August 2015 by New England Golf Monthly

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FROM THE EDITOR

The Stuff of Legends Golf like almost every other sport on the planet is a stage for greatness, which over time has showcased some of the most prolific players in history. Sporting legends leave their mark by taking their game to an elite level that creates unforgettable moments cast in time. It is time itself that measures greatness and without it there is only a sampling of potential. William F. Halsey said, “ There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstance to meet. It is the frequency of these great challenges in any life by which we achieve greatness”. It is often said, we are all born with the potential for greatness, and it lives inside of the human spirit driven by aspirations and dreams. What separates those who achieve from others is their ability to place themselves in the position to succeed time after time through failure. The only road to success is driven through failure. Over time golf has created true legends that have made their mark in one of the oldest games in the world today. The list goes back in time to Old Tom Morris, Ted Ray, Harry Vardon, Walter Hagan, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson. In the last 50 years Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Tom Watson have made their mark. The new legends of the game are lead by Tiger Woods who single handedly transformed the game for the first time in history to a game for everyone. With all his major wins and untouchable records, It will eventually be his contribution to the game though his foundations and his individual greatness that brought the game of golf to so many that becomes Tigers Legacy. While golf continues to ask the question over and over again, what’s wrong with Tiger, it may be a better time to realize Tiger is human like us all, he may find his way back or he may not. The next time you ask yourself what has happened to Tiger Woods take a ride to your local First Tee facility or any junior golf tournament to see for yourself. Pay it Forward / Pass it On / Share The Game Support The Deutsche Bank Championship The Tiger Woods Foundation

Timothy R. Branco Editor/ Publisher

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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

GOLF COURSE LIVING 9 Katharine Dyson

GOLF FASHION 18 GFW Staff / Fall in Love With Fashion 20 Brittany Rayburn / Summit Golf Brands

GOLF TRAVEL 24 The Scotts / New Mexico 28 The Owl’s Nest / New Hampshire

PRIVATE GOLF 26 A Letter From a Member / Segregansett CC

THE BEST OF NEW ENGLAND GOLF 40 By NEGM Staff / The Best of Golf

CELEBRITY GOLFER 50 Leigh McKay / Jim Lonborg

TINKERS NEST 52 Ed Travis / fairway Woods & Hybrids

GORMAN VS GEARY 76 Tom Gorman / Tim Geary / PGA Drug Testing

CONTENTS

60 WATCH THE SIGNATURE HOLES OF NEW ENGLAND Aerial video tours of 24 different holes at 8 different courses GO TO myNEGM.com ON ANY DEVICE presented by:

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GOLF COURSE LIVING // BY KATHERINE DYSON

East Coast Golf Communities You’ve sold your home and are totally into finding a place to live where the golf is good, life is good and the community fits your criteria. Here is a guide to some of the best places to help narrow your choices.

FLORIDA: East Upscale Living: Ballenisles Country Club, Palm Beach Gardens Ballenisles Country Club set on 1,300 acres is

signed by Joe Lee while Pete Dye crafted the Harbor Course. Mediterranean-style homes and condos are priced from the $100,000s to more than a million. Grandharbor.com Family Living: World Golf Village, St. Augustine With two superb designer courses (Palmer, Nicklaus and Bobby Weed), residents of The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village not only enjoy great golf but also have access to facili-

a coveted address for those who love golf and luxury. Just up the road from PGA National, Ballenisles has more than 1,500 residences, 33 neighborhoods and three championship courses designed by Dick Wilson and Joe Lee. Virtually every professional golfer active in the 1960s and ’70s, from Snead to Palmer has played here. Residences include patio homes, golf villas, courtyard homes, luxury condominiums and elegant estates. There is a beautiful pool, spa, a full calendar of activities and tennis. Ballenisles.com

Value Living: Grand Harbor, Vero Beach On Florida’s mid-east coast, Grand Harbor offers a lot for your money with two golf courses, a private beach club, Intracoastal Waterway access, Marina, Tennis Center with 13 courts and Fitness Center. The River Course was de-

ties like the World Golf Hall of Fame, a swim and tennis center and beautiful parks. The community’s private Serenata Beach Club on Ponte Verdra Beach offers members an adults-only hot tub and pool as well as a zero-entry pool for kids. Neighborhoods feature a good mix of single-family homes, low-rise condominiums, patio homes and active adult residences with prices from $100,000. Worldgolfrealestate.com Retirement Living: The Villages, north of Orlando The largest adult community in the world with 75,000 homes connected by 100 miles of golf cart-legal streets and trails, The Villages is really pretty well conceived with neighborhoods anchored by town squares, entertainment venues, movie theaters, shops, and multiple recreation centers. Residents like to boast how easily it is to get onto the 26 free executive golf courses and nine championship courses (fee) and they like you tell you what a breeze it is to zip around on their fancy private golf carts. Home prices range from below $100,000 to low $1 millions). Thevillages.com

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GOLF COURSE LIVING tennis club, spa, four golf courses, more than 20 restaurants, a marina, water sports, spa and a shopping center. Homes cover a wide range of styles and prices with condos starting below

Instruction Facilities: PGA Village Verano, Port St. Lucie PGA Village is a perfect fit for those who want to not only play three great courses like Pete Dye’s links-style track and Tom Fazio’s Wanamaker and Ryder Courses, but also want to improve their game at the 35-acre PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance. Move into neighborhoods like Verano, an all-inclusive, fullservice, gated resort-style community with its own Club Verano and enjoy golf, a wellness center and other athletic and learning activities and clubs. Homes feature high ceilings, panoramic windows, marble baths and pools. Pgavillage.com

FLORIDA: West Upscale Living: Mediterra, Naples Through the impressive gates of Mediterra lies one of West Florida’s most posh golf resort communities featuring two Tom Fazio-designed golf courses that wind through natural wetlands, nature preserves and lakes. There is a practice facility and Learning Center with an enclosed hitting bay, two outdoor bays and a short game practice facility. With a limited number of members, getting a tee time is never a problem. Residents have access to the Gulf beaches and Beach Club with a stunning pool. Mediterra also has a fitness center, Sports Club with a Spa, eight miles of trails and walking paths, as well as parks. Villas start around $ 1million. Mediterranaples.com Value Living: Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Destin Occupying more than 2,400 acres, Sandestin sits along a 26-mile stretch of one of the best beaches in the country: Fort Walton’s sugar white sand in the center of the Florida Panhandle’s Gulf Coast. This is one of the larger golf communities in the state with more than 30 neighborhoods, seven miles of beaches,

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$200,00 and residences from $250,000. Sandestin.com Family Living: Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, Sarasota Lakewood Ranch is a 17,500-acre masterplanned community with 10 villages with homes priced from the high $100,000s to $5 million. Recreational facilities include 54 holes of Arnold Palmer and Rick Robbins-designed golf, 18 tennis courts, a polo club, Sports Campus, gun

club, cricket and lacrosse club, and an extensive collection of parks, nature areas and lakes. The community also has a Town Hall, office facilities, shopping, dining, excellent schools and on-site health care. A new clubhouse and extensive practice area is in the works. Lakewoodranch.com Retirement Living: Pelican Preserve, Fort Myers Pelican Preserve, a WCI Community, has a lovely charm that comes with graceful aging and tree-shaded grounds. With a 70,000-square-foot Town Center, 27 holes of golf and a full calendar of social, recreational and cultural activities, much of the action takes place in and around Plaza del Sol where residents enjoy fitness classes, a resort-style pool,

GOLF COURSE LIVING // BY KATHERINE DYSON luxury spa, 99-seat movie theatre, fitness center, outdoor amphitheater, and fine dining. Single-family homes are priced from the high $100,000s to around $500,000. pelicanpreserve. wcicommunities.com Instruction Facilities: Tiburon Country Club, Naples Tiburon Country Club’s neighborhoods each have their own amenities while sharing two excellent golf courses designed by Greg Norman and a 27,000 square foot clubhouse. An affiliation with the Ritz-Carlton Resorts provides residents’ access to Gulf beaches, pools and tennis. Homes and condos starting at $300,000 are sited along the golf courses, lakefront and preserves. Instruction is available at TOURAcademy Tiburon offering advanced teaching technologies including video swing analysis; launch monitor ball flight analysis and club fitting. Tiburongcnaples.com

three golf courses, tennis, beach and marina, is popular with families who like amenities like the 23 tennis courts, marina, beach, biking, fishing and so much more. Find condos, cottages and multi-million dollar estate homes. Palmettodunes.com Retirement Living: Brunswick Plantation, North Carolina At Brunswick Plantation & Golf Resort in

GEORGIA & CAROLINAS Upscale Living: Kiawah, South Carolina Located in the heart of Low Country 21 miles south of Charleston, Kiawah lies along 10 miles of uninterrupted Atlantic Ocean beach. It’s your ultimate upscale golf haven, a glorious sanctuary of marshes, tidal creeks, live oaks, beaches, ospreys, herons and other wildlife along with five exceptional golf courses, upscale homes and gated communities. Kiawahisland.com Value Living: St. James Plantation, North Carolina At St. James Plantation it’s all about the coastal lifestyle where condominiums, cottages and home sites, are built to be efficient, bright, airy and classic. Pools are situated throughout the community while four golf courses designed by the Nicklaus, PB Dye, Hale Irwin and Tim Cate along with 13 tennis courts, a marina, beach club, and a boatload of activities and clubs offer as much action as residents could want. stjamesplantation.com Family Living: Palmetto Dunes, Hilton Head Island, SC Hilton Head Island has been on golf radar ever since 1969 when Arnold Palmer captured the PGA Tour’s inaugural Heritage Classic on Harbour Town Golf Links known for its iconic lighthouse (now the PGA Tour RBC Heritage). Palmetto Dunes, a 2,000 acre playground with

Calabash (known as “The Seafood Capital of the World”) there are three nines designed by Willard Byrd: Magnolia, Dogwood and Azalea. each offering a different golf experience. This gated community has custom homes, condos and Energy Star certified townhomes. Brunswickplantation.com Instruction Facilities: Reynolds Plantation, Georgia At Reynolds Plantationin Lake Oconee, where there are several neighborhoods, instructional facilities include the Putter Lab at the Kingdom where a Quintic launch monitor system captures and analyzes critical intel about putting strokes. And thanks to 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

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MID-ATLANTIC

Upscale Living: The Estates at Keswick Hall Comfortably situated on 600 acres in Virginia hunt country just east of Charlottesville, Keswick Hall exudes a sense of privilege. In 2012 new owners Riverstone Properties hired Pete Dye to renovate the former Palmer course. The 121 Keswick sites ranging from two to eight acres start at $300,000 and already more than 50 have homes built. Residents can enjoy the walking trails, 24 hour security and the facilities at

Keswick Hall but to play golf, they must join the Keswick Club. Keswickestate.com Value Living: Bayside Resort Golf Club, Fenwick Island, Delaware Bayside Resort Golf Club, the site of Delaware’s first Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, lies along Assawoman Bay. Handsome one-and two-story coastal-style beach homes stretch along the shores of the bay and fairways with prices starting around $195,000. There is kayaking, classes and trips to Fenwick Island along with five Har-Tru tennis courts, swimming pools, kayak launch, soccer field, Carousel Park, beach shuttle, Sun Ridge Recreational Center, health and fitness center and restaurants. Prices range from $195,000 to $850,000. Livebayside.com Family Living: Avenel Farm, Potomac, Maryland About 20 miles from Washington D.C. residents of Avenel Farm play golf on the TPC Potomac, formerly host to PGA Tour events. Once the state’s largest short-horned cattle ranch, today Avenel Farm’s 13 neighborhoods includes luxurious single family Georgian-style and neoclassical brick homes, courtyard homes and Cape Cod-style homes, that wind through lavishly landscaped wooded grounds laced by a network of bike paths, jogging trails and bridle paths. Also find ns Equestrian Center and Swim and Tennis Club. Home listings range from $600,000 to $6 million. Avenel.net Retirement Living: Heritage Shores, Bridgeville, Delaware 12 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | August 2015

Heritage Shores is the only 55+ community with its own golf course in Delaware. Designed by Arthur Hills, this links-style track stretches to 7,005 yards from the tips with five tee boxes making it playable for all levels. The 28,000 square foot clubhouse contains restaurants, an Aquatic & Fitness Center, dance and aerobics studios and four tennis courts. Choose from single-family detached and attached homes priced from the mid $200s to the upper $400s. Heritgeshores.com Instruction Facilities: Kingsmill On 2,900 on the banks of the James River, Kingsmill has a variety of exclusive neighborhoods set against a backdrop of green rolling hills and woods. With three golf courses including the Pete Dye River Course along with tennis courts, fishing, marina, sports club, spa and miles of biking and hiking trails, Kingsmill is a good bet for those who want everything in their back yard. Condominiums and luxury singlefamily homes are located on the river, creeks, ponds and woods. The Golf Academy offers clinics, classes and schools as well as club fitting for juniors and adults. Kingsmill.com

NORTHEAST Upscale Living: Carnegie Abbey Club, near

Newport The Carnegie Abbey Club near Newport is blessed by a European Spa plus splendid seaside golf course designed by British architect, Donald Steel. Easily walk able, the course evokes Scotland with sod bunkers and native grasses along with spectacular views of Narragansett Bay. Golf-oriented buyers may choose a custom-designed Royal cottage in Carnegie Village; horse enthusiasts may buy near the Equestrian Center and The Newport Beach Club has a private beach and pool and for those who want to sail, fish and be near the water, there is the Yacht Club neighborhood. Carnegieabbeyclub.com Value Living: Village at Crystal Springs In the Sussex Skylands just 47 miles from Man-

RETIREMENT INVESTING IS LIKE PLAYING GOLF hattan, Crystal Springs is appealing to anyone who loves sports. There are seven courses (one of the courses includes a short, user-friendly course kids and beginners will love), ski resort, two luxury spas, sports club, fitness center, David Leadbetter Golf Academy, world-class restaurants, hiking, and horseback riding. The variety of homes ranges from condos and townhomes to single family estates. crystalspringsbuilders.com Family Living: The Bay Club, Massachusetts On Massachusetts’s South Shore, The Bay Club at Mattapoisett, located just off the Cape near Buzzards Bay is built around a Brad Faxon/ Brad Booth golf course. Just 175 homes —each unique— in six neighborhoods are planned for the 625 acres while a good portion of the land has been set aside as conservation land. The Bay Club has a superb golf practice area, a 10,000 square foot Sports and Activities Center and a demo kitchen where celebrity chefs share their cooking skills. Home sites are priced in the high $200,000s while homes hover around a million. Bayclubmatt.com

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Retirement Living: Highland Green, Maine Highland Green in Topsham occupying more than 650 acres is Maine’s first adult resort, a community where great emphasis is placed on celebrating the beauty of the land and wildlife including deer, beaver and red fox. Along with golf on a Scottish style golf course, residents enjoy an extensive network of hiking trails, yoga, croquet, pub and an Ecology Center with the Androscoggin River, Merrymeeting Bay and the ocean nearby. Highlandgreenlifesthyle.com Instruction Facilities: Stratton, Vermont The Stratton Golf School on 22 acres is a major asset to those living in this mountainous area in southern Vermont. Stratton offers classrooms, weatherproof hitting areas, video technology, and most important of all, excellent teaching professionals. There’s even a place to practice going over water. After your instruction, you can go out for some practical experience on the Player’s School Course. Ask a local realtor about condos and homes in the Stratton Mountain area. Stratton.com

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GOLF FASHION WEEKLY

Fa l in Love with Fashion Straight Down Clothing Straight Down Clothing blends beautifully toned colors, unique textures and patterns, and high quality manufacturing to create the best products available. Below are a few items that will be sure to have you looking good this fall, on and off the course. The Whitmore is a mélange performance 1/2 zip in a midweight, peached jersey. Trim fitting, spandex binding, accent trim for finishing $104.00. The Clemson pants are made in the USA from fine European cotton Lycra® fabric with 2-way stretch. Garment dyed, 5 pocket, flat front pants $148.00. The Berwyn is a brushed jersey in engineered stripes this 1/2 zip pullover also has contrast trims for accent colors. Acrylic, Rayon and Spandex for comfort. Rib cuff and hem bands $118.00. For ladies, the Jupiter is made in USA, with space dyed colors in a full zip jacket with flattering lines and sleeve detail. Side pockets, 2” collar and fitted body $112.00. Be sure to Straight Down Clothing on the rise this year!

FootJoy It’s no wonder why FootJoy is one of the leading apparel sponsors on the PGA Tour. Their craftsmanship and attention to detail is second to none. This fall try the following items to keep you warm yet give you the mobility to swing. FJ Performance Golf Pants ensure a comfortable fit, superior movement and with its FourWay stretch fabric, it offers complete range of motion during your golf swing $85.00. FJ Berkeley Collection Space Dye Lisle Self Collar, uses the exclusive ProDry® fabrication which provides superior moisture control that quickly wicks away moisture, keeping you dry and comfortable all day $68.00. FJ Performance Wind Shell Mid Layers are versatile pieces that allow the player to adapt to changing weather conditions. The four-way stretch shell helps keep your core warm while allowing free range of motion throughout the golf swing $135.00.

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GOLF FASHION WEEKLY

Aristo 18/Betenly Aristo 18 introduces a new collection of “knit outerwear” that combines outstanding cool weather functionality with refined sportswear styling. The DUNKIRK is a quarter-zip model that features “commando” sweater styling with a vertical chest pocket, oversized zippers, and nylon trim shoulders. $325.The HEATH model is a full-zip jacket with genuine pearl-button throat-latch, hidden inside chest pocket and nylon trim throughout $395. Betenly Golf Reno Men’s Golf Flat Front Tech-Hybrid Trousers are a classic fit, flat front pant with cutaway “Western” style pockets. The Reno pants are expertly tailored with luxurious two ply cotton dress quality, Vnotch hem on finished bottoms and a 3 button front closure. The Reno pants are sure to have you stand out on and off the course. $69.99

Callaway Callaway OptiSeries combines the latest in performance fabrics and technology designed for optimum golf performance. At the present, Callaway apparel boasts ten individual Opti technologies. The apparel goes under extensive testing for durability, UPF rating, resistance to natural elements and more. Chev Featherweight Tech Pants are a 100% Polyester lightweight tech pant with mechanical stretch that includes the OptiDri , which transfers moisture away from body to keep skin dry and Opti-Shield, which utilizes UPF protection from sun’s rays inherent to the fabric $75.00. The Outlast ¼ Zip Pullover was originally developed for NASA to proactively manage heat and controls the production of moisture before it begin. The Outlast features the OptiDri, OptiShield, OptiStretch, which interwoven layers of Spandex to ensure maximum range of motion, and OptiTemp, which are layers of fabric work together to absorb heat and stay cool $75.00. The Waffle Fleece ¼ zip midlayer includes the Opti-Therm technology where the fabrics designed to withstand the colder temperatures and provide a layer of thermal protection $65.00. The Jacquard Polo features the OptiDri, OptiSheild technologies as well as the OptiGenic technology which uses antimicrobial treatment that reduces odor and maintains durability. $70.00

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SUMMIT GOLF

Fairway & Greene and Zero Restriction to Outfit Team U.S. in 2015 Presidents Cup by Brittany Rayburn

We are just months away from the 2015 Presidents Cup tournament that will be hosted in Asia for the first time. The Presidents Cup will be played at The Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Songdo IBD, Incheon City, Korea, October 6th -11th. At this year’s Presidents Cup, Fairway & Greene and Zero Restriction will be the apparel outerwear sponsors for the U.S. Team. Both companies are known for their outstandingly unique, comfortable and stylish apparel. Fairway & Greene fully represents the history of golf and is inspired by golf’s most storied players and moments. Fairway & Greene creates apparel that is traditional and authentic, and perfectly represents what is most important to the game of golf. Team U.S. outfits will include the company’s tech pullovers and shirts, Baruffa Merino sweaters as well as the cashmere blend vests. Selections of the tech polo shirts that have been chosen for the Presidents Cup are part of the Made in the USA Collection. U.S. Team Captain, Jay Haas, states, “I am excited for Fairway & Greene to be a part of The Presidents Cup. The luxury sportswear that Fairway

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& Greene provides has long outfitted my game and is a strong choice for this preeminent team event.” Players from the U.S. Team will also wear Zero Restriction as their outerwear sponsor. Known for its cutting edge technology and modern design, Zero Restriction represents “freedom of motion,” giving players the opportunity to move in ways that will drastically improve their game, despite the elements. The company’s extreme attention to detail is what makes their apparel so authentic, reliable and fashionable. Zero Restriction will be providing custom raingear to all of the U.S. Team players, captain, captain’s assistants, caddies, and said Chad Delp, CEO of Summit Golf Brands, “As the premier outerwear brand, we are honored to present The Presidents Cup 2015 U.S. Team with the very best all-weather gear, allowing the players to perform their best in all elements. Summit Golf Brands has a longstanding, excellent relationship with U.S. Team Captain Jay Haas, and we are thrilled about this new partnership.” For more information about Summit Golf Brands, please visit their website at www.summitgolfbrands.com

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GOLF TRAVEL

Up, Up and Away:

New Mexico By Alice & Danny Scott

Up, up and away to New Mexico for high desert golf and diverse cultural activities. Fly into Albuquerque and take the old west version of a double decker bus tour - the Historic Old Town Trolley, for an entertaining open-air introduction to the neighborhoods. Starting in the plaza, it taxis along Route 66, noting preservation of architecture, Bart Prince’s fantastical spaceship featured on Extreme Homes, movie set scenes, and then passing elephants in the zoo. New Mexico golf rises to higher plateaus, literally. Number one Paa Ko Ridge transforms a mountainside landscape with dense forest canopies. Optical illusion of slopes mystifies green readers. Sandia Golf Club and Casino Resort has one of the longest layouts at over 7700 yards. Elevations are more subtle as it winds around the casino property with outstanding views. The always-immaculate condition of the course, managed by OB Sports, satisfies discriminating golfers. The resort hosted three weddings the day we played. Take the switchback road (not for car sick passengers) over Sandia Mountain and ride the longest tram in the world to a height of over 10,000

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feet. Dramatic scenery continues on to Twin Warriors Golf Club, a Gary Panks signature design beside Indian cultural mesas. Pinion Pines and Junipers frame the grassy knolls through canyons along the sacred butte known as Tuyuna or “Snakehead.” Actually the whole serpent outline can be seen molten in the rock spanning several holes. Before hitting the range, early birds should fly with Rainbow Ryders who unlike Dorothy’s wizard know how to safely float across the sky in a gondola box strung to a colorful hot air balloon. The International Balloon festival is held here annually for good reasons. The climate is

GOLF TRAVEL

ideal and the views are surreal over the Rio Grande. Celebratory toasting upon landing incorporates local champagne as New Mexico’s climate and high altitude is also conducive to vineyards. Stop at wineries along the river on the way to Santa Fe, 80 miles north, where Black Mesa Golf Club epitomizes the “Land of Enchantment” theme for New Mexico. The course is a contrast of ruggedness; snow capped distant mountains, imposing cliffs, gorges, scruff, blooms and yes, the black mesa butte. Exaggerated elevation changes work out golfers’ hamstrings. Number 14 gives new meaning to “uphill climb.” Thread the needle in the fairway between bunkers and rough terrain on the right and Eddie’s gorge along the left or you will see why they call this hole “the stairway to seven.” Indigo Buntings flash bright blue wings, teasing for birdies. Art galleries such as Georgia O’Keefe’s stir creative senses in downtown Santa Fe. Visitors come as you are but the resident dress code is upscale western wear including cow boots, the finest of which are found in the plaza shops as well as everything turquoise. Native American artists promote their jewelry and art on the street and in the shops. Climb to the balcony of Marble Brewery and Tap Room for a spanning view

and good brew. The Puye Cliff Dwelling tour in Espanola astounds with 70 abandoned cave rooms and petro glyphs on one level. Ascend to the village of ruins atop and submerge by ladder into an underground kiva,

imagining tribal gatherings inside the adobe walls where historical decisions were made. Day prayer dances and sacred rituals still take place on site. Taos is a northern version of the artsy Santa Fe enclave. At the private/public Taos Country Club, golfers must hit the fairways or forfeit balls in the thick sagebrush. Walk the nearby suspension bridge at The Rio Grande gorge for a stomach flutter-

ing, mini Grand Canyon thrill. There’s no time for chilling in the land of chilies with many more golf courses and spas. Back in Albuquerque visit Explora! (a hands on museum) or the Balloon Museum. Diversity is not simply tolerated but celebrated with Petroglyph National Monument and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center showing off Native American lifestyles. Spanish and Moorish influences bring Flamenco to the stage and Mexican food is unmatched at El Pinto where the ambience is as authentic as the chili manufactured on the grounds. Seating 1000, there is still a wait on weekends. For Italian cuisine, don’t miss Torino’s at Home owned by Daniela, the vivacious Italian hostess and her husband Maxime Bouneou, an award winning French chef whipping up Trattoria dishes to be savored slowly, just like the state. With 310 days of sunshine, it’s a trip. Up, up and away - start planning yours at www.itsatrip.org.

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Letter From Club Member For a number of years I have been an active member at Segregansett Country Club in Taunton, MA. Prior to joining the club years ago I was a member at two other private golf course in Southern New England. I have been an avid golfer for almost 30 years and love the game. While we all have seen a lot of changes in the last 10 years in all private clubs, the one thing that has not changed is the reason I am still a member at the club. It’s about value, convenience and relationships. When I started playing golf I played public golf and like all public golfers I struggled with getting a good tee time and finding a group to play with on a consistent basis. Like many who start into the game I chose a weekly golf league so I could experience some competition and consistency of playing time. While I enjoyed the comradeship of the league being limited to just 9 holes was a bit frustrating and finding players for additional rounds was a constant chore. I joined my first club at 29 years old to become a better player, enjoy better access to the sport and have more opportunity to play on a consistent basis. While I did not know many members at the club when I first joined, in 6 months I had developed great relationships with a large number of players at the club and had unlimited access to the course and the practice facility. In my first year at the club I played in a lot of club tournaments and events in which I was paired with all levels of players. That experience alone made me a better player and brought me far more opportunities to play golf with lower handicap players. The Simple Reasons I belong to Segregansett Country Club • The membership is a great value for the facility • The course is always in great condition. • I would spend nearly the same amount playing public golf. • There are games and groups I can play with 7 days a week. • I have built a lot of friendships and business relationship at the club. • I enjoy use of the practice facility and we have a great teaching pro. • My wife and I enjoy the restaurant and club events. • I enjoy the low price to bring guest to the club. • All the golf events are reasonably priced. • And I love feeling that I have a home for my golf.

Come Home To Segreganstt Country Club Become A Member For A Day for Only $50.00

Membership Available From $1500.00 Yearly For Membership info or Member for a Day go to Segregansett.com 85 Gulliver St Taunton, MA 02780 508-824-9110

Segregansett Country Club Come Play one of New Englands Best Private Golf Clubs

Member for a Day $50.00 Includes Cart & $5 Food Voucher

Membership now available for the 2015 /2016 Seasons Single $2950 – Family $3200 – Mid Adult $2100 (30-35) – Young Adult $1500 (21-29)

Segregansett Country Club

84 Gulliver St Taunton, MA 02780 508-824-9110 Segregansett.com

For Memberships – Gary Palmer 508-942-5873 Member For A Day Tee Times 508-824-9144

SIGNATURE HOLE SERIES

GOLF TRAVEL

AN AWARD WINNING DESTINATION IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

603.726.3076 | www.owlsnestresort.com 40 Clubhouse Lane Campton, NH | Just off exit 28

• Nine & Dine – Sunday & Monday after 3pm $50 includes cart & $15 credit towards dinner • Senior Tuesday Special - $50 includes cart, 60+ (ID required)

SIGNATURE HOLE SERIES At Owl’s Nest you can expect to be challenged by a great course and pam¬pered by our professional staff! With more scenic views then you can imagine, a day at Owl’s Nest is much more than a day of golf – it is a golfing experience! We are a “Top 100 Must Play Courses in New England”! The clubhouse at Owl’s Nest Golf Club sits atop an elegant knoll surrounded by stunning panoramic views of the course and the mountains while The Sunset Room, offers a full service restau¬rant and tavern. Owl’s Nest is the perfect place for corporate golf outings, fun¬draiser’s and tournaments. Our group rates, great service and value, along with our beautiful championship golf course, make every round memorable and fun.

Signature Hole #14: Par 3 174 yards Featuring one of the most breath¬taking scenes in New England, take a moment to soak in this spectac¬ular view! Tee Shots tend to drift right in the air so favoring the left side is a good idea. If you are be¬tween clubs take the lessor of the two, short rolls on, long and you will be looking at double bogey.

Signature Hole #18: Par 4 370 yards The clubhouse positions itself with the majestic White Mountains in the background, this is the view that awaits you on the 18 tee. A good straight tee shot to this more gener¬ous than it looks fairway, will set up a short iron second shot to a very re¬ceptive green. Approach shots that miss right tend to end up in a good spot. Long to this green makes for a very difficult up and down. Signature Hole #9: Par 5 499 yards This sharp dogleg right offers a couple of chances to run with the big dogs or stay on the porch. Off the tee the smart play is to stay left of the fairway bunkers and trees on the dogleg. More adventurous players may choose to cut the corner for a good chance to get home in two. Favor the left side on the approach as right of the green is a tough up and down. Out of Bounds down the entire right side ups the ante just a bit.

(888)-695-6378 | www.owlsnestresort.com 40 Clubhouse Lane Thornton, NH 03285 presented by:

SIGNATURE HOLE SERIES Featuring sprawling views of the Blackstone River Valley thanks to more than 250 feet of elevation changes and complemented by some beautiful granite formations all over the golf course, golfers are in for a treat when they drive out to Shining Rock Golf Club. Only 45 minutes from Boston, Shining Rock is a “must play” golf course in New England. Voted number one public golf course by New England Golf Monthly, here are three of the signature holes at “The Rock”.

Signature Hole #4: Par 4 343 yards Intimidating isn’t it? While some may think this is the namesake of the course, the real Shining Rock is located behind the 16th green. The tee shot looks more intimidating than it actually is. This par 4 is actually drivable with a precise shot.

Signature Hole #5: Par 3 239 yards A very scenic par 3 that most golfers would take a 4 and move on. The rock wall to the right of this green is all that remains of a small granite quarry that operated in the mid 1800’s.

Signature Hole #16: Par 5 648 yards A true par 5, the 16th hole is a heroic test of golf. A wide open tee shot leads to progressively tighter shots as you approach the green. From the back tees, this hole plays at 648 yards and takes three good shots to get to the green in regulation.

(508) 234-0400 | www.ShiningRock.com 91 Clubhouse Lane Northbridge, MA 01534

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SIGNATURE HOLE SERIES Glen Ellen Country Club in Millis, MA is a unique, multi-recreational facility that is well-known in the area for the high-quality of amenities it offers its members and guests. The Glen boasts 18 holes of meticulously maintained golf course, all natural grass practice facility, fully-stocked pro shop, Olympic-sized swimming pool with adjoining pool-side cafĂŠ, mini-golf, playground, tennis and basketball courts, softball and soccer fields, bocce ball and horse shoes. Glen Ellen is one of the few clubs in the area that literally offers something for the entire family.

Signature Hole #1: Par 4 448 yards Great opening hole of 450 yards from the back tees. A good drive down the left-hand side to avoid the fairway bunker will leave a mid-iron approach to a relatively subtle green.

Signature Hole 13#: Par 5 495 yards A challenging par 5, a double-dog leg of 500 yards from the back tees. A tee shot between the left and right hazard will leave the longer hitters a chance to go for the green in two. A smart layup will leave a wedge in for your third shot - this the best way to play this hole.

Signature Hole #18: Par 3 155 yards Our signature hole is a good medium par 3 of 155 yards from the back tees. Avoid going long as this green slopes severely from back to front. Club selection is key to hitting this putting surface.

508-376-2775 | www.theglencc.com 84 Orchard Street Millis, MA 02054 presented by:

SIGNATURE HOLE SERIES

The EXPERIENCE

Harvard, Massachusetts

Shaker Hills Country Club in Harvard, Massachusettsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; A Par 72, playing close to 7000 yards from the tips, has become an attractive destination for daily fee golf, golf outings and tournaments. Our membership offerings, including the new Micro-Membership, offer the perfect opportunity to experience membership amenities at a price to suit your budget. The Shaker Hills experience not only offers spectacular golfing conditions, but also offers great hospitality, great food and blends the finest of natural tranquility and crafted beauty to create a genuinely peaceful setting and an overwhelmingly unique experience.

Signature Hole #3: Par 3 210 yards This downhill par 3 demands a well-hit tee shot to the right center of the green. Avoiding the water and bunker that runs along the left side, will leave you with a good try at a birdie. The green runs from right to left and has very subtle breaks.

Signature Hole #11: Par 4 410 yards A well placed drive down the center of the fairway will leave most golfers with a mid to short iron shot uphill to the green. Aim to the right side of the green to avoid the bunker on the left and for a favorable kick onto the putting surface. The green runs from back to front and has severe breaks if you are not in the right spot.

Signature Hole #18: Par 5 562 yards Redesigned by owner Fred Curtis in 2012, this par 5 requires a good tee shot down the left side of fairway. This leaves a chance to go for the green in two. The backdrop to the green is the stone patio and upper deck creating an amphitheatre type finishing hole.

(978)-772-3330 | ShakerHills.com 146 Shaker Road Harvard, MA 01451

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SIGNATURE HOLE SERIES Located on Waban Hill, Newton Commonwealth Golf Course, originally called Chestnut Hill Country Club, opened its first nine holes to its one hundred members in 1897. Redesigned by the famous Donald Ross in 1920, the course underwent major renovations and expanded to 18 holes in 1923 under the supervision of Boston architect Wayne Stiles. Now a public facility, Newton Commonwealth Golf Course, offers a challenging round of golf on tight, canted fairways and small manicured greens.

Signature Hole #2: Par 5 533 yards The number one handicap hole on the course. The blind tee shot through a narrow shoot, must negotiate the in-course out of bounds on the left and a water hazard on the right. The second shot over a creek, to a long, uphill fairway, is heavily tree lined on the right. The elevated green is protected by a false front, requiring an approach shot that can play up to two clubs more in length. Signature Hole #7: Par 3 177 yards The elevated tee shot must carry the Cochituate Aqueduct that runs in front of the green and the restored pot bunkers that protect it from three sides. The gusty winds out of the southwest create a natural variable in selecting your shot into this vintage green complex. Signature Hole #18: Par 4 378 yards This beautifully designed hole is framed by hazards on both sides requiring a left to right tee shot for long hitters and a strategic layup for short hitters. Protected by bunkers, the approach shot to the green is often rewarded by cheers from the on-lookers gathered on the clubhouse patio.

617.630.1971 | www.sterlinggolf.com 212 Kenrick Street Newton, MA 02458 presented by:

SIGNATURE HOLE SERIES Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course is owned and operated by the Town of Barnstable. With its sister course Hyannis Golf Course, the Town offers golf for players of all abilities. Established in 1992, Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds has matured into one of the top public courses on Cape Cod and in Massachusetts. Our 4 sets of tees allows all players to enjoy this Mark Mungean design that features large rolling greens that are the cornerstone of this great facility. The course is easy to walk, which brings golfers of all ages.

Signature Hole #18: Par 5 560 yards A great tee shot will set you up for a decision of whether to shoot to the right, left or straight over a Holly tree in the center of the fairway. Once the tree is negotiated, you will have a short shot to a slightly elevated green with a greenside bunker protecting the left side. It is a great finishing hole that allows for a gallery to watch as you drain the winning putt. Signature Hole #7: Par 4 475 yards The longest par 4 on the course. This tree-lined hole has a wide landing area for your tee shot, but for big hitters a fairway bunker guards the right side. Bunkers on both sides protect this green, but there is still plenty of room to chase a shot through the neck on to an oval green. A Par on this hole feels like a Birdie any day. Signature Hole #15: Par 3 185 yards The tee shot is over a small creek to a large flat green that has bunkers guarding the left front, with a grassy area to the left of the green. Over the green is a hilly sand plain that makes a beautiful back drop to the green, but beware a long tee shot will leave a trick second shot out of the sand plain and could make par out of the question.

(508) 420-1141 | www.barnstablegolf.com Route 149 Marston Mills, MA 02648

presented by:

SIGNATURE HOLE SERIES Hyannis Golf Course truly is a golf course for everyone. This beautiful layout featuring rolling terrain is very playable for the novice player, while still offering a challenge to the more accomplished. Manicured fairways and smooth, fast greens make for as an enjoyable golfing experience you’ll find anywhere.

Signature Hole #2: Par 4 420 yards The second hole at Hyannis A difficult but fair and beautiful hole. Your downhill tee shot will need to carry the pond fronting a generous landing area. From there, an uphill approach to a large but well protected two-tiered green awaits. Par here might very well feel like a birdie! Signature Hole #14: Par 5 575 yards The last of the three par fives on the golf course gives the golfer options. Your tee shot must stay right of the pond separating this hole from the fourth. From there, you face an uphill second shot that bends to the right and must carry a large fairway bunker. A good lay-up shot will put you about one hundred yards from a large green protected by a bunker on the right and a tier in the middle. Lots of birdies and “others” made here! Signature Hole #18: Par 4 429 yards Many matches are decided on this fantastic finishing hole. Hitting the fairway is a must to set yourself up for a good look at this elevated green fronted by two large bunkers on either side. Once aboard the putting surface, be sure to make a good stroke and roll it in, because those enjoying themselves on the expansive and shaded deck of the Terrace Grille Room Restaurant may be watching!

(508) 362-2606 | barnstablegolf.com Route 132 Hyannis, MA 02601 presented by:

SIGNATURE HOLE SERIES Cranberry Valley has many memorable holes that offer a variety of challenges and beauty, but most Cape golfers know, it is the stretch of great finishing holes that the golf course is most known for.

Signature Hole #16: Par 4 457 yards A stern test from any set of tees playing into the prevailing wind. A long, accurate drive is a must if you hope to get home in 2. The long 2nd shot is downhill to a green protected by a bunker complex on the right and a chipping area on the back left. Par is a very good score here and will probably require 4 good shots. Signature Hole #17: Par 3 229 Yards The toughest par 3 on the golf course. The tee shot is all carry to an elevated green. The green is large, so it will receive a well struck long iron, hybrid or wood but inaccurate shots will find deep bunkers at best, repelled from the elevated green at worst. Signature Hole #18: Par 5 575 yards One of the great finishing holes on the Cape. The double dogleg right with a great risk/reward hole as you can cut some distance off the hole by playing your second shot over the trees on the right. The safest bet is to play a long straight drive, a well place second shot over the bunker then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a short wedge to a big green. As with most great finishing holes matches are won and lost here.

(508) 430-5234 | www.cranberrygolfcourse.com 183 Oak St, Harwich, MA 02645

presented by:

SIGNATURE HOLE SERIES

presented by:

New England Golf Monthly

Best in Golf Awards TPC Boston

Newport National

Best Public Courses

Best Private Golf Courses

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

Newport National GC (RI) Wachusett CC (MA) The Ranch GC (MA) Belgrade Lakes GC (ME) Dennis Pines GC (MA) Owls Nest GC (NH) Green Mountain National GC (VT) Shining Rock GC (MA) Shaker Hills CC (MA) Cranberry Valley GC (MA) Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds GC (MA) Portsmouth CC (NH) Meadowbrook GC (RI) Links at Outlook (ME) Pinehills GC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jones & Nicklaus (MA) Connecticut National GC (CT) Granite Links GC (MA) Triggs GC (RI) Wintonbury Hills GC (CT) Red Tail GC (GC) Foxhopyard GC (CT) Blackstone National GC (MA) Breakfast Hill GC (NH) Taconic GC (MA) North Conway CC (NH)

40 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | August 2015

The Country Club (MA) TPC Boston (MA) The Stanwich Club (CT) Newport CC (RI) Golf Club of New England (NH) The Boston Club (MA) Ekwanok CC (VT) Old Sandwich GC (MA) The Kittansett Club (MA) Salem CC (MA) (MA) The Bay Club Mattapoisett (MA) The Course at Yale (CT) Wannamoisett CC (RI) Charles River CC (MA) Lake Winnipesaukee GC (NH) Sakonnet GC (RI) Rhode Island CC (RI) Portland CC (ME) Country Club of Vermont (VT) Worcester CC (MA) The Renaissance GC (MA) Shelter Harbor GC (RI) Eastwood Ho! (MA) The Woodlands Club (ME) TPC River Highlands (CT)

Best Golf Instructors

Best Practice Facilities

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

Bill McInerney (MA) Tom Cavicchi (MA) Mike Harbour (RI) Brendan Walsh (MA) Paul Piveronas (ME) Scott Spence (RI) Jay Morelli (VT) Suzy Whaley (CT) Jane Frost (MA) Bob Beach (MA) Scott Mayer (ME) Shawn Hester (MA) Ken Doyle (CT) Gary Cardoza (MA) Jim Bombard (MA) Tony Decker (ME) Tom Gillis (MA) Skip Guss (MA Kevin Rhodes (MA) Roman Greer (MA) Kyle Phelps (RI) Jeff Dantas (MA) Ed Kirby (RI) Gary Reynolds (CT) Kelli Kostick (MA)

Harmon Golf & Fitness (MA) Joe & Leighâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Performance Center (MA) Sun & Air (MA) Granite Links (MA) Pine Hills (MA) TPC Boston (MA) Mulligans Island (RI) Golf Learning Center of NE (MA) Cranberry Valley (MA) Lake of Isles (CT) Natick Golf Learning Center (MA) Sports Center (CT) Golf Country (MA) Sagamore Golf Center (NH) Brookstone Golf (MA) Golf Quest (CT) Button Hole (RI) Big Sticks Golf (MA( Atlantic Golf Center (MA) The International (MA) McGolf Driving Range (MA) GolfTec NE (MA RI) GOLFit 360 (RI) Links at Lang Farm (VT) World Cup GC (NH)

Bill McInerney

GolFit 360

August 2015 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 41

Granite Links

Best Golf Resorts 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

Atkinson Resort (NH) The Balsams (NH) Cranwell Resort (MA) Sunday River (ME) Woodstock Inn (VT) Equinox (VT) Quechee Lakes (VT) Owls Nest Resort (NH) Foxwoods (CT) Samoset (ME) Ocean Edge (MA) The Bethel Inn (ME) Mt Washington Resort (NH) Mohegan Sun (CT) Jay Peak (VT) Wequassett Resort (MA) Stratton Mountain (VT) Killington Resort (VT) Sugarloaf Resort (ME) Poland Springs Resort (ME) New Seabury (MA) Mountain View (NH) Okemo Resort (VT) Lake Morey Resort (VT) White Mountain (NH)

Atkinson Resort

10 Best Club House 19th Holes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Granite Links (MA) Eastwood Ho! (MA) The Misquamicut Club (RI) Newport CC (RI) Fox Hopyard (CT) Indian Pond (MA) Alpine CC (RI) Atkinson Resort (NH) Hyannisport (MA) Warwick CC (RI)

10 Best Indoor Golf Facilities 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

FORE! Golf Entertainment (MA) Tour of South Shore (MA) X Golf New England (MA) Gonzos HD Sports (VT) The Sand Trap (MA) Alpine CC (RI) Mike Harbour Indoor Golf Center (RI) Big Sticks (MA) Mountain Meadow Golf Lounge (NH) The Broken Tee (MA)

The Best in Golf 2015 Awards were determined by an online survey, other award lists at the global/ national/regional level and a panel of judges. You will find the results published at mynegm.com/ bestgolf2015 Visit myNEGM.com for to cast your vote on future awards, opinions, polls and more. Subscribe FREE at myNEGM.com/subscribe so you know when the Best in Golf 2016 voting starts. #bestgolf2015 #mynegm #newenglandgolf 42 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | August 2015

Destination Golf in Your Own Back Yard.

“Top 5 Best Places to Play” Golfweek “Top 50 Readers Choice in USA” Golf world “Fantastic”, “Wow”, “Must Play Course” Golf Advisor “ Best in Golf 2015 - #3 Public Course” New England Golf Monthly

Call (413) 569-9333 x1 | www.theranchgolfclub.com 65 Sunnyside Rd, Southwick, MA

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MOLORI UNPLUGGED | BY JOHN MOLORI

Boston pros compare golf to other sports

Golf requires hand-eye coordination, stamina, and physical prowess, but how does it relate to other sports. Some of Boston’s most memorable athletes give their views on the connection and comparisons between golf and their primary athletic endeavors. Rico Petrocelli broke in with the Red Sox in 1963 and hit 210 homers in a 13-year big league career, all with Boston. He relates, “It’s really tough to move from a baseball swing to a golf swing. I was told to stay inside the ball. To me, that was like an inside-outside swing in baseball, trying to hit the ball to right field. “The real thrill is trying to get the ball to the hole. It’s always been like coming up to bat with a man on base.” Drafted by the New England Patriots out of the University of Maryland in 1991, quarterback Scott Zolak also played for the Jets and Dolphins until 1999. He was known as much for his personality as his passing prowess. He brings this animated style to the golf course. “There is nothing like seeing Joe Weekend Guy with 2 gloves on, taking swings, getting out a viewfinder, taking more swings, and then shanking his shot,” says the Patriots’ radio analyst on 98.5 The Sports Hub. “I love hitting into that group. That’s how they know to get moving.”

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Similarly, Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, former Red Sox slugger and current White Sox broadcasting legend, took his split personality to the golf course. “Many times I’d be in a baseball game and would say to myself, ‘Ken, get out of the Hawk’s way and let him go.’ “At golf tournaments, Hawk might yell to the fans for support before making a big putt, but that’s the Hawk. He can do things that Ken can’t do.” NFL and Patriots’ Hall of Famer Andre Tippett compares golf to the sport that made him an immortal. “My high school football coach used to tell me that I was a good listener and learner. I implemented that process to learn golf, starting from the short game out. “In football, you can’t jump offsides, take a stupid penalty, or a late hit with the game on the line. It really has nothing to do with strength and everything to do with mechanics. You have to load up, stay behind the ball, and really work on your timing.” After an 11-year NHL career with the Flyers, Penguins, Devils, Bruins and Jets, NESN Bruins’ analyst Andy Brickley knows a thing or two about mechanics and timing. “You have to have that core strength in the middle of the body. Balance when addressing the ball or puck is also crucial. “It takes a tremendous grind to be the victor in both hockey and golf. You have to have a mental tenacity. In hockey, you can rely on teammates, and anger sometimes works. With golf,

shot or a birdie to win a dollar off of your buddy. Mentally and with regard to controlling your nerves, golf and kicking are similar. Just thinking of the shot and not the consequences of the

you are alone, and you can’t throw your bag into the crowd or knock down an opponent.” Patriots’ kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who recently signed a new 4-year, $17 million contract with the team, compares the mental nature of golf and kicking. “If you’re confident about your shot, you will hit a good shot. The same goes for kicking. “It’s fun to clear your mind and just hit a great

shot is the key.” John Molori is the co-author of “The Cracker Jack Collection: Baseball’s Prized Players.” Like him on Facebook at John Molori, Twitter @MoloriMedia. Email molorimedia@aol.com

August 2015 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 47

TOUR SNAPSHOT | BY JACK ROSS

PGA Championship Returns To Pete Dye’s Diabolical Whistling Straits The PGA Championship is the only major tournament where you might see your club pro facing off against the likes of Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson. In recognition of its roots as an organization formed in 1916 to support club professionals, 20 spots in the PGA Championship are reserved for the top finishers in PGA Professional National Championship. This year, Adam Rainaud, an assistant pro at Black Hall Club in Old Lyme, Connecticut who hails from South Hadley, Massachusetts, and Daniel Venezio, an assistant pro at Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, will be teeing it up at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin when the championship kicks off on August 13. Rainaud and Venezio fired solid final rounds of 68 and 69, respectively, at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in early July to finish in the top 20 and earn coveted spots at Whistling Straits. Most of the attention going into the PGA Championship, however, will be focused on whether Rory McIlroy will have recovered from his ankle injury sufficiently to defend his championship, whether Jordan Spieth can rebound from a tough loss at the Open Championship to make a run at an historic third major, and whether Dustin Johnson can shake off two disappointing final rounds at St. Andrews and return to Whistling Straits to face his demons. 2015 seems to have been designated “The Year of the Links” by the USGA and PGA of America. After a U.S. Open conducted over the striking but controversial Chambers Bay on the shore of Puget Sound, the PGA Championship returns for the third time to Whistling Straits, Pete Dye’s diabolical creation on the shore of

48 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | August 2015

Lake Michigan that features enormous bluffs and dune areas, as well as over 500 bunkers that blend into the landscape and are maintained primarily by “natural elements” -- meaning that they are shaped by the winds. To add a Scottish touch, a herd of blackface sheep were introduced to the property. The course also features severe elevation changes, and greens which are tucked precariously between bluffs and sheer slopes that drop towards the lake. Eight holes hug the lake shoreline. The course can play as long as 7,790 yards, but will probably play closer to 7,500 for the championship. Typical of the challenges facing the competitors is the 618yard par-5 11th hole. Players hitting driver risk finding dunes and a drop-off on the right. The second shot must negotiate an enormous 16-foot deep bunker on the left (the “sand box”). The approach shot to a small elevated green is hazardous; shorts shots will roll back well off the green, while long shots will find a bunker. Johnson will come to Whistling Straits seeking redemption. In 2010, he was penalized for grounding his club in a bunker on the final hole, which cost him the tournament. Johnson was incredulous that the rugged, partially grassy area that had been traversed by spectators was defined as a bunker. He’ll know better this year.

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1019Iyannough IyannoughRoad, Road,Hyannis, Hyannis,MA MA02601 02601 1019 1019 Iyannough Road, Hyannis, MA 02601 (508)771-4653 771-4653 (508) (508) 771-4653

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CELEBRITY GOLFER // BY LEIGH MCKAY

Celebrity Golfer: Jim Lonborg,

Red Sox Cy Young Winner

Red Sox pitcher Jim Lonborg, with his 22-9 record, will always have a pre-eminent position in “The Impossible Dream” lore of 1967. Lonborg was the first Red Sox pitcher to win the Cy Young Award and led the America League in wins, games started (39) and strikeouts (246). In his first two years with the Sox in 1965-66, Lonborg earned a record of 9-17 and 10-10 and the nickname of Gentleman Jim. A popular personality with the fans and the press, the pre-med student from Stanford University was handsome, articulate, friendly, and intellectual. Perhaps Gentleman Jim was a little too courteous to opposing batters in those first two years, but he added a cutting edge to his urbanity in 1967 by learning how to protect the inside part of the plate. He led the league in hitting batters, and you just couldn’t dig in anymore on Gentleman Jim. In the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, he won Game Two, 5-0, pitching a one hitter and then won Game Five, 3-1, on a three hitter. On only two days rest, he pitched in Game 7, but did not

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have his usual form, and the Sox lost 7-2. “The Impossible Dream” really ended for the Red Sox and Lonborg that December when he injured his left leg in a skiing accident. He was never the same pitcher again for the Sox. For the next four years, Lonborg struggled (6-10, 7-11, 4-1, and 10-7), and he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1972, where he went 14-12. He was then traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, where he pitched well for the next seven years (75-60). When his career ended in 1979, Lonborg traded in curve balls for cavities. Dr. Lonborg became a dentist in 1983 and started his own practice in Hanover, Massachusetts, just a half hour south of Fenway Park. The doctor is still in three days a week. Lonborg, now 73, lives with his wife Rosemary of 45 years in nearby Scituate. They have six grown children and 11 grandchildren. OK, batter up! Time to face Gentleman Jim’s delivery. Here comes the inside stuff!

NEGM: What is your enduring memory of the 1967 season? JL: The one thing that solidified us as a team was that 10-game win streak we had in July with the last six on the road. For me, personally, it was pitching the last game of the season against the Minnesota Twins, a game that we had to win, and we did 5-3. After the final out, I was being congratulated, and we were celebrating excitedly on the field until we were overrun by the exuberant fans. It was pure delirium at Fenway. And it was a wonderful victory.

NEGM: What was the difference in your pitching style from 1965-66 to that Cy Young year?

JL: First of all, I went to Venezuela in the winter of ’66 to work on my curve ball and gain confidence in it. Then, in spring training, Sal Maglie, our new pitching coach, could see that I had great stuff but didn’t have a fastball I could throw straight because I had this natural gift where my fastball just moved so much. So, I needed to be able to hit the

CELEBRITY GOLFER

corners, and Sal taught me to throw and control a cross-seam, or four-seam, straight fastball. Then Sal taught me how to pitch inside to intimidate the hitters and move them a little bit farther away from the plate, leaving the outside corner vulnerable for the straight, four-seam pitch. This approach proved to be really effective.

NEGM: What’s the story behind your ski accident?

JL: I had done two different things after the ’66 season to prepare myself for ’67. One was the winter ball and working on my curve. The other was the time I spent skiing at Lake Tahoe. I have always loved to ski, and I kept getting stronger and stronger. When I reported to spring training in ’67, I was in the best shape of my life. So, I wanted winter skiing to be part of my regimen for pitching. I tore two ligaments in my left knee, which I had surgically repaired. I should have taken the entire ’68 season off to rehab, but I returned to the mound too soon. The mechanics of my technique changed. My left knee had a weakness that translated into a delivery change and added stress to my right shoulder. I took a lot of cortisone shots and felt a lot of pain. The rest of my career, it was my shoulder that bothered me, not the knee.

NEGM: What made you decide to become a dentist?

JL: I was a pre-med student at Stanford, majoring in biology, and had aspirations of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. During my off-seasons in the Majors, I continued to work in the medical field. Buddy LeRoux, Red Sox trainer and eventual owner, had a rehab hospital in Woburn, and I

worked there to see how a hospital was organized and run. When I left baseball, Rosemary and I were discussing what I should do for a career, and she casually mentioned, “Why don’t you become a dentist? You’ve always looked good in a uniform!” Tufts University Dental School had a three-year program, and I began practicing in July of 1983 after my graduation in June.

NEGM: When did you take up golf? Where do you play? Handicap?

JL: My father taught me to play. When I was learning, he would give me one ball, and he’d look down at me and say, “Son, if you lose this ball, your day is over.” My home course is now Scituate Country Club, but I played at Widow’s Walk before that. My current handicap is 14, and my best was a nine.

NEGM: Name some courses you enjoy near home and elsewhere?

JL: Oh, there are so many good ones close by: Old Sandwich, Hatherly, Black Rock, Hyannisport, Eastward Ho! and Wianno. Aviara in San Diego, Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, Del Mar. We-Ko-Pa and The Boulders in Scottsdale. Kingsbarns and Jubilee in St. Andrews, Scotland.

NEGM: Who would be in your Dream Foursome of today? Of any time? JL: Bill Murray, Bill Clinton, and Tiger Woods. Tom Morris, Sr., Francis Ouimet, and my dad.

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TINKERS NEST

Fairway Woods & Hybrids for Your Game By ED TRAVIS

In the past few years manufacturers have made a lot of improvements to fairway woods and hybrids, taking a page from the book on advancements in materials and technology used in drivers.

The newest fairway woods (I still can’t get used to calling them “fairway metals”) hit the ball further with more accuracy and come with an added bonus—they are easier to hit. The biggest change has to do with spin because lowering the spin, just as with a driver adds yards. Faces have more flexibility at impact without making them a lot larger and with the somewhat longer shafts most have, 3-woods in particular are more often being hit from the tee. Pros and amateurs alike use them for tee shots requiring accuracy or precise positioning to set up the next shot. Players are also finding the current crop of fairway woods offer another advantage because of all the technology built into them, of being able to use higher lofts than previously making them easier to get in the air without sacrificing distance. Regarding hybrids, it’s no longer a question

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of “are you carrying one,” but “how many are in your bag?” They have chased long irons out of the game making 1-, 2-, 3- and even 4-irons rarities for weekend players. Hybrids have the characteristics of both irons and woods and are great off the tee on tight par-4s and long par-3s especially if you need the ball to fly high and land softly. Many good players use a hybrid when just off the green, sort of an extra-long putter, taking advantage of the much greater loft than a putter to get the ball through the fringe and rolling toward the pin. Hybrids though, really show their stuff used for their original purpose… getting the ball out of those lies resulting from a less than perfect previous shot. Compared with older models, modern hybrids have thinner faces for more rebound at impact, more resistance to twisting and better weight distribution.

TINKERS NEST

Adams Golf

The Tight Lies brand from Adams with a long run as a favorite of players at every level, this year has a new Hybrid and Titanium Fairway Wood. The Tight Lies Hybrid ($180) has the unique low profile upside down shape of previous models for a lower CG and higher launch plus the sole slot, Adams pioneered. The new Titanium Fairway Wood ($250) has a face and crown of titanium and a stainless steel sole for a very low CG. It also has the sole slot of the Hybrid and both have a “Ghost Slot” in the crown that gives the Titanium Fairway a COR that bumps against the limit set by the USGA.

Bridgestone Golf

Best known for their golf balls Bridgestone has updated their club line with the J15F Fairway Woods ($199) and J15HY Hybrids ($189). Both have a variable thickness crown and a thin stainless steel face with a reshaped sole profile. They also share an adjustable weight system in the sole to dial in trajectory and spin for distance and accuracy. Add to all this a reduced profile in the heel and the J15F and J15HY are very playable clubs.

Callaway Golf

Though Callaway has added a couple of new club lines this year we like the Big Bertha Alpha 815 Fairway Woods ($300) and Hybrids ($250). The Fairway Woods have a forged cup face and two adjustable weights (3 gram and 30 gram) giving them low spin on tee shots combined with forgiveness. The Hybrids also have a forged cup face in a compact clubhead with weighting to give a low and forward CG. Both have Callaway’s OptiFit hosel for eight loft and lie angle settings.

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TINKERS NEST

Cleveland Golf

The CG Black Fairway Woods ($200) are built to increase launch angle and carry for slower swinging players and make an effective substitute for irons with up to 23 degrees of loft available. Also and to get better distance, they have a face thickness profile that helps on off center hits. Companion to the fairway woods are the CG Black Hybrids ($170) with the same variable face thickness plus a low center of gravity that has been moved closer to the club face to launch the ball higher with lower spin.

Cobra Golf

Cobra has moved away from the BioCell name to the Fly-Z line and of particular note are the Fly-Z XL Fairways and Hybrids. Made specifically for players needing game improvement characteristics in their clubs the Fairways ($200) have a channel around the perimeter of the face minimizing face thickness for better ball speeds. The Fly-Z XL Hybrids share the same design and as the Fairways and have a slight offset to help provide more solid contact. Street price is $170.

Mizuno Golf

JPX-850 Fairway Woods ($250) have a thin maraging steel face Mizuno says has the maximum allowable COR as set by the USGA aided by their “Shock Wave Sole” that flexes on contact. Player personalization is provided by the four degree loft adjustable hosel. The JPX-850 Hybrids ($200) have a head shape designed in consultation with Mizuno’s staff touring professionals and share the sole design with the Fairway Woods that allows for improved energy transfer. The package is completed with a lower center of gravity compared to previous models for more effective launch from difficult lies.

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TINKERS NEST

Nike Golf

The Vapor Flex Hybrids ($230) from Nike use their FlyBeam internal structure with a sole channel plus the hollow cavity back and flexible face provide better forgiveness and distance. The hosel with 15 settings gives lots of options to adjust launch conditions, loft and lie. Vapor Flex Fairway Woods ($250) are constructed in a similar manner and launch trajectory is helped by the low placement of the center of gravity that also produces a low spin flight.

PING

With the success of the G30 driver played by the popular Bubba Watson the hybrids and fairway woods in the line have also gotten a lot of attention. G30 Hybrids ($220) have a thinner and stronger stainless steel face than the previous G25 models which means more face deflection at impact and added distance. The confidence inspiring look at address is back by internal weights plus a higher resistance to twisting. G30 Fairway Woods ($250) also have a high strength face but the big news is they also have “Turbulators,” raised sections in the crown, to lower aerodynamic drag on the downswing for more clubhead speed. The adjustable hosel (five loft settings) is the same mass and diameter as the fixed hosels on other PING models meaning there’s no compromise in the G30 Fairway Wood’s performance.

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TINKERS NEST

TaylorMade Golf

TMaG has new fairway woods and Rescues complementing the R15 driver with R15 FW woods ($250) having a sliding sole weight whose track acts as a sole channel plus there’s a four degree adjustable loft sleeve. R15 Rescues (being an early maker of hybrids, TMaG’s Rescue name is virtually a generic for hybrid) have a new Tour-inspired “peanut-shape” clubhead for better playability, a loft sleeve with three degrees of adjustment and a Speed Pocket in the sole. Street price is $200. Rounding out TaylorMade’s stable are the AeroBurner fairway woods and Rescues. Both have the Speed Pocket which materially lowers spin and increases ball speed just as in the R15 and AeroBurner drivers. Having evolved since first used in the original RocketBallz fairway wood models, in the AeroBurner Fairway Woods ($200) the Speed Pocket combined with the TaylorMade through-slot so driver-like launch conditions are produced. The face of the AeroBurner Rescue has been made shallower to help get the ball from difficult lies and the center of gravity is low and forward for more ball speed. AeroBurner Rescues ($180), just like the complimenting Fairway Woods, have a much larger sole Speed Pocket and the same white crown and black contrasting face.

Tour Edge Golf

Tour Edge pretty much made its reputation for its fairway woods and hybrids and has several very nice offerings this season but the line that particularly attracted us was the Exotics E8. Compared to last year’s E7 the E8 hybrid ($150) has an even thinner cup face and the center of gravity is lower and closer to the face which helps launch trajectory. The sole has the company’s “Power Grid” rather than a sole channel and there is a screw-in 9-gram weight with a kit containing 6-gram, 11-gram and 14-gram weights an additional $49.99. The E8 fairway woods come in two versions, standard ($200) and Beta ($250). Both share the cup face design, weight adjustability and Power Grid of the hybrid plus the adjustable sole weight using the same kit weights. The Beta model has a smaller clubhead but with a deeper clubface and the cup face is combo-brazed beta titanium rather than steel. Combined with the center of gravity being close to the face these features produce a penetrating ball flight and low spin desired by higher swing speed players.

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TINKERS NEST

Wilson Staff

D200 Fairway Woods ($200) have a maraging steel face insert combined with a new shape that added size to the clubface size towards the heel and toe giving improvement in ball flight on off center impacts. The sole has a nice rounding and they are super light promoting faster swing speed with a 49gram shaft and 25-gram grip standard. The D200 Hybrids ($170) also have the maraging steel face, that according to Wilson, is not only very thin but hot with a high Characteristic Time (meaning more flex) for increased ball speeds. The Hybrids also have a lightweight shaft—the 54-gram USY Mamiya Elements Chrome--and the same 25-gram grip.

Yonex Golf

Yonex Z-FORCE Fairway Woods and Hybrids have a stainless steel face and body with what Yonex calls an “OCTAFORCE Crown” made with octagon shaped internal depressions on the crown. This reduces the fairway wood’s crown weight by 6 per cent and hybrid crown weight by 10 percent or 2-grams which moves the center of gravity lower and deeper. Being very thin, the crown flexes at impact providing faster ball speeds. The Z-FORCE fairway wood’s head appears larger than previous models as does the clubhead of the hybrids resulting in a confidence inspiring look at address combined with the two-tone contrast and crown graphics.

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Big Sticks ½ | Broken Tee ½

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BY ELISA GAUDET

Growth Through Innovation In Golf

It has become clear by the turnaround success stories that being unique distinguishes your club from other clubs and has been formula for growth. Because of economic and demographic shifts many clubs discovered they needed to truly understand their potential members by evaluating the demographic in relation to the physical geography of the club. As well many have found success once they were able to find their own distinct voice and style. Sometimes this is through membership alternatives, or amenities like swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness studios and sometimes-family friendly options including childcare. The Bay Club, an Audubon Sanctuary, is set on 625-acre forested land set on the South Coast of Massachusetts offers members an extraordinary Brad Faxon championship golf course and a multitude of sports and activities for every season. Intending to be a private club owned by developers at the time with a housing real estate play, however unfortunately in 2006 the developer was unable to make it work with the real estate slow down. The bank was ready to foreclose and the members formed an LLC and board and started dealing with the bank directly to buy out the club. Overtime they weathered the economic downturn and turned the club around by

creating varying membership programs. Overall they have had a 15% increase in membership. A great reason for their success is that the Bay Club is defined by its members and cared for by top professionals. bayclubmatt.com Alpine was founded in 1962 and is a private club set on 210 acres of land in western Cranston, Rhode Island. Troon Privé came on May of 2014 as Alpine was struggling to gain new members and because of a lack of differentiation in the market place. Troon along with the board suggested a $750,000 investment into renovations of their facility including upgrading the dining rooms, locker rooms and pool area as well as a new pub and state of the art sports entertainment center. In addition to the physical changes the club is now managed by Troon Prive᷄ giving the members access to other Troon courses worldwide. The Alpine Country Club was founded on values which were stated on the first sign you see at the entrance of the Club, ‘the peak of enjoyment for the entire family”. This has become even more relevant as people are starting families later in life and looking for social outlets. With over 350 family memberships they are enjoying healthy growth. Since March 2015 they have had 60 new families join www. alpinecc.com

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Where will your next golf vacation be?

Ireland or Scotland We Have Them Both Covered!

Looking ahead to 2016? Or still looking for ideas for 2015? Some availability remains at the top courses e.g. St Andrews. Contact us and let our experts plan your trip of a lifetime For more information on our tours and to make an enquiry:

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We look forward to hearing from you at Golf Vacations Ireland and Scotland!

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Golfit 360 ½ A Program for Every Budget and Skill Level with Sessions as low as $30. Jane’s philosophy of coaching is to honor the uniqueness of each individual who stands before her. Each student brings with them a wealth of talent that simply needs to be uncovered and clearly defined. There’s certainly not just one way for all golfers to swing the golf club. After all, we are all built differently and possess our own attributes that will bring about our own success. -Aim Point Express - fewer 3 putt greens -1 Hour Tune Ups- weekly topics include “For Slicers and Hookers Only” -Club Fitting- Titleist, Callaway, Mizuno, Taylor Made, Edel Putters/Wedges -Half Day Short Game and Full Swing Schools- includes a round of golf at Sandwich Hollows GC -Pee Wee Programs ages 2-5- innovative program designed specifically for young children -State of the Art Indoor Studio- year round instruction now available -Private Lessons with Jane Frost or Bob Quirk- Award winning instruction and coaching. -New Golfer 101- get started right in the game of a lifetime

Jane Frost Golf Performance Center is located at Sandwich Hollows Golf Course, E. Sandwich, MA Visit www.janefrostgolf.com or call (508) 367-4030 for more information @janefrostgolf Jane Frost Golf Performance Center

FREE Cleveland Wedge

Cleveland Scoring Clinic on August 13th – Includes a FREE Wedge - $175 The Scoring Clinic takes a unique approach to improving scores, combining valuable wedge education with short game instruction by a certified teaching professional. You will learn the basics of wedge fitting and how to properly select the right wedges for your game. Once you better understand how the equipment works, you will know to use each club more effectively. It’s a recipe for short game success we’ve seen work time and again, for every type of player.We also hold our short game school every Thursday from 5:30-7:30 with a 4:1 student teach ratio for $100 per golfer.

To register visit www.MikeHarbourGolf.com or call 401-219-0139.

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Golfit 360 ½

GROW THE GAME OF GOLF WITH JEFF DANTAS Jeff’s unique style of teaching has allowed him to become one of the most successful teachers in the New England area, From Beginners to national tournament qualifiers he has a Method and Training Tool that will help you improve INSTANTLY. - Happy Hour Lessons | Monday – Thursday | 10am -4pm - $40.00 - Fit it Fridays | ½ hour lesson w/ large basket of balls - $25.00 - Grow the Game Jr Clinics | Saturday | 10am – 2pm - $20.00 - Ladies Clinics | Wednesday | 5:30pm – 6:30pm - $125.00 ( 4 week program) - ALL CLINICS ARE MAX 4:1 RATIO

Contact Jeff Dantas at (774) 365-0409 326 Market St. Warren, RI 02885 | www.jeffdantasgolf.com @positionsticks

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Precision Golf Works ½

Full Service Club Repair in RI & Southeastern MA Since opening our doors 16 years ago, we’ve been providing golf professionals, players and golf enthusiasts with full-service golf club repairs.Whether you’re in need of re-gripping, re-shafting, lie/loft adjustment or a custom fitting we provide the personal service customized to fit your specific playing style and technique. We also have an extensive inventory of pre-owned golf equipment and specialize in custom component sets as well.We are open Monday through Friday from 10am-4:30pm.

Precision Golf Works, 651 Cottage St. Pawtucket, RI 02861 (401) 723-9998|www.Precisiongolfworks.com Precision Golf Works

Precision Golf Works

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TEAM NEW ENGLAND | BY STEVE RIGGS

Team New England’s Top Tour Player’s Progress July 2015 With just weeks left before the FedEx Cup Playoffs get underway, the PGA, Champions, LPGA, Web.Com and LPGA Symetra tour seasons are beginning to wind down. We thought it interesting to do a little reality check comparison between our Team New England player’s earnings between 2014 and the same period this year.

Top TNE Players for July Rob Oppenheim, (MA) won the Air Capital Classic on the Web.Com Tour in June. His current earnings of $148,667 so far in 2015 have eclipsed his 2014 number by over $85,000. Rob’s scoring average is 69.84. He’s made 12 cuts in 16 starts this year. In 20th position, Rob is in good position to earn that PGA Tour card he has been working toward since 2010. Jon Curran, (MA) in his rookie year on the PGA Tour finds himself, (at this writing), 77th on the money list with earnings of $1,026,147. Jon has one 2nd

PGA TOUR Keegan Bradley, (VT) has made 16 cuts in 19 starts with a scoring average of 70.038 and earnings to date of $1,333,248. Keegan but he is over a million dollars behind his 2014 earnings for the same period. His flat sick and sand game continue to be problems.

and 5 top ten finishes making 12 cuts in 23 starts including his CVS Health Charity Classic victory with TNE good friend Keegan Bradley. With a scoring average of 70.68 Curran has eclipsed his 2014 earnings by $799,170 in his rookie year. Billy Andrade, (RI) is in his second year on the Champions Tour and is currently ranked 7th in the Charles Schawb Cup race and 8th on the money list with earnings of $682,900. Billy won the Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge with partner Joe Durant in April. His improved scoring average, 70.77, has almost doubled his earnings since last yearl. banned substance. Stallings said it had been recommended by his physician. Word came down recently and Scott has accepted a suspension until October 15th. J.J. Henry, (CT) has a scoring average of 71.246 and has made 12 cuts in 23 starts with earnings of $411,830. That is off over $80k from last year. Henry has been struggling after having to play his way back onto the PGA TOUR via Q School after finishing outside the top 125 in 2014.

Scott Stallings, (MA) has earnings of $919,619, off by $379k. He had a rules violation in February for taking a supplement that contained a

European PGA Tour Peter Uihlein, (MA) while somewhat improved over last year, continues to struggle this season on the European Tour. A scor-

LPGA AND Symetra Tour Players Alison Walshe, (MA) is having a better year, earning wise, on the LPGA TOUR. An improved scoring average of 72.56, Alison has made 7 cuts in 15 starts earning $107,500 with one top 10 finish. That’s up almost 64 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | August 2015

ing average of 71.04 may be slightly improved over 2014, but the balance of Peter’s stats have soured this season over last. Uihlein’s earnings are $325,121 with two top 10 finishes. H is currently ranked 63rd in the Race to Dubai. $31k over 2014. Brittany Altomare, (VT) is in her third year on the LPGA Symetra Tour with one top 10 finish in three events. Her scoring average up from 2014 is 72.342 and her earnings are down over $10k to $16,177.

TEAM NEW ENGLAND | BY STEVE RIGGS

TNE Top Junior Players for July 2015 It has been a very busy month for our junior players including the four Team New England Junior players profiled below. In researching this piece, I realized just how far junior golf has come considering players from 15 to 17 years are posting tournament scores in the 60’s. All our very talented junior players deserve our attention because some will be on a professional tour before we know it. donesian junior drained a 15 footer on the first hole of sudden death for the win. O’Leary, the youngster from Indonesian and a Columbian player finished the 54 hole event tied at E/216.

Jason Short, (2015), Marlborough, MA won the Challenge Cup’s World Series of Junior Golf in July by an amazing 5 shots. Short finished the 36 hole event -13/131 posting. Contested at Triggs Memorial Golf Course in Providence, Jason posted scores of 65 and 66. The 16-18 boys division was comprised of 110 players from New England and beyond in the annual pre-4th of July junior event. Earlier this year Short signed a letter of intent to play his college golf at the University of Rhode Island. Jason was a quarterfinalist in last year’s Mass Amateur, surprising everyone with his improved quality of play.

Andrew O’Leary, (2018), Norfolk, MA won the Challenge Cup’s Junior Match Play Championship earlier this year defeating Michael VanDerlaan of CT 4-2 in the boys 15-18 division. O’Leary qualified for and played in the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship last month at PGA National. Andrew T-2nd in the Boys 14-15 Division after an In-

Dillon Brown, (2018), Halifax, MA took the 14-15 year old division title in the Challenge Cup’s World Series of Junior Golf. Deadlocked with two other players +4/148, it took Brown two extra holes to put away his opponents for his first Challenge Cup win. In addition to his Challenge Cup win, he finished 7th in the NEPGA Junior Championship, 8th at the Mass Big I Junior Championship then flew to Palm Beach Gardens Florida and PGA National for the Optimist International Junior Championships. The Silver Lake Regional high school student finished T-29th overall and 15th among American junior players in the Boys 14-15 division, a 132 player field. The Optimist International event draws 650 junior golfers from 30 countries around the world who have qualified to compete in the championships.

Megan Khang, (2015), Rockland, MA, continues to win junior tournaments as she competing in her record-tying seventh U.S. Girls’ Junior tournament. Khang added her name to the USGA record books again, carding a twoday, 8-under par 132 to earn medalist honors at the 2015 USGA championship at Tulsa Country Club. Her 132 total ties for the third-lowest 36-hole score in U.S. Girls’ Junior history. Megan also earned low-amateur honors at the U.S. Women’s Open earlier in July.

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NEW ENGLAND TOUR STOPS

Professional Tour Makes Debut in Brockton Mass. by Jim Hammond

If you are a golf fan and wanted to see the professionals play in the Bay State you had to attend the Deutsche Bank Championship at the Boston TPC course in Norton, Mass. But a new group of touring pros will be in our area and will be playing at one of the oldest and most respected courses in the good old U.S.A.

The Symetra Tour is the developmental tour for the L P G A.This tour is the world’s largest international tour that gives some of the best women golfers the opportunities to compete against their peers and fine tune their skills. The top 10 money winners each season on the Symetra qualify to play on the LPGA Tour. The tournament is called the WB Mason Championship and will be held at the Thorny Lea Golf Club in Brockton, Mass.Thorny Lea was established 115 years ago, making it one of the oldest Golf Clubs in America.This prestigious course has had a very distinguished membership including Reebok founder Paul Fireman and legendary golf writer Herbert Warren Wind. The Symetra event will be held from August 14-16 with 144 top pro golfers shooting for the $16,500.00 top prize. This is a very special tournament because it has been 22 years since the Symetra Tour made a stop in Massachusetts. Some of the best LPGAplayers like Mo Martin and Inbee Parkhoned their games on the

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Symetra Tour. W.B. Mason, J. Derenzo Companies and Granite City Electric are just a few of the local sponsors making this event possible.This historical return of professional golf was primarilythe idea of two people. Marketing director Robby Thompson and Tom Gadles, a member of the club for over 50 years wanted professional golf come back to this area. They realized that because the course is only 6, 500 yards at the tips it was too short for boomers like Bubba Watson and his cohorts. But representatives from the LPGA accepted Robby’s invitation to Thorny Lea and decided the course would be a perfect venue for the women’s tour. So don’t miss this opportunity to stroll the fairways of this spectacular course and see the future stars of the LPGA Tour. Visit the Thorny Lea website for information about volunteering at the tournament. More information can be found at the Symetra Tour site.

NEW ENGLAND TOUR STOPS

Local Team Learns Much & Thinks Big at U.S. Senior Open Championship at Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento The Marquee USGA Championship Comes to Salem CC in 2017

As Eddie Carbone made his way around Del Paso Country Club and watched the 2015 U.S. Senior Open Championship he could not help but think two years ahead when the world’s top senior players would be coming home… to his home, that is. After all, Carbone is championship director of the 2017 U.S. Senior Open Championship, which will be held at Salem Country Club on June 29 to July 2, 2017. It marks the second time that the Peabody course will host this prestigious USGA Championship Proper. Fourteen years ago, Bruce Fleisher defeated Gil Morgan and Isao Aoki by one stroke to win the 2001 U.S. Senior Open. This time around, Carbone will be joined by his team from Bruno Event Team – an Alabamabased sports marketing and event management company. He will be working alongside a stellar team led by Sean Sovacool, who is President of Golf for Bruno Event Team. Back in 2001, it was Sovacool, then with Golden Bear Enterprises, who oversaw the running of the 2001 U.S. Senior Open in Salem. “The U.S. Senior Open is a huge event, as it was in 2001 when Salem Country Club last hosted,” said Carbone, who - for the past 10 years - served as the championship director of the PGA Tour tournament at the Doral Resort in Doral, Fla. “Being two years out, it was a super learning experience for all of at Salem Country

Club to see the USGA, the Bruno Event Team, the Championship Committee from Del Paso CC work in concert to conduct this major championship.” It will be a sweet homecoming for Carbone. He was born and raised in the Bay State, played Salem Country Club many times as a youth and was also the longtime Executive Director of the New England PGA before he joined the PGA Tour to manage the tournament at Doral. The impressive “team” includes Carbone and Sovacool as well as the following representatives from Salem Country Club and Bruno Event Team - Mike Tripoli, Bob Wight, Greg Cincotta, Andrea Bruno, Bill Sheehan, John Fallon, Steve Velonis and Steve Freyer. “Our primary focus now is to identify corporate and community partners who will help deliver a world class, impactful championship for the region,” said Carbone. “We also see this as a destination event for corporations to entertain guests from across the country.” On average, U.S. Senior Open ticket purchasers are from 47 of 50 states in the United States. More than 140,000 fans attended the U.S. Senior Open at Salem CC in 2001. In addition, more than 2500 volunteers will be needed to assist in the operations of this championship.For More information go to: 2017ussenioropen.com or contact Ed Carbone at ecarbone@brunoeventteam.com

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AROUND THE GAME Nick McLaughlin Captures 2015 New England Amateur Championship Title and 107th Mass Amateur Championship Newbury, NH –One year ago, Nick McLaughlin (Far Corner GC – MA) drove home from the New England Amateur Championship in pain and wondered what his playing future would hold. On Thursday, he was enjoying a moment that he never thought would become a reality. The 21 year old captured the Harry B. McCracken, Jr. Trophy at Baker Hill Golf Club by finishing with a winning score of 7-under par 281. As a result of his victory, McLaughlin becomes only the fourth golfer in Massachu-

setts’s history to win both the Massachusetts Amateur Championship and the New England Amateur Championship in the same year. McLaughlin won the 2015 Hornblower Memorial Tournament at Plymouth Country Club earlier this year. It marks his third career MGA Championship title as he won the Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship in 2009 and 2011. He becomes the 74th individual to win The Massachusetts Cup.

Norton’s Louis Dion III to Attend The First Tee Life Skills & Leadership Academy; 1 of 96 Selected to Attend Annual Event Held in Blaine (MN) Norton, MA – Louis Dion III from The First Tee of Massachusetts has recently been selected to attend The First Tee Life Skills & Leadership Academy to be held in Blaine, Minnesota on July 22-28. Dion is one of 96 participants selected nationally from The First Tee chapters across the country to attend the Academy. Each summer, selected participants of The First Tee attend the Life Skills and Leadership Academy, where they play championship golf, participate

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in life skills activities and career exploration, experience dorm living and meet a wide variety of young people from around the world. The overall purpose of the Academy is to provide participants with valuable character education and leadership instruction Dion will be entering his senior year at Norton High School in the fall of 2015. In addition to being a member of the golf team, he is also a member of the National Honor Society in English, Math and Spanish.

AROUND THE GAME George Wright GC & William J. Devine GC at Franklin Park To Make History – Will Become First Truly Public Golf Facilities to Host Massachusetts Amateur Championship in 2018

William J. Devine GC Also Named New Program Affiliate in 2015 for The First Tee of Massachusetts DORCHESTER, MA – In an unprecedented agreement between the Massachusetts Golf Association (MGA) and City of Boston, George Wright Golf Course and William J. Devine Golf Course at

Franklin Park have been selected to host the 2018 Massachusetts Amateur Championship. Separately, William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park also has been named a new program affiliate in the summer of 2015 for The First Tee of Massachusetts. George Wright Golf Course, a Donald Ross-designed, public golf course in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston, opened in 1938 after receiving funding to complete the construction from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA). William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park was established October 26, 1896 and is the nation’s second oldest public golf course to Van Cortland Park in New York City.

John Hayes Wins 96th Maine Amateur Championship At Waterville John Hayes IV, a former Maine Junior and Match Play champion, garnered the state’s most coveted amateur golf prize, winning the 96th Maine Amateur Championship by a resounding five shots, finishing with a nine-under-par 201. His 67 was the lowest score of the final round. Ricky Jones, playing in the groups second to last group, tied Andrew Slattery as the second low scores of the day at 68. Jones’ finish gave him the third place finish at 211. Sam Grindle, who joined Plummer and Hayes in the final group, finished alone in fourth at 212.

August 2015 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 69

AROUND THE GAME Marc Chandonnet, Jimmy Hervol & Chelso Barrett Advance at the 2015 U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifier Held at Vesper Country Club Norton, MA The third-year head golf coach at Seattle University made the trek to Tyngsboro on Monday and fired a medalist score of 8-under par 136 to earn his ticket to the 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship. This year’s USGA Championship Proper will be held on August 17-23 at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, He finished two and three strokes ahead - respectively - of the other two qualifiers, New Englander’s - Jimmy Hervol (Hopkinton, Mass)

and Chelso Barrett (Surrey, N.H.). Hervol, 17, will soon be looking towards his collegiate career. Barrett, meanwhile, is no stranger to USGA Championships as this will mark his fourth U.S. Amateur Championship appearance in five years (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015). In addition, he has competed at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship (2010, 2012, 2013) and the U.S. Junior Amateur (2010, 2011).

Andrew Sciarretta Wins 74th CT Junior Amateur Title Andrew Sciarretta of Brooklawn Country Club birdied three of the final four holes in the final match and was able to overcome an early deficit to defeat Connor O’Brien of Oak Hills Park Golf Course to capture the 74th Connecticut Junior Amateur title. The state most prestigious junior championship was conducted July 6th - 9th on the par-71, 6,423 yard course at Watertown Golf Club in Watertown, Connecticut.

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Sciarretta, a rising senior at Fairfield Prep, entered the finals of the Connecticut Junior seeking to capture his first CSGA major championship, having advanced to the quarterfinals last year before losing to Nathaniel Dong. At seventeen years of age, this would mark his third and final chance at capturing the Junior Amateur trophy, and he faced a challenging opponent in O’Brien who won the Junior Amateur in 2013.

AROUND THE GAME South Hadley’s Adam Rainaud makes late charge, qualifies for PGA Championship Adam Rainaud of South Hadley posted a top 10 finish at the PGA Professional National Championship, an effort more than enough to qualify him for the upcoming 97th PGA Championship. Rainaud punched his ticket by virtue of a Top 20 finish at this week’s PGA Professional National Championship in Philadelphia. “Obviously, this is bigger than probably any win I might have this season,’’ Rainaud said. “I’d rather finish 10th and qualify for the PGA

Championship, than win just about anything else I’ll play. “It’s by far my best (10th place finish). I’m pretty pumped.’’ The assistant pro at Black Hall Club in Old Lyme, Conn., tied for 10th place after firing a finalround of 2-under-par 68 Wednesday at Philadelphia Cricket Club. The 2-over-par 284 finish qualified Rainaud for the season’s final major championship, set for Whistling Straits in Kohler, WI, on Aug. 13-16.

Evan Grenus Wins 113th Connecticut Amateur Evan Grenus of TPC River Highlands put on a spectacular display of golf en-route to capturing the 113th Connecticut Amateur Championship, defeating Greg Reily of CC of Darien, 5 and 4. The state’s most prestigious amateur championship was conducted June 15th - 19th at Black Hall Club in Old Lyme, Conn. Grenus, a rising sophomore at Wofford College, entered the finals of the Connecticut Amateur hoping to capture his second CSGA major championship in as many years, having won the Connecticut Junior Amateur last year. At just eighteen years of age, Grenus played a

“golf marathon” of sorts, needing 10 extra holes to win his first three matches

August 2015 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 71

AROUND THE GAME Connor Greenleaf Wins New Hampshire Amateur Championship Bretton Woods, NH â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Connor Greenleaf (Windham CC) and Joe Leavitt (Atkinson Resort & CC) needed all thirty-six holes before Greenleaf won the 2015 New Hampshire Amateur title. The pair of collegians were the co-medalists during stroke play the first two days, and earned the top two seeds in match play. The match went to the 36th hole with Greenleaf 1 up. After both players knocked their second shots onto the green Greenleaf lagged a putt up to 4-feet. Leavitt just missed a birdie putt and Greenleaf sunk the par putt to clinch the tournament.

Kevin Silva Wins 110th Rhode Island Amateur EAST PROVIDENCE _ Metacomet CC -Kevin Silva left no doubt on Friday that he was the best player in the 110th RIGA Amateur Championship. The 31-year-old former pro who lives in New Bedford and plays out of Montaup, went on from there to a 6-and-5 triumph. He was 4-under for the 31 holes. Silva piled up numerous honors in high school and college and then played seven years as a professional prior to regaining his amateur status.

Alex Rainville Wins Vermont State Amateur At Champlain CC SWANTON, Vt. -After a dramatic final 36 holes, a curling 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole gave Alex Rainville his first Vermont State Amateur golf championship at Champlain Country Club over Troy Eveans. Rainville would stay tied to the 18th. On the par-4 18th, both players were on the green in two facing birdie tries. Rainville would sink a curving 12-footer for birdie to put the pressure back on Evans again. Troy lined up his ten-foot birdie try to tie and force a playoff. The line and speed were good, but it just slid past the hole, giving Rainville his first Vermont State Amateur title at even par.

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August 2015 Vol 8 | Issue 6

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Reach Over 700,000 New England Golfers Monthly

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GORMAN VS GEARY

joint on-camera. See for yourself, the immediate improvement in your backswing and follow-through, resulting from a few quick hits of marijuana during your lesson. Same thing on the putting green. A few puffs and suddenly watch those putts dropping. Call the show “Toke & Stroke.” Hey golf aficionados, let’s not kid ourselves, if there’s a drug at the local CVS that we could take on the first tee before every big round, and it guarantees only one double-bogey per round, then we take it. If there are pills for sale on the shelf at Walmart that guarantee two birdies every 18 holes, I am all-in. I have no fricking problem at all improving my game by drugs, and not by lessons, and I am not alone! There are so many rules in golf that when The next time the PGA Tour stops in Coloyou think about it, the powers-that-be might rado, I would love to see Rory McIlroy and someday like to regulate America’s true faDustin Johnson firing up a doobie on the pracvorite past times - sex, drugs and rock-and-roll. tice tee before hitting a 300-yard drive. It’ll The sport is ruled by control freaks. The snotty put new meaning on the term high trajectory. empty-suits at the Royal & Ancient and the Someday could we see marijuana sponsors on USGA are taking our right away to the PGA Tour? Think many viewers use the long putter. What’s would tune in to watch the next? Ban all ball retrievers E-Z Wider California Weed with scoop expansion Classic?How about the over four feet? WTF? Dark-and-Stormy Dope What’s really odd Championship featurabout golf is a bullshit ing Bubba Watson and exhibition every two years Ricker Fowler in a smokeby Tom Gorman called the Ryder Cup. For till-you-drop sudden death one week the PGA of America playoff? Play a hole, smoke a joint, owns the 12 best players in the United States until one player eventually passes out! treating millionaires as puppets telling them So in 2009 the always politically-correct PGA what to wear, when to eat, where to go, what Tour started random drug testing its players to to say, when to sleep, when to play, and, who determine if drugs enhanced performance. to play. Incredibly, since the PGA throws the US And guess what? Steve Stricker summed it flag over the trophy so it can profit millions, they up nicely, “There are no drugs available by don’t have to pay the players. What a scam! prescription or illegal that will help any of us Makes me wonder during Ryder Cup week, beat Tiger Woods.” In March on Sirius radio does the PGA also tell the players when to John Daly called the PGA Tour drug testing have sex, how often, where and with whom. program “a big joke.” He claims the program Maybe that’s the problem why the US team is not random and players know in advance has lost 7 of the last 9 matches. Not enough when they are going to be tested. He said The sex, drugs and rock-and-roll during Ryder Cup Tour likes to test the guys who they know are week. always clean more frequently, since it makes The debate this month centers on drugs the testing program look credible. & game improvement, something we never So until a legal drug is marketed that imconsider partners, but should. Isn’t it time the proves golf performance, and the going gets Golf Channel produce a reality show on how rough before, during and after a round, the drugs can improve your game? All they have unanimous choice and rallying cry of golfers to do is find a decent golf course in Washingin distress still is “more beer please.” ton (not Chambers Bay) or Colorado, where Tom Gorman, recalls listening to a favorite marijuana is legal. Video tape a golf instructor song from the 70s rock band The Tubes called giving a lesson, then fire up an Acapulco-gold “White Punks on Dope.”

Does the PGA Tour have a fair and equitable drug testing policy?

76 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | August April 2015 2015

GORMAN VS GEARY

One of the sad realities of sports in the modern age is drug usage, not necessarily to heal the body as intended, but rather to give athletes an artificial competitive advantage. Most of the major professional and college sports require regular drug testing and nobody has a more stringent policy of testing and punishing offenders than the International Olympic Committee. It would only be logical that the PGA Tour also have a drug testing the tour. policy in place, although very few people That golf is becoming an Olympic Sport seem to know or care that its there. shortly has really changed the face of the Our question this month revolves around the game regarding testing. PGA Tour’s drug testing policy. According to an article in “Golfweek Is it creditable and fair? The answers are yes Magazine”,the International Golf Federation’s and yes. Creditable because there is a policy Anti-Doping Policy will take effect 0n May 6, in place that affects allthose of participate in 2016, for 13 weeks as part of the qualification PGA Tour events and fair for the same reason. process for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Now, is it effective? Ah, there’s the real Both male and female golfers will be subquestion. Are violators all treated ject to testing that strictly follows the equally in terms of punishWorld Anti-Doping Agency’s ment or are the stars list of prohibited substances given special treatand testing procedures. ment while the orThe tour already tests dinary players get weekly for most of the hammered? same banned substances We don’t know beon WADA’s list. by Tom Gorman cause unlike other proThe PGA Tour began its testing fessional sports, golf does not in 2008, where players are required to publicize any suspensions or fines. provide a urine sample for testing. When Dustin Johnson took a six month hiatus Many players are looking forward to playing from the game last year the official word was in the Olympics, but it’ll be interesting to see that it was for personal reasons, but the rumor how many mysteriously back out? mill strongly suggested that the tour suspended One key difference between PGA Tour and Johnson for testing positively for excessive and IGF testing is the reporting requirement. With regular cocaine usage. the IGF, any violation will result in a public outNone of that was ever confirmed. ing of the violators, the substance abused and One of the biggest differences between the length of the punishment. pro golfers and those in team sports is that the There is no way those sponsors, who support golfers are independent contractors, so from a professional golfers, will want their brands assolegal standpoint it becomes very tricky for the ciated with drug offenders. tour to disclose private information. The PGA Tour still does not conduct blood The fact that the PGA Tour does have a testing, but that won’t be the case for those policy for testing in place is a testimony to the who want to participate in the Olympics integrity of the players themselves. They had and it is generally agreed that blood testing to agree to it and they have. They just don’t is coming to professional golf and probably want it to occur during a tournament, where sooner than later. a needle in the wrong place (blood testing) Right now the testing policy is rather loose, can affect their swing. Right now that’s down but it is their policy. the road, but it appears to be coming. In fact Tim Geary is a R.I. based freelance writer. He it will be here and soon, but not necessarily for takes plenty of drugs, but none seem to

Does the PGA Tour have a fair and equitable drug testing policy?

August April 2015 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 77

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