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golfer’s tee times Editor-in-Chief/Publisher .................................................................................Marian Castner Graphic Design ....................................................................................................... Daria Little Senior Writer .................................................................................................. Richard J. Skelly Contributing Writers........................................... Sean Fawcett, Steve Gordon & Andrea Smith Advertising .............................................................................Marian Castner & Sean Fawcett Copyright 2017 - All Rights Reserved Visit us on our new website: www.njgolfnews.com Office: Golfer’s Tee Times Media Group PO Box 163, Marlboro, NJ 07746-0163 Phone: (732) 577-1995 Email: editor@njgolfnews.com Golfer’s Tee Times welcomes editorial ideas and submissions by writing or email.

We assume no responsibility for unsolicited materials nor do we guarantee that work submitted will be published. Editorial & advertising inquiries should be addressed to: editor@njgolfnews.com Photo Credits: Ballamor Golf Club, Harbor Pines Golf Course, Jaworski Golf, LPGA TOUR, PGA TOUR, Raritan Valley Golf Club, Richard J. Skelly, Sean Fawcett, ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer, Topgolf, Twisted Dune Golf Course, USGA,

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S RING S MMER 2

Letter from the Editor Dear Readers,

May/early June, outside of Atlantic City – providing us a chance to see many of the best players in the world, both men and women.

For amateur golfers wishing to participate in more competitive play – there is a wide variety around the state for both adults and juniors. Take a look at the US Kids Junior Golf events, PGA Junior League, JGA Tour, NJPGA Junior Tour, Hurricane Junior Tour, South Jersey Golf Association, Golf Mission Association, Golf Club of NJ, New Jersey State Golf Association, Golf Association of Philadelphia, NJ & Philadelphia PGA events and so much more. There is truly something for everyone.

We have so much to look forward to and Golfer’s Tee Times is lucky to have your support and readership. We are here to provide you that unbiased news from local golf courses and community.

We always encourage our readers to contact us with ideas and comments, and look forward to hearing from you this season.

Another golf season is here, and for the 27th consecutive year, we are excited to bring golf news from around the state to our readers.

In 2017, many golf courses are reviewing their strategic plans and examining how their course fits into today’s demographics. We will be profiling several of these courses this year, as these courses that will be the leaders of the future.

Perhaps the biggest topic in the offseason was the opening of Topgolf in Edison, and another one is coming later this year in south Jersey. The baby boomers are still an integral part of country club membership and rounds played, but millennials spend their golf dollars differently. The landscape of the golf industry is changing.

While the exact direction it takes over the next few years leads to some uncertainty in the industry, we still have an abundant amount of great golf courses within a hundred miles. We are lucky to have great options to play in New Jersey, and nearby Pennsylvania and New York. Take advantage of what they have to offer.

For spectators, we are very fortunate to have the U.S. Women’s Open at Trump National Golf Club-Bedminster this July, the President’s Cup at Liberty National in the Fall, ShopRite LPGA Classic in late

Marian Castner Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Email: editor@njgolfnews.com, Office: 732-577-1995

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Beyond the Traditional Golf Course – How Topgolf and other year-round facilities look to attract Millennials?

Sk el l y

The dynamics within the game of golf are changing.

The older baby boomers, while still the mainstay at most private golf clubs, are slowing diminishing their time at the golf course, and we all hear about the industry concerns about the millennials participation in the game.

Will they be willing to spend not only the time, but the same amount of wealth that past generations spent at the golf course? It’s a big question, and of course, a big concern for the $ 70 billion golf industry.

But the golf industry is not standing still and the

along with brochures highlighing fundraising events, various types of membership packages available to individual and corporate groups, and in general, the push is on for all types of events from birthday parties to corporate recruiting events from bachelor and bachelorette parties and bar and bat mitzvahs.

“The great thing about Topgolf and why we’ve been popular here in New Jersey and a lot of other places is we appeal to a broad spectrum of guests, all ages and ability levels,” Norvell argues.

“Our guests enjoy the variety of games you can play.

Basically, what we’ve done is taken the driving range and e panded it Scoring is definitely something that our guests enjoy. Kids want feedback right away, and that’s one unique component that sets us apart not only from other driving ranges but also from other restaurant concepts.”

And yes, Norvell is a Class A PGA teaching professional who knows the game of golf inside and out from his years working in “real turf” facilities. He was

move in New Jersey to year-round facilities with stateof-the-art technology has arrived.

Using land along Route 1 that was once home to Ford Motor Co. manufacturing plant for trucks and cars, Topgolf has moved into the space in Edison and created 500 jobs in the process. While Topgolf is not an “indoor” golf facility, it is a useful facility for golfers of all skill levels. As part of a growing chain of golf facilities, it’s designed to appeal to people who don’t play golf. The facility is designed to have the kind of mass appeal that good bowling alleys used to have.

Topgolf, a rapidly growing chain of golf facilities that far exceeds the normal driving range, was welcomed in dison Township by most officials in an area where the sprawling township of 80,000 people recently saw the closings of the Fairway Golf Center and the Golf Digest Learning Center, which used to be located by the [ former] N ew Y o r k T i m es color printing plant.

The new Edison facility opened in late December near the holidays, but has been officially open se en days a week since January.

“Since we’ve opened, we’ve been a popular destination,” said Director of Operations Justin Norvell, while gesturing towards Route 1, busy with six lanes of northbound and southbound traffic on a rainy, raw late winter day. Since he started with Topgolf four years ago, “I’ve had the opportunity to open facilities in Austin, Phoenix, Cincinnati and now Edison,” he explained as we sat outside on the first le el at a hitting station with the heat turned on.

“I’ve been in four states and three time zones, so it’s been a lot of fun,” he related.

Norvell played on the golf team one year at Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C., and majored in golf management there. Prior to joining Topgolf four years ago, Norvell worked for the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotel / resort chains where he managed various private, public and resort properties in Florida and the Bahamas.

Given the size of the various dining areas, the profusion of wait staff and other assistance available here, it’s clear the overall philosophy at Topgolf making it a place to bring your family, friends, parties or your co-workers for business meetings.

The “pro shop” offers some Topgolf branded items

“We do put clubs in the hands of a lot of non-golfers.

Beginners, juniors, seniors, people who would not normally be swinging a golf club enjoy coming here,” Norvell points out. The owners of the company, based in Dallas, have gone out of their way to make the facilities surpass what hard-core golfers find at the typical dri ing range. Indeed the name, top, stands for target oriented practice, and the company is the brainchild of two brothers from London who later sold the majority interest they had to a group of investors in Dallas in 2007. Since then, Topgolf facilities – in addition to three in England -- have opened in major cities around the U.S. [ See the website: www.topgolf.com.]

“The company started in 2000 in London, England on a rainy raw day not a lot unlike today,” Norvell said.

“It was a rainy day. These two brothers were hitting golf balls out into the rain. They said ‘ Wouldn’t it be great if there was some way to track or even assign points to our practice? ’ There’s not a lot of feedback at your typical driving range,” Norvell said.

Patrons at Topgolf can select from more than a dozen different target-oriented practice golf games using real balls, real clubs and hitting off Astroturf mats in stalls.

Each of the 102 stalls at Topgolf in Edison offer a unique interface of modern electronics, computer and GPS technologies with golfers of all ages and skill levels.

“Y ou can eat right here as well,” Norvell pointed out as a waitress passed by our stall on the lower level. “The whole building is basically one gigantic restaurant with an entertainment component attached.”

“A huge part of our business is both corporate and social events. We prefer to be the go-to spot in town for people who are having events, when people want to get together to celebrate, we want to be the spot for people to do that,” he explained.

This is our first run in the Northeast,” Nor ell continued and is more e pensi e here, so finding a great location like we have here in Edison, with the 12 to 14 acres we need to build a Topgolf took a little time for us. But we’re close to several major highways and obviously, Edison has been great to us.”

For those golfers in south Jersey and Philadelphia, Topgolf will open in Mount Laurel, on the corner of Marne Highway and Centerton Road, this summer.

excited that the NJ PGA board of directors was out to get a complete tour of the Edison facility in late March.

Topgolf has heated stalls to accommodate golfers on snowy days or raw, rainy days. The heated stalls add 30 to 35 degrees to temperatures, so a foursome using one stall can take off their heavy winter jackets and long sleeved items and play in short-sleeved shirts. Unlike a dri ing range, as many as four or fi e golfers may use one stall All stalls are outfitted with dining tables and automated ball dispensing and easy to use scoring machines.

“Y ou wave a club over the sensor and it sends a signal to dispense the golf ball,” he said. “It’s got a microchip in it so it ID’s the ball as coming from me. Y ou look at the screen and see exactly where the ball went and how many points you get,” Norvell explained.

Pricing is by the hour, and the Edison facility offers the same price Monday through Sunday, $ 30 per hour from 9 ‘ til noon and $ 40 per hour from noon to 5 p.m., and $ 50 per hour from 5 p.m. to closing. Unless you come in the early morning hours, expect to spend a few hours at the facility. The wait time for a stall on a weekend evening can easily run between two and three hours.

“When you come in with three or four other people and di ide it fi e ways, the math works out to and and $ 10 an hour,” Norvell added.

Justin Thomas (sorry folks, not the PGA TOUR player) is the facility’s Director of Instruction and Adam Giordano is the Lead Instructor.

So far, Norvell said, “our golf instruction has been very popular, but to have a place to go hit golf balls in the wintertime in New Jersey is a good thing for a lot of golfers.”

“Any business today strives to have something for everyone -- something for the young professional, something for a girls’ night out, and so much more. We want to make it fun. So far, we’ve been able to do that.”

“I was in green grass for ten years so I know how different it is. People play golf because they want to have fun with friends, and we’re doing the same thing,” Norvell said. “We bring people together to have a good time. If we can accomplish that, we know we’ll be successful.”

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Learn, Play, Enjoy Golf Year-Round

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Golfatron Kennedy Mall 2770 Hooper Ave. Unit 4 Brick, NJ 08723 (732) 262-8888 www.golfatronow.com Hyatt Hills Golf Complex 1300 Raritan Road Clark, NJ 07066 (732)669-9100 www.hyatthills.com Mercer County Golf Academy 1 Wheeler Way Princeton, NJ 08540 (609)520-0040 www.mercercountygolfacademy. com

Onxgolf 145 Piermont Road Tenafly, NJ 07670 (201) 367-1221 onxgolf@gmail.com Pennington Golf Center 29 Route 31S Pennington, NJ 08534 (609)737-2244 www.penningtongolfcenter.com Players Club Virtual Golf 348 Evelyn St, Paramus, NJ 07652 (201) 483-9690 www.njindoorgolf.com

Raritan Ridge Indoor Golf 200 South Avenue, Suite 9 Middlesex, New Jersey 08846 908-644-0482 Toms River Golf Center 1348 Fischer Blvd Toms River, NJ 08753 732-349-3040 Twin Brook Golf Center 1251 Jumping Brook Road Tinton Falls, NJ 07753 (732) 922-1600

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S RING S MMER 2

The ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer Brings “Something for Everyone” to the Atlantic City area

By M ar i an C as tner

There’s something for everyone when it comes to the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, whichreturns for the eighth consecutive year on the Bay Course at the historic Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club from May 29-June 4.

As always, this is one of the most popular LPGA stops of the year, and many of the top 100 players on the LPGA’s money list will be playing again this year. Anna Nordqvist looks to defend her title after back-to-back winsin 2015 and 2016. Only Betsy King (1987, 1995, 2001) and Annika Sorenstam (1998, 2002, 2005) have won the event three times in the tournament’s 29-year history.

“We’re proud that our list of champions includes many of the great players in the history of the LPGA,” said Tim Erensen, executive director of the tournament.

“We look forward to tournament week and seeing if Anna can match the feats of two legends in professional golf.”

“I would love to win this tournament for the third time. I’m going to do my best, but you know the LPGA TOUR is very competitive. This place is very special to me,” said Nordqvist at the early May media day. She says her mother has been at her past two victories here, and will be back again this year. “She thinks she is my lucky charm.”

To review a little history of the tournament, this will be the nineteenth time that Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club will host the three-day, 54-hole event, dating back to 1986. Over the years, many LPGA Tour legends have won and played in the tournament. This year’s early commitments include past winners Stacy Lewis, Karrie Webb, Brittany Lincicome, Cristie Kerr, JuliInskster and Angela Stanford.

Natalie Gulbis, a long-time fan favorite on the LPGA TOUR has accepted a sponsor exemption to this year s tournament n an GA first, one of the other exemptions was determined based upon a vote cast by the fans on Twitter.

Since it became the title sponsor of the Classic twenty-fi e years ago, the akefern ood ompany (aka ShopRite) has donated over $ 31 million to charity through its sponsorship of LPGA events. They were the 2016 recipient of the “Commissioner’s Award,” presented to the individual or corporation who has helped “lift the LPGA to new heights.”

The Seaview celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014.

In 1914, Clarence H. Geist, a public utility magnate, founded the original golf course and resort. Designed

by Hugh Wilson (who also designed the courses at Merion Golf Club), the Bay Course opened in 1915. The following year, famed golf course designer Donald Ross completed the course. After some renovations by Bob Crupp Jr. in 1998, and other recent renovations in the past few years, the Bay Course now plays as a par 71, 6,247 yards course from the back tees.

Dating back to the 1980s, the resort and golf courses were owned by the Marriott Corporation, but it changed when the property was sold to LaSalle Hotel Properties. or se eral years, olce otels and esorts managed the property for La Salle. In late 2010, LaSalle sold to the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey (now Stockton University). Wyndham Hotels Worldwide acquired Dolce in 2015 and still manages the property.

Wyndham continues to make various renovations and updates at the property..

Tournament week at the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer is always special. The week will include several exciting events and fan opportunities, including The Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Junior Golf Show on Saturday afternoon, June 3th at 2: 30pm. lack ear will be sponsoring the new amily un one, which includes face-painting, large in atables and a Putting Green area. The tournament boasts over 400 corporate sponsors and the largest pro-am in golf— more than 1,500 rounds played over two days on four golf courses (Bay and Pines courses at the Seaview, Galloway National and Atlantic City Country Club).

Kia, Tito’s, Borgota Resort & Casino, and Snapple are returning sponsors.

One of the mission’s of the LPGA continues to be keeping the ticket and concession prices reasonably priced and attractive for families. Admission to the Sunday attle at the ay”and onday ualifiers, practice rounds and the Pro-Ams are free to the public.

The riday through Sunday ticket prices range from 1 for daily admission, to $ 30 for a weekly pass or $ 60 for a weekly clubhouse pass, which includes access to

the Stockton Sea iew esort or the eighth straight year, 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to the tournament s more than twenty fi e benefitting charities. TheAtlanti are oundation, ichard Stockton ni ersity of New Jersey oundation including scholarships and endowment for internships), and ommunity ood ank of New Jersey Southern Branch are just a few of these charities.

“We are grateful that the support of ShopRite, our fans and our corporate partners allow us to benefit many charities in our local community,” added Erensen. “We are proud to give back to the organizations that help support causes throughout our home in South Jersey.” Tickets are available online at www.shopri t e l p g a classic.com. Children age 17 and under are admitted free. Other popular promotions

Sharmila Nicollet Wins Final Spot in the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer Indian golfer wins with 39 percent of nearly 28,000 votes cast Indian professional golfer Sharmila Nicollet has won a fan Twitter poll to determine the final playing spot in the 2017 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer. Nicollet tapped into India’s large population and fervent sports fan base to win by nine percentage points over runner-up Blair O’Neal.

Nicollet is one of only six Indian women to play on the Ladies European Tour (LET), where she has competed in 64 tournaments. She turned professional in 2009 when she was 18 years old and at the time was the youngest Indian golfer to qualify for the LET. Nicollet is currently a 13-time winner on the Women Golf Association of India tour.

The poll received nearly 28,000 total votes over seven days and unprecedented promotion for the LPGA. The poll was tweeted or retweeted to an estimated 85 million followers from domestic and international athletes, celebrities, brands and media outlets. Votes were cast from an estimated 90 different countries.

“We were thrilled to provide our fans an opportunity to help pick the final spot in our field, and we’re excited to offer a playing opportunity to a deserving professional golfer such as Nicollet,” said Tim Erensen, Executive Director of the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer. “The international exposure generated by this fan vote was extremely valuable for our tournament and women’s professional golf and we want to thank the tens of thousands of fans across the world who cast their votes.”

include ShopRite Plus Card Members can simply show their card at the entrance gate and receive two free tickets each day, and all ser ice personnel military, fire and police) will be admitted free of chargethroughout the Tournament with proper ID and can also freely access the new Patriots’ Pavilion presented by Kleenex hospitality structure on the 9th hole.

Y ear in and year out, the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, prides itself on being “something for everyone.”While it brings over $ 19 million in economic impact to the area, it gives the greater Atlantic City region a wonderful way to showcase itself.Everyone associated with this tournament makes it one of the favorite LPGA Tour stops of the year. Come out and see what all the talk is about!

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Raritan Valley Country Club Continues to Enhance its Membership Opportunities

By M ar i an C as tner

When it comes to golf clubs with history dating back to the early 1900s, New Jersey has no shortage of such interesting finds aritan alley ountry lub is one such club and while it might go under the radar, this club has lots to offer The club dates back to 1911, when then Senator Joseph S relinghuysen, an icon in New Jersey politics, and some of his acquaintances used the 150 acres of land they owed in ridgewater and commissioned, erbert arker from ngland, to design the layout for the golf course An accomplished amateur golfer in England, Barker was the head golf professional at Garden ity Golf lub on Long Island for several years, but turned his talents to golf architecture becoming one of the most sought after architects in the early 1900s, designing other New Jersey gems such as umson ountry lub and Arcola ountry lub arker had the first ten holes finished in less than a year, and the course was originally called the Somerville ountry lub t formally changed its name to aritan alley ountry lub in 1 1 As the story goes, resident Warren Harding, who played often with his friend Senator relinghuysen, was playing golf there during the July th weekend in 1 21, brie y lea ing the course for his friend s nearby house and signed the resolution officially ending

both professional and amateur golfers er the years, like so many clubs, aritan alley has had its ups and downs, but its resiliency and the ability to adapt to a changing country club landscape that keeps the club still ibrant today Over the years, the entire club has been renovated from the holes on the golf course to the tennis courts, the addition of a large pool area, and continuing reno ations in the clubhouse

World War I, only to return to the golf course afterwards to finish his round Today, the arding oom is one of the central dining areas at the club The club e panded in 1 2 purchasing additional land from the relinghuysen estate, and establishing itself as one of the leading golf and social hotspots for politicians and

As part of its latest modernization and enhancements, the club is finished a bunker renovation project, as well as expand its outdoor seating area overlooking the 18th hole, and recently completed updates to its business conference room to accommodate its growing younger membership A new set of junior camps and

other programs are set for this season, along with many new member e ents being added to the 2 1 schedule The pool, the social center of the club in the summer, now features an upgraded food and beverage service making it a true resort-style” e perience “We want families to re-imagine the country club lifestyle,” said s hief perating fficer yan ionne, who is super ising the re itali ation pro ect ionne, who oined in late 2 1 , brings along not only a culinary background, but an expertise in operational management as well ionne also has a love of wine, something very important to the club members The club s wine program is one of the most active on the ast oast “Our wine tasting dinners are some of the most popular events of the season,” added ionne, who showed off an e tensi e wine cellar in the clubhouse John agan has been the head golf professional for nearly thirty years, and runs a well-stocked pro shop and golf operation that will feature additional junior golf camps and clinics in 2 1 There is much to do at the club besides golf including an extensive tennis program with leagues, events and clinics, as well as the unique squash courts, which are situated on one of the remaining historic buildings on the golf cours e ntrance to the courts re uires kneeling through a small, narrow entry and spectators of matches need to climb a ladder which might date back to the arding era is making big strides to adapt to the changing en ironment of the golf industry As a premier “family-friendly” private golf club in central New Jersey, it is certainly worth seeing if it is a fit for your family

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S RING S MMER 2

USGA and R&A Propose Relaxation of Some of More Complex Rules in Golf

By R i char d J . Sk el l y

or the first time since 1 , changes in the rules of golf are being seriously considered by the SGA and A, the two ma or rule-making bodies in the world of golf hat s more, golfers e erywhere are being encouraged to submit their thoughts about arious rules Gi en that people are now playing golf in ust about 2 countries around the world, many golfers, especially those who don t play much organi ed tournament golf, are saying, t s about time ” or e ample, in tournament golf and with many social foursomes, depending on how seriously they take the game, when one loses a ball, the golfer is supposed to drop it into a gi en area from shoulder height e e all seen T broadcasts where both GA and GA players, their caddies and the rules officials ha e to endure repeated droppings of a ball from shoulder height Then it bounces onto some hardpan or worse, a cart path, and goes rolling for yards nder new proposals, golfers could drop a ball onto turf from as little as a few inches off the top of the grass The SGA and the St Andrews, Scotland-based oyal and Ancient Golf lub A held a oint teleconference in early arch on the proposed changes The full transcript of that teleconference is posted on the SGA website, www usga org These are proposed changes to the rules of golf e e done work on our end for the last fi e years in thinking about how we could make them simple for all golfers to follow,” e plained Joe oley, anager of ules, utreach and rogramming for the ar ills-based SGA Now, we want to share our proposals with the world so it s an in itation for golfers to ump in and share their thoughts and gi e their feedback,” he stressed urious golfers of all types concerned with following golf s often comple , confounding rules can find a wealth of resources on the SGA website, specifically www usga org rules resources There are all kinds of resources on the moderni ation pro ect,” he said, ideos, info-graphics, it s a lot of information, but it s all there ” Golfers around the Garden State and the rest of the S are in ited to submit their feedback to the SGA online, by phone or ia the S postal ser ice from now until Aug 1 of this year After that point, oley said, e ll take all of what we e heard and consolidate all that feedback About si months after that, in 2 1 , we ll come back out and share final code with the public and then we ll gi e the public roughly nine months to learn the new rules that will go into effect on Jan 1, 2 1 ” e re trying to take that feedback, use it, and then educate the world on these rules,” oley said, noting the sport of golf is much more global than it was years ago The biggest changes for the a erage golfer are that a lot of penalties ha e been remo ed,” oley says f you think about remo ing a loose impediment in a penalty area or grounding your club in a water ha ard or accidentally mo ing your ball when searching for your ball in a pile of lea es, these are not things that happen all the time, but under the current rules, you would get a penalty for it hy do you need to penali e the player for these acts that are not really that significant to the playing of the round,” he argued would say the big one you ll hear more about is the changing of the procedure when it comes to dropping The player will now be able to drop the ball from any

height,” he said, noting it need not be shoulder height oley asked hy are we re uiring players to go through this archaic procedure of standing up straight and dropping the ball from shoulder height hy not ust get the ball back into play and keep mo ing As long as the ball is in a designated relief area, you can drop it from any height you want ” The golfer will ha e a few more rela ed rules that support pace of play initiati es,” he said, noting pace of play has been a concern of officials at both golf rulemaking bodies e don t ha e anything in the rules that says you ha e to play a stroke in a certain amount of time in the proposed changes we do say you can play as uickly as you want, but we re recommending that it take any longer than seconds to play a shot ” e re also going to encourage ready golf,” he said, as opposed to the e isting method where the golfer furthest from the hole normally plays first Another proposed pace-of-play rules change concerns time spent looking for lost balls nder the proposals, that would shrink the search time from fi e minutes to three minutes, it is more than fair when you think about GA and GA players and e en top-ranked S amateur golfers, all of whom ha e the benefit from help from their caddy, the hole marshals or e en spectators or the rest of us, if you can t find your ball within three minutes, it s probably time to dig out another one from the bottom of your golf bag ight now a player has fi e minutes to search for a lost ball, and what we re suggesting is, they ll ha e three minutes ” Another pace of play initiati e in ol es certain tournaments allowing players to pick up after a brutal hole eople often play and they get to or or 1 , now we re suggesting they be allowed to pick up and say, m done for this hole t s a form of play that allow committees to institute, a ma imum score format in stroke play and basically the committee can say if you e gotten to double par or or on a certain hole and you want to keep playing, you re able to pick up, mo e on and keep playing,” he said, noting it may a particularly useful change for unior golf e ents At the same time, in mid-April, the SGA and The A announced that they were working with golf s handicapping authorities to de elop a single orld andicap System for the game ore than 1 million golfers in more than countries currently ha e a handicap, a numerical inde long used as a measure of a golfer s potential skill le el Today, handicaps are deli ered through si different systems in the world The aim of the proposed handicap system is to adopt a uniersal set of principles and procedures that would apply all o er the world Getting back to the rules change initiati e, another area of proposed change is repairing old plugs and ball marks

on putting greens oley noted the thinking at SGA and A was, why not spike marks as well ur philosophy with this change is that spike marks should be able to be repaired hy would we say you can repair some damage but not all damage So if the rule is appro ed, we re going to let players repair scuff marks on the green in addition to other damage ” eople can gi e their feedback by going to www SGA org rules through the end of August There s a feedback button, if you click on that feedback button, that ll take you to a oint sur ey we re doing with the A and you can look through each rule and you can pro ide comments if you like or don t like the changes,” oley concluded Golfers are also free to use Twitter or nstagram using the hashtag, Golf ules2 1 n an addendum to this, in late April, the SGA made a highly unusually immediate” rules change As a result, effecti e immediately the new decision mitigates the power of ideo e idence while reinforcing the traditional reliance on player integrity in making rulings at tele ised e ents ” hile technically not a rule,” the latest decision will call upon officials to interpret the terms, reasonable standard of udgment and the naked eye ” asically if the player didn t intend to break the rule nor was it isible with the naked eye, it s not a penalty The SGA did not acknowledge that these rules were in response to significant penalties against e i Thompson, Anna Nord ist, nor ustin Johnson nor did it really address iewers calling in rules iolations, either during or e en after the completion of a round ut do these new rules” really change anything They might not ha e helped e i Thompson in the four stroke penalty she was assessed at the ANA nspiration tournament, a ma or on the GA T hy not simply close out” the round and make scores official once the following round begins, as fellow GA T player, and former Shop ite GA lassic winner, Stacey ewis suggested Golf has always prided itself on not needing referees” like other sports, rather ha ing each player act as their own referee ” n the end, e eryone has their own standard of a reasonable standard of udgment ” This isn t enough t will be interesting to see how these changes work out nly time will tell Stay tuned Golfer’s Tee Times Survey Which Golf Rule Bothers You the Most?

H er e’ s o ne ex am p l e f r o m o u r Seni o r W r i ter , R i ch ar d Sk el l y… . H e d i s l i k es co m i ng u p to a g o l f tee wh er e tee m ar k er s ar e u nev enl y s et u p i n s h o d d y f as h i o n b y th e g r o u nd s cr ew p er s o n. A t m any co u r s es , g o ne ar e th e d ays wh en yo u r g r o u nd s cr ew actu al l y p l ayed g o l f , and as a r es u l t, s o m eti m es tee m ar k er s ar e s et a r i d i cu l o u s l y narrow five feet apart even though the tee boxes are quite wo r n o u t. I n a f r i end l y r o u nd year s ag o wi th a U SG A rules official, Skelly argued he should be able to move the tee m ar k er s a f ew f eet i n each d i r ecti o n - - no cl o s er to th e h o l e - - to al l o w f o r a m o r e l ev el ar ea i n wh i ch to tak e o ne’ s s tance. T h e U SG A r u l es m an to l d Sk el l y th at wo u l d b e a v i o l ati o n o f th e r u l es , ev en i f th e tee m ar k er s wer e clearly set up by non-golfing maintenance people!

W r i te u s at ed i to r @ nj g o l f news . co m wi th yo u r f av o r i te inane or outdated golf rule! We’re anxiously awaiting your feedback! We’ll print your responses in the Summer i s s u e.

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The 72nd U.S. Women’s Open comes to Trump National Golf Club-Bedminister in July

By M ar i an C as tner

With the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open coming to the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster this July, here are some “fast facts” about the tournament.

C h a m p io n s h ip V e n u e

Trump National Golf Club- Bedminster-Old Course

O p e n e d

2004

A r c h ite c t

Tom Fazio

Da t e s o f C h a m p i o n s h i p &

F o r m a t

F ie ld S iz e

Thursday July 13th through Sunday July 16 . 18-hole stroke play daily th

156

E lig ib ility

Any female professional or amateur golfer whose Handicap Index does not exceed 2.4

2 0 1 6 C h a m p io n s h ip

Brittany Lang defeated Anna Nordqvist in a three-hole aggregate playoff at CordeV alle in California to win her first major championship.

Q u o te fr o m L a n g

“It’s pretty special. I’ve always dreamed of winning the U.S. [ Women’s] Open. I have so much respect for the USGA and this tournament.” Lang finished tied for second as a 19-year-old as an amateur in 2005.

d e fe n d in g c h a m p io n , B r itta n y

N o t a b l e C o m p e t i t i o n s H e l d a t Tr u m p N a t i o n a l Go l f C l u b

2009 U.S. Junior Amateur (Jordan Spieth) 2009 U.S. Girls’ Junior (Amy Anderson)

U .S . W o m e n ’s O p e n s in N e w

1948: Atlantic City Country Club, Northfield (Babe Didrikson Z aharias) 1961: Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower Course), Springfield (Mickey Wright) 1965: Atlantic City Country Club, Northfield (Carol Mann) 1975: Atlantic City Country Club, Northfield (Sandra Palmer) 1985: Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower Course), Springfield (Kathy Baker Guadagnino) 1987: Plainfield Country Club, Plainfield (Laura Davies)

Je r s e y ( 6 )

N o t a b le U .S . W o m e n ’s O p e n C h a m p io n s

Patty Berg (1946); Babe Didrikson Z aharias (1948, 1950, 1954); Louise Suggs (1949); Mickey Wright (1958-59, 1961, 1964); Betsy Rawls (1951, 1953, 1957, 1960; a-Catherine Lacoste (1967); JoAnne Gunderson Carner (1971, 1976); Hollis Stacy (1977-78, 1984); Amy Alcott (1980); Laura Davies (1987); Betsy King (1989-90); Annika Sorenstam (1995-96, 2006); Se Ri Pak (1998); Juli Inkster (1999, 2002); Karrie Webb (2000-01); Inbee Park (2008, 2013); Paula Creamer (2010); Michelle Wie (2014)

N o t a b le U .S . W o m e n ’s O p e n R u n n e r s - U p

Babe Didrikson Z aharias (1949); Betsy Rawls (1950, 1961); Louise Suggs (1951, 1955, 1958-59); Jackie Pung (1953); Mickey Wright (1968); Nancy Lopez (1975, 1989, 1997); JoAnne Gunderson Carner (1978, 1982-83, 1987); Hollis Stacy (1980); Juli Inkster (1992); Beth Daniel (1981-82); a-Jenny Chuasiriporn (1998); Se Ri Pak (2001); Annika Sorenstam (2002, 2004); Lorena Ochoa (2007); Stacy Lewis (2014)

Te l e v i s i o n C o v e r a g e ( A l l t i m e s E DT)

July 13 (First Round: Bonus Coverage): 10 a.m.-Noon (usga.org) July 13 (First Round: Featured Group): 2-7 p.m. (usga.org) July 13 (First Round): 2-7 p.m. (FS1) July 14 (Second Round: Bonus Coverage): 10 a.m.-Noon (usga.org) July 14 (Second Round: Featured Group): 2-7 p.m. (usga.org) July 14 (Second Round): 2-7 p.m. (FS1) July 15 (Third Round: Featured Group): 2-7 p.m. (usga.org) July 15 (Third Round): 2-7 p.m. (Fox) July 16 (Final Round: Featured Group): 2-7 p.m. (usga.org) July 16 (Final Round): 2-7 p.m. (Fox)

W

h o m a k e s th e “ C u t”

The low 60 scorers and ties will play the final 36 holes

The O l d C our s e, is designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio, and is ranked as one of the “Top 100 Courses in the World.” It is routed through more than 500 acres of rolling farmland in Somerset County. There are numerous water hazards and large difficult greens The course opened in 2 , and one will find that ha ing a good course strategy is essential. The land was once owned by late automaker John DeLorean and purchased by Donald Trump for $35 million in 2002. The course will be set up at 6,732 yards and will play to a par 72.

Trump National Bedminister hosted the 2009 U.S. Boys’ and Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship, where Jordan Spieth won the coveted title as champion, and will be the future home of the 2022 PGA Championship. omen s pen The first This is the 72nd S U.S. Women’s Open was played at the Spokane Country Club in 1946, and won by Patty Berg.

The tournament was initially run by the Women’s Professional Golfers Association, then the LPGA, and in 1953, the USGA was asked to conduct the championship.

The defending champion is Brittany Lang who defeated Anna Nordqvist in a three-hole playoff last year at CordeV alle in San Martin, CA. All 10 players in the current top-10 on the Rolex Women’s Golf Rankings are entered. Also playing are top players on the LPGA Tour the 2014 US Women’s Open champion Michelle Wie and 2007 Open winner, Christie Kerr.

The only local U.S. Women’s Open qualifying will be held at Hidden Creek Golf Club in Egg Harbor, NJ on June 5th. This is one of 25 total sites to host qualifying. t is the first time that New Jersey will host a S Women’s Open since 1987, when a young, unknown Laura Davies defeated Ayako Okamoto in an 18hole playoff at lainfield ountry lub There are a variety of ticket options still available for all tournament days. Admission is complimentary to children 17 and under who are accompanied by a ticketed adult. V isit the tournament website, www.2017uswomensopen.com for more information on tickets and volunteer openings.

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Contact: Marian Castner, Publisher/ Editor-in-chief Also online at: www.njgolfnews.com Send stories/comments and pictures to: editor@njgolfnews.com 2016 ISSUE 3

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Ron Jaworski Hosts the 33rd Annual Celebrity Golf Challenge

By M ar i an C as tner

The tireless philanthropic work of Ron Jaworski and the Jaws Y outh Playbook continues, with the support of more than 50 sponsors including, Harrahs, JPC Group, Norris Sales Group, Diageo, and Ketel One V odka, when Jaworski hosts, the 2017 Ron Jaworski Celebrity Golf Challenge in early June.

The annual event, hosted in partnership with the NFL Alumni Association, brings together Jaworski and his celebrity friends including current and past NFL players, to benefit the JA S outh laybook, an organization that promotes health and wellness for at-risk kids in under-served communities, as well as the NFL Alumni’s “Caring for Kids” charities.

Ron Jaworski, the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, ESPN football analyst of the Sunday NFL Countdown & NFL MatchUp, and longtime community philanthropist and fundraiser is very involved with his foundation. His management company currently owns and operates seven golf courses in the south Jersey/ surrounding Philadelphia area.

P i ctur e: C o ur tes y of

R on J awor s k i / J A W S P l aybok

The Celebrity Golf Challenge raises over $200,000 each year through various sponsorship opportunities. Proceeds go to the JA S T A J The J defines its mission as supporting programs which “improve the overall health and wellness of at-risk youth, primarily

in the Greater Philadelphia Region.

JY P does this by raising awareness and advocating for the access to safe play and healthy choices, and supporting programs providing positive youth health and wellness platforms.” JY P focuses on three Pillars of: Environment (access to play and physical play spaces), Nutrition and advocacy. Some examples of programming JY P supports under each pillar. esides this annual fundraising mainstay by the Foundation, they also raise hundreds of thousands of dollars annually at events like the Pulte Golf Outing and Ditka & Jaws Cigar Party.

Not only has the Celebrity Golf Challenge grown each year, but also the charity recipients have increased.

Over the past couple of years, the events partnership with the NFL Alumni has increased as Jaworski’s charities and NFL Alumni have worked together to help both local urban youth programs. At the same time, Jaworski and his fellow NFL alumni support the many who are suffering various physical and emotional issues in their post NFL careers.

This year’s event includes the Pairings & Cigar Party (with silent auction) at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City on Sunday night, June 4th, followed by the Kickoff CelebrityAm on Monday morning, June 5th, at lue eron ines Golf lub, one of Jaworski’s properties. In the afternoon, spectators are invited to watch the Closing Drive CelebrityAm, featuring four amateurs paired with a celebrity to compete in a scramble-style tournament.

The golf course festivities are always fun to watch. As always, Jaworski gathers a great collection of current and retired sports figures, coaches and broadcast personalities.

This year, come out to watch Celebrity Captains Herm Edwards, Andrew Reed, Jeramiah Trotter and Jack Y oungblood, play alongside many other sports celebrities.

This marks the 33nd anniversary of this exciting fundraiser, a fundraising longevity that few other events are able to boast.

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Rhythm makes a Sound Golf Swing

By Sean Fawcett

Both rhythm and timing are essential elements in making beautiful music. Good music makes us dance and dancing needs good rhythm and timing. The same thing can be said about the golf swing, where it is essentially a combination of the same rhythmic ingredients as music and dancing.

The very same tempo, rhythm and timing that we see in good musicians are also evident for the golfer who wants to improve. The golfer takes that good temp to create a smooth, powerful, and seemingly effortless swing that we all strive for.

“Playing an instrument and swinging a golf club have a lot in common,” says John Petronis, PGA Head Golf Professional & Director of Instruction at Greate Bay Country Club. In addition to his love of golf, Petronis is an avid guitar player and background vocalist, who plays with his band Thirsty Wilson. One of his favorites is to incorporate music into his golf instruction.

“Music is very relatable,” Petronis explained. “Teaching and learning the golf swing isn’t easy. Combining a balanced shift with rhythm and timing are hard to learn, no less master. It’s a complex sequence where tempo helps a lot. Just like practicing a guitar with good tempo will help you improve, the same with a golf swing.”

The relatability factor is important since there are different types of learners. Golfers are either visual, audio, or kinesthetic learners. Some are technical and some are feel players find that relating music beats or tempo is very helpful to golfers who are more of feel player or are being too technical and need help applying technique. The knowledge and experience people already have about something like music, can make the concept of swinging a golf club easier.

“Everybody pretty much has either played or loves to listen to music, “said Petronis. “When they can connect the two (golf and music), it makes learning easier and a lot more fun.”

Coordination and timing are crucial in obtaining the maximum effort from the take away down to the followthrough. Whether it’s the golf swing, dance, or a musical instrument, it needs to be practiced. “When practicing the golf swing, it really does have a musical beat to it,” added “One-two-three, shift-two-three is the rhythm, and timing, I’m looking for,” said Petronis. “It promotes a slow and controlled take away getting you to a balanced and powerful, position. Think of it like, start taking the club back to the top of your backswing, transition to your front leg, drive on down to and through the ball.

Blending both a classic and modern swing, leads to what Petronis teaches in his lessons “a centered back-swing loads up power, we plant or shift to help transfer that stored up power through the ball, to the target.” He preaches a rhythmical “1-2-3 count” tempo to many of his students who need the message. Keeping the center of

gravity over the ball, instead of behind it, and using a slow, (1-2) wide takeaway, puts the club head and the player into the proper coiled position in the backswing. The set position at the top (3) leads into the shift (1) beat, where the player transfers his or her weight to the front and left side (or right side for a lefty) enabling the hips to clear and trigger the arms and the downswing 2- to the final faster beat and follow through “I once read where Tom Watson said he listens to E d el wei s s (the popular classic from The Sound of Music) in his mind when he swings.” added Petronis. E d el wei s s is three syllables or beats, and a similar pattern to “A-Dell-V ice” up to down and through.

One-two-swing. A-Dell-V ice. It’s probably why Mr. Watson is one of the greatest golfers of all time. His swing is one of the best, most balanced, rhythmical swings there ever was. Petronis stretches that same 3-beat concept to a 6-beat concept.

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TRAVEL – The Links at Gettysburg - It’s Worth the Drive

By Stev e G or don

In 1863, General George Meade and the Union Army at Gettysburg were desperately trying to fortify the left and right anks from attack ore than one hundred thirty years later when Lindsay Ervin was designing The inks at Gettysburg, ust minutes from the famous i il ar battlefield, he paid great detail to protecting the anks” at each hole he designed on this South entral ennsyl ania gem The first shots were struck here in 1 and the defensi e line stands firm o er all yards of it efore we went out, General anager irector of Golf Jason Pandoli warned my long-time golf partner and I, that the front nine was a warm up and the back nine was the real challenge e wasn t wrong As seniors, we played a combination of white and green tees called embers Tees,” which shrink the course to about , yards but still carried a hefty slope of 1 No matter which tee you play from, this course demands a combination of sound thinking and e ecution This is not a course for beginners or players who ha e a tendency to spray the ball off the tee That said, I was in love with the course after three holes any courses start you out with a

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FOR THE FIRST TIME!

to be a distraction or come into play with an errant shot In addition to the outstanding layout

Experience E Ex xperi xp r ence ri the New Hopewell Valley Golf & Country Club DINING and routing of the course, there is lots of water hen mentioned protecting the left and right anks,” was thinking primarily of holes and 1 through 1 lay them, and you ll understand why The elevated white tees on seven is dramatic and when you look for the fairway, you see what looks like a ribbon of fairway squeezed between water ha ards The decision is how much of the ha ard you want to irt with or do you opt to play it safe owe er, if you hit a nice straight safe tee ball, two things come into play First, is you have longer route to the green on this already -yard, par hole it is 2 from the back tee The second thing to consider is if you pound that straight drive, you run out of fairway around 22 yards out As far as the si closing holes, the best clue can gi e you is that you better not be allergic to water ach hole features water and/ or woods on both sides with forced carries on the 1 1-yard, par 1 th and the 393-yard, par 4 16th with the latter fronting the green

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OUTINGS couple of relati ely benign holes before hitting you over the head with the more challenging holes ere the first hole is not really that kind of hole, and the second hole is a 2-yard killer hole, rated the third most difficult hole on the course The inks at Gettysburg will challenge you right out of the blocks don t want to go hole by hole in this narrative but the third hole is their signature hole t is a downhill par three that is 160-yards from an elevated tee and all carry o er waste area and a creek to a green set into the natural red rocks indigenous to the area iss short and you are wet iss long and there is a bunker between the rock wall and the green that runs away from you back towards the creek The course winds its way through the natural terrain of the area and the homes built around it are there -- but they aren t That is to say they don t intrude or encroach on the golf course

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EVENTS The inks at Gettysburg is part of what is called the aspberry Golf Trail that includes se enteen top-rated golf courses in ennsyl ania, elaware, aryland and irginia The great news is that most of the golf courses on the aspberry Golf Trail are included in the Tee Times Golf ass - id- Atlantic dition or more information on the this great way to play these courses at discounted rates, ask about the Golfer s Tee Times Special ffer at 21 Follow and Like us on Facebook!

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Preserving the Art of Caddying

By Sean Fawcett

Q uite simply, caddying is one of the best opportunities available for young golfers nfortunately, many courses are opting out of or significantly reducing their caddie programs Still caddying remains a terrific ob, for no only thousands of young people (mainly between ages 16-22), but also retirees. Over the past several years, when the economy was in a downturn, many people who had lost their obs turned to caddying as a way to supplement their income.

The average income for a caddy is around $ 38,000, although that amount can be higher or lower, based on the course, expertise, and how many days during the year they are actually caddying. In some cases, the caddy is so much in demand that a caddy can carry one or even two bags for 36-holes a day. On the other hand, other courses have too many caddies and some caddies might not get one “loop” in a given day. t s a really terrific ob, especially for young players,” added Galloway National Golf Club Caddie Master, Bob Smith. “The caddy gets to learn the game and also plenty of good, outdoor exercise. At the same time, they make good money, and more importantly, make some excellent connections.”

“There are many factors that contribute to a successful caddie program,” according to Jason Lamp, Director of Golf at Galloway National. “In my opinion, the two most important items are member commitment to the program and training. A caddie program does not work if not supported by the membership. Training makes such a difference. There’s nothing worse than having a member or guest come to play and their caddie has no idea what is going on. Caddies can make or break a person’s round.”

Al Nagbe, who caddies at Hidden Creek Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township loves caddying. Nagbe, is a long-time caddy at Hidden Creek, which hosted the USGA Senior Amateur Championship in 2015, and Nagbe was on the bag for the eventual champion, Chip Lutz.. our ob is, mainly, to make the player feel comfortable,” said Nagbe hen a golfer is more comfortable, they will play better, or, at least, en oy their day ” Caddying combines two important life skills. One is learning and getting along with others. The other is teamwork.

“Learning about different personalities is the key,” added Nagbe. “Y ou have to ad ust to them ou help them if they ask for help, but stay uiet when they don t ask Sometimes doing too much isn’t good. I’ve learned that, a lot of the time, less is more.”

“Caddying for Chip (Lutz) was a wonderful experience. Being there with him, and helping him win the Senior Amateur Championship was truly incredible. I’ll never forget

it. Chip is very detail oriented, focused, and driven. But he is also, at the same time, a uiet guy e asked for my help, like with reading putts, or where to hit certain shots ften it was ust to confirm what he was already thinking e didn t really need me to tell him, but occasionally he asked some things to keep me in the game with him. The confirmation that a player gets from their caddie can make all the difference onfidence helps a player to pull off the shot they’re trying to hit.

And when they mishit a swing, or miss a makeable putt, they need a confidence boost from that positi e reinforcement only you can give them. It’s a team thing, and being a caddie makes you part of the team. Y ou’re in it together.”

“Al and I hit it off great,” Lutz added. “He has something special about him in terms of the confidence he helped to instill (in me).”

“Learning about different people, getting along, and helping them have fun are some of the most important life skills I’ve gained from caddying” concluded Nagbe.

“Those are skills, especially kids, need. Caddying can be such a great ob for young people to try and e perience Y ou don’t even have to be a player to be a caddie. If you are a player, you’ll learn a lot about the game and get much better at playing it.” addying can be a wonderful ob for lots of kids,” said idden reek irector of Outdoor Operations/ Caddie Manager Dave Elliott. “To be a good caddie, you have to be responsible and be able to give good advice. Y ou have to hustle, too. Players appreciate caddies who work hard. Good caddies are attentive, positive and good natured. Hardworking caddies are attentive to what is happening on the course. They need to be are positive and good natured to be successful. Those are the skills that will help kids be successful in school and life, both on-and- off the course, as well.”

Y oung caddies in our area are particularly fortunate because both the New Jersey State Golf Association www n sga org and Golf Association of hiladelphia www gapgolf.org) have two of the best caddie scholarship programs in the country. Each year, both of these funds give hundreds of scholarships to deserving caddies in their pursuit of higher education. erhaps caddying is best summed up in the mission statement on the J ood latt Caddy Scholarship Trust (Golf Association of Philadelphia): “Helping to preserve one of the game’s most valued traditions, the caddie. By supporting caddies in their traditional educational pursuits, golfers are reminded of the important role the caddies have played in the game’s history. In turn, this role is preserved for the game’s future.”

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Well-known local caddy still smiling from his recent career high at the Masters

By R i char d J

Sk el l y

Red Bank-based John Doherty, who has worked as a caddie at Navesink Country Club in Middletown since he was in high school, recently returned from the Masters, where he caddied for amateur Stewart Hagestad. Hagestad’s victory at last year’s U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship got him his invitation to this year’s Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.

Doherty was born in Greenwich, Conn., moved to New Jersey when he was three, and grew up across the street from Navesink Country Club. His father worked in computer science and his mother was a teacher and later, a social worker.

Known for his honesty and forthrightness, J.D. was recently appointed tournament director for the John Caliendo Shore Winter Golf League, a group of Garden State professionals and amateurs who keep their golf games sharp by playing through the winter, usually at courses in Cape May, Atlantic, Gloucester, Cumberland and Ocean Counties.

Hagestad and Doherty received a good amount of publicity during and after the Masters. Why not? It was a great story to tell. The 25-year old USC grad, turned financial analyst in anhattan, became the first winner of the US Mid-Amateur to not only make the cut at the asters but subse uently finished as low amateur Golfer’s Tee Times caught up with Doherty a few days

after his Masters experience, and here is what he had to say.

GTT: How do you feel now, fresh back from the Masters?

JD: here else would you rather be the first week in April but Augusta National? It’s every caddy’s dream. To be inside the ropes at Augusta is every caddy’s dream. I’ve really worked hard for this and came a long way, both health-wise and in my personal life. I had the focus and knew I could do the job. It represents a lot of hard work and dedication to the game and believing in yourself and your ability to do the job.

GTT: How did you get started with golf and being a caddy?

JD: I grew up right across the street from Navesink Country Club. My grandfather Paul Doherty brought me over to the club when I was 13 and that’s when I started being a caddy.

GTT: Aren’t most good caddies also very good golfers?

No. I think it’s about half and half; it’s very hard for a good golfer to be a good caddie. The golfer tends to put what he’s going to do as a golfer into his job as a caddie.

To me, as a caddy, it’s your job to give your golfer every opportunity. It’s not about you, it’s about your golfer. And some good golfers have trouble doing that because they see things their way as opposed to the way their player needs to see it to play their best. So I disagree with that.

GTT: How is your own golf game? What’s the best round you’ve ever shot?

JD: I don’t play too much. I think I was two under par once for 9 holes at Hawk Pointe and that was with 40 mile an hour winds. I’m a much better caddie than I am a player.

Because I spend so much time on the golf course, in my spare time, I like doing other things.

GTT: Some greens keepers who spend a lot of time at the golf course are very good players, like Angelo Petraglia, who worked for many years at Colonia, Navisink and Deal Golf & Country Club JD: I love Angelo. He was a good player and a great superintendent and a ery fine person ill Turcott who s

been at Hollywood Golf Club forever has been caddy tournaments. Y ou come to understand how valuable your master there for a long time. He’s another good person and work is to the whole effort. I liked tournament golf and someone I also greatly respect. golf has got to mean something.

(Editor’s Note- The John Coliendo Shore Winter Golf League was founded by Angelo Petraglia of Spring Meadow, John Cafone of Manasquan River, Andy Sikora of Beacon Hill and Roddy Newman of Homestead and originally called the Jersey Shore Winter Golf League. It was later renamed for John Caliendo, a former Long Branch postal worker who ran the tournaments and computed the handicaps until 1985.Doherty now runs this same league.)

GTT:Who were some of your early caddying mentors at Navesink?

JD: y first caddy master was Eddie Z eller and the assistant caddy master was Max Nowak, who also turned out to be my second caddy master. Those guys were a big help and I learned a lot from the older caddies. Fortunately a guy named Bill Charpak was a good amateur player and he took me around to various tournaments. He showed me both the tournament side of golf and how to have a good time.

We still remain good friends.

I am still based at Navesink but I’m almost never there.

The members there have been extremely good to me. There’s a lot of good people there.

GTT: What are the most satisfying aspects of being a private club caddy?

JD: The money can be good, but really what’s satisfying to me is winning.. I was raised that if you do your job well, money will take care of itself. Y es, money is important but to be good at anything, you have to love to do it and you have to get better at it every day you do it. It’s a lot of selfmotivation. I know I can do the job and I’ve proven that to those that I work for.

GTT: What are the most frustrating things about being a private club caddy?

JD: Really it’s frustrating sometimes because you don’t always get good golfers. Y ou have to roll with the punches.

There are a lot of ups and downs. Sometimes you can wait a long time to get out. That’s why the tournament side is so much more exciting for me even though it’s a smaller calendar year. Y ou’re in the action, you’re part of something and if you’re a good caddie, you know that the one or two shots you can save your player, makes the difference between winning and losing. Y ou know these things.

GTT: What about the toll that caddying can take on your body?

JD: I have very bad feet, neuropathy. I have diabetes and e suffered a lot of physical stuff, e definitely, at times, needed to push my body beyond its physical limits. t s definitely taken a toll on my body efore lost all the weight, I had problems with my lower back as well.

GTT: Is it fair for me to say your specialty is caddying for amateur golfers? With Stewart Hagestad in the Masters last month and other prominent amateurs in the state of New Jersey?

JD: I’ve been very fortunate to caddy for the best of the best [ amateurs] in the Metropolitan Area. I’ve also caddied for a few professionals. For the last 20 years, I’ve had the chance to see amateurs at the top of their game in competitions all over this country. It’s helped me become a better caddy and it motivates me to still do the best job I can, let’s put it that way.

I was 18 and 19 years old when I started going around to

GTT: And you are also a graduate from Moravian College?

JD: I did, in June, 1992. I majored in Criminal Justice and minored in Psychology. But after college, I knew I enjoyed caddying and luckily I’ve caddied in tournaments all over the country.

GTT: How do you compare New Jersey’s classic golf clubs to newer golf courses in states like Florida, Texas and California?

JD: We are blessed with some great golf courses and they’re very different, too. There are hilly courses, and more at ones down the Shore There are prestigious ones like Baltusrol and Ridgewood Country Club, so we’re blessed. Y ou truly learn how to play golf in the Northeast, between navigating the rough, the fast greens, the wind, and the trees. Y ou get all the elements here. Being in New Jersey, and the etropolitan area in general, has definitely enhanced my ability to be a good caddy.

GTT: How long have you been involved with the John Caliendo Shore Winter Golf League?

JD: I became Tournament Director there last February and this is my first full season as director of the league People love to play golf and the guys that play in the John Caliendo Golf League love to play golf, (chuckling), as long as it’s not snowing or raining or icing. It’s a chance to get out of the house, get exercise and be with their buddies.

It’s a great league for people who love golf. And since I lo e golf, fit in well To be part of this league has been a lot of fun so far.

GTT: Are you familiar with some of these rules changes being proposed by the USGA and R& A? Some might speed up pace of play. What rules would you like to see go down the irrigation drain?

JD: I think the R& A and the USGA are trying to rejuvenate an interest in the game. People feel it’s too long, it’s too expensive and they have to know all these rules. I don’t necessarily think it’s going to make the game better. I’m a big traditionalist. I know the rules and know the history of the game and I’m kind of indifferent to it all. I don’t think it’s going to make the game better. I’ll see if I’m proven wrong, but that s my first impression GTT: As a kid, I’d always understood that Augusta National was closed for a good part of the year. How many months a year is it actually closed while prepping for the Masters?

JD: It is closed from the middle of May until mid-October every year. The members play basically six or seven months of the year and the crew works on the course the rest of the time. They protect the golf course during the summertime. If you love golf, you have to go there at least once in your lifetime. They keep it open right up until the Masters, but they limit the guest play. We had the chance to play eight holes with Jordan Speith and Matt Kuchar, and that was a lot of fun.

GTT: To recap then, since you were 22 and got out of Moravian College, your career as a caddie has taken you to how many states?

JD: Every state except Alaska. I been around a long time, don’t hold it against me!

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Increasing Golf Opportunities for our Veterans

By Sean Fawcett

As we all know, golf is a wonderful sport that allows players to be outside, exercising, competing, and sometimes even just escaping, or “getting away” from it all There are also many social benefits like connecting with family, friends, and new people. One organization working with our veterans is the V eterans Golf Association (V GA) established in 2015, and is a golf tour for those in the military.

The V GA Tour is the largest, most authentic amateur golf tour in North America for military veterans and their family members of all ages and skill levels. With more than 650 active members, the V GA Tour offers more than 80 stroke-play tournaments, including 4 super regional ualifiers, all leading to the GA hampionship each year This year s hampionship will be played in October in Biloxi, Mississippi.

“The V GA is committed to promoting the game of golf to veterans and their family members,” said Joshua eyton, resident and a retired Army captain. “The V GA develops programs, leagues and tournaments that allow our members to compete, socialize, and remain physically active through the game of golf.”

“Golf is great,” said Marine veteran Mike ick” bert t has terrific physical benefits f course, that is a great for many of our wounded personnel who, because of some of our injuries, mostly physical, can’t do several other sports or activities.

With golf, whether you are young or old, anybody can play.” atrick arney, a S Army eteran, who is the former president of Stockton ni ersity s Student V eterans Organization and V GA Tour competitor, agrees.

“The peaceful and the mental sides of the game ha e done so much for me,” said arney a ing a place where can go and only focus on one shot at a time, instead of dealing with other things, is a really good thing. Golf gives us something to focus on t becomes a healthy addiction and replaces nightmares with dreams of competition and the next great shot. Not to mention the “dealing with adversity” aspect of the game. Getting over bad shots in golf will help to get over other bad stuff in life. That goes for everybody, but maybe especially for many of us veterans. Golf incorpo-

rates so many alues of integrity and respect t s a big reason why we all lo e to play so much.”

Golfing partner, and fellow Army eteran, Jason nocke says golf helped to turn his life around t got me off the couch,” said nocke t got me outside y son, who is ele en, started playing because was playing Now we play golf together all the time, and lo e it e en more now because he lo es it ” “Golfers are a kind of brotherhood and we like that,” said bert t s a great game that has a uni ue way of helping to bring people from lots of different places and backgrounds. Many don’t know each other, but it brings us together, which is the same way that our military works. Getting the chance to do that, again, like we did when we served, and getting to play with our brother and sister veterans and servicemen and women, is always a lot of fun and very rewarding.”

There are currently two V GA local tournaments scheduled in New Jersey this season. These will be held at Atlantic ity ountry lub on ay 1 th and Twisted unes Golf ourse on June 11th There are also se eral e ents scheduled in ennsyl ania and Maryland. To enter, a player must be a V GA member for yr, and is alid from arch 1 thru No 1 each year. There is an additional $10 required at the time of registration, and golfers pay the green and cart fees when they arrive at the golf course. Golfers who play in 3 or more local events may qualify for the regional tournaments July 1 - at T Jasna olana August 11-12 in Galloway, NJ) Golfers are grouped into several different categories - V eterans (Active, Retired, Disabled, Discharged), Wounded (Active, Retired, Disabled, Discharged , and amily 1 , ependents, Siblings, arents There are A, , , , omen ights within each of these categories.

For more information about how to join, participate, compete, donate, or volunteer, go to http www vgagolf.org. ictured at arney, round together

ick bert and Jason nocke en oying their

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S RING S MMER 2

Many “Favorite NJ Golf Courses” in Egg Harbor Township Make It a True Golf Destination

By Sean Fawcett and M

ar i an C as tner

There are so many great golf destinations around the world, but rarely can you find four of the top fa orite public golf courses” all situated within a stone’s throw of each other.

Ballamor Golf Club, Twisted Dune Golf Club, Harbor Pines Golf Club, and McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links ha e put cean eights A enue in gg arbor Township on any golfer s map ith the possibility of year-round play pro ided by warmer south Jersey winter weather conditions, these are some of your most attractive golf choices in the area.

Since 2009, Ballamor Golf Club has been owned and operated by the ttinger Golf Group The Ault, lark-designed property was formerly a pri ate country club, so it features many of the comforts and amenities that you will find at a pri ate facility The course is setback into the woods, with plenty of sand and se eral scenic and protected areas ith its famously friendly fairways and smooth, undulating putting surfaces, allamor Golf Club is a beautiful, meticulously maintained golf course. It almost makes you feel like you are playing at one of the well-known Southern classics of the North Carolina Sandhills.

“Ballamor Golf Club is a modern parkland design set upon an e pansi e amount of acreage with scattered wetland areas o er the layout,” said allamor head professional rian akic “Ballamor strikes a balance between playability for all le els and e ceptional

conditions ” Holes like number 3, 17 and 1 pro ide a nice balance between risk/ reward holes and just having fun out there. For your long drivers, fantasy holes are the two short pars, and a reachable par- 1 th hole.

These holes all make you think strategy do go for it or play it more conservatively. It makes you want to come back often, each time playing it differently and deciding between the best risk and reward for your game. ther course highlights include the par- , th hole, averages 140 yards. It is a scenic and strategic hole re uiring a well played tee shot to make it over the looming lake The par- , 12th hole plays to an almost identical distance as the si th with appro imately a hundred yards of tall golden grass to navigate on route to a tough, three tiered green.

“Having so many great golf courses relati ely close to each other on cean eights A enue in gg arbor Township makes it a great destination for tourists coming from the Atlantic ity and cean ity areas,” said allamor G ike Jackson ou ha e many different styled courses that can fulfill anyone s golfing needs ” Another course that s a fan fa orite, and less than four or fi e minutes down cean eights A enue, is the linksinspired, Twisted une Golf lub Since 2 1, mpire Golf has managed the yearround, daily fee golf facility nspired by

the golf gems on the Scottish coast, golf course designer Archie Struthers aspired to bring some of that same feel to this south Jersey property erhaps, the course is best summed up on its own website True to its name, Twisted Dune is a links style course with twisting landscapes, dramatic ele ations and contoured fairways, offering a challenging, yet supremely playable, eighteen hole design,” Measuring anywhere from about , between ,2 yards depending on the yardage you play, Twisted une is perfect for players of e ery playing ability. The course features fescue and sandy Scottish style dunes, forgiving fairways, fast but firm putting surfaces pect nothing less than to na igate

deep bunkers and ra ines, grass-top hills, and water on several holes. Luckily you ha e fi e tee bo es to choose from each requiring its own level of skill and strategy e ready for the four parholes that measure o er yards, ten par- s and four par- s The two par fi es in the middle, nine and ten, plus the twelfth, are kind of uni ue,” said udy irga, irector of perations for mpire Golf Management. “I can’t think of another course around that has three par fi es in a span of four holes f you re playing well that day, all three of those par fi es can be birdied ” It might seem like only a few years ha e passed, but it has been twenty-one years since Harbor Pines Golf Course opened in south Jersey ne of two

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Stephen Kay designed courses in the area, this course is without a doubt, one of the very best examples of “parkland style” championship golf making it both challenging and fun for all skill levels.

The full service clubhouse features the large Harbor Pines Grill Room which provides a pub-like atmosphere, as well as offers wedding and outing facilities. Harbor Pines is the home course to many men’s and women’s weekly leagues. It can accommodate more than 200 golfers and guests, giving it a private club feeling that’s open to the public.

Several of the highlights of the golf course are the seven sets of tees, including two sets of “combo tees” which provide an extra challenge, if the golfer chooses to play it. There are also twelve ponds and nearly seventeen acres of water to navigate around, so golfers need to use a good amount of strategy when playing into the large, receptive and undulating greens.

“We provide a personal touch and some of the

best, and customizable, customer service around,” added General Manager, Allan Greenman. “Our goal is comfort. We are a public golf course with a private club feel.

“It’s a great place to live. At the same time, the course is on its own. Most of the time, you don’t see anybody else on the other holes when you play. It’s like you’re the only ones on the whole course.”

At 6,142 yards from the middle “white” tees, Harbor Pines is a traditional, par-72 featuring two par 3’s and 5’s on both the front and back nines, with ten par-4s dominating much of the course.

Two of the par-5s stand out particularly the seventh and eighteen holes.

Director of Golf Chris Doyle considers hole number seven one of his favorite holes, with its gentle dogleg right making it one of the course’s signature, and most recognizable, holes. Three bunkers in back, plus a sand “creek” in front surround the green.

“Number Seven is just a fantastic hole,” said Doyle. “It has maybe the most unique tee shot, especially when playing form the back tees. It’s the only one that offers a blind shot. It has a slight left to right dogleg and can be reached in two good swings by the longer hitters. The green is huge and receptive.”

The other signature hole is the short, but tricky, twelfth hole. This is another one of those risk/ reward type holes,

with only a 330-yard tee shot from the back tees, this is your “go-for-the-green” or “lay back and pitch” golfer’s dream.

“Twelve is a fan favorite,” Doyle said. “It’s picturesque and offers a great risk-reward opportunity.

It’s a lot of fun.”

The eighteenth hole plays about 458 yards and leads right back to the practice putting green and clubhouse.

Bunkers protect the putting surface front and right, making arbor ines finishing hole one of the best par-5, closing holes in the Shore area.

If you still have time to sneak in another round, don’t forget to try the other Stephen Kay-design on Ocean Heights Avenue, McCullough’s Emerald Links Golf Club. Since 2002, this links-style golf course has been a popular destination for golfers and golf outings.

The layout includes plenty of elevation and wide open but it’s still challenging with some thick rough/ fescue and awkward stances. Some of the greens can play tough even trying to land your best of approach shots.

Play your shots short and let the ball roll up onto the green.

The course is built on a landfill and is pretty open While there are few trees, between the wind, fescue and blind shots, there is something here for everyone. The course is always well maintained and the greens can be a real challenge to even the best golfers. After all your rounds, getting a bite and a beer at McCullough’s Pub is a great ending to a fine south Jersey trip While all of these courses are open to public play, they still all have impeccable conditions, and provide the feel of a private golf club. When playing your next golf trip, a combination of any of these favorites make a really good two night/ three day golf retreat!

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Heard Around the States News from the NJSGA

News from the NJSGA In another incredible feat, Allan Small captured the 90th MGA Senior Amateur Championship, at his home course, Fairmount Country Club to claim the Horace L. Hotchkiss trophy.

Small fired an evenpar 72 in the final round, two-over 146 tournament total, to earn the title for the second time in his career.

Small edged two-time defending champion George Zahringer III of Deepdale by two shots, while another two-time champion, Jay Blumenfeld of Mountain Ridge, finished

three shots back at fiveover 149.

“It’s unbelievable how much it means to me,” said Small who has more than 30 combined club championships at Chatham’s Fairmount in stroke and match play formats. “I helped get the event here at Fairmount back when I was president of the MGA. To come here and win it is just special. With all the other good things that have happened here, it’s just icing on top of it all.”

Small has won five NJSGA Senior Amateurs, a NJSGA Amateur and a NJSGA Mid-Amateur.

(Courtesy of the NJSGA)

The New Jersey State Golf Association held its seventh annual Golf Summit in early April as several speakers gave an update on the future of golf in New Jersey. The featured speakers were Frank Vain (president of the McMahon Group), Brad Steele (National Club Association –President of government relations and general counsel), Shannon Rouillard (U.S. Women’s Open Director), Peter Mele (President’s Cup, and Vice President and Executive Director).

The Summit covered a wide range of topics include the influence of the millennial generation on golf club membership. The latest trend show that nearly 40 percent of the people who come to the golf club never play a round of golf, instead focusing on

Former NJSGA Open & Amateur Champion, Max Greyserman Gains PGA Canada Tour Status Max Greyserman of Crestmont, current Duke University senior, gained partial status on the PGA Tour Canada Mackenzie Tour when he finished No. 14 when he shot rounds of 68-70-70-281 at Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community at the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada’s Canada Q-School.

Greyserman, 22, won the 2015 NJSGA Amateur

practicing, taking a lesson or just meeting with friends.

“The club of the future will be a place to hang out and enjoy the company of fellow members. There needs to be something for everyone.

It’s a place with lots to do,” remarked Vain.

Steele discussed some of the latest legislative and regulatory measures that the golf industry needs to comply with, adding that he felt since President Trump was such an avid golfer, it should see some “pro-golf” legislation.

Attendees were excited to hear about the two big tournaments coming to New Jersey year, and viewed short videos about each of them.

Championship and the 2014 NJSGA Open. A Short Hills resident and graduate of Peddie School, he won the 2015 NJSGA Amateur. Greyserman became the first to hold both the Open and Amateur titles at the same time since Billy Ziobro in 1970, did it within one month of each event.

2017 Advanced Players Summer Academy Advanced Players Summer Academy is designed to appeal to serious junior golfers; whose goal is to reach their full potential in order to compete in junior tournament play and beyond. The Players Summer Academy features exclusive teaching by Leo Tabick, a PGA golf professional for more than thirty-five years. Daily sessions will focus on ball striking, and learning to take your “A” game to the first tee of each Tournament round. Open to advanced players age 12+. Player evaluation and skills testing required.

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Heard Around the States Triple The Golf – Triple the Excitement NYC Triple Crown Golf Championship The inaugural New York City Triple Crown Golf Championship will take place on seven New York City municipal golf courses during three weekends in July with five champions earning entrees into the 34th Annual Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship in August.

“Over 1 million golfers reside in and around the five boroughs of New York City,” said Rich McDonough, a longtime New York City golf professional and tournament director of the new event. “With the New York City Triple Crown Golf Championship we wanted to create a golf tournament that will give golfers of all skill levels the opportunity to complete and experience golf and golf course conditions as diverse as New York City itself.”

The tournament field of amateur players will be pre-divided by handicaps into a championship flight and four additional flights. On July 1-3 the first 120 players to sign up will compete at one of three designated first round sites and continue to one of two second-round sites on July 8-9.

The top players from each flight – 60 players overall – qualify for the third leg of this triple crown, a two-round championship weekend, July 15-16 at Pelham Bay/Split Rock in the Bronx. Winners of each flight from the championship weekend receive a guaranteed

world.” GolfNYC manages both Douglaston and Van Cortlandt golf courses.

“This should be a fierce challenge that everyone will be talking about – it’s a golf battle of the boroughs,” said Jamie Johnson, Regional Director of Golf Events & Fundraising, American Golf Corporation. “As Bobby Jones said, ‘Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course... the space between your ears’ “The best part will be bringing together local golfers from all walks of life to enter into this competition which will put NYC golf courses on the map as leading destinations in this great game!”

American Golf manages NYC Triple Crown Golf Championship venues Clearview, LaTourette, Dyker Beach, Pelham Bay and Split Rock golf courses.

McDonough created this event for golfers to experience tournament golf in other boroughs away from their familiar “home course” surroundings. Three weekends of solid play – hence a Triple Crown title – are required to advance to the famed Myrtle Beach World Amateur tournament where more than 3,000 men and women compete in the first four rounds on 52 courses stretching borders into North and South Carolina. On September 1st, all flight winners will compete in a one-day

The Taproom Bar & Grille at the Historic AC Country Club Wins Prestigious Golden Fork Award The Taproom Bar & Grille at Atlantic City was recently awarded a Golf Inc. Golden Fork Award in the most improved public golf course restaurant category. This comes after extensive renovations were made to the golf

course, restaurant and clubhouse in 2015 and 2016.

The competition recognizes the time, money and work effort put into new and improved dining facilities at golf courses around the globe.

Editors assessed entries based on improvements in revenue, traffic, guest satisfaction, aesthetics, service, menus and capital improvements.

The Taproom was one of only 12 facilities honored. General Manager Frank Varallo said, “We are delighted to have won a Golden Fork Award and are happy that our improvements are not only pleasing to the editors of Golf Inc. but to our customers as well.

“He added, “The renovations, new menu and offerings have all been

well received by diners visiting the club.”

According to Golf Inc. Editor-in- Chief Jack Crittenden, “diners today want casual settings, defined by high-quality décor, rustic ambiance and local food offerings. Several of this year’s honorees combine those features with outdoor seating, which provides unparalleled views of the golf course and in a few cases of nearby city skylines.” Varallo added, “The Taproom certainly fits that bill.”

Renovations to the clubhouse were completed last year and included renovations to the Taproom Bar and Grille, installation of a new, expanded kitchen with wood stone oven, grill and rotisserie. Two private dining rooms were gutted and refurbished.

Not to be overlooked is the all-new Atlantic City Country Club Skydeck, an elevated open-air terrace, featuring the picturesque golf course and the Atlantic City Skyline as a backdrop. The impressive Skydeck provides a myriad of entertaining opportunities not previously available.

The Taproom Bar & Grille is open to the public serving lunch and dinner daily.

News from the NJPGA Current NJPGA President David Reasoner of Ridgewood Country Club, seeded 54th among 64 players, recently won the New Jersey PGA Greg Norman Match Play Championship on the 19th hole over No. 9-seed Frank Esposito of Forsgate at Morris County Golf Club. It was the first “major” for Reasoner, who also became the first NJ PGA sitting president to win a entry in the Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday- championship round to determine this year’s major NJPGA tournament. Reasoner managed World Amateur Championship, world champion.

A 72-hole, net stroke play event, all flight August 28-September 1. winners and ties advance to the World NYC Triple Crown Golf Championship course Championship Playoff, an 18-hole shootout that crowns the event’s winner. Golfers from assignments are: · Round One (*120 players total divided all 50 states and 25+ countries are expected to into three first rounds) Saturday-July 1st compete in the 34th annual World Am. “The Myrtle Beach World Amateur Douglaston Golf Course- Queens, www. golfnyc.com/douglaston_photos/; Sunday- Handicap Championship is thrilled to partner July 2nd Clearview Golf Course- Queens www. with the inaugural New York City Triple Crown clearviewparkgc.com Monday July 3rd Van competition,” said Jeff Monday, Tournament Cortlandt Golf Course- Bronx,www.golfnyc. Director for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “It com/vancortlandt_home/. *Each flight plays is such a creative event that will test the participants’ skill and competitive drive over the same course. · Round Two (*120 players divided into two three weekends and on seven different second rounds) Saturday, July 8th La Tourette courses.

“New York City has always been well Golf Course-Staten Island, www.latourettegc. com/;Sunday, July 9th Dyker Beach Golf represented in the field of the World Am, and Course-Brooklyn www.dykerbeachgc.com. we are looking forward to welcoming the winners to the 34th annual World Am, where *Each flight plays the same course. · Championship Rounds (Cut to 60 players they can test their game against players from for a 36-hole championship) Saturday, July, around the globe and on four great Myrtle 15 Pelham Golf Course-Bronx; Sunday, July Beach courses.”

It is not a requirement to be a NYC 16 Split Rock Golf Course-Bronx, www. resident to sign up for the NYC Triple pelhamsplitrock.com.

“It’s an honor to be part of the NYC Crown Championship. Registration and Triple Crown Championship,” said Jason additional information is available at www.

Zaretsky, General Manager of first-round site nyctriplecrown.com. The cost is $295 per Douglaston Golf Course in Queens. “We take golfer and includes at least two rounds of great pride in finding a champion from the golf with cart and lunches during the first two greatest city on earth and sending them to rounds. All players must have an active USGA one of the greatest golf destinations in the handicap.

had previously won the Head ProAssistant-Pro Championship in 2016 with partner Alex Beach.

“I’m very busy with my job and I’ve been trying to play when I can.

I’ve have been working on my short game. Membership has been very supportive of me. It was a bit of a surreal moment,” added .Reasoner, after his victory.

Heard Around the States - Charlie Robson accepts Met PGA Sam Snead Award Congratulations to good friend, Charlie Robson who has been awarded the Met PGA’s Sam Snead Award.

Robson lead the Met PGA for 43 years before stepping down as executive director following the 2015 season.

He played a role in establishing the Sam Snead Award in 1974 to recognize distinguished service to the game of golf and the section.

“You secretly hope for a chance to recognize somebody like Charlie,” said Jeff Voorheis, who took over for Robson last year. “Then you realize there isn’t enough time or enough words to do justice to everything Charlie has done for us.”

Robson was a tireless advocate for the PGA professional in the Met Section. He was a thoughtful negotiator, improving job security, compensation and educational opportunity. Robson also recruited sponsors, establishing the most competitive tournament schedule for club pros in the country.

He continues to serve on the Board of Trustees as Treasurer for the First Tee of Metropolitan NY.

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Bat-Caddy -- Leader Never Follows Bat-Caddy electric golf caddies have been showing the way for the motorized golf push cart industry in the US since 2004. Founded on the vision of enabling golfers of all ages, genders and capabilities to walk the course like the Pros with a caddy and without having to push or pull a cart or carry a heavy bag on their shoulders nly in this case, the caddy is a robot resulting in multiple benefits for the golfer ere are some benefits to using the at- addy

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Staying fit, impro ing o erall health losing weight re enting strain on your back, arms shoulders to impro e your swing Protecting the environment, the course and speed up game Staying connected with the course Preserving the tradition of walking the course Improving your handicap Saving money by eliminating rental cart fees • • • •

While this concept wasn’t new on a worldwide scale, it was still fairly unknown in the US, and Bat-Caddy started investing heavily in consumer education and awareness to create a new market. Since 2005 a constant exhibitor at the worldwide largest golf industry show, the PGA Merchandise Show, as well as continued presence at many other venues (NJ Golf Expo) and in media Golfer’s Tee Time) throughout the years and an ever growing list of retail and on course facility sales representation, Bat-Caddy has established itself as the undisputed North American industry leader. The company is now in its 13th year of successful operation with continuous double digit growth rates. Unrivaled by any of its numerous competitors, who have since also entered this market with similarly looking products and marketing strategies, Bat-Caddy offers a superior Service and after-sales support network. It boasts three main Service Centers located in San Francisco, CA, Bethlehem, PA and Jacksonville, FL with a smaller one in Denver, CO, as well as a long term distribution partner in Toronto, ON Canada.

Hence, the company is present in every time zone and within one day shipping time to all major golf facilities throughout the nation and beyond. Its Management team has decades of relevant business, manufacturing and engineering experience

and is supported by a great team of ualified technical, logistics and customer service staff in every location. In other words, Bat-Caddy is a real company with real people and skills and not an anonymous online storefront. As the US market leader Bat-Caddy also has partnered with the leading German caddy brand, JuCad, who manufacture the most sophisticated and lightest caddies in world, made out of carbon fiber or titanium and made in Germany to the highest standards. These caddies are now also available in the US through the Bat-Caddy network at www.jucadamerica.com Bat-Caddy electric caddies are second to none and offer a model variation for every golfer, golf course and budget. The product portfolio includes seven models, either remote or non-remote controlled. They all share an advanced aerospace aluminum frame design which is elegant, light weight, compact, yet durable and easy to handle. They are powered by high quality 12V DC motors. The caddies are controlled either via a government approved remote control system or directly from the handle. The remote models feature concealed double motors with automatic downhill motor brakes. Many models come with standard or advanced anti-tip wheels to master even the hilliest courses. BatCaddy carts can either be powered by standard lead acid batteries of various sizes or advanced super light and durable lithium batteries giving the caddy a longer range, longer life and eliminating 10 kg (20lbs) of weight. The carts are well designed and ha e been continuously refined o er the years They are aesthetically pleasing and available in multiple colors.

According to eter anneforth, resident ounder ur large customer base is telling us that one of the best features of the Bat-Caddy brand is that advanced design, innovation, top quality, superior service and business stability are available at the most competitive prices. We like to keep it that way, since a leader never follows!”

More in depth information on products and company can be found on their websites at www.batcaddy.com and www.jucadamerica.com

Musselburgh Links, the Old Golf Course: A true Scottish Treasure

By Sean Fawcett

What most people don’t realize is that the Old Golf Course, aka Musselburgh Links, is an original ‘ Open hampionship enue, which hosted The pen” what is now know as the British Open) on six occasions between 1874 and 1889. Musselburgh Links, in Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland, is generally recognized as the oldest

golf course in the world, and the oldest on which play has been continuous. Basically it’s a British Open course that anybody can play, too.

Musselburgh Links is a publicly, owned, and administered regulation-sized nine hole masterpiece built around, The Musselburgh Racecourse. It has challenged golfers from around the world since somewhere in the mid-1800s, although there is some early documentation of golf being playing on Musselburgh Links from 1672, which has earned Musselburgh Links the Guinness World Record for being the oldest golf course in the world. It has been reputed that Mary, Q ueen of Scots played on Musselburgh even earlier in 1567.

Originally only seven holes long, the 8th, and a 9th were added around1870. Musselburgh Links was one of ust three initial layouts which first staged the pen

Championship along with Prestwick and St. Andrews, in the 1870s and 1880s. A par 34, measuring just under 2,900 yards, The usselburgh inks hosted si of the ery first pens,” which were two round trials The first pen in 1874 was won by Mungo Park(75-84-159) and the last

by Willie Park Jr.(78-77-155) in 1889. Soon thereafter, however, Musselburgh was taken out of The Championship rotation, when St. Andrews and uirfield opened in 1 1 Besides being the oldest golf course, Musselburgh is also famous, or sometimes infamous, for where the four-an-a-quarter inch hole got its start. It all started because the tool used by the Musselburgh greens keepers to cut the holes, were 108 millimeters in diameter, and thus came about the hole size. Some trivia you might not have known. airly at, with some sloping, but mostly straight away fairway the greens fees average only about $20 (pound sterling, which is equivalent to just under $30 US dollars currently) for nine hole. Y ou can even rent a set of hickory golf clubs to make you feel like you are playing in olden days.

Musselburgh Links is fair layout for most golfers, both men and women The first hole starts with one of the more unusual and challenging, par 3s you’ll ever get to play.

Named The Short ole,” it was originally added as the course’s eighth hole in 1838, it is an incredibly demanding, and sometimes daunting. At 240-yards from the tee (140 yards from the forward tees),the elevated tee box, located just outside the pro shop window will require a long and accurate tee shot to a bunkered green. Between a mix of cross winds and the distraction of hitting over the track’s white metal fencing, many tee shots land between ten and thirty yards short of the green. Needless to say, par is an excellent and well-earned score at Musselburgh’s one-ofa-kind, maybe signature, but definitely ery memorable,

first hole The next few holes are more of your traditional par-4 holes, with yardages ranging from 348 to as much as 431 yards, and follow the length of the horse track. Y our tee shot on the fourth hole starts from inside the fences and goes on the outside of the race course to the very end of the course property towards the Musselburgh town center.

Named rs oreman s”, this hole plays more like a short par-5, and making a four is almost like getting a birdie on the hole. The toughest of the Links’ nine holes, Mrs. Forman’s gets its name for the historic Mrs. Forman’s pub located right behind it’s green, where golfer’s used to be able to get a quick pint during their round.

The only par 5 on the course is the seventh hole. Named The athing oach,” the se enth measures yards and is guarded on all sides by Scotland’s famously thick, thorny gorse, which is definitely something you want to stay away from. Hitting the fairway is a premium on this hole, as well as keeping the ball left with the track on your right for holes 1-4, and again on holes 8 and 9.

A personal favorite hole was the tough, but picturesque fifth hole At 1 yards, this par- , named The Sea Hole”, has a long, skinny green, which slopes from back to front, and is guarded on almost each side by a pair of formidable pot bunkers. Staying out of these bunkers is a challenge I can personally attest to. Walk away with par, and you re ery happy Going uphill to the first turn of the track, you’ll need to cross over the hole to get to the next tee.

Located just about twenty minutes from Edinburgh, Musselburgh will often be included as part of the East othian rotation by golfing packages offered by Scottish travel companies like Hidden Links, SGH Golf, and Golfbreaks. While some courses, like Musselburgh, are less popular to US golfers playing in Scotland, it doesn’t make them any less spectacular.

Golf doesn’t get a whole lot better than playing in Scotland and The Musselburgh Links.

ditor s Note This article was originally published in Golfer s Tee Times in 2 1 , but we felt readers might be interested in reading it again as some scenes from the mo ie, Tommy s onour were filmed there

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MOVIE REVIEW: TOMMY’S HONOUR – The Story of Golf’s First Family R ev i ew by M ar i an C as tner

omer with arket rand, world, o the e S

Ask the question to any golfer, “What were to the game.” is your favorite golf movie? ” and you’re ld Tom, who was born in 1 21, likely to get a whole liturgy of answers. and is commonly referred to as the No matter how old the movie is, drama Grandfather of Golf,” and played an or comedy, golfers will watch them important role in the creation of The repeatedly, laughing or crying at the pen, the oldest professional golf tournament. While he same scenes each time.

Recently a new golf movie opened was a great player in that will surely to be added to many lists his own right, winning – Tommy’s Honour. While it’s run in the The pen four times, movie theatres wasn’t as long as hoped, he is even better known his in uence likely because it didn’t have the mass for appeal of a movie like, Caddyshack or in the design of Tin up, this is one film that our readers approximately 60 golf throughout should take the opportunity to watch, courses whether they find it on irect T , S, the nited ingdom ay er iew, or e en the Golf hannel and reland orn in 1 1, at some point.

Tommy s onour, is a narrated film, Y oung Tommy was told from the perspective of the aging golf s first true father, ld Tom orris, who tells the superstar. He might story in “honour” (note the producers be compared to “the were careful in selecting the word - - Tiger Woods” of N- - - instead of onor of his son, his time. Tommy Thomas Tommy orris Jr Not only won The pen four do we learn about their strained father- consecutive times son relationship, the class structure of by the age of 21, an society at the time, but also a fair amount accomplishment about the early days of professional golf. which still stands hen first read this e in ook to this day. We learn that book written in 2 , thought it was a Y oung Tommy was responsible for gem of an untold golf story that would be the beginnings of such golf essentials, interesting to even those with a limited as how to put backspin on a ball, the background in the history of the golf,” necessity of a quiver bag-- that Tommy e plained hicago-based eith ank, insisted was necessary rather than the film s ecuti e roducer along with carrying ones clubs in their hands, and en hitney, during a recent telephone grooves in the club heads to help control conversation. spin on the ball.

“There are so many ways that we hear eyond what both ld and oung about trying to increase participation in Tom orris did for the game, we learn the game and this was our way of giving about the unwritten rules of social class back to the game. Hopefully it exposes in society s The film Lead_GolferTT_10x6_75_x1a.pdf 1 4/3/17 1:49 PM in the late 1 people to how important both orris goes to great lengths to depict Tommy’s

model oduct mote rame easy The mote ealed with atrious addy carts y are

omer s that bility nce a their

unwillingness to compromise to the ways of social class, but instead follow his heart in pursuing his belo ed eg, even though it eventually leads to a tragic ending for the young couple. t s a story of con ict between mother and daughter-in-law, religion and class struggle t touches on so many family relationships and their dynamics, added ank any belie e that Y oung Tommy was one of the first great athletes to demand to be rightfully compensated for his play. He clearly rebelled against the ways of the upper class and demanded to the paid for what he felt he was worth.

We come to understand just how important “gambling” played in their lives.

While it allowed Y oung Tommy to live a more spend-free life than his father, gambling also guided the expectations of society making it difficult for young Tommy to do and act as he wanted.

The film details some things we might never have known its origins from, such as, we learn how ropes were first used to control unruly crowds – it was common for fights to breakout at matches when the betting got too intense and the ropes were used to hold back the crowds.

The nearly two-hour film was shot in

just thirty-three days, at nearly twenty locations around Scotland, including a scene at usselburgh ld ourse, the world’s oldest golf course, dating back to 1 2 although ary ueen of Scots reportedly played there as early as 1 iewers will recogni e the usselburgh scenes, early in the film, by the acti e racetrack (hmmm, another place to gamble surrounding the golf course Se eral of the golf scenes were recreated at a local cow pasture once designated to become a golf course but ne er did, and for the filming, the cows needed to literally be pushed off the location so holes could be created there.

“This is a love story that is truly close to my heart as grew up with my father on the golf course,” added Jason onnery, who is the son of legendary actor and producer, Sir Sean onnery, and directed the film t is an extraordinary and intimate tale of love and family at the beginning of the great game of golf.” any of the actors were not golfers and had to be taught how to play golf in the clothing and with the equipment of that period. They needed to learn who to swing the way they did almost 1 years ago. Remember, Tommy was a long hitter, and most probably, only hit the ball 1 -1 yards ” The film debuted in three cities nationwide in mid-April with sold-out fundraising premiers for the irst Tee programs in etropolitan New ork, hicago and North lorida or those interested in the history of golf, highly recommend spending an afternoon or evening watching this mesmeri ing film

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Golfer’s Tee Times Hole-In-One’s

MICHAEL PETRIN 3/25/17 Plainfield West 9 GC Hole #7 Witness: Karen Petrin

Congratulations Phyllis Bullock-Beaufait, a retired school teacher and counselor in Glassboro, NJ, scored not one but TWO hole-in-ones within six days of each other last Fall.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME:APPETIZING APPETIZERS DOWN ACROSS 1. Leopard or such 1. Bluffer’s game 2. Curved molding 6. R&R spot 3. Capital of Ukraine 9. “For” in Spanish 4. “Love Me Tender” singer 13. Nimble 5. Wound like an old movie 14. Not square?

6. Lil’ Bow Wow’s first name 15. South Korean port 7. *Appetizer wrapped in a blanket 16. “Superman” Christopher 8. Rapidly 17. Turkish military leader 9. Between larva and adult 18. 1960s abstractionism 10. Rush job notation 19. *____ eggs 11. Steak preference 21. *Small decorative appetizer sandwiches 12. *Kids’ appetizer: “____ on a Log” 23. Questionnaire check box 15. Part with cash, reluctantly 24. Insubstantial 20. Dead-on 25. Tank filler 22. Sun Tzu’s “____ of War” 28. Willy Wonka mastermind 24. In sum 30. #4 Down hometown 25. Plaster of Paris on a canvas 35. Building extensions 26. Homeless cat’s home 37. Charles Manson’s home 27. Poles and Serbs, e.g.

39. Eucharist plate 29. *____ cheese is not a dairy cheese 40. Strip of wood 31. Encouraging taps 41. Batu Khan’s people 43. *Chicken Satay is popular app in this eatery type 32. Community spirit 33. Renter’s paper 44. Separate head from body 34. *Blooming bulb 46. Popular symbol of extinction 36. Proofreader’s mark 47. Comme ci, comme Áa 38. *Serve soup 48. *Served on a half-shell 42. “____ One: A Star Wars Story” 50. *These frog limbs are a French delicacy 45. Indian Ocean’s saltwater inlet 52. D.C. bigwig 49. Swedish shag rug 53. Two of a kind 51. Buddhists’ sacred mounds 55. Beehive State native 54. Fancy tie 57. *Indian restaurant appetizer staples 56. Black tie one 61. *Hors d’____ 57. Cul de ____, pl.

65. Mojave plant 58. A fit of shivering 66. Tube in old TV 59. Foal’s mother 68. Black ____ in “Pirates of the Caribbean” 60. “Metamorphoses” poet 69. Papal court 61. Football great ____ Graham 70. Porridge grain 62. Jasmine of “Aladdin,” e.g.

71. Broadway’s famous orphan 63. Cleveland, OH lake 72. Bird feed 64. Dog trailer 73. II to Romans 67. *Like a vegetable in cruditÈ platter 74. Lodged with pigs answers on page 2

The first ace occurred on October 24th at Blue Heron Pines Golf Club, on hole #11, 90 yards, Par 3; using a 7-iron. The witnesses: Gary Beaufait, Bonnie Marshall, Rusty Marshall.

again by Gary Beaufait “Both shots were perfectly hit, landing on the green both times and gently rolling towards and in the hole,” added her eyewitness husband, Gary.

Mrs. Beaufait certainly beat the golf odds, but now must face an even more daunting health issue. Late last year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, The second was on October 30th at but seeing how well she does with Town & Country Golf Links on hole “odds,” she is sure to beat the odds #4, 117 yards Par 3; using this time and be back golfing away soon. her trusty 8-iron, and witnessed

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The South Jersey Golf Association Turns 70

By Sean Fawcett

Look who just turned 70! Founded in 1946, the South Jersey Golf Association, or SJGA, is now nearly 71 years young and still going, and growing strong.

Established to grow the game of amateur competition in South Jersey, The SJGA, a non- profit organization headquartered in North Cape May. While regulating the SJGA events, it provides member courses with measuring, course and pace rating services. They also promote junior and adult golf with tournaments and scholarships, while acting as a partner to the USGA with an emphasis on “unity through sportsmanship.”

The SJGA also provides learning, and playing opportunities for boys and girls from 6 to 18 years old. They annually award college scholarships for graduating seniors in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem counties. Scholarship applicants must be in good standing with their golf teams and plan to enroll as full-time undergraduate students at accredited colleges or universities in the United States. Past scholarship award winners include former Rollins College standout, and Symetra Tour player, Joanna Coe. The initial “founding courses” of the SJGA started with thirteen south Jersey golf courses, but has grown to over twenty private and public courses. Gail Reilly from Cape May National, has been President since 2011, and heads the SJGA Board of Directors. .

“Our mission with SJGA is to grow the game,” said Reilly. We have over three hundred members now and we’re growing.

Many of our newer members are from the

north, and they’re young, and that’s one of our biggest goals. They come south to play the great South Jersey courses. We’re overjoyed to have the top private clubs we have participate. I hope, and I think, it will continue and just keep on getting better and better.”

In 2015, the SJGA formed a strategic alliance with the New Jersey State Golf Association (NJSGA) in order to maximize “playing opportunities for golfers throughout the Garden State.” This alliance has certainly helped continue the growth of both organizations.

The South Jersey Golf Association has a long-standing tradition in that part of the state.

The NJSGA, with its resources and its base in the northern half of the state, felt it could help promote golf in South Jersey, thereby benefitting all the golfers in New Jersey,” said Rich Kennedy, the NJSGA Director of Handicapping and Member Services “There’s so much good golf and great opportunities to play golf in South Jersey that our members should be aware of. We have a vested interest in getting more exposure for golf in South Jersey and the entire state in general,” Kennedy added.

This year’s SJGA tournament schedule has confirmed eight tournaments, including dates at Westlake Country Club in Lakewood (May 22nd), Hidden Creek Golf Club(June 13th), Blue Heron Pines (August 28th) and the September 12th season finale at Stockton Seaview. Events have various formats and costs.

For more information and the full schedule, visit the SJGA website (www. sjgolf.org).

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