2 – On the Links
Thursday, April 4, 2013
www.lakeoconeebreeze.net
LAKE OCONEE’S MOST BEAUTIFUL
GOLFING OPTIONS
$ $
% $
$
$
$
$
$
$
By MADALYN SHORES Lake Oconee Breeze
LAKE OCONEE — Getting your hands on a ticket to the Masters tournament can be an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but the next best thing is spending the week leading up to the tournament on one of Georgia’s most beautiful golf courses. Masters week is one of the most exciting times for golfers at Lake Oconee. It marks the beginning of a new season, as golfers eagerly await delightful spring and summer weather. Every year golf enthusiasts from all over the country find the Lake Oconee community an outstanding place to celebrate, watch and vacation for the Masters. Lake Oconee is home to three popular golf communities known throughout the state of Georgia. Cuscowilla, Harbor Club and Reynolds Plantation have a combined seven award winning golf courses and are perfect for people who love the game. The golf clubs on Lake Oconee each have different characteristics that appeal to different people. Cuscowilla, the smallest community of the three, has been given numerous awards such as Golfweek magazine’s #1 Best Course You Can Play in the state of Georgia for 2012. Harbor Club, the second largest, has nine beautiful miles of shoreline on Lake Oconee. And last, Reynolds Plantation, the largest, has six different courses to play. These award-winning layouts draw many professionals to the Lake Oconee area. Tim Simpson, Ben Crenshaw, Dustin Johnson and many other professionals have been spotted on each of Lake Oconee’s beautiful courses. The clubs are preparing for nothing but customer service for their guests from sun-up to sundown. Cuscowilla — Don’t let the size fool you
The Cuscowilla community offers 700 acres of beautiful soil and 18 holes of golf. It is considered to be a semi-public community because non-members can play certain days of the week. Built in 1997, this course and its accommodations have changed tremendously in every aspect. “Cuscowilla has grown so much from when I started working here 12 years ago,” Jarrod Clark, Director of Golf Operations said. “It started out as just a developing membership club, and today we have grown into a great golf club.” Here, the Masters experience differs from the other golf communities because this is the smallest of the three at Lake Oconee but offers a
COUNTRY KITCHEN
899 HARMONY RD. EATONTON 706-485-5745
Breeze file photos
Though the smallest of the three Lake Oconee golf communities, Cuscowilla offers a great, award-winning golf club. more intimate and personable setting for the guests. “We have a different course than the others in the area,” Clark said. We have more of a natural, puristic view of how we designed it and main-
$
tain it, which definitely sets us apart. We are just a small little community that loves the game of golf.”
$ $
See
COURSES, page 3
$ $
LUNCH BUFFET
5 DAYS A WEEK...MON-FRI. 11:00am-3:00pm view buffet menu daily online @ iflydelivery.com or “At Your Service” catering on Facebook
All you can eat....$6.99 Sr.Citizen(55+) and To Go....$5.99
Come join us for the good home cooking you have been craving! “At Your Service” Catering on site.
judyleeson@bellsouth.net
From PGATOUR.COM Here are the players in this year’s Masters field who are making their first starts in the event (with their highest priority qualification): ! George Coetzee, South Africa — Ranked among the top 50 in the 2012 final Official World Golf Ranking ! Nicolas Colsaerts, Belgium — Ranked among the top 50 in the 2012 final Official World Golf Ranking ! Jamie Donaldson, Wales — Ranked among the top 50 in the 2012 final Official World Golf Ranking ! Alan Dunbar, Northern Ireland — Current British Amateur champion ! Steven Fox, USA — Current U.S. Amateur champion ! Branden Grace, South Africa — Qualified by ranking among the top 50 in the 2012 final Official World Golf Ranking ! Tianlang Guan, China — Current Asian Amateur champion ! Russell Henley, USA -- Winner of full-points PGA TOUR event
(Sony Open in Hawaii) since last Masters ! John Huh, USA — Ranked inside top 30 on 2012 final PGA TOUR money list. ! David Lynn, England — Finished inside top four in last year’s PGA Championship ! Thorbjorn Olesen, Denmark — Qualified by ranking among the top 50 in the 2012 final Official World Golf Ranking ! John Peterson, USA —Finished inside top eight in last year’s U.S. Open ! Scott Piercy, USA — Ranked inside top 30 on 2012 final PGA TOUR money list ! Ted Potter Jr., USA — Winner of full points PGA TOUR event (The Greenbrier Classic) since last Masters ! T.J. Vogel, USA — Current U.S. Amateur Public Links champion ! Michael Weaver, USA —Current U.S. Amateur runner-up ! Thaworn Wiratchant, Thailand — 2012 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner invited by Masters committee
Thursday, April 4, 2013
On the Links – 3
www.lakeoconeebreeze.net
Courses Continued from page 2 Harbor Club — Stay and Play package, best deal on Lake Oconee Harbor Club offers guests 1,600 acres of land and nine miles of shoreline, this course is located in a beautifully built community. The club put in a lot of work preparing for the Masters Tournament rush. “It’s a lot of planning, but once we get everything accomplished it is pretty much a breeze and just customer service is what needs to be taken care of,” Doug Price, Assistant Golf Professional at Harbor Club, said. This year, Harbor Club provides an inexpensive way for a group of four golfers to experience the Masters in a way that is money saving and exciting for everyone involved. This offer is called the “Stay and Play for Four.” It offers a three-bedroom cottage that sleeps up to six people and golf for four people on the award-winning course for $1,200 per day. There is no minimum stay required, so guests can stay as long as they would like. Tee times Breeze file photos
This Masters season, Harbor Club offers an inexpensive way for a group of four golfers to experience the Masters through its ‘Stay and Play for Four’ package. sions on people, not just ‘thank you come back whenever.’” Reynolds Plantation is the standard Reynolds Plantation offers golfers 117 holes to choose from making it the largest golf club on Lake Oconee. Reynolds has also been preparing for the hectic week of the Masters. “Our operations team does an exceptional job of keeping the community in excellent shape year-round, but Masters week provides the opportunity to take everything to an even higher level,” Chris Fedelem, Reynolds Plantation’s director of marketing said. “From the clubhouses to the golf courses to the marinas, everyone is eager to welcome members
and guests to the community for the first major event of spring.” Reynolds Plantation is one of two facilities in the world that has a TaylorMade Kingdom. This is a club fitting, swing analysis and club building facility. “It was just recently announced that Reynolds Plantation Members and Guests can now visit The Kingdom themselves and go through the very same experience as the pros,” Fedelem said. “Over the years our members and guests have often reported sightings of current and former PGA Tour players during Masters week, and this has led to some that I can confirm that TaylorMade-sponsored professionals do sometimes pay a visit to The Kingdom at Reynolds Plantation.”
Breeze file photo
Reynolds Plantation is one of two facilities in the world that has a TaylorMade Kingdom. This is a club fitting, swing analysis and club building facility. for the public range from $140 to $180. “Everyone has the golf itch, and it is actually a very exciting time of the year,” Price said. “What’s great is everyone on Lake Oconee has a great golf course, but our community is different because we are very family-oriented.” Harbor Club is predicting one of the busiest Masters weeks in a long time.
“It is so hectic and so much traffic at Harbor Club,” Price said. “We are already 250 to 300 rounds ahead of schedule from last year. We do anywhere from 25 to 30 percent of our yearly, not monthly, yearly revenue in 10 days. Our goal is to providing someone with the best experience that they’ve ever had so they will choose to come back the following years. We are trying to leave lasting impres-
Bo Tra w ick Agen t
Tracey Merritt 706-817-3111
Brett Mullins 706-474-5923
Shower Door Enclosures Shelving Insulated Glass Shutters
Mirrors Bath Hardware Locks Melamine
TheCuttingEdgeGlass@hotmail.com
103 Ha rm o n y Cro ssin g Ea to n to n ,GA 31024 Bu s:706-484-9744 Fa x:706-484-9710 Cell:478-960-1138 bo .tra w ick.t8gk@ sta tefa rm .co m
Pro viding Insura nce & Fina ncia lServices 143813
The Cutting Edge Glass & Mirror 118 Scott Oak Dr. Eatonton, GA 31024
4 – On the Links
Thursday, April 4, 2013
www.lakeoconeebreeze.net
# $
DINING OPTIONS
DINING ON THE LAKE !
$
$
$
$
$
$
By MADALYN SHORES Lake Oconee Breeze
LAKE OCONEE — Looking for a low-key, inexpensive place to dine while anxiously awaiting the Masters? There are places located all over the Lake Oconee community to grab a quick bite to eat, but two of the local favorites are the Silver Moon and Bone Island Grill. The neighborhood mainstay, Silver Moon, is located conveniently off of Greensboro Road, minutes from Reynolds Plantation, Harbor Club and Cuscowilla. You might miss this restaurant if you aren’t looking closely. But peel your eyes open because this is a fun, family-oriented place that is ready to cater to the golf lovers spilling into the area. “We will have the raw bar all week long, and instead of our specials only being one night a week we are bringing each of the favorites back for the whole week,” Ginger Ryser, owner of the Silver Moon, said. The Silver Moon is covered from the inside and out with beautiful white lights that give a dim lighting for a more intimate setting. This restaurant is great for groups coming off of the golf course. The atmosphere gives off a lasting impression and has customers who return annually during the Masters week. “This is our first year that we can serve alcohol on Sunday, we are usually closed on Sundays but are going to open from the Sunday before the Masters until the Sunday afterward,” Ryser said. The Silver Moon opens at 4 p.m. daily. They have a charity of the month, and this month it is the local humane society. The group will be out front of The Silver
Moon entertaining guests while they wait for their tables and food to be prepared. They will also have a putting green on the front lawn so you can get your golf fix while filling your hunger kick. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m. and the bar stays open until 1 a.m. “This is a great, fun and exhausting time of the year, but we are prepared,” Ryser said. “We have scheduled the extra employees, last year we served over 4,500 customers in the days that we were open, and so we have to prepare for that. But more than anything we are excited about the crowd and lucky to have everyone.” The next locally craved restauBreeze file photos
Fine Wine • Spirits
Beer • Cigars
Your One Stop Shop!
Next to Publix on Highway 44 706-453-0420
“We know Wine & Spirits so you don’t have to!”
During the Master’s we will be open 10-9 every day!
The Bone Island Grill is located off of Greensboro Road. Like many local spots, Bone Island will offer Masters specials during the week. rant is the Bone Island Grill, also located off Greensboro Road. Positioned on the lake, the restaurant’s porch is known for hosting many bands and artists. The side lawn is a fun place for families to relax from a long day on the golf course. Bone Island has corn hole, a well-known tailgating game, as well as cocktail servers. “We will have cocktail servers to accommodate the wait, and we have our inside and our outside bar for the guests to go to as well,” Kara Fuller, Bone Island Grill’s general manager said. Wednesdays at Bone Island Grill are known as wild Wednesdays. They not only have live music on the back patio but also offer halfoff wings, wine and whiskey. On the Wednesday of the Masters week, Conner Pledger will perform original and wellknown cover songs. Tim Caddy will also play the following night. This family-oriented place will offer their services Tuesday
through Saturday. They open at 4 p.m. and the kitchen closes at 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The bar stays open one hour later. Even though they are closed on Sunday and Monday, they offer their facility to be rented out for parties or corporate events. The Bone Island Grill will offer many specials during Masters week. To know the running specials, make sure to sign up for their convenient text program. “To get our daily specials people can sign up for our text program that will be sent and all they have to do is send Go Big to 36000,” Fuller said. These two restaurants are excited for the craziness of the Masters and look forward to seeing patrons from all over the country. While you are on Lake Oconee, make sure to check out these local spots for an unforgettable time with friends and family.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER $
$
! $ "
By KYLE COLLINS
$
$
RUSSELL HENLEY
Above: Russell Henley waves after saving par on the third hole during the second round of the Humana Challenge golf tournament on the Palmer Private course at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif. Friday, Jan. 18. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson). Left: Russell Henley celebrates after sinking a birdie putt on the 18th green and winning the Sony Open golf tournament, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Lake Oconee Breeze
Athleticism and confidence make the difference in any sport. Macon-born Russell Henley routinely showed these attributes on the basketball court and the golf course during his youth. Junior, college and amateur golf seemed to come easy to the University of Georgia product. Henley won the 2010 Haskins Award as the top collegiate golfer and tied for 16th the same year as an amateur in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links. A 2011 Web.com Tour win at UGA’s home golf course, while still an amateur, provided Henley a place to play as he learned the professional life. As the 23year-old quickly found out, there is no more team on the road. “It’s different, and it’s business,” he said. “People want to do things their way.” Henley’s friend and golf instructor Bobby Hix, a PGA teaching professional at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon, said that change took time. The first half of the 2012 Web.com season wasn’t peachy for Henley. “You get out and play professionally, and it’s just you. That’s a pretty big change from just being around people all of the time to you are pretty much by yourself,” Hix said. Henley said the transition to the pro ranks dipped him into the most negativity and lack of confidence ever faced in his sporting career. “I’d gone from winning that professional event to like rock bottom. It was tough to for me because I’d experienced such a good place so quick and all of the sudden had to deal with adversity and not playing well at all,” Henley said. Several events helped him lock into his game
On the Links – 5
www.lakeoconeebreeze.net
his instincts. We talk a lot about that. It goes back to his days of being an athlete,” the Macon
and get back the pure, confident feel. Henley hired a longtime caddie, Todd Gjesvold, who worked at the site of his major introduction at Pebble Beach. The young pro also reacquired his signature confidence by playing against established PGA Tour regulars like Webb Simpson up in Charlotte, N.C. Assistant pro at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow, Charles Frost, opened Henley’s eyes to better course management. The game clicked quickly afterward. “Todd makes me very committed to every shot and makes me believe in what we are doing. It was a combination of surrounding myself with people that were making me a little more confident about things. It started to feel like I was playing golf again,” Henley said. Fast-forward to the end of the Web.com season, and the Middle Georgia golfer drained a lengthy bogey putt at the Chiquita Classic to make a three-man playoff, which he won. That locked the young man into a 2013 PGA Tour card. Hix said that putt told him his student was on
his way. “I think any teacher, regardless of what they are teaching, wants their students to achieve the highest level they can. You always want to feel like you helped give them the confidence,” Hix said. “When Russell was struggling, I always told people its just one good round or tournament away from busting loose. You get it going, and you feel like you can conquer the world. Once he erased any doubt, I thought the sky was the limit.” Henley never listened to the outsiders congratulating him on the future, choosing instead to remember the tough times overcome. This attitude spurred more high finishes. He added another playoff win later that season, finishing third on the tour’s money list. Henley and his loyal coach love to keep it simple. The veteran instructor brought his pupil back down to basics again prior to the now famous Sony Open Hawaii trip last January. Hix referenced basketball to get him out of the mechanical mind frame. “It’s all about trusting
teacher said. “You didn’t worry about that when you shot a free throw. I said ‘your instincts are
pretty darn good.’ Putt it.” See
HENLEY, page 8
Free Injury Screening: Call the Clinic to set up you appointment. Physical Therapy can help!
100 Cowles Clinic Way • Greensboro 706-454-1394
143849
6 – On the Links
Thursday, April 4, 2013
www.lakeoconeebreeze.net
$
$
CHEERS $
$ $
$
$
By POWELL COBB Lake Oconee Breeze
week of the year for The Oconee Cellar, Garofalo and his staff always look forward to the surge of shoppers hunting for the best deals. “It’s just crazy,” said Garofalo. “There’s such a huge influx of new customers coming in that week. It’s like Christmas in the springtime.” Doug Paine, a friend of Garofalo’s, has been working at The Oconee Cellar for two years as the only fulltime employee. Though only experiencing Masters Week as a customer in the store, Paine is prepared for the busy atmosphere of working in it. “It usually starts the Friday before the week begins,” Paine said about the huge surge of customers. “We start stocking up a few weeks in advance to try and get ahead of the game.” Bigger corporations who rent houses at Lake Oconee for the week often get in contact The Oconee Cellar and preorder the items they need. That
Powell Cobb/Lake Oconee Breeze
The Oconee Cellar sees a number of PGA pros milling the store. The store showcases a broad selection of spirits, beer and of course, wine. way, Garofalo can gather everything and have it ready for a curbside pickup as early as the next day. But fans aren’t the only ones that shop at The Oconee Cellar. A number of PGA professionals have been in the store, including Fuzzy Zoeller, winner of the Masters in 1979 and the U.S. open in 1984. “Zoeller is a vodka man,” Garofalo said. “He buys Absolut vodka. That’s all he drinks.” Zoeller recently released his own brand of vodka. Although Garofalo didn’t have it in the store at the moment, he guaranteed he’d have it stocked in time for Masters Week. Another professional, Sean O’Hair, also made an appearance in the store. Formerly sponsored by Reynolds Plantation, O’Hair most recently won the RBC Canadian Open back in 2011. The store’s celebrity visits don’t end with just pro golfers. Musician Zac Brown, guitarist and vocalist for the Grammy award-winning country-folk group Zac Brown Band, has shopped at The Oconee Cellar too. “He’s actually really big into red wine,” Garofalo said. The Oconee Cellar also hosts a variety of events including an
upcoming whiskey tasting that is to feature a variety of scotches and bourbons. Every month, a wine tasting is done at Corrado Italian restaurant, located just down the road from the store. Oftentimes, Garofalo adds themes to the events to spice them up. “We may do Spain night or Italy night” Garofalo said. “Or we may have a night where it’s France versus Italy and people can vote on their favorites. Those have been really popular.” Customers can sign up for a monthly newsletter that alerts them of tasting events, specials, sales and new selections. In addition members receive a specially selected bottle of red and white wine each month at a major discount. But it’s Garofalo’s enthusiasm for what he sells that makes the store so special to his customers. “I’ve traveled to Italy and Spain to taste wine, so it’s nice to tell customers I’ve actually been to the wineries I’m selling in the store, I’ve met the owners,” Garofalo said. “People appreciate that. I like to show that wine is definitely my passion.”
646 Old Phoenix Rd Suite B, Eatonton
Dine In or Take Out
(located just beyond the pyramid off of Harmony Rd)
%
' # "
Have it ready for you to pick up
' #
" "
706-991-9850
!" #
" " ' #
$
""
'
$
(!
FREE Wi-Fi
"
$ "
! " & "
!"
#
!"
'
%
(!
# "
!
Hours of operation: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4pm, Saturday 8am-2pm
% % %
!
"
!
143816
LAKE OCONEE — Masters Week at Lake Oconee is a busy time as people from around the country flock to town to enjoy golf ’s most prestigious tournament. Parties and get-togethers are thrown to celebrate the sport, and everyone knows the best store in town to provide the liquor. The Oconee Cellar has gained a reputation for quality since it opened its doors in 1998. Located on Lake Oconee Parkway right next-door to Publix, the store showcases a broad selection of spirits, beer and of course, wine. “The store is convenient,” customer Leigh Lofgren said. “It is right next door to where we shop, they’ve got a large selection and variant prices. It works great.” Owner Matt Garofalo’s passion for wine is what he says keeps his job interesting and fun. “It’s always different, always something new,” Garofalo said. “New wineries are coming out with stuff all the time. Every vintage is different, and every year is different. It’s always changing.” With such a large variety of wines to sell, Garofalo likes to be well versed and try new bottles regularly. “I probably taste 20 different wines a week,” Garofalo. “You taste a lot of different stuff.” During Masters Week, fans come into the store looking for a variety of wines and spirits. It doesn’t matter if you’re searching for something cheap or expensive; chances are the store has it in stock. Garofalo likes to highlight some of the higher-end products for his customers, but it’s the in-season California cabernet that flies off the shelves the quickest. Additionally, cigars are a popular item sold in the store year round. Masters Week being the biggest
Thursday, April 4, 2013
On the Links – 7
www.lakeoconeebreeze.net
WATSON CHERISHES GREEN JACKET MOMENT By TOM SPOUSTA Masters.com
He embraces a flair for the dramatic and exudes a flashy stage presence. So when Bubba Watson won the Masters Tournament last year, the symbol of his victory figured to be on continuous display to anyone and everyone who might ask. But the Green Jacket rarely adorned Watson’s broad shoulders. Instead, he tucked it in the closet at his Scottsdale, Ariz., home – always ensconced in its garment bag. He would occasionally peek at it hanging there, still humbled by the fact that it was even in his possession. “None of my friends have seen it. None of my friends have taken photos of it,” Watson said on Wednesday during his pre-Tournament teleconference. “I put it in the back. I know it’s there just because I don’t want anybody to steal that thing, but I know it’s there. But no, I don’t look at it, I don’t ever see it. I can see the corner of it because it’s with my jackets, so I can see the corner of the green garment bag so I know it’s there at all times.” Watson will be wearing his Green Jacket soon enough upon returning to Augusta National in April. He etched himself in Masters lore with an improbable hook shot
from deep in the magnolias, beating South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen on the second playoff hole and sealing his status as a golf folk hero. Watson hit a 162-yard wedge that he curved an estimated 40 yards onto the green at No. 10 and made par to win his first major title. Watson, though, has no interest in recreating the shot during Masters Practice Rounds. He might have no choice, given his free-swinging, go-forbroke style, but unless he finds himself in the right trees during the Tournament, he plans to keep that moment frozen in history. “Well, truthfully, obviously I pulled it off once, so I should be able to pull it off again,” Watson said. “No, I want that to live. That might be my only legacy of winning the Masters, so I want that shot to live, and I want it to grow, and hopefully 20 years from now it’s even tougher and there are bigger trees and a tougher situation. Hopefully, I hit the fairway from now on so I don’t need to practice that shot anymore.” Oosthuizen still marveled at Watson’s shot and the sudden swing in emotion that surged down the 10th fairway. “I had no idea where he was,” Oosthuizen said Wednesday at the Honda Classic. “I didn’t know if he was going to chip out or what. As I walked down there, being a left-hander, I
AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File
In this April 8, 2012, file photo, Charl Schwartzel, left, of South Africa, helps Bubba Watson put on the winner’s green jacket after winning the Masters golf tournament on the 10th hole after a sudden death playoff in Augusta. thought he can easily get it close to the green, but obviously didn’t think he was going to get it that close to the pin.” Only one thing was missing from that epic Sunday finish. A few weeks before his Masters victory, Watson and wife Angie had adopted a 1-month-old son, Caleb. The new family decided it was best that Angie and their son remain at the couple’s then-Orlando, Fla., home. Caleb, who turned 1 on Feb. 25, and his mother will be at this Tournament. “I can’t wait to get back there, and just to have my son,” Watson said. “Hopefully he’s walking by then so he can walk the Par 3
Contest with me. It’ll be a blast for our family. “I thought golf was my life, then I thought when I got married, my wife was my life, and now with a child, now it’s my family is my life,” Watson continued. “Having my wife to help raise a child is just a dream come true and a blessing on our end.” Watson has charted his Masters run-up to begin next week at the World Golf ChampionshipsCadillac Championship at Doral. He headed into March with three solid finishes in four 2013 appearances. He tied for fourth at the seasonopening Hyundai Tournament of Champions, followed that with a 15th at the
Waste Management Phoenix Open and then missed the cut at the Northern Trust Open. Watson opened with two victories in last week’s World Golf ChampionshipsAccenture Match Play Championship before losing to Jason Day and finishing T9. Still, as he proved last year, anything can happen when Watson gets hot. Like donning the Green Jacket, which can be found prominently displayed in one spot. Indeed, Watson’s Web site opens with a simple tribute to his Masters victory: A picture of the big left-hander standing near the clubhouse moments after donning the Green Jacket. “I never got this far in
my dreams …” it reads, followed by a slow, dramatic segue to the next page and Watson beaming proudly along with three career-altering words. “2012 Masters Champion.” “It’s been sitting in that garment bag,” Watson said of the Green Jacket. “I haven’t taken it out. I don’t let anybody see it or take pictures of it out of respect for the Tournament and out of respect for the members of Augusta National.” Asked what he’s reflected on the most during the numerous times he has watched the telecast of the Tournament, Watson doesn’t hesitate. “Yeah, that I won,” he said. “I actually won it.”
8 – On the Links
Henley Continued from page 5 Four rounds of 63-63-67-63 later and Henley hoisted the trophy in his first PGA Tour event as an official member. That 24-under-par record setting performance featured five closing birdies. The putting prowess had announcers and playing partners shaking their heads. That win opened up tour life and realized a major goal for a Georgia boy. Tour winners receive a Masters Tournament invitation. “It was hard fighting off thoughts of it on the back nine that day. I never let it get to me,” Henley said. “Once they told me how does it feel you’re in the Masters, it was a little bit emotional. It’s been such a big deal for me everyday.” On April 12, his 24th birthday comes as a firsttime competitor in the Masters Tournament. Talk about a nice present. “I always had a feeling that if I made [the tournament] it would be on my birthday. I’m just blown away. It’s crazy I even get the opportunity. I don’t think I know what it’s really going to be like,” the tour player said. Henley played the Augusta National Golf Club with the Bulldog golf team several times, but this fast approaching tournament week is a little different. One of the tour’s newest standouts is now walking like those stars he used to gawk at as a young spectator. Masters Week should play out as a home game for Henley considering throngs of Macon and UGA friends in his corner. Hix said this does add some pressure, but the golfer has always excelled with crowd support. If that putter switches into Sony Open mode, Henley could have Augusta rocking to Middle Georgia’s delight, which suits him just fine. “I hope I feed off of it. It makes your good shots feel better when everyone goes crazy,” he said. For the few days before Masters Week, Henley will escape to his Charleston, S.C. home base. The hip southern area provides great food, golf and fishing. The Masters rookie loves to unplug from the tour life when possible. “I look forward to going back every week. I’m a normal kid. I don’t consider myself to be a typical golfer,” he said. A shot at Augusta National Golf Club motivated the local talent. Henley’s golf ascension already checked off one all-important area. “I’ve always been afraid of getting done with my career and looking back and saying ‘you know what you never made it to the Masters, but it’s OK you played well.’ I don’t think I could have ever dealt with that. I think that’s what drove me so much.”
www.lakeoconeebreeze.net
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
www.lakeoconeebreeze.net
A GROWING KINSHIP % $
$
$
"
$ $
$
On the Links – 9
WGA
By POWELL COBB Lake Oconee Breeze
LAKE OCONEE — Warm weather and blooming flowers aren’t the only signs of springtime at Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee. This is the time of year for the Women’s Golf Association to tee off into its new season. Meeting every Thursday morning for a round of nine holes, the WGA-9 is a group of all-age women whose top priorities are to welcome newcomers warmly and ensure everyone enjoys time on the course. “We’ve had 20 new members join just this year,” WGA-9 President Jill Schurig said. “So we have around 95 members total. Our goal for this year is to reach 110.” Several years ago, Schurig became involved with various golf and luncheon committees at Reynolds. Though swearing she would never become a committee chairperson, her enthusiasm for WGA changed her mind. Before she knew it, Schurig had moved from chairperson to vice president and ultimately the group’s president. “It just happened, I can’t explain it,” Schurig said, laughing. “I just like it that much, and it was sort of my turn to give back. These ladies have been great to me, and it was my turn to do some things for them.” Before becoming involved with WGA, Schurig wasn’t much of a golfer. Working all her life made it difficult to play. It wasn’t until about nine years ago when she was able to pick up the sport regularly. For some, the joy of WGA comes from the social experience. For others, it’s the game’s sportsmanship and comaraderie. But all the women agree on one thing: joining was one of the best decisions they’ve ever made. “It’s the best group of gals you could ever want to play with,” Pam McDonald said, who has been a member of WGA-9 for five years. “We go out, we laugh, and it’s such a beautiful course to play on. It truly is the most fun group I’ve been a part of.” Having no age restrictions is one thing that WGA-9 members enjoy about the program. At 87 years old and a member for 17 years, Boots Coffed is proud of her involvement with the group. Last season she didn’t miss a single Thursday morning out on the course. “She’s our treasure,” Schurig said. “And that’s what makes it so fun. We have some young girls
Contributed photos
The Reynolds Women’s Golf Association meets every Thursday morning for a round of nine holes. The WGA-9 is a group of all-age women whose top priorities are to welcome newcomers warmly and ensure everyone enjoys time on the course.
starting out and we have older women. It’s a great blend.” To help cement the group’s core value of friendship, member Betty Hetzer heads a new initiative this season called “Golf Buddies.” Existing members will be paired up with new members to serve as a mentor, answer questions and guide them
as they become more familiar with WGA. “The reason we started this is because a lot of girls who come out here to play are very nervous about it,” Hetzer said. “They come with this feeling of anxiety. But now we’ll have someone assigned to them to give them more encouragement and show them the
ropes.” Since joining, Hetzer has lowered her handicap by 10 strokes. She loves how the golf course is a place she can go to get away and forget about everything. “Being out here is like a form of therapy, almost,” said Hetzer. When she joined the group eight years ago, Hetzer became part of the social committee where she planned opening day, coffee get-togethers and luncheons. Over time, she realized the importance of getting to know everyone, helping new members and learning from each other, all while having a good time. “We want it to be an upbeat, fun morning,” said Schurig. “They could be doing something at home not so fun.” Currently the women are gearing up for the two-day Ringer Tournament in May, the first official WGA-9 tournament of the season.
Players play the same nine holes two days in a row, and then combine the lowest stroke count from each hole to get their final score. Debbie Hooper, member since April 2009 and organizer of the Ringer Tournament, likes the idea of combining her best scores to learn from her mistakes. “For many of us who are new golfers, like me, we find ourselves saying ‘Oh, if I could just do that shot over’,” Hooper said. “This allows us to play the same nine holes in close proximity to one another. It’s also a fun way to look at your lowest score count on the holes for those two days.” Tournament prizes include gift certificates to the golf club, with the first place winner receiving $200. Everyone receives party favors at the tournament’s luncheon. “It’s a great way to come out and start off
the season with a really fun tournament,” Hooper said. Reynolds assistant golf professional John Sitler also helps with WGA by setting up tee sheets, pairings, scoring and anything else that needs to be done to ensure the women are playing by proper WGA rules. “It’s a fantastic association and a great bunch of girls,” Sitler said. According to Sitler, the WGA-9 at Reynolds may be the largest in the United States. As the program continues to draw in more and more women every year with friendliness and a positive atmosphere, its members continue to enjoy what the sport has offered them. “What I love is being out here and seeing God’s beauty,” said Hetzer. “And there’s always that one shot that will make you want to come back.”
10 – On the Links
www.lakeoconeebreeze.net
Thursday, April 4, 2013