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Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

Publisher: Terrie L. Purdum

Editor in Chief: Shannon Coates

Regional Partner: Doug Hollandsworth,

Founder-Georgia Golf Trail

Editor Emeritus: Joel Jackson, CGCS Retired

Coordinating Communications Diva: Jasmin Smith

Media Consultant:Robert BissellPublic Relations Princess: Felecia Botting

Photographers: Lynn Pelham, Brion Price, Peter Hakansson

Tres Fenton, Mike Coonan, Jess Regan

Senior Correspondent: Rick Harris, Sr.

Contributing Writers: Jay Golden, PGA; Greg Wise, Bob Bolton,

Elisa Gaudet, Mike Jamison, Mike May, Chris Thompson,

Katie Hatfield, Ron Heller, Fred Seely, Deb Shuck,

JL Quebbeman, Mitch Sadowsky, Lisa "Mickie" Clark

Graphic Design: Melahn Cable, melahn@mac.com

Website Design/Network Support: ryjo.com

Southern Golf Central Magazine is published monthly by:Sand Hill Publishing & Public Relations

1549 Warrington Court, Winter Springs, FL 32708

NEW PHONE: 321.765.4215E-mail: info@floridagolfcentral.com

©2015 Southern Golf Central Magazine. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without the prior written permission of the Publish-er. Editorial contributions are welcome, but Florida Golf Central Maga-zine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited proposals, manuscripts and photographs. All materials submitted not accompanied 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. Florida Golf Central Magazine retains all reprint rights and reserves the right to edit any submitted mate-rial to meet our specifications for publishing 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.

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Volume 16, Issue 7

Sláinte

9685 Lake Nona Village PlaceOrlando, FL 32827 • 407.313.0027

www.nonablue.com

151328NonaBlue_FullPage_AD.indd 1 7/8/15 4:48 PM

Happy New Year! Southern Golf Central Maga-zine is definitely tackling the popular ‘new year-new me’ say-ing in 2016. As the winter months rage on here in Florida (totally joking, it’s 60 degrees here now) we are beginning to brace ourselves for some impres-sive changes. With change comes opportunity, however, and the opportunities are certainly abundant! Our year will kick off with the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show, which is the world’s largest. We’ll be welcoming many PGA and Golf Industry pro-fessionals to Orange County, where they’ll be busy testing out the latest equipment, technology, clothing and accessories. I’m very proud to say that our brand, TURF LiFE will be debuting a booth (#3516) at the show as well, so be sure to stop by and say hello to the team! While we’re on the subject of TURF LiFE, I’d like to take some time to talk about how thrilled I am to watch the success and growth of the brand in 2016. This brand embodies the many people who live their life on the TURF. We aim to show our appreciation to not only the golfers, baseball and soccer players, but to the agronomists, superintendents, sod growers, seed producers and landscapers as well. I’m very proud of what the brand stands for and the boundaries we are going to break in 2016. January has also brought us some fresh new faces that we’re stoked to be working with. Our new correspondent is younger than most, but she’s already taking the industry by storm. Eight year old Bella Dovhey is a ball of sunshine on and off the course. She’s won numerous tourna-ments, including the 6-and-under division at the Callaway Junior World Golf Champion-ships in San Diego. This tiny but fierce personality will turn the golf industry on its head in the coming years, and we’re lucky to have her on the team. If you haven’t met her yet, you absolute-ly should…Donald Trump has! We’re also happy to be taking on a new intern, Erin West. You can read her bio below. I want to make it clear to readers that, although we are taking on new, exciting tasks in the coming year, Southern Golf Central Magazine is better than ever. We are happy to be inte-grating the success of the magazine and the freshness of TURF LiFE, and hopefully the two will complement each other well. In other words... we won’t be going any-where for a while, so be ready for the shenanigans that lies ahead ;)

Hi everyone! My name is Erin West and I’m SO excited to be given the opportunity to work with Southern Golf Central. This will be my first internship ever, so I’m a little nervous, but mostly ex-cited to finally learn about the industry. I’ve never played a game of golf in my life; I’m that girl that’ll tear up the turf when I go to putt... but that means more room for improvement! I’m cur-rently in my second year at UCF as a Journalism major with a minor in Creative Writing (GO KNIGHTS!) and am more than ready to get my career rolling and take the magazine industry by storm. I can’t wait to meet everyone and see what this sport is all about!

Sláinte

9685 Lake Nona Village PlaceOrlando, FL 32827 • 407.313.0027

www.nonablue.com

151328NonaBlue_FullPage_AD.indd 1 7/8/15 4:48 PM

Departments 8 Product Showcase 16 LPGA 18 IGTA 28 Freddy's Fairway Thoughts 40 Fore Your Health

44 Competitive Spirits 48 Turf Life 50 Turf Life 52 Turf Life 56 SFPGA 58 NFPGA 70 Golf Fitness 72 Golf Fitness

Volume 16, Issue 7

Alabama Golf Central 66 Joe Wheeler State Park

Caribbean Golf Central 60 Provo Golf Club

Carolinas Golf Central 64 Santee

Cart Girl 14 Amber Davis

Course of Dreams 30 Ocala Open

FEATURE 38 Tuef Life

Florida Golf Central 68 Junior Orange Bowl Invitational 69 World Golf Village

Georgia Golf Central 62 Lake Oconee

Golf Fore Charity 42 Folds Of Honor

Golf History 48 Renaissance Vinoy 46 North Palm Beach Country Club

Improving Performance 26 Swing Wizzard 54 Make More Putts

Player Profile 22 Don Nottingham

Stay & Play 32 The Golden Nugget

What's New 34 Varick Golf Balls 36 Golf Skate Caddy

Young Guns 20 Bella Dovhey southerngolfcentral.com

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Tampa Bay’sCan’t-Miss March Event!The Most Colorful PGA TOUR® Tournament in the World

produced one of the most exciting finishes last year! So don’t miss out on the excitement of this year’s Valspar Championship,

March 7th through the 13th.

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The Most Colorful PGA TOUR® Tournament in the World

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Players subject to appear.

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Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 78

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BIOMECH ACCULOCK ACE PUTTER Look at the way most golfers putt: severely bent over, arms away from the body, and the head and eyes turned at 90 degrees from the target. Does that sound comfortable and efficient? It’s neither. The founders of BioMech Sports are changing all that. They have taken decades of experience in physiology, anatomy, physics, biomechanics and the study of motion, and applied them to golf. The company’s first product is the AccuLock ACE putter. It’s long. It’s legal. And it’s lethal. “The ACE matches the biomechanics of the human body,” says inventor Dr. Frank Fornari. “This putter makes it hard to miss.” Tour veteran and four-time PGA Tour winner Heath Slocum, a member of the BioMech Sports Golf Professional Staff, is one of several PGA TOUR players using the AccuLock ACE putter in 2016. “The science behind the design of this putter will permit golfers to improve upon the success that they have experienced with the anchored putter,” stated Slocum. The ACE, which conforms to USGA rules, is available in various lengths (39, 41, 43 and 47 inches). The shaft is meant to rest against the forearm and be used from a much more erect body position. The golfer stands tall, which is better for the back and eliminates muscle tension throughout the body. Golfers are more comfortable and more efficient. The BioMech AccuLock ACE putter, which conforms with USGA rules, is available at www.biomechsports.com and select retailers nationwide. Retail price $279.99.

CHASE54 INTRODUCES NEW FABRIC FOR GOLF SHIRTS One of golf’s fastest-growing golf apparel companies is introducing a new high-tech luxury fabric, LXFUZE, that promises to add even more quality to an already impressive line. Because CHASE54 operates its own manufacturing facilities, it develops such technologies ahead of the curve, delivering the ultimate in fabric innovation to golf-ers. LXFUSE is the latest creation. “This fabric stuns people when they feel it for the first time since it’s cool to the touch,” says Lulu Faddis, Chief Designer and Creative Director for CHASE54. “The offering is incredibly unique to the industry, since it’s being offered as an ELEMENTS (core/basic) item that we’re launching in nine colors. We are so fortunate to own the resources to provide a fabric like this that cannot be replicated at such great value to the buyer and consumer.” Among the growing list of professional tour players sporting the Chaes54 brand are Jerry Kelly of the PGA Tour and Brooke Pancake of the LPGA.

FAST EDDIE FROM NEXBELT Nexbelt, The Belt With No Holes, is known for their

innovative technology and providing golfers with the maximum comfort and minimal adjusting. The unique ratcheting system called PreciseFit allows the wearer to adjust his or her belt in ¼ inch increments versus the normal 1” adjustability of a traditional pin/buckle style belt, providing the golfer with the best fit, feel, and fashion available. New for 2016 is the Fast Eddie. Hidden behind the flip down face of the buckle is a combination divot tool & bottle opener as well as a hidden ball marker. Available in Carbon, Shield, Vie, Contender and Performance buckle designs. Belt is cut-to-fit and will accommodate waist sizes up to 45” and buckles are interchangeable. Over 150 style and color combinations available for both Men and Women at www.Nexbelt.com

9Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

CARNOUSTIE BY ARISTO EIGHTEEN COLLECTION Wool trousers (MSRP $225) will feature a new, exclusive fabric quality, featuring super 140’s wool, blended with 2% lycra, and finished with a nano-stain resistant treatment. Natural-stretch waist-band construction has been added to increase comfort and performance. In-stock trousers will now feature pre-finished bottoms to eliminate the need for alterations-a service that has been universally welcomed from the golf industry. Even the finest golf shops have had to seek outside services for tailoring. Patterned wool trousers are color-matched to complement each sportswear color group to insure perfect coordination. The Tech Collection of pants (MSRP $95) will feature a lightweight polyester/spandex blend that will be available in an extensive assortment of in-stock basic colors, as well as seasonal solids and digitally printed plaids to coordinate with each color story. In addition, a new program of pants will also be introduced, featuring Ceramica®, (MSRP $165) a super-premium thermo-regulated tech fabric designed to keep you cool in summer and warm in the winter. It features the look and feel of luxury wool combined with and all of the performance and easy-care capabilities of tech. Washed cotton shorts (MSRP $80) with 3% spandex, will perfectly compliment cotton polos and sweaters-always a hallmark for Carnoustie. For more information visit www.Aristo18.com

E-Z-GO RXV The next-generation E-Z-GO RXV raises the bar on superior golf car performance. Equipped with an AC drivetrain and IntelliBrake technology, the RXV is the industry leader in efficiency. The RXV’s AC drivetrain is up to 25 percent more efficient than a traditional DC drivetrain for energy efficiency, increased power and longer run times between charges. The electric RXV’s patented IntelliBrake system provides a motor brake that automatically slows the vehicle when traveling up or down steep grades, and a parking brake that engages when the vehicle stops, without the need for operator activation. This system also delivers full-time regenerative braking whenever the brakes are applied, recharging the batteries and further extending the vehicle’s energy efficiency and range. The RXV is also available in a 13.5 hp gas-powered model. Both models provide rack-and-pin-ion steering and independent front suspension. In 2015, E-Z-GO used customer feedback to up-grade the RXV with a modern, automotive look and luxury refinements that maximize the golfer’s experience. An integrated front bumper is designed to withstand impacts up to 5 mph, while side and rear bumpers provide all-around vehicle protection. The redesigned rear body maximizes storage space and offers the industry’s largest bagwell to accommodate a range of golf bags. The interior enhances the on-course experience with contoured, ergonomic seating, larger dash storage and an optional USB port to power smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices. Available options include custom paint colors, premium seats, tires and wheels, a single-point battery watering system, scuff guards, sun canopy and windshield.

RX3 HIGH MOI PUTTER Cure Putters are known for producing an incredibly smooth roll due a higher center of gravity, lower loft, and a deeper face that impacts the ball at the equator. This eliminates backspin and creates a lower, more consistent launch angle and quicker, tighter forward roll, helping the ball stay on the intended line. Redesigned for 2016, the RX3 is the smallest putter in the RX Series. The RX3 is heel shafted with a 5.25” profile, tri-sole, rear flange and a spiral milled face. Available in R /L handed, standard lengths, with an offset shaft. The weight of the RX3 is adjustable from 332 - 586 grams with MOI ranging 6,400 - 14,200 g/cm2. The High MOI design delivers incredible stability throughout your stroke, helps you square the putter at impact and offers unmatched forgiveness on mishits. This translates to better distance and directional control and improved consistency. Fully customizable with a wide range of both weight and lie adjustability, you can easily dial in the perfect fit and feel to suit your stroke and tempo and change your setting anytime you wish. 100% CNC Milled and Made in the U.S.A. Available online at www.CurePutters.com $259.95

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seGPS GOLF BAND The GPS Golf Band is the future of distance. It is the thinnest, lightest (weighs just 1.2 oz.), most comfortable GPS wearable available. The featherweight and glove friendly design ensures not to interfere with your swing. The streamlined interface with auto hole recognition and out of the box usability ensures ease of use for any golfer.• 34,000 Preloaded Courses powered by iGolf.• Distance up to 4 Hazards Per Hole: The GPS GOLF Band will show up to 4 hazards (water, bunkers) per hole.• Auto Course Recognition: The GPS GOLF BAND will display the closest courses based on your location. • Auto Hole Advancement: after leaving a green and reaching the next hole the GPS Golf Band will automatically change to your current hole. If you start in the middle of the course or skip a hole you can easily toggle to your correct hole.• Shot Distance Measurement Feature: this allows you to measure the distance from one point to another, making it easy to measure how far your ball travelled.• USGA Tournament Legal: you should always check with the rules committee, but the GPS Golf Band is legal for tournaments that allow distance measuring devices.• 1 Year Warranty: the warranty covers any operational issues.• Watch Mode: the GPS Golf Band can be worn as a watch, providing the time and date when not in GPS golf mode.• 8 Hour GPS Battery Life: While in GPS mode, the GPS GOLF Band has 8 hours of battery life while providing 52 weeks of battery life when in watch mode.• Waterproof: GPS Golf Band is water proof up to 30 feet.Available in White or Midnight Blue (MSRP $179) online at www.PrecisionProGolf.com

HIGH HEAT FAIRWAY WOODS AND HYBRIDS The company that launched the most decorated new driver of 2015 is back this year with fairway woods and hybrids featuring even greater breakthrough technology. Knuth Golf’s High Heat Driver was called by Sports Illustrated writer Gary Van Sickle “the most significant technological innovation in golf equipment” from the 2015 PGA Show. The High Heat fairway woods and hybrids promise to be just as popular and successful. They come with Knuth Golf’s Optimal Center of Gravity (CG) Game Changer and Fire Zone Face Technologies™ providing 25% deeper and 18% lower center of gravity, important for amateur golf swings. Other design features from Dean Knuth, former USGA Senior Director, that differentiate the High Heat fairway woods and hybrids from their competitors:1) The Beta titanium cup face provides increased spring-like effect across the entire face compared to the steel faces in most other woods.

2) A much wider club face provides a higher spring-like effect and more forgiveness on off-center hits.

3) A higher launch angle helps get the ball airborne.

4) The center rail on the bottom of the sole provides less friction when hitting the ground.

Noted club designer and builder for 24 Hall of Fame golfers, Jeff Sheets, considers Knuth Golf’s family of fairway woods and hybrids “scientific breakthrough designs with significant performance advantages for amateur golfers including scratch to high handicappers that no other fairway woods or hybrids have achieved.”

GOLPHIN INTRODUCES ITS JUNIOR GOLF CLUBS TO NORTH AMERICA Golphin, an award-winning Scottish-based company which designs and manufactures specialized golf equipment for children, is launching distribution of its lines throughout North America. Golphin clubs, designed to make learning golf easier and more fun for juniors, already are a hit in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe. “Introducing young people to golf at an early age is key to helping them develop a lifelong love of the game, and Golphin equipment allows them to succeed with confidence,” said Calum McPherson, founder and managing director of Golphin. Golphin clubs are available for purchase at www.golphin.com.

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SHOT SCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LAUNCH PERFORMANCE TRACKING WEARABLE FOR GOLF Shot Scope Technologies has launched an innovative automatic performance tracking wearable for the golf market. The new technology allows the golfer to collect performance data without using a phone, manually tagging or pressing buttons. CEO of Shot Scope, David Hunter said “Shot Scope is the 1st system that allows golfers of all levels to track their game with no interruptions; monitor statistics, identify your trends and use the information to make better decisions on the course. The wristband interacts with unique tags inserted into the grip of every golf club to identify shots, club used and log GPS information.” Shot Scope automatically collects over 100 performance statistics. Information is uploaded through Bluetooth or USB to the Shot Scope dashboard and is dis-played in easy-to-consume graphics. Golfers gain actionable insights which help them to identify strengths and weaknesses in their game. The technology equips golfers with the knowledge to play to their strengths on the course and work on weaknesses off it. The Shot Scope pre-order package includes a wristband, twenty unique lightweight tags, micro USB cable and free shipping. Shot Scope will be shipped in April for the start of the golf season. Golfers who are keen to be the first to own Shot Scope can access the reduced pre-order price of $224 (normal price $280) at www.shotscope.com.

GOLF GLOVE FROM ZERO FRICTION & JOHNNY MILLER Zero Friction, maker of technologically advanced performance golf products, has entered into an agreement with PGA Hall of Famer Johnny Miller as partner, global spokesman and product developer for the company. The first product form that relationship is the Zero Friction Motion Fit Golf Glove by Johnny Miller. It is the newest in the company’s highly popular and colorful line of compression-fit gloves. Compression-fit technology means a universal fit within the various models “Zero Friction has developed truly innovative products which enhance golf,” said Miller. “As I looked at the golf investment landscape I found Zero Friction to be a leader and innovator. I am looking forward to working with their entire team to build the brand and product lines to the fullest level possible.” Zero Friction Founder and President John Iacono believes Miller can help take his already successful company to the next level. “We could not be happier than to become a partner with Johnny Miller,” said Iacono. “It is a tremendous compliment to our company to be affiliated with an individual with such accomplishments and integrity. Johnny will be instrumental in assisting us in to develop products that maximize technology and push conventional performance standards.”

KENTWOOL Founded in 1843, KENTWOOL remains one of the nation’s longest running, family-owned textile companies. In 2008 KENTWOOL Performance Division was established to utilize the parent company’s nearly two-century-old heritage of superiority in textiles to create socks which draw upon wool’s natural wicking and cooling properties for moisture management, sheer comfort and other performance enhancing benefits. The “World’s Best Golf Sock” was born. Since entering the marketplace, KENTWOOL has won two Majors on the feet of Bubba Watson and numerous other TOUR events, establishing itself as golf’s leading, premium merino wool golf sock. KENTWOOL’s Men’s and Women’s Tour Profile socks are constructed from a proprietary blend of Super Fine Merino Wool and other natural and high-tech performance fibers. Each pair is infused with an innovative WINDspun technology to deliver unparalleled comfort, and is designed to reduce friction, abrasion and muscle fatigue. In fact, KENTWOOL is so confident in the comfort of its socks, the company offers a lifetime “Blister-Free Guarantee” with the purchase of every pair. KENTWOOL’s new Game Day Collection offers expanded color options in its Men’s Tour Profile model. The socks are available now through http://shop.kentwool.

com/cart.php and at select retail locations. KENTWOOL’s Men’s and Women’s Tour Profile socks feature a suggested retail price of $19.95 per pair. Since 2008, KENTWOOL has manufac-tured the “World’s Best Golf Sock.” Draw-ing on over 150 years of mastery in wool manufacturing, KENTWOOL has leveraged the attributes of the natural “smart” fiber for unmatched comfort and performance in the sock category.

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Where were you born? Did you grow up there?Fort Lauderdale, born and raised.

What do you do for a living?I’m the Regional Director of South Florida for Sixt Rent a Car, check us out the next time you need a rental!

Aside from golf; what do you prefer for fun and relaxation?There’s something aside from golf? Well, I also like to play tennis, catch a Miami Heat game, or travel with friends.

Whom do you most admire for their inner and outer beauty?My mother.

Steak, chicken, or seafood?Surf and Turf. Why settle for just one?

What three things would you need to survive on a deserted island? A bottle of good bourbon, a seven iron and my favorite pair of Under Armour shorts.

What do you find to be the most annoying habit people demonstrate on the golf course?Slow pace of play. A close second is my sister’s habit of talking during my backswing. Every time.

Name the three most important things to you in this world.God. Family. Golf. (My mother told me in that order).

Given the choice; would you select love, success, or money to keep yourself happy? Love, of course. (Nothing against the other two, though!)

What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy golf foursome?Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, and my late grandfather.

Favorite comedian?Jerry Seinfeld

Movies:…comedy, drama, action, romance?I’m a sucker for a good rom-com.

Favorite television channel?Beyond ESPN, I’m a Netflix guy.

Last book you read?I’ve been on an Apple kick lately. Just finished a biography on Jony Ive, their chief designer.

Favorite magazine?Besides Southern Golf Central Magazine? Probably Sports Illustrated.

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Where did you grow up? Ocoee, FloridaWhat is your favorite sport to play? Softball!

Favorite sport to watch? College football. GO GATORS!

What do you feel makes this club special? I feel our guests make this club special. To be a public golf course and always have guests returning once a week, month or year is amazing. It is great building relationships with them.

If you weren’t a cart girl, what would you be doing? I like the hospitality industry, so I would like to stay in this business and grow with the company.

What type of music do you prefer? Country! I listen to everything but country is definitely my favorite.

What hobbies do you enjoy? Fishing, crafting, shopping, and golf!

Favorite Comedian? Kevin Hart

Favorite type of movie? Romance. I am a hopeless romantic.

Favorite charity to support? Breast Cancer Awareness

What else would you like for us to know about you: I love my job and my coworkers. We have all become very close with all the time we spend together. We all work so well together and that’s awesome. I like that there is always room to grow here at OCN; it is by far my favorite job I have ever had. I have an amazing man and two wonder-ful children at home, and working at OCN has let me spend a lot more quality time with them.

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The LPGA’s best will return to Central

Florida February 1 – 6 for the second

edition of the Coates Golf Champion-

ship Presented by R + L Carriers. More

than 80,000 spectators visited Golden

Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club

for the inaugural event, where

Na Yeon Choi earned her

ninth-career LPGA victory and

Lydia Ko, then just 17 years

old, ascended to No. 1 on the

Rolex Rankings. The tourna-

ment also boasted an $18.4

million economic impact

to the local community.

Ticket packages for the

Coates Golf Championship,

which will mark the first op-

portunity in 2016 to see the

world’s best female golfers

in the LPGA tee it up in the

United States, will be available for on-

line purchase beginning Saturday, Oc-

tober 24. Single day grounds tickets are

$15, weekly grounds tickets are $45 and

children 12 and under receive free ad-

mission with a ticketed adult. The LPGA

event is one of the few profes-

sional sports venues where you

can stand yards away from the

world’s greatest in the game

for tickets that start at $15.

New for 2016, the Coates

Golf Championship will

feature a Craft Beer Garden

Wednesday through Saturday

of tournament week. Along

with admission to the craft

beer garden and a traditional

sampling glass, the upgraded

craft ticket includes admission

to the LPGA event. Staged in

Tickets Now on Sale for LPGA's Coates Golf Championship at Golden OcalaDaily and Weekly Grouds Passes Available; Upgraded Craft Beer Garden Ticket New in 2016

17Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

the expansive and beautiful garden lead-

ing up to the Golden Ocala clubhouse,

this craft beer festival will offer patrons

the opportunity to sample and discover a

myriad of local and regional craft brands.

Single day tickets to the Coates Golf

Championship that include the Craft

Beer Garden are $25 and weekly passes

to the tournament and garden are $65.

A limited quantity of tickets will be

sold for this festival within the tour-

nament. Tickets can be purchased at

www.CoatesGolfChampionship.com.

“The Coates Golf Championship was

a great success for Ocala/Marion County

in 2015 and we’re excited to bring the

event back in February,” said Mollie

Coates, President of Coates Golf. “Again

and again the players commented on

the size of the galleries at the inaugu-

ral tournament and how welcome they

felt within the community. The goal

is to continue exceeding the commu-

nity’s, the players’ and our sponsors’

expectations. It’s an exciting week-long

event whether you play golf or not.”

“Golf fans in Central

Florida and beyond have the

opportunity to meet their

favorite players and see world

class golf at the Coates Golf

Championship Presented

by R + L Carriers,” said Kelly

McAnally, Tournament Direc-

tor. “IMG is proud to operate

the first US-based tourna-

ment of the season. Golden

Ocala provides a picturesque

backdrop for the exciting golf we expect

to see in February and the tourna-

ment showcases all that Ocala/Marion

County has to offer on a global stage.”

IMG produces 10 tournaments

globally for the LPGA Tour includ-

ing two major championships.

About Coates GolfCoates Golf is solely dedicated to women’s golf. Launched in January 2015, Coates Golf offers quality, performance equipment options for women. The brand is anchored by an antelope for the simple reason that female antelope grow horns like male. More than just an elegant and athletic icon representing how Coates Golf believes women should be promoted, the antelope represents equality. No more patronizing. Same game. Same re-spect. Coates Golf is the title sponsor of the LPGA’s Coates Golf Championship. In July 2015, Golf Hall of Famer and Team USA Solheim Cup Captain Juli Inkster began representing Coates Golf on the LPGA Tour. www.coatesgolf.com #setyourgamefree

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The Pro-Net Tour has strong controls which assure equalization for all com-petitors. Many Professionals from the finest tours in the country enjoy the chal-lenge of going low on these great courses. Any player with their handicap may be paired with these fine play-ers in competing for an excel-lent prize list. This is illustrated by the fact that there has been a first prize of at least $4,000.00 in over 260 consecutive tourna-ments and over $4,100,000.00 paid to the Players. Also, it is nice to note, any player playing to Net Even Par will win at least $1,000.00 in almost every event. This year the IGTA Tour will provide Five or Six Tour-naments with a First Prize of $10,000.00 and it takes only one tour event to qualify. In 2015 there were four $10,000.00 events with wide open competition. Winners included the following: 1. Alicia Weber, Novi, Michigan at Juliette Falls G.C. posted

73-72 gross, from over 6400 yards. Alicia also became the first female winner on the IGTA Tour. 2. Eric Jenkins, Upper Marlboro, Maryland at The Club at Savannah Harbor made his first check in his sixth event with a 78-76 net 139.0. 3. Justin Herrema, Grand Rapids, Michigan in his 4th year with the Tour had only posted one score of 82, scored 85-83 Net 143.5 at Mission Inn – El Campeon. This boosted his winnings to $14,720.00 for the tour lead. 4. Christian Heavens, Fairview Heights, Illinois a Tour player with +1 handicap won the Final at Plantation Bay - Club de Bonmont. Tour Players included Tim O'Neal, Tommy Schaff, Jesse Allen, Javier Sanchez, Randy Erskine, Bobby Stroble, David Morland IV, Charlie Delsman,

Christian Heavens, Jimmy Hazen, Nick Wade, and Jimmy Lytle. There are about 100 other Pro's from time to time that a competi-tor with Handicap can be paired with on Sunday. Waldorf Astoria G.C. hosted the Open Champi-onship with Rocky Justice, Gainesville, Fla closing with

a 75 on Sunday to win by 5 strokes. His 78-75 net 140.0 was his career best and his 2nd win this year, winning previously at Mission Inn – El Campeon with a 145.5 net, for $5,000.00. Natalia Ghil-zon, Windsor, Ont, Can, also was a two time winner, with victories at the Disney – Palm Course and at the Southern Hills Plantation for the Players Championship. Natalia had a fine year finishing second on the IGTA Money List

with $12,733.00. Jim Angeloff, Auburn Hills, Mich also had an impressive year closing it out winning the Tour Championship Tournament at Mis-

IGTA Tour Starts 16th Year With Strong Schedule including more $10,000.00 First Prizes All Avid Players with Handicap may Compete on the Tour that Attracts Top Professionals.

Jim Angeloff and Albano ValentinoJonathan Shasha and David Morland IV

Christian Heavens wins $10,000 at NIT

Jim Angeloff wins at Mission Inn

Tommy Schaff and Charlie Delsman

Natalia Ghilzon

19Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

sion Inn - Las Colinas with a 75-73, net 145.0. That resulted in $11,725.00 for the year, a fourth place Money List finish. Other results show Charlie Delsman, Colgate, Wisc. winning the $4,000.00 First Prize at Orange Lake - Legends. His 67-64, net 135.5 was the Tour's low for the year. Galen Aldrich, Miami, Fla. second for $1,500.00 with a net 140.0 and Tommy Schaff, Savannah, Ga.was third for $1,100.00. with a 141.0. Fourth was Travis Lewis, Lake Mary, Fla. for $1,000.00 and fifth was Chris-tian Carpenter, Hickory, NC, with Mike Yaeger, Las Vegas, Nev, and Tristan Seitz,

Ocala, Fla. also in the money. At ChampionsGate-International, Travis Lewis, Lake Mary, Fla won with 143.5 and Natalia Ghilzon, tied for second with James Strick-land, Clermont, Fla at 147.0 for $1,050.00 each. Leo Coates, II, Sunrise, Fla, Alba-no Valentino, San

Juan, Argentina, and Bill Currence, Deltona, Fla were also in the money. Murray Miller, DeLand, Fla. defended his Title of the IGTA Points Champion win-ning the $3,000.00 First Prize. Natalia Ghilzon, Windsor, Ont, Can was 2nd for $1,500.00 and Mike Yaeger, Las Vegas, Nev, was 3rd for $1,000.00. All Avid Golfers nationwide and all Professionals are invited to par-ticipate. www.igtatour.com

The Tour will reward new courses, na-tionwide, interested in conducting quali-fiers in participation with IGTA expan-sion. This can generate added income for the course, the Pro or a Rep in the area and is good for your players. USGA Rules of Golf are followed at all times.

Natalia Ghilzon Alicia Weber

Jesse wins at Cobblestone Park

Natalia wins at Disney w/ Jones,Shasha,Currence,Lewis

Our exclusive Modulator V3 Golf lens encompasses all you need. The optical superiority and lightweight characteristics of - Clear precision optics, hydrophobic outside and anti-fog inside coatings keep your view moisture free. It also features a finely tuned brown lens that highlights subtleties on the course while lightening and darkening to adapt to your environment. The lens does it all for you, letting you keep your focus on the ball. Available in most styles.

MODULATOR V3 GOLFTECHNOLOGY SERVINGA GOOD

Swing

Featured: Bolt 11520

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 720

youn

g gun

s

To date, Bella has 131-1st place finishes; 6-2nd place finishes, and 4-3rd place finishes out of 144 total tournaments.

2013: When Bella was 5 years old she finished in the top 10 in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship girls 7 year old division in Pinehurst, NC. She played 9 holes for 3 days and shot 40, 39, 41. The lowest total score in the events history for a 5 year old in the world championship.

2014: Won the Callaway Jr Golf World Champion-ship in the girls 6 year old division in San Diego, Ca.

2015: Won the US Kids Golf Florida State Champi-onship girls 7 year old division at Disney Oakes Trail golf course. She shot 33, 30 (-9) .

2015: She finished Runner-Up in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship girls 7 year old division in Pine-hurst, NC. She played 9 holes each day for 3 days. She shot 35,41,34.

She has won 64 consecutive USK Local Tour Tour-naments in the girls 7 year old division from April 2013-October 2015 (Including 3 playoffs). She com-peted in the U.S. Kids Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa, Stuart, and West Palm Local Tours.

Bella

Do

vhe

y

Bella with Barbara Nicklaus

The Stewart Lodges ~All Inclusive, Customized Golf and Lodging DESTINATION including:

Call TODAY ~ Mention this ad and ask about our “Value Added Package”

Loxley, Alabama ~ Only minutes from Mobile Bay

(251) 602-1300 ~ Toll Free (866) 580-4343 ~ www.StewartSteelwood.com

“Golf at Stewart Lodges at Steelwood”

Play ~

The Vistas are Spectacular, especially the 6 holes bordering the lake.

The Steelwood golf course opened in 1997.

With no two fairways alike and with four sets of tees on each hole, the course offers versatility appealing to players of all levels.

A combination of charm, exclusivity, and impeccable service — all nestled within a gorgeous 1200-acre wooded area.

The course, designed by former U.S. Open Champion Jerry Pate, is rated by GolfDigest® as one of “The Best Courses in Alabama”.

The Stewart Lodges ~All Inclusive, Customized Golf and Lodging DESTINATION including:

Call TODAY ~ Mention this ad and ask about our “Value Added Package”

Loxley, Alabama ~ Only minutes from Mobile Bay

(251) 602-1300 ~ Toll Free (866) 580-4343 ~ www.StewartSteelwood.com

“Golf at Stewart Lodges at Steelwood”

Play ~

The Vistas are Spectacular, especially the 6 holes bordering the lake.

The Steelwood golf course opened in 1997.

With no two fairways alike and with four sets of tees on each hole, the course offers versatility appealing to players of all levels.

A combination of charm, exclusivity, and impeccable service — all nestled within a gorgeous 1200-acre wooded area.

The course, designed by former U.S. Open Champion Jerry Pate, is rated by GolfDigest® as one of “The Best Courses in Alabama”.

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

playe

r profi

le

A team is a group of people with com-

plementary skills functioning together

to complete a common goal. Do you

think the world would be a better place

if everyone worked as a team?

On a MUCH smaller scale – and

perhaps one that is easier to pinpoint

– NFL fullback Don Nottingham put

the team above everything else. His 34

touchdowns spanning an 8 year career

(1971-1979) with the Baltimore Colts

and Miami Dolphins were secondary to

the main goal.

“Everyone had a specific job and as

Coach Shula told us very clearly, “We

could only win if we play as a team,”

said Don. “Although I wasn’t on the

1971 undefeated Dolphins, it was that

understanding that was responsible

for that record breaking season as well

as the 1973 Superbowl winning team

which I was part of.”

After retirement from the NFL, his

alma mater Kent State University

started awarding the “Don Nottingham

Cup” to the top offensive player of the

year. This is a tribute to Don’s role as

an outstanding individual who put the

team first.

Don lives in Central Florida, is an active

member of the NFL Alumni Associa-

tion, and enjoys playing golf. Don says,

“Where else could you spending time

with three friends in a beautiful envi-

ronment having a friendly competition.

I would like to play better, but who

wouldn’t?”

Don is presently part of a new team:

Special Olympics of Marion County. “I

was fortunate to play in the NFL and

to learn that there is an opportunity

to give back to the community after

playing at that level. Along with others

from the NFL Alumni Association, we

run a ‘clay trap shooting’ completion

as well as a golf outing as fund-raisers.”

Don also says, “It is an honor and a

pleasure being part of the Special

Olympics TEAM.”

By Jay Goldwn, PGA

The

Is EverythingTeam

Larry Ball and Don Nottingham

22

The Allianz Championship is an official PGA Champions Tour golf tournament that is played at the Old Course at Broken Sound, in Boca Raton, from February 1-7. All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Whether you prefer being on the

grounds of a championship golf course or relaxing and entertaining clients in our hospitality tents, you are sure to have a great time. Get your tickets today!

For more information call 561.241.GOLF (4653) or visit AllianzChampionship.com Follow Us On

Good-Any-One Day Grounds Pass allows the ticket holder access to the tournament grounds any one day between Friday through Sunday.

WIN A FREE CRUISESlush Lounge is good for one day purchased Friday through Sunday. Enjoy “cool” beverage options, including Slush frozen drinks, Celebrity Cruises’ curated menu of flavor-rich and fresh frozen cocktails. Cocktails are perfectly balanced with ingredients ranging from fresh pressed lemon juice, raspberries, cucumbers and mint to Persian Lime, Florida Valencia and Hamlin orange juice with organic agave nectar.

Club 18 Presented by is an upgraded ticket with a VIP Parking Pass includes unlimited upscale food and beverage that will be served throughout the day with a full open bar.

Club 18 One Day Pass 2 for

$40$150

$300

Good Any Day Grounds Pass 2 for Celebrity Cruises

Slush Lounge One Day Pass 2 for

$20 GIFT CARD with purchase of any two tickets

Proceeds Benefit

The Allianz Championship is an official PGA Champions Tour golf tournament that is played at the Old Course at Broken Sound, in Boca Raton, from February 1-7. All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Whether you prefer being on the

grounds of a championship golf course or relaxing and entertaining clients in our hospitality tents, you are sure to have a great time. Get your tickets today!

For more information call 561.241.GOLF (4653) or visit AllianzChampionship.com Follow Us On

Good-Any-One Day Grounds Pass allows the ticket holder access to the tournament grounds any one day between Friday through Sunday.

WIN A FREE CRUISESlush Lounge is good for one day purchased Friday through Sunday. Enjoy “cool” beverage options, including Slush frozen drinks, Celebrity Cruises’ curated menu of flavor-rich and fresh frozen cocktails. Cocktails are perfectly balanced with ingredients ranging from fresh pressed lemon juice, raspberries, cucumbers and mint to Persian Lime, Florida Valencia and Hamlin orange juice with organic agave nectar.

Club 18 Presented by is an upgraded ticket with a VIP Parking Pass includes unlimited upscale food and beverage that will be served throughout the day with a full open bar.

Club 18 One Day Pass 2 for

$40$150

$300

Good Any Day Grounds Pass 2 for Celebrity Cruises

Slush Lounge One Day Pass 2 for

$20 GIFT CARD with purchase of any two tickets

Proceeds Benefit

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 724

golf

histor

y

While the ‘roots’ of the Vinoy Re-naissance Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg can be linked to a golf bet, this world-class resort has blos-somed like a banyan tree and is now one of Florida’s most complete rest & relaxation getaway destinations. In 1923, golfing great Walter Hagen agreed to a wager with Aymer Vinoy Laughner, a wealthy Pennsylvania businessman. Hagen bet Laughner that he (Hagen) could hit three golf balls over an adjacent strip of water and have the balls finish on a nearby piece of residential property. If Hagen was successful, Laughner agreed to build a resort on that nearby piece of property with his (Laughner’s) name attached to it. The only stipulation was that Hagen would have to hit the three golf balls off the crystal face of Laughner’s gold watch, without damaging the face or the watch. Well, much to the surprise of Laughner, Hagen won the bet as he successfully hit the balls to the intended destination without damaging the watch. Soon thereafter, a contract was written on a brown paper bag which confirmed Laughner’s plans to buy that nearby coastal property. That was the site of the original Vinoy Park Hotel and is now the Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club. On February 5, 1925, construction began on the 375-room hotel. By New Year’s Eve of that year,

it opened for business at $20/night, which was quite expensive at the time. The evolution of the golf course at the Vinoy is another story unto itself. In fact, the golf course was

opened before ground was broken on the actual resort. Over time, the golf course was designed, built, opened, and has been modified a time or two. In 1920, a nine-hole course was opened by St. Petersburg developer C. Perry Snell. It was called the Coffee Pot Golf Club. In 1921, nine more holes were added. A few years later, another 18 holes were added – making 36 holes of golf. In 1932, candy bar magnate D.L. Clark purchased the Coffee Pot GC and renamed it Clarks’ Sunset Golf and Country Club. The ownership of the Vinoy bought the golf complex in 1948. In 1992, the golf course was redesigned into what is today’s par 71, 18-hole layout and worthy of being a part of the Florida Historic Golf Trail. Besides being a fun golf course to play which is always well-manicured and in great shape, this golf course is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary because it’s the home of many types of vegetation – dozens of palm trees, live oak trees, and pine trees. Besides the ‘jungle’-like en-vironment, there are 63 sand traps on the course. Another interesting element of this golf course is that it provides an alternative to walking or riding a golf cart. Here, you can use a Golf Bike. Since March of 2014, Golf Bikes have been used at the Vinoy Golf Club. Try it. You might like it. One of the unique aspects of the Vinoy experience is that the resort is accessible by land and by sea. Yes, you can arrive by current and not just by car! At the Vinoy, there are 74 fixed concrete slips at its marina which can accommodate ships as long as 120 feet. If you stay on your boat, you can still enjoy all the amenities of the resort, including room service. While the hotel is now a one-of-a-kind destination featuring 12 tennis courts, five restaurants, two outdoor pools, a whirlpool, a spa, a fitness center, twice-daily maid service, and much, much more, the resort fell on hard times beginning in the 1960s, eventually closed, was a homeless shelter, and was almost knocked down, but local efforts to revive the Vinoy were successful. Now, it’s a AAA Four Diamond Resort and it’s back in business. Are you ready to sample the Vinoy experience? I am. It’s just

a phone call away -- 727-894-1000.

By Mike May

The Vinoy Golf Club: A Riches to Rags to Riches Story

Opening Day

Old Vinoy

Fl� ida’s Premier Private Island & G f Club Co� unityLocated in the rare rolling hills just 20 minutes west of downtown Orlando is a private waterfront and golf club

community like none other in Florida. The breathtaking Tuscan-inspired setting makes you feel as though you have stepped into one of Italy’s most scenic hillside regions. Yet, Bella Collina’s peaceful country-like setting is just minutes

from metropolitan Orlando’s world-class shopping, dining and entertainment attractions.Timeless Tuscan architecture. Idyllic private island and lakefront living. Gorgeous Nick Faldo-designed golf course

views. Bella Collina. Florida’s quintessential private club community.

Sales: 407.469.4980 | www.BellaCollina.comORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE, THE PURCHASE CONTRACT, AND THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS FOR

THE PROJECT PROVIDED BY THE DEVELOPER. DEVELOPER DOES NOT DESIGN OR CONSTRUCT HOMES. ANY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER SHOULD CONTACT ONE OR MORE APPROVED BUILDERS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PLANS, DESCRIPTIONS, FEATURES, AMENITIES AND PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ILLUSTRATIONS AND PHOTOGRAPHY ARE AN ARTIST’S INTERPRETATION OF THE PROPOSED PROPERTY AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED ON FOR ACCURACY. PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT ANY VIEW FROM THE LOT AND THE REMAINDER OF THE PROJECT MAY IN THE FUTURE BE LIMITED OR ELIMINATED. DEVELOPER HEREBY GIVES NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS THAT DEVELOPER IN NO MANNER GUARANTEES THE CONTINUING EXISTENCE OF ANY VIEW FROM THE LOT OR THE PROJECT. FURTHER, DEVELOPER GIVES NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS THAT DEVELOPER MAKES NO COMMITMENT OR REPRESENTATION CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANY PROPERTY IN PROXIMITY TO, OR VISIBLE FROM, THE LOT OR PROJECT. ACTUAL VIEWS MAY VARY. VIEWS SHOWN CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS THE ACTUAL VIEW FROM ANY PARTICULAR LOT WITHIN THE PROJECT. VIEWS WILL DIFFER DEPENDING ON CONDITIONS SUCH AS LOCATION, SKYLINE AND WEATHER. NO FEDERAL AGENCY HAS JUDGED THE MERITS OR VALUE, IF ANY, OF THIS PROPERTY. PICTURES OF HOMES IN DEVELOPER BROCHURE HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR DISPLAY BY THE OWNERS. THIS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL REAL PROPERTY TO RESIDENTS OF NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY OR OTHER JURISDICTIONS WHERE PROHIBITED OR WHERE PRIOR REGISTRATION OR ADVANCE QUALIFICATION IS REQUIRED. WE ARE PLEDGED TO THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF U.S. POLICY FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY THROUGHOUT THE NATION UNDER THE FEDERAL FAIR

HOUSING ACT. WE ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT AN AFFIRMATIVE ADVERTISING AND MARKETING PROGRAM IN WHICH THERE ARE NO BARRIERS TO OBTAINING HOUSING BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, HANDICAP, FAMILIAL STATUS, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN.

Fl� ida’s Premier Private Island & G f Club Co� unityLocated in the rare rolling hills just 20 minutes west of downtown Orlando is a private waterfront and golf club

community like none other in Florida. The breathtaking Tuscan-inspired setting makes you feel as though you have stepped into one of Italy’s most scenic hillside regions. Yet, Bella Collina’s peaceful country-like setting is just minutes

from metropolitan Orlando’s world-class shopping, dining and entertainment attractions.Timeless Tuscan architecture. Idyllic private island and lakefront living. Gorgeous Nick Faldo-designed golf course

views. Bella Collina. Florida’s quintessential private club community.

Sales: 407.469.4980 | www.BellaCollina.comORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE, THE PURCHASE CONTRACT, AND THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS FOR

THE PROJECT PROVIDED BY THE DEVELOPER. DEVELOPER DOES NOT DESIGN OR CONSTRUCT HOMES. ANY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER SHOULD CONTACT ONE OR MORE APPROVED BUILDERS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PLANS, DESCRIPTIONS, FEATURES, AMENITIES AND PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ILLUSTRATIONS AND PHOTOGRAPHY ARE AN ARTIST’S INTERPRETATION OF THE PROPOSED PROPERTY AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED ON FOR ACCURACY. PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT ANY VIEW FROM THE LOT AND THE REMAINDER OF THE PROJECT MAY IN THE FUTURE BE LIMITED OR ELIMINATED. DEVELOPER HEREBY GIVES NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS THAT DEVELOPER IN NO MANNER GUARANTEES THE CONTINUING EXISTENCE OF ANY VIEW FROM THE LOT OR THE PROJECT. FURTHER, DEVELOPER GIVES NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS THAT DEVELOPER MAKES NO COMMITMENT OR REPRESENTATION CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANY PROPERTY IN PROXIMITY TO, OR VISIBLE FROM, THE LOT OR PROJECT. ACTUAL VIEWS MAY VARY. VIEWS SHOWN CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS THE ACTUAL VIEW FROM ANY PARTICULAR LOT WITHIN THE PROJECT. VIEWS WILL DIFFER DEPENDING ON CONDITIONS SUCH AS LOCATION, SKYLINE AND WEATHER. NO FEDERAL AGENCY HAS JUDGED THE MERITS OR VALUE, IF ANY, OF THIS PROPERTY. PICTURES OF HOMES IN DEVELOPER BROCHURE HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR DISPLAY BY THE OWNERS. THIS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL REAL PROPERTY TO RESIDENTS OF NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY OR OTHER JURISDICTIONS WHERE PROHIBITED OR WHERE PRIOR REGISTRATION OR ADVANCE QUALIFICATION IS REQUIRED. WE ARE PLEDGED TO THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF U.S. POLICY FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY THROUGHOUT THE NATION UNDER THE FEDERAL FAIR

HOUSING ACT. WE ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT AN AFFIRMATIVE ADVERTISING AND MARKETING PROGRAM IN WHICH THERE ARE NO BARRIERS TO OBTAINING HOUSING BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, HANDICAP, FAMILIAL STATUS, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN.

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 726

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

impro

ving p

erfor

manc

e

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

Keith Rogers is a golfer. More impor-tantly, he is a golfer with unique insight into the golf swing. His philosophy on learning has spawned a new golf com-pany that promises to simplify how we learn and provide a suite of products every golfer serious about this game should own. The training aid market is cluttered with devices that are good, bad and everywhere in-between. Like most of us, he has bought them and used them with little success. While searching for a solution to his own swing issues, he invented the Swing Wizzard™. Players and teachers alike are raving about how quickly and easily the Swing

Wizzard™ gives feedback on how their individual swing plane should feel. The word on the golf course is that the Swing Wizzard™’s effect feels like magic. It of-fers instant feedback and improvement in a way you just have to feel to believe. Keith Rogers, president of Wizard Golf™, comments, “Any golfer can make a good swing if he understands how it should feel. There are so many elements in play when you swing at high speeds, it is simply impossible to focus on what is important. The Swing Wizzard™ slows you down and puts your movement on plane, while setting your hands in the proper impact position. It is automatic and immediate. Everyone is looking

for instant gratification, and countless golfers have told me that it literally feels like magic. Beginners see instant improvement they can build upon, and low handicap-pers see just as profound results. This was so encour-aging, I decided to add some other great products into the Wizard Golf™ line following the same concept of extreme simplicity and effectiveness. We now have products that will help golfers improve their short game and putting with very simple and universally applied techniques and tools” The Swing Wizzard™ is a simple device that conforms to your body’s natural movement and allows the user to not only see what transpires in the swing, but also to feel it. Feel is the key to building muscle memo-ry and a consistent repeatable swing that transfers effortlessly to your own swing. Its patented design is not intended to hit balls. Rogers comments on his philosophy, “I wanted to take the user’s focus off hitting golf balls, and place it more on building and understanding the dynamics of their swing in a controlled manor. When you consider that the average swing is moving between 70 to 90 MPH in just 1.3 seconds, it is nearly impossible to gain a true sense of what your club and body are actually doing.” From the momentum gathered from the success of the Swing Wizzard™, Wizard Golf™ is now embarking on an epic path for new products with real benefit and profound results. Wizard Golf™ now boasts more than seven products. They are all products that are inarguably simple and effective, and are important improvement products every golfer should carry. The new line focuses on the short game and addresses chip-ping, alignment, and putting stroke, as well as targets – all designed to build consistency and accuracy. The Chip Wizard attaches to the Swing Wiz-zard™ and encourages the proper hands forward position required for accurate

chip shots. The Wizard Target Master has three targets for chipping, pitch-ing and putting that collapse and store easily in your bag. The Wizard Putting System includes a device to help develop a long smooth stroke, an innovative string alignment tool, as well as a multi-function hole reducer for creating a more focused target. Together, they cover the entire envelope of great putting. Rog-ers adds, “ We are promising great golf simplified. Our products all focus entirely on fundamentals and are the simplest possible solution to the problem they are designed to solve. My Tour Stroke won’t release the golf ball until a full smooth stroke is made. Short jabby strokes prone to the yips are history with this aid. The string trainer keeps the stroke on line, and is the same concept adopted by nearly all instructors and tour play-ers. Finally, our hole reducer forces you to putt to a smaller target. This is another standard training tool that has always worked very well. We made a more practical multi-use version you can carry with you in the kit.” Great Golf. Simplified. It is a bold statement and seems to be a lofty goal for sure. But maybe a new perspective and some sound practical products will be all it takes to give golfers what they need to see improvement in their game and give them a chance to take their entire golf game to a whole new level.

By Gabriella St. Croix

Groove Your Swing

Keith Rogers

www.acegroupclassic.com

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 728

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

fredd

y's fa

irway

thou

ghts

By Fred Seely

You think Donald Trump’s insults are only aimed at a) other Republican candidates, b) foreigners who want to get into America or c) whatever catches his eye at the moment? He has plenty of insults for golf. Better grin and bear it, folks, because he might become the game’s biggest boy. Widely reported Trumpisms go after programs like The First Tee (“Forcing the game on kids,”) the National Golf Foundation (“Their data is wrong. They’re incompetent,”) equipment manufacturers (“Planned obsolescence”) and even the Scottish government (“The politicians should be thanking me instead of pandering to political correctness.”) No arrows for this guy. He’s firing a shotgun and he’s hitting a lot of targets. But he can justify plenty of ammo; he owns 15 courses from America to the Middle East. He’s proud to be an elitist and his courses reflect that. But it’s not that border-jumpers need not apply, they can’t afford it. Be wary, you golf administrators. Your turn is coming.

Short shots:

• The Jacksonville area pros and amateurs put on a big annual banquet and the highlight is the presentation of the Deane Beman Award to someone who has made longterm contributions to the game. This year’s winner is a guy named Herb Peyton, who owns the big Gate Petroleum service station chain and a lot of land, and who funds the

best pro, amateur and senior tournaments in Northeast Florida. Beman will be on hand Feb. 3 to present the award; the evening’s speaker is former U.S. and British Am champ Steve Melnyk. • When they start the member-guest at the exclusive Secession Golf Club near Beaufort, S.C., they do it with a bang. The previous year’s winners get to pull the cord on a Civil War cannon.

• You heard of “hand me downs.” How about “hand me ups?” That’s what Peter Kuchar calls his collection of nice golf shirts that son Matt passes along.

• Donald Ross designed over 400 courses in North America and a man on a mission is Brad Becken, who lives in Chapel Hill, N.C. He’s played 235 Ross courses and his fellow Donald Ross Society members have prevailed on him to history from the clubs themselves. “We know plenty about Ross,” says Becken, “and we want to know how his clubs have memorialized him.” He’s at chapala@dslextreme.com.

• The original LPGA sweetheart, Laura Baugh, has moved to Ponte Vedra Beach but it wasn’t because of the PGA Tour. She has been living near Augusta, Ga., and got her last child (she has seven) through school, and she wanted to live at a beach. Mutual friends put her in touch with Sawgrass CC Director of Golf Greg Lecker, and she’s now a teaching pro at the club.

• Lots of sons of famous golfers are coming along (we mentioned Dru Love recently) and now you’ll be reading more about Taylor Funk. He was on scholarship at the University of Texas, but the lure of pro golf trumped academics. He’ll start his new career on the Latin American Tour.

• The next Players Championship might have the biggest crowd ever: it won’t be on Mother’s Day weekend. The 2016 tournament will be May 12-15, the week after the holiday. The attendance effect is very noticeable on a Mother’s Day Sunday as many come out early and then head home midday.

• There’s apparently a bit of politician in The Golf Channel’s Charlie Rymer. He’s the new secretary of his PGA Section — North Florida — which is the route to the president’s spot.

• Comments welcome, politically correct or not. I’m at fs4569@comcast.net.

Championship awards come in all shapes and one of the most unusual is at Jacksonville’s Hyde Park, where they give a boxing belt. A member is the local boxing promoter and donated this beauty. That’s current club champ Zach Rogers showing it off.

www.integritygolfco.com

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 730

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

By Greg Wiseco

iurse

of dr

eams

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

No … we aren’t talking basketball. We are talking The Florida Professional Golf Tours return to Candler Hills Golf Club for the 10th Annual Ocala Open – March 15-18, 2016. “Dan McCarthy has already commit-ted that he will return to Candler Hills for the tenth annual Ocala Open,” stat-ed Rick Hendershot, president, Florida Professional Golf Tour. Rick went on to state, “I am looking forward to another great championship here at Candler Hills, and I hope to duplicate last year’s record of 162 players for the three-day tournament, playing for the guaranteed $12,000 first place check.” One of the biggest reason the Ocala Open continues to be successful is the support of local vendors and residents who partner with the Ocala Open to help raise money to support two local charities: Interfaith Emergency Services and Hospice of Marion County. “From a maintenance standpoint, the Ocala Open is the highlight of our year. Months of preparation go into making this a success, not only for the tournament, but also for our members who enjoy the course leading up to and after the event. It truly showcases our knowledge and expertise in golf course preparation,” stated Andrew Jorgensen, CGCS, golf course superintendent at On Top of the World Communities. “When you take a look at the past champions list, you begin to under-stand the quality that is event,” men-tioned Rick Hendershot.

Current 2015 Ocala Open Champion – Dan McCarthy, Syracuse, NY2014 Champion – Patrick Sheehan2013 Champion – Travis Hampshire 2012 Champion – Yohann Benson2011 Champion – Ted Potter Jr. 2010 Champion – Ted Potter Jr.2009 Champion – Danny Ellis2008 Champion – Travis Hampshire2007 Champion – Rod Perry2006 Champion – Rod Perry

Heading up to the Ocala Open, The Florida Professional Golf Tour hosts Professional Golf Events around the Central Florida area.

Feb 6-7 2016 Indian River Open -New Smyrna Beach Municipal - New Smyrna Beach, FLFeb 11-12 – 2-Man Team Championship - Stoneybrook East GC - Orlando, FLFeb 20-21 – 2016 Wildwood Open - Con-tinental - Wildwood, FLFeb 27-28 – Crane Lakes Invitational - Crane Lakes - Port Orange, FLMar 16-18 – 2016 Ocala Open - Candler Hills Golf Club - Ocala, FL Mar 26-27 – 2016 Daytona Beach Open - Daytona Beach GC- North - Daytona Beach, FLApr 4-5 – 2016 Winter Springs Open - Tuscawilla - Winter Springs, FLApr 28-29 – FPGTour Season Finale - Eagle Dunes - Sorrento, FL

For additional information about the Florida Professional Golf Tour, Contact Rick Hendershot atwww.FloridaProfessionalGolfTour.org or by calling (407) 619-4778.

A D I S P L A Y O F T H E W O R L D S M O S T E X O T I C C A R S , M O T O R C Y C L E S A N D L U X U R Y B R A N D S .

R E G I S T E R Y O U R C A R F O R D I S P L A Y O N L I N E W W W . F E S T I V A L S O F S P E E D . C O M | 3 5 2 - 3 8 5 - 9 4 5 0

S T . P E T E R S B U R G

FRIDAY, APRIL 1 L U X U R Y L I F E S T Y L E C O C K T A I L R E C E P T I O N

SUNDAY , APRIL 3 M O T O R S P O R T S D I S P L A Y

Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg

A M E L I A I S L A N D

FR IDAY , MARCH 1 1 L U X U R Y L I F E S T Y L E C O C K T A I L R E C E P T I O N

O m n i A m e l i a I s l a n d P l a n t a t i o n R e s o r t

SATURDAY , MARCH 12 M O T O R S P O R T S D I S P L A Y

Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort

March Madness Returns to Ocala

Eric Cole

Dan McCarthy2015 Champion

Patrick Sheehan2014 Champion

Par 3Hole #5

A D I S P L A Y O F T H E W O R L D S M O S T E X O T I C C A R S , M O T O R C Y C L E S A N D L U X U R Y B R A N D S .

R E G I S T E R Y O U R C A R F O R D I S P L A Y O N L I N E W W W . F E S T I V A L S O F S P E E D . C O M | 3 5 2 - 3 8 5 - 9 4 5 0

S T . P E T E R S B U R G

FRIDAY, APRIL 1 L U X U R Y L I F E S T Y L E C O C K T A I L R E C E P T I O N

SUNDAY , APRIL 3 M O T O R S P O R T S D I S P L A Y

Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg

A M E L I A I S L A N D

FR IDAY , MARCH 1 1 L U X U R Y L I F E S T Y L E C O C K T A I L R E C E P T I O N

O m n i A m e l i a I s l a n d P l a n t a t i o n R e s o r t

SATURDAY , MARCH 12 M O T O R S P O R T S D I S P L A Y

Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 732

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

By Mike Maysta

y & pl

ay

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

When planning a southern golf getaway, many golfers think about Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; greater Pine-hurst, North Carolina; or anywhere in Florida. One location which deserves equal consideration is Lake Charles, Louisiana (www.visitlakecharles.org) -- two hours east of Houston or three hours west of New Orleans, just off I-10. You can also fly into Lake

Charles on either United or American. When planning your trip to Lake Charles, stay at the Golden Nug-get Lake Charles (www.golden-nugget.com/lakecharles), which is perched along Contraband Bayou. The Golden Nugget is new as it just opened in December of 2014.The two biggest attractions at the Golden Nugget are the pool and the golf course. At the Golden Nugget, the H2O Pool & Bar is in a class by itself. To believe it, you have to see it. The pool has two family friendly destinations: the ‘lazy’ river and two flume rides. And, the pool features an awesome wet bar; multiple ‘islands’ called daybeds; and a state-of-the-art concert stage which features ‘live’ musical performances. Here, you can swim to the wet bar, order a drink, charge it to your room, and then float along the ‘lazy river.’ That’s the epitome of relaxation. The pool area also contains fire pits and hot tubs. The Golden Nugget pool is cool! For golfers, The Country Club at the Golden Nugget (844-777-4653; www.goldennuggetlc.com) is a must-play. The course’s location is different as it sits on the edge of Contraband Bayou. It’s your chance to pursue birdies in the bayou. This golf course, designed by award winning architect Todd Ecken-rode, is well-designed, well-maintained, and very appealing to the eye. The Min-iverde greens are fair, fast, and consis-tent. Since this golf course sits on the

banks of the bayou, the wind is ever-present. There are more than 15 acres of waste bunkers on the course that keep errant shots in play. If you can keep your ball out of the bunkers and the bayou, you can post a good score. “In addition to the course, The Country Club features a full-service clubhouse providing the ideal envi-ronment for guests to dine, relax and recap the experience of a picturesque round of golf,” John Hurt, head golf professional at The Country Club at The Golden Nugget. “After the game, unwind on the patio with breathtak-ing views of the sunset while enjoy-ing a chef-crafted cuisine or favorite drink from our full-service bar with an extensive wine, beer and liquor selec-tion, as well as a premium cigar list.” While standing on the tees of the par five 18th and the par four 9th, the view of the Golden Nug-get in the distance is imposing. As for the front nine, don’t get so consumed by the views of birds and the bayou and forget to play golf. The strongest memories of the back nine are the two medium-length par threes

(14th and 16th) and the three short par fours (10th, 13th, and 15th). All five are birdie holes, but they can torture your scorecard with higher scores, too. The Golden Nugget Spa & Salon offers first-class experiences. They offer mas-sages, manicures, pedicures, and facials. At the Spa,

you can also find a sauna, steam room, whirlpool, and a fitness room. When it comes to dining at the Golden Nugget, there are many res-taurants on site. There’s no need to eat the same meal twice, unless you make that choice. Then, again, can you ever eat enough beignets for break-fast? Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse, Landry’s Seafood House, Lillie’s, Cadil-lac Mexican Kitchen, Saltgrass Steak House, Grotto, The Bufet, and Claim Jumper are just a few of the restaurant options. Make sure that you visit The Chocolate Box for dessert, where the handmade truffles are delightful. Did I mention the Golden Nugget’s Grand Event Center, beach, shopping opportunities, lavishly designed rooms, and casino? And, there are two other great local restaurants to enjoy in Lake Charles -- The Seafood Palace and the 1910 Restaurant and Wine Bar. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to Lake Charles, Louisiana. Don’t forget to bring

your golf clubs and an appetite.

Go Stay & Play (Golf) in Lake Charles, IA

STORYMY

STORYMY

STORYMY

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STORYMYGolf Course Superintendents Association of America

IF YOU LOVE GOLF LIKE I DOThank a Golf Course Superintendent

Thank a Golf Course Superintendent at www.gcsaa.org/thankasuperintendentand be entered to win a trip to the 2015 PGA Championship!

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Thank a Golf Course Superintendent at www.gcsaa.org/thankasuperintendentand be entered to win a trip to the 2015 PGA Championship!

Ad_final_2.indd 3 4/15/15 10:23 AM

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 734

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

By Gabriellla St. Croixwh

at's n

ew

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

The introduction of colored golf balls was a welcomed change in a sport steeped in traditions and standards unchanged for so many decades. It is no secret that golf must evolve and attract new generations of golfers to flourish. A bit of color added, a bit of fun and flair and golfers embraced the change. Why stop there? Varick Golf Balls are adding a little “bling” and some fun, and taking it to a whole new level with a line of metallic and neon patterned balls certain to turn the heads of anyone who sees them. Varick Golf Balls can go toe-to-toe with most any ball on the market while giving golfers a stylish and individualized option. Varick Golf balls are fun. They are easier to see, easier to recog-nize, and definitely add some novelty to your game. Who said change was ever a bad thing? Hugh Penton, President, comments: “ When I was ap-proached to distribute these unique golf balls, my first reaction was to say “wow , these are really cool!” Everyone I showed the balls to immediately smiled and marveled at them. I really didn’t

know the potential of this ball, but I do know it is very cool and big fun on the course. The ball performs extremely well and I did not see any difference with the performance ball I normally use. I was immediately hooked. Everyone I talked to loved it, and my friends in my foursome all wanted some. Putting a little fun and style into golf is a good thing. A very good thing. I really hope golfers of all abilities at least try this ball. I am sure they will love it and will be very surprised at the way it performs and feels. The ladies just love these, but they are not just for ladies or young people either. I’ve been playing golf for longer than most, and I’m really excited over these balls!” Lets look at how this ball performs. As for distance, it is as good or better than most. When it comes to feel and control, this ball is remarkably good as well. Ultimately, you will have to be the judge. Michael Wargo, a professional golfer remarks, “My friend Hugh asked me to try a new

ball, and when I saw it, I had some serious doubts that something so radically different would play as well as the balls I normally use. But much to my surprise, I hit shots side by side hitting my ball and the Varick ball to the same target from the same dis-tance. It felt great! Distance was the same, and I could work the ball and it was a very good ball. Around the greens was very similar. It felt soft on the clubface and I could spin it well. There were literally no deficiencies I could report. I was really impressed.”The Varick ball comes in 8 colors, and will be available in a men’s and women’s assortment box of a dozen. The second you get your club on a Varick Golf Ball you will understand how easy it is to love this ball. The Varick Golf Balls will be more than eye-catching on the green, they are finally bringing something new and different to the golf ball. And best of all, they preform as well as they look! There is no other ball like it. Bring-ing unique and individualistic flair to

the course, you may never want to go back to the bor-ing old white ball again. Varick Golf Balls are exclusively distributed in the US by Starting Time®, a golf company that has been around for more than 12 years with products such as the Eye Cue Brass Putter, and the incredibly popular My Mini Golf. My mini Golf is a home mini golf system kids, clubs and teachers are prais-ing all over the country making learning to putt

fun and exciting. For more information on all of Starting Time’s great products, visit www.startingtimegolf.com.

A Little Bling. A Lot of Fun!

www.seviervillegolf.com

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 736

what'

s new Golf Skate Caddy:

The Fun and Future of the GameForget the over-starched khakis

and long, drawn out rounds. In the face of declining interest in the

sport, Golf Skate Caddy is throwing out the rulebook and bringing new

excitement to the game of golf.Today’s fast-paced world is driven by technology, innovation and immediate satisfaction -- everything that golf is not, until now. Golf Skate Caddy (GSC) based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is the culmination of more than 20 years of global research and development in the electric transportation industry.

Golf Skate Caddy offers many features and benefits for golf course owners and operators. The unit can speed up play by 50 percent for 18 holes and can move up to six players per tee time providing additional revenue for courses. GSC is also equipped with the latest technology to allow users to play music and connect to their smart phones. With room for a single golf bag, a built-in cooler and cup-holder, the stand up golf cart adds a new element of fun and independence for players of all ages.

According to golf legend and golf course designer Greg Norman Sr., innovative products like Golf Skate Caddy are long overdue and necessary to ensure the sport doesn’t simple fade away. In a recent article in Australian Financial Review, Norman said, “Bring the kids in by letting them put speakers in golf carts, putting headsets on or playing in their board shorts or getting on an electric skateboard or something like that to take their clubs around, have fun with the game, speed it up, do what the kids like to do.”

Norman went on to point out that this evolution can be seen in other sports and should be embraced by the golf industry to ensure growth.

“When snowboarding became popular, ski resorts resisted and resisted and resisted, and what happened was families wouldn’t come becuase their kids couldn’t snowboard. The resorts were cutting off their nose to spite their face because

they weren’t reaching down to millennials — you’ve got to listen to what these kids do,” he said.

Traditionally, golf has been a game that focused on walking and individual play. The modern golf age brought on the development of expansive course designs that forced the implementation of two-person golf carts to enable golfers to physically play these longer layouts.

“Golf Skate Caddy is modernizing an important aspect of the game,” said Aaron Parkinson, CEO of Golf Skate Caddy. “We’re excited to be bringing back the joy and spirit that walking has always provided golfers of all ages with this single rider vehicle.”

To learn more about Golf Skate Caddy, visit www.golfskatecaddyusa.com. For more information or to set up a demo, contact Patrick Pires at 844-300-4653, 561-502-5125 or patrickp@golfskatecaddy.com.

37Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

The Stand Up Golf Cart

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 738

featur

e

According to Dr. Nickolas Lavidis, a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, cut grass can actually act as a stress reliever. Perhaps that’s why we can’t resist a match whenever the hustle and bustle of our lives comes to a quiet halt.

Or why professionals choose to spend the rest of their days making a career on the turf. Or why the superintendents care for it as if it’s their own child. On the grass, we are no longer burdened with the responsibilities real life has to offer. We can enjoy a cool beverage, take in the scenery, and quietly gloat when we get that birdie. This is exactly what TURF LIFE is all about. Founded in 2013 by our very own Terrie Purdum, TURF LIFE is a lifestyle brand that highlights a part of the game that’s sometimes overlooked (literally and figuratively): the grass. Without turf, we would have no course. Without a course, well, you’d have no game. Without the game of golf we wouldn’t have a favorite player or those hardworking superintendents... and I know some of you would go insane but that’s beside the point. Almost 46.5 million acres of turf covers our world. If you think about it, that’s a lot of Golf Course Superintendents, and all of them work tirelessly to maintain those millions of acres of precious land. TURF LIFE is proud to pay homage to the individuals that eat, sleep and breathe golf. Without them, there would be no us. Although the brand loves

to acknowledge the industry professionals, it was originally created by golfers, for golfers. That includes players of every age, color, shape and size. It strives to represent the average golfer, because it knows that they are the wind fanning the flame; the movement that keeps the sport we all love alive. It erases unseen separation between the “amateurs” and the “professionals”, and celebrates each hand that contributes to the game. So, if you can appreciate a good stroke, or get excited thinking about which skort you’ll wear at the next match, you, too, are an embodiment of the TURF LIFE brand. A golf course, however, is not the only patch of grass the brand stands for. Baseball, football, and soccer

By Erin West

Let’s Talk

39Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

players are able to identify with the characteristics of the brand. It can even go beyond sports; anyone who admires hardworking, devoted people can appreciate the TURF LIFE movement. Grantland Rice once said, “You are meant to play the ball as it lies, a fact that may help to touch on your own objective approach to life.” Lessons we learn from sports like golf can take root so deeply in our lives as we continue to grow upward and on. TURF LIFE is proud to provide a supportive and loving community as you learn and grow from the beautiful game of golf

(or baseball, football, soccer, etc).

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 740

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

fore y

our h

ealth Copper-Infused Compression Golf Glove

Relieves Muscle and Joint PainThe phenomenon is everywhere. You’ve seen it on TV and in most major retailers. Copper compression technology products are red hot in the sports and

compression golf glove, Copper Tech, at the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, January 27-29 at

both men and women, are like having three gloves in one. First, each glove is made

gloves are engineered with a non-slip patent-pending spider weave silicon technology which reduces wear and allows golfers to grip the club with less tension while improving slip resistance, even

glove’s woven copper-infused compression technology helps soothe joint and muscle pain especially for golfers with chronic

“We use high-grade copper fabrics to infuse our products

of copper,” said Lloyd Cohn, President of

Pocketec, Inc. “Our patent-pending design gives the golfer an expandable

along with the

power of compression

not only helps soothe muscle and joint pain in the

hands, it improves a player’s

need to grab onto the club too

glove sold out for the holiday season proving that copper compression

technology is something golfers are in need of and hungry for. “We believed our copper-infused glove

business.”

The Copper Tech glove is manufactured by Pocketec Inc. It retails for $19.99 and is available on line at www.coppertechglove.com. Pocketec also manufactures the Lady Classic glove, the only patented women’s golf glove designed with open

Copper Tech's non-slip patent-pending spider weave silicon technology reduces wear and improves grip, even

www.antigua.com

42 Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

The Brenau University golf team has selected Private First Class Theron V. Hobbs as their official honoree for the 2015-2016 WGCA/Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program. The team will carry a custom golf bag printed with PFC Hobbs’ name and rank to honor his service, bravery and ulti-mate sacrifice for our great nation. “Carrying the name of a fallen soldier, especially when he be-longs to one of our own, gives us a very unique chance to show our gratitude for the sacrifices he and his family have made for us,” said head golf coach Damon Stancil. Hobbs, 22, was killed in action Nov. 6, 2008, in Kirkuk, Iraq, while deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Albany, Georgia, native and his wife Kimberly were expect-ing their first child just three months later. He was a cousin of Golden Tigers golfer Lakese Shanell Brown, a sophomore majoring in pre-nursing. “Theron was a family person and wanted to serve his country,” said Brown. “I am proud of his work and service. He was a blessing to our family although we only got to see him physi-cally for a short period of time, I believe in God, and that we will see him again.” The bag is embroidered with an

American flag and the Folds of Honor logo, as well as the bibli-cal quote John 15:13 - “greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Hobbs was assigned to the 572nd Engineer Company, 20th Engineer Battalion and 36th Engineer Bri-gade out of Fort Hood, Texas. The Folds of Honor Foundation is a nonprofit organization provid-ing educational support to spouses and children of America’s fallen and wounded soldiers. Since 2007, it has offered scholarship assistance to the million-plus dependents who have been affected by deployments and has raised over $27 million through sports fundraisers to provide finan-cial support for students and their families. It was founded by Major Rooney, a PGA professional, USGA member, former college golfer at the University of Kansas and former F-16 military pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, following his sec-ond of three tours of duty in Iraq. “In honor of the members of the military who have protected and sac-rificed so much for our country, this is one way to show our appreciation for them,” said Brenau Director of Military and Veteran Services Rosanne Short.

“We really want to step in and support those families who have had loved ones deployed, to help take away some of the stress they may be experiencing.”This is Brenau’s second year with the Folds of Honor tribute program. Last year, Staff Sgt. Shaun J. Whitehead of Commerce, Georgia, was selected as the university’s honoree. He died April 24, 2008, in Iskandariyah, Iraq, of wounds sustained from an ex-plosive at age 25. He had been as-signed to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. “Our team is humbled and honored to have this opportunity to honor Hobb and service members like him,” said Stancil. “The ladies have really taken this Military Tribute Program to heart and each has shown great pride when they have been able to carry the bag during one of our tournaments.”

Brenau University Golden Tigers Golf Team Selects 2015-16 Honoree for Folds of Honor Tribute

To honor the memory of Private First Class Theron V. Hobbs, the Brenau Uni-versity Golden Tigers Golf Team displays his name and rank on their custom golf bags as part of the 2015-16 Folds of Honors Military Tribute Program.

The Quarry at Black Diamond. . . . . . simply breathtaking.

Become a National Member Enjoy full privileges at one of Florida’s premier private golf clubs

and play unlimited golf on 45 Tom Fazio-designed holes, including the famed Quarry Course.

For More Information, Call Bill Hardin (813) 575-0705

Membership Real Estate Stay & Play

www.blackdiamondranch.com/national 3125 W Black Diamond Circle, Lecanto, FL 34461

The Quarry at Black Diamond. . . . . . simply breathtaking.

Become a National Member Enjoy full privileges at one of Florida’s premier private golf clubs

and play unlimited golf on 45 Tom Fazio-designed holes, including the famed Quarry Course.

For More Information, Call Bill Hardin (813) 575-0705

Membership Real Estate Stay & Play

www.blackdiamondranch.com/national 3125 W Black Diamond Circle, Lecanto, FL 34461

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

comp

etiti

ve sp

irits

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 744

Sugarlands Distilling Company produces craft quality moonshine and whiskey. The distillery, in downtown Gatlinburg, is a popular attraction where guests are invited to taste free samples of authentic Sugarlands Shine, take behind the-scenes tours of the production, and purchase a variety of moonshine flavors, mountain merchandise, and apparel.

The distillery also offers live music, Appalachian storytelling, and outdoor adventure tours in the Sugarlands, an area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park historically known as “moonshiners’ paradise.” The company is East Tennes-see-owned, with a focus on improving the local community through a variety of events and charitable giving.

Sugarlands Distilling Co. opened its downtown Gatlinburg distillery in March 2014 to perform the age-old craft of dis-tilling fine Sugarlands Shine. Its authentic spirits, barn-house location, and first-class entertainment offer visitors the com-plete Tennessee moonshine experience. Sugarlands Dis-tilling Co. is a proud, locally owned, community–minded, “give-back” brand.

www.sugarlandsdistilling.com

Jim Tom's Bloody MaryPour Sugarlands Shine Jim Tom’s Unaged Rye over ice, top with your favorite Bloody Mary Mix and garnish with Olives, Bacon and Celery. Optional Salt and Pepper rim.

Tropical Silver Cloud2 ounces Silver Cloud Sugarlands Shine2 ounces Pineapple juice2 ounces Mango juice1 ounce Water (to cut thickness of mango juice)Pour over ice and stir. Sink 1/4 ounce grenadine and garnish with mango pieces.

www.coronacigar.com

46

head

er

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

golf

histor

y

The North Palm Beach Country Club

(951 U.S. Highway One, North Palm

Beach, FL; 561-691-3433) is a course

which has experienced true trans-

formation – a facelift and a name

change – since it opened in the mid

1920s. And, today’s golfers are reaping

the benefits of this change on this golf

course which is one of the 51 courses

on the Florida Historic Golf Trail.

Funded by developers Paris Singer

and Harry Kelsey and designed by golf

course architect Seth Raynor, the North

Palm Beach Country Club opened for

play in 1926. It was originally called

the Palm Beach Winter Club. Located

not far from the Atlantic Ocean and

alongside the Lake Worth Lagoon,

local newspaper articles at the time

reported that the club was accessible

by either an automobile or a fast mo-

tor boat, directly from the Everglades

Club, its ‘sister’ club in Palm Beach.

Back then, the green fees were quite

affordable by today’s prices – as low as

$2.50. Oh, how times have changed!

In 1962, the club and golf course

were purchased by the Village of North

Palm Beach. A new club-

house was built and opened in

1963. The original 1926 club-

house remained until 1980.

On May 3, 2006, local resident

and golf legend Jack Nicklaus en-

tered the picture, as he oversaw

major renovations on the course.

By November of that year, the

course re-opened for play.

During the renovation

process, the Golden Bear

took an active role in the course

redesign and reconstruction.

With his creativity, Nicklaus main-

tained the integrity of the original de-

sign while sharpening its appearance.

And, in some cases, the Golden Bear

added a ‘roar’ to the course, especially

to the 10th, 11th, and 18th holes which

have heavily, but not unfairly, bunkered

fairways. As you play the 5th and 6th

holes, you get a great view of the Lake

Worth Lagoon and its upscale

boat traffic. The waterway

flanks both fairways, but

doesn’t impact play. Many

of the greens have enhanced

undulations, which makes

putting an experience

at times. The greens are

always in great condition.

This newly renovated

golf course became only the

second public municipal golf

course in the U.S., at that time, to bear

the prestigious moniker of a Jack Nick-

laus “Signature” Golf Course. Nicklaus

stated that the

North Palm Beach

Country Club

would be a great

showcase course

for Palm Beach

County. He was

right. And, many

golfers who now

play the course

would agree.

For this major

renovation project,

Nicklaus charged

the Village of

North Palm Beach

just one dollar for

his expertise.

“This was my

way to give a little something back

to the community and the people

who have given me so much,”

said Nicklaus, who has lived in

the area since the early 1960s.

The North Palm Beach Country

Club remains an 18-hole, par-71 golf

course, which now features six sets

of tees, including a family tee. De-

pending on the tee, the course plays

from 3,600 to 7,000 yards, so each

golfer gets to play the course in a

manner that is equal to their level.

The course features first-class

practice facilities – a lighted driv-

ing range, a practice putting green

and a pitching/chipping green.

The renovated North Palm Beach

CC has received many accolades -- the

#1 municipal golf course in Florida

and the #27 municipal golf course

in the U.S. by Golfweek. The Palm

Beach Post has ranked the North

Palm Beach CC as the top public golf

course in Palm Beach County. And,

AAA Magazine rates this course as

a Must Play Course in Florida.

By Mike May

A Tropical Delight

Golfers at Winter Club

Winter Club Driveway

1962 Northeast over golf course

Believe it!

VVarick Golf Balls are high-performance balls designed to deliver great distance, feel and accuracy. A little bling can be a lot of fun, but even the most demanding players will love the performance and the fun. The Varick golf ball comes in 8 cool high-visibility colors and promises to put a little bling in your game while lowering your scores.

Phone: (800) 851-5442custserv@startingtimegolf.com

www.startingtimegolf.com

Come visit us at thePGA Merchandise Showin Orlando FL, Booth #2201

Believe it!

VVarick Golf Balls are high-performance balls designed to deliver great distance, feel and accuracy. A little bling can be a lot of fun, but even the most demanding players will love the performance and the fun. The Varick golf ball comes in 8 cool high-visibility colors and promises to put a little bling in your game while lowering your scores.

Phone: (800) 851-5442custserv@startingtimegolf.com

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48 Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

By Andrew J. Jorgensen, CGCS

When George Carlin came up with

the “Seven words you can never say

on television” in 1972, I don’t think he

ever imagined the same bit could be

used when talking about golf course

maintenance. Yet, the golfing public

has come up with a list of seven dirty

words no one ever wants

to hear on the golf

course. Although some of

these aren’t necessarily

dirty, they have almost

become a sort of taboo

around the locker room.

Rain – Although rain

doesn’t sound too taboo,

it does limit the amount

of time a golfer can enjoy

the course. It also leads

to wet and soft condi-

tions, and the dirtiest of

all phrases: “Cart Path

Only”. Yet rain is vital to course condi-

tions and replaces what an irrigation

system cannot. It is also better than…

Drought – the opposite of rain, drought

can wreak havoc on a golf course.

Take California for example; millions

of dollars in damage from poor turf

conditions, lack of play and even a few

course closures. Although this is an ex-

treme example, prolonged drought con-

ditions can strain any course, especially

when watering restrictions are in place.

Pesticides – Pesticides have taken a

bad rap over the years even though all

have been through extensive testing

for safety and human health. In fact,

manufacturers have been diligently im-

proving pesticides over the past several

years to improve safety. Pesticides of

today are applied in ounces or grams

per acre compared to gallons or pounds

with the pesticides of yesteryear.

Pesticides are a vital part in any golf

operation and a leading contributor

to great conditions. Also see: disease.

Disease – the dreaded “D” word. No

golfer wants to hear the greens were

damaged due to disease, but it all too

often occurs. Catching a disease is

like catching the common cold. Even

with the best intentions, sometimes

disease can run rampant until a cure is

applied. The cure can be complex, or as

simple as applying a pesticide. Disease

often coincides with rain, and until the

rain stops, disease can cause severe

damage requir-

ing months of repair and recovery.

Aerification – the worst of the worst.

Aerification is a vital process that

ensures long-term health of all play-

ing surfaces on the golf course. This

necessary evil allows air, water and

nutrients to penetrate into

the soil thereby improving

plant health and limit-

ing the impacts from rain,

drought and disease. Good

conditions return within

10-14 days, but leaves golf-

ers calling around town

to find out who has and

who has not aerified.

Topdressing – a close

second behind aerification

since both are performed

at the same time. Top-

dressing is also used throughout the

year to smooth the putting surface,

dilute thatch and organic matter

and improve drainage. Greens roll-

ing true? Thank topdressing for this.

Closed – No golfer wants to find out

their favorite course is closed during

the time they want to play, however

closing a golf course is sometimes

necessary to allow for maintenance

to be performed efficiently, ef-

fectively and safely. Most courses

don’t have the luxury to close often

enough, but those that do typi-

cally have better conditions.

The 7 Dirty Words of Golf Course Maintenance

The Daytona Beach area is home to some of Florida’s best golf courses, and the Homewood Suites By Hilton Daytona Beach has teamed up with some of our favorites for some exciting package deals starting at $99 per person per day. We can book packages for single players up to groups of 50.

With an average yearly temperature of 72 degrees, and 300 days of sunshine Daytona Beach is a wonderful area to enjoy your golf vacation.

Daytona Beach has been a great leisure destination for over 100 years welcoming over 8 million visitors annually. A true golfer’s heaven, the Daytona Beach area is home to some of the most highly recognizable golf courses in the Southeast, including:, LPGA International, Indigo Lakes, Pelican Bay, and Daytona Beach Golf Club.

Daytona Beach offers 23 miles of beaches, world class deep sea, and fresh water fishing, Daytona Beach Kennel Club & Poker Room, as well as unique dining and shopping experiences.

Our Homewood Suites by Hilton staff will handle all of your groups needs including tee times. We are an all-suite property featuring three different suite types to ensure more room to spread out. A full breakfast buffet is included every morning, and dinner Monday-Thursday. All of our partner golf courses are located within a quick 15 minute drive. Our expert golf specialist’s will help you choose the best golf courses and things to do while you’re visiting the area.

Jones Course & Clubhouseat LPGA International

386-258-2828Patrick.Sullivan@Hilton.com

DAYTONA BEACH GOLF CLUB • INDIGO LAKES GOLF CLUB • LPGA INTERNATIONAL • THE CLUB AT PELICAN BAY

Homewood Suites-LPGA AD_8.375x10.875_6.indd 1 3/11/15 10:35 AM

The Daytona Beach area is home to some of Florida’s best golf courses, and the Homewood Suites By Hilton Daytona Beach has teamed up with some of our favorites for some exciting package deals starting at $99 per person per day. We can book packages for single players up to groups of 50.

With an average yearly temperature of 72 degrees, and 300 days of sunshine Daytona Beach is a wonderful area to enjoy your golf vacation.

Daytona Beach has been a great leisure destination for over 100 years welcoming over 8 million visitors annually. A true golfer’s heaven, the Daytona Beach area is home to some of the most highly recognizable golf courses in the Southeast, including:, LPGA International, Indigo Lakes, Pelican Bay, and Daytona Beach Golf Club.

Daytona Beach offers 23 miles of beaches, world class deep sea, and fresh water fishing, Daytona Beach Kennel Club & Poker Room, as well as unique dining and shopping experiences.

Our Homewood Suites by Hilton staff will handle all of your groups needs including tee times. We are an all-suite property featuring three different suite types to ensure more room to spread out. A full breakfast buffet is included every morning, and dinner Monday-Thursday. All of our partner golf courses are located within a quick 15 minute drive. Our expert golf specialist’s will help you choose the best golf courses and things to do while you’re visiting the area.

Jones Course & Clubhouseat LPGA International

386-258-2828Patrick.Sullivan@Hilton.com

DAYTONA BEACH GOLF CLUB • INDIGO LAKES GOLF CLUB • LPGA INTERNATIONAL • THE CLUB AT PELICAN BAY

Homewood Suites-LPGA AD_8.375x10.875_6.indd 1 3/11/15 10:35 AM

50 Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

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The next time you’re in the clubhouse and you see the superintendent walk by, ask him what his thoughts are on WOTUS. Even better, ask him if there’s anything you can do to help out. He’ll probably want to buy you a beer and sit down for a chat. What is WOTUS? It’s a mystery to many, and simply confusing to the rest. But it’s important enough to golf course superintendents that we put it on the cover of the No-vember 2015 issue of Golfdom. WOTUS stands for Waters of the

United States, and it is an effort by the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to better define what bod-ies of water they have jurisdiction over. Many decry the rule because it complicates and greatly expands what is considered a body of water. We had a little fun with the idea of what constitutes a body of water on the cover of Golfdom. We used an aerial image of a golf course and placed arrows all over the golf course, pointing to a fairway, a bunker, even a cart path. And we declared it all WOTUS water — “WOTUS water

everywhere” was the headline. It’s really not much of an exag-geration of what WOTUS declares a body of water. I spoke with a golf course superintendent from Oklahoma recently, who maintains a course on a lake. Because his course drains into the lake, and because his source of water comes from the lake, pretty much his entire golf course would fall under the WOTUS restrictions. Which means the way he fertilizes, aerates, even mows, would have to change… and he might need costly permits for all of it. It wasn’t long after WOTUS went live that it then went dead; it’s cur-rently unenforceable as it bounces around the appeals courts. But it still has many golf course superintendents spooked. An attorney I interviewed for the article (you can read our cover story and watch that interview on-line at Golfdom.com) predicted that the rule would eventually go back into effect before the dust settles… and then it could take years before it’s all figured out in the courts. Which means superintendents will be keeping a close eye on it. In fact, the Oklahoma superintendent I mentioned told me his resort had actually hired an independent contrac-tor to serve as their resident WOTUS expert, because it effects much more than just the golf course, it impacts the entire resort. It isn’t the first time I’ve heard of a course having to hire outside help for fear of WO-TUS. So hey, there’s one advantage of WOTUS — it’s creating a few jobs! But here is another WOTUS-related question: If it’s bad for the golf course superintendent, what does it mean for a farmer? The rancher? The homeowner? You can bet big industries like agriculture and home builders are not happy about WOTUS and doing all they can to get the rule beat. And if you have a pond on your property, you might want to start paying attention. It wouldn’t be fun to get fined because you applied fertilizer to your yard. Because according to WOTUS, water really is just about everywhere!

By Seth JonesEditor-in-Chief, Golfdom

Watch out for WOTUSNew EPA rule could raise greens fees at best, shut down courses at worst

51Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

52 Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

At 37, Stephen Tucker, equipment manager at Tranquillo Golf Club at Four Seasons in Windermere, Fla., may seem too young to be awarded his profession’s equivalent of a lifetime achievement award. However, in just 16 years in the profession, Tucker helped found a national membership organization for golf course equipment managers, oversaw development of the first recognized certificate pro-gram for technicians, and ushered the organization’s members into the next phase of opportunities. For his efforts, Tucker is being honored with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s 2015 Edwin Budding Award.The Edwin Budding Award, named for the inventor of the lawnmower and presented in partnership with Ransomes/Jacobsen, is given to equipment managers and related innovators, technicians, educators, or engineers who have made a significant impact in the golf and turf business. Tucker will be presented with the award in January at the British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Associa-tion’s Turf Management Exhibi-tion in Harrogate, England. “It’s very humbling to be chosen for the Budding Award,” Tucker said. “But I feel that I still have a lot more to do in the industry. I would also not be where I am without all the lead-ers and volunteers I had with me. I want to accept the award on behalf of all of those guys.” A native of Live Oak, Fla., and a graduate of Lake City College (now Florida Gateway College), Tucker has spent more than 16 years in the industry and was instrumental in the formation of the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association in 2007. He said he began contact-ing other equipment managers from across the country to form an association so that the career path for equipment managers could be more than just going from job to job. IGCEMA would eventually become a partner in the annual Golf Industry Show and establish a certificate pro-

gram that recognized technicians for demonstrating proficiency in six key competencies. Tucker would serve as the first president of IGCEMA and even-tually become its executive director. “Stephen Tucker truly personifies the ideas behind the Budding Award,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “His in-novative thinking helped establish a network of knowledge and camaraderie for equipment managers from coast to coast. His efforts not only benefitted

equipment managers, but the facilities they serve and the industry as a whole.” In just a few short years, however, IGCEMA was starting to feel the weight of its own success. Tucker said the as-sociation, which offered memberships for free and relied on volunteers, would need to consider hiring paid staff to in-crease IGCEMA’s offerings, as its growth had outpaced its resources. Tucker had originally entered the golf industry through a friend who was studying to be a superintendent and always under-stood the partnership between the two disciplines, so after meeting with GC-SAA Past President Patrick Finlen, certi-fied golf course superintendent and general manager at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, the answer was clear. “It was going to be difficult to push ahead, so we had to ask the

question: What was best for equipment managers moving forward?” Tucker said. “GC-SAA was the answer to that.” On April 27, 2015, GCSAA and IGEMA approved a member-

ship union between the two organizations. IGCEMA would dissolve, and GCSAA would offer an equipment manager membership classification. While this meant the end of IGCEMA, it also meant greater professional development and networking opportunities for equipment managers. As part of the agreement, GCSAA took over the Edwin Budding Award. It seemed a natural progres-sion to Tucker, who said he has always seen a positive rela-tionship between equipment manager and superintendent as key to a great golf opera-tion. The feeling is mutual with Tranquillo GC’s superintendent, GCSAA member Rusty Wilson. “Stephen is always pushing innovation and how to make things easier while improving the overall golf course prod-uct.” Wilson said. “Stephen is the best of the best, and he should be recognized for all of his efforts – not only for do-ing his day-to-day job, but his continued efforts to raise the bar within the golf industry.”

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Branding Successful Clients Since 1990

Golf Marketing Services • Marketing and Public Relations • Sales and Business Development • Web Design, SEO and e-Commerce • Social Media Strategies

321-303-9684www.golfmarketinginc.com

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 754

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

Okay… I know what you are prob-ably thinking. When I was asked that same question… I would bet the same thought was going through my mind. But when author of “Make More Putts,” Juan Gutierrez, presented the answer to me, I began to really start listening, because it made total sense. Juan explained, “ the width of your

standard home toilet paper was the same width of a golf hole.” He went on to explain, “every putt is a straight putt as it leaves your putter,” he explained. The more we talked… the more I was buying in to the concept of using toilet paper to practice putting square. If you would roll out approximant 18” of toilet paper and lay it on the green on the actual track that your ball is going to follow, you will be able to focus on the straight putt that you are playing, prior to the ball started to take

on the forces of the green pulling it left or right. So, the concept of every putt is a straight putt, is a true statement. The magic part of that 4 ¼”, is that is the plus or minus from the center line of the paper will still give the ball a change to go in. Your ob-jective is to start the putt squarely within the width of the toilet paper. So, let’s get back to the real-

ity of the book and your quest to “Make More Putts.” Juan was the 2011 World Golf Hall of Fame Put-ting Champion. This is where the content of the book was tested and perfected on how Make More Putts can help you and your putting. Juan was a Corporate Trainer for his entire life and has brought Corporate Training in to the game of golf with his Proven Putting Per-formance Improvement System. Juan explained, “Putting is 50% of the game, yet rarely do people spend 50% of the practice time put-ting and perfecting that stroke, more like taking 3 balls on to the practice green and putting them around.” The newer golfers are out there

on the practice facility because they all want to hit the ball 300 yards, but with the proper analysis, they lose 5 to 6 stokes a round within 5 feet of the cup on the green. This book breaks down to the Strengths and Weaknesses and helps you develop a plan to bet-ter equip you to Make More Putts. Available at Amazon and some local pro shops.

impro

ving p

erfor

manc

eBy Greg Wise

Roll With It, Baby!

Juan Gutierrez

www.gasparillainn.com

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2015 Junior Tour Championship Features Great Excitement The South Florida PGA Junior Tour Championship presented by The Honda Classic was contested at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club at Old Trail. The field was composed of 90 players from the Challenge Tour and Championship Tour combined. The Championship Tour Boys Divi-sion featured some outstanding play this weekend. Jupiter native Matt Mcrostie and Miami native Jake Beber-Frankel each opened up round one with a 1-under-par 71 to find themselves tied at the top of the leaderboard. Ju-piter native Bryan Wiyang, who fired a first round 2-over-par 73, made a strong push during Sunday’s final round after shooting a 74. After the 36 hole stroke play event was completed, Beber-Fran-kel and Wiyang found themselves tied for the lead, sending the boys division to a sudden death playoff. Wiyang managed to outlast Beber-Frankel on the third playoff hole and capture the season ending junior major title. Miami native Alexa Rivas found herself three strokes behind Tamarac native Jillian Bourdage entering Sunday’s final round. Lake Worth na-tive Alexa Pano made a strong push during the fi-nal round, firing a 4-over par 75 but it wasn’t enough to stop Rivas. Rivas fired a final round 3-over-par 74 to capture the Girls Champion-ship Tour Division title. The Challenge Tour Division featured some great play this week-end as well. Vero Beach native Carter Dalili and Boca Raton native Matt Glenn each fired opening round 76’s and shared the lead heading into the final round. Dalili was able to continue his solid play and fire a final round 2-over-par 73 and cap-ture the Boys Challenge Tour Overall Title. Lake Worth native Serina Combs put a solid end to her 2015 season by winning the Overall Girls Chal-

lenge Tour Division by two strokes. The boys and girls 11-12 age division squared off in a one day, 18 hold Tour Championship on Sun-day. Nicklas Staub of Boynton Beach was able to continue his dominate 2015 season and win the boys 11-12 age division. Doral native Skylee Shin fired a 3-over-par 74 to capture the girls 11-12 age division title. The South Florida PGA Junior Tour Player of the Year was also concluded during the Tour Championship. Hobe Sound native Andie Smith won the Girls 11-12 age division Player of the Year, while Boynton Beach native

Nicklas Staub won the Boys 11-12 age division player of the year. Coral Springs native Brett Roberts captured the Boys Challenge Tour Player of the Year, while Boca Raton native Taylor Roberts captured the Girls Challenge Tour Player of the Year honors. Lake Worth native Jordan Reeves took home the Boys Championship Tour Player of

the Year, while Boca Raton native Dana Williams took home the Girls Cham-

pionship Tour Player of the Year.

Rinker and Amaral Take Home the Hardware at the 2015 Mixed Team Event The 2015 Mixed Team Event was contested this afternoon at Bonita Bay Club Naples on the Fazio designed Cy-press Course. Thirty teams of two com-peted in the four-ball stroke play event consisting of PGA Members, Appren-

tices as well as LPGA teaching and playing Professionals. In ideal conditions eighteen teams finished under par with three teams earning their way into a playoff position firing 62 (10 under par). Heading into the playoff were the teams of PGA Teaching Professional Dennis Meyer/LPGA Profes-sional Terry-Jo Meyers, LPGA Professional Laurie Rinker and PGA Director of Instruc-tion at the Yacht and Coun-try Club, Colin Amaral, and PGA Assistant Professional at Bonita Bay Club Richard Packish/LPGA Professional Maude Amiee Leblanc. The teams of Rinker/Amaral and

Packish/Leblanc went to the second playoff hole in a tie for the lead. Amaral got up and down from the fairway bunker for birdie on the eighteenth to secure the victory for the team. The South Florida PGA would like to thank Cure Putters for their support-ing role in this year’s event as well as

Bonita Bay Club Naples for hosting.

Junor Tour Champions

Mixed Team

www.garbinc.com

58 Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

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It was a great day to be PGA! Our 36th

Annual Meeting was quite possibly the

best one ever! PGA of America Presi-

dent, Derek Sprague spent the day

with us as was our keynote speaker.

The meeting was highlighted with

the election of new officers along

with reports and inspiration from the

entire NFPGA Board. Two hundred

PGA Members attended the Annual

Meeting and heard the candidates

speak before voting on the future of

the NFPGA. A special thank you to

all of the candidates for stepping up

with their passion to serve their fel-

low members! It’s always great to see

our PGA brothers and sisters gather

for conversation and support of their

Section. Thank you to our Presenting

Partners Chase54, The PGA Merchan-

dise Show, imapMyGolf, Flightscope

and ProGolf Weather. Thank you to

Reunion Resort, our homesite, for

hosting. Thank you to all who took the

time to attend! The stage was spec-

tacular and everyone seemed to enjoy

the day. We are already looking ahead

to a great 2016 and beyond. It truly

was a great day to be PGA! Our newly

elected Officers: Mike Lynch, Presi-

dent. John Hughes, Vice- President.

Charlie Rymer, Secretary. Clint Avret,

Tournament Chairman.

We closed the season with our Na-

tional Car Rental Holiday Scramble

at Reunion Resort! Our champions

were: Gross (54) Thomas Charlton, Ben

Murray, Kyle Kubala, Scott Crider. Net

(54.1) John O’Leary, Bryan Smith, Wade

Oney, Wade Oney III. Like the Xmas

season they lit it up! Thank you all who

played and brought all the Toys For

Tots! Thank you National Car Rental

for sponsoring! Thank you to Reunion

Resort, our homesite, for hosting!

As we look ahead to the 2016 PGA

Merchandise Show we invite anyone to

visit our North Florida PGA Hospitality

room in W-305B. Come on up and take

a break and visit with friends and the

staff of the North Florida PGA. We hope

to see you there.

PGA of America President Derek Sprague is administering oath along with our Honorary President, Tony Johnson)

Ben Herring our tournament director

John O’Leary team Thomas Charlton team

59Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

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Ffff-Feherty equals fff-fun, not to mention way too fff-funny, which equals very cool for Provo Golf Club. Really when you stop to think about golf what else at this point in its evolution makes more sense than having fun. This tragically serious, stressful, over analyzed, don’t do this, don’t touch that, game needs a little levity, not to mention a few laughs along the way to its survival. Have you ever seen the rule book let alone the case book? Now that is serious. David Feherty has naturally been enjoying himself for over 40 years in this great game as a golf professional, occasionally at the expense of oth-ers but far more routinely at his own expense. Twenty years on tour followed by twenty years commentat-ing, writing, interviewing, and most importantly continu-ously performing almost as if he was golf’s pied piper in charge of entertainment. Clearly this makes him the most cherished character in the game of golf today. Whether he is discussing serious matters on his award winning Feherty Show in a light hearted way or treating

light matters with an unusual acute depth he is forever relating the ironies that seem to strike directly to the heart of the topic. Along the way David con-tinually returns to the humor found in that particular moment due very much to his unique trait of impish irrever-ence; the beloved class clown. The fact that David would rather hang out with the caddies or the professional who just missed their 4th consecutive cut speaks to his view of the world and is the likely catalyst in our attraction to his style. Or as David says, “When the band starts playing I just can’t sleep any-more”. His active, creative, mind simply makes us want to be in that band. Provo Golf Club has always been about fun, even in the early days when

we were far too serious to realize it there was a light hearted innocence about the scene. Golf was new to the country and new to many of “our” golf characters who were consumed by the lure of this crazy game. In fact if you spotted us a few ffff’s we could almost spell fff-fun even back then. It sorta, kin-da, makes us think that David Feherty has been the Provo Golf Ambassador for much longer then we all realize. I wish you as many fff’s

in life as necessary to spell ffffunn in your own way. Golf spells it F-e-h-e-r-t-y. So does Provo Golf Club. Mr. Feherty, “Thank you for being Provo Golf Club’s Ambassador”!

By Dave DouglasDirector of Golf Provo Golf Club

David Feherty–Ambassador

www.TurfLife.club

www.TurfLife.club

Come see us at the PGA Show booth #3516

62 Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

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The quality of the golf experience at The Oconee Course at the Reynolds Lake Oconee (100 Linger Longer Road, Greensboro, GA; 706-467-1200) is on par with the quality of the resort experience across the street at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation (One Lake Oconee Trail, Greensboro, GA; 706-467-0600), but if I had to limit my description of this stay-and-play expe-rience to just four words, they would be pure, pleasant, photogenic and peace-ful, with an emphasis on the latter. When you arrive on the first tee of The Oconee, you are on the cusp of a magical sightseeing and strategic golf journey which is one of the corner-stones of the Reynolds Plantation golf experience. This journey won’t finish until you walk off the 18th green, just over four hours later. When you take a glance down the opening fairway at The Oconee – a 500+ yard par five – you can’t help but take note of the beauty and serenity of this golf course. What’s unique about this course is that you get that special feeling on every single tee. It’s important to admire the breadth and depth of every hole before you strike your tee shots.

Golf course designer Rees Jones ‘got it right’ when he designed The Oconee, one of six golf cours-es at Reynolds Lake Oconee, lo-cated 80 miles east of Atlanta. “The classic golf course that we designed fits the land perfectly,” says Jones. “The topography is such that the green sites are natural and the finishing holes on both nines are spectacular.” Jones refers to The Oconee, a par 72 layout, as a “great golf course,” which is an understatement. Truth be told, it’s a masterpiece that is symbolic of what can be done with a lakeside property and some imagination. Even if you don’t play well at The Oconee, your memories of those tall Georgia pines acting as sentries alongside well-mani-cured fairways will put a smile on your

face as you reflect on the privilege you had of spending a few hours in a wooded paradise trying to hit a little white (or yellow or orange) ball into 18 finely cut holes, each one 4 ¼” in diameter. While the greens are rather large, which gives the superintendent many different daily pin-placement options, they are receptive, consistent, fair, and fast (but not too fast!). Missed putts at The Oconee are the result of ‘pilot error.’ When The Oconee was first opened in January of 2003, Golf Digest named it as one of the “Best New Upscale Courses.” Since then, The Oconee

has remained in the “Top 100 Re-sort Courses” by Golfweek. In a nutshell, The Oconee will cre-ate an indelible memory for anybody who plays it. The attention to detail at this course is what sets it apart from many resort golf courses. Jones did a wonderful job of incorporating the natural woodlands, rock-strewn brooks, central Georgia’s natural rolling terrain, and the breathtaking views of Lake Oconee. At The Oconee, there are no homes along the fairways and only two fairways (the 1st and the 10th) are remotely close to one another. When playing The Oconee, you have 18 distinct golf experiences which are cocoon-like which adds to this course’s overall appeal and attraction. The only glimpse at civilization is at the turn and while playing the 18th hole. To keep the golf experience at The Oconee fair, the course has five sets of tees, which are marked in a simplis-tic way: ‘one,’ ‘two,’ ‘three,’ ‘four,’ and ‘five,’ with ‘one’ representing the back tees. The distance from the back tees is a shade over 7,000 yards while the distance from the ‘five’ tees is just less than 5,200 yards. There is a distance for every handicap at The Oconee. For the avid/competitive players, the scorecard suggests a mixture of the ‘two’ and ‘three’ tees, which is referred to as the ‘tournament’ distance. It’s not easy choosing the ‘highlight’ shots and holes since the entire course is one big ‘WOW’ golf experience, but here are my most memorable moments: Opening tee shots at great golf courses get your attention and the tee shot at the 1st at The Oconee does just that. The tee shot on the par three 5th hole requires focus because water lurks short and right of the green. At the 5th, it’s possible to get ‘up & down’ from left of the green or from the two greenside bunkers, but not from the bottom of the lake. While the 6th hole is only 372 yards from the back tees, the second shot to an uphill green with a false front means you need to take an extra club or two on your approach, especially if the pin is at the back of the green. The 9th hole is tough from beginning to end – a long, somewhat tight par four which is flanked by water on the right from tee to green. Playing conservatively at the 9th hole, while settling for a bogey or a one-putt par, is a sound approach. On the back nine, the 12th is one of those great short par fours which has a left-to-right flow from tee to green. To add to its degree of difficulty, a small

By Mike May

The Lake Oconee Course: One of Georgia’s Finest

Oconee #15

63Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

pond sits at the front of the green while a rolling brook runs alongside the right side of the fairway. For the right-hander, this hole is best played with two power fades, but if the approach drifts too far right, it will find a ‘watery grave.’ The distinct feature of the downhill par three 13th is that the biggest sand trap on the course protects the front of the green. From an aerial perspective, that bunker looks like a miniature layout of the actual Lake Oconee. Take enough club to clear the ‘sandy’ lake. The par four 16th can best be described as ‘tough love.’ It’s ‘lovely’ to look at, but it’s ‘tough’ to play. This lengthy par four is a right-to-left dogleg which is bordered by a stream along the left side of the fairway. While the green is perched in the far left-hand portion of the fairway, the presence of the water hazard keeps you from ‘cutting the corner’ with your tee shot. Pars at the 16th are precious. At The Oconee, the best was saved for last. The par-four 18th hole is right-to-left, dogleg – the longest par four on the course. The presence of Lake Oconee impacts the tee shot and the approach to the heavily bunkered green. A par at the 18th is a PGA Tour-quality score. The final attributes of The Oconee experience are its customer service and

convenience. At the end of your round, if you feel that your golf game needs some TLC, The Reynolds Golf Academy, featur-ing the personal instruction of the highly acclaimed Charlie King, one of Golf Di-gest’s “50 Best Teachers,” is based at The Oconee. And, if you feel that you need new clubs, a swing analysis, and person-alized club-fitting, that can be done at The Oconee, as well – at The TaylorMade Kingdom. Finally, as was mentioned at the beginning of this story, if you are

going to play a first-class golf course, then you need ‘hang your hat’ at a first-class resort. It just so happens that The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation is so close to The Oconee that it’s more accessible with a short golf cart ride than driving your car. And, when you stay at this Ritz-Carlton, the quality of the visit as well as the list of things to do and enjoy are on par with the splendid memories that will be made while ‘on tour’ across the street at The Oconee.

Oconee #9

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Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

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A casual observer might think noth-

ing ever changes around sleepy little

Santee, South Carolina. While it’s

true that this tiny lakeside town with

a population of fewer than 900 has

remained true to its roots dating back

more than a half century, upon closer

review you will discover that Santee has

been quite busy lately making subtle

but tasteful changes with the times.

Start with the new exit off I-95 with

access to Santee that is going to open

in 2016. There are high-powered Tesla

charging hook-ups at Clark’s Inn &

Restaurant, a new Conference Center,

a 17,752-foot, state-of-the-art facility

with three breakout rooms can host up

to 1,200 people. The YMCA-run San-

tee Recreation Center and Waterpark,

which opened last year, features an

aquatics center with an 80,000-gallon

pool separated into three sections for

all ages, basketball courts, baseball

fields, soccer and bocce fields and

recreation pavilions — along with a

thrilling, 300-foot slide that starts about

100 feet in the air and takes you on a

tube down through the three loops.

And that doesn’t even include the

golf, for which Santee has made its

name through the years. Check out

the fully-equipped villas overlooking

the beautiful Lake Marion Golf Course,

situated alongside Santee National’s

fairways or rising high above the big

waters on Lake Marion’s north shore.

Lake Marion has 24 villas available

with 10 more currently under con-

struction. “Santee is growing,” said

Brock Hannay, Santee National’s office

manager. “Everyone here has a vision.”

Santee is set up like a sprawling

resort, offering an array of more than

a dozen accommodation properties

designed to suit any taste or budget,

from hotels and motels to well ap-

pointed two bedroom deluxe villas

just a short walk from Santee’s fa-

mous southern hospitality, delicious

cuisine and vibrant nightlife. When

all the rooms around town are full,

Santee’s population swells to 20,000.

Located on the south shore of Lake

Marion, South Carolina’s largest fresh-

water lake where a number of world

records have been set through the years

for largemouth catfish and sea bass,

Santee is dissected by Interstate 95 —

almost exactly halfway between New

One of South Carolina’s Favorite Stopping-Off

Points for Golfers

64

Santee Cooper Country Club - Hole #1

Lake Marion Golf Course - Hole #1

65Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

York and Miami — and just off Interstate

26, midway between the Palmetto State’s

popular cities Charleston and Columbia.

Among budget-conscious golfers, Santee

has morphed into a revered year-round

destination. Within a mile of town,

there are three outstanding courses that

don’t cost a small fortune to play — a

trinity has become sacred ground for

golfers from all over North America.

Santee Cooper Country Club, designed

by George Cobb and opened in 1967,

is the oldest of the three courses and

arguably the venue you should never

leave off any Santee itinerary, due to

its prime positioning on Lake Marion.

Set among majestic pines, this classic

challenge winds its way from an opening

tee shot over water, through a series of

scenic dogleg holes, with elevated greens

and featuring some of the best par 3s

in the region. The best closing hole in

Santee is unquestionably the par-4 No.

18 that provides a panoramic view of

Lake Marion from its elevated green.

Lake Marion Golf Club, which opened

in 1978, is Santee Cooper’s sister course

and features outstanding, Miniverde

greens. Architect Eddie Riccoboni

designed the traditional layout with

tree-lined fairways, bordering lakes

and dotted by 47 sand bunkers that

will test your golf course navigational

skills. Santee Cooper and Lake Marion

are part of the Santee Cooper Resort.

Another popular golf course on the

menu at Santee is the Porter Gibson-

routed Santee NationalGolf Club,

which opened in 1989 and underwent

a renovation in 2005. This 6,858-yard

offering is positioned in a truly natural

setting filled with mossy live oaks is

a more wide-open layout than San-

tee Cooper CC and Lake Marion.

There are five other reasonably priced

gems within 20 minutes of Santee and

another 10 courses within 40 minutes.

Upscale premium green fees are no-

where to be found around these parts

and your dollar definitely goes further.

For about $60 during the off-season

you can play golf with a cart, enjoy nice

accommodations and a full, hearty

breakfast the next day. “Our prices are

reasonable, but we’ve also been able to

improve our product playability-wise

the past few years as well,” said Todd

Miller, the general manager of Santee

Cooper Resort for almost 20 years.

Most of all, Santee is a “people place.”

Behind golf counters, inside restau-

rants, hotels and on the streets you find

friendly faces and welcoming hosts

offering good old-fashioned Southern

hospitality. When you go to the Oasis

Bar and Grill, you might meet the owner

Dennis, and he might buy a drink. It’s all

part of the Santee charm. Coasters is a

Santee must-visit for golfers, where the

Jack Daniels steak will rival most cuts of

meat along the east coast, while the fish

and prime rib at Captain Kirk’s is equally

tasty. During the season, Clark’s Inn &

Restaurant — which celebrates its 70th

anniversary in 2016 — will serve 350-plus

people a night. “People are what make a

community and that is what makes San-

tee different,” said Hannay. “People care

you’re here and they treat you that way.”

Find more info at www.SanteeTour-

ism.com. Specific golf packages are

available at www.GolfSantee.com,

www.SanteeCooperGolf.com and

www.ClarksInnandRestaurant.com.

PERFORMANCE SUNWEAR

On the PGA TOUR®, vision is a golfer’s most

important equipment. Transitions lenses adapt

to changing light to help golfers see more

comfortably in all light conditions and help

protect eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Visit your local Vision Source doctor,

Dr. James Podschun, located at 2828 Casa

Aloma Way, Suite 400 in Winter Park, FL

32792, to ask which Transitions lenses are right for you. 407-671-0960

Transitions and the swirl are registered trademarks and Transitions Adaptive Lenses is a trademark of Transitions Optical, Inc. ©2012 Transitions Optical, Inc.

transitions.com

Kenny Perry and Trevor Immelmanhave made Transitions® lenses part of their game.

www.TurfLife.club

Come see us at

the PGA Show booth #3516

66 Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

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While some of the premier stay-and-play golf destinations in Alabama are affiliated with the Robert Trent Jones (RTJ) Golf Trail, your choices are certain-ly not limited to the RTJ courses. One very attractive destination in Alabama is the Joe Wheeler State Park Resort Lodge (4403 McLean Drive, Rogersville, AL), located in northwest Alabama. Joe Wheeler State Park, part of the Alabama State Park system, is as appropriate for a family of four (or more) as it is for a group of golfing buddies. This golf/vacation destination is truly ‘a dash of the unexpected,’ which is a good thing! History buffs will remember Joe Wheeler. He was a Confeder-ate general in the Civil War who later served as a general in the U.S. Army after the conclusion of the War Between the States. Wheeler is the only Confederate general to rise to a similar rank in the U.S. Army. The centerpiece of the Joe Wheeler State Park is the golf course, appropri-ately named The General. It is one of six state park golf courses in Alabama which are part of the Parks Path, which complements the existing RTJ Golf Trail. The General is devoid of homes and is perched in a very scenic part of northwest Alabama. The course is filled with a number of holes which are accentuated by a series of eleva-

tion changes, bends, twists, turns, and blind shots which keep your attention from the get-go. There are no ho-hum, straight-away par fours at The General. Every shot at The General requires a tactical frame of mind, which adds to its overall appeal. When playing The General, you must stay in the moment. There’s no time to dwell on past shots, as good or as bad as they might have been. This course grabs your attention, starting with the blind tee shot at the first hole. If you consistently miss the fairways and greens, this course will give you a chance to post a respectable score, but you must have creative chip-ping and sharp putting skills. Some of the memorable shots at The General are the downhill second shot into the 2nd green; trying to get up & down for par from anywhere near the par five 9th green; the third shot into the right-to-left dogleg par five 13th; the tee shot on the par three 14th; and the left-to-right tee shot on the uphill par four 15th. The General is the kind of golf course that you will want to play again immediately after your initial round. You’ll remember where to hit it and where to miss it. After you complete your inaugural round at The Gen-eral, you will agree that this course is ‘a dash of the unexpected’ and worth playing time and time again.

Animals are another memo-rable aspect of The General as the course is inside a game sanctu-ary. Wildlife sightings are common, especially deer and bluebirds, but no lions, tigers or bears, oh my! When it’s time to ‘hit the hay,’ the Lodge, located just minutes from the golf course, is a great place to spend the night. It’s built in a picture-postcard setting, possibly Alabama’s most stun-ning waterfront view. The view from the balconies of the Lodge’s 75 rooms looks at Wheeler Lake, an offshoot of the Tennessee River. The lake is bordered by trees on all sides. Without a doubt, the view of Wheeler Lake is ‘a dash of the unexpected.’ The Lodge has a pool as well as the Joe Wheeler Marina, so it’s possible to arrive there by boat. If you prefer more adventur-ous housing options, there are lakeside cottages, cabins, and a campground. The view from Daniella’s in the Park restaurant at the Lodge is a 180-degree look at the water. Don’t have your back to the windows when you eat at Dani-ella’s because the view is eye-opening. So, are you ready to make plans to experience ‘a dash of the unex-pected?’ The Lodge is awaiting your reservation phone call (256-247-5461). And, the golf pro shop (256-247-9308) or the Internet (www.alapark.com) are ready to book your tee time.

By Mike May

Northern Alabama’s Golfing Treasure

Joe Wheeler State Park

www.tayleurmayde.com

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The 52st edition of the Junior Orange Bowl International belongs to Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan and Switzerland’s Albane Valenzuela. Reitan posted a four-day total of 279, 5-under par with a final-round 70, resilient play for a tournament featuring stiff wind all week. Valenzuela finished 3-under par (281) to take the Girls Division by three strokes from France’s Agathe Laisne and South Korea’s Euikyung Shin, while frontrunner for most of the event, North Carolina’s Emilia Migliaccio, finished 5th. Defending champion Joaquin Niemann from Chile and Belgium’s Adrien Dumont de Chassart both birdied the 72nd hole to tie second place on even par. Niemann’s attempt to become the first Boy player to repeat the title was thwarted by a balky putter, his ball striking as immaculate as ever. “It’s the way golf goes, but obviously frustrating,” he said. Will Dickson from Providence RI was the low USA boy, tied 7th on 288. “It feels amazing,” Reitan, 17, said afterwards. “That was the hardest

round of golf I’ve ever played, mentally really exhausting, having to keep my emotions in check for the entire day. I was particularly pleased to avoid doing anything stupid, especially toward the end. To feel all these emotions on a golf course was a really good experience and hopefully will be useful in the future.”Asked at what stage he began to believe he could win, the charismatic young Norwegian confessed “It was never easy. After the first nine, when I led by five strokes, I was still thinking there was a long way to go. Then I bogeyed three in a row and the lead was down to two. Luckily I was able to birdie the 13th and from there on I got more comfortable. But it was only when I hit the 17th green that I felt I had compete control.” Valenzuela came into the week full of confidence, having won at the Doral Junior the week pre-Christmas and competing in the JOBI for the third time. “The golf course suits my game,” she said. “After last year (when she finished third) I knew that if I played my style of golf, I would

have a chance. To actually achieve my ambition of winning this event, well it still has to sink in.” A solid final round of 70 sealed the championship. “I enjoy attacking pins and that’s how I played today, and it worked.” Now she’s off to challenge for the Mexican Amateur in Guadalajara, a tournament where her father was runner-up four times. “I’d love to win there for family honor, but honestly, to win the Junior Orange Bowl is truly fantastic.” For complete scores, visit www.jrorangebowl.org/golf or www.golfstatresults.com.

Norway and Switzerland Win in Miami

Albane Valenzuela (Switzerland) - Bob Coman (Director of Golf The Biltmore Golf Club) – Kristoffer Reitan (Norway)

Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7 69

By Tony Leodoraflorida golf central

For many golfers, winter golf travel plans will include a trip to/through Florida. Plenty of golf courses. Warm weather. Why not?And, while there are many varied destinations for golfers within Florida, there is only one destination that should be part of travel plans for ALL golfers visiting the Sunshine State. At least once in their lifetime. That is the World Golf Village. Many have seen signs for it, as they drive north or south along I-95, near Saint Augustine. Many also aren’t aware of what it is. In short, the World Golf Village is a veritable theme park for golfers. DisneyWorld, Universal Studios and SeaWorld … all rolled into one. Including 36 holes of the best golf in the state. The centerpiece of the World Golf Village is the World Golf Hall of Fame. This unusual Hall of Fame is unique, in that it honors both men and women at a single site. Originally opened in 1974 and located in Pinehurst, North Carolina, it merged with two other entities – the PGA of America Hall of Fame and the Hall of Fame of Women’s Golf. Construction of the new facility near Saint Augustine began in 1996 and it opened in 1998. The Hall of Fame Museum features a permanent exhibition and a rolling program of temporary exhibitions. Designed by museum design firm Ralph Appelbaum Associates, the Hall of Fame and exhibition area contains exhibits on the game’s history, heritage, and techniques; major players and organizations, golf course design, equipment, and dress; and new directions, such as ecological concerns in course management. “It really is one of the best Hall of Fame properties in the world,” says Dave Cordero, director of public relations for the WGHOF. “There is so much to see and do. An avid golf fan could easily spend an entire day inside the building.”

Some of the activities/exhibits include:• A golf simulator, where visitors can play courses such as The Old Course at St. Andrews, Firestone CC, the Plantation Course at Kapalua, and many more.• Past inductee exhibits, where the exploits, accomplishments and artifacts of previous entrants to the WGHOF are celebrated.

• An 18-hole, natural-grass putting course is one of the Hall’s two outdoor exhibits that allow visitors to test their skills at the home of golf’s greatest players. One round is included with each Hall of Fame admission.• The Royal and Ancient Game exhibit allows visitors to learn about more than five centuries of golf lore, from its formative years in Scotland to its global expansion. Included is a life-size replica of the famous Swilcan Burn Bridge, modeled after the original at the Old Course at St. Andrews. There is an extensive history of The Open Championship and the R&A. Visitors are invited to test their skill using replicated clubs from the 1800s on the indoor putting green.• The Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf Theater is an outshoot from the famous television show of the same name. Theater space on the second floor has been dedicated to the show and more than 50 historic episodes are on file. They include footage of famous Hall of Fame members, including: Gary Player vs. Peter Thompson (1962), Ben Hogan vs. Sam Snead (1965), and Sandra Haynie vs. Kathy Whitworth vs. Carol Mann (1969). • The center of the Museum is Shell Hall, where members of the World Golf Hall of Fame are honored on an 88-foot-long Wall of Fame. Each member is featured with a bronze relief plaque in his or her likeness and a brief summary of each member’s respective career, which gives a perspective on the greatest contributors the game has ever seen.

Of course, the World Golf Village would not be complete without golf. And the village boasts two exceptional golf courses.The Slammer and the Squire is a tribute to Sam

Snead and Gene Sarazen. It is a player-friendly design that was collaborated on by two of the game’s legends. The King and the Bear is a co-design by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. With a set of tees that stretches to 7,279 yards, it has enough teeth to challenge any golfer. Jeff Hartman, the director of golf for the two golf courses, has a long history in the hospitality business. He has applied it to his guests at the two courses. “We realize that most people come to the World Golf Village as part of a special trip,” explains Hartman. “We want to make sure that we take care of their every need. Our goal is to make sure they walk off our courses talking about an exceptional experience.”Of course, visitors will need someplace to stay if they plan to spend a few days at the World Golf Village. The Renaissance World Golf Village Resort is a 4-star hotel with 301 completely remodeled guest rooms and suites. Views of the World Golf Village’s Kelly Lake and two golf courses serve to inspire hotel guests. Finally, guests also need someplace to eat. There are a number of choices but no venue could be more fun for golfers than Murray Bros. Caddyshack Restaurant. Founded by actor/comedian Bill Murray and his family, the restaurant that was inspired by the comedy movie hit floods guests with the golf theme and casual dining. The entire equation at World Golf Village adds up to the ultimate stop for the golf nut. Whether it is a pit stop, en route to another Florida location, or the final destination of a

golf trip, it is worth the visit.

Best Advice While Driving Through Florida: Make a Pit Stop at the World Golf Village

70 Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 7

golf

fitne

ssBy Mitch Sadowsky

MS SPSc TP11 USAW AIS FMSDirector of Golf Fitness

Lake Nona Country ClubOwner, Mitch11 Strength

and Performance

As I was thinking about what to write for this month’s article, I was thinking about all of the topics we’ve covered. I love seeing everyone come in to the gym and work on the newest topic from cable presses to farmer carry variations. As we are now in to 2016, I wanted to cover something we hadn’t already, which, after a while, you run into the same topics. One that keeps recurring for me is back pain. Not MY back pain, YOUR back pain. As in, WHY does it hurt, not just the fact that it hurts. We all want the fast fix, the quick cure, the magic pill to make the pain go away. None of those exist. They just don’t. But, we also know that the right exer-cise prescription can fix a LOT of issues. Pain is not normal, and it shouldn’t be treated as such. Recently, I was reading article about a 68 year old man who was training for a kettlebell certification and he was hit by a car 2 weeks out from the certifica-tion. He was told MANY things by his doctors, including how shocked they were at how strong he was and how good of shape he was in. This allowed them to do surgeries that they normally wouldn’t on someone his age. Next, during PT, his therapist, asked him why he wanted to be able to do a single leg pistol squat again (he could before the accident) and said “You’re nearly 70, just being able to walk is a blessing.”

He immediately fired his PT, started his own training and passed the certifica-tion at age 70, 2 years after being hit by a car. Think about that for a second. Yes, it took time to heal, it was a lot of work, but he was pain free and as strong as he was before. It just takes time and the right “prescription” of work. First, as we’ve said many times, get an assess-ment. TPI, FMS, whatever, but get to the root of the problem (usually it’s NOT your back but that’s where the pain manifests). Second, get on the right program. Simple, yes. But then staying consistent with the work becomes the hard part. Often times, it’s boring, te-dious and downright frustrating when you used to be able to bench 250 lbs., but now you’re relegated to quadruped exercises on the floor learning how to keep your lower back out of excessive extension. Start slow and progress. Our first 3 exercises this month are going to be an active straight leg raise, pelvic tilt, and bird dog.

Straight leg raise Start off laying on your back. Bring your right knee in the air keeping your right foot on your floor and your left leg straight, toes pointing to the ceil-ing. Keep your arms flat on the floor, palms facing the ceiling. Keeping your left leg as straight as possible, squeeze (contract) your left quad to initiate

lifting the left leg off the floor, your left foot dorsiflexed (toes point to nose) and raise the leg as high as possible before the left bends. Slowly lower the leg and repeat 10 times, then switch legs. An important note on the Active Straight Leg Raise, bring the leg as high as you can without it bending at the knee, then lower and repeat. Each time try to get a bit higher. The goal is 90⁰ to the floor.

Pelvic Tilt (sometimes known as Cats and Dogs) Start in a quadruped position (hands and knees, hands directly under shoul-ders, knees directly beneath your hips). Press your belly button to the floor and hold for a 3 count. Slowly press your belly button towards the ceiling arching your back. Hold again for a 3 count. Repeat this process 10 times.

Bird Dog Starting in the same quadruped position, bring your right hand so it is pointing straight ahead and press your left heel to the back wall. Hold for a 3 count. Be sure to keep your back still avoided rotation and excessive weight shift. Slowly return your hand and knee to the floor and repeat this process on the opposite side. Repeat this 10 times

on each side.

Back to Basics

Straight Leg Raise Pelvic Tilt Pelvic Tilt

Pelvic Tilt

Pelvic Tilt

Pelvic Tilt

Pelvic Tilt

Pelvic Tilt

Straight Leg Raise

Straight Leg Raise

Straight Leg Raise

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Southern Golf Central • Volume 16, Issue 772

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

golf

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ss

Don’t forget to add the flag at the end of the article!!!

By Ken PiercePresident, GolfGym, LLC

If you are a Star Trek fan you will

definitely remember the Borg (or is it

one of the Borg?) utter the unforget-

table quote, “Resistance Is Futile”.

Resistance used in that context was

certainly not good. Resisting would

most likely get a person hurt, killed or

even worse (use your imagination).

However....in this context, Resistance Is Good!

We see so many of the top profes-

sional golfers now spending a great

amount of time in the gym lifting

weights, using bands and even using

body weight exercises to build muscle

and develop more “golf strength”.

The only way to develop more power-

ful muscles is to use resistance. So,

in this context Resistance Is Good!

Rory McIlroy, in a short video which

showed him going through his work-

out, said: “I do enough and am strong

enough now that I can control my golf

club the whole way through my swing”.

We at GolfGym have spent many

years developing swing training devices

that are based totally on resistance.

Using light resistance while performing

a golf swing motion, or movement pat-

tern, is the only way to develop those

exact muscles used in the golf swing.

This in turn helps develop a key “Motor

Pattern Memory” for your swing. As

Captain Jack Ross (Kevin Bacon) said in

his opening statement in the movie A

Few Good Men, “These Are The Facts Of

The Case, And They Are Indisputable”.

I recently watched a video by Sean

Foley (Tiger Woods previous swing

coach) in which he was describing

his theory on developing more speed

in your golf swing. In the video Sean,

who tends to be very analytical and

very precise in his instruction made

the point that “power” comes from

using the entire body to generate club

head speed. Swinging harder does

not equate to faster. Harder instinc-

tively means “tension” which is a

speed killer. Performing golf specific

light resistance training will help to

develop a smoother, faster golf swing.

The bottom line is: If you want to

swing your golf club more consis-

tently, with more power and speed,

you must perform exercises and

movements that encourage and affect

the muscles in a positive manner.

Here are a few suggestions we offer

at GolfGym.com: The GolfGym Power-

SWING Plus, the PowerSwing Trainer,

and the GolfGym PowerBandz. All of

these tools will add resistance training

to those golf specific muscles, and can

help golfers increase strength, flexibil-

ity and proper swing plane mechanics.

Resistance used correctly will

produce a stronger, more powerful

golf swing. Resistance is Good!

Rory McIlroy

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GOLF AT ITS PURESTLocated in Central Florida where the vast openness of the landscape is only broken by the undulating fairways,

towering sand dunes and glistening lakes of two acclaimed golf courses and one extraordinary resort. A resort

offering the finest amenities including sporting clays, guided bass fishing, fine dining and spa. This is golf as it

should be experienced. This is Streamsong®.

1000 Streamsong Drive • Streamsong • FL 33834 • 866.385.3942 • streamsongresort.com

100 Greatest Golf Courses – Golf Digest 2015 Best Public Golf Courses in Florida, Streamsong® Red #1, Streamsong® Blue #3 – Golf Digest 2015

“Proud host of the 2016 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship”

We are pleased to announce Streamsong® Black. 18-holes designed by Gil Hanse debuting autumn 2017.

15-2043 Southern Golf Central FP Ad.indd 5 11/23/15 4:09 PM

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MONDAY: NFL Football5 for $12 Buckets for the gameBud, Bud Light, Miller Lite & Coors

TUESDAY: Cheeseburger & Fries $5.99

WEDNESDAY: Buy 1 Hot Dog Get 1 Free

THURSDAY: NFL Football5 for $12 Buckets for the gameBud, Bud Light, Miller Lite & Coors

FRIDAY: Blind Draw Darts Sign up by 7:30pm

SATURDAY: GATOR GAME DAY!Swamp 2

SUNDAY: NFL Ticket5 for $12 Buckets for the gameBud, Bud Light, Miller Lite & Coors

3040 N. Goldenrod Road, Orlando, FL 407-678-0148

HOURS:Mon-Sat 12pm-2amSunday 12pm-1am

We are a Florida Gator themed sports bar and oyster bar with a family friendly

restaurant environment located right on the border between Orlando and Winter Park.

We are known for having the

“BEST OYSTERS IN TOWN”since 1986 and are proud to continue that

tradition Come on down for some good times and great food with former Florida

Gator Football player and owner Tim Groves.

Weekday Happy Hour 12:00 - 7:00

Ask About our Seasonal Oyster Specials

MONDAY: NFL Football5 for $12 Buckets for the gameBud, Bud Light, Miller Lite & Coors

TUESDAY: Cheeseburger & Fries $5.99

WEDNESDAY: Buy 1 Hot Dog Get 1 Free

THURSDAY: NFL Football5 for $12 Buckets for the gameBud, Bud Light, Miller Lite & Coors

FRIDAY: Blind Draw Darts Sign up by 7:30pm

SATURDAY: GATOR GAME DAY!Swamp 2

SUNDAY: NFL Ticket5 for $12 Buckets for the gameBud, Bud Light, Miller Lite & Coors