Golf PEI operates its own online and direct call reservation centre to book unforgettable stay & play packages and tee times at our member courses across the Island since 1989. Both local and travelling golfers have the unique ability to book both tee times and stay and play packages with one call or on our website at www.golfpei.ca. We provide the golfer the ability to choose to play one of our member courses and select one of our more than 30 accommodations partners. By booking with Golf PEI, you’ll receive the best value and service for your golf vacation.
Book online at www.golfpei.ca or by calling 1 866 GOLF-PEI (465-3734) today.
ENJOYED BEFORE, DURING & AFTER A ROUND BY MANY! FACEBOOK.COM/NARRAGANSETTBEER
OCEAN CITY GOLF GETAWAY
Welcome to Ocean City,
Maryland...
WKH KRWWHVW YDFDWLRQ VSRW DQG QRZ WKH QHZHVW JROÀQJ GHVWLQDWLRQ RQ WKH (DVW &RDVW 2FHDQ &LW\ *ROI *HWDZD\ LV SOHDVHG WR SURYLGH \RX ZLWK RQH VWRS KDVVOH IUHH VKRSSLQJ IRU \RXU JROÀQJ vacation. As you review our web site you will see we have made your choices simple. Included are varieties of all inclusive service oriented packages with hotels, golf package companies, condominiums, restaurants, golf schools and courses, and entertainment. CAN THERE BE such a thing as too much of a good thing? Potential visitors to the beautiful barrier island of Ocean City, Maryland, might be asking themselves just that as they ponder the seemingly endless array of great golf courses found here. The roster includes more than 17 championship layouts, with designs from top architects including Jack Nicklaus, Pete and P.B. Dye, Arthur Hills and Dr. Michael Hurdzan. Ocean City’s superb course options include Bayside Resort Golf Club, Baywood Greens, Bear Trap Dunes, Eagle’s Landing, Glen Riddle Golf Club’s Man O’War and War Admiral layouts, Heritage Shores Club, Links at Lighthouse Sound Golf Club, Nutters Crossing Golf Club, Ocean City Golf Club, Ocean Pines
Sun N’ Air Golf Center - Danvers, MA 6 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | April 2014
Golf and Country Club, Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links and The Bay Club. Ocean City Golf Getaway is pleased to provide golfers with one-stop, hassle-free shopping for your golf vacation. OceanCity*ROI FRP VLPSOLÀHV \RXU FKRLFHV and offers a variety of all-inclusive service-oriented packages with hotels, golf package companies, golf schools and courses, condominiums, restaurants and entertainment. /LNH \RXU EHVW JROÀQJ EXGG\ Oceancitygolf.com is there whenever needed. When you’re so excited trying to decide which 36 holes to tackle on Day One that you can’t VOHHS LW¡V WKHUH :KHQ \RX¡UH DW ZRUN ÀJXULQJ RXW the perfect time to make your escape, it’s there.
www.OceanCityGolf.com (800) 4-OC-GOLF
At OceanCityGolf.com, you can plan and book your next golf getaway to Ocean City, Maryland 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With 17 championship courses designed by the legends of the game, great golf is just the beginning. Add miles of beach and boardwalk, exciting nightlife and excellent dining, Ocean City, MD is the ultimate golf getaway. Book your golf trip today by visiting OceanCityGolf.com or call (800) 4-OC-GOLF.
2 Nights, 3 Rounds Starting: Spring / F Weekday all sWeekend $158 s - $192
“Greatt Golf is Just the Begin Beginning”
2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 7 Ocean City, April Maryland
October / November 2013 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 7
FROM THE EDITOR
I
t is spring in New England and we can expect to be playing golf on green grass soon. It has been a long arduous winter and Mother NaWXUH KDV OHW XV DOO NQRZ VKH LV VWLOO LQ FRQWURO 7KLV PD\ EH WKH ÀUVW \HDU LQ many that I have not seen the crocuses breaking ground in southern New England by the beginning of April. I like all of you are anxious to begin the season and work on my game in warmer weather.
(DFK $SULO ZH DOO NQRZ LWV VSULQJ ZLWK WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW PDMRU RI WKH VHDVRQ 7KH Masters. Unlike any event in golf in WKH ZRUOG 7KH 0DVWHUV H[HPSOLĂ&#x20AC;HV WKH EHDXW\ DQG WKH PDMHVW\ of this great game and the ultimate challenge for tour players worldwide. The Green Jacket is the most sought after trophy in JROI DQG LV WUXO\ WKH PRVW GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW WR JHW :KDW PDNHV $XJXVWD National such a test is something that can only be seen by walking the course and watching the tournament live, television coverage does no justice to the real venue. Augusta National has such severe elevation changes throughout the course that present players with impossible scenarios throughout the front and back nine. On many holes tee boxes are over 100 feet above or below fairways and greens. There are other holes that are literally like a roller coaster ride, lets remember you are walking this course and that alone takes its toll. To give you and idea imagine teeing it up at sea level on Goat Island in Newport RI with the Green sitting on top of The Newport Bridge, that falls away steeply on three sides with deep bunkers guarding a rear left pin position, you have just played the 9th hole at Augusta National on Sunday. The Masters is a tradition that wakes up the world of golf every year and provides a shot in the arm to the golf industry. If you are one of the lucky few that get to go to this great event remember the single most important thing to bring, good shoes. At The Masters will you see thousands of spectators wearing comfortable golf shoes or hiking shoes as they follow their favorite players. Have a mint julep and a SLPHQWR FKHHVH VDQGZLFK *HW \RXU *UHHQ DQG <HOORZ 2Q
Timothy R. Branco Editor/ Publisher
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY
TRAVEL 11
Katharine Dyson / International Golf Destinations
16
Couple of Travelers / Desert Golf Palm Springs
FASHION & STYLE 19
11
Elle Brec / Classic Retro Golf Styles
RHODE ISLAND GOLF GUIDE 23
Great 19th Holes in Rhode Island
26
Ocean State is Golf Heaven
28
Rhode Island Golf Courses & Driving Ranges
CAPE COD GOLF 46
Play Golf Cape Cod
CELEBRITY GOLFERS
24
50
Leigh McKay / on Mike Breed
52
John Molori / Boston Sport Golf Talkers
54
John Molori / The Brentz Brothers
THE 2014 MATERS PREVIEW 56
James Ward / on Augusta’s Opening Hole
58
Papp’s Picks / The Masters
ON THE TOURS
50
60
Ken Dennis / LPGA Tour Gallery
62
Steve Riggs / Team New England
EQUIPMENT REVIEWS 77
Ed Travis / Getting off the First Tee / Drivers
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a true test of
championship golf the true spirit of
hospitality
WORLD CLASS LINKS / Royal Birkdale / Royal Lytham & St. Annes / Royal Liverpool / Hillside / Formby / Southport & Ainsdale / West Lancashire / Caldy / Fairhaven / Hesketh / Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa / Wallasey With no fewer than 7 courses in the UK & Ireland Top 100, including 3 Open Championship venues, the quality and concentration of golf within England’s Golf Coast is second to none. With a wide choice of accommodation, exciting tourist attractions and breath taking coastline, the fun doesn’t stop on the 18th green. You can take it easy on the Wirral, immerse yourself in the charming coastal towns of Lytham and St Annes, enjoy England’s Classic Resort in Southport or live it up in Liverpool, the home of The Beatles, the choice is yours! With two international airports on the doorstep and just a two hour train journey from central London, England’s Golf Coast has never been easier to travel to.
Royal Birkdale
Royal Lytham & St. Annes
Liverpool Waterfront
Hillbark Hotel, Wirral
Come and visit www.englandsgolfcoast.com
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THE PERFECT LIFE ///
BY Y KATHERINE E DYSON
A Journey to Incredible
Golf Destinations
Outside the States Last year it was Phil Mickelson who hoisted The Open Claret Jug, The Golf Champion Trophy, for all to see after winning the 2013 Open at Lytham & St Annes. This year he will be defending his title at Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake on the Wirral Peninsula. Both courses are among the dozen storied tracks set along Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf Coast hugging the northwest shore from Royal St. SSt tt.. A An nd dre dr rre ew wâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Sc co cot o ottla llan a an nd Lytham in the north to Royal Liverpool and Caldy Golf Club in the south. ENGLAND This is an impressive collection of tracks. Royal Lytham, Royal Liverpool and Royal Birkdale alone have hosted The Open 31 times. $ ULFK UHSRVLWRU\ RI FODVVLF OLQNV SOD\HG E\ JROĂ&#x20AC;QJ greats like Gene Sarazen, Peter Thomson, Bobby Jones, Bobby Locke, Seve Ballesteros, Arnold Palmer, Laura Davies, Walter Hagen and Jack Nicklaus, these courses have welcomed The Ryder Cup, The Walker Cup, The Curtis Cup, The Senior British Open, The Ladies British Open, The PGA Championship, The English Senior Open and The British Amateur. Now thanks to Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf Coast you too can tee up at these storied venues by taking advantage of several packages or customized itineraries. For example NEGCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Open 2014â&#x20AC;? priced from DERXW SHU SHUVRQ LQFOXGHV Ă&#x20AC;YH QLJKWV DW +RWHO Indigo, a colorful chic hotel in Liverpool near the waterfront plus golf at Caldy, Wallasey and West Lancs courses during The Open. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Royal Flushâ&#x20AC;? at approximately $1,649 gives
you golf on Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham & St Annes along with two nights and breakfast at The Vincent, a stylish boutique hotel in Southport. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just the beginning. (englandsgolfcoast.com)
SCOTLAND Heading up to Scotland The Open returns to St. Andrews next year and all golfers know how treasured that wee bit of land is, especially to those who have their sights set on playing the Old Course. Keeping in mind that the Old Course is a municipal course as are the other six in the St. Andrews Links Trust including the New Course and the Jubilee Course, there are just so many tee times available. Still other good choices include Crail, the 7th oldest track in the world and Kingsbarns, a spectacular course along the sea. Hotels in the areas include the traditional Old Course Hotel within walking distance of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Old,â&#x20AC;? DQG GRZQWRZQ¡V VKRSV DQG SXEV DQG WKH Ă&#x20AC;YH star Fairmont St. Andrews with two courses of its
April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 1113
own, The Torrance and The Kittocks. 0XLUĂ&#x20AC;HOG D SULYDWHO\ RZQHG OLQNV LQ *XOODQH (DVW Lothian and venue for The Open 16 times, dates from 1891 when it was built on an old horse track. Within a year it hosted the Open Championship and has been welcoming golfers and major events ever since. For that grand resort experience, try Turnberry on the craggy rock-strewn Ayrshire (west) coast of Scotland, looking out over the Irish Sea and heather-clad hills. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a grand Edwardian country resort sitting high on the crest of a hill where at twilight you may very well hear the piercing sound of bagpipes. Play golf on Ailsa and Kintyre and tackle other pursuits like clay pigeon shooting, archery, horseback riding, off-road driving, tennis and falconry and unwind in the Spa. Capturing the spotlight this year is The Ryder Cup to be held at Gleneagles in Perthshire, September 23-28. Premier Golf, the licensed distributor of Ryder Cup travel, is offering several packages to make your task getting there seamless. All-incluVLYH SDFNDJHV LQFOXGH Ă&#x20AC;YH QLJKWV¡ DFFRPPRdations, welcome reception, Scottish breakfast daily, Ryder Cup Season ticket, tranfers to and from Gleneagles, gift and taxes. A variety of hotel choices include the Sheraton Grand in Edinburgh, The Fairmont St. Andrews, Marriott Dalmahoy, Radisson Blue, and others. Travel itineraries in Scotland are also offered by veteran tour operator David Harris of Bonnie Wee Golf who can help you get on the Old Course at St. Andrews as well as line up other great plays
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like Kingsbarns, Turnberry, Carnoustie, Macrihanish and Gleneagles. Bonnie Wee customizes tours in Scotland as well as Ireland. A sample 7-day itinerary gives you play at Brora, Nairn, Royal Dornoch, Golspie, Boat of Garten, and Cruden Bay. Ask about their Executive Heligolf trips. Now thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the way to go. Visit Scotland offers a wide range of packages as well to the Ryder Cup and to Scotland and Wales including must-sees like castles and cultural attractions.
IRELAND With more than one-third of the windswept seaside links courses in the world located in Ireland, both Ireland and North Ireland are bonanzas for those who love golf. Play Lahinch in County Clare, RQH RI WKH ZRUOG¡V Ă&#x20AC;QHVW DQG ROGHVW OLQNV ZKHUH fairways rise and fall over grass-topped dunes; Ballybunion in County Kerry; and Connemara in
Galway. Other great tracks include Portmarnoch, Donegal, Dromoland, the K Club, former venue for the Ryder Cup, and the European Club, the realized dream of Pat Ruddy, a ruddy Irish character, collector of golf books, publisher, golf writer DQG DUFKLWHFW IRU FRXUVHV LQFOXGLQJ %DOO\OLIĂ&#x20AC;Q (Glashedy), Druids Glen, and Rosapenna.
PORTUGAL, THE ALGARVE Several years ago, European golfers discovered Portugalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Algarve where a temperate climate allowed golf to be played year-round. Today this sunny coastal region has more than 40 golf courses. Still the Algarve, once called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Garbeâ&#x20AC;? by the Arabs who lived here, has not been on the â&#x20AC;&#x153;aâ&#x20AC;? list of most American golfers. Still with worldclass facilities throughout the region, several golforiented communities offering villas and estate homes for rent and purchase, it should be. Take the 96 one and two-bedroom villas in the Four Seasons Country Club set in the heart of the Algarve in Quinta do Lago. The sun-splashed villas are light, bright and airy inside and out with terraces or patios while the on-site facilities include a clubhouse, bar, lounge and 17 acres of gardens. Another major hotspot here is Vilamoura between Albufeira and Faro. It has its own marina,
FDVLQR DQG DLUĂ&#x20AC;HOG DV ZHOO DV VHYHUDO FRXUVHV DQG resorts including the famous Vale do Lobo resort, home to two courses, Royal and Ocean. Royal is amidst lakes and pine trees with beautiful views of the coast, while the Ocean runs along the beach with unrivalled sea views. Oceanico Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 640-acre Amendoeira resort is highlighted by an extensive Sports Club, a Golf Academy & Fitting Suite with a nine-hole par 3 course and two designer tracks by Nick Faldo and Christy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor Jr. The Faldo course is set into the hills while the Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor Course, is laid DORQJ WKH Ă DWWHU YDOOH\ SODLQ D SUHWW\ WUDFN ZLWK the Monchique Mountains in the distance. Along WKH IRUWK DQG Ă&#x20AC;IWK IDLUZD\V JURYHV RI RUDQJH WUHHV are close enough to steal a fruit or two. Nearby in Vilamoura, play Oceanicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Old Course, Victoria, Pinhal and Laguna courses.
WALES :DOHV KDV PRUH WKDQ Ă&#x20AC;UVW UDWH JROI FRXUVHV Site of the 2010 Ryder Cup held at Celtic Manor, people come here not just for golf but to take in Walesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; culture, history, spectacular craggy scenery and castles Its marketing slogan, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Golf as it should beâ&#x20AC;? prepares you for Walesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; authentic traditional links
CHOOSE SAGRES VACATIONS! If you are looking for a reliable, experienced travel agency to book your next golf getaway in Portugal, Sagres Vacations is here to serve your needs. We have a highly experienced team of agents who specialize in arranging unforgettable golf vacations in Algarve, renowned as the golfing capital of the world.
761 Bedford Street Fall River, Massachusetts
(508) 679-0053 info@sagresvacations.com
The Celtic Manor Resort offers a variety of accommodations in the 330-room Resort Hotel and the traditional 19th century Manor House along with The Forum Health Club and Spa, two tennis courts, Health and Fitness Club, and several places to eat and drink.
layouts like Pennard Golf Course, so old, cows and horses have right-of-way and one local rule reads, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hoof marks and dung caused by horses and cattle are an Abnormal Ground Condition. Relief is availableâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;?
For a selection of unique hotels and country house inns with golf rolled into the program, contact Welsh Rarebits Golf Vacations. Or check RXW :HOVK *ROĂ&#x20AC;QJ +ROLGD\V ZKHUH YDOXH ORDGHG packages include two nights and three rounds for about $232. The thing is: golf in Wales is exciting, a bit on the wild side and reasonable.
FRANCE
3\OH .HQĂ&#x20AC;J *ROI &OXE ZHVW RI &DUGLII JLYHV \RX two distinct golf experiences. The front nine unrolls more of an open Moorish style while the back runs through the dunes giving you a true links experience. Five extra practice holes smack in the middle of the layout provide a quirky twist. Welshman Ian Woosnam holds the course record of 67 at Nefyn & District Golf Course set in the rocky headlands on the Llyn peninsula. With a unique 26-hole layout, ten holes run along the sea and hole #13 sits on the tip of a rocky peninsula where waves crash against rocks below. At Royal Porthcawl dating from 1891, you tee off along the sea with nonstop views of dunes and grasses and on Southerndown Golf Course although you can taste the salt in the air and feel the sea breezes, like Nefyn, this is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;headlandâ&#x20AC;? course riding over the high ground above the VHD 'R]HQV RI Ă XII\ VKHHS PXQFK JUDVV RQ WKH rolling fairways, but as one local said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;They were here before we were.â&#x20AC;? From the ramparts of the 13th century Harlech Castle along the Mid-Wales coast, you get a great view of Royal St. Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf Club. Play runs in and out of snarly grass-topped dunes between the sea and castle. And what a pedigree. In 1934, King George V was Patron and the Prince of Wales was Captain of the course. Aberdovey Golf Club, in Snowdonia National Park, is worth seeing even if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play golf. With lineage back to 1886, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s settled at the mouth of the Dovey Estuary between the Cambrian Mountains and the dunes of Aberdovey Beach while Tenby, a James Baird track and the oldest club in Wales, impure links at its best, gorse and all.
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Southern France is more than beaches, chic fashion and sunny villas. The Royal Mougins golf course (1993) on the outskirts of Mougins, a quaint historic village near Cannes on the French Riviera (CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Azur) is set in a lovely Provence landscape where olive trees, weathered stone walls, tall cypress and distant mountains frame the surroundings. The Von Hagge-designed course, a well-manicured modern layout graced by numerRXV Ă RZHUV KLOO\ IDLUZD\V DQG QXPHURXV SRQGV LV on the program for France Golf Toursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Golf & Provence French Riviera.â&#x20AC;? Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll travel and golf through Cannes, Saint-Tropez, and Monte-Carlo while playing courses like Fregate, Saint-Baume, Saint-Endreol, and Mougins. If French wine is on your compass, among the itineraries from France Golf Tours is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Golf & Wine in Burgundy.â&#x20AC;? As you travel and play at courses like the Chateau des Vigiers, MĂŠdoc golf course Les Vignes, Margaux and MĂŠdoc Les Chateau, you will also visit the medieval town of Saint-Emilion, WDVWH Ă&#x20AC;QH ZLQHV DW UHJLRQDO YLQH\DUGV DQG VWD\ LQ luxury hotels in the heart of the vineyards. :RPHQ ZLOO Ă&#x20AC;QH WKH /DGLHV *ROI 7RXU SHUIHFW LV D mĂŠlange of golf, cooking, fashion and art is on their desired agenda. Visit Chateau de Chenonceau, play Touraine, the elegant CĂŠly and Les
Aisses golf courses and visit Chateau de Villandry Gardens and visit Le Marais in Paris where high fashion reigns.
THE CARIBBEAN & BERMUDA Golf has arrived as a popular pastime in the Caribbean supplementing the sun and sand pursuits. Key Caribbean destinations where golf is big include the Dominican Republic where Pete Dyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Teeth of the Dog in the sprawling Casa de &DPSR SXW WKH JDPH RQ WKH JROĂ&#x20AC;QJ PDS SOXV Casaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newer Dye Fore and Links. On the eastern more remote part of the DR, The Estates at Punta Cana Resort & Club encompasses 15,000 acres with three nines designed by PB Dye (La Cana). Punta Cana also has the only private international airport in the islands, a real boon to visiWRUV ZKR FDQ Ă \ LQ DQG EH RQ WKH course or beach about 15 minutes later. Stay at Tortuga Bay, an upscale boutique villa-style resort steps from the white sand. Corales, a spectacular ocean-front layout by Tom Fazio, is the focal point for several multi million dollar estates in the Corales Golf Club, an exclusive residential development. The course rides above the sea and one hole actually crosses a deep cove.
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, all-inclusive resorts in Bayahibe, Playa Bavaro (Punta Cana) and Puerto Plata and a new inland PB Dye-designed golf course, Iberostar BĂĄvaro in Punta Cana round out the major golf facilities while Punta Espada at Cap Cana features a striking Oceanside Jack Nicklaus course. For the ultimate luxury lodgings book into the Sanctuary Cap Cana or the new Relaix & Chateauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eden Roc. Barbados is another good getaway bet with golf at Royal Westmoreland or the uber-lux Sandy Lane Barbados that continues to attract international visitors with Hammock Beach its over-the-top suites, beach Resort & Spa and two golf courses including the exclusive Green Monkey. Or consider a vacation in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico or Bermuda, all excellent golf destinations. For example in Puerto Rico, the course at Royal Isabela on the far northwestern shores of Puerto Rico, resort guests settle into one of Royal Isabelaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 20 spacious casitas set into the hillsides, with views of the sea, private plunge pools and huge showers. The golf course runs along the cliff tops above the sea. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sspectacular. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just the beginning. All over the world from Portugalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Algarve and Austria Alps down to South $PHULFD \RX ZLOO Ă&#x20AC;QG SODFHV WKDW HQWLFH \RX WR play and stay.
April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 15
Couple of Travelers ///
BY Y ALICE AND DANNY Y SCOTT
Hollywood’s Desert Golf
Palm Springs Ralph Waite, the beloved actor most well known by a generation as Dad of the Walton’s, was a long time resident of Palm Springs in “the desert.” While sad and sudden, his recent death invoked a fond memory of meeting him in a breakfast café during the Tennis Open one year. His blue eyes twinkled like stars as Alice gushed. His newscaster cohorts begged not to “feed his ego. His head is big enough.” He asked what we were doing in town. We told him golf travel writing and asked if he played. He said, “No, I never had time with all those kids.” Unlike Ralph Waite, many Hollywood stars, old DQG QHZ ÁRFN WR WKH &RDFKHOOD 9DOOH\ RI &DOLfornia for golf. The Bob Hope Desert Classic was a favorite among the PGA circuit. Now with the Clinton Foundation, it is known as the Humana Challenge, played in January at the La Quinta Country Club and PGA West Club. The Kraft Nabisco Championship, originally Dinah Shore’s, is one of the majors on the LPGA tour. Held in March at Mission Hills, it is famous for the winner’s
16 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | April 2014
leap into the pond off 18. Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and many more are recipients on the Walk of Stars. Today, you never know whom you may encounter. Take the Celebrity Tour or feel like a star yourself, in the sunny Palm Springs area. Indian Wells Golf Resort is a great starting point with comfy accommodations at the Hyatt Regency. The date palm lined entrance induces relaxation. The Celebrity
Course, where the LG Skins game was twice held, plays against the San Jacinto mountain background. The Players Course by John Fought is a shot makerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delight as it follows the elevation changes and routing among eucalyptus trees, QDWLYH GHVHUW KDELWDW DQG Ă RUDO ODQGVFDSH $IWHU a round, rejuvenate with a body treatment at WKH $JXD 6HUHQD 0HGLFDO DQG 6NLQ 6SD Ă&#x20AC;OOHG ZLWK cactus and juniper aromatics or lounge poolside with signature refreshments. Dine on exquisite cuisine at the Vue upstairs at the clubhouse or enjoy the view at the laid back Agave Sunset lounge. Epitomizing the desert oasis luxury style is the J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa with a recent 25 million dollar renovation. Ride a gondola to waterside dining as elegant swans, black and white gracefully glide beside the golf course. Updates to the 36 holes Ted Robinson designed inFOXGH DVWRXQGLQJ ZDWHUIDOOV DQG YLEUDQW Ă RUDO JDUdens complementing the mountain views. The par WK LV XQPDWFKHG LQ EHDXW\ DQG GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW\ ZLWK water pools cascading beside the island green. Bunkers guarding all four sides of the green cannot distract from the aesthetics of this hole. A short drive away, the Desert Willow Golf Resort offers another outstanding 36 holes by the Fry/ Straka design team. The Firecliff and Mountain View courses challenge golfers with natural hazards in the desert trees and waterways. On the Lakeview Terrace, take in the mountains and the closing hole capers of Firecliff. The staff prides itself on exclusive
service not usually found at a public facility. The Silver Rock Resort was home to the Bob Hope Classic from 2008-11. The Arnold Palmer signature course is one of the longest in the valley, over 7578 yards, challenging the best of the best, yet fair to all with six sets of tee boxes. The winding layout is full of bunkers, lakes, streams and a canal separating fairways. A few holes back right up to the mountain where big horn sheep may stray down for a gallery view. Unique dining options are endless in Greater Palm Springs. The Jackalope Ranch is an eclectic example, on sprawling grounds with an elaborate array of waterfalls, secluded patio and dance Ă RRU $UWLVWLF IHDWXUHV DUH RYHU WKH WRS DQG LW LV DQnually voted best for steaks, ribs and Happy Hour. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Springsâ&#x20AC;? name evolved from the heated, FOHDU PLQHUDO ZDWHU SHUFRODWLQJ IURP Ă&#x20AC;VVXUHV deep inside the earth, which are still tapped for healing soaks in over 30 spas. Wellness centers combine with a myriad of activity for families and business conferences. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is the second largest tennis stadium in the world, hosting the BNP Paribas Open in March. Most resorts have courts for guestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; play. Add polo, water parks, hiking, bird watching, a tramway, ballooning, luxury boutiques, art and dazzling entertainment, for lasting memories in Coachella Valley. Oh, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the 100 plus golf courses in Hollywoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Desert. See www. visitpalmsprings.com.
April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 17
USA THE PROQUIP 2014 COLLECTION
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYING PARTNER PROQUIPGOLFUSA.COM HIGH PERFORMANCE RAIN & WIND GEAR TO HELP YOU CONQUER THE ELEMENTS
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GOOD LOOKS ON THE COURSE //
BY Y ELLE L BREC
Classic Retro Golf Styles
Score a Modern Update
7KH EHVW JROI DSSDUHO GHVLJQV KDYH IRXQG Ă&#x20AC;QGLQJ WKH GHOLFDWH EDODQFH EHWZHHQ WKH FODVVLF style evolved over the years based on popularity and new modern technology to improve our lives. The retro trend is what is hot from runways to fairways to street wear, but we must note the modern updates that make us thankful we play golf and live in this era, not in past ones.
DEVEREUX The great style icons of the game Hogan, Palmer, Player and Norman are the inspiration behind Devereux golf apparel. Named after founder Robert Brennerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashionable and timeless, high heel wearing grandmother, Devereux was inspired to introduce a more contemporary golf line while touching on retro fashion statements made on the course years ago. Focusing all their attention on the quality details of each fabric to successfully produce a perfect blend of modern technology with old world class and sophistication. The Spring collection is reminiscent of the cool
retro scene in the 70s and 80s, sea green and coral, pairing well with a tan and earth tones. Devereux also has a Pique that is a pima cotton and spandex blend. Pockets were big in 70s and 80s golf as Arnold Palmer famously donned them. Trending in the design of high-end polos is the resurgence of pockets, adding another dimension to the shirt as well as an artistic touch. Devereux created a unique shape for their pockets, a cool, abstract style. The chest pocket is a signature design element for Devereux highlighted best in the Welch polo. In the future golf fans can expect exciting new yet classic pieces like contemporary blazers, sleek vests, and technical pants, check www.dvrxgolf.com to view their collections.
April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 19
BIRDY AND GRACE Fly into spring on the wings of Birdy and Grace with WKH 'UDJRQĂ \ FROOHFWLRQ DQG ODQG RQ WKH /RWXV /RYH Ă RZHU LQVSLUHG GHVLJQV *HRPHWULF SULQWV PRGHUQ patterns that have retro history, are zipping down high fashion runways recently and they are all the buzz in golf style. The Ivy polo with matching all over print skort sold separately yet can be worn together for a look that resembles a single wrap-dress; a look DSSURSULDWH LQ WKH RIĂ&#x20AC;FH DV ZHOO DV RQ WKH FRXUVH The Spring collection features timeless classics with a modern twist women golfers who want distinctive clothes that easily transition within their active lifestyles. There should be â&#x20AC;&#x153;an effortless balance between practicality and femininity while keeping the spirit of timeless style alive,â&#x20AC;? said Owner Sharon Sunoo. The retro Tori cardigan is a beautiful tan cotton piece with highlighting colors echoing those of
the new Spring collection. With the retro swirl Birdy and Grace with updated look inspired by nature, UHPLQLVFHQW RI ZLQG EORZQ Ă RZHUV RQ D GD\ ZLWK the bluest sky and the greenest grass. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;miracle knitâ&#x20AC;? pant, found in a variety of colors and lengths, combines a yoga pant breathable feel with a professional and polished course-appropriate look. The SRO\HVWHU VSDQGH[ EOHQG DOORZV IRU FRPIRUW DQG Ă H[ibility while maintaining high performance capability. Each piece made by Birdy and Grace is meant for coordination with each other. All tops from Spring 2014 are SPF 30, are made ZLWK H[WUDRUGLQDU\ TXDOLW\ DQG DUH Ă&#x20AC;JXUH DFcentuating with the freedom to swing. Based in Greenwich, Connecticut, Birdy and Grace embodies a classic New England style with a modern twist for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s female golfers of all DJHV 9LHZ WKH HQWLUH ERG\ Ă DWWHULQJ Ă&#x20AC;W VW\OLVK collections at birdyandgrace.com.
MAUI JIM Famous golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez epitomized cool in the 1950s with the wayfarer rimed sunglasses paving way for their heyday in the 1960s. The retro vintage trend is everywhere right now. From wayfarers of the 1950s, to aviators from the 70s and 80s as well as round steam punk frames, retro sunglasses are making a comeback right now in a big way. Evidence is in the most popular style from Maui Jim, the Kawika and the Kolohe models. The browline look looked cool on Chi Chi in the 50s, then had another rise in the 1980s with the popularity of Andy Warhol and Basquiat. Fittingly, the town of Makawao Maui is a thriving arts
2020 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | March 2013
community. For women the Liana shades were inspired by the classic vintage look of sunnies from the 1950s. This full-frame nylon, slight cat-eye shape features ST glass lenses and suits smaller, narrower faces. Aversatile new, retro inspired style offering outstanding glare protection and comfortable round frame complements oval, heart and triangle face shapes . All Maui Jims Care come with a case cleaning cloth to keep them fresh, view all styles at www.mauijim.com.
PROQUIP ProQuip USA based in Marblehead, MA combines modern technical fabrics with traditional premium wool. Their knitwear is made with 100% premium British Lambswool and lined with performance polyester. The technical aspects of the garment create windproof and water resistant properties, while utilizing the natural warm and breathable properties of one of the oldest and timeless fabrics. While wool traditionally needs to be dry cleaned, this modern garment is machine washable and can be tumble dried.
translated well to his wardrobe selection. Always with a classic sweater, collared shirt, tie, and nice slacks, Ouimet put the proper in Boston Proper. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Francis Ouimetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big win with the ProQuip limited edition Ouimet 100 ORJR 3UR4XLS LV GRQDWLQJ DOO SURĂ&#x20AC;WV IURP WKH VDOH RI these sweaters and several other apparel items to the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, which offers college-tuition help to young men and women who have worked at golf courses. View the technical garments like state-of-the-art, quiet waterproof rain suits, VWUHWFKDEOH 7RXUĂ H[ OLJKWZHLJKW ZLQGSURRI MDFNHWV DW www.proquipgolfusa.com.
Francis Ouimet is known for exuding class, and this
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ANTIGUA In the 1970s and 1980s golfers around the world such as Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros, began sporting bright lively colors, like yellows, greens, pinks, blues, oranges that became popular in sweaters, pants, socks and polos. Antigua gold apparel has taken notes on past styles and add fresh new hues to their Spring ’14 golf collection with vivid colors. Golfers and sports enthusiasts are really wearing bright colors right now and having fun with it. Combine new sport fashion with sophisticated styling and the result is the best of both worlds. Modern updates to classic colors are Antigua’s proprietary technical fabrics Desert Dry and Desert Dry Xtra-Lite moisture management technology
WKDW ZLFNV DZD\ PRLVWXUH ´:H ZHUH RQH RI WKH ÀUVW adopters of tech fabrics,” says our good friend and Antigua CEO, Ron McPherson. “We developed Desert Dry and Desert Dry Xtra-Lite, and we use them across our men’s and women’s products. They perform extremely well.” Along with the performance technology and EULJKW FRORUV HDFK KDV DQ LGHDO JROI VSHFLÀF ÀW For example the sleeve cap has been eliminated so that the garment performs with the swing, not tugging. Shirts also make use of lightweight stretch material in the outerwear for comfort over a wide range of temperatures. Women’s shirts DUH IRUP ÀWWLQJ ZLWK ÁH[LEOH TXDOLWLHV IRU D IHPLQLQH look with athletic properties.
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THE 19TH HOLE /// BY TIMMYY RAY
Great 19th Holes
in Rhode Island After 18 holes on your favorite track in the Ocean State you deserve to kick back and ad up the tally with friends over some great food and drinks. Rhode Islands offers some of the best of the best, when it comes to 19th hole restaurants and pubs. Here are a few of our favorites at New England Golf Monthly.
SOUTH COUNTY
one of South Counties favorite courses. This links style course is surrounded by panoramic views, ginormous stone walls and has rolling fairways. Fratelliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pub and outside deck overlook the entire course and have great food, one of the best cheeseburgers you will ever have anywhere. Daily martini specials are only $5.50.
The Misquamicut Club If you are fortunate enough to spend a day at The Misquamicut Club in Watch Hill then you will be surely blessed by the golf gods. The Victorian style clubhouse sits high above the course with spectacular ocean views, have lunch on the veranda, the manhattans are said to be epic here, feel like a Rockefeller for the day and experience a moment steeped in time. Fenner Hill GC / Fratelliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub & Grill A classic New England dairy farm transformed itself into
Wood Rivers 11th Green At Wood River the golf is simple and affordable 11 Holes $12 / 13 Holes $14/ 18 Holes $18, a great place to have fun and enjoy the game. When built in 2000 Wood River was only 11 Holes, thus the name The 11th Green Restaurant
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& Pub. A little bit of Federal Hill is here in South County with Chef Steven Disano delivering epic eats that have made 11th green more famous than the other 17. How about veal saltimbocca with calamari after your round? Exeter CC Grill on The Hill One of the countries oldest golf courses (1889) designed by Manny Francis inventor of Vesper Velvet, the turfgrass that revolutionized putting surfaces in the game. Try the Pesto Mozz Egg Rolls followed by their Classic Reuben and a tall Narragansett. The Hendricks family also operated two other great South County courses, Meadowbrook and Richmond.
Harbor Lights The “Front 9” / “Back 9” Harbor Lights is a Marina & Pool Club & a Country Club on Warwick Neck. This beautiful 9- hole course was designed by Geoffrey Cornish and winds itself along the bay. The new clubhouse is the home to “Front 9” and “Back 9 “ grill rooms, which are launching all new menus for 2014. It’s a great spot loaded with ambience, style and great food and drinks at great prices.
Midville Country Club This is one of the best 9hole golf courses in Southern New England. Superior conditions and a great layout make Midville a must play in the West Bay area. What’s golf without a great hot dog and a cold beer? Give me two with the works heavy on the mustard and onion. A great friendly club where you can laugh out loud, and none will notice. Quindnessett Country Club Overlooking Narragansett Bay is not a bad place to spend the day and you can follow it up with cocktails on the deck at the club with a host of great food options by the Janikies family who own a host of restaurants and banquet facilities throughout the region. Great club, great food, excellent atmosphere and service make this place a RI favorite.
THE WEST BAY Warwick Country Club If bayside is what you are looking for than Warwick has you covered with this Donald Ross EHDXW\ $ PDJQLÀFHQW IDFLOLW\ RYHUORRNLQJ ED\ bridges and the west passage of Narragansett Bay. After a great round on this masterpiece get decked out with a Tangeray & Tonic with lime and a bowl of New England Clam chowder and clam cakes, it doesn’t get any better than this.
PROVIDENCE
Wannamoisett CC/ The Donald Ross Room Truly one of Donald Ross’s most prized creations located in Rumford RI is at the top of the states list for great golf facilities. Each year the club host one the world’s most prestigious tournaments, The Northeast Amateur. The outside deck overlooking the course is a great spot to enjoy lunch after a round. My favorite is a vodka martini in the Donald Ross room steeped in the history of the game with artifacts, maps and drawings of the original layout of the course. Triggs Golf Course / Yogi’s Grill Donald Ross designed Triggs as his only true public golf course in 1930. This exceptional layout overlooks the capitol city of Providence and to this day is said to one of Ross’s best layouts. The facility is a true “Munnie”
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and is a local favorite in the area. Yogi’s Grill does a killer Texas Barbecue with ribs and a chicken quarter with Texas fries and corn on the cob and yes the cornbread too. If not go for the grilled sausage & peppers and feel like you’re at Fenway. Metecomet Country Club It’s a Ross sweep in Providence with this signature 18hole gem located in East Providence. The land once part of the Agawam Hunt Club is now home to another great Donald Ross designed facility. The facility has a great bar overlooking the practice green and the food is fantastic with great lunch and dinner selections. The clam chowder here was to die for, but don’t, just order more.
BLACKSTONE VALLEY Kirkbrae Country Club Located just minutes outside of Providence, Kirkbrae is as spectacular as it gets when it comes to private golf clubs. All the amenities you are lookLQJ IRU DQG D PDJQLÀFHQW GLQQLQJ DQG EDQTXHW IDFLOLW\ WR ERRW 0\ GHÀQLWLRQ RI ´*ROI 1LUYDQDµ LV an early morning round followed by Kirkrae’s famous Sunday Brunch starting out with their great Bloody Mary’s or Mimosa’s followed by afternoon of watching Sunday at the Masters. Crystal Lake Golf Club / The Tavern Located in Northern RI just a driver from Rhode Island famous Wrights Farm, Crystal Lake is one of the most pristine spots in the state. A great golf facility that host great music, comedy nights and a very competitive pitch league. A great beer selection and some of the best food you will ever have. Their outdoor Pavilion overlooking the lake host great, barbecues, tournament outings and family gatherings. Unbeatable New England style Clambake and a game of horseshoes make for a wicked awesome day.
THE EAST BAY & AQUIDNECK ISLAND Rhode Island Country Club Once again Donald Ross outdid himself on this legendary track that plays host to U.S. Amateurs and is home to the CVS Caremark Charity Classic each year. Located on the shores of Narragansett Bay in Barrington, RI this club is one of the states most prestigious private facilities. If you get an invite bring the blazer and do it up right, everything here is true delight. A martini and a baked stuffed lobster with some stuffed clams would be perfect, thank you. Montaup Country Club / The Montaup Grill On Aquidneck Island connected by bridges at two points to the mainland you ZLOO ÀQG RQH RI Rhode Island’s most picturesque golf course, Montaup CC. You ZRXOG EH KDUG SUHVVHG WR ÀQG EHWWHU YLHZV DQ\where while playing a seaside round. After 18 sit out on the patio and order the chowder followed by an epic lobster roll or the lobster salad plate.
Newport National Golf Club / The Deck There is no doubt that Newport National is one of the ÀQHVW JROI FRXUVHV LQ 1HZ (QJODQG ,WV VSHFWDFXODU links stretch out across and old orchard overlooking the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. Though still without a clubhouse, after a round there are few places more relaxing than the deck overlooking the course with a cold can of NarraganVHWW RQ D VXPPHU GD\ UHÁHFWLQJ RQ \RXU URXQG
Rhode Island Golf Guide 2014 | Follow All Year at mynegm.com/rigolf | 25
RHODE ISLAND GOLF GUIDE /// BY NEGM STAFF
The Ocean State is a
Golfers Heaven
Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the U.S. but when it comes to the game of golf the Ocean State is golf heaven. Per square mile there are more golf courses in Rhode Island than anywhere else in the U.S. With 50 golf courses in only 1200 + square miles you can literally get to a golf course anywhere in the VWDWH LQ MXVW D IHZ PLQXWHV 6RPH RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;QHVW public and private golf courses in the country are right here in the Ocean State. Island courses, seaside links and city view courses,
designed by some of the most noted architects in the game. ,Q WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW 8 6 $PDWHXU ZDV FRQWHVWHG at Newport Country Club and won by famed DUFKLWHFW &KDUOHV % 0DF'RQDOG ,W ZDV WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW USGA sanctioned golf tournament in America. 7KH QH[W GD\ WKH YHU\ Ă&#x20AC;UVW 8 6 2SHQ ZDV DOVR played at Newport and Horace Rawlins in 4 ² KROH URXQGV VKRW DQG ZRQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW 8 6 Major, winners share was $150.00.
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One of the great moments in Rhode Island Golf was watching Tiger Woods win the U.S. Amateur at Newport in 1995. The very best in golf still visit the smallest state of Rhode Island each year at the CVS Caremark Charity Classic at Rhode Island Country Club and at the Northeast Amateur held at Wannamoisett Country Club. From the sea level courses of Aquidneck Island and Southern RI, to the hilly terrain of Northern RI, courses offer a full array of designs
and course landscapes. With an even mix of public and private access golf courses the state offers great facilities for both public and private golfers. In addition to great golf courses to play, Rhode Island is blessed with some of the top teaching professionals in New England and some of the best practice facilities and FOXE Ă&#x20AC;WWHUV DV ZHOO 2XU 5KRGH ,VODQG *ROI *XLGH will be active year-round on our app and on mynegm.com with updated golf values monthly on all our platforms at mynegm.com
Rhode Island Golf Guide 2014 | Follow All Year at mynegm.com/rigolf | 27
RHODE ISLAND GOLF GUIDE
Facility Name
City
Phone
Agawam Hunt Alpine Country Club Beaver River Golf Club Button Hole Golf Course Carnegie Abbey Club Country View Golf Club Cranston Country Club Crystal Lake Golf Club East Greenwich G&CC Exeter Country Club Fairlawn Golf Course Fenner Hill Golf Club Foster Country Club Glocester Country Club Green Valley Country Club Harbor Lights Golf & CC Jamestown Golf Club Kings Crossing Golf Club Kirkbrae Country Club Laurel Lane Country Club Lincoln Country Club Louisquisset Golf Club Meadow Brook Melody Hill Country Club Metacomet Country Club Montaup Country Club Newport Country Club Newport National Golf Club North Kingstown Golf Club Pawtucket Country Club Pinecrest Golf Club Point Judith Country Club Potowomut Golf Club Quidnessett Country Club Rhode Island Country Club Rolling Greens Golf Course Rose Hill Golf Club Sakonnet Golf Club Shelter Harbor Golf Club The Misquamicut Club Triggs Memorial Golf Course Valley Country Club Wannamoisett Country Club Wanumetonomy Golf & Country Club Warwick Country Club Weekapaug Golf Club West Warwick Country Club Windmill Hill Golf Course Winnapaug Country Club
Rumford Cranston Richmond Providence Portsmouth Harrisville Cranston Harrisville East Greenwich Exeter Lincoln Hope Valley Foster Greenville Portsmouth Warwick Jamestown North Kingstown Lincoln W. Kingston Lincoln No. Providence Richmond Harmony E. Providence Portsmouth Newport Middletown North Kingstown Pawtucket Carolina Narragansett East Greenwich No. Kingstown Barrington North Kingstown South Kingstown Little Compton Charlestown Watch Hill Providence Warwick Rumford Middletown Warwick Westerly West Warwick Warren Westerly
(401) 434-3254 (401) 944-9760 (401) 539-2100 (401) 421-1664 (401) 682-1121 (401) 568-7157 (401) 826-1683 (401) 567-4500 (401) 884-5656 (401) 295-8212 (401) 725-9149 (401) 539-8000 (401) 397-7750 (401) 949-3330 (401) 847-9543 (401) 681-4133 (401) 423-9930 (401) 294-2872 (401) 333-1300 (401) 783-3844 (401) 334-2200 (401) 353-1620 (401)-539-8491 (401) 949-9851 (401) 434-9588 (401) 683-0955 (401) 846-0461 (401) 848-9690 (401) 294-0684 (401) 726-6320 (401) 364-8600 (401) 792-9765 (401) 884-8030 (401) 885-5613 (401) 245-7370 (401) 294-9859 (401) 788-1088 (401) 635-4821 (401) 322-0600 (401) 348-8213 (401) 521-8460 (401) 821-1115 (401) 434-1200 (401) 847-3420 (401) 737-9878 (401) 322-7870 (401) 821-9789 (401) 245-1463 (401) 596-9164
Cranston Cranston Hopkington Warren N. Smithfiled
(401) (401) (401) (401) (401)
649-4653 464-8855 377-9900 289-0971 766-1151
Cranston East Greenwich Cranston Pawtucket
(401) (401) (401) (401)
467-8740 884-1033 946-4653 723-9998
Ranges & Practice Facilities GolfTec RI Mulligans Island Pavillion Driving Range Swift Results Iron Woods
Retail & Club Fitters Golfers Warehouse Northeast Golf Spargo Golf Precision Golf Works
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Established in 1961, Kirkbrae features an 18-hole Championship golf course, an Olympic size swimming pool, a fully equipped health facility, a 480 seat banquet facility and a 240 seat member dining area. The Club is open year round and operates seven days per week. The membership is very proud of the newly remodeled facility completed in 2008 and the amenities, especially the quality of service and food & beverage operations. 7RGD\ VRPH Ã&#x20AC;IW\ \HDUV DIWHU LW Ã&#x20AC;UVW RSHQHG .LUNEUDH KDV HPHUJHG DV RQH RI WKH Ã&#x20AC;QHVW FRXQWU\ FOXEV LQ 1HZ (QJland, and has become a premier choice for weddings, banquets, and corporate events. Serving all of southeastern New England, Kirkbrae Country Club offers the perfect atmosphere with fabulous and unparalleled VHUYLFH .LUNEUDH &RXQWU\ &OXE LV DOVR SOHDVHG WR RIIHU D IXOO UDQJH RI JROÃ&#x20AC;QJ DQG VRFLDO PHPEHUVKLSV GHVLJQHG to meet the individual needs of each member. Note: There are a limited number of voting golf memberships DYDLODEOH 9LVLW RXU 0HPEHUVKLS VHFWLRQ IRU VSHFLÃ&#x20AC;F GHWDLO DERXW WKH W\SH RI PHPEHUVKLS WKDW V ULJKW IRU \RX
AMENITIES Â&#x2021; %DQTXHW $FFRPPRGDWLRQV IRU XS WR JXHVWV Â&#x2021; +ROH &KDPSLRQVKLS *ROI &RXUVH Â&#x2021; 3*$ &HUWLÃ&#x20AC;HG 3UR 6KRS Â&#x2021; 0HQ V :RPHQ V /RFNHU 5RRPV ZLWK 6WHZDUG 6HUYLFH Â&#x2021; 6WDWH RI WKH $UW +HDOWK )LWQHVV )DFLOLW\ Â&#x2021; 3HUVRQDO 7UDLQLQJ DQG 0DVVDJH 7KHUDS\ Â&#x2021; 867$ 5,7$ &HUWLÃ&#x20AC;HG 7HQQLV ,QVWUXFWRUV DQG 3URJUDPV Â&#x2021; 2O\PSLF VL]HG 6ZLPPLQJ 3RRO DQG )DPLO\ 3URJUDPV Â&#x2021; $ZDUG :LQQLQJ &XOLQDU\ 7HDP Â&#x2021; )LUVW &ODVV 'LQLQJ 6HUYLFH Â&#x2021; &RUSRUDWH 0HHWLQJ )DFLOLWLHV *ROI 2XWLQJV Â&#x2021; 86*$ DQG 5,*$ $IÃ&#x20AC;OLDWLRQ Â&#x2021; &OXE 0DQDJHUV $VVRFLDWLRQ RI $PHULFD $IÃ&#x20AC;OLDWLRQ Â&#x2021; *ROI &RXUVH 6XSHULQWHQGHQWV $VVRFLDWLRQ RI $PHULFD $IÃ&#x20AC;OLDWLRQ
Kirkbrae Country Club
KirkbraeCountryClub
197 Old River Road Lincoln, RI 02865 401.333.1300 | Kirkbrae.com
@KirkbraeCC Kirkbrae Country Club
Rhode Island Golf Guide 2014 | Follow All Year at mynegm.com/rigolf | 29
Exeter Country Club, located in Exeter, Rhode Island, is one of the premier golf courses in the state of Rhode Island. Exeter is a 18-hole, public golf course designed by renowned architect Geoffrey Cornish. With rolling lush fairways, scenic views, carefully manicured greens, and a tranquil country setting, Exeter CC provides SOD\HUV RI DOO W\SHV ZLWK D UHOD[LQJ DQG HQMR\DEOH JROĂ&#x20AC;QJ H[SHULHQFH :KHWKHU \RX DUH ORRNLQJ IRU D IXQ casual round with your family, or a competitive match with your buddies, Exeter CC has what it takes to VDWLVI\ DOO \RXU JROĂ&#x20AC;QJ QHHGV ([HWHU && KDV DOO QHZ DQG LPSURYHG SOD\LQJ FRQGLWLRQV IRU WKH VHDVRQ $OO 18 holes have newly refurbished greens which will provide you with a pure surface for all your putts. Exeter CC plays 6,921 yards from the Black tees, 6,406 yards from the whites, 5,706 from the reds as well as offer a new tee box for seniors. Throughout the season, Exeter CC offers various regular play specials. Exeter Country Club is pleased to announce a new Pub Menu serving lunch and dinner on weeknights and is serving a Farm to Table menu which offers fresh, locally grown food.
AMENITIES Â&#x2021; +ROH 3DU Â&#x2021; *UDVV 'ULYLQJ 5DQJH Â&#x2021; )XOO 3UDFWLFH $UHD ZLWK 3XWWLQJ *UHHQV DQG 6DQG %XQNHU Â&#x2021; 5HVWDXUDQW /RXQJH Â&#x2021; )XOO 6HUYLFH %DU Â&#x2021; 6HOI 6HUYLFH 0RUQLQJ &RIIHH
Exeter Country Club
320 Ten Rod Road (Rt. 102)Exeter, RI 02822 Golf Shop/Tee Times (401) 295-8212 Clubhouse/Restaurant (401) 295-1178
Exeter Country Club @ExeterCCRI Exeter Country Club
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WOOD RIVER GOLF
78A Woodville Alton Rd.Hope Valley, RI 02832 (401) 364-0700 | www.woodrivergolf.com
Wood River Golf is situated along the Wood River in Hope Valley, RI. The Thompson Family has been providing Southern Rhode Island with an excellent and affordable golf experience with a casual atmosphere since 2000. $22 for 18 holes and unlimited golf for only $30. **League Play begins the 3rd week in April. Check the calender on the Events page for league times and dates. Wood River Golf also hosts a great restaurant, The 11th Green Restaurant & Pub, that has a friendly staff with reasonable prices. Most entrees are under $15, with steak, shrimp and veal dishes beginning at $18. **Restaurant open Mon-Sat 11:30am-8:30pm Sun - 11:30am-5pm (Lunch Only)
Wood River Golf
Wood RIver Golf
WINDMILL HILL GOLF COURSE 35 Schoolhouse Rd, Warren, RI 02885 (401) 245-1463 | www.windmillgolfri.com
Windmill Hill Golf Course is a 9 hole, par 27 facility with a comfortable clubhouse and deck overlooking the golf course. Windmill Hill offers a full service restaurant and bar serving refreshment daily from 7a.m. until 9p.m. With a private function room holding up to 70 people, it is a perfect spot to host a party. Windmill Hill Golf Course has a friendly and personable staff dedicated to your service.
$12 for 9 holes
Any Time, Any Day
Annual Golf Passes
Individual 5 Day (no weekends or holidays) $575.00 Individual 7 Day (everyday, all you can play) $650.00 Family Pass (husband, wife, kids under 16) $1150.00
Summer Junior Special
June, July, August - $299.00
Amenities: 9 hole; par 3; clubhouse; full service restaurant & bar; function room
Windmill Hill
Windmill Hill Golf Course
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BUTTON HOLE MIDVILLE GOLF CLUB One Button Hole Drive, Suite One Providence, RI 100 Lombardi Lane, West Warwick, RI 02893 401.421.1664 | ButtonHole.org
(401) 828-9215 | www.midvillegolfclub.com
Button Hole (www.buttonhole.org) is a 9- hole SDU JROI FRXUVH DQG GULYLQJ UDQJH QRQSURĂ&#x20AC;W ORcated in Providence, RI. Our core mission is to provide facilities and programs that develop strong character, teach life values, and champion lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lessons of honesty, integrity, humility and perseverance while gaining respect for each other and their environment and community, with a focus on the children of Providenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s urban core, through the game of golf. Last year (2013), over 2,700 kids participated in Button Hole programs; over 2,200 received full or partial scholarships. This year, the course has been completely renovated to make it accessible to the disabled. The Button Hole mission, which focused on teaching live values through the game of golf, now has the ability to conduct inclusive programs for children and aduts. All data for the past 13 yrs. are available highlighting numbers served, agencies, programs and partners. Go to our facebook page to see deals of the month and other events like the New England PGA National Drive, Chip and Putt.
Midville Golf Club takes pride in maintaining a reputation as one of Southeastern New EngODQG¡V Ă&#x20AC;QHVW KROH JROI FRXUVH An interesting layout featuring a variety of slopes, angles and hazards offers skilled golfers a challenging environment and helps golfers of all levels learn the intricacies of course management. To Provide the best playing conditions possible and an enjoyable experience, Midville Golf Club pays special attention to superior course maintenance and grooming. **Tee times may be reserved up to 7 days in advance by calling the pro shop. Gift Cards are available in any denomination and will be mailed to you direct within one week.
ButtonHoleGolf
@ButtonHoleGolf
Button Hole Golf
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TRIGGS MEMORIAL GOLF COURSE PRECISION GOLF WORKS 1533 Chalkstone Ave. Providence RI 02909 651 Cottage St. Pawtucket, RI 02861 (401) 521-8460 | www.triggs.us
Triggs Memorial Golf Course is an award winning 18 Hole Donald Ross designed Championship Golf Course located on the West Side of Providence in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. We are open for public play daily with outstanding playing conditions and greens that will challenge any golfer. The Practice Range is home to The Learning Center with private lessons and a Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Instructional Program by Bob Tramonti and Mike Ryan. Yogiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grill offers a full pub menu and cold beverages 7 days per week and is a perfect compliment for your next outing. Triggs proudly hosts over 200 private and corporate tournaments DQQXDOO\ IURP VPDOO RIĂ&#x20AC;FH SDUWLHV RI RU VR WR IXOO Ă&#x20AC;HOG VKRWJXQ HYHQWV RI SOD\HUV 7KHUH DUH YDULous outing packages available. You can make tee-time reservations up to 10 days in advance online 24/7. Visit Our Website, Social Media Pages or Call the Pro Shop for Daily, :HHNO\ RU 0RQWKO\ 6SHFLDOV Triggs Memorial Golf
@TriggsGolf
(401) 723-9998 | www.Precisiongolfworks.com
Since opening our doors 15 years ago, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been providing golf professionals, players and golf enthusiasts with full-service golf club repairs. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in need of re-gripping, re-shaftLQJ OLH ORIW DGMXVWPHQW RU D FXVWRP Ă&#x20AC;WWLQJ ZH SURYLGH WKH SHUVRQDO VHUYLFH FXVWRPL]HG WR Ă&#x20AC;W \RXU VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F SOD\LQJ VW\OH DQG WHFKQLTXH We also have an extensive inventory of preowned golf equipment and specialize in custom component sets as well. We are open Monday through Friday from 10am-4:30pm and proudly serve a 50 mile radius around Rhode Island. Precision Golf Works
Precision Golf Works
April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 33
Crystal Lake Golf Club, located on Route 102 in Burrillville, RI, has one of the best views for golf in RI. Crystal Lake is a semi-private course which offers public play as well as 7 different memberships ranging from a Full Member down to a One Month Trial Membership. The 18-hole Par 71 Championship Course measures 6,349 yards from the blue tees, 5,892 from the whites and 5,038 from the reds. Crystal Lake Golf Club also offers a )XOO 3UDFWLFH )DFLOLW\ ULJKW QH[W GRRU WR LWV PDLQ FOXE KRXVH 2QH RI WKH PDQ\ JUHDW EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV &U\VWDO /DNH RIIHUV is their Range Memberships, which include unlimited balls and use of the range, practice green, chipping DUHD DQG VDQG WUDSV 7KH *ROI 6KRS ORFDWHG RQ WKH PDLQ Ă RRU RIW KH FOXEKRXVH KDV HYHU\WKLQJ WR RIIHU IURP clothes to clubs. Crystal Lake is the perfect spot for your next Golf Outing. Stop by or call the ProShop today. 7KH VTXDUH IRRW IDFLOLW\ RSHQHG 0D\ 7KH PDLQ Ă RRUF RQVLVWV RI D &RFNWDLO 5RRP :DWHUIURQW Room with a seating capacity of 225 and Tavern. Spectacular views of Crystal Lake and our 18th green makes this a popular venue for wedding, functions and dining. Crystal Lake Tavern can accommodate 100 patrons and is open to the public on a daily basis during golfs eason. Crystal Lake has won the Wedding Wire Brides Award for 2013. Hold your next Birthday Party, Graduation Party, Family Outing, Company Outing, or any Special Occasion here at Crystal Lakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s picturesque location.
AMENITIES Â&#x2021; +ROH &KDPSLRQVKLS *ROI &RXUVH Â&#x2021; )XOO 3UDFWLFH DUHD ZLWK 3XWWLQJ *UHHQ DQG 6DQG 7UDSV Â&#x2021; )XOO 'ULYLQJ 5DQJH Â&#x2021; %DQTXHW $FFRPPRGDWLRQV IRU XS WR JXHVW Â&#x2021; )LUVW &ODVV 'LQLQJ 6HUYLFHV Â&#x2021; &U\VWDO /DNH 7DYHUQ
Crystal Lake Golf Club
100 Bronco Highway Mapleville, Rhode Island PH: 401-567-4500 or 4502 | FAX: 401-567-5238
Crystal Lake Golf Clb Crystal Lake Golf Club
34 | Rhode Island Golf Guide 2014 | Follow All Year at mynegm.com/rigolf
When out of The “Big Box” Just Won’t Do Since 1988, Tom Spargo has been satisfying the needs of Golfers worldwide, by providing the most advanced clubfitting techniques and club assembly skills. Tom provides experience, knowledge, and personalized service, which aids players of all levels and builds confidence in their golf equipment. Tom has been recognized as a World Top 100 Clubfitter, International Top 10 Clubmaker, and more recently awarded the designation as Master of Clubfitting by the Association of Golf Clubfitting Professionals. Additionally, Tom attends Educational Conferences each year to remain current in the latest techniques and technologies.
100 New London Av e Cranston, RI | 401-946-4653
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOLLOW US ON TWITTER Rhode Island Golf Guide 2014 | Follow All Year at mynegm.com/rigolf | 35
Historic Fall River Country Club:
Come Play, Relax and Entertain BY STEVEE RIGGS G
The history of Fall River Country Club is as rich as the game of golf itself. Originally a historic 9 hole layout, it was expanded to 18 in 1975. It is considered one of the best layouts in New England by some of golfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous and legendary players, including Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet and Bobby Jones to name just a few. In fact many players would stop to play Fall River CC on their way to the U.S.Open Championships in Newport and in Boston in the early years of the game in New England. The famed 9 holes underwent a full course augmentation to 18 holes by the golf archiWHFWXUDO Ă&#x20AC;UP RI &RUQLVK DQG 5RELQVRQ RSHQLQJ LQ 7KH RULJLQDO LV SDUW RI WKLV PDJQLĂ&#x20AC;FHQW venue situated along the banks of the Taunton River. Players face a true test of golf with undulating fairways that meander through some of the most beautiful vistas to be found anywhere in New England. The course can be stretched to 6300 yards from the tips. A par 70 layout from all three tee boxes guarantees every club in the bag will be used regardless of skill level to navigate this historic gem of New England golf. The original his-
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toric nine holes are woven into the fabric of FRCC with those holes being 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 13 and 14. A welcoming membership and beautiful club house offers members and guests a wonderful New England country club experience with a full VHUYLFH UHVWDXUDQW WKDW SUHVHQWV Ă&#x20AC;UVW FODVV PHQX offerings including; Buffet Dinner, Business Meeting, Hors Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres, Repast, Station, White Glove Dinner Service and Brunch Menus. A staff with decades of experience caters this active club membership. Whether a wedding, business meeting, golf outing, family reunion or private party the staff at FRCC is graciously waiting to serve.
Play Where Legends Played
Several extremely affordable Membership packages are now available for the 2014 season. Single memberships at only $2,595, senior at $2395, and family memberships are only $4,240. New Categories have been created for young adults 19-26 only $1,295 and 27-35 just $1,845. Food minimums are ZDLYHG RQ QHZ PHPEHUV IRU WKH ÀUVW PRQWKV For membership contact the FRCC at 508-678-9374 or Jim Downs at 401-316-6763 or email upsidedown1@msn.com.
This program is designed to give prospective members a chance to sample the ambiance that is Fall River County Club. Golfers are welcome with rates that include Green Fees and Carts for only $55. Stay after your round and enjoy a great lunch in one of golf’s most scenic clubhouses in the region. Contact Head Pro Ben Kilborn for tee times on the 2014 “Member for a Day” Program at 508-677-9828 or proshop@fallrivercc.com
March 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 37
Play The TPC Boston in a 36 Holes Ryder Cup Battle May 27th, 2014
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Be Left Out only 10 Players Spots Leftâ&#x20AC;?
Call JA Today 508-997-6536
A Rare Opportunity to Play Sakonnet Golf Club
Saturday May 31, 2014
The Little Compton Golf Outing %HQHĂ&#x20AC;WWLQJ WKH /LWWOH &RPSWRQ &RPPXQLW\ &HQWHU
SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2014 Check-In 11:30 am Lunch 12:00 pm Shotgun Start 1:00 pm 18 Holes - Shamble Format**
Reception Dinner 6:00 pm, featuring: entertainment, GLQQHU DZDUGV UDIĂ H SUL]HV DQG D VLOHQW DXFWLRQ
www.lccenter.com | 401-635-2400 Pricing Options: $225 per golfer, includes lunch, dinner and entertainment All golfers receive a seat on a cart, included Call Today as This Event will Sell Out Early
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Segregansett Country Club Drop In For Some Of The Best Golf in Southern New England!
Membership at One Low Price to July 2015 Segregansett CC Offers Innovating 2014-2015 Membership Special Member for a Day Tee Times Available 7 Days a Week
“New Member Program is only Available for a Limited Time” Join Now to be Locked in for Golf Until June 2015 Call Segregansett CC at 508-824-9110
New Membership Special for 2014-2015 Single $2950 April 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015 Family $3200 April 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015 Young Adult 21-29 $1500 April 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015 Mid Adult 30-35 $2100 April 1, 2014 - June 30,2015
Member For a Day Pricing | $40 Weekdays | $50 Weekends Call Pro Shop for Tee Times @ 508-824-9144 For Membership Call Gary Palmer @ 508-942-5873
Segregansett Country Club | segregansett.com 84 Gulliver Street Taunton, MA | 508-824-9110 March 2014 | Subscribe atat myNEGM.com | 39 April 2014 | Subscribe myNEGM.com | 39
M A R K Y O U R C A L E N D A R T O D AY F O R T H E . . .
Online Golf Auction April 1 th-2 TU, 201 Bid on Rounds (foursomes) of golf on some of your favorite courses in New England to help Turf Research and the game of golf. Go to our web site to see a list of courses:
Tee-UpNewEngland.com S O M E R E S T R I C T I O N S A R E L I S T E D A N D W I L L A P P LY
Tee-Up New England is a fund-raising initiative organized for the benefit of the NERTRT (New England Regional Turfgrass Research Trust), which is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All proceeds will benefit turf research in New England. For more information go to: nertf.org
2014 Conference and Show January 26-29, 2015 Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI For Information call 401-841-5490 or gsykes@nertf.necoxmail.com
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COME HOME TO ALLENDALE WWW.ALLENDALECC.NET
2014 Membership Specials Afternoon Play – Single $1,700.00 Afternoon Play – Family (Couples) $2,600.00 Intermediate (19-30) $1,890.00 Full Memberships Family Single Weekday Intermediate Plus (31-39)
Member for a Day $55 with Carts Call Pro Shop for details 508/992-8682 5 Rounds for the Price of 4 Only $225.00 includes a bag of Range Balls (May be applied to 2014 Membership) *Limited Availability for Golf Outings and Small Groups
Allendale Country Club 1047 Allen St. North Dartmouth, 02747
508-992-8682 | AllendaleCC.net March M Ma a rc rch rc ch h2 20 2014 02014 14 1 4 | Sub Subscribe SSu ub bsc sc scr crribe ib be at be atat m my myNEGM.com ymyNEGM.com NE NE NEG EG GM.c M...c M com om | 4 41 March |u Subscribe |141
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April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 43
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Come to Yarmouth, Cape Cod for the Premier Golf Week of the Season!
Blue Rock Go Golf ollff Re Resort esort es s
Yarmouth Golf Festival April 20 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 26, 2014
Events Include: n /&1(" +VOJPS 5PVSOBNFOU n $BQF 1(" 1SP "NBUFVS n 4FOJPS 5XP .BO &WFOU n $IBOH #FFS 1VUUJOH $IBMMFOHF n 3FNBY -POH %SJWF n #MVF 3PDL 1BS 5ISFF $IBMMFOHF n #BZCFSSZ )JMMT %FNP %BZ n 'FBUVSJOH 5JUMFJTU 1JOH $BMMBXBZ $MFWFMBOE /JLF 5BZMPS .BEF n "OE .PSFs
For Event Info Like Us at Facebook.com/YarmouthGolfFestival April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 45
Playing Golf on Cape Cod is Easier Than You Think!
www.PlayGolfonCapeCod.com
Hotel Golf Package Partners: Bayside Resort
Dockside Hotel Group
(866) 970-GOLF 225 Route 28 West Yarmouth, MA 02673 www.capecodgolfvacation.com
(800) 992-2340 452 Route 28 West Yarmouth, MA 02673 www.capecodgolfpackages.com
Centerville Corners Inn
Heritage House Hotel
800-242-1137 1338 Craigville Beach Road Centerville, MA 02632 www.CentervilleCorners.com
(800) 242-7829 259 Main Street Hyannis, MA 02601 www.stayandplaycapecod.com
LIKE US at
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Bass River Golf Course
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(508) 398-9079 62 Highbank Road South Yarmouth, MA 02664 www.golfyarmouthcapecod.com
(877) 843-9081 1000 Freemans Way Brewster, MA 02631 www.captainsgolfcourse.com
(508) 428-5577 121 Country Club Road Sandwich, MA 02563 www.hollyridgegolf.com
Bayberrry Hills Golf Course
Chequessett Yacht & CC
Hyannis Golf Course
(508) 760-4877 635 West Yarmouth Road West Yarmouth, MA 02673 www.golfyarmouthcapecod.com
(508) 349-3704 680 Chequessett Neck Road Wellfleet, MA 02667 www.cycc.net
(508) 362-2606 Route 132 Hyannis, MA 02601 www.hyannisgc.com
Blue Rock Golf Course
Cranberry Valley Golf Course
Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds GC
(508) 398-9295 48 Todd Road South Yarmouth, MA 02664 www.bluerockgolfcourse.com
(508) 430-5234 183 Oak Street Harwich, MA 02645 www.cranberrygolfcourse.com
(508) 420-1141 1460 Route 149 Marston Mills, MA 02648 www.obfgolf.com
Captains Port Course
Falmouth Country Club
The Brookside Club
(877) 843-9081 1000 Freemans Way Brewster, MA 02631 www.captainsgolfcourse.com
(508) 548-3211 630 Carriage Shop Road East Falmouth, MA 02536 www.falmouthcountryclub.com
(508) 743-4653 11 Brigadoone Rd Bourne, MA 02532 www.thebrooksideclub.com
Look for Our All New Website Coming this Spring! April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 47
You Havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Playe
Enjoy Pristine Golf Condi
t New upscale members pub w/ state of the art kitchen t Memberships at competitive rates if not better than the competition t Still debt free with no initiation or assessments t Event experts to plan & execute your outing, function or wedding t Top quality cuisine & one of RIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest culinary teams t Grand ballroom for up to 275 guests t Locations for indoor or outdoor wedding ceremonies
ed Golf, Til Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Played Valley!
itions in 4 Hours or Less. See You on the 1st Tee!
Call (401) 821-1115 or visit us at ValleyCountryClub.net 251 New London Ave, Warwick, RI 02886
CELEBRITY GOLFER //
BY Y LEIGH H MACKAY
Michael Breed ´/HW¡V 'R 7KLV Âľ KDV EHFRPH WKH 0RQGD\ QLJKW rallying cry for Michael Breed fans across the nation. Because of his effective mix of expertise, enthusiasm, and charm, Breed has earned a legion of devoted golfers who want to improve their games and be entertained at the same time. Thus, the Golf Channelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7:00 p.m. program â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Golf Fix,â&#x20AC;? now in its sixth season, has become one of the most popular golf shows of all time and can be seen in 80 countries. A graduate of Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA, and a standout golfer, Breed, now 52, turned professional in 1985, and played on minitours and the Ben Hogan Tour (now the Web. com) until he became a PGA assistant professional at Augusta National from 1989-1992. He worked with the legendary PGA professional Darrell Kestner at Deepdale GC in Manhasset, NY, EHIRUH FODLPLQJ KLV Ă&#x20AC;UVW KHDG SUR MRE DW %LUFKZRRG CC in Westport, CT, in 1996. From 2001-2012, Breed was the head professional at Sunningdale CC in Scarsdale, NY. Michael Breed has been recognized frequently for his dedication to golf and golf instruction, and his 2012 honor as the PGA National Teacher of the Year is his crowning achievement. Breed is currently the Director of Instruction at
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the Michael Breed Golf Academy located at the Manhattan Woods GC in West Nyack, NY. 2. HQRXJK RI WKDW /HW¡V GR WKLV
NEGM: When did you know that you wanted to pursue a career as an instructor? MB: When I knew that I was not good enough to make a living by playing the game. I applied for a sales job and at the orientation, I listened to what the sales job entailed. At that time, I realized that I wanted to sell myself, not a product. I wanted to sell something that I believed in, and that was to help people improve their golf.
NEGM: What other people or experiences have influenced you in your teaching? MB: Darrell Kestner has been my mentor and coach. I soon realized that coaching and teaching the game go hand in hand, and I learned much about the coaching aspect from the nongolf books of legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden and from the non-golf works of John Maxwell [an expert in leadership coaching]. I want to make sure that my teaching and coaching are a two-way communication streetâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;that the manner in which I explain a concept will be, Ă&#x20AC;UVW XQGHUVWRRG DQG WKHQ LPSOHPHQWHG
NEGM: How do you plan what your lessons will be on The Golf Fix? MB: Basically from three areas. Many lessons are determined by the weekly emails I receive. I read every one although I don’t have time to answer every one. The emails are important to me because many of the golfers who watch the show don’t take lessons from a pro, so, in essence, I am their weekly coach. Also, I’ll be teaching at my Golf Academy, and I’ll realize that the lesson includes a relevant point that I should make on the show. Third, I like to focus on the swings of the tour players to analyze what makes their swings work and how their fundamentals can help the average player.
NEGM: What is your weekly schedule, and how can someone schedule a private lesson with you at your Golf Academy? MB: I teach at the Golf Academy on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Anyone who wants to inquire about a lesson can go to www.michaelbreed.com and email me from there. I’m with my wife Kerri and our two young sons William, 2, and the baby Michael, Jr. on Saturday and most of 6XQGD\ DQG WKHQ Á\ WR 2UODQGR WR GR 7KH *ROI Fix on Monday.
NEGM: What game-improvement training aids do you recommend? MB: Training aids are most helpful when they are EHLQJ XVHG WR UHVROYH VSHFLÀF LVVXHV , GLGQ·W JHW into the business to sell products or equipment, but I did get into the business to help golfers improve. With that in mind, the new SkyPro putting app is the most revolutionary way I have seen to improve someone’s putting. It shows you what is happening with the putting stroke—tempo, rise angle of stroke, length of stroke, face angle—and any inconsistencies that occur within that stroke.
NEGM: What other projects do you currently have in the works? MB: I’m working with a Canadian company called Bodi7UDN WKDW KDV FUHDWHG WKH ÀUVW portable, affordable center of pressure (COP) system that measures how a golfer’s weight shifts throughout his swing. It is a
remarkably good way to quantify one of the most important fundamentals in the full swing. I also work with the Titleist and FootJoy staffs and ÀQG LW D JUHDW EOHVVLQJ WKDW , KDYH EHFRPH DVVRciated with companies that are interested in my thoughts and listen to my game-improvement suggestions.
NEGM: Who would be in your Dream Foursome of today? Of any time period? MB: My Dream Foursome will be a reality when both William and Michael, Jr. are old enough to MRLQ .HUUL DQG PH IRU RXU ÀUVW URXQG DV D IDPLO\ Of any time period? My father was my favorite guy, now passed away, and I played with him a lot when I was younger but never really appreciated it the way I would now. So, I would have to say this Dream Foursome would be playing again with my father and my two brothers.
NEGM: What is the importance of the National Golf Expo Boston? MB: It is always exciting to kick off the new golf season. Golf is going through a very challenging time right now, and I have been given a great opportunity to teach people on television. I also have a great responsibility to make sure that I leave the studio to promote the game. The Expo is important to growing the game in New England, and I am very happy to be there again. E-mail your questions to Michael Breed at thegolffix@golfchannel.com. View “The Golf Fix” website at www.golfchannel. FRP WY JROI À[
April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 51
MOLORI UNPLUGGED //
BY Y JOHN N MOLORI
Top talkers tell true tee time tales Golf is a game of precision, focus, and repetition, but, at its core, it is a game of stories. From PGA pros to hopeless hackers, every golfer has an anecdote or moment that rises above the rest. Boston sports media personalities are no different.
Fox25 news anchor Mark Ockerbloom once played a classic golf ruse on his better half. He explains, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I took my wife (Marysia) out once and played the exploding ball trick on her. I got her all set up to tee off, and was videotaping it. When the ball exploded, she looked EDFN DW PH ZLWK DQ LF\ VWDUH Âľ While Ockerbloom has never experienced the thrill of a hole-inone, Comcast Sportsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mike Giardi certainly has. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was in August of 2005 on media day at TPC Boston. The 11th hole was a par three uphill. It was a very breezy day. I got to the tee and I was going to hit a seven iron. ´, FRXOG EDUHO\ VHH WKH WRS RI D Ă DJ DQG , GHcided to switch to a six iron. I saw the ball bounce
52 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | April 2014
off the green, but that was it. As we drove up in the cart, a friend told me I got a hole-in-one. I thought he was crazy until he pick the ball out of the cup and showed it to me.â&#x20AC;? Radio gabber Pete Sheppardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top golf memory is cloaked in solitude and disbelief. Says Sheppard, â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I was 16 or 17 years old, I went out at 6:45 a.m. and was all alone RQ WKH FRXUVH DW 4XLGQHVVHWW , VKRW D 7KHUH were no witnesses and I think my dad half believed me. The next day, on the same course, I shot a 115. Talk about humbling.â&#x20AC;? 7NBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Joe Amorosino conveys a neat anecdote involving two Boston sports legends. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a young reporter, I covered Bobby Orrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charity tournament at The Ridge Club one year. I spent about three hours with Bobby that day, just the nicest guy ever. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A couple of months later, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m at a huge tournament at Willowbend in Falmouth. Roger Clemens was playing. I went up to him, and just as I was asking him for an interview, someone gave me a hard kick in the ass. It was Bobby Orr. Bobby told Clemens to give me whatever I needed, and we had a great interview.â&#x20AC;? NHL Network and ex-NESN anchor Kathryn TapSHQ KDG D Ă&#x20AC;QH GD\ ZLWK WZR RWKHU IRUPHU %UXLQV¡
Kevin Walsh, Comcast Sports Net defensemen. She relates, “At Ray Bourque’s tournament at the Golf Club of New England, they had a long drive competition. Bourque and Brian Leetch were there. I was so nervous when I stepped to the tee. “I gripped the club so hard and was thinking to myself that I better not screw this up and look bad in front of all these guys. I drove it straight down the middle over 200 yards. That was one of my greatest golf moments.” Frank Mallicoat, a popular New England news and sports reporter currently working in San Francisco, experienced similar nerves on the course. “It was 1986 and I had been working at Channel 9 (Manchester, NH) for only two months. I was invited to play as a celebrity in the Bedford Rotary Tournament at Manchester Country Club. One of the other celebrities couldn’t make it so I played with his group. “As it turns out, the celebrity I was replacing was Carl Yastrzemski. Stepping to the tee, I was so nervous, and Dana Quigley yells, ‘All right, Yaz. Let’s VHH ZKDW \RX JRW · , KLW D SHUIHFW VKRW \DUGV right down Broadway. That was exciting.” For legendary broadcaster Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, the exploits of a fellow baseball golfer loom large. “I swear Jim Rice could hit a golf ball 500 yards,” Harrelson relates. “I once bet Arnold Palmer $10,000 that Rice could hit it at least 100
yards further than I could. Shortly after that, Arnie was paired with Rice in a Pro-Am. He called me and said, ‘You know that bet we had about Rice, no friggin’ bet.’” Former Comcast Sports hoops analyst Donny Marshall might just have the best golf story of them all. He states, “I was playing in a proam at Mohegan Sun with a lot of celebrities including actor Bill Murray. Later on my mother came to me and said, ‘Who is William Murray? He gave me his number and told me I should give him a call if I ever want to get together.’ Later that evening I was sitting with all the guys including Bill. I said that my mom got asked out by some guy named William Murray. Does anyone know who that is? It was great.” John Molori is the co-author of “The Cracker Jack Collection: Baseball’s Prized Players.” Like him at facebook.com/johnmolori. Follow on Twitter @MoloriMedia. Email molorimedia@aol.com.
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV
April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 53
BY JOHN N MOLORI
Jared Brentz, long drive competition in Mesquite, NV
Dean Jarvis, founder of the Amputee Long Drive Championship
The Brentz Brothers:
Swinging hard and driving deep Bryce and Jared Brentz are fraternal twins, two tough as nails Tennesseans whose taste for competition has driven them to athletic heights. Bryce is battling for the big leagues in the Boston Red Sox organization, while Jared has become one of the most promising golf long drivers in the country. They are alike in many ways, but this twin tale has a twist. From birth, Jared suffered from a muscle and joint disease known as arthrogryposis as well as bilateral clubfeet. At age 12, after several surgeries, he was faced with a decision: remain wheelchairbound, undergo further surgeries, or have both legs amputated. The rugged multi-sport competitor did not Ă LQFK ´7KH FKRLFH UHDOO\ ZDV QRW DOO WKDW KDUG Âľ says Jared, now a 25-year-old security executive living in Nashville. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was not going to stay in a
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wheelchair for the rest of my life, and if I had more surgeries, I would end up walking like Frankenstein. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I knew I was going to get made fun of, and ZRXOG¡YH HQGHG XS LQ D ORW RI Ă&#x20AC;JKWV 7KH DPSXtation and prosthetics allowed me to get active again immediately.â&#x20AC;? Bryce marvels at his brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conviction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why Jared was put in his situation,â&#x20AC;? says WKH WDOHQWHG RXWĂ&#x20AC;HOGHU ZKR KDV KLW QHDUO\ LQ four spring training stints with Boston. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lesser person could not handle it. He had to make a really major decision at a very young age, but has always been wise beyond his years. He never second-guessed himself at all.â&#x20AC;? A wrestler, football, and baseball player, it was golf that would eventually lead Jared to the stuff
of legend - like that day at the fourth hole at Dead H o r s e Lake Golf Course in Knoxville, when he teed off Dean Jarvis 387 yards from the pin and blistered a shot 30 yards past the green. Dean Jarvis, a fellow Tennessean, saw that feat, and introduced Jared to his Amputee Long Drive Championship. Jarvis, himself, became an amputee after a high school basketball injury led to a diagnosis of Osteocarcoma, a deadly form of cancer. The 45-year-old State Farm insurance executive is now focused on creating opportunities. “I wanted to put my peers on the national stage to showcase their talents. I am hopeful that the decision-makers in the game notice that ParaLong Drive features amputee, blind, paralyzed, and other differentlyabled athletes. Disabled golf is set to receive televised coverage by the Golf Channel for the Amputee Long Drive Worlds in October. We’ve got to create marketing and media value.” As the Brentz brothers swing their way to the top, Jared remains a source of inspiration for Bryce. ´:KHQ , ÀUVW VWDUWHG SOD\LQJ ZLWK WKH /RZHOO 6SLQners, I was struggling and wanted to go home. “I talked to Jared, and he said, “Oh, you had a bad day, huh? Well, this morning I woke up and put on my legs, and I still went out and walked two miles. Then I came home, and I took my feet off.’ Jared brings The woman with Jared is his fiancee Erin Ogan me back to reality. He is 6-4 and built like a house. When you see him, you don’t know he’s a double amputee. You just say that’s one dude I do not want to piss off.” Jared has applied this intense focus to his golf game. He relates, “Jeff Page, a PGA pro at Nashboro Village Golf Course, really took me under
his wing. For me, it comes from the rotation of my butt. I have the ability to take all the motion on my backswing and transfer it to the golf ball. Blue Rock Golf Resort I know I’ve hit a good shot when I drag my right foot through the swing.” This strategy helped Jared win the inaugural Amputee Long Drive Championship at Tennessee National Golf Club. This year’s event will be held on May 8 and 9 at Mesquite Sports and Event Complex in Nevada. Jared’s immediate goals are to attract sponsors for his long drive competitions. They run about $1500 per event, most of which he pays out of pocket. Interested sponsors or donors can contact Jared’s rep Nick Harris at nickharris@tnlaw.org. Long term, Jared will continue to work with Jarvis toward getting their sport into the 2016 ParalymJared (with hat), Bryce pics.
and their dad, Charlie
Bryce agrees that his brother’s best days are yet to come. “I still don’t think Jared has hit a drive like he truly can. He can clear 400 yards easy, but I can’t wait to see ZKHQ KH UHDOO\ FDWFKHV LW DQG KLWV LW ÁXVK µ As both men rise in their respective sports, their relationship has similarly evolved. Says Bryce, “I remember we argued once and didn’t speak for about a week, but then we sat down and talked. We hugged and realized that we were too competitive and should just enjoy the time we have together. You only get one brother, and I have the best one on earth.” Adds Jared, “As kids, we went for blood. Our school could never put us on the same team because it wasn’t fair to the competition, but they couldn’t put us on separate teams because we would always go after each other. “As we’ve grown up, we’ve gained more respect for each other. He can’t drive a golf ball like me and I can’t hit a baseball like him, but we enjoy being with each other now more than ever.” John Molori is a columnist and frequent contributor to New England Golf Monthly and New England Publishing Group. Email him at molorimedia@ aol.com.
April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 55
MASTERS 2014 //
BY Y M. JAMESS WARD
AUGUSTA’S OPENING HOLE
No Cup Of Tea
Fear is not something world class golf professionals easily admit. But the true start of any golf season comes with the playLQJ RI JROI·V ÀUVW PDMRU 7KH 0DVters. As annual host for the event -- Augusta National Golf Club is blessed with an array of stunning holes. Much of the attention shifts generally to the inner half of holes -- by virtue of television time they receive and the impact caused through countless Masters over the years. The reverence given to Amen Corner -- holes 11 thru 13 -- is rightly earned, but there’s more to Augusta National than this splendid trio of holes. Long before the players get to the much celebrated back nine -- it is the starting hole where the nerves ratchet up a crescendo of emotions. Getting off to a good start doesn’t guarantee a ÀQH VFRUH EXW LW FHUWDLQO\ KHOSV VHW WKH WRQH IRU WKH day ahead. Just like ordinary golfers who have a pang of doubt when approaching the 1st hole for any URXQG RI JROI WKH LPSDFW IRU WKH ZRUOG·V ÀQHVW players sky rockets many times over given the setting of Augusta National and the opportunity to place one’s name in the annals of the game forever.
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Each hole at Augusta is QDPHG IRU D ÁRZHU DQG WKH VW is called Tea Olive. It’s anything but a cup of tea. Originally conceived by architect Alister Mackenzie and founder and golf legend Bobby Jones -- the now 1st was slotted DV WKH WK KROH IRU WKH ÀUVW HYHQW in 1934. That changed in 1935 -- a stroke of good fortune as today’s back nine resonates with epic swings of strokes given the pesky nature of water RQ QR OHVV WKDQ ÀYH KROHV RQ WKH EDFN QLQH DQG the multitude of decisions players must confront when battling for the winner’s green jacket -- emblematic of a Masters triumph. The switch in hole order meant a major change in player approach. Instead of coming to the hole with muscles stretched after playing 9 holes -- the “new” 1st presented a series of different challenges. Unlike the “original” 1st -- which plunges downhill over 100-feet -- the “new” 1st plays uphill and often into the prevailing west wind. A more exacting tee shot was now called upon. Add nerves to the starting of any golf round -- particularly a major championship -- and the “new” 1st has
taken on even more importance. Originally planned as a 410-yard par-4 -- the hole starts from a high point adjoining the renowned plantation clubhouse before moving downhill then rising again in the drive zone. Interestingly, a small creek ran across the bottom of the 1st hole in 1934 but was removed by the early 1950’s. The lone greenside bunker guarding the left side of the green was added in 1951. A solitary bunker guards the right side of the fairway as the hole turns ever so gently to the right. Players could attempt to drive over the fairway bunker -- a tee shot then of 250-260 yards or, as many were wont to do, aim further left to avoid it. The carry over the bunker is now 317 yards as the fairway bunker was reshaped and extended 15 yards to the green a few years back. There’s also a deeper lip to contend with if the ball ends up too close to the front edge. How tough is the hole? Tiger Woods has made just four birdies in 74 rounds of competition. That’s stingy indeed. Given advancements in equipment technology and attempting to keep club usages relevant to what was used in years past -- then Masters Chairman Hootie Johnson engaged the services of heralded course architect Tom Fazio to make revisions to the course with the 1st hole notably on the agenda. In 2002, tees were moved back 20 yards with an additional 15 yards added in 2006 along with the aforementioned changes to the fairway bunker. The closer one lands the tee shot to the fairway bunker the easier the angle and shortened distance for the approach shot becomes. In early years -- missing left off the tee was not much of an issue with just a few Georgia pines to avoid. That has since changed as more trees were added DQG WKH JDSV VLJQLÀFDQWO\ QDUURZHG
The putting surface at the 1st is also quite vexing. Slightly elevated from the fairway with drop-offs to the right and rear areas. How tough is the hole? Historically, the 1st has been tied for 6th hardest -- but over the last three Masters -- the 1st has SOD\HG DV HLWKHU WKH VW RU QG PRVW GLIÀFXOW KROH In 2011 the hole played to a 4.24 average, in 2012 the average soared to 4.39 and in last year’s event dipped only slightly to 4.29. The penchant for players to use 3-metals off tees, instead of a driver, is not a likely option for many. Players opting to lay short of the fairway bunker then face an approach shot nearly 200 yards in length. Consequently, marshalling the mental and physical skills for hitting the driver at the outset is no small task. Other tournament venues around the world may have more demanding starting holes -the 1st at Winged Foot / West comes quickly to mind -- ditto the 1st at Oakmont or the 1st at this year’s Open Championship venue Royal Liverpool. But, the starter at Augusta National can either propel a fast start or doom players to overcome a sour taste at the outset. Charlz Schwartzel, the 2011 winner, chipped in for ELUGLH GXULQJ WKH ÀQDO URXQG LQ WKH 0DVWHUV and used that start by holing his second shot from the fairway for an eagle at the 3rd. Tea Olive is often low on the radar screen for many golf fans since many watching the telecast may miss out given its early role. But, the 1st is certainly high on the radar list for the players. The butterÁLHV LQ VWDUWLQJ DQ\ JROI URXQG DUH always on edge -- but even more so in Augusta. The players are well aware any positive march for a possible green jacket had best account for what this no nonsense hole now commands.
April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 57
PALOPOLIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PICKS: THE MAST S ERS
/LNH PDQ\ JROIHUV , QHYHU FRQVLGHU LW RIĂ&#x20AC;FLDOO\ spring until the Masters gets under way in early April. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to do that in New England this year, as the never ending winter seems to rage RQ DQG WHPSHUDWXUHV Ă&#x20AC;JKW WR JHW DERYH GHgrees. But soon enough weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll all be treated to the views of Magnolia Lane, Raeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Creek, and Amen Corner as we watch the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best make their way around Augusta National. At the time of this writing Tiger Woods is still unFRPPLWWHG WR SOD\ LQ WKH VHDVRQ¡V Ă&#x20AC;UVW PDMRU due to the lower back pain heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been suffering from all season. Even if he does tee it up, judging from his showings so far this year, it would seem unlikely for him to capture his 15th major at this one.
Top 5 Power Rankings for The Masters
1. Jason Day Last year Jason Day showed us that he will be a name to be reckoned with in the majors for many years to come. Finished 3rd at the Masters (also T2 in 2011), T2 at the US Open, and T8 at the PGA Championship. So far this year in his limited schedule heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s won the WGC Accenture 0DWFK 3OD\ DQG Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG 7 DW WKH )DUPHUV ,QVXUance Open.
2. Dustin Johnson 6R IDU WKLV VHDVRQ '- KDVQ¡W Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG ZRUVH WKDQ T6 in a stroke play event. He leads the TOUR in the All-Around Ranking and Scoring Average, DQG LV DOVR QG LQ *,5 +LV EHVW Ă&#x20AC;QLVK DW WKH Masters is a T13 in last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appearance. He certainly has the length to dominate Augusta National, but it will come down to his putting stroke on those slick greens. However his putting is much improved so far this year, where he ranks 10th in Strokes Gained-Putting compared to 117th in 2013.
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3. Adam Scott All eyes will be on the returning champion and Ă&#x20AC;UVW $XVVLH HYHU WR GRQ WKH JUHHQ MDFNHW +LV OLPited playing schedule paid off well last year and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doing the same in 2014. With three top 10s RXW RI Ă&#x20AC;YH DSSHDUDQFHV VR IDU LQ KLV JDPH seems to be right where he left off last year. DeVSLWH WRVVLQJ DZD\ WKH OHDG RQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO GD\ DW WKH $UQROG 3DOPHU ,QYLWDWLRQDO WR XOWLPDWHO\ Ă&#x20AC;QLVK UG WKRVH Ă&#x20AC;UVW WKUHH GD\V KH ORRNHG GRPLQDQW He ranks 2nd in the All-Around Ranking on TOUR.
4. Rory McIlroy All signs are pointing to Roryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game being back and that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re giving him a mulligan for the 2013 season in which he only recorded four WRS Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHV 7KH WZR WLPH PDMRU ZLQQHU LV VWLOO LQ VHDUFK RI KLV Ă&#x20AC;UVW JUHHQ MDFNHW DIWHU VTXDQdering away a sizable lead on Sunday in 2011. +H FHUWDLQO\ VKRZHG Ă DVKHV RI KLV ROG VHOI DW WKH Honda Classic this year where he held the 54hole lead only to shoot 74 on Sunday and then lose in a playoff to Russell Henley.
5. Bubba Watson The 2012 Masters Champion was on a tear in 2014 until he was derailed at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, shooting an opening round 83 (which included an 11 on a par 5), and ultimately withdrawing from the event. Before that though he won the Northern Trust Open and KDG WZR RWKHU 7 Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHV DV ZHOO DV WZR RWKHU top 10s. Not surprisingly he leads the TOUR in 'ULYLQJ 'LVWDQFH +H KDV WKH OHQJWK EDOO Ă LJKW and shot creativity to navigate Augusta National, as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve already seen. Jeff Palopoli is a columnist and frequent contributor to NEGM. His Fantasy Golf Picks can be found weekly on www.mynegm.com as well as on his blog at www.goodwalkreviews.com. He can be reached at jeff@goodwalkgolf.com.
Enter the 2014 New England Golf Monthly
JAMES DRISCOLL SWEEPSTAKES
At the end of August 2014 three lucky winners will win: - a round of golf and lunch with PGA Tour Player and MA Native, James Driscoll - a new outfit from Trendy Golf USA - a matching New England Golf Monthly Hat - a new TaylorMade SLDR Driver & dozen Project a Golf Balls
Enter Today at mynegm.com/JD14 Ap April prriill 2014 20 014 4 | Sub SSubscribe ub u bsc scribe scr ib be ea att myNEGM myNEGM.com M.c M .c com om | 5 59 9
PHOTOS BY KEN DENNIS, NEGM PGA TOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
Team New England on the LPGA Tour
2014 JTBC Founders Cup
Natalie Gulbis waives to all her fans 60 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | April 2014
Alison Walshe MA Native putting
Laura Davies is all smiles
Paula Creamer fresh off her win
Christina Kim rips a drive
Sandra Gal with perfect extention
View all Tour Galleries of Team New England each week on mynegm.com/photos April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 61
TEAM NE E UPD DATE: MARCH 2014 TRACKING OUR PLAYERS ON THE TO T URS //
BY Y STEVE E RIGGS G
PGA TOUR Keegan Bradley, (VT) JRW D ERRVW LQ HDUQLQJV ZLWK KLV QG SODFH Ă&#x20AC;QLVK DW WKH $UQROG 3DOPHU Invitational. Keeganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s earnings are $1,425,341. A scoring average of 70.113, Bradleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game and stats look solid as the Vermont native has missed only 1 cut in 10 starts so far this season. +LV Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHV LQFOXGH QG WRS DQG WRS Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHV .HHJDQ DW WKLV ZULWLQJ LV UDQNHG WK in the FedEx Cup race. Scott Stallings, (MA) has made 5 cuts in 11 starts with one win. Scott won the Farmers Insurance Open in late January. The win put to rest any doubt Stallings was a late season bloomer. Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s earnings to date are $1,195,200 with a scoring average of 71.398. He is currently ranked 22nd in the FedEx Cup race. In addition to his victory, Scott has been working on his game while enjoying his family. Jim Renner, (MA) is back on the PGA Tour and is struggling. Jim has made one cut in 9 starts and a WD, (Withdrawl). Rennerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s solo cut was a T-2nd at the AT&T National Pro-am worth $580,000. Rennerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scoring average sits at 72.213. His up and down play is uncharacteristic of this talented player from Plainville, MA. J.J.Henry, (CT) VHHPV WR EH KDYLQJ D IUXVWUDWLQJ VHDVRQ WKDW ZDV H[HPSOLĂ&#x20AC;HG DW WKH 3XHUWR 5LFR 2SHQ ZKHQ KH ZDV '4¡G GLVTXDOLĂ&#x20AC;HG IRU QRW VLJQLQJ KLV VFRUH FDUG DIWHU WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW URXQG $ 75 had may explain his frustration as Henry is of one of TNEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most even tempered players. JJ KDV PDGH FXWV LQ VWDUWV ZLWK WRS Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHV +LV HDUQLQJV DUH DQG KH LV FXUUHQWO\ ranked 102nd in the FedEx race with a scoring average of 71.317. James Driscoll, (MA) has 12 events under his belt at this writing. The new Ironman for TNE has PDGH FXWV ZLWK HDUQLQJV RI DQG D VFRULQJ DYHUDJH RI +LV KLJKHVW Ă&#x20AC;QLVK VR IDU is T-14th at the Puerto Rico Open. This grinding player also had three good rounds of 63, 65 and 66 at the Humana Challenge earlier this year. Driscoll will break into the winners circle and we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be surprised if that happens this year. Tim Petrovic, (MA) continues to struggle on both PGA and Web.Com tours. Thus far Petrovic has made 2 cuts in 3 starts on the PGA Tour and 1 cut in 2 starts on the Web.Com. Timâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s combined earnings are $85,333 with a scoring average currently of 70.323. Overall Petrovic is ranked 113th on the PGA Tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career money list with $11,919,786. Brett Quigley, (RI) has been absent from regular play since losing his PGA Tour card a few years ago. That said, Brett played in the Humana Challenge earlier this year posting a great opening round 66. Quigley is another solid player for TNE with career earnings in excess of $11 million and we honestly hope to see Brett back on the fairways soon.
CHAMPIONS TOUR Brad Faxon, (RI) has played all 5 events thus far on the Champions Tour with uncommon outcomes for the Rhode Islander. Bradâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s earnings are $43,485 with a scoring average of 71.6. Known for his putting, Faxonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conversion statistics may hold the key to his improvement.
Billy Andrade, (RI) is playing well in his rookie year on the Champions Tour. In 4 events, Billyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HDUQLQJV DUH DIWHU KLV QG SODFH Ă&#x20AC;QLVK DW WKH 0LVVLVVLSSL *XOI 5HVRUW &ODVVLF $QGUDGH DOVR KDV WRS Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHV 1RW EDG IRU D URRNLH LQ MXVW VWDUWV ZLWK D VFRULQJ DYHUDJH RI :H wish him continued success and expect to see him in the winnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s circle on the Champions Tour soon. Dana Quigley, (MA) has started in 4 of the Tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5 events earning $12,617. The original Iron Man and one of TNEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2 Ambassadors of Golf appears to be going strong at 66 with a scoring average of 72.83. Danaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remarkable story of overcoming adversity and continuing to compete is one every aspiring tour player can learn from. Quigleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overall career earnings sit at $14,952,201. Allen Doyle, (RI) has yet to started his 2014 season. Allen, 65, is Team New Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other Ambassador of Golf. The Woonsocket native may have a somewhat unorthodox swing but it has served Doyle quite well. His overall career earnings are $13,834,445.
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LPGA TOUR Alison Walshe, (MA) has missed 2 cuts in 4 starts thus far on the LPGA Tour with earnings of $14,573 putting her 66th in the tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s money list so far this season. Alison has a scoring average RI D UHĂ HFWLRQ RI KHU QHHG WR LPSURYH KHU GULYLQJ DFFXUDF\ ,PSURYHG DFFXUDF\ RII WKH tee box is certain to improve her greens in regulation percentage, (GIR). Natalie Sheary, (CT) is one of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;new kids on the blockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; earning her LPGA Tour card for the VHDVRQ DIWHU Ă&#x20AC;QLVKLQJ 7 WK DW 4 6FKRRO LQ 'HFHPEHU ,W WRRN WKH IHLVW\ 6KHDU\ WULSV WR 4 School before earning her tour card. We look forward to seeing Natalie this year as a member of TNE on the LPGA Tour.
EUROPEAN PGA TOUR Peter Uihlein, (MA) WKH 5RRNLH RI WKH <HDU RI WKH (XURSHDQ 7RXU¡V VHDVRQ Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG 7 7+ in the World Golf Championshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cadillac Championship this year. Peter has made a total 4 cuts in 7 starts between the European and U.S. PGA tours including the Honda Classic. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s earnings are $152,616 with a combined scoring average of 72.16.
WEB.COM TOUR Jon Curran, (MA) is our newest member of TNE to break through making news in a big way. Jon won the Brasil Champions tournament in record setting form. Curran won the event with a record -25/259 that included and opening round 61. Setting, tying and braking records in the %UDVLO &KDPSLRQV -RQ Ă&#x20AC;QGV KLPVHOI UG RQ WKH :HE &RP PRQH\ OLVW ZLWK LQ HDUQLQJV having made 3 cuts in 4 starts. His scoring average is 68.23 through the Panama Claro Championship. Curran has made appearances on the Web.Com in 2010 and 2013. Players not competing on the Web.Com in 2014: Brad Adamonis, (RI), Jeff Curl, (CT), Rob Oppenheim, (MA) and Patrick Sheehan, (RI).
LPGA SYMETRA FUTURES TOUR Brittany Altomare, (MA) has earned $4,850 in her 2 starts this year including a T-6th in the Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Natural Charity Classic. Altomareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scoring average is 71.667. Brittany turned profesVLRQDO DIWHU ZLQQLQJ WKH $&& &KDPSLRQVKLS HDUQLQJ LQ KHU Ă&#x20AC;UVW \HDU RI 6\PHWUD competition. Natalie Sheary, (CT) having earned her LPGA Tour card for 2014 has competed in 2 Symetra events this year earning $1,667 with a scoring average of 73.2.
Molly Aronsson, (VT) has competed in all three Symetra Tour events of the 2014 season earning $1,439. Mollyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scoring average stands at 73.2. We feel improving her putting average will go a long way to hoisting this University of Washington grad to the next level. Briana Vega, (MA) has yet to start the season on the Symetra Tour. Briana has struggled over the past few years. The winner of Golf Channelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Big Break VI in 2006, Vegaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talent has never been in question and we sincerely hope to see her out there this year.
April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 63
NEW ENGLAND AMATEUR GOLFF ///
BY BEN N LARSEN
As the frost thaws and fairways throughout New England begin to turn our favorite color (green) once again, the region’s collegiate stars have been long at it. Since the early part of the year, NCAA play has soldiered on for teams in the south, west and, of course, northeast. Here’s a look at New England’s biggest NCAA stars and how they’ve fared so far this spring season: Cameron Wilson: Most recently nominated for the prestigious Byron Nelson Award, the Rowayton, Conn. native and current Stanford senior has been among the nation’s most consistent high-level amateurs for the past three years. He’s logged Top 10s this year at the Southern Highlands Collegiate Pasters, The Prestige at PGA West and the Amer Ari Invitational, where he placed third thanks to a second-round 65. Wilson is ranked No. 17 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com U.S. Player Rankings and took fourth place at the Australian Master of the Amateurs in January. (PLAYER PROFILE LINK: http://www.amateurgolf.com/rankingplayerview.asp?id=5762) Richy Werenski: The Georgia Tech senior calls South Hadley, Mass. home. After winning the prestigious Porter Cup, considered by many to be perhaps the top amateur invitational of
64 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | April 2014
the summer, in 2012, Werenski hasn’t found the winner’s circle but has played well. He’s a four-time 8 6 $PDWHXU TXDOLÀHU DQG UHDFKHG PDWFK play last year at The Country Club in Brookline. This year, despite missing time to nurse an injury, he’s recorded a 72.17 stroke average over 12 rounds. He was the runner-up at the Tar Heel ,QWHUFROOHJLDWH DQG SODFHG ÀIWK DW WKH &DUSHW Capital Collegiate and currently sits atop the Massachusetts rankings in the AmateurGolf. com rankings.(http://www.amateurgolf.com/ rankingplayerview.asp?id=7791) Mickey Werenski: Mickey is the younger EURWKHU RI 5LFK\ DQG LV LQ KLV ÀUVW \HDU DW 7H[DV A&M. The No. 2 player in our Massachusetts rankings, Werenski has yet to crack the starting lineup for the Aggies but has had plenty of suc-
cess in outside events. In December, Werenski logged a Top 15 at the Dixie Amateur following a great summer season that included a WK SODFH ÀQLVK DW WKH 1HZ (QJODQG $PDWHXU and solid efforts at the Dogwood Invitational and Southwestern Amateur. Werenski is surely a player to watch as the season begins here in New England. Sean Gaudette: Yale probably doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. With one of the country’s best campus courses and a solid group of players, the Bulldogs are among the top teams in New England and it’s because of players like Gaudette. Another native of South Hadley, Mass., Gaudette has a scoring average of 73 this season and KHOSHG <DOH WR D WK SODFH ÀQLVK DW WKH /LQJHU Longer Collegiate, which featured some of the top teams in the nation. Gaudette played well, too, at the Dixie Amateur in December, logging D 7RS ÀQLVK KWWS ZZZ DPDWHXUJROI FRP rankingplayerview.asp?id=13993) Chelso Barrett: All serious golf fans recall Barrett’s amazing performances at the U.S. Junior (2012) and U.S. Amateur (2013) and the Keene, N.H. native has only continued his solid play at a national level. A freshman at TCU, Barrett has acclimated himself nicely into the country’s 40th-ranked lineup. Barrett was 9th at the spring season-opening Amer Ari Invitational thanks to rounds of 66-6872 and took at Top 10 at the Wyoming Desert Invitational. In the fall, he was 28th at the prestigious Isleworth Collegiate and had another Top 30 at the Crooked Stick Intercollegiate. (http:// www.amateurgolf.com/rankingplayerview. asp?id=11804)
Jamison Randall: The pride of Rhode Island, Randall is a rising star at Old Dominion University. This season alone, he won the Rice Intercollegiate and Old Dominion OBX Collegiate and placed ninth at the Pinehurst Intercollegiate. Randall is well on his way to becoming a force on the major amateur scene and this season will look to build on solid showings at the New England Amateur, Ouimet Memorial and U.S. Amateur. Evan Russell: THe University of Hartford sophomore might be the region’s hottest players. Originally from Vermont but calling New Hampshire home now, Russell currently holds the nation’s lowest scoring average according to GolfStat, one of the premier college golf coverage publications. His 69.71 average this season helped lead him to a fourth-place ÀQLVK DW WKH 2OG 'RPLQLRQ 2%; &ROOHJLDWH DQG D VHYHQWK SODFH ÀQLVK DW WKH %DVK DW WKH %HDFK Russell, of course, won last year’s New England Amateur and Vermont State Amateur. He also placed fourth at the Ouimet Memorial. (http:// www.amateurgolf.com/rankingplayerview. asp?id=13512) In addition to the many state and New England-wide amateur events, there are many local and regional events scheduled that are more accessible for players of varying skill levels. For a complete listing of events in each New England state, visit amateurgolf.com/trialoffer and enter the promo code NEGM for a free membership.
April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 65
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SUPER CHARGE YOUR GOLF EVENT //
BY
A.J. ALI
The Ultimate Golf Trip Begins With The Perfect Week
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now on the tee, from the state of perpetual bliss and amazement, A.J. Ali.â&#x20AC;? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the introduction that I plan to play out in my mind at least 50 times this Spring and Summer while traveling to all 50 states to promote my new Wellness 101 TV show and challenging people to do something to enhance their health this year. Make no bones about it, the Wellness 101 506WDWH &KDOOHQJH LV P\ RIĂ&#x20AC;FLDO PLG OLIH FULVLV EXW IRU D JRRG FDXVH 1R WKLV KDV QRWKLQJ WR GR ZLWK buying a Corvette (canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford it), skydiving (not D FKDQFH XQOHVV WKH SODQH¡V RQ Ă&#x20AC;UH RU KRRNLQJ XS with a hot blond (because Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m already married to the hottest blond out there). This conveniently has HYHU\WKLQJ WR GR ZLWK Ă&#x20AC;YH RI P\ IDYRULWH WKLQJV travel, wine, chocolate, playing golf and being the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wellness Motivator.â&#x20AC;? Around the time I turned 50 last September I came up with the idea of playing in all 50 states GXULQJ P\ WK \HDU 0RUH VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;FDOO\ , WKLQN LW ZDV after a second glass of Pinot Noir while watching 7LQ &XS IRU WKH WK WLPH , Ă&#x20AC;JXUHG ´ZK\ VKRXOG WKH guys on Tour -- or Kevin Costner, for that matter -have all the fun traveling around playing the best courses? Just because theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re good, or because KH¡V DQ DFWRU LQ D Ă&#x20AC;OP"Âľ )XUWKHU UDWLRQDOL]LQJ LW WKH thought of playing 50 at 50 made perfect sense as a once in a lifetime opportunity. So I started making calls, like to my publisher Tim Branco who said â&#x20AC;&#x153;go for it and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll post the stories,â&#x20AC;? and to my friend at the Back 9 Network %LOO &RQZHOO ZKR VDLG ´KH\ VRXQGV OLNH IXQ WR PH Âľ For full disclosureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sake, Bill thinks everything is fun. He journeyed with my wife Jane and I as our â&#x20AC;&#x153;Director of Funâ&#x20AC;? on our award-winning 2007 Survivor Celebration Tour on a 38-ft. pink RV helping breast cancer survivors, so a crazy road trip idea involving golf and helping people is just another day at the RIĂ&#x20AC;FH IRU %LOO
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The adventure started in a magical town called Orlando, Florida on March 18th at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge. Along with one of my TV show co-hosts, Ari Gronich, I joined Arnold Palmer and thousands of others for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Arnieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s March Against Childhood Cancer.â&#x20AC;? I met dozens of families who had been affected by cancer and the resolve and strength they showed that day gave me a sense of purpose, to use every day wisely and to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference. The next day I covered a press conference ZLWK 7KH .LQJ VKRW DQ LQWHUYLHZ DERXW Ă&#x20AC;WQHVV IRU injury prevention with Stewart Cink and made my rounds interviewing people during the Pro-Am. On Thursday, Ari and I prepped for two Wellness 101 seminars we were scheduled to teach that week DQG RQ )ULGD\ ZH WDXJKW WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW VHPLQDU DW 6XQtree Country Club in Melbourne, FL We had an amazing time playing a two-man scramble with Raoul and I teamed up against Ari and Larry -- and I gained two friends who are probably going to be friends for life. During my journey, I have to meet a couple of challenges. One, given to me by Tim, is to shoot P\ Ă&#x20AC;UVW RU EHWWHU E\ 6HSWHPEHU WK $ ORIW\ JRDO for an 18-handicapper who has not shot anything lower than an 85 -- ever. The other, self-imposed, is to unearth 101 fun and interesting facts about wellness for each of the 12 categories we cover in our wellness seminar You can read the details, watch the video of *DU\ DQG , WDONLQJ ZHOOQHVV SRZHUIXO DQG IROORZ the entire state-by-state journey at the Wellness 101 section of www.negm.com. If the other 49 states are anything like this, I may never stop traveling.
THE COMEDY GOLF CLUB //
BY
BEN HAGUE
)RU PDQ\ WKH VWDUW RI VSULQJ LV DOO DERXW ORYH 7KH ZHDWKHU ZDUPV XS WKH Ă RZHUV EORRP itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like a new beginning. For me spring is also about love, my love of golf. And at age 32 Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not afraid to admit itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the main factor in me not having yet tied the knot! A friend recently got a girlfriend and dropped out of our Friday night league because that was â&#x20AC;&#x153;date night.â&#x20AC;? Next he got married and bought a house. Well there went our Saturday morning game because Saturday now became â&#x20AC;&#x153;chores day.â&#x20AC;? While Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m hitting fairways, he was mowing the lawn. While I was enjoying a beer in the 19th hole, he was painting the shed. Then he went another step further and had a baby. Just what I needed from my favorite golf buddy, â&#x20AC;&#x153;family day.â&#x20AC;? There went our Sundays. So all Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m saying folks, is stop being so VHOĂ&#x20AC;VK :KLOH \RX¡UH RXW WKHUH WU\LQJ WR HQMR\ OLIH ZLWK \RXU VRXO PDWH ,¡P VWXFN SOD\LQJ ZLWK Sal, the 22 handicapper, who walks thru your line and farts in your backswing. And for that reason alone I promise you that golf will ALWAYS be my only soul mate.
April Laugh A 78 year old Glen is having WKH URXQG RI KLV OLIH ZKHQ RQ KH Ă&#x20AC;QGV KLV tee shot in the trees. He plans on chipping out and making bogey at worst, preserving his best round ever. His wife and playing partner says â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been afraid to take chances your entire life. Quit being a wimp and just go for it.â&#x20AC;? He succumbs to the peer pressure and takes a mighty whack with his 3-wood. The ball strikes a tree, rocketing backward, hitting
and killing his wife on the spot. A year has past and Glen once again is playLQJ KLV 6XQGD\ URXQG ZKHQ KH Ă&#x20AC;QGV KLPVHOI LQ the same situation. This time he chips out and is able to save par and record his career best round. When the men in his foursome ask why he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go for the green from the treeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on 18 he tells them a chilling story. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The last time I tried that was the worst day of my life, something horrible happened....I made double bogey.â&#x20AC;?i
To have national headlining comedian Ben Hague perform for your next big outing or members night book a hilarious at mynegm.com/golfcomedy, benhaguecomedy@gmail.com or 401-243-4425
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ROSS’S RULES /// BY JACKK ROSS
THE ANCHORING DEBATE: THE FINAL WORD? At the PGA Merchandise Show in January, PGA of America President Ted Bishop observed that his organization now “has a seat at the table” with the USGA concerning rules issues. While that may be, it VHHPV FOHDU WKDW WKH 86*$ UHWDLQV ÀUP FRQWURO RYHU the discussions. Bishop and PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem attended the USGA executive committee meetings in February to lobby for the inclusion of a “grandfather” rule in Rule 14-1b that would permit amateurs to use an anchored putting stroke beyond January 1, 2016, the effective date of the anchoring rule. Recently, the USGA announced that it has declined to enact such a grandfather rule. The PGA of America had strongly opposed the anchoring rule on the grounds that it would undercut its efforts to attract and retain golfers and make the game more enjoyable. While it ultimately acquiesced in the adoption of Rule 141b, Bishop pushed for the grandfather rule in order to allow amateurs more time to adapt to playing without an anchored stroke. In a statement, the USGA explained that “the USGA’s judgment continues to be that it is in the best interest of the game for Rule 14-1b to take effect for all golfers on January 1, 2016. The USGA is committed to working with the PGA of America and its members, as they will be instrumental in supporting golfers through the transition and implementation of the Rule.”
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After hearing of the USGA’s decision, Bishop sent a letter to the PGA of America members stating “while we are disappointed with the USGA’s decision not to extend the implementation date beyond Jan. 1, 2016, I know that all PGA Professionals are committed to helping amateur players choose a permissible putting stroke that will help them continue to enjoy the game well into the future.” Despite the USGA’s decision, Bishop observed that the discussions involving anchoring contributed to “enhanced communication” among the various golf organizations that is “essential to the long-term viability of golf.” In comments to the Golf Channel, Bishop added that “I can’t say I was surprised. I’m going WR JLYH WKHP WKH EHQHÀW RI WKH GRXEW LW ZDV DERXW a month from the time we made the presentation and I felt they gave it fair consideration.” He also said the PGA of America has established a committee to look at alternatives to anchoring, such as counterbalanced putters. The reality is that no one expects long putters to disappear from golf on January 1, 2016. A survey found that as many as 30% of amateur golfers who use an anchored putting stroke will continue to do so after the rule takes effect. This will create issues for club tournaments and the handicap system. It might also put PGA professionals in the GLIÀFXOW SRVLWLRQ RI HQGHDYRULQJ WR DFFRPPRGDWH the needs and preferences of their members while still promoting an adherence to the Rules of Golf.
OPEN
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TRAINING AIDS // BYY GREG G SAMP PSON
My Connection Obsession
The Golf Swing Shirt Now a days technology connects us to the cloud, the PGA Tour or our daily calendar, but are we connected to our golf swings? Recently I was able to connect with how a tour player feels when they swing, pitch or putt and it wasn’t through an app on my phone, but from a simple training aid known as the Golf Swing Shirt. Hence my new, Connection Obsession! The Golf Swing Shirt comes in three different colors and since its debut has won awards and top tour player/teaching professional endorsements from its patent pending design. The orange, black or white compression shirt is endorsed by teaching legend Jimmy Ballard, three-time major winner Padraig Harrington and now yours truly.
THE CLAIM 7KH *ROI 6ZLQJ 6KLUW LV GHVLJQHG WR ÀW RYHU \RXU shirt and be used to train your arms to work in sync with the rotation of your body by inserting them through a center trunk sleeve before you practice or play. The aid has been tested by
hundreds of golfers with various skill levels and over 98% dramatically improved their swing and ultimately their scores. Let’s see how it faired….
THE TEST
I used the swing shirt myself putting, chipping,
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pitching, hitting knockdowns and eventually after a while I was able to strike pure full golf shots. The key with this wonderful aid is that you have to train your body to get used to the club head being perpendicular to your chest at all times throughout the motion from stroke to swing. The device helped me learn where my tendencies were during backswing to follow through that my hands outraced my body. What an amazing feeling to feel the tempo of natural swinging of the arms with the rotation of P\ ERG\ , HYHQ KDG KLJKHU KDQGLFDSV RI ERWK genders use the training shirt with a 7 iron asking
them to hit a chip, pitch and full swing as well.
THE VERDICT:
I would recommend the Golf Swing Shirt to any player of any talent level or gender. You will feel and train your body right away noticing an immediate improvement in your ball striking. My suggestion is to forget what your hands do after they have gripped the club and focus more on keeping them in front of your chest as you rotate your body. Trust me all your friends will ask, “How did your swing get so compact DQG ÁXLG RYHU QLJKW"µ <RX ZLOO SURXGO\ VD\ \RX RZH LW WR WKH *ROI 6ZLQJ 6KLUW
If you would like your training aid reviewed or have a suggested tool to look at for consideration in Sampson’s Spotlight please email greg@nepubinc.com. Why not be in GolfTrainingAids.com this season?
Enter Promo Code NEGMFREE For Complimentary Shipping. *Within the United States
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THE GAME IMPROVEMENTT TRIFECT CTA FOR GOLFERS
Joe & Leighâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf Shop, Performance Center & Pine Oaks GC
There are few places in New England golf ZKHUH \RX FDQ EH Ă&#x20AC;WWHG IRU WKH SHUIHFW FOXEV on the most advanced systems in the world, buy the clubs and practice and test them at the same facility. Joe & Leighâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf Shop, Golf Performance Center and the Pine Oaks Golf Course make the perfect â&#x20AC;&#x153;Golf Trifectaâ&#x20AC;? and operate one of the largest pro shops in the country on a golf course. Golf may be a game of tradition, but golf retailing today is anything but. The continued presence of big-box stores and online entities selling golf products has required professionals, merchandisers and specialty-store owners to become increasingly innovative in what is now a big business. The Joe & Leighâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s VWDII LV FRPPLWWHG WR H[SHUWO\ Ă&#x20AC;WWLQJ ERWK \RXU game and your wallet, so that whatever level player you may be, you end up with the right club for you and a real value. Cool game, Cool Place. Joe & Leighâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Discount Golf Pro Shop at The Pine Oaks Golf
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Course has undergone 3 major expansions in recent years, and now totals nearly 8,000 VTXDUH IHHW Ă&#x20AC;OOHG ZLWK WKH OHDGLQJ EUDQGV LQ golf, all at exceptional value. That makes it one of the two largest pro shops on a golf FRXUVH LQ WKH HQWLUH FRXQWU\ :H WKLQN RI our golf course as an amusement park and our pro shop as a toy store. We go to great lengths to stay on top of whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in the industry so that there will be something new to see when you stop by for a visit. Our JRDO LV WR ´0DNH D IULHQG QRW D VDOH Âľ Whether you are a seasoned player, just taking up the game or a junior looking to get into the right clubs to learn the game we can help. Our team is committed to helping you Ă&#x20AC;QG WKH ULJKW HTXLSPHQW IRU \RXU LQGLYLGXDO ability and needs. For the 18th time, GOLF WORLD MAGAZINE names Joe & Leighâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Discount Golf Pro Shop to itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Elite list of the TOP *ROI 6KRSV LQ $PHULFD 9LVLW 8V DW Joe & Leighâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf Shop 68 Prospect Street S. Easton, MA or call 508-238-2320.
Thursday April 10th & 24th 3PM – 7PM
FREE and EVERYONE INVITED Where: The Golf Learning Center of New England Driving Range in Norton, MA Who: PING, Callaway, Cleveland, Nike, Cobra, TaylorMade, Adams, Titleist Time: 3:00PM to 7:00PM Factory representatives, as well as Joe & Leigh’s Certified Fitters will be on site to answer any questions.
Want to Win a New Short Game? Enter to Win at myNEGM.com/shortgame before May 1, 2014!
1st Prize Bettinardi Putter 2nd Prize Hopkins Golf Wedges 3rd Prize NEGM Hat & Windshirt
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EQUIPMENT REVIEW // BYY ED TRAVIS
Getting Off the Tee
New Season, New Drivers & New Shafts
For the new season player-adjustable drivers are old hat and for 2014 all the major manufacturers have at least one in their lineup. As you might expect, some have more adjustments over a wider range but in general any adjustable driver will allow you to match the driver’s tendencies with your swing. This year golfers are talking about cashing in on the additional distance from low spin — low launch drives. There’s been a lot of buzz on Tour about this and now even players with non-tour VZLQJ VSHHGV DUH ÀQGLQJ WKH\ FDQ EHQHÀW DV well. Recreational players however have found the same thing the pros found, to maximize their distance they need to use a driver with more loft to achieve the correct trajectory. Selecting a new one-wood is a process requiring time to properly accomplish and the
advice you have heard a thousand times is still WUXH :LWKLQ \RXU GROODU FRPIRUW ]RQH ÀQG WKH correct match of clubhead, shaft, and grip to your swing and the absolutely best way LV ZLWK D ÀWWLQJ E\ D 3*$ 3URIHVVLRQDO XVLQJ FRPSXWHU VZLQJ DQDO\VLV 1DUURZ WKH ÀHOG WR two or three models, then hit enough drives with each to settle on the one which feels the best with the clubhead shape, color and JUDSKLFV WKDW ÀW \RXU H\H By following this routine you have the best opportunity of getting what you want —longer, straighter drives. Here listed by manufacturer are drivers we have tried and like and believe should be part of your buying decision process. Remember to vote for your favorite at the end of the season for WKH 1(*0 (TXLSPHQW $ZDUGV
April 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 77
Adams The XTD Ti ($400) makes use of the slots in the crown and sole, a design pioneered by Adams. Face thickness varies from thicker at center to thinner towards edge which is a help on off center hits. At address the Matrix Ozik Red Tie shaft and the black clubhead create a powerful look. Adjustable for face angle and plus or minus 1.5 degrees loft.
Callaway The Big Bertha name is back in two models, the regular Big Bertha ($400) and the Big Bertha Alpha ($500). Big Bertha matches what Callaway calls a Hyper-Speed face with a sliding 8-gram weight riding in a track at the rear of the head that allows the user to adjust the draw/fade bias. Also there’s a plus 2 degree or minus 1 degree adjustDEOH KRVHO 7KH %LJ %HUWKD $OSKD LV VSHFLÀFDOO\ GHVLJQHG for better players and carries a price which is at the top of the category. There’s no sliding weight but for the added outlay you get the ability to adjust spin rates independent RI ODXQFK DQJOH ZLWK D FDUERQ ÀEHU WXEH LQ WKH VROH (VSHcially for higher swing speeds, this adjustment is very important to get top performance. Alpha shares the same face construction and adjustable hosel with the Big Bertha plus has replaceable weights in the heel and toe.
Cleveland You have your choice of two new game improvement category drivers from Cleveland for this season, the 588 Custom and the 588 Altitude. The Custom ($349) is one of the lightest drivers you can buy. It has a very traditional look with an adjustable hosel and a deep face for off center hits. The Altitude ($300) though, is really lightweight, approximately 10 percent less than the Custom and its ultra-low weight (270 grams) is great for those with slower swing speeds.
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Cobra The Bio Cell ($300) has eight adjustable loft settings and Cobraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SmartPad so the clubface remains square at address no matter how the loft setting is adjusted. Head weight is lower and more to the rear than last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s model. Bio Cellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head is designed for higher launch and more resistance to twisting. Better players can also choose the Bio Cell+ model ($400) that has lower spin characteristics.
Mizuno Built for recreational players who want all the help they can get the Mizuno JPX EZ ($300) has a slimmer SURĂ&#x20AC;OH DQG ZHLJKWLQJ SODFHG DFcording to Mizuno, for a tendency for low spin drives. Adjustable 12-position hosel settings give options between low-slightly-right to KLJK OHIW Ă LJKW )RU WKRVH ZKR OLNH D crown without any graphics, just plain, the JPX EZ has it.
Nike The VR_S Covert 2.0 ($300) has the largest cavity-back of any driver on the market and this year it has the same adjustability as last but with a somewhat larger face. The Tour model ($400) also uses the same Fly-Brace technology as the regular model to stiffen the rear of the head to impart more energy at impact.
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Ping 0RVW SOD\HUV OLNH WKH ORRN RI WKH * V Ă&#x20AC;Qish as well as the deeper face design compared to the G20 from two years ago. Adjustable for loft plus or minus ½ degree. The new i25 ($400), an update of the i20, has a racing stripe pattern on WKH FURZQ WKDW GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ KHOSV LQ DOLJQPHQW EXW thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the whole story. Ping also has added two large tungsten weights at the rear of the head to reposition the headâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s center of gravity. The i25 compared to the G25 is targeted for use by better players due to its lower launch and lower spin.
Powerbilt We said at the top all the major driver-makers had an adjustable model, well, the exception is Powerbilt but then they have something no one else hasâ&#x20AC;Śnitrogen. The Air Force One N7 DFX has nitrogen gas under pressure in the clubhead to provide support at impact. This means the head is very stable and forgiving on off-center strikes making the DFX a good choice for recreational players and at $300 the price is attractive as well.
TaylorMade When TMaG brought out their SLDR model last summer and it jumped to the top as the bestselling driver it was a sure bet a complementary, albeit less expensive model, would follow and the JetSpeed is it. Both the SLDR and JetSpeed make use of TMaGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Loft-sleeve Technology for 12 position loft adjustmentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;plus or minus 2.5 degrees. The SLDR ($400) is meant for use by higher swing VSHHG SOD\HUV DQG KDV D Ă&#x20AC;UVW RI D NLQG VOLGLQJ weight in a track on the sole to adjust the draw/ fade bias while the JetSpeed ($300) does not. What it does have though is a pocket in the sole to give more forgiveness and distance for hits made ORZ RQ WKH FOXEIDFH DQ LGHD Ă&#x20AC;UVW XVHG E\ 70D*¡V Adams Golf division. The regular JetSpeed comes with the very nice 46 inch Matrix Velox T 49 gram shaft and the TP model ($400) a Matrix Velox ST 60.
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Tour Edge The Exotics XCG7 is another of the Tour Edge clubs incorporating new technologies and materials with a price that has to be called â&#x20AC;&#x153;very competitive.â&#x20AC;? At $300 the XCG7 offers bells and whistles such as variable face thickness, four sole weights (hexahedronVKDSHG RU VLGHG , ORRNHG LW XS DQG D ODUJH FDYLW\ at the rear of the sole. Adjustability comes the form of a loft sleeve with setting between 8.5 to 12 degrees in ½ degree increments.
Wilson The Staff FG Tour M3 Driver ($350) is designed for better players with six loft settings (8.5 to 11.5 degress) and three sole weight options (3, 7 and 11 grams). Most will like the compact head shape and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no distractions on the crown with just a single alignment mark. Also has a variable thickness face that helps with playability.
Our report to you about drivers wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be complete without some information about popular shafts that are options for you to use in your driver.
The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pro Tourâ&#x20AC;? is the jewel of the Black Ops Shaft line featuring 4000 Ton Japanese graphLWH DQG VKDIWV Ă H[ RSWLXRQV 7KHLU KLJK PRGXOXV JUDSKLWH JRHV WKURXJK DQ DGGLWLRQDO SXULĂ&#x20AC;FDtion process, which eliminates all impurities in the graphite, which can cause inconsistency LQ VKDIW Ă H[ ODJJLQJ DQG D KDUVK IHHO 7KH ton Japanese graphite, with their hand rolled weave pattern, creates a unique â&#x20AC;&#x153;rapid recoveryâ&#x20AC;? of the shaft in the downswing. The Fujikura Speeder has been around for 15 years and the new Motore Speeder 757, 661, 569 and 474 models are all built with 3-directional woven graphite on the inside layer to increase speed and stability.
New for 2014, Graphite Design has the Tour AD MT with their â&#x20AC;&#x153;DI Technologyâ&#x20AC;? in the tip and a stiffer mid-section and slightly softer tip than the popular Tour AD DI. Made especially for low spin drivers. OBANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth generation Kiyoshi Gold FRPELQHV D Ă&#x20AC;UP EXWW VHFWLRQ ZLWK PLG DQG WLS sections designed for responsive performance in weights between 58 and 78-grams. The OZIK TPHD is Matrix Shafts high end line and available in 50, 60 and 70-gram weights. The HD refers to their hexadecagonal or 16sided internal construction giving added structural strength.
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GOLF COURSE LIVING G // BY TIM M BRANCO
It all Begins with The First Step
For everyone that loves the game of golf the ultimate dream is to live where you play. For many it means a home right here in New England and for others itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a place to escape the cold northern winters in Florida or beyond. Like every journey in OLIH LW EHJLQV ZLWK Ă&#x20AC;UVW VWHS DQG WKDW LV YLVLWLQJ SURSHUWLHV WKDW Ă&#x20AC;W \RXU RZQ FULWHULD A few years back I looked at a home located on a private club in Eastern Massachusetts that was a great house. To this day I wish I bought that property, it is now worth double what they were asking only 10 years ago. There is more to choose from in southern states and in Florida where thousands of golf courses and golf course communities offer endless choices at almost every price point. It is a little more of a challenge here in New England home cost are higher and inventories are low. Investment wise you will average much higher gains in the long run in the northeast of golf course home in a much less volatile market. There are wonderful golf course communities throughout New England to choose from that offer all levels of amenities to suit your individual needs. Price
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points are in line with many developments that do not offer golf. It is a buyers market right now so in many facilities builders are offering great deals and added value especially on new homes. Golf Courses are great neighbors and 100 + acres of well maintained park like property abutting your home creates a wonderful environment for living and enjoying the great game of golf. Private golf course membership has become much more affordable in the last 10 years with many IDFLOLWLHV RIIHULQJ DOO W\SHV RI Ă H[LEOH FDWHJRULHV RI membership at their clubs. It is never too late to take up the game and golf offers great exercise for those that enjoy walking. The average golfer FDQ ZDON XS WR Ă&#x20AC;YH PLOHV GXULQJ DQ KROH URXQG If you dream of living on golf course then take the Ă&#x20AC;UVW VWHS WR WKDW GUHDP ,W¡V QHYHU EHHQ D EHWWHU time to buy with low rates and great amenities being offered as incentives.
Villaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at Pleasant Valley ????( was on 106) - Greg
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BY JIM M HAMMOND
First Tee Comes to
Rhode Island Tiger Woods father was a career U.S. Army man who took up golf when he retired from the service. Earl Woods had moved to Cypress, California and because of his military service was able to play golf at a local Navy base that had a course open to veterans and their families. Tiger began accompanying his dad to the golf course when he was only three years old and was soon able WR EUHDN ÀIW\ IRU QLQH KROHV $QG the rest is history. Future Tiger’s that reside in Rhode Island will soon be able to develop their games at a golf FRXUVH WKDW SODQV WR EH WKH ÀUVW facility in Rhode Island to become a charter member of the First Tee Program. The First Tee program provides a golf course where children can play and develop their skills. Currently, The First Tee Program has established courses in 48 states introducing over 9 million children to the game of golf. David McBride, a PGA Teaching Professional and the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Children’s Golf Course had managed a similar facility in Oregon from 1998 to 2002 and is working to create a First Tee Program in Coventry, Rhode Island. The primary focus will be on children in central and southern Rhode Island which has over 80 elementary schools and 24,000 students that need a place where they can play and develop the skills necessary to enjoy golf.
David is from Barrington and has returned home to give back to the game. “I have always wanted to do this,” said David. “I just kept looking for the right place.” Studies have shown that kids participating in First Tee have improved their progress at school and developed their social skills as well. The rates are very reasonable. After learning golf etiquette, kids can play six holes for $6.00. On completion of other tests, players will have their green fees reduced even more. For children who are minorities or living in poor communities they may qualify for the “Kidz Club” program which allows children play all day for only $2.00. David hopes to get local pros including Patrick Sheehan and Dana Quigley involved in this worthy project. David has an intense passion for the game DQG EULQJV D EURDG NQRZOHGJH VSHFLÀF WR UXQQLQJ D QRQ SURÀW FKLOGUHQ·V JROI FRXUVH +H KDV managed several successful Junior programs at both private and public facilities in over 30 years in the golf business, and is one of the leading golf instructors in the region. His work as the Director of Golf Instruction at The First Tee Children’s Course in Portland, Oregon has prepared him as the leader of the RI Children’s Golf Course. For more information contact David McBride at (401) 215 -0776.
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Rockingham Country Club under New Management
Newmarket, NH – With preparation under way for its 81st Season, Rockingham Country Club is now under new management. Longtime owners Vicky and Andy Bogacz sold the property last winter to Eric Chinburg who has recently been given approval to build homes on the land adjacent to the Golf Course. With the golf course and clubhouse subdivided off from the new home development, Mr. Chinburg has leased the golf course operation to a new company led by Bob Greene of Stratham, NH and Dan Ramus of York, ME. The new Rockingham Country Club is focused on offering a well maintained 9-hole regulation course at reasonable rates. Dan Ramus recently said “We’re offering Season Passes for as little as $599 this year. That’s half the cost of other golf
courses in the area. ” Bob Greene added “Dan and I have been friends for over 35 years and we want to take our friendship to the next level by building a business based on friends spending a few hours together playing golf, watching a game on TV or playing pool in our Clubhouse.” Course maintenance will not change as Jerry Lachance will be returning as Course Superintendent. The most important advice from Andy Bogacz to new management was “…golf courses are all about the greens… Jerry is the best young superintendent in the area. He’s formally schooled and he served his apprenticeship under the best Super in NH. That gives him state of the art knowledge and old school experience.” For more information, please visit www.rockinghamgolf.com.
2014 Weekday Special Monday – Friday 7AM-12PM
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rehobothcc.com | (508) 252-6259 Rehoboth Country Club 155 Perryville Road | Rehoboth, MA
WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS | APRIL 2014 Three-Time MGA Junior Player of the Year & Hopkinton Native Jon Curran :LQV %UD]LO &KDPSLRQV IRU Ă&#x20AC;UVW :HE FRP 7RXU WLWOH 1RUWRQ 0$ For those following this past weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brazil Champions event, it seemed as if Jon Curran, a Hopkinton native who was a three-time Christopher Cutler Rich MGA Junior Player of the Year (2002-04), was GHVWLQHG WR ZLQ DQG ZLQ KH GLG Curran completed a wire-to-wire victory in the Web.com Tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brazil Champions, closing with a 2-under 69 to beat Alex Cejka by four strokes. In what was only his fourth Web.com Tour start, Curran EHFDPH WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW %D\ 6WDWH JROIHU WR ZLQ D :HE FRP 7RXU WLWOH VLQFH Fran Quinn captured his third such title in 2010. He is part of a talented group of young professional golfers who made their start here in Massachusetts. Jim Renner was the most recent competitor who made the jump into the PGA Tour after playing on the Web.com Tour circuit. ,Q 5HQQHU Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG KLV :HE FRP 7RXU FDPSDLJQ ZLWK IRXU WRS 10s, which included a runner-up, and 12 cuts made in 23 events. He is now enjoying status on the PGA Tour and playing in events alongside Brookline-native James Driscoll. As a result of his recent victory, Curran jumped into second place overall in the Web.com Tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s money list. He has earned $151,100 this season.
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WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS | APRIL 2014 2014 New England Green Section Seminar Welcomes Nearly 200 Attendees From Across the Region; Helps to Usher in Golf Season - Andover, MA from members of the USGA Green Section and keynote speaker Jim Remy who is past president of the PGA of America.
With a snowstorm barreling into the region, an DXGLHQFH RI QHDUO\ JROI RIĂ&#x20AC;FLDOV SURIHVVLRQals and members came together and focused on the warmer days ahead by taking part in the 2014 New England Green Section Seminar. )RU Ă&#x20AC;YH KRXUV DW $QGRYHU &RXQWU\ &OXE WKHVH industry leaders were treated to presentations
The three USGA Green Section speakers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Adam Moeller, Jim Skorulski and Dave Oatis â&#x20AC;&#x201C; touched on key agronomic topics such as the current trends in golf course management, the XVH DQG EHQHĂ&#x20AC;W RI WDOOJUDVV URXJKV DQG QDWXUDOized areas and how golf facilities can make a sustainable difference on the three â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pâ&#x20AC;?s â&#x20AC;&#x201C; peoSOH SODQHW DQG SURĂ&#x20AC;W For more information about the New England *UHHQ 6HFWLRQ 6HPLQDU YLVLW WKH RIĂ&#x20AC;FLDO ZHE VLWH at www.negreensection.org.
Winchesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jay Monahan Promoted to Deputy Commissioner of PGA Tour Norton, MA A Winchester native made big news this week. Jay Monahan, who grew up in the Bay State and served as the original championship director of the Deutsche Bank Championship which is held each Labor Day at TPC Boston, was promoted to deputy commissioner of the PGA Tour. Many in the golf industry see this latest move as a signal that Monahan may be the successor to commissioner Tim Finchem.
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Jay Monahan attended Trinity College and stayed local for many years. He worked as director of global sponsorships with EMC and then as executive director of the Deutsche Bank Championship. He joined the PGA Tour and relocated to Florida in 2008 in order to serve as executive director of the Players Championship.
Fall River Country Club Star Alexandra â&#x20AC;&#x153;A.J.â&#x20AC;? Chicharro Goes to The Masters
12-year-old Alexandra â&#x20AC;&#x153;A.J.â&#x20AC;? Chicharro knew how to put her golf career in the right direction. She has been practicing with her coach, Tony DeQuattro, and is a member of The Fall River Country Club. Chicharro will be showing off her golf skills this Sunday at Augusta (Ga.) National Golf Club. Chicharro was recently awarded a prestigious honor by winning the New England Drive Chip & Putt QualiĂ&#x20AC;HU ODVW $XJXVW DW 3LQHKLOOV *ROI &OXE LQ 3O\PRXWK Massachusetts. 2QH ZHHN EHIRUH WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO URXQG RI 7KH 0DVWHUV at Augusta, Chicharrowill be competing in the Professional Golf Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drive Chip & Putt National Finals. This National Final has 88 junior golfers across the United States and Canada who showcase their skills of the younger generation. ChichDUUR LV RQH RI JLUOV ZKR TXDOLĂ&#x20AC;HG LQ WKH JLUOV¡ division. Her best 18-hole score is 77. This seventh-grade golfer attends the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program at Fall Riverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kuss Middle School due to her straight Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.
With all the attention from being an all-star golfer in the area, she has admitted that her studies have EHHQ GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW WR FRQFHQWUDWH RQ ,Q KHU SDVW WLPH besides playing golf, she enjoys relaxing by watching the pros play on television. Her favorite channel to watch is The Golf Channel, where instead this weekend, she will be the star on it instead of watching it from the couch. The Golf Channel is RIIHULQJ Ă&#x20AC;YH KRXUV RI OLYH 'ULYH &KLS 3XWW FRYHUage including a pre-show. Chicharro is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. Chicharro has nothing to worry about. She has already made a name for herself in the PGA Junior golf tour and the U.S. Challenge Cup. She tied fourth place in the New England PGA Junior Tour rankings within her age group. TheU.S. Challenge &XS KDV WKH TXDOLĂ&#x20AC;HUV SOD\ DJDLQVW GLIIHUHQW DJH groups. This past month, Chicharro played against Megan Khang, 16, at the Swansea Country Club. 6KH Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG VHFRQG WR 0HJDQ .KDQJ ZKR KDV SOD\HG LQ D 8 6 :RPHQ¡V 2SHQ TXDOLĂ&#x20AC;HU
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myNEGM.com April 2014 Vol VII Issue II
Editor / Publisher
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Tom Gorman Contributors Tim Geary John Molori Pam Borges Alice Scott Bob DiCesare Laura Ebrecht Robert Martin Steve Riggs Kathleen Dyson Jeff Palopoli Matt Adams Emily Kay Jim Hammond Jack Ross Ed Travis Danny Scott Matt Hoeske Leigh McKay Becky Blaser Elisa Gaudet Greg Sampson Matt Ward
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Golf Guide Series 2014
May South Eastern MA, Cape Cod & the Islands June New Hampshire, Vermont & Maine July Eastern, Central & Western MA August Connecticut, New York & New Jersey
Our new state golf guide series will take you from all six states of New England, through the Mid-Atlantic and finish in Florida by years end. The guides will be featured in our print magazine each month and then converted into an interactive digital publication as well as an online guide where all things golf from that state will feed. Everything from featured courses, resorts, ranges, club fitters and retail to special events and news will now be separated by state on the number one source for New England Golf. We hope you are as excited as we are!
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GORMAN VS. GEARY // BYY TOM M GORMAN
Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a question to ask four world-class players â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Henrik Stenson, Brendt Snedeker, Jim Furyk and Bill Haas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve each won the FedEx Cup, and the $10 million check that goes with it, but whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never won a Masters title. Would they trade the $10 million FedEx Cup for one Masters title on their resume? Bubba Watson won the Masters in an exciting, memorable and highly-publicized playoff over Louis Oosthuizen in 2012. Does that make Watson a great player? Of course not. Watsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 15-year pro career only WDOOLHV Ă&#x20AC;YH ZLQV +RZHYHU WKH glamour of a Masters title on his resume adds polish, not Hall of Fame or superstar status. The 1996 Masters ended with Nick Faldo putting on the green jacket for a third time then saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153; I hope Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m remembered for shooting 67 on the last day, and not for what happened to Greg. But obviously, this will be remembered for what happened to Greg.â&#x20AC;? What happened to Norman on that fateful Sunday in 1996 is something you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to ever happen in front of a live worldwide audience â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one of the greatest collapses in the hisWRU\ RI JROI 1RUPDQ OHG IRU WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW WKUHH URXQGV OHG E\ VL[ VWURNHV JRLQJ LQWR WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO URXQG EXW pumped out a putrid 78 to Faldoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 67, and lost by six strokes. 7KH KLVWRU\ RI 0DVWHUV KLJKOLJKW Ă&#x20AC;OPV PLJKW EH Ă&#x20AC;OOHG ZLWK HTXDO SDUWV WUDLQZUHFN UDWKHU WKDQ great performances on the back nine on Sunday. Breathtaking birdies, incredible shots and heart-wrenching collapses make the Masters
truly a tradition unlike any other. Flashback to April 2011, when a 21-year Irish lad, Rory McIlroy, captured our golf imagination and dominated for three rounds. After 54 holes he held a four-shot lead only to unravel (CHOKE) on the back nine, stumbling in with an 80. That round also ranks as one of the worst collapses in Masters history. Great moments on other courses seem to SOD\ VHFRQG Ă&#x20AC;GGOH WR ZKDW WDNHV SODFH DW $Xgusta National. A few of my favorite Masters over the past 30 years include 1986 when Jack Nicklaus, age 46, shot an incredible 30 on the back nine which included an eagle-birdie-birdie streak starting at hole No. 15. He became a sixtime winner and the oldest. Who can forget 1987 when Larry Mize beat Greg Norman on the second sudden-death playoff hole? Mize looked to be in trouble as he approached his ball some 40-yards away from the pin on hole No. 11. He pulled out a sand wedge, needing to get close to tie the hole, but did one better, holing the shot from the fairway and the win. Ben Crenshaw gave us memorable and inspiring performances in 1984 and1995. As did Phil Mickelson in 2004 and 2010. Lefty drained an 18-foot putt on the 72nd hole to beat Ernie Els in 2010, becoming only the fourth player to win the Masters on WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO KROH DQG DGGLQJ WR WKH ORUH RI 0DVWHUV drama. Located somewhere on the 346-acre Augusta National compound, from a mystical place called Butlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cabin, Jim Nantz presented the green jacket to 21-year old Tiger Woods in 1997. Woods accomplished what no human has HYHU GRQH DW $XJXVWD GHVWUR\LQJ WKH Ă&#x20AC;HOG ZKLOH setting numerous records. Woods became the youngest to win, while setting the tournament scoring record at 18-under par and the 12-shot margin of victory was the largest ever. This was a pivotal moment in golf history since Jack Nicklaus had already predicted that Woods would win more Masters than he and Arnold Palmer combined (10). At the time, this
What is your favorite Masters memory?
GORMAN VS. GEARY // BYY TIM M GEARY
Aside from three consecutive years (1943-â&#x20AC;&#x2122;45) because of World War II, the Masters Tournament has been conducted each year at the Augusta National Golf Club every April since 1934 when +RUWRQ 6PLWK ZRQ WKH YHU\ Ă&#x20AC;UVW HYHQW NQRZQ WKHQ just as the Augusta Invitational. The Masters is my favorite golf tournament for a number of reasons. First itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a sign that winter is Ă&#x20AC;QDOO\ RYHU 7KHQ WKHUH¡V WKH LQFUHGLEOH EHDXW\ RI the golf course, the tradition, the lack of commercialism. It is old south genteel ism. I love the caddies in their white jump suits with green caps and I particularly enjoy the drama that almost always unfolds during the Ă&#x20AC;QDO QLQH RQ D 6XQGD\ afternoon. It is a clichĂŠ but it usually is true; the tournament doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really begin until the 10th tee on Sunday. Our topic, as this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Masters is upon us, revolves around the question; What was the greatest Masters of all time? Neither Gorman nor I know what the other has picked so it is entirely possible, even likely, that we have chosen the same championship. To me itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s obvious, so obvious that even a dolt like Tommy 3-Putt should recognize it. But before I reveal my selection I want to go back over some of the most memorable moments in Masters history. Naturally Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not going to touch on all of them, but these stick out for me. 7KH Ă&#x20AC;UVW LV RQH , QHYHU VDZ DQG ZDV QRW HYHQ alive, Gene Sarazenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legendary double eagle with a two wood in 1935, one of the most famous shots in golf history and the key to â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Squireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sâ&#x20AC;?
victory that year. Another that jumps out came in 1958, when $UQROG 3DOPHU ZRQ KLV Ă&#x20AC;UVW JUHHQ MDFNHW ZLWK KLV distinctive corkscrew swing and swashbuckling style of play that would draw countless new fans to the game. In 1963, a bulky kid from Ohio dared to go toeto-toe with the popular king of golf and the world was introduced to the man who would become the greatest player of all time, Jack Nicklaus. One of the most infamous Masters moments came in 1968, when Argentine Roberto De Vicenzo signed an incorrect scorecard, giving the title to Bob Golby. In 1984 Ben Crenshaw won the title, the most memorable moment coming when he holed a cross country putt on the 10th green. Crenshaw would win again in 1995, breaking down into tears DIWHU KROLQJ WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO SXWW RYHUFRPH ZLWK HPRWLRQ having dedicated the tournament to his recently deceased teacher, Harvey Penick. For my money the most memorable and dramatic moment in Masters history occurred in 1987 when Augusta native, Larry Mize, stunned Greg Norman with a chip in on the 11th hold during a playoff. It came less than a year after Norman had watched Bob Tway beat him with a blast from a bunker during the PGA. In 1988 Scotsman Sandy Lyle won the tournament, clinching it with a second shot from a fairway bunker on 18, when his ball hit on the back of the green and then rolled back some 40 feet to within tap in range of the hole. Fred Couples won his lone green jacket in 1992, largely because a shot he hit on the par 3 12th old stuck on the bank in front of the green instead of rolling back into the water. $QG ZH KDG 7LJHU UROOLQJ WKH Ă&#x20AC;HOG IRU KLV Ă&#x20AC;UVW Masters in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;97 and then tearfully hugging his father, Earl, after coming off the 18th green.. But the greatest Masters of all time? To me the answer is easy. It was Jack Nicklaus stirring back nine to win in 1986, at the age of 46, his 18th and Ă&#x20AC;QDO PDMRU 1RWKLQJ HOVH LV HYHQ D FORVH VHFRQG Tim Geary is a R.I. based freelance writer. His greatest moment was lunch.
What is your favorite Masters memory?
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