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From the Editor contents
Travel & Lifestyle by Katherine Dyson
Golf at The Turn
As we make the turn in the 2013 golf season the summer heat has set in throughout New England. It is a time each year when clubs throughout our region celebrate the game with tournaments, outings and events. There is nothing better than the gatherings with friends on the outdoor patios and decks after a great day of golf. Golf is a social game, and golf clubs are part of the celebration of life and the sport of the game. They are places that people meet, compete and share life stories and experiences. As I write this I am sitting here thinking why then is the game struggling to grow and maintain membership at clubs everywhere. Many years ago, I watched a movie that had a profound impact upon my life. “Pay it Forward” was movie about a boy who created a truly great legacy for his life by sending the message about giving back to the world to make it a better place. For golf it is time to “Pay in Forward” and support the growth of the game of golf by creating more access to the game for more players of all ages. The greatest gift I have ever received in my life was gift of golf, a close friend brought me into the game many years ago. If we all shared the gift of golf with 3 people of any age each year, golf would not be where it is today. The days of exclusivity need to change to a motto that golf is open to everyone and the welcome matt is out. Both public and private golf clubs need to learn to become active community partners and centers of learning for the game for all ages and generations. If we can learn to “ Pay it Forward” and share our love for the game with others, surely this great game will endure. The 113th U.S Amateur returns to The Country Club of Brookline August 12-18th bring your friends and sons and daughters to watch one of the greatest amateur competitions in the world. On Thursday July 25th I attended media day at The Country Club. The club was teaming with life with junior camps, a women’s luncheon, USGA Staff and business people from the region. It looked more like a university and community center then a private exclusive golf course, there is something to be learned here from one of the very best and oldest clubs in the Nation. Timothy Branco Editor / Publisher
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Good Looks on the Course
15
Two Good Rounds
22
Couple of Travelers
24
Celebrity Golfer
28
Ross’ Rulings
50
Player’s Perspective
54
Kay’s Korner
62
Gorman vs. Geary
76
by Elle Brec
by Elisa Gaudet
by Alice and Danny Scott by Leigh MacKay
by Jack Ross
by Ed Travis
by Emily Kay
by Tom Gorman & Tim Geary
New England Golf Monthly The New England Publishing Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 357 Swansea, MA 02777
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5 Rounds for the Price of 4 - Only $200 (May be applied to membership for 2013 Season)
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The Perfect Life
NEGM Tech Resorts
Resort schools go high-tech by Katharine Dyson
PGA Village
Trackman Ian Poultorpractice on Trackman session
Along with zero-entry pools, rock wall outdoor showers and in-room whirlpools, resorts are ratcheting up their golf schools bringing the latest in hightech solutions to analyze your game and make it better. In PGA Village, Port St. Lucie, Florida at the PGA Center for Learning and Performance, TrackMan technology is part of their instructional arsenal. With TrackMan, a radar- and video-based system, it’s all about how the “angle of attack” influences the club path. And whether it’s US Open champion Justin Rose or Joe the Plumber, what golfer is not in the hunt to improve? With 54 holes of golf designed by Tom Fazio and Pete Dye and a 35-acre PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance, at PGA Village, you can
Ian Poultor on Trackman
receive an entire overhaul on your game including mental, physical, technical, equipment and on course management. In addition to more than 100 full-swing practice stations, nine practice bunkers, pitching, putting and chipping areas and a three-hole teaching course, the array of tech tools is most impressive. Trained instructors call on a variety of cutting edge teaching aids like the ForeGolf Sirgul 180 Simulator, TrackMan, Sam Putt Lab, Dynamic Balance System, V1 Pro, LinxTracker and ProMirror. Several packages are available that include golf and instruction as well as admission to the PGA Museum of Golf with stays in the adjacent Hilton Garden Inn or condos. PGAVillage.com
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Throughout the week at the (British) Open in Scotland this past July, TrackMan was chosen to power three Tech Bays at the HSBC Golf Zone. Hundreds of patrons visited the bays where they were able to get real-time data and graphics on their ball launch, flight and landing as well as see model swings of players in this year’s Open Championship field on a video wall.
TrackMan, a Denmark-based company, is one of several systems used by instructors to improve their students’ games. Other high tech teaching aids include V1 Golf Swing Analysis, Full Swing Golf Simulator, SAM Puttiah, Linx Tracker, GolfTEC (gSwing), XGOLF Simulator and Dynamic Balance System. Some golf schools like the PGA Center and the Annika Academy at the Reunion Resort in Or-
lando, Florida, use a combination of these systems. TheWildfire Golf Academy at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Arizona complements the Faldo Championship Course and the Palmer Signature Course both set against a backdrop of the McDowell Mountains and majestic saguaro cacti. One-to-three day golf schools pair personalized instruction with technology like the Doppler Phazer Radar launch monitor that allows experts to track a player’s swing and golf ball’s entire flight path, club head speed, attack angle, ball speed and other key factors. Marrying these results with a person’s individual characteristics allows the instructor to custom fit golfers with the best sticks for his or her game. With close to 1000 rooms and suites, this luxury Marriott treats guests to more than great golf with its award-winning Revive Spa, state-of-the-art fitness center and huge pool complex including a lazy river water park, hiking trails, tennis, bike rentals and several restaurants. Other Marriott Golf Academies are found in Orlando, Florida and Palm Desert, California. Home of the PGA Tour Waste Management Phoenix Open, the Stadium Course, one of two championship tracks at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort is home to the PGA TOUR Academy offering multi-day golf schools. Set in the Sonoran Desert, the Academy’s facilities include
Sean Foley (Tiger Woods’ teacher) on Trackman
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Wild Dunes Resort an excellent short game practice area, putting and chipping greens and practice bunkers along with an array of teaching technologies like Flightscope Technology that measures ball flight, speed, backspin, sidespin and launch angles. A sophisticated Video Swing Analysis allowing students to watch his or her swing along with a side-by-side comparison with a professional golfer while the Tomi Putting System capable of analyzing a golfer’s putting
Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, TPC San Antonio, TPC Denver and TPC Las Vegas. Among the tech tools used at the Rick Smith Academies are TrackMan and Golf Sense, a glovebased 3D motion capture swing analyzer that works with free apps. Near Naples, Florida, one of Rick Smith’s newest academies is located at Raptor Bay Golf Club at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort in Estero, Florida. As you play Raptor Bay, a
stoke and mental conditioning from VISION54 are also incorporated into the Academy’s teaching system. Those seeking the best clubs can be custom fit by Cool Clubs, another company relying of technology to find the best match. Multi-day packages for TourAcademy participants include lodging at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess where off-course pleasures may find you cooling off in four sprawling pools, chilling out in the Willow Stream Spa and strolling through magnificent gardens that wind around lakes. Fairmont.com Other TourAcademy locations include World Golf Village and Tiburon Golf Club in Florida, La
superb Audubon certified course winding through mangroves and around lagoons, the tall tower of The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point looms in the distance. RickSmith.com A key amenity at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, New Jersey, is The Leadbetter Golf Academy, which goes high tech with it V1 Golf swing analysis. Along with its golf academy, Crystal Springs offers a huge array of recreational activities with seven courses, a Biosphere Pool Complex set in jungle-like gardens under glass, a spa, Minerals Sports Club, hiking and biking trails, plenty of restaurants and a 135,000 bottle
Raptor Bay - Bonita Springs, Florida
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La Costa - Carlsbad, CA
wine cellar. CrystalGolfResort.com Additional Leadbetter facilities are found at Geneva National Golf Club, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; Wailea Golf Club on Hawaii’s Maui Island; and in Florida, ChampionsGate Resort, Orlando, LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort, Naples and the PGA National Golf School at Palm Beach Gardens. PGA National highlights biometrics methods while SAM PuttLab and K-Vest technologies measure your putting and golf swing. At PGA National enjoy five splendid courses as well as the award-winning Spa, Health & Racquet Club and beautiful pools.
Video Putting
DavidLeadbetter.com In Michigan the Golf Academy at the Grand Sandestin Traverse Resort and Spa uses the Foresight GC2 Launch Monitor Smart Camera System and Performance Simulator where a golfers can learn, compete and have fun even in the cold winters. The Academy has also added V1 Sports Digital Coaching System software allowing golfers to view videos of their personal instruction by logging in with their password to the V1 page on the Resort’s website. GrandTraverseResort.com If you think it’s a stretch to call tooling around the course in a Segway a high tech proposition, think again. Using Segways to maneuver around the course at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Phoenix may be deemed a tad edgy but then Segway uses gyroscopes, tilt sensors, high-speed microproprocessors and super electric motors to propel the machine while keeping it balanced — it’s called “dynamic stabilization.” To get golfers in shape and increase their driving distance, Troon Golf at Kierland Golf Academy uses the FORE-MAX Golf Fitness Program (KierlandResort.com) while Troon’s operations at Lake of Isles in North Stonington, Connecticut relies on V-1 computer swing analysis in their schools. LakeOfIsles.com To show you how putts break, check out the innovative AimPoint Green Reading at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York or the new Putter Lab at the Kingdom at Reynolds Plantation
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X Golf Simulator
in Lake Oconee, Georgia, where a Quintic launch monitor system capture and analyzes critical intel about an individual’s putting stroke. But The Kingdom is much more than just putting. This game-enhancement facility, a partnership between Reynolds Plantation and TaylorMadeadidas Golf Company (TMaG), is used by members of the TMaG staff to custom-build clubs for
golfers on site using the company’s MATT Systerm (Motion Analysis by TaylorMade). With this technology your swing is viewable from every angle. ReynoldsPlantation.com Savvy golfers and pros know success in improving their game takes a combination of physical fitness, mental control, attitude and skilled instruction. Using technology is one more way to make it all happen.
Annikka Academy
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Good Looks on the Course
Hot and Not on the Tour
by Elle Brec
Many of us love dressing like our favorite PGA and LPGA Tour players who have been donning their newest apparel for key tournaments, with a new kind of reverence for Sunday’s best. Reviewed hot and not looks on the course, captured beautifully by our tour photographer Ken Dennis.
Red and white Keegan Bradley really knows how to look classy in Tommy Hilfiger apparel as he wears the classic New England red and white for his July tournaments. Much better than Dong-hwan Lee who is wearing red and white in the front with candy cane stripes in the back, which does not work for us. While it is a creative way to spice up golf fashion, it just reminds us of Christmas decorations.
Beatriz Lacari
As Beatriz Lacari becomes more of a star, we hope she shoots to shine up her wardrobe too. She looks hot in all black with a military style cap, complimenting her Spanish complexion, but we think that Beatriz can do better when it comes to looking fashionable on
the course. Her white Callaway hat, double scrunci braid, and smiley face ball marker makes her look like she is in grade school. We do love the lenses and frames on her Oakley sunglasses, which are great to block the sun and read the greens.
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Light pink
Callaway apparel is hot and has noticeably stepped their game up this year as well as Ryo Ishikawa who is outfitted by them. He has the best of both worlds, this year at age 21, he signed a deal with Callaway for 6.8 million a year. Karma is on his side, as the Japanese star donated all his 2011 and a portion of 2012 earnings to the Tsunami victims.
As the 10 year anniversary of Shaun Micheel hitting the famed shot to win the 2003 PGA Championship approaches, we hope Adidas and TaylorMade help him celebrate with some snazzy attire. The pink color blocking on his shirt reminds us of decoration from a teenage girl’s room. He recently accepted sponsor’s exemption into the Web.com Tour’s News Sentinel Open, Aug. 15-18 at Fox Den Country Club.
Flowing Skirts Lululemon makes sports sexy in a realm where no others company can compete with. Take one of the hottest rookie golfers, Venezuelan Veronica Felibert looks beautiful with her hot flowing skirt with light pink plaid print and pretty pink shirt topped off with a very in vogue sunhat, a perfect look for summer on or off the course. She made her Tour debut in 2012 and is brand’s first elite ambassador in the sport of golf. Don’t get us wrong, we are impressed that fourteen year old high schooler Angel Yin plays amazing golf and can compete with some of the biggest names on the LGPA Tour. While appropriate attire for her age, we just happen to not like the knee length striped flowing skirt, it has too many things going on for golf and may be better suited for just off the course.
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Loudmouth Ashlan Ramsey is a hot up and comer on the juniors tour winning three consecutive tournaments recently. Representing Loudmouth in her psychedelic pink swirls skirt with pink polo she is on par with the retro trend right now, as we know from all those 70s prints in the stores. We just hope when she graduates from Clemson in four years she does not start wearing all orange on Sundays. One of our favorite personalities, Woody, founder of Loudmouth is a special kind of creative, and he would have to be to come up with a hilarious pattern name like Ketchup and Mustard. Perfect for summer barbecues or grabbing a cheeseburger in between holes as John Daly looks like he does. Do not get us wrong we love John Daly’s outrageous Loudmouth style most of the time, the colors just do not work for us, maybe we’ve been brainwashed into thinking about McDonalds every red and yellow combo.
Bright pink The Pink Panther Paula Creamer really knows how to wear bright pink. From her glove to her skort, hat, stitching in her white polo, along with shoes and laces, she pulls it off in an eye catching manner. She wears head to toe Adidas gear, except for her line of sunglasses called Sundog. Brian Gay is normally fashionable in his Canadian based company Sligo attire, however bright pink just does not work for him here. The front has stripes that match the pants which is all good, but when he turns around it is a weird looking pink suit with white sleeves.
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Crazy hair Michelle Wie is hot as she recently has been wearing red streaks in the bottom of her locks, coordinated with her red club grip and sometimes her apparel. She’s been on tour for a while, but the talented, young, 21 year old is acting age appropriate and rocks the latest in Nike apparel. Andres Gonzalez has crazy hair too but it is not the kind that looks good. A fu manchu mustache with a hint of mid-western car rally guy flavor in there does not fit in on the links.
Green and Black Sergeant Slaughter came out for a Pro-Am for the Travelers tournament, comically representing the fictional character from the G.I. Joe toys based on the character of the professional wrestler of the same name. The excitement it brought to the tournament was fantastic and camo never seems to go out of style. Robert Gamez wears lime green and black zebra striped pants. These are not sexy for guys or ladies, in fact they look like a pattern from the 80s.
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Plaid The king of plaid, Ian James Poulter, is so hot he just can not be touched especially when it comes to the Official Tartan Authority. While we may always feature him, how could we not with the amount of time and effort he dedicates to fashion? Brandt Snedeker on the other hand could use some help with his plaid as he is looks like he is wearing pajamas. Try to avoid plaid with too many random colors, go with either a light or bright colored plaid with only three colors.
Plaid detail Bo Van Pelt wears Alial Fital, one of the coolest brands in golf. We love the cotton poly hybrid soft feel and the preppy plaid details on collar and cuffs. The best plaid detail is in their shirts, with a retro trend of mint green/light aqua and pink combination, as seen in many dresses and jewelry for women lately. Korean American Jin Park looks more Scottish in his white plaid polo with cranberry plaid detail on the collar and cuffs. He is very coordinated with the red belt and shoes, but the white on white does not work for us.
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Molori Unplugged by John Molori
Bob Socci: A new player steps to the tee In 2008, sportscaster Bob Socci sent a CD of his radio work to legendary Patriots’ play-byplay announcer Gil Santos. The gracious Santos responded favorably. Fast forward five years, and meet Bob Socci, the heir to Santos’s seat high above Gillette Stadium and the newest star at radio giant 98.5 The Sports Hub. “When Gil listened to my CD and replied, it gave me a lot of confidence,” says the 45-year-old Socci. “I sent my work out to a lot of announcers just to get some feedback.” Socci is no media newbie. He served as the radio voice of Navy football for 16 years, called minor league baseball for a number of teams, and Patriot League college basketball for CBS Radio.
The booth veteran is philosophical about taking Santos’s lofty throne. He relates, “I have a healthy respect for what came before me and I know I have to earn the trust of the fans. The important thing is to develop a chemistry with (98.5 Patriots’ color analyst) Scott Zolak.” The average weekend duffer can certainly relate to Socci’s golf game. “I’ve always liked golf enough to want to be good at it, and I agree with what a lot of people say about playing golf. There is always one shot that brings you back.” Similarly, the New England Patriots will be back in action this summer. Socci discusses how he and
Zolak will deal with the tumult surrounding the Aaron Hernandez situation. “I’m sure it will come up, and we’ll weave it into the broadcast. We have to have credibility. I will definitely ask Scott and how the loss of Hernandez will impact the team.” Impact is a good word to describe the United States Naval Academy, Socci’s radio home for the past 16 seasons. “It was a very special job and our student-athletes were fascinating individuals. I got to know a lot of the players and their families. Many of them have lost their lives in action. Our graduates listened to my broadcast from all over the world. That is definitely humbling.” At times, Socci’s golf game can be described similarly. “I’m an absolutely terrible slicer, and I spend most of my time on the course looking for lost golf balls. Like most people, I tried to turn my club head to adjust to my slice, but that didn’t work.” With wife Monique, two children, and a full media plate, golf has to take a back seat to the tasks at hand, including getting acclimated to the parochial and fickle Boston fandom. “I expect the scrutiny and I also intend to be my harshest critic,” says Socci, a central New York native who attended the University of Dayton. “I don’t have Gil’s pipes or his institutional knowledge, but we share an attention to detail and description. I’ve actually gotten some really positive messages from Patriots’ fans who listened to me call Navy games.” Socci’s positive attitude will also serve him well as he expands his golf game. “I really want to get back on the course more often,” says Socci. “Most of my friends are scratch golfers and I get invited to play in a lot of tournaments. Golf really helps you create relationships, and I do enjoy watching the game tremendously. When the best players in the world are on the back nine in a major tournament, that is special. There is definitely a drama there that is unique to golf.” John Molori is the co-author of “The Cracker Jack Collection: Baseball’s Prized Players.” Email John at molorimedia@aol.com.John Molori is the co-author of “The Cracker Jack Collection: Baseball’s Prized Players,” to be released in August. Email John at MoloriMedia@aol.com.
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Destination Golf Is Closer Than You Think 30 Minutes from Providence... 40 Minutes from Worcester... 50 Minutes from Boston...
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Two Good Rounds by Elisa Gaudet
Live like Gatsby
Oheka Castle on the Gold Coast in Long Island New York was once the weekend retreat and summer home of Otto Kahn. The Gold Coast was where many wealthy American families had homes in the 1920’s. This is also the area that inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book the Great Gatsby and it is said that Oheka was one of the inspirations for the Great Gatsby mansion. Otto Hermann Kahn, born in 1867 and died in 1934, was one of the most celebrated financiers in American Banking History. A true renaissance man of the times he was an investment banker, collector, philanthropist, patron of the arts and golfer. Completed in 1919, Oheka was and still is the second largest private home in the United States with 127 rooms, 109, 000 sq. feet all set on 443 acres. It is twice the size of the White House. Built during the roaring 20’s it reflected the excess and opulence of the times. Otto Kahn had his own private 18 hole, par 71 Seth Raynor designed golf course built on his property to be used exclusively for himself and his guests. Guests and friends of Oheka and Kahn included Enrico Caruso, George Gershwin, JP Morgan, Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks to name a few.
This property has gone through a number of changes over the years and is now a beautiful 32 room hotel and the golf course that was originally Otto Kahn’s is now a private golf club, the Cold Spring Country Club. Gary Melius took over the estate in 1984 and began a tremendous project that continues to this day to restore this spectacular estate back to its original glory. More than likely you have seen images of Oheka Castle as it was featured in the movie Citizen Kane in the aerial views of the mansion and gardens depicting Charles Foster Kane’s castle “Xanadu”. Even if just for a few days guests get to live the full Gatsby experience while staying at this spectacular hotel as all guests have special privileges to play the private Cold Spring Country Club course while at the property. OHEKA is just 32 miles, about a 45 minute drive, from downtown Manhattan. For more information visit: www.Oheka.com. “Otto Kahn and Gary Melius are the bookends of this story - men of boldness, vision and optimism in America. This is the story of their house and the century that separated them in time, but brought them together in spirit” Nelson DeMille
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Couple of Travelers
by Alice and Danny Scott
Go For the Greenbrier and More
The floral entry of West Virginia’s most famous Greenbrier sings a loud welcome that doesn’t stop at the door. Dorothy Draper designed a colorful palette of stripes and plaids with roses and rhododendron, painted on carpets and furnishings to European chandeliers. Every seat in the house says, “Relax”, but there is too much to explore. Begin the luxurious day with a buffet in the elegant main dining room, consulting the Greenbrier Daily for the schedule of falconry shows, beauty, art, decorating clinics and culinary demonstrations as well as tours of the interior, grounds and secret historic bunker. Golf on The Greenbrier course, home of the 1979 Ryder Cup, or The Meadows or The Old White TPC, home of the PGA Tour’s Greenbrier Classic, and location of “The Big Break” last season. The Greenbrier
topiary sign and caddies under the clock welcome golfers with Nick Faldo’s home looming on the hillcrest above. On number 16 Swan Lake and 17, water lures balls as fly fishermen in the creek lure trout. The pool, spa, boutique shops and dining are exquisite with chocolates made on site. Culminate a marvelous day in the Casino Club with the Champagne Toast & Waltz at 10pm. “Experiences are timeless and memories last forever,” at The Greenbrier. www.Greenbrier.com Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia is the only golf resort with it’s own “Good Zoo” and glass blowing center. Blow your own glass creations in a workshop or be blown away by the golf at Oglebay’s Speidel Golf Club. Perhaps the only place with a combo ski lift and driving range, deer
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prance among festival of light frames and deep woods on the Arnold Palmer and the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr. courses. An ice mountain topped with fresh raw oysters, a sundry of gourmet delicacies and lusty dessert buffet is all you can eat and all really as delicious as the window view. Retire with a dreamy fireplace, soft robes and slippers. www.Oglebay-Resort.com. Stonewall Resort is a Roanoke, West Virginia mountain retreat with a 2600-acre lake, 20 miles long. An evening cruise is included in the Adirondack inspired lodge room rates, as are paddleboards and kayaks. The signature Palmer Golf Course meanders through a mosaic of picturesque woodlands and unspoiled wetlands, with altitude adjustments, and Audubon Certification. Appearing as formidable as it’s namesake, General Stonewall, it is very playable. Lightburn’s panoramic hilltop view makes a perfect 19th hole to satiate every taste. This is a leisurely resort. Stroll through the shops and schedule time for the spa, sit by the lake or play the Palmer course again. “Close to nature. Far from ordinary,” it will reveal a new angle every round. www.StonewallResort.com Three gorgeous courses make The Resort at Glade Springs in Daniels, West Virginia a super choice. Number 18 on the Woodhaven Course is long and crazy. Like a great roller coaster ride, as soon as it is over, you want to rush back in line. The coaster theme continues at the Stonehaven Course, one of our favorites for the fun layout. Take a photo op of
the most dramatic descending views in woodland golf, on the signature number 16, par 5, 601 yards. The legendary Cobb Course completes the exceptional golf at Glade Springs but the entertainment continues with Spa Orange, tennis, swimming, bowling, basketball, a cinema and bonfires. Choice of accommodations are as varied, from single rooms at The Inn or Lodges, to Villas and Manor Houses with central spaces ideal for groups and families. The clubhouse has veranda seating leading to the sports bar with table and wall TVs. Best of all is Glade’s Italian Grill and Bar’s family style feast that is Mama Mia good! www.GladeSprings.com At One Lakeview Drive in Morgantown, West Virginia, find one true golf travel value. Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus have all set records here on the two championship golf courses. The Lakeview course climbs up across the Interstate highway with dramatic downhill plays to the water, a parkland style gem. The Fitness complex boasts 40,000 square feet. The Spa Roma offers healing treatments. Self-medication is available at the Legends Sports Bar & Grille or the outdoor Tiki Deck with a view of golfers. The chef at Fusion Restaurant creates exceptional flat bread hors d’eouvres and stuffed mushrooms with boursin cheese. www.LakeviewResort.com Go for the Greenbrier or visit all of the Wild and Wonderful West Virginia golf at www.WVGolfing.com
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Celebrity Golfer: Gary Player by Leigh MacKay
Since he began his professional career in 1953, Gary Player has always been the poster boy for the buff golfer. Now, at age 77, he has recently posed in the buff for ESPN Magazine’s fourth annual “Body Issue.” Oh, well, just one more naked truth to add to the Black Knight’s celebrated life. What are some of the other truths for golf’s most recognized International Ambassador? With his 24 PGA Tour and 19 Champions Tour wins (including nine majors and career slams on both tours), the South African has won 165 tournaments on six continents in his six decades as a pro. He is the most traveled athlete ever with more than 15 million miles and counting. Player’s business acumen rivals the precision of his ball striking. He is a renowned golf course architect and author with 325 design projects worldwide and 36 golf books to date. He created Player Real Estate, Gary Player Academies, and Black Knight Enterprises, which manage his apparel, events, licensing, memorabilia, publishing, and wine endeavors. He is also a consultant to more than 20 corporations worldwide. In addition, his Stud Farm, where Player is hands on and saddled up as much as possible, breeds top thoroughbreds, and The Player Foundation promotes underprivileged education around the world, including the Blair Atholl Schools in Johannesburg that serve more than 500 students from K-8. I’d like to say that, to get this interview, I ran Player down at PGA West in La Quinta, California, where he was discussing the virtues of golf and well being at the Humana Challenge. However, as I didn’t think I’d be able to catch him, he agreed to meet me in the Media Tent. What follows is the unadorned skinny. NEGM: Tony Jacklin called Rory McIlroy a “precocious talent.” What is your assessment of Rory and other greats? GP: My goodness, yes, Rory is a precocious talent and a wonderful young man. He is a tremendous asset to the game. The most talented player I’ve ever watched is Tiger Woods, and I remain riveted to see if he can better Jack’s major victory record. The best player from tee to green was Ben Hogan, and the best athlete was Sam Snead.
NEGM: What are your three favorite courses in the U. S.? GP: I have enjoyed so many great courses for so many years, but I’ll say Augusta, Cypress Point, and Pine Valley. NEGM: What are your three favorite courses around the world? GP: Again, so many great layouts. St. Andrews is number one, but I’m going to give myself credit for the other two. I designed the Links at Fancourt in South Africa, ranked #1 in the country and honored as one of the best in the world. It is certainly one of my best. I just recently opened Thracian Cliffs Golf and Beach Resort in Bulgaria. It is a golfer’s paradise, and each hole offers a spectacular view of the Black Sea. This past March it hosted the prestigious Volvo World Match Play Championship. (Player won this event five times.) NEGM: Of which tournament victories are you the most proud? GP: Believe it or not, I am most proud of winning the Champions Tour Grand Slam [U. S. Senior Open, Senior PGA, Senior British Open, and Senior TPC] and consider it my greatest professional achievement. I share the career Grand Slam, which, of course, I cherish dearly, with four others [Hogan, Nicklaus, Sarazen, Woods], but I am the only golfer to have won all four with the over-50 crowd—so far! It wasn’t easy because the competition on this tour is extremely high. I honestly believe that exercising, as I have always done, is the reason I was able to be as successful as I was on the Champions Tour. NEGM: What do you remember most about your golf visits to New England? GP: That I thoroughly enjoyed each visit there very much. Certainly, it was the great seafood, its natural beauty, its
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fresh air, and the cooler climate in the middle of summer. New England has its own unmistakable ambiance. NEGM: Did you get to play with Paul Harney at all? GP: Oh, yes, lots and lots of times. We first met on a golf course in Egypt of all places. A truly brilliant competitor who gave up his touring career to be with his family. A lovely man with a lovely family. His death was a great loss to the golf world. NEGM: Why should a New England golfer visit South Africa? GP: Because we have our own unmistakable ambiance, too! Besides some of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the world, we have the best beaches, the best game preserves, and a wonderful climate. We have extraordinary wineries, some more than 300 years old and most with unforgettable settings. We have gold and diamond mines to explore. Finally, South Africa has the most hospitable people, full of African history and music and dance. NEGM: Who would be in your Dream Foursome? GP: I’ve played with so many outstanding professionals since my career began in the ’50’s, so I would like to
play with these outstanding world leaders, for whom I have the utmost respect: Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Lee Kuan Yew (the Father of Singapore). NEGM: What are your current projects with your golf course design group? GP: Besides the United States, I am working in Bulgaria, China, Honduras, India, and Montenegro. Golf course design is very demanding, but I derive a great deal of satisfaction from turning the untouched earth into a distinctive layout. NEGM: If the Big Three were in their prime today, could Arnie, Jack, and you still compile comparable records of wins and majors? GP: Well, let’s see. We shot some excellent scores on golf courses with less-than-perfect conditions and with slower, less-than-true greens. We shot those scores and won all those tournaments with equipment that pales in comparison to today’s metal heads, graphite shafts, and much-improved golf balls. Could Arnie, Jack, and I repeat our successes today if we were in our prime? Oh, yes!
August 2013 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 29
Segregansett Country Club Launches New Initiatives
In August Segregansett will launch its “ Member for a Day” program, which will allow single players, groups and families to enjoy the club for a day and meet some of the members and the staff. Weekday tee times are available for only $40.00 with a cart and $50.00 weekends. Peter Larkin, Segregansett President, commented “ We are looking to grow the game of golf and allow more people in the region to enjoy our club. Segregansett is a great place for players looking to make friends with great games all week long for players of all levels. Our clubhouse and banquet facilities offers family functions, weddings and business meeting facilities with or without golf included”. In addition, in the months ahead the club will be launching junior programs, family events, stay & play programs and special rates for full members for as little as $1800.00 yearly. For more information or a tee time contact Rob Baxter at 508-824-9144 or the main office at the club at 508-824-9110. www.segregansett.com 2013 Qualifying Site for the 59th USGA Senior Amateur Championship
New Memberships July 2013 - July 2014 Single Membership $2450 Young Adults (21-35) $1800
Snowbird Special $500.00 Per Month
Unlimited Golf Cart included!
contact Tom Pinkerton | Membership Chairman tompinkerton4@gmail.com 508-245-8287
Segregansett Country Club call 508-824-9110 x 11 or email segregansett@comcast.net 30 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | August 2013
Get inside the game with the new VPAR golf app
Want to stand in the shoes of the pros? Now every golfer can experience the thrill of the game like never before with VPAR’s new complete golfing app. Live leaderboards keep track of every shot, recording and relaying all the action to you and your fellow players in real time, building excitement, stoking rivalries and spurring you on to your best game. GPS capability tells you the layout of the next hole and exactly how far you have to the pin, helping you to decide which club to take and what shot to play. And, as it builds your history, the scorecard archive keeps a brilliant record of every shot and course you’ve ever played for you to analyses or compare with friends at a later date. Want to know how your friend’s squared up on the infamous seventh hole at your local course, or how you fared last weekend? VPAR puts the answers at your fingertips. VPAR’s pioneering app technology is incredibly easy to use. Simply download and register, and you’re ready to go. Choose from over 30,000 courses across the globe, from your local favourite to the world’s best, like Pebble Beach, Wentworth, TPC Sawgrass and The Celtic Manor. Creating a game couldn’t be easier; click ‘PLAY GAME’, choose your course, game format, add your fellow golfers and you are ready to play. All the popular formats are available including the much-loved matchplay format, central to the epic Ryder Cup.
It’s also the most sociable way to play. Share your success with friends at the touch of a button, with integrated social media, or check out how they’ve been playing recently in their scorecard history. Discover fantastic new courses, review one you’ve just conquered, or find out the forecast – all in one place. “We wanted to capture all the excitement and adrenaline of the game,” VPAR’s Managing Director, Jason Stoop, said. “Players can track their progress, check out the competition, and see what’s happening elsewhere on the course as the game unfolds. Players are no longer oblivious to the opponents’ scores and what’s needed to beat them, creating your own version of the Masters or Ryder Cup.” A vital piece of kit and something every golfer’s bag shouldn’t be without, the new VPAR mobile app is available to download now from the App store and soon to be available on Windows and Android phones. Click to download directly from the App store. For more information about the VPAR app or running larger charity/corporate outings or member/guest tournaments with VPAR at your club, contact: Claude Hoopes, Principal, VPAR New England 25 Main Street, Marion, MA 02738 Email: claude.hoopes@vpar.com Phone: 508-254-5555
August 2013 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 31
NOW YOU KNOW...
WHEN TO TAKE THE DRIVER
Get inside the game with the new VPAR golf app Want to stand in the shoes of the pros? Now every golfer can experience the thrill of the game like never before with VPAR’s new complete golfing app. Live leaderboards keep track of every shot, recording and relaying all the action to you and your fellow players in real time, building excitement, stoking rivalries and spurring you on to your best game. GPS capability tells you the layout of the next hole and exactly how far you have to the pin, helping you to decide which club to take and what shot to play. And, as it builds your history, the scorecard archive keeps a brilliant record of every shot and course you’ve ever played for you to analyses or compare with friends at a later date. VPAR’s pioneering app technology is incredibly easy to use. Simply download and register, and you’re ready to go. Choose from over 30,000 courses across the globe, from your local favourite to the world’s best, like Pebble Beach, Wentworth, TPC Sawgrass and The Celtic Manor. It’s also the most sociable way to play. Share your success with friends at the touch of a button, with integrated social media, or check out how they’ve been playing recently in their scorecard history. A vital piece of kit and something every golfer’s bag shouldn’t be without, the new VPAR mobile app is available to download now from the App store and soon to be available on Windows and Android phones. For more information about the VPAR app or running larger VPAR charity/ corporate events or tournaments at your club, contact Claude Hoopes, VPAR New England, P.O. Box 1181, Marion, MA 02738 Email: claude.hoopes@vpar.com Phone: 508-254-5555.
Technology on the Course Who’s Your Caddy: Customized Mobile Golf App Services for Courses
Everyone is immersed in mobile technology these days. It permeates our daily lives, facilitates almost all of our communication and allows us to work in a flexible way. Typically, talk about technology would is the farthest thing from discussions about leisure— most people equate leisure with “checking out”—yet, technology has made its way onto the golf course. And, it’s being widely adopted and welcomed! Almost everyone carries a Smartphone. The device that you access everything from: phone calls, email Internet and all those ‘cool apps’. Golfers are onto the trend, looking to improve their game, find new courses and stat track. Enter Who’s Your Caddy (WYC). This free app is available on iPhone and Android and will put you right on the green with all the tricks you need for more than 19,000 US courses! WYC features enhanced GPS with drag-able cross-hairs; stat tracking; score keeping; weather; directions; caddy tips by hole by course; dynamic video library with pro tips; and notifications for course deals and give-aways—just for using the app—“Gimmes.” Formerly, the protocol was to not allow cell phones on the course as a ringing phone was possibly interruptive. However, with the advent of apps, like WYC
everything has changed. WYC speeds up the game, by giving people their bearings at each tee and with each swing. The app offers the ability to look up a favorite or new course and call direct to book tee-time. A great time-saver, the app helps increase rounds at courses. With more courses favoring technology because of increased rounds and revenue, courses are also increasingly signing with WYC private label custom mobile golf app services in order to have their own, free app to offer value for their golfers. WYC increases face-toface time for pros, promotes tournaments and special events with push technology and more. Gone are the days where carrying a ‘helper’ like a GPS unit was taboo. Now, apps like WYC are taking the lead by offering everything you need on the course beyond just GPS, all on the one device you are most likely carrying, anyway. No more stigma, no hang-ups, just a great way to get into the game you love. Maybe, even get hooked and become a regular golfer—that’s a win-win for you and the courses you love to play.
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Contact Tara Perkins, Red Mat Media at 917-865-8665
August 2013 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 35
Technology on the Course
Event management and live scoring from Status4
Status4 Golf is a live leaderboard application perfect for every golf enthusiast. Designed to be user-friendly, online members can easily share their scores and interact directly with other golfers. Status4 Golf also offers the flexibility to organize a variety of formats, no matter if you are a sophisticated league manager, an event coordinator, or the casual golfer. Status4 Golf helps players enjoy their golfing experiences in the mobile age - on the course, back in the clubhouse, and across the globe.Since launching in early 2012, Status4 has refined their technology to meet the demands of golfers everywhere. August 1st marked the launch of their new line of product offerings. The website (www.status4. com) has also been redesigned and updated with information detailing the various product packages.Status4 Golf doesn’t just keep your score, it improves your overall golfing experience. The app
provides Live Leaderboards in a multitude of game formats. Golfers can choose from Medal Play, Stroke Play, Quota, Best Ball, Stableford, and the ever-popular Skins. “We developed our product to allow golfers to score any format of their favorite games,” says Bob Selby, CEO of Status4, Inc. “Status4 Golf is designed for competitive groups of golfers to use when playing in a league event, on a golf trip to their favorite destination or just in their regular Friday afternoon foursome. When they’re out on the course, they can score the round on their personal smartphone and follow the leaderboards as the shots unfold. Golfers are finding they no longer have to play a round without a real-time view of the leaderboard.” Status4 Golf is proud to announce company’s exclusive endorsement deal with PGA Tour Pro Jim Furyk. The 2010 PGA Tour FedEx Cup Cham-
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pion and 2003 U.S. Open Champion is the face of Status4 Golf, appearing in advertising materials and promoting the app at events and tournaments. “We’re excited to have validation from a major champion,” says Tim Martin, co-founder of Status4 Golf. “He believes in knowing his position on the leaderboard so he can make the most appropriate shot. That’s why we developed the Status4 Golf ap-
plication—to provide all golfers with a missing part of the game: their leaderboard status.” Additionally, the Status4 Golf app gives its users access to a number of other golf specific services. Golfers can purchase tee times, book golf trips across the globe, and redeem golf centric offers. Status4 Golf truly makes it easy for golfers everywhere to enjoy their rounds.
August 2013 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 37
Technology on the Course
Shaker Hills: A Success Story
B
eautiful golf courses are usually akin to beautiful properties and Shaker Hills in Harvard, MA is no exception. Although the dynamics of the extraordinary 2012 renovations accomplished by new owner Fred Curtis, Jr. and company truly set this golf course apart. A classic New England layout is only the starting point of adjectives to describe Shaker Hills. It is in the details of the creative renovations that one truly finds its splender. How could anyone improve on what was previously the #1 ranked public course in Massachusetts and the #2 best new course in America? Vision. Standing in front of the club house and looking out Curtis recounts the instant feeling of potential. To his amazement, the 18th hole was nowhere to be found, finishing “a mile” away from the clubhouse. The driving range stood between the 18th hole and the club house on the right and the electric cart charging station on the left. There was an opportunity! The trick was to make it happen. Intensifying Curtis’ confidence was the beautiful land lying directly in front of the clubhouse. The Shaker Hills property sits on over 250 acres. The 30 acres in front of the club house are unique as they
are “tilted” like a natural “amphitheatre” towards the clubhouse. The problem was this beautiful natural theatre of golf was distorted by the placement of the driving range and cart charging station. Curtis’ plan was hatched. He purchased the property, retained a professional golf course construction company and immediately repositioned the driving range and cart charging area making way for his new layout. Today the older Par 4, 444 yard 18th hole is now a sweeping 560 yard dogleg Par 5 finishing at the club house. Replacing the cart charging area is a creative 10,000 square foot practice green. But most importantly, is the new serene and wholesome “natural theatre” of golf that has been created as clearly depicted in the panoramic photo on the top of this page. To leverage Curtis’ theatre of golf a significant club house renovation is underway and set to be completed in May, 2013. An impressive new top deck allows dramatic single seat views of this “ampihtheatre” of golf including views of the 1st, 9th, 10th and 18th holes. The renovations at Shaker Hills also make this championship course stretch to over 7,000 yards and change it from a par of 71 to a par of 72.
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Old Course
View from the Deck of the New Course
Add our Mobile Site to Your Homescreen!
ShakerHills.com August 2013 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 41
The 113th USGA Amateur Returns to The Country Club by NEGM Staff
Championship Rounds August 12th-18th at Charles River & Brookline
Francis Ouimet 1931 Amateur Champion at Beverly CC
Steven Fox 2012 US Amateur Champion
For a record 6th time the USGA will hold the U.S. Amateur at The Country Club of Brookline, Massachusetts one of the oldest golf clubs in the U.S. and one of the original founding members of the USGA in 1894. The Country Club has a rich history with the USGA in championships with 16 major events being held at the club including Amateurs, U.S. Opens and Walkers Cups and The 1999 Ryder Cup, known as the “ Battle of Brookline”. This year is even more special with the 100-year anniversary of Francis Ouimet’s U.S. Open victory at The Country Club in 1913. Francis Ouimet won two U.S Amateurs, in 1914 proving he was no fluke in his 2013 U.S. Open victory and again in 1931 at age 38 after being banned from amateur play by the USGA for opening a sporting goods store. Over 6500 qualifying entries have now been reduced to the final 312 players that will compete in Boston next week for the USGA Amateur Championship. The first two rounds on August 12th and 13th will be 36 holes of stroke play which will reduce the field to 64 players for the beginning of match play on Wednesday August 14th. Over the next 4
Tiger Wood in 1995 Amateur Champion at Newport CC
days match play will end with the final 2 players vying for the championship on Sunday August 18th in a 36 hole final match. In 1994-1995-1996 Tiger Woods captured three consecutive Amateur Championships. Newport Country Club was the host facility in 1995 at record crowds flocked to the event to watch the young phenom. The Amateur Championship is a great venue for golfers of all ages to get up close to the very best players in the world today. It is one of the purest golf championships that is open to amateur golfers of all ages, the oldest was Jack Westland in 1952 at 47, the youngest Byeong-Hun An in 2009 at just 17. Once again the best value in amateur golf will allow all adults to bring up to 3 children free each day of the championship. For spectators headed to The Country Club for the US Amateur there is limited parking in close proximity to The Country Club, parking is available a short distance away at Boston College with shuttles to the course. Tickets for the championship are available at www.2013usamateur.com, featuring single-day ($25 or $30) and multi-pass options. Adults can bring up to three children (17 and under) for free.
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113th U.S. Amateur Championship “Where golf ’s past and future will come together.”
The Country Club
August 12-18, 2013 www.2013usamateur.com www.usga.org
#PUI PG UIFTF IPNFT GFBUVSF HPMG DPVSTF WJFXT PQFO ìPPSQMBOT TQBDJPVT LJUDIFOT DBUIFESBM DFJMJOHT BOE QMFOUZ PG SPPN GPS GBNJMZ GSJFOET BOE HVFTUT ɨFTF CFBVUJGVM IPNFT BMTP DPNF XJUI BMM PG UIF DPNGPSUT UIBU DPNF XJUI MJWJOH BU 8JMMPXCFOE POF PG "NFSJDB T NPTU FYUSBPSEJOBSZ QSJWBUF DMVC DPNNVOJUJFT XJUI BNFOJUJFT SJWBMJOH UIF CFTU JO UIF XPSME -FBSO NPSF BCPVU UIFTF IPNFT PS BOZ PG PVS PUIFS MJTUJOHT BU 8JMMPXCFOE3FBM&TUBUF DPN PS DBMM 8JMMPXCFOE %SJWF ] .BTIQFF ." Access to and use of recreational amenities are not included in the purchase of real estate at Willowbend and require separate club membership which is subject to application,approval, and payment of applicable fees and dues. Obtain and carefully review the offering materials for Willowbend before making any decision to purchase a membership. This is not an offer to sell property to, or 44 of| offers Subscribe at myNEGM.com August 2013state that requires prior registration of real estate. Prices and terms solicitation from, residents of NY, NJ, CT,|OR or any other are subject to change without notice.
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Take A Load Off Datrek Datrek’s Go-Lite 14 is only 5 pounds which makes it one of the top “Take a Load Off” contenders in this years review. It features a 14-way mesh padded top with fulllength dividers which makes it a popular choice for walkers who are tired of rattling shafts on every step, you could call it “The Quiet Bag.” Comfortable carry straps along with weather and tear resistant diamond rip-stop nylon make it durable and waterproof as well. The large fleece lined valuables pocket is a big plus and the large top handle makes it easy to load in and out of the car. The bag stand is simple, functional, durable, and stays in place if one does decide to ride. A nice added feature is the Velcro glove holder and the umbrella holder that keeps both objects it in place securely. Datrek offers a wide variety of colors and styles and sells for $149.95 @ datrek.com.
Clicgear Accessories Clicgear has become a very popular product in recent years. Quality construction and leading edge performance has been the companies’ trademark and customers have noticed. Making the coolest looking golf cart in the world may have a little to do with it as well. More than any other manufacture Clicgear offers a wide range of very cool accessories. There are coolers, umbrellas, an attachable seat for that quick break, and a spike brush attached to the lower frame. In addition Clicgear offers one of the best adjustable umbrella mounting systems out there today and also has a great GPS mount bracket as well. If you are going to have a cool walking cart, then you have to trick it out as well. Shop @ clicGearUSA.com
August 2013 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 47
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And the Quad is far and away the most durable four wheel cart in golf.
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Introducing Clicgear Model 3.5+. New for 2013! * 80% Larger Storage Net * Improved Bag Strap System * Improved Brake System * Aircraft Aluminum Tubing * Extra Large Console * Maintenance Free Airless Tires
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Ross’ Rulings Links Golf by Jack Ross
If you watched the Open Championship at Muirfield, you were no doubt struck by the stark differences between links golf and the type of golf we play on this side of the Atlantic. We Yanks typically don’t have to deal with sinister, stacked-face pot bunkers, knee-high gorse, and fierce winds that can whip suddenly off the sea and turn an 8-iron shot into a 3-wood shot. The Rules of Golf are established jointly by the USGA and the R&A, so the same rules apply in Great Britain and the United States. However, some of the unique features of links golf bring certain rules into play more often than in U.S. competition. Last year in the Open at Royal Lytham, Tiger Woods’ ball was nestled next to the side wall of a pot bunker and he attempted to blast out. The ball ricocheted off the front wall and remained in the bunker. If this can happen to the best player in the world, how can we mere mortals hope to extricate ourselves from such treacherous hazards? You could declare the ball unplayable, which generally provides three options (at the cost of a penalty stroke): (1) Play from the spot you played your last shot. (2) Drop a ball behind the spot where the ball lay anywhere along an imaginary line demarcated by that point and the hole (this is similar to the water hazard rule). (3) Drop a ball within two club lengths of the spot where the ball lay (no nearer the hole). However, if your ball is in a bunker, a restriction applies to options (2) and (3). The ball must be dropped in the bunker. Dropping at the rear of
the bunker might provide a means of escape. Or, if you’re in a particularly sinister pot bunker and see no realistic way of escaping, option (1) might make sense. You might be better off replaying the shot, even with the penalty stroke. (Provided you don’t hit it back into the bunker.) The Open often is characterized by fierce winds. In the third round at Muirfield in 2002, the Perfect Links Storm suddenly blew in off the Firth of Forth in the afternoon, wreaking havoc on scorecards. Tiger Woods’ chances for a Grand Slam dematerialized with his 81. In such conditions, wind can move balls resting on the putting green. Prior to 2012, if the player addressed the ball (took his stance and grounded his club behind the ball) and the ball moved for any reason, the player was deemed to have moved the ball and was penalized one stroke. Rule 18-2b was modified starting in 2012 to provide an exception “if it is known or virtually certain that the player did not cause the ball to move.” (The definition of “addressing the ball” was also changed: all that is required is taking your stance.) So, if gale force winds move balls on putting greens in the Open, players will have some relief from a penalty. But that won’t help them when they have to hit a driver into a headwind on a 180-yard par-3.
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Jack Ross completed an intensive PGA/USGA rules workshop and has officiated at state amateur competitions. Rules inquiries may be addressed to rossgolf@charter.net.
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Sampson’s Spotlight - presented by GolfTrainingAids.com Golf In Sync: What we have all been waiting for?
by Greg Sampson
Golf in Sync is a new training aid designed in Sweden for short game improvement. The aid focuses on syncing the rotation of the body with the swinging of a golfers arms/hands during a pitch, chip or putt. Most golfers try to guide or steer these types of shots with their hands/arms while accomplished golfers allow the power of their body turning back and through keeping the club head in front of their chest. The Golf
In Sync engrains the muscle memory of this motion if used during short game practice. Another wonderful aspect of this training aid is its ability to help golfers of any level whether right handed or left handed to understand and feel what a “tour” player feels during a short shot. The aid helps control the players length of back swing and follow through by forcing them to keep the clubface in front of their chest and their arm connected to their body throughout the motion. This allows for players to learn to maintain the clubface alignment for a putt, bump n’ run, pitch, flop or bunker shot without trying to manipulate the face with their hands. I would say this aid is well worth the investment if you desire a “tour quality” short game.
Visit GolfTrainingAids.com
and search “SYNC”
Enter Promo Code NEGMFREE For Complimentary Shipping. The World’s Largest Selection of Golf Teaching and Training Aids
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Players Prospective
Fairway Frenzy by Ed Travis Drivers have reached the United States Golf Association limits for coefficient of restitution (COR) and clubhead size so club makers’ attention recently has focused on fairways and hybrids. By using the same materials and design principles that gave us the improvements for our tee shots and applying them to these shorter clubs, comparable gains have been made in distance and playability. The bottom line is if you are still using a 3-wood or hybrid more than a couple of years old you may be surprised at the changes. The COR limit is now
being bumped up against by fairways and combined with longer shafts, repositioning of head weight and other new features such as a slot behind the clubface you can expect to get measurably more distance. Hybrids have benefited from the same approach with the changes helping in such basic things as being able to more easily get the ball into the air. We took a look at the current models available and here are some we like and believe you should include in your search if you want new fairways or hybrids.
TaylorMade Golf
Stage 2 RocketBallz | Stage 2 Rescue hybrids
TaylorMade Golf created a sensation and topped the sales category last year with their RocketBallz fairways and for this year the update is named RocketBallz Stage 2. They changed the face to a new stainless alloy with higher strength which allowed them to make the face even thinner. Repositioning of the clubhead weight moved the center of gravity slightly forward and combined with a smaller head profile made the Stage 2 RocketBallz even better. They use the slot behind the clubface to produce more rebound and therefore higher ball speed. The clubhead retains the TaylorMade signature white color. For a
small premium the Tour model RocketBallz Stage 2 offers their Loft-Sleeve technology with 7 standard and 5 upright loft options for ±1.5° adjustment to the standard loft. Also still with a white clubhead are RocketBallz Stage 2 Rescue hybrids. As with the fairways, TaylorMade used the high strength steel face (called RocketSteel!) and with a smaller head profile moved the weight forward and lower to improve ball speed and higher launch. The Speed Pocket slot behind the face gives more trampoline effect. The Loft-Sleeve in the Tour version adjusts ±1.5° to the standard loft.
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Callaway Golf
X Hot fairway | X Hot hybrid
Callaway Golf has made a major effort to regain their status as the premier maker of metalwoods from TaylorMade and the X Hot models—standard and pro—are a good example of their efforts. This is also the model on which Phil Mickelson’s famous (or infamous) “Phrankenwood” is based. Callaway uses forged steel for the cup-shaped face and a variation of the well-known Warbird sole on the X Hot plus what they call an “Internal Standing Wave” to move
the weight closer to the face. The Tour model offers an open face angle rather the square as with the standard model. The X Hot label also covers Callaway’s newest hybrids which have a thinner face than other models. They are built with the company’s Speed Frame design with 19°, 22°, 25° and 28° lofts available. In the Pro version the swing weight is heavier (D3 versus D0) and you can buy lofts of 16°, 18° and 20° as well as 23°.
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Cobra Golf
AMP Cell fairway | AMP Cell hyrbid
The newest Cobra Golf fairways are part of the AMP Cell model line but most of the attention has been focused on the driver. However the fairways should not be overlooked since they have many of the same features and benefits. There is the MyFly Technology that gives the user 6 settings to adjust loft to produce the best trajectory for your swing. Cobra’s SmartPad keeps the face angle square at address when changing the loft without having to make additional adjustments. The clubhead weight distribution also been moved to give better results on miss hits and more distance. And for some there’s another plus, you have your choice of clubhead colors between blue, orange, red and silver. The AMP Cell hybrids allow six loft settings with the MyFly sleeve and also have the SmartPad like the fairways have. There are also available in the same color choices.
Cleveland Golf
Classic XL fairway | Classic Hybrid Cleveland Golf Classic XL fairways have a large face with a large sweet spot to make a bigger effective hitting area, certainly confidence-building for players of every skill level. They have designedin their enhanced variable face thickness technology for faster ball speed and a high degree of forgiveness on off center hits plus the center of gravity is deeper in the clubhead giving a high launch but penetrating ball flight. Cleveland’s Classic Hybrid is easily recognizable with its Gliderail Sole, a combination of two rails with distinctive center rail or keel that decreases turf drag for more lift and speed
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Adams Golf
Tight Lies fairways | Super S hyrbid
Adams Golf says their Speedline Super S fairways are so hot they have the tagline - “Do I even need my driver?” The crown has been modified to improve the slot behind the face making it thinner, deeper and longer from heel to toe and in conjunction with the one in the sole the Super S produces more distance. This redesign has another nice benefit, it helps getting the ball in the air without hurting the club’s overall performance. The weight saved from making the crown of thinner forged steel Adams moved lower and further back in the clubhead for more stability. And taking a page from parent company TaylorMade, the crown is a matte white color that helps alignment by contrasting with the PVD face. The companion Adams Super S Hybrids have a new sole slot matched to the crown slot that improves both distance and forgiveness. They are available in 6 lofts between 15° and 28°.
Adams also announced the resurrection of the Tight Lies fairways, up dating the line of clubs that they were successful with 20 years ago. By retaining the Tri-Sole design of the original that golfers liked so much, they kept the clubs ability to reduce interaction with turf and help shots from the fairway, rough, sand - even tight or bare lies. Also the first Tight Lies featured the low-profile, upside-down design of the head and it has returned as well. By positioning the center of gravity very low in the head even shots from difficult lies can be hit solidly. The big change in Tight Lies fairways though is the addition of Adams’ Cut-Thru Slots to the sole and crown found on their other clubs. The slots allow the face to flex and rebound at impact giving a lot more distance without swinging harder. All models will include the familiar white half stripes low on the shaft and will have a retail price of $199.99, and $229.99 for the Tight Lies Tour.
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Tour Edge Golf
XCG6 fairways | XCG6 hybrids
Tour Edge Golf continues to make some of the best clubs on the market at very competitive price points and the new Exotics XCG6 fairways and hybrids are good examples. In the XCG6 fairways they use a 15-3-3-3 Beta Ti cup face constriction combo-brazed to a stainless steel body with a tungsten sole. The combination places 65 percent of the weight in the clubhead towards toward the toe and heel for a much better modulus of inertia or more simply, it twists less on off center hits. For the face Tour Edge also used their boomerangshaped variable thickness for more COR over a greater area.
Exotics XCG6 hybrids have a newly crafted head that is more “pear-shaped� than last years but retaining the maraging steel cup face, a tungsten steel sole and body. The heavier sole produces a high degree of heel and toe weighting and high MOI for more forgiveness which combined with the shallow face height and more highly cambered sole makes it much easier to hit from difficult lies.
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Kay’s Korner
Tiger Woods Foundation takes the reins of the Deutsche Bank Championship by Emily Kay
Tiger Woods philanthropic arm to operate Deutsche Bank Championship
Tiger Woods expects to be in the field this Labor Day weekend when the Deutsche Bank Championship rolls in to Boston but this year his TWF will be in charge of the whole shebang.Tiger Woods, barring a flare-up of his sore elbow, crabby knee, or aching Achilles tendon, will be one of the guys teeing it up in August at Boston’s annual Labor Day PGA Tour party, the Deutsche Bank Championship. This year, however, the world No. 1 will return to TPC Norton as head cheese not only of those vying for a W in the second of four FedEx Cup playoff events but of the tournament itself.
$24 million in charitable donations in that time. “The Deutsche Bank Championship has seen tremendous success thanks to the Boston community, the incredible fans and dedicated sponsors, and we are excited to play a bigger role in its management moving forward,” Greg McLaughlin, president and CEO of the Tiger Woods Foundation, said in a statement back in April, when TWF officially announced the new arrangement. That won’t change under new management, and neither will Woods’ presence. “Tiger has always played a role in the even with the Tiger Woods Foundation,” tourney
“My foundation is running the Deutsche Bank Championship in August at the TPC Boston, and we’re looking forward to the new experience, Woods said on his website prior to July’s British Open. “The tournament has been fantastic through the years and has been a key contributor to the growth of our education programs. It’s been great to work with Seth Waugh [former chief executive officer, Deutsche Bank Americas Finance/current chair, Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation] and his staff, and we’re excited to run the event.” Deutsche Bank has been the tourney’s title sponsor since its inception in 2003, with Woods’ foundation and local New England charities the recipients of more than
director Eric Baldwin told NEGM by phone recently. While New England golf fans are unlikely to notice any alterations to their enjoyment of watching the world’s best compete for an $8 million purse, some Boston public school kids will realize the largesse of Tiger’s charity through the foundation’s Earl Woods Scholarship program. In partnership with the Red Sox Foundation, five local students who have demonstrated high academic abilities, financial need, and participated in community services will receive individual mentors and grants of up to $20,000 each to help defray costs of four-year university experiences. The scholarship, named for Tiger’s late father, began
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in 2006 and has helped 100 students nationwide matriculate. “The program is not new but it’s a first for this year that we’ve selected five local students so we’re excited about that,” Baldwin said. With the top 125 points leaders qualifying for the FedEx Cup series, it’s clear that Woods -- No. 1 in the world as well in the FEC standings as of mid-July -- will lead the way at the popular Norton, Mass., tourney come August 30. After The Barclays, the first of the four playoff events, the field narrows down to an eventual top 30, who will compete at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. The last man standing hits the jackpot, pocketing a tidy $10 million for his efforts. Though Rory McIlroy was winless in 2013 (as of NEGM’s publication date), it would be shocking if the second-ranked golfer in the world were not around to defend his 2012 Deutsche Bank title. As of July 14, the 24-year-old two-time major winner was ranked 51st in the FedEx Cup standings. The Deutsche Bank Championship is slated to run from August 30-September 2 at the 7,214-yard, par-71 TPC Boston.: Emily Kay is a regular contributor to New England Golf Monthly. You may follow Kay on Twitter @GolfExaminer
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Sterling Golf Management
A Family of Courses by Bob DiCesare
Kevin Osgood has over thirty years of experience in golf course operations, and the last 20 years have certainly been sterling. Since 1993, he has presided over Sterling Golf Management, a company that has proven to be methodical in its approach to acquiring and operating golf course facilities in the area. He has spearheaded the company’s growth, stability, and reputation with a variety of course options, quality course conditions, and a strong emphasis on customer service. A New Hampshire native, Osgood likes to proudly say he has performed “everything and anything” at a golf course since he was an early teen. He graduated from UMass-Amherst with a degree in turf management and has been a guiding force as a course superintendent, including past president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England.
Osgood established SGM with Newton Commonwealth GC as its first acquisition in 1993. The company’s stable now includes Chelmsford CC (1996), The Shattuck GC in Jaffrey, N.H. (2002), Norwood CC (2007), and Maynard CC (2012), as well as a maintenance contract with Fore Kicks GC in Norfolk. There is plenty of variety in the SGM family of courses, but Osgood considers The Shattuck to be the shining star of the group. The Brian Silva-designed layout is regarded as one of the tougher layouts around with a slope of 153, coupled with its spectacular views, wildlife, and a cathe-
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dral ballroom that is a magnet for wedding receptions. Newton Commonwealth is a Donald Ross design near Boston College where 18 holes was skillfully crafted over a tight piece of land. Maynard CC is a private-turnedpublic nine hole course, designed by Wayne Stiles in 1921, that is beautifully open and playable. Chelmsford CC is a mom-and-pop type nine-hole that is popular with local beginners and seniors. Norwood CC has a lighted driving range for evening enjoyment along with a wonderful 18 hole layout featuring some of the best greens in public golf. Of course, competitive pricing at all locations is a key component to SGM’s modus operandi. “It’s a competitive market – that’s the reality of the game of golf in 2013,” said Osgood. “After the overbuilding of the 90’s, everything changed after 9/11. The economy and changes in philosophy pummeled the (golf) market. We have to take pride in our operations and attention to detail. It’s very much a hands-on operation geared toward customer service.” In addition to golf course operations, Osgood’s resume also includes extensive experience in an executive
capacity. He is a past president of the New England Golf Course Owner’s Association and now a member of its Board of Directors, as well as his tenure with the GCSANE. Osgood also serves on the Board of Directors of the Mass. Golf Association and recently became a member of its Executive Committee last fall. He is also active with the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund. Right now, Osgood is looking to grow SGM at the regional level. “We’re actively pursuing good golf operations and putting in proposals,” he said. “Our cornerstone is running a good operation, with good service, and with a reasonable price point. We’re not looking to expand nationally, but if a good New England opportunity presents itself, we’ll look at it. We want to enhance our reputation in the golf course industry, serving the residents of New England with pride. We want to be second-to-none.” Bob DiCesare is the golf writer for The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, MA and The Enterprise in Brockton, MA, both Gatehouse Media newspapers
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Palopoli’s Picks by Jeff Palopoli
PGA Championship
On August 8th the fourth and final major of the year, the PGA Championship, gets underway at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY. Oak Hill has hosted the PGA Championship twice before. First in 1980 when Jack Nicklaus hoisted the much coveted Wannamaker Trophy, then again in 2003 when largely unknown Shaun Micheel surprised everyone with a two stroke victory over Chad Campbell. Last year Rory McIlroy dusted the competition, winning by eight shots and picked up his second major title at the age of 23. With a much criticized equipment change this season McIlroy has not looked anything like the player we saw dominate the PGA Championship and shoot a final round 66. The Picks A Group: Just a few short weeks ago Phil Mickelson silenced a lot of critics who said he didn’t have the game to win a British Open. His game looks extremely sharp right now and if he can keep it largely in the fairway, he has a strong chance to pick up his 6th major title. The state of New York loves Phil Mickelson and he will have the crowd behind him all week long. Backing Phil up in the A group I like Bill Haas who has seven top 10 finishes on the year, as well as a win at the AT&T National. Haas ranks 8th in GIR on TOUR. B Group: Steve Stricker and Hunter Mahan are two of the strongest picks in the B group. Stricker
skipped the British Open to spend his anniversary with his wife, but the 46 year old has scaled back his schedule this year and it seems to be working. He has five top 10s but is still in search of his first win of the year, as well as his first major. Striker ranks 1st in GIR and 8th in Birdie Average on TOUR. Hunter Mahan continues to put himself in position at majors and hung in there at the British Open, but faltered with a Sunday 75 and settled for a T9 finish. Mahan ranks 8th in Total Driving on TOUR and is one of the best ball strikers out there. C Group: Adam Scott has tailored his schedule this year to put extra focus on preparation for the majors. It seems to be paying off, with a green jacket in his closet and a T3 at Muirfield just a couple weeks ago. Scott again stumbled on the home stretch at the British Open, but he continues to put himself in position in big tournaments. He ranks 4th in Scoring Average on TOUR. Starting Foursome: Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker, Hunter Mahan, Adam Scott On the Bench: Bill Haas, Webb Simpson, Zach Johnson, Henrik Stenson Jeff Palopoli is a frequent contributor to NEGM. His Fantasy Golf Picks can be found weekly on www.MyNEGM.com as well as on his blog at www.GoodWalkGolf.com. He can be reached at Jeff@GoodWalkGolf.com.
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The Tour Scene on myNEGM.com/photos and Facebook.com/NEGolfMonthly
LIKE, SHARE & COMMENT By Ken Dennis NEGM Tour Photographer August 2013 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 67
Team New England Update Tracking the progress of all our players on all the Tours. By: Steve Riggs Team New England players continue their march to a respectable 2013 season. Highlighting four of our players, Billy Andrade’s T-5th at the Sanderson Farms Championship, J.J. Henry’s T-5th at the Travelers Championship, James Driscoll’s T-8TH at the AT&T National and veteran Tim Petrovic’s T-9th at the Greenbrier. Andrade was competing in only his second PGA TOUR event after a sabbatical from competitive play. Petrovic has been playing wherever he could trying to regain his PGA Tour card. Henry along with Driscoll just keep grinding it out on the PGA Tour. We have some of the most respected players including young Peter Uihlein who is playing the European PGA TOUR where is having a great year and we look forward to his joining TNE in the United States. Total earnings of our players stands at $7,026,435.
PGA TOUR
CHAMPIONS TOUR
Brad Faxon (RI) has earned $301,373 over 12 events this season including his victory at the Legends of Golf with Jeff Sluman. Brad has 1 top 10 and 2 top 25 finishes with a scoring average that is down over last month to 73.52.
Keegan Bradley (VT) has made 15 cuts in 19 starts with 1 second, 1 third, 6 top 10 and 10 top 25 finishes and earnings of $2,350,946. Bradley is currently 13th in the Fed Ex rankings and although his scoring average of 70.31 is up slightly, it is this writer’s opinion Keegan is maturing as a tour player with every event and as such it won’t be long until we see him back in the winner’s circle.
Dana Quigley (MA) has been spending time with son Devon this past month as he, (Devon), continues his rehabilitation from a traumatic brain injury. Dana’s numbers are the same as last month; earnings of $9,865 after 7 events and a scoring average of 75.2 for the original Iron Man. Allen Doyle (RI) 64, has not played since our last report. Allen’s earnings are $16,621 with a scoring average of 76.64. Doyle’s career earnings of $13,384,756 make him a respected member of the Champions Tour.
Scott Stallings (MA) has earnings of $1,551,047 making 10 cuts in 22 starts with 1 second, 4 top 10 and 6 top 25 finishes. Good showings at the Humana Challenge and Colonial along with a T-2nd at the FedEx St.Jude Classic leaving this writer with the sense that Scott will be in the winner’s circle before year’s end. Scott’s scoring average currently sits at 71.25. J.J. Henry (CT) has made 13 cuts in 21 starts with 2 top 10 and 3 top 25 finishes thus far. Henry’s earnings of $688,579 and an improving scoring average of 71.19 is a reminder that he is one of TNE’s foundation players who we can count on every year. J.J.’s play the past couple months is a good indicator of consistency through the end of the season.
LPGA TOUR
James Driscoll (MA) has made 13 cuts in 19 starts with 2 top 10 and 4 top 25 finishes with earnings of $755,241. James continues to improve his scoring average that is currently 70.94. The New Ironman’s T-8th at the AT&T National event is a good barometer of Driscoll’s steady improvement in 2013. Tim Petrovic (MA) is playing on both the PGA and Web.Com tours getting a huge boost to his motivation and desire to rejoin the PGA Tour when he finished T-9th at the Greenbrier. That finish increased Tim’s combined earnings to $199,732. Tim’s combined scoring average has also improved over last month dropping to 71.62. Billy Andrade (RI) finished T-5th at the Sanderson Farms Championship on the PGA Tour recently. Pretty good play considering the Sanderson Farms event was only his second start of the year on the PGA Tour. Billy’s combined PGA and Web.Com tour earnings are $116,085 with an improved combined scoring average that is down to 71.85. Brett Quigley (RI) missed the cut in his solo PGA Tour start. Brett has been one of our best players with combined career earnings of $11,453,897. We certainly hope to see Brett back in action soon.
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Alison Walshe (MA) has made 12 cuts in 15 starts with earnings of $128,350 at this writing. A scoring average of 71.42 is up over last month but Alison continues to grind and is on track to surpass her 2012 earnings. Anna Grzebien (RI) remains on the LPGA TOUR roster but has not competed on the LPGA TOUR this year.
LPGA SYMETRA FUTURES TOUR
European PGA TOUR Peter Uihlein (MA) playing the European PGA TOUR is having a good season with earnings to date of $684,837 U.S that includes a victory in Portugal earlier this summer. We are anxious to welcome Peter to the PGA TOUR and Team New England here in the United States soon.
WEB.COM TOUR Jim Renner (MA) has earnings of $152,248 making 8 cuts in 15 starts. Jim has 1 second, 4 top 10 and 6 top 25 finishes. Renner is in 12th position on the Web.Com money list. An improved scoring average of 70.04 over last month indicates Jim is moving closer to regaining his PGA Tour card for the 2014 season. Patrick Sheehan (MA) has earned $23,082 making 7 cuts in 16 starts with 2 top 25 finishes. Sheehan’s scoring average has improved over last month currently sitting at 71.17. Patrick lost his PGA Tour card last year and keeps grinding to regain his card. Sheehan, 43, remains resolute and by no means is a quitter. Brad Adamonis (RI) has made 2 cuts in 7 starts this season with 1 top 25 finish. Brad has posted earnings of $9,074 with an improved scoring average of 71.68. Brad’s talent has never been in question. When he finds the right combination of emotional perspective and course management, he will therein find the key to his competitive success. Rob Oppenheim (MA) has earnings of $23,105 making 5 cuts in 15 starts with a scoring average of 72.29. Looking at his stats, Rob needs to improve his driving accuracy leading to more greens in regulation. Oppenheim is another member of TNE that we need.
Natalie Sheary (CT) has made 7 cuts in 10 starts this year earning $9,614. A T-3 at the Guardian Retirement Championship is her best finish thus far. Sheary continues to improve her scoring average that is currently 73.23. A good year in 2012 leads me to believe Natalie is just getting started. Molly Aronsson (VT) has made 4 cuts in 9 starts with earnings of $4,768. Molly has 1 top 10 finish being the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic. Her scoring average has improved over last month sitting at 73.71. Molly’s putting stats have improved but her GIR needs work to get her playing up to her abilities. Briana Vega (MA) has made 2 cuts in 10 starts this year. A very talented Briana simply needs to work on her GIR and putting numbers as her scoring average has climbed to 75.91 indicates. Disappointing earnings of $1,868 are NOT a true measure of this young lady’s true talent. Libby Smith (VT), a Futures veteran steadily competing since 2004 has yet to make a start on this year’s Symetra Tour.
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What’s News Joe Sprague Steps Down as Executive Director of the MGA Will Take Over as the USGA Director of Regional Affairs for the Northeast Region Norton, MA — After six years serving as the executive director of the Massachusetts Golf Association (MGA), Joe Sprague announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the month and joining the staff of the United States Golf Association (USGA). Effective in August, Sprague will serve as the USGA’s Director of Regional Affairs for the Northeast Region. In that capacity, Sprague will work directly with the USGA executive team to further the USGA’s strategy to deliver value to the state and regional golf associations. He will serve as a liaison with regional and state golf associations from Maine down to Pennsylvania. He will be based out of the USGA’s headquarters in Far Hills, New Jersey. Sprague brings an unmatched knowledge and nearly 22 years of experience in golf administration to the USGA. As executive director of the MGA, Sprague was responsible for managing the 501(c)3 organization that services more than 350 Member Clubs and 84,000 golfers across the Bay State.
Mike Calef Captures Second Straight Massachusetts Amateur Championship at Longmeadow Country Club Longmeadow, MA — Before the first ball was hit on Friday, both finalists at the 105th Massachusetts Amateur Championship knew that the outcome would come down to the Longmeadow Country Club back nine. In the end, it was defending and now two-time champion Mike Calef (Brockton CC) who churned out par after par on the back nine to build a 4-up lead through 18 holes. He never looked back en route to his 9 and 7 victory over Ian Thimble (George Wright GC). “It feels amazing,” said Calef, who capped off his victory with a par on the 29th hole. “It hasn’t settled in but it’s awesome. It is completely awesome and a dream week again.”
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What’s News Hometown Favorite Evan Russell Becomes Only Third Vermont Golfer to Win the New England Amateur Championship Title Killington, VT – Having the opportunity to win a regional title in your home state does not come around often, so Evan Russell (CC of Vermont – VT) was not going to let the chance slip away. Playing less than an hour from his home on a course he has played so many times before, Russell played exceptional golf this week at Green Mountain National Golf Course and captured the 2013 New England Amateur Championship. He finished with a 54-hole score of 5-under par 208.
Parziale Wins Ouimet Playoff In Rain-Shortened Event AUBURNDALE, MA— Matt Parziale of Thorny Lea survived a five-hole playoff to signal his return to the top of competitive golf after rain had shortened the 46th Francis Ouimet Memorial Tournament at Woodland Golf Club on Friday. The 24 year old recently re-instated amateur also won in 2009. The Tournament, normally a three-day 54-hole event played at three different courses, was cut to 36 holes after torrential rains Thursday evening and Friday morning. The final round is always played at 6,721 yard Woodland Golf Club, Mr. Ouimet’s home course. The first two rounds were played at Wollaston Golf Club and Wellesley Country Club. Dick King of Hyannis Golf Club, a 64 year old retired data consultant, birdied the 18th hole twice after spectacular hybrid shots to defend his title in the Eddie Lowery Senior Division. The Francis Ouimet Memorial Tournament benefits the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund.
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What’s News Harmeling Takes 2nd Straight Open - Will he Keep the Check This Time? Evan Harmeling from Andover, MA, won his second New England state Open on 7/30/13, winning the Charlie’s Maine Open with a seven-under par 133. Harmeling won the Mass Open earlier this year and donated his entire $15,000 in winnings to One Fund Boston. He was one back after a 66 then showed his true self by finishing with four birdies and two pars in his last six holes at Augusta Country Club for the win.
Ricky Jones holds off charging Stirling for Maine Amateur win Tommy Stirling from Sable Oaks birdied the final two holes at Augusta Country Club pull within two shots, but Ricky Jones was able to hold off the charge to capture his third Maine Amateur Championship. After a 45-minute rain delay around noon, the field returned to the golf course to complete the event. Jones had taken a six-shot lead into the final round and played steadily with 15 pars, two bogeys and a birdie to end up at six-under 204. But Stirling started the day with four straight threes -- including three birdies -- to pull close. The 20-year-old from Gorham had the day’s lowest round with a 67 to finish second. In all, Stirling made seven birdies in the round. He finished the tournament at four-under 206.
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What’s News Nick Adamonis Becomes Youngest Competitor To Play U.S. Challenge Cup Event at Firefly Golf Course in Seekonk, MA Nick Adamonis , son of PGA Professional Brad Adamonis from Cumberland RI recently competed in a tournament at Firefly Golf Course in Seekonk, MA. Nick from Coral Springs , FL, is the youngest player to ever compete in a U.S. Challenge Cup event. Both Brad Adamonis and Brother David Adamonis are part of the Challenge Cup Nation original alumni and David serves as Executive Director of the organization. The U.S. Challenge Cup provides junior golfers ages 8-19 the opportunity to develop their skills through a competitive tournament schedule. For Information on events contact The U,S, Challenge Cup @ uschallengecup.org
Young Agents Committee Makes Generous Donation of $2,500 to The First Tee of Massachusetts Norton, MA — Special thanks goes out to the Young Agents Committee for a generous donation of $2,500 to The First Tee of Massachusetts at MGA Links (www.mgalinksgolf.com). This donation will help support the programs of The First Tee of Massachusetts in its quest to introduce children to the game of golf. The Young Agents Committee of Massachusetts (YAC) is the young professionals group formed by the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA). MAIA is the leading trade association for over 1,400 Massachusetts independent insurance agencies and their estimated 10,000 employees.
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Come inside the ropes at the Deutsche Bank Championship! Only a few positions remain to be a part of this unique volunteer experience. The deadline to register as a volunteer for the Deutsche Bank Championship is August 15th or until all of the positions are filled, so sign up today! Come see the PGA TOUR professionals up close and feel the roars around TPC Boston from inside the ropes! The Deutsche Bank Championship is made successful each year in large part from the
assistance given by more than 1500 volunteers. The selfless commitment of each individual volunteer has enabled the Deutsche Bank Championship to donate more than $24 million to the Tiger Woods Foundation and local New England charities. Help contribute to this charitable effort and take part in the running of this prestigious PGA TOUR event.
Available Committees
help of the Shotlink scoring system. Help the PGA and broadcasters get the exact distance of those monster drives and close approach shots of each TOUR player. Other Volunteer Committee’s Available: Spectator Experience Cart Services (PASE), Fan Information (CINC), Kid Zones, and Monsterboard Scoring. Register online at www.DBChampionship.com and scroll down to the volunteers tab. Prospective volunteers may also call the Deutsche Bank Championship offices at 508.285.8333 and ask for Davis Trosin or Kristina Hillinger.
Marshals – A Marshal’s main job is to help keep players happy and spectators quiet. Marshals are the volunteers most visible to spectators and it is a great committee for people who are passionate about golf. Premium Access – Help the Championship staff welcome and greet our VIP guests to the hospitality locations on property. Premium access volunteers must assure that each person entering these locations has the proper credentials to do so. Shotlink Scoring – Track each player’s shot using the latest PGA TOUR technology with the
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August 2013 Vol VI Issue VI
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Gorman vs. Geary by Tom Gorman and Tim Geary
Should Divots be Considered Ground Under Repair? by Tom Gorman
NO. My first reaction to this question as to whether divots should be considered ground under repair was that the majority opinion might actually support Comrade Geary, which would be a very rare occasion indeed. Mr. Geary probably represents the majority because he is John Q. Public Golfer, that fearless weekend public course warrior who bangs out scores of 98 with frequency. Along the way, he hits so few fairways, you feel badly for him. So, in a show of sympathy, let the SOB take a free drop from a divot, since he’s only hitting one or two fairways in every round anyway. The poor bastard might bring that ugly 98 down to a smooth 95, and he’ll leave the course happy that he hit one less 100-yard grounder! Before stating my case that we should play the ball where it lies at all times, perhaps a disclaimer is suitable for hackers like Geary, with golf skill levels so low, they need an added incentive to come back out again, and again. Let’s adjust the rules to allow players with handicaps of 30, or above, to take relief from divots, while the rest of us play by the rules. God knows I don’t flush a 5-iron from 175yards from the middle of the fairway even with a perfect lie, so my chance of striking it right from a divot drops to less than 2 percent. But since the USGA says don’t touch the ball until it’s on the green, that’s the way it should be, especially in tournaments. Webster’s Dictionary defines a divot as, “a piece of turf torn up by a golf club in striking a ball.” According to Henry Beard, author of “A Dictionary for Hackers, Duffers and Perpetual Putters,” a divot is a colorful Scottish word for the piece of turf scooped from the ground in front of the ball in the course of an iron shot. In Scotland, depending on its size, a
divot is referred to as a “wee tuftie” (2” x 4”), “peg o’ sward” (4” x 6”), “snatch of haugh” (6” x 8”), “fine tussock” (8” x 10”) and “expletive deleted” (anything larger than 2 square feet). Buried deep in the 128 brain-numbing pages of “The Rules of Golf” is a section on “ground under repair” and it states that the player is usually entitled to relief WITHOUT PENALTY. If divots are considered ground under repair, then a whole new breed of cheaters are born. The game is already maxed out with players who can’t correctly add up every stroke on every hole and who regularly shoot 5 or 6 strokes lower than their handicaps, coincidently, in major club tournaments. Can you imagine what these sandbaggers and cheaters will do if given an opportunity to take a preferred lie in their own fairway, claiming their ball is resting in an “old” divot? Golf is not headed in the right direction if divots are considered ground under repair, entitling players to relief without penalty. In a friendly money match (if there is such a thing), I can see players perpetually claiming ground under repair if they don’t like the surface their ball lies in that would make for a difficult shot. Just say NO to this ludicrous question for which Mr. Geary is a proponent. Saying NO will prevent the cheaters from cheating more, and, for honorableintentioned competitors to avoid an awkward controversy. Just play the ball where it lies, unless the area is marked clearly as “ground under repair.” Lee Trevino famously said, “Never bet with anyone you meet on the first tee who has a deep suntan, a 1-iron in his bag, and squinty eyes.” Add to that “Beware, he who have fastest golf cart never have to play bad lie.” (Tom Gorman, a Boston-based golf writer, has no clue what a friendly money match is.)
Should Divots be Considered Ground Under Repair? by Tim Geary
Imagine being on the 18th tee of your club the superintendent five minutes after he brought his championship match. It’s all even, you have the golf cart screeching into the parking area. honor and you drill your drive right down the The greatest golfer of all time, Jack Nicklaus, has middle of the fairway. been on record for years as a proponent of includYour opponent then proceeds to slice his drive ing divots as ground under repair. into the trees. Boy, do you have an advantage Makes sense, since they will be repaired at some or what? point in the future. Makes no sense that just beBut then you discover that your opponent’s ball cause you were unlucky enough to roll into one has come to rest inside an area that’s marked under you should be penalized. Golf is supposed to rerepair. He gets a drop, without penalty, and it not ward good shots and punish bad shots and the only gives him a much better lie, but also removes rules are in place to give players relief from ground a large oak tree that would have been right between that has been deemed in need of repair (even if his ball and the green. that ground never gets repaired). What ground is Then you discover that your perfect drive is not more in need of repair than a divot? Why does so ideal. It’s right in the middle of the fairway but almost every course have signs asking that you the lie is hideous. replace your divots? The ball has nestled down in a deep divot that Do you think professional tour players have some idiot forgot to replace. You can’t even get a to deal with this? Not on your life. When an anclub on the back of the ball. nouncer says that a ball has rolled into a divot it’s Now it’s time to delve into Gorman’s bag of tired a misnomer. In reality the ball has rolled onto a clichés. “It’s the rub of the green”………… “Golf sand-filled divot because after each group goes is not a fair game” “Them’s the breaks.” through there is an army of workers who run out Really? Why? Just why is that the rub of the onto the fairway and fill in any divots that the green when such an event is so easily avoidable players may have left behind. You never see that with the stroke of a pen in the rules of golf? Why on television. should an area off the beaten path be ruled ground Now sand-filled divots are not “easy” to hit from under repair when a divot in your fairway is “rub but you do get a fair chance to strike the back of the of the green”? ball and if the rules were modified, as they should This is the one rule that baffles me and what be, touring players would get the same relief from a is also baffling is that Gorman, who is on record sand-filled divot as they would had their ball rolled as saying that many of the rules of golf are stupid into an area designated ground under repair. and unnecessary, is arguing that THIS rule perThere’s a reason the PGA Tour allows players to fectly okay. lift, clean, and place in fairways when conditions Well maybe that’s because he has yet to hit a fair- are wet and muddy. That kind of thinking should way in his long, ignominious golfing careerDanny (exceptdisplays extend divots as well. histofirst-place trophy after shooting a finalthose he is not playing). You can bet that if round “Vegas”64 on Bethpage Red at the U.S. Challenge Cup Tom found his ball in a divot on the final hole of a Junior (Tim Geary a R.I. based Northeast Classicis on Oct. 7. freelance writer. His divots $5.00 Nassau, he’d go ballistic and be searching out are so deep that he has been nicknamed The Archeologist).
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