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When you join the RGS multi-course membership you don't just get value at 1 course...You will now get FOUR great properties to choose from!! Charles T. Myers* 704.536.1692 Renaissance Park Golf Club* 704.357.3373 Sunset Hills* 704.399.0980 Paradise Valley Par 3 704.548.1808 *Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Facilities managed by Ratcliffe Golf Services, Inc.

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LOWER RATES In some cases our special rate for Members is 40% lower than that days posted rate! SPECIAL COUPONS Just for signing up, you will receive coupons good for golf and cart fees worth over $600. USGA HANDICAP SERVICE All members are eligible for score posting and issuance of a USGA Handicap card. SPECIAL TOURNAMENT RATES All members will be eligible for discount rates in official RGS Tournaments and events.

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For tee-times, internet specials, clinics, or tournament information, visit:

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Now in its 20th year as The Charlotte Region's #1 Source of Golf Information • Color Pull-out Map of Local Courses • Area Tournament Directory

GREEN OAKS GOLF CLUB

CHARLOTTE'S #1 SOURCE FOR GOLF INFORMATION

Cabarrus County’s First Public Golf Course Only a 20 minute drive from Charlotte

1. Ballantyne Countr y Club Charlotte (Private, 18) (704) 544-9755

24. Eagle Chase Golf Club Marshville (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 385-9000

47. Myers Park Countr y Club Charlotte (Private, 18) (704) 376-0745

70. River Run Golf & CC Davidson (Private, 18) (704) 896-7355

2. Ballantyne Resort Charlotte (Resort, 18) (704) 341-4653

25. Edgewater Golf Club Lancaster (Semi-Private, 18) (803) 283-9800

48. NorthStone Countr y Club Huntersville (Private, 18) (704) 948-4286

71. Rock Barn Golf & Spa Conover (Semi-Private, 36) (828) 459-9279

3. Birkdale Golf Club Huntersville (Public, 18) (704) 895-8038

26. Emerald Lake Golf Club Mint Hill (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 882-7888

49. Oak Hills Golf Course Charlotte (Public, 18) (704) 394-2834

72. Rock Hill Countr y Club Rock Hill (Private, 18) (803) 327-7790

4. Briarcreek Golf Club High Shoals (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 922-4208

27. Firethorne Countr y Club Charlotte (Private, 18) (704) 843-3111

50. Old North State Club Badin Lake (Private, 18)

73. Rocky River Golf Club Concord (Public, 18) (704) 455-1200

5. Cabarrus Countr y Club Concord (Private, 18) (704) 786-8154

28. Fort Mill Golf Club Fort Mill (Semi-Private, 18) (803) 547-2044

6. Carmel Countr y Club Charlotte (Private, 36) (704) 542-2457

29. Fox Den Countr y Club Statesville (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 872-9990

7. Carolina Crossing Golf Club York (Public, 18) (803) 684-5878

30. Gaston Countr y Club Gastonia (Private, 18) (704) 867-9561

METROLINA GOLF NOTES ...............................................................................4

8. Carolina Golf & CC Charlotte (Private, 18) (704) 392-6363

31. Gastonia Municipal GC Gastonia (Public, 18) (704) 866-6945

TRAVEL: HAWAII, CHALLENGING AND SPECTACULAR ........................................8

9. Carolina Lakes Golf Club Indian Land (Public, 18) (803) 547-9688

32. Glen Oaks Golf Club Maiden (Semi-Private, 18) (828) 428-2451

EQUIPMENT: LESS WEIGHT EQUALS MORE DISTANCE....................................12

10. Cedar wood Countr y Club Charlotte (Private, 18) (704) 542-0206

33. Golf Village Pineville (Public, Par-3) (704) 889-5086

11. Charles T. Myers Golf Course Charlotte (Public, 18) (704) 536-1692 Nike Learning Center (704) 536-1692

34. Green Meadows Golf Course Mt. Holly (Public, 18) (704) 827-9264

Excellent Bent Grass Greens and Bermuda Fairways No Tee Times Required

RATES Monday - Friday . . . . . . . .$20 Senior Monday - Friday . . .$16 Saturday & Sunday . . . . . .$27 M ARCH /A PRIL 2011

4775 Hamby Branch Road • Concord

(704) 786-4412

Union County’s premier semi-private golf course and the area’s most beautiful layout— just 40 minutes from downtown Charlotte.

The Hidden Jewel of the Carolinas A Challenging Tom Jackson Design

CART & GREEN FEE RATES: Mon - Thurs., Play All Day

$30

Friday

$33

Seniors (55 & up) Mon - Fri

$27

Weekends & Holidays Weekends & Holidays (after 12 noon)

$44

METROLINA TOURNAMENT AND EVENTS & SCORECARD.................................16 METROLINA GOLF COURSE MAP & COURSE LISTINGS ...................................18

ON THE COVER: The four finishing holes at Poipu Bay Golf Course play along a 150-foot cliff. Spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean are an integral part of the experience. Poipu Bay, which hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 to 2006, reopened in December 2010 after a renovation project that saw the tees, greens and fairways reseeded with eco-friendly, saltwater-tolerant Seashore Paspalum grass. (Cover story on page 8). Photo courtesy of Poipu Bay Golf Course

14. Charlotte National Golf Club Indian Trail (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 882-8282 15. The Clubat Irish Creek Kannapolis (Private, 18) (704) 933-4336 16. The Club at Longview Charlotte (Private, 18) (704) 443-2820 17. Cowans Ford Countr y Club Cowans Ford (Private, 18) (704) 827-3219

Reid Spencer

Reid Nelson

Publisher & Editor

Columnist & Equipment Editor

Phone: (704) 895-9908

Fax: (704) 892-5899

e-mail: metrogolf1@aol.com

704-385-9000

12. Charlotte Countr y Club Charlotte (Private, 18) (704) 333-9809 13. Charlotte Golf Links Charlotte (Public, 18) (704) 846-7990

P.O. Box 1027, Davidson, N.C. 28036

$34

METROLINA AREA GOLF COURSE LISTINGS

graphic content in any manner, without written permission, is prohibited. ISSN 1080-3874. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited material and in no event shall material subject this magazine to any claim for holding fees or other charges. The publisher does not assume

Tee Times Taken 5 Days In Advance

responsibility for statements made by advertisers and liability for any publisher’s error in advertisements

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is limited to the cost of the advertisement. Metrolina Golf Magazine is published ten times a year and

18. Cramer Mountain CC Cramerton (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 824-2772 19. Crescent Golf Club Salisbury (Public, 18) (704) 647-0025 20. Crowders Mtn. Golf & CC Crowders Mt. (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 739-7681 21. Cr ystal Lakes Executive GC Rock Hill (Public, 12) (803) 327-3231 22. Deer Brook Golf Club Shelby (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 482-4653 23. The Divide Mint Hill (Public, 18) (704) 882-8088

35. Green Oaks Golf Course Concord (Public, 18) (704) 786-4412 36. Highland Creek Golf Club Charlotte (Public, 18) (704) 875-9000 37. Kings Mountain Countr y Club Kings Mt. (Public, 18) (704) 739-5871 38. Lakewood Golf Club Statesville (Public, 18) (704) 873-6441 39. Lancaster Golf Club Lancaster (Public, 18) (803) 416-4500 40. Larkhaven Golf Club Charlotte (Public, 18) (704) 545-4653 41. Lincoln Countr y Club Lincolnton (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 735-1382 42. Linwood Springs GC Gastonia (Public, 18) (704) 867-1642 43. Mallard Head Countr y Club Mooresville (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 664-7031 44. McCanless Golf Club Salisbury (Public, 18) (704) 637-1235 45. Monroe Countr y Club Monroe (Public, 18) (704) 282-4661 46. Mooresville Golf Course Mooresville (Public, 18) (704) 663-2539

51. Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation Mint Hill (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 573-1000 52. The Palisades Countr y Club Charlotte (Private, 18) (704) 504-0099 53. ParadiseValley Par 3 Charlotte (Public, 18) (704) 548-1808 54. Pebble Creek Par 3 Indian Trail (Public, 18) (704) 821-7276 55. The Peninsula Club Cornelius (Private, 18) (704) 896-7060 56. Pine Grove Golf Course Shelby (Public, 18) (704) 487-0455 57. Pine Island Countr y Club Charlotte (Private, 18) (704) 394-1011 58. Pine Lake Countr y Club Mint Hill (Private, 18) (704) 545-5213 59. Pinetuck Golf Club Rock Hill (Public, 18) (803) 327-1141 60. The Point Lake & Golf Club Mooresville (Private, 18) (704) 660-1192 61. Providence Countr y Club Charlotte (Private, 18) (704) 846-6325 62. Quail Hollow Club Charlotte (Private, 18) (704) 552-1726 63. Raintree Countr y Club Charlotte (Private, 36) (704) 542-8150 64. Regent Park Golf Club Fort Mill (Public, 18) (803) 547-1300; (704) 547-0023 65. Renaissance Park GC Charlotte (Public, 18) (704) 357-3373 Nike Learning Center (704) 357-3373 66. Revolution Park GC Charlotte (Public, 9) (704) 342-1946 67. Riverbend Golf Club Shelby (Public, 18) (704) 482-4286 68. River Hills Countr y Club Lake Wylie (Private, 18) (803) 831-2249

74. Rolling Hills Countr y Club Monroe (Private, 18) (704) 283-8201 75. Skybrook Golf Club Huntersville (Semi-Private,18) (704) 948-6611 76. Spring Lake Golf Club York (Semi-Private, 18) (803) 684-4898 77. Springfield Golf Club Fort Mill (Public, 18) (803) 548-3318; (866) 304-4653 78. Statesville Countr y Club Statesville (Private, 18) (704) 873-8376 79. Stonebridge Golf Club Mineral Springs (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 283-8998 80. Sunset Hills Golf Course Charlotte (Public, 18) (704) 399-0980 81. Tega Cay Golf Club Tega Cay (Public, 27) (803) 548-3500 82. The Tradition Charlotte (Public, 18) (704) 503-7529 83. Tot Hill Farm Golf Club Asheboro (Semi-Private, 18) (336) 857-4455 84. TPC at Piper Glen Charlotte (Private, 18) (704) 846-1515 85. Twin Oaks Golf Club Statesville (Public, 18) (704) 872-3979 86. Verdict Ridge Golf & Countr y Club Denver (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 489-1206 87. Warrior Golf Club China Grove (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 856-0871 88. Waterford Golf Club Rock Hill (Semi-Private, 18) (803) 324-0300 89. Westport Golf Club Denver (Public, 18) (704) 489-8088 90. White Oak Par 3 Alexis (Public, 18) (704) 263-9990 91. Woodbridge Golf Links Kings Mt (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 482-0353

69. River Oaks Golf Club Statesville (Semi-Private, 18) (704) 883-8724

is available by mail for $12.00 a year postage and handling.

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March/April 2011 • Page 19

METROLINA GOLF NOTES

METROLINA SCORECARD TM

Lack Of Sponsor Casts Shadow Over Heritage HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – With The Heritage set to tee off in just few short weeks, the tournament that has been a regular stop on the PGA Tour since 1969 is still seeking a title sponsor – a fact that is casting a dark shadow over the future of an event that has become a Spring tradition in the South Carolina Lowcountry. This year’s Heritage, set for April

21-24 at The Sea Pines Resort’s Harbour Town Golf Links, will be staged without title sponsorship attached to the name for the first time since MCI tacked its corporate moniker in front of the words Heritage Classic back in 1987. Wireless giant Verizon bought out MCI and became title sponsor in 2006, but ended its tournament sponsorship agreement following last year’s

Heritage. As is traditional, Tournament Director Steve Wilmot and the Heritage Classic Foundation hosted golf media representatives from a variety of print and broadcast outlets at the annual Heritage Media Day on Monday, Feb. 28. But what is not traditional was the fact that this year, Ty Votaw, vice president of the Tour, was on hand to address

Sea Pines famed lighthouse has provided an iconic backdrop to every Heritage finish, including back-to-back victories by Boo Weekley in 2007 and 2008. March/April 2011 • Page 4

Metrolina Golf Notes the gathering. Votaw actually arrived on Hilton Head a day earlier and spent hours with Wilmot and others discussing sponsorship possibilities and the tournament’s future. While Votaw’s presence at the media gathering had to been seen as a positive – a show of support for the tenuous Heritage from the PGA Tour hierarchy – the deputy commissioner offered little of substance that would hint a solution to the sponsorship problem might be forthcoming in the near future. However, Votaw said he remains “cautiously optimistic” that a new title sponsor can be secured in time to keep the Heritage on the Tour schedule beyond this year. “With respect to sponsorship and with respect to the success of this event this year, we have to, as a whole, feel very good about where we’ve been sponsorship-wise across the PGA Tour,” Votaw said. “We’ve had a very good couple of years where we’ve been able to extend or find new title sponsors for events that have needed them. “With respect to the Heritage Classic, as recently as last week, the Tour and the Heritage Classic Foundation have been in discussion with several companies regarding support of the Heritage in 2011 and hopefully beyond. We firmly believe that Hilton Head is an extremely attractive event, given the great history, given the variables that are a part of each and every tournament that’s been held and

Alex Hamilton,Aiken, SC, $13,123 ..............69-71-70-67-277 Jonathan Fricke, Covington, GA, $10,317 ..69-69-71-69-278 Joe Daley, Scottsdale,AZ, $7,964 ..................69-71-69-72-281 Chris Baker, Brownstown, IN, $7,964..........69-66-74-72-281 R Scott, St. Simons Island, GA, $6,281..........71-69-73-69-282 Lanto Griffin, Blacksburg,VA, $4,782.50......68-73-71-71-283 M Davidson, Chapel Hill, NC, $4,782.50 ....65-70-76-72-283 C Epperson, HH Island, SC, $3,814.33 ........72-71-72-69-284 Mark Anderson, Beaufort, SC, $3,814.33......2-68-73-71-284 Darron Stiles, Pinehurst, NC, $3,814.33 ....71-69-68-76-284 Brian Anderson, Jupiter, FL, $3,455................66-72-73-74-285 Andy Bare,West End, NC, $2,977.75 ..........71-74-68-74-287 Stephen Poole,Aiken, SC, $2,977.75 ............73-68-73-73-287 David May,Auburn, NY, $2,977.75 ................73-67-73-74-287 P Malnati, Dandridge,TN, $2,977.75 ............69-70-74-74-287 Phillip Mollica,Anderson, SC, $2,567............71-74-71-72-288 Alan Wagner,Argentina, $2,567 ....................73-69-73-73-288 Joey McLister, Scottsdale,AZ, $2,567 ..........72-72-73-71-288 D Fathauer, Jensen Beach, FL, $2,567...........69-71-77-71-288 Jon Micoff, Indian River, MI, $2,224. ..............73-70-73-73-289 C Van Horn, Oklahoma City, OK, $2,224 ..70-73-73-73-289 Julian Etulain, Miami, FL, $2,224. ....................67-73-75-74-289 S Saunders,Albuquerque, NM, $2,224 ........74-68-73-74-289 Nathan Stamey, Bluffton, SC, $2,224. ..........70-72-75-72-289 Kyle Bradley, N.Augusta, SC, $2,224 ............71-73-70-75-289 Scott Parel,Augusta, GA, $2,224....................74-70-73-72-289 Cameron Yancey, Blackstone,VA, $2,224 ....73-67-80-69-289 Other Carolinas Players F Figueroa, Chapel Hill, NC, $1,950.67........75-69-70-76-290 Paul Brown, Hartsville, SC, $1,688.88..........67-74-74-76-291 Joel Hendry, Bluffton, SC, $1,688.88 ............72-73-70-76-291 F Mechereffe, Charlotte, NC, $1,688.88.....74-71-74-72-291 Dustin Bray,Asheboro, NC, $1,270.75........71-72-78-75-296 Frank Adams III, Salisbury, NC, $1,270.75 ..71-74-80-71-296 Kevin Grady,Aiken, SC, $1,185 ......................70-73-80-79-302 Kyle Reifers, Charlotte, NC, $1,185 ............72-72-84-74-302 Kevin Silva, Charlotte, NC, $1,163................69-74-76-86-305 Reed Darsie, Chapel Hill, NC, $1,163 ........74-71-75-85-305 * - Won on first playoff hole

INTERSTATE GOLF ASSOCIATION Charlotte Touring Duffers Rocky Point, Lexington Oaks & Plantation Palms GC Tampa, Fla.; Feb. 10-12 Al Dean.. ..................................................................79-77-75—231 C.C. Clarke ............................................................. 77-82-82—241 Robert Evans ......................................................... 79-84-81—244 Kendu Dunlap ....................................................... 78-80-92—245 Reggie Sellers ........................................................ 80-77-95—252 Arthur McDonald................................................. 82-86-85—253 Alvin Thompson .................................................... 86-77-90—253 Doc Mclean ........................................................... 80-93-81—254 Bob Jones ................................................................ 91-82-82—255 Dock Mangrum .................................................... 82-81-91—255 Anthony Sloan. ...................................................... 87-84-87—258 Otis Worthy............................................................ 85-87-86—258 Cletis Dozier. ........................................................ 85-93-81—259 Willie Beatty .......................................................... 86-87-86—259 Charles Brown ......................................................84-85-93—262 Leroy Roseboro.....................................................84-91-88—263 Randy Coates..........................................................95-94-77—266 Jamel Austin. ............................................................90-91-89—270 Ray Johnson ............................................................93-94-93—280 Otis Green ..............................................................94-93-93—280 Mert Cunningham.................................................92-96-93—281 Charlie Clark...........................................................92-96-95—283 Victor Richardson ..............................................85-92-111—288 Carl Clegg..............................................................88-87-117—292 Eric McDonald. ....................................................95-95-105—295 Freddie Goodman..........................................103-102-113—318 John Granger.. ....................................................99-103-118—320 James Turner.....................................................102-121-108—331 Ray Henderson ..............................................121-104-106—331

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$10 could SAVE you $100s Don’t buy golf clubs until you take this course! In this class you will gain knowledge about clubs that will help you make better decisions for your next purchase. We are not selling clubs. You will learn to look at a golf club and know how it will perform. So many different shaped clubs what is best for me? Custom fitting, how to tell if he/she knows what they’re doing. What’s the difference in assembly line clubs and custom built clubs? What driver will give me more distance? Learn to identify sales gimmicks. What is frequency matching? What benefit is spinning shafts and will it help my game? What is the right flex for my swing? Will proper shaft weight help me play better golf? And much, much more!!! Tuesday & Thursday 6-8 PM Cost: $10 Seating is limited to 12 per class, call & reserve your seat

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call or email us... 704-895-9908 metrogolf1@aol.com

March/April 2011 • Page 17

704-799-0797 golfshopp@windstream.net www.thegolfshopp.com

Miura, Alpha, Bettinardi, Rife & Wishon

METROLINA GOLF NOTES

METROLINA TOURNAMENTS & EVENTS/SCORECARD

Metrolina Tournament & Events eGOLF PROFESSIONAL TOUR March 12-15 — The El Jadida Classic in Morocco, Pullman Royal GC, El Jadida, Morocco Mar 30-Apr — The Irish Creek Classic, Club at Irish Creek, Kannapolis, NC, Cabarrus CC, Concord, NC April 13-16 — The Championship at St. James Plantation, Reserve Club at St. James, Founders Club, Southport, NC April 20-23 — Columbia Open, Columbia CC (Ridgewood/Tall Pines),Cobblestone Park GC, Blythewood, SC May 4-7 — Willow Creek Open, High Point CC (Willow Creek), High Point, NC, Colonial CC, Thomasville, NC May 25-2 — Donald Ross Championship, Pine Needles GC , Southern Pines GC, Southern Pines, NC June 1-4 — River Hills Classic, River Hills CC, Lake Wylie, SC, The Palisades CC, Charlotte, NC June 15-18 — Bolle Classic, Sapona CC, Lexington, NC, CC of Salisbury, Salisbury, NC June 22-25 — Cowans Ford Open, Cowans Ford CC, Stanley, NC, North Stone CC, Huntersville, NC July 13-16 — The Southern Open, The Club at Irish Creek, Kannapolis, NC, River Run CC, Davidson, NC July 20-23 — Championship at Woodside Plantation, Woodside Plantation CC (Jones), Aiken, SC Aug. 3-6 — The Grand Harbor Open, Patriot GC & GC at Star Fort, Ninety Six, SC Aug. 10-13 — HGM Hotels Classic at Rock Barn, Rock Barn (Jones & Jackson), Conover, NC Sept. 21-23 — Cabarrus Classic, Cabarrus CC, Concord, NC Sept. 28-30 — Spring Creek Classic, Spring Creek GC, Gordonsville, VA Oct. 11-13 — Salisbury Classic, CC of Salisbury, Salisbury, NC

PAR BUSTERS GOLF GROUP & IGA GOLF ASSOCIATION March 19 — Master City 18-Hole Shootout, Augusta, GA April 2 — Par Busters 4-Ball Tournament, Charlotte, NC April 9 — IGA Match, Anderson, SC April 16-17 — Capital City Tournament, Orangeburg, SC April 23-24 — Queen City Ryder Cup, Charlotte, NC April 30-May 1 — Electric City Tournament, Anderson, SC March/April 2011 • Page 16

May 21 — Upstate Birdies Tournament, Greenville, SC May 28-29 — Port City Tournament, Charleston, SC June 4-5 — Classic City Tournament, Athens, GA June 11 — IGA Match, Shelby, NC June 18 — Match Charlotte and Atlanta, Anderson, SC June 25-26 — Upstate Elite Golf Association Tournament, Greenville, SC July 12-14 — Sky View Open Tournament, Asheville, NC July 15-17 — Paul Cunningham Open, Spartanburg, SC July 30 — IGA Match, Ashville, NC August 6-7 — Tee to Green Golf Club Open Tournament, Shelby, NC August 20-21 — Par Busters Golf Tournament, Charlotte, NC Sept. 3-4 — Tri-County Golf Association Golf Tournament, Chester, SC Sept. 9-11 — Pin-HI Golf Tournament, Swainsboro, GA Sept. 17-18 — Master City Golf Association Classic, Augusta, GA Oct. 1 — IGA Tournament, TBA Oct. 22 — IGA Bash, Athens, GA Dec. 10 — IGA Annual Meeting, Shelby, NC

METROLINA SCORES GOLFWEEK AMATEUR GOLF TOUR Charlotte Division March 5 @ Charlotte National Championship Flight 71: Joe Jaspers, Jim Aughtry; 72: David Helms, David Schmidt; 73: Chad Frye; 75: Michael Bailey; 76: John Burton; 77: Greg Harrold, Mike McBride; 79: Ron Kirkpatrick. A Flight 75: Brian Thomas; 77: Stan Lucas, Dennis Reames; Drew Chappuis; 79: Doug Watson,Aaron Perlman; 80:Toby Tyler, Daryl Ewing; 81: Steve Espin, Jim States, Don Bridges, David Johnson. B Flight 75: Dean Hearn; 79:Geof Smith; 80: Phil VanGeersdaelen, Robert Winfrey; 82: Bart Shartzer; 84: Joe Lewis; 87: Maurice Mack, Guy Roberts, Rich Daniel, Chris Jenkins, Dustin Bumgarner. C Flight 82: Matt Crates; 85: Jeff Cottom; 86: John Rinaldi; 88: Dana Greer, Bill Holland; 89: Mike Grant, Steve Daniels; 90: Larry Hinson, John Torres, Patrick Williams. D Flight 95:Todd McGhee; 98: Mike Hill; 108: Keith Bowker, Dan

Doyle; 115: Jimmy Peebles.

Feb. 19 @ Edgewater GC Championship Flight 72: Jim Aughtry, Joe Jaspers; 75: Greg Harrold; 76: David Helms; 77: Michael Bailey; 78: Bill Hall; 79: David Schmidt; 80: Robert Surratt; 83: Randy Peck. A Flight 74: Greg Ries; 77: Mike Nasekos, Doug Watson; 78: Don Bridges, Jason Breedlove, Derek Dustin; 82: Chris Hickey, Roger Stevenson; 83: Daryl Ewing; 84: Scott Shealy. B Flight 78:Toby Tyler; 81: Jimmy Champman; 82:Vic Lawrence; 83: Adam Wilson; 84: Richard Ellams, Gry Kochman, Dean Hearn; 85: Joe Burgess, Mike Lesnick; 86: Phil VanGeersdaelen. C Flight 85: Scott Grigg; 86: Ken Burke, Sindo Mayor; 87: Matt Crates; 88: Nolan Elenz, Bill Holland; 89: Larry Hinson, Matt Meneely; 91: Steve Daniels.

Feb. 5 @ Carolina Lakes Championship Flight 67: Joe Jaspers; 69: Greg Harrold; Michael Bailey 75; 76: John White; 77: Jim Aughtry; 78:Tom Cone; 79: Randy Peck, David Schmidt; 80: Dave Brown,Whit Fairier. A Flight: 80: Dennis Reames, Greg McCoy; 81: Kevin Ronan, Mike Weber; 82: Greg Ries, Don Bridges, Scott Huber; 84: Derek Dustin; 85: Scott Huneycutt, Doug Watson, Jerry York. B Flight 80: David Hargett, Dean Hearn; 82: Jimmy Champman; 85: Adam Wilson; Phil Van Geersdalen; 92: Dean Barron; 93: Seth Wilson; 94: Geof Smith,Adam Jones,Allen Hagen. C Flight 85: Dana Greer; 86: Matt Meneely; 90: Scott Grigg; 91: John Rinaldi; 93: Larry Hinson, Kevin Terhaar, Matt Crates; 94: Ken Burke, Sindo Mayor.

Senior Amateur Tour Charlotte Division March 2 @ Cowans Ford CC Championship Flight 72: Jerry Sennett; 74: Ken Powers; 75: David Watterworth; 76: John Walters,Tom Cone; 77: Rock Pickard. A Flight 80: Bob Boettner,Toby Tyler; 82:Tim Romeo; 83: Mark Cousar, Bob Jones; 84: Mac Ellerbe, Bill Barnett. B Flight 84: Darrell Wilson, Conway Powell, Sam Carpenter; 85: Chester Brileya; 86: Bill Shenoha, Joe Gendoes. C Flight 86: Gary Graham; 87: David Ferguson,Wayne Shirley; 88: Phil Schroeder; 91: Ed Brinkman.

Feb. 21 @ Cedarwood CC Championship Flight 73: Jim Hunsuck; 74: Brad Kroll, David Watterworth; 75: John Walters; 76: Dave Brown; 77:Tom Cone, Richard Matheny; 78: Noel Brown, Greg Powell; 79: Mike McBride, Chris Tucker.

A Flight 77: James Brannen; 79:Tim Romeo; 82:Alan Skelton, Bob Boettner; 84: Bob Jones, Jim Brand, Pat Dolan, Bill Greiner; 85: Bill Barnett, Len McAlister; 86:Toby Tyler. B Flight 79: Frank Czaniecki; 83: Bruce Mullis; 84: Jack Long; 86: Mike Hinson, Bob James; 87: Marty James; 88: Darrell Wilson, Louie Hinson; 89: Joe Gendoes, Bill Holland, Bill Shenoha. C Flight 89: John Crofts, Don Elsass; 91: Steve Gough, Don Boyd, Gary Graham; 92: Larry Hinson; 93:Van Storie, Jerry Hoogeveen; 94: Ed Brinkman; 95:Tony Schiffer.

eGOLF PROFESSIONAL TOUR The Samanah Classic Samanah Country Club Par 72; 7,434 yards Marrakech, Morocco March 6-9 Chris McCartin,Arlington,VA, $40,000 ......64-73-67-65-269 Chesson Hadley, Raleigh, NC, $21,000 ......68-67-71-67-273 Gabriel Canizares, Spain, $13,500 ................70-65-71-68-274 Peter Campbell, Reunion, FL, $13,500 ........69-71-67-67-274 Adam Mitchell,Atlanta, GA, $9,500..............69-72-70-64-275 Berry Henson, La Quinta, CA, $9,500 ........68-68-73-66-275 Brice Garnett, Gallatin, MO, $5,825 ............70-72-69-65-276 B Harman, St. Simons Island, GA, $5,825....69-70-70-67-276 Adam Long, Lake Saint Louis, MO, $5,825 71-68-68-69-276 Drew Weaver, High Point, NC, $5,825........68-69-69-70-276 Brian Anderson, Jupiter, FL, $4,300................72-70-69-67-278 R Carter, Hacienda Heights, CA, $4,300 ....67-71-72-68-278 Joey McLister, Scottsdale,AZ, $4,300 ..........72-72-65-69-278 Chris Baker, Brownstown, IN, $4,300..........68-68-72-70-278 Clint Jensen, Jupiter, FL, $3,500 ......................69-72-70-68-279 David May,Auburn, NY, $3,500 ......................69-70-71-69-279 C Trunzer, Orlando, FL, $3,500 ......................69-71-68-71-279 N Taylor,British Columbia,Canada, $3,500..67-68-72-72-279 Neil Johnson, River Falls,WI, $3,050 ............71-71-73-65-280 Wes Homan, Cincinnati, OH, $3,050 ..........71-68-70-71-280 Kenny Coakley, Bluffton, SC, $3,050 ............69-69-69-73-280 Ryan Thornberry, Ceres, CA, $2,900 ..........73-68-73-67-281 Younes El Hassani, Morocco, $2,900............68-69-74-70-281 Clark Klaasen, Grand Rapids, MI, $2,900....70-70-71-70-281 Chris Parra, Dallas,TX, $2,775......................69-72-72-69-282 Mikel Martinson, Lubbock,TX, $2,775 ........62-70-74-76-282 Other Carolinas Players Jay Haas Jr, Greenville, SC, $2,100 ................68-74-76-69-287 Paul Brown, Hartsville, SC, $1,500................75-69-73-75-292 Nathan Stamey, Bluffton, SC, $1,500 ............76-69-76-71-292 Reed Darsie, Chapel Hill, NC, $1,412.50 ..73-68-77-77-295 Dustin Bray,Asheboro, NC, $1,412.50........73-73-74-75-295

Swiftwick Shootout at Palmetto Hall Bob Cupp Course Par 72; 7,079 yards Arthur Hills Course Par 72; 6,918 yards Hilton Head Island, S.C. Feb. 16-19 *Corey Nagy, Charlotte, NC, $31,175 ........66-70-69-71-276 B Harman, St.Simons Island, GA, $16,743 ..70-67-70-69-276

we’d like to continue to take advantage of all those elements. And we think it’s an appealing opportunity for a number of sponsors. “But,” Votaw added, “we also have to stress that it is imperative that to secure a sponsor to secure the long-term security of the event is critical.” Despite all the PC-speak, there was no announcement of a new title sponsor, leaving the future of the Heritage beyond April 2011 as much in doubt as it was when Verizon announced its pull-out a year ago. Only a commitment of some $4 million from its reserves on behalf of the not-for-profit Heritage Classic Foundation kept the tournament on the Tour calendar this year. But that one-time fix isn’t an option going forward. Even with the best salvage efforts of the Foundation, the Heritage was displaced from its traditional week-after-The-Masters slot this year. Instead, the Tour will visit San Antonio for the Valero Texas Open in between Augusta and Hilton Head. That means that this year’s Heritage will go head to head with the Champions Tour’s Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf tournament that will be played April 22-24 just a short drive – or an even shorter boat ride – away, at the Savannah Harbor Golf Resort. Neither Wilmot nor Votaw put a deadline on the sponsorship search, but both admitted to a growing sense of urgency. “Unfortunately, we're approaching the 12th hour,” said the tournament director. “It's not like we'll get through ’11 and figure things out.” Votaw said, “There will be a deadline that eventually will have to happen, but it's not productive to talk about it today.” Despite the lack of a title sponsor, this year’s Heritage will offer the same $5.7 million purse as last year, with $1,026,000 going to the winner. As stated, the Heritage Classic Foundation is fronting most of the monies, but some secondary sponsors, including Coastal States Bank and Coca-Cola, are onboard for

this year. Even so, The Heritage ranks ahead of only seven of 33 regularseason Tour events in size of purse, discounting the “Fall Season” and tournaments played coincidental to other larger-purse events, like the WGC tournaments and the British Open. But more important than what the tournament pays out is what it brings in. According to a Clemson University study, the 2010 Heritage generated a total economic impact at the combined local and state levels of $81.9 million. That same study projected that the total economic impact generated by the tournament between 2001 and 2015 will surpass $1 billion, with net government revenues growing to nearly $100 million and $44 million at the state and local levels, respectively. The only question that remains is, will the tournament survive that long? Golf fans across the Carolinas and beyond – not to mention scores of Tour professionals who place Harbour Town among their favorite courses in the game – are keeping their fingers crossed.

Heritage Awards Three Exemptions HILTON HEAD ISLAND – Without a title sponsor in place for this year’s event, Tournament Director Steve Wilmot said the 2011 Heritage recalls the “strong sense of community” that characterized the now 43-year-old tournament in its early years. With that in mind, Wilmot said it was only fitting that the first three sponsor exemptions announced for this year’s Heritage field all have strong ties to the local community. Local Hilton Head Island product Chris Epperson, Beaufort resident Mark Anderson and former Clemson standout Kyle Stanley, who plays out of Berkeley Hall in Bluffton, will be part of the starting field at this year’s Heritage when

the tournament is played April 2124 at Harbour Town Golf Links. Wilmot made the announcements at a Feb. 28 Media Day event. Wilmot said that extending exemptions to players with local ties was “just another way of thanking the community for its tremendous support” of the Heritage, in light of Verizon withdrawing is title sponsorship after 24 years following last year’s tournament. A standout junior golfer, Epperson played his college golf at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah and after turning pro, advanced to the final stage of PGA Qualifying School last fall. He failed to get his Tour card, but the now 28-year-old earned conditional status on the Nationwide Tour where he expects to get a limited number of starts this season. However, Epperson likely will play most of his golf on the eGolf Professional Tour, where he tied for 10th in the first tournament of the year, the Swiftwick Shootout at Palmetto Hall. Anderson is a Beaufort Acad-

emy and University of South Carolina product who is starting his second season on the Nationwide Tour. He posted a T-13 in Panama in the Nationwide season opener, just a day before Wilmot announced his exemption into the Heritage. It is worth noting that Anderson made his first start in a Tour event at the 2009 Heritage as a result of his victory in the Players Amateur, but missed the cut. Last year, he made 17 cuts in 26 starts on the Nationwide Tour, posting three top-10 finishes, to finish 60th on the money list. Stanley also posted a T13 finish the day before Wilmot announced his exemption into the Heritage, his at the Mayakoba Classic in Cancun, Mexico. The former Clemson All-American and 2009 Ben Hogan Award winner had made the cut in each of his first six starts on the PGA Tour (through the Honda Classic) after graduating from the Nationwide Tour, where he did not miss a cut in 26 starts last year. He is a native of Gig Harbor, Wash.

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COVER STORY

METROLINA GOLF NOTES

The Golf Shop Moves To Mooresville MOORESVILLE, N.C.â&#x20AC;&#x201D;During the past year, The Golf Shop, operated by Carl Hoffner, has relocated from Salisbury to Mooresville. The new address is 113 Denver Business Park Dr., Unit C. The phone number is (704) 799-0797 and e-mail is golfshopp@windstream.net. The Golf Shop offers a full range of services, including custom club fitting and clubmaking. Hoffner was recognized as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clubmaker of the Yearâ&#x20AC;? in North Carolina in 2004-2005 by the Golf Clubmakers Association. He is accredited as a Certified â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Class Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Clubmaker by the Professional Clubmakers Society (PCS). The Golf Shop features an indoor range, with lessons available. Equipment brands carried include Miura, Alpha, Bettinardi, Rife and Wishon. For more information, visit the web site www.thegolfshopp.com.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony at the grand opening of The Golf Shop in Mooresville. Owner Carl Hoffner is center, wearing the red shirt.

Photo courtesy of The St. Regis Princeville Resort

The clubhouse at The Prince Course at The St. Regis Princeville Resort.

Cover Story Continued from page 9

PINEHURST, N.C. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pinehurst No. 2, the legendary Donald Ross course that is the hallmark of the storied Pinehurst Hotel & Country Club, reopened for play on Friday, March 4, following an extensive, year-long restoration project designed to return the courseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural and strategic character that had been lost over time. Following a project led by former Masters champion Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, a native of nearby Thomasville, golfers again can experience the characteristics that, since the full 18-hole course debuted in 1906, have made it one of the top-rated courses in the world. The restored No. 2 has no rough, larger playing areas, more strategic options and a return to the natural aesthetics of sand, hardpan and native wiregrass that are reminiscent of Rossâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; original design. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We expect golfers will fall in love March/April 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 6

The indoor range at The Golf Shop.

press, and though courses on Oahu and the Big Island are

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

No. 2 Reopens After Restoration

perhaps better known, golf on Kauaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;i may be the best-kept secret in the Hawaiian Islands. To our delight, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we found when we played there in December.

To Play in Kaua iâ&#x20AC;Ś Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contact information for the courses on the Garden Isle: Poipu Bay Golf Course (800) 858-6300 www.poipubaygolf.com

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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club (800) 634-6400 www.kauailagoonsgolf.com The Prince Course at Princeville ((800) 826-1105 www.princeville.com The Makai Golf Club (800) 826-1912 www.makaigolf.com Puakea Golf Course (866) 773-5554 www.puakeagolf.com

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COVER STORY

METROLINA GOLF NOTES

Ribbon-cutting ceremony at the grand opening of The Golf Shop in Mooresville. Owner Carl Hoffner is center, wearing the red shirt.

Photo courtesy of The St. Regis Princeville Resort

The clubhouse at The Prince Course at The St. Regis Princeville Resort.

Cover Story Continued from page 9

The indoor range at The Golf Shop.

press, and though courses on Oahu and the Big Island are

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

No. 2 Reopens After Restoration

perhaps better known, golf on Kauaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;i may be the best-kept secret in the Hawaiian Islands. To our delight, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we found when we played there in December.

To Play in Kaua iâ&#x20AC;Ś Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contact information for the courses on the Garden Isle: Poipu Bay Golf Course (800) 858-6300 www.poipubaygolf.com

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EQUIPMENT

COVER STORY

Garden Isle Offers Surprisingly Spectacular Golf Variety By Reid SpenceR Editor

When you think Kaua’i — if you think Kaua’i at all — golf doesn’t often come to the fore. Kaua’i, the westernmost of the Hawaiian Islands (with the exception of seldom-visited Niihau), is more famous as the Garden Isle, a haven of lush vegetation, spectacular beaches, profuse waterfalls and a canyon that provides breathtaking views of ancient rock and determined rivers. Kaua’i is famed for its Na’ Pali Coast, where cliffs climb thousands of feet to peaks that are accessible only to the hardiest of hikers. Kaua’i is a mecca for snorkeling and scuba diving, for lighthouse viewing, sunbathing and kayaking.

For those only peripherally familiar with the island, golf seldom enters the conversation — and that’s a mistake. If truth be known, Kaua’i boasts an array of golf courses that can rival more famous Kapalua (on Maui) for the quality of the experience, if not in notoriety. Take your pick. Poipu Bay Golf Course on the southeast side of the island is perhaps best known as the host course for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, a tournament reserved for the winners of the four major championship. The Grand Slam was a fixture there from 1994 through 2006. Poipu Bay gives golfers something that’s difficult to find in the continental United States — unless you happen to be playing on the

Photo by Reid Spencer

View from behind the 8th green at Kaua'i Lagoons Golf Club.

Photo by Reid Spencer

The beautiful 7th hole at Makai Golf Club, with the north coast of Kaua'i in the background. March/April 2011 • Page 8

Monterrey Peninsula at Pebble Beach, Cypress Point or Spyglass Hill. The four finishing holes at Poipu Bay play along a scenic 150-foot-high cliff that provides dramatic vistas of the Pacific Ocean. The 16th, in particular, is a daunting long par-4 that is just as challenging as it is beautiful. From an elevated tee high above the ocean, golfers must fit a tee shot into a fairway that turns left along the cliff. The par-3 that follows likewise plays from an elevated tee that affords an ocean view back along the coast to the 16th tee. Poipu Bay reopened Dec. 16 after extensive renovations that included reseeding the greens with eco-friendly, saltwater-tolerant Seashore Paspalum grass. To call the

ple physics. “Lighter, faster, farther. That’s what it’s all about,” said Mike Ferris, vice president for global product marketing for TaylorMade. While TaylorMade has attracted a lot of attention with its new R11 driver, with its stark white head, movable weights and adjustable hosel and sole plate, the new Burner Superfast 2.0 – just as white – is said to be the longest driver TaylorMade has ever produced. Coincidentally, it is the lightest driver they’ve ever made, at just 279 grams. The Burner Superfast 2.0, $300 at retail, employs a Matrix X-Con 4.8 shaft in the 44- to 46-gram range, depending on flex. But despite its overall light weight, the club sports a D9 swingweight because of its 46.6-inch length. (Note: the TP version, $400 retail, is one inch shorter and shaft options are generally heavier.) The longer shaft length adds to clubhead speed. “The Burner principle is all about speed,” Ferris said. “And that’s not just with the driver but throughout the entire Burner family. Lighter weight means a faster swing, which means more ball speed and more distance. “If that principle is true in a driver, why wouldn’t it be true in an iron?” According to Ferris, that’s the thinking behind the new TaylorMade Burner 2.0 irons. Longer, lighter shafts are the engines behind the new Burners. Even the steel shafts are just 85 grams. And while the enhanced cavity-back head design certainly fits into the “game improvement” category, these slightly offset irons are appealing enough at address to attract players across the handicap spectrum. In addition to lighter shafts, lighter grips and a very forgiving head design, TaylorMade engineered the club face on

the Burner 2.0 irons with varying face thickness from club to club. The thinner the clubface, the hotter it is. So the Burner 2.0 irons have been designed with thinner, hotter faces in the long irons to enhance distance, while dialing back in the shorter clubs to provide greater control. Expect to see the Burner 2.0s priced at $700 for an eight-iron set with steel shafts, $900 for graphite, in most golf shops and online. At Tour Edge/Exotics, weight, or lack thereof, is the story behind the XCG-4, the lightest driver Ex-

otics has ever offered--if you select the 276-gram super-ultralight model. There is also a 310-gram version, the primary difference being a 46-inch, 45-gram Graphite Design Tour AD shaft standard in the lighter model and a 55-gram Fujikura Motore shaft cut to 45.5 inches standard in the heavier. But with the XCG-4, “heavier” is definitely a relative term. According to Exotics, the head design of the XCG-4 advanced head design “features a titanium face and sole, an amorphous carbon crown, two amorphous carbon sole inserts, and two tungsten sole weights. The ultra-light weight carbon frees up 27 grams of weight that is strategically positioned in the lower rear of the clubhead to improve MOI by

more than 15 percent over previous versions.” The variable thickness “Boomerang” face, with V-shaped boomerangs designed into the face to maximize COR, provides enhanced feel and hotter rebound or spring-like effect over previous face designs. Look for the XCG-4 to retail for $330 at most shops. Complimenting the XCG-4 driver and matching fairway woods ($300) are the XCG-4 irons, which promise the greatest distance ever from an Exotics iron set. The key to the new irons is a clubface that is less than 2.2 mm. thick – or should we say thin? Exotics paired that with a deep undercut cavity and heel and toe tungsten weighting to achieve its

TourEdge Exotics XCG-4 Iron

TourEdge Exotics XCG-4 Driver

March/April 2011 • Page 13

COVER STORY

EQUIPMENT

“Lighter, Faster, Farther” Are Watchwords For 2011 Equipment By reid NelsoN Equipment Editor

“Lighter, faster, farther.” If there is a theme to the new equipment hitting golf shops in 2011, that would have to be it. Expect lightweight clubs that allow for faster swing speeds and thus greater distance to dominate the marketplace this year, as was evidenced at the annual PGA Merchandise Show, a winter staple that draws tens of thousands from around the world to Orlando, Fla.. After the last couple of seasons, and the tremendous success of TaylorMade’s r7 and R9 lines, one might have expected the show floor at Orange County Convention Center to be teeming with

clubs with movable weights and adjustable hosels. After all, companies like Cobra and Nike had jumped on the “wrench” bandwagon a full year earlier. And Titleist debuted its first-ever clubs with adjustable hosels when it unveiled its 910 line of drivers, fairway woods and hybrids last fall. A side note here: While the Titleist 910 lineup includes some excellent equipment, including the easy-to-look-at and equally well-performing 910 D2 and D3 drivers, the adjustment mechanism Titleist employs, with one ring to control face angle and another to control loft, can be very confusing. Settings like “B-2” or “C-3” have no relevance to right, left, up or down, so it is critical that one doesn’t lose

the fitting chart that comes with the clubs. Even more important, because the settings are opposite for left- and right-handers–“A-1” being standard loft and face angle for righties and “D-4” standard for lefties–don’t make the same mistake one Carolinas Section club professional did when his new 910 D3 arrived. Going out to play with some members, this particular pro, who requested anonymity, produced a string of diving ‘ducks’ before realizing he had set up his new 910 according to the left-handers side of the fitting chart. Maybe that’s one reason other companies did not join the adjustable club movement in 2011. Companies like Cleveland/Srixon,

Ping, Tour Edge/Exotics, Adams and Callaway, to name a few, are relying on traditional epoxy in their new lineups of static clubs. One clubmaker, Mizuno, which had offered moveable weights in its MP630 Fast Track driver, moved away from adjustability with its new JPX 800 driver. But with clubmakers up against the USGA and R&A’s mandated limits on clubhead size, COR (coefficient of restitution) and MOI (moment of inertia) numbers for the last few years, they have been forced to seek other ways to improve performance and, yes, distance. One way they are doing that is with lighter clubs that can be swung faster. Again, faster clubhead speeds produce more distance; that is sim-

Taylormade Burner 2.0 Iron

Taylormade Burner Superfast 2.0 Driver

March/April 2011 • Page 12

Cleveland XL270 Driver

condition of the course “immaculate” would be to do it an injustice. The north shore of Kaua’i provides a combination of golf and scenic majesty that is equally compelling. The Makai Golf Club at The St. Regis Princeville Resort is meticulously conditioned and equally breathtaking. On a course full of highlights, the par-3 7th is particularly noteworthy. Depending on the wind, golfers face a mid-to-long-iron shot over steep cliffs to a generous-buttricky green. Hit it fat or spray it to the right, and your ball will land on the beach some 200 feet below. It’s easy to see where architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. found his inspiration for this spectacular hole. Although the vegetation is understandably different, the shape, look and feel of the 7th at Makai is more than vaguely reminiscent of the fabled 16th at Cypress Point. The drivable par-4 14th likewise plays along the beach and tempts the golfer to aim for the flag from the tee. The penalty for missing to the right, however, is another trip down the cliffs to the beach. The Makai Golf Club reopened in 2010 after a 15-month renovation and features Seashore Paspalum on the tees, fairways and greens. There are 27 holes at Makai Golf Club, the 18-hole Makai Golf Course and the more modest nine-hole Woods Course. When you add the 18-hole Prince Course to the mix, you have 45holes of golf at The St. Regis Princeville Resort. Also designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the Price is rated the No. 1 course in Hawaii and No. 67 on Golf Digest’s list of “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” for 2009-2010. The Prince may also be Hawaii’s most challenging test, so bring your “A” game when you’re lucky enough to play this magnificent track. But don’t plan to schedule a tee time until October — The Prince closed Jan. 29 for a 10month renovation, but the pro shop and Tavern Restaurant by Roy Yamaguchi will remain open.

Having arrived on Kaua’i by boat, we established our base at the Kaua’i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki

golf for players of all levels — with some nice touches thrown in. Each hole on the Kiele Course is

— and for good reason. It’s rated No. 15 in the state by Golfweek and has the shot values to back up that

Photo courtesy of Kaua'i Lagoons Golf Club

After an extensive renovation by designer Jack Nicklaus, Kaua'i Lagoons Golf Club will have the longest strecth of ocean holes in Hawaii.

Beach, which also is home to the Kaua’i Lagoons Golf Club. Currently, 18 of the 36 holes — all designed by Jack Nicklaus — are in play, as Nicklaus completes a project that will create a one-half-milelong stretch of ocean holes, the longest in Hawaii. While the project is under way, golfers can play nine holes from the Kiele Course and nine from the Mokihana Course, while the Ocean Nine of the Kiele Course is under construction (completion is scheduled for May 2011). The combination provides plenty of

marked with a marble sculpture. On the first tee, golfers are greeted by a large Buddha before they strike their first shot. The opening stretch of the Kiele Course is Nicklaus at his most challenging. The long par-4 fourth (more than 460 yards from the tips) is an appetizer for the main course that follows — a long par-3 that’s all carry and a risk/reward par-5 with a long forced carry to a generous fairway. Not all the good golf on Kaua’i, however, is found beside the ocean. The Puakea Golf Course in Lihue is a modestly priced local favorite

designation. Architect Robin Nelson lets the land speak for itself, incorporating the natural flow of the terrain seamlessly into his design. The back nine, in particular, provides close-up views of Mt. Ha’upu, and when patches of fog roll in, the course has an almost other-worldly feel to it. Puakea is just a few miles away from the Kaua’I Marriott Resort on Kalapki Beach. Though the Plantation and Bay Courses at Kapalua may get more see cover story

page 15 March/April 2011 • Page 9

METROLINA AREA GOLF COURSE MAP

71 67

Statesville 40

29 Hickory

Conover

Denver

Lincolnton

321

22 67

83 50

Kannapolis

Huntersville

Concord

82 53

Salisbury

87 85

48 77

69 Davidson Cornelius

17 41

Mooresville

60 55

32 Maiden

601

Mt. Holly

CHARLOTTE 30

Gastonia Cramerton

273

62 6

81 321

76 7

49 Tega Cay

27 77

72 York 161

Rock Hill

88 59

Pineville

274

10 63 84

485

58 51

24 27

26 23

14 218

24 Matthews

74 45

205

Monroe Marshville

521

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$86 86

+ tax, per person, per night based on 8 occupants / players. players.

Situated over acres Blue Mountain Scenery, Rumbling Situated d on o ver 2900 acr es of beautiful B lue Ridge dge M ountain Scener ery, R umbling Bald Bald Resort Resort has been a players Asheville, from Raleigh playyers ffavorite favvorite orite since 1955. Located near A sheville, lle, just 4 hours fr om mR aleigh or Atlanta, Atlanta,, a golf getaway here here is fi filled with incredible incrediblee golf and beautiful mountain scenery scenery anyy time of the yyear! ear!

weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here here for for you! you!

incredible golf views

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to plan n the perfect perfect golf getaway! away! Simply Simply call us at 877-628-9729 729 to book one of thee packages listed above above or let uss design a custom package kage for you you with golff and luxurious spa treatments treatments in anyy of our 175 vvacation acation homes. condoss and villas. For For mor moree information information or to order order a Free Free Vacation Vacation a Guide Guide for Rumbling Rum mbling Bald Bald Resort Resor Resort on Lake Lure, Lure, visit us online at: www.RumblingBald.com www ww w.R RumblingB Bald.com

*Ask *Ask for Package Package Code GML113; Package Package rrates ates valid valid thru thru 5/25/2011