July
2010 Issue
The Official Newsletter of the Southern Nevada Golf Association
The Grind Not Your Average Joe…
In This Issue >>>
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. It’s tough to tell what’s hotter right now, the temperature or Joe Sawaia. That’s because he just won his second consecutive 6. event this past weekend at the Nevada State Mid-Amateur held 7. at the prestigious Cascata Golf Club. The course was in im8. maculate condition and Sawaia’s game paralleled the course 9.
2010 Nevada State Mid-Amateur July 16-18, 2010 Cascata Golf Club
Nevada State Mid Amateur Misunderstood Rules Nature Valley Amateur Body Balance for Performance SGC Social Event Pointe Hilton Resorts WSNGA MetLife Auto & Home® What's on Tap?
conditions. While many of the competitors’ scores were in the eighties & nineties due to the toughness of the course, Sawaia impressively posted all three rounds under par. Going into the final round Sawaia (211) trailed Joe Sanders (215) of Montreux Country Club in Reno, Nevada by two shots. Story continued on page 5. Page 1
Misunderstood Rules by Mike Charrie Can a player get relief from an obstruction when deciding to play the stroke from the opposite side of the ball (right handed vs. left handed) and then play the shot from their traditional swing side once away from the obstruction? Yes. According to Decision 24-2b/3, a player may take relief from an obstruction by choosing to play the shot opposite handed as opposed to their traditional swing only if the shot would be made that way if there were no obstruction. If the player is saying they will play a shot from the opposite side simply to get a better lie or further from the obstacle to then hit the shot traditionally, this is not allowed. The player must deem that the original stroke’s best playable option is from the opposite side and not from their traditional swing side for this relief to take effect. 24-2b/3 Player Determines Nearest Point of Relief But Physically Unable to Play Intended Stroke Q. In proceeding under Rule 24-2b(i) or Rule 25-1b(i), the Definition of "Nearest Point of Relief" provides that to determine the nearest point of relief accurately, the player should use the club, address position, direction of play and swing (right or left-handed) that he would have used to make his next stroke had the obstruction or condition not been there. What is the procedure if, having determined the stroke he would have used, he is unable physically to make such a stroke from, what would appear to be, the nearest point of relief because either (a) the direction of play is blocked by a tree, or (b) he is unable to take the backswing for the intended stroke due to a bush? A. The point identified is the nearest point of relief. The fact that at this point the player cannot make the intended stroke due to something other than the obstruction or condition from which relief is being taken does not alter this result. The player must drop the ball within one clublength of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole. Once the ball is in play, the player must then decide what type of stroke he will make. This stroke may be different from the one he would have made from the ball's original position had the obstruction or condition not been there. Page 2
It’s All in The Hips
Modern golfers should be fully aware that their most important piece of golf equipment is their body. A golf-specific and customized fitness-training program to address physical performance factors is really the “missing ingredient” that golfers have been looking for to help safely and efficiently achieve their ideal golf swing and optimal performance goals. The structure of the body governs its function. Therefore, those who want to function as a golfer must be structured as a golfer. The following exercise is an example of a simple, golf-specific exercise that can be performed at home to improve your physical structure and, therefore, improve your swing potential. Before attempting to perform these or any other exercises, however, please be sure to consult with your physician and golf-specific fitness expert. Also, if you should notice any discomfort during or after performing this exercise, consult your physician immediately before continuing. Supine Hip Rotation Stretch The Supine Hip Rotation Stretch is a very safe and effective exercise to help you reduce your hip rotation tightness and, therefore, improve your ability to make a full turn around your hips during the full golf swing. Perform this flexibility exercise as follows: Begin by lying on your back close to a wall and place both feet on the wall so your hips and knees are bent approximately 90 degrees. Next, cross your right foot over the left knee and rest both hands on the top of your right knee. Then, apply gentle pressure with your hands on your right knee in a direction that is down and away from your right shoulder until you feel a light, comfortable stretch in the outer portion of your right hip and/or in the groin. Hold this light, comfortable stretch for approximately 3-5 minutes or until you feel a complete softening release of the original stretch feeling in your right hip. After the stretch is complete, slowly release the downward pressure from your hand on your right knee and repeat the stretch with your left hip. Practice this releasing exercise at least once each day for the next 2-3 weeks until you can stretch equally well in both hips. However, if you have experienced one hip to be tighter than the other during your swing then initially spend more time stretching the tighter hip. Your ultimate goal is balanced rotation for both hips. Only by achieving complete and balanced hip rotation flexibility will you accomplish a full backswing and follow-through with each and every swing. Once balanced, you may advance this stretch by simply moving your body closer to the wall during your starting position for this exercise. This will enable your hips and knees to be bent at a starting angle greater than 90 degrees and enable a greater degree of stretch in your hips during the exercise. If you have questions, please send me an email at agaspar@fitgolf.com and call Body Balance for Performance at 702.882.9727 Here’s to your healthy hip and good golf. Arnel Gaspar, TPI certified Page 4
Not Your Average Joe… (Continued from Page 1) The leaders teed off at 9:45am and had to fight through their back nine, as temperatures reached over 110 degrees during that stretch. Sanders and Sawaia battled it out on the front nine with Sawaia gaining one stroke to only trail by one at the turn. Then, as the heat rose, so did Sawaia’s game. On the par four 13th hole, he threw a dart to within two feet of the flag and made the putt for birdie increasing his lead to two strokes over Sanders. He also birdied the par five 16th and pared the final two holes to finish the day with a 70 (-2) for the victory. Both Sanders and Steve Fink shot impressive, low event rounds of 69 (-3) over the weekend. Fink’s score of 69 helped him earn a fourth place finish (222) just behind Craig Erickson (217) in third place. Well done Gentlemen. The SNGA would like to thank Cascata Golf Club and its professional staff for their tremendous contributions to the event this last weekend and supporting amateur golf in Southern Nevada. Cascata’s Golf Club staff went above and beyond in accommodating players, tournament staff and volunteers alike and we are grateful for the use of this breathtaking facility. The SNGA would also like to thank all the volunteers for their consistent effort to help better the game of golf in the state of Nevada. Thank you to everyone who competed in the event for bearing the elements, we enjoyed having you as part of our event and we look forward to hosting you in future tournaments.
I am Woman, hear me roar… Southwest Golf Club Social Event July 13th, 2010 The Golf Club at South Shore Who says women can’t compete with men? Not the women of Las Vegas. During the Southwest Golf Club Social Event held at The Golf Club at South Shore they proved just that. Having six flights for this event, with a total of 48 players, 43 men and 5 women, the odds were seemingly against them. At first glance that looks to be a pretty big discrepancy between the genders…but that didn’t matter to the women. One-third of the flight victors were women! Monica Fairbanks (86) won Flight Three by two strokes over Gregg Gale (88) and Cy Frederick (88) while Kathy Kaplan (90) won Flight Five by four strokes over Nicholas Caputo (94) and Timothy Albert (94). The other flight winners include Matt Snyder (80) – Flight One, Matt Smith (80) – Flight Two, Dennis Moore (85) – Flight Four and Scott Kimball (101) – Flight Six. Matt Smith captured the Flight One crown by a whopping twelve strokes over second place Chae Hue (92). Matt Smith’s victory in Flight Two was by a much slimmer margin of only two strokes over Greg Frey (82). Flight Three’s victor Monica Fairbanks held steady for the win as seventy percent of the flight ended within four strokes of her. In Flight Four, Dennis Moore was three back after the front nine, but then turned it on with an impressive 39 on the back nine to win by three strokes over fellow competitors Dan Cruz (88) and Jeffrey Canarelli (88). In Flight Five, Kathy Kaplan fired a notable 41 on the back nine to give her a four shot win. Scott Kimball got focused on the back nine shooting thirteen strokes better (44) to capture first place by three shots over a consistent Bob Lee (Front: 52 Back: 52). Congratulations to all the winners. The Golf Club at South Shore and its professional staff did a fantastic job hosting and accommodating the SNGA players, staff and volunteers. The SNGA is grateful for the use of this wonderful facility and the terrific food that was provided. The course was in great shape and proved to have some pretty challenging holes as well as some spectacular views of the course and Lake Las Vegas. Thank you to MetLife for their continuing support of the SNGA. We hope everyone involved enjoyed the event, the course and the camaraderie. We look forward to seeing everyone at future events. Page 5
Stay & Play
Tee-up this year at the Pointe Hilton Resorts with our Stay and Play package. Your package includes a one night stay, Hilton Breakfast for two, and one round of golf at either Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort or Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort. October 13 - December 31, 2009 rates from $109/Night/Person* January 1 - February 28, 2010 rates from $129/Night/Person* March 1 - April 4, 2010 rates from $149/Night/Person* April 5 - May 20, 2010 rates from $109/Night/Person* May 21 - September 26, 2010 rates from $69/Night/Person* September 27 - October 14, 2010 Overseeding - No Play. October 15 - December 31, 2010 rates from $119/Night/Person* *Package rates will vary based on single occupancy or double occupancy. Packagerates are based on double occupancy per person.
For reservations please call 1-888-463-4931 or to reserve online at T a p a t i o C l i f f s R e s o r t c l i c k h e r e and to reserve at S q u a w Pe a k R e s o r t c l i c k h e r e . *Package rates are based on double occupancy and inclusive of golf. Packages and Package rates are all based on availability. Please make your reservations within 5 days of arrival by calling the phone number below and request Plan Code "P9". Please call 1-888-463-4931 to book your package and to reserve tee times. Package price is only available with a valid tee time reservation. Rate is based on the number of golfers in a suite. For one tee time per day, package must be booked with occupancy of one adult, two tee times per day, must be booked with occupancy of two adults. Package rate may be subject to change if additional tee times are required. Exclusive of tax and gratuity. Golf greens fees are based on availability and are subject to change without notice. Guests receive one round of play for each night's stay. Please note that the golf course will be closed September 27 through October 14, 2010 for course overseeding. Offer includes two Hilton Breakfast buffet certificates for each night's stay. One certificate is valid for one adult Hilton Breakfast buffet. Each child 5 years of age or younger will eat without charge when accompanied by a paid adult including adults utilizing the Hilton Breakfast buffet certificate. At the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort breakfast certificate is redeemable at Pointe In Tyme restaurant and at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort breakfast certificate is redeemable at Hole-in-the-Wall restaurant. Breakfast certificates have no cash value; gratuities are not included. Certificates not valid for room service breakfast, after departure or at another hotel. Offer cannot be combined with any other discounts and is not applicable to groups.
WSNGA Team Play Conclusion The WSNGA Team Play has concluded for the year. The first matches were held in February and continued through June with the playoffs on June 28 at Siena Golf Club. 2010 winners were: OVERALL: Spanish Trail CC; GROSS DIVISION: Las Vegas CC; and the NET DIVISION: Red Rock CC. The year-end fun day was hosted by Red Rock CC where all team players were invited to play in a shamble event followed by lunch. Prizes were given for the days’ play and trophies awarded to the Team Play winners and runners-up. A very successful year of matches and our thanks to all the courses that hosted play days for 2010. The WSNGA has 2 remaining events for 2010, a fun day at Bears Best, June 26 and a fun day at TPC Summerlin later this year. Information about the Fun Days can be found at: www.wsnga.org. Nevada State Women’s Golf Association is hosting the 2010 Partners event this weekend in Reno at Wolf Run Golf Course. The next State event will be the Quad, a four-person, 2 better ball format, to be held at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, August 7-8. This event is a great opportunity to put together a team of your favorite players and compete for the State title! For further details, please go to www.nevadawomensgolf.org. TPC Summerlin Golf Club hosted an amazing Women’s Golf Day on June 28. There were 104 women in attendance for the 9-hole golf event followed by lunch, Callaway demo day, Callaway and Adidas trunk show, a clinic and wine and cheese. Incredible pricing was provided for all shop merchandise, trunk show purchases as well as equipment ordered from Callaway. Chris Schindler and his staff were truly incredible hosts and they are looking to make this an annual event so be sure to watch for next year’s date and sign-up early!
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Las Vegas National Golf Club Site of the 2009 SNGA Season Opener
final thoughts... 2625 N. Green Valley Pkwy. Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89014 702-458-4653 www.snga.org
“A "gimme" can best be defined as an agreement between two golfers, neither of whom can putt very well.” ~Author Unknown
What’s on Tap >>>
Hole # 15, Paiute Resort Golf Club Site of the 2010 Nevada State Amateur
2010 Nevada State Amateur This Years Nevada State Amateur (Scratch) Returns to Paiute Resort Golf Club on August 6th - 8th. 60 of the top players from all across the State of Nevada will be battling it out on the Wolf Course to crown this years Amateur Champion. Paiute Resort Golf Club is home to three Championship Golf Courses including Wolf, Snow Mountain, and Sun Mountain. Each course provides a unique and challenging experience. Visit www.snga.org for more information on the Nevada State Amateur and Paiute Resort Golf Club.
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