Northern New England Golf Monthly June 2016 – Vol.1 - Issue 1 by New England Golf Monthly

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FROM THE EDITOR

Northern New England Golf is

Alive and Well Great Courses & Great Value New England is the oldest golfing region in the country with over 1000 courses spread out over a 6 state area. In Northern New England in the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont there are nearly 300 courses alone. With an eclectic mix of seaside links, parkland

designs and mountain courses Northern New England has one of the most diverse course designs anywhere in the world today. If you live in the Northeast

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a road trip to Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont is a must do every season. Choose one of the many Stay & Play packages available or just pick a region and play 3-4 different courses, which is my yearly favorite. Donald Ross is one of the best known course designers in Northern New England with nearly 30 course designs. Geoffrey Cornish designed even more in the region with nearly 40. There are also courses and resort courses by Tillinghast, Palmer, Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Jr. Graham Cook and a host of other legends in the game. Many of New Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most spectacular course designs are sprinkled throughout its three northern states. Traveling to warmer destinations in winter makes sense for most but a Spring, Summer or Fall golf getaway is

just a few hours away by car and offers some of the best golf anywhere without spending hours in airports and paying for flights and rental cars. Want to talk about value at some of the best golfing regions in Northern New England. For couples and or buddies golf trips you can stay and play in most

cluded. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it, three rounds of golf at three different courses and two nights for $250-$300 for a long weekend is as good as it gets, can you say road trip! regions for about $100 per day including golf and rooms double occupancy and in many cases get a great breakfast in-

Timothy R. Branco Editor/ Publisher

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The Bethel Inn Resort provides the perfect combination of golf, resort activities, dining options and country elegant accommodations. Located in the mountains of Maine, ideal for golfers, couples and groups alike. Renowned architect Geoffrey Cornish designed the 6,663 yard, par 72 course to take maximum advantage of the mountain vistas and natural beauty of the area. Tree lined fairways, well-trapped greens and five tee positions make play challenging for golfers of every ability. But the summer fun doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t end with golf. The health club with saunas, fitness room, outdoor heated pool, lake house, spa services, lawn games and tennis, plus two restaurants offering fine & casual tavern dining, provides ample diversions after your round. Join us this summer and experience a complete & affordable getaway in the heart of Bethel, Maine. For the best golf deals in New England, visit bethelinn.com or call (800) 654-0125.

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Love Golf and Friendly Competition?

GOLF CONTENT NETWORK

The Boston Amateur Golf Society is for You!

The Boston Amateur Golf Association (B.A.G.S) is the pre-eminent travelling golf club in Massachusetts. Established in 1989 it has annually served 250 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 500 members offering tournament golf for players of all abilities at some of New Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest courses. Whether you like competitive golf or simply love playing the game it offers unique opportunities. One of which is the ability to play private and semi-private courses that are generally closed to the public. There are at least two 18-hole tournaments a week during the golf season which runs from April through October. One on the weekend and one during the week. The cost of each tournament is dependent on the greens fees the courses charge. B.A.G.S also plays two day 36 hole events: The Society Club Championship, the Spring Championship and the Fall Championship. There is also a Member/ Guest tournament. Finally, there is an annual 72-hole tournament in the Orlando, FL area in December at some of the best championship courses. There are multiple levels of competition for every tournament. There is a Gross Division for single digit handicappers and two Net Divisions based on handicaps where the scoring is based on a modified stableford system. There is a prize fund for each division for the top finishers for each tournament and

B. .G.S B. .G.S

Boston Amateur Golf Society

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trophies for select tournaments. Additionally there are optional side cash pools for those players who want to bet on themselves for sweeps, skins and no zeros (stableford system}. There is also a yearlong points competition for each division called the Order of Merit with monetary prizes for the top finishers. B.A.G.S. has been a member club of the Massachusetts Golf Association since 1990. With your membership you have guaranteed reserved tee times for the tournaments. You can enter any tournament seven days in advance on-line (preferable) or by phone. You can pay on-line or by check or cash when you arrive at the tournament. You also get a B.A.G.S. Club GHIN card. If you wish to have an individual MGA/USGA card with your own individual number you can do so at their cost of $25. B.A.G.S. has been owned and operated for over 20 years by Steve Ritter. Beginning with the 2016 season it will be owned and operated by Mike Gilmore, a B.A.G.S. member for several seasons. Steve will be still be associated with B.A.G.S., performing in several capacities and now able to play in a lot more tournaments. For more information, to join and/or enter an event please visit www.BAGSgolf.com. The office phone is 617-302-2201.

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• 2016 Full season membership for players of all abilities • Weekend and weekday tournaments at the finest courses in MA, RI and NH. • Guaranteed reserved tee times for tournaments including private and semi-private clubs not open to the public • Multiple levels of competition: gross division for single digit handicaps and two net divisions • Prize funds for all divisions and trophies for select tournaments • Cash side pools for all divisions for sweeps, skins, etc. • Year long points competition for monetary prizes and trophies (Order of Merit ) • B.A.G.S. Club USGA handicap GHIN card with membership ( MGA/USGA individual number GHIN card at MGA cost ) • Number of new courses being added for 2016 season • New interactive website and new computerized scoring stystem and digital/ electronic scoreboard under consruction • Guest priveleges – invite a friend to tournaments where space available • Trial memberships ( specifics tbd) • Play with your friends and make new friends • Fun – if you like to compete or just enjoy playing golf this is the place

Some of the courses tournaments played at annually: Allendale CC, Andover CC, Atlantic CC, CC of Halifax, CC of New Bedford, Ferncroft CC, Foxborough CC, Franklin CC, Lebaron Hills CC, Ledgemont CC, Metacomet CC, Newport National GC, Olde Scotland Links, Pawtucket CC, Poquoy Brook GC, Segregannsett CC, Shaker Hills CC, Waverly Oaks GC and the classic Donald Ross George Wright GC and Franklin Park GC.

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NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

Missing ‘Turnah Flag’ Set to Return This Weekend By Anonymous

It appears the missing flag from Turner Highlands Country Club is set to return home this weekend. The mysterious red flag that disappeared from the golf course in Turner, Maine one year ago is reportedly returning to the course this weekend in time for their annual scholarship tournament. The flag first appeared on Facebook last June as the ‘Turnah Flag’ and claimed to have retired, run away and was going on a road trip. The course owners confirmed a red flag had been taken shortly after last year’s scholarship tournament. In fact co-owner George Chiasson still wants the flag and stick returned. While the flag denies any knowledge of the stick, it has posted on Facebook that

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it will indeed return to the Highlands this weekend, June 11, on the day of this years Scholarship Tournament and Auction. In the past year the flag has attended a number of PGA Tournaments across the country. Along the way it has been photographed with a number of PGA golfers as well as other professional athletes and celebrities. The flag has also been signed by over three dozen PGA golfers, ranging from Hall of Famer’s to current stars and rising stars in the sport. The flag has reported that the golfers that have signed it have accumulated well over 200 PGA wins combined, and over 20 of those were majors. Among the many golfers that have signed the flag are Bubba Watson, Zack Johnson, Ernie Ells, Davis Love III, Keegan Bradley, VJ Singh, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Mike Weir, Charley Hoffman, Luke Donald and many more. Pro-bowl NFL football stars Emmitt Smith and Louis Lipps have also both been photographed with the flag before they signed it. There has been much mystery around the golf course as members have been guessing who is traveling with the run away flag. Fingers have been pointed and names dropped, but to this day, the true identity has not been found. There is

a rumor that the identity may be revealed at the event on Saturday, but it may take a high bidder to learn the secret! The flag has stated on its Turnah Flag Facebook page that it will be returning to the Scholarship tourney/auction with a few items gathered along the way. Among them will be a few signed items and a couple very special items given by 2013 PGA Tour

Champion Henrik Stenson. Henrick gave a flag from the season ending 2013 PGA tournament that he won. He signed the flag and gave it to the Turnah Flag to have a ‘partner in crime’ and to help raise money at the event. His flag will be auctioned with a note from him supporting the event. He also gave a glove from his 2016 Masters bag that has been framed with a photo of Henrik with the Turnah Flag. The THCC Scholarship Tournament is open to the public, four person teams can still be made and players are welcome to join the scramble. The auction after, which will take place shortly after the tournament, sometime in the early afternoon, is free and open to the public. Contact the Turner Highlands at 207-224-7060 for information. When I reached out to the flag for comments, the responses were brief but the one thing I was told is the flag wants as many people there as possible to celebrate its return. “It’s a great cause and will be a very fun day. It has been a long trip and I am looking forward to seeing everyone there after a year on the road!” It sounds like it will be quite a day full of fun as the missing flag returns home after a year long road trip adventure. Hopefully the turnout to greet it will be good and the flag will find a nice home to retire in!

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NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

OPEN SEASON, New England Open Returns to the Quechee Club in Vermont By NEGM Staff

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that time of the year. Beautiful weather in New England and with it comes The New England PGA.The New England PGA will be hosting its 42nd annual New England Open at the Quechee Club in Quechee, VT on June 8th and 9th. The field of 120 will tee off for the opening round beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The field will be vying for a piece of the $50,000 purse, and is comprised of 70 touring professionals, 30 PGA Professionals and 20 Amateurs, some from as far away as Kentucky and Florida. The New England Open was held consecutively at Quechee Club for 19 years, from 1980 until 1998, with some of the legendary names in New England golf capturing titles at the picturesque layout located in central Vermont. James

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Driscoll of Brookline, MA captured the 2015 New England Open title with a score of 10-under par 134, besting Ryan Zylstra of Richmond, VA by four shots, and Rich Berberian, PGA of Windham, NH by five. After firing an opening round of 4-under par 68 which left him one shot back of Berberian and Zylstra, Driscoll played flawless golf in the final round and carded a 6-under par 66 which included a back nine 5-under par 31. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse mix of participants will make for another year of exciting play throughout the 36-hole Championship. Some noteworthy New Englanders will be in the running. The 2015 Massachusetts Open Champion Joseph Harney (West Roxbury, Mass.) will be looking for a tune up before defending his title the following week

POWERED BY MYNEGM.COM Ryan Zlystra (Richmond, VA) who was the 2015 New England Open Runner-Up. For real-time scoring updates, check www. nepga.com. The section will also be posting out results and updates from the twitter account @NEPGA, on Facebook at New England PGA, on Snapchat @nepga, and on Instagram @NewEnglandPGA. Daily video recaps will also be posted on YouTube as well on the New England PGA channel. at Worcester CC, and amateur Nick McLaughlin (New Castle, NH) was the 2015 Mass. Amateur Champion and is also a member of the University of Virginia Men’s Golf team. The New England PGA will have some of its own accomplished PGA professionals in the field as well. Shawn Warren, PGA (Falmouth CC) is a three-time OMEGA Wogan Player of the Year for the New England Section, Rich Berberian Jr., PGA (Windham CC) qualified for and played in the 2015 U.S Open and is the reigning two-time NEPGA Section Champion, Kirk Hanefeld, PGA (Salem CC) who has over 40 Professional majors under his belt, Ed Kirby, PGA (Point Judith CC) played in the 2015 U.S Senior Open and finished second in the 2012 New England Open, and Ron Philo, PGA (Stowe Mountain Club) who is a past champion of the New England Open in 2005. Other notable players in the field include Evan Beirne (North Haven, CT), who will be coming off of the 2016 US Open Sectional Qualifying, which is being held Monday; Ricky Stimets, a former qualifier for the U.S. Amateur Championship who

is now a touring Professional; Kip Webber (Boxborough, Mass) who is a U.S. Military Veteran and accomplished amateur golfer; Pat Wilson, (Andover, NJ) who played in the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay; Kyle Gallo (Manchester, CT), who was the 2013 New England Open champion, and

About the New England PGA: The New England Professional Golfers’ Association (New England PGA) has been making the game of golf better for 100 years in New England. The New England PGA is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting the game of golf, and is one of the 41 sections that comprise the PGA of America. The New England PGA consists of over 900 PGA Class A golf professionals and over 140 PGA apprentices at over 450 golf facilities in five states — Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts & Maine. These facilities include public, private and resort golf courses, teaching centers, and driving ranges.

Make plans to come enjoy this event in the beautiful State of Vermont.

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NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

Teeing it up with a Trio of Terrific Talents by John Molori

They are three of the most visible faces on the national sports media scene, and one of them just got one of the most sought-after jobs in broadcasting. Jim Nantz, Bryant Gumbel, and Sean McDonough outclass most of their peers in talent, depth, and experience. Each is unique in his approach, but their common thread is golf. Gentleman Jim With his unique class and unquestioned versatility, CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz has become this generation’s Curt Gowdy, a compliment he relishes. “I was smitten by the voices in my living room on weekends,” says Nantz, who played golf and graduated from the University of Houston in 1981, and started his career at CBS at the age of 26 in 1985. “Before there was cable TV, ESPN or VCR’s, broadcasters had a knowledge of language, and did not draw attention to themselves. There was an elegance to the broadcasts of men like Gowdy, Ray Scott, Jack Whittaker, Dick Enberg and Jack Buck. They were storytellers with a graceful style. I have a reverence for this profession.” The winner of multiple National Sportscaster of the Year Awards, Nantz has covered a wide array of events including the Olympics, US Open Tennis and the NBA, but he considers golf the most difficult to broadcast. “Golf broadcasters get the least amount of credit,” says Nantz. “It’s the most difficult sport to do. When you are at the 18th hole and you have 20-minute stretches to fill, it’s a challenge to hold the audience’s attention.” Gumbel the Great Saying that golf is a priority for HBO’s RealSports host Bryant Gumbel would

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be an understatement. Following his treatment for lung cancer in 2009, Gumbel publicly hoped that doctors would give him “the green light” to return to the links. Despite being a fixture on national television since 1975, Gumbel remains largely reticent toward the public, “People who know me know that I rarely talk about what I do. I’m just a guy on TV. I have friends who enjoy the limelight, but I’d rather play golf every day.” While intensely private, Gumbel has been outspoken on many social issues. He discusses golf from that perspective. “We complain about guys giving cookie cutter answers, but then there is outrage when someone speaks his mind. Vijay Singh took a lot of heat when (in 2003) he said that Annika Sorenstam should have to qualify to play in men’s competitions.” Gumbel has always lamented that golfers and other athletes balk at political stands. He states, “I do find it sad that in an era where athletes are our most recognizable and admired role models, we come upon a presidential election and we have no idea whom they support.” Mondays with McDonough Already one of the best play-by-play announcers in the business, Sean McDonough is now the new voice of ESPN’s Monday Night Football. He has been involved in sports media and golf since childhood. “Golf holds a special place in my heart because of my dad (legendary sportswriter and

commentator Will McDonough). He died at 67, so a lot of the time we spent together over the last 17 years of his life was on the golf course.” For more than a decade, The Sean McDonough Charitable Foundation has provided needed funds to deserving children’s charities in Massachusetts through golf tournaments and other forms of outreach. Clearly, McDonough is no stranger to giving or great golf courses. He explains, “When CBS was trying to hire me, they took me to Augusta. It was like a recruiting trip. I’ve played Pine Valley and Pebble Beach, but my favorite has to be Oakmont. It is a world class course with a regular-guy feel. No matter the course, I’ve always believed that golf shows you how people respond to situations. The game really says a lot about a person’s character.” John Molori is an author and columnist for numerous publications. Like him on Facebook at John Molori, Twitter @MoloriMedia. Email molorimedia@gmail.com.

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NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

Celebrity Golfer:

Dr. Bob Rotella by Leigh MacKay Dr. Bob Rotella, one of the country’s most eminent sports psychologists, has been able to imbue many successful athletes and corporate executives with the ability to respond well under pressure and to overcome challenges. What he calls “performance enhancement” is the result, Dr. Rotella says, of getting yourself in the right frame of mind to find out how good you can be. He has been a consultant to athletes and coaches in the NBA, NFL, NCAA, NASCAR, MLB, and U.S. Olympic teams and to such organizations as AT&T, Coke, Ford, Coke, FBI, GE, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Pepsi, Titleist, and YUM! Brands. Golf, however, has long been his specialty. Since 1984, “Doc,” as his clients and friends call him, has seen his professional golf students on the PGA, Champions, and LPGA tours amass more than 300 tournament and 75 Major victories. Some of his Major winners include Paul Azinger, Keegan Bradley, Pat Bradley, Darren Clarke, David Frost, Padraig Harrington, Trevor Immelman, Tom Kite, Davis Love, III, Graeme McDowell, Rory Mcllroy, Nick Price, Dana Quigley, Jeff Sluman, and David Toms. Links magazine has recognized Doc as one of the “Top 25 Instructors of All Time,” Golf Magazine has included him as one of the “Top 10 Teachers of the Decade,” and Golf World has honored him as one of the “Top 10 Golf Teachers of the 20th Century” and named him “Godfather of Sports Psychology for Golf.” Doc is a prolific writer and has published 18 books and has written hundreds of articles for golf, business, and psychology magazines. Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect is the best-selling sports psychology book of all time and one of the three best-selling golf books in history. Doc, now 67, and his wife Darlene live in Keswick, Virginia, close to UVA, where he is a volunteer assistant golf coach.

NEGM: What was important in your life before college?

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BR: I grew up in Rutland, Vermont, living about 100 yards away from the Catholic world that shaped my early life: the church, the elementary and junior high schools, the high school Mount St. Joseph Academy, and the playgrounds. I loved team sports and in high school played football, basketball, and baseball. I also played the clarinet in the band. I admired the coaches so much at Mount St. Joe’s, and I enjoyed my entire high-school experience. The priests and nuns were very disciplined and encouraging, and my father insisted that I had to earn good grades or I could not play sports. I had two brothers and two sisters, and I grew up in a close-knit and loving family. I didn’t really play golf in those days, but I did caddy at Rutland CC for about two and a half months each summer, in between baseball and football. Bobby Locke, winner of four Opens and 15 PGA events, married a Rutland girl, Mary Fenton, and I caddied for him whenever he played the course.

NEGM: When did you realize that you wanted

to be a Sports Psychologist?

BR: I never did! It just happened through a fortuitous series of events. I had always planned on being a high school or college coach. When I left Mount St. Joe’s for nearby Castleton State College [now Castleton University], I majored in Sports Science and Psychology and played basketball and lacrosse. I also taught basketball and swimming to retarded and handicapped children from a local institution and discovered the fulfillment of watching these kids enjoy themselves and learn to participate. I then went to UConn to get a Master’s in Special Education. I coached basketball and lacrosse and took an elective in Sports Psychology, which I really enjoyed because it helped me with my coaching. I also continued to teach sports skills to disabled students, and I realized that I got the same satisfaction from watching their improvement in performance as I did in coaching winning basketball and lacrosse teams. While still at UConn, I earned my PhD in Sports Psychology and took all my theories to the University of Virginia where I first coached lacrosse. I had this feeling that I was better at human relationships and getting players to believe in themselves and to develop winning attitudes so that they could play their best on game day. I could see so easily that potential for performance in these athletes, but I couldn’t explain where that insight came from. Then UVA asked me if I would work with all the athletic teams on mental training and start Master’s and PhD programs as well, but I would have to give up coaching. So, unplanned and not envisioned, that’s how my career began, and I spent 21 years as a Professor of Sports Psychology

and became the Director of the Sports Psychology Department.

NEGM: What do you enjoy most about your profession?

BR: What I love the most is helping people with their dreams, working with people who know they need the help to realize those dreams. I like working with people who are really committed and are going after a goal that is very difficult to get. I like working with people who don’t mind handling the disappointment they must endure along the way but are willing to sustain their desires over time. Foge Fazio, head football coach at Pitt in the 1980’s, said it the best, “A coach is someone who takes you where you couldn’t go on your own.” I am so pleased and grateful that I have had a number of men and women who have trusted their careers with me. It’s been fun for me to see these players enter a certain mind set and mood state where they play very well and feel good about their games, even if they don’t win the tournament. I would say that my greatest gift is that I have the ability to see talent in people that they may not be able to see in themselves.

NEGM: Which of your two books should every golfer read?

BR: Hmm. Only two? Definitely Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect because it provides good advice for everyone who plays the game. Then you can choose among three others that are for competitive golfers who are looking for that extra edge: The Golfer’s Mind, Your 15th Club, and The Unstoppable Golfer.

NEGM: Will you be working with Captain Davis

June 2016 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 19

Love and his Ryder Cup team?

BR: Yes, Davis, who has been a student of mine for years, and I have already shared a lot of ideas. I’m not sure yet in what capacity I’ll be utilized, but we’ll decide that at a later date. I’m looking forward to the Ryder Cup because I have worked closely with both Davis and European Captain Darren Clarke, and they are the best of friends. Certainly, America needs to win one of these things. I know that Davis will get these guys believing in themselves and relaxing enough. I think it’s pretty clear that at times in this event we have put too much pressure on ourselves.

NEGM: Where do you play your most golf now? Handicap? Lowest round?

BR: I belong to Glenmore CC, very close to UVA. My handicap is a low single digit, usually a one or a two. I co-hold the course record at Glenmore with a 10-under par 62.

NEGM: Favorite courses in New England? Favorite courses elsewhere in the US?

BR: Rutland CC (VT), Old Sandwich GC (MA),

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Wannamoisett CC (RI), Burlington CC (VT), and my first club as a member, Neshobe GC (VT). Augusta National (GA), McArthur GC (FL), Pine Valley (NJ), and Cypress Point (CA).

NEGM: Who would be in your Dream Foursome of today? Of any time period?

BR: My 96-year-old dad Guy, my daughter Casey who played golf at Notre Dame, and her six-year-old son Max. Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, and Ben Hogan.

NEGM: Final words about the relationship between a golfer’s ability to play golf and his mind set to enjoy it?

BR: If you can only enjoy golf when you’re getting the results you’re after, when you’re hitting it pure, when you’re getting the good bounces, not the bad, and getting the lip-ins, not the lipouts, then you don’t love golf. If you love the game, you have to love it unconditionally—or it will drive you nuts. (Photographs courtesy of Bob Cullen.)

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NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB HAS SPAWNED RICH HISTORY IN U.S. OPEN by Jack Ross

If you don’t have a ticket for this year’s U.S. Open, simply take a drive on the Pennsylvania Turnpike east of Pittsburgh. The highway, constructed in the 1940s, bisects the fabled course built by iron magnate Henry Clay Fownes in 1903. This vehicular intrusion has not dampened Oakmont’s luster. The venerable course will host its ninth Open (more than any course) when players tee off on June 16. Perhaps the Turnpike will afford a quick exit for those players falling victim to Oakmont’s notoriously long, thick rough and diabolical greens. Legend has it that this is the only course

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where the speed of the greens is slowed for the Open to a mere 13.5 – the members like them at 14. And lest you think the absence of water hazards reduces the difficulty of a course, take your chances hitting out of the nearly 200 bunkers, including the infamous “church pew” bunkers between holes three and four. Oakmont has a rich history in U.S. Open championships. Here is a glimpse at a few memorable ones. Ben Hogan’s Triple Crown Ben Hogan was lucky to be alive in 1953, much less playing competitive golf. Four years earlier his Cadil-

lac collided head first with a bus on a foggy Texas highway, inflicting multiple injuries. But the Hawk fought back and came to Oakmont with a Masters victory under his belt. Hogan proceeded to play relentlessly at Oakmont, and led the tournament every round. He sealed the victory with a 3-3-3 finish, besting his rival Sam Snead by six shots. It was Hogan’s fourth and final U.S. Open. The Hawk went on to win the British Open at Carnoustie for his third major of the year, but due to a schedule conflict was not able to compete in the PGA Championship and vie for the Grand Slam. A Brash Young Bear Beats the King on his Home Turf for His First Major Oakmont is only 40 miles from the epicenter of Arnold Palmer’s kingdom in Latrobe. So when a brash, talented, but winless 22-year old named Jack Nicklaus showed up to challenge the reigning King at the 1962 U.S. Open, Palmer’s hometown crowd was not pleased. During the Monday playoff, steelworkers were seen stomping the ground to disturb Nicklaus while he lined up his putts. Such distractions did not unnerve the Golden Bear (a moniker yet to be coined), who outdrove Palmer by 30 yards and sent

towering iron shots into the air. Nicklaus jumped out to a quick 3-stroke lead in the playoff, then fended off the King’s comeback as three-putts continued to foil Palmer. After the round, Palmer commented that “now that the big guy is out of the cage everybody better run for cover.” It was the first of Nicklaus’s 18 majors, and the start of four frustrating runner-up finishes for Palmer in the U.S. Open. Johnny Miller Fires Epic 63 in Final Round to Clinch Open During the week at Oakmont in 1973, a young and unheralded Johnny Miller kept encountering a psychic woman who told him he would win. But when he floundered to a 76 Saturday to fall six shots back, he knew the prophet was wrong. Until, on the range, he heard a voice telling him to open his stance. Shots suddenly clicked. They kept clicking all day, as Miller fired what many consider the most impressive round of major golf history. His laser-like iron shots and flawless putting resulted in the first 63 in U.S. Open history, enough to edge out Palmer, Nicklaus, Gary Player, and a number of other luminaries. His performance was dubbed “The Miracle at Oakmont.” The win put Miller on the map, and he later moved on to a successful broadcasting career.

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NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

2016 Team New England ON THE TOURS On The PGA Tour Jon Curran, (MA), leads TNE’s PGA Tour performance through May with earnings of $770,634 and a scoring average of 71.536. In just his second year on the PGA Tour, Jon has made 10 cuts in 19 starts. Not long off the tee, ranked 155th in overall driving, the Hopkinton native needs to make up for his lack of distance with quality GIRs, (Greens in Regulation). A GIR ranking of 161st indicates attention is sorely needed. His talent unquestioned, Curran’s ticket to the winner’s circle lies in his improved GIR’s. Arron Baddeley, (NH), has earnings of $729,235 with a scoring average of 70.869. Baddeley has suited up for 16 events making 11 cuts. Looking at his stats, Aaron’s short game needs a lot of work. He’s 189th in putts from 3feet as an example. In the top tier of players off the tee, distance wise, his driving accuracy is 182nd. I’m sure Baddeley knows improved accuracy off the tee and on the green will pay dividends. Having been on the PGA Tour since 2003, Aaron is a 3 time PGA Tour winner. Keegan Bradley, (VT), is sitting on a scoring average of 71.308, having made 7 cuts in 15 starts with earnings of $338,845. Bradley’s problems with the ‘flat stick’ tell most of the story. With a putting average rank of 180th, the Vermont native has not been able to adapt to the shorter putter since the USGA’s ban on anchor putting took effect on January 1st. As a result Vermont native finds himself outside the top 125 for the first time in a long time. His split with caddy Steve Hale hasn’t helped matters either. Just an opinion. Scott Stallings, (MA), has earned $558,717 to date with a scoring average of 71.308. Scott has made 7 cuts in 17 starts. Looking at Stallings’ stats, he is 52nd in driving distance but 169th in driving accuracy. Scott’s sand saves rank is 198th and he’s 103rd in overall putting. Having to admit Scott is one of my favorite two TNE players, in my opinion Scott hasn’t recovered from his 3 month banned substance suspension the end of the 2014-’15 season. Rob Oppenheim, (MA), has a scoring average of 71.955, making 8 cuts in 11 starts earning $194,269. Not only is playing on the PGA Tour an adjustment, Rob has found that it can often be a struggle for a new PGA Tour player to actually get tournament spots. Not a long hitter, Oppenheim needs to improve his short game which includes chipping and putting if he expects to remain on the PGA Tour. J.J. Henry, (CT), has a scoring average of 72.326, with earnings of $265,928. Having made 11 cuts in 15 starts Henry has been one of our steadiest players over the years. Losing his card in 2014-briefly- Henry has struggled with his game. J.J. has been consistently in the top 125 since getting his tour card in 2001. With $15,420,441 in overall earnings. Tim Petrovic, (MA) has not been the same since losing his PGA Tour card in 2011. One of our steadiest players prior to 2011. Tim’s driving accuracy has been steadfastly in the 60 percentile affecting his GIR percentage. Petrovic has not played much in 2016 making 1 cut in 7 starts between the PGA and Web.Com tours. Turning 50 in August hopefully Petrovic is working toward competing on the PGA Tour Champions.

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PGA Tour Champions Billy Andrade, (RI), continues his stellar play in his third year on the Champions. Billy’s scoring average is 70.57 with earnings of $477,791 has him ranked 4th in the Charles Schwab Cub race. Andrade had played in 9 events finishing in the top 25 - 53.9% of the time. When it comes to driving accuracy, Andrade is in the fairway 70.4% of the time. His GIR, (Greens in Regulation), is 68.78%. Andrade is regarded as one of the best players out there by his peers. Brad Faxon, (RI), has a scoring average of 73.33 after 7 events this season. Brad has been commentating for Fox Sports so his time has been divided between commentator and competitive play. Faxon two wins on the PGA Champions and is an eight time PGA Tour champion. His combined earnings are over $19 million and is one of the spearheads of the CVS Healthcare Charity Classic with Billy Andrade.

European Tour Peter Uihlein, (MA), (MA) has made 5 cuts in 10 starts in 2016 earning $225,571. Peter’s scoring average of 71.42 is the highest since 2013. A look at his driving accuracy, Uihlein is just 52.30% and that may be an indicator of why his GIR percentage is just 63.80%. Those percentages could hold the key for Uihlein. Perhaps it is time to fix a problem that may be holding Peter back.

LPGA Tour Megan Khang, (MA), chose to turn professional instead of playing college golf. Khang has made 4 cuts in 10 starts with earnings of $128,168 and a scoring average of 71.79. The 18 year old from Rockland holds so much promise for Team New England after winning most every amateur event in New England. With her father Lee serving as Megan’s coach, caddie and business manager, there’s little reason Megan will be in the LPGA Tour winner’s circle soon. Brittany Altomare, (VT), has made 5 cuts in just 6 starts in her rookie season. Earning of $47,197 with a scoring average of 71.22. The University of Virginia graduate, (2013), holds promise for TNE on the LPGA Tour. Altomare’s stats are excellent. Ranked 18th among her peers with 6 rounds in the 60s, don’t be surprised if we also see Brittany in the winner’s circle this year Alison Walshe, (MA), is in year 8 of her professional career. Missing the cut in both of her 2016 starts, a scoring average of 74.88 indicates Alison is struggling. With career earnings of $807,201 we hope the very talented Walshe gets back on track soon.

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NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

Web.Com Tour Richy Werenski, (MA) won the BMW Charity Pro-Am in May for his first win on the Web.Com Tour. The victory launched him into second place on the Web.Com Money List with earnings of $258,958 Jim Renner, (MA) is back on the Web.Com after losing his PGA Tour card last year. Jim’s made 4 cuts in 8 starts earning $21,075 with a scoring average of 71.68. Renner’s stats look solid with two exceptions. He’s 123rd in Par 5 Conversions and 118th in Scoring Average 3rd Round. Jim might take a deep beath and stop trying so hard. James Driscoll, (MA) was dubbed ‘Iron Man 2’ by this writer, James has been competing since 1998. He lost his PGA Tour card in 2014 after ten years. A scoring average of 72.16, Driscoll has made 1 cut in 7 starts this season on the Web.Com. His driving accuracy of 56.91% is ranked 130th and a GIR of just 60.49% ranks him 132nd. One of my favorite players needs to stop pushing so hard and enjoy the walk.

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Featured Course of the Month The Shattuck Golf Club | 603-532-4300 53 Dublin Rd. Jaffrey, NH

The Shattuck, carved from the granite foothills of Mt. Monadnock, is one of the most visually stunning golf courses you’ll ever play. Course architect Brian Silva calls this “the most spectacular setting I’ve ever come across.” (New England Golf Magazine, July/August 1991) Each hole is framed by forests of oak, birch and pine, shielding it from the view of other holes so you never feel crowded. It is, as one writer described it, “like 18 separate gems strung together in a perfect setting.” This is a course that lives in harmony with its surroundings, spanning acres of natural wetlands that serve not only as hazards to the golfer, but home to a wide variety of wildlife including mink, fox, deer, moose, beaver, otter and the great blue heron. The golf holes themselves stand in striking contrast to the woods and wetlands, with lush bent grass on every tee, fairway and green. What a joy it is to be able to spin a ball off a thick carpet of bent grass, watch it sail through the mountain air and bite into a firm but yielding green. This is golf as it was meant to be!

9 Hole Courses

18 Hole Courses

Chelmsford CC | 978-256-1818 66 Park Rd. Chelmsford, MA

Newton Commonwealth | 617-630-1971 212 Kenrick St. Newton, MA

Maynard GC | 978-637-2268 50 Brown St. Maynard, MA

Norwood CC | 781-769-5880 400 Providence Hwy. Norwood, MA

Unicorn GC | 781-438-9732 460 William St. Stoneham, MA

Rockland GC | 781-871-0480 276 Plain St. Rt 139, Rockland MA

Stoneham Oaks GC | 781-438-7888 101R Montvale Ave. Stoneham, MA

The Shattuck GC | 603-532-4300 53 Dublin Rd. Jaffrey, NH

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Winchendon GC | 978-297-9897 435 Spring St. Winchendon, MA

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NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

Booze, burgers, & bogeys… By Kaitlyn Sharpless

I never knew what to eat in college or high school. If it was sugary, crunchy, and contained some form of chocolate, I can assure you it was in my bag! Oh how much we learn This brings me to such an interesting and by far the MOST IMPORTANT topic of golf, (besides being strong as heck), golf nutrition. I can only imagine what you’re thinking, “Kaitlyn you’re out of your tree if you think I’m giving up booze, burgers, and hot dogs during my round.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m with you and enjoy all the above, but remember, we’re athletes. There’s a time and a place. You don’t see other athletes throwin’ em back during game time, do you? If you want to think clearly, have energy, and perform your best, follow these simple steps, and I PROMISE only positivity will come of it. Ok, so why is this important? I understand we’re not football, basketball, or track athletes. One can clearly see those athletes are huffing, puffing, training hard and need more fuel to keep them going. They are using different energy systems than we are. Most golfers don’t realize that they ARE using energy systems which DO require certain fuel to keep us mentally tough and resilient. I won’t get all fancy science on you, so I will keep things simple. Golfers primarily use what’s called the phosphogen and oxidative system. Our swing lasts LESS than 5 seconds (I would hope), so that is considered an EXPLOSIVE movement, tapping into the phosphagen system. Then we walk to our ball (always found in the fairway), so the second most utilized system is called the oxidative system. In order to keep our swing as explosive as possible we need to make sure certain foods are

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on radar pre, during , and post round. SO! I have called upon my very intelligent friend, strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer, and functional diagnostic nutrition practioner, Joe Peters from Next Level Training Center in Johnston RI, to help us nail down our golf nutrition basics. Here are his recommendations. This will blow your mind, I promise! Pre-round: 1. Eating an HOUR before will allow you to fully digest your food. Let’s face it, we get nervous. Which will eliminate food fermenting in your stomach leaving you feeling bloated and full of indigestion. This can actually interfere with us activating our core over the ball, so allow your gut to do its job with ease.

2. Your main source of carbs should primarily come from fruits and veggies. Why? They won’t raise your blood sugar like starch can! Ever feel that mental crash about 30minutes-1hour after eating that candy bar or drinking that soda? Yeah, we are already head cases out there; we don’t need more help from those starchy carbs. 3. So what should we eat? Fruits, veggies, and protein source (chicken, fish, beef) an hour before show time! If you’re SUPER strapped for time, or SUPER nervous, a vegetable juice will work wonders. During: 1. Leave the booze and burgers at the snack stand. Am I trying to ruin all your fun? No. I just want you to utilize important brainpower we need to make birdies, win championships, and lower your handicap. Is that too much to ask? 2. Eat Nuts, seeds, and fats. And as Joe explains; “Fat’s don’t move the blood sugar meter AT ALL…and fat will not make you fat.” So, in order to keep our mind and body from “hitting the wall” or “crashing” during the round, having a few handfuls of these puppies will keep you sharp, lean, and on the green. Post: 1. This stage is pretty similar to pre-round. We want protein, fresh veggies, fruits, and healthy fats! 2. This is also where we can utilize and refuel with gluten-free, well-prepared carbs! a. White/sweet potatoes b. Rice c. Quinoa A few extra words of Wisdom from our ROCKSTAR friend Joe: • Keep the nervous system in check. Find a corrective chiropractor, muscular imbalances and joint issues. If there is pressure on the nervous system, in the wrong areas, there will be a cascade of problems. • Properly hydrate. 50 percent of your body weight in ounces • Eating real foods, NOT processed foods. • Proper sleep (7-9 restful hours). Sleep between the hours of 10-2am is fantastic. • Get alone time, spend time doing deep belly breathing and meditate (just when you think that belly breathing was weird and didn’t have purpose). Now let’s go get it!

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NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

The Best Game Improvement

Products of 2016

Everyone knows that there is a training aid or game improvement product out there that claims to fix your golf game. Remember that none of them will work without practice and measured success by shooting lower scores. Here are the aids we feel you should take a look at this year to lower your handi¬cap because most can be used together and we truly feel they are the Best Game Improvement Products on the market today!

DST Compressor | DSTGolf.com Learn how to lean on every shot like a tour pro with this one of a kind training club. Over 400 of the top golfers in the world trust this product to hit crisper iron shots and so should you. Accom¬panying the bent-shaft Compressor is the new straight-shafted model. Both feature a Hand Position Alignment Marker assure proper forward lean at impact. Wait to you watch your ball flight patterns improve immediately. This product is sure to make you stripe it!

Hole Out Golf | HoleOut.com The collection of everyday golf tools from Hole Out include the best golf tee to ever hit the market and a simple device to cure the dreaded sway. The PerfectTee features a patented Diamond Shape Shaft. Its ergonomically design won’t catch a dimple removing unwanted spin. This USGA conforming plastic tee will last round over round. The best part is its only $595 for an eight pack. To get rid of a common swing flaw many have look no further than the Anti Sway Pro. The dual armature design pro¬vides instant feedback. If you feel pressure you know the dreaded sway has taken place. It’s the golf lesson that keeps in giving.

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Laser Golf Cap | LaserGolfCap.com We love products that you know work just from hearing its name. Used mainly for short games the laser on the bill of the one size fits all hat. Moving your head and not focusing on the ball will be a thing of the past by practicing your pitching, chipping and putting wearing the Laser Golf Cap. We love the price at under $50. SkyTrak | SkyTrakGolf.com Owning a launch monitor and golf simulator just got a whole lot more affordable and accurate. We feel that the more you know your ball flight and distance the lower scores you will shoot. You can now play the World Golf Tour and receive all the launch data at the same time. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t beat the price at around $3000 for a complete package.

MISIG | FeelTheStretch.com The MISIG, Most Important Stretch in Golf says it all. It is the ultimate warm up tool and also comes with a stretching, swing training and exercise program. The product is designed around one of the key components to a great swing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the takeaway. Every golfer can improve their range of motion using the included three different length bands. This break through golf training aid is the real deal!

SwingClick PLUS | SwingClickGolf.com We cannot say enough about this product. It literally will change your golf swing in minutes creating a rhythm during transition you have never felt before. Simply strap the transition trainer to your forearm and swing away. It will click at the top of your swing, click at the ball and again when you completely finish your swing. It can even be used for knockdowns, pitching and chipping.

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NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

The Tempo Secret

Bobby Jones would have loved Bobby Jones said “Rhythm and timing are the two things which we all must have, yet no one knows how to teach either.” The GOOD NEWS is that there is finally an answer to how to teach rhythm.

The secret to having great rhythm is finishing your backswing. When you finish your backswing, you create the time in your swing for your body, hands and club to work together, resulting in a swing with great rhythm. Your bad swing comes from not completely finishing your backswing. When your transition is too quick; your body, hands and club are out of sync, which results in your ball not going where you intended it to go. The Swingclick PLUS provides an easy way to teach or practice finishing your backswing! The device easily and comfortably straps to your forearm and clicks at the top of your backswing, at impact and after you finish your swing. The click at the top of the backswing is the key. When you use the SwingClick PLUS for a drill, the click at the top of your backswing teaches golfers to feel the

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correct transition point and helps create the muscle memory of this transition point. It also helps create the patience needed in your transition, which gives your club head time to get back to square. Finally the elusive concept of rhythm and tempo is both quantifiable and logical. If you finish your backswing consistently … you will have great rhythm. The new Swingclick PLUS is the 2nd Generation of the #1 Best Selling golf swing aid on Amazon (2015). Use it with any club on the driving range, golf course; indoors or outdoors. SwingClick Plus is portable, affordable and makes a great gift. Buy it on Amazon TODAY for $39.00 (search Swingclick PLUS). Get a 20 percent discount using Promo Code: NEGOLFMG. See their website for great videos www.swingclickgolf.com

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NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

New Season

New Irons By ED TRAVIS

If a set of irons is on your mind for the new season here are the ones New England Golf Monthly believes are worth your time to check out. I won’t bring up the need to have a fitting done by a PGA Professional to both evaluate your swing and interpret the launch monitor data. You know that already.

There’s plenty of evidence of the immense difference properly fitted irons will make in your scoring…but then again, you already know that too. New England Golf has selected irons in several categories that are on our short list and here are brief descriptions for our readers.

Air Force One Air Force One has unveiled its AFX Game Improvement iron set. The new set follows similar modifications to that of the popular AFX Pro Series irons. Thinning the top line and sole give it the forgiveness of its predecessor, with workability that also appeals to better players. The AFX Game Improvement iron set consists of three different clubheads within the set. The two longest clubs, the 3-4 Nitrogen Charged

hybrids, feature 17-4 stainless steel heads that are internally pressurized with Nitrogen. The 5-7-irons feature Nitrogen Charged, 431 Stainless Steel clubheads that are hollow inside -delivering more forgiving power and a solid feel. The 8-iron through pitching wedge are cavity-back, 431 Stainless Steel clubheads with a deep undercut cavity that helps ease the ball into the air for consistent distances.

Bridgestone Golf The JGR Hybrid Forged irons have been made to satisfy amateurs wanting forged irons for the feel but who need more forgiveness than what players-category irons typically provide. They have an ultra-thin face (1.5 mm) of high strength alloy to help with more distance in a head with a low and deep center of gravity towards the heel. The sole is relatively wide reducing the amount it will dig in at impact and also helping give the JGRs high launch characteristics. Bridgestone’s

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patented clubhead insert, a Turbo Rubber Composite, dampens impact vibration and along with the forged components produce a soft feel. The insert saves weight which has been moved to the perimeter to further enhance forgiveness. JGR Hybrid Forged Irons come standard in a set of 6-iron through what Bridgestone calls a PW2 (44 degrees loft while the PW1 is 38 degrees) with the option of steel ($700) or graphite shafts ($750).

Callaway Golf Callaway has had a remarkable growth in iron sales the past two years and among their new ones are two very nice lines in the Apex 16 CF and the XR OS. The Apex 16 CFs are Callaway’s first forged player’s iron with a cup face construction, a design they have been using fairway woods and cast iron models for several years with the primary benefit being more consistent ball speed across the entire face. The longer irons have greater offset for added forgiveness and shorter irons have a more compact shape with less offset for better control. The 3- through 7-irons have the cup face and the 8-iron through attack wedge have a newly designed face plate. A set of eight irons with steel shafts is $1,200 and with graphite shafts

is $1,300. The XR OS irons (Over Size--game improvement category) also use the cup face design and Callaway says tested against last year’s comparable model the thinner face gives more ball speed and a lower and further back center of gravity gets the ball up more easily. They are available in 4-iron through sand wedge lofts and easily make up combination sets with the XR OS Hybrids substituting for long irons. Pricing with steel shafts is $800, graphite $900 and combination sets are $900 with steel shafts and $1,000 with graphite.

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NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

Cobra Golf The King Forged TEC irons from Cobra Golf are meant to be played by lower handicap golfers and the head is forged with a stainless steel face. The back has a Technology Enhanced Cavity with a carbon fiber/urethane badge to absorb vibrations. Selling for $1,100 with steel shafts and $1,200 with graphite the weighting is accomplished with tungsten place in the toe and heel. The return of KING irons from COBRA offers a combination muscle back and cavity back forged iron set. Tour inspired irons that deliver unprecedented Accuracy & Precision, with Feel & control. Cavity Back design in the mid & long irons provide great forgiveness, and a muscle back design in the short irons enables great precision, workability and accuracy for attacking the pin. Create the right combination for your game with the flow set of KING Pro irons. A key feature of the Pro irons is the strategically placed tungsten inserts in the toe, that helps move the Center of Gravity to the center of the club for great precision and

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shot making. The KING Forged MC/CB irons offer Tour Proven Performance with the soft feel and precision demanded by our best golfers. $1,099 Cobra King F6 irons ($800 for and eight iron set with steel shafts) uses four construction designs within a set. Long irons (3,4, & 5) are a full-hollow design with a thin face insert while mid-irons (6 & 7) are a thin faced half-hollow construction with a repositioned center of gravity for improved launch and easyto-hit characteristics. The 8-, 9- and pitching wedge are cavity backs with weighting to enhance spin and trajectory control. The gap and sand wedges have a solid body specialty wedge design. Stock graphite shafts add $100 to the set price.

Mizuno Golf Mizuno’s latest irons for mid to high handicaps are the boron steel JPZ-EZ Forged with a retail of $1,000--steel shafts and $1,100— graphite, for a set of eight consisting of 4-iron through gap wedge. The cavity on the back has their vibration dampening system, is CNC milled and the sole uses Mizuno Triple Cut design. The new MP-5s are classic player’s irons played by many of their Tour staff in a modified muscle back design and rather than a cavity the rear of the head has what Mizuno calls a “channel back flow design.” Forged from high quality steel using their Grain Flow Forging, MP-5 irons have the same tour-preferred sole design and head shape as the older MP64s for consistent turf interaction and control. The MP-5s strategically places weight to-

ward the toe, for more solid feel even on off-center shots. Prices are $1,000 with steel shafts and $1,100 for graphite. The new MP-25 irons are forged from a single billet of 1025 boron steel giving them a solid feel because the metal is 30 percent stronger that also gives more distance with a minimum cavity design. What Mizuno calls “Micro Slot Technology” in the 3- through 6-irons creates a small slot that increases the face flex adding more distance and forgiveness. The MP-25s are priced the same as the MP-5s.

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NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY

PING Ping has updated the successful G30 irons of 2015 calling the new model simply G. In addition to more a beveled trailing edge they make use of the COR-Eye technology from the GMax irons for more flexing of the sole, face and top rail to give more ball speed. Changes in the heat treating give 40 percent more strength and in conjunction with the COREye results in four times the amount of flexing at impact. Ping says with G irons “a player might be able to club up and hit a 7-iron, for example, instead of a 6-iron.” The construction changes saved weight in the face and this was repositioned to low on the toe and in the perimeter giving more forgiveness. Also of interest is the new Nippon AWT 2.0 steel shafts that come stock and are progressively weighted being heavier in the short

irons and lighter in the long irons. Priced at $110 each with the AWT 2.0 shafts, graphite shafts are $15 additional. Ping also changed to a single letter name for its player’s irons, from i25 to just i, and is using high strength-toweight ratio 431 stainless steel in the clubhead. Head sizes have been made slightly bigger and at the same time the center of gravity pushed low and back for better workability, trajectory and forgiveness. In the 3through 7-iron have tungsten toe weights and all lofts have an elastomer CTP weight in the rear tuning port. Particular attention has been paid to the sole’s bounce profile for smoother turf interaction. The Ping i irons are available in 3-iron through utility wedge for $135 each with steel shafts and $150 with graphite shafts.

Tour Edge Golf Tour Edge is working hard to become known for the irons in addition to the great reputation they already enjoy for their metalwoods and hybrids. New for the new season are the Exotics EXd irons (4-iron through attack wedge $600 in steel, $700 graphite) with a large part of the face unsupported helping to give more ball speed and the cavity is a deep undercut construction to aid preserving distance on off center impacts plus a variable thickness face that flexes for more distance enhancing spring-like effect. The stablemate model is the Exotics EXi with less of a game-im-

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provement head shape but retain the undercut cavity of the EXd. There’s a sole slot to allow more face flexure and the head offset is less. Pricing is the same as the EXd and note, they are substantially less expensive than comparable competitive irons. At the top of the Exotics line is the CB Pro Tungsten model. The heads are a hollow construction and there is progressive weighting from tungsten placed in the sole making a well-designed package that gives both distance and forgiveness. A set of 3-iron through pitching wedge is $800 with steel shafts and $900 with graphite.

Srixon Srixon wants to help all golfers get better, and consistency is key. The Srixon Z 355 Irons are designed with a heavy head and fantastic sole design. Heavier is better, through a heavier head and counter balancing these irons promise for more consistency and greater distance. They have used action mass technology and extensive swing testing results to show that by adding more weight into the club head and raising the balance point of the shaft, golfer’s hit longer more accurate shots with the most consistency. Srixon has engineered a 211 gram head in the driver, this design maximizes stability at impact for greater accuracy while also increasing distance through higher ball speed. Action mass technology as well as the Tour V.T. Soul provides advanced forgiveness

and turf interaction. The long and mid irons feature a high strength maraging steel face and the short irons have a softer one-piece construction that optimizes feel through out the set. Premium shafts include the Miyazaki and Nippon. Srixon Z 355 irons are geared for maximum efficiency and control. The consistency you have always been looking for. Prices range from $599.99 - $899.99

Wilson Staff One of the hits at the PGA Merchandise Show last January were the new Wilson Staff C200 irons made with a thinner face that only contacts the body of the iron in selected spots around the edge. Wilson has tagged the voids “Power Holes.” Meant for the “crossover player,” defined as the mid to higher handicapper desiring a more playable clubhead than the usual game-improvement irons but who also wants to gain some distance. The looks of the C200s accomplish the first goal of being more like a players iron and the fact 76 percent of the face is not touching the body (so-called FLX Face Technology) even golfers with lower swing speeds see added yards. Another “crossover” player targeted iron from Wilson Staff is the FG Tour

F5, forged for a softer feel with a medium sized topline and minimal offset. Wilson’s Speed Sole Technology is built in creating a thin face-to-sole transition that expands the sweet spot lower in the face for faster ball speeds in the long and mid irons (3- through 7- irons). There’s a 35-gram bar behind the face for support and greater forgiveness and workability. A set of 4-iron through gap wedge sells for $900.

June 2016 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 43

r son ng (with he Kasey Pilli or iv r hope rv he su ng er givi Brain canc Farber for anks Danath n) de C am her life. and saving

Kasey, now a mom of two, star ted a Jim Golf tournam my Fund ent as a way to give back.

Play Golf to Conquer Cancer “My life will never be the same, and having cancer taught me so much,” Kasey says. “The support from Dana-Farber, along with the strength I found inside myself, has fueled my passion for helping others.” Dana-Farber gave Kasey a new chapter in her life. To say thanks, she started the 18 Holes of Hope golf tournament to benefit the Jimmy Fund. Join Kasey in supporting Dana-Farber’s lifesaving mission and plan a summer or fall golf fundraiser of your own.

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Every four years a corrupt the ceremonial first tee shot. organization called the InterThe short-and-smart list of national Olympic Committee high-profile players who have hosts a sports shindig called the opted out of the Rio OlymOlympics, which before 1986 pic Games nonsense include used to be a world-wide showAustralia’s Adam Scott, South case for amateur athletes to African’s Louis Oosthuizen and compete, but due to the will-toCharl Schwartzel and Fiji’s Vijay win by cheating from countries Singh. Who cares if they win such as Russia, Germany and a gold medal? How could a Japan, the rules were changed medal possibly boost their cato allow professional athletes to reers? And, why should they compete. care about giving back to the If there is one word that game that has made them rich dogs the Olympics its “controand famous? In fact, they are versy.” From charges of bribery, already established true, proud doping scandals, steroid abuse, heroes and world ambassafailed drug testing and financial mismanagedors from their respective countries? ment, the IOC has evolved from a system that If the Lords of the Rings came calling today, once-defined pure amateur athlete into a toxic, the U.S. would be represented by Jordan Spieth, obsessive love of money where, everything is for Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnsale. Yes, the five ring Olympic myth is for sale son. Watson has already expressed skepticism in partnership with your VISA card, saying “that playing for gold is not and this year’s $4 billion dein my mindset at all.” I don’t bacle is scheduled August buy the argument that 6 – 20 in Rio de Janeiro, these young players are featuring 120 sports and interested in lighting a 120 countries. spark in golf-dark counGolf has not been tries. Rory McIlroy has by Tom Gorman “Olympic” since 1904, so reluctantly committed to the powers-that-be in golf deplay for Ireland, even though cided that the best way to grow the he’s in a lose-lose situation. You don’t game internationally is to offer the sport to apgo and caught holy-hell, but with expectations proximately one billion televised viewers. Howhigh won’t McIlroy catch grief if he doesn’t win a ever, this delusional plan to grow the game is medal? For the top players, you have to wonder ripe with obstacles. Here are my top-10 reasons with a 2015 – 2016 PGA Tour wraparound season for top professional golfers to avoid the Olymoffering nearly $330 million in prize money, what pics: (1) No money, no glory, no problem, but good comes from an inconvenient two-week safety issues are real; (2) Zika virus health threat; trip to Rio for the possibility of winning a medal. (3) Water contamination problems throughout With a condensed major’s season upon us, Brazil; (4) 72-hole stroke play event is exactly like mid-June is a career-altering time to get hot. The a fifth World Golf Championship without money; high anticipation of the Day-Spieth-Rory-Rickie (5) 30 of the 60 players eligible you might never joust for supremacy should create a climate of know; (6) 15 – 20 guys you do know will be conhigh TV ratings for the majors and FedEx Cup, sidered “bums” by their countrymen if they don’t but little appetite for Olympic golf in early Auwin a medal; (7) three majors (US Open, British gust, sandwiched in between. Open & PGA) bumped into whirlwind blur of 46 Before a few more superstar players drop days; (8) FedEx Cup and Ryder Cup schedule out, I wonder if NBC TV plans to show Olympic within a six-week window; (9) No galleries or golf before synchronized swimming or perhaps buzz while competing on an wretched Rio golf after watching a riveting round of ping-pong. course where golf isn’t established; (10) 1976 Tom Gorman, a Boston-based golf writer for Montreal Summer Olympics golf medal decath24 years, will be one of those expected one billete winner Caitlyn/Bruce Jenner will be hitting lion TV viewers watching the Rio Games.

Does Golf belong in the Olympics? NO

46 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | June 2016

Golf is now a global game. Even the Chinese are playing. There are courses everywhere, so the next logical step in the game’s progression would be to have it included in the ultimate athletic setting, the Olympic Games. That there is even a question of whether or not golf belongs in the Olympics speaks more to a realization that there are still those who believe the game is the sole domain of the Brahmin, Patrician class and should never have been extended outside of the walls of the elite. I, for one, don’t believe that golf needs the Olympics as a vehicle to promote more growth, but it can’t hurt. Perhaps some people who have never thought of taking up the game may see the Games in Rio and say, “Hey, that looks like fun. Let’s go try it.” Doesn’t belong? Does ballroom dancing or synchronized swimming? My problem with golf being an Olympic sport is not its inclusion, but how it affects the schedule and who is eligible. First the schedule. Because of when the Games are slated, it has condensed the time between the third and fourth major tournaments of the year. The British Open is by Tim being held at its normal time, in mid-July. It is not being adversely impacted, but the PGA, which is considered the poor cousin of the majors, is just two weeks later, instead of the traditional month.

This is also a Ryder Cup year and that, along with the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs means there could be some burnout factored in with so many high intensity events being squeezed into such a short period of time. Of course none of that would matter if the traditional Olympic ideal – amateurism – had not be sacrificed at the alter of the golden calf. The Olympic Games were designed for the amateur athlete, who competes for the love of sport and not because it comes with a big payday. Now the professional golfers who compete in the Games will not be playing for money, just as they don’t in the Ryder or President Cup competitions, but their respective tours and their corporate sponsors will surely benefit economically and in the end so will the players. The Games should be reserved for the various top amateur golfers from around the world. The top-ranked amateurs should be the ones representing their countries. While the argument would be that nobody would watch the amateurs play on T.V., consider the time constraints that NBC will be under. Do you really think the network is going to devote the time necessary to cover golf when it has so many Geary other sports that will be aired? People may love their golf, but they can get that any weekend. How many times do they get to see Michael Phelps swim or Usain Bolt run?

Does Golf belong in the Olympics? YES

June 2016 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 47