2021 Golfing Magazine New Jersey / Pennsylvania Spring Editions by Golfing Magazine

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“Augusta of The North” New Jersey / Pennsylvania Edition Spring 2021

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You’ll feel it the moment you enter the community. The tree lined streets, lush landscaping and brick walkways. With its magnificent Clubhouse as it’s centerpiece, the feeling is traditional and memorable. Then there’s the worldclass Baywood Greens golf course that winds it way through the community, creating backyard vistas like nothing else around. And if that weren’t enough, there are marinas with boat slips with access to Rehoboth Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, beaches, restaurants and shopping all just minutes away.

Known as the “Augusta of the North,” Baywood Greens is by far the most visually spectacular golf course in Delaware and is consistently ranked #1 by Golf Digest’s Best in State.

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New Jersey Pennsylvania

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Let’s Play Lots of Golf in 2021

hanks to golf, 2021 won’t be as isolating as it could be. There is some optimism circulating in regards to the rollout of vaccines and getting control of the COID-19 pandemic so we can return to a normal social existence. Last year, the golf course was one of the few places we could get away from the harsh realities of the world. This year, we hope that will remain the same and we expect it will. In this issue of Golfing Magazine, we give you the lowdown on happenings at GOLFTEC, considered the world leader in golf improvement and club fitting. The Denver, Colorado-based GOLFTEC is making a major commitment to go beyond the business of golf to enhance lives around the world with innovative and inclusionary initiatives. We also pay a visit to Great Bear Golf Club in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania’s relaxing Pocono Mountains. It’s the area’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. It opened to stellar reviews in 1997 and operated as a private club through 2011. Now, daily fee golfers have access to the course, and they will be in for a real treat when they visit. Here are some other places we visit in this issue: If you want to play a fun nine-hole “executive courses” in eastern Pennsylvania you need to look no further than Oxford Valley Golf Course in Fairless Hills. Spirit Golf Management is partnering with the Bucks County government and is in the early stages of taking over management at Oxford Valley Golf Course, while making some immediate changes and improvements to the layout and its operations. Pebble Creek Golf Club in Colts Neck, New Jersey is a local family owned golf course that is always looking for ways to improve the golfing experience for their customers. This is evident in the constant “off” season work that has restored Hal Purdy’s final work of art to keep relevant what he envisioned, a fun golf course that everybody will enjoy. Fiddler’s Elbow is a private club located in Bedminster, New Jersey with a longstanding reputation for excellence. It is the only 54-hole golf club in the state. It also serves as the home site for the NJPGA, its Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Golf Foundation. Hailed by some as the “Augusta of the North”, Baywood Greens Golf Course in Delaware is a visually stunning golf course and had the number one ranking in the state by Golf Digest for 2011 and 2012. It’s also deemed one of the best five courses for women by Golf Magazine for Women. It’s a great test of playing ability set amidst a wonderful natural and manmade setting. Enjoy our digital magazine and keep returning to our sanctuary, the golf course. We hope you enjoy this issue and hit ‘em straight and long. Cheers,

Volume 32

Issue 4

Fall 2020

Private Eyes …………….…………………………..….…… 8 Learn about a Private Facility in our area This month: Fiddlers Elbow and TPC Jasna Polana

Must Play …………….…………………………..….……… 10 These courses are a “Must” this season This month: Great Bear GC, Baywood Greens and Pebble Creek GC

Profile ……………………………………………………… . 18 Learn about a Local Pro in the area This month: Rylee Plitz of Eagle Ridge GC

Travel ………………………………………………………… 18 Where to take your next great golf trip. This month: Sea Pines Resort, BOYNE Golf and Thailand

Company Profile …………….…………………………..…. 26 A local company in the Golf Industry This month: GOLFTEC

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Senior Writer John Torsiello ph: (860) 482-9101 jtorsiello@sbcglobal.net Editorial Contributions should be mailed to above address or emailed to the publisher. Material accepted is subject to revisions necessary to meet requirements of the publication. The act of delivering material shall express a warranty by contributor that material is original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Reproduction of the contents of this publication is prohibited without written permission of the publisher. Publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

Golfing Magazine New Jersey / Eastern Pennsylvania is published four times annually. 2018 Home Delivery Subscription Rate: $49.95 per year

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Private Eyes

Fiddler’s Elbow Golf Staff

Raises the Bar on New Jersey Golf By, JOHN TORSIELLO

iddler’s Elbow is a private club located in Bedminster, New Jersey with a longstanding reputation for excellence. It is the only 54-hole golf club in the state. It also serves as the home site for the NJPGA, its Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Golf Foundation. Since opening its doors in 1965, Fiddler’s Elbow and its trustees have been committed to hiring quality staff that they believe set the tone for the club’s culture. They renewed that commitment within the golf department when they hired George Deitz as Director of Golf in 2018. Not only does Deitz share the belief in hiring quality individuals but his philosophy is to motivate, train and promote them. He believes it is important to give every team member information and training and to empower them to make decisions. In keeping with the club’s mission, he encourages anyone who interacts

with members and guests to create “Wow” moments as part of their experience. Deitz’s first recommendation was to build on its already talented human capital by hiring one of the finest golf instructors in the world. To this end, he recruited Mike

Golfing Magazine Magazine •• New NewJersey/E. Jersey/E.Pennsylvania PennsylvaniaSection Section Golfing

Adams who was 2016 PGA National Teacher of the Year and is a member of The World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame among his many other accolades. Deitz on Adams: Mike is simply one of the top instructors in the world. He is the catalyst to building one of the finest teaching academies in the country. He is a great teacher of teachers and our entire staff is benefiting from his leadership. Mike goes above and beyond in his passion of instructing and educating both students with their golf games and teachers with their understanding of the golf swing. Today the Fiddler’s academy is considered Best in Class thanks to Deitz’s vision. “Fortunately for me,” he says, “there were some fantastic people already here when I arrived, and the program just needed some direction to achieve its potential.” The teaching staff includes Mark Wood and Kathy Hart Wood, and Head

of Junior Development Jeremy Eccles. Deitz: “In addition to having Mike Adams at the helm, we also have an amazing practice facility and indoor academy complete with the finest state-of-the-art technology. When you include Mark and Kathy Wood (as well as Deitz), we are fortunate enough to offer 4 Top 20 instructors as ranked by Golf Digest in the state of NJ. Mark works with PGA tour pros and Kathy is perennially ranked as a Top 50 LPGA instructor and played on the LPGA tour. Jeremy Eccles was the recipient of the NJPGA Youth Player Development Award in 2020.” Fiddler’s is also home to acclaimed sport psychologist Dr. Nick Molinaro. Dr. Nick may be best known for his appearances on Golf Channel and other sports shows and has worked with both amateur and professional golfers of all levels, including several players currently on the PGA, LPGA, and European Tours. Deitz on Dr. Nick: “We are fortunate to have one of the finest sport psychologists available for our students. Dr. Nick is expert at honing the mental skills needed for optimal performance under pressure.” The Fiddler’s Academy attracts players of every level from all over the globe. As Deitz likes to say “It is most impressive that our students continually come back. They get better and it shows.” When it comes to golf, Fiddler’s reputation is second to none. The entire staff works diligently to create a friendly and inviting atmosphere at the club. Every employee is empowered and encouraged to identify opportunities to create “wow” moments on a daily basis. Deitz on His Team: “It is truly a team effort. Ryan Buckley has been at Fiddler’s for 10 years. It was an easy decision to promote him to Head Golf Professional. Ryan sets a standard of leadership and is a mentor to the entire staff. He is currently using his CMAA membership to gain knowledge and expertise to further enhance the golf operation.

Our Assistant Professionals all bring a positive energy that is infectious to all with whom they have interactions. They include LPGA Assistant Brandee Poandl, PGA Assistant Wally Kim and Assistant Kelan McDonagh who hails from Ireland. They are joined in 2021 by Danny Harcourt, Tommi Avant and Chris Harkness. One would have to search long and hard to find a finer locker room attendant than the legendary Eddie Romero. Eddie has been at Fiddler’s since 1993 and he may very well remember the name of each and every member and guest that has ever stepped foot in the locker room. Eddie exempli-

fies our commitment to making the Fiddler’s experience an exceptional one. Outside Operations Manager Jeremy Coxe is cut from the same mold greeting all players with an uncanny ability to note and remember many details as they relate to our members and guests. He is the first point of contact for golfers and sets a wonderful tone at the club.” The final piece of the puzzle is the exceptional merchandising team at Fiddler’s. Led by Retail Operations Manager Caitlin Flaherty, they exemplify what makes Fiddler’s Elbow an outstanding club. Caitlin has developed her vision for the retail operations at the club. Today the golf shop has become more like a boutique as members are able to meet their wardrobe needs for almost any occasion. The Fiddler’s logo has become ubiquitous among golfers and a brand that is worn with pride by members. Deitz on his Merchandising Team: “When folks visit the golf shop they walk away going “Wow!” Caitlin possesses an incredible fashion sense that helps her run one of the finest and largest retail operations in the state. Caitlin’s expertise has been recognized on a national level as she was just appointed to serve on the Ralph Lauren Ambassador Board. Bailey Ferrara joined the team in 2016 and has continued to expand her role at the club. She is now the Golf Shop Manager and is a huge asset for day-today operations. Merchandiser Amanda Lorenzo, Golf Shop Merchandiser, rounds out the team and continuously helps transform the golf shop into something truly beautiful. The Fiddler’s mission is “to enhance the lives of members and guests by providing them with “WOW” moments they can’t live without.” This level of standard has been enhanced by George Deitz vision as Fiddler’s Elbow continues to be recognized as one of the finest golf clubs in the country.

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Must Play

Great Golf and Great Views at

Great Bear Golf Club in Eastern Pennsylvania By, JOHN TORSIELLO

reat Bear Golf Club in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania’s relaxing Pocono Mountains is the area’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. It opened to stellar reviews in 1997 and operated as a private club through 2011. Now, daily fee golfers have access to the course, and they will be in for a real treat when they visit. Great Bear Golf Club plays to 7,025 yards from its longest tees and features bent grass with tee to green irrigation (conditions are always top notch) and no parallel fairways. The routing integrates three lakes, several streams, wetlands, small bridges and rolling terrain, and Nicklaus created a course that presents itself differently to golfers of varying skill. For the experienced player, the course offers interesting challenges and pro tees that will bring out your strongest game. While brawny, Great Bear was also designed to be a course with ultimate “playability”, ensuring an enjoyable round for even the average golfer. The layout slowly and surely reveals the designer’s and shaper’s intricacies and craftsmanship, and become

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more apparent each time you play the track. It should be noted that Nicklaus took the natural advantages of the site and worked harmoniously with them to create a course that is a sublime experience in golf and aesthetics. “Great Bear Golf Club is the premier golf experience in the Poconos,” said Gary Strausser II, PGA| Head Golf Professional/ General Manager. “It offers beautiful views, superb playing conditions and much more.” Strausser joined the club as the new GM this year, while Sean Duggan returns as Regional Manager for Brown Golf Management, which operates Great Bear and 20 other facilities. “We are looking forward to a great season of golf,” said Strausser. “Our best rates throughout the season can be found by booking online at www.golfgreatbear.com, where you will find `daily steals’, rewards, the lowest rates and much more.” As mentioned, Great Bear offers up a feast of well-designed holes. The fairways are on the ample side, the greens rather large, and there are several doglegs that call for acute course management and proper club

Golfing Magazine Magazine •• New New Jersey/E. Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Section Section Golfing

selection on tee shots and into putting surfaces. The par-fives here are a real strength of the routing. Great Bear has five sets of tee boxes, and the best play for the first timer is the gold (6,537 yards) or the blue (6,105 yards) markers. Even the white tees, while playing just 5,754 yards, will offer even proficient players plenty of challenge. The first hole is a pleasant way to start your round, a 376-yard par-four (tips) that features a blind tee shot up a hill followed by a downhill approach to a wide green. It’s a feel good hole to get you on your way, but it still calls for accuracy to avoid woods on the left and right and bunkers near the green. The second hole is 189 yards and is a rather straightforward task. There are several bunkers on the right side of the green, which is 33 yards in depth. We come to the third hole, a 455-yard par four that Nicklaus personally designed. “It’s the number one handicap hole at Great Bear,” said Strausser, “and it’s sure to test your total game. It demands accuracy and precise shot placement tee to green.” The tee shot

must be threaded between woods to leave you with a long approach to an oblong green. There’s a bunker to the front right, which shouldn’t be an issue, and a larger one to the center front extending to back left that could cause issues. The fourth hole is the first of the superb par-fives on the course. It’s only 514 yards from the tips but it’s a double dogleg, which prevents most players from attacking the green on their second shot. The wise play is a tee shot to around 250 to 260 yards and then a fairway wood or long iron to pitching wedge distance. There are two bunkers guarding the right side of the putting surface, which is 33 yards deep and rather narrow. The seventh hole is another really nice par-three. The tee shot is over a waste area, but the distance to clear should not cause problems off any of the tees. It’s 175 yards from the back and the green is long and narrow. There are bunkers front, back and left that will catch errant tee shots. Here we go, another strong par-five, this one a real tester. It plays 578 yards from the champion markers and the hole narrows as it progresses to the green. You will have to hit a lusty tee shot and stay clear of bunkers to the right of the fairway landing area. The second

shot, and this really is a three-shot hole, sets up the approach but it has to be very precise to avoid trees and a bunker to the right side of the fairway. There is a large sand trap on the right near the putting surface and another back right, as well as short left. The green is a tough one to hit, as it is only 31 yards deep and very narrow. The 10th hole is a 460-yard par-four with the tee shot over water, again nothing that should bother most players. The fair-

way is rather narrow and the green is also squeezed and snakes front to back. The 12th hole is a sharp, 450-dogleg, which adds distance to its 405 yards. Big hitters can try and work the ball left to right to cut off some of the distance, but trees will grab your ball if you wander too far right. Again, the green is long and narrow with bunkers guarding the left side. The 14th is another dogleg right parfour, this one measuring 451 yards. You must be on the left side of the fairway to set up an

unfettered approach to the green, which sits at an angle. A good tee shot will leave you with a downhill look at the putting surface and there is a bailout area to the left were you can scramble for par. There are no bunkers on the hole. The 18th hole is as good a finisher as you will find anywhere. Okay, maybe it isn’t as grand as the 18th at Pebble, but it is a masterful creation. The par-five plays 575 yards and the drive must steer clear of two bunkers to the right. There’s a bunker to the left that shouldn’t come into play. The second shot is to a narrow fairway with a bunker to the right. Avoid that bunker at all costs as the third shot is to a green fronted by a small stream that waits to taint a good round. For après golf, there’s Jack Pub, which has indoor and outdoor dining. There are a number of membership options at the club and the staff can arrange stay and play if you decide to stick around for awhile and get another crack at the course or play some of the other Brown Golf Management layouts. Great Bear Golf Club East Stroudsburg, Pa. 570-223-2000 www.GolfGreatBear.com

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

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Must Play

Spirit Golf Management to Make Changes at

Oxford Valley Golf Course By, JOHN TORSIELLO

f you want to play a fun nine-hole “executive courses” in eastern Pennsylvania you need to look no further than Oxford Valley Golf Course in Fairless Hills. “Oxford Valley Golf Course is ideally set up as a family-friendly facility to learn and play the game of golf,” said Kevin Beirne, PGA Vice President of Golf Operations at Spirit Golf Management, “with Spirit Golf Management’s dedication to growing the game of golf. Oxford Valley Golf Course will feature many of the ideals that have made our other managed facilities so successful.” Spirit Golf Management is partnering with the Bucks County government and is in the early stages of taking over management at Oxford Valley Golf Course, while making some immediate changes and improvements to the layout and its operations. Beirne said management will incorporate leagues, events, and programs to welcome players of all levels to play at Oxford Valley Golf Course, and with its par-31 and 2,100-yard layout everyone will be able to enjoy it whether at lunch, after school or after work. “We are in the process of doing some tree work to eliminate some of the least healthy trees on the property, as well as, a full bunker renovation,” explained Beirne. “We will clean out and renovate each greenside bunker on the property, which will make for great playing conditions and targets when hitting approach shots into the greens. In addition to these projects, we are completing aerification and adding seed and topdressing throughout the property to strengthen and enhance the turf. Our plan is to dramatically improve the playing conditions right away.” The club’s staff will be 14 14

comprised of current Spirit Golf Management members that have “vast experience” running and operating the tee sheet, outings and events, teaching and clinic administration, and the management of the pro shop. In addition to the day to day staff, both Mike Attara, PGA owner and President of Spirit Golf Management, and Beirne will oversee operations at Oxford Valley Golf Course. “We are actively preparing the golf course for play right now and opened the golf course on weekends starting April 10, with regular play beginning sometime in May. We will have a `grand reopening’ is being scheduled for May to re-introduce

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

residents and players to Oxford Valley Golf Course.” Although on the short side as befits an executive layout, Oxford Valley Golf Course nonetheless has a few tough holes that will test everyone’s shot making ability. Holes 6, 7, and 8 provide a great test after the early holes get you warmed up. Small “target” greens make approach shots challenging and demand good iron play throughout your round. Membership rates, extremely reasonable, will remain the same as in 2020, Beirne said. For instance, a family (two adults and up to three children) pays $150 for a membership and $7 per nine holes greens fees. An individual membership is $75 with a $7.50 greens fee, while a senor single pays just $50 with a $7 greens fee. Non-member play is welcome Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oxford Valley Golf Club Fairless Hills, Pa. 215-945-8644

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Must Play

A Beautiful Treat Awaits You at

Baywood Greens

By, JOHN TORSIELLO

s if enjoying a fabulous golf course for a day wasn’t enough, now you can stick around for a few days and play Baywood Greens in Long Neck, De. A number of times. “You can play and stay at Baywood in one of our townhouses on our famous 14 hole,” said Anthony Hollerback, Head Golf Professional. “If you feel like you would want a regular house they are also available.” Hailed by some as the “Augusta of the North”, Baywood Greens is a visually spectacular golf course. Honored with the number one ranking by Golf Digest’s Best in State ranking for 2011-2012 and deemed one of the 50 best courses for women by Golf Magazine for Women, Baywood Greens is a superb and visually exciting play for anyone from beginner to pro. It is the attention to detail that stands out, with eight timbered bridges, two tunnels, 27 acres of man-made ponds, and over 300,000 wildflowers, plants, shrubs, and trees. All of this will leave a lasting impression on any visitor. There are also top notch practice facili-

ties, including a putting and chipping green, a convenient, spacious shower area, food and refreshments. Individual lessons and clinics are available for all ages and the pro shop is always ready to assist with any need that may arise. “Baywood is such a great place to play because it has all the beauty with a challenging course to go with it,” said Hollerback. “We have so many signatures holes that it always gives your group something to talk about after your round. The course is a mixture of player friendly and challenging. We have some holes that might be easier for the better golfers, but we also have some holes

that can challenge any level of player. We draw golfers from all over the East Coast, mostly from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Maryland.” Baywood features two nine-hole courses named Waterside and Woodside. The Woodside nine is, of course, carved out of the woods, and is what might be considered a more “traditional routing. Players will notice not only the beauty of the hardwoods, but also wild flowers in four environmentally sensitive areas, a waterway from the Delaware Bay, and wildlife that inhabits the area. Number one is a short par-four that requires precision from the tee to avoid fairway sand and grass bunkers. A long iron or a fairway wood leaves the player with a short iron to the two-tiered green protected by bunkers on the front left and back right. Water guards the right side of the short par-four second. The prudent play is a long iron or fairway wood to the center of the fairway and a short iron to the green. A large green is protected by a bunker, water on the right side, and mounds on the left. Number four is the longest par-four on the Woodside Nine. Short drives face two fairway bunkers and long drives must

Scotland Run Club 16 16 16 16

Golfing Magazine New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section Golfing Magazine •••New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section Golfing Magazine New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

contend with the pond on the left. Play the second shot with a long iron or fairway wood to the smallest green on the course that is protected by water and sand on the left. The fifth hole is a very challenging parfive. You are greeted by a very generous fairway. The second shot is downhill to the lay-up area. This leaves a short iron to a twotiered green protected by a large bunker on the left. Par is a great score on this “monster hole”. On the par-three sixth hole you will be asked to hit a fairway wood or long iron over tidal wetlands from bulk-head tee areas. The green is larger than it appears and is protected by a huge bunker front right and a smaller bunker in the back.

With acres of man-made ponds on virtually every hole, the Waterside Nine at Baywood Greens lives up to its name. The golfer is in for a treat as he or she stands on the tee box or in the fairway and enjoys views over the water. Also featuring two tunnels and several timbered bridges, the Waterside Nine offers a unique experience. The eleventh hole is a mid-length parthree. Hit a mid-iron into a large green protected by water on three sides and a bunker on the right front and left. A par is very rewarding on this beautiful hole. Number 12 is the shortest par-four on the Waterside Nine. A well-played tee shot over water sets up an opportunity for birdie with a short iron. The green is severely sloped

with deep undulation. The right side of the green is protected by sand, while thick rough protects the left. The 14th hole is a long par-four that offers two options: drive to the island fairway or play it right as a long dogleg left. Use a mid to long iron or a fairway wood on the second shot to reach the green, protected by sand bunkers, in two. The 15th is relatively short par-three, but the green is elevated 16 feet. Use an extra club to compensate for the change in elevation. A severely terraced green is protected by a pond and surrounded by sand. The finishing hole is a pretty par-four that begins with island tees and ends with an arched bridge. A long and accurate drive is required to set up a difficult second shot to a green guarded by bunkers and water. Par is an excellent score. “The toughest hole I would say is number four,” said Hollerback. “To play it you need a long drive down a fairway that is protected by two fairway bunkers. You hope to hit it far enough that you have a long iron into a green that is protected by a large bunker. Most players will be hitting a fairway wood or a hybrid into the green. Once you arrive on the green you are always left with a challenging putt with breaks you just don’t see. A par on this hole is an excellent score.” Baywood Greens runs a number of specials. Check out www.BaywoodGreens.com.

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Ballamor GC 18

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

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Profile

Rylee Plitz

Changing the Lives of Young Golfers Along the Jersey Shore By, JOHN TORSIELLO

back to the community. For the past ylee Plitz came to us from three years, under Rylee’s direction, Alberta, Canada with a fourthe month of May has been dedicatyear stopover at Monmouth ed to collecting used golf equipment University. The recipient of both of all types, ages, and sizes. Rylee has golf and academic scholarships, she called upon both Eagle Ridge memhad already gained numerous awards bers and public players to donate and ample recognition. The 2007 anything they are no longer using and 2008 Women’s Golf M.V.P. and distributed this equipment to was one of the top golfers in the organizations that bring it to the Northeast Conference in each of her hands of junior golfers who can’t four years. afford to buy their own. Her scholastic accomplishments The success of this program has pale in comparison to what she been nothing short of amazing. By has accomplished in her more than the end of the month, the amount twelve years at Eagle Ridge. of donated equipment is mindUpon graduating from Monmouth boggling: full sets of clubs, bags, University, Rylee assumed the job of shoes, golf balls-you name it, Rylee Associate Instructor at the 27-hole collected it. semi-private golf club and in 2012 February 26, 2021 she was elevated to Director of Take a look in your basement, Instruction. garage, shed, or attic, and you will In that time, the always-cheerful be amazed at how much equipment Plitz became the Pied Piper of Eagle you may have accumulated, most Ridge junior golf. It was not an of it probably in perfectly good uncommon sight to see her leading condition. a line of students around the variDonate it, give it to the kids, help ous practice areas at the facility at all pros in the state. She is also one of a select few grow the game-make a less fortunate hours of the day. that are members of both the LPGA and PGA junior golfer happy. The transformation of the Eagle Ridge of America. Tremendous accomplishments, This program is truly a great accomplishGolf Academy under her direction has been especially at such a young age. ment, and Rylee should be commended. We astounding. Her and her associates’ efforts As if those accomplishments weren’t enough, the members at Eagle Ridge are certainly have led to the club boasting successful junior Rylee has also gone above and beyond to give proud of her. teams, competing at the highest levels of popular New Jersey statewide “Helping one person might not change Member quotes: competitions. Many of the world, but it could change the world her students have gone on “She is fearless, she meets every chalfor one person.” to capture college schollenge head-on-and there are plenty.” arships, and Rylee has -Buddha been recognized as a top “She glides effortlessly from six-yearinstructor by U.S. Kids olds to 60-year-olds without missing a Golf. “This program is a real testament to In 2017, Rylee the type of person Rylee is and her goals beat.” was elevated to Head of helping others.” “Rylee Plitz represents the epitome of Professional at the popular Lakewood golf club, -Allen Depuy, Eagle Ridge General class, kindness, and professionalism.” becoming one of only a Manager handful of women head

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

GREAT BEAR GOLF CLUB turns 25 Only one golf course designer could do justice to the natural beauty at GREAT BEAR GOLF CLUB-the one known worldwide as the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus. His 18-hole championship design demonstrates why he has been considered the master of his game for decades. Nicklaus has taken the natural advantages of the site and worked harmoniously with them to create a course that is an experience in golf and aesthetics. Integrating the three lakes, several streams, wetlands, small bridges and rolling terrain, Nicklaus has created a course that presents itself differently to golfers of varying skill levels. for the experience player, the course offers interesting challenges and pro tee that will bring out the best in even the strongest golfers.

GREAT BEAR GOLF CLUB 1 Great Bear Ct. East Stroudsberg, PA. 18032 570-223-2000 www.golfgreatbear.com 2021 ISSUE 1

GREAT GOLF - DELAWARE VALLEY

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

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Company Profile

GOLFTEC’s Charitable Efforts Uniting Communities and Growing the Game for All

By, JOHN TORSIELLO

onsidered the world leader in golf improvement and club fitting, Denver, Colorado-based GOLFTEC is making a major commitment to go beyond the business of golf to enhance lives around the world with innovative and inclusionary initiatives. With over $2 million in charitable giving in 2020, GOLFTEC is aiming for an even greater impact in 2021 and beyond. It’s GOLFTEC Cares Clubs for a Cause programs are uniting communities through golf and driving the game towards greater accessibility, diversity, and is designed to serve as a long-lasting charitable impact donation program. The company believes that diversity and inclusion are essential to the game’s health, and growth, thus the establishment of GOLFTEC Cares and Clubs for a Cause. When individuals donate their clubs, 100 percent of the money raised will go to organizations such as Black Girls Golf, Solich

Caddie & Leadership Academy, and other efforts to make the game more diverse and accessible. “The future of golf is in our hands. We must create a culture that demands diversity and inclusion,” said GOLFTEC CEO and Co-Founder, Joe Assell. “With the launch of GOLFTEC Cares and the “Clubs for a Cause” program, we are using our passion for the game to drive change and make golf accessible to everyone.” For an even greater impact, GOLFTEC Cares is working with several partners in the golf industry, such as Mizuno, PING, 2nd Swing, and others, who are united to make golf inclusive and inviting for all by matching the value of donated clubs. Since 1995, GOLFTEC’s mission has remained the same--to help people play better golf. The GOLFTEC experience is built to offer a place where golfers of all ages and ability levels can work with an expert in golf instruction to build a game improvement plan customized to their specific needs and

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

goals. And with the aid of technology that gives our students and coaches instant and data-driven feedback, we’re helping people find their potential in ways that accelerate the improvement journey. With millions of lessons given and more than 200 locations across the world, GOLFTEC is the world leader in golf instruction. GOLFTEC has seen explosive growth within the past several years with numerous locations opened worldwide during that time. Locally, the company has locations in East Brunswick, East Hanover and Englewood in New Jersey and Allentown, Pennsylvania. Several years ago, the company announced a total brand refresh that included the unveiling of a vibrant new in-center design scheme, updated logo, enhanced club-fitting program and advanced in-bay teaching technology. GOLFTEC was founded in 1995 in Denver by Joe Assell (is there a co-founder as mentioned above???), the company’s CEO. His mission was simple, as it remains today; to help people play better golf. Assell

saw an opportunity to leverage technology and well-trained Certified Personal Coaches to produce more fact-based instruction. Among the factors weighing into Ansell’s decision to launch GOLFTEC was a growing interest in golf and instruction with no coherent, repeatable path or process for player improvement, particularly at the avid amateur level; an under-utilized base of passionate PGA instructors who were limited by seasonal, outdoor employment opportunities that created hidden capacity; a lack of business vision and organizational structure to connect the first two factors to generate on-course results for golfers; and career viability for PGA professionals, and worthwhile returns for investors. The find more information about GOLFTEC’s “Clubs for a Cause” donation program, go to golftec.com/clubs-for-a-cause. To find more information about GOLFTEC Cares, you can watch this

short video https://vimeo.com/532437286 or go to golftec.com/cares.

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MUST PLAY

Pebble Creek Continues to Raise the Bar On Daily Fee Golf in Central Jersey By, JOHN TORSIELLO

ebble Creek Golf Club in Colts Neck, New Jersey is a local family owned golf course that is always looking for ways to improve the golfing experience for their customers. This is evident in the constant “off ” season work that has restored Hal Purdy’s final work of art to keep relevant what he envisioned, a fun golf course that everybody will enjoy. “Pebble Creek Golf Club continues to be one of the most popular daily fee courses a golfer can play in Central Jersey,” said Jim Cadott, the busy Golf Superintendent for the Club. “Located conveniently near major highways, Pebble Creek draws golfers from all over New Jersey and southern parts of New York.” A good example of this commitment to excellence, said Cadott, would be the eighth hole, a par-five that now plays 50 yards longer from the tips. A fairway and a green complex renovation compliment the new tee box project. “Pebble Creek is committed to all types of golfers enjoying the course, and recently completed a forward tee renovation for every hole that will benefit those new to the game.” In addition, a full course bunker restoration is now in full swing. Fairway and approach areas are being widened, and a tree management program is

nearly complete. “Pebble Creek has a full tee to green cart path system, so golf carts are rarely shut down after a rain storm,” said Cadott. “The USGA greens drain well and remain in firm, smooth and consistent all season.” The staff at Pebble Creek has been expanded to add more rangers to the golf course. With play increasing to record levels, Pebble Creek is committed to a safe, enjoyable, and well-paced round of golf for their customers. There’s an attractive, comfortable clubhouse and a covered patio that overlooks the 18th hole. It’s a great place to relax after a round or hold an outing or special event. Purdy did a fine job of routing Pebble Creek through mature woodlands on the front nine and along open meadows, ponds and creeks on the back nine. It all combines for a very pleasing, interesting round of golf that draws visitors from miles around and has ‘em coming back for more. Measuring 6,413 yards from the tips, there are enough risk/reward holes at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Colts Neck, New Jersey to last a golfer a whole year. The layout is chocked full of short to medium length par-fours that simply beg the long ball bitters to go for the putting surface with a big stick in their hands. But with water and bunkers scattered all about this pleasingly eclectic track, you had better be precise or those dreams of birdies will quickly turn in double bogeys.

The first hole is only 330 yards and is an indication of things to come. It’s one of only two holes on the front side not routed through woods. A well-struck drive gets you close to the green and leaves a flip wedge to a putting surface guarded by grass and sand bunkers. The eighth hole is rated as the most difficult on the layout. The 575-yard par-five is a double dogleg and demands navigation through trees and past sand traps. The fun really begins on the back side, where water comes into play on most holes. The 12th hole, a 320-yard par-four, has water to the left down most of its length and a large bunker guards the front right portion of the green. The 13th is about as good a short par-four as you will find anywhere. It’s only 298 yards from the tips, but the tee shot must clear two water hazards and stay out of the deep rough that lines the fairway. “If you have not played Pebble Creek in a few years,” said Cadott, “you will want to come see the course improvements for yourself. Call our front desk attendants or book a tee time online, you will be happy you did.” Pebble Creek Golf Club Colts Neck, N.J. 732-303-9090 www.PebbleCreekGolfClub.com

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Wyckoff Country Club

www.GolfingMagazine.net The 9th hole of The Links course at Bay Harbor Golf Club overlooking Lake Michigan

PRIVATE EYES

BY: John Torsiello

TPC Jasna Polana In Princeton, New Jersey

PC Jasna Polana’s par-72, 7,098yard championship layout crafted by the legendary Gary Player, is considered among the top private golf courses in New Jersey. The course blends harmoniously with its surroundings amidst the rolling hills of Princeton. Corridors of mature hardwood trees frame manicured fairways, while TPC Jasna Polana’s amenities and exclusive benefits make it one of the most coveted private club memberships in New Jersey. TPC Jasna Polana members enjoy a sense of community, camaraderie and belonging that come with participation in golf and social events throughout the year such as wine pairing dinners, cooking classes and “Nine and Dine” mixed golf outings and other golf tournament formats. Adjacent to the course, several historic luxury accommodations provide an ideal retreat for special conferences, celebrations and weekend getaways. The Annex, which is adjacent to the 14th tee, is a 12,300-square-foot Georgian mansion and is the original house on the property. Beata’s House, built in 1987, offers 10,100 square feet of comfort overlooking the 18th fairway. Complementing the golf course is a 3.5-acre practice facility that features a 60,000-square-foot practice tee, four putting greens, and practice bunkers. TPC Jasna Polana was built in the early 1970’s as the country home of J. Seward

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Johnson and his wife, Barbara. Designed by world-renowned architect Wallace Harrison, no effort or expense was spared in its design and construction. When the decision was made to convert the private estate, Barbara Johnson and her family partnered with the PGA TOUR’s TPC Network, the only organization with the history and vision to turn Jasna Polana into a truly unique golf and social club. The golf course is a true delight to play. The second hole, at 145 yards, requires an accurate tee shot to a guarded green. A creek that runs in front of and down the right side of the green will capture any wayward shots. The putting surface is 33 paces deep and slopes from back to front, making club selection on this hole critical.

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On the third hole, two well-struck shots will reach this 480-yard uphill par-five in two. A meandering creek and waterfall guard the fairway from 150 yards in on the right, and fronts the entire green, which is 46 paces deep and slopes from back to front. Any shots above the hole will lead to very fast-breaking putts. A spectacular risk/reward finishing hole, the 515-yard, par-five 18th favors long hitters that can carry their tee shot down the slope for a realistic chance at hitting the green in two. The pin position on this hole will determine how difficult it plays, as several tricky spots will challenge even the most skilled players. The green is 30 paces deep and slopes severely from back to front. www.TPC.com/jasnapolana

ALL LESS THAN A 3-WOOD OFF I-95 Santee National Golf Club 1 MILE 

Lake Marion Golf Club 1/4 MILE 

Water Park

2.5 MILES 

H U S H

Santee Cooper Golf Club  1/2 MILE

Conference Centre  2 MILES

BEST GOLF Secr

 2.5 MILES

STAY & PLAY IN

When a short drive is a good drive. Three courses within a mile of Town: Lake Marion, Santee National and Santee Cooper Country Club. 14 other courses within a 45 minute drive. Many styles of accommodation.

State Park

GOLF’S LITTLE BIG TOWN

H U S H

If you want to play three magnificent courses without breaking the bank, Santee, SC is the place to be.

BEST GOLF

et r c e S

AFFORDABLE GOLF IS HERE www.SanteeTourism.com

The 13th Hole of the Arthur Hills course at Boyne Highlands Resort overlooks 4000 acres of forestry and has a 400 foot drop from tee to green.

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TRAVEL

BY: John Torsiello

An ‘Ultimate’ Experience at Reynolds Lake Oconee

he 2021 season kicks off in grand fashion at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia, with “The Ultimate Kingdom Experience” package that includes professional club fitting, a custom-fit TaylorMade driver made on site, and two rounds on Reynolds Lake Oconee’s award-winning layouts. Starting from $2,595, the package features a one-on-one consultation with a TaylorMade Tour clubfitter and the building of a new TaylorMade SIM2 driver to the guest’s specifications. The driver will be built in time for the golfer to use it on at least one of two rounds on any of the community’s five championship resort courses, all rated among the best in the Southeast. The package also includes an on-course lesson from PGA Tour veteran and Kingdom Instructor Blake Adams. Since opening in 2007, “The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee” has been TaylorMade’s primary East Coast fitting center for PGA and LPGA touring professionals, mini-tour players, and elite junior, high school, and college players. It is the only TaylorMade fitting venue in the country where recreational golfers have access to the same expertise and technology enjoyed by TaylorMade’s athletes and club professionals. “As one of only two such facilities in the world, our guests receive the same first-class experiences as PGA Tour professionals,” said Sean Cain, director of The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee. “Once we have the data and knowledge from the club fitting consultation, our master club builder will then craft the guest’s new custom club on-

site in one of our TaylorMade Tour Trailers. Combine that with the on-course opportunity to learn from Blake and guests will find this to be a very cool experience.” The 16-acre, 7,600-square-foot Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee includes four fully enclosed bays (two for instruction, two for club-fitting), three covered and heated hitting areas, TrackMan 4 launch monitors, high-speed Ximea cameras, the GC Hawk Simulator Lab, and two, full-service TaylorMade Tour Trailers on site. Additional components of the “The Ultimate Kingdom Experience” package include: Luxury accommodations in a Reynolds Lake Oconee cottage or condominium (two-night minimum); $100 resort credit; and a “Southern-style” breakfast each morning at Eighty8 Kitchen+Cocktails. Reynolds Lake Oconee is a golfing and active lifestyle paradise. Located between

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

Riz Carton at Reynolds Lake Oconee

Atlanta and Augusta, the property’s courses were designed by legendary architects: Great Waters by Jack Nicklaus, The National by Tom Fazio, The Oconee by Rees Jones, and The Landing and The Preserve by Bob Cupp. A sixth course is the Jim Enghdesigned, members-only Creek Club. Guests can choose private accommodations that include luxury resort condominiums and cottages, or The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, a 257-room lakefront resort and spa named one of the Best Resorts in Georgia by U.S. News & World Report 2020. Dining is available at 10 distinctive culinary venues. Reynolds Lake Oconee, originally established in 1988, is located roughly 90 miles from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. www.ReynoldsLakeOconee.com.

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travel

GOLF IS KING ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND

The Sea Pines Resort Leads the Way with Three Award-Winning Courses By, JOHN TORSIELLO

n Hilton Head, an island known for its golf, the crown jewel is Harbour Town Golf Links, the area’s numberone-rated course and since 1969 the home of the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. One of three incredible courses that are part of The Sea Pines Resort, Harbour Town Golf Links is set amid scenic Lowcountry landscapes and a must-play golf destination in the Southeast. That’s no surprise, given the fame of this celebrated layout, designed by Pete Dye in association with Jack Nicklaus. The par -71 Harbour Town Golf Links places a premium on finesse, imagination, and shot making. Its diverse collection of par 3s is among the finest anywhere, while the 18th hole – with the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse in the backdrop and Calibogue Sound hugging its left side–is one of the game’s most recognizable finishes. Guests of the resort and visitors to the island will also want to play the highly

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acclaimed Heron Point, also designed by Pete Dye. The course is a happy marriage of charm and challenge that encourages strategic riskreward shot making on dramatic fairways and into small greens protected by Dye’s signature mounds and swales. The resort’s third course, Atlantic Dunes, is a reconstruction of The Sea Pines Resort’s historic Ocean Course, the first layout built on Hilton Head Island in 1961 by George Cobb. The total makeover by Davis Love III debuted in October 2016 and retraces the original routing while giving it a new look, new feel, and new challenge. Love, a five-time winner of the PGA Tour event at Harbour Town, rebuilt every hole to accommodate modern shot values. Just as important was protecting and enhancing the course’s seaside setting, which he accomplished by incorporating coquina shells, seaside grasses, the surrounding beachfront, and a bounty of native pines and oaks to line the fairways. The “new” course is more spacious than the original with wider, more scenic corridors, smaller water hazards, and larger, more

Golfing Magazine Magazine •• New New Jersey/E. Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Section Section Golfing

welcoming greens. All three courses are listed in Golfweek’s top 10 courses in South Carolina – Harbour Town (#2), Atlantic Dunes (#9), and Heron Point (#10) – creating a stellar trifecta for any golfer. And there’s much more golf for the truly committed: Combining the options on the island, in nearby Bluffton, and others within 30 minutes totals more than 25, enough great golf—created by a who’s who of acclaimed architects—to satisfy for a month of exciting play without ever visiting any course twice. Visitors also will be overwhelmed by the choices at The Sea Pines Resort, which includes the island’s premier hotel, The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, as well as luxurious private homes, Beach Villas, and Golf Villas of all shapes and sizes to suit from 2 to 12 guests. Select villas are pet friendly. Spanning the southern third of Hilton Head Island, and located along 5,000 oceanfront acres, The Sea Pines Resort has been a quiet retreat for more than 60 years. Beyond its acclaimed golf, The Resort offers an array

of outdoor activities for individuals, families, and groups, including five miles of sandy beach shoreline and a 15-mile network of manicured paths. Guests also can enjoy a fitness center, boating and water sports, and swimming pool, not to mention award-winning environmental explorations including beach walks, bike tours, hay wagon rides, kayaking excursions, equestrian, stargazing, and more. There’s also choice in how to enjoy it all, The Sea Pines Resort offering numerous golf packages throughout the year, including popular favorites the Villa Golf Package, the Inn Golf Package, and the Ultimate Buddy Golf Package. There are even special packages when the PGA Tour comes to the island every April, that combine playing and spectating. The Sea Pines Resort is also a premier tennis facility, offering several playing packages of its own. Guests also can enjoy a variety of instructional programs suitable for tennis players of all skill levels, from novices to those perfecting their competitive and tournament skills. Stan Smith, the former U.S. Open and Wimbledon Champion and coach of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Men’s team, first brought his expertise to The Sea Pines Resort more than 40 years ago. Since then, he has developed a world-class program for players of all ages and skill levels. Today, The Sea Pines Resort enjoys premier status in the region as the number-one resort for programs devoted to the sport, as rated by TENNIS Magazine. After all that playing, visitors will need to refuel, and The Resort features a tasty selection of restaurant options including Links, An American Grill, Sea Pines Beach Club, Fraser’s Tavern, Harbour Town Bakery,

Harbourside and, coming in 2022, complete redevelopment of The Quarterdeck restaurant, which will include a new rooftop oyster bar offering 270-degree views of the famed Harbour Town Yacht Basin and Calibogue Sound. In addition, there is grab-and-go food and beverage at all the resort golf courses, sundeck pool concessions, and Cups &

Cones, a great place to grab a cup of coffee or an ice cream cone. For general and package information on The Sea Pines Resort, visit www.seapines.com or call (843) 785-3333 Sidebar: Hilton Head Factoids Hilton Head is a little less than 5 miles wide and 12 miles long but is ribboned with nearly 60 miles of bicycle trails. Renting bicycles from the resort is a great way to explore the island. Ever hear someone mention the “toe” of Hilton Head and wonder what they meant? Look at a map and you’ll realize the island is shaped like a foot. As a result, people commonly refer to the heel, toe, or ankle when describing locations. Despite its shape, the red-and-white-striped lighthouse overlooking Harbour Town yacht basin was never a functioning lighthouse. It was built as a gift shop and tourist attraction and remains both today. Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse, where panoramic views of the Lowcountry await, as does a live web cam. www.SeaPines.com

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TRAVEL

BOYNE GOLF

By Mike May

10 Great Courses • 1 Location

olfers dream about playing Pebble Beach, hope to play St. Andrews, and pray for a tee time at Augusta National. Those dreams, hopes, and prayers may never come true, but every golfer who craves a memorable golf getaway must travel to northern Michigan to play BOYNE Golf, one of America’s most appealing golf destinations. BOYNE Golf is best described with seven words: “ten golf courses, three resorts, one destination.” When you consider the key components of any stay-and-play golf getaway, it checks all the boxes: first-class accommodations, terrific weather, delicious food, genuine hospitality, and a cluster of championship golf courses. All ten golf courses are well designed and maintained with meticulous attention to detail. Another bonus to the BOYNE Golf experience 5th should be called ‘White Pine Boulevard’, is the daylight. You can play at least 54 holes and the stadium-like effect of the pine trees on most summer days. BOYNE Golf has three surrounding the raised green of the par four destinations: Bay Harbor Golf Club, Boyne 10th. Highlands, and Boyne Mountain. Each locale is Donald Ross Memorial is a creative strong enough to stand on its own as a desirable collection of some of Ross’ finest holes from golf destination, but when they are bundled his classic golf course designs. The 18 holes together it rises to the top of anybody’s wish list. are replications from the original design plans Bay Harbor Golf Club features 27-holes from 14 of Ross’ courses including the 6th hole of golf -- three nine-hole golf courses (Links, at Seminole Golf Club, the 14th at Scotland’s Quarry, and Preserve) and the scenic 18-hole Royal Dornoch Golf Club, and the 18th at Crooked Tree Golf Club is just down the road. Inverness Club. The 14 courses memorialized at Bay Harbor Golf Club is set along an attentionthe Ross Memorial have hosted 14 U.S. Opens, getting stretch of Lake Michigan. At Bay 11 PGAs, eight U.S. Amateurs, and five Ryder Harbor, there are many views of Lake Michigan, Cups. Members at Boyne Highlands often rate but the best lakeside views are from the tee of The Moor as their favorite. Twists and turns are the par-three 8th hole of the Quarry and along a common theme at The Moor, especially the the fairway of the par-five 7th hole of the Links. front nine, which has four left-to-right doglegs. You must stay at the Inn at Bay Harbor, one of America’s most iconic hotels with spectacular views of Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan. The specifics on Boyne Highlands are impressive – four 18-hole golf courses. The Heather, which opened in 1966, was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and was named the 2019 National Golf Course Owners Association’s Course of the Year. The two biggest memories from the Arthur Hills course are the white pine trees that line the Quarry Course at Bay Harbor Golf Club The 5th Hole of the Arthur 5th fairway, which is why the

Hills course plays through the 34

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

Arthur Hills Course at Boyne Highlands

Accommodations at Boyne Highlands range from private cottages to rooms inside the Main Lodge. The Ross Cottages have that ‘home sweet home’ feeling, making it an ideal location for a golf buddy trip. Boyne Mountain features two 18-hole courses -- The Monument and Alpine -- along with the charming Mountain Grand Lodge & Spa, a family friendly destination and home to Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark. The first tees for both courses are a 10- minute cart ride to the top of the mountain from the golf shop. The course quality, mountain setting, abundance of wildlife, and the views of Deer Lake will bring you back to The Alpine. Golf historians always enjoy playing The Monument course. It was designed by borrowing the design tendencies from great golf course architects like Donald Ross, Dr. Alister Mackenzie, Pete Dye, and Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and pays tribute to some of America’s most accomplished and memorable golfers. Again, you don’t have to dream, hope, or pray about visiting BOYNE Golf, you just have choose dates, reserve tee times, and go play. www.BOYNEgolf.com

2019 NATIONAL GOLF COURSE OF THE YEAR The Heather BEST GOLF RESORTS IN AMERICA BOYNE Golf — Forbes.com — 100 GREATEST PUBLIC COURSES The Heather #92, Links/Quarry #80 — Golf Digest — EDITOR’S CHOICE BEST GOLF RESORTS IN AMERICA Bay Harbor Golf Club & Inn at Bay Harbor — Golf Digest — TOP 100 RESORTS Buddies Trip BOYNE Golf Luxury Bay Harbor Golf Club & Inn at Bay Harbor — GOLF Magazine & GOLF.com —

AS PURE AS IT GETS The time to book Northern Michigan’s Best is NOW!

Visit BOYNEgolf.com or call 855.546.9742 for more details.

The 18th Hole of The Heather course at Boyne Highlands Resort

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TRAVEL

WHY Thailand

A Bucket List Destination – GOLF & MORE BY: Claudio DeMarchi Traveling Golfer Instagram: travelinggolfer23

o many reasons, here are just a few from recent first-hand experiences. Currently it is one of the safest places in the world. When we could travel, not all that long ago, 4 North American Golf Media guys, 2 from the USA and 2, including me, from Canada were invited on a 2-week adventure in Amazing Thailand. Golf there was a plenty, but there was so much more. Starting with your arrival which if coming from North America will likely be into Bangkok. It won’t take long before you understand why Bangkok is the #1 most visited city in the world. Our journey although compact geographically took us to 4 major centers, conveniently, all within a few hours of Bangkok, and, with the services of Asia’s #1 golf tour operator Golfasian, it was smooth and slick. With that and keeping in mind the current pandemic situation that we are facing worldwide perhaps one of the things that you should be thinking of for when we can travel is safety. Thailand is very proud of the COVID controls and the cooperation shown by its residents to control the virus.

That has not gone unnoticed. Recently World Health Organization DirectorGeneral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, “Thailand is an excellent example that, with a whole-of-government, wholeof-society, comprehensive approach, this virus can be contained — even without a vaccine.” Many are feeling that things are getting closer to normal everyday. Recently announced “The Amazing Thailand Plus” program, an initiative of the Tourism Authority of Thailand along with Thai Airways International, and the Thai Hotels Association that will allow foreign visitors to enter Thailand. There is a mandatory 14-day quarantine period but the added value and benefits in the over 400 packages available might just be worth it! Without further ado, why we loved our Thailand Golf Experience: 1. Destination Diversity: It is more than just golf! Be it world famous beaches, to the mountainous golf courses, exotic culinary delights to exotic night life or history and culture Thailand touches all the bases. We did it all.

Looking back from above the 2nd Green and Black Mountain Golf Club. 36 36

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2. Bang for Your Buck: Tell me if you know of a place where you can get a T-Bone Steak full dinner with a side of prawns the size of your hand for $13. A 90-minute Thai massage for $20, very knowledgeable caddy for $10 or a tuk tuk (form of taxi for virtually nothing compared to America). 3. Great Weather: Over the 2 weeks we had rain twice, and both times overnight! November to February is most ideal for golfers, plenty of sunshine with coolest temperatures in the 80 – 90 range. There is a rainy season as Thailand is a tropical country – best check before you book. 4. Thai Massage: It started here and nobody does it better. If you have never had one you don’t know what you are missing. Take it from someone who has one monthly, (from a Thai Osteopath) even here in America. Working you from head to toe, a therapist utilizes deep-pressure point techniques while assisting you in a series of yoga like stretches and contortions. Even you will be able to make a full turn on your next golf swing. 5. Food: Be it Thai food or International Cuisine you will find it all. But when in Thailand you would be remiss if you did

Doral Blue Monster replica hole at the Ron Garl Designed Royal Gems Golf City Bream Arena

not indulge in the flavours of the land. If you like it hot, you are in the right place. Just a warning – don’t jump into the heat all at once. This is one time where sticking your toe in the water could be a good thing. If one word could describe the tastes of Thailand – FLAVORGAZAMS! …… and take a Thai Cooking Class. We did! 6. Night Life Beyond Compare: Dining and drinks usually kick off most nightlife scenarios. On this trip Bangkok by Rooftop highlighted a series of evening adventures. With Thai and International Cuisine to suite any pallet it was only the beginning. You have no doubt heard about the infamous Red-Light District’s which garner a great deal of attention, Vegas on steroids or the Asian version of what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas! 7. The People: Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, and it is that for a reason. Maybe the friendliest and most hospitable people in the world. We don’t make much of an effort to learn the Thai language

or about the culture but they certainly go out of their way to learn ours. There is a reason as to why Golf has yet to be mention, but we are getting there! There is just too much, might say that we are saving the best for last.

you need can be taken care of. Even finding that cooking class. Safety Note: below. ** Also if you would like to utilize the services of a US Based Golf Tour Operator a number are listed below. 9. The Caddie Experience: Yup, this too started here, female caddies are the norm, and again, nobody does it better. Do not underestimate the knowledge of these young ladies. They have been well trained and love what they do for a living. Professional and friendly and it won’t be more than 3 holes in before they know how far you hit very club in your bag. It is an experience like no other, about $10 - $15 is the standard fee. Please tip generously – they deserve it! Creations from Bamboo Thai Cooking Class 10. Golf-Golf-Golf: I have been fortunate 8. Getting There / One Stop Shopping: enough to visit Thailand on 3 other occaOne company stands out above the rest, sions visiting other regions but coming Golfasian has been a leader in booking golf nowhere close to touching the 260 courses into all of Asia, and here too is an example in Thailand…….. of starting in Thailand. Golfasian will take ….. MORE - Golf-Golf-Golf: Hua the guesswork out of your Thai experience Hin is a must stop for the Bucket List from the moment you arrive everything that golfer, home to 2 of the best.

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Black Mountain Golf Club is Top 100 in the World by Golf Digest (59). Best New course in Thailand in 2008, #1 Course in Thailand by Golf Digest in 2016 and to top it off IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) 2020 Golf Experience of the Year for Thailand. A great layout and meticulously maintained, it is WOW factor to the nines. Rock walls and waterfalls enhance the elevation changes and lily ponds, captivate your attention throughout the round. Hop on our cart and enjoy the sites and sounds as much as we did. Banyan Golf Club, another “Best in Asia,” multi award winning course in Hua Hin, in addition to the Order of Zenith, which is the highest and most prestigious golf award in Asia Pacific by Asian Golf in 2018. This tropical layout has two distinct nines with the front meandering through the lower and flatter terrain while the back nine takes you up and down the mountainside offering up a view of the Gulf of Siam on the signature 15th with all day panoramic views of the Myanmar Mountains in the distance. In and around Bangkok we were treated to a couple of very unique tracks, Royal

Gems Golf City Dream Arena created by the master of replica golf courses Ron Garl. Step on to the first tee and you are transported onto some of the best golf holes in the world. From TPC Sawgrass to Bethpage Black and the Road Hole at St. Andrews to a back nine that includes Amen

Dream Team at Royal Gems Golf City Dream Arena

Corner, for that matter the entire back nine replicates Augusta National. The course has only been open for a couple of years and is in great shape and will only get better with age! That was fun! Nikanti Golf Club: the very first hole gives you an indication of the style and quality of golf that you are in for. A tough

par five with an intimidating yet exciting shot into the green no matter where you are. The only one of its kind in Thailand with three sets of 6 holes and an equal number of par 3’s, 4’s, and 5’s. A five-star experience from start to finish and I would highly recommend that you take advantage of the exceptional dining experience as it is included in your green fee! The Town of Kanchanaburi,128kms to the west of Bangkok is home to one of the most infamous bridges in time! The Bridge over the River Kwai. The name, Grand Prix Golf Club says it all, or does it?! As you drive in past automobiles and Formula 1 sponsor signs, if you asked anyone you will learn that all 18 holes have been sponsored by leading automobile companies with signage delicately placed throughout. The high standards of F1 have been implemented in the look and maintenance of the course. Perched high above the course, from the clubhouse and first tee you have a bird’s eye view of the course with panoramic views of the nearby Burmese Mountains. A truly unique experience for anyone

Perched at the Clubhouse high above Grand Prix Golf Club

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Golfing GolfingMagazine Magazine• •New NewJersey/E. Jersey/E.Pennsylvania PennsylvaniaSection Section

from North America. Monkeys here are ments through a US based tour operator, a-plenty Royal Ratchaburi Golf Club, as consider reaching out to one of the memwe stood on the first tee of the and must bers of the International Association of Golf have seen a couple of hundred traverse the Tour Operators (IAGTO) that promote and fairway. All going in the same direction, sell golf packages in Thailand such as: Monkey’s on a mission. You’ve got to keep an eye on your ball and other things when they are around. They are very inquisitive. Once they grab something you are not likely to get it back! The course itself is carved from a lush jungle setting (1994), flanked by both the Ratchaburi and Burmese Mountains and is relatively flat, fairways and greens are rolling and greens are undulating. You would expect nothing less but nothing too crazy. Amazing Thailand should Caddies at Grand Prix Golf Club be on your bucket list for any number of reasons. For more information on Pure Golf Adventures Amazing Thailand in general: w w w. p u r e g o l f a d v e n t u r e s . c o m www.thailandinsider.com. Women’s Golf & Travel Concierge Golfasian, a specialist golf tour inbound w w w . w o m e n s g o l f a n d t r a v e l . c o m operator based in Thailand, they organized Mana Luxury Golf Vacations our trip and knows the destination inside w w w . m a n a l u x u r y . c o m and out – see www.golfasian.com Kalos Golf - www.kalosgolf.com If you are looking at making arrange- MBA Global Excursions

www.mbaglobalexcursions.com ** Safety Note – Golfasian, has been SHA (Safety & Health Administration) accredited by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in September 2020. As Thailand is slowly preparing to re-open its borders for international golf travelers, an initiative by the Tourism Authority of Thailand has provided a selected number of tour operators and DMCs who underwent stringent safety & health checks with the SHA accreditation. The stringent measures include frequent deep cleaning of Golfasian vans before each service, drivers wearing masks and frequent washing of hands. All customers will be provided with masks and free hand sanitizer upon arrival. Temperature checks before entering the vans and before golf and sightseeing activities are now standard. We are also making use of QR codes for digital in-van golf guide brochures and provide touchless payment. Drivers and the operations team are well trained on standardized safely protocols required by the government’s strict guidelines.

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TRAVEL

They Said, the Show Must Go On

Santee’s Winter 4 Ball Classic …AND IT DID!!!! By: Claudio Demarchi Instagram: @travelinggolfer23

t’s been taking place for three years now and based on the participant’s satisfaction again, this event might just go on forever! “It was as close to a normal event as we have had in a long time,” said Todd Miller, General Manager of the Santee Cooper Resort. For the past number of years, the Winter 4 Ball Classic had been hovering around the 100-participant level, with COVID it was questionable as to whether it would even happen. Miller decided that surveying the past participants might be the prudent thing to do. Survey’s completed; he decided The Show Must Go On! “We did miss our Canadian friends this year, with them we would have been almost back to normal.” With Santee, SC being pretty much a drive market for Canadians and with 30 having participated the year before, had they been able to cross the border there could have been potentially 82 participants. The end result was 52 participants, all

who had been to, or knew someone, from a previous year’s event. “Great news is that they all plan to come back!” added Miller. From Day 1 of the event, Tour Edge Golf has been the major sponsor, providing each player with a new golf club each year and with the Santee Cooper Resort as the #1 green grass shop when it comes to selling Foot Joy Shoes, they too have stepped up to the plate and everyone literally walks away with a new pair of shoes! It doesn’t stop there either, each player received a dozen balls, a Foot Joy glove, towel, and events shirts and caps! The 4 Ball Classic takes place exclu-

Ballard Point Condos

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Golfing Golfing Magazine Magazine •• New New Jersey/E. Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Section Section

sively at the Santee Cooper Resort and has the feel of all-inclusive, accommodations on site in the Lake Marion Condos and Villas lining the Lake Marion Golf Course. Breakfast and dinners are at the Hospitality Center centrally located to the Villas, with lunches at the clubhouse. Oh ya, meals, accommodations and all the swag are included for the price of $549.00 with 4 people in a 2-bedroom unit. It’s no wonder that they keep coming back. If you want to be in the loop on next year’s event, connect with the folks at Santee Cooper Resort w w w. s a n t e e c o o pergolf.com Over the 1st weekend in December, expect temps in the mid 60-degree range but be prepared - it could be cooler too! The Santee Cooper Resort has two courses, Lake Marion being the home base for the event with the Santee

Cooper Country Club right next-door hosting a round. A fun addition to this year’s event was an evening Putting Contest on the recently completed Palmetto Trace. A first for South Carolina, the 18-hole putting course is 35,000 square feet, fully lit, over some of the most varied terrain you will ever see in a putting surface. The design is based off the Himalayas putting course at St Andrews, and designed by golf course architect and Donald Ross restoration specialist Kris Spence. As usual, most of the golfers that come for the event are in no hurry to leave. No wonder why as those from the northern parts of the states are likely buried under show or it is way to cold to play. Santee is an ideal place to hang out for a few days more. Once you get to Santee for this event you will not have much in the way of driving to do! The Town of Santee is located smack dab right on I-95, just off the Interstate and you are there! Santee National Golf Club is also just about a mile down the road on the west side of Town. For a small town of just over 800 residents it certainly has it fair share very good dining options. Starting with the Town’s landmark eatery Clark’s Inn and Restaurant, Est 1946, has been in the family for more than 70 years. Southern Living Magazine has twice now recognized Clark’s as a must stop in “The South’s Best Road Food.” Customers come away raving about the food, with the fried chicken at the top of the list of deliciousness followed closely by the prime rib. The staff has a way of serving up that southern hospitality too! Other must stops are: Armando’s Mexican Restaurant with its monster margaritas provides that sporty atmosphere along with some authentic cuisine. Wilbur’s Cocktails and Supper Club offers up a wide variety of meal options – love the steaks and pork chops here, probably the finest in wine selections in Town. Last but not least for the fish lover in you Captains Quarters, a staple in Santee for over 25 years and one of this golfer’s favorites. Established years ago as America’s Value Destination, Santee has been attracting upwards of 100,000 traveling golfers for years. If you have yet to make your way to Santee you will need to make that a priority for 2021. Inexpensive, good golf, everything is within easy reach and as you have seen by our impressive return rate of golfers, it’s fun and most importantly today, it is safe! For more information on the Town of Santee – www.santeetourism.com For more information on future Winter 4 Ball Classics visit Santee Cooper Resorts at: www.SanteeCooperGolf.com 1-800-344-6534

Santee National Golf Club

Santee Cooper Country Club

Lake Marion Golf Course

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TRAVEL

RiverTowne Country Club and Dunes West Golf and River Club In Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

BY: John Torsiello

’ve had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, which is located about a half hour’s drive from the magical city of Charleston. In fact, two of the best public courses in the area are located right across from one another on Route 41 in Mount Peasant; RiverTowne Country Club and the Dunes West Golf and River Club. Before I tell you about both, make sure if you are in the area to check out the Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island, two ocean communities boasting funky cafes and bars off the warm, soft brown sand and mild ocean waters. Hang out in downtown Charleston, with its trendy pubs, restaurants, shops, and historic sites. There are myriad lodging choices, and the city has a central shopping area called, appropriately, “The Marketplace.” RiverTowne Country Club RiverTowne is Arnold Palmer’s first signature course in the Charleston area. The course, which hosted a LPGA event for several years, is situated among scenic marshlands and live oaks, with 13 holes routed along the Wando River and Horlbeck Creek. The treelined fairways provide generous landing areas to set up approach shots to multi-tiered greens guarded by bunkers and water. The course plays from 7,188 yards down to 5,089. “The Arnold Palmer Signature layout is what makes RiverTowne a standout golf

course,” said Pete Dunham, Director of Golf. “The conditions are excellent, especially the greens, and the challenge tests all levels of golfers every round.” The back nine at RiverTowne, home of an LPGA tournament for several years, is tougher than the front. Although the front ends is brutal fashion, with a 563-yard parfive. With the marsh still on the right, the ninth is a true three-shot hole the majority of the time. A drive over a finger of marsh will find a wide landing area. The second shot needs to be positioned carefully to leave the best angle into a demanding green guarded tightly by bunkers. Dunes West Golf and River Club Dunes West plays anywhere from 6,859 yards down to 5,208 yards from the forward markers. Water comes into play on seven holes and the fairways are fairly large and forgiving. The greens are mildly undulating and guarded by bunkers, both sand and grass. At Dunes West Golf and River Club, a long drive eventually takes you to a stately clubhouse after passing tall live oaks draped with Spanish moss. It creates a sublime mood for a fun day of golf. Dunes West plays anywhere from 6,859 yards down to 5,208, and water comes into play on seven holes. The fairways are fairly large and forgiving. Number four at Dunes West, a 489-yard par-five, is a well thought out design. A big tee shot leaves the player with an opportunity to

RiverTowne Country Club go for the green in two, which demands a carry across a pond that runs down the left side of the fairway to the green. “What makes Dunes West special to members is that we always give back to the club with annual improvements,” said General Manager Rich Rankin. “In 2018, we renovated all greenside bunkers, painted both the athletic clubhouse and the tennis pro shop, made landscaping improvements around the tennis facility as well as the main pool, and purchased new maintenance equipment to be able to continue to keep the golf course in great shape.” If get an invited, make sure you accept and play the private Snee Farm Country Club, just down the road from the two aforementioned layouts on Route 17. The club is home to a really interesting George Cobb-designed course, a newly renovated clubhouse, a full service restaurant and bar. w w w. R i v e r To w n e C o u n t r y C l u b . c o m www.DunesWestGolfClub.com

Dunes West Golfand River Club Photos courtesy of Mark William Paul 42 42

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

GOLF BAGS DATREK GO-LITE HYBRID

$169 www.Datrek.com The Go-Lite has a rubberized putter and driver wells integrated in the top. Top-Lok technology is a patented bag-to-cart attachment system that makes it a breeze to strap the bag onto your golf course transportation. Six zippered pockets include an oversized insulated cooler pocket, a fleece-lined valuables pocket, two garment pockets for all your gear, a large ball pocket and an accessory pocket. Other features include an ergonomic, double-shoulder strap and cushioned hip pad for comfort, an easy-grip handle that is integrated into the bag’s top, and a 14-way organizer top with full-length dividers. WHAT WE LIKE: Bag-to-cart attachment system, ergonomic handle. 14-way organizer top.

BAG BOY CHILLER

$199 www.BagBoy.com The Chiller does just that on the golf course, keeps your beverages cold with a removable, insulated cooler bag that holds up to six, 12-ounce cans. The bag also features Top-Lok technology, a patented bag-to-cart attachment system, and nine zippered pockets, including two large apparel pockets for rain gear and wind shirts, and a sleeve for a ball retriever. There’s also a fleece-lined valuables pocket and an oversized ball pocket. A 14-way organizer top on the Chiller has full-length individual dividers to keep your sticks from clashing against one another when traveling over rough terrain or up and down hills. WHAT WE LIKE: Large beverage holder, 14-way organizer top.

DATREK DG LITE LL

$159 www.Datrek.com This is one of the lightest cart bags on the market at just 4.3 pounds. The DG Lite II is designed with cart use in mind, as all pockets are forward-facing and accessible while the golf bag is on the cart. Soft-grip lift-assist handles are integrated into the bag top for ease of use, and there’s Top-Lok technology, a patented bag-to-cart attachment system. Other elements include an umbrella holder, a towel ring with glove holder, a 14-way organizer top with full-length individual dividers that keeps your clubs from hitting against one another, and seven zippered pockets, including an oversized insulated cooler pocket, a fleece-lined valuables pocket, a large ball pocket, two full-size garment pockets, and two accessory pockets. WHAT WE LIKE: Light weight, soft-grip lift-assist handles, 14-way organizer top.

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GOLF BAGS WILSON STAFF EXO LL

$179 www.Wilson.com The EXO II Carry is an innovative, premium golf bag that features five divided club sections, a non-skid base, 3D foam padded straps, a DryTech valuables pocket, large garment pocket, accessories pocket, water bottle sleeve and large ball pocket to organize and protect your gear while a fully integrated stand keeps everything at hand. 9.5× 8-inch, five-way top with three molded handles. two full-length dividers a full-length garment pocket, one DryTech valuable pocket, a large ball pocket, three accessories pockets, and a large open pocket for a rangefinder or drink. There’s an improved stand mechanism that features a completely redesigned stand trigger that deploys the bag legs farther out for rock-solid stability and ease of use. Two-in-one self-balancing strap technology improves fit and comfort. There’s an umbrella holder, a towel ring, glove holder, and a snap-on rain hood. WHAT WE LIKE: Improved stand mechanism, padded straps, snap-on-rain hood.

WILSON ECO

$149 www.Wilson.com Each and every ECO carry bag is made from over 50 recycled plastic water bottles. This production method uses less energy than employing new material, reduces CO2 emissions, and keeps plastic out of landfills. The Eco is the lightest weight full-size carry bag the market, weighing in at just three pounds. The bag features a super-light Nanlon fabric that is both durable and water resistant, and there is a six-way club divider and mesh-wrapped protection. The bag also has a Swivelmax four-way strap that makes it very easy to carry and dive waterproof pockets. WHAT WE LIKE: Environmentally-conscious manufacturing, water-resistance, light weight.

TITLEIST PLAYER 4 PLUS

$225 www.Titleist.com The all-new Players 4 Plus Stand Bag features a clean and versatile design, with added storage, a premium double strap and reliable aluminum legs to help you get more out of your rounds. The 4 Plus features and benefits include a premium double strap that allows the golfer to haul the bag for long distances in comfort, an expandable full-length apparel pocket for tucking away a wind shirt or extra jersey until it’s needed, a quick-access magnetic accessories pocket, two player-preferred external water bottle pockets, high-grade aluminum legs and advanced hinged bottom that create bestin-class stability, a waterproof valuables pocket, two Velcro glove pockets, and a lightweight, low profile top cuff with full-length dividers to keep your clubs from hitting together when passing over rough terrain and up and down hills. WHAT WE LIKE: Added storage, stability, low profile top cuff. 44

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

SUN MOUNTAIN VX

$319 www.SunMountain.com The new VX Bag is constructed with sailcloth, which is known to be more water and abrasion resistant than many fabrics commonly used in outdoor gear. Weighing in at five pounds, the VX has seven pockets, including a full-length gear pocket, two velour-lined valuables pockets, and a beverage pouch. In addition, several enhancements, such as climbing rope handles, an anodized carabineer, ladder locks, and helicopter legs have been added. The VX bag comes in a multitude of colors, which is another attraction. There’s Gunmetal/Black/Lime, White/Black/Inferno, Yellow/Black, and Sky/Blue/ Black/Gray, something for every taste. WHAT WE LIKE: Water resistant, light weight, multiple colors.

SUN MOUNTAIN MAVERICK

$209 www.SunMountain.com The Maverick is designed specifically for use on riding carts. Features include a cart strap pass-through runs behind two side pockets and the range finder pocket, allowing full access to the pockets during use. All the pockets on the Maverick are accessible when the bag is on the cart. There’s a 10-inch, 15-way top with individual, full-length dividers that protect and organize clubs…all of your clubs. And there is an integrated putter compartment to keep your magic wand at the ready. Eleven pockets on the maverick include a water-resistant, a velour-lined, valuables pocket, a rangefinder pocket, a full-length clothing pocket, a ventilated cooler pocket, and multiple accessory pockets. The bag’s fabric has been reinforced in wear areas. Two lift-assist handles molded into the top help load and unload the bag on a cart, and a band keeps the single strap out of one’s way when the bag is loaded. WHAT WE LIKE: 15-way top, eleven pockets, two lift-assist handles.

BAG BOY REVOLVER XP

$229 www.BagBoy.com Take your clubs for a spin with the Revolver XP, the next generation of the legendary Bag Boy Revolver, featuring a 360-degree rotating top with Clip-Lok Technology and a Grip-Lok base. There’s a newly-added external putter tube designed for wands with larger grips, and a 14-way rotating top with full-length individual dividers to keep your clubs apart. The exclusive CLIPLOK Technology and Grip-Lok base holds clubs in place, Top-Lok technology is a patented bag-to-cart attachment system that is easy to manage and keeps your clubs secure. The Revolver XP features no fewer than nine zippered pockets that includes a waterproof fleecelined pocket, a valuables pocket for peace of mind when playing and travelling over rough terrain, and an insulated cooler pocket to keep a cold refreshment on hand for those long rounds of in the heat of summer. WHAT WE LIKE: 360-degree rotating top, external putter tube, nine zippered pockets.

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GOLF CARTS BAG BOY NITRON

$259 www.BagBoy.com A key feature of the Nitron is its lightning-fast assisted open capabilities with Nitro-Piston Technology. It’s an easy one-step process to get the cart open to onto the course in no time. The Nitro also has a compact fold-size and is lightweight for quick storage and transport to and from the course. There’s Top-Lok Technology, a patented bag-to-cart attachment system. Other elements include a full-feature scorecard console with integrated beverage holder, mobile device holder and golf ball storage; an umbrella holder with a storage clip; an integrated umbrella storage with loop and storage notch; an extra-large accessory bag under the scorecard console for storage; a handle mounted parking brake for quick and safe usage, and bungee straps to secure your golf bag. One of the sweetest attributes of the Nitron, which weighs just 16.75 pounds, is it’s tool-free assembly. WHAT WE LIKE Lightweight construction, compact fold size, tool-free assembly.

BAG BOY QUAD XL

$229 www.BagBoy.com The Quad XL has a compact fold-size for storage and transport and measures only 24x17 x16 inches. There are four wheels to provide superior stability with the added benefit of lightweight, solid, maintenance-free tires. The Quad XL features TOP-LOK Technology, a patented bag-to-cart attachment system. The Quad XL weighs only 14.2 pounds. Additional features include a full-feature, extra-deep scorecard console with integrated beverage holder, a mobile device holder and golf ball storage; an umbrella holder that is included with a storage clip; an extra-large accessory bag under the scorecard console; a handle mounted parking brake; tool-free assembly; and tracking adjustment. The wheel diameter measures 9.5 inches for the front and 11 inches for the back. WHAT WE LIKE: Light weight, integrated beverage holder, tool-free assembly.

ALPHARD CLUB BOOSTERV2 MOTORIZED CART

$799 www.AlphardGolf.com The Booster V2 motorized cart is the impressive New Age rocket ship of the golf course. One of the biggest reasons Alphard designed the motorized Club Booster V2 is specifically to help golfers get up and down hills with more ease, and isn’t that nice of the company’s designers? A dual hub motor has more than enough juice to conquer any golf courses. The Booster V2 takes about 15 to 20 minutes to install and seconds to set up at the golf course. Despite its high-tech capabilities does. All the golfer needs to do is extend the axles on the eWheels and then attach the cart brackets to the axle, and you are ready to take on the terrain of any course, smooth or hilly. There’s also a remote control on the Booster V2, as well as a handle strap, a Micro USB cable, a set of brackets, a set of “wheelie” bars, and an AC/DC charger. WHAT WE LIKE: Power, easy set up and use, great appearance, fits any exising push cart. 46

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

CLICGEAR 4.0 PUSH CART

$279 www.GlicGearUSA.com The 4.0 features a new silicone bag strap system that makes it sturdy and reliable. Other elements include a new adjustable upper saddle, a lower saddle, a large console (scorecard, ball, pencil and tee holders), a large storage net, and an umbrella mount and bracket for those rainy days. The Clic Gear 4.0 quickly folds down to a compact 13 x15 x24-inches, making it easy to put in the truck of your vehicle with little strain on the back and legs. There’s a front-wheel engaged hand brake that can be quickly accessed when needed, an independent handle bar adjustments, and an accessory mount with a standard cup holder included. The Clic Gear 4.0 accommodates most stand bags and has a 21-pound heavy-duty frame that makes it durable yet lightweight enough to glide easily over hill and dale. WHAT WE LIKE: Sturdy but lightweight, new silicone bag strap system that secures your bag, front-wheel-engaged hand brake.

SUN MOUNTAIN PX4

$229-$239 www.SunMountain.com On the heels of exponential growth in golf push cart use in 2020, Sun Mountain rolled out the new-for-2021 PX3 and PX4 push carts. Offering improvements on the past Pathfinder models, notable PX3 and PX4 advancements include a new handle and new accessory tray, while retaining the main benefits of smaller folded size and easy opening. Improvements on the PX3 and PX4. Key features include a new, continuous handle that allows the cart to be pushed with one hand, a new accessory console to conveniently hold balls, tees, scorecard and mobile phone, a mobile phone holder that includes a slot that allows a charging plug to be used when the phone is in place, dual umbrella holders so an umbrella can be placed on either side of the console tray; and a mesh basket and velourlined pouch for additional storage. Opening and folding PX3 and PX4 is the same simple, one-latch process as the previous Pathfinder models. The carts feature bungee cords to secure the golf bag in place, and an adjustable upper bag bracket accommodates a wide array of golf bag sizes and shapes including stand bags. WHAT WE LIKE: New accessory tray, easy to handle, accommodates a wide array of golf bags.

BAT CADDY XR4 ELECTRIC GOLF CART

$949-$1,099 www.BatCaddy.com The X4R is one of the most innovative and unique remote- controlled carts on the market. In its ninth model year, it features an amazingly lightweight, hightech aluminum frame the weighs in at only 24 pounds. It has an easy two-step, two-click set up design, folding into a package that is smaller than most regular push carts. The XR4 is propelled by two powerful independently controlled quiet 200 watt motors, and features a wide range remote control systems that gives you full control up to 100 yards. The XR4 comes with a powerful, long-lasting sealed lead-acid battery, or a super-light, compact and environmentally friendly lithium battery. The trolley of the XR4 can be operated manually with a seamless rheostat and cruise control and can be easily pushed even without battery power, so you will never be stuck out on the course. The X4R differentiates itself from the X3R by the innovative, European inspired frame design, an adjustable handle height, and a slightly more compact size. WHAT WE LIKE: Power, looks, long-range remote control, Easy to operate, easy to charge and a place to sit.

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Great

Golf

Ocean City, Maryland

17 Championship Courses 10 Miles of Beach 3 Mile Boardwalk

2 Nights, 3 Rounds Starting: Spring / Fall Weekdays - $170 Weekends - $191

First Class Accommodations Excellent Dining Exciting Nightlife

“Great Golf is Just the Beginning” Ocean City, Maryland

2021 Golfing Magazine New Jersey / Pennsylvania Spring Editions

Articles inside

The Latest in Golf Carts for 2021