arizona golf central v1 i4
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Arizona's Golf Travel and Lifestyle MagazineTRANSCRIPT
W W W . G O L F C E N T R A L M A G A Z I N E . C O M Kevin Streelman | Adventures in Utah | Ron White
“The Pohlcat”Dan Pohl
PGA Touring Pro“Shot Dog” Danny Schott
Golf Resort, Golf Course and Golf Club Review and Commentary Along with Commentary on Current Golf News
“Uncle Buck”Mike Rafferty
GOLF AZ RadioMore Hours, More Guests, More fun!!!!
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Publisher: Jason Keesling
Editor-in-Chief: Susan Lied
Photographer: Dave Schibel
Social Media Director: Natalie Heath
Media Director: Keith James
Director of Sales & Marketing: Brian Papiese
Web Design/Network Support: Local Work Marketing
Graphic Design: Melahn Cable, [email protected]
Contributing Writers: James BoykinKristen EricksonJerry FordStephanie KnightHeather StancilDr. Bob Winters
Magazine Printing:Sundance Graphics
9580 Delegates Drive, Orlando, Florida 32837 • 800.617.5532
Arizona Golf Central Magazine is published monthly by:Jason Keesling, Publisher
Sand Hill Publishing & Public Relations
1549 Warrington Court, Winter Springs, FL 32708
phone: 407.971.4336 • 407.971.4337
fax: 407.971.4306 • toll-free: 877.208.5972
Arizona Office:3461 East Acoma Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85032
phone: 602.387.0616 • 602.388.0987
E-mail: [email protected] or
One year (12 issues) subscription price is $42.99
©2010 Arizona Golf Central Magazine. No portion of this publication
may be reprinted without the prior written permission of the Pub-
lisher. Editorial contributions are welcome, but Arizona Golf Cen-
tral Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited proposals,
manuscripts and photographs. All materials submitted not accom-
panied by a self-addressed stamped envelope will not be returned.
Mailing, electronic mailing or faxing of contributions constitutes an
expressed warrant on the part of the contributor that all material is
original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Arizona Golf
Central Magazine retains all reprint rights and reserves the right
to edit any submitted material to meet our specifications for pub-
lishing and or use in advertising or promotion. The Publisher and
staff are not responsible for any loss or grievance by any person or
persons whatsoever, due in any way or in part to the content of this
publication. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse to accept any
material deemed inappropriate or in bad taste.
Reader's Mailbag – Send Us your Thoughts
Haiku of the Month brought to you by Carol Stucker
GREETINGS
Blades of grass wave 'Hi!'
Crazy pants, glove, swing, putt, joy
Sunset, chill, 'Goodbye!'
Volume 1, Issue 4
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Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
rnold Palmer once said, “What other people may find in poetry
or art museums, I find in the flight of a good drive.” I couldn’t
agree more. Golf is an art form and can be found in all types of
mediums. Take this month’s front cover for example. It was created
by artist Richard Curtner. To him, words are literally his art. Be sure
to take a look at our cover story which highlights Curtner and other
great artists who are not only fans of the game but incorporate it in
their art.
When you get hooked on golf you quickly learn that the most
important events are the four majors. The first major of the year,
The Masters, is rich in tradition, like the Par 3 contest, The Amateurs
staying at the Crows Nest, the Tuesday Night Champions dinner and
the Green Jacket Ceremony.
There are so many great moments that the Masters has given
many of us. Like Jack Nicklaus 25 years ago, at 46-years-of age,
stunning the world of golf by firing a 6-under-par 30 on the back nine
in the final round to win his sixth Masters title. Another one for the
ages was in 1997 when the young 21-year-old Tiger Woods spanked
the field. Not every Masters is built for history books, but more than
any other golf tournament, this event conjures up compelling story
lines and is easily the most competitive stage.
Since this is my page, I get to not only say what I want, but I also
get to share my thanks as well. I have to thank my staff and the
contributing writers that help make the magazine what it is. In
particular, I would like to give a shout out to two of them. We have
one of the best instructors around in Jeff Ritter who writes, “Your Pro
Knows”. His tips are straight forward and relevant and we’re glad
to have him. Also, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. If
that is the case, photographer Dave Schibel is giving you novels to
read--no really! Dave brings his good eye to the pages of Arizona Golf
Central and I’m grateful for his talent.
My wish is that my efforts to publish this magazine are not in
vain. I hope that it contributes, if only slightly, to the progress of golf
in Arizona. Our outstanding team at Arizona Golf Central Magazine
would like to thank our advertisers, our business partners, and
especially you, the readers, for taking the time to read our magazine
and making us part of this great community.
Hope you have us marked as a favorite online
at golfcentralmagazine.com . While you’re at it, hit us up on
Facebook and Twitter as well.
Get out and play some golf today!
A
Departments 4 From the Publisher 10 Golf Central Station 16 Competitive Spirits 30 Thinking of Golf 32 Golf Chick 34 Women in Golf 44 Duffer Dan 46 Southwest PGA 56 Your Pro Knows 58 Grip It & Sip It
19th Hole 40 Frank and Alberts
Cart Girl 14 Shaena Lutz
Celebrity Corner 24 Ron White
Cover Feature 26 Golf is an Art Form
Fashion Forward 50 Fairway and Greene
Golf Bachelor 12 Javier Arias
Golf Travel 18 Adventures in Utah
Improving Performance 8 Fred Astaire Dance Studio
Live Golf 54 Arizona GSCA
Special Events 52 LPGA Founders Cup
Tour Profile 22 Kevin Streelman
Swing Thoughts 28 Putting with a Child-like Attitude
What's New 20 Polara Golf Balls
Young Guns 48 Peter Kyo Won Koo
golfcentralmagazine.com
Volume 1, Issue 4
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8 Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
hat can we learn from Dancing With The Stars or the great Fred
Astaire? A lot! The popular show, Dancing With The Stars, is dominated by former athletes representing everything from volleyball to the NFL. During the show’s nine seasons, athletes have prevailed by winning five of the nine titles. Why do you think that is? Balance, timing , and the passion to compete play a big part. Did you know that one of the greatest dancers, Fred Astaire, was a 10 handicap? That’s right, the multi-talented dancer, singer and actor learned to play golf as a boy during a 1914 vacation in Delaware Water Gap, Pa. He credited his good golf game to his balance. In golf, we would all like to have a fluid, beautiful swing like the ‘Big Easy’ Ernie Els or powerful off the tee like Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. More importantly, we want the ability to repeat that swing round after round, day after day. The foundation of every good golf swing is good balance. Maintain your balance and you can deliver the club head to the ball with both speed and accuracy. Lose your
balance and your swing loses its tempo (i.e. rhythm) and falls apart. When you learn to dance, you learn how to shift your weight in balance and you also learn the essential skill of timing. Balance and timing are the two main skills that will make the biggest difference in your golf swing. Dance is all about balance--bending your knees and using your hamstrings. Both are great stabilizers in golf. So the next time you are on the dance floor trying to do your best impression of Fred Astaire or John Travolta, know that you’re working those hammies and helping your golf game! The golf swing is essentially a total body movement that requires the body
to move through multiple planes of motion. The body has to stabilize your moving body, accelerate aggressively on the downswing, rotate quickly, and decelerate in a very short order during the golf swing. This is timing—or in dance, rhythm. If you want to really go above and beyond, try Fred Astaire’s personal technique. He hit balls while tap-dancing, an incredible routine that he devised on the first tee at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pw0XRAuO0w. Athletes are always on the lookout for drills, exercises and training methods that will give them the edge over their rivals and this sometimes leads to unusual approaches. Perhaps dancing is that unusual approach to help your golf game? So get out there, grab your partner, hit the dance floor and watch your golf game improve. If you are interested in improving your golf game and having some fun, contact Fred Astaire Dance Studio at www.pvfads.com or 602-493-3003 and use promo code AZDancingGolfer to get four dance lessons for $20!
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WPhoto by Dave Schibel
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ONE FOR THE AGES JACK NICKLAUS AND THE 1986 MASTERS
Author Tom Clavin (contributor for the NY Times, Golf, Men’s Journal, Golf Journal and author of 12 books including Haley’s Typhoon.) has written an enthralling book that details The Golden Bear’s signature win at age 46. Clavin provides a stirring account of one of the most memorable wins of one of the greatest golfers. Twenty five years later, the win is still celebrated. Clavin chronicles the most exceptional and surprising accomplishments by Jack Nicklaus during the 1986 Masters. The book recounts how Jack, with his son as caddy, makes history by winning the most prestigious golf tournament for the sixth time. Though he was not favored to win, Nicklaus established his golf legacy and
polished his tarnished record. Clavin’s book is second only to having been there to watch the 1986 Masters Championship live. The addition of others writer’s quotes and recent recollections combine to produce an entertaining and readable book. The author pays particular attention to the actual event and in principal, the Sunday back nine. But, he is not afraid to deviate from his stroke-by-stroke prose and explore the history of the Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. Additionally, Clavin’s Epilogue looks back at that historic moment from today’s vantage point. This book is for golf fans and historians. Both will get the opportunity to relive one of the most signature moments in sports history. To get your copy of the book (hardbound ● $24.95), contact Chicago Review Press at www.chicagoreviewpress.com.
BUNKER INDOOR GOLF AND TRAINING
As their brochure states, “The only thing more realistic is the course itself.” Bunker Indoor Golf and Training has found a niche market where players can go to play, practice, take lessons and compete on a variety of simulated world famous Championship Courses. Using the latest in 3D modeling technology, a player can stand on the tee box of Pebble Beach, Bayhill, Pinehurst or Torrey Pines (to name a few) and choose the time of day and weather conditions that allow them to play 18 holes in less than an hour! But if practice is what is needed, bring your clubs and use them all with Bunker’s simulators which can be programmed for the way a player likes or needs to work on his game. And if the practice just doesn’t seem to be making a difference, choose private or online lessons. Using those same simulators, every motion and launch is captured and analyzed to help reclaim their game. There is even an option to have famed instructor Jim McLean at your side, giving
tips for improvement. If that wasn’t enough, Bunker Indoor Golf can place you in a tournament with your name on the leader board (provided you are in the top 10). Competition includes Closest-to-the-Pin and Longest Drive and even allows you to play against other locations and/or on teams. If the sun is too hot or you can’t afford to travel to Spyglass, bring your clubs and your game to Bunker Indoor Golf and Training for a great afternoon of play. For more information or to make tee time reservations, contact www.bunkerindoorgolf.com.
ARIZONA BROADCASTERS ASSIATION AZ AMBER ALERT CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC
The 7th annual Arizona Broadcasters AZ Amber Alert Charity Golf Classic will be held on Friday, April 29 at the Raven Golf Club in Phoenix. Registration is at 7 a.m. with a 8 a.m. shotgun start. The tournament
will be followed by a luncheon and awards ceremony. The Arizona Broadcasters Association Foundation sponsors the yearly event in order to benefit the Arizona Amber Alert which helps in recovering abducted children and saving lives of those in harm’s way. Barclay Communications, Inc. President, Mary O’Hanlon said, “The Golf Classic is used to raise both awareness and funding for the ABA Foundation in order to continue the many significant programs that are supported by the association, including AZ AMBER Alert and college scholarships.” The AMBER Alert, formed in 1996 after Texas resident Amber Hagerman was kidnapped and murdered, was adopted by Arizona in 2001 with the formation of a task force co-chaired by ABA President Art Brooks. “The key is the efficiency in which the word is put out to the public,” Brooks said. “This happens through
the Emergency Alert System employed by every radio and television station in the state and thanks to help from our partnerships with ADOT, DPS, mystateusa.com and the Arizona Lottery.” The ABA Foundation was established in 2005 and functions as a 501 © 3 non-profit charitable corporation. Funds donated to the ABA Foundation support the Arizona AMBER Alert system, scholarships at ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Other programs include the Summer High School Broadcast Institute at ASU and the Native American High School Workshop at ASU. Individual participant greens fees begin at $500 with discounts offered for multiple players. Law enforcement will be offered a 30% discount. Sponsorships are also available. For more information or to register to play, call 602-252-4833 or log onto www.azbroadcasters.org.
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Phoenix3612 West Bell Rd. • 602-863-07704221 E. Thomas Rd. • 602-955-4820
20330 N. Cave Creek Rd. • 602-569-12848002 N. 19th Ave. • 602-864-3620
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Gilbert2720 S. Market St. • 480-855-0748
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1710 S. Alma School Rd. • 480-752-06701909 N. Power Rd. • 480-985-9375
Paradise Valley12851 N. Tatum Blvd. • 602-482-2136
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Where were you born and where did you grow up? I am a native of AZ and I love it. It’s hard to find any other place to live where you can take a 2 hour drive up north and have it be 20 degrees cooler or head either 6 hours west or 5 hours south and have your feet in the sand!
Is acting your age overrated? Definite-ly, I’m more of an ‘act older than your shoe size’ kinda guy!
What do you do for a living? I’m a Sales Specialist for a Fortune 500 IT re-seller.
Aside from golf, what do you prefer for fun and relaxation? I’m all about surrounding myself with good, genu-ine people. I’m a fanatic of any live sporting event. I also look forward to backyard pool parties and BBQ’s during the summer time−or anything that has to do with the outdoors. I am also a HUGE fan of So Cal or Rocky Point trips.
What’s your take on cuddling? Is this a trick question?! Kidding. Ummm… cuddling usually is the time that I can tell if I’m really interested in the girl. If I am genuinely interested in her, I’m all about it.
Tell us about your first kiss. Funny story here. I was in 1st grade (yes, I started early). The night before, I had asked my dad to write a note to the girl that was in my class that I thought was cute. The next day, I had given her the note at recess and kissed her on the playground−on the lips! No joke. Yep, that’s how I roll!
Who would you like to have with you on a deserted island and why? I’m thinking someone who compliments the things I CAN’T do, since of course we are both trying to stay alive on deserted island.
What do you find to be the most annoy-ing habit on the golf course? I think the guy that claims, ‘Really, I have NEVER played like this in my life!’ every time you play with him.
What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy foursome? John Daly, purely for the comedy and shock factor; Phil Mickelson because he seems like a stand up cat; and Tiger Woods, of course−I can’t leave out my twin brother!
Javier Arias
Boxers or briefs? Boxer briefs actually!
Relaxed evening at home, or a nightclub and cocktails? Nowadays, I’m ALL about hanging and having dinner and drinks on the back patio at home.
Who is your favorite comedian? I have a 3 way tie with Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, & George Lopez.
What is your favorite genre of movie? Comedy is DEFINITELY where it’s at; Old School, The Hangover, & Wedding Crashers. That’s all I got to say.
Last book you read? Not going to lie to look good here. Honestly, I don’t re-member. I am not a big fan of reading.
Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
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14 Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Phoenix Arizona, but I am originally from Cape Cod Mass. Much of my fam-ily lives there still, so I get to visit as much as I can! I’m lucky to get the best of both worlds!
Which group of people did you as-sociate most with in high school? I attended a small, Arts based high school were everybody knew everybody, so there weren’t really any cliques. I was a dancer, so I guess I hung out with the other dancers mostly.
What is your favorite sport to play and to watch? I’m not really the sports playing type! My dad used to have me play football with him as a kid. But I do enjoy watching golf and sometimes football!
Do you enjoy playing golf and are there any golfers in your family? I do like playing golf even though I’m not very good! There are no golfers in the family, but my boyfriend is big into golf.
What do you feel makes this club special? We have a great team here. Everyone is so kind and willing to lend a helping hand. I truly feel like the Ocotillo staff and even some of the regulars are like extended family to me!
What is your favorite and least favor-ite part of being a cart girl? I love that I am able to meet new people every day as well as getting to see and joke with our wonderful regulars! I have nothing nega-tive to say about my job. I work outside
on the most beautiful golf course—it doesn’t get any better!
If you weren’t a cart girl, what would you be doing? I’m currently going to school for teaching. So, I’d probably try to get a job at a school or daycare.
What is your most memorable moment working as a cart girl? This is a tough one! I would say last year when we had a huge rain storm and all the golfers ended up coming in off the course at once. It was madness--people and carts everywhere! The weather was brutal with sharp sideways rain and wind that wouldn’t quit. But everyone, player service, golf shop, managers, cart girls and even our maintenance guys busted their butts to get the guests taken care of! What was even more wonderful was everyone was smiling, joking, laughing, and making the guests and each other happy in a situation that could have made people negative. The harmony of the Ocotillo team was unbelievable!
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on the golf course? First thing that comes to mind is when our bartender was out playing golf and hit his own golf ball into HIS forehead! Go figure that one out!!
What hobbies do you enjoy? I’m a true dork at heart! I love to scrapbook, paint, and all kinds of crafts. I also love to dance.
What is your favorite charity to support? I support the Make a Wish Foundation. It’s a foundation that makes dreams come true for terminally sick children. I am very proud to be a part of this amazing, life changing foundation.
What else would you like us to know about you? I’m a pretty down to earth person. I have a wonderful, loving family that supports me in all that I do. I feel that I am very blessed in life and all that I have been given.
Shaena Lutz
Photo by Dave Schibel
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18 Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
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ark City, Utah probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when contemplating golf
courses, but rest assured they have some of the best in the West. With 13 golf courses located within a 20-mile radius of this small town, teeing up at this altitude not only provides some of the most scenic views available but you might just notice your ball soaring further than ever before. Located just 32 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, Park City has reinvented itself during the 1980’s and 1990’s after the shutdown of the area silver mining industry. With over 7,000 year-round residents, Park City has become famous for hosting ski events at the 2002 Olympics as well as being the home location of the largest independent film festival in the United States—Sundance. Some scenes from 1994’s Dumb and Dumber were shot in the city. Businesses such as Rossignol, USA, Mrs. Fields Cookies and SkullCandy have their headquarters in Park City and outside of the city proper, one can easily enjoy reservoirs, hot springs, forests, and hiking and biking.
Park City is a great blend of old and new. Sixtyfour of the town’s buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and due to the extensive mining that took place, more than 1,200 miles of tunnels wind through the surrounding mountains. For those more interested in the modern, Park City boasts more than 100 restaurants and more than 100 shops and boutiques as well as state of the art training facilities for the US Ski Team and the US Ski and Snowboard Association. In 2008, Park City was named by Forbes Traveler Magazine among one of the 20 ‘prettiest towns’ in the United States. Once famous only for it snow and ski resorts, Park City is expanding to become a year round golf and ski resort community. At 7,000 feet above sea level and an average of 11 degrees cooler than Salt Lake City, a visit to Park City will put you in the way of fairways with a dry, cool summer while the surrounding mountains provide beautiful scenery.
Park City Golf Club Consistently ranked as one of the premier public golf courses in the intermountain region, Park City Golf Club offers a challenging game at one of the state’s most enviable locations. First built in 1963 as a nine-hole course, this William Neff, signature golf course was redesigned to its current 18-holes in 1976. In 2003, #18 was redesigned by William Neff Jr., and has proven to be one of the classic finishing holes in Utah. In addition to providing professionally designed and well kept greens, Park City Golf Club’s elevation of 6700 feet can actually add distance to your shots while you play on a course that is typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler than most courses in the area-a definite bonus during the hot summer months. The Park City Golf Club is municipal Utah golfing at its finest. To see what makes Park City a year-round resort destination, visit www.parkcitygolfclub.org.
Park Meadows Country Club You won’t want to miss out on Park City’s 18-hole Jack Nicklaus original, Park Meadows Country Club. Designed in the Scottish tradition of intricacy and detail, the course hosts 105 sand bunkers and water on two-thirds of the holes. Although
Glenwild Golf Club
Park City Golf Club
Park City
it is a members-only course, they do have the unique aspect that you don’t have to own property to become a member. With recently completed greens, irrigation and course restoration, this challenging, but not punishing signature golf course is the only truly walkable course in the Park City area. They also boast excellent driving range and practice facilities as well as being the host to Senior PGA Tour events. For more information, please visit www.parkmeadowscc.com.
The Course at Glenwild Legendary architect Tom Fazio created this private, 7,541-yard, par-71 championship course. The “core golf” layout embraces the unspoiled topography of the land and creates an almost seamless transition from course to nature. As a vital part of this design, not even the homesites are permitted to encroach upon the Course.
Glenwild offers many play options, so golfers of all levels will be challenged and rewarded. They also offer a traditional caddie program to assist with those tough shots and club choice. The Course at Glenwild has been voted the Best Course in Utah for 9 years by Golf Digest. To experience nature and play the game visit www.glenwild.com.
Dye Canyon Course at Promontory Built by World Golf Hall of Fame member Pete Dye, this 18-hole course and clubhouse were constructed as the foundation of championship golf at Promontory. Membership in the family-friendly, luxury second-home community entitles you to unlimited access to future planned courses as well. Originally opened in 2002, this was the first of five planned championship courses to be built. Sculpted into the hillside terrain with attention to maintaining the natural surroundings, the front nine travels across a sunlit
meadow and the back nine rests in a serene valley. The Dye Canyon Course offers six tee boxes per hole to nurture family play. Promontory is offering a summer “Stay & Play” package for Arizonans looking to escape the heat and explore second-home options in beautiful Park City. The package offers a great rate on a 2-night stay in one of Promontory’s luxury cabins, along with golf for two on the Pete Dye course. Contact their Sales Center for more information at 435-333-4600 or find details on their website at www.promontoryclub.com. Other courses to play Built in 2002 to showcase the 2002 Winter Olympic Games to the
world, Soldier Hollow Golf Course is a dual 18-hole course providing a soothing and revitalizing experience among the alpine scenery of nearby Mount Timpanogos. For more information, visit www.soldierhollow.com. Voted as one of the ‘Best Places to Play’, the Wasatch Mountain State Park Golf Course is a 36-hole course that invites you to step onto the lush grass and take a swing. The park boasts a challenging 18-hole mountain course equipped with mountain grades and curvatures, as well as a lake course for those wishing to rejuvenate and unwind. For more information, visit either http://www.utah.com/golf/courses/wasatch_mtn.htm or http://www.utah.com/golf/courses/wasatch_lake.htm. If you like to enjoy beautiful views and terrain while you play, the Homestead Golf Course is a must. This public course rests serenely at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. The first nine holes guide golfers up mountain to beautiful vantage points of the Heber Valley below while the last nine dip down toward the picture-perfect Snake Creek Valley. To experience the beauty of both mountain and valley surroundings, visit http://www.utah.com/golf/courses/homestead.htm.
Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4 19
Park City Golf Club
Promontory Signature Hole #2
Promontory Hole #10
Park Meadows Country Club
Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 420
what'
s new
participated in Golfweek’s Golfests the first three months of 2011. In January, at Champions Gate near Orlando, a company by the name of Polara Golf was
selling these new golf balls that they claimed would correct hooks and slices up to 75%. This claim really intrigued me but I didn’t get a chance to hit any there, so when Golfest moved to Tampa Bay Downs in February, Jamie McWilliams (a 5 handicap) from Video Stream Productions and I made it a point to visit Polara Golf on the driving range and see for ourselves whether or not these golf balls really do what they claim. All the big golf club and golf ball manufacturers have advertised at some point that their drivers or balls will correct mis-hits, or help you hit the ball straighter, but I haven’t really seen much of a difference when I’ve tested these products in the past. In Tampa I met with Dave Felker, PhD, the Head of Technology for Polara Golf and former V.P. of Research and Development for the Callaway Golf Ball Co., who helped me understand the Self-Correcting Technology of the dimple pattern he developed and exactly how the Polara golf corrects hooks and slices up to 75%. The asymmetrical dimple pattern and the different size and depth of the dimples are the key to how the Polara golf ball self-corrects,
while in flight, and maintains a straighter path. “It’s just simple physics,” states Dr. Felker, who utilized the Wind Tunnel at Princeton University to test the Polara as well as other manufacturers’ golf balls. In independent robot testing performed by Golf Laboratories in San Diego, CA and supervised by Richard Levine, Professor of Math and Statistics at San Diego State University, the Polara golf ball went head to head against the #1 ball in golf and another well known high performance ball and the dispersion rate of the Polara ball was demonstrably less each and every time. Jamie and I hit some regular range balls first to get warmed up and see what our normal ball flight was that day. Then it was time to try the Polara Ultimate Straight golf ball. Since I am such a duffer, I watched as Jamie tried to draw and fade drives with the Polara ball, which is normally pretty easy for him to do. Amazingly, the Polara ball kept going straight. No matter how hard Jamie tried, he couldn’t draw or fade the Polara ball when the alignment arrow was on top and pointed towards his target. Jamie even said “this is a great ball for people who want to hit it straight.” Now, for the true test, it’s time to see if the Polara ball will correct MY slice. Aim left, and hope my slice brings it back to the fairway, is my usual swing thought. After a few shots that stayed left, because I
The World’s First Self-Correcting Golf Ball
By David Daubert
We
21Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
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was aimed that way, thinking I needed to compensate for my normal slice, I decided to line up for a straight shot, and sure enough, the Polara golf ball corrected my slice, almost completely, and the ball flew relatively straight. I couldn’t believe it…it actually works! I finally found a product that actually does what the manufacturer claims it will do! After hitting a few more drives, with some of the different clubs they had on hand, I noticed that using a higher lofted driver gave me a better ball flight and the most distance. Dr. Felker explained that a higher loft driver works best with
the Polara golf ball because of its low lift and reduced drag characteristics. You also want to make sure that you have the alignment arrow on the ball pointed towards the target. For me, with this new Polara ball, that will be the fairway! What does this mean to recreational golfers like me? Well, it means we can enjoy the game more, and it will speed up play because we won’t be searching for lost balls in the water or the woods or the next fairway over. I guess I can leave my ball retriever at home. We can finally learn to play golf from the short grass, because that’s where our
drives will land from now on. What a concept- playing from the fairway - the correct fairway! I think the Polara Self-Correcting golf ball is going to change the game of golf for the recreational golfer…that’s how effective this technology is. There are two types of Polara self correcting balls available; the 2-piece Ultimate Straight and the 3-piece Ultimate Straight XS for extra spin available at www.polaragolf.com or call 866-556-3100. Save Your Game– Buy Polara. What can you lose— certainly not your balls.
22 Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
ot everyone has heard of local up and coming golfer Kevin Streelman, but it is probably worth taking
notice. After finishing third on Tour twice in 2010 and recently signing with Wilson Golf, Streelman is poised for greatness. Although he may have just appeared on the radar in the golf world, Streelman is quick to let you know he worked long and hard to get the recognition he is receiving.
Streelman grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and excelled in sports other than golf. It wasn’t until high school that he took a look at the game and started showing some strong results in national junior tournaments. This got college coaches taking notice and Streelman chose Duke
University. As with many youth, college is the place to find out who you are and who your passions are. Streelman was no different. By the end of his college career, he was captain of the team and a contender is many national collegiate events. As fate would have it, he played a round with PGA Tour Professional
(and Duke Alumnus) Joe Ogilvie. With Ogilvie’s help, he persuaded Streelman to give golf a serious try. After graduating in 2001, Streelman borrowed his mother’s Altima and started his golf career at the 2001 Dakota’s Tour in South Dakota. This is where most would expect to hear, ‘the rest is history.’ But Streelman struggled the next 6 years, burning out 3 different cars, crossing the country several times, duped by a supposed sponsor, and missing the final stage of q school by one shot—twice! Kevin would later term these years as some of the greatest, most educational times of his life. Not one to give up, Streelman found gradual improvement and in 2007, it paid off by winning his PGA Tour card through q school. His rookie year was exciting and eventful with 4 top-ten finishes and a 35th place in the FedEx Cup. In 2009, Streelman won the Kodak Challenge and continued to improve his standing with 7 top-ten finishes in 2010 and a 25th place ranking in the FedEx Cup. Streelman is grounded and grateful. He has learned the importance of his family and faith. After signing with Wilson, he said, “You can’t say enough about the history of Wilson Golf and what the company has meant to the game. I look forward to great success in the future while playing the Wilson Staff FG Tour irons and am proud to represent a company with such a great legacy.” Streelman lives in Scottsdale with his wife and dog, Snoop. AZ Golf Central caught up with him right after the Masters.
How was it playing in your first Masters? Amazing! It was extremely special to be able to share the experience with my entire family. We had both of our
parents there, my brother, sister-in-law, sister, brother-in-law, tons of friends,
and our dog, Snoop! It was a week I will never forget.
What makes Arizona special for you to call it home? I love the weather.
Winter, which happens to be our only downtime, is incredible.
The summers are tough, but we are mostly gone during the difficult months on the Tour, so we get to pretty much
cherry pick the good months of the year! Plus the golf, people, food,
and sunsets are awesome. I also love Whisper Rock! If there was one thing you could change about the game of golf what would
it be? The use of spikes on the PGA Tour. Who was your mentor growing up? My father.
What’s the most played song on your Ipod? “You Are More” by Tenth Avenue North Why Wilson Golf as your club of choice? I love the look and feel of the irons and wedges. Plus, they are a Chicago based company which is where I am from. The people are great and work extremely hard to make the product match my preferences.
What is one thing that you want your fans to know about you that they might not already know? That I have worked extremely hard for everything I have accomplished. After graduating from Duke, I spent 6 years on the mini tours working my tail off to get to where I am today. That included over 350,000 miles of driving, working as outside service at Kierland, caddying up at Whisper Rock. I was willing to do anything to save up a few dollars to continue to improve as a golfer and give myself a chance to make it on the PGA Tour. After successfully qualifying on my 6th trip to Q School, I had truly achieved my dream. Now, I am just trying to improve every day, both on the course and off. The further along in this journey I have traveled, the less important golf has become, and the more important my family and my faith have grown.
tour p
rofile Kevin is Forging
His Own Path on PGA Tour
N
Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
celeb
rity c
orner
omedian Ron “Tater Salad” White is best known as the cigar smoking, scotch drinking funnyman from the
“Blue Collar Comedy” phenomenon. But with two Grammy nominations, a Gold Record, three of the top rated one-hour TV specials in Comedy Central history, a book that appeared on the New York Times Best Seller List, and CD and DVD sales of over 10 Million units, Ron has established himself as a star in his own right. Over the past 5 years he has been one of the top 3 grossing comedians on tour in the United States.
How often do you play golf? About 4 times a week. Both on tour, and when I am at home in Montecito, CA or Atlanta.
What is your favorite charity to sup-port? The Armed Forces Foundation www.armedforcesfoundation.org. I just did a benefit show for them, at the Grand Ole Opry.
What clubs are in your golf bag? TaylorMade
What is your handicap? 12
What is your favorite golf tournament to play in? Bob Hope
Fantasy foursome? My dad, Arnold Palmer, Jack and Tiger
Best round? 78
They Call Him Tater Salad
Ron White’s 10 Tips for Enjoying Golf1. Never play completely sober… never. But you knew that.
2. Know where the drink cart girl is at all times. Better yet just ride with the drink cart girl. Tip big!
3. Use cigar as alignment aid whenever possible.
4. After peeing in the woods, always shake with glove hand. Better yet, have drink cart girl shake for you. Bonus tip: note which way wind is blowing your stream.
5. Never play alone; it leads to questions.
6. Play ready golf. You’re not Tiger Woods, this ain’t the Masters, and I got a drink cart girl to find.
7. Hit till you’re happy on the first, tenth and eighteenth tees. No questions asked.
8. As comfortable as it may look, the green is not a good place for a siesta.
9. Make caddy hold any illegal substance you would normally carry in your man-bag.
10. Only practice short game if out of weed or need to get away from Mrs.
C
24
s u n p r o t e c t i o n – a way o f l i v i n g ™s k i n c a n c e r. o r g
© 2010 The Skin Cancer Foundat ion Campaign created by Laughl in Constable , www. laughl in .com
Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
featur
e
26
he approach, the lineup, the swing, the follow-through—all part of the art form we know
as Golf. But did you ever stop to think about how much more golf can offer to the art world? AZ Golf Central Magazine took an afternoon to visit a local art fair and see what the artists are thinking about the players. What we found were some interesting, unique and quality products that every avid golfer should consider for their collection.
Brad Van Anderson, BVA Designs Brad Anderson’s imagination conducts him to create a modern, natural, usefulness out of old, retired clubs. Hand picked, every part of the clubs become one reused, recreated piece of art. He tries to incorporate the environment the objects came from in
his art and always make them useful. The result is a constant uniqueness and beauty. BVA Designs are dedicated to cleaning up the earth one piece of junk at a time. Anderson’s grandparents lived on a golf course, so “we hunted balls like it was a daily Easter. Then we would run out and play a few holes in the evening dusk. Of course living in Montana doesn’t equate into ton of golf for us as we only have one month of summer in between winters. When my parents started the winter move to the Phoenix area and my visits to them became more frequent, so did the idea of bringing some of my art down here. When I think of Arizona, I think of 2 things--golf and saguaros.” Golf clubs are a piece of art themselves. The Sam Snead’s, Hogan wedges, and almost all of the cast clubs carry their very own unique character and some even tell a story. Anderson enjoys seeing those clubs and wondering how many times did that head make a 180 arc around some old duff or which ones were beat against the gravel walkway because of a misplaced shot. He welcomes these beautiful and interesting clubs into his workshop, then cuts them and recycles them into something new, useful and interesting. “You need approximately 250 clubs
for one cactus. Out of those 250, you cut off probably 80% of the heads. I couldn’t throw those away. So, until just this last month I had been tripping over all those leftover heads. Not anymore! Let’s make them into bottle openers, I thought! I’ll
cut out a church key with the plasma cutter. Fine tune my slag with a carbide cutter, a little hand filing and polishing and you’ve got a unique one of kind piece of art that is functional as well. “ “You have no idea how many times I hear about the clubs holed up in garage, incapable of being thrown them away and the wife not letting them be framed in a shadow box in the living room. What are you going to ever do with them? Why not turn them into a wine
Golfis anArt Form
Brad Van Anderson, whose artwork is featured on our coverBrad Van Anderson, whose artwork is featured on our cover
Cindy Wolfe
Brad Van Anderson
T
27Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
rack, a sculpture of your family pet, bottle openers, lamp shade, or even a flower boutique for the misses?” Anderson’s work can be seen at www.bvadesign.com.
Cindy Wolfe, CWolfe Designs! CWolfe Designs! feature the exclusive works of artist Cindy Wolfe. Cindy was born in the Northeast, raised in the deep South, graduated from college in Texas and presently lives in Niwot, Colorado. Her art reflects her background of living throughout America and her love of sports, the outdoors and America along with her fun, casual personality. “I try to make all my art fun, colorful and affordable.” All of her work is highly unique and each piece involves a great deal of care and handcrafting in its creation. “I enjoy creating art using different materials. My art celebrates our American culture, and I try to do it in a way that people find unique and memorable.” “Several years ago, after playing literally the last round of golf of the season with her family at a Colorado mountain course, the pro shop offered to give her a huge bucket of soon-to-be-discarded range balls. Always on the lookout for interesting subjects to use in her art, she began formulating the concept that became Pars & Stripes. The response to Pars & Stripes has been tremendous. It has been on display at several Parade of Homes, featured in Colorado’s Avid Golfer magazine, and won the People’s Choice Award at the
Up…Fore…Art! Summer Art Festival in Tacoma, Washington in 2009 (a festival that kicked off Tacoma’s hosting of the US Open in 2015 at Chamber’s Bay).” All of her artwork is available at her website, www.CWolfeDesigns.com.
Richard Curtner, Curtner Art Painters have their color palette, but Palm Springs artist Richard Curtner has filing folders in a portable plastic file box. He has found his niche in textual (word) collage- portraits and landscapes created from magazine clippings of written text. Instead of paint tubes, Curtner scours file folders labeled “Green,” “Red,” “Gold,” etc. The artist’s challenge is not mixing colors to get the right shade, but to find the right shade- as well as the right
words- to match his theme. He takes everyday moments or everyday objects, and, with the word collage adds another dimension to them. As long as he can remember he’s had either an artist brush or colored pencil in his hand. Since childhood he’s always been fascinated by art in its many forms. For many years Curtner dedicated himself to oil paintings. But along with his great love of art he also had a love for the literary arts, (poetry, short stories, etc.) and was seeking for a way to incorporate both into one single art form. Thus, Richard Curtner created the self-developed new art medium- “textual collage”(or word collage). Curtner has been working in this medium for 13 years now, and over the years it has gotten more intricate and more detailed. He has been able to perfect his technique and also discover ways to delay the aging process. All the hundreds of cut-outs that are combined to form the visual image are all cut free hand with an x-acto knife--no paint is involved and no computer manipulation is used. “I have named my art medium ‘word collage’ or ‘textual collage’. That best describes it. In examining “4” (the golf piece), I have created a stunning visual image with movement, but it is more than that. There is the literal story within the artwork. You learn more about the golfer as you start to read the individual cut-outs. You learn he has 8 more holes to go, you learn he has a great passion for the game, and you also learn he has a great desire to perfect his sport. You get another dimension to the artwork by reading the phrases and words with the art piece.” Curtner’s artwork can be found at www.curtnerartcom.
Brad Van Anderson, whose artwork is featured on our coverBrad Van Anderson, whose artwork is featured on our cover
Richard Curtner–his art is featured on our cover
Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 428
swing
thou
ghts
By Dr. Bob Winters
Putting with aChild-like Attitude
The Eyes Have It!
In last month’s Arizona Golf Central, I addressed the issue about how golfers can use their minds to putt their very best. In keeping with that vein of thinking, I want you to realize that although our mind is still our greatest computer and we are constantly learning new things about how to utilize our innate genius, the secret to awesome putting begins with how to use your eyes effectively. That is, your visual system is the primary sensory system that directs your body
towards sending your ball to the hole
and by using your eyes to their fullest
potential; you will start to putt with
the freedom of a little kid......without
the fear of missing and doubting your
ability! Let me explain.
First, any putt that you stroke begins
with an awareness that originates
within the visual system. Great
putting is about making clear decisions
and being able to stroke your ball on
the correct line with the right speed or
pace. This blend of mental processing
and trusting your eyes is crucial for
great putting. As with the best putters
on tour, you must learn to read greens
well, see your line clearly, and trust
what your eyes tell you before you step
into the address position and stroke
the ball. This is because putting is
essentially a visual and fine-motor
task. Your eyes provide you with the majority of vital information that predominately drives your body’s motor system. The impulse your eyes provide to your brain transmits the feeling impulse to your hands and fingers. What most people do not realize is that your eyes provide
you with over 85% of all the sensory information which directs your golf and putting performance!
Young Golfers Look and React!It is also vital that you realize that your eyes lead your body and not that your body leads your eyes. That is, you need to look at where you want the ball to roll before you stroke it. If you stroked your putt before you knew where you wanted the ball to go, then your chances of being successful are slim and none! This may be one reason that when young children start out playing golf they are basically very good putters. They merely look at where they want the ball to go and then react to that target image. Children make a choice to see where they want their ball to go and trust their athletic genius to fill in the missing links. By focusing their attention to the cup, the ball is started on a path that is going to a specific target.....on a line to the hole! By seeing where they want the ball to go, they have given themselves a finishing point for where they want to send their ball! Putting in this way keeps the whole process quite simple. Also, when young children putt, there usually isn’t any excessive thought about distance judgment, mechanics or stroke analysis. Their minds are uncluttered with thoughts of score, results or what people will think of them if they miss. They merely go with the visual signal that they see with their eyes. They trust what their eyes see in the external world. Their entire thought process is: here is my ball…I see where the hole is and where I want my ball to go… now, let’s roll it
into the cup! What a simple, yet great way to approach putting!
Not Seeing Enough!The trouble most poor or average golfers have is that they do not use their eyes properly or gain enough reliable information when they are putting. In truth, average or poor putters don’t “see enough” vital information when they are on the green or they don’t trust the information that their eyes provide them. As Hall of Fame Golfer Gary Player states, “You feel a golf course with your eyes. You play golf with your eyes. The average golfer just doesn’t realize this. Your eyes tell you everything about the wind, the greens, everything!” However, you do not have to be a Hall of Fame golfer such as Gary Player or even a touring professional to putt great or read greens well! Sports vision researchers tell us that many touring professionals do have great visual skills, but not any more or less than the average population of normal athletes or everyday people. What the touring professionals do possess is an ability to synthesize this visual information and use it in an efficient manner to help them feel confident about their green reading and the decision about where they want the ball to roll and how hard to hit it. Part of the process in becoming a great putter is learning to see the proper break in the green and putt the ball along that line. The following are a number of important tips that I remind my players when they are having trouble on the green. I know they will work for you as well!
29Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
Not Your Grandfather’s Golf Club
www.oneputtwedge.com
From The Fairway
From The Fringe
From The Sand
Seven Ways to Putt with a “Child-Like” Mind
1. Obtain as much information about the putt as possible by walking around the putt from different angles and seeing where the apex of the break occurs. Remember that your first look or instinctive hunch about where the ball wants to go is usually your best. Sometimes players get too analytical and “psyche” themselves out of the correct line when they had it right the first time they viewed it.
2. Get down low and behind the ball to obtain the best perspective. Four to six feet behind the ball is generally a good distance to obtain the best read. A good example of a Champions Tour player who does this well is Corey Pavin. The next time you watch him on television, notice that he squats down as low as he can so that he can see the undulation and slope of the green more clearly when reading the green. Getting down nice and low gives you a “worm-cam” view that is vital for seeing the correct slope and pitch of the green.
3. When you are standing behind your
ball and about to move into the address position, make a firm decision where you want to start the ball and where it needs to go in order to follow the break into the hole. Commit to this decision and do not alter it when moving into the ball.
4. When moving into the ball, do not lose your perspective when standing up and moving in to address the ball. Stay committed to your “low view” perspective and do not allow yourself to doubt or mistrust your read when above the ball. Staying committed to this perspective is a vital key to making more putts!
5. Aim your putter squarely along your target line and run your eyes up and down the line to gain an appreciation of the total distance the ball needs to travel. Visually tracking the line with your eyes provides you with a stronger visual signal of your ball-line which makes it easier to start your putt on the correct launch point.
6. Upon your last look at the hole or apex spot, move your eyes back to the ball and putt without delay. Most putts are missed due to golfers standing too long over the ball and allowing pressure to
build and their target (or hole) awareness fades.
7. As you watch the ball roll down the putting line remember to hold your finish. If the ball goes into the hole, you have a visual success picture to put into your memory bank. If the putt fails to fall and misses, it becomes vital that you watch what it does as it rolls by the hole. Most short comeback putts are missed due to a golfer not viewing the first putt until it stopped. By watching your putt slide by the hole, you have a better idea of what it will do on the next putt. The key to great putting is to use your eyes effectively and to trust your “read” and feel for the hit of the putt. Instead of thinking about mechanics and results, be a player with a “child-like” approach and just look at the hole and soak up the line with your eyes and then roll your ball on that visual memory. Your chances of rolling the ball into the cup on the line you choose will increase dramatically! May all your putts find the bottom of the cup!
Dr. Bob Winters© Copyright, 2011 Dr. Bob Winters
30
Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!
think
ing of
golf
Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
By Ed Gilbert, Head Thinker
Killing Your Brand Y
ou have spent hundreds of mil-
lions of dollars over an extended
period of time building a brand.
This brand means something when
the words flow from someone’s mouth.
Mercedes Benz. Jaguar. Tiffany. Rolex.
Gucci. Callaway. TaylorMade. People
automatically equate an image to those
commodities.
You could even localize it. Your fa-
vorite restaurant. Your favorite country
club. Your favorite golf
course. Marketing money
is being spent every day
to entice people to pur-
chase something and over
time, the market has built
an image of what those
goods and services offer.
How long does it take to kill a brand?
Not long. Would a prestigious country
club whose initiation fee was $30,000
at its peak have the same prestige at
$3,000? Doubtful. Would a high end au-
tomobile like Mercedes or Jaguar have
the same prestige if you could buy it
under $20,000? Not hardly.
The mentality for many today is to
drop their pants and say: “how much
money do you have? We can make a
deal.” It galls the crap out of me. When
times are tough, you should be spend-
ing more money to take market share
away from your competition. Most will
cut marketing dollars to increase the
bottom line. How is that working out for
you? Dumb.
Don’t prostitute your brand that
you worked so hard to establish. Get
creative. Get professional help. One
very established restaurant marketed a
menu from 20+ years earlier celebrat-
ing their anniversary. They also offered
their regular menu. Smart idea! Food
was ample in portion and consistent
with their quality and reputation. They
did not hurt their brand at all while
maintaining their customer base.
Say you are an established 30 year
old country club known as prestigious
but when the economy falls, you drop
the initiation fee by 80%. I would fire
you. Better to find a way to increase the
benefits to the existing and new mem-
bers then to say to all those that paid at
a higher level, they have been devalued.
Protect the brand at all costs.
One of the things I admire most
about one of the oldest and most pres-
tigious country clubs in all of Central
Florida, Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club
& Lodge never wavered in its desire to
protect the brand and image. No fire
sale initiation fees in a down economy.
They protected the brand and the
value to their existing and potential
member base. That is how it should be
done. They know their market and they
stayed true to that market.
You could say that Bay Hill has an
advantage with Arnold
Palmer’s name and that
has some truth to it. But
when you build a brand
that stands for something
to a particular market,
you are far better off
standing firm than one year you have
changed your demographics and the
next year you change them again. It
could take decades to get back to the
original market you so warmly coveted.
Would you pay $75,000 for a Chevy
Malibu? Not unless you were on crack.
Would Jaguar offer an automobile at
$19,999 brand new? I don’t think so.
Both have an audience they have
established over time and they do a
successful job marketing to their re-
spective established audiences. Don’t
prostitute yourself or your brand. It’s
just not smart.
Don’t prostitute your brand that you worked so hard to establish.
Get creative. Get professional help.
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chick
By Golf Chick
et me start by saying that I have a smartphone, a laptop, a desktop and an IPad. I am connected—for better
or for worse. There isn’t a moment of my life that I can’t be reached by someone looking for me. And there isn’t a moment of my day where I need to worry about not knowing where I am, being able to play Angry Birds, take a photo or tweet to my followers that I just arrived at the golf course. That’s all because our world is saturated with Applications (i.e. APPs) for our handheld devices. Gone are the days of having to stop and ask directions or play tic tac toe on a piece of paper. We don’t have to talk to anyone—we are ‘self-sufficient’ as long as our battery is charged. Some-times, I think this is not necessarily such a good thing; especially at the golf course. I lost count at how many golf APPs are out there. There is an APP (or many
APPs I should say) that GPS track your ball when you can’t find it anymore. There is an APP that gives you all the official rules in case you are in the middle of play and need to know if what you are doing is legal or not. Of course, there are a myriad of APPs that allow you to play golf on your handheld device—certainly not as much fun as the real thing, but I guess there is a time and place for everything. And when you just can’t wait to catch the 5 o’clock news for the latest tournament high-lights, there is an APP that gives you all the latest shots and scores at the touch of a finger. If you can’t afford a coach, there is an APP that will diagnose your swing and tell you how to improve your game. And if that wasn’t enough, the epitome of laziness APP will fill out your scorecard for you because you can’t take the time to write it down yourself with a pencil. The only APP I haven’t seen yet is the one that fills out your
foursome and plays the shots for the other three players. Wouldn’t that just be the end all in self-sufficiency? One can argue that golf is a solitary game—it’s just you and your ball. There is no one to thank or blame once you swing through. But if that was really true, we wouldn’t play golf in twosomes, foursomes or tournaments and have caddies now would we? After all, some of the best parts of playing golf are the camaraderie, the side bet and the chit chat. While there might be an APP for that, I just don’t think a software pro-gram can ever replace a human. Don’t get me wrong, I have a few of these golf APPs myself and some of them are pretty cool and have come in handy. But I still want a human coach to help diagnose my swing and a human partner to help me find my way-ward ball or suggest a mulligan. Call me crazy, but I kinda like humans in the game of golf.
There’s an APP for that!
Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 432
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Gone are the days of having to stop and ask directions or play tic tac toe on a piece of paper. We don’t have to talk to any-one—we are ‘self-sufficient’
as long as our battery is charged.
Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 434
Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!
wome
n in g
olf
andy LaBauve has golf in her blood—literally. LaBauve’s family is full of golf professionals like father
Jack Lumpkin, husband Mike LaBauve, brother Jay Lumpkin and brother-in-law Eric Smith as well as two aspiring golfing daughters, Lindy and Kristi. Her teaching and career accomplishments read like a laundry list of rightly placed accolades, most of them related to teaching. LaBauve is not just a professional, she is a teacher. She exhibits a passion for teaching students of all ages and currently shares her passion with her husband as the Head Teaching Professional at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, AZ. LaBauve has been voted as one of the top 100 Instructors in the Country by Golf Magazine from 1991-2010 and was inducted into the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame in November 2010. But one of her greatest contributions to women’s golf is being Founder and Creative Consultant for the LPGA Junior Girls Golf Club. According to LaBauve, ‘This program is designed to help girls learn the game and explore competition in a non-threatening environment. We have expanded into 47 other areas across the country. We are also conducting programs in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.’ Do you have a favorite course here
in the valley? I love to play the Westin Kierland Golf Club. I think it is set up great for women. It’s pretty and you have to hit lots of fun short game shots. The greens are good and there is an assortment of tees to choose from, so you can create your own test of golf. Who was your mentor growing up? I have had lots of mentors in the game. My mom and dad brought me into the game. My dad, Jack Lumpkin, is a Teaching Professional. My mom was not but she loved the game. She started the Georgia State Junior Girls Golf Association. I modeled LPGA USGA Girls Golf after many of the programs she started. My husband, Mike LaBauve, has always supported me and helped me grow as a teacher. Kerry Graham helped motivate me to start LPGA USGA Girls Golf. Jim Hardy has also been a big influence on my teaching career.
What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy foursome? The three people I would most like to play with are my husband Mike and two daughters. That might not seem like a big deal but it is hard to do these days. My husband and I are always working and don’t get to play much. Our oldest daughter Lindy is away in college at LSU. She plays golf for them and now lives in Baton Rouge. I have not played with her in a year. Our younger daughter, Kristi, just plays for fun. She makes us all laugh
and reminds us to not take this game too seriously. When it comes to the game what do you see as the future? I think the game will keep growing and more women and juniors will play. Equipment keeps advancing and teaching is getting more athletic. The
athletic approach helps students use what they already know and apply it to golf. The social networks will continue to advance and there will be more and more instruction on the Internet. We just need to keep making golf affordable. If you could change one thing about the game of golf or the industry today, what would it be? The aspect that I would change is I would make 9-hole rounds more acceptable. I know it is hard from a business perspective, but golf takes a lot of time. I think more people would play if it didn’t take so much time and if the costs were
lower. 9-hole golf would address both challenges. What is your favorite tournament on the PGA tour? My favorite tournament is the Masters. That is golf at its finest! What is the most favorite club in your bag? My favorite club is my 5 hybrid. I love the rescues clubs. I think they have changed the game and are the solution for anyone who struggles with long irons. My 5 hybrid is my go to club!! Every woman should have one!
Sandy LaBauve
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Photos by Dave Schibel
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36 Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
very once in a while, everyone wants to experience the best
life has to offer. Whether it’s touring the desert in a Bentley Arnage, enjoying a prime filet at Donovan’s Steakhouse, marking time on your Tag Heuer Link, sleeping in the rich comfort of a Four Seasons Resort, or sharing a cart and a round of golf at Troon North, the finest golf club in Arizona, every once in a while you simply deserve to experience the best. Those of you who are visiting the Valley of the Sun probably already have a round or two at Troon North on your agenda, but what truly astounds me is how many local residents I’ve met over the years who have playing a round of golf at Troon North on their “must play someday before I die” list – but they still haven’t played either course! My hope is that after reading this review they’ll understand why it makes so much sense to get out and play Troon North as soon as they can – and to continue to come back for another round at least once a year for the rest of their lives. The Troon North experience starts as you’re driving north from the heart of the Valley. Once you pass the perimeter of the 101 Freeway heading north on either Pima or Scottsdale Road you’ll
notice how quickly the city turns into the country, and you’ll notice the giant spire of Pinnacle Peak soaring to the sky up ahead and to the right. That’s your target, as Troon North is carved into the natural ravines and rollicking desert just north of the inspirational tower, on the north side of Dynamite Road. You might notice the directional monument with the giant Horned Toad carved into its face at the corner of Pima and Dynamite, with “Troon North” posted right beside the modern iconic petroglyph. The Horned Toad is Troon North’s mascot, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll see it throughout your Troon North experience. If you’re really sharp, you might even see one or two of the wild lizards sunning themselves as you pass by or explore the desert in search of a
wayward ball. You’ll almost always see some of the many native animal species that make the spacious and scenic desert surrounding Troon North home, including bobcat, coyotes, javalina, rabbits, eagle, hawks, and many more. In fact, the last two times I played Troon North I was treated to two of the closest encounters I’ve ever had with a bobcat, including one late afternoon display of hunting prowess unlike anything I’ve ever personally witnessed, with a hungry bobcat taking less
than five minutes to appear, track down an unsuspecting rabbit, sneak up to within 30 feet of it, spring forward with astounding speed, catch it, and saunter back to its den with a fine fresh feast in its jaws. I’m not guaranteeing you’ll get to experience anything like that on your next visit to Troon North, but I do guarantee that if you ever do experience anything like that you’ll remember it the rest of your life. Speaking of memories that will last the rest of your life, the golf experience at Troon North is the highest rated in Arizona, and among the best in the world. There are two fantastic 18 hole courses at Troon North, the Monument and the Pinnacle. Those of you who have the time should make a point of
Photos and Story by Keith James
playing both courses, because between them they have held the distinction as the #1 rated course in Arizona for most of the years since 1990.The Pinnacle/Monument combo is impossible to beat. Both courses were designed by the legendary Tom Weiskopf, whose excellent career spent hitting golf balls on the PGA Tour has been exceeded by what he’s been able to create on the design side of golf. One of Tom’s strengths is his ability to sculpt a course into a blank canvas of land so seamlessly that it seems as though the land was created just for his courses. Such is the case at Troon North, especially since he was able to return to the land in the summer of 2007, during which time he rerouted a few of the holes to create two perfectly matched, yet very different courses that flow even better than the original routing, turning two great courses into perfection. The Monument course was the original course at Troon North, opening in 1990 and redefining an entire industry. Our advice is to put both courses at the top of your “must play” list this year. As the largest golf course management company in the world, Troon Golf, has courses located in 32 states and 29 countries around the globe. Prior to Troon North there was a huge distinction and difference between the private country clubs and the typical public golf courses serving golfers, especially in America. Private clubs usually offered much better layouts, superior conditions, more dramatic or impressive clubhouses, and a more personal and prestigious experience. Troon North opened to wide acclaim, and created a “Member for a Day” experience that surpassed anything that had ever been offered by a public club. The idea caught on fast, and the “Daily Fee” or premium public course quickly became the preferred type of new course for many developers, helping to spur the gigantic
explosion in growth that golf has enjoyed during the last decade of the 20th century. The premium service and impeccable grooming of Troon North created the perfect environment for high-end business deals to be formulated, discussed and culminated without the commitment of joining a private club, and I’m certain that hundreds of deals worth millions of dollars have been sealed along the scenic fairways of both courses over the years. Such is the power of experiencing the best! The Pinnacle course, opening six years after the Monument, established this new level of excellence in public golf, and together, the Monument and the Pinnacle have brought a prestige and awareness to Scottsdale and desert golf that was hard to imagine before the creation of Troon North. Troon North has continued to set the standard by which all other premium courses are measured across the globe, and stands as the beacon for which all other Troon Golf managed courses must aim. This high standard has helped to make Troon Golf what it is, the best golf course management company on earth. As the top rated public golf facility in Arizona, you would expect Troon North to offer an exceptional clubhouse with every amenity a golfer would want, and you’d be right. The 37,000 square foot clubhouse features an exceptional pro shop filled
with a huge assortment of the finest men’s and women’s golf apparel, most of which is embroidered with the distinctiveTroon North Horned Toad logo. Other amenities include huge locker rooms for both men and women complete with personal lockers, showers, toiletries, reading lounges and more, shoe shining services, several sizes of private meeting rooms, a fabulous restaurant overlooking the practice green and18th hole of the
Pinnacle course. The restaurant is open to the public, and is called The Dynamite Grille, either because the club is located along Dynamite Blvd., or because they serve the most dynamite sliders on earth! Golfers of all abilities will also want to take advantage of Troon North’s state of the art Callaway Performance Center, which is one of only a handful of the ultra high-tech club fitting facilities Callaway has allowed to be built. This facility allows Troon North’s trained professionalsto work with you to determine the absolute best fitting club for your swing and size, and then they can actually make those clubs exactly to your specs and have them ready to go within a few hours. It’s a comprehensive process that takes about an hour and a half, but it can literally change your golf game forever, making the game much more manageable and satisfying for any level of golfer. I mentioned at the start of this review, we all deserve to experience the best life has to offer, and when it comes to golf in Arizona, Troon North is the best. Make plans now, whether it’s for your birthday, your anniversary (especially if your spouse plays golf), a friend’s big day, a business deal you’re trying to close, or just because you get to spend the day playing golf, to experience the best golf Arizona has to offer. www.troonnorthgolf.com.
37Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
Practice now. Birdie later.
P g a t o u r s u p e r s t o r e . c o m
tour Quality. Expert advice.
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Practice now. Birdie later.
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tour Quality. Expert advice.
PGA TOUR Superstore is proud to have the widest selection ofgolf and tennis equipment, apparel and footwear, but that is only the beginning. our indoor training facilities get you out of the heat and keep your game sharp:
• On-S i te P rac t i ce H i t t ing Bays• Ch ipp ing and Putt ing A reas• Go l f and Tenn is P ros on Staf f• H igh-Tech Swing S imulato rs• CustomC lub and Ba l l F i t t ings and Lessons• On-S i te C lub Mak ing and Repa i r• P laye rs C lub P lus fo r Go l f
C h a n d l e R 480.214.4370 2031 N. arizona avenue Chandler,AZ85225
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Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 440
rank Lloyd Wright and Albert Chase McArthur, the Arizona Biltmore’s famous architects,
are more than just the namesakes for Frank & Albert’s. The passion and artistry they poured into creating the resort was the inspiration for the menu that was “architected” (their word) by Executive Chef Todd Sicolo and Executive Sous Chef Conor Favre. Their menu offers an abundance of seemingly traditional favorites, but the Arizona Comfort Foods and American Classics are anything but traditional. They have been reinvented with creative twists and surprise ingredients that splash the dishes with new flavors and imbue them with their own personality. The result is food that is satisfying, as traditional favorites should be, but also mouth-watering and adventurous, with more than a little culinary bling. They are healthier than the originals, too, prepared with hormone-free meats, olive oil instead of butter, no trans fats, and the freshest fruits and vegetables – organic whenever possible – procured from specialty farms and growers. Seasonality is the key word because the menu is reworked four times a year to reflect the best available foods in each season. With two chefs, not to mention two architects, it was inevitable that Frank & Albert’s would feature multiple signature dishes. Meat Loaf, one of the star dishes, is prepared two ways: with homemade butter-whipped potatoes, crispy onion rings and garlicky spinach, or with pancetta, stewed white beans and natural reduction.
The grouper is crisped in Queen Creek Olive Oil and served with organic spinach, duck-fat poached potatoes and Arizona orange reduction. The “Desert Flats” are flatbreads topped with one-of-kind combinations and baked in the oven. The Chicken & Goat Cheese flat features Arizona figs, Black Mesa Ranch goat cheese and red onion marmalade; Chicory &
Speck combines lemon white bean hummus, roasted cherry tomatoes and shaved Pecorino cheese. Other sizzlingly delicious options are the specialties cooked on the wood-fired rotisserie, such as the Spit Fire Lemon Chicken. An absolute favorite is the seasonal ravioli – the butternut squash ones are tantalizingly accented with currents, ginger brown butter and sage. Frank & Albert’s reveal its personality immediately with the starters. The Organic Celery Caesar Salad is made with julienned celery and root stalks, rather than romaine lettuce, adding an intensely flavored crunch to an old favorite. The tomato soup is prepared with smoked tomatoes, plus soft whipped cream and chive oil. Most golfers make their way to Frank & Albert’s after 18 holes on either the Links Course or the Adobe Course. But a well kept secret is that it’s a great place to start the day before teeing off. Breakfast is far from typical with everything from organic fruits and made-from-scratch donuts and muffins, to creative waffle combinations, build-your-own omelets and even breakfast pizzas.
Frank & Albert’sArizona Biltmore2400 E. Missouri, PhoenixChoice of seating indoors or al fresco on the patio.Reservations suggested: 602-381-7632 http://www.frankandalberts.com/
19th
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Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 442
Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!
produ
ct rev
iew
➊ Abacus Carlo Polo Swedish apparel maker, Abacus, markets and sells leisure clothing with golf at the heart of its inspiration. The company’s collections combine functionality, design, and quality in a way that has given Abacus a very strong international presence in just a few years.
The Abacus Carlo is a sporty, functional men’s polo in a bamboo charcoal/polyester Drycool blend. The combination of micro polyester and bamboo charcoal transfers moisture from the skin to the outer surface and quickly evaporates. The material keeps your body warm and maintains body temperature. The Carlo is fashionable with a striped patterned fabric in similar shades. For more information on Abacus apparel, call Caulfeild apparel at (800) 268-7939.
➌ Datrek® Catalina On the heels of introducing a full line of men’s bags in 2010, Datrek, a Division of Dynamic Brands and an industry leader in golf bags, recently debuted the Catalina cart bag, the first women’s specific model in the Datrek collection since the brand was acquired by Dynamic Brands. The Catalina’s abundance of design features offer golfers the ultimate in functionality, style and organization. The fashionable new bag is equipped with a 10-inch 14-way top with individual full length dividers; seven pockets, including a fleece-lined valuables pocket and insulated cooler pocket; external putter clip; dual apparel pockets with an interior mesh organizer pocket; embroiderable oversized front ball pocket; premium DG interior lining in storage compartments; towel ring; external tee holders; Velcro® glove holder; umbrella holder; and matching rain hood. The Catalina comes in an assortment of dazzling color combinations including fuchsia/silver, purple/silver, lime green/silver, light blue/silver and black/silver, and has an SRP of $139.95. The Catalina is now available at golf shops nationwide.
➋ Jack BlackIntroducing a sunscreen that won’t budge – no matter how hard you play. Jack Black’s new Sun Guard Sunscreen SPF 45 is an oil-free, very water and sweat resistant, vitamin-enriched lotion that won’t run or drip into your eyes. The quick-absorbing formula with exceptional stay-ing power makes it a must-have accessory for sports professionals and weekend warriors. Singlehandedly raising the bar for waterproof sunscreens, Jack Black provides superior broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection in an oil-free formula that is fragrance-free, colorant-free and dermatologist tested. Sun Guard Sunscreen SPF 45 stays on in the most extreme conditions, so nothing gets in the way of your outdoor performance. The PureScience® formula locks in nature’s best - using healing botanicals, vitamins and certified organic ingredients and formulated without parabens, sulfates, fragrance or colorants. Products are cruelty-free, vegan and dermatologist-tested. Availability: Sun Guard Sunscreen SPF 45 is available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Sephora.com, Saks Fifth Avenue and at www.getjackblack.com.
➍ Wilson Staff Travel Gear Wilson Staff has introduced its new line of durable travel gear to fit with any golfer’s travel plans. The line of gear includes a full-sized wheel duffel bag, overnight bag, rolling golf club travel cover, back pack, and shoe bag. The travel gear comes in the distinctive Wilson Staff red color with the iconic Wilson Staff logo, and is made with 1680 D polyester material with excellent tensile and tear-resistant strength. The full travel gear line includes:• Wheel bag features large inside pocket, two side pockets, and a top pocket with retractable handle (34.5” x 16.5” x 13”)• Overnight bag features large inside pocket, two side pockets, and a top pocket with a padded shoulder strap (20” x 11.5” x 8.75”)• Golf club travel bag fits carry and cart golf bags (up to 9”) with its easy-to-wheel design to protect precious golf clubs during travel. It also has two exterior buckle closures to ensure security (54” x 15.75” x 14.625”)• Double shoulder-strap back pack features abundant space with a built-in laptop pocket and file section (17.5” x 12.5” x 9”)• Shoe bag protects shoes during travel and allows for quick and easy storage(13.5”x 8.75” x 4.8”) Visit www.wilsonstaff.com or call 773.714.6400 for more information.
Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 444
pring has sprung and there is no better time to be out on the course. AZ Golf Central Magazine Publisher,
Jason Keesling, recently participated in a charity tournament at the Wigwam Resort. I figured if he could do it, then so can I. So, with clubs and Claritin-D in hand, I approached my tee time at the Patriot Course (formerly known as the Blue Course). The Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa in Litchfield, northwest of Phoenix, features 3 championship courses (Blue, Gold, Red). Since my favorite color is Blue, it was a no-brainer. I booked one of their enticing stay and play packages and made sure that I had a relaxing massage scheduled shortly after my 18 holes of golf. The upscale accommodations, full service Red Door Spa and classic dining experiences are exactly what this hacker looks for. The golf club underwent a 5 million dollar renovation in 2005 and restored the grandeur of the original Blue and Gold signature Robert Trent Jones Sr. courses. In addition, they added one of the southwest’s premier practice facilities, called Wigwam Golf University. Included within is a Jim McLean Golf School, a 350 foot wide duel ended driving range, target greens and three separate greens for putting, chipping and pitching. The state of the art facility is among the largest in Arizona and has been dubbed the “Village Green”. Those of you who follow me regularly know that I like to start my golf day in the clubhouse and restaurant. What better way to get in the mood than to shop some of the finest in golf apparel and equipment and then partake in nourishment to sustain my challenge ahead. The Wigwam did not disappoint. I have heard about the Patriot/Blue Course before, so I knew my day would be interesting. While the course plays to just over 6000 yards and par 70, the layout is known to be challenging, with deep and perilous bunkers, strategic water hazards and many doglegs. The renovations by Arizona architect Forrest Richardson changed hole number 5 into a par five and created new designs for
holes 14 through 18. It quickly became clear that the Patriot Course is anything but a desert course. It’s so green and the holes are very close together with some fairways running parallel, providing plenty of margin for error. I was thinking this was a course I could possibly master. Well, it’s not. This is a course where strategy and management are key to a low score. Somewhere between the greens of the 10th and the tee box of the 11th, I noticed a twist. The course started to take on a new character—best described as unconventional or quirky. First, starting with the 11th, there are five straight holes all under 330 yards from the back tees. It gave me time to spend with some of my more neglected clubs and practice my finesse more than my power. It’s a place where you feel compelled to try shots you never have before. Right in the middle of all the short par 4s, I am greeted with a longer par 3 (218 yards) on the 13th. And then the 14th has the green reachable but tucked
away behind big bunkers. This is where some of that risk, assessment and strategy comes in. Next, the signature 15th hole greets me—a short par 3 of just 140-yards to an island green. Yes, that’s right, an island green on a par 3. “Put water around the green and golfers tend to freak out,” Wigwam Director of Golf Craig Allen said. It’s an awfully small green for an island, but then again, this isn’t your ordinary course. Obviously, my goal was to not make a splashdown either by using too little or too much club. This is a fun hole—at least that is what they tell me. I am proud to say that I actually hit the mark and didn’t have to go swimming for my golf ball. And that in itself is fun for me. The par 4 16th hole demands a bit more as you traverse your shot over a canal off the tee and avoid the trees and bunkers greenside. The 17th was built as a mirror image of the famous 16th at Augusta and proved to be another wicked little par 3. I counted 70 sand bunkers at the Wigwam Patriot Course (bet you didn’t think I could count that high, huh?). There are also water hazards on 7 different holes. Overall, this course is a challenge and aesthetically pleasing. Although a short course, Trent Jones made up for any ease of score by forcing this duffer to hit shots into small spots. But, if being forced to make shots and play a more subtle game is what you are looking for, then the Patriot Course should be on your bucket list. For more information, visit www.wigwamresort.com.
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Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 446
he Southwest Section PGA
announced that BlueWater Resort
& Casino is the title sponsor of the
2011 BlueWater Resort & Casino PRO-
PRO event on July 25-26 at Emerald
Canyon Golf Course in Parker, Arizona.
Tina Lynn Holt is in charge of sales
and advertising at BlueWater. “The
resort has had a great relationship
over the years with SWSPGA.
The opportunity to rekindle that
relationship by sponsoring this
PRO-PRO tournament and also raise
money for the Southwest Section PGA
Foundation at the same time was the
perfect opportunity,” Holt said.
BlueWater Resort & Casino has
always had great relationships with the
local golf community. The facility offers
preferred tee’s times with Emerald
Canyon Golf Course and customizes
packages to meet each individual or
golf group needs. “We can include
planned food and beverage packages
with golf groups that book 10 or more
rooms,” Holt said. “Each of the 200
guest rooms has a memorable view
of the Whipple Mountains and the
Colorado River.”
Dining at BlueWater Resort & Casino
is a matter of personal preference.
There’s fine dining in the River
Willow, buffet or casual dining in the
BlueWater Grille & Buffet, patio dining
at the River’s Edge Cantina or a quick
bite at the River Walk Bakery or Snack
Bar.
BlueWater also offers exciting
gaming action with Slots, Poker, Bingo
and Blackjack. Guests who become a
member of the VIP club during their
stay at BlueWater Resort & Casino
receive $10 of Free Slot Play along
with discounts to food & beverage and
special room offers.
Other amenities include a water
park with water-slide and Jacuzzi,
entertainment nightly in the Dig
Lounge, a business center, wireless
Internet in each guest room, beach and
island access from your guest room,
and a 164 slip marina that includes free
electricity and fresh water. Should your
golf group decide to have a get together
BlueWater offers 8,000 square feet of
meeting space with on-site catering.
Holt suggests planning a golf outing
when one of their many headline
entertainers is onsite.
Recently, the BlueWater Resort &
Casino came under new management
with Art Navarro serving as General
Manager. Navarro, an avid golfer,
is planning many great events and
promotions for the Blue Water Resort &
Casino.
“BlueWater Resort & Casino looks
forward to a long relationship with
the SWSPGA,” Holt said. “We love’s our
golfers and are delighted to be the title
sponsor and official host property for
tournament.”
“It is great to have BlueWater
Resort & Casino back into our family
of Sponsors,” said Vito Berlingeri,
Marketing Director of the Southwest
Section PGA. Parker, AZ is such a great
place for the family to kick back and
relax and to have our Pro Pro-golf
event on a great golf course – Emerald
Canyon!
For more information, email Tina
Holt at [email protected].
By Vito BerlingeriSouthwest Section PGA
BlueWater Resort & Casino Sponsors Southwest Section PGA
T
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Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 448
youn
g gun
s
eter Kyo Won Koo of Chandler recently took top honors at the 2011 Thunderbird Invitational at Papago
Golf Course in Phoenix. The 36-hole event is jointly run by the Thunderbirds and the Junior Golf Association of Arizona. The field included 60 of the top junior golfers in the state. Kyo Won Koo won the boys division for 15-18 year olds by posting a two-day score of 142, two strokes under par. He is the only golfer to finish in the red. “The Thunderbirds work within the world of golf is unrivaled and while so much attention is focused on their sponsorship of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the most well-attended golf tournament in the world, it is their continual efforts with Arizona’s junior golfer that deserves accolades as well,” said Tom Cunningham, Executive Director of the Junior Golf Association of Arizona. “The Thunderbirds are very much connected with this tournament not only financially, but they volunteer their time to assist with registration, starting, spotting on the course and scoring. This event hones the competitive skills of some of our finest junior golfers, who often times, use this event as a springboard for the rest of their JGAA schedule.”
Koo says, “I started playing golf because I just loved the feeling I get on my hands when I hit the ball solid. When I am not on the course, I try my best to do well in school and enjoy life. When I
am on the course I try to focus on every one of my practice sessions.” Koo has had a lot of success on the course. He was ‘Player of the year’ for the SWSPGA in 2010 and came in 3rd for the Callaway Junior World Championship at San Diego in 2010.
When did you start the game of golf? I started playing when I was 9 years old. One day, I followed my dad to the driving range and fell in love with golf.
How old are you and does anyone else in your family play golf? I am 15 years old. Everyone is my family is a fan of golf, but they prefer just watching me!
Do you currently play on a school golf team? Yes, the Hamilton Huskies who have been the State Champions for several years.
Who is your favorite PGA tour professional? My favorite golfer always changes, but recently I admire Luke Donald and his amazing iron shots.
If you could pick any foursome to be a part of, who would be the other three? It would be hard, but I always wanted to play with some of the senior players like Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead or Jack Nicklaus.
What is your favorite tournament on the PGA tour? My favorite tournament would be the Waste Management Open, but overall I like the Accenture Match Play World Golf Championship.
What are your future ambitions in the game of golf? My main goal right now is to go to one of the top colleges with support to play golf and eventually turn professional and win majors.
Who are your mentors or role models and why? My role model in golf would be Bobby Jones, for not only being so successful in his golf career but his academics too. My life role model is my dad because to him, family comes first then anything else in his life.
What is your most memorable moment in golf? I have lots of memorable moments in golf, but recently the JGAA Thunderbird Invitational was the best because it came really close and I was able to overcome the pressure and birdie 3 of my last 4 holes.
What is the most favorite club in your bag and what clubs do you use? My favorite club in my bag right now is my putter. I am a big Titleist guy so I use all their woods, irons, wedges and putter. Also, I have the Adams hybrid.
P
Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 450
fashio
n FOR
Eward
or Spring 2011, Fairway & Greene delivers four distinct
fashion collections supported by a comprehensive collec-
tion of classics unparalleled in the industry. Clubhouse
Classics are the key foundation for every business. Within
this range, we deliver a comprehensive collection of knits,
sweaters, woven shirts, outerwear and bottoms. With 199
style / color options available and a balanced assortment of
fabric and price points, Clubhouse Classics is built to meet
the diverse needs of the market place. Fairway & Greene sup-
ports our customers by maintaining an “in-stock” position on
84 of the 199 options.
The Palm Springs collection evokes a vintage Hollywood
spirit. Using a sophisticated color palette of black and vanilla
paired with Liberty Blue and Wisteria, Palm Springs brings
elegance to the golf course. Within Palm Springs you’ll find
a polo shirt collection that mixes elegant stripes with clean
prints and subtle jacquards. You’ll also find interesting new
models with a vintage spirit including the full button front
La Quinta Solid Lisle Polo and a four button applied placket
herringbone jacquard polo with a chest pocket. We round out
the collection with beautiful woven shirts and a luxurious
sweater collection that include both cashmere and merino
novelties.
The Key Largo collection jumps straight into spring with a
strong, vibrant color palette of Fuchsia, Grass Green, Papaya,
and Tropical Blue with a crisp foundation of Classic Blue and
White. We introduce a new washed pique polo shirt collec-
tion with whimsical trim detail that expands the spirited F&G
idea that was introduced for Fall 2010. A beautiful offering of
novelty shorts, including a new reversible model, provide a
strong compliment to the polo shirts. Key Largo also delivers
an expanded woven shirt collection catering to the country
club lifestyle that moves beyond the golf course.
The Cape Cod collection takes the classic colors of Navy,
Red, Lemon, Sky, and White and infuses them with a modern
freshness. As with Key Largo, the F&G movement takes flight
in Cape Cod with a new Peruvian Pima/Poly blend polo shirt
Fairway & Greene
Spring 2011
F
Cape Cod Collection
Wave Hill Collection
51Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
collection with a retro, yet modern flavor. We compliment the
shirts with our new Surfside Washed Twill short and an ex-
panded collection of novelty ideas including the reversible short
and a tartan seersucker cargo short. The woven shirts deliver
on the relaxed feeling of a summer day in Cape Cod with crisp
mini checks and clean stripes.
The Sedona Collection draws its inspiration from the beauti-
fully soft colors of the desert including Dusk, Boysenberry, Moss,
Butterscotch and Flax. A sophisticated color palette built from
a crisp khaki foundation will work seamlessly into any man’s
wardrobe. In Sedona you’ll find subtle jacquards and fine line
stripes with just hints of texture. We continue the texture trend
in sweaters with a Linen Full Zip front Mockneck Vest for those
cool evenings as the sun fades behind the hills. We carry the
linen into the woven shirt collection with enzyme washed short
sleeve camp shirts and sophisticated plaids.
Womenswear-For Spring 2011 we continue to build upon
the successful strategy of creating a versatile wardrobe com-
fortable and appropriate for both on and off the golf course. A
great foundation of key items is complimented by three distinct
fashion collections.
The Wave Hill Collection works from a foundation of Black
and White with Lavender accents. The collection is infused
with bold prints, color blocking and contrast details that deliver
a modern flavor. That modern feel is reinforced with the expan-
sion of the F&G Tech fabric throughout the polo shirt collec-
tion. Cotton infused with stretch is the story in bottoms.
The Sanibel Collection draws inspiration from the surf and
beautiful shades of blue and green on top of classic Navy and
White. Sanibel creates a perfect balance of modern and clas-
sicm, merchandising the most current tech fabrics alongside
stretch seersucker. You’ll find fresh, sporty looks for the course
like the Isabel Golf Skirt and Ibis short sleeve Diamond Sweat-
er. You’ll also find classic elegance for that glass of chardonnay
on the veranda with the Plaid Seersucker Nicole Dress layered
with whisper light Blackstone Cardigan.
The Sausalito Collection builds from the whimsical Aster
Floral Print and works with colors including Carnation, Canta-
loupe and Mulberry all working back to a beautiful brown called
Sable. We continue with our expanded F&G Tech collection by
bringing in the new Ogee Print Stretch Skirt perfectly compli-
mented by the Blair Polo Shirt.
Our key items include solid stretch pique polo shirt col-
lection, the pima interlock quarter zip sweatshirt and clas-
sic cotton cable v-neck all delivered in 9 colors to support
all three collections. To see the entire collection, please visit
www.fairwayandgreene.com
Palm Springs Collection
Sanibel Collection
Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 452
spec
ial ev
ents
he best of the LPGA Tour descended upon Wildfire Golf Club at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and
Spa this year for the inaugural playing of the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup – a special tournament to honor the past, showcase the present and provide for the future of the LPGA and women’s golf. The LPGA, its players and RR Donnelley share a collective responsibility to honor the history of the LPGA and a commitment to the future of the women’s game.
T
Pick a Private Club.
Select a Tee Time.
Add Your Friends.
Play Private Golf.Every golfer enjoys playing new courses. Enjoy a classic or discover a new course you have always wanted to play at Boxgroove.com Which private course do you want to play?
Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!
verseeding is overrated, period! You know what I mean. I am talking about that green grass you see in the winter time in the desert. Can
golf continue this expensive, wet habit of overseeding or are we just playing games? Let me explain. When I first came into this business in 1980, green fairways in January were extremely rare. So what changed? Why did golf suddenly make this huge effort to ensure green grass all the time? How did this business model go from dormant roughs and fairways much of the winter to lush green ryegrass? I think there are several things that contributed to this. The most important factor was the improved varieties of ryegrass and its quick establishment that allowed golf courses to convert their summer grasses to winter grasses much easier. Also, the quality of the playing surface improved with that as well. Another factor was development. Many golf facilities were now being built in order to sell houses. Since the optimal time to sell houses in the desert was the winter, there was a need to have green fairways to show off their new homes. I get that to some extent but I can’t really think of any other good reason to overseed. Some of you will say that the “snowbird” golfer who visits wants lush greens fairways. Well, not really. They were coming to the deserts and playing golf here long before overseeding was the norm. In fact, there are many winter destinations that still do very little overseeding and still have good business. You could also say it was the abundance of water and how inexpensive it was. Well, not really. Water originally was cheap and plentiful, but that was before golf courses started to overseed. As new water restrictions were enforced in the 1980’s, water became scarcer and
much more expensive. So at the same time when water became more scarce, golf facilities began the practice of overseeding, a process that uses about 1/3 more water. That doesn’t make sense. So what is it? I’ve got it. Golfers wanted to have lousy playing conditions. That is the only thing that makes sense. Let me explain again. I remember playing golf at Troon Country Club in the winter of 1987 when it first opened in North Scottsdale. They did not overseed anything. The course had bentgrass greens, which stayed green in the winter. But the rest of the course was brown with dormant 419 Tifway bermudagrass. It was fabulous. Lots of roll and perfect tight lies in the fairways--everything a golfer would want and expect for his or her game. Overseeded courses generally are not firm, not fast, are wet, lumpy and slow. At least that is the case for the courses that don’t have 12 hand waterings every day. Or, there is the opposite scenario where there are so many hot spots from trying to make the course fast that it looks worse than not oversseding at all. I think you get my point. For an average course, overseeding generally costs $250,000 per year in water, seed, fertilizer, fuel, labor,
depreciation and chemicals. Is that such a good business model? Some say yes, because without green grass, the golfers will go somewhere else. Where will they go? Who can continue this process in the current economic and environmental climates?
So, is golf about the game or is it about how it looks? If it is about the game, then overseeding is overrated and should be limited or stopped. Golfers need to get with the program and stop thinking that an overseeded winter desert course is good, because its not. Firm and fast is good. I think the business needs to get back to the game and stop pretending to give golfers what they want. Make a golf model and not a business model and sell that instead of green. It works at Bandon Dunes. They are packed from sun-up to sun-down with enthusiastic golfers--lousy weather, thin fairways, walk only, firm, fast, environmentally and economically friendly golf course in the middle of nowhere. It is everything ‘they’ say is going to ruin us as a golf facility if we offer these things. Someone please stand up and make their course the one everyone wants to play. It is not about how they look, but rather about how they play the golf game!
54 Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
live g
olf Should Golf Courses
Overseed or Are We Just Playing Games?
O
By Mark Clark, CGCSTroon Country Club
56
head
er
Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 4
your
pro kn
ows
By Jeff RitterPhotos by Dave Schibel
Clean Pickin’
he key to great driving is to ap-
proach the ball with a “shallow”
angle of attack. Most poor drivers
of the golf ball have too steep of an
attack angle, which is culprit behind
pop-ups, slices, toe hits and all of
those nasty little scratches on the
top of your club! To get an idea of
what it means to be steep versus
shallow, think of the flight of an
airplane. A plane that is crashing
into the ground is traveling on too
steep of an angle of descent. A plane
that is landing safely is approach-
ing the runway on a “shallow” angle,
so much so that the plane will fly
for a decent period of time level to
the ground before touching down
smoothly. To avoid a crash landing
with your driver, practice making
some swings just above the height of
your golf ball. This may feel like mak-
ing a baseball swing at a really low
pitch. Once you can consistently just
miss the top of the ball, bend your
posture over a touch so that the club-
head smacks the back of the ball. The
angle of attack for an absolutely per-
fect tee shot will pick the ball clean
leaving your tee standing tall!
T
ScottsdaleGolfExperience.com
800.704.8018
Love thy game.
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Arizona Golf Central • Volume 1, Issue 458
he creation of Luke Donald
Collection wines has its origins in
a longstanding friendship between
top-ranked pro-golfer Luke Donald and
fine wine professional Bill Terlato of
the family-owned Terlato Wine Group.
Whether on the golf course or in the
vineyard, both men share a similar
passion for excellence.
Luke Donald plays an active role
in crafting the wines that bear his
name. His personal involvement in
the blending makes the wines original
and unique; wines that best reflect
his own personality and style. Luke’s
personal style is also reflected in the
non-traditional, contemporary labels,
which connect with today’s luxury
wine consumers. For wine drinkers
who share Luke’s passion for culture
and competitive spirit, LDC delivers
wines that reflect Luke’s own sense of
style, taste and artistic expression.
The grapes used in crafting Luke
Donald Claret are 100% Napa Valley
fruit, sourced primarily from renowned
vineyards in the Rutherford and Stags
Leap District appellations, know
for consistently delivering wines of
exceptional quality year after year.
grip
it &
sip it
T
Grip it and Sip it.
Winemaker’s Notes: Claret: Handcrafted in a traditional European style, Luke Donald Claret marries a rich blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Luke Donald Claret displays structured tannins, intertwined with vibrant flavors of black berries and subtle spice notes, producing a wine ripe with flavor and supple texture.
Color: Red
Nose: Notes of espresso bean, licorice and wild berry fruit
Palate: Structured tannins, intertwined with vibrant flavors of black berries and subtle spice notes
Chardonnay: The Luke Donald Chardonnay is comprised of Granny Smith apple and stone fruit aromas, supplemented by a touch of spice and slight notes of clove and cinnamon. Much like any white Burgundy, this Chardonnay will benefit from time in the bottle to blossom fully. Mouthfeel is medium full, with a nice entrance, broad mid-palate, and a creamy, long finish.
Color: White
Style: Medium-bodied Pairs with: Pasta, Alfredo, Poultry and Pork, Seafood, Vegetables
WineStyles - Phoenix #27210625 N. Tatum Blvd. #D142Phoenix, AZ 85028Phone: 480-922-4771 Fax: 480-452-1661www.winestyles.net/paradisevalley
