Golf July 2014

July 2014

Minneapolis Golf Offers Variety!

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TBDGA 2014 Tournaments ECCO Street EVO One Expands Horizons of Hybrid Golf Shoe Performance STAAL OPEN PRESENTED BY TBAYTEL UNVEIL LINE UP FOR PORTER AIRLINES CELEBRITY PRO-AM

Staal Open Presented by Tbaytel Schedule of Events

PGA Tour Pro Hunter Mahan Installs Full Swing Golf Simulator at Home

TBDGA 2014 Tournaments

ECCO Street EVO One Expands Horizons of Hybrid Golf Shoe Performance Patented E-DTS System Provides Unmatched Grip, Ground Feel and Stability (MARKHAM, ONTARIO) – Danish company ECCO – a leading manufacturer of innovative footwear – announces the launch of Street EVO One, a performance hybrid golf shoe combining the award-winning ECCO Dynamic Traction System (EDTS) with an array of proprietary stabilization features.

Michael Waack, Head of Global Golf at ECCO. “It’s yet another example of the advantages that come with our foot-first approach to designing and producing premium golf shoes.”

As a key point of distinction, ECCO owns its factories and controls the entire shoe-

Showcasing an eye-catching, two-color outsole and modern classic upper, Street EVO One is part of the Spring/Summer 2014 men’s golf collection that will be worn in competition by Tour stars like Fred Couples, Graeme McDowell, Ernie Els, Will Wilcox, Thomas Bjørn, Thongchai

Embodying the shoemaking craftsmanship and technical advances for which ECCO is renowned, Street EVO One (MSRP $220) boasts a Direct-injected midsole with an integrated shank piece. This design cups and cushions a player’s heel, delivering comfort and torsional support while creating an exceptionally stable platform from which golfers can power through each shot.

Offering a slightly wider platform than previous versions of the best-selling Golf Street model, Street EVO One is built atop a patented outsole configuration of approximately 100 moulded traction bars and 800 traction angles. Constructed from TPU – a highly durable, wear-resistant material – these elements provide superb, Tour-quality grip.

“The way Street EVO One looks, feels and plays puts it in a class by itself,” says

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through manufacturing in its own factories and all the way to its stores. ECCO's Scandinavian design philosophy, "The shoe must follow the foot", is guiding the company. ECCO creates high-comfort, functional, stylish shoes and timeless bags, accessories, small leather goods and shoe care products. Still family owned, ECCO is headquartered in Denmark and employs more than 19,500 people of 57 nationalities worldwide. ECCO products can be found in the 1,100 ECCO stores and 14,000 other sales locations in 85 countries.

ECCO retail locations in Canada include Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Along with ECCO retail stores, there are more than 400 retailers across Canada that carry the ECCO brand.

ECCO Shoes Canada Inc. is based in Markham, Ontario. For more information, please visit www.eccocanada.com or call 1.800.358.3226.

making process – from raw materials to finished footwear. This dovetails with the company’s position as one of the world’s largest producers of luxury leathers.

Jaidee, Marcel Siem, Wu Ashun, Andreas Hartø and JB Hansen.

Street EVO One is offered in high-grade cow leather and genuine camel leather versions, both of which include the exclusive ECCO HYDROMAX™ tanned-in treatment for remarkable weather resistance.

More than 350 million pairs of ECCO shoes have walked the earth since 1963, when Karl Toosbuy founded the company in Denmark. ECCO is one of the few major shoe manufacturers in the world to own and manage every step of the shoemaking process - from leather production

About ECCO

July 2014

www.golfingnews.ca Staal Open Presented by Tbaytel Schedule of Events With enormous player success on PGA TOUR Canada and ongoing additions of many unique activities leading up to and during the PGA TOUR Canada event, the Staal Foundation Open, presented by Tbaytel, is shaping up to be one of the premier attractions of the summer in Thunder Bay.

support from the community has been overwhelming, with more than 400 signed up to date and counting.

With an extremely talented roster of PGA TOUR Canada professionals, a slew of celebrity appearances and a city filled with entertainment, it is certain to be an exciting week in Thunder Bay. The official start date, including the opening ceremony, is Monday, July 14th.

ONLY) TBCC – Junior Clinic and Ladies & Mens Clinic Times: 5:00pm-6:00pm and 6:00pm-7:00pm Location: Whitewater • Porter Airlines Celebrity Pro-am – Afternoon (INVITE ONLY) Time: 12:30pm start Location: Whitewater • Porter Airlines Celebrity

The Staal Foundation Open will feature a number of the world’s most talented golfers competing against each other in a tough contest right here in Thunder Bay at Whitewater Golf Club. PGA TOUR Canada players have already begun to put up some impressive scores with the top four players in the first round in Victoria hitting a 63 (-7), 64 (-6), 65 (-5), and 65 (-5) respectively.

The Staal Foundation Open, presented by Tbaytel, relies on a dedicated pool of community members who volunteer their time to support this event. The volunteer

Riley Wheeldon was here last year for the event announcement. On the cover Cory Renfrew.

Tournament Schedule SATURDAY, JULY 12th, 2014 • Volunteer Orientation Day Time: 10:00am-1:00pm Location: Condfederation College, Lecture Theater Room 351, 2nd Floor • Course Set-Up SUNDAY, JULY 13th, 2014 • Course Set-Up • Caddie Clinic Time: 1:00pm Location: Whitewater Practice Facility • Pairings Party for the Porter Airlines Celebrity Pro-am (INVITE ONLY) Time: 6:30pm Location: Tony and Adam’s

Miranda Bolt Graphic Designer

Sonia Rutter @ 807-631-4244

july 2014

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16th, 2014 • PGA TOUR Canada Pro Practice Rounds Time: All day starting at 7:00am Location: Whitewater • PGA TOUR Canada Pros at the Practice Facility at Whitewater • Regional Junior Clinic Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm • Sponsors VIP Reception Dinner (INVITE ONLY) Time: 6:30pm Location: Valhalla Inn Ballroom THURSDAY, JULY 17th, 2014 • First Round Time: starts at 7:00am Location: Whietewater • Night at the Ball Park ( w/ TOUR Pro’s) Thunder Bay Border Cats Time: 6:30pm Location: Tbaytel Park

The Staal Foundation Open has arranged an extensive schedule of festivities surrounding this major golfing event on and off the course. These activities will complement the golf and give visitors an experience filled with entertainment.

PGA TOUR Canada and city events Throughout the week there will be countless celebrity appearances with hosts Eric, Jordan, Jared and Marc Staal, supporting and participating in activities such as the celebrity Pro-am. Some others who will be present for the celebrity Pro-am include: Carter Hutton, Tom Pyatt, and Robert Bortuzzo, as well as an appearance from Olympic Curling Gold Medalist Brad Jacobs and many others.

Time: 6:30pm Location: Valhalla Inn Ballroom

MONDAY, JULY 14th, 2014 • Opening Ceremonies Time: 10:00am Location: Whitewater • Media Conference Time: 11:00am Location: Whitewater • PGA TOUR Canada Pro Registration Time: 8:00am-5:00pm • PGA TOUR Canada Pro Practice Rounds Time: 7:00am-11:30am Location: Whitewater • Monday Qualifier 10 spots Time: Tee times start at 7:00am Location: Fort William Country Club • Golf Clinics with PGA TOUR Canada Professionals (INVITE

Pro-am - Awards Dinner (INVITE ONLY) Time: 6:30pm Location: Whitewater TUESDAY, JULY 15th, 2014 • PGA TOUR Canada Pro Registration Time: 8:00am-5:00pm Location: Whitewater Clubhouse • PGA TOUR Canada Pros at the Practice Facility at Whitewater • Can-Op Official Pro-am Morning Tee Times – 7:00am start Afternoon Tee Times – 12noon • Golf Clinics with PGA TOUR Canada Professionals (INVITE ONLY) Chapples Golf Course Junior Clinic and Ladies & Mens Clinic Times: 10:00am11:00am and 11:00am – 12:00pm Location: Chapples Whitewater Golf Club – Junior Clinic and Ladies & Mens Clinic Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm and 3:00pm-4:00pm Location: Whitewater • Whitewater Golf Club – Sponsors Demonstration Clinic Times: 5:00pm-6:00pm and 6:00pm-7:00pm Location: Whitewater • Fort William Country Club – Junior Clinic and Ladies & Mens Clinic Times: 4:00pm-5:00pm and 5:00pm – 6:00pm Location: Fort William Country Club • Can-Op Official Pro-am Awards Dinner (INVITE ONLY)

FRIDAY, JULY 18th, 2014 • Second Round Time: starts at 7:00am Location: Whitewater • OLG Casino Cut Party (INVITE ONLY) Time: 7:00pm to 11:00pm Location: OLG Casino • FLASHBACK FRIDAY OUTDOOR TRIBUTE CONCERT at Fort William Historical Park GATES OPEN @ 5:00pm – Destroyer (KISS Tribute Band), Simply Queen (Queen Tribute Band), Thunderstruck (AC/DC Tribute Band) SATURDAY, JULY 19th, 2014 • Third Round Time: starts at 8:00am Location: Whitewater • Demo Day: Adams, Ping and Taylor Made • CANADA ROCKS! LIVE OUTDOOR CONCERT at the Fort William Historical Park GATES OPEN @ 5:00pm - THE STAMPEDERS, DAVID WILCOX, CHILLIWACK SUNDAY, JULY 20th, 2014 • Final Round Time: starts at 8:00am Location: Whitewater • Trophy Presentation and Closing Ceremonies Time: 5:30pm Location: Whitewater • Volunteer Appreciation Party (INVITE ONLY) Time: 6:00pm Location: Fort William Historical Park ents Schedule

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Minnesota Golf Offers Variety!

BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

NW Ontario Golfing News As a resident of Thunder Bay, Ontario located just 300 miles from Minneapolis, I had never played any golf in this urban area.

There had been several trips to Northern Minnesota including Lutsen, Biwabik and Brainerd but never to the glitzy area of Minneapolis - St Paul.

My trip began with a 5-hour drive down Hwy 61 adjacent to beautiful Lake Superior, the largest fresh water lake in the world!, to Duluth and then on to the Radisson Lodge Mall Of America in Bloomington. The 400 room plus Radisson features the Water Park of America and is right across the street from the famous Mall of America. The Radisson is an excellent place to base your stay in the Twin Cities and offers a very clean modern room complete with 42 inch flat screen TV and a nice desk area with a king bed as well. In my room were two bunk beds as well curtained off. The Radisson is a very family friendly place.

My first course to play in Minneapolis would be the Legends Club located about 15 miles from the Radisson. The course opened in 2001 after a redevelopment.

Formerly called Scottsdale, it was bought, redeveloped and opened in July 2001. “ There is probably not a blade of grass the same here. The designer was Gill and he has done several redesigns of courses in Minneapolis. Enebeck Construction did the work and it’s arm, Tradition Golf manage this and several other courses in the area.,” said Jim Amireaylt, starter and ranger at the Legends.”

The Legends has a $79 green fee plus $15 cart fee and offers some specials. There are 36 homes on the course and some of those homeowners are members, but it is basical-

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ly a daily fee course. Typically the Legends opens early in April and can stay open until November if the weather is good. “ I like the fact that you know where you are going on the holes here at the Legends, there is lots of undulation and there is the feeling of being in nature out there. It has a

weather was a little rainy and overcast but the course was still fun to play with Brian Grinde, Assistant Golf Pro at Stonebrooke Golf Club. Brian is originally from Fargo, North Dakota and did a golf scholarship in Colorado.

The Stonebrooke Golf course is about 20

Brian Grinde. “We mostly have the general public as players and it is fairly easy to get on especially on the weekdays. The last two years we have started around March 15th and go to mid November.”

After two days of golf it was off to the Best Western Plus Shakopee Inn, which was even closer to the courses coming up for me to play. This hotel property was the First Energy Star hotel in Minnesota and prides itself on the many energy saving techniques they have put in place. The hotel features a full breakfast for it’s guests and offers a games room, pool and 5 computer workstations for your use at no cost. There is also free Wi-Fi in the rooms.

During my stay here I was able to visit the Canterbury Race Track, which is few miles

Above: Stonebrooke Golf course Side: The Radisson Mall of America natural feel. We can have 240 players out here in a day but you didn't’ know it. You can play it differently every time you come out here depending on the wind. The variety brings a lot of people back,” said Amireaylt. “ I have had golfers from Toronto, Edmonton and Winnipeg here. We have great people at the Legends and the players feel welcomed. The course is always in great shape.”

It was especially fun to play with Pat, a golf professional who played for East Tennessee State at college and then on the Asian Tour where he achieved some great success. His 300-yard plus drives allowed him to make at least 6 birdies on the round and drive a par 4!

My next golf course stop was Stonebrooke Golf Club in Shakopee. The

years old and plays to about 6500 yards from the back tees. The greens are fast, undulating and very tricky. It is located in Shakopee, 25 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. The clubhouse is one of the best in the Minneapolis area with several waterfalls visable adjacent to the dining area. The green fee here is $58.00 and if you book online you get the golf cart for free.

You can see what times are available at www.stonebrooke.com. Fall rates are $39.00 Stonebrooke is located 2 1/2 miles from the Mystic Lakes Casino. “ I like the scenic views especially on holes 7 and 8 where you get a ferry ride on our custom pontoon boat to number 8. We pick up your carts and drive them onto our pontoon and then take you across the lake. It is nice and a great feature of the course,” said

away. This famed facility features on and off track betting and an elaborate card room. It’s worth a visit. \ Continued Next Page

July 2014

Minnesota Golf Offers Variety!

Continued From Previous Page

My next golf course in Minneapolis would be the Ridges at Sand Creek, located just about 10 miles from my hotel. “ We started construction in 1999 and opened in 2000 so it is our 11th year of operation. We had a good spring then and two construction

a cute small freight operation to a flourmill and hook up to the main line. There is a local artist who lives on the course and has some of her artwork on display as you make your way down to the lower part of the course on the back nine. There are 44 home lots on the course. “ We felt people want to live at the course not on the course. We did the course buying

www.ridgesatsandcreek.com are specials early and late in the year. The course is open until mid November usually.

My last night staying in Shakopee would be at the America Inn Shakopee, which is very well located in the area. This modern property features a great breakfast complete with the ability to make your own waffles!

After checking in to this hotel I was off to see the new Target Field and the Minnesota Twins play the Detroit Tigers. It was a fun

experience to take the Metro liner from the Mall of America right to the entrance of Target Field. After picking up my media credential it was off to the Press Box in this brand new stadium. The food served to the media was excellent. This game began under a hostile looking sky and after 4 innings large sized hail began to fall. The game was delayed but finished that evening with Detroit easily winning the match.

Continued Page 8

Top The Wilds Golf Club, Minneapolis Above Mike Malone, owner and GM of the Ridges at Sand Creek crews working on it, one on the bottom holes and one on top. There are 11 holes below the ridge and 7 holes up on top. The course holes on the top are bigger and wider open. Down below the course is tighter and you have sand creek running through it,”

the land from the developers to keep it separate. We have 400 acres here and the bigger the piece of land the better you can get the landing sites. There are no blind holes,” said Malone. “ The beauty of our area is there is lots of things to do with Canterbury

Top: The Wilds Golf Club, Minneapolis with

said Mike Malone, owner and GM of the Ridges at Sand Creek. “ You have such a variety of holes designed by Joel Goldstrand who played on the PGA Tour for 18 years as a journeyman. He retired to be the club pro at Minneapolis Golf Club and then started doing design work. We thought at the beginning it would be better to have some one from out of state but I knew Joel and thought I’ll interview him last. He just knew so much about building our golf course and also knew the site guys well. It was kind of a tough site to do due to the clearing. We got the guys from Ashland, Wisconsin - Northern Clearing to do the work. They did Superior National Course the third nine as well.”

The Ridges at Sand Creek is a pretty course with a rail line just beside, which is

Race Track, Mystic Lake Casino, Valley Fair and the Mall of America close by.

People like to stay in Shakopee.” “ I like the variety of the course. You really get to use every club in your bag. I enjoy a game of golf like that. You have 5 sets of tees so you can play from 5100 to 7000 yards. If you play your right yardage you can make some pars and birdies and that is fun,” said Malone. “ It is going well here.

We get mid 30,000 rounds per year and rely on the area of southwest metro mostly. It has been fun for me owning the course as a long time golf pro. I like the game and the people. I am here every day.”

The green fees at The Ridges at Sand Creek are $36 walking through the week plus $15 if you want a cart. Weekend it is $43 plus $15 cart. On their web site

July 1st to 31st , 2014

July 2014

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STAAL FOUNDATION OPEN PRESENTED BY TBAYTEL UNVEIL LINE UP FOR PORTER AIRLINES CELEBRITY PRO-AM MONDAY, JULY 14 IS THE START OF THIS YEAR’S EVENT WITH OPENING CEREMONIES at 10 AM AND THE PORTER AIRLINES PRO-AM SCHEDULED FOR 12:30 PM Thunder Bay, ON (July 8, 2014) Organizers of the Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel, unveiled the lineup for the Porter Celebrity Pro-am scheduled for Monday July 14, the first day of the week-long event.

The lineup includes NHLers and members of the Staal family, the Pyatts, Matt Cullen, Ric Nattress, Carter Hutton and Olympic Curling Champion Brad Jacobs to name a few.

The Porter Celebrity Pro-Am is the first of many events scheduled on and off the course during the week of July 14-20. A full schedule is available online at staalopen.ca.

Tournament Executive Director, Scott Smith, said that from the start the event was more than just a golf tournament. "We put a call out to the community to organize events and participate, making this a full week of celebration. The community really responded and now we have a full roster of activities that will interest everyone.

This is quite the feat for our first year."

One of the highlights on the course is the display of a Formula One racing car brought in by Total Lubricants.

Beyond the variety and number of festive activities, the competition begins officially on Thursday with a roster of 156 players. "We have an exciting roster for the competition," says Smith. "Our

most recent addition of Walter Keating Jr. and Jeff Hunter join two other local golfers who qualified through district events; Evan DeGrazia and Jamie DePiero along with Matt Hill and Alan Mclean to round out the six exemptions allotted to the tournament

event. Children ages 14 and under are free. St. Joseph's Foundation volunteers will be on site managing parking at a cost of $5 per vehicle per day. In return, parking passes carry a $10 voucher for redemption at Kelsey's, Montana's and/or Five Forks restaurants.

Doug Demeo , Staal Open Volunteer organizers.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for Monday, July 14 at 10:00 a.m. at Whitewater and will include local dignitaries and participants from Fort William Historical Park to name a few.

Tickets are still available online or by contacting one of the designated charities, the United Way and Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Foundation. Cost of tickets is $10.00 per day or $30.00 for the week-long

"We began the organization of this event more than a year ago. Since then we have all learned a lot, dedicated a lot of our own personal time and resources and had the support of our business community and government. I had no doubt that this would all come together as well as it has. Thunder Bay is known for its hosting and hospitality and this event is no different," said Executive Director, Scott Smith.

CELEBRITIES FOR PRO-AM CONFIRMED CELEBRITY SPORT/PROFESSION PGA TOUR CANADA STAAL FOUNDATION OPEN PRESENTED BY TBAYTEL | STAALOPEN.CA Eric Staal Hockey Jordan Staal Hockey Marc Staal Hockey Jared Staal Hockey Brad Jacobs Curling Robert Bortuzzo Hockey Carter Hutton Hockey Trevor Letowski Hockey Tom Pyatt Hockey Taylor Pyatt Hockey Matt Cullen Hockey Brett Bellemore Hockey Scott Walker Hockey Rick Nattress Hockey Stew Gavin Hockey Jeremy Taggart Music

PGA Tour Pro Hunter Mahan Installs Full Swing Golf Simulator at Home SAN DIEGO, CA - San Diego-based golf simulator maker Full Swing Golf announced that PGA Tour pro Hunter Mahan recently installed one of its golf simulators featuring Ion2 Vision Technology in his house.

"I use it several times a week, to fine-tune my game," says Mahan. "I like to practice on my simulator in range mode, where the data feedback is very extensive and always reliable. It gives me the tools and data I need to analyze my game, make adjustments and consistently improve. It's great to have this technology in my own home where I can practice when I want and how I want."

"Full Swing Golf is proud to claim PGA Tour superstar Hunter Mahan as a customer", said Chad Coleman, vice president of sales and marketing for Full Swing Golf. "Hunter uses his machine several times a week to tune-up and dial-in, that's a lot of trust and confidence in our technology. We're proud that PGA Tour pros like Hunter trust FSG for our accuracy and realism. In addition to Hunter's busy tour schedule, Hunter is a new dad with a young family. His FSG sim offers highlytechnical feedback and fun with unparalleled convenience... right down the hall."

About Full Swing Golf

July 2014

Full Swing Golf is located in San Diego, California and manufactures and markets the leading indoor golf simulator to businesses and consumers worldwide. The diverse line of simulators and performance products can be customized to fit the needs of various clientele, including golf professionals, retail businesses, residential communities, luxury resorts, teaching facilities, golf centers and homeowners. www.fullswinggolf.com

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Minnesota Golf Offers Variety!

BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

NW Ontario Golfing News Continued from Page 5 My final golf game in Minneapolis would be the Wilds Golf Club. The course opened July of 1995 and was designed by the team of Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish.

ty. You kind of do a figure 8 around the property and the holes are unique with different winds, etc. You usually don’t see any other holes except for one. It is great for our layouts. We have 140 acres here and there are 1200 houses on the whole property. Not all of the homeowners are golfers but they at least take advantage of the clubhouse,” said Gordon.

Shad Gordon, GM and Director of Golf at the Wilds Golf Club

good price point to work with.” “ We don’t have a signature hole but I feel every hole has it’s own personality. There aren’t any holes that don’t seem to fit. The elevation changes are great and picturesque. “ Our course is unique in that many courses look at the land and where the house will be built and then look at the golf course after that. We wanted to build the best golf course on the land the designers chose first.

They could do whatever they wanted and then we would build the home lots later,” said Shad Gordon, GM and Director of Golf at the Wilds Golf Club.

The Wilds Golf Club is located right near the Mystic Lake Casino property and is an upscale area. The course features broad fairways and winds itself through some very attractive homes. “ What I like about the course is that every hole is different and has it’s own personali-

“ You can go on our web site and it is updated almost daily to have the latest and greatest information. We can be busy say when we have our pay the temperature rate but golf had changed over time where today it is a lot easier to get a tee time than say 5 years ago primarily due to the economy.

Today you can get a tee time on Saturday.

You can find a place to play if you look around,” said Gordon. “ We are a public course but offer a VIP package for $2695 where you get unlimited golf and cart with no dues or any minimums. Also you could try our players card which for $200 upfront means you get a reduced green fee of $55, 7 days a week including cart. It is a pretty

For me personally what I like about the Wilds is I started my career here as my first job. I met my wife here, who was the beverage cart gal and is now a schoolteacher. I proposed to my wife here and had my

reception here. This course means more to me than anybody else. I started out changing steel spikes, sweeping the floor and worked up to the top position here,” smiles Gordon. “ I grew up as a caddy at Hazeltine and took business at college. I enjoyed taking clients out to the course so much that I decided how can I work in golf full time. If you do something you love you will never work a day in your life, my grandfather told me.”

At the Wilds the rack rate green fee in the summer is $80 plus a cart fee of $16. That also includes unlimited range balls usage.

They also have twilight weekday rates that can range from $30 to $80. They are known for their spring and fall promotions where you can pay the green fee rate of the temperature.

It was fun playing golf in the Minneapolis area. This is a great place for Canadians to visit especially early or late in the golf season. The weather will be nice then, especially compared to home in Canada!

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Tel: (807) 683-4900 Fax: (807) 345-8005 Toll Free: 1-800-465-3915 July 2014