Golf Arizona November 2014 - January 2015

NOVEMBER 2014 – JANUARY 2015 VOL 2 ISSUE 1

T H E 2015 W M P H O E N I X O P E N

Celebrates 80 Years

The 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open will undoubtedly be one of the biggest and best in history. (page 30)

The Official Publication of the

Southern Chapter

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contents

Golf Arizona | November 2014 –January 2015

on the cover 30 Celebrating 80 Years: The Waste Management Phoenix Open Will Celebrate its 80th Anniversary in 2015

course reviews 8 30

Eagle Mountain: Spectacular Views & Golf

48 Tucson Municipal Courses: Delivering on Quality, History & Price

features 10 PGA: 2014 Championships 17 Improving Your Golf with Fitness 34 This Year’s Top Arizona Women Amateurs 35 Product Review: Antigua’s 2015 Women’s Golf Apparel 52 Staying Green: Overseeding Begins in the Spring

instruction 4

The Importance of the Right Arm

20 Stop Wasting Shots 25 “They Never Told Me This on the Lesson Tee!” 55 Right Knee to Left Knee 8

community 22 Tee to Green: Community Golf News 26 Giving Back: Volunteering in Golf 10

29 Tucson: AZ’s Changing Professional Golf Landscape 39 Tucson Conquistadores: These Guys are Great

pro-files 42 Brent Newcomb: From One Generation to the Next

youth spotlight 57 Phoenix Valley: Ashley Menne & Matthew McCarty 58 Southern Arizona: Morgan Messick & Joel Berkson

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Instruction

by Mike Malaska, PGA

The importance of the right arm

Putting right arm

Chipping right arm

Full swing right arm

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hen it comes to the golf swing, there are only a few things that you need to do to hit solid shots. Every full swing skill starts with a smaller pattern in a smaller swing. When you are trying to develop your full swing, you should start with smaller motions at very slow speeds. One thing I learned from being around Jack Nicklaus is he used every day as an opportunity to reinvent himself.

One of the skills needed to hit consistent solid shots, is having the right arm in line with the club shaft at impact. This is very important because the right arm provides stability and direction for the club.

Let’s start with the putting stroke. It is the smallest stroke, which is moving the slowest, with the least amount of moving parts. As you can see from the left picture below, my right arm is in a straight line with the club shaft. I spend a lot of time putting with only my right hand to feel this connection. If you watch the tour, all of the good players do this.

In chipping, the middle picture, this is my impact position. Again, you can see that the right arm lines up with the club shaft, swinging or pushing the club through impact and into the follow through. One of the biggest mistakes that players make in chipping is their wrists try to push the club through the strike, rather than the right arm pushing and supporting the shaft. To practice this, you can also chip with only your right arm. Focus on feeling your right arm pressure the shaft and direct it through impact.

When it comes to full swing, the picture on the right, the right arm is again in line with the club shaft. Also, notice how you can see my left arm above my right at impact. Most amateurs the right arm is above the left in this same position. The best way to practice this is to first get into this impact position. Then try to feel the position you are going to try to duplicate. Make a half backswing and try to duplicate the impact position. When you do this correctly you will feel a very solid connection between the ball, clubface, shaft, and your right arm. This alignment is critical in being consistent with your shots and maximizing your distance. That is why all the great players do this regardless of the rest of their swing.

Always remember that the swing is built on your ability to do skills. Start small and then build. If you do not do this, you will dramatically increase the difficulty of ever really becoming consistent and finding your true potential.

Mike Malask, PGA Director of Instruction @ Superstition Mountain Golf & CC,Superstition Mtn., AZ & Las Sendas Golf Club, Mesa, AZ 2011 National PGA Teacher of the Year, Southwest Section Senior Player of the Year. Worldwide Director of Instruction for Nicklaus Golf Academies, a consultant for TaylorMade, and one of the world’s most innovative golf instructors. His decades of study of the golf swing and his outstanding playing credentials have made him a leader in the golf industry.

1 480.369.4628 • malaskagolf@gmail.com • http://www.malaskagolf.com

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Golf Arizona

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Published by Golf Arizona, LLC PUBLISHING EDITOR

Rick Price, PGA Kevin Duke Associate Editor GRAPHIC DESIGN

AB Design Strategies ADVISORY BOARD

CONTRIBUTORS

EAGLE SPONSORS

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

Rick Price, PGA Jonathan Crist Derek Deminsky Brent DeRadd Kevin Duke Lance Eldridge Andrew Fodge Curt Hudek, PGA Mary Beth Lacy Joan Liess Jeff Locke Mike Malaska Scott McNevin Robyn Noll Pat O’Hara, PGA Mark Oswald, PGA Mary Pomroy Kris Strauss

The Antigua Group Arizona National Arizona Women’s Golf Association Casino Del Sol Resort The Gallery Golf Club OB Sports Oro Valley Country Club Poston Butte Golf Club San Pedro Golf Course Scoreboardwhiz Southwest Section PGA Troon Golf Tucson City Golf Tucson Conquistadores BIRDIE SPONSORS

Fitness by Andrew Forty Niner Country Club Gaslight Theatre Omni Tucson National Sun City West

GOLF ARIZONA MAGAZINE phone

P.O. Box 69190, Oro Valley, AZ 85737 520-314-5611 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

Big Announcement – New Golf Arizona TV Show Coming Soon!

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here are some exciting changes in professional golf in Arizona with the Waste Management Phoenix Open course renovation and additional spectator stands behind the 15th green for the 2015 event, and the Accenture Match Play moving from Marana, AZ after eight successful years. However, now hosting a Champions Tour event March 16-22, 2015 is a perfect fit for the Southern Arizona golf market. The history of Tucson golf hosting a professional tour event is one of the longest running, stemming back to the 1945 Tucson Open at the El Rio Golf Club.

We now have even more exciting news! Golf Arizona magazine and our interactive website designed have been giving you an exceptional experience quickly accessing golf information, articles, and offers through your mobile devices and digital platforms. With our commitment to providing unique and straightforward news with a variety of voices and perspectives, giving you the opportunity to learn something new, feel moved by something special, and have some fun along the way.

Thank you for your support of Golf Arizona magazine the official publication for the Southwest Section PGA and now our new Golf Arizona TV Show.

We value your input and thank you for your support in assisting us in these ventures promoting the game of golf.

Invite a friend and share our passion, visit our website and sign up now for our free online newsletter and subscription for Golf Arizona magazine, and visit our website to see how you can help support our efforts for the game of golf in Arizona at www.gogolfarizona.com.

Our mission is promoting the game of golf, businesses, and associations in our community, while celebrating the people that play the game.

Now you will not only see it in print but will be able to see Golf Arizona on our new TV Show coming very soon!

The initial show is in production, and we are in negotiations with the new Back9Network to air the show, which is currently on Direct TV and will be expanding into other outlets very soon.

It is a pleasure to introduce you to the host of our show Gina Trunoz Ziehmer. She is one of the most talented and beautiful women in the industry with extensive television background to deliver a truly high quality show.

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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Course Review

by Jonathan Crist

Spectacular Views & Golf at Eagle Mountain

Whether travelling across town or across the country, Eagle Mountain Golf Club’s desert experience provides a delightful loop through some of the most picturesque Sonoran Desert on the planet.

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ew valley golf courses can capture the full beauty of the Sonoran Desert like Eagle Mountain Golf Club in Fountain Hills. Eagle Mountain’s elevated perch provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding area, with the spectacular vistas of the Superstition Mountains to the east and the great Phoenix basin to the south and west.

And while the setting alone is worth the trip, a round of golf provides a well-intentioned excuse.

T H E CO U R S E The Scott Miller-designed course at Eagle Mountain permits bold play, as well as conservative options baked into the design. The layout is more forgiving than it appears from the tee, as several fairways slope towards the center providing an occasional helpful kick. It’s a fair test of golf that traverses along steep ridges and plunges through deep arroyos loaded with saguaro cacti, mesquite trees and all manner of desert fauna.

After cresting the ridge on the first hole (named Taking Flight) to see the green below, the nature of the experience is revealed. The par-5, 4th hole also plays downhill with a tempting opportunity to give it a go after a strong tee shot. The balance of the front nine keeps the pressure on with holes dubbed Washout, Arroyo Run and On the Rocks. The turn delivers another appropriately labeled nine holes such as Ascension, Staircase and The Chasm.

The course continues along with a variety of scenic challenges leading up to the finishing holes.

Nos. 16 and 17 call for healthy carries over gnarly desert washes as they bend around the belly of a steep mountain. From there, golfers scramble up to the 18th tee to launch their shots from the dramatically elevated tee.

B E YO N D T H E CO U R S E Golf is not the only action at Eagle Mountain that takes advantage of the wonderful views. The Grille serves up breakfast, lunch and early afternoon appetizers behind floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the golf course and the Southeast Valley in the distance.

Wednesday night’s “Border Disorder” dinner buffet offers a hearty helping of Southwest-inspired fare and drink specials.

Right next door, Overlook Pavilion dresses up as an idyllic wedding location for ceremonies, receptions and other special events. Of course, the same wonderful views are on full display. This climate-controlled facility also opens to a neatly manicured event lawn for an enchanting Arizona indoor/outdoor wedding.

Eagle Mountain is a great place to shave a few strokes off the game. Headed by Derek Nannen, The Eagle Mountain Golf Academy is one of the premier golf schools in Arizona. His experiences on the PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour — added to the club’s fantastic facilities — sets the stage for productive learning sessions for golfers of all abilities.

S P E C I A L R AT E S For those who want more golf, Eagle Mountain offers a handful of programs that allow frequent players to save a few bucks. In addition to low summertime rates, there’s a summer pass, junior card and an annual pass for reduced rates in high season. Plus, cardholders may also stock up in the golf shop and fuel up in the Grille for less — all strong incentives for golfers to make Eagle Mountain their home course.

Golf destinations world-wide stand out in their own unique way. In Arizona, it’s desert golf. And for locals, one of the most scenic desert-golf experiences is already in their back yard. Whether travelling across town or across the country, Eagle Mountain Golf Club’s desert experience provides a delightful loop through some of the most picturesque Sonoran Desert on the planet.

To start your adventure, call 480.816.1964 or visit www.eaglemtn.com.

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PGA Section

2014 Championships

by Curt Hudek, Executive Director, Southwest Section PGA

PING Southwest Section Championship Phoenix Country Club, as well as the rest of the Phoenix Metro Area received about a year’s worth of rain on the scheduled day 1 of the Ping Section Championship. This deluge resulted in the event being moved back two weeks to allow the course to be adequately prepared for this event.

With an “exemption” into the Waste Management Phoenix Open on the line, the play was very competitive. Blayne Hobbs of the Reid West Golf Academy posted the low round for day 1 with a bogey free 66 while Mike Hopper (Lookout Mountain) and Jeff Yurkiewicz (Grayhawk) carded opening round 67’s with defending champion Paul Michael Hopper Trittler (Grayhawk) posting a 68.

Making big moves on day 2 were Marty Jertson (PING) and Travis Childress (Papago) who matched the low round of the week with a pair of 66’s and host professional Scott Frisch (Phoenix CC) followed up his opening round 70 with a 67. Also playing the first 2 round under par was Nigel Spence (Whisper Rock), who posted a second round 69 to go along with an opening round of 70. Hopper was not to be detracted and added a second round 69 to post a two day total of 136 and allowed him to sleep on a one shot lead.

In the final round Frisch hit a tri-fecta of birdies on holes 3,4, and 5 to take the lead—but Hopper found a couple birdies of his own before the turn on 7 and 9 and after nine holes the championship was tied. Both players made two birdies on the back 9, however it was Hopper who remained bogey free for the day and held a one shot lead heading into the final hole. Frisch and Hopper showed nerves of steel and were both inside 12 feet on the difficult 18th hole for birdie. Playing first, Frisch’s putt curved off the corner of the hole while Hopper’s putt found the cup and earned him the two shot victory. Nigel Spence had a steady 69 to finish solo third and Jeff Yurkiewicz eagled the final hole to finish solo fourth. Interestingly during round two of the Championship Mike Franko posted 18 straight pars – which I believe would tie the course record for most pars in a round! Special thanks to the members and staff at Phoenix Country Club for hosting this event.

Photos from top: Michael Hopper with PING staff and SWSPA President Don Rea; Scott Frisch, runner-up; Michael Hopper and Don Rea

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Michael Hopper

Senior Champ Greg Harmon and Don Rea, SWSPGA President

The SWSPGA Senior Section Championship and Professional National Championship was hosted at Firerock Golf Club. The facility was in fantastic condition and the 36 hole two day event showed that experience does “count.” Randy Wittig (Gainey Ranch GC) was the only professional to shoot in the 60’s on day 1 with an opening round of 69. This was good enough for a one shot lead over Joe Penaflor (Scottsdale National).

During day 2 the veterans experience showed as eight of the seniors shot rounds in the 60’s during almost identical conditions. Mike Franko (Life Member), Paul Trittler (Grayhawk) and Kim Dolan (Siena Golf Club) shot 69’s; Dave Simm (Ventana Canyon), Jim Schuman (McDowell Mountain), Bret James (Terravita Golf CC) and Ralph West (Reid/West Golf Academy) carded 68’s and posting the low round of the day and earning the Senior Section Championship title was Greg Harmon(Life Member). Greg put 6 birdies on the card and no bogeys and finished the event at 5 under par 139. During his two days, his steady play included 20 consecutive holes without a bogey and only three bogeys for the entire event. Earning a spot in the Senior Professional National Championship to be held at PGA Golf Club in November of this year were Ralph West, Joe Penaflor, Paul Tirttler, Jim Schuman and Randy Wittig.

PGA Section

Southwest Senior Section Championship

Southwest Section Professional National Championship The Southwest Sections Professional National Championship was “hotly” contested at Troon North Golf Club with a field of over a hundred participants vying for invitations to the national PNC championship to be held at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in June of 2015. Paul Trittler (Grayhawk) led wire to wire after opening with bogey free seven under par round 65 to share the first day lead with Nigel Spence (Whisper Rock). Trittler’s steady play on this difficult Top 100 Desert Style Golf Course proved to be too much pressure for the field. Paul made his first of two bogeys in the three day event on his 35th hole of the competition. Despite this solid play,

Paul Trittler

Marty Jertson (PING) mounted a charge with two closing rounds of 67 that included eight birdies and two eagles. Trittler was able to capture the event by a comfortable three shots posting a three day total of 10 under par. Jertson finished tied for second place at seven under par along with Chris Dompier (Skyline Country Club), Babby Pancratz (Scottsdale National) Jon Stanley (John Jacobs Golf School) and Brandon Evans (Westbrook Village). Special thanks to Troon North for hosting this event and providing the outstanding playing conditions.

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Troon Country Club was the site for the Arizona and Senior Arizona Open. Having hosted multiple state open in the past, all of the players knew that this venue would provide a stern test. The Arizona Senior Open was won for the second year in a row Jim Carter (left) & Mike Martino, by former tour player Jim Tournament Director Carter with SWSPGA professionals. Jim indicated that he is currently “injury free” and is enjoying his nice run of quality play both here locally and a little “on the road” as well. While the daily scoring average was nearly 77 shots a round, Carter was able to play the entire event “bogey free” and posted a two day total of 11 under par with rounds of 66 and 67. Bill Harvey finished solo second, 5 shots back while Mike Franko (-5), Ralph West (-4), Mike Wright (-3) and Mike Nicollette (-1) were the only other players to finish under par in this event.

One short week later, the Arizona Open was conducted at the same location, but with a little more yardage, a little trickier hole locations and a very strong field.

Chris Satterlee opened with the lead after a first round 67, but was passed on day 2 by Chris Satterlee Mike Hopper who followed an opening 69 with a sizzling 65. Andrew Yun was bumping into the top of the leaderboard as well with a 70-65 start as well. The final day found Yun and Hopper making as many or more bogeys as birdies and left the door open for Satterlee who’s steady play put four birdies on the card against a single bogey. On the final hole Satterlee, leading by 2 shots over Yun, short-sided himself in a greenside bunker while Yun found the green about 15 feet away. Satterlee’s difficult bunker shot left him outside of Yun putting first for an unlikely par. Satterllee drilled his put and closed out a disappointed Yun who missed his birdie putt to finish the event 2 behind Satterllee for the championship. Also having a good week were Mike Hopper (3rd) and Dennis Downs and Jim Carter (T4th).

Southern Chapter PGA Championship

PGA Section

Arizona Open and Senior Arizona Open

Derek Deminsky

Derek Deminsky from Forty Niners Country Club fired rounds of 69-66=135 to defeat first round leader from Skyline Country Club Chris Dompier, after opening with a 66 and closing with a 70=136 to finish one shot back of Derek Deminsky the new 2014 Southern Chapter PGA Champion.

Southern Chapter PGA Match Play The Southern Chapter crowned a Match Play Champion following two days of extremely competitive match play at the very challenging Stone Canyon Golf Club.

Mike Russell In the end it was a home course victory for Mike Russell, however the field made him earn the title. Russell claimed his opening match over Derek Deminsky (3&2), played extremely well in his match against Chris Dompier (4&3), and then battled #1 seed Glen Griffith in the semi-finals to win 1 up.

The final match provided the same amount of drama as his match with JD Lindberg also went all 18 holes with Russell prevailing 1 up again to claim the title.

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PGA Section

Southern Chapter PGA Senior, Women’s & Assistant’s Championship

Rick Price Susan Meyers

The Oro Valley Golf & Country Club was host of all three Championships.

This year’s Senior Champion Rick Price birdied the first play-off hole to defeat Paul Nolen the defending Champion after both players fired rounds of 7569=144.

Winning for the fourth year in a row, the Women’s Champion, Susan Meyers from Ventana Canyon narrowly defeated Kristie Fowler by two shots, posting 78-71=149 for the victory.

Not only winning the Chapter Championship in a come from behind victory, in the Assistant’s Champion Derek Deminsky posted 73-70=143 to walk away with a seven shot victory to his nearest competitor.

Derek Deminsky

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by Andrew Fodge, MS, TPI, K-VEST

Golf Fitness

Improving Your Golf with Fitness A common limitation that we come across many times with our golfers is a lack of function with their torso rotation and/or a lack of power coming from their midsection. Here is a progresssion of improving function first, then developing strength, which leads us to enhancing power through the torso, specifically targetting torso rotation.

First exercise is to improve the ability of the torso to rotate. Simply stand in front of a wall with “Thumbs Up” then rotate left and right turning your thumbs towards the wall. While rotating side to side, keep shoulders away from chin and maintain an athletic position.

Progressing towards strength, simply hold a medicine ball, 4lbs-8lbs, to start during your rotations and still turn thumbs towards the wall on the side you are rotating towards. Maintain great posture and do your best to “reach” the medicine ball and your thumbs towards the wall.

If you are able to perform the rotations with a weighted medicine ball and your TPI Golf Pro or Golf Fitness Instructor feel that you are ready to work in power exercises in to your routine, then Torso Rotations with a “Tornado Ball”, a medicine ball with a rope through the center, is extremely effective. The ball does not need to be heavy to be effective, this exercise will challenge any athlete that is ready to increase the speed of their swing. If you need help in discovering if you need to work on the function, strength, and/or power of your body for golf, please find a TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) certified professional to help you today. www.mytpi.com.

Have a Great Round!!

Andrew Fodge

is a certified Level 2 Titleist Performance Golf Fitness instructor, K-Vest TPI-3D (Level 2) biomechanic specialist and the founder and owner of Fitness by Andrew LLC Personal Trainer Group, in Scottsdale, AZ. Andrew specializes in golf fitness, sports performance training, and motivational techniques. Andrew and his team are here to provide you with a comprehensive one-of-a-kind program to help you achieve real results. Call Andrew at (602) 638-3000 or email andrew@fitnessbyandrew.com for a complimentary Golf Performance Screening.

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Instruction

by Derek Deminsky, PGA

Stop Wasting Shots

SCORING TO YOUR POTENTIAL requires efficiency, especially around the green. If you are taking more than 2 strokes to get into the hole within 10 yards of the green, you are wasting shots.

During playing lessons, I will often have students play their own ball from the tee to near the green. When they get within 10 yards of the green, I will drop a ball alongside theirs and play in. Comparing the two scores at the end of play usually leaves them in disbelief. They realize that they are an efficient short game away from reaching their scoring goals.

The biggest technique errors I see are: Weight shifts, hand deceleration, and left wrist breakdown.

For these shots, you do not need a weight shift.

You want to set up with all of your weight on your left foot and keep it there throughout the stroke. This will help you contact the ball consistently.

Hand deceleration and left wrist breakdown are usually part of the same problem. I typically see students stop their hands as the clubhead gets to the ball, then use their wrists to scoop the ball up into the air. The left wrist needs to remain flat as the hands move the handle of the club to the target. This keeps the clubface pointing at the target longer improving accuracy and distance control. You’ll want your body, not your wrists, to power the club while the hands hold the clubface square.

Improving technique is the first step towards an efficient short game.

Derek Deminsky, PGA Derek Deminsky is a Class A PGA instructor based out of the Forty Niner Country Club in East Tucson, where he primarily teaches full time. To learn more about Derek or book a lesson you can visit his website at www.golfbettertucson.com. Inquires about the newly renovated Forty Niner Country Club visit www.fortyninercc.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

The First Tee of Phoenix opened its 13th programming location at Augusta Ranch GC in Mesa with a grand opening ceremony Sept. 20.

“Adding this location is extremely exciting for the First Tee of Phoenix,” said Hugh Smith, executive director of the organization.

“In addition to Longbow, East Valley junior golfers now have another convenient place to work on their golf skills as well as the many life skills that accompany the game.”

SWSPGA president and Augusta Ranch owner Don Rea was thrilled to have the First Tee of Phoenix at his course. “The SWSPGA and the First Tee of Phoenix have had a wonderful relationship for years and I am both excited and proud to host a programming location at Augusta Ranch,” he said.

The ceremony included special guest appearances; the “Outback Trick Shot Golf Show;” a junior clinic; free lunch; giveaways and entrance into a raffle for all who attended.

The First Tee of Phoenix remains the largest chapter in the First Tee Network, impacting over 100,000 young people through programming locations like Augusta Ranch GC.

Troon golf announced the unveiling of the new Troon Junior Club. This new initiative builds upon the success of the popular Troon Family Golf program by creating a membership-based club that provides even greater access to Troon facilities for junior golfers.

Currently available at 40 sites in 16 states, Troon Junior Club offers preferred golf rates as well as complimentary or reduced practice fees, fun instructional programs and exclusive junior-centric events.

“The new Troon Junior Club helps address some of the barriers of entry into the game that include affordability and access,” stated Ryan Walls, senior vice president of operations. “Our company, facilities and golf professionals are dedicated to growing the game and getting more kids involved in golf and this is yet another vehicle to help support that effort.”

The cost is just $35 annually and also includes a hat/visor, bag tag and decal; practice facility access; quarterly junior clinics; 20% off summer golf camps; invitations to play in junior and parent/junior events; access to social media; and Troon family golf benefits.

Complete program details can be found at www.TroonJuniorClub.com.

Rolling Hills Golf Course in Tucson is staging the inaugural Southern Arizona Senior Short-Course Open Jan. 22-23. The tournament is open to senior golfers with an accredited handicap. Gross and net prizes will be awarded in several age groups starting at age 55.

Former LPGA standouts JoAnne Prentice and Margie Masters and legendary Tucson amateur Dr. Ed Upedegraff will present the prizes.

The cost for the 36-hole tournament is $99, which includes two tournament rounds and a practice round.

Rolling Hills is a 4,100-yard, par-63 course located at 8900 E. 29th St. For information about the tournament go to www.rollinghillstucson.com.

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Community Golf News & Playing Opportunities Arizona Biltmore Golf Club’s director of golf instruction, Tina Tombs, has received the 2014 LPGA National Teacher of the Year Award from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) Membership.

Established in 1958, the LPGA National Teacher of the Year Award annually recognizes a female golf professional who has most exemplified her profession during the year. Candidates must be a master level LPGA Certified Teaching Professional primarily engaged in teaching golf and making significant contributions to the game. She received the LPGA Central Section Teacher of the Year Award earlier this year.

As Director of Golf Instruction since 2001, Tombs has developed a premier teaching program at Arizona Biltmore Golf Club for golfers of all ages and skill levels.

Using advanced golf curriculum and teaching techniques, she provides customized programs for juniors, women, amateurs, professionals, corporate clinics and more.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the LPGA with this prestigious award,” said Tombs. “Through sharing my experiences and expertise with others, I hope to provide the same mentorship and support to my students that I received throughout my career with the LPGA.” She has long been dedicated to improving the professional landscape for women golfers. As a professional who toured with two daughters, she is one of the founders of the Smucker’s LPGA Child Development Center which provides free day care services for traveling families.

Swing Catalyst, the complete swing analysis system used by instructors, coaches and golfers around the world, has introduced its long-awaited app, which is free to iPhone and iPad users.

The company has been developing and perfecting the app for two years. Many pros, including LPGA superstar Suzann Peterson, have been using the app that allows golfers to capture and analyze their swing from anywhere. Now amateur golfers have access to it as well.

While there are several swing analysis apps for mobile phones, the Swing Catalyst app is unique in that it has its own ecosystem. That is, it’s tightly connected to the sophisticated Swing Catalyst video analysis software. Golfers can now quickly send their instructor video of their swing, for instant and detailed feedback -- all within the app.

“The Swing Catalyst App, already used by many of the best players and coaches in the world, is a sophisticated game improvement tool that fits right into your pocket,” said Tom Christian Lindvag, marketing manager at SwingCatalyst. “You are now able to monitor your improvements over time and receive instant feedback from your coach.

Learning is no longer constrained by time and place.”

For further information on the app, visit http://www.swingcatalyst.com/swing-catalyst-app.

OPEN TO ALL COURSES, CLUBS & PLAYERS: Submit events, tournament or community news, staff promotions and recognition, special accomplishments, or junior golf related announcements to Rick Price at rickprice@gogolfarizona.com.

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Tom Colceri, a native Arizona resident and a long-time golf industry trailblazer, recently announced the launch of a new consulting firm – Big Picture Consulting.

An alternative to large management companies, Colceri’s firm energizes golf clubs and related businesses with holistic sales strategies and expands their sales force by infusing the entire staff with a winning, team-oriented culture.

“Most clubs don’t need all the services of a large management company and certainly don’t want to spend a lot of money, risk losing control of their club, or lose special staff members,” said Colceri. “Clubs typically make one person responsible for sales with limited tools and budgets, while failing to realize that every employee is able to engage in the health and sustainability of the club. Unlike most consultants who walk away after evaluations, leaving clients to their own devices, we offer additional services.

We roll up our sleeves and collaborate on a plan of action to make sure each manager and employee work as a team. We also make sure that they have all the tools needed to meet new goals and objectives.”

“Tom’s ability to convey his ideas in a positive and productive manner, while offering measurable key performance indicators, is a skill I have taken with me into senior management roles and continue to develop with his support as a friend and mentor,” said Ryan Hyland, Sr. Regional Manager, Latin America, TaylorMade-Adidas Golf.

In early summer 2014, the Phil Mickelson/Steve Loy group purchased The Stone Canyon Club in Oro Valley, Arizona. Stone Canyon now joins The Rim Club, Chaparral Pines, McDowell Mountain, and Palm Valley under the Mickelson/Loy umbrella.

The Jay Morrish designed course is currently ranked 4th best golf course in Arizona by Golf Digest Magazine and as recent as 2010, was ranked #68 in the entire United States.

The Mickelson/Loy group will begin construction in early 2015, on a permanent clubhouse to be located behind the 18th green.

The new clubhouse will accompany the current Health and Fitness Center and complete the clubs facilities at Stone Canyon.

The Stone Canyon Club, a private club, has multiple membership options available and more information by contacting Membership Sales Director, Kelly Mainvielle, at 520-219-1500.

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“

by Pat O’Hara, PGA

Instruction

They never told me this on the lesson tee!”

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NE OF THE REASONS golf can be so hard at times are we rely too much on what we feel and not enough on what we do. One day you go out and play really well and the next day it is as if we had never played at all. The golf swing might have felt the same over the two days yet the results were very different.

How can that be? Is it my grip? Did that change? Is it my alignment? Was I pointed in a different direction?

Was it my ball position? Too far back or too far forward for the club in my hand? Those all are important thoughts and need to be defined in your own golf swing but what I have found over the years is that most problems stem from the fact we don’t always stand the same distance away from the ball. Or our posture is not the same from day to day. What is the perfect distance from the ball for each club? As we know, each club is made a different length (some of your wedges might be the same length) but all in all, no two clubs in your bag are the same length or loft. So how do you find the correct distance from the ball? Let us look at impact of the great players to see what they have in common.

The great players who swing the club differently, however end up at impact in very similar positions. Check out anyone you want. Woods, Nicklaus, Hogan, Palmer, and Trevino. You will see they all gravitate to a flat left wrist at impact, but they also have a bent right elbow at impact. It is also on plane with the golf shaft. It is an extension of the golf shaft. A very powerful position.

So here is what you need to do. Grip the club in your right hand (right handed golfer), through the lifeline. Bend your right wrist back a little (creates a flat left wrist) and act like the club shaft is sitting on a high table. Notice how the shaft and right forearm are on the same plane. From there, take a shoulder width stance, bend slightly at the knees and while keeping your back flat tilt at the hips until the club is soled on the ground. That is your “new” address position. This is the position you want to seek at impact. Your posture, balance and ball striking will be better. Less work, better accuracy and most likely longer shots. The trifecta! I hope this helps.

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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giving back 26

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OLUNTEERING is generally considered an altruistic activity and is intended to promote goodness or improve human quality of life. Typically you see this in the areas of medicine, education or emergency rescue. But how about golf? Volunteering is alive and well in the greatest game ever invented. Especially in the Phoenix area.

Every day there are examples of passionate golfers who want to give back to the game, the community or to the cause. From fundraisers to junior golf to professional tours, volunteers are what separate golf functions from so-so events to world class productions. Can you imagine the WM Phoenix Open on the Men’s PGA TOUR without volunteers? Can you say #16 hole at TPC Scottsdale? How about the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) and their events this past year at Lone Tree, Longbow or Gainey Ranch? How about the LPGA Founders Cup? You think they would be able to put first-class events together without the help of the workhorse volunteer? Absolutely not!

We asked a couple of habitual golf volunteers why they do it. Was it a chance to get next to the legends in the game? To rub shoulders with the rich and famous? To get an autographed cap or glove? The answer will probably surprise you, but if you are a golfer, it might not. The answer given, in bold, authoritative voices was…to GIVE back!

Golf Arizona www.GoGolfArizona.com

Ray Cook from Phoenix moved to Arizona in 1979. Started volunteering at the WM Phoenix Open in 1990 the same year he retired from US West. He enjoyed it so much he now is involved with the ASU Men’s and Women’s tournaments, LPGA Founders Cup and the AJGA events. His duties vary but include marshalling, pounding stakes and hanging rope as well as hole spotting. After 24 years of giving his time, energy and money Ray said, “I will keep on helping as long as I enjoy it. It’s a great way to give back to the game. I really enjoy the juniors and seeing great golf by the next generation of players.”

John Fitzmaurice, from Scottsdale moved to Arizona in 1977. Started volunteering three years before he retired from Motorola. John started with the high profile WM Phoenix Open but is not a stranger to working for the LPGA Tour, college events or any junior event that needs help. John made the comment, “I really enjoy meeting new people and seeing great golf. It’s been an enjoyable experience over the years and it’s something I look forward to every year.”

This is not a two person song that is being sung. It is the same across the city, country and State of Arizona. Most likely the nation.

“To give back, to pay it forward, to help the cause.” What a great game! — by Pat O’Hara

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by Brent DeRadd

Community

Tucson

Part of Arizona’s Changing Professional Golf Landscape

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n exciting and change-filled year lies ahead regarding professional golf tournaments in Tucson and metro Phoenix.

The 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open will be played, January 26 - February 1, on a renovated TPC Scottsdale course, while the region simultaneously hosts Super Bowl XLIX. The last time Phoenix hosted the Super Bowl in 2008, it attracted massive crowds to the tournament.

Record attendance is certainly possible again in 2015.

In Tucson, the former World Golf Championships’ Accenture Match Play event is moving to San Francisco’s Harding Park in May 2015. The Tucson Conquistadores have filled that void by partnering with the PGA TOUR to create a new Champions Tour event called the Tucson Classic.

The inaugural event is set for March 16-22, 2015, on the Catalina Course at Omni Tucson National Resort.

The event will be televised by The Golf Channel.

The timing will be ideal for locals to enjoy watching familiar and favorite golf legends, while allowing spring training baseball visitors staying in Phoenix to come down for a day or two of the action.

The Omni Tucson National Resort has hosted more than 30 PGA TOUR events and will offer a challenge to the world’s finest golfers age 50 and older.

The 7,262-yard course designed by Robert Van Hagge and Bruce Devlin is a parkland-style layout with eight lakes and 80 bunkers. Many of the Champions Tour players competed in the former Tucson Open, which was held for years on this course.

While the Accenture Match Play was a 5 day, 64-player event where the field was halved daily, the Tucson Classic will feature a field of 81 players competing in 3 rounds (March 20 -22) of no-cut tournament play.

Additionally, the tournament will be preceded by 2 days of Pro-Am events that will allow Tucson’s, and Arizona’s, business community and residents to connect with the participating golfers.

The Pro-Ams will help the Tucson Conquistadores add to the $29 million they have generated for young athletes since the organization’s inception in 1962. The Tucson Classic’s economic impact remains to be determined, but is anticipated to be in the tens of millions of dollars.

For tickets and event information, visit tucsonconquistadores.com.

The creation of the Tucson Classic continues the city’s string of hosting a professional golf tournament, which dates back to 1945.

A PGA TOUR event was staged in Tucson from 1945-2006, known by several names, but primarily as the Tucson Open. The World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play was contested in Tucson from 2007-2014.

Brent DeRadd 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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The 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open

Celebrates 80 Years T

he WM P hoenix O pen is widely recognized as the most popular golf tournament in the world, with 500,000 fans attending the tournament each year, looking to catch a glimpse of the world’s best golfers. The world’s biggest golf tournament and the Super Bowl have intersected twice before in Phoenix. In 1996, attendance at the Phoenix Open increased seven percent from the previous year, and in 2008 overall attendance increased by over 30,000 fans. Expect out-of-town visitors to flock to the TPC Scottsdale for some fun in the sun once again in 2015.

Before 1986 when the tournament moved to the TPC Scottsdale, the Phoenix Open was held at two different venues, alternating between Phoenix Country Club and Arizona Country Club where golf legends such as Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus won this storied event. In 1932, at Phoenix Country Club, Ralph Guldahl took home $600 as the winner of the first Phoenix Open. Since then, the Waste Management Phoenix Open has crowned 57 different champions, in-

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cluding four three-time champions, 10 two-time champions, and 15 playoffs, including one of the longest sudden-death playoffs in PGA TOUR history when Bob Gilder defeated Rex Caldwell, Johnny Miller and Mark O’Meara on the eighth extra hole in 1983. The prize money has also increased significantly, moving from $600 for the winner in 1932 to $1,134,000 in 2015.

THE THUNDERBIRDS Few tournaments can match the rich history of the Waste Management Phoenix Open and even fewer can match the charitable contributions of the host Thunderbirds. The civic organization, known for their blue velvet tunics and silver Thunderbird medallions, consists of 55 active members that seek to continuously improve and add to their philanthropic endeavors. Since their inception in 1937, The Thunderbirds have raised north of $93 million for local charities, including the Special Olympics, The First Tee of Phoenix and Grand Veterans Village, which aims to give veterans permanent housing.

Golf Arizona www.GoGolfArizona.com

To date, the money raised for charity through the WM Phoenix Open nearly matches the total won by PGA TOUR pros through the tournament’s 79-year history ($93 million vs. $101 million), further illustrating the powerful effect of sports on a community.

“Raising tens of millions of dollars for Arizona charities has been a tremendous benefit of hosting a professional golf tournament,” said Danny Calihan, a member of The Thunderbirds and the 2015 tournament chairman of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. “The community’s support of our 80-year-old golf tournament is staggering. It is such an honor to be a part of something so worthwhile.”

BIG CHANGES While the philanthropic efforts of The Thunderbirds will remain the same at this year’s tournament, various changes to the golf course will undoubtedly be the talk amongst TOUR players. A six-month long golf course renovation project included resurfacing all greens; relocating greens on holes 2, 3, 4 and

Celebrating its 80th anniversary, the 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open will undoubtedly be one of the biggest and best in history with the tournament sandwiched between the NFL Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLIX, both contested across town in Glendale. www.GoGolfArizona.com

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2015, the Birds Nest will be even larger, as a German company is manufacturing an even larger tent, therefore increasing the already enormous capacity of the venue. The Birds Nest will also be home to the annual Super Bowl media party on Tuesday of tournament week, further intertwining the two biggest events in the respective sports.

14; reshaping bunkers, greens and tee complexes; rerouting and adding new cart paths; planting new turf; adding new white sand to bunkers throughout the course; and installing a new irrigation system. More than 250 trees have been planted for both strategic and aesthetic value, while spectator hills were lowered and widened to allow for majestic views of the McDowell Mountains without hindering fan observation. The renovation resulted in strategic changes throughout all 18 holes and should thoroughly challenge the pros.

In addition, the 28-year-old TPC Scottsdale clubhouse was also renovated. The updated clubhouse now has new locker rooms, larger meeting space, and interior upgrades to the entire facility.

CO N T I N U I N G T R A D I T I O N S For all that has changed, some things remain the same. The TPC’s 16th hole continues to be one of the most iconic and unique holes on the PGA TOUR. The 162-yard, par 3 is a seemingly modest mid-iron shot for most players. Those who hit the green will be rewarded for their efforts by loud cheers, while those who don’t will be booed by fans.

A new Loge Section has been added to the 16th hole and promises to be the coolest “hang” at the tournament. The Loge Section, which requires a special Loge ticket for entry, is literally built into the stadium and will feature views of the 15th and 16th holes as well as couches, HD televisions and an incred-

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ible selection of food and beverages.

In addition, back for a third year in a row is the very popular Patriots Outpost.

Once again, active and retired military personnel and their families will receive hosted food and beverages in this special venue. Active and retired military will just need to show their military ID to gain access to the Patriots Outpost, which will again be located just off the 18th fairway, near the tee box.

ROLL CALL Who’s playing in the 2015 tournament? Commitments will start rolling in around the first of the year, but expect defending champion and Scottsdale resident Kevin Stadler to return as well as crowd favorite and Arizona State graduate Phil Mickelson. Bet on perennial contenders Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson to be among the attending players, and young guns such as Harris English, Gary Woodland and Bill Haas are also expected to compete in the 2015 WM Phoenix Open.

M U S I C F E S T I VA L The fun and excitement of the Waste Management Phoenix Open does not stop when the sun goes down. The Coors Light Birds Nest is an extraordinary four-night music festival that attracts some of the biggest names in music including country stars Dierks Bentley and Jake Owen, as well as bands like Weezer, OAR and the Doobie Brothers.

This Year’s acts will be announced in the weeks leading up to the tournament. In

THE GREENEST SHOW With the truly mammoth crowds that grace the grounds at TPC Scottsdale in late January, one would expect wasteful behavior to follow. Not at this tournament. Waste Management embraced the opportunity for self-sustainability and green technology through Waste Management’s “Zero Waste Challenge.” In 2012, Waste Management, the largest environmental solutions provider in North America, developed an ambitious goal to divert 100 percent of tournament trash away from landfills.

The effort included the use of completely compostable cups, solar powered recycle compactors, scrapwood used for biofuel, and 1,000 “recycling ambassadors” that educated consumers and answered questions about sustainability.

In both 2013 and 2014, the goal became reality. The result: 14 tournament days.

1,000,000 fans. Zero waste.

Since 1932, the WM Phoenix Open has been a staple of golf competition. It incorporates community involvement, charitable giving, progressive technology and world-class play. This January, Scottsdale will be host to “The Greatest and Greenest Show on Grass.” And, on the 80th anniversary of the tournament, the WM Phoenix Open will once again, remind us all of what golf is all about: fun and excitement.

January 26th through February 1st, the TPC Scottsdale is the place to be for “The Greatest and Greenest Show on Grass.”

For more information or tickets to the 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open, visit www.wmphoenixopen.com.

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Spotlight

by Robyn Noll

This Year’s Top Arizona Women Amateurs

2014 S TAT E A M AT E U R M ATC H P L AY Open Division Champion Shelby Martinek

A brand new Champion was crowned at the 90th anniversary AWGA Match Play Championship. The final match was a showdown between the UofA’s Shelby Martinek and ASU’s Saki Iida. Both women played very consistently, but Martinek ultimately got the upper hand and won, 2 & 1. An exciting chip in for eagle on the 9th hole contributed to her victory.

In high school, Martinek led Marcos de Niza to the State Championship, and as a sophomore at Mesa Community College earned all-tournament honors at the 2013 NJCAA Women’s Golf National Championship. Now a senior, Martinek is majoring in Arts, Media & Entertainment, and hopes to enter the demographic marketing area of the fashion design industry.

Senior Division Champion Kim Eaton

Kim Eaton won her third consecutive Senior Division Match Play title with an impressive 5 & 4 win over another past Champion, Becky Sun. Eaton is dominating the seniors at the moment, which is hardly surprising since she’s been a champion golfer since she was a teenager. In fact, her many accomplishments have earned her a spot in the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame.

Eaton has captured 10 Arizona State titles in just four years, has won four out of the last five AWGA Seniors Stroke Play Championships, and was named Senior Player of the Year for three out of the last four years. At the time of this writing she is heavily favored to win the 2014 State Seniors Stroke Play Championship. A fierce competitor, Eaton has reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship three times, and hopes to win someday.

2014 S TAT E A M AT E U R S T R O K E P L AY Champion Samantha Postillion

This year’s 40th Anniversary AWGA Stroke Play Championship was the most dramatic championship in recent memory, as a lively duel between Samantha Postillion and Kim Cifuentes unfolded over three days of play. Postillion had a one stroke lead going into the final day, but struggled early and had a three stroke deficit at the turn. Then she caught fire on the back nine. She birdied #12, #13 and #14 and had a stunning hole-in-one on #15 that put her into the lead by three strokes. She made two more birdies on her way to the title.

This is Samantha Postillion’s second time winning Stroke Play. Samantha’s mother, Kerry Postillion, is a top amateur golfer herself, and has also won two AWGA Amateur Stroke Play titles. The mother-daughter team made an unbeatable pair in 2012 when they won the AWGA Four-Ball Stroke-Play Championship together. In 2009, Samantha helped Scottsdale’s Notre Dame Prep to the State Title.

Now she plays for the University of Illinois. Her other successes this summer included a second-place finish at The Judson Collegiate Pro-Am Challenge, and a first-place finish at the Northern Illinois Women’s Amateur.

Samantha’s ultimate goal is to play on the LPGA Tour.

Robyn Noll, PGA

Arizona Women’s Golf Association | www.gophotograph.com

As the Executive Assistant for the Arizona Women’s Golf Association, Robyn performs a variety of communication and program administration tasks. She has a background in non-profit management, project management, and marketing. She is also a writer, photographer, website administrator, and loving mother of three girls.

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by Mary Beth Lacy

Product Review

Antigua Introduces its 2015 Women’s Golf Apparel

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HE ANTIGUA GROUP, INC., one of the nation’s leading designers and marketers of lifestyle and golf apparel under the distinguished Antigua brand – has introduced its Antigua Spring 2015 Women’s Golf Collection.

The new collection is inspired by the concept of mixing comfort and trend. It features a blend of neon colors with black and white – in fresh new fashion-forward styles. And it’s all made using Antigua’s Desert Dry and Desert Dry Xtra Lite technologies that keep golfers dry and comfortable.

The 2015 line combines trim details and flirty necklines with soft and stretchy fabrics, in multiple textures and contents that give a fresh feel to the product. This includes non-traditional polo styles, such as Envy with its soccer-style collar and neckline and sporty color-blocked silhouette; and Zoom, a sleeveless mini-stripe polo that blends polyester/cotton/ spandex jersey plus a cut-out at the placket that reveals some skin without being inappropriate.

Neon colors continue running strong with women, and there’s a wider acceptance of this somewhat retro-color palette. By mixing black and white in with fun colors such as calypso, electric and papaya, Antigua is providing older customers with a neutral base and a pop of color to make them feel trendy while still maintaining a wide demographic.

Technology is also featured in the collection. For example, our exclusive Desert Dry™ technology absorbs and wicks moisture quickly and evenly, achieving the most-efficient evaporation possible to keep golfers comfortable and dry. The Desert Dry™ family now includes poly/cotton blends. Customers have been requesting a more casual fabric, without compromising the wicking capabilities of the poly fabrics. Thus, it’s included in our two new blends – one in the Clever, which is a super soft poly/cotton solid jersey, and the other in the Zoom, which is a poly/ cotton/spandex mini yarn dye stripe.

Meanwhile, Desert Dry™ XTRA-LI-

TE (D2XL) combines the Desert Dry™ moisture-wicking feature with specially constructed ultra-light fabrics for maximum wicking performance and optimum comfort. New additions to this category are 100% poly fabrics that feel and look like cotton. For instance, the Jubilee style uses a slub yarn that gives the hand-feel and drape of cotton, but the wicking capabilities of poly. And the Thrill style uses a popular multi-colored nap yarn. The garment feels like cozy cotton, but handles perspiration like poly. These new cotton-like poly fabrics open up a whole new world to our consumers, who can have the comfort of their favorite tee while maintaining the ease of poly’s wear and wicking power.

For more details on Antigua’s Spring 2015 Women’s Golf Collection, visit www.antigua.com.

Find Antigua on the web at: www.Antigua.com and ShopAntigua.com Like Antigua on Facebook at: facebook.com/Antigua

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by Joan Liess

These Guys Are Great

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T’S BEEN ALMOST NINE YEARS since Tucson golfers had a hometown, big-name pro-am to play (or dream of playing) in. Come March, the drought is over.

High-profile pro-ams were retired with the Tucson Open in 2006 and the arrival of the proam-less World Golf Championships Match Play Championship. Now that the Tucson Conquistadores are calling the shots again, a pro-am is scheduled March 18 and 19 with the debut of the Conquistadores Classic of Tucson Champions Tour event on March 16-22 at Omni Tucson National Resort.

Champions Tour pro-am fields are well stocked with big names and all-time greats; all 81 players in the field will play in the pro-am. Since there are just three days of competition and no cut line, the guys tend to be a lot more laid-back.

Jay Warren, the Conquistador spearheading the upcoming Two-Day Classic Pro-Am, expects a sell-out. “The word is the Champions are awesome to play with,” he said. “Totally relaxed, lots of fun and happy to be strolling down the fairway with you.” Conquistador tournament chairman Joe Brossart added, “These guys are all in when it comes to supporting our fund-raising efforts, too. Many have a history with us from the Tucson Open days; it’s almost like a reunion.”

Playing golf isn’t the only adventure. Tuesday evening (March 17) players will be matched with their pros at the exclusive pro-am pairings party.

Joan Liess

Community

Pros and Hackers Unite for Charity at the Conquistadores Classic of Tucson Pro-Am

Amateurs and their guests can expect a festive, all-inclusive dinner party and a high-end gift pack filled at least $500 worth of swag.

On Wednesday and Thursday, players have access to VIP parking and the pros’ hospitality room; hosted meals, snacks and beverages will be handy throughout the day. The grand finale is Thursday evening’s awards party: count on plenty of cheers, boo’s and high-fives among players and their pros.

If you love golf, no experience can compare to playing with a golf great – it’s as close to playing on Tour as most of us will ever come. Experienced pro-am amateurs said there are plenty of colorful tales about life on Tour and even a few golf lessons from pros over the course of an 18hole round. They also preach that a super-low handicap is absolutely unnecessary to have the time of your life.

Golf commentator and former pro David Feherty summed up the pro-am experience from a pro player’s perspective in Golf Magazine. “Some of the best fun I’ve had on a golf course has been with complete hackers who had enough confidence in what they do in other walks of life to laugh it off without self-consciousness, while enjoying the walk and the banter.” Most pros will tell you, too, that no matter how badly you play, they’ve seen worse. So if you shank your ball into the water at Omni Tucson National, it will be the most memorable lost ball of your life.

Tucson Conquistadores Two-Day Classic Pro-Am Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19 Catalina Course, Omni Tucson National Resort PARTICIPATION FEES $3,500 to $25,000 for individuals and teams. Call the Tucson Conquistadores at (520) 571-0400 to register; visit TucsonConquistadores. com for more information.

Proceeds benefit The First Tee of Tucson and Southern Arizona youth athletic programs.

Joan Liess Marketing Services | 520-881-8256 | joan@joanliess.com

Joan Liess Marketing Services, works with clients who need high-visibility, cost-effective promotions and communications to reach specific marketing objectives. Her services include sporting and special events; marketing communications project work, including developing press materials, collateral and advertisements; managing website and social media content; feature writing assignments.

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Pro-File

by Kevin Duke, Associate Editor

Stone Canyon pro carries golf from one generation to the next

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RENT NEWCOMB came by his love of golf honestly. The PGA Class A head golf professional at Stone Canyon Golf Club, Newcomb, got his start in golf like many – learning the game from his father.

“My dad is a retired golf course superintendent, his last job was with the city (Tucson) where he ran all the city courses,” Newcomb said. He would spend hours with his dad at city courses, mostly Randolph Park, helping out on the course and then getting in practice time.

“I hung out with him and started playing in summers from the time I was 11 on,” raking bunkers for his dad then going out to hit balls. “It was a pretty fortunate situation, I got to hang with my dad and be at the course all the time.”

That would be his first job in the golf business, with his father paying him out of his own pocket until he was old enough to get an actual pay check.

He recalls one of his first memories learning the game from longtime Tucson teaching professional Fred Marty. “I remember he was a really good communicator,” Newcomb said. “I was a water skier and he related golf to that, relating the slow transition of turns to the slow transition from the backswing to the downswing.”

He played locally and in some national tournaments as a junior and the early start in the game meant that by high school he could play, starting on the varsity all four years at Mountain View HS in Tucson. He won many times as an individual on the team, including regional tournaments and finishing third one year at the state tournament.

Newcomb went on to play two years for Pima Community College and earned a business degree from the University of Phoenix in 2010.

I T ’S A B O U T FA M I LY The pro has been married to his wife Susie for 10 years and they have three children; eight-year-old Parker, six-year-old Audrey and a two-year-old, Stella. Not surprisingly, Parker is no stranger to the course, but the pro is letting the kids discover the game on their own. “He’s been in the Ricki Rarick junior golf program for two years and Audrey will start next year,” Newcomb said. “I enjoy playing with them

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“

I’m a golf professional because of my passion for the game. It’s fortunate to work in industry where you have a passion.” — B R E N T N E W CO M B, P G A

and it would be nice if they enjoy it.”

With the kids and both his and Susie’s parents around, the family gets most of his time away from work. “I’m most grateful for my family,” he said. “I get a lot of support from my family and my wife’s family, our lives are much better with all those people around us.”

ON THE JOB Newcomb feels he is lucky to be in a career revolving around the sport he loves. “I’m a golf professional because of my passion for the game,” he said. “It’s fortunate to work in industry where you have a passion. Every day it’s a little different…you’re outdoors some days, other days on the computer, but it’s always fresh to be around something you really enjoy.”

It’s the time with members and on the course that he enjoys the most.“You get kind of inundated with office work,” Newcomb said. “The most enjoyable part of my job is running tournament and events. It would be good to be able to be out on the course more, interacting with players on the course and on the range.”

He’s also enjoyed his time working with the PGA Southwest Section Southern Chapter, where he had the opportunity to teach kids in the Ricki Rarick junior golf program. “Running the program was one of the most satisfying things I’ve done professionally, to see the kids

playing and really see them enjoying the game like you have is special.”

Newcomb runs all the golf operations at the Stone Canyon club; including tournament and event management for members, managing the staff, assisting with purchasing for the shop, budgeting, club fitting and giving lessons.

In the day-to-day operations at the club, he sees his ability to communicate as his strongest asset. “Being a good communicator is really important to being successful in the business.

You have to communicate with staff, customers and members. In dealing with adversity, effective communication is crucial to how those things turn out.”

He’s achieved recognition in the field for his work with juniors, was nominated for professional of the year and has had success playing too, winning the Chapter Championship in 2013 and playing in the National PGA Club Professional tournament at Myrtle Beach just this year. He said he would like to continue in his role as head golf professional and possibly become a general manager in the future.

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Course Review

by Jeff Locke

Tucson Municipal Courses

OB Sports was hired by the city this past February as the new golf management company that will oversee maintenance, operations and marketing at Tucson’s five municipal courses.

Delivering on Quality, History & Price

The City of Tucson’s municipal golf courses have a long and rich history in the game of golf, dating all the way back to the 1920s and 30s.

Through the years, golf greats such as Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer and Johnny Miller have all teed it up on Tucson’s exceptional municipal courses. Years later, thanks to forward-thinking by the City of Tucson and OB Sports Golf Management, the city’s golf courses will continue to deliver a quality golf experience for residents and winter visitors alike for years to come.

The 42-year-old, Scottsdale-based company is committed to revitalizing these five clubs in a way that honors the proud traditions established by generations of Tucsonians. In just a short time since coming on board, course conditions have already improved and a handful of frequent-player programs have been put in place. Most recently, all five courses received new fleets of golf cars – a fact frequent players will love to hear.

D E L L U R I C H G O L F CO U R S E The centrally located Dell Urich Golf Course opened in 1996 after complete re-design on the site of the former Randolph South Golf Course. The dramatic makeover opened up sight lines to reveal nearby mountain views as well as dramatic elevation changes. Measuring more than 6,600 yards from the back tees and 5,300 from the fronts, the course hosted an LPGA Tour stop for several years. Best of all, if you’re up for 36 holes, Randolph Golf Complex with its Randolph North Golf Course is just next door.

R A N D O L P H G O L F CO M P L E X Randolph opened in 1925, and was the site of the PGA Seiko Tucson Match Play Championship, the PGA Joe Garagiola Tucson Open and the PING/Welch’s LPGA Championship. It stretches out to be the longest of the Tucson City golf courses at 6,900 yards from the championship tees and just short of 6,000 from the front tees. Although it’s a park-land style layout where wayward golf balls are easily found, palms, pines and other mature trees frame the challenges as well as Tucson’s colorful skyline — an iconic view that has been drawing golfers to this area of the Sonoran Desert for generations.

E L R I O G O L F CO U R S E Holding true to a Tucson tradition of hosting competitive golf at the highest levels, El Rio Golf Course’s pedigree as a championship track dates back the 1930s as the original site of the PGA Tour’s Tucson Open. Truly traditional by design, it was a private club for much of its existence until the City of Tucson acquired it for public use. Since 1968, El Rio has been challenging golfers to a game of risk and reward punctuated by fairways that are a bit tighter and greens that are a bit smaller than those of its sister courses. All of this calls for more precision. Good news: it plays shorter at 6,400 yards from the back tees, nearly 5,400 from the front tees, and El Rio also features junior tees measuring less than 4,700 yards.

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Silverbell Golf Course

S I LV E R B E L L G O L F CO U R S E Silverbell Golf Course sits high upon the west bank of the Santa Cruz River.

The par-70 course features a variety of holes ranging from wide-open, come-and-get-it challenges to others that require precision over length.

Although golfers face the secondhardest hole early in the round at No. 2, holes 17 and 18 tend to be the high-water mark where it’s either sink or swim. No. 17 requires an approach shot squeezed between water on the left and a bunker to the right. And the 18th is a traditional three-shot par 5 at 551 yards. Their handicaps are 3rd and 1st respectively. Like its cousins, large trees and even a few water hazards sprinkled throughout provide this 6,824-yard layout with its aesthetic as well as strategic appeal. It’s a great course for a variety of abilities from junior to expert, and walking is a very enjoyable option.

F R E D E N K E As the true desert course among its peers, Fred Enke offers a rugged Sonoran Desertstyle round of golf that blends into the surrounding native landscape frequented by road runners, coyotes and even the occasional Bobcat.

Upon first glance, it may be a bit unclear where to place a few of the tee shots, but just over this arroyo or around that hill, a well-struck shot will find the short grass. Indeed, Fred Enke is one of those courses that reveals its secrets slowly as you experience it. This makes for an interesting round of golf whether it’s the first or the tenth. The golf course embraces a semi-arid, limitedturf design with grass mostly on the tee boxes, landing areas and greens. Surrounding areas are left undisturbed for native plants and animals to thrive.

El Rio Golf Course

All five courses stack up well against other clubs in the area for strategy, playability, and fun.

When it comes to deciding where to play with reasonable greens fees, it makes Tucson’s municipal golf courses a popular choice.

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Staying Green

by Lance Eldridge

Overseeding Begins in the Spring A

s I write, courses in Arizona are probably in the best condition of the summer due to our active monsoon rainfall. Right when conditions are almost perfect, ironically, it is time to ‘rip it all up’ and prepare our courses for the cooler winter months with a winter grass. This is also the time when we spend more time on the phone trying to find a course that is open than actual time on the golf course…overseeding!

Most of you know what overseeding means, but do you really know?

Great winter conditions actually start in the spring. Superintendent Paul Ellwood at The Gallery Golf Club explains “by late March they mow the fairways down to ¼ inch to allow the Bermuda grass (initiated by direct sunlight) to emerge gradually into the winter ryegrass canopy. We do not use any chemicals because they are often very abrupt and can erode playing conditions until the Bermuda grass can emerge.” By July, through their proactive measures and monsoon rainfall, the Bermuda grass is well established and developing a great rooting structure to better our conditions for winter ryegrass.

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It is the Bermuda grass that becomes the fabric that holds the seed in place during the germination process in overseeding. If a course does not have good fabric (Bermuda grass) it will be unable to ‘hold’ the ryegrass seed well enough to grow effectively. The stronger the Bermuda, the stronger the winter grass will be. It is vital that a golf course maintains its summer grass so it can grow solid and consistent winter grass.

Paul continues to explain, “to prepare the seed bed we will verticut the Bermuda grass in three directions at ¼ inch while mowing the roughs at 3/8 of an inch. All clippings are then collected and sent to our neighboring rancher to be used as cattle feed for the next few months.”

When the Bermuda is scalped of all its blades, leaving behind a consistent stand of stubble resembling a harvested field of grain crops, the ryegrass is broadcasted at a medium rate in the rough, a higher rate in the fairways and finally the highest rate on the tees. The fairways are seeded at a higher rate than the roughs so that it is denser and can be mowed closer. Then over the next few weeks the courses are watered at

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low, but frequent sets through a very well managed irrigation system. This is a very peaceful time on the course and the desert critters seem to know it as they come out to play.

Then, when the ryegrass has been established and looking quite ‘hairy’, they let it dry out over night, sharpen the blades, set their alarms for some crazy time that begins with a 3 and take their first mowing followed by the first of three fertilizer applications. After the course opens back up, the courses will receive some nourishing applications that produces healthy, dense and dark green ryegrass for superior playing conditions and aesthetics.

I found it interesting to learn that one of, if not THE most important aspects to great winter conditions is actually the Bermuda grass base that is nurtured in the summer. Next summer when you and your friends are playing golf, and like me, put a little more into that 115 yard wedge shot to clear the bunker and take out a divot the size of your head cover, take a moment and repair or replace your divot. That little extra love you put into your club during the summer will pay dividends in the winter.

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by Mark Oswald, PGA

Instruction

Right Knee to Left Knee

A simple but effective key for improving your weight shift and increasing your power.

IF YOU SHIFTED YOUR WEIGHT properly, continued turning and finished the swing your right knee should be touching your left knee at the finish position. Hold your finish and take a look to see how close your right knee is to touching your left knee or leg. If there is a gap here, you are sacrificing power! Close this gap and increase your swing speed and increase distance.

AS YOU COMPLETE the backswing, start shifting your weight forward by driving your right knee towards your left knee. This is a great key to start the downswing. Imagine that you were going to hit a ball off a large tee with your right knee cap. You will want to make contact with the ball with your knee as the club is making contact with the ball. If you are doing this your weight is transferring forward correctly and in the right timing during the downswing. Continue driving your right knee past the ball, keep rotating your shoulders, chest and hips, finish by touching your right knee to your left knee.

AT THE FINISH POSITION you will find your weight on the front foot, right knee touching left knee and your belt buckle facing the target. If you are focusing on this and the forward weight shift you will also see improvement in your balance and centeredness of contact. The end result will be straighter and longer shots.

START DOWN with driving the right knee and weight forward, continue shifting and driving your right knee until you touch your left knee or leg. Hold your finish check the gap and do it again.

Mark Oswald, PGA Mark Oswald has been a PGA Member for over 25 years. Mark has worked with all levels of golfers from first time beginners to PGA Tour Professionals. Mark is the General Manager at Oro Valley Country Club and has managed several clubs in Arizona including the Hilton El Conquistador, The Golf Club at Vistoso, Prescott Country Club and Great Eagle Golf Club.

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Junior Spotlight Phoenix Valley Ashley MENNE

Matthew McCARTY

IF I TOLD YOU that a player won their division sixty-six percent of the time they competed this year, would you believe me? That is exactly what Ashley Menne from Surprise, Arizona has accomplished this season. Winning ten times out of fifteen tournaments, the Singapore born player has shown to be ready for the next level of JGAA competition.

Ashley attends 7th Grade Cambridge Academy at Marley Park Elementary, which is an advanced academic program for middle school students. The bilingual golfer, English and Mandarin, enjoys other hobbies off the course such as pottery, shooting, and learning the violin. While her school does not have a golf team, Ashley is able to play in many local events when school allows.

While only 12 years old, Ashley is already looking ahead to college. “she has set her sights on obtaining a MBA and PHD in the future…her immediate goal is to continuously strive to excel in her studies & golf… by the time she completes high school, she hopes to pick up a golf college scholarship,” said Ashley’s mother, Alicia.

Ashley began playing golf in Singapore at the age of three with her dad, Carl and her brother, fellow JGAA member John. Alicia informed me that Ashley’s favorite phrase comes from Mr. Ben Hogan, “The most important shot in golf is the next shot.” I would say Ms. Menne takes this quote to heart with everything she pursues, on and off the golf course.

THIS TALENTED YOUNG LEFTY out of Scottsdale, AZ isn’t the biggest kid on the block but he sure can swing his way around any golf course. Matthew McCarty, 16, is a junior at Desert Mountain High School and plays for the golf team as well. His scoring average is 73.8 in 9 Junior Golf Association of Arizona events this year.

You can tell a lot about a player by how they act and react on the course, McCarty is calm, cool, and collected with every shot and never seems to get frazzled. Over the course of this season, he has acquired five top-ten finishes, two of which he won. He started out the year with a bang winning the JGAA’s New Year’s Shootout and his second victory came later in the season at the difficult Desert Forest Golf Club in the JGAA Arizona Junior Match Play Championship.

On that scorching final day in mid-July, McCarty had his morning semi-final match wrapped by the 12th hole; he then went on to play Eric Barna of Tucson in a back and forth tug-of-war that went every bit of 18 holes. Matthew was one-up coming into the 18th and managed to win the last hole to take home the Championship.

It was a pleasure to follow that final match, McCarty certainly impressed by maintaining his composure throughout the day in the face of pressure. This certainly won’t be the last time you read about Matthew McCarty.

by Zac Strohfus, Communications Manager, Junior Golf Association of Arizona

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Junior Spotlight Southern Arizona Morgan MESSICK

Joel BERKSON

A SENIOR at Canyon Del Oro High School in Oro Valley, AZ, Messick had a breakthrough with her game over the summer.

BERKSON, a senior at Sabino High School in Tucson, AZ, had the best showing of his golfing career last year.

“My most memorable accomplishment in golf was achieving my first AJGA win this past summer at Lone Tree,” she said. “I really felt like I had reached a new level of success.”

“After high school I plan to play golf for Northern Arizona University and see where golf takes me from there.”

Her grandfather introduced her to the game eight years ago and “I loved it right away,” she said. “My favorite part of golf is that it teaches me so many lessons and is constantly challenging me to become a better athlete – as well as a better person. “ Her relationship with the game goes beyond trying to excel at the sport, it has become very intimate to her.

“I play golf because not only is it my best friend, it has also taught me so much about myself and what it means to truly commit to a goal,” she said. “I love the sport so much, and I always have fun on the course no matter how well I’m playing. I also hope that golf helps me become a role model for younger kids who are just now discovering this great sport.”

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“My greatest accomplishment so far is taking fifth at state in 2013,” he said. “It was such a rush to be able to perform on such a big stage.”

His father, an avid golfer, wasted no time in getting his son interested in the game, breaking out the plastic clubs and balls in the backyard when Berkson was just five years old. But it was his first tournament experience that captured his imagination.

“I began to play more and more as I got older and when I was 13 played in my first tournament,” he said. “That’s when I really became hooked - nothing felt better that doing well when it mattered.”

The mental side of the game intrigues him the most.

“Golf isn’t just a physical test, but a test of the mind,” Berkson said. “I play golf because every day is different, so it never gets boring.”

He has aspirations to play collegiately, but tries not to take it too seriously. “The most important thing is to have fun,” he said. “Golf is a sport you can play your whole life.

You don’t have to be good - you just have to enjoy it.”

by Rick Price, PGA

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