Discover How Golf America Can Change Your Life Forever on Page 9!
Volume 1, Issue 1
The Best of Golf, Affluent Living and Chasing the American Dream
THE RIM GOLF CLUB
Inside the Gates of Arizona’s Top Rated Residential Golf Club
Also Inside... We Celebrate Golf’s Greatest Retail Store Discover the Callaway Performance Center at Troon North Eighteen Ways You Can Speed Up the Game of Golf Why Cascata is Golf’s Ultimate Experience How to Introduce Your Kids to Golf ...and Much, Much More!
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For four years in a row, Golfweek has ranked our Weiskopf-Morrish links in Arizona’s high country the third best residential course in the nation. The Spa at The Rim Clubhouse opened in early 2008 w Wonderful view homesites now available Homesites from $150,000; full equity golf memberships must be purchased w Custom Estates starting at $1 million A scenic 75 minutes north of Scottsdale in Payson, Arizona w (800) 311-5370 ext. 220 w TheRimGolfClub.com
THE RIM GOLF CLUB
Golf America Special
Members of Golf America stay and play for just $99 per person per night! Mention Golf America when you call to secure this special rate.
Contents 08
Publisher’s Letter - Welcome to Golf America!
09
An introduction to Golf’s Greatest Business Opportunity
18
How Best to Introduce Your Children to the Game of Golf
20
Callaway’s Fantastic New Performance Center at Troon North
25
Inside the Doors of Golf’s Most Wonderful Store
33
A Journey Through Golf’s Greatest Experience - Cascata
40
Inside the Gates of The Rim Golf Club in Payson, AZ
46
The Boulders Provides Luxury for the Ladies
50
Inside the Gates of the Valley’s top rated Terravita Golf Club
56
Golf America’s Great Summer Getaway to Coeur d’Alene Resort!
60
Rugged, Relaxing, and Really Good! It’s the Running Y Resort
66
Golf’s Greatest Sportsmanship comes alive at The Concession
68
Fallen Oak rises above the rest
70
Sebonack Golf Club Opens to Great Acclaim
76
Golf America’s 18 Tips to Speed Up the Game of Golf!
Publisher Keith James
Travel Editor Jerry Rockwell
Contributing Writers
Kathryn Stafford, Marcus Blake
Contributing Photographers
John Johnson, Keith James Steve Heit, Tim Ramos, Jason Wise
Advertising Sales Keith James keith@golfamerica.biz
Arizona Office
5125 N. 16th St. A-121 Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-561-1198 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission in writing is strictly prohibited. Publisher is not responsible for any errors or omissions in any advertising.
Home Delivery Coming Next Edition... Ten Amazing Golf Getaways High in the Colorado Rockies Page 6 Golf America Magazine
www.GolfAmerica.biz
$99 per year, or included free when you join Golf America
www.golfamerica.biz
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Publisher’s Letter
Whew!
I don’t know about you, but I sure am thrilled to have another hot Arizona summer behind us. Between the 110 degree days, lengthy and bitter political campaigns, falling home values, disastrous handling of the economy by the people we entrusted with the job, Tiger’s season ending injury, underwhelming apathy generated by this year’s version of the train wreck called the FedEx Cup, uncertainty of how far into socialism the new President will try to take us, gas prices that went through the roof and stock values that went in the tank - both for absolutely no good reason, golf has had a tough time surviving - let alone thriving - during the past few months. But that’s all behind us now! This is our premiere edition of Golf America Magazine. This magazine is dedicated to those of you who kept a positive outlook during this long and unfortunate series of events, and especially to those of you who continued to make golf an important and regular part of your life. There is much that golf has to offer during times like these, not the least of which are the camaraderie of good friends and the peace and serenity found on one of our beautiful desert oasis. Whenever I feel the stress of these tough times I make it a point to head out for a round of golf, and believe me, it helps! My favorite golf experience over the summer was found behind the gates of Cascata, a gorgeous Reece Jones design on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Cascata offers the finest overall experience of the almost 600 different golf courses I’ve had the pleasure of playing so far. That’s me up above, relaxing before my most recent round at Cascata. Not everyone is allowed to linger in the bunkers like that, but with the magic of Photoshop, almost anything is possible. On a serious note, the golf industry has been struggling for some time, and the recent economic challenges have not helped. We still believe in the future of the game, however, and we believe that golf ’s future is very bright. We also believe in the game, and in the character of the game, and that if we applied the honor, honesty and integrity of golf to the rest of society, we could actually solve many of the problems we’ve recently encountered due to the greed, dishonesty and fraud perpetrated by many of the top executives of the banks, investment banks, real estate lenders and elected officials over the past few years. Many of them play the game, so I wonder why they leave their integrity at the course. Enough complaining. This is our first of many editions of Golf America Magazine, and we hope you love it! There are a lot of fantastic articles and ideas to help you enjoy the game of golf more than ever, so grab a lounge chair and a glass of your favorite beverage, then kick back and enjoy the read!
Keith James Publisher
Attention Golfers:
If you are concerned about your personal financial situation during these tough times, you owe it to yourself and your family to explore the opportunities and benefits offered by Golf America.
“Golf America is without a doubt the greatest business opportunity in the history of golf!� Keith James, Founder Read all about the club in the next few pages, then if you like what you read, join the club and start making your dreams come true! Golf America Magazine Page 9
W
elcome to the most innovative and exciting golf club in the world! No matter where you are in life, and no matter where your life and golf dreams take you, Golf America can help you get there! Golf America is unlike any other membership or club you’ve ever seen, heard, or read about, so I hope you take a few minutes to read the details of what we do and how a membership in Golf America can benefit you, then take a few more minutes to join the club and join the fun! Golf America provides our members with a great package of powerful benefits. You’ll receive a dozen of our extraordinary Eagle Pro golf balls upon joining, receive 52 weeks of the most beautiful and interesting weekly newsletter in golf, get unlimited access to the best statistical program available in golf, receive incredible savings on a terrific variety of quality golf products, art and trips, get a subscription to our gorgeous quarterly magazine, receive 365 inspirational and motivational emails, receive our “Success Package” to help you reach your goals, and you’ll be able to utilize the simplest and most potentially rewarding business opportunity in golf! Golf America is a voluntary membership club that helps you earn money to play more golf, to take your dream golf vacation - or just to pay for any of the other expenses and obligations you have in life. We believe that if you put forth an honest effort for one year, you might earn an extraordinary passive income for the rest of your life! Our business opportunity is very simple and requires no extra expense or investment other than to become a member of the club. Some members will choose to invest a few dollars in business tools such
$
Page 10 Golf America Magazine
as business cards, greeting cards, our logo golf shirts, hats, one or more of our motivational posters, extra balls to give away, etc. but no member is ever required to do so. Our entire business opportunity consists of telling other golfers about the club and showing them how to sign up. That’s it. There is NO hard pressure allowed. There are NO conference calls, hotel meetings, business kits, inventory requirements, etc. involved in Golf America. We do offer some great golf outings and special events for our members to attend if they want, including exclusive trips to The Masters, to Arizona for Spring Training Baseball & Golf Packages, Golf Cruises, Leadership Training Golf Packages, and much more. Again, no member is ever required to attend any of these trips, but if you ever want to attend The Masters, there is no better way to do it! Golf America helps our members save money on virtually any high-end golf vacation in America, we give them a dozen of some of the best balls in golf, we offer an extraordinary collection of golf art at huge discounts, we provide daily and weekly information and motivational affirmations via email, and we help our members earn extra money by referring other members to the club! And believe me, we could all use help earning some extra money these days! Read on, get excited, and get ready to join the club! Join us at The Masters!
www.GolfAmerica.biz
Packages start at $1,999 p/p
GolfAmerica
Membership Benefits All members of Golf America receive the following: One dozen high quality 3-piece Eagle Pro golf balls upon joining, Full access to GolfStat - the best statistical analysis program in golf, 365 editions of GAIN (Golf America Inspirational Notes) via email, 52 weeks of The Eagle, our very entertaining weekly newsletter, 4 editions of Golf America, our amazingly beautiful Magazine, Huge savings on The Golf America Collection of fine golf art, Savings on virtually any high-end golf trip in America, One dozen Greeting Cards, one dozen of these Brochures, our exclusive “Success Package” to help you succeed in anything you try, and referral fees for as long as they remain in the club!
That’s Over $280 In Real Value...
All for $99 per year! All Golf America members are able to participate in our exclusive membership referral fee program on an equal basis from the moment they join the club! Members receive $25 for every new member they refer into the club, and they will continue to receive another $5 every year that member renews their membership for as long as they both remain a member in the club! Members also receive $5 for every new member referred in by their new members, and they will receive another $5 every year they renew their membership for as long as the original member stays in the club! These $5 referral fees continue to be earned for every new and renewed member referred into the club through 10 generations of referrals, every year for as long as the original member stays in the club!! In addition to these very generous referral fees, Golf America also offers; 50% discounts on every product Golf America offers to our members, including collectible golf art, business tools, golf accessories, golf apparel, golf equipment, and anything else that Golf America may ever sell. Golf America also guarantees our members at least 10% to 50% off the retail price of every golf trip we offer - including exotic golf trips and our exclusive and very special events throughout the country and throughout the year!
Ye Olde Treasure Map (how to find or create wealth with Golf America)
Golf America
is NOT a “get rich quick” scheme. In fact, it is not a scheme at all. We help our members make their dreams come true by providing them with an exceptional membership program and by encouraging them to earn money by telling others about the club and encouraging them to join. Some of our members will earn a tremendous amount of money within a few years due to our unique “Find a Foursome” referral fee program, and they should continue to earn that passive income for a long, long time to come. The most important factor to Golf America’s success is that we give each of our members a tremendous value for their money. The entire cost to belong to Golf America is just $99 for an entire year!That fee includes a lot of benefits, with more being added as we continue to grow. Our unique referral fee program pays every member a $25 referral fee, plus another $5 every year for every new member they refer into the club - for as long as that new member remains in the club! Every member will also receive an additional $5 referral fee for every new member those members refer into the club, and so on through ten generations of referrals! Nobody is required to refer anyone else into the club, but those members who would like to be richly rewarded by the great treasures and bounty of our referral fee program will need to meet or exceed our one basic premise - find four new members who each find four new members, and then help them do the same thing. This unique “Find a Foursome” program is the foundation of our club’s future growth, and our referral fee program rewards those who do their part. Once a member has found his or her first four new members their membership is basically paid for. Every member can tell as many people as they want about the club, and he or she will earn another $25 for everyone they refer into the club - with no limits!
Page 12 Golf America Magazine
Some members will literally refer dozens of new members into the club, while others may never tell a soul about the club. Those members that want to maximize their potential income from Golf America will find at least four new members who also find four new members - and then will help all of them do the same thing through as many levels as possible! There is no timeline for finding your four new members, but the reality is that the sooner you do it the better. A good goal is to try to find one new member every week - and to encourage each of them to do the same thing - and keep doing so forever! This commitment will greatly improve your chances to someday earn a life-changing amount of money from Golf America, although there is no guarantee that you will earn any amount of money, or that you will achieve any certain level of performance. The most important factor in a member’s potential financial success in Golf America is to refer at least four new members into the club who each do the same thing. After that there is very little anyone can do to influence their downline, but this can still really add up, as demonstrated by this possible scenario. Your 1st Level = 4 Members who each get 4 - 2nd Level = 16 who average 3.5 - 3rd Level = 56 who average 3 - 4th Level = 168 who average 2.75 - 5th Level = 462 who average 2.5 - 6th Level = 1,155 who average 2.25 - 7th Level = 2,600 who average 2 - 8th Level = 5,200 who average 1.75 - 9th Level = 9,100 who average 1.5 - 10th Level = 13,650 Total Members = 32,411 Total Income: $162,135
X
This example is for demonstration purposes only. There are no guarantees of any financial success or performance of any member in Golf America.
www.GolfAmerica.biz
How To Grow Your Golf America Business The example on the previous page would be a nice extra stream of income for virtually anyone, but it’s nowhere near the potential someone could earn from Golf America. Our unique “Find a Foursome” plan rewards our hardest working members with the potential to earn millions of dollars a year, as explained on our club website, www.golfamerica.biz. This potential should be enough incentive for anyone to want to share the club with other potential members, and we make it as easy as possible to do so. Every new member will receive one dozen of these 8-page introductory brochures when they join, along with a dozen of our beautiful “Follow Your Dreams!” greeting cards shown below. These can be mailed or handed to any potential member, along with a personal note asking them to check out the club and join if they like what they see, with you as their referring member, of course. We also offer very nice business cards by the 1,000’s, which are perfect for handing out or leaving at businesses where potential members might pick one up. We also have an emailable introductory video, several nice pre-written email letters, sam-
ple newsletters, extra Eagle Pro golf balls available to give away as gifts and samples, an extraordinary collection of incredible golf trips (including trips to The Masters), and much more to tell your friends, co-workers, golf buddies and any other potential new members about the club. Once you start spreading the news about the club among your friends and acquaintances you’ll start to see them signing up under you, and you’ll start to make some money. Soon you’ll start to see people you don’t even know appear in your downline, and that’s when Golf America gets really exciting! J. Paul Getty once said, “I’d rather have 1% of the effort of 100 men than 100% of my own,” and you’ll soon start seeing why as you reap the rewards of leveraged time and contacts. The most important step you need to take to put Golf America to work in your life is to join the club, and then start sharing the details of the club with everyone you know. We NEVER allow a “hard sell” of the club to anyone, but if you’ll share the club just as it has been shared with you, you will soon start to see a difference in your income and your life!
Send these note cards to your top 12 prospects with a personal note inviting them to check out the club!
Golf America Magazine Page 13
The
Golf America Art Collection
John Johnson Steve Heit
In addition to providing the greatest golf club and business opportunity in the United States, Golf America has also assembled one of the most beautiful collections of golf art in the world, all of which is available to our members at 50% below regular gallery pricing. All of our pieces are signed and numbered by the artist who took the shot or created the painting. They are available in a variety of formats, including unframed and framed, on canvas, fine art giclee’ prints or as photographic prints. Several of our beautiful photographs are also available in high-end golf stores and art galleries, but most of them are available exclusively through Golf America. The Golf America Art Collection is already one of the finest in the world, and it will continue to grow as we add new pieces from our featured photographers and add one or two more photographers who provide complementary photos to our collection.
Mark Whitright John Johnson
Golf America will also be adding several dozen illustrations and paintings from some of the top golf artists in the world. Like everything else we sell, these new pieces will all be priced at 50% of their established gallery prices exclusively for our members. Members may purchase as many pieces of the Golf America Art Collection as they like, and we anticipate several of our members becoming golf art aficionados or adding to their existing collections through their membership in Golf America.
The Golf America Collection
"If a man has good corn, or wood, or boards, or pigs to sell, or can make better chairs or knives, crucibles, or church organs, than anybody else, you will find a broad, hard-beaten road to his house, tho it be in the woods." Ralph Waldo Emerson Red Sky Ranch & Golf Club, Wolcott, CO
Golf America also offers many items to help our members succeed, including business cards, motivational posters, greeting cards, our motivating weekly newsletter, e-mailable videos explaining the club, and anything else we can think of to help our members introduce more new members to the club. All of these products are offered to our members at true wholesale prices. For instance, 1,000 business cards printed both sides in color and UV coated are just $45 delivered anywhere in the USA!
10 $4 00 U 5D VC eli ve ards red !
Golf America Magazine Page 15
Change Your Ball and Change Your Life! The Golf America Eagle Pro is an excellent quality 3-piece golf ball rivaling the finest balls in the world of golf, even the balls played on Tour. Virtually every professional golfer on any of the highest Tours plays a high-end 3-piece ball similar to the Eagle Pro, and many of them make millions of dollars a year playing their favorite brand of balls. Now, for the first time ever, average golfers are also able to earn millions of dollars a year by playing their favorite brand of ball
- and sharing them with other golfers with whom they meet and play - as long as their favorite ball is a Golf America Eagle Pro! Members of Golf America get a dozen of these wonderful, high-performance Eagle Pro golf balls sent to them as soon as they join the club. Additional balls are available for 50% off the MSRP of comparable balls. Find out how you can get a dozen of these balls sent to you by visiting www.golfamerica.biz!
www.GolfAmerica.biz Page 16 Golf America Magazine
www.GolfAmerica.biz
So
By Kathryn Stafford
you’ve made the decision to get your child involved in this crazy game you love. Congratulations! I’m not saying it will be the easiest journey you’ll ever embark upon, but I can promise you it will definitely be the most rewarding. Along with the blisters and sunburns that await you are tiny trophies, new friends, and memories you and your children will share for the rest of your lives. When I was six months old my parents bought me a tiny white visor that read, “Future Golf Pro.” Although the cocky prediction never came true and my parents were joking when they purchased the hat, several unexpected accomplishments did come true. I went on to play in numerous junior events including group clinics and tournaments. Countless tournaments, lessons, and a few years later, I was playing for my high school team. Upon graduation I went on to receive a scholarship at a Division One school and served as team captain my senior year More importantly however, aside from the accolades, I’ve walked away with a cultivated appreciation and respect for the game, life-long friends, and the indescribable sense of happiness I experience from past and present rounds with my family and my parents who taught me how to play. Now fasten your seat belt as I take you through a crash course in how best to introduce your youngsters to the game. The most important thing for parents to do is to keep it fun. Too often parents can get excited in a child’s progress and get too caught up in the competition. At the junior level, especially for beginners, it is premature to heave a demanding practice schedule on any child. Often parents think they have the next Tiger Woods or Annika Sorenstam and they kick their child’s practice and playing schedule into overdrive. Nothing is more heartbreaking than when a child who shows talent or potential burns out simply because they were pushed too hard or too far at an early age. Page 18 Golf America Magazine
If your child is an absolute novice/newbie to the game, start by bringing them to chip and putt or hit range balls at a practice facility or nearby course. We’re taking baby steps here but it’s important not to get ahead of yourself or overwhelm your new student. Keep sessions relatively short and fun. The more you can simplify the game the better. It is hard for children to grasp the complex and sometimes mechanical thought process of the swing, let alone course management. When my father, who was a former athlete, teacher and coach was first teaching me to play, he would slowly and rhythmically count aloud, “One...two...” He would do this to help me understand the tempo of my swing and to realize that the speed of my backswing should match that of my follow through. If you feel ready to take your child out on the course, an excellent time to play is right before dusk. Most players will have already finished or will be heading home for dinner. With the course to yourself you don’t have to worry about distractions or holding up play. At first, it may be difficult to keep your young student interested and not distracted with all the excitement of being on the course. No more than 9 holes is a good place to start. If you do not belong to a club, or your club does not offer junior programs, there are still a plethora of options for juniors of all ages and skill levels. If you have a little tyke on spikes the Itty Bitty Open is an ideal way for the youngest of players to get their feet wet. (It was also yours truly’s very first tournament outing) Sponsored by the JGAA, the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, and The Thunderbirds this free tournament is open to 3, 4 and 5 year olds only. All players receive a complimentary set of plastic golf clubs, bag, balls and a visor. You and your child will learn the basic skills of golf from a PGA or LPGA professional followed by a fun non-competitive tournament. For children a little older, The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department offers a youth golf program for children ages 8-17. Inexpensive, year-round golf lessons are available at Phoenix’s six municipal golf courses. These courses include Aguila, Maryvale, Cave Creek, Encanto, Papago, and Palo Verde. Certified PGA professionals instruct all the classes, and equipment is provided for students who need it. Not
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only is swing instruction offered, but also included are lessons in course management, etiquette and the rules of the game. Once your young player has started to improve a little and has a grasp on the rules, etiquette and course management, it’s time to put the practice to work. The Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) is hands down the best way for young golfers to sharpen their playing skills for both a social and competitive environment. Assistant Executive Director of The JGAA, Sean Ferris, explains the relative ease parents can get their children involved in the JGAA. “Proximity of courses to where a child lives always makes getting involved easier,” says Ferris. “Finding courses that are closest to you and then choosing a program most suitable depending on price, playing ability and age is the best way to get started.” Ferris also stresses the importance of new players beginning in group clinics rather than one-on-one instruction or tournament play. “The worst thing parents can do is to throw their children into competition right away,” says Ferris. “They need time to develop and progress before being put into a competitive atmosphere. Golf can be difficult and frustrating and it can be intimidating and uncomfortable for children to be in a one-onone instructional situation. When they are in a group environment with other children of comparable ages and abilities, they see that other children are going through their same experiences.” For players to get started in the JGAA, they must attend Linkster clinics for beginners ages 5-14. Juniors suitable for the Linkster program must be between the age limit, have no prior tournament experience and show a desire to improve at golf. These
clinics allow junior golfers to interact with PGA and LPGA professionals through group clinics and one-on-one instruction at numerous courses around the valley. After receiving a free ½ hour lesson with the instructor of their choice, students are allowed to attend introductory clinics offered all year. Once they have completed the criteria for the course ready checklist, juniors are permitted to play in tournaments through the JGAA Boys Golf Club or the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Club. For the little lady in your life, the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Club is an excellent way for young girls to get involved in the sport. Often it can be intimidating for girls to get started in the game with so many male participants. The fun and inviting atmosphere of the Girls Golf Club is a great way for girls to build confidence, improve their game and make friends. Director of the Girls Golf Club, Kathy Knadler, has done a wonderful job of creating a friendly environment for young girls involved in the game. Holiday-themed tournaments are held throughout the year, along with luncheons, prizes, award banquets and instructional clinics, making this organization indispensable for teaching young girls the social and competitive aspects of the game. Whether or not your child decides to continue to play competitively or incorporate golf into their life, they will undoubtedly gain a sense of humility, perseverance, sportsmanship, proper etiquette, exercise, patience, control of their emotions, social interaction, friendships and memories that few sports can boast.
“The most important thing for parents to do is to keep it fun.”
What Hole Is This?
If you think you know what hole this is, e-mail your guess to golfthedesert@yahoo.com. One lucky winner will win a foursome of golf at Viewpoint Golf Resort in Mesa. Winner will be chosen by random drawing from all correct entries on December 31, 2009 Golf America Magazine Page 19
Callaway Performance Center Manager Bill Van Splunder takes John Price through a custom club fitting and swing analysis. Clients hit every type of club during this complete and thorough 90 minute session, and get some great pointers and tips along the way. Page 20 Golf America Magazine
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A Fitting Solution by Keith James
“Oh my gosh…that’s TERRIBLE!” I cried. I stood watching in horror as my swing was being played on the HD flat screen at the Callaway Performance Center at Troon North. “Oh, I’ve seen worse…a lot worse” claimed Bill Van Splunder, manager of the performance center. “You’ve actually got a lot to work with,” he explained, showing me what he meant as he talked me through my swing. A half hour and three or four small fixes later, I saw what he meant, and the statistics showing up on the screen were now something to be proud of, not feared, as I was starting to understand my swing and why I hadn’t been hitting the ball very far on most of my shots over the past few years. I’m a fairly big guy, at 6’2” and 250 pounds, and it was starting to bother me that I couldn’t drive a golf ball over 220 yards any more. I used to hit my 4-iron that far! After seeing my first swing on the monitor I felt lucky to be hitting the ball at all, but after our session in the Callaway Performance Center was over, I had a much deeper understanding of my swing and a tremendous boost in confidence that I could once again play a decent round of golf from the blue tees at most clubs! If you’re like most golfers, you want to play a better game of golf. The hard part is figuring out how to get that done, and for most people, their first (and often last) solution is to head down to the closest golf store and buy the latest and greatest new driver or set of golf clubs they can find right off the wall, often spending many hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the process. Unfortunately, this is about the last thing they should be doing. If you need proof of this fact, take a stroll through any golf museum, golf history book or local thrift store and look at the golf clubs and balls of previous generations. Then look at the average scores shot by the winners on the PGA Tour since the 1930s, compare the average handicap of all golfers over the past 50 years, and listen to the anecdotes of golfers who’ve been playing the game for decades. You’ll discover one very obvious thing right away – that despite vast improvements in the technology, materials, design, size and quality of golf equipment, golf scores are virtually the same as they were back when clubs had hickory shafts, iron heads, leather grips and nicknames like Spoon, Mashie or Niblick. Golf America Magazine Page 21
If you’re serious about playing a better game of golf, the first thing you should do is visit with a qualified teaching pro and golf club fitter and do a complete analysis of your swing and current equipment. Make sure it’s someone with the expertise and patience to evaluate all aspects of your swing, someone who will give you honest feedback, someone who will then work within your physical capabilities to get your swing as good as it can be, and someone who will then determine the exact specifications for the equipment you need – including the best lengths of your clubs, the perfect lie angle for each club, the most efficient shaft flex for your swing, the best head design and manufacturing techniques for the clubs, and the best combination of all these factors to fit your natural swing in order to maximize the odds of you hitting each shot as pure and efficiently as you’re capable of doing. You need to see someone like Bill Van Splunder at the Callaway Performance Center at Troon North. The Callaway Performance Center is one of 10 such facilities in the United States. They utilize the very latest technology and software to measure and analyze exactly what your swing is doing and how you strike the ball. They also stock several hundred variations of clubs and shafts right in house so you can get exactly the right combination of head, shaft, grip, flex, length, lie angle and weight in your hands so you can swing, hit and feel what it’s like to maximize the performance of your golf swing with a properly fitted club. Some people will need newer or different equipment to get the most from their swings, some will need a few tweaks in their swing, some might need a series of lessons, and some might need all three. The beauty of Bill Van Splunder’s philosophy is that he will tell every customer what they need, demonstrate why they need it, and then let them decide for themselves what and when they’re going to do it. For me, it was seeing an extremely steep attack angle and inefficient transfer of energy from my hands to the ball. We worked for a short time fixing a few things in my swing, then I implemented those changes while the video system captured my attempts to fix those things, then we analyzed exactly what was and wasn’t happening, repeating the process several times until I got it as right as I could. It was painless, embarrassment free, enjoyable, and extremely affordable, and I recommend that every golfer who cares about improving his or her game goes through the process with Bill to find out what they need to do to improve their scores, their ball striking, and their enjoyment of the game. Page 22 Golf America Magazine
The Callaway Performance Center
Callaway and Troon Golf are two of the most trusted and respected names in golf, and they didn’t get there by accident. They are both committed to being the best they can be, and to providing golfers with the best golf experience possible. Nowhere is this philosophy demonstrated more clearly than at the Callaway Performance Center at Troon North, conveniently located on the ground floor of Troon North’s magnificent clubhouse. The performance center opened earlier this year, and has really taken off under the guidance of Bill Van Splunder. His personal commitment to helping each and every golfer get the most they can from the game is apparent from the moment you meet him, and his friendly, low key demeanor makes it easy to listen and understand what he’s telling you and why it will make a difference in your game. The equipment is truly state-of-the-art, with high speed flash photography utilizing 3D imagery, HD screens so you can see exactly what you’re doing with every part of your body as you analyze your swing, a large, lifelike target area to hit into, and an even larger protective screen to make sure nothing goes wrong. Once your natural swing is captured onto the computer the software takes over, giving you immediate feedback on every aspect of your swing, including swing speed, ball speed, ball rotation, launch angle, club head angle, swing path and much more. You’ll know exactly what is happening with your swing, with the transfer of energy from your club head to the ball, and what the ball does as a result of that impact. That’s what golf is all about, after all, and that’s why top Tour pros like Annika Sorenstam, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els have gone through this exact same Callaway Performance evaluation and analysis. Believe it or not, small variances of a degree or two in the lie angle of your club can result in your ball being off center by 10 or 15 yards by the time it stops rolling. Sometimes that’s the difference between being in a fairway or in the rough, being in the rough or out-of-bounds, or between being on the green or fishing your new Callaway Tour ix out of the greenside lake! The high-tech equipment at the Callaway Performance Center will tell you this – and a whole lot more, then Bill will tell you what it all means and how to put that knowledge to work improving your game.
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The Process
The first thing you’ll do upon arrival is spend a few minutes with Bill telling him about your game and what you’d like to improve. Then you’ll take a few practice swings in the hitting area, loosening up so that the high-tech video cameras can capture exactly what you’re doing with every
aspect of your swing. It’s important that you use your usual swing while going through the analysis, so Bill gets you as comfortable as possible before recording your swing with their high speed flash photography with the 3D imagery. You’ll go through a similar process as I did, hitting
balls, recording the data, watching the video of your swing, analyzing the problems, fixing those, etc., then doing the whole process over again with every type of club in your bag, including your putter. By the time you’re done you’ll be fitted for your optimum driver, fairway woods, hybrid clubs, irons, wedges, putter, and even which of the dozens of different balls on the market would be the best ball for you. The entire process takes about 90 minutes, and the entire cost for everything is just $150, which is less than a single round of golf at many of the better courses around the Valley. In my case, the custom clubs I’ve had for three years still fit me fine. It was my swing that was broken, and after that single session I was hitting the ball much better and with more confidence than I had been hitting it for a long, long time. Bill could have talked me into buying the latest and greatest equipment he sells, but he didn’t even try. You can imagine how much my esteem and respect grew for him and his integrity, especially after he told me that he won’t sell anyone new clubs unless he knows they’ll really help their game. Don’t you wish everyone was that honest? I know it’s tempting to run out and buy a brand new driver or putter when you see an ad showing how they can add ten more yards to your drives or sink more putts than ever before, but the fact is that neither one of these things is going to happen for you if you get the wrong size, length, style, lie, loft, weight, flex or material for your swing, which is most often the case when you buy any golf club off the shelf. For instance, did you know that the average PGA Touring pro’s putter is an inch and a half shorter than the average amateur’s? The fact is that you might be able to improve your golf game for much less time and money than you thought possible, and the best way to find that out is to schedule a visit with Bill Van Splunder at the Callaway Performance Center at Troon North.
Callaway Performance Center at Troon North 480-585-5300 bvansplunder@troongolf.com www.troonnorthgolf.com OPPOSITE: Tour Pros such as Phil Mickelson, Annika Sorenstam and Ernie Els utilize the Callaway Performance Centers to keep their game and equipment in top form. ABOVE: Bill Van Splunder helps JP dial in his putter. LEFT: The Callaway Performance Center has the latest state-of-the-art technology to help you get exactly the right equipment, length, weight, flex and lie angle for your swing. Golf America Magazine Page 23
Celebrate The
Game!
A Passion For the Game
Join us for a tour of the greatest store in golf...a store which was created In Celebration of Golf! Golf America Magazine Page 25
You’re Up On the First Tee...
Welcome to the Celebration!
Page 26 Golf America Magazine
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Celebrating the Game in Style!
A
By Keith James
lthough it happened almost eight years ago, I still remember my first encounter with Scottsdale’s In Celebration of Golf like it was yesterday. I was in the Valley of the Sun on assignment for the golf magazine I was working for at the time, Affluent Golfer. My job was a tough one, to review a new private country club about 45 miles northwest of Phoenix which had been designed by Reese Jones, along with a public course his brother Robert Trent Jones, Jr. had designed in nearby Cave Cree. As you can imagine, I was delighted to have drawn the short straw for this one! As usual, I quickly became friends with the marketing director of the private club, and as we played our way around the beautiful course Reese had designed we started talking about some of our favorite things about golf. We talked about the honor of the game, the history, the beauty, the art, the great passion people develop for golf, people who want to incorporate the game into as many facets of their lives as possible. Then he told me of this amazing golf store located over in Scottsdale which celebrated all of the great things about golf we had been discussing. It was named, appropriately enough, In Celebration of Golf. Once I heard his description of the store and everything it had to offer anyone interested in the game of golf, I knew I’d be headed there before the day was done. Golf America Magazine Page 27
Want to Look Your Best? Look No Further Than In Celebration of Golf! Page 28 Golf America Magazine
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I followed his directions, arriving at the Seville Plaza in Scottsdale about 3:30 that afternoon, and I was soon enveloped in the most amazing collection of golf oriented goods I’d ever seen. Although I’m a notoriously impatient shopper, I took my time exploring this store. I saw golf knick-knacks I’d never seen before. Dishes and glasses, serving trays and greeting cards, napkins and chess sets, stools and tables and chairs and decorations, books and tapes and CDs and collectibles and memorabilia and clubs and statues and antiquities and shirts and coats and sweaters and more shirts and slacks and belts and racks and racks and racks of ladies apparel (a good selection of which is usually hard to find)...and then I found shoes and more shoes and even more shoes, and more collectibles and knick-knacks. The selection was almost exhausting! I headed back to the center of the store, thinking I had seen it all...and then I found the art! Two hours later I found myself dazed and confused and overwhelmed and impressed and absolutely in awe of the greatest collection of golf art I’d ever laid my eyes upon. I found out later that In Celebration of Golf offers the largest collection of golf art available anywhere, including access to highly prized pieces by many of golf ’s greatest artists. For those looking for a truly unique piece, you can even commission a one-of-a-kind piece created just for you by one of In Celebration of Golf ’s participating artists. In Celebration of Golf is the brainchild of Roger Maxwell, a golf aficionado who knew there was a lot more to the game of golf than just hitting a ball with a club. There is a mystery, a passion, a history, a fashion...and most of all a love for the game which transcends any other game or sport. He utilized his own personal passion for the game to create a shopping experience which feels more like a trip through a museum than a trip to a cash register. I’ve been to the humongous PGA Merchandise Show nine of the last ten years. This is the golf industry’s largest showcase, bringing together thousands of vendors and tens of thousands of individuals connected to the game. As you wander the miles and miles of endless booths at the show, you become convinced that everything ever created for, by, about or relating to the game of golf is available at that show. But you’d be wrong. I have found more incredible items celebrating the game of golf by wandering through the displays of In Celebration of Golf than I have at that show in Orlando. When I asked Roger about this he told me it was because most of the thousands of items found in his stores have come through different sources. He and his staff of buyers are constantly searching the globe for high quality items of interest to anyone who loves the game of golf, and he told me that only a few of his main suppliers show their wares at the Orlando show. This type of dedication is how excellence is achieved in anything you might do, and for those who love the game of golf, there is no better place to shop for excellence about the game of golf than at In Celebration of Golf. Golf America Magazine Page 29
In Celebration of Golf offers the Largest Collection of Golf Art for sale that I’ve ever seen! Page 30 Golf America Magazine
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In Celebration of Golf has two showcase stores, the original 13,000 square foot Celebration located at 7001 North Scottsdale Road in the luxurious Scottsdale Seville Plaza, and a slightly smaller store in the north Scottsdale area, located in the Kierland Commons. There are also several boutique locations in five major airports, including Phoenix Sky Harbor, San Antonio, Houston, Austin and Nashville. Whenever your travels permit, make plans to visit one of the In Celebration of Golf stores, allowing enough time to completely immerse yourself into the history, passion, love, appreciation and celebration of the game of golf you’ll find at the greatest golf store on earth. You can also visit them online at www.CelebrateGolf.com. Scottsdale Seville 480-951-4444 Kierland Commons 480-948-1766 www.celebrategolf.com
It’s Your Move!
Golf America Magazine Page 31
The West
Page 32 Golf America Magazine
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A Masterpiece of Golf
Cascata Boulder City, NV
Golf America Magazine Page 33
Golf’s Gold
Standard Throughout most of our history, the United States has used the gold standard to guarantee the value of our money. Gold has always been the most sought after and cherished of all precious elements and remains so today, with gold medals honoring the best athletes in the world’s top competitions, gold stars rewarding our best work in school, and gold rings signifying our eternal, undying love to our spouse. If there were such an honor in golf, something that showed our appreciation for excellence achieved in every aspect of a golf club, there is no doubt that Cascata would wear that award with honor and distinction. In my opinion, Cascata sets the standard to which every golf club should aspire, and that standard is pure 24 carat gold! The Cascata experience begins long before you actually arrive at the course. In fact, for many golfers it begins the moment you reserve your tee time. The anticipation of playing such an incredible golf course is almost as good as the actual round, but when you factor in everything else a round of golf at Cascata includes, it can make you downright delirious.
O
Once upon a time, Cascata was a course built for and enjoyed by a very select few. It was a private facility reserved exclusively for the highest of the high rollers at a few of Las Vegas’ most posh casinos, and as such there were many days when no more than a handful of people got to experience the incredible course. This veil of secrecy created a mystique shared by very few golf courses on earth, and every golfer who ever heard of the magic and magnificence of the land behind the strong, closed gates had an equally strong desire to experience Cascata for themselves. Unfortunately, few of us had the massive casino credit lines necessary to make that experience come true. Page 34 Golf America Magazine
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“...The double wooden doors activate as the cart approaches, opening to a world of verdant flora, streaming waters, rich colors and lush fairways and greens, the likes of which you’ve rarely – if ever – seen or played before.”
Story and Photos by Keith James Golf America Magazine Page 35
In
2005 Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. acquired Caesars Entertainment, which included an impressive portfolio of more than a dozen properties, including Caesars Palace, Bally’s Las Vegas, the Paris Hotel and Casino, the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, and Cascata. Upon acquiring Cascata, Harrah’s opened the gates to the public, and thus made the best overall golf experience on earth available to golfers like you and me. Cascata is now open to anyone who is able and willing to pay the green fees and caddie fees, but to get the most out of the total Cascata experience I recommend staying at one of Harrah’s great properties and renting a limousine to start and end your day. Your limousine will pick you up at the front door of your hotel, provide a relaxing ride to the course, and it allows you the chance to enjoy a delicious snack or refreshing beverage before arriving, or at the very least allows you and your buddies the chance to savor and prepare for the day ahead. Page 36 Golf America Magazine
Upon arriving at Cascata you’ll be greeted by name, given a brief tour of the 37,000 square foot Tuscan-style clubhouse and its extraordinary facilities, then escorted past the rushing river cascading through the clubhouse to the most luxurious locker room you might ever enjoy. You’ll know your locker for the day as soon as you see it, for it will be graced with your name engraved upon the brass name plate. Everything you’ll need to prepare for your round is found in the locker room, as well as a full slate of toiletries awaiting you to spruce up after your shower once you’ve finished your round. You might want to spend some time relaxing and reflecting in one of the stately leather chairs, watching a few minutes of programming on one of the large flat-screen TVs, or just contemplating the next few hours of your life. Complementary pastries, coffee and juice are yours to enjoy at your leisure, and the pro shop is fully stocked with a wide assortment of the best golf apparel available, all with the Cascata logo to help you remember this special day forever.
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When you’re ready, you’ll head down the luxurious staircase, meet your caddie, get a short description of what awaits you outside, then board your cart which is already loaded with your clubs, and head through the doors leading to the most magical golf experience on earth. The double wooden doors activate as the cart approaches, opening to a world of verdant flora, streaming waters, rich colors and lush fairways and greens, the likes of which you’ve rarely – if ever – seen or played before. Some people compare it to Dorothy’s experience when she first entered Oz, others say it reminds them of entering Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Disneyland . Either way, it’s unforgettable, and you’re in for the round of your life. The first stop for most players is the practice range. Even the range is special at Cascata. With any luck you’ll share the range with a small herd of wild mountain sheep, which often gather to drink from the small pool at the bottom of the 418’ waterfall cascading down the back of the range. This is the first indication you’ll have as to the pristine setting of the course. When you’re playing Cascata you’re basically surrounded by some of the most austere mountain desert wilderness you’ll ever see. This harsh, steep land was so arid and inhospitable before Reese Jones started creating his masterpiece here that few animals could survive. Now the land is teeming with wildlife, including that beautiful herd of wild sheep, but every hole is set apart from all others and surrounded by steep wilderness canyons, mountains and hills, so there’s a very good chance that the entire day will pass without you seeing another group on the course. Chances are also good that you, your friends and your caddie might be the only people on the range as you’re warming up, giving you the ultimate sense of privacy and ownership, even if it is just for the day. You’ll hit as many balls as you want from the pyramids of high-end Callaway balls lined up along the hitting line, aiming for any of the greens you want to hit which are scattered throughout the deep range. Once you’ve loosened up and your caddie has a sense of how you’re hitting your clubs that day you’ll head to the large putting green to get used to what it’s like to putt on perfection. The greens are quick, but very playable, and are about as smooth and undulating as a romantic ballad sung by Barry White. Once you’ve got the speed of the greens dialed in, you’re ready to head to the first tee, and the glory awaiting beyond.
“You’ll know your locker for the day as soon as you see it...”
Golf America Magazine Page 37
“You’ll love the design, conditions, challenge and beauty you’ll find throughout the course...”
Aahhh, the beauty of it all. Immaculate fairways, perfect greens, peace and serenity on every hole. I could take you through each of the holes at the par 72, 7,137 yard Cascata, either hole by hole or shot by shot, and you’d be impressed with each and every one, but I’d rather have you go play the course for yourself to create your own opinions and memories. You’ll love the design, conditions, challenge and beauty you’ll find throughout the course, but even more than that, you’re going to love the entire Cascata experience. Page 38 Golf America Magazine
Once your round is finished I strongly recommend a quick, refreshing shower in the luxurious locker room, then spending an hour or two in the restaurant or on the back patio enjoying some of the finest food you’ll ever experience at a golf course, along with your favorite libations from their very well stocked bar. These are the moments you’ll cherish as you and your friends relive the highlights of your round, sharing stories, remembering your best shots and laughing at those that got away.
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Cascata is more than a golf course. It is one of the great experiences of your life. Cascata’s understated luxury is the perfect place to hold your upscale golf outing or charitable event, and is also available for private events, weddings, corporate meetings, dinner parties and any other event for which you might need an exceptional venue for your group of up to 300 people. As an example of the types of events that utilize the beautiful fairways and greens of Cascata for their events, Cascata was the most notable home of the Michael Douglas and Friends events earlier this decade, and is currently one of the host courses used for the Amateur Tournament for the 2008 and 2009 Wendy’s 3Tour Challenge. Tiger Woods holds his Tiger Jam Golf Outing at Cascata and Cascata has been the site of numerous celebrity charity events including the Greg Maddux – Butch Harmon Charity Classic among others.
Cascata
Cascata offers one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences you’ll ever enjoy. It doesn’t even matter what you shoot on a course as special as Cascata, although with the guidance and expertise offered by your caddie you just might shoot one of the best rounds of your life. With green fees ranging from $350 to $500, plus an appropriate reward for your caddie at the end of the round, Cascata might not be a golf course you could play every day. But whether you make it an annual treat, or a once-in-a-lifetime experience, every golfer who wants to go for the gold must make the Cascata experience one of their own.
There are a lot of fantastic golf courses and golf experiences available in this country, but there’s only one setting the new Gold Standard for golf, and that is Cascata.
www.cascatagolf.com
866-806-8722
What a way to finish! Looking back up the 18th hole at Cascata. Golf America Magazine Page 39
Inside the Gates
The Rim Golf Club
Great golf and gorgeous views are just two of the reasons why The Rim Golf Club is the top rated Private Residential Golf Club in Arizona, and # 3 in the entire United States
Page 40 Golf America Magazine
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“LiveEthe life TH RIM you’ve dreamed.” David GHenry OLF CThoreau LUB
By Keith James
The sun was quickly disappearing into the thick copse of tall pines to the west, and the thin, wispy clouds were starting to blush with a reddish glow, reflecting of the end of another beautiful day at The Rim Golf Club. I was coming up the 18th fairway, and although my round wasn’t quite complete I was already reflecting on the awesome experience I had just enjoyed. Little did I know it was about to get even better! There is a small lake to the right of the 18th green, and the clubhouse sits high up to the left, overlooking the entire area, and specifically that green and lovely little lake. As I sat on the clubhouse deck a few minutes later, enjoying a refreshing beverage while reliving the great course in my mind, a small herd of deer wandered up the fairway to enjoy their own refreshing evening drink. One of them turned and stared in my direction for a few seconds, and I swear our eyes and souls met with a gentle acknowledgement of just how special this place is before she turned away and dipped her head to get her drink. The Rim Golf Club is located in the midst of some of the most beautiful land in Arizona, just to the east of Payson on the south side of Highway 260. The club sits at approximately 5,000 feet above sea level, and it soars way above that in terms of meeting and exceeding expectations, even as one of the highest rated private golf clubs in the United States. The club is, in fact, rated as the # 1 Residential Golf Course west of the Carolinas and # 3 in the entire United States. It has also been rated by Golfweek as the Southwest’s # 1 Best Residential Golf Course for four years in a row, and is “The Top Private Golf Course in Arizona,” according to that same publication. That’s pretty high praise, and this club deserves every bit of it. All great golf courses have one thing in common – a unique and exciting piece of land on which it is built. In The Rim Golf Club’s case this is particularly true. The land is a rollicking, rolling ride through a series of thick forests and open glens, playing across and up and through forest canyons, highlighted by some of the most spectacular rock outcroppings and giant boulders you’ll ever see. The most memorable shot on the course is the approach shot on the 581-yard par 5 13th hole. The shot is downhill to an inviting green, but chances are you won’t even notice the green the first time you play this hole because of the impressive 80-foot boulder formation towering right behind the green. As you approach the green you’ll see several more large boulders to the left of the green. This appears to be an ancient, mystical place, and if you let your mind wander as you look at the large vertical stone standing on another huge rock to the left of the cart path you’ll swear it’s a bear that a primordial magician turned into stone. Golf America Magazine Page 41
THE RIM GOLF CLUB
Land like this deserves to be envisioned and developed by the best golf course architects in the business, and they made the perfect choice by bringing in the dynamic team of Jay Moorish and Tom Weiskopf to find the course within the land. Although the course is beautifully sculpted and kept in immaculate scenery like what is found on this stunning piece of condition, you can tell that Jay and Tom took their time land, members will eagerly anticipate their next round and let the land dictate where each hole would lie and – even if they’re playing 36 holes a day! the route each hole would offer the golfers who were The first hole at The Rim Golf Club can be a real to come along. The course follows the slope and natu- confidence booster, starting with a downhill tee shot ral flow of the terrain perfectly, yet every club in your to a wide open fairway. The short length of the hole bag will be used as you play your way around its many should reward members with a very manageable apchallenges. The land never seems to stand still too long. proach shot to the small elevated green, but missing the The elevation is constantly changing, up one hole and green could lead to a tough start as there are four very down the next, sometimes up and down on a single interesting and demanding greenside bunkers guardhole, providing a myriad of possibilities to play many ing against easy pars following poor wedge shots. The of the holes, which is the ultimate test a private country fairway slopes gently from left to right, and the visual club can provide for its loyal members. Nobody will stimulation of this simple, short hole will get you fired ever get bored playing this course every day, and with up for the entire round. Page 42 Golf America Magazine www.GolfAmerica.biz
Looking back from the 5th green
Every hole at The Rim Golf Club is unique, with no two holes looking or playing quite the same. My favorite stretch of holes starts with the 13th, which I mentioned earlier, and runs through the 16th. The 13th starts from an elevated tee box, offering a beautiful drive to the southeast, with a range of craggy mountains towering in the distance and a large bunker and rock outcropping protecting against a weak effort to cut the corner of the dogleg left. I hit my best drive of the day here, and ended up with a perfect shot to the green, which I proceeded to hit a little fat, leaving a short wedge to the green. This is the hole with the huge boulders behind and to the left, and quite frankly, I was simply awed by the setting. I was also inspired, and hit my wedge to about 15 feet right of the pin, sinking a miraculous putt for a par on this very impressive hole. The 14th hole tees off from the north side of the giant boulders, with a gain of about 40 feet in elevation from the 13th green to the 14th tee box. This hole plays straight north from the tee, uphill to a split fairway. You can’t see the green from the tee box, and this is definitely one of the more risk/reward tee shots of the day. The shorter, straight approach to the green is to take the right side of the fairway, but this will also require a carry over a large lake, while the route left of the island of wilderness in the middle of the fairway provides a path on which your ball is more likely to stay dry. It also offers an absolutely terrific view of the Mogollon Rim far to the north, from which The Rim Golf Club gets its name. The second shot is way downhill to a large green, and any shot that misses the lake and finds the green is a great victory! The 15th hole is just stunning. This hole plays back to the south, with the green just to the left of the 14th tee box – with the back side of that huge boulder formation standing about 40 feet above this side of the land, which is densely populated with trees and wild shrubs. This hole plays the exact opposite from 14 in terms of elevation change, with a downhill tee shot and uphill approach to a relatively small green. I’m not exactly sure why, but I just love everything about this hole. I suppose it could be the birdie I found there, but I loved it even before sinking the short putt! The 16th hole tees off from the east side of that same huge boulder formation, but this time you’re close to the top of the formation and aiming dead east. I think this tee shot has the greatest drop in elevation from tee to fairway on the course, and the view from the tee box is once again inspiring. I’ve never played four holes in a row on any other course which offers such a diverse collection of shots all built around or incorporating one natural formation. The vision Jay and Tom displayed on the entire course is extraordinary, but on this stretch of holes it is simply astonishing.
The approach shot from #14’s “safe” side of the fairway
Halfway up the impressive 533-yard 9th hole
Golf America Magazine Page 43
Members never tire of the dynamic views at The Rim Golf Club. This is the 15th green from the 14th tee.
After my round I spent some time relaxing on the deck overlooking the 18th green and lake. That was when that deer and I had our moment of peaceful communication and understanding. I was contemplating how great life would be if it was centered around playing and living at The Rim Golf Club. Looking back into the clubhouse I was equally impressed by the quality and design of the magnificent stone structure. Everything one could ever want in life seemed to be within grasp, which meant I wanted nothing more. Henry David Thoreau once said, “Live the life you’ve dreamed,” which is possibly the greatest advice any of us could ever heed. If you’re in the position to live the life all of us dream of living, you owe it to yourself and your family to pay a visit to The Rim Golf Club. The best way to get started is by calling Wendy Larchick, the designated broker for The Rim Golf Club. Homesites start in the mid 100s, and finished homes are currently priced from $1,098,000 to several million. Call 1 (800) 311-5370 or check them out online at www.therimgolfclub.com.
The Rim Golf Club is as impressive inside as it is outside, with beautiful stonework and luxurious furnishings throughout.
Looking back up the fairway of the extraordinary finishing hole, one of the best in golf. Page 44 Golf America Magazine
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Sm A Br d ing pu a Fo In rc ll ha B r A Th se u ne c FR is ce k ss et ar EE y! o Ex f B pi re a s ll 1 s
No
Play An Arizona Classic!
Two Golfers Play
The Foothills
for the Price of One!
Offer Good Every Monday-Friday against Rack Rate! Must present this ad to receive this two-for-one offer. Not good Saturday, Sunday or Holidays. Expires December 31, 2008
480-460-4653 2201 East Clubhouse Drive Phoenix, AZ 85048
www.thefoothillsgc.com
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The Boulders was also recently ranked as one of the top 10 U.S. golf courses in Travel + Leisure Golf Magazine, with a special emphasis on The Boulders Golf Academy, offering private, instruction with talented PGA and LPGA instructors amidst panoramic views of the 12-million year old boulder formations. An exclusive desert hideaway, The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa is nestled in the truly unique and dramatic Sonoran Desert foothills north of Scottsdale, Arizona. It features 160 guest casitas and 55 one-, two- and threebedroom villas, seven restaurants and a lounge, and eight tennis courts including three classic clay surfaces& five premier cushion courts One of the finest golf resorts in the world, The Boulders boasts two 18-hole, par 72 championship golf courses designed by the acclaimed Jay Morrish. Ranked #1 Golf Resort in Arizona, the courses are considered some of the most demanding in the Southwest and are known for their rugged beauty and breathtaking desert panoramas. The celebrated Golden Door Spa at the Boulders brings the distinct philosophy of the oldest, continually operating destination spa in America - The Golden Door in Escondido California to the serene, inspirational Sonoran Desert of Arizona by offering warm Southwestern feel to this incredible facility.
Click here for a virtual tour of all 36 holes at The Boulders
The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa is part of the LXR Luxury Resorts collection, a portfolio of independent properties distinguished by a style and spirit that captures the unique qualities of their setting. LXR properties are located throughout the United States and the Caribbean. The collection also includes the renowned Golden Door Spa brand. Click here to visit The Boulders' website or to book your weekend getaway. Golf America Magazine Page 49
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Inside the Gates of
Of
all the lifestyles available here in the United States, living the Country Club life has got to be the best. Playing golf every day with your spouse or closest friends, soaking in the spa after a good swim, working out in what often amounts to your own private gym, relaxing with friends over a few cocktails in a serene setting, playing a friendly game of gin rummy in the locker room, dining on some of the finest cuisine in the state while enjoying dramatic views overlooking a park-like setting, then strolling home to your beautiful house just a few blocks away. It’s a life almost everybody would love to live, and in Arizona’s Valley of the Sun, it’s a life that’s lived every day by the members of Terravita Golf Club. Terravita Golf Club is one of the greatest golf secrets in Arizona . It is located in the heart of North Scottsdale on the southwest corner of Scottsdale Road and the Carefree Highway, surrounded by some of the most famous and prestigious golf communities in Page 50 Golf America Magazine
the world, including clubs that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to join or millions of dollars to live within their gates. Although a membership or home in Terravita may cost a fraction of those in the surrounding area, the best secret of all is that Terravita Golf Club may offer the best combination of golf and the country club lifestyle of any of them! Terravita opened in 1994 as the first residential non-Sun City style golf community developed by the legendary Del Webb. Back then, this area of North Scottsdale area was basically a deserted desert, even though it held some of the most lush and beautiful regions of the Sonoran Desert. That’s why it took a man of Del Webb’s incredible vision to see what the area could be, and since he was one of the first to see the potential of North Scottsdale, he was able to secure some of the finest land in the entire area. Once he had the land secured and vision in place, he brought in PGA Hall of Famer Billy Casper and his architectural partner Greg Nash and turned them loose on this pristine desert canvas. The result is a masterpiece of desert
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avita
Golf Club
golf, one of the most challenging and enjoyable golf experiences in the entire state. The course opens with a shot off one of the few elevated tees on the course, playing away to a beckoning fairway with a large bent grass green lying an enticing 388 yards from the back tees. Black Mountain towers high over the landscape just to the north of the course, and some of the views of this behemoth are stunning, including the view you’ll get from the first tee box. There are five sets of tee boxes on the course, making it inviting to golfers of all abilities. The course
plays to 7,075 yards from the back tees, and 5,286 yards from the forward tees, and every tee box is well used at Terravita Golf Club. The day I was out for my tour I saw a wonderful mix of men and women playing the course, young and old, struggling amateur to scratch golfer, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely as they played their way around the course. The course follows the subtle contours of the lush desert as it develops, utilizing strategic Golf America Magazine Page 51
bunkering and thick foliage to discourage wildly aggressive play. Many of the holes are lined with the healthy natural vegetation of this verdant portion of the desert, and wildlife is abundant, including coyotes, a few bobcats, rabbits, quail and a wide variety of desert birds. The one thing you won’t run into too much of at Terravita Golf Club is water hazards, with just one large pond coming into play on the beautiful yet treacherous 10th hole. The finishing holes are a terrific test, with the tee shot from the 18th tee providing one of the most spectacular views on the course, being surpassed only by the approach shot to the final green. Page 52 Golf America Magazine
After another great round of golf, many of the members gather in the gigantic 34,000 square foot clubhouse to enjoy a fine meal, a few cocktails, a game of cards or just the camaraderie of some good company. Conversations tend to be relaxed and friendly, and I never saw any of the oafish snobbery which is so apparent at some clubs. The membership at Terravita Golf Club is extremely relaxed and friendly, with the emphasis on enjoying life rather than trying to impress others. That’s my kind of club!
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For those looking for a private golf club offering more than just golf, Terravita Golf Club is exactly what you’re looking for. The club offers a full array of amenities including a state of the art fitness center including personal trainers and massage therapists, six tennis courts, an Olympic-sized pool with nearby spa, two restaurants offering both casual and fine dining, a full slate of social activities such as bridge, mahjong, reading groups and much more. There are even seven miles of hiking and walking trails within Terravita, and many miles of beautiful desert hiking within a few miles of the club. Golf memberships at Terravita Golf Club are extremely affordable compared to the neighboring private golf communities in North Scottsdale, and there are currently several non-residential memberships available. You might be wondering how Terravita Golf Club stacks up against their more famous and more expensive neighbors. Well, according to the highly respected Ranking Arizona and Arizona Business Magazine, Terravita Golf Club was the #1 ranked private golf club in the entire Valley of the Sun for 2005, 2006 and 2007! The best way to judge whether or not a membership at Terravita Golf Club is right for you and your family is to take a tour of the club. Call Director of Golf, Steve Mallory, at 480-488-7962 to schedule a tour, or check the club out online at www.terravitagolfclub.com.
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O CO T I L LO G O L F R E S O R T I S M A N AG E D B Y T R O O N G O L F, 速 T H E L E A D E R I N U P S C A L E G O L F CO U R S E M A N AG E M E N T 1.888.TROON U.S. | WWW.TROONGOLF.COM
The North
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A Perfect Place... Golf America Magazine Page 57
A Perfect Trip...
Join Us August 21, 22 and 23 for the Golf Getaway of the Year!
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If a picture is worth a thousand words, consider this a 5,000 word essay. We’ve all heard about the magic and majesty of Coeur d’Alene Resort for years, not it’s time for you to experience this incredible golf destination for yourself. Join Golf America this August as we head to Coeur d’ Alene Resort for 3 days and 3 nights of perfect bliss. Your getaway includes ground transportation from Spokane, WA, 3 nights at Coeur d’Alene Resort with double occupancy, 2 rounds of golf at Coeur d’Alene Resort and 1 round at the nearby Circling Raven Golf Club including transportation and lunch.
Don’t miss this opportunity to share in the golf getaway of the summer. Your price includes everythnig you’d want to do from the time you arrive at Spokane airport until you take off three days later. The total price for golf, deluxe accommodations for two, three meals each day, a welcome cocktail reception and very special gift bag is just $1,499 per person! Call 602-264-2833 to reserve your space in this fantastic trip!
t... a e r re! sG I e f H l re Go The You We Wish
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Golf America’s Course You Must Play
Running Y Page 60 Golf America Magazine
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Resort
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John Milton once wrote about a Paradise Lost, but for those looking to find paradise, all you have to do is head to the Running Y Ranch Resort near the calm shores of Klamath Lake in south central Oregon . The Running Y Ranch Resort is about as complete a destination resort as you will ever find. Imagine a combination of hiking and biking over miles of smooth paved paths, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, boating, water skiing or jet skiing over miles of smooth open water, bird watching in an Audubon approved bird sanctuary, horseback riding, ice skating, whitewater rafting and much, much more….or doing nothing at all in the peace and quiet you’ll find amidst 3,600 acres of natural beauty. Oh yeah, did I mention the golf? The Running Y Ranch Resort features an award winning design from the King of Golf himself, the one and only Arnold Palmer, and the golf course is among the finest I’ve ever played. In addition to all of the above, the Running Y Ranch Resort also offers luxurious western ranch accommodations. You’ll enjoy all of the amenities and luxuries of the resort from the privacy of your own suite in the lodge, or three-bedroom chalet or sumptuous two- or three-bedroom townhome. The toughest choice here is deciding which one to enjoy! Dining choices include light faire in the Sugar Pine Café for breakfast or lunch, and for dinner everyone heads to the Ranch House Restaurant located in the clubhouse and overlooking the first hole or Arnold ’s masterpiece. Here you’ll find excellent meals in a rich, yet casual setting. The sunsets are spectacular, as is everything you’ll experience at this incredible resort. Arnold Palmer has designed many golf courses all over the world, many of which have won major awards and hosted major golf events. I’ve had the pleasure of playing many of Mr. Palmer’s designs, and you get a real sense of his aggressive playing style and love for the game as you’re enjoying his work, but nowhere is this more so than at the Running Y Ranch Resort. The first hole is a great introduction to the course as it heads out from the clubhouse, 443 yards of beauty bordered on the right by a forest dotted with fine homes and on the left with hundreds of acres of open ranch pastures, dotted with cattle. Lots of cattle! The morning I teed off I was greeted by a couple of does wandering across the first tee box, always a welcome sight and setting me up for a grand golf experience. Not everyone may be greeted this way, but deer and other wildlife abound on this Audubon approved sanctuary, so don’t be too surprised if you Page 62 Golf America Magazine
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see a plethora of animals throughout your round. Especially birds. This area is one of the largest nesting and resting sites for birds migrating north or south, depending on the time of year and type of bird. There are also thousands of birds that make this wonderful setting their permanent home, and you’re sure to see dozens of different species any day you play. The first three holes continue heading out in the same direction, all three offering a slight dogleg left, although all three play quite differently. The second is a relatively short par 5 measuring 543 yards and enticing many big hitters to go for the green in two. The third is a short par 4, although cutting the corner is a dangerous venture with a gorgeous pond guarding against anything coming up short. This is an excellent place to stop and watch the birds “fishing” for unsuspecting fish that get too close to the surface, and with the cattle in the background and the mountains behind them reflecting off the pond, you’re in for a real treat. The 4th hole was definitely one of my favorite holes on the course, as it plays along the swampy waterways of the protected sanctuary and I saw some of the largest flocks of beautiful birds I’ve ever seen, including a flock of 30 to 40 white egrets. The golf hole is also a tremendous sight, with plenty of beauty, challenge, strategy and excitement mixed into 409 yards. The sanctuary plays to the left during the entire hole. A lake comes into play on the right about 100 yards off the tee, there’s a group of beautiful fairway bunkers left, and several more surrounding the green long and right. This is simply an excellent golf hole! Not to be outdone, the short par-3 5th hole is considered by many to be the “signature” hole of the course, and it
offers some spectacular 360-degree views from the tee. Although you’re not very high above the surrounding waterways and wetlands, they stretch out for miles in several directions and the result is stunning. Then you turn and face the green, and it gets even better! Palmer’s design work is known for large greens and fun shots, and the 147-yard shot from the back tees on this hole is awesome. The green is guarded short and right by the lake from this angle, with bunkers and trees guarding anything long. The green is plenty big, especially for such a short hole, but you definitely want to be close on this tricky green or a three putt is not out of the question. The course starts climbing now, and continues to climb gently over the next four holes leading up to one of the most dramatic holes you’ll ever play…the ninth at Running Y Resort. This 431-yard stunner was my other favorite hole on the course (with # 4), this one being one of the more adventurous and exciting holes in golf. It may be 431 yards from the back tees, but it probably plays closer to 300 yards, as the fairway drops about a hundred feet from tee box to green. In fact the tee shot from the back sets of boxes is such a blind shot over a steep hill that they had to devise and install a special communication system to let the group behind you know when it is safe to hit. The hole levels off as you approach the green, requiring just a short chip if you blast your drive far enough. The green is surrounded by lots of wild mounds and bunkers, as are most of the holes on this terrific design. I’ll tell you what…if every hole in golf were as fun as this one, it would be impossible to get a tee time anywhere!
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The back nine plays very differently from the front, but it’s every bit as good and challenging. The 446 downhill 16th is Arnold ’s favorite on the course, probably because of the amazing view from the tee box as you look over the green, backed by trees and miles and miles of open range until you hit the heavily forested mountains behind it. It’s one of those views you could look at for hours a day and never tire of the sight. My choice on the back for favorite hole is the next one, the 535yard par 5 17th, which offers everyone a great chance to take a shortcut and get home in two. Good luck! The Running Y Ranch Resort is everything you could ever hope for in a
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vacation destination. For those looking for something even more permanent they offer a very select number of homesites on the property, and the surrounding area is still very affordable, especially compared to California standards – which is just 20 minutes away! The resort takes a little effort to get to, but it is one of the most satisfying and delightful places you’ll ever visit. The course is in my top ten personal favorites among the 500 or so courses that I’ve ever played, and the resort is one of the best and most complete self-contained outdoor recreation destinations in the world. You’re going to love it when you go!
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The South
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The Concession In one of the greatest displays of sportsmanship in modern
history, Jack Nicklaus stunned the golf world during the 1969 Ryder Cup by conceding a two-foot putt to Tony Jacklin, giving the two teams a tie for the first time ever. That timeless gesture has now inspired one of America’s most stunning residential country clubs, The Concession, which is located along Florida’s Gulf Coast. This great community features an extraordinary Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course which was designed in collaboration with Tony Jacklin, and which was named as the Best New Private Course in America for 2006 by Golf Digest.
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he Concession is a 7,470-yard behemoth of a course, playing to a par of 72 as it traverses through 520 acres of rugged, pristine land. The gigantic oaks and towering pines create a sense of privacy and peace found only amidst the deepest wilderness settings, but luxury and class abound throughout every aspect of the facility. The Concession is just one of two courses in America to use the Advanced Aer system under all 18 greens, which assures tournament quality greens throguhout the year. The bunkers feature sand which was trucked in from northern Ohio (where else for a Nicklaus Signature design?) and are hand raked daily to provide perfect conditinos for the members. As you can tell, every detail of every aspect of the club is painstakingly
managed in order to provide the best living and playing conditions to members and their invited guests. The Concession is a wonderful residential country club whose design features adjoining enclaves of estate homes in three distinct neighborhoods - Birkdale, Lindrick and Nicklaus Manor. A total of 236 single-family homesites, ranging in size from a half acre to over one acre offer views of beautiful woodlands or natural water features. Winding roads meander through oak hammocks, where residents enjoy miles of walking trails and biking paths and easy access to the club and golf facilities. For more informatino on the facilities or for membership options visit them online at www.theconcession.com.
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Fallen Oak
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om Fazio’s Fallen Oak has become the model or perfection when it comes to combining Southern charm and beauty with the highest quality golf. The course is nestled into a giant southern forest of more than 4,000 stately oaks, magnolias, pines and other hardwood trees. In fact, Fallen Oak is located on a 510-acre tract at the edge of the DeSoto National Forest 15 miles north of Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, and flows through this land like its been there for decades rather than just a few years. One of the most unique features of the course is the significant elevation changes enjoyed as you play your way up and down the course. This is quite
rare along the Gulf Coast, and it adds a lot of drama and excitement to the Fallen Oak experience, which starts as soon as you drive through the large gates of the front entrance. Fallen Oak plays to a daunting 7,487 yards, which is extremely long when you remember that it is basically sitting right at sea level. Most golfers will never play the course from those monumental back tees, which is why there are five sets of tee boxes from which to choose. Building the course was another monumental challenge, as more than 1,000 tress were moved to make way for the lush, open fairways. This becomes really impressive when you realize that some of those trees were more than 60 feet
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tall. That’s taller than a six story building for those of you who might not know how tall 60 feet can be. Just imagine how large a 60 foot tall magnolia tree would be! They also moved more than a half-million cubic yards of soil, laid more than 20 miles of drainage pipe, 26 miles of irrigation lines and laid more than 125 acres of sod. And you wonder why it costs so much to build a fantastic golf course like Fallen Oak! Fallen Oak is open to guests of the Beau Rivage casino & Hotel, and should be placed high on any golfer’s list of “must play” courses in the deep south. Check online at www.beaurivage.com for any special stay and play packages, or call them at (877) 805-4657.
The East
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Long Island’s Priceless Gem By Terrance Jordan
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Long Island is home to over 140 golf courses, but never before has it seen one with as much opening acclaim and fanfare as Sebonack Golf Club in Southhampton. Open for play since 2006, has been the most anticipated golf coursein the nation since Michael Pascucci purchased the 300 acres adjacent to National Golf Links of America in July 0f 2001.
Sebonack in one of the most unique courses ever created. Certainly the most notable feature of its development was the collaboration between Tom Doak and Jack Nicklaus, two of the foremost golf course designers in the world. Nicklaus, a longtime friend of Pascucci’s, was the only designer in mind when the propoerty was acquired, but after being impressed with the designs,
writing and ideas of To Doak, Pascucci decided to play the role of matchmaker between these two brilliant golf minds. While the two are responsible for over 200 courses around the world, never before have they had the opportunity to work together. The layout and feel of the course is evidence of the experience of both if its designers. Combining Doak’s renowned routing Golf America Magazine Page 71
and Nicklaus’ unmatched eye towards spectacular shotmaking, Sebonack reflects the talents of both designers, and the result is a whole that is much more than the sum of its parts. From an aesthetic perspective, Sebonack is a marvel to behold. Thanks to its idyllic peninsular location and a great variety of elevations, nearly every hole affords golfers with a view
of either Great Peconic Bay or Cold Spring Pond. Sebonack was obviously built not only to be playable, but beautiful as well. Each hole is a masterpiece in its own right, and as a collective whole, Sebonack is one of the most beautiful courses in existence. Even Mark Twin would have a hard time having his walk spoiled at Sebonack.
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Although it is brand new, Sebonack has a tremendous sense of history. Situated alongside both Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and National Golf Links of America, Sebonack only adds to what may be the most golf-rich area of land in the entire world. As its neighbors are, Sebonack is a private course, and only the wealthy need apply. Although exact figures aren’t released to the public, it is suspected that a membership to Sebonack is among the priciest in the country. As legend has it, the marriage between Michael Pascucci and Sebonack was borne from love at first sight. He bought the property just two months after first seeing it, and cost was reportedly not a concern. It is estimated that after all expenses - the purchase of the propoerty, zoning regulations, a legal fight to be allowed to build a golf course on the site, and the construction costs of the course itself - Pascucci and his group of investors sank more than $100 million into Sebonack. Pascucci has made it no secret that he wants Sebonack to be one of the best golf courses in the world. The amount of money and effort that has gone into the course is a testament to that. While facing opposition from environmen-
talists and preservationists during the zoning process for Sebonack, Pascucci appeased them by allowing 95 acres of the property to be kept as a wildlife preserve. He also donated $1 million to the town of Southhampton and 50 acres to the Southhampton College marine science program. His commitment to protecting the integrity of the land ultimately led to Sebonack becoming a reality. This commitment to the environment can be seen through the work of Doak, a designer famed for his minimalist stylings. Hardly any land was required to be moved during the construction of Sebonack, and in no way does that detract from the finished product. The site formerly known as Bayberry Land seems like it was made for golf. If it seems like Sebonack is extravagant, that’s because it is. Pascucci and his team of investors have spared no expense in their quest to make Sebonack a delight to the discerning golfer. From the moment one steps on the course, it is evident that Sebonack has
an aura of greatness about it. After such a tremendous first impression, it’s clear that Sebonack’s potential is nearly limitless. Sebonack is the newest kid on the richest golf block in the world. Several of Sebonack’s hole deserve to be on the list of the greatest golf holes in the world. Take the 8th hole, for instance. A 180-yard par-3, this hole fea-
tures a small kidney-shaped green that is flanked by one bunker in the front and two in the back. Oh, and there is a 150-yard carry over water to worry about. The 570-yard par-5 13th is also a sight to behold. Running parallel to a stretch of beach alongside Cold Spring
Lake, the 13th is drivable in two only by those who have eaten a giant bowl of Wheaties in the clubhouse prior to their round. But as intimidating as the 13th is, it isn’t even the longest hole on the back 9. That distinction belongs to the bestial 15th, a 625-yard monster that could easily double as an airport runway were it not for the three bunkers that separate the fairway from the lay-up landing area. And you will be laying up, especially with the prevailing winds blowing off the approaching shore directly into your face. Senonack dazzles from the 1st tee to the 18th green. With all the effort and expense it took just to make Sebonack a reality, you can bet that this east End masterpiece will be one of the most prestigious and sought after memberships in golf. It’s the first course in a while that refuses to settle for being just good. Sebonack has strived for greatness since its inception.
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Mike Pascucci has something special in Sebonack, Membership information about Sebonack and if you’re in the position to be able to purchase an is available via their website, which is www. ultra high-end membership, you’ll be wise to pay a visit sebonackgolf.com. to this gorgeous stretch of land and awesome golf. You may also call 800-SEBONACK.
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Slow Play is Killing Golf! But What Can We Do About It? (how to play faster without hurting your partners or your score)
A
ccording to massive amounts of research I’ve done on the subject of why golf is dying (or at least showing serious flu-like symptoms), there are three major reasons given by most of the golfers who are playing less rounds than before. The reasons are that it costs too much, it takes too long, and that it's too hard or frustrating for most people to get good. Here in Arizona the costs are rather hard to lower since most golf courses are struggling to turn a profit as it is and water costs a fortune, especially during the tough summer months when it takes around a million gallons of water a day to keep a golf course alive and only a few dozen brave souls venture out to enjoy it. Page 76 Golf America Magazine
The fact that golf is hard is actually a blessing for most people who appreciate a good challenge, but not on courses that stretch out to over 7,000 yards and have greens keepers who often seem to suffer from a masochistic personality disorder with their tricky or tucked pin placements. So that leaves the objection that seems to come up more and more often as we all rely more and more on our labour and time saving devices - reducing the amount of time it takes to play 18 holes of golf. In Scotland many courses require a round of 18 holes to be played in less than 3-1/2 hours, and some want a three hour pace. www.GolfAmerica.biz
Somehow, they manage to do it every day, and that's with most of their clientele walking instead of riding in carts. Contrary to popular opinion, carts can often slow down a round of golf, especially on a tight, short course with tees that are close to the greens. Many golfers actually play better when they walk or use a pull cart rather than ride, but of course it is a lot harder to carry your beers. There are numerous ways to speed up a round of golf, and if we all implement these time saving tactics and tactfully request that every one we play with does the same, maybe we can actually get the average round of golf here in Arizona down below 4 hours rather than close to five!
18 Tips to speed up play: 1. Start thinking about your next shot when you see your current shot come to rest. Be confident about your next shot, and be ready to hit when it is your turn. 2. Don't always wait until everyone is ahead of you to take your turn. Play "ready golf" whenever possible, which is most of the time. For instance, if you're playing on a cart path only day and your ball is five feet from the cart path and 20 feet ahead of your friend's ball on the other side of the fairway, go ahead and hit while he or she is walking to their ball. This can save a LOT of time. 3. Everyone in your foursome should watch each others balls, and help search for them whenever necessary. Make sure you limit your search to five minutes! 4. Walk to your ball whenever practical, don't just sit in the cart for several minutes waiting for your cart partner to hit, then wait until they're back in the cart, then drive over to your ball. Grab a couple clubs you think will cover your shot selection, then head over to your ball and prepare to hit as soon as you can. 5. Make sure you know the rules of golf well enough to avoid any lengthy discussions as to where you or your partners take relief. 6. Whenever you think you might have hit a ball out of bounds or into a tough location, hit a provisional ball before proceeding. This saves time going back to hit another ball, which many of us don't do any way.
7. Always keep up with the group ahead of you, but try not to hit into their group too many times. Fisticuffs on the fairway are rarely likely to speed up play. 8. If you just can't keep up with the group ahead and the group behind is pressing you or hitting into your group, don't head back to them and question their mother's military shoe wear selection, just let them play through with a smile on your face and pleasant wishes for a good round. 9. Park your cart behind the green whenever possible, and towards the back at all times. Heading back to get a cart 50 yards in front of the green while the next group is trying to hit into the green is a great way to get a golf ball sized lump on your forehead. 10. Bring your putter and wedges or any other club you think you might need with you when you go to play your ball on the far side of the green. I can't tell you how many times I've watched a fellow golfer head to the far side of the green with his sand wedge to get out of a bunker, then walk all the way back to the cart to grab his putter since he didn't bring it with him. I'm rarely impressed with the intellect of these people. 11. Likewise, when you're playing on a cart path only day make sure you bring all the clubs you might need with you when you walk to your ball. I've even played with guys who bring their entire bag. It might be heavy, but it sure is quicker than walking back! 12. Write down your score after you get to the next tee, not while you're still next to the green.
13. Check the time when you tee off on the first hole, and allow no more than 15 minutes per hole, and preferably closer to 12 minutes per hole. If everyone played at a 12 minute per hole pace golf would take less than 4 hours to play 18 holes! 14. Save all your practice putts and other shots for the range. Nobody likes to stand and watch some clown in the group ahead miss 3 or 4 more putts while they're waiting to hit to the green. 15. If you're just learning the game, or maybe just not very good, don't be afraid to pick up your ball from time to time to keep up with the group. Nobody minds playing with a bad golfer, but we all hate playing with a slow golfer. 16. Rake bunkers and fix ball marks while waiting for others to play their shots. Bring the rake into the bunker with you to avoid having to go back and forth and making more footprints to rake. 17. Line up your putts while other members of your group are putting, but make sure you are quiet and still while they are actually making their putt. Nobody likes to watch anyone walk back and forth and around the green, plumb-bobbing every putt from three different angles, then leaving every putt three feet short of the hole. Although this can be great fun once or twice, doing it ten or twelve or eighteen times usually leads to the need to find a new foursome for your next round! 18. And finally, quickly leave the green after taking off your hat and shaking hands at the end of your round. Settle your bets in the 19th hole, not on the 18th green! Golf America Magazine Page 77
For Life, For Fun, For Financial Independence!
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Coming in the Next Edition... Inside the Gates of Augusta National Vermont’s Romantic Golf Getaways The Magic of Montana’s Flathead Valley Why San Diego is America’s Hippest City Ocean’s 14 - Teeing It Up Along the Pacific Coast The Sensational Splendor of Golf in the Colorado Rockies ...and Much, Much More!