Royal Isabela in Puerto Rico

June 7, 2013 By admin

Royal Isabela Golf Club

Play Royal Isabela in Puerto Rico… Be Inspired!

By Andy Reistetter, 3/30/11

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter continues his exclusive “Play-Write” series with one of the truly soon-to-be fully discovered golfing experiences- Puerto Rico’s Royal Isabela. Having the opportunity to play this spectacular seaside gem is an experience of a lifetime. Here is the eighth article in the PLAY-WRITE series.

Puerto Rico is known as “the enchanted island.”

The Golf Links at Royal Isabela will become known as one of the most fascinating and inspirational charms of the golfing world.

Suffice it to say that if you want the experience of playing Pebble Beach Golf Links and the Old Course at St. Andrews in the same day go to Puerto Rico now and play Royal Isabela.

You won’t be disappointed and you will remember it for the rest of your life.

If not for playing golf on the cliffs with dramatic ocean vistas then for the variety of golfing habitats experienced and their magical blending into one awesome round .

It is written that wisdom is looking beyond what seems to be.

If you look beyond what seems to be at Royal Isabela the experience may be more than memorable, it may change your life.

Absolutely, positively, without a doubt brothers Stanley and Charlie Pasarell have discovered, nurtured, and are now presenting an inspirational place for the golfing world to enjoy and treasure as well.

Or perhaps a place of passage for you to venture into the next step in your life’s journey?

Beyond the beauty of Isabela is the inspirational story of Isabela.

This is the island Borinquen- “the Land of the Valiant Lord,” and the heritage of the indigenous Taino people.

One sees the profile of the Taino Indian face in the cliffs off the tee on the 12^th hole.

One feels the spirit that looks proudly out into the ocean proclaiming “this is our land, a special place that we protect so it will be here for all of eternity.”

The story of Isabela is the story of Stanley and Charlie’s great grandfather- Dr. Manuel Zeno Gandía. That man born in 1855 published the first novel by a Puerto Rican author in 1894.

Gandia’s naturalist novel dealt with the difficult realities of life in the remote and mountainous regions of his beloved homeland. A land and heritage he so loved that he was an advocate for Puerto Rican independence after the Spanish- American War.

A love of the Puerto Rican land has passed down to the current generation.

The story of Isabela is the story of a son that answered a call from his father in 1978 to return home to Puerto Rico to help rescue the family business from bankruptcy. The company prospered and is now one of Puerto Rico’s most successful privately-held companies.

The family sold their majority interest a few years back to Edwin Perez who is Stanley and Charlie’s other partner in Royal Isabela.

A respect for family and doing what one needs to do to be successful.

The story of Isabela is the story of the preservation of nature, heritage and the land. Everything on the property, with the exception of the exceptional Mini Verde putting surfaces on the greens is native to the 426 acres of Royal Isabela.

“Once an era, the land has its way. It speaks and we listen. It beckons and we follow. It commands and we obey. So it is- and so it always will be- we are not the creators of Royal Isabela, we are its caretakers.” -Stanley and Charlie Pasarell

The game of tennis may have never before impacted the game of golf in such a creative and awe inspiring manner.

Charlie, a friend and teammate of tennis great Arthur Ashe at UCLA, was the No. 1-ranked men’s singles tennis player in the United States in 1967.

Stanley played his collegiate tennis at Stanford University and represented Puerto Rico in the Summer Olympics in Mexico City in 1968.

While at Stanford Stanley shared the cover of the “Stanford Golf & Tennis” magazine with Tom Watson.

The Pasarell link to golf was much stronger than a magazine cover.

Golf became a part of the family when their father Charlie Sr., an accomplished tennis player that played in the 1953 U.S. Open (tennis), accepted a challenge to quiet the talk that “golf was so much tougher to play than tennis.”

The bet was simple- could he break 100 the first time he played a round of golf?

At age 40 he took lessons on his lunch hour and went to the driving range to practice at night.

The result?

Charlie Sr. made an 18 foot putt on the last hole to shoot 99.

Together, brothers Stanley and Charlie Jr. played, studied and analyzed Scottish and Irish golf courses similar to what insurance salesman Pete Dye did in the early 1960s as he transformed himself into a golf course architect.

The Pasarell brothers teamed up with architect David Pfaff who started his career as the original and only associate of Peter Dye and Associates in 1965. With experience nearby at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic and the philosophy of hands-on, personalized course design, Pfaff was a natural to complete the Isabela design team.

The result was a “tropical Scotland” type golf course that was ready for play in 2009.

I was invited to play the day after the Puerto Rico Open. Mariel Prieto, the Director of Marketing and Real Estate received me warmly and Brother Stanley acted as host.

Brother Charlie was in Indian Wells, California fulfilling tournament director responsibilities at the BNP Paribas Open an ATP sanctioned tennis tournament that is part of the 2011 ATP World Tour.

Charlie is one of the founding members of the ATP (association of Tennis Professionals) and was elected and served in the ATP board for more than 25 years, the longest tenure of any board member to date.

The ATP headquarters is less than one mile from the PGA TOUR headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Perhaps there are more ties between tennis and golf than previously thought.

My playing partner was Miguel Suarez, the Director of Golf, at Isabela.

Suarez is an acclaimed international golfer that started playing golf at the nearby Punta Borinquen Golf Club- the first public golf course in Puerto Rico. Miguel was educated on the mainland and played on mini-tours once winning the Golden Bear Tour Championship.

Suarez is the story of a kid who played all sports including golf stating at age 9 at summer golf clinics, then chose golf and played golf every day starting at age 16.

One of the most respected golf professionals in Puerto Rico, Suarez oversees the national Junior Golf League, a program he created to give back to the game which has given him so much.

Having competed in all four of the PGA TOUR’s Puerto Rico Opens, his game was as hot as the blazing Puerto Rican sun.

Ever play with someone who hit every fairway, their approach shots seemingly covered every flagstick, hit nearly every green and putted like a demon?

Suarez recorded 5 birdies alone on the front side and shot a 5-under 68 from the blue tees playing a little social golf with mere amateurs.

The “blues” are 6,804 yards with a rating of 75.7 and a slope of 145.

Suarez holds the course record of 2-under 70 from the tips or so rightly labeled as the “naturals” at Isabela.

The “naturals” are 7,667 yards with a rating of 80.3 and a slope of 155.

That is not a typo- a rating of 80.3 and a slope of 155.

Our forecaddie was Jose Perez who caddied for Paraguay’s Carlos Franco the week prior in the Puerto Rico Open.

Does one’s golfing life get any better than this?

The front nine goes inland with an equatorial parkland sort of design.

The par-5 first hole is memorable with a peephole view of ocean in the V-shaped gap between two hillocks to the left of the green.

One encounters the first flavor of Scotland with a sod faced bunker to the left of the second green.

The uphill 155-yard par-3 fourth hole gave me a sense of Texas hill country golf with live oak trees and stone ruins behind the green.

The fifth green is dramatically placed in front of the earlier sneak preview of the ocean. The hole was on the upper level of a triple tiered green. My ball not only spun back to the lower levels but rolled another 30 yards down the hill in front of the green.

Tropical paradise- not!

The sixth hole makes its way back to the high point of the property where the clubhouse area is found.

Here is where you sense the buoyant brothers may have encountered a disagreement, a fork in the road with respect to hole design with designer Pfaff coming to the rescue.

Whereas it is said that Palmer and Nicklaus butted heads a bit designing the “King and the Bear” in northeast Florida and the resolution was that each took a nine to design. At Royal Isabela each brother won out by designing a sixth hole of their own with a common tee.

We played the Charlie version, an uphill 622-yard par 5 hole with the green sitting below the clubhouse.

The other Stanley version, following the right fork in the road is a really uphill 493-yard par 4 hole that finishes on a high point with ocean vistas.

Please note again that we played Charlie’s par 5 and hence a par 73 golf course. Okay so it was a 544-yard par 5 birdie opportunity versus a difficult par-4.

The next three holes were the earliest holes to open and form the dreaded triangle- a designer tool to completely befuddle the golfer’s sense of trade wind direction.

After missing the meandering Scottish burn off the tee, the second shot on the par-4 seventh hole is the first true links feel of Royal Isabela- a prelude of what is to come on the ocean front back nine.

My round began to deteriorate with an unforced error into the water hazard short of the par-5 eighth green. In reality my thoughts of the Charca del Diablo or Devil’s Pond began when we made our way past the island 9th green on our way to the seventh tee.

Much like Dye’s Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, this threatening triangle of an otherwise beautiful non-intimidating Royal Isabela (at least up to this point) gives you many bad thoughts to think about much too soon.

I did tighten up my Bermuda britches and managed to land one safely on the devilish island green of the 174-yard par 3 ninth hole. In fact I would only lose that one ball for the entire round at Isabela.

Feeling safer now that the tormenting triangle was behind us we were warmly greeted by Stanley’s dog Dunas who knowing there was food to be had followed us up to the clubhouse for a lunch of flat iron streak at the turn in the open-air grill.

The transition from the lush parkland of the front nine to the more barren ocean facing links of the back nine is as evident as the vastness of the ocean from the 10^th tee.

One sees the links of the distant holes and can sense being on a high elevation that goes to the edge of the ascertainable golfing grounds. It is there that the cliffs drop straight down 350 feet to the level of the sea.

It is there in the distance near the double green of Isabela on the steep face of the rock that the Taino warrior protects these sacred grounds. The elevation protects golfers from the sea but not from the wind or other hazards of the Pasarell-Pfaff designed Royal Isabela.

Two sod face bunkers guard a second shot that cuts the corner on the 578-yard par-5 10^thhole. Another one short right of the green minimizes the bailout area. A golfer must be accurate even in the wind by the sea. This is true links golf.

Instead of the scorecard par-3 11^th hole we play Brother Stanley’s future private home site par-3 whose green is perched on the cliffs. Miguel notes that this is admittedly a 100-yard par-5 hole.

Given the green complex namely the bunkers and the slope of the putting surface not to mention the distraction of the thunderous Atlantic Ocean below I agreed without question.

Walking away with my “par-5” I was completely overtaken with the beauty of Isabela.

Seeing the majestic view off the 12^th tee with the prominent profile of the Taino Indian face I went with driver and put one in play on the 435-yard hole along the cliffs.

After nearly making a 6-footer for birdie, Miguel cried out that there were whales to be seen off the coast. The rare and impressive Humpback whales visit this area every year on their migratory route to the North Atlantic where they mate during the summer months.

Now my golf game was completely lost. I was in the “feeling one with nature” zone no longer “in only the golf zone.”

The 13^th hole, Palm Grove traverses an old grove of coconut palms. Like the “W” at the finish line in the 1963 film “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” I had my eye on those tall, thin palm trees for a couple of holes now.

It’s a Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful World.

One of the most spectacular views is from the perch of the 13^th green looking south. The cliffs end at the shoreline there and what you see down below is another mile of native dunes with the approaching white lined surf.

As if Royal Isabela’s 3.5 miles of shoreline is not enough, she is part of the larger Costa Isabela development which owns the land of dunes far below cliffs. The same is true on the north side of the property.

All told there are plans for four more golf courses and my guess is one each will be built at sea level on the dunes to the north and south and two more inland perhaps along the meandering Guajataca River.

After taking in the view and appreciating the vastness and diversity of the landforms on the property we played the 443-yard par-4 14^th hole that takes us back north along the cliffs to the elbow-shaped double green with the 12^th.

The name of the hole is Hidden Pearl, a tribute to great-grandfather Dr. Manuel Zeno Gandía’s artistic creation. Though now that Royal Isabela is coming onto the world golfing scene in full bloom it is debatable whether or not it is still a hidden pearl.

The final cliff-hanging shot is where the Atlantic Ocean once again comes into play at the dramatic 200-yard par-3 17^th hole. For the first time on this strategic thinking course one must carry the ocean and a gorge for there is no bail out route.

This is perfectly fitting in golf and in life for there are times we must work through and not go around a difficulty.

I remember the inscription in the Ben Hogan instructional book my older brother gave me as a young boy: “Golf is a lot like life, the more you read, understand, and become educated about it the easier it is to meet its challenge.”

I took a hybrid 3 and pushed all thoughts out of my mind with the exception of feeling and making a solid, confident, and balanced swing. The well-struck ball flew out over the ocean and gorge, landed with friction and ended up on the back fringe of the green from where I two-putted for a heavenly par.

The 18^th is a difficult 491-yard uphill par-4 hole aptly named “Ruins” with the remnants of a house and rock wall on the inside of the sweeping dog-leg-left fairway that takes you back up to the gracefully but royally placed clubhouse.

On the right side of the fairway you will find the wind-swept native oak tree- the logo tree of Royal Isabela.

Royal Isabela’s logo reminds us that golf is all about the wind and its impact on the golfer.

Having played Royal Isabela it seems my life and my thoughts linger a bit more these days.

Making the acquaintance of Isabela has somehow impacted my soul.

For more information on Royal Isabela please visit the web site www.royalisabela.com.

Royal Isabela is shown by invitation and appointment only. Please contact Mariel Prieto, Marketing Director, at 787.565.7710 or mprieto@royalisabela.com for more information.

To read more articles in Golf Writer Andy Reistetter’s exclusive “Play-Write” series go to the following links:

1. Daniel Island Club (Charleston, SC): Home of the Nationwide Tour Championship and the Charm of Charleston, South Carolina.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/281587-the-charm-of-charleston-the-daniel-island-golf-club

2. St. Johns Golf & Country Club (St. Augustine, FL): On the Road to the PGA TOUR.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/301493-st-johns-golf-country-club-on-the-road-to-the-pga-tour

3. TPC Four Seasons (Las Colinas, TX): Home of the HP Byron Nelson Classic.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/400754-play-tpc-four-seasons-experience-byron-nelsons-legacy

4. Cog Hill Dubsdread (Lemont, IL): Deserving of a Future U.S. Open.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/406212-pga-tour-jemsek-family-cog-hill-deserving-of-2017-us-open

5. Greenbrier’s Old White Course (White Sulphur Springs, W VA): A Charles Blair Macdonald Masterpiece enveloped with the essence of Slammin’ Sammy Snead at America’s Resort.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/422692-pga-tour-the-greenbrier-americas-resort-takes-center-stage

6. Scioto Country Club (near Columbus, Ohio): Scioto CC: The Bridge from Jones to Nicklaus and Beyond.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/423359-scioto-cc-the-bridge-from-jones-to-nicklaus-and-beyond?

7. Orlando’s Grand Cypress to Host 2010 LPGA Championship.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/521768-orlandos-grand-cypress-to-host-2010-lpga-championship

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer as well as a Research and Broadcast Assistant for the major golf broadcast companies. He spends time on all four major American golf tours- the PGA TOUR, Champions, Nationwide and LPGA Tours.

Reistetter resides in near the PGA TOUR headquarters and 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. He can be reached through his website www.MrHickoryGolf.net or by e-mailing him at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: Featured Golf Resorts & Courses

ING Contacts are Key to Success

May 22, 2013 By admin

What better place to announce a “Journey to Olympic Golf” than at the International Network of Golf (ING) 23^rd Annual Spring Conference at Reunion Resort in Orlando, Florida?

What better place to meet people than at an “International Network of Golf” function especially if you are planning an international charity raising golf trip like “Journey to Olympic Golf (JTOG).”

Join ING

Golf’s “Granddaddy” of networking organizations, ING is “where media and the golf industry connect.” Not only did I benefit from three outstanding educational seminars addressing key areas in the game and business of golf (Wellness, Social Media Marketing and Golf Club Technology), I met some wonderful people who took an interest in my JTOG venture. Here are just a few of them.

Nancy Fox (The Business Fox, Networking Expert & Author) showed me how to embrace the opportunity to develop and nurture relationships over the four-day ING conference. As part of the Social Media Marketing panel she shared her experience, strength and wisdom on how to build successful business relationships, in person and on line. I highly recommend her book Network Like a Fox and the associated workbook. Find her now, she can help your business inside or outside of golf!

Filed Under: Featured People

Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Lodge & Club

May 19, 2013 By admin

Bay Hill Lodge & Club, America’s Golfing Treasure

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter started his “Play-Write” series in 2009 playing the course the Monday after tournaments. In this the 46^th and expanded “Stay-Play-Write” article, Andy happily returned to Bay Hill after covering his sixth Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. Although he missed Mr. Palmer who headed up to Latrobe, Pennsylvania earlier in the month, he felt his presence and the sense of what the game of golf and golfing fellowship is all about. The best part is that this experience is available to everyone through a reasonably priced Bucket-List-Dreams-Come-True-Package by calling (888) 422-9445 or visiting www.BayHill.com. Come and experience Bay Hill for yourself with family and friends or come alone and meet new ones. If not, enjoy as Reistetter shares the tales and tributes of his recent visit.

On the practice putting green near the Rolex clock in front of the Lodge, the warn andf friendly confines of Mr. Palmer’s Bay Hill!

Bobby Jones, golf’s most famous amateur, once said “There is golf and there is tournament golf, and they are not the same.” The Bay Hill Lodge and Club are and has been a host to a PGA Tour tournament for the last 35 years. One of a select number of “Invitational’s” on tour, it is distinctly Arnold Palmer’s, whether you look at the golf course, the field or how the tournament is conducted. When I drove to the club to play golf (I am not a professional golfer so it was not championship week) it looked different. If you have played a golf course before or after seeing a golf tournament you know what I mean. It is different without the grandstands, galleries and ropes.

Bay Hill looked more alive than ever to me with her open vistas and magnolia trees in blossom. She was beautiful in her nakedness. Although the Bay Hill tournament welcome is as warm as anywhere on tour, the smile and greeting of Khadijah and Ginny at the front desk made me feel like family, I felt as invited as the golf pros in Arnie’s tournament. My room overlooked the putting green and the Rolex Clock it envelops. Looking past the green to the practice tee I did what I always wanted to do- hit some balls, work on my game in the evening, sleep and then again when I woke up in the morning. There is something special about staying on the grounds of a golf course.

I took a walk down the corridors of what is the nicest lodge I have ever seen. I went past a steward as he ran a rag along the top to dust a chair rail. The place was spotless. The accommodations so clean and maintained that one could eat off the light wood floors or sleep comfortable on the rugs of the long corridors. The pictures and artwork were so unique, so Palmer-esque that I knew there was no other place like this in the world.

I enjoyed a great foursome at Bay Hill- two Canadians, me and a muffin!

Heading towards the pro shop I saw plaque of the Past Invitational Champions. I reminisced about coming here for the tournament since 2008. How could Tiger make a 25-foot birdie putt to win by one? Then do it again the following year? That year though a man, I was a kid and hung around the 18^th green a long time after the excitement dissipated. A real kid ran home and came back with a putter and a few golf balls. We tried that same putt 50 times and could not make it even once like Tiger did.

The plaque had more recent Tiger plates; for 2012 when Tiger broke his winless streak on tour dating back to September 2009 and only a few weeks ago when he ascended back to the World No. 1 Golfer. There were his four-in-a-row from 2000 to 2003 making eight the number of times Woods has won a tournament at Bay Hill tying Sam Snead’s eight Greater Greensboro Opens. Of course, if you ask Tiger, this is old news as he won seven times on tour at Torrey Pines, eight if you count his last major won, the U.S. Open in 2008.

The hallways of the Lodge is like a museum with all sorts on interesting golf history.

A trip down the corridors, into the locker room and around the grounds rates right up there with a visit to the USGA Golf House, the PGA Village and the World Golf Hall of Fame. The picture of Arnie in Church- Oakmont’s Famous Church Pews, the cover of the September 1954 Golf World magazine proclaiming “The New Amateur King” and having a quiet reflective moment in Winnie’s Hummingbird Garden were tops on my list of touch points. I wish my dad was alive. I would bring him here in a heartbeat.

Though they did not put it in the name of the Bay Hill Lodge and Club, remember there is a vintage 1961- Dick Wilson designed golf course that was modernized by a hands-on Arnold Palmer renovation in time for the 2010 tournament. Though I did not climb a tree like Sergio did on the tenth hole, I did take a ground level double bogey there on my way to a memorable back nine 39. After hitting some balls on the range I met a new friend and enjoyed an Arnold Palmer (the beverage) and dinner in The Bay Window Room. Though I missed the tennis, spa, salon, pool and fitness center, I can personally certify that the lodge, club, golf course and restaurant are all A-Plus.

Bay Hill opened 10 years before Walt Disney World. Dreams do come true in Orlando, whether at the Magic Kingdom or a few miles away at the King’s magical Bay Hill Lodge and Club.

More visuals from my visit:

Morning view at Bay Hill Lodge and Club from Room 205.

In Winnie Palmer’s Hummingbird Garden.

Played the Yellow Umbrella Tees (6,437 yards), Green Umbrella Tees available if you like at 7,381 yards!

Robert Gamez “walk-In” eagle plaque in 18th fairway from 1990 when he beat Greg Norman by one stroke.

My new friend Chad from Baltimore at dinner in The Bay Window Room.

Tasty hamburger with homemade chips with blue cheese.

Healthy “double-greens” at Bay Hill- broccoli and asparagus!

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer and a broadcast assistant for the various golf networks. He spends time on all four major American golf tours- the PGA TOUR, Champions, Web.com and LPGA.

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 or touch base with him by e-mail at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: East Coast Golf Journey, Travel Golf

Prayers of THE PLAYERS Championship…

May 17, 2013 By admin

In 2013 before THE PLAYERS the 17th island green was truly an island!

After dropping 10 inches of rain on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, thank God the rain stopped over the weekend. The monsoon-like weather raised the level of water, cutting off the pathway, making the 17^th green truly an island green. There was talk at the volunteer party on Saturday night that the Clubhouse may become an Ark above rising waters if needed. Many thoughts, perspectives and prayers for this the 40^th edition of The Players were shared. Here is a synopsis of the community, professional golf and human spirit that is The Players 2013.

We think of the children that will benefit from the $50 million that is being donated by The Players Championship over a 10-year period. The Champions for Education Conference held at TPC Sawgrass last week enlightened many as to what a dynamic coalition of private and public leaders, headlined by former Governor Jeb Bush, can accomplish with good need, heartfelt commitment and steely determination.

The spirit of McKenzie Noelle Wilson, a vibrant and vivacious 15-year-old who passed away from a rare and sudden illness on August 17, 2010, is alive and well at her namesake foundation Kid Zone behind the 17^th tee. We celebrate in the joy, friendship and excitement of the children playing in the Game Truck, on the putt-putt course, and doing arts and crafts with the loving memory of McKenzie.

We think of the women who attended the Executive Women’s Day on Monday at the Clubhouse. The memories of two young Junior Achievement Girls, Brianna and her sister Brea who shared their story and reminded us of what a difference a mentor can make in the lives of young people. Leading with the honesty that she was nervous, brought a brief lightness and laughter and a lasting connection with the audience. Women helping girls develop into women. Knowing we can brighten each other’s day.

The spirit and excitement of the Executive Women’s Day is captured, preserved and to be shared all tournament week long in the Astella’s Women Pavilion near the tenth tee. A celebration of women and a reminder to maintain a lifelong focus on health this is a tournament experience for women and men alike.

Although The Players 5K with Donna was rained out on Saturday morning, the spirit was not dampened by even one of the million rain drops. All 1,250 runners will be back for the Pink Out on Sunday that benefits The 26.2 (marathon) with Donna. Sunday is Mother’s Day, wear pink and give your mom a hug if you can. If not, celebrate her in a special way.

We celebrated the military moms-to-be with an Operation Shower on Saturday in the Clubhouse. Their husbands are deployed and far away from home at a time when they are needed most. Dedicated service to God, Country and Family is difficult at these times and organizations like the PGA Tour and Birdies for the Brave make the unbearable more bearable.

We are thankful for the military and how they protect our democracy. Last year 20,612 complimentary tickets were issued to active duty, Reserve, military retirees and their dependents. The Players hosted a Military Job Fair with more than 50 companies present embracing job seekers. The Birdies for the Brave Patriots’ Outpost welcomes the military with complimentary food, beverages and activities. It is no coincidence that the Patriots’ Outpost is located on the highest point of land on the golf course adjacent to the 18^th fairway. Unlike a defensive position in battle, this is the bright light to shine the furthest in the peace of a golf tournament.

We are thankful for today, Military Appreciation Day, saluting the United States Navy. There will be military pageantry, a performance by a children’s choir and speeches by dignitaries. Dierks Bentley, a patriotic country music star will perform. In years past a pregnant wife was reunited with her military husband after being secretly flown home from the Arabian Sea and two Wounded Warriors were surprised with keys to a mortgage-free homes for their families.

We heard an uplifting message this morning at breakfast with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Webb Simpson, the 2012 U.S. Open Champion shared his journey and by doing so made our journey lighter. Golfers Stewart Cink and Kevin Streelman shared how their faith evens out the peaks and valleys of life on the PGA Tour. When too high one is reminded of God, when too low one is supported by Him. Artist Jared Emerson faced the canvas and created a painting of Simpson in 12 minutes while dancing to the music of musical guest Tenth Street North. Although kids outnumbered the adults almost ten-to-one, all in the audience were mesmerized by the spirit that we witnessed this morning.

This is a prayer for the agnostic or atheist as well as the believer. Whether you see the spirit in a religious, spiritual or simple human sense we all celebrate The Players 2013. This is a fun and meaningful event. Improved A1A traffic, free carpooling parking, a new Taste of Jacksonville hotspot near the 12^th tee, new permanent bathrooms, Lot Parties galore, embracing technology on the 17^th with video board displays of texting and tweeting audience participation in Closest-to-the-Pin contests and throughout the course with FanVision handheld televisions will all make the human experience better at this year’s Players.

Golf is a transformational game. Whether within one’s self or within one’s community, golf brings good things to pass. I can’t help but think golf played around the world and throughout the world will be a good thing in years to come. A dozen of the 39 Players to date have been won by an international player. May the spirit of golf be carried to all places in the world.

Other than the weather, there is much to be thankful for, at this time of the 40^th The Players Championship.

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

PLAYERS, Volunteers & Educators

May 17, 2013 By admin

The Players Championship, Volunteers & Educators all at TPC Sawgrass

By Andy Reistetter, 5/5/13

The world knows The Players Championship is coming to Ponte Vedra in Northeast Florida next week for the 40^th edition of what may one day become golf's Fifth Major. The Players 2013 boasts the strongest field in golf by virtue of its size, professional purity and international pedigree. With a permanent home on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass where the PGA TOUR world headquarters are located beyond the first green, this is the club championship of the world's best golfers. The blended brand of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and others, like Masters Champion Adam Scott, combined with The Players is the modern equivalent of what Bobby Jones built at Augusta National in the early 1930s.

Born in 1934, by age forty in the early 1970s, The Masters filled out a friendly foursome of Majors. The oldest being, The British Open (first played in 1860) along with two other American golfing competitions, The United States Golf Association Championship (U.S.G.A., first played in 1895) and the Professional Golfers Association of America Championship (P.G.A., first played in 1916). Somewhere in those first 40 years, with the advent of golfing television in the early 1960s and the Big Three- Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player the four majors we know today came into being.

Why is there a reluctance to add a fifth major? It could be as simple as the number 4 and the nature of the foursome in golf. While only a number, so too is 18 for the number of holes on a golf course and 12 being the number of eggs we typically purchase, it does account for a custom in golf. Perspectives and precedents do change over time. One can play 9 holes and buy half dozen eggs too. The Western Open, today's vagabond playoff event, preceded the P.G.A. and was widely regarded as a major in the early 20^th century. The reason why it never became official seems to be lost in the annals of golf history.

Another debate is that, if golf is a game of the world, why would another major be added in the United States, rather than in Southeast Asia where the growth of the game today rivals that of America in the 1920s. With golf being played in the Olympics in South America in 2016, golf is being reseeded and may grow where it has not in the past. Perhaps the number of majors someday will be seven, one for each continent?

Although the game of golf is a physical one there is a spirit of it, and behind it, which sustains our interest and engagement with the game. It entertains us, refreshes us and creates an enjoyment we cannot find in another sport or activity. Though a business to some, the self-growth, social, and charitable aspects of the golfing environment is what makes us a golfer and these are surely present at TPC Sawgrass and The Players Championship.

The spirit of volunteering and supporting local charities is what brought the PGA TOUR to Northeast Florida in the first place. The Jacksonville Open dates back to right after WWII with Sam Snead winning the first two events in 1945 and 1946. Officially the current volunteer organization that teams up with Matt Rapp, Executive Director of The Players Championship, dates back to 1965, the year Bert Weaver won and Chairman John Tucker wore the Red Coat. Once The Players came to Ponte Vedra for good in 1977 the Jacksonville Open ceased to exist but the spirit never died it only became broader and deeper.

"Hello neighbor," is a familiar greeting as the 2,100 volunteers come into TPC Sawgrass to pick up their volunteer packages in the weeks preceding The Players Championship. Many live in the immediate Northeast Florida area but others live throughout the United States. Some even come from faraway foreign countries like Switzerland and Argentina to serve for the benefit of local charities. Since coming to Florida's First Coast, The Players have raised $52.8 MM for charity.

Though the volunteers give they also receive as evidenced by the experience of Mike Kelly, a gallery marshal on the 18^th hole. He felt like he was a part of history a few years ago when President George H.W. Bush (No. 41) came to his hole during the Military Appreciation Day festivities. With the Lifetime Achievement recipient in a golf cart amidst a military progression up the 18^th fairway and an F-16 flyover Mike took home a life time experience that day, one he will never forget.

On a more personal level, a young boy of seven years went home with something he will likely never forget last year. Mike and the other marshals have a tough job ushering the players as they emerge from the tunnel under the 17^th green grandstands to the 18^th tee box. Amidst the surge of gallery yet intent on maximizing the tournament experience for youth the marshals create an alley for the players to pass.

With the youngest ones front and center on the rope line. Mike worked with a seven-year old boy on Friday instructing him on the proper closed fist pump greeting to acknowledge the players as they walked by. The kid went home and practiced in front of a mirror and came back on Saturday to connect with Phil Mickelson who also gave him a golf ball. For an encore on Sunday the kid received a ball from Tiger Woods. The mother so excited for her son and his growing confidence that she asked for a picture of him with Mike.

On a larger scale there is other impactful work being done mostly behind the curtain of professional golf at The Players and other PGA TOUR events. There are military job fairs, baby showers for military moms-to-be, day-long forum and networking events for female business leaders and even education conferences that focus on improving the learning experience for our children.

Looking back years from now, golf's biggest impact may be widely felt through its focus on education. The Players made a 10-year, $50MM commitment that is well underway and ahead of schedule with over $11MM contributed the first two years. What is unique is that it is a cohesive public and private initiative that includes another $50 MM of private capital that transforms the teacher and administrator school organizations for the benefit of the students as they prepare for college or career.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, the happy reformer, gave the keynote speech at this year's Champions for Education Conference held at the Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass. The initiative is an intricate, dynamic and all encompassing futuristic plan for Jacksonville and Duval County public schools that is being built upon a base of solid improvement in recent years. As a unique opportunity to transform public education and dramatically improve student achievement it may well turn out to be the recipe for other school districts in America.

The Players Championship, Volunteers & Educators all at TPC Sawgrass… are you ready for the 40^th The Players this week?

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Memories of the 2013 PLAYERS Championship won by Tiger Woods!

May 9, 2013 By admin

Tiger Woods marching to victory on Sunday… his 4th of 5 wins in 2013!

Tiger Woods won his second PLAYERS in 2013, twelve years after his first, to become the 5th golfer to win two along with Fred Couples (1996 & 1984), Steve Elkington (1997 & 1991), Hal Sutton (2000 & 1983, and Davis Love III (2003 & 1992). Of course they would all like to win one more to tie Jack Nicklaus at three for the all-time multiple victory record.

NBC Sports’ Gary Koch’s “better than most” call on Tiger’s long snake putt on the island 17th green on Saturday was epic and already etched into golf’s history.

With artist Suzanne Yost McCourt and her Venturi artwork.

On Players Monday, the World Golf Hall of Fame inducted Fred Couples, Ken Venturi, Willie Park, Jr., Colin Montgomerie and Ken Schofield. My friend Suzanne Yost McCourt, known as the “Lady Artist from Pebble Beach” (was the first woman to have her artwork on the cover of the tournament program) created a beautiful piece of Ken Venturi artwork and presented it to the Venturi family in St. Augustine.

CLICK here for more memories of the 2013 PLAYERS Championship!

Memorable Players after a very wet Spring as depicted in these 130+ photographs!

[Show slideshow]

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, People in Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

Suzanne Yost McCourt, Pebble Beach’s Lady Artist

May 3, 2013 By admin

Suzanne Yost McCourt: The Person, The Artist Here in Ponte Vedra

Local golf writer Andy Reistetter first met Suzanne Yost McCourt a little over a year ago at the 2012 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Amidst the celebrities and the golfers was the lady artist that intrigued him with the secretive painting of Tiger Woods. Upon further artistic investigation was a woman, delicately aged with life’s experiences, who through her artwork captures the essence of being, encountering and overcoming all that life has to offer. Join Reistetter here and at a soiree in Ponte Vedra during THE PLAYERS week (Facebook him for an invitation) as he introduces Suzanne McCourt, an emerging neo-realism golf-artistto the golf world.

Many things Tiger Woods pre-Thanksgiving 2009 were never disclosed or made public. Since then, Suzanne McCourt created the one thing about Tiger that has never been published. She was selected for a dream assignment; to become the first woman to create original artwork to grace the cover of the souvenir program for the celebratory 25^th AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-am in 2010. With Tiger returning for the first time in eight years, she painted a cover that prominently featured him. When Tiger withdrew from the tournament he was replaced in the artwork and on the cover by 2009 champion Dustin Johnson.

What triggers an artist to create? When Suzanne was 4-1/2 years old her preschool teacher told her mother that being an artist would be her life’s calling. Her first painting as a 6-year old of her cat drinking Mayflower milk won the Oregon statewide contest. Between then and now, Suzanne’s life has been as vivid and as real as the twists and turns of the Monterey Peninsula’s 17-Mile Drive.

A professional artist since 1992, she went from a “sweety sweet watercolor artist” to a “saxy and sexy blues artist” when she found sheets of music in an old piano bench that came out of storage. In between, of course, there were renditions of nude men; sort of David lying down, sketched, not chiseled. Life dealt her a brain tumor in 1999 and she felt “in a world of my own, not knowing if I was going to live or what I was going to do.” A survivor, she became even more passionate about her artwork.

After her daughter survived thyroid cancer in 2004, inspiration found her again and transformed her artwork to be uniquely her own life experiences. She believes in kismet, that there is fate and destiny to our journey in life. She creates, but knows she is not the ultimate producer, commenting that, “in my artwork, I never finish the story for you.”

Her life came full circle with the discovery of an old box in her mother’s attic full of her father Dick Yost’s golfing memorabilia. Yost was no ordinary golfer. From Portland, Oregon he was one of the great Northwest amateurs. A personal friend of Bing Crosby, he played in several Clambakes at Pebble Beach and was a member of the 1955 Walker Cup team. The year Suzanne was born he played in The Masters as a guest of Bobby Jones. He died tragically at the age of 43 of “the 19^th hole disease.” Suzanne, the oldest of three sisters, was 16 at the time. In the box was a picture of her as a little girl at age 5 in a red dress and red shoes swinging a golf club on the range of the family’s pitch & putt golf course. There were many questions to be answered.

That box brought the lady artist into golf and led to the Pebble Beach cover. There are still connections between her dad and Ken Venturi, who is a WGHOF inductee this year, to be explored. This is yet another reason, for a pilgrimage to Ponte Vedra, for the artist who created one of the rarest paintings of Tiger Woods.

Suzanne captures more than the golfer, the experience, or the setting. Technically, her artwork is Acrylic and Mixed Media. Naturally, she is a storyteller with paint. The background of photos, scoreboards and text tells the story and takes you to an interesting point in golf history. Overall, the sensation is a pleasing effect, the same as hitting a sweet iron shot in close for a gimmie birdie.

An opportunity to meet and see Suzanne McCourt’s artwork during PLAYERS week is like driving along 17-Mile Drive and coming to the Lone Cypress Tree. One must make time to pull over and engage the beauty, tranquility and sense of being the moment brings. We look forward to seeing you during PLAYERS and WGHOF Induction week!

Filed Under: People in Golf

2013 PLAYERS Preview

May 3, 2013 By admin

2013 PLAYERS Preview: All the Best to Play TPC Sawgrass!

I don't know about you but I am getting excited about THE PLAYERS Championship!

Maybe the reason is defending champion Matt Kuchar. It has been nice seeing the American flag waving proudly above Champions Circle for the last year. After all it had been five years since the last American win by Phil Mickelson in 2007. Since Mickelson's win there was the excitement of Sergio Garcia's playoff win, Henrik Stenson's Sunday 66 to win, little Timmy Clark win the biggest event so far in his career and another playoff win, this one by K.J. Choi and his steely putting stroke. What drama there will be on the Pete Dye designed Stadium Course with the world's best professional golfers playing in what amounts to their club championship, golf's fifth major.

Happening very soon after the thrilling victory of 2004 PLAYERS champion Adam Scott at Augusta National in the Masters somehow 2013 seems to be developing as a milestone year in the history of golf. Scott became the first Australian to win the Masters. He also finished T15 last year in the PLAYERS and may be destined to join World Golf Hall of Famer Jack Nicklaus (who has won three), 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee Fred Couples, Steve Elkington, Hal Sutton, 2012 United States Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III as multiple winners of the PLAYERS.

Love was the last to repeat as a winner in 2003. Perhaps, instead of Scott, it will be Mickelson or Tiger Woods to notch their second PLAYERS victory. Since Woods' victory in 2001 his best finish has been 8^th in 2009. Disappointing for the fans, the now 36-year old World No. 1 has withdrawn twice and finished T40 in the last three years. Tiger credits another W/D at the WGC at Doral last year as the turning point where he stopped playing hurt and focused on getting healthy. He went on to win three times last season. With another three Ws this season in six events, he is coming off a T4 at the Masters despite a miss-drop. The No. 1 ranked player in the world, Woods will be well rested with three weeks off since the Masters and is the guy to beat, even at TPC Sawgrass which is not one of his favorite courses like Torrey Pines, Bay Hill or Firestone CC.

Outside the competitive golf arena, this PLAYERS will be the best one ever from a fan and family fun perspective. Entertainment is pretty much nonstop after the golf each day. Dierks Bentley, fresh from his Locked & Reloaded Tour with Miranda Lambert will be center stage on the lawn in the back of the Clubhouse on Wednesday. Extra-Curricular "Lot Parties" (additional ticket required) that benefit charity will feature Tishamingo, Moors & McCumber (not 1988 PLAYERS Champion Mark but his nephew Kort), Jo Dee Messina, Darryl Worley and Yacht Rock from Atlanta. The 2012 PLAYERS set a new charitable giving back record of $6.5MM.

The PGA TOUR and the PLAYERS provide all active duty, Reserve, military retirees and dependents with complimentary admission to the tournament all week. They offer significantly discounted admission to non-career military veterans. Youth 18 and younger are admitted free of charge when accompanied by a ticketed adult- there is no limit, soccer team with paid coach allowed. Plus if you carpool there is a "Four for Free" parking incentive.

New in 2013, fans can bring in their own food (no beverages) in clear plastic bags. In addition there are two new upgraded, permanent restroom facilities with a place to fill up water bottles and cups with chilled, filtered drinking water. The $89 Family Plan includes two adult grounds tickets, unlimited youth admission and two $10 concession vouchers. Now that is fan and family friendly!

After watching the practice round on Monday, but be sure to attend (or watch on Golf Channel) the Induction Ceremony of the World Golf Hall of Fame in the evening in nearby St. Augustine. Fred Couples (two time PLAYERS champion in 1984 and 1996), Colin Montgomerie (won record eight European Tour Order of Merit titles), Willie Park, Jr. (Scottish golfing legend, won the British Open twice, joins his father in the Hall of Fame, Willie Park, Sr., winner of four British Opens), Ken Schofield (Executive Director of the European Tour from 1975 to 2004) and Ken Venturi (1964 U.S. Open Champion and 35-year CBS Sports broadcast commentator and analyst) will join 141 other members enshrined with golf's highest honor.

Whether you experience it in person or watch the action on the Golf Channel and NBC Sports, the 40^th edition of THE PLAYERS is destined to be the best ever!

Poignant PLAYERS Pointers:

1. Check out the Taste of JAX and Club 1791 (year Jacksonville was founded) between the 11^th green and 12^th tee. It's an indoor climate-controlled lounge with comfortable seating and large, flat-screen TVs. The best and favorites of Jacksonville's cuisine- Indochine (Thai and Southeast Asian), Metro Diner (Classic American) and Pele's Wood Fire (Modern Italian-American) are featured.

2. The Women's Pavilion is making its national debut at THE PLAYERS. Located next to the 16^th tee it is an engaging experience especially for female spectators interested in learning more about their overall well-being. Men are welcomed too.

3. Don’t forget the past proven popular venues headlined by the Stadium Village and PwC First Tee Challenge. Located behind the 18^th green close to the Clubhouse, the Stadium Village is a 16,000-square-foot, air condition public fan zone complete with a 1/3-scale replica of the 17^th hole. Tee one up and see if you can hit the island green!

4. Other past proven popular venues to visit- Wine & Dine on 9 (it is on the 9^th fairway, golfer's left towards the 5^th green), The Oasis between the 9^th and 18^th tee boxes, The Patio (adjacent to the 10^th tee near the Women's Pavilion), and The Grove (behind the 16^th green and 17^th tee). Confused? It's simple, when hot, hungry or tired, look for in the trees for shade and you will find one of these cool, satiating and refreshing places open to the public. For more hospitality, there is The Turn, The Benefactor and Patriots' Outpost with the proper credentials.

5. Check out the McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation Kid Zone near the Nicklaus Gate way behind the 17^th tee near The Grove. It features a "Game Truck" with eight HDTVs (six inside, two outside) with four controllers so 32 kids (or adults) can play Xbox360, Wii & PS3 as they like. Patented, reliable fun; you will likely be renting this truck for your or your kid's next birthday party. There is also a putt-putt course, arts and crafts and the loving memory of McKenzie, a vibrant and vivacious 15-year-old who passed away from a rare and sudden illness on August 17, 2010.

6. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, parking is free in the general lot and no parking pass is required.

7. The backdoor via CR210/Nocatee Parkway is the fastest, least congested path to the tournament. The A1A route from the Butler Expressway will be greatly improved with unprecedented cooperation amongst area officials. They went to the Masters and picked up any and all tips from observing the I20 and Washington Road operation. Sorry no pimento cheese sandwiches will be sold at THE PLAYERS.

8. There are shuttles from downtown Jacksonville from Wednesday through Sunday. There is a designated cab service and a Bike Valet (not motorcycles, this is not Daytona Beach Bike Week).

9. If you can't make it to the World Golf Hall of Fame Induction, visit their pavilion within the Stadium Village. Thee you will see memorabilia from seven PLAYERS champions that are Hall of Fame members along with course designer Pete Dye and former PGA TOUR Commissioner Deane Beman.

10. Engage in social media and join the excitement at the 17^th hole tweeting or texting closest-to-the pin guesses for each group. Votes will be displayed on the massive video board along with your creative tweets. See your name up in lights.

11. If a local resident or in town early run the back nine of the Stadium Course in THE PLAYERS 5k with Donna on Saturday morning and then demo (if you still have the energy) the industry's newest equipment on the driving range afterwards until 5 p.m.

12. My favorite, come see the latest version of the PGA TOUR Wives Golf Classic where the wives play golf and the husband professional golfers caddie for them. The event takes place on the Dye's Valley Course at 1 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. I wonder if Angie Watson can work the ball as much as Bubba did to win last year's Masters?

13. Another favorite occurs on Wednesday on the 17^th hole with a caddie competition honoring the memory of Bruce Edwards, Tom Watson's longtime caddie and friend who passed in 2004 from ALS. The players and caddies switch roles and the caddies get an opportunity to play the famous island green hole.

14. Wear PINK on Sunday in honor of Mother's Day. There will be a "PINK OUT" in celebration of mothers and in support of breast cancer research. Tree Island on the 17^th hole will be "pinked out" with 3,500 pink vinca flowers and 200 Hawaiian Ti plants. Even the Sawgrass Splash, THE PLAYERS signature cocktail and the golf balls at the PwC 17^th Hole Challenge will be pink on Sunday.

15. Last but not least, come back for the Web.com Tour Championship in September on Dye's Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass. That is the grand finale of the four-event Web.com Tour Finals. With no more direct passes from the Qualifying Tournament (now feeds the Web.com Tour), the only way to get to the 2014 PGA TOUR is to be one of the Top 25 on the Web.com Tour Money List after the 21 Regular Season events or be one of the Top 25 cumulative money earners for the four final events. Two winners of a regular season Web.com event held on Dye's Valley the last three years, David Mathias and Russell Henley, will be competing in the 2013 PLAYERS Championship and may be the first professional to win on both golf courses. Caddie Michael Carrick has won on both- in 2011 with Gavin Coles (won the other Web.com event in 2011) and with Tom Kite when he won the 1989 PLAYERS.

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Road to THE 2013 PLAYERS

May 3, 2013 By admin

Going to eight of the year's first ten tournaments, Ponte Vedra's own golf writer Andy Reistetter has been out on tour more than ever this year. The Road to THE PLAYERS comes through Hawaii, the West Coast, Florida, and Texas before turning down Magnolia Lane at Augusta National. Once again it is time to celebrate the grand finale of another PLAYERS Championship and Mother's Day on Sunday, May 12^th. Can former Ponte Vedra resident Matt Kuchar become the first back-to-back champion in this the 40^th rendition of the PLAYERS? Join Reistetter as he shares his perspective as the tour comes home to Ponte Vedra.

We like to look to the past to help predict the future. The takeaway from being out on tour this year is to expect the unexpected, especially when it comes to the weather. Due to extremely windy conditions on Maui the first event of the year, the Hyundai Tournament of Champions did not even officially start until the day it was suppose to end. There was play for two of the first three days Which was cancelled out when the wind continued to move balls on the greens. The net result was Dustin Johnson winning for the seventh time in a two-day 54-hole tournament.

Sunshine and warmth appeared on Maui the following week as new tour rookie sensation Russell Henley won in his very first event as a professional golfer. Next Tiger Woods roared with another win at Torrey Pines before Phil Mickelson won another in Phoenix. Runner-up to Tiger and Phil the previous two weeks, Brandt Snedeker the 2012 reigning FedExCup Champion claimed his own championship trophy at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am where the weather was surprisingly very nice.

Snow appeared and delayed the World Golf Championship in Tucson for a day. In the end Matt Kuchar won on Sunday afternoon. It is easy to see the progression in Kuchar's game from the day he won the 1997 United States Amateur Championship then preserved through a seven year drought to his recent successes. After a PLAYERS and a WGC the next thought is a major for "the Kuch" in 2013. Another PLAYERS would be nice; only Jack Nicklaus would have more pictures in the Champions Tunnel.

Other golfers with local ties are off to a good start and playing well this year- Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk, Russell Knox, Bud Cauley, Matt Every and Jeff Klauk. Like Fred Funk's win in 2005 wouldn't it be great if Singh or Furyk won their first PLAYERS? Remember Mark McCumber's win in 1995 or when local residents Calvin Peete (1985) and Sandy Lyle (1987) won?

In Ponte Vedra, we know our community is one of the "best of the best," so come out to the PLAYERS and celebrate Mother's Day too!

Whatever happens, I am out on tour and taking you with me, always longing to return home to Ponte Vedra.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Inverrary CC & Introducing Carly Ray

May 3, 2013 By admin

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter loves the history of THE PLAYERS, a major emerging in our lifetime like The Masters did back in the 1960s. In the early days before TPC Sawgrass, the PLAYERS was hosted on different golf courses much like the U.S. Open and PGA Championships today. The East course of Inverrary CC in Lauderhill, Florida hosted the 1976 event where Jack Nicklaus won the middle one of his record three PLAYERS titles. To relive a past PLAYERS is what brought Reistetter, along with Merri Daniel, to Inverrary. What they found there, however, was Carly Ray Goldstein, a high school senior champion golfer and her father Barry, a prominent golf instructor. Join Merri & Andy and let us introduce you to Carly Ray, who no doubt will be making an impact on and off the golf course in the years to come.

If you are a friend of Barry Goldstein on Facebook there is no need for you to read this article.

If you are not a friend you should be. Not so much to be his friend but to get updates like this latest one on the golfing career of his daughter Carly Ray:

"A three birdie 70 in the wind at Country Club of Miami for victory 98 today for my lovely daughter Carly Ray Goldstein with her brand new Ontic putter! SADDD DADDD as she heads to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the fall to play for the LSU Tigers and begins her college career! Ha…well, we celebrate the wins and her previous 97 were with her 'trusty' Odyssey blade…today she won by 5 over 30 players, and loved her Ontic blade. Proud Dad, I LOVE YOU CHAMP. Goes for 99 next Sat and Sun, same course….Daddy/Caddy/Teacher/Best Friend/Coach/Bank Account will be there!"

Of course I love Barry as we have the same hometown of Binghamton, New York. We did not know each other there though we were a couple years apart in high school. I was as excited to meet him as Merri and I were to meet Carly Ray when we ventured south to play Inverrary.

Barry was a notable amateur golfer who played in South Florida tournaments as a teenager with Tiger Woods. He chose to follow his passion and become a professional golf instructor. Featured over the years on the Golf Channel, Goldstein recently was honored by Edwin Watts Golf in their first annual "Top Golf Teachers in The World" List and was picked by Golf Tips Magazine as "One of Americas Top 25 Golf Teachers" in 2012. Inverrary CC is also home to the Barry Goldstein Golf Academy. Of course if you are his Facebook friend you already know these things.

When we first met the State of Florida's individual Div 2A high school girls golf champion it was in Carly's Corner out behind the practice facility. Amidst what is known as Nicklaus' Nook, the five holes Jack birdied to finish off his win 36 years ago, the 17-year old young lady was practicing her short game with grace and skill.

After some pitches we move to the back of the range and witness her full swing of grace, skill and power. Then we saw her stroke a few putts. She is of the age that grew up with a long putter that may not be in play in three year's time. By the post above it looks like she has made the conversion with her magical stroke intact.

Carly Ray's earliest childhood memory is being in a high chair watching dad swinging a golf club and him calling her "Champ." Perhaps out of Carly's Corner will come a fighter who makes her way to the LPGA tour and the Olympic golf tee in Rio de Janiero or elsewhere in 2020? Someone who wins nearly one hundred events by the age of 17 is that good. This proud father is not exaggerating his daughter's talent; it is there for all to see.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Inverrary is a golfer's golf course. Where else do they post Stimpmeter readings on the first tee? Golfers be forewarned though if you do have to warn others by yelling fore a lot Inverrary is still accommodating to your game with wide areas in play. Tee it from the tips and it is all the golf course you want or need to challenge your game. A wide variety of hole designs keeps one engaged in the round as fiercely as Nicklaus and his blue eyes were in his heyday. Check out the 8^th green, it is 50 yards deep.

The East Course hosted Jackie's Gleason's Inverrary Classic before and after the 1976 PLAYERS. Ralph Kramden used to tell Alice on the Honeymooners, "one of these days, bang, zoom you are going to the moon." By the end of the show Ralph would come to his senses and let Alice know how much he loved her by saying, "Baby you are the greatest."

This father says, "Champ, you are the greatest," and likely that golfing prowess will come to the daughter in terms of future golfing competitions. Unlike Ralph, Barry got it right from the start. Greatness in terms of life and the love between a father and daughter is already a rerun in the Goldstein household. Like golf on television, that is a show worth watching and cheering on. And away she goes to LSU…

Merri's Marvelous Moments

1. Inverrary CC is a place a women can feel comfortable. Greeted by an outside staff that is willing to help you to a Golf Shop that is accommodating to women (has a selection of women golf gloves), the telltale sign is foursomes of women teeing off the first tee.

2. I loved the hallway painting with Jackie Gleason… and away we go! I made Andy strike that pose and love to smile at him and say "and away we go," when we go!

3. The Inverrary Vacation Resort across the street from the golf course had its heyday back in the 1970s but is undergoing a Renaissance with major renovations in progress. The upgraded rooms have a mini- kitchen that is functional, a corner sectional couch that is comfortable and a four post bed that is a heavenly retreat. Nice place to stay when you play Inverrary CC.

4. The bar & grill area is inviting and the chicken salad sandwich excellent. We ran into owner Jordan Ross on the golf course. He is onsite every day and one of three owners. You can tell the owner, staff and operation folks get along. This is a fun place to visit and a good place to play golf.

5. We picked up a short game practice tip from Carly Ray and her dad. When practice putting makeable 20-25 footers, lay down the flagstick about two feet behind the hole. Try to putt the ball hard enough to finish between the hole and flagstick and you will never leave a makeable birdie putt short. One more tip, check out the Chicken Kitchen a great place to eat and it is a healthy addiction.

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 or touch base with him by e-mail at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: People in Golf