Official publication of the Oklahoma Golf Association www.golfoklahoma.org
•••••• 1
REDESIGNED HOLE NO. 8 Par 5 • OU Jimmie Austin Golf Club
ALWAYS IMPROVING. One of Oklahoma’s top golf destinations continues to get better by the day. Be one of the first to experience the newly renovated OU Jimmie Austin Golf Club. Memberships are now available. OUGOLFCLUB.COM • 405-325-6716 •
ROAD TRIP No. 18
M�e golf �an you can shake a 9-iron at. When it comes to championship public golf, there’s no better destination than Alabama, where we’re proud to claim three of America’s 50 Toughest Courses as selected by Golf Digest. For starters, there are the 468 holes along the world-renowned Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Stretching from the mountains in the north to the Gulf Coast in the south, these 26 courses will test your golfing skills as well as your intestinal fortitude. Then there are the many other impressive courses scattered across the state, designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jerry Pate. Each with its own set of challenges, each with its own set of rewards. And each along an epic road trip to the state of Alabama.
Mo re inf o at
Download Alabama Road Trips from your app store
ala ba ma .tr av el/ ro ad
- tr ip s
To reserve your tee time, schedule an event or inquire about membership, call 800.760.6700. I-44 EXIT 240, TULSA, OK • HARDROCKCASINOTULSA.COM
Rates subject to change at discretion of management.
Contents A U G U S T/ S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6 Vol. 6 Issue 4
w w w.golfokl ahoma .org
Features 38
Hall of Fame Inductees 38 W.K. Warren Sr. and W.K. Warren Jr. 42 Labron Harris Sr.
46
46 48 50 52 54
Big changes at Jimmie Austin Destinations: South Africa beckons Robert Krug continues sojourn Amateur Profile: Austin Eckroat Three Benschs better than one
Departments
38
10 12 13 13 14 20 22
Letter from the publisher
32
Competition, OGA and WOGA state amateurs, more . . .
57 60 61
Instruction
OGA Executive Director Mark Felder Rules, Gene Mortensen WOGA Executive Director Sheila Dills The Goods, Book reviews, new gin, cigars, Yeti Equipment: 18Birdies targets Millennials Chip Shots: Scott Verplank gives back, Traden Karch story, Fairfax sold and rebranded, Hall of Fame dinner approaches, Cary Cozby wins national PGA award, Mark Galloway has a newgroove
Fitness Schedules and results
On the cover
24
The 17th hole of the renovated Jimmie Austin OU Golf Course in Norman shows off new bunkers created by architect Tripp Davis.
Support junior golf by contributing to the OGA Foundation Call 405-848-0042 for more information 6 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
SWIM IN STYLE!
Free SmartLight A $600 Value
Long lasting, energy-efficient LED lighting illuminates your pool in an array of dazzling colors
*With new pool. Must present ad at initial visit prior to contract signing. Not valid with any other offer/discount. For new customers/contracts. Offer expires September 30,2016.
OKC
405-844-7500 BlueHavenOKC.com
Your Backyard Dreams Await
With nearly 30 years of experience building pools in the greater OKC and surrounding areas, you’ll ind peace of mind working with the Blue Haven staff of professionals.
TULSA
918-258-4525 BlueHavenTulsa.com
FREE BROCHURE, IN-HOME ESTIMATE & CUSTOM 3-D DESIGN
Your Single Source For
Corporate
BENEFITS
405.359.0594 www.nfp.com/csok
THE RIGHT CORPORATE AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STRATEGY IS THE ONE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR COMPANY. At NFP, we empower you to take control of your company’s future. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your employee benefit needs.
August / September 2016 letter from the publisher
Streb shows way for Oklahoma junior golf brigade
W
hen Robert Streb fired a re- Edmond, with Austin Eckroat due to arrive cord-tying 63 in the second in 2017. Oklahoma is led by Max McGreevy from round of the PGA Championship, we began to wonder if our cover story Edmond and Brad Dalke from Hobart, with for this August issue, long-planned to be the Thomas Johnson from Norman, Quade huge improvements under way at the Uni- Cummins from Weatherford and Griffin versity of Oklahoma’s Jimmie Austin Golf Pierce from Edmond all looking for playing time this fall and Logan McAllister commitClub, would have to be adjusted. To have the leader of the current renais- ted for 2018. We’d have to dig deep through the record sance in young Oklahoma talent win a major championship would be a great story indeed. books to find a time when nine Oklahomans He would have joined Tommy Bolt in the were on scholarship at the two major universities. And that’s not count1958 U.S. Open, Orville Moody ing the two junior stars who in the 1969 U.S. Open and Bob have recently slipped over to Tway in the 1986 PGA ChampiArkansas. Taylor Moore begins onship as the only native born his pro career this year while Oklahomans to win one of the Mason Overstreet will be a four majors. freshman this fall. Instead, that honor went to With the Oak Tree Gang getJimmy Walker, who himself ting long in the tooth, hopefully was having a middling year we’ll have a new crew to cheer until catching fire in the PGA for on the PGA Tour. Yes, we Championship. Walker lived very much appreciate Rickie the first nine years of his life in Robert Streb Fowler, Bo Van Pelt, who actually Oklahoma City, as did Tway before moving to various places and winding up lives in the state, and the other former Cowboys representing OSU on Tour. But it’s still back here after going to OSU. For Streb, it wasn’t to be. Playing in the a bit extra special to see all these players that final group for 36 holes of a soggy Sunday, grew up playing on the Oklahoma Junior Golf Streb played solid golf but couldn’t threaten Tour achieve such success. Who will be next to earn a tour card? Stay the leaders, finishing tied for seventh. His bogey on the par-5 18th hole in the third tuned during this year’s PGA Tour Qualifyround, when he could have just as easily ing. Four Oklahomans – Kevin Tway, Ian made birdie, three-putting from inside 10 Davis, Tag Ridings and Ryan Spears – have Web.com Tour status while a host of others feet, was a hard one to overcome. Streb’s second consecutive top-10 finish in are playing on the Mackenzie Tour in Canathe PGA Championship hopefully will lead da, Adams Tour and other proving grounds. to a strong finish of what had been an off Moore is currently second on the MacKenyear compared to his steady play through- zie Tour money list and the top five earn a out 2015. He jumped 24 places to 88th on Web.com Tour card for 2017. Getting PGA Tour status is no easy road. the Fed-Ex Cup point standings and gave himself a much better opportunity to ad- Many of those laboring on the mini-tours are supremely talented. They just have to prove it vance in the playoffs. Streb’s success is an inspiration for many at the opportune time, because one bad round who are hoping to follow in his footsteps or even a poor swing can be the difference between a chance to move up or another year here in Oklahoma. Streb was not heavily recruited by Okla- trying to shoot 20 under to make a check. It’s no easy way to make a living. Only homa or Oklahoma State before accepting a scholarship at Kansas State, but you can bet a select few will make it to the PGA Tour, his accomplishments have helped open the let alone have sustained success. But as Streb door to Oklahoma talent at both those in- has shown all the other young Oklahomans stitutions. OSU’s roster now features Bren- out there, it’s certainly possible. don Jelley from Jenks High School, Hayden – Ken MacLeod Wood, Tyson Reeder and Nick Heinen from 10 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
Volume 6, Number 4 Golf Oklahoma Offices Southern Hills Plaza 6218 S. Lewis Ave., Ste. 200 Tulsa, OK 74136 918-280-0787 Oklahoma City Office 405-640-9996 Publisher Ken MacLeod ken@golfoklahoma.org COO/Marketing Director A.G. Meyers agm@golfoklahoma.org Art & Technology Director Chris Swafford chris@golfoklahoma.org Subscriptions to Golf Oklahoma are $15 for one year (five issues) or $25 for two years (10 issues). Call 918-280-0787 or go to www.golfoklahoma.org. Contributing photographers Rip Stell, Bill Powell Golf Oklahoma PGA Instructional Staff Jim Woodward Teaching Professional, Oak Tree National jwoodwardgolf@sbcglobal.net, 405-348-2004 Jim Young Teaching Professional, River Oaks CC 405-630-8183 Pat McTigue Manager, GolfTec Tulsa pmctigue@golftec.com Steve Ball Owner, Ball Golf Center, Oklahoma City www.ballgolf.com, 405-842-2626 Tracy Phillips Director of Instruction, Buddy Phillips Learning Center at Cedar Ridge vt4u@yahoo.com, 918-352-1089 Jerry Cozby PGA Professional jerrycozby@aol.com, 918-914-1784 Michael Boyd, PGA Professional Indian Springs Country Club 918-455-9515 Oklahoma Golf Association 2800 Coltrane Place, Suite 2 Edmond, OK 73034 405-848-0042 Executive Director Mark Felder mfelder@okgolf.org Director of Handicapping and Course Rating Jay Doudican jdoudican@okgolf.org Director of Junior Golf Morri Rose morose@okgolf.org Copyright 2016 by Golf Oklahoma Magazine. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from Golf Oklahoma. Golf Oklahoma is published by South Central Golf, Inc.
From the Executive Director
Another worthy name on state champion list First off, congratulations to Quade Cummins of Weatherford, who played outstanding golf for three days in winning the 2016 OGA State Amateur Mark Championship in an exFelder citing match over Tate OGA Executive Williamson of Broken Director Arrow. Cummins looked like he was in full command with a 3 up lead through 10 holes in the final, but Williamson made it exciting w\ith four birdies in the last seven holes to take it to the 18th hole, where Cummins put the hammer down with an approach to 2 feet. The level of play throughout the tournament was amazing and we’re already looking forward to the 2017 event in which we return to Southern Hills Country Club. Earlier in the month, the ageless wonder Mike Hughett of Owasso added to his record total by winning his 19th OGA cham-
12 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
pionship when he won the Senior Stroke Play Championship at Meadowbrook Country Club. Mike will be part of our three-man team in the USGA State Team Championship along with Heath Meyers and Draegen Majors. Mike is 57 but he’s hitting the ball beautifully and playing just as well as any of our younger guys. If you have a Quade Cummins junior golfer who wants to play competitively, make sure he goes to our website and joins the Oklahoma Junior Golf Tour. Executive Director Morri Rose has a great fall schedule lined up and the competition will be intense. There’s a reason that dozens of Oklahoma youngsters are earning college scholarships each year and the experience, toughness
and knowledge they gain by going at each other on a regular basis on this tour is a big part of it. Unlike high school, where the best in the state may meet occasionally or not at all, they are squaring off every week on the OJGT. You’ll see scores in the mid60s shot with regularity, scores that were very rare just Mike Hughett a few years back. Some of it may be attributable to equipment advances, but most of it is from the competition these kids are playing from an early age and the OJGT gives them national-caliber type competition without having to travel or spend outrageous sums. Get more information on the OJGT and the OGA at www.okgolf.org.
Oklahoma Golf Association News
The six rules of golf we all should know There are six Rules that every player should know to help them with routine situations. These fundamental “ABC’s” of the game Gene Mortensen are -- 23, Loose ImpedOGA Rules iments; 24, ObstrucDirector tions; 25 Abnormal Ground Conditions; 26, Water Hazards; 27, Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; and 28, Ball Unplayable. It’s rare to complete a round when you or a member of your group will not invoke one or more of the ABCs. The nice part is that they take up only about 10 pages in the Rules of Golf and are easy to understand. Use your next opportunity (weather delay), to become familiar with them. To demonstrate the frequency with which you can be expected to apply the ABCs, let’s highlight one of them. Rule 27 provides that when your ball comes to
rest Out of Bounds or is not found within the five minutes allowed for a search, the player must return to the spot of the last stroke and play again, adding one penalty stroke. If that spot is a tee, the second ball may be re-teed anywhere within the teeing ground. If the errant stroke was made elsewhere, the player must drop a ball near that spot. The Rule provides a valuable time saver when you are in doubt as to where your ball could be. Rule 27-2 provides that if a player’s ball may be lost or Out of Bounds, he may play a “Provisional.” A Provisional is not permissible for other situations. The player must announce what he is doing and the exact term, “Provisional” should be used so there can be no doubt. A ball put into play without the correct announce-
ment becomes the ball in play under stroke and distance and you don’t want that if the original is safe. The player should consider his ball to be “lost” when he is not able say with certainty where it is. Assume that you hit a ball toward an area in which there are trees and also a water hazard. When the official arrives the question will be asked, “Where is it?” If the player responds, “I’m not sure,” he should deem the ball to be lost and proceed accordingly. The same caveat applies to a ball that might be in ground under repair, or an obstruction. A ball is not automatically in a hazard, etc., because it can’t be found. The Rules are your friend so learn to use them. If you have questions, contact the Oklahoma Golf Association.
Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association
Talent pool is deep, perhaps time to expand bracket Congratulations again to Yujeong Son, winner at age 15 of her third consecutive WOGA State Amateur Championship, having edged Nadia Majidizadeh in a great match 3 and 2 at Sheila Dills the beautiful Patriot Golf President Club in Owasso. WOGA Yujeong is a phenomenal talent and we’ll be following her closely as she begins to play more national competitions. She made it to the semifinals this year of the U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship, quite an achievement especially considering she was playing in a national event for the third consecutive week. Yujeong is currently ranked as the number one junior player in the United States by Golf Week. Yujeong is exceptional, but the talent pool overall in our state amateur continues to get deeper and deeper, causing us to reevaluate the format for our WOGA State Amateur Championship. Simply put, we’ve got to expand the Championship Flight. The traditional 16-person bracket doesn’t allow for everyone capable of winning the championship
to have a shot. In 2016, we had 48 women who registered for the tournament with a handicap of 7.9 or lower, including eight players with a plus handicap, led by Son at plus 4.2. As it turned out this year, a host of talented collegians, including our Stroke Play Champion Alexis Sadeghy of Oklahoma State, were relegated to the President’s Yujeong Son Flight, most for shooting from 77 to 79 in the qualifier at The Patriot. Many of those players had one bad hole and are fully capable of competing for the championship. Taking that into account, the WOGA Board will review the possibility of expanding the Championship Flight to 32 players for 2017.
Our youngest contestant this year was 12-year-old Jenni Roller. WOGA competed in the annual Fore State Championship Aug. 1-3 at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wichita. Competing this year for our Oklahoma team were Alexis Sadeghy, Anna Mikish, Caroline Goodin, Nadia Majidizadeh, Grace Shin, Kailey Jo Campbell, LeeAnn Fairlie, Alexis Sadeghy Kathy West, Jill Johnson, Leigh Ann Fore, Janet Miller and Rebecca Davis. Louise Johnson of Oklahoma City was the Captain. We are looking forward to our last two tournaments of the season in September; our Partnership Tournament at Shangrila and our WOGA Senior State Championship at Lincoln Park in Oklahoma City. www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 13
Goods the
Some things we like to do before and after the round
The Bookshelf Let’s Get Personal
But it’s his victory in the 1981 U.S. Amateur Championship, that gives the book Soon after a round of golf in 1977 at the its emotional highlight. Crosby strove to La Moraleja Club near Madrid, Bing Cros- win the tournament for his father, four by dropped dead of a massive heart attack. years after his death, while Bing’s great The popular crooner, one of the most friend Bob Hope sat watching the tournasuccessful entertainers in the history of ment on television with his tears flowing. Bing Crosby’s career is ably sketched in, show business, was only 73. To reporters who sought her out as the news broke, but usually in the terms his widow used, Crosby’s second wife, Kathryn, said, “I as a golfer who sang. Wherever Crosby can’t think of any better way for a golfer went, which was everywhere, some kind who sings for a living to finish the round.” of game was usually in the offing. Bing Crosby was more than a fanatiBing’s youngest son, Nathaniel Crosby, makes abundantly clear just how crucial cal golfer, however, as his annual Crosby the game was to his father in “18 Holes Clambake evolved into the most prominent PGA Tour With Bing” (Dey St., $22.99). pro-am tourIndeed, all of our nament on the three volumes this schedule, and time around are set a pattern for memoirs. If driven and Hypocrisy in Golf years of celebby three different The Power Brokers, Political Correctness rity sponsored approaches to the “Ted Bishop tells us competitions game, they neverthe timeline and the facts of his impeachment by the PGA of (until corporate theless all manage America. I am one of the many people including many in the national golf media and PGA members across sponsorships to intertwine at n draconia PGA’s the feel who America action, steeped in political correctness, took over, includsome points. Each did in no way fit the crime. “Unfriended” is a must read for those who want ing the Crosby tends to meander to know the facts.” —Tom Watson event) by the in terms of chronollikes of Jackie ogy and are subject Gleason, Sammy to repetitiveness. Davis Jr., Andy But they’re all also Williams, Dean highly anecdotal, Martin, Dinah and most of the tales Shore and Glen are ingratiating. Campbell. One’s level of interThe book is est may depend on crammed with how inquisitive one ica celebrity stois about Bing Crosby, the PGA of America 38th Presi dent of 38th Presi dent of the PGA of Amer ries, naturally, Arnold Palmer or Ted and a delightful Bishop and his trouchapter about bles with the PGA of Nathaniel’s godfather, the crusty and stillAmerica. I’m not that interested in Bing Crosby, ticking at 93, Jackie Burke Jr. One story about Bing and Phil Harand yet Nathaniel, with co-author John Strege, has put together the most engaging ris, as well known for his tippling as book of this trio, quite possibly because his entertaining, also winds up in “Unthey keep the spotlight pretty squarely on friended” by Ted Bishop (Classics of Bing. Sure, Nathaniel’s golfing life plays Golf, $27.50), so it’s probably worth rea part here — he played well enough to peating here, too. The pair were over in compete on the European Tour for a time, Scotland and after playing two rounds although not well enough for a long time. were on the road around midnight. They by tom bedell
U N FR IE N D E D
Ted Bishop
14 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
passed a distillery that was clearly operating a late shift when Crosby said, “Look, Phil, they’re making it faster than you can drink it.” To which Harris replied, “Yeah, but I’ve got ‘em working nights.” The story is an aside in Bishop’s book, in which he recounts his life in golf prior to the main event — his ouster as the 38th President of the PGA of America in October, 2014, a bare month shy of what would have been the end of his two-year term. For those who forget, Bishop was sacked — or impeached, as he likes to put it — for an inappropriate Twitter comment. Bishop was reacting to what he deemed a rude tweet from Ian Poulter, basically referring to the Scottish golfer as a complaining “Lil Girl.” This seeming gender insensitivity, which Bishop acknowledges, set his dismissal in motion. Bishop’s book is his brief that the PGA of America grossly overreacted, in excessive haste, after his tweet began getting blowback. And it’s tough to argue with him, though in my mind the real reason Bishop’s neck was on the block in the first place was that he choose Tom Watson to be the captain of the 2014 Ryder Cup squad. The ensuing debacle after yet another loss, and the dicey press conference in which Phil Mickelson carved up Watson, was still in the poisoned air at the time.
ONLINE: Get the latest news on Oklahoma golf at
golfoklahoma.org
I haven’t seen a lot of reaction to Bishop’s book yet, and I can imagine the PGA powers that be might want to just wait this one out, given Bishop’s explosive subtitle: “The Power Brokers, Political Correctness and Hypocrisy in Golf.” The keg never really blows that destructively, but Bishop quite clearly shows that his entire career in golf was anything but gender insensitive, and the greater insensitivity in this case may well have been at the hands of those who showed him the door. The PGA Championship is the one major Arnold Palmer never could claim, and he had an uneasy relationship with the PGA of America for a time over a pre-
sumed slight years before to his father, Deacon Palmer. As readily evident in “A Life Well Played: My Stories” by Arnold Palmer (St. Martin’s Press, $22.99), his father was and remains the strong and main influence in his life, golfing and otherwise. In both Bishop’s and Palmer’s books, reference is made to healing that rift with Palmer by the organization’s creation of the Deacon Palmer Award, given to a PGA professional who has “had to overcome a serious personal obstacle in his or her career to serve the game and community.” And Deacon Palmer was the first recipient. Arnold Palmer, no stranger to awards or books, felt like telling some of his stories again, so he sat down with collaborator
Dave Shedloski (who also assisted Bishop) and roamed over his life and career once more, in what we can only dread may be the last time in such a fashion. True, some of these might be twicetold (or more) tales. I haven’t really compared the stories to Palmer’s 1999 effort with James Dodson, “A Golfer’s Life,” but there’s undoubtedly plenty of overlap. Who cares? This is Arnold Palmer in his own voice, in 76 tidy servings, on some of his great wins and losses, friends and rivals, hobbies and his multiple business interests, all over the globe. What’s not to like? It’s difficult to imagine a professional golfer who actually loves the game as much as Palmer, and it may be one of the reasons fans still love him in return — that whatever the rest of the trappings, there’s something unclouded at the heart of it. It’s like his first impression of Augusta, when he felt an immediate and powerful kinship: “I think because it was purely devoted to golf, and so was I.” Tom Bedell is a golfer who writes for a living (such as it is).
www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 15
The goods
Gin options abound by greg horton
Of all the distilled spirits, gin has the distinction of being the one for which laws were specifically passed to slow its consumption. The so-called Gin Acts, were attempts on the part of the British government to mitigate the “Gin Craze,” as it was called in 18th century Great Britain. Gin production in its most rudimentary form goes back to Medieval monasteries; the monks added juniper berries to mask the smell and taste of the neutral spirits they distilled. Over time, other botanicals were added to the mix, and increased trade with Arab merchants meant greater access to more exotic botanicals. Modern gin typically begins with juniper as the main botanical, but variations, including 209 Gin, which is made with grapes, are becoming more common. Hendricks Gin famously tastes like cucumbers, but the juniper is still in there, as it is in the 209. The distillers simply make it a flavor
STAY& PLAY
PACKAGES STARTING AT
out•doors (out-dawrz) n. The world outside of or away from the confi nes of a building
129
$
note, not a drumbeat. The summer months are perfect for gin because good gin is incredibly versatile. Gin and tonic is one of the oldest cocktails in the world, and that it is still popular today says something about its character: it is flavorful, refreshing, and a true “grown up” drink. It was developed by the British to combat malaria, as tonic water contains quinine. The bitterness is hard to miss, but as any coffee drinker will tell you, bitterness is often a good thing. Oklahoma now has an excellent selection of premium gins, and because of the diverse recipe of botanicals, the flavor palate goes far beyond the stereotypical juniper and neutral spirits reputation of gin. Monkey 47 is named for the 47 botanicals
used in its production, and while the number is staggering — most gins have 6-12 botanicals — the effect is remarkably pleasant given the complexity of flavors. The thing about Monkey 47 is that it’s going to cost you nearly $50 -- for a half-bottle. It only comes in .375 ml bottles. If you can afford it, the product will exceed your expectations. Gins like Monkey 47 are billed as spirits to be drank on the rocks or even “up” as a martini. Adding tonic or juice is not usually recommended, although a little water — added until the gin is slightly cloudy — can sometimes help with high-alcohol gin. In the United States, gin has to have an ABV of 40 percent, but many run as high as 48 percent, and those eight points can make a huge difference. Letherbee is more typical of modern gin,
*
30 Rainbow Road NE
•
Albuquerque, NM
•
505.798.3990
•
sandiagolf.com
*Price is per person/per night based on double occupancy. Valid Sunday – Thursday. Rate does not include tax. Price is subject to availability and/or blackout dates. Not applicable to groups (17 or more), conventions, or special discount offers.
16 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
2016 Golf Pass is BIGGER AND BETTER! Visit scspgagolfpass.com to order yours today!
as it’s made with 11 botanicals, juniper being the chief flavor. Letherbee is a mixture of juniper, spice and citrus, which means that each sip offers a chance to detect nuances of flavor and botanical types. This one will be priced somewhere in the $35 range, depending on where you shop. In 2007, Hayman’s decided to resurrect the “Old Tom” style of gin. It’s a sweeter style than “dry” or London gins, and it was used in classic cocktails like Tom Collins for decades before falling off the radar. Hayman’s Old Tom is citrus forward, but the juniper is still detectable. All the Hayman’s gins are made with 10 botanicals. Expect to spend less than $25 for Hayman’s, and because of the very slight sweetness, it’s incredibly easy to drink as a martini or over ice. When it comes to traditional London Dry Gin, Broker’s is difficult to beat. Made in the old copper pot-still method using only wheat, Broker’s relies on 10 botanicals to create a very dry, very clean, straightforward gin. This is the best choice for cocktails such as The Last Word, Negroni and Gimlet. It’s also going to run you $20-25 a bottle, making it a great deal.
Drew Estate Undercrown Shade by tyler young
Quality and consistency are key elements every golfer strives for when they take to the course. Putting hours in on the putting green or at the driving range only helps strengthen these two elements when you head to the first tee. Finding the right cigar for that occasion is no different. In the dog days of summer, most golfers are looking for a cigar that is not to strong, will last for 9 holes and is durable. Now there are many cigars that fit this profile, but for the golfer wanting a refreshing change of pace cigar experience, the Undercrown Shade by Drew Estate is what you have been looking for! It’s creamy! It’s got flavor! Quality of smoke and construction, consistency in smoke and strength, what more can we say? Well this is a cigar review so how about the basics.
The Undercrown Shade is hand-rolled in Nicaragua, and brandishes a beautiful golden Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, Sumatran binder, as well as Dominican Criollo 98 and Nicaraguan Criollo & Corojo fillers. The pre-light draw is clean with notes of sweet sorghum, oats and honey. The razor sharp burn and cool draw is bursting with flavor while remaining balanced and smooth. I am greeted with hearty nuances of vanilla, toast, cream, and cinnamon, throughout the smoke and was surprised at the richness and depth of flavor. The Undercrown Shade starts off pleasantly mild and building to a medium strength finish. This cigar is perfect for any time of day. So the next time you take to the links with friends, family or for business, remember that excellence drives excellence and show up with an Undercrown Shade. Be the envy of the group and boast its superior quality while you have a superior experience.
Proudly serving Oklahoma with a fine selection of cigars and related products. Stop on by our current locations and share a smoke with us!
2726 W Britton Rd Oklahoma City, OK 405-942-0070
1801 Cornwell Dr. Suite 301 Yukon, OK 2nd Location NOW Open 405-494-7188
www.ztcigars.com (800) 340-3007 www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 17
What they’re buying
YETI, the magic of science by greg horton
After so much praise from outdoor magazines and blogs, it’s hard to find something new to say about Yeti coolers and tumblers. Yeti, it seems, is having the same problem, and so the small company that has turned into a giant in a short time has turned to a new strategy: video. The video, “500 LB Man Vs Yeti,” shows the titular man first destroy an average cooler. It takes all of 10 seconds to render it useless. The scene fades, and then opens with the man at the top of a cliff. He throws the Yeti cooler off the cliff, and when that is unsuccessful, he gives it an elbow drop WWE style. You get the point: he can’t destroy it. It’s an impressive form of advertising, and likely appeals greatly to a younger Vimeo- and YouTube-savvy demographic. While there is no question that the Yeti cooler is the most durable thing
since the cockroach, it’s not just the durability that makes this product overdeliver. If you’ve spent any time in the Oklahoma summer sun with a Yeti, you know its ability to keep cold things cold — really cold — is based on some sort of voodoo magic. In fact, it’s science, but that stuff is sort of tedious, but if you do want to know why it works, it really is just technology. The walls and lid of the cooler are filled with up to 3 inches of commercial-grade polyurethane foam — the kind used in building construction — to insulate the stuff inside. That means that barring anyone leaving the lid all the way open, the temperature is going to stay regulated for more hours than any other cooler on the market. It’s also why the inside doesn’t seem to hold as much stuff as the outside would suggest. In addition to the foam insulation, the Yeti lid also seals. Using the same sort of YETI, built to handle the abuse of any gasket your freezer uses at home, when outdoor adventure.
TAKE YOUR HEALTH TO THE NEXT LEVEL. Health Zone at Saint Francis is a medically based, state-of-the-art, 70,000-squarefoot fitness facility. Health Zone offers an array of exercise equipment, an extensive selection of classes and a variety of programs. No contract is required to join and membership specials are available. Features and services include: • Premier cardio and strength equipment • Dedicated free weight and functional training area • Pilates Reformer studio* • Two indoor saltwater pools • CrossFit/small group personal training* • Over 100 group exercise and aquatic classes weekly • Yoga, zumba, barre and mat Pilates
• • • • • •
Basketball and racquetball Massage services* Locker rooms with steam room and sauna Kids Zone activity center* Indoor walking track Deli with smoothies, wraps and sandwiches
Congratulations to Health Zone member William K. Warren Jr. on his Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame induction!
*
18 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
Services may be an additional fee.
5353 East 68th Street South, Tulsa, OK 74136 918-494-1671 | saintfrancis.com/healthzone
the lid goes down, the Yeti creates an airtight seal that keeps out warm air and sunlight. As long as there is ice in it, the Yeti is effectively a freezer. Have you tried the Yeti tumblers yet? The company promises that the Ramblers will keep cold drinks cold longer, but also that they will keep ice from completely melting for twice as long as commercial quality plastic tumblers. That is a result of the double wall vacuum insulation and kitchen-grade stainless steel. Yeti also makes a line of portable — as in shoulder strap — coolers called Hoppers. These feature a leak-proof zipper and an inch-and-a-half of foam insulation. The Hopper 40 holds up to 36 cans of your favorite beverage plus ice. The kind of quality and durability Yeti represents means you are going to pay more, but the line does over-deliver, and the durability means it will last for years longer than a standard cooler or tumbler. The portable cooler’s smallest model starts at $300. The Ramblers are $40, and the coolers run the spectrum from $250 to $1300, depending on size.
IMPROVE YOUR GAME FLYINGTEE OFFERS ON-SITE GOLF LESSONS AND COACHING
TULSA’S PREMIER GOLF ENTERTAINMENT VENUE RIVERWALK CROSSING – JENKS | FLYINGTEEGOLF.COM |
www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 19
EQUIPMENT
Using a smartphone to reimagine golf - 18 birdies by ed travis
At a recent golf industry conference, the panel discussions and talk around the coffee urn was mostly about how to grow the game and how to reach the “Millennials” – that population segment coming in to adulthood since the turn of the century. In the search to find new ways and new players to stem declining participation, a lot of attention is being focused on this age group and ways to attract them to the golf course and golf lifestyle. Millennials share several defining characteristics, including being “tech savvy.” Some companies are leveraging that fact to increase interest in golf by creating software such as smartphone apps to help young adults create a shared on-course experience with their friends. The new company, 18Birdies, is at the forefront of this trend with an app for both
20 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
Android and Apple formats introduced at the PGA Merchandise Show last January. Think of it as a social platform such as Facebook, but for golf, with tools to network between friends on and off the course. For example, during a round with players on different holes and maybe even different courses, users may instantly share scores, comments and even particular shots. In a broader sense, 18Birdies is an integrated golf platform to reimagine the golf playing experience using a smartphone. In addition to the peer group interaction, 18Birdies tracks game statistics and scoring, including a leaderboard and side bets. Plus, there’s a GPS feature for yardages to not only the green, but every hazard which I found. Unlike some other GPS apps, it’s easy on your phone’s battery. We turned to a former LPGA Tour star playing now on the Legends Tour, Kris Tschetter who signed on with 18Birdies this past spring. What is your role in 18Birdies? Tschetter: As Director of Community Relations, my job is to be the 18Birdies ambassador for the brand. Using my extensive knowledge of the game of golf and connections, I have made throughout my professional playing career, I am tasked with establishing partnerships with local golf communities, organizations and charities. I also actively compete in the LPGA Legends Tour, so I will be spreading the word about our great app to all the folks I meet with along the way. How is 18Birdies a means to increase participation by millennials? Tschetter: The problem we are seeing when it comes to millennials and golf is their perception that golf is elitist, boring and exclusionary. We know that millennials today are very tech savvy, spend a ton of time on their smartphones in a variety
of settings, and are competitive and social by nature. Those that play golf realize it is a highly social game, but that aspect of the game isn’t discussed. 18Birdies aims to fix that through our mobile app. Through the 18Birdies mobile app, users can connect and communicate with friends, other players and the courses themselves. 18Birdies is also gamifying the golf experience to appeal to the competitive nature of millennials. Our side-game tracking feature adds another dimension to the game and makes it simple to play new games such as Skins, Nassau and Vegas. At the end of the day, we want to reimagine the golf experience for today’s millennials. What plans do you have to increase use of the app? Tschetter: App stickiness is something we have focused on from the beginning. The main goal of our app is to provide golfers with a one-stop-shop for all the tools they would need on the course but not take away from their game. The design of our app is extremely intuitive and easy-to-use. With so many apps crowding the mobile market, you can’t afford to have a difficult to use app. One feature that keeps users coming back is our GPS+. Our GPS+ is connected to Google Maps and provides golfers with a bird’s-eye view of the course. Also, the 18Birdies app is packed with social features that give golfers the ability to interact with other golfers and their favorite courses. There is also side-game tracking that will help users keep track of their bets and much more that will keep users coming back. We feel that your readers will be happy to know that we have 197 courses in Oklahoma mapped in our app and we are always adding new courses, so let us know if your course isn’t showing up.” Though many of the older generation may not “get” the idea of turning a round of golf into a real time experience to engage friends at multiple levels, it certainly is something Millennials are comfortable with and using daily, and 18Birdies has the platform to accomplish it.
Chip shots
News from around the state Sponsored by
With help from friends, Verplank Foundation thrives Verplank and his wife Kim started the Kim and Scott hrough sheer willpower and a Verplank Foundation and good support system, Scott Ver- began offering scholarplank overcame Type I diabetes to ships. The tournament is fundbecome one of the nation’s top golfers and ed largely through a golf raise a beautiful family. Now in the early stages of a second- tournament each spring at chance career on the PGA Tour Champi- Oak Tree National. Cowons, Verplank’s focus is often as much on boys, Sooners, business tyhelping others with the disease as it is on coons, crooners, PGA Tour Scholar Chloe Strickland with Scott and Kim Verplank. stars and politicians join his own achievements. tions poured in from 49 states. Although Diabetes made an unwelcome entry into forces for the cause. Bob Stoops and Mike Gundy are regu- Siver assists, Verplank insists on reading Verplank’s life at age 9, when he was discovered in a diabetic coma. Although there lar participants, as is Toby Keith. Oil and each application and going through a difare some suspected trigger points, it is still gas magnate Harold Hamm of Continental ficult process of winnowing out applicant a disease that can affect anyone and there Resources is a supporter, as are Oak Tree after applicant that he finds outstanding. “It’s more reading than I’ve done since is no cure. It is managed with insulin treat- National owner Everett Dobson, former ments and a healthy, active lifestyle is a big Oklahoman owners Jim and Christy Ever- college,” Verplank said. “We had 12 appliest, Rick Cooper of W&W Steel Co., and cants the first year, 40 the second and now bonus. this amount. It’s been pretty amazing. For the young athletes across the coun- many others. “I’ve got some pretty good friends,” We’re just going to keep going forward and try who have been trying to balance the demands of school and sports while fight- Verplank said. “We have some remarkable see how it goes.” Many of the recipients attend a banquet ing off the debilitating effects of diabetes, and influential people supporting us and the day before the golf tournament and helping out. “ Now five years in, the they have amazing stories to tell. Verplank foundation in 2016 handed said he was inspired to create the foundaout 11 scholarships worth tion knowing there were already many various amounts up to other diabetes groups raising money to $10,000 per year depend- search for a cure. He wanted to help those ing on need. The schol- in the midst of the daily struggle to cope arships are renewable if with trying to play a sport and manage the those awarded keep their disease. “Watching what you eat and exercising grades up and meet certain are crucial,” Verplank said. “I want to make criteria. There are students re- sure all my kids are staying active. I want ceiving scholarships at 27 them to realize the importance of both eddifferent colleges across ucation and exercise. The ultimate goal is the country. That’s a good to help each of them become a role model bit of record keeping right who can help others in the same situation.” “Scott Verplank does more good for there for the small foundation, which is administered more people that no one is aware of,” said by Patrick Siver of gEvents Jim Hays, a former OSU baseball player, LLC. But it’s the applica- longtime friend of Scott and his family, tion review process which and successful businessman in a variety has pretty much inundated of ventures. “I’m just so proud of the man he has become. For him to take his biggest Brent Roberts, Toby Keith, Chris Palmer and John Vance Verplank. This year 515 applica- challenge in life and give back this way. I at the 2016 fund-raising tournament.
by ken macleod
T
22 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
ONLINE: Get the latest news on Oklahoma golf at
golfoklahoma.org
would say it’s a safe statement that Scott is the most highly successful athlete in his profession to have overcome this disease and he’s a great example to all of these kids.” “Scott had a vision and it’s come to fruition,” Siver said. “I think we’ve all been overwhelmed by the demand. I don’t think he imagined this number of applications, but it’s been great. There are a lot of financial hardships that come along with having Type 1 diabetes, even if you have good insurance. And the kids are great. More than 90 percent have a 3.75 GPA or higher. A lot are involved in more than one sport and have great service records as well.” Most of the recipients play a sport in high school but are not necessarily college athletes. One who is playing at the highest levels is Kaela Little, a former three-time state champion soccer goalie at Bishop Kelley High School and now a much decorated goalie for the Fighting Scott and Kim Verplank with nine of the thirty-three current Verplank Scholars. Irish. For her senior year with the Irish she was awarded a full athletic scholarship, and attended this year’s ban- all of the recipients personally and often calls many who do not quet to turn in her Verplank Foundation Scholarship and to thank make the cut as well. “We were going through the applications trying to narrow it the family for all it meant to her. Meeting and being able to help quality people such as Little is down to our top 50,” Siver said. “Scott called and said his top 50 what makes the foundation so rewarding for Verplank. He calls had 175 people in it. It’s that hard to narrow down.”
www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 23
Chip shots Round at Southern Hills, trip to PGA Championship help recovery of
Traden Karch by ken macleod
T
raden Karch plays Southern Hills one day, ventures off to spend some time with Rory McIlroy the next. Notes a fully paid trip to the Ryder Cup is approaching on his calendar. Not your usual itinerary for a 13-yearold junior high golfer, but Karch is no ordinary boy. Lifted up partly by his love for the game and the fantastic experiences that are coming his way, Karch is in the midst of what doctors, nurses, family members and friends are calling a miraculous recovery from a Feb. 23 auto accident that nearly claimed his life Riding with his grandfather and sister, neither of whom were badly injured, Karch, a seventh-grader at Broken Arrow’s Centennial Middle School, took the brunt of an intersection collision with a vehicle that struck on the driver’s side. Traden was left with multiple skull fractures and a badly swollen brain. Rushed to St. Francis Hospital, doctors and nurses privately gave him little chance of surviving until dawn. “We knew it was bad,” said his mother
Rory McIlroy of North Ireland and Traden Karch pose for a photo during a practice round of the 98th PGA Championship held at the Baltusrol Golf Club on July 26, 2016 in Springfield, New Jersey. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America) 24 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
Manda. “Later, after he woke up, the doctors and nurses started revealing to us what they had predicted. The nurses that tended him that night all put in their reports that he would not be there the next day.” After surgery, Traden was put into an artificial coma for three weeks. He woke up in the third week, robbed at least temporarily of his speech, most of his memories and the ability to perform simple tasks like putting on a sock. At the end of March, Traden Traden tees off at Southern Hills Country Club. went to the Childrens’ Rehabilitation Center in Bethany, where he stayed how he may have pushed a shot slightly until April 26, making remarkable strides or pulled another. He strikes the ball well, the entire time. Manda put a small putting driving it well over 200 yards and exhibits a soft touch around and on the greens. green in his room. Golf and golfers have played a huge role “We didn’t know if he would even be in his recovery. able to hold the PGA of America club,” she said. “He Chief Executive Oftook it, took a few ficer Pete Bevacpractice strokes, qua was in Tulsa and started making at the annual PGA putts. And he just South Central Secmade them, one aftion meetings when ter the next.” he learned about Traden was a Traden’s plight. Afgolf nut before the ter finding out who accident and that some of his favorite hasn’t changed a golfers were, he got bit. He made the in touch and asked putt that sent a for their help. Soon local PGA Junior McIlroy sent a vidLeague team to the eo and an invitation national champito meet at the PGA onship at Disney Championship. JaWorld. He played Phil Mickelson has a smile for Traden. son Day signed a flag for Centennial and was working his way up the junior ladder. from last year’s PGA Championship vicThose goals haven’t changed. Though tory at Whistling Straits. Traden, Chris and Manda had an incredhis speech and reading comprehension are slowly returning as his brain finds new ible time at the PGA Championship at Balpathways to utilize, Traden looks com- tusrol. McIlroy took Traden to the lockerpletely at home on the course or dribbling room for a chat and gifts. He was behind a basketball behind his back or through the ropes at the long drive contest and got his legs. His preshot routine, including a autographs from his favorite players. He club twirl, is identical to what he did prior wore his parents out rushing up and down to the accident. He communicates easily the holes spectating the rest of the week. with his father Chris, showing by hand His speech patterns improved markedly and arm positions as well as short phrases during the week.
The round at Southern Hills was arranged by Southern Hills assistant Scott Karpe. University of Oklahoma star Brad Dalke drove up to play in the foursome and he was also joined by his father and friend J.P. Roller. Former OU quarterback Sam Bradford was on the course that day and stopped by on the sixth hole to say hello. Then it was off to the PGA Championship, where he met McIlroy and other tour stars in person. “Anything we can do as the PGA of America to help him, we wanted to do,” Bevacqua said. “Golf has helped him get through this and we want a full and complete recovery. He’s a remarkable young man.” Traden’s speech is coming along slowly. He can play chess and understands everyTraden Karch and mother Manda Karch. thing spoken to him, but reading compre“We’re so grateful to the PGA of Amer- hension is another area that is advancing ica and Mr. Bevaqua,” Chris said. “They steadily. “I believe he will have a full recovery,” didn’t just give us tickets, they gave us an his mother said. “It takes time. The plasticexperience, one of a lifetime.” The Karchs were greenside when Jimmy ity of the brain is better for a child than for Walker made birdie from a bunker on the an adult. He just has to adapt to new ways 10th hole, probably the key shot of the to do things. We had to teach him how to eat, how to take a shower, how to put on tournament.
Traden enjoying the PGA Championship. a sock, but he’s picked everything up and moved on.” At the PGA Championship, Traden began to communicate in sentences instead of just single words. Chris started a Facebook page called “Spreading the Love for Traden Karch,” that has generated thousands of friends and millions of views. Across the world, well-wishers have tracked Traden’s progress and prayed for him. “I love being able to share his story,” said Chris, the superintendent of Calvin public schools in southeast Oklahoma. “He’s been an inspiration to many people. That’s been the silver lining in all of this. And I firmly believe that the power of so many people praying for him is why he’s here today and making such a remarkable recovery.”
www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 25
Chip shots
Henderson group purchases Fairfax, rebrands as Golf Club of Edmond by ken macleod
O
nce upon a time, Joe Walser and Ernie Vossler were bold and decisive enough to transform their day jobs as PGA professionals at Oklahoma courses into a company that became internationally known as the leading developer of cutting edge courses and resorts in the world. Michael Henderson has a little Joe and Ernie in him. The director of golf and manager of Lakeside Golf Course in Stillwater may not build a company as big and ambitious as Landmark Golf once became, but The Golf Club of Edmond will offer memberships and daily play. he’s unafraid to take a chance and, unlike Green fees will go to an all inclusive to sell to Henderson and expected that the many of his peers, still believes in the instructure including carts, range balls and the golf course would benefit. He said Fairfax dustry over the long term. Henderson put his faith in golf on display rounds, with senior, junior and twilight rates had been averaging close to 30,000 rounds annually. Henderson thought it would not recently by purchasing Fairfax Golf Course available. Superintendent Danny Damico, who be hard with proper marketing and condiin Edmond and renaming it The Golf Club once maintained the White tions to move that number up to 35,000 of Edmond. He plans to position House’s golf green, has done with a higher rate of return on total dollars the course as an upscale daily a masterful job for the past 12 spent per golfer, including food, beverage fee in a market that includes months in upgrading turf condi- and pro shop improvements. public courses such as Kicking “We’re looking at the same template tions and will remain on board. bird Golf Course, Coffee Creek Henderson will remain in we’ve used at Lakeside, where we’ve been Golf Course and Silverhorn Golf charge of Lakeside on a daily able to average much higher revenue per Course, and private courses such basis and his team will man- round than previously,” Henderson said. as Rose Creek Golf Club, River The purchase price was not disclosed. age the Golf Club of Edmond. Oaks Golf Club, Oak Tree CounHis group also has contracts Helping Henderson going forward will be try Club and Oak Tree National. Not only is there stiff compe- Michael Henderson for various services with other recent improvements to the irrigation syscourses, including Buffalo Rock tem that Armstrong paid for, plus the fact tition in Edmond, but the real estate opportunities at Fairfax were pretty & Gun Club in Cushing. The company will that the course utilizes well water and its much exhausted by the previous owner, real continue to look for other opportunities ponds and does not have to pay a municithat it perceives have value, including some pality for water. estate developer Rodney Armstrong. “That is a huge advantage over many Henderson and his family, including his with real estate possibilities. Armstrong said he was pleased to be able courses,” Henderson said. wife Carey, who is co-owner, brother Scott and father Jim, who runs Stevens Park Golf Course in Dallas, will depend on making Fairfax a successful golf course by maintaining excellent playing conditions and The University of Central and UCO,” Fosdick said. “Edmond has always upgrading the clubhouse and food and bevOklahoma hired Josh Fosdick been a special place for our family and UCO is erage services. as the new men’s golf coach, central to that city.” An extensive renovation of the historic Fosdick was an assistant pro at Oak Tree replacing Pat Bates, who refarmhouse, which once belonged to forsigned to devote his time to Country Club from 2011-2012. He also mer Oklahoma governor Roy Turner, has coached at Edmond Memorial High School private business interests. already begun. Fosdick brings eight years from 2007-2009, where the boy’s golf team “The vision is a well-maintained, chalof coaching experience to twice finished in the top-10 at the Class 6A Josh Fosdick lenging course priced between municipal UCO. He comes from Rog- state tournament. and private courses that affords the country ers State in Claremore, where he coached for Other stops include Oklahoma State, where club-for-a-day experience,” Henderson said. two years and was the Heartland Conference Fosdick served as an assistant coach for the “We’ll have tee times spaced at 10 minutes. Coach of the Year in 2014-2015 leading Rogers men’s and women’s programs from 2009New carts with GPS. It will be an upscale State to three tournament wins. 2011, and Texas-Pan American, where he environment at a reasonable price.” “We’re super excited to get back to Edmond served as head coach from 2012-2014.
UCO hires Fosdick as golf coach
26 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
2016 Golf Pass is BIGGER AND BETTER! Visit scspgagolfpass.com to order yours today!
Hall of Fame banquet tables available Although it is filling fast, sponsor tables and individual seats for the 2016 Induction Ceremony for the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame can still be purchased. The reception and dinner for the class of Tommy Bolt, Nancy Lopez, Labron Harris Sr., Jerry Cozby and, in a Contributors to the Game category, W.K. Warren Sr. and W.K. Warren Jr., is at 6 p.m. Sept. 18 at Southern Hiills Country Club in Tulsa. Sponsor tables include dinner and full bar reception for 10, permanent recog-
Tommy Bolt Nancy Lopez Jerry Cozby Labron Harris Warren Sr.
nition on the Hall of Fame website, signage at the event and in the program, and pewter medallions engraved with the Hall of Fame class. Tax-deductible contributions for the sponsorships are $2,500. Individual seats are $150. Both can be purchased online at www. oklahomagolfhof.org. Also, companies and individuals can still reserve spots in the Hall of Fame Classic Sept. 19 at Southern Hills. This fun four-person team event will include Southern Hills will host the Hall of Fame dinner. breakfast, lunch, com-
Warren Jr.
memorative custom cherry stained wood display boxes commemorating the class, seats at the banquet, permanent recognition on the website, signage at the event and recognition on the program. Part of the money raised goes for the Hall of Fame scholarship program and the Everett Dobson Award. Scholarship recipients for 2016 are Class 5A state champion David Trimble, who will be attending the University of Oklahoma, and Hadley Walters of Edmond, who will be attending Oklahoma State University. For more information on the dinner and golf tournament, go to www.oklahomagolfhof.org or call 918-280-0787.
www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 27
Chip shots
Cozby named Golf Professional of the Year, father Jerry won same award in 1985 A special summer for the Cozby family became even sweeter when Cary Cozby was named the PGA Professional Player of the Year by the PGA of America. The award was won in 1985 by his father Jerry Cozby, who earlier this year was named for induction into the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame. They are the first father-son duo to ever be named Professional of the Year. The highest annual honor given to a PGA of America Professional, Cozby heads the 2016 PGA National Awards class for “qualities of leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service” to the PGA and the game of golf.
Golf Course Construction
Projects Golf Recent Course Construction Recent Projects Golf Course Construction Golf Course Construction Cedar Ridge Country Club Pinnacle Country Club
BrokenRecent Arrow •Projects Creek Bank shaping Improvements Rogers, AR • Bunker • #17 Fairway Renovation • Bunker Renovations The Woods Golf Club Recent Projects Golf Club ofProjects Oklahoma Coweta •Recent 5-hole new construction Recent The OK Path The Patriot Patriot Golf Golf Club Club •• Owasso, Owasso, OK •• Cart Cart Projects Path Improvements Improvements Cedar Country Club •• Broken Arrow, Cart Cedar Ridge Ridge Country Club Brokencourse Arrow, OK OK •• repairs/renovations Cart Path Path Improvements Improvements Broken Arrow, OK • Misc. The Blessings Golf Club Cedar Ridge Country Club • Broken Arrow, OK Cart Path Cedar Country Arrow, OK• and • Cart PathImprovements Improvements Silverhorn Club •• Edmond, OK Creek Crossing Repairs Gabion Wall Silverhorn Golf Golf Club Ridge Edmond, OK ••Club Creek• Broken Crossing Repairs and Gabion Wall The Patriot Club Owasso, OK •• Cart Improvements TheFayetteville, Patriot Golf Golf Club ••AR Owasso, OKVillage Cart Path Path Improvements Bella Vista • Driving Range Tee The Patriot Golf Club • Owasso, OK • Irrigation Cart Path Improvements The Patriot Golf Club • Owasso, OK • Cart Path Improvements Cedar Creek Golf Course • Broken Bow, OK • 18 Hole Installation Cedar Creek Golf Course • Broken Bow, OK • 18 Hole Irrigation Installation Silverhorn Golf Club • Edmond, OK • Creek Crossing Repairs and Bella Vista, AR • Green surrounds shaping Silverhorn Golf Club • Edmond, OK • Creek Crossing Repairs and Gabion Gabion Wall Wall Wichita Country Club Silverhorn Golf • Edmond, OKHole • Creek Crossing Repairs and Silverhorn GolfClub Club • Edmond, • Creek Crossing Repairs andGabion GabionWall Wall Forest Club Arrow, OK Bunker and Renovation Forest Ridge Ridge Golf Golf Club •• Broken Broken OK •• 18 18OK Hole Bunker and Green Green Renovation Wichita, •Arrow, Grading/sodding Surrounds Eagle Creek Golf Club Cedar Golf Course •• Broken Bow, •• 18 Hole Irrigation Installation Cedar Creek CreekKS Golf Course Broken Bow, OK OK 18Green Hole Irrigation Installation Cedar Golf • Broken Bow, Irrigation CedarCreek Creek GolfCourse • Broken Bow,OK OK• 18 • of 18Hole Hole IrrigationInstallation Installation Bailey Golf Club •• Course Owasso, OK •• Resurfacing 3 Greens Bailey Ranch Ranch Golf Club Owasso, OK Resurfacing of 3 Greens Joplin, MO • Tee renovations Southern Hills Country Club Forest Forest Ridge Ridge Golf Golf Club Club •• Broken Broken Arrow, Arrow, OK OK •• 18 18 Hole Hole Bunker Bunker and and Green Green Renovation Renovation Forest Ridge Golf • Broken Arrow, OK Bunker and Forest Ridge Golf Club • Broken Arrow, OK• 18 •Flume 18Hole Hole Bunker andGreen GreenRenovation Renovation The Club at Lakes •• Frisco, TX •• Cart Path Improvements The Golf Golf Club at Frisco Frisco Lakes Frisco, TX Cart Path Improvements Tulsa •Club Wet well/Intake Installation Pinnacle Country Club Bailey Bailey Ranch Ranch Golf Golf Club Club •• Owasso, Owasso, OK OK •• Resurfacing Resurfacing of of 3 3 Greens Greens Bailey Ranch Golf Club • Owasso, OK ofof3 3Greens Ranch Club •TX Owasso, OK• Resurfacing •Improvements Resurfacing Greens Eastern Country Club •• Garland, Cart Path Cedar Ridge Country Club Rogers, AR • ••Bunker shaping Eastern Hills Hills Bailey Country Club Golf Garland, TX Cart Path Improvements The The Golf Golf Club Club at at Frisco Frisco Lakes Lakes •• Frisco, Frisco, TX TX •• Cart Cart Path Path Improvements Improvements The atatFrisco TX Broken Arrow • Lakes Creek Bank TheGolf GolfClub Club Frisco Lakes• Frisco, • Frisco, TX• Cart •Improvements CartPath PathImprovements Improvements The Woods Golf Club Eastern Eastern Hills Hills Country Country Club Club •• Garland, Garland, TX TX •• Cart Cart Path Path Improvements Improvements • #17 Fairway Renovation Eastern Hills Country Club • Garland, TX • Cart Path Coweta • 5-hole new construction Eastern Hills Country Club • Garland, TX • Cart PathImprovements Improvements Cedar Cedar Ridge Ridge Country Country Club Club •• Broken Broken Arrow, Arrow, OK OK •• Cart Cart Path Path Improvements Improvements
Gaillardia Golf & Country Club The Blessings Golf Club
Contact Us Us Oklahoma CityAR • Bunker Improvements Fayetteville, •Contact Driving Range Tee JONESPLAN JONESPLAN Firelake2328 Golf Course Wichita Country Club Us Contact Us E. 13th Contact Street 2328 E. 13th Street
Contact Us Contact UsSurrounds OK 74104 Shawnee • CartTulsa, Path Wichita, KS • Grading/sodding Green Tulsa, OK Improvements 74104 JONESPLAN JONESPLAN tt 918.832.5544 918.832.5544 JONESPLAN 2328 E. • Irrigation Improvements JONESPLAN Builder Member 2328 E. 13th 13th Street Street info@jonesplan.com Southern Hills Country Club Builder Member info@jonesplan.com 2328 Street Tulsa, 74104 2328E.OK E.13th 13th Street Tulsa, OK 74104 Thewell/Intake Patriot Golf Club Tulsa, OK 74104 Tulsa • Wet Flume Installation, tt Tulsa, 918.832.5544 OK 74104 918.832.5544 t 918.832.5544 Builder info@jonesplan.com t 918.832.5544 Builder Member Member info@jonesplan.com Owasso •Member Cart Path Improvements Cart Path Improvements Builder Member info@jonesplan.com Builder info@jonesplan.com
TulsaGolf Country Club Club Gaillardia & Country
Cart Paths Oklahoma Tulsa City • •Bunker Improvements
Southern Hills Country Firelake Golf CourseClub
Tulsa • Cart Path Improvements Shawnee • Cart Path Improvements Battle Creek Golf Club • Irrigation Improvements BrokenThe ArrowPatriot • Cart Path GolfImprovements Club • Bunker Renovation Owasso • Cart Path Improvements
Hardscrabble Country Country Club Hardscrabble Club
Fort Smith, Smith, AR AR •• Tee Tee Improvements Fort Improvements
Karsten Creek Golf Club
Stillwater • Practice Green Construction
Builder Member
Contact Us 2328 P.O. Box E. 13th 4845St.••Tulsa, Tulsa,OK OK74159 74104 t 918.832.5544; 918.832.7721 fax
www.jonesplan.com
28 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
“This is a pretty special day,” Cary Cozby said. “I remember it like it was yesterday, standing in the living room when dad got the call from the PGA and thinking what a big deal that was. It’s really cool to be honored with him for doing something that we both love. And what a great mentor he was to me.” Nick Sidorakis, general manager and chief operating officer at Southern Hills, said the club was thrilled with Cozby’s selection. “On behalf of the board and membership, we’re extremely proud and hon- Cary and Jerry Cozby. ored to have Cary receive this award.” Sidorakis said. “The PGA bombarded with texts and emails from Professional of the Year Award recogniz- friends, much as he was when he was es Cary’s commitment to the profession hired at Southern Hills after 15 years as and recognizes his hard work, leadership the head professional at Wichita Country skills and prowress in mentoring his cur- Club, where he still has a large group of rent staff and all the professionals who friends. “There’s not anything more special than have worked under him. We’re grateful to have Cary as our Director of Golf here at being recognized by your peers,” Cozby Southern Hills Country Club and leading said. “There were some email strings going last night from some professionals that our program.” Cozby will receive the award Nov. 9 in I really admire. And it was really nice to New York City at the 100th annual meet- win the section award this year, because those are the guys you know so well and ing of the PGA. A 19-year PGA Member, Cozby boasts play in tournaments with and we all work an award-winning résumé in golf, includ- in the same area.” PGA Professional Mike Adams of Haming four times being named the South Central Section Professional of the Year, ilton Farm Golf Club, in Gladstone, New including this spring. The 2002 PGA Mer- Jersey, was named the 2016 PGA Teacher chandiser of the Year for private courses, of the Year Award recipient for his “outCozby also is an accomplished competi- standing services as a golf teacher, innotive golfer and a 15-time South Central vator and coach.” Recognized annually PGA Section award winner Cozby’s ca- as one of the finest teachers in the United reer is clearly defined by his leadership States, Adams is passionate about “teaching the teacher” and is committed to supand mentoring excellence. After the announcement by the PGA porting the career growth of his fellow of America Wednesday, Cozby was PGA Professionals.
Chip shots Galloway's new grooves are blues by ken macleod
Mark Galloway is fortunate to have two careers he loves equally. Although he was a child prodigy as a blues and rock guitarist, for 30 years he’s dedicated the majority of his time to his role as a golf professional in the Oklahoma City public course system, the past 12 as director of golf at Trosper Park. At the end of September, Galloway, 61, is going to flip the script, retiring from his full-time role to do some golf lessons and join his band, the Mojo Men, on stage more often. Galloway said, “In 1990 when U.C. Ferguson was retiring at Lincoln Park, he called me in his office and said, ‘I’m 75. One of my legs doesn’t work very well, I can’t see out of one eye. I should have retired 10 years ago when I could have enjoyed it more. “I’ve always remembered that. I’ve decided to go in a different direction. I’ve given my heart and soul to golf for so long, and now I’m going to give more of it to the music.”
30 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
Galloway will be missed both as a boss and by his “1,000 best friends,” who are the Oklahoma City-area golfers he’s come to know over the years. “He’s a great boss, a great guy and we’re going to miss him,” said assistant Rito Palacios, who has been at Trosper Park since 1990. “I’m going to have to train my fifth director of golf now.” Galloway released a blues album this year called Southern Sweet which has done well and he is in constant demand, not just with his band but in a variety of formats and venues. His YouTube videos have garnered more than three million views and the opportunities to play keep rolling in. He also wants to play more golf while still in his prime. After working out diligently this winter, Galloway has been playing the best golf of his life this year when the opportunities have presented themselves, shooting a 62 on June 7 at Trosper and making seven birdies in his first 12 holes on his birthday, July 13, before settling for a 64.
Mark Galloway “I love golf and I love Trosper Park,” Galloway said. “I’m going to miss the daily interactions with the golfers, the other golf directors, the city staff, the mayor and city manager. I’ve been coming to work basically seven days a week since I’ve had this job and some of its been tough, but it’s also rewarding in a lot of ways.” Galloway, an Oklahoma City native, took his first golf course job at Lincoln Park in 1986. He went to Trosper Park as an assistant to the late Eric Bergquist in 1997 and took over after Bergquist died of kidney cancer in July 2004.
COMPETITION
Cummins outlasts Williamson to win OGA State Amateur Championship putt from just off the green at the par-3 11th, and the rising senior at Northeastern State ate Williamson of Broken Arrow University was reenergized. Two holes later, walked all six rounds in three he pulled off a miraculous punch shot from hot days of the Oklahoma Golf under a tree from 150 yards to two feet for another birdie at the par-5 Association State Ama13th, then birdied two of the teur Championship, and it next three as well. seemed to be taking its toll The furious rally fell just at the midway point of his short, however, as Cummins championship match against capped Williamson’s birdie Quade Cummins of Weathon the 14th hole with one erford. of his own, then, leading by A series of loose shots led one after Williamson birdied to bogeys on holes nine and 16, stuffed his approach shot 10, putting him three down on 18 to within two feet to to the redshirt freshman at win the final hole and escape the University of Oklahoma, with a 2 up victory. who was zipping around in The strapping Cummins, a cart like most of the comwho spent his redshirt seapetitors in what began as a Quade Cummins son changing his shot pattern 64-man field at Oklahoma City from a draw to a power fade, played imGolf & Country Club. All it took, however, was a 35-foot birdie pressive golf throughout the day, birdieing
by ken macleod
Photo by Rip Stell
T
his first three holes and shooting 5-under in disposing of Drew Posada of Shawnee 4 and 3 in the morning semifinals, then making birdies on three of the first five holes against Tate. “I was just trying to hit greens and sometimes I hit them close enough to make putts,” Cummins said. “The birdie putt I made to cap his birdie on 14 was really big, he was playing really well at that point. Williamson’s rally was derailed momentarily when he three-putted the par-3 15th. The 7-foot par putt slid by, one of the few clutch putts Williamson failed to convert all day. He rallied from two down through 12 in his semifinal match with former Southern Nazarene star Michael Hearne by making a series of 5-10 foot putts, many to save par, then was aided when Hearne drove his tee shot out of bounds right on the par-4 17th to give Willaimson his first lead in the match. He closed it out 1 up with a par on the final hole.
Bishop wins OGA Stroke Play EDMOND - Coming off a tap-in birdie on the par-5 12th hole at Oak Tree Country Club East, Cody Burrows had cut a five-shot deficit to Jacob Bishop to just two shots in the span of four holes in the final round of the Oklahoma Golf Association Stroke Play Championship Following a fortunate bounce off a tree into the middle of the par-4 13th, Burrows then drilled his second shot to within 12 feet and made another birdie. Was the heat on Bishop, a junior-to-be at Wichita State and Edmond Memorial graduate? Apparently not. Bishop responded with a birdie of his own on 13, another on the par-4 15th and two nifty up-and-downs on 14 and 16 to reach 10-under-par on the difficult Pete Dye design, registering a three-shot victory over Burrows and what he called the most significant victory of his young career. Bishop shot rounds of 67-66-67. Bishop’s final round of 67 matched Brian Birchell of Edmond for the day’s best. Thomas Johnson of Norman shot a final-round 69 to tie Luke Phillips of Edmond for third at 3-under 207. Heath Myers of Kingfisher, Quade Cummins of Weatherford and McCain Schellhardt of Edmond tied for fifth at 2-under. 32 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
Reach an affluent golf demographic! Advertise with us by calling 918-280-0787
Son pours in seven birdies, wins third title by ken macleod
Nadia Majidizadeh figured the time was perfect for her to break through in the Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association State Amateur. Entering her senior year this fall at the University of Tulsa, she plays and practices routinely at The Patriot, site of this year’s championship. She has been working intensely on her game. She had a local caddie who knows the humps and rolls of every green. And she felt like it might be her last chance for possibly a long time as she goes out into the world following college. Problem is, Yujeong Son doesn’t cooperate with opponents. The 15-year-old prodigy from Norman amassed seven birdies in 16 holes for a 3 and 2 victory. She has won every match in this tournament for the past three years and became the first golfer to win three state amateur titles consecutively since Sheila Dills in 1994-96. The record for consecutive titles is five by Pat Grant, 1939 to
42 and again in 1946 after three years off going to birdie about every hole and you start putting pressure on yourself to birdie for World War II. every hole.” Majidizadeh didn’t go Son grabbed the lead with down without a fight. She birdies on the par-4 fourth birdied the first and third and fifth holes with putts of holes to take a one up about 10 and 6 feet. She hit it lead and battled throughclose on the par-3 sixth and out. But the pressure was Majidizadeh made her first constant to make birdies, major mistake when her tee because every time Son shot bounded off rocks into a made a miscue, as she hazard. She also three-putted did with a three-putt on the eighth hole to fall three the par-3 ninth and andown. other bogey on the par-3 “The birdies on four and 11th, she responded with five were big, they gave me a birdie on the next hole. confidence in my putting “She was 4-under when stroke,” said Son, who last it ended, so I have to keep week made it to the semifithings in perspective and nals of the U.S. Girls’ Junior not let it feel as disapChampionship. “I really pointing as it does,” MaYujeong Son hadn’t putted that well in this jidizadeh said. “You have to try to block out what everyone says tournament, but played well today. The about Yujeong, that she’s not going to make birdies on 10 and 12 were also big because I any mistakes. But still, you feel like she’s lost both holes before those.”
Sadeghy outplays field for WOGA Stroke Play victory
Photo by Bill Powell
After not getting much playing time late in the spring for Oklahoma State , Edmond’s Alexis Sadeghy was ready to compete when the Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association Stroke Play Championship teed off at Tulsa Country Club. S a d e ghy fired a 1-under par 70 in Tuesday’s second round after a 1-over 72 Monday to claim the championship by three shots over Nadia Majidizadeh of Tulsa, who shot 3-over 74 despite an ace on the 117yard par-3 Alexis Sadeghy
17th hole. “This meant a lot to me,” Sadeghy said. “I haven’t won a tournament in a while and it feels really good.” Sadeghy made two birdies and just one bogey Tuesday, after four birdies and five bogeys Monday. Sadeghy played in several events for OSU in her sophomore year and recorded top 20 finishes in the Sooner Schooner in the fall and at SMU in the spring. OSU returns all five starters so Sadeghy will be working to improve enough to play full-time. She said she has been paying particular attention to her putting and it showed. Majidizadeh added some excitement to the round with her ace on 17, but the firstround co-leader and University of Tulsa junior couldn’t overcome a 4-over front nine and finished at 3-over 145, a shot ahead of Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame member LeeAnn Fairlie, who shot 72-74 for a 4-over 146. Emily Folsom of Oklahoma City, Grace Shin of Tulsa and Anna Mikish of Choctaw tied for50. fourth at 8-over 1
Hannah repeats in OGA Mid-Amateur Austin Hannah of Jenks had to survive a bizarre five-shot swing in one hole against one of his top pursuers but still went on to defend his Oklahoma Golf Association Mid-Amateur title on his home course at Oaks Country Club Tuesday. Hannah had to take an eight on the par5 seventh hole when he played the wrong ball from deep rough left of the green. Mike Hughett of Owasso, playing in the same group, made an eagle on the hole, jumping from four shots down to one shot ahead. Hannah, who played collegiately at Oral Roberts, rebounded with a birdie at the ninth while Hughett made two consecutive bogeys on holes 8 and 9. Hannah went on to make nine consecutive pars on the back nine en route to a 3-over 74 and a 3-under 139 total. Kacey Threet of Grove finished alone in third at 143 after rounds of 67-76. Hughett, the Senior Stroke Play champion who has won 19 OGA events, battled a balky putter all day and shot 75 to wind up tied for fourth with Brian Birchell of Edmond and Patrick West of Jenks at 2-over 144. www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 33
COMPETITION
It's the summer of ShaeBug by john tranchina
ShaeBug Scarberry of Purcell is having quite a summer. Victories in the OGA Girls Junior at Kickingbird and the WOGA Girls Junior at Muskogee Country Club led up to her first victory in an American Junior Golf Association event when she captured the AJGA Junior at Oak Tree Country Club in Edmond in late July. With her colorful name and attire, Scarberry is the latest junior to make a splash in the state. She shot a final round of 67 at Oak Tree to pull even with Joan Soewondo of California, then won a playoff for the impressive victory in the AJGA event. At Muskogee, she fired a second-round 69 on the venerable Perry Maxwell layout to pull away to a four-shot victory. She was the only competitor to finish below par on the 71-par course. Despite entering the second round tied with Natalie Gough of Bixby for the overall lead at 72, Scarberry was dissatisfied with her putting and made sure to work on that before
34 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
I wore this outfit and I shot a 68, so it’s probably one of my good-luck outfits,” said Scarberry, who won that tournament in Wichita the second round. “Yesterday, I missed a lot of short putts that Falls, Texas back on June 23, by eight strokes. I shouldn’t have missed and then I worked “So I wear it now - it’s a good outfit, you got on it, so my putting was definitely a lot bet- to wear it!” The lucky outfit, comter,” said Scarberry, who also bined with her additional won the Oklahoma high school emphasis on putting, paid Class 3A state championship off with a tournament-best in May. “I stood out there with round of 69, while Gough my line-up sticks and my stroke shot 73 to finish second was really jacked up, so it was, overall with 145. ‘Okay, I need to focus on that.’ Gough was pleased with Then I just got it under control her runner-up finish. and started making everything.” “I’m pretty happy with Scarberry, known for wearwhat happened - I didn’t ing bright, flamboyant outfits play bad, I played pretty on the course, didn’t disappoint good,” said Gough, who this time. She sported a neon finished sixth in the high lime green top with a hot pink school Class 6A state tourskirt, and had zebra-striped ribShaeBug Scarberry nament in May. “I made a bons flowing out of the back of her ballcap with her ponytail. Her knee-high few birdies, and I did probably have a couple socks, one with lime green and light blue of shots that I could have made, but I’m still stripes and the other one pink, capped off the overall pretty happy with how I did.” Natalie Igo of Edmond, Okla., finished first ensemble. “At the Texas-Oklahoma junior tourna- in the age 14-15 bracket, and third overall, ment a couple of weeks ago, on my last day, with a 146 after shooting a second-round 70.
Hughett prevails in 19th OGA Championship by larry lewis
TULSA – The biggest obstacle to a record 19th Oklahoma Golf Association title for Mike Hughett appeared to be Father Time. At age 57, Hughett is past the prime years of the early 50’s for senior golfers, but it didn’t look like it in winning the OGA Senior Stroke Play State Championship by three shots over Mike Alsup and Don Clark at Meadowbrook Country Club. “It’s every bit as special to me because when you get to be my age, it never gets any easier,” Hughett said. “I’m just appreciative of still being able to compete, and I just enjoy playing.” In a sizeable understatement, Hughett added, “I’m still somewhat competitive, and I’m just happy to be able to win. “ Carrying a one-shot lead over Alsup and Clark after an opening round 71 Monday, with all three playing in the same group, the trio were tied after five holes until Hughett birdied number six. He led by two shots over both players until a birdie on the tough 13th hole. From then on, Hughett maintained at least a three stroke lead, finishing at 141 for two rounds. The only suspense occurred on the 18th hole when Hughett appeared to push his drive right in the a heavily wooded area. A Mike Hughett bad bounce off a tree could have led to a double bogey. However, his ball appeared just past the tree line on the dogleg right, leaving him with a clear shot at the center of the green from 95 yards out on the 442-yard hole. “It’s funny because I was in the exact same spot yesterday. It’s farther right than I wanted to be, but I knew, that where I landed, I could get past the trees, the trouble, to where it opens up, and so I didn’t mind hitting on that line,” Hughett said of his wind-aided tee shot. Hughett, Clark, and Alsup all made at least pars on every hole on the back side. Meadowbrook has been a special place for Hughett. He won his last OGA senior stroke play championship at Meadowbrook in 2012 in a one-hole playoff after shooting 140 in regulation. “It’s a lot different from what I’m used to,” Hughett said about Meadowbrook from Owasso Golf and Athletic Club, where he plays most of his golf. “My home course is pretty wide open. This is a very tight golf course. You have to manage your way around the golf course. But if you hit some good shots, there are a lot of birdie opportunities.” Besides the 2012 championship, Hughett had previously won this tournament in 2009 and 2010. His four championships tied Roger Brown for the career lead. Hughett’s last OGA Senior Match Play title came in 2015. In the Super Seniors portion of the tournament for players 60 and over, Bob Sine shot 70-73-143 to win by six shots over James Callison, who shot 75-74-149.
CL ASSEN CURVE: 5860 N. CL ASSEN CURVE | EDMOND: 1205 N.W. 178TH S T. TUL S A: 9110 S. YALE AVE.
WWW.EHSRG.COM/UPPER-CRUS T
COMPETITION
Wright takes second OGA Senior State Amateur Field his his second shot from 120 yards over the green into a nasty After four days of battling lie and could not get intense Oklahoma heat, preup and down. Wright, cious few birdies were flying meanwhile, hit his secin the finals of the Oklahoond drive down the ma Golf Association Senior middle, stuffed a wedge State Amateur Champion3 feet away and made ship at Fairfax Golf Course the putt for a bogey that Thursday. halved the hole. The lone birdie of the “The one that settled day, in fact, came on a 30me down was 13,” foot putt on the 11th hole, Wright said. “To get giving Oklahoma City fireout of that hole withman Kirk Wright a 3-up out losing it was huge. advantage over Lawrence It could have turned the Field of Tulsa. Wright went tide. That gave me the on to claim his second OGA senior crown with a 4 and Lawrence Field and Kirk Wright momentum.” “I thought I had 3 victory. The 11th hole was crucial, but the hole stuffed it,” Field said of his second shot. “I that doomed Field was the 13th. He was didn’t have a flyer lie. There may have been presented an excellent opportunity to win a little wind behind it, but I didn’t think it his first hole of the match and cut the lead to would go over. Looking back, I should have two when Wright lost his tee shot in woods laid off and put it in the middle of the green.” What happened instead was that Field sufleft of the fairway. But after a perfect drive, by ken macleod
36 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
fered his fourth three-putt of the round on the par-3 14th hole to fall four down and the match ended on 15 when Field missed a 15foot birdie effort. Field, a Southern Hills member who had a tremendous junior career before setting aside golf for most of 20 years, now has rededicated himself to the game and in 2015 won the Trans-Miss Four-Ball Championship with Draegen Majors. He played well throughout the week, but the speed on his lag putts was off Thursday, resulting in too many lengthy par putts which he failed to convert.
Jarod Lundy wins first Section Match Play title Jarod Lundy took a hard road to the victory stand in the PGA South Central Section Match Play Championship at Quail Creek Golf & Country Club in Oklahoma City. Lundy, the head professional at Winter Creek Golf & Country Club in Blanchard, defeated the top three seeds, culminating in a 4 and 3 victory over top-seeded Michael Boyd of Tulsa in the championship match. Lundy, who was an assistant professional at Quail Creek from 2012-14, knocked off second-seeded Shannon Friday and thirdseeded Mark Fuller earlier in the tournament before running into Boyd, who was coming off an epic 22-hole semifinal victory over Trent Rommann of Crestview Country Club in Wichita, a match in which the two contestants combined for eight birdies in the final Jarod Lundy three holes of regulation and four playoff holes. Lundy, 33, started strong Wednesday morning in the championship match, making birdies on four of the first nine holes and never letting Boyd in the match. “Jarod played really well and basically just kicked my butt,” Boyd said.”I had a few putts I could have made to make it a better match, but he played really well.” Lundy birdied holes 4, 6, 8 and 9 on his way to winning his first section championship. He said his time at Quail Creek was an invaluable asset this week.
2 0 1 6 O k l a h o m a G o l f H a l l o f Fa m e I n d u c t e e
IN HONOR of
WILLIAM K. WARREN, SR. truly a golf fan, player and advocate
From His Children
From His Friends and Associates at
Dorothy, Natalie, Marilyn, Patricia, Elizabeth, Jean Marie and William, Jr.
Warren American Oil Company The William K. Warren Foundation Saint Francis Health System
2016 OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
The Warrens
Honoring a legacy of commitment and determination
Southern Hills Country Club, host of the 2016 Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.
by ken macleod
O
ne doesn’t have to be an accomplished golfer, instructor, coach, architect or even have spent a life in the industry to have made monumental contributions to the sport. Recognizing that, the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame is introducing a new Contributors to the Game category, and it’s hard to imagine a more fitting first foray than to welcome Tulsa businessmen, philanthropists and golf enthusiasts W.K. Warren Sr. and W.K. Warren Jr. Warren Sr., (1897-1990), founder of Warren Petroleum Company and later the foundation which gave rise to Saint Francis Hospital and all of the associated Warren medical complex, played a pivotal role in the founding of Southern Hills Country Club, now one of the world’s most storied courses having hosted seven major championships and numerous other USGA and professional events. 38 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
Warren Jr. is every bit as tenacious as his father when it comes to willing events to fruition. His determination was never greater than when he made sure a tight vote to build an additional nine holes at Southern Hills would pass in the late 1980s, or when he wielded his considerable clout to help persuade the PGA of America and United States Golf Associations to host their respective championships at Southern Hills in 1994 and 2001, respectively. Former long-time Southern Hills member Vic Holmes has known both Warrens for many years and finds they share much more than a name. “Mr. Warren Sr., in spite of being a hardnosed businessman, always had a twinkle in his eye when the discussion turned to golf. He had a love for the game and for Tulsa. Bill Jr. has the same twinkle as his dad. What he has done behind the scenes to help this city land events like the PGA Championship and U.S. Open is just remarkable. And his thought process was to help not just Southern Hills, but the city. The tax revenues from these events are enormous.”
Warren Sr. was a successful oil and gas man in his own right but not yet on a par with Waite Phillips of Phillips Petroleum, when in 1934 he took Cecil Canary and went to the Chicago offices of Phillips to ask for 300 acres of prime south Tulsa real estate to build a new golf club. Phillips, peering over a stack of requests on his desk, told Warren the following, according to the History of Southern Hills. “Every paper you see contains a request for money to help start a business venture or support a worthy cause. Not all of the business ventures are worthy of much consideration, Mr. Warren, but yours is ridiculous!” Instead of giving money, Phillips gave Warren a challenge. Find 150 believers to put up $1,000 each, no easy task in the heart of the Great Depression, and Phillips would donate the land. Warren found 140, and that was enough to impress Phillips. It was an early demonstration of the legendary Warren determination that has marked the Warren family leadership to this day, including grandson John Kelly Warren, now chair-
man of the Saint Francis Health System Board of Directors. “One thing you have to love about my dad is he’s passionate about everything,” John Kelly said. “The smallest or the largest thing can become his personal mission. Both my father and grandfather have a great love for the game. For my grandfather, it was about business and he did a lot of his deals on the course. For my father, it’s just been for the love of the game and the community. He knew the more we could promote professional events, the more Tulsa would prosper. “If there’s a Warren legacy, it’s to champion Tulsa and provide world class events that will garner world class attention.” Bill Lissau worked for all three Warrens as president of the William K. Warren Foundation before retiring in 2011. He notes they all share what he calls “the Warren Way.” “They all share a very competitive nature and they are visionaries,” he said. “There’s a big difference between being a visionary and a daydreamer. “Bill saw the need for the West Nine at Southern Hills. He took that and sold the idea. There was some controversy about the
idea, but he talked to everyone about its importance. It passed by six votes and that was all due to his hard work. Here it is 20 years later and you can’t find anyone who didn’t vote for it. “The same thing happened at Notre Dame. They needed a championship golf Ben Crenshaw and W.K. Warren Jr. course and the founa three-page letter. dation made a con“I’m very excited about Mr. Warren gettribution. He was very active throughout the construction and oversight of that golf ting in the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame,” Crenshaw said. “He really spearheaded that course.” For both projects, Warren Jr. had the fore- nine at Southern Hills and that was early in sight to select Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore our design careers. When you start thinking as his architects, now regarded as perhaps about all he has done in that community and the nation’s best design duo. What led to all the people he has helped, with the hosthat decision wasn’t just Crenshaw’s obvi- pital and medical buildings and his private ous knowledge and love of the game’s histo- endeavors, it’s remarkable how much he has ry, but that when Warren Jr. had asked him given back.” Warren Jr. learned a tremendous amount for an autograph to help a depressed young man in Tulsa, Crenshaw had instead written about the art of persuasion and determina-
• Security • Fine Interior Finishes • Golf Course Lots • Ground Maintenance • Energy Efficient Just off Sorghum Mill between Broadway & Kelly Continuing the tradition.
Call 405-820-8890 for Information on Premium Available Lots Open Saturday & Sunday 1pm-5pm • www.johnstonbuilders.com www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 39
2016 OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE tion from his legendary father. Not people from France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland al business ventures today. “The first thing that comes to many just from business apprenticeship, but from and helped put Tulsa on the map as a lovely rounds of golf. One of his favorite stories is city to live in. It’s a golf destination. I have people’s minds that Tulsa is known for of the time he began celebrating prematurely people from New York or New Jersey call besides oil is Southern Hills,” he said. “Of when their opponents in a four-ball match me and want to become a non-resident course they all want to know more about it and they all want to come seemed doomed with a ball play it. I never miss an opporresting on a lily pad in a pond tunity to invite them because near the 17th green. Dad glared of its storied history and what down the son while the oppoit’s meant.” nent waded into the pond and In addition to his careers knocked the ball on the green. with both Warren American “He was the boss and let me Oil Company and the foundaknow in no uncertain terms to tions serving all the medical fakeep my mind focused,” Warcilities, Warren Jr. is a race horse ren Jr. said. “But I couldn’t have owner and enthusiast and, like had a better teacher. He taught his father and now his son, is a me so much about golf, relilong-time member of Augusta gion, character, business and National. That has given him thinking outside the box.” access to USGA insiders, which Although the Tulsa area has he hasn’t hesitated to use. many fine golf courses, it’s dif“Kings talk to kings,” Lissau ficult to imagine just what havsaid. “Bill has an ability to talk ing a Southern Hills has meant to people at their level. He’s to the city, region and state. W.K. Warren Sr., his wife Natalie, and far right, President Dwight a great executive and a great “Dad was very proud of D. Eisenhower and W.K. Warren Jr., ready for a day on the links. salesman. He’s always had an Tulsa,” Warren Jr. said. “It truly was the oil capital of the world back then member. Playing here is on many people’s ability to do things and get people to believe in what he’s passionate about as well and Southern Hills was a very important bucket list.” John Kelly sees the same thing in his glob- as anybody I’ve ever seen.” part of its growth. The U.S. Open brought
40 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
2 0 1 6 O k l a h o m a G o l f H a l l o f Fa m e I n d u c t e e
CONGRATULATIONS to
WILLIAM K. WARREN, JR. for his love of the game of golf
From His Friends and Associates at
Warren American Oil Company The William K. Warren Foundation Saint Francis Health System
2016 OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
The Godfather of OSU golf Harris turned pasture into courses, boys into men national medalists in Earl Moeller in 1953 and Grier Jones in 1968, abron E. Harris Sr. was “multi- and included PGA tour profestasking” in golf long before the sionals in his son, Labron Harris term became part of the every- Jr., Dave Eichelberger, Danny Edwards, Mark Hayes, Doug Tewell day dialect. Harris was a player, head professional, and Dickson. Harris also coached business professor, golf course architect, and mentored current OSU athletcoach, superintendent, longtime PGA of ic director and former golf coach never was to become the next Labron HarAmerica member, plus a respected teacher Mike Holder, who led the Cowand mentor to many – all in one fluid mo- boys to 25 conference championships and ris Sr. “I was just trying to survive,” Holder eight NCAA titles in 32 seasons. tion. “Coach (Harris) was really the first said. “I was about the same age as the playAnd now the founding father of the teacher/golf coach that ers. At that age, you think you’ve got all the Ok la homa I knew,” said Tewell, answers. All the things coach (Harris) did, State golf Harris was an important winner of 12 tour events I thought I could do better. I was wrong. program is two senior major He was awesome because he made the about to join part of my life. He helped and championships who transition so easy. The first team meeting the secondever class me develop as a player and a played for Harris (1969- he got up in front of everyone and said, ‘All 71). “Golf coaches back right, guys. The game has changed. Your of inductperson. ees in the – Bob Dickson in those days – like Dave new coach is Mike Holder. He’s been your Williams at Houston – teammate. You no longer call him Mike. Ok la homa they had to Golf Hall of go recruit their talent. They Fame. “Coach (Harris) was a father figure on didn’t have much of an avenue one hand, kind of a favorite uncle figure, an for teaching them because Dave authority figure. He was Coach with a cap- certainly was never a teacher. ital C,” said Bob Dickson, the 1967 U.S. and He just drove the bus. Labron British Amateur champion, who played for was a guy who you could go there and get better. It certainly Harris (1964-66) at OSU. As a multi-tasker, Harris carries a multi- worked for me.” Holder agreed and added, “I legacy. At Wewoka High, he lettered in football, think the only other golf coach basketball, baseball, track and tennis. At who fit that same profile was Southwestern State College in Weather- Harvey Penick at Texas. Those ford, Harris wrestled in the first match he two stand out in my mind.” Dickson said Harris was “an ever attended and began playing golf. One year after graduating college, Harris be- important part of my life. He came Guthrie Country Club’s head profes- helped me develop as a player sional. In the fall of 1946, Oklahoma A&M and a person. He was a great athletic director Henry P. Iba hired one of influence. He was kind of an the school’s business professors to become E.F. Hutton, of sorts. When he talked, you listened. You’d its first-ever golf coach. In 27 seasons under Harris, the Cowboys be smart if you made notes of won 24 conference titles and claimed the what he said.” Upon taking the reins of the Labron Harris Sr. was a fierce competitor as well 1963 NCAA Championship. His rosters featured 27 All-America selections, two OSU program, Holder’s goal as a championship coach. by john rohde
L
42 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
He’s either ‘Coach’ or ‘Mister.’ Then he walked out the door and that tone was set. He never, ever questioned my authority on anything. He was noting but an asset. He showed how to exit the stage gracefully, make the transition smooth and give the next fella a chance to achieve at a high level.” Despite picking up golf late in life, Harris could play a little bit, winning 152 tournaments. Career victories include the Oklahoma Collegiate Conference individual title in college, three consecutive Oklahoma Sand Greens Championships (1936-38), the 1950 Iowa Open, the 1953 Oklahoma Open and the 1958 Waterloo Open Golf Classic. Prior to becoming “The Father of OSU golf,” Harris designed and built Lakeside Golf Course, which served as the Cowboys’ home course and training facility for nearly 50 years. He served as head pro there from 1945 until his retirement in 1973. Asked if he considered Lakeside to be the team’s sanctuary, Tewell chuckled and said, “Honestly I didn’t know any better. I didn’t grow up at Quail Creek or Oklaho- The 1966 OSU team, back row Tim Sisolak, Roy Bays, Labron Harris and Don ma City Golf and Country Club. I grew up Lackey. Front row, Jim Hardy, Bob Dickson and Hugh Edgmon.
www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 43
2016 OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE Tewell, who will introduce Harris at the induction ceremony, on Lakeside. We had beautiful greens – I remember that – all the time. It was a fairly challenging golf course, but that’s all I knew. I recalled constantly responding to challenges from Harris. “He was a big man and a funny man, but not so much intimidating,” thought you ate lunch out of a plastic bag.” Tewell said of the 6-foot-3 Harris. “He loved to Not busy enough evidently, Harris someplay games with you a little bit, in your mind. how found time to design nine holes at CushHe liked to get under your skin a little bit, but ing Country Club (now Buffalo Rock) and has it was all in good fun. We all enjoyed it. He was design credits at Pawnee Municipal and Prairie a great storyteller. Wish I would have written West in Weatherford. down all the stories. A lot of them we couldn’t “All those abilities were instrumental in his have published.” success as a golf coach,” Holder said of Harris. This year’s Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame in“He did everything … he even taught shorthand duction ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 18 and typing (as a professor). He could do about at Southern Hills Country Club. As you might anything, and all well.” suspect, this will not be the first induction for Harris had a way of drawing out the toughHarris, who passed away on Aug. 14, 1995, in ness in his players, particularly the uber competArizona at age 86. itive Holder. “Absolutely. I wanted to beat him Harris previously was honored into the Golf so bad,” Holder said. “I came to the golf course Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame, every day trying to beat him. Took me a long the OSU Hall of Honor and the Oklahoma time to do it.” Sports Hall of Fame. The Harris Award is preHolder has long maintained a fetish for wressented annually by the GCAA to the college or tling, in large part due to Harris competing in high school coach and PGA Professional whose the sport, plus the fact, “We have one of the A fine golfer in his own right, greatest wrestling programs in the history of Harris works on his chips shots. support of the game through teaching, coaching and involvement in the community has helped earth,” said Holder, who had occasional challenge matches against his players. “Coach (Harris) and I actually ensure the continued growth of golf and represents the finest had a wrestling match one day in the pro shop … I didn’t do very qualities the game has to offer. “I have a lot of memories,” Dickson said of Harris, “and they’re well. I told him, ‘Coach, if you let me up I promise not to challenge all good ones.” you ever again.’ ”
It’s close to home... And, it’s an unforgettable golfing experience. You’ll spend less time traveling and more time doing what you love to do... Playing tons of golf. Come PLAY and STAY with us. Book your Golf Trail Getaway today. Visit GolfingAtFunLake.com.
44 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
OKLAHOMA COURSE SPOTLIGHT
You’ll be better off not missing the green on the short par-4 third hole
"A play on Maxwell influences" New bunker style highlights OU course renovation transformed the look, feel and playability have been replaced by a look inspired by of the course from a parkland setting to a his work at top-50 courses such as Prairie immie Austin University of Okla- more rugged, natural look utilizing native Dunes in Hutchinson, Kansas, or Crystal Downs on the shores of Lake Michigan. homa golf course’s ongoing reno- areas and a creative bunkering style. “These were not meant to be a restoThe rounded, flashed-up bunkers that vation is not designed to recapture past glory, but to lift the course into an en- reflected Maxwell’s style at places such ration of a Maxwell style, but a play on tirely new pantheon where it is regarded as Southern Hills or Augusta National Maxwell’s influences,” Davis said. “The as standing shoulder to shoulder with the best in the state and region. “When we’re truly done with this, if it’s not rated in the top five in the state, public or private, I’d be shocked,” said Director of Golf Rodney Young. “Everyone has a different eye, but I think what we’re doing is going to put us in the conversation with a Karsten Creek, Oak Tree National, Southern Hills. In terms of places you can play, we’ll be there with a Forest Ridge, Shangri-La and the other top places.” The course has been opened for limited play this summer while Norman-based architect Tripp Davis completes the reworking of holes 8, 9, 10, 11 and 18. Davis, who played the original Perry Maxwell design countless times as a student at OU, where he helped lead the Sooners to the national championship in 1989, The 14th hole at Jimmie Austin reflects the has been working with the university on new bunkering style. a master plan that has slowly but boldly by ken mac leod
J
46 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
Golfers on the par-5 eighth hole will decide whether to take on the cross bunker complex on their second shot. work he did at Prairie Dunes is where we started.” Maxwell and son Press Maxwell did the original routing and the course opened in 1950, notably without irrigation. It was dubbed, sometimes affectionately, as “The Ranch” by the OU players, but nevertheless appreciated as another genius Maxwell routing, just lacking water. OU hired Bob Cupp to do a major renovation in 1996. He made some significant and, to Maxwell purists, controversial routing changes. Other tweaks have been made since and improvements made to strengthen certain holes. Also, as technology continued to improve, Cupp’s redesign was proving inadequate to withstand the distances of the modern game, particularly for a course that hosts NCAA and USGA events. The rebunkering of the course has addressed not only esthetics, but also strategy. “We wanted to rebunker the course so it was more challenging to the modern player,” Davis said. “The game has changed by leaps and bounds since Mr. Cupp did his remodel. You were starting to see a lot of low scores and it was hard to set it up to be tough for the longer players. “We wanted to bring back more shot selection off the tee and prevent the course from being overpowered. We wanted to provide some balance so that one skill, say length, doesn’t mean more than other skills and that the ability to score is the most important skill you can have.” Davis hasn’t closed off avenues for
bombers, he’s just made them think a bit by adding a few strategic fairway bunkers that tighten landing areas. The average player hitting drives 210 to 240 yards from the men’s tees won’t be impacted as much. “The architect’s job is to make you have
to think and to make you feel a little uncomfortable at times,” Davis said. The course is fortunate that superintendents Cody Elwood and Eddie Roach have
See AUSTIN page 56
SWING
STRONG SWING FAST CERTIFIED GOLF FITNESS PROS
Sean Riley, DC Ryan Smith, PT
"I've seen excellent improvements in flexibility and strength in my players." Jeff C.
PGA Head Golf Professional
"This program has given me a road map to golf fitness." Cindy L.
Futures Tour Player
w w w. s w i n g f i t t u l s a . c o m
918-743-3737 www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 47
DESTINATIONS
San Lameer Estate Golf Course.
South Africa golf trip is wild, wooly, adventurous and sublime Part 1: The Indian Ocean, Kwazulu-Natal and the peerless Durban Country Club by steve habel
For most Americans, the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions South Africa likely has to do with Nelson Mandela, a wildlife safari, the 2010 World Cup where the fans tooted vuvuzelas during the soccer matches or something you’ve seen in the movies. If you’re a golfer, the names Player, Els, Oosthuizen, Schwartzel and Grace also have a place in your mindset. But have you ever really given much thought to the notion of traveling to South Africa? Well, you should – even more so if you are a golfer and looking to play a variety of courses in differing climates and styles, from the prairielands to the beach to the mountains and even through vineyards. Recently, a handful of my golf journalist colleagues and I were invited to sample a smattering of the best facilities in South Africa, teeing it up from such sublime settings as lush jungle, the natural dunes alongside the Indian Ocean, along the tranquil Bot River Lagoon, in the wine country of the Berg River Valley, on one of the 48 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
world’s top-40 courses and in the shadow have squirrels in the United States , would of Table Mountain. invade the residences if given half a chance. Golf at the resort the next morning was at the eponymous course on site, a tight Getting there is part of the fun South Africa is a long way away from test of target golf routed through the jungle Oklahoma, or – obviously – anywhere in and designed by South African architect Peter Matkovich, after the country’s fathe United States. But there are non-stop flights available vorite golf son, Gary Player, turned down from as close as Dallas, Houston and Atlan- the commission because he thought there ta, and an upgrade to business class (with wasn’t enough land for a top-flight course. Matkovich’s course, which is carded its totally reclining sleeper seats, three sumptuous meals and free liquor and myr- at 6,104 meters (6,676 yards) and a par of iad personal entertainment options) make 72, was built when a bit more land was the 18-hour, one-way flight actually enjoy- acquired. It plays up and down hills and able, especially when you realize what’s around lagoons and over creeks, with views of the ocean from the elevated tee waiting for your when you land. box on the par-4 second hole and a good mix of risk-reward options. Playing on the southeastern coast The facility features an expansive, modAfter breakfast, I headed back into the airport to meet with the group and board ern clubhouse and the property also cona small airplane for the 90-minute flight tains a par-3 course, an oceanfront beach to Margate, a beach community on the and the Lagoon Bar, where we took two coast of the Indian Ocean. From there we meals and consumed plenty of libations. After the round we drove north two traveled south about 10 miles to the San Lameer Estate (golf resorts with a residen- hours to the bustling metropolis of Durtial component here are called “estates”), a ban, the second most populous urban area tropical paradise on the lower south coast in South Africa and the country’s busiest port. We drove through the central busiof the province of Kwazulu-Natal. We spent the night at the quaint, but ness district during the afternoon rush lush, hotel and kept our windows closed hour and were all but overwhelmed by the when not in the rooms as small monkeys, sights, the sounds and the bustle of a thrivwhich are everywhere in the trees like we ing African city.
Durban Country Club.
Our destination was The Oyster Box, one of Africa’s top resort hotels, set 15 minutes north of Durban in Umhlanga. Constructed in 1869 and originally used as a navigational beacon and a beach cottage, the property was first converted into a hotel in the 1930s and has since been expanded and modernized. With just 86 rooms, The Oyster Box is renowned for its spa and outdoor pools with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. In the morning we headed a little further north to the Zimbali Coastal Resort in Dolphin Coast and its Tom Weiskopf-designed five-star golf course. Weiskopf won the South African PGA Championship in 1973. The course at Zimbali is a big-shouldered track, with huge elevation changes and mounding and water and sand. The first 11 holes take you over rolling hills, which present ideal vantage points from which to enjoy the magnificent views. Thereafter, holes 12-18 explore the Zimbali indigenous forest. Zimbali means “valley of flowers” in the Zulu language. The 6,524-meter (7,135-yard) course was fashioned in 1998 to live in harmony with its natural surroundings. The tee of the par-3 fifth hole gives golfers a view of the ocean over the edge of the jungle, while two of its par-5s – the third, which plays downhill, and the 17th, which heads back up, are the best chances for birdies here.
AMERICAN CUISINE B R A N D E D
W I T H
SOUTHWESTERN FLARE
Durban Country Club and the Golden Mile The afternoon sent us back into the heart of Durban and the peerless Durban Country Club, set in the literal shadow of the Moses Mabhida Stadium and just a half-mile from the Indian Ocean. A course steeped in tradition and history, Durban Country Club opened in 1918 and boasts the unique claim of being the only course on the African continent to be rated in the Top 100 Golf Courses of the World by Golf Magazine USA and in the Top 10 in South Africa by Golf Digest SA. It has hosted the South African Open 17 times (more than any other club in the country), including the centennial event in 2010. The combination of lush vegetation, sand dunes and stunning ocean views make this course one of the most unique, and challenging, in the world. One of the defining characteristics of Durban Country Club is the massive undulations in the fairways, especially the fifth, the eighth and 17th, as the course was built on natural sand dunes that are large and interesting. That evening we dined at The Big Easy, an upscale restaurant in the Durban Hilton Hotel on the Golden Mile founded and owned by Ernie Els. The Golden Mile is one of the main tourist attractions in the area, a wide stretch of beach artificially separated by various piers that houses art-deco buildings, apartments, tourist hotels, nightclubs and restaurants. Most of the Mile’s beaches are protected year-round by lifeguards and shark nets (yes, I said shark nets). The night demarked the mid-point of our trip to South Africa, with plenty more to see on the southern coast and in Cape Town.
OKLAHOMA CITY
•
TULSA
•
WICHITA
W W W. R E D R O C K C A N Y O N G R I L L . C O M
DESTINATIONS
The Patriot Golf Course in Owasso.
Red River invader Author has played 135 state courses by robert krug
About four years ago when you last heard from me, I was still counting down toward my goal of 600 total courses played and was just a few short of 100 in Oklahoma. Oh, how things have changed. Not only did I reach those two milestones, but I’ve also made several more trips across the Red River that have pushed my Oklahoma list to 135 courses (about 55 percent of the state’s total) and increased my overall count to 638. And, yes, the magic number 600 came in Oklahoma, at The Patriot Golf Club in Owasso, and it was one of the most memorable events in my continuing golf pilgrimage. In late 2011, I was at 560 courses when I first wrote about my travels in a story for Golf Oklahoma. So it took a lot of planning and driving to set up the April 2012 trip to Tulsa to reach my then-goal. After two extended Texas trips, two more runs to the Tulsa area helped me get close enough to 600 to set the final plan in motion. Cimarron Trails in Perkins and Stillwater’s Lakeside, the Labron Harris gem later retooled by Tripp Davis, were two of my favorites on the pre-600 drives, as were Arrowhead and Sequoyah, which were nice ways to break up the trips back to Texas. In April, I was at 597 and was on the road to No. 600, but it wasn’t easy. 50 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
I got off to another early (6 a.m.) start on a Tuesday – and just before 7 was stuck on I-35 in front of WinStar World Casino, waiting for a wreck to be cleared. After about 90 minutes I was back on the road. I got to Tulsa around 1 p.m. and played Links on Memorial in Bixby (I love Lyndy Lindsey courses) and Lit’l Links to check off Nos. 598 and 599 and head for the Hard Rock Casino to rest up for my big day. But there were still more obstacles. That night, storms hit the area and I spent my time worrying that I wouldn’t be able to play my scheduled round the next morning at The Patriot. A light rain was falling when I headed up Highway 169, but when I checked in at the pro shop I was assured that I could start my round on time – walking. I was more than OK with that plan. My caddie, Scott, put my clubs in a lightweight bag (the same thing happened at Whistling Straits a few years earlier, caddies opting for comfort over looks) and we headed out for that fantastic opening shot. Well, the first one wasn’t so fantastic when it found the trees left, but Scott said, “You didn’t warm up ... take a mulligan.” We were immediate friends. Scott turned out to be a chatterbox and that was also OK with me. He told me about his first loop – course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. –- about quizzing Jones on different aspects of the design, about
the reason for two Hole No. 6’s, and about his most recent round at the course (a 69, including a hole-in-one (and, yes, I confirmed both with an assistant pro before I left for the day). Sure enough, when we made the turn, we were able to get in a cart. I almost wish I’d walked the whole course, but the ride on the back nine produced a lot better score and included two birdies. After the round, I toured the Folds of Honor Foundation building next door, saw Major Dan Rooney (Folds of Honor founder), loaded up on souvenirs and got access to a web site that included photos from around the course. A few months later, I had three of the photos mounted in a 15- by 24-inch frame and anybody who walks through our front door immediately sees that array across from a framed photo of “Pinched Nerve,” the 17th hole at Whistling Straits. I’ve played more than 30 Oklahoma course since then, including Canyons at Blackjack Ridge (I don’t care what the locals call it, I like it) and Grand Cherokee in Langley (please don’t open the dam). I took advantage of the South Central Section PGA Golf Pass in 2014 and got to play such layouts as Peoria Ridge in Miami, The Trails in Norman, Shawnee Country Club, Dornick Hills in Ardmore (Perry Maxwell would be a great architect even if it was the only course he ever built) and Willow Creek in Okahoma City (another example of how much fun simple can be). I also made a trip with friends to Fort Cobb in November of 2015. The course beat us to a pulp, After that round, we stopped at a place called Ski-Boy for a hamburger, on the Oklahoma friend’s recommendation. It looked like it had been out of business for 20 years, but despite the place’s looks, the burger was great (just be sure to eat outside. In April, I made one more quick (three days) trip to Prairie West in Weatherford, Kingfisher, Cherokee Hills, Bailey Ranch in Owasso and Olde Page in Tulsa. The Patriot, Roman Nose, Jimmie Austin in Norman and The Territory are still my Oklahoma favorites, but Bailey Ranch is now pretty high on my list, along with Battle Creek in Broken Arrow. And I’m already planning a return trip to Battle Creek to try out the Golfboards. Sixty-eight isn’t too old to ride an oversized electric skateboard, is it? Robert Krug is a freelance writer who says he’d love to hear your golf stories, too. Email him at 400andcounting@gmail.com.
Deep in the Heart of ... WORLD CLASS GOLF AND SO MUCH MORE! LOCATED IN THE HEART OF TEXAS HILL COUNTRY WINE REGION, HORSESHOE BAY RESORT IS LOCATED 45-MINUTES WEST OF AUSTIN ON SCENIC LAKE LBJ. COME SEE WHY THIS AAA FOUR-DIAMOND RESORT IS BECOMING KNOWN AS ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S TOP DESTINATION LAKE AND GOLF RESORTS.
WEEKDAY GOLF PACKAGE S TA R T I N G AT
BY PHONE ONLY | 877.588.9128
$229
Includes one-night stay for two at AAA four-Diamond Horseshoe Bay Resort Rate based on double occupancy. Valid Sunday-Thursdays (stay Thursday night and play on Friday) OFFER VALID THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2016 BASED ON AVAILABILITY. CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS APPLY. not applicable for groups. tax & resort fee not included.
4 5 - M I N U T E S
W E S T
O F
A U S T I N
your connection begins at
HSBRESORT.COM
M A H OG A N Y & C H A RL E ST ON ’S
Austin Eckroat by scott wright
PRIME STEAK FINE WINE
premium service Yo u r v i s i t to M a h o g a n y P r i m e S t e a k h o u se w i l l be a n e v e n i n g to r e m e m be r .
OKLAHOMA CITY
|
TULSA
|
OMAHA
w w w. m a h o g a n y p r i m e s t e a k h o u s e . c o m
EDMOND — Edmond North High School senior Austin Eckroat has experienced adventures big and small over the summer. He birdied the 72nd hole to win the prestigious Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. He advanced to the match play round of 16 at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. He rode escalators up mountainsides to reach elevated tee boxes at Chuyko Golf Club in Tokyo City, Japan, while representing the United States in the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup. And once, he changed drivers 20 minutes before he stepped on the first tee, and nearly shot himself out of the tournament in the opening round. So not everything has been great for Eckroat, who is verbally committed to Oklahoma State. But it’s been pretty good.
that I needed that putt to win. It was pretty cool. You followed that up with top-10s at the Scott Robertson Memorial, which you won the year before, and at the Thunderbird International Junior.
What sticks out to you about those tournaments? I wanted to defend at the Scott Robertson, but I got eighth, which was solid. I was leading the Thunderbird after the first round. I had a doublebogey on my 17th hole in the What was going through second round and ended up finyour head when you won at ishing ninth. Sage Valley? You just discussed two topI was just excited to get into the event. To play that well was 10 finishes at national events, very cool. I know a lot of those but it still sounds like you were guys’ names that I was playing a little frustrated in how you against. It really meant a lot. I played. Were you? Yeah, because I won the Scott wasn’t hitting it very well at all going into the tournament, but Robertson the year before, and I figured it out the day before I wanted to win it again. And to the first practice round. I shot let the lead go at the Thunder68 in the practice round and bird the way I did, it really felt everything was clicking after like a letdown. that. How was the experience in Take us through the final the World Cup in Japan? It was unreal. It’s crazy how hole, when you needed a birdie similar everything is and how to win. I hit my driver off line and I opposite it is. Everything difhad 275 yards in. I hit a 2-iron ferent, but it looks the same. to about 18 feet and made the The food, it looks like it’s gonputt. It broke about a foot and na taste the same, but it doesn’t caught the left lip. On a di- at all. The buildings and evrect line about 20 feet behind erything are small. At the hothe hole was a scoreboard, so tel rooms, you have to duck I couldn’t have missed it. So I through doorways. It’s totally knew exactly where I was, and different. There were four holes
AMATEUR PROFILE
THE BEST IN CASUAL DINING Eckroat was one of four boys selected to play for Team USA in the Junior Golf World Cup in Japan.
Photo courtesy USGA
out there where between holes, there was an escalator you had to ride, because it was on a mountainside. The golf carts drove themselves. That was pretty weird. The atmosphere of that event was awesome. It was by far the most fun event, and we played really well. I tied for eighth and we shot 36 under as a team, and won by nine.
Eckroat in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. You didn’t have much of a break after you got back from Japan, did you? No, the next week I played in the Rolex Tournament of Champions. I switched drivers 20 minutes before I teed off and hit it terrible, shot 76. I went back to my normal driver
the next day and made the cut on the number, then finished 24th. Before the U.S. Junior, I got a new Ping driver that was really similar to my original driver. I hit that great and shot 73-72 to qualify for match play, then won my first two matches. After the round of 32, I didn’t think anybody was beating me. Through the first six holes of that match, I don’t think I was outside of 6 feet for birdie. I don’t know if I’ve ever hit the ball that well. But then I had a long break, about a 2 1/2-hour break. I kind of lost the momentum I had. I didn’t hit it the same and wasn’t making putts. With all the events we’ve talked about, plus the big ones you still have left, like the Junior PGA Championship, and possibly the Junior Ryder Cup, have you had any free time for yourself this summer? No. I went to Mexico for a vacation and that’s the only time that I’ve had. I’ll be home for three or four days, then I’ll be going to another tournament. It’s been crazy. Has the schedule been fun or has it worn on you? It’s definitely been fun. I get excited to go for each event. When it’s over, I’m ready to get home, but then after I’m home for a few days, I’m ready to go to the next one.
OKLAHOMA: EDMOND • OKC • NORMAN • TULSA ARIZONA: CHANDLER • SCOTTSDALE • MESA NEBRASKA: OMAHA INDIANA: INDIANAPOLIS • WESTFIELD TEXAS: FT. WORTH
W W W. C H A R L E S T O N S . C O M
QUA I L CR EEK BA N K’S ON T H E L I N K S W I T H A N YA
Sisters make inroads as golf pros Sisters Erica, Lindsey, and Katie Bensch all have one thing in common: they love golf. They all love golf so much that each atAnya Alvarez tended the University Kickingbird GC of Central Oklahoma Teacher and majored in the Professional Golf Management program. Their father facilitated that love for golf, similar to many people who had exposure to golf at a young age. “When we were little, our dad would rotate between the three of us when he would go out and play with his friends,” Katie said. “We would always volunteer to tag along; all we wanted was to get a hot dog or candy bar at the halfway house. Once Erica and Lindsey started to get serious about golf, I kind of got dragged along to the course with them, but it wasn’t long after that that I fell in love with the game for myself.”
1 54UNI_16-RP-174_Group_Sales_Holiday.indd •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
It was the eldest of the bunch, Erica, 26, who influenced the younger siblings to take a stab at the golf industry. “I was having trouble deciding on a career path, and was entertaining the possibility of a career in optometry when Erica came home from her freshman year in college and announced that she was going to be majoring in golf,” Lindsey said. “I had never known that as an option before, but I knew that I liked playing golf and that I enjoyed business so it seemed like a perfect fit.” Erica’s foray into the golf industry happened by accident. Her father wanted her to take the game more seriously while a freshman in high school in the hopes she would receive a college golf scholarship. “My dad said, “Hey, you can either go to library and study real hard and get a scholarship academically, or you can go to the driving range and beat range balls and pay for school that way,” she said. She did not take his advice and put it off. As time went on she realized he was seri-
ous. It was towards the end of her junior year in high school that she began taking golf more seriously. She went on to UCO to play for its golf team, but initially planned on double majoring in nursing and bio-chemistry. During her freshman year while on the driving range one day, a friend said to her, “You don’t want to spend that much time in the library do you?” She pondered it and realized, “No, not really. I’d rather be outside.” It was through this friend that she was exposed to the PGM program and Erica realized that she could literally major in golf. After switching her major she sparked an interest with her younger sisters to also pursue golf as a career. After Lindsey, 24, decided to go through the PGM program, Katie, 23, said, “I couldn’t be the only Bensch to go to UCO and not join the PGM program.” The Bensch sisters, unknowingly, became part of a movement in women’s golf, particularly women striving to become
7/28/16 3:33 PM
ance more in the industry which makes it started working at different golf courses. PGA Class A members. When asked about their favorite memWhile the growth of female instructors more difficult for them.” The most important aspect of a career ory on the course, Lindsay recalled a time has been steady, the disparity between at Kickingbird Golf Club in Edfemale and male coaches is large: mond. at the end of 2015, the LPGA had Erica aced the 124-yard 1,700 members, compared to No. 3 hole, using a gap wedge 27,000 PGA of America male golf in windy conditions. Less professionals. than two hours later, Lindsey Lindsey believes the golf indusknocked in an 8-iron on the 142try is heading in the right direcyard No. 11 hole. tion, “More and more opportuniBut it was when they made ties are going to keep coming up the move to Naples that they all for women in golf, and I hope to decided to compete for the massee a lot of these opportunities ter bedroom, “We decided on taken advantage of.” having a three-day tournament. Katie expanded on this sentiLast place would get the smallment, “I think that once women est room.” start being more pro-active it’ll inThey were all square going spire future generations of young into the final round, but it’s no girls to want to not just play golf, surprise when Lindsey said that but work in the industry as well.” Katie, Erica and Lindsey Bensch are all proud graduates of the was one of her favorite memoHowever, Erica believes that PGM program at the University of Central Oklahoma. many women are not confident they can do for the sisters is that they can still play in ries competing against her sister, “It was a close match, but I won!” the program and have a career in the golf in- tournaments. “I can take my job anywhere, so I love dustry while also maintaining a family life. Anya Alvarez is a retired LPGA player who “It’s difficult to get women in leadership the flexibility golf provides,” Erica said. Upon graduation, the competitive sis- now teaches at Kickingbird Golf Club in Edroles because it’s hard to balance both,” Erica said. “It seems the woman has to bal- ters moved to Naples, Florida, and all mond. For more, visit www.anyagolf.com
www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 55
OKLAHOMA COURSE SPOTLIGHT Austin cont. from page 47
for non-members, but remain low for OU firmly established Jimmie Austin as one of students, faculty, staff and for members). Jimmie Austin is scheduled to host an the best conditioned courses in the state, from its blend of A1 and A4 bent grass NCAA men’s regional in 2018. There is greens, to the Bermuda fairways, zoysia also interest in being the site of an event tee boxes and blends of various zoysia on the Web.com Tour, but that will regrasses used around the bunkers and in quire the finding of a title and subsidiary sponsors. green surrounds. The improvements on the course are This summer’s projects on holes 8-11 and 18 have resulted in some big changes, including somewhat smaller greens with subtle undulations, new bunker complexes, the moving of a creek to the left side of hole 10 with a pond to the right side of hole 11, which mirrors the 11th hole at Augusta National except the dangers are reversed. The work is expected to be completed in mid-August with grow-in continuing through mid- September. The course will have a soft re-opening this fall and be fully back by spring with a new pricing structure as well (yes, rates will go up The eighth hole at renovated Jimmie Austin.
56 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
presented by just part of the story. The parking and entry way are being redone and improved, the golf academy and maintenance structures are regarded as among the best in their respective fields and the clubhouse has had upgrades. “It’s very much more like a resort,” Young said. “There’s nothing else really like it in Oklahoma.”
INSTRUCTION
Be realistic about golf goals by jim woodward
In my teaching the past couple of years I have seen a number of good golfers, both male and female talking about playing college golf and pro golf when they get older. They have also wanted to tell me how good their TrackMan numbers are and how good they are striking the ball. What’s funny is when I ask how they’re scoring, I seem to get a number of, `Well not as well as I’d like,’ or, ‘my scores don’t reflect how well I’m hitting it.’ Does this sound familiar to you? If so, you are the golfer who needs to play more and hit fewer balls. I was lucky I got to grow up playing at Quail Creek in Oklahoma City. It was not uncommon for me to play 36 holes a day. And, by the way, walking then meant carrying a bag that had no stand and shoes that weighed about three pounds. If I sound old, I am, but I know there are people reading this and laughing because they know what I’m talking about. My point is that prac-
tice is great, but playing is better for you. By the way, if you’re interested, I was very lucky I did play college and professional golf so it worked for me. This part of my tip is called the reality check, it’s for everyone. I was thinking the other day about how many professional golfers there are that are exempt or have playing privileges on the three main tours. The tours I’m talking about are the Web.com, European and PGA. It’s basically 375 – that’s it. Oh yes, there are a few exceptions but that’s the number. It’s great to have a dream, and I want you to dream big. However, the odds are not in your favor so play hard, practice hard and enjoy the ride wherever it takes you. For all golfers, whether professioanal aspirants or once a week regulars, getting the most out of your equipment is very important. Golf clubs are expensive so you don’t want to waste money on something that doesn’t work for you. The Jim Woodward is a PGA teaching professional driver is probably the most important based at Oak Tree National in Edmond.
Play
MORE.
Play
iore Sen g nta a v Ad
ard CAdvantage Card ns atio 29 serv 6.15 e Re 8.44 5.6871 Tim · 91 Tee lcher · 918.42 Be rk or g Pageawk Pa ag ol f. tu ls Moh
13
2/6/
6 AM
.indd
1
$59 Per Player
2/6/13 10:47 AM
$39 Per Senior
Pay
LESS.
FREE.
THE TULSA GOLF ADVANTAGE CARD
10:4
Tee Time Reservations Page Belcher · 918.446.1529 Mohawk Park · 918.425.6871 tulsagolf.org v1 Card age vant r Ad Senio Card v1.indd 1 TUL25054 Advantage 5054 TUL2
and expensive club you own. The most common fault I see is not getting enough loft on the club. Remember loft on any golf shot is your friend. The more loft the easier it is to square the club, which allows you to hit straighter shots. Straight is good. Irons are also better designed then they have been in the past. I personally want as much forgiveness as I can get. I will admit I love to look down at a good looking blade club. But since most of us have a day job and we don’t practice and play every day, cavity back clubs are probably the ticket. There’s a multitude of clubs to pick from so call your local professional and have him help you find the right ones. Remember just because you watch the pros on television doesn’t mean you can hit it like they do. Find a set of clubs that will help you with your misses, instead of always trying to hit the perfect shot. Golf is a game where it’s not how well you hit it but how well you miss it.
FULL LIST OF BENEFITS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE: FREE Golf After Every 5 Rounds Played Includes Same Day Round of Golf at Purchase Advantage & Senior Advantage Card Rates Early Access to Twilight** Range Punch Card ($35 Value)**
Purchase Yours Today! TUL SAGOLF.O RG 800.3 39.2997
*Seniors must be 55 & older. **Available for non-Seniors ONLY. Card program subject to change without notice. Visit the website for rates, twilight times and complete program details. Expires 12.31.2016.
www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 57
INSTRUCTION
Matching positions keeps it simple During my college career I had a team mate that was one of the best ball strikers in college golf. He also was one of the best Jerry Cozby, PGA amateur players in 2016 Inductee Texas during the Oklahoma Golf 1960’s. This great Hall of Fame striker of the golf ball was Billy Lively. He came from a golfing family in Texas. His father was a PGA club Professional (John Lively) and his older brother was the No. 1 player at Texas A&M (John Lively, Jr.). After one of Billy’s great ball striking rounds in an 18-hole practice round one day, one of our teammates (Danny Swain) asked Billy. How do you hit every golf shot so solid everytime you swing? Billy’s answer was so simple but so true that I think every member of our team still remembers the answer. Quote: It is very simple – I just match positions on the backswing and and
58 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
the finish (follow through). After I have my grip, posture and balance, I simply turn it back with the chest (core) and at the top
of my backswing the butt of my grip is facing the ground. Then keeping my eye on the ball, I simply s w i n g b a c k through and finish my swing in the same position or lower. The butt of the grip will be facing the ground again. Now that is a simple swing thought that works. We all try to overthink our golf swing – KEEP IT SIMPLE. Cozby was the head professional at Hillcrest CC in Bartlesville for 41 years. Illustration by Chris Swafford
Reach an affluent golf demographic! In OKC call 405-640-9996. In Tulsa call 918-280-0787.
Fat and thin shots can be avoided If you hit a lot of fat and thin shots, congratulations, this is a better player’s mistake. The problem is the bottom of your swing Tracy Phillips is behind the ball. Director of Golf The arc of your swing Cedar Ridge & is too much in to out. FlyingTee Ball flight problems are pushes to the right (if you are a righthanded golfer) and snap hooks to the left. Hitting behind the ball makes playing from the rough and fairway bunkers tough. You might find you’re better off the tee on par-3s and drive the ball pretty well at times. Sound like you? Some other issues might be your short game suffers closer to the green and you prefer longer wedges to the green. If this is you, here are some things to improve upon in your swing. First, make sure on each full swing you take the club back straighter instead of inside. When the club is parallel to
the ground it should also be parallel to your feet and target line. Another way of thinking is keep the club head outside your hands in the takeaway. Continuing in the backswing, you must rotate your left forearm and point the club further left at the top of your swing. All good players that have this issue point the club too far to the right or across the line at the top. For reference, players on tour that do this are Kenny Perry and Jay Haas. Not knocking them, but if you play all the time it helps. On the downswing, try to keep the right shoulder higher and the left shoulder stays down a bit longer. This is the opposite of what you probably do. To flatten the club from across the line you will start the downswing raising your left shoulder, which drops the right shoulder back and down. This makes the club flatten too much and swing too much in to out. Thus, the bottom of your swing is behind the ball, leading to fat shots. By keeping the left shoulder down and right shoulder up, this will help the club
stay steeper in the downswing. You will need to feel as though you are swinging more left. I like to use the term over the top but still from inside. A great drill is to put two alignment sticks or two tees perpendicular to your target line and make swings until you can hit the ground at or in front of those tees or sticks. This will help you make more ball turf contact. The end result is more solid shots that start out more on your target line. Spend more time making practice swings initially before hitting balls. Good luck and see your PGA pros for any additional help.
late summer
special Golf pass
two for one! www.OKLAHOMAGOLFPASS.com
Ask about our new Tuesday golf & breakfast special
South Lakes 9253 S. Elwood Jenks, America
918-746-3760 www.SouthLakesGolf.com
5501 S. Yale Ave., Tulsa, Okla.
918-496-6200
www.LaFortuneParkGolf.com www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 59
GOLF FITNESS
Two key muscles for more distance
Sean Riley SwingFit
Ryan Smith SwingFit
In our clients’ quest for more distance off the tee, we are often asked, “How do I get more distance off the tee?” The easiest answer typically is to pick up more strength in the glutes, the king of the golf swing. Their job is to maintain a golfer’s posture and to generate power from the ground up. The glute muscles make up the cushion in our rear and hips. In today’s world of cars, computers, and commuting, unfortunately we sit on these muscles more than we use them. This leads to a slow fade in their strength and ability to stabilize our core in daily life and certainly during the golf swing.
When we talk about the glutes, we are interested in the two primary components of this muscle group: the gluteus maximus and the gluteus medius. Their function is to keep the body erect when we are in a stooped position, like the golf swing. If your glutes are weak, then you will see a loss of posture during the golf swing, leading to a variety of swing compensations and ultimately inconsistency in your shot making. To improve your glute strength we recommend several basic drills as outlined below. If you have any pain or cramping with any of these drills, we recommend you get assessed by a TPI Medical Professional. Drills To Improve Glute Strength and Power Off the Tee • Swiss Bridges (Figure 1 and 2) • Lie on your bike with your feet up on an exercise ball. Keep your legs straight. • Tighten your glutes and raise your rear to the sky. Hold for three seconds. • Perform two sets of 15 reps. You should feel fatigue in your rear and hamstrings. • To make harder, cross your arms over
your chest. • Monster Walks (Figure 3 and 4) • Place an exercise band around your ankles. Pick a band color that is challenging but reasonable for your fitness level. • Get into an athletic position with slightly bent knees and hips. Now perform sidestepping for 20 feet to the right and then come back to the left. Keep repeating until you get tired in the outside of your hips. SwingFit specializes in golf specific fitness, performance, and training services for golfers of all ages. Founded by Titleist Performance Institute Certified Medical Professionals, Ryan Smith, DPT and Sean Riley, DC, SwingFit gives players access to the same proprietary testing and training systems used the by the best players in the world. The SwingFit system identifies the least amount of physical changes required in your body to produce the greatest results in your golf swing. The result is better practice with your swing coach and more enjoyment on the course. To schedule your SwingFit Golf Assessment and get fit for golf, contact SwingFit at (918) 743-3737 or visit us on the web at www.swingfittulsa.com.
1
2
3 60 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
4
SCHEDULES & RESULTS: More at www.golfoklahoma.org OKLAHOMA GOLF ASSOCIATION STATE AMATEUR At Okla. City G&CC July 25-27 Round of 32 Brendon Jelley def. Gavin Mastell 3 and 2; Brady Richardson def. Arjun Reddy 2 and 1; Mike Hearne def. Zach Tucker 2 and 1; Scott Newell def. Cody Shore 7 and 5; Jeff Coffman def. J.R. Hurley 3 and 1; Bill Bishop Jr. def. Preston Walker 3 and 2; Tate Williamson def. Garrison Mendoza 2 and 1; Chris Muriana def. Quinton Tews 3 and 2; Drew Posada def. Aaron Davis 5 and 4; Jared Strathe def. Marc Kepke 2 and 1; Ben Blundell def. Ryan Roberts 2 and 1; Wesley Jackson def. Rhett Bechtel 4 and 2; Quade Cummins def. Chris Karlovich 1-up; Luke Phillips def. Harrison Gearhart 7 and 5; Mason Overstreet def. Cody Burrow 3 and 2; Kyle Story def. Hagen Barmasse 1-up (19 holes). Round of 16 Jelley def. Richardson 6 and 5; Hearne def. Newell 2-up; Coffman def. Bishop 3 and 2; Williamson def Muriana 2 and 1; Posada def. Strathe, by default; Jackson def. Blundell 2 and 1; Cummns def. Phillips 3 and 2; Story def. Overstreet 3 and 2. Quarterfinals Hearne def. Jelley 1-up, Williamson def. Coffman 1-up, Posada def. Jackson 7 and 6; Cummins def. Story 4 and 3. Semifinals Williamson def. Hearne 1-up; Cummins def, Posada 4 and 3. Final Cummins def, Williamson 2-up. OGA SENIOR STROKE PLAY At Meadowbrook CC, Tulsa (par-71) July 11-12 1, Michael Hughett 71-70 – 141; 2 (tie), Michael Alsup 72-72 – 144 and Don Clark 72-72 – 144; 4, Jon Valuck 76-72 – 148; 5 (tie), Terry Collier 7674 – 150 and James Reid 76-74 – 150; 7, Michael Koljack 81-71 – 152; 8 (tie), Kirk Wright 79-75 – 154, Shawn Barker 77-77 – 154 and Doug Perry 79-75 – 154. Super seniors: 1, Bob Sine 70-73 – 143; 2, James Callison 75-74 – 149; 3, Keith McKinnon 75-76 – 151; 4 (tie), Bob Alexander 77-77 154, Ken Kee 76-78 – 154, Richard Hunt 76-78 – 154 and Ricky Cavener 80-74 – 154.
land 1-up (19); Russell Lowry def. Don Quint Jr. 3 and 2; Kirk Wright def. Keith McKinnon 4 and 3. Quarterfinals Stansbury def. Reid 2 and 1; Field def. Collier 1-up; Clark def. Goold 1-up (20); Wright def. Lowry 2-up.. Semifinals Field def. Stansbury 1-up (20); Wright def. Clark 2 and 1. Final Wright def. Field 4 and 3. WOMEN’S OKLA. GOLF ASSOCIATION STATE AMATEUR At The Patriot July 27-29 Championship Flight Yujeong Son def Nadia Majidizadeh 3 & 2 Championship Consolation Taylor Dobson def McCandren Mack 1 up Presidents Flight Caroline Goodin def Kailey Jo Campbell 4 &3 Presidents Flight Consolation Natalie Gough def Katherine Horne 6 & 5 A Flight Jordan Leonard Def Christina Boone 2 & 1 A Flight Consolation Shannen Stewart Def Leigh Ann Fore 3 & 2 B Flight McKenzie McCoy Def Jennie Roller 1 up B Flight Consolation Kennedy Hudson Def Emily Batchelder C Flight Emily Jackson Def Dana Hurley 1 up C Flight Consolation Cindy Arnold Def Becky Masoner 2 up D Flight Bobby Langford Def Marilyn Buland 5 & 3 D Flight Consolation Diane Schmidt Def Cheryl Saxon 6 & 4 E Flight LuAnn Mizener Def Becky Yarger 5 & 3 E Flight Consolation LaDonna Zeiders Def Diane Goldschmidt 5 & 4
2016 WOGA STROKE PLAY TULSA COUNTRY CLUB Alexis Sadeghy, Edmond 72-70--142, Nadia Majidizadeh, Tulsa 71-74--145, LeeAnn Fairlie, Oklahoma City 72-74--146, Emily Folsom, Oklahoma City 77-73--150, Grace Shin, Tulsa,75-75--150, Anna Brooke Mikish, Choctaw 75-75-150, Kailey Jo Campbell, Bixby 71-80--151, Savannah Ann Moody, Choctaw 78-73--151, McCandren Mack, Stillwater 75-77--152, Christina Maria Boone, Choctaw 80-73--153, Caroline Goodin, Oklahoma City 73-81--154, Mackenzie Medders, Tulsa 78-76--154, Baylee Price, Broken Arrow 76-78-154, Janet Miller, Catoosa 76-80--156, Kathy West, Tulsa 78-79--157, Raegan Barnes, Choctaw 82-75--157, Christy Hannah, Jenks 80-77--157 Leigh Ann Fore, Tulsa 83-75--158 WOGA MID-AMateur CHAMPIONSHIP LeeAnn Fairlie, OKC 72-74-146, Janet Miller, Catoosa 76-80-156, Kathy West, Tulsa 78-79157, Christy Hannah, Jenks 80-77-157, Leigh Ann Fore, Tulsa 83-75-158, Jill Johsnson, Tulsa 8080-160, Marna Raburn, Bixby 86-79-165, Rachel Hanigan, Edmond 86-81-167, Jennifer Hays, Edmond 80-89-169, Connie Cope, Tulsa 87-92-179 Teresa DeLarzelere, Broken Arrow 92-91-183 Laurie Makescry, Yukon WD WOGA JUNIOR At Muskogee CC (par-71) July 12-13 12-17: 1, ShaeBug Scarberry 72-69 – 141; 2, Natalie Gough 72-73 – 145; 3, Natalie Igo 76-70 – 146; 4 (tie), Jordan Clayborn 77-71 – 148, Faith Hopkins 73-75 – 148 and Mika Ramos 73-75 – 148; 7 (tie), Faith Belmear 73-76 – 149 and Alyssa Wilson 75-74 – 149; 9, Lily Whitley 77-74 – 151; 10 (tie), Summer Marshall 76-76 – 152, Alesia Begino Gonzales 75-77 – 52 and Stephanie Kayra Royer 76-76 – 152. 8-11: 1, Beans Factor 49; 2, Cey Imri Karch 71; 3, Riley Beeler 106.
OGA STROKE PLAY At Oak Tree CC, Edmond (par-70) June 27-29 1, Jacob Bishop 67-66-67 – 200; 2, Cody Burrows 69-66-68 – 203; 3 (tie), Luke Phillips 67-70-70 – 207 and Thomas Johnson 69-6969 – 207; 5, Quade Cummins 71-68-69 – 208, McCain Schellhardt 68-71-69 – 208 and Heath Myers 73-66-69 – 208; 8 (tie), Mason Overstreet 72-69-69 – 210 and Tyson Reeder 74-74-72 – 210; 10, Blake Blaser 72-70-70 – 212; 11 (tie), Brian Birchell 75-71-67 – 213 and Zac Owens 74-67-72 – 213; 13 (tie), Tate Williamson 72-74-69 – 215, Brady Richardson 72-73-70 – 215 and Said Powers 76-68-71 – 215. OGA Mid-Amateur Championship August 1-2, 2016 Oaks Country Club 1, Austin Hannah, Jenks, 65-74--139; 2, Rob Laird, Tulsa, 70-71--141; 3, Kacey Threet, Grove, 67-76-143; T-4, Brian Birchell, Edmond, 74-70--144, Patrick West, Jenks, 73-71--144; Michael Hughett, Owasso, 69-75--144; T-7 Joel Driver, Oklahoma City, 77-69--146; Jeff Cox, Broken Arrow, 76-70--146; Jeff Richter, Edmond, 72-74--146; T-10, Dillon Jordan, Ardmore, 75-72--147; Joe Joe Birdwell, Bixby, 73-74--147, Tom Ostasik Jr, Broken Arrow, 70-77--147 OGA SENIOR STATE AMATEUR At Fairfax GC, Edmond June 13-16 Round of 16 John Stansbury def. Michael Hughett 4 and 3; James Reid def. Dean Riggs 2 and 1; Lawrence Field def. Scott Adams 1-up (20 holes); Terry Collier def. Ron Roden 1-up; Michael Goold def. John Reese 2 and 1; Don Clark def. Tim McFar-
www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 61
SCHEDULES & RESULTS: More at www.golfoklahoma.org TULSA GOLF ASSOCIATION FOUR-BALL MATCH PLAY At Olde Page Belcher GC July 8-10 Finals Championship flight: Steve Hughes/Shawn Kitchen def. Matt Willingham/Tate Williamson 4 and 3. Senior championship: Mike Lusnak/Richard Townley def. Richard Hunt/Nick Sidorakis 1-up. A flight: Bryan Lunger/Joe Tuttle def. Mike Fenner/Ken MacLeod 1-up. STROKE PLAY At LaFortune Park GC (par-72) June 11-12 Championship: 1, Patrick West 65-66 – 131; 2, Tyler Hunt 67-69 – 136; 3, Hagen Barmasse 6970 – 139; 4, Jeff Cox 68-73 – 141; 5, Brody King 67-74 – 141; 6, Scott Newell 73-70 – 143; 7, Ben Kilborn 71-72 – 143; 8, Austin Quinten 71-72 – 143; 9, Tate Williamson 70-75 – 145; 10, Mike Gotcher 74-72 – 146; 11, Bill Brafford 74-73 – 147; 12, Shawn Kitchen 72-76 – 148. Senior championship: 1, Todd Raffensperger 6871 – 139; 2, Steve Hughes 69-72 – 141; 3, Michael Koljack 72-70 – 142; 4, Terry Collier 70-74 – 144; 5, Terry Trimble 73-73 – 146; 6, Bryan Reusser 78-70 – 148. A flight: 1, Matt Campbell 75-70 – 145; 2, Ron Humphries 69-78 – 147; 3, Mike Foster 75-73 – 148.
Coweta (E) def. Chance Koon, Carl Albert/ Michael Robinson, Sayre 2.5-1.5, 69-71; David Trimble, McGuinness/Carson Seals, Plainview (W) def. Cody Hixon, Pawnee/Trysten Rawls, Haworth 3.5-0.5, 72-78; Evan Johnson, Edmond Memorial/Noah Tillman, Edmond Santa Fe (W) def. Preston Moore, Skiatook/Chandler Wasson, Mannford 3-1, 70-73; Blake Berry, Tahlequah/ Warren McKee, Kelley (E) def. Drew Stark, Christian Heritage/Derek Wise, Lawton Eisenhower 4-0, 69-76; Ty Stites, Sallisaw/Nick Pierce, Sallisaw (E) def. Kson Cook, Hydro-Eakly/Blake Murray, Mooreland 3.5-0.5, 66-72. GIRLS East 17.5, West 6.5 Heidi Stafford, Eufaula/Melissa Ethridge, Eufaula (E) tie Peighton Walker, Purcell/Ashton Nemecek, Purcell 2-2, 71-71; Emilee Rigsby, Fort Gibson/Mollie Pruett, Broken Bow (E) def. Sierra Holden, Fletcher/Rylee Higgins, Texhoma 3.50.5, 69-79; Shelby Peters, Ardmore/Bayleigh Johnson, Lawton MacArthur (W) def. Ashley Jordan, Latta/Courtney Brundidge, Latta (E) 4-0, 76-77; Taylor Dobson, Broken Arrow/Trudy Allen, Union (E) d. Hadley Walters, Edmond Memorial/Brittany Boles, Marlow 4-0, 68-78; Taylor Boylan, Booker T. Washington/Hannah Jones, Muskogee (E) def. Lauren Barnes, Choctaw/ Lauren Sloan, Mustang 4-0, 68-81; Korena Aills, Broken Arrow/Jessica Johnson, Keys (E) def. Lexey Osborn, Elgin/Terra Morrison, Frederick 4-0, 77-79.
HIGH SCHOOLS ALL-STATE At Cherokee Hills GC, Catoosa (par-72) July 25 BOYS East 14.5, West 9.5 Freddie Wilson, Rejoice Christian/Brandon Strathe, Rejoice Christian (E) def. Sam Jackson, Heritage Hall/Blake Brigham, Heritage Hall 3-1, 77-78; Peyton Knell, Quinton/Bradley Tackett,
OKLAHOMA JUNIOR GOLF TOUR NORMAN PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES KICKOFF CLASSIC At Lincoln Park GC, Okla. City (par-70) July 5-6 Boys 15-18 1, Zac Owens 65-65 – 130; 2 (tie), Nick O’Donnell 70-68 – 138 and Dustin Hasley 67-71 – 138; 4, Blake Blaser 69-70 – 139; 5, Dalton Daniel 70-71 – 141; 6 (tie), Matthew Braley 73-69 – 142, Cooper
62 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
Wilguess 69-73 – 142 and Jared Strathe 66-76 – 142; 9 (tie), William McDonald 72-71 – 143, Daniel Reed 65-78 – 143 and Brock Polhill 69-74 -- 143; 12 (tie), Palmer Hays 75-69 – 144, Jun Kim 70-74 – 144 and Payton Posada 70-74 – 144. Boys 12-14 1, Jordan Wison 70-71 – 141; 2, James Roller 68-76 – 144; 3, Hayden Hall 71-74 – 145; 4, Craig Sanders 74-76 –- 150. Girls 12-18 1, Adeline Norton 73-74 – 147; 2 (tie), Faith Belmear 77-71 – 148 and Shaley Goad 75-73 – 148; 4, ShaeBug Scarberry 74-77 – 151; 5, Melissa Eldredge 80-73 – 153; 6, Mika Ramos 70-84 – 154; 7, Alyssa Wilson 74-81 – 155; 8, Lilly Whitley 79-79 – 158; 9, Madison O’Dell 75-84 – 159; 10, Katherine Horne 81-79 – 160; 11 (tie), Faith Stewart 79-82 – 161 and Mikaela Rindermann 76-85 – 161. USGA U.S. AMATEUR QUALIFYING At The Trails GC, Norman (par-70) July 20 1, Brendon Jelley 65-66 – 131; 2 (tie), Grant Hirschman 71-66 – 137 and Brad Dalke 70-67 – 137; 4, David Micheluzzi 70-69 – 139; 5 (tie), Cooper Dossey 71-69 – 140, Max McGreevy 7169 – 140 and Brett Colette 69-71 – 140; 8 (tie), Luke Phillips 73-68 – 141 and Logan McAlister 71-70 – 141. PGA South Central Section Match Play Championship at Quail Creek Country Club, Oklahoma City Semifinals: Michael Boyd, Broken Arrow, def. Trent Rommann, Wichita, 22 holes; Jarod Lundy, Blanchard, def. Mark Fuller, Oklahoma City, 6 and 5 Championship: Lundy def. Boyd 4 and 3
GREAT AMERICAN TRUCKS …and the best buying experience you will ever have. If you are shopping for a new American made truck for the best price and proven service after the sale, visit one of our state-wide locations in Guthrie, Perry or Miami, Oklahoma. We have a super selection of Ford, Chevy, GMC and RAM trucks. We promise that you will receive the best and most comfortable buying experience you have ever had.
“Where it’s comfortable to buy a truck” Exit 153 & I-35 Guthrie, OK 10 minutes north of Edmond (877) 475-6622 www.vanceautogroup.com
Visit our other stores: Perry, OK (877) 423-8825 • www.vancechevrolet.com Miami, OK (888) 690-4618 • www.vanceford.com (877) 693-4981 • www.vancechryslerdodgejeepram.com
YOU R
ES. NS SE
mi n
ur
as INSPIR E B ED L L A as H S yo d
A
S T U NU S UA L G O IN M
Life is simply too glorious not to experience the odd delights of HENDRICK’S GIN, featuring curious yet marvelous infusions of cucumber and rose petal. ®
To join our most unusual world visit us at HENDRICKSGIN.COM PLEASE ENJOY THE UNUSUAL RESPONSIBLY HENDRICK’S GIN, 44% ALC./VOL. ©2012 IMPORTED BY WILLIAM GRANT & SONS, INC. NEW YORK, NY.