Golf Central Mag- Vol 22 Issue 7 by Golf Central Magazine

Nature meets unrivaled golf W W W . G O L F C E N T R A L M A G . C O M

The Fabulous, Not Far Away Fairways Of Fairfield Glade Await You.

Our fairways are fabulous. Our greens are gorgeous. Our tee boxes a real treat. And it’s all an easy drive from anywhere in the Southeast. Fairfield Glade is conveniently located between Knoxville and Nashville just a few miles off I-40. And when you get here, well…Now The Fun Begins.

• 5 Championship Golf Courses • Miles of Hiking Trails • 11 Lakes for Boating and Fishing • 2 Marinas; Rental Boats, Bait/Tackle • Tennis and Pickleball Courts • Stables for Horseback Riding • Stay & Play Packages Available

For information or reservations, call 888-334-5233 • www.fairfieldgladeresort.com

Wide Open Beaches

Fairways For Miles Known for action-packed racing and world-famous beaches, Daytona Beach also offers savvy golfers challenging courses at exceptional value. Come and play where the pros play, at LPGA International and other unique courses. Savor local seafood along scenic waterways. Explore historical and cultural sites. And pair your golf outing with a range of coastal accommodations to create a perfect package.

To learn more, visit DaytonaBeach.Golf

LPGA International

AWARDS CEREMONY PRESENTED BY

Legendary Lifestyle

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

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

from the publisher

Gratitude is a Magnetic Energy

Volume 22, Issue 7 Publisher: Terrie L. Purdum Editor in Chief: Shannon Coates Graphic Design: Melahn Cable, Photojournalists: Greg and Beverly Wise Photographers: Lynn Pelham, Brion Price, Peter Hakansson

Terrie with John Cooke

…that draws people to us… I am both grateful and thankful every day. When I recently moved from Winter Springs to Lake Wales about an hour and a half (and seemingly light years) away, I wasn’t sure to be happy about it or cry. And while I deeply miss my neighbors in the “cuddlesac” as I used to call it, I have come to love where I live now as well. I got a huge coup by having Dennis Dumler, who worked for CBS, CNN-Sports, and ESPN, agree to write for Golf Central (learn more on pg 22). I am also grateful to have met our new intern here at Lake Ashton. Madison Forni is a Florida native and currently is attending Florida State University pursuing a degree in Entrepreneurship. Madison loves her family and expresses that it is one of her biggest values. She spends her free time

Mike Coonan, Becky Galloway Senior Correspondent: Rick Harris, Sr. International Correspondent: Dove Jones Inflluencer/Ambassador: Chad Smith Contributing Writers: Jay Golden, PGA; Greg Wise, Bob Bolton, Greg Corbo, Dennis Dumler, Elisa Gaudet, Mike Jamison, Mike May, Ron Heller, Rich Styles, Fred Seely, Deb Shuck, JL Quebbeman, Linda Williams-Sieg Editor Emeritus: Joel Jackson, CGCS Retired Turf Tender: Rich Havyer Intern: Madison Forni Regional Partner: Doug Hollandsworth, Founder-Georgia Golf Trail

Golf Central Magazine is published monthly by: Sand Hill Publishing & Public Relations 4313 Berwick Dr, Lake Wales, FL 33859

NEW PHONE: 863.875.6863 E-mail: info@golfcentralmag.com ©2021 Golf Central Magazine. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Editorial contributions are welcome, but Golf Central Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited proposals, manuscripts and photographs. All materials submitted not accompanied by a selfaddressed stamped envelope will not be returned. Mailing, electronic mailing or faxing of contributions constitutes an expressed warrant on the part of the contributor that all material is original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Golf Central Magazine retains all reprint rights and reserves the right to edit any submitted material to meet our specifications for publishing and or use in advertising or promotion. The Publisher and staff are not responsible for any loss or grievance by any person or persons whatsoever, due in any way or in part to the content of this publication. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse to accept any material deemed inappropriate or in bad taste.

teaching Fitness Classes, attending Madison Forni

golf tournaments and being involved in the Make a Wish Philanthropy with

her sorority on campus. She has a passion for leading others, traveling, and staying active. A fun fact about Madison is that she has been to 16 different countries! This month’s cover position is hosted by Beau Rivage Resort & Casino who are hosting the “Deep South Turf Expo” in Mississippi that celebrates turfgrass professionals. Beverly and Greg Wise, two fantastic people who have written for me for 22 years and write “Golf the Wise Way”, will be there representing Golf Central at the Deep South Expo and for that I am thankful. We are in the most magnetic industry out there especially given the challenges of the past 18 months. There is so much to be grateful for and I appreciate every person Golf Central continues to attract. Much obliged!

2009 North Florida PGA Amateur of the Year 6

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

PAUS

P L

With so many beautiful destinations, Omni Hotels & Resorts makes it easy to get back out there and play during the holidays. Experience the spirit of the season with time-honored traditions and family-friendly activities. Your playlist is endless at The Omni Homestead Resort. Explore more at OmniHotels.com/TheHomestead

Volume 22, Issue 7 Cart Girl 28 Mia Paul FEATURE 10 Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Florida Golf Central 14 Florida’s First Coast of Golf Fore Your Health 26 Altwell Golf Bachelorette 18 Liz Leigh Golf Fore Charity 24 Targeting a Cure for Parkinson’s 36 Help for Haiti Leader on the Links 22 DEnnis Dumler Special Events 20 Furyk & Friends Stay & Play 44 Mission Inn Resort Turf Life 48 Performance Nutrition Superstar: Reed Orr 50 Cypress Landing 52 Pro Turf International 54 Turf Pirate's Journal

Natur

46 Departments 12 16 30 38 40 42 43 46

Holiday Gift Guide Georgia Golf Trail PGA Tour Golf History Golf History North Florida PGA South Florida PGA Freddy's Fairway Thoughts

28 20

golfcentralmag.com

e meets un W W W rivaled . G O L F C E N T R A L M A G . C O M

Feature Art

icle Pg 10

golf

YOUR LOVE AFFAIR

WITH

GOLF DESERVES THE PERFECT SET TING With 10 magnificent courses why wait, Lock in your 2022 golf plans today.

Go to BoyneGolf.com or call 855-427-6316

feature

By Logan Henry

Front Nine. Back Nine. Cloud Nine! Biloxi Mississippi may be best known for gulf fresh seafood, Las Vegas-style casino resorts and pristine white sand beaches, but it has always been a leading golf vacation destination due in part to its year-round mild climate and variety of quality courses. One Coastal Mississippi standout course is a draw unto itself and recognized among the top in the nation. Designed by legendary course architect Tom Fazio exclusively for guests of MGM Resorts International’s Beau Rivage, Fallen Oak is must-play course for any golfer to the region. It is consistently ranked as the best course in Mississippi by Golf Digest and Golfweek and since its opening in 2007 has held the No. 2 position on Golfweek’s Best Casino Course list, trailing only its sister MGM Resorts’ course Shadow Creek in Las Vegas. Nestled on the edge of the De Soto National Forest, a short drive from Beau Rivage, the 510-acre, par-72 Fallen 10

Oak was designed to preserve the natural landscape of the area and test all aspects of a golfer’s game while appealing to the senses with its beauty and aesthetic charm. Dynamic design features – such as plush fairways, gently rolling greens and surprisingly dramatic elevation changes for a coastal course – combine with Fallen Oak’s inherent beauty to deliver an exceptional challenge for golfers of all abilities and handicaps. Stately oaks, magnolias, pecans, pines and hardwood trees are interspersed with ponds, streams and wetlands to offer an exquisite natural canvas and world championship golf experience. Home to a PGA TOUR Champions tournament for over a decade, Fallen Oak has attracted some of the biggest names in golf and has been a perineal favorite among the players. The Fallen Oak experience is available to guests of Beau Rivage. The AAA Four Diamond resort features

1,740 guest rooms and suites, 10 restaurants, exciting nightlife and an 85,000-square-foot gaming area including BetMGM Book Bar & Grill, Mississippi’s first full-service sports betting and entertainment destination. The resort also offers live entertainment, upscale shopping with 10 retail stores, a world-class spa and salon, Black Clover Lounge and Topgolf Swing Suite. Fallen Oak offers exceptional stay and play golf packages whenever tee times are available with groups spaced at 12-minute intervals. Stay-andplay hotel packages begin at $180 per person, double occupancy, and include an 18-hole greens fee, shared cart and range practice before play. Quad packages and packages including a food and beverage credit valid at Beau Rivage and Fallen Oak are also available. To book a Fallen Oak getaway package, visit www.beaurivage.com or call (877) 805-4657. Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 7

holiday gift guide

Golf Ball Buoy

One of the best new golf products of the year. The Golf Ball Buoy is constructed of a fluorescent orange, durable and waterresistant material, weighted pellets with a bungee cord attached at the top for easy tossing to mark your partners golf ball in deep grass. The Golf Ball Buoy is made in the USA. Golf Ball Buoy is a great gift for any golfer and a wonderful product for golf tournaments and pro shops. $16.95 + shipping. www.golfballbuoy.com

The Putting Arc

The Putting Arc is not just a random circle on the ground, but instead it is a precise elliptical arc based on the 2200 year-old conic section math formulas of Apollonius of Perga (262 BC - 190 BC). The math of Apollonius has been combined with space age computer design and CNC manufacturing, and used to produce every single Putting Arc. Over 2000 pro wins with all kinds of putters and every size of pro golfer are proof of the accuracy of this math. The first known pro win by a Putting Arc user was the 2002 Scandinavian Masters. It was won by Graeme McDowell, 2002 College Player of the Year and a future U.S. Open champion. Two recent wins by the #1 woman player in the world show that the Putting Arc still works today! The Golf Range Association of America conducted a poll of 250 of the top teaching professionals in the USA and for all six years of this poll the Putting Arc was identified as the most used putting training aid by these top teachers. Get your own Putting Arc, use it at home for a few minutes every day and quickly develop the on-plane, arc-type stroke of the modern touring pro. HOLIDAY SPECIALS: T3 or T4 plus Alignment Mat $49.95 plus S&H (save $15) MSIII plus new Ben Hogan Book or Arc Glider $59.95 plus S&H (save $8 to $20) MS-3D plus new Ben Hogan Book or Arc Glider $69.95 plus S&H (save $8 to $20) Visit www.thePuttingArc.com or call 800-898-0701 to order the HOLIDAY SPECIAL! Good through 12/31/21.

Nexbelt Braided Series Golf Belt

Upgrade your wardrobe and your style on the golf course with one of these new Braided Ratchet-Style Belts from Nexbelt, “The Belt With No Holes.” Nexbelt’s unique ratcheting system called PreciseFit allows the wearer to adjust the belt in ¼ inch increments, providing the best fit, feel, and fashion available. These belts are cut-to-fit and will accommodate up to a 50” waist. The new Braided Charcoal and Anchor belts (pictured here) join the Navy, Black, Tan, Liberty and Grey offerings to round out this collection. Available at green grass pro shops and golf retailers nationwide and online at www.nexbelt.com. 12

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

True Turn Pro

The groundbreaking TrueTurnPro thoracic spine device -- a sporting good invention like none other that proffers a wide array of performance, fitness and wellness benefits and advantages for golfers, including (but not limited to): • Improves shot accuracy • Develops the power to improve stability and help maintain spine angle • Enhances strength and range of motion • Maximizes rotational speed • Isolates and develops rotational strength and flexibility, which results in overall rotational power • Increases thoracic mobility, which maximizes club head speed and optimize swing path • Shifts focus from club position to body posi tion, correcting faulty movement patterns and improve ball striking • Produces a greater active rotational stretch, creating simplicity and safety for the user . www.trueturnpro.com

PINK Series 3 Max Rangefinder

Blue Tees Golf designed the new Series 3 Max Rangefinder in a pretty, PINK hue, designed to appeal to the female golfer. “The women’s segment of the golf market has grown steadily over the past decade but during the pandemic a large percentage of the new golfers are women. We decided to be the first in the golf rangefinder space to address women golfers and our retail partners are completely in alignment with this objective,” said Blue Tees Golf Vice President of Sales, Taylor Herber. The new PINK Series 3 Max Rangefinder will soon establish itself with consumers and retailers amongst the industry’s premium rangefinders. Its exceptional features include the company’s most advanced software, active slope switch technology, crystal clear display, advanced flag lock and pulse vibration and auto-ambient technology. Blue Tees Golf developed the new PINK Series 3 Max Rangefinder for the women’s segment of the golf market but the company believes the shade of pink transcends gender, male or female, and will attract fashion forward golfers as seen in apparel, golf balls, and in golf equipment. In addition to the chic PINK and white color combination, the new stylish Series 3 Max Rangefinder boasts premium materials, a custom weather-proof case, and retails for $259.00. The PINK Series 3 Max Rangefinder will be available at Dick’s Sporting Goods/Golf Galaxy, PGA Superstores, and over 500 green grass locations for the holiday season. Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

florida golf central

An Unforgettable Northeast Florida Getaway Is Just Par For The Course

Oak Marsh Hole 16

Few destinations compare to Florida’s First Coast when it comes to golf getaways. From Amelia Island to Jacksonville to St. Augustine, Clay County and Palm Coast, Northeast Florida is a golfer’s paradise. Situated along 75 miles of the state’s Northeast Atlantic Coast, Florida’s First Coast of Golf serves 68 unique golf courses for every skill level

greens. Known for its tight fairways and small greens the course meanders along serpentine salt marsh creeks and winds through a hammock of signature

#17 at TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course

with 39 coastal holes. In addition to world-class play, top notch facilities, year around sunshine, and an array of oceanfront resorts, Florida’s First Coast is home to The PLAYERS Championship, The World Golf Hall of Fame and the PGA TOUR Headquarters. Northeast Florida’s own Amelia Island is named Top 25 Golf Islands in The World. With 5 distinct golf courses with 99 challenging, picturesque holes Amelia Island is a golfer’s paradise. Tee off on the resort’s Oak Marsh Golf Course. A classic Pete Dye-designed course built in 1972 this 6,500-yard, par-72 course has 14 holes with water hazards and numerous bulk-headed 14

moss-draped heritage oaks for which Amelia Island is famous. A variety of bunkers add to the challenge, and a natural approach has been maintained with coquina shell cart paths, native plant life and preserved habitats for the local wildlife. Off the links, experience true luxury at the Omni Amelia Island Resort. Nestled on 1,350 acres at the tip of a barrier island off the Florida coast, this beautiful resort offers luxurious oceanfront accommodations with unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean, world-class resort pools, championship golf, and a full-service spa. Here, an unforgettable getaway is just par for the course. Where else can you combine world-class play, history and natural beauty all is one place? Pack up your clubs and bring your thirst for adventure because we have the perfect golf weekend from the fairway to the beaches and everywhere in between. Visit www.florida-golf.org for more information.

Omni Amelia Island Resort Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

georgia golf trail

By Mike May

Historical Sites to See When you play golf at many of the venues along the Georgia Golf Trail, you will see there’s more to the Georgia Golf Trail than golf. You will get to visit and learn about some of Georgia’s most historical and significant moments, mementos, and monuments. In some respects, it all starts in Atlanta, if you happen to fly to Georgia. After leaving the Atlanta airport, your nearest Georgia Golf Trail destination is the Stone Mountain State Park where you can play two highly acclaimed golf courses, Stonemont and Lakemont. After golf, climb to the top of Stone Mountain, one of Georgia’s most unique geological formations. The view from the top of Stone Mountain in all directions is worth the trek to the top. Of course, check out the Mount Rushmore-like sculpture on the side of Stone Mountain which features the images of Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and Stonewall Jackson on horseback. The artwork, completed in 1972, is the largest bas-relief artwork in the world. Another great historical destination

worth visiting is the City of Savannah, which is the oldest city in Georgia, as it was founded in 1733. Later, Savannah was the first state capital of Georgia. After playing golf at the Club at Savannah Harbor, a Bob Cupp and Sam Snead design, which is one

of the courses along the Georgia Golf Trail, you should walk the city streets of Savannah where you can check out the city’s many ‘attractions’ -- Southern cuisine restaurants, riverboat cruises along the Savannah River, architectural tours, spectacular art galleries,

Savannah, GA riverfront

Stone Mountain

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

Civil War re-enactments, and the city’s number-one attraction -- the Savannah Historic Theatre, which was established in 1818. Of course, any visit to Savannah would be incomplete without a stroll along River Street or a visit to the Historic District of Savannah. Very few golf course are blessed with such natural beauty and diversity as the Highland Walk Golf Course at Victoria Bryant State Park in Royston, Georgia. This course’s ability to deliver customer satisfaction each and every round is one of the main reasons why Highland Walk is one of the 20+ desStone Mountain lurks in the background tinations on the Georgia Golf Trail. After golf at Highland Walk, visit the Traveler’s Rest State Historic Site, which is located near the intersection of Old King’s Highway and Unicoi Turnpike. Traveler’s Rest is Georgia’s last stagecoach inn and the long-time residence of the Jarrett family. The inn provides visitors a glimpse into early American travel and will give you a look at life in 19th Century Georgia. This stagecoach inn, and later a plantation home, was first built around 1815 by James Wyly. In 1833, Wyly sold it to his neighbor Devereaux Jarrett, considered the wealthiest man in the Tugaloo Valley. Jarrett kept it open as an inn but doubled its size to make it the home of his vast 14,400-acre plantation. Three generations of the Jarrett family inhabited the site until the state of Georgia purchased the remaining few Travelers Rest Historic Site acres of the oncevast plantation in 1955. Because of its architectural significance and its role in the early history of the area, Traveler’s Rest was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964. Today, visitors can tour the house and see many original artifacts Old car on display at Little White House in Warm Springs,GA and furnishings. When you After golf, visit the historical venvisit Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine ues in the area, specifically the Little Mountain, Georgia, you get access to White House that President Franklin the Mountain View and Lake View golf Delano Roosevelt had built in 1932 courses. Mountain View is the former when he was the governor of New York, home of the PGA Tour’s Buick Challenge. just before he was inaugurated as U.S. Lake View is the original golf course at President in 1933. Roosevelt visited Callaway Resort & Gardens. When the nearby Warm Springs as he hoped that Lake View course was designed by J.B. swimming in the nearly 90-degree McGovern and Dick Wilson, they were spring water might help him cure his instructed to design a course that is infantile paralysis (polio) that struck as beautiful to visit as it is fun to play. him in 1921. The therapeutic water did They were successful in their mission. Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

help improve his physical mobility, but it did not cure him of polio. Visitors who tour FDR’s home get to see it as he left it when he died on April 12, 1945. If you visit Cordele, Georgia to play golf at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Golf Course at the Lake Blackshear State Park & Lodge, there’s a military museum on the premises of the park which is guided by the theme: “Serve the Living, Honor Our Heroic Dead.” Here, you’ll find inspiring indoor exhibits and outdoor installations which include a B-29A Superfortress, jets, tanks and a helicopter. This is a must-see exhibit for families, school-age children, and those who served in the U.S. military. “Clearly, there’s more to the Georgia Golf Trail than golf, as there is as much to do off the course for nongolfers as there is to do on the golf course for golfers,” said Georgia Golf Trail founder Doug Hollandsworth. For more information about places to visit along the Georgia Golf Trail, please access www.GeorgiaGolfandTravel.com. 17

golf bachelorette

Liz Leigh Where were you born? Did you grow up there? Coral Gables, FL. I lived there until I went away to college and only returned to visit family. I grew up playing tennis and was always a tomboy as I loved sports. As I got into my late 50’s, I decided to try golf as I thought it would be easy but found it to be very hard and challenging, but I’m hooked on it. I play golf almost every day and still am trying to improve. What do you do for a living? I am retired and live at Lake Ashton which is a 55+ golf community. Although I am retired, I seem busier than when I worked. I now organize three women’s golf groups and two bridge groups. I also play Mah Jongg. Aside from golf; what do you prefer for fun and relaxation? I relax by being active. I run 5 miles 3 X a week and swim 2 miles 3 X a week . I also do P90X yoga (1.5 hours) and the P90X stretch tape (1 hour) – weekly. I enjoy reading and wake up early to do 20 minutes of meditation. Steak, chicken, or seafood? None of these as I am whole food plant based so do not eat meat, dairy, or processed food. I am a big advocate of eating healthy and believe that many people’s health issues could be helped by changing their eating life style. Tell us something about yourself that only your closest friends know. I was a flight attendant for Pan American Airlines and was able to fly all over the world since it was only an international carrier. I was an investment advisor with Merrill Lynch. I have an 18

MBA from Pace University, NYC. I was divorced after 20 years of marriage and have three grown sons What do you find to be the most annoying habit people have on the course? When someone only is concerned about their game and cannot compliment someone else. Name the three most important things to you in this world. Family, God, friends, and health (sorry but I had to list 4) What are some of your great accomplishments? I was on a USTA 4.5 tennis team that won the national championship. I have run 2 marathons and qualified for the Boston marathon. Favorite television channel? Golf Channel and NBC Last book you read? The Kite Runner by Hossenin News, current events; hardcopy or on-line? Hard copy Favorite charity to support? Cancer, Alzheimers What else would you like for us to know about you? I am an identical twin and this is the first time in our adult lives, we live within 5 minutes of each other by golf cart. People say we look very much alike. Our activity levels are also very similar. Her husband is like a true brother to me. People kid him and say he actually has 2 wives. Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

ONE O

BOAT

F A KIND D

SPA

ESTINATION RESORT

DINING

GOLF

It’s All Here!

PLENTY TO DO BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER GOLF Enjoy this 1,100 acre resort “oasis”. Relax, refresh and recharge with the resort amenities like golf, spa, on-site restaurants/bars, pickle-ball, boating rentals or fishing, or swim in the pool. Join us for Saturday Night Seafood/Sushi/Prime Rib Buffet and Sunday Brunch Buffet.

O G OLF COURS

SCAN & ENTER TO WIN!

E S • F O U R R E S TA U R A N T S

• S PA

Near Orlando | MissionInnResort.com

Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida 800.874.9053

By Greg and Beverly Wise

special events

“You’ve Got a Friend in Me” Congratulations to Phil Mickleson on winning the Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS presented by Circle K! I just keep hearing in my head… Randy Newman’s “Toy Story” hit… “You’ve got a friend in me.” The Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation created a new event to PGA TOUR Champions in 2021. The event promised to bring a unique approach to golf with our celebrity friends attending and a focus on music, food and fun for all. Held at Timuquana Country Club, October 4-10, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida, the proceeds will be benefiting North East Florida charities. The Music… was provided a major concert on Thursday evening by Darius Rucker and Scotty McCrurry. Food

was provided be the master chefs of the Country Club at Timuquana… and the fun was the final day… watching the battle to the championship… that came down to the final putt on the 18th green on Sunday afternoon. During the trophy presentation… Jim Furyk mentioned that, “I was so excited when the commitment came through from Phil Mickelson… then I sat there and thought about the fact that my chances of winning our own tournament… just diminished slightly.” What a great event to pull off for the first year and was truly a major success. We’ll see you in 2022. Talk about friends… You’ve got one in us!

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

leader on the links

Dennis Dumler

My hopes and dreams

of being a pro baseball player were shattered by a severe shoulder injury in high school in suburban Denver, Colorado. It was then that I adjusted my aspirations and directed my energy towards a career as a sports journalist. I had grown to love all sports and was lucky to have inherited the gift of gab from my father and was able to put words together thanks to a grade school teacher who remained a friend and motivator many years out of the classroom. I landed an opportunity to work at small AM/FM radio station on the 22

plains of eastern Colorado while still in my early 20›s. it gave me the chance to learn the business from every angle including play by play of high school wrestling, basketball and baseball, as well as live remote broadcasts. The General Manager saw that I might have a future elsewhere and that elsewhere turned out to be Atlanta, Ga. My girlfriend had re-located there and during a visit I saw the enormous opportunities in a vibrant, energetic and youthful city that was growing by the minute. I was able to go on the air at WRNG radio as the sports reporter and correspondent for CBS Radio covering events throughout the southeast. A stint at another, more powerful station, WGST, also gave me more exposure in the market and when I was invited to apply for a weekend sports anchor job at WAGA TV, I jumped at the chance. A change of the news director led to my next move, downtown to CNN Sports. The man who hired me was Bill MacPhail who was the president of the sports department and the former

head of CBS sports. My time and exposure at CNN allowed me to travel all over the country covering every major sporting event imaginable. I met athletes of all shapes and sizes and was given the chance to go to places and events that I could have only dreamed about. It was a pleasure to go to work every day. The phrase, “been there, done that,” certainly applies to me. I retired in the late 90›s and moved to Destin, FL. in 2004 after the death of my wife (that girlfriend I followed to Atlanta). Staying busy, I had a sports talk radio show and did local high school sports play by play until moving to Winter Haven, Fl. in 2018 with my second wife Margie, who had also lost her spouse years before. Ironically, he had been a fan and she commented that she had seen my face and heard my voice in the early morning hours many times while at CNN. Now, yet another endeavor with Golf Central Magazine had my juices flowing. I look forward to providing information and hopefully entertainment to our readers! Hit ‹em straight. Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

Targeting a Cure for Parkinson’s Restrictions from Covid have

challenged fundraising events limiting them to mostly to outdoor locations. Looking for ways to continue to safely raise money for the Michael J Fox Foundation, Team Fox members Joe and Kathy Holden of Ellicott City Maryland noticed the “Top Contender” tournament available as a fundraiser through Topgolf. It being an outdoor event, they began to plan. The top contender tournament links competing teams from multiple cities featuring a live leaderboard. So, the first step was to find like-minded MJFF supporters in locations across the country to participate and join in with them. Longtime friends and fellow Team Fox members Bob and Cecily Harmon, living in the Winter Haven area, jumped on board. Bob and Cecily have hosted an annual golf tournament to benefit Team Fox and the Michael J Fox foundation. In 12 years their tournament has raised $525,000. Bob has also served as a mentor helping others raise money and has played an ambassador like role speaking and talking to many folks like himself who have been stricken with Parkinson’s disease. Bob and Cecily brought 3 teams of golfers from the Lake Ashton club to the Topgolf location in Tampa. In total, six locations participated as the “Targeting a Cure for Parkinson’s” event began on October 3, In addition to Tampa, locations in Washington DC, Germantown Maryland, Charlotte North Carolina, Austin Texas and Atlanta Georgia joined in. Lunch was provided and all golfers were included in a hole-in-one contest. Over 210 golfers on 40 teams participated in the best ball style tournament for over two hours. The upscale driving range venue provides targets to aim for and points are score based on how close to the center of the target the ball lands. At the conclusion, three national winners were declared, including Team LA Bombers, one of the three teams Bob and Cecily had recruited to play. Thanks to the support of the Harmon’s and others around the country, what began as a small event quickly grew to 210 golfers and has raised close to $120,000 to date. 24

Bob Harmon and the Hawks family Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

The Shields family from Tampa

Kate Harmon,center, and her team from York, Pennsylvania

Jon Halle , highest fundraiser with his team and his Dad

The national winning team, The Canal Crabs Gail Oliver, Kathy Holden, Joyce Chu At the Germantown Maryland location

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

fore your health

ALTWELL: For Your Mental Game Recently there’s been a renewed conversation around golf and mental health. It’s incredibly important for everyone, whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend player, to prioritize mental wellness. CBD, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in the hemp plant, can be a simple and effective addition to your self-care toolkit. CBD helps bring more calm, peace, and ease into your everyday life, so you feel more relaxed and balanced. Along with a balanced and healthy

porate CBD into your everyday routine is with ALTWELL Balance Softgels.

lifestyle, CBD could help boost mood.

These softgels provide 20mg of full

CBD has also been shown to soothe

spectrum CBD from hemp flower

stress by interacting with receptors in

extract and are an amazing option if

the brain that regulate fear and anxi-

you’re looking for a consistent daily

ety CBD may also improve mental

dose of CBD. Try the Balance Softgels

alertness 2, which could translate to

for yourself to experience the dif-

sharper focus on the green and off.

ference in your body and mind!

One of the simplest ways to incor-

Sources: 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC4604171/ 2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC4023456/

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

“It ’s no secret I’ve always been prepared to out-train and out-condition my opponents on the football field, and it’s the same goal on the golf course. I come to the course t o w i n . T h o s e a c h e s a n d p a i n s c a n ’ t g e t i n m y w a y. I ’ v e t r i e d a l l s o r t s o f c r e a m s a n d rubs to ease my muscles and joints over t he years, and most didn’t make a dif ference. Then, t he Pic kett ’s who have been my longtime friends and were t he original creators o f M u s c l e M i l k , i n t r o d u c e d m e t o t h e i r C B D b r a n d . N o w A LT W E L L S p o r t s B a l m i s m y go-to. I use it daily and it lets me focus on my game. It ’s become an impor tant par t of my recover y routine.” JERRY RICE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER AND 3-TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION

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

USE CODE FOR

@ A LT W E L LC B D

A LT W E L L . C O M

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

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

cart girl

Mia Paul

What is the funniest thing you’ve ever seen on the golf course? A new girl started and she flipped her beverage cart over on her first day….she wasn’t hurt or scratched! What type of music do you prefer? I like house music and 90’s alternative. What hobbies do you enjoy? I love to travel, hike and discover new places What is your idea of “the perfect date”? Dinner on the beach with a beautiful sunset view. Relaxed evening at home, or nightclub and cocktails? I like to find a good balance in everything so I enjoy being home relaxing but I also like to go dancing. Favorite comedian? Fluffy Favorite type of movie? Comedy Favorite charity to support? Goodwill What else would you like for us to know about you? I love to cook and one day I wish to own a food truck.

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Ukraine, my home country. Which group of people did you associate most with in high school? I enjoyed dancing so a lot of my friends were from my dance classes. What is your favorite sport to play? Favorite to watch? I like to play tennis and volleyball. I do enjoy watching the Olympic Games when they are on, preferably the Winter Olympics. What do you feel makes this club special? The property and grounds are well kept and beautiful. There is a lot of wildlife on the golf courses. What is your favorite part of being a cart girl? What is your least favorite part? I love to be outside enjoying the view and nature. My least favorite part is having to work holidays. If you weren’t a cart girl, what would you be doing? I would be working as a poker dealer in a casino. What is your memorable moment working as a cart girl? I was assisting some golfers that I thought were cute and I didn’t realize it was two of the Jonas Brothers. I was told later by one my associates that it was them!

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

www.nonablue.com

GA Tour PGA Tour PGAnorth Tour PGA floridaTour PGAPGA north TourfloriPGA Tour PGA Tour PGA To

Article & Photos By Greg Wise

U.S.A. U.S.A. U.S.A.

Imagine hearing the chant encompassing the acreage around Whistling Straits in Wisconsin in September of 2021 all 3 days of the unique competition. It was the chant that has been practiced by fans to help render support for the return of the cup to the USA. The Ryder Cup, that the European team had held for going on 3 years. It was our first time to experience The Ryder Cup and I truly didn’t realize the impact that was going to have on us for the future. We have been to many Professional Golf Events and it really represents the “Titans of the Tour”… battling head to head for the elusive win on the PGA Tour… grab the trophy… thank all the supporters… collect the check and we’ll see ya next week. The Ryder Cup is obviously different. Granted you have the same Titans of the Tour. that battle each week, but this time they are working together as a “TEAM.” The USA vs The Europeans. Now granted that is a battle of golfers going on in some great formats that you don’t see on a day-to-day tour event. It is totally different with Win/Loss records on the line and the ability to hold your emotions in check. The Ryder Cup is a BUCKET LIST event that every golfer must experience. There is nothing like standing close to players like Bryson DeChambeau and hearing the sound that his club makes at impact… or quality wedge play from the youngest player on the team, Collin Morikawa… BUT then there were

the fans. You suddenly start to watch the USA Fans… but they weren’t alone. Many Europeans that made the trip across the pond were there to show off their colors as well.

Here is just few of the fun that we experience. As we came away from the The Ryder Cup… we were already starting to plan for a trip to Rome in 2023 to continue The Ryder Cup experience.

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

By Tony Leodora

caribbean golf central

Smiling Faces in the Dominican Republic In America, the game of golf began to reopen during the second half of 2020. People found that golf courses were among the safest places on the planet. Good for mental and physical health. During the second half of 2021, the rest of the golf world began to reopen. People traveled freely across the country … and they even began traveling to golf destinations around the world. That renewed movement was a saving grace for tourism in places like the Dominican Republic. Long recognized as the finest golf destination in the Caribbean and all of Latin America, the Dominican

saw a major resurgence in the second half of 2021. Part of the resurgence was sparked by the marketing company, DR Golf, and its convention that was held at the spectacular Secrets Cap

Punta Espada #10

Cana … near the tourist haven of Punta Cana. It brought together golf

The delegates who attended,

writers, destination representatives

along with the growing numbers of

and golf packagers from around the

visitors at the Dominican resorts

world.

and golf courses, all had one thing

“This was not an easy effort,”

in common – smiling faces. And that

admitted Teddy De Lara, director

is quite understandable, considering

of DR Golf. “Some people are still

the quality of the resorts and golf

hesitant about traveling. But the

courses in the Dominican.

ones who came here saw that

“We are very proud of all of

the resorts and golf courses were

our properties in the Dominican

committed to safety.”

Republic,” said Luis Nunez, regional

Teeth of the Dog

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

commercial director for AMResorts. “But Secrets Cap Cana is a very special property. Most people rate it as their favorite in the area.” Also on display in the greater Punta Cana region are golf courses that represent the Mount Rushmore of golf course architects. Jack Nicklaus has two spectacular designs – the seaside course at Punta Espada and the parkland-style course at Hard Rock. Tom Fazio has Corales, home of the PGA Tour’s Corales Championship. Pete Dye has his collection of three courses at Casa de Campo – Teeth of the Dog, Dye Four and Links. Punta Espada features 13 holes

Secrets Can Cana

with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. The course hosted a Champions Tour event in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The final one was won by Freddy Couples, who established the course record with a 62. Casa de Campo is a worldrenowned resort. The Teeth of the Dog course, the oldest of the three courses, is regarded as one of the finest in the world. It also is regarded by many as the greatest work in the somewhat controversial career of Dye. Corales is a fun stop for the professionals on the PGA Tour. The Fazio design also has many oceanfront holes and provides a

Punta Espada #18

great break from the usual weekly schedule. Hard Rock is the newest course in the region, opened in 2010. It is part of a very hip resort that is, not surprisingly, a favorite of American visitors. “I have been living in the area for about 10 years now,” says Casa de Campo golf professional Todd Gilley, who had earlier employment stops at places like Bald Head Island in North Carolina. “The golf in this area, not just my club, is so spectacular. It is truly a golf paradise.” Call it a golf paradise, within a vacation paradise. Golf in the Dominican Republic is open again … and golf travelers are loving it. Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

#5 Dye Four 35

By Dennis Dumler

one child at a time

for a great cause. LHP President Scott Davidson was justifiably thrilled with everything that was done to help the cause, “LHP has 13 full time employees in the central Haitian plateau city of Marmont. Our goal is to help educate the youngsters of this area where food is cooked over open fires and water is carried from the local stream. The average child in Haiti gets to 3rd grade and that’s it. We try to help with meals, jobs for teachers and staff as well as medical needs so fundraising is vital.” A huge part of that fundraising comes in the form of sponsorships and

out the day as volunteers were on hand at every turn. There was help at the bag drop. The registration went smoothly. Buying raffle tickets was a breeze. The putting contest had long lines that flowed without delay. Most obvious to many of the golfers was the fact that the shotgun start, started on time. The par 3’s not only offered the chance to win a new Bartow Ford automobile with a hole in one but all had

Bartow Ford stepped up as the Presenting Sponsor. Bartow Ford is a recognizable name throughout Florida and their participation was vital and rewarding. Benny Robles Jr, the President and GM, said the Bartow Ford involvement was easy decision, “We are sponsors and participants in many events in our area, but this allowed us the chance

As golfers, most, if not all of us have

to step up on an international stage

had the chance to play in a scramble

LHP and Huntington Hills gave us great

tournament only to be disappointed in

satisfaction for a cause that we believe

the course condition, the lack of organi-

in strongly.”

zation, the “goodie bag”, the post event

as well. Being here and working with

The sponsors were evident through-

food/drink or where the hard-earned entry fee money actually is dispersed. Then there is an event like the Love Haiti Partnership held in early October at the beautiful Huntington Hills Golf and Country Club in Lakeland, Florida. If one needed a blueprint on how to run an event, this was it! Love Haiti Partnership(LHP) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that was forced to wait a year for this outing due to Covid restrictions, but the 120 golfers were rewarded with all things right about great day on the links. This event checked all the right boxes, starting with the satisfaction of raising money

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

plenty of cold energy drinks, water and

ing. Again, the staff at the club did not

snacks were welcomed as temperatures

disappoint!

rose into the low 90’s. The long drive

As I mentioned earlier, this was a

hold once again provided the chance to

superbly run event but the bottom line

bomb one down the immaculate fair-

is that a large sum of money was raised

way while at the same time humbling

for the Love Haiti Partnership, and

many of the rest of us in the field. “He

that was the real goal. Scott Davidson

hit it HOW FAR?”

estimated that up to $50,000.00 will

A ball drop from a helicopter con-

go towards the effort in Haiti. That

cluded the days on course activities in

is an amazing amount but this was

a very comfortable playing time of just

an amazing event that will no doubt

over 4 hours. As mentioned, it turned

sell out again next year. They got it

out to be a very hot afternoon so the

right the first time around so top-

awards ceremony and fine dinner in

ping it in 2022 will be a task indeed.

the air conditioning was very welcom-

For more information, visit

“Since 1948, we have had the privilege of serving this community and truly believe that it is our people who make us different.”

“We’re different and we prove it” 2800 US HWY 98 N • Bartow, FL 33830 • 863-533-0425 www.BartowFord.com

golf history

Dunedin Golf Club Eyes Restoration as 100th Anniversary Approaches Source: Dunedin Golf Club archives. Aerial photo of 10th & 14th holes at Dunedin Isles on September 14, 1926.

The Dunedin golf course

has a rich and storied history. In 1925, the Michigan firm of Frischkorn-Florida, headed by Ephraim S. Frischkorn, purchased 1,500 acres to develop the Dunedin Isles Subdivision. In February of 1926, Frischkorn-Florida announced it would construct an 18-hole golf course designed by the legendary golf course architect Donald Ross. Work on the course started in 1926. It was completed in time for a grand opening on January 1st, 1927.The golf course exemplifies Ross’s design philosophy: “Golf should be a pleasure, not a penance.”

Greatness Since the Beginning When the Dunedin Isles Golf Course opened for play on January 1st, 1927, Tommy Armour, the game’s finest player at the time, remarked, “It is one of the finest courses I’ve ever played. The layout is the thing. It’s the best in Florida and perhaps the country.” Dunedin Isles Golf Club was also in the Guinness Book of World Records. In April of 1928, two Dunedin assistant golf pros set the record for most holes played in one day by playing 263 holes! How did they do it? They used two motorcycles to transport them quickly between shots.

Home of the PGA of America

The Dunedin golf course became the home of the Professional Golfers Association of America in 1945. It Source: Chicago Tribune, April 22nd, 1928

was renamed the PGA National Club. The PGA Senior Championship was founded and played here from 1945 to 1962. Many of golf’s greatest players graced Dunedin’s fairways including Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, and Louise Suggs. The first PGA Merchandise show was held in the Club’s parking lot in 1954. It has since become one of the largest trade shows in the world. In 1962, the PGA ultimately outgrew the course and moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

The Future Earlier this year, Club members organized to restore this golfing masterpiece. As a first step, the Club applied for and received a $15,000 grant from the Donald Ross Society to commission a master restoration plan to restore. In February 2021, the Club hired Kris Spence, a noted golf course architect specializing in restoring Donald Ross designed courses. After evaluating the course, Kris Spence commented,” Dunedin Golf

Club exemplifies some of Mr. Ross’s strongest and most strategic work. It should be restored and preserved for generations to come. We will be able to authentically restore what I believe to be one of the most historically significant Ross designs in Florida, if not the entire country.” Kris completed the Master Plan in May of 2021 which provides for the following improvements: 1. Addressing drainage issues and installation of a new, state of the art irrigation system 2. Restoration & regrassing of green complexes and greenside bunker complexes 3. Removal of trees and re-establishing original holes and sightlines 4. Re-grassing fairways and restoration of fairway bunkers and teeing grounds. The restored golf course will be just over 7,000 yards from the championship tees, with 84 bunkers and greens that range from 5,000 – 6,000 square feet. The greens will be lowered 18 – 24 inches, allowing for more runup shots to greens as Ross intended. The total cost for this restoration project is $3.8 million, taking an estimated eight months to complete. In recent years, numerous other municipalities have completed golf course restorations, with dramatic Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

increases in golf revenue. In 2016, Kris Spence completed the restoration of Mooresville Golf Club in Mooresville, NC, a 1948 Donald Ross golf course. Since reopening, Mooresville annual golf revenue has increased from $800,000 to over $1,800,000 in 2020, a $1.0 million dollar revenue increase. Based on preliminary projections, it is estimated that a restored Dunedin golf course would generate additional

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

net golf revenue of over $800,000 annually, paying back the $3.8 million dollar investment in less than five years. This restoration project would undoubtedly garner national media attention and attract thousands of avid golfers from around the country. The restored golf course should

generate millions of dollars in additional revenue for the local economy. After almost 100 years, this tired golf masterpiece is in desperate need of some TLC. Hopefully, the City of Dunedin will realize that restoring Dunedin Golf Club is a sound investment in preserving an illustrious part of its history.

By Beverly Wise

golf history

Hickory Golf…

Plays to the old statement in golf…

I’ll tell you…

I had the biggest chuckle traveling to the recent Florida State Golf Association Hickory event at the Winter Park 9-Hole course in October. We stopped off for a break… dressed in our knickers and vintage clothing. On the way into the store… my husband passed a gentleman coming out… he stopped and looked back at Greg and then asked me with a smile on his face… “Is he playing with Payne today?” - Surprisingly quick… I looked him square in the eye and responded… “at his age, he plays with Pain every day.” He was quite amused with the answer. The Florida State Golf Association has begun holding Hickory only tournaments around the state, bringing back the nostalgia of the old Hickory Sticks. Whether you play with original hickory clubs, found in the attic or maybe an antique mall… or you play with modern made vintage clubs from 3 manufactures, the experience is truly worth it. Get in touch with your inner Bobby Jones… or Harry Vardom. If you enter early enough, the FSGA has modern rental Hickory Clubs for you to use and help create that experience. Play Hickory! Check out the FSGA Website for a location near you. 40

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

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

By Daniel Calderon Matt Borchert and Christian Vozza, Pro-Scratch Winners

A Tournament

Season to Remember! Tournament season is officially winding down! With the 41st Annual Challenge Cup Matches on the horizon, the North Florida PGA is embarking on their quest to defend victory and repeat their most recent win against the South Florida PGA. Twelve of the highest skilled PGA Professionals will make their way to the Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club to compete against 12 South Florida PGA Professionals. North Florida PGA strives to have a consecutive three-peat and secure the title with the guidance of Nick Frontero and John Hughes, who serve as honorary captains. The North Florida PGA is ending the tournament season strong with a memorable September that saw highly competitive matches. The Section Championship took place September 13-15th at Streamsong

Resort with a tight finish between the first and second place leaders. Ultimately, Greg Koch secured the victory and persevered over Joseph Sabatino. Koch finished the threeday event at 11-under (205), just

Greg Koch wins Section Championship 42

slightly ahead of Sabatino, who concluded the Championship at 10-under (206). Destiny Lawson walked away with the first-place title at the Women’s Section Championship and tied overall for fifth place at 2-under (214). Following Koch’s victory at the Section Championship, the ProScratch at Isleworth Golf & Country Club saw 52 teams compete in this highly anticipated event! Matt Borchert and Christian Vozza carded a team total of 11 birdies throughout 18 holes of play and comfortably secured the victory, finishing at 10-under (62). It was a notable victory for Borchert, who competed on his home turf and represented his facility. Landing in second place was Zoran Ilic and Austin Jones, who finished 6-under (66). As a team, they carded seven birdies and were able to pull slightly ahead of Jason Beatty and Brian Bone, as well as Nick Joy and Doug Dvorak. Both teams finished 5-under (67). Following these events, the “2021 NFPGA Players of the Year” were finally made official! Koch secured the title as “Player of the Year” and “Assistant Player of the Year,” Jennifer Borocz as “Woman Player of the Year” and David Hronek as “Senior Player of the Year.” Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

Alan Morin, PGA and Jerry Tucker, PGA will be inducted into the South Florida PGA Hall of Fame. Morin and Tucker, the 46th and 47th inductees, becoming the first representatives invited into the Hall of Fame based upon playing ability and accomplishments. The South Florida PGA Hall of Fame has long stood for PGA Professionals who have been recognized for extraordinary leadership and commitment to the game of golf and service to the South Florida PGA and South Florida PGA Foundation. The SFPGA has worked to establish metrics to which a PGA Professional could earn entry based upon his/ her playing career, with Morin and Tucker’s outstanding playing careers meeting these requirements. The metrics for entry are as follows: • Recognized as Section Player of the Year at least five times and captured at least eight Major Championship titles, including four Section Championships • Competed in at least two PGA Championships or KPMG Women’s PGA Championships ----------------------- OR -----------------------• Recognized as Senior and/or Junior Player of the Year at least five times and won at least eight Major Championships (junior or senior), including at least four Section or Senior Championships • Competed in the Senior PGA Championship, PGA Championship or the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at least five times An 11-time South Florida PGA Player of the Year, MoGolf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

rin, Assistant Professional at The Club at Ibis, has had one of the best playing careers ever by a PGA Professional. At the Section level, the 51-year-old Morin has won 10 of the South Florida PGA major tournaments and one at the senior level. Morin’s major wins include, two Fort Lauderdale Opens (‘08, ‘11), three South Florida Opens (‘04, ‘11, ‘15), five Section Championships (’02, ’08, ’10, ’15, ’16) and one South Florida Senior Open (’21). In addition to his dominant run in the South Florida Section, Morin has also appeared in 24 PGA TOUR events and 18 Korn Ferry Tour events. With no signs of slowing, Morin has already secured berths into the 2022 Honda Classic and Puerto Rico Open. Like Morin, Tucker has long been one of the best PGA Professionals in the Section. The Owner of Jerry Tucker Golf School has been the South Florida PGA Player of the Year one time and owns the title in the Senior category six times. Tucker has won one major South Florida PGA tournament and seven senior majors, including: the Florida Senior Open (2009), four Senior Section Championships (’00, ’04, ’06, ‘07), two South Florida Senior Opens (’00, ’05) and a Fort Lauderdale Open (’06). On a National level, Tucker has also seen great success, competing in two U.S. Opens (’81, ’84) and two PGA Championships (’89, ’92). Tuckers has also played in 5 PGA TOUR events, 3 Korn Ferry Tour events and 27 Champions Tour events. Morin and Tucker’s playing accomplishments have long been recognized by their peers, making them leaders throughout the South Florida golf community. The South Florida PGA Hall of Fame inducts new members each year. 43

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

Duo becomes first to be introduced to SFPGA Hall of Fame based upon exceptional playing accomplishments

stay & play

Located just 35 minutes north from

‘Tis the season and there are many reasons to visit Mission Inn Resort and Club!

downtown Orlando, Mission Inn Resort and Club, in scenic and serene Howeyin-the Hills in Lake County, is one of Florida’s most charming and historic golf resorts and clubs. What many locals don’t realize is that behind the resort’s gates, with its 1100 acres of breathtaking vistas, beautiful landscapes, and distinctive Southwestern style architecture, Mission Inn offers a variety of amenities that can be enjoyed by Central Floridians right in their own backyard. From a round of championship golf, to a rejuvenating spa treatment, or an evening of intimate outdoor dining under the stars. There are countless ways to enjoy a memorable day at Mission Inn or better yet, surprise someone this holiday season with a special gift they won’t soon forget. If you’ve got a golfer in your gift-giving mix, look no further than Mission Inn Resort. With its two, world-class

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

championship courses, El Campeon, built in 1926 by Charles E. Clarke of Troon, Scotland, and Las Colinas, built in 1992 by PGA Tour Champion Gary Koch, you can’t miss with a gift certificate to play these award-winning, nationally ranked golf courses. Mission Inn is open daily for public play and offers special rates for seniors 50 and over Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. One of Mission Inn’s best kept secrets is its full-service and immersive Spa Marbella. At Spa Marbella, the public, as well as resort guests, are invited to experience a variety of blissful and relaxing spa treatments. The holidays can be a stressful time. Treat yourself or a loved one to a luxurious massage or

enjoy a spa day with friends. You can customize a Spa Marbella package with deluxe resort accommodations, a choice of healthy meals, and spa treatments for the body, face, and nails. A gift certificate to Spa Marbella will surprise and delight any friend or family member on your holiday list. Looking for that unique, out-of-thebox, kind of gift? How about tickets to see the future stars of the LPGA? In 2020, El Campeon became the host site for the Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship on the LPGA’s Symetra Tour. The Symetra Tour has been known as the “Road to the LPGA” since 1999, when it was officially designated as the LPGA’s official development tour. Mission Inn will host the Symetra Tour event for its third consecutive year May 27-29, 2022. Tickets are now available and make a great gift for avid golfers or non-golfers alike who are fans of the game and enjoy the excitement of Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

Mission Inn El Campeon #16

watching professional golfers compete live, up-close, and in person. It’s the holidays and you’ve got to eat! Dining at Mission Inn Resort is popular with residents all-across Central Florida. From casual to candlelight,

Mission Inn Resort’s four restaurants (El Conquistador, La Hacienda, La Margarita and Nicker’s) and two lounges provide guests with superb service, innovative entrees, and plentiful portions. Accomplished chefs at the resort’s award-winning restaurants prepare the freshest, highest-quality cuisine, from daily breakfast buffets to all-you-can-eat weekend seafood extravaganzas. Renowned for its elegant Sunday champagne brunches, Mission Inn is a favorite gathering spot for food and fun during the holiday season. Make plans and book your reservations now. And remember, restaurant certificates make a great gift any time of the year. As 2021 draws to a close, come celebrate and create your special holiday memories at Mission Inn Resort. Locally owned and operated for more than 50 years, the Beucher family, welcomes all its Central Florida neighbors to discover newly this timeless, serene, and peaceful resort. For more information visit www.missioninnresort.com, or call 352-268-9574.

Mission Inn El Campeon #8

freddy's fairway thoughts

Freddy’s

By Fred Seely

Fairway Thoughts All we want is a chance. Yes, the tournament is for charity and yes, we know the prizes won't be over the top, but there's that ever-present urge to compete. It won't affect the sick kids that will benefit from your $150 entry fee, so you don't have to feel bad about winning. If you did, you'd just send a $150 donation and found something else to do on your Monday. On a recent Monday, we would have been better off. The format was the usual scramble. The benefit is better left unsaid, but you know who you are. The winning teams were to be decided by gross score plus a number based on the handicaps of your players. Our team was pretty good for this sort of thing. Our four handicaps: 3, 7, 13, 34. If you do the usual, you would add the four together and take an eighth of that for the number. Thus: 3+7+13+34=57. Divide that by 8 and our number would be 7. We were a respectable 10 under gross, so our posted score was 17 under. Did we have a chance? Sure. The tees were back and many pins were tucked. And the winning score is … 37 under. THIRTY-SEVEN UNDER? Alas, no one could be found to explain the scoring system. Second place was 27 under, then it dropped into the low 20s. All improbable. We're still mad. And yes, we won't be back. The donation check is on the way, and we'll find something else to do with that Monday. Suckers … that's us. So after all that huffing and puffing, it turns out that Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau are going to have a manoa-mano. Hugs included. And we thought all that earlier stuff was real. Just another time that TV producers let us know what suckers we are. Billy Maxwell Billy Maxwell was a mid-pack Tour player who had a strong amateur career with three NCAA championships, a 4-0 record in his one Ryder Cup and one U.S. Amateur win. He was loved on tour for being a funny and very good guy who had a strong competitive streak that enhanced his 5-foot-6 size. He also had a quirk. His ball was his alone. In a Texas tournament, he was paired with a nervous amateur named Deane Beman and early in the round had a lengthy putt that was climbing to the hole when Beman did what many if us do: “Go, go,” he said. On the way to the next tee, Maxwell said his first sentence to Beman: “Never talk to my f**king ball again.” And in a Disney two-man event, his partner was Mark McCumber. Maxwell's long putt stopped a foot from the hole and McCumber said, “Good roll.” Maxwell: “If I want a good roll, I'll buy a bakery.” 46

Nice gesture The National Blind Golfers Association visited World Golf Village last month and did a wonderful thing for our community. The WGV's mailing address is St. Augustine, which is the home for the Florida School for Deaf and Blind. It's a wonderful institution. The association invited the blind students to join them. Everyone went to the range and there was a lot of one-onone, the “If I can do it, so can you” sort of stuff that you usually only see in the movies. Where did the ball go? Listen, and you'll know … your hearing is better than sighted people. How do I know where to aim? Listen to your coach and do what he or she says. How do I know if I have the right club? Since you can't see the number on the club, feel it. You have better touch than sighted people. The upshot? The D&B is starting a golf team. Furyk and Friends The newest event on the PGA Tour Champions was a big hit at Jacksonville's Timuquana Country Club and it's part of a new trend: players put their name on a tournament and they play it at a posh club. Steve Stricker started it and Furyk (and, mainly, wife Tabitha) jumped in to have it at their club. “I can see more doing that,” said winner Phil Mickelson. How about him? “Hmmm. A lot of work.” Timuquana's board took a chance that the club membership would like the event despite the issues: the club basically shut down to members for 10 days, and then there was limited food and beverage services during the three competition days. Members each got two tickets but had to pay $30 for a parking pass, though many live close enough to bike or walk. There were numerous complaints prior; none after. Members were used to big crowd at the Players Championship but enjoyed seeing how pros play their course, and before reasonable-sized crowds. Plus, competition ended midafternoon, so there were very few beered up enough to yell “Go in the hole” and the sort. Others liked it, too. It beat the PGA Tour in TV viewership. Coming soon? Just a heads-up. You know about The First Tee, the well-supported organization that brings golf into people and places where it traditionally wasn't. They start with the under-10 set and go through high school. Then what? Nothing. The First Tee has gotten many kids interested in the game, but then they have no place to go. There's a move now among some very influential people to start what they might call The Second Tee. This would reach out to the graduates of The First Tee and move the instruction to a more advanced level. You'll hear about it. Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

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

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

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

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

P ER FORMANCE SUNW E A R

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

transitions.com

Reed Orr, GCS Orange BLossom Hills Golf and Country Club

SUPERSTAR Where are you from? I was raised in Gainesville, Florida.

How did you get in the golf business? While attending Flagler College, I took a summer job on a golf course and was introduced to the industry.

What makes your course a “standout, outstanding”? It is the first golf course ever built in the Villages and the history of this unique development makes our course a standout.

How has PN helped you be successful (favorite products, programs, technical assistance etc.)? I have been using Performance Nutrition product for many years and I can attest to its outstanding performance. Throughout my career, water quality has become more challenging, and I have been able to address this with PN products. For our foliar program, we use vibrant green and red, Krystal Klear (micros), Nutrol (phosphate), Prudent 44 (phosphite), and Agra-Rouse (plant hormones). For our soil program, we use Pennamin High-K, Krystal Klear ResQ, and KaPre Exalt. This combination of products has been vital to our consistent, healthy turf and soil conditions.

Who is your mentor and why? There are many people that I look up to in our industry but the person who has been a constant support is Wilson Randolph. Wilson has been a good ambassador for our industry and he’s a great friend.

What advice would you give someone starting in the field? The advice I would give to anyone planning on getting into the turf industry is to recognize the importance of networking. It will help you develop your skills, stay on top of industry trends and opportunities, and most importantly provide a social support system. Also, keep a positive attitude and learn from your mistakes. 48

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

Introducing

A Foliar Calcium for Turf University Tested and Verified

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

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

9,000 8,000

7,000 8,000

5,000 6,000

ppm

6,000 7,000

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

7,673

9,000

7,673

6,079 6,079

+26.2% +26.2%

5,907 5,907

6,410 6,410

+8.5%

5,000

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

4,000 3,000 2,000

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

1,000 0

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

Week 1 1 Week Control Control

Week Week 22 Kelpene Ca-T Kelpene Ca-T

*Trial performed by Dr. Haibo Liu, Clemson University

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

Cypress Landing Celebrates 10 years of Audubon International Certification Butterfly Highway Map

Located in North Carolina’s Coastal Plains region, lies the small town of Chocowinity which is home to Cypress Landing Golf Course, a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) member. This semi-private, 18hole golf course is an exemplary model for the ACSP for Golf certification track and is celebrating its 10th anniversary of certification this year. In accordance with ACSP certification guidelines, certified members are encouraged to complete Outreach and Education initiatives involving their local community, course members, homeowners and environmental organizations in helping to plan and implement environmental projects and educational efforts on the course. As part of this effort, Cypress Landing golf course staff and volunteers, Stanley Cohen and Judy Keohane, spearheaded the initiative to participate in North Carolina’s Wildlife Federation Butterfly Highway. “The Butterfly Highway is a statewide conservation restoration initiative that aims to restore native pollinator habitats to areas impacted by urbanization, land use change and agriculture across North Carolina.” (ncwf.org) Their pollinator efforts don’t stop there…the course also is a member of Audubon International’s Monarchs in the Rough program – an initiative to plant milkweed and pollinator habitat in out of play areas of golf courses. While the majority of their pollinator habitat can be found among the club’s Butterfly Highway Pitstops,

wildflower and milkweed can also be found in various native areas throughout the property. Superintendent Stanley Elliott surveyed the property and found an ideal plot for the volunteers to establish a pollinator haven. Sitting on nearly a quarter acre, the project has created a network of native flowering plants to support butterflies, birds, bees and other nectar dependent wildlife. To compliment the course’s picturesque flowers, snags and bug hotels, the volunteers took the initiative to create an educational booth. The booth is lined with grab and go brochures so visitors will become aware of the importance of the butterfly highway initiative. the booth also has a map listing the locations of the various Pollinator Highway gardens located in the community. In addition to Cypress Landing’s outstanding Outreach and Education initiatives, the club continues to make a tremendous effort to expand their strong Wildlife Habitat Management by

providing and expanding quality habitat for wildlife. Bird and bat boxes can be found hidden among the trees and scattered throughout the property and their management team also embraces the practice of allowing vegetative buffers to form around water features. Buffers are a great way to provide additional habitat and shelter for aquatic wildlife. Additionally, brush piles and snag trees are embraced at Cypress Landing, which are frequently occupied by the Eastern Flying Squirrel, Gray Fox and Great Horned Owl. Cypress Landing’s numerous habitat enhancement efforts are verified through annual fledglings counts and regular bird sightings, and their efforts are a great example of how golf and wildlife can coexist in harmony. To learn more about how your local golf course can gain recognition for your environmental efforts and learn how to expand your initiatives through Audubon International’s numerous environmental certifications, visit www. auduboninternational.org. Audubon International, an environmentally focused nonprofit organization, offers members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we live, work, and play. Their certifications are designed to increase environmental awareness, encourage sustainable environmental efforts, and educate both their members and their communities.

Pollinator garden at Cypress Landing

Cypress Landing’s Signature Hole 50

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

Sunn 28-0-0

Minors Blend

Sunn 6-0-0 Blend

Total Nitrogen ..........................28% 20.2% .......... Slow release Nitrogen 7.8% ......................... Urea Nitrogen

Total Magnesium (Mg) ..........0.50% Soluble Magnesium (Mg) ....0.050% Soluble Iron (Fe) ...................3.40% Chelated Iron (Fe) .................1.60% Total Manganese (Mn) ..........0.25% Soluble Manganese (Mn) ......0.25% Soluble Zinc (Zn) ..................0.10% Sulfur (S) combined ..............3.50%

Total Magnesium (Mg) ..........0.50% Soluble Magnesium (Mg) ......0.50% Soluble Iron (Fe) ...................3.40% Chelated Iron (Fe) .................1.60% Total Manganese (Mn) ..........0.25% Soluble Manganese (Mn) ......0.25% Soluble Zinc (Zn) ..................0.10% Sulfur (S) combined ..............3.50%

Derived from: Manganese Sulphate, Zinc Sulphate, Iron Glucoheptonate, Iron Sulphate, Magnesium Sulphate.

N-SURE ITEM #160031 GUARANTEED ANALYSIS

Sunn KTS

PRO LIQUID FERTILIZER Item# 160041 GUARANTEED ANALYSIS

Soluble Potash (K2O) ..............25% Total Sulfur (S) .........................17% 17% combined sulfur 0% free sulfur Derived from: potassium thiosulfate

LIQUID FERTILIZER ITEM #160000 GUARANTEED ANALYSIS

PRO LIQUID FERTILIZER Item# 160010 GUARANTEED ANALYSIS

Sunn 12-0-0 Blend PRO LIQUID FERTILIZER ITEM# 160021 GUARANTEED ANALYSIS

Total Nitrogen ..........................12% 12% Urea Nitrogen Chlorine not more than ..............2%

SECONDARY PLANT FOODS Iron as Fe ...................................6% Manganese as Mn .....................2% Derived from: Urea, Iron Glucoheptonate, Manganese Glucoheptonate

Manufactured by

SUNNILAND CORPORATION

PO Box 8001 Sanford, Florida 32773-8001

www.sunnilandcorp.com Share your photos & videos #sunnilandcorp Follow us @sunnilandcorp

www.sunnilandcorp.com • 800-432-1130

By Mike Jamison

PTI’s Outsource Course Maintenance Program Provides Quality And Monetary Benefits For Clients

If you needed to have wisdom

teeth pulled, would you grab a pair of pliers and go at it yourself, or would you call a dentist? What if your company was being wrongly sued for malpractice? Would you hire an attorney or try to defend yourself in court? Does your house need a new roof from that recent hailstorm? Do you replace it yourself, or call a roofing company? It’s logical and very wise to rely on specialists when it comes to something near and dear to you, whether in your personal life or in your business. And that’s why some golf course owners choose to contract with companies like Pro Turf International when it comes to caring for their most precious asset, their golf course. PTI is a Las Vegas-based golf course maintenance and construction company that has been caring for courses for over three decades. Managers and owners of courses like Red Rock Country Club, Las Vegas National, Isleta GC in New Mexico and

Coral Mountain Golf Club in California rely on the expertise of PTI when it comes to keeping their courses plush and their customers smiling. In fact, Red Rock General Manager Thom Blinkinsop calls hiring PTI “probably the best business decision I have ever made.” When a course manager like Blinkinsop contracts with PTI, he places all aspects of golf course maintenance in the hands of the company. PTI takes day-to-day responsibility for personnel, equipment, schedules, decisions – everything that goes into providing a well-conditioned golf course. “Our approach is simple,” said Mickey Brown, CEO at Pro Turf International. “We take the burden of the entire maintenance and agronomy programs off the shoulders of owners and general managers. We also take care of the entire employee package, benefits, payroll and taxes. We provide a turnkey maintenance program so the owners and GMs can focus on driving revenue.” The program has worked wonders at Red Rock. When PTI took

over the maintenance at Red Rock’s three golf courses in November 2013, the courses were almost unplayable. Today they are spectacular. Blinkinsop has spent 16 years in the business – much of that in the Vegas area. He knows a good arrangement when he sees one. He also has high praise for PTI and Regional Superintendent Jared Bumpus. ““Jared is great at what he does, and so is PTI in general,” he said. “Anytime I need anything and call him he is right there. And he has really trained the employees well. They have learned the craft much better than the track they were on before PTI arrived on the scene. “I absolutely am happy with them. If I bought a golf course, I would hire PTI, no question.” Along with the obvious benefit of taking the maintenance worries away from the course managers and owners, PTI provides several monetary benefits. For starters, owners have a fixed cost when it comes to maintenance. “They know up front exactly what their golf course maintenance will cost for the year,” said Brown. “We tailor our monthly fees to match the revenue

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

stream of the course to further lessen the cash flow burdens for our clients.” Other cost-saving benefits from PTI include bulk buying programs, water use reduction, in-house construction for renovation and expansion projects, and DMR reporting experience. Jim Wanless, General Manager of Coral Mountain Golf Club in Las Quinta, CA, leaves no doubt how he feels about golf course outsourcing, specifically the job done by PTI. “The Club could not be in the same position without PTI’s assistance,” said Wanless. “They have been a great partner and a very valued seasoned advisor on all aspects of golf and club operations. Their valuable expertise has brought the course back to the level of prestige it had back in the day when it hosted the Skins Game (as The Golf Club at La Quinta). “Their valuable expertise has kept the course in great condition at a reasonable price.” Golf course owners and managers can learn what outsource maintenance can mean specifically for their course by contacting Pro Turf International for a complimentary, no obligation review of their maintenance program. Call (702) 315-5121.

Use Discount code: green & get

15% oﬀ your 1st order turifegear.com

Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

By Anthony L. Williams, MG, CGCS, CGM

A Turf Pirate’s Journal

International Waters

Me and greenkeepers from Royal County Down GC (Northern Ireland) brooming topdressing in 2010

Ahoy Turf Pirates and Congratulations on making it through another summer! The trials and tribulations of a turf pirate ease a bit in Fall and Spring so I hope you find your peace and prosperity while sailing on toward the horizon. I am reminded this time of year just how far the turf industry has carried me. Some time ago I took up the quest of becoming a Master Greenkeeper. It was an epic journey. I have been blessed as a turf pirate to work (and Play) across the United States and abroad. It was in Ireland in 2010 that the notion of becoming a Master Greenkeeper first took root but some things must be done in a given season (Turf Pirate Rule #12) and as it turns out the 2020/21 pandemic was that season for me. A few quick way points of clarity. Turf connects us all and the golf turf folks have even deeper roots and those roots began in the United Kingdom and that is BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association) territory. I have been a CGCS for many years and I hold many other industry certifications but Master Greenkeeper (MG) stands apart. The MG process is tough (The BIGGA staff were amazing shout out to Deb Burnett for all the help) Phase one is a vetting of experience and education, Phase two is an inspection of your facility by two experts (shout out to Alan Hess MG (#55 Class of 2010), CGCS 54

and Jorge Croda, CGCS). Phase three is a gate keeper consisting of two three hour written tests, the first is technical questions and the second is a case study. Written MG exams are scheduled twice per year (April and October). The tests are tough but fair and it makes the process even more rewarding. I also started an epic virtual walk (1,084 miles or 1,742.9 Kilometers and yes the testing is in metric not imperial measure and pounds not dollars) across the United Kingdom through the Conqueror’s Challenge. I walked, I worked

I studied, I prayed and persevered. Five souls were deemed worthy of the MG mantle in May 2021, I was one of them. I am MG #82. In over 30 years of overseeing the program BIGGA has awarded only 85 MG certificates to date. In the MG brotherhood your number is important and part of the tradition. My Club added a special item to the menu #82’s special pasta and had a Turf Pirate worthy football jersey made in Green and Gold (ABAC colors for those who GEE, Haw, Whoa, Back) The phone call with the good news is another big moment as I do not get many calls from Yorkshire, England. I also had the honor in the MG class of 2021 to be the most vintage (years of age for the youngsters) of the lot by quite a few years giving truth to the axiom that it’s never too late to up your game. You see Turf Pirates always live life as a great adventure, even the valleys are noteworthy. They ask what’s next and where? Who will be our comrades and should this one be the last verse of our life’s song let’s make it worthy of the of the angel’s choir. Everyone has a path in this world and some hove more than one. This month’s question is, are you shaking your fist at the storms of life, planted firmly on the rock walking in the light or has fear and doubt caused you to drift? Raise your colors Turf Pirates life is what we make of it, sail on, even into international waters!

My Managers and I after I completed the virtual walk across the UK with 8.2 (MG#82) mile walk on the courses Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 7

Event Proceeds to Benefit: Cancer Institute

Get involved with

AdventHealth Cancer Institute in this unique event

Tuesday, November 30, 2021 Host Golf Course Bella Collina Orlando’s Premier Lakefront and Golf Community

We can customize your sponsorship packages to include very unique hospitality and branding opportunities

Please help us with a pledge donation for one of our teams! Visit: bidpal.net/marathon Event Sponsors

For more information Call Dave Walker, Jr. Professional Golf Events at 321-277-9094 Or email: auctionsbydesign02@gmail.com

One in 75 women will be diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in her lifetime.

We're fundraising to change that statistic.

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

great promotional item

Elevate Your Game With

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

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

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

BIIONFOOTWEAR.COM