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September/October 2009
NICE GUYS DO FINISH FIRST! Steve Stricker, 2009 Deutsche Bank Champion
Vol II Issue VII
www.NewEnglandGolfMonthly.com www.NEGMP.com
September/October 2009
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GOLF INSTRUCTION
GOLF and the OLYMPICS
“The Scoring Center”
By Andrew Birnbaum
By Skip Guss
I am absolutely thrilled that the probability of golf being reinstated as an Olympic sport is very high. It was previously in the 1904 Games with Canada as basically the only other country represented. There are so many great things that will come of this. We should all respect and appreciate the efforts (which were considerable) of the many who have attempted to make this process happen. Now with the assistance and fortitude of the Royal & Ancient, PGA of America, the LPGA, the European PGA, Japanese, and too many other PGAs to mention, it seems very likely. So what’s with all the controversy? I think the key to all the hoopla is the selection process and format currently proposed. Golf has such a long and rich history, full of tradition and respect worldwide. Currently they are suggesting that the top 15 worldwide best players be exempt, 2 players from each of the 100+ possible countries, along with 72 hole stroke play format. This is what I believe is in question, after all, who doesn’t have thoughts about a better way to do this? Here are a couple of points of contention, the US dominates golf. All of the best players in the world want to play on our tour. So how would we break it down to only having 2 players represent us? Tiger will be 40 years old (assuming he continues his charge), but who would fill the number 2 slot? With such a large number of the best players in the world representing the US, this might be a little tricky. Another point often brought up, is that we already have the Ryder Cup. This supports my earlier comment, that in golf, it’s basically us against the rest of the world. But does the Ryder Cup format really give the opportunity for other countries to represent? I think not. I do enjoy the competition and the format(s), but it’s not the Olympics. So let’s take the first issue and examine it a little further. It seems pretty easy to create a selection process to determine who the top 2 players in each country are and have them represent right? Well, almost… Yes, it should be a relatively simple process, if each country has only 2 players, but that brings us back to the format issue (assuming they only decide to have 2 players to begin with!) What about if we have a four man team? No, because some countries may elect to have a country wide match play tournament to decide, others may choose a standard stroke play, etc. But what if the best player (for their country) is already playing on tour? Scheduling could be challenging here. So many golfers are streaky, or play better on certain courses. What about if a player is playing extremely well just a few weeks prior to the Olympics? Can the IOC standardize the selection process, would they want to? Don’t get me started on the equipment issue… The second (of many) issues, format. Imagine watching four golfers shooting it out in a best ball, four man team. Each of the 4 players play their ball to the hole, at the end of the hole, the lowest score of the team is recorded. Golf is so fickle, you could have one player birdie, while another sprays it in the lake or misses the 3 footers and you can still root for the home team. This would bring an interesting team component to the sport. It would also allow other countries to have a better chance with a wider representation than that individual stroke play with only 2 players. You could still have medals for the folks who went the lowest too… Another issue is the amateur status. Originally, the Olympics were supposed to be the best amateur athletes in the world, now with countries creating (and subsidizing athletes pre-birth!) this has become a fallacy. In order to find the best athletes anywhere, you have to look to professionals, because anyone who is good enough to become a pro now is, in almost any sport, but that is another issue for a future article… In the end, if in October they do make it final, there is a lot to discuss; including which course(s) it would be played at. Golf is the most wonderful and challenging sport in the world, let’s not overlook the forest for the trees. Olympic golf would be good for the game. The Olympic spirit reaches and often unites the hearts of all people throughout the world. As well in golf, this is true both as an experience and as a spectator sport. Yes, I actually do look forward to your comments. Got anything to say? Don’t just tell me you agree or disagree, what are your ideas or comments? Let me (us) know.
Welcome to the first in a series of articles devoted to helping all golfers develop a winning golf game! We will be focusing all of our efforts…not necessarily on the mechanics of the golf swing (you are more than welcome to visit GolfRite for swing improvement)… .rather, we will share thoughts, routines and strategies to help you prepare and perform at your best! Better understanding and better preparation are key components to winning golf. Our goal…to help you: Focus On The Process…Not The Outcome! If you compare the current golf season in New England to a baseball game…it is the bottom of the eighth inning! The game…and season…is coming to a conclusion. How you finish the game will determine whether you win or lose. Thus we must focus on properly “closing out the game”! What to do? Focus extensively on your short game…shots within 50 yds of the pin! Your swing, for the most part, is not going to significantly change for the remainder of the year. Most golfers, at this juncture, are not going to find ball-striking “magic,” You must understand & accept this fact. However, what you CAN do is work harder on your pitches, chips, bunker shots, and distance control on the putting green to help you get…and stay…in contention. I just gave an all-day, high school golf team preparation clinic at The International, to area high school golf team members. I purposely avoided spending any time devoted to swing mechanics…not one minute. In- stead, I concentrated on educating the students on a variety of topics: how to warm up, mental attitude, short game strategies, club selection, bunker play, along with putting drills. We also went out onto the golf course for a 9-hole playing lesson, discussing course management, imperfect lies, trouble shots, reading greens, where to miss, and attitude. (To view some short game videos we posted on YouTube, go to: www.youtube.com/globalgolfexperts). Any moderate-to-significant changes to your golf swing should be made during the off-season (the focus of our next article). NO player on the PGA TOUR is changing their swings at this stage of the season. Some fine-tuning…certainly! But nothing major…mostly ball position, posture and alignment. So, learn from the world’s best and finish the season focusing on your short game. You will be happy with the results! About the GolfRite Learning Center: Located in Hudson, MA, GolfRite is regarded as “New England’s Premiere Indoor Golf Teaching & Practice Facility.” Encompassing 6,000 sq. ft., GolfRite offers golfers of every level, from beginner to touring professional, the opportunity to work on their golf game the “Rite” way, 12 months of the year. GolfRite facility is complete, allowing golfers to work on every facet of their game. GolfRite is the Instructional & Fitness provider for the NEPGA Junior Tour.
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CONTENT
~ In This Issue ~ www.NewEnglandGolfMonthly.com
3
Golf and The Olympics
6
New England Golf News
Managing Editor: Timothy R. Branco
8
Francis Ouimet News
Production: Sally Briere Robin Sampson/Greg Sampson
9
Tiger Conquers NB 3 Challenge
10
An Interview With Brett Quigley
11
Team New England On The Tours
14
The Deutsche Bank Championship
16
Golf Instruction
20
Golf At The Turn
22
New England Junior Golf
24
Elle Brec On Fashion
25
Women’s Golf
34
Gorman vs. Geary
Sept/Oct 2009
Volume II Issue VII
Publisher: Timothy R. Branco Assistant Publisher: David Adamonis
Administration: Mary L. Hullett Contributors Tom Gorman David Adamonis John Lyon Jay Nomakeo Richard Kelley Bill Geiring Matt Adams Burgess Houston Jeff Dantas John Molori Wayne Mills Brad Reading Hal Philips
Tim Geary Parker Smith Pam Borges Bob DiCesare Robert Martin Katherine Dyson Jim Hammond Greg Sampson Gary Trask John Magginis Derek Hooper Robert Skura Barry Palm
PGA Tour Photographer Ken Dennis kendennisphoto.com
Fashion Writer Elle Brec ellebrecgolf@yahoo.com
From The Editor
Sales & Marketing Greg Sampson - Manager gsampson@NewEnglandGolfMonthly.com Corporate Sales Timothy Branco tbranco@NewEnglandGolfMonthly.com
Real Estate Sales Betsy Griffin betsy@NEHomefinder.com New England Golf Monthly is published 8 times yearly by The New England Publishing Group Inc. Reproduction of the contents, images and editorial is strictly prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Neither advertiser or publisher will be held liable for errors or omissions in any content of this publication. All rights reserved. For product marketing distribution and/or direct mail information contact us at info@NewEnglandGolfMonthly.com
We are at the turn as summer now has moved to Fall and the days grow cooler and shorter. Fall is the very best season for golf in New England. It is a time that we get to enjoy beautiful weather along with some of the best playing conditions of the year. For many of us after months playing and practice we are finally enjoying the fruits of our labor and playing our best golf of the year. Golf is a game of opposites, hit down to go up, swing left to go right, much of it seems a mystery but somehow it all makes sense when it happens. Each Labor Day weekend for the last seven years the Deutsche Bank Championship has brought the best in the game to our doorstep as the PGA Tour winds down it season. Over the last few years as The PGA Tour has developed the Fed Ex Cup and the Playoffs, it has become in a sense one of the mini majors of the season. For a week the TPC Boston in Norton, Massachusetts becomes the stage for the best 100 players on the tour competing for a 35 million dollar purse in the season long Fed Ex Cup Race. Very much like all other sports PGA golf has now created a playoff system that levels the playing field point wise and gives every player a chance for golf’s top money event. The real winners at The Deutsche Bank Championship each year are all of us. Each year the tournament provides golf fans with an up close look at some of the best talent in the world right here in our own backyard. In doing that the tournament provides over 40 charitable organizations throughout the region with badly needed support for programs for children. In the spirit of giving the PGA has given 1.4 billion dollars back to communities in support of charities in the last 71 years. Lets not forget the thousands of volunteers at every tournament all year long who give so generously of their time, without them none of this would be possible. What a great game golf is! All The Best, Timothy R. Branco Managing Editor/Publisher tbranco@newenglandgolfmonthly.com
New England Golf Monthly The New England Publishing Group, Inc. P.O. Box 357 Swansea, Ma 02777 800-736-9020 A Division of The New England Publishing Group, Inc.
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September/October 2009
Congratulations to Connecticut’s Cameron Wilson for his great play this summer. See page 22. Cameron Wilson
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY
Waverly Oaks By Jim Hammond The term “a private golf club experience for the public golfer” has been one of the most over used clichés when describing the upscale golf course. But when Waverly Oaks Golf Club opened to the public in 1998, it quickly earned a reputation as one of the most dramatic golfing experiences available for the daily fees golfer. When you drive up to the property, a long winding road leads you to the magnificent clubhouse on the hill. Waverly Oaks offers something for golfers of all levels. The Challenger is a nine hole executive course with six par 4’s and 3 par 3’s. The fairways are forgiving so if you are an accomplished golfer you can let out the shaft and try to drive the green and snare an eagle. But the course is also perfect for the new golfer, so he can develop the skills necessary to take on the challenge of a regulation course. When you are ready for that challenge then tee it up on the 18 hole championship course that is part of the Waverly Oaks Golf Complex. The 18 hole championship course has five sets of tees, with a very reasonable 4, 930 yards from the front markers to a demanding 7,114 yards from the tiger tees. The regulation course is composed of rolling hills and large, well manicured greens that roll fast and true. Two of my favorite holes are the 636 yard par 5 16th, and the 251 yard par 3 17th, which requires a long shot over a valley to a tight green. The course has always been in fantastic condition, and the staff is very attentive to your needs. It is well deserving of its many accolades including Golf Magazine which included it in its “top 100 courses you can play.” When you finish your round be sure to stop in the lavish clubhouse for some food and drink and enjoy the views from the second floor. There is only one disappointing note about Waverly Oaks Golf Club: soon it will be no more. At the end of the golfing season the pristine fairways will be home to a major film studio. So if you want to enjoy one of the finest courses in the area that is open to Joe Public, don’t delay. RTG_NEGM/BaySt.qxd:Layout 1 corporate 12/18/08 12:54 PM functions Page 1 For specific information about golf, outings and other call 508 224-6700 or see their web site at www.waverlyoaksgolfclub.com.
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF NEWS Ryan Riley Ties Course Record En Route to Capturing the 2009 Mass Amateur Public Links Title Springfield, MA —There was a feeling in the air that this was his moment. After being in the mix at MGA championship events for so many years, the time came for Ryan Riley (Norton CC) to stand atop the podium all alone. The 28-year-old from Norton was finally able to call himself the 2009 Massachusetts Amateur Public Ryan Riley Links Champion after capturing the title at Franconia Golf Course in Springfield in dominating fashion. Holding a slim one-stroke lead heading into the final round of play, Riley separated himself from the rest of the talented, 99-player field by tying the course record score of 8-under par 63 for a two-day total of 13-under par 129. It has been an interesting year for Riley. Back in May, he partnered with Herbie Aikens (Pinehills GC) to win the rain-shortened Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship. He then went on to uncharacteristically fail to qualify for both the Massachusetts Open and Massachusetts Amateur Championships. Funny things can happen in golf as Riley – at the last minute – earned a spot at both Championship Propers and went on to make the cut at the Massachusetts Open Championship and advance to the Round of 16 at the Massachusetts Amateur Championship.
Ken & Meredith Kotowski Capture 2009 Mass Father & Daughter Championship... Their Second in Three Years Mashpee, MA — For the second time in three years, the team of Ken Kotowski (The Kittansett Club) and Meredith Kotowski (The Kittansett Club) can call themselves MGA champions. The Marion-based team was the only one to break par and as a result were able to claim vicKen Kotowski tory at the 2009 Massachusetts Father & Daughter Championship held today at the Willowbend Club in Mashpee. The Kotowski team carded a 1-under par 69 which was one stroke better than two teams – Mark Savel (Nashawtuc CC) and Andie Savel Meredith Kotowski (Nashawtuc CC) and John Mulcahy (Hatherly CC) and Mary Mulcahy (Hatherly CC) – who posted scores of even par 70 to finish in a tie for second place against a field of 50 teams from across the Bay State. In 2007 when they last won the title, Meredith Kotowski was finishing off a high school campaign at Deerfield Academy where as a senior captain she led her team to a 2006 league championship with an 11-0 record. Now – as a senior at the University of Pennsylvania – Meredith brings three years of collegiate experience to the course.
Mastering the Balance Act... Eric & Sara McPhail Combine Golf, Marriage & Achieve Historic Success Norton, MA -Two local amateur golfers have somehow found a way to master a seemingly impossible task... that of balancing marriage and golf. Eric and Sara Libin McPhail, married just over a year, won the men's and women's club championship at Oakley Country Club earlier this year. Only three couples have accomplished that feat since the club's founding back in 1898.
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Team New Hampshire Comes From Behind to Win 2009 New England Junior Championship Wells, ME – The team from New Hampshire, fueled by an impressive third round score of 380, came through with an upset victory over defending champion Connecticut on Wednesday to capture the 2009 New England Junior Championship at Old Marsh Country Club in Wells, Maine. New Hampshire finished with a three-round total of 1158 which was just five strokes better than Connecticut. Maine captured the third spot with 1179 points, while Massachusetts finished fourth with 1198 points. Vermont and Rhode Island – despite a a tournament-low score of 1-over par 71 fired by Andrew Fiorenzano (Carnegie Abbey Club) on Wednesday – finished in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Representing Team New Hampshire this year were Fairweather, Chelso Barrett (Bretwood GC), Joe Leavitt (Atkinson R&CC), Jake Nutter (Manchester CC), Ryan Henry (Breakfast Hill GC), Jake Hajec (Windham CC) and Tyler Silver (Eastman GL). Pos. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Team New Hampshire Connecticut Maine Massachusetts Vermont Rhode Island
R1 388 393 398 391 393 399
R2 390 383 389 398 399 406
R3 380 387 392 409 407 396
Total 1158 1163 1179 1198 1199 1201
Danny & Griffin Brown Capture Junior Division Title at Mass Father & Son Championship Taunton, MA — Following the completion of their round at Segregansett Country Club in Taunton, the father and son pair of Danny Brown (Vesper CC) and Griffin Brown (Vesper CC) sat in the clubhouse dining room with mixed emotions. A quick laugh over a great shot would quickly be replaced by a groan over a quadruple bogey on the 8th hole. However at the end of the day, the duo could smile after collecting the Junior Division title at the 2009 Massachusetts Father & Son Championship. The father and son team posted an 18-hole score of 3-under par 69 which was five shots better than the second-place finishers, Jack Whelan (Myopia Hunt Club) and WJ Whelan, Jr (Myopia Hunt Club).
Currey Team Prevails In a Playoff to Claim Senior Division Title at Mass Father & Son Championship After finishing their 18-hole regulation round with a score of 1-under par 71, the team of Robert Currey (Brae Burn CC) and David Currey (Brae Burn CC) defeated two-time winners of the event Jim Ruschioni (Monoosnock CC) and Jason Ruschioni (Monoosnock CC) on the fourth playoff hole to capture the senior division title at the 2009 Massachusetts Father & Son Championship held at Segregansett Country Club. The two teams matched each other shot-for-shot until the fourth playoff hole which was contested on the 471-yard, par 5 18th hole. Both drives found the middle of the fairway. The Ruschioni's second shot landed in the front right bunker, while the Currey approach – a 4-iron by David – dropped onto the green and set the stage for a two-putt birdie for the win.
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Steve Waite Wins Vermont State Mid-Amateur
Steve Waite, Vermont Mid-Am Champion receiving his trophy from VGA President, Richard Mihlrad.
Round -- (Semifinal) Chip Ward, Burlington DEFEATED Ray Beyette Jr, Proctor-Pittsford 2 and 1 Stephen Waite, Rutland DEFEATED Rob E Delbianco, Proctor-Pittsford 5 and 4
Round -- (Final) Stephen Waite, Rutland DEFEATED Chip Ward,
Burlington
7 and 6
Nick McLaughlin Captures 2009 Mass Junior Amateur Championship at Framingham Country Club Framingham, MA — It's hard to say that it has been a long time in coming when you're talking about a 15 year old. However, after seven years of playing in the event Nick McLaughlin (Far Corner GC) can now call himself a Massachusetts Junior Amateur Champion. The youngster secured the prestigious MGA title at Framingham
NEW ENGLAND GOLF NEWS The First Tee of Massachusetts To Hold Third Annual Junior Golf Fund Tournament Norton, MA — For the third straight year, The First Tee of Massachusetts will be hosting its Annual Junior Golf Fund Tournament at the TPC of Boston. Just weeks after the PGA Tour's top talent competes on the famous Norton layout as part of the Deutsche Bank Championship, a field of golfers of all ages and skill levels will test their skills (and most importantly have lots of fun) competing in the annual fundraising event to support The First Tee of Massachusetts and the thousands of children from across the Bay State who benefit from the program each year. Format of play will be each player will play their own ball and the best score of the foursome will be recorded. Entry Fees: Eagle Sponsor — $800 • One foursome (4) of golfers • "Eagle" Sponsor designation in the MGA JGF Golf Tournament program book • Recognition on The First Tee of Massachusetts web site, www.thefirstteemass.org Birdie Sponsor — $225 • One (1) Individual Golfer • "Birdie" Sponsor designation in the MGA JGF Golf Tournament program book • Recognition on The First Tee of Massachusetts web site, www.thefirstteemass.org All proceeds go directly to the MGA Junior Golf Fund which supports the following programs: The First Tee of Massachusetts & ForeKids Golf Program Schedule of Events: 10:00 a.m. – Registration 11:00 a.m. – Shotgun Start 4:30 p.m. – Reception & Awards Event Features: Participants from The First Tee of Massachusetts will be on hand to serve as forecaddies and will share their unique stories with participants during the post-golf reception. Thank you to our 2009 Tournament Sponsor – Walmart
Country Club. McLaughlin becomes only the third Pre Junior Division player in 17 years to capture the overall title. James Driscoll, the two-time Massachusetts Amateur Champion who is now competing on the PGA Tour, accomplished that feat in 1993 while Nat Hoopes followed suite in 1996.
Boys Division Winner, Steven Dilisio This marks the second MGA Championship win for the Dilisio family. Steven's older brother Anthony and father Dana captured the 2007 Massachusetts Father & Son Championship. Most recently, Anthony advanced to Match Play at the 2009 Massachusetts Amateur Championship.
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF NEWS
Ouimet Dale Carnegie Class Graduates A group of 25 Ouimet Scholars graduated from the 7th annual Ouimet Dale Carnegie “Generation Next – Effective Leadership and Communications” course on Monday, July 27. The eight week program was held at Bentley University and was again conThe graduates of the 2009 Ouimet Dale tributed by John MacKinnon, PresCarnegie program display their diplomas. ident of Performance Training, coordinator of Dale Carnegie Training in this area. Joining the 25 graduates were their families and several Ouimet Directors and friends of the Ouimet Fund. Ouimet Fund President Richard Barrett spoke to the group, as did Ouimet Executive Director Bob The Dale Carnegie Leadership team with Maeghan Kilfoil Donovan. The Ouimet Fund (2nd left), winner of the Ouimet Dale Carnegie Outstanding wishes to thank Mr. MacKinnon, Achievement Award. Standing with Meaghan are (l –r) volunteer leader Jeff Tousignant, John MacKinnon, President who contributed the program, of PerformanceTraining, and course instructorAli Shreiberg. Bentley University for contributing meeting space for the eight weeks, DC instructor Ali Shreiberg, and former Ouimet Scholar Jeff Tousignant, who contributed his time as a volunteer group leader. The participants all made final presentations on Graduation night, received diplomas, and many may receive continuing education credits for the valuable program.
Parziale Holds on to win Ouimet Matt Parziale of Thorny Lea held off a charging Frank Vana, Jr. of Marlboro in a rain-delayed final for a one-stroke victory in the 42nd Francis Ouimet Memorial Tournament on Saturday. The 22-year-old recent college graduate finished with a three-over par 75 for a three round even-par 212 total. The final round was played at Woodland Golf Club, the traditional final round site and Francis Ouimet’s home course. The prior two rounds of the prestigious 54-hole amateur invitational were played at Wellesley and Charles River Country Clubs. Parziale had won the New England Amateur Championship the prior week and is the current MGA Player of the Year Points leader. Vana, runner up in the recent Massachusetts Amateur Championship and a seven time MGA Points Champ, is second in the points total. He is also a fourtime Ouimet Tournament champion. Parziale is 22 years old and a recent graduate of Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL who is considering a professional golf career. Vana is a 47-year-old automobile dealer. Carter Fasick of Indian Meadows became the first to win the Eddie Lowery senior division two straight years. The 56-year-old carpet installer had a final round 81 and a 224 total. Tom Bergeron of Crumpin Fox, a 60 year old retired conductor for the B&M Railway, closed with a 75 to finish second two shots behind. The women’s division saw its first playoff as 48-year old Wallace Hammerton of Olde Sandwich outlasted 11-year old phenom Megan Khang of Harmon Golf. Ms. Hammerton was the recent runner up in the Women’s Golf Association of Massachusetts Championship. Ms. Khang is in the 7th grade at Rockland’s Rogers Middle School. Both Hammerton and Khang had finished regulation with 75 while third place finisher Tracy Welch of The Country Club posted 77. The Ouimet Memorial Tournament benefits the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund.
The Country Club Leads Ouimet Marathon Steve Doyle of The Country Club emerged as the top fundraiser in the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund’s 17th Golf Marathon on Wednesday. The TCC assistant pro played 160 holes with $20,000 in fundraising to lead 40 clubs and organizations. The Marathon was played, as always, at Stow Acres Country Club’s South Course. The event raised a total of $260,000 and the 2009 Ouimet Marathon, which is believed to be the highest fundraising Marathon in the US this year, brought the total raised since the event’s inception in 1993 to $3.6 Million. The 40 players played a total of 4,946 holes in the nearly 90 degree weather!Preliminary estimates show The Country Club edging Oyster Harbors Club in total fundraising to lead the clubs, organizations and individuals participating. Oyster Harbors Assistant Pro Tim Watroba completed 125 holes with $18,000 in fundraising to finish second. Oyster Harbors was first in fundraising the prior two years. Pat Bibaud of Worcester Country Club and Matt McAdams of Framingham Country Club tied for most holes played with 202. Cam Giles, a 13 year old, played 157 holes that included 72 pars and eight birdies. Giles is the grandson of Stow Acres owner Walt Lankau and son of Stow Ares Director of Golf Mike Giles. The 157 broke the “family record” of 156 set by his grandfather in the 1994 Marathon. The day also included a hole-in-one by Ouimet alumnus Kris Hart on the 15th hole. Hart was representing Bayberry Hills & Bass River. A special highlight was Brian Golden, a 41-year golf professional at Bosse Sports in Sudbury, who walked 101 holes. It was Golden’s 13th time playing in the Ouimet Marathon. He is the career total holes leader.
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY
Tiger Conquers NB3 Challenge By Alice & Danny Scott Verona, N.Y. - Who do you call to bring in 750,000 charitable dollars for a one day skins game? If you are Notah Begay III, you call your college roommate who just happens to be the world’s number one ranked player, Tiger Woods. Tiger, along with defending challenge champion, Camilo Villegas, former Masters champion, Mike Weir, and tournament host, Notah Begay III, a four time tour event winner, delighted the crowd. Young and old, both genders and all races enjoyed the intimate venue with just one foursome and a little over 3,000 people watching. You might wonder about the traffic management of that many fans on each hole, but everyone politely conspires about where they want to stand for optimum viewing. They line the entire hole being played, and holes ahead, watching from afar until their close up comes into play. There was no pushing or shoving, and only compliments heard about a great event. In the pre game press conference, a few questions were fielded and all were directed to Tiger. The mediator asked that the last 2 include everyone and the next media person said, yes we should include everyone but Tiger this one is for you…. So then the mediator asked the final question, directed to Mike Weir, Camilo Villega, and Notah Begay III. Camilo responded first that he had been falling asleep for lack of interest. He was paid more attention to on the course, however. When Camilo Villega, Tiger Woods Winning Putt on 17th the People magazine’s choice of hottest bachelors, sprawls on the green like a spider to get his read, there are cheers. He’s 27 and some of us can remember what that was like by watching him. Camilo can hope with all young golfers to take the limelight from Tiger some day but he can never take away the inspiration and awe that is the eye of Tiger. His hole in one on the famously rowdy number 16 at the Phoenix Open in ‘97 inspired a deafening cheer. Our son was there and it inspired him to draw Tiger and other sports pictures and to play on the high school team. Tiger is still the player he studies to improve his own swing, like millions of golfers worldwide. It was great to see all the kids watching today. One said his school called and offered him the ticket so he said ,“Sure!” Jokingly he told us, “Of course I would have paid the $330 (the Tiger Woods & Mike Weir in Press Conference minimum ticket price) anyway to see this.” Notah was generous with tickets for kids around central New York, giving them an opportunity to see the best of role models. Mike Weir is a great player and an all around good guy that couldn’t quite make a skin today. Tiger drew first blood with a win at the second for $20,000. Trading pars and birdies were constant until Camilo picked up a carryover of $180,000 on hole 14. Approaching 17, Camilo had the lead with $200k against Tiger’s $180k. Tiger’s birdie there gave him another $50k and he won the match with $230,000. The final hole was the last chance for Notah and Mike to get a skin. The long par 5 proved to be the host’s favorite hole as he sunk a 6 foot birdie putt for the last skin of the day worth $70,000. Inspired Drawing of Tiger Woods by The biggest winner of the day was the Notah Begay III Michael Schieffer Foundation (NB3) with its check for $750,000. The foundation was designed to provide sustainable health and wellness programs for Native American youth. Type II diabetes and obesity is rampant within their community and the program is educating its youth on nutrition, diet and exercise to offset this dreaded disease. Imagine challenging the problem before it starts. Now that is health care reform. The Oneida Indian Nation and the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians made possible this collaboration between NB3 Foundation Challenge to educate all Native American youth nationwide. Notah Begay III is the only full blooded Native American on the PGA Tour. Notah was in his glory with his roommate helping to make $750,000 for his foundation. When Tiger Woods & Notah Begay III asked if Tiger does this very often he said no, but he would do anything for Notah. They have been through a lot together and he is so proud of his friend for giving back to his community. Have you called your college roommate lately?
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TOUR PLAYER OF THE MONTH
New England Golf Monthly’s Tour Player of the Month Congratulations Brett Quigley
An Interview with Brett Quigley at the Deutsche Bank Championship NEGM: How do you like TPC Boston? Brett: They have made a lot of changes over the years but I feel they have it right now, it’s a great facility and this week’s weather could not have been better. NEGM: You went from the outhouse to the penthouse to the outhouse today... Brett: I was playing pretty nice but just not getting much out of it, hitting the ball well and just not scoring today. It’s part of golf; at least I finished under par today and have given myself a chance to move up tomorrow. NEGM: Congratulations, you have had a great year, you were our Team New England player of the month in April and as we wind down the season you are our odds on favorite as Team New England Player of the Year. Three-second place finishes on the PGA Tour in one year is something a lot of players would like to achieve. Brett: Yes, that’s great, and certainly for the amount of time I’ve been out here it is something to be proud of, but like I said, I had some good weeks this year and it’s been pretty close. NEGM: What a great job, out there every day on the tour. There are so many things that affect your score, one shot can be very big. Today you struggled with your short game a little in the middle of your round. Brett: Oh yes, it’s the momentum: you know I three putted #8 and three putted for a bogey on 9 so you feel like your momentum is gone, but then hit two great shots on 18, made the eagle, and finished under par. Devon was telling me the whole time just hang in there and it paid off. NEGM: What did you hit into #18? What a great shot! Brett: I had like 225 to 230 and it was a perfect 7 wood for me. It was great to finish it off and make the eagle. NEGM: Brett, do you have a place here in New England that you still call home? Brett: Yes, we have place in Warren, R.I. just a few minutes from where I grew up in Barrington, R.I. NEGM: Do you usually spend your summers here and when do you head back to your home in Florida? Brett: We are here most summers and head back the beginning of October each year. NEGM: It’s been a great year your game has been solid all year, I am not sure if you could have done more. Brett: I could win…(Laughter from the entire group) NEGM: Well that would work. Good luck with the rest of the year. Brett: Thank You Tim & Elle. I appreciate it so much.
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TEAM NEW ENGLAND ON THE TOURS
Billy Andrade
Brad Faxon
Brett Quigley
Billy Andrade Bristol, RI Joined Tour 1988 Tour Victories 4 Billy has played in 17 events this season on the tour. He has made two cuts at the Mayakoba in March and at the Valero Texas Open. In Texas Billy put together a great round of 67 on Friday to make the cut and finished off with a 71 on Saturday and 76 on Sunday. If he can have at least one top 10 finish in The Fall Series it would be a great lift for his confidence. Currently he is on the money list at $19,654.00 in earnings. Brad Faxon Barrington, RI Joined Tour 1984 Tour Victories 8 This has been a comeback from injury year for Brad, his scoring average has been far off his career pace but his short game is still solid. He will not go quiet into the Senior Tour. Look for him to work things out and show some signs of the old Brad by years end. He has played in 20 events thus far in 2009 and has made just 4 cuts, but in his last three events he has played better and his scoring average is improving. He sits at 225 on the money list with $47,713 in earningsst with $36,442 in earnings. Brett Quigley Ft. Devens, MA Tour Victories 1 Brett what can we say; you got it all going on. You may not have won but I know hundreds of PGA Tour Players who would gladly take those three 2nd place finishes this year and run to the bank. At the Barclay’s you made the grade and moved forward to the Deutsche Bank Championship your game is solid and you top out Team New England on The Tours at 59th on the money list and $1,351,128 in earnings.
Brad Adamonis Cumberland, RI Joined Tour 2008 Tour Victories 1
Brad Adamonis
James Driscoll
J.J. Henry
Allens lifetime career earnings is over $13,000,000 on all the tours. He came to the Champions Tour in 2005 and has won events in 2005 and 2006. He has played in 12 events in 2009 on the tour and sits at 70th on the money list with $118,736. He is a veteran and will add to his lifetime earnings and have a great year.
Patrick Sheehan
Tim Petrovic
Tim Petrovic Northampton, MA Joined Tour 2002 Tour Victories 1 Tim has been a consistent player on the PGA Tour since 2002. At the Barclay’s Tim played well and finished T46 and moved on to the Deutsche Bank in front of his home fans. So far in 2009 Tim has played in 26 events and made 14 cuts but he has made them count. In his last 6 events he has made 5 cuts and posted 2 top 10 finishes. He has it all going heading into round two of the playoffs. He is at 77th on the money list and at $1,012,066 in earnings.
Dana Quigley
Dana Quigley Lynfield, MA Joined Tour 1980 Tour Victories 3 Dana thus far in 2009 has played in 12 events; he des not show any signs of slowing down one bit. He still is the Iron man of the game and it will be some time before anyone even comes close to the amount of tournaments he has played. In June Dana finished 3rd in the Triton Financial Classic winning over $115,000. He has made $228,572 on the year and sits at 50th on the money list .
James Driscoll Brookline, MA Joined Tour 2002 Tour Victories 1 Jim finished just outside of the cut line in the first round at the Barclay’s in the first round of the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs this year. New England fans would have loved to see Jim this year at the Deutsche Bank. He needs just to make a few cuts to solidify his top 125 position in The Fall Series. Jim has had a great year and has played well, he currently sits at 112 on the money list at $807,578.
J.J. Henry Fairfield, CT Joined Tour 2001 Tour Victories 1
Allen Doyle, Woonsocket, RI Tour Victories 15
Alan Doyle
Brad had a good start for 2009 season and up to mid June he had made 10 of 16 cuts. In June Brad finished inside the top 25 at the St. Jude Classic and made nearly $50,000 in winnings. In the last 2 months he has made only1 cut which was at the Wyndham Championship. Brad will have a lot of ground to make up in the Fall Series to keep his card. Current earnings are at $333,971.00 and he is at 157 on the money list.
Ken Green
In 25 events played in 2009 J.J. has been sharp, making 19 cuts and posting 3 top ten finishes, and 6 in the top 25. In March at the Honda Classic J.J. placed 2nd and earned almost $4000,000 for the effort. In the first round of the Fed Ex Cup Playoff he finished tied for 67th and moved on to play in the Deutsche Bank Championship as one of three Team New England Players to make it to the second round. Currently he is at 73 on the money list with $1,106,2 in earnings
Patrick Sheehan Providence, RI Joined Tour 2002 Tour Victories 2 Patrick has played in just 14 events so far in 2009 and made 9 cuts. He had a great finish in Puerto Rico in the second week of March with a 13th place finish and earned over $58,000. Patrick picked up a win in Athens Georgia in April on the Nationwide Tour. He needs a very strong finish to get in position to make the top 125 in the Fall Series. He is at 166 on the money list with $253,878 in earnings Ken Green Danbury, CT Joined Tour 2008 Tour Victories 5 Tragically Ken Green was involved in a terrible auto accident in June and lost his brother, girlfriend and dog in the crash. Shortly after the accident Ken had his lower right leg amputated. The hearts of the entire golf community and fans are very saddened by this event, our prayers are with him. He has had a great career on the PGA Tour playing in 508 events and making 274 cuts and 93 top 25 finishes. He is also a 5 time winner on the PGA Tour. This is Kens second year on the Champions Tour and he has played in11 events earning $123,906. We wish Ken the Very best at this difficult time.
Anna Grzebien Point Judith, RI Joined LPGA Tour 2008
Anna Grzebien
In 2009 thus far she has played in 14 events in which she has made 10 cuts. She has been playing solid golf and made 5 of her last 7 cuts and had 3 top 20 finishes. Her play has been solid and she continues to improve her scoring average. Her 17th at the U.S. Women’s Open earned her over $40,000. dollars, and a lot of respect from her peers on the tour. Currently she is at 60 on the LPGA money list and has earned $137,930.
Sponsored by:
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY
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September/October 2009
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY
The Little One A Remarkable New Training Tool
As the Golf Season Winds Down, the National Golf Expo Winds Up!
Every once in a while, there's an "AHA!" kind of product that is so simple, so obvious that you "get it" immediately... like the chair, or the wheel. Well, golf training aids have been cumbersome, exotic, convoluted, requiring hours of studying to learn or understand... until "The Little One". A mini golf club, with a face not much bigger than the golf ball. Not a gimmick, it's a very well made, real golf club - basically, a miniature seven iron designed to focus you, slow you down, make you relate directly to the task of striking the ball on the sweet spot. The touring pros "got it" the first day they saw it in Tucson this year. Now, some 65 tour pros from America and Europe are practicing with it before the round, both on full swings and around the greens (break your wrists when chipping with this and you're history, you'll learn in two swings).... Greg Powers, former seventeen year tour veteran who now shows the club to the tour pros, said, "you take it out and practice with it, and your swing gets better." Simple enough. www.PSPGolf.net, that's where to find it. And PSP stands for Pure Solid Perfect. They also have a wonderful program where you can be your own boss and do demonstration days.
Fall is upon us, and the season will be ending shortly. While we will sadly be storing away our clubs, the folks at the National Golf Expo will be gearing up for the 2010 season. The National Golf Expo, Boston, presented by Amica Insurance will take place Friday, March 5 to Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the Seaport World Trade Center in South Boston. There are some new and exciting plans underway for this season opener. There are new features and free giveaways planned for this year’s show, giving golfers many perks to take advantage of. One of the new features at the show will be the Club Builders Workshop. The International Club Builders Guild will conduct “how to” seminars and set up a workshop where attendees can bring in equipment to be re-gripped, re-shafted and repaired. The Show will be providing free grips to every attendee so they can get a club re-gripped for free. They are also giving away a sleeve of two Bridgestone balls to the first 500 attendees each day of the show. There will be millions of dollars in deals to be had at the show. The show is a resource for golf equipment and instruction, and as always there will be tons to see and do, including more interactive challenges, equipment testing, and seminar instruction. The challenges are always popular with attendees of all ages. A range of manufacturers will be present with their latest offerings that set up along the largest indoor driving range at any event, allowing attendees to try their newest clubs. Also returning are the Ladies Golf Experience and the Seminar Stage. Some of the top PGA and LPGA pros will demonstrate new techniques and provide helpful tips for our audience. Attending the show is convenient and inexpensive. With easy access from Boston’s South Station and Financial District, major highways and a subway stop at its door, attendees have the option of coming at lunch, after work or on the weekend. There is plenty of surface parking in the area, with many affordable options. Dining options are endless in the area, with something to please everyone. A trip to Boston doesn’t have to break the bank, and with all the great deals the Show has to offer, it’s the perfect day out for New England golfers and their families. The National Golf Expo, Boston, presented by Amica Insurance, will be held March 5-7, 2010 at the Seaport World Trade Center, Boston, MA. Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and children 12 and under are free. Hours of the Show are Friday, March 5, 12pm-8pm; Saturday, March 6, 10am – 6pm; Sunday, March 7, 10am-5pm. The Expo is produced by Paragon Group. For more information, the public may call 800-756-7606 or visit the Expo’s website www.GolfExpoBoston.com
Running a Golf Tournament? Contact the Golf Event Specialists SUL]H SDFNDJHV FRQWHVWV JROIHU JLIW LWHPV VSRQVRU VLJQV EDQQHUV HYHQW FRQVXOWLQJ HYHQW PDQDJHPHQW VRIWZDUH DQG PXFK PRUH Tournament Headquarters 781-444-9114 888.GOLF.640 www.tournamentheadquarters.com
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THE DEUTSCHE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP
Father’s Day
DECORATED IRAQ WAR VETERAN PLAYS IN DEUTSCHE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP PRO-AM TO SUPPORT FISHER HOUSE BOSTON
By Jim Hammond I was about 11 years old when my father invited me to join him and a couple of his cronies for a round of golf at a local public course. It was as thrilling as a bar mitzvah, but without the presents and speeches. I hacked around with a $39.00 set of clubs endorsed by the old touring pro Paul Harney and heard my first dirty joke. I will never forget it. The 2009 Deutsche Bank Championship was just held at the TPC Boston Course in Norton, MA. I decided to spend a day hanging around the practice range and asked some of the best golfers in the world about their early days on the golf course with their dad’s. When Padraig Harrington won the 2007 British Open, he became the first Irishman to win the title in 60 years. In 2008 Harrington successfully defended his British Open title, and coupled it with a win at the PGA. The British Open is an emotional tournament for Harrington since his dad died of cancer only 3 days before the start of the 2005 British Open causing Harrington to withdraw. “My dad was a policeman in Dublin” Padraig said. “We played at a Padraig course called Stackstown where 70% of the Harrington members of the club were cops. As soon as I got out of school my brothers and I would rush over to the course and play as many holes as we could. It became our playground. We never wanted to leave and I knew that my dad would be there. Memories of my father and memories of my early golf days are inseparable.” Geoff Ogilvy learned his skills in Queensland, Australia. The 2009 Mercedes Benz Champion started golfing when his dad gave him a cut-down club when Geoff was seven years old. By the time he was 15 years old he was a scratch golfer. Ogilvy played two years on the European tour and joined the PGA Tour in 2001. In 2006 Geoff won the US Open by beating Jim Furyk in a playoff. “Do I remember my first round of golf with my dad?” said Ogilvy. “I rememGeoff ber my first 100 rounds of golf with my dad. Ogilvy We would have very intense matches. I think the first time I beat him was when I was 12 years old. I will never forget that round. I added the score up 4 times to make sure the numbers were right.” Jim Furyk was born in Pennsylvania and learned golf from his dad Mike. Mike Furyk was the head pro at Uniontown Country Club which was outside Pittsburgh. “I can remember playing with my dad when I was about 7 years old. We would play when the members had finished for the day so many rounds were finished in the darkness.” Furyk remembers talks about golf would often continue into the wee hours. Jim “When we got home my mom would Furyk give us our dinner and my dad and I would continue to talk about my game. When I think back I feel a little bad because we would be ignoring my mom with all of our golf talk. But she told me seeing her son spending so much time with his dad made her feel lucky.” I am sure that every son that got to do a little golfing with their dad feels very lucky. I know that Padraig, Geoff, Jim and I sure do.
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Double Amputee SSG Dale Beatty Advocates for Fisher House as Part of Deutsche Bank Championship Week Boston, MA - Staff Sergeant Dale Beatty, an Iraq war veteran who lost both legs in combat, played golf in the Deutsche Bank Championship Pro-Am today to advocate for the Fisher House Foundation and Fisher House Boston. Beatty’s pairing included PGA tour pro Rory Sabbatini and Fisher House Foundation Chairman Ken Fisher. Beatty was seriously wounded in Iraq in November 2004 and spent a year recovering from his injuries at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C. During that time, his family was able to remain at his side with the help of Fisher House. “It was a real thrill and a great honor to play among the top golfers in the world in support of The Fisher House Foundation and Fisher House Boston,” Beatty said. “Fisher House played a crucial role in my recovery. It makes all the difference to have your family close by during that process. It’s important that New England be served by this kind of facility and that the people of The Fisher House Foundation helps wounded veterans recover faster Staff Sargeant Dale Beatty tees by providing their families with caring and off at this years tournament. supportive homes near military and VA medical centers at no charge. Fisher House Boston is currently under construction on the site of the VA Medical Center in West Roxbury, which features a Level 2 polytrauma center and the only Spinal Chord Injury Unit in New England “Dale is a remarkable young man who represents so much of what the Fisher House Foundation is about,” said Ken Fisher. “We are grateful for his commitment to promoting our mission.” A former sergeant in the Army National Guard, Beatty served in Iraq for ten months before his Humvee struck an anti-tank mine in November 2004. The tank mines detonated directly below Beatty’s position in the vehicle, ripping through the weaker armor in the floor and causing traumatic injuries to both of his legs. “We are honored to have Staff Sergeant Beatty as part of the Tournament this year,” said Eric Baldwin, Championship Director of the Deutsche Bank Championship. “Fisher House provides an important service to our military veterans. The DBC is proud to be associated with it.” During Beatty’s recovery at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C., Beatty’s family was able to live in a nearby Fisher House. Beatty is a tireless advocate for a number of military causes including Segs4Vets, Project American Spirit and Operation Second Chance. Beatty currently serves as the President of Purple Heart Homes, Inc. Since he was wounded, Beatty has learned to walk on two prosthetic legs and has even completed the annual Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. Beatty, 31, and his wife, Belinda, currently reside in Statesville, N.C. with their two sons. About Fisher Houses and the Fisher House Foundation More than 10,000 families are helped each year in the 42 Fisher Houses nationwide. The Fisher House Foundation has asked that family members of hospitalized active-duty service members and veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) be given high priority for lodging at Fisher Houses. Fisher Houses and the Fisher House Foundation play a crucial role in helping veterans recover from the serious wounds they have suffered. Fisher Houses enable family members to be close to their loved ones during hospitalization, and give them a safe, comfortable, home-like environment, making it easier for them to participate in the care and recovery of their relatives. For more information, visit www.fisherhouseboston.org
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THE DEUTSCHE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP
An Emotional Win For Steve Stricker at This Year Deutsche Bank Championship By Jim Hammond It was about 5:30 P.M. on Monday and the unknown golfer from Ohio was alone on the practice range hitting some shots with his pitching wedge. He could be in a playoff with Scott Verplank and Steve Stricker, two veterans of the PGA Tour. Jason Dufner seemed very unemotional as he waited to see what Stricker would do on the par 5 18th hole: a par and there would be a 3 way playoff, a birdie and the trophy belonged to Steve Stricker. Steve hit a 290 yard tee shot down the middle and carried a hybrid over the hazard 42 feet from the pin. A chip and a two foot putt later and the roar went up from the gallery surrounding the green. There was no emotion from Dufner as he placed the club in the bag. But there was plenty of emotion in the media tent. Mr. Nice Guy had won the 2009 Deutsche Bank Tournament and he is one golfer who wears his emotions on his sleeve. The biggest draw at the Deutsche Bank Championship was Tiger Woods. Yet he played 3 mediocre rounds including a third round score of 1 over par 72 that left him 9 strokes off the lead held by Stricker, Goosen and O’Hair. In fact Tiger was so upset he snubbed the media for the usual post-round interviews. But Woods would not go down without a fight. In the final round Woods was 4 under par when he reached the par 4 6th hole. His tee shot was perfect and he had only 136 yards to the cup. The nine iron shot flew past the Tim Finchem presents D.B.C. trophy to Steve pin, but a little spin drew it down the green and Stricker 2009 Champion into the cup. The crowd gave the biggest Tiger roar of the week and they started to believe that there might be a 59 in Tiger’s future. Woods barely missed a birdie putt on nine and had to settle for a front nine score of 30.Yet wayward shots on 11 and 17 resulted in bogeys and the roaring ceased despite a final round of 63. “The whole idea was to try to shoot something in the 60’s and that would get me in the top 10” said Woods. “From where I was at I couldn’t win the tournament even if I shot 60 or something like that.” Woods denied making any adjustments that helped him to hole out more putts in the final round. “I just kept hitting lips, lip after lip after lip…just stay the course and boom all of a sudden I started making putts.” Previous winners at the Deutsche Bank also struggled with their games. Two-time winner Vijay Singh had to settle for a 2 under par total of 282, while Phil Mickelson fared better at 7 under par. Mickelson has been struggling with his game since learning that both his mother and wife were stricken with cancer. Finally redemption after a frustrating week. Many of the gallery members called out to Phil all week telling him that they were all praying for their complete recovery. Padraig Harrington was a fan favorite all week and was in contention until the par 4 12th hole where he hooked his drive and could not find the ball. He was forced to make the long walk back to the tee and had to settle for double bogey. The Dublin native and winner of the 2008 British Open and PGA Championship had the support of his fellow country men. “Everywhere I walk, onto the greens, onto the tees, between greens and tees, great support” said Harrington. “There’s five million people in Ireland and 40 million Irishmen in the States and I think they all live in Boston.” Yet Stricker was the man with luck and skill who stole the show when he birdied the 17th and 18th hole to win the tournament by one stroke over Jason Dufner and Scott Verplank. Stricker is known as the man from Wisconsin who easily displays his emotions for all to see. When he entered the media tent his voice cracked several times when he tried to explain what winning the tournament meant to him. “It was a lot of fun you know, it was a rough day,” Steve surveys his chip on the 18th hole to set said Stricker. “The course was still difficult even though we had very little wind.” Steve Stricker is known as the guy who had to up his winning bridie. practice hitting golf shots out of a trailer and into the Wisconsin winter wonderland. But an even bigger obstacle to overcome was the missed 10 foot par putt on the 18th hole that resulted in him losing in the playoff at the Barclays. This week he had a 2 foot putt to seal the victory. “This one was more my length,” said Stricker. “I liked the 1 footer” But even more important is that Stricker, who lost his tour card in 2005 now has won 3 tournaments this year and has replaced Tiger Woods at the top of the Fedex Cup Standings. Also this win is the first for Stricker with Woods in the field, so he now has realized he can beat the best. “Knowing that I needed to make a couple of birdies coming in and actually doing it means a lot.” said Stricker. “The John Deere Classic really gave me a lot of confidence and it showed that I could finish off a tournament. I had the opportunity to do that and I did it.” When asked if wining the Deutsche Bank takes some of the sting out of losing last week Stricker replied “I don’t even remember last week.” When asked about Tiger and his position in the playoffs Stricker said what all of the tour players are thinking. “He’s Stricker signs for fans on Sunday done enough special things. Maybe he will let somebody else do something special for a change.”
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GOLF INSTRUCTION
Sink The Putts: Stimp Meter?
Effective Practice When I am talking to students about problems they may be having with their putting, the conversation will regularly turn to the trouble they are having reading the greens. Not being able to start the ball on a line and with Derek Hooper a speed that will take the ball into the hole can be very PGA Professional frustrating. But before we can talk about green reading Lake of Isles there are always a couple of other aspects of your putting that must be first checked. Alignment – Can you aim your putter on the line you have chosen? I see this almost every day. Players blame poor green reading for the ball not going where they want it to go, when in reality they are unable to correctly aim their putter. If the putter is not aimed correctly you cannot possibly expect the ball to travel along your intended line. To check your alignment, choose a spot on the green at which you will then aim your putter. Ask a friend to hold the putter head in place while you walk behind to see where it is aiming. If it is not aimed correctly move the putter head accordingly, then walk back into the set up position, grip the putter and take another look. See if you notice any differences. Center Strike – If the ball is not coming out of the middle of the putter face the chances of the ball traveling along its intended line are again diminished. To check to see if the ball is coming out of center, place two tees in the green slightly wider than the width of your putter head. Place a ball in the center of the two tees and then putt some balls across the green, with the putter head passing through the tees to strike the ball. If you are able to hit the ball and miss the tees then you are striking the ball in the middle of the putter face. Green Reading – If your alignment is accurate and you are striking the ball in the middle of the putter face, then you are ready to work on your green reading skills. A drill we have had a lot of success with in this area, is to practice by rolling balls across the green. Take four golf balls and decide on a putt you are going to work on. Place one ball on the green and look at the line of the putt from behind the hole, the suspected low side of the putt and from behind the ball. Make a decision about how you think the ball will roll across the green. Take the first two balls and from your knees, roll them towards the hole along the line you have chosen. How well did you read the putt? From this position it is much easier to see how the ball reacts to the subtle slopes of the green. Once you have confirmed how the putt breaks, go through your full putting pre-shot routine and putt the other two balls with your putter. Repeat this drill for other putts on the practice green. You may also use this drill on the course, but only if there are no players behind you. Using this drill will dramatically improve your green reading ability as you start to notice subtle slopes in the greens that maybe you were missing in the past. Just remember that your green reading skills are only as good as your ability to aim the putter and to strike the ball with the middle of the putter face. Derek Hooper is the Director of Instruction at Lake of Isles Golf Academy. Derek has a college degree in teaching and over 14 years experience conducting lesson programs in Australia, Japan and Taiwan. Before moving to the United Sates Derek was the Director of Instruction at the David Duval Golf Academy in Miyazaki, Japan. Derek can be contacted at 1.888.475.3746 or dhooper@troongolf.com
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September/October 2009
By Jeff Sinkiewicz When most average golfers are referring to the speed of the putting greens, terms they often use would be fast or slow. Other critical golfers may use terms like "putting on Velcro" or "it's like putting on concrete" and some will say they are great or just terrible. But when you get to the pro level and lets say the "wanna be" pros.... fast, slow, Velcro, concrete, good, bad, terrible etc. are not the terms those particular golfers are looking for. Touring Pros refer to the greens by a number from anywhere to 4.5 to 13. What do those numbers mean? In comes the Stimp Meter, invented in 1935 by Edward Stimpson the Massachusetts state amateur champion. Stimpson was convinced that the greens during the US Open at Oakmont were "unreasonably fast" and he wanted to prove it. Stimpson created a wooden device that would measure the distance of the ball rolled in feet when the meter is raised 20 degrees. In 1976 Frank Thomas of the USGA redesigned the wooden meter with the following specifications: The device is an extruded aluminum bar, 36 in (91 cm) long and 1.75 in (4.45 cm) wide, with a 145° V-shaped groove extending along its entire length, supporting the ball at two points, half an inch apart. It is tapered at one end by removing metal from its underside to reduce the bounce of the ball as it rolls onto the green. It has a notch at a right angle to the length of the bar 30 in (76 cm) from the lower tapered end where the ball is placed. The notch may be a hole completely through the bar or just a depression in it. The ball is pulled out of the notch by gravity when the device is slowly raised to an angle of about 20°, rolling onto the green at a repeatable velocity of 6.00 ft/s (1.83 m/s). The distance traveled by the ball in feet is the 'speed' of the putting green. Six distances, three in each of two opposite directions, should be averaged on a flat section of the putting green. *source Wikipedia The official USGA Stimp Meter first used in the 1976 US Open at Atlanta is painted green and not available to the public. What does this all mean? Simply put, if the ball rolls 10 feet away from the Stimp Meter, the greens are rolling around a ten. Although all this information may be irrelevant to most golfers, the next time your playing partners are talking about the speed of the greens at the 19th hole, you are now a little smarter and do not have to pretend you know what they are talking about anymore.
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY DEALS & STEALS
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY
Golf at the Turn By Katharine Dyson It's all about color. Peak play, autumn-style in New England. Neon-bright crimson, orange and yellow-clad trees, brilliant cobalt skies, crisp freshly-laundered air. Leaves drift down hiding your ball, crunch under your soft spikes. Kids are back in school and prices have dropped both on and off the fairways. It starts around midSeptember and hangs in there until the last leaf has dropped nudged by the first big news frost usually by early November. A cool time to pack up your clubs and camera and head out for some of the best golf of the season. Here are a few suggestions for some wonderful fall foliage escapes. Vermont In Vermont Haystack Golf Course in Wilmington is a beauty but you may need radar to find your way through the trees. The hilly back nine challenges both your accuracy and climbing skills delivering one round of golf you won't forget. www.haystackgolf.com Haystack Mount Snow Golf Club in West Dover, is home to the Original Golf School. With an elevation drop of 500 feet, the 4th hole is one of the 100 most scenic holes in the country. Stand at the top of the hill and look down the valley through dense stands of pines and maples and you’ll get it. www.mountsnow.com Nearby Brattleboro Country Club’s course, first opened as a nine hole track in 1914, followed by a 1930 do-over by Wayne Stiles, and a 2000 renovation by Vermont native Steve Durkee. Host to several state tournaments and with ample elevations, variety, and views Brattleboro is underrated by many. www.brattleborogolf.com If romance is on your trip agenda, stay at the Inn at Sawmill Farm, an idyllic small resort with accommodations in historic barns and cottages, an excellent restaurant and world-class wine cellar. www.theinnatsawmillfarm.com. Stratton Mountain welcomes golfers on its three nine-hole courses: Mountain, the hardest and most dramatic; Forest the shortest; and Lake, the flatest and easiest. Wild shooters may have plenty of opportunities to kick a few leaves around. Stay at The Inn at Stratton Mountain or in area condos. www.stratton.com The Okemo Valley Golf Club in Ludlow, plays like a heathland-style course. Terraced along the slopes below the resort’s ski trails, architect Steve Durkee takes full advantage of the mountain setting providing a great day of golf without beating you up. Dramatic drops on one side and a steep slope on the other along with plenty of dips and swales, feathery golden fescue, bunker-protected greens and stands of tall trees challenge, yet fairways for the most part provide generous landing areas. www.okemo.com The Equinox, a sprawling white 18th century country house resort on Manchester’s village green, is home to the Gleneagles Golf Course as well as a spa, off-road driving school, falconry school and tennis courts. Views of the mountains from many tees are pure Vermont postcard. www.EquinoxResort.com Heading north to Woodstock, the stately Woodstock Inn & Resort, built by Laurence S. Rockefeller 1969, lies on the village green.. About a three wood from the Inn is the Woodstock Country Club and the 6,001-yard, 18-hole Robert Trent Jones-designed course. Narrow fairways are flanked by more than 80 bunkers and some nasty water hazards provided by the Kedron Brook are guaranteed to give single digit handicappers the jitters. www.woodstockinn.com Stowe Golf Course, the oldest of the mountain courses, is set on former dairy farm land. With 360 degree views of the mountains, the course hunkers at the foot of massive Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak. Designed by William F. Mitchell, many of the holes climb up and down the slopes; others are laid at the bottom of the slopes with hills on both sides. www.stowemountainclub.com Just below the ski area in Mad River Valley, Sugarbush Golf Club in Warren is one of Vermont’s more craggy courses. From several holes, you are looking straight into the sides of the mountains with lots of carries over brooks, narrow fairways, 12 dog legs, and deep elevations. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., this track opened in 1962. Since that time, significant improvements have been made. www.sugarbush.com New Hampshire North of Lake Winnipesaukee, Owl’s Nest Golf Golf Club sculpted into the contours of the Pemigewasset River Valley in Campton, opened in 1998 to rave reviews. A Cornish, Silva and Mungeam design, serious elevations make for some incredible views, especially from the top tee box on hole #14 and on hole #16, you tee off 200 feet above the landing area with the mountains stretching far out in the distance. www.owlsnestgolf.com When Jeff Julian designed the Ragged Mountain Golf course you’d almost think he designed it for himself. As soon as it opened people were screaming that it was just too difficult for the average player. Even after some modifications to soften it up it is still not an easy course with lots of forced carries adding up to no room to screw up. But one thing is for sure: scenery is superb. www.raggedmountainresort.com Kingswood Golf Club, a well-maintained semi-private course in Moultonborough is a delight to play, especially after you reach the hole #6, a blind shot over a hill with a brook running across the front of the green. Here views of the Belknap and Ossipee Mountains, the gentle hills, wetlands and ponds combined with excellent greens and tall stands of trees help make this a track you can play again and again. www.kingswoodgolfclub.com
LAKEVILLE COUNTRY CLUB 44 Clear Pond Road, Lakeville, Ma 02347
(508)947-6630 Memberships Golf Outings Tournaments Functions Manager: Gary Mosca 20
September/October
2009
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FEATURED GOLF DESTINATION
Haystack Golf Club: Stunning Fall Views, Shot making required By Greg Sampson Playing the great game of golf in New England is always a treat, but playing in our region during the fall season is a privledge. The weather is perfect for pants and a short sleeve shirt, the trees are a beautiful camoflage of autumn colors and the course conditions are some of the best in the country. If you are planning on taking advantage of lower prices, better conditions/weather and are having trouble deciding on a destination look no further than the Haystack Golf Club nestled in the Deerfield Valley of Southern Vermont. The facility is an easy drive from Boston, Hartford, Providence or New York City and has been hailed by many as a premier golf destination in the New England region. Haystack Golf Club is a well manicured 18 hole layout designed in 1972 by Desmond Muirhead who is known as the “Picasso of golf course architecture.” The course is very challenging from the championship tees which measure at 6,550 yards and fairly forgiving at just 5,400 yards from the forward tees. To shoot at or around the par of 72 each golfer must be able to manufacture many different shots on two different style nines. The front nine is fairly flat over a gently rolling landscape while the back nine provides golfers with many challenging shots in which course management must be at its best. A great feature to this track is that it provides 360 degree scenery without the blind shots and crazy side hill lies one would expect from a mountain course. Haystack Golf Club offers much more than a championship golf course. There is a practice facility, two putting greens and top level golf instruction from its PGA Professional staff. The proshop is also fully stocked with the latest in equipment, fashion and lets not forget friendly service. Before or after your round the Bar & Grille is a great place to dine inside or outside on the patio overlooking the course and mountains. If you are planning a trip up north for some fall golf plan on the Haystack Golf Club. The course is in great condition, the trees are changing colors and packages are extremely affordable at this time of year. Visit www.haystackgolfclub.com for more information.
Not Just Another Pretty Face. A Desmond Muirhead Signature Design.
Experience Haystack Daily Play • Memberships • Stay & Play Options Wilmington, VT 05363 • www.HaystackGolfClub.com
newenglandgolfmonthly.com September/October baystategolfinc.com May 2009 2008
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NEW ENGLAND JUNIOR GOLF
New England’s Top Junior: Cameron Wilson “Lefty Junior� climbs to 11th in the nation by Greg Sampson If you have not heard of Cameron Wilson from Rowayton, Connecticut before let me catch you up to speed. Cameron has dominated the New England Junior Golf scene for the last three years and get this, he just began his senior year in high school. The south paw has already committed to Tiger’s alma mater, Stanford University making him the only player in United States Challenge Cup history to do so on a scholarship and will also be the first to win three consecutive Spinal Technology Player of the Year Awards. That is more than impressive if you take a look at some of the great players that have played junior golf on the US Challenge Cup circuit. How important has the US Challenge Cup been to your development as a tournament golfer? “The Challenge Cup has been really important to my development as a player. I've been playing in the Challenge Cup for almost 7 years and have gained a lot of valuable experience in all kinds of tournament situations. Dave Adamonis runs a lot of great events and he always is doing his best to help junior golfers.� On a national level Cameron has proved that New England golfers can compete on the biggest stages in junior and amateur golf. In 2009, he played his way to the quarterfinals of the USGA Junior Amateur Championship in July and the round of 32 at the USGA Amateur Championship this past month. One year ago he was ranked just inside the top 50 at a national level and, oh, what a difference a year of practice and maturity makes. He is currently ranked 11th in the nation according to the Polo Golf Rankings and 18th in the Golfweek Sargin Rankings. Be on the look out for this rising star for the rest of 2009. I for one am excited to see him challenge the best juniors and amateurs in the country in 2010. Congratulations, Cameron on a great 2009 campaign. Keep it up, lefty junior - we are all rooting for you.
CAMILO VILLEGAS AND TEAM OF NEW ENGLAND JUNIORS WIN DEUTSCHE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP PRO-AM NORTON, MASS. – Two-time PGA TOUR Playoff tournament winner Camilo Villegas and his team of four New England junior golfers combined to post a low-net, handicap-adjusted score of 20-under-par 51 to win Thursday’s Deutsche Bank Championship Pro-Am at TPC Boston. Even more staggering than the team’s winning score was the composite age of the group, which featured 17-year-old Cameron Wilson (from Rowayton, Conn.), 15-year-old Isabel Southard (Sharon, Mass.), 11-year-old Megan Khang (Rockland, Mass.), and 11-year-old Steven Dilisio (Swampscott, Mass.). “I wasn’t carrying them, I can tell you that,� Villegas said. “It was great. Very unique. It was probably one of the most fun Pro-Ams I have ever played in.� The juniors’ Pro-Am spots were sponsored by State Street Corporation. All four players will compete for Team New England in the fourthannual John D. Mineck DBC Junior Cup Saturday and Sunday at Boston Golf Club in Hingham, Mass. Wilson has already received a golf scholarship to attend Stanford University before he begins his senior year at St. Luke’s School. “It was awesome. Camilo was a lot of fun,� Wilson said. “I want to thank State Street for making this possible. I was lucky to be invited.� Khang, the youngest qualifier for the 2009 USGA Junior Amateur, said the Pro-Am was “one of the best� golf experiences of her life and that all she knew about Villegas before today’s Pro-Am was “that he was Spiderman. I had actually never played with a PGA TOUR professional before. It was a great experience. State Street, they’re the ones I should really thank. They’re the ones who invited us.�
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY
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Golf has failed me again. Forget my consistently near quadruple-digit scores. Never mind the divots I have taken out of area courses, some as large as many unchartered islands. More than these, the sport of golf has been unable to keep the bane of my football existence in retirement. Brett Favre and his overstuffed, stubbled head are back. On an edition of ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” earlier this year, Tony Kornheiser initiated a discusBrett Favre sion about Favre pondering a return to the NFL for about his sixth “one more season.” In response, Michael Wilbon retorted that he really does not care what Favre does. Kornheiser pushed the issue saying that Wilbon was being indecisive. Wilbon countered by saying that he had totally lost interest in the Favre “soliloquy.” Big time cheers to Wilbon here. For Favre, another retirement lie has led to another ill-advised return to the NFL, this time with the Vikings. Damn golf! Why couldn’t you keep this guy in pastels instead of pads? After Favre’s 3-interception embarrassment against Miami in the final week of the 2008 regular season, much of the NFL media and fandom were sympathetic to the gray-bearded goat. NewYorkJets.com editor-inchief Randy Lange actually made a case for Favre’s return to New York. On SIRIUS NFL Radio, Adam Schein expressed dismay that ex-Jets’ coach Eric Mangini was able to score a new head coaching gig in Cleveland so quickly after the Jets’ collapse. Schein’s feelings are understandable, but he failed to pin any of the blame on Favre. Mangini never wanted to go the Favre route. He and the Jets sold their souls to a self-centered devil wearing three days of facial hair and Wrangler jeans. Schein can trash Mangini all he wants. It was not the coach who took the pipe in an elimination game at home against a division rival. Favre’s Teflon resume lends credence to Donovan McNabb’s contention that African-American quarterbacks are judged differently by the press and public, but this is not about race. Guys like Tony Romo, Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Jake Delhomme, Jeff Garcia, Philip Rivers and others have all been justifiably skewered at one time or another, while Favre coasts. Let’s face it, kids. If not for then-Patriots coach Bill Parcells’ inexplicable decision to continually kick to Green Bay’s Desmond Howard in Super Bowl XXXI, Favre would be without a title. The truth is that over his career, he has hurt his teams as much as he has helped them, maybe more. The culmination of Favre’s 2008 season plays into a belief that I have long held, namely, that if given the chance, there are at least 25 quarterbacks in NFL lore that I would select ahead of Favre if starting a team. Laugh if you will. Storm me with emails and cheesehead-driven static, but it’s true. My list follows. It is totally subjective, and not at all based on statistics. Agree or disagree. Applaud or vilify, no matter. These guys, in no particular order, would all make my roster before the completely overrated Favre: Bart Starr, John Unitas, Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, Fran Tarkenton, Joe Montana, Jim Kelly, Dan Marino, John Elway, Warren Moon, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Steve Young, Dan Fouts, Troy Aikman, Y.A. Tittle, Bob Griese, Phil Simms, Otto Graham, Sammy Baugh, Bob Waterfield, Bobby Layne, Randall Cunningham, Ken Stabler. Favre’s courage, love of the game and production could never be questioned, but his wreckless style and almost predictable interceptions are damaging to his overall career. In a foxhole, give me Favre anytime. In a close football game, I’ll take any name on that list without question. Wilbon deserves credit for putting the Favre soap opera in perspective. He is an old football player trying to hang on to a part of his life that is truly done. As for the Favre apologists, let them continue to pass the buck. If Favre passed it himself, the buck would surely be picked off and returned for six. Get this guy a putter, not a pigskin. Give him clubs, not cleats. Favre is back and my autumn is ruined. Damn golf! Syndicated columnist John Molori writes for numerous publications and websites. Email John at MoloriMedia@aol.com.
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GOLF FASHION
Good Looks on the Course Stepping Out In Style At This Years Deutsche Bank Championship
By Elle Brec
Traditionally, the focus and excitement of Labor Day weekend for sports fans had revolved around Red Sox vs. Yankees, the start of the Patriots regular season, or the anticipation of the Bruins upcoming season. However, for the last seven years one of the most important events on the PGA Tour, the Deutsche Bank Championship, has now become a tradition here in New England. For many years New England golf fans did not have a major PGA Tour event that drew the best players in the world to this region. The Deutsche Bank and Tiger Woods changed that 7 years ago, and now the event has become a tradition in New England every Labor Day weekend. For the last three years the Fed Ex Cup has made it the second stop in the Tour Playoffs and a race for the most coveted trophy in golf. The final points winner at the conclusion of 4 tournaments: the Barclays, the Deutsche Bank, the BMW Championship, and finally the Tour Championship is awarded 10 million dollars and the Fed Ex Cup, the ultimate crown in golf. With a total purse of 35 million dollars in the season long Fed Ex Cup race, it is the biggest payday on the tour. This weekend the top 100 players that have worked so hard all year were competing for 70 spots and the chance to make a cut line that gives them the opportunity to move to the third event in the Fed Ex Cup race. Over 100,000 New Englanders viewed the best of the best up close and personal in Norton, Massachusetts where we experienced absolutely perfect weather to watch our favorite players on the tour. Crisp morning air, a beautiful breeze, and warm sunrays made it a perfect weekend to spend time outside on the TPC Boston links. It was a celebration of great golf, fun times, great style and the last days of summer here in New England. This years tournament was a celebration of golf and fashion for players and fans alike. We interviewed a number of golf fans from the area that were here for their first time and others that attend the event every year. The young and old all love the game, and enjoy this great event at the TPC Boston each year. What do the best of the best wear for tournaments on the PGA Tour week to week? The best in golf fashion of course. The style, the colors and absolute comfort that golf fashion has evolved to gives players complete freedom of motion without restriction. Each player has their own individual style that is an expression of who they are and makes them identifiable to fans, even from far distances. They prefer particular colors, brands, and fabrics. While interviewing players, many expressed the importance of the breathability of the fabric. For example, during the second round Tim Petrovich informed me that he had to stress to his apparel coordinator that linen pants were a necessity because other fabrics did not keep him cool. Many players have the same exact routine every time they play golf. They stay very consistent with their style, only to switch colors on different days. For example, one of our Team New England players Brett Quigley keeps classy and basic with his khakis and polo shirts. During the first round he chose to wear a light pink striped polo, the second he wore a blue polo, and the third round he alternated the green version of this shirt. Camilo Villegas kept it consistent with his white pants. The first round he wore a tan shirt with white pants, the third round he wore an aquamarine shirt with white pants, and the final round he wore a black shirt with white and tan accents paired with, yes you guessed it, white pants. However, during the Pro Am the Spiderman wore a white shirt with black pants, and posed with the youthful winning Pro Am team. Tiger as always looked fabulous, which isn’t hard with your own clothing line and sponsorship from one of the largest sporting apparel companies in golf. The first round he wore a black and blue Camilo Villegas with Pro Am Winning team striped shirt with black pants and for the second he wore a white shirt with his Stanford logo on it paired with gray pants. The third round he wore a dark green shirt paired with khaki colored pants, and for the final round, he wore his traditional Sunday’s best, on Monday! If you have not seen Tiger in person, you need to because his presence truly is breath taking. Phil Mickelson and J.J. Henry had great and similar color choices with their purple shirts for the first round paired with very nice charcoal or black pants. Overall, the tournament was a very colorful event. Other great color appearences was Jim Furyk and Boo Weekley’s bright oranges and Charlie Hoffman’s lime green, including his shoes during the first round. Steve Stricker who is so well liked on the tour finished birdie, birdie, on 17 and 18 to capture the Deutsche Bank Championship and take the lead into week three in the Fed Ex Cup race. So often so many of us today just settle for the couch and wide screen to view golf in the comfort of our own home. I can truly say there is nothing like being there and being part of such a great event. For golf fashion go to ElleBrec.com. For comments contact ellebrecgolf@yahoo.com.
Tiger Woods
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Charlie Hoffman
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J.J. Henry
Brett Quigley
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Anthony Kim
Phil Michelson
Steve Stricker
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WOMENS GOLF
2009 Mildred Gardinor Prunaret
Flight 5 Finals Champions: Championship Finalists: Maura Brown & Lindsay Muse Danielle Doane & Mary Berman
2009 Grace Keyes Cup
Flight 4 Finals Champions: Cardine Wester & Sally Fish
Grace Keyes Champion: Claire Sheldon Flight 3 Finals Champions: Laura Kennedy & Carol Dalude
Flight 2 Finals Champions: Daria Insalaco & MJ Oâ&#x20AC;?Neil
2009 U.S. Girls Junior Championship at Trump National In New Jersey
2009 Dolly Sullivan
DayTowAfternoon1stPlaceGross:Hopedale Country Club Members Include: Patricia DeCaire, Maureen Haynes, Karen Brennan,PaulaBoulette(notinorder)
DayTwoAfternoon2ndPlaceNet:The DayTwoAfternoon1stPlaceNet:TheKitGeorgetownClubMembersInclude: tansettClubMembersInclude:MaryTomAllysonChristopher,DaniellePingree, linson,MelissaDeland,SheilaGrady, KellyNorwood,RuthStewart(notinorder) TheresaFitzpatrick(notinorder)
2009 Mother & Daughter Tournament
Junior Champion: Kaitlin Coons
Junior Silver Champion: Lauren Flynn
Junior-Junior Champion: Katie Barrand
Mite Champion: Kathryn Elliot
Megan Khang with Annika Sorenstam at Trump National Golf Club. Megan Khang was the youngest competitor in the 2009 U.S. Girls Junior Championship She is from Rockland Mass and plays out of the Harmon Club.
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY
From the Corner Office Can We have Our Cake and Eat it too? By Rob Martin
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Let me start off by saying that I am an unabashed fan of Tiger Woods, perhaps even an apologist. I was rooting for the legacy of Woods rather than the story in Yang at the 91st PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Course. I cursed Yang for ruining another notch in the belt of the legend of the crouching Tiger. What Tiger has done in an era where golfers are raised from the crib and that the 110th ranked player in the world can put together 4 superb rounds and win the Wannamaker Trophy is otherworldly. To date he has won 70 professional tournaments along with his resume of holding more amateur hardware than Home Depot. So with that said Tiger has rankled some in golfing world with his theatrics and tantrums after a missed tee shot, a missed read or the sneer provided to the avalanche of photographers that follow him around the course snapping off frame after frame before, during and after his swing. Others will point out his F-bombs, that while not making it on the broadcast do not require Dice-K's translator for interpretation. They will yell from the rooftops â&#x20AC;&#x153;what type of example is he setting for todays youth!â&#x20AC;? It is a double edged sword in how we root for our players, do we want the Davis Love's of the world with their Southern charm and warm smile and a tip of the bill whether he makes a 2 or a 6. Or how about Ernie Els who has won countless majors but you wouldn't know whether he was winning the tournament on the 72nd hole of a major or playing in a practice round. Vanilla...Yawn! I want Passion! I want to see competitors who live and die on every shot. Who showtheir highs and lows that we ourselves can relate to on and off the course. Perhaps I want my cake and to eat it too! I am the first crumudgen to confront a junior member, a member or the playing public regarding inappropriate language or behavior on the course. Perhaps we're not good enough to swear at our ball or jam a 5 iron into the turf. But...somehow, I find it likable or even admirable that the World's greatest player is getting torqued off at a shot he was unable to execute or the annoyed look that permeates his face when a putt lips out - as if to say â&#x20AC;&#x153;how dare you not go in!â&#x20AC;? Maybe it is just me but I prefer Kevin Youkilis to JD Drew and Kevin Garnett over Dirk Nowitzki. I like the emotion â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that's not to say that this act doesn't grow tiresome from some individuals while on others it is a symbol of being a fierce competitor. In order to enjoy the celebration you also have to understand the failure. I find it admirable when athletes/golfers show this emotion and confounding when the don't. The game needs the emotion, the drama and the competitiveness but there is a fine line. Tiger can wear that scowl while â&#x20AC;&#x153;Johnny Junior Memberâ&#x20AC;? better lose the 'tude. Like I said, a very fine line. For whatever reason I give Tiger a pass. Perhaps I want my cake and to eat it to.
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FEATURED CAPE COD DESTINATION
Featured Cape Cod Destination: Bay Pointe Country Club
Fore Thought Let Your Reality Kick In
By Greg Sampson
As a golfer, one of the toughest challenges you can ever take on is that of trying to capturing a previous level of excellence. Whether it’s regaining your putting touch, By Bob Skura reaching a previous handicap level or finding the winners circle again your objective cannot be reached unless you deal with reality. Being realistic allows you to proceed from where you are. Being unrealistic forces you to attempt to the impossible – to proceed from where you wish you were. Steve Stricker and Sergio Garcia can teach us everything we need to know about reality. After winning the Deutsche Bank Championship this past weekend, Stricker, now ranked number two in the world, said that although the win was nice he’s just occupying space in Tiger’s world. Make what you want of his attitude but everything about 32 yearold Steve Stricker’s modest approach suggests that he simply deals with what’s in front of him. As a seven-time winner on tour he’s not worried about his place in history or how well he played in the early 2000’s before his slump. He simply deals with the situation at hand. On the other hand, 29 year-old Sergio, ranked seventh in the world and also the owner of seven PGA Tour victories is a study in frustration. There’s an expectancy, possibly created by the press, possibly by his own demeanor, that he should not only win more often but throw in a few majors to boot. Steve Stricker What’s holding him back? Putting? A negative attitude? His inability to deal with pressure? Who knows? But certainly all of those issues are his reality and he needs to acknowledge and address them before he can move on. Is there psychological proof of the need to be realistic? Actually there is. Goal-setting 101 says that in addition to being specific, measurable and having a timeline goals must be realistic. In Sergio’s case it’s unrealistic to expect to challenge the top players in the world without ridding himself of his personal baggage. In Stricker’s case it’s realistic to expect to win again if he simply keeps taking on each small challenge as it crops up. Nothing more and nothing less. So here’s the magic question. Who are you most like, Sergio or Steve? Once you answer realistically you can move on from where you are and create your own success. Bob Skura is the author of the award-winning book, How Great Golfers Think – Perfecting Your Mental Game. For more information visit: www.howgreatgolfersthink.com
Bay Pointe Country Club is a gem of a course positioned ever so nicely between the Cape Cod Canal and Onset Beach. The 18 hole layout features views of Buzzards Bay Harbor providing enjoyment for all skill levels and not one but two clubhouses both equipped to hold 100 plus guests for your next outing, wedding or function. The course itself was built in the late 60’s by Geoffrey Cornish but did not take Hole 7 Island Green the name Bay Pointe CC until 1988 when the second clubhouse and signature island green 7th hole was built. From the championship tees the course plays a deceiving 6,201 yards with a par of 70, course rating of 70.9 and slope of 122. The two opening holes possess a unique quality in that they can make or break your round. There is really not a flat lie on either hole and both require yardage calculation for elevation change. There are 6 par 3’s which account for the par of 70 along with the shorter yardage. The signature par 3 being the island green 7th hole, which is also surround by condos creating a stadium like setting. For most golfers this is the closest they will get to the 17th at Hole 10 TPC Sawgrass along with the bleachers/corporate boxes that surround every tour event. The rest of the track has a nice blend of doglegs, tree lined fairways, bunker placement and green design. All of the par 5’s are birdie holes even eagle holes for the longer hitters. The course conditions are better than average for a daily fee golf course where you can play 18 holes with a cart in the fall season for around $55 and there are also great stay and play packages available at many of the local hotels if you are thinking about a Cape Cod golf vacation this fall.
White Cliffs Country Club One East Cliff Drive, Plymouth, MA 02360
Oceanfront Condos Available From 150k
Attention Baby Boomers
Thinking about retirement? Oceanfront gated 18 hole golf community. Beach, golf, tennis, gym, restaurant, pro shop, etc.Historic Plymouth
www.gormanassociates.net
781-329-6111 newenglandgolfmonthly.com
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MARKETPLACE Wedgewood 888.833.7371 NEW ENGLAND GOLF MARKETPLACE www.wedgewoodgolf.com
RETAIL STORES & CLUB MAKERS Edwin Watts Golf Hanover, MA 781.871.0000 Hyannis, MA 508.771.4653 Attleboro, MA 508.399.8400 Mashpee, MA 508.539.7937 Weymouth, MA 781.335.8008 www.edwinwattsgolf.com Fran Johnson’s Women’s Golf W. Springfield, MA 413.306.6120 www.thewomensgolfshop.com Golfers’ Warehouse Burlington, MA 781.270.4653 Danvers, MA 978.777.4653 Natick, MA 508.651.2582 Braintree, MA 781.848.9777 www.golferswarehouse.com Joe & Leigh’s Discount Golf S. Easton, MA 508.238.2320 www.pineoaks.com Northeast Golf Sales Seekonk, MA 508.336.4058 www.negolfsales.com
Precision Golf Works Pawtucket, RI
GOLF PRODUCTS
BJ’s Charity Classic Championship Plymouth, MA Sept. 9, 2009 www.theledgendstour.com Celebrity Pro Veteran Invitational Boston, MA June 29, 2009 www.celebrityproveteran.com CVS Charity Classic Barrington, RI June 21-23, 2009 www.cvscharityclassic.com Deutsche Bank Championship Norton, MA September 1-7, 2009 www.deutschebankchampionship.com Monroe, CT Cape Custom Green 508.994.7239 www.Cape Custom Green.com Conway Golf Products 866.468.3316 www.Conway Golf.com Digital Pro Golf 802.238.5355 www.digitalprogolf.com Dream Swing 866.910.4477 www.dreamswing.com Exclusive Links Passports 800.639.1941 www.linkpassport.com Global Golf Training Products 781.828.7747 www.thumbcaddy.net How Great Golfers Think 877.748.1135 www.howgreatgolfersthink.com Orange Whip 877.748.1135 www.orangewhiptrainer.com Perfect Release 800.860.0923 www.perfectrelease.com Plane Perfect Golf 866.468.3316 www.planeperfectgolf.com
401.723.9998
GOLF CARTS & ACCESSORIES
Joshua Bent Memorial June 20, 2009 www.JoshBent.com
Members’ Cup Sept. 2009 www.memberscup.com New England Senior Tour See Events Schedule www.newenglandseniortour.com Travelers Championship Cromwell, CT June 22-28, 2009 www.travelerschampionship.com Turning Stone Resort Championship Verona, NY October 1-4, 2009 www.turningstoneresortchampionship.com
GOLF INSTRUCTORS Anthony DeQuattro Swansea, MA
508.675.8767 www.colesrivergolf.com
Bill Kay Swansea, MA
508.675.8767 www.colesrivergolf.com
Chris Costa Middleton, MA
978.774.4075 www.middletongolf.com
DeLayne Pascal Sandwich, MA
508.428.5577 www.hollyridgegolf.com
Dennis Sales Cumberland, RI
New England Golf Cars Seekonk, MA 508.336.4285 www.newenglandgolfcars.com
Ed Hanley Cranston, RI
Fore Concepts 886.888.3667 www.foreconcepts.com
Jane Frost Sandwich, MA
GOLF SERVICES Gina Cigars
GOLF TOURNAMENTS
Jeff Dantas Seekonk, MA 617.426.4501
www.ginacigar.com
Keith Allcock Seekonk, MA
Golf and Gamble 508.970.0066 www.golf-n-gamble.com
Rick Holcomb Seekonk, MA
Jet Blue Challenge 516.680.5986 www.Jetbluechallenge.com L.T.S. Leader Boards of N.E. 781.784.6508 www.ltsleaderboard.com Tournament Headquarters 508.734.2186 www.tournamentheadquarters.com Worldwide Golf Vacations 800.946.5318 www.worldwidegv.com
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Real Feel Golf Mats 866.334.2115 www.RealFeelGolfMats.com Sonocaddie 800.336.6264 www.sonocaddie.com Swingroove 800.796.4416 www.swingroove.com Swing Rite 866.660.7387 www.swingrite.com The Golf Ring 937.299.0443 www.TheGolfRing.com
newenglandgolfmonthly.com
401.787.7040 www.DennisSalesGolf.com 401.826.1683 www.cranstoncc.com 508.888.3384 www.JaneFrostGolfSchool.net
508.336.EPRO www.elitegolfcenter.com 508.336.6622 www.FireFlyGolfCourse.com 401.862.4119 SeekonkDriving Range
Tom Wecal Smithfield, RI
401.766.1151 www. Iwgolf.com
Tony Lauro Warwick, RI
401.821.1115 www.valleycountryclub.net
GOLF SHOWS National Golf Expo Boston, MA March 6-8, 2009 www.paragonexpo.com
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MARKETPLACE
NEW ENGLAND GOLF MARKETPLACE GOLF PRACTICE FACILITIES
Newton
Newton Commonwealth Golf Club 617.630.1971 www.sterlinggolf.com
Harmon Golf & Fitness Rockland, MA 866.942.7666 www.harmongolf.com Mulligans Island Cranston, RI 401.464.8855 www.mulligansisland.com
Norwood Country Club Norwood
781.769.5880 www.SterlingGolf.com
Atlantic Golf Center S. Attleboro, MA 508.761.5484 www.atlanticgolfcenter.com
SOUTHEASTERN Acushnet River Valley Acushnet
508.998.7777 www.golfacushnet.com
Elite Golf Center Seekonk, MA 508.336.EPRO www.EliteGolfCenter.com
Allendale Country Club No. Dartmouth 508.992.8682 www.allendalecountryclub.com Seekonk Driving Range Seekonk, MA
Bungay Brook Golf Club 508.336.8074
Bellingham
508.883.1600 www.BungayBrook.com Chemawa Golf Course
No. Attleboro
508.399.7330 www.chemawagolf.com Crestwood Country Club
Rehoboth
508.336.8582 www.crestwoodcc.com Fall River Country Club
Fall River
508.672.0280 www.fallrivercc.com
SNE Golf Academy Mapleville, RI 401.787.7040 www.snegolfacademy.com Sun â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;N Air Danvers, MA 978-774-8180 www.sunairgolf.com
Hawthorne Country Club No. Dartmouth 508.996.1766 www.hawthornecountryclub.com
MASACHUSETTS GOLF COURSES BOSTON AREA Brookmeadow Canton Golf Central Richmond, RI
401-539-2200
Golf Country Easton, MA Middleton, MA Saugus, MA
508-238-6007 978-774-4476 781-231-0032
781.828.4444 www.brookmeadowgolf.com
www.golfcountry.org Golf Rite Bolton, MA
978-562-4802
Golf Shots Wareham, MA
Chelmsford Country Club Chelmsford
www.GolfRite.com
978.256.1818 www.sterlinggolf.com Granite Links
508.295.8773
Quincy
617.689.1900 www.granitelinksgolfclub.com
Hillside Country Club Rehoboth
newenglandgolfmonthly.com
508.252.9761 www.hillsidecountryclub.com
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MARKETPLACE
NEW ENGLAND GOLF MARKETPLACE Lakeville Country Club Lakeville
Touisset Country Club
508.947.6630 www.lakevillecountryclub.com
Swansea
508.679.95
NORTH SHORE Indian Ridge Country Club Andover 978.475.9484 www.indianridgecountryclub.us Meadow Golf Course Peabody
978.532.9390 www.peabodymeadowgolf.com Middleton Golf Course
Middleton
978.774.4075 www.middletongolf.com
Wampanoag Golf Club
Maplegate Country Club Bellingham
508.996.4040
N. Swansea
www.maplegate.com Plymouth
508.379.9832 www.wampanoaggolf.com
Waverly Oaks Country Club 508.224.6700 www.waverlyoaksgolfclub.com
Sterling Country Club Sterling
978.422.0275 www.sterlingcc.com Winchester Country Club
Winchester
781.729.1181 www.winchestercc.org
Wentworth Hills Golf Club Plainville, MA 508.580.3673 www.wentworthhillsgolf.com CAPE COD COURSES Bayberry Hills Golf Course W. Yarmouth 508.394.5597 www.golfyarmouthcapecod.com
WESTERN MASS. BERKSHIRES Berkshire Hills Country Club Pittsfield 413-447-9429 www.berkshirehillscc.com Blackstone Valley Golf Club 08. 865.2111 www.bngc.net
Sutton
Cranberry Valley Golf Club 508.430.5234 www.cranberrygolfcourse.com
Harwich
Holly Ridge Golf Club Sandwich
508.428.5577 www.hollyridgegolf.com Hyannis Country Club
New England Country Club Bellingham 508.883.2300 www.newenglandcountryclub.com
Hyannis Wareham
Olde Scotland Links Bridgewater
508.279.3344 www.oldescotlandlinks.com Pembroke Country Club
Pembroke
Blissful Meadows Golf Course 508.278.6110 www.blissfulmeadows.com Crumpin-Fox Club
Bernardston
800.943.1901
Paul Harney Golf Course
508.238.2320 www.pineoaks.com
www.golfthefox.com
The Captains Course Brewster
Pine Valley Golf Course Rehoboth
Uxbridge
East Falmouth 508.563.3454 www.paulharneygolfcourse.com
Pine Oaks Golf Club So. Easton
Little Harbor Country Club 508.295.2617 www.littleharborcountryclubcom
Old Barnstable Country Club Marshen Mills 508.420.1141 www.obfgolf.com
781-829-2292 www.PembrokeGolf.com
508.362.6936
508.896.1716 www.captainsgolfcourse.com
508.336.9815 Poquoy Brook Golf Course 508.947.5261 www.poquoybrook.com
Lakeville
Rehoboth Country Club Rehoboth
508.252.6259
Petersham Country Club
www.rehobothcc.com
Petersham
Oakham Scituate Country Club Scituate
978.724.3388 www.petershamcc.com
River Bend Country Club W. Bridgewater 508.580.3673 www.riverbendcc.com
Quail Hollow Golf & C.C. 508.882.5516 www.quailhollowgolf.net
781.545.7666 www.scituatecc.com
Red Tail Golf Club Ayer
Shadow Brook Golf Club S. Attleboro Plymouth
508.339.8410
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Wachusett Country Club
Southers Marsh Golf Club 508.830.3535 www.southersmarsh.com The Back Nine Club
Lakeville
508.947.9991 www.thebacknineclub.com
September/October 2009
978.772.3273 www.redtailgolf.net
West Boylston
508.835.4484 www.wachusettcc.com
Yarmouth Golf Courses 508.398.9079 www.golfyarmouthcapecod.com
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MARKETPLACE
NEW ENGLAND GOLF MARKETPLACE RHODE ISLAND GOLF COURSES
Ashland
White Mountains Country Club 603.536.7808 www.playgolfne.com
Beaver River Golf Club
Gilford
Pheasant Ridge Country Club 603.524.9543 www.playgolfne.com
Richmond
401.539.2100 www.beaverrivergolf.com Crystal Lake Golf Club
Harrisville
401.567.4500 www.crystallakegolfclub.com Green Valley Golf Club
Portsmouth
401.847.9543 www.greenvalleyccofri.com
Perfect Drive Golf Villas Port St. Lucie, FL 772.873.0515 www.PerfectDriveatPGAVillage.com
Country Club New Hampshire North Sutton 603.927.4246 www.playgolfne.com Amherst
Souhegan Woods Golf Club 603.673.0200 www.playgolfne.com
Laurel Lane Country Club W. Kingstown 401.783.3844 www.laurellanecountryclub.com
Kennebunk
Point Sebago Resort 888-765-7030 www.pointsebago.com
The Mount Washington Resort Bretton Woods, NH 800.314.1752 www.mtwashington.com The Shattuck Golf Club Jaffrey
603.532.4300 www.sterlinggolf.com
Midville Golf Club West Warwick 401-828-9215 www.MidvilleGolfClub.com
Whip Poor Will Golf Club Hudson
603.889.9706
The Sagamore Bolton Landing, NY 866.358.6112 www.thesagamore.com
603.889.1555
Turning Stone Resort & Casino Verona, NY 800.771.7711 www.turning-stone.com
www.playgolfne.com Green Meadow Hudson www.playgolfne.com
GOLF RESORTS Camelback Inn & JWM Resort Scottsdale, AZ 800.242.2635 www.camelbackinn.com
Montaup Country Club Portsmouth
401.683.0955 www.montaupcc.com
Middletown
Newport National Golf Club 401.846.1489 www.newportnational.com
Triggs Memorial Golf Club Providence 401.521.8460 www.triggs.us Valley Country Club Warwick
Gr. Atlantic City Golf Assoc. Atlantic City, NJ 800.GOLF.222 www.acgolfvacations.com
401.821.1115 www.Valleycountryclub.net
West Warwick Country Club West Warwick 401.821.9789 www.westwarwickcc.com
Xona Resorts Suites Scottsdale, AZ 888.222.1059 www.xonaresort.com Golf PEI Prince Edward Island, Canada www.golfpei.net Miami, FL
Doral Golf Resort & Spa 800.713.6725 www.doralresort.com
Ginn Reunion Resort Orlando, FL 888.418.9611 www.reunionresort.com
Woodland Greens Golf Club N. Kingstown 401.294.2872 www.woodlandgc.com
MAINE GOLF COURSES Point Sebago Resort Kennebunk
888-765-7030 www.pointsebago.com
NEW HAMPSHIRE GOLF COURSES Waumbek Country Club Jefferson
603.586.7777 www.playgolfne.com
Heritage House Hotel Cape Cod, MA 508.775.7000 www.stayandplaycapecodcom Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club Palm Harbor, FL 727.942.2000 www.innisbrookgolfresort.com
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF SCENE
~ FROM THE DEUTSCHE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP ~
Fred Couples has a laugh
Elle Brec with Tiger & Steve on the range
The fans on the 18th hole
Anthony Kim
Seth Waugh presents trophy to Steve Stricker
Phil Mickleson
Elle Brec with Boston golf fans Seth Gabarro, Ty Kennedy & Patrick Duchette
J.J. Henry
Elle Brec with Patrick & Mary Kelleher from Norwood, MA
Chris Berman sinks one!
Ian Poulter & Jim Craig
Stewart Cink
Peter Von Harten & Boo Weekley
NEW ENGLAND GOLF SCENE Tour photos provided by Ken Dennis, KenDennisPhoto.com N.E.G.M. official PGA Tour photographer
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NEPGA
THE N.E.P.G.A. PRO FILE Paul Parajeckas Wins NEPGA Championship By Bob DiCesare Paul Parajeckas of Pleasant Valley Country Club has compiled an impressive list of various NEPGA tournament victories and numerous Champions Tour, national, and international golf events he's played. But nothing will ever compare to what he recently accomplished on August 26th. The 59-year-old Worcester native came from behind at venerable Worcester Country Club, site of the first Ryder Cup Matches in 1927 and a place where he caddied as a youngster, to win his first NEPGA Championship after so many close misses. The triumph also comes after he had already won three consecutive NEPGA Senior Championships from 2004-06. Trailing by one stroke heading into the final round, Parajeckas birdied the 16th and 17th holes to take the lead, then managed a pressure-packed, two-putt for par on the18th to clinch the title with an even-par 211 (70-70-71) in the 87th annual championship. For Parajeckas, it was a historic, emotional, and gratifying triumph all wrapped into one moment. "This tournament is our Masters in the New England section," said Parajeckas. "Everyone treats it that way. I had a monkey on my back for so many years, always a bridesmaid. When I sank the final putt, I was drained. It was so overwhelming that I broke down. It was the best feeling I've had in golf." On the 18th green, Parajeckas faced an eight-foot, sidehill lie and almost made it with a lag putt, but left himself with a six-footer coming back. With many of his peers watching from behind the green, Parajeckas was examining his second putt when suddenly "I heard someone in the gallery say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This is like the Tom Watson story'," he said. In fact, the parallels are incredible. Parajeckas was indeed facing a similar situation just like Watson did at the British Open. Parajeckas is the same age as Watson, 59, and was trying to win the "younger guys" tournament after spending almost a decade playing seniors tournaments. Also, Parajeckas knows Watson well after having been paired with him several times on the Champions Tour. "I'd been in this situation before and gotten a little ahead of myself," said Parajeckas. "But I had to make this. I didn't rush it, got the line, got over the ball, and trusted myself. I blocked everything out and made it feel like I was putting by myself in my backyard. I didn't look up until I heard the ball drop in the cup. Again, it was the best feeling I've had in golf." "I'll never forget that day," added Parajeckas. "My favorite number is 26, and I won it on the 26th. I'm a Worcester native who grew up just a half-mile down the street from Worcester Country Club, and I wind up winning it there. It was a great moment for me." In recent weeks, Parajeckas has been inundated with e-mails and phone calls from fellow NEPGA professionals, members at Pleasant Valley, and also members and staff at Woburn Country Club, where he worked for 23 years before coming to PV. "It's been overwhelming," said Parajeckas. "I'm still numb by the volume of people who have contacted me and offered congratulations. But I made sure of one thing. The first phone call I made after I won was to my mother, Dolly, on Cape Cod. I had to do that." Bob DiCesare is the golf writer for The Enterprise in Brockton, MA, and he is also a member of the International Network of Golf.
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GORMAN VS. GEARY
GORMAN VS. GEARY ~ The President’s Cup ~ Is the Presidents Cup Filled with Whine?
I Love The President’s Cup
Presidents Cup is Bogus! If success breeds copycats, then the PGA Tour-sponsored Presidents Cup is fraudulently imitative of the PGA of AmericaBy Tom Gorman sponsored Ryder Cup. Let me clarify the word “sponsor” here, and give its true translation: profit center. In fact, the profit center bi-annually generates tens of millions of dollars, solely because both organizations drape the United States flag over the proceedings. Since 1926, the Ryder Cup matches between the US and Europe have been a friendly exhibition of match play events that was dominated by US teams winning. Over the past 30 years, after the US began losing a few matches, it has generated huge interest from corporate America, as well as golf fans and media. A Ryder Cup match will generate ungodly income for the PGA of America - net profit over $10 million. If you take the United States flag out of the mix, the event would starve for attention, and probably be broadcast on a delayed tape basis on late night cable TV. And, what is the most amazing thing about the matches? The sponsor’s a/k/a profit centers keep all the money. Yes, they keep it all, since they don’t pay players for their time, service or work. It’s truly hard to believe that the best PGA Tour pros in the world would give up an entire week, and more, to play a series of fourball, alternate shot and singles matches, and earn no income. When the stars and stripes are involved, the game has new meaning! Are these the same titanium-carrying, multi-millionaire golf pros that enjoy lifestyles reserved for the rich and the famous? It has always baffled me why they don’t get paid, although each receives a decent stipend to give to a charity of their choosing. At the 1999 Ryder Cup matches at The Country Club in Brookline, it took Phil Mickelson and a few American players to raise the question of: Hey, where’s the money? How about a raise? Reportedly, the PGA of America netted a profit from those matches of $20 million. And, at the time, the cheapskates didn’t want to give the players a raise. Shameless, if you ask me. The PGA Tour exists solely to make money and take care of their own. They are dripping in multi-million dollar tournaments, with 2009 purses totaling about $200 million. In 1994, after observing riches beyond their wildest dreams of the Ryder Cup success story, the PGA Tour concocted the Presidents Cup on opposite years of the Ryder Cup, basically fielding the same US team. For the viewing public and media, the Presidents Cup is a series of golf matches between the US and an International team representing the rest of the world less Europe. For those like me, so inclined to brush off the Presidents Cup, it is a Ryder Cup copycat, contested by two teams whose members live primarily in Florida. A more accurate observation is that the International team has never met and has language problems, while the American players wish they didn’t have to meet again, especially since they don’t get paid and are told for five days what to eat, drink, think, watch, and how to dress. Do you know any millionaires who work hard 51 weeks a year and then along comes a major golf organization that throws the US flag in their face, and directs and controls their life for a week, while pocketing all the cash? What a clever idea if you can get away with it. The players don’t dare complain because it would appear unpatriotic. From where I sit the Presidents Cup scheduled October 6-11, 2009, at Harding Park GC in San Francisco is just another huge money-grab event by the PGA Tour. They hold the United States flag high over this exhibition, and the players don’t have the (Titleist) balls to say ‘pay us real currency or we will take the week off.’ The higher they wave “Old Glory” they more they are likely to profit! It just wouldn’t be the same with a bunch of no-name Nationwide Tour players squaring off, would it? If this exhibition in the name of patriotism is such a marvelous event, then why is the PGA Tour charging fans $75 per ticket per day? Oh, and don’t forget about the eight sold-out Presidential Suites on Hole No. 15 that cost corporate America $185,000, or the 15 sold-out Presidential Suites on Hole No. 13 for only $165,000 each. While the rest of America is barely surviving a recession, there are still Fleming Suites available for $115,000 each. From among 85 available tables from the Trophy Club “opportunity,” the expensive contribution is $22,500 each. For the smaller budgets, the Captain’s Club program will provide you with 10 tickets for $2,200. Unless I’m really bored the weekend of October 10-11, I will not watch the Presidents Cup and will not care who wins or who loses or gets the most points and all the awkward, gibberish scorekeeping yakity-yak that accompanies such a show. Golf is not about points! And did I mention I just don’t like copycats! Tom Gorman, a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, International Network of Golf and Golf Travel Writers of America, is a Bostonbased freelance golf writer.
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September/October 2009
My colleague, whose photo adorns this page a few inches to the left, hates cups. He despises the President’s Cup, isn’t crazy about the Ryder Cup and loathes the FedEx Cup, re- By Tim Geary ferring to them as “contrived” competitions. Although I’ve never heard him say it, I assume he’s not crazy about the Solheim, Walker or Curtis Cups either. This month’s debate centers around the upcoming President’s Cup matches, scheduled for Oct. 6-10, at Harding Park, just outside San Francisco. I happen to have just the opposite view. I love the President’s Cup. Okay, not as much as the Ryder Cup, but I find these kinds of competitions much more enjoyable than the usual run-of-the-mill tournaments where most of the competitors display the kind of emotion that would make Mr. Spock proud (is pride an emotion?). While the Ryder Cup enjoys a long and storied history the President’s has only been around since 1994 and like the early years of the Ryder Cup it’s been decidedly one-sided, in favor of the United States. For years the USA dominated the Ryder Cup matches, to the point where it registered little interest among golf fans. That changed when the team from Great Britain and Ireland expanded to include players from the rest of Europe and the Europeans began to win. The 1992 matches, dubbed “The War by The Shore,” at Kiawah Island, were as intense as any World Series game seven or Super Bowl and was a smash hit with golf fans. Ever since the Ryder Cup has become big business and was probably the impetus for the birth of the President’s Cup. The President’s, which pits the U.S. against an international team that does not include Europe, has not been as popular but the matches have been outstanding nonetheless. Is it a contrived T.V. show? Perhaps, but so what? The competition is fabulous. The passion, while not on the same level as the Ryder Cup, is still far higher than the typical tour event and the players really seem to get into it. Even Jim Furyk shows emotion. There is room for improvement, however. What I would like to see changed in the President’s Cup format is a tweak in the participants. Let’s make this is a qualifier for the Ryder Cup. For example; since the United States is the current holder of the Ryder Cup, this year’s matches would pit Europe against the Internationals with the winner advancing to next year’s Ryder Cup match against the USA. The loser would be given the honor of hosting the next President’s Cup match in two years. Whoever wins the Ryder Cup (and we would have to do away with ties) would not only assure itself of playing in the next set of matches but would also host, which would take care of all those pesky logistical headaches. Although there was one tie in President’s Cup history, in 2003 (by agreement of the respective captains, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player), there is a tie-breaker in place. The Ryder Cup has no such format. If the matches end deadlocked then the current holder of the cup retains it. We would have to do away with that tradition and adopt the President’s format where the top member of each team play each other in a sudden death format. Of course we will never see this because the underwriters of the event, corporate America, will not sit still for a competition that does not include the USA. While the players do not receive any money for their participation we know that it’s corporate bucks that drive the wagon and television ratings that fuel things. Without a team from America in the mix the ratings would likely tank so it will remain as it is. Gorman is absolutely correct in his assertion that the President’s Cup is contrived, but then so was the Super Bowl, the Olympic Games and every other kind of competition known to man. Tim Geary is a freelance writer based in Rhode Island. He has been a sportswriter for over 33 years and is a former member of both the Golf Writers of America and the International Network of Golf.
newenglandgolfmonthly.com
September 20-36:NEGM 9/10/09 2:09 PM Page 35
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