Great
Golf
Ocean City, Maryland
At OceanCityGolf.com, you can plan and book your next golf getaway to Ocean City, Maryland 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With 17 championship courses designed by the legends of the game, great golf is just the beginning. Add miles of beach and boardwalk, exciting nightlife and excellent dining, Ocean City, MD is the ultimate golf getaway. Book your golf trip today by visiting OceanCityGolf.com or call (800) 4-OC-GOLF.
2 Nights, 3 Rounds Starting: Spring / Fa Weekdays ll $ Weekend 148 s $175
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GAME ON.
There is golf, and there is golf at a higher level. Where courses both exceptionally beautiful and incredibly challenging beg to be experienced. As it happens, the opportunity to do that is right in front of you. Beautiful. Deadly. Irresistible. Are you ready for Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail?
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*Offer valid March 22 – May 24, 2016. Specials cannot be combined with other discounts and must be paid in full and booked with Reservations at least 48 hours prior to play. Specials do not include play at Lakewood Golf Club. Specials do not include tax or lodging. Not valid with previously booked packages. There is a $10 surcharge for each round on the Judge at Capitol Hill. Ross Bridge specials are available Monday - Thursday from $199. Some restrictions may apply. Offers subject to change.
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PLAY. STAY. LIVE. LEARN.
• • • • • • •
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Ranked as One of America’s Top Golf Resorts PGA Golf Club courses ranked in Golf Digest 2015 Top 75 Florida Courses Dye Course Ranked 19th; Wanamaker Course 32nd; Ryder Course T34th Newly Expanded and Renovated Clubhouse Visit the Four Major Championship Trophies at the PGA Gallery, within the Clubhouse Many accommodation choices available in Port St. Lucie, all in close proximity to PGA Golf Club & St. Lucie Trail Golf Club PGA Village Verano offers all-inclusive, full-service, luxury resort-style living. New, 2 & 3-bedroom, single-family homes available. The PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance combines on-course instruction, golf-specific technology, practical application, specialized club and equipment fittings. Golf Schools starting from $500. Owned and Operated by the PGA of America
800.800.GOLF (4653) www.pgavillage.com www.stluciegolf.com www.pgalearningcenter.com www.pgavillageverano.com
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The first realistic, accurate and affordable golf practice and play system.
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FROM THE EDITOR
Old and New Horizons in Golf and Life The More Things Change the More They remain The Same It was 35 years ago when I ventured into the publishing industry and got involved with print magazines and newspapers. The formula was quite simple back then, create good content, clients to support it and manage production and circulation cost. The motto of the day was “If it’s not in print it doesn’t exist”. In 1989 the World Wide Internet was invented by Tim Berners-Lee, there was no one out there but it was the beginning of something big. I purchased my first internet ready Apple Computer in 1998. AOL had 5 million users, so I entered the conversation. The same year Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan stared in a new hit movie featuring AOL called, You’ve Got Mail, it was a huge hit. In the mid 90’s the first smartphone called Simon, was sold by IBM, it was the size of a brick. In the fall of 1997 Apple Computer launched the very first iPhone that had a touch screen and used Safari to access third party applications. The world and almost all media was now accessible by a phone. The motto of the day “If you’re not online you don’t exist”. Since then we have seen an evolution in media. Those who evolved flourished, those who did not were unable to sustain. The staff at New England Golf Monthly has created one of the most advanced media engines anywhere in the industry called The Golf Content Network. I encourage you to connect, engage and share it with others. It was created by our staff who are young savvy tech educated golfers who love the game and the industry.
New England
G lf Monthly
G lf Homes W E E K LY
G lf Gear W E E K LY
Indoor G lf W E E K LY
G lf Gift GUIDES
G lf Travel W E E K LY
As it was 35 years ago the formula still remains the same, create good content, clients to support it and manage production and circulation cost. The more things change the more they remain the same. www.GolfContentNetwork.com
Timothy R. Branco Editor/ Publisher
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...a tee-box with a view. A dozen picturesque, challenging courses; many with restaurant and/or bar on premises... you’ll see them all in Ulster County, NY.
Hudson Valley/Catskill Regions
NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY
GOLF FASHION
14
14
Haley Fisher / 2016 Apparel Guide
24
Haley Fisher / 2016 Accessories Guide
GOLF TRAVEL 28
Alice & Danny Scott / 2016 Travel Wishlist
38
Alice & Danny Scott / Pinnacle Golf Vacations
43
Tim Branco / A Visit to the King’s House – Bay Hill
NATIONAL GOLF EXPO 54
Enter to Win
55
Seminar Schedule
56
Floor Plan
58
Exhibitor List
INTERVIEWS
43
66
John Molori / Peter Golenboch, Author of Red Sox Nation
68
Leigh McKay / Lexi Thompson, Celebrity Golfer
RULES 72
Jack Ross / New Rules for 2016
EQUIPMENT 75
Ed Travis / Clubs for the 2016 Season
OPINION 92
75 CONTENTS
Elisa Gaudet / Jordan Spieth, The Modern Celebrity…
104 Gorman vs. Geary / Can Spieth be Stopped in 2016?
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GOLF FASHION WEEKLY
2016 Apparel Guide By Haley Fisher
It is one of Golf Fashion Weekly’s favorite time of the year, Spring! Spring brings more opportunities to hit the green and a lot of new fashion. We have constructed a guide to show you some of our favorite brands and pieces to help ensure you are golfing in style this spring.
2GG Apparel is a brand with a purpose. Their pieces are stylish and high in quality but what makes them unique from every other brand in the golf fashion industry is their commitment to giving back. Since the beginning, 2GG Apparel has been donating a 100% of their profit to charities. At GFW we love their classic men and women’s polos. They have a relaxed fit with moisture wicking material and come in a variety of colors making them an essential part of your wardrobe. To help support 2GG Apparel and their efforts visit their online store www.2ggapparel.com Antigua With over 35 years of experience in designing and marketing golf apparel for women, men, and children, Antigua is a brand you should take note of. Everyone at GFW loves the “casual office look” and Antigua has perfected this style. The 2016 Golf Jacket is one of our favorites as its perfect for protecting against the morning wind and rain, and made of water resistant material. The 2016 line has many other stylish pieces for both men and women who are looking for an elegant yet practical outfit to sport on the green or on casual Friday in the office. Get your look at look at shop.antigua.com Betenly If you are looking for modern golf designs and innovative fabric technologies, then Betenly is for you. Betenly is a golf fashion company that prides itself in redefining the standard of “luxury-performance”. Their new polo shirts feature a ultra-high denier tech fabric, blended with 8% spandex, that looks as good as it feels. The Victory quarter zip-pullover is constructed of an innovative, double-faced cloth that is perforated on the inside (to promote air-flow) and smooth on the outside (for comfort). Shorts and trousers are available in both tech and tech hybrid fabrics and feature Betenly’s signature cutaway, “”jean-style’ front pockets. Complete the look with their new 5 panel hats. Look for special introductory pricing promotions on their website www.BetenlyGolf.com
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GOLF FASHION WEEKLY
Bermuda Sands “Classic comfort” and “effortless styling” is what makes Bermuda Sand’s products stand out from the rest. Bermuda Sands is known for their patented Storm Cotton Technology, a water resistant finish on the cotton fabric that protects against the elements all while maintaining comfort and motion. One of their newest pieces is a Ladies’ long sleeve quarter zip which features a vented under sleeve panel. It is made of Wick Away, Micro Fiber Polyester. This is a piece will soon become an essential in your golf wardrobe, take a closer look at this long sleeve and other Bermuda Sands pieces at shop.bermudasandsapparel.com Callaway apparel’s mission is to help you achieve success on and off the course by creating pieces that leave you feeling confident. Callaway apparel helps enhance your performance and makes the game fun again. Some of GFW’s favorite pieces from Callaway include the Men’s Waffle Fleece Pullover, the Women’s Opti-Dri sleeveless polo, and the Women’s Chevron Bermuda shorts. To check out more pieces from Callaway including their extensive weather series which protects you from all the elements this spring go to www.callawayapparel.com Carnoustie by Aristo 18 Timeless, elegant, and quality are a few words that come to mind when GFW think of pieces by Carnoustie. Carnoustie has now teamed up with Aristo 18, known for their luxury dress trousers, to create an exclusive collection of trousers and shorts to coordinate with their sportswear. Introduced in January at the PGA Merchandise Show, the line features wool trousers made of super 140’s wool, blended with 2% lycra, and finished with a nano-stain resistant treatment. A wide selection of products and styles will be available to consumers starting in July. This new collection will also introduce an innovative new fabric called CERAMICA, a super-premium thermo-regulated tech fabric designed to keep you cool in summer and warm in the winter. Become a part of golf fashion history and wear Carnoustie by Aristo. Learn more at www.aristo18.com.
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Chase54 The limit does not exist with Chase54 apparel, which is why we are such big fans of them at GFW. They are constantly looking for new ways to further the comfort, style, and performance of golf apparel. Chase54 is able to push the limits of golf fashion through their commitment to innovation, not just research and development. They are constantly working and testing to bring fabric that will revolutionize yourgame. At GFW we are obsessed with the new Merriman Polo, made of FeatherFuze technology which will help keep you cool in approaching summer heat. This polo can be perfectly paired with their classic men’s golf shorts which are made of DryFuze material. Be daring and modern and join Chase54 in the pursuit of perfection, www.chase54.com Daily Sport Ulrika Skog, daughter of original founder, was recently named one of the most influential people in the Swedish sports industry currently runs Daily Sport golf apparel. Daily Sport clothing is distributed in more than 28 countries and produces some of the most fashionable wear in women’s golf apparel. GFW loves the diversity in their products, offering everything from sleeveless polo shirts to golf dresses and exercise gear. Daily Sport can be your one shop stop when looking to complete your golf wardrobe. Visit them today at www.dailysportsusa.com Devereux Danny Lee has been declared one of the top golfers to watch in 2016 therefore it only makes sense that he is the newest member of the Devereux ambassador team. He pairs perfectly with the Devereux pieces as they both are representations of modern sophistication. Devereux is inspired by the styles of golf legends like Hogan, Palmer, and Player, all of who were great dressers and players. Devereux produces a modern line of men’s fashion that meshes contemporary trends with the comfort and effortless golf style. GFW loves their newest Fall 2015 line entitled, Paris @ Night. It is composed of sleek sweaters, polos, pants, and accessories. Get the proper threads with Devereux www.dvrxgolf.com
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Garb is the original children’s golf apparel brand, started in 1996. Garb keep the children in mind when designing their clothing understanding both the requirements of the game and of the children. Everyone at GFW is big supporters of Garb because they realize that the game of golf is no longer just for older men but has evolved into a sport any age and gender can love. Garb has cute clothing for both boys and girls and even a college team line where you can get your collegial team featured on an article of Garb clothing. Outfit the younger players of the game with Garb, www.garbinc.com Golf Knickers As the leader in traditional golf apparel, everyone here at GFW loves Golf Knickers.com. Their mission is to encourage golfers to wear knickers and caps as the game was meant to be played. They have a full line of men’s, women’s, and children’s golf knickers with matching caps, socks, sweaters, and shirts. The knickers come in a variety of colors and patterns to make sure your wardrobe never gets dull. Get the golf look with Golf Knickers, check out all their styles and products at www.golfknickers.com Greg Norman Collection Known as “the shark” Greg Norman is a golf legend. He established his golf clothing line in 1992 and is based upon the combination of design and performance. The Greg Norman golf wear is made with the active business man in mind. Their products have an innovative Play Dry technology that combines performance, luxury, and style keeping you cool and dry during the round. A GFW favorite is the Classic Crew with Shark Logo as we find it the perfect addition to any golf outfit as it is comfortable and simple yet still sophisticated. In women’s wear we are big fans of the new Floral Print Skort, it is the perfect addition to your wardrobe for the upcoming season. Take a look at the rest of the Greg Norman collection at www.gregnormancollection.com
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Holderness and Bourne is American made apparel and accessories that tastefully combines classic style with modern performance and versatility. Alex Holderness and John Bourne grew up loving the game of golf and have built their company and designs based upon this love. At GFW we recommend adding any three of H&B’s tasteful shirts, The Maxwell Stripe Polo, the MacDonald Pique, or the Bishop Button Down. All three of these shirts will ensure a classic and stylish look for the course. Their Herringbone accessories are sophisticated and the Byers Duffel would be perfect to travel with for your upcoming golf getaway. Get a look that will endure the time with Holderness and Bourne www.holdernessandbourne.com Iliac Bert LaMar has created a unique and trendsetting line of golf fashion with his Iliac line. The story behind Iliac is interesting in that Bert LaMar got his athletic career started by becoming a professional skateboarder. He sense has grown to love snowboarding and later golf. When you wear Iliac by Bert LaMar you are ensured to be sporting golf fashion that cannot be found elsewhere. When designing his pieces, Bert pays attention to every detail, ensuring style, practicality, and function. GFW loves Iliac’s round collar feature which adds a classy yet unique touch to the simple golf shirts. If you are looking to step up your golf look then shop Iliac, you will be dressed to impress www.iliacgolf.com Longball GFW loves Longball because they understand that golf is not just a game but rather a lifestyle. It is a Canadian based company that works to inspire golfers to work hard and play harder. Their clothing line is made by golfers for golfers ensuring that all the most important qualities are included. The 2016 Longball line is full of great pieces for both men and women that can be worn from the green and into the clubhouse. One of GFW’s favorite pieces from Longball is for a post-game look, the Swan is a pullover that makes you look put together yet requires little effort for that simple classic look. To take a closer look at more Longball pieces visit www.longball.com NMLS#2227| Massachusetts Mortgage Broker and Mortgage Lender: #MC2227|Rhode Island Licensed Broker and Lender: #91000518LB, #20021402LL
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Swingdish If you are looking for luxurious women’s golf apparel, then Swingdish is a brand to notice. Established in 2013 by Tricia Covel, Swingdish is a golf clothing line solely for women. Covel combined her love of golf and fashion to create this company because she realized there was a void in the women’s golf fashion category. GFW is in love with their new spring/summer 2016 line. To highlight a few of our favorites there is the Dropped Sleeve Polo, made of Italian fabric this top has shoulder cut outs, ruched sides, and jeweled shoulders making you look effortlessly stylish during your summer activities. You can accompany the Dropped Sleeve Polo with the Swingdish Signature Shorts which are breathable, comfortable, and light weight making them an essential in your summer wardrobe. Indulge yourself in this women’s only line and shop Swingdish www.swingdish.net Travis Matthew Strives to create clothing that is perfect for both work and play that is inspired by the culture and lifestyle of southern California. Travis Matthew pieces keep with the classic look yet continue to break the rules of fashion. The Spring 2016 Collection by TravisMathew reflects what they love most about the open water. TM’s innovative fabrics, cool colors, and careful details will have you in love. This collection is designed to bring you to that moment where you cast off and sail on. Seas the day at www.travismathew.com Whet Design has a mission to make the player a trendsetter on and off the course through pushing the boundaries of the golf fashion industry. Based out of Miami Whet Designs are bold, bright, and fresh, offering a new whole new spin on golf style. At GFW we value brands that set trends but we also value brands that have quality made products and this stands true for Whet Design. They are paired with FishFit and South Florida Golf to produce clothing that is built for high performance golfers ensuring your focus can remain on the game. An embodiment of what Whet Design stands for can be seen in the Shortsleeves Marquis which has a cooltech moisture management system to keep the sweat off you, not to forget the eye catching color and graphic. Stay cool and look fresh with Whet Design, www.whet-design.com
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GOLF FASHION WEEKLY
FALL 2016 COLLECTION After a tremendous success with the 2015 Presidents Cup, Fairway & Greene presents robust collections for Fall 2016. The men’s line further evolves an already impressive technical collection. Filled with easy care fabrics, incredible color, and handsome stripe layouts, the tech shirt presentation compliments new colors in the Caves Quarter Zip, Old School Sweatshirt and Larson tech short styles. The latest addition is the D.C. pullover, an innovative layer that combines the Caves peached polyester with a soft, brushed interior. Fairway & Greene tech styles continue to deliver the best modern performance in the game, styled with a classic sensibility.
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Desert Mountain and Calistoga Springs are the two more traditional sportswear collections. All classifications address the on and off course needs of golfers with refined layers, handsome mélanges, Italian Baruffa Merino Sweaters and an enhanced presentation in our newly launched polo, “The Natural.” In the world of golf shirts The Natural is the hybrid; it looks and feels like cotton but gives golfers the moisture management, easy care, and stretch comfort of tech. Finally, Fairway & Greene men’s also expands its popular Made in the USA program with the USA Statesman stripe. Visit www.Fairwayandgreene.com for more information.
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GOLF FASHION WEEKLY
2016 Accessories Guide by Haley Fisher
In the world of golf fashion, the year 2016 has proved to be ground breaking. With new Spring and Summer lines from brands like Chase54, Longball, and Travis Matthew players will be looking very fashion forward on and off the course. Keep in mind though that no outfit can be complete without the proper accessories. So Golf Fashion Weekly has created a guide to help you put the finishing touches on your outfit on and off the course.
Adidas I think we are all excited about golf's return to the Olympics in Rio this summer. We haven’t seen this since 1904, which it's safe to say none of us were around then! Adidas will be the official uniform provider for the athletes, coaches and staff of the USA golf team. This spring GFW is especially fond of their new Tour 360 x boa shoes. These golf shoes are top notch in protection, comfort, and performance. Get #GearedForMore at www.adidas.com Antas Apparel is a family owned company based out of California since 2008. They are known as the first and finest brand to bring quality apparel products with high-class customer care to the “green grass” golf market. One of GFW’s favorite Antas products are their Exotic belts, offered in genuine crocodile, alligator, and python. These belts have a timeless style and classic fit that is unrivaled by any other brand. Antas women’s belt line comes in two different styles of Pebble and Suede. Antas has a classic sophisticated look that displays exclusivity on and off the course. Become a part of the Antas club today! www.antasapparel.com Biion likes to describe themselves as trailblazers and trendsetters. This is because they work hard to break away from the norms of golf lifestyle fashion. They create their products for people who are the influencers and understand that there is nothing comparable to Biion. GFW is a big fan of the Biion Footwear Collection, which are unique, innovative, and stylish. With many different styles, they have options for every player’s taste. One of GFW favorite things about Biion’s footwear collection is that they can be worn anywhere, and you are guaranteed to not only stand out from the crowd, but attract one as well! Shop today. www.biionfootwear.com
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GOLF FASHION WEEKLY Ecco Revolutionizing the footwear market is what Ecco brand shoes is known for. For almost 50 years Ecco shoes has been producing quality made products where every little detail is payed attention too, priding themselves in their craftsmanship. They produce both men’s and women’s golf shoes that we here at GFW love to wear. The most popular golf footwear by Ecco for men is the Cage Shoe which is described as fitting your foot like a second skin. The most popular Ecco women’s golf shoe is the Biom Hybrid 2 which provides unbeatable comfort paired with professional performance ability. Enhance your game with properly crafted shoes. www.ecco.com Footjoy If you are looking for a superior golf shoe, then Footjoy is the brand for you. Their high quality, comfort, performance, and attention to detail is why so many Tour players have won with FJ’s on their feet. FJ’s most innovation shoe to hit the market, Freestyle, was inspired from a tree frog. Freestyle offers golfers the perfect balance of mobility and traction & combines athletic styling with bold vibrant colors. If you are looking for innovation & comfort, look no further then the Footjoy. www.footjoy.com/freestyle G/Fore Mossimo Giannulli is the founder, designer, and creator of G/Fore. Mossimo has a fashion business background which, combined with his understanding and love for golf, creates a fashion line that is incomparable to other brands. G/Fore understands that golf is more than just a game, but rather a social, business, and personal opportunity to grow, therefore G/Fore’s pieces are sophisticated and classy. G/Fore offers gloves for both men and women made of premium leather and constructed for an unparalleled fit. Their shoes are as comfortable as they are stylish. They are made of the finest material, enduring all conditions with the ability to adapt to any environment, course or clubhouse. Indulge yourself with G/Fore www.gfore.com Kentwool Known as the world’s best golf sock, Mark Kent has created a top notch brand in Kentwool. GFW understands that socks can ruin the play of your game which is why, everyone at GFW wears Kentwool socks. Their socks combine superfine Merino wool, natural smart fibers, and WINDspun technology keeping your feet blister free. They come in several different collections and sizes depending on what each player is looking for. Keep your feet happy by shopping at www.kentwool.com
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GOLF FASHION WEEKLY Jacob Hill Leather An exclusive company, Jacob Hill Leather produces some of the finest made exotic goods. GFW admires Jacob Hill’s sophisticated products that contain so much personality. Their leather goods are produced from skins such as alligator, snakes, ostrich, and even bison. Here at GFW we do not only love Jacob Hill for their belts but their other products such as their leather yardage books, a favorite being the Straits Yardage Book which is made from South African Ostrich hides. Make an impression on and off the course with Jacob Hill leather products, www.jacobhillleather.com Nexbelt “The Belt With No Holes” has a unique ratcheting system that allows the wearer to adjust his or her belt in 1/4 inch increments versus the normal 1” adjustability of a traditional pin/buckle style belt, providing the best fit, feel, and fashion available. GFW took notice of Nexbelt because of their specialized Golf Series of belts that conveniently house a hidden ball marker behind the flip down face of the buckle. Over 100 interchangeable belt/buckle combinations available for Men and Women at www.nexbelt.com. Nike is one of the most well-known and respected brands across the world. Therefore, it would be near impossible to create a 2016 golf accessories guide without them. Nike’s golf line is extensive and impressive, seeing as Nike is an innovative company, inspiring other sportswear brands. At GFW, we recommend the Lunar Control 4. The Lunar Control 4 delivers outstanding cushioning, support and stability while a waterproof microfiber upper provides comfort and lasting durability. For women, GFW suggests looking at the Nike Blazer, whose original style was designed for basketball but has been adapted since. The Nike Blazer has great traction and stability with a waterproof upper ensuring dry feet. Customize your own golf shoes with Nike ID. Find more at www.nike.com/golf Puma is leading sports brand throughout the world, who develops, markets, and sells top notch sport products. Their new Titan Tour IGNITE collection is sure to turn heads this year. The IGNITE features PUMA’s running performance, IGNITE foam and PWRCOOL technologies to maximize energy return and to keep your toes cool during the heat. Finish the look with PUMA’s script snapback golf hat. Get your style today at www.cobragolf.com/pumagolf
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GOLF FASHION WEEKLY Slide Belts is built upon a foundation of hard work and attention to detail. This belt brand is known for high quality products, that are simple and stylish. GFW is particularly fond of Slide Belts golf line. Made from genuine leather these belts are bold, trendy, and will be sure to make a statement on the course. The Black genuine leather is always a nice touch to any outfit but add some green or yellow to the mix for the perfect pop of color. Make your belt a fashion statement with Slide Belts, www.slidebelts.com Royal Albatross “The definition of luxurious sports footwear,” is how Royal Albatross describes their brand. The company was started with the goal of creating the world’s finest golf shoe, and everyone here at GFW believes they accomplished this. The 2016 men’s club collection consists of some of the most luxurious and classiest golf shoes. The shoes are crafted from a full-grain water resistant leather. The sole is made of a plush cushioning and is very supportive. Royal Albatross paired with Vibram to create a sole that is extra stable. Their shoes are stylish and will look good paired with any golf attire. Buying Royal Albatross is not just buying another pair of golf shoes it is buying a whole new golf experience, www.albartross.com Sketchers Sketchers is a well-recognized shoe brand and GFW wants to acknowledge them for their quality crafted golf shoes. PGA Tour member, Matt Kuchar’s official shoe is the Sketchers Go Golf Pro. The Go Golf Pro will help optimize your game to the next level with a shock absorbing stability sole and premium waterproof leather. GFW recommends Sketchers Go Golf Blade for women. The Go Golf Blade features replaceable Softspikes for a hybrid traction system. They also have a Resalyte shock absorbing midsol and a highperformance Resamax cushioned insole system. For the ultimate blend of comfort and innovative technology try sketchers, www.skechers.com
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GOLF TRAVEL WEEKLY
SWEET ’16! By Alice & Danny Scott
How do you pick a “Sweet ‘16” wish list of places to visit when there are 50 states, just shy of 200 countries, so many places, so little time and we want to see it all? It’s not easy; in fact it might be more difficult than picking only one! We love new cultures, exotic sites, beaches, history and of course great golf. Gas is pretty cheap for rediscovering America right now and our dollar compares favorably to foreign currency. The world is as they say, our oyster. Let’s go: Scotland – The original Home of Golf is an appropriate place to start and Alice has roots there too as her great grandfather to the seventh, lost in the battled in Dunbar and was
shipped to New England as an indentured servant. This was unknown when we wrote about representing the US in the International Pairs competition in St. Andrews in ‘08. Playing only the Dukes course for that event was a tease. It is time to hit more of the finest links, warm our hearts with Scotch and acquire the family tartan. Wales is right next door, too close to bypass
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with more castles per square mile than any other country. History is thick with Celtic legends and myths. The dramatic seaside golf is as spectacular as their stories. The four top courses, Nefyn and District, Royal Porthcawl, Royal St. Davids and Celtic Manor, site of the Ryder Cup 2010 represent golf, as it should be for all golf lovers. France – Love is in the air in Paris and the French need our support more than ever. Admittedly golf will be secondary to the sensations of Normandy, the art and architecture, sidewalk cafés with crème Brule and Marie Brizzard completing the meal. Perfumeries in the walled city of Eze and the French Riviera sweeten the destination. Golfbreaks.com handle the details for ultimate golf getaways in these three countries and many more. Coeur d’Alene whispers French in Idaho. It is the name given by French fur traders for the Native Americans, meaning The Discovered People. Course designers discovered that Lake Coeur d’Alene’s shimmering blue waters surrounded by pine forests create the perfect golf landscape to garner worldwide attention. The famous Coeur d’Alene Resort is a luxurious
GOLF TRAVEL WEEKLY
Manele Bay course is an island climb along the coast with ocean views from every hole above.
hotel on the water’s edge reflecting fabulous sunrises and sunsets. Arguably, it has the most scenic and demanding golf par 3 in the world, floating on an island in the lake. Circling Raven, the new Gamble Sands and more clubs within driving distance increase the draw of golfers, just 40 miles from Spokane Airport and 90 miles south of the Canadian border. Vancouver is considered one of the most
beautiful and cleanest cities in the world, situated on the Burrard Peninsula, just above the Western Canadian border. The cityscape is framed by the snow capped volcano Mt. Baker of NW Washington and the North Shore Mountains. Upscale restaurants, shopping and museums compliment harbor activities. Less than 80 miles north is the 2010 Winter Olympic Games’ site at Whistler. The largest ski area in North America gives way to hiking and golfing in the summer time with four championship courses - Big Sky, Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Whistler Golf Club, and Nicklaus North. Breathtaking mountain views and clean crisp air make it a hunting ground for moose, elk, bear and other forest creatures. Camera ready? Lanai, Hawaii - Jack Nicklaus must have been giddy about this design opportunity. His
The Hulopo’e Bay below is a marine preserve with coral ravines full of kaleidoscopic fish making it the Grand Canyon of snorkeling. Six other Hawaiian islands present great golf vistas but it is the extravagant yet calming Four Seasons Resort Lana’i at Manele Bay that leaves you longing to linger. California Coast – Touring From San Diego to San Francisco and the Napa Valley above
would take years to cover in detail. An amazing series of beach towns, vineyards and golf courses are scattered along the 500+ miles of coastline. Places like Monarch Beach and Carmel by the Sea next to Pebble Beach stand out with coastal hideaways in between. Malibu, elephant seals, whale watching, Spyglass Hill and The Embarcadero Waterfront are but part of our California Dreaming. New Zealand – Friends and relatives are never disappointed with kiwi land. We want to discover middle earth with the recreated Hobbiton movie set and be kidnapped by the extraordinary beauty of golf at Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs. Penguins are marching in
March 2016 | golftravelweekly.com | 29
GOLF TRAVEL WEEKLY Europe. We’ll let you know. New England - No place like home, right? Actually we summer in upstate NY, which has another list of great spots but Cape Cod is call-
the south and vineyards sprawl in between. The only complaint is the very long flight so we’ll play some bonus rounds in Australia with the kangaroos and koalas, and perhaps chance the sharks by snorkeling in the Barrier Reef. Peru is llama land where they roam wild on the golf course in Arequipa and on the Inca
Trail. This is one of the best hikes in the world to reach the engineering marvel Machu Picchu, the complex city of the ancient Incas. Don’t expect the llamas to carry your packs. Porters do that. Since the altitude can be a killer without the antidote of coca tea, we may take the train or a bus with chickens. It is a National Geographic childhood highlight. Iceland is attracting world visitors to sign up for the Arctic Open the end of June. Tee time is after midnight because the sun never sets during summer months. The golf season is short but brisk as this is the land of extremes with constant volcanic activity and glaciers covering most of the island. Hot pools are prevalent for healing tired muscles. They integrate the hot springs to heat their homes and pools as well. During winter the northern lights are a sight to behold. Icelandic horses are hearty for riding year round. Iceland is touted as an economical air hub to
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ing us in June. We’ve never seen Rhode Island and it’s high time to play golf with a college roommate in Vermont. If we continue through Maine, we may not be able to stop ourselves from rendezvousing in our beloved Prince Edward Island and then checking out the new Cabot Cliffs course in Nova Scotia. Suddenly so far from home, that’s how we roll with our new Golf Bikes in tow.
The Florida Keys are our springboard to the Caribbean Islands. Sing it - “Bermuda, Bahamas, come on pretty mama.” Who doesn’t enjoy white sandy beaches, blue azure seas with gentle crashing waves and fruity drinks? We loved Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and St. Kitts so much that we’ll eventually explore them all, tasting the spices,
GOLF TRAVEL WEEKLY rums, coffee, and beats that are unique to each. Cuba - Since Ricky Ricardo beat the bongo drums for I Love Lucy growing up; we’ve fantasized about Copacabana. At the PGA Merchandise Show Cuban native Leo Pereza hand rolls cigars. We asked in Spanish if we should visit there. “Como no (why not)?” Politics aside, it is time to research the business of golf, food and beverages like picadillo and Cuba Libre before the ‘50s cars are replaced and chain hotels shadow the sand. We’ll tell you how if we figure it out.
Great Abaco Island flyover at www.theabacoclub.com is jaw dropping with the first tropical links course. Guests may rent a cabana or home before joining this private, privileged Abaco Club in Marsh Harbor. Water toys are included - sail, kayak, bike, hike, paddleboard and golf. What better way to keep in physical shape while the sea naturally restores mental health? On Paradise Island the LPGA gals frolicked in the sun after golf at the Ocean Only Club or RUI Palace Hotel. Antigua – Everyone thinks we have already been there because we wear Antigua logoed
Bermuda - Wahoo! That’s a savory fish and our exclamation upon arrival. Bermuda is the “Jewel of the Atlantic.” Imagine soft pink sand at the stunning Rosewood Tucker’s Point. Pompano Beach Club is phenomenally rec-
ommended, right on the 18th tee box of Port Royal. Extraordinary too is The Turtle Hill Golf Club at Fairmont Southampton. Bahamas have 700 islands, 30 inhabited. The
apparel. The sportswear founder was so impressed with his trip to Antigua that he named his company as such. Jolly Harbour and Cedar Valley vie for the island golfers. Sandals Resort commercials paint the dreamscape of the Caribbean and Antigua is just one of their all inclusive vacation spots. Ok, we may not reach all these places in 2016 and there are always surprise trips. Trust that we’ll share all with you here in New England Golf Monthly and at www.golftravelweekly.com, hoping you enjoy vicariously through us as well as your own Sweet ’16 adventures.
March 2016 | golftravelweekly.com | 31
GOLF TRAVEL WEEKLY
MISSION INN
RESORT AND CLUB Howey-in-the-Hills, FL
Golfers are constantly looking for that special golf course that challenges their skill level, provides a distinctive visual experience and leaves them wanting to return. A well- designed track that inspires creative shot making, precision iron shots, and greens that roll true with each putting stroke. One Central Florida golf course consistently winning such acclaim from player is the El Campeon course at Mission Inn Resort & Club near Orlando, Florida. Located amid the rolling citrus hills in central Florida, El Campeon has been challenging all types of players for 99 years since it’s’ debut in 1917. El Campeon rated #2 nationally on the Golf Advisor TOP 50 list from their annual players’ survey citing unusual 85 ft. elevation changes on seven of the 18 holes, fairways lined with mature magnolia trees and stately live oaks draped in Spanish moss, plus a George O’Neil design that highlights the players’ shot making abilities on every hole. Each year, more than 15 NCAA and NAIA collegiate tournaments are held at Mission Inn. Every October and No-
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vember, the best high school players gather to test their medal during the Florida State Team Championships. A second course, Las Colinas, opened in 1992 and designed by Gary Koch, provides an equally enjoyable round amid the quiet backdrop of this area’s lake region long known for spectacular bass fishing. Near the Pro shop, a complete practice facility includes 100 hitting stations, five different practice bunkers, a 10,000 s.f. putting area plus and three on-site teaching academies. In addition to great golf, Mission Inn features 187 deluxe guest rooms and suites, four restaurants, full-service spa, trap and skeet, and lakeside marina for additional diversions. Mission Inn is centrally located within the state near the intersection of I-75 and The Florida Turnpike in Lake County, an easy 35 minute drive from Orlando International Airport. Overnight golf packages, buddy trips, golf getaways can be found at online: missioninnresort.com/golf/golf-packages or by calling directly at 352-423-3101
GOLF TRAVEL WEEKLY
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TWO GOLF COURSES • SPA • TENNIS • FOUR RESTAURANTS • MARINA • TRAP & SKEET
Train Like a Champion At the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy (GGGA), the goal is to give every student a personalized golf development plan and not just a golf lesson. Every GGGA golf program including week long junior camps, full-time training and adult programs are personalized to each student’s unique abilities focused on accelerating development so that both confidence and scores improve at every level. With over twenty years experience as a junior golf coach, Gary Gilchrist recognized the need to create a systematic training approach. He says, “It became apparent to me many years ago how vital it was to recognize each student’s unique abilities, beliefs and aspirations. Because of this, I created a program which focuses on training our students to become the best they
technical, mental, fitness, on-course strategy and personal development. The well-rounded approach focuses on incorporating fitness techniques that make the connection from technical thought to a physical feel and creates a physical reinforcement plan as well as mental training to refine on-course decision making and improve strategy of play. Once evaluated, a one of a kind personal development plan is made taking into account the student’s training goals and the length of the program. The ultimate goal at GGGA is to teach, prepare, and create confident golfers who excel in tournament play. GGGA can help take your game to the next level. GGGA training facility is located at Mission Inn Resort, just 35 minutes northwest of
can be in both golf and life. The hours spent on the range are the best part of my job and what drives my passion every day.” At GGGA, the golf coaching team utilizes Gary Gilchrist’s training system with proven results. The five main areas of training include
Orlando. In addition to having the world’s premier elite junior golf full-time boarding program, GGGA also features summer and winter golf camps, post-graduate programs, private training and golf lessons for amateurs, professionals and adults. Learn more at www.ggga.com.
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JUNIOR SUMMER TRAINING CAMP GOLF TRAVEL WEEKLY
Have Fun
Improve Your Game
Make Friends
Our summer junior golf training camps are held at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Central Florida. Our single or multi-week camps are perfect for golfers ages 9 through 20. Our training program is overseen and directed by Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher and Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher Gary Gilchrist and his team of coaches.
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PROGRAM INCLUDES GGGA’s “Train Like a Champion” system Individualized development plan with practice drills Golf-specific fitness training | “Think Like a Champion” mental training program Golf at Mission Inn Resort & Club – featuring two championship courses Housing in GGGA’s townhomes | Daily activities around Central Florida
+1 352-484-0787 | programs@ggga.com | ggga.com/summercamp/ March 2016 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 35
GOLF TRAVEL WEEKLY
Play Where the Pros Play at TPC San Antonio
Located within a short drive of Austin, Texas, within four hours of the Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston metropolitan areas and just minutes away from the San Antonio International Airport, the PGA TOUR’s TPC San Antonio is the ultimate destination for buddy golf getaways and family vacations alike, offering services and amenities that meet the highest standards of professional golf and hospitality. TPC San Antonio opened in January 2010 and features two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by some of the world’s most talented and respected golf course architects: the AT&T Canyons Course designed by Pete Dye, considered by many the most influential golf course architect of the past five decades; and the AT&T Oaks Course, designed by World Golf Hall of Fame member Greg Norman with Sergio Garcia as player consultant. Both courses have played host to TOUR events, with the AT&T Canyons Course hosting the San Antonio Championship from 2011-2015, and the AT&T Oaks Course currently serving as the venue for the PGA TOUR's Valero Texas Open, a host course since 2010. In addition to some of state’s most pristine golf, the property also features a 23-acre practice facility with two putting and short game practice areas that are distinctive in that they replicate designs
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and grass selections of the courses. This feature allows first-time guests to get a feel for the course before stepping foot on the first tee. TPC San Antonio’s state of the art practice facility also offers personalized instruction at the TOURAcademy, which features golf lessons for beginners through the “Get Golf Ready” program, as well as two-, three- and five-day golf schools. Giving back to the community has always been at the heart of the PGA TOUR and TPC Network – coming to life through its charitable mission of “Together, Anything’s Possible.” In its 92-year history, the Valero Texas Open has donated more than $94.5 million to charity. As always, this year’s Valero Texas Open, scheduled April 18-24, is expected to be stacked with some of the biggest names on TOUR, driving record numbers of spectators to TPC San Antonio and even more funds back to philanthropic efforts in the community. Last year’s tournament ended with a battle of Texans, concluding with Jimmy Walker walking away with the ‘W’ ahead of Jordan Spieth. Guest accommodations are available on-site at The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, the brand’s largest resort in the world. With 1,002-rooms, it has firmly established itself as the city's
GOLF TRAVEL WEEKLY celebrities, national charitable organizations, and PGA TOUR tournaments makes the destination qualified to create unforgettable corporate or charity golf outings. From tournament operations to customized instructional packages and catering, TPC San Antonio delivers the consummate golf experience in a unique PGA TOUR setting, providing an authentic PGA TOUR experience with perks such as locker room access, customized leaderboards, bag tags and caddies. Golf fans are among the world’s luckiest because with the TPC Network of Clubs, they’re able to expepremier luxury destination, rated 4-Diamonds by AAA. The resort features seven restaurants, including its famous High Velocity sports bar featuring a 120-foot long media display and monitors galore, as well as Cibolo Moon, the premier San Antonio restaurant offering Southwestern and Mexican-inspired cuisine and libations prepared by top chefs sommeliers. After a delectable meal, guests bask in scenic views of the Texas countryside from room balconies, watching majestic sunsets over 600 acres of rolling oak-covered hills.
Aside from providing guests with unparalleled golf experiences, luxurious accommodations and fine dining, the resort has become renowned in Texas Hill Country thanks to its River Bluff Water Experience. This waterpark recently underwent an extensive, $16 million expansion project. Its existing 1,100-foot lazy river, three exciting water slides and infinity adult pool have been upgraded to encompass a beach-entry swimming pool, two new body slides, private cabanas and fire pits to name a few. The new installment’s grand opening celebration is scheduled for March 29, 2016. TPC San Antonio’s breadth of experience hosting high-profile events for Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, businesses, political groups,
rience their sport at a level that other major sports can’t even begin to touch. Part of the PGA TOUR, the TPC Network was established to provide the ultimate host venues for TOUR events – with services and amenities that meet the highest standards of professional golf. Not only do the principles of excellence apply to the TOUR professionals playing the courses, they also apply to members and guests who enjoy every aspect of TPC Network clubs. Across the country, TPC courses let golfers truly live the PGA TOUR life. Walking the same fairways as their heroes have done. Teeing off from the very spots where history has been made, and enjoying every club detail exactly as the pros do. Visit www.tpcsanantonio.com for a brief video preview on the PGA TOUR Experience and TPC San Antonio.
March 2016 | golftravelweekly.com | 37
GOLF TRAVEL WEEKLY
The Golf Guru’s in The Desert Southwest
Pinnacle Golf Vacations by Alice & Danny Scott
When you are aching for a golf trip to Arizona’s Valley of the Sun, whom do you call? You might keyboard dial through a maze of cookie cutter package deals or you would be wiser to call the professionals at Pinnacle Golf Vacations. Tedd Maitland and Steve Nicodemus are The Golf Experts to count on with 30 and 25 years respectively and respectfully in the golf vacation business in Scottsdale. Tedd spent years with Troon Golf Vacations and they worked together at Zona Resort Suites, booking over 500,000 rounds of golf at the best courses in the area. Over time they have cemented deep relationships in the desert landscape. When Zona closed, they had lots of employment offers but thought why work for someone else when we can do it ourselves? According to Tedd, “The most difficult part was finding the right business name.” So many are snatched up by URL grabbers even though they aren’t used. After months of agonizing, they were driving from one course to another admiring Pinnacle Peak. Realizing that it was a focal point throughout their careers and also connotes success, they happily formed Pinnacle Golf Vacations.
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Steve says, “Local knowledge is the backbone of our business.” Anyone can call a proshop and book a tee time but will it be the optimal time desired? Online booking systems appear to save a buck but why might that be? Tedd and Steve know about course renovations, when green replacements are in progress and how the over seeding was successful or not. They know who is offering complimentary or discounted same day replay. They know the pace of play, the layouts and geography
to line up the best 18 or 36 hole combinations. Collaboration with them results in a customized itinerary for your group of buddies, family or golf outings during corporate conferences. Their relationships with hotel concierge and golf course staff mean preferred rates, preferred tee times and quick answers to unexpected situations in one of the premier golf meccas of the world – Scottsdale and Greater Phoenix. There is serenity in the Sonoran Desert that is incomparable. The contrast of mountains, cacti, blue sky and green grass is inspirational. Coyotes, roadrunners, javelinas and bobcats roam along with jackelopes (ok, they’re not real). Go to www.pinnaclegolfvacations.com and see where to play, stay and hang out. They’ve listed the best of the west. We know because we’ve played them all. Pictures and descriptions are simply displayed on the website. Imagine teeing off on the 16th hole of the TPC Stadium Course where the Greatest Show on Grass is held – the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Or check out the Wicked Six at Sunridge Canyon, the beauty of the Boulders, Troon North or the Dinosaur at Gold Canyon, all our favorite spots. Pinnacle Golf Vacations is a couple friendly faces (even over the phone) arranging fun places for golfers to live out their ideal vacation in the valley of the sun. Trust Tedd and Steve.
March 2016 | golftravelweekly.com | 39
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42 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | March 2016
A Visit to The King’s House Bay Hill
A Large Drop in the Bucket List
By Timothy Branco
Bay Hill Golf Club & Lodge is a very special place, it holds a unique place in Orlando as a private club that also doubles as a 70-room lodge open to visitors. It’s combination of intimacy and luxury is tough to find in Orlando, where courses are either ultra-exclusive or huge golf resorts. Arnold Palmer has a reputation for being a great man of the people; Mr. Palmer is about as accessible in his realm as any figure of such iconic stature could be. The King resides at Bay Hill from late fall through the better part of spring. He comes to work in his office above the pro shop for a few hours every day with his dog Mulligan. Most days, he dines at Bay Hill’s two primary dining rooms. I first met Arnold Palmer in 2004 at Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord, MA at the Bank of America Championship, a Champions Tour event held each year in the greater Boston area. Each year, as tournament volunteers, my brother and I were assigned to Mr. Palmer, to manage the crowd control of Arnie’s Army. It was a very memorable experience and Mr. Palmer always personally thanked us for helping. To our amazement year after year at the event Mr. Palmer remembered both our names. His attention to detail with people, his manners on the course and his dealings in business and in life, set a new standard in the game, that to this day is unmatched by no other.
No one individual in the history of golf will ever have the impact upon this great game as Arnold Palmer did and to this day, still does. He was the first superstar of the game to make golf global. He has made more appearances on TV then any other sports celebrity in history. His vision for the Golf Channel brought the game to a new level across the planet and by doing so, increased purses to what they are today for the sport. Without him there would have never been a Senior Golf Tour, Arnold Palmer is the King of the Game. In 1970, Arnold Palmer, already the most celebrated statesman of the game of golf and known around the world for his accomplishments, took a five-year lease with an option
March 2016 | golftravelweekly.com | 43
to buy Bay Hill. After taking ownership in 1975, Palmer has polished the original visions of Bay Hill into the opulent diamond it is today with the stature of a world-class facility. In 1979, Arnold Palmer successfully negotiated Bay Hill as the venue to host a major event on the PGA TOUR. The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard (formerly the Bay Hill Invitational) bears a special aura in professional golf. The tournament is one of the premiere events each year on the PGA TOUR. Annually the Invitational has one of the strongest fields of the season with the entire production overseen and directed by the Legend himself. Mr. Palmer decided in the Summer of 2009 to renovate the famous course with the Arnold Palmer Design Company and was hands-on throughout the entire process. The specific goals of the renovation were focused in three distinct areas: Agronomic/Maintenance (redesign of all 18 greens), Playability and Aesthetics which included the reworking of all the bunkering and major changes in four holes that altered the yardage from 7,103 to 7,196 and from par 71 to par 72. The Bay Hill Club & Lodge features 27-holes of golf, the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy, tennis on four Har-tru and two DecoTurf courts. The Lodge features 70 rooms with a full service spa and salon, fitness center, a heated Jr. Olympicsize pool. There are also three dining locations, 3 lounges, and 9,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space.
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Bay Hill is a community of beautiful homes surrounding the golf courses and lining the boulevards. As you drive in, gardens, trees and lawns are a flowering testimonial to the lushness of Central Florida and the care and concern of the Bay Hill community. The magic of this special place is quickly apparent and the influences of the Palmer family leave you feeling like an esteemed member of an exclusive private club on your stay there. Upon your arrival you are greeted with a level of service and hospitality that makes you feel like you’re not only welcome but special in a Bay Hill way. Upon checking into your room you are treated with the life story of Arnold Palmer on each room television, a documentary produced by the Golf Channel produced in 2014. It provides a vision into a life that changed the world of golf forever.
In 2015 Bay Hill’s historic award winning golf course underwent a summer-long re-grassing project. The course re-opened officially for guest play in September of 2015 to rave reviews with all new TifEagle Bermuda grass greens and Celebration Bermuda grass on the fairways. Course conditions were exceptional in the Fall when we visited the amazing facility. Bay Hill consists of three 9-hole courses: the Challenger, Champion and Charger. Dick Wilson built the Challenger and Champion courses in 1961, Bob Simmons added the Charger in 1968. Renovations to the courses by Palmer and Ed Seay in 1989 and in 1997 added length and a new design to many of the greens. Play the Tournament courses and you’ll begin at its third handicapped hole, Challenger’s 441-yard, dogleg left, par 4. The first three holes at Bay Hill are said to be the very toughest starting holes of any tour event. The combined Challenger and Champion courses measure 7,204 yards from the Palmer tees and carry a course/slope rating of 75.1/139. The blues measure 6,920 yards at 73.8/138; the yellows play 6,647 yards at 72.4/130; the reds play 6,220 yards at 70.4/124; and the forward tees play 5,235 yards at 72.7/130. The Charger’s 9-hole Palmer tees measure 3,409 yards at 35.8/123; the blues play 3,291 yards and 35.7/123; the
yellows play 3,178 yards and 35.0/117; the reds play 2,905 yards and 33.8/105; and the forward tees play 2,635 yards at 35.3/122. Making the right choice of tee boxes before you even hit a shot could be the best or worst decision in your round. Be wise and play at your level and your proper length and you will be in for one of the best days in your golf life. After a round at Bay Hill enjoy one of three great dinning facilities at the club while embellishing your round at the King’s House. Bay Hill is a private golf club only accessible to members and those staying at the club as hotel guest. You can get Stay & Play packages for 3 nights with 2 rounds of golf in spring or fall for as little as $450.00. Forget about tournament week because it’s just not possible to stay or play the course for weeks before or after the Bay Hill invitational. Fall and spring are the very best times to play at the facility and as a bonus, you are likely to run into Mr. Palmer having breakfast or lunch in the main dinning room. Keep in mind Mr. Palmer is a stickler about wearing a golf hat in his clubhouse and he will personally tell you so if you walk in with it on. He will also extend a hand and welcome you to his home away from home, Bay Hill. For more information, go to BayHill.com
March 2016 | golftravelweekly.com | 45
36 HOLES OF GREAT CAPE COD GOLF Course & Clubhouse Renovations Coming Soon
18th Hole – Par 5
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1460 Prospect St Marstons Mills, MA 02648
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2nd Hole – Par 4
Phone: 508-362-2606 1840 Lyanough Rd, Rte 132 Hyannis, MA 02601
COME EXPERIENCE
THE NEW PINES Read all about it and tell your friends!
The objective at Dennis Pines Golf Course was clear from the start. Deliver feature improvements that help with speed of play and maintenance practices, while maintaining the revered integrity of the Pines course. Through the vision of Golf Course Architect Robert McNeil, ASGCA and golf builders Bill Drake and NMP Golf Construction and Golf Course Superintendent, Brian Campbell, mission accomplished. In the wake of the comprehensive enhancement plan, 33 new bunkers (previously 42), new forward tees on nearly every hole, improved drainage and tree management. The styling though a bit softer that the original steep faced bunkers, commutate similar bold strategy, but instead of dropping the hammer on the player that gets in the bunker, an opportunity for an aggressive exit in now available. Some obsolete bunkering was removed to move players along. A wonderful forward tee program was developed to accommodate beginners, women, seniors or anyone will to play a more enjoyable round of golf. These tees have been very well received by the Club and the players. Finally, the resulting features have shaped so as to visually provide some player stimulation have received outstanding reviews. Objectives accomplished.” - Robert McNeil, ASGCA - The Northeast Golf Company The Golf Advisory Committee is extremely happy and proud of the renovations that have been completed at the Pines. We are also excited to start the renovation work at the Highlands course next fall. In this competitive golf market we need to try to stay a step ahead of the surrounding Towns by investing in our courses to have a better product and a better golf experience, for both for our residents and guests. We are very fortunate to have two very distinctive courses in Dennis and a great staff both inside and outside that really make us an enjoyable, Golfing Destination for all. Combine this with our beaches, restaurants, and Historical culture, Dennis is a great vacation destination. - Eric Oman – Golf Advisory Chairman It is indeed a compliment to the golf course of Dennis Pines and its management and maintenance crew that the USGA is holding a 2016 U S Senior Open qualifier at The Pines in late June. Dennis Pines has been held in high regard among the region’s best golfers for a long time and had always proven to be a wonderful test of golf when hosting qualifiers in the past. The Pines will be even better with these latest course renovations and improvements. - Jim Horvath, former MGA Executive Committee member and current MGA and USGA Rules Official
508-385-1551 | 50 Golf Course Rd. East Dennis, MA 02641
2 FOR 1 IS BACK, NOW INCLUDES SUNDAYS Tues, Thurs, Sun. Greens fees only, cart mandatory, book 7 days in advance. Read all about it and tell your friends!
• For Events, Memberships, Leagues & more visit www.DennisGolf.com • Don’t forget to sign up for our monthly newsletter featuring the Cape Cod Golf Blog • Golf is a social game. Connect with us: FB, TW, Insta logos
508-385-8347 | 825 Old Bass River Rd. Dennis, MA 02638
A Must Play Cape Cod Golf Course • 18 holes of Championship Golf • Best Practice Facility on Cape
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$250 For a Month
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Spring Membership Incentive Program Play March 1, 2016 to June 30th, 2017 For One Membership Fee Single Full Membership $3200 – Family Full Membership $3450 Mid – Adult 30-35 $2100 – Young Adult 21-29 $1500 Member For A Day Pricing 7 Days a Week $50.00 with Cart Book Tee Times Online at Segregansett.com
Segregansett For Memberships: Country Club Gary Palmer 508-942-5873
84 Gulliver St Taunton, MA 02780 508-824-9110 Segregansett.com
Member For A Day Tee Times
508-824-9144
“Top 100 Public Access Golf Courses in the Country.” - Golf Digest 2009/2010
THE COURSE 27 Championship holes of golf set 300’ feet above sea level with breathtaking views in every turn. The links layout is nothing short of spectacular, come play.
THE CLUB HOUSE Come for the amazing views. Come back for the great food and service. Classic New England stle with the best views anywhere of Boston
THE CROSSING NINES Who said working on your game has to be all work and no play... lighted range, great patio bar and yes the views and music
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Friday, March 4 – Sunday, March 6 Seaport World Trade Center
Millions of Dollars Worth of Bargains! • Meet LPGA New England legend Jane Frost • Work out the kinks with golf fitness expert Kaitlyn Sharpless • Test the latest clubs at our Golfsmith Swing Zone
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2016 SEMINAR STAGE SCHEDULE FRIDAY, MARCH 4 1:00 PM 7 Steps to Par/Yesterday and Today for Your Swing, Tim Kilcoyne, PGA/M.Ed., ParformanceGolf.com. Tim’s 7 Steps to Par Program offers a 100% success rate amongst his students towards the improvement of their game, regardless of age or athletic ability. 2:00 PM Golf 8.5: Disrupting Traditional Teaching, Kay McMahon, LPGA Hall of Fame Instructor, EduKaytion Golf Golf is simple. Golf 8.5 proves it. Join Kay, an LPGA Hall of Fame Instructor, to learn this easy, understandable and doable approach. 3:00 PM The Importance of Club Fitting, Daren McKinnon, Director of Club Fitting, Joe & Leigh’s Performance Center Daren McKinnon is a Factory Certified Club Fitter for all brands and a PGA Apprentice. Recently named a Top 100 Club Fitter by Golf Digest magazine, Joe & Leigh’s Golf Performance Center is located in South Easton, MA.
SATURDAY, MARCH 5 12:00 PM More Distance, PLEASE! Jane Frost, Jane Frost Performance Center and LPGA NE Section President Joe Bermel Jr. is THE PUTTING DOCTOR, a golf teaching professional who has been teaching amateurs and professionals the putting game for over 28 years. Great putting tips – come early to get a great seat. 12:00 PM Golf Fitness | Kaitlyn Sharpless, Founder & Strength Coach, Felix.Fortis Jane Frost is well known in New England and beyond as an outstanding teacher and mentor. Her dedication to teaching has spanned over 30 years and in 2011 she joined an elite group, The Quarter Century Club of the PGA of America. The Jane Frost Performance Center is located at Sandwich Hollows Country Club in Sandwich, MA. 1:00 PM Golf Fitness Tips, Kaitlyn Sharpless, Founder & Strength Coach, Felix.Fortis Kaitlyn is a PGA Certified Professional and founder of Felix.Fortis, a fitness studio in Providence, RI specializing in golf fitness. 2:00 PM
WBZ’s Sports Hub 98.5 Golf Clinic with Hardy
Rob “Hardy” Poole presents a live version of his CBS Radio show, “The Sports Hub Golf Club.” Hardy’s guests will showcase the latest in gear, instruction, and offer attendees a chance to experience the show in a unique, interactive format. 3PM Technology & Learning, Jane Frost, Jane Frost Performance Center 4PM Functional Movements in Golf & Their Affect On Your Golf Swing, David DuPriest, Certified Jr. Golf Fitness Coach and Owner of FitGolf David DuPriest is a certified Jr. Golf Fitness Coach and the owner of FitGolf Performance Center in Wilmington, MA.
SUNDAY, MARCH 6 12PM
Playing the Game – It’s All in Your Head, Jane Frost, Jane Frost Performance Center
1PM
WBZ’s Sports Hub 98.5 Golf Clinic with Hardy
2PM
Golf Fitness Tips, Kaitlyn Sharpless, Founder & Strength Coach, Felix.Fortis March 2016 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 55
56 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | March 2016
March 2016 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 57
2016 NATIONAL GOLF EXPO EXHIBITOR LIST Adams Golf Audi of America, Inc. Axis 1 Azores Golf Islands Bermuda Tourism Big Skinny Wallets Callaway Golf Cape & Islands Golf Shop Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce/CVB Central NY Golf-Utica, Rome, Verona CJ’s Golf Apparel Cleveland Golf Coastal Golfaway Productions Cobra Crystal Springs Resort David Musty Putters, LLC Deutsche Bank Championship Diamond Resorts International ECCO Retail Enovative Technologies Executive Women’s Golf Association- Boston FitGolf Performance Centers Florida Golf Alliance Gina Cigar Golf Ball Retrieval Golf Maine Golf Ocean City, Maryland Golf Overnight Golf Prince Edward Island, Canada Golf the Great Northern Catskills Golf TLC Golfing Magazine Golfsmith International, Inc. GolfTEC Green Mountain National Golf Course H&R Block Happy Feet HEVC Hi-Dow International Hilton Head Golf Island Jay Peak Resort Joe & Leigh’s Discount Golf Shop Just Rite Golf Tee Co. Killington Golf Course Kings Creek Plantation Lake Morey Resort LeaderBoard of Boston- Mini Golf Maine’s Golf Trifecta Marina Inn at Grande Dunes Massachusetts Golf Association Massachusetts State Treasury Mizuno Mulligan Gear
933 840 612 409 536 436 933 818 533 434 640 933 417 933 508 503 437 318 611 539 314 310 639 517 404, 643 637 618 634 510 528 506 607 933 & 917 824 624 529 429 427 334 544 620 803 534 628 410, 428 622 854 633 512 519 537 933 502
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MyBallStamp New England Audi Dealers New England Golf Guide New England PGA New England PGA Junior Instruction New England PGA Skills Challenge New England PGA Tune Up With A Pro Nike Golf Nonesuch River Golf Club Northeast Synthetic Turf, Inc. Owl’s Nest Resort & Golf Club Palmers Global Magnetic Therapy Ping- represented by Golfsmith Point Sebago Golf Resort Power Home Remodeling Group Puerto Rico Tourism Company Pure Energy Bands Rain Wedge Real Irish Golf Renewal By Andersen RI Home Improvement Rolling Stogies Inc. Shaker Hills Country Club Silverleaf Resorts Smoke Setter Smokin’ Betty’s Cigars SolarCity Sports Overnight Stay & Play on Cape Cod Stowe Mountain Resort Sugarloaf Golf & Ski Resort Sunny Hill Resort & Golf Course Swing Click T & S Golf TaylorMade The Bethel Inn Resort The Boston Globe The Links at Outlook Golf Course Micheli Center Sports Injury Prevention The Paddy Wagon Irish Bar, Inc. The TOUR of Greater Boston Thunderheart Golf Course Titleist- represented by Golfsmith Touch of Purple Tourisme Prescott-Russell Tourism Traditional Golf Packages Verizon Fios Vintage Makers
The official show guide of the National Golf Expo since 2009!
520 840 509 304 201 205 203 933 518 543 629 421 917 636 344 630 504 418 627 328 444 405 424 403, 340 440 443 623 634 527 626 524 528 521 608, 617 933 522 324 635 621 346 540 528 917 419 530 505 330 443
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508-238-2320 March 2016 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 59
Love Golf and Friendly Competition? The Boston Amateur Golf Society is for You!
The Boston Amateur Golf Association (B.A.G.S) is the pre-eminent travelling golf club in Massachusetts. Established in 1989 it has annually served 250 – 500 members offering tournament golf for players of all abilities at some of New England’s finest courses. Whether you like competitive golf or simply love playing the game it offers unique opportunities. One of which is the ability to play private and semi-private courses that are generally closed to the public. There are at least two 18-hole tournaments a week during the golf season which runs from April through October. One on the weekend and one during the week. The cost of each tournament is dependent on the greens fees the courses charge. B.A.G.S also plays two day 36 hole events: The Society Club Championship, the Spring Championship and the Fall Championship. There is also a Member/ Guest tournament. Finally, there is an annual 72-hole tournament in the Orlando, FL area in December at some of the best championship courses. There are multiple levels of competition for every tournament. There is a Gross Division for single digit handicappers and two Net Divisions based on handicaps where the scoring is based on a modified stableford system. There is a prize fund for each division for the top finishers for each tournament and
B. .G.S
Boston Amateur Golf Society
62 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | March 2016
trophies for select tournaments. Additionally there are optional side cash pools for those players who want to bet on themselves for sweeps, skins and no zeros (stableford system}. There is also a yearlong points competition for each division called the Order of Merit with monetary prizes for the top finishers. B.A.G.S. has been a member club of the Massachusetts Golf Association since 1990. With your membership you have guaranteed reserved tee times for the tournaments. You can enter any tournament seven days in advance on-line (preferable) or by phone. You can pay on-line or by check or cash when you arrive at the tournament. You also get a B.A.G.S. Club GHIN card. If you wish to have an individual MGA/USGA card with your own individual number you can do so at their cost of $25. B.A.G.S. has been owned and operated for over 20 years by Steve Ritter. Beginning with the 2016 season it will be owned and operated by Mike Gilmore, a B.A.G.S. member for several seasons. Steve will be still be associated with B.A.G.S., performing in several capacities and now able to play in a lot more tournaments. For more information, to join and/or enter an event please visit www.BAGSgolf.com. The office phone is 617-302-2201.
NOW ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERS Only $100 for the Season with Code NEGM
• 2016 Full season membership for players of all abilities • Weekend and weekday tournaments at the finest courses in MA, RI and NH. • Guaranteed reserved tee times for tournaments including private and semiprivate clubs not open to the public • Multiple levels of competition: gross division for single digit handicaps and two net divisions • Prize funds for all divisions and trophies for select tournaments • Cash side pools for all divisions for sweeps, skins, etc. • Year long points competition for monetary prizes and trophies (Order of Merit ) • B.A.G.S. Club USGA handicap GHIN card with membership ( MGA/USGA individual number GHIN card at MGA cost ) • Number of new courses being added for 2016 season • New interactive website and new computerized scoring stystem and digital/ electronic scoreboard under consruction • Guest priveleges – invite a friend to tournaments where space available • Trial memberships ( specifics tbd) • Play with your friends and make new friends • Fun – if you like to compete or just enjoy playing golf this is the place
Some of the courses tournaments played at annually: Allendale CC, Andover CC, Atlantic CC, CC of Halifax, CC of New Bedford, Ferncroft CC, Foxborough CC, Franklin CC, Lebaron Hills CC, Ledgemont CC, Metacomet CC, Newport National GC, Olde Scotland Links, Pawtucket CC, Poquoy Brook GC, Segregannsett CC, Shaker Hills CC, Waverly Oaks GC and the classic Donald Ross George Wright GC and Franklin Park GC.
JOIN TODAY!
617-302-2201 BAGSGolf.com March 2016 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 63
PLAY ALL 9 IN 2016 TEE-TIMES, SPECIALS, EVENTS & MORE AT STERLINGGOLF.COM
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PLAY THE AWARD-WINNING SHINING ROCK GOLF CLUB
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March 2016 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 65
GOLF CONTENT NETWORK
Peter Golenbock: Authoring a unique golf love story by John Molori
Peter Golenbock’s most recent book is called “Red Sox Nation: The Rich and Colorful History of the Boston Red Sox,” but in truth, his own history can be described similarly. The Connecticut native and Yankee fan attended Dartmouth and New York University Law School, and then worked in the hotel business and personal injury law, before taking a job at Prentice-Hall Publishers. It was there that he pitched and wrote his first book, “Dynasty: The New York Yankees 1949-64.” Golenbock, 69, never intended to become one of America’s foremost baseball authors, but in 1979, penned “The Bronx Zoo,” a seminal piece of baseball literature written with pitcher Sparky Lyle about the internal strife of the late 1970s Yankees. The author of nine New York Times bestsellers, Golenbock’s passion is baseball, but he maintains a comically complicated relationship with golf. “Golf is the most miserable, rotten sport anyone could invent,” jokes Golenbock. “I recently played in a celebrity tournament at Isla Del Sol in St. Petersburg. I was at the 17th hole needing to sink a two-foot putt. I hit it three feet to the left, wheeled around, and tossed my putter into the air.” Now a resident of St. Pete, Golenbock first played golf at Rockrimmon Country Club in Stamford, CT. He relates, “We played a lot as kids, but
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the busier you become, the less time you have to play. It is also hard to find time to play if you are married to a woman you actually love. The game is great, but it takes up 4 or 5 hours of your day.” Golenbock once submitted a biography of links legend Larry Laoretti, but it was never published. Still, his memories of the charismatic 1992 U.S. Senior Open Champion are vivid. “You have to understand that these guys hit 1000 golf balls every day. I remember asking Laoretti if he was nervous having to make a big shot under pressure. He said, ‘I’ve already hit that shot hundreds of times. Why would I be nervous?’ “He was a character, always with that big cigar on the course. He told me some great stories about hustling other golfers. He would lose the first three holes, quadruple his bet, and take home five grand!” Golenbock recalls spending time with another golf oddball. He relates, “I was invited to a Fantasy Golf Week at Casa De Campo in the Dominican Republic. The star of the week was John Daly. It was amazing to watch him swing at 8am completely drunk on beer. “The guy hit these incredible 350 yard drives. I will never forget how his club would literally bend on his back swing. Daly would pitch and get the ball within 2 or 3 feet of the hole 19 out of 20 times.” An avid Tampa Bay Rays fan, Golenbock also
takes advantage of the Florida golf life. He explains, “I am surrounded by some of the nicest courses anywhere in the world. Every once in a while, I’ll go to Innisbrook (Palm Harbor, FL) to watch a tournament. I admire great golfers.” Despite his obvious reverence for golf, Golenbock is never far from his irreverent struggles with the game. “My golf highlight took place at Vinoy in St. Pete where I once played 18 holes and lost 18 balls. “Golf is the only game where you can be 100 yards out in perfect position for a 2-putt, and then shank the thing into a sand trap. I try to make sure no one is watching before I throw my club onto the green! Still, my goal is always to hit one great shot per round, and that shot is what keeps me coming back.” John Molori is an author and columnist for numerous publications. Like him on Facebook at John Molori, Twitter @MoloriMedia. Email molorimedia@aol.com.
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March 2016 | golfcontentnetwork.com | 67
GOLF CONTENT NETWORK
Celebrity Golfer:
Lexi Thompson by Leigh McKay
Lexi Thompson has had a storied career in golf. She has won eight professional tournaments with six of them on the LPGA Tour, including a major in the 2014 Kraft Nabisco (formerly the Dinah Shore and currently the ANA Inspiration). She has played in nine consecutive U.S. Women’s Open championships, compiled a 4-0-0 record for the winning U.S. amateur team in the 2010 Curtis Cup, and has twice represented the U.S. in the Solheim Cup, compiling a 3-2-2 record (1-2-0 in 2013 and 2-0-2 in 2105 when the U.S. regained the Cup). In 117 events on the LPGA Tour, Lexi has made the cut 97 times with 35 Top 10’s; in 24 starts in 2015, she made the cut 23 times, had 13 Top 10’s (including three in the majors), and won twice. She has amassed $4,574,510 in career earnings. Last year alone she won $1,763,904, good for fifth on the LPGA Tour, and ended the year fourth in the Rolex World Rankings and third in the Race to the CME Globe. What makes these achievements all the more remarkable is that Lexi accomplished all of this before her 21st birthday, which was February 10. Lexi started smacking golf balls at the age of six, and at 12, she became the youngest player ever to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open, an event in which she has participated every year since 2007. In 2011 at 16 years, seven months, and eight days, she was the youngest woman (until 15-year-old Lydia Ko) to win an event on the LPGA Tour, the Navistar LPGA Classic. Three months later she became the second youngest winner on the Ladies European Tour at the Dubai Ladies Masters. In September of 2011 at the age of 16, her petition to join the LPGA before the mandated age of 18 was approved, and Lexi joined the Tour in 2012. I had the opportunity to spend two hours with Lexi at the PGA Merchandise Show Demo Day
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this past January in Orlando. It was an eye-opener for me. For those 120 minutes (including the 10 uninterrupted minutes she spent with me), she was besieged by those who wanted her do something special for them. At five feet eleven inches with blonde hair and striking blue eyes, Lexi is arrestingly attractive and radiant, and throughout that entire time period, she remained enthusiastic, pleasant, and articulate. She had two interviews with Golf Channel announcers and two more interviews with other net-
works. She spent about 45 minutes with 41 children, ages 13 and under, from the Orlando-area PGA Jr. League, giving a shotmaking clinic, talking about golf, and then taking selfies with the kids, all of whom adored her. She couldn’t have been nicer or more accommodating. Then she headed to the Cobra Puma spot on the practice tee and gave a clinic to the SRO crowd of adults. She was smashing drives close to 300 yards and explaining in detail what she was trying to do. She even took a fan from the crowd who hit long wide slices, changed a few things in his swing, and watched him hit long, in-play draws. The assemblage went wild with applause. Lexi had certainly captured our attention and our admiration. Lexi’s two older brothers are also professional golfers, Nick on the PGA Tour and Curtis on the Web.com. Appropriately enough, Lexi’s maxim on her website is “Follow your dreams!”
NEGM: How do you spend your “free” time while you’re on the road? LT: I like to spend what free time I have relaxing and having fun. Jaye Marie Green is my closest friend out there, and we like to hang out together quite a bit. We’ll frequently go to the movies, do some bowling, and go to dinner. Often, other players will join us.
NEGM: Who are the most enjoyable competitors to play with? The toughest competitors?
LT: I enjoy playing with just about everybody out there for the most part, but I always enjoy playing with Jaye Marie Green and Brittany Lincicome. We’ll talk in between shots, which makes the round more pleasurable. [Big laugh] I’m not going to answer that one! We’re all tough in our own ways, and we all love to focus on our own games.
NEGM: What are your favorite tournaments on Tour? The one you most want to win in 2016?
LT: Two in particular. The U.S. Women’s Open has been a favorite of mine for years, and the ANA Inspiration is my all-time favorite and my first major win as well. I really like the atmosphere and the competition at both events. Oh, no question about it. The U.S. Women’s Open is the one tournament I want to win. I’ve been playing in it since I was 12 years old. [Best finish is T-7 in 2014]
NEGM: Where do you feel you need improvement?
LT: I feel that my game has improved dramatically, especially in the past year, in the parts I needed to work on. I feel very comfortable now with
my full swings— driver, woods, and irons. [2015: 1st in GIR at 77.23%; 4th in driving distance at 267.64 yards; 4th in scoring at 70.01] With my short game, in particular, I have worked extremely hard during the off season, so we’ll see this year how much progress I have made. The short game, as you know, is really what the game on Tour comes down to.
NEGM: What are your goals for 2016?
LT: To continue to play with consistency and dependability. That has been my overall one goal since the end of the 2012 season. [World rank 24th in 2012, 9th in 2013, 10th in 2014, and 4th in 2015] Last year I was very pleased with my steadiness of play and with my two wins. [Meijer LPGA Classic; LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship] I’ve also spent a lot of time on the mental side of the game, and I think that has really helped my consistency the most. This year I will go into every tournament with a positive attitude, and I will certainly enter every tournament wanting to win. We’ll see.
NEGM: You’ve been with Cobra Puma since you turned pro in 2010. What is your relationship with Cobra Puma? With Rickie Fowler? LT: The relationship has been just great! As you said, I’ve been with the Cobra Puma team since I turned professional, and it has been such an amazing company to be partnered with—a very fun and active and young company. The Cobra Puma philosophy has perfectly complemented my personality and my attitude toward life. I feel great on the course in the apparel, and the equipment just keeps getting better and better each and every year. So, I love being a part of Cobra Puma in all respects. Rickie is just a great guy, so entertaining to be around. He’s full of energy and is cracking jokes all the time. I love to watch his swing, too. He and I really enjoy representing Cobra Puma and getting to spend some time together when we can.
NEGM: Who are your other sponsors?
LT: Red Bull, Zurich Insurance Group, Lexus, Rolex, and EA Sports.
March 2016 | golfcontentnetwork.com | 69
232_GANS_GolfExpo_Fractional_HR.pdf
1
2/5/16
5:13 PM
NEGM: What charities/institutions do you support?
ALL.
LT: I work mostly with the Wounded Warrior Project [Lexi wears a WWP pin on her shirt], the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and junior golf although I also support some local charities on Tour throughout the year. I love to spend time with the kids through the PGA Jr. League and the LPGA and USGA’s Girls Golf initiative. I know how important it is to get these children involved in the game at such a young age, and these programs are very meaningful to me. I love seeing the smiles on their faces when they are hitting balls or asking me questions about golf or life or even when we are taking selfies as we did this morning at the PGA Jr. League clinic. The future of the game rests in those smiles, I believe.
NEGM: Who would be in your Dream Foursome?
SUMMER.
LT: Hmm. Anybody I want? OK. I haven’t played with Tiger Woods. That would be amazing. Michael Jackson, I’ve been a fan of his since I was a little girl. And my celebrity crush is Channing Tatum.
NEGM: What advice do you have for young girls who would like to emulate you and become competitive golfers?
LT: My advice to them would be, first of all, to have fun playing the game. You’ve got to love the game to be successful at it. To find a coach, a teacher, or a parent that you trust for advice and help. To get out on the course
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as often as possible and start with productive practice sessions—with friends if possible. And then play with these friends and have little competitions along the way to stay focused. Next would be to play in real competitions and always think about what needs to be done to get your game to the next level. It is absolutely necessary to enjoy the game, but you have to realize that golf is not an easy game. However, if you commit yourself and then stay with it, your goals should take care of themselves.
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GOLF CONTENT NETWORK
GOLFERS WILL CONFRONT
NEW ANCHORING AND HANDICAP RULES IN 2016 by Jack Ross
As New England golfers anticipate the new golf season, they might take some time to bring themselves up to speed on some of the notable rules changes that went into effect on January 1.
The two least popular changes are the anchoring rule and the revision to the handicap system that will prevent rounds played alone from counting for handicap purposes. Rule 14-1b prohibits the player from anchoring the cub to his body when making a stroke -- the technique formerly employed with long and belly putters. While a few touring pros, such as Adam Scott and Bernard Langer, historically relied on anchoring, the new rule is not likely to have a substantial effect at the pro level; given the almost three-year lead time since the rule was adopted, players like Keegan Bradley have had time to transition to conventional strokes. The advent of the anchoring rule could have a larger impact on amateur golf. It is not clear how club professionals will enforce the rule. For example, what is anchoring? “Direct” anchoring occurs when the player intentionally holds the club or a gripping hand in contact with any part of the body other than a hand or forearm. “Indirect” anchoring occurs when the player intentionally holds his forearm in contact with any part of his body so that the gripping hand becomes an “anchor point” around which the other hand may swing the club. (The USGA web site contains video demonstrations in case you have been unable to sleep at night worrying that you might be anchoring your putter. See www.usga.org/rules.) MGA executive director Jesse Menachem conceded that there might be gray areas, and that it will take some time to educate players about the
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anchoring rule. He said that the key to the anchoring is whether the hands work together or separately. In tandem with the 2016 revisions to the rules of golf, the USGA also unveiled revisions to the handicap system. The most notable – and controversial – change is that rounds played alone will no longer be acceptable for handicap purposes. So, if you play a round by yourself, and adhere strictly to the rules of golf consistent with the “spirit of the game,” you nevertheless will not be permitted to post that score for handicap purposes. The USGA explained that the new rule is consistent with the principle of “peer review” of scores, and will ensure “the provision of full and accurate information regarding a player’s potential scoring ability, and the ability of other players to form a reasonable basis for supporting or disputing a posted score.” A player will not be considered as playing alone as long as someone accompanies the player for at least seven holes of a 9-hole round or thirteen holes for an 18-hole round. This could be fellow competitor, an opponent, a caddie, a marker for a tournament, or even a friend riding in a cart. (Presumably the cart girl does not count, even if she makes multiple stops for your group.) Menachem conceded that there has been some “pushback” to the playing alone rule, but noted that the rule has been in force for many years in other parts of the world, including the U.K. He sees the rule as a positive example of collaboration and consistency among the different ruling bodies of golf, while admitting that adopting the rule at the club level “could be a challenge.” Jack Ross is a regular contributor to NEGM and is the editor of Ross’s Rulings.
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The J.A. Ironman at TPC Boston May 31, 2016 Join us for 36 Holes of world-class golf on May 31st for The JA Ironman as the North Team, East Team and West Team compete for the Bristol County Championship at TPC Boston in Norton, MA. The event, which raises critical funds for local Junior Achievement programs in K-12 classrooms, allows players to compete in a Ryder Cup style format at the home of the renowned Deutsche Bank Championship. Exclusive access to TPC Boston, locker rooms, practice facilities and dinning facilities for a full day 7AM – 7PM. *Limited team positions available for this year’s event please call today for information.
To receive information on participating the IRONMAN or to learn more about Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts, contact Hillary Joyce at hillary.joyce@ja.org or call 508-997-6536. Or Call Tim Branco @ 508-675-8883 tim@nepubinc.com March 2016 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 73
Named “Best” Driver, Fairway Wood and Hybrid at the 2016 PGA Show by noted golf journalists. “Bringing the Heat. The PGA Show’s sexiest club was the Knuth Golf High Heat 3-wood, ...and, oh yeah, balls shot like out of a cannon. Wow. New 3 Hybrid High Heat was also best in breed, easy to hit...” - Gary Van Sickle, Sports Illustrated
“Hit the High Heat 3 wood and #3 hybrid. They are incredibly easy to hit; really enjoyed it, got the ball up in the air with long distances. If you are any kind of golfer I am sure you will like them.” - Kit Alexander, Senior Editor, Golf World Magazine.
“After hitting both the High Heat Driver and 3 Wood one thing was clearly apparent. The ball jumps off the face of both clubs unlike any club I have ever hit. The sweet spot on the face of the driver is much larger than most clubs and miss-hits are still fairly straight, long and in play.” - Tim Branco, Editor/Publisher, Golf Gear Weekly
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GOLF GEAR WEEKLY
Clubs for 2016 Season By ED TRAVIS
It’s a golf fan’s version of the hot-stove league. The weather keeps us off the course but the game is always in our mind and perhaps more than some sports, the equipment we use is integral and vital to our performance and enjoyment. As we do every year, the New England Golf Monthly’s staff attends the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla. to evaluate the latest golf equipment and then pass on the information about the best of
what we find to our readers. The purchase of new clubs is an investment of not only money but in our future enjoyment so researching and comparing models is the first secret to getting what best matches our game. The second secret (and it’s not really secret) is the PGA Professional who can analyze and fit clubs to our individual swing, thereby making a crucial contribution to getting exactly what we want, need…and pay for.
Axis1 Golf An Axis1 putter not only looks different than other putter but are balanced much differently and for some they may be the solution to the USGA’s ban of the anchored stroke using extra-long putters. The Axis1 design uses a heel counterweight to make a torque-free putter with the center of gravity in the center of the face, right where the ball makes impact. They introduced at the PGA Merchandise Show a Tour model which joins the line up with the previous Joey, Joey C, Eagle and Umbra models with prices between $199 and $299.
Ben Hogan Golf CEO Terry Koehler has designed the new PTx irons for those wanting a game-improvement iron and they are made with a 7-step co-forging process and a thin face. The sole is titanium weighted and each iron from 20 degrees to 47 degrees has a hollow body construction. Pricing with KBS steel shafts is $169 per club and with UST Mamiya Recoil graphite $184 per club. Also new, the Ben Hogan VKTR hybrids provide higher ball flight without sacrificing workability and have interchangeable weights of 18 and 20 grams. Offered in 11 lofts they carry a price of $249 per club with UST Mamiya IROD graphite shafts.
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Bettinardi Golf Take a look at the four new BB Series Models from Bettinardi all in midnight black PVD finish with Hyper-Honeycomb milled pattern of the soft carbon steel face. Particularly appealing are the head’s paint accents in silver and lime green. The BB1, BB1F, BB8 and BB40 are $300.
BioMech Golf Last year the BioMech AccuLock Ace putter created a sensation and this year their latest is the AccuLock Touch ($300) with a more blade-like head shape but using the same principles. Even though the putter is an extra-long length, it conforms to the USGA rule that bans the use of an anchored putting stroke. Using an AccuLock, the stroke is made while the grip rests against the inside of the leading forearm stabilizing the hands, arms and shoulders.
Bridgestone Golf The big news from Bridgestone is the redesigned Tour B330 golf balls. For swing speeds less than 105 mph there are the Tour B330RX and Tour B330RXS (both $40 dozen) with the soft AMATOURcore and high friction coefficient SlipRes cover. The new Tour B330 and Tour B330S ($45 dozen) for higher swing speeds have the firmer TOURcore along with the SlipRes Cover and the same 330 Dual Dimple pattern.
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Callaway Golf
“Forgiveness meets fast” is the one-liner for the new XR16 driver’s ($350) head shape designed in conjunction with aerospace giant Boeing Co. with lots of forgiveness and a reengineered Speed Step Crown for lower drag in the downswing. Also new and part of the XR family are the XR OS irons ($800 steel) with Callaway’s Face Cup technology, a wider sole and lower center of gravity to help get the ball in the air. XR OS Hybrids ($220 each) are complementary to the irons and made with a cup face and a wider higher MOI clubhead. We also like the new Chrome Soft golf ball ($40 dozen) with 4-piece construction compared to last year’s 3-piece. It has the proprietary Dual SoftFast Core for greater ball speed from the driver and the Tour Urethane cover. Callaway’s putter division Odyssey has four new Tank Cruiser models: V-Line, #7, #1 (Wide) and 2-Ball Fang, each priced at $249.
Carbon Putters
Maybe they aren’t an overnight sensation, having been in business for more than five years, but Carbon attended their first PGA Merchandise Show in January and from the number of people crowding into the booth they achieved a lot of attention. Carbon putter heads, they are proud to point out, are 100 percent milled from forged steel billets by scratch golfers so all by itself this makes the company one-of-kind. Although it has nothing to do with the performance but rather good marketing, Carbon names putters with a Western gunslinger theme—The Kid, Ringo, Holliday—and all are price at $290. “Cassidy,” “Brocious” and the “Duke” are coming soon.
Cleveland Golf We think of wedges when we think of Cleveland and they haven’t disappointed us with the two new super game-improvement wedges the Smart Sole 2.0 C and Smart Sole 2.0 S. Both are meant to be short-game stress reducers with the C model designed, the company says, so it “helps eliminate the chunked wedge” while the S takes away “the embarrassment of being stuck in the sand.” As one golfer with both game faults exclaimed, “I can’t wait to get ‘em!” Pricing for either is $110 (steel shaft) and $120 (graphite shaft).
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Cobra Golf Cobra brought out three driver families this winter and the one we like has a “Spaceport” in the sole so you can see the clubhead inner construction though that’s not our main interest. It the performance of the King LTD ($449) which has a forged face plate, a center of gravity on the neutral axis of the face and a carbon fiber crown not to mention a channel around the face perimeter making this a top quality design. We also like the King Forged TEC irons meant to be played by better golfers. The forged clubhead has a stainless steel face backed by a urethane and carbon fiber badge. The Technology Enhance Cavity design includes heel and toe tungsten weighting and a set sells for $1,099 in steel and $100 more for graphite shafts.
Cure Putters High modulus of inertia (MOI) putters resist twisting better when the putter head strikes the ball off center and Cure builds putters with extremely high MOI. Popular on the Champions Tour and building on the success of their previous RX Series there are the new RX3, RX4, RX5 and RX6 models. They feature a streamlined look at address and a softer feel from a spiral milled face. As do all their putters, these models have a high center of gravity combined with less loft and deeper face to reduce backspin by promoting impact at the ball’s equator. The RX3, RX4 and RX5 are $260 and the RX5 is $230.
Edel Golf
Made in the USA. Focusing on the interaction the iron has with the turf; Edel has created a classic looking iron with the modern bounce and sole configuration to match any golfers swing. Bounce offsets a golfers shaft lean and the angle of attack at impact to minimize the effects of soil and turf conditions. Having the ideal bounce angle on your irons results in less face twisting through impact, a faster and more consistent clubhead speed, better feel, and consistent control of distances; drastically improving your game. All Edel Forged Irons are Hand-Ground to specific weight, grind, bounce, and sole-width, in their workshop in Liberty Hill, TX. Iron sets start at $900.
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Knuth Golf
Capitalizing on the success of the High Heat driver, Knuth is bringing to market a line of fairway woods ($299) and hybrids ($249). All will have a beta titanium cup face construction for more trampoline-effect across a larger portion of the face compared to clubfaces made with steel. The faces are also wider meaning a larger sweet spot so distance isn’t penalized as drastically when the impact is off-center towards the toe or heel. Like the driver, to help amateurs get the ball in the air High Heat fairway woods and hybrids have the center of gravity placed deeper and lower in the clubhead.
Mizuno Golf
In addition to introducing iron lines under the MP-25, MP-5 and JPZ-EZ names the company known for its irons has come out a line that really drew our attention the JPZ-EZ Forged made of boron steel. These don’t look like a game-improvement iron but they do have a CNC milled back cavity, Mizuno’s vibration dampening system and Triple Cut sole so they are contenders in this category. The price for 4-iron through gap wedge is $1,000 with steel shafts and $1,100 with graphite. We also liked the new Mizuno S5 Wedge with a knockout Blue Ion finish available in 25 loft and lie combinations. The “Blue Magic” was developed using input from former world number one Luke Donald and retails for $130.
Nike Golf The Vapor Fly line takes over from last year’s Vapor line with design changes to produce a higher ball flight in every club from driver through long irons. The Vapor Fly driver ($350) has a distinctive blue crown and yellow accented sole but also provides the average golfer with better launch conditions from the one-third lighter crown, Compression Channel, cavity back and Nike’s Hyperflight face. At the top of the line is the Vapor Flex 440 ($500) using twice the amount of carbon fiber and a reversible tube in the sole to adjust launch angle, spin rate and forgiveness. In addition to a full complement of fairway woods and hybrids their also the Vapor Fly irons using three different constructions within a set: hollow RZN cavity long irons, RZN pocket mid irons and RZN cavity short irons. With steel shaft $800 and with graphite $900. They also introduced a Black RZN Tour ball and a Platinum RZN Tour ball with new 4-piece construction that sell for $48 per dozen.
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Parsons Xtreme Golf PXG has had a lot of press recently for signing endorsement contracts with popular stars on the PGA and LPGA tours but more significantly their new 0811 driver has really tuned some heads. The good looking head shape has 16 platinum colored movable weights and adjustable hosel fine-tuning of the club’s biases to correct swing faults of the user. The thin face is made of a high strength titanium alloy and clubhead weight is positioned for added resistance to twisting on offcenter hits. Available in either 9 or 10.5 degree lofts, the 0811 price is $700. PXG lineup includes fairway woods ($500), hybrids ($400) and irons ($300 each) with a high launch, soft feel and large sweet spot design.
Ping
The G30 driver of last season was a runaway hit for Ping and they hope to capture the same magic with the new G driver ($435) for 2016. Weight saved from an exoskeleton design of the crown allowed the center of gravity to be pushed lower and deeper positively effecting launch and forgiveness. Aerodynamics were also adjusted with, in addition to the well-known crown “turbulators,” a redesign of the trailing edge of the head to lessen drag. The G family includes a new Crossover—part iron, part hybrid—with the workability of long irons missing in hybrids but with the easy-to-hit properties of hybrids. The new G irons according to Ping produce less spin so players may see 5-yards additional distance plus there are other positives such as a five percent increase in MOI from top to bottom of the blade and added beveling on the rear edge. Ping G irons come standard with Ping AWT 2.0 steel shafts for $110 per iron and are also available with Ping CFS graphite shafts for $125 per iron.
Piretti Golf
Any golfer visiting the Piretti booth at the PGA Merchandise Show has to be impressed with their custom milled putters. One of the additions to their Rev2.0 line is the Savona priced at $355 to $390 and with a 375-gram head weight. This good-looking mallet has very high MOI and may be customized to fit the user. Also getting a lot of attention was the Ferrara model ($340), a zero offset center shafted blade with moderate toe hang. It is a little heavier than usual, weighing 365-grams, and has a very nice titanium PVD finish.
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SeeMore Putter After Zach Johnson’s win in the Open Championship using the SeeMore FGP (his second major with SeeMore) interest in the putters with the unique aiming system skyrocketed. For the new season they have added to the Giant line with three models. The Giant FGPt ($295) is a smaller version of the first Giant introduced in 2015 while the Giant mt1 (also $295) is a more traditional shape. Finally the Mini Giant ($395) is quite a bit smaller than the Giant and uses copper weighting to boost the MOI. All have the SeeMore cover-the-red-dot-with-the-shaft aiming system with zero offset shafts.
Sentio Putter The brand new Sierra 101 putter line uses what Sentio calls Dynamic Response construction to separate the face from the body with a vibration dampening layer of polymer. The neat thing about the design is these putters is the response level can be changed during manufacture simply by changing the hardness of the polymer core. Available in three models, the Sierra 101 comes in a choice of color coded core: green for soft, red for medium, and blue for firm. All models retail for $249 and feature a 350-gram head weight, 3 degrees loft, 72 degrees lie, full offset plumber hosel and a medium amount of toe hang.
Snell Golf Though not new for 2016 the My Tour Ball and Get Sum balls stand up in any comparison to the latest from bigger manufacturers. The three piece My Tour has a low compression core for low driver spin and soft feel with a mantle layer for iron spin control. The Urethane cover is ideal for short game control and feel. The two piece Get Sum has a Surlyn cover with a low compression core and is great for most golfers. The My Tour is $32 per dozen and the Get Sum is $21 per dozen.
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Srixon The third generation of the Q-Star ball is for mid to high handicap players and features an improved SpinSkin cover for added friction to give better performance around the green. Retail price is $25. All seen was the Srixon Z355 driver which is designed with a clubhead between 10 and 15 grams heavier than comparable heads and very lightweight shaft on the idea the average player will be able to generate more clubhead speed. To counterbalance the heavier head the shaft has its heaviest part closer to the end of the club so more distance will be achieved with a lower amount of effort. Retail price is $350.
TaylorMade Golf There was a lot of anticipation waiting for what TMaG would do to regain lost market share in the metal wood segment and all the questions were answered with the introduction of the M1 series last summer. By any measure it was a smashing success. The M1 driver has a carbon fiber crown and two tracks for sliding weights on the sole but at $500 the company wanted more affordable complementary model. Enter the M2, which still has the carbon fiber crown but not the costly T-shaped system of sliding weights, selling for $400 there are also a complete line of complementary fairway woods, hybrids and irons. Better players should evaluate the PSi irons from TaylorMade with the unique slots in the face first used in the RSi model and a completely new Speed Pocket design behind the face. PSi irons carry a price of $1,099 with steel shafts and $1,299 with graphite. The new golf balls from TaylorMade include the Tour Preferred ball (4-layer construction, 80 compression) with a 65% softer more flexible mantle and the Tour Preferred X ball (5-layer construction, 87 compression) with a thicker re-engineered cast urethane cover.
Titleist For 2016 there are new versions of the AP1 and AP2 irons. The 716 AP1s ($899 steel, $1,099 graphite) are cast from a very strong stainless steel with Titleist’s 360-degree undercut cavity for more unsupported area of the face, more off center hit forgiveness and distance. 716 AP2s ($1,199) for better players have a co-forged tungsten sole heel and toe weighting in the 3 to 7-irons that helps move the center of gravity behind the hitting area. Titleist is number one in golf ball market share and has brought out an improved NXT Tour and NXT Tour S ($35 dozen). The NXT Tour has a larger center dual core for lower spin and higher ball speed complementing the for Fusablend cover for even longer driver and
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iron distance. The NXT Tour S has similar performance but with a much softer feel from the lower compression core and softer Fusablend cover. There’s also a new Velocity ball with a larger, faster LSX core that produces higher ball speed for more distance. Priced at $27 a dozen the Velocity may be purchased with single (1, 2, 3, 4) and double-digit (00, 22, 77, 99) numbers.
Tour Edge Golf Both irons and metalwoods are at the top of the bill for Tour Edge and we especially like the CB Pro Tungsten irons. Hollow construction combined with progressive tungsten sole weighting combined with forgiveness and distance make a powerful package. Threeiron through pitching wedge is $800 with steel shafts and $900 with graphite. The Exotics EXd irons have a large portion of the face unsupported for more ball speed, a deep undercut cavity for help on mishits and variable thickness face providing added trampoline effect. Four-iron through A-wedge is $600 (steel) and $700 (graphite). Exotics EXi irons have a more traditional shape, slightly less offset with a dual undercut cavity and sole slot for more distance by allowing more face flex. Prices are the same as the EXd model. The Tour Edge Exotics EX9 drivers come in two versions, the standard (460cc draw bias 10 or 12 degree) and the Tour (pear-shaped 430cc 9 or 10 degree). Both are
designed to produce low spin drives and have much larger sweet spots matched with a hexagonal pattern variable face thickness. The standard model is $300 and the Tour $400. We suggest taking a close look at the Exotics EX9 fairway woods ($230) that have a sloped crown and Tour Edge’s SlipStream sole with an interchangeable heel weight. The design has less aerodynamic drag and a smooth turf interaction for more clubhead speed at impact. We also liked the cup face construction of the Exotics EX9 hybrids ($160) matched up with a SlipStream sole and weight reducing combo brazing to make them easy to hit from any lie.
Volvik They are billed as the most played color golf ball on the professional tours and are seen often on the LPGA Tour and at the PGA Merchandise Show, where they were the ball used at the indoor Equipment Testing Center, Volvik introduced six new models. In our estimation the new Vivid, the first matte finish ball, was the most interesting. A premium ball with 3-piece construction similar to their Crystal model, it is 80-compression and the company says its testing show it to be one of the longest golf balls on the market today, especially for slower to medium swing speeds. Available in green, orange and pink the Vivid retails for $30 dozen.
Wilson Staff Everyone we talked to who has tried the new Wilson Staff C200 irons comes away impressed. Wilson says they are targeted for use by what they call the “crossover player;” a mid to high handicapper wanting more distance in a more playable clubhead than typical game-improvement irons. The C200s are constructed so the thin face comes in contact with the club body at only a few points which let the face have lots of flex at impact. Priced at $800 with steel shafts, the Wilson Staff C200s with
graphite shafts are $900 and both are in shops now. The FG Tour F5 driver ($380) has a lightweight adjustable hosel and three interchangeable sole weights close to the face to decrease spin. The variable thickness face helps preserve ball speed across the width and the driver comes two lofts, 9 or 10.5 degrees.
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PREMIUM CLUB FITTING EQUALS
instant success 8 Out of 9 Golfers Added up to 21 Yards Off the Tee By Leonard Finkel
With advances in golf club technology, most golfers could easily hit the ball further and more accurately. Yet a Golf Magazine study found that 90% of U.S. golfers may be playing with improperly fit clubs. A Golf Digest study found that 8 out of 9 Club Champion custom fit golfers lowered their score by as much as 6 strokes per round and added up to 21 yards off the tee. Club Champion is the country’s premier club fitter, builder, and retailer of the best brands in golf. The company delivers a Tour-quality fitting that produces longer, more accurate shots, with a nearly 100% satisfaction rate. Their approach is unbiased; no specific vendor is promoted. The only goal - find the best combination of components to lower your scores. Ranked by Golf Digest among the 100 Best Club Fitters three times in a row, Club Champion
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has a unique coupling system that allows them to combine any head and shaft together, so golfers hit the precise combination to be custom built for them. Most golf stores use fitting carts provided by club manufacturers and while these carts offer options, golfers are unable to mix and match from different carts to determine ideal combinations. Club Champion offers hundreds of shafts and many are not available through most other fitters and retailers. Former PGA Tour player Jay Williamson says, “I had access to every brand of shaft and head, but I never understood what they did for me. I didn’t have the opportunity to experiment like I do at Club Champion. They bring the same level of service players receive on Tour, including the newest heads and shafts and the most advanced fitting technology. If you are a committed golfer at any level, I highly recommend it.” Incidentally, Club Champion was able
“Club Champion is a fantastic consumer experience. One of the great new age golf retailers who understands that fitting is the future in how you can benefit a golfer.” – Chip Brewer, President of Callaway Golf
to add an average of 15 yards to Jay’s driving statistics. As a golf writer, I‘ve experienced many fittings but this was totally different. My driver picked up an average of 24 yards. I added 15 yards to my irons and reduced dispersion by approximately 30%. It’s easier hitting greens with a 7-iron than a 5-iron. Club Champion stands out because they actually build clubs in-house, to exacting, unrivaled tolerances. Variables such as swing weight, length, lie and flex definitely alter performance. The experience and know-how in combining these intricate parts together is what separates Club Champion from its competition. Chuck Thiry, Vice President Strategic Partnerships – Cleveland Golf says, “In our experience, Club Champion represents the finest in the art of club fitting and building. We are confident that Club
Champion will fit, service and support the most discerning golfers at the highest possible levels.” While anyone will benefit from premium club fitting, it is for the golfer who wants optimized performance. When Club Champion says you’ll add 20 yards off the tee, they mean it. Whether you are looking to buy new clubs or fix your current set, premium club fitting is the answer. Fitting prices range from $80 for wedges to $350 for an entire bag. The company has studios located in Chicago (3 stores), Boston, New Jersey/NYC, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and opening in March, St. Louis, Austin, and Seattle. Don’t just buy clubs, buy guaranteed improvement!
For more information, clubchampiongolf.com/negm or call (888) 335-9692.
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AN INTERVIEW WITH TERRY KOEHLER President / CEO of Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company By Matt Ward
i
don’t remember life before golf, actually. My childhood memories revolve around my father and brother, and a little ninehole golf course in Cuero, Texas -- population 7,000. In the 1950s, we had a pro shop at that little municipal course, and to me it was a magical place. That Bulls-eye putter rack. Sets of MacGregor, Powerbilt woods. Wilson Staff, Spalding TopFlite irons. And the Hogans. Those were always special to me, as my father instilled his legacy in me from those early years. You see, my father played an exhibition match with Mr. Hogan, Jug McSpaden and my uncle, sometime before WWII. I believe he ran into Mr. Hogan a few times during the war and after, because I grew up with a copy of Power Golf in which Mr. Hogan had written a personal message inside. That was our golf bible. I regret that
somehow that book was lost, as it was passed around to a generation of young Cuero golfers. In 1979, I made my first sales call as a young ad agency executive, on Ray Cook putters. That started this nearly-40-year journey in an industry that I truly love. That path took me through the Ben Hogan Company in the early 90s, but having been moved from Fort Worth to Richmond, VA, it had lost its soul, to me anyway. I left my “dream job” because I thought the company was going down a different path than Mr. Hogan would take. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine I could be here now. To be able to lead this team of dedicated people to re-build this great legacy for quality golf equipment is an honor and an obligation I would not have anticipated. But I believe this is what I am meant to do. For Mr. Hogan and my father.
MATT WARD: The name Ben Hogan means much to the world of golf -- what steps have you carried out to ensure his legacy with your stewardship of the company that bears his name? TERRY KOEHLER: Mr. Hogan stood strong for precision and quality -- the constant pursuit of perfection -- in everything he did. We let that guide us every day. We have a lot of people who worked for Mr. Hogan, and we challenge ourselves every day to do things the way Mr. Hogan would have wanted it done. MW: How do you think Hogan would view today’s golf equipment and in what you have done in pushing the Hogan brand ahead? TK: I think Mr. Hogan would appreciate the technology that really makes the game more enjoyable and helps golfers perform better. But I think he would have called BS on some of the things we see. He was an innovator, for sure, and we have access to some of his great ideas. Our commitment is to pursue genuine, appreciable technologies that allow us to build better golf clubs. To help golfers hit better golf shots, more often. MW: The PGA Merchandise Show just completed it’s ‘16 version -- what’s the overall mood you sense from that gathering as we are about to kick-off the golf season here in America?
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TK: I can’t speak for everyone, as I was pretty much captured in our booth for four days. But if what we experienced is any indication, the mood is exciting, and the desire for real performance is strong. MW: Golf has been going through a real contraction over the last few years -- what do you see as being needed in order to attract new players -- especially millennials, women and minorities -- into the game as life long players? TK: I don’t completely agree with that -- but the game itself does need a shot. Golf courses have become too difficult to play for beginners and kids. Greens are too fast. And the pace
too slow. But I do not think relaxing the cultural standards of the game is the answer. That’s my short answer to a big question. MW: How does Hogan solicit customer feedback and in what specific ways has customer feedback factored into product development? TK: We ask golfers what they want. We’ve collected tens of thousands of golfer profiles that are very revealing. We research. There is indication golfers may be tiring of the relentless pursuit of distance. They’ve told us their challenges with control, feel, accuracy, distance control. So our product development is driven to help them address these issues
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and problems -- so they can hit better golf shots through the bag. MW: The golf equipment category is populated by a few much larger companies with plenty of resources to distinguish themselves. How does Hogan get noticed away from your much larger competitors and the overall clutter that impacts golfers / consumers? TK: Golfers are smart and educated people. Research indicates they see through hollow ad claims -- they know tour players are paid to play what they play. We are not a mass-marketer. We talk straight with golfers and deliver the kind of products they would expect bearing the name “Ben Hogan.” It all boils down to performance. We’ll do fine because that is what we deliver. MW: What’s the biggest challenge you see for the Hogan equipment company in going forward? TK: Just executing our plan. Attracting good people and keeping them excited and motivated. IF we do that, we’ll be just fine. MW: Do endorsements from PGA / LPGA players matter much regarding the broader visibility efforts company seek? TK: They help establish awareness. But I don’t believe they have as dramatic an
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impact on actual success as many might think. Again, golfers know these guys and ladies are paid to play what is in their bag. The biggest influence on golfers’ purchases is the recommendation of a friend or home professional. And you earn that by building better products delivering on your claims. MW: If you could change one thing in golf what would it be? TK: Take green speeds back to 8-9 on the Stimpmeter -- give you a run-up approach friendly to beginners and the less-skilled. Make the game more about shotmaking and less about putting. I would like to see the ball rolled back so that we don’t have to make courses approach 8,000 yards. And I would abolish bunker rakes. Make those things more rare -- but nasty places to be. MW: Best advice you ever received? TK: I’ll give you two. Mr. Hogan said, “Hard work never bothered me like it bothers most people. If you outwork the best -- you can become the best.” And my father instilled in me a disdain for quitting. It doesn’t matter what it is -- give it all you’ve got and see it through to the end. For more information visit www.BenHoganGolf.com
MORE FORGIVING. MORE ACCURATE. SMARTER.
The new Ben Hogan wedges represent a complete re-engineering of your scoring clubs. We pioneered progressive weighting to make them accurate and forgiving while innovating a versatile sole that can handle any lie or swing. We offer them in every loft from 44 to 63 degrees for the most precise gapping in the industry. Each loft delivers the forged feel and legendary Ben Hogan standards for quality. To make your wedges really yours, we build them with the most advanced custom-fit and custom-build process in the wedge category. Do you want to change your scoring? Then change your wedges. It really is that simple. For more information, please visit BenHoganGolf.com/TK-15 © 2016, Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company, LLC Ben Hogan® is a registered trademark of Perry Ellis International.
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™
New Vegas Golf 10-chip “On The Course” Gambling Game This exciting game levels the playing field for all golfers. Only 1 game is needed per foursome.
EXAMPLE:
The game begins by golfers agreeing on a value for the poker chips before teeing off on the first hole. Each player begins the round with no chips. Golfers want the positive chips and want to avoid the negative. The player that has the game hands out the chips as they are earned. The payoff is determined by the last golfer holding the chip at the end of 9 or 18 holes.
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If someone hits their ball into the sand, he would receive the sand chip. He can pass it when he sees another player go into the sand. He must do this before he walks off the green! If he waits until the next hole...it is too late! Same rule applies for positive chips. If someone is holding the Birdie Chip and a player birdies after...that player must ask for the chip before he walks off the green for that hole. These are authentic poker chips, each with a different character. This new 10 chip game comes with our latest and most popular BEER CHIP! Beer Chip rule: Every Par 3 whoever has the worst tee shot gets the BEER CHIP. If the BEER CHIP is in your pocket when the “beverage cart” comes by…. guess who is buying? It all comes down to the 18th. Make sure you try to get rid of the negative chips and earn the positive. The game can take place over 18 holes or be broken into 9’s. The payoff is determined by the last golfer holding the chip at the end of 18.
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March 2016 | golfgiftguides.com | 91
GOLF CONTENT NETWORK
COMBINING MODERN CELEBRITY WITH CLASSIC CONCEPTS; Jordan Spieth, pop culture and corporate brands By Elisa Gaudet
You see, my fatheBeyond TV rights and merchandise the world of sports has always relied on the corporate sector to support and sponsor various sporting organizations, endeavors and participants. Corporations have become increasingly clever as to how they market their brands to consumers. Super Bowl commercials become an internet or You Tube sensation prior to their actual airing during the big game. Golf is no different and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am captured this strategic trend perfectly with the Jordan Spieth bobblehead. Given to 8,000 spectators on Saturday, this seemingly simple gesture gained significant attention and publicity even before its release. The beauty, power and essence as to why companies choose to align themselves with athletes was made obvious by the degree of media attention the bobblehead campaign generated. This type of promotion has become a staple for introducing or reinvigorating brands as well as keeping them
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topical and new. It brings a brand to the forefront of our minds by connecting to the sports heroes and celebrities that we already admire. Interestingly Jordan Spieth, now 22 years old, the second youngest golfer to win the Masters and US Open Championship only behind Tiger Woods, is linked to some of the oldest brands in the US. The fun loving bobblehead that has become classic collectibles is thought to date back at least 150 years. According to the bobblehead website the earliest known reference to similar toys is from 1842. While they have gone in and out of favor over the years, they have a history and place in pop culture. The bobblehead set for the Beatles became one of the most famous and rare of all time, and it is still a valuable collectible today. In 1999, the San Francisco Giants baseball team handed out 35,000 free Willie Mays bobbleheads during one of their games. The Jordan Spieth bobblehead is a reminder that what was once old can become new
GOLF CONTENT NETWORK and can also become the key component of of modern advertising strategy to bring attention to a classic brand. As for Spieth’s thoughts on his bobblehead “I mean, I don’t know how, but somehow I think it’s even better looking than me. Definitely better looking than Jake. No, it’s cool. It’s really cool -- we heard about, our team, heard about this a while ago and there’s been some pretty cool little kind of commercial spiffs around it, and I’ve been kind of re-tweeting them and they will continue to come. And I think it’s awesome that I have this support from AT&T, obviously I knew I already did, but it’s cool to see it in action.” While Spieth is taking his new fame and number one position in in the world golf ranking in stride he still has the awe of a young man when meeting his heroes. “The other day I met Dirk Nowitzki for the first time. I grew up living half a mile from him, and he was my sports hero growing up in Dallas. I had never met the guy. And so the other day, what was it, a few weeks ago I got the opportunity to go down after the Mavs game and hang out
with the players and take a picture with Dirk. And I thought that was pretty awesome. I think that that was maybe a -- I wouldn’t say, that’s probably an advantage to the position we’re in, but with it comes responsibilities for sure” says Spieth. When asked about Tiger as an inspiration and if there is one tournament or moment that made it obvious he was doing something special Spieth has no hesitation responding with a definitive moment. “Yeah, it was the 2005 Masters. The chip in on 16. That’s the greatest clutch chip shot. As many as he’s had, that was one that I’ve watched over and over and over again on YouTube on just how incredible it was. It was when there was rough there. It was just backed up against the collar of the rough. And I had that similar chip last year and didn’t even get close to making it. In fact, I kind of flubbed it, but I made the putt which was nice.” While the number one position has its advantageous beyond bobbleheads; a bobblehead of a sports celebrity in the number one position can be the key part of a strategy to reintroduce a classic brand to a new generation.
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March 2016 | golfcontentnetwork.com | 93
NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY
2016 Team New England ON THE TOURS On The PGA Tour Jon Curran, (MA), is in year two on the PGA Tour. The Hopkinton native has a scoring average of 70.848. He finished 113 in his rookie season 2015 earning over 1 Million in his first year. He is out the gate early and after 9 events this season his earnings are nearly $500,000 and he is moved into the top 50. Like best friend Keegan Bradley, he plans on being a fixture on the tour. Scott Stallings, (MA), has put his suspension behind him. His scoring average is 70.955. An illness forced a WD at the Career Builders event but he opened the Farmers Insurance Open with a -4/68, just 2 strokes off the lead. Torrey Pines has been good to Scott. He has mounted a slow start and sits at 81 in the standings with $285,000 in earnings for the season so far. Keegan Bradley, (VT), has a scoring average of 71.03 at this writing, Bradley appears to be having trouble adjusting to the new USGA Anchor Putter Ban. Keegan hasn’t been in the winner’s circle since the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in 2012. One of our most talented players, Bradley, again, needs to adjust to his putting change and overall accuracy. Rob Oppenheim, (MA), finished the 2015 Web.Com Tour season on the magic number 25 to secure his PGA Tour Card. Getting your card is huge but it’s a struggle trying to get into events. Rob’s scoring average is 71.807. Not a long hitter Oppenheim needs to improve his driving accuracy and GIR ever remembering the adage; drive for show and putt for dough. JJ Henry (CT) Last season JJ had a win at the Barracuda Championship in Reno, NV. He has won the event twice in the last 4 years. The 40-year-old has found new life in his game finishing 90th in 2015 and winning over 1 Million. He is off to a slow start in 2016 in 7 events only at $150,000 in earnings.
On The Champions Tour Billy Andrade, (RI), is off to a good start in this third season on the Champions Tour after 3 wins in 2015 and over $1.5 Million in earnings finishing 4th in the Charles Schwab Cup. Andrade’s out quickly in 2016 after a playoff in the Allianz Championship. Billy’s statistics look very good. Settling in over his putts, he is sure to have a great season. Brad Faxon (RI) Brad is off to slow start in 2016 in his first two events for the season, Last year was a disappointment with only $150,000. In earnings on the tour. In 15 events. Brad & Billy are champions for the CVS Charity Classic cause each year at Rhode Island CC in Barrington where they have raised millions over the years for local charities.
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY
The European Tour Peter Uihlein, (MA), is in his 5th year as a regular on the European PGA Tour. A scoring average of 73.38 has sky rocketed over last year. Uihlein’s stats tell me that he is struggling with his swing and attitude as his current numbers are not indicative of this very talented player from New Bedford.
The Web.Com Tour Richey Werenski, (MA), is in his second year on the Web.com and already Richey has all but matched his 2015 earnings. Playing in the first two events this year, Werenski finished T-2nd in the Club Columbia Championship. Richey’s scoring average sits at 69.83 at this writing. Improving his par 3 stat could pay big dividends for the Springfield native. Jim Renner (MA) Jim after 75 events played in on the PGA Tour in the last 3 years, now starts 2016 on The Web.com Tour. 2015 was a difficult year for Jim with only 7 cuts made out of 27 events and he only had PGA Tour earning of $90,000. He is off to a slow start in the first two events, we wish Jim the very best this year. James Driscoll (MA) James had a great run on the PGA Tour from 2005 – 2015 amassing over 5 Million in earnings. In 2016 he has played in one PGA Tour event earning $25,000 and two Web.com events missing cut in both. He has some conditional status still on the PGA Tour but we will see him mostly on the Web.com
The LPGA Tour Megan Khang, (MA), stormed onto the LPGA Tour as a rookie in her first event as an LPGA Tour player finishing T-11th at the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Championship. The youngster from Rockland made the choice to turn professional in lieu of playing college golf. Khang’s has earned over $25,000 in two events. Brittany Altimore ( VT) She is back on the LPGA Tour after she lost her card in 2014. She finished 16th on the Symetra Tour in 2015 to re-qualify. In her first event The Pure Silk Classic in the Bahamas she finished tied for 21st. To this point in the season she has earned almost $14,000. Alison Walshe (MA) Has career earnings of over $800,000 on the LPGA Tour back to her rookie year of 2010. She started off this season a bit slow missing cuts Coates Golf Championship and The Pure Silk Classic. *Best Wishes in 2016 to New England born TNE Golfers: Aaron Baddley NH, Patrick Sheehan RI, Fran Quinn MA, Brad Adamonis RI, Paul Azinger MA, Ken Green CT, David Peoples ME, P.H. Horgan RI, Jim Hallet MA, Dana Quigley MA, Brett Quigley MA.
March 2016 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 95
NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY Dick Connolly Receives MGA Sellman Award On January 7, 2016, Ouimet Alumnus and Trustee, Richard “Dick” F. Connolly, Jr. ’61 was honored by the Massachusetts Golf Association with the Frank H. Sellman Distinguished Service Award at Wellesley Country Club. The Sellman Award recognizes Exemplary Service to the Game of Golf and has only been presented 14 times since its inception in 1988. It is the MGA’s highest award and honors Mr. Sellman who was the MGA Secretary-Treasurer in the ‘Sixties. Some of the past recipients include Roger Barry, Dick Haskell, Bill Foley and Jim Gaquin. Dick is the second Ouimet Alum following Bill Foley, who had been President of both the MGA and Ouimet Fund.
Tom Lehman to be Honored at Ouimet Banquet Tom Lehman, PGA TOUR and Champions Tour and British Open champion and member of the victorious 1999 Ryder Cup side at The Country Club will be honored at the Ouimet Banquet in April. He will be the guest speaker and honored with the 19th Francis Ouimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf at the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund’s 65th Annual Banquet. The Banquet, which has become the largest annual golf dinner in America, is scheduled for Monday, April 11 at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. The Connolly Group – Morgan Stanley will again be the Presenting Sponsor. For Information ouimet.org
(978) 772 – 3330 www.ShakerHills.com 146 Shaker Rd. Harvard, MA 01451 96 |96Subscribe | Subscribe at myNEGM.com at myNEGM.com | March | Nov.2016 / Dec. 2014
NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY Former Bay State Amateurs: Megan Khang, Brittany Altomare, Josh Salah & Rob Oppenheim - Enjoy Success on the Professional Circuit
The future of golf is clearly very bright for former Bay State amateurs looking to make an imprint on the professional golf world. Here is a snapshot of four Bay State natives who made this past weekend one to enjoy and remember. MEGAN KHANG – Rockland The reigning Anne Marie Tobin WGAM Player of the Year made the most of her LPGA rookie season debut by finishing T11 at the Pure Silk Bahamas Classic. The 18-year-old Khang turned pro in December after advancing through LPGA Qualifying School. BRITTANY ALTOMARE – Shrewsbury Brittany Altomare also made headlines this past weekend. The Shrewsbury native and Univer-
sity of Virginia All-American stormed up the Pure Silk Bahamas Classic leaderboard on Sunday by firing a 6-under par 30 on the front nine and earned $13,849.00 with a T21 finish. JOSH SALAH – Gloucester Josh Salah of Gloucester and Bass Rocks Golf Club fired a score of 6-under 66 on Saturday for a fourround total of 17-under 271 to win the PGM CCM Rahman Putra Championship in Malaysia. ROB OPPENHEIM – Andover Oppenheim, the 2009 Massachusetts Open Champion, got off to a fast start at the Farmers Insurance Open held at Torrey Pines. Oppenheim posted a score of 5-under par round during the tournament’s opening round.
2016 MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS • 10 Rounds from $440 to $790 per year • 25 Rounds w/ range balls & weekend play - $1900 per year • Indvidual - $3650, Family - $5700 & Junior - $550 • Now Booking Outings & Corporate Events • Full driving range and practice facility • Gallery Bar & Lounge with panoramic views Nov. / Dec. March 2014 2016 | Subscribe | Subscribe at myNEGM.com at myNEGM.com | 97| 97
NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY Junior Golf: Drive, Chip, and Putt Championship The PGA of America, USGA, and The Masters Tournament have come together to create a once-in-a-lifetime junior golf opportunity. The Drive, Chip, and Putt Championship gives girls and boys aged 7-15 the chance to compete against one another for the opportunity to advance to the DCP National Finals at Augusta National. On January 11, the local qualifying schedule for the 2017 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship was announced. The schedule includes dates and locations for participants to play in local qualifiers across the country with the opportunity to advance and earn an invitation to next year’s National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club.
Online registration is available at www.DriveChipandPutt.com Sunday, June 26, 2016 Cyprian Keyes GC Entries Close: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 Tuesday, July 5, 2016 The Ranch GC Entries Close: Thursday, June 30, 2016 Tuesday, July 12, 2016 Bay Club at Mattapoisett Entries Close: Thursday, July 07, 2016 Wednesday, July 27, 2016 Granite Links GC Entries Close: Friday, July 22, 2016 Sunday, July 31, 2016 (Sub-Regional) Renaissance Tuesday, August 16, 2016 (Sub-Regional) LeBaron Hills CC
* must be 21 years old to drive cart. All specials exclude leagues tournaments, holidays & group outings. Specials subject to change.
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY NEGM Staff Writer Elisa Gaudet Receives Industry Award at 2016 PGA Show in Orlando, FL
Orlando FL: Elisa Gaudet, travel and lifestyle writer for New England Golf Monthly, Golf Travel Weekly and the Golf Content Network was chosen as the recipient of this years International Network of Golf Media Award for Travel Photography and Writing. The award was presented to Elisa for her feature on the luxurious Abaco Club on Winding Bay in The Bahamas. The Abaco Club on Winding Bay is an international, private and secluded is-
land-oasis lifestyle Club with premier amenities, water sports and world-class golfing. Elisa also received the award for Business Writing for her piece on “ 5 Golf Business Success Stories� in the Huffington Post. The Awards were presented at the 2016 PGA Show at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. PGA Golfer Jerry Kelly and his wife Carol Kelly presented Elisa with the honors at the ING Awards ceremony.
March 2016 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 99
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New England Region Turfgrass Research Trust Online Auction
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April 11th thru 18th
Bid on Rounds (foursomes) of golf on some of your favorite courses in New England to help Turf Research and the game of golf. Go to our website to see a list of courses,
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Tee-Up New England is a fund-raising initiative organized for the benefit of the NERTRT (New England Regional Turfgrass Research Trust), which is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All proceeds will benefit turf research in New England. For more information go to: www.nertf.org
Better Golf Through Turf Research! 2016 Conference and Show February 29th-March 3rd, 2016
Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI For Information call 401-841-5490 or gsykes@nertf.necoxmail.com March 2016 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 101
ith her son ey Pilling (w rvivor Kas su ng her hope er vi nc gi r ca er fo Brain Dana- Farb ks an th n) C amde her life. and saving
Jimmy Fund Golf is a grea t way to have suppor t Dana fun and -Farber Canc er Institute’s mission to co lifesaving nquer cancer .
Get on the Right Course to Fight Cancer®
Kasey’s Inspiring Story On her 25th birthday, Kasey Pilling had surgery to remove a cancerous brain tumor. Four years later, she’s a mother of two and a soon-to-be college graduate. “My life will never be the same, but having cancer taught me so much,” Kasey says. “The support from Dana-Farber, along with the strength I found inside myself, has fueled my passion for helping others.” Dana-Farber gave Kasey a new chapter in her life. To say thanks, she started the 18 Holes of Hope golf tournament to benefit the Jimmy Fund. Join Kasey in supporting Dana-Farber’s lifesaving mission and plan a summer or fall golf fundraiser of your own.
Start today at JimmyFund.org/NEGM
GOLF CONTENT NETWORK
Happy New Year folks! Welcome to another knock-down, drag-out debate, this one centered on an over-rated 22-year old from Texas, who just had the best year as a young stud on the PGA Tour since Tiger Woods in 1997. In 2015, Jordan Spieth won five times and banked more than $12 million in official purses, while climbing to World No. 1. While most of the chatter about Spieth revolved around how he is destined to be the next Tiger, a close look at how he got there shows me that his career may be short-lived, doomed and his game is one-dimensional – putting. In 2015, Spieth ranked 166th in driving distance (283-yards), 104th in driving accuracy (60 percent), 154th in clubhead speed (110), 43rd in GIR (72 percent), 1st in scrambling (76 percent), 1st in sand saves and 1st in score average (69.1). Very pedestrian numbers until you factor in his putting prowess. He is 1st in putts-per-round (26), putting average (1.6), birdie conversion (48 percent), birdie average (6) and putts from outside 35-feet. Seems the closer he gets to the hole the better he gets, which is what winning golf is all about! So the mystery to me is how did such a mediocre player compile such a huge year? And, why do fans, media and a $4 billion a year underwear company called Under Armour flock to his growing fan-base? Personally, I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing an Under Armour golf shirt. The upside-down arms symbol reminds me of a Walmart label,
not high-end golf gear, yet Forbes estimates he pockets $10 million a year from his primary sponsor. My prediction for Spieth is that his career peaked early at age 22. With such a one-dimensional game that relies solely on the putter, the question is will he win again? He’s a good pick for a Fantasy Golf team, but a major is out of the question. In the last 35 years, only Tiger Woods – the undisputed greatest golfer ever - has won multiple majors in one season and then won at least one the following year, and he did it three times. The newfound lifestyle, including the purchase for $7 million of Hunter Mahan’s home in Dallas, the headlines, travel demands, money, fame, women, greed and bad practice habits will eventually erode Jordan Spieth’s golf career. The shine is already vanishing from his star based on comments he made after a whirlwind two-month money-grabbing tour around the world to such places as Hawaii, Bahamas, Abu Dhabi, Australia, Singapore and South Korea. “It won’t be something I’ll do in the future, to bounce back and forth from Asia or Australia,” he told Golfweek. “I’m very tired. As a team we’re beat up mentally and physically. I’m not 100 percent right now and it shows in certain places.” Of course what Spieth fails to mention when he complains of being tired is that he pocketed million dollar appearance fees at the overseas tournaments. It was widely reported that the Abu Dhabi HSBC event Jan 21 -24 paid Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth $1.5 million each to participate. Isn’t it odd that the total tournament purse was only $2.7 million and first place paid out $480K? Spieth finished T-5 and McIlroy T-3. What’s the expression – money talks? Follow the money young man, regardless of how tired you get, but please don’t complain publically when you get millions for just showing up! There are two words to describe that action and first word is “ass.” Finally, Jordan Spieth has admitted burnout and hangover from last year. He’s a good player but let’s not confuse it with being great because of one fluky good season!
Can Jordan Spieth be stopped? YES by Tom Gorman
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GOLF CONTENT NETWORK
Was 2015 an anomaly for Jordan Spieth, something that he’ll never approach again? More to the point, can he approach anything near it again this year? Pretty damn tough to do, but if anyone can come close or equal what the then 22year old Spieth did last season, his first full year on tour, its this level-headed kid from Texas. Nobody – not Tiger, not Jack, not Arnie, Hogan or Snead – had ever won five times in a year at a younger age since Horton Smith accomplished it at age 21. That was back in 1929, just before the stock market took a dive. Spieth won the first two legs of the Grand Slam and then came within a couple of inches of getting into a playoff at the British Open (finishing fourth) and finished in a tie for second at the PGA. He won the Tour Championship at East Lake and with it the Fed Ex Cup. And even without that $10 million bonus smackeroos, he became the biggest money winner in history for a single year ($12 million) a full mill more than Vijay Singh, who had held that mark since 2004. Suffice it to say that Spieth isn’t worried about where his next meal is coming from, but the burning question is can he do this for the long haul? Can he be the next Nicklaus, the next Tiger Woods or will he just be a really good but not an all-time great? Gorman will play the odds and say no, that somebody else among the stable of young studs (and there are many) will emerge this year and beat Spieth down. Rory is set to explode or maybe Rickie or Dustin. Perhaps the PGA victory by Jason Day will serve as his springboard to dominate golf in 2016. All of them have more raw physical talent that Spieth, but Spieth has that intangible that made Nicklaus and Woods something nobody else in their eras could duplicate. It cannot be quantified by statistics. But it is just as real as a 350 yard drive or an 80 percent sand save percentage. Spieth is more mentally tough than any of his contemporaries. He is the ultimate grinder, which means he not only never
takes a round off. He never takes a single shot for granted. And as I have written previously, while he shows his emotions on the course, he is not controlled by them. He channels his frustration toward his next shot. He never lets a bad shot influence the next one. That makes him special. Then there’s the putter, that old Scotty Cameron blade that has been in Spieth’s bag since he was in grade school. In that regard he’s like Ben Crenshaw. Spieth has shown in his very brief career that he can make putts on the biggest stages and under the most intense pressure. Its that razor thin edge he has on his competitors. Its the difference. He’s not afraid of the moment. All the greats had that gift. It cannot be taught. It can’t come from hours of practice. You either have it or you don’t. Spieth’s got it. Much can go wrong in golf. A ball hits a sprinkler head and bounces over the green, a perfect drive stops in a divot on the 72nd hole. An injury can derail a career. The odds say somebody else will be the best player on the PGA Tour in 2016. I’ll take my chances with Jordan Spieth. Tim Geary is a R.I. based freelance writer. He was not born with that intangible.
Can Jordan Spieth be stopped? NO by Tim Geary
March 2016 | golfcontentnetwork.com | 105
The Bay Club at Mattapoisett
Custom home prices continue to rise in New England and across the nation as well. Discriminating buyers today are looking for unique locations offering a host of amenities to improve their quality of life. Let’s face it, building the most beautiful home anywhere is best complimented by other spectacular properties. That’s exactly what you will find at the Bay Club. The Bay Club encompasses 625 acres with 300 acres of adjacent conservation land. The country club and golf course occupy 200 acres, while the six residential villages of 189 home-sites and conservation land comprise the balance, including 200-acres permanently committed to open space. Underground utilities include town water and sewer, electricity and natural gas, plus fiber-optic cable for telephone, cable and high-speed Internet access. Added to that is one of the best new private golf courses in the region. With access to an amazing array of recreational, dining and cultural activities, you have an ideal setting for a life well lived.
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The Bay Club’s gated, secure environment and homeowners' association combine to ensure continued high standards and pleasant living for the entire community. Every home at the Bay Club is unique and each homeowner has the opportunity to collaborate on its design with an architect and builder to create a home that reflects personal taste and preferences. Offering six residential villages, each with its own special features and home designs, the Bay Club has combined residential living with some of the finest club facilities in New England. A host of recreational lifestyle amenities including championship golf, fitness complex, aquatics center and racquet sports can all be within walking distance of your dream home. Take the time to see what the possibilities are for your life with a private tour of the Bay Club. For information contact David Andrews at dandrews@bayclubmatt.com or call 508.207.9232.
February 2016 | Golf Course Living | NEHomeLife.com
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The Preserve at The Bay Club Living
The Preserve is a luxurious, Nantucket-style development featuring 23 single-family homes located within the Bay Club at Mattapoisett. Homes feature 1,850 to 2,245 square feet of modern living space with deluxe amenities, including the privacy of the Bay Club’s gated community. Homeowners at The Preserve are invited to apply for membership access to the country club’s golf course, sports and fitness center, fine dining and other recreational activities, as well as close proximity by foot to Mattapoisett’s quaint harbor, scenic beaches and unique shops. At the Bay Club Mattapoisett, you are surrounded by stately trees carved out of 625 acres of untouched forest, of which 88% remains preserve, the Bay Club golf course is the only Certified Silver Audubon Signature Sanctuary in Massachusetts. The 18–hole championship course,
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designed by Brad Faxon and Brad Booth, measures up to 7,000 yards from six sets of dis-
tant trees and features perfectly manicured, bent-grass fairways and greens and British-style fescue. More than a million dollars has been invested over the last five years to enhance the course and improve the pace of play. In addition to golf, the Bay Club offers racquet sports facilities, a croquet court, an aquatics complex and a world-class, 10,000-square-foot sports and fitness center with a state-of-the-art gym, all geared for fun, fitness and lifelong wellness. An array of sports and creative activities, including summer camp, also are offered for children and grandchildren of homeowners. Let us show how to live, come visit the preserve. For information contact our staff at the Bay Club @ 774.582.8005 or Sharon.viens@thepreserveatbayclub.com
Elegant Design | Exceptional Construction | Luxury Finishes
The Preserve
At The Bay Club Mat tap oiset t
The Preserve is a luxurious, residential, country-club community, nestled in the Bay Club at Mattapoisett, a 625-acre Audubon sanctuary with championship golf and 300 acres of lush cons ervation areas. Just minutes from Buzzard's Bay, the idyllic, Nantucket-style development features 36 single-family homes in two neighborhoods alongside Tinkham Forest and The Bay's Nature Preserve. Homes feature 1,850 to 2,115 square feet of modern living space with deluxe amenities, including the privacy of a gated community. Homeowners also have direct membership access to the country club's golf course, sports and fitness center, fine dining and other recreational activities, as well as close proximity by foot to Mattapoisett's quaint harbor, scenic beaches and unique shops. Homes from the 500’s
CALL: 774.582.8005 | OPEN DAILY: 10am - 4pm CONTACT: SHARON.VIENS@THEPRESERVEATBAYCLUB.COM 109 NEHomeLife.com | Home Show Section | January 2016
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Win A Trip for 4 Golfers to TPC Dorado Beach Puerto Rico
Grand Prize:
TPC Dorado Beach Getaway • 3 Nights’ Accommodations in Plantation Villas • Unlimited Golf on all 4 courses • Access to Ritz reserve Beach Club & Water Park Transportation to and from San Juan Airport
Be Counted & Share with Your Friends for a $20.00 Golfballs.com Gift Code
“Your Golf Score Counts and So Should You as a Golfer” Become Part of the Golf Census Today
www.americangolfcensus.com March 2013 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 111
Canada's #1 Golf Destination. P R I N C E
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With more than 400 fairways all within a 45-minute drive from each other, Prince Edward Island is a golfer’s paradise.
Visit us today to reserve your $50 voucher to be used towards your next Golf PEI Vacation:
www.golfpei.com/NEGM Conditions apply, see website for details.