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Book Review: Linda Hartough’s “Green Glory”

April 2, 2014 By admin

“Green Glory” by Linda Hartough and Patrick Drickey is the ultimate Major visual reference in golf. Photograph used with the permission of Linda Hartough Golf Landscapes.

Linda Hartough is by far the most prolific golf landscape artist of all-time. Her contributions to golf goes as far back as the mid 1980s painting the 13th hole at Augusta National by request of The Masters Tournament. Now, she has teamed up with photographer Patrick Drickery to chronicle 69 of the world’s finest courses that have hosted Golf’s Major Championships since 1950 in “Green Glory.” In other words that would be Augusta National Golf Club and 68 other renown golf courses of the United States Open, British Open and PGA Championship. As we start Major Season with The Masters next week, now is the ideal time to acquire “Green Glory” with its 250 pages and become the expert of your friends on the most important golf courses in golf and the world.

I had the pleasure of meeting Linda back at the 2010 PGA Show and have enjoyed every subsequent occasion when I have seen her again whether it was at The Masters, a U.S. Open or at her art exhibit on Hilton Head Island. CLICK here for an article I wrote on her and her long association with the U.S.G.A. and U.S. Opens, even longer than Tiger’s.

CLICK here to visit The Academy of Golf Art, a nonprofit organization that is progressing the relationship between golf and art.

With Linda Hartough at the 2010 PGA Show.

Author in Vecci Fashions knickers at 2012 Masters with linda Hartough. The azelas in her painting of the 13th were in bloom!

With Linda Hartough at her gallery exhibition on Hilton Head Island.

Filed Under: Featured Products & Services

2014 Puerto Rico Open presented by SeePuertoRico.com

March 30, 2014 By admin

With Sidney Wolf, Tournament Chairman of the Puerto Rico Open presented by SeePuertoRico.com.

I first came to the Puerto Rico Open three years ago in 2011 with The Golf Channel. This time I am back with a media credential as “Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary” to report on the tournament competition, tourism in Puerto Rico and the Island Chapter of the PGA of America (including the history of golf in Puerto Rico through the Puerto Rico Golf Association). This posting will focus on the tournament proper and who better to start with than the Tournament Chairman Sidney Wolf?

CLICK here for the VIDEO INTERVIEW with Sidney Wolf, Tournament Chairman.

Sidney Wolf, Tournament Chairman & President of the PRGA.

As the picture above shows we had a fun and entertaining interview. Sidney is involved with golf in Puerto Rico like no one else. In addition to being Tournament Chairman of as he puts it “where the PGA TOUR plays this week,” he has been the President of the Puerto Rico Golf Association (PRGA) since 1995. Interestingly, 2014 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PRGA by Jim Teale and the 30th anniversary of Sidney starting to play the game of golf. In the interview Sidney touches all the bases as far as major stake holders in staging the Puerto Rico Open including himself and his committee, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (www.SeePuertoRico.com), the Diaz family with their Grand Melia Golf Resort and of course Mr. Donald Trump whose name brands the Trump International Golf Club.

The Paella Pa’ellos Competition resulted in tasty mouth watering servings all for charity.

The award-winning fan-friendly event continues to out do itself again this year with a players’ fishing derby, a junior golf tournament, a Paella (recipe based rice cooked with other foods in a wide frying pan) cooking contest, and a performance by the El Grand Combo (“the most popular Salsa group that has existed for over 50 years”). All this for charity, including the golf tournament, which has raised over three million dollars in only six years of existence.

Five hundred years after Columbus discovered the Americas, the Government of Puerto Rico established The Puerto Rico Tourism Company to make Puerto Rico the first choice for world travelers and business in the Caribbean. As the presenting sponsor for the Puerto Rico Open they have brought Puerto Rico into the homes of 500 million Golf Channel subscribers around the world. This year the television broadcast was spectacular with aerial videos of the beautiful natural habitat that is Puerto Rico.

CLICK here for the VIDEO INTERVIEW with Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

With Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, Executive Director fo the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

I had the distinct privilege to interview Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. With an extensive background in consumer marketing, she came out of retirement (sorry but it must have been a real early retirement as she looks quite young) to be appointed by Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla. I met a handful of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company folks and I can tell you this is not like any mainland government agency you have known. See the video for yourself but Ms. Rocafort is simply a native of Puerto Rico that loves her 5-star island and knows in her heart that Puerto Rico is the “best brand ever.” I counted 27 reasons stated by the head of tourism in the “Land of Enchantment.” The anchor reasons were ones like convenient travel requiring no passport, the people, the weather, the golf, the water, remember it is an island! The subtle and news ones for me were the dry forest, the desert climate in some areas and the paradors (quaint country inns) in the mountains where it can be a chilly 65 versus the automatic year-round 85-degree weather. How many reasons to visit Puerto Rico do you hear in Ingrid’s interview?

With Jorge Diaz,host of the Puerto Rico Open.

Every PGA TOUR event needs a host. With the Puerto Rico Open being contested at the Trump International Golf Club one might think that host is Donald Trump. Wrong would that person be. Actually the host is the “Donald Trump of Puerto Rico” but his name is Jorge Diaz. He, his brother Arturo and the Diaz family own the Trump International Golf Club (paying rights to the brand to the Donald), the Grand Melia Resort and a lot more in Puerto Rico. Though elusive in terms of a video interview, Mr. Jorge Diaz gave me plenty of time to get a sense of his family and their humble contribution to the betterment of Puerto Rico. The family business started with his father Arturo Sr. who was “100% Puerto Rican” and pursued a construction business “before, during and after” the 1952 transition from a Territory to a Commonwealth. He started with a truck and 75 dollars. The family’s Sunday drive was Jorge driving with Dad taking notes of the status of various construction sites. The Diaz family asphalt business literally paved most of Puerto Rico in addition to building bridges and hotels. The helicopter pad at Trump International is Jorge’s not Donald’s. After all even the Donald can’t be in two places at one time on the PGA TOUR.

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

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

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!

CLICK here for the VIDEO INTERVIEW with Gabriel Palerm, VP Sales, Media & Marketing for Liberty Business.

With Michele Maranges (Marketing & branding Director) and Gabriel Palerm (VP Sales, Media & Marketing) of Liberty Puerto Rico, a Liberty Global Company.

Another sponsor with the Puerto Rico Open since the start has been Liberty, the largest cable television company outside the United States. I met Gabriel Palerm, VP Sales, Media & Marketing and had to interview such a lively character. A native of Puerto Rico he was excited as anybody right after Rafael Campos finished playing the 18th hole on Sunday and posted a 9-under par score. Liberty sees this golf tournament as the “premier sporting event in Puerto Rico” and enthusiastically supports it like Sidney Wolf, the Diaz family, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the other sponsors. I liked Garbiel’s viewpoint of Olympic Golf- not understanding why it wasn’t in the Olympics and sees golf as an individual and team sport like any other Olympic Sport.

Chesson Hadley wins the 2014 Puerto Rico Open presented by SeePuertoRico.com

Every PGA TOUR event needs a champion golfer and the 2014 Puerto Rico Open received a fine one with Chesson Hadley finishing birdie-birdie to win for the first time on the PGA TOUR. I went out to see him finish the second round late on Friday. He made a nice up-and-down on the 9th green (his 18th) to save par and post a 65 and trail by only one stroke at the midway point. In the after-round interview I remember his empathetic use of the word “pathetic” when describing an early season streak of five missed cuts. His wife Amanda held the camera for my interview with Miguel “Junior” Colon for the Island Chapter of the PGA of America. Players Services volunteer Mayra Moreno helped out with Baby Hughes during the week. Chesson went out and shot a pair of 67s on the weekend to win in only his 13th PGA TOUR event.

Media day on Wednesday. Strong community support behind this golf tournament!

If there was ever a “feel good” week on the PGA TOUR this was it. The folks I was introduced to at the Wednesday Media conference became friends by Sunday as they shared their beautiful island home, their tournament and most thankfully themselves with me. Puerto Rico is definitely a five-star golf and tourist destination. Ditto that for the Puerto Rico Open and its 2014 Champion Chesson Hadley.

Enjoy the pictures and the rest of the stories from the 2014 Puerto Rico Open presented by SeePuertoRico.com

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Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

Meet Jarrad Kogos the “Write” Way…

March 28, 2014 By admin

This edition of Golf Writer Andy Reistetter’s exclusive “Meet Golfers the Write Way” series features someone you may not have heard of (yet) but surely will someday soon. Jarrad Kogos is a golfer unlike any you have met. Playing golf with him is a fun and inspiring experience. As a person he would like to “HUG” you and in so doing bring a lot of folks like himself to the game of golf. If you have lost perspective in life or on the golf course come along and play a round with Jarrad. One of the most interesting and passionate golfer and person you will ever meet.

Jarrad Kogos is at home in the middle of the fairway.

I first met Jarrad as he walked along the practice range at TPC Sawgrass. It was last fall during the Nationwide Tour’s Winn Dixie Jacksonville Open on Dye’s Valley Course.

At the same time we met James Bond, an amputee that runs “Amputee Talk Shop”. Bond, like the one in the movies had a high tech remote gismo. This one sets the knee bend angle on his titanium Computer-Leg. That’s “C-Leg” for short. He let me tap his artificial leg and play a little with the remote. James Bond is a golf nut and it seems like an advantage to a golfer to have your right knee angle consistent throughout the backswing.

Jarrad was a little different but not much different. With Bond you could see what was that was different with him. With Jarrad, to be able to see what is different you have to take some time, think about it and get to know him a little.

Two more players in red and green and we were a fruit salad foursome for sure!

I learned a little of Jarrad’s story during that October day. At age 12 Asperger’s appeared in his life and he became a high functioning autistic young man. After seeing Tiger Woods win THE PLAYERS in 2001 he tried out for the local Fletcher High School golf team. His game improved quickly from shooting an 87 for nine holes to a 47. As his golf scores went down so did his grades at school.

The reason his grades went down wasn’t because he was playing more golf or goofing off at the golf course. It wasn’t something his parents Colleen and Donald could coach him through or simply help their child overcome. Severe headaches, eyes that hurt and bad hiccups were symptoms of what an MRI confirmed. It was a malignant brain tumor that required surgery, radiation and chemotherapy at age 17.

“Life, it happens,” is what Jarrad said to me when we got together to play golf on a beautiful day in March when “spring has sprung” in Northeast Florida.

I learned to never give a man with his name on his bag strokes, just H.U.G. him…Help Us Golf…

“How do you pronounce your last name,” I asked.

“Kogos, like bogus,” he responded. He then told me I looked like a lemon in my yellow shirt. He was in orange and commented, “that all we need is two more players wearing red and green and we will be a fruit salad.”

I really didn’t know what to expect playing with an autistic player and someone who survived a brain tumor.

He certainly isn’t bogus I thought and laughed along with him. He is a smart and funny 24-year old nice guy.

I did learn that his balance and eyesight were impaired and that is where I could help him during the round. I drove the cart and he instructed me to drive it right up onto the tee. Level ground is his friend and I thought “oh my gosh this is Dye’s Valley, the land of up and down diabolical lies, how will we ever manage?”

Scottish Bagpiper Bill Sloan played a little for us at TPC Sawgrass… maybe the knickers aren’t too far out of place!

When Jarrad looks to the green he sees a flag and a half. Any help with setup and direction would be appreciated especially lining up putts on the green. His peripheral vision is limited and that is why he sometimes jumps when people come towards him. He is startled when he doesn’t see them coming.

After he sliced his drive off to the right on the first tee he told me “I am a magician and made the ball disappear.”

In reality he swings the golf club like Ben Hogan. Others have made that comment to him and his response is “they call Hogan the Hawk and Jarrad the Squawk.” He does talk a lot but like Lee Trevino he is quite entertaining.

When we reached the green he told me to drive the cart right onto the fringe so he could get out without losing his balance. I was use to driving on fairways and not tees and greens so it took me most of the round to get comfortable doing so. The ground was dry and firm so there were no marks left behind but still it was an awkward feeling.

Other than driving the cart everywhere playing with Jarrad was not awkward at all. The only other accommodations were that I teed up his ball for him and checked his alignment like the caddies do on the LPGA tour. Though I would stay in position and watch his swing. With quick hands at impact most of his drives were straight and carried nearly 200 yards.

Jarrad is one of the friendliest and most golf knowledgeable people you will meet hanging around TPC Sawgrass!

It took him three years to learn to walk again after the surgery and leave his wheelchair behind. Off course he frequently utilizes a walker to minimize the number of times he loses his balance to avoid falls.

I grabbed his belt from behind as he played a nice recovery shot near the lake on the 6^th fairway. I didn’t want to see if he could swim. He made a 15-footer on No. 5 and a 12-footer on No. 7 with birds chirping during his putting. Hitting driver off the deck on the par- 5 8^thhole, he made solid contact. He nearly parred the difficult par-4 9^th hole.

This kid has got game. Ever since he got out of the wheelchair, his aspiration is to become a PGA Professional. He recently took the first step of that journey by taking his PAT with Jeff Hopkins at Hidden Hills.

Jarrad wants to help grow the game of golf especially to folks like himself. In reality as the president of the nonprofit HUG- “Help Us Golf” he is already doing that. Jarrad is a coach for the Special Olympics and also supports The First Tee of Duval County.

When asked what it is like to be Jarrad Kogos he can’t describe it but adamantly says “I have Asperger’s, but Asperger’s does not have me.”

For a guy that can barely stand at times, he stands out… simple, smart, unique.

In most regards, Jarrad is just another golfer, someone who loves the game and the challenge. Maybe what is not normal is how we look at him and others when they want to come out and play golf? We think of scores and competition instead of friends, family and fun as the PGA of America is promoting this year with Golf 2.0.

With Jarrad at the October 2012 First Tee ‘Taste of Golf.’

As with Bond, Jarrad really isn’t any different than you and me. Sure there are some physical differences beyond the usual height and weight ones. Truly when it comes to the important things like heart, desire, and simply being alive, living fully in the moment we can all be like Mr. Bond and Jarrad.

This was one of the most enjoyable rounds of golf I have ever experienced. Playing golf and spending time with Jarrad was fun and inspiring. I hope to tee it up again with him soon. Maybe Mr. Bond can join us but I am not giving him any strokes with that C-Leg.

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer as well as a Spotter, Research and Broadcast Assistant for The Golf Channel, NBC and CBS Sports. He spends time on all four major American golf tours- the PGA TOUR, Champions, Nationwide and LPGA Tours.

Reistetter resides within two miles of the PGA TOUR headquarters and the home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.

A lifetime golfer, Andy enjoys volunteering at the World Golf Hall of Fame and THE PLAYERS while pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it.

Friend Andy Reistetter on Facebook to enjoy daily updates. Or contact Reistetter by e-mail at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

Robert Trent Jones Jr. & the NEW Poppy Hills on the Monterey Peninsula!

March 26, 2014 By admin

With Robert Trent Jones, Jr. at the NCGA headquarters at Poppy Hills Golf Course.

Poppy Hills is back, better than ever and open to public golf starting on Friday, April 4th. I can’t wait to play the new Poppy Hills Golf Course. While at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am back in February I was able to get a non-playing sneak preview at a reception hosted by the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA). I looked forward to the chance to interview the golf course architect of Poppy Hills, Robert Trent Jones Jr. I had met the young Jones at a Gatsby-like party at the 2011 Masters and recall his gift of the Golf by Design book and an intriguing article entitled “Yale Story” that is about opening the Moscow Country Club in September 1994. Think about the golf history witnessed and made in the Jones family!

CLICK here for the VIDEO INTERVIEW with Robert Trent Jones, Jr. at Poppy Hills Golf Course.

Aerial view of the 10th hole at Poppy Hills. Photograph courtesy of Joann Dost/NCGA.

As Mr. Jones states in the interview, “Pebble Beach is the best golfing zip code in America,” and now Poppy Hills is back as the “King of the Hill” of the nine golf courses located on the Monterey Peninsula. The son of the man, Robert Trent Jones Sr., who created the curriculum for a golf course architect at and graduated from Cornell University in 1930, reminisces about the era of golf course design in 1986 when Poppy Hills first opened. A bold, hard, and dramatic golf course with large greens was the rage back then and Jones, Jr. “popped the hills off of Poppy and enlarged the golf course into the forest” to bring the wayward child back into vogue in the 21st century. Though this redesign was has been given accolation already for its environmental consciousness as previously maintained green areas have been converted to sandy waste land saving water and fertilizer expense.

That’s the Lone Cypress on the 17-Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula.

When you drive the 17-Mile Drive starting at the Pacific Grove gate you drive by some pretty impressive golf courses- Pacific Grove Golf Links, Spanish Bay Golf Links, Monterey Peninsula Dunes & Shore Courses, Spyglass Hill, Cypress Point Club, Pebble Beach Golf Links and the Peter Hay GC… the last one being Poppy Hills, the “King of the Hill” on the Monterey Peninsula! Oh yeah there is a pretty nice Cypress Tree out on a rock between Cypress Point and Pebble Beach, definitely worth the stop!

Here are some pictures from the Poppy Hills reception during the Pebble Beach Pro-Am week, me sneaking back for a few pictures during the day and some awesome media pictures as well. Below the pictures is the press release from the Opening Day Celebration. I hope to see you out there playing the NEW Poppy Hills, “King of the Hill” on the Monterey Peninsula!

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Added Excitement Surrounds Opening Day Celebration at Poppy Hills
Reinvented Layout in Pebble Beach, CA To Co-Host Champions Tour Event Starting This Fall

PEBBLE BEACH, CA (March 20, 2014) … It has been 13 months since Poppy Hills Golf Course closed for a near top-to-bottom redesign overseen by the course’s original architect Robert Trent Jones II. But if the excitement of today’s Opening Day festivities weren’t enough, it seems that there is even more good news.

Adding to the buzz is the announcement that the all-new Poppy will co-host the Champions Tour’s Nature Valley First Tee Open, teaming with its esteemed neighbor, Pebble Beach Golf Links, from Sept. 22-28.

Poppy Hills officially debuted its new layout today after closing last March for a comprehensive renovation. The course reopens for public play on April 4, 2014.

Jones was on-hand to hit the ceremonial first shot at the new Poppy Hills, 28 years after he did so to debut his original design in 1986. He was joined for the first shot by:

Brian Morse, President of the NCGA, the largest regional golf association in the country
Derrell Biddy, President of Poppy Holding Company, which oversees golf operations
Patrick Moran, an 11-handicap golfer representing the 150,000 members of the NCGA.

“Since Poppy Hills is the members’ course,” Morse said, “we wanted to honor our member in the special ceremony. It worked out perfectly to have Patrick with us on this special day to represent the entire NCGA membership.”

Jones returned to rejuvenate Poppy Hills, restoring each hole to its natural elevation along the forest floor, softening doglegs and contours, and redesigning all 18 greens with bentgrass.

Among the most significant changes were:

Revitalizing a seasonal creek that cuts in front of the new ninth green
Building the new 11^th hole, the shortest par 3 at Poppy Hills
Creating the downhill 12^th hole, which tees off toward a spectacular ocean view of Monterey Bay

The catalyst for the renovation was to find a way to improve drainage while conserving water. The introduction of native waste areas reduces irrigated turf by nearly 25 acres, while a 20 percent more efficient irrigation system was installed. The entire course was sand capped to enhance drainage and rough also was eliminated, further promoting firm-and-fast play, as well as more imaginative shot making.

“It’s a renaissance more than a renovation,” Jones said. “It’s really a brand new golf course. The new conceptions have reinvigorated the golf course. They will bring the course back to all its glory.”

Par has dropped from 72 to 71, but yardage has increased from 6,863 to 7,002 from the new Jones Trail (back set of tees). The Jones Trail plays to a rating of 73.5 and a slope of 135, but now there is more flexibility in course setup, with five sets of tees instead of four.

And even before the ceremonial first shot was taken, Poppy Hills was already deemed “Tour-quality” with the confirmation of The First Tee Open partnership. Of course, Poppy Hills is no stranger to pro tour competition. It co-hosted the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am from 1991-2009, as well as the Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational for four years.

“The First Tee Open is a wonderful partner for the home course of the Northern California Golf Association,” said Brad Shupe, General Manager of Poppy Hills Golf Course. “One of the prime initiatives of the NCGA Foundation is its Youth on Course program, which allows boys and girls to play courses for only $5. And we are proud that two of the last three pro-junior teams to win The First Tee Open were made up of Youth on Course players.”

Four Youth on Course members were also represented in the opening day ceremony – Richard Garcia, Jack Hyland, Katie Hyland and Mariel Mercado, all from Salinas. Each was the “official caddie” for the four representatives who hit the official first shot.

For additional information about Poppy Hills Golf Course and to reserve tee times, visit www.poppyhillsgolf.com

About the Northern California Golf Association
The NCGA is one of the largest regional golf associations in the country, with more than 150,000 members throughout Northern California and into Nevada. The NCGA is the only golf association in the country to own two courses – Poppy Hills in Pebble Beach and Poppy Ridge in Livermore.

Since 1901, it has been the NCGA’s mission to support and promote the game of golf in Northern California. The NCGA provides official handicap indexes, conducts more than 50 championships annually, rates courses throughout Northern California, publishes NCGA Golf magazine and operates a Foundation to support deserving youth. The NCGA Foundation’s Youth on Course program allows juniors to play more than 100 courses in Northern California for just $5.

About Poppy Hills
Poppy Hills was the first golf course to be owned and operated by a regional golf association in the country. Built in 1986 by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Poppy Hills hosted the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am from 1991 through 2009, as well as the Callaway Invitational for four years. Poppy Hills has also hosted the 1991 NCAA Men’s Division I Golf Championship, and has been the tournament home for NCGA championships. It is the headquarters of the NCGA.

Press Release courtesy of Hunter PR.

Filed Under: "Play-Write" Golf Courses, People in Golf

Tribute to Legendary Golfer Jack Fleck

March 24, 2014 By admin

CLICK here for the Jack Fleck posting during the “Journey to Olympic Golf.”

With Jack Fleck and his Olympic Gold Golf Medal.

Jack Fleck, a humble and joyous man first, legendary golfer second passed on Friday, March 21st, 2014 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. I was blessed to visit with him and his wife Carmen in their home in October 2013. We also enjoyed time together touring around his beloved Hardscrabble CC. I presented him with a 1904 Olympic Golf Gold Medal at the time because he epitomizes the highest ideals of a human being and a sportsman. The above link and JTOG posting serves as a tribute to Mr. Fleck. My sympathy goes out to Carmen, Jack’s son Craig, all their family and friends, Ed & Jeremy and all who knew of and admired Mr. Jack Fleck.

CLICK here for TRIBUTE VIDEO, somehow I see Jack above in the wide open sky…

Below I have included tributes from Jack’s best friend Ed Tallach and Jeremy Moe, the Head Golf Professional at Hardscrabble CC, Jack’s club in Fort Smith, Arkansas. If you met Jack in the last seven years like I did, Ed Tallach was always by Jack’s side helping him plan, travel to and enjoy golfing events like the United States Open and The Masters. Likewise, Jack introduced me to Jeremy last October and as you can see in the posted video interview where Jack introduces Jeremy, theirs is a special friendship as well.

Dr. Seuss would tell us to not be sad because Jack has passed but be happy because Jack was here with us for 92 years. I am both with great gratitude for having the opportunity to get to know him a little bit these last few years. I am sure he has already recorded another ace in that wonderful golf course in the sky! So long Jack, we love you and miss you already!

Here is Ed Tallach’s tribute to Jack Fleck:

Jack and Ed frolicking on the practice putting green at the 2012 Masters right before the Wednesday par-3 contest.

My having had Jack as a friend and an associate has been a great highlight of my life. I watched Jack play as a youngster and as an aspiring tournament golfer in the 1967 Illinois Open in the Chicago area where he was the pro at the prestigious Green Acres Country Club. He had taken club pro jobs at that stage of his career that would allow him to compete on the tour on a part time basis. I moved to Arkansas in 1970 and when I heard of his project of building a unique concept golf course in Magazine Arkansas, I had to make the trip from my home in Hot Springs to possibly have a chance to meet a U.S. Open Champion in person. We began a relationship that evolved into us working and traveling together since that initial meeting. I have had the distinct privilege of observing the admiration, respect and love the golf community has for this man nationwide and also in the British Isles.

Jack and Ed walking side-by-side at the 2008 U.S. Open when I first met them.

Jack’s life differed from most celebrity athletes of his era in that his main interests were centered around health and fitness. He was a pioneer in this area. Gary Player shared with me personally how Jack’s life was an inspiration to him. After Player watched him hit balls at The Legends tournament last year , he turned to me and said, “he is the bionic man”. Jack Nicklaus, Player’s partner in the event, asked Jack for his drivers license on the practice tee to prove he was actually 91 years of age. Lee Trevino who we have spent quality time with stated, “when I grow up, I want to be like Jack”. Jack’s diet regime was very rigid and when traveling very difficult to maintain and sometimes, if I may add, to the point of extreme frustration for me. I can recall invitations to prominent celebrity functions that were turned down due to the menu. He was always quick to share with the wait staff and at times with restaurant management at some of the countrys finest restaurants the benefits of proper diet and how they could improve their offerings accordingly.

Three Amigos- Ed, Jack & me at the 2012 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club where Jack and Billy Casper were honored.

Jack was best known for his historic 1955 US Open win over Ben Hogan as a club pro. His other regular tour and senior tour accomplishments are rarely mentioned. He was the 1960 Phoenix Open champion and in that same year lost twice in sudden death playoffs. Arnold Palmer defeated him at the Insurance City Open in Hartford Conn. and George Bayer chipped in to defeat him on the first hole of the St. Petersburg Open in Florida. But for you golf historians, the 1960 US Open at Cherry Hills in Denver is heralded as the historic changing of the guard so to speak with Arnold Palmer winning in a charge,a young Jack Nicklaus as an amateur finishing second and an aging Ben Hogan fading the last nine. The story should have included Jack who was third. This part of the story was disclosed to all in attendance at the 50th anniversary celebration of this historic tournament that Jack and I attended in 2010. His last 18 holes on that afternoon 36 hole final included 5 three putts with 4 of them in the last nine,once from 3 feet. He basically handed Palmer the title and let the young Nicklaus slip by him for second. Jack’s last regular tour win was the 1961 Bakersfield Open and he added another major win to his resume with the 1979 Senior PGA Championship.

Jack may be waving good bye to us but is surely saying hello to the Lord in Heaven above…

I will attest to Jack’s faith and love of the Lord. He would emotionally share this with me on every trip we made and he had the opportunity through his celebrity status to do the same on national stages both via television and the news media. His 1955 experience of the Lord speaking to him personally is legendary. So, to his loving wife Carmen, son Craig, granddaughter Jennifer and his Hardscrabble family, I extend my sympathy for this great loss but with confidence that Jack has been taken from us by the angels of the Lord to his well deserved place in heaven.

ED TALLACH, 3/24/14

Here is Jeremy Moe’s tribute to Jack Fleck:

Jeremy Moe with Jack Fleck at Hardscrabble CC in October 2013.

1955 US Open Champion, long time Fort Smith resident and Hardscrabble Member, Jack Fleck, has passed away at the age of 92. Jack will be missed and we will always cherish the time we had with the legendary golfer.

Recently, in the summer of 2012, Jack was invited to attend the US Open and celebrate the anniversary of his win at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Jack made us proud as he handled the interviews with his usual grace and class, despite his declining health.

Less than a year ago, Jack made Sport Center’s Top 10 when he hit a 9 iron to a gimmie birdie during the Par 3 Tournament at the Masters. That shot was replayed over and over at the club as all of us at Hardscrabble were so proud of our champion.

Jack loved trees, especially the ones at Hardscrabble CC.

Augusta contacted Jack a few months ago to invite him to hit the opening shot at this year’s Masters. Jack was making plans to go, but his health just didn’t allow.

Jack often shared his story surrounding the 1955 US Open and would describe a visit he experienced from The Lord. He was in his hotel bathroom, looking in the mirror, when clear as day, he heard The Lord say, “Jack, today you are going to win the US Open.” Jack described that on that day, he hit the ball unbelievable distances and when the birdie putt on 18 dropped, Jack had tied Ben Hogan. He would go on to beat Hogan the next day in a playoff. Jack gave The Lord the credit for his win, and we know now he joins him in Heaven.

Farewell to our friend, Jack Fleck, and thank you for all the memories and special moments you helped create.

Here is the obituary of Jack Fleck by The Associated Press:

FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) — Jack Fleck, who produced one of golf’s greatest upsets by beating Ben Hogan in a playoff to win the 1955 U.S. Open, died Friday (3/21/14). He was 92.

He had been the oldest living U.S. Open champion.

The Edwards Funeral Home said Fleck died after a brief illness. Jim Edwards, the general manager, said he saw Fleck hitting golf balls as recently as six weeks ago.

Fleck returned to The Olympic Club two years ago when the U.S. Open celebrated its champions at the San Francisco course.

“I was fortunate to do the playing at that time and I’ve read a lot about it, that I out-Hoganed Hogan,” Fleck said in June 2012. “There was no time at all that I felt scared or under pressure coming down to the wire.”

Hogan appeared to be on his way to a record fifth U.S. Open title in 1955, closing with a 70 to finish at 7-over 287. He already was being congratulated by players who figured no one could catch him. But Fleck, an Iowa club pro in his first year on the PGA Tour, made two birdies over the final four holes for a 67 to force a playoff.

Fleck shot 69 in the playoff to beat Hogan by three shots.

“It was like someone who had never won a tour tournament beating Tiger Woods today,” Fleck said in a 2002 interview with The Associated Press.

Fleck won only two other events on the PGA Tour. He also won the Senior PGA Championship in 1979.

“Jack was a great player who will always be remembered for winning in legendary fashion, capturing one of the most memorable tournaments in the history of our game,” PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said. “He embodied the ideals of a U.S. Open Champion for the remainder of his career. He also played a major role in the early years of the Champions Tour for which we are all indebted.”

But it was that U.S. Open title over Hogan that made him famous. Fleck said he was advised to save his energy when he arrived in San Francisco, but he loved Olympic so much that he wound up playing 45 holes of practice on Monday and Tuesday, and 36 holes on Wednesday.

He said in the 2002 interview that he knew he would win the U.S. Open after hearing a voice in his head while shaving Saturday morning before the 36-hole final. He was listening to a record of Mario Lanza singing, “I’ll Walk With God.”

“I heard a voice that said, ‘You are going to win the Open,'” Fleck said.

Born on Nov. 7, 1921, in Bettendorf, Iowa, Fleck learned the game as a caddie in Davenport, Iowa, where his father was a farmer. With borrowed clubs, he did well in caddie tournaments and, when he graduated from high school in 1939, decided to head south to Texas to play golf and escape Iowa’s harsh winters.

He served in the Navy during World War II and saw action during the Normandy invasion on British rocket ship off Utah Beach.

“Floating and circulating mines were sinking all kinds of American ships, crafts, gun boats, destroyers, etc., a real mess, with men in the water just trying to stay afloat in a sea of blood,” he wrote in his book, “The Jack Fleck Story.”

Fleck resumed his golf career in 1946 and scored his breakthrough victory in the 1955 U.S. Open. Fleck won only $6,000 for that major title — last year’s U.S. Open champion, Justin Rose, earned $1.44 million — and made money by doing exhibitions.

“There wasn’t as much money back then,” Fleck said in 2005. “Golf wasn’t quite that big yet. But I made two or three times more than Ed Furgol, who was the winner before. And I pushed it for two years. But it affected my golf. I should have won more.”

Fleck won his first senior title a year before the 50-and-over Champions Tour began. He later won the senior division of the Legends of Golf. He played the senior circuit regularly until 1991, when he devoted his time to teaching and running Li’l Bit of Heaven, a golf course he designed in Magazine, Ark.

Fleck is survived by his wife, Carmen; his son, Craig; a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.

Filed Under: People in Golf

TOURISM: Visit Puerto Rico for an All-Star Vacation!

March 8, 2014 By admin

With Ingrid Riviera, President of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company

CLICK here for the VIDEO INTERVIEW with Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

: With Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, Executive Director fo the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

Here are my tourist pics from Puerto Rico while visiting during the 2014 Puerto Rico Open presented by SeePuertoRico.com

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Filed Under: Travel Golf

The Journey Started at Glen Echo CC in St. Louis

February 27, 2014 By admin

As host of Olympic Golf in 1904, Glen Echo CC proudly flies the Olympic Rings!

Where better to start an epic, historical and unique “Journey to Olympic Golf” than Glen Echo CC, host club to the last playing of Olympic Golf in 1904. The magical day, which also happened to be my birthday, was October 15th, 2013. The odyssey turned out to be a 100-day, 14-country, 18,471-mile joy ride (in Torch, my 1992 Infinit M30 baby), fly, float and walk all the way down to Rio de Janeiro, the next host of Olympic Golf in 2016. Come with me to St. Louis and stay at the Union Station Hotel and play Glen Echo CC with hickories like the great amateur golfers of the day did at the 1904 Summer Olympics (and World’s Fair) in St. Louis.

CLICK here for a Highlight Video of the Kickoff of the “Journey to Olympic Golf.”

With Union Station historian Darlene Menietti.

Staying at the historic and authentic Union Station Hotel in downtown St. Louis took me back in time to the 1904 Olympics and World’s Fair. Like those Olympic golfers from a bygone but not forgotten era I woke up, grabbed my hickory clubs and came downstairs looking for the train to Glen Echo. I did not find a train but I did see a beautiful Great Hall and met Darlene Menietti, the historian for the Union Station. This delightful woman educated me on what it was like coming to St. Louis to the Olympics and World’s Fair 1904. Still unable to find the train I ended up driving Torch out to Glen Echo CC.

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Darlene Menietti, the Historian of Union Station.

With Rob Stewart, GM of Glen Echo CC.

The drive out to Glen Echo was short with intermittent rain, same weather as Saturday, September 24th, 1904, the day Canada’s George Lyons won the Olympic Golf Gold medal. The entrance to Glen Echo is grand and stately with a narrow road that traverses and meanders through the golf course finally taking a turn to the right up a gentle hill to an impressive clubhouse. I knew I was in the right place immediately. What other club flies the Olympic Rings Flag and has a Torch outside the front entrance. I saw the Torch in Torch and my imagination was lit. Wearing knickers and toting a bag of authentic hickory-shafted golf clubs It was September 1904 to me and I was there to feel that special Olympic Golf Spirit. Rob Stewart, Glen Echo’s General Manager greeted me warmly and told me a bit about the history of the Club.

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Rob Stewart, GM of Glen Echo CC.

With Club President James Storey on the 18th green at sunset.

I met some incredibly nice people at Glen Echo CC starting with Club President James Storey. James was my host for the day and was a wonderful host indeed. He introduced me to Ernie Coe who was Club President at the time of their Centennial in 2001. Mr. Coe was a fountain of knowledge and a fellow historian and documentarian. This kind gentleman gave me copies of several magazine articles and the Glen Echo Country Club 100 Years book which I will treasure for the rest of my life. James also introduced me to long time member, since he was 8 years old in 1929, Bob Sido who shared that golf was and still is “a family experience” for him. Mr. Sido believes, like many of us do, that golf teaches one to be “trustworthy and to behave and do the things that are right.”

With Centennial Club President Ernie Coe.

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Ernie Coe, Centennial Club President (Part 1 of 2).

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Ernie Coe (Part 2 of 2).

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Bob Sido, long time member of the Glen Echo CC (Part 1 of 2).

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Bob Sido (Part 2 of 2).

Before teeing off, or rather posing for many, many beauty shots (not of us) with James Storey, member Mike Leuken and my friend and fellow golf travel writer Ron Cobb we enjoyed lunch complete with a bowl of hearty Minnesota Wild Rice Soup. I also interview Golf Course Superintendent Joe Wachter who shared information about course changes over the years. True to his words, the golf course played “firm and fast” despite the rainy weather.

Ready to play Olympic Golf at Glen Echo CC with Ron Cobb, Mike Leuken and James Storey.

The picture gallery below contains many pictures including those of Bob Sido, Joe Wachter and others on met on that memorable day at Glen Echo kicking off the “Journey to Olympic Golf.” Rob Stewart was prophetic in his words that there is “no better place to start my journey” than at Glen Echo CC, host of Olympic Golf in 1904. After a day full of history, friendship and golf my time at Glen Echo ended on the 18th green at sunset with James Storey. But her Spirit and that of the 1904 Golf Olympics came with me on the Journey and remains with me today. As I changed in the locker room to head back to the Union Station Hotel, James and I decided to swap sweaty shirts. My PLAYERS for his Glen Echo CC shirt which I wore proudly throughout the Journey at key moments and towards the end when interviewing Hall of Famer Roberto De Vicenzo in Argentina and walking the Olympic Golf Course with Gil Hanse in Rio de Janeiro.

One thing I know for sure is that the Journey started at Glen Echo CC in St. Louis, where and when it will end I do not know!

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Filed Under: Featured Experiences, Mr. Hickory Golf REAL

Going to Monterey, California? Stay at the Portola!

February 15, 2014 By admin

With Janine Chicourrat, General Manager of the Portola Hotel & Spa.

As much as I love going to Pebble Beach, I love staying at the Portola Hotel & Spa (& Brewery, see the video to understand!). Located right in the heart of downtown Monterey, on the waterfront with everything close by, it feels like home to me. I love knowing the history of the area and with a helpful and attentive staff, I feel like I am making a little history every time I visit. At least in my own mind, in my own life. I like thinking about Spanish Army Captain Portola discovering Monterey in 1770 and Samuel F.B. Morse developing the Monterey Peninsula and Pebble Beach in 1919. When you come to visit Monterey and stay at the Portola, I am sure you will feel the same natural feelings for the landscape and beauty of the area as others have since time began.

CLICK here for an interesting Video Interview with Janine Chicourrat, General Manager of the Portola Hotel & Spa.

CLICK here for the website of the Portola Hotel & Spa.

Here are some pics from my most recent visit:

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Filed Under: Travel Golf, West Coast USA

Pebble Beach, Always on My Mind…

February 5, 2014 By admin

With the Monterey Peninisula’s Lone Cypress Tree…2014 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

2014 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

An exquisite start to my year on tour, the 2014 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am! No matter the weather, this is an exciting and fun week for the professional golfers, their amateur and celebrity partners and the fans and media. Pebble Beach Golf Links and the Monterey Peninsula, what a spectacular setting and what a great community. While there may be a Lone Cypress Tree out there, there certainly isn’t a lot of lonely people due to the charitable work of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the organization that stages both the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on the PGA TOUR and the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach on the Champions TOUR and disperses the proceeds to charity. Congratulations to all on a cherished week!

The Tuesday Chevron Shootout: San Francisco Giants vs. the 49ers!

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The Wednesday 3M Celebrity Challenge!

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Filed Under: People in Golf

The Henebrys, Golf’s Picturesque Photographers

February 3, 2014 By admin

Andy Reistetter with Jeannine Henebry and the camera she and her brother use!

Golf’s voyagers with cameras are sister Jeannine and brother John Henebry. I had the delight of interviewing Jeannine at Pebble Beach in 2013. John was nowhere to be found so she could speak freely of her older brother. Actually, like me the baby of the family, she spoke only of the excitement and creativity of their sibling partnership. Maybe I can get John’s perspectives in 2014?

Their story is a fascinating one with Jeannine leaving school to join John on a “can’t miss” photographic adventure trip to Japan and China. Their big break came with the construction and completion of PGA West in the beautiful light of the Coachella Valley. It continued to Steve Wynn’s Shadow Creek in Las Vegas and went onward to the exquisite panoramas of Pebble Beach Golf Links. Actually that description is limiting as they have clicked shutters all over the world. One must click here and check out their website to see all their artistic treasures.

From a golfing family in Chicago, much like Bill Murray, their golf and travel lifestyle is as much of a “Cinderella Story” as Bill’s Pro-Am win with D.A. Points in 2011. Click here for an inviting and interesting interview with Jeannine of The Henebrys!

Filed Under: People in Golf