AZ Golf Central V1 I2 by Golf Central Magazine

Volume 1, Issue 2

Sun City Festival | LPGA | Phoenix Open

W W W . G O L F C E N T R A L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

IMPROVE YOUR

GAME

WITH

BETTER INTERNET STRATEGIES Local Work Marketing Get Exposed | Get Ranked | Get Business

from the publisher header

have a feeling that I am not alone in welcoming 2011 as the symbol for a fresh start and a chance to turn around things that may have been less than positive in the last year or so. But, instead of making a New Year’s Resolution, I think I will just reflect on what I learned from last year and vow to achieve what I can commit to for the coming year. And maybe you are asking what am I going to commit to? I am so glad you asked… Rest assured, AZ Golf Central will be there to cover the tournament and bring you the highlights. We have a lot of great golf coming our way in the next few months. This month, Arizona Golf Central is heading to the largest golf show on earth in Orlando to give you the latest and greatest for 2011 in golf products, fashion, news and a whole lot more. And, we are going to be on the scene at the 2011 Waste Management Phoenix Open, as well as covering the Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson. Be sure to check out our spread on the LPGA Founder Cup Tournament, also here in Phoenix. Arizona Golf Central Magazine has a philanthropic philosophy and you will see that in every issue this year. Our 47celebrity corner highlights Mark McMillan for giving a nice check to the Sarrc Foundation to battle autism. “Way go Mark and Byron!” We are reaching out to our advertiser to give our readers more savings and we’re asking our readers to take advantage of those savings by playing golf. We are gearing up for some new departments in our magazine and creating some great giveaways throughout the year. I hope you have us marked as a favorite online at golfcentralmagazine.com. While you’re at it, hit us up on Facebook and Twitter as well. Some have asked me what was the greatest moment in golf was for 2010? I would have to say it was the final round of the Masters when Phil Mickelson, always the risk taker, won his second green jacket. When he aimed that ball through the trees on the par 5, 13th, it was the shot of his career, in my opinion. But it’s not just that Phil is a great player. It’s that he is an all-around great player and person. He continues to be a role model for the game of golf and for the American family. And we like that sort of thing here at AZ Golf Central. As the saying goes, “success is a journey, not a destination,” and these words couldn’t be truer. As you flip through this month’s Arizona Golf Central and all of the upcoming issues, you will find stories of determination, inspiration and success. We always enjoy highlighting many of the accomplished men and women who love golf and who make the game what it is. Now that winter is over in AZ (and it was a brutal 5 days!), I am ready and so is my team to get out on the links and share what we do and what we find with you.

Volume 1, Issue 2

Publisher: Jason Keesling Editor-in-Chief: Jason Philo Managing Editor: Susan Lied Photographer: Dave Schibel Digital Video Producer: James Lee Social Media Director: Natalie Heath Media Director: Keith James Director of Sales & Marketing: Brian Papiese Web Design/Network Support: Local Work Marketing Graphic Design: Melahn Cable, melahn@mac.com Contributing Writers: James Boykin Kristen Erickson Jerry Ford Stephanie Knight Susan Lied Ryan Naylor Pete Peters Daniel Reeves Heather Stancil

Magazine Printing: Sundance Graphics 9580 Delegates Drive, Orlando, Florida 32837 • 800.617.5532

Arizona Golf Central Magazine is published monthly by: Terrie Purdum Sand Hill Publishing & Public Relations 1549 Warrington Court, Winter Springs, FL 32708 phone: 407.971.4336 • 407.971.4337 fax: 407.971.4306 • toll-free: 877.208.5972 E-mail: info@floridagolfcentral.com One year (12 issues) subscription price is $42.99 ©2010 Arizona Golf Central Magazine. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Editorial contributions are welcome, but Arizona Golf Central Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited proposals, manuscripts and photographs. All materials submitted not accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope will not be returned. Mailing, electronic mailing or faxing of contributions constitutes an expressed warrant on the part of the contributor that all material is original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Arizona Golf Central Magazine retains all reprint rights and reserves the right to edit any submitted material to meet our specifications for publishing and or use in advertising or promotion. The Publisher and staff are not responsible for any loss or grievance by any person or persons whatsoever, due in any way or in part to the content of this publication. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse to accept any material deemed inappropriate or in bad taste.

Happy New Year! 4

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

Volume 1, Issue 2 19th Hole

16 Tilted Kilt

Cart Girl 14 Kelly Anderson

Departments 4

Letter from the Publisher

Golf Central Station

Women In Golf

Golf Channel

Fore Your Health

Golf Chick

36 Kangen Health

ShankMeister Catalog

Product Review

Golf Bachelor

Duffer Dan

12 Fred Nijm

Southwest PGA

Your Pro Knows

Grip It & Sip It

Celebrity Corner 24 Mark McMillian

Cover Feature 26 Wilson Golf

and Wellness Center

Golf Travel 18 Las Vegas

Leader on the Links

8 Dana Garmany

Living on the Links 52 Sun City Festival

Player Development 48 Brittany Clark

Special Events 20 LPGA Founder's Cup 34 Phoenix Open 54 Golf For Kids

Swing Thoughts 28 Mental Apex

Young Guns 50 Reni Gallan

What's New 40 Black Widow Grips

golfcentralmagazine.com

leader on theheader links

he name Troon is synonymous with golf. But Troon Golf has also made its presence known around the world. Arizona is the birthplace and stronghold of properties in the Troon organization, but with some 200 courses in 26 countries and 31 states, the avid golfer would be hard pressed not to play at a Troon establishment. However, this isn’t just another success story of a good ol’ Alabama boy making it big. Instead, this is the story of a man who had a passion for golf and how it should be played and enjoyed and how he took that vision to the ultimate by creating an experience for the golfer. This is the story of Dana Garmany. Garmany is a humble, family man; even more so now after he has conquered his battle with cancer. While he will probably never say that he set out to revolutionize the game of golf--that is exactly what he did. This Crimson Tide alum who got his start in the golf industry at the prestigious Atlanta Athletic Club has managed to give the average golfer the experience of a private country clubhouse and greens. And it all started in 1990 with his flagship property in Scottsdale, AZ, fondly known at Troon North Golf Club. He didn’t just set out to create a golf course. He wanted to set the bar a bit higher by creating upscale golf courses. And from that idea, the phenomenon that we know today as Troon was born—courses that are managed, developed and marketed in such a way that the golfer can’t help but play. Garmany has received many accolades over his 30 plus years in the industry but none compare to being named one of the most powerful and influential people in golf by both Golf, Inc. and Golf Digest. Garmany has been a visionary in the industry and even though he has stepped down from the CEO position, he enjoys staying involved in the day to day happenings as Chairman of the Board. His successor, Hud Hinton, has been with Garmany for over 10 years and is a recognized leader in the hospitality industry. There is no question that Hinton will continue on in the same fashion with the legacy that has been created. Arizona Golf Central asked Dana Garmany about his thoughts on golf today:

Dana Garmany

golf courses to be stretched even longer, which really has added to the problem. We do believe golf is about to hit a “simplicity” age, whereby many golfers are looking to use their round as a “spa day,” not wanting to keep score, simply wanting to have a nice day outside in a beautiful place. Some of the bells and whistles added over time, along with agronomy standards probably being too high, have caused rates to go up, and this future group seems to be asking for a more simplistic approach. Of course, employee costs, health care costs, fuel costs, etc, are difficult to absorb and not have rate increases. Golf is a very high fixed rate business…if someone doesn’t sleep in a hotel room, there is no upkeep…on a golf course, a living, organic thing, it has to be maintained regardless of use. As far as difficulty, we promote not trying to make everyone a professional player…try to help the student quickly get the ball airborne, do what is best for them, and just try to focus on fun. We have also found having students learn in small groups is the most effective way to have players stick with the game through the difficult learning process.”

The Right Vision

The number of rounds played and amount of participation has been flat and even down in recent years. How have participation trends affected the Troon business plan? “At Troon, our view is that a part of the problem is economic, and a part of it is a demographic shift. Resort and daily fee rounds tend to track fairly close to hotel occupancy and REVPAR, and we believe this segment is beginning to recover and certainly 2010 was better than 2009. Private clubs, however, are more tied to a general shift in demand, as younger people are not following the boomers to the same degree with membership purchase. Our overall plan is for moderate growth in rounds and revenue in 2011.” The three common criticisms of golf are it takes too long to play, can be too expensive, and too difficult to learn. What is Troon Golf ’s perspective? “We believe golf courses should be designed and maintained for the average player, not the professional player. The technology boom, allowing for greater distance for some, has caused some

What is your outlook for Troon Golf, and the sport of golf overall? “Our company will continue to grow…we have now overcome the period of development failures and stalls of construction worldwide, which happened in 2008 and 2009. We expect to grow further in the future as clubs/courses face economic challenges and turn to professional management to help correct their downward trends. The industry will face many challenges in trying to get Gen X and Gen Y to love golf as much as the boomers did. It may or may not happen, but owners and operators better focus on delivering what today’s players want, not what worked 20 years ago.” How often do you play golf, with what kind of scores? “Due to illness, and then some recent surgeries, I have only recently begun to play golf again. While I was a professional player post college, I would guess that my current game is going to end up being a mid-single digit handicapper. Regardless, it is great to be back on the course again, and whether I shoot 72 or 82, I have a great time now and don’t care where the ball goes. Maybe I am one of those “spa day” golfers now.” Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

Pick a Private Club.

Select a Tee Time.

Add Your Friends.

Play Private Golf.

Every golfer enjoys playing new courses. Enjoy a classic or discover a new course you have always wanted to play at Boxgroove.com

Which private course do you want to play?

header SunRidge Canyon Sold Fountain Hills, AZ – Don and Cindy Misheff, part-time Fountain Hills residents, announced today the acquisition of SunRidge Canyon Golf Club in Fountain Hills, Arizona. “This is a dream-come-true for us,” said Don Misheff. “As avid golfers who are passionate about the game and all that comes with it, Cindy and I visualized this for many years, especially during our visits to Fountain Hills. The pieces just started to fall into place, and we’re now happy to report our long-term commitment to the Fountain Hills community to preserve and even improve the golf experience at SunRidge Canyon. To reach this goal, we already chose a local golf-savvy management team to make that happen.” Jeff Lessig was hired as the general manager, and Derek Crawford assumes the position of director of operations. The 6,823-yard, par-71 SunRidge Canyon Golf

SunRidge Canyon Golf Club Club features an 18-hole, Keith Foster-designed golf course located on the eastern slope of the McDowell Mountains in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Open since 1995, SunRidge Canyon has been recognized as one of Arizona’s finest golf facilities

Hot Stix Opens New Facility

bays equipped with advanced ball-flight tracking simulators and a premium putter-fitting center. “Players trust the Hot Stix experience for its sophisticated process analyzing how specific components – head, shaft, ball and grip – affect their Swing DNA,” says Mark Flynn, CEO of Hot Stix Golf. For nearly 10 years and with over 35,000 satisfied golfers, Hot Stix offers a variety of packages for golfers and gift givers. Additional Hot Stix Performance Centers are in California, New York and Florida, with several more opening planned for the next year. Each facility employs the industry’s most highly-certified club fitters, who are all rigorously trained to interpret the intricate and precise swing data. From this interpretation, they can help determine the best equipment combinations for each golfer. Appointments for Hot Stix Performance Centers are scheduled online at www.hotstixgolf.com or by calling 877.513.1333.

Scottsdale, AZ--Hot Stix Golf has just announced the opening of its seventh US performance center and the second in Scottsdale. Known as the leading custom club-fitter for golfers who are serious about improving their game, regardless of handicap. In order to meet the local demand for its unique, customized swing analysis and equipment fitting software, it is located at 15444 North 76th St. near Kierland Commons. With a worldwide following, Hot Stix new location spans 7,500 square-feet with an indoor club-fitting center showcasing the proprietary, state-of-the-art technology. The on-site team of highly-certified fitters and club-building craftsmen are there to help maximize the on-course performance by integrating the equipment with each player’s distinct swing characteristics. This new location also features multiple hitting

Book Review Jeff Ritter teaches golf. In fact, he teaches it so well, he has garnered the accolades and reputation as one of the most prominent golf instructors today. He has a unique style of coaching that uses not only his skill, but also the knowledge he has gained from the game of golf. And now he shares that knowledge with all of us in a humorous collection of tales called, ‘Your Kit Ate A Divot! Eighteen Life Lessons From The Links.’ Ritter’s stories are meant to add inspiration to the golfer’s game, but he also gives the reader pause to think about life and its lessons as well. The book has 19 chapters encased in a short 148 pages that prove to be a quick and enjoyable read. Each chapter shares Ritter’s experience 10

by numerous golf publications as well as local golfers. For more information on SunRidge Canyon, visit www.sunridgecanyongolf.com or call 480-837-5100.

and life lesson and then provides a corresponding golf/life tip. Stories like ‘The Duck of Death,’ ‘Squirrel Boy,’ and ‘Kill the Wabbit’ remind golfers about the sheer enjoyment they have one moment during the game and the utter frustration they experience on the next hole. The title chapter, “Your Kid Ate A Divot”, showcases not only how Ritter expresses his unique way of instruction, but how golf and all that it has to offer can transcend age groups. Overall this is easily one of the best golf books to come about in quite some time. Golfers of all skills levels will resonate with the book and non-golfers will take away some lessons with a fresh perspective of the game. For more information on Jeff Ritter or how to get the book, visit www.jeffrittergolf.com . Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

Remember the old crew from senior year? Those guys were hilarious and a blast to be around. This February they’ll be hanging out at the 16th hole at the TPC Scottsdale. It’s time for your annual class reunion...a.k.a. the Waste Management Phoenix Open. IT’S TIME FOR YOUR WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN. 1/31 - 2/6/2011 • TPC SCOTTSDALE WWW.WMPHOENIXOPEN.COM

Where were you born? Did you grow up there?

golf bachelor header

I was born in Patterson, NJ and spent about 17 years total in the state. I moved to Arizona when I was 17 to go to Arizona State and have been here ever since.

Is ‘acting your age’ overrated?

It is 100% overrated. The person who coined that term has to be one of the most boring people in the world. Life is about having fun, taking chances, and learning from your mistakes.

What do you do for a living?

I am the CEO of an online marketplace called Addoway.com – it’s a site where shoppers buy from their friends and the merchants they trust. I am an entrepreneur at heart and believe that there is no sense in dreaming unless you can make it a reality.

Aside from golf, what do you prefer for fun and relaxation? For fun and relaxation I love to travel, eat different kinds of food, and work.

What’s your take on cuddling?

What’s cuddling? Just kidding!!! I will take some of that any day.

Tell us about your first kiss.

My first kiss was when I was 18 years old and a sophomore in college. Yeah I know... it took me a long time to get going. I didn’t know what I was doing and it just happened...finally!

Fred Nijm

Who would you like to have with you on a deserted island and why? Wilson, the soccer ball Tom Hanks had with

him in Castaway. He was a good listener and didn’t get in the way. If I couldn’t have Wilson, then Jessica Alba.

What do you find to be the most annoying habit on the golf course? The most annoying habit on the golf course is

people who don’t let you pass them when they don’t know how to play. Move over!

What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy foursome? Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, and

Phil Mickelson. Tiger just because he is the best, Fred because we share the same name and Phil because I think lefty golfers suck.

Boxers or briefs?

Boxers all day long!

Relaxed evening at home or a nightclub and cocktails?

Relaxing evening at home. After work, I just need to chill.

Favorite comedian?

My favorite comedian is Dane Cook. I love the way he uses the audience and his mannerisms really do the trick.

What’s your favorite genre of movie?

I love horror movies. I scream like a girl, but can’t get enough of them.

Last book you read?

The last book I read was The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach. I have read it 10 times and you should too. 12

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

From The Fairway

From The Fringe

Not Your Grandfather’s Golf Club From The Sand

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

www.oneputtwedge.com

cart girl

Where did you grow up?

Elk River, Minnesota

Kelly Anderson

Which group of people did you associate most with in high school? I had a wide variety of friends, so mostly everyone.

What is your favorite sport to play and to play

and watch?

I like to play golf. Football is my favorite to watch.

Do you enjoy playing golf and are there any golfers in your family? Yes. My whole family enjoys golf, especially my mom.

What do you feel makes this club special?

It’s eco-friendly. Also, all the fabulous people that work here.

What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a cart girl? My favorite part is that I get to be outside on a golf course all day, and get paid for it. My least favorite part is definitely the cold mornings. Brrrr!

If you weren’t a cart girl what would you be doing? Well I’m also a hairstylist, so that, or traveling!

What is your most memorable moment working as a cart girl? Hmm, the other week I got stuck and a bunch of the maintenance guys had to push the cart to get me unstuck. It was funny!

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on the golf course? One day the sprinklers were on by a hill. These guys decided they were going to try and drive down it (even though there were signs saying not to). Their cart started spinning around and they both fell out. They were soaked! And also totally embarrassed when they realized I had watched the whole thing. It was hilarious!

What hobbies do you enjoy?

I enjoy running with my dogs and anything outdoors. I also like Arabian horses and most sports.

What is your favorite charity to support? Definitely breast cancer.

What else would you like us to know about you?

I love to laugh. Smiling is the key to a happy life, so I try to smile all day! 14

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

19th hole 16

Arizona Golf Central â&#x20AC;˘ Volume 1, Issue 2

Bogey. ”Best Round of My Life“ Trust your caddie and please drink responsibly. 40% Alc./Vol.

golf travel

By Susan Lied

Revere Golf Club

Las Vegas: The Felt Rolls Easy T

here is no other American city that can conjure up the gambit of images and emotions like Las Vegas. In our brief 200 some year history, the United States has managed to become a leader in the world for so many industries and Vegas tops the list for entertainment and amusement. Even today, places like Dubai are trying to emulate what Vegas has to offer. The Las Vegas reputation was built on entertainment and gambling. It has become known as the play-land getaway for the world. People arrive to the city not just to play slots and roulette but also for the fantastic entertainment that debuts in and sustains the city. While Las Vegas continues to be the innovative and progressive leader for entertainment and gaming in the world, it has much more to offer. For the family and the average tourist, there is a plethora of historic landmarks, cultural experiences, state parks and seasonal sports. For the golf lover, Las Vegas and Nevada has some of the best golf in the west. If Las Vegas has made it to your bucket list of things to do in life, be sure to enhance

your experience with a few of their golf courses as well. While travelling the open roads of Nevada, you definitely want to make a stop in Mesquite and try the Wolf Creek Golf Club. Wolf Creek is about an hour northeast of Las Vegas and

has the reputation as one of the most difficult courses not only in Nevada but the world. Upon opening in 2001, a slope of 154 catapulted the course to the third most difficult in the US. Every golfer will get his moneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth on these impeccable greens and natural layouts inspired by designer Dennis Rider. The course rose like a Phoenix out of the rugged Paradise Canyon ground and this should give you pause when you prepare to tee it up. The second hole greets you with an 11-story high tee box and the seemingly standard par 3, number 8 with 248 yards presents the golfer with a 100 foot elevation change. Wolf Creek Country Club is only a few years young but has easily entrenched itself as one of the consummate golf courses in Nevada and the country. Still on the outskirts of Las Vegas, you can try your game at the Italian themed Siena Golf Club. Located in Summerlin with six lakes and 95 white sand bunkers, the course is surrounded by the towering Spring Mountains. Designed by master architects Brian Curley and Lee Schmidt, Siena is renowned throughout the Las Vegas Valley for its natural beauty, gently rolling fairways, artful bunkering and unprecedented serenity. Every hole is given a different Italian name and the 9th (known as Della Pantera) is one of the most beautiful holes in Nevada. Though not easy, Siena will not ruin your day as long as you normally hit your ball somewhat straight. Be sure to hit some range balls before your approach to the first hole as the 420 yard, par 4 is a reminder you are playing golf

Sienne Golf Club Arizona Golf Central â&#x20AC;˘ Volume 1, Issue 2

and not standing in a Tuscan field. Also, do your best to avoid the rough as it is not so forgiving. The Revere Golf Club showcases two courses designed by Bill Casper and Greg Nash. With an American Revolution theme, the golfer is provided with a variety of options to accommodate their game, regardless of skill level. Casper and Nash designed these courses to fit the John Daly style of golf. With their numerous elevated tee boxes and wide fairways, both courses encourage players to play to their fullest. Both tracks showcase rugged desert terrain and you will frequently be hitting down to an inviting fairway. The Concord has one of the best finishing holes in Las Vegas with the 551 yard, par 5. At about 250 yards, the fairway starts a severe slope downhill and surrounding the green are nine bunkers that add to the difficulty.

Rio Secco The par-5 11th on the Lexington has a large rock formation in the center of the fairway that splits it in two and gives the player a choice of direction to the green. The Concord course is probably the more forgiving of the two as it plays shorter with wider fairways. Either course at Revere is worth a day’s play, though the Lexington course is better for its variety and the quality of its par-5s. Rio Secco can boast one of Vegas’ most dynamic desert courses. The course is owned and operated by the Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. and designed by Rees Jones. Most of the holes are built around a plateau, wash or steep canyon and will test your ability to choose the right club. Rio Secco is legendary among local residents and avid golfers alike for the tremendously challenging, fair, Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

Wolf Creek Golf Club

Photo courtesy of Wolf Creek Golf Club, Mesquite, NV

TPC Las Vegas and demanding course layout. Tiger Woods currently holds the course record of 64. Showcasing four par-5 holes, numbers 8 and 9 will be the ones to give you trouble. Combined at 1,150 yards and with unrelenting bunkers, most golfers will be lucky to get it on in two. Hole number 2 is the course’s number one handicap hole and also the longest par 4 at 489 yards. While this hole will require some moxie, the par 3, third will test your fortitude to carry on while you maneuver this short but tricky shot over a ravine to a shallow green. If Las Vegas is your next golfing destination, then a round at the TPC Las Vegas should be booked. TPC Las Vegas has received a four-star rating in Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play,” and been named one of their “50 Best Courses for

Great Service in North America”. The TPC has proven itself to be good enough for the pros and weekend warrior. Designers Ray Floyd and Bobby Weed were careful to maintain the natural ravines, arroyos and trees in the Canyons as they created one of the more authentic desert courses in the area. Golfers enjoy the straight and long play of most of the holes but there are a few that will test the skill and number of golf clubs of the average golfer. While the TPC Las Vegas doesn’t have a signature hole’, the back nine is often referred to as the ‘death valley’ and the 30 foot gorge is present throughout. One of the great features of this desert elegance course is that each golfer gets to decide how much risk and reward they want to pursue—you won’t be left disappointed.. 19

special events

Past and Present Give Back It

is often good to take stock of where we have been, where we are and where we want go. Take golf, for example. Invented and first played in the 15th century over in Scotland (some say earlier), it wasn’t until the mid 1700’s that the United States was first exposed to the game. A century later, there is history of the first club (The St. Andrews Golf Club) being established. Fast forward to the 20th century and the United States is a world leader for great players and the future is full of promise for the game. The LPGA is taking stock also. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, it is the world’s largest professional golf organization for women. They celebrate a diverse and storied membership

L to R: Suzann Pettersen, Ai Miyazato, Cristie Kerr, Jiyai Shin and Yani Tseng battled for Rolex Rankings No. 1 in 2010

with more than 1,700 members representing 29 different countries. In celebration of the LPGA’s past, present and future, they have announced the inaugural RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup event scheduled for March 14-20 at the Wildfire Golf Club on the grounds of the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. The 54-hole event will feature a field of 132 players and special appearances by LPGA and

World Golf Halls of Fame members. With a theme of the past, present and future of the LPGA, the event plans to honor the past, celebrate and showcase the present and provide for the future. The LPGA was organized with a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf. In 1950, the 13 founders of the LPGA probably never envisioned the day they would return as honored Hall of Fame members. Marilynn Smith, who lives in Phoenix, Louise Suggs and Shirley Spork will attend the tournament. Shirley Spork will play in the pro-am which will be held on Thursday, March 17. LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame members

2008 U.S. Women's Open Champion Inbee Park (center) provides for the future with a $50,000 donation to LPGA-USGA Girls Golf

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

Nancy Lopez, Betsy King (Arizona resi The LPGA has a tremendous sense of dent), Pat Bradley and Patty Sheehan will history and applauds the contributions play in the pro-am and play an 18-hole of the 13 LPGA Founders. After being exhibition on Friday, March 18, the first named the 2010 Louise Suggs Rolex day of tournament competition. The Hall Rookie of the Year, Azahara Munoz said of Fame members will be the first group “’I am particularly honored and humbled on the golf course to start the event. to win an award named for one of the The net proceeds from the RR DonnelLPGA Founders, Louise Suggs. Ms. Suggs ley LPGA Founders Cup will benefit The and the other 12 founders made it posLPGA Foundation sible for me to and its LPGA-USGA chase my dream of Girls Golf program. playing the LPGA LPGA Tour players Tour.” The playwill forego tournaers also have a ment earnings in keen sense for the support of Girls Golf future of the game. which reaches more Several LPGA than 6,000 junior players, including golfers annually. Brittany Lincicome The players will and Vicky Hurst, compete for a $1.3 were introduced to million mock purse the game through which will count the LPGA-USGA towards the 2011 Girls Golf program, LPGA Official Money the beneficiary of list. Players will also the RR Donnelley earn valuable points LPGA Founders for Rolex Player of Cup. Charity is LPGA Player Inbee Park gives back the Year, Louise in the DNA of the Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year, Rolex LPGA players. Dozens of LPGA players Rankings and Vare Trophy. “The RR have their own charities and foundations Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup repreto which they lend their time, talent, and sents more than the game of golf,” said funds. Thomas J. Quinlan III, RR Donnelley’s The LPGA has branched out to serve President and Chief Executive Officer. all aspects of women’s golf. The LPGA “The event will help secure the future by Tour Professionals compete across the raising funds to teach young women and globe, while dedicated LPGA Teaching girls the life skills inherent in the game and Club Professionals (T&CP) directly itself – patience, perseverance, honesty impact the game through teaching, and respect - providing them with the coaching and management. The LPGA building blocks to become future role Futures Tour serves as the official develmodels both on and off the golf course. opmental tour of the LPGA, consistently At the same time, the RR Donnelley LPGA producing a pipeline of talent ready for Founders Cup salutes the past contributhe world stage. tions of the 13 Founders of the LPGA and For more information on the LPGA showcases the very best in women’s golf Foundation or the upcoming Tournament, of today.” please visit www.LPGAFounders.com.

Babe Zaharias

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

Louise Suggs

The RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup will be played at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort the week of March 14-20, 2011. Tickets can be purchased online at www.LPGAFounders.com or by calling 1-888-LPGATIX (574-2849). Ticket options include: Good Any Day Grounds for Practice Rounds: $10 Provides daily tournament access for any one day of practice on either Wednesday, March 16 or Thursday, March 17. Good Any Day Grounds Competition Rounds: $20 Provides daily tournament access for any one day of competition Friday, March 18 through Sunday, March 20. Weekly Grounds Passes: $50 Weekly access to the tournament grounds Wednesday, March 16 through Sunday, March 20. Founders Ticket Package: $300 Exclusive package includes 24 Good Any One Day grounds tickets Wednesday, March 16 through Sunday, March 20. All tickets include applicable sales tax. Children 17 and under will receive free tournament admission with a ticketed adult. Active military members and their immediate family can receive free tournament admission when showing a valid active military ID at the main admission gate.

1951 – L to R: Babe Zaharias, Peggy Kirk Bell, Betty Jameson, Betsy Rawls, Betty Bush, Patty Berg

Marilynn Smith - 1 of 13 Founders

women in golf

By Susan Lied

Debbie Waitkus

olf for Cause is an Arizona grown organization that offers a variety of programs—golf clinics, golf mentoring, business golf leagues, team building and even tournament consulting. CEO, founder and current president of Women in the Golf Industry (www. wigi.info), Debbie Waitkus, likes to say “we help others Turn Golf into Gold.®” What ‘gold’ means to each person can vary; anything from taking time for oneself, business development, being outdoors, giving to a charity, etc. Golf just happens to be the backdrop for all the programs but the emphasis is on fun and opportunity. With an impressive list of clients, Golf for Cause has made an impact. Organizations like Arizona Commercial Real Estate Women, General Mills, The Hartford, Scottsdale Healthcare and the Thunderbird School of Global Management have all participated in the

The Midas Touch cause. But the GFC focus is also on the individual woman who plays or wants to play. For that, they offer events like Nine & Wine, which is an on-course golf mentoring program for new and returning golfers in a casual atmosphere. Each foursome has a seasoned golfer sharing their knowledge and encouragement. The emphasis is not on the golfer’s skill but rather to put their best effort forward. Once they are shown how to tee up the ball, where to stand, how to drive the cart and other basics of the game, they try to make contact with the ball. After that point, they are free to pick up the ball and drop it on the green to be able to putt with everyone else. After nine holes, the group retires to the clubhouse for a hosted happy hour. Alongside Waitkus in her endeavor is Char Carson, a graduate of the Golf Academy of America and a member of the LPGA’s Teaching and Club Professionals. Char’s passion is to help others enrich their life through golf. Her teaching philosophy is to understand each student’s objectives (why you do want

to play golf?) and to develop a plan that makes learning to play a fun and comfortable experience. In addition to playing the game, Char believes it is important to develop the fundamentals of the swing. When asked what she is doing to get women to the course, Waitkus responded, “The best way to get women to the course is to invite them! Help them understand that they’re welcome. One point I make to women is that we don’t need golf for networking with other women. We do that just fine over a cup of coffee, on the phone, on Facebook, shopping, etc. Where golf is powerful, especially in business, is by using it as a vehicle to network with men – to cross over. Golf is a venue in which our male counterparts can get to know us and see us in action. They can see that we’re strategic, respectful and credible – characteristics that transfer beautifully to the business environment.” Consider this your invitation. For more information on Golf for Cause or the Nine and Wine program, visit www.golfforcause.com.

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

Arizona Golf Central â&#x20AC;˘ Volume 1, Issue 2

celebrity corner

Photo by Dave Schibel

Mark McMillian

and the Hard Hittin’ Radio Foundation By Natalie Heath

you were to meet Mark McMillian on the street, you would never guess he played in the NFL for eight years. “Mighty Mouse McMillian” was his nickname due to his amazingly high vertical leap. Considering he stands 5’7” and weighs 154 pounds, it’s obvious he possesses some pretty rare talents! And he shares those talents both on and off the field. He first began playing football in the rough streets of South Central, Los Angeles. He was passionate about the sport and sought it as a way to better himself and attend a major university. Mark never let his size get in the way of his talents or dreams of playing in the NFL. After graduating from the University of Alabama (where he still holds the record for the longest interception touchdown), Mark was drafted in 1992 in the 10th round pick and made his first debut with the Philadelphia Eagles. I asked what it was like his first day as an Eagle. “I walked in the locker room and the first person I saw was Reggie White. He made a joke like ‘Whose little kid is this?’ I knew I had arrived, but I didn’t laugh, because at 5’7” I thought I was not likely going to be turning heads. But it was definitely great to be in company with the likes of Randall Cunningham, Jim McMahon, Herschel Walker, the preacher Reggie White and of course, my partner and long time friend, Byron Evans.” After a brief stint as a New Orleans Saint, McMillian would later have his

Photo by Dave Schibel most celebrated success as a cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs under coach Marty Schottenheimer. He set a Chiefs franchise record for most returned yards and finished his NFL career with the Washington Redskins alongside Hall of Famer Darrell Green and Champ Bailey. “But Philly has my heart when it comes to some of my fondest memories,” he said. In 1999, McMillian made his final play and retired after one season with the Washington Redskins. After retiring from the NFL and not sure what path to take from there, he realized that he was in a position to give back, mentor and inspire individuals who were less fortunate. The Hard Hittin’ Radio Foundation was founded in 2010 by former NFL player Byron Evans and Mark McMillian to bring awareness and help communities that have individuals who suffer from autism, cancer, HIV and ALS. The HHRF is a local foundation to Arizona and committed to raising money for organizations such as SARC of Arizona through charitable events. Recently Mark and Byron hosted the NFL Golf Tournament where they raised over $4800 dollars and donated the proceeds to the SARC Foundation. When they are not raising funds for their charity, both Mark and Byron host their weekly show at Uncle Bears in Chandler, Arizona. During the show, they give their listeners a taste of their NFL expertise, game highlights and

Photo by Dave Schibel even raffle off signed jerseys, footballs and more. In addition to his foundation, McMillian works with various programs to improve the lives of children and young adults. “I’m currently working with a group call Junior Rank (www.juniorrank.com ) helping kids bring out there best in themselves.” To learn more about the Hard Hittin’ Radio Foundation, visit www.hardhittinradio.com. Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

(800) 381-3848 www.StackAndTilt0.com

feature

hen it comes to golf, one of the most endearing and history filled companies is Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Often known best today as a manufacturer of golf equipment, the company has proven itself to be one of the leading developers of sporting equipment for years. Wilson Sporting Goods began in 1914 as the Ashland Manufacturing Company. But in 1915, Thomas E. Wilson became president of the company and chose to concentrate the company’s efforts on athletic equipment. The golf legacy known as Wilson Golf began 1917 when they made their first clubs. Over the years, Wilson has introduced a number of innovations. They were the first to produce irons with an offset hosel in 1933, a design feature still used today. That same year, Wilson began manufacturing the first sand wedge, which was developed by their partner and advisor, Gene Sarazen. What made it so remarkable was that it was the first club to incorporate “bounce” that made the explosion shot possible. Fast forward to the 1970’s when Wilson Staff went on to build Staff Dyna-Power, Fluid Feel and FG Series irons. For the next 20 years, the company became a powerhouse golf supply manufacturer. It seems the sky is the limit for this company which, even today, still manufactures clubs that are loved by so many. But Wilson has become a force in professional golf arena as well. Wilson Staff irons are continually used and endorsed on the PGA Tour. With their long history of success, Wilson irons have won 61 Major championships—more than any other golf company in history. They have helped this game for more than 97 years and golfers have relied on Wilson golf equipment every step of the way. The evolution of technologies and equipment to customization of club performance live on today. Wilson Golf consistently delivers the highest quality of golf equipment to all golfers who want to enhance their performance. They give golfers the best opportunity to

Padraig Harrington make everyday legendary. Some of the top players on the Tour have chosen to enhance their game by joining the Wilson Golf family. Ricky Barnes performance in 2010 is surely one to remember. He tied for 2nd at the US Open and has been at the top of picks to win week after week. Wilson Staff has renewed a multiyear contract with Barnes. Wilson Marketing Executive Tom Gruger said, “Ricky is like family and we are glad to have him back, but more importantly, we are glad he believes that Wilson Golf clubs gives him that competitive edge.” 2005 was a memorable year for Padraig Harrington in that he became the first Irishman to win a USPGA Tour event. In fact, he won two of them that

year! The first came at the Honda Classic and the second win was at the Barclays. Padraig finally realized his Major dreams when he won in a play off at Adare Manor against Bradley Dredge. He continued his play-off success with a win in the Irish PGA Championship at the European Club before breaking through to win the Open Championship in another play off at one of his favorite courses, the feared Carnoustie Links. He was the first European to win a major since Paul Lawrie in 1999 and the first Irishman to win the Open since Fred Daly in 1947. Harrington has used Wilson clubs since 1998 and currently uses Wilson Staff Irons. He also uses the Wilson Staff Smooth Driver, a Wilson Staff FwS fairway wood, a Wilson Staff Dh6 hybrid Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

Ricky Barnes and Tom Gruger

and Wilson Staff Tw9 wedges. He carries a Wilson Staff bag and uses their umbrella and head covers. You might say that Harrington has taken the idea of being a Staff member seriously! The newest Staff member, Kevin Streelman, grew up in a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois called Wheaton. Tim Clarke, General Manager of Wilson Golf said, “Kevin is truly entering the prime of his career and we are excited to be a part of that process. We couldn’t be more proud to have a native-Chicagoan representing our Chicago-based brand on the PGA TOUR.” Streelman will play the Wilson Staff FG Tour irons and the Wilson Staff FG Tour wedges. Other greats like Major winner Paul Lawrie and Europe’s young star, Steve Webster from the European PGA tour are also Wilson Staff. With the success of the Wilson Staff’s recent premium equipment offerings, the historic golf club manufacturer is expanding their customer reach and improving on original designs. Di11 irons – In its fifth generation in the Di iron franchise, the new Di11 iron features modifications and updates in virtually every performance area, all designed to deliver added power and greater accuracy for players looking for more distance and more forgiveness. Once you hit it, you get it. The Di11 irons feature an exoskeleton that pulls weight low and back in the club and a toe-friendly design. The “Di” family is all about distance. It is available in three powerful shafts,. FG62 irons – The newer version of the FG59 Tour-caliber forged irons that were introduced in 2009, the FG62 irons are Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

improved with a muscle back forged head and a larger head and wider sole that its predecessor. The new modifications allow for consistent amounts of workability with a moderate amount of forgiveness. The delicate balance of top-line thickness, offset, blade length and blade shape are in harmony to suit the eyes of the blade player. FG Tour wedges – Based on the FG Tour irons that have been used on the PGA TOUR by Ricky Barnes and Padraig Harrington, the FG Tour wedges live in the same family as a high-performance option for low-handicap players looking to score from tight fairway lies, deep rough and sand while controlling spin throughout the course. In addition to the offerings listed above, Wilson Staff is introducing other technology-driven equipment for the 2011 golf season, including:

Wilson Staff Di11 Women’s Wilson Staff D-FY Women’s Wilson Staff Dxi Driver, fairway woods and hybrids Wilson Staff Dxi Driver, fairway woods and hybrids for women Wilson Staff Vizor putter Wilson Staff FG Tour Junior set

Wilson Golf’s premium line of professional golf equipment, Wilson Staff delivers the highest quality golf equipment to all golfers who want to enhance their performance and enjoyment of the game. For more details on each of the new designs in the Wilson Staff line, visit www.wilsonstaff.com. If you want to demo the new 2011 line of Wilson Golf

Kevin Steelman

equipment, head to one of the two PGA Tour Superstores in Arizona. PGA TOUR Superstore(Chandler) 2031 N. Arizona Avenue Chandler, AZ 85225 (480) 214-4370 PGA TOUR Superstore(Scottsdale) 8740 East Shea Boulevard Scottsdale,AZ 85260 (480) 214-4350 27

swing thoughts

Innovative Practice For The New Year: Preparing For Competition W e’re always looking for the most efficient and beneficial ways to practice. Pounding balls over and over again to the blue flag 140 yards away has become the norm. Or how about putting, using the wooden arc off the mirror alignment tool with two tees at the end for accuracy and down the infamous chalk line to the target hole 6 feet away! OK… ok, I know we don’t use all these tools at the same time, but you get the picture. Every year around this time golfers look to improve their game by getting back to the basics and working on fundamentals. Now don’t get me wrong, fundamentals are an extremely important part in the development of a golfer. It’s how we excel in hitting consistent shots. The better the mechanics and fundamentals, the higher probability we have to achieve success. As a mental coach I have worked with many sports over the years ranging from basketball, football, baseball, tennis and easily the toughest mental sport of all golf. Athletes will work on the fundamentals of the game within all these sports. A basketball player will practice his shooting form by shooting 50 three pointers from the top of the key. A pitcher will work on his follow through for better accuracy during a bullpen session. I can go down the list of each sport and point out drills that enhance fundamentals. Not surprising, no other sport caters their practice habits toward developing fundamentals more than the world of golf. That’s golf’s culture. It’s an individual sport that utilizes individual coaches to achieve success. A golfer can have a swing coach, a short game coach, a putting coach, a mental coach, a college coach, a coach for his coach. The list goes on and on. Again, this article is not intended to knock the importance of practicing fundamentals. I highly encourage you to continue to hone your skills, mechanics and techniques when out on the range, chipping area or putting green. This article is to help shift the practice culture in golf. When I’m working with my golfers we talk about the concept of Quantity Practice vs. Quality Practice. Quantity Practice is the repetition of hitting balls over and over again (i.e. 50 balls in a row with an

8 iron to the blue flag). Quantity Practice is great for engraining mechanics. The problem with only focusing on this type of practice is you don’t get 50 chances to hit the green from the fairway when playing a competitive round. Quality Practice is the concept of utilizing your practice time to better prepare for competitive rounds. This type of practice is the norm in other major sports. During basketball practice, the team will go over the fundamentals of how to set a pick and roll--square the body to the defender, reverse pivot on the roll, seal the defender and then dive to the basket. These techniques are executed over and over again (Quantity Practice). In addition, the team will go over the nuances of

the play. What to do if the ball handler is double teamed, or what happens if both defenders go with the guy who set the pick. There are many different options to the pick and roll play the team will go over and practice. It’s the preparation of all the intangibles of the play that allows the players to be great during competition (Quality Practice). I like to equate the pick and roll example to the practice and execution of your routine when practicing. How many times have you been to the chipping area and went through your full routine for each chip? Usually you’ll grab your shag bag, have about 30 balls in a pile and start chipping away. If you hit the same shot enough times in a row you’re almost certain to hit many of them close to the hole over time. The shot becomes extremely comfortable once you know the feel of the shot and your anxiety level is pretty low. This does very little to prepare you

By James Boykin, M.S.

for the rigors of competition. When practicing, try spreading out the balls from your shag bag leaving you with different lies and angles to different holes but don’t stop there! Now go through your full routine for each shot. This practice session will benefit you in many ways. First, you’ll begin to learn the timing and rhythm of your routine as your executing it. You will also begin to pick up on the nuances of what you do when hitting a shot. If a certain chip shot tends to cause difficulty for you, what differences do you notice in your execution? Do your hands get a little tight, does your pace pick up, or does it take you longer to get into the shot? There can be a number of things that happen when you try to execute once that anxiety starts to kick in. When you never do any Quality Practice to learn more about yourself and how you react to situations, you’re left trying to figure it out on the golf course during a competitive round. Another benefit from going through your routine for each shot during practice is the mental endurance you gain from this type of focus. Trust me, try hitting each chip with a full routine and see how difficult it is to stay focused on each shot. Although mentally draining, it helps in the long run if you stay disciplined and focused on executing your full routine. Quality Practice also conditions you to adapt and handle adversity much more efficiently. Executing your routine each time forces you to focus on the process of your execution instead of worrying about the outcome of your shots. The last thing you want to do is think about your swing when things start to go bad. If you’ve conditioned yourself during practice to know your tendencies when you hit a bad shot, then you now have created a much more productive formula to handle adversities during competition. The Quantity/Quality concept allows you to better structure your practices so they’re more beneficial and efficient. Start incorporating Quality Practice in all aspects of your game. Maybe start out 50% Quality/50% Quantity, and then gradually shift to more Quality Practice. In due time, you’ll begin to see the benefits of this competitive style of practice as you display complete control during those high-pressure moments. Now get to work!

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

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he Golf Channel The Golf Channel The Golf Channel The Golf Channel The Gol

Golf Channel Launches Morning Drive

(Fron left) Erik Kuselias, Holly Sonders, and Gary Williams

January 3, Golf Channel

various tournaments.

are incredible personalities and have

launched its first, live weekday

Kuselias came to Golf Channel from

a vast knowledge of golf and beyond,

morning show, Morning Drive,

ESPN, where he has been a host and

which creates extremely interesting

with veteran sports broadcasters Erik

analyst since 2003. Most recently, while

content on Morning Drive.”

Kuselias and Gary Williams taking view-

at ESPN, Kuselias created and hosted the

Said Kuselias, “It’s exciting to be part

ers through all of the headlines in the

Emmy Award-winning Fantasy Football

of this new Golf Channel venture and I

world of golf, sports, finance and pop

NOW, was the primary host of College

look forward to working with Gary and

culture. Originating from a dedicated

Football Live and The Erik Kuselias Show

the production team to bring a dynamic

studio at Golf Channel’s Orlando head-

on ESPN Radio, and has been a fixture

morning program to viewers.”

quarters and airing each weekday from

on Mike and Mike in the Morning. Pre-

“I’ve always been impressed with Golf

7-9 a.m. ET, Morning Drive has featured

viously, Kuselias hosted the nationally

Channel’s high-caliber broadcasts and

an-all star lineup of guests during its

syndicated SportsBash weekday after-

talented reporters and commentators,”

first two weeks, highlighted by “The

noons on ESPN Radio, and in 2007, he

said Williams. “I am thrilled to have the

King” Arnold Palmer on the show’s

was the anchor for NASCAR NOW, when

opportunity to work with Erik Kuselias

debut.

it was nominated for an Emmy for “Best

and the network’s production team in

Although golf content leads the way,

Studio Show.”

creating a morning show that will both

the weekday show also features news

Williams came from Sirius Satellite

inform and entertain Golf Channel

and commentary about the day’s top

Radio, where he co-hosted the early

fans.”

national headines, finance and pop

morning show on Sirius’ Mad Dog Radio.

Joining Kuselias and Williams is Holly

culture In addition, some of the biggest

He also served as a lead host on the PGA

Sonders, who provides news and tour-

names in golf, as well as personalities

TOUR Network on Sirius/XM. Previously,

nament updates as well as headlines

and celebrities from all walks of life,

Williams hosted the top-rated morning-

of the day at and bottom of the hour. A

regularly join the show as guests. In

drive sports-formatted radio program

graduate of Michigan State University

addition to Palmer, recent guests have

in Charlotte, N.C., for nine years. His

and a four-year member of the MSU

included Philadelphia Phillies center

other on-air credits include play-by-play

Women’s Golf Team, Sonders most

fielder Shane Victorino, Donald Trump,

for ESPN and also the Carolina Panthers

recently was a news and sports reporter

Rush Limbaugh, Minnesota Vikings

television network.

at KATV in Little Rock, Ark.

kicker Ryan Longwell, LPGA Tour Com-

“Erik and Gary are welcome additions

Audio from Morning Drive is

missioner Mike Whan and LPGA Tour

to the Golf Channel, and bring a wealth

streamed live at www.GolfChannel.

professional Christina Kim to name a

of diverse experience in broadcast jour-

com/morning-drive each weekday, and

few. Golf Channel’s team of analysts

nalism,” said Tom Stathakes, Golf Chan-

a “Best of” highlights podcast hosted by

and reporters contribute on a daily

nel senior vice president of program-

Sonders will be available online each

basis, both in-studio and on-location at

ming, production and operations. “Both

afternoon.

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

By Golf Chick

golf chick

To Mow or not to Mow… M

Photos by

owing the lawn at 10:00 AM is too early and much too strenuous for many husbands. However, did you ever notice that it seems to be a lot easier for them to get up at 6:00 AM to play golf? The dense fog, rain conditions, or scorching heat doesn’t even seem to deter them. I found it amazing how my friends’ husbands who never helped out around the house had no problem replacing their divots, repairing their ball marks, and raking their sand traps. This led me to ponder what it was about the game of golf that makes some so crazily obsessed. Is it the fact

because they are not multi-taskers. For women, it’s much more personal and social. Women like the relational aspect of the game. Perhaps it’s a way for her to bond with her husband, her friends, or a potential mate. Women seem to be able to chat, laugh, and even swing at the same time. Now that I have some time on my hands, I figured it was time to see what all the fuss was about. Purchasing a set of clubs and finding a good instructor was my first step. This required doing some research, and if you’re serious, the information is out there. However, when you don’t know

of golf seems to be 90% mental and 10% mental. It requires a dedication of focus, relaxation, and much patience. Who has all that!? But what a life lesson it provides. This is the mentally challenging part; if I over think my swing, I ruin it. So I try to never keep more than three hundred separate thoughts in my mind during my swing. So let’s get back to the 10:00 AM lawn mowing dilemma. Who really wants to ever mow a lawn, regardless of what time it is. And who am I to tell a man that raking a sand trap isn’t fun? In other words, I don’t have an answer for you—afterall, I am not an

that one gets to ride around in a cart, drink beer, eat hot dogs, and do some male bonding? Maybe it was a chance to get closer to God, because on Sundays you sure see many men out on the course, and they are doing lots of praying! So why do men really choose to play golf? And, why would a woman want to start? According to Debbie Steinbach Keller from Venus Golf, “men choose to play golf because it’s a challenge and there is a conquerable ‘enemy’ to attack and beat.” In fact, most men do little chatting while they play

what you don’t know, it’s difficult to know what kinds of questions to ask. I started watching the Golf Channel and talking to various people who seemed to be knowledgeable about the sport. Through my discussions, however, I have discovered that the less skilled the player, the more likely he is to share his ideas about the golf swing. So, I have chosen to stay loyal to my instructor and not seek others for advice. As my lessons have progressed, I have found my athleticism to be virtually irrelevant because the game

advice columnist! But before all the wives start to email and call, let me just say that I am on your side—that lawn needs to be mowed. I am thinking it’s a prime opportunity for some compromise. You get something, he gets something and you get another thing and then we are all happy! But seriously, whether the challenge is to ‘conquer the enemy’, have a fun day on the links, or manicure the yard, I am finding that perspective is required. And I learned about this perspective on the links. For that I have to be grateful to the game of golf. Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

special events

By Jason Keesling

Hole 16

Phoenix Open T

here really is no comparison to the Phoenix Open. Starting in 1932, it’s the fifth oldest non-major golf event in the country. Every year, it draws more spectators that any other golf tournament in the world and in recent years, it has made the list of one of the largest spectator events in the nation with attendance figures over 500,000. 2011 will see it entering its second year under the Waste Management sponsorship and hospitable hosting of the Phoenix Thunderbirds. Longevity is the hallmark of success in most instances. Entering its 76th year, the Phoenix Open is synonymous with the Thunderbirds. The silver pendant logo of The Thunderbirds is symbolic of their continuous civic pride and charitable success in the Phoenix area. Over the years, millions of dollars from the Tournament has been given by the Thunderbirds to local charities such as the Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs of Scottsdale, Phoenix and East Valley and the affiliated agencies of the Valley of the Sun United Way. Even though the Thunderbirds are no longer the official sponsors, they are still hosting the event, so don’t be surprised to see them at the Open helping out in any

way they can. The play begins Monday, January 31 and ends on Sunday, February 6. Waste Management is dedicated to continuing in the charitable fashion but they have added their own twist for today’s environmentally conscious spectator. They are hosting a GREEN OUT on Saturday, February 5th, 2011 during the 3rd round of the tournament. “We want to show the world that we’re not only the ‘The Greatest Show on Grass’ but also ‘The Greenest Show on Grass’ by having EVERYONE (all fans, players, sponsors, caddies, Thunderbirds and vendors) show their support for the green/eco-sensitive efforts of the tournament by wearing GREEN. Green hats, green shirts, green pants or even

green shoes will do,” said this year’s Tournament Chairman, Mike McQuaid. “We want to see a sea of green walking the grounds of the TPC Scottsdale.” Spectators can expect to see a Green Squad who will be on hand to count all the greenness and for their efforts, the Thunderbirds will donate some green to the Arizona Clean and Beautiful non-profit organization. Charities and environmental issues aside, there still remains the question as to why the Phoenix Open is so popular with golf fans. The location probably has something to do with it. Beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona, known for its incredible weather during the tournament, provides a good reason to get out and enjoy the tournament. And Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

then there are also the golfers. The Open draws some of the world’s best golfers, who show up to give it their all and vie for a chance at one of the largest purses around (the winner is awarded just over a million dollars). Perhaps another reason, for the more serious golf spectator, is the chance to try out the latest gadget or the best new club on the market and also pick up a few pointers from the caddies as they march their 18 holes. But what really has put the Phoenix Open on the top of the list is the reputation for being the biggest party on the PGA tour. While it might be a bit of an exaggeration, the Phoenix Open is marketed as the ‘place where the world goes to party.’ The Open has become a social hotspot better than any happy hour around. While golf is the reason for the Tournament, we have to be honest and say that it is pretty much a secondary thought for many of the spectators. We could even go so far as to say that some are only vaguely aware that a professional golf tournament is even taking place. They come for the atmosphere— the object is to see and be seen. The famous Bird’s Nest, the Sweet 16th, the cocktails, the conversation and the atmosphere all provide a winning tournament for not only the keeper of the trophy on Sunday but every last spectator who wants to participate. Rest assured, that reputation hasn’t always served the Phoenix Open well. We all remember when an orange was thrown at Tiger Woods from the gallery while he was preparing to take a shot in 2001—he hasn’t played the tournament since. And who can forget ‘the loudest hole in golf’ in 1997 when Tiger aced the short par 3,16th hole at 162 yards. This is not the golf tournament your grandfather would fondly remember. Almost to an extreme at times, the Phoenix Open has done away with the stuffy clubhouse and the “golf claps”. There is the infamous 16th, where partying takes priority over putts and pars and any semblance of golf etiquette is out the window. There is no other hole in golf like the 16th at the Phoenix Open. It’s the only place in golf world where you can walk by a clubhouse, pass some professional golfers, see people dressed in all sorts of golf attire, watch balls go bouncing greens and fairways and not even realize that you are at a golf tournament. It’s like the central nervous system of the Phoenix Open and has been given the moniker, Sweet 16th. It’s a gathering hole—not to Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

watch golf but to get rowdy and test the mental capabilities of the guy taking a swing. If incessant noise, roaring at tee shots, and booing because a ball misses a green isn’t enough, there is always the ‘wave’ that ritually happens. It feels more like a tailgate party than a golf tournament on the 16th. But it’s not just the 16th that has solidified the Phoenix Open reputation. The famed Bird’s Nest has gone a long way in contributing. Why it is called the Bird’s Nest is not immediately apparent. Set up just outside the Tournament in a fenced-in area of the parking lot, this is where the socially minded mingle. The Bird’s Nest is about the size of two football fields and provides attendees with constant entertainment and reason to imbibe. Believe it or not, there are actually people who flock to the Bird’s Nest and don’t even bother giving a nod to the Tournament. Thousands and

eagles realized—in 1990 by Tom Pernice and 2001 by Andrew Magee. Magee also has the distinction of having the first hole in one on a par 4 in the history of the PGA Tour. In 2006, JJ Henry achieved the lowest back 9 score in Tournament history (29). Arnold Palmer captured the title three consecutive years (1961, 62 and 63) but Jack Nicklaus has only won one Phoenix Open Tournament in his career. Mark Calcavecchia holds many records at the Phoenix Open--he has the lowest 4 day score achieved in 2001 with a total of 256, he shares the most wins record of three with Gene Littler and Arnold Palmer, he has the most birdies and strokes under par for 72 holes, and he has the lowest 18 hole score recorded with a 60 in 2001. There are 19 total hole-in-ones since the first in 1987 with 1990 having a whopping 4 of them. In 2001, we

Hole 18

thousands visit each year for the few short hours it is open (5-9:30) and then disperse into the local community to continue the festivities. The Bird’s Nest is proof that that party continues long after the 18th hole has been shot. But what about the actual game of golf and the golfers who come to play? Phil Mickelson calls it “a special tournament” that “provides an experience you just don’t get week in and week out” on the PGA tour. There are many scoring and victory records over the last 75 years at the Phoenix Open. Although it was first televised in 1973, the Open is rich with history and achievement by many of the greats and even some of the unknowns. There have only been two double

remember where the fans helped Tiger move a boulder that was interfering with his play on the 13th. Phil Mickelson has played the Open 21 times and Kenny Perry tried 22 times before he finally marked his first title. Billy Mayfair has played 24 consecutive years at the Phoenix Open but Gene Littler played the most years at 28. While you will be hard pressed to find a player that will tell you the Phoenix Open is the most challenging course in their play schedule or even the one they always wanted to play, you’ll find that most say the Phoenix Open is ‘special’ and worth every stroke. The Phoenix Open has never let us down and we look forward to what 2011 has to bring. 35

fore your health

The Ultimate Water Hazard By Keith James, Certified Cellular Hydration Specialist e all have our favorite story of how a certain water hazard changed the outcome of a round of golf, maybe costing us a round of drinks or a few bucks at the end of an otherwise great round. Some of those gorgeous, deep, wet monsters are downright dangerous, but most of us would be shocked to find out that the most dangerous water hazard on a golf

20 months ago I was introduced to an entirely different type of water, an alkaline, ionized water called Kangen Water®. Kangen Water® is produced by running ordinary tap water through a water processor made in Japan, and when it comes out it is the healthiest water on the planet! I have personally benefitted in many ways by drinking this water, and better yet, I have helped

absorption of the water into your cells – where it is needed, and the high pH allows your body to maintain its crucial acid/alkaline balance to help keep you healthy and well. Drinking Kangen Water® every day can help virtually anyone get more out of life. Most people feel more energy, sleep better, enjoy better eliminations, and simply feel better overall after

course is often found inside the cooler on the cart! Like many of you, I have played a whole lot of golf in all kinds of conditions. Here in Arizona, those conditions tend to be hot and dry, and it is very common for me and my buddies to drink several quarts of water or other beverages during a single round, even this time of year. During a 113 degree July day it might be several gallons of water per round, and I never gave a single drop of it a second thought, usually just chugging it down as fast as I could. But I sure think about it now!

hundreds of people restore better health by sharing it with them. It’s basically free, after all, so why not share it with everyone I can? Kangen Water® is different from other waters in three significant ways. It is “micro-clustered” for superior hydration; it has a higher than normal pH; and it is the most powerful antioxidant I have ever tested when it is fresh out of the machine. Most people know about the importance of ingesting anti-oxidants, but few people really understand what they do. Antioxidants are molecules that have an extra electron available that can be “donated” to stop free-radical damage at the cellular level. Oxidation is a normal, necessary by-product of metabolism, but most people alive today have too much of it going on at any given time, and that can lead to some very serious problems, beginning with inflammation and ending in a wide variety of diseases and significant health concerns. Imagine being able to ingest all the extra electrons you’ll ever need to end the over-oxidation in your body simply by drinking a delicious, refreshing glass of water and you can start to see the power of what drinking Kangen Water® can do

drinking Kangen Water® for a short time. Many people have been able to reduce or eliminate their use of prescription medications, and some have reported “miracles” of all types happening to their health, all by changing their beverage of choice to this very special water. Even people who have suffered for many years with serious aches and pains have found tremendous relief by drinking this water and giving their body a chance to heal itself. Who knows what you might feel, so why not give it a try, especially if it’s free to do so? If you would like to try the water for yourself, you are in luck. The world’s first Kangen Health and Wellness Center recently opened in Old Town Scottsdale, and we give away gallons of water to anyone who comes and asks to try it. In fact, we give away enough water for your entire family to drink all they can for a full three weeks, with no cost and no obligation other than to drink the water. The water is best fresh, so we typically give it away a few gallons at a time, and recommend people come back for more fresh water every two or three days. Drinking Kangen Water® may not improve your golf game, but it could

for you. The micro-clustering allows a faster, deeper

very well improve every other aspect of your life. Call 602-561-1198 for more information, or visit the Kangen Health and Wellness Center at 6939 East Main Street, Old Town Scottsdale, AZ 85251.

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

The new training aid Pin High Pro is expertly designed to engrain a proper rhythm into every swing. The patent-pending technology acknowledges correct weight shift during the swing by beeping at the exact time a proper front-side weight shift is achieved. This training aid also enforces muscle memory on your downswing, making it easier to consistently create the proper weight shift. The Pin High Pro weighs about one pound and is perfect for practicing just about anywhere.

Price $69.95

what's new

Black Widow Grips

eading golf cleat and tee brand Softspikes, a division of PrideSports, has entered the golf grip market with the launch of BLACK WIDOW Grips. The new BLACK WIDOW Grips line was created to meet the demands of players at all levels and offers five models, each one featuring bold colors and a myriad of performance features.

• Tour Silk – Tour Silk features a Softspikes inspired horizontal “S” traction pattern embedded in a specialized rubber compound for the ultimate performance. They are available in black or white and round or ribbed models. • WM1 – WM 1 has a multi-compound hybrid feel and a two-color design that features a corded top for traction in all conditions and a firm responsive bottom for performance and feedback. Available in round and ribbed models with black/white and black/red color patterns. In the future, it will also be available in a putter grip model. • Signature – Signature features a firm two-compound composition that delivers enhanced feel in the finger tip contact points, as well as Web Traction Technology on the backside for greater control, resulting in an unmatched combination of an aggressive design, superior feel and performance. Available in round and ribbed models with black/white, black/red and white/black color patterns. A junior model with a black/white color pattern is also available, as well as a putter grip model. • Fusion – Fusion features a firm and highly textured surface for enhanced feel and control. The two-compound, multi-color material controls vibration and delivers two distinct feels plus Web Traction Technology for greater control. It is available in black round and ribbed models. • Edge -– Edge features a soft performance wrap design with a high tack feel. The Web Traction Technology design pattern provides greater grip con40

fidence and control. Available in black round, ribbed and oversized models. In addition to their unique performance characteristics, all of the models in the BLACK WIDOW Grips line feature distinctive markings, including either black widow spider icons, and/or stylish spider web designs. According to John Hohman, Vice President of marketing for PrideSports, “Black Widow grips are already being

played on the PGA and Nationwide tours by top tier pros posting a top 15 place finish. No other new grip brand has been put into play on tours as quickly as Black Widow without paid sponsorships. Black Widow Grips offer powerful performance along with bold designs.” For more information about the BLACK WIDOW Grips or the company’s other products, visit www.softspikes.com. Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

Louise Suggs Founder

Come see the past, present and future of the LPGA • March 16-20, 2011 Wildﬁre Golf Club at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

Angela Stanford

Proceeds will beneﬁt LPGA-USGA Girls Golf and other LPGA Foundation programs.

Purchase tickets at www.LPGAFounders.com or by calling 1- 888-LPGATIX (574-2849)

product review

➊ Herbie's One Putt Wedge Created by longtime club designer and fitter Kit Mungo from an idea conceived by Herb Hyman, the founder of the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Herbie’s One Putt Wedge is a short-game hybrid – a versatile blend of putter and wedge designed to automatically position your hands forward of the ball, promoting a pendulum stroke that is as simple as it is efficient. The skulled chip and bladed pitch become a thing of the past. “One of the hardest things of hitting a chip shot is that it requires the arms and wrists to open and close the clubface at the precise moment of contact,” Mungo said. “With this design, players use a pendulum stroke which makes it simple to get the clubface on the ball squarely every time.” The club’s ingenious design, which integrates the mass and weight associated with mallet putters along with the flange and sharp leading edge of the traditional sand wedge, allows you to effortlessly hit a variety of shots: from the fairway, the fringe, the deep rough, the not-so-deep rough and the sand. Herbie’s One Putt Wedge retails for $139. It is available for both men and women in both left- and right-hand models. For more information, visit the Web site at www.oneputtwedge.com.

➋ Spotless Swing™ Golf Towel Golfers of all skill levels are looking for an edge in their game. When a golfer strikes the ball with a clean clubface, it allows for better contact with the ball, ensuring greater backspin, and therefore, longer distance and enhanced accuracy. A portion of the inside of the Spotless SwingTM Golf Towel is made with a uniquely designed MicroBrush™ fabric to easily clean the grooves of the club-face where dirt hides from ordinary towels. The fabric is coarse enough to clean deeply into the grooves yet soft enough to not damage the golf club finish. The Spotless Swing Golf Towel from BrightSpot Solutions® functions as three golf towels in one; the outside keeps the hands, face, gloves and grips clean and dry, the inside protects and preserves golf clubs by removing dirt, mud and water, and the revolutionary MicroBrush fabric cleans club grooves effortlessly preparing the club for its next shot. The ultra-high quality microfiber fabric that makes up main body of the Spotless Swing absorbs over 600% of its weight in dirt, mud and water. The Spotless Swing is available in four colors: Graphite Black (with red trim), Classic Red (with black trim), solid Graphite Black and solid Pink, and conveniently attaches to any golf bag with the included carabiner clip. For more information visit www.SpotlessSwing.com. Retail Price: $19.99.

➌ DnA Golf's Alpha 610 Driver Introducing the world’s first detachable face golf driver. DnA Golf’s patented technology helps golfers gain distance by selecting the optimum face for their unique swing. The technology also allows customers the option of selecting from three distinct sound or acoustic profiles …loud (A1), medium (A2) and quiet (A3). Each DnA driver is sold with a face that conforms to USGA and R&A Rules. Aftermarket AMP faces, matched to a players swing speed, help recreational golfers gain distance. (Aftermarket faces do not conform to USGA and R&A rules). Co-branded DnA Drivers: Are you looking for a nice gift for that up-and-coming corporate golf tournament? DnA Golf’s patented feature permits the incorporation of custom emblems into the crown of the club in an elegant cost effective manner. For more information please visit www.dnagolf.com.

➍ SRIXON Z Star X Golf Ball The latest in golf ball technology is now available to everyone in the SRIXON Z star X golf ball, available in white or the new yellow-green color. The ultra thin super soft urethane 3 piece ball has a highly resilient, very thin ionomer middle layer covering a large highly resilient Energetic Gradient Growth Core. With a 324 huge seamless dimple design, the Z star X gives the player high initial velocity for greater distance, superb spin performance on approach shots, and penetrating and stable ball flight in windy conditions for greater distance. Just ask Jim Furyk who has won twice already this year using the new ball. Studies have shown yellow to be the most visible color in the spectrum and have correlated green/ yellow as having a calming, stress relieving effect on people. At 210 yards you can see a yellow ball 2x better and at 250 yds. 3x better than a white ball. So, if you want to play with less stress, find your ball easier and ‘play a better ball’, ask your pro shop or golf retailer for the SRIXON Z Star X. 42

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

➎ TaylorMade Catalina Golf Bags TaylorMade has just introduced their 2011 line of golf bags. The Catalina 2.0 Cart model was the one we received to try. As soon as you put your clubs in the bag, you feel like you are part of the staff with its vibrant colors and TM logo prominently displayed. First thing you notice is how light in weight it is, and with its accordion expandable sides, you can fill it with all your stuff and it will look just like a Pro bag. Just remember who will be moving it from place to place. The club compartment has 14 slots to keep your sticks neatly organized plus a separate integrated putter tube. Duffer Dan keeps his most used tool there– his retriever. There is a removable internal valuables pouch and the Duffer’s favorite– the large insulated Cooler Pocket with drainage ports. To learn more about all the models and colors available check out TaylorMadeGolfGear.com.

➏ Hot Stix For nearly 10 years, Hot Stix has helped PGA Tour players and amateurs alike find the equipment combinations that perfectly compliment their distinct swings. Using a “brand agnostic” approach that guarantees zero manufacturer bias, the company’s highly-scientific process has helped more than 35,000 golfers maximize on-course performance. The Hot Stix method identifies the correct head, shaft, ball and grip combinations that will help players of all skill levels achieve superior distance and accuracy, giving them a distinct advantage over those who choose to buy ill-fitted equipment from “off the rack.” Golfers in Arizona can experience the benefits of a Hot Stix fitting at two locations (Performance Center at Legend Trail and the Hot Stix Golf Headquarters). A variety of packages are available, including full-bag evaluations, or ala carte driver, fairway wood, hybrid, iron, wedge and putter fittings. To make an appointment, please call 480-513-1333 or visit HotStixGolf.com.

Performance Center at Legend Trail 9462 E. Legendary Lane Scottsdale, Arizona 85262 888-853-2632

Hot Stix Golf Headquarters 15444 N 76TH ST, Suite 110 Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 480-513-1333

➐ Bushnell Hybrid The Bushnell Hybrid is a revolutionary combination laser and GPS product. The laser rangefinding technology engineered into the Hybrid provides golfers with precise distances within one yard to virtually any point on any course in the world. Over 90% of PGA Tour pros and top amateurs trust Bushnell laser rangefinders to provide them the most accurate distances available in golf today. Bushnell, the #1 choice of professional golfers, offers a full range of rangefinders, which continue to change and improve the way golfers assess distances, ultimately improving performance. �� For more information on the Bushnell family of rangefinders, visit the company’s website at www.bushnellgolf.com.

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

duffer dan

Duffer Dan at It

seems there is always a letdown after Christmas—all of the hype and planning and running around and then nothing—just quiet for a few days as we gear up for New Years and those silly resolutions. I figured I would ponder my upcoming resolutions and put my few quiet days to test by golfing at the Sanctuary Golf Course at Westworld. Nestled on the western slope of the Scottsdale McDowell Mountain range and neighboring the nationally known and recognized Westworld Equestrian Center, the Sanctuary is a sight to behold. Designed by the acclaimed golf course architect, Randy Heckenkemper, the Sanctuary is aptly named. Heckenkemper was able to transform the Bureau of Reclamation’s storm water retention area into one of the foremost golf courses in Scottsdale. Abundant in native plants and wildlife, the Sanctuary boasts a 6,624 yard, par 71 course. But not only that—it’s the first course in Arizona and the 17th in the world to attain the coveted Audubon Signature Status. Not wanting to rush my game, I chose to visit the clubhouse and restaurant first. The 8,500 square foot sculpted stone and stucco clubhouse is home to a restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. With the temperate winter weather in Scottsdale, I sat on the patio and watched as the sun peaked above the imposing and captivating Camelback Mountain. After consuming a breakfast fit for a duffer, I perused the stylish selection of golf attire and equipment at the golf shop and got my obligatory Sanctuary souvenir. But all good rounds of golf must begin at the practice tee and so I went to warm up. They have an expansive driving range, a large putting green and a separate green for practicing chipping and short game. I met some regulars to the course and they told me to expect a

tight layout and quick putting surfaces. I would later find this to be true. After I was sufficiently limber, I approached the first tee. Head Pro Greg Wilson says, “The key to the Sanctuary is the tee ball.” I would have to agree one hundred percent. Nearly every tee box provides you with an obstructed view— whether it be mound, bushes, elevation changes or the occasional deer crossing to get to the other side. This duffer was not off to a good start as I hit the ball too far right and ending up searching for my Titleist amongst the thousands of range balls that had found their final resting place for the afternoon. The second hole maintained my attention with a par 4 tight fairway defined by mounds, bunkers and the ever present desert. I was greeted with a short par 4 third hole showcasing some extreme undulating greens. But as my game was getting in the groove, I somehow knew that it wasn’t going to get easier. There is only one par 5 on the front nine and I took advantage of the wide landing area off the tee. Many of the holes on the front can be intimidating if slices and hooks are part of your daily golfing routine. The eighth is a long 234 yard, par 3. This hole is surrounded by water and I came perilously close to the formidable hazard on the right. I caught a break from holes 10, 11 and 12. Eleven is played entirely downhill which gives this duffer gravity’s chance to birdie—and I did. But before I could pull the testosterone back out

of my bag, I met the par 3, 17th which was deceivingly uphill. But the finishing hole is a beauty and the signature hole at the course. It’s worth your every effort to get there, especially if you can view it at dusk. Surprisingly, I placed a long and accurate drive in the narrow fairway and then proceeded to an uphill approach to the green that was chaperoned by sand traps. From 150 yards in, this hole is one of the prettiest you will ever see. I took some time to revamp my resolutions and enjoy the canopy of iridescent, glowing shades of red and purple set against a beautiful mountain range. It was just me, some quail and jackrabbits enjoying the dynamic fusion of mother-nature and manmade. As I was packing up to leave, a lone coyote appeared as if he came out to play the course. If you are looking for a reason to golf, the Sanctuary might just be it. If the skill and the view from the 18th hole wasn’t enough, there are plenty others that demand precision and smart management. The Sanctuary offers a spirited mix of holes. The front nine is links-style golf, with plenty of fairway landing area while the back nine becomes more desert, target-style golf that require accuracy and distance. To be able to golf at the Sanctuary Golf Course at Westworld is a truly scenic and rewarding experience. If you want to experience this for yourself, contact them at www.sanctuarygolf.com. Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

header P outhwest PGA southwest PGA southwest PGA southwest PGA southwest

Michael Hayes is Good for the Game M ichael Hayes is the Deputy Director of Golf for the City of Tucson and the Southern Chapter President of the Southwest PGA. For more than a decade serving the City of Tucson and over 25 years of experience in the golf industry, Hayes has been instrumental in operating and developing programs for the residents of Tucson. Tucson City Golf operates five courses throughout the city. They also host the Conquistadores Junior Golf Program, and the Resident/Resident Senior Rewards Golf Program. As an inductee to the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame, Hayes worked closely with the Tucson Conquistadores to bring the Tucson PGA First Tee youth program to life. The recent 2010 PGA of America Annual Meeting was held in November with a theme of Your Future, Your PGA. According to Hayes, “the PGA wants to grow the game. They have implemented several programs like Play Golf America and Get Golf Ready. Additionally, they continue to create new programs to give its local PGA Members the tools to grow at their individual facilities.” Hayes is optimistic about the future of the game. “It’s such a great game, and the amount of young talent coming into the game today is amazing. I believe that you will also see the game continue to grow in Europe as well as Australia and Asia. And we will benefit from being part of the 2012 Olympics.” Closer to home, Hayes focus is on his facility and the Tucson area. He is proud of the Southern Chapter South-

west Section PGA Ricki Rarick Junior Golf program, which he has run for the last 21 years. “The program, which is held every June and July, has about 250 junior golfers who compete in seven two-day golf tournaments held at golf courses all over Southern Arizona.” Also, Tucson Golf recently signed a contract with Signature Golf to be their exclusive source of golf instruction. They are planning to grow the game locally with this new partnership by establishing the programs the National PGA has already created. But Hayes is a bit more sober about

the golf industry in the Grand Canyon State. “I wish there was only one thing I’d like to change about the golf industry today, but if I had to just say one thing, I wish golf courses hadn’t become so overbuilt here in Arizona.” He sites the booming years where a golf course built within a residential community would help sell homes at increased lot and house prices. In this down economy now, the maintenance of the golf course is left to the operators. “The only way to keep the golf courses open is to lower the cost of green fees and cut the expenses. I believe the golfer today, on average, is paying less for a round of golf than five years ago, while expenses have continued to go up.” Overall, however, Hayes considers himself fortunate to work in the industry that he enjoys—both to play and to contribute to its success. He has aspirations to continue his work in Tucson and with Junior Golf. “I really love being a part of this community.” Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

player development

Tell us a bit of history about your time at the GAA?

The Academy is a 16 month program. I started Sept. 2, 2009 and graduated Dec. 17, 2010 with an Associate of Applied Business degree with the emphasis in Golf Professional/General Management. While attending GAA, I learned about all aspects of the golf industry including: club fitting, club building, merchandising, marketing, teaching, running tournaments, advanced rules, etc. Being 1 of 3 girls out of 300 was quite interesting, but the guys just treated me like one of them. The staff was awesome and very helpful. Overall, my experience was amazing.

from Amarillo, where it’s flat, it’s not hard to carry your own bags, but 9 miles of rolling lush hills gets tough. I came in last place, but the experience was breathtaking—literally and figuratively.

Who was your favorite golfer growing up?

My favorite golfer growing up would be Freddy Couples; he is just a cool guy with the smoothest swing I have ever seen.

Life is a

Loop

What are some of the things the GAA did for you? Foremost, they helped me learn how to network better. Mr. Fred Barr could not emphasize enough how important it is to network--everyone we encounter is a possible new contact. Another thing GAA did for me was to improve my golf game. I came in as a 17 handicap and left with a 6.8, which helped me to kick all the guy’s butts on the course!

What are your future aspirations in golf? I would love to play golf professionally, but the reality is that I keep getting older and the competition keeps getting younger. I would love to be a tournament director and work with juniors. I think golf is a lot like life; it teaches you patience and determination--if you hit a bad shot, just brush it off your shoulders and keep moving forward. If we can teach young people values on the course, then who knows what they will be able to achieve off the course.

Brittany Clark

Who has been a mentor or motivator in your life? That would be my grandparents, for giving me wisdom, teaching me hard work, and showing me that life may take you a little sideways, but you just have to keep moving forward. Also, my mother for the unconditional love and faith in me and my step-dad for introducing me to the game of golf and showing me the ropes!

If you could change one thing about the sport, what would it be? The game of golf has been around for ever; it’s the only game that it is just you and the field. I would not change a thing about the game! To find more information on the Golf Academy of America, go to www.golfacademy.edu.

Photos by Benjamin Chase

rittany Clark has a special bond with the Golf Academy of America. Not only is she a recent graduate as of December 2010, she could easily be one of the best PR representatives they could ask for. AZ Golf Central recently caught up with Brittany and asked her to share about her experiences at the GAA and where her career is going.

Do you have any tournament wins or golf accolades? I lettered all four years in high school and won 2nd place with my best score of 76, while attending GAA. For now, I’m working on my Bachelors degree online and caddying for the next two years to fulfill the path toward my aspirations.

What was your most memorable moment in golf? I have to say it would be meeting new people and playing on the most beautiful courses. For instance, when I just started learning how to golf (my mom thought I was good enough), I played in a Junior PGA event in Huntsville, Alabama. There were 7 of us playing on this 9 mile golf course built by Robert Trent Jones. It was one of the most beautiful courses I have ever played on. Well, we had to carry our own bags. Coming 48

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

Not doing what you want to do in life? There is a better way! Do what you love to do! Let the Golf Academy of America show you how you can have a career in the business of golf. The Golf Academy of America, an accredited* golf career school that shares your passion for the game, is dedicated to preparing you for a successful career in the golf industry. Get started on your career in golf. Learn more about our four desirable campus locations and professionally designed curriculum.

Call 800-342-7342

www.golfacademy.edu SAN DIEGO | PHOENIX | MYRTLE BEACH | ORLANDO *Accredited by ACICS

young guns

Reni Gallan

A Brand New Swagger

eni Gallan, 15, is no ordinary junior golfer. In fact, she just picked up clubs for the first time in April of 2010. Prior to that, Reni was travelling down a different path in life. She was a multiple National Champion girl wrestler and ranked 5th against boys in the USA Wrestling rankings. With her father, Scott, coaching her the whole way, Reni was one of the best girl wrestlers in the country—and she had dreams. But, as Reni puts it, “then I got a couple of bad head injuries and the last one caused a lot of different problems.” She was left weak, paralyzed in her right leg and in a wheel chair for six months. But a girl like Reni doesn’t get to be National Champion without drive and determination. And that is what got her back to 100% after getting out of the wheelchair. While there are still some residual issues with reading and vision, Reni is back to dreaming. Since wrestling is no longer an option, she took up golf at her high school in

Parker, AZ and, turns out, she really likes it. AZ Golf Central asked Reni about her newly found passion for golf. Who is your favorite PGA tour professional? “Phil Mickelson because he is left handed like me and it is fun to watch him get in, and out, of trouble, when he is golfing.” If you could pick any foursome to be a part of, who would be the other three? “Mickelson, Michelle Wei (because we know her chiropractor), and Dustin Johnson.” What is your favorite tournament on the PGA tour? “The British Open, because it is so different.” What are your future ambitions in the game of golf? “I want to go to college and play golf.” Do you currently play on a school golf team? “Yeah, the season starts in March.” What is your most memorable moment in golf? “I am still really new, so I don’t have a lot of moments yet. But there is a 165 yard, par three I struggled at, so my dad offered me a car if I got a hole in one. One day I missed a hole in one by two inches!! He no longer offers me a car at that hole.” Reni just got involved with Junior

Golf Association of America (JGAA) and hopes that it will help her in her aspirations. Kathy Knadler, Director of the JGAA/LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, says, “she truly is an amazing girl and we recognize that she is a highly competitive athlete. We are pleased to be able to offer numerous, affordable developmental and competitive playing opportunities throughout the year to help her advance her career in golf and pursue her goals.” The JGAA governs and promotes golf for juniors in the State of Arizona. Additionally, it introduces non-golfing juniors to the game, establishes golf programs at schools, assists golf courses with their junior programs, conducts major junior golf tournaments in the state, and administers the Tres Arnold Scholarship Fund. For more information on the JGAA, visit www.jgaa.org.

Reni Gallan 50

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

living on the links

Every Day is a Festival in Sun City J

ust west of Phoenix, is a collection of sprawling communities known as Sun City. Since 1960, Del Webb has been building active adult neighborhoods. It all started in Arizona with the first Sun City and has since grown to more than 50 communities in 20 states. Sun City (and its neighbors like Sun City West, Sun City Grand and Sun City Festival) provides the retired adult with a diverse opportunity for living. From clubs and classes to neighborhood networks and amenities galore, Sun City creates an environment where people want to go and to stay. Sun City Festival, with breathtaking views of the White Tank Mountains and the Estrella Mountains, is located about 25 miles west of downtown Phoenix. Sun City Festival is an exciting commu-

nity for active adults, age 55 and better. There are approximately 7, 200 homes planned for this 3, 100 acre community. In addition to the abundant amenities offered at Sun City Festival, there is also a 31,000 square foot Community Center, an expanded Lifelong Learning Academy and the Sun Health Wellness Center. But there is no need to be overwhelmed because they have also dedicated a Lifestyle Director to the community as a friendly resource to link residents to activities. If being outdoors is more your style, they showcase multiple courts including pickle ball, lawn bowling, and bocce ball. There is also an outdoor amphitheater, miles of walking trails, large resort and lap pools, and sports courts such as tennis, basketball and

volleyball. In late 2011, there are plans to open a new 8,700-square-foot Wood Shop and Crafts Studio for glass arts, ceramics and pottery. And if that wasn’t enough, they have incorporated an 18-hole championship golf course with a 15,000-square foot golf clubhouse, a restaurant and golf pro shop. The par 72 Copper Canyon Golf Club, designed by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley is managed by Troon Golf and offers 4 sets of tees ranging from 5,200 yards to 6,800 yards. It’s a course that easily provides golfers of all skill levels an enjoyable experience. To get more information about Sun City Festival or its neighboring communities in Arizona, contact www.delwebb.com. Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

special events

Puddy Putts

Photos by

Patrick Warburton hosting his inaugural “Golf For Kids” Celebrity Tournament the weekend of March 4-6, 2011

avid golfer, Patrick can often be found teeing off at some of his favorite golf course in Los Angeles and refers to himself as having a “pretty serious golf habit.” Well known around the celebrity golf circuit, Patrick plays in such tournaments as The Callaway Golf Foundation Challenge and The Annual Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Patrick’s “Golf For Kids” Tournament will be held at the Classic Club in Palm Desert, CA. Celebrities and pro-golfers alike will come together to support the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where proceeds from the celebrity tournament will go directly to help it continue its mission. Patrick is currently in the midst of filming the 5th season of CBS’s toprated Monday night comedy “Rules of Engagement’s” alongside costars Oliver Hudson and David Spade. He is known to many as the busiest voiceover artist in Hollywood for his many characters and lends his voice to the 9th season of Fox’s Emmy nominated “Family Guy” as the paraplegic and over-zealous cop, Joe Swanson. He is also widely known for the character of “Puddy” on the hit series “Seinfeld,” and has had successful runs on “News Radio,” “Dave’s World” and the live-action adaptation of comic-book cult classic “The Tick.” Facebook.com/warburtongolf.

Patrick Warburton Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

your pro header knows

Embrace the Journey In

many ways, your journey in golf is like a ship sailing at sea that will never reach its port. Realizing this should be a comforting thought, for now you can rise each morning not worrying or stressing about “when will I be a black belt?” Getting frustrated and upset are of no use. The student with the black belt mentality knows they will become a black belt when they deserve to be. They fully embrace the journey and the belief, “there is joy in the struggle.” The first key to long term success is to have a definitive blueprint in mind for how you are going to build your game over the long haul. You need a belief system and a clear idea of how you are going to approach what you do and why it will work. This will serve you well when things are up and down. From here, remember the mantra, “pressure and time.”

One of my favorite all-time movies is the Shawshank Redemption. The story of how a man wrongly accused of murder is sentenced to life in prison. The character Andy Dufresne, played by actor Tim Robbins devises a plan to tunnel through the prison wall to his salvation. With only a tiny rock hammer, Dufresne scrapes minimal amounts of wall away each night as to not alert the guards of his plan. Over twenty years, Dufresne, one handful of rock at a time breaks through the wall, finally realizing his freedom. With consistent pressure against the wall from his tiny hammer and the patience that comes from not fighting against the constraints of time, his impossible dream became reality. A few years ago, I decided I was going to learn guitar. After my first lesson, I was so discouraged by the difficulty of the task I literally

By Jeff Ritter

believed playing was going to be near impossible. I then figured the guitar was something I could pursue and enjoy for the rest of my life, so I adopted the mantra of “pressure and time,” I had garnered from watching the movie. I committed to doing the drills and exercises my instructor prescribed for a little each day with full focus on doing the drills properly. Over time, I learned to play chords, eventually leading to a full catalog of songs I could pull off with relative ease. Three years later, my dream of being a performer was realized as I was playing in my own band for money! Just like music, golf is something you can play forever. To find success and long term enjoyment, break away from the pack by committing to learning to do things the right way. With a blueprint, patience, pressure and time! www.jeffrittergolf.com.

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

grip it & sip it

Hogan from the Vine

Review: The 2008 Carnoustie is

isDivine

blended utilizing the strengths of Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot. Each varietal offers its own attribute to the blend. Syrah is rich, ripe and forward with a mouth-filling texture while Cabernet lends strength and ‘backbone’ to the wine. The addition of Merlot binds this wine together with its ripe middle palate weight and length of flavor. Again, the 2008 harvest year was dry and resulted in more intense and concentrated fruit. The Carnoustie is a wine for all seasons, something that will accompany almost any dish, certainly something worth experimenting with.

Grip it and Sip it.

onsidered one of the greatest players in the history of golf, Ben Hogan is a true American legend.

Winning 63 professional golf tournaments between 1938 and 1959, in spite of the outbreak of World War II and a near fatal car accident in February of 1949, he was not only an unprecedented player but a conqueror.

WineStyles - Flagstaff #228 2500 S. Woodlands Village Blvd. #27 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Phone: 928-226-8565 www.winestyles.net/flagstaff

Coming back in the year 1953 to win the “Hogan Slam” (a consecutive win at the Masters, the U.S. Open and the British Open) his prestige lives on to this day in a new series. Grape(s): Syrah, Cabernet, Merlot Winery: Ben Hogan Region: Paso Robles Year: 2008 Special Designation: Carnoustie Price: 25-30

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Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 2

OUTSTANDING GOLF PANTS