AUGUST – OCTOBER 2016 VOL 3 ISSUE 4
GROWING the GAME OF GOLF
Specialty Golf License Plates Now Available
(page 22)
The Official Publication of the
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Golf Arizona www.GoGolfArizona.com
contents Golf Arizona | August – October 2016
on the cover 22 Growing the Game of Golf: A story of persistence, 8
hard work and love of the game.
course reviews
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San Pedro Golf Course: A little taste of Scotland
right here in Southern Arizona
features 12 Spotlight: Play 9? You Bet! 19 Product Review: Antigua’s Men’s Apparel 21 Pro-File: Bernie Eaton 24 Water Consumption and Conservation Practices 31 The Leading Senior Tour in the Southwest
instruction 5
Bryan Hepler: Finishing On Your Eye-Line
11 Pat O’Hara, PGA: They Never Told Me This
on the Lesson Tee!
20 Derek Deminsky, PGA: Improve Your Setup
and Backswing
community 21
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The Power of Networking through Golf
17 Tucson Summer Stay & Play Deals 27 Tee to Green: Community Golf News 33 Summer Golfing is one of Marana’s Best Kept Secrets 34 PGA Professional Championship 36 U.S. Kids Golf: Creating Memories On the Course
and Off
youth spotlight 41 Phoenix Valley: Ashley Menne & Trueman Park 42 Southern Arizona: Taylor Hughes & Briggs Duce
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Golf Arizona
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From the Editor
We Can All Help V
olunteering your time and energy to growing the game of golf is one of the easiest ways you can give back and make a difference. However, many people are unsure about how they can give back and make a difference in promoting the game while leading their busy lives. If you are one of these people, the easiest way to contribute is by purchasing a personalized Arizona license plate through www. ServiceArizona.com. The specialty plate is called Southwest PGA, “Game of a Lifetime.” A percentage of each sale goes back to support the Southwest Section PGA Foundation. The Southwest PGA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the charitable arm of the Southwest Section PGA and its more than 1,300 PGA Golf Professionals. Established in 1998, the organization focuses its community efforts on promoting the goodwill and growth of the game of golf with an emphasis on activities that benefit at-need families and children. Since its inception, the Southwest PGA Foundation has provided more than $1.2 million in support of local charities.
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f you want to do more, here are few ways you can get involved in your local golf community in making a difference and impact in growing the game. • Invite friends and family to play golf. • Encourage our youth to join a junior golf program or golf lessons at your golf course. • Contact a local PGA professional, and ask how you can help with junior golf. • Volunteer your time and become a coach at The First Tee of Phoenix or Tucson. Our mission at Golf Arizona Magazine is to, “Promote the game of golf, businesses, and associations in our community while celebrating the people that play the game.” Thank you for your support of Golf Arizona Magazine.
Published by Golf Arizona, LLC PUBLISHING EDITOR
Rick Price, PGA GRAPHIC DESIGN
AB Graphic Design, Inc. ADVISORY BOARD
Frank Calvin, PGA Bob Doyle, PGA Tim Eberlein, PGA Scott McNevin, JGAA Michael Miller, SWSPGA Dale Moseke Pat O’Hara, PGA Mary Pomroy, AWGA Carmella Ruggiero, GCSA Mike Schoaf Dave Sherman Debra Thompson Roedl Hugh Smith, The First Tee Kris Strauss
CONTRIBUTORS
Rick Price, PGA Dale Balvin Derek Deminsky, PGA Brent DeRaad Tim Eberlein, PGA Bryan Hepler Jeff Jensen Mary Beth Lacy Ryan Larson Pat O’Hara, PGA Mary Pomroy Jeff Reich Chris Saunders Dave Sherman Zac Strohfus
GOLF ARIZONA MAGAZINE phone
P.O. Box 69190, Oro Valley, AZ 85737 480-285-2744 e m a i l rickprice@gogolfarizona.com www.GoGolfArizona.com
SOUTHWEST SECTION PGA
10685 North 69th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85254 p h o n e 480-443-9002 fa x 480-443-9006 e m a i l mburhans@pgahg.com www.southwest.pga.com
SOUTHWEST SECTION PGA SOUTHERN CHAPTER
600 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85711 520-290-1742 fa x 520-326-8772 e m a i l rick@southrnchapterpga.com www.southernchapterpga.com
phone
ABOUT THE PGA
The Southwest Section PGA is one of 41 Sections of the PGA of America consisting of more than 1,300 members in the state of Arizona and Southern Nevada. The Southern Chapter PGA is the six southern counties of Arizona. The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals, who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position by growing the game of golf through it premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Your PGA Professionals are the “Expert in the Game and Business of Golf.” ABOUT GOLF ARIZONA MAGAZINE
Rick Price, PGA
Rick is the Director of Operations for the Southwest Section PGA Southern Chapter and is founder and Publishing Editor for Golf Arizona magazine and GoGolfArizona. com. He is a member of the Professional Golfers Association of America has over 30 years of expertise in the golf profession, member of the Golf Writers Association of America and Sports Photographers Association of America.
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Golf Arizona www.GoGolfArizona.com
Golf Arizona magazine is the official publication of the Southwest Section PGA, is published quarterly by Golf Arizona, LLC. This is Arizona’s number one multi-media resource for golf, designed as a unique and compelling benefit for all golfers in Arizona that cannot be found in other publications. We offer more content beyond the printed version of the magazine with updated current events on the website at www.GoGolfArizona.com. We showcase the game of golf, courses and businesses within Arizona, while celebrating the people and entities that make golf such a spectacular attraction. The magazine is available free to the public; this full color glossy magazine is distributed to all golf courses, resorts and concierges – as well as other golf-related and high-traffic locations throughout all of the Phoenix Valley and Southern Arizona. “Our mission is all about promoting the game of golf, individuals and businesses within our community.” All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. The opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or the Southwest Section PGA. Distributed throughout the state of Arizona with 30,000 bulk /on demand print circulation. Copyright ©2016.
Instruction
by Bryan Hepler, Founder of Tathata Golf
Tathata Golf - Finishing On Your Eye-Line THIS TIP SUPPORTS OUR SERIES OF 3 MOVEMENTS (backswing, downswing, through impact) we have published in the 3 previous issues that you can do at your home, without a club to improve your golf game. To conclude our series, this is a tip that applies to the finish of your swing while actually swinging a golf club. As a right-handed player, follow the tips below to finish like some of the greatest golfers of all-time: • Finish with your club shaft on the same angle as your eye-line • Be sure your face and body finish facing the target if not slightly left of it • Be sure to finish with your head slightly tilted so that your right eye finishes closer to the ground than your left eye • Be sure the club head finishes closer to the ground than the grip of your club • To support this, be sure there is a slightly rounded crescent shape on the left side of your body Even if you are unsure of exactly what you are doing through previous parts of your swing, knowing where you are going with these simple tips can help you move with strength and correctness to your finish swing after swing. Follow the instructions above as you try to mimic the position of these great players in the figure below.
Pictured: Mickey Wright, Patty Berg, Babe Zaharias, Tom Watson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Bryon Nelson, Tiger Woods
Visit TathataGolf.com to learn more about 144 other complimentary movements included in the Tathata Golf In-Home 60-Day Program.
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Community
by Dave Sherman
The Power of Networking through Golf
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NOW UNDERSTAND why networking on the golf course works so well, especially when you work for a good-sized company. I own my own business and don’t have a boss to shmooze. How can golf help me? You have the opportunity to spend four hours or more with potential customers when you’re on the golf course. You get to share great experiences and talk about them the next time you see them. If you accomplish anything really special while you’re playing, your relationships will take a major step forward, because now your business associates and clients will talk about you and your amazing golf feat. In December 2001, I had my first hole-in-one. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I can close my eyes and still see the ball drop in the hole. What’s more, I now have really deep connections with the two people I was playing with because of my incredible shot. Every time I see them, it’s like seeing old friends. One of the guys was a total stranger before we played. Golf tells you so much about people. By the end of your round, you know more about these people than many of their friends do. You’ve had the chance to see their real personalities and their potential effects on your business relationships. If they cheat on their scorecards, there’s a good chance they’ll cheat or lie about their business. If they have an explosive temper on the course, you’ll probably see some of that in the boardroom as well. If they continue to complain and whine three hours after a bad shot, I promise you they’ll hold a grudge longer than most. Golf course networking can initiate a great relationship, or steer you away from a bad connection. Off the course, if others know you golf, especially if you play well, you become a member of a powerful club. Golf is one of the most highly respected games and anyone who plays is automatically viewed in a more favorable light by other golfers. A kinship forms that doesn’t exist with other kinds of activities. Some people consider those who golf to be more trustworthy and well-connected, giving people who golf a competitive advantage over those who don’t. If you don’t golf, this might seem a bit egotistical until you see the number of doors golf opens. Then you will begin to understand the real power of this game.
Top: Dave Sherman on the links. Bottom: Dave Sherman and Rick Price
Golf tells you so much about people. By the end of your round, you know more about these people than many of their friends do. Dave Sherman CEO of Success Phoenix | www.SuccessPhoenix.com | 602-920-8700 Dave Sherman, professional speaker, trainer and best selling author, is the CEO of Success Phoenix, the premier online learning center designed to help salespeople, entrepreneurs and others to meet more people, do more business and MAKE MORE MONEY. Try a FREE 30 day membership at www.SuccessPhoenix.com. You can reach Dave at 602-920-8700 or Dave@DaveShermanSpeaks.com
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Course Review
by Rick Price, PGA
SAN PEDRO GOLF COURSE
A little taste of Scotland right here in Southern Arizona
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It is just a great layout; it offers 18 totally different golf holes. The best Bent Grass greens I have ever putted on, we can make them as fast as we want and they still hold a shot.” — Joe DelVecchio, PGA Director of Golf Operations
Golf Arizona www.GoGolfArizona.com
From the rolling fairways and deep bunkers of links golf on the front nine to the diversity of the back nine playing through the elevation changes and canyons is an exceptional opportunity right here in Southern Arizona.
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AN PEDRO GOLF COURSE, an 18 holechampionship course built in 2003 is located 30 miles southeast of Tucson. Owned and operated by the City of Benson, San Pedro is a public course that provides great golf for all experience levels at an affordable price. This is a true links style experience playing the front nine, winding through mesquite groves along the San Pedro River. Then you turn to the back nine playing through majestic canyons, giving the course a unique “river-wilderness” terrain. The golf course stretches out to 7,313 yards from the championship tees. San Pedro provides six different sets of tees to accommodate golfers of all skill levels. They have hosted several Southern Chapter Southwest Section PGA Pro-Am’s while hosting numerous Clubs and Fundraising tournament events. This unique course provides an experience that is so different than any other course in the Tucson Area that it is a must play. From the rolling fairways and deep bunkers of links golf on the front nine to the diversity of the back nine playing through the elevation changes and canyons is an exceptional opportunity right here in Southern Arizona. The par 5, 13th hole stretches out over 600 yards from the championship tees with the tee complex elevated some 150 feet above the fairway. While the 15th par 3 tee incorporates a 150 foot drop down to the green nearly 200 yards away. San Pedro Golf Course is surrounded by multiple mountain ranges with views from these elevated tees’ that are nothing less than spectacular! The Golf Course has gone through several changes over the years and like all other courses in Southern Arizona it was effected by the down turn of the economy starting in 2007. Play was down dramatically and the course was in survival mode. The condition of the course struggled as revenues declined. Nevertheless, it did survive thanks to the City of Benson acquiring the facility in late 2010. In an effort to save on maintenance cost at the time the decision was made to started growing in a majority of the original bunkers. When Joe DelVecchio, PGA Director of Golf
Operations arrived in fall of 2014, and played the course for the first time in eight years he immediately fell in love with the place. “It is just a great layout; it offers 18 totally different golf holes. The best Bent Grass greens I have ever putted on, we can make them as fast as we want and they still hold a shot,” said DelVecchio. The attempt to save on expenses did have an adverse effect on the overall condition of the course. In the summer of 2015 with the direction of DelVecchio, they have started the process of bringing back the course to its original design. DelVechhio says, “I’m fortunate to have an outstanding City Manager who wants to see the course as it once was and to bring this great course back to a top destination Golf Course. We began putting bunkers back in last summer and completed construction of the only revetted Sod Wall bunker in Southern Arizona. The bunker was constructed 90 feet long and 6 feet tall at its highest point. It is really cool to try to play out of it, giving you a little taste of Scotland.”
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F ALL THE CHALLENGES were not enough, the golf course was altered three years ago when a fire destroyed almost all the trees along the left side of the challenging dog leg left, par 5, fifth hole. The City managed to gain support from several sources to not only replant the trees on the fifth hole, but add up to 300 more trees on the golf course. They are scheduled to finish the bunkering and trees by the end of over seeding this fall. So, not only will you experience the layout of the course returning to its natural design, but benefit from more strategically placed trees on the golf course. This challenging user friendly golf course is just a 20-minute drive from Houghton road and I-10 in Tucson. You will experience an elevation change to 3900 feet offering an average six to ten degree cooler round of golf than courses in Tucson and Phoenix. I would highly recommend you go visit their friendly staff, enjoy good food, affordable golf with the most specular views on this exceptional golf course located right here in Southern Arizona. www.sanpedrogolf.com www.GoGolfArizona.com
Golf Arizona
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by Pat O’Hara, PGA
Instruction
They never told me this on the lesson tee!” THE ILLUSION OF IMPACT | The biggest fault I see with golfers is the inconsistency of their impact position. The quality of golf shot a golfer creates is directly proportional to their ability to have a flat left wrist (right handed golfer) or shaft lean at impact. Higher handicapped golfers are misled into thinking their position at impact is OK but the illusion to this impact position needs to be dispelled and we will do that in this article. Typically, you’ll place your hands in the middle of your body at address. That is OK and this is NOT the problem. Some golfers think they are trying to return to their address position at impact but that is NOT the case. We need the hands in a more forward leaning position (toward the target) at impact and you need to see / feel where that is, and here are a couple ways to do it. Before you take a Driver or fairway wood and address the ball, grab an alignment rod (straight stick) and place it vertically into the ground. Position yourself and the stick so a shadow is cast and you can use the shadow as an indicator of your ball position for your metal wood. If your club shaft shadow is leaning away from the shadow made from the alignment rod you know you don’t have your hands leading the club shaft at impact and unsolid and sporadic shots will occur. You need to see more of the hands leading the club head at impact to improve the quality of strike and better control of your direction. Although this appears to be a very insignificant, please remember your club is traveling at 70-100+ mph and the speed will magnify the inconsistency of the lack of shaft lean or hand position. See you in the middle of the fairway!
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Spotlight
by Mary Pomroy
P L AY 9? YO U B E T !
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s you of course know because it’s happening to you too, we are all becoming more and more limited in our spare time, for so many reasons. And when you are in love with the game of golf, as most everyone reading this article is, this limitation on our time becomes even more stressful when it begins to cut into the frequency with which we get to play. The other problem is that most of us who consider ourselves “real golfers”, have grown to only be satisfied with an 18-hole round. Looking back to when I first began playing, one of my favorite experiences was racing to finish 9 holes just before dark on a Friday afternoon, and then enjoying some time at the 19th hole with my fellow golfers. Recently, as the summer began to heat up and daylight hours increased, I decided that was time to recapture that feeling! So I’ve set a goal of getting out of the office on time every Friday for a sunset 9-hole round. I have found that a few things have changed since the days of my 19th-hole memories. For one thing, I’m not playing with friends now, but with my husband, the love of my life and my fiercest competitor on the golf course. (We’re a little like the Gerina and Martin Piller commercial) He has to give me strokes, which I love. And with those strokes I usually beat him, which he loves. What I have found has not changed at all is the pure joy of the time outdoors, immersed in nature on the golf course to wrap up my work week, and getting my weekend started sharing the experience with someone I enjoy. It was the USGA’s PLAY9™ initiative got me thinking about this. For the past two years the USGA’s PLAY9™ program has been actively educating and galvanizing golfers around the 9-hole round as an important, yet simple, solution to address golfers’ busier lifestyles and everyday lives.
If you haven’t visited the USGA’s PLAY9™ website, check it out. www.usga.org/play9info/. It’s a great hub for everything PLAY9™. There are photo contests, twitter feeds, and most importantly, a resource for finding courses in our area that post 9-hole rates, what those are and where they are located. Also watch the AWGA website at www.awga.org and your email for special PLAY9™ events at our local clubs throughout the summer, especially on the 9th of each month. Yes, it’s hot, but the rates are low and you can play 9 before it gets TOO hot or after it begins to cool off. 9 holes is a great way to keep the heat from keeping you off the golf course this summer.
Mary Pomroy Arizona Women’s Golf Association | Executive Director | www.awga.org Mary Pomroy has served as the executive director of the Arizona Women’s Golf Association (AWGA) since 1999. Mary leads a staff of 6, along with approximately 150 volunteers to deliver programs, including USGA Programs, Tournaments & Competitions, Information & Outreach, Player and Volunteer Development, to approximately 320 clubs and 23,000 individual members. She developed her passion for the game as a new player and volunteer organizer of a business golf league while working as a marketing manager for a Santa Clara, California technology firm, a career that she left in 1995.
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by Brent DeRaad
Community
Tucson Summer Stay & Play Deals While rising temperatures reduce summer rounds played in metro Tucson, area resorts are offering stay-and-play packages offering high-end accommodations and great golf at bargain rates. JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa
Starr Pass’s unlimited golf package offers all the golf you can play at Starr Pass Golf Club, a $50 resort credit, a dozen golf balls, preferred tee times and 5,000 Marriott Rewards bonus points. The package starts at $329 per night and is good through Aug. 12. To book your package, visit marriott.com.
The Lodge at Ventana Canyon
The Lodge is offering a Suite Summer Golf package starting at $179 per night for two golfers in a one-bedroom suite. Golfers can also take advantage of the Suite & Unlimited Golf package. Play 18 holes on Ventana Canyon Golf Club’s Canyon or Mountain courses after 12 p.m. on the day you check in, enjoy a relaxing evening at the Lodge and play the other course in the morning. Rates vary for this package. Information: thelodgeatventanacanyon.com.
Loews Ventana Canyon
Loews’ Summer of Golf package includes one round of golf per person per night at Ventana Canyon Golf Club and luxury accommodations. The offer ends Sept. 19. Go to loewshotels. com/ventana-canyon for rates.
Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
Westin’s summer stay-and-play package includes one day of unlimited golf per night of stay at La Paloma Country Club and breakfast daily. Visit westinlapalomaresort.com for rates & availability.
Omni Tucson National Resort
The resort offers multiple summer golf packages, but one of its more intriguing deals is the Girlfriends’ Golf Getaway. The package includes a luxury room, welcome cocktail, one round of golf per person per night at Omni’s Catalina or Sonoran courses, one spa treatment per stay and a personalized VIP dinner for your group hosted by the resort’s executive chef. Details: omnihotels.com.
Casino Del Sol Resort
Casino Del Sol Resort is offering two, three- and four-night stay-and-play packages, including two rounds of golf per day at, and a welcome gift from, Sewailo Golf Club—Arizona’s newest course. Information: casinodelsol.com.
Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Resort
Hilton is offering a Golf Your Way package featuring accommodations and a round of golf at El Conquistador Golf & Tennis, along a complimentary cart rental and use of the practice facility for the day of play. Go to hiltonelconquistador.com for additional information. Summer is the perfect time to experience metro Tucson’s high-end resorts at bargain prices, while enjoying a morning round of golf before the heat of the day sets in. Book your Tucson summer stay-and-play package today.
Brent DeRaad Brent DeRaad serves as the President & CEO of Visit Tucson. The organization markets, promotes and sells Tucson and southern Arizona as a leisure and meetings destination to potential visitors and meeting planners. Metro Tucson attracts more than 4 million overnight visitors who spend $2 billion annually.
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by Mary Beth Lacy
Product Review
Antigua’s Heathered Men’s Apparel for 2016
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HE EXAGGERATED heather fabric was engineered at the yarn level by twisting different types of long filament yarn strands so when inevitably knit into fabric the outcome provides an irregular heather effect, and inturn becomes the style’s appeal. By using this same technology, any heather effect can be engineered to achieve different levels of contrasting surface appearance, which when embellished by either garment piece dying or dying separate yarns, the fabric takes on a tonal hue. Antigua takes special care in constructing their heather yarns for performance apparel. While developing new fabrics, designers specifically choose the fiber filament and denier size to technically allow the moisture wicking functionality and create the overall heather effect, whether that be a tight heather pattern or the more long irregular pattern featured in Element. Additionally, since the heather effect is created at the yarn level it can then be knit into varying patterns of single knit or double knit jersey stripes in multiple stripe sizes and patterns. The heather yarn can also be used to construct double or single knit jacquards, offering the ability to knit a pattern into fabric. The jacquard patterns provide a unique look since they provide contrast against any solid dyed yarns. Examples of Antigua’s men’s heathered polos:
Element simply demonstrates that the fabric of a garment can be the garment…reaffirming the “less is more” adage. The exaggerated heather fabric was engineered at the yarn level by twisting long contrasting strands of color fiber so that when they were inevitably knit into the fabric, the outcome of the irregular heather effect becomes the style’s appeal. Vision conversely yells color, beautifully. The wash of primary to secondary color stripes is staggered with light, medium and dark heather grey stripes that match back to every piece in the collection. It’s a style to begin a collection with and add styles to, either in a golf shop or in a golfer’s wardrobe. Vision is a must-have at first glance…in every color combination available. It’s truly a feel-good piece that wicks, wears and performs. Expanse, neutral shades of black, white and greys dominate the main body and sleeve’s jersey/spandex fabric and are updated with a stylized cut-and-sewn chest inset made of over-dyed colored heather that’s additionally used as narrow sleeve cuff accents. Surface combines the exaggerated heather in neutral colors of blacks and greys as a canvas for the primary colors to be accented on, in the form of a wide repeating one-color accent stripe. Neutral grounds appeal to a sophisticated palette, while the stripes give it its pop of color.
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Instruction
by Derek Deminsky, PGA
Improve Your Setup and Backswing Use this “Wall Drill” to help improve your setup and backswing. All you need is a wall and a spare club. (Worded for right handed players) Drill Set Up. Stand in your golf posture so that your backside is lightly touching the wall behind you. Rest the spare club next to your right side, running up the wall, from just outside your right foot to your right hip. 1 Pretend you are holding a club and setting up for a shot. First, check if your right hand can hang down and touch the outside of your right knee. This is a good checkpoint for proper tilt away from the target. This little tilt can help your swing go back and come through a little more from the “inside”. 2 Keeping that slight tilt, get your left arm straight and right arm slightly bent from the elbow. Again, pretend you have a club and are about to hit a shot. 3 As you make your backswing, feel your hands stay wide from your chest as you slowly swing back and touch your hands to the wall at the top of your backswing. You should try to increase the space between your right hip and the club to your side by an inch. Practicing this drill will help create better width and depth of your hands in your backswing, prevent a hip sway, and encourage a better overall turn!
three Derek Deminsky, PGA planes of motion
Derek Deminsky is a Class A PGA Professional and the Director of Instruction at the Forty Niner Country Club in Tucson. To learn more about Derek or book a lesson, you can visit his website at www. golfbettertucson.com. To play or learn more about the newly renovated Forty Niner Country Club, visit www.fortyninercc.com.
This series of YFG poses help train the body in triplane movements. 20
Golf Arizona www.GoGolfArizona.com
Pro-File
by Rick Price, PGA
Pro-File:
Bernie Eaton
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ntroduced to the game of golf at the age of 13 by his Mother taking him to the local golf course and booking a series of lessons with the golf professional. This is his how Bernie Eaton ultimately ended up falling in love with the game and now the business of golf. “After my first few swings, I was hooked, and started playing at the local executive Par 3 course. I loved the outdoors and being with people,” said Eaton. Growing up in Reading, PA with his Mother and sister he eventually found his way to Tucson, AZ graduating from the University of Arizona majoring in Turf Science with a Business Management Minor. As the Director of Golf at SaddleBrooke Golf Club for the past seven years, Eaton handles all aspects of Golf Operations and Golf Maintenance. He is responsible for putting together the yearly golf membership fees, instructional programs, golf event schedule, retail merchandise buying, planning and ensuring that the golf courses are maintained at Agronomic excellence. He also handles the club’s marketing and website development. Eaton said, “I have always been around golf and knew that this was where my passion lies. As a PGA Professional you must have excellent communication skills and the understanding that we are in the entertainment/happiness business. To be a successful professional, you must have exceptional time management skills with the ability to juggle many things at once.” The most rewarding thing Eaton draws from his profession is the ability to bring happiness to his members through the game of golf. He said, “I love to see people take enjoyment from a fun event, hitting better shots on the range, meeting new people – it’s never the same from day to day, and that is what makes being a PGA Professional so rewarding.” Being able to stay creative enough that members and guests never get tired of being around the golf shop, course or practice facility is probably his most challenging part of the
Bernie Eaton and Putter business. He talked about having to stay on top of your game if you want to be successful and that it is always easier to attract new clients, it’s keeping them loyal that is challenging. There is a common misconception between a Professional Golfer and a Golf Professional. His friends think he goes to work, has a cup of coffee, plays 18 holes and then calls it a day. However, operating a multi-million-dollar golf operation requires skill, patience and every so often an opportunity to enjoy a round of golf. Eaton is currently working towards his Club Management Certification through the Club Managers Association of America. His ultimate goal has always been to become a General Manager or own a golf facility. He enjoys the club environment and believes it can be great fun for all. PGA Professional Bernie Eaton certainly adds value to his club by impacting the lives of so many people in a positive way through the game of golf as an expert in the rules, instruction, business, events, and is the face of the facility.
I love to see people take enjoyment from a fun event, hitting better shots on the range, meeting new people – it’s never the same from day to day, and that is what makes being a PGA Professional so rewarding.” — B E R N I E E ATO N
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Growing the Game of Golf
A story of persistence, hard work and love of the game.
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HE MISSION OF THE PGA of America is to grow the game of golf. Throughout the United States, the 41 PGA Sections that comprise the PGA of America, take great pride in growing the game of golf in their spheres of influence. Many sections have created foundations and boards of directors as an avenue to raise money for the growth of the game initiatives. Here is one story of persistence, hard work and love of the game. Greg Leicht (left)
It was about 7 years ago when PGA professional, Greg Leicht, was in Florida, coaching the Special Olympics team from Arizona, when he noticed Florida license plates with a golf theme. Leicht at this time was the president of the SWPGA Foundation and was actively involved with many fundraising initiatives to raise money for various golf programs. His curiosity lead him to discover that the license plates funds were used to raise money for junior golf from the proceeds of the sales through the State of Florida. Thus, Leicht began his journey to do the same for the Southwest PGA Foundation. The Southwest PGA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the charitable arm of the Southwest Section PGA and its more than 1,300 PGA golf professionals. Established in 1998, the organization focuses its community efforts on promoting the goodwill and growth of the game of golf with an emphasis on activities that benefit at-need families and children. Mr. Leicht’s first step was to get approval from the SWPGA Foundation Board of Directors. After board approval, Leicht then began researching the process to get a license plate passed
through the Arizona State legislator. There were two challenges Leicht had to overcome. First was finding a state representative to sponsor the bill and the second was how to write up the bill. In time, the Foundation secured a lobbyist firm, Clarus Company, to help the Foundation create and structure the bill for presentation to the and House of Representatives and State Senate. It was Representative Tom Forese who stepped up and sponsored the bill on behalf of the SWPGA Foundation. Leicht stated, “Without the help of Warde Nichols and James Candland with the Clarus Company and Representative Tom Forese, the Foundation had no chance of getting this bill in front of the appropriate committees for approval.” When the voting took place, the bill passed the House but not the Senate. This forced a one year delay before the voting process took place again in 2015 with a new sponsor, House of Representatives David Stevens. The bill was submitted with modifications from the first bill and passed both the House and Senate. In order for the bill to become law, Governor Doug Ducey needed to approve and sign. This is where the golfing community and organizations came together and submitted letters to Doug Ducey why he should sign the bill. In the Spring of 2015, the governor signed the bill into law. For the next year, Leicht and now Executive Director of the SWPGA, Mike Miller, worked with ADOT and Law Enforcement on the design process of the plate for approval.
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Without the help of Warde Nichols and James Candland with the Clarus Company and Representative Tom Forese, the Foundation had no chance of getting this bill in front of the appropriate committees for approval.” — Greg Leicht, PGA professional
The Arizona golf plate can now be purchased for $25, of which $17 will go to the SWPGA Foundation for community projects to grow the game of golf (www.servicearizona.com). The SWPGA Foundation is currently working on a long-term marketing plan to help promote the sale of the specialty plates which will enhance the SWPGA Foundations golf programs that include Special Olympics, developmental programs for beginner golfers, scholarships and junior golf.
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ICHAEL MILLER was not new to this experience. While he was the Executive Director of the Illinois PGA Section he had great success with launching and developing the golf license plate with the state of Illinois. After 5 years, the Illinois Foundation now has a revenue stream of over $50,000 per year to help with foundation program funding and community grant funding. Miller stated, “I am confident that we will be just as successful as the Illinois section.”
Tim Eberlein is a PGA Master Professional and Campus Director of the Golf Academy of America
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Conservation
by Jeff Jensen
Golf Courses Water Consumption and Conservation Practices T
HE GOLF COURSE Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) released the results of its second survey of water use and conservation practices on U.S. golf courses, part of the multi-year Golf Course Environmental Profile. The survey, funded by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and conducted by GCSAA through the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), focused on overall water use, water sources, conservation, trends, costs and best management practices. The results were compared to data from the 2005 water conservation survey and analyzed by PACE Turf and the National Golf Foundation (NGF). Overall, the results show that golf course superintendents used 21.8 percent less water and just 1.44 percent of all irrigated water in the U.S. to maintain their courses in 2013, compared with usage in 2005. The most common sources of water used for golf course irrigation in the Southwest are well water (36 percent) and recycled water (35percent). Additionally, 45.5 percent of facilities in the Southwest have adopted recycled use in some fashion for their irrigation needs. The Arizona golf industry continues to be a leader in these efforts, and recycled water will be the region’s most viable source of irrigation moving forward. Conservation practices in the Southwest have increased in all areas with
the use of wetting agents, hand watering, drier turf conditions and adjusted fertilizer practices leading the way. Technology has also played a role as the report shows a large number of facilities using automated irrigation schedules and hand-held moisture sensors. As expected, water costs have risen dramatically in the Southwest since 2005, with the median per acre-foot cost going from $288 in 2005 to $425 in 2013. The profile is a valuable resource for the media, policymakers, and our local communities. It provides vital information on our water use and quality and more importantly, efforts to reduce the industries environmental footprint.
Water Sources: Southwest Region, 2013
Rivers, Streams, Creeks Open Canals
Municipal Recycled Wells
Jeff Jensen Golf Course Superintendents Association of America | On Twitter @GCSAA_SW Jeff Jensen serves as the Southwest field staff representative, covering Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Follow him on Twitter @GCSAA_SW or visit the Southwest region webpage at http://www.gcsaa.org/ community/regions/southwest/.
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G R E AT E R P H O E N I X & T U C S O N A R E A
SunRidge Canyon Golf Club
Jessica Williams
SunRidge Canyon Golf Club, is proud to welcome the Fisher Bryan Golf Academy to its instruction and club fitting services. Owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Jeff Fisher and Stacie Bryan, the Fisher Bryan Golf Academy has established itself as one of the top instruction academies in Arizona to improve one’s game. Coaching players ranging from beginning juniors and recreational players to elite college players and Tour professionals, the Fisher Bryan Golf Academy has programs to fit any golf game. With more than forty years of combined golf instruction experience, Jeff and Stacie have a dynamic and fun approach that inspires golfers to greater heights in their game. With the addition of the SunRidge Canyon location, the Fisher Bryan Golf Academy will now have two locations, including their original location at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, to help golfers across the Valley shoot lower scores and get more enjoyment from the game. Fisher and Bryan will be available for coaching at SunRidge Canyon beginning May 30, 2016. For more information on the Fisher Bryan Golf Academy including locations, private coaching, on-course lessons and Junior Elite programs, please visit www.fisherbryangolf. com or contact Jeff at (480) 414-9330 or Stacie at (480) 772-2767.
Jessica Williams just started playing golf three years ago. During her sophomore year at Amphi High School, she shot 90-99 in the state championship. Not to be discouraged, she continued to play, practice and with her natural length off the tee began improving. Williams senior year she finished second in the state golf championships and accepted a golf scholarship from former Arizona Women’s Head Golf Coach, Kim Haddow to play golf at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ. Williams will be studying space/physics with the goal of becoming an astronaut. The amazing thing about Williams is who quickly she has improved her golf game. Participating in this year’s Tucson City Junior Championship at the Randolph Golf Complex Dell Urich Golf Course she shot an 8-under-par 62 in the final round. Williams caught fire on the back nine birding hole no. 10, 12, 13, 15 and 16 for a 5-under par 30. Even with shooting the lowest score ever recorded by a female amateur golfer in Tucson, Williams still finished second. Shooting 74-62=136 left her three strokes behind Phoenix resident Ashley Menne 68-65=133.
Jeff Fisher and Stacie Bryan of Fisher Bryan Golf Academy
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Matt Dorchinecz Matt Dorchinecz from Scottsdale captured the 2016 Chandler City Championship hosted at Ocotillo Golf Resort. In its third year, the Chandler City Championship is a 36-hole event that boasts some of the top amateur golfers in the state of Arizona. The 38-year-old Dorchinecz shot an opening round 68, followed by a final round 70 to capture the Gross Division by two shots over Christian Muscarello. In the Net Division, Brandon Gray took the title with a two-round net score of 132.
The First Tee of Phoenix The First Tee of Phoenix – owned and operated by The Thunderbirds – partnered with Putts 4 Privileges to raise more than $18,000 for the chapter during an event at Biltmore Golf Club earlier this June. The event sold out with 144 participants. “We are proud to partner with Putts 4 Privileges and work toward shared goals of bettering our communities,” said Kevin Terry, executive director of The First Tee of Phoenix. “The event was a resounding success and the monies raised will bolster our scholarship fund to help others enjoy the great game of golf. We are extremely grateful for their support.” Putts 4 Privileges is a golf membership program which offers discounts at various golf courses across the valley. A portion of each membership sale goes to benefit The First Tee of Phoenix. In addition, Putts 4 Privileges has agreed to donate 50 percent of all proceeds from website sales to The First Tee of Phoenix. “It was great to see the tremendous support we had at The First Annual Putts 4 Privileges Golf Tournament Benefiting The First Tee of Phoenix,” said Tyler Wooldridge, founder of Putts 4 Privileges. “We pride ourselves in growing the game of golf and benefiting our communities, much the same way The First Tee of Phoenix does. It’s an outstanding partnership.”
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by Jeff Reich
Feature Article
The Leading Senior Tour in the Southwest
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he Southwest Seniors Golf Association (SWSGA) was established in 1978 by PGA Golf Professionals, Gene Lesch, Bill Johnston, and Jack Morrison. These gentlemen organized a Senior Pro-Am event to be played once a month in an A-A-B-B team format. The membership was made up of senior single handicap players, professionals and amateurs, 50 years of age and older. Although the emphases was placed on the team performance, additional merchandise prizes were awarded to the low gross and low net Amateurs by age group, as well as cash prizes for the Professionals within their age group.
In 2000, the SWSGA established an official Board of Directors. The Board is composed of nine members with a balanced representation between professionals and amateurs. The Board has many duties, the primary of which is to maintain the original ideals put forth by its founders. From within the Board, the Board will appoint its officers; President, Bob Pancratz PGA, Executive Director, John Benda and Secretary/Treasurer, Charles Shoemake. The Board will oversee the entire Association, including the appointment of a, Tournament Director, Jeff Reich, and any other Staff, Loren Foye, found necessary to manage the Association and its events.
Left to Right: Bob Pancratz, PGA, President; John Benda, Executive Director; Charles Shoemake, Secretary/Treasurer
The SWSGA currently operates much at it did when it was established, with monthly events at some of the finest courses in the Phoenix area and, at times, other nearby Arizona cities. SWSGA membership is open to invited male professional and amateurs ages 50 and over with a handicap of 10 or less. Congruently, there is a year long points race culminating in the Annual Founder’s Championship where the top 72 amateurs and the top 24 professionals are invited to play to determine the final Player of the Year winner. Event purses typically pay approximately 50% of the starting field (team, individuals, and special prizes combined) and over the years, there have been several sponsors that have provided additional benefits and/or prizes for the events. Current sponsors include; CardinaleWay Mazda-Mesa, Van’s Golf Shops and Titleist. Membership dues are $125 per year and are valid for from October 1 through September 30. A player joining mid-year will pay a pro-rated amount as determined by the Board based on the month in which he joins. The tournament entry fee for members is $100 and includes cart, green fee, range balls, after round refreshments, and prizes for team and individual age groups. Non-member guests, with a handicap of 10 or less, are welcome on a space available basis, and may play twice, within the Oct. 1 - Sept. 30 membership year, for the same $100 entry fee, plus an additional temporary membership fee of $25 at each event. To learn more about the Southwest Seniors Golf Association visit their website at: www.swsga.com
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Community
by Chris Saunders
Summer Golfing is one of Marana’s Best Kept Secrets Marana’s sunny summer months are one of the best times to take advantage of our community’s lush fairways. Courses booked solid in the winter suddenly have available and affordable tee times.
Gallery Golf Club If you’ve ever taken a drive up Dove Mountain Boulevard, you know the incredible
landscape that surrounds the Gallery Golf Club. Challenging par 3s and 4s dance across washes, in and out of colorful canyons. By balancing panoramic views with exquisitely crafted conditions, the Gallery offers a golfing experience you’ll remember for years.
The Highlands at Dove Mountain Designed almost 20 years ago by renowned golf course architect Arthur Hills, there’s a reason golfers play 55,000 rounds on these links every year, a certain attitude that suffuses the atmosphere here. This is a place to have fun.
Quarry Pines Golf Club If you’re discussing holes at the Quarry Pines Golf Club, you may have to clarify what you mean. Are you referring to one of their 18 challenging holes which offer a high quality golfing experience? Or do you mean the giant hole which engulfs half the course? That’s right. This creative golf destination in Marana sits inside an old quarry. This memorable setting is a must-see for anyone with even a passing interest in golf, and it’s part of what makes Marana the perfect golf destination.
The Golf Club at Dove Mountain Jack Nicklaus wasn’t messing around when he designed the 27 holes at the Golf Club at Dove Mountain. Neither were the pros who competed here during the Accenture Match Play. This is a course for golfers who want to challenge their skills with the best of them. Are you ready? Embrace this heat this summer and discover incredible golfing when you Discover Marana.
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Community
by Frank Calvin
PGA Professional Championship
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NCE A YEAR all of the best tournament players from across the 41 PGA Sections gather to compete in The PGA Professional Championship. This year the Southwest PGA qualified seven players to participate in this illustrious event. The 49th PGA Professional Championship began on Sunday, June 26th at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. The 72-hole Championship was played on two of Turning Stone’s three championship courses: Atunyote Golf Club and Kaluhyat Golf Club. The Championship field started with 312 PGA Professionals, with the top 20 finishers earning an exemption into the 2016 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey. The Championship has a typical 36 hole cut, but then there is a 54 hole cut to the lower the field to 70 players for the final round.
Nigel Spence
Michael Hopper
Of the seven Southwest PGA professionals who played in the event, only two made the final cut. In this year’s PGA Professional Championship Whisper Rock’s Nigel Spence made his way to the final day by overcoming an opening round 79 (+7) following up with an impressive 65 (-7). Spence then shot even par for the two final rounds to finish tied for 28th out of the final 70 players. “I had an amazing round with 7 birdies and an eagle in round two. Overall my caddie (Jeremy Graham) and I enjoyed the ups and downs. We laughed, we almost cried (but Kiwi and Aussie men don’t admit to that), and we celebrated…”
amazing 69 (-3) to make it into the final round with a three-day total of even par. “My experience at the 2016 PPC was bittersweet. To come within seven spots of the top twenty with one round left, and to finish 36th is disappointing” said Hopper about his playing at the Championship. “I had some challenges the first couple of rounds, and to battle back to have that chance at the top twenty was also very satisfying. The PPC is the best event short of a PGA Tour event, and I relish the opportunity to compete again for years to come.”
PGA Professional Michael Hopper from The Pointe at Lookout Mountain earned his way into the final round in an incredibly consistent style. Hopper had opened his tournament with a 74 (+2) and followed it up with a 73 (+1) to make the first of two cuts. To make the final cut Hopper knew he had to play an impeccable third round and he did just that. Hopper made six birdies in his third round and carded an
Hopper and Spence were not only tied after three rounds but were paired together during the final round of the Championship. As a couple of the Southwest’s best players, it’s not uncommon to see these two in the same group but to travel across the country with a field of the PGA’s best players and find themselves in this position couldn’t have been more appropriate.
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I had an amazing round with 7 birdies and an eagle in round two. Overall my caddie (Jeremy Graham) and I enjoyed the ups and downs. We laughed, we almost cried (but Kiwi and Aussie men don’t admit to that), and we celebrated.” – NIGEL SPENCE
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U.S. Kids Creates Memories On the Course and Off
U.S. KIDS GOLF has a full fall schedule in both Phoenix and Tucson. The Phoenix tour kicks off August 14 at Seville Golf and CC and the Tucson tour September 25 at Torres Blancas. We had a great Diamondbacks family night out taking in a game in June. Thanks to the Diamondbacks for a wonderful evening. US Kids creates memories on the course and off through family gatherings and non-golf related events. U.S. Kids Golf is the “Little League” of golf. Many players receive invites to play beyond the local level in state, regional, national and international events around the world. Parents are strongly encouraged to take part in the experience by caddying or spectating with their son or daughter. U.S. Kids Golf is a developmental tour for girls and boys ages 5 to 14. They compete with age appropriate yardages, playing 9 or 18 holes determined by age. Our organized tournaments have the feel of a real tour event. In earning different levels of Priority Status, players can qualify for other U.S. Kids Golf multi-day events including Regional, International, and World or Teen World Championships. The State Invitational is open to players 5 to 14 years old. Come check out an event!
2016 Phoenix Fall Tour AUG 14 AUG 28 SEPT 18 OCT 2 OCT 23 OCT 30 NOV 13 DEC 11
SEVILLE GOLF AND CC ORANGE TREE RESORT APACHE WELLS SILVERADO WIGWAM RESORT MOUNTAINBROOK KEN MCDONALD GOLD CANYON*
2016 Tucson Fall Tour SEPT 25 OCT 15 OCT 16 NOV 6 NOV 20 DEC 4
TORRES BLANCAS TUBAC RESORT SEWAILO RESORT EL RIO SILVERBELL OMNI TUCSON NATIONAL*
*TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP For more information log on to www.uskidsgolf.com or www.arizonajuniorgolf.com
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Junior Spotlight Phoenix Valley Ashley MENNE
Trueman PARK
Although she will only be a freshman in high school in the fall of 2016, ASHLEY MENNE has dominated the girls golf scene in 2016 against many older girls. Menne, from Surprise, Arizona, has won 10 JGAA events in 2016 through the end of June, in what could go down as the greatest year in girl’s golf history
TRUEMAN PARK’S great year of golf really started at the end of 2015, when he won the individual title at D1 AIA High School State Golf Championship as a junior. Park, of Chandler, attends Hamilton High School, a school that had churned out many great golfers. He captured the title in a 4-way playoff at Aguila Golf Course, taking the title over 3 seniors who have signed to play college golf (Michael Feagles- University of Illinois, David RicciardelliUniversity of San Diego and Matt McMarty- Santa Clara University). The most impressive aspect of Park capturing the State Championship was how he delivered his victory. On the 2nd play-off hole, Park chipped in for eagle on the par 5, 10th hole.
Her biggest victory of the year came at the Arizona Junior State Championship, at Talking Rock in Prescott, June 28-29. Against some of the best girls in the state, Menne fired rounds of 73-70= 143 which was good enough for a 1-stroke victory over Emily Mahar, from Phoenix. Menne’s final round included three birdies, including two on the back 9 en route to a 2-under par 34. The birdie on the par 3, 16th hole helped seal the victory. In May, Menne competed in the 2nd USGA Women’s Four Ball Championship, at Streamsong Resort in Streamsong, Florida. Menne and her partner, Lauren Metcalf of Yuma, were the medalist team at the Mesa, Arizona Qualifier in February. Although they didn’t advance out of the stroke play portion at the Four-Ball Championship, Menne will compete at her 2nd USGA championship of 2016 when she competes at the USGA Girls’ Junior Championship at The Ridgeway Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey. If Ashley continues her winning ways, her toughest decision won’t be what tournament to play in or what club to select. Rather it will be trying to decide what college to attend and play golf at once her junior golf career is over.
Park’s 2016 summer was equally impressive, as he qualified for several national tournaments as well as winning one of the biggest in Arizona. He won the local PGA Junior Championship Qualifier, and he was also the co-medalist at the US Junior Amateur Qualifier, which was held at Longbow Golf Club. Then in Prescott on June 28-29 at Talking Rock Golf Club in Prescott, Park captured the AZ Junior State Championship. With a 5-under par 67 in Round 1, Park stormed out to a 3-shot lead. His 2nd round 72 was good enough to win by one stroke over Jack Snyder.
Zac Strohfus Communications Manager | Junior Golf Association of Arizona Originally from Denver, Colorado, Zac combines his knowledge of media with his passion for the game of golf to encourage junior golfer growth and lifelong development. After three years as a Head Golf Professional in Idaho, Zac went back to school and earned his degree from Boise State University in Media Production.
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Junior Spotlight Southern Arizona Taylor HUGHES
Briggs DUCE
If anyone understands the ups and downs of golf, it is Sahuaro High School golfer TAYLOR HUGHES. She was introduced to the game by her dad when she was only six years old and has since experienced a decade’s worth of joy and frustration. However, she doesn’t look at variations in emotion as a negative.
For BRIGGS DUCE, once he first picked up a golf club he didn’t want to put it down. At the age of 12, his parents took him to a Par 3 golf course in Benson for the first time, and he was immediately hooked on golf. Now a graduate of Buena High School, his love for every aspect of golf remains.
“The thing I like the best about golf is how unexpected it is. You can hit a perfect golf shot and end up in a bunker, but you can also blade an iron and end up on the green within birdie range. Golf is the best and the worst.” Taylor’s most memorable moment on the golf course came when she competed in a playoff to win a tournament. Facing the pressure and excitement of being in a playoff, she was able to roll in a 25-footer for the victory. The combination of mental and physical toughness it takes to have success in golf is something Taylor has come to appreciate. “I play golf because I love being in the minority of people who willingly subject themselves to one of the hardest sports in existence. Golf has probably taught me more about myself than anything else I’ve experienced, and I want to continue learning and growing as a player.” Taylor will have a chance to keep improving as a player after high school as she will play golf for Claremont McKenna College in California.
“I enjoy the challenge. I played a wide variety of sports growing up, but the challenge of golf has made it my favorite sport. I play golf because I enjoy everything about it including the practice, travel and competing.” The hard work and practice have paid off for Briggs, as he has accomplished plenty on the course. He competed in local and statewide tournaments with success and each level. This led to him becoming the 10th ranked junior golfer in Arizona. Briggs even had a chance to represent Arizona in the Junior Americas Cup, competing against teams from the Western United States, Mexico, and Canada. His success in junior golf has given Briggs the opportunity to continue playing in college. He has signed to play golf for his local school, the University of Arizona. “I chose the U of A because it provides me with tremendous opportunities both in golf and academics. Being from Southern Arizona, becoming a Wildcat is a dream come true. I’m excited to join a strong team where I feel I can grow as a player.”
Ryan Larson Junior Golf Writer Ryan is currently attending The University of Utah and is a graduate of Ironwood Ridge High School where he played four years of varsity golf. He has been living and playing golf in Tucson for the last ten years. Ryan also does a weekly sports segment on a local Tucson radio station.
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