A longtime gathering place of the region’s golf community, Pinecrest Golf course in idaho falls marks its 75th anniversary withfour days of events

August 2011

GolfThe official magazine of the Idaho Golf Association

Golf Idaho is a regular insert of Pacific Northwest Golfer magazine

Celebrationof Community

Idaho

GOLF IDAHO | AUGUST 20112

Golf Idaho

on thecover

Center of All thingsPinecrest marks 75 years as a community’s hub by ChrIs Wood

Pinecrest Golf course has entertained famous Players like Billy casPer, Byron nelson and sam snead and was ranked as the no. 3 “Best Value” course in the country in 2009 By Golf dIGest. But the 75th anniversary of Pinecrest is about much more than those and other distinctions. rarely does a golf course capture and reflect the soul of a community, but that’s the relationship residents and visitors alike have with Pinecrest’s tree-lined fairways and log cabin-style clubhouse. “People feel like they own a piece of Pinecrest,” said mel erickson, a longtime idaho falls resident and city council member who has a unique claim in that regard. erickson actually came up with “Pinecrest” during a contest to change the name from idaho falls municipal Golf course in 1964. he’s just one of many golfers who have grown to love the place and have taken an active interest in making Pinecrest special. “there have been so many people who, when given the opportunity, have really

performed,” erickson said. “it’s because they love Pinecrest.” the love affair began in 1934 when a group of local businessmen formed sand greens on a patch of sagebrush northeast of downtown idaho falls and called it idaho falls country club. the city acquired the course in 1935, received approval for further construction to become a project of the federal government’s works Progress administration, and unveiled an all-grass, 18-hole course in 1936. George o’rullian arrived that year and would be head professional until his retirement in 1974. the golden age of Pinecrest began when idaho falls was chosen as a nuclear research site in 1949. with trees transplanted from the building of Palisades reservoir, the course blossomed into the beauty it is today. “it’s amazing how many people go out of their way to play Pinecrest,” erickson said. “when you tell them you live in idaho falls, they say, ‘yeah, that’s where Pinecrest is.’”

A meeting in the Pinecrest clubhouse in 1938. Standing (L-R): Ray Renberg, John Crowley. Seated (L-R): Russ Freeman, Dr. Packard, Dr. Lenzi, Grady Evans, Mayor Chase Clark.

Russ Freeman was one of the pioneers of Pinecrest who was responsible for planting many of the course’s signature trees. The Russ Freeman Memorial Tournament is played on Idaho Falls’ three city courses during Memorial Day weekend.

from a player’s standpoint, not much has changed since the trees matured and defined the 6,400-yard layout. “it definitely has stood the test of time,” said PGa Professional tim reinke, who came to Pinecrest from montana as an assistant and has been head professional since 1984. “it’s one of the tougher 6,400-yard courses you’ll find. to design it like they did (75 years ago) is amazing. i’m not sure i would change much.” the residents and visitors who log an average of 45,000 rounds each year probably wouldn’t change a thing, certainly not the golf value. a city resident season pass also includes unlimited play at sandcreek and sage lakes, the city’s other two municipal courses, and non-residents pay a pedestrian $20.50 for 18 holes. “it’s a way of life for people,” reinke said of the golf community. “it’s great that we have courses like this here and throughout the state.”

Pho

tos

cour

tesy

Pin

ecre

st G

C

“People feel like theyown a piece of Pinecrest”

GOLF IDAHO | AUGUST 2011 3

Golf Idaho

The75thanniversaryofPinecrestMunicipalGolfCoursewillbecelebratedwithfourdaysofeventsAug.18-21. “Itreallyisacelebrationofgolf,”HeadPGAProfessionalTimReinkesaid.“It’snicetobeabletotakethetimetodoitbecausegolfisspecialtoalotofpeople.”

Schedule of eventS

onGoinGname the Hole contest. Participants had until Aug. 1 to submit names for each of Pinecrest’s 18 holes. The winning entries will be presented during the Anniversary Celebration on Friday, Aug. 19.

thursday, Aug. 18 9-hole family Day tournamentTwo-Person Scramble (teammates must be related), shotgun starts at 3 and 6 p.m., $30 entry plus green fees

friday, Aug. 19 four-Person scrambleShotgun starts at 7 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., $40 entry plus green fees

Anniversary celebration following tournament – dinner, Joe Malay Putting Contest, exhibition by the Golf Channel’s “Chuck the Hitman,” $25 per person

saturday, Aug. 20exhibition by the Golf Channel’s “Chuck the Hitman,” 11 a.m., free to the public

sunday, Aug. 21Two-Person Scotch Ball tournament (opposite gender for teammates), $20 plus green fees

At A GlAnce

Pinecrest MuniciPAl Golf courseIdaho Falls, Idaho208.612.8485

• Third oldest course in Idaho• Best Public Golf Course in Idaho, 2009 –

GolfDigest• Top 50 Best Public Golf Courses in the

United States, 2009 – GolfDigest• No. 3 Best Value Course in America, 2009 –

GolfDigest• Member of the Idaho Golf Trail

GOLF IDAHO | AUGUST 20114

Golf Idaho

IGA membership has had an uptick in 2011AS OF JULy 1ST, THere were weLL OVer 16,000 ACTIVe IGA MeMBerS ON THe rOSTer. This is a positive sign for amateur golf in Idaho, and I would like to believe that golfers are finding value in their IGA membership. That membership includes not

only a handicap to play in inter- and intra-club events, but also the opportunity to play in IGA Championships, and Dunn Dealz (casual golf outings); educational support by way of seminars; and the i-Links Newsletter which IGA members receive twice a month with their handicap revision updates. The IGA Junior Program has been re-branded with a spiffy new name in 2011 – Idaho Golf Association Junior Tour (IGAJT). Along with the new name there have been other upgrades, including on-line registration which has been a terrific process for a small staff and has given junior golfers the opportunity to manage their summer competition schedules on-line. There

from thedirectorGenger A. Fahleson, Ph.D.Executive DirectorIdaho Golf Associationgfahleson@idahogolfassn.org

has been a small increase in the number of Junior Tour members (currently at 680); but the exciting statistic is the major increase in the number of junior golfers participating in the weekly, regional and statewide competitions – they are playing more golf. The IGA Junior Tour has supported more than 15,000 rounds of golf with its competitions. The IGA’s volunteer base has also been expanding in 2011, showing increased interest in roles such as course raters, marketing, rules of Golf officials; championship volunteers who have assisted with scoring; pace of play and forecaddie duties; Junior Tour volunteers who have assisted with directing competitions, scoring, transportation, etc. we all know that golf competitions cannot be conducted without assistance from those who give back to this game by giving of their time. Our 2011 championship season is well underway. Victories have been earned in the Match Play Championships: men’s division – Jordon Hamblin; women’s division – Kareen Markle; senior division – Gordon Barry; in the Men’s Four-Ball: everett Grimes II and

cook joinS StAff Rocky Cook has joined the Pacific northwest Golfer team as sales representative for Golf idaho. Rocky was sales director

for the idaho Business review for nine years and a sales manager at AT&T. He is a native Idahoan who enjoys golf and all forms of outdoor recreation. Rocky drives and shows a ‘67 Pontiac GTO. For inquiries regarding advertising contact Rocky at rocky@pacificnorthwestgolfer.com or208-890-9990.

This Golf idaho section is the official publication of the Idaho Golf Association, and is a regular insert in Pacific northwest Golfer magazine, which is mailed to members

of IGA clubs as a benefit for those who are in association with the Pacific Northwest Golf Association. Chris Wood has joined the staff of Golf idaho and Pacific northwest Golfer. Chris has been covering Idaho golf as a newspaper and magazine writer since 1985. He currently resides in Boise with his wife, Brenda. Contact Chris at 208.914.3080 orchris@pacificnorthwestgolfer.com for inquiries regarding editorial.

Matt McPhie; in the women’s Amateur: Trish Gibbons. In July, the IGA Men’s Amateur Championship was contested at Headwaters at Teton Springs in Victor, Idaho. The IGA championship schedule and the results of those championships can be found at www.theiga.org. All in all, it’s been a great season so far for golf in the Gem State.

tAG, you’re itView the IGA web site on your smartphone! See the Chip Shots section for instructions on how to download the app.

Long-Term Care InsuranCe• Federal Deductions & state Tax Credits

• Tax Free Benefits

• Partnership Plans

• good Health Discounts

• Discounts to Pnga members, Family

and employees

Contact Joel osbornJoel_osborn@WealthstrategiesnW.com

800.597.1226

HaPPIness.

WeaLTH.

suCCess.

www.wealthstrategiesnw.com

Tax Qualified * NEW!

GOLF IDAHO | AUGUST 2011 5

GOLF IDAHO | AUGUST 20116

Golf Idaho

Three Courses, Two Nights $269* Nov-Mar $379* Apr/May/Oct $489* Jun-SepVisit TheChampionshipExperience.com. For reservations, call 253.591.4142.

* PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

The Championship Experience. Walk in the footsteps of champions.Three Pacific Northwest courses, each selected by the USGA to host golf ’s most prestigious championships, have joined with Tacoma’s Hotel Murano to

offer an incredible golf package at an extraordinary value. Presenting The Championship Experience, a unique chance to play Chambers Bay, Gold Mountain and The Home Course, while enjoying two nights at a hotel honored on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2011 Gold List as one of the top hotels in the world.

USGA champions had to play their way here, you just have to make a phone call.

2010 U.S. AMATEUR 2015 U.S. OPEN

2006 U.S. PUBLIC LINKS 2011 U.S. JUNIOR AMATEUR

2011 GOLD LISTCONDE NAST TRAVELER2010 U.S. AMATEUR

Chambers Bay, #3, 165 yards, par 3

Chambers BayU.S. Open Championship Chambers Bay

U.S. Junior Amateur Gold Mountain Gold U.S. Junior Amateur

Gold U.S. Junior Amateur Gold Mountain Gold Gold Mountain

Mountain Gold Mountain Gold

U.S. Amateur Championship The Home CourseThe Home Course The Home CourseThe Home Course The Home CourseU.S. Amateur Championship The Home CourseU.S. Amateur Championship

The Home CourseU.S. Amateur Championship The Home CourseU.S. Amateur Championship

11CHA008A Ultimate Golfer Experience AdSouthland Magazine May 2011

7.375” x 4.75” - 1/2P Horizontal, 4-ColorDan O’Neil DVA Advertising 541-389-2411 dan@dvaadv.com

Golf GAlAxy exPAnDs Golf Galaxy, an interactive and inventive pro shop, is swing-ing its way over to the West Coast more and more. The chain has expanded its presence in the Pacific Northwest golf market, with stores in Oregon and Idaho. The stores have an emphasis on tour ap-parel, products and services, carrying clothes that many of the pro are wearing, and offering tour-level club technology with their full service club repair. And with their on-staff PGA/LPGA profes-sionals at every store and digital technologies to help you with your swing, they are equipped to help you understand your swing mechanics and then send you a video by e-mail to reference key points of the lesson. This kind of personal attention that is tailored to help your specific game, as well as ball fittings and other dynamic club fittings, is a part of the Golf Galaxy culture. State-of-the-art technologies and launch monitors are incorporated to measure spin rates, launch angles and ball speeds. While you are working on perfecting your game, you can also save some green. Golf Galaxy has a comprehensive list of programs and all-around ways to save, year-round. If you want to get rid of that dusty old set of clubs, you can trade in your previously-used equipment for store credit toward brand new equipment. If you want to try a new shaft or change out your grips, take advantage of full service club repair stations. Plus, the store sells pre-owned clubs for those who are looking for brand names at used prices. Visit www.golfgalaxy.com for more information.

GiBBens tAkes WoMen’s AM Trish Gibbens warmed up for the fall college season by taking the IGA women’s Amateur championship, played June 23-25 at Shadow Valley GC in Boise. Gibbens, a Caldwell native who was named Cascade Conference Player of the year as a sophomore for the College of Idaho, edged Madeleine Sheils (Boise and University of Nebraska) by two shots. Gibbens opened the three-day tourney with a 1-under 71, the only individual score under par, and led wire-to-wire. “I was in the automatic zone, if you want to call it that,” Gibbens said. “I just played really well for the first half of the tournament. It’s a definite confidence builder because I proved I can maintain a lead and beat those girls.” -ChrisWood

HiGHAM Wins iGA Men’s AMAteur The first goal for any member of the extended Higham family is to be the low relative at a golf tournament. Then you can worry about the rest of the field. He finished four strokes ahead of Nampa’s eric Peterson and five in front of cousin will Higham. Tanner’s brother Nick finished tied for fifth, seven shots off the pace. Headwaters played tough under windy conditions and yielded just four total rounds under par. All were shot by Highams, including two by Nick Higham, who stumbled only with a second-round 81. “It’s really sweet to have my name on the trophy because a lot of good players have won it and a lot of good players haven’t won it,” Higham said of his four-shot victory in the IGA Men’s Amateur played July 15-17 at the Headwaters Club at Teton Springs in Victor, Idaho. Tanner Higham

Pho

to c

ourt

esy

IGA

GOLF IDAHO | AUGUST 2011 7

Golf Idaho

by Chris wood Hunter Haas isn’t going to fill out an application for the PGA Tour’s 2011 Q-School. The luxury of skipping that piece of paperwork shows how far Haas has progressed in his latest stint on golf’s biggest stage. Instead of worrying about keeping his card for 2012, Haas has loftier goals, like advancing in the Fedex Cup playoffs this fall. “I’ve been doing well enough that I can afford to focus on bigger things,” the 2010 Boise Open champion said. After a 53-foot eagle putt propelled him to a T4 finish in the Viking Classic in mid-July, Haas stood at No. 72 on the PGA Tour’s 2011 money list and No. 78 in Fedex Cup points. He likely has already earned enough money to finish in the top 125 and keep his Tour card for 2012. His Fedex ranking qualifies him for the first two Fedex playoff events. He would need to ascend to the top 70 to make the BMw Championship and the top 30 to qualify for The Tour Championship. Haas’ gain is Boise’s loss as he almost certainly won’t return to defend his title Sept. 12-18 at Hillcrest Country Club. Haas made a memorable charge on the back nine last year to edge Daniel Summerhays by one stroke and tie the tournament scoring record at 21-under par. That was part of a run that carried Haas to No. 3 on the 2010 Nationwide Tour money list and has continued on the PGA Tour this season. “I’ve been more aggressive in my line of play,” Haas said of the surge in his performance after playing 2006-09 on the Nationwide without great success. “I’ve always been a plodder and pretty conservative. Now, instead of hitting a hybrid to keep it in play and having an 8-iron approach, I’m hitting the driver and hopefully pulling out sand wedge. I’m not playing careless golf; it’s more of just letting it happen and being confident in what I’m doing.” He barely missed earning a return to the PGA Tour by finishing 30th in 2006 and 27th in 2008 on the Nationwide money list. Haas also missed securing his PGA Tour card during grueling Q-School play in each of those years. when PGA Tour officials start leaving Q-School applications in the players’ locker rooms at this point in the season, Haas is glad to be able to ignore them. “Nobody wants to talk about it,” Haas said of the dreaded paperwork. “If you need one, you just kind of sneak it out without anyone noticing. In the past, some of the rookies have forgotten to fill it out because they are so lost.” Haas knows that feeling as well. He jumped right to the PGA Tour in 2001 out of the University of Oklahoma after finishing 8th at the

2000 Q-School. The 2001 season brought 22 missed cuts in 30 starts and the quick disappearance of play-ing privileges. He finished 16th on the Nationwide in 2004, and did better during his 2005 return to the PGA Tour, making 14 cuts in 28 starts, but still couldn’t keep his card. Haas sees 2011 as a natural progression in his playing career. “I always thought I was mature, but I guess I’m just more seasoned now,” he said. “I’ve played pretty solid all year.” Haas is part of a Nationwide Tour graduating class that has had plenty of success on the PGA Tour. The group includes tournament winners Gary woodland, Jhonattan Vegas, Keegan Bradley, and Brendan Steele, and four more players – Brandt Jobe, Chris Kirk, Kevin Chappell and Kyle Stanley – who have had runner-up finishes. Perhaps that’s why Haas hasn’t received much attention. One national writer even tabbed him as likely to lose his Tour card. “I won twice and finished No. 3 on the money list. what else do I have to do?” said Haas, who added he’s not about to believe any bad press. “I just have to keep focusing on my goals and try to play my best.”

hunter hAASlast year’s boise open champion doing well

Haas

GOLF IDAHO | AUGUST 20118

Golf Idaho

NIKE Copy NeededCopy NeededCopy Needed

NIKE Copy NeededCopy NeededCopy Needed

TAKE

P000

0381

0VALID THROUGH 10/31/11

Limit one coupon per customer. Minimum purchase of $100 before sales tax. Total amount of coupon must be redeemed at one time. Cannot be combined with any other o� ers, coupons or used for previously purchased merchandise. Coupon valid on in-store purchases only. Not redeemable for cash, gift cards or store credit. No reproductions or rain checks accepted. Returns or exchanges where an Advantage Club Golf Reward Certifi cate or other discount was applied may result in an adjusted refund amount. Excludes Under Armour, PING, FootJoy DryJoys Tour, electronics, select new release Callaway Golf, Cleveland, Odyssey, Titleist, Mizuno, Cobra, TaylorMade, Nike Golf, ecco and FootJoy merchandise. Some additional exclusions may apply. See store for details. Valid through 10/31/11.

$25 OFFYOUR NEXT PURCHASE OF $100 OR MORE

Visit Our Pacifi c Northwest Locations For Tour-Level Fittings Performed By PGA/LPGA Professionals

Boise8573 West Franklin Rd.Boise, ID 208.472.1235

Rich Stanwood PGA Professional

Beaverton3125 SW Cedar Hills Blvd.Beaverton, OR 503.626.2322

Jim Henry PGA Professional

NikeMen’s Dri-FIT1/2 Zip Cover-UpMen’s Heather Pants

Selection varies by store

TOUR-LEVEL SERVICESTOUR-LEVEL APPAREL

NikeWomen’s ConvertibleLong-Sleeve PoloWomen’s AudreyPlaid Pants

0801AD Pacific NWG_Aug.indd 1 7/7/11 12:44:09 PM