Golf Arizona November 2015 - January 2016

NOVEMBER 2015 – JANUARY 2016 VOL 3 ISSUE 1

Charity is the Real Winner at the WM Phoenix Open

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

The Official Publication of the

Arizona Tourism (pg 21) Pro-File on Eric Kulinna (pg 38)

Southern Chapter

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contents

Golf Arizona | November 2015 –January 2016

on the cover 30 Charity is the Real Winner at the WM Phoenix Open

course reviews 21

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8 16 26

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Sedona Golf Resort: Arizona’s Red-Rock Star Poston Butte is HOT Right Now Grand Canyon University Golf Course: Major Renovation Sunridge Canyon has the “Sizzle”

features 10

19 23 50

Hannah O’Sullivan: 2015 US Women’s Amateur Champion US Women’s State Team Championship Product Review: Antigua’s Women’s Collection 10 Years for U.S. Kids Golf

instruction

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24 28 55

Tyler Simpson: Improving Away from the Course Pat O’Hara, PGA: They Never Told Me This on the Lesson Tee! Travis Fish: Use the Pirate Drill Derek Deminsky, PGA: Reading Greens Vito Berlingeri: Golf Club Fitting

community 14 Marana: Gateway to Southern Arizona 21 Arizona’s Tourism Industry at $21 Billion & Growing 36 Southwest Seniors Golf Association: Continuing Competitive Tradition and Giving Back!

40 Tee to Green: Community Golf News 42 Dennis Downs Earns Spot in 2016 WM Phoenix Open 52 The 55th Goldwater Cup Matches: A Look at History

pro-files 38 Eric Kulinna: PGA Junior League Golf

youth spotlight 57 Phoenix Valley: Jake Chanen & Sara Padilla 58 Southern Arizona: Kathryn Ottman & Austin Rustand

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Golf Arizona

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Published by Golf Arizona, LLC PUBLISHING EDITOR

Rick Price, PGA GRAPHIC DESIGN

AB Graphic Design, Inc. ADVISORY BOARD

CONTRIBUTORS

EAGLE SPONSORS

Phoenix Valley Frank Calvin, PGA Bob Doyle, PGA Tim Eberlein, PGA Scott McNevin Dale Moseke Pat O’Hara, PGA Mary Pomroy, AWGA Dave Sherman Debra Thompson Roedl Hugh Smith Kris Strauss Southern Arizona Corey Baehman, PGA Brent DeRadd Lance Eldridge Craig Jones Adam Lazarus Judy McDermott Mark Oswald, PGA Dan Wickman, PGA

Rick Price, PGA Dale Balvin Vito Berlingeri Frank Calvin, PGA Derek Deminsky, PGA Bob Doyle, PGA Brent DeRaad Julie Fenn Travis Fish Rob Hutchison Mary Beth Lacy Ryan Larson Jeff Locke Michael Loizou Scott McNevin Pat O’Hara, PGA Mary Pomroy Jeff Reich Tyler Simpson Kris Strauss Zac Strohfus

The Antigua Group AZ Women’s Golf Assoc.

Casino Del Sol Resort The Gallery Golf Club Hilgers Orthodontics, PC Mission Royale Golf Club OB Sports Poston Butte Golf Club San Pedro Golf Course Scoreboardwhiz Southwest Section PGA Troon Golf Tucson City Golf BIRDIE SPONSORS

Cool Clubs Discover Marana Omni Forty Niner Country Club Sun City West Tathata Golf Tucson National

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

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 ©2013.

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From the Editor

Giving back to those in need

I

n our last issue about Golf Fitness, I talked about my struggles in fitness and nutrition and that I was re-energized by the issue to doing something about my health. Well, I have some good news to report because I have lost over 50 lbs since the last issue.

It always amazes me when you take action in improving your habits, with consistent routines, taking on a disciplined attitude to succeed, what you can achieve! In my case, it also helped just to keep my mouth shut and say enough was enough when it came to losing the weight.

Well, in this issue I have another challenge for you. We are highlighting the great civic organization called the Thunderbirds, which puts on “The Greatest Show on Grass,” with the PGA TOUR called the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The winner may bring home over $1 million dollars, but let’s remember who the real winners are of this event.

That would be the local charitable groups in our community because the Thunderbirds have raised over $100 million dollars in charitable donations for our local community over the years with the support of local fans like yourself.

So, this is a two-part challenge. When you’re at WM Phoenix Open and you see a gentlemen or two wearing a blue-robed outfit with a beaded necklace, take the time to say, “Thank You for what you do for our community.” The second part of the challenge, especially with the holiday’s approaching, is let’s have an extra sense of giving to those in need. Please consider giving more from your heart.

Whether it is to provide financial support to your favorite charities or even more what I would encourage you to do is

actually give more of yourself. Donating your talents and time of those who will be grateful and appreciative of your time like the Thunderbirds.

My promise and 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.”

We encourage you to invite a friend and share our passion by visiting our website to sign up for our FREE online newsletter and subscription for Golf Arizona magazine at www.gogolfarizona.com.

Thank you for your support of Golf Arizona Magazine the official publication for the Southwest Section PGA. We value your input and thank you for your support in assisting us in promoting the game of golf. You may support our efforts further through advertising your business, or if you know of anyone that would be interested in promoting their business, please contact us.

We encourage you to invite a friend and share our passion by visiting our website to sign up for our FREE online newsletter and subscription for Golf Arizona magazine at www.gogolfarizona.com.

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

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Instruction

by Tyler Simpson

Improving your game away from the golf course What can I do to improve my game away from the course?

Here is a movement that you can easily do from the comfort of your own home to build and store energy in your backswing without needing a golf club.

Movement Performance Details FIGURES A1 & B1 • Setup with feet, knees, hips and shoulders parallel to the target line • Be sure the entire body is completely centered and balanced • Both feet can be turned out slightly to prepare for movement FIGURE A2 • Move the back arm up and over the back shoulder so both arms form a straight line pointing directly between both feet • Focus on engaging and fully turning your rib cage, rather than your shoulders • Check to make sure the head, trunk and pelvis have remained completely centered between both feet not leaning toward or away from the target FIGURE B2 • Push back slightly into both glutes (1-2”) • Slightly increase knee flex (1-2”) while also pushing the knees slightly apart to help keep you centered and balanced • Although the hips get turned, they should work to resist any turning motion to prepare the body for proper movement at the start of the downswing • The head should go down 1-2” if anything as knee flex increases • Perform this movement 8-10 times and then rest

Figure A1

Figure A2

Figure B1

Figure B2

Movement Outcomes • Build and store energy in the feet, knees, pelvis, trunk and rib cage in the backswing • Fully prepare body to support width, speed and strength in transition As you can see, in just a few minutes per day, you can maintain and improve your golf swing away from the course and begin moving like the greatest golfers of all-time.

Tyler Simpson

Tathata Golf | www.TathataGolf.com

Oregon State Men’s Golf Team (2005 - 2010) Worked at Tathata Golf since 2012 Visit TathataGolf.com to learn more about 144 other complimentary movements included in the Tathata Golf 60-Day Program.

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Course Review

by Jeff Locke

SEDONA GOLF RESORT

Arizona’s Red-Rock Star Spectacular Golf, Incredible Views, Mountain Biking & Cold Brews

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One of the most photographed holes in the world, the 10th overlooks an iconic red-rock formation.

S

edona is easily one of the most scenic destinations in the U.S., if not the world. Add the Grand Canyon to the mix, and this region of Arizona has been enchanting worldwide visitors since the pioneer days.

Much has changed since the city first appeared on the map in 1902 – including Sedona Golf Resort – which stands as a fine example of modern luxuries now enjoyed alongside the same sweeping views.

Designed by Gary Panks, the par71, 6,646-yard golf course at Sedona Golf Resort works its way up, down, through and around some of the most intriguing country on the planet. Panks certainly started with a wonderful piece of ground that he carefully groomed to accentuate natural slopes and plunging arroyos.

The golf course starts out with the uphill par-4 1st hole followed by the dramatic downhill par-3, 2nd. It’s pedal to the metal from there until running into the brutish par-5, 5th which earns its No. 1 handicap rating by playing to 623 yards – uphill.

“At the first tee box you’re playing at about 3,600 feet, and as you continue further into the golf course, you climb up to the high point of the property at about 4,200 feet,” said Jeremy Hayman, General Manager of Sedona Golf Resort. “So, as your round unfolds, the views – and the golf holes – get better and better.”

Holes 8 and 9 keep up the pressure until golfers reach one of the most scenic holes in the game: the par-3, 10th. The layout takes full advantage of an extraordinary red-rock formation in the background. For this reason, it has become one of the most photographed golf holes in the Western U.S. The course then ambles along pleasantly with the par-5 12th and par-4 15th providing most of the challenge before

finishing sheepishly, or mercifully, with a couple high handicappers at 17 & 18.

Although the golf course is reason enough to frequent Sedona Golf Resort, that’s just where the fun begins.

The clubhouse – overlooking the same wonderful views – is a great place for a post-round beverage. There’s also a palpable air of romance to the setting. Whether tying the knot during an unforgettable ceremony or just tightening it a bit with an intimate dinner, the Juniper Grille sets the stage for passion.

Those who are also passionate about mountain biking will be happy to know that Sedona Golf Resort hosts a oneof-a-kind race and celebration called Sedona Bike & Brew Festival. The second running of the event wrapped up at the end of August with 106 riders, 200 spectators, and as the name would suggest, several kegs of beer!

“With all the wonderful rides in the Sedona area, mountain biking is a very popular sport around here,” said Hayman. “A great time was had by all this year, including a great turnout from our little riders. We supported a worthy organization and managed to have a lot of fun along the way.”

The six-mile course took riders around all 18 holes, 400 feet of elevation change, and 90 acres of fairways, tee boxes, cart paths. After that, participants were encouraged to enter the short-track race followed by opening-night festivities that featured music, food and cold beer. The next day, the 6-and-under Junior Division

lined up for a 300-yard dash. Two more Junior Divisions followed before the racers in the Women’s Sport Division took a lap. Then it was the men’s turn in the Sport Division to do that same.

Finally, the race for the Men’s Open Division pit the best riders in a two-lap, lung-busting scramble for top honors. Matt Connors followed up his first-place finish last year with third this year; Cody Kukulski moved up from third last year to second; and Alex Petitdemange finished 24 seconds ahead of Kukulski (36 minutes, 11 seconds) for the win.

The event concluded at the Juniper Bar & Grille with an awards ceremony, music and silent auction benefiting the Verde Valley Cyclist Coalition Trail Fund. Four Peaks Brewery & Oak Creek Brewing Company also was onsite pouring a dozen varieties of their local craft beers. Other partners include the Sedona Bike & Bean, Four Peaks Brewery, Oak Creek Brewing Company, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, the Sedona Village Business Association, and the Hilton Sedona.

Over the years, Sedona has mystified and mesmerized a host of travelers with its surreal beauty — the kind that must be experienced to be appreciated.

If beating the heat for a round of golf isn’t enough of an excuse to drop by, perhaps a fun-filled mountain bike race and beer festival will.

For more information, visit SedonaGolfResort.com, SedonaBikeBrew.com or call 928.284.9355 to make a reservation in this one-of-a-kind destination.

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Golf Arizona

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Spotlight

by Rob Hutchison

Spotlight on 2015 US Women’s Amateur Champion

H A N N A H O ’S U L L I VA N

H

A N N A H O ’S U L L I VA N , the 17 year old from Chandler, has made quite the splash on the amateur golf scene this year. Beginning in February, she captured a Symetra Tour Championship as an amateur. She then went on to a second-place finish in the US Women’s 4-Ball Championship at Bandon Dunes in April, made the cut at the US Women’s Open, and captured the National Title at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at Portland Golf Club in Oregon.

She likes to spend her free time reading, shopping, watching movies, and being with friends and family. She also loves to travel, so when she is competing in tournaments, she tries to make time to see the sights and attractions in the local area. Her favorite courses include Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, where she won twice in 2015 – the Symetra Tour’s Gateway Classic and the AJGA Heather Farr Classic.

Hannah won her first golf tournament at the age of 8; she was ‘hooked’ from then on. She and her family moved to Arizona three years ago from the San Francisco Bay Area. Hannah began her high school golf at Xavier College Preparatory where in 2013 her team won the State Championship by 23 strokes, and she also took the individual title. Since then, she transferred to Hamilton High School in Chandler and verbally committed to the University of Southern California golf team for the fall of 2016. Hannah is a strong student, scoring 35 of a maximum 36 on the ACT college admission test earlier this year. Her high school GPA is 4.52, and she is a member of the National Honor Society.

Hannah captured the US Women’s Amateur Championship victory by playing to 7-under par through 36-holes at Portland Golf Club and sealing the 3-and-2 victory with a 7-foot birdie putt on the 33rd hole of the Championship Match.

Hannah has developed great time management skills to balance her life between school and golf. She creates her own schedule and is very disciplined in sticking to it, taking advantage of time during travel to complete homework assignments, which she submits through e-mail in the rare case that she misses school days.

Rob Hutchison

Hannah’s victory earned her exemptions into all of the USGA Women’s Championships, including the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open. It also earned her a spot on the Junior Solheim Cup Team, which defeated the European team September 15th in Germany.

In an interview after the Championship, the USGA asked, ‘Does it make you rethink college at all?’ To which Hannah responded “One tournament isn’t going to change my decision or my life plans. So I’m definitely going to go to college to get my degree before I turn pro.

My plan is still the same.” Hannah also told the USGA that her “ultimate goal is to be the best player in the world and play on the LPGA Tour,” a goal that now seems more reachable than ever.

Arizona Women’s Golf Association | USGA PJ Boatwright Jr. Intern | www.awga.org

Rob Hutchison is a USGA PJ Boatwright Jr. Intern with the Arizona Women’s Golf Association, and is a 2015 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in English and Sports and Entertainment Management.

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by Pat O’Hara, PGA

Instruction

They never told me this on the lesson tee!”

Long Game Troubles…Work on Your Short Game!

T

he driver is the toughest club to hit in the bag. It is physically the longest club, measuring around 45” long. It also has the least amount of loft.

Anywhere from 7 – 12 degrees usually. The lesser lofts are becoming rarer due to the advancements in shafts, clubhead design and golf ball aerodynamics.

But still, very little loft. Add those two built in components of the club together and you have the makings of all sorts of interesting tee shot shapes, direction and trajectories.

You want to become a great driver of the ball? Work on your 7, 8 or 9 iron chip shots around the green. The shot that flies 25% of the distance to the hole and rolls the other 75%. This chipping motion works on a couple fundamentals that all great drivers have: flat left wrist at impact, proper weight distribution at impact and a quiet head.

It is a lot easier to see and feel the above three fundamentals when you are working with partial shots around the green.

When you are swinging your driver, the focus is on making contact not on checking positions. Chipping allows you to pay attention to the small details – hands at impact, weight on the front foot at impact, head staying in one position from start to finish. One of the best drills I can recommend for anyone who wants to feel the correct position for the hands at impact is the use of an impact bag. Use a 5 or 7 iron. Take your address position and place the impact bag outside your front foot, or forward of where your normal ball at impact would be during a regular swing. Make your normal golf swing at half speed and let the impact bag stop your club but allow your hands to continue on thru impact. Hold that position to get accustom to the feel of the hands ahead of the clubhead. Repeat 5-10 more times and then hit a ball with your selected iron and try to duplicate the same feel that you had with the impact bag. Voila! You are on your way to becoming a GREAT driver!

Pat O’Hara, PGA Manager of Golf Operations at Sun City West. Twenty-six year member of the PGA of America. Certified Instructor for SeeMore Putters and Lynn Blake Golf (The Golfing Machine). Has worked with golfers of all levels of ability, from beginner to the PGA Tour.

623.544.6499 | patrick.ohara@rcscw.com

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Community

by Toby Parks

Discover Marana… GATEWAY TO SOUTHERN ARIZONA In the Gateway to Southern Arizona, you’ll find a place where the history is etched into the earth, into a landscape that invites exploration. In the summer, intrepid photographers can venture into the desert to capture the moment when lightning strikes mountain, when rain and sun and thunder collide. Fall bike rides will treat cyclists to marvelous views of a sea of white as Marana’s farmers harvest their fields of cotton. Grab a blanket in the winter and gaze up at the starry night; the Town’s dark skies policy means that the thousands of stars twinkling overhead are not obscured by city lights. Spring’s warm days and cool nights make it hard to stay indoors. From the moment the sun crests over the Tortolitas to its final glimmers as it sets behind the Silverbells, you’ll want to soak in its warm rays.

Thanks to the gentle climate of the Sonoran Desert, golf is an option in any season.

Our verdant fairways sparkle beneath year-round sunshine, inviting seasoned veterans and untested newcomers alike to take a swing on the links.

After a day on the course, every desert golfer needs an oasis. Marana offers plenty of shopping options where you can find countless temptations including the new Tucson Premium Outlets opening October 1, 2015. Hungry? The Town is home to many dining choices that will satisfy any appetite. Whether you’re in the mood for the casually elegant ambience of craft cocktails and fine burgers or an authentic supper of gourmet tamales from a family-owned Mexican restaurant, you’ll find that this oasis has you covered. The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain, one of two Five-Star Hotels in Arizona, sets the bar high with a world-class resort. What are you waiting for? Pack your clubs and get ready to Discover Marana. www.DiscoverMarana.org

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Golf Arizona

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Course Review

by Michael Loizou

THE REVIEWS ARE IN

Poston Butte is HOT Right Now A

C OM M ON T H E M E running through the reviews on golf review site, Golf Advisor, is how pleased people are about Poston Butte Golf Club, their immaculate conditions, all around great value and more. Located just outside Florence, Arizona the facility is fast becoming known as a not so hidden gem that is worth every minute of the drive out from Tucson or Phoenix.

Don’t believe us? Take it from the horse’s mouth: “Really enjoyed the day overall. Worth the drive.” Said Sandy S from Newmarket, Canada in her 5* review on Trip Advisor.

“Worth the drive from east Mesa…Will play it again and recommend others do as well” from thebatman1983 with another ‘5-Star review’ this time on Golf Advisor.

“Great course…great shape” is the title of Paul5907434’s ‘5-Star rating’ from his round in July 2015.

The exceptional conditioning of the course is another common theme, with the greens, fairways and tee boxes all regularly checked off as “immaculate”, “top condition” and “beautifully manicured.”

One of the biggest surprises when visiting Poston Butte to play golf is the island green on 17, that for those standing on the tee, could almost imagine themseleves on another famous island green par three: The 17th at Sawgrass, where many a Players Championship challenge has met a watery grave.

So in short, if you’re looking for a beautifully presented golf course, extensive practice facilities, and a hole which will make you feel as if you are teeing it up in the 5th Major, then Poston Butte needs to be next on your list of AZ courses to visit.

IF A L L OF T HAT isn’t enough for you to pay a visit, Poston Butte Golf Club recently unveiled its newest amenity: The anthem Grille, which adds a new dimension and is quickly becoming the gathering place of the community.

The anthem Grille features a quick and casual concept that provides for efficient service in a fun environment that connects people and provides for a great post round dining option. “It is a similar concept to Panera Bread or Sauce whereby there are no servers, guest place their orders, grab any seat that suites them and we bring their food to them efficiently, and in a casual, yet fun environment.” stated Poston Butte Golf Club, GM Josh Clay.

The menu offerings at anthem Grille are varied but feature American favorites such as burgers, sandwiches and salads. With the average sandwich and side priced at approximately $9, anthem Grille will provide a dining value that will be certain to appeal to a wide audience.

The entire experience at Poston Butte can be best summed up by user ‘mykmid’ on Golf Advisor: “Best conditioned course I’ve played in AZ! Layout is interesting and very fair - greens are outstanding. Really enjoyed the round and everything about the place. Overall value can’t be beat and prices at the clubhouse, on course and restaurant are excellent! I will be back very soon.”

For more information about Poston Butte Golf Club or the anthem Grille, call 520.723.1880 or visit www.PostonButteGC.com where the best rates are guaranteed.

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by Julie Fenn

Community

US Women’s State Team Championship: A Most Unique National Championship

F

IFTY THREE-PLAYER TEAMS from 49 states and the District of Columbia came together for the 11th playing of the USGA Women’s State Team Championship held September 10-12, 2015 at the Gary Nicklaus designed Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau, MO. A unique element of this event is the age range of the participants. The youngest player was Jennifer Koga, 13, of Honolulu, Hawaii. Katie Falk, 69 of Milwaukee, WI was the oldest. The average age was 34. Delaware’s team had a combined age of 40, while Illinois had the oldest team with a combined age of 163. Arizona’s team was at both ends of the spectrum with Kelly Su, 15, teaming up with Kim Eaton, 56, and Judy Miller, 65.

For almost 1/3 of the field, this was their first time competing in a USGA Championship. This is not an uncommon statistic and is another of the unique elements of this event.

Many of the other players have impressive résumés. There were 7 USGA individual champions in the field, with Ellen Port of Missouri having 6 titles and Meghan Stasi having 4. Two players have competed in Curtis Cup Matches.

Four players have won the USGA Women’s State Team title, including Arizona’s Judy Miller in 2007. Susan Marchese of Omaha, Nebraska has played in all 11 of the State Team Championships.

The more experienced players get the opportunity to renew friendships with players from other states with whom they have competed over the years. Others begin to build those relationships at events like this. Some players come with family members as teammates. Mississippi had a mother and daughter combination, while New Mexico, host of the 2017 Women’s State Team Championship, had sisters, and the District of Columbia had an aunt-niece combo.

This lush green course on a beautiful day begged players to give it their all. Florida, one of the first teams on the course Thursday, ended up as the team to beat, after posting a 6-un-

Julie Fenn

der-par total of 138. Georgia was only one stroke back. Day 2 of the Championship brought a whole different feel. Overnight rain did not end before play began. Fog and intermittent rain added to the challenging conditions of “moving day”. Only the top 21 teams and ties advanced to play on Saturday. Unfortunately, our Arizona team narrowly missed the cut. After dealing with all the elements, Florida ended up at 5-under-par with a 2 stroke lead over Georgia. Day 3 brought cool temperatures, not reaching 70 degrees until the players were walking off the course, wind and scattered showers. The leader board changed regularly, but Georgia’s 7-over round was enough to take the title after Florida posted a 12over round. This was Georgia’s fourth time as winners of this Championship.

Arizona Women’s Golf Association | Player Programs Manager | www.awga.org

Julie Fenn, Player Programs Manager, with the Arizona Women’s Golf Association is a 2010 Arizona graduate of the Golf Academy of America. She has been on staff with the AWGA since 2014 after a stint as Executive Director of the Women’s Golf Association of Northern California. Julie is experiencing her dream job by running the AWGA’s tournaments and developmental programs, including the adult focused Golf 101, and the junior focused High School Girls – Build-a-TEAM program.

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by Brent DeRaad

Community

Arizona’s Tourism Industry at $21 Billion & Growing T

R AV E L is often a forgotten contributor in regard to Arizona’s top industries. Total direct travel spending in Arizona was $20.9 billion in 2014—a 5.4 percent increase over 2013. Additionally, travel spending is expected to grow 5 percent or more again in 2015.

When you consider our sunny winter weather, natural beauty, a strong cadre of attractions and a growing number of world-class events, it is easy to see why more visitors are traveling to Arizona.

Our state’s growth in visitors and visitor expenditures is not an accident.

The Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) and destination marketing organizations (DMOs) throughout the state are competing against cities and regions throughout the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean for leisure travel and meetings business.

Travel has grown in recent years as our nation’s economy has recovered.

Travel spending in Pima County grew 10 percent between 2010 and 2014.

Visit Tucson is the primary DMO for Tucson and southern Arizona. We are funded primarily by transient-occupancy (bed) tax revenue, which is paid by those who stay in our hotels, resorts and some bed-and-breakfasts.

We will spend our $7.5 million budget this year to help grow visitor spending in our region. We market Tucson

and southern Arizona domestically and internationally, including deploying a Mexico marketing department. We also work with hotels and resorts to bring in meetings, have departments that specialize in sports and film business, promote the region to travel media, and work with tour operators and travel agents around the globe to create more travel to Tucson.

Out of the $2.2 billion that was spent by travelers in Pima County in 2014, our team at Visit Tucson can track directly $163 million tied to its efforts.

We also played a role in influencing additional leisure travel. Divide the $163 million by our budget and we are returning nearly $22 for every $1 invested in our organization.

Our research shows that visitors from our top feeder markets—Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago—come to Tucson to rejuvenate. So we market cycling and hiking in our beautiful Sonoran Desert, our incredible attractions, and other assets, including resorts, spas and golf.

We are fortunate to have such an outstanding array of daily-fee, public and semi-private courses available for residents and visitors alike. We market Tucson golf via print and digital advertising in national and regional golf media. Visit Tucson is also a sponsor of the

2014 Pima County Travel Impacts • $2.3 billion – direct travel spending • 23,410 – travel industry jobs • $185.1 million – local & state tax receipts from travel spending Source: Dean Runyan Associates, Arizona Travel Impacts, June 2015

Tucson Conquistadores Classic, a PGA Champions Tour event staged in March at Omni Tucson National Resort. The Golf Channel promotes Tucson golf substantially during the network’s live and replay coverage of the event.

Visiting golfers not only help to keep our courses open, but they spend money locally on food and beverages, entertainment, local transportation, apparel and equipment. So the next time you encounter a visitor at one of our courses, I hope you will thank him or her for traveling to Tucson.

Meanwhile, regardless of the activities visitors avail themselves of in Tucson and southern Arizona, their expenditures employ area residents and add revenue to local and state tax coffers to help pay for police, fire, water, trash and other services throughout the region.

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 Spring 2016 Women’s Performance Collection Activewear T

HE ANTIGUA GROUP, INC., one of the nation’s leading designers and marketers of lifestyle and golf apparel under the distinguished Antigua brand – announced its Spring 2016 Women’s Performance Collection activewear.

After two consecutive strong years for the Antigua Performance Collections, the Spring 2016 rendition will likely exceed sales forecasts – based on sales force reaction and hard sales data. The Spring 2016 Women’s Performance Collection is highlighted by fantastic fabrications that combine polyester and spandex, unique prints, color palettes that include beautiful jewel tones, and the continuation of successful silhouettes. All fabrics and silhouettes have been LPGA Tour-tested.

PATTERNS : Geometric patterns have been strong in the marketplace for a full year now, so styles Radical, Ascent, Modern and Champ emerged -- each featuring a version of abstract triangle prints.

Radical and Champ are both white body styles with a pop of color, whereas Modern and Ascent are color body styles with tonal variations of the print.

COLORS: The color palette for Spring 2016 focuses on highly saturated jewel tones. “We felt the neon colors were slowly fading away and the more basic, primary colors were coming into play,” says Dellios. “Color direction in the sportswear market has been stagnant, so we took our cues from high fashion and made our our version of a primary palette. For the first time in years, we decided not to run pink, but instead picked a bright clean red called Fire.”

OVERVIEW : “During the develop- Other colors include a true kelly green ment of the Spring 2016 collection, I felt called Verdant, a vibrant royal blue a desire to be more conservative with styling and therefore spent my time focusing on fabrication,” says Danielle Dellios, head of women’s design at Antigua. “The activewear marketplace has reached its threshold and consumers are inundated with product offerings.

Every brand has its version of ‘ath-leisure’ clothing, so it was up to our design team to create something unique.

I found myself wanting to refine the overall look of the collection by eliminating any trend-specific details and keep styling at a minimum. “

named Hypnotic, a sunshine yellow aptly named Sunburst, and lastly a step away from the traditional purple with a more berry color called Mardi Gras.

These primary jewel tones are paired with black and white throughout the collection.

DESERT DRY™ is a moisture-wicking technology created exclusively for Antigua, to absorb and wick moisture quickly and evenly. The Desert Dry product family includes any garment using a fabric weight of 150 gsm or heavier. Typically fabrics over 150 gsm offer more body and improved drape for the customers who don’t like the ultra-lightweight “clingy” fabrics currently in the market DESERT DRY™ XTRA-LITE (D2XL) combines Antigua’s exclusive DESERT DRY™ moisture-wicking feature with specially constructed ultra-light fabrics for maximum wicking performance and optimum comfort. The D2XL product family includes any garment using a fabric weight of 150 gsm or lighter. These fabrics have been specially engineered to be lightweight while not being overly sheer. This is possible through the use of ultra-fine yarns which gives a fabric more body while not dramatically increasing the weight.

Colors in the 2016 collection include a bright clean red called FIRE, a sunshine yellow called SUNBURST, and a true kelly green called VERDANT.

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L I F T I N G YO U R H E A D ?

U S E T H E P I R AT E D R I L L . . .

ARRRR all your missed putts making you want to walk the plank?? Well lifting your head isn’t dangerous in the full swing alone. If you steal a glance at where the putt is rolling before you’ve completed the stroke, your body as well as your head will move, causing the putter to move off-line. The following drill, popularized by two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North and affectionately named the Pirate Drill by me, will train you to keep your head and body still throughout the stroke. It also will force you to keep your attention focused on the stroke itself, reducing the anxiety which arises from wondering whether the ball will fall into the hole.

PROCEDURE: First (assuming you are right handed) make several practice strokes with your left eye closed. Now, address a 4-8 foot putt, making sure you are aligned correctly and that you have a good mental picture of the hole. Close your left eye. Note that you can’t see the hole with your left eye closed. To stroke the putt on the correct line and with proper speed, you’ll have to rely on the picture provided by your brain. Go ahead and hit the putt and several more, keeping your right eye glued to the ball until the stroke is completed.

This makes me think pirates would have made great putters!

three planes of Travis Fish motion

Director of Golf | Leisure World Arizona

A Class-A PGA golf professional and is TPI Level I Certified. Travis has been a 3 time recipient of Golf World Business Magazine’s Best 100 Golf Shop Operations, and Junior Program Leader of the Year for the Southern Chapter PGA. He has had the pleasure to instruct beginners, college, and tour players.

This series of YFG poses help train the body in triplane movements.

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Course Review

by Scott McNevin

M A J O R R E N O VAT I O N

Grand Canyon University Golf Course A transformation is taking place in west Phoenix. For the 2nd time in eight years, a City of Phoenix golf course is undergoing a major renovation. Maryvale Golf Course will soon become Grand Canyon University Golf Course when it re-opens on October 30th.

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HE GOLF COURSE is just a small piece of the massive expansion of Grand Canyon University. Leading Grand Canyon University is CEO/ President Brian Mueller, who took the position after leading the Apollo Group (parent company of University of Phoenix).

In the last seven years under Mueller, Grand Canyon has seen on-campus enrollment increase from 1,000 to 16,000 students,

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while the online enrollment has surged to 55,000 students (from 12,500). On campus there has been a $600 million expansion of new classrooms, laboratories, technologies and athletic facilities.

The university will be taking over the management of Grand Canyon University Golf Course, only three miles west of campus, through a 30-year operating lease with the City of Phoenix.

The Director of Golf at Grand Canyon University Golf Course is Jesse Mueller, who most recently played professional golf, before deciding to settle down with a steady job and 1-year old child. Jesse competed in various mini-tours, winning 22 tournaments since graduating from Arizona State University, where he competed from 2001-2005. The biggest event on the professional stage that he competed in was the 2012 US Open Championship at Olympic Club.

The Grand Canyon University Golf Course will again become a valley gem, a must-play for all golf enthusiasts. With the five sets of tees, the course will be playable for golfers of all skill levels.

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HE UNIVERSITY has many public/ private partnerships, and the renovated golf course is just one piece of revitalization. “The golf course is all part of the west Phoenix reinvestment Grand Canyon University is making in the local community,” Mueller explains. “Our goal is 50,000 rounds and we look to keep the city of Phoenix card holder rate active. GCU Students and faculty will be able to play at the city card rate as well.”

The individual behind the redesign of the golf course is renowned golf course architect and Paradise Valley resident John Fought. Fought, the 1977 US Amateur Champion and two-time PGA Tour Champion, brings a wealth of experience in golf course design as well as renovation projects. His original designs include The Gallery Golf Club in Tucson (North and South), Sand Hollow Resort (Utah), Sunriver Resort, Crosswater Course (Oregon) and Washington National Golf Club (Seattle). It’s Fought’s local redesign work, at the The Country Club at DC Ranch and Phoenix Country Club that probably had the most influence on his renovation project at Maryvale.

HE ORIGINAL Maryvale Golf Course, designed by Ted Robinson, opened in 1961. Previously tipping out at 6600 yards as a par 72, the course became outdated to the scratch golfers, especially the elite

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collegiate golfers that Grand Canyon University is trying to recruit. There will be five sets of tees (compared to three previously), playing as par 71 and stretching to over 7200 yards. The 10th hole, which was a short par 5, has been turned into a lengthy par 4 with fairway bunkers. Due to the course being landlocked, with Indian School Road and homes bordering the north/ south, and 59th and 63rd Avenues bordering the east/ west, many of the greens were shifted slightly in order to build new back teeing pads. The biggest aesthetic change that John Fought made are the large bunkers, and elevated greens. Many of the bunkers are built up into the greens, very similar how the bunkers and greens were redesigned at Phoenix Country Club. By keeping many of the trees, the site-lines remain the same, which is a credit to Fought to keep the original character of the golf course.

According to Mueller, “The goal is to maintain the course at a very high level. The elevated bunkers, greens and undulating fairways will be the most noticeable changes.” Leading the agronomy is Superintendent Dean Hall. Prior to the Maryvale project, Hall worked at Tonto Verde Golf Club and The Golf Club at Estrella.

With the university taking over management of the golf course, both the Grand Canyon University Men’s and Women’s Golf teams will now have

a true home course. Although both are now Division 1 programs (WAC Conference), per NCAA Rules the teams are ineligible for post season competition for two more seasons as they transition from Division 2. The new 10,000 square foot clubhouse being built will have a 2nd floor devoted solely to the men’s and women’s golf teams, which will include team room, lockers and coaches offices. The backend of the range will be reserved for the team players. The Grand Canyon Men’s team is led by 3rd year head coach Mark Mueller, while the Women’s team recently named Lauren Giesecke as their new head coach.

LONG WITH THE opening of the redesigned golf course, Grand Canyon University launched the Golf Management Program within the Colangelo School of Business. The program allows students to gain a foundation in business management, while still learning the skills needed to work in the golf industry and earn their Bachelor of Science degree.

Students will have weekly lab classes at the new GCU Golf Course utilizing the practice facilities. Key components of the graduation requirements, students will be required to have 100 hours of work in the golf industry and the Grand Canyon University Golf Course will help provide a platform for the students to accomplish this.

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Instruction

by Derek Deminsky, PGA

My Method for Reading Greens

You can have the perfect stroke, put a perfect roll on the ball, but if you can’t read greens, you will never be a great putter.

Reading greens has always been a strength of mine, and although there is an art to it, I’m going to share the process that I use and teach.

The first thing you need to determine is if your putt is flat, uphill, or downhill. If there is a little bit of both in the putt, then analyze whether it’s more one way or the other. The best place to view this is NOT behind the ball but to the SIDE of your putt (lowside specifically). Try to quantify the uphill or downhill as well. For example, “This putt seems to be going about ten inches uphill.”

Once you’ve completed this, then it’s time to figure out the break of the putt. Start from behind your golf ball looking at the hole. You’ll always want to determine break starting from the center of the hole going OUT. Ask yourself, “If I roll this ball straight at the hole, what will happen? Will it go in?

Will it miss left or right? By how much?” If it appears that the ball will miss 12 inches to the right of the hole, bring your aiming point 12 inches to the other side of the hole. Once you’ve found your new target, focus on it and ONLY IT and try to roll your ball to it.

three Derek Deminsky, PGA planes of motion

Derek Deminsky is a Class A PGA Instructor based out of 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.

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Charity is the Real Winner at the WM Phoenix Open

by Ryan Wo od c o ck

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The 16th hole. The Birds Nest. Phil Mickelson. Tiger’s hole-in-one. Excitement. “The Greatest Show on Grass”.

What do all of these things have in common? They are synonymous with the Waste Management Phoenix Open, one of the most exciting sporting events that converges on the Valley of the Sun each year and is one of the must-attend events for people not just in the Phoenix area, but from all across the country.

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he 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open is set to tee it up Feb. 1-7 at the TPC Scottsdale, and while the tournament lasts only one week, the people behind the scenes work throughout the year to put on this exciting PGA TOUR golf tournament.

Each year a champion is crowned and the tournament is put to bed, but when that final putt drops it doesn’t mean that the tournament organizers behind the scenes wrap it up, sit back

and wait another year to put on the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

It’s a year-round undertaking to put on an event of this stature, hosted by a Phoenix civic organization made up of everyday business leaders who not only want to put on the best golf event in the world, but want to contribute to and give back to the community.

That organization is called The Thunderbirds, and they are made up of 55 “active” members who are 45 years

of age and under, and more than 250 “life” members. You might recognize them as the guys who wear the blue robes and beaded necklaces during tournament week. Actually those robes are called tunics, the traditional and most recognized uniform of The Thunderbirds, and the necklace is an imitation of the Thunderbird logo with silver and turquoise beads that recognize exemplary service to the organization.

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he Waste Management Phoenix Open is the best-attended PGA TOUR event in the world, and broke its own weekly attendance record last year when 564,368 fans embarked on the TPC Scottsdale to watch the world’s best golfers. While that number is staggering, there are two other records that were broken that didn’t receive much fanfare but are much more impactful to Arizona charities.

All proceeds raised from the WM Phoenix Open are donated to local charities, and the 2015 tournament raised an astonishing 9,060,731, the

largest amount raised by the host Thunderbirds in the 80-year history of the tournament. To put the icing on the cake, the $9 million-plus helped The Thunderbirds eclipse the $100 million mark of charitable giving throughout the organization’s history. That’s $102,418,934 all going to those in need in the community.

“Each and every year is special when we make the announcement of how much money we raised for charity, but this year was extra special and truly a proud moment for The Thunderbirds,” said Danny Calihan, President of Thunderbirds Charities and Tournament Chairman for the 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open.

“We had our eye on reaching the $100

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million mark last year, and to reach that milestone by breaking our own singleyear record was spectacular.”

Money raised by The Thunderbirds through the Waste Management Phoenix Open have benefitted a wide array of charities, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs across the Valley, Homeward Bound, Make-A-Wish Foundation, SAARC and many more.

Most recently, The Thunderbirds announced a record $500,000 donation to Phoenix Children’s Hospital to support the building of a new Pediatric Emergency Department and Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. The donation was the largest single handout by Thunderbirds Charities since its inception in 1937.

“This is why we do what we do, why we spend time away from our families and our jobs,” said Dan Mahoney, Tournament Chairman for the 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open. “It is humbling to know how many lives

we can help by hosting this golf event, and seeing how much this affects those in need in our community creates a great sense of pride among the entire organization.”

Mahoney will have his work cut out for him following a record setting 2015 tournament. In his defense, though, there won’t be a Super Bowl in town to help attract the masses – both years the Super Bowl was played in Glendale (2008, 2015) saw record setting attendance and charitable dollars raised.

“We don’t compete on a personal level, but obviously we want to match or

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exceed what the previous tournament chairman did,” Mahoney said. “Danny Calihan did a fantastic job last year, and I think we would have achieved those numbers even without the Super Bowl in town. My goal this year is to put on the best event possible for the fans, and raise as much money as we can for charity.”

ach year the Waste Management Phoenix Open has a new tournament chairman, and each year that chairman wants to put his own footprint on the event. Mahoney’s biggest change this year will be to completely revamp the 17th hole, moving the skyboxes and suites closer to the action while creating a high-end, luxurious environment.

“Obviously 16 is our signature hole, and what the Waste Management Phoenix Open is most known for, but why not have another unique venue option,” Mahoney said. “We are moving the fans closer to the action on this exciting hole and offering an upscale atmosphere that has never been seen before at this tournament.”

The Corporate Village tents will be removed to make way for the Bay Club, an upscale, luxury hospitality venue that will feature formal wait staffs, an upscale lounge area and furnishings that resemble a five-star resort. Overlooking the 17th fairway and green, the Bay Club offers fantastic views of the drivable par 4, along with a viewing area to catch the action on hole 10. Bay Club guests also have access to the popular Greenskeeper venue.

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“The reaction to these new hospitality options on 17 has been fantastic,” Mahoney said. “Bay Club on 17 has been on a wait list since the summer, and the other options have been selling fast as well. This is definitely going to be one of the places to be at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.”

While the atmosphere at 17 will be changing, the famed 16th hole will still be the same raucous environment that has made it one of the most iconic and unique holes on the PGA TOUR. The stadium setting features more than 250 skyboxes and 5,000 general-admission seats that can hold more than 15,000 screaming fans.

h e Wa s t e M a n a g e m e n t P hoenix O pen golf tournament will be played Thursday – Sunday (February 4-7), but there will still be plenty of things to see and do at TPC Scottsdale all week long. Thanks to Ford, the official car sponsor of the

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Waste Management Phoenix Open, all fans get in free for practice rounds on Monday, February 1 and Tuesday, February 2, thanks to Ford Free Days.

Other events to check out include the Monday Pro-Am on Monday, the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day and Outfront Media Special Olympics Open on Tuesday, and the ever-popular Annexus Pro-Am and Shot at Glory on Wednesday. On Saturday, Feb. 6, officials will once again encourage everyone to participate in the sixth-annual GREEN OUT. Waste Management and The Thunderbirds encourage players and fans to wear green in support of the

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many green/sustainability initiatives that the company is doing to make the event not just the greenest tournament on the PGA TOUR, but one of the most charitable as well. For every person who wears green on Saturday, The Thunderbirds will donate “green” back to local charities.

As if that isn’t enough going on, when the last putt drops and the sun goes down at TPC Scottsdale things heat up across the street at the Coors Light Birds Nest, a four-night music fest Wednesday – Saturday that attracts some of the biggest names in music and entertainment spanning all musical genres.

One week a year the PGA TOUR turns up the volume at the GREATEST SHOW ON GRASS – see for yourself at the 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open.

For more information or tickets visit www.wmphoenixopen.com.

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Community

by Jeff Reich

Southwest Seniors Golf Association Continues Competitive Tradition and Gives Back!

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stablished in 1978 by golf professionals, Gene Lesch, Jack Morrison and Bill Johnston, the Southwest Seniors Golf Association (SWSGA) was created for competitive senior amateurs and professionals. Events are organized with both team and individual competitions the later by age group,

The SWSGA is hosted by many of the finest clubs throughout the state and plays on Mondays, once a month. Each event offers merchandise certificates for the amateurs and cash for the professionals with typically over fifty percent of the field placing in the money. In addition, participants receive points, which are accumulated over the calendar year for the “Race to the Founder’s Championship.” The top 72 amateurs and top 24 professionals earn an invitation to participate in the Founder’s Championship which will be held in January at Encanterra Country Club.

SWSGA membership is open to male professionals and invited pros/amateurs ages 50 and over with a handicap of 10 or less.

Membership dues are $125 per year and are valid for one year from October 1 through September 30 and includes a SWSGA handicap. A new player joining mid-year will pay a pro-rated amount as determined by the Board of

Directors 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-members may only play twice, within the Oct. 1 - Sept. 30 membership year, for the same $100 entry fee, plus a non-member fee of $25 per each event.

Remembering golf’s roots with many seniors wishing they had the opportunity to play golf as juniors the SWSGA membership annually supports and gives back to grow the game through the memory of longtime Arizona Golf Professional, Les Wimp. Recently, at our Moon Valley Country Club event, ten sets of new golf clubs were donated to new juniors from the LPGA/USGA Girls Golf and the Junior Golf Association of Arizona.

The SWSGA Board of Directors is led by President, PGA Professional, Bob Pancratz, who is thrilled with the direction and popularity of the organization. According to Pancratz, “Due to our popularity and to ensure we accommodate our participants we have a limited number of memberships available.”

To learn more about the SWSGA visit their website at www.swsga.com.

PHOTOS, LEFT: Executive Director, John Benda; Assistant Tournament Director, Loren Foye; Tournament Director, Jeff Reich at Phoenix Country Club.

RIGHT: Winning smiles at Moon Valley Country Club

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Pro-File

by Bob Doyle

PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE GOLF

Eric Kulinna Eric Kulinna has been PGA Director of Player Development at Lone Tree Golf Club since early in 2012 but his roots in developing golfers, specifically new golfers, goes back to the days before he was working professionally.

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ric’s first chance to introduce people to the game was as a graduate student at the University of Illinois. His first semester teaching golf classes convinced Eric that new players need to be taught differently and it also created a passion in Eric to develop methods to make the early steps in golf learning easy and fun.

The player development philosophy developed at Lone Tree was based on casting the biggest net possible to attract both new adult and junior golfers. So that year Eric started his promotion of a Get Golf Ready program (that has become one of the most successful in the region) and

later that year Lone Tree became an approved site for The First Tee of Phoenix. Eric told me that these two proven programs attract big numbers matching the philosophy of casting that big net.

So with hundreds of junior golfers now being introduced through programming at Lone Tree Eric noticed a need for a development bridge to help juniors get to the golf course more often.

In 2014 Eric cast the big net again when he started PGA Junior League Golf at Lone Tree. In the first season he didn’t have just a single team of 10-12 players but the facility was able to field an entire league of 4 teams with 40 junior players 13 years old and younger. This past season the league at Lone Tree has continued to grow to include players from Augusta Ranch and Longbow GC. Eric was also approved to participate in a pilot program league this year for players 16 and under that was held at select sites around the country.

Eric really liked the concept of PGA Junior League Golf the first time he heard about it. The idea of kids playing on teams (patterned after Little League Baseball), playing a scramble match play format with a partner from their own team, allowing for substitutions to help get less experienced players into the action seemed unique and fun.

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In a conversation with Eric about Junior League he continues to be enthusiastic about the wide number of players Junior League can reach.

It helps the newest player get more comfortable on the course, it helps the player who may never compete in High School but wants golf as

I N T H E F I R S T S E A S O N AT LO N E T R E E H E D I D N ’ T H AV E J U S T A S I N G L E T E A M O F 10 - 12 P L AY E R S B U T T H E FAC I L I T Y WA S A B L E TO F I E L D A N E N T I R E L E AG U E O F 4 T E A M S W I T H 40 J U N I O R P L AY E R S 13 Y E A R S O L D A N D YO U N G E R .

a lifelong hobby, and it’s a step for juniors who may become more serious aspiring to play competitively. The All-Star post season aspect of Junior League is a more competitive opportunity for those who are looking for an introduction to golf at the next level.

PGA Junior League encourages local sponsors and Eric and his league players are grateful to Coulter Cadillac who support his Leagues and keep the cost down for those participating. Eric is making plans to add seasons outside the regular competitive season of May-July because of the popularity of the program and the chance to cast his big net again among new golfers.

For more information about PGA Junior League Golf go to pgajrleaguegolf.com

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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

M O R E T H A N $45,0 0 0 R A I S E D F O R W O U N D E D WA R R I O R P R O J E C T AT T R O O N FAC I L I T I E S D U R I N G W O R L D ’S L A R G E S T GOLF OUTING Troon® facilities joined a total of 132 golf courses across America hosting the fifth annual World’s Largest Golf Outing that raised more than $1 million, a record high, for Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Through a portion of player entry fees, contests and 100% of donations, participating Troon courses contributed $46,046 to WWP, the national organization that honors and empowers injured servicemen and women, their caregivers and families. Of the 12,300-plus participants, nearly 600 – including 44 WWP Alumni – teed it up at Troon courses from New York to Hawaii to make meaningful differences in the lives of Wounded Warriors.

Arizona Troon facilities that participated and raised funds for WWP included Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz. And Troon North® Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ. Troon North welcomed the largest field of 125 golfers with 27 WWP Alumni.

This year’s record-breaking edition saw all-time highs in fundraising ($1 million-plus), golfers (12,377), courses (132) and WWP alumni participation (567). It eclipsed last year’s total of $887,426 raised by 12,100 golfers, including 364 WWP alumni, at 118 courses in 27 states.

N E W B R A N D A N D N A M E F O R T E G AVA H G O L F C LU B The Tegavah Golf Club has a new name and new brand and it is now the Verde River Golf & Social Club. One of the Valley’s best-kept golf secret for a long time, the Verde River Golf & Social club is ready to make a splash with their new name and new attitude.

It’s located in Arizona’s scenic Sonoran Desert surrounded by the beauty of the Tonto National Forest with the Superstition Mountains and the iconic Four Peaks serving as a picturesque backdrop. Located just down the hill from some of Scottsdale’s most iconic clubs – Troon North, Estancia, and others – Verde River is close enough to feel close but just far enough out to capture the rugged natural terrain.

The golf course weaves its way through this one-of-akind setting, providing a test of golf that offers strategic challenges as well as aesthetic charm. And it’s soon to undergo a renovation directed by nearby resident and PGA TOUR professional Tom Lehman to update the 10-year-old golf course.

Although a private club by charter and design, the club currently welcomes daily-fee guests, and will do so for about the next three years.

For more information: www.Troon.com/WLGO, www.worldslargestgolfouting.com For more information, visit their new website at: www.verderivergolf.com and you can contact them by email at: membership@ verderiverclub.com.

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Community Golf News & Playing Opportunities

K I E R L A N D G O L F C LU B N A M E D O N E O F T H E “ N I N E M O S T C H E E R F U L CO U R S E S I N A M E R I C A” BY G O L F D I G E S T Kierland Golf Club at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, AZ was recognized by Golf Digest with an accolade that most Kierland golfers will support and attest too! Golf Digest named Kieraland one of its “Nine Most Cheerful Courses in America.” Kierland’s “rollercoaster topography” was noted in the honor, but certainly Kierland’s family friendly course and amenities played into the honor. Kierland boast family tees on all of its 27 holes, offers Troon Family Golf (provides complimentary golf for kids after 3pm with a regular paying adult), has hosted some fun filled “Friday Night Lights” events and even had a creative promotion that included golf at Kierland pool time at the resort. What also makes Kierland a fun-filled experience includes the “mode of transport”. You can not only pick to walk or ride (in a traditional golf car), but you can tee it up on a Segway, Golf Bike or GolfBoard! For more information, visit www.KierlandGolf.com

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Community

by Frank Calvin, PGA

Dennis Downs Earns Spot in 2016 WM Phoenix Open With Playoff Victory at the PING Southwest Section PGA Championship

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HERE ARE A VARIETY of ways to earn your way into a PGA Tour event. One that many people don’t know is that whoever wins the PING Southwest Section PGA Championship receives an exemption into the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The PING Southwest Section PGA Championship was held at Reflection Bay Golf Club in Henderson Nevada and had a field of over 80 PGA Professionals from across Arizona and Southern Nevada. The depth of the field as always was quite extensive and included past champion Michael Hopper from The Pointe at Lookout Mountain, retired PGA Tour player R.W. Eaks, and multiple winners from our local section events.

Downs began the final round in 11th position (7 shots back of the lead) held by 2014 champion Michael Hopper, who was 9 under par through the first 2 rounds. Also in the final pairing with Hopper was 2013 Arizona Open Champion and former Web. com player Craig Hocknull (-5) and Former ASU golfer and Past Section PNC Champion Scott Frisch of Phoenix Country Club (-4). As you can see by these players partial resume they have all been in this position before and none of them wanted to let go. Being 7 shots off of the lead at the start of the day Dennis knew he had some work to do, and that is just what he did. Dennis managed to shoot 4 under on his front nine and put himself in an excellent position. By the turn, all of the leaders were pretty much where

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they began the day which put Dennis Downs just three shots back with nine holes to play. Dennis managed to play his back 9 1 under and card a final round 67 (-5) to take the lead in the clubhouse at 209.

The last 6 holes were a roller coaster for tournament leader Michael Hopper, which included two bogeys, an eagle, and three pars. This put Hopper two over for the day and now tied with Downs for the lead. In the same group, Hocknull shot an even par front 9 and was staring down a birdie putt on 18. If he holes, the putt would put him in a tie for the lead, which he sank so now all three players were in at 209 (-7).

The playoff would take the players back to the par 5 18th hole which has water all down the right-hand side and was playing straight downwind.

From the tee all the players hit the fairway and Hopper was first to hit his approach. With the wind helping all players had a chance to hit the green in two, but Hopper hit it a little left and ended up in the back greenside bunker about pin high. Downs was next to play and he put his shot just on the front of the green to a back hole location. It was now Hocknull’s turn to play. His tee shot was prime and left him only a mid-iron to the green. As soon as the ball came off the club on his approach shot, you could tell he wasn’t pleased as it came up short in the front right bunker short of the green.

Hocknull was now challenged with a very tough bunker shot

from about 30 yards to a back hole location with water just behind the green. Craig took his stance and put the best swing he could on the shot.

However, the ball came racing out of the bunker landing beyond the hole and rolling in the water hazard, ultimately leading to a bogey and ending his hopes of a victory.

It was now Hopper’s turn to play and he also had a bunker shot from just to the left of the green and not a lot of turf to work with. Hopper dug in and tried to hit the perfect shot but fell short by inches and the ball rolled back in the bunker.

The frustrated Hopper hit his next bunker shot to about 12 feet which now gave Dennis the opportunity to put his name on the 2015 PING Section Championship trophy with a two-putt.

Dennis was on the front of the green, but this was no easy twoputt as the hole location was all the way back which left about 70 feet from Downs and the cup. He drew his putter back and through and when the ball stopped rolling still had about 15 feet to finish. Downs still away stepped over his ball and rolled it right towards the hole and at the last second braking off and missing the putt, leaving him a tapin par. This left Hopper the chance to tie and continue the playoff another hole. Hopper lined up his par putt, the stroke looked good but, unfortunately, didn’t catch enough of the hole to drop making a short tap in for a bogey six.

This will be Dennis Downs second PGA Tour event in 3 years as he won the Section Qualifier for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in 2013.

The playoff victory for Dennis Downs secured him a spot in the 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open as the champion of the 2015 PING Section Championship.

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Sunridge Canyon has the “sizzle” Already ranked amongst the “Top 20 Best Courses You Can Play” by Golf Magazine SunRidge has added even more sizzle by completing enhancements that include regrassing of all putting surfaces on the course to Champion ultra dwarf Bermuda grass, expansion of putting surfaces, bunker redesign, and expanding landing areas.

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HERE IS SOMETHING extra special about a steak at Mastro’s, Flemings or Ruth Chris. You expect the quality of the cut to be there, but when your entrée arrives you typically are taken aback. It’s the presentation, the aroma, the flavors that literally explode in your pallet. The “sizzle”. It’s that “sizzle” that makes a dining engagement at those fine eateries more like entertainment, and worth every penny and moment shared in those popular dining venues.

Guests that play, dine or bring their regular foursome to SunRidge Canyon Golf Club in Fountain Hills, appreciate a similar experience. They know about the sizzle-factor present at SunRidge Canyon. From the scenic elevation changes and dramatic desert vistas, to the famous (or infamous) Wicked 6 stretch of finishing holes, to the post round entertainment and fun found at the SunRidge patio, clubhouse and Wicked 6 Grille, SunRidge Canyon has the “sizzle”. Folks that know SunRidge Canyon, know this sizzle well. But the sizzle just got stronger.

This past summer, the ownership of SunRidge Canyon embarked on an am-

bitious enhancement program designed to enhance agronomic conditions and improve upon playability, while maintaining the challenge that golfers have come to love at SunRidge Canyon.

Already ranked amongst the “Top 20 Best Courses You Can Play” by Golf Magazine SunRidge has added even more sizzle by completing enhancements that include regrassing of all putting surfaces on the course to Champion ultra dwarf Bermuda grass, expansion of putting surfaces, bunker redesign, and expanding landing areas. Resurfacing all the putting greens to Champion Bermuda will enable the clubs agronomic team to quicken up, already swift green speeds.

Faster speeds will be complemented by modifications and softening of green undulations to allow for new and faster green speeds. Putting surfaces were expanded upon whereby over 5,000 square feet of putting surfaces was added to a number of holes throughout the course to restore the putting greens to the size of the original design.

Those with less than straight tee shots will appreciate new redesigns of bunkers on a number of holes and ex-

panded landing areas on key fairways.

“Changes were done with intent and in collaboration with not only our agronomic leader Ron Ruppert, but also with input and valuable feedback from Scottsdale area PGA Tour veterans and SunRidge Canyon friends including Gary McCord, Peter Kostis and Howard Twitty,” said Wes Neal, head golf professional. “Enhancements were done to make the golf course more forgiving for the average player, while maintaining the challenge and allure of SunRidge Canyon including our stout finishing stretch – the Wicked 6.”

Changes were not left just to the course. SunRidge Canyon Golf Club also expanded upon their popular practice facility, adding teeing area space to approximately 14,000 square feet, as well as expanding the current practice facility performance center. The latter of which was done to accommodate the move of Hot Stix Golf from their former Scottsdale Airpark location to SunRidge Canyon. SunRidge Canyon now will be the global home of Hot Stix Golf, the leader in technology-based club fitting by certified club-fitters utilizing proprietary fitting software and technology.

Recently, the club also announced a new affiliation with Troon whereby SunRidge Canyon will welcome and participate in proven Troon programs such as Troon Rewards, Troon Golf Vacations, Troon Advantage and Team Troon group/tournament opportunities. SunRidge Canyon has also been added to the popular Troon Card program as a participating club for Arizona and National TwoSome and FourSome card programs.

All enhancements were completed and unveiled during the SunRidge Canyon Golf Club’s recent re-opening on October 2, 2015. “This summer we embarked upon the course and practice facility enhancement to continue to make SunRidge Canyon a ‘must play’ for area and visiting golfers. Along with these new improvements, our staff is

committed to providing five-star level service to complement our world-class facility,” said Kris Starr Director of Operations.

Golf at SunRidge Canyon has always been an adventure. Where nature plays a profound role in the layout that traverses the ridges in Fountain Hills in some of the most picturesque and dramatic stretches of natural land in the Sonoran Desert. This award winning Arizona gem that sits on the edge of Scottsdale now has even more “sizzle” that is certain to keep both residents and visitors alike, coming back for more.

For tee times, more information on SunRidge Canyon Golf Club, the Wicked 6 Bar and Grill, Hot Stix Golf or instructional opportunities, visit www.sunridgegolf.com or call 480.837.5100.

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10 Years for U.S. Kids Golf U.S. Kids Golf is celebrating ten years of junior golf in Arizona! Girls and boys ages 5 to 14 compete with age appropriate yardages, playing 9 or 18 holes determined by age.

Our organized tournaments have the feel of a real tour event.

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.

Local Tours, such as Arizona, are developmental. There is a mix of new tournament players and seasoned veterans. However, all players are still developing their golf game, no matter what ability level.

“Our focus is to create a positive family experience and a helping culture for those that are new to tournament golf. U.S. Kids Golf Local Tours are the perfect way to introduce your child to tournament golf.”

— Dale Balvin, Arizona’s Tournament Director

Upcoming Tournaments Tucson Fall (remaining) NOV 15 | Silverbell GC NOV 22 | del Lago GC DEC 13 | Omni Tucson Nat’l*

Phoenix Fall (remaining) NOV 08 | San Marcos GC DEC 06 | Gold Canyon Resort*

Phoenix Spring 2016 JAN 10 | Rio Verde CC FEB 07 | Ken McDonald GC FEB 21 | Tres Rios GC MAR 06 | Wigwam Resort

U.S. Kids Golf isn’t just about golf. Many young players and families have connected at our events and become good friends off the course.

That is what our tour, and U.S. Kids Golf as a whole, is all about. Every tournament that we organize is focused on fulfilling our mission – “The mission of U.S. Kids Golf is to help kids have fun learning the lifelong game of golf and to encourage family interaction that builds lasting memories.”

U.S. Kids Golf Arizona offers 24 events in Phoenix, eight events in Tucson and a two-day, Arizona State Invitational. The Tucson Local Tour is open during the fall season, while the Phoenix Local Tour runs for three seasons—spring, summer and fall. Each Local Tour season is comprised of eight events. Please feel free to stop by a tournament!

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APR 03 | Tuscany Falls GC APR 10 | Bear Creek GC APR 24 | Lone Tree GC MAY 01 | Stonecreek GC* *Tour Championship For more information log on to www.uskidsgolf.com or www.arizonajuniorgolf.com Call Dale Balvin at 602-350-5733

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Community

by Frank Calvin

T H E 55 T H G O L D WAT E R C U P M ATC H E S – A LO O K AT H I S TO RY

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HIS YEAR MARKS the 55th holding of the Goldwater Cup Matches. The event puts the top 24 amateurs in Arizona against the top 24 PGA Professionals from golf clubs throughout the state in a Ryder Cupstyle format to see who earned the title as the Goldwater Cup Champions. The Goldwater Cup is named after Bob Goldwater, who in 1939 did something very special that changed the Arizona golf industry forever.

Arizona Golf Association team

In 1939, Bob Goldwater was asked to be a part of a very special group known as the Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds were, and are still known for running events to generate revenue for charities, scholarships, and many other deserving causes in Arizona. As the newest member of the Thunderbirds, Bob Goldwater pushed to revitalize a golf event in Phoenix, at the time nobody wanted the discontinued Phoenix Open Golf Tournament. Bob, who was so passionate about golf, could not convince his peers that this was the direction to move.

The Thunderbirds were willing to do anything, but they were united (mostly) in that they did not want to be involved in a sports event. Fortunately for them Bob was the Thunderbird, who was assigned to meet with the Chamber of Commerce and make suggestions about what new projects the group would take on.

The Chamber members listened to Bob speak ardently about revitalizing a golf tournament and what he thought this event could do for the community, the Chamber, and for Arizona… He spoke with such conviction and did so well they approved the event. When Bob reported back to his fellow Thunderbirds, they were so unhappy with what he had done they decided to make him do all the work for the event. He printed tickets, secured the site (his home course of Phoenix Country Club), gathered sponsors, and even called some players.

With his hard work and vision, the Thunderbirds held a tournament in 1939 that was won by a friend of Bob Goldwater named Byron Nelson. The second place finish went to none other than Goldwater’s pal-Ben Hogan. These two great players starting the tradition of the modern day Phoenix Open. The Phoenix Open has grown leaps and bounds and has been able to raise tens of millions of dollars for Arizona Charities. Rightfully so

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Goldwater Senior team

Bob is known as “The Father of the Phoenix Open” and his dedication to the game, the people, and the state of Arizona is remembered.

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N 1961, Bob created a golf event in which the best amateurs of the state would compete against the best local club professionals which is known as the Goldwater Cup. Phoenix Country Club, which opened in 1899, hosted the inaugural event and many since including the previous two years. It was Mr. Goldwater who would personally call and invite you to participate in these matches and it was an honor earned by playing well throughout the year. Professionals and amateurs alike would anxiously await “the call” to have the opportunity to represent their association and hopefully help their

team win the annual match play event. This year marks the 55th Goldwater Cup and the teams from the Arizona Golf Association (AGA) and the Southwest Section PGA are set. Although Bob is not personally making the call inviting the players to the event, these associations are making sure the history and tradition of this event are remembered and continued.

The Goldwater Cup Matches give the player a chance to earn a point for their association, but more importantly it gives an opportunity to be a part of history.

Bob Goldwater passed away in 2006 at age 96, having lived an extraordinary and meaningful life. What may be missed most of all is the chance to listen to Bob during the Players Dinner the night before the Goldwater Cup matches begin. Whether it was a limerick, a story, or a joke, Bob could capture any group.

that they have earned-becoming a member of the Goldwater Cup Team. The Goldwater Cup Matches give the player a chance to earn a point for their association, but more importantly it gives the person an opportunity to be a part of history.

This year all the players representing each team will gather at Phoenix Country Club and dine together as friends.

Everyone in this room has a similar idea in mind…to reflect on the past, enjoy stories told about Bob Goldwater and the wonderful game of golf and relish in the moment

As history set on the 2015 matches, in the Open Division the AGA found themselves on top, beating the professionals 14 ½ points to 9 ½ points. However, in the Senior Divison the PGA Professionals posted 17 ½ points to the amateurs 6 ½ points to win their Division.

Frank Calvin Currently the Marketing Director of the Southwest Section PGA and has served in many roles over the past seven years with the Section. As a collegiate golfer, he attended Odessa College before continuing his education and graduating from Arizona State University.

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by Vito Berlingeri

Instruction

H O W G O L F C LU B F I T T I N G I M P R O V E S YO U R G A M E Randomly buying a head and shaft will often result in a club that cannot be built to your individual swing dynamics and specification. A golf club specified for you is more than the sum of the components.

Must beginners start with borrowed clubs and often with mixed sets of whatever clubs they can find? This approach can slow the rate of improvement for new golfers. It makes sense for a beginner to learn the game with a set of clubs well suited to their basic swing fundamentals.

Recognizing that novice golfers have not yet established their core swing dynamics, club fitting services should focus on identifying the best stock clubs. Depending on whether the player is competitive, their age, height and on how athletic the individual is in building a strong foundation for rapid improvement.

All golfers need to use clubs as suited as possible to their basic swing and that are configured consistently throughout the set along with the correct loft and lies for their clubs. Doing so will help develop better swing dynamics. They will not be “fighting” the club or making subconscious adjustments for each club as they work on the fundamentals of the golf swing in creating good habits.

To take your game to the next level, whether you’re a beginning golfer or a low handicapper, you need custom-fit clubs.

Where do you go to get custom fit clubs? The company that I would highly recommend is called Cool Clubs with two locations in the Phoenix Valley and multiple locations internationally. They go to great lengths to ensure tour level specifications in calibrating in building equipment. They have the experience, knowledge and with a great deal of effort take the time to get it right. It results in a club of tour quality that accurately matches your fitting specification.

Vito Berlingeri Vito Berlingeri is the Marketing Director for Cool Clubs and oversees all of its locations to grow the business.

His role includes managing digital media and enhancing brand awareness.

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Junior Spotlight Phoenix Valley Jake CHANEN

Sara PADILLA

THUNDERBIRD HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2016

PINNACLE HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2016

This young man out of Thunderbird High School in Phoenix, Arizona is certainly on the rise. Jake Chanen has played in five JGAA events this season and finished in the top-11 in every tournament. He began his season with an impressive solo-2nd place at the highly competitive Thunderbird Invitational at Papago Golf Course. In June, Chanen went on to win the USGA Junior Amateur Qualifier at Alta Mesa Golf Club, firing a 9-under par 63 to open the tournament.

Demanding, a word that describes the life of Sara Padilla, a Pinnacle High School student and member of the Junior Golf Association of Arizona. She is a newcomer to the highest ranks of the JGAA and Sara has undoubtedly made her mark in the Girls Championship division.

Padilla talked about entering the new division this past season, “…after being able to play with better golfers and gaining confidence, I’ve improved tremendously over the past year,” an understatement considering Padilla has 9 top-10’s and she finished top-5 in the last three.

Jake is graduating in the spring of 2016 from Thunderbird and has committed to Grand Canyon University to play golf. “I’m beyond excited to start this new chapter of my life next year at GCU, and it’s a dream come true, I’ve always wanted to play college golf,” Chanen stated. After nearly ten years of JGAA events, his junior golf days are soon behind him but he left me with this, “…the JGAA has not only provided me with being able to play golf in tournaments but to go out and do what I love with close friends and I will forever cherish every moment of it.” Come fall 2016, the JGAA will not be the same without this young man playing in tournaments, he certainly has left a lasting impression.

Zac Strohfus

I asked Sara about her time spent with the JGAA and she replied, “…such a great organization and has provided me with the opportunity to grow and learn more about the game of golf. I’ve also learned a lot about myself and how to deal with competition.” Sara plans to play collegiate golf and had some insightful words for junior golfers coming up behind her, “I would encourage younger players to start thinking about their college goals early on as coaches fill their rosters very early.” When she is not focused on her golf game or a demanding school schedule, Sara babysits to earn extra money and loves her family time. Her joy and friendly smile shine a bright light on every JGAA tournament and we can’t wait to see what is next for this rock star.

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 Kathryn OTTMAN

Austin RUSTAND

FAMILY WAS A MAJOR FACTOR why Kathryn Ottman, a senior at Sahuaro High School, started to play golf in the first place. As a young girl, she would tag along with her parents to the golf course and began to learn the game. One of her other major role models in golf was her grandfather, who was her coach and biggest supporter of her golfing career.

Even after her grandfather had to retire as her coach, he still continued to make memories with Kathryn. While visiting Kathryn to watch her play a tournament, Kathryn recalls her grandfather proving age is only a mindset.

WHEN PLAYING GOLF, Austin Rustand was always able to look up to someone who competed at the highest levels of golf, his father. Austin’s father passed along the golfing gene as he began playing golf as soon as he could walk, however he didn’t play competitively until he reached high school. As a senior at Sabino High School, Austin has found a lot to enjoy about golf besides making birdies.

“While we were there at the driving range, I was hitting drivers and he got up and took his oxygen tank off and grabbed his driver and hit that ball about 300 yards, a 72-year-old man! He was and still is my hero.”

Memories, such as ones with her grandfather, are part of the reason why Kathryn plays golf. There is also the love she has for the game and the challenge that golf presents her every round she plays. She recognizes the true obstacles in her way when she is competing.

“Golf is the biggest mental game out there, however the physical part is critical as well. It’s not really you against the other player, it’s you against the course.”

Kathryn plans to continue playing golf in college and will rely on the support of her family as she continues with her career.

Ryan Larson

“What I like most about golf is the opportunity it gives me to always get better and to continue to set higher goals for myself.”

Working towards bigger goals has its benefits as Austin was able to create great moments with his father in the process. While playing at Torrey Pines, Austin was able to have his father caddy for him rather than be the one competing. It is memorable moments like this that creates a lasting love for the game of golf.

After high school, Austin will either attend college or serve a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Whichever path Austin takes, he will be able use what he has learned from golf to have success.

“I play golf because of the friendships I build and the life skills of honesty, integrity, and perseverance it teaches me along the way.”

Junior Golf Writer

Ryan is currently a high school senior at 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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