GolfScene Fall 2011

Putting the

HAMMER DOWN on Public Play

Scene M A G A Z INE

Sou t h - C e n t r a l O n t a r i o ’s G o l f S o u rc e

Volume 12 | Issue 3 | Fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

WHICH LEFT IS RIGHT? of truth s t n e m o m e h t e r a s “Those thing ves in e li e b r e y la p y r e v E to each player. . is h t o d n a c y e h t t a their heart th e can.” ik M t a h t it t u o b a t There’s no doub “That’s why we’ve got guys overly worried about every little position of the club. I’ve been around the best players in the world for 35 years.

There’s a lot of ways of getting it done.”

FOLEY +DEMO SEAN DAY

PROSpectivves SNEAK PEEKS

HOW TO BUILD CONFIDENCE

tired of 3 putts?

- the PROSpectives panel has some thoughts and drills to get you into the bottom of the cup sooner

Scene M A G A ZINE

S o u t h - C e n t r a l O n t a r i o ’s G o l f S o u rc e

Volume 12 | Issue 3 | Fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

we miss you already

a life

well played

this magazine is in tribute to its founder and publisher Norm Woods 1944 - 2011

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On August 29th, 2011 golf lost an ally and a friend. And GolfScene suffered the loss of its founder and publisher Norm Woods. It was unquestionably our darkest hour.

Norm's impact on the game of golf within the region was immensely positive. Something never more evident then in the outpouring of gratitude in response to his passing. The list of those he took the time to help along the way is long. The impact, indelible. A tireless supporter of junior golf (Kiwi/Junior Tour etc), his legacy within golf circles was that of a friend - the kind of person welcome in any foursome.

He was a guy who shared an enjoyment for the game, the people who were part of it, and a passion for making golf more enjoyable for all. His efforts unwavering. His spirit, generous.

So with a raise of the club, a nod of the head, and a tip of the hat we say, please play through. Enjoy every shot. And take a moment to breathe it all in. He would not have wanted it any other way.

.

The words here are a mere few in the hundreds of special messages received on his behalf. Thank you to all for your condolences.

“Norm used to send a lot of kids to me to help with their coaching and to help my career. I don’t think I charged them anything, but it was a good e xperience to work with kids who wanted to be good.” - Sean Foley - P GA Tour Instructor

“He understood the game . He understood what was going on in the game . He really tried to improve how the game was perceived and how it was portrayed.”

- Don MacKay - O wner, Muskoka Highlands

"Not only did Norm contribute prizes to Mikey’s Tournament for Autism, the annual charity event my wife and I organized in our home town of Midland, but he always sent along a cheque with a note of support." - John Gordon - ClubLink "He built GolfScene into a magazine that area golfers look so for ward to receiving ..."

- C arolanne Doig - Seaforth Golf Club " Whenever there was a media day, I tried to play with Norm. He was one of the nicest and most genuine people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing" - Anita Draycott - GolfStyle

"Norm was always passionate about the kids playing with no pressure from the parents and his vision was ahead of its time. I know his inf luence will be felt for many years in the future of the Kiwi Junior participants."

- Gar y Pollock - Tournament Sports

"And he always made a point of asking me how I was and how things were in my life."

- Garr y McKay - Hamilton Spectator "This past winter Norm attended the college and spoke to several of our students regarding the golf industr y. Norm has left a great legacy in the golf community and I am fortunate to call him a friend."

- Rob Foster - Fanshawe College

a moment to ponder - in Northern Ireland

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"It was a scene played over and over wherever Norm went, one no different than those that take place in clubhouses or fair ways all over Canada. Norm Woods didn’t have the swagger or talent of Tiger Woods in his prime , but his impact on golf in his coverage area was considerable" - Ian Hutchinson - Toronto Sun "On behalf of the P GA of Canada and our 3700 members from coast to coast our most heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family on this tragic loss.

I always enjoyed discussing the golf industr y with Norm and knew that his reporting would always be fair and positive as he played his role in growing the game in Canada. He loved the game and life and he will be greatly missed by all of us who knew him and by the entire Canadian Golf community for his work."

"He was one of those people who meant it when he asked how you were doing. He listened to your answer. He was curious, and he looked you in the eye and you had a meaning ful conversation."

- Lorne Rubenstein - Globe & Mail " When he walked into a room, you knew the day was going to get better" - Doug Ball - Photographer

- Gar y Bernard - CEO, P GA of Canada

He was an original, a true good guy. Not enough of them around these days. fall 2011

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GolfScene TM

it's our worst issue ever

SERVING SOUTH-CENTRAL ONTARIO

Inspiration

Norm Woods

EDITOR’S ASIDE »

Publisher (and one amazing lady)

Linda Woods

And it is. It really is. If you've read your way in and or turned the pages to get arrive here, you know why. For 12 years, this page was home to GolfScene's founder and publisher Norm Woods. Take a 4 page, 4 colour newsprint flyer, add a whole lot of passion, hard work, and some really long hours and what you get is what you are holding today. Or reading online. Yes he started that part of the business too - long before terms like website, interactive, or eNews were common. Ideas are nothing without the people who nurture them to fruition. He made it happen.

Scene MAGAZINE

S o u t h - C e n t r a l O n t a r i o ’s G o l f S o u rc e

Under-Study

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 3 | F a l l 2 0 1 1 | g o l f s c e n e . c a

we miss you already

Steve Woods Contributors

a life

well played

this magazine is in tribute to its founder and publisher Norm Woods 1944 - 2011

Ian Hutchinson | Garry McKay Hal Quinn | Sean Foley Columnists

Carolanne Doig; Paul Dewland; Mark Crone; Tom Margetts; Rob Foster Cover

Norm Woods, for those who don't know, was also my father. Though, I'd prefer to use the term 'is' - past tense just doesn't seem like the appropriate usage for someone who left behind so much and impacted so many. I also prefer the more personable reference of Dad, though I have been told by publishing purists that it is de facto less formal.

In the spirit of what my father Dad stood for ... we will cherish the memories and continue on with the same passionate abandon as he did when he started. Yes, some days it rains. Yes, some days are harder than others. But what comes easy is seldom worthwhile. This is the magazine he never saw. Though he was very much alive when we began to put it together. And if this magazine could cure cancer, we would be printing them until the ink ran dry. Then we'd be out finding more ink.

And it's our best issue ever. Within the pages you'll find an uber-insightful 'conversa-

tion' style feature on the current career conundrum surrounding Mike Weir - which may as well be Tiger Woods - which may as well be all of us. Paul Dewland talks confidence. Hal Quinn reminds us of what true socializing should be - and no, it's not crammed into 140 words or less. Nor does he 'poke' at you to 'like' him. Hutch finds a way to work the word 'bafflegab' into his column. It's a must read, but so are the 50+ pages in between. Garry McKay checks in from the Hammer. For those grinding it out on their game, check out the insight in the PROSpectives feature. The PROS are talking lag putting - something we all could do better. Gearhead? Sneak a peek on page 18.

Demo Day. Nice Note from Sean Foley.page31 Cool Columnists. Shakira? The Course Directory. Gimmes. Did I miss anything? Of course I did. It's all inside.

As always, we have a few interesting editorial ideas in the valuables pouch. Easiest way to know what's new? Subscribe to our eNews online. It's informative. It's fun. It's free. And soon it will actually save you money on green fees - but keep that quiet.

Fall golf is some of the best golf you can play in Ontario.

Enjoy the issue. Enjoy your next round. Cherish this life. It's time to play.

BRUSH STROKES (original image Golf Canada)

© GolfScene Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher.

The magazine is printed 3x per season and distributed to over 350 golf courses in southern Ontario, with additional distribution through selected golf outlets.

FALL 2011 : Volume 12 : Issue 3 Advertising rates and publishing schedules are available on request. Opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the author only and not necessarily those of the Publisher. Unsolicited manuscripts are invited, but their return cannot be guaranteed. Letters to the Editor may be edited for legalities and only signed letters will be considered for publication.

PRINTED IN CANADA FOR SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES 519 954 5587 | • info@golfscene.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES 519 954 5587 • sales@golfscene.ca

SINGLE COPY PRICE $4.25 This magazine would not have happend without the help of Ian Hutchinson and Garry McKay

PLEASE RECYCLE

CANADIAN OWNED & OPERATED

PREFERABLY TO A GOLFER

GolfScene 270 Morrison Road Unit 11C

Steve Woods, editor

Kitchener | Ontario | N2A 3Y1 Phone: (519) 954-5587 | info@golfscene.ca www.golfscene.ca | GolfScene® Inc. 2011

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coming sneak a peeps into a few of golf's ARNIE new brand the ding (inclu s attraction own Quagmire line designed by Canada's very Golf) - page 18 -

contents

In other words, one hot round or one outstanding tournament can change a youngster’s status from can’t-do to can-do, according to conventional wisdom, but it isn’t wisdom at all. page 58 FALL 2011

Coming soon from Nike?

- page 18 -

REGULARS 40 36 35 31 33 50 58

GREEN SIDE UP Tom Margetts QUINN ESSENTIALS Hal Quinn THE TARTAN CHAMELEON Carolanne Doig INSIDE THE ROPES Sean Foley MIND OVER MATTERS Paul Dewland AROUND THE GLOBE Marc Crone TALKING IN YOUR BACKSWING Ian Hutchinson

FEATURES 12 NOTEBOOK matte black, less gloss 20 PUTTING THE HAMMER DOWN Garry McKay 14 THE PLAYERS CLUB with Richard Zokol & Jim Nelford 43 Demo Day Nick Starchuk looks at the PowerChute 18 SNEAK PEEKS the neverending product cycle continues 24 PROSpectives One elite panel of experts - equals - more insight, knowledge, and answers.

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GolfScenery Âť

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About About 20 20 minutes minutes from from Woodstock Woodstock and and just just south south of of the the 401, 401, near near the the town town of of Otterville, Otterville, is is where where you you will will find find this this triumphant triumphant Dick Dick Kirkpatrick Kirkpatrick design. design. Winding Winding its its way way through through 260 260 acres acres of of what what was was aa former former tobacco tobacco farm, farm, this this 7,100 7,100 yard yard staunch staunch test test of of golf golf is is named named after after just just one one of of the the three three creeks creeks that that wind wind their their way way through through the the property. property.

Otter Otter Creek Creek provides provides the the gauntlet gauntlet of of challenges. challenges. It's It's an an experience experience every every golfer golfer should should enjoy. enjoy. www.ottercreekgolfclub.com

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GS0611_Layout 1 11-06-15 5:18 PM Page 1

Whistle Bear Truly Is A Club For Everyone

There are many But there’s only one

Make It Yours In 2011 A private golf experience like no other Whistle Bear Golf Club boasts a championship length course with generous fairways, plus multiple tee boxes to appeal to golfers of all skill levels.

Select from a variety of individual and family memberships.

Our corporate memberships offer flexibility for any business.

For Whistle Bear Golf Club membership enquiries, contact Brad Duench: 519-650-2327 x230 • bradd@whistlebear.ca

It’s the area’s premier training facility The Golf Performance Center @ Whistle Bear has everything you need to achieve your golf goals, including instruction from 10 on-staff professionals.

Our 12-acre facility has a driving range with target greens, and a short game area with chipping green and sand traps.

To book your lesson, camp or club fitting year-round, contact Dave Smallwood: 519-650-2327 x422 • daves@whistlebear.ca

Life’s too short to play anywhere else.

Whistle Bear is right in the heart of Waterloo Region, two minutes south of Highway 401 between Kitchener and Cambridge.

275 James Street, Otterville, Ontario

1316 Dickie Settlement Rd. Cambridge, Ont. N3H 4R8

519-879-9800 • www.ottercreekgolfclub.com

www.WhistleBear.ca 10

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WB_HalfVertical_3.875x10in.indd 1

11-06-14 2:00 PM

GIMMES FALL 2011

perhaps, nothing says more about you than your headcover - well, other than how you handle yourself after a bad bounce, 4 putt or flat out whiff.

Whether you glam it up, add some character, support your favourite team, go commando, or use whatever the club came with ... we'd like to know (and see) - check in at golfscene.ca for the details (you might even win something to 'go with that headcover')

◄ WORLD #1 IN CANADA (AGAIN)

on television

It was in Vancouver that Yani Tseng won one of her first events as a professional in 2007. At a mere 22 years of age, she has already had an amazing career that has includes five, count theme, five major championships, including two in 2011. Dare we say, she's just getting started?

You know we could probably fill an entire magazine full of these gimmes.

Oh yeah, that's why we have a website. Stuff we find in real time golfscene.ca

TECH we'll try and keep you up to date on all of the tech toys available over at golfscene.ca

▲ Two friends, 58 days, 11,600 miles, 23 states and four provinces.

Those are the details of the season one sweaty road trip and also the prologue behind a new 'reality' style golf show - now airing in Canada.

Highways to Fairways is the name of the show. Certainly seems to be (we've seen one episode) equal parts golf, adventure, and fun.

UNK-CONCIOUS is the way you have to play to win at the Canadian Tour's Seaforth Country Classic. Posting only a single bogey and a whole lot of red numbers (circles on the scorecard), Ohio's Brian Unk finished at -20 and took home his second championship in Seaforth. ◄ Wondering which Titleist ball

READER POLL

is best for you and your game?

Use the Titleist golf ball fitting app to help

with that selection.

(free to those with

What's Your Favourite Aspect of FALL GOLF ?

O The changing of the leaves, the colours, definitely the scenery O The prices O The weather. Not too hot, not too cool.

an apple mobile device)

IF YOU'RE INTO FOLLOWING ...

Andres Gonzales @Andres_Gonzales Las Vegas Half man, half amazing.

VOTE ONLINE

Apparently, it's a big deal that Keegan Bradley won the PGA Championship wielding a belly putter. Really?

What was pretty amazing was the fact that he won his first major while playing in his first major. The putter was a 46.75” Odyssey White Hot XG Sabertooth. And last we heard Phil (that's Mickelson) was using one now too. (insert your own belly joke here)

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NOTEBOOK [ simple still works - steve woods ]

MUIRA

matte black, zero gloss

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Perhaps it's their position. Could be their demeanor. A simple pre-

disposition. Then again, maybe it is just their unfiltered perspective and or, in some cases, the language barrier. Any which way, I certainly enjoy the exuberant honesty you get while in conversation with the actual innovators, the craftspeople, the artisans of this game. The ones who tell it like it is - long before, and in this case after, those overly clever, yet hopelessly folly ridden marketing departments twist everything. Conversations with Bob Vokey, Scotty Cameron, Roger Cleveland, Rock Ishii, and more always lead me to think about one thing - honesty works. Unfortunately for me, this version of the notebook was pieced together via email - nevertheless, the same message holds true. The answers are simple. They are honest. And, subsequently, they ring true in their ardent purity. Certainly is refreshing isn't it?

my notes and asides: function over fashion, but wait therein lies the fashion - you mean to say that the reason is not some scientifically proven alignment inducing, glare reducing breakthrough? and it's not inspired by a jet airplane, or better yet some new patented microcarbon material found on under a red rock on Mars

and then count that towards quarterly sales #s

Q&A with master clubmaker Katsuhiro Miura Q: What was the inspiration behind the Black forged irons?

A: The black was used because it achieved the best results of colors we tested. And it looked very sharp. It was also a way to do the head without having to chrome it.

Q: Any thoughts to getting the Miura product into the more main stream (traditional) servicing the retail channels? customer and not the A: My reason for not putting the clubs shareholder, hmmm in the mainstream is because most retail - and did he just say that he is against shops don't offer assembly service (custom discounting - here in clubmaking) which I feel is a very imporNorth America, you tant part of servicing the customer with the can't just promise best possible club(s) for them to use. quality, apparently, The other reason is that retail shops we need someone to toss in a free discount clubs.

fairway wood at the very least

agreed, that was a tough question, but different is good - aren't we all just a little tired of the same

no, unfortunately those are not available to the public - wouldn't we all play our very own set if we could build them like Katshuhiro can?

Q: If there was one word that might best describe Miura irons, it would be ...

A: This question is difficult for me. I would describe my clubs as different from any of the others. And what I mean by that is that I feel our clubs are much better made for the end user to enjoy playing.

Q: Currently in the bag?

A: Cavity Hagane System 3.

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COVER STORY Left to Right

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PLAYERS CLUB IN THE KNOW WITH THOSE WHO KNOW

Canadian golf veterans, Richard Zokol and Jim Nelford discuss Mike Weir's current career conundrum as told to ... Ian Hutchinson When we last saw Mike Weir, he was climbing aboard a golf cart at Vancouver’s Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club after withdrawing from the RBC Canadian Open, which began a journey into surgery on the extensor tendon in his right elbow.

That brought to a conclusion a forgettable season for Weir in which he couldn’t make enough money on a medical exemption to maintain his full-time PGA Tour playing privileges, but even when he played on exemptions, rarely made a cut

In 15 tour events in 2011, Weir made the cut in just two and, as the poster boy for Canadian golf, the 2003 Masters champ will be the subject of speculation when the snow flies and the temperature plummets with everything from his confidence to his swing to possible retirement being analyzed and discussed.

At times, he’s appeared lost and desperate in terms of his swing, turning to the likes of the renowned Jim Flick, or coaches he’s used previously such as Mike Wilson or the stack-and-tilt guys, Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer, but is it a case of confidence powering swing or successful swing creating confidence?

It can all turn into a witch’s brew of nasty ingredients, which is why we turned to a couple of former

tour players for their thoughts on Weir going forward.

For the record, both Dick Zokol, a recent inductee into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and winner of the 1992 Greater Milwaukee Open, and Jim Nelford, well-known television analyst and director of academy experiences for ClubLink, feel Weir can turn his career around.

In offering their players’ perspectives, Zokol, now the personable proprietor of Sagebrush Golf and Sporting Club in Merritt, B.C., takes a look at the mental challenges that players face, while Nelford, who emphasizes the importance of lower body in his teaching, concentrates on the golf swing.

Since this is all about the players, we’ll keep the meddling writer out of this and just let Zokol and Nelford go with their thoughts:

Richard Zokol “I remember when I was 43 and I kind of lost my position. It’s not exactly like Mike’s. He’s fallen from a lot higher, but it’s kind of similar. I had to kind of look in the mirror and decide whether I’m going to commit to this (trying to get back on the PGA Tour).

Because those are questions that you have to answer yourself and you have to answer them honestly. (Zokol did make it back to the tour).”

“At the Canadian Open, or just before the Canadian Open, I was walking with Mike at Shaughnessy and I looked him square in the eye and said, `Are you prepared to make that sacrifice?’ He just stared me right in the eye and replied, `Absolutely'.”

“Those moments when you ask those questions to yourself, you’re asking your true self as opposed to your ego. Deep down, you’ll know whether it’s time to throw in the towel or time to get on your horse."

“Those things are the moments of truth to each player. Every player believes in their heart that they can do this. There’s no doubt about it that Mike can. Whether he’s going about it the right way, it’s his decision and those are the hurdles that he, specifically, has to overcome."

“Does it guarantee that he’ll do it because he wants it badly? No, it doesn’t, but he believes that he can do it and he’s setting out a plan to do it. He’s gotten over bigger hurdles than this (such as) getting on the PGA Tour and winning.”

“I’m a believer that your ability is not about the golf swing.

Ninety nine per cent of the PGA Tour believe that if their swing is improved, they will play better. I don’t believe it. I believe the opposite. I believe that your thoughts and your inspiration can lead to making good swings. If there’s (swing) improvements that you need to make, they need to be very general, but it’s not the + next page

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- continued from page 15

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fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

intricacies of the thoughts of the swing mechanics that improve your golf swing.

I’ve said this to Mike. When he’s played his best, he’s not thinking about his golf swing. Whether it’s Tiger Woods trying to look at his golf swing through Sean Foley or Mike Weir trying to look for his golf swing through stack and tilt, you forget about playing golf when you’re thinking about golf swing."

“Nobody knows what’s going on in Mike Weir’s head unless you’re Mike Weir. For him to go and knock on Jim Flick’s door and a few other people, he could be just dabbling in it to kind of get the assurance that this philosophy is what he wants to commit to. Outside of Mike, people are speculating that he’s taking all this in and it only causes confusion. That’s a possibility, but nobody can confirm that.”

“If you’re thinking mechanics, your attention is on the wrong thing. There’s a big difference between making a good golf swing and playing well. They’re two fundamentally different things, but sometimes logical people think that it’s logical that if they fix their golf swing, they’ll fix their problems. I don’t believe it works that way. The way I look at confidence is it’s a byproduct of something you’ve done well. It’s also different than a belief. Tiger Woods believed he was going to win 14 majors before he even played professional golf. I think the terminology of the word confidence is misused way too much."

“The more conscious you have, or mechanical thoughts, the further you move away from your goals in playing golf. In order to play well, you have to be more of an intuitive player. That’s like throwing a ball – it’s not breaking down the swing mechanics. When you are mechanicallyoriented, you like to project into the future. That’s where all anxiety lives and when you’re in an intuitive state, you’re in a present state. That’s where golf is played really well under pressure."

“Confidence can be a form of belief, but typically, you’re going to lack confidence.

Does (Weir) believe he can do it? Yes. You have to absolutely believe you can do it. He’s done it before.

At the same time, there’s a whole lot of chatter going on in the mind that includes poor confidence or lack of confidence.

He has both.”

“When people panic, they go into a logical mode and they go into a fear of failure and they start to project. `What if I shoot this?’ or `What if I do that?’ And they start to collapse. Mike and Tiger are in those spots.

When they can return to that ability to make their swing intuitive, that’s when they’ll be able to break through. Quite often, the player can’t even answer it. What they think they’re doing and what they’re actually doing are, often times, two different things.”

The rough at this year's Canadian Open (where Mike re-injured his elbow) was as thick as any this year on the PGA Tour.

Which has left players and media alike questioning what direction the game is headed. Slashing the ball out of lies like this week in and week out can not be healthy for the players.

Jim Nelford “With all of the workouts and everything he’s done, he was hoping that he wouldn’t have something like (Weir’s injury). Maybe the way he swings and maybe what he’s done has actually caused it.”

“He’s the guy hacking it out of the rough when he he’s driving it bad. For him at his his age (41), he’s in great shape, but he’s very confused about his swing. I’ve talked to a number of people about Mike. The very thing that’s gotten him there may take him down. He’s very, very strong-willed. You have to learn when you’re in situations like that of how you hurt yourself and how you don’t.”

“With the stack and tilt, Mike has been a lot more firm with his hands and arms and elbows and even hitting balls can cause a flare-up for him. That’s part of his upper body teaching that gets his forearms and arms way too tight and they’re on the edge of having an injury all the time, of having one shot stopped in deep rough.

Something’s got to give and it’s not going to be the club. It’s those muscles and tendons in the arms and hands.”

“He wants to have some simple thoughts that work and he’s knocking on the same doors and

“The bottom line is that Mike is doing what he thinks is best.

That’s all he can do. That’s the plight of every golfer. They have to make these decisions on their

he’s not hearing anything different. He’s just hoping that something works. He’s in a panic situation, no doubt."

“When you look at Tiger and what he’s done, people work out hard, but if you swing and hurt yourself, your swing hurts you. Tiger’s swing hurt him. He tore up his knee, not because he puts any more pressure on it than anybody else.

He didn’t understand what he did as a player. He was a lower body player when he came out on tour, got that left hook and now it’s a problem when he turns his hips hard."

“They want to say, `Oh wow, he puts more pressure on his knee than anybody else.’ No, that’s not true. There are long drive champions who hit it way farther than him, put way more pressure and don’t hurt themselves. Sometimes, working out really works against a guy. Those small muscles in the elbows and wrists and shoulders don’t take (it) the way the big muscles in the lower body do. There are more guys being injured on the tour now than there ever was and that’s because they’re all getting turned upside-down.”

“You’ve got a lot of coaches who think they know what’s going on. I talked to Ernie Els and I’ve talked to (Jack) Nicklaus, the game is played from the ground up. You get guys who buy a camera and get a computer and can draw lines

own and sometimes, the best path that they think they’re on isn’t necessarily the best path.

That’s a part of life.

Just because you work hard doesn’t mean in golf that you’re going to get your reward. There are no guarantees in it all. You could be spinning your wheels and going down the wrong path like crazy."

“It’s solely up to him to figure that out. Golfers know that everyone’s offering advice and there’s a million pieces of advice. That’s dangerous in itself. You can’t listen to everybody or else you’ll really be confused.”

and they think they know what causes everything. Well, they don’t."

“That’s why we’ve got guys overly worried about every little position of the club. I’ve been around the best players in the world for 35 years.

There’s a lot of ways of getting it done."

“The game is still about balance and rhythm. It not about hacking at it hard. It’s a game that has grace and power, but powerful grace is the best way to play the game. That’s why guys like Ernie Els and Fred Couples are revered. People look at them and go, `Oh my God, how did you do that?’ and our coaches don’t know how to teach that.”

“There’s a lot of poor teaching out there, not only hurting guys, but it’s hurting them physically. There’s no doubt that if Mike had softer arms, he wouldn’t be injuring himself.”

“If you’re not swinging well, you’re not going to fool yourself into confidence. We see Tiger trying to do that and that’s not working for him.

At some point, reality kicks in and Mike has been better about that, no doubt."

continued on page 56

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Coming attractions to look for ward to in the ver y near future ...

ICONIC REDUX Even the most iconic of apparel brands sometimes needs a redux. And that's exactly what the old Arnold Palmer line will be getting for 2012. Perhaps, one of the most anticipated apparel lines of the year will simply be known as 'Arnie'. The people in charge of the redesign? None other than Canadian's Geoff Tait and Bobby Pasternak - better known in the golf circles as Quagmire Golf.

Staying true to it's heritage while infusing just the right aount of modern flair the new collection will be segmented by decade - 50s, 60s, and 70s in addition to a fourth collection, appropriately monikered Timeless.

MORE GREEN GM's Cadillac ELR is only in concept, but this extended-range electric vehicle technology is moving forward as a production car. Still too soon for the details on performance, price etc, however it will feature an electric propulsion system as its primary drive source.

And that's that - zero emissions and, thankfully, more hard earned money saved to be blissfully invested in green fees.

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fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

FREE STYLE Originally developed in 2004, NIKE FREE is a ‘natural motion’ technology designed to mimic and conform to the natural motion of the foot.

The FREE-inspired elements in this prototype golf model should allow greater movement for the front of the foot, increasing stability with mobility.

WEDGE ROW Never underestimate the importance of the 'right' wedge. Yes, there is gap analysis, bounce to consider, and all of those other relevant numbers that go into getting things dialed in.

But, first things first - find the one that 'fits' your eye, the one that feels right in your hands, and exudes confidence at address.

There's making a statement. And then there is making an indellible mark. Tattoo golf is one of those rogue non-traditionalists who take golf in a little bit different direction.

Ergo, the switchblade style divot tool.

Push button, spring activated, super-cool to use, and super-nice to the greens.

And should want to glam things up a little there is the metallic golf ball option.

New for 2012 comes the SM4 from Titleist, the reintroduction of the classic 'trusty rusty' from Cobra or Pings forged Anser.

As has become customary, these clubs will be offered in different colours and finishes. Look for customization and personalization to become prominent in 2010.

G FORCE Ping has updated the G15 family with the G20. The G20 driver quickly became their most popular driver at this year's Open Championship.

Several of the new Anser Milled putters were also put into play that week. Ansers have accumulated more than 500 tour wins and 26 major victories since 1966.

INTERESTING ORIGINS: name Karsten Solheim's iconic putter's e was the suggestion of his wife Louis name, the of ical skept ally Origin 'Answer.' better Solheim could come up with no the name that g findin upon And alternative. he would not fit on the toe of the club, of his wife once again leaned on the advicethe "w". who suggested that he remove

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WITHIN REGION

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fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

Putting the Hammer Down

Investing in golf stor y by Garr y McKay | photos : Brent Long

The City of Hamilton has discovered that golf is a good business after all.

Some municipalities, like London and Kitchener for e xample , are still weighing the pros and cons of operating their own golf facilities. Hamilton has been there , done that, and elected to stay in the game .

Hamilton has two golf facilities, King’s Forest and Chedoke. King’s Forest, their showcase, is a spectacular 18 hole course located in the city's east end in the Red Hill Creek valley, just below and along the side of the Niagara Escarpment. King’s Forest has hosted two Ontario Amateur Championships, and the 2009 Canadian University Championship. It cracked the top 100 in the most recent ScoreGolf rankings of the top one hundred courses in Canada, the first municipal course to make it on to the prestigious list. continued on next page

King's Forest Golf Club

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Chedoke is a 36-hole facility on the side of the Niagara Escarpment, just off downtown in Hamilton’s west end.

The Beddoe course was designed by legendary Canadian architect Stanley Thompson. It opened in 1950 and was one of the last courses Thompson designed before he died.

Chedoke’s Martin course was the second home of the Hamilton Golf and Country Club and golf has been played there pretty much continuously since 1896 making it one of the oldest courses in the country. Stanley Thompson and his brother Nicol also had a hand in designing many of the holes on the Martin course as it was expanded in the 1920s, 30s and 40s.

Despite the pedigree of their courses city fathers had mistreated them for decades,

refused to put any revenue into capital upgrades and through some convoluted accounting procedures had announced that the golf courses were losing money when they were actually doing just fine, thank you.

By 2006 the call went out to see if privatizing them was the way to go.

When the dust finally settled in 2007 an in-house bid by a group of city employees headed by Rob Gatto, now the manager of golf operations, was the winning proposal.

The golf courses stayed in city hands but are being run by a group that knows golf.

“The golf courses now are completely self sufficient,” says Gatto who added that they have turned a profit every year since they took over even despite the economic downtown of the last three years. Under the new golf course management structure the

golf courses don’t get any money from the city but the profits they make are re-invested back into the facilities.

Gatto’s group has put together a 15-year plan for capital improvements and even contracted golf course architect Graham Cooke as their advisor.

The first phase, which has been completed, was to build holding ponds at King’s Forest. Until that was done the city-owned course had to pay the city for water for fairways and greens. Gatto noted that because of the holding ponds they were able to reduce their water bill to the city from about $140,000 a year to about $30,000. That saving of $110,000 then becomes profit and can go towards more capital improvements.

The next phase will include a new clubhouse for Chedoke to replacing the aging

Chedoke - Beddoe Course

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fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

and pretty non-functional facility that is there now. The lack of a decent sized banquet and restaurant facilities in the current clubhouse limits their ability to attract tournaments or casual dinners.

Gatto noted that they had hoped to be further ahead on that project but have had to be cautious because of the financial climate the last few years. He said he’s hopeful that they will be able to commit to a timetable for the new clubhouse by this fall.

Getting both courses at Chedoke off city water by building holding ponds are also in the plans for the future as is a new driving range at King’s Forest to replace the small one lost when the ponds went in there.

The City of Hamilton courses, situated where they are smack in the middle of the city yet on the Niagara Escarpment, are quite unique. All three courses teem with wildlife. Deer, foxes, coyotes, groundhogs, and hawks abound.

The Chedoke courses are considered short by today’s standards but the large trees, narrow driving areas, uneven lies caused by the escarpment make them play march more difficult than their yardage would indicate.

The Martin course has two sets of tees and plays at 5,505 yards or 5,745 yards. The Beddoe can be played from three tees from 5,464 yards to 6,084 yards. Both courses are par 70.

The Beddoe course has played host to the Ontario Junior Championship twice, in 1986 when David Morland IV won it and

Stanley Thompson and his brother Nicol also had a hand in designing many of the holes on the Martin course as it was expanded in the 1920s, 30s and 40s.

again two years later when Mike Weir lifted the trophy. Weir, who has gone on to become arguably Canada’s greatest ever professional golfer also scored his first ever hole-inone in that tournament at Chedoke when he aced the eighth hole.

The Canadian Junior Championship was also played there in 1994 and was won by Rob McMillan.

Players who prefer to let out the shaft would probably enjoy King’s Forest better. It’s a par 72 that can be played from four sets of tees and stretches to 7,150 yards at the tips.

Jon Mills won twice at King’s Forest before turning pro, capturing the Ontario Junior title there in 1996 and the Ontario Amateur in 2001.

Once considered one of the best kept secrets in Ontario golf King’s Forest is quickly becoming a must-play for golfers from all over.

“We’re getting golfers coming from Toronto, Brampton, Niagara Falls, Kitchener, just about everywhere,” says Gatto.

EA RN PO IN TS | FR EE GO LF

It’s this simple

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Our expert panel is made up of some of the top Canadian PGA Professionals in Ontario in an effort to provide GolfScene readers with a cross-section of views and a wealth of game improvement knowledge.

PROSpectives One elite panel of experts - equals - more insight, knowledge, and answers.

“

ANY TIPS FOR BECOMING A BETTER LAG PUTTER I am an habitual 3 putter. The rest of my game seems to be improving, at least from tee to green, but once I am on the putting surface I really struggle with that all important first putt.

Consistently I either leave it far too short (most common) or when I convince myself to be more aggressive I end up hitting it well past the hole.

Is there a though process or drill that might work in trying to restore my confidence and, hopefully, reducing the amount of 3 putts I incur during the round. Thanks. act

ually, we thought it was kind of cool

And thanks to you all for your participation with this magazine feature. I pick it up just for the PROspectives feature. Hope that doesn't offend anyone. Or limit my chances of this question being published.

Reader Question: from Sam The key is to be consistent with the tempo or speed of your putting stroke, especially on longer putts. To help you get

Gary Bos Head Teaching Professional Gary Bos Academy

the ball to the hole, I would recommend to pick a spot on the green about 3 yards short of the hole location, and putt ‘aggressively’ to that spot. That will ensure that you have some type of target in mind to gauge your stroke tempo on and also a focus on the right line at the same time. Most long putts left short are a result of deceleration and hopefully this can help you in that respect.

When it comes to getting a feel for the correct stroke and tempo for the various distances you might encounter, I would suggest dropping a series of balls on the putting green at varying distances, becoming increasingly further from the hole. Start about 10 feet from the hole, position one ball there, then position additional balls every 4 feet going further away, as far as you would like. Attempt the first putt from 10' and then move back to the next ball on each subsequent putt. This will help you get a feel for the right tempo and speed for longer putts.

THE PANEL : Rob Bernard | Gary Bos | Sean Casey | Mike Crane | Eric Frederickson | Rob Hannah | Danny King | 24

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

More answers / insight to this question on on page 26

Liam Mucklow Director of Instruction The Golf Lab

I have a couple of ideas that will help shake the skeletons in your closet.

First off, start to practice putting at a coin instead of the hole. Take another club and lay it down 3' behind the coin. Drop golf balls at 20', 30', and 40'. Success in this drill is for your ball to come to rest between the coin and your club.

When you get on the course try mixing up your pre-shot routine. I would suggest you start with eliminating practice strokes over the ball. This should help you stay in the right brain and avoid paralysis by analysis.

Bradlee Ryall Director of Instruction The Academy at BraeBen

A rewarding part of being a golf coach is when I can truly relate to my students. I too have had inconsis-

While many golfers work on distance control through improving technique and touch they should also consider their mental approach.

Solid technique will assist in developing touch and also improve the consistency of striking the ball in the middle of the putter face.

Rob Hannah TPI Certified Teaching Pro Rebel Creek Academy

I'd recommend the following three drills that will really elevate your putting prowess.

After playing golf for a while it is easy to forget how we approached putting when we first started playing the game.

At first we just try to make the putt.

As time goes by we think about making sure we hit it 'hard enough' or 'not too far past.' Getting back to thinking like we did when we learned the game, trying to make every putt, is a healthy mindset to have and distance control will follow.

1.) Closing your eyes --> 10 - 3 foot putts , 10 - 15 foot putts, and 10 - 30 foot putts (Daily)

These are three good drills for developing touch for distance control:

2.) Take your setup and before you make your putting stroke "look at the hole" similar to a basketball player looking at the rim or target. Trust your instincts and let it go! Follow same reps as in drill #1.

► Take 10 – 15 balls to the putting green. Putt the first ball 10 feet away from you and then attempt to hit each ensuing ball just past the last ball.

tencies in my distance control on the greens. My speed only improved when I started to look at training my subconscious mind, and 'trusting' that my brain knows where the hole is.

3.) Do you really know where the hole is???? (this is my favourite) Go through your routine, take your setup, and before you make your putting stroke, close your eyes, stand up and turn the putter upside down. Proceed to walk the grip end of the club into the hole (no peeking!).

Try various length putts.

► Put a number of tees or coins 4 feet apart in a line on the putting green and putt to each distance. ► Go to the putting green with just one ball and hit a number of putts from 20 – 60 feet. Treat each attempt as though you are on the course by holing out and going through the routine you use on the course.

As always, practice with a purpose!

For more questions and answers from the PRO'S visit us online at golfscene.ca/prospectives

Liam Mucklow | Ed Maunder | Conor O'Shea | Bradlee Ryall | Mike Skimson

PROSpectives and answers.

One elite panel of experts - equals - more insight, knowledge,

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PROSpectives One elite panel of experts - equals - more insight, knowledge, and answers.

TIPS FOR BECOMING A BETTER LAG PUTTER Our panel of CPGA Professionals answer reader questions - question is on page 24 -

This is an issue that tends to frustrate many golfers.

Reducing three putts is really all about distance control and I have recently been experimenting with three thoughts that have really improved my putting.

Eric Frederickson Director of Instruction Kitchener Golf Academy Doon Valley

Pay more ATTENTION to the putt's demands and clearly define your INTENT. Trust your NON conscious brain to guide the length of your stroke. Make a rhythm.

The key is to understand that all three factors must work together to help our distance control. Let me explain by using a 30 footer left to right uphill putt as an example.

Your first job is to pay attention to the demands of the putt. In this case I look at my putt and see that its 30 feet, uphill, slightly left to right, 2 ball marks in the way, and the grass is wet from the morning dew. My intent is to roll my putt into the centre of the hole and have it just hit the back lip.

Conor O'Shea Teaching Pro Core Golf Academy at Piper's Heath

26

Now our brain has all the information it needs to allow the non-conscious part to pick the length of our back stroke. The greatest part is that the pick it makes will almost always be dead on and will error on the side of short protecting us from going long.

Knowing and TRUSTING the fact that I don’t have to pick the length of my stroke consciously has helped me a great deal in making a rhythmical free flowing stroke which is the key to avoiding your more common short putts. Rhythm, unlike tempo is a measure of time EQUALITY meaning our back stroke and follow through should take the SAME amount of time. Our job is to spend the energy from our back stroke without adding or subtracting producing a fluid motion with perfect rhythm.

Next time you are on the green place a ball on the lip of the hole and try to hit putts that nudge the ball on the lip making it fall in. This will not only make you pay more attention but it will give your brain an intention “nudge the ball on the lip.” Now your only job is to make a rhythm. If you do so successfully I think you will find your putts ending up much closer to the hole. I hope this helps, and best of luck enjoying your golf game this fall!

Putting well is all about presenting the ball to the hole at a speed that makes the hole the

biggest.

I would practice hitting putts in 3 ft increments from 3 feet back as far as 21 feet your only goal should be hitting putts that barely get to the hole.

On Geoff Mangum has videos that will help you understanding 'proper holing speed' . His physic research is very insightful and ultimately proves that our instincts know best.

Practice seeing the ball roll out at the right speed according to science and then believe in that speed on the course.

You've been trying to run upstairs while looking at your feet. Its time you let your body take over again on the putting green.

summer 2011 | golfscene.ca

Golf_GolfScene_MagAd_HalfVert_Layout 1 11-04-12 12:04 PM Page 1

www.kitchenergolf.ca

on page check out Mike's son Damon ed junior lish omp acc the te 35 - he's qui this put he's player - and our guess is tice prac d goo to drill of Mike's

I’ve created a drill that will absolutely let you become a better speed putter and eliminate

3 putting.

Obviously 1 putting would be a dream come true but not realistic - especially when the game has been created and allows you 2 putts per green to acquire your ‘pars’.

Therefore the OBJECTIVE of putting is to simply 2 putt and definitely not 3 putt or worse.

Learning to control your SPEED is the most important part of putting in order to accomplish this OBJECTIVE. Seldom, will anyone 3 putt due to poor aim and instead it is usually caused by leaving putts too short or hitting them too long (as you’ve indicated).

Simply, the distance a putt travels will be based on two things: 1) The length of the stroke in association with 2) The pace applied to that stroke Therefore it’s imperative to take advantage of your practice strokes and routine prior to actually hitting your putt. Almost all golfers do not perform their practice strokes or routine with enough PERFECTION. Here are the steps to become a good speed putter through developing a good practice stroke routine:

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1) Look at the length of the putt on-hand and let your eyes/brain tell your body how far to take the putter back.

2) Once you’ve decided on how far to take the putter back you’re now committed to taking the club the same distance through 3) Learn to move the putter with a good speed that remains relatively consistent for all putts (although it will travel a little faster on the way through as the putts get longer) 4) After the stroke - hold your finish; and ASK YOURSELF WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME OF THAT PRACTICE STROKE? If you feel the ball would have rolled too short or too far then repeat steps 1 through 4 until you can IMAGINE a good outcome Once you’re happy with the ‘outcome’ of the routine then simply recreate that stroke when you actually stand over the ball When you can dial in the awareness of how far a ball will travel during your practice routine I guarantee you will become a great speed putter and eliminate 3 putts.

KITCHENER GOLF

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Offering experienced golfers an 18-hole riverside course that rivals the region’s finest, as well as a 9-hole course for those looking for a quicker game. If you are looking to hone your skills, Doon offers a new academy, pitch and putt and driving range.

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Rockway

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CAN CON Hats off to Adam Hadwin who has been making a name for himself in Canadian golf through great performances and his laid back 'west coast' demeanour. Adam has been the low Canadian in the last two Canadian Opens - made the cut at the 2011 US Open - as well as continuing to make his mark through consistent play on the on the Canadian Tour.

LF:

CANADIAN GO

photo credit : Golf Canada

me , the state of the ga ith w g in lk ta re u' yo g. Guess Depending on who er dire or promisin th ei be to s em lf se in this countr y your glass. The ha ew vi to e lik u yo w ers of Mike it all depends on ho e deminishing care th t ou t in po s ht ig empty types m those half full type le hi w , es m A n 14) he e e pag and Step injuries, Weir (se ent, bad luck and em ov m h ut yo a rcuits. will counter with ay on the Senior ci pl e fin ly al re e m and or so ink. to order another dr e tim s it' , ay w er Eith

28

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

and then there's this guy ... we don't know what he's doing or why, but he's having fun

CANADIAN LEADERBOARD RANK

EP

EARNINGS

PGA TOUR 129

David Hearn

22

$529,388

133

Stephen Ames

18

$490,692

139

Matt McQuillan

17

$423,620

219

Chris Baryla

17

$68,000

238

Mike Weir

15

$23,312

NATIONWIDE TOUR photo credit : Golf Canada

Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas Ontario carded a final round 1-under par 70 to

capture the 107th playing of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Niakwa Country Club in Winnipeg.

Hughes finished at 10-under par 274 for the championship, two shots clear of 2010 champion, Albin Choi of Toronto.

“It was one of the hardest days of golf that I’ve had to play. It was really fun and I enjoyed being in that position, but I was sweating, big time . Thankfully, I got it done .” - Mackenzie Hughes -

photo: Chuck Russell - Golf Canada

☺ the win earns Hughes an exempton into the 2012 Canadian Open which will be played in Hamilton

Oakville's Jessica Shepley has turned in quite a year.

The 2001 Ontario Amateur Champion started the season with a win on the CN Canadian Women's Tour. She then followed that up with her first victory on the LPGA's Futures Tour. Add to that, the Sandra Post award as low Canadian at this years Canadian Women's Open and you have an impressive calendar year. Which shouldn't come as any surprise, seeing as she was the 2010 Player of the Year on the Canadian Women's Tour.

55

Jon Mills

15

$75,093

119

Richard T. Lee

19

$23,464

149

Bryan DeCorso

14

$13,244

188

Andrew Parr

4

$6,180

CANADIAN TOUR 4

Roger Sloan

8

$49,788

5

Stuart Anderson

7

$46,234

6

Dustin Risdon

8

$45,645

8

Adam Hadwin

10

$38,509

LPGA TOUR 75

Alena Sharp

14

$67,196

82

Lori Kane

9

$47,641

94

Stephanie Sherlock

10

$35,224

112

Samantha Richdale

8

$19,450

+ notes: Graham DeLaet (PGA TOUR) out due to injury - played in 2 events and earned $10,472 - Jon Mills has not earned any money on the Nationwide Tour since our last (July 1) listing and has dropped out of the top 25 - Rod Spittle is currently 17th on the Champions Tour money list with $577,081 in 19 events - making him the highest earner of all Canadians to date on any tour. Which has also prompted us to include the Champions Tour in future leaderboards.

* figures as of September 7, 2011 fall 2011

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NEWS FROM THE ‘NORTH

GOOD THINGS ARE GOING THIS FALL ...

2012 MEMBERSHIP details and packages have been announced - use our new online membership selector to find the one that works for you!

Individual or Corporate - it’s the best value in golf.

TEE IT TUESDAYS may have ended, but Conestoga and Dundee will continue to offer $22 green fees on Tuesdays for the remainder of the 2011 season.

EXTENDED PROMOTIONS: RETRO DAYS (throwback pricing at Orangeville on Tuesdays and Calerin on Thursdays) TEE UP THURSDAYS continues ($50 including cart at MYSTIC or PARIS GRAND) Check the PROMOTIONS TAB on our website for all of the details and other great GolfNorth specials.

30

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

INSIDE THE ROPES with Sean Foley

" thank-you Norm " Many of the readers of GolfScene may not know the history between myself and my friend Norm Woods.

I met Norm in 2000 at Glen Abbey and the first thing I remember about Norm was that when I told him of my lofty ambitions, and where my dreams were destined to take me, he may have been one out of about three people who supported me. Where as many others invariably found my vision humorous.

Norm was really one of the architects with respect to growing the game of golf to many young Canadians. His passion for his family, magazine and junior golf was truly inspiring. The best thing I learned from Norm came from simply observing him and his actions. Norm Woods was very comfortable with being Norm Woods.

I find it very impressive when people are who they are without any underlying agenda to further themselves. Their success is based on integrity, character and by the people they touch during their lives. Even though Norm was a humble man his outreach was formidable. He gave kids a place to compete and play at a very reasonable price and created an environment that was safe and enjoyable. In a world of competitive sports that have lost the plot in my opinion, Norm's golf tour (Kiwi / GolfScene) was unique1 in the fact that the parents were involved, yet in a very different way. After the kids tee'd off the parents did. Very different from the parents spectating.

Norm allowed me to write instruction articles for his magazine and I will never forget the first one I saw myself in2. I must have read it 200 times. It allowed me to be like my heroes in the industry: Ben Kern, Butch Harmon, Mark Evershed and David Leadbetter. I am now on the masthead at Golf Digest and very comfortable writing articles for them because people like Norm Woods gave me the chance to become competent by providing me with an opportunity.

I am very thankful to Norm for those opportunities and he will be missed dearly by all.

Continue to keep Norm's vision alive as I will continue to, all day every day.

Peace and love to Woods family.

Sean Foley is the Coach of Tiger Woods, Stephen Ames, Hunter Mahan, Justin Rose and others.

1. The GolfScene / KIWI Tour was run between 2000 - 2008. It included a junior division as well as an adult division (comprised primarily of parents). Parents were not allowed on the course to watch. Norm felt, not only were they a potential distraction, but also hindered the junior golfer's ability to 'learn' how to play the game. And, more importantly, handle themselves on the golf course and among their peers. The emphasis was always on sportsmanship and fun. Every child was a winner.

2. The article to which Sean was referring was not available at press time. We have provided archives of a few of Sean's more recent articles on page 32.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES a little extra

INSIDE THE ROPES

PGA PERSPECTIVE

with Sean Foley SUMMER 2011

SPRING 2011

"It's amazing how many times golf is compared to life."

People say golf is like life,

but I can't remember hearing the analogy that life is like hockey or even basketball for that matter. The part of both life and golf that people struggle with is the idea or illusion of 'control'.

In all games, the only thing that you actually have control over are your decisions; the emotional connection to those decisions; and the results that come from that process.

Both in golf and life we deal with an array of emotions elation, anguish, self-apathy, guilt, joy and many others.

What we need to learn is that our 'attachment' to these emotions is the true evil.

Ownership and responsibility are true character traits of

ON THE WEB

MORE PGA PERSPECTIVE

+ The Mind is a Powerful Thing

+ On the Topic of Tiger + Hard Work Gets Rewarded

+ A Page from the Black + Set the Bar Higher + No More Cheers at the Majors

+ The Disparity on the Nationwide Tour

www.golfscene.ca

32

Are you a range player? I am.

This spring while I was out on the

fairways of Augusta National watching Justin Rose play in the Masters, a thought crept into my head - a question directed to myself.

If I were a junior golfer again, what would I do differently in order to ensure that I got the most from my potential.

All of the research I have read in the last 15 years has me answering the question this way ...

I would have spent much more time playing the game than I would have spent working on my swing and perfecting my putting stroke.

Whenever I was practicing, I would have made sure that I was always simulating playing. On the range I would have changed my target, club, and shot shape after every single shot. And I would have done all of this using the same mental routine that I used while out on the course.

When I made mistakes, instead

people who 'get it' while attachment, on the other hand, is a function of the ego.

The ego is always looking for a reason to root itself in a field of despair and defend its insecurity.

As people living life and or as golfers playing the game, we need to learn not to take things personally. And in doing such, not to become willing victims. We must concern ourselves with all of the things we can influence and be at peace with the things we can't.

Both life and golf should be enjoyed and we control that.

But realize that even if you enjoy them as you should, they will, at times, continue to be difficult as both will remind us each and every day.

of getting angry and emotional, I would have realized that my brain loves when I screw up because that is the best way for my brain to learn.

Instead of trying to model my swing after Ben Hogan, I would have spent more time pretending and imagining that I was swinging the club like Ben Hogan. This would have been far more useful and the difference between the two is key.

One is totally cognitive and analytical. The other is sensory based and creative which, over time, would have led to much better, more effective, and repeatable motor patterns.

Last I would have enjoyed the opportunity to embrace and accept that in choosing to play golf I was going to be humbled a thousandtimes over instead of worrying about what everyone else was thinking with regard to how my swing looked on the first tee.

FALL 2010

Time with Tiger Taught Me The PGA Championship was an interesting experience for me to say the

least. As I am sure you have probably heard, I observed Tiger Woods that week and shared some ideas with him.

During that week something became evident to me that I believe can help all of you reading this. In life, the two most important elements are passion and self-belief. My love for the game of golf and the simple fact that deep down I know that if I am a man of character, remain humble, and continue to learn on an hourly basis, things will work out

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

for me. That being said, that is what I have influence over. That is all I have influence over.

All of the external factors that I have no control over will be what they will be. Accepting this ideology simplifies things because the only person who you should set out to please is you and no one else. This is very liberating and frees us up to be as great as we have been designed to be.

When we let others influence our own self-image we empower them to either add to or take away from our

confidence. The hard truth is that outside of a very few people in our lives no one really cares.

This is proven to me every time I watch the news. It isn't about right or wrong - nothing really is. It is more about self-preservation, something inherently hard wired into our DNA. I want you to think about how worrying about people's opinions of you affects your golf game. I think you will find that it does a great deal.

“

Paul Dewland

MIND OVER MATTERS During a casual round of golf with a PGA Tour player, I asked him about the best golf advice he had ever received.

His answer, which I will reveal later, is the basis of playing with confidence. At virtually every level of golf – from the highest to the lowest handicap – we can play with confidence.

how to build confidence I think you’ll agree that most of us will score better by reducing the number of bad holes.

That means: play your own game, play the shots you know you can make, and avoid the ones you know you probably can’t.

Our perception of the game is distorted.

Most of us are under the illusion that golf is about hitting great shots.

Here’s a formula you can use to make sure that you’re 'playing within yourself.' It will also build your confidence: only attempt shots you know you can make 80% of the time.

In the golf media, we’re bombarded with information on how to hit the ball perfectly, and PGA Tour highlight reels show players hitting it to two feet from 180 yards.

Here’s the advice the PGA Tour player received: play within yourself.

Yes, how unromantic. But I guarantee that if you follow it, you’ll score better. Some people might call this smart golf. I call it ego-free golf.

Play well.

Paul Dewland works with many of Canada’s best professional, amateur and junior players on the mental side of the game. He is passionate about helping players “bridge the gap between the range and the course.” Paul is a Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and lives in Mississauga - www.puremindgolf.com -

fall 2011

golfscene.ca

33

Dave and Louise purchased their home in RiverBend in the year 2003 so they are well established in the community and have taken full advantage of the golf courses since day one. They are true Sifton customers as RiverBend is the third Sifton property in London that they have owned over the years.

Golf Community

"We just loved the idea of having our golf cart right in our garage and being able to take the short ride to the first tee.” - Dave The McVitties are avid golfers, Dave having played for 40 years and Louise for 25.

"With our love for the game, RiverBend gives us the perfect lifestyle. We can play a few holes every day depending on our schedules (the McVitties are both still in the workforce) and we can get a full 18 on Saturday and Sunday. We are both probably on the course 5-6 times each week, and that suits us just fine.” - Louise

... we actually stay home on our holidays and play golf every day

2200 Jack Nash Drive, London Ontario N6K 5R3 | 519.657.4333 | www.riverbendgolf.com

‘nominated by ScoreGolf as 2009 Best New Course in Canada’

Challenge Your Game, not your pocketbook traditional parkland layout 6000 yards • par 70 tree lined • bentgrass fairways club car electric carts ohio sand water in play on 12 holes challenging • affordable

BOOK TEE TIMES TODAY

905.854.4653 conveniently located just minutes from the 401 - 11660 Guelph Line Campbellville, Ontario

34

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

www.turtlecreekgolf.ca

“

LIKE FATHER

Carolanne Doig

THE TARTAN CHAMELEON Barra’s Big Break Her name was Jemima and at the age of five her gentle dark eyes gave no hint of the

physical, emotional, and sexual abuse she had already suffered. Jemima got her first 'Big Break' when she was rescued from a puppy mill where it’s estimated she produced 80, yes 80 black lab puppies.

I like to think her second 'Big Break' came when I brought her home for a 'trial run' from the nearby SPCA. Dogs and golf courses just seem to go together and most superintendents spend their long on-course hours in the company of their trusty canine companions.

But a golf course dog has to have the right people skills and we already had our own superintendant’s dog, Brier, and the pro’s dog, Stanley at the course.

I changed her name to Barra, a small island off the coast of Scotland. I always loved the name and it seemed to fit better than her current handle. Barra was looking poorly with little muscle tone, a bowed back, and teats that hung down almost into the deep snow that covered the fairways and greens … but you couldn’t miss the beautiful head and gentle eyes. She must have had lovely pups.

Barra and I spent most of the winter getting to know each other and enjoying the quiet white golf course as I skied and Barra followed as closely as she possibly could. Within a few weeks she was like my shadow and by spring the skiing paid off as she was fit as a fiddle and able to run and jump like a puppy again.

I wondered what would happen when golf season began. Walking the dog and golfing are two different things for me and I didn’t want Barra interfering with my game nor anyone else’s. Well when she was still Jemima they must have hit her with sticks. The first time I took the clubs out of the bag and raised them to swing Barra headed for the house, tail between her legs, quaking all the way.

I managed to play a few holes at a time with Barra waiting patiently at my front door until I returned. That is until I played a full 18. I guess I was gone too long because upon my return this gentle and well behaved dog had gotten into the garbage and I am sure she was making a statement. As luck would have it I was signed up to play 18 the following day and I wondered what would be greeting me when I returned to the little stone house near the first fairway.

On the first green my playing partners told me to look back, and there, peeking through the fescue was a little black face watching to see what we were up to. We played the long par five second hole and as we crossed the bridge the same little black face peeked around the corner of the fence. On the third hole we could hear her dog collar jingling in the deep rough to the side of the hole and by the fourth green she came out of the trees and joined my friend on her power cart where she spent the rest of the round.

It took several more rounds with me just hitting little punch shots, never raising the club higher than my waist, to get Barra to trust that I was not going to hit her, but she’s a smart dog and soon learned to walk beside me and sit quietly while I played full shots. If it’s just a friendly round she’s usually with me. Barra has adopted our members just as they have adopted her since her first 'Big Break'.

LIKE SON

Pretty interesting story within a story within a magazine. Mike Crane, who is a member of our PROSpectives panel (see page 18) is also the father of Damon Crane. Damon just finished competing in the 2011 US Kids Golf World Championship. Damon, with Dad on the bag, finished a very respectable 36th.

Below is part of an email Mike sent from the event:

Damon was 1 of 4 Canadians representing Canada at the 2011 US Kids World Junior Golf Championships in the 12 year old boys division.

It was another successful year with Damon finishing 36th in a field of 163 of some of the very best juniors in the world.

Last year he finished 13th on the merits of 3 consistent rounds of 71,74 and 74.

This year Damon played well on day 1 and 2 shooting 73 and 74, while a rough start to his final round (77) on the famed Pinehurst #4 cost him a top 25 finish.

Damon's 3 day total from the World Championship event was still good enough to earn him a spot in The World Cup and onto the 10-man International Team scheduled to compete and play against the top 10-man US Team at Pinehurst #2.

Making the 10-man International Squad was the primary goal this week; which is composed of the 10 best 12 year old boys (plus 8 of the best 12 year old girls) from the World Championship Tournament.

Damon and his partner (Rodrat Robdech) shot a 4 under 68 and won their match against the US pair by 4 shots.

Their performance was the best score of the day for the International squad (and also tied with the best US score on the day) but unfortunately the US team still won the overall matches 5.5 points over the International's 3.5 points.

Most recently Damon closed out the season by winning the CJGA Canadian National Jr. Linksters Tour Championship for 13 & Under by 3 shots at Conestoga Golf Club.

Carolanne Doig is a member of the Doig Family, Owners of the Seaforth Golf Club.

fall 2011

golfscene.ca

35

I WANT A RULING

R

ra ted R for rea d at ow n ris k / rew ar d or rea lly wo rth wh ile rea din g

“I want a ruling.”

QUINN ESSENTIALS

an alternativethvie ewverafrndoma 36

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

It came from the whiner, or whinger as they say in Australia for reasons known only to Aussies like him, and it was predictable.

Even if he was born two latitudes removed and a continent apart, his complaint had that universal effect. We winced.

If it wasn’t his aching back, or the tee boxes not being level, or a rake left outside a bunker, or the cawing of a distant crow during that momentary part of his stroke he calls a backswing, or a vagrant beetle walking on his putting line, he was always complaining about something. Now it was about rulings.

“I’ve never had a ruling in this tournament and I think it’s about time I had at least one,” he whined and whinged.

Well, for the first time in the history of the tournament, and his personal history come to think of it, he had a point. And so he had the floor, so to speak, even if it was 30 yards left of the 18th fairway where the rest of us waited knowing, based solely on past performance, he would take a while to join us.

“They have them on TV all the time!

Viewers are calling in or emailing Rule 14s sub section IXs every week,” he shouted as we did the stoic thing. (Hollywood actors get to do it, badly, all the time but we civilians rarely get the chance so we took full advantage and did the faux squint and assumed the Leadbetter position – left hand on club, left foot across the right, right hand on hip.)

It wasn’t an unusual circumstance, us being a long way away from our token Aussie that is, as his plaintive “Can you keep an eye on this?” before every tee shot on par 4s and 5s had become more or less a part of our Saturday morning drill. Still, this time, even for a guy who never worked out, he was exercised. And, if one’s mind’s eye can cast that far a field and remain focussed, he looked offended.

“Reporters are calling fouls!” he continued, in his way, which wasn’t ours, but after living most of his life in North America he had at least lost that flat Aussie accent. “How can we play for all these freakin’ years and never grace our tournament with a single, solitary ruling? We are the only ones that don’t have them! We deserve them and should have them.”

He was getting apoplectic, gob-smacked, if you will. So naturally, we ignored him.

We finally finished the round, without a ruling, but we three were not the least bit happy with the way he had cast aspersions on our tournament. Even if he was a founding member, a suspension was not out of the question, although the Charter didn’t exactly give us the latitude. But, nothing’s impossible.

11090_Rec&Parks_GolfAd_GolfSceneMag_3x10_f2.pdf

“Divorces and job transfers, yes and one bankruptcy, have altered the mi x considerably over the years, but not the spirit of the competition or the essence of the document itself.”

The event that he so offhandedly referred to, and then almost immediately and callously denigrated, is the, if not venerated at least the venerable, Carlsberg Open.

The Open is so named as all the participants live on Carlsberg Cresent. As Carlsberg is also the name of a fine Danish beer that we happened to be testing just before we came up with the idea for a tournament, the name was unanimously accepted by the membership (all four of us) at the first backyard meeting back in the spring of ’95.

It was at that meeting when the immortal words of the first Carlsberg Open tournament chairman cleaved the night air: “We got enough rules.”

Okay, he had an engineering degree, but flunked English. Still, it was a point well taken and brought the meeting to an abrupt and timely end as we were out of Carlsbergs.

But notes were taken by one of us, whose identity remains a mystery – it was dark and it was late and the large cooler beside the round picnic table had earlier been full – and so the declarations and weighty decisions of the assemblage are with us today.

The charter of The Carlsberg Open was not drafted in a

1

4/1/11

1:14 PM

great golf IN MISSISSAUGA

vacuum. We had our principles, and principals. To put the whiner’s whinging in perspective, the charter is pretty well bullet proof, pending the advice of counsel.

We play by the Rules of Golf as proscribed by what used to be the RCGA, with certain inconsequential (in the grand scheme of things) caveats.

The charter has kept us together, competitive, and relatively sane.

Well, rather than describe it much simpler just to share it, so here’s the Charter, as drafted by the original founding foursome. (Divorces and job transfers, yes and one bankruptcy, have altered the mix considerably over the years, but not the spirit of the competition or the essence of the document itself.)

Here it is: The Carlsberg Open: The tournament [TCO] will consist of at least one game per month for the season, not exceeding ten or fewer than six.

Get 1/2 Price Cart

You have to live (not rent) on Carlsberg Cresent.

You have to play golf regularly, but not too well.

Venues: Competitive rounds to be played on different courses, no course twice in the same season.

905-615-GOLF (4653)

Qualifications:

Mon. - Thurs. 10am to 3pm Fri. - Sun. 12pm to 3pm with purchase of regular price green fee*

www.mississauga.ca/golf * must present this ad at time of redemption

11090

continued on page 57

fall 2011

golfscene.ca

37

GolfS WIN!

PLACES TO PLAY

PLACES TO PLAY

CONGRATULATIONS ! to our winners ...

Ryan Colwell, Christopher Toll, and Nancy Tallevi

1

all visited our 2011 Places to Play microsite and accurately identified the courses pictured as: 1) Crosswinds

2

2) Copetown Woods 3) Cardinal Each will be playing some great golf compliments of GolfScene and our 16 great Places to Play

3

courses.

have clubs, will travel

golf destination

m a g a z i n e

coming in December, destinationGOLF, our online eZine, will once again offer up a few great golf getaways worth braving the lines at the airport security for ...

stay informed by signing up for our eNews (it's free to those who play)

38

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

Scene .CA

MAGAZINE

eNEWS

PRO TIPS

CONTESTS

VIDEO

PLACES TO PLAY | INBOX | PROSPECTIVES | REGIONAL NEWS

Everyday the INBOX is full of press releases / announcements / and sometimes a little nonsense related to the golf industry - we do our best to sort through it all and bring you the relevant stuff ... you'll find it all @ golfscene.ca - but the easiest way to stay informed is via eNews subscription

IT"S FREE

LESSONS FROM SHAKIRA Posted under VIDEO on Friday, August 5, 2011 · Leave a Comment

A few extra minutes on the range with pop music sensation

RECENT POSTS

Shakira certainly won’t hurt anyone. Best hip turn in the business.

Team Canada Wins Stephen Ames Cup No Match For Olivia Seaforth Event Setting Up To Be A Classic Mackenzie Hughes Captures the 2011 Canadian Men's Amateur Lessons From Shakira Proto-Tiger Splash the Ammunition Take Off Eh Etobicoke's Terrill Samuel Captures Ontario Women's Senior Seaforth Gets a Big Break Jessica Shepley Wins on the LPGA Futures Tour Hadwin in Final Group Great Canadian Open Moments TaylorMade Opens Another Fitting Lab

And a pretty decent looking golf swing as well. Good thing she’s in Mexico – we’re not sure she’d be allowed to have this much fun on North American golf soil seeing the number of ‘dress codes’ she violates. The actual help she offers on the range – keep the left arm straight etc – is pretty solid.

VIEW ALL OF THESE AND MORE OVER AT GOLFSCENE.CA

− NEW CONTEST ON PAGE 36 −

Scene M A G A Z I N E

South-Central Ontario’s Golf Source

Volume 12 | Issue 2 | Summer 2011 | golfscene.ca

I nodded to my caddie and promptly – perhaps, in retrospect, hurriedly – snap-hooked my historic opening tee shot across the first fairway, across the entire 18th fairway, and put just enough spin on my ball (Ultra 432) to stop it on the path abutting the fence that separates the Old Course from the olde towne.

the ladies of the

LPGA TOUR are coming to waterloo

STREET INSPIRED FOOTWEAR SHORT GAME TIPS Conforms to the body like a second skin and oddly enough provides a feeling of strength - perhaps - a summons to our inner superhero

FORWARD & WIN

GolfScene E-NEWS TM

MAGAZINE | E-NEWS | DIRECTORY | SUBSCRIBE | CONTESTS | AUGUST

Or at least, for this week, they should. The Canadian Tour is in town and that includes Abbotsford, BC’s Adam Hadwin (low Canadian at the Canadian Open).

more tips, more places to play, more regional news, more equipment, and maybe even win something cool

Nike has a new prototype golf shoe in the works.

Currently being tested by Tiger Woods, the show is based on the ‘FREE’ line of training shoe.

ONLINE DIRECTORY

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TIME WITH TIGER

Scene

29

Sean Foley offers us all a little advice that he's picked up from working with the world's #1 player

( HINT, HINT )

yes, you may putt on the cover of this magazine

TAP & TURN FOR THE OFF-LINE GALLERY

SEASON IN REVIEW

Vo l u m e 1 2 | I s s u e 1 | S p r i n g 2 0 1 1 | g o l f s c e n e . c a

ARE YOU OPEN MINDED?

WHERE DO WE GO FROM WHERE WE’VE BEEN GOING FROM HERE

this magazine can be read both forward and backward - is 360˚ adjustable - centre weighted engineered for less spin - and, as always, is fully transferable

26

"When we opened the green fee was $1.00 for all day and the twilight rate was 50¢ We had guys who would drive up at 4:30, sit in their car ‘til 5PM and then pay the twilight rate, because that’s all the change they had in their pocket.”

▼details inside

10

SNEAK PEEKS

18

( NUDGE, NUDGE )

SAWMILL CREEK PRO[file]

18

The Pink Panther, Paula Creamer

am I better to hit to ofpractice? away bunch balls from one spot PROSpectives panel in- the repetition (to train my mind tohas remember that shot) or instead the answers should I be moving around and hitting single shots from varying distances in an effort to mirror a game situation?

or so

THINGS ...

YOU MIGHT WANT WITH YOU ON THE COURSE THIS SEASON page 11

M A G A Z I N E

S o u t h - C e n t r a l O n t a r i o ’s G o l f S o u rc e

looking for a smarter

FOLEY +DEMO SEAN DAY

Volume 11 | Issue 1 | Spring 2010 | golfscene.ca

Vo l u m e 1 1 | I s s u e 3 | F a l l 2 0 1 0 | g o l f s c e n e . c a

8

TECHNOLOGY

PROTO-TIGER

Scene

S o u t h w e s t e r n O n t a r i o ’s G o l f S o u rc e

I always put pressure on myself. I'm my biggest critic and a bit of a perfectionist, but it's been that way my whole life. So I wouldn't say that there is any more pressure now.

50

MORE

M A G A Z I N E

M A G A Z I N E

IF Y OUR N EXT P UTT I S L ONGER T HAN T HIS M AGAZINE I T M IGHT N OT B E A G IMMEE

All Roads Lead to Seaforth

◄ E-NEWS

People say golf is like life, but I can't remember hearing the analogy that life is like hockey or even basketball for that matter. The part of both life and golf that people struggle with is the idea or illusion of 'control'.

Scene

our expert panel talks putting fundamentals

20

PROSpectives

"The “Players’ Assistant” – the placard on the windscreen was a dead giveaway – slammed on the brakes of the Club Car, popped out and flashed a smile that was the product of pubescent braces and off-the-shelf whiteners.

He wore the requisite windbreaker festooned with the resort’s logo, and his name and hometown (like we cared) were displayed on the faux-brass badge pinned to his chest.

I N S I G H T F R O M O U R E X P E R T P A N E Lpage 18

UP AND DOON 26 | PUTT, PUTT, PUZZLER 39 | NOTEBOOK 05

ARCHIVE ISSUES AVAILABLE ONLINE

golfscene.ca fall 2011

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39

“

Tom Margetts

GREEN SIDE UP whether and the weather As I write this article, I reflect on many recent conversations of a tough 2011 season.

We as golfers got a bit frustrated in the spring, being tired of repetitive rain days and cool temperatures. Golf Course Superintendents experienced that frustration in the same way. The cool wet spring made it extremely difficult to execute their plans and provide the playing conditions we all are accustomed to. It’s like starting a race from the back of the pack. You still have an opportunity to win, but it certainly doesn’t put you in the best position.

40

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

... will provide us with more consistent playing conditions and a more enjoyable round of golf.

Fast forward to July … we experienced a hot, dry stretch that provided a great deal of stress on Superintendents as well as the turf they maintain. Again, it’s like using up your energy in the race trying to get to the front and hoping you can hang on until the end. This is how, many Superintendents felt … they were hanging on and some using everything they had just to stay in the race.

So, is there anything we could have done better? After all, we are golfers and we can’t control the weather. Well, I’ll tell you, there are things we can do. Many Superintendents have experienced turf stress and issues because of turf environments that are very suspect and out of their control. They are managing green sites that are overgrown with trees that restrict, or even eliminate, necessary air flow and sunlight to such a degree that the turf cannot provide itself with enough energy to survive. Also, we may not be giving Superintendents the time and resources necessary to address aerating and topdressing practices. These important maintenance tasks make our game better. They must be understood by the casual golfer and be prioritized by all.

Yes, they can be an inconvenience to our golfing enjoyment, but after all, dead turf is an incredible inconvenience and requires much more time and resources to correct.

Stand up, if you are a leader or a person of influence at your golf course. Take the time to get to know your Superintendent and allow them to educate you on the importance of sound agronomic practices. Support them and their turf management programs and make sure these important practices are prioritized at your course. Deposit some investment in your turf quality account. Let’s give our Superintendents the time and resources necessary to get the job done which, in turn will provide us with more consistent playing conditions and a more enjoyable round of golf.

Let’s make sure our golf course starts the race from the pole position and finishes in the winner’s circle. After all, starting up front puts us in a much better position to enjoy the view of a full golf season!

Tom Margetts is a soil and turf consultant. He can be reached at 519.496.2143

Full Service Development Centre in the heart of Oakville Join 2009 Canadian and Ontario PGA Teacher of The Year" Sean Casey and his staff of Professionals:

Peter Oliphant

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COMPLETE LINE OF SERVICES Combo Package has No Expiry.

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Fall hours 9 a.m. until dusk daily

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golfscene.ca

41

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42

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

DEMO DAY What better way to learn about a new training aid than throught the eyes of an experienced golf coach.

Nick Starchuk gives us his impression of the PowerChute

A

s you can see by the post impact picture3, the PowerChute creates a 'heavy' feeling to the club.

This requires the golfer to activate the whole body and continue the swing to the finish.

There are similar products on the market, but there are none that I know of which snap on to your own driver in just seconds and after a few swings have you taking full swings expecting to feel that 'heavy delay.'

For years, golf instruction has attempted to provide a means for players to both create and feel clubhead lag, which is a key to distance and ball compression. The Powerchute does just that. And there is no need for an instruction video on how to use it. Simply attach and swing.

At first, a player may feel like they need to swing faster, but what the device encourages is a longer and more continuous swing.

For players looking to find more distance and the ability to feel what it's like to 'swing through the ball,' the PowerChute may just be the help you need.

3

Nick has been coaching golf for 10 years. He is a Class 'A' member of the Canadian PGA and holds too many certifications to list here.

Learn more about Nick at NRSGOLF.COM

fall 2011

golfscene.ca

43

DIRECTORY TEE IT UP TODAY

1 2 34 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 12 14 15 16 97 47 20 21 8 23 28 25 26 27 30 31 33 17 98 65 46 39 40 41 42 43 24 95 48 49

Acton Golf Club 1 888 833 8787 Ariss Valley Golf Club 519 824 1551 Bear Creek Golf Club 519 245 7773 Beaverdale Golf Club 1 888 833 8787 Braeben Golf Club 905 615 4653 Brant Valley Golf Club 1 888 833 8787 Brookfield Golf Club 1 888 833 8787 Burford Golf Links 519 449 5172 Caledon Country Club 905 838 0200 Calerin Golf Club 1 888 833 8787 Cambridge Golf Club 519 621 5491 Canterbury Common Golf Club 1 888 833 8787 Cardinal Golf Club 905 841 7378 Cedar Creek Golf Club 1 888 833 8787 Chedoke Golf Course 905 546 3116 ClubLink Academy 905 844 1902 Conestoga Country Club 1 888 833 8787 Copetown Woods Golf Club 905 627 4653 Crosswinds Golf Club & CC 1 866 319 5991 Cutten Club 519 824 2650 Deer Creek 905 427 7737 Derrydale Golf 905 670 3030 Doon Valley Golf Club 519 741 2939 Dundee Country Club 1 888 833 8787 Elmira Golf Club 519 669 1652 Erin Heights 519 833 9702 Fairview Golf Club 1 888 833 8787 Fescues Edge 519 484 2200 Forest Golf Club 519 786 2397 Foxwood Country Club 1 888 833 8787 Grand Highland 905 712 1183 Granite Ridge Golf Club 905 878 5494 Grey Silo Golf Club 519 880 8181 Guelph Country Club 519 824 2741 Guelph Lakes Golf Club 519 822 4222 Hidden Lake Golf Club 905 336 3660 Indian Hills Golf Course 519 786 5505 King's Forest Golf Course 905 546 4781 Lake Belwood Golf Club 1 888 833 8787 Listowel Golf Club & CC 519 291 2500

50 Lowville Golf Club 905 335 6181 29 Mystic Golf Club 1 888 833 8787 53 Northridge Golf Club 519 753 6112 54 Oakville Executive Golf 905 875 3932 56 Orangeville Golf Club 1 888 833 8787 45 Otter Creek Golf Club 519 879 9800 57 Owen Sound Golf Club 519 376 2784 58 Paris Grand Golf Club 1 888 833 8787 59 Pike Lake Golf Club 519 338 2812 60 Puslinch Lake Golf Course 519 489 6767 61 Rebel Creek Golf Club 519 634 8666 63 RiverBend Golf Community 519 657 7075 36 Rockway Golf Club 519 741 2949 66 Saginaw Golf Club 519 620 0322 68 Savannah Golf Links 519 622 0555 64 Sawmill Creek Golf Resort & Spa 519 899 4653 52 Scenic Woods Golf Club 905 692 3163 22 Science Hill Golf & CC 519 284 3621 104 Seaforth Golf Club 519 522 0985 100 Southbrook Golf Club 905 692 3592 72 Springfield Golf Club 519 821 4655 74 Stratford Golf Club 519 271 4212 91 Tangle Creek 705 720 2150 35 Tarandowah Golf Club 519 269 9656 87 The Golf Performance Centre 519 650 2327 75 The Greens at Renton 519 426 1340 55 Turtle Creek Golf Club 905 854 4653 82 Victoria Park East Golf Club 519 821 2211 84 Waterloo Golf Academy 519 886 6555 85 Wedges N Woods Range 519 621 9233 71 Whistle Bear Golf Club 519 650 2327 EDUCATION 79 Georgian College 705 728 1968 x1137 93 Niagara College 905 641 2252 x4146 92 Fanshawe College 519 452 4289 83 Humber College 416 675 5000 99 Golf Management Institute of Canada 905 844 7666

GREEN FEES

$30

Mondays - Ladies Fridays - Seniors 44

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

124 11

Huntsville 141

Tobermory 400

Muskoka Lakes Bracebridge Gravenhurst

6

400

28

11 57

Owen Sound

Orillia

26

Southampton

Collingwood 79

21

Barrie

10

6

Kincardine

91

24

4

89

400

Walkerton

9

9

86

9 56

9

49 Listowel

6

9 33

86

Seaforth Waterloo

CHECK OUT THE DIRECTORY ONLINE golfscene.ca/directory 21

Stratford 74

3

Kitchener

7

26

27

24

7

64

21

Sarnia

63

402 34

402

7

92

401

35

45

St. Thomas

54

47

50 43

66

68

95

Brantford

Toronto

Mississauga

99

Oakville

QEW

Hamilton

21

403

46

97

5

5

QEW

29

St Catharines

52

6

20

56

406

17

Dunnville

75

93

Niagara Falls

100

24

London Tillsonburg

2

71

53

16

55 39

401 8

12

85

58

Woodstock 24 98

60

72

6

4

Cambridge 87

22

Grand Bend

82

Guelph 23

61 84 65 36

25

25

10

41

2

83

1

42 40

104

401

24

20

28

Brampton

Fergus

30

8

407

400

10

31

48

404

Orangeville

Arthur Goderich

14

89

Mount Forest

59

9 15

101

3

Simcoe

Fort Erie Port Colborne

3

LEGEND

401

Golf Course

Retail

Practice Facilities

Other

40

Chatham Windsor

2 401 3

Amherstburg

12

WEEKDAY

Visit cambridgegolfclub.com for more information

$33 walking | $45 riding

WEEKEND

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1346 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario 519- 621- 5491 • 1- 877- 621- 5491 fall 2011

golfscene.ca

45

FOREST GOLF AND COUNTRY HOTEL

BEAR CREEK GOLF CLUB

46

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

glorious fall on the Lambton Shores

SAWMILL CREEK

a fairway down the 402 Bear Creek Golf Club

Sawmill Creek Golf Resort and Spa

If there's one thing better than playing golf in the fall, it's doing so at a fully matured golf course. Get ready for nature at its finest and some great golf in the tranquility of the surrounding majestic timber.

At Sawmill Creek when the fall months arrive you don't have to worry about losing a dozen balls in the leaves.

Established in 1914, Bear Creek features tree lined fairways and a wide variety of interesting holes - many of which follow the winding banks of the Sydenham River.

Course conditions in mid-September, at this 'links-style' championship lay-out, are very close to the same you'd come to expect in mid-July.

And don't forget the restaurant. You may be a customer, but they'll treat you like family.

Carts with windshields and rain hoods, no leaves, great greens, tees, and fairways, a cozy clubhouse with exceptional food and a woodburning fireplace ... what more could you want in fall golf?

www.bearcreekgolf.ca

www.sawmill-creek.com

MORE ON PAGE 48 fall 2011

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 47

Forest Golf and Country Hotel Home of “Unlimited Golf Packages”

Forest Golf and Country Hotel Fall road trips are a staple in southern Ontario come the fall season. So why not make a stop where you can play unlimited golf!

That's right, play as much golf as you want on our friendly, 27-hole course in beautiful Southwestern Ontario.

Conveniently located in Forest, Ontario - an easy drive from Detroit, London, Toronto, Kitchener, Waterloo, Windsor and Hamilton.

We are not the longest course, but the lay-out does offer a challenge to better players while playing equally fair for the weekend warrior. www.golfforest.com

Forest is an exclusive resort with a 75-room hotel, dining room, lounge, patio and 27 holes of golf

To book your getaway call 1.800.265.0214 | www.golfforest.com

Indian Hills Golf Club The colours of fall are casting their beauty upon our Championship course once again. A natural course lay-out, carved out of a classic Carolinian Forest, in Southwestern Ontario makes this time of year especially picturesque.

And being a cottage area, our population drops dramatically after the Labour Day weekend but so do our rates!

Golf and Country Club

Celebrating Golf Since 1914 Whether you require a location for your company’s annual golf tournament, Dinner and dancing for 300, or a private room for select clients or friends, ...

Bear Creek will provide you with the finest in service, facilities and cuisine.

571 Metcalfe Street E. Strathroy, Ontario N7G 1R1 Office 519-245-5112 Pro Shop 519-245-7773

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fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

Fall Rates begin on October 3rd with a rate of $30 for 18 Holes including Cart and Tax (valid Monday-Thursday) or $35 FridaySunday. The Twilight Rate begins at 1pm and is at a rate of $25 for 18 Holes including Cart and Tax (7 days a week).

We look forward to seeing you on the first tee and don't forget to bring your camera. www.indianhillsgolf.ca

INDIAN HILLS

Golf Scene Final

4/27/11

10:55 AM

Page 1

October Twilight Rates Everyday - All Day !

“Best Value” -- Toronto Star

“Hidden Gem” -- TeeingItUp On

tario

NOW EVEN CLOSER! Sign up for special offers 2121 Olde Baseline Road, Caledon L7C 0K7 905-838-0200 | golfcaledon.com

519.426.3308 x1 | 1.888.426.3308 x1 www.greensatrenton.com



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 

 

 

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 

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“

Mark Crone This is not a family vacation with some golf. There is almost nothing to do in the Pinehurst area e xcept play golf.

AROUND THE GLOBE

North Carolina Interested in extending your golf season? When it’s too cold

here, think of the sometimes overlooked Carolinas. The adjacent areas of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen, North Carolina are recognized

by Golf Digest as one of the top three golfing destinations in the world.

Pinehurst is a tiny village in North Carolina surrounded by numerous small towns and more than 30 golf courses within 30 miles.

Attention family man! This is not a family vacation with some golf. There is almost nothing to do in the Pinehurst area except play golf. But it’s great golf. And the fall is the perfect time to play.

Fly with Air Canada to Raleigh, rent a car and get a stay/play package which gives you several course choices.

Here are some of the best: Pinehurst: The Resort itself has eight golf courses, three hotels, a spa and extensive sports and leisure facilities. The first course was laid out in 1897 and the famous Pinehurst No.2 was completed in 1907 by Donald Ross. Pinehurst has hosted all 5 USGA major championships and will again host the U.S. Open in 2014. You can’t go wrong staying and playing at Pinehurst.

Talamore Golf Resort, Southern Pines: 36 Championship Holes designed by Arnold Palmer and Rees Jones and winner of multiple awards and national recognition since opening in 1991. Talamore was also made famous by instituting the first llama caddy programseriously! Like Pinehurst, you can stay at the resort in Villas and enjoy great golf.

Tobacco Road Golf Club, Sandhills: Rated #4 in the Top 5o public courses to play in the U.S. last year. Playing at a length of 6500 yards from the Ripper tees, Mike Strantz designed Tobacco Road was rated as high as second in slope in the Carolinas to the famed Ocean Course at Kiawah Island.

Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, Sandhills: This 1928 Donald Ross design gets high marks for the Pinehurst feel. Updated in 2004, it now measures 7,000 yards and was used by several PGA players as a tune up course (including Tiger) for the last U.S. Open at Pinehurst. Pristine and a must play.

Southern Pines Golf Club, Southern Pines: If you are looking for a second round on any day, try this forgotten Donald Ross course. Challenging Ross greens and with afternoon rates of $40, you can’t go wrong (call ahead and you might get a lower rate).

Pinehurst and area has to be on the golf 'bucket list'!

Mark Crone is Owner of Uniglobe Graham’s/Normark Travel Inc. Twitter: @marktravel

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fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

63 CHAMPIONSHIP HOLES 9 EXECUTIVE STYLE HOLES FULL SERVICE GOLF TOURNAMENTS FOR UP TO 450 PLAYERS BANQUETS AND WEDDINGS FOR UP TO 600 GUESTS BUSINESS CONFERENCES & MEETINGS FOR 12 TO 1,200 GUESTS Recent accolades include...

Best Banquet Facility • Best Convention Facility Best Wedding Facility • Best Golf Course Best Value Golf Course • Best Practice Facility Best Teaching Facility • Best Pro Shop

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407

Salem Rd

.

407 400 401

Mississauga

404

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Be entered to win a monthly prize valued at $100 or more!

401

Ajax

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Toronto

Ajax, Ontario • Claremont, Ontario 905.427.7737 1.866.661.6617

www.golfdeercreek.com

titled-2 1

4/27/2011 10:07:10 AM

www.listowelgolfclub.ca

Golf Club

2 Great Golf Courses Driving Range Golf Academy Large Pro Shop Lowest Prices on Equipment Online Booking

Nestled into the Niagara Escarpment, with panoramic views of the G.T.A. in abundance, Lowville Golf Club blends natural beauty with a challenging 18 hole layout.

Britannia Road and Guelph Line Burlington

905 335 6181 1 800 688 2931 www.lowvillegolf.com

905 336 3660

full service facility - call or book online today

www.hiddenlakegolf.com

519 291-2500 or 1 877 291 2507 (toll free)

1137 #1 Side Road | Burlington, Ontario

8380 Fairlane Rd. Listowel Ontario N4W 3G6 fall 2011

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EDUCATION a student's perspective Courtney Beer is a first year student in our program who is currently doing a co-operative placement with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts at the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club in Jasper, Alberta.

Courtney writes; After completing my first year in the Golf and Recreational Club Management program I was offered a co-op position with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts at the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club in Jasper, Alberta. I was ecstatic to travel across the country to have this amazing opportunity to work at one of Canada's great golf resorts. Upon arrival, I was taken back by the sheer beauty of the golf course that I would be so privileged to work at.

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club boasts a beautiful 18 hole course where each hole has its own unique view of the surrounding mountains.

Within the beauty of this course, there also comes a lot of experience and knowledge from our Director of Golf, Alan Carter (voted 2010 PGA of Canada Club Professional of the Year by his peers) and Mr. Alan Palmer who is our Head Golf Professional. Both of these gentlemen bring

green fees and cutting maintenance costs, it is a lifetime full of experience with them which won by giving customers excellence at all times makes the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club not just whether it`s from the outstanding conditions of a beautiful place, but a successfully run business the course to the invaluable customer service that that puts a high value on their members, guests, they are given that makes them feel at home. Golf and the game of golf.

My job at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf is not a dying industry and in my opinion is more vibrant than ever, especially when it is managed Club is working in the golf operation as a pro and promoted in a successful manner, as it is at shop attendant. This job entails booking reservations, customer service, retail and merchandising. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club.

During my co-op I have had the unique oppor My co-op experience has been challenging, tunity to meet people from all around the world. exciting and one of the most valuable learning The diversity of the guests who visit the resort experiences of my life. I feel more certain than and golf club proved to be a great learning oppor- ever that choosing the golf industry as my career tunity for myself; it showed me that customers was the best decision I ever made. I encourage from other nations have different expectations, anyone who has the passion and interest in golf needs, cultures and norms that are connected by to pursue it, educate yourself on it, experience one common interest, golf and recreation. These working in the in the industry like I have. people as different as they are will travel from all Rob Foster is currently the around the world and spend thousands of dollars Coordinator of the Golf & to play at the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club, and Recreational Club Management they feel no buyer’s remorse because of a great program at Fanshawe College guest experience. The most important thing I (London Campus). He has over learned this summer about the golf industry is 14 years Golf Club Management experience from family operation that staying competitive in the saturated market to corporate management.

12131_HTBS_golf_Golfscene:Layout 1 14/04/09 11:20 AM Page 1 of golf is not a competition won by lowering

Turn the game you love

into a business career.

business.humber.ca 52

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

LEARN TO TEACH GOLF Become a Certified Golf Teaching Professional

www.golf-management.org

®

THE PROFESSION OF A LIFETIME

Graduates Receive: Graduate Studies Diploma from GMIC and Certificate of Completion in Golf Operations from Wilfrid Laurier University www.golf-management.org | 905 844 7666 For More Information: Contact: Grant Fraser, M.Ed., M.B.A. | President | phone: 905 844 7666 fax: 905 844 2035 General Inquiries: gmic@golf-management.org

®

Please call the Canadian Golf Teachers Federation to find a certification course near you: 1-866-362-2483 The CGTF is a member of the World Golf Teachers Federation®.

[ members of these organizations receive 10% off course fees ]

1333 Dorval Drive | Oakville, Ontario | Canada | L6J 4Z3 (905) 844-7666

Looking for a Career in Golf?

WWW.CGTF.COM | INFO@CGTF.COM

Seats still available for Fall 2011!

PROFESSIONAL GOLF MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

AT N IAGARA COLLEGE CANADA OUR T HREE -YEAR B USINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM INCLUDES : • Specialized hands-on courses conducted by golf professionals

• Applied co-op internship for practical hands-on experience

• Convenient on-campus residence option • Year-round student playing privileges • State-of-the-art golf simulator • International study week

Co-ordinator: Mike Santoro

905.641.2252 ext. 4146

niagaracollege.ca/golf E-mail: golf@niagaracollege.ca

A TRAINING PARTNER WITH

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53

• Nominated for ‘Best new course in Canada’ - 2003 Golf Digest • Rated one of Canada’s Top 100 golf courses - Globe and Mail

Green fees start at

For all of our programs please check our website.

www.tanglecreekgolf.com Thornton, Ontario L0L 2N0 705.720.2150 | 1.866.844.1044

AFFORDABLE GOLF on a CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE

Rates M-F $35.40+HST Weekends and Holidays $43.36+HST Seniors M-F $25.66+HST

Mother Nature must be a golfer.

519.622.0309

savannahgolflinks.ca 54

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

Southbrook Golf and Country Club Binbrook, Ontario www.southbrookgolf.ca | 1.800 916.6049

GOLF

GUELPH

more reasons

FALL IS SPECIAL

Guelph Lakes

Springfield

www.springfieldgolf.on.ca 519.821.4653 Springfield Golf and Country Club is pleased to announce it has won Gold in the Guelph Mercury's Readers' Choice Awards for 2011.

Special thanks to our loyal golfers, diners and clients for voting for us!

Loctated at the south end of Guelph - just minutes north of the 401, Springfield has been called a Floridian style course.

Join them this fall for the right mix of rolling fairways, undulating greens, water hazards ... and of course the island green.

And let's not forget award winning service.

www.guelphlakesgolf.ca 519.822.4222 September is Customer Appreciation Month at Guelph Lakes Golf Club.

As a thank you to loyal customers they are offering reduced green fees throughout the month, in addition to bonus rounds for those purchasing a Preferred Player Packages.

Fall is a great time to play golf and a great time to play Guelph Lakes.

Course condtions are at their best and the landscape provides plenty of visual fall brilliance without the hassle of leave covered fairways.

Take advantage of the weather and savings and play Guelph Lakes this fall.

The Guelph Country Club

Ariss Valley

www.tgcc.ca 519.824.7039

www.arissvalley.com 519.824.1551 The scenic, rolling landscape of the Ariss Valley provides the ideal backdrop for 27 of the finest holes Guelph & Kitchener/Waterloo area.

The three nines - The Pines, Willows and Lakes, offer up wooded landscapes, large ponds, and the Valley creek which comes into play on several holes.

After nine, eighteen, or the whole twenty-seven, relax in the friendly Ariss Valley restaurant and enjoy one of Chef “Shawny Two Spoons” daily creations.

In celebration of 100 years of operation, The Guelph Country Club board of directors are pleased to announce the ...

100th ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION COMMEMORATIVE MEMBERSHIP. (only 300 are available) That's right, established in 1912, the Guelph Country Club is a mature nine-hole layout featuring rolling fairways, towering pines, and a serene setting adjacent to the Grand River.

the challenge of our island green awaits you ...

Golf • Curling • Dining • Banquets • Meetings 133 Woodlawn Road, Guelph | 519 824 7039 | www.tgcc.ca

Guelph Lakes Golf & Country Club

519 822 4222 Across from Guelph Lake on HWY 24 | www.guelphlakesgolf.ca

2054 Gordon Street, Guelph | www.springfieldgolf.on.ca | 519 821 4653

27 Challenging Holes www.arissvalley.com (519) 824-1551 or (888) 824-1552 2 miles north of higway #7 on Elmira Road just north of Guelph

fall 2011

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- continued from page 17 -

“We should consider the possibillity of making 12 holes a standard round ... there would be resistance, but eventually it would be accepted because it would make sense in people’s lives.”

Play the ‘Publicly Acclaimed ’ 12 hole golf course !

“He’s very determined, but he has to determine that what he’s doing isn’t working and that he’ll have to open his mind up to another possibility because he’s ridden that pony as long as he can ride it and it’s now time to change ponies."

Derrydale Golf Course

“There’s no fooling the golf ball. The golf ball doesn’t care who you used to be. It’s the greatest game in the world because it’s just about the truth.”

(905) 670-3030

www.derrydalegolf.com

185 Derry Road West | Mississauga, Ontario

Join Us Today and Start Enjoying ...

THE INNOVATION OF SERVICE

124 Saginaw Parkway | Cambridge | 519.620.0322 | saginawgolfclub.com

PIKE LAKE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

519 338 2812 18 Hole Links, 9 Hole Lake Courses www.pikelake.com • proshop@pikelake.com

519-489-6767

6527 Ellis Road, Cambridge | puslinchlakegolf.ca

“a great course to work on your short game”

56

“It’s ver y difficult to fall off that wall and break into 100 pieces and keep putting yourself back together again and saying, `I’m okay'.”

“Mike knows he’s got some issues and that he's got to work them out he’s just not sure how to do it, right now. You go back to the same guys with the same ideas over and over. You can’t solve the problem with the same mindset that created it."

Jack Nicklaus

376 Barondale Drive | Mississauga, Ontario

1 PLAYERS CLUB : Mike Weir 2

(905) 712-1183

fall 2011 | golfscene.ca

PAY FOR 9

PLAY 18 MONDAY - FRIDAY (valid for the 2011 season)

“The toughest thing out there is you’re playing against the best in the world who are playing their best, not every week, but 10 guys are playing close to the best every week and you keep putting your stuff up against it and it’s really easy to get discouraged. Then, you have to say, `Hey, I’m a good player. It’s just not happening right now,’ but then it falls into a longer and longer period of time and pretty soon, you’ve fallen into deep habits of thinking that you just can’t get out of.”

“There are a lot of parallels (between Weir and Woods). Mike, you’d almost say has overachieved for not being a big guy and he's done tremendously well. He’s very gritty and very tough and I think he copied a lot of Tiger’s traits and it’s ironic that they’ve now ended up, no matter how buff they are, hurting themselves badly.”

“It’s very difficult to fall off that wall and break into 100 pieces and keep putting yourself back together again and saying, `I’m okay'.”

“You build patterns and you build habits because you’re going to be able to rely on those. Sometimes, they’re not so easy to break, but it depends on how open you are to learning new things. Guys get tremendously afraid of that.” “(Weir’s) got a lot of years left where physically, he can probably do it.

I look at his stats and I look at the Shotlink stuff and when he hits it solid, he gets it out there adequately with a lot of guys, but it’s the three or four drives a day that are the horrible snap hooks or the push slices that absolutely keeps him from being confident.

So, you’re standing up there more tight and more tight every swing.

Then, you try harder and harder and that’s what causes injuries – the lack of this sequential motion where it starts to be more effort-ful than it should be, so you’re looking less and less like Ernie or Freddie.”

- continued from page 37 -

1 I WANT A RULING 2 Courses to be chosen by Members in alphabetical rotation.

Member choosing the course makes tee time reservation and drives all competitors to the course.

◄ Mulligans allowed (1 per round) but only in cases of severe over-ser ving the night before the round and must be used before the fourth tee .

The Rounds:

Cutten Fields

To be played from the tee boxes one down (forward) from the back, tips, or championship tees. If that tee box is closed for maintenance, the round will be played from that tee with one TCO player looking out for course marshals.

Scoring: Each and every f#%&ing stoke is to be counted and the ball is played as it lies.

Mulligans allowed (1 per round) but only in cases of severe overserving the night before the round and must be used before the fourth tee.

Gimme putts must be within one foot. If greens are running over 10 on the Stimp, no gimmes.

19th Hole: Low gross score at each event buys the first round at the course, and then the entire group retires to the back yard of said player for subsequent rounds supplied in reverse order of finish by the rest of the players.

Golf and tennis

519.824.2650 info@cuttenfields.com www.cuttenfields.com

Peter Law CPGA

Natural Golf Certified Instructor

• Winter - LAUNCH 407&Weston Rd / Soccer World Dome in Hamilton • Summer - Hidden Lake Golf Course in Burlington / Vic Hadfield’s Practice Facility in Oakville

For Natural Golf Lessons, Golf Schools, Natural Golf Equipment and Accessories call 905-616-6112

Derrydale Golf Course

Erin Heights Golf Course

Mississauga, Ontario 12 hole facility

Village of Erin Challenging 9 holes

905 670 3030

519 833 9702 a few miles south of Brantford

No Shows: If you cannot make a round, you get the score of the worst player that day, and are liable for all libations at the clubhouse after the next round.

9 HOLE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE

www.fescuesedge.com · 519 484 2200

Restrictions: If you win two Carlsberg Opens in a row you are suspended for a year.

If you win the Open the first year back after a suspension, you are banned for life.

1-877-267-3869

Grand Finale:

www.copetownwoods.com

Champion TCO Golfer of the Year to be determined at the end of the season based solely on Open rounds.

Overall winner to host bar-b-que for TCO members and spouses.

(519) 271-4212

Seems fair.

Now why would anyone need a ruling when it’s all right there on the parchment?

It’s a little bit of life and golf on a little Cresent, that’s all. No complaints. Nothing more. No ruling needed. But, a meeting on a possible suspension is definitely in order.

Hal Quinn is a writer / broadcaster whose articles and columns have appeared in magazines and newspapers across North America, England, and as far away as New Zealand. Quinn lives in North Vancouver with his wife, their two daughters, and their dog Mulligan.

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fall 2011

golfscene.ca

57

OPINION: » TALKING IN YOUR BACKSWING > PROGNOSTICATORS BEWARE

IT'S ALL BAFFLEGAB The bafflegab usually dispensed by the more

senior members of the golfing fraternity has taken a big-time hit in the majors the past two seasons and we must be careful of the brittle bones of those dispensing the wisdom of the ages.

It is now a quest for knowledge instead of the pretension of knowledge in which we look forward to the 2012 Masters, where there are no rules in respect to what might transpire among the dogwoods and magnolias of Augusta.

It is there that Rickie Fowler may get told to turn his trademark flat-billed cap around as was the case earlier this year because you just don’t wear your cap backwards at Augusta. You young ‘uns need to show some respect.

Let’s put a slight twist on that.

Those young ‘uns need to be shown some respect for what they’ve accomplished in the past couple of years in proving that conventional wisdom is far from absolute and merely noise from those with the need to be heard from at golf ’s biggest events.

The popular belief that a 20-something can’t handle the final round of a major championship was proven somewhat true when 22-year-old Rory McIlroy melted down with an 80 in his final go-round at Augusta this year, but dispensers of popular theory can hardly puff their chests with pride.

When the dust settled, it was a 26-year-old slipping the green jacket over his shoulders as South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel shot a magnificent 66 when he wasn’t supposed to on one of golf ’s venerable venues.

What of young McIlroy? His explosion in the final round at the Masters would certainly have lingering effects on the psyche of such a young man, many said. Right. All he did was win the U.S. Open by 10 strokes.

Of course, Keegan Bradley, 25, had no chance in the final round of the PGA Championship against some of the veteran names near him on the leaderboard, especially after he scooted a chip across the green and into the water on 15 for a triple bogey … rookie.

Um, forget I said that champ.

the last word

Five of the last seven major winners are in their 20s and Graeme McDowell was just 30 when he won the 2010 U.S. Open. All of those seven winners were first-timers. So much for the importance of experience that conventional wisdom says you need to win majors.

Lack of experience is the reason most young people are given in their frustrating search for a first job, but the age-old question is how do you get experience if nobody will give you a chance?

Nobody was willing to give the above-mentioned gents a chance, but look what happened.

Let’s not forget that Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Jason Day and other young guys are in line to win their first majors, so we can expect more of the same, with all due respect to Tiger Woods, should he return to form, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk of other familiar names still capable of interrupting this trend.

What conventional wisdom doesn’t take into account is that it’s doomed to failure as the young filter into the ranks, take their rightful place and inevitably start winning major championships, quickly turning inexperience into the experience that the traditionalists say they need.

In other words, one hot round or one outstanding tournament can change a youngster’s status from can’t-do to can-do, according to conventional wisdom, but it isn’t wisdom at all.

That’s golf. That’s sport. There is no logic, nor should there be. Unpredictability is fun, especially when it blows up established theories.

Sports, in general, has an ebb-and-flow to it. In hockey, you may see a firewagon, offensive team win a Stanley Cup, only to be replaced as champ by a team that is built around extinguishing that offence with solid, defensive play. There isn’t one definition of a Stanley Cup champ.

Neither is there one definition of a major champion. The 20-somethings are proving time

Ian Hutchinson and again that they can contend regularly and is it any wonder after watching Woods win his first major at the age of 21 and set the tone for the generation behind him?

The fitness level, strength, mindset and work ethic of the new generation need to be taken into consideration, which isn’t always easy since some of those qualities are intangible. So, we fall back into popular theory until they prove it wrong and they’re doing that with stunning regularity these days.

Of course, the final round of a major is tough.

It’s supposed to be, but talent, grit and character have as much to do with success as experience.

Once he becomes champ, that player is flavour of the month with everything about him put under the microscope as lost and desperate souls grasp at straws in the never-ending quest at majors to be seen and heard. In the case of Bradley, the buzz after he entered the fraternity of major champs was his long putter.

Suddenly, what’s old is new again and the belly putter used by Bradley and Adam Scott in his win at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational the week before is suddenly a magic wand after listening to CBS commentators and reading a variety of stories after the PGA Championship.

Forget the fact that a putter is an extremely individual weapon based on feel and comfort.

If a major winner uses one, it has to be special, according to the game’s great thinkers, who forget the fact that other tour players have tried it and gone back to their previous putters.

Just what golf needs – another quick fix that costs money. It’s typical of the noise that surrounds major championships. Just let them play, make great shots, or mistakes because that’s what draws us to the game, not the need to listen to somebody dispense what they see as great insights.

I recall my first trip to Las Vegas many years ago. When I got home, I could still hear the bells from the slot machines going off in my head.

Now, I hear the voices of the majors still talking in my head.

The difference is that sounds of Vegas go away eventually¸ but the noise of the majors keep coming back four times a year.

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