Cascade Golfer, December 2018

VOLUME 12 • ISSUE 4 • DECEMBER 2018 • COMPLIMENTARY

TITLEIST’S NEED FOR SPEED SEAHAWKS’ TYLER OTT SNAPS FOR PAY, GOLFS FOR PLAY CHANGES AFOOT AT KAYAK, CHAMBERS, LOOMIS TRAIL NORTHWEST GOLF NEWS & VIEWS • cascadegolfer.com

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DECEMBER 2018

3

A LOOK

Volume 12 • Issue 4 • DECEMBER 2018

CASCADE

GOLFER cascadegolfer.com

Cascade Golfer is published and owned by Varsity Communications, Inc. This publication is mailed free to more than 90,000 registered Puetz Golf Preferred members. Additional copies are printed and distributed throughout the Puget Sound region.

Departments 6 8

VARSITY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. 4114 198th Street SW, Suite 5 Lynnwood, WA 98036 P: (425) 412-7070 F: (425) 412-7082 varsitycommunications.com

EDITORIAL STAFF

P R E S I D E NT / P U B LI S H E R Dick Stephens E D I TO R Brian Beaky ART DIRECTION Robert Becker GR APHIC DESIGNERS Robert Becker, Katie Erickson FOR EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS AND INQUIRIES: Brian Beaky • (425) 412-7070 ext. 103 editor@cascadegolfer.com

ADVERTISING & MARKETING STAFF VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR OF SALES Kirk Tourtillotte

SALES & MARKETING Simon Dubiel, Ian Civey, Elijah Prokopenko FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES, CONTACT: Simon Dubiel • (425) 412-7070 ext. 100 simon@cascadegolfer.com

INSIDE

PUBLISHER’S PITCH

SHORT GAME

• Kayak closes its doors • Loomis Trail finds a buyer • Duke’s awards $1,000 scholarship • Our favorite winter tracks • Joel Dahmen walks with Tiger • CG Cup, Match Play winners • Seattle Golf Show returns in February!

• Dick Stephens honored by NWGMA

14 TEEING OFF

• Seahawks’ long-snapper Tyler Ott

Features

30

ETERNAL SUNSHINE Award-winning writer Tony Dear whisks us away to his favorite winter golf locales

BY TONY DEAR

16 IN THE BAG

• Titleist TS2/TS3 Drivers • TaylorMade GAPR • Mizuno JPX919 Irons • New PING putters • Top sets for women, kids • Sun Mountain bags, carts • And more!

29 RISK VS REWARD

• Walter Hall Golf Course, No. 15

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ON THE COVER Maui’s Wailea Golf Club is high on our list of places to visit this winter. Story on page 30.

THIS PAGE The Pete Dye Mountain Course is one of five incredible tracks at La Quinta Resort & PGA WEST. Story on page 30.

38 POSTGAME

• Washington’s winter wonderlands

ACCOUNTING STAFF

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Bobbi Kramer ACCOUNTS PAYABLE & RECEIVABLE Pam Titland

PRINTING

Consolidated Press • Seattle, WA COPYRIGHT 2018 Cascade Golfer. PRINTED IN THE USA. All rights reserved. Articles, photos, advertising and/ or graphics may not be reprinted without the written permission of the publisher. Advertising and editorial contained herein does not constitute endorsement of Cascade Golfer or Varsity Communications, Inc. Publisher reserves the right to edit letters, photos and copy submitted and publish only excerpts. The publisher has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all material contained in this issue. However, as unpredictable changes and errors do occur, the publisher can assume no liability for errors, omissions or changes.

All photos are courtesy of the course or individual unless otherwise noted.

PRODUCER AND OWNER OF THE PROUD CHARTER MEMBER

4

DECEMBER 2018

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PUBLISHER’S PITCH

DICK STEPHENS

Reflections and gratitude on my journey with the sport of golf here in the Northwest

I

have had some time to reflect on my history in the game a bit this year in a way that I normally wouldn’t (including thinking back to our very first issue, pictured here).

It’s a unique reflection, and one I am not taking lightly. This game gets inside you, wreaking havoc on your emotions and feelings. You never forget the shots you hit solid, or the even fewer that were dead-solid perfect. If you’re like me, though, the majority of your time thinking about the game is spent replaying your bad shots, or times when you lost control and wanted a redo. How many times have you sliced one out of bounds or chunked a wedge, only to hit a second practice ball and stripe it true when the pressure is off? With golf, like in life, our second chances often bring a more desired result.

Working in the golf business is no different. This is my third golf magazine, and I’ve had plenty of breakfast balls. There are tough lies. There’s mud on the ball. The wind can be unfair and the bad bounces can at times outnumber the good ones.

And, just as in life, most of your best shots and rounds take place without anyone around to appreciate your effort. But, you don’t play for the glory, or the fanfare — you do it because you love it, and you keep score to measure yourself against the field, the course and your own personal bests. The risks are the rewards, and course management is what allows you to stay competitive.

I was honored this fall to join a list of people I would call legends as the recipient of the Northwest Golf Media Association’s Distinguished Service Award. There’s an article in this issue that recaps the award, so I won’t go into it too much here.

But, it has made me think about all of the people who write, produce, and support the game in our area, from a news and marketing sense. Even as it’s very large on a global basis, golf is largely a niche sport at the local level.

As such, the most active golfers depend upon regional and even local connections to keep them engaged and inspired. The regional golf media find stories and interesting tidbits to share with golfers in our area; things that no one else is willing or interested enough to cover. You won’t read most of these stories in Golf Digest or see them on The Golf Channel, or even very often in your local newspaper.

Yet, they are often stories of vital interest to our local golfing community — stories that tell us where to play, keep us informed about what’s new and highlight the unsung champions of the sport in our region, making sure that they are recognized and heralded.

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DECEMBER 2018

There have been plenty of hooks and slices along the way — anyone involved in the Northwest media scene over the last three decades understands exactly what I’m talking about — but our regional golf community has stayed strong, helping to grow the game in Western Washington.

This award has also been a rare opporunity to look back over a 25-year career and be reminded of the people and projects that have helped me reach this point. Once a writer and editor myself, the large majority of my career has been spent opening pathways for people more talented than me to do the things they do so well — reporting, creating, producing. From the storytellers to the artists to the ones who raise the revenues, each work in harmony with one another towards a common goal. It’s amazing to see so many talented people working together as one, and inspiring to have played a part in their journeys. I’m filled with gratitude for the parts they’ve played in mine.

The past winners of this award made a significant impact on golf in the Pacific Northwest. To be recognized among them has been humbling, and motivates me to uphold the standard they’ve set in the years to come.

I also want to thank and congratulate all of the other regional publications that have stood the test of time — Pacific Northwest Golfer, Inside Golf, Golf Today and others.

Thank you to everybody who supports this title and loves the game as we do. I hope you enjoy the winter months.

Stay warm and, as always, TAKE IT EASY.

cascadegolfer.com

SHORT GAME Chambers Bay Closed Through March, Kayak Point Potentially Longer

A

s we first reported back in August, Chambers Bay has shut down golf course operations for the winter to remove its remaining fescue greens and replace them with Poa annua. Barring unexpected winter conditions, Chambers Bay plans to re-open for public play in March. The restaurant, pro shop and adjacent county park remain open throughout the transition.

The decision was made after a successful conversion of three greens — No. 7, No. 10 and No. 13 — to Poa annua in 2017. The most common turf grass found on Northwest golf courses, poa had become an invasive species on Chambers’ all-fescue greens, tracked in on golfers’ shoes and growing in concentrated clumps that drew criticism from players and media during the 2015 U.S. Open. Replanting the greens with Poa, course representatives state, will create more consistent putting surfaces, without compromising the firm and fast conditions expected of a links course.

“The people I have talked to have been nothing but positive about the new greens they have played,” said Larry Gilhuly, USGA Agronomist. “Players think the greens are spectacular. They’re firm. They have good pace.”

For those who would love to see another major championship at Chambers Bay, Gilhuly’s comments are

Chambers Bay • No. 17 important. The work is being done in full consultation with the USGA, who already have a championship on tap at Chambers Bay in just three years’ time, the 2021 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship. Course representatives hope that the tournament will prove to the USGA that Chambers Bay is once again ready to host an even larger event, like another U.S. Open or U.S. Women’s Open. U.S. Open sites are already confirmed through 2027, while the Women’s Open has no confirmed dates past 2023.

Chambers Bay isn’t the only significant course closing its doors this fall, though the fate of the other is more uncertain. Access Golf, which has managed Kayak Point since 2005, informed Snohomish County Parks officials earlier this fall that it could no longer keep the course profitable, and would be closing the doors at the county-owned course on Oct. 21. It’s now up to county officials to decide what to do with the property, with options including camping, disc golf, equestrian or other recre-

ational uses — along with, potentially, maintaining it as a public golf course, if the right operator came along. A request for proposals was to be submitted this fall.

According to the Everett Herald, total rounds played at Kayak Point have fallen by nearly half over the past two decades. Once ranked among “America’s Top-50 Golf Courses To Play” by Golf Digest, the course had struggled in recent years with unexpected maintenance issues and declining revenues.

“We have had an amazing relationship with Snohomish County,” Access Golf said in a company statement.

“Unfortunately, due to the reduction in rounds, higher operating cost and no funding plan in place for future improvements, Access Golf has been forced to notify Snohomish County of our plans to terminate the lease. We love the game of golf. We have loved serving the golfing community and hope that it can remain a golf course going forward.”

Making Your Holidays a Little Happier ...

We spent the summer giving away any last rounds we had to our state’s top tracks — including a foursome to Wine Valley, and twosomes to Avalon, Auburn and Eagles Pride — plus a VIP package to the Boeing Classic. Congrats to August’s winners!

But, that’s all just a warm-up for our December issue, which includes our biggest giveaways of the year, including chances to get away from our winter weather with, not one, but TWO incredible golf vacations!

Foursome to Wine Valley Karen Liu • Bellevue

• Seattle Golf Show Tickets & Northwest

Twosomes to Avalon, Auburn and Eagles Pride Casey Carter • Puyallup Boeing Classic VIP Passes Christy Henderson • Kirkland

8

DECEMBER 2018

Golfers Playbooks • Page 11 • Palm Springs Getaway • Page 35 • Maui Stay-and-Play • Page 36 Log on to CascadeGolfer.com today for your chance to win!

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Seattle Golf Show Returns Feb. 16-17, 2019!

Loomis Trail Golf Course • Blaine

T

Loomis Trail Bought By Lummi Nation, To Become Fully Public

here was some bright news for local golfers this fall. In October, the Lummi Nation — owners of Bellingham’s Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa — became the latest Northwest tribe to dip its toe into the golf world, ending the months-long saga of Loomis Trail Golf Club by purchasing the property on which the club sits and announcing its intention to operate Loomis as a fully public golf course.

According to a report in the Bellingham Herald, the Lummi Nation purchased the course — including the golf course itself and the iconic 16-room hotel, restaurant and clubhouse on site — for $3.75 million from Resort Semiahmoo LLC, which operates both Semiahmoo Resort and the nearby Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club.

For over a decade, the two courses have operated on a semi-private schedule, with memberships available to each, and public play welcomed on odd-numbered days at Semiahmoo, and even-numbered days at Loomis Trail. That formula — treasured by golfers throughout Western Washington who welcomed the chance to play two of the state’s most spectacular courses — was thrown into limbo late last year when Resort Semiahmoo announced its plans to sell Loomis Trail, with no guarantees that it would continue to be operated as a golf course, public or otherwise.

In a letter to Semiahmoo members, however, Stuart Rolfe, president of the resort’s managing partner, Wright Hotels, indicated that Loomis Trail will indeed be operated as a fully public, daily-fee course, while Semiahmoo

cascadegolfer.com

will become exclusive to members and resort guests.

“We are excited for our Lummi families, especially our youth, to go out and enjoy a day on the golf course,” wrote Chairman Julius of the Lummi Nation, in a press release announcing the purchase. “We look forward to seeing the community come together!”

In acquiring the golf course, the Lummi Nation becomes just the most recent local tribe to pour investment into golf. Over the last decade alone, White Horse, Cedars at Dungeness, Salish Cliffs, Swinomish (formerly Similk) Golf Links, Circling Raven, Kalispel (formerly Spokane) Golf & Country Club and Wildhorse Golf Club have all been built or purchased by Northwest tribes, who have further supported the industry through sponsorships of local golf expos and community events, and advertising in publications like the one you’re reading right now.

Most of these tribes have paired their new acquisitions with a local, tribal-owned casino, to create true destination resorts. And, while Loomis Trail will certainly be an amenity for the Lummi Nation’s Silver Reef Casino, the tribe’s press release notes that the potential for additional revenue was merely a small part of its decision to invest.

“Many of the Lummi people today can trace their origins to...the villages in and around Blaine, Semiahmoo Bay, Boundary Bay and Drayton Harbor,” the press release states. “To the descendants of the Semiahmah people, this is not a real estate investment. [It] is one step toward reclaiming our original territory.”

I

t may not feel like golf season outside right now, but trust us — it’s just around the corner. This year, we’re kicking off 2019 at the Seattle Golf Show on Feb. 16-17 — two weeks earlier than usual, so set those calendars appropriately!

That early date will help us get a jump start on the 2019 season with a first look at the clubs that will define the market next year, plus unbeatable savings on late-model drivers, irons, hybrids and more. In fact, with its date just two weeks after the PGA Merchandise Show, where manufacturers unveil their new products to the public for the first time, Seattle golfers will be among the first in the country to put their hands on the year’s hottest new sticks — in many cases, up to a month before they’ll even be in stores. Swing away on the Puetz Golf Testing and Fitting Zone, and take advantage of show-only discounts from your favorite manufacturers.

We’ll also be giving away rounds of golf and more at our usual long drive, putting and chipping games, hosting interesting guests on the main stage, giving free lessons to all attendees, and welcoming over 125 golf and golf-related exhibitors for another incredible weekend celebrating our little corner of the golf universe.

So, book Feb. 16-17 into your calendar now, and we’ll see you there!

SAVE THE DATE

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9

SHORT GAME Cascade Golfer Cup, Match Play Come to Exciting Conclusions

A

heads-up to all future Cascade Golfer Match Play Championship players — if you’re paired against Joe Siegel, you’d better bring your A-game.

One year after winning the 2017 CG Match Play Championship, Siegel once again found himself in the championship match this September — this time, though, it was Gig Harbor’s Russell Lee who emerged on top, outlasting Siegel over 20 holes at Salish Cliffs to claim his first-ever Cascade Golfer Match Play Championship title.

The match concluded one of the most exciting match play tournaments we’ve ever hosted, featuring 62 golfers competing in net-based matches on courses throughout the Northwest. Every golfer who reached the top-32 won a prize, including rounds of golf to courses like Wine Valley and Chambers Bay. The top eight finishers gathered at Salish Cliffs for the final three rounds, played over two exciting days, with golf and lodging expenses covered. For his victory, Lee won a stay-and-play package to Palm Springs, while Siegel salved his wounds with a trip to Las Vegas.

Champions were also crowned this fall in the season-long Cascade Golfer Cup, a seven-tournament series of two-player, team-based events held at our area’s top tracks.

Up to $10,000 in prizes are handed out at each tournament,

Russell Lee

James McElroy & Steve Cook

while golfers who compete in multiple events earn points towards the season-long Cup. Open to any golfer with an established handicap, and with prizes in both net and gross divisions, it’s become the region’s marquee amateur golf series, with friends, co-workers and even family members teaming up to compete on a fun and friendly stage.

On the strength of back-to-back wins at Trophy Lake and Gamble Sands, the team of James McElroy, Steve Cook and Michael Sawyer claimed the net division and 2019 Summer Of Golf package, including 15 twosomes to the state’s top tracks.

The gross division, meanwhile, featured the closest

Ken Shersty & Ken Armstrong

finish in Cup history, ultimately decided by a scorecard tiebreaker at the year’s final event. And, on the strength of a par on that one vital hole — and despite not winning a single event all year — Ken Shersty and Ken Armstrong earned the overall gross title, and with it, a sweet trip to Palm Springs.

If you want to join the fun of the Cascade Golfer Cup or Cascade Golfer Match Play Championships next year, we’d love to have you! Play with fellow CG readers and compete with friends and family on some of the state’s finest courses, for the best prizes amateur golf has to offer. To learn more or be the first to know when registration opens in 2019, visit CascadeGolfer.com or email simon@cascadegolfer.com.

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Seattle’s Grayson Giboney Earns $1,000 Scholarship from Duke’s Chowder House and Cascade Golfer

Y

ou don’t have to be an outstanding golfer to earn the Duke’s Junior Golf Scholarship — $1,000 awarded in each issue of Cascade Golfer to a young Western Washington golfer with a commitment to academics, a record of community service, and a driving passion for the game we love.

You don’t even have to be good. Grayson Giboney, though, most certainly is.

The Kings High School senior has won tournaments against kids both older and younger. He’s won tournaments against adults. He’s won in Seattle, Spokane, Everett, Bellingham, Whidbey Island, Mill Creek, Monroe, Brewster, Port Ludlow, DuPont and Chelan — plus dozens of other locations. He’s won in Canada.

He’s won as part of a team, and competing on his own.

He’s even won with a broken wrist — literally, swinging a golf club with a cast on his arm. (His parents credit his outstanding putting.)

In fact, since an 8-year-old Grayson won his first title in 2009, in the 6-9-year-old division at Heron Links, he’s won a remarkable 115 tournaments, ranging from club championships, to state championships to international affairs.

Yet, if he hadn’t won a single one — hadn’t even made a single birdie — Grayson Giboney would still represent a worthy Duke’s Junior Golf Scholarship recipient.

Because, while golf is Grayson’s passion, it’s not who he is. He’s also an excellent student, with a 3.76 gradepoint average at one of the Seattle area’s most rigorous high schools — a feat he has achieved despite dealing with dyslexia and dysgraphia, conditions which make it especially time-consuming to read and write. And, he’s active in his community, volunteering as a coach at the Kings Kids Golf Camp, and working for local Christian organizations like Sound City Bible Church and Warm Beach Christian Camp Lights of Christmas.

And, perhaps most of all, he’s driven by dreams of a career in golf — not necessarily as a player (though I’m sure he’d be fine pocketing millions on the PGA TOUR if the opportunity comes), but as a PGA professional, working to instill the next generation of golfers with the same love for the game that he already has.

“When we started this scholarship back in 2016, one of our reasons was to help offset some of the expenses required to pursue a career in golf,” says Duke’s COO John Moscrip, who knows firsthand just how costly that can be. A talented young golfer himself, Moscrip spent

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years trying to scrape together enough winnings to keep his professional career going, before turning back to the business world.

“Grayson has already shown through his success in golf, and his perseverance through hardships to succeed in school, that he has what it takes to push through those tough times and achieve his goals,” Moscrip adds. “I have no doubt that he will be successful in this, too, and I am beyond pleased to give him our help along that path.”

Grayson, who has committed to attend Northwest Nazarene University in the fall, says that he is planning to pursue a degree in business while competing for the NNU golf team, and that while he hasn’t decided exactly how to apply the scholarship funds just yet, the money will either be used either to offset tournament expenses next summer, for tuition at NNU, or for his PGA certification after he graduates in 2023.

“I am so excited to receive this scholarship, and the recognition,” he says.

Do you know of a young golfer — high-school age or younger — who might be a good fit for the Duke’s Junior Golf Scholarship? Send an email to editor Brian Beaky at editor@cascadegolfer.com with any important information that might support your nomination — academics, community service and, of course, a love for, and commitment to, the game of golf.

Maybe your young player will be next!

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SHORT GAME Joel Dahmen

Cascade Golfer’s Dick Stephens Wins NW Golf Media Association Distinguished Service Award

M Joel Dahmen Finally Walks With Tiger

O

f all the features we’ve published over the past 11 years, few have led to the response we received this spring for John Black’s “Walking With Tigers,” an excerpt from his book of the same name that shared the tale of Idaho-born, Washington-raised Joel Dahmen and his caddy (and childhood best friend) Geno Bonnalie, and their unlikely path to the PGA TOUR. Well, we’re happy to say that the story didn’t end there. (And no, not just in the sense that there’s more to the book — though there is, and it’s well worth a read.) After appearing in just 16 events in 2017 and having to fight through the Web.com Tour Finals just to keep his PGA TOUR card (doing so by the skin of his teeth once again), Dahmen had an outstanding season on Tour, earning three top-10 finishes and 11 top25s, en route to nearly $1.5 million in earnings and a No. 65 ranking in the 2018 FedEx Cup. And, in June, he finally walked with Tiger.

Dahmen and Woods were paired together in the third round of the Quicken Loans National in Maryland, and it was everything the duo might have imagined back when Black was figuring out a title for his book.

“It was 100+ degrees out there and I had goosebumps all day long. That was awesome,” Bonnalie tweeted.

“No one really cares what you’re doing, and it’s almost better that way,” Dahmen said after the round. “Where I normally play, in the last group on Thursday and Friday, people [are] picking up trash, and there’s one person out there.

My girlfriend watches and maybe a parent or something. [This was] such a commotion.

“You forget what’s going on. You almost forget you’re playing golf sometimes,” he added.

“You get kind of stuck watching, watching him, the circus around him.”

For the record, Dahmen didn’t forget to play golf — in fact, he played well, firing a 69 (Woods shot 68) en route to a tie for 23rd.

12

DECEMBER 2018

ost Northwest golfers have probably never heard the name Dick Stephens. Yet, it’s fair to say that over the past three decades, you’ve almost certainly been impacted by his work, and taken enjoyment out of the game as a result — an impact that was recently recognized when the Northwest Golf Media Association honored Stephens with its annual Distinguished Service Award.

Stephens co-founded the Seattle Golf Show with the Pacific Northwest Golf Association and Pacific Northwest Section of the PGA, and is now both owner and operator of the West Coast’s largest consumer golf expo. He also owns the region’s second-largest expo, the Portland Golf Show; combined, they serve as the kickoff events to golf season in both Washington and Oregon and draw in more than 20,000 golfers and serve more than 300 golf businesses each year.

He also co-founded Cascade Golfer, which you’re reading right now, and Pacific Northwest Golfer, the latter alongside John Bodenhamer and the PNGA. The Northwest’s two largest golf magazines now pump out a combined 800,000-plus issues across the Northwest each year, and are among the most successful regional golf magazines in the U.S. He’s worked on and at PGA TOUR events, hosted weekly radio shows with Dave Grosby, helped start scholarships for young golfers, and Dick Stephens contributed to the local golf scene in just about every way one can.

In selecting Stephens, the NWGMA — a group of writers, photographers, broadcasters, event producers and others who promote the game of golf throughout the region — placed him alongside well-known figures like Bruce King, Blaine Newnham, Bill Yeend and John Bodenhamer, along with frequent Cascade Golfer contributors Tony Dear (2017), Craig Smith (2009) and Jeff Shelley (2007).

“I am deeply touched to be selected among so many worthy nominees who are not just honored members of the media, but who I respect as colleagues,” Stephens says. “The past recipients of this award have marked our sport’s history here. The golf media is a special and unique band of individuals, and to be put in a record alongside these esteemed names is humbling. These people, and others that have won, are people I have looked up to, enjoy working with and truly admire.”

Knowing Dick, he’s a little embarrassed at this public love-fest, but it wouldn’t have been right to just let the honor slip by with merely a few words of mention. So, kudos to you, Dick — and thanks to all of the golfers out there who make the things he — and we — do possible.

Home Team Rollin’

J

oel Dahmen finally walked with Tiger — but, he wasn’t the only Home Teamer tearing up the PGA TOUR last year. In fact, nine different players with local ties finished among the Tour’s top-125 in 2017-18, thus earning their Tour cards for the year ahead.

The list includes Tony Finau (6th), whose caddy, Greg Bodine, lives in University Place; Gig Harbor’s Kyle Stanley (27th); Jordan Spieth (31st), whose caddy, Michael Greller, also calls UP home; Tacoma’s Andrew Putnam (33rd); UW graduate C.T. Pan (35th); Puyallup’s Ryan Moore (71st); Dahmen (80th); Kevin Chappell (83rd), whose wife hails from Kirkland and who owns a home here; and B.C. native and UW alum Nick Taylor (123rd).

Add it up, and that’s five of the Tour’s top-35 players, — including career years for true locals Stanley (whose $3.9 million was a career-best) and Putnam (whose $2.3 million more than doubled the earnings from his eight previous years combined), not to mention Dahmen.

In fact, those nine players combined to earn over $22

C.T. Pan

million on Tour — if any of them need help figuring out how to spend it, we certainly have some ideas.

All nine are back in 2018-19 — is it too much to ask for one of them to channel their inner Boom-Boom and deliver our first Home Team major in 27 years? (Yes, Michael Greller has three, but it’s not quite the same as when it’s the guy swinging the sticks.) Our fingers are crossed. cascadegolfer.com

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ur favorite stocking-stuffer is back — and, with it, more than $4,500 in savings to courses all over Washington and Oregon.

Over the past two years, the Northwest Golfers Playbook has helped hundreds of golfers statewide keep money in their pocket, while playing more golf — at more courses — than ever before.

“I’d been trying to talk some friends into playing some of the nicer courses, but they didn’t want to spend the money,” wrote reader Ed Driesen. “We did the deals at Chambers Bay and Suncadia last year, though, and saved about $75 each. I don’t think they’d have gone otherwise.”

Packed with 2-for-1s, 4-for-2s and 4-for-3s to local courses like Chambers Bay, White Horse, Eaglemont, Mount Si, Eagles Pride and Port Ludlow — plus nearly all of your favorite munis — and a slew of discounts to destination tracks like Suncadia, Gamble Sands, Desert Canyon, Bear Mountain Ranch, Wine Valley and more, the Playbook is an essential accessory to any Cascade golfer’s bag.

There are deals for singles, couples and foursomes, golfers who can only play on weekends and others with more flexible schedules, plus off-course deals to places like GOLFTEC, Flatstick Pub and Puetz Golf — roughly 100 in all, with many valued at over $40 (and some over $50).

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Now, certainly no one will use every deal — heck, with close to 100 deals in the book, most folks probably won't use half — but it takes just one 2-for-1 at a course with a $40 greens fee to make the whole thing worth it. A full list of restrictions is posted at NWGolfersPlaybook.com, so you can browse each specific deal to find the right fits for your style of play before you buy.

Books are available at NWGolfersPlaybook.com, and in any Puetz Golf Superstore. And, as a special offer to CG readers, use the discount code "SAVEBIGONGOLF" to save an additional $5 off of each online purchase (not applicable to purchases made in-store).

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13

TEEING OFF

PRESENTED BY

Want to Become An NFL Long Snapper, like the Seahawks Tyler Ott? Go to Harvard.

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY BRIAN BEAKY CG EDITOR

A

year ago, we reached out to our friends at the Seahawks and asked to speak with one of the team’s golfers. A few days later, we were on the phone with placekicker Blair Walsh, talking about his golf game, and how he had overcome his shocking miss against the Seahawks in the 2015 playoffs to become one of the most reliable kickers through the early part of the 2017 season.

The following Sunday, as Walsh missed three field goals against the Redskins in a game the Seahawks would lose by three points, we couldn’t help but feel partially responsible. The “CG Curse” had claimed another victim.

We first noticed the curse in 2015, when player after player that we interviewed started experiencing bad breaks — injuries (Max Unger, Steve Cishek, Bradley Sowell, Brock Coyle), trades (Unger, Jermaine Kearse) or a sudden decline in performance (Cishek, Sowell, Charlie Furbush and Walsh). Mariners and Seahawks seemed most affected, but they weren’t the only ones — Steve Sarkisian’s downward spiral almost immediately followed a “Teeing Off” appearance, while M’s broadcaster Dave Sims ruptured his achilles tendon just a few months after his CG profile.

Needless to say, when the Mariners told us they could get Edgar Martinez for us in April, we were terrified that we’d jinx him, too.

Proving, though, that there is literally nothing Edgar can’t do, it would seem that he has lifted the curse forever. Not only did Edgar survive the curse, but so did June 2018 subject Lenny Wilkens, while August’s subject, the Sounders’ Cristian Roldan, downright thrived, helping the team go from worst in the league at the time of the interview, to a first-round playoff bye after a blistering 15-2-2 stretch to close the season.

Which is all to say that we fully expect Seahawks long-snapper Tyler Ott to strip a punt returner and take it back for a touchdown next week, or sign a multi-million dollar extension that makes him the highest paid long-snapper in the NFL. The CG Curse is dead. Long live the CG Charm.

So, just to get it out of the way — what is it like to share a locker room with Michael Dickson? Are you constantly in awe of his greatness? (laughs) “He’s been a lot of fun to work with. We poke fun at him, but he handles the recognition well. He’d probably like to be a little more under-the-radar than he’s been, but he’s making that hard on himself with all the plays he’s been making.”

into college (ed. note: Ott attended Harvard University and majored in economics, environmental science and public policy), I picked it up a little more, but it wasn’t really until I graduated that I started playing as much as I do now.”

the backup quarterback; Jason Myers, the kicker for the Jets now; and Tanner McEvoy. But, we’ve been sending all of our golfers off to other teams.”

Where do you like to play?

“I am a member out at Fairwood, but I’ve also played at Snoqualmie Ridge, Sand Point, Newcastle. My dad and I went out and played Chambers Bay for the first time this year — that was great. It was a beautiful day, and we took a caddy to get the full experience. I’d love to get out there again and try to improve my score.”

How does one discover they are good at long-snapping?

“I had the right body type and had a coach in high school that just had me try it. I played tight end and defensive end at the time, but he showed me the fundamentals and I seemed to have a knack for it. I never thought snapping would be what got me to the pros, but I’m glad I’m doing it.”

Yeah, why is there no Special Teams Player of the Year award?

“The NFL has Special Teams Player of the Week, so maybe it’s time. Specialists are people, too, you know, maybe they can create some awards for us.”

I heard you just picked up a new set of clubs?

“Yeah, I’m excited about that. The NFL has a great little deal through Callaway’s VIP program that gives us the opportunity to save a little money on new clubs. So, I had some old Callaway RAZR Xs and I upgraded to the new Callaway Rogue Pros. They’ve been great. I finally went from regular shafts to stiff shafts and it’s made a huge difference. I can control the ball a lot better.”

What do coaches look for in a long-snapper?

“Really, the basics of it are speed and accuracy. And then, once you can do that, it comes down to blocking. In the NFL, if you can snap but you can’t block, you’re not going to make it. If you can snap and block, you have a chance. And, if you can snap, block and maybe make a couple of tackles downfield? That’s when you start to be one of the best. But, really, it’s all about consistency.”

How did you start playing golf?

“I grew up on a golf course in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and my dad would always try to get me to go out and play, but it was like pulling teeth. I just thought it was too slow; I didn’t appreciate the details of the game. Looking back, I wish I had taken more advantage of that opportunity. When I got

Being from Oklahoma, I assume that, around here, you play mostly with teammates?

“Yeah, we have a little group of four or five of us that go out. It’s always fun. Sea-Bass (kicker Sebastian Janikowski), Nick Vannett ... actually, that might be it at the moment. During the offseason, we also had Austin Davis,

Why do you think they don’t have long snappers in Madden?

“You think it’d be simple, right? They have kickers and punters in there, why not snappers? I don’t know, I guess we need some snappers to start getting some strip fumbles and scoring touchdowns or something.”

Do you think he should be nominated for NFL Offensive or Defensive Player of the Year? (laughs) “I’d have to go with defensive. He’s been pinning offenses inside the 20 and setting our defense up with some long fields. But, what we really need is a Special Teams award.”

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DECEMBER 2018

cascadegolfer.com

IN THE

BAG 1 PRODUCT REVIEWS and equipment news you can use

BY BRIAN BEAKY — CG EDITOR

To Buy Or Not To Buy?

W

ith new clubs on the market every year — each one touting a “hot new technology” that’s totally different from last year’s “hot new technology,” and will absolutely, definitely, no-doubtabout-it lower your scores — we’re often asked: Does a new club really make that much of a difference?

The answer depends on the club. A wedge’s effectiveness is dependent on its grooves, and they wear out quickly. Depending on how often you play, we’d recommend replacing wedges every 1-2 years.

Drivers, meanwhile, are the club golfers report struggling with the most, and also the one we most fantasize about hitting well. For that reason, more R&D is spent on drivers than anything else. It’s good to upgrade every 3-5 years or so, just to keep pace with changing technology.

Irons are the priciest to replace, usually starting around $500 and going up from there. But, they’re also the clubs you hit the most often (besides possibly your putter), and thus where a slight improvement could have the most impact on your game. Upgrading your irons every 6-7 years lets you keep pace with new technologies, without totally breaking your budget.

As for putters? Yes, the advancements in putters are real, but putting is all about feel. There’s a reason Tiger used the same Scotty Cameron Newport 2 putter to win 13 major championships (and recently returned to it before winning at East Lake) — once you find one you like, you should never let it go.

There are financial reasons to consider when buying a new club, for sure, but don’t sleep on the psychological effect, either. A new golf club is like that still-wrapped present under the Christmas tree, full of promise and alive with anticipation, filling your head with fantasies of joy soon to come. And, it’s that promise — that belief that we can hit the ball a little straighter, putt a little better, and lower our scores just one or two strokes more — that always keeps us coming back.

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DECEMBER 2018

TITLEIST

TS2/TS3 Drivers PUETZ GOLF PRICE

T

TAYLORMADE 1

$499.99

itleist designers are mincing no words about the purpose of this latest redesign, abandoning the traditional numerical naming system (915, 917, etc.) to instead debut the Titleist Speed 2 and Titleist Speed 3 drivers — the fastest the company has ever produced.

The clubhead has been redesigned to be ever-so-slightly taller and rounder, with a steeper drop-off from the face to the rear. Titleist has also thinned the crown by 20 percent and removed six grams from the face, to create a thinner, hotter face and distribute additional weight to the rear for a 12-percent increase in forgiveness. Those changes allowed designers to remove the sole slot behind the face without sacrificing ball speed, while adding an adjustable weight (cylinders in the TS3 that can be swapped out to create different weights and biases, and a single sole weight in the TS2 that can be changed in the fitting process). Both heads are 460cc and both are black, which Titleist aficionados will appreciate after the brief shift to a more gunmetal color in the 917. The TS3 gives a little less spin, and will likely be preferred by better players looking for maximum distance, while the TS2 will be the pick of players looking for similar distance gains with a little more emphasis on forgiveness.

2

GAPR 2

PUETZ GOLF PRICE

$249.99

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ith apologies to anyone who won a major, or took home the Ryder Cup, there wasn’t any bigger story in golf in 2018 than the return to the top of Tiger Woods. After years of shuffling through clubs since ending his deal with Nike in 2016, Tiger seems to have found the right mix to get his game back on track.

One club Tiger began using earlier this year was the GAPR, a series of new driving irons that look to fill the “gap” between players’ longest playable iron, and shortest effective metalwood. Born from the success of TaylorMade’s P790 Ultimate Driving Iron earlier this year, the GAPR features a hollow construction packed with SpeedFoam, for increased face flex and maximum ball speeds, and adjustable lofts of up to 1.5 degrees. The Lo — one of three GAPR models — is, as you’d expect, the lowest-spinning of the bunch, with a iron-like shape and penetrating trajectory that will best suit players with very high swing speeds. The Mid has a wider sole and slightly higher launch angle, with a lower, deeper center of gravity for more forgiveness, while the Hi is the most hybrid-like of the bunch, still smaller than the M3 hybrid but with the highest launch and most forgiveness of any GAPR model.

Order online at puetzgolf.com • Call Toll Free (866) 362-2441 cascadegolfer.com

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4

MIZUNO

PING

JPX919 Hot Metal Irons 3 PUETZ GOLF PRICE

I

Sigma 2 Putters PUETZ GOLF PRICE

cascadegolfer.com

TAYLORMADE 4

Starting at $198.99

Starting at $125 per club

n the years since Mizuno first dipped its toe into the world of game-improvement irons, the MP line has been pegged for the best players, while the JPX line was marketed to those of us seeking a little extra forgiveness.

Then Brooks Koepka went and won three majors with a set of JPX900 Tours and suddenly, the JPX900 line became the biggest seller Mizuno has ever had, with singleand double-digit handicappers alike finding significant distance gains without sacrificing forgiveness. You won’t be surprised, then, to learn that 2019’s JPX919 Hot Metal line is less a rebuild than a reload, with a few important tweaks to add stability and improve ball flight, and otherwise few major changes. A casting process using ultra-strong Chromoly 4140M allows for a thinner face, meaning more flex at impact and higher ball speeds, while allowing weight to be shifted back for a deeper center of gravity and better forgiveness. Designers also shifted weight from the hosel and heel area of the 900s towards the toe of the 919s to better center the CG, resulting in a higher launch and steeper landing angle, for better control when targeting the flagstick. And, with their pure, sleek, unadorned design, the 919s won’t just help you play like a pro — you’ll look like one, too.

5 Milled Grind Hi-Toe Wedge 5 PUETZ GOLF PRICE

A

nytime we give out a putter as a hole-contest prize at one of our Cascade Golfer Cup events, the first question we always hear is, “What length is it?” Well, if it’s a new PING Sigma 2, the answer will be “whatever length you want.” PING’s latest update to its popular Sigma line features adjustable shafts that can be raised or lowered to match your preferred height and swing weight via a screw located in the end of the grip. Of course, that’s not the only change made to the line this year. Also new is a two-piece face insert designed to create a softer feel, while still providing a solid impact. A softer, outer insert (similar in softness to a pencil eraser) cushions the impact, while a stronger, inner insert (more like a tire tread) does the work of propelling the ball down the target line. The result is a putter that provides a soft touch on short putts, with a firmer feel on longer lags. Some new blue-and-black stylings accent the heads of each putter, which come in multiple models, from the classic Anser blade, to mid-mallets, full mallets, forked blades and even more creative designs. Consult a Puetz putter fitter to find the one that’s best for you.

$169.99

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hen I used to caddy for my dad in his weekend Nassaus, we always called his wedge “The Moneymaker.” It was an old, copper, PING Eye 2, and when he’d ask for it, I always felt like he was about to knock the ball in the hole. Maybe it’s the copper finish, but I get the same feeling when looking at the new Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges from TaylorMade. Designed for players looking to get more from their higher-lofted wedges, the Hi-Toe’s ... well ... higher toe, increases the overall size of the face, an effect magnified by grooves that run all the way to the edges, giving players a lot of confidence at address and more margin for error. That extra weight on the top is offset by three small cavities cut into the back of the club near the bottom, which keep the center of gravity from sliding too high. Its other most noticeable feature is a concave cut in the sole that results in what TaylorMade calls a “ski slope” leading edge, reducing the bounce and allowing the club to get under the ball more easily. That feature makes the HiToe an especially good choice when needing a high-lofted wedge from tight lies, but can mean you might need to open the face a bit in the sand to get the kind of bounce you’re looking for.

FREE SHIPPING on orders of $99 and more • exceptions apply

DECEMBER 2018 DECEMBER

17

IN THE BAG

COBRA

6

2019 F-Max Superlite Set 6 PUETZ GOLF PRICE

7

CLEVELAND

Bloom Women’s Set

TAYLORMADE 7

Rory Junior Set 8

PUETZ GOLF PRICE $699.99

PUETZ GOLF PRICE $299.99

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J

$1,199.99

A

few years back, my mother — then 67 years old — went through a full fitting at Puetz and purchased a set of Cobra F-Max clubs. When the clubs were delivered, we met at a local course to see them in action.

Her balls that day flew higher and straighter than they had in a while, and she proudly carded a 174 — no, that’s not very good, but darned if it wasn’t 20 strokes better than she had shot on the same course just a few weeks before. She was thrilled. This year’s F-Max set features a mix of metalwoods, hybrids and irons that are even lighter in total weight and swing weight, delivering more clubhead speed to players, like my mom, with slower swing speeds. In addition, bigger grips make the clubs easier to swing, while heel weighting provides a draw bias that turns a slice into a straight shot, and a straighter hit into a nice, easy draw. Each of the clubs are also available in straight- or offset-hosel setups, the latter giving big slicers even more margin for error. After all, if the game is easier, you’ll play it more — it was true for my mom, and it can be true for you, too.

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DECEMBER2018 2018 DECEMBER

s we discuss women’s clubs, it’s important to define what exactly makes them unique. First off, a woman can certainly use any club they like. However, clubs designed specifically for women typically have slightly shorter shafts and are generally lighter in weight, to keep the clubhead speed high when swung at slower speeds. Designers also tend to take a few more risks with regard to color and graphics, but that’s about it. This year’s Cleveland Bloom set ticks all of those boxes, which is why it’s been one of the market’s top sellers in 2018. Featuring a driver, 3-wood, two hybrids, three short irons, two wedges and a putter, it’s everything you need to get your game on track, with each club customized for maximum performance. Metalwoods and hybrids launch the balls high and straight, while the irons feature a responsive face for maximum distance and a forgiving, cavity-back design, and the wedges perform as you’d expect from the name Cleveland. Tie it all together with a mid-mallet putter modeled after the Cleveland 10i, and a cart bag available in multiple colors, and you have a great set for beginners or experienced players alike.

unior clubs have come a long way since the time of our childhood, when the local club pro would simply cut down the shafts of some old used clubs, stick them in a bag and call it good. Manufacturers these days understand that kids need clubs that are lighter and easier to swing, favor forgiveness over pure distance, and have shafts at lengths, weights and kick-points that maximize a young golfer’s ability. And, since kids grow up fast, if they’re not too expensive, that’s a big help, too. TaylorMade’s all-new Rory Junior Golf Set — designed in partnership with TaylorMade Tour pro Rory McIlroy — hits the mark, with a forgiving, 400cc driver, an easy-to-launch fairway metal and two hybrid long irons (could’ve used those when I was a kid!) plus two oversized, perimeter-weighted short irons, a 56-degree sandwedge and center-shafted mallet putter.

All of it comes in a lightweight stand bag, with an “autographed” St. Bernard headcover just like the iconic one in Rory’s bag. In addition to the seven-club set referenced here (with both blue and pink stylings), there’s a five-club set targeted at even younger golfers, for $100 less.

Order online at puetzgolf.com • Call Toll Free (866) 362-2441

cascadegolfer.com

A Good Walk (Un)Spoiled

S

anta has a sleigh to carry his bag of toys around, but what about you? Once heavy, bulky and unwieldy, push carts today are lightweight, nimble and fold up with the push of a button. And, for players like us who prefer the slower pace of a walking round, but find it tougher and tougher to carry that bag the older we get, they’re quite literally adding years to our enjoyment of the game.

We certainly wouldn’t be disappointed to see this cart (or the three Sun Mountain bags — one each of the push cart, carry and standard cart variety) come our way this holiday season.

SUN MOUNTAIN

SUN MOUNTAIN

Speed Cart GX PUETZ GOLF PRICE

Sync Push Cart Bag

$219.99

PUETZ GOLF PRICE

$224.99

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H

SUN MOUNTAIN

SUN MOUNTAIN

elieve it or not, there was a time when you couldn’t find a three-wheeled, folding push cart.

They may be ubiquitous now, but when Sun Mountain’s original Speed Cart came out in 1999, nobody had ever seen anything quite like it. Twenty years later, the Speed Cart GX carries on that tradition of innovation with improved upper and lower brackets to better stabilize your bag, multiple mesh carry bags for your accessories, and now-standard tubeless tires that roll easily over any surface.

4.5 LS 14-Way Stand Bag PUETZ GOLF PRICE

I

$229.99

C130 Cart Bag PUETZ GOLF PRICE

ndividual club dividers have always been one of the cooler features of cart bags, keeping your shafts from tangling in the bottom and your clubs more organized in the bag. But, why should cart drivers have all the fun? Sun Mountain’s 4.5 LS 14-way stand bag packs all those dividers into a miraculously light 4.5-pound package, making it easy to carry. And, a special cart-strap sleeve keeps the bag in position on a cart without limiting access to pockets (of which there are nine), while Sun Mountain’s patented leg-lock system keeps the legs from sliding out from under.

cascadegolfer.com

ow can you tell the Sync was made specifically for a push cart? Well, for one, it doesn’t have legs, which can often negatively affect the way a bag sits on a cart. Second, it’s not oversized like a standard cart bag. Instead, it’s a hybrid of the two — at just six pounds, as light as a carry bag (and easy to push), but with the 15 full-length dividers, forward-facing pockets and special rangefinder pocket you’d expect to see on a cart bag. Best of all, the top and bottom of the Sync have been shaped specifically to fit a Sun Mountain cart, ensuring a snug fit every time.

$244.99

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f course, not everyone wants to lug their bag around all day, even if it is just 4.5 pounds. That’s O.K. Montana-based Sun Mountain also makes one of the industry’s coolest and most popular cart bags, with a reverse-orientation top (sloped back to front, for easy access), a velour-lined rangefinder pocket positioned just below the rim (one of 10 pockets total, all forward-facing), plus 14, full-length dividers and two Velcro straps that keep the bag from sliding around while driving. Twelve different color combinations give you the chance to show your personality; we like the good ‘ol U.S. of A.

FREE SHIPPING on orders of $99 and more • exceptions apply

DECEMBER DECEMBER 2018 2018

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RISK vs. REWARD Walter Hall Golf Course

Hole No. 15 Par 5 491 yards (Blue Tees) The Setup: This challenging par-5 is the middle hole of a fantastic stretch at this underrated muni in Everett. The tee shot is demanding, and where big scores are born.

Any miss left will find the stream that hugs the fairway for the first 350 yards of this hole. The right side is guarded by trees lining a hill that slopes up to the 16th fairway. The approach shot, too, is guarded by a small stream along the entire right side. Short of the green is wide open, but an approach that is long will likely leaving you pulling another ball out of your bag.

The Risk: If you executed off the tee, you have already won half the battle, as big scores can show up quickly here

By Simon Dubiel with a poor drive. No matter which club you swing off the tee, finding the fairway is a must to have any shot at being aggressive. If you are trying to get home in two, then you are likely swinging fairway wood or long iron, which will put the stream down the right in play.

Anything left can get caught up in the cedar trees that line the left side 75 yards and in. Although the reward is there, the risk is significant, and penal.

is only 10 feet or so wide, and if you clear it with a push or slice, pitching back over from the rough creates a doable up-and-down. Pay attention to the pin position, as that will determine which side of the green is a better spot to miss. There is also no risk in coming up short — just don’t over-club and blast it through the green.

The Reward:

Assuming you have found the fairway with your tee ball, the green light is fully lit. Be bold. Besides, we all make double bogeys, it’s the eagles that we remember.

Time to put one in your memory bank. Driver, fairway wood and two-putt for that circled four, or maybe even a three you won’t forget. Giddyup!

The passive way to play this hole would be to hit 4-iron off the tee, lay up with a 7-iron and then hit 9-iron into the green. But, where is the fun in that? This hole is reachable for many golfers and fairly straightforward from the fairway. The stream down the right

Final Call:

PRESENTED BY

cascadegolfer.com

DECEMBER 2018

29

Sun Never Sets

The

Or, at least, it doesn’t have to — not if you follow us to our favorite winter golf destinations

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BY TONY DEAR

inter’s coming to the Pacific Northwest and, for golfers, that means three things — if your course re-

mains open, it’s going to be wet or frozen; most of your golf time will be spent watching others play

on TV; and, at some point, you’ll want to flee the drizzle and snow for a few days with your sticks.

For the first scenario, you’ll want some appropriate outerwear, ensuring warmth, comfort, and

protection from the rain/wind/cold, plus the doughty spirit of the Northwest golfer who, for several

months, looks out the window wondering if the day’s conditions might be a little too extreme for golf.

For the second, you’ll ideally want a large, HD TV and quick access to the remote, so you can mute the commen-

tators who grow wearisome after frequently repeating the temperature on Maui or Oahu, or noting how many whales they’ve seen swim by.

For the third, you need to know where to go, and where to play.

Swingin' Away in Palm Springs

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ne of the most popular options for our region’s golfers is the Coachella Valley, which extends 45 miles from the San Bernardino Mountains in the west to the Salton Sea in the east, and comprises nine cities, including the famed destinations of Palm Springs, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, and Indian Wells.

Your first round may well be at the Classic Club (760601-3600, classicclubgolf.com), 10 miles due east of Palm Springs and the other side of I-10 from Palm Desert. Designed by Arnold Palmer and opened in early 2006, it was financed by the Palm Desert-based Berger Foundation and earmarked as the permanent home of the Bob Hope Classic (now Career Builder Challenge). Unfortunately, that arrangement lasted only three years as tournament

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DECEMBER 2018

week was often affected by strong winds hurtling down the Valley, especially in 2007 when players described the final-round conditions as “brutal.”

Dean Wilson shot 84, and five others failed to break 80, including third-round co-leader Lucas Glover, who wound up in 13th place. Phil Mickelson shot 78 then gave the tournament a miss in ’08 — the first time he’d done so in seven years.

Mickelson’s absence was probably the straw that broke the camel’s back for the PGA TOUR, but there’s absolutely no reason to let Lefty’s rather exacting (precious?) standards stop you from visiting the Classic Club.

The Berger Foundation is a philanthropic organization that generously supports charitable organizations involved in healthcare, social services and education. Its golf course donates thousands of rounds to charity each year,

and military personnel, fire fighters and police officers pay just $25 for 18 holes, including cart.

Otherwise, the peak greens fee is a very reasonable $155. Actually, “reasonable” isn’t the right word — considering the quality of this beautiful course, and the fact that the fee includes unlimited bottled water, cart, range balls, a towel, and a $15 food voucher, it’s downright amazing. We might, in fact, question your judgement if you chose not to include the Classic Club somewhere in your itinerary.

Superintendent Tony Spannaus is currently over-seeding the fairways’ Bermuda grass with Rye in preparation for the upcoming season, and has big hopes for the course he has worked at since arriving from the Westin Mission Hills Resort this past August.

“My hopes are to produce the best playing conditions in the desert,” he says. “I aim to make it fast and firm, with cascadegolfer.com

Classic Club • Palm Desert, Calif.

SilverRock • La Quinta, Calif.

cascadegolfer.com

PGA WEST Nicklaus Course • La Quinta, Calif.

DECEMBER 2018

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SunSets Desert Willow • Palm Desert, Calif.

the poa trivialis greens as good as anything in the Valley.”

Another perennial Coachella favorite you’ll be better off for playing is Desert Willow (desertwillow.com, 760346-0015) in Palm Desert, where Dr. Michael Hurdzan and former design partner Dana Fry created 36 marvelous holes — Firecliff and Mountain View — that opened in 1997 and 1998, respectively.

Firecliff was named after the supper club owned by early Palm Desert residents Leonard Firestone, an executive at his father’s tire company and later U.S. Ambassador to Belgium; and Cliff Henderson, who ran the National Air Races in the 1930s and was a decorated U.S. Air Force pilot, and who founded the city of Palm Desert in the 1940s, picturing a popular desert retreat.

Hurdzan describes Desert Willow, which is owned by the city, as “one of those clients that is constantly trying to improve their product.”

A few years ago, he was hired to complete a significant renovation of the Firecliff Course, during which he completely rebuilt the bunkers, just as he had done on the Mountain View Course five years earlier.

“In essence, we reduced the bunker sand area by about 50 percent,” he says. “We eliminated bunkers that disproportionally penalized average to weak players.”

Hurdzan also put new drainage and sand in every bunker that survived the cull. And, he replaced much of the turf along the bunker edges that was worn out or contaminated. The result, says Hurdzan, is an even more spectacular-looking course than the original, because it’s more in scale with the surroundings.

“In fact,” says Hurdzan, “unless one had before-and-after pictures, it would look as if the course hasn’t been touched. The challenge is still there for the strong player, but it is more forgiving and enjoyable for the less aggressive or recreational golfer.”

As is the case with many Valley courses, Desert Willow caters to extended-stay visitors by offering a loyalty program. Desert Willow’s Platinum Club card ($369 for non-residents) gives holders numerous benefits, including deep discounts on green fees, as well as in the pro shop and restaurant. And, you get a 21-day booking window for tee-times. If you’re headed to the Coachella Valley for the winter, Desert Willow’s Platinum Club card could well be a terrific option. Those planning a shorter stay should sign up online to become a Desert Willow Insider.

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SilverRock (760-777-8884, www.silverrock.org) is another Palmer design that has hosted the Career Builder Challenge (2008-11). Owned by the city of La Quinta, it is technically a muni, but don’t picture a $20, ill-maintained dog track and a “restaurant” serving basic fare. Hard against the Santa Rosa Mountains, with enormous, whitesand bunkers and the standard Coachella Valley water features, SilverRock could well be the course you picture when daydreaming of a few days of vacation golf.

Palmer designed SilverRock shortly before Brandon Johnson, Senior Architect and VP at APDC, joined the company, but the latter has worked on it a good deal in the last few years.

“I began work there in 2012,” he remembers. “The City wanted to implement Phase 2 of the original masterplan, which involved construction of a hotel. We had to realign a canal and make several changes to the golf course to make it happen.”

The back nine saw a lot of changes, including creation of an entirely new hole – the par-3 11th that plays over water, with the mountains in the background. The tee at the 12th moved, creating the first of three par-5s on the inward half, and the 18th became a driveable par-4.

“It’s reminiscent of the first at Cherry Hills, where Mr. Palmer won the 1960 U.S. Open,” says Johnson. “Our desire as architects is to make the game fun, and we wanted to give players one last heroic opportunity to go for it.”

Johnson is proud of the work at SilverRock that not only made way for the hotel (hotels, actually – the Montage and Pendry) but also reduced the amount of irrigated turf and converted several areas back into a native desert landscape.

“The changes have been received positively and we regard the project as a great success,” says Johnson. “I love some of the changes we made. The 14th hole, now a par-5, provides all kinds of interesting options and angles.

The 11th is fun; you can utilize the large slope to play away from the water and sling balls towards the green. The back pin is particularly interesting as it sits in a back bowl, meaning a hole-in-one and disaster are both in play. The 17th is a great par-5, and we broke convention by making the 18th a short par-4. It has proved very popular.”

The magnificent La Quinta Resort and PGA WEST (760-564-4111, laquintaresort.com) has been attracting vacationing golfers (as well as prospective homebuyers) since 1986. Spread out over 2,000 acres in La Quinta, with the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains a couple of miles to the west, the property possesses six golf courses – three private and three public.

Anyone can play the Nicklaus Tournament Course, Norman Resort Course, or Pete Dye’s infamous Stadium Course, which first hosted the PGA TOUR in 1987, when it rattled the pros so much that they petitioned, successfully, to have it removed from the schedule. It didn’t return until 2016, by which time Dye had softened a few of its sharpest edges; at last year’s CareerBuilder Challenge, Jon Rahm overcame Andrew Landry in a four-hole playoff to win his second PGA TOUR title. You can play the Stadium for as little as $139 in January and February, which is a good deal for so iconic and memorable a course.

Be warned, however, Dye’s Stadium may provoke the most primitive reaction you’ve ever exhibited on a golf course. Mouths of first-timers will likely remain wide open for much of the round, you’ll shake your head more than a few times, and at some point(s), even the most serene and composed of golfers will be tempted to do something to a club he has never imagined doing

Wailea Gold Course • Wailea, Maui cascadegolfer.com

cascadegolfer.com

DECEMBER 2018

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Royal Ka’anapali Golf Course • Lahaina, Maui

before. Either you will come home wondering why on earth you spent vacation budget and time on a course that made you feel small and inadequate, or it might be the most exciting, thrilling, uplifting, and unforgettable round of your life. You’ll just have to play it to find out.

Guests of the wonderful La Quinta Resort have access to PGA WEST’s public layouts as well as two of its own – the Mountain and Dunes Courses, both designed by Dye and opened in 1981. Of the two, the Mountain is the more popular and you can play it for $169 in January. The Dunes is always a fun round, but never quite as enthralling as its neighbor. You can play it for $89.

There are several more great plays in the Coachella Valley, including Cimarron, Escena, Tahquitz Creek, Indian Wells (Celebrity and Players), Terra Lago, Shadow Hills, Shadow Ridge … needless to say, a week — or two, or three, or four — in the Valley is time well spent.

The Spirit ofAloha

A

hhh, Hawaii. Over 450,000 Washingtonian sun-seekers visit the Aloha State each year, and while it’s not known exactly how many are packing golf clubs, you can bet a good number are there to tee it up.

Oahu is the most popular island, with 4.7 million visitors each year, while Maui comes in second with 2.4 million. However, while the difference in visitor numbers between the two islands is considerable, the most popular resort in the state is actually on Maui. In fact, according to Jennifer McNally, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Wailea Resort (waileagolf.com, 888-328-MAUI), the resort on Maui’s southwestern shore has been Hawaii’s top-ranked destination for over 20 years.

“For starters, our three golf courses (Emerald, Gold, Blue) have won over 150 awards and accolades between them,” she says. “Wailea offers more top-notch golf than any other resort in Hawaii, and we offer a host of learning opportunities at the Wailea Golf Academy.”

All three courses — the Emerald and Gold designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. — were built on the gently undulating foothills of Mt. Haleakala, with some fairways as high as 300 feet above sea level. The views, not surprisingly, are pretty special. And, the weather’s decent, too. The southwest coast of Maui gets only 11 inches of rain a year, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center recently forecast a 70-75 percent chance of below-average rainfall from December 2018 through Spring of 2019.

“Visitors can take advantage of some very attractive deals,” says McNally. “Our Seahorse Swing package is very

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DECEMBER 2018

cascadegolfer.com

La Quinta Resort Mountain Course • LaQuinta

King Kamehameha Golf Course • Wailuku, Maui

popular. For just $465, visitors get unlimited golf on the Gold and Emerald courses for three days, and can book the first tee time of the day up to 45 days in advance.”

That means you pay $155 a day for unlimited golf each day, which — considering the Wailea Resort guest rate is $180 per round and the general public pays $250 a round — is a tasty option. Twilight rates begin at noon, and the Triple Play allows you to play each of the resort’s three courses for $399 – a $110 savings for resort guests.

Similar deals can be had at Maui’s other top resort destination, the two courses at the fantastic Ka’anapali Beach Resort (866-454-4653, kaanapaligolfcourses.com) – Robert Trent Jones’ Royal Ka’anapali and Arthur Snyder’s recently renovated Ka’anapali Kai. The longtime home of the Wendy’s Champions Tour Skins Game, Royal Ka’anapali is a challenging test of a golfer’s shot-making skills, combining oceanfront holes with others that wind up into the foothills to showcase all that is beautiful of the West Maui coast. At a comparatively reasonable 6,700 yards and with multiple sets of tees, the par-71 course allows golfers to play the course to whatever difficulty they desire, ensuring a fun and memorable round for everyone in your group.

The shorter Ka’anapali Kai is the more forgiving course, with generous fairways and more subtle greens surrounded by brilliant native flowers, coconut trees and lava rock formations, all backdropped by stunning ocean and mountain views at every turn.

In addition to being spectacular plays in their own right, the courses have been ahead of the game when it comes to making golf more affordable and less time-consuming, a key part of the USGA’s new, forward-thinking initiatives. The “Golf My Way” program allows golfers to play 18 holes over a seven-day stretch — three holes here, four holes there, whatever you have time for on any given day. It’s been a boon with golfers who can’t resist the lure of the courses, but also want to maximize time spent with the family. There are also FitClub programs (an afternoon golf fitness program, perfect for snowbirds in town for a while), FootGolf (unlimited play for just $15 after 3 p.m.), GolfBoard rentals, and multi-round packages that drive prices ever lower.

And, if you combine your stay with lodging at Ka’anapali’s premier hotels — the Royal Lahaina, Hyatt Regency, Westin Maui and Sheraton Maui — you can receive even further savings on both the golf and lodging than if you had booked separately.

There are a number of other solid options on Maui – Kapalua, of course, which features the always-popular cascadegolfer.com

Palmer-designed Bay Course, and Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw’s thrilling Plantation Course, which has hosted the PGA TOUR’s season-opener since 1999; the excellent Kahili; King Kamehameha; and Robin Nelson’s acclaimed Dunes at Maui Lani.

Garrett Okamura, the director of golf at Maui Lani, says the course recently installed new floodlights on its range, making it “the only range on the island you can use after dark,” he says. “And, we changed all the greens out to seashore paspalam. They are putting wonderfully.”

Brian Kaulupali, superintendent at Maui Lani for 20 years, performed the work on the greens, taking three years to complete the task while keeping the course open the entire time. Okamura says he has the place looking better than ever.

“With the greens complete and the other improvements in play, this is an exciting time for the Dunes,” he says.

Win A Trip To Palm Springs!

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t’s the one you look forward to all year, the one you dream about winning ... that’s right, it’s time for our annual Mega Palm Springs Giveaway! One lucky Cascade Golfer reader and a companion of their choosing will enjoy: • Two nights lodging at LaQuinta Resort & Spa • Twosome to LaQuinta Resort & Spa and PGA WEST • Twosome to Desert Willow • Twosome to SilverRock • Twosome to The Classic Club That’s eight rounds of golf and two nights lodging — all for free! Log on to CascadeGolfer.com today for your chance to win!

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35

Royal Links Golf Club, “Postage Stamp” • No. 8 • Las Vegas

Royal Links Golf Club • No. 6 • Las Vegas

Best of the Rest O

f course, there’s more to winter golf than just Palm Springs and Maui.

While Las Vegas may not be the golf town it was 2030 years ago, it has a handful of courses that add to the experience of a trip to Sin City. Bali Hai, Rio Secco, Bear’s Best, and Las Vegas Paiute are worthy of your “To Play” lists. And, if you’re staying at one of MGM’s 15 Vegas properties, and your budget will allow it, you can get a game at the unimaginably extravagant Shadow Creek, where Tom Fazio transformed dusty, rocky, hostile desert into lush, verdant playground. Rees Jones’ Cascata opened in 2000 and, though not quite as pricey as Shadow Creek ($295 compared with $500), is still a rather lavish experience.

The most compelling round in Vegas, though, has to be Royal Links (royalinksgolfclub.com, 702-444-2957), the Dye International-designed ode to the British Open, featuring holes from 11 Open Championship venues.

There’s the par-4 first hole, modeled after No. 10 at Royal Lytham, which hosted the 2012 Open Championship. To reach the first tee, you first must walk across St. Andrews’ Swilcan Bridge. There’s the par-3 eighth hole, a

replica of the famed “Postage Stamp” hole at Royal Troon.

And, of course, there’s the epic, 466-yard, par-4 10th, familiar to all golf fans as the famous 17th at St. Andrews, known simply as the “Road Hole.” Walters even had designers Dye International include the old stone wall that runs the length of the hole’s right side, over which golfers playing the back tees must hit their drives.

Similarly iconic holes from Royal Birkdale, Prestwick, Turnberry and other British Isles tracks complete the layout, with the pot bunkers, knee-high grass and firm, fast greens as close to their counterparts as one can make them in the middle of the desert. There’s even a pub in the castle-style clubhouse, where golfers can grab a pint of Guinness after their round and enjoy some fish and chips.

Then, of course, there’s Arizona and, specifically, the Scottsdale/Phoenix area, which is ever-present in winter golf travel articles for the simple reason that it possesses the perfect combination of golf and sun for winter golf travel. Among its 200-plus courses are a number that we can’t leave here without naming – We-Ko-Pa, Sunridge Canyon, TPC Scottsdale, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, Wickenburg Ranch, Troon North, and the City of Phoenix’s marvelous municipal Papago, which you can play for about $75.

Finally, there’s St. George in Utah — you might need to wait until March for temperatures to creep into the

60s, but it’s certainly worth the wait. Green Spring, The Ledges, Sky Mountain, Coral Canyon, and Johnny Miller’s Entrada at Snow Canyon each provide the visual excitement and physical challenge you’re after, but the highlight of your trip will be John Fought and Andy Staples’ Sand Hollow, which covers some of the most breathtaking terrain you’ll ever have the privilege to play.

PGA TOUR player and Utah native Zac Blair won the Sand Hollow Open in 2015 and 2016. He’s obviously fond of the course.

“Yeah, it’s a cool spot,” he says. “Obviously, the setting, among the red rocks, is amazing. John Fought did a good job building big, fun greens and giving players plenty of width. The course plays differently every day.”

Though his game is clearly well-suited to the Championship Course, Blair says the resort’s nine-hole Links Course is actually his favorite.

“It’s my favorite in the State,” he says. “It has some awesome holes and great green complexes. It’s really fun.”

Fun. That’s what we’re after here. And, we’re fairly sure you’ll find it, whichever of these places you choose.

Tony Dear is an award-winning writer and author, and a frequent Cascade Golfer contributor. His books can be found at Amazon.com, or in your local bookstore.

YOUR W

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Ka’anapali Kai Golf Course • Lahaina, Maui

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36

DECEMBER 2018

cascadegolfer.com

P R ESENTED BY

High and Dry Tri-Mountain G.C. • Ridgefield

The Home Course • Dupont

Didn’t budget for a winter golf getaway this year? No worries, our readers have you covered.

O

By Brian Beaky CG Editor

ver the course of this issue, there’s been one consistent theme — come winter, when our weather turns cold and wet, you’ll have to travel a little farther to find that perfect round of golf. That said, not all of us can afford a trip to Hawaii, Palm Springs, Vegas or Arizona (though, we can all enter to win one on the “Enter to Win” page at CascadeGolfer.com), and we know that there are some of you out there who, no matter how dark and damp it gets, will still pull on the waders and head out to the first tee to get your swings in before the sun comes back in May. God bless you.

As any of those winter golfers will tell you, though, choosing where to play in winter is every bit as vital as choosing when to play — and a top-10 courses ranking compiled in summer conditions looks a lot different than the same list compiled in the rain and wind. Some courses, no matter how good they are, simply don’t hold up in wet conditions, while others — namely, most of our state’s top “destination” tracks — spend much of the winter under a few inches of snow.

Making matters even more complicated, as we debated the best local winter tracks “The Home Course. It’s still fun and challenging to play in the winter. And, if I’m up for a drive, the Cedars at Dungeness is pretty nice, too!”

— Teresa Miller “Mount Si. Always in great shape no matter what the weather. Crew there is the best at keeping it playable.”

— Roy Baker

Mount Si G.C. • Snoqualmie 38

DECEMBER 2018

in the office the other day, we came to realize that many of our local favorites have their own issues this particular season. Our South-end favorite, Chambers Bay — a must in winter for the fact that its conditions are largely unchanged from summer, while the greens fee goes down by half — is closed while re-sodding its greens, while our North-end favorite, Legion Memorial, is still playing to an altered routing while wrapping up what should be an exciting redesign. Looking back at some of our older lists, too, we discovered that there were several tracks we’ve favored previously that we haven’t played under winter conditions in a long time, and thus couldn’t entirely vouch for. So, what should we do? Should we, as CG Golf Sales Manager Simon Dubiel suggested, “Just go to Ka’anapali?”

As enticing as that sounds, we instead decided to crowd-source our list this winter, and asked readers on Facebook to submit their up-to-date suggestions for Washington’s best winter course. So, if Palm Springs isn’t in the budget this year, these courses are your next-best bet. Throw on your layers, slip on an extra glove, clean out those cleats, pack a few towels and let it rip. We’ll see you in the spring.

“Gold Mountain. Summer conditions at winter rates.”

— Nicholas Scott

“Cedars at Dungeness ... best course during the winter. Can you say THE BANANA BELT?!”

— Mike Carlton

“Tri-Mountain in Ridgefield. Very walkable.

Drains well. And, a pretty good value.”

— Ray Peck “White Horse. The course drains perfect. Their sand is just as great as if it was June. It’s gray gravel. The greens are all slightly elevated, so they always drain.

I’ve played many courses in the winter .... anyone who has played it is nodding their head as they read this.”

— Mike Matson “Wine Valley! Great condition, hard and fast greens and fairways.”

— Derek Roof

“Raspberry Ridge Golf Course [in Bellingham]!”

— Kathryn Warner

“Friends Of American Lake Veterans Golf Course. It’s narrow enough that I can play when it’s cart-path only and still go from the cart to the ball and back and not wear out. Steel knees are tough.”

— Mike Devine

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