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2013 PLAYERS & Ponte Vedra: THE Golf Capital of the World!

May 1, 2013 By admin

Five years ago, not knowing one soul here, Andy Reistetter came to Ponte Verda to embark on a new career in golf. Today with well over 100 tournaments of tour experience as a volunteer, broadcast assistant and golf writer, he calls Ponte Vedra home. Hopefully, you are already aware that Ponte Vedra is the Golf Capital of the World. If not, Reistetter, through Ponte Vedra Life’s new Golf Department, will not only make you aware, but convince you and others that it is so. Starting with this first article in the series “Out on Tour,” it is PLAYERS’ time all the time keeping you in touch with golf and our friends and neighbors who work and play out there on tour.

Coming to Ponte Vedra in early May to compete in THE PLAYERS Championship is all the validation that one needs to know they have achieved success as a professional golfer. Being in that field means you have earned a tour card and are one of only 125 golfers with the right and privilege to play on the PGA TOUR, the world’s premier peregrination in golf. All such professional golfers are “home” in Ponte Vedra as TPC Sawgrass belongs to and is the home club of PGA TOUR players.

Once a professional golfer, your hope and dream is to come home to Ponte Vedra more than once. You want to be like local residents Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk who have played 20 and 17 times respectively. You want to be like Bud Cauley who played in his first PLAYERS last year at age 22 after rocketing to the PGA TOUR, bypassing Q-School like Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. You want to be like Ponte Vedra’s own Fred Funk who won THE PLAYERS in 2005 at 48 years old.

Ultimately, in one’s golfing career, your target shifts slightly southwest, 25 miles from the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse in Ponte Vedra to a place where young and old legends receive what everyone calls “the highest honor in golf.” Instead of walking down and playing golf on the lush fairways of the Stadium Course, you want a bronze sculpture of your head in Shell Hall at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine. From conception to destiny, all in golf is found, experienced and witnessed right here in Northeast Florida.

From the turn onto Championship Way, the distance to the Clubhouse is a walk of 700 or so paces, and it is worth the walk. First on the corner, etched in aluminum and hung on a lamppost is the mural of Jack Nicklaus, “the greatest golfer of all time.” His three triumphs in The PLAYERS, “the modern major,” 72 tour wins, including his 18 historic major titles are the merit upon which that title is bestowed.

The walk begins with a burst of beauty on the corner with the incredible landscaping of TPC Sawgrass. While truly exceptional during THE PLAYERS, it is amazing every day of the year. Soon after beginning to walk, one sees on the left and the right, the subtle corporate one-story home of the PGA TOUR. Commissioner Tim Finchem’s office is housed on the right in the West Building. While representing the interest of the players, the tour has raised over $1.7 billion for charity. “Together, Anything’s Possible,” begins right here in Ponte Vedra.

As your walk continues, the road meanders a bit as it gently rises to the high point of the TPC property, the Clubhouse. Before you get there, you will see portraits of all THE PLAYERS’ champions including the likes of Calvin Peete, 2013 Hall of Fame inductee Freddie Couples, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. Through the pine trees one gets a glimpse of the first green, and as we follow the hole backwards to the tee, we make the final turn. There she is, the Clubhouse, the Home of THE PLAYERS, and TPC Sawgrass.

While the island green is where the dramatic game of golf takes place, the Clubhouse is where the excitement and entertainment occur for most people. Whether it is a drink in Nineteen or a dinner in Traditions, a wedding of hundreds or a small private gathering, it seems like there is always a new experience waiting for you when you arrive at the Clubhouse. Social Club and Golf Club memberships are available for even more access and fun here in Ponte Vedra and throughout the world at almost 30 TPC locations. Indeed, you can be treated like one of the 125 tour players at your home club, TPC Sawgrass.

An interesting historical event took place on the back lawn of the Clubhouse at the 2008 PLAYERS when Jack received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the PGA TOUR. Commissioner Finchem read a letter from Tiger who was absent from the ceremony and tournament due to his left knee injury.

Tiger’s words, in the letter, spoke to Nicklaus and the world of golf: “Your impact on golf has been incredible to say the least and I count myself among the millions of fans who consider you to be the greatest of all time.”

Coincidentally, in 2012 Tiger won Arnold Palmer’s tournament at Bay Hill. The 36-year old Woods (now 37 with a December 30^th birthday) then won Jack’s tournament at Muirfield Village to tie Jack in all-time tour wins at 72. He surpassed Jack by winning his own tournament in July to become second to Sam Snead’s record 82 victories.

If ‘V’ is for Victory, then ‘PV’ stands for Ponte Vedra, the Golf Capital of the World.

This year will be a great year in golf and in Ponte Vedra. Will Rory McIlroy become the new Tiger Woods? Or will the old Tiger reemerge to win majors after demonstrating his desire, commitment and ability in 2012? Tiger could tie the Golden Bear’s record with the ultimate Grand Slam this year.

Of course, we have THE 40^th PLAYERS to look forward to as well as the Induction Ceremony of Freddie Couples, Ken Venturi, Willie Park Jr., Ken Schofield and Colin Montgomerie at the Hall of Fame.

Whatever happens, look for the next issue of Ponte Vedra Life. I am out on tour and taking you with me, always longing to return home to Ponte Vedra.

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— and is always looking to witness the excitement of junior or collegiate golf.

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

A lifetime golfer, Reistetter 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 email at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

Horschel Rocket Lifts Off on PGA TOUR

April 30, 2013 By admin

Horschel Rocket celebrating winning putt on the 18th looking more like a rodeo cowboy than tour astronaut! Photo Credit: Chris Graythe/Getty Images

Billy Horschel, who grew up on Florida’s Space Coast, was like a rocket in the golfing world that everyone knew was ready to take off sooner or later. The final Space Shuttle mission ended safely when Atlantis returned home on July 21st, 2011 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The Horschel Rocket reached a new altitude with his first PGA TOUR win in New Orleans icing the victory with a lengthy birdie putt on the last hole.

Like a night liftoff, all you needed to do was find a nearby spot and watch the brilliant light emerge from the horizon, cross the skies and disappear into the heavens above. For the Horschel Rocket all you needed to do was find a comfortable spot and turn on your TV. If you missed one episode there was another one right behind it.

In only his 61st PGA TOUR event, Billy-the-Rocket broke through after testing the atmosphere in gradual steps along the way. Ten years ago, the now 26-year old won back-to-back Space Coast Golfer of the Year awards as he made his way through Bayside High School in Palm Bay, Florida. Palm Bay is not far from his home in Grant which is not far from Melbourne on Florida’s east coast. There was the 61 he shot at Sandpiper Golf Club. Also there was the honor roll and National Honor Society for the acclaimed, but not highly acclaimed, young golfer heading for the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Playing for longtime Gator Coach Buddy Alexander, Horschel shot 75 his first competitive round but won his first collegiate individual medal before his freshman season ended when he tied for first at the NCAA West Regional. He qualified for the U.S. Open the following summer, played on the 2007 Walker Cup team and went on to win three more times in college including the Southeast Conference Championship his senior year.

T4 finish for Horschel at 2012 Q-School earned him the opportunity for lunar success on tour in 2013. Photo Credit: Jeff Golden/Getty Images.

How many rockets take off in life but fail to pull away from the gravity of early success and expectations? This is where the Horschel story becomes the story for all aspiring youngsters whether in golf or life.

After missing the cut in his first four PGA TOUR events (two as an amateur, two as a pro) over a three year period, Horschel earned his tour card and his first paycheck ($25,000) with a 7th place finish at Q-School in late 2009.

His rookie season on tour in 2010 was a shortened season due to injury and subsequent surgery on his left wrist. He made no cuts on the PGA TOUR in four attempts and only one of five on the Web.com Tour. The early PGA TOUR play, late Web.com play season to rehabilitate the wrist finished well with a T27 at Q-School.

With a tour card to supplement his Major Medical Extension (MME) in 2011 he made 11 of 25 cuts on the PGA Tour with two Top-10s at Reno-Tahoe and Frys.com coming late in the season. Falling short of making the MME number, finishing No. 140 on the Money List and a T104 finish left Horschel with conditional status on tour for 2012.

More importantly, the guidance system was adjusted late in the 2011 season after a pair of 64s to open at Sea Island in the Fall Series was followed by a 70-75 on the weekend.

PGA TOUR Champion Billy Horschel in New Orleans. Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images.

“I think 2011 at McGladrey hurt the most. Playing a golf course I played a lot in college, my coach (Todd Anderson) being up there, a lot of family and friends. I didn’t play very well. But what hurt most was the way I handled myself on the golf course. It was pretty pathetic in my mind. I got called out on it from family and friends, and I don’t like doing anything wrong in front of my family or my friends, and that was a big turning point.”

Consistency came in the 2012 season making 15 of 17 cuts. One very bright spot illuminated the career to come for Horschel when he holed his last shot, a 91-yard wedge for eagle in Mississippi on a Saturday in July. That shot and a Sunday 1-under 71 was good for solo third, his career-best at the time.

Conditional with a Money List No. 147 finish but once again refueled with a T4 finish at Q-School, Horschel headed back on tour in 2013 with consistency and confidence. Early on there was a T11 at the Humana and a T10 in Phoenix, both capped off with a Sunday 67. Then there was the Sunday start and Monday finished 85 at Bay Hill that was quickly followed by a Sunday 66 a week later in Houston to finish T2. Top 10s in Texas and Hilton Head put Horschel in the proper orbit for his win in New Orleans.

Horschel in 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot GC. Photo Credit: Erza Shaw/Getty Images.

“All the other close calls, none of them put a scar on me at all. I think it just gave me more motivation to work hard and get that first victory. I took more positives away from all of those than any negatives. I played well. It just wasn’t my time.”

“I was finally able to do my thing on the final round and not worry about who I was playing with or what the people in front of me or behind me are dealing with. This is something that I’ve wanted since I’ve turned pro, and I’ve always felt I was good enough to win out here. I just felt I had to check every box.”

Every box on the checklist for takeoff has been checked. Ignition. Countdown complete. The Horschel Rocket is now in orbit for all to see.

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

Innisbrook Resort, Florida Fantastic… Much More than a PGA TOUR Stop!!!

April 17, 2013 By admin

Innisbrook, Much More than a PGA TOUR Stop…

Ever wonder what is it like to experience a championship course right after witnessing an exciting breakthrough victory by a PGA TOUR professional? Golf Writer Andy Reistetter, along with Merri Daniel, played the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook right after Kevin Streelman’s meaningful victory at the Tampa Bay Championship presented by Everbank. With some time to reflect on their golfing experience, Streelman’s victory and their exploration of the resort, join Merri & Andy as they survive the Snake Pit and live to tell their tales and share a few “WOW” moments at Innisbrook.

Photographs courtesy of Salamander Hospitality.

Click for VIDEO of Andy at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course

With a Duke degree in sociology in his mind, Streelman had been close to winning before with twenty Top 10s in 152 starts on the PGA TOUR. Remember Streelman was the strongman from the mini tours who rocketed to the PGA TOUR in 2008 via Q-School bypassing the proving grounds of the Web.com Tour. To date his claim to fame, in the minds of many, was capturing a season-long mishmash of the most photogenic holes on the PGA TOUR. Holes like the par-3 13^th on Copperhead, beautiful to the eye, yet challenging and dangerous to the golfer.

With five solid seasons on tour, but without what Tiger Woods calls the “W,” Streelman came to the 13^th tee on Sunday afternoon not knowing for sure if this would be his day. Seeing the hole located in the far right portion of the green and well protected by water, he knew this was no ordinary test of mind or golf. Taking his 200-yard club, a 5-iron, hitting into a slightly hurting wind, he hit a cut shot that was nearly perfect. With that birdie and another at the par-3 17^th Streelman strolled to a two-stroke victory in his first PGA TOUR win.

Some say us amateur golfers can never duplicate the experience of a professional golfer winning a tournament down the stretch. Having played many other host courses, I would say Innisbrook and the 1974 Larry Packard designed Copperhead Course comes pretty darn close. The golf course is there for all to see and to play. But what makes it memorable and special is the way Packard routes you along the nontraditional Florida hilly terrain. In an almost swirl-like motion, circling outside to inside the course climaxes at the uphill par-4 18^th after many favorite interludes along the way.

One begins with a scenic view off the first tee with a gentle downhill par-5. Then we go left, then right, before we encounter the first straight hole, the par-3 4th. Be careful, as Merri found out with your play, and that of others, in your “fore-some” on this hole. The par-5 fifth is a little more difficult than the first, going up-and-over a hill but no less scenic with a lake to carry and a bunker framing the tee shot. The blind second shot hides the impact of a lone tree in the fairway on the third shot and makes reaching the well bunkered green difficult for the long bombers or quinquagenarians playing it forward like me.

The intervening holes to Streelman’s heroic 13^th with names like Hidden Gem, Hide Away and O’s Alley bring more excitement and fun in the course of playing at Innisbrook. The 12^th has lots of water and a bridge that is impassable for your golf ball so toughen up, play smart and take enough club to carry the green. Don’t miss the view of the signature 17^th from the 12^th fairway with the shrubbed “Copperhead” encompassing the tee.

Packard’s double dogleg par-5 14^th is my favorite. Once conquered in as few of strokes as possible, the green feels like a mountaintop refuge and the view back of the shrubbed “Innisbrook” brings a sense of achievement. The round ends in a flurry with a mix of par-3s, the 15^th downhill and the 17^thuphill amidst two solid par-4s. The Snake Pit begins with the 16^th, with water right and a narrowing fairway, it is one of the toughest holes on the golf course. The 18^th is a majestic uphill hole that between the wind and the sand can bring a terminating tear to yours or Merri’s eyes.

Enough of one golf course, there are three others- the North, the South and the Island; all Packard designs. The Island which we enjoyed playing, hosts the Legends Tour, the official Senior Tour of the LPGA. While couples golf was fun there are many more activities to enjoy at Innisbrook whether you have a day, week or even years to explore and enjoy. Maybe that is why Larry Packard lives on site, enjoys life and recently celebrated his 100^th birthday!

Innisbrook is part of a Floridian diamond necklace assembled by Shelia Johnson, founder of Salamader Hospitality. Like her amphibian namesake, she possesses strength, courage and fortitude bringing Hammock Beach, an oceanfront resort on the east coast, Reunion in Orlando, home to Annika’s Academy and Innisbrook together during challenging economic times. Affectionately becoming known as the “Lady Trump of Golf” she is opening up a new resort in August in the equestrian and wine country of Virginia.

As an amateur golfer, don’t let it take 153 tour events to experience the magic of Packard’s Copperhead and the Innisbrook Resort. Bring along non-golfer friends and lovers as they will surely have an enchanted time too.

Merri’s Marvelous Moments

1. I loved the accommodations. Innisbrook is unique with 28 lodge buildings interspersed among the 800-acre resort. They are named after other famous golf courses and arranged alphabetically from Augusta to Turnberry. We stayed in Baltusrol on the east side of the property. Recently updated, one feels at home, secluded in a natural way, amongst the trees and hills.

2. Okay, so here is what Andy alluded to with our “fore-some” on the 4^th hole. As I waited to hit on the forward tee I leaned back on the windshield of our golf cart to bask in the sun for a moment. Our playing partner Joe hit an errant shot that awoke me from my sunny slumber and struck me in the chest. Thankfully, only a glancing blow and a reminder as to where to position yourself early in the round when unsure of the abilities of new playing partner.

3. While Packard’s steakhouse is great, don’t miss a casual dinner at Market Salamander Grille. We shared a delicious strawberry, arugula and goat cheese salad. Andy had the Pressed Tampa Cuban and I had the Ahi Tuna. Of course we shared that too and savored not only the food eaten but the friendly dining experience.

4. Well this moment is not so marvelous either. A reminder to check the wind direction prior to playing a bunker shot. Greenside, on the last hole, I did not and got a mouth and eye full. It was a tearful end to a great round.

5. To end on a good note- the spa, the spa, the spa is named Indaba which translates to a gathering or meeting place. Where else can one have an outdoor massage in the center of a meditation labyrinth? Perhaps that is what I liked most about Innisbrook- I felt a strong connection with myself, others and nature during our visit.

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

Ka’anapali – The Place to Play on the Island of Maui in Hawaii…

April 16, 2013 By admin

Merri Daniel and Andy Reistetter headed over to Hawaii for the first two PGA TOUR events of the year. Since it was Andy’s first visit, they arrived early with Merri playing tour guide. They discovered something that is not so widely known to mainlanders. Join the traveling twosome and share their great golfing experience on Maui.

It was an odd sort of start to the year for the PGA TOUR. The first event, a tournament of champions from 2012, did not start until the fourth day, the day it was suppose to end. There was heavy rain for the pro-am day but what delayed the tournament was the wind. Gusting to 40 mph on the first day of competition, play was stopped for good and the round cancelled completely after four hours. With even greater gusts on the second day the first round was postponed yet another day. Day 3 brought a repeat of Day 1 with play becoming “null & void” only an hour into the second false start.

Once play started for real, Dustin Johnson came out strong taking a three stroke lead after everyone played 36 holes on what was supposed to be a Monday finish. On Tuesday, Johnson sailed to victory shooting a 68 and winning by four strokes over Steve Stricker who announced his part-time status this week for family not weather reasons.

As odd as the weather was that weekend, even odder was a comment we overheard one volunteer making to another after being released from service for the day due to the rain and wind. “Let’s go play at Ka’anapali.” This surprised me. Even though I was new to the island I knew Ka’anapali was only a little over five miles down the road. How could one golf course so close be open as this one was closing down? Isn’t it raining and windy there? Why would you want to go golfing on a day like today?

There you have the secret of Maui. The weather is always nice in Ka’anapali. Of course, Merri and I went along with the crowd and played the Royal Ka’anapali Course. When offered to stay and experience the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa we willingly and graciously obliged. After all, this was a magical place where Hawaiian royalty would come and play back in the days of King Kamehameha ruled the islands.

To me it seemed when we turned off the main road and entered the golf course and resort area it was like a modern and tropical version of the Old Course at St. Andrews. There was a vast open, relatively flat area of green surrounded in the distance by stately buildings. When we first drove past the 5^th tee I knew it was a golf hole I wanted to play. Pleasing to anyone’s eyes as it gently went downhill framed by bunkers and the ocean in the background. We couldn’t get to the first tee fast enough.

The first six holes and the last three are on the ocean side of Honoapiilani Highway. Playing No. 5 was more than I hoped for though a 3-putt meant a bogey. Though the view of the ocean was spectacular from the fifth green it was even more dramatic once we went under the highway and played the 7^th hole. This hole is an amazing short par-4 with a two tier green with an even more amazing view of the ocean and the resort lands below.

Merri came to play and I left my clubs and game on the mainland (although the rental set was better than mine). For whatever reason, I seemed distracted during the round. Maybe it was the royal blue ocean that lay out in front of me or perhaps it was her soft blue eyes that twinkled in the sunlight especially after her birdie on No.12. Either way I went down to a resounding 5 & 4 defeat.

From the moment we entered the Sheraton open-air lobby with a see-through view of the ocean we felt our cares being swept away even my golf score. The oceanfront room was spacious and accommodating with the view enhanced with a spattering of thin coconut palm trees. The location is perfect for a morning snorkeling adventure at Black Rock. We felt and were treated like royalty.

There you have the secret of Maui. The weather is always nice in Ka’anapali. So playing the Royal Ka’anapali Course and staying at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is really no secret at all.

We did not ever want to say good bye and have our time at Ka’anapali end. A Hui Hou which means for us that we are dreaming about it until we return again.

Merri’s Marvelous Moments

1. The weather at Ka’anapali was, well, marvelous. Sunny and warm with a touch of a gentle ocean breeze much to my liking. Instantly my goose bumps disappeared and I stopped shivering.

2. Yes, I delayed Andy’s trek to the first tee but with good reason. I always like to check out the women’s selection in the pro shop which is an informal way to access how much women are welcomed and catered to. The colorful Ka’anapali hat with lots of whales is one of my favorites to wear to the beach.

3. I loved sitting on the balcony of our room, with a warm ocean breeze in my face, watching for the spouting whales out in the ocean.

4. The sunsets are spectacular. Next visit Polynesian entertainment and luau at Black Rock for sure. We were fortunate to see a magnificent rainbow over the golf course when we first arrived.

5. I loved that the resort was decorated for the holidays. Gingerbread, lollipops and rainbows are my favorites.

6. Even though I have been to Hawaii several times I felt like I discovered a new favorite place. The people were so wonderful that I can’t wait to go back sometime soon.

Filed Under: Travel Golf, West Coast USA

Memories of the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, & 2013 Masters Tournaments!

April 1, 2013 By admin

Scoreboard at entrance right of first fairway in 2013 Masters.

My first visit to Augusta National and The Masters was on a family pilgrimage via a Hilton Head vacation in 1999. I returned in 2005 as a guest of my dear friend and the renown golf bibliographer Richard E. Donovan (The Game of Golf & the Printed Word). I remember how much I felt at home when Dick and I attended the Golf Writers Association of America dinner honoring Dan Jenkins. Then came tw0 more visits with friends and golfing buddies. Since 2009 I have been present at the Masters for the entire week arriving early and leaving late each day. The Augusta National Golf Club is a very special place and The Masters Tournament is an extraordinary golfing competition. Here are some of my pictures, stories and memories from the last five Masters.

Memories of the 2013 Masters Tournament won by Adam Scott:

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Memories of the 2012 Masters Tournament won by Bubba Watson (1st):

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Memories of the 2011 Masters Tournament won by Charl Schwartzel:

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Memories of the 2010 Masters Tournament won by Phil Mickelson (3rd):

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Memories of the 2009 Masters Tournament won by Angel Cabrera:

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

Andy Fox is OutFoxing Cancer…

March 24, 2013 By admin

CLICK here for video interview of Andy Fox

Andy Fox’s ‘Out Fox Cancer’ Website

Andy Fox explaining his cancer screening foundation and how to outfox cancer.

I met a great guy at the Arnold Palmer Invitational tournament at Bay Hill this year! His name is Andy Fox and he is a great guy for reasons other we have the same first name.

His story is inspirational, something that could have happened to any of us. Happily married with two young boys he had his wisdom teeth removed. There was still pain and then the doctors found Stage 4 cancer. Seventeen years ago he was told he had a 10 percent chance of survival.

Andy Fox has outfoxed cancer and through his cancer screening foundation he is using a peer based system to raise awareness. He believes in the Fs—family, faith, friends, fitness and being forward-looking.

“Get rid of the rear view mirror,” says Andy Fox. We can all do that!

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

Q&A with Claus & Denmark’s EB.dk

March 18, 2013 By admin

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter is collaborating with Claus Jansson who writes for Denmark's largest newspaper, Ekstra Bladet (EB.dk). Based in Copenhagen, the newspaper can be a bit sensational but isn't golf a sensational sport? Here Claus asks the questions and Andy answers them to get and share some American perspective and insight. Join Jansson and Reistetter as they reach out "across the pond and then some" and write about golf and this week's World Golf Championship Cadillac at the TPC Blue Monster at Doral.

Jansson: Who will be the biggest surprise at WGC Cadillac?

Reistetter: Donald Trump, of course. TPC Blue Monster at Doral and PGA TOUR, you are hired for 10 more years; was the recent announcement to be the host resort and course through 2023. If anyone or anything threatens to take the stage from the Donald he buys the stge. But seriously, the game and business of golf loves Donald Trump and he loves and supports them in his own unique, generous and entertaining way.

As far as players, look to Jim Furyk and his caddie Mike "Fluff" Cowan to surprise the golfing world a few more times with big wins in majors and WGCs before moving on to the Champions Tour (remember he is only a youngster at 42). We all remember Matt Kuchar's win at frosty Dove Mountain in the WGC Accenture Match Play but it was Furyk's guts in his Round 2 loss to Bubba Watson that impressed me the most. The 2003 U.S. Open Champion was 3-down to the reigning Masters Champion but staged a rally on the back nine with the match going 22 holes before Watson escaped with a win. Needing a point on 18 and watching Watson hit one in close Furyk stuffed it in even closer for a gimmie birdie to extend the match. He reached the par-2 second hole in two in the playoff but three jacked it to let Watson off the hook. "Furyk & Fluff" is the grittiest, wisest and at times the most powerful twosome in all of professional golf.

Jansson: What's wrong with Rory – any non-official stories from the U.S. press?

Reistetter: I am an optimistic guy. By asking what is wrong with Rory one needs to look at what is right with Rory. He is 23 years old and quite a successful young chap by all accounts. He is the No. 1 ranked golfer in the world and coming off a season in which he finished first on both the U.S. PGA TOUR and European Tour money lists. He is dating Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki and is "the apple in the eye" of his parents Rosie & Gerry who I am sure are very proud with the way is he conducting his life.

What's wrong with Rory? A Google search tells us that he has a tooth ache and needs to get his wisdom teeth extracted. Or maybe it is his equipment change or something more personal? Or maybe it is just golf? Like life we have our good and bad days, good streaks and bad streaks and that in of itself is part of the game and life. This will be his fifth consecutive WGC Cadillac where he finished T10 with a Sunday 74 two years ago and third last year despite a first round 73. If Rory eliminates the tooth that aches and the high round he may be raising the trophy on Sunday in Miami.

Jansson: What kind of player suits the TPC Blue Monster at Doral – the long hitters, the grinders, etc?

Reistetter: To answer this question we typically look back at the recent winners- Justin Rose, Nick Watney, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Geoff Ogilvy and Tiger Woods since the WGC came to Miami in 2007. All are solid competitors with great short games though this is to be expected with a WGC field.

Weather and course conditions and setup can play a pivotal role. Looking back at the Honda Classic last week it is easy to see how Michael Thompson won. Rain early in the week made the golf course play longer and more difficult with the rough growth more than expected. Then the wind and cold came and voila you have Olympic Club like conditions where Thompson finished second to Webb Simpson in last year's U.S. Open.

But ultimately the kind of golfer that wins whether a major, WGC or regular tour event is the one that is playing well and has either been knocking on the door or repeatedly walking through it in recent history.

Jansson: Who will win the WGC Cadillac and why?

Reistetter: Answer above and translated in the names of Geoff Ogilvy, Keegan Bradley, Graeme McDowell, and Lee Westwood who all played well last week. Ogilvy and Bradley played the best on the windy weekend. I will go with Keegan Bradley to win and add a second WGC to go nicely with his major!

Jansson: Do the U.S. press talk about the young Dane Thorbjorn Olesen? If so, what do they write?

Reistetter: Who? (smiling) One thing I absolutely love about the two early WGC events is that it introduces us Americans to some of the world's best golfers that we have yet to see. Recent names that come to mind include Spaniard Alvaro Quiros who finished T13 in 2009, South Korea's Sang-Moon Bae who won three matches in his first WGC last year at Dove Mountain, and Japan's Tetsuji Hiratsuka who played in his first WGC at Doral last year.

I read the Jim McCabe piece on Olesen in the latest issue of GOLF WEEK. Olesen's rise from oblivion (ranked No. 529^th in the world) to No. 40^th to get into the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship is pretty impressive. He played in the WGC HSBC Champions last fall and finished T11. In his first WGC in America he beat fellow WGC Match Play rookie Jamie Donaldson in Round 1 then lost to little but experienced Tim Clark from South Africa. Perhaps Olesen will surpass Ryder Cupper and near major champion Thomas Bjorn as the best golfer to come from Denmark? Although Anders Hansen, Soren Hansen and Soren Kjeldsen are also in pursuit of that title.

p.s. What is the English translation of Ekstra Bladet?

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: Uncategorized

Lady Trump Outshines Donald in FLA.

March 15, 2013 By admin

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter recalls being at the Innisbrook Resort in 2008 for the PGA TOUR's Pods Championship and hearing of its new owner Sheila Johnson. Now five years later it is time for the Tampa Bay Championship this week on the famed Copperhead Course. While Donald Trump had the televised stage last week at Doral, don’t expect to see as much of Sheila this week. But don't be surprised if you come to learn that she has hired, not fired, someone you know. Who is building and opening new golf resorts in America these days? Johnson is and she has also purchased others and put them together like a necklace around the neck of Florida to shine and attract us to unique and pleasurable golfing and resort experiences. Join Reistetter as he recalls his recent and finest golf resort experience in Florida.

The history of the Innisbrook Resort with professional golf goes back almost 50 years. At first it was couples golf starting with Jerry Pate and Hollis Stacy winning in 1977 to John Daly winning with Laura Davies in 1999. With the new millennium came the regular PGA TOUR and then later in the decade came Sheila Johnson debuting as golf's newest visionary lady. Since then major champions Retief Goosen and Jim Furyk have won at Innisbrook and so too has the golfing world with the contribution of this media silent though quietly effective woman. What she has done in the last five years is quite remarkable.

Starting with Innisbrook on the Gulf Coast in 2008 and adding Reunion in Orlando and Hammock Beach on the Atlantic Coast in 2011, Johnson has assembled the Grand Golf Resorts of Florida and created a Legends of Golf Trail that is quite impressive. But that is not all as her new Salamander Resort & Spa will be opening in August amidst the scenic horse country of Virginia. With exclusive golf privileges at The Club at Creighton Farms, another Jack Nicklaus Signature Design, and the personal touches by Sheila, it is a grand opening not to be missed.

Even in Florida, the state with the most coastline there is only one golf course with six holes that border the Atlantic Ocean. There may be other ocean courses but Hammock Beach's Jack Nicklaus Signature Design is the only one with "Florida's Ocean Course" on the front of the scorecard. The second course, a Tom Watson Signature Design, The Conservatory has earned the distinctive "Golf Masterpiece" on its scorecard.

While I will remember the sound of the surf in my backswing in the morning and a non-conservative 3-birdie fun round in the afternoon, my lasting impression of Hammock Beach is the comfort of its beds, the tranquility and beauty of its accommodations and the rich taste and texture of its food.

My recollection of time spent at Reunion is captured with the faces on its scorecard- Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Annika Sorenstam. "Nowhere Else in the World"- 4 legends, 3 courses and one incredible golf experience. The combined scorecard unfolds to a length of 24 inches and while the penciled- in numbers aren't as low as I would like the memories golfing with friends there cannot be any higher or more inspirational. We played the rounds in three formats- a scramble, a better ball and a shame (my own individual ball), not shamble. With Annika's Academy located there along with 320 villas and suites and a rooftop bar for sunsets can there be a better place for corporate events?

While we don't yet know who the winner at Innisbrook we do know the Snake Pit and the Copperhead Course will produce a deserving champion who can play every club in his bag on a course full of variety. Larry Packard, who designed all four courses, may not have the notoriety of other golf architects but he has the talent proven around-the-world and something else we all want- longevity, as he celebrated his 100^th birthday last November.

I guess the gist of the Grand Golf Resorts of Florida is their longevity and variety in golf. In addition to the Tampa Bay event, Hammock Beach has hosted PGA TOUR and Champions Tour events and Reunion has hosted the LPGA. If you want that type of variety there is a package that features six nights' accommodations and nine rounds of golf which can be used in one trip or split up into three. A composite course called the Ultimate Legends of Golf has been created and you can track your score over the nine courses to see how you compete against others on Florida's most famous necklace (I mean trail).

I admit to one error in the writing of this piece. The state of Alaska has more coastline than Florida but is there a golfer in Alaska? I will also admit to another mistake- that it took me five years to intimately discover the Hammock Beach, Reunion and Innisbrook resorts. Please don’t make the same mistake, surely you can do better.

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

JTOG Day 1: Calvin Peete

March 11, 2013 By admin

Thanks Susan D. Brandenburg! Nice tribute to Pepper & Calvin Peete, what beautiful people! Video interview with Calvin posted here on JTOG: http://www.journeytoolympicgolf.com/pages/1630 Come on and donate to The First Tee (select Journey to Olympic Golf on drop down menu for What inspired you to make a gift today?)… C’mon you know you are going to do it so do it today! (-: (Facebook Post Link, Andy Reistetter, 11/11/13)

Ponte Vedra Beach: $100,000 goal for First Tee

Filed Under: Journey to Olympic Golf

The PGA National Resort & Spa in West Palm Beach, Home of the Honda Classic

March 1, 2013 By admin

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter and Merri Daniel accepted an invitation to visit PGA National Resort & Spa as a prelude to this year’s Honda Classic. At the time the Champion Course was a freshly over-seeded Irish sea of green so a round of golf on the newly renovated FAZIO course was in order. So what is classic about the Honda Classic? Surely the splendid resort itself is part of the answer. Join Reistetter as he recalls the Rory-Tiger showdown in 2012 and enjoy Merri’s Magnificent Moments of their visit to one of America’s premier resorts.

My first Honda Classic was five years ago. Like the cars of its sponsor, the first tournament of the Florida Swing is one of the highest quality and classiest tournaments on the PGA TOUR. The golf course, the tradition and heritage of the event, the competitive field and of course a fabulous resort open to all tournament patrons, combine to make being at the Honda Classic something special. Don’t miss the concert and fireworks on both Friday and Saturday nights, they are truly spectacular!

While seeing Ernie Els reemerge as a champion in 2008 after three seasons without a win, the Sunday showdown between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods was even more memorable. Woods was at his best shooting the lowest final round score of his career- an 8-under par 62. After eagling the 18^th and posting a 10-under tournament score, the spotlight was on Rory to see how he would handle the pressure, especially playing the famed “Bear Trap” holes Nos. 15-16.

The youngster from Northern Ireland did just fine posting a 1-under par 69. With the victory he surpassed Luke Donald as the No. 1 player in the Official World Golf Ranking. Though Rory has slipped to as low as No. 3 after winning the Honda, he regained and has held the No. 1 slot since his PGA Championship at Kiawah island last August. From Ernie to Rory with Y.E. Yang, Camilo Villegas, and Rory Sabbatini in between there have been five consecutive international champions. The first eight tournaments on the PGA TOUR this year have been won by Americans. There are two interesting trends colliding at the Honda Classic this week.

Uncle George and nephew Tom Fazio designed three of the four golf courses at PGA National in the early 1980s- The Champion, the Haig (originally named after Walter Hagen) and The Squire (for Gene Sarazen). Arnold Palmer designed the last course on site, his namesake The Palmer in1984. Jack Nicklaus has redesigned The Champion twice, once in 1990 and again in 2002.

A third generation Fazio recently redesigned the Haig- Tom Fazio II, son of designer Jim (brother of Tom) is known as Tommy and is a model Fabio look-a-like. The Haig was renamed the FAZIO. We may be getting into a whole new era in golf where golf course architects replace prominent legends of golf with respect to the naming rights of golf courses.

The FAZIO is fun to play. The most significant changes in the modernization occurred on the 15^th and 17^th holes, with the contouring of the greens and the bunkering. Interestingly, the par-3 5^th hole and the caped 6^th hole swing close by the PGA of America Headquarters. There is a long standing relationship and tradition between the resort and the club professional organization. This is evidenced by the playing of the 1983 Ryder Cup, 1987 PGA Championship and 19 years (ending in 2000) of the Senior PGA Championship on The Champion Course.

While I have played the golf courses and experienced the professional competition of the Honda Classic it wasn’t until I stayed at the PGA National Resort & Spa that I truly understood that classic meant first and highest quality. The freshness from a recent $100 million revitalization can easily be seen by tournament spectators in terms of the pool area, lobby bar and restaurants. Resort guests experience the magic in the floor-to-ceiling makeover of each of its 379 guest rooms.

There are several questions to ask at this week’s Honda Classic. Will there be another Rory-Tiger showdown? Will an American or the 6^th consecutive international player win? If so, who will that be? When will you make a reservation to experience all there is to experience at the PGA National Resort & Spa?

Merri’s Magnificent Moments

1. I loved the individually-themed “specialty” accommodations that are unique, trend-setting and superb! Andy wants to come back with his guy friends and stay in the “Man Cave,” a sophisticated media room with large screen HD TVs to watch sporting events. I wonder who has that room for the Honda Classic. Please invite us!

2. There are two “Spa Suites” with a private spa area complete with a comfortable professional table for in-room massages and facials. Large soaking tubs and walk-in showers complete the experience with luxurious king-size beds and comfortable sofas and chairs in a spacious living area. The “Bridal Spa” for an extraordinary romantic retreat.

3. Our round included playing with Jim King, a former professional golfer who at age 78 was still a scratch golfer and a unique golfing personality. He entertained us with so many stories from his years on tour.

4. The pool area is extraordinary and we enjoyed soaking in the hot tub after our round of golf. Andy tells me it is an awesome place to watch the fireworks and I can’t wait to see them.

5. Our host Karen Cantor, Public Relations Manager, gave a wonderful tour of the property and showed us all the recent renovations that have been done inside and outside. Her spirited conversation over breakfast well represented the attitude and perspective of this classic resort. There is so much more to experience we can’t wait to return for another visit!

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer as well as a Spotter, Research and Broadcast Assistant for The Golf Channel, NBC and CBS Sports. 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.

Residing within two miles of the PGA TOUR headquarters and the home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, this golfing couple is focused on a number of entrepreneurial golf pursuits within the realm of “Outside the Ropes Entertainment.”

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

Filed Under: East Coast Golf Journey, Travel Golf