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Chris Rodell Plays Golf Using ALL the Crayons!

September 10, 2014 By admin

With Chris Rodell in Palmer Country at the Springhill Suites in Latrobe, PA.

Meet Chris Rodell in this VIDEO INTERVIEW!

When you meet someone in life that is a little bit off the center of the fairway like yourself you take notice. I first met Chris Rodell on a golf travel ‘fam trip’ to the Mississippi Gulf Coast or is it the Mississippi Golf Coast? The affable, yet poignant, ‘other man from Latrobe, Pennsylvania’ authored the book ‘Use ALL the Crayons! The Colorful Guide to Simple Human Happiness.’ I was all set, dressed in my knickers, to play my hickory clubs in the pro-am of the Gulf Coast Resort Classic with Nick Price at the Fallen Oak Golf Club. Then it was completely rained out and I spent the whole day with Chris. Some would have been disappointed. I wasn’t and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

While Chris does not actually play golf with crayons, he does approach life and inscribes his book with crayons. Mr. Palmer, the ‘other guy from Latrobe, Pennsylvania,’ endorsed his book as “an interesting and amusing trip through precisely 501 wide-ranging tips on life surrounding thirty-three short essays that are thoughtful and insightful.” I couldn’t agree more especially after reconnecting with him recently during the 5-week, 8-state, 4,243-mile ‘East Coast Golf Journey.’

With Chris Rodell (right) and Kevin Drum (left) a few years ago in Mississippi.

Mr. Palmer went on to say in the Foreword that he thought he had gotten to know Chris fairly well but realized that he hadn’t until he had a chance to read a draft of the book. Isn’t life like that? For sure, we need to take more time to ponder and play with all the crayons. You can start to do that by reading Chris’ book. I like Tip No. 203: ‘Take a good look a your shoes in the morning. That’s the last you should see them all day. Look up! Look Around! Notice things you’ve never noticed before.” I would add especially if you are putting on your golf shoes. Forget about the outcome (score), be in each shot and between shots be in the moment taking in the beautiful golf environment and your colorful playing partners. We definitely need to laugh more at ourselves. Others are already doing it so why not join them?

There are thirty-three short essays embedded in this crayon box. I especially like the Colorful Days Diary one on Page 27. Chris’s buddies, who barely have hair were making fun of how long his hair was getting, I can relate to this situational comedy. I like the George Bailey and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ reference and the embrace of the ‘Circle of Life’ and, of course, the closing “Hair Today. Gone Tomorrow.” The final Tip is No. 501 and is a brilliant close to a great book from an affable guy- ‘Learn the fine art of knowing when precisely when to quit.”

Poignant Chris Rodell with United States Congressman Tim Murphy.

The point of the crayon never being quite sharp for me. Poignant, you might say? Yes sir, Chris Rodell is definitely a poignant man. I still chuckle at the last scene of him in my mind. We are touring Latrobe CC which was closed for a fundraiser for Timothy “Tim” F. Murphy, the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 18th congressional district, since being elected in 2002. Everyone else is out on the golf course and we see the United States Congressman on the practice putting green. He comes over and I shake his hand and say hello. Chris, without a hesitating breath, starts right in on issues that are important to him and his family and the Latrobe community. At first I laughed but then realized this is our system of government in action. Congressman Murphy is the only elected official in our federal government that is also a practicing health care professional. We spoke of the Robin Williams tragedy and he shared a true insight that when someone feels hopeless, even when there is hope, it is necessary for someone to step in and help them. I like that guy and would vote for him if I lived in his district. Yes, Chris is a poignant crayon story teller, motivation speaker and future political interviewer.

As for me I am going to close per Tip No. 501 with the hope that Chris’ eighth book is how to bring the crayons out to the golf course, keep my golf score using one (without an eraser?) and somehow improving my golf game!

Chris Rodell also writes for Arnold Palmer’s Kingdom magazine.

Filed Under: People in Golf

The First Tee Comes Home to TPC Sawgrass!

September 9, 2014 By admin

TPC Sawgrass, everyone knows, is the ‘Home of THE PLAYERS Championship.’

Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass is all decked out for Military Tribute and Web.com Championship!

The crown jewel of the TPC network is also home to the PGA TOUR. Within a quarter mile of the Clubhouse, in the opposite direction, of the famed island 17^th green, is the east and west corporate headquarters buildings of the world’s premium golf tour. On the corner of Championship Way and PGA TOUR Boulevard, is the portrait of three-time PLAYERS champion Jack Nicklaus. A chip shot away is the office of Tim Finchem, the Commissioner of the PGA TOUR.

For the first time, the eighth annual ‘Taste of Golf,’ benefiting The First Tee of North Florida, was held at the Clubhouse during the Web.com Tour Championship. The event marked a symbolic homecoming, in the sense that The First Tee has now matured to the age of ‘Sweet 16.’ Commissioner Tim Finchem and President George H. W. Bush, No. 41, kicked off The First Tee in New York City’s Central Park in November 1997. President George W. Bush, No. 43, took over for his father as Honorary Chairman in 2011. The First Tee was established through the World Golf Foundation and its founding members—the USGA, LPGA, Masters Tournament, PGA of America and the PGA TOUR.

As a sign of the times for the expanding organization, Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of The First Tee, was not present at the major fundraising event for the flagship North Florida chapter. Instead, he was at the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, a Champions Tour event that pairs a junior with a professional and they compete together as a team.

Kirk Triplett and Michelle Xie win the 2013 Nature Valley First Tee Open.

This year was another ‘Cinderella Story’ at Pebble Beach with Michelle Xie, from the First Tee of Silicon Valley, playing Cinderella instead of Bill Murray. Kirk Triplett, who won the individual pro tournament, also won the Pro-Junior with Michelle, a 15-year old junior at Palo Alto High School. Two years ago, D.A. Points teamed up with the lovable Carl Spackler, to capture the same double win in the AT&T National Pro-Am.

Over 700 juniors from across the United States have had the incredible experience of playing Pebble Beach with a professional golfer in a golfing competition. The real impact of the First Tee program, is the program—the Code of Conduct, the Nine Core Values and the Nine Healthy Habits. By 2011, the dynamic and proven youth development program had reached over 7 million kids. At that time, the primary goal of the supporting organization was supercharged to reach another 10 million kids by 2017. The First Tee has fully come of age.

To the credit of the coaches and program leaders, the First tee of North Florida quietly communicates a 100% success rate. All of the Jacksonville area kids who have come through the First Tee graduate from high school and go on to college, with an academic or golf scholarship. The program is making a meaningful impact on young people and our communities. The First Tee is the best investment for your charitable dollars.

Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass was transformed into an art gallery for the ‘Taste of Golf.’

The Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass was transformed into an art gallery with many nationally recognized artists participating, with a portion of their sales going directly to The First Tee. ‘Taste of Golf’ Chairwoman Milan Moore and Jen Jones, Executive Director of Jacksonville’s Unity Plaza, recruited Keith Doles, Ted Johnson, Robert Leedy, Peter Blunt, Randy Pitts, Gordon Meggison, Marilyn Antram, Paul Ladiner, Barbara Quigley, Heather Blanton, Will Dickey and Suzanne McCourt, the Lady Artist from Pebble Beach. Suzanne, the neo-realism painter of golf’s historic moments, became the first woman to create the artwork for the Pebble Beach Pro-Am program in 2010.

Remember the night was entitled “A Taste of Golf.” The food delicacies, presented for consumption by the guests, included Shrimp Scampi Dijonnaise (Executive Chef Gary McKinsey, Deerwood CC); Nabchego-Stuffed Duck Meatball (Executive Chef Kira Lewis, Hidden Hills CC); Salmon in Two Preparations (Executive Chef Jason Hall, Certified Master Chef, Hammock Dunes); Beer Braised Pork Cheeks (Executive Chef Michael Ramsay, Jacksonville Golf & CC); Jumbo Lump Crab Tamales (Executive Chef Jerry Snider, San Jose CC); Duroc Pork Belly & Sweet Pea Sea Scallop (Executive Chefs Dan Webber and Marvin McClelland, Sawgrass CC); Grilled Wagyu Beef (Executive Chef LJ Coussin, TPC Sawgrass) and Sweet Potato Gnocchi (Executive Chef Brent Lynch, World Golf Village).

Amazing signs by Tory Eulenfeld of the National Golf Course Restaurant Association (NGCRA)

For dessert there were a Trilogy of Truffles, Mint Meringue, Chocolate Crunch Macaron and a Chocolate Blood Orange Hazelnut Shooter (Executive Pastry Chef Caitlin Schneider-Frantz, Jacksonville Golf & CC and Chef Nils Rowland, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club).

The festival night at the Clubhouse was memorable, with a lot of dignities including Mr. & Mrs. ‘59’ Jim and Tabitha Furyk, Amanda Balionis and Cole Pepper. There were several auctions and a significant portion of the chapter’s annual budget was raised.

Even more enduring is a trip to the Brentwood Course at the First Tee of North Florida facility. This is the same ground upon which Sam Snead won two of his record 82 PGA TOUR victories in the first two Jacksonville Opens. Brentwood is open to the public. With grass practice tees, inexpensive green fees, along with encouragement to walk, it is an ideal golfing facility.

As good as the golfing opportunity is, the chance to meet and play with the kids is even better. While the First Tee is all about the future, playing Brentwood gives older golfers the ability to reminisce and play like a kid again. One can’t help but notice, and reflect upon, the bridge over the railroad tracks heading to the second tee. Sports and education integrate and lift communities and the same is true at the First Tee of North Florida. These kids are going to go in any direction they so choose. The First Tee gives them that choice.

CLICK here to donate to The First Tee of North Florida.

Filed Under: People in Golf

Inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show in San Juan, Puerto Rico!

August 29, 2014 By admin

Alberto Rios gave an engaging presentation on ‘Customer Service in the Golf Business.’ Photo Credit: Joseph Hayes

CLICK here for Day 1 Article.

Alberto Rios, the Director of Golf at Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club, opened up the second day of educational seminars with ‘Customer Service for the Golf Business.’ Good choice as I visited and played Bahia Beach after this year’s Puerto Rico Open. After meeting Alberto and Managing Director Martin Smith, there was no question in my mind how the St. Regis is naturally a Five Diamond hotel and the Robert Trent Jones, Jr. along two miles of Crescent Beach, is an exceptional golfing experience.

Who’s the Boss? The client, the customer, the golfer? Yes for sure. In five star facilities, “there should be a high ratio of staff to guests.” The design of a golf facility has a tremendous effect on service. ‘A foursome at a time’ though service is affected by timing. A foursome usually never shows up at the same time but immediately want to connect with each other. How is your club meeting or exceeding your wants and needs?

With some of the Golf Professionals at the Inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show. Photo Credit: Joseph Hayes

This is taking me back to my corporate experience- numerous ‘fitness for use’ studies for disposable plastic plates and ‘The Approach,’ I mean the Pactiv Attitude. I liked being in the plastics business back then. I really like being in the golf business now.

Albert brought me back to the presentation with a charming and heartfelt story of his father who at 78 is still teaching and playing tennis. He is still competitive on the tennis courts against younger players by anticipating and walking, not running to the right spot on the court. In customer service, one works less when one anticipates future needs of the client. Makes sense. Probably something we can use in our personal lives too.

My older brother LP’s inscription in Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons book he gave to me when I was 12 years old is playing in my mind. “Golf is like life, the more you learn and understand about it, the easier it is to meet its challenge.” Both on and off the golf course. Client or server. It’s all good. I am happy being in the golf business. So happy to be at the inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Quality teacher Aaron West teaching Quality!

Aaron West, President of the Island Chapter, presented ‘Teaching Quality.’ I read the fine print of his title slide and noticed the ‘7-time Island Chapter Teacher of the Year’ bottom line. He is a young guy and you may remember his interview at the Puerto Rico Open where he mentioned his wife was pregnant. Happy to report they had a beautiful baby who is now six months old. She went into labor the Tuesday after the tournament and delivered on Thursday. Now that is a labor of love.

Everyone has a teaching method and is open for praise and criticism as an instructor. Take Sean Foley for instance. Did his Stack n’ Tilt method ruin Tiger Woods? It certainly did not ruin 2013 U.S. Open Champion Justin Rose. No instructor can guarantee 100% success but a solid teaching method which is flexible and applicable to each student to guarantee that every effort is made to achieve success.

Key point. Golf instructors help golfers play golf better. People that play golf better play golf more. People that play more golf spend more money at the golf course and in the clubhouse restaurant. Teaching Quality helps grow the game and the business of golf. People who you communicate with are likely to come back to you for more golf lessons. Like life, everything in golf is connected too.

Wearing the El Conquistador helmet in Seth Henrich’s golf shop.

Seth Henrich, Director of Golf at the El Conquistador Resort, presented an ‘Expert Merchandising’ workshop. I remember visiting and playing El Conquistador with local Brass Cactus owner John ‘JB’ Barton after the Puerto Rico Open this year. I also remember Seth’s golf shop and how it was organized and well-stocked. I remember the metal El Conquistador Hat on display too and how I had to put it on like Phil Mickelson circa 1991 when he won on the PGA TOUR in Tucson while an amateur golfer, only one of six to do so and the last. Seth is the right guy to make this presentation. I would have bought the helmet if it was for sale. Maybe I should have made an offer!

Seth Henrich was very convincing as an Expert Merchandiser. Stop in his shop at El Conquistador and you will know why!

In Puerto Rico, red is the worse selling color for locals. Better stock it early and sell it to the tourists. Why red? Not sure as it is known as a powerful color in Spanish culture and tradition. Why does black shirts sell more than white ones in a tropical climate? Who knows why? Analysis is simply paying attention to what is occurring in your golf shop. Where have all the Tiger Woods’ mocks gone? Talk about riding a hot seller. I still think Tiger Woods has a good shot to break Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major wins. The question may be will Rory do it first and can Tiger break Rory’s record too? Back to buying plans and dealing with retail assortment creep.

Have a good plan, stick to it. Pay attention, do your own analysis in your own environment. I liked the close with a tribute to Miguel ‘Junior’ Colon, his mentor early on in his career while working at Dorado Beach. “He let me do my thing, gave me the room to grow,” says Seth of Miguel. “He gave me confidence to experiment and to learn.” I like natural leaders like Junior and Seth!

Jeff Willenberg is realistic and optimistic about the golf business in Puerto Rico. Photo Credit: Joseph Hayes

Puerto Rican golf goes back 1906 when it was first played by American military personnel within the confines of the El Morro Castle in 1906. The modern golf business on the island began when Laurance Rockefeller opened a luxury resort in the 1958, complete with 18 holes of golf designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. at Dorado Beach. The golf courses multiplied to number four and have hosted many PGA TOUR Champions events, a World Cup of Golf and even a Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf match between Doug Sanders and Dorado Beach’s first assistant pro with the last name of Rodriguez. Chi Chi beat Sanders by shooting three under par.

So who better than Dorado Beach’s Director of Golf, Jeff Willenberg, to give a State of the Golf Business address at the island’s inaugural golf business show? As you can imagine, the golf business in our country has historically tracked the overall American economy which has been shaky for a number of years. Puerto Rico’s aggressive Individual Investors Act 22 of 2012 has attracted new residents to Puerto Rico by providing a total exemption from Puerto Rico income taxes on all passive income, dividends and interest. As I noted six months ago, returning here after a three year absence, there are new roads being built and a $405 million Mall of San Juan will be opening early next year. As Puerto Rico’s economy rebounds, so too is its golf industry.

Guess who was sitting in the back row for Jesus Rodriguez’s seminar?

The highlight of the show was a presentation Jesus Rodriguez, the youngest of the Rodriguez family that also produced World Golf Hall of Fame member Chi Chi Rodriguez. The world outside of golf has heard little of the little brother who Chi Chi himself has praised as ‘the best golfer in the family.’ Jesus counters that without a big brother like Chi Chi to help him out, he would not have been a professional golfer. A Vietnam veteran with family responsibilities, he only briefly played the PGA TOUR in the early 1970s, choosing to go the club golf professional and instructor route. In Jesus’ book, golf has always been going up in Puerto Rico as the golf federation the Rodriguez brothers helped form in the early 1970s became the Island Chapter by the early 1980s of the PGA of America that is being showcased this week in San Juan at the inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show.

With Rodriguez brothers Jesus and Chi Chi. Everyone knows the great guy in the hat. Everyone should get to know the great guy on the left. Photo Credit: Joseph Hayes

Jesus believes the secret is muscle memory that takes over when your grip doesn’t feel good because your mind gets in the way. Who would tell Jim Furyk or Bubba Watson to change their swing? Or Jack Nicklaus to not move his head while taking the golf club back. There are three ingredients that makes someone a great golfer: one is peace of mind, second is physical ability and the third is the guts, like Chi Chi has, that it takes to win!

Jesus’ teaching philosophy and ability comes down to a simple perspective of golf instruction: “there is nothing better than looking at somebody in the eye and seeing her or his expressions and showing them your expressions.” To do what it takes to have the student learn more about and become more proficient at the game of golf. I get that and think the camaraderie with my golfing mates of a golf shot well played or even a birdie is what brings me back to the golf course as often as I can get there. Plus the challenge, beautiful nature, making new friends… I could go on and on…

It is no myth that Christine and Pedro Beauchamp make a formidable rules team!

The twelfth and final Educational Seminar at the inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show was a rules seminar by Christine & Dr. Pedro Beauchamp. Their perspective to the golf professionals in the room was simple: “you are the governing body at your clubs.” Their presentation was interesting, engaging and enlightening.

May a committee make a local rule for relief without penalty from divot holes? No, such a local rule, would modify Rule 13-1 and is not authorized. The ball must be played as it lies, except as otherwise provided in the Rules.

With Christine and Pedro Beauchamp and the latest Decisions book.

Rule 6-3a. Time of Starting. Amended to provide that the penalty for starting late, but within five minutes of the starting time, is reduced from disqualification to loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. It seems it is a kinder and gentler U.S.G.A. and R&A when it comes to changing the rules.

Ditto for the PGA TOUR. Remember when Jim Furyk was disqualified from the Barclays playoff event four years ago for being late for his pro-am tee time? The tour has suspended that regulation.

More forgiving equipment, balls that seem to fly straighter no matter how you swing, simpler (though not simple) rules and PGA of America initiatives like ‘Play it Forward’ and Mr. Palmer’s ‘while we are young’ to speed up pace of play are all making golf available in its purest form to attract new golfers and bring those who have taken a break from the game back to the golf course to join their golfing friends.

Great show! Thank you Best Golf Car, Agros Servicios and all the vendor companies and people!

As for the inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show? It was a huge success of which its impact will be felt for years in terms of Puerto Rico continuing as a premier golfing destination. With the PGA of America golf professionals sharing and practicing best practices in their island home and the business of golf doing its business to provide all the amenities to the visiting golfer, her or his friends and family, a vacation to Puerto Rico, or even a home relocation there, seems as easy and fun as any other possibility.

All we need now is a Chi Chi Rodriguez and Jim Teale golf trail!

Filed Under: People in Golf

Jim Teale, Founder of the Puerto Rico Golf Association (PRGA)

August 27, 2014 By admin

Jim Teale, who founded the PRGA in 1954 with his wife Consualo.

CLICK here for the VIDEO INTERVIEW with Jim Teale, the founder of the Puerto Rico Golf Association (PRGA).

One cannot tell the story of the 2014 Puerto Rico Open without telling the story of the Puerto Rico Golf Association (PRGA) and its founder Jim Teale. Born in Ohio, Jim moved to Minnesota where he became a Big 10 Golf Champion and caught the eye of Gene Sarazen when, as a No. 64 seed he beat the No. 1 seed in the NCAAs. Jim served his country in the United States Navy in the South Pacific and liked the part about no snow in the tropics and palm trees. He came to Puerto Rico in 1949 to settle down and has never left. Back then they were putting on circular sand greens that were treated with coconut oil and had to be mopped with a burlap sack to smooth them out for putting. At nearly age 92, this Jimmy Stewart-look alike lets the memories take him back to friends of “all creeds and cultures” that he has made through the game of golf. He lies though when he says his “golf game is not very good.” I played with him at Dorado Beach East and his game is solid tee to green and on the 6th green I saw him make a nice 20-footer for par. I left a noninterview segment in at the start of his video interview. Now you see when he is so successful and why the PRGA has been all these sixty years… it all started with the right seed!

Filed Under: People in Golf

Day 1: Inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show

August 27, 2014 By admin

Aaron West, President of the Island Chapter welcomes everyone to the inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show.

The inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show included two days of educational seminars for PGA of America golf professionals. They are the Heart & Soul of Island Golf in Puerto Rico!

CLICK here for Day 2 Article.

Aaron West, the President of the Island Chapter, led off the historic meeting of golf professionals and business people with a heartfelt welcome to all the attendees. Participants have come from all over the Caribbean, Central America and even as far away as South Africa. It was great to see my friend Mauricio Zamora, Director of Golf, at Cariari CC near San Jose, Costa Rica who I met on the ‘Journey to Olympic Golf.’ I met Mark O’Brien from Johannesburg, South Africa who represents Srixon and Cleveland Golf in that part of the world. This will be an exciting week to learn about golf and interact with people from around the world!

Julio Soto & the PRGA & Island Chapter continue to grow the game in Puerto Rico.

Julio Soto, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Golf Association (PRGA), presented the first seminar entitled ‘Golf Para Todos,’ which translate to ‘Courses for All,’ and is the ‘grow the game’ initiative in Puerto Rico. Sixteen years ago when Julio came to the PRGA as an intern he had never played the game of golf. Who better to know how to grow the game than someone who came to the game with wide open eyes. Julio, ‘Sharing the Game with Everyone,’ including the distant visitors, took us through the history of golf in Puerto Rico beginning with golf inside the Morro Castle in 1907, Jim Teale founding the PRGA in 1964 up to the present day Puerto Rico Open.

Julio Soto & Anthony Ortiz, two PRGA ‘Grow the Game’ professionals!

Anthony Ortiz, age 21, came to golf through the ‘Almost Golf’ program seven years ago. Where can we find kids? Who can we partner with- schools, community organizations, corporations, even the employees of golf courses. Julio sought input from members of the audience. Jane Weststrate shared her success on Curacao in the Dutch Caribbean with university students and lessons for ladies. Carlos Rojas Soto from the Reserva Conchal in Costa Rico spoke about his strategy to attract golfers from nearby surfing towns. Julio wrapped up the kickoff session with a mention of one of his mentors, Wally Armstrong and the SNAG Golf program, a partner of PRGA in growing the game. Wally, author of The Mulligan: A Parable of Second Chances with Ken Blanchard, main mantra is that “Everyone Needs a Second Chance on the Course and In Life.” I totally agree but limit my friends to one mulligan per hole on the course and unlimited mulligans per day in life.

Brian Shaver, Class A PGA Golf Professional, knows how to host a major golf event and give a riveting presentation too!

Brian Shaver, Director of Golf at Trump International Golf Club, conducted a seminar entitled “Hosting a Major Golf Event, The Puerto Rico Open.” Even though everyone in the rooms (sans moi) has run a golf tournament, who better to make this presentation than the guy who will be hosting his fourth Puerto Rico Open presented by SeePuertoRico.com in six months’ time. As Brian took us through a chronological review of staging a PGA TOUR event, I found it very interesting to see the behind-the-scenes perspective. Planning and flexibility under changing variables are keys to success. Now I can understand why it is difficult to interview the golf course staff early in the week. With pro-am preparation and execution along with staging carts starting at 4:30 am I can see why there is a sigh of relief when the golf tournament starts on Thursday morning. Hearing Brian’s experienced and insightful commentary brought back memories of Chesson Hadley’s record 21-under par breakthrough win in March.

Bobby Halinski, the Dancing Gringo, does standup nonjudgmental golf presentations with a wedge, I mean golf instrument, Stage Two Alert!

Robert ‘Bobby’ Harlinski, Puerto Rico’s ‘Dancing Gringo’, enlightened us with ‘Judgment- Free’ golf instruction. Actually it is just ‘Judgment-Free Golf,’ from both an instructor and golfer’s perspective. Bobby, impacted by his associations with noted sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella and inspirational one-armed golfing legend Jimmy Nichols. Performing an entertaining standup routine with only a wedge for a prop, he tap danced us to a new understanding of approaching our performance on the golf course. The real target in golf, as in throwing a baseball, is the target. There are three stages to learning how to full-swing golf or any golf shot for that matter including putting. Stage One is swinging without club or ball present. Stage Two is swinging the golf club with no ball present. Stage Three is swinging the golf club through the golf ball with the golf ball rebounding off the face of the club.

Pedro Amengual outside the inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show sponsored by Best Golf Car, the Club Car Authorized Dealer in Puerto Rico and Agro Servicios. More on the merchadise show on Day Two.

Stage Three Alert: that’s all for the physical part of golf, now let’s talk about the bigger picture. Fred Couples would tell you “life is golf and golf is life.” Ben Hogan would warn us that “everything that seems right is wrong.” Really? Yes, really, from a man that admits he was never a good student and questions how he can be a good teacher. We are in too many places in the past and the future. There is nobody here. We can’t be in all those places. We have to be here right now, or as the pros think, one shot at a time. The definition of a golf swing is “moving an instrument through the ball, square to the target, at maximum speed.” There is no club, only an extension of your arm and hand, and there is no hit. Jimmy Nichols played in The Masters and the PGA Championship with only one arm, playing ‘Judgment-Free Golf.’ So can you. Go dancing with Bobby Halinski.

Dr. Nicky Kirk was very intelligent, effective and demonstrative in his presentation!

Dr. Nicky Kirk, a Scot that does not play golf, led off the afternoon sessions with a teaser slide labeled ‘Tiger Woods Slipped Sacrum.’ In the opinion of this chiropractor, the movement of the sacrum is less than two millimeters and it is surrounded by the strongest ligaments in the body. Translation is that a sacrum doesn’t just pop up and put back in again by treatment. A discectomy, though a surgical operation, is nonetheless an injury and takes time to heal. It is likely that Tiger came back too soon. Dr. Kirk demonstrated several training exercises including keeping one’s balance while shifting one’s weight. No matter what one’s conditioning and preparation is, injury always occurs when something unexpected happens.

Chip Koehlke has major experience coaching elite golfers.

Chip Koehlke shared his experience coaching elite golfers. His experience is impressive: 20 tour players, 7 Q-School successes, 12 tour wins, and 1 Major. Raised in Cincinnati, now Puerto Rico based, Chip stresses ‘periodization.’ Training should be structured into three phases- technical/development, pre-competition/transitional and application/performance. Professional golfers modify this approach based on there playing schedule- three weeks of competition, one week home working on conditioning and swing fundamentals and then a competitive week prior to a major championship. He credits Nick Faldo with unmatched preparation, knowing every course detail and being ‘the best caddie you have ever seen’ and sees a changing of the generation in terms of Nick having two to four swing thoughts to today’s ‘open minded, nothing in your mind’ sports psychologists. His best coaching performance was planting a seed early in the year that the Sunnydale Golf Club well-suited Karen Stuppes’ power golf game. Then she went out and won her first Major in the 2004 Women’s British Open with a rare albatross (double eagle).

Ricardo Picorelli wasn’t praying in this picture but I was… that he wouldn’t select me as a prop… though it would have helped my golf game!

Ricardo Picorelli gave a fast moving dual segmented presentation to wrap up the first day of educational seminars at the inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show. After a ‘get out of your chair and move warm up routine for the audience,’ he took us through 16 Common Swing characteristics while demonstrating several poses and assessment positions. As Jason Glass says, “if you don’t assess, then it is a guess.” The second half of the certified TPI/K-Vest Instructor took us through the video technology and kinematic sequence of Rafa Campos. Campos finished XX in the 2014 Puerto Rico Open presented by SeepuertoRico.com and is currently competing on the XXX He is currently the highest OWGR-ranked male golfer from Puerto Rico. Althoiugh well outside the current cut line for the 2016 Olympics it is quite possible he can qualify for the golfing competition on the Gil Hanse-designed Olympic Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro. I remember my experience with the K-Vest at PGA Village in St. Lucie and how much it helped me understand my swing and what changes I needed to make to become a professional golfer. Changes yet to be implemented. There is always tomorrow, which is Day 2 of the inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show in San Juan. Puerto Rico!

Filed Under: People in Golf

Inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show

August 26, 2014 By admin

With Pedro Amengual, Marketing Director (Left) and Alvin Irizarry, Associate Producer of the Island Chapter, South Florida Section of the PGA of America/

I am back in Puerto Rico to experience some golf history in the making at the inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show. There will be many firsts to report on this week with one sure to be as big as when the PGA of America formed in 1916! Really, c’mon Andy, aren’t you exaggerating a bit? Nope, stay tuned, think about golf in a little different perspective and you will see where the excitement for this show is coming from. This is golf, PGA of America, Island Chapter-style. Remember that while Puerto Rico, is a territory of the United States it has its own Olympic teams and a strong sense of independence. Puerto Rico has its own King of Golf- World Golf Hall of Fame Member Chi Chi Rodriguez. While Puerto Rico is the home of Sidney Wolf and his awesome Puerto Rico Open presented by SeePuertoRico.com it is also home to two little chipmunks named Alvin and Pedro who along with a president, Aaron West, have worked long and hard to create something unique in the golf business. Congratulations on the inaugural Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show! Stay tuned for that announcement!

Filed Under: People in Golf

TPC Sawgrass: Dye’s Valley of Opportunity for You & Me.

August 26, 2014 By admin

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter continues his exclusive “Play-Write” series with a round of golf on the Valley Course the day after the 2011 Nationwide Tour’s Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open presented by Planters. A course he is familiar with and plays often. Play along with Reistetter as writes about how different the set-up is for a professional golf tournament and what he discovers new about TPC Sawgrass’ “other” golf course.

Dye’s Valley of Opportunity.
What is a valley anyways?
This is Florida, doesn’t there have to be mountains for it to be a valley?

Yes, the first definition of a valley is an elongated depression between uplands, hills, or mountains, especially one following the course of a stream.

Well there’s definitely water in Dye’s Valley.

But the second definition makes more geographical sense- an extensive, more or less flat, and relatively low region drained by a great river system.

Well the nearby St. Johns River is the longest river in the state of Florida.

But it seems like Dye’s Valley doesn’t drain to anywhere in particular.

Water from above seems to seep down into the sandy soil quite nicely without any runoff to the river.

The third definition of a valley (as provided by Dictionary.com) is any depression or hollow resembling a valley.

Now I am confused- are we talking about a relatively big valley like the ones you feel off the tees on Nos. 6, 7, 8 on the front or Nos. 12, 13, 16 and 17 on the back?

Or perhaps the name of Dye’s Valley refers to the miniature valleys, bumps and hollows surrounding nearly every green?

So much for playing “if, ands, and butts,” let’s get into the opportunity side of Dye’s Valley of Opportunity for you and me.

Well, let’s start with them- those that are more proficient at the game of golf than you or I.

Back in 1988, Dye’s Valley hosted the Senior PLAYERS Championship.

Billy Casper, a dedicated family man with peculiar eating habits won on a Sunday in June that year.

Twenty years earlier he dedicated his book The New Billy Casper, More Important Things in Life than Golf to his daughter Linda.

That cute little girl once said “I guess Sundays are for mommies and their little girls to go to church while daddies go to the golf course.”

Things change in life and golf I guess… now families go to church on Saturday evenings and play golf together on Sunday mornings.

When kids grow up and leave the nest it is time for “senior” golfers to head to the golf course.

In 1989 on Dye’s Valley it was Orville Moody winning the Senior PLAYERS crown.

Moody was the first guy to win consistently with the long putter or what was known as “the broomstick” back then.

Orville Who?
The Army sergeant from Killeen, Texas.
The guy who met a Marine from Dallas Texas for the first time in Okinawa, Japan.
Moody then dusted his little Texas brother, the Merry Mex, in the Far East All-Service Championship.
Moody shot a 64 on Saturday to win by two strokes on Sunday over Charles Coody and won $105,000.
Another golfer by the name of Gavin Hall shot a 64 on Saturday on the same course on his 17th birthday and went on to win the 2011 Junior PLAYERS championship.
What will be his destiny?
Hall, one of the top rated junior golfers, earned a spot in the field in the Nationwide Tour’s Winn Dixie Jacksonville Open on Dye’s Valley.
The AJGA star shot 75-73 and missed the cut by five strokes.
Another Gavin shot 64 in Round 2 and held on down the stretch to win the same tournament.
Gavin Coles, the only player in PGA TOUR history to earn a tour card for a fourth time this year won $108,000 for his fifth career Nationwide Tour victory.
Coles who made $3,000 more than Moody did 22 years earlier, moved to No. 15 on the Nationwide Money List and a PGA Tour card for 2012.
There is no doubt there is opportunity for ranked amateur and professional golfers on Dye’s Valley.
What opportunity awaits us mere golfers on Dye’s Valley the day-after?
An opportunity to play and experience the same challenge as the professionals faced while competing in a pivotal tournament on the Nationwide Tour schedule.
This was to be no ordinary round of golf.
I was more than excited after four days and nights of Dye’s Valley.
During the day I was assigned to do (provide) yardages for Golf Channel’s on course reporter Kay Cockerill.
During the night I would watch the DVR replay of the tournament.
It’s fun, exciting and revealing to watch a tournament on television being played on a golf course you are familiar with.
You see the golf course and its challenges from a different perspective.
Listening to expert analysis you learn the secrets to its design.
Hope emerges even for the amateur that knowing her better, you can understand her better and enjoy the challenge in a more intimate and fulfilling manner.
I was mesmerized by the beauty of Dye’s Valley- the shadows in the valleys giving tone and texture to her beauty. The reflections of the tall pine, hearty oak and graceful palm trees in the body of her waters caused me to see her in another light.
Being on course with the feature and final groups one realizes it isn’t all fairways and greens with putts dropping left, center and right.
Coles’ victory came from perseverance, especially on the final day with difficult hole locations and the ever-present though changing ocean breezes.
The 43-year old veteran would hack it out of the rough on 16 then get it up-and-down to save par. A birdie on the par-5 16th and another on the converted par-5 to par-4 17th by virtue of a heroic putt brought him to the 18th with a two-stroke lead over playing partner Jonas Blixt.
Playing the home hole safe and smart was enough, even with a three-putt for victory by the slimmest of margins.
Could I do this with my own game?
The course setup is there for everyone to see so it follows that it is fair and a good competitive test.
Gavin Cole commented on the 8th and 17th, both par-5 made par-4 holes: “It’s just a number (they say), (it) doesn’t matter how difficult the green (complexes) are.”
There are valleys around those greens.
The day-after the par on the 8th and 17th is five- that’s the number I know.
Were the fairways made narrower for the tournament?
This I am not sure, perhaps the 15th was the only one with a significant difference?
I am not sure if the five foot first cut collars emerged from the fairway or the rough?
I do know the fairways and especially the greens were “firmer and faster” than I had ever before experienced.
The rough was definitely higher and my latest competitive thought to follow the flight and path of all the golf balls I hit came in handy in terms of “search and rescue” missions when my balls flew in unintended directions.
Playing the same Sunday hole locations was definitely a treat and added to the reenactment of a wonderful tournament week.
Skill level and scoring proficiency excluded from the above comment, of course… on the course.
I know myself and my location better than ever on the expertly designed golf course.
With two loops in different directions- the front nine being clockwise and the back nine being counter clockwise, it is easy to get disoriented.
Throw in the relatively flat topography spread out over a very large area and one is as lost as sea as Gilligan, Skipper and his compatriots.
Which wind direction do you believe?
The grass clippings dropped in front of your eyes, the tops of the towering pines or the overall, predominant and verified wind direction?
It takes a compass to know where you are heading. Even though a valley there are no mountaintops to see and gauge location.
The results of my endeavor to play Dye’s Valley the day-after the pros did?
Not my best round ever though only three strokes off it.
I managed to hit the first five greens, six of the first seven and suffered only three three-putts.
The driver got me into trouble on three holes- way left on No. 6, ditto No. 8 and water right on No. 10.
With only five fairways hit, nine greens in regulation and 35 putts I would keep my day job if I had one.
My lone birdie came on the 17th and yes it was a score of four- par for them, birdie for me.
It was a magical round on a perfect day in my life.
As one often does at TPC Sawgrass I made two new golfing friends- two snowbirds named Dan and Bob.
After this week and this round I also realized that I am in love with Dye’s Valley.
Now what do I tell the Stadium?

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

2014 DSGO: Bernard Langer’s Sunday 66 Wins the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open!

August 17, 2014 By admin

Bernard Langer was bogey-free and in possession of the trophy at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.

Yesterday was a memorable day, today was even more exciting as World Golf Hall of Fame member Bernard Langer shot a 6-under 66, passed four golfers and eked out a come-from-behind one-shot victory over Wood Austin and Mark O’Meara in the 2014 Dick’s Sporting Goods Open!

I know I am biased because this is my hometown and I was already a golf fanatic (no surprise there) at age eleven when the first professional golf tournament took place at En Joie Golf Club. Butch Harmon, of the Tiger Woods’ coach fame, won that 36-hole Broome County Open satellite event. Then it morphed into the BC Open, Johnny Hart style, via Alex Alexander’s leadership, for the next 36 years. Now it is celebrating its eighth year as the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open on the Champions Tour. Don’t we all wish we could change as easily and get better as the years go by as the golf tournament in Endicott, New York or its champion Bernard Langer does!

Running into retired B.C.H.S. (I know that dates me) language arts teacher Joe Maughan was awesome. The Triple Cities was a great place to grow up and is a great place to live today.

This is something like the 125th PGA TOUR event I have attended in seven seasons out on tour. With an engineering background I like to think I can be objective at times, hopefully, when I need to be. This is a good golf tournament for the players, the golf fans and the community. No doubt about that as is evidenced by three PGA TOUR awards the last two years including the highest Champions Tour distinction, the President’s Award. The PGA TOUR doesn’t just throw the word ‘President’ around either. Like when the President’s Cup debuted in 1994 or when the tour presented President George H. W. Bush with a Lifetime Achievement Award, its highest honor, in 2009. The Dick’s Sporting Goods Open is a spectacular, sensational and superior sporting and entertaining event!

There is the Monday Qualifier that serves to give credence to the inclusion of ‘Open’ in the tournament’s title. Granted this Champions Tour event is not as ‘open’ as the BC Open was back in the days prior to the all-exempt tour with the rabbits qualifying at IBM CC on Monday. I remember one year hanging around for a playoff and carrying a bag for a golfer that was only thinking about getting back home to taste some of his mother’s cooking. He didn’t make it as a player in the BC Open and neither did I as a caddie.

Clothing color-coordinated Saggy dancing with Nancy Lopez and a young girl. Photo Credit: DSGO

Tuesday is Practice Round day with the pro-am pairing party in the evening. The pro-ams on Wednesday & Thursday are first rate and offer an intimate connection with the touring pros. I remember one Fuzzy Zoeller story taking 20 or so fans out for a drink to a local bar and the tab was only thirty dollars. maybe that is why he decided to get into the high-end vodka business. This year Nancy Lopez was here for a Ladies Golf Clinic on Wednesday and ended up dancing with a little girl and my high school catcher Dave Pessagno. Saggy is the one who nicknamed me ‘Rock Candy Andy’ and as you can see in the picture is a color coordinated kind of guy.

Ben Witter’s golf clinics are always a big hit, no pun intended! Photo Credit: DSGO

Ben Witter did a Junior Golf Clinic on Wednesday and followed that up with an amazing Power Golf Show after Saturday’s Round Two. Web.com was here to do a Small Business Summit on Thursday even though this is the Champions Tour. I guess the Triple Cities is still the ‘Valley of Opportunity’ as much today as in the heydays of Endicott-Johnson Shoes and I.B.M. I see it now on Facebook and Twitter, ‘which way EJ?’ The Friday Night Concert featured the Zac Brown Band and drew over 20,000 fans to the golf tournament and the 18th fairway or a corporate tent with a view after t Round One concluded.

Then there was the golf. It has never been any better or more ‘EnJoie-able.’

Olin Browne opened with a 65 and followed with a pair of 69s on the weekend to finish T4.

In Round One, Olin Browne posted an early 7-under 65 that was only tied later in the day by John Cook. Browne became the fifth player to win on the Web.com, PGA TOUR and Champions Tour when he won the 2011 U.S. Senior Open, his only age 50-plus win. ‘OB’ spoke of the cycles in golf: “Winning is hard, it’s really hard… all you can do is show up, keep making some putts, hit some good shots, and when it is your turn, it’s your turn (to win).” asked about his preparation for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open he responded, “I really worked on my preparation last week. I went fishing with my daughter for three days and hung out at the beach.” Playing with Ed Stack, son of Dick’s Sporting Goods founder and CEO since 1984, he didn’t contribute on one hole, evidently saving all his birdies for Round One.

John Cook finished his round off with back-to-back birdies in the second to last pairing to tie Browne for the lead. It was a comfortable pairing with Jeff Sluman (67) and Jay Haas (71). It is amazing to me that ‘Cookie,’ with 11 regular tour wins and 9 on the Champions Tour has not won a major on either tour. He was sidelined for 10 weeks early in the season after slipping on carpet at home and literally cracking his back. The recovery did not require surgery only rest and he came back rusty. Is he ready for the weekend at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open and the home stretch of 10 straight tournaments in a row with only one off week?

Kevin Sutherland’s historic 65 is now a part of ‘the Tradition of Champions’ at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.

Well Saturday’s second round was all about Champions Tour rookie Kevin Sutherland making history as the first to shoot 59 on the senior over-50 circuit. The one-time winner on the regular tour is in the 59 club with the original ‘Mr. 59′ Al Geiberger, Chip Beck, David Duval, Annika Sorenstam, the only woman to do so, his buddy Paul Goydos, who with fifteen other golfers watched the grand finale on the 18th green, Stuart Appleby and Jim Furyk.

Sutherland took a one-stroke lead over Steve Lowery (66-65), two strokes over John Cook (65-67), three strokes over Scott Hoch who shot Saturday’s second best round, a 64, five strokes worse (69-64) and four strokes over the ever present, consistent and competitive Bernard Langer (67-67).

On Sunday, early in the round, there was no MoJO in the last group- Sutherland, Lowery & Cook a combined 4-over through five holes.

Woody Austin 5-under through nine holes, Bernard Langer 3-under through three holes take the lead. Defending champion Bart Bryant 6-under through twelve holes, Dick Mast 3-under through eight holes are one back with Kevin Sutherland and Steve Lowery.

Bernard Langer was one stroke behind heading to the back nine on Sunday at En Joie GC and came away the champion.

As I headed out to watch the leaders play the back nine, Langer birided No. 9 to go 4-under for the day and in a first place tie with Lowery who rebounded with birdies on Nos. 7 and 8. Woody Austin and Dick Mast were in second one stroke back. There were nine golfers at 11-under including Kevin Sutherland who was 3-over through eight holes versus 9-under yesterday. All in all there are 19 players within five strokes of the lead.

Lowery birdied No. 9 to take the lead at 15-under par. Langer matched him with a birdie at No. 10. Lowery birdied No. 11 to go one better to 16-under. Langer, one group ahead of Lowery in the last group, birdied the par-3 14th to match him again. Lowery’s fate was sealed on the 14th with a poor iron tee shot that found the water and resulted in a double bogey. Langer, with a par on the 15th saw the news on the scoreboard and knew he needed three pars to beat Woody Austin who posted 65, the best round of the day (matched by Chien Soon Lu), and had the clubhouse lead at 15-under. Langer did just that to conclude a bogey-free tournament and win for the fifth time this season.

Dick’s Tim Myers presents the trophy to champion Bernard Langer.

Jim Kelly, the legendary golf broadcaster of the Senior PGA TOUR on ESPN was the Master of the Awards presentation on the 18th green. It felt more like a Closing Ceremony of the Olympics as he recapped the great week and tied all the moving parts together- Tim Myers and the sponsor Dick’s Sporting Goods, John Karedes and his tournament staff, Albert Nocciolino, the President of the Broome County Community Charities, Rocco Greco, the golf course Superintendent and his crew, the spectators and finally the 1,600 volunteers. All in all, a fitting ending to the best tournament ever held at En Joie Golf Club.

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf, Uncategorized

2014 DSGO: Kevin Sutherland En-Joies a Record 59 in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open!

August 16, 2014 By admin

Kevin Sutherland was 9-under par after eight holes. It was GO time to see history at En Joie GC.

When I arrived at the media center around noon for Round Two of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open and checked the leaderboard I saw Kevin Sutherland was 6-under par after five holes. Hmm I thought pretty good start. My plan was to write for a few hours, watch the leaders John Cook and Olin Browne tee off with Steve Lowery at 1:31 pm and then have a spiedie and wait for them to come around and walk with them on the back nine. Then the Champions Tour rookie continued his birdie barrage with three more on Nos. 6, 7 and 8. It was time to go! Nine-under through eight holes, this is more than a 59-watch! Like when your wife tells you it is time to go to the hospital, I thought it might be time to see a 59 or lower birthed on the senior tour.

Kevin Sutherland’s birdie putt on 9 green. Missed it to shoot 9-under on the front nine at En Joie GC.

When arrived at No. 9 green I saw a ball not far from the green and two back in the fairway. As the players lined up with their ball I realized the one nearer the green belonged to Kevin Sutherland Thinking he somehow had to chip out of the woods and lay up I was informed that it was his drive. Impressive! He pitched up from about 70 yards to a back hole location and missed the putt. Ugh oh maybe I was going to jinx him like it seems so many television broadcasters do when they make a point that a player hasn’t missed a 3-footer in the last zillion rounds and he misses one. Kevin would say later in his interview that “I missed it, so my first par of the day but I turned at 9-under, so I wasn’t griping.”

I was surprised when the guy who shot 71 in the first round and is now on fire walked by me and continued down the road along billboard alley going countercurrent to a slew of spectators heading from the clubhouse area to the golf course. His playing partners Jeff Hart (71-70) and Gene Sauers (71-70) headed to the first fairway and opted to walk to the 10th tee (double tee with No. 1) inside the ropes. I could sense everyone, caddies included, except his own caddie Billy Lewis were giving Sutherland his distance. Everyone knew what was at stake but no one was saying anything to acknowledge it. In some way I thought of him being in a self imposed quarantine, a positive one, not like the ebola virus.

In the zone, Sutherland walks past and passes on a Lupo’s spiedie on the way to the 14th tee.

Sutherland nailed his hybrid on No. 10, lobbed up and made a 10-footer to get back on the birdie train. On eleven he pulled an 8-iron but drained the 45-footer like the bombs he made on the front side at Nos. 2 and 4. Other good memories of the front side for Kevin included a 6-foot eagle putt made on the par-5 fifth hole and a hole-out deuce from a difficult downhill lie in the bunker at No. 7. A bunkered drive on the par-5 twelfth hole dictated a layout and a missed a 25-foot birdie putt after a mediocre wedge. A missed 10-footer on No. 13 and all of a sudden it is three pars in a row with only five holes left to make the two birdies needed to shoot a 59. I watched him pass the Lupo spiedie girl on the way to the 13th tee. Lupo’s has the best spiedies in the Southern Tier and it is their custom to provide the local culinary creation on a complimentary basis to players, caddies and media. While Kevin said “No thanks, I am fine” to the smiling Jan Nolis I said “sure” and indulged in my childhood favorite to the extent I wasn’t quite sure, when I saw from a distance, Kevin make a short putt on the 13th green if it was for birdie or par?

Sutherland’s pitch into the 15th green nearly spun back into the water.

It was for par. Four holes remaining, two birdies needed. Still good odds considering the scorecard up to this point included one eagle, four pars and nine birdies. On No. 15, the hole local hero Richie Karl birdied to beat Bruce Crampton in a playoff in 1974, Kevin hits an aggressive driver, then sand wedge to ten feet and drains the putt. Using the backboard on the approach shot, the rebound roll caught his full attention until the ball came to a rest safely above the water line near the front hole location. Better to drain a birdie putt than an approach wedge. Three holes left, only one birdie needed to shoot 59.

With a booming high fade drive, the fifty-year old drives the green on the short par-4 16th hole. It’s a good thing when a player takes his putter out of the bag on the tee after teeing off, especially on a par-4. Though a difficult 35-foot eagle putt missed he clanked in the 4-footer for birdie and now only needed two pars for the 59. A 6-iron that released over the ridge on the 17th green to tap-in birdie brought a light moment on the tee when Richie, the Golf Channel cameraman let him know it was only one foot away. Keith responded that he would take a 3-footer. Deuce made, par 18 for a 58 to start a new and better club than the 7-some in the professional Club 59.

Honorary Observers Kathi & Dr. George Roberts showing good MoJo on the 13th hole.

Though only a one-time winner on the PGA TOUR in the match play World Golf Championship, my observations of Sutherland was that of a seasoned finisher- walked slowly though usually off the tee first, kept to himself with a little distance from the pack of players, caddies, scorer, standard bearer and honorary observers and typically on the inside away from the gallery side (though walking to the 10th tee was an exception). Though he would say later he knew exactly where he was in relation to 59 after the eagle on the 5ht hole but thought nothing of his place on the leaderboard in terms of the 2014 Dick’s Sporting Goods Open. His use of a white towel, pre-shot and putting preparation seemed routine. Frequent use of chap stick, two trips to the port-a-john on the 12th and 15th tees, and interaction with his caddie all seemed normal and supportive of a horse that does not fade until the finish line is crossed.

Scorer Joann Matarese and Standard Bearer Brandon Wanchisen witnessed history!

With a 58 on the par horizon and at worse a Champions record 59 with a bogey he drove right to avoid water left on the dog-leg-right home hole at En Joie GC. Fairly deep in the trees and 110 yards to the front of the green he had a good angle from a bad position on the inside of a dogleg. How would the guy who I remember seeing in a wild playoff loss to Vijay Singh in the 2008 Barclays FedEx Cup playoff event at Ridgeway CC respond? On the first playoff hole Sutherland faltered and marked a 6-footer for par to watch Sergio first, then Vijay attempt rather lengthy birdie putts to win. Sergio drained his 27-footer with gusto and Kevin not only picked up his mark but seemed to congratulate Sergio on the victory. Singh, as patient as Olazabal on the 17th hole at Brookline in the Ryder Cup after Justin Leonard’s bomb goes in, made his 26-footer and won on the next playoff hole.

Sutherland played his role to perfection with a recovery shot that stopped just four feet off the front of the green. This was his moment in golf history for sure, the only question was how big of a moment will it be? Chip putt in from 40 feet for a 57 and it is unthinkable, a less-than-four-minute-mile. Get it up and down for a par and 58 and it is huge, a new level of performance in professional golf. BE a bit nervous and roll it seven feet by the hole and miss the comeback putt for 59 and it is a remarkable feat. And that is what happened, a bogey on the last to shoot 59!

With the newest ‘Mr. 59’ Kevin Sutherland and ‘Mr. 61 Year Sportswriter’ John Fox.

Sutherland takes a one-stroke lead over Steve Lowery (66-65), two strokes over John Cook (65-67), three strokes over Scott Hoch who shot the day’s second best round, a 64, five strokes worse (69-64) and four strokes over the ever present, consistent and competitive Bernard Langer (67-67).

This is Kevin Sutherland’s moment. He is in the 59 club with the original ‘Mr. 59’ Al Geiberger, Chip Beck, David Duval, Annika Sorenstam, the only woman to do so, his buddy Paul Goydos, who with fifteen other golfers watched the grand finale on the 18th green, Stuart Appleby and Jim Furyk.

The first Kevin Sutherland’ signed ’59’ ball went to fan Mike Zwick.

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

2014 DSGO: A ‘Backwards Episode’ of Round One at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open!

August 15, 2014 By admin

This article is formatted like the 164th “Backwards Episode” of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. Most recent at the start! Note that there are 27 additional stories in the picture show at the bottom of this post.

Evening:

The Zac Brown Band concert.

Afternoon:

Hello again John Fox, local sportswriter for 61 years!

After watching some golf I came back into the media center and found John Fox, longtime sports columnist for the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin Newspaper. By longtime I mean 61 years. I saw him here in 2010 and reintroduced myself and congratulated him like countless others when he wrote his final column on June 27th which was entitled “After so long, it’s ‘So Long.'” The man was ingenious with his thoughts, perspectives and words. Sixty-one years before, on June 27th, 1949, his first assignment on his first day was to cover an exhibition by Dr. Cary Middlecoff a few weeks after he won the U.S. Open at Medinah CC. It was played at the old Vestal Hills CC which was a 9-holer on the opposite side of the Susquehanna River a few miles upstream from the En Joie Golf Course. That golf course was moved into the hills to more accurately reflect its name. John Fox has kept himself moving ever since and hopefully for a long time more. What a delight to see John Fox today and here old stories about Ely Park and golf in the Triple Cities!

Olin Browne shot 64 in Round One and is tied for the lead with John Cook.

Olin Browne out at 10:53 am with Tom Pernice Jr. (74) and John Riegger (67) posted a 7-under 65 that was only tied later in the day by John Cook. Browne became the fifth player to win on the Web.com, PGA TOUR and Champions Tour when he won the 2011 U.S. Senior Open, his only age 50-plus win. ‘OB’ spoke of the cycles in golf: “Winning is hard, it’s really hard… all you can do is show up, keep making some putts, hit some good shots, and when it is your turn, it’s your turn (to win).” asked about his preparation for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open he responded, “I really worked on my preparation last week. I went fishing with my daughter for three days and hung out at the beach.” Playing with Ed Stack, son of Dick’s Sporting Goods founder and CEO since 1984, he didn’t contribute on one hole, evidently saving all his birdies for Round One.

Woody Austin is loving life on the Champions Tour.

Woody Austin, the 1995 Rookie of the Year on the PGA TOUR, shot 5-under on the front nine and even par coming home to post a 67 good for a T6 position after Round One. After giving details of his brilliant front nine he joked that he made the turn and “unfortunately I woke up.” Austin, the 2007 President’s Cup ‘Aqua Man,’ won the PGA TOUR’s Sanderson Farms Championship last July and then turned 50 in January. In 22 tour events this year he has only one Top-25 finish. In his debut and only other Champions Tour competition he finished T3 at the U.S. Senior Open won by Colin Montgomerie. asked about his conflicting levels of performance he went into a rather logical explanation that centered on technology and skill. “I am no longer that guy that’s 40 yards behind everyone… I hit more sand wedges today than I’ve hit all year long.” Welcome to the Champions Tour Woody!

Steve Lowery has stopped fiddling with his swing and opened with a 66 in Round One.

Steve Lowery had nine birdies, five straight on holes five thru nine, and shot 66 in Round One to trail the leaders by one shot. David Frost and defending champion Bart Bryant also shot 66 and are tied for third place. A 15-footer for par on No. 11 kept the round going for Lowery who won three times on the PGA TOUR, all in playoffs, but is yet to win in 77 Champions Tour appearances. Steve admitted to fiddling too much with his swing: “I’ve been out there playing golf for a couple of years trying to work on my swing hoping it would work. It never does… I was trying to get better and I was getting worse.” No more fiddling Steve Lowery!

John Cook shot 65 and is tied for the lead with Olin Browne after Round One.

John Cook’s round was more balanced that Olin or Woody’s round as he shot 33-32=65 in the second to last pairing, with two birdies to finish, to tie Browne for the lead. It was a comfortable pairing with Jeff Sluman (67) and Jay Haas (71). It is amazing to me that ‘Cookie,’ with 11 regular tour wins and 9 on the Champions Tour has not won a major on either tour. He was sidelined for 10 weeks early in the season after slipping on carpet at home and literally cracking his back. The recovery did not require surgery only rest and he came back rusty. He is ready for the weekend at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open and the home stretch of 10 straight tournaments in a row with only one off week.

Morning:

Bobby Clampett emerging from the ‘IMPACT ZONE.”

I arrived at the course a little after 8 am but didn’t make it to my spot the media center until well after 10 am. I wanted to see Jim Rutledge hit the first tee shot, the first of 81 golfers, off No. 1 in the 2014 Dick’s Sporting Goods Open. But I missed that too. When I volunteer at the World Golf Hall of Fame they call me the “Wanderer” as I admittedly seem to meander from one exhibit to another when my next new friend in golf has yet to arrive at my post. Today I was drawn, actually given a ride in a golf cart, by Dave Baker the man who presented the key to Endicott to Fred Funk yesterday and has been volunteering at En Joie for the last 39 years. That means he is 1976 vintage, the year Bob Wynn won, five years after Butch Harmon won the 36-hole inaugural Broome County Open and two years after Johnson City’s own Richie Karl became the last club professional to win a PGA TOUR event. I was 14 years old and remember being there on the 15th green and seeing Richie drain a 35-foot putt to beat Bruce Crampton in a playoff.

Anne Williams carrying on Dave Thomas’ legacy with Wendy’s Walk for Kids, Steps to a Brighter Future.

Dave drove me to the front gate area where I visited with each exhibitor. The very first one was I met was Anne Williams of Wendy’s Walk for Kids. A franchiser of 17 Wendy’s Restaurants in the Central New York region with partner Jeff Coghlan, she wanted to do something for children during the National Children’s Awareness Month of June. Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s was born to a young unmarried woman he never knew. Adopted six weeks later, the philanthropist became a well-known advocate for adoption. Five years ago, when the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open was in June, Anne teamed up with Tournament Director John Karedes and Broome County Catholic Charities and simply started to walk for the kids on tournament Sunday morning, taking steps to a brighter future. In 2009 they raised $40,000, last year $245,000 and likely will cross the $1 million mark this year. I can see why the PGA TOUR awarded Wendy’s Walk for Kids and Broome County Catholic Charities the Champions Tour 2012 Charity of the Year Award. The charitable donations from the generous people of the Central New York Region have funded an adoption recruiter. Somehow I think Dave Thomas is smiling down from above, just like Wendy, knowing his spirit is alive and well both in a tasty Dave’s Hot ‘N Juicy 1/4 lb. Single and a young child finding a home.

One of Bobby Clampett’s ‘BC’ Endicott Johnson spikeless shoes sold on EBAY.

I missed Rutledge’s tee shot but did manage to say hello to Bobby Clampett and watched him tee off at 10:09 with Hal Sutton and John Inman. Right now Bobby is 1-under through eleven holes. He mentioned to me that Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company sponsored him back in the day and he was one of the first to wear soft-spike shoes. Sure enough I googled him and EJ’s and there was a pair of his size 11s for sale on EBAY. They went for $11.50 a couple of months ago. I liked the ‘BC’, what we would have called ‘Whatchamacallit’ back then or crocs jibbitz™ strap charms today. ‘BC’, Bobby Clampett or ‘BC Open,’ originally Broome County Open. then Johnny Hart’s BC comic strip, now the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open. Maybe a hunch that Bobby Clampett will win this week at En Joie? Right now he is even par through seventeen with Sandy Lyle leading at 7-under through tweleve holes. The final threesome of Colin Montgomerie, Bernard Langer and Mark O’Mara have teed off. Morning is over. It is officially afternoon.

Twenty-seven more stories from today in the picture show:

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Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf