Arizona Golf Central V1 I4

W W W . G O L F C |E Adventures N T R A L M A in G Utah A Z I N| ERon . C O M Kevin Streelman White

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from the publisher header

Volume 1, Issue 4

A

rnold Palmer once said, “What other people may find in poetry or art museums, I find in the flight of a good drive.” I couldn’t agree more. Golf is an art form and can be found in all types of mediums. Take this month’s front cover for example. It was created by artist Richard Curtner. To him, words are literally his art. Be sure to take a look at our cover story which highlights Curtner and other great artists who are not only fans of the game but incorporate it in their art.

When you get hooked on golf you quickly learn that the most important events are the four majors. The first major of the year, The Masters, is rich in tradition, like the Par 3 contest, The Amateurs staying at the Crows Nest, the Tuesday Night Champions dinner and the Green Jacket Ceremony.

There are so many great moments that the Masters has given many of us. Like Jack Nicklaus 25 years ago, at 46-years-of age, stunning the world of golf by firing a 6-under-par 30 on the back nine in the final round to win his sixth Masters title. Another one for the ages was in 1997 when the young 21-year-old Tiger Woods spanked the field. Not every Masters is built for history books, but more than any other golf tournament, this event conjures up compelling story lines and is easily the most competitive stage.

Since this is my page, I get to not only say what I want, but I also get to share my thanks as well. I have to thank my staff and the contributing writers that help make the magazine what it is. In particular, I would like to give a shout out to two of them. We have one of the best instructors around in Jeff Ritter who writes, “Your Pro Knows”. His tips are straight forward and relevant and we’re glad to have him. Also, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is the case, photographer Dave Schibel is giving you novels to read--no really! Dave brings his good eye to the pages of Arizona Golf Central and I’m grateful for his talent.

My wish is that my efforts to publish this magazine are not in vain. I hope that it contributes, if only slightly, to the progress of golf in Arizona. Our outstanding team at Arizona Golf Central Magazine would like to thank our advertisers, our business partners, and especially you, the readers, for taking the time to read our magazine and making us part of this great community.

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.

Publisher: Jason Keesling Editor-in-Chief: Susan Lied Photographer: Dave Schibel 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 Heather Stancil Dr. Bob Winters

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

Arizona Golf Central Magazine is published monthly by: Jason Keesling, Publisher 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

Arizona Office: 3461 East Acoma Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85032 phone: 602.387.0616 • 602.388.0987 E-mail: info@golfcentralmagazine.com or editor@golfcentralmagazine.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.

Reader's Mailbag – Send Us your Thoughts editor@golfcentralmagazine.com Haiku of the Month brought to you by Carol Stucker

GREETINGS Blades of grass wave 'Hi!' Crazy pants, glove, swing, putt, joy Sunset, chill, 'Goodbye!'

Get out and play some golf today!

4

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

Volume 1, Issue 4 36

19th Hole 40 Frank and Alberts

Cart Girl 14 Shaena Lutz

Celebrity Corner 24 Ron White

Cover Feature 26 Golf is an Art Form

Fashion Forward

50 Fairway and Greene

Golf Bachelor

Departments

12 Javier Arias

Golf Travel 18 Adventures in Utah

Improving Performance 8 Fred Astaire Dance Studio

Live Golf 54 Arizona GSCA

Special Events

52 LPGA Founders Cup

4 10 16 30 32 34 44 46 56 58

From the Publisher Golf Central Station Competitive Spirits Thinking of Golf Golf Chick Women in Golf Duffer Dan Southwest PGA Your Pro Knows Grip It & Sip It

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Tour Profile

22 Kevin Streelman

Swing Thoughts 28 Putting with a Child-like Attitude

What's New 20 Polara Golf Balls

Young Guns 48 Peter Kyo Won Koo

golfcentralmagazine.com

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improving performance

Dance Your Way to an Improved Golf Game!

Photo by Dave Schibel

W

hat can we learn from Dancing With The Stars or the great Fred Astaire? A lot!

The popular show, Dancing With The Stars, is dominated by former athletes representing everything from volleyball to the NFL. During the show’s nine seasons, athletes have prevailed by winning five of the nine titles. Why do you think that is? Balance, timing , and the passion to compete play a big part.

Did you know that one of the greatest dancers, Fred Astaire, was a 10 handicap? That’s right, the multitalented dancer, singer and actor learned to play golf as a boy during a 1914 vacation in Delaware Water Gap, Pa. He credited his good golf game to his balance.

In golf, we would all like to have a fluid, beautiful swing like the ‘Big Easy’ Ernie Els or powerful off the tee like Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. More importantly, we want the ability to repeat that swing round after round, day after day. The foundation of every good golf swing is good balance.

Maintain your balance and you can deliver the club head to the ball with both speed and accuracy. Lose your

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balance and your swing loses its tempo (i.e. rhythm) and falls apart.

When you learn to dance, you learn how to shift your weight in balance and you also learn the essential skill of timing. Balance and timing are the two main skills that will make the biggest difference in your golf swing.

Dance is all about balance--bending your knees and using your hamstrings.

Both are great stabilizers in golf. So the next time you are on the dance floor trying to do your best impression of Fred Astaire or John Travolta, know that you’re working those hammies and helping your golf game!

The golf swing is essentially a total body movement that requires the body

to move through multiple planes of motion. The body has to stabilize your moving body, accelerate aggressively on the downswing, rotate quickly, and decelerate in a very short order during the golf swing. This is timing—or in dance, rhythm.

If you want to really go above and beyond, try Fred Astaire’s personal technique. He hit balls while tap-dancing, an incredible routine that he devised on the first tee at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles. http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=8pw0XRAuO0w.

Athletes are always on the lookout for drills, exercises and training methods that will give them the edge over their rivals and this sometimes leads to unusual approaches. Perhaps dancing is that unusual approach to help your golf game? So get out there, grab your partner, hit the dance floor and watch your golf game improve.

If you are interested in improving your golf game and having some fun, contact Fred Astaire Dance Studio at www.pvfads.com or 602-493-3003 and use promo code AZDancingGolfer to get four dance lessons for $20!

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

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ARIZONA BROADCASTERS ASSIATION AZ AMBER ALERT CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC The 7th annual Arizona Broadcasters AZ Amber Alert Charity Golf Classic will be held on Friday, April 29 at the Raven Golf Club in Phoenix. Registration is at 7 a.m. with a 8 a.m. shotgun start. The tournament

BUNKER INDOOR GOLF AND TRAINING As their brochure states, “The only thing more realistic is the course itself.” Bunker Indoor Golf and Training has found a niche market where players can go to play, practice, take lessons and compete on a variety of simulated world famous Championship Courses.

Using the latest in 3D modeling technology, a player can stand on the tee box of Pebble Beach, Bayhill, Pinehurst or Torrey Pines (to name a few) and choose the time of day and weather conditions that allow them to play 18 holes in less than an hour!

But if practice is what is needed, bring your clubs and use them all with Bunker’s simulators which can be programmed for the way a player likes or needs to work on his game. And if the practice just doesn’t seem to be making a difference, choose private or online lessons.

Using those same simulators, every motion and launch is captured and analyzed to help reclaim their game. There is even an option to have famed instructor Jim McLean at your side, giving

will be followed by a luncheon and awards ceremony.

The Arizona Broadcasters Association Foundation sponsors the yearly event in order to benefit the Arizona Amber Alert which helps in recovering abducted children and saving lives of those in harm’s way. Barclay Communications, Inc. President, Mary O’Hanlon said, “The Golf Classic is used to raise both awareness and funding for the ABA Foundation in order to continue the many significant programs that are supported by the association, including AZ AMBER Alert and college scholarships.”

The AMBER Alert, formed in 1996 after Texas resident Amber Hagerman was kidnapped and murdered, was adopted by Arizona in 2001 with the formation of a task force co-chaired

by ABA President Art Brooks. “The key is the efficiency in which the word is put out to the public,” Brooks said. “This happens through tips for improvement.

If that wasn’t enough, Bunker Indoor Golf can place you in a tournament with your name on the leader board (provided you are in the top 10). Competition includes Closest-to-the-Pin and Longest Drive and even allows you to play against other locations and/or on teams.

If the sun is too hot or you can’t afford to travel to Spyglass, bring your clubs and your game to Bunker Indoor Golf and Training for a great afternoon of play. For more information or to make tee time reservations, contact www. bunkerindoorgolf.com.

ONE FOR THE AGES JACK NICKLAUS AND THE 1986 MASTERS Author Tom Clavin (contributor for the NY Times, Golf, Men’s Journal, Golf Journal and author of 12 books including Haley’s Typhoon.) has written an enthralling book that details The Golden Bear’s signature win at age 46.

Clavin provides a stirring account of one of the most memorable wins of one of the greatest golfers. Twenty five years later, the win is still celebrated.

Clavin chronicles the most exceptional and surprising accomplishments by Jack Nicklaus during the 1986 Masters. The book recounts how Jack, with his son as caddy, makes history by winning the most prestigious golf tournament for the sixth time. Though he was not favored to win, Nicklaus established his golf legacy and 10

the Emergency Alert System employed by every radio and television station in the state and thanks to help from our partnerships with ADOT, DPS, mystateusa.com and the Arizona Lottery.”

The ABA Foundation was established in 2005 and functions as a 501 © 3 non-profit charitable corporation. Funds donated to the ABA Foundation support the Arizona AMBER Alert system, scholarships at ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Other programs include the Summer High School Broadcast Institute at ASU and the Native American High School Workshop at ASU. Individual participant greens fees begin at $500 with discounts offered for multiple players.

Law enforcement will be offered a 30% discount.

Sponsorships are also available. For more information or to register to play, call 602-2524833 or log onto www.azbroadcasters.org.

polished his tarnished record.

Clavin’s book is second only to having been there to watch the 1986 Masters Championship live. The addition of others writer’s quotes and recent recollections combine to produce an entertaining and readable book. The author pays particular attention to the actual event and in principal, the Sunday back nine. But, he is not afraid to deviate from his stroke-by-stroke prose and explore the history of the Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. Additionally, Clavin’s Epilogue looks back at that historic moment from today’s vantage point.

This book is for golf fans and historians.

Both will get the opportunity to relive one of the most signature moments in sports history.

To get your copy of the book (hardbound ● $24.95), contact Chicago Review Press at www. chicagoreviewpress.com.

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

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golf bachelor header

Where were you born and where did you grow up? I am a native of AZ and I love it. It’s hard to find any other place to live where you can take a 2 hour drive up north and have it be 20 degrees cooler or head either 6 hours west or 5 hours south and have your feet in the sand!

Is acting your age overrated?

Definitely, I’m more of an ‘act older than your shoe size’ kinda guy!

What do you do for a living?

I’m a Sales Specialist for a Fortune 500 IT re-seller.

Aside from golf, what do you prefer for fun and relaxation? I’m all about

surrounding myself with good, genuine people. I’m a fanatic of any live sporting event. I also look forward to backyard pool parties and BBQ’s during the summer time−or anything that has to do with the outdoors. I am also a HUGE fan of So Cal or Rocky Point trips.

What’s your take on cuddling?

Is this a trick question?! Kidding. Ummm… cuddling usually is the time that I can tell if I’m really interested in the girl. If I am genuinely interested in her, I’m all about it.

Tell us about your first kiss.

Funny story here. I was in 1st grade (yes, I started early). The night before, I had asked my dad to write a note to the girl that was in my class that I thought was cute. The next day, I had given her the note at recess and kissed her on the playground−on the lips! No joke. Yep, that’s how I roll!

Who would you like to have with you on a deserted island and why? I’m

thinking someone who compliments the things I CAN’T do, since of course we are both trying to stay alive on deserted island.

Javier Arias Boxers or briefs? Boxer briefs actually!

Relaxed evening at home, or a nightclub and cocktails? Nowadays, I’m ALL

What do you find to be the most annoying habit on the golf course? I think the

about hanging and having dinner and drinks on the back patio at home.

What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy foursome?

What is your favorite genre of movie?

guy that claims, ‘Really, I have NEVER played like this in my life!’ every time you play with him.

John Daly, purely for the comedy and shock factor; Phil Mickelson because he seems like a stand up cat; and Tiger Woods, of course−I can’t leave out my twin brother!

12 12

Who is your favorite comedian?

I have a 3 way tie with Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, & George Lopez.

Comedy is DEFINITELY where it’s at; Old School, The Hangover, & Wedding Crashers. That’s all I got to say.

Last book you read?

Not going to lie to look good here. Honestly, I don’t remember. I am not a big fan of reading.

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

Where did you grow up?

cart girl

I grew up in Phoenix Arizona, but I am originally from Cape Cod Mass. Much of my family lives there still, so I get to visit as much as I can! I’m lucky to get the best of both worlds!

Photo by Dave Schibel

Which group of people did you associate most with in high school? I attended a small, Arts based high school were everybody knew everybody, so there weren’t really any cliques. I was a dancer, so I guess I hung out with the other dancers mostly.

What is your favorite sport to play and to watch? I’m not really the sports playing type! My dad used to have me play football with him as a kid. But I do enjoy watching golf and sometimes football!

Shaena Lutz on the most beautiful golf course—it doesn’t get any better!

If you weren’t a cart girl, what would you be doing? I’m currently going to Do you enjoy playing golf and are there any golfers in your family? I do like playing golf even though I’m not very good! There are no golfers in the family, but my boyfriend is big into golf.

What do you feel makes this club special? We have a great team here.

Everyone is so kind and willing to lend a helping hand. I truly feel like the Ocotillo staff and even some of the regulars are like extended family to me!

What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a cart girl? I love that I

am able to meet new people every day as well as getting to see and joke with our wonderful regulars! I have nothing negative to say about my job. I work outside

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school for teaching. So, I’d probably try to get a job at a school or daycare.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on the golf course? First

thing that comes to mind is when our bartender was out playing golf and hit his own golf ball into HIS forehead! Go figure that one out!!

What hobbies do you enjoy?

What is your most memorable moment working as a cart girl? This is a tough one! I would say last year when we had a huge rain storm and all the golfers ended up coming in off the course at once. It was madness--people and carts everywhere! The weather was brutal with sharp sideways rain and wind that wouldn’t quit. But everyone, player service, golf shop, managers, cart girls and even our maintenance guys busted their butts to get the guests taken care of! What was even more wonderful was everyone was smiling, joking, laughing, and making the guests and each other happy in a situation that could have made people negative. The harmony of the Ocotillo team was unbelievable!

I’m a true dork at heart! I love to scrapbook, paint, and all kinds of crafts. I also love to dance.

What is your favorite charity to support? I support the Make a Wish

Foundation. It’s a foundation that makes dreams come true for terminally sick children. I am very proud to be a part of this amazing, life changing foundation.

What else would you like us to know about you? I’m a pretty down to earth

person. I have a wonderful, loving family that supports me in all that I do. I feel that I am very blessed in life and all that I have been given.

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

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Every bottle is hand-blown with an actual glass Voodoo Tiki inside , and are hand etched, wax dipped, signed, numbered and include 1 of 100 possible “magic words.”

The Tequila Factory is located in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico in the region known as “Corazón de los altos” in the small town called Capilla de Guadalupe, renowned for being blessed by nature with geographic features integral to the cultivation of the sweetest and largest “Agave Azul.” www.VoodooTiki.com or call 1-VooDooTiki.

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16

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

golf travel

Glenwild Golf Club ark City, Utah probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when contemplating golf courses, but rest assured they have some of the best in the West. With 13 golf courses located within a 20-mile radius of this small town, teeing up at this altitude not only provides some of the most scenic views available but you might just notice your ball soaring further than ever before.

Located just 32 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, Park City has reinvented itself during the 1980’s and 1990’s after the shutdown of the area silver mining industry. With over 7,000 year-round residents, Park City has become famous for hosting ski events at the 2002 Olympics as well as being the home location of the largest independent film festival in the United States— Sundance. Some scenes from 1994’s Dumb and Dumber were shot in the city. Businesses such as Rossignol, USA, Mrs. Fields Cookies and SkullCandy have their headquarters in Park City and outside of the city proper, one can easily enjoy reservoirs, hot springs, forests, and hiking and biking.

Park City Golf Club

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Park City Golf Club

Park City Park City is a great blend of old and new. Sixtyfour of the town’s buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and due to the extensive mining that took place, more than 1,200 miles of tunnels wind through the surrounding mountains.

For those more interested in the modern, Park City boasts more than 100 restaurants and more than 100 shops and boutiques as well as state of the art training facilities for the US Ski Team and the US Ski and Snowboard Association.

In 2008, Park City was named by Forbes Traveler Magazine among one of the 20 ‘prettiest towns’ in the United States. Once famous only for it snow and ski resorts, Park City is expanding to become a year round golf and ski resort community. At 7,000 feet above sea level and an average of 11 degrees cooler than Salt Lake City, a visit to Park City will put you in the way of fairways with a dry, cool summer while the surrounding mountains provide beautiful scenery.

Consistently ranked as one of the premier public golf courses in the intermountain region, Park City Golf Club offers a challenging game at one of the state’s most enviable locations. First built in 1963 as a nine-hole course, this William Neff, signature golf course was redesigned to its current 18-holes in 1976. In 2003, #18 was redesigned by William Neff Jr., and has proven to be one of the classic finishing holes in Utah. In addition to providing professionally designed and well kept greens, Park City Golf Club’s elevation of 6700 feet can actually add distance to your shots while you play on a course that is typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler than most courses in the area-a definite bonus during the hot summer months. The Park City Golf Club is municipal Utah golfing at its finest. To see what makes Park City a year-round resort destination, visit www.parkcitygolfclub.org.

Park Meadows Country Club You won’t want to miss out on Park City’s 18-hole Jack Nicklaus original, Park Meadows Country Club.

Designed in the Scottish tradition of intricacy and detail, the course hosts 105 sand bunkers and water on two-thirds of the holes. Although Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

it is a members-only course, they do have the unique aspect that you don’t have to own property to become a member. With recently completed greens, irrigation and course restoration, this challenging, but not punishing signature golf course is the only truly walkable course in the Park City area.

They also boast excellent driving range and practice facilities as well as being the host to Senior PGA Tour events. For Promontory Signature Hole #2 more information, please visit www.parkmeadowscc.com.

Park City Golf Club

The Course at Glenwild Legendary architect Tom Fazio created this private, 7,541-yard, par-71 championship course. The “core golf” layout embraces the unspoiled topography of the land and creates an almost seamless transition from course to nature. As a vital part of this design, not even the homesites are permitted to encroach upon the Course.

Dye Canyon Course at Promontory Built by World Golf Hall of Fame member Pete Dye, this 18-hole course and clubhouse were constructed as the foundation of championship golf at Promontory. Membership in the family-friendly, luxury second-home Glenwild offers many play options, so community entitles you to unlimited golfers of all levels will be challenged access to future planned courses as and rewarded. They also offer a well. Originally opened in 2002, this was traditional caddie program to assist with the first of five planned championship those tough shots and club choice. The courses to be built. Sculpted into Course at Glenwild has been voted the the hillside terrain with attention to Best Course in Utah for 9 years by Golf maintaining the natural surroundings, Digest. To experience nature and play the front nine travels across a sunlit the game visit www.glenwild.com. meadow and the back nine rests in a serene valley. The Dye Canyon Park Meadows Country Club Course offers six tee boxes per hole to nurture family play.

Promontory is offering a summer “Stay & Play” package for Arizonans looking to escape the heat and explore second-home options in beautiful Park City. The package offers a great rate on a 2-night stay in one of Promontory’s luxury cabins, along with golf for two on the Pete Dye course.

Contact their Sales Center for more information at 435-333-4600 or find details on their website at www.promontoryclub.com.

Other courses to play Built in 2002 to showcase the 2002 Winter Olympic Games to the Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

Promontory Hole #10 world, Soldier Hollow Golf Course is a dual 18-hole course providing a soothing and revitalizing experience among the alpine scenery of nearby Mount Timpanogos. For more information, visit www.soldierhollow.com.

Voted as one of the ‘Best Places to Play’, the Wasatch Mountain State Park Golf Course is a 36-hole course that invites you to step onto the lush grass and take a swing. The park boasts a challenging 18-hole mountain course equipped with mountain grades and curvatures, as well as a lake course for those wishing to rejuvenate and unwind.

For more information, visit either http:// www.utah.com/golf/courses/wasatch_ mtn.htm or http://www.utah.com/golf/ courses/wasatch_lake.htm.

If you like to enjoy beautiful views and terrain while you play, the Homestead Golf Course is a must. This public course rests serenely at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. The first nine holes guide golfers up mountain to beautiful vantage points of the Heber Valley below while the last nine dip down toward the picture-perfect Snake Creek Valley. To experience the beauty of both mountain and valley surroundings, visit http://www.utah.com/golf/courses/ homestead.htm.

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By David Daubert

what's new

The World’s First Self-Correcting Golf Ball We

participated in Golfweek’s Golfests the first three months of 2011. In January, at Champions Gate near Orlando, a company by the name of Polara Golf was selling these new golf balls that they claimed would correct hooks and slices up to 75%. This claim really intrigued me but I didn’t get a chance to hit any there, so when Golfest moved to Tampa Bay Downs in February, Jamie McWilliams (a 5 handicap) from Video Stream Productions and I made it a point to visit Polara Golf on the driving range and see for ourselves whether or not these golf balls really do what they claim. All the big golf club and golf ball manufacturers have advertised at some point that their drivers or balls will correct mis-hits, or help you hit the ball straighter, but I haven’t really seen much of a difference when I’ve tested these products in the past.

In Tampa I met with Dave Felker, PhD, the Head of Technology for Polara Golf and former V.P. of Research and Development for the Callaway Golf Ball Co., who helped me understand the Self-Correcting Technology of the dimple pattern he developed and exactly how the Polara golf corrects hooks and slices up to 75%. The asymmetrical dimple pattern and the different size and depth of the dimples are the key to how the Polara golf ball self-corrects,

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while in flight, and maintains a straighter path. “It’s just simple physics,” states Dr. Felker, who utilized the Wind Tunnel at Princeton University to test the Polara as well as other manufacturers’ golf balls. In independent robot testing performed by Golf Laboratories in San Diego, CA and supervised by Richard Levine, Professor of Math and Statistics at San Diego State University, the Polara golf ball went head to head against the #1 ball in golf and another well known high performance ball and the dispersion rate of the Polara ball was demonstrably less each and every time.

Jamie and I hit some regular range balls first to get warmed up and see what our normal ball flight was that day.

Then it was time to try the Polara Ultimate Straight golf ball.

Since I am such a duffer, I watched as Jamie tried to draw and fade drives with the Polara ball, which is normally pretty easy for him to do. Amazingly, the Polara ball kept going straight.

No matter how hard Jamie tried, he couldn’t draw or fade the Polara ball when the alignment arrow was on top and pointed towards his target. Jamie even said “this is a great ball for people who want to hit it straight.” Now, for the true test, it’s time to see if the Polara ball will correct MY slice. Aim left, and hope my slice brings it back to the fairway, is my usual swing thought. After a few shots that stayed left, because I

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

was aimed that way, thinking I needed to compensate for my normal slice, I decided to line up for a straight shot, and sure enough, the Polara golf ball corrected my slice, almost completely, and the ball flew relatively straight. I couldn’t believe it…it actually works! I finally found a product that actually does what the manufacturer claims it will do! After hitting a few more drives, with some of the different clubs they had on hand, I noticed that using a higher lofted driver gave me a better ball flight and the most distance. Dr. Felker explained that a higher loft driver works best with

the Polara golf ball because of its low lift and reduced drag characteristics. You also want to make sure that you have the alignment arrow on the ball pointed towards the target. For me, with this new Polara ball, that will be the fairway!

What does this mean to recreational golfers like me? Well, it means we can enjoy the game more, and it will speed up play because we won’t be searching for lost balls in the water or the woods or the next fairway over. I guess I can leave my ball retriever at home. We can finally learn to play golf from the short grass, because that’s where our

drives will land from now on. What a concept- playing from the fairway - the correct fairway! I think the Polara SelfCorrecting golf ball is going to change the game of golf for the recreational golfer…that’s how effective this technology is.

There are two types of Polara self correcting balls available; the 2-piece Ultimate Straight and the 3-piece Ultimate Straight XS for extra spin available at www.polaragolf.com or call 866-556-3100. Save Your Game– Buy Polara. What can you lose— certainly not your balls.

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21

How was it playing in your first Masters? Amazing! It was extremely special to be able to share the experience with my entire family. We had both of our parents there, my brother, sister-in-law, sister, brother-in-law, tons of friends, and our dog, Snoop! It was a week I will never forget.

tour profile

Kevin is Forging His Own Path on PGA Tour

N

ot everyone has heard of local up and coming golfer Kevin Streelman, but it is probably worth taking notice. After finishing third on Tour twice in 2010 and recently signing with Wilson Golf, Streelman is poised for greatness. Although he may have just appeared on the radar in the golf world, Streelman is quick to let you know he worked long and hard to get the recognition he is receiving.

Streelman grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and excelled in sports other than golf. It wasn’t until high school that he took a look at the game and started showing some strong results in national junior tournaments.

This got college coaches taking notice and Streelman chose Duke University. As with many youth, college is the place to find out who you are and who your passions are. Streelman was no different. By the end of his college career, he was captain of the team and a contender is many national collegiate events. As fate would have it, he played a round with PGA Tour Professional

22

(and Duke Alumnus) Joe Ogilvie. With Ogilvie’s help, he persuaded Streelman to give golf a serious try. After graduating in 2001, Streelman borrowed his mother’s Altima and started his golf career at the 2001 Dakota’s Tour in South Dakota. This is where most would expect to hear, ‘the rest is history.’

But Streelman struggled the next 6 years, burning out 3 different cars, crossing the country several times, duped by a supposed sponsor, and missing the final stage of q school by one shot—twice! Kevin would later term these years as some of the greatest, most educational times of his life. Not one to give up, Streelman found gradual improvement and in 2007, it paid off by winning his PGA Tour card through q school. His rookie year was exciting and eventful with 4 top-ten finishes and a 35th place in the FedEx Cup. In 2009, Streelman won the Kodak Challenge and continued to improve his standing with 7 top-ten finishes in 2010 and a 25th place ranking in the FedEx Cup. Streelman is grounded and grateful.

He has learned the importance of his family and faith. After signing with Wilson, he said, “You can’t say enough about the history of Wilson Golf and what the company has meant to the game. I look forward to great success in the future while playing the Wilson Staff FG Tour irons and am proud to represent a company with such a great legacy.”

Streelman lives in Scottsdale with his wife and dog, Snoop. AZ Golf Central caught up with him right after the Masters.

What makes Arizona special for you to call it home? I love the weather.

Winter, which happens to be our only downtime, is incredible.

The summers are tough, but we are mostly gone during the difficult months on the Tour, so we get to pretty much cherry pick the good months of the year! Plus the golf, people, food, and sunsets are awesome. I also love Whisper Rock!

If there was one thing you could change about the game of golf what would it be? The use of spikes on the PGA Tour.

Who was your mentor growing up?

My father.

What’s the most played song on your Ipod? “You Are More” by Tenth Avenue North

Why Wilson Golf as your club of choice? I love the look and feel of the irons and wedges. Plus, they are a Chicago based company which is where I am from. The people are great and work extremely hard to make the product match my preferences.

What is one thing that you want your fans to know about you that they might not already know? That I have worked extremely hard for everything I have accomplished. After graduating from Duke, I spent 6 years on the mini tours working my tail off to get to where I am today. That included over 350,000 miles of driving, working as outside service at Kierland, caddying up at Whisper Rock. I was willing to do anything to save up a few dollars to continue to improve as a golfer and give myself a chance to make it on the PGA Tour. After successfully qualifying on my 6th trip to Q School, I had truly achieved my dream. Now, I am just trying to improve every day, both on the course and off. The further along in this journey I have traveled, the less important golf has become, and the more important my family and my faith have grown.

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

celebrity corner

They Call Him

Tater Salad C

omedian Ron “Tater Salad” White is best known as the cigar smoking, scotch drinking funnyman from the “Blue Collar Comedy” phenomenon.

But with two Grammy nominations, a Gold Record, three of the top rated onehour TV specials in Comedy Central history, a book that appeared on the New York Times Best Seller List, and CD and DVD sales of over 10 Million units, Ron has established himself as a star in his own right. Over the past 5 years he has been one of the top 3 grossing comedians on tour in the United States.

How often do you play golf? About 4 times a week. Both on tour, and when I am at home in Montecito, CA or Atlanta.

What is your favorite charity to support? The Armed Forces Foundation www.armedforcesfoundation.org. I just did a benefit show for them, at the Grand Ole Opry.

What clubs are in your golf bag?

TaylorMade What is your handicap? 12 What is your favorite golf tournament to play in? Bob Hope Fantasy foursome? My dad, Arnold Palmer, Jack and Tiger Best round? 78

Ron White’s 10 Tips for Enjoying Golf 1. Never play completely sober… never. But you knew that.

2. Know where the drink cart girl is at all times. Better yet just ride with the drink cart girl. Tip big!

3. Use cigar as alignment aid whenever possible.

4. After peeing in the woods, always shake with glove hand. Better yet, have drink cart girl shake for you. Bonus tip: note which way wind is blowing your stream.

5. Never play alone; it leads to questions.

6. Play ready golf. You’re not Tiger Woods, this ain’t the Masters, and I got a drink cart girl to find.

7. Hit till you’re happy on the first, tenth and eighteenth tees. No questions asked.

8. As comfortable as it may look, the green is not a good place for a siesta.

9. Make caddy hold any illegal substance you would normally carry in your man-bag.

10. Only practice short game if out of weed or need to get away from Mrs.

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Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

sun protection – a way of living™ skincancer.org © 2010 The Skin Cancer Foundation Campaign created by Laughlin Constable, www.laughlin.com

feature

Golf is an

Art

Form

his art and always make them useful.

The result is a constant uniqueness and beauty. BVA Designs are dedicated to

Brad Van Anderson

T

he approach, the lineup, the swing, the follow-through—all part of the art form we know as Golf. But did you ever stop to think about how much more golf can offer to the art world? AZ Golf Central Magazine took an afternoon to visit a local art fair and see what the artists are thinking about the players. What we found were some interesting, unique and quality products that every avid golfer should consider for their collection.

Brad Van Anderson, BVA Designs Brad Anderson’s imagination conducts him to create a modern, natural, usefulness out of old, retired clubs. Hand picked, every part of the clubs become one reused, recreated piece of art. He tries to incorporate the environment the objects came from in 26

cleaning up the earth one piece of junk at a time.

Anderson’s grandparents lived on a golf course, so “we hunted balls like it was a daily Easter. Then we would run out and play a few holes in the evening dusk. Of course living in Montana doesn’t equate into ton of golf for us as we only have one month of summer in between winters. When my parents started the winter move to the Phoenix area and my visits to them became more frequent, so did the idea of bringing some of my art down here.

When I think of Arizona, I think of 2 things--golf and saguaros.”

Golf clubs are a piece of art themselves. The Sam Snead’s, Hogan wedges, and almost all of the cast clubs carry their very own unique character and some even tell a story.

Anderson enjoys seeing those clubs and wondering how many times did that head make a 180 arc around some old duff or which ones were beat against the gravel walkway because of a misplaced shot. He welcomes these beautiful and interesting clubs into his workshop, then cuts them and recycles them into something new, useful and interesting.

“You need approximately 250 clubs

for one cactus. Out of those 250, you cut off probably 80% of the heads. I couldn’t throw those away. So, until just this last month I had been tripping over all those leftover heads.

Not anymore! Let’s make them into bottle openers, I thought! I’ll Brad Van Anderson, whose artwork is featured on cut out a church key with the plasma cutter. Fine tune my slag with a carbide cutter, a little hand filing and polishing and you’ve got a unique one of kind piece of art that is functional as well. “ “You have no idea how many times I hear about the clubs holed up in garage, incapable of being thrown them away and the wife not letting them be framed in a shadow box in the living room.

What are you going to ever do with them? Why not turn them into a wine

Cindy Wolfe Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

n our cover

rack, a sculpture of your family pet, bottle openers, lamp shade, or even a flower boutique for the misses?”

Anderson’s work can be seen at www.bvadesign.com.

Cindy Wolfe, CWolfe Designs!

CWolfe Designs! feature the exclusive works of artist Cindy Wolfe. Cindy was born in the Northeast, raised in the deep South, graduated from college in Texas and presently lives in Niwot, Colorado.

Her art reflects her background of living throughout America and her love of sports, the outdoors and America along with her fun, casual personality. “I try to make all my art fun, colorful and affordable.” All of her work is highly unique and each piece involves a great deal of care and handcrafting in its creation. “I enjoy creating art using different materials. My art celebrates our American culture, and I try to do it in a way that people find unique and memorable.”

“Several years ago, after playing literally the last round of golf of the season with her family at a Colorado mountain course, the pro shop offered to give her a huge bucket of soon-tobe-discarded range balls. Always on the lookout for interesting subjects to use in her art, she began formulating the concept that became Pars & Stripes.

The response to Pars & Stripes has been tremendous. It has been on display at several Parade of Homes, featured in Colorado’s Avid Golfer magazine, and won the People’s Choice Award at the

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

Richard Curtner–his art is featured on our cover Up…Fore…Art! Summer Art Festival in Tacoma, Washington in 2009 (a festival that kicked off Tacoma’s hosting of the US Open in 2015 at Chamber’s Bay).”

All of her artwork is available at her website, www.CWolfeDesigns.com.

Richard Curtner, Curtner Art Painters have their color palette, but Palm Springs artist Richard Curtner has filing folders in a portable plastic file box.

He has found his niche in textual (word) collage- portraits and landscapes created from magazine clippings of written text.

Instead of paint tubes, Curtner scours file folders labeled “Green,” “Red,” “Gold,” etc. The artist’s challenge is not mixing colors to get the right shade, but to find the right shade- as well as the right

words- to match his theme. He takes everyday moments or everyday objects, and, with the word collage adds another dimension to them.

As long as he can remember he’s had either an artist brush or colored pencil in his hand. Since childhood he’s always been fascinated by art in its many forms.

For many years Curtner dedicated himself to oil paintings. But along with his great love of art he also had a love for the literary arts, (poetry, short stories, etc.) and was seeking for a way to incorporate both into one single art form. Thus, Richard Curtner created the self-developed new art medium- “textual collage”(or word collage). Curtner has been working in this medium for 13 years now, and over the years it has gotten more intricate and more detailed.

He has been able to perfect his technique and also discover ways to delay the aging process. All the hundreds of cut-outs that are combined to form the visual image are all cut free hand with an x-acto knife--no paint is involved and no computer manipulation is used.

“I have named my art medium ‘word collage’ or ‘textual collage’. That best describes it. In examining “4” (the golf piece), I have created a stunning visual image with movement, but it is more than that. There is the literal story within the artwork. You learn more about the golfer as you start to read the individual cut-outs. You learn he has 8 more holes to go, you learn he has a great passion for the game, and you also learn he has a great desire to perfect his sport. You get another dimension to the artwork by reading the phrases and words with the art piece.”

Curtner’s artwork can be found at www.curtnerartcom.

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swing thoughts

By Dr. Bob Winters

Putting with a Child-like Attitude The Eyes Have It! In last month’s Arizona Golf Central, I addressed the issue about how golfers can use their minds to putt their very best. In keeping with that vein of thinking, I want you to realize that although our mind is still our greatest computer and we are constantly learning new things about how to utilize our innate genius, the secret to awesome putting begins with how to use your eyes effectively. That is, your visual system is the primary sensory system that directs your body towards sending your ball to the hole and by using your eyes to their fullest potential; you will start to putt with the freedom of a little kid......without the fear of missing and doubting your ability! Let me explain.

First, any putt that you stroke begins with an awareness that originates within the visual system. Great putting is about making clear decisions and being able to stroke your ball on the correct line with the right speed or pace. This blend of mental processing and trusting your eyes is crucial for great putting. As with the best putters on tour, you must learn to read greens well, see your line clearly, and trust what your eyes tell you before you step into the address position and stroke the ball. This is because putting is essentially a visual and fine-motor task. Your eyes provide you with the majority of vital information that predominately drives your body’s motor system. The impulse your eyes provide to your brain transmits the feeling impulse to your hands and fingers. What most people do not realize is that your eyes provide 28

you with over 85% of all the sensory information which directs your golf and putting performance!

Young Golfers Look and React!

It is also vital that you realize that your eyes lead your body and not that your body leads your eyes. That is, you need to look at where you want the ball to roll before you stroke it. If you stroked your putt before you knew where you wanted the ball to go, then your chances of being successful are slim and none!

This may be one reason that when young children start out playing golf they are basically very good putters.

They merely look at where they want the ball to go and then react to that target image. Children make a choice to see where they want their ball to go and trust their athletic genius to fill in the missing links. By focusing their attention to the cup, the ball is started on a path that is going to a specific target.....on a line to the hole! By seeing where they want the ball to go, they have given themselves a finishing point for where they want to send their ball! Putting in this way keeps the whole process quite simple.

Also, when young children putt, there usually isn’t any excessive thought about distance judgment, mechanics or stroke analysis. Their minds are uncluttered with thoughts of score, results or what people will think of them if they miss. They merely go with the visual signal that they see with their eyes. They trust what their eyes see in the external world. Their entire thought process is: here is my ball…I see where the hole is and where I want my ball to go… now, let’s roll it

into the cup! What a simple, yet great way to approach putting!

Not Seeing Enough!

The trouble most poor or average golfers have is that they do not use their eyes properly or gain enough reliable information when they are putting. In truth, average or poor putters don’t “see enough” vital information when they are on the green or they don’t trust the information that their eyes provide them. As Hall of Fame Golfer Gary Player states, “You feel a golf course with your eyes. You play golf with your eyes. The average golfer just doesn’t realize this. Your eyes tell you everything about the wind, the greens, everything!”

However, you do not have to be a Hall of Fame golfer such as Gary Player or even a touring professional to putt great or read greens well! Sports vision researchers tell us that many touring professionals do have great visual skills, but not any more or less than the average population of normal athletes or everyday people.

What the touring professionals do possess is an ability to synthesize this visual information and use it in an efficient manner to help them feel confident about their green reading and the decision about where they want the ball to roll and how hard to hit it. Part of the process in becoming a great putter is learning to see the proper break in the green and putt the ball along that line. The following are a number of important tips that I remind my players when they are having trouble on the green. I know they will work for you as well!

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

Seven Ways to Putt with a “Child-Like” Mind 1. Obtain as much information about the putt as possible by walking around the putt from different angles and seeing where the apex of the break occurs. Remember that your first look or instinctive hunch about where the ball wants to go is usually your best.

Sometimes players get too analytical and “psyche” themselves out of the correct line when they had it right the first time they viewed it.

2. Get down low and behind the ball to obtain the best perspective. Four to six feet behind the ball is generally a good distance to obtain the best read. A good example of a Champions Tour player who does this well is Corey Pavin. The next time you watch him on television, notice that he squats down as low as he can so that he can see the undulation and slope of the green more clearly when reading the green. Getting down nice and low gives you a “worm-cam” view that is vital for seeing the correct slope and pitch of the green.

3. When you are standing behind your

ball and about to move into the address position, make a firm decision where you want to start the ball and where it needs to go in order to follow the break into the hole. Commit to this decision and do not alter it when moving into the ball.

4. When moving into the ball, do not lose your perspective when standing up and moving in to address the ball.

Stay committed to your “low view” perspective and do not allow yourself to doubt or mistrust your read when above the ball. Staying committed to this perspective is a vital key to making more putts!

5. Aim your putter squarely along your target line and run your eyes up and down the line to gain an appreciation of the total distance the ball needs to travel.

Visually tracking the line with your eyes provides you with a stronger visual signal of your ball-line which makes it easier to start your putt on the correct launch point.

6. Upon your last look at the hole or apex spot, move your eyes back to the ball and putt without delay. Most putts are missed due to golfers standing too long over the ball and allowing pressure to

build and their target (or hole) awareness fades.

7. As you watch the ball roll down the putting line remember to hold your finish. If the ball goes into the hole, you have a visual success picture to put into your memory bank. If the putt fails to fall and misses, it becomes vital that you watch what it does as it rolls by the hole.

Most short comeback putts are missed due to a golfer not viewing the first putt until it stopped. By watching your putt slide by the hole, you have a better idea of what it will do on the next putt.

The key to great putting is to use your eyes effectively and to trust your “read” and feel for the hit of the putt. Instead of thinking about mechanics and results, be a player with a “child-like” approach and just look at the hole and soak up the line with your eyes and then roll your ball on that visual memory. Your chances of rolling the ball into the cup on the line you choose will increase dramatically!

May all your putts find the bottom of the cup!

Dr. Bob Winters © Copyright, 2011 Dr. Bob Winters

From The Fairway

From The Fringe

Not Your Grandfather’s Golf Club From The Sand Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

www.oneputtwedge.com 29

thinking of golf

By Ed Gilbert, Head Thinker

Killing Your Brand Y

ou have spent hundreds of mil-

away from your competition. Most will

tigious country clubs in all of Central

lions of dollars over an extended

cut marketing dollars to increase the

Florida, Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club

period of time building a brand.

bottom line. How is that working out for

& Lodge never wavered in its desire to

This brand means something when

you? Dumb.

protect the brand and image. No fire

the words flow from someone’s mouth.

Don’t prostitute your brand that

sale initiation fees in a down economy.

Mercedes Benz. Jaguar. Tiffany. Rolex.

you worked so hard to establish. Get

They protected the brand and the

Gucci. Callaway. TaylorMade. People

creative. Get professional help. One

value to their existing and potential

automatically equate an image to those

very established restaurant marketed a

member base. That is how it should be

commodities.

menu from 20+ years earlier celebrat-

done. They know their market and they

You could even localize it. Your fa-

ing their anniversary. They also offered

stayed true to that market.

vorite restaurant. Your favorite country

their regular menu. Smart idea! Food

You could say that Bay Hill has an

club. Your favorite golf course. Marketing money is being spent every day to entice people to purchase something and over time, the market has built

Don’t prostitute your brand that you worked so hard to establish.

Get creative. Get professional help.

an image of what those

30

advantage with Arnold Palmer’s name and that has some truth to it. But when you build a brand that stands for something to a particular market, you are far better off

goods and services offer.

was ample in portion and consistent

standing firm than one year you have

How long does it take to kill a brand?

with their quality and reputation. They

changed your demographics and the

Not long. Would a prestigious country

did not hurt their brand at all while

next year you change them again. It

club whose initiation fee was $30,000

maintaining their customer base.

could take decades to get back to the

at its peak have the same prestige at

Say you are an established 30 year

original market you so warmly coveted.

$3,000? Doubtful. Would a high end au-

old country club known as prestigious

Would you pay $75,000 for a Chevy

tomobile like Mercedes or Jaguar have

but when the economy falls, you drop

Malibu? Not unless you were on crack.

the same prestige if you could buy it

the initiation fee by 80%. I would fire

Would Jaguar offer an automobile at

under $20,000? Not hardly.

you. Better to find a way to increase the

$19,999 brand new? I don’t think so.

The mentality for many today is to

benefits to the existing and new mem-

Both have an audience they have

drop their pants and say: “how much

bers then to say to all those that paid at

established over time and they do a

money do you have? We can make a

a higher level, they have been devalued.

successful job marketing to their re-

deal.” It galls the crap out of me. When

Protect the brand at all costs.

spective established audiences. Don’t

times are tough, you should be spend-

One of the things I admire most

prostitute yourself or your brand. It’s

ing more money to take market share

about one of the oldest and most pres-

just not smart.

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

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golf chick

There’s an APP for that!

L

et me start by saying that I have a smartphone, a laptop, a desktop and an IPad. I am connected—for better or for worse. There isn’t a moment of my life that I can’t be reached by someone looking for me. And there isn’t a moment of my day where I need to worry about not knowing where I am, being able to play Angry Birds, take a photo or tweet to my followers that I just arrived at the golf course. That’s all because our world is saturated with Applications (i.e. APPs) for our handheld devices.

Gone are the days of having to stop and ask directions or play tic tac toe on a piece of paper. We don’t have to talk to anyone—we are ‘self-sufficient’ as long as our battery is charged. Sometimes, I think this is not necessarily such a good thing; especially at the golf course.

I lost count at how many golf APPs are out there. There is an APP (or many

APPs I should say) that GPS track your ball when you can’t find it anymore.

There is an APP that gives you all the official rules in case you are in the middle of play and need to know if what you are doing is legal or not. Of course, there are a myriad of APPs that allow you to play golf on your handheld device—certainly not as much fun as the real thing, but I guess there is a time and place for everything. And when you just can’t wait to catch the 5 o’clock news for the latest tournament highlights, there is an APP that gives you all the latest shots and scores at the touch of a finger. If you can’t afford a coach, there is an APP that will diagnose your swing and tell you how to improve your game. And if that wasn’t enough, the epitome of laziness APP will fill out your scorecard for you because you can’t take the time to write it down yourself with a pencil. The only APP I haven’t seen yet is the one that fills out your

By Golf Chick

foursome and plays the shots for the other three players. Wouldn’t that just be the end all in self-sufficiency?

One can argue that golf is a solitary game—it’s just you and your ball. There is no one to thank or blame once you swing through. But if that was really true, we wouldn’t play golf in twosomes, foursomes or tournaments and have caddies now would we? After all, some of the best parts of playing golf are the camaraderie, the side bet and the chit chat. While there might be an APP for that, I just don’t think a software program can ever replace a human.

Don’t get me wrong, I have a few of these golf APPs myself and some of them are pretty cool and have come in handy. But I still want a human coach to help diagnose my swing and a human partner to help me find my wayward ball or suggest a mulligan. Call me crazy, but I kinda like humans in the game of golf.

Gone are the days of having to stop and ask directions or play tic tac toe on a piece of paper.

We don’t have to talk to anyone—we are ‘self-sufficient’

as long as our battery is charged.

32

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

women in golf

Sandy LaBauve Photos by Dave Schibel

S

andy LaBauve has golf in her blood—literally. LaBauve’s family is full of golf professionals like father Jack Lumpkin, husband Mike LaBauve, brother Jay Lumpkin and brother-inlaw Eric Smith as well as two aspiring golfing daughters, Lindy and Kristi.

Her teaching and career accomplishments read like a laundry list of rightly placed accolades, most of them related to teaching. LaBauve is not just a professional, she is a teacher. She exhibits a passion for teaching students of all ages and currently shares her passion with her husband as the Head Teaching Professional at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, AZ. LaBauve has been voted as one of the top 100 Instructors in the Country by Golf Magazine from 19912010 and was inducted into the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame in November 2010.

But one of her greatest contributions to women’s golf is being Founder and Creative Consultant for the LPGA Junior Girls Golf Club. According to LaBauve, ‘This program is designed to help girls learn the game and explore competition in a non-threatening environment. We have expanded into 47 other areas across the country.

We are also conducting programs in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.’

Do you have a favorite course here

34

in the valley? I love to play the Westin Kierland Golf Club. I think it is set up great for women. It’s pretty and you have to hit lots of fun short game shots.

The greens are good and there is an assortment of tees to choose from, so you can create your own test of golf.

Who was your mentor growing up? I have had lots of mentors in the game. My mom and dad brought me into the game. My dad, Jack Lumpkin, is a Teaching Professional. My mom was not but she loved the game. She started the Georgia State Junior Girls Golf Association. I modeled LPGA USGA Girls Golf after many of the programs she started. My husband, Mike LaBauve, has always supported me and helped me grow as a teacher.

Kerry Graham helped motivate me to start LPGA USGA Girls Golf. Jim Hardy has also been a big influence on my teaching career.

What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy foursome? The three people I would most like to play with are my husband Mike and two daughters. That might not seem like a big deal but it is hard to do these days. My husband and I are always working and don’t get to play much. Our oldest daughter Lindy is away in college at LSU. She plays golf for them and now lives in Baton Rouge. I have not played with her in a year. Our younger daughter, Kristi, just plays for fun. She makes us all laugh

and reminds us to not take this game too seriously.

When it comes to the game what do you see as the future? I think the game will keep growing and more women and juniors will play.

Equipment keeps advancing and teaching is getting more athletic. The athletic approach helps students use what they already know and apply it to golf. The social networks will continue to advance and there will be more and more instruction on the Internet. We just need to keep making golf affordable.

If you could change one thing about the game of golf or the industry today, what would it be? The aspect that I would change is I would make 9-hole rounds more acceptable.

I know it is hard from a business perspective, but golf takes a lot of time. I think more people would play if it didn’t take so much time and if the costs were lower. 9-hole golf would address both challenges.

What is your favorite tournament on the PGA tour? My favorite tournament is the Masters. That is golf at its finest!

What is the most favorite club in your bag? My favorite club is my 5 hybrid. I love the rescues clubs. I think they have changed the game and are the solution for anyone who struggles with long irons. My 5 hybrid is my go to club!! Every woman should have one!

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

OUTSTANDING GOLF PANTS

inside the gates

Photos and Story by Keith James

very once in a while, everyone wants to experience the best life has to offer. Whether it’s touring the desert in a Bentley Arnage, enjoying a prime filet at Donovan’s Steakhouse, marking time on your Tag Heuer Link, sleeping in the rich comfort of a Four Seasons Resort, or sharing a cart and a round of golf at Troon North, the finest golf club in Arizona, every once in a while you simply deserve to experience the best.

Those of you who are visiting the Valley of the Sun probably already have a round or two at Troon North on your agenda, but what truly astounds me is how many local residents I’ve met over the years who have playing a round of golf at Troon North on their “must play someday before I die” list – but they still haven’t played either course! My hope is that after reading this review they’ll understand why it makes so much sense to get out and play Troon North as soon as they can – and to continue to come back for another round at least once a year for the rest of their lives.

The Troon North experience starts as you’re driving north from the heart of the Valley. Once you pass the perimeter of the 101 Freeway heading north on either Pima or Scottsdale Road you’ll

36

notice how quickly the city turns into the country, and you’ll notice the giant spire of Pinnacle Peak soaring to the sky up ahead and to the right. That’s your target, as Troon North is carved into the natural ravines and rollicking desert just north of the inspirational tower, on the north side of Dynamite Road. You might notice the directional monument with the giant Horned Toad carved into its face at the corner of Pima and Dynamite, with “Troon North” posted right beside the modern iconic petroglyph. The Horned Toad is Troon North’s mascot, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll see it throughout your Troon North experience. If you’re really sharp, you might even see one or two of the wild lizards sunning themselves as you pass by or explore the desert in search of a

wayward ball.

You’ll almost always see some of the many native animal species that make the spacious and scenic desert surrounding Troon North home, including bobcat, coyotes, javalina, rabbits, eagle, hawks, and many more. In fact, the last two times I played Troon North I was treated to two of the closest encounters I’ve ever had with a bobcat, including one late afternoon display of hunting prowess unlike anything I’ve ever personally witnessed, with a hungry bobcat taking less than five minutes to appear, track down an unsuspecting rabbit, sneak up to within 30 feet of it, spring forward with astounding speed, catch it, and saunter back to its den with a fine fresh feast in its jaws. I’m not guaranteeing you’ll get to experience anything like that on your next visit to Troon North, but I do guarantee that if you ever do experience anything like that you’ll remember it the rest of your life.

Speaking of memories that will last the rest of your life, the golf experience at Troon North is the highest rated in Arizona, and among the best in the world. There are two fantastic 18 hole courses at Troon North, the Monument and the Pinnacle. Those of you who have the time should make a point of

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

with a huge assortment of the finest men’s and women’s golf apparel, most of which is embroidered with the distinctive Troon North Horned Toad logo. Other amenities include huge locker rooms for both men and women complete with personal lockers, showers, toiletries, reading lounges and more, shoe shining services, several sizes of private meeting rooms, a fabulous restaurant overlooking the practice green and18th hole of the

playing both courses, because between them they have held the distinction as the #1 rated course in Arizona for most of the years since 1990.The Pinnacle/Monument combo is impossible to beat.

Both courses were designed by the legendary Tom Weiskopf, whose excellent career spent hitting golf balls on the PGA Tour has been exceeded by what he’s been able to create on the design side of golf.

One of Tom’s strengths is his ability to sculpt a course into a blank canvas of land so seamlessly that it seems as though the land was created just for his courses.

Such is the case at Troon North, especially since he was able to return to the land in the summer of 2007, during which time he rerouted a few of the holes to create two perfectly matched, yet very different courses that flow even better than the original routing, turning two great courses into perfection.

The Monument course was the original course at Troon North, opening in 1990 and redefining an entire industry. Our advice is to put both courses at the top of your “must play” list this year. As the largest golf course management company in the world, Troon Golf, has courses located in 32 states and 29 countries around the globe. Prior to Troon North there was a huge distinction and difference between the private country clubs and the typical public golf courses serving golfers, especially in America.

Private clubs usually offered much better layouts, superior conditions, more dramatic or impressive clubhouses, and a more personal and prestigious experience.

Troon North opened to wide acclaim, and created a “Member for a Day” experience that surpassed anything that had ever been offered by a public club. The idea caught on fast, and the “Daily Fee” or premium public course quickly became the preferred type of new course for many developers, helping to spur the gigantic Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

explosion in growth that golf has enjoyed during the last decade of the 20th century.

The premium service and impeccable grooming of Troon North created the perfect environment for high-end business deals to be formulated, discussed and culminated without the commitment of joining a private club, and I’m certain that hundreds of deals worth millions of dollars have been sealed along the scenic fairways of both courses over the years.

Such is the power of experiencing the best!

The Pinnacle course, opening six years after the Monument, established this new level of excellence in public golf, and together, the Monument and the Pinnacle have brought a prestige and awareness to Scottsdale and desert golf that was hard to imagine before the creation of Troon North. Troon North has continued to set the standard by which all other premium courses are measured across the globe, and stands as the beacon for which all other Troon Golf managed courses must aim. This high standard has helped to make Troon Golf what it is, the best golf course management company on earth.

As the top rated public golf facility in Arizona, you would expect Troon North to offer an exceptional clubhouse with every amenity a golfer would want, and you’d be right. The 37,000 square foot clubhouse features an exceptional pro shop filled

Pinnacle course. The restaurant is open to the public, and is called The Dynamite Grille, either because the club is located along Dynamite Blvd., or because they serve the most dynamite sliders on earth!

Golfers of all abilities will also want to take advantage of Troon North’s state of the art Callaway Performance Center, which is one of only a handful of the ultra high-tech club fitting facilities Callaway has allowed to be built. This facility allows Troon North’s trained professionals to work with you to determine the absolute best fitting club for your swing and size, and then they can actually make those clubs exactly to your specs and have them ready to go within a few hours. It’s a comprehensive process that takes about an hour and a half, but it can literally change your golf game forever, making the game much more manageable and satisfying for any level of golfer.

I mentioned at the start of this review, we all deserve to experience the best life has to offer, and when it comes to golf in Arizona, Troon North is the best. Make plans now, whether it’s for your birthday, your anniversary (especially if your spouse plays golf), a friend’s big day, a business deal you’re trying to close, or just because you get to spend the day playing golf, to experience the best golf Arizona has to offer. www.troonnorthgolf.com.

37

Practice now.

Birdie later.

PGA TOUR Superstore is proud to have the widest selection of golf and tennis equipment, apparel and footwear, but that is only the beginning. our indoor training facilities get you out of the heat and keep your game sharp: • O n -S i t e P r a c t i c e H i t t i n g B a y s • Chipping and Putting Areas • G o l f a n d Te n n i s P r o s o n S t a f f • H i g h -Te c h S w i n g S i m u l a t o r s • Custom Club and Ball Fittings and Lessons • O n -S i t e C l u b M a k i n g a n d R e p a i r • Players Club Plus for Golf

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8740 East Shea Blvd Scottsdale, AZ 85260

19th hole rank Lloyd Wright and Albert Chase McArthur, the Arizona Biltmore’s famous architects, are more than just the namesakes for Frank & Albert’s.

The passion and artistry they poured into creating the resort was the inspiration for the menu that was “architected” (their word)

by Executive Chef Todd Sicolo and Executive Sous Chef Conor Favre.

Their menu offers an abundance of seemingly traditional favorites, but the Arizona Comfort Foods and American Classics are anything but traditional. They have been reinvented with creative twists and surprise ingredients that splash the dishes with new flavors and imbue them with their own personality.

The result is food that is satisfying, as traditional favorites should be, but also mouth-watering and adventurous, with more than a little culinary bling.

They are healthier than the originals, too, prepared with hormone-free meats, olive oil instead of butter, no trans fats, and the freshest fruits and vegetables – organic whenever possible – procured from specialty farms and growers. Seasonality is the key word because the menu is reworked four times a year to reflect the best available foods in each season.

With two chefs, not to mention two architects, it was inevitable that Frank & Albert’s would feature multiple signature dishes. Meat Loaf, one of the star dishes, is prepared two ways: with homemade butter-whipped potatoes, crispy onion rings and garlicky spinach, or with pancetta, stewed white beans and natural reduction.

Speck combines lemon white bean hummus, roasted cherry tomatoes and shaved Pecorino cheese.

Other sizzlingly delicious options are the specialties cooked on the wood-fired rotisserie, such as the Spit Fire Lemon Chicken. An absolute favorite is the seasonal ravioli – the butternut squash ones are tantalizingly accented with currents, ginger brown butter and sage.

Frank & Albert’s reveal its personality immediately with the starters. The Organic Celery Caesar Salad is made with julienned celery and root stalks, rather than romaine lettuce, adding an intensely flavored crunch to an old favorite. The tomato soup is prepared with smoked tomatoes, plus soft whipped cream and chive oil.

Most golfers make their way to Frank & Albert’s after 18 holes on either the Links Course or the Adobe Course. But a well kept secret is that it’s a great place to start the day before teeing off.

Breakfast is far from typical with everything from organic fruits and made-from-scratch donuts and muffins, to creative waffle combinations, build-yourown omelets and even breakfast pizzas.

F

40

The grouper is crisped in Queen Creek Olive Oil and served with organic spinach, duck-fat poached potatoes and Arizona orange reduction. The “Desert Flats” are flatbreads topped with one-of-kind combinations and baked in the oven. The Chicken & Goat Cheese flat features Arizona figs, Black Mesa Ranch goat cheese and red onion marmalade; Chicory &

Frank & Albert’s Arizona Biltmore 2400 E. Missouri, Phoenix Choice of seating indoors or al fresco on the patio.

Reservations suggested: 602-381-7632 http://www.frankandalberts.com/ Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

(800) 381-3848 www.StackAndTilt0.com

product review

➊ Abacus Carlo Polo Swedish apparel maker, Abacus, markets and sells leisure clothing with golf at the heart of its inspiration. The company’s collections combine functionality, design, and quality in a way that has given Abacus a very strong international presence in just a few years.

The Abacus Carlo is a sporty, functional men’s polo in a bamboo charcoal/polyester Drycool blend. The combination of micro polyester and bamboo charcoal transfers moisture from the skin to the outer surface and quickly evaporates. The material keeps your body warm and maintains body temperature. The Carlo is fashionable with a striped patterned fabric in similar shades.

For more information on Abacus apparel, call Caulfeild apparel at (800) 268-7939.

➌ Datrek® Catalina ➋ Jack Black Introducing a sunscreen that won’t budge – no matter how hard you play. Jack Black’s new Sun Guard Sunscreen SPF 45 is an oil-free, very water and sweat resistant, vitamin-enriched lotion that won’t run or drip into your eyes. The quick-absorbing formula with exceptional staying power makes it a must-have accessory for sports professionals and weekend warriors.

Singlehandedly raising the bar for waterproof sunscreens, Jack Black provides superior broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection in an oil-free formula that is fragrance-free, colorantfree and dermatologist tested. Sun Guard Sunscreen SPF 45 stays on in the most extreme conditions, so nothing gets in the way of your outdoor performance.

The PureScience® formula locks in nature’s best - using healing botanicals, vitamins and certified organic ingredients and formulated without parabens, sulfates, fragrance or colorants. Products are cruelty-free, vegan and dermatologist-tested.

Availability: Sun Guard Sunscreen SPF 45 is available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Sephora.com, Saks Fifth Avenue and at www.getjackblack.com.

On the heels of introducing a full line of men’s bags in 2010, Datrek, a Division of Dynamic Brands and an industry leader in golf bags, recently debuted the Catalina cart bag, the first women’s specific model in the Datrek collection since the brand was acquired by Dynamic Brands.

The Catalina’s abundance of design features offer golfers the ultimate in functionality, style and organization. The fashionable new bag is equipped with a 10-inch 14-way top with individual full length dividers; seven pockets, including a fleecelined valuables pocket and insulated cooler pocket; external putter clip; dual apparel pockets with an interior mesh organizer pocket; embroiderable oversized front ball pocket; premium DG interior lining in storage compartments; towel ring; external tee holders; Velcro® glove holder; umbrella holder; and matching rain hood.

The Catalina comes in an assortment of dazzling color combinations including fuchsia/silver, purple/silver, lime green/ silver, light blue/silver and black/silver, and has an SRP of $139.95.

The Catalina is now available at golf shops nationwide.

➍ Wilson Staff Travel Gear Wilson Staff has introduced its new line of durable travel gear to fit with any golfer’s travel plans. The line of gear includes a full-sized wheel duffel bag, overnight bag, rolling golf club travel cover, back pack, and shoe bag.

The travel gear comes in the distinctive Wilson Staff red color with the iconic Wilson Staff logo, and is made with 1680 D polyester material with excellent tensile and tear-resistant strength.

The full travel gear line includes: • Wheel bag features large inside pocket, two side pockets, and a top pocket with retractable handle (34.5” x 16.5” x 13”) • Overnight bag features large inside pocket, two side pockets, and a top pocket with a padded shoulder strap (20” x 11.5” x 8.75”) • Golf club travel bag fits carry and cart golf bags (up to 9”) with its easy-to-wheel design to protect precious golf clubs during travel. It also has two exterior buckle closures to ensure security (54” x 15.75” x 14.625”) • Double shoulder-strap back pack features abundant space with a built-in laptop pocket and file section (17.5” x 12.5” x 9”) • Shoe bag protects shoes during travel and allows for quick and easy storage(13.5”x 8.75” x 4.8”) Visit www.wilsonstaff.com or call 773.714.6400 for more information.

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Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

duffer dan

Duffer Dan at the

Wigwam Resort

S

pring has sprung and there is no better time to be out on the course.

AZ Golf Central Magazine Publisher, Jason Keesling, recently participated in a charity tournament at the Wigwam Resort. I figured if he could do it, then so can I. So, with clubs and Claritin-D in hand, I approached my tee time at the Patriot Course (formerly known as the Blue Course).

The Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa in Litchfield, northwest of Phoenix, features 3 championship courses (Blue, Gold, Red). Since my favorite color is Blue, it was a no-brainer. I booked one of their enticing stay and play packages and made sure that I had a relaxing massage scheduled shortly after my 18 holes of golf. The upscale accommodations, full service Red Door Spa and classic dining experiences are exactly what this hacker looks for. The golf club underwent a 5 million dollar renovation in 2005 and restored the grandeur of the original Blue and Gold signature Robert Trent Jones Sr. courses.

In addition, they added one of the southwest’s premier practice facilities, called Wigwam Golf University.

Included within is a Jim McLean Golf School, a 350 foot wide duel ended driving range, target greens and three separate greens for putting, chipping and pitching. The state of the art facility is among the largest in Arizona and has been dubbed the “Village Green”.

Those of you who follow me regularly know that I like to start my golf day in the clubhouse and restaurant.

What better way to get in the mood than to shop some of the finest in golf apparel and equipment and then partake in nourishment to sustain my challenge ahead. The Wigwam did not disappoint.

I have heard about the Patriot/Blue Course before, so I knew my day would be interesting. While the course plays to just over 6000 yards and par 70, the layout is known to be challenging, with deep and perilous bunkers, strategic water hazards and many doglegs. The renovations by Arizona architect Forrest Richardson changed hole number 5 into a par five and created new designs for

44

holes 14 through 18.

It quickly became clear that the Patriot Course is anything but a desert course. It’s so green and the holes are very close together with some fairways running parallel, providing plenty of margin for error. I was thinking this was a course I could possibly master.

Well, it’s not. This is a course where strategy and management are key to a low score.

Somewhere between the greens of the 10th and the tee box of the 11th, I noticed a twist. The course started to take on a new character—best described as unconventional or quirky.

First, starting with the 11th, there are five straight holes all under 330 yards from the back tees. It gave me time to spend with some of my more neglected clubs and practice my finesse more than my power. It’s a place where you feel compelled to try shots you never have before.

Right in the middle of all the short par 4s, I am greeted with a longer par 3 (218 yards) on the 13th. And then the 14th has the green reachable but tucked

away behind big bunkers. This is where some of that risk, assessment and strategy comes in. Next, the signature 15th hole greets me—a short par 3 of just 140-yards to an island green. Yes, that’s right, an island green on a par 3.

“Put water around the green and golfers tend to freak out,” Wigwam Director of Golf Craig Allen said. It’s an awfully small green for an island, but then again, this isn’t your ordinary course.

Obviously, my goal was to not make a splashdown either by using too little or too much club. This is a fun hole—at least that is what they tell me. I am proud to say that I actually hit the mark and didn’t have to go swimming for my golf ball. And that in itself is fun for me.

The par 4 16th hole demands a bit more as you traverse your shot over a canal off the tee and avoid the trees and bunkers greenside. The 17th was built as a mirror image of the famous 16th at Augusta and proved to be another wicked little par 3.

I counted 70 sand bunkers at the Wigwam Patriot Course (bet you didn’t think I could count that high, huh?). There are also water hazards on 7 different holes. Overall, this course is a challenge and aesthetically pleasing. Although a short course, Trent Jones made up for any ease of score by forcing this duffer to hit shots into small spots. But, if being forced to make shots and play a more subtle game is what you are looking for, then the Patriot Course should be on your bucket list. For more information, visit www.wigwamresort.com.

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

outhwest PGA southwest PGA southwest PGA southwest PGA southwest P

By Vito Berlingeri Southwest Section PGA

BlueWater Resort & Casino Sponsors Southwest Section PGA

T

he Southwest Section PGA

BlueWater Grille & Buffet, patio dining

island access from your guest room,

announced that BlueWater Resort

at the River’s Edge Cantina or a quick

and a 164 slip marina that includes free

& Casino is the title sponsor of the

bite at the River Walk Bakery or Snack

electricity and fresh water. Should your

2011 BlueWater Resort & Casino PRO-

Bar.

golf group decide to have a get together

PRO event on July 25-26 at Emerald

BlueWater also offers exciting

BlueWater offers 8,000 square feet of

Canyon Golf Course in Parker, Arizona.

gaming action with Slots, Poker, Bingo

meeting space with on-site catering.

Tina Lynn Holt is in charge of sales

and Blackjack. Guests who become a

Holt suggests planning a golf outing

and advertising at BlueWater. “The

member of the VIP club during their

when one of their many headline

resort has had a great relationship

entertainers is onsite.

over the years with SWSPGA.

Recently, the BlueWater Resort &

The opportunity to rekindle that

Casino came under new management

relationship by sponsoring this

with Art Navarro serving as General

PRO-PRO tournament and also raise

Manager. Navarro, an avid golfer,

money for the Southwest Section PGA

is planning many great events and

Foundation at the same time was the

promotions for the Blue Water Resort &

perfect opportunity,” Holt said.

Casino.

BlueWater Resort & Casino has

“BlueWater Resort & Casino looks

always had great relationships with the

forward to a long relationship with

local golf community. The facility offers

the SWSPGA,” Holt said. “We love’s our

preferred tee’s times with Emerald

golfers and are delighted to be the title

Canyon Golf Course and customizes

sponsor and official host property for

packages to meet each individual or

tournament.”

golf group needs. “We can include

“It is great to have BlueWater

planned food and beverage packages

Resort & Casino back into our family

with golf groups that book 10 or more

stay at BlueWater Resort & Casino

of Sponsors,” said Vito Berlingeri,

rooms,” Holt said. “Each of the 200

receive $10 of Free Slot Play along

Marketing Director of the Southwest

guest rooms has a memorable view

with discounts to food & beverage and

Section PGA. Parker, AZ is such a great

of the Whipple Mountains and the

special room offers.

place for the family to kick back and

Colorado River.”

Other amenities include a water

relax and to have our Pro Pro-golf

Dining at BlueWater Resort & Casino

park with water-slide and Jacuzzi,

event on a great golf course – Emerald

is a matter of personal preference.

entertainment nightly in the Dig

Canyon!

There’s fine dining in the River

Lounge, a business center, wireless

For more information, email Tina

Willow, buffet or casual dining in the

Internet in each guest room, beach and

Holt at tholt@bluewaterfun.com.

46

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

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young guns

P

eter Kyo Won Koo of Chandler recently took top honors at the 2011 Thunderbird Invitational at Papago Golf Course in Phoenix. The 36-hole event is jointly run by the Thunderbirds and the Junior Golf Association of Arizona. The field included 60 of the top junior golfers in the state. Kyo Won Koo won the boys division for 15-18 year olds by posting a two-day score of 142, two strokes under par. He is the only golfer to finish in the red.

“The Thunderbirds work within the world of golf is unrivaled and while so much attention is focused on their sponsorship of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the most well-attended golf tournament in the world, it is their continual efforts with Arizona’s junior golfer that deserves accolades as well,” said Tom Cunningham, Executive Director of the Junior Golf Association of Arizona. “The Thunderbirds are very much connected with this tournament not only financially, but they volunteer their time to assist with registration, starting, spotting on the course and scoring. This event hones the competitive skills of some of our finest junior golfers, who often times, use this event as a springboard for the rest of their JGAA schedule.”

Koo says, “I started playing golf because I just loved the feeling I get on my hands when I hit the ball solid. When I am not on the course, I try my best to do well in school and enjoy life. When I

48

am on the course I try to focus on every one of my practice sessions.” Koo has had a lot of success on the course. He was ‘Player of the year’ for the SWSPGA in 2010 and came in 3rd for the Callaway Junior World Championship at San Diego in 2010.

When did you start the game of golf? I started playing when I was 9 years old. One day, I followed my dad to the driving range and fell in love with golf.

How old are you and does anyone else in your family play golf? I am 15 years old. Everyone is my family is a fan of golf, but they prefer just watching me!

Do you currently play on a school golf team? Yes, the Hamilton Huskies who have been the State Champions for several years.

Who is your favorite PGA tour professional? My favorite golfer always changes, but recently I admire Luke Donald and his amazing iron shots.

If you could pick any foursome to be a part of, who would be the other three? It would be hard, but I always wanted to play with some of the senior players like Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead or Jack Nicklaus.

What is your favorite tournament on the PGA tour? My favorite tournament would be the Waste Management Open, but overall I like the Accenture Match Play World Golf Championship.

What are your future ambitions in the game of golf? My main goal right now is to go to one of the top colleges with support to play golf and eventually turn professional and win majors.

Who are your mentors or role models and why? My role model in golf would be Bobby Jones, for not only being so successful in his golf career but his academics too. My life role model is my dad because to him, family comes first then anything else in his life.

What is your most memorable moment in golf? I have lots of memorable moments in golf, but recently the JGAA Thunderbird Invitational was the best because it came really close and I was able to overcome the pressure and birdie 3 of my last 4 holes.

What is the most favorite club in your bag and what clubs do you use? My favorite club in my bag right now is my putter. I am a big Titleist guy so I use all their woods, irons, wedges and putter. Also, I have the Adams hybrid.

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

fashion FOREward

Fairway & Greene

Spring 2011

F

or Spring 2011, Fairway & Greene delivers four distinct fashion collections supported by a comprehensive collection of classics unparalleled in the industry. Clubhouse

Classics are the key foundation for every business. Within this range, we deliver a comprehensive collection of knits, sweaters, woven shirts, outerwear and bottoms. With 199 style / color options available and a balanced assortment of fabric and price points, Clubhouse Classics is built to meet the diverse needs of the market place. Fairway & Greene supports our customers by maintaining an “in-stock” position on 84 of the 199 options.

The Palm Springs collection evokes a vintage Hollywood

Cape Cod Collection

spirit. Using a sophisticated color palette of black and vanilla paired with Liberty Blue and Wisteria, Palm Springs brings elegance to the golf course. Within Palm Springs you’ll find a polo shirt collection that mixes elegant stripes with clean prints and subtle jacquards. You’ll also find interesting new models with a vintage spirit including the full button front La Quinta Solid Lisle Polo and a four button applied placket herringbone jacquard polo with a chest pocket. We round out the collection with beautiful woven shirts and a luxurious sweater collection that include both cashmere and merino novelties.

The Key Largo collection jumps straight into spring with a strong, vibrant color palette of Fuchsia, Grass Green, Papaya, and Tropical Blue with a crisp foundation of Classic Blue and White. We introduce a new washed pique polo shirt collection with whimsical trim detail that expands the spirited F&G idea that was introduced for Fall 2010. A beautiful offering of novelty shorts, including a new reversible model, provide a strong compliment to the polo shirts. Key Largo also delivers an expanded woven shirt collection catering to the country club lifestyle that moves beyond the golf course.

The Cape Cod collection takes the classic colors of Navy, Red, Lemon, Sky, and White and infuses them with a modern freshness. As with Key Largo, the F&G movement takes flight

Wave Hill Collection 50

in Cape Cod with a new Peruvian Pima/Poly blend polo shirt Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

collection with a retro, yet modern flavor. We compliment the shirts with our new Surfside Washed Twill short and an expanded collection of novelty ideas including the reversible short and a tartan seersucker cargo short. The woven shirts deliver on the relaxed feeling of a summer day in Cape Cod with crisp mini checks and clean stripes.

The Sedona Collection draws its inspiration from the beautifully soft colors of the desert including Dusk, Boysenberry, Moss, Butterscotch and Flax. A sophisticated color palette built from a crisp khaki foundation will work seamlessly into any man’s wardrobe. In Sedona you’ll find subtle jacquards and fine line stripes with just hints of texture. We continue the texture trend in sweaters with a Linen Full Zip front Mockneck Vest for those cool evenings as the sun fades behind the hills. We carry the linen into the woven shirt collection with enzyme washed short sleeve camp shirts and sophisticated plaids.

Womenswear-For Spring 2011 we continue to build upon the successful strategy of creating a versatile wardrobe comfortable and appropriate for both on and off the golf course. A great foundation of key items is complimented by three distinct fashion collections.

The Wave Hill Collection works from a foundation of Black

Palm Springs Collection

and White with Lavender accents. The collection is infused with bold prints, color blocking and contrast details that deliver a modern flavor. That modern feel is reinforced with the expansion of the F&G Tech fabric throughout the polo shirt collection. Cotton infused with stretch is the story in bottoms.

The Sanibel Collection draws inspiration from the surf and beautiful shades of blue and green on top of classic Navy and White. Sanibel creates a perfect balance of modern and classicm, merchandising the most current tech fabrics alongside stretch seersucker. You’ll find fresh, sporty looks for the course like the Isabel Golf Skirt and Ibis short sleeve Diamond Sweater. You’ll also find classic elegance for that glass of chardonnay on the veranda with the Plaid Seersucker Nicole Dress layered with whisper light Blackstone Cardigan.

The Sausalito Collection builds from the whimsical Aster Floral Print and works with colors including Carnation, Cantaloupe and Mulberry all working back to a beautiful brown called Sable. We continue with our expanded F&G Tech collection by bringing in the new Ogee Print Stretch Skirt perfectly complimented by the Blair Polo Shirt.

Our key items include solid stretch pique polo shirt collection, the pima interlock quarter zip sweatshirt and classic cotton cable v-neck all delivered in 9 colors to support all three collections. To see the entire collection, please visit www.fairwayandgreene.com Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

Sanibel Collection 51

special events

T

he best of the LPGA Tour descended upon Wildfire Golf Club at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa this year for the inaugural playing of the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup – a special tournament to honor the past, showcase the present and provide for the future of the LPGA and women’s golf. The LPGA, its players and RR Donnelley share a collective responsibility to honor the history of the LPGA and a commitment to the future of the women’s game.

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Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

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?

live golf

Should Golf Courses

By Mark Clark, CGCS Troon Country Club

Overseed or Are We Just Playing Games?

O

verseeding is overrated, period! You know what I mean. I am talking about that green grass you see in the winter time in the desert. Can golf continue this expensive, wet habit of overseeding or are we just playing games? Let me explain.

When I first came into this business in 1980, green fairways in January were extremely rare. So what changed? Why did golf suddenly make this huge effort to ensure green grass all the time?

How did this business model go from dormant roughs and fairways much of the winter to lush green ryegrass?

I think there are several things that contributed to this.

The most important factor was the improved varieties of ryegrass and its quick establishment that allowed golf courses to convert their summer grasses to winter grasses much easier. Also, the quality of the playing surface improved with that as well. Another factor was development. Many golf facilities were now being built in order to sell houses.

Since the optimal time to sell houses in the desert was the winter, there was a need to have green fairways to show off their new homes. I get that to some extent but I can’t really think of any other good reason to overseed.

Some of you will say that the “snowbird” golfer who visits wants lush greens fairways. Well, not really.

They were coming to the deserts and playing golf here long before overseeding was the norm. In fact, there are many winter destinations that still do very little overseeding and still have good business. You could also say it was the abundance of water and how inexpensive it was. Well, not really. Water originally was cheap and plentiful, but that was before golf courses started to overseed. As new water restrictions were enforced in the 1980’s, water became scarcer and

54

much more expensive. So at the same time when water became more scarce, golf facilities began the practice of overseeding, a process that uses about 1/3 more water.

That doesn’t make sense. So what is it? I’ve got it. Golfers wanted to have lousy playing conditions. That is the only thing that makes sense. Let me explain again.

I remember playing golf at Troon Country Club in the winter of 1987 when it first opened in North Scottsdale. They did not overseed anything. The course had bentgrass greens, which stayed green in the winter. But the rest of the course was brown with dormant 419 Tifway bermudagrass. It was fabulous.

Lots of roll and perfect tight lies in the fairways--everything a golfer would want and expect for his or her game.

Overseeded courses generally are not firm, not fast, are wet, lumpy and slow.

At least that is the case for the courses that don’t have 12 hand waterings every day. Or, there is the opposite scenario where there are so many hot spots from trying to make the course fast that it looks worse than not oversseding at all. I think you get my point.

For an average course, overseeding generally costs $250,000 per year in water, seed, fertilizer, fuel, labor,

depreciation and chemicals.

Is that such a good business model? Some say yes, because without green grass, the golfers will go somewhere else. Where will they go? Who can continue this process in the current economic and environmental climates?

So, is golf about the game or is it about how it looks? If it is about the game, then overseeding is overrated and should be limited or stopped. Golfers need to get with the program and stop thinking that an overseeded winter desert course is good, because its not.

Firm and fast is good.

I think the business needs to get back to the game and stop pretending to give golfers what they want. Make a golf model and not a business model and sell that instead of green. It works at Bandon Dunes. They are packed from sun-up to sun-down with enthusiastic golfers--lousy weather, thin fairways, walk only, firm, fast, environmentally and economically friendly golf course in the middle of nowhere. It is everything ‘they’ say is going to ruin us as a golf facility if we offer these things. Someone please stand up and make their course the one everyone wants to play. It is not about how they look, but rather about how they play the golf game!

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

By Jeff Ritter

your pro header knows

Photos by Dave Schibel

T

he key to great driving is to ap-

airplane. A plane that is crashing

some swings just above the height of

proach the ball with a “shallow”

into the ground is traveling on too

your golf ball. This may feel like mak-

angle of attack. Most poor drivers

steep of an angle of descent. A plane

ing a baseball swing at a really low

of the golf ball have too steep of an

that is landing safely is approach-

pitch. Once you can consistently just

attack angle, which is culprit behind

ing the runway on a “shallow” angle,

miss the top of the ball, bend your

pop-ups, slices, toe hits and all of

so much so that the plane will fly

posture over a touch so that the club-

those nasty little scratches on the

for a decent period of time level to

head smacks the back of the ball. The

top of your club! To get an idea of

the ground before touching down

angle of attack for an absolutely per-

what it means to be steep versus

smoothly. To avoid a crash landing

fect tee shot will pick the ball clean

shallow, think of the flight of an

with your driver, practice making

leaving your tee standing tall!

Clean Pickin’

56

Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4

ScottsdaleGolfExperience.com 800.704.8018

Love thy game.

grip it & sip it

T

he creation of Luke Donald Collection wines has its origins in a longstanding friendship between

top-ranked pro-golfer Luke Donald and fine wine professional Bill Terlato of the family-owned Terlato Wine Group.

Whether on the golf course or in the vineyard, both men share a similar passion for excellence.

Luke Donald plays an active role

Claret: Handcrafted in a traditional European style, Luke Donald Claret marries a rich blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Luke Donald Claret displays structured tannins, intertwined with vibrant flavors of black berries and subtle spice notes, producing a wine ripe with flavor and supple texture.

in crafting the wines that bear his

Color: Red

name. His personal involvement in

Nose: Notes of espresso bean, licorice and wild berry fruit

the blending makes the wines original and unique; wines that best reflect his own personality and style. Luke’s personal style is also reflected in the non-traditional, contemporary labels, which connect with today’s luxury wine consumers. For wine drinkers who share Luke’s passion for culture and competitive spirit, LDC delivers wines that reflect Luke’s own sense of style, taste and artistic expression.

The grapes used in crafting Luke Donald Claret are 100% Napa Valley fruit, sourced primarily from renowned vineyards in the Rutherford and Stags Leap District appellations, know for consistently delivering wines of exceptional quality year after year.

58

Winemaker’s Notes:

Palate: Structured tannins, intertwined with vibrant flavors of black berries and subtle spice notes Chardonnay: The Luke Donald Chardonnay is comprised of Granny Smith apple and stone fruit aromas, supplemented by a touch of spice and slight notes of clove and cinnamon.

Much like any white Burgundy, this Chardonnay will benefit from time in the bottle to blossom fully. Mouthfeel is medium full, with a nice entrance, broad mid-palate, and a creamy, long finish.

Color: White Style: Medium-bodied

Pairs with: Pasta, Alfredo, Poultry and Pork, Seafood, Vegetables

Grip it and Sip it.

WineStyles - Phoenix #272 10625 N. Tatum Blvd. #D142 Phoenix, AZ 85028 Phone: 480-922-4771 Fax: 480-452-1661 www.winestyles.net/paradisevalley Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4