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from the publishers header
I'm the lucky guy this issue as it's my turn to share the wonders of Golf Central and all the awesome sponsors, etc. Check out the Holiday Gift pages with items for that golfer who has everything, well almost. If your family or loved-ones need suggestions, tear the gift idea from the pages and slip-it in front of those looking for gift ideas for the favorite golfer. Even Santa needs suggestions so don't be shy. In the spirit of the season I'd like to touch on the subject of growing the game. Here in Tennessee it's common for most golfers to put their clubs away for the Winter, usually keyed by the kick-off of the football season. However, a good percentage of us keep on playing through all the cold weather that Old-Man Winter can send our way. For beginners it's really a good time to start playing. The courses have fewer golfers playing and the teaching professionals have time on their books for giving lessons on empty or near empty practice ranges. I would safely bet the first time each of you went to a practice range or tee'd-it-up on the course, you were thinking, I hope no one is watching and please Lord don't let me embarrass myself. So think about it, if you invited a family member or a friend to try golf as the perfect outdoor sport, the best time is in the Winter. I suppose in Florida the best time would be in the heat of Summer when fewer people are playing. You all know how long it takes to become somewhat proficient at the game and how aggravating it can be. My suggestion would be to make it fun. Instead of having the beginning golfer play his or her own ball, hacking around with poor results and losing interest before they give Terrie's beautiful the game a chance, play a scramble for5 year old grandmat. Go to the best ball and each player daughter, Syd plays a shot from there and so on. That Fulghum playing golf with family, keeps the pace of play moving and puts and lovin' it. less pressure on the beginner to play well. It's also best not to spend a lot of time on teaching fundamentals. Fundamentals should be taught by the local PGA Club Pro or Assistants. They can offer simple grip, alignment and setup skills and slowly work on the other techniques to improve scoring. Most of the books by the best teachers in the world usually comment about not teaching your family and confuse them with the same imperfect swing you yourself have. Truthfully, would you take your car for service to a place that doesn't have the right skills to fix their own car? The most frustrating thing told by beginning golfers is the confusion of so many different golf tips being thrown at them all at once. I know it's difficult not to explain every error a beginner makes but it's much better to allow them the freedom of playing without explaining. The key to the scramble format is having the beginner get excited over using one of their shots. Over a period of time playing a scramble and after a few lessons and building a patterned swing and muscle memory they will let you know when its time to mix up the scramble with some holes played with their own ball. Game improvement is much more fun without the pressure of being constantly told to hurry up, move along, keep your head down, slow down, hold your thumb here, there, lead with your hands, follow-through, etc. Try the scramble game with 4
Volume 15, Issue 6 Publisher: Terrie L. Purdum Editor in Chief: Shannon Coates Tennessee Golf Central Publisher: Glenn Makin, golfnews4friends.net
Regional Partner: Doug Hollandsworth, Founder-Georgia Golf Trail Executive Editor: Joel Jackson–Director of Communications for the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association Executive Administration: Angi Perretti Photographers: Lynn Pelham, Brion Price, Peter Hakansson Tres Fenton, Mike Coonan, Jess Regan
Public Relations & Social Media Director: Green Gazelle Marketing Senior Correspondent: Rick Harris, Sr. Contributing Writers: Jay Golden, PGA; Greg Wise, Bob Bolton, Elisa Gaudet, Mike Jamison, Mike May, Chris Thompson, Katie Hatfield, Ron Heller, Chuck Cavalaris, Mitch Sadowsky Graphic Design: Melahn Cable, melahn@mac.com Website Design/Network Support: ryjo.com
Florida Tennessee Golf Central Magazine is published monthly by: Sand Hill Publishing & Public Relations 1549 Warrington Court, Winter Springs, FL 32708
NEW PHONE: 321.765.4215 E-mail: info@floridagolfcentral.com ©2014 Florida Tennessee Golf Central Magazine. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Editorial contributions are welcome, but Florida Golf Central Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited proposals, manuscripts and photographs. All materials submitted not accompanied by a self-addressed 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. Florida 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.
your non-golfing family and friends but be careful they don't pass you up in number of shots used. Trust me, they will be counting how many and how often their shots are used. Enjoy this issue; it's one of the best yet. Also watch for the adjustment to the name, Southern Golf Central beginning in 2015. Yep, naming off all the states we serve can be long and difficult and the person we are introducing ourselves too will not remember the states but they will remember Golf Central. Tee-it-up,
Glenn Makin Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
Golf. Life.
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Volume 15, Issue 6 FLORIDA
TENNESSEE
Cart Girl 14 Danielle Houle
Tennessee Golf Central 56-75
Course of Dreams 52 Hurricane Pro-Am
The Games We Play 58 Pine Lakes Tuesday Game
Fashion Forward 20 Antigua
Cart Girl 60 Sarah Gray - Royal Oaks GC
FEATURE 36 Farmlinks at Pursell Farms
Ask Chuck 61 Chuck Cavalaris
Georgia Golf Central 54 Meadow Links at George T. Bagsby State Park
Makin' The Rounds with No Fakin' 62 Two sides of the story
Golf Bachelor 12 Rich Bianco
EWGA National Championship 64 Katie Brinker
Golf Fore Charity 16 Pulte Homes for Ronald McDonald House
Sevierville 2-Man Scramble 66 Dakota Norton & Nick York
Golf Travel 52 Payne Stewart Golf Club
PGA Knoxville Pro-Am Cup Matches 68-69 Amateurs move ahead in the series
Improving Performance 24 Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy
Golf Central Winter Tour 70-71 The Season is Underway
Special Events 26 Para Long Drive Championship 32 Sports Diversity Symposium
54
What's New 48 On Core Golf
14
30
Departments 8 10 22 28 32
floridagolfcentral.com
Golf Central Station Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association North Florida PGA Young Guns Highlands County Golf
40 42 44 46 50
Live Golf Grip It & Sip It Competitive Spirits Holiday Gift Guide Duffer Dan
golfnews4friends.net
AROUND HERE, EVERY DAY FEELS LIKE CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY
2014 Web.com Tour Championship, Dye’s Valley Course
Play the refined Dye’s Valley Course, now open in the best condition that members and guests have ever experienced. With rebuilt green complexes and new grasses featured throughout our championship layout, Dye’s Valley Annual Pass Members will enjoy unmatched, tournament-quality course conditions all year-round.
Dye’s Valley Annual Pass - $3,500 Join now and receive a $250 TPC Sawgrass gift card! Limited time offer expires 12/31/14. Become a Passholder today and enjoy: • Cart fee-only access to Dye’s Valley Course • Preferred rates on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course • Exclusive access to Members-only dining and events • And much more LEARN MORE VISIT TPC.COM/VALLEYPASS2014-FGC CALL 904-280-2412 to speak with the Director of Sales
CONCERT BY THE BAND PERRY HIGHLIGHTS SATURDAY AT 2015 VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY BB&T Tickets for Tampa Bay’s PGA TOUR event, the 2015 Valspar Championship presented by BB&T, are on sale now at ValsparChampionship.com. The tournament will be held March 9-15 on the Copperhead Course of the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor. A new highlight for the event will be a major concert after the conclusion of play on the evening of Saturday, March 14. The reigning
OVERHANGING OAK ON STADIUM COURSE’S 6TH HOLE REMOVED Tree that affected tee shots since TPC Sawgrass opened succumbs to age, disease
ACM Vocal Group of the Year, The Band Perry, will perform with free admission available to all of those attending the tournament on Saturday. The concert is being produced in conjunction with Ruth Eckerd Hall On The Road.
KIMBERLY BLANC JOINS JAMISON GOLF GROUP TEAM; WILL SERVE AS ING MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR LAKE MARY, FL – Jamison Golf Group has hired Kimberly Blanc as its Chief Facilitator. The Florida State University graduate replaces Michelle Maier, who moved to Atlanta recently. Blanc’s chief responsibility will be to oversee the facilitation of all member benefits programs of the International Network of Golf (ING), the non-profit networking organization that JGG manages. She will serve as Membership Coordinator, handle membership renewals, oversee the ING Media and Industry Honors awards programs, and assist in planning and conducting ING conferences, events and more. Blanc double majored, earning a Bachelors of Science in Hospitality Management and in Business Marketing from Florida State University. Post graduation, Blanc had an opportunity to move to St. Andrews, Scotland for an internship at the Fairmont Resort. “The people and experience was great, but the weather was a tad too cold for a Floridian,” Blanc says. After the 8
internship, she returned to Orlando and plans to stay in the sunshine for a while. “It’s great to be a part of Jamison Golf Group and ING,” she added. “I look forward to meeting all the ING members and plan to become a positive asset to the team.”
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla.– One of the more strategic trees on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is no longer in play. The overhanging Live Oak to the right of the No. 6 tee box, which has impacted tee shots over the years, recently developed a large crack in its trunk due to old age and disease and became a safety concern due to the weight of its overhanging limb, thus necessitating removal of the tree today. “The Live Oak on the sixth hole was one of the more recognizable trees on the golf course and influenced the tee shots of amateurs and professionals alike from the time the golf course opened in October of 1980,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “Unfortunately, over time it became more fragile and susceptible to disease. Just recently, a significant fissure developed in its trunk, making it a safety concern. There simply was no way to save it, as much as we would have liked to.” Due to the severity of its overhang, the tree wasn’t exactly beloved by PGA TOUR players who participated in THE PLAYERS Championship after it moved to TPC Sawgrass in 1982. In fact, over the past two decades, two-time champion Davis Love III’s standing question to Finchem upon his arrival for THE PLAYERS has been: “Has the tree on No. 6 been removed yet?” Love and many of his fellow professionals finally have gotten their wish. Now, all that will remain of the oak are commemorative pieces that will be crafted from its trunk and displayed at TPC Sawgrass, serving as a reminder of its longstanding reputation among golfers. Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
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information www.northcroftgolf.com For For more more information www.northcroftgolf.com or call +44 (0) 1488 685038 Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
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By Elizabeth Ray
Communications Director, FRLA
FL Restaurant & Lodging Assoc. header
FRLA Supporting VISIT FLORIDA
To keep the spirit of the summer alive all year long, FRLA sponsored events designed to boost area tourism through in-state marketing. In partnership with VISIT FLORIDA and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), FRLA helped market and support concert performances in Destin, Captiva Island, Ft. Myers Beach, Panama City Beach and Port St. Joe. FRLA participates in these festivals to drive business to restaurants and hotels across the state. In late September, FRLA presented the Endless Summer Music Series at HarborWalk Village in Destin. The fifth annual event showcased a dozen BMI songwriters who sang country’s biggest hits and shared the stories behind the songs. Farther south, more musicians were featured in an intimate setting at the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest. As a featured sponsor of the event, FRLA was thrilled to bring nationally acclaimed artists to Florida including country duo Thompson Square and Sugarland’s Kristian Bush. The event kicked off in Captiva Island with doz10
ens of songwriter performances. “This was a chance for visitors to experience Florida’s picturesque islands while listening to some of the best songwriters in the music business,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “It is truly a unique opportunity and gives our restaurateurs and hoteliers another occasion to highlight why Florida’s hospitality industry is the best in the nation.” Celebrating its 6th anniversary in October, Blast on the Bay played host to a group of talented artists straight from the streets of Nashville. Festival performances consisted of 30+ musicians who have collectively written hundreds of hit songs for chart topping artists like Faith Hill, George Strait, Jason Aldean and Garth Brooks. Just down the road, The Panama City Beach Seafood and Music Festival marked its second year at Aaron Bessant Park. The event will featured an all-star lineup including: The Band Perry, Blues Traveler, and iconic rock-n-roll legends The Outlaws and
Foghat. These headlining acts were accompanied by more than a half dozen regional and local recording artists, making this year’s event one of the biggest, and best, yet. “These were must-see events that gave the Northwest Florida hospitality community an opportunity to shine as a stellar destination. Whether you were looking for an intimate storytelling experience or a rocking good show there was something for everyone to enjoy featuring a picturesque background along Florida’s Gulf Coast,” said Dover. FRLA will continue to sponsor VISIT FLORIDA’S in-state marketing program with events sprinkled around the state through May 2015. Be sure to attend the events slated for the remainder of the 2014-2015 Program: December 4, 2014: Billy Dean and Marvin Goldstein in Concert, Tallahassee April 21-26, 2015: The 40th Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-in and Expo, Lakeland April 23-26, 2015: South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, Sandestin May 6-10, 2015: Key West Songwriters’ Festival, Key West May 2015: Capital Cuisine Restaurant Week and Concert Series, Tallahassee For more information about these events, please visit FRLA.org. Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
About Venetian Bay New Manager
Play a round of golf on our 18-hole championship golf course, spend a day with your family and enjoy a first-class dining experience in the clubhouse restaurant. Enjoy all that Venetian Bay has to offer whether you are a Member or a visiting guest. Any and all are welcome!
New Smyrna Beach is a great place to be from, and is a great place to come back to — truly it is “Home Sweet Home.” As a native of New Smyrna Beach, Bill Shiles has honed his skills as a golf course, country club and resort manager in Central Florida and North Carolina over the past 23 years, and he is now leading the charge at Venetian Bay Golf Club as the new General Manager. Along with his wife of 30 years, Pam, Bill is excited to be home and is very proud to be a part of a team that envisions Venetian Bay becoming the place in Volusia County to play golf, to host your wedding, business lunches or just an afternoon of watching football with friends.
Banquets
Outings
Over the years, we’ve come to intimately understand the challenges in flawlessly executing an event. Venetian Bay’s continued success simply comes down to an incredibly personalized level of service that we deliver time and time again.
Venetian Bay Golf Club is the perfect place to host a golf outing. Whether you are planning an event for some prewedding groomsmen, or your Non-Profit's Major Annual Fundraiser, Venetian Bay has the solutions you're looking for. Our professional staff will assist you in making your outing the must-attend golf event of the year!
Your special day will take place against a picture perfect backdrop while our team works in the background to ensure every detail is immaculate and nothing overlooked. We realize our amenities are nothing without your friends and family, your personal touch and our staff to bring Venetian Bay alive to create memories that will last a lifetime. From formal to relaxed or intimate to grand—if you can dream it, we’ve done it.
Membership Venetian Bay Golf Club offers a variety of amenities for you to enjoy including Golf, Dining and a Swim Club. Members at Venetian Bay enjoy unlimited, year-round access to our championship course with shimmering lakes, strategic bunkers, rolling fairways, and well-bunkered greens. The clubhouse provides Members with the perfect setting for lunch or a relaxing drink at the bar with family and friends.
386.424.5775 | venetianbaygolf.com 63 North Airport Road | New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
golf bachelor
Where were you born? Ann Arbor, MI Is “acting your age” over rated? Act your age but be young at heart! What do you do for a living? Golf Professional at Hunters Creek. I have been in the golf industry for over 20 years.
What would you like to do for a living? Sail around the world. Aside from golf; what do you prefer for fun and relaxation? Sailing in the wind.
Whom do you most admire for their inner and outer beauty? Terrie
Purdum, she is the kindest person with a huge heart! Shannon is in second place.
Tell us something about yourself that only your closest friends know.
I have a car addiction. I love cars and always have. I grew up close to the Motor City when they made cooool cars.
What do you find to be the most annoying habit people demonstrate on the golf course? Total lack of awareness and respect for others. Qualities in this day and age that are missing.
Name the three most important things to you in this world. Golf, family, never having sold out to the machine.
Given the choice; would you select love, success, or money to keep yourself happy? Money can’t buy you love, but it can buy you a lot of happy!
Richard Bianco AKA Rich B
What do you fear the most? THE END What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy golf foursome? Roger and Marie Harrison and my Father. My father worked at the golf club where Roger and Marie use to take me out every weekend as their caddy. They mentored me in the beginning of my golf journey and I would love to thank them so much.
What are some of your great accomplishments? Qualifying and playing in Senior PGA Professional National Championship presented by Mercedes-Benz. November 13-16, 2014 at PGA Golf Club.
Relaxed evening at home, or nightclub and cocktails? Always had a wild streak; you know what I’m up to.
Favorite comedian? Lewis black Favorite charity to support? Stand Up 2 Cancer
12
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
Welcome to the Revolution
gim•me /ˈgimē/
noun: gimme 1. Any putt inside ten feet
High MOI • Adjustable Lie Angle • Adjustable Weight
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cart girl Where did you grow up? Petoskey, Michigan; birthplace of Kilwin’s and home of the state stone. A tiny town in the Tip of the Mitt.
What is your favorite sport to play? Favorite to watch? My favorite sport to play is golf and I love to watch football. Go Pack go.
Do you enjoy playing golf? Are they’re any golfers in your family? I enjoy playing when I am under par. No professionals, but my dad, uncle, stepdad and brother all enjoy the game.
What do you feel makes this club special? It has a real family feeling. We have many familiar faces and everyone knows your name and stops to chat. All of our girls work really hard and are so hilarious. I am so lucky to have them as coworkers!
What is your favorite part of being a cart girl? What is your least favorite part? I bartend as well, so my favorite part is the cart during charity events, everyone is in good spirits and really laid back. My least favorite is the extreme heat, it makes everyone grouchy, including our vast variety of wildlife present.
If you weren’t a cart girl, what would you be doing? Synchronized swimming. Just kidding, I am in my last semester of graduate school with hopes of being a therapist.
What is your memorable moment working as a cart girl? We recently had a “Voodoo Golf” event for Halloween that had me laughing the whole time. We failed to buy different color glow sticks for the golf balls and we were hitting green glowing golf balls. Needless to say, we were confused, but it created a lot of laughs and a few close calls.
Do you think the cart girls should be able to dress differently? How you prefer dress if you were given a choice? No, I like our uniforms! If given a choice, I would have air conditioned carts with back massaging chairs. Haha.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
Traveling, snowboarding, golf, watersports and my birddog, Bo.
Favorite comedian? Melissa McCarthy and Steve Martin. Sometimes I laugh at my boyfriend’s ridiculously corny jokes.
Favorite type of movie? I love a good murder mystery, or any true crime movie.
Favorite charity to support? IP Angels!
My baby cousin is battling Incontinentia Pigmenti, a rare genetic disease so I love to support her and other families faced with this. My second favorite is Caring 4 Kidz, a great charity based here in Broward County!
What else would you like for us to know about you? All of the employees here at Emerald Hills are incredible, stop by and see us sometime! 14
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
Photos by Emily Jourdan
Pulte Homes Charity Golf Tournament Exceeds Goal to Benefit Ronald McDonald House® at Nemours
Laura Heidrich, Peter Keane, Abbye Alexander
Pulte Homes helped raise more than $79,500 at the Build To Make Lives Better Golf Tournament at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club recently to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Florida. Sean Strickler, vice president of sales and operations for Pulte Homes in the North Florida region, said tournament organizers had hoped to raise $50,000 to help fund the first phase of a new Ronald McDonald House near the entrance of Nemours Children’s Hospital at Lake Nona, which is expected to start construction soon. The Ronald McDonald House at Nemours Children’s Hospital will provide a comforting residence for families of children who are being cared for at Nemours, Strickler said. “This has been a wonderful partnership between Pulte Homes and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida,” said Laura Heidrich, development director at the charity. “The Pulte team involved RMHCCF during the planning stage all the way through to celebrating the results post-tournament. So many children and their families
Nate Friesen, Justin Ezell, Greg Stone, Dan Reynolds 16
will be helped by this outstanding and generous fundraising effort.” The project will cost an estimated $5.7 million to complete, and will mark Orlando as only the sixth U.S. city to offer three or more Ronald McDonald House facilities. The first phase of the Ronald McDonald House will include 15 bedrooms with private baths, stateof-the-art kitchens, a dining room, living room, laundry facilities, and children’s playroom. A reception and lobby area will also be included along with community meeting rooms, says Strickler. Land for the Ronald McDonald House at Nemours Children’s Hospital was donated by Nemours. “All of us at Pulte Homes are proud and excited to have been part of this effort,” Strickler said. “The role our entire community plays in developing this facility makes Central Florida a very special place,” he added. “I cannot think of anything more worthwhile than creating a space that will allow parents to be close to their children to help them heal,” Strickler said.
attendee, Ryan Smith
Sarah Proth, Jessica Mucha, Lyndsey Patterson, Nicole Powers
Josh Kalin, Carlos Gregory, Bob Foisy, JC Guillen, Bill Bachtler Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
A DISPLAY O F TH E WORLD’S M OST EXOTIC CARS, MOTORCYCLES. AIRCRAFT & WATERCRAFT
RI TZ-CARL TO N O RL A NDO GRA NDE L A K E S DE CE M BE R 5 - 7 201 4
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golf travel
Payne Stewart Golf Club - Hole #17, #16 & #15
When you think of Payne Stewart, you
Stepping up to the first tee, looking downhill, through the fog I almost may think of the tragic ending of his thought I heard a lone bagpipe life, you may also think about his colorplayer in the midst. Jonas Arjes, ful wardrobe, he single-handedly made the Executive Director of the Taney “knickers”, or Plus 4’s a signature look. County Partnership shared his I was fortunate to be invited by previous experience on the course the Branson, Missouri Convention and suggested I was in for a treat. and Visitor’s Bureau to visit the The course has 6 different tee entertainment destination of the boxes that range from 7324 (yes, it is mid-west. It also happens to be really 7324 from the tips), to 5323. I home to some of the most beautiam very thankful we chose the Silver ful and challenging golf courses I tees, measuring 6299. I grew up in have had the pleasure to play. The Central Illinois, but had forgotten Payne Stewart Golf Club was both. how much undulation and result Simply walking into the clubhouse ing side-hill lies you get outside of and seeing the iconic logo, the picFlorida’s rather docile fairways. tures and thinking back to watching Each of the 18 holes shares a Payne give Phil Mickelson a big hug story, or insight into the life of Payne and telling him how great it is to be a Stewart. I wish it had shared a story father, I felt like I was paying homabout how wayward shots result in age to one of golf’s iconic players. lost balls and incredibly high scores. We teed off early in the morning, and the fog had not yet burned off, so our tee shots disappeared in the smoky mist, and we had to hope that the dogleg left was going to be kind to the final destination of our shot. My drive was straight but left me with a side-hill second, that necessitated a baseball swing, more than a golf swing. Leaving it a bit short, I chipped up and hit a putt for par. There would be few of those allowed Payne Stewart Golf Club - Hole #16 18
the rest of the day. The course winds through heavy woods, around corners and ponds, rolls up and down the large hills and in general was everything you could wish for in a golf course. My favorite holes on the course include the par 5 4th hole, which required strategic placement of your tee shot and second shot, since the dogleg right had water on the right and an elevated green that wasn’t kind to anything hit short. Hole #9 was a “post card” visual par 4, with a greenside walking bridge and waterfall. The fact that I got par only enhanced my appreciation for the hole. On the back nine, #13 was an interesting hole, a relatively short par 4, downhill, but placement was everything. Hole #15 requires accuracy off the tee, since you have a downhill second shot with a stream on the right. My favorite par 3 on the course is the 16th hole. The tee box on #16 grants you a wide-angle view of the hole and several others surrounding it. The hole requires an achievable shot over water, to a green with bunkers and a rock wall in front. Although I had my challenges scoring well, my playing partners were both sympathetic and encouraging. I absolutely enjoyed the beautiful natural setting of the course, and felt honored to play a course named after one of Missouri’s own. For more information about the Payne Stewart Golf Club, visit www.paynestewartgolfclub.com, or call 417-337-2963. Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
Integrity is not just what we do, but how we do it. Integrity Golf Company provides unique solutions to complex problems. Every Integrity Golf team member brings a competitive passion in providing our clients with strategic plans for developing the facilities they have long envisioned. By utilizing our expertise and time-tested practices, we ensure each plan becomes a reality in a cost-effective manner to maximize profits, improve quality and enhance service. To learn more about the Integrity Golf Company please visit us at www.IntegrityGolfCo.com.
407-378-4653 www.integritygolfco.com
GOLF CO MPANY, LLC 19
fashion forward
Women’s Golf Spring 2015 Overview once mundane silhouette now has something fun and unique to offer.”
–COLOR DETAILS–
Danielle Dellios, Antigua’s women’s designer “While designing the Spring 2015 collection I found it easy to be inspired by the idea of mixing comfort and trend. There is so much lifestyle apparel out there in the market place right now. The average customer is looking for something they can wear not just on the course, but also to social events, out running errands, etc. By keeping this in mind, I was able to combine a professional but relaxed look for Spring ’15. Women are accepting the fact that a golf shirt does not have to be a smaller version of a man’s shirt, they are looking for new necklines, collar treatments and style lines, and it’s because of this new acceptance that I was able to play with the idea of a non-conventional polo silhouette. I combined trim details and flirty necklines along with soft and stretchy fabrics in multiple textures and contents to give a fresh new feel to the product. Some great examples of non-traditional polo styles are “Envy”- a “soccer-style” collar and neckline meets a sporty color-blocked silhouette. Also, style Zoom, a sleeveless mini-stripe polo which blends poly/cotton/spandex jersey and a cut-out detail at the placket. The cut-outs are a fun way to show a little skin while not being inappropriate. Geometric shapes and details are on trend in the market, and by adding small details like a triangle cut-out on the placket the 20
“Neon colors continue to run strong as we enter the 2015 season. I was glad to see a wider acceptance of this somewhat “retro” color palette since I wanted to continue with these bright colors for the new collection. I think consumers are drawn to the brights after so many years of washed out pastels and neutrals. By mixing black and white in with the fun colors such as “calypso”, “electric” & “papaya” I can provide the older customer with a neutral base and a pop of color to make them feel trendy while still maintaining a wide demographic. The 2015 color palette is a combination of brights and their corresponding deeper tones. I had fun mixing the bright and deep colors to give a more tonal effect to stripe patterns and color-blocking. I was also able to mix the pop colors together
to give a playful feel to trim and what would be traditional striping. Style “Clever” uses a three color braided trim that mixes the bright shades into the garment without being overpowering. Also, style “Excite” mixes a white ground stripe with multiple pop colors. This allows the customer to choose multiple bottom colors to mix & match.”
–FABRICATIONS– DESERT DRY™ Technology is a moisture wicking technology created exclusively for Antigua to absorb and wick moisture quickly & evenly to achieve the most efficient evaporation possible to keep you comfortable and dry. I have expanded the Desert Dry family by introducing poly/ cotton blends. Antigua felt a need to bring back some cotton to the market place. Customers have been requesting a more casual fabric, without compromising the wicking capabilities of the poly fabrics. Therefore, I created two new blends, one featured in style Clever, which is a super soft poly/cotton solid jesrey and the other in style Zoom, which is a poly/cotton/spandex mini yarn dye stripe. DESERT DRY™ XTRA-LITE (D2XL) combines Antigua’s exclusive DESERT DRY™ moisture-wicking feature with specially constructed ultra-light fabrics for maximum wicking performance and optimum comfort. New additions to this category are 100% poly fabrics that feel and look like cotton. Style “Jubilee” uses a slub yarn that gives the hand-feel and drape of cotton, but the wicking capabilities of poly. Also, style “Thrill” uses a popular multi-colored “nap” yarn. The garment feels like cozy cotton, but handles perspiration like poly. These new cotton-like poly fabrics open up a whole new world to the consumer. They can have the comfort of their favorite tee while maintaining the ease of wear and wicking power of poly. Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
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orth florida PGA north florida PGA north florida PGA north florida PGA north
By Steve Morris
The four Chapters of the Section gathered to compete in the Jerry Porter Cup Chapter Challenge at Reunion Resort on Nov. 2 & 3. The Chapter teams are comprised of the top Player of the Year points list from each Chapter. It’s a great way to end the season with some great matches and camaraderie. The Southwest Chapter pulled off a three-peat and won again! Chapter players are: Southwest Chapter; David Hronek, Ken Powell, Steve Arnold, Kevin Paschall, Jeff Boudrie, Bryan Snyder, Charlie Darbyshire, Charlie O’Neill, Jack McFaul & Rob McCoy. East Central Chapter; David Damesworth, Nick Frontero, Sean Gorgone, Kevin Crawford, Mike Keymont, Eric Sargent, Jeff Biggs, Mike Regner, Freddy Gibson & Bill Sellers. West Central Chapter; Tim Polce, Ryan Hritz, Shawn Gordon, Greg McClimans, Rick Sopka, Jim Slattery, John Falcone, Brian Richter, Tony Perez & John Hayes. Northern Chapter; Bob Wallace, Bryan Kipnis, Brad Rollinson, Todd Bork, Tim Peterson, Rhonda Ferguson, Kirk Jones, Jon Fine, Carlton Walden & Bill Zimmer. The Cup is in honor of retired Executive Director Jerry Porter, also a member of the NFPGA Hall of Fame. Jerry and his family were on hand to host and visit with all.
Our North Florida PGA Seniors retained The Senior Cup! North Florida PGA versus South Florida PGA. South Florida hosted at PGA Golf Club on October 26 & 27. The North Florida Seniors got off to a fast start and held off a charging South Florida team in the singles matches! The matches ended in a 15 – 15 tie which allowed the North Florida seniors to retain the annual Senior Challenge Cup. The victorious team was captained by Alex Romanoff and NFPGA Executive Director/CEO Rich 22
Smith. The team: Barry Cheesman, Jim Dent, Bob Dickson, John Falcone, Gerry James, Mike Keymont, Ken Mattiace, Ken Powell, Bill Sellers, Jim Slattery, Chris Souchak, Brad Turner. Well played gentlemen! It’s always fun to gather with our PGA brothers from the South!
NFPGA University conducted The 6th Annual Teaching Coaching Summit presented by FlightScope. It was held at Reunion Resort in Orlando. The theme was Technology & Communication. How to Use Existing and Emerging Platforms to Connect with Your Current Students and Gain New Students, Anytime…Anywhere! Presentations and hands on learning featured FlightScope, MobiCoach, GolfMDs, and PGA Marketing Services. Todd Lewis from the Golf Channel hosted the morning session. Students and teachers were enlightened with new innovations and ideas to help them grow their teaching business utilizing new platforms for instruction and communication that are now in demand from today’s new generation of golfers regardless of their skill level. Thank you to all who presented and gave their valuable time to our Professionals to help them achieve success and prepare for the future.
The North Florida PGA administered Stage 1 and Stage 2 web.com Tour Q Schools this Fall for the PGA TOUR. We are honored to be allowed such a privilege. NFPGA Tournament Director, Ben Herring along with our experienced Section volunteer officials assure the players who chase their dreams are provided the best golf experience to help them achieve their goal of playing at the highest level. Stage 1 was held at St. John’s Golf & CC in St. Augustine. Stage 2 was held at Southern Hills Plantation in Brooksville.
The PGA Magazine Pro Pro Series will again be administered by our Section the Monday and Tuesday prior to the PGA Merchandise Show. These popular tournaments fill fast and we encourage any teams interested in playing to visit www. nfpga.com for details and links to register online. We look forward to seeing you all in sunny Orlando this January! Our sites will be: Reunion Resort with a morning and afternoon shotgun on the Nicklaus Course on Monday, January 19. On Tuesday, January 20 we’ll have Harmony Preserve and “The Battle” at the new Country Club Course at Championsgate. Also, be sure to visit our website for exciting details about exclusive PGA discounted tickets at Walt Disney World for the PGA Merchandise Show! Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
improving performance
Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy to Host Free Golf Clinic at Mission Inn Resort Growing the game of golf has long been one of world-renowned golf coach Gary Gilchrist’s top initiatives. That’s why Gilchrist and his team will host a free golf clinic and event called “GGGA Golf Day” Sunday, December 14, 2014 from 10am to 2pm at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey in the Hills, home to GGGA since 2008.
The event will be open to all players and all ages, from juniors to adults. “Growing the game and inspiring golfers to take up our great game has always been important to me,” said Gilchrist, who has been recognized as a Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher the past four year. “It’s part of our duty, being an ambassador for the game, always trying to keep golf flourishing.” At the conclusion of the event, Gilchrist will host a clinic discussing shot shaping, routines and tips for all players and also give a talk on what it takes to become a champion golfer. The event will also feature free instruction with drills for players of all abilities in addition to a mental training station, golf fitness training station, long drive and short game competitions all supported by local vendors and Lake County partners and businesses with special promotions, giveaways and prizes. Guests will also have an opportunity 24
to win a prize by posting their photos from the event on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The best selfie wins! Follow us on Facebook at GaryGilchristGolfAcademy and on Instagram and Twitter at GGGAgolf. Guests are also encouraged to bring one or two of their own clubs, though golf clubs will be on hand for beginners. Gilchrist and the GGGA team have long been active in growing the game internationally from Mexico, Colombia and throughout South America to China and parts of Asia, but has yet to have an initiative locally in Central Florida and more specifically Lake County. Gilchrist founded the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy in 2008, choosing Mission Inn Resort & Club and Montverde Academy as his two main partners. GGGA features a full-time residential and boarding program for juniors wishing to pursue elite academics and golf training while also offering summer
golf camps, winter golf camps and private training year round for adults, professionals and college players. Over the first six years, Gilchrist’s students have experienced tremendous success, amassing 150-plus wins across the junior, collegiate, amateur and professional ranks. During that time, though spending a majority of his time focusing on junior development, Gilchrist helped lead Yani Tseng to the No. 1 ranking, a spot she held for nearly two years while claiming four major championships and 22 wins worldwide in a two-year span from 2010-2012. Gilchrist also led Shanshan Feng, of China, to the No. 3 ranking in the world, while coaching her to a major championship of her own and more than 10 professional wins worldwide. Gilchrist has also coached players such as Michelle Wie, Charles Howell III, D.A. Points, Peter Hanson and many other top professionals, juniors and amateurs. For more information on GGGA Golf Day, please call us at 866-639-9099 or email us at info@ggga.com.
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
GGGA GOLF DAY JOIN US FOR A FREE CLINIC OPEN TO ALL GOLFERS!
Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 10am-2pm Join the GGGA team and Lake County area vendors and sports performance partners for a day of fun activities, prizes and free golf instruction. Event to be held at Mission Inn Resort & Club, home to the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy and Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher and Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher Gary Gilchrist and his team of coaches. Long drive and putting contests for prizes Demo by golf’s No. 1 coach in junior golf - Gary Gilchrist Get tips and drills Work with the top golf coaches in the game Other fun games, prizes and activities for players of all ages
GGGA.COM
Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy is located at
For more information,
Mission Inn Resort & Club, Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida
call 866-639-9099 or email guillermop@ggga.com
special events
By Mike Jamison International Network of Golf
Apopka golfer wins ParaLong Drive Worlds
John Rogers, Apopka firefighter, competes in the One-Arm, Assisted Division of the 2014 ParaLong Drive Worlds in Mesquite, Nev., which he won.
July 4, 2007 is a day John Rogers of Apopka, Fla., will never forget. And now he can add October 17, 2014 as another day he will always remember, but for a much happier reason. On that latter day, Rogers won the One-Arm, Assisted Division of the ParaLong Drive Worlds in Mesquite, Nev. Rogers, hitting with his right arm only, launched a 284-yard drive on the grid in Mesquite to outduel his competition in this inspiring event. A total of 16 champions were crowned in this four-day event, including the overall winner, Jared Brentz, who bombed it 346 yards in the final as a double amputee. “This is really exciting,” said Rogers, a firefighter in Apopka. “I didn’t start shaking until I was finished hitting. The adrenalin was something else.” The Open Division and overall champ was defending champion Jared Brentz, a double-leg-amputee who blasted a 344-yarder to take home the trophy. Everybody who competed can feel like a winner in this special event. Rogers, who has a 16-year-old daughter, was eligible to compete in the ParaLong Drive Worlds thanks to an accident that occurred on that July 4th day in 2007. “I was just coming on shift at the fire department when the tones went off for a two- story residential house fire. Arrived on scene and was ordered 26
to ladder the home and vent the roof along with three other firefighters. As I walked across the roof with the chainsaw to make my cuts the roof collapsed under me sending me into the attic space of the home with the fire. “I was trapped between the trusses and the fire was starting to vent out the hole that I made when I fell through. The three other firefighters were trying to pull me out but were unable to. After a while the command called the firefighters off the roof in fear of losing more in the fire. I was now fully engulfed in fire and thought I was about to burn to death. “I started thinking the only way out is down so I started jumping and after seven to eight jumps I busted through to the bottom floor bathroom shower. I jumped up and could see sunlight shining through the smoke so I ran in the direction of the light and busted through the windows that lead to the backyard. “I was rushed to the trauma unit and after seven surgeries to save my hand infection set in and they had to amputate it.” Rogers, who plays at Apopka's Errol Estate Golf and Country Club, was a one
handicap before the accident and was a seven-time winner on The Golf Channel Amateur Tour. Now he plays to a six, and still competes in tournaments every chance he gets. This was his first time competing in the ParaLong Drive Worlds. “I wasn’t sure what to expect,” he said. “Now that I know what it is all about, I will work hard on it and come back better net year.” Mesquite, also home to the Re/Max World Long Drive Championships, is a gem of a golf destination located one hour north of Las Vegas off Highway 15. Four hotels, three casinos and seven outstanding golf courses with spectacular views make Mesquite a perfect getaway for golf groups and couples, especially when you compare the pricing to other resort destinations. Held in conjunction with the ParaLong Drive Worlds was the ING Fall Forum, hosted by the beautiful Casablanca Resort-Casino-Golf-Spa. A group of media and business leaders competed in two golf events at the Oasis Canyons and Falcon Ridge courses, and attended a technology summit featuring the latest equipment to assist disabled golfers.
Apopka’s John Rogers at the awards presentation with ParaLong Drive Worlds organizers and hosts. Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
Kenny Perry and Trevor Immelman have made Transitions® lenses part of their game.
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.
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
transitions.com
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By Hannah Berman
young guns
Music Makes My Mood So the other day I’m sitting in the van with my team on the way to a match, and there were seven different people who wanted to listen to seven different types of music. So it made me think that this is what I’m going to write my next article on - how much of an impact music has on my life. I’m always singing (like it or not) and I always have a song stuck in my head (like it or not). I would say that country music is my favorite kind of music, and I usually always have it on in the car. I do pretty much love all kinds of music, though; it just depends on my mood or what I want my mood to be. I listen to pop and classic hits, too. I love U2 and Counting Crows and John Mayer and I love Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood and Joss Stone and Christina Aguilera and Sara Barellis.
Eli Young Band
Jake Owen Also, with certain songs, I connect or match with a certain person or memory or place. Just tonight a Luke Bryan song came one, and I immediately flashed back to hanging out at academy with my friend Jack. Listening to Highway Country on XM reminds me of a road trip I took with my family through Vermont two summers ago. Lately I’ve been listening to Andy Grammer, though the other day on America’s Got Talent I thought Lenny Kravetz was pretty cool. Maybe my favorite thing is going to see live music. It’s kind of a hobby, if going to concerts can be a hobby. My first concert was Ally and AJ (come on, girls, you loved them 10 years ago, too!). I have been to around 14 or 15 concerts in my lifetime, and they are all types of different genres. I’ve seen Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts, Maroon Five and Taylor Swfit (twice!). I was in the pit last year with my mom 28
and dad and a friend for OAR (that was in Cleveland for a tournament I had an an experience!). I saw Jennifer Nettles awesome time at the Rock and Roll Hall at the historic Florida Theater. Last of Fame (you have to go!). week I was actually behind the stage My point is, no matter what kind of for Scotty McReery. I’ve been five feet music you love, it can mean anything from Dierks Bentley and Jake Owen. you want it to mean: background enterNext, I’m going to see Phillip Phillips. tainment, motivation, a way to chill or The best kinds of concerts in my something to learn from. Let us know opinion are the ones where the singers/ what music you love and why by postband connect with the crowd and the ing on Twitter at #notjustgolf. You can crowd connects with them. While we follow me at @hannahberman. were in Nashville for a tournament I went to a concert in the Grand Ole Opry, which was so cool to experience. We even took a tour backstage. While we were in Nashville I even went to a few honky tonks (which was way different than anything I’ve ever experienced, but it was cool to see local bands so close up). This is one of my dad taking a picture of me taking a picture of OAR in the pit! When we were Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
special events
3rd Annual Sports Diversity & Inclusion Symposium Promotes Exchange of Ideas and Expert Best Practices In October, executives from nine leading organizations, associations, and governing bodies in the world of sports gathered at the PGA National Resort & Spa (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) for the 3rd Annual Sports Diversity & Inclusion Symposium. With the PGA of America serving as the host, the other partners in this event were Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, National Basketball Association, NCAA, National Football League, National Hockey League, and the U.S. Olympic Committee. Quite simply, the goal of the conference was to examine and discuss the ‘big picture’ issue of diversity and inclusion in the sports industry…..and to provide an open forum for participants to discuss, evaluate and create tangible solutions to drive greater diversity and inclusion in today’s sports culture. The symposium was designed
30
to recognize, celebrate and encourage diversification and inclusion in the world of sports. It accomplished its objective by presenting attendees to learn from expert panels, roundtable discussions and general sessions. Breakout sessions included the Economics of D&I: Quantifying ROI and Supplier Relations; Dis/Ability and Sports Organizations; and Sports Marketing/Tapping into New Customer Groups. The list of moderators included Corey Smith, Senior Director, Supplier Diversity & Strategic Sourcing, Major League Baseball; Jason Thompson, Director Diversity and Inclusion, U.S. Olympic Committee; and Les Johnson, Vice President for External Affairs, Federation of Gay Games. “It’s an incredibly proud moment for the PGA of America to host this great event,” says PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua, who opened the symposium. “We need to be more
diverse. We need to be more inclusive. It’s critical that we get out ahead of this for the health of our organization and it’s critical that golf changes its own story. We’ve come away from this symposium learning a lot about what other organizations have implemented to drive diversity and inclusion.” Some of the high-profile panelists included Troy Vincent, Executive Vice President, Football Operations, NFL; Billy Bean, Ambassador for Inclusion, Major League Baseball; April Holmes, athlete, USA Track & Field Paralympic Team; and PGA Professional Ira McGraw Jr., General Manger/Head Professional, Cedar Crest Golf Course, in Dallas, Texas. The feedback from those in attendance was positive and promising. “It’s about creating a new normal,” says John Register, Associate Director, U.S. Olympic Committee. “We are committed to get through this as our new normal.” “We have a chance to make a difference in someone else’s life, who won’t be judged by color,” states former NFL player Troy Vincent, currently Executive Vice President, Football Operations, NFL. The 4th Annual Sports Diversity & Inclusion Symposium will be hosted by Major League Baseball in 2015.
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
highlands golf
Come Play on History in Highlands County!! his design for Pinecrest Lakes Golf Course. Ross took full advantage of the natural flow of the site’s topography. With the lovely lake, wooded areas and a minimal amount of earthmoving, done with horses, Ross created a wonderfully natural course. The Pinecrest Lakes Golf Course complemented the adjacent, majestic Pinecrest Hotel and Resort, built on Lake Lotela.The course and hotel catered to wealthy residents of the Midwest, especially Chicago. The guest list included Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Burns & Allen, Grover Cleveland and FDR. It is even rumored that Al Capone frequented the resort to work on his tan
Highlands County boast 2 of the 50 courses listed on the Florida Historic Golf Trail. The Florida Historic Golf Trail celebrates Florida’s early golf heritage by featuring publicly accessible golf courses throughout the Sunshine state. A number of these courses were being built the same time as the railroads were being development in the state. Pinecrest Golf Course It’s a story that golfers will love. It’s about a hidden gem in Avon Park, Florida. In 1926, Donald Ross, the nations most respected and prolific golf course architect, visited Avon Park to oversee construction of
Sebring "Muni" Course
Pinecrest in Avon Park. and his golf game. He probably appreciated the fact it was a “hidden gem.” Sebring Golf Club The “Muni” is located in the city of Sebring in Highlands County. In 1924, the City of Sebring appropriated the money to build a municipal golf course, selecting 160 acres on the south side of Lake Jackson. In January 1925, golf architect W. H. “Bert” Way of the Mayfield Country Club of Cleveland came to Sebring to lay out the municipal golf course. A.D. Taylor, a city planner and landscape architect also from Cleveland, had the contract to build the course, and construction immediately followed. In early 1926, nine holes of the golf course were opened for play, while the other nine were under construction. The complete 18-hole course officially opened in 1929.
Leave the Hustle and Bustle for Old Florida Charm Highlands County Boasts 17 Scenic Courses
1-800-545-6021 32
www.VisitHighlandsCounty.com Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
Honoring Veterans The Bonita Bay Club Veterans Council, which has documented more than 500 club members and immediate relatives who have served in the U.S. military, has been established to bring honor and visibility to club members who are veterans; to fulfill their needs; and to support disadvantaged veterans throughout Bonita Springs. The council was launched after a group of club members organized Memorial Day activities, including the presentation of two plaques commemorating club members and relatives who are veterans. One was presented to the City of Bonita Springs, and the other is displayed at the Bonita Bay Club clubhouse. Accompanying scrolls list the veterans’ names. “We believe we are the only club in the nation to recognize our veterans with such a tribute,” said Air Force veteran Bob Gillette, the club member who spearheaded the effort and serves on the Bonita Springs Veterans Advisory Council. “It was touching to see how many of our members, as well as several of their relatives, had spent parts of their lives serving our country. The plaques were a small way to thank and honor them.” The council has formed a planning group that includes club members Gillette, Joe Castrogiovanni, Jim Papandrea, Nick Romano and Valerie Gorman. They are actively collecting 34
The Bonita Bay Club Veterans Council Planning Group includes (left to right) Joe Castrogiovanni, Bob Gillette, Jim Papandrea, Nick Romano and Valerie Gorman (not pictured). donations that will be channeled
1985; members took ownership in
to Bonita Springs veterans in need
2010. Located between Naples and
through the American Legion, Post 303.
Fort Myers, it boasts one of the larg-
The group also is planning Veterans
est memberships and widest range of
Day activities at Bonita Bay Club in-
amenities of any club in Southwest
cluding a program by Michael Durant,
Florida. Three Arthur Hills-designed
the highly decorated American Army
courses are located within the 2,400-
pilot who was held prisoner for 11
acre Bonita Bay community; two Tom
days in 1993 after a raid in Mogadishu,
Fazio courses, Cypress and Sabal at
Somalia. His experience was recounted
nearby Bonita Bay Club Naples, provide
in Mark Bowden’s book and Ridley
a pure golf experience with no resi-
Scott’s movie “Black Hawk Down.”
dential development on 1,035 acres of
Durant co-authored the best-seller
cypress wetlands and pine flats.
“In the Company of Heroes” and “The
The club’s tennis center has 18 Har-
Night Stalkers.”
Tru courts and one of the region’s
“We are on a mission to thank and
most active tennis programs, directed
distinguish veterans who have served
by a United States Professional Tennis
our country with honor and pride,” said
Association Master Professional. The
Romano. “We have received tremen-
fitness center is being equipped with
dous support from the City of Bonita
the state-of-the-art Artis line, includ-
Springs, Councilman Steve Slachta,
ing all of the Kinesis Stations and the
the American Legion Post 303 and the
Kinesis One.
Sheriff’s Department. And we’re just
To learn more, visit
getting started.” For more information
www.BonitaBayClub.net, or contact
go to www.bbcveteranscouncil.org.
the membership office at 239-949-5061
Bonita Bay Club was established in
or membership@bonitabayclub.net. Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
feature
By Mike May
Alabama‘s Premier Outdoor ’Playground’ If you are looking for the ‘Picture Perfect Getaway,’ then Golf Central has uncovered what you have been seeking. It’s FarmLinks at Pursell Farms (www. pursellfarms.com), which is located in Sylacauga, Alabama. Located 45 miles southeast of Birmingham, roughly 80 miles north of Montgomery, and 140 miles west of Atlanta, FarmLinks is easily accessible from many large cities in the South. And, while it’s not just a golf destination, golf is the focal point of the FarmLinks experience. Originally designed as a living laboratory to test and showcase the effectiveness of a fertilizer called Polyon, FarmLinks at Pursell Farm has evolved into not only one of the greatest golfing destinations in the Southeast, but the entire country. As the brochure says, FarmLinks at Pursell Farms is where “high tech meets low key.” It’s true. To say that this property is a relaxing place to visit is an understatement. And, if you like to fish for largemouth bass, shoot clay pigeons, take long walks along scenic trails, or hunt quail or dove, those are other reasons why you will enjoy your visit to 36
FarmLinks. In fact, the FarmLinks Golf Club is such an attractive ‘stay & play’ location that you will be upset when you have to leave. The atmosphere at FarmLinks gives you that ‘home sweet home’ feeling from the moment you arrive and you won’t forget it. The golf experience at FarmLinks is nothing short of special. It’s a sentiment shared by others as Golfweek named FarmLinks as the #1 course in Alabama in 2011, 2013 and 2014. Golf Digest ranks FarmLinks at #39 on its “75 Best Golf Resorts in North America.” From 2007-2011, the National Golf Foundation honored FarmLinks with the 1st Place National Customer Satisfaction & Loyalty Award. FarmLinks was also the site of the 2011 Alabama Men’s State Amateur golf championship -not bad credentials for a golf course that didn’t open until June of 2003. “The appeal of FarmLinks as a ‘stay & play’ is that it is a ‘Destination Man Cave,’ at the moment,” comments Tim Spanjer, director of marketing, FarmLinks at Pursell Farms. “When you are at The Farm, you are away from the
city and bustle. You become one with nature and, if you are with the guys, it is a cool time to bond and reconnect with one another. Our current amenities really cater well to men, but ladies who love golf and the outdoor sports can make this a ‘Ladies Cave’ as well. We have championship golf, which has been the best in the state of Alabama for public play three out of the last four years, clay shooting, hunting, and great bass fishing. At the Grille, we also serve the FarmLinks filet, a 10oz Hereford filet, which is awesome! The Farm is simply a wonderful place to come and stay the night, eat great culinary meals, and play.”
Through The Green: Tee Shots & More There are five sets of tees at FarmLinks, the world’s first and only research and demonstration golf course. Scratch golfers will enjoy playing the Longhorn tees (7,444 yards), low handicap golfers (handicaps 1-6) are encouraged to play the Copperhead tees (6,970 yards), golfers with handicaps from 7-15 will have their hands full with the Whitetail tees (6,457 yards), bogey Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
golfers (handicaps from 16-23) should play the Bobcat tees (5,919 yards), and high handicap golfers (24+) are invited to play from the Quail tees (5,250). Why should any serious golfer consider playing the FarmLinks Golf Club? Just ask Terry Davis, the director of golf at FarmLinks: “The FarmLinks Golf Club provides the perfect mix of pristine fairways, immaculate greens, and dramatic elevation changes,” states Davis. “The golf course provides a challenging golf experience that is suitable for any skill level.” Before arriving on the first tee, you must set aside time to warm up on the driving range, but to refer to this part of the course as a driving range is a disservice. It truly is a golf practice playground, where there are specific areas built to enable you to work on every element of your game – from the putter to the driver. It’s a separate, special and memorable golf experience when you arrive at this section of the golf course where there’s an unlimited supply of range balls. “We have 11 acres of majestic beauty on our driving range,” notes Davis. “You can practice all facets of your game and enjoy the beautiful scenery with Sulphur Mountain as your backdrop. It’s one of those views that you see on a postcard. ” Without a doubt, the architects of this golf course – Dana Fry and David Whelchel of Hurdzan Fry -- had some fun building FarmLinks as they were very creative with the names for each hole. With the third hole being named Baby Rattler, it might be a sign that your tee shot on this short par four should not veer too far off the fairway. The tee shot at the par three fifth – the Signature Hole at FarmLinks -- is one of the most dramatic, visually appealing shots that
you will ever hit in your life. After taking a winding path uphill to your teebox, you will be faced with a downhill tee shot to a green perched in the valley below. From the Longhorn tees, there’s a 170-foot vertical drop from tee to green. You also get a spectacular panoramic perspective of the nearby countryside, including a bird’s-eye view of Sulpher Mountain in the distance. When standing on the fifth tee, this is an ideal time for a solid tee shot. As your local PGA teaching pro would say, “Keep your head down and let the club do all the work.” Even if you are not playing from the Longhorn tees, it’s worth a trip to the top of the hill to check out the view. It’s FarmLinks’ own version of a ‘Rocky Mountain High.’ As for the sixth hole, it’s
called Bootlegger because the decaying remnants of an old moonshine still sit in the woods that border this hole on the right. It’s a short par five, so your chances are good of getting a birdie on the Bootlegger. On the back nine, each hole would pass as the Signature Hole on any other golf course. The 13th is called Go For It for a good reason. Take out your driver and get as close as you can to the green. With a well-struck tee shot, you will be left with nothing more than a sand iron for your second shot. It’s a definite birdie hole. The par three 17th, with Parker Lodge situated in the woods behind the green, is called Big Gulp because Pennywinkle Lake sits between the tee and the green. This is no time to be short with your tee shot. At the 17th, you are definitely better off trying to save par from behind the green than from the bottom of Pennywinkle Lake! The view from Parker’s Lodge, as the golfer’s play the 17th, is one of the most scenic views in golf. The ‘home hole’ at FarmLinks is the longest hole on the course – more than 600 yards from the Longhorn tees and 590 yards
feature
from the Copperhead tees. It will take three shots to reach the putting surface of this par five, which sits in an open field of roughly 250 acres, which means the 18th hole at FarmLinks sits where more than 60 other golf holes could be built. A par at the 18th is a great score as you close out your trip around the FarmLinks Golf Club. “The entire FarmLinks experience is first class from start to finish, and the course is absolutely the most playable and best conditioned in the state of Alabama,” says former NFL kicker Al Del Greco, who is also the host of “Opening Drive” on WJOX radio in nearby Birmingham.
Where To Dine & Rest As the sun begins to set at FarmLinks (as it does every single night!), you have multiple options on where to get some rest and ‘hang your hat.’ They include Parker Lodge, Hamilton Place, The Guest House, three Cottages (Mackenzie, Ross, and Jones), and four Cabins (Hogan, Sarazen, Nelson, and Snead), all four of which sit on Masters Row. Each option has all the creature comforts of home. Parker Lodge is also perfect for small groups. It has eight double-occupancy
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suites, a great room, full kitchen, a pool table, game room, stone fireplaces, and covered patio areas. You can live at Parker Lodge, in my opinion. Hamilton Place, built in 1854, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This Southern Antebellum home features two bedrooms, a kitchen, den, sunroom, and seven fireplaces. The Guest House is ideal for families and wedding parties. It has three doubleoccupancy bedrooms, a kitchenette, a parlor, and a covered porch. The Cottages, located next to the 18th green or the 11th fairway, have great views, plasma TVs, and a fireplace. The Cabins are an ideal housing option for a golf group. Each Cabin has four bedrooms, with two beds in each bedroom. A private putting green is located outside the Cabins. It’s worth noting that all the housing options have wireless Internet, so you don’t get completely disconnected while enjoying the FarmLinks experience. Food-wise, your pallets will be entertained while at FarmLinks. Right now, the Clubhouse Grille provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner – seven days a week. The specialty sandwiches, salads and home cooked entrees are delicious. The orange juice
at breakfast is fresh squeezed and I highly recommend the shrimp & grits as an appetizer at dinner. Other dining options include “in your cottage,” where the FarmLinks staff will prepare a delectable meal in your presence or you can choose “at your doorstep,” which is a less formal, in-room dining option where the FarmLinks Grille will deliver meals – ala room service – to your room. Or, you can utilize the kitchen facilities in your unit and do it yourself, like you do at home.
Go Play at Farmlinks, Today One of the other great aspects of FarmLinks at Pursell Farms is that they will pay for your phone call to make your reservation – 877-292-FARM (3276). And, let’s be honest, any golf course from The Deep South that has a logo which features a longhorn swinging a golf club while wearing a shirt and a tie must make you somewhat curious. I hope that you will make the trip soon to Sylacauga and migrate to the first tee at FarmLinks…..and between now and then, make sure to “like” them at facebook.com/pursellfarms. Sylacauga, here we come! For me, it's Farmlinks or bust!!
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
live golf
Top Tips for Successful Birdhouses You say it isn’t so, but it is. Size matters--even with birds and the habitats in which they choose to live. This fact is especially true when talking about cavity nesting birds, which use birdhouses. That is where Native Bird Boxes likes to consider its knowledgebase and experience to be beneficial. During this past (2014) nesting season, November 2013-June 2014, Native Bird Boxes had the opportunity to establish, refurbish, maintain and collect data from of many different sizes and species birdhouses from which, a total of 786 fledglings were counted. The
Those houses were also mounted from 5-18’ off the ground and some mounted to poles in various lakes, depending on what species were trying to be attracted. The mounting location of the birdhouse matters. They should not
be placed pointing directly south to southwest as that puts them in the direct path of the sun, which can cause the temperature in a birdhouse to rise. Higher temperatures are not conducive for proper nesting. The best placement for a box depends on the afternoon shade in an effort to keep the box cool. Select the location east to north when there may not be afternoon shade opportunities. Sometimes this is not a viable option and regional Eastern Screech Owl found roosting in a birdhouse November 2014 at Shadow Wood Country Club in Bonita Springs. species ranged from Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Wren, Nuthatch, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Screech Owl, Wood Duck and Purple Martins. All of these were located in the Lee and Collier Counties of Southwest Florida, in the Everglades or Calusa Chapters of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. They were either on golf courses, in their surrounding communities or at homes. The birdhouses ranged in entrance hole size from 1.25-3”x4” wide and 8-24” deep. Some of these were mounted on poles, while others were mounted to palm, pine, oak or cypress trees, depending upon the desired location and species they were designed to attract. 40
Species Specific Birdhouse or Fancy Birdhouse? At an estate in Naples.
By Brian E. Beckner Native Bird Boxes, Inc.
Brian Beckner giving thumbs up after installing a birdhouse for Great Crested Flycatchers at Stonebridge Country Club in Naples. temperatures will vary, which ultimately plays a part in overall birdhouse location selection. A natural colored wood is best to select from, even if it does naturalize a bit more once outside in the elements. The birds accept this naturalization to better camouflage their habitats. Be sure to avoid using birdhouses constructed of metal or dark colors as they can absorb too much heat and be just as harmful. On the contrary, some of the best Purple Martin houses are the rectangular or hexagonal aluminum houses that are very well ventilated with light colors. Too many of the same species boxes in too close proximity can reduce nesting success rates. The birds realize the competition is high and will not nest at all. An alternative challenge is that the birds nest in both boxes, but one will not be cared for. Consider what species you are trying to attract, and be sure you keep that species box a considerable distance between another; each species has its own territorial preferences. Non-competitive species can be placed closer in proximity and still be successful. One of the most common questions asked of Native Bird Boxes is, “Why don’t you have a perch on the front of your boxes?” Perches are just an easy place for predators to hold on to when wanting to ravage a bird box. Birds do not need a perch to access the box. Inside the box, we place a metal crawl to help the adult or fledglings grasp the front wall to get out of the box. Most importantly, track the use of the birdhouse once you have established it. Once the house is inhabited, be sure to Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
follow its progA good reason to check the birdhouses, keep ress. Once the predators out. Here are 2 Corn snakes found house has been inside a birdhouse during annual preparations. used for nesting and the young have fledged, clean it out, as it can get quite nasty inside. This will help to encourage another brood if used again. Birding, formerly called “bird-watching” has become a popular hobby for many. In 2010, birding was considered the second fastest growing hobby, with some 48 million people in the United States taking up the sport. In 2013, approximately 85 million Americans enjoyed observing, photographing or feeding wild birds. Birding ranks 15th on a list of the most popular outdoor activities, just below bicycling and beach bumming, according to the most recent National Survey on Recreation and the Environment by the USDA’s Forest Service. (Terry Byrne, USA Today, March 2014) All of this is fun to share with your club, community, political or social groups with which you are connected, in addition to your own families. Provide photos and tours to educate your community on the establishment, its success and your efforts with the environment. For those of you who are certified members of Audubon International, birdhouse establishment is considered a great opportunity for a case study. It is a great interactive way to connect with your members or guests, some of which may not be fully vested in golf or may not be able to play much anymore. With all of that being said, birdhouse establishment is certainly a nice feather in the cap. The environmentalist in each and every one of us has the ability to contribute and give back. It will be nice knowing that our children, theirs and many more will be able to enjoy a piece of wildlife that you helped to grow. www.NativeBirdBoxes.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
A Wood Duck box installed on a pole in a lake at Coral Creek Club in Placida. Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
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By Chris Thompson
grip it & sip it
Three Cheers for Ciro’ Southern Italy has perhaps suffered in the shadows of more renowned wine producing regions in northern and central Italy. When southern Italian wines of note are named they usually come from Campania, Puglia, or Sicily. Yet there is a wine producing region that was significantly more respected in the ancient world than these, when it was known as Oenotria (The land where vines grow), today’s Calabria. A particular Calabrian wine known as Krimisa, from the city it came from, modern day Cirò, was so well regarded that it was bestowed upon the victor of the Olympics as a divine honor. Today, as perhaps in ancient times, the most
widely planted grape in Calabria is Gaglioppo comprises nearly 95% of all grapes produced. It is a very productive grape, growing in tight dark blue bunches of grapes that are high in dry extract, which gives it a bold tannic character that needs aging to soften. The Appellation Cirò Rosso DOC must consist of at least 95% Gaglioppo and 90% Greco Bianco for the white Cirò Bianco DOC. A trailblazer where Cirò is concerned, Ippolito 1845, has
years and is one of the most respected wineries in Calabria. It’s Liber Pater and Colli del Mancuso, Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore and Riserva are 100% Gaglioppo of Ruby red coloring coming from a long maceration on the skins. Liber Pater is aged for 8 months in oak barrels and has complex aromas of wild berries, violets, and spices; while Colli del Mancuso a Riserva has a minimum aging of 12 months in oak barrels with perfumes
the honor of being the first in Calabria to bottle Cirò in the 30’s and was a prime mover in creating the Cirò appellation in the 60’s. Ippolito has been producing wine for nearly 170
of wild cherry and plums with subtle notes of spice and vanilla. Both wines are full of flavor, body and character and pair well with red meats of all types and mature cheese.
Grip it and Sip it. 42
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
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competitive spirits
Platte Valley Moonshine A good whiskey can be hard to find … until now. Introducing the original Platte Valley, an authentic American moonshine. Smooth, complex and full of character, Platte Valley offers a premium taste that could only come from more than 150 years of whiskey making experience. A true expression of the South, this small batch 100% Straight Corn Whiskey is hand-crafted in ceramic jugs with a cork finish. This is one Moonshine that can’t be contained by a jar.
Spiked Ike
Thelma Lu's Good Stuff
1.5 oz Platte Valley Moonshine 1 oz Orange Juice 1 oz Cranberry Juice
1.5 oz Platte Valley Moonshine 2 oz Raspberry Puree 4 oz Lemon Lime Soda
Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Shake and strain into a glass. Serve over ice. Garnish with an orange slice.
Add ice, moonshine and strawberry puree. Stir and top with lemon lime soda. Garnish with fruit.
Hillbilly Lemonade 1.5 oz Platte Valley Moonshine 4 oz Lemonade Add Ice, Moonshine, and Lemonade into a shaker. Shake and Strain into a glass. Serve over ice. Garish with lemon.
Nominate your favorite bartender to showcase his/her signature drink with a recipe and photos. Readers will also find a discounted price for that drink so they can visit the bartender to sample the true taste of the libation. 44
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
product showcase
Golf Central Magazine’s 2014
Greg Norman Collection ML75 Solid Polo The proprietary ML75 polo combines high performance properties with luxury appeal. 30% lighter than the average golf shirt, its natural UPF and Play Dry moisture wicking ensures comfort and coolness on the hottest of summer days. This ML75 solid polo features a knit collar, 100% microfiber polyester and the Shark on the bottom left hem. MSRP $59.00
Garb Golf Apparel Garb is the original junior golf apparel brand. Garb was founded in 1996 on the belief that kids wanted a brand to call their own-a brand dedicated to the youth of the game that offers great styling and unrivaled quality. Garb has not only become a beloved brand, company and culture, but it created the junior golf apparel category and has been leading the pack ever since. What started in the basement of a home in Evergreen, Colorado has grown to become the USGA and PGA of America’s first choice in kid’s golf apparel. Garb is the primary children’s golf apparel supplier to the U.S. Open golf tournament, PGA Championship and Ryder Cup since 2001. Now located in Denver, Colorado, Garb is committed to bringing junior golfers the best golf clothing out there. We listen to the kids and together create a line of clothing that is not only high quality and technically advanced, it hits the fashion look the kids are demanding. The game is evolving. It’s no longer just for retired people and businessmen. The youth are taking over. Embrace it. They are the future of the game. So to them we say, practice like you mean it; get another bucket, walk another 18. Be young, have fun, and make us proud. Visit www.garbinc.com to shop the new 2015 spring collection. For wholesale information or to place an order for your club please call 866-FOR-GARB (866-367-4272).
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The Point n Putt Putter from PNP Golf It’s no secret that alignment is the main factor in making putts. If you are not properly aligned to the hole you must make a subconscious correction in your stroke to square the face at impact. The SX1 Point N Putt Putter from Australian manufacturer PNP Golf is made using innovative visual alignment technology, which virtually eliminates alignment flaws common to most golfers. It features a high contrast satin directional pointer that provides unparalleled directional accuracy. No more facing up and guessing. With the Point n Putt Putter, you’ll putt your way to lower scores with pin point accuracy. An extreme perimeter-weighted mallet putter with a high MOI, customizable weight options and visual alignment technology proved in SAM PuttLabs testing to improve putting alignment in a majority of golfers. SAM PuttLabs is the world’s leading putt analysis and training system. Their independent study found that 53% of participants had better alignment with the Point N Putt putter than with their own putter. Of those that improved, their average improvement was 16.5%���������������������� .Some participants improved by 50% and another as much as 62%. The Point N Putt Putter also conforms to USGA rules. To learn more about the Point N Putt Putter and to order online, visit www.pnpgolf.com Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
Personal Golf Tote Are you sick and tired of sharing the golf cart with a basket hog? You know the type; they fill the cart with all their personal items leaving you with no room for your own things! Are you tired of losing club covers? Do you hate leaving your purse or wallet in your car? No room for snacks and beverages? Introducing the solution to your problems, the Personal Golf Tote, the first ever golf cart tote designed to hang over the hand rail of a golf cart. This tote has 2 pockets on the outside, perfect for cell phone storage and big enough for your GPS device and 2 larger pockets and a removable zipper bag inside. You now have a place for all your personal items and golfing gear; even a small cooler will fit in this water resistant, durable tote. How simple is this, pack what you want at home, once arriving at the course simply slip the tote over the rail of the golf cart. The Personal Golf Tote makes a perfect tournament gift, door and raffle prize as well as a great addition to your Pro Shop merchandise. You may purchase the tote 2 different ways: with our attractive red logo or without. The tote can be personalized your own way for a minimal charge of $10.00 to have your name embroidered. Pricing: $34.99 with our logo. $31.99 without a logo. Check out our amazing and informational website for more details at www.personalgolftote.com or call 888-938-6672.
The #1 Gift in Golf: Free Personalization on Titleist Golf Balls Now Through Dec. 31
Bollé Bollé has always been committed to meeting the performance needs of every competitor. Whether you are a professional athlete or just having fun, The Bolt sunglasses meet the demands of every type of sports enthusiast. With their interchangeable lenses they are suitable for every weather and sport. They stay put with Thermogrip® temple arms and nose pads, avoiding any slide caused by sweat and changes in temperature. Ultra-light, their half-circle frames provide a broad field of vision. Our exclusive Modulator V3 Golf lens encompasses all you need in a golf lens: the optical superiority and lightweight characteristics of B-Clear precision optics, hydrophobic outside and anti-fog inside coatings to keep your view moisture free. It also features a finely tuned brown lens that highlights the subtleties on the course while photochromic technology allows the lenses to lighten and darken to adapt to your to environment. Constantly adjusting to the changing light conditions, our Modulator V3 Golf lens does all of the work for you to minimize eye fatigue and help maintain hand-eye coordination on the course.
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
This holiday season, golfers and gift-givers alike can enjoy free personalization on Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls, the best performing, most trusted golf balls in the game. From now until Dec. 31, personalization charges will be waived on all custom orders of Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls, the best fit for players of all skill levels seeking to shoot lower scores, as well as Titleist NXT Tour, NXT Tour S, Velocity and DT Solo models. The #1 ball in golf is also the #1 gift in golf, especially when it comes with a personal touch. Personalization includes up to three lines of block text (17 characters per line) imprinted on each golf ball in black, blue, green, red or pink ink. Popular choices include names, nicknames, initials and special messages, as well as social media usernames (i.e., @TitleistonTour) and hashtags (i.e., #TeamTitleist). Free personalization is also available on custom orders of Pro V1 and Pro V1x with double-digit play numbers (00 and 11-99). The combination of a single- or double-digit play number with personalization is often used to commemorate a holiday, birthday, anniversary or other significant date or event. Other popular double-digit choices include lucky or favorite numbers and athlete jersey numbers. The minimum order for free personalization is one dozen. Orders placed by Dec. 10 (Dec. 3 for double-digit play numbers) are guaranteed to arrive by Dec. 24. Orders can be placed by visiting any authorized Titleist golf shop. To locate a local Titleist golf shop, please visit the Titleist golf shop locator at: http://www.titleist.com/find-a-golf-shop. For custom individual and double-digit play numbers, an additional charge may apply. 47
what's new
TEEIN’ UP
INNOVATION with
TM
“By creating a hollow core, OnCore Golf has changed the physics of golf ball flight” Do you consider yourself a golf technology enthusiast? If so, have
Now, OnCore has achieved this feat of science in a golf ball – for the
you ever heard of the world’s only hollow-metal core golf ball? Grab a hold of something real fast, steady yourself, are you ready for this? OnCore Golf is making
first time ever. This is true golf ball innovation and it is legal!
waves in the golf industry with their patented MA 1.0 golf ball. Its unique hollow core provides a similar effect to what industry leaders Karsten Solheim, Gary Adams and Carl Ross all designed into their golf clubs – take the weight out of the center and move it towards the circumference and you will create longer, straighter shot making. 48
For the last 20 years golf balls have been made of solid polymer centers. There has been very little deviation from this design that is until OnCore launched their hollow core technology at the 2014 PGA Merchandise show. By creating a hollow centered golf ball, OnCore Golf has changed the normal physics of golf ball flight and distance. How you might ask? The core generates significantly more rifle spin allowing for more stability and accuracy in flight- think about a bullet in flight, the rifle spin keeps it on target. Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
PGA Tour player Charlie Rymer. Charlie’s emphatic YES to OnCore caught the ear of an accomplished golf ball executive Joseph White. He was listening to CNBC on his Sirius radio and quickly contacted the company. Joe’s background as an executive at Dunlop Golf, Yamaha Sports and Gary Player Group was exemplary and OnCore brought him on as President and COO.
At this year’s PGA merchandise show OnCore’s MA 1.0 was selected by Golf Channel as a top product of the show and the company has since continued to grow. We’ve been fortunate enough to sample the MA 1.0 at Florida Golf Central and can certainly attest to the balls superior accuracy and overall playability. OnCore epitomizes the David vs. Goliath spirit, vowing to compete in an industry dominated by several multi-million dollar conglomerates. Against all odds, the MA 1.0 received a USGA conformance ruling in May of this year.
Additionally, OnCore has built out a highly respected sales force of industry veterans and has gained national visibility on shows like CNBC’s Power Pitch and Power Lunch. On the show back in March, the company’s co-founders Steve Coulton and Bret Blakely pitched their technology to a panel of experts and received two out of three thumbs up. One endorsement of the technology and innovation came from Golf Channel Morning Drive host and
OnCore is the company we all want to see succeed. There has been very little innovation in golf ball technology, which is what makes OnCore’s story so intriguing. Pro shops that only offer one brand of balls are doing their customers a disservice by not offering the latest, innovative technology available. The game desperately needs new entrants and companies to cater to the next generation of golfers. OnCore is poised to do this and a whole lot more! OnCore Golf Website & Telephone: www.oncoregolf.com 855-781-7661
OnCore’s MA 1.0 golf balls are sold through Golf Professionals and better Off-Course Golf Specialty Stores.
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
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By Bob Bolton
duffer header dan
“Puttin’ on the Ritz” is a popular song written by Irving Berlin. Fred Astaire performed to it in the 1946 musical “Blue Skies”. It was later given a synthesized pop feel by Dutch singer Taco in the early 80’s. In the year 2014 I found myself “Putting next to the Ritz” in Amelia Island at The Golf Club of Amelia Island. Adjacent to the beautiful Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is one of the most enjoyable golf courses in the northeast corner of the State of Florida. Designed by Mark McCumber and Gene Littler, this 18 hole championship golf course is a feast for the eyes, senses and game. The ocean breezes not only cool you, but also shift throughout your round to keep you on your toes. The Golf Club’s 18 holes are carved out of a variety of trees, with manicured fairways and true-rolling greens. The longest tees are 6,692, we played the Blue Tees which measured 6,156 yards. The front nine is designed around large oak trees and lakes, the back nine winds through marshes. The course was built in 1987 and was nominated for Best New Course of the Year in 1988. I was fortunate to join a fun group of Chevrolet dealers who were staying at the Resort and doing their best to look like they were “working”. I don’t know about you, but a lavish dinner, followed by various adult beverages and dancing the night before a competitive round of golf, may not be the best for scoring on the course, but it does make life more entertaining. Since I was the “Golf Writer” in the group, they didn’t include
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Puttin’ on the Ritz me in their Nassau betting, since for some reason people tend to believe that just because you write for a golf magazine, you must be a “player”. Well, I did have the low round in the group. We started our round thankful for sunny skies, a nice breeze and the camaraderie of guys on the course. You knew that beer, cigars and stories (we didn’t know whether to believe or not), were going to be highlights of the round. Hole #2 is a beautiful and thoughtprovoking par 5. Driver may put you through the turn, a long iron, or fairway wood may not make it to the corner. I pulled out a 3 wood and hit a draw around the corner. Of course this was after making par on the first hole, and the Chevy dealers were starting to think it was a good thing they didn’t include me in the betting. *Little did they know even Golf Writers can have a few “oops” holes during a round. I managed to maneuver myself around the front nine fairly well and
enjoyed the friendly sparring of my fellow competitors. At the end of the front nine we knew things were only going to get better on the back.. I happened to have an “oops” hole on the back. I was driving the ball well, when I launched a draw a bit too high, it didn’t clear a branch, and the next thing you know it was a smack down into the muddy marsh bank. After taking an unplayable, par wasn’t realistic. We did enjoy playing the 393 yard 18th hole. Not because we were anticipating a nail-biting finish to our competition, but because there was a small wedding being prepared just to the left of the green. Out of our foursome we had one go way right off the tee, two others go left and I was happy to split the fairway. But, as we approached our second shots we all commented how unfortunate it would be if we sculled a shot over the green and struck either the bride, the groom or the clergy. Unfortunate, or just plain funny? No one was harmed and we gathered in the 19th hole to have a beer and watch the wedding procession begin. The Golf Club of Amelia Island is a beautiful course and the Ritz a grand resort. I’ve had the pleasure of staying and playing at Ritz Carlton properties throughout the State of Florida, and if you haven’t ventured to Amelia Island, you must. For more information about the Club, call 904-277-8015, or visit www.golfclubofamelia.com. For the Ritz Carlton, call 904-277-1100, or visit www.ritzcarlton.com.
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
course of dreams
Hurricane Tours Inc. announces Hurricane Pro-Am Series Palm Springs, Atlantic City events benefit underprivileged junior golfers
T
he Hurricane Tours Inc., operators of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HGJT) and the Hurricane Collegiate Golf Tour, is proud to announce the kickoff of the Hurricane Pro-Am Series to be held in Palm Springs and Atlantic City in 2015. Hurricane Tours, based in Jacksonville, Fla., has built a reputation for being firstclass tournament operators. They launched the HJGT in 2007 and it has grown from 25 events to 145 events and from 300 players to about 8,500 players in 16 states in 2014. Hurricane Pro-Am Series participants will play golf courses like the famed Players The Hurricane Pro-Am Course at Indian Wells Golf Course in the Palm Springs, California. Series events are part of an all-inclusive package. The Pro-Am Series features teams of five players, one PGA Players will stay at luxurious hotels that feature world-class professional and four amateur golfers. Men and women from the casinos, pools, bars, restaurants, spas, and much more. There ages of 16 to 80 are eligible to play. The format will be 54 holes will be a kickoff dinner Sunday evening prior to the start of the of medal play run under USGA rules and teams will score one tournament at the host hotel. Players will be treated to a gift bag better ball net and one better ball gross per hole. Amateur players worth more than $200. Prior to the start receive 80 percent of their handicap of each tournament round there will be up to 24 strokes for male players and a breakfast buffet for the players. At 36 strokes for female players. the conclusion of the round, a lunch, There is no entry fee for PGA covered by the entry fee, will be served. professionals. Additionally, any PGA “We have hand selected the best golf pro whose team is registered early will courses in the country to host these receive round trip airfare. Each day events,” said Mario Conte, Executive Director of the Hurricane the top teams will compete for cash prizes while PGA pros will Tour. “Team members will be pampered and catered to a firstalso be competing individually for a minimum purse of $10,000 class experience from the moment they step on property to the (based on 20 teams). moment they leave. The experienced and talented staff from The Proceeds from all Hurricane Pro-Am Series will benefit Drive Hurricane Tours, Inc., will be with you every step of the way to Fore Juniors, a charitable organization partnering with inner city ensure this is an experience of a lifetime.” youth foundations to develop junior golfers and provide financial assistance to aspiring players who want to compete on a national level. The first event is Feb. 23-25, 2015 at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California; Indian Wells Players Course in Indian Wells, California; and Desert Willow in Palm Desert, California with a registration deadline of Dec. 25, 2014. Each Hurricane Pro-Am event is on a firstcome, first-served basis with a limit of 30 teams. For more information or to register, visit www.hurricaneproam.com or call 904-3792697. Pro-Am participants can play historical Atlantic City Country Club and see historical 'Birdie' rock (inset) the spot honoring the golf term's origin.
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Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
Fore!
Great Georgia Golf Destinations
Brasstownvalley.com 1.800.201.3205
georgetbagbylodge.com 1.877.591.5575
littleocmulgeelodge.com 1.877.591.5572
LAKEBLACKSHEARRESORT.COM 1.877.591.5572
By Mike May
georgia golf central
George T. Bagby State Park: Your New 'Home' Away From Home If you are looking for a fun, family friendly ‘escape,’ then pack your overnight bags (including your golf clubs) and insert the following address into your GPS: 30 Bagby Parkway, Fort Gaines, Georgia. That will take you to the George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge (www.georgetbagbylodge.com), located about 75 minutes south of Columbus, Georgia, right along the Georgia/ Alabama line. For many families who live in the Southeast, their automatic ‘go-to’ for a fun trip is to visit the theme parks of central Florida or to travel to the beaches along the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean. Now, there’s another choice: “The Best Kept Secret in Southwest Georgia.” If you like to play golf, this destination has a well-designed 18-hole golf course – Meadow Links, which is located half a mile from the entrance to the Bagby State Park. When the course opened in 1998, Golf Digest ranked it as “the nation’s sixth best new affordable public course.” It remains one of the nation’s top most affordable public golf courses. The course has now matured into a layout which any golfer would enjoy playing day after day. Meadow Links, one of the courses on the Georgia Golf Trail, has what every golfer is looking for in an 18 hole-experience. And, the views from the 7th and 10th greens are worth ‘the price of admission’ to Meadow Links. From the 10th green, you can see neighboring Alabama to the west. Late in the day, as the sun begins to set, the view is picture postcard-like. The course features a first-class practice facility which will enable you to work on all aspects of your game before you hit the first tee. This par 72 layout, designed by Willard Byrd, features five sets of tees, which vary in length from 5,089 yards (red tees) to 7,007 yards (black tees). “Meadow Links Golf Club is just as it sounds -- a true linksstyle course with some fantastic elevation changes throughout the course,” says Brian Boeling, 54
regional director of golf operations, Meadow Links Golf Club. “We have 18 incredible holes which you don’t find too often with many golf courses. The course is set up to accommodate many types of golfers with multiple tee box placements for their enjoyment. Our slick fast greens will bring most golfers to their knees. You don’t find such hidden gems as Meadow Links too often. It is a must-play venue if you are in south Georgia.” The course has a links ‘feel’ to it because the trees rarely come into play. The only hole where trees actually influence your shot is on the par five 5th hole. As you look at the course from the high vantage point of the 10th green, its rolling terrain has a British Open-like ‘look’ to it. One of the fun aspects of playing golf at Meadow Links is the wide variety of tee shots that you get to hit, very few of which are straight-away to a flat fairway.
The true appeal of George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge is the wide variety of things to do and see – for all members of any family. That is why this destination is really an All-American ‘stay and play’ vacation opportunity. If you like the great outdoors, Bagby is the place for you and your family or any couple without children. Did I mention the beach? Yes, on the shores of Lake Walter F. George (aka Lake Eufala), which is located within this state park, there’s a long, sandy beach. This beach front also features a volleyball court, many free-standing playground pieces of equipment, lots of shade trees (complete with Spanish moss), and a number of grills. It’s an ideal destination for a family to spend the day, swim in the lake, throw a Frisbee, play volleyball, make sand castles, and then use the grills for a cookout. The lake represents 48,000 acres of recreational and water sports opportunities, available year round. For fishermen, there are five main types of fish living in the lake – largemouth bass, hybrid bass, black crappie, blue gill, and channel catfish. Go catch ‘the big one!’ For boaters, there are a number of ramps on-site where you can launch your boat and there’s a modern marina where you can leave your boat overnight, if you plan to use the boat more than once while on your visit. It’s also worth noting that canoe rentals are another boating option at Bagby. Walkers and hikers will also enjoy meandering along the Chattahoochee Trail which winds through the forest on property. The trail is well marked and you can’t get lost. Just keep walking and you’ll always emerge near the lodge, the lake or one of the main roads in the park. There are two short trails – the East Lake Lodge Trail and the South Lake Lodge Trail, both less than a mile in length – that start and finish behind the main lodge. They are perfect for a short stroll, at any time of the day -- but I sugFlorida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
gest after sunrise and before sunset. Bicyclists can take advantage of the paved surfaces at Bagby. You can either bring your own bike or rent one through the lodge. Don’t forget to wear your helmet! For more conventional recreation enthusiasts, there’s an outdoor pool and two tennis courts, located next to the lodge. While this state park was built for human beings to get some R & R, there are some full-time residents of the park who don’t pay a dime for food or housing. Those ‘freeloaders’ include deer,
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
gopher tortoises, eastern bluebirds, red foxes, armadillos, beavers, alligators, rattle snakes, copperheads, and five species of bats. As the old saying goes, if you respect their presence, they will respect yours. Also, George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge is filled with lots of wildflowers, but please don’t pick them. Leave them for others to enjoy. When it comes to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, The Pilot House Grille restaurant, located on-site, is a convenient, affordable and tasty option. The fried chicken and catfish (either blackened or fried) are as good as any restaurant in
the Southeast – seriously. The two pieces of catfish are big enough to feed two people. As for the fried chicken, they truly ‘do chicken right!’ Besides the overall quality of the food, which is served a-lacarte or buffet-style, what’s memorable about a trip to The Pilot House Grille are the views of Lake Walter F. George – from either inside the restaurant or outside on the covered patio. You might spot a deer while having breakfast or dinner. When it’s time to get some rest, there are a number of housing options at Bagby. The most popular one is the lodge which has 60 rooms and suites. There are specific rooms designated as pet friendly. If you want more private accommodations, there are five secluded cabins. The cabins offer lakeside views, living rooms, and full kitchens. One of the cottages is pet friendly. If you wake up on a Sunday and want to attend church, there are 14 churches in the area which represent a wide variety of denominations and faiths. If you are convinced that the George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge is the place for you, the clerk at the front desk is standing by to accept your reservation: 229768-2571 or visit the property’s website to make your plans: www.georgetbagbylodge.com. The pro shop at Meadow Links, which opens daily just before 8:00 am, can be reached at 229-768-3714. 55
When The Sun Rises in Tennessee, We Play Golf
golfnews4friends.net
By Glenn Makin and Karley Makin
The Knoxville Star of Tennessee Riverboat Company
Experience the River
We are fortunate in Knoxville to have a variety of experiences in Food & Entertainment. The Knoxville Star is one of those unique opportunities to roll along the river and enjoy delicious fare and entertainment. It was the perfect afternoon for my daughter and I on a cold rainy day with nothing else to do. Certainly we were hesitant about the weather and assumed it would not be the best day for a cruise but found the opposite. A brunch cruise that ignores the weather and offers a comfortable enclosed dining room to watch the scenery of the beautiful skyline of
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
Knoxville and the bluffs to the South which offer a history of days gone by. Our cruise was a narrated tour by Captain John Farmer with interesting stories of the historical homes along the shores of Sequoyah Hills. The long stretch of the University of Tennessee Campus, Neyland Stadium, Thompson-Boling Arena and buildings that house several different departments of studies. The buildings and sports facilities that are world famous and will make unsuspecting guest on the riverboat, fall in love with Tennessee. If you let your mind follow the narration, you'll in vision the past where confederate soldiers fired cannons from Cherokee Bluff to Ft. Sanders where Yankee soldiers were gathered for protection. A history narrative that was not the best time for our country but was our history and the country survived and became stronger. The buffet style brunch was exceptional with baked chicken and all the
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vegetables, corn, potatoes, green beans, macaroni and potato salad, yeast rolls, bagels, fruit salad, quiche and capped off with red velvet creme cake. All so delicious for a Sunday meal. Captain and owner Mike Cheek provides an assortment of theme cruises nightly including entertainment with gospel, country music, jazz, rock and folk. The riverboat is also available for private cruises for weddings, receptions, corporate meetings and other group outings. As Mike says, “We try something for everyone.” Look for the advertisement for the Tennessee Riverboat and call for information, dates, times and cruise theme that would suit your style. Mike & Tammy Cheek are certified as Golf Central “Fellow Golfer's in Business.”
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The Games We Play
One Successful Golf Game Stands Above the Rest The Pine Lakes G.C. Tuesday Game Golf Clubs and Courses tout membership opportunities which include weekly or daily side games for members to associate and enjoy the course. Its typical for 12 to 20 players to meet for competition, be it low balls, points games, match play and a variety of other formats. The staff at Pine Lakes Golf Course in Rockford, Tennessee had similar goals in 2001 with the introduction of their Tuesday Points Game. It didn't take long for the word to spread and players to start showing up for the game. Unlike most area games, the Pine Lakes Game was special. Special in a sense that players immediately understood the concept of the rules and format all taken care of via a computer program designed to maintain all the stats and points (handicap) system. Bob Brooks, the organizer of the game still maintains the coordinator position with the help of several assistants over the 13 year run. By the end of the first season the membership rose to 80 or more players and exceeded 100 members by the end of the second year. Today that membership hovers around 140 members with over 100 showing up on any given Tuesday. During the Winter season its common to have 60 to 80 players even under some pretty harsh conditions. “We have had a really good run over the years,” said Bob. “The fellers know what to expect every week. Some choose to play with a regular group while others are paired with different groups every week.” Steven Ray, operations manager of Pine Lakes for the past year, started playing the game on Tuesdays which led to his interviewing for his manager position. “The Pine Lakes Tuesday Game is something special and was really excited to work with Pine Lakes and the members who play here,” said Steven. “I don't get to play on Tuesday now. It's more important that I keep the players happy and the course running smoothly.” The Tuesday Game offers two season-ending Championships for Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter where players play within their flight for the season-ending prize fund. Ev58 58
ery player whom has qualified for the tournament wins something. Key to the success is keeping the course in great shape and keeping the tee locations in the middle to front to accommodate all skill levels. At times there are 6 different flights dependent on the number of players with weekly prizes of low point scores, skins, closest-to-pin and a growing hole-in-one pot that has paid many times and as much as $7,000+. “The hole-in-one pot is one of our exciting benefits and as the pot grows there is a buzz around the club house every week, with each member hoping to
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the one who bust the pot,” says Bob. Another key to the success of the Pine Lakes Tuesday Game is the fairness of the handicapping for points. Points rise and fall depending on a players weekly scores and manipulating ones points is near impossible. Its best that a player gets in the game and plays to his best ability every week and the points will take care of themselves. But its also exciting to see a player have a career round and be the big winner of the week. That is what keeps 'em coming back. Congratulations to a successful game that all courses should be attempting to copy. Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
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WE SHIP ANYWHERE!
cart girl
Sarah Gray Where are you from? I am originally from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I've lived here in TN for about 7 Years now.
What brought you to Royal Oaks? I heard about it from a friend and only
good things. I had currently no job, just babysitting my nephew 5 days a week so it was a good start to get back in the game.
Tell us what you like about being a cart girl? I love that you have your
regulars on certain days that you learn to learn and joke around. And of course the lovely tips are greatly appreciated,
What has been your most memorable moment as a cart girl? (good or bad) Well that would have to be on my second day of the job a friendly golfer asked me two questions. 1. What is your name? and 2. Do you have a boyfriend? I answered both questions and he just laughed. This golfer now has his own name for me which is....Sarah with no boyfriend. YAY
What do you think makes Royal Oaks special? It's open to the public so anybody can come and experience the good time golfing on the course and ending back up at the 19th hole. "The Clubhouse Grill"
Do you play golf? Any golfers in the family? No I do not play golf but i do plan to try it out here soon. When I lived in Florida I grew up on a golf course so my older brother and dad would go play every so often.
What are your hobbies? This is always a tricky question for me. I use to
play soccer when I was little, but I do not anymore. I now would have to say sadly but with great enthusiasm my hobbies are now working. I'm fun I swear.....
What do you do to relax? At home, or out on the town? Well I LOVE to do both. It just depends on the mood and the weather here. Drinking a cold one at home with my mom is always a great time!
What is your favorite sport to play or watch? I use to play soccer all the
time for teams when I was little. Watching... well I'm a football kinda gal but i would rather be at the game in action the watching it on t.v.
What are your favorite movies and books? I love scary movies. The
adrenaline rush is awesome. Books is a little different. I like the mystery detective clue books. Patricia Cornwell is one of my favorites.
Tell us something about yourself that we should know? I'm kinda ob-
sessed with my 4 year old nephew. The big one is that I love Florida and I eventually plan to move back when I get the chance. The thing is I've been saying that pretty much since I moved here, and obviously that still hasn't happened. 60
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Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
By Chuck Cavalaris
ask chuck
Legendary Boxing Referee Stan Hamilton Was the Man As soon as Stan Hamilton turned 18, he was thrust into the later stages of World War II as a brand new member of the U.S. Navy. Serving in the South Pacific in 1945, the blue-eyed former Knoxville Central High School football star lineman turned to his Bible for comfort. As Mike Segers of Inskip Baptist Church recalled during a celebration of life, Hamilton flipped through the pages until his eyes were fixed upon Matthew 28:20. The passage talks about teaching believers to obey the commandments. It ends with, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The end of time was a stark reality for a lanky kid on a ship that could be attacked at any moment. It would have been a drastic change for anyone, much less a teenager ... One day, you're celebrating a hardearned victory against a big rival. In the blink of an eye, your life could end. Or the order to abandon ship could be given. "They told Stan to do one thing above all else," his wife, Joyce, recalled. "Keep your life preserver with you at all times. Stan was on a smaller ship, which made it an easier target. They told him to eat and sleep with that life preserver by his side. He told me he clutched it next to his chest at night. He took it with him everywhere." As fate would have it, he survived and was elated when the war ended. There was just one more task. As soon as his ship reached a safe port, Stan could not wait to rid himself of a life preserver that had been practically glued to his hands for several months. So, he flung it overboard like a giant disc. "You know what happened next?," he often told friends. "My so-called life preserver sank ... it sank like a rock!" With contorted facial expressions, Hamilton took great delight in sharing this irony. He also soared to great heights in a lifetime of accomplishments that may never be duplicated. He passed away at age 88 on Nov. 14. "He loved life," Rev. Segers said. "He traveled all over the world and was so humble about his experiences." Hamilton attended the University of Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
South Carolina after the war on a boxing and football scholarship. He won the Southern Golden Gloves as a light heavyweight and became a world-class referee from Knoxville. He was the highest ranking amateur boxing official in North America, represented his country at six Olympics, numerous international events and visited 50 countries. "You could get Stan to talk about a lot of places and things," Rev. Segers said. "Talking about himself just wasn't one of them. He didn't want to sound like he was bragging." His house has a large room full of trophies and plaques. You can find photos of the 6-foot-2 Stan Hamilton alongside youngsters such as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman, Thomas Hearns and even Howard Cosell, among others. In 1979, Hamilton was voted "official of the year" by USA Boxing. In 1980, he was voted by his peers as the "Best Amateur Boxing Official in the World." He is a member of local, state and national hall of fames. He also spent 45 years as a high school football official (linesman) and was active in numerous fund-raising golf tournaments. "Stan was a veteran member of the crew when I started out as a young pup," said Phil Hatcher, who spent most of his 45 years in officiating as a referee. "He walked up to be me and said,
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"Shut up. Keep your flag in your pocket ... and give me your whistle. If you need to call anything, talk to me first. Got it?" It was great advice from someone familiar around town in a blue Lincoln Continental with a personalized license plate: "BOXREF." Six letters simply cannot convey the essence of a fascinating person like Stan Hamilton, but they did let you know a great man was nearby. And a really good time was about to occur. Also in 2014, the community mourned the passing of ... Orvis Milner, age 90, on Aug. 5. The former Tennessee football standout developed a competitive nature in golf after a knee injury ended his college career. Following his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Milner won numerous club championships and was the 1981 National Senior champion. He served as a director for the Tennessee Golf Association for 47 years and was a long-time director for the Southern Golf Association. He also played in four USGA Senior Opens and two British Open Seniors. Paul E. Howard, age 91, on March 21. The U.S. Army Air Corps veteran during World War II wrote several flight manuals. He helped start Howard & Howard Plumbing and served on the Knoxville City Council. After retiring from the plumbing business, Mr. Howard bought Harder Hall Country Club in Sebring, Fla., and helped save a golf course overgrown with weeds and continue a prestigious national women's invitational. He had a standing tee time at 7 a.m. and won numerous titles. "I have been blessed in so many ways," said Mr. Howard, who was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Evelyn. "I have truly been blessed." Mike "Kid" Carroll, age 60, on Nov. 16. The former club champion at Fox Den was a fierce competitor that loved to contend in state tournaments. Known for his candid opinions and hearty laugh, Carroll said the best part about golf was being outdoors and having a great time with family or friends. "It doesn't get much better than that," he said. Carroll suffered a heart attack about three weeks before his birthday on Dec. 7. Chuck Cavalaris is an award-winning freelance writer in Knoxville and has covered golf since 1976. Send questions or comments tocavgolfer@aol.com 61
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no fakin
Makin’ The Rounds with No-Fakin’ No-Fakin' says: Someone told me recently, “You've really found your niche No-Fakin'.” Well, I don't really know what a niche is, but I sure like promoting golf and the side stories that come from golf, to a bunch of golf magazine readers. As much as I try to look on the bright side, there are nay-Sayers who really want to drag down the moment. Kinda like when your lady is all excited about bedtime and the phone rings. But those folks that say the golf business is coming apart at the seams and hard times have been going on for 6 years, just don't see golf as I do. Golf is picking up a whole generation of junior golfers falling in love with the game. Women are finding golf to be a great outdoor activity, chasing the ball around like men do. So golf is on the rise, not losing players. With that said and the economy sucks, we just don't get to play as much as we would like to play. Doesn't mean our interest is failing. On the contrary, we still window shop for clubs, just can't afford to buy the biggest, best and newest every year. Golf course marketing is key in maintaining a share of the market. Not calling out any owners or managers, but targeting golfers where golfers are known to be, is a big deal and saves wasted promotional dollars. Yep, Golf Central Magazine has a niche covered and non-golfers are not likely to be shopping for places to golf and equipment to golf with, so stop wasting money on non-golfers to reach a few golfers. The readers of No-Fakin' are the target. How about getting' on the phone and placing an ad in this magazine. And don't make me Sic! Yep, the pie may be smaller but you can still have your share. It's Winter time every where and outer wear keeps you warmer while the temperatures may be cooler. Okay, who am I foolin' in Tennessee, its dang cold, but putting on a couple layers of clothes, throwing a cart cover on the cart, putting a heater in the cup holder
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Jeff White and hitting the first tee. Its not just golf, its an adventure and so much fun. Off to the golf course to invent, oops, I mean find some funny stuff to write for next time.
Makin' says: The month of November has been filled with last minute tournaments
Jay Wise
golfnews4friends.net
By Glenn Makin Publisher
By
Photos by
and charitable fund raising events. Local clubs and state organizations have been holding year-end competitions you will find in this issue. In addition the Golf Central Winter Tour has kicked off with some warm-up joint events and now playing the regular tour schedule. Hope you'll notice and read about the accomplishments of pro's and amateurs in the Southeast. I am particularly fond of finding cart girls to share their profiles and photo's. Being a cart girl must be one of the most “fun” jobs in the world. Serving golfers with food and beverages, enjoying the scenery of golf courses and handling pick-up lines as old as their daddy, laughing like its the “first time they have heard that one.” Royal Oaks Golf Club has certainly been improved with this months cart girl. Need to mention a couple golfers who are really rockin' it in Tennessee. Tyler Lane, Brandon Rodgers, Davis Shore and Brad Hawkins are way up on the list for “Best Player of the Year” consideration. I'll take the best four out of Florida or Georgia and challenge them to a Golf Central Cup Match. And consider Davis is a sophomore in high school and possibly the player who will make you forget about Tiger. (Remember that name Gator-boys and Ridge-runners.) That just stirred an idea. The Golf Central Cup Matches. I'll be working on a sponsor who would tie their name to such an event. Yes it would be awesome and worthy of regional attention. A few hole-in-ones to mention this issue. The first warm-up round to the Winter Tour produced a hole-in-one for the second opening date in-a-row. Sam Bounds made a hole-in-one last season and this year it was Jay Wise on the 4th hole at Royal Oaks Golf Club. Jim Lonas took home a couple grand with a hole-in-one in the Pine Lakes Tuesday Game and Jeff White made a hole-inone at Sevierville Golf Club Highlands Course #16 from 180-yards with a 5-iron. Have a great month and look forward to meeting all of you, one golfer at a time.
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
Holiday Gift Guide
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EWGA TOPS Nashville Charts The Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) crowned Katie (Tewell) Brinker the 2014 EWGA Championship Finals Champion at The Hermitage Golf Course in Old Hickory, Tennessee on Saturday evening October 11, 2014, with husband Zach on the bag as her caddie. With four consecutive birdies starting at the 312-yard, par 4, 15th hole to finish her final round, the 29-year old medalist begins her reign over EWGA’s 14,000 members. Katie’s Championship journey began at the first stage of qualifying, the Central Indiana Chapter Championship, with a score of 75 by overcoming a broken fibula and sprained ankle while tackling her new responsibility as mother of 7-month old son named Nolan and 10 year-old stepson Cameron. After hobbling around with her foot and ankle encased in a black boot and advancing to and winning the Ohio Valley District Semi-Final Championship at Fuzzy Zoeller’s Covered Bridge Golf Club in Sellersburg, Indiana, in August with an eighteen hole total of 75, Katie arrived in Nashville determined to improve on her 2013 EWGA Championship second place finish at the Wigwam Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. Katie’s victory speech delivered a strong message to her peers – perseverance in the face of adversity – never give up! “Katie’s story is inspirational,” said EWGA’s Director of Golf Programs Lisa Becka. “This girl is handed a basket of lemons disguised as medical tragedies, adds some strawberries and her brand of EWGA golf magic and serves up strawberry lemonade over and over again! She’s an inspiration!” The 36-hole event reigned low gross champions in five flights including
the First Flight’s Triva Ashcraft (8282/164) from the Fresno/San Joaquin, California Chapter; Second Flight’s Karen Biscaha (92-88/180) representing the Sacramento, California Chapter (and 5 years-in-a-row flight medalist in multiple flights); Third Flight’s Jennifer Shoemaker (87-95/182) from the Albany/Capital Region, New York Chapter; and Laurie Eriksen (105109/214) of the Wilmington, Delaware Chapter. Winning the Scramble Division was Christy Mahan, Karen East, Natalie Gay and Trisha Cooper from EWGA’s Central Arkansas Chapter carding a two-day total of 68-67/135. The first place low gross and net winners earn an exemption into the 2015 EWGA Championship Finals. Standout low net winners include
Albuquerque, New Mexico Chapter’s Ingrid Rooslid (79-69/148); Des Moines, Iowa Chapter’s Rachel O’Hanlon (6967/136) winning in a scorecard playoff; Houston, Texas Chapter’s Kimberly Wright (71-71/142); Milwaukee, WI Chapter’s Dawn Pettis (69-69/138); and Tucson/Old Pueblo, Arizona Chapter’s Debra Dillon (78-70/148). Topping the Nashville Music City Charts was Nancy Lopez Golf who outfitted EWGA’s Tournament Operations (TOPS) Committee, a group of volunteer members within the golf association, responsible for event governance and management. National supporting partners Titleist and Yamaha were present for opening ceremonies. For all competitor results, visit www.EWGAChampionship.com/results.
About the EWGA The EWGA is THE Golf Community for Women. As the largest women-focused national amateur golf association in the United States with chapters in nearly every U.S. major market and corporate center, the EWGA has connected more than 100,000 women who share a passion for cultivating relationships and enjoying the game. Offering a wide range of affordable organized golf activities and educational programs, this award-winning association has been bringing women together through golf since 1991. EWGA Chapters are located in more than 120 cities throughout the United States as well as international locations including Bermuda, Canada, Italy and South Africa, enabling EWGA members to become active participants in hundreds of communities. For more information about the EWGA and membership, visit ewga.com. Media members interested in more information about the EWGA for an editorial review should contact Danielle Sorresso (Danielle@themediagroupinc.com) of The Media Group at (847) 956-9090. 64
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Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
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urnament news tournament news tournament news tournament news tourn
By Glenn Makin
Nick York & Dakota Norton Run-off with the Sevierville GC 2-Man Title with a 26-under
Championship Flight 1 Nick York and Dakota Norton 53-63--116 -26 2 Eric Russell and Skip Taylor 57-62--119 -23 3 Justin Rountree and Wes Clenney 58-63--121 -21 Scott McGaha and Jay Wise 57-64--121 -21 5 Robby Howard and Rick Mays 57-67--124 -18
The conditions were perfect for the Sevierville Golf Club Fall 2-Man Scramble with Nick York & Dakota Norton firing an unheard of 17-under on the Highlands Course to hold a four-shot lead after the first round. The duo were recent graduates of Tusculum College and stars on the Golf Team. They backed up their record pace round with a 9-under on the difficult River Course giving up only one-shot from their lead to the runner-up team of Eric Russell & Skip Taylor out of Hendersonville, NC. Their 10-under round left them 3-shots back and two ahead of the teams tied for third, Justin Rountree & Wes Clenney and Scott McGaha & Jay Wise. In the First Flight filled with championship quality teams, Luke Fullen & Eddie Harmon tied with Eric Kennedy
6 Gumpy Esch and Willie Sexton 59-67--126 -16
& Derek Bradley at 22-under. Right behind them in third place was the brother team of Cameron & Tyler Lane. Tim Moore & Rafael Jackson, tied with another championship team of Bill Oliver & Chad Ownby for the Second Flight. Brad & Mike Davis held off Mike Fuller & Glenn Makin for a Third Flight win. The tournament was hosted by Head Professional Ashley McGaha with pay-outs better than most tournaments and proshop filled with new collections of Fall/Winter outerwear. Mulligans Lounge was filled with tournament players enjoying their beverages and speciality sandwiches from the grill. A spectacular setting for great golf and food. Thanks to Ashley and her staff as well as Mark Wallace, PGA director of Marketing.
7 Jason Hankins and Rick Fannon 59-68--127 -15 Dobber Whaley and Dan Whitson 58-69--127 -15
First Flight 1 Luke Fullen and Eddie Harmon 60-60--120 -22 Eric Kennedy and Derek Bradley 60-60--120 -22 3 Tyler Lane and Cameron Lane 60-61--121 -21 4 Wes Farragut and Greg Nichols 62-61--123 -19 5 Brad Shuff and Dave Neer 62-65--127 -15 6 Eddie Ballard and Jimbo Conner 62-66--128 -14 7 Tony Wallace and Chuck Campbell 60-NC
Second Flight 1 Tim Moore and Rafael Jackson 63-60--123 -19 2 Bill Oliver and Chad Ownby 63-61--124 -18 3 Jerry Cameron and Wayne Moore 64-61--125 -17 4 Rusty Egan and Rodney Lane 64-64--128 -14 Teddy Morton and Mike Neal 63-65--128 -14 6 Bo Harris and Matt Bowers 65-64--129 -13 7 Russ Rutherford and Bo Callaway 64-68--132 -10 8 Kevin Tolliver and Lester Ford 65-70--135 -7 9 Bobby Adams and Rancey Sparks 65-72--137 -5
Third Flight 1 Brad Davis and Mike Davis 66-67--133 -9 2 Glen Makin and Mike Fuller 68-66--134 -8 3 Brian Wyatt and Dewayne Barrett 69-67--136 -6 4 Ray Elliott and Rory Elliott 70-67--137 -5 RC 5 Jeff Hammond and Josh Brummerstedt 70-68--138 -4 6 Dan West and Jeff Jones 66-73--139 -3 RC 7 Greg Smith and Charlie Wallace 69-82--151 +9 8 Tim Jones and Randy Gallagher 70-82--152 +10
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Tim Moore & Rafael Jackson
Eddie Harmon & Luke Fullen
Derek Bradley & Eric Kennedy
Champions Dakota Norton & Nick
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Brad & Mike Davis Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
Jacobs Chiropractic Helps Patients Optimize Their Health Your Knoxville and Farragut Chiropractor Discover what thousands of patients already have: Jacobs Chiropractic has the expertise to help you attain – and maintain – your optimum health and wellness. Whether you have neck or back pain or suffer from chronic or acute health conditions, Knoxville Chiropractor, Dr. Chad Jacobs of Jacobs Chiropractic would like to help!
A Different Approach for Knoxville & Farragut Chiropractor in Knoxville, Dr. Chad Jacobs explains, “We are one of very few Tennessee chiropractors to offer the Clinical Biomechanics of Posture® (CBP) technique, which improves spinal alignment and posture to alleviate painful conditions and provide a route to lasting health and wellness.” For a more detailed understanding of biophysics please visit idealspine.com.
Structural Rehab This structural rehab returns your spine to its normal alignment, creating permanent solutions to postural issues that contribute to many health related conditions. If you’ve been to see other Knoxville chiropractors or tried other forms of treatment without success, give us a call to schedule your first appointment and see how Jacobs Chiropractic may be able to help you!
Dr. Chad C. Jacobs | Knoxville Chiropractor | 130 Mabry Hood Rd, Suite 106, Knoxville TN 37922 Phone: (865) 566-0325
urnament news tournament news tournament news tournament news tourn
PGA Knoxville Chapter Pro-Am Series Cup Matches Won by the Amateurs Cole who led by four holes with five to play, needing one more hole to finish off Amateurs Ryan Greer & Matt King. King proceeded to run a string of birdies to take the match to a tie on the 18th hole. “Matt just caught fire and it was amazing to watch,” said Greer.
Results of the morning round:
Tyler Lane and Lucas Tabor
PGA- Flenniken & Cole All Square AM- Greer & King All Square PGA- Moran & Williams 2&1 AM- Wise Gryder PGA- Lockwood & Myers AM- Bradshaw & Morton 3&2 PGA- Reeves & Hudson 2&1 AM- Burgan & Rodgers PGA- Dibble & Hunter 3&2 AM- Tabor & Lane Seniors PGA- Newbeck & Hall AM- Freels & Wyatt 4&2 PGA- Kammann & Harmon AM- Waters & Rodgers 6&5 PGA- Spraker & Cox 1UP AM- Golliher & England
Justin Myers and Tyler Lockwood
Morning Results
½ point ½ point 1 point 1 point 1 point 1 point
1 point 1 point 1 point
PGA - 4 ½ points
AM - 3 ½ points
The afternoon round was an Alternate Shot Match Play Format and the Amateurs found their stride making up ground to bring home the victory with 8 ½ to 7 ½ point total to move win by one point. The Amateurs now lead the series 2-1-1. We can expect the PGA Professionals will not take this years defeat lightly and will mount a charge for next year.
Results of the afternoon round:
Glenn Hudson and Jake Reeves
The Knoxville Chapter of the PGA Tennessee Section has re-
turned to its old form as Chad Anderson, PGA Professional and NGF Director for East Tennessee has built the Pro-Am Series from the ground up in four short years. The Pro-Am Series Cup Matches are the culmination of the seasons best professional and amateurs with teams selected from those with the highest point totals in Pro-Am events and points earned in PGA and TGA State sanctioned tournaments. Going in to this years Cup Match the score was tied at 1-1-1 with teams putting their skills on the line to bring home a victory and take a lead in the wins column. With the teams selected and invitations accepted, Anderson chose Ron Waters as the team captain for the Amateurs and Scott Moran represented the PGA Pro's as captain. Their strategic pairings would prove to be highly competitive for an exciting day of golf. The morning format was a Four-ball Match Play with each team player playing his own ball and taking the lowest score for the team score. The most exciting round in the morning was between the PGA “home team” from Oak Ridge, Casey Flenniken & Zach
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PGA- Flenniken & Cole All Square AM- Bradshaw & Morton All Square PGA- Moran & Williams 3&2 AM- Greer & King PGA- Lockwood & Myers AM- Gryder & Wise 1 UP PGA- Reeves & Hudson AM- Tabor & Lane 5&4 PGA- Dibble & Hunter All Square AM- Burgan & Rodgers All Square Seniors PGA- Newbeck & Hall 3&2 AM- Waters & Rodgers PGA- Kammann & Harmon AM- Golliher & England 1 UP PGA- Spraker & Cox AM- Freels & Wyatt 1 UP Afternoon Total Total Score
½ point ½ point 1 point 1 point 1 point ½ point ½ point 1 point 1 point 1 points
PGA - 3 points PGA - 7 ½ points
AM - 5 points AM - 8 ½ points
The teams spoke of excellent conditions and gave accolades to both Oak Ridge Country Club and Chad Anderson for a great tournament.
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Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
Matt King and Ryan Greer
Scott Moran and Bryan Williams
Brandon Rodgers and Todd Burgan
Chris Dibble and Braxton Hunter
Ray Morton and Michael Bradshaw Jr.
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ournament news tournament news tournament news tournament news tourna
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
Bryan Rodgers and Ron Waters
tennessee golf association
Golf Central Winter Tour Schedule Dates Course Location Tour Name Oct 18
Royal Oaks GC
Maryville
Winter Tour 2-Man Scottish Lowball
Oct 25
Sevierville GC
Sevierville
Speical Event* with 2-Man Scramble
Nov 1-2
The Country Club Morristown
Special Event* with 2-Man Scramble
Nov 8
Dandridge GC
Dandridge
Winter Tour 2-Man
Nov 15
Three Ridges
Knoxville
Winter Tour 2-Man
Nov 22
Oscar's
Morristown
Winter Tour 2-Man
Nov 29
Nolichucky View Greeneville
Winter Tour 2-Man
Dec 6
Sevierville GC
Winter Tour 2-Man Highlands Course
Sevierville
Morristown Golf And Country Club
Dec 13-14 Crossville Road Trip Crossville 13th- Dorchester GC 14th- Bear Trace GC Dec 20
Patriot Hills GC
Jefferson City Winter Tour 2-Man
Dec 27
Three Ridges GC Knoxville
Winter Tour 2-Man
Jan 3
Royal Oaks GC
Maryville
Winter Tour 2-Man
Jan 10
Dandridge GC
Dandridge
Winter Tour 2-Man
Jan 17
River Islands GC Kodak
Winter Tour 2-Man
Jan 24
Willow Creek GC Knoxville
Winter Tour 2-Man
Jan 31
Nolichucky View Greeneville
Special Event* Snowball 2-Man Scramble
Feb 7
River Islands GC Kodak
Winter Tour 2-Man
Feb 14
Oscars
Morristown
Winter Tour 2-Man
Feb 21
Sevierville GC
Sevierville
Winter Tour 2-Man River Course
Feb 28
Patriot Hills GC
Jefferson City Winter Tour 2-Man
Mar 7
Nolichucky View Greeneville
Winter Tour 2-Man
Mar 14
Millstone GC
Morristown
Winter Tour 2-Man
Mar 21
Dandridge GC
Dandridge
Winter Tour Championship
Special Events are a separate side-pot from the host tournament. Paid separately Rooms & Times for Crossville Road are TBA, watch for announcement. Membership fee is $10 for the season
1180 Valley Home Rd Morristown, TN 37813 423.586.9953
Well maintained “Best 9-Hole Course” Come join us for the Oscar’s 2-Man Scramble August 16-17 Home of the 1:00pm Daily Game Call to reserve the course for your next fundraising event Host course for 3 events on the Tennessee Golf Central golfnews4friends.net Winter Tour
Some winners of past tournaments
All members receive a goody bag with Golf Central Cover-up and accessories. Contact Glenn Makin, Tour Coordinator, 865-556-4653 for details Blake Foote
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Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
The first regular season stop on the Golf Central Winter Tour was Dandridge Golf & Country Club and what a good day it was with temperatures in the high 60's and partly cloudy. The story of the day belonged to Chris Dearing who took his 9 handicap on the course and played like a zero handicap. Dearings 2-under 70 career day put him on a net 61, blowing the field away. His partner Charlie Martin grabbed his coattails and helped give them a trouncing victory of their fellow competitors. Blake Foote & Matthew Williamson, new members of the tour finished the day on top of the leader board with 28 total points, to Martin & Dearings 26 points. Week 2 of the Winter Tour stopped at Three Ridges Golf Course in Knoxville and although the temperatures were low to mid-40's there was little to no wind with bright and sunny skies. Several new teams played and apparently enjoyed the format and the good competition. Hopefully we will see them often. Defending Champions from last season, Mike Seal & Jimmy Whittenburg made their first appearance and although they didn't win their match they certainly showed they are cham-
of Dearing & Martin and
scores and league standings. Each week
pions as both scored gross even par
Williamson & Foote are tied at
there are numerous prizes awarded
72. The net winners of the day were
the top of the standings.
for individual and team scores as well
newcomers to the tour, Scott Collette &
The Golf Central Winter Tour is open
as skins, closest-to-pins and blind
Les Carr with a 6-under par net score.
to professionals and amateur 2-man
draw team prizes. You can see all the
After week two, the teams
teams with handicap used for net
details at golfnews4friends.net.
Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
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tournament news tournament news tournament news tournament news tourna
The Golf Central Winter Tour 2-Man Gross & Net Matches For a Full Season of Competition
making golf history
Centennial Anniversary Timeline As part of the TGA’s Centennial Anniversary, the association will periodically posting information on important people, places and events that have shaped amateur golf in Tennessee over the last hundred years
November 16 (1993) The Harold Eller family (wife Ruth, daughters Beverly Pearce & Judy Street and sons Richard & Mike) were honored for their lifetime devotion to the game of golf as the recipient of the National Golf Foundation's Jack Nicklaus Golf Family of the Year award. The presentation was made at the Spanish Bay Resort Hotel in Pebble Beach in conjunction with the Women in Golf Summit Honors Banquet.
November 5 (1965) Curtis Person, Sr. (Memphis) posts a score of 71-71-69 - 211 to win the first TGA Senior Amateur at Colonial CC.
October 28 (1916) Mrs. David C. 'Marguerite' Gaut (Memphis) defeats Mrs. Frank N. 'Della' Guthrie (Memphis) 5&4 in the finals of the first Tennessee Women's Amateur at Memphis CC. The idea originiated several years earlier when Frank O. Watts, president of First National Bank in Nashville who took a position with a St. Louis bank, told Mrs. Kenneth G. 'Edyth' Duffield (Memphis) he would donate a trophy for the winner of the first women's Tennessee championship. This trophy is among the golfing memorabilia given by the Gaut estate to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, that in turn was given to the Tennessee State Museum. Mrs. Gaut was the first woman ever inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. On this same day the Women's Tennessee Golf Association is organized. Mrs. Duffield was elected president, Anne Watkins (Chattanooga) vice president and Mrs. J.D. Varnell (Knoxville) secretary-treasurer. The officers, together with Mrs. W.O. Came (Bristol) and Daisy Stegall (Jackson), formed the executive board.
first TGA Mid-Amateur, a tournament for players 25 and older, at Colonial CC (South). Long would win three of the first four tournaments played before the format was changed to stroke play in 1992. Four player, Tim Jackson (6), Danny Green (4), Rob Long (3) and Richard Keene (3), have won the tournament three times or more.
October 18 (2001) Tim Jackson (Germantown) defeats George Zahringer 1-up to win the U.S. Mid-Amateur, his second, at San Joaquin CC in Fresno, CA. It was an impressive showing for Tennessee golfers as three of the quarter-finalists hailed from the state. Zahringer defeated Trey Lewis (Hendersonville) on the 19th hole of their semi-final match and Danny Green (Jackson) lost in the quarterfinals. Jackson (1994, 2001) and Green (1999) are the only Tennesseans to win the championship.
October 16 (1980) Betty Probasco (Chattanooga) posts a score of 74-76 - 152 to win the second annual TGA Women's Senior Amateur at Cleveland CC. By winning she bacame the only player in history to win both the Women's Amateur and Women's Senior Amateur in the same year. It was her only appearance in the senior event. She went on to win her seventh and eighth Women's Amateur titles in 1981 and 1986.
October 11 (1918) As was the custom until the 1980's, at the 1916 State Amateur at Memphis CC, the TGA elected a president for the following year from the club that is to host the State Amateur. McGee Tyson of Cherokee CC in Knoxville was elected, however the tournament was not held in 1917 and 1918 due to the U.S. involvement in World War I. Lt. Charles McGhee Tyson, age 28, died on this date while flying over the North Sea.
October 27 (1968) The Amateurs defeat the Professionals 45.5 - 44.5 in the first annual Tennessee Challenge Cup Matches at Old Hickory CC.
October 23 (1937) Mrs. David C. 'Marguerite' Gaut (Memphis) defeats Mrs. Scott 'Peggy' Probasco, Sr. 4&3 to win her fifth Tennessee Women's Amateur tournament at Chattanooga Golf & CC. It was Mrs. Probasco who reorganized the Women's Tennessee Golf Association in order to revive the championship which had not been played since 931. Only eight tournaments were played from 1916 thru 1931 and Mrs. Gaut had won half of them. Seven players, Betty Probasco (8), Judy Eller Street (7), Marguerite Gaut (6), Margaret Gunther lee (6), Ann Baker Furrow (5), Margarite Solomon (4) and Connie Day (4), have won four or more Women's Amateurs.
October 23 (1988)
The Princeton University graduate was stationed at Killingholme, England and killed while hunting for submarines over the North Sea. After the arrival of his remains in Knoxville, the most remarkable funeral ever held in that city took place. The whole populace turned out to honor him, including the governor and his full staff. His father was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy who fought Indians in the West and commanded volunteer troops from Tennessee and Kentucky he had personally raised during the SpanishAmerican War. General Lawrence D. Tyson's brigade, who won more Medals of Honor than any other brigade during World War I, was engaged in the fighting on the Hindenburg line in France at the time his son was killed. Upon his tomb are these lines: "Better death by the sword for some high, unselfish purpose, than to live out a life of ease, safe encloistered (sic.) all thy days. To live for thine own ends is human: To die for some great cause, for Liberty or for another good - that is God-like."
Rob Long (Clarksville) defeats Buzz Fly (Memphis) 3&2 to win the
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Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 6
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