INNISBROOK RESORT Tampa Bay
A SPORTSMAN’S TRIPLE CROWN Turn your next Florida golf getaway into the ultimate sporting trip. GOLF our nine championship courses. Enjoy the THRILL of a professional basketball or hockey game, deep-sea fishing or the Richard Petty Driving Experience.* CHILL nightly in your suite, villa or private home.
GRANDGOLFRESORTS.COM Innisbrook 866.934.9351 | Reunion 877.408.3327 Hammock Beach 877.423.1264 *Choice of one ticket per person. Game tickets and track experience are subject to availability. Maximum value up to $100 for each ticket based on two night minimum stay. Additional restrictions and conditions may apply. See website for details. Available weekdays and weekends. Rates are per person, per day and valid through 4/30/15. Pricing excludes taxes and fees.
HAMMOCK BEACH RESORT Palm Coast
REUNION RESORT Orlando
ULTIMATE SPORTSMAN’S PACKAGE RATES FROM
INNISBROOK: $289 REUNION: $289 HAMMOCK BEACH: $269
GOLF SEASON IS HERE.
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FROM THE EDITOR
NEGM Subscriber Trip, Tobacco Road, NC
ROAD TRIP For most of us the idea of a “Road Trip” in golf is jumping on a flight to one of our favorite golf travel destinations and jamming in as many rounds as possible before the flight back home. While this is great, too often we are rushing the entire trip to get to the course, play golf, grab a bite and do it all over again the next day. Lets face it air travel has made it so easy. We can literally get an early flight out of New England and be on a golf course the same day and play a full 18 hole round at a number of great resort destinations around the country. If golf is a game of learning, it seems to me that few of us are learning very little or nothing by packing in 4-5 rounds of golf on unfamiliar challenging courses on golf trips every year. At this time of year in New England all of us are planning golf trips to warmer destinations with better playing conditions to extend our season. Too often on these trips we leave no time for proper warm-up or preparation and end up warming up on the front 9, which leads to poor scoring and performance. Almost all major golf resorts in the country have added very extensive practice and learning facilities that allow golfers a variety of choices in planning their golf trips. There are clinics and ½ day golf schools to help players define goals and objectives for improvement in their game. There are also a multitude of flexible options at many golf resorts that will custom tailor golf trips incorporating group instruction and on range preparation and warm-up techniques prior to all PGA Learning Center, Port St. Lucie, FL your rounds. In addition some of the finest golf schools in the country are now offering mini clinics to cater to golf groups, who want to play as much as possible on their trip and still have opportunities for game improvement. The next time you plan a golf trip include time for warm-up, instruction and game improvement. You will enjoy your road trip much more and come home with some things to work on to improve your game. Enjoy The Game,
Timothy R. Branco Editor/ Publisher
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NEW ENGLAND GOLF MONTHLY
TRAVEL
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Couple of Travelers / Lake Charles
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Katharine Dyson / Georgia & Florida
FASHION & STYLE 9
Elle Brec / Golf Travel Gear
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 34
Hole – A – Day
GOLF SCHOOL GUIDE 42 Great Golf Schools
34
INDOOR GOLF GUIDE 44
Where to Play indoors this year
CELEBRITY GOLFERS 52
Leigh McKay / Dana Quigley
52 We are giving away great GOLF GIFTS to our Subscribers on 12/22/14. Subscribe FREE at myNEGM.com/subscribe for a chance to win one of 9 gifts.
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GOOD LOOKS ON THE COURSE //
BY ELLE BREC
FOR QUESTS AND BEQUESTS:
Travel Gear and Gift Guide The best part about the holidays is the feeling of giving a gift. It may inspire the receiver in many ways, especially if it has to do with golf. Golf requires mental focus improving the brain, gets us outdoors for fresh air to improve well-being, and physical ability swinging the club, and physical endurance if you walk 18 improving health. It is also a fun hobby to give us a break from technology and give kids a focus. Traveling can also improve our sense of well-being, golf courses allow us to delve into the beautifully setting we’ve chosen to visit. We have the perfect gear from A to Z to make it more than just a gift or trip this season.
ARISTO 18
For the sophisticated golfer, the Easton sweater tech-hybrid sweater is the ultimate gift and travel item with its luxurious comfort of Merino Wool on the inside, plaited with the performance qualities of Sorona polyester on the outside. Merino wool is highly breathable, wicking moisture away from the body; the wearer stays dry and helps to regulate body temperature regardless of the temperature. The approach to use natural fibers that Aristo18 has diligently created, embraces
the subtle exquisiteness the world around us has to offer. Whether you are enjoying a round of golf with your associates, traveling with your family, or finalizing a boardroom conference meeting, Aristo18 gives you everything needed to feel great and do it all with polished class. The new benchmark of luxury-lifestyle, Aristo18 is a onestop shop to creating your own refined look. Stay current, play well, and always perform like a gentleman with Aristo18’s exceptional men’s trousers. www.aristo18.com
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CHASE54
For the fashion forward environmentally conscious man or woman golfer, Chase54 as their scientists always strive to create sustainable fabrics by using organic materials like corn and coffee. By using recycled materials like polyester fiber from re-cycled PET bottles, otherwise ending up in landfills, we have a sustainability commitment we feel proud of as well. The Sorona by DuPontŽ is the most popular because of its color brilliancy and incredibly soft-hand feel. It’s also a renewable source, originally derived from corn polymers, which upholds our sustainability focus. However, many tour pros and other CHASE54 fans love the High Gauge functionality because it is featherweight, yet not transparent. For ladies, the Masyn jacket is the best jacket to travel with marled texture to give it a fashion appeal. Thumbholes as such a comfortable addition to lifestyle pieces keep the sleeves down and hands warm on those chilly mornings. It makes a great gift for any lady. www.chase54.com
DEVEREUX
Blends are the absolute best fabrics to bring on any golf destination. Even Florida can sometimes
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be cool and breezy in winter so having a nice, soft cotton fabric against the skin feels extremely pleasant. The technical blend still performs, wicking sweat away from the body and maintaining its shape even folded in a suitcase. The timeless and classic look of Devereux makes it a great gift for any guy. The best selling Oliver is a luxurious lightweight jersey made of a 65% Pima Cotton and 35% Polyester blend. The Sophisticated look of the polo shirt features contrasting details to grab attention like button cuffs, collar placket and shoulder inserts. Beautiful contrast piping in subtle colors pairs perfectly with trousers and a blazer. www.dvrxgolf.com
JO FIT
No matter the age of the lady on your gift list, wardrobe versatility and figure accentuation is what she is looking for. It’s name proves it is great for the plane, the Jofit Jet Set Jacket is a must have piece for a va riety of activities from traveling, to golfing, shopping, dining, walking, wearing as a comfortable layering piece. The style is smart and sexy for the entire day with the shape
flattering bottom is and new classy “uptown” neckline. Pair with Jo Slimmer Pant amazing technology of 4 way stretch woven fabric, with tummy-flattening contoured waistband and vented bottom hem. Designed to wear with ease and move with your every swing and step. Enhanced with our signature back patch pockets at score card size for on or off the course. Also, available in an extremely cute in a pedal pusher style. www.jofit.com
NEXBELT
Nexbelt technology is sure to impress as a gift, especially teenagers but also perfect for men and lady golfers. We all know after a holiday meal how our belts need to be loosened a hole or two but with the new belt with no holes style, the perfect fit is always achievable. We recommend the versatile black and white stripe Newport style from the canvas line for ladies as the smaller buckle is much more manageable. Need the perfect gift to get your teenage daughter excited for her next round, the bling line will sure catch her eye. Teenage guys choose a bright color from the Color series or their favorite country from the Heritage series. For men, we recommend the rich classic looks of the Essentials or Repile collection with a buttery rich touch yet an old world feel. Combined with cutting edge technology make these closet staples great for every occasion. Bring only one belt on your trip for golf, a night out, work, or a casual day. Each Nexbelt is 48” long and needs to be cut to fit an individual’s waist size, so it may be a nice finishing touch to cut the belt to size before giving as a gift. www.nexbelt.com
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PROQUIP
The guaranteed dryness with ProQuip rainsuits will toughen up any fair weather golfer. Quiet outer and lightweight lining to allow for freedom of movement, highly breathable qualities result in maximum comfort in all conditions. Red jackets are the best because they’re versatile, traditional while bold, and colorful. It is also available in Black and Bright Blue. The Men’s Lined Lambswool Sweater specially treated so that water beads up and runs off the wool. Shown here in Bordeaux is made with 100% premium British lambswool and lined with performance polyester. These garments are warm, breathable, windproof, and water-resistant. This knitwear is easy care meaning the garment is machine washable and can be tumble dried. Use a warm iron to reinvigorate water repellency after washing. $200 for ladies, the Sophie Ultralite is a classic cut jacket in four bold color ways Black Bluebell Teal and Coral. It features ProQuip’s phenomenally popular awardwinning ultralite fabric technology for an ultralightweight, super soft feeling and waterproof for complete protection from wind and rain. www. proquipusa.com
PUMA
Whether they look up to Rickie Fowler or Lexi Thompson, these cool cats inspire your young or teenage golfer to wear bright colors and be a force on the course. PUMA creates coordinated collections to make it easy to purchase an entire wardrobe as a gift. Like the Roadmap Stripe golf polo shirt for example, one of the best selling this year because of the multiple pants to match, is now on sale to make room for the new collection. PUMA is perfect for travel too as the tech fabrics do not wrinkle. Don’t forget they also have the matching golf glove and golf cleats with amazing technology. Purple, orange, lime, yellow, or blue, no matter the electric hue you choose, just be glad it won’t add to the electricity bill this season. www.pumagolf.com
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TOMMY HILFIGER
For the preppy all American, the Tommy Hilfiger Golf collections make great gifts for both men and women golfers. Even for teenagers, as brand ambassador Keegan Bradley contributes to the golf cool factor among young golfers. You may not be able to purchase the Keegan Bradley custom made Brand Jordan spikes but maybe the Jordan sneakers with golf ball inspired side paneling. The Tommy red, white, and navy
palette draws inspiration from iconic coastal golf destinations with nautical classic stripes in a variety of widths and bold color-blocking on polos and outerwear. Touches of modern black, inspired by the city’s distinct architecture crisp, sophisticated color palette. The feminine look of the women’s collection brings to mind the refined country club lifestyle finished with gold-color trim, button and zipper detailing highlighted throughout, shorts, sweaters and outerwear. www.Tommy.com
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WOLSEY
Wolsey wasn’t tested in the North Pole but happens to be tested in the South Pole by Captain Robert Falcon Scott in his historic race, making the perfect gift for the Sportsman or Pioneer in your life. Or anyone whose style is aligned with the company’s team of inspiring brand ambassadors – legendary designer Johan Lindeberg, Tour players Robert Rock, Tom Lewis and James Heath, and polar explorer Alex Hibbert. Also worn by golfing greats Peter Allis, Tony Jacklin, David Feherty. Each champions Wolsey’s spirit of adventure that stretches back to
the company’s founding in 1755. Just because they are the oldest existing clothing brands doesn’t mean they do not have the newest technologies. The Invista THERMOCOOL technology dual regulates body temperature to ensure the sportswear is “fit for purpose.” merino polos, base layers, knitwear and pants, as well as breathable, waterproof and multi-layer outerwear. The British heritage brand Wolsey premium men’s apparel for sporting endeavors has premiered its AW14 Sportsman collection at New York Golf Center, Manhattan’s premier golf retail authority and www.Wolsey.com
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COUPLE OF TRAVELERS ///
BY ALICE AND DANNY SCOTT
Lake Charles
Golf on the Bayou
Sing, “Down on the bayou” at Lake Charles, Louisiana, where by golly, we found great golf and good people. The bayou is defined by “slow moving water.” The Calcasieu River gently flows through marshlands of Lake Charles into the Gulf of Mexico creating the perfect environs for fishing and golf under the sun. Bide your wintertime on the bayou with premium accommodations at L‘Auberge Casino Resort which sits on the river to facilitate legal gambling. The suites are spacious with “On the House” Wi-Fi, coffee, water and great views. Here you can be lazy or get crazy. The music piping throughout the halls 24 hours a day will make you want to dance and sing. The night stage provides Karaoke opportunity, DJs or live music at Jack After Dark. In contrast, the lush setting by the L’Auberge pools induces relaxation. Horticulture is artistically manicured with wooden bridges connecting the lazy river to the separate family and adult sections of pools and Jacuzzis. Water in each area is just the right temp. Inside L’Auberge,
the Spa du Lac (by the lake) restores tranquility with treatments from skin and body care to all massage techniques. The casino makes an impressive backdrop for the onsite Contraband Bayou Golf Club. Initially designed by Tom Fazio, upgrades have been made by Bill Belcher, Director of Resort Services. There are plenty of photo ops along the course with eight lakes, loblolly pines, hardwood trees and crepe myrtle in bloom. Star of the pictures is Big Mama gator making appearances most days. Locals tout that gators are friendly on the bayou, yet they suggest keeping a distance by using the zoom lens. Herb Piert III, Golf Operations Supervisor, takes pride in the staff as well as the region’s cultural history. As a Creole family member, he loves Lake Charles for its authentic Louisianan food. Beignets with powdered sugar soak up coffee in the morning as they dust your shirt. Kolaches with beef, shrimp or crawfish are a tasty Creole version of a burrito or calzone. Eat the shellfish or use them for bait. Contact
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Capt. Erik Rue of Calcasieu Charter Service for a great day on the water, fishing or bird hunting. Country music echoes as the boat floats through the marsh. Reel in the redfish and halibut next to pelicans diving for their share. Our haul went to the Seafood Palace for preparation combined with sampling new fried foods we never tasted and can’t pronounce. Wash it down with sweet tea or Bayou Rum. Handcrafted using 100% natural Louisiana cane sugar & molasses, the local distillery presents a Caribbean flavor for tasting and tours. Other courses of Lake Charles fit in flawlessly with the Cajun surroundings at reasonable rates. The National Golf Club of Louisiana in Westlake is a nice public track. Set among towering pines and contouring fairways, it is pretty straight forward, except for the hidden hazards. The layout is fun and playable yet challenging enough for the strongest golfers. En route, Po Boys from Darrell’s are the bomb for lunch with jalapeno mayo. Gray Plantation Golf Club presents an astounding Audubon experience. It is wide open with risk/ reward opportunities for those wanting to reach par 5’s in two. Multiple water features separate fairways from greens with all natural fowl inhabit-
ing. Mallard Cove Golf is proud of their municipal course and new clubhouse since Hurricane Rita wreaked havoc and in December, the Golden Nugget will open with an 18-hole course. Back at L’Auberge, booths in Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill are cropped pickup trucks for a casual sports scene while the Ember Grille and Wine Bar delivers an elegant experience. Lollipop lamb chops or tasty aji tuna are brilliantly presented appetizers. The feature entrée is the Tomahawk – a 40-ounce juicy slab of steak to feed the entire table. The Crème Brule surpassed our “oui, oiu, oui test” with tableside flaming, paired with a white chocolate martini hiding an Ember engraved candy at the bottom -truly unique. After dinner or anytime, attendees welcome guests to the gaming room. Unlike the crazy noise of Vegas, music again sets the mood for playing slots, black jack or baccarat. If you’re not a gambler, watching from the central Golbar is just as entertaining. Boutiques and the enticing Desserts Shop round out the L‘Auberge Casino Resort. The pastry chef is unreal with creativity. Check out his chocolate mask sculpture. Eat, golf, fish, spa, repeat. Year round, there
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THE PERFECT LIFE ///
BY KATHERINE DYSON
Golf is great in Florida and Georgia There is a reason people drive hundreds of miles from places like Fargo, North Dakota and Toronto, Canada to Florida and Georgia when the northern winter sets in: they crave warm weather and they love to play golf. It’s no wonder there are so many courses, so many resorts and beaches down south. In searching for some great places to go, here’s what we found along with some updates on new things that have been happening.
Georgia
Augusta, One of the hottest tickets in golf is for the Masters in April so it’s no surprise playing and staying in Augusta is like getting a double eagle on two consecutive holes while hotel rooms are jacked up to the max. For example at Motel Six about 1 mile from the course, you might pay $239
per night while a week later it will cost you but $48. And don’t expect the Ritz. So why not make your trip to Augusta another time when there is good golf at reasonable prices in and around Augusta such as Goshen Plantation Golf Club, a fine layout designed by Ellis Maples; Pointe South Golf Club with eight lakes; Jones Creek Golf Club; Forest Hills Golf Club, a classic gem by
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Donald Ross dating from 1926; River Golf Club, a Jim Fazio-design; and Gordon Lakes Golf Course’s 27 holes in Fort Gordon. Another good play, Bartram Trail Golf Club just west of Augusta that rolls through hardwood, pines and wetlands along Euchee Creek. Midway between Atlanta and Augusta just off Rt. 20 is the Harbor Club On Lake Oconee, a Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish track. Around Lake Oconee there are cottages and homes for rent. Stay and Play packages are available from many suppliers including Baymont Inn & Suites where a room, golf, breakfast, free airport shuttle and parking start at $135 per night. Atlanta Region The Château Élan in Braselton set on 3,500 acre 40 minutes outside of Atlanta is an elegant playground for those who want to get away, play golf or tennis and soak up the landscape, Château Élan is home to a 275-room
French-inspired hotel, 10 villas, four golf courses, a vineyard and winery. There is also an equestrian center, a Stan Smith tennis facility, three pools and a spa and fitness center. Don’t have time for 18? The resort has nine-, six- and four-hole options. Off-course unwind with a Château Euphoria Massage or Château Winery Ritual; sip a robust Merlot Reserve 2010 on the Sunset Deck or in the vineyards or even blend your own wine and personalize your bottle with a custom label. The Chateau’s Villa Golf Package priced from $525 per night includes lodging in a two-bedroom villa and unlimited golf. Reynolds Plantation Find six designer tracks at Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee in Greensboro. Play The Plantation and The Landing both by Bob Cupp; the recently remodeled The National by Tom Fazio; The Oconee by Rees Jones; and Great Waters, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course updated in 2010 with upgraded greens and bunkering, Book the Traditions Package and stay in a cottage or condo, play golf, have breakfast, use the practice facilities and get a complimentary replay on the same course the same day. The Ritz-Carlton Lodge makes a grand lux base for those who want to play golf and enjoy other amenities like beautiful pools, fitness center, spa, water sports, The Kingdom at Reynolds Plantation and the Golf Academy. Reynolds is all about savoring the good life in an incredible setting of lakes, trees and nature.
Florida Florida has more golf courses (1,250) than any other state, most clustered around cities like Orlando, Miami, Naples and Tampa. Van der Valk Golf Resort, Citrus County About an hour north of Tampa, Citrus County is a haven for golfers looking for reasonably priced accommodations plus access to more than 20 good courses with affordable green fees. An especially good deal is The Van Der Valk Golf Resort in Inverness where well-appointed condos and homes are sited along the fairways of Lakeside Golf & Country Club. Executive Villas have spacious living areas, pools with Jacuzzis and open kitchens. Have a warm-up round at Lakeside then play Juliette Falls, The Meadows, Skyview Golf & Country Club, Citrus Spring Golf & Country Club, The Oaks and Brentwood courses. Off-course you can go, canoeing,
fishing and hiking. As a guest you can also use the fitness center and spa amenities at Terra Vista and Citrus Hills. A golf package includes accommodations and unlimited play on nine courses — you pay only the cart fee. Saddlebrook Resort In Wesley Chapel the 540room Saddlebrook Resort has two Arnold Palmer
courses. Well-appointed condos with kitchens, balconies and ensuite baths are arranged around a car-free “walking village” where there is a sprawling garden pool, snack bars, restaurants, fitness center and gardens. Courses wind through tall stand stands of cypress and moss-draped live oaks with some elevations and water. Saddlebrook is also home to the Saddlebrook Golf Academy and Preparatory School where young golfers come for advance sport instruction and a full academic program. Tennis players too come here to play on the resort’s 45 tennis courts and take instruction at their tennis academy. Ask about golf, spa and tennis packages. World Woods Golf Club World Woods is a golfing haven with Two Tom Fazio courses, Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks (renovated in 2010 with Tifeagle greens), a 9-hole Short Course (1,800 yards), a three-hole practice area, a Practice Park with a circular 23 acre driving range and a 36-hole putting green. World Woods is now offering golf packages with lodging in their attractive villas located six miles from the golf club. Not only do these villas make a good base for playing Barrens and Oaks, they are convenient to courses like Southern Woods and Sugarmill Woods. Innisbrook Resort, a Salamander golf and spa resort in Palm Harbor near Tampa has four superb golf courses (Copperhead, Island, North and South plus the par 36 Fox Squirrel). Stay in one of Innisbrook’s spacious condos in low-rise buildings overlooking fairways and gardens. After golf unwind with a spa treatment at the Indaba Spa then head to Packard’s Steakhouse for Paul Bunyan-sized steaks. A three-day/two night package includes ac-
commodations, a 50-minute massage or 18 holes of golf, a $25 gift certificate for the pro shops and use of the Fitness Center. Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club The two pretty tracks at Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club in Dade City North designed by Kurt Sandness and South by Tom Lehman and Sandness, have some very unFlorida-like ups and downs while the 30,000 square foot clubhouse is Mediterranean Stay in one of Lake Jovita’s three bedroom Club Villas overlooking lakes and fairways. Each comes with four queen-sized beds, two baths, a fully equipped kitchen and a screened lanai. As a guest you can use the club’s pool, fitness center, restaurants and tennis courts as well as the extensive golf practice facility. Sarasota At Stoneybrook, Golf & Country Club, residents and guests of this 940-home gated community have an updated course to play this year after a $1.2 million renovation. Every green has been reconstructed and resurfaced with Tifeagle Bermuda grass and some of the more penal aspects of the courses were softened such as widening some of the approaches. For a modest transfer fee, those renting a condo or home in Stoneybrook can use the course. Naples About 100 years ago, Naples on the southwest coast of Florida had less than 40 full
time residents but heat-starved Yankees looking to Naples as a warm-weather getaway, soon discov-
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ered the place and the first golf course was built in the late 1920s (now the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club). Today there are more than 90 golf courses in the area with about three dozen open to the public and some private tracks available during the off season. Green fees are on the high side but you can find affordable golf by tapping into some of the money-saving booking services on the web and playing off-season when green fees drop. There are many stay and play options in the area, especially with hotels like the Hyatt, Marriot and Ritz-Carlton where The PGA Tour Experience offers a Black & Golf Package with golf on the two Greg Norman-designed Tiburon courses, two nights at the Ritz-Carlton and a private lesson at the TOURAcademy starting at $295 per night. Also check the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa where guests get to play golf at the Rookery while The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point north of Naples in Bonita Springs features golf on the nature-rich Raptor Bay Golf Club. Panhandle Sprawling over more than 2,400 acres Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in Destin has seven miles of beaches, four golf courses, a 98-slip marina, water sports, spa, and restaurants. Courses include Baytowne renovated in 2005 by Tom Jackson; Burnt Pine, a Rees Jones layout; Raven, a RTJones Jr. design and once a stop on the Champions Tour (2006-2007); and The Links where five holes run along the bay. More great courses are just out the gates like the Golf Club at Bluewater Bay’s four nines by Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate. Sandestin’s Classic Golf Package includes two rounds of golf, beverage cart credit, free replay rounds and accommodations from $127. Orlando, home of the mouse and Disney, has several major resorts including Reunion Resort, Rosen Shingle Creek, Hyatt Regency Grand Cyprus and Champions Gate. Most major resorts also have one or more golf courses. Book a golf package at a resort or rent a condo or home from a company All Star Vacation Homes. All Star has well furnished, attractive homes and condos in Reunion Resort and communities like Windsor Hills. Some come with private pools and spas, home theaters, game rooms and serious flat screen TVs. And with plenty of space, it makes sense when friends or family are travelling together. Do the math and you’ll understand how reasonable it is per person too Reunion Resort has three private championship golf courses by Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. There is a spa, several pools, a Fitness Center, restaurants and the ANNIKA Academy, a handsome 5,400 square foot teaching facility offering golf instruction from Annika’s personal coaches
as well as Annika herself. There are several golf packages including Preferred Golf with daily round of golf, breakfast, retail credit and clinic from $229. About a half hour from Orlando, the gracious and laid-back Mission Inn Resort in Howey-inthe-Hills is a good bet for those looking to ratchet back to a quieter, old Florida-like ambiance. Family owned and operated, the Mission Inn evokes an old Spanish style hacienda in a courtyard garden setting. There are two unique courses, El Campeon (The Champion) one of the oldest courses in Florida dating back to 1917 and untypically hilly for Florida and Las Colinas (The Hills) designed by Gary Koch (1992), more modern in the routing, bunkering and style. The 190 comfortable guest rooms overlook the golf courses and gardens while facilities include a pool, billiards and game room, Fitness Center, Marina Del Rey on Lake Harris, eight tennis courts, trap and skeet range and spa. Black Diamond Ranch a 1,200-acre, masterplanned golf development in west central Florida, has an ideal location. It is equidistant from Orlando to the east and Tampa to the south, about an hour from either.. That makes Black Diamond central to many airports and within easy driving distance of dozens of Florida’s best courses. Just the same residents probably don’t leave much to play golf, given the fact that Black Diamond is home to three
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Tom Fazio courses (45 holes in all), including the Quarry Course, a layout that helped establish Fazio as one of the pre-eminent designers of his era when he built it a quarter century ago. With dramatic landforms and holes wrapped around lakes and backed with huge cliffs -- holes very much set in a “quarry” landscape of deep valleys and three-story limestone faces -- there are few courses in the world like the Quarry. The finish is extremely strong, and acclaimed golf writer Dan Jenkins once called Nos. 13-17 “the five best consecutive holes in the world.” The Quarry has been ranked in the nation’s top 100 -- public or private -- for 22 consecutive years.
East Coast On the east coast, PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens has a smart new look after a $100 million renovation. With five
courses including the Champion course, venue for the Honda Classic. PGA’s Champion for a Day Package priced from $179 per person, per night, includes room, breakfast and golf on the Champion. Up the coast at the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, play 54 holes of golf designed by Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. With the 35acre PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance, this is the “go-to” place if you want to ramp up your game — or get started playing. The Center has a great staff of teaching pros plus tools to analyze all aspects of your game. Stay on site at the Hilton Garden Inn or in a Perfect Drive Villa and book a play and stay package that generally includes lodging, golf and cart, admission to the PGA Museum of Golf and all taxes.
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We invite you to experience...
...The Quarry Course Membership Opportunities
Home Sales
Stay & Play
Full Golf Membership Young Executive Call Kerry Rosselet for details. (352) 453-5473
New Construction Show Homes Resale Call 800-328-8099 for details.
1 Night 2 Rounds of Golf $399 per player Plus tax. Based on Quad-occupancy.
Contact Bill Hardin for more details at 352-234-8855 or bhardin@blackdiamondranch.com
Golf Digest Top 100 Rated Course for 22 Consecutive Years Florida’s #1 Residential Golf Community Located 90 miles from Tampa and Orlando visit www.BlackDiamondRanch.com for a chance to win a Stay & Play package
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PAWTUCKET COUNTRY CLUB The Best Membership Deal in Rhode Island “Fast Greens, Fast Rounds, Fast Friends”
Golfers can join now through April for just one month’s dues with a commitment to join for the 2015-2016 golf season. There is still plenty of good golfing weather, both in the fall and the spring. A single: $375 | A couple: $483.33 C single: $291.66 | C couple: $449.17 Junior Executive: <25: $125 | 25-30: $175 30-35: $250 | 35-40: $350
Three Round Trial Membership – Only $199 Give our wonderful course the good ole three round try and enjoy use of the clubhouse and dining room each time you play. Best part is if you choose to join under any of our membership categories the cost of the trial membership will be deducted from your 1st months bill.
(401) 725-2918 | www.pawtucketcountryclub.com Pawtucket Country Club | 900 Armistice Blvd. Pawtucket, RI 02861
The Best Deal In Private Golf in Southern New England!
Just Got Even Better! Full Single Membership Fall 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Summer 2016 Up to 22 months of Golf for only $2950 Family Memberships Also Available at $3200 Only 30 Memberships Available at these Rates Act Now! Segregansett CC 2014-2015-2016 Golf Programs Call Gary Palmer Today for Details at 508-942-5873 Or the Club Office at 508-824-9110 Fall 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Summer 2016 Membership Categories Mid Adult 30-35 $2100 Family Special $3200 Young Adult 21-29 $1500 Single Special $2950
Come Play Segregansett with Your Friends Member For A Day Fall 2014 Pricing $40.00 with Cart Weekdays $50.00 with Cart Weekends Friday-Sunday & Holidays tee times
Segregansett Country Club | segregansett.com 85 Gulliver Street Taunton, MA | 508-824-9144
FALL RIVER COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERSHIP PROMOTION Join Now and Play Until March 2016
Food minimum is waived for 6 months with Fall Promo
Fall Promotional Rates
Category A Full Single Membership $2,595 Category A Senior Full Single Membership $2,395 Family Membership $4,240 Family Senior Membership $3,915 Young Professional-Ages 27-35 $1,845 Young Adult-Ages 19-26 $1,295
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Join Now for the 2015 Season Play the rest of this season for no charge!!
Single $2500.00 Family $3750.00 Afternoon (S) $1700.00 Intermediate Plus Allendale A Al lle lend ndaallle$1400.00 e CC CC Other Memberships Available Call 508/992-2174 For More Information
Outside Play Rates 5 Passes 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18 Hole passes with complimentary bag of range balls *Golf Carts Extra - $15*
$225.00
Semi Private Rates Weekdays before 12pm $55 with Cart, $45.00 walking, After 12pm $50 with Cart, $40 walking After 2pm Weekdays & Weekends $40 with or without Cart* 4 days in advance for a Weekday tee time Thursday prior to Weekend for a Weekend tee time
Allendale Country Club 1047 Allen St. North Dartmouth, 02747
508-992-8682 | AllendaleCC.net
Give the Gift of Golf Gift Cards Available for Both Courses
WENTWORTHHILLSCOUNTRYCLUB.COM
HEATHERHILLCOUNTRYCLUB.COM
(508) 316-0240
(508) 695-0309
27 Bow Street | Plainville, MA 02762
149 W Bacon Street | Plainville, MA
Call for Tee Times
Call for Tee Times
Hole-A-Day Gift & Travel Guide 2014
WALK OR RIDE – THE DUO CART HAS YOU COVERED! The revolutionary DUO CART is an all-in-one pushcart and golf bag combination that is so compact it fits easily in the trunk of your car, and takes just seconds to set up. It features 4 large wheels that provide a low center of gravity and outstanding stability on even the toughest terrain. There’s a plethora of storage pockets for balls, tees, raingear, and other necessities as well as a built-in Cooler Pocket (with drains) that can store up to six drinks. Best of all, it’s “Riding Cart Friendly”, which means its wheels can be removed in just seconds and converted into a Cart Bag which will fit on a standard electric or gas cart, should you decide to Ride instead of Walk!
TRADE IN YOUR OLD BAG OR CART AND RECEIVE UP TO $150.00 OFF THE PURCHASE OF A NEW DUO CART. WWW.ALPHARDGOLF.COM
A REVOLUTIONARY BREAKTHROUGH IN PUTTER TECHNOLOGY Cure RX Series Putters high MOI design is very stable and offers incredible forgiveness for much greater accuracy and distance control even on extreme mishits. The putters adjust to fit you perfectly and help you address the ball the same way every time. With interchangeable shafts, adjustable lie angle and an adjustable weight system (350600 grams) you’ll be custom fit in about 2 minutes.
SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE PUTTER GIVEAWAY! WWW.CUREPUTTERS.COM/SUBSCRIBE 34 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | Nov. / Dec. 2014
Hole-A-Day Gift & Travel Guide 2014
KNOW YOUR DISTANCE: ES14 ADVANCED AND ES12 CLASSIC GOLF LAUNCH MONITORS Ernest Sports revolutionizes the game of golf with great tools from every level of playfrom beginners to professionals. Ernest Sports uses the latest radar technology to immediately learn critical numbers to help you develop a powerful, consistent swing. Elevate your game.
HOLIDAY SPECIALS UP TO $100 OFF. BUY DEVICES OR GIFT CERTIFICATES NOW ONLINE AT ERNESTSPORTS.COM OR CALL 855.654.GOLF
NIKE TECH ESSENTIAL WEB BELT Nike Golf presents the Nike Tech Essential Web Belt. This lightweight 38mm wide webbing belt can be cut to size and features a tonal buckle with a cut-out Swoosh and a heat transfer Swoosh on the tip. The Nike Tech Essential Web Belt comes in multiple colors and looks great on and off the course.
FIND THEM AT NIKE.COM, GOLFSMITH.COM, GOLFGALAXY.COM AND YOUR LOCAL GOLF RETAILERS OR CALL 503-548-2928 FOR WHOLESALE INQUIRIES. Nov. / Dec. 2014 | Subscribe atat myNEGM.com | 35 Nov. / Dec. 2014 | Subscribe myNEGM.com | 35
Hole-A-Day Gift & Travel Guide 2014
STERLING GOLF | $99 GIFT CARD SPECIAL Give the gift of TWO coupons for a 2015 18-Hole Round of Golf with Cart at one of six Sterling Golf managed courses (The Shattuck, Norwood, Newton Commonwealth, Chelmsford Country Club, Maynard and Rockland Golf Course) along with a $50 gift card that can be used anytime for green fees, cart rentals, in the pro shop or restaurant. That’s only $24.50 a round!
AVAILABLE ONLY UNTIL CHRISTMAS AT WWW.STERLINGGOLF.COM
2015 PRACTICE PLANS | ON SALE NOW There’s only one way to improve your game...practice. The best place to practice is at Sun ‘N Air. Replicate on course playing conditions & Improve all aspects of your game.
BUY NOW AND RECEIVE $50, $75, OR $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE* *WHILE SUPPLIES LAST SUNAIRGOLF.COM 978-774-8180
36 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | Nov. / Dec. 2014
Hole-A-Day Gift & Travel Guide 2014
OTHER COLORS AVAILABLE
GROOVE CADDY The Easiest and Fastest Way to Clean Golf Clubs Introducing the Groove Caddy - winner of the ‘Best New Product Award’ at the 2014 PGA Show! Product Features: over 1,000 RPM motor, RECHARGEABLE lithium-ion battery, includes USB, non-abrasive nylon bristles and more. Each unit includes an entire kit and it makes the perfect golf gift. Get in the Groove...with Groove Caddy! CONTACT US TODAY: 1-800-680-6073 WWW.GROOVECADDY.COM
Don’t let that Pebble Beach scorecard turn into a soggy, wrinkled, illegible piece of paper. Coobs Golf scorecard & yardage book holders allow golfers to easily store their scorecard, yardage book, pin sheet, notes, and pencil in one place. Protect your essentials from rain, sweat, moisture, and keep that memorable scorecard pristine. Fits perfectly in the back pocket.
GET YOURS TODAY AT WWW.COOBSGOLF.COM
TWO GOOD ROUNDS TITANS - LEADERS IN INDUSTRY & GOLF
SWITCH GRIPS
Explore the connection between golf and business. Thirty three of the top CEO’s in the world share how they got started in their career, greatest achievements, business and golf advice, how golf and business are related as well as golf and life tips they have learned.
BUY ON WWW.AMAZON.COM WWW.BN.COM WWW.TWOGOODROUNDS.COM
COOBS GOLF | SCORECARD & YARDAGE BOOK HOLDERS
SwitchGrips Reinvents the Putter Grip with Revolutionary New Technology. SwitchGrips introduces a completely customizable putter grip, combining three changes to existing grip technology: interchangeable size, weights and color.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SWITCHGRIPS, PLEASE VISIT SWITCHGRIPSUSA.COM OR FOLLOW SWITCHGRIPS ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR VIDEO TUTORIALS.
Nov. / Dec. 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 37
Hole-A-Day Gift & Travel Guide 2014
TRADITION MAKES A COMEBACK JUSTIN GOLF
MAKE MORE PUTTS. DEAD ZERO PUTTING DISK
Finally, the return of golf shoes worth of the game. In beautiful hand-selected leathers and exotics, Justin Golf® shoes offer proven comfort and performance technology with classic styling honoring golf’s grand tradition.
The Dead Zero Putting Disk is a small-target training aid designed to help you make more putts. Perfect for practicing on any green or at home whenever you want. Hit it and it’s in!
SHOPNOWAT JUSTINGOLF.COM ORCALL1-800-395-8744AND BUCKLECOMBOTODAYAT DRUHBELTSANDBUCKLES.COM
SAVE 20%. USE DISCOUNT CODE NEGOLF AT CHECKOUT. DEADZEROPUTTING.COM
DRUH BELTS & BUCKLES
SNAP-HOOKZ GOLF THE PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER
Druh Belts & Buckles, the #1 Belt on Tour, offers hundreds of combinations of handmade leather straps and DB logoed buckles to make you the envy of your foursome.
BUILDYOURCUSTOMBELT ANDBUCKLECOMBOTODAYAT DRUHBELTSANDBUCKLES.COM
This unique product gives you the option to place your golf accessories in a place on your golf bag convenient to you. No more searching through your pockets for “this accessory” or “that accessory”, now they will be outside the bag where you can reach them easily.
15% OFF USING PROMO CODE – NEGM15 WWW.SNAPHOOKZGOLF.COM
38 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | Nov. / Dec. 2014
Hole-A-Day Gift & Travel Guide 2014
WHEN YOUR SWING IS . . . . .
YOU MUST WHIP IT
The Orange Whip Trainer
The Orange Peel Balance Platform
The Orange Whip Putting Wand
Find Your Ideal Swing Plane
Centers Core for Balance
Trains Putting Tempo Synchronizes the Putting Stroke Convex Face Exaggerates Miss-Hits Improves Distance & Direction Control Battle the “Yips”
Create “Tour Pro” Lag Teaches Justin Golf -¼ | Dead Zero ¼ Proper Weight Transfer Perfect Sequence of Motion Limits Lateral Movement Improve Tempo and Balance Simulates Uneven Lies | OpenEnhance ¼ Core Fitness & Flexibility Improves Short Game Stance
$10 OFF M
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when purchased online from: w
www.OrangeWhipTrainer.com Use Promo Code NEGM at checkout to receive your discount. U I
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2015 Golf School Guide Warm Weather Stay, Play & Train Locations
According to the National Golf Foundation, roughly 11 percent of all golfers take lessons. Of the 11% nearly 50% of that total represents players who are playing at a very high level of the game and understand the value of professional instruction. It makes very little sense that players who could have the most to gain in strokes saved do not take advantage of the multitude of game improvement facilities out there today. There are golf facilities all over the country that operate excellent golf schools and instructional programs in all seasons. Golf simulators have created a new industry in golf instruction and offer
The PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance Port St. Lucie , FL | 800-800-GOLF www.pgavillage.com
PGA Tour Academy
At Most TPC facilities | 800-766-7939 www.touracademy.com
4 season programs even in the winter months. Many golfers get the most out 3 -5 day programs that offer comprehensive personal evaluations prior to suggesting changes in your game. These facilities are staffed with many of the top teaching Pro’s in the business. It’s a great place to get help with your game and create a solid plan to improve. If you’re a mid to high handicap golfer in any age group a golf school may be your smartest investment. The money saved in matches, lost balls and pounding bucket on the range can ad up. Here are NEGM’s suggestions to start your search this offseason and escape to warner weather!
Tour Striker Golf Academy
Phoenix AZ | 541-948-2480 www.tourstrikergolfacademy.com
Golf Made Simple
Nationwide Locations | 888-580-3635 www.golfmadesimple.com
Pelz Golf
Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy
Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy
Joey D Golf
Jim McLean Golf Schools
Reynolds Golf Academy
Nationwide Locations | 800-833-7370 www.pelzgolf.com Clermont, FL |866-639-9099 www.GGGA.com
Worldwide Locations | 800-723-6325 www.JimMcLean.com
42 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | Nov. / Dec. 2014
Myrtle Beach, SC | 843-399-1551 www.GNCGA.com Jupiter, FL | 561-401-9185 www.joeydgolf.com Greensboro, GA | 866-443-6742 www.reynoldsgolfacademy.com
WORLD RENOWNED
INSTRUCTION FREE Accommodations
When you experience a 2- or 3-Day Golf School Instruction Experience as low as $1,095 per golfer
PROMO CODE: NEFAC When you use your MasterCard, Official Card of the TOURAcademy, you will receive
FREE TOURAcademy Alignment Sticks *Offer valid on select locations. Starting at rate is based on a 2-Day Golf School at TOURAcademy TPC San Antonio. Must arrive by March 31, 2015. If you pay with your MasterCard, the official card of the TOURAcademy, your alignment sticks will be given to you during your golf school.
Take Advantage of this Limited Time Offer!
Call 877-720-9940 or visit TOURAcademy.com
Nov. / Dec. 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 43
NEITHER SNOW, NOR RAIN, NOR GLOOM OF WINTER WILL KEEP US FROM OUR APPOINTED ROUNDS. Are you really going let a little wintery weather keep you from playing through? You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to. The indoor golf season is just getting started at South Shore Country Club, where you can play any of nearly 50 PGA Championship courses on our three state-of-the-art simulators.
The Tour Golf Bar is open 7 days a week starting at 8am with bar and food service available from lunch to closing. Early bird hours are $30 and prime time are $35. To book a tee time or to plan a tournament or banquet, call 781-749-8479.
781-749-8479 | 274 SOUTH STREET HINGHAM, MA 02043 www.southshorecc.com | www.thetourgolfbar.com | www.greensidegrille.com
The Most Accurate Club Tracking Golf Simulator
with over 130 Virtual Courses to play
The P3ProSwing golf simulator allows you to Practice, Play and Perform to improve your golf game at home any time of year. You can play over 130 championship virtual courses, hit a bottomless bucket of balls on the driving range, practice your putting and receive unsurpassed swing analysis after every shot. The P3 golf simulator, uses optical measurements of the club head traveling across a special swing surface, providing highly accurate swing tracking measurements. The optical data is analyzed by proprietary software, which graphically displays data about the ball flight. You will find the same analytics that the teaching pros use to help you improve your game like carry distance, swing path, angle of attack, club face angle, toe/ heel height, swing tempo, impact sweet spot, club head speed and allows you to capture video analy-
sis. Every club in a golferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bag, including the putter, can be used with really golf balls on the P3. P3â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology and system design has allowed us to break the high costs and large area requirements of other systems on the market that cost up to 10 times the price! In most regions of the US we have weather and seasons that limit golfers to get out on the golf course part of the year. All you need is room to swing your clubs inside and P3 allows you to create a comfortable environment in your home to practice play 365 days a year. Many different packages are available from the base model that includes sensor unit and software to a full hitting cage with all the bells and whistle to round out any man cave or recreational space in your home. Put a Simulator in your home today! Starting at $799 www.p3proswing.com or call 1(877) 737-7646
Big Sticks ½ | Broken Tee ½
facebook.com/FOREgolfentertainment
New England’s Premier Indoor Golf Venue •
8 PGA TOUR Widescreen Simulators
•
A full bar featuring wine, draft/bottled beers and top shelf liquors
•
A relaxing atmosphere offering American and Asian Bistro food
•
HD TVs to ensure no sporting events or shows are missed
•
Over 35 championship courses available on each simulator
•
A private simulator available for larger groups or meetings
•
NFL Sunday Ticket
Simulator Rates (Sept 1 to April 30)
1 Hour Reservation = $50.00 This is a flat rate to reserve the simulator and does not increase if you have more than 1 golfer for the hour. On average it takes 1 player an hour to play 18 holes. For example, 2 golfers wanting to play 18 holes would reserve the simulator for 2 hours.
Golf Leagues
Create your own private golf league or join one of the FORE! Golf open leagues and enjoy a weekly competition with fellow golfers. There are 8 week, 12 week, and 16 week league packages. Standard leagues will be setup with 4 golfers per simulator for a 2 hour reservation. See website for league package rates.
Hours of Operation Mon - Fri : 10AM to 11PM Sat - Sun: 8AM to 11PM 508-366-FORE info@foregolfentertainment.com www.foregolfentertainment.com 153 Turnpike Road (Rt 9 - Westbound) Westborough, MA 01581
Big Sticks Golf Burlington, MA
Keep Those Clubs Out because Golfers find warmth in the colder months at BIG STICKS GOLF-a local indoor golf practice, instructional & training facility! We offer innovative technology, top-of-the-line equipment, and professional instruction, enabling golfers of all levels to maximize their potential and reach peak physical shape for the game. We are the place to go to learn, improve or practice your golf game! While the snow is blowing outside, what could be better than taking a crack at Spy Glass? Or working on your golf swing with video swing analysis? Or take a lesson and get expert advice from PGA pro Terry Felty, named Massachusetts Golf teacher of the Year! Our facility features… • PGA endorsed Aboutgolf simulators-crazy accurate with stunning graphics • Ag studio Launch Monitors Bays • Video swing technology-JC and ASTAR Video, • GC2 Launch monitors with **new head measure technologyso cool we got 2, • TRX Suspension Training, Somax Hip Trainer, PGA lessons
Online booking for practice times and lessons at bigsticksgolf.com or call 781-229-2269. Conveniently located off RTE 128, minutes from the Burlington Mall and Wayside Commons.
The Broken Tee Lakeville, MA Come check out The Broken Tee in Lakeville, where we boast over 40 world class courses to play, as well as an extensive beer list. Our popular 9 hole league is open to all golfers of any skill level . We have 3 Full Swing Golf simulators on premise as well as a full pizza and sandwich shop. Reservations are taken by the hour and the cost is $32/hr on weekdays and $38/hr on weekends. So gather the gang and come play some golf while watching the game and enjoying some food with your favorite cold beverage!
We are located at 166 County St. in Lakeville, MA. To book a time, league or event call 508.923.4653 or visit us on the web at www.thebrokentee.com
48 | Indoor Golf Guide 2014-2015 | myNEGM.com/IndoorGolf
Gonzo’s HD Sports – South Burlington, VT Vermont’s only Indoor Golf Center and Sports Bar with 8 Visual Sports Systems simulators with HD Golf. Featuring a Full Bar, 13 HD Tv’s, 2 Pool Tables, Ping Pong, Darts, Shuffle Board & Foosball. Gonzo’s also offers Award Winning PGA Instructors, PGA Club Fitting and Repair, Leagues, Corporate Outings and Parties. Visit us at 1860 Williston Road, Suite 2, South Burlington, Vermont 05403. For more information call 802-881-0660 or visit us on the web at www.gonzoshdsports.com where you can take a virtual tour or enter to win great prizes.
Rod’s Golf Improvement Center – Acton, MA Unlike most fairways, Rod’s Golf Improvement Center springs to life year-round. Here, golfers can land birdies and pars during rounds at famous courses vividly replicated by Rod’s three indoor simulators with dozens of courses to play from. Rod’s also has a practice area where we can analyze your swing! Golfers can fine-tune their game at driving nets or the practice putting green. Rod’s Golf Improvement Center is your go to shop for all your golfing needs! Come in today for lessons, club repair, or to our pro shop!
Like us on Facebook, visit our website www.rodsindoorgolf.com or call us at (978) 263-1800 for more information!
Fit Golf Performance Center – Wilmington, MA Are you looking to hit the ball longer, lower your handicap, or just want to play pain free? FitGolf Performance Centers work from the inside out, discovering how each person’s body affects his or her golf swing. The FitGolf 3R Training Approach combines hands-on body work and proven customized golfspecific exercises to each unique golfer. Begin your path to reaching your ultimate golf fitness level with a Golf Performance Evaluation. More Distance...Fewer Injuries...Lower Scores!!! GUARANTEED!
50% OFF a K-Vest 3d Swing Evaluation. Call 978.447.5328 or email ddupriest@fitgolf.com to schedule. Visit northshore.fitgolf.com or at 60 Concord St, Suite F-110, Wilmington, MA today!
myNEGM.com/IndoorGolf | Indoor Golf Guide 2014-2015 | 49
Western Mass Family Golf Center – Hadley, MA WMFGC is the Valley’s favorite place for golf all year round. Play, Practice & Learn on our 3/4 acre grass tee, or anytime under covered, heated hitting bays. Or, if you prefer, our PGA Tour Simulator from aboutGolf offers a stateof-the-art indoor golf experience.
To inquire about simulator leagues or open play, see www.wmassfamilygolf.com, or call (413) 586-2311. For lessons, contact PGA Professional Jim McDonald @ (413) 822-7130, or online at mcdonaldgolf.uschedule.com. We are located at 294 Russell St. Hadley, MA 01035.
Mountain Meadow Golf Lounge – Canaan, NH The Mountain Meadow indoor golf lounge is a 10,000+ square foot upscale sports lounge catering to the sport of golf, pool, darts and entertainment located in the friendly community of Canaan, New Hampshire. Our building is divided into two main rooms; the golf lounge which is equipped with 4 2013 model state-of-the-art golf simulators from High Definition. A 15’ putting green, two nine foot pool tables, two dart boards, private card game room with professional card tables. Our facility is ideal for corporate meetings and company team building outings. The other room is our event room. This room can be rented out for many different style functions and will have a schedule of special ticketed events throughout the year. Check out our Facebook page, visit our website www. mountainmeadowgolf.com or call us at (603) 769-4093 for more information!
The Sandtrap – North Dartmouth, MA THE SANDTRAP IS NOW OPEN!! When you’re craving to play on the most beautiful, challenging golf courses but just don’t have the time to travel away from Dartmouth, Massachusetts, The Sandtrap is the ideal local destination. Learn how you would match up to other players on some of the world’s best courses by using one of our many golf simulators. You may be surprised at just how real the 3D, high speed golf simulation experience truly is. Virtual golf lessons are great for golfers of any level. These lessons pinpoint areas of challenge and strength with amazing accuracy. You’ll get excellent feedback immediately and have the power to make improvements as you practice or play. Cure your golf cravings by stopping by Dartmouth’s The Sandtrap today! Check out our Facebook and Twitter pages, visit our website www.thesandtrapvg.com, or call us at (508) 9919642 for more information!
50 | Indoor Golf Guide 2014-2015 | myNEGM.com/IndoorGolf
Mike Harbour Indoor Golf Center Opening This Winter in Johnston, RI The new learning and practice center will feature 2 teaching, 5 practice and 5 technology bays and open this winter. The facility will also feature an 800 sq ft short game area and fitness room. Lessons, schools and monthly memberships will be available. All bays will be rented by the hour and can be booked up to 5 days in advance. Sign up for our email newsletter to receive an invitation to our Grand Opening weekend as well as frequent tips, news, events and specials at the state of the art Mike Harbour Indoor Golf Center.
Give the Gift of a Better Game with our Holiday Membership Special. One golf lesson, four range hours, one supervised practice hour and unlimited short game area practice. Only $199.99 for one month
INDOOR GOLF BUNDLE
J.R. Mats Inc. specializes in providing top quality synthetic golf surfaces. The Country Club Elite® Golf Mat is widely regarded as the most realistic hitting surface on the market by top teaching professionals and “indoor golf enthusiasts” alike. The ability of J.R. Mats to bundle Country Club Elite® Mats, Quick & True™ Putting Turf, Rough and top netting choices has helped make them the “go to” supplier for indoor golf.
Please visit www.Realfeelgolfmats.com and feel free to email jay@realfeelgolfmats.com with “Indoor Golf-Bundle Request ” in the subject line for expert recommendations and bundle discounts. myNEGM.com/IndoorGolf | Indoor Golf Guide 2014-2015 | 51
CELEBRITY GOLFER //
BY LEIGH MACKAY
Dana Quigley Dana Quigley, a Rhode Island native and die-hard Red Sox fan, will always be professional golf’s “Iron Man” because his playing in 278 straight events from 1997-2005 on the Champions Tour is a record that will never be broken. In his 14 years on Tour, he won 11 titles, had 128 top10 finishes, and earned $14.7 million. In 2005, he was the Player-of-the-Year and won the Arnold Palmer Award as the leading money winner. Quigley was elected to the New England section of the PGA Hall of Fame in 2000. His claim to fame and fortune, however, took a long time to evolve although his life has always revolved around golf, starting as a caddie at Rhode Island CC. He played at URI and turned pro in 1971. Quigley was at his best in New England club pro opens and events, winning 18 times throughout his career, but he was marginal at best on the PGA Tour from 19781982, with a sixth in the 1980 Greater Milwaukee Open his best finish. From 1983-96, he served as head professional at Crestwood CC in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, before qualifying on Mondays for the Champions Tour when he turned 50 in 1997. The rest is Iron Man history. A horrific early morning auto accident on December 1, 2011, to his 27-year-old son Devon has really been the test of Quigley’s mettle, and he has responded as a champion would—with persever-
ance, optimism, and love. Devon, also a URI golfer and a pro, crashed into the rear end of a tractor trailer and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Although he has no movement in his body and cannot speak, he is alert and aware of his surroundings, but he needs extraordinary care. Devon was without insurance when he was injured. When Quigley agreed with his friend and Champions Tour colleague Jim Colbert that he should hold a tournament to raise money for the medical expenses of Devon, the game’s greatest players unconditionally offered their support. On February 3, 2013, at the Floridian in Palm City, the inaugural Devon Quigley Pro-Am, also called the Devo Strong Pro-Am, attracted Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Lee Trevino, who joined 14 other major winners such as Mark Calcavecchia, Raymond Floyd, Bernhard Langer, and Lanny Wadkins. They raised more than $1 million. The second annual Devon Quigley Pro-Am has been scheduled for December 2-3 at The Wanderers GC in Wellington, Florida, and the response once again has been remarkable. Peter Jacobsen, one of this year’s participants, spoke for his brethren when he said, “We are a family on the PGA TOUR and when one of our own needs help, we all try to be there for him. Dana has been such an inspiration to all of us through his fight with Devon that we are all happy to pitch in.”
52 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | Nov. / Dec. 2014
Kevin Walsh, Comcast Sports Net
NEGM: What did you enjoy most about playing on the Champions Tour? DQ: The competition, no question about it. Proving that I could have a successful career when many thought I wouldn’t—very satisfying that way. The fact that I was out there playing with the Big Boys and beating them. That was pretty cool.
NEGM: What pros were you close to on the Tour? DQ: Allen Doyle, Jim Thorpe, and Ed Doughtery. The four of us played just about every practice round together. Allen and Thorpie and I had mirrored careers on the Champions Tour, winning about 35 tournaments all told. We had some great times together.
NEGM: What were your most important victories on the Champions Tour and NEPGA circuit? DQ: The first one obviously, the Northville Long Island Classic in 1997, because it gave me my exemption. My father died the same day. So that win was significant in more than one way. My third victory at Raley’s Gold Rush Classic in Sacramento was special because my kids were there for the first time to see me play. My favorite place in the world is at Hualalai in Kona. It was always the first tournament of the year, and
in four years I won it twice and came in second twice. And I beat Tom Watson three times in [his home town] Kansas City. I won my State Open six times, the NEPGA five times, and the Mass Open three times in a row. All good memories.
NEGM: Does the “Iron Man” still play golf just about every day? DQ: Not just about! Every day! I play in this Blue Tee Group at Bear Lakes every day and wouldn’t miss it. I still have a passion to get up in the morning to see where the ball is going.
NEGM: How many holes-in-one have you had? Double eagles? DQ: I’ve had 28 aces and two double eagles. Gary Player and I started a hole-in-one club on the Champions Tour. We had 40 players in it at $100 an ace, and I made several. Those 39 guys hated to see me coming because they knew I wanted their $100.
NEGM: You’ve played all over the world. What are your five favorite courses here and abroad? DQ: Hualalai in Kona, Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo in the DR, Pebble Beach, Trump International in West Palm, and the East Course at Ballen Isles in Palm Beach Gardens.
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV Nov. / Dec. 2014 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com | 53
NEGM: What are the special qualities of New England courses that differentiate them from other parts of the country? DQ: The Donald Ross touch. He is my favorite architect, and all his courses are special to me. What I love about New England courses are the small bentgrass greens with their perfect rolls, the treelined fairways, and the undulations and elevations from the tees to the fairways and on the greens.
NEGM: What are your five favorite New England courses? DQ: Rhode Island CC is my all-time favorite. The Country Club in Brookline, Manchester CC in New Hampshire, Pleasant Valley in Massachusetts, and Metacomet CC in Rhode Island.
NEGM: Give us an update on Devon’s status? DQ: It’ll be three years on December 1. He hasn’t moved yet. He is fully cognitive in his mind, and his brain is working perfectly. He can answer questions with a “Yes” or “No” reply with his eyes by looking up for “Yes” and down for “No.” We’re waiting on the Lord, and we’re very confident that it’s going to happen. His attitude is amazing—and I write about it in my CaringBridge post every night—because he knows how much trouble he is in. Yet, he is laughing all the time and is really teaching all of us a lot about ourselves and life.
NEGM: Comment upon the success of the first DevoStrong Pro-Am. DQ: Oh, yes! My hairs stand up when I think about it. It was beyond anything else in golf that I have ever seen. These great players did it for nothing. Every one said, “Just tell me when it is.” It was on Super Bowl Sunday, and they all had something else to do, I’m sure, but they all showed up, and that group will probably never be assembled again. And I found out just how much that these men loved Devon and me.
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NEGM: How did this event make life better for Devon? DQ: Oh, my gosh! I think about that all the time. From the proceeds, we’ve just finished a 2000 square foot addition to his house that we started in May. It includes a therapy room with all kinds of equipment, a special shower for him, and other improvements that will make his day-to-day living much easier. We’ve also used the money to take care of his day-to-day needs and care. The Pro-Am has made a profound difference in his quality of life.
NEGM: You must be looking forward to the second Pro-Am in at the Wanderers Club. DQ: Certainly. It will be another great event, and, like last year, the response has been overwhelming. I’m excited because Devon wasn’t there for the first one but will be there for this one, and the guys will be able to say hello. Here are just a few: Mark Calcavecchia, Brad Faxon, Raymond Floyd, Peter Jacobsen, Bernhard Langer, Rocco Mediate, Larry Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, Kenny Perry, [nephew] Brett Quigley, Jim Thorpe, and Fuzzy Zoeller.
NEGM: Did you have any idea that so many pros and amateurs would respond to the Devo Strong Pro-Am event? DQ: It still makes me very emotional to think that they would do that. I’ll be indebted to them forever. Many of the pros said they responded because of the way I have always treated people and because they wanted to help Devon. Also, I can’t thank the amateurs enough for their support, and many are returning again this year. From everyone involved, it’s been quite a tribute. To learn more about the Devon Quigley 2nd Annual Pro-Am, go to www.DevonQuigley.com. To read Dana Quigley’s postings on CaringBridge, go to www.caringbridge.org and type in Devon Quigley.
TEAM NE UPDATE: NOV. / DEC. 2014 5 // NEW PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2015
BY STEVE RIGGS
With the 2013-14 PGA Tour season behind us, it’s time to turn our sights to the 2014-15 season already underway with the PGA Tour’s Fall Series. While last season was long and frustrating for some of our TNE regulars and recent additions, we do have one player who has graduated from the Web.Com Tour ranks and is already doing battle on the PGA Tour. Jon Curran, MA is Team New England’s newest member of the PGA Tour. Curran joined the tour after finishing among the top 50 on the Web.Com Tour’s
money list to earn his PGA Tour Card. During the 2014 Web.Com season Jon won the Brazil Classic. His earnings on the Web.Com were $231,854. With three PGA Tour Fall Series events completed at this writing, Curran’s first event as a PGA Tour player saw him finish T8th in the Frys.com Open, earning $168,000. He missed the cut at the Shriners Open event and most recently was T54th at the McGladrey Classic. His earnings after three events are $180,544. It may be early in the new PGA Tour season but if Curran can build momentum before the holiday break, it could bode well for the 27 year old Vanderbilt grad from Hopinton. Jon is ranked 47th on the money list with a scoring average of 70.511. Overall, Jon’s stats look good. His ‘weak link’ is his driving distance where he is ranked 160th. A player with very solid statistics, Jon’s driving distance has consistently been his Achilles heel. Watching his stats over the final few Web.Com Tour events of the 2014 season then the three PGA Tour events, I can see the flaw is starting to affect his other stats. Once he improves his driving distance, we may see a TNE Rookie PGA Tour winner in the 2014-15 season.
WEB.COM TOUR Q SCHOOL With the Web.Com Stage 1 Q School in the books and Stage 2 about to get underway, we have some fresh names advancing with eyes on making the Web.Com Tour roster in 2015. Cameron Wilson, (CT), finished T4th in Stage 1 Q School at Pinehurst finishing -6/282, just 3 shots out of 1st place. Cameron is a Stanford grad and the 2014 NCAA Champion from Greenwich. Evan Harmeing, (MA), placed T-16/-1/283 in St. Augustine FL. Evan has been playing the PGA Canada Tour since 2013 and is in position to move to the Web.Com.
Mike Welch, (MA), is 33 years old and has been working toward his Tour Card since 2010. His T27th was inside the top 32 players in St. Augustine to advance to Stage 2 of Q School. David Pastore, (CT), made the top 32 and ties in Nebraska City, NE finishing T22nd. David, a Virginia grad is making his first run at the Web.Com.
Jeffery Hatten, (CT), earned his way to Stage 2 via a T-25th in Maricopa, AZ. The Yale Bulldog is making his run at the Web.Com. Jeff’s been playing the Minor League Tour since 2012.
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MOLORI UNPLUGGED //
BY JOHN MOLORI
Golf maven Bourassa moves from fire to Fore!
For more than 33 years, Ken Bourassa served the people of Methuen, MA as a member of the city’s fire department. These days, hoses and ladders have been replaced by clubs and tees. The 63 year-old Bourassa is the head golf coach at Windham (NH) High School. His love of the game took root more than a decade ago. “The guys at the fire station got me into it and I loved it,” explains Bourassa, who served as Methuen’s Fire Chief from 1995 until his retirement in 2005. “I’ve studied the game and hit about a million balls. My handicap is about a 10. If I break 80, I am playing well.” Bourassa is a certified teaching pro, having passed a rigorous Professional Golf Teachers Association of America (PGTAA) course. He relates, “There were over 100 essay questions for the course. In addition, you had to shoot two supervised rounds of 82 or better.” Armed with his PGTAA certificate,
Bourassa began teaching a summer youth golf program at Methuen’s Hickory Hill Golf Course. Fully bitten by the coaching bug, Bourassa was in the right place at the right time when Windham High School called in 2011. He explains, “Athletic director Bill Raycraft sent an email to everyone in the school system. My daughter was a special needs teacher at Windham, and she saw a second email from Raycraft. I said I’d love to do it.” Simple as that, a firefighting lifer traded in his helmet and boots for a Windham Jaguars golf shirt and khakis. “Normally, there are 20-24 kids on a high school golf team. We only had 14 kids try out that first year, so we kept everyone. Some were very good and others had never even played golf.” Golf is not only about skill, but also about socializing. Says Bourassa, “They make new friends and help each other with their games. I spend extra time teaching them balance and how to loosen their grips on
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Kevin Walsh, Comcast Sports Net the clubs. They have all improved so much.” That improvement is a direct result of Bourassa’s rigorous practice schedule. He explains, “We practice as often as we can, working on chipping, putting and any other weaknesses. “Learning how to read a putt uphill versus downhill, and not going for the home run on every swing are important. Most golfers have a hard time 40-60 yards from the green. Getting the feel of it is a key.” For a hopeful high school competitor, golf can be an exercise in frustration. Coach Bourassa relates an anecdote. “I had a freshman who hit every ball right down the middle at the driving range. I’m not sure he even knew how well he was doing. “When I played him in a varsity match, his first two holes were horrendous. I felt so
bad for the kid. He was in tears. ‘Coach, I’m awful. I’m not a golfer,’ he told me. I told him to just loosen his grip, stop gritting his teeth, and have fun. From the fourth hole on, he shot either par or single bogie. He just needed to relax.” After more than three decades protecting the lives of others, Bourassa is no stranger to leadership, but he is pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm of his latest charges. “I think I enjoy coaching even more than they enjoy playing. They have such great demeanors. They are like sponges. They want to learn everything about the game.” John Molori is the co-author of “The Cracker Jack Collection: Baseball’s Prized Players.” Like him on Facebook at John Molori, Twitter @MoloriMedia. Email molorimedia@aol.com
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EQUIPMENT REVIEW // BY ED TRAVIS
2015
Equipment Preview
Unless you are into cold weather golf, the season is just about finished but equipment manufacturers have already given us an idea of what we can expect for 2015. As part of our ongoing service, New England Golf Monthly brings you this preview of what to look for from the major club companies. Note that as of this writing not all companies have made announcements of their newest clubs. Some are waiting for the PGA Merchandise Show in January and others, such as the revitalized Ben Hogan brand, have a later schedule.
Adams Golf The new Tight Lies fairways ($200) and hybrids ($180) from Adams use the fifth generation of their Slot Technology in the crown and sole but with a difference. The modified barbell shaped crown slot is almost invisible (they call it a Ghost Slot) for a cleaner look at address but they continue the use of their signature “up-
side down” head shape, the distinctive shape Adams has used for years. The Tight Lies Titanium fairway ($250) has a titanium face and crown mated with stainless steel sole to produce the lowest center of gravity they have ever made. The Titanium Fairway also has a Ghost Slot and Adams says this club “reaches the USGA’s limit on spring-like effect.”
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Bettinardi Golf Bob Bettinardi is one of the world’s premier putter makers (all Bettinardi’s are made in the U.S.A.) but next year we will see his new wedge series dubbed the H2 for “High Helix,” which is the tool used on a CNC machine to cut the face of each wedge with Bettinardidesigned milling lines. This milling, in addition to the face grooves, improves ball contact and maximizes spin in either wet or dry conditions. The new wedges also have a C-Grind sole that allows the leading edge to make contact with the ground slightly longer at impact which is especially useful when making a shot with an open face. Available in either a bronze ($195) or nickel ($180) finish in several loft and bounce combinations the H2s come with a BS High Rev shaft stock.
Callaway Golf For players looking for lower spin tee shots, last year’s Big Bertha Alpha is joined by the Big Bertha Alpha 815 ($450) with an adjustable 460 cc clubhead in a choice of three lofts and incorporating the Gravity Core Callaway started using in the original Alpha. Then, for those with very high swing speeds looking for an even lower spin driver there’s the Big Bertha Alpha 815 Double Black Diamond model ($500) with a slightly smaller clubhead specifically designed to benefit those who hit in the center of the clubface most of the time (read touring professionals). Both 815s make use of RMOTO, Callaway’s rib motion technology to strengthen the clubhead.
Cleveland Golf For the new year Srixon’s Cleveland Golf division, which has the reputation for making top quality wedges, will offer new models in the 588 wedge family following up on the successful 588 RTX. The updated 588 RTX 2.0 carries a $130 sticker price, has sharper grooves and a new pattern for their micro-milled RTX face compared to the original. It is available in two head shapes, a traditional muscle-back for low handicap players and a cavity-back for, as Cleveland says, the “improving wedge player.” Sole bounce of the 588 RTX 2.0 wedges is progressively varied to give the best performance based on turf conditions, playing preference and skill level.
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Cobra Golf Cobra has dropped the Bio Cell name and calls their new line comprised of three new drivers, fairways, hybrids and irons, the Fly-Z. The drivers share a weight saving design with the Fly-Z driver ($330) having an increased resistance to twisting plus a titanium crown to go along with repositioning of the clubhead weight. The Fly-Z+ ($400) is significant because this top of the line model is Cobra’s first ever to have a repositionable weight. The 15-gram sole weight can be moved for either a lower ball flight (with added roll out) or higher flight for more carry. Additionally there’s an 8-loft setting hosel and the Fly-Z+ has a carbon fiber crown and sole construction. And for those who don’t need the adjustability Cobra’s Fly-Z XL is a wallet-friendly $280 and there’s a choice of three lofts, 9.5 degrees, 10.5 degrees and 11.5 degrees. The Fly-Z XL fairways ($200) also have had the weight taken from the crown and
moved low and back producing higher launch with added forgiveness. They share the Cobra Speed Channel with the three drivers. This “trench” goes around the face to help minimize face thickness and provide increased ball speeds all across the face. The fairways will be available in a choice of three lofts and each has a slightly offset design and with a back center of gravity. The matching hybrids ($170) also use Cobra’s “Crown Zone Weighting” to take weight from the crown, repositioned low and back in the clubhead. This helps with off center impacts so the forgiveness is a definite benefit to the average golfer. Cobra Fly-Z XL irons have the Speed Channel Face in common with the other models in the line plus a vibration dampening insert behind the face. The 3 through 8 irons have a dual cavity with the lower part being hollow giving a lower and deeper center of gravity. Priced at $500 with steel shaft for 4-iron through gap wedge there is also the option to create a combination set with the Fly-Z XL hybrids.
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Mizuno Golf The company best known for its players-category irons has announced a redesign of their JPX-850 driver ($400) and their sliding weight system—Fast Track--that we first saw back in 2007 on the MP-600 driver. There are also two laterally positioned weights that can be used to modify draw or fade bias. Fast Track, which allows front to back placement of two weights, is used to adjust the spin rate and launch trajectory to fit the user’s needs. The JPX-850 has slightly smaller 440cc clubhead size and has Mizuno’s Quick Switch hosel for adjusting loft. There are eight settings in one degree changes from 7.5 degrees to 11.5 degrees. We also liked the look of the JPX-850’s redesigned sole (Mizuno calls it “Shock Wave”) with a semi-circular channel that runs the entire width to produce more face flex at impact. The JPX-850 family also has fairways ($250) and hybrids ($200) with the fairways in
three lofts with each having a four degree range of loft adjustment. Hybrids share a similarly constructed thin steel face with the fairways, come in four lofts and have the Fujikura Motora shaft standard. The fairways have an accordion feature near the front of the sole that flexes and helps compensate when the ball is struck low on the face. Mizuno added new cast irons to the JPX-850 family with a very thin face and improved performance on off center hits from pushing clubhead weight to the perimeter with what the company calls their Power Frame design. List price is $800 in steel for 4 through gap wedge. The Power Frame will also found the in the JPX-850 Forged irons ($1,000 steel 4-gap wedge). These irons take advantage of Mizuno’s 6 years developing the use of boron in their Grain Flow Forging process. This provides 30 percent added strength to the face allowing for a thinner face and better ball speeds.
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Ping Golf Bubba Watson has gotten a lot of air time for his new pink-shafted G30 driver and though it was announced this past summer the new model line is just now generally available. The G30 Adjustable driver—460cc, $350—has “Turbulators” on the crown which are said to improve the aerodynamics for more club speed. The center of gravity has also been lowered and moved further back plus the head has a higher resistance to twisting than its predecessor. To optimize launch angle and spin the G30 is adjustable plus or minus 1 degree. G30 irons ($110 per club w/steel shaft; $125 per club w/graphite shaft) have progressive lengths and lofts with a thin face for more distance using Ping’ CTP structure design. We noted the leading edge radius has been made softer subtlety changing the bounce for better turf interaction.
TaylorMade Golf So far for the new season TaylorMade has announced a new iron family tagged RSi with what we think may be a real breakthrough in iron design. There are three versions; the RSi 1, RSi 2 and for better players the forged RSi TP. The RSi 1 has a cast head with TMaG’s inverted cone design behind the face and deep undercut cavity while the RSi 2s are cast stainless with tungsten weighting in the 3 through 5-irons, cast without the tungsten weighting in the 6 and 7-irons and cast, then mated, with forged faces in the 8 through pitching wedge. Each has TMaG’s sole slot called a Speed Pocket but that’s only the beginning. What separates the new RSi models from every other iron are two additional slots in the face; one towards the toe and one near the heel. Face slots are entirely new and TMaG believes they are the next big advancement in iron design because they both increase distance but more importantly give better performance on mis-hits, which according to their research occur 76 percent of the time. The new slots are built into the 3 through 8-irons of all three models. TMaG is banking the Face Slots will help the RSi to show as
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much of an improvement in performance as the original Speed Pocket did for the SpeedBlades and SLDRs of the past year. Both RSi 1 ($799 steel, $899 graphite) and RSi 2 ($999 steel, $1199 graphite) are available now and the RSi TP ($1199 steel) will be at retail on January 15, 2015.
Titleist Every two years Titleist comes out with a new driver line and for 2015 the 915 D2 (460cc $449) and D3 (440cc $449) are the latest. Each has an adjustable hosel with 16 loft and lie combinations and what Titleist tags as an Active Recoil Channel, a long, wide sole slot to help with more ball speed and lower spin. They feature a Radial Speed Face which is a forged face insert thinner towards the heel and toe to transmit more energy to the ball on off center impacts. And 915s have a high MOI (resistance to twisting) from the stability produced by a low and deep center of gravity.
Tour Edge Golf The big news from Tour Edge Golf is the new Hot Launch line featuring an adjustable driver at what could be called an “aggressive” price point for a major equipment manufacturer…$200. Tour Edge has a long history of providing golfers with clubs using the latest designs and materials at prices substantially below comparables The Hot Launch adjusts loft (8.5 to 12.5 degrees) with a 460cc titanium four-piece forged club head that positions the weight towards the rear center of the sole for better launch characteristics. We liked the looks of the Hot Launch Ironwoods and at $80 each with a graphite shaft they are a great bargain as well. There’s a thin forged face with hollow construction and are designed with an extra-large sweet spot plus they are very forgiving. Tour Edge second new model line for 2015 is the latest of the Exotics brand, the E8 with two drivers both using the company’s Power Grid in the sole. The E8 (460cc, $300) and the E8 Beta (440cc, $400) are both adjustable, the Beta being a low spin design with so a beta titanium face insert. There are also he E8 ($250) and E8 Beta ($300) fairways--the adE8 Beta having a slightly smaller clubhead-and E8 hybrids ($200) and irons at $600 for 4 ts. through pitching wedge with steel shafts.
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Wilson Golf After a successful start last model year on their quest to regain their place as a major force in the club business Wilson has introduced the new D200 line. The driver ($300) weighs in at just 268 grams making it a possible choice for those looking for increased clubhead speed and though lightweight it still offers a 6-way adjusting hosel. D200 fairways ($250) have a thin steel face insert to produce more ball speed and are also very light compared to other fairways. D200 hybrids ($180) make use of the same steel face insert as the fairways to
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create improved launch conditions. The stock shaft is the 54-gram UST Elements Chrome to help with lightweight performance. The irons in the D200 family (4 through gap wedge, $600 steel and $700 graphite) have Wilsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Speed Sole Technology, a thin face-to-sole transition that produces, according to the company, driver-like rebound when the face impacts the ball. Weight savings achieved by reshaping the face and sole were redistributed to heel and toe weight pods for increased MOI and forgiveness.
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ROSS’S RULES /// BY JACK ROSS
CAN AN OVERHAUL OF U.S. RYDER CUP RULES
Bring Back The Cup? The PGA of America thinks a task force can revitalize the United States Ryder Cup team. Fred Couples, who recently has emerged as a favorite of players to captain the 2016 team, thinks all the players need is “some love.” Following the U.S. defeat at Gleneagles in September, which triggered an icy exchange between Captain Tom Watson and Phil Mickelson over Watson’s management style, the PGA formed a task
October 2013 (part of the 2014 season) counted as much as a win in August 2014. FedEx Cup champion Billy Horschel was excluded from the team because his last wins came after the close of the Ryder Cup points system and Watson’s cut-off for making captain’s picks. The system should better allow for participation by the hottest players. Should there be an automatic spot for the FedEx Cup champion? (3) Captain’s Picks. Whether there should be
force to examine all aspects of the Ryder Cup process. Some observers, including Jack Nicklaus, think the task force is an overreaction; Europe simply had a stronger team. Nevertheless, the task force offers a rare opportunity to openly evaluate a system that was created in 1927 and has been tinkered with over the years.
fewer or more than three captain’s picks is a perennial subject of debate. An argument for more captain’s picks is that performance closer to the competition could be rewarded. Perhaps the biggest problem is the timing; Watson had to make his picks in early September, before the FedEx Cup concluded. There is a tension between obtaining the hottest players and promoting team continuity. (4) Format of Competition. Consider adopting the President’s Cup format, where all twelve players play in each portion of the matches. At Gleneagles, Watson was criticized for benching Mickelson and Keegan Bradley on Saturday. You’ve presumably selected your country’s best players; let them play. (This would favor the team with the most depth, and Europe would have to approve such a change.) (5) Course Selection. When the competition is in the U.S., choose courses that are most familiar to PGA Tour players. This should be about winning, not innovation. Jack Ross witnessed the devastating defeat of the U.S. team at Medinah in 2012.
Here are some observations concerning potential focal points for the task force: (1) Selection of Captains. Consider adopting the European approach, where there is a planned succession from vice-captain to captain over several competitions. This might create more consistency. Open up the selection process to input from the players and the PGA Tour. The domination of the process by the PGA (which represents club pros, not touring pros) is antiquated. (2) Point System for Determining Team Composition. Revise the system to emphasize performance closer to the competition. The current system employs a 2-year look-back, where players in 2014 could accumulate points for performances in major tournaments in 2013. In addition, a PGA Tour win in
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myNEGM.com Nov. / Dec. 2014 Vol VII Issue IX
Editor / Publisher
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Contributors Tom Gorman John Molori Tim Geary Alice Scott Pam Borges Laura Ebrecht Bob DiCesare Steve Riggs Robert Martin Jeff Palopoli Kathleen Dyson Emily Kay Matt Adams Jack Ross Jim Hammond Danny Scott Ed Travis Leigh McKay Becky Blaser Elisa Gaudet Greg Sampson Matt Ward
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WHAT’S NEWS | NOV. / DEC. 2014
Jon Curran Makes the Most of His PGA Tour Debut; Finishes T8 at the Frys.com Open to Earn $168,000 Jon Curran is making his presence felt on the PGA Tour. In his first event of the PGA Tour season, Curran posted three sub-par rounds at the Frys.com Open to finish tied for 8th overall. It marked the best result from a rookie this week in the season-opening event. Curran, who was the Christopher Cutler Rich MGA Junior Player of the Year from 2002 to 2004, officially secured his 2014-15 PGA Tour card for the first time at the conclusion of the Regular Season in late August. He finished 12th on the money list. In total last season, he registered 23 Web.com Tour starts, a record-breaking win, a 3rd, a 4th
and seven top-25s, with eight cuts made. When he was an amateur, the Hopkinton native was the top player on Hopkinton High School golf team along with good friend Keegan Bradley that won the Massachusetts state championship his junior year (Bradley’s senior year) by 28 shots. Bradley was the medalist, with Curran finishing among the top three. The Hillers successfully defended their title Curran’s senior year. He went on to enjoy a strong collegiate season at Vanderbilt University where he earned All-SEC and All-American honors in 2008-09. He was also the 2013 NGA Tour Player of the Year.
Your Winter Golf Cape Cod Destination (508) 430-5234 | www.CranberryGolfCourse.com 183 Oak Street Harwich, MA 02645
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WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS | NOV. / DEC. 2014
Team Massachusetts Makes History in Connecticut at the 81st Tri-State Matches; Bay State Captures Record 11th Straight Title It was another record-setting day for the 12-person team from Massachusetts. The Bay State contingent continued to make history by capturing an 11th straight Tri-State Matches title this afternoon. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event was hosted by Tumble Brook Country Club in Bloomfield, Connecticut. No other state has been able to accomplish such
a feat since the event was formally introduced in 1928. In its more than 80-year history, no other team has been able to claim that many titles in a row. With its most recent victory, Massachusetts now lays claim to 32 Tri-State Matches titles and is narrowing the gap with Connecticut (39), which still leads the race for overall titles.
On Sale on 12/22/14
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WHAT’S NEWS | NOV. / DEC. 2014 Mike Soucy and George Donnell Win 2014 Country Club of New Bedford Gilholm Cup
DARTMOUTH, MA, Three time Rhode Island Amateur champion, Mike Soucy (Valley (RI) CC) and George Donnell (Quidnessett (RI) CC) teamed up to win the 2014 Country Club of New Bedford Gilholm Cup on September 28th, scoring 68-66=134 6 under par, 36 hole total. They edged the runner up team of Paul Quigley and Kevin Blaser both of (Swansea CC) by only one stroke, 69-66=135. The annual tournament attracts the top amateurs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This year players also came from Chicago, IL, Washington, DC, New York and Washington State. The format is best ball, stroke play. The tournament is named for John Gilholm, PGA who was the legendary golf professional at the par 70 Donald Ross designed course for over 40 years.
A Full Field of Participants Enjoy the 8th MGA Junior Golf Fund Golf Tournament That is Now Part of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Invitational Series
The Annual MGA Junior Golf Fund Golf Tournament was held recently at TPC Boston. A sold-out field enjoyed a round of golf and a post-golf awards ceremony to help raise important funds for The First Tee of Massachusetts. “The support of the local golf community has allowed many of our participants to take part in opportunities that have made significant impacts on their lives,” said Joe McCabe, executive director of The First Tee of Massachusetts. “Within the last four years, The First Tee of Massachusetts has had participants attend national events like The First Tee Life Skills & Leadership Academy, The Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach and The First Tee Future Leaders Forum.”
REHOBOTH COUNTRY CLUB 155 Perryville Rd | Rehoboth, MA www.rehobothCC.com | (508) 252-6259
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Gift Certificate Now Available Season Passes Available
WHAT’S NEWS | NOV. / DEC. 2014 MGA Executive Director Jesse Menachem Honored With the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association’s George A. Jacobson Special Recognition Award Every fall, some of the top collegiate teams from New England take part in the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Golf Tournament on Cape Cod. It is believed to be the largest gathering of collegiate players from NCAA Divisions I, II and III competing at the same location on a 36-hole layout. This year marked the 80th playing of the golf tournament, which was hosted at The Captains Golf Course in Brewster on October 25-27. As part of the awards banquet, the NEIGA presented Jesse Menachem, the MGA’s executive director, with the 2014 George A Jacobson Special Recognition Award. The honor dates back to 1990 and is named after longtime NEIGA executive director and former Salem State College Golf Coach George Jacobson. It is annually awarded to an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to college golf.
Nearly 100 Girls Come Out to MGA Links in Norton For the Final Girls Independent Golf League (GIGL) Tournament of the Season Norton, MA — The professional staff and the members of MGA Links in Norton are doing their part to inspire young girls to dream big and empower them through the game of golf. This past season, the Norton-based, par 3 golf course served as host of the Girls Independent Golf League (GIGL), with the goal of getting more young girls involved in the game of golf. It was the brain child of MGA Links member Dave Barend, who was a parent to two young girls. What started as a small gathering of aspiring female junior golfers in the spring turned into a series of full field events.
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WHAT’S NEWS | NOV. / DEC. 2014
Peter Uihlein Shoots 4th Round 65 for Top-10 Finish at Sanderson Farms Peter Uihlein, playing as a non member of the American PGA Tour, posted a final round -7/65 to leapfrog up the leaderboard Sunday at the Sanderson Farms Championship for his best finish on the PGA TOUR in 20 starts. In fact Uihlein’s T-4th finish with Tour rookie Justin Thomas and John Rollins is his best outing of the 2014 season on both the American and European tours of which he is a regular member. The T-4 finish was worth $165,333.34 for the New Bedford, MA native. Uihlein’s final trip around the course at the Country Club of Jackson was bogey free with seven birdies. Peter looped the Jackson layout with just 4 bogeys for he week and played 30 bogey free holes in a row over his final 36 holes. Trying to qualify for the U.S. Open Championship in May, Uihlein was forced to withdraw from the qualifier in England due to a back injury. Looking at his results this year on the European Tour, I surmised the 25 year old player’s back problems may have started a month earlier in April. He missed the cut in seven straight European events between mid April and July when he made the cut and finished the Open Championship. Since the Open, Uihlein has made the cut in nine straight events including his T-9th in the Perth International event just weeks before making the trip back to the U.S. for the Sanderson Farms. A regular member of the European Tour since turning pro in 2012, Uihlein is currently ranked 77th in the tour’s Race to Dubai. Having committed to playing in the Turkish Airlines Open this week, his T-10 finish also qualifies Peter for the OHL Classic at Mayakoba, the final event of the PGA TOUR’s Fall Series. Uihlein’s career earnings, post Sanderson Farms, stands at $1,669,148 since 2012 with sluggish earnings this year of with just $521,474.
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WHAT’S NEWS | NOV. / DEC. 2014 PGA of America Promotes ‘Grow the Game’ Initiatives at PGA National Resort and Spa and at St. Lucie Trail Golf Club With two innovative initiatives, one national and the other local, the PGA of America has continued its mission to “grow the game.” On the national level, the PGA acted as the host of the third annual Diversity and Inclusion Symposium at the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, home of the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic. Just 45 minutes north on I-95 in Port St. Lucie, home of the four-course complex and resort owned by the PGA of America, the association unveiled the open-to-the-public St. Lucie Trail Golf Club with its unique and special focus on the local community. PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua opened the symposium and said, “We need to be more diverse; we need to be more inclusive.”
Major Sports Organizations Strive To Expand Opportunities The Diversity and Inclusion Symposium provided an open forum for participants to discuss, evaluate and create tangible solutions to drive greater diversity and inclusion in today’s sports culture. The symposium—featuring expert panels, roundtable discussions and general sessions—recognized, celebrated, and encouraged diversification and inclusion in the world of sports. The PGA acted in partnership with eight other major sports entities: Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, the National Basketball Association, National Collegiate Athletic Association, National Football League, National Hockey League and the United States Olympic Committee. The two-day Sports Diversity & Inclusion Symposium was hosted by the NFL in 2012 and by the USOC in 2013. The fourth annual event will be hosted by Major League Baseball in 2015.
$99 Gift Card Special 2 Rounds of Golf with Cart valid Mon-Fri (non-holiday) or Sat-Sun-Holiday after 12pm valid in 2015. This will only be for sale thru December 23rd
Purchase by Phone – 978.772.3330 Purchase in the Pro Shop 146 Shaker Rd. Harvard, MA 01451 Purchase Online at ShakerHills.com
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THANK YOU! Jimmy Fund Golf thanks our 2014 sponsors and Tournament Directors for raising more than $6.5 million for cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Insitiute.
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GORMAN VS. GEARY // BY TIM GEARY
Our final debate of 2014 is a return to an argument we had a few years ago, namely is golf a sport? Well, before we can even begin to argue on a subject, it might be a good idea to look at just what the definition of a sport is. According to the dictionary a sport is “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” So does golf have those parameters to qualify? Does it involve physical exertion? Not to the extent as playing full court basketball or ice hockey or even swimming a few competitive laps in a pool, but yes, there is physical exertion involved, particularly if you are walking the course in addition to the numerous times you swing the club. If you disagree that this falls into the category of physical exertion then David Ortiz or any other designated hitter does not participate in a sport, and neither does a kicker/punter in football. Of course most football players don’t regard kickers as athletes anyway. Does golf require skill? If you want to play it well or even respectably is certainly does. In fact golf may be the most skillfully challenging of all games/sports. It requires near perfection in the swing, which is a very athletic move, requiring timing, great hand/eye coordination, strength and balance. Consider that most of the world’s greatest golfers are or were great athletes. Jack Nicklaus
was a standout in both basketball and football. Tiger Woods could dunk a basketball and could have been a world class long or high jumper. Ernie Els was a standout rugby and soccer player. Billy Andrade was a great high school soccer and basketball player. And unlike other sports, you cannot make up for a lack of skill with hustle. You either execute or fail. In golf individuals do indeed compete against one another and also against the toughest opponent anyone will ever face, themselves and a piece of land (especially land that has a lot of water thrown about). And golfers certainly play for entertainment. Professionals do it to entertain galleries and people watching on T.V. and the rest of us do it to entertain ourselves. Although, to be truthful, golf usually stops being entertaining for us by the third shot of our rounds and becomes a test of temper. In my previous argument on this subject I conceded that the golf many play is a stretch to call a sport. If you are riding around the course with a pot belly, a stogie stuck between your teeth and a cooler of beer on the seat next to you, then a strong argument can be made that you are just spending time at an outdoor bar while occasionally advancing a little ball around a pasture. There is the game of golf and then there is the sport of golf, but that is what makes golf so appealing. It has different levels, so it’s really impossible to put it in one box. It’s much like the game/sport of softball. Sunday morning beer leagues are all about camaraderie and having a good time, while hoping not to blow out a hammie. Then there is the serious softball where you find some really amazing athletes. Golf, played at a high level, even among top club players, is a serious sport, that requires training, practice, nutrition discipline and a great skill set. While detractors of the game point to the overweight pros that you occasionally see, the
Is Golf Really a Sport?
GORMAN VS. GEARY // BY TOM GORMAN
What I find amusing about the question of whether golf is a sport is also what I find most disturbing. Seems like the couch potatoes, knuckleheads and drunks have a lot to say defending the game, not the sport, they like to play. At the approximate15,000 golf courses throughout the nation, there are way too many “outside elements” such as golf carts, pull carts and caddies, to convince me that golf is a sport. Doesn’t playing a “sport” require athleticism? And, aren’t athlete’s people who demonstrate superior skill in the areas of strength, agility and stamina? I do not connect a golfer with the word “athlete.” So there’s got to be some running involved to call golf a sport, and, it seems to me that the minimum requirement is that walking be involved. In 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court addressed that question. In a decision involving the PGA Tour v. Martin the Court ruled that the PGA Tour must allow disabled golf Casey Martin to use a golf cart between holes, rather than walk. The Court supported its decision by finding that whether a golfer walks between holes, it does not “fundamentally alter the nature” of the game. So how can you call playing golf a sport where being ambulatory is not a basic minimum physical requirement? Just because golf is difficult doesn’t mean it’s a sport. Brain surgery and computer programming are difficult, but they’re not sports. Just because you compete doesn’t make it a sport either. A spelling bee is a competition, but not a sport. Golf is a hobby or recreation, and usually
played to pass time. Playing golf is no more a sport than playing cards, marbles or scratching lottery tickets! I agree with former professional tennis player John McEnroe who once said, “Golf is not a sport - it’s an artistic exercise like ballet. You can be a fat slob and still play golf.” Every clubhouse I visit, I’m seeing more fat slobs golfing. Every spring I’m seeing more middle-aged white males, with huge waist-lines, driving golf carts. And, most of these lazy slugs play cart-golf. That involves no walking at all since they drive the cart as close to the golf ball and green as possible, before hitting their next shot. Nine times out of 10 the carts are loaded up with beer, cigars and other accoutrements that require zero exertion. For all the kumbaya talk from blowhards like Tim Geary, who claim Tiger Woods is an athlete because he works out; we only have to look in dismay at John Daly, the epitome of a loser’s loser. Have another Twinkie fat boy! In order to settle this feud with Mr. Geary, I wanted to nail down the definition of a sport and see if golf fits the definition. You might think this debate, which started as an argument and has turned into a future fistfight, could be settled by checking the dictionary. My Webster’s version defines sport as “physical activity engaged in for pleasure.” Now you tell me, how much pleasure do you get when you splash a ball in a pond; smash a 5-iron deep into the woods or 3-putt from 12 feet? It’s about the same amount of pleasure as a root canal - right? No help from Webster. As for my definition of sport? Golf is certainly an athletic activity even though you can smoke and drink beer while playing, but it is not a sport. For me, golf has been an incurable addiction, a vice and obsession, and there is no 12-step program that will help! Tom Gorman, dislikes motorized golf carts, and falsely believes that he plays better when he walks.
Is Golf Really a Sport?
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