Florida Golf Central Magazine V12 I7

It's not just about the game... it's about The Experience!

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

IT’S ABOUT ULTIMATE GOLF,

NOT ULTIMATE PRICE. Incredible golf doesn’t have to cost incredible money. Play Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail this spring and get two rounds of golf per day, cart and unlimited range balls–all for a price that makes you feel like living large.

»» PLAY 2 DAYS OF UNLIMITED GOLF FOR $252 OR 3 DAYS FOR JUST $348* «« Choose your spring special and book today. Call 1.800.949.4444 or visit rtjgolf.com.

facebook.com/rtjgolf

twitter.com/rtjgolf

Celebrating 20 years of world-class golf. *Excludes tax and lodging. Offer valid March 1–May 13, 2012. Two-day package: Ross Bridge available at rack rate. Three-day package: Ross Bridge available at 20% off rack rate. Specials cannot be combined with other discounts.

Specials do not include play at Lakewood Golf Club. $10 surcharge for each round on the Judge at Capitol Hill. Reservations must be arranged at least 7 days prior to arrival. Some restrictions may apply. Offers subject to change.

THE ULTIMATE

STAY AND PLAY

OKATIE, SC ATTENTION GOLFERS! Enjoy the trip of a lifetime staying & playing inside the gates of the prestigious Oldfield Club located just outside of Hilton Head Island. An easy four-hour drive from Orlando, another world awaits you on the banks of the Okatie River.

Your luxurious cottage is brought together with uncompromising quality & Lowcountry comfort featuring a spacious and open floor plan with large screened-in porches, a well-appointed gourmet kitchen & amazing views!

ALL FOR ONLY

YOUR ULTIMATE STAY & PLAY PACKAGE INCLUDES:

$299

• 3 days / 2 nights stay in a private golf cottage • 2 rounds of golf on the Signature Greg Norman Course • Private 45-minute river cruise along the Okatie River

PER PERSON*

• Unlimited use of Golf Practice Facilities & range balls

UPGRADE TO A WORLD-CLASS FISHING EXCURSION FOR ONLY $70 MORE!

• Sports Club access - pools, tennis courts & fitness center

FOR MORE INFO, CALL KAYE BUSH AT (407) 544-1139

*Rates do not include 10% sales tax & are based on quad occupancy. Must book by 1/31/12 and vacation by 4/30/12.

1732.com

www.Oldfield

from the publisher header

Delve Into 2012 Everybody knows

it’s an old time tradition, superstition to eat collards and black-eyed peas the first day of the New Year and it is said to give you good luck. Well, I say yucky!

Yuck! I don’t want to be rude but, I hate black-eyed peas and not too fond of collards either.

Basically, because when you live on a farm you never know what shows up in your lunchbox. Looking back I think that’s when I first learned of my powers of persuasion trading black-eyed peas and collards for a PB&J. I’m not doggin’ Black Eyed Peas completely because, I do love their music and am rockin’ with Fergi and her menses’. Fun is the most important message played upon by Golf Central Magazines, both here in Florida and in Arizona. We are celebrating our first year of fun and exciting exposure in Arizona. Congrats to Jason Keesling and his team for their hard work and creativity, working events like Waste Management, RR Donnelley Founders Cup, and Golf Fest Phoenix. Jay is a champion at getting bonus enthusiasm for advertisers at events and our online presence.

Some of you may have heard that The Mayan calendar says 2012 is going to be the end of the world. I say B.S.; this is the perfect time to play our next round. Which, by the way, will look and feel like a tropical cocktail version of FL and AZ Golf Central. Ya’ know birdies, umbrellas, with a fruity garnish or a Golf Travel and Lifestyle magazine! As Fergi says, "Let’s Get It Started!” Trust me, a better year awaits.

We’re always celebrating more than our successes. Cheers to our friend the publisher of “Two Good Rounds”...a big “Splash Out” to the lovely Elisa Gaudet whose recent appearance on FOX News was both articulate and entertaining. Her book entitled, Two Good Rounds, “19th hole stories from the World’s Greatest Golfers” is a whimsical read. She’s a stunning chickie’ who is well connected from Manhattan to the Caribbean Islands, and not a bad shot on the skeet shooting course. I’m proud to call her an ally.

Stay tuned for additional exciting news about our newest venture...Caribbean Golf Central. AZ, FL, and the Caribbean have a very similar golfing demographic and we intend to help our ad partners capitalize on all three regions. More info on the launch of Caribbean Golf Central Magazine in future issues.

Our official Golf Concierge, Ty Delavallade has just returned from an ambassador trip to the Bahamas for the Travel Industries conference. A man on a mission for our new title.

We’ll see you down in Naples for the Ace Group Classic Feb. 13th-19th, and at Golfest in Tampa Feb.18TH and 19TH at Tampa Bay Downs. Come by and “Splash It Out”! Sorry Joe had to do it.

With all our hearts we delve, like true playa’s in “2012”

Volume 12, Issue 7 Publisher: Terrie L. Purdum Editor in Chief: Shannon Coates Contributing Editor: Dave Daubert, USGA Executive Editor: Joel Jackson–Director of Communications for the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association

North Florida Regional Editor: Stephen Trendler West Coast Regional Editor: Chris Karamitsos Southeast Regional Editor: Ken Rudin Golf Quest Golf Concierge: Ty Delavalladeis Photographers: Lynn Pelham, Brion Price, Peter Hakansson Tres Fenton, Mike Coonan

Public Relations & Social Media Director: Dennis Card Senior Correspondent: Rick Harris, Sr. Executive Correspondent: Dennis T. James Contributing Writers: Dave Daubert, USGA; Jay Golden, PGA; Marc Ray, CMAA; Greg Wise; Ed Gilbert

Media Muse: David E. Bailey Digital Video Producer: James Lee Director of Sales and Marketing: Jason Keesling Business Manager: Debbi Westbrook, dwestbrook@cfl.rr.com Graphic Design: Melahn Cable, melahn@mac.com Website Design/Network Support: ryjo.com Magazine Printing: Sundance Graphics 9580 Delegates Drive, Orlando, Florida 32837 • 800.617.5532

Florida Golf Central Magazine is published monthly by: Sand Hill Publishing & Public Relations 1549 Warrington Court, Winter Springs, FL 32708 phone: 407.971.4336 • 407.971.4337 fax: 407.971.4306 • toll-free: 877.208.5972 E-mail: info@ floridagolfcentral.com One year (12 issues) subscription price is $42.99 ©2012 Florida Golf Central Magazine. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Editorial contributions are welcome, but Florida Golf Central Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited proposals, manuscripts and photographs. All materials submitted not accompanied by a selfaddressed 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. Florida 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.

2009 North Florida PGA Amateur of the Year 4

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

Golf Here Golf here

AND, WHO KNOWS, YOU COULD of WIND UP And take advantage our IN THE HALL OF FAME. new fall golf special...

“The Slammer”

“The “TheKing” King”

Golf here

AND, WHO KNOWS, YOU COULD WIND UP IN THE HALL OF FAME. “The Squire”

“The Bear”

In the shadows of the World Golf Hall of Fame and the renowned Renaissance Resort, World Golf Village offers two championship golf courses, King & Bear and Slammer & Squire, designed by golf legends, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen.

But you don’t have to be a pro to play at World Golf Village, all you need is a reservation.

To book your tee times call (904) 940-6088 or visit, golfwgv.com.

(904) 940-6088

:

The 7-day “Double Play”

In theWORLD shadows ofGOLF the World Golf :Hall Fame and the renowned Renaissance Resort, World Golf Village offers TWO PLACE ST.ofAUGUSTINE, FL

two championship golf courses, King & Bear and Slammer & Squire, designed by golf legends, Arnold Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen.

Managed by Honours Golf • Palmer, www.HonoursGolf.com

Come visit the World Golf Village Resort this fall and play both

But you don’t have to be a pro to play at World Golf Village, all you need is a reservation. the King & BearToand & Squire golf courses within 7 days for 1 Low Price! bookSlammer your tee times call (904) 940-6088 or visit, golfwgv.com.

(904) 940-6088

:

Visit www.KingandBear.com for more information and to view our latest golf specials and Stay and Play Packages.

TWO WORLD GOLF PLACE

:

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL

Tee Times: (904) 940-6088

Managed by Honours Golf • www.HonoursGolf.com

In the shadows of the World Golf Hall of Fame and the renowned Renaissance Resort, World Golf Village offers WORLD GOLF VILLAGE RESORT two championship golf courses, King & Bear and Slammer & Squire, designed by golf legends, Where legends play.

Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Samcome Sneadtoand Gene Sarazen.

But you don’t have to be a pro to play at World Golf Village, all you need is a reservation.

(904) 940-6088 : TWO WORLD PLACEor visit, : ST.golfwgv.com.

AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA To book your tee times callGOLF (904) 940-6088

Volume 12, Issue 7 Cart Girl 14 Brittany Blais

Feature 34 Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy 37 Celebration Golf Management

Golf Bachelor 12 Patrick Healy

Golf Business 18 Marcus & Millichap 20 Plantation Palms

Improving Performance 22 TaylorMade 24 MD Sports

Leader on the Links 30 Adam Barr

Living on the Links 36 The Concession

What's New 16 Feel Golf

Young Guns 60 Jeremy Poincenot

Departments 4

8 10

28 32 40 44 46 48 50 52 54 55 58 62 64 66 68 72

Letter from the Publisher Golf Central Station Club Managers Association of America Social GOlf Tournament News Live Golf Competitive Spirits The Golf Channel Sticks & Stogies Duffer Dan North Florida PGA South Florida PGA PGA of America Fashion Forward Sun Coast Platinum Coast First Coast Product Showcase Aces & Eagles

56

34

8

37

floridagolfcentral.com

PURE GOLF Black Bear Golf Club is a quintessential P.B. Dye designed championship links course stretching over 7,000 yards. It is truly a fun test for golfers of all skill levels. Unlike most typically flat Florida courses Black Bear presents a unique challenge with its undulating fairways, elevation changes and fast, well manicured greens. The course has some of the most dramatic bunkers you will ever experience in Florida as well as some of the biggest elevation changes. P.B. Dye lived up to his reputation as a designer of championship courses when he built Black Bear.

The focus at Black Bear is pure golf and after over a year of intensive investment the course is in outstanding condition. The club boasts one of the best practice facilities in Central Florida. With a double ended 400 yard range, 40,000 square foot short game complex, 16,000 square foot practice green and 19th hole - shoot out hole, Black Bear is the place to be if you want to improve your game. Black Bear hosts several professional tour events annually as well as being home to select PGA and LPGA players.

Play a tournament quality championship course for $50 or less and rub shoulders with a few LPGA or PGA pros. That’s nearly impossible anywhere else in the Orlando area.

Black Bear Golf Course is about a 30 minute drive north of downtown Orlando. The course is set in Florida ranch country. The drive from the city is easy and relaxing. It is more than worth the few extra minutes drive both for the golf experience as well as the great value offered.

352.357.4732

www.BlacKBEargolfcluB.com

Book a round at Black Bear and receive a complimentary sleeve of NIKE balls Not valid with any offer. Valid while supplies last

24505 calusa Blvd. EustIs, florIda 32736

IT’S OKAY TO PLAY GOLF FOR FUN

GUILTLESS WAYS TO MAKE GOLF MORE FUN WHILE LEARNING

1. It’s okay to not keep score.

2. It’s okay to play from the shortest tees or start at the 150 yard marker.

3. It’s okay to give yourself a better lie by rolling the ball around a little. It’s okay to tee the ball up anywhere when you are first learning.

4. It’s okay to only count swings when you make contact with the ball.

5. It’s okay to throw the ball out of a bunker after one try.

6. It’s okay to forget about a ball that may be lost or out of bounds. It’s okay to drop a ball where you think it might be…or where you wanted it to be.

7. It’s okay to play a scramble with your group…scrambles are very popular.

8. It’s okay to just chip and putt on a hole when you feel like it.

9. It’s okay to pick up in the middle of the hole and enjoy the outdoors and scenery.

10. It’s okay to skip a hole if you need to take a break.

11. It’s okay to play less than 9 or 18-holes and call it a round of golf.

12. It’s okay to move your ball away from trees, rocks or very hilly lies.

13. It’s okay to hit the same club for the entire round, while using a putter on the putting green.

14. It’s okay to play golf in your sneakers. Be comfortable!

15. It’s okay to get enthusiastic! (High fives, fist pumps and big smiles are encouraged) 16. It’s okay to talk on the golf course…enjoy a nice conversation or tell a few jokes.

17. It’s okay to bring your kids to the course, whether they are 5 or 35.

18. It’s okay to PLAY GOLF JUST FOR FUN! When you are ready, see your local PGA/LPGA Golf Professional or visit usga.org to learn and play by the USGA Rules of Golf.

Never look for a golf course phone number again.

Never get lost looking for a golf course again.

Know exactly what courses are near you, wherever you are.

cmaa

The Florida Chapter invites you to participate

2012 Summer Conference Education Series In 2011, more than 350 CMAA members from around the country attended our Summer Conference Education Series. These multi-day conferences boast education topics from all aspects of the club industry, provide an opportunity to network with club professionals and build relationships for your future success. Our Conferences offer a family-friendly schedule with education sessions in the morning and flexible afternoon programming. Each conference is packed with more than 13 hours of educational programming, spectacular evening club social events as well as spouse and children activities. We invite you to “Save the Date” and join us in the Sunshine State in 2012!

June 20-23, 2012 Amelia Island Plantation Amelia Island Wednesday to Saturday Schedule

August 9-12, 2012 Ocean Reef Club Key Largo Thursday to Sunday Schedule

September 28-30, 2012 Waldorf Astoria Naples Naples Friday to Sunday Schedule

Hotel accommodation information online at www.flcmaa.org **Photos courtesy of Amelia Island Plantation, Ocean Reef Club and Naples Grande Beach Resort 10

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

Where the Pros Want to Play!

Save up to $

80 off a foursome or $ 10 off single player 352-861-9712

Coupon must be presented at check-in. Savings applicable on weekday or weekend play depending on tee time. Visit website for more details. Tee times may be booked up to three (3) days in advance.

Offer expires 4/30/2012 FGC011912

8137 SW 90th Terrace Road • Ocala, FL 34481 www.CandlerHillsGolfClub.com

Play for a day or play for a lifetime.

New Home! FREE Wheels!

When you purchase a home at Candler Hills Golf Club, get a FREE set of wheels*….. golf cart wheels, that is.

On Top of the World is designed with you in mind.

Everything is just a short golf cart ride away.

Even our home designs sport golf cart garages.

And with this amazing offer, the time couldn’t be better to make the move.

If you already own a golf cart, no problem.

Other “Bonus with Purchase*” choices include: • 5 -year membership to The Ranch Fitness Center & Spa • Generac® whole home generator • $10,000 in Choice Bucks to use as you choose With the most amenities and hundreds of activities, On Top of the World is where you want to be!

800-836-6521

8445 SW 80th Street, Ocala, FL 34481 Sales Office Open 7 Days *Certain restrictions apply. Limited time offering, subject to change without notice. Speak to a Sales Professional for details. © 2012 On Top of the World Communities, Inc.

#8305-01/12

www.OnTopoftheWorld.com

golf bachelor header

Where were you born? Did you grow up there? Wilmington, DE. Yes.

k c i atr

What do you do for a living? Operations Specialist. Man, I love tournament week!

y l a He

P

What would you like to do for a living?

Yacht captain

Aside from golf; what do you prefer for fun and relaxation? The South of France.

Whom do you most admire for their inner and outer beauty? Tina Matheson.

What’s the most effective way you’ve discovered to check out a hot woman without her, or anyone else noticing?

Sunglasses. Even at night.

Tell us about your first kiss? Still waiting for the one.

Tell us something about yourself that only your closest friends know. I do a babe alert.

Name the three most important things to you in this world. Family, world

peace, and friends.

Given the choice; would you select love, success, or money to keep yourself happy? Love What do you fear the most? Heights.

Name three movie stars you would like to go on a date with (one at a time preferably) Scarlett Johanssen,

Gwenyth Paltrow, and Jessica Alba

What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy golf foursome? JFK, Arnold Palmer, and my

grandfather.

Relaxed evening at home, or nightclub and cocktails? Nightclub and cocktails.

Serve it up.

12

Would you tell someone if they had food caught in their teeth during a conversation with them? My eyes will

tell.

Favorite television channel? Lifetime.

Last book you read? Steve Job’s Biography

News, current events; hardcopy or online? Hard-copy.

Favorite magazine? US Weekly. Gotta keep up with the babe convos.

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

cart header girl Where did you grow up?

Delray Beach, Florida

What is your favorite sport to play? Favorite to watch?

I competitively ride horses. So I guess you could say that is my favorite sport to “play”.

I’m an equestrian and have been riding horses since I was a little girl. But if I had to pick a favorite sport to watch it would definitely be football or basketball.

What do you feel makes this club special?

Definitely the amazing cart girls that work there. ;) but really, Dubsdread is a great golf course with beautiful scenery and such a rich history attached to it. To complete the full golfing experience that Dubsdread offers, the award winning Tap Room, located right across from hole #1, is a great restaurant with to die for food, especially their burgers!

What is your favorite part of being a cart girl? What is your least favorite part?

Getting to meet so many different types of people. I’m very friendly and outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. My least favorite part would have to be working in Florida’s brutal summer heat or when the rare cold front passes through and “freezes” us.

If you weren’t a cart girl, what would you be doing?

Actually nothing, cause I’m doing it right now. Being a cart girl is my part time job while I am currently a full time student, graduating in May of 2012 from UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality. Finally!

Do you think the cart girls should be able to dress differently?

How you prefer dress if you were given a choice?

I love our outfits at Dubsdread, a polo from the Dubsdread pro shop and black or khaki bottoms of your choice. Keeps it professional but allows each girl to be themselves.

What type of music do you prefer?

doing CrossFit a couple months ago and I have never been so obsessed with something before. I also enjoy going shopping and just doing girl things.

What is your idea of “the perfect date”?

Perfect date? Hmmm.. that’s a tough question. I guess I would have to say something simple, dinner and some drinks and maybe a movie after.

Relaxed evening at home, or nightclub and cocktails?

Relaxed evening at home! No questions.

Favorite comedian?

Definitely Daniel Tosh. Tosh.0 is my favorite show ever! And he went to UCF.

Favorite type of movie?

Romantic Comedy, yes, I’m a hopeless romantic.

I really enjoy all types of music, depending on my mood that day! J But my favorite type of music would have to be country. Can’t go wrong with some Jason Aldean or Blake Shelton.

Favorite charity to support?

What hobbies do you enjoy?

I’m graduating from UCF in May of 2012, After graduation I plan on working abroad for a year in either Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.

I really like to work out in my spare time. I just started

14

y n a t t i Br Blais

Ronald McDonald House

What else would you like for us to know about you?

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

Thirsty? Hungry?

Order straight from your phone!

The NEW App for Food & Beverage On-Course Ordering!

www.smartcartapp.com smartcatr8.5x11_r8.10.indd 1

View course menu and pro-shop items along with price and availability.

Score card informs clubhouse of your location.

Place your order with touch of a button.

8/10/11 4:41 PM

what's new

Feel Golf unveils new SG™ & PVD clubs, White Pro Tour 787 PR driver Feel Golf Co., Inc., an innovator in golf club design since 1985, is introducing a number of new products for 2012.

Headlining Feel Golf’s product line-up is a new line of wedges and irons with real square grooves (“SG”™). Although the USGA has ruled the clubs non-conforming, Feel Golf is keeping the “SG Revolution” alive as amateur golfers can continue to use square grooves until 2024.

The “SG” Competitor Blades are a LIMITED EDITION iron set (4-46) and come in all white with a PVD face and sole. The “SG” Cavity Back is made with the same technology as the Blades and will give golfers the results they want and FEEL good about their game. Feel Golf is offering another industry first, its groundbreaking 73° wedge for players of all skill levels in “SG” white and PVD. “To minimize the loss of ball spin and control for the recreational golfer with the new groove ruling, we made significant changes to our business model by adding the “SG”™ line of non-conforming irons and wedges, said Lee Miller Founder and CEO. “Ultimately, we believe the smaller grooves hurt the typical recreational player far more than the Tour player. We always strive to maximize performance with feel and that’s a key benefit to our end customer, the recreational golfer.”

Feel Golf is also introducing its advanced engineered PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) Tour irons and wedges. Feel’s PVD black tour blades are the highest performing, maximum drag co-efficient clubs on the market. Feel Golf will also unveil their new Pro Tour PR 787 driver with Face Angle Variance Technology.

The Pro Tour 787 PR driver is designed for maximum forgiveness and “spring-like effect.”

The Pro Tour 787 has a very high MOI (Moment of Inertia) providing straighter drives even with off center tee shots. The Pro Tour 787 driver had 22 percent more fairway landings when independently tested against other drivers.

Using Face Angle Variance technology (FAV), the Pro Tour 787 has an open heel and closed toe design for up to two degrees of sidespin forgiveness. The four piece Triple Forged Beta Titanium head produces results with consistency across the entire face.

“The Pro Tour 787 incorporates our history and expertise of producing some of the longest drivers on the market,” said Miller. “Sports Illustrated tested and found our drivers to be among the longest and most accurate of the Top 25.”

The 787 PR is USGA conforming, but according to their report is “Borderline on the CT” and “for spring-like effect.” In other words, the Pro Tour 787 driver is HOT! The Pro Tour 787 is also available in black.

“This is an exciting time for Feel Golf,” said Miller. “We have some dynamic new clubs, a new corporate image and some very competitively priced, high performing products that will make the recreational golfer and our retailers very happy.”

Based in Sanford, Fla., Feel Golf has clubs for golfers of all skill levels. For more information, visit www. feelgolf.net or call (877) 934-7387.

16

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

With all the latest trends in technology, some companies follow suit. At Feel Golf, we’re changing the game back to the way it used to be.

The USGA has changed the rules on grooves, but we’re not listening. Feel Golf is keeping the “SG” revolution alive.

With SG your game will instantly have the results you always wanted. FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOUR GAME!

Technology you can feel Order now 877-934-7387 or visit feelwedges.com

Golf & Resort Real Estate Brokerage

Offices Nationwide

National Platform Unequaled Buyer Relationships Underwriting to Investment Standards Bridging Private and Institutional Capital

Plantation Palms Golf Club Land O Lakes, Florida

There is an old saying in golf: “It’s not how, it’s how many.”

Check out our scorecard:

22 COURSES SOLD IN 14 MONTHS! $53 MILLION IN SALES STEVEN M. EKOVICH, Vice President & Director steven.ekovich@marcusmillichap.com

7650 Courtney Campbell Causeway Suite 920 Tampa, Florida 33607 813-387-4700

www.nationalgolfgroup.com

CHRIS KARAMITSOS, Associate & Co-Founder christopher.karamitsos@marcusmillichap.com MATT PUTNAM, Associate matthew.putnam@marcusmillichap.com TERENCE VANEK, Senior Financial Analyst terence.vanek@marcusmillichap.com

By: Steven M. Ekovich, Vice President Investments & Director, Marcus & Millichap’s National Golf & Resort Properties Group Christopher Karamitsos, PGA Professional & Co-Founder, Marcus & Millichap’s National Golf & Resort Properties Group

Commercial real estate investors have not been dissuaded by the economic and political turmoil that has dominated headlines in recent months. The same can be true for GOLF COURSE AND RESORT INVESTORS. The last 12 months (10/2010-9/2011) showed year over year sales golf course sales are up by 11%.

The unemployment rate fell 20 basis points in December to 8.5 percent, the lowest level since early 2009, as all of the 10 privateemployment sectors added workers for the year. The holidays also contributed to the hiring of 21,000 leisure and hospitality employees, with nearly all of the gains recorded in bar and restaurant employment.

December capped a solid year of job growth as the economy generated positive hiring every month in the year for the first time since 2005. The private sector led the way, marking its most substantial growth in six years. This trend should continue, with the labor market generating gradual momentum during 2012 as employers continue to re-staff to meet rising demand for goods and services. Lingering downside risks, however, will repress hiring from achieving breakaway growth. Political posturing in Washington will fuel uncertainty through the year while eurozone troubles will restrain the U.S. economic outlook in 2012.

For the GOLF INDUSTRY the news is vitally important as so goes the economy, so goes golf revenue. Golf is a disposable income item and the more workers feel comfortable they will continue to have a job and feel comfortable they have paid down enough of their debt, the more they will feel that need to take care of themselves with a liberating game of golf as a reward for spending four years trying to put their financial house in order. Evidence of the foregoing is that saving rates are up in the U.S. to 5.3% in 2010 compared to 2.4% in 2007 and debt is down, conseFlorida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

quently, we believe golfers will begin to return to the leisure activity that once captivated over 30 million Americans.

2011 was a tale of two halves. The first half was fraught with cold weather challenges in parts of the country like the northeast and drought conditions in Texas contributing to loss of play days hiding a slightly strengthening golf market. In some markets during 2011, we saw an increase in revenue while in others there was a fifth straight year of declines. We believe 2012 will be the first demonstrative turnaround in revenue for most clubs. As we alluded to above, a strengthening economy, job security and years of pent up demand will begin to drive golfers back to our industry. Furthermore, with Tiger Wood’s first win in years, you can’t underestimate the interest that Tiger could bring to our industry. Interest in

golf business

The Economy & Golf the form of playing golf, buying golf merchandise and sponsorships for golf could be icing on the cake, but only if he is winning.

From a transaction standpoint, the first half was very strong with buyers from Asia, Europe, Canada and the US placing bets on the US golf market.

These savvy investors believed a market at the bottom of the economic trough would soon rebound creating upside value. In the second half of the year, summer news of a double dip recession caused buyers to reassess their underwriting to become more conservative, driving values down and ultimately offering prices down (see cap rate vs core assets graph above). �������������������������������� The year 2011 was another excellent year for the National Golf & Resort Properties Group. In addition to adding staff and brokers to better serve its expanding client base, the Group ended the year having sold 14 golf courses totaling $44,775,000 at an average of 95.9% of list price. Steve Ekovich credits the Group’s front-end due diligence, expert underwriting and unparalleled marketing platform for being able to achieve such a high percentage of list to sale. The national presence of the firm enabled the NG&RPG to list and or sell courses in California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Among the courses sold this year by the Group were the trophy-class assets of Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, FL, Hammock Bay in Naples, FL, and Horseshoe Bend in Roswell, GA as well as the legendary 54-hole facility Palm Aire in the Fort Lauderdale market.

The NGRPG currently has a number of high-profile opportunities available for purchase throughout the US. To learn more about these quality golf assets visit www.nationalgolfgroup.com.

19

golf business

Plantation Palms New Beginnings History was made in Tampa,

facility setting.

FL on May 1, 2011 when three Native

Mitch Osceola is a graduate of the

American business partners, Mitch

San Diego Golf Academy. Jayson Ray

Osceola, Jayson Ray and Steve Mc-

is co-founder of the First Nations Golf

Donald purchased the golf instructor/mentor.

Plantation Palms Golf

In 2012 Plantation

Club.

Their company, MJS

Palms continues to offer

Golf Group (Mitch,

warm friendly customer

Jayson, and Steve) took

service, great food, cold

possession of the golf

drinks, a superbly mani-

course and immediately

cured golf course with fast

welcomed the Greater

pure greens, a fully stocked

Tampa Bay area to

golf shop by Steve’s World

native culture in a golf

of Golf, competitive prices, quality golf instruction, the best membership program #9 Green

in town, banquet/party facilities, tournament/group specials, theme nights,

Hole #7 20

Association and Steve

custom car detailing and the only place

McDonald, a 26-year

in the world where you can play Soft-

member of the PGA, is

golf an oversized glow-in-the-night

considered one of the

real golf game.

best Native America

Make Plantation Palms Golf Club

professional golfers

your next golf experience or your

in the country and

home course now by visiting www.

has also distinguished

plantationpalms.net. For more infor-

himself as a top class

mation call 813.996.7122.

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

THE LONGEST FAIRWAY WOODS IN GOLF

CB4 TOUR FAIRWAY WOOD Designed for better players, the CB4 combines a high-tech 15-3-3-3 titanium cup face with a heavier hyper-steel body.

BY TOUR EDGE

XCG5 FAIRWAY WOOD The ground-breaking XCG5 features the ultimate technology, combining an advanced titanium cup face and crown, a beta ti face insert and a heavy tungsten sole plate.

TOUREDGE.COM | 800.515.3343

improving performance header

The Enemy or Ally Within

By Dr. Mac Powell, Dean National University Golf Academy & Leonard Finkel

Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course - the distance between your ears. ~Bobby Jones

The best players

in the world regularly fail in spectacular fashion. Greg Norman blew a six shot lead at the 1996 Masters; Jean Van De Velde triple-bogeyed the final hole of the 1999 British Open; Phil Mickelson squandered the 2006 U.S. Open with a series of mental blunders on the 72nd hole. No one plans to fail, yet despite the best of intentions our subconscious mind regularly becomes our worst enemy.

Understanding the role of the subconscious in performance and the value of club fitting technology and sound teaching techniques to master the enemy within is crucial to success on and off the course.

Research in sports psychology and science has made us more aware of the inner workings of the brain in athletic performance. A recent book by David Eagleman sheds light on the supreme efficiency of our brain and the command the subconscious mind has over athletic performance. To the untrained eye, most actions such as hitting a golf ball, riding a bike, tying your shoes or steering a car appear to be conscious acts. But they are controlled by the subconscious, though we think we are consciously influencing the subtle movements. We perform complex tasks through automatic rather than controlled processing. Referred to as muscle memory, tasks moved into the automatic or subconscious portion of the brain are executed without thinking about how we actually perform them. The brain knows how to perform an act that your conscious mind cannot explicitly access. For example, when we walk, we don’t think about each individual movement- lifting our feet, bending our knees, leaning forward, flexing our ankles, etc. All directions for movement are handled subconsciously.

The subconscious processes information much more rapidly than the conscious mind. Hence, we reflexively react much more quickly to external stimuli. The time required to complete a swing with a driver, from initiating the backswing to contact is approximately one second, two-thirds of which is the backswing. That leaves approximately one-third of a second from the start of the downswing through impact.

The downswing happens so quickly that it’s impossible for the hands and eyes to transmit feedback to the brain fast enough to process and respond with adjustments.

In reality, you are almost completely on autopilot from the top of the swing to impact and your training and any preshot visualization are in control. Whereas the subconscious mind is able to make complex adjustments, it’s impossible for the

22

conscious mind to react in the fleeting time available. Michael Novak relates, “Perhaps analysis and the separate mastery of each element are required before the instincts are ready to assume command, but only at first. Command by instinct is swifter, subtler, deeper, more accurate, more in touch with reality than command by conscious mind. “ Confident athletes are high performers and that cycle of high performance leads to even greater confidence. On the other end of the spectrum, a lack of confidence regularly produces inferior results. Doubts create problems. Mental pictures of poor shots or focusing too heavily upon avoiding negative outcomes (rather than anticipating positive

outcomes) usually produces the outcomes we most fear. Essentially, what you see is what you get.

Conscious adjustments to the swing tend to be useless once the swing is initiated. Since the subconscious is such a powerful ally or enemy, sport psychologists direct players to avoid attempts to avoid negative results. Total confidence allows the subconscious mind to properly run correct pre-rehearsed scripts or motions. While this may appear easy, training the conscious and subconscious mind to work in harmony is a lifelong challenge. Teachers and coaches say things like, “trust the swing”, “let the club do the work”, etc.. What they are trying to

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

convey is that we should be confident in our ability and trust our training. The fear that you will not perform increases the likelihood that you will do precisely what you are trying to avoid. Tiger described his execution by saying that he remembered setting up to hit the ball and he remembered seeing the ball leave the face of the club, but he had no conscious recollection from the moment he initiated the

swing until he made contact with the ball. His ability to perform under pressure is a result of preparation and repetition.

State-of-the-art fitting systems like those at TaylorMade Performance Labs build confidence and reduce conscious manipulation through the use of custom fitted golf equipment. With clubs custom-made specifically to correct swing flaws, the golfer becomes comfortable

that he can “trust” his clubs to deliver more accurate shots. If a normal miss is to the right due to the toe of the club being lower than the heel, the club can be bent to make it lay flat on the ground. If the shaft is too flexible or too stiff or too heavy or too light, it can dramatically affect the flight of the ball. Providing the correct shaft flex or weight enables the golfer to just swing and trust the outcome, building confidence through a series of better results.

TaylorMade Performance Labs founder Herb Meistrich believes that the company is selling confidence by outfitting the customers with clubs customized to prevent their predictable miss. Meistrich says, “If golfers believe that our clubs will prevent or reduce their typical miss, they will be less likely to manipulate their swing to avoid an undesirable result. If they are confident when they hit the ball, doubt won’t cause exactly what they are trying to avoid.”

Information on the TaylorMade Performance Labs is available at www.TMPLabs.com.

Though properly fit equipment will help build confidence, learn to make an ally of the subconscious and recognize its power in the most important five inches on the course – the space between your ears.

For additional information on TaylorMade Performance Labs in Orlando, call (407) 2380577 or Travis Kent at (407) 760-0609. The Orlando Lab is conveniently located at the Grand Cypress Resort.

Perry’s has been a family favorite for generations. Our spectacular indoor garden and heated pool make your vacation weatherproof. Kids and grandkids love the Kids Beach Suites. And grownups love the Perrycation package that includes dine-around certificates good at outstanding restaurants.

But best of all . . . Perry’s knows golf! Our reservations team can craft a custom golf package with any of the many choice courses. So visit perrysoceanedge.com or call (800) 447-0002.

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

23

improving performance

Europe's No. 1 Brand Now Available in the U.S.A. Northern Ireland's MD Golf, Europe's No. 1 golf brand, is now available in the USA. Claiming the same hallowed grounds as several recent major championship winners, like McIlroy, McDowell and Clarke, MD offers a phenomenal range of top-flight golf equipment at affordable prices. Winners of numerous tests by the leading European magazines, the company is endorsed by the greatest European golfer of all time, Seve Ballesteros. A full range of equipment under the SEVE name is available now. Go to MDGolf-usa.com to see it and find out how to win the latest SEVE Icon driver.

EUrOpE’S NO.1 GOLF BrAND NOW AVAILABLE IN THE USA. BUY DIRECT AT WWW.MDGOLF-USA.COM 24

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7 1/4 PG Ad USA.indd 1

11/15/11 7:53 PM

living on theheader links

The ConCession Golf Club opens TiTleisT AdvAnCed fiTTinG CenTer offerinG Tpi fiTness And insTruCTion The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla., is one of America's most exclusive private clubs. Named Golf Digest’s “Best New Private Course” (2006), The Concession is set on 520 acres of ruggedly pristine land dotted with massive oaks and majestic pines. Most every service and amenity associated with the grand tradition of the world’s most premier clubs can be found at The Concession.

Non-members can enjoy some of the exclusive services offered at The Concession.

Golfers can be custom-fitted for their clubs, have a comprehensive assessment of their golf fitness, The Concession's fitness center offers dine on awardmassage services to fit your needs... winning cuisine at The Concession Bistro, or choose The Concession as a picturesque setting for a wedding or special event.

With its state-of-the-art teaching facility and highlytrained professional staff, The Concession Golf Club leaves no stone unturned in its commitment to helping you lower your scores.

“Instruction plays a very important role at The Concession,” said Barry Hinckley, Head Golf Professional at The Concession. “We have assembled a team of experts in instruction, golf fitness, club-fitting, and mental coaching. Using tools such as high-speed 26 2

video analysis and TrackMan™, The Concession team provides a unique environment to work on all facets of your game.”

As the region’s only Advanced Fitting Center for Titleist, The Concession Golf Club team of certified fitters uses TrackMan, a Doppler radar based launch monitor system to help players optimize driver performance, make iron play more precise, dial in their wedges, and fine-tune set compositions. TrackMan is the choice of the PGA Tour, USGA and the R&A. The system precisely measures 22 different swing and ball flight parameters and provides detailed information on golf shots and impact relationships. All clubface, swing and ball flight data, from club speed to shot dispersion, are delivered in scalable, easy to understand reports.

“Golf is all about confidence, in your game and your equipment,” said Hinckley.

“The Concession offers the most precise club-fitting experience around. Our approach to ... in a quiet, relaxing environment. fitting begins with a unique understanding of a player's performance. We feel that you shouldn’t swing to fit your equipment; your equipment should fit your swing.”

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7 Florida Golf Central • January 2012

Today’s Tour players know that properly fitted equipment is only part of becoming a successful golfer. Whether you are a recreational or competitive player, proper fitness, conditioning and nutrition are essential in playing and enjoying golf for a lifetime.

To help, The Concession offers the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Golf Fitness Program. This world-renowned program combines physical analysis and conditioning, as well as golf swing analysis and instruction to help you maximize your performance.

“With our TPI Program, players are placed through a complete array of tests usually reserved for the best golfers in the world,” said James Whatmore, The Concession’s Fitness Director. “By Barry Hinckley, Head Golf Professional at The Concession, uses the Trackman to assessing a ‘total picture’ of your body, record the driving data of Tyler Whitman, Assistant Golf Pro. swing, and equipment, our team of Certified TPI Golf Instructors and Fitness Bistro was honored with an Invitation by the James professionals, will design an individually specific Beard Foundation to host a performance dinner at the program that will help you optimize your performance Beard House, the equivalent of the "Culinary Oscars." on the golf course.”

Non-members can inquire about The Concession’s Whatmore, a certified TPI and N.A.S.M Instructor, and his team use several physical and golf screening processes to measure a golfer’s ability to generate and transfer speed and determine the most efficient energy transfer throughout the golfer’s body.

“Through our screening process we will isolate any physical limitations, correlate these findings to your swing technique and prescribe a custom conditioning program,” he said. “We can then match your swing technique with your physical attributes to help you build a more repeatable and efficient golf swing.”

To help golfers hone their skills, The Concession Golf Club has a 23-acre practice facility ranked by Golf Digest as one of the “75 Best Practice Areas in the United States.” It includes a dualended driving range, two putting greens, and a short game area that allows one to practice any shot a golfer might need, including pitch shots up to 80 yards.

The Concession features the latest fitness equipment to help optimize ...

When members and their guests are not taking in a day on The Concession’s award-winning golf course, they can relax and enjoy a palate pleasing dining experience at the Concession Bistro. In December 2010, The Concession FloridaGolf GolfCentral Central••Volume January12, 2012 Florida Issue 7

Culinary Memberships.

If you are looking for the perfect location for a private event, The Concession Golf Club offers the ultimate venue amidst the backdrop of a lush and scenic landscape. The Concessions’ indoor and outdoor private meeting and dining areas are perfect to commemorate any event.

“Our Clubhouse is outfitted with the latest technology and our creative banquet team is prepared to go above and beyond with any extras you may need,” said Kim McNeal, Membership and Events Director.

“Whether you are planning ... your performance on the golf course. a private golf outing, corporate luncheon or executive retreat, The Concession offers several room layouts and cater any meeting, dinner or event to your exact requirements. Our exquisite Clubhouse brings a refined elegance to any occasion and our staff has your dedicated focus and undivided attention. No matter the size of your event, our staff’s attention to detail and commitment to service will make your special occasion memorable.”

For additional information about The Concession Golf Club and Membership, visit www.theconcession.com or call 941-322-1922.

273

social header golf

Must Have Golf App of 2012!

It’s 8:07 am on Saturday morning

our buddy to give us good advice as he

down the line angles together. If you

and you are finally standing on the

sucks down his second beer on the first

really want to get serious, you are able

tee-box after a long hard work week.

tee-box.

to purchase pro videos of Adam Scott’s

You couldn’t wait to get to the weekend to play golf and now you are on the box

28

There is a solution!

swing for a side by side comparison to your swing.

ready to hit your first shot of the lowest

round of your life! Only…you hit the

iSwing is an iphone and android

golf or go to the range. It has helped

first shot and you see it shoot straight

application that allows you to record,

me tremendously and I feel it is a

right and low. All of a sudden you hear

view and analyze your swing! There is

must have if you are a “do it your-

your buddy, who is sitting on the golf

no need for a computer, special soft-

selfer” and want to improve. You

cart with a beer in hand, say “looks like

ware or expensive camera equipment.

can find out more on their website

you got the el hosel”, a quote from your

All you need is your phone and a buddy

http://www.iswingapp.com/.

favorite movie Tin Cup.

to hold it as you swing. If you don’t

If you want to share your swing

How many times as this happened

have a buddy, just do what I do and set

with a teaching professional for

to you? How many times has this hap-

it up on your golf bag.

a free quick tip, email it to me

pened to all of us? Clearly there are

iSwing comes with drawing features

from the sharing feature on the

glitches in our swings but it is hard to

to determine swing plane, spine angle,

application and I will submit it

figure them out if we cannot see our-

head position, etc. It also has a split

to http://www.LinksLessons.com. Email

selves swing. We certainly can’t rely on

screen feature to view your front and

me at dennis@golfclubmedia.com.

I use this app every time I play

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

Combine one of the best layouts in Central Florida with 120-foot elevation changes and superb guest service, and you’ll understand why golfers from all over the globe have put Highlands Reserve at the top of their “must-play” list of Orlando golf courses.

H

ighlands Reserve provides an experience over and above your typical Florida golf course. With the rolling hills, large undulating greens and a wide open layout, the course is a fair challenge for players of all calibers. Open to the public, Highlands Reserve takes pride in welcoming golfers from all over the US and throughout the world. The club has even recently been honored to host LPGA Tour player Christina Kim and European Tour player Pablo Martin who raved about the golf course conditions.

Considered one of the best values in Central Florida, you don’t want to miss your opportunity to play at this great facility.

The course is conveniently located on just minutes from the Disney World Resort on U.S. Highway 27 just north of Interstate 4. All golfers are welcome and tee times are available every day at (863) 420-1724 or toll free at (877) 508-4653.

Tee times may also be reserved online at www.highlandsreserve-golf.com.

Bring this ad and receive a special discounted rate!

leader on the links

The Quest for Perfection The ultimate goal:

To obtain the strongest steel available and hand-forge it for optimum performance. Combine the elements of balance, stability, aesthetics, solidity, permanence and durability for the perfect strike. When everything is on the line, total concentration must be on the task at hand without a second thought related to the “implement.” That is what is needed to be victorious in “battle.”

Long before forging golf clubs for “battles” on the links, there were “battles” involving warriors and use of the sword.

As the story goes, Amakuni Yasutsuna and his son, Amakuri, were the head smiths employed by the Emperor to make swords for his armies.

One day, after returning from battle, the Emperor and his warriors passed by Amakuni without so much as a word.

With great shame and horror, Amakuni’s heart sunk when he noticed that as the warriors came back, most of their swords had been broken or badly damaged.

Amakuni and his son inspected the damaged and broken blades and realized that their failure was the result of incorrect forging and flawed steel. Vowing to create the perfect sword, they worked feverously; thus the birth of the Samurai

30

By Jay Golden, PGA sword. When the warriors returned from battle the following year, not a single sword was broken. The Emperor said with a smile, “You are an expert sword maker.”

This tradition of selecting steel and perfecting the forging process passed down from generation to generation and Katsuhiro Miura, owner of the Miura Golf, is a certified Samurai sword maker. In 1958, however, he decided to use this mastery to produce golf clubs.

Fast forward to the present, Miura Golf, has been named 2011’s Canadian Golf Company of the Year by “Score Golf Magazine.”

“This is a tremendous honor for Miura Golf” says Adam Barr. Previously a business reporter for “Golf Channel” with an astute eye and knowledge for golf clubs and the manufacturing process, Barr is currently the president of Miura. “We’re very proud of the year we had in 2011, and to receive this kind of recognition, validates all of our hard work.”

One might wonder why Miura Golf is not publically endorsed by any PGA TOUR players. The reason as explained

by Barr, “Miura Golf does not pay players to endorse their products.” That being said, the winner of the 2011 “Players Championship” uses Miura irons.

Miura Golf’s corporate office is located in Vancouver, British Columbia and Miura Golf clubs are sold at the finest custom-fitting shops in North America.

The Miura brand is marketed exclusively

by Miura Golf Inc., in the United States and North America. More information on Miura products can be found at www.miuragolf.com.

Katsuhiro Miura

Adam Barr

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

Great Golf - Great Price!

40

$

.00

ANYTIME

Voted Best New Golf Course in the USA by Golf Digest

Voted Top 30 Courses in Florida

Greens are in the best shape ever, why play any where else?

Free Lessons in our Golf for the fun of it PROGRAM Sign Up Today!

Tee Times (863)424-8688

200 Eagle Ridge Drive, Davenport, Fl 33837

www.ridgewoodlakesgolf.com

urnament news tournament news tournament news tournament news tourn

Tee it up for the Troops Reunion Golf Event January 4 – 8, 2012

On a crisp January morning in Orlando at the beautiful Reunion Golf Resort, 28 wounded warriors came together, WW II, Vietnam, OIF and OEF to reunite on the golf course. For many of them, it was “a reunion” from the time they spent together defending our country in the battle zone.

One such “reunion” is of Jesse Murphee and Daniel Richardson, both soldiers serving with the 173rd Battle Company in Afghanistan. Jesse was thrown off the mountain by an explosion and Dan found him after hearing him scream for help. Jesse credits Daniel with saving his life that day. Jesse gave both legs in that explosion but today stands on the tee box swinging a golf club, sharing stories from the past, and an occasional shoulder for Jesse to lean on as he walks off the tee box.

Tee it up for the Troops partnered with Reunion Resort for its first golf event to honor, respect, remember and support all those who have served in the US Armed Forces. Reunion Resort provided 4 days of golf and luxury accommodations at one of the MOST prestigious resorts in the world, courses designed by Professional Golfers Tom Watson, Arnie Palmer and Jack Nicklaus; Jack Nicklaus and David Feherty 32

called in to speak with the warriors to thank them for their service.

A ceremony to honor all veterans, started by the landing of a Blackhawk Helicopter, laying of a wreath by two Gold Star parents, national anthem sung by country music artist Rockie Lynn, Honor Guard presenting the colors, Taps and a moment of silence.

Thirty doves were released to complete the ceremony. An American Bald Eagle, from the Avian Reconditioning Center, joined us a well to signify our nation’s emblem of its long life, great strength and majestic looks. Many tears flowed remembering the sacrifice given for

each one of us.

Tee it up for the Troops, Inc. was established in 2005 by the family and friends of a soldier who enlisted in the U.S. Army after September 11, 2001.

When the father asked his son what he needed, the soldier responded by asking his father to do something for the soldiers and their families back home.

Tee it up for the Troops was created to honor that request and to recognize the needs of all veterans who have served and continue to serve this great nation.

The NATIONAL DAY OF GOLF, the Friday before September 11, was formed

by Tee it up for the Troops for every golfer to enjoy their freedom because of these brave men and women in uniform; play a round of golf on the most beautiful real estate in our country.

TIUFTT has since produced numerous golf outings throughout the country, from California to Florida and Arizona to Minnesota where proceeds benefit veterans from every military branch and every conflict. For an event in your area, go to www.teeitupforthetroops. org Tee it up for the Troops is honored to serve these courageous warriors who fought and served each one of us so bravely. We love our military!

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

33

By Gary Gilchrist

feature

The Keys to

Conquering Consistency I have never met a competitive golfer – from juniors to professionals – who isn’t looking for more consistency in their game.

Some players are Gary Gilchrist consistent on the range yet they struggle to find and take that consistency to the course.

Why is consistency hard to achieve?

The challenge with consistency is that it is not something in and of itself that you can work on. If a player can identify the areas in their game that cause inconsistencies, and develop a clear plan for improvement, they will see more consistent performance over time.

The main areas that cause inconsistencies are technical, mental and strategic as well as the quality of practice. I challenge players to identify the one or two areas that need improvement and diligently work on those.

The building blocks for Consistency are:

1. Solid fundamentals —Technical For me, as a golf coach, good preparation and set up to the ball is critical. When I am working with a new student the first thing I assess is the foundation and set up for the swing.

If a player wants to hit a draw and sets up consistently to hit a draw, he will consistently hit a draw. The same applies to the basic fundamentals. If you are set up incorrectly it will cause the body to function incorrectly and the result will be inconsistent ball flight.

The most effective way to lower your handicap is to focus on fundamentals: grip, posture, alignment and ball position. If a player has a good grip, the face stays square. Once the face stays square, it improves the plane of the swing. With a good plane and setup, now the upper body and the arms work together and that creates 34

a lot more speed and power and consistency in a player’s ball striking.

Work on one or two drills consistently to maintain solid fundamentals and build confidence.

2. Balance and Tempo Often inconsistencies in your game come from poor body motion, timing and sequence. When I look at a player and it looks like the club is swinging them versus them swinging the club, I know their swing will be unreliable.

Having good balance and tempo in your swing creates a consistently good path and consistently good shots.

Balance and tempo can also be impacted by pressure situations so keep that in mind and work on drills that will improve these areas.

3. Routines—Mental Mental conditioning is an important key to consistency. The reason for this is simple. The mind controls the body and when there is pressure from competitive situations that stretch your comfort zone, this may cause excess tension in your body. Perhaps your grip gets stronger or you speed up your swing, which result in missed shots.

The key to managing this pressure lies in your routines, which will improve your mental game. The pre-shot and execution routine help you make decisions and commit to them. The post-shot routine is your opportunity to learn and improve and is one of the most important ways to build confidence.

Playing with a steady routine will bring a sense of consistency and a calming influence to any player’s game.

4. Game Plan—Strategy Players often deviate from their game plan under pressure as they shift focus from the process to results. If you find yourself thinking ahead in a competitive round or trying to make a score, you may be tempted to abandon your game plan. I call this the irony of the outcome, because the more you try to shoot a score, the harder it is to do.

I encourage players to focus on the process and the things they can control in order to play to their potential.The better a player becomes at knowing their distances, developing a solid plan, and implementing the plan, the more consistent their game will be.

5. Quality Practice Consistency is built over time and isn’t something that just happens. For our pros like Yani Tseng and Morgan Pressel, they have worked a long time on the different areas of their game with a clear plan for improvement and a clear practice plan. They have a good understanding of their tendencies and build their practice plan based on that to improve trust and build confidence in practice.

To be more consistent, create a practice plan for yourself or visit your local teaching professional. Find the drills that are going help you hit more solid shots and give you the confidence that you need.

Working hard on these areas. You can improve, you will gain confidence and the results will follow. Once you build confidence, you are going to see more consistency in the way you think and the way you play on the golf course.

So build your plan today for improved consistent and play to your potential!

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

thinking of golf

By Ed Gilbert, Head Thinker ed@absolutethinking.us

PING Is It:

“Patriotism and Club Fitting” Did you know

that Ping offers discounts on clubs to our troops? These are special people who put their life on the line to preserve our freedom on a daily basis. How cool is that? And rumor has it that Ping offers a free set of clubs to these courageous men and women who lose an appendage and are treated at a Veterans Administration Hospital in Arizona. This is a corporation who gets it. Corporate responsibility at its finest. Kudos Ping.

Today I went down to the Edwin Watts shop in Casselberry and had Tom Murphy (a PGA Pro by the way) fit me with a set of golf clubs. Something I have not done in 40 years. As a matter of fact the first set of golf clubs I had fitted was at Edwin Watts in Ft. Walton Beach (where they started) out of this wooden shack. Yes Edwin was wearing his white belt back then.

Another success story unto itself. I should wear a white belt. Man, have times have changed. Getting clubs fitted today involve computers, simulation of ball flight, club head speed, lie, shaft, flex and “a damn partridge in a pair tree.” So with steel shafts I felt like a loser. 18 yard loss on a 7 iron and everything left. I was like screw this, I’m quitting. Off to retirement home drooling in between meals. Then

36

came graphite shafts! Oh yeah. 2-10 yards longer and straighter with the 7 iron and I’m cancelling my reservation. Tom Murphy you saved me.

You don’t find PGA pros at the other competitors. They are just sales people moving merchandise. If there was one good and bad moment it was I am part of the 85% that need standard lies in their clubs (I hate not being special).

The good news was that I could have them right then and there. Remember,

if you are like me; I am club trader because it has to be the arrow not the Indian. Right? If that were true I would be a scratch golfer. So if you trade in clubs, 85% of the buyers are just like you. I am such a good customer of Edwin Watts; my buddies are convinced that if a new club came out while I was playing, Edwin Watts would fly a helicopter to my country club and deliver it. I think Tom Murphy would do that. If not, I will become an off-site Edwin Watts re-seller out of my garage.

Interesting, the only golf company in the stores today that has PRINTED literature about their products are Ping. What a concept! Something you can actually touch and read without having to download it using your own ink. People still do read printed material and some age groups actually talk to each other instead of texting!!!!

Finally, I think Ping is it in the custom club fitting market. They really get it and everyone else has followed. The printed material, the color chart for which dot you are, in-store customfitting displays and not to forget “being good to our troops”. Everything else being equal, wouldn’t it be nice to support a company who gives back to our men and women in the military the way Ping does.

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

the immaculate driving range and practice facility. If you

feature

really want to start things off right, spend some time with one of the PGA Professionals to fine-tune your game before taking on the challenge of the Golden Bear Club.

The Golden Bear Club also features a world-class tennis facility with four new lighted hard courts. The Fitness Center offers classes and individualized instruction which are geared to meet each member’s personal fitness goals. A wealth of food and beverage options are offered to round out this extraordinary private club experience.

Celebration Golf Management’s (CGM) as they are beautiful and challenging. Bringing together

Kings Ridge www.kingsridgegc.com 352-242-4653

years of successful golf course management and a creativ-

Be prepared to

ity to develop a unique approach for each of their courses,

enjoy some of the

CGM understands that every facility has its own identity,

best views in the

whether it’s daily-fee, resort or private. CGM’s mission is

state when you visit Kings Ridge Golf Club. Located in the

not merely to increase the number of courses managed,

hills of Clermont, rolling greens and lush fairways spread-

but rather to concentrate on offering superior service to a

ing out in every direction are the norm. Kings Ridge features

select number of public daily fee, resort and private courses.

two courses, the original Lloyd Clifton par-71 Kings Course

Nowhere is this more evident than at the eight courses in

and the challenging Ron Garl designed par-57, Ridge Course.

the immediate Orlando area that are currently managed

At Kings Ridge there is truly something for everyone.

by CGM. From the members-only Golden Bear Club to the

Designed to encourage the golfer to think and to use

award winning Celebration Golf Club, the influence of the

every club in his or her bag, the Kings course capitalizes

CGM team is evident in every phase of the operations.

on the naturally rolling terrain of the beautiful Clermont

exciting array of courses in the Orlando area is as diverse

countryside. The seasoned golfer will enjoy the surrounding panorama while encountering the elevated tees, rolling

The Golden Bear Club www.thegoldenbearclub.com (407) 876-5775

fairways and undulating greens. The 6,269-yard Kings Course has often deceived many golfers into believing this will be an easy course to play; even skilled golfers are lured by the

Tucked away in the up-

elevated fairways and impressed with the undulating greens.

scale exclusive Windermere

The par-57, 3,660 yard Ridge Course brings out the

neighborhood of Keene’s

competitive spirit in every player, and includes sce-

Pointe, The Golden Bear Club,

nic views of the surrounding hills adding enjoyment

a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, has breathtaking

to the challenge of this exceptional course. Water haz-

vistas and challenging holes that reflect the extraordinary

ards, precise landing areas, well-protected multi-tiered

beauty, challenging layout and environmental sensitivity

greens, pot bunkers, grassy hollows, and deep Bahia

that Nicklaus courses have come to represent. Opened in

grass roughs will test the skills of every golfer. Bring your

1999, this 7,100 yard course is surrounded by the sparkling

“A” game and come prepared to play your best golf.

waters of the Butler chain-of-lakes and majestic oaks.

your skill and

Legends www.legendsgolforlando.com 352-243-1118

reward your

The Legends Golf

prowess. In

and Country Club in

other words, it

Clermont is one of the

is pure Nicklaus.

finest endeavors of legendary course designer Lloyd Clif-

There’s no bet-

ton. This stunning 18-hole layout is a test for golfers of all

ter way to start

abilities. Stretching out at 6,911 yards from the gold tees the

off your day

course has a slope rating of 130 and a course rating of 72.9.

at The Golden

Known as a high bluff, low valley layout this course

Bear Golf Club

takes full advantage of the natural undulations and a

than a quick

relatively treeless landscape. At its highest points it af-

warm-up at

fords full-fledged panoramic views of the surround-

Appealing to all levels of golfers, this course will test your nerve, challenge

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

37

feature header

ing hills, citrus groves and the Orlando skyline.

true Scottish-style experience stands out from other Orlando

Legends is certain to continue to be recognized as

championship golf courses as a true golfing masterpiece.

one of Central Florida’s finest courses. In a recent is-

Co-designed by world-renowned architects Ron Garl of the

sue of Lihn’s Orlando Golf Guide, Legends was described

U.S. and Howard Swan of Europe, Eagle Creek’s 7,198-yard, par

as “Featuring vertiginous elevations, cinemascopic

73 golf course offers the best of both worlds. Featuring five

horizons and breathtaking views, this handsome ad-

par-5s, five sets of

dition will definitely elevate your spirits”.

tees, and more than

The Legends Grille and Tavern is famous for its fabulous

90 bunkers and

Sunday Brunch, and its team of event professionals will work

dramatic bulkheads

with you to plan and host your next party or tournament.

that are reminiscent of those

Stoneybrook West www.golfsbw.com 407-877-8533

found in Scotland

Stoneybrook West Golf Club

Emerson Interna-

in Winter Garden has been a

tional and man-

favorite in Central Florida since

aged by CGM this

it opened for play in 2000. The

course is located only minutes from the Orlando Interna-

Arthur Hills designed layout offers the perfect blend of chal-

tional Airport, guests enjoy the spectacular 14,000-square-

lenging shots, exciting hazards and delightful scenery. Golf-

foot, two-story clubhouse designed in a vintage, New

ers of all abilities return time after time for another round.

England-manor style, which includes a fully stocked pro

Featuring picturesque par threes over water, reachable

shop, 120-seat restaurant with private banquet space,

and England.

Owned by

par fives and several

and locker rooms and showers for men and women.

short, but chal-

Named one of the Top 10 New Courses since 2000 in Travel

lenging par fours,

& Leisure Magazine, and selected as Pro/Pro Series Site and

Stoneybrook West is

National Site for 2005 Buick Scramble, Eagle Creek is a mem-

enjoyable by all. The

ber of the Audubon International Silver Signature Program.

true challenge comes

over 7,100 yards.

Celebration www.celebrationgolf.com 407-566-4653

Water hazards are

Opened in 1996, Celebration

found on nearly every

Golf Club is the final collabo-

hole, forcing players

ration between Robert Trent

from playing the back tees, at a distance

to strategize and focus, while more than 1,500 palm trees and

Jones Senior and Junior. From

an abundance of sand bunkers heighten the challenge of the

the onset, their belief was that

course. Every detail of the course was given careful attention.

“every hole should be a hard

Golf Digest ranked the course as one of the best places to

par and an easy bogey.” Using

play, and it was named the second-best golf course in Florida

their joint design strategies and the natural lay of the land,

and Number 27 in the nation by golflink.com. Located just

they crafted an upscale daily-fee golf resort that takes full

20 minutes from downtown Orlando and only 15 minutes

advantage of the natural pine forests and Florida wetlands.

from the main gates of all the major attractions, golfers can

The course radiates an atmosphere of beautiful tranquility

play a round of golf while their families spend the day at

and fun but chal-

the attractions. For those who live and work in Orlando, it is

lenging golf. The

easy to escape the bustle of the city, play a round of golf, and

layout is protec-

make it back to the office in time for an afternoon meeting.

tively framed by borders of native

38

Eagle Creek www.eaglecreekgolf.info 407-273-4653

trees and natu-

Looking to experience a

ters of native oaks,

bit of Scotland in Central

pine and magnolia

Florida? Then look no further

trees. Featuring

than Eagle Creek Golf Club. The wind is blowing, the golf

strategic hazards

course is firm and fast and the bunkers are intimidating. This

and challeng-

ral wetlands and speckled with clus-

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

ing greens, this championship caliber course demands ac-

finishing hole’s ap-

curate approach shots and consistent putting. With five sets

proach shot plays

of tees, the course now stretches from 4,933 to a new total

over another body

yardage of 7,028 and invites competition from all skill levels.

of water in front

Eighteen distinctive holes with Champion Dwarf Bermuda

of the clubhouse.

greens, presenting a great deal of variety and wildlife through-

Designer and Archi-

out make this truly a must-play for every Central Florida golfer.

tect David S. Harman put it best… “With

Stonegate www.stonegategolf.com 863-427-7150

all my experience

Located just 21 miles south of

Lake County elevations are a golf architect’s dream. You will

Walt Disney World in Avatar’s award-

remember RedTail... and want to play it time and time again.”

in golf architecture, RedTail is the most natural setting for golf in Central Florida.

winning community of Solivita you

Designer, Ron Garl created The Oaks Course as

The Golf Academy at Celebration www.celebrationgolfacademy.com 407-566-4653 ext. 4

a course that can be enjoyed by players of all abilities. Big

The Golf Academy at Celebra-

Hitters will enjoy playing from the tips, where the course

tion is honored to be one of only

measures over 7,000 yards, while others will be better suited

three PING nFlight Centers in the

will find Stonegate Golf Club featuring two award winning 18 hole golf courses.

playing from one of the other three sets of more forgiv-

nation. According to Academy

ing tees. With water on eight holes and free-forming col-

Director Kenny Nairn, “Fitting and

lars around the greens, there’s a definite emphasis on the

Teaching go hand-in-hand, and

short game. After all, golf’s most famous adage is “drive for

now with the nFlight software,

show and putt for dough.” Meticulously groomed with roll-

we are able to utilize the same technology that has only been

ing, tree-lined fairways, natural vegetation and wetlands,

available at PING’s headquarters to provide the ultimate fitting

and a habitat to the native wildlife, what’s not to like?

solution that has never been available to the amateur golfer.”

The Cypress Course (redesigned by Clifton, Ezell &

PING has long been known as the pioneer and leader in

Clifton in 2006) has a player-friendly layout with gener-

custom fitting and the PING nFlight system has propelled them

ous fairways flanked by undisturbed century-old cypress

light-years ahead of everything else on the market. Utilizing an

trees. Bunkers are large but generally low lipped. Greens

Advanced PING interchangeable Fitting Cart and a Trackman

are undulating and fast; many of them have been bulk-

launch monitor with Doppler radar to track your golf shots, the

headed to provide a truly spectacular visual effect.

certified instructors at Celebration Golf Academy can assure you

The Oaks and The Cypress make this a ter-

that when you walk away you will have complete confidence in

rific golf facility and creates a great 36 hole combina-

the PING Custom

tion. Play them both – you’ll be glad you did.

Fitting process.

With the new

RedTail www.redtailclub.com 352-383-5692

advanced fitting

At CGM’s newest facility

having inter-

RedTail Golf Club it’s “Not

changeable club

just about the game―it’s

heads and shafts,

about The Experience!”

in both irons and

Owned by Starwood Land Ventures and tucked away

drivers for both

in the rolling hills of Lake County, only 35 minutes from

right and left

downtown Orlando, this course simply provides the fin-

handed players. The technology also allows the staff to not only

est natural golf settings and scenic panoramic views

fit customers for new Ping clubs, but to evaluate their current set.

that Florida has to offer. Uncharacteristic of many Flor-

If your game has stagnated and you are looking for that extra

cart the options are limitless by

ida golf courses, RedTail is a mix of parkland style holes

something to get to the next level maybe you need to schedule

with plenty of sand and wetlands to contend with.

a session with one of our certified Ping nFlight professionals.

Opened in 2004 and playing just over 7,150 yards from the tips, the course is peppered with 100-year-old oak trees

For more information on any of the Celebration Golf Man-

and azaleas. Holes fourteen through eighteen wind their

agement courses, log on to www.cgmgolfproperties.com

way around the largest of four lakes on the course, while the

or call 888-775-2924.

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

39

By Joel Jackson, FGCSA Executive Director

live golf

Rosen’s Shingle Creek Golf Course– A Slice of Florida History I’m a native Floridian, so when my golf writing assignments take me to courses with strong links to Florida’s rich history, it’s an added bonus. Recently, I the opportunity to flashback into Central Florida’s history while doing a story on Central Florida Superintendent Rickey Craig at the Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Course.

If you’ve take the Beachline Expressway (SR 528) to its western terminus at I-4, then you have crossed over Shingle Creek in southwest Orange County. In doing the story on Mr. Craig, I “Googled” Shingle Creek to check the origin of the name. Here’s what I found out.

In 1800, settlers were drawn to this area in Central Florida by the pristine creek area with its abundant game, fishing and towering cypress trees.

These early pioneers used the creek well, logging the cypress trees, which were floated downstream to a nearby

sawmill and eventually fashioned into shingles for their cabins. Thus the name “Shingle Creek” was born.

Today, the creek and surrounding areas are protected wetlands. In fact the development of much of the International Drive was contingent upon the construction of three additional mitigating wetlands to surround and protect the creek.

Shingle Creek is considered to be the northernmost headwaters of the Everglades watershed 140 miles to the south. The waterway flows south to Kissimmee in Osceola County where it turns eastward and flows into Lake Tohopekaliga and then into the Kissimmee River down to Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades proper.

Shingle Creek Golf Course borders one of those mitigation wetlands, and there in 2003, Course Designer Dave Harmon created a layout that included

14 lakes to help retain and filter runoff from the I-Drive area. There are two weirs that control the lake levels and only let water leave the property in a controlled manner when an extreme storm flood stage is reached.

Each lake shoreline is buffered with aquatic plants to filter any possible nutrients in the water and there are fountains in the lakes to increase dissolved oxygen content. Craig and his crew are also installing additional natural areas on the lake banks consisting of native grasses and cypress trees to further protect the lakes and to create additional wildlife habitat.

It was fun to discover some facts about Central Florida’s early history and to see Mr. Harris Rosen (recently voted 2011 Central Floridian of the Year) and company take the necessary measures to protect that history.

Shingle Creek Resort entertains I-Drive visitors and protects an historic landmark.

40

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

J A C K S O N V I L L E / S T. A U G U S T I N E

YO U ’ L L B E IMPRESSED

the moment you arrive.

Jim Shafer of the Seven Rivers GCSA reports that superintendents made Christmas a little bit merrier for kids in their area by donating over $1,000 worth of toys to the USMC’s 2011 “Toys for Tots” program.

King & Bear Clubhouse –18th Green

Darren Davis, superintendent of the Olde Florida G.C. in Naples and Past President of the Florida GCSA and Florida Turfgrass Association (FTGA) was awarded the 2011 Wreath of Grass Award for Service at the FTGA’s annual conference held at the PGA National Resort.

Florida/Georgia Resident STAY & PLAY PACKAGE

$184* from

PER ROOM PER NIGHT ONE GOLFER

$259*

from

PER ROOM PER NIGHT TWO GOLFERS

Getaway to the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort and Beach Club – home of the World Golf Hall of Fame. You’ll stay in a newly remodeled room and play on one of two world-famous layouts – King & Bear, the only course ever co-designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, or Slammer & Squire, created by Sammy Snead and Gene Sarazen.

(l-r): Ralph Dain, GCSAA Regional Representative for Florida; Erin Boyd Wilder with Sod Solutions, Inc. and Florida GCSA President Mark Kann accompanied by FGCSA Exec. Joel Jackson spent an hour with Florida Senator Bill Nelson’s Chief of Staff, Pete Mitchell in Tallahassee recently to discuss federal regulatory issues facing golf courses.

PACKAGE INCLUDES: • Luxurious, freshly renovated room • Round of golf on King & Bear or Slammer & Squire • Breakfast at our new Villagio Italian Grille • Free range balls • Complimentary shuttle to Serenata Beach Club

888-740-7020 • RenWGV.com *Valid through 12/31/12. Valid Florida/Georgia Drivers License required. Per room, per night, based on availability. Advanced reservations required. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Tax and gratuity not included.

WGV32469 FLGolfCentralAD.indd 1

1/19/12 10:25 AM

By Mike Hoye

fore your health

Shed The Pounds You Gained Over The Holidays Every year in November and

Don Before and After

December, most golfers pack on the pounds for the holidays. In fact, many Americans gain seven to 10, or even 15 to 20 pounds over the holiday season, and more important they feel really bad about it.

This is a particularly rough time of year for golfers – seven out of 10 are already overweight – and in most parts of the country, the clubs are put away for the winter and activity comes to a halt.

Enter golf’s Top Food and Weight Loss Coach Larry Jacobs and his internationally renowned Weight Loss for Golfers program.

Promising golfers smaller clothing sizes, no hunger, plenty to eat, and the sublime feel of lightly striding up the 18th fairway with legs as fresh as on the first, Jacobs will present his latest Weight Loss for Golfers Tele-Seminar Series on February 15, 2012 – and with a special half-price offer.

Guaranteed to make participants “Thin for Life,” the four-part program comes at a time of year when many golfers should be thinking about getting healthy and back in shape for the upcoming Larry Jacobs on the set tapinga message golf season. for his Weight Loss for Golfers program Since 1983, Jacobs has helped on golfers, with a list of notables that clients adopt healthful eating and include Champions Tour Players Fred lose pounds. “Instead of gaining 10 or Funk and Allen Doyle; famed Golf 20 pounds over the holidays, some of my Instructor Don Trahan, NBC Sports’ more famous golf clients actually LOST Dottie Pepper; former PGA Tour player 15 to 30 pounds,” says Jacobs. “That’s like now turned TV and Radio Commentator making a birdie on a hole you expect John Maginnes and PGA of America’s to double bogey. For those who did put 2011 Professional of the Year David on the pounds over the past couple of Hutsell. months, I can get them on the road to In fact, Tour Pro D.J. Trahan’s father healthy weight loss with just a simple and swing coach Don Trahan now fits change in eating habits and a new into a suit he hasn’t worn in 17 years mindset.” and credits Jacobs’ program with Due to his lively “no nonsense” saving his life. (Watch Video: http:// approach in providing commentary on weightlossforgolfers.com/the-thin-forthis important topic that plagues people life-golfers-weight-loss-program-savedeverywhere, Jacobs is a frequent and my-life/). popular TV and radio talk show guest Adds Dottie Pepper, now broadcaster and he continues to emerge as the food and former LPGA star: “After working and weight loss expert for national golf with Larry’s plan for barely six weeks and lifestyle media.

I’m definitely smaller, up to two sizes Through countless individual consults in some of my jeans. I have a lot more and more than 50 Weight Loss Teleenergy. And I feel like this hasn’t been Seminars, Jacobs has enabled thousands that big of deal, even to maintain on the of golfers from all walks of life in 22 road.” countries to modify and improve their Jacobs teaches his clients a clean eating habits. More recently he’s focused

42

eating regimen that’s proven to burn excess fat while leaving them full and satisfied. His promise is compelling, “I can show any golfer how to go from a Fat Storer to a Fat Burner in two weeks or less – without starving or dieting in the traditional sense or counting calories,” he explains. What’s more, the program doesn’t hinge on fasting, pills, banning carbohydrates or the severe caloric restriction common to conventional diets.

“It’s almost impossible to restrict calories and eat less forever, which is why diets don’t work and people usually regain all or more of what they lost,” says Jacobs.

“My clients eat as much as they want whenever hungry, and it’s real food that you get in grocery stores and restaurants. The key is to learn to eat clean. It’s not how much you eat. It’s what you eat that matters most.”

By combining simple physical activity with Jacobs’ method of eating clean, the body’s metabolism is trained to burn fat instead of storing it, which can show up in a major way. “I don’t want my clients obsessing over a number on a scale, which can be demoralizing,” adds Jacobs. “The best way to measure progress isn’t weight, but fitting into smaller clothes, feeling more energetic, healthy, and happy about how you look and feel.”

The Thin for Life program had its genesis in California during the 1970s, when Jacobs suffered from severe gastrointestinal pain. After several futile treatments, he turned to a physician pioneering nutrition-oriented medicine, who discovered he was allergic to one specific food. Inspired by a dramatic health turn around, Jacobs returned to his native Maryland, studied nutrition, its impact on health and hung up a shingle to coach others on what he’d learned.

“While the original idea was more about wellness than weight,” he adds, “I eventually ended up working with more folks with BIG bellies than with bad bellies.”

For more information on Larry Jacobs and to register for his Weight Loss for Golfers Tele–Seminar program, go to http://ThinGolfer.com.

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

After 20 years of teaching golf I can only conclude that golf is the greatest game on earth but like all games, it has an ugly side. I’m not talking about pimples and muffin tops ugly, I’m talking about the volume knob twisted to “11” on the competitiveness scale.

OK, full disclosure: I’m a reformed member of the Over Competitive Ass#%*^ Society but now I practice something called “Competitive Enlightenment.” I’m still addicted to winning, but now, “how” I win, keeps me happy and my relationships secure.

Winning is business of interest in professional golf, just to listen to Holly Gouganmon ESPN drive time radio for all the details. But how important it is to us? Few of us work and live in a utopian UN-competitive world, so personal growth as a competitor can be an often overlooked part of a motivated person’s “spiritual” path. Learning how to lose matters too. Losing isn’t so bad, its how we change and grow from it that leads either astray or afar.

Everything comes apart when any sport becomes a war of winning at all costs. “War” is a game gone wild Matthew Chute

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

fore your health

Universal Alignment Competitive Enlightenment

Matthew Chute

letting our human hunting instincts

Can we give Competitive

function unchecked.

Enlightenment a chance?” Not the

It is where winning is

“Enlightenment” where you work

the only option and

towards being a benefit to all living

cheating is part of

beings type, I’m talking about

the battle. Cheating

winning with grace and ease free

with deceit, using

from gamesmanship and caustic

unfair tactics, setting

behavior. Playing the game with

up uneven playing

as much humanity as its structure

fields, capitalizing

allows; seeing the process of play as a

on surprise, using

metaphor for growth and a beautiful

secrets, playing to

perfecting model to organize one’s

punish, seeking

cognitive potential. Looking around

humiliation are all

at the state of the world, I think

facets of war. Golf gets

Competitive Enlightenment maybe

a bad rep sometimes

our only chance out of the mess that

because “card”

deluded competition has created.

holders, like the

From the Matthew Chute’s upcoming

author of this article,

book “Competitive Enlightenment:

turn to winning at all

Peak Performance for a life time of

costs, but; it turns out,

Success.” Matthew Chute is a teaching

that for one to really

golf professional specializing in

WIN, the competitive

top competitive players. He is an

delusions need to be

accomplished Buddhist Meditation

rooted out. Otherwise

instructor, ChuteChi Gong Instructor

momentum is lost.

and Peak Performance councilor.

43

competitiveheader spirits

Genius Vodka Genius ™ is a crisp and tantalizing vodka with a history as colorful as the peacocks that once strolled its namesake estate along the shores of Lake Virginia. Handmade in small batches, Genius takes its cue from a simpler, more relaxed time amidst the fruit groves and lakes of Winter Park.

Peacock Martini Ingredients:

Bloody Genius Ingredients: 2 cups Genius Fine Vodka 1/2 Fresh Lime Juiced 4 1/2 tsp Wasabi Paste 6 cups low-salt Tomato Juice 3 tbs Worceshershire Sauce 1 1/4 tsp Hot Pepper Sauce 2/4 tsp Salt Preparation: Combine lime juice and wasabi with a whisk until wasabi dissolves. Pour into a pitcher abd add veggie juice, worcestershire sauce, pepper sauce and salt. Chill

2 oz. Genius Vodka 1 oz. Pineapple Juice 1.5 oz. Chambord Sugar in the Raw (to rim the glass) Ice Raspberries Preparation: Place Genius Vodka, pineapple juice and Chambord into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass rimmed with Sugar in the Raw. Garnish with a raspberry

Stir in vodka and serve over ice with a stalk of celery or pickled asparagus.

Serves 8

Nominate your favorite bartender to showcase his/her signature drink with a recipe and photos. Readers will also find a discounted price for that drink so they can visit the bartender to sample the true taste of the libation.

44

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

* Ad r lls is 85 ffe Fa nt Th -40 al O te ese 38 eci 25 liet st Pr 6-2 e Sp $1 Ju Mu -86 azin a y d • l 1 ag Pl de al M clu s C tral In e rt m en Ca Ti lf C e o Te a G

id or Fl

$5

5

PLAY,STAY&LIVE Don’t Just Play. . . Stay & Play for Just $700 $199 per Person per Night!

Unlimited Golf! Cart Included!

Enjoy a Designer Furnished Million Dollar Home with Luxurious Pool, Hot Tub, Golf Cart, Smart Home Automation, Indoor/Outdoor Whole House Audio, Poolside Living and Multiple Flat Screen TVs!

Visit www.Stay.JulietteFalls.com for More Information and to Sign Up for our eNewsletter or Call 1-866-238-4085 for Reservations & Tee Times • 20 Minutes West of Ocala in Dunnellon, FL *Plus tax

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

As GolfNow.com Celebrates 10-year Anniversary, Grand Cypress Resort One of Many Central Florida Courses Reaping the Benefits In late 2008,

in an effort to expand Golf Channel’s new media business, the network’s parent company, Comcast, acquired GolfNow.com, a leading online tee-times business. At that point, nearly 1,500 courses in 27 states throughout the U.S. were partners with the website.

Fast forward three years to 2011, GolfNow.com recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary and is now the Internet’s largest and most comprehensive online tee-time reservation service, featuring more than 3,400 courses in 80 markets throughout the U.S., Canada and Ireland.

While online tee times are still relatively new to the golf industry, GolfNow. com has proved to be a valuable asset to the more than 220 courses in the Central Florida-area that are currently partnered with the service, many dating as far back as 2003. The website allows golfers from not only Central Florida, but also all over the world, learn about the courses in the area and conveniently book tee times anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A facility that has reaped the benefits through its partnership with Golf Channel and GolfNow.com is Grand Cypress Resort. The resort, which previously hosted Golf Channel Am Tour Regional Major Championships and served as host to the LPGA’s season-ending event the past two years, nearly tripled its revenues through GolfNow.com tee-time bookings in 2011 compared to 2010.

Drew Toth, Grand Cypress’ director of sales and marketing, recently sat down to talk all things GolfNow.

Q: Grand Cypress joined GolfNow.com in late 2008. Talk about the relationship between Grand Cypress and GolfNow.com over the past few years.

A: “Our relationship with GolfNow.com as a valuable revenue partner in golf continues to grow. Our success in growing tee-time revenues and, of course, happy guests, is due in part to the service we receive in maintaining our inventories up-to-the-minute and filling short-term rounds in Orlando.”

46

Q: Why did Grand Cypress decide to partner with GolfNow.com?

A: “With the growth of new courses in Orlando and the drop in demand during this past recession, we were looking for additional channels to market our golf courses.”

Q: Has Grand Cypress experienced a lot of repeat business over the past few years from golfers using GolfNow.com?

A: “Yes! Golfers, particularly local ones who initially came to play Grand Cypress, have come back with friends and associates to try our other courses or replay the original course selected.”

Q: Grand Cypress was one of the first facilities to participate in GolfNow. com’s premium marketing program. How beneficial that program has been for your facility?

A: “By participating in the premium marketing programs, Grand Cypress was able to utilize fully the various .com channels offered by GolfNow.com. This has led to a much higher visibility in the golf community and resulted in an incremental growth in golf revenues.

We have been able to provide brand messaging about the superior quality of our courses for all players.”

Q: Do you see online tee times as the wave of the future in booking tee times at golf facilities?

A: “Convenience is more important than

ever in everything we do and buy as consumers. Tee times are no different.

Golfers can book online via our website or GolfNow.com and now on our mobile site. The ‘real time’ availability plus competitive pricing allows the avid golfer to play their preferential courses and competitive prices.”

Q: Would you recommend GolfNow.com to friends looking to book their next trip to Orlando?

A: “Definitely. We highly recommend GolfNow.com to both out of town guests not familiar with golf in the Orlando area and to those in Orlando who know it well. In both cases accurate and timely availability – as well as competitive rates – are what drives happy consumers to play Grand Cypress Golf Club.”

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

d by

Presente

SAVE THE DATE!

Tampa Bay Downs Golf Facility Saturday, February 18 . 9am-4pm | Sunday, February 19 . 9am-3pm » Try and buy the latest equipment

» Receive free golf lessons from PGA pros

» Enjoy on-site discounts at the PGA Golf Shop » Win golf prizes at the Golfest Chipping Contest » Play the $25,000 Putting Challenge

(sponsored by Paradise Golf & The Future Champions Golf Tour)

» Watch great golf entertainment on the Main Stage

Tickets go on sale February 1 at the Tampa Bay Downs Golf Facility. $10 per day; kids 16 & under are free. Parking is free.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Future Champions Golf Tour and The First Tee.

Scan the QR code below or visit Golfest.com for details.

2011 Manufacturers

By Geoff Stiles

sticks & stogies

Ligero bombs explained We are all familiar with how most cigars are rated in relation to strength. Mild, medium and strong. So, if cigars are all made of the same basic tobacco leaf, why such a difference in flavor and power? Simple.

plant is going to be far milder than the Ligero from a Sun Grown Sumatra grown in Ecuador. It’s this near endless combination of tobacco that makes cigar blending such an art.

If you see a cigar brand touting its Ligero content, you can safely assume it’s going to be on the strong end of the

Nicotine.

spectrum. Macanudo does not trumpet its Ligero content, because it doesn’t have any. It’s blended to be mild and only

Now before you get all worked up and start comparing

contains Volado and Seco in the blend. This is not to say that

a fine, handmade cigar to a cigarette, let’s get a few things

a cigar with Ligero in the blend is going to be vomit induc-

straight. First off, cigars are all natural. Unlike cigarette

ing for the newbie. Ligero is a great blending leaf that gives

tobacco that is highly modified

even a medium strength cigar more

with additional nicotine, flavor-

flavor and body. It’s all about

ing (menthol), burn conditioners

the blend. Some fine cigars

and other “casing” additives;

only use a small strip of Ligero

cigars are just tobacco. Yes, there

in the blend to round out the

are flavored cigars out there,

flavor and add to the aroma.

but they are generally flavored

If you’re feeling adventur-

with all natural botanicals and

ous here are a few of my

oils, not artificial compounds.

favorite Ligero Bombs:

And, they are a tiny fraction of

Oliva V Torpedo. Rated a 94 in

the overall market. Tobacco leaf

Cigar Aficionado Magazine and

contains nicotine, which in the

named #4 cigar in the world

high doses found in cigarettes

in 2008 (Cuban’s included).

is most definitely addicting.

It’s a well rounded, flavor

However, in cigars, most of the

bomb in addition to having

nicotine is fermented out of the

ample amounts of Ligero.

leaf during the curing pro-

Ashton VSG Illusion. #5

Don’t be afraid of a stronger cigar.

While I don’t recommend you fire one up as your first foray into the world of fine cigars; they have a time and place.

48

cess. The nicotine that is left, gives a strong cigar its kick.

cigar in the world in 2007 and rated a 91. This is a Lonsdale

Cigar tobacco leaves are broadly categorized into Volado,

size (6.5 X 44) which emphasizes the wrapper in this thin-

Seco and Ligero. Volado are the leaves at the base of the

ner cigar. It’s earthy and leathery with loads of spice.

plant and the most mild. Seco are in the middle and a little

Don’t be afraid of a stronger cigar. While I don’t recom-

stronger. Ligero is at the top of the plant and subject to the

mend you fire one up as your first foray into the world of

most sunlight and therefore are the strongest and contain the

fine cigars; they have a time and place. A good place to

most nicotine. The variety or strain of tobacco also affects

start is after a fine steak dinner and alongside a few fin-

the strength. The Ligero from a Connecticut Shade grown

gers of your favorite scotch or port. Go slow and enjoy.

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

49

duffer dan

Delray Celebrates

100

Situated in

Southeast Florida between the posh and swanky cities of Palm Beach and Boca Raton, Delray Beach, the ‘Village by the Sea’, has been reinventing itself into a stylish place to shop, stay and play without the attitude. In 2011 Delray celebrated its 100th anniversary and this year they are celebrating the beginning of the next 100. If you haven’t been there, it’s an easy east exit 52 off of I-95 onto Atlantic Avenue, the main thoroughfare to the beach. Here you can find a great selection of local restaurants, over 350 shops and an art district that boasts 20 galleries near the Old School Square Cultural Arts and National Historic Site, located in the heart of downtown.

For a more eclectic artsy experience, you can visit the Pineapple Grove just north of Atlantic. I had a special tour of the downtown from Stephanie Immelman, Marketing Coordinator for Delray Beach, and yes, she is related to Trevor.

Staying in Delray Beach is an experience in itself. I had the opportunity to spend a few days in the secluded tropical oasis of Crane’s BeachHouse Hotel & Tiki Bar located on Gleason Street, just

The Delray Beach Golf Club. Course designed by legendary golf course architect Donald Ross.

dining area, lovely living room and spacious bedroom with a scrumptious continental breakfast served al fresco at the Tiki Bar every morning. There are two pools to enjoy along with waterfall features throughout the property. In the evenings you can enjoy your favorite cocktail or one of their special concoctions and visit with Lake Worth Golf Course’s Clubhouse located directly on the water’s edge. your neighbors.

We played two enjoying light fare and your favorite municipal golf courses while there. The cold beverage in the same location Babe 1923 Donald Ross designed Ruth did when the Yankees were in A view of the pool from the Tiki Bar at Crane’s BeachHouse Hotel Delray Beach Golf Club is a Florida for Spring Training. Yes, this was championship 6900 yard par the Babe’s course of choice.

72 well maintained and fun After your round, you might want to track about 3 miles west of visit the Havana Hideout, a featured downtown. It is home to the eatery on the TV show ‘Diners, Drive Beth Daniel & Meg Mallon Ins & Dives’ for lunch or dinner which Clinic and a favorite of resiis just a few blocks from the course. You dents of Palm Beach County. I won’t come away hungry or with empty can remember Alice Dye tellpockets and the food is delectable. ing me in an interview a few If you want to have some golf fun years ago that Pete and her with family or practice your putspend their winters in Delray ting while walking 36 unique holes and she enjoys competing at with butterflies, misting sprays, and DBGC all season. Our second background music playing in a tropical round was played at the Lake garden, then you will surely want to Worth Golf Club, a few miles visit Puttn Around, just 3 blocks north north of Delray, that sits of Atlantic on 5th avenue In Delray right on the intracoastal waterway and a block off the beach and a block south Beach. The beer was cold, the tasty food affords players with a pleasant breeze of Atlantic. Definitely an escape from can be eaten inside or out and you will year round and in exceptional shape. the ordinary hotel. Crane’s exceptional have a great time.

Dick Wilson designed the course, which staff makes you feel at home and are To learn more about the happenings originally opened in 1925.

You can there to make sure your stay is unique in and around this seaside village, go to sit in the Lagoon sports bar and grill, as their private garden grounds. Our acwww.DelrayBeach.com. overlook beautiful Lake Worth while commodations included a full kitchen, 50

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

February 13-19, 2012 The TwinEagles Club | Naples, FL

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Daily Tickets

$25 in advance | $30 at the gate

Weekly Tickets

$50 in advance | $60 at the gate

Zig Zag Lounge Hospitality Tickets $100 each day

THE ULTIMATE GIFT FOR THE ULTIMATE GOLFER 2012 Ultimate Golf Experience Book ONLY $99 Includes access to 31 of Southwest Florida's Top Golf Courses and a weekly ticket to The ACE Group Classic

ACEGroupClassic.com | 239.593.3900

orth florida PGA north florida PGA north florida PGA north florida PGA north

By Steve Morris

What an invigorating day!

Our PGA Professionals gathered for a record attendance of over 330 people for our 32nd Annual Meeting at Reunion Resort! The meeting was interactive and inspiring, with the focus on the new industry initiative Golf 2.0. The time is now for us to revive our passion to grow the game! New officers were elected with Tony Johnson moving up to President. Mike Touhey is now our Vice President and Mike Lynch was elected our new Secretary. David Hronek remains our Tournament Chairman. The evening Awards and Hall of Fame Gala featured our Section Award winners and the finale was the induction of our Hall of Fame PGA Professionals. Thank you to Reunion Resort for their always exceptional service. They make it easy for us!

NFPGA president Tony Johnson with Professional of the Year Kevin Weickel (right) Hall of Famer Eric Myers

Hall of Famer Mike Warobick

Our 2011 Hall of Fame Inductees: Russ Libby, Hidden Hills CC, Eric Meyers, Riviera CC and Mike Warobick, US 1 Golf Center.

Our 2011 NFPGA Award Winners: Golf Professional of the Year: Kevin Weickel, Walt Disney World

Teacher of the Year: David Leadbetter,

David Leadbetter Golf Academy Bill Strausbaugh Award: Todd Bork, San Jose CC Horton Smith Award: John Hughes, Golf Digest Schools Junior Golf Leader: Brendon Elliott, Little Linksters President’s Plaque: Mike Warobick, US 1 Golf Center Patriot Award: David Windsor, Adaptive Golf Academy

Hall of Famer Russ Libby

Merchandiser of the Year Private:

Glen Murray, Members Club Ritz-Carlton Sarasota Merchandiser of the Year Resort: Patrick Dill, Ritz-Carlton Grand Lakes Orlando Merchandiser of the Year Public: Brian Jaquet, Daytona Beach GC Assistant of the Year: David Hronek, Plantation Golf and Country Club Sales Rep of the Year: Kenny Hobbs, Nike Amateur of the Year: Dr. TJ Dorsey, Minority Youth Golf Association, Orlando Player of the Year: Rod Perry, Daytona Beach GC Senior Player of the Year: Freddy Gibson, Golf Ed 52

The PGA Magazine Pro Pro Series during the week of the PGA Merchandise Show filled the fields in record time! These pro pro events hosted by our Section and Reunion Resort, Harmony Golf Preserve and Timacuan GC are great events for PGA Professionals around the country to get together, probably for the only time within the year, to tee it up and compete as friends and partners. Thank you PGA Magazine for putting these on!

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

The pro’s look forward to it every year, as we see many of the same partners playing each year.

Congratulations to our new Champions Tour player, Jeff Freeman, CC of Orlando! Jeff was the medalist in the final round of the Q School! He fired four straight 66’s to beat the entire field.

A nice number to be stuck on!

Watch for Jeff Freeman, our fellow PGA Member, next season as he competes at the highest level. Play well, Jeff!

The NFPGA is proud to announce new partnerships with TXT Ripple and Powerchalk. TXT Ripple is a mobile marketing company that will provide our professionals with a unique marketing tool based on text messaging. As technology continues to progress into customers daily habits, they will provide voluntary text messages to them for special offers and reminders. Powerchalk is a leader in web-based digital coaching. They provide instructors and students mobile video tools which require no expensive hardware or software.

You can now analyze video on your smartphone or computer!

NFPGA president Tony Johnson with DAvid Leadbetter

Section Champ Jeff Freeman

Florida Golf Central presents:

My Book

A Benefit for Left Behind in Florida

Your tax deductible dontation will provide:  Your own photo book  Your own column in a golf magazine  You will play in a PGA Pro-Am event  You will have your own golf sports

writer and photographer

For more information, contact Florida Golf Central Mike or Prudy Coonan 1549 Warrington Court Winter Park, FL 32708 850-377-1960 mikecoonan@cox.net

Left Behind supports children with a developmental disability on waiting lists Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

53

outh orth florida PGA north south florida florida PGA PGA north southflorida floridaPGA PGAnorth southflorida floridaPGA PGAnorth south

By Corrie Edwards

Tom Wildenhaus, handing over the keys

SFPGA Professionals Dedicate Habitat for Humanity Home

In October, over 30 South Florida PGA Professionals traded in their putters for paint brushes and sponsored a Habitat for Humanity rehab project.

A few short weeks later, South Florida PGA Professionals gathered again to dedicate the refurbished home to the Maldonado family, Marcos and his four children. “This is their first home that they’ve owned and they’re very excited about it,” said Kitty Green, President of the Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties.

“Knowing that we were doing something good for the Maldonado family, it was great,” said South Florida PGA Foundation President, Tom Wildenhaus. “A lot of painting and a lot of cleaning went into this project. It was good stuff.”

Marcos Maldonado hosted a Christmas Eve celebration at his new home with his family. Maldonado says he plans to continue working with Habitat for Humanity in order to help others achieve the dream that is now his reality. The South Florida PGA Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded to support the South Florida community, with a focus on junior golf, education and 54

scholarships, and charitable gifting.

Thanks to the following PGA Professionals for their help in refurbishing the Habitat for Humanity home: Tom Wildenhaus, Kevin Murphy, Craig Watson, Dan Gawronski, Karl Bublitz, Gary Benoit, Brian Peaper, Cameron Wiebe, Wilson Zehner, Doug Burnham, Jeff Raimer, Ric Nalyd, Michael Kostelnik, Michael O’Brien, Mark VanDyck, Steve Cox, Bill May, Mike Dopslaff, Mike Arthur, Shawn Ward, David Farr, Nick Mariano, Tom Roderick and non-members Mark Cunningham and Franki Youse.

Top Junior Tour Players Honored at Junior Tour Championship The 2011 Junior Tour season came to a successful close at the Junior Tour Championship at Jonathan’s Landing at Old Trail in December.

Many players were honored for their performance on the course throughout the year at the awards ceremony following the tournament. Awards were given not only based on performance but also to juniors who displayed great sportsmanship and improvement throughout the season.

Specialty awards included The Honda Classic Most Improved Player and The Ed Ficker Sportsmanship Award. This year’s Ed Ficker Sports-

manship Award was awarded to Jackson Shoenfelt of Boynton Beach and Samantha Coleman of Lake Worth.

Thanks to PGA Head Professional Jim Leary and staff for a great event.

The 2012 Junior Tour season begins February 4-5, 2012, with the first South Florida PGA Junior Tour event held at Club Med at Sandpiper Bay. The South Florida PGA Junior Tour thanks presenting sponsor The Honda Classic and supporting sponsors Allianz Championship, Club Med Golf Academy, Don Law Golf Academy, Palm Beach County Sports Commission, The Men’s Fun Group at Mirasol, and Titleist for making the 2011 Junior Tour a success.

Dennis Walters Performs for Elementary School Students On Tuesday, December 6, 2011, Dennis Walters visited American Heritage School in Plantation to perform his inspirational trick shot show for over 150 local elementary school students. The first show ever at American Heritage School, Dennis had the faculty and students in awe of his trick shots and his message. His message inspired all the juniors in attendance as they cheered for Dennis as he performed some of his amazing trick shots.

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

orth GA offlorida America PGAPGA northofflorida America PGAPGA north of America florida PGA PGAnorth of America florida PGA north of Am

The PGA of America and USGA encourage Golfers to TEE IT FORWARD in 2012

The PGA of America (PGA)

playing golf courses at distances that

and United States Golf Association

don’t come close to matching their

(USGA) want golfers to have more fun

abilities,” said Adams. “By playing

by “teeing it forward” all year long.

from forward tees, amateur golfers

Following the successful pilot launch

have the chance to play the course

of TEE IT FORWARD in July 2011, The

at the same relative distance as a

PGA and USGA are encouraging golfers

touring professional would over 18

to continue to tee it forward and

holes. We need golfers to be hitting

play from distances that match their

eight-irons and wedges into par fours

playing skills. More than 1,900 facilities

like the pros…not fairway woods.”

registered in 2011 with an average of 123 golfers per facility (nearly 237,000 nationwide) playing from forward tees during the promotional period.

Additionally, a survey of more than 3,000 consumers who experienced the program showed that 70 percent found their round of golf more enjoyable and more than 90 percent said they would recommend TEE IT FORWARD to a friend. The survey also found nearly 50 percent of respondents saying the program helped them play faster.

“These golfers told us that they found golf more enjoyable by playing courses at shorter lengths than usual.

At the end of the day, that’s what we want…golfers to have more fun, which, in turn, hopefully means they will play more and stay in the game,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “This initiative also generated incredible buzz through traditional and social media, as well as at golf facilities across the country.”

56

much harder than it should be by

While it was highlighted during a The PGA partnered with the USGA

specific time period in 2011, TEE IT

to support TEE IT FORWARD in

FORWARD is now being promoted

2011 and both organizations are

as a year-round initiative. Courses

once again teaming up to make

can set up additional tees to provide

this a year-round promotion.

golfers with more options or simply

“Simply put, TEE IT FORWARD

encourage golfers to use existing

can make golf much more fun for

forward tees to potentially have a more

millions of people, while contributing

enjoyable experience on the course.

to the growth of the game,” said

The PGA and USGA will be

Jim Hyler, USGA President. “We are

developing educational and

encouraged by the results of our pilot,

promotional materials to be distributed

and believe this new approach to

to golf facilities across the country.

the game is really beginning to catch

World Golf Hall of Fame member

on with golfers of all skill levels.”

Jack Nicklaus, PGA TOUR star Dustin

TEE IT FORWARD was brought to the

Johnson and LPGA star Paula Creamer

forefront by industry veteran Barney

have been utilized on materials to carry

Adams, retired founder of Adams Golf.

the TEE IT FORWARD message. Both

Adams was a strong advocate and

organizations will also leverage PSA

ambassador for TEE IT FORWARD in

and other promotional opportunities

2011 and will continue in that role.

around their respective championships

“I’ve been around the game for

to support the initiative.

more than 30 years and continue

For more information, visit

to be amazed as golfers make it

PlayGolfAmerica.com/TEEITFORWARD. Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

CO NG MI SO ON 12 20 W W W . C A R R I BI B E A N G O L F C E N T R A L . C O M

fashion forward If someone were to

mention ‘golf wear’, you would have a pretty precise picture of what that means—especially for women. And, it probably includes a pastel pink polo. Cute and dated. But what if you don’t want to wear that?

What options do you have? While the fashion picks for men’s golf have pushed the envelope, women’s choices lag behind.

Unless you are shopping at Shi Golf.

Kelly Su is the founder and designer of Shi Golf. With the rise in popularity of fashion conscious professional women golfers in the LPGA and in the mainstream media, women all over the world have been motivated to learn the game of golf. She was one of these women. Su learned the game of golf in her late twenties and isn’t remorseful when she says, “I discovered quickly that my dream of the LPGA was likely not attainable and my vision of being a fashionable golfer was even less attainable.” Instead, she decided to change what she could and launch a line to fill what she saw as a need for

58

the growing number of female golfers.

According to Su, “traditional golf apparel did not suit my sense of style nor did it fit well. So as a designer, I began to coordinate my golf outfits with pieces and accessories from my favorite ready-towear clothing lines while incorporating key traditional golf pieces. The compliments and questions about my golf outfits from my girlfriends who golf and other golfers were overwhelming. It was then that I was inspired to create Shi Golf, a contemporary women’s golf wear line that would be appropriate for golf course requirements yet chic enough to be worn outside the golf course. With its versatile style, modern fit, chic designs, and quality fabrics, Shi Golf was designed to be carried at any golf course or boutique.”

First launched in the Spring of 2009, Su has created several lines that are versatile, luxurious mix and match pieces to suit almost every woman’s golf apparel need. She did away with the boxy bermudas and shapeless pastel

polos. The colors and style will make you stand out—whether you are on the links or at a cocktail party afterwards.

She introduced low-waisted dresses, flirty skirts, sweet sweaters and v-neck vests. Shi Golf uses breathable fabrics so the pieces are ideal for the green, and their perfect fit makes them sexy enough for dinner after the game.

2012′s collection embraces classics such as the argyle design, traditional polos and pairs it with fun and feminine pieces such as pleated skirts and chino shorts. Also seeing a return are some of their favorite ruffle skirts – feminine, classy and stylish. They have also incorporated modern pieces such as the cozy zip up hoodie. This collection was inspired by asymmetrical lines and the “Emerald City’s” earth tones and ecofriendly culture. Su has designed an apparel line that fits and is fashionable and functional. The look is simple and clean, allowing women to wear the clothes both on and off the course. Shi Golf is a tribute to women by showcasing their inner and outer beauty.

Golfers find essence in great moments on the course and why shouldn’t those great moments reflect style? Shi Golf is available at stores in California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan and Washington. It can also be found online at www.golf4her.com, www.readygolf.com, and www.ladygolf.com.

For more information or to order directly from the website, please visit www.shi-golf.com.

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

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

© Fuzz y ’s Spirits LLC. Made in the USA.

young guns

Eyes Wide Open Going blind

helped open Jeremy Poincenot’s eyes to many opportunities.

He found out first-hand that people who are legally blind can still participate in cycling, distance running and run a small business.

Most incredibly, he learned that he could still be a successful golfer, in spite of his blindness.

This was very good news to the Carlsbad native, as Poincenot has inherited a passion for the game from his parents who met when both worked in the golf industry (his dad, Lionel, still works in product development at Callaway Golf Company). “I grew up golfing with my dad every Sunday since I was 11,” he said.

These outings were threatened in late 2008, when Poincenot, then a 19-year-old SDSU student, noticed blurry vision first in one eye, then the other within a matter of weeks. After a frustrating series of inconclusive tests and unnecessary treatments, he was told that he had Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare genetic disorder that strikes mostly young men. LHON has no treatment and no cure.

Today, Poincenot describes his vision as “something like a doughnut” with no vision in the middle, but clear peripheral vision.

As one can imagine, the challenges LHON created for him resulted in major lifestyle changes. He can no longer drive and must memorize his path to his classes before the start of each semester. While he doesn’t read Braille, his still intact peripheral vision allows him to read a book or computer screen when greatly magnified. He cannot recognize faces, but most people that know him have learned to tell him their

name as they start a conversation.

Even with the obstacles created by his LHON, Poincenot still found a way to participate in his favorite sport when, in the spring of 2009, his mother told him about the U.S. Blind Golf Association. At first

Poincenot wasn’t sold on the idea of being a visually impaired golfer, but the more he thought about it, the more he warmed to the idea.

With his father on board to help, Poincenot found that once he got his feet lined up correctly and was verbally advised on the distance to the hole and course layout, he

was able to successfully play 18 holes and with pretty impressive results. At his first tournament in September 2009, he placed second in his sight category. Since then he has won several tournaments including the 2010 World Blind Golf Championships in England and the 2011 U.S. National Championships in Georgia. He was also invited to play in events in Japan and China to raise awareness of blind golf, as well as in the 2011 PGA Farmers Insurance Pro-Am at Torrey Pines in La Jolla.

But there’s a lot more to Poincenot than just being a golfer: three years ago, he and a friend founded an annual bike ride from Santa Barbara to San Diego called Cycling Under Reduced Eyesight (C.U.R.E.) which has raised over $50,000 for LHON research since its inception. He also ran the Carlsbad Half-Marathon in 2010 and, until recently, helped to manage a small clothing business, Dienasty Select, which he established with two fraternity brothers.

When Poincenot graduates from SDSU in the spring of 2013 with his degree in management/ entrepreneurship, he plans to expand his developing career as a motivational speaker and, of course, to continue to work on his golf game in between speaking engagements.

un coast sun coast sun coast sun coast sun coast sun coast sun coast sun coa

The Concession to host 2 major collegiate events, Rolex Girls Junior Championship, Celebrity Golf Classic The Concession Golf Club, an award-winning Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course designed in association with Tony Jacklin, is gearing up for a busy 2012, as they will be hosting several prestigious events over the next few months in Bradenton, Fla. The Big Ten Match Play Championship Feb. 9-11 will kick things off. After the NCAA Golf Championship format changed in 2009 to include match play, the Big Ten coaches organized their own match play tournament to help provide their teams with more match play opportunities. When the teams face off in February for the fourth time, two-time defending champion Northwestern will be looking to defend its back-to-back Big Ten titles.

The event will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

March 5-6 marks the Second Annual Archie Griffin Celebrity Golf Classic. Griffin and other sports celebrities will play with Alumni from The Ohio State University, members of The Concession as well as sponsors and individual donors. The proceeds raised from this five-star event benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, which has played an integral role in the community for more than 40 years. The club provides afterschool and summer programs to youth 6-18 years of age, a safe and positive environment for kids to learn and grow. The event is hosted by Concession Charities which is dedicated to helping worthy non-profit organizations improve the quality of life for every member of the Sarasota/Bradenton community. The Concession Charities serves as a touchstone for the spirit of sportsmanship that defines The Concession Golf Club’s history as a compassionate neighbor.

Photo by Donald Lynd

The 2012 Callaway Collegiate Match Play Championship follows March 18-20. South Florida will serve as host school for the event and will be joined by defending champions Duke, Arizona State, Arkansas, California, Chattanooga, Colorado State, East Carolina, Indiana, Iowa, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Oklahoma State, Tennessee UNC-Wilmington and Washington State. Oklahoma State is the only two-time winner in the event’s history (2004 and 2006). Arkansas, East Carolina, Kennesaw State, Liberty, UNCWilmington and South Florida will be making their first appearances in the event.

The IMG Junior Golf Tour’s season-ending Power Balance Tour Championship will be May 12-13.

Eighty-four players will take to this severely challenging layout for the Tour’s ultimate prize.

Developed to fill a key niche in junior golf, the IMG Junior Golf Tour provides an elite setting for junior golfers to compete and gain exposure to college golf, professional golf, national junior rankings and athletic excellence.

The 21st Annual Rolex Girls Junior Championship is set to tee off June 11-15. This prestigious all-girls Invitational staged by the American Junior Golf Association will showcase top-ranked female junior golfers in a 72-hole stroke play competition.

Hole No. 3 at The Concession 62

Photo by Russell Kirk

For more information on any of these events, call 941-322-1922 or visit www.theconcession.com.

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

63

TIF Pro-Am is a Hole-In-One One hundred amateurs paired with some of the biggest names in golf, participated in The Immokalee Foundation’s sixth annual Charity Classic Pro-Am hosted

by Bay Colony Golf Club in Naples. The day included a round of golf, clinics, breakfast and lunch – with proceeds benefitting the Gerardo Lugo, Alex Galvan, Nationwide Tour pro Erik Compton, Charity Gonzales, Erial Perez children of Immokalee through TIF. It was a day filled with winners – both on and off the course. The tournament raised $372,700, coupled with a fundraising dinner and auction, both events raised $1.6 million for the nonprofit organization.

The team of Kevin Johnson, Wayne Meland, Greg Stupinski and John Wajda – playing nine holes with 11-time PGA Tour winner, Andy Bean, and nine holes with Naples native and golf pro, George McNeill – took first place at Mark Lye, Kevin Johnson the golf tournament. The group was awarded the Rick Kletjian Cup, named in honor of the late Rick Kletjian, an early supporter of TIF’s Take Stock in Children program.

According to TIF board “This event would not be where it is today member, Don O’Neill, Kletjian without the tremendous support of Mark and was one of the first true his wife, Lisa, as well as our sponsors, the believers in the foundation’s golf professionals, participants, volunteers vocational success program, and other supporters,” said Johnson. “With which helps non-college their help, we are able to provide a brighter bound kids participate in future for the children of Immokalee.” vocational and on-the-job Presenting sponsor for the 2011 Charity training. “After hearing Classic Celebration was The Johnson Meland about the pilot program, Rick Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

Frank Pinto. gave us a substantial gift to Additional sponsors were Fifth Third Bank, help launch the program,” choice of a Jaguar or Porsche (he chose the founding sponsor; and GE Foundation, he said. “He chose TIF because we were Jaguar) graciously donated by Jaguar Naples. corporate matching sponsor. Hope Society helping kids who had few advantages but Kevin Johnson of The Johnson Meland sponsors included Arthrex Inc. and Texas lots of heart. We thought it only appropriate Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and Roadhouse. The Empowerment Circle sponsor to name the Pro-Am first place prize in his chairperson of the Charity Classic Pro-Am was Kelly Tractor. Education Circle sponsors honor to recognize his contributions.” said Mark Lye, a PGA Tour professional and included Bigham Jewelers, Caterpillar The foursome wasn’t the only group Golf Channel analyst, deserves particular Foundation, Jaguar Naples and Porsche of that walked away victorious. Alex Galvan, recognition for the crucial role he plays in Naples, and Joseph’s Custom Clothiers. Naples Gerardo Lugo, Charity Gonzales and Erial the success of the tournament. This year, Illustrated was the corporate media sponsor.

Perez, all TIF students, had the privilege of Lye once again recruited an impressive The Immokalee Foundation has a range of playing alongside Nationwide Tour pro Erik group of professionals from the LPGA, PGA programs that focus on building pathways to Compton, and receiving golf tips from fourTour, Champions Tour and Nationwide success through college and vocational school, time PGA Tour winner Michael Bradley.

Tour to participate in the tournament mentoring and tutoring, and opportunities The tournament left quite an impression including Brian Gay, Russ Cochran, Bruce for broadening experiences and life skills on Naples resident, Frank Pinto. Playing in Fleisher, Daniel Chopra, Chip Beck, Andy development. To learn more about the Charity the Charity Classic Pro-Am for the first time, Bean, Jim Gallagher, Wayne Levi, Brad Classic Celebration, volunteering as a mentor Pinto sunk a hole-in-one on the 16th hole Bryant, Derek Lamely, Terry Jo Myers, Cindy or for additional information, call 239-430-9122 of the Bay Colony course, winning him his Rarick, Kris Tschetter and many more. or visit www.immokaleefoundation.org.

64

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

rst coast first coast first coast first coast first coast first coast first coast first

The

Privil ege

of Serenata Beach Club Following the recent renovation and expansion of its outdoor meeting, event and recreational space, The Renaissance World Golf Village Resort and Convention Center in Jacksonville/ St. Augustine, Florida is adding another new recreational option to groups.

Beginning February 1, 2012, groups and guests at the AAA Four-Diamond Northeast Florida resort will enjoy privileges at the exclusive Serenata Beach Club, which features a breathtaking setting overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The announcement was made

by Jeffrey Oliasami, general manager of the 301-room Renaissance World Golf

dividual guests (based on availability).

Village Resort, which together with the

Serenata Beach Club is located in Ponte

adjacent World Golf Hall of Fame offers

Vedra Beach, in between St. Augustine

101,000 square feet of meeting and

and Ponte Vedra, a comfortable drive

event space, making it the largest com-

from The Renaissance World Golf Vil-

bination hotel and convention center

lage Resort.

between Atlanta and Orlando.

“We’re adding privileges at the

World Golf Village, the resort completed

The private Serenata Beach Club

beautiful and exclusive Serenata Beach

a $10 million resort-wide renovation

features: a 12,000-square-foot ocean-

Club to cater to the many needs of

in 2008, which included the complete

front clubhouse; a 4,000-square-foot

our groups and guests,” said Oliasami.

remodeling of guest rooms and suites,

adult pool with dedicated lap lanes; a

“While we already feature such excep-

a dramatically-renovated lobby, newly-

4,000-square-foot pool with a cascad-

tional recreational options as golf on

remodeled guest room corridors, an

ing 12-foot waterfall; a fully-equipped

our two championship courses, and our

expanded fitness center with state-

fitness center; fully-equipped locker

proximity to the wonderful and charm-

of-the-art equipment, and enhanced

facilities; an activities director; and per-

ing historic sites in St. Augustine, we’re

meeting space.

sonal trainers. In addition to providing

adding privileges at Serenata so that

For information on The

privileges to groups and guests, The Re-

our groups and guests can experience

Renaissance World Golf Village

naissance World Golf Village Resort also

the beach and Atlantic Ocean in first-

Resort and Convention Center, call

will provide a complimentary shuttle

class style.”

888-740-7020 or 904-940-8000, or visit

to and from Serenata Beach Club for in-

Located within the lush 6,300-acre

www.renwgv.com.

66

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

product showcase

➊ TipTeeToe® Golf Shoes Good balance and weight transfer are needed to maintain a consistent golf swing. TipTeeToe® has developed and patented the world’s first wedge sole designed golf shoe to help women golfers achieve better balance and stability when addressing and hitting the ball.

We are excited to unveil our new 2012 Low Wedge design, said Micky Gallas, President of TipTeeToe®.

We were the first company to come out with a stylish yet effective wedge technology that positively affects posture at every stage of the golf swing. Our shoes are USGA conforming, look great and perform well on the course. Women will find they have better balance while wearing our wedge shoe and that will positively impact on their golf game.”

The TipTeeToe® Low Wedge comes in the attractive color combinations of: white/red, black/hot pink, white/ black, black/white and solid black and includes a built-in ball marker and color coordinated straps. To purchase visit www.tipteetoe.com.

➋ Hello Kitty Golf

Hello Kitty Golf is designed for golfers of all ages and all skill levels. Whether it’s the junior golf set designed for immense appeal to the younger golfer or the classy, ladies complete set designed with both fashion and performance in mind, golfers of all ages will now be able to bring one of America’s most beloved icons, Hello Kitty, out onto the course.

The complete line includes children’s and women’s golf clubs, golf bags, pouches, gloves, balls, tees, and head covers. Three girls’ sets will be available – a set for three to five-year olds that includes a 4-hybrid, a 7-iron, a putter, stand bag and headcover for $139.99; a set for six to eight-year olds that includes a driver, 4-hybrid, 7-iron, sand wedge, putter, standbag and headcovers for $179.99; and a set for nine to 12year old olds, featuring a driver, 4-hybrid, 7- and 9-irons, sand wedge, putter, stand bag and headcovers for $199.99.

For more information visit www.wsh-golf.com.

68

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

➌ STX Golf – SS7 & SS8 Putters The SS7 Putter features a heavier head with perimeter weighting, perfectly suited for both belly and long length putters. Its wing-like sections add balance with weight. These segments are also designed for an easy, non-drag take away. Optic openings aid with alignment as well as weight distribution. The center shafted SS7 Putter head is finished with a distinctive black PVD coating and weighs either 450 grams for the belly or 500 grams for the long. The belly lengths are 41-inches and 43-inches. The SS7 long putter is available in 48-inches and 50-inches. The loft specification is 3-degrees and lies are 75 and 79 grams, depending on the length you choose. It is available in both the red and black inserts.

The SS8 Blade Putter is a modern adaptation to the classically designed blade. Its clean top-line seamlessly transitions to a half offset, flared neck hosel. The center of gravity is precisely positioned at the impact zone due to the innovative, progressive muscle back and extended heel design. The modern head weighs in at 360 grams and is also finished in black PVD. The SS8 has a 71-degree lie angle and 3-degrees of loft.

Both 34-inches and 35-inches are offered on the SS8 Blade Putter. As with the SS7 Belly Putter, the red and black inserts are available.

➍ Madcapz Women's Golf Caps & Visors Madcapz women’s golf caps are a welcome addition to women’s golf headwear! Madcapz unique colorful golf caps offer a chic new twist on that classic accessory – the baseball cap!

Made specifically for women by a woman, Madcapz offer a low profile fit women love, have an adjustable strap for a comfy fit, are 100% cotton, and are available in over 20 fun fabulous prints so every woman golfer can find a Madcapz to suit her style on and off the greens!

For those who love visors, Madcapz are available in self-fastening visors, too.

Madcapz, proudly made in the USA, retail from $19.00 to $22.00 and are available online at www.madcapz.net.

➎ Tattoo Golf Tattoo Golf was launched out of corner of a small garage in the summer of ’99 and through the years they have continued to grow into one of the premier alternative clothing companies in the golf industry today.

Their line of Aggressive Golf Apparel is not your traditional golf clothing company and it certainly is not for everyone but if you are young at heart, enjoy golf, and are looking for a clothing line with that WOW factor, then Tattoo Golf has you covered! Mixing top-ofthe-line fabrics and material together with tattoo inspired designs, Tattoo Golf continues to crank out exciting and unique designs for today’s athletic and alternative sports enthusiasts.

The Tattoo Golf line can be found at www.tattoogolf.com as well as in pro shops and other retail outlets from Maui to Maine.

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

69

product showcase

➊ Asher Golf Gloves This is not your typical golf glove.

Asher Golf Gloves offers premium golf gloves using the best materials available. The all-weather CoolTech with cabretta leather reinforcements provides long lasting durability. Asher Golf Gloves offer different styles that are sure to please both the young guns and the young at heart. The Death Grip showcases a contrasting, oversized skull print on the palm and the detachable skull ball marker making it one of the most unique products in the business. Try one of their other cool designs like Eye Candy or Birdy.

For more information or to purchase your pair, visit www.ashergolf.com.

➋ Sundog Eyewear Sundog Eyewear continues the evolution of sunglasses designed specifically for golfers with the 2012 Collection. Twelve new models feature Sundog Eyewear’s industry-leading Mela-Lens™ technology for the ultimate in protection and clarity with no color distortion. The 2012 LASER offers a sleek Suspended Lens Open Frame design in three choices of MaxFlex RILSAN frames, Megol temple tips and nose pads, and smoke or brown lens. LASER is available in Mela-Lens™, Mela-Lens™ Polarized, and MelaLens™ Photochromic™ models. To view the 2012 Sundog Eyewear Collection visit www.sundogeyewear.com.

➌ Puttist Putting is half of golf, but ONLY if you twoputt. How can I putt better? This question has plagued golfers for centuries. Introducing PUTTIST that uses digital sensor technology to measure putting distance and accuracy.

Practice 6 to 45 foot putts in a 5 foot space to train your muscle memory. Green Speed is adjustable to Slow, Average and Fast.

Training is fun with skill games to measure improvement. Practice anytime, anywhere— even in your living room, office, or while traveling. Train with PUTTIST—the three-putt killer! www.puttist-usa.com.

70

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

aces & header eagles

Aces & Eagles The Renaissance World Golf Village Resort and Convention Center Names Karen Howell National Sales Manager Karen Howell has been named National Sales Manager at The Renaissance World Golf Village Resort and Convention Center in Jacksonville/ St. Augustine, Florida . In her new position she is responsible for working with meeting professionals, association executives, incentive/recognition specialists, business executives, and travel agents to coordinate meetings and group programs at the 301-room Northeast Florida resort. Together with the adjacent World Golf Hall of Fame, the AAA Four-Diamond resort is the largest combination hotel and convention center between Atlanta and Orlando , with 101,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

Prior to joining The Renaissance World Golf Village Resort and Convention Center, Howell served for four years as Group Sales Manager at Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront. Prior to that, she served at that hotel as the Social Catering Manager for two years. Other hospitality experience includes serving as Conference Sales Coordinator at Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort in Pawley’s Island , South Carolina , and as Catering Coordinator at The Cloister Hotel on Sea Island , Georgia . She may be reached at Karen.Howell@jqh.com.

72

Legends Golf and Country Club Promotes Former Big 10 Player of the Year Lee Williamson to Head Golf Instructor The Legends Golf and Country Club, located off U.S. 27 south of SR 50 in Clermont has promoted former Big 10 player of the year Lee Williamson as head golf instructor.

Gene Garrote, president of Celebration Golf Management, who owns and operates the Legends Golf and Country Club, said Williamson lettered in golf and graduated from Purdue University , where he earned Big 10 Conference player of the year honors.

Williamson turned pro in 2002, Garrote said. He won the Indiana Open in 2004, the Toledo Open in 2005 and was Winnipeg Press Champion in 2005.

PGA Award Honors Island Golf Pro Rick Mattox The King and Prince Golf Course on St. Simons Island is honored to have Mr. Rick Mattox, one of America’s most respected golfers, leading their club for nearly 23 years. Mattox, General Manager and Head Professional, has been chosen to receive the 2011 Bill Strasbaugh Award, presented to PGA members who have shown outstanding integrity, commitment to mentoring PGA Professionals and who have made a significant impact on the careers of others.

The PGA Georgia Section also considers the member’s service to the Association and involvement in community and charitable activities.

Announced by Michael A. Paull, Executive Director of the PGA Georgia Section, Mattox will be honored at the fifth annual Special Awards Banquet on February 25, 2012 at Turner Field in Atlanta.

Florida Golf Central • Volume 12, Issue 7

Playing Golf More Than Twice This Year?

The ExecGolf Membership is a Must Have!

EXEC GOLF PARTICIPATING COURSES

BONUS ROUNDS You will receive at least one round (most courses offer 2+ rounds) at each Participating Course for ONLY $25.00! That includes greens and cart fees.

1

We call these “Bonus Rounds” and you will love them!

UNLIMITED GOLF

AND

2

If you live close by or just really like a specific course, you can play those courses as many times as you like for the special ExecGolf Rate of up to 50% OFF the normal cost to play.

PREVIEW ROUNDS

MANY

MORE!

TOURNAMENT SERIES

3

Like to play in individual ball tournaments? ExecGolf Members can play in Elite Tournaments at the best courses in the area.

ADDED BONUS - You’ll receive a member card that gives you access to play Private Courses for unbelievable rates! We call these “Preview Rounds” and you will call them awesome.

DID YOU KNOW? ExecGolf is a year-round membership.

Play now and all of 2012!

THE QUARRY

12 0 2

GRANDE LAKES

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

59

$

95

+tax

(regular price $99.95)

MUST USE PROMO CODE

M E M B E R S H I P

2012

(407) 544-1124 ExecGolf.com

EARLY BIRDIE

SPECIAL FGC59

OFFER EXPIRES 1/31/12

4

SHOOT WITH THE STARS AT ARNIE’S PLACE

Photo Courtsey of evan Schiller

Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando FL • February 24, 2012

Imagine fulfilling your dream of playing the legendary Bay Hill Club and teeing it up with celebrities for charity!

AntHony AnderSon - HoSt

Be a part of the All-Star Weekend excitement and play a round with some of the greatest names in sports and entertainment, while helping a great cause, Arnie’s Army. Join host Anthony Anderson at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge at the All-Star Celebrity Golf Invitational for an experience of a lifetime.

For sponsorship opportunities or other ways to participate, visit www.celebritygolfinvitational.com or call (407) 656-1655

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