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Memories of the 2018 PLAYERS Championship Won by Webb Simpson!

May 13, 2018 By admin

Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

WOW. WOW, WOW, what a record-setting THE PLAYERS Championship! What a PLAYERS! Webb Simpson was one of six golfers to shoot an opening 6-under 66 on Thursday.

The 2012 U.S. Open Champion took control of the tournament with a course record tying 63 in Round Two that earned him a 5-stroke lead. But that 63 had a potential of being a 59 with a birdie-birdie finish. Instead Simpson dunked one on the iconic 17^th and parred the home hole.

Webb increased his lead to 7-strokes with a Saturday 68 while Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth shot 65 to move up the leaderboard to a T9 position after barely making the cut on the number at 1-under par 143.

On Sunday Woods made it interesting with a charge that recorded six birdies in the first twelve holes to move within three strokes of Simpson and his lead. However, as in his Saturday 65, he finished over par for the final six holes; three strokes on Sunday, one stroke on Saturday. Spieth never got it going and finished with a watery snowman eight on the home hole. Simpson played a steady round on Sunday trading off two bogeys with two birdies through fifteen holes. A birdie on No. 16 pretty much sealed the deal. Even after a second shot long into the water and ensuing double bogey on No. 18, Simpson posted a Sunday 73 and a 4-stroke victory over Xander Schauffele, Charl Schwartzel, and Jimmy Walker, all who shot Sunday 67s.

In the end it was Webb Simpson posting his 5^th PGA TOUR victory, the first since the ‘Anchor ban’ went into effect. Congratulations to 2018 PLAYERS Champion Webb Simpson and caddie Paul Tesori!

Here are some of my Facebook posts for PLAYERS Week in Chronological order with a gallery of 130 pictures below:

It’s PLAYERS Time 2018!!! Enjoy!!! What day you coming out to TPC?

The party, otherwise known as the 2018 THE PLAYERS Championship, has now begun! First AAGTD assignment? AAGTD? Andy’s Adult Golf & Travel Diary… one heck of an event at the ABC Fine Wine & Spirits! My things have changed since attending my first event back in 2018… new store, lots more vendors and participants, and the outside after event for craft beers, cigars, etc.! Good to see some old friends and some new ones too! See you out on the TPC Stadium Course! TROML Baby! (Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 Pics; Wednesday, 5-9-18)

Rickie Even, Phil Even, & Tiger Plus 2 off 7 tee… (Round One, Thursday, 5-10-18)

LOL, followed Tiger & Phil for first 8 holes then cut over to see some actiin on 17 & missed Tiger’s eagle at No. 9. I thought it odd to see Phil hitting Tiger ‘stinger’ shots in front of Tiger. Not very well bt the way, failed to reach the fairway on No. 7 & bunkered left on No. 8. Tiger’s slinger: Phil’s sand slinger! (Andy Reistetter, Facebook Post with 30 Pics; Thursday, 5-10-18)

Round 2, off 18 tee (their 9th of the day): Tiger minus one, Phil plus lots, Rickie plus a few… projected cut 77 players at minus one… lots more golf to be played!

Webb Simpson 10- under par through 15 holes today, leading by 6 strokes… thought 2016 was a big scoring year with Jason Day shooting a course record 63 in Round 1 and Rory nearly going one lower in Round 2… c’mon 3-under on the final 3 holes and make that a course record extraoridnaire of 59! Amazing golf!

Another day of watching Tiger, Phil, & Rickie…cut came at minus one… only Tiger playing the weekend… another spectacular day on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass! No 59 or even a course record 62 for Webb Simpson but a 5-stroke lead heading into the weekend! (Andy Reistetter, Facebook Post with 30 Pics, Friday, 5-11-18)

Will the 2018 PLAYERS end like the 2016 PLAYERS? Webb Simpson (Jason Day) enters the weekend with a big 5-stroke (4-stroke) lead and shoots even par the final two rounds to WIN???

Show time for AGTD on Saturday of the 2018 PLAYERS! Here is my patented way called ‘cascading spectatoring of golf tournaments.!’ Ride my bicycle over to TPC. See the 2:20 pm Chesson Hadley/Charles Howell III pairing tee off. Follow them the first three holes. Stay put atop the flag hillside and watch the 2:30 Patrick Cantlay/Danny Lee pairing play No. 3. Walk with them thru No. 5 green. Stay putt and watch the final 2:40 pm Webb Simpson/Charl Schwartzel pairing approach and walk with them thru the 8th green. Afterwards head over and walk through the 16/17 stadium area of the Stadium Course. Hop on the bike and make the toughest decision of the day. Where to watch the end on Round 3 on NBC? Bogey Grill, Pussers, or Nona Blue??? Oh yeah and say hello to folks I know and some that I do not yet know but know a couple of them will be lifelong friends. Take lots of pictures. Post a Saturday AGTD report! Sleep well and repeat on Sunday! Happy PLAYERS! TROML Baby!

Starting with Noren & JDay, one of these guys could definitely win, JDay having already done so in 2015…

Definitely the post Players place to be! Nearly a brawl about the Big Screen…. 7 pm moment of clarity… stay on NBC Stanley Cup or switch to Live From The Players on Golf Channel? First time golfers ever dominated hockey players! TROML Baby!

Unbelievable Saturday at THE PLAYERS Championship! Spieth 65, Tiger 65, Webb Simpson 68 with a historic 7-stroke lead over Danny Lee, DJ, JDay, Dufner, Schaufelle, Schwartzel, Jimmy Walker… Spieth, & Tiger: yes, are 11 strokes back BUT only from Simpson… only 4 strokes back of 2nd place & only 8 golfers ahead of them. Play well Webb Simpson but do not look back or come back because the field will run you over! Gonna be a great Players Sunday. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mommas out there! (Andy Reistetter, Facebook Post with 30 Pics, Saturday, 5-12-18)

Thinking if Tiger can shoot 62 he may just win this golf tournament. So far so good, 6-under today in 12 holes…. T2 , five strokes back… from cut line to finish line hoisting the PLAYERS Trophy???

Beautiful & inspiring 34th Annual Non-Denominational Church Service on the back lawn of the Clubhouse at 7 am this morning! Hosted by Scott Adams of the NE Florida FCA and Damon Olinto the 2018 Tournament Chairman the service included the Chets Creek Nocatee Worship Team and a special solo by Lindsey Bryant from Crosswater Community Church.

Ted Scott, Bubba Watson’s caddie shared his story which was very interesting. A collegiate golfer he became interested in Foosball. Ted’s mantra is to “find someone better than you and learn from them.” More than interested in Foosball, Scott became a world champion Foosball player! Having conquered Foosball he went back to golf and turned professional originally as a teaching professional. A sponsor found him and backed him for a while. Then the Web.com tour came through his hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana. Paul Azinger sought him out to learn how to play Foosball and somehow he connected with Bubba and two Masters victories and the rest is history. His conversion story was one of the quiet type. Not able to keep all the rules, he heard a sermon and set up a meeting with the priest a few days later. Once again he simply found someone better than himself and discovered that he is a servant at heart. Scott shared an interesting Bubba story from the week of his first Masters win. Surprisingly the most amazing shot Bubba hit that week, in Ted’s perspective, was not the hooked wedge out of the trees on the 10th hole in the playoff but a recovery shot off the pine straw on No. 10 on Friday.

Lindsey’s solo echoed Adams’ introduction which set up Scott’s share which led to Pastor Chris Price from Chets Creek Nocatee’s sermon message based on the Bible and Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Additionally, Pastor Price spoke to the only God referenced hero in the Bible—Gideon who did great things through his obedience and trust in the Lord. We can find our own peace in Christ by ridding ourselves of pride and sin. Not an easy task but doable through Christ. A life of love, grace, and peace awaits us! Al-le-lu-ia! (Andy Reistetter, Facebook Post with 19 Pics, Sunday 5-13-18)

Enjoyable Sunday morning following Justin Rose and Tony Finau on the first nine holes. Rose started with a birdie on No. 1 but then 3-putted from 30 feet for a par-5 on the second hole, always a major MOJO buster. Finau birdied the 2nd and 3rd holes after bogeying No. 1 but then was even par for the next six holes. Rose bogeyed No. 8 and birdied No. 9 to turn at 1-under for the day. After that I left to go home and watch the rest of PLAYERS Sunday on TV. Of course Rose would go 5-under on the second nine to shoot a Sunday 66 and finish at T23 with only 17 golfers finishing ahead of him. PLAYERS Sunday was off to a good start after the 7am Church Service and a nice walk in the Stadium Park! (Andy Reistetter, Facebook Post with 30 Pics, Sunday 5-13-18)

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Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

Osprey Cove- A Residential Golfing Paradise in St. Marys, Georgia!

March 10, 2018 By admin

Found a little piece of Paradise just north of the FL/GA border at Osprey Cove in St. Marys! A Mark McCumber Signature golf course with the best of everything that I have ever seen in a Southeast coastal salt marsh golf course! Beautiful vistas, interesting, challenging, & fun routing; and a double 9th & 18th green! Osprey Cove looks like a great place to live too! Very warm & friendly people, a real peach of a place! Thanks Mike, Rob, Carolyn, & Mosaic Clubs & Resorts for hosting Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary! I will be back for sure! (Facebook Post with 30 pics, Andy Reistetter, 3-12-18)

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Filed Under: "Play-Write" Golf Courses, East Coast Golf Journey

America’s Best Golf Resort: Innisbrook a Salamander Resort near Tampa, FL!

January 30, 2018 By admin

CLICK HERE for Andy’s PLAY-by-PLAY social media of his golf trip to the Innisbrook Resort!

There is nothing better than a golf vacation at Innisbrook!

Innisbrook is one of five Salamander Resorts along with Hammock Beach (Palm Coast, FL); The Henderson (Destin, FL); Reunion (Orlando, FL); and Salamander (Middleburg, VA).

Why Innisbrook?

Because it whets your appetite and brings you along wanting more at each turn until you are more than fully satisfied, you are astonished at the good time you experienced with family and friends.

Plus I just experienced a great golfing weekend at Innisbrook!

Whether you are driving in or flying in it all starts with the drive coming up US 19 North from the Clearwater/Tampa area. Florida is flat, right? Not! There is a big dip in US 19 that marks your entry into the beautiful rolling hills of the Innisbrook Resort. Perfect topography for golf courses and for a perfect play-land of nearly 1,000 acres including 70 acres of lakes! The appetizer entry is quick, only 20 miles from Tampa International Airport. On to the main course (actually 4 golf courses) of a resort that has renewed itself in terms of the physical structures yet gone further in terms of its unique spirit, service, and spectacular delight of its guests!

It’s all about the golf, cuisine, and lodging for me. But there is more for non-golfers and families for sure.

No better place for a group golf or spa weekend than at Innisbrook!

The Salamander Spa is all about transformation of mind, body, and soul to our optimal well-being. The art of healing is manifested through various treatment and services. So numerous that I counted them and there are over sixty! For women and men! From the Exotic Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow to the Thai Floor Massage to the mother-to-be Mellow Mama Maternity Massage; the Salamander Spa has them all and they are delivered by the most experienced therapists available in the business!

Besides the four golf courses and eleven har-Tru tennis courts, six heated pools including the Lochness Monster pool, there are numerous seasonal and holiday activities for the kids and families. The Activity Guide I saw was 17 pages long but I did not count the number of activities. I will let you do that as my schedule was full with playing all four golf courses on a Golf Travel Writers Association weekend visit after the PGA Show!

Let’s get onto my favorites—the golf, the cuisine, and the lodging!

Mr. Packer’s 100th birthday cake complete with a replica of his double dogleg par-5 14th hole!

Innisbrook has the perfect and scenic topography for golf courses! Lawrence Packard, the legendary golf course architect who lived to be 101 years old designed all four of the golf courses at Innisbrook— Island, Osprey North, & South (all three in 1970) and Copperhead in 1974. Not only did he do a great job with the overall resort design of the golf courses and lodge clusters, he also invented the double-dogleg par-5. This player loving and challenging golf hole is exemplified by the 14^th hole at Innisbrook. Larry’s personal favorite was the par-5 14th at Innisbrook Copperhead. After a somewhat blind tee shot, the golfer plays around the bend with a lake on the right, and then changes direction again to take aim at a green perched up on the hill. Like that drive up US 19 who knows what next to expect while playing this hole? Packard so loved Innisbrook that when he retired in 1986 he moved there to enjoy the atmosphere and his legacy designs!

I will likely be snake bitten next time but for now I am treasuring my back nine 36!

My GTWA buddies and I played where the PGA TOUR pros play in the Valspar Championship—the famed Copperhead Course—upon arrival on Saturday! At 7,209 yards from the tips why not start with the hardest course and tee it up from the whites (6,243 yards, Rating 71.1, Slope 137)! Hey 137 slope is no easy walk in the park and I proved that by shooting a 49 on the first nine. The only highlight being a regulation par on the 140-yard par-3 4^th hole with a two-putt from thirty feet!

Not sure what happened at the turn but I had my way with the second nine shooting a one-over par 36 with a birdie on the 11^th (9-iron to 10-feet) and two bogeys early and then a finish of five straight pars! Snake Pit (Holes 16, 17, & 18)? Not today my Copperhead friend! How many pros improve by twelve strokes in nine holes?

Always an awesome experience to stay right on the golf course!

After the round it was time to check-in and find my bed for the next two nights. Wow, like the Copperhead Golf Course, nothing but the best here! Our two-bedroom suite in the low-rise lodge had been completely remodeled as will all the guest accommodations at Innisbrook be by the end of the year. All new furniture, furnishings, flooring, stainless-steel appliances, quartz counters, cabinets, lighting, draperies and other decor. With a full kitchen and separate entrance for the master bedroom there is a lot of flexibility with the accommodations at Innisbrook! Another one of those unexpected yet beyond satisfaction turns at Innisbrook!

To say we had a great time is a bit of an understatement!

After getting cleaned up it was off to experience the last leg of my Top Trifecta of Travel Golf—golf course; lodging; and NOW dining cuisine! The Innisbrook team including Managing Director J. Michael Williams, Director of Instruction Dawn Mercer, and PR Specialist Ramona Herald hosted us in the Market Salamander Grille. With great food and live music by the Backstreet Band featuring Kerry Olivia and Peter Vann in the adjacent Osprey Bar, it was an exceptional evening of camaraderie, entertainment, and satiation of hunger!

Other resort dining includes Packard’s Steakhouse where a Signature Packard’s Salad enhances any entrée; the Turnberry Pub for a friendly, casual family meal; plus several other convenient, recreational-based places to eat.

Momma Osprey protecting the nest and her young ones!

We played 36 holes on Saturday taking on the Osprey North Course, a.k.a. Baby Copperhead, in the morning and the Osprey South Course in the afternoon. There is a strikingly beautiful picture of an Osprey behind the check-in desk at Osprey Clubhouse. Early in the round we saw an Osprey nest up high in a pine tree behind the second green. The Momma Osprey came out and did a few laps around the green for us! What a way to start the day off! A lackluster 45 on the first nine but then driver—3-wood to 4 feet and an Eagle-3 on the 10^th hole. I mean an Osprey-3 as Eagles are Ospreys at Innisbrook! Two doubles and two bogeys to finish but hey I did post an Osprey 39!

Sparring with my buddy Tom! Must have been after we both made birdie! Always a good match with Tom!

The afternoon round on the Osprey South, a links-style design, was just as much fun but without the excitement of another Osprey-3! The South is scheduled to have its greens upgraded to TifEagle Bermuda Grass before the end of the year to match the other three courses at Innisbrook. While Innisbrook is known worldwide for the Copperhead Course, Larry Packard was consistent in the shot-value quality of design so all four courses are challenging, engaging and rewarding. If you play a good shot you will be rewarded!

Come Monday morning I finished up The Innisbrook weekend with a round on the Island Course with my GTWA buddies Tommy & Jamie! What a picturesque, challenging & fun golf course to play. With a couple more birdies on my scorecard I was definitely smitten with Innisbrook—the golf, the accommodations and the dining cuisine! I was taken by the charming nature of Innisbrook. My only regret is that there was not a fifth golf course, or even sixth, and that it is time to go home!

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Filed Under: Featured Golf Resorts & Courses, Travel Golf

Innisbrook: Be Charmed Like I Was, Not Bitten, by the Snake Pit!!!

January 29, 2018 By admin

CLICK HERE for Andy’s FEATURE ARTICLE on his golf trip to the Innisbrook Resort!

I will likely be snake bitten next time but for now I am treasuring my back nine 36!

WOW, what a visit to Innisbrook Golf Resort! It seems like everything had been redone and upgraded; the golf courses, the accommodations, and the restaurants and entertainment! Played all four courses; Copperhead, North and South, and the Island Club in three days. My only wish? That there was one more golf course to play as I did not want to leave! PS: More will be written about this experience… and I was actually charmed, not bitten, in the Snake Pit with a back nine 37!

Florida is flat….coming up US 19 North from Clearwater… there is a big dip that marks your entry into the beautiful rolling hills of Innisbrook, perfect topography for golf courses! Lawrence Packard designed four of them here! We played Copperhead, the host course for the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour! Snake Pit? Not today! Snake my convoluted golf game… went 49-37! Beautiful accommodations, cuisine & live entertainment with Kerry Olivia and Peter Vann, the Backstreet Band… North & South tomorrow, then the Island Course Monday Morning before heading home to Ponte Vedra Beach… Grateful, life is good… TROML Baby! #Innisbrook #Copperhead #SnakePitSelfie (Facebook Post with 30 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/27/18).

Thirty-six holes on North & South today then CBS/GC’s Torrey Pines five-hole playoff… I am pooped! Storyline… picture of Osprey behind check-in desk at Osprey Clubhouse… Osprey nest up high behind North No. 2 green… driver, 3-wood, made four footer for eagle on North No. 10… I mean Osprey! Get it? Eagles are Ospreys at Innisbrook! Morning with Bruce, Dan, & John… Afternoon ‘two tie, all tie’ competition with Greg, Rick, & Tom! Who do you think won with nine skins on the back?Tain came late, last three holes! Hey who won at Torrey Pines? I fell asleep! Island in the morning at sunrise! TROML Baby! #Innisbrook #Copperhead #SnakePitSelfie (Facebook Post with 28 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/28/18)

Finished up the Innisbrook trip with a round on the Island Course with my GTWA buddies Tommy & Jamie! What a picturesque, challenging & fun golf course to play. The Innisbrook real estate around it is blooming! My only regret is that they don’t have a fifth golf course and that it is time to go home! Thank you Ramona Herald & all the folks at Innisbrook for an exceptional golfing experience & hosting Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary! I can see why Rory (McIlroy) is coming to play in the Valspar Championship! #Innisbrook #Copperhead #SnakePitSelfie (Facebook Post with 30 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/29/

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Filed Under: East Coast Golf Journey, Featured Golf Resorts & Courses, Travel Golf

Book Review: Children’s Series: Marvin The Golf Caddy by Harold R. Mann!

January 26, 2018 By admin

With author Harold R. Mann in the Marvin The Golf Caddy at the 2018 PGA Show.

Marvin, an abandoned golden retriever was transformed into Marvin The Golf Caddy Dog back in 2003 but I did not meet his creator Harold R. Mann until the 2018 PGA Show. By then Marvin The Golf Caddy Dog had learned the ABC’s of Golf, had qualified for Junior Nationals (2014) and along with his new owner Ted was just about to meet Molly, the girl who just moved in next door!

Marvin The Golf Caddy Dog is a series of children’s books for all ages complete with two coloring books and an activity book. Plus there are now Marvin branded hats, polo shirts, towels, and even a Marvin head cover for your driver too. Now everyone can become part of Marvin’s family!

Tom Kerr’s illustration of Marvin & Ted amidst all their animal friends on the golf course. Photo Credit: Mann USA, Inc.

Without giving away too much of the story lines Marvin wanders onto a golf course where he meets a young Ted and many wildlife characters—Henry the Hawk, Chi-Chi the Gecko Lizard (likely imported from Puerto Rico!), Rufus the Jackrabbit, Arnie the Deer, and Sally the Squirrel.

Marvin teaches us how to be grateful for our blessings in life and Harold the Author presents a beautiful friendship between a dog and a boy that evolves on a golf course!

Here is what we call the 'trophy shot' in the golf broadcasting... MArvin & Ted with their Junior Nationals trophy! Photo Credit: Mann USA, Inc.

Another Tom Kerr illustration: Here is what we call the ‘trophy shot’ in the golf broadcasting… Marvin & Ted with their Junior Nationals trophy! Photo Credit: Mann USA, Inc.

A bonus at the end of the inaugural 2003 book is ‘Basic Rules of Golf for Beginners.” There’s only thirteen of them, the same count as the original rules of golf written in 1744. These are better and include ones for the health, safety, & well-being of all golfers. Rule No. 1 is ‘Always use sunscreen before playing.’

The intriguing story is well enhanced by the colorful and descriptive illustrations of Tom Kerr.

I loved the part about Ted feeling a new spirit within while trying to qualify for the Junior Nationals. And oh yes, Ted is the golfer and Marvin the caddy. Hmmm and then along comes Molly… I wonder where she fits into the story!

Here comes Molly in Marvin The Golf Caddy Meets Molly! Photo Credit: Mann USA, Inc.

Stories for a lifetime and for generations!

Now I know what present I will be getting my soon-to-be-born grandson! Golf and a way of life to pass along to the next generation!

Who knows? One day at Augusta National Golf Club we might hear: ‘Fore, now playing…’

For more information and to order items please go to the Marvin The Golf Caddy website!

Filed Under: Featured Products & Services

2018 PGA Show: The Full Monty!!!

January 26, 2018 By admin

The 2018 PGA Show; before, after, and during was over the top!

Wednesday Morning Day One of 2018 PGA Show! (Facebook Post with 30 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/24/18)

Wednesday Day One afternoon is turning into evening… three parties, I mean receptions, I mean business meetings! Gathering even more ideas for Ely Park GC. Media wise met some really, really creative people & saw some old friends! TROML Baby! (Facebook Post with 30 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/24/18)

WOW, what a day! Day Two of the PGA Show was a huge success… privileged to sit in on Bill Hughes highly motivational, highly inspirational education seminar on building high performance teams (good timing or what?)…. to placing my first apparel order utilizing the Ely park GC legacy logo (independent of lease outcome, I am celebrating a bid well done!)… to connecting with the amazing Paula Mullins Worster who connected me with the Amazing Thailand Travel Group… and in between the Women of Golf… Award Winning Ann Liguori… Coach Lou Holtz et al… a fashion show… Tiger golfing again on TV… and seeing lots of friends! TROML Baby!!! (Facebook Post with 30 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/25/18)

WOW, third, and FINAL Day of the PGA Show is in the books! Besides getting my media work done I was able to place some merchandise orders for Ely Park GC with the new legacy logo! Hoping to be awarded the lease and either way we will be celebrating Ely’s 100th Birthday in 15 years in 2033! Never too early to start planning! Bought hats, shirts, T-Shirts with St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, Augusta National, and Ely Park GC Binghamton, NY on the back (cracks me up, I love it), flags, martini tees, two-sided poker chip with both ‘Youth For Golf’ and the Legacy logos, bag tags…. and crystal for the club champions, ladies & men’s, three flights! It is going to be FUN to be a member at Ely Park this year! Even more FUN if I get to be the new management! Bring on the bling for the ladies! Elegant Ely dining nights…. oh yeah back to the PGA Show…. it’s done, finished! Onward to the Innisbrook, A Salamander Golf & Spa Resort for a GTWA weekend! It was a GREAT show this year! TROML Baby! (Facebook Post with 30 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/26/18)

Celebrating another great PGA Show with SJ, my friend for life! (Facebook Post with 1 Pic, Andy Reistetter, 1/26/18)

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Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

2018 PGA Show: Folds of Honor at the House of Blues…

January 24, 2018 By admin

Folds of Honor… very inspirational what they do for the families of our fallen heroes… please play Patriotic Golf Day to support this great cause! (Facebook Post with 30 Pic, Andy Reistetter, 1/24/18)

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Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

2018 PGA Show: Demo Day at Orange County National… Demo Baby!

January 23, 2018 By admin

Demo Day Delight on Tuesday during PGA Show week! On & off the range!

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Filed Under: Featured Products & Services

Rev Up Your Game for Golf in Daytona Beach, Florida!

January 22, 2018 By admin

CLICK HERE for the PLAY-by-PLAY on Social Media of Andy’s Daytona Golf Trip!

Yes, we all know Daytona Beach for the Daytona International Speedway and the Daytona 500!

But did you know that Daytona Beach is also a Golf Hotspot in a state that is Golf Heaven?

In fact, the only thing that is the same these days in Daytona Beach is the 23 miles of the world’s most famous beach!

Not even the iconic Daytona International Speedway is the same anymore! Always home to the Daytona 500 and other races year-round, the speedway is no longer standing alone. ONE DAYTONA, a new lifestyle and entertainment center is located right across International Speedway Boulevard. ONE DAYTONA opened in December 2017 and is 70 acres BIG with all the fun, entertainment, culinary, and lodging experiences you could ever want with even more on the way! In fact, ONE DAYTONA is a vision of tomorrow—you can live and work there too!

The GTWA Gang with Nancy Guran in the lobby of the brand spanking new Fairfield Inn & Suites at ONE DAYTONA!

My “Speedway to Fairway” visit was quite thrilling as our Golf Travel Writers’ (GTWA) group was part of the official opening of the 105-room Fairfield Inn & Suites. This hotel is an over-the-top Marriott property with its Daytona themed lobby bar plus the comfort, convenience and high-touch service you expect of Marriott. Additionally, The Daytona, a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel with 145 rooms will be opening later in 2018.

Enough of the Speedway, let’s get to the Fairway!

Our Daytona Beach visit started with a Friday afternoon round on the signature Arthur Hills ‘Hills Course’ at LPGA International. We’ll save the companion signature Rees Jones ‘Jones Course’ for Sunday at the end of our visit! Bookended with two world-class golf courses at LPGA International is our weekend vacation in Daytona Beach! It doesn’t get much better than that especially when you see where we played in between!

A forced carry on the sporty dog-leg-right par-4 4th hole on the Jones Course!

The Hills course opened in 1997 three years after the Jones Course and it is spectacular! Classic design, yet modern in playability, like the Jones Course the Hills Course comes equipped with Tift Eagle Bermuda greens. There is a wide range of challenging shots on this Arthur Hills masterpiece as it takes you through natural wetlands and narrow fairways cut through pine forests. The greens are reasonable in size but appear small from the fairway thanks to the genius of Arthur Hills. Strategically located water hazards can be the challenge on this golf course!

My first round of the year played with my GTWA golfing buddies Gregg DeWalt and Danny Scott ended nicely with a 30-footer finding home and a birdie-3 on the 9^th hole, our last. No better feeling than to play golf in Florida in mid-January and get to feel that unique golfing spirit within!

‘The Riv’ awaits and welcomes you!

Saturday was a spectacular day! Instead of revving up my golf game I ‘Riv’d’ it up a bit by playing ‘The Riv,’ the historic Riviera Country Club! Playing ‘The Riv’ is a must-do if you find yourself anywhere near Daytona Beach.

This golf course is golfing history, a golfing tradition that cannot be duplicated anywhere in the world. There is golfing challenge, nostalgia, and fun lining these fairways and the golfers and staff that you meet will make it a special day without a doubt!

Originally opened as a nine-hole golf course in the late 1930’s, the Riviera Country Club has been owned since 1953 by four generations of the Meyers family—Franklin—Bill—Eric—and now Ryan with his Mom Charlotte! Seeing the future of golf Franklin Meyers immediately expanded the golf course to 18 holes in 1954. Architects Mark Mahana, Dave Wallace, and most recently Lloyd Clifton have all contributed over half a century to make ‘The Riv’ what it is today—an engaging golfing experience!

With Charlotte and Ryan Meyers in the well stocked pro shop at ‘The Riv!’

Ryan Meyers was an exceptional junior golf as was his friend Matt Every. Every went on to play golf at the University of Florida, the Nationwide Tour (now Web.com), and ultimately the PGA TOUR. His back-to-back wins in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill being his greatest golfing accomplishment to date. Palmer memorabilia and the Matt & Ryan friendship add to the allure of playing golf at ‘The Riv,’ if for only one time as a tourist! Here is a golf course with no tee sheets and a place you can call home if only for one day!

Playing with the GTWA Captain Bruce Vittner and fellow member Greg Wise is always an experience and this round was no different! I managed to shoot a 79 as I did on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland way back when. Playing ‘The Riv’ with these guys was a beautiful experience!

Daytona Beach has been home to the Daytona International Speedway and the Daytona 500 since 1959, the most prestigious race in NASCAR. After enjoying the atmosphere of ONE DAYTONA for a night it was back to the LPGA International to play the Jones Course on Sunday morning.

The opening par-5 1st hole on the Hills Course at LPGA International.

A traditional links-style course, the Jones is a great complement and contrast to the Hills Course. Playing with GTWA associates John Dyson, Alice Scott, and Greg Wise, we teed off in a brief downpour. It was one of those disorienting starts on a well-designed dis-orienting golf course! After double-bogeying the wet first, I settled down with two birdies on the 7^th and 9^th holes, a 9-iron to gimmie range (though I putted the golf ball into the cup as I always do!) and another 9-iron that hit the flagstick stopping 10 feet away; respectively. With no birdies on the second nine. the strategic mounding, expanses of sand bunkers, natural marsh areas, beautiful lakes and undulating greens that is the Jones Course had its way with me. I ended up posting a disappointing but promising 82.

But isn’t that life and golf? Start off in the rain, end in the sunshine, with a few birdies along the way!

From “fairway to speedway” this GTWA golf trip was an amazing experience!

Daytona Beach, Florida: Golf Destination or ONE DAYTONA?

Both and plenty more!

CLICK HERE for real-time posts from my visit to Daytona Beach!