and outside the room with tables displaying their offerings.

Speakers included Lauren Court, who provided updates about Junior Golf, and Jim West, who talked about career development. An impactful presentation came from no other than Executive Director Steve McMillen.

McMillen introduced part one of an upcoming four-part webinar series: North Florida Education and Skill Development Series- “The Fundamentals of Inclusion and Diversity.”

“Does this make you nervous?” McMillen asked.

McMillen stressed the necessity of diversifying who plays golf and stressed the need to provide a more inclusive

(Hall of Fame Inductees) Gary Koch, Jim Deaton, Jack Aschenbach 40

environment on and off the course.

Less than three hours after the Meeting concluded, it was time to honor the year’s greatest with the Celebration of Members. Honorees and their families entered the ballroom and indulged in an array of hors d’oeuvres, as well as casual conversation before taking their seats. Paschall thanked everyone for attending and began recognizing Members for their unique contributions and achievements. Honorees approached the stage to receive their plaques and expressed brief sentiments of thanks to the people who have impacted them the most. Winners included Rod Perry for Player of the Year, Keith Kulzer for Senior Player of the Year and Jennifer Borocz for Female Player of the Year.

After a brief intermission, the final group of honorees were acknowledged.

A collective feeling of grief permeated the audience as the late Brad Brewer was recognized as the 2020 recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award. Cheryl Anderson, the 2021 recipient of the award, acknowledged the bittersweet tone of the room in her speech: “This just shows you have to live each day to the fullest,”.

The last three honorees of the evening were the 2020 and 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees: Jack Aschenbach, Jim Deaton and Gary Koch. The three inductees were recognized for their impressive contributions to golf. The three honorees gave colorful speeches, praising their biggest career influences and crediting their families for their success.

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

South Florida PGA brings back a familiar face to lead the way

Golf in South Florida is positioned to rise to heights not seen since the booming 1980s. The number of rounds being played has increased by more than 25 percent, residential golf club communities are running out of houses to sell and several new private clubs are being built or on the drawing board.

No question COVID-19 has played a role in this upswing, but the unique nature of the sport also has become a big reason, as well.

This growth puts a lot of pressure on the South Florida PGA to guide the sport through these high times.

When a leadership void was created after incoming president Scott Kirkwood took a job at Monterey Peninsula, the Section looked to a familiar face to step in: Don Meadows.

Meadows, the director of golf at Quail Valley Golf Club in Vero Beach, was elected president of the section two weeks ago despite serving the role from 2017-19. It’s the first time a president has served multiple terms in the South Florida PGA, but Meadows didn’t hesitate when he was asked to serve again. “This is an important time for the South Florida PGA because of the heightened interest in golf,” said Geoff Lofstead, South Florida PGA’s executive director. “To have someone with Don’s experience is going to be tremendous because there are going to be some tough decisions along the way.”

Even the South Florida PGA is on the move — its headquarters will soon be shifted to the West Palm Golf Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

Park when that course is re-opened late next year. The expanded HQ will enable the section to maximize its impact through programs to grow the game as well as assisting juniors, veterans and others with disabilities.

Meadows’ only concern was to get the approval of Quail Valley’s ownership team of Kevin Given and Kathy Mulvey to use some of his endless energy elsewhere. When they said yes, he was in. “Getting the blessing of Kevin and Mrs. Mulvey was important to me,” Meadows said Tuesday. “It was an easy decision to want to help the Section during this period of growth.”

Meadows has been in the South Florida PGA’s boardroom since 2011, starting as awards committee chairman. He was elected Secretary in 2013, moved on to Vice President in 2015 and served as President from 2017 to 2019. He was honorary president the last two years.

During Meadows’ tenure, the South Florida PGA Section has experienced tremendous growth. The annual budget has gone from $2.3 million to $4 million and the number of staff has almost doubled from seven to 13.

The South Florida PGA’s headquarters will have been moved or expanded three times during his watch. Meadows downplays his role, but Lofstead politely disagrees. “Don leads by enabling others,” Lofstead said. “He’s about as good a thinker as I have ever been around. Anytime you have difficult decisions to make and you talk to Don, he has a way of coming to a

decision with a lot of thoughtfulness.”

Golf has struggled to retain employees during recent years as courses were closing and participation was waning.

The hours are long and the pay is not great. But a rising tide raises a lot of paychecks. “Golf looks a lot more attractive for a younger person to come into the game and the business,” Meadows said. “The biggest thing we can do as an organization is provide as many opportunities as possible, specifically, education for members. We want to provide more playing opportunities for junior golfers, the programs we offer and our own members. Personally, I thought the momentum was starting to grow in our sport before COVID. We had seen activity levels increase before the pandemic. COVID just highlighted it more with the nature of the game.

People couldn’t go to movies or plays and they couldn’t travel. They started playing golf or a lot more golf.”

The leadership team to succeed Meadows is in place, barring any late moves. Paul Clivio, director of golf at St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton, is Vice President, and Eric Veilleux, head professional at the Bear’s Club, is Secretary. “We have total faith in Geoff’s and Meredith’s (Schuler, assistant executive director) leadership,” Meadows said. “My role is to be a sounding board for them and to provide guidance and support.”

Craig Dolch is a TCPalm.com correspondent with more than 30 years of golf writing experience.

41

south florida PGA north south florida florida PGA PGA north southflorida floridaPGA PGAnorth southflorida floridaPGA PGAnorth southfl north

By Craig Dolch

playing from the tips

The Practices to Improve Your Financial Confidence As the world opens and people reemerge into normalcy, the urge to buy strangers drinks in the clubhouse might overtake you- they probably could use one. The golf industry appeared as one of the winners of the pandemic. The nature of the gameoutside, without physical contact, and the ability to naturally social distance created an ideal oasis for those trapped at home. Twenty-seven million more rounds of golf were played in June, July, and August of 2020 than in the same period in 2019.

As the pandemic fades, the financial impact for many might not be as bright. Unemployment rates are 6.1% as of April 2021, which is still about twice as high than pre-pandemic rates. The juggling of remote work and at-home school shifted 64% of Americans spending, causing people to spend more on subscriptions, home office supplies, gym equipment, takeout, and even pet care as more people became pet owners in 2020.

As you return to your normal, you might feel like you took some missteps with your finances. You might need to reevaluate your financial strategy if you did not play through the rough as 42

well as you should have. Or you might need to shift your fiscal focus as your life shifts to a more open world. Here are ways to improve your financial confidence in a post-pandemic world: · Create or revisit your budget. If there are shifts in your lifestyle, have you updated your budget? Budgets are the mirror of what’s important to you. Creating a budget that serves you and your goals is essential. · Spend time with your financial goals.

Again, do your budget and spending align with your goals? Do your goals need to be modified or your behavior to accomplish what is important to you?

Realistic financial goals coupled with actionable steps create financial stability. · Automate your savings. Always pay yourself first. Your savings is a safety net for emergencies and self-reliance into your retirement. Savings is also the best way to avoid debt accumulation. · Manage your credit score. Your credit score impacts your financial life more than you know, from interest rates to employment background checks. Checking it regularly and addressing issues as they come up is vital to your financial health.

· Address any debt issues. If you didn’t have the savings safety net you should have- now is the time to take stock of your debts and assets and develop a payoff plan. · Review your interest rates for home and car. With historically low-interest rates, they will not last forever. Are your loans in line with the current rates? If not, it is time to investigate refinancing options. · Make sure your financial paperwork is organized and up to date. Is your will current? Have you done a beneficiary check-up on all retirement accounts, investment accounts, and insurance policies? Do your loved ones know how to access your accounts and where all your important documents are kept?

Remember, personal finances are as everchanging as the rest of life. They need to be reviewed and revisited as things shift into a pandemic-free world. If you would like a more one-on-one look into your finances, please contact me at 800-871-1219 or email fsykes@ scarletoakfs.com. Advisory services offered through Capital Asset Advisory Services, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor.

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

For insurance coverage that fits you to a tee.

BUSINESS INSURANCE | EMPLOYEE BENEFITS | PERSONAL INSURANCE

Insurance Office of America (IOA) is a full-service insurance agency founded in 1988 and one of the fastest-growing independent agencies in the United States.

For all your insurance needs, visit us at www.ioausa.com or call 1-800-243-6899.

SunnilandSUPERSpotlight: Dr. Bryan Unruh

Firmly Rooted in the Turfgrass Industry

Dr. Bryan Unruh’s interest in turfgrass first began when he was just a kid mowing lawns in his hometown of Dodge City, KS. Now, he is a Professor of Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida, IFAS, West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay, FL. Unruh’s work in the green industry started when he attended a lawnmower safety course taught be the County Agriculture Agent. A career in turfgrass management was never considered as Unruh finished high school with the intention to become a corporate attorney. After giving thought to the idea of a desk job and seven and a half years to be an attorney, he ended up taking a different route. Instead, Unruh ended up going to school for 10.5 years and during that time developed a greater interest in horticulture.

Between his freshman and sophomore year of undergrad at Kansas State University, Unruh worked for one of his friends that owned one of the largest lawn care companies in Western Kansas. He did a lot of bidding and estimating work for his friend and helped run a few crews.

“Then when I went back to school my sophomore year, I probably was a little too focused on the extracurricular activities,” Unruh shared.

During that sophomore year he realized a lot of students were going 44

into golf course management and he didn’t have any experience with golf courses to know if he was even interested. One day, Unruh spoke with the local Country Club superintendent that lived nearby his parents, about a job opportunity.

“The summer before my junior year I worked on the golf course and it really changed my life in the sense that, I’d never rake pine needles underneath a pine tree for four dollars again,” Unruh joked. “That summer I also worked installing residential irrigation systems.”

He went into his junior year at Kansas State heavily focused on academics to get his grade point average up. The Heart of America Golf Course Superintendents gave him a scholarship and he used the funds to go with his advisor to the National Scientific Meeting in Anaheim, California. This is where he was first introduced to the research realm of the turfgrass industry. He became inspired and upon returning, Unruh decided to pursue his master’s from Kansas State University.

From there, he went on to Iowa State for his Ph.D. and then started working at the University of Florida in January 1996, 25 years ago.

University of Florida Unruh considers himself an oldschool extension specialist. He was hired initially as 70% teaching and

30% extension with no formal research appointment (even though he launched the start of building a large research facility). But he says that changed within just one year of being at UF, due to the changing needs of the turfgrass industry.

“I don’t think you can do good extension work sitting in your office.

You’ve got to be out of the trenches and so I started traveling around Florida,” he shared.

After 14 years at UF, he passed the baton in the teaching program and became fully committed to UF’s turfgrass research efforts and is now a senior faculty member, which he says sounds better than being called the “old guy at UF.” “The problems are increasingly complex. We, as practitioners, tend to want to simplify things but Earth is an amazingly complex system,” he said. “I guess probably the last decade of my work has really been trying to parse out the inner workings and relations.”

Unruh explained what started as looking into what fertilizer lasts the longest quickly became a realization of determining the environmental impacts of fertilization.

“We’re quick to say grass is good for the environment. It has a lot of ecosystem services, a lot of attributes when properly managed and that is the crux of it,” Unruh said. “We’re dealing with everything from your average homeowner who thinks a little bit is good and a lot of it would be better. All the way to the corporate companies that want to try a one size fits all approach.”

Unruh shares that he loves that no two days are the same in his position. One day he’ll be in a suit and tie in Washington, D.C. speaking to the Administrator of the EPA and the next he’ll be in work boots laying sod.

“That’s pretty enjoyable. I’m a problem solver so you can send me a picture of something but it’s not really the same as digging in and trying to figure out the solution to the challenge,” he said.

Best Management Practices In 2000, a discussion on restricting fertilizer in Jacksonville led to a Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

conversation with Unruh and a former Department Chair which birthed the development of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the Green Industry. In September 2000 they launched the first effort to build the Florida Green Industry BMP for the lawn care side of the business and worked on that until around 2003.

“That’s where it all started. BMPs became required by law. So, in order to spread fertilizer in the state of Florida, to the urban landscape, you have to be licensed and in order to be licensed, you have to go through BMP training. Once the lawn care BMPs were complete, the golf side started ramping up,” he said.

After that came the sod production BMPs. Unruh’s turfgrass science research and extension program is at the forefront of improving BMPs, understanding and changing consumer preferences and behavior related to landscape management and testing new and novel grasses that have improved turfgrass performance characteristics and require fewer inputs to maintain them. Results from his team’s work are included in all three Florida turf industry BMP manuals.

Unruh’s team was selected to develop the Golf Course Superintendents of America’s National BMP Planning Guide and Template with the end goal of having golf-centric BMP manuals in all 50 states by 2020; a goal that was achieved in December 2020.

“We met that goal last year,” he said.

“Looking back, I honestly didn’t know if we’d make the goal.”

Unruh explained that was the first phase and phase two will be having a BMP manual developed for every golf course in every state. Essentially individual golf course superintendents can now log into the facility portal and based on their location, will be able to clone their state-level document for their facility to operate with just a few mouse clicks on the computer.

“In the facility tool, superintendents can personalize the content for if there are city or county rules or regulations that need to be incorporated into the BMPs. They can put a picture of their signature hole from their golf course onto their cover. The next heavy lift is going to try to get these manuals all over the nation for every facility which will take some time,” he said.

More recently, Unruh is working to revise the Florida manual, which had not Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

45

been updated since 2012. By the end of July, he hopes to have a glossy version of the manual available.

Accomplishments Unruh was awarded the 2018 Turfgrass Educator Award of Excellence from Turfgrass Producers International.

Betsy McGill, Executive Director of Turfgrass Producers of Florida nominated him and several allied golf and sod organizations wrote letters supporting his nomination. “It was pretty cool and it was humbling,” Unruh shared.

In 2009, the FTGA gave Unruh their Wreath of Grass Award. “With that one, I was absolutely speechless because it was done in secret. Those awards are just real affirmation that I’m effective. We get really caught up in being busy and busy doesn’t always mean effective,” he said.

In 2020 Unruh was selected as a fellow for both the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America.

“That is the highest recognition bestowed by the professional societies. That’s my colleagues and my peers recognizing my contributions rather than by groups that I support,” Unruh said. He explained one of his professors from his Ph.D. program at Iowa State, Dr. Nick Christians has been nominating him for a few years and his peers would write in letters of support. A panel reviews the nominations and selects worthy colleagues based on their professional achievements and meritorious service. Up to 0.3 % of the Society’s active and emeritus members may be elected Fellow.

Dr. Unruh is also the immediate past-Chair of the Crop Science Society of America C5 Division. The Crop Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy and the Soil Science Society of America are considered the tri-societies for agronomic research professional organizations Unruh explained. In the Crop Science Society, there are nine different divisions and C5 is the turfgrass science division.

The same research meeting Unruh attended on scholarship in 1988, he attended again in 2019 where he was elected the division chair. In that role, he was responsible for planning and organizing the annual research conference. He was also responsible for getting nearly 70 graduate student 46

papers that were entered into a contest judged prior to the event. Due to COVID, the 2020 conference planned in Phoenix, AZ ended up being held virtually.

“I was the chair during the pandemic. The year that I was the chair was the same year I received the two fellows, so it was a high watermark,” he said.

Industry observations Unruh shared that he loves the connections he shares with others involved in the turfgrass industry whether it’s keeping up with each other’s families or projects they’re working on. “We’re a pretty tight-knit group which has its pros and cons.

We’re kind of all focused on this thing, turf, in collaboration. We are colleagues and we’re friends. And it’s really kind of cool,” he said.

Unruh said earlier this spring, he went to a big industry event in Naples, FL and turf wasn’t even part of their dinner conversation. While it can be competitive at times, he said for the most part they try to work together and continue to build lasting relationships.

“We’re very collaborative. One of the big projects is this multi-state breeding effort which is in its third round of federal funding,” he said.

Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, the University of Georgia, the University of Florida, North Carolina State University, and the University of California all have turfgrass researchers working together to develop the next generation of grasses. “I think you’re going to see a lot more stuff come down the line here in the near future,” he said.

Unruh said he respects the passion and challenges that sod companies bring to researchers. He said since he doesn’t have a dog in the fight, sometimes he can be at odds with them by being strictly data based and bound to science. He explained that the UF Extension team has a long-lasting relationship with Sod Solutions.

“I can pick up the phone and call Mark (Kann) and Erin (Wilder) and generally can get the support I need,” he shared.

Foster care and adoption Unruh and his wife Barbara have been happily married for 30 years.

The two met in high school and now have two grown children, Joshua and

Jordan as well as one adopted son, Josiah. He explains Barbara is wired to help people in need and several years ago they formed a not-for-profit called Hope for the Future of Northwest Florida, Inc. The organization is geared towards helping those who are homeless, or at risk of being homeless; especially single mothers and elderly women.

At the time they started this up, Unruh was also serving on the State Board for the Florida Baptist Convention, which has a subsidiary called the Florida Baptist Children’s Home.

At their board meetings, Unruh would hear about the need for foster parents and group homes. Barbara and Unruh decided that they would go through the training to become foster parents.

Just 45 minutes after receiving their license, their phone rang and the agency asked if they could take a newborn that was at the hospital.

Barbara went and brought home a 3 lb., 4 oz. baby boy. Unruh said the first few months were scary due to his size but he grew healthy and strong.

“Josiah turned nine years old this month. He is crazy smart and athletic.

He changed our world and we have changed his world too,” Unruh said about his adopted son.

Joshua is married with two children and Jordan just finished her undergraduate degree in education and got married mid-May. Unruh and Barbara fostered for six years altogether, during which they cared for roughly 22 children from ages 0-17 years old. Some stayed less than 24 hours, while others stayed for over a year with their family. He explained that they always desired for the families to be reunified and strengthened following their care.

Unruh is admired by many in the turfgrass industry for his dedication to research and extension. He is also thought of in high regard by members of his church and the local community. To learn more about Unruh and his impressive achievements click here.

Sod Solutions has helped successfully develop and release to the market over 20 different turfgrass varieties over the past 27 years including PalmettoⓇ and CitraBlueⓇ St. Augustine, EMPIREⓇ and Innovation™ Zoysia and CelebrationⓇ, Latitude 36Ⓡ and NorthBridgeⓇ Bermudagrass. The company is based in the Charleston, SC area.

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

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

John G. Ballard Golf Course Superintendent Valhalla Golf Club

SUPERSTAR What makes your course a “standout/ outstanding”? Hosted 3 PGA championships, Ryder Cup, 2 Sr. PGA championships

How has PN helped you be successful (favorite products, programs, technical assistance etc )? PN provides a level of consistency that we strive for regardless of weather conditions. Staples in our program include Vibrant® Green/Red, Krystal Klear® Turf Mix, Kelpene ®Ca,

KaPre ® Exalt, Agra-Rouse™, Pennamin®​High K.

Who is your mentor and why?

My Dad. He’s always taught me the value of hard work, honesty and how to treat people.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the field? Network.

Get out and meet folks, build relationships and never rush to the top. You have to find your fit.

Where are you from? Kingsport, TN How did you get into the golf business?

Played competitive golf as a kid and fell in love with the game. Was at UT in architecture as a freshman and moved into Turfgrass Management my sophomore year.

www.valhallagolfclub.com Home of the 2024 PGA Championship!

48

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

Introducing

A Foliar Calcium for Turf University Tested and Verified

Kelpene® Ca-T uses plant-based biochemistry to efficiently deliver calcium and support calcium absorption in both foliar and soil applications. It is designed to correct calcium deficiency and improve growth where additional calcium may be needed.

EffectsEffects of Kelpene® Application on Foliar Uptake of Calcium ofCa-T Kelpene Ca-T Application Effects of Kelpene® Ca-TUptake Application of on Foliar Uptake of Calcium on Foliar Calcium

9,000 8,000

7,000 8,000

5,000 6,000

ppm

ppm

6,000 7,000

4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0

7,673

9,000

7,673

6,079 6,079

+26.2% +26.2%

5,907 5,907

6,410 6,410

+8.5%

+8.5%

5,000

• Corrects calcium deficiencies • Supports cell wall formation and root development • Utilizes calcium nitrate for a quickly available source of nitrogen • Satisfies turf’s need for calcium during critical stages of development, helping maintain turf quality and overall health

4,000 3,000 2,000

• Delivers plant-derived organic compounds that build more resilient turf that fights against all types of abiotic stress

1,000 0

• Improves calcium uptake through plant tissue for more efficient nutrient delivery

Week 1 1 Week Control Control

Week Week 22 Kelpene Ca-T Kelpene Ca-T

*Trial performed by Dr. Haibo Liu, Clemson University

Contact your Performance Nutrition representative for more information Central • Volume 22, Issue 3 | WWW.PNFERTILIZERS.COM (732)Golf 888-8000 Performance Nutrition and Kelpene are registered trademarks of LidoChem, Inc. ©2021 LidoChem, Inc.

49 R

A Turf Pirate’s Journal

By Anthony Williams MG, CGCS, CGM

The Power of Names and Legends Me and Big Ben Anderson at the GIS in 2020

tales of past storms and perfect grass it is impossible to leave out the names and deeds of those most salty of Turf Pirates. Though some have passed on their memories live on with us in those stories that make them legends. So this month let’s celebrate all those folks that put the Jolly in the Jolly Roger (Pirate Flag flown since 1700). Here is my

Our entire resort team sending out a positive message pre-Covid

This is the lucky third edition of A Turf Pirates Journal and to celebrate the milestone we celebrate the colorful characters that make up a successful GCM crew and ask the question what are the best nicknames of crew members you have served with? Names are often linked to the lore and legends of the turf industry and especially Turf Pirates. The longer the turf career usually the more colorful and unique the names and adventures of those involved. Sometimes nicknames are obvious. I once had two assistants named Ben. Ben Anderson was 6’ 3” while Ben Ross was less than 6’3”, so they became Big Ben and Little Ben. Make no mistake that Ben Ross was not a small man but to the crew it was simpler to classify them in the most basic of terms. They both went on to be huge successes, Big Ben is a successful Superintendent and Little Ben runs his own successful Landscape Company, they are both stand out Turf Pirates of the highest regard. I have always maintained that any success that I have had was due in large part to the staff/crew and our adventures are the best part of the story. I write this knowing that each season brings new heroes and opportunities and while we who have labored long in this business know that you must enjoy today and celebrate with your crew mates because tomorrow is not promised. When we tell 50

My managers and I

list of standout crew nick names (there were so many to choose from) and the names have not been changed even in the slightest (you can always trust a pirate). These folks were characters in the truest and finest since of the word, and they are all legendary Turf Pirates.

Best Crew Nick Names Ever… #10 “Crash” – Everyone has earned this nick name at some point in their career, my first epic crash was on a Jacobsen three wheeled Turf Cat #9 “Rev” Graham – Solid man of faith and work ethic once led a prayer meeting for a co-workers pit bull who had swallowed a fish hook while they were “set hooking” on the river the previous day. Unofficial crew Chaplin. #8 “Spider” Wade – Excellent tree climber/feller #7 “Cotter Pin” Curry – Great mechanic with the best language skills in the business #6 “Viper” – one word says it all, the man hated snakes

#5 “Digger” Meyers – Legendary Irrigation Tech and shovel master #4 “Honey Bun” Rodriquez – Great Worker who ate his weight in Honey Buns every day #3 “Uncle Money” Fann – Financial Genius who lived on a Toro 4500, told the best stories ever #2 “Clogger” Jones – Straight mowing lines and literally clogged at his interview (he was a national champion clogger, BTW clogging is a type of folk/ square dancing) #1 “Catfish” Jenkins – Did every tough job on the course with a smile and could spot a homeless Pro V from space whether it was on land or sea, it was his recovery of the wet ones that earned him the nick name “Catfish” The good book says that a good name is more valuable than silver or gold. Be kind to one another and be mindful that we have the ability to use words to build up or to tear down. Turf Pirates are always busy building a better world through words and deeds.

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

THERE ARE A MILLION THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN FOR YOUR COURSE TO BE PLAYABLE.

AND YOUR GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT IS THINKING ABOUT THEM ALL.

The pH of this.

The growth of that.

Too much moisture.

Not enough moisture.

Looking out for the environment.

To learn more visit gcsaa.org/GC

Looking out for the health of the course.

And that’s just over coffee.

So say thanks to your golf course superintendent. Or make that, thanks a million.

Natural areas at Amelia Island Plantation

Amelia Island Plantation embraces 2 years of Sustainable Communities Certification Amelia Island Plantation, a 495-acre private community in Florida located on the western most barrier island on the Eastern Coast, has a long way since beginning its journey in Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program in 2018. This residential neighborhood encompasses maritime forests, expansive salt marshes, and extensive dune systems that stretch along 3.5 miles of pristine un-crowded beachfront along the Atlantic Ocean.

Recognizing these unique features, Amelia Island residents and staff teamed up with Audubon International to protect the areas where they live, work, and play - and over the past two years have become the second community in the state of Florida to be certified in Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program.

A framework for future growth Sustainable Communities Certification serves as a framework to merge economic and social considerations 52

with the protecting and enhancing a community’s environmental characteristics. Through the certification process the community uses guidelines developed by Audubon International to develop a Long-Term Sustainability Plan which outlines how their goals in 15 different focal areas will be met; some of which include resource use, public health, governance, and environmental issues.

Positive environmental impacts Amelia Island is pursuing numerous environmental initiatives included in their Long-Term Sustainability Plan, including a multi-year vine mitigation program to remove invasive vines from the tree canopy along state highway A1A, which runs through the community.

However, their efforts do not stop there – other projects include a Legacy Tree Program that will add trees for future forest growth as well as replace trees that have died or fallen due to a storm or other event. The Legacy Tree

Program seeks to replant preferred species that will enhance and improve the quality of the existing maritime forest types, assuring their vitality for future generations to also enjoy.

Additionally, the community is working with the South Amelia Island Shore Stabilization Association’s beach replenishment project to protect and preserve the sand that has been lost naturally or due to human impact over the years.

“From its inception 50 years ago, Amelia Island Plantation has been a community designed for, and dedicated to sustainability and being in harmony with nature,” said Bob Schmonsees, President of The Amelia Island Plantation Foundation. “Our community wide sustainability initiative and partnership with Audubon International is our next step in preserving and strengthening Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

that 50-year legacy.”

Amelia Island Plantation focuses on a healthy environment to live in, but also on ways to improve the lives of their residents. As part of their outreach and education efforts, they offer an educational mobile app to spread awareness about environmental stewardship projects like their demonstration garden and wildlife viewing platforms. A network of educational signs is also in place around the community’s environmental areas.

As the second private community in Florida to receive the Audubon International Sustainable Community Certification, Amelia Island has demonstrated a strong commitment to fulfilling the ideals of sustainability—economic vitality, environmental protection, and social responsibility. This community’s multi-stage, staff-led effort will help to preserve their unique setting and enhance quality of life for all residents over the long run.

Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program serves as a catalyst for citizen-driven planning and community actions, and facilitates partnerships with governmental agencies, businesses, academic institutions, and other organizations to reach the goals

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 3

envisioned in each community. If you are interested in learning more about Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Certification, please visit: auduboninternational.org/sustainablecommunities-program.

Audubon International, an environmentally focused non-profit organization

offers members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we live, work, and play.

Their programs are designed to increase environmental awareness, encourage sustainable environmental efforts, and educate both their members and their communities.

53

Not just another fish in the sea.

We design and build functional, one-of-a-kind golf bag models with only the highest quality craftsmanship and pinpoint attention to detail. We create golf bags designed around what real golfers told us they want in a bag. Similar to an Orca, our bags like us, are not just another fish in the sea. We operate with a purpose: to drive inclusiveness and empowerment. The Orca brand symbolizes for us a statement of uniqueness, individuality, and the respect for oneself and our “Pods”. The Orca is fearless and strong; they travel in pods, proving you can make all things happen when you work together.

http://www.orca-golf.com

02 |