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Competitive Golf

April 1, 2012 By admin

Competitive Professional/Amateur Golf

Join Andy Reistetter, a.k.a. GolfWriter59, as he covers a wide range of professional and amateur golfing competitions. Now in his fifth year as a golf writer, Reistetter has covered more than 100 events ranging from local Ponte Vedra High School golf matches to the 2009 Open at Turnberry where Tom Watson nearly won at age 59. He has attended 12 majors and both a Ryder Cup as well as a President's Cup.

Inspired by the game of golf at an early age, here are words he has written from the fairways of high school, AJGA/ WJGS (junior), collegiate, LPGA, Nationwide, Champions and PGA TOUR events.

Reistetter's complete collection of nearly 300 golf articles can be found on Bleacher Report via this link:

http://bleacherreport.com/users/81645-andy-reistetter

Filed Under: Uncategorized

2012: Golfing and Finding your True South in Mississippi

March 19, 2012 By admin

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter continues his exclusive “Play-Write” series on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. On a recent golf travel assignment he was introduced to four golf courses- The Bridges, The Oaks, The Preserve and Fallen Oak where the Champions Tour’s Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic is held in March. Join Reistetter as he not only plays golf in some very special places but enjoys true Southern hospitality in some unusual places. Friend Reistetter on Facebook for a look at more behind-the-scenes pictures and insights.

Signature 16th hole at The Preserve, a Jerry Pate design.

One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi…

I played four Mississippi golf courses in four days!

Well almost, the most anticipated fourth round playing with Nick Price in the pro-am at Fallen Oak was cancelled due to an overnight rain storm. Any other golf course, any other day we would have played but preserving the condition of the golf course is of paramount importance when you are scheduled to host a Champions tour event the next day. The Tom Fazio design looked spectacular on television as Fred Couples won yet another championship. I can’t wait to return to the Magnolia State to play Fallen Oak.

Sadly Mr. Hickory Golf did not get to play golf with Nick Price but I did get to hang with him for a little bit… the Hall of Famer is as nice as everyone says he is!

Mississippi “packs the punch” when it comes to a golf and coastal life style. Yes its 44 miles of coastline is far less than that of Florida (1350) and California (840). So too is the number of golf courses- Mississippi (124), Florida (1218) and California (906). If you look at the ratio of golf courses to coastline miles Mississippi (2.8) has three times the intensity of Florida (0.9) and California (1.1). The bottom line is once you arrive, don’t expect to drive far to play a variety of golf courses and enjoy the coast as well.

I explored the coastal region of Mississippi from west-to-east. I played The Bridges and stayed at the Hollywood Casino Resort in Bay St. Louis the first day. Where there are bridges there are water hazards. This Arnold Palmer signature design is a fair test of golf in a tranquil and scenic setting.

At The Bridges with Head Golf Professional Billy Baumgartner.

On the second day I headed over to The Oaks in Pass Christian where Golf Channel’s Trip Isenhour set the course record with a third round 64 on his way to victory in the 2000 Buy.com Mississippi Gulf Coast Open. This is where the eye of Katrina passed over yet many oak trees remain to challenge your course management skills. With Hooter Girls as beverage cart attendants this must be a favorite of John Daly as well.

Heading east my last stop was a few nights at the smoke-free Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi. The name of the Head Golf Professional at the resort’s Preserve Golf Club- Chris Champagne says it all when it comes to the quality of this golfing experience. Throw in Golf Superintendant Stephen Miles and his trusted Golden Retriever Tucker on the golf cart and you know the playing conditions are pristine and memorable. Jerry Pate the 1976 U.S. Open and inaugural PLAYERS at TPC Sawgrass champion is the golf course designer. You won’t forget his par-3 16th hole with its scraggly-edge bunkers and sweeping green.

Hooters Girls are Beverage Cart Attendants at The Oaks in Mississippi. Photo courtesy of Hooters restaurant of Gulfport, MS.

I highly recommend lunch at The Preserve in the Sweet Bay restaurant. I had the seafood gumbo, hardwood smoked brisket drizzled with Jack Daniels BBQ sauce and the sweet potato nuggets. The meal was so good that I would go back with only a table and no tee time reservation.

As good as lunch was, dinner at Mignon’s in the Palace Casino Resort was even better. After sampling a variety of appetizers including BBQ shrimp, fresh oysters and crab cakes I feasted on the namesake filet.

The dinner was hosted by Lisa Quirch who manages public relations for the resort. She’s been there 16 years, starting the day before it opened. Perfect for the job since she likes meeting people and people like meeting her. The three story barge casino that Katrina put out of business on August 29 is now located on the first two floors of the 236 room and suite 11-story hotel. Lisa help put 500 people back to work before the end of the year and it is those people, their hospitality that is hard to find elsewhere.

With singer & performer Diane Diaz.

Since the fourth round was a rainout I took a quick shuttle over to the Coast Nightclub at the Beau Rivage to catch Las Vegas regular Dianne Diaz’s show. Talk about an up close and personal experience. Great club, great show!

Though I was disappointed we did not get to play in the pro-am honestly the day off the golf course was more fun. I recommend adding another off-day to any golf trip visiting Mississippi. Lunch at The Phonecian and a walk around Ocean Springs was the perfect respite from golf.

Ocean Springs is the Cabot Cove of Mississippi. I met Laurel Luckey, the new editor of the Gazette, by chance. With a name like that I wanted to take her to the casino with me. She went to Ole Miss and came back via New York City and will likely add even a bit more zest to her hometown. Another nice young lady named Mabelle gave me a ride over to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art. I could have moseyed except for the brief rain shower. I was mesmerized by the biographical video of the mysterious, Rod Serling like artist. He ventured out to Horn Island to renew his youth and in the process created some artful renditions of birds and their habitat.

Biloxi tour operator Carla Beaugez… no hurricane will stop this lady from giving a tour of her hometown.

Then I met Carla Beaugez of the Biloxi Tour Train who took me on a private tour that I will never forget. For sure she is the Angela Lansbury of Biloxi. While there was no murder to solve she revealed the mystery of Biloxi by noting at the start that “it is the humblest of humanity, not a melting pot.” Hurricanes have a way of bringing the strengths of people to the forefront. Carla lost the original train engine in Katrina and now makes due using her jeep to pull the passenger cars for her tour.

Her tour wasn’t what I expected, it was so much more. “If you ride with Carla you are a celebrity,” sounds like a cliché but isn’t. Yes you get the basics such as “the original Biloxi Lighthouse was made in Baltimore, Maryland and shipped in pieces by barge.” But you also get the personal insider view when she pulls over in front of the Old Biloxi Schooner restaurant and Tabitha and Inga come out on the sidewalk to chat with you for a while and offer you a Barq’s Root Beer.

The Weather Witch of Biloxi has been there since1896. “Yes, Katrina aged our sails a bit,” Carla emphasizes, “but there is lots of love on my tour, both ways.”

The people of Mississippi are as nice, friendly and hospitable as ever… note the sign in the window… the Mississippi Gulf Coast in open for business!

Whichever way you go in Mississippi I think you will find the warmth of its people and understand why it is also known as The Hospitality State.

What is great about the state of Mississippi is that the Coastal Region is only one of five tourist sections. The four other regions are the Capital/River, the Pines, the Hills and the Delta. Did you know that the Mississippi River is the entire western border of the state? I did not realize that and look forward to returning to explore the rest of Mississippi someday very soon.

For more information on golfing in Mississippi go to the website Visit Mississippi where you will be able to access complete information about the golf courses throughout the state, including stay-and-play packages.

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

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

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

Friend Andy Reistetter on Facebook or contact Reistetter by e-mail at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: Travel Golf

Fore Mississippi: Mr. Hickory Golf Playing in Champions Tour Pro-Am This Week!

March 18, 2012 By admin

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter will be continuing his exclusive “Play-Write” series on the Mississippi Gulf Coast this week. Also known as “Mr. Hickory Golf,” this week’s trip will culminate by playing in the pro-am of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic. Wearing knickers provided by Vecci Fashions and playing hickory-shafted clubs, he is believed to be the first to do so in a PGA TOUR-sponsored pro-am event, at least in the modern age.

Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis

One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi…

Fore Mississippi…

Here comes Mr. Hickory Golf!

After a Monday morning flight into the Gulfport-Biloxi Airport he will head to the Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis and tee-time it up at the Bridges Golf Club, Mississippi’s only Arnold Palmer Signature golf course.

Ranked among the Top 40 casino golf courses in the country, The Bridges is the first resort golf course in the world to obtain Audubon International’s Certified Silver Signature status showcasing Palmer’s design strengths of working in harmony with nature.

“Staying like a star” at the 14-story waterfront Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis, the Golf Collectors Society member will have dinner at 200 North Beach, reportedly the top restaurant in Bay St. Louis with “the best pulled pork sandwich on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”

Tuesday’s golf game will be at The Oaks in Pass Christian. Built by Landmark, The Oaks has played host to both NIKE and BUY.COM tour events as well as the first stage of Q-School.

Hooters Girls are Beverage Cart Attendants at The Oaks in Mississippi. Photo courtesy of Hooters restaurant of Gulfport, MS.

The Oaks Golf Club partners with a nearby Hooters restaurant to provide “Hooters Girls” on the beverage carts. Wearing traditional Hooters Girl uniforms, isn’t this welcomed distraction likely to slow down play? What were they thinking?

Hooters girls? Maybe John Daly will be playing the course as well?

Mr. Hickory Golf’s playing partners and golf professional for Thursday’s pro-am will be determined at the pairing party on Tuesday night in Biloxi at the Palace Casino Hotel.

Golf on Wednesday is at The Preserve designed by Jerry Pate, the 1976 U.S. Open Champion and the inaugural PLAYERS winner on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.

Dinner Wednesday night is at Mignon’s Steaks & Seafood at the Palace Casino. The Hickory Guy, as his friends in Chicago call him, is thinking all land during the round of golf and later on “Surf & Turf.”

Mr. Hickory Golf with Nick Price!

Thursday’s round in the pro-am is at Fallen Oak Golf Club, the host venue for the 2012 Gulf Coast Resort Classic. Tom Fazio, the designer, is known as “America’s Greatest Living Architect.”

Mr. Hickory is likely to tee it up from the 6,000 yard range and not from the 7,468 yard back tees.

Between Hooters cart girls, four nights at casinos, and limited ‘pigeon prospects,’ Mr. Hickory Golf is likely to come home from the Mississippi Gulf Coast a penniless man—but better for it.

Fore Mississippi!

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

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

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

Friend Andy Reistetter on Facebook or contact Reistetter by e-mail at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: Mr. Hickory Golf REAL, Travel Golf

California’s CordeValle, the Perfect Weekend Getaway

February 4, 2012 By admin

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter continues his exclusive “Play-Write” series with a weekend visit to CordeValle which is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains an hour from San Francisco and Pebble Beach. A place you may have heard of for Rocco’s hole-outs or Tiger’s play in the Frys.com Open on the PGA TOUR. This is definitely a place you want to experience, if only once. Join Reistetter as he gets away with a golfing buddy to “secluded luxury and unparallel championship golf.”

Spectacular morning view of the valley and Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s masterpiece.

Departing in the evening from the East Coast, I arrived at CordeValle in the dark. Although limited, my sight of the shadowed landscape gave me the sense of a cowboy heading up a canyon to a secure place to rest for the night.

This was a boys’ trip as my friend Rich picked me up at the nearby San Jose Airport and drove me to our weekend getaway. He was a longtime friend, a golfing buddy from when I lived in Southern California in the early 1980s.

I hadn’t seen Rich since the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach nearly two years ago. He’s one of those friends where you can pick up the phone every so often and you never miss anything of relevance in each other’s lives.

As the car came to the warm lights of the clubhouse area. I sensed what Adam, Hoss and Lil’ Joe must have felt when they rode home to the Ponderosa and were greeted by their father Ben Cartwright.

Clubhouse foyer leading to One Iron Bar.

At nearly midnight, we were greeted by name and our luggage, golf clubs and registration were handled so professionally it seemed like I was opening the door to my bungalow quicker than Rich drops another ball for a mulligan.

Each of the 45 guest beds is king-size at CordeValle whether in one of the 28 bungalows, three fairway homes or five villa suites. Good thing too since word from Rich’s wife is that he is a heavy snorer. I needed a good night sleep.

Golfers will say a golf course “fits their eye.” I think every guest will say a CordeValle room captures their total being with a warm, comfortable and beautiful place to call home. To say my bungalow was luxurious is an understatement. From the cozy fireplace, exquisite honeyed wood, and goose-down comforter, this is one of the nicest places I have stayed, if not the nicest ever.

After a night’s rest I was completely rejuvenated. My heart pumped a little faster as I opened the sliding wood shutters and saw the valley and golf course down. The morning light and long shadows accentuated the immense beauty of the landscape. I knew this was going to be a magical weekend.

Hearty breakfast, Cordevalle-style!

Rich and I met for a hearty breakfast in the One Iron Bar. We warmed up hitting a few balls and stroking a few putts. On the first tee, Mike the starter introduced us to our caddie. Here I was walking and playing golf, with a caddie, with the course to our selves, with my old buddy Rich. Life does not get better than this.

Golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., who is based close by in Palo Alto, refers to CordeValle as “perhaps my finest golf course creation.”

I met Jones last year at a Masters party. He shared with me his Yale Story, an inviting essay about being the first to design and build an 18-hole golf course in Russia. As the creator of Moscow Country Club, the Links at Spanish Bay as well as 250 golf courses all over the world, for him to say “perhaps my finest” translates to CordeValle is a must-play for any serious minded golfer.

What I didn’t tell Rich is that Jones sent me his book Golf by Design, which educated me on how to read the features of a golf course and lower my score.

Mike’s view from the back tee on No. 9.

The hospitality and friendliness at CordeValle is unsurpassed. Mike came out to 7th green to let me know about the view from the hidden back tee on No. 9. “It’s worth the walk up the hill,” he said with friendly conviction, “you don’t want to miss it.” He was right, CordeValle means “the heart of the valley,” and it was a spectacular view with nature as far as the eye could see.

The match was memorable with us both playing well, recording five birdies, and I escaping with a 1-up win.

The Tuscany-style winery off to the left on the long uphill 6th hole was on my mind so we hopped in a shuttle to taste the wines of Clos La Chance. It was member “pick-up” night and we joined the fun. We left with a bottle of Santa Cruz Chardonnay to enjoy with a cheese plate in the room.

Afterward we enjoyed a casual dinner at the One Iron Bar. The dry aged NY steak with artichokes and truffle and garlic fries is to die for.

Happy to golf and drink wine… by the way CordeValle is a very woman-friendly environment.

The second day of golf had a little different feel. Rich and I decided to ride in a cart with a forecaddie because we were tired and older than we think. We were paired with a nice couple from San Francisco, Gayle and Eric who came to CordeValle to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary.

I knew this would play into my favor as Rich was a friendly and helping sort of guy. The type of guy anyone would want to meet and play with on a golf course. Unfortunately I was wrong, he was more relaxed and focused and he won the match 2&1.

In a little over 10 years, CordeValle has established a legacy of championship golf. In 2010, Rocco Mediate won the Frys.com Open on the PGA Tour with dramatic hole-outs each day. An ace, an eagle-2, an eagle-3 and the crescendo came on Sunday afternoon with a pitching wedge from 116 yards on the 17th for another eagle-2. The 2011 tournament won by Bryce Molder featured Tiger Woods in the field preparing for the Ryder Cup.

In 2011 CordeValle hosted the PGA Cup Matches- the PGA of America’s version of the Ryder Cup for club professionals. Next year they will host the U.S.G.A. Sr. Women’s Amateur.

A Sycamore tree large enough for Rich and I to stand inside.

Very few golf courses gain the PGA Tour, the PGA of America and the U.S.G.A.’s “stamp of approval,” especially at so young an age.

As we played along Rich and I learned Gayle and Eric were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. That got us thinking and we realized we first met as young chemical engineers working in an oil refinery in 1982.

So unexpectedly we celebrated 30 years of friendship in CordeValle style.

Perfect.

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

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

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

Filed Under: Travel Golf, West Coast USA

2012 PGA Show: Pictures, Facebook Posts, & More!!!

January 24, 2012 By admin

Day 2 PGA Show… proudly wearing my Freedom Friday shirt courtesy of the Northern Chapter of the North Florida Section of the PGA…

In Orlando for PGA Show… first stop The Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes for skins game with Binghamton Boys… who is in town for the show?

With 40,000 industry leaders, PGA Professionals and retailers from 75 countries, Andy Reistetter is at Orange County Convention Center.

Sunrise in Orlando, at PGA Show next 3 days… follow my updates on GolfWriter59 FB page and like it if u like it!!!

SRO gallery for Mr. Nicklaus and Golf 2.0 keynote presentation. More pics and storylines on my GolfWriter59 page…

Exchange of books with Billy Casper, an inspiring icon in golf and life, TROML Baby! More pics.& stories on GolfWriter59 FB page… Please go there and like it if u like it!

Something’s different at the PGA Show this year, sort of a revival feeling, hello my name is Andy, I am a PGA Professional and want to welcome you to the new game of golf- play forward, shorter courses, play 6 or 12 holes if you like, with 8 inch holes…have fun with family & friends! More on GolfWriter59 FB page…

First day coming to a close at the 2012 PGA Show with Indiana’s Chip Essig accepting the PGA Golf Professional of the Year… long 12- hour day but so inspiring it seemed lika an hour… more to come tomorrow on GolfWriter59 page.

Day 2 PGA Show… proudly wearing my Freedom Friday shirt courtesy of the Northern Chapter of the North Florida Section of the PGA…

What’s on my mind… next LPGA star… Lexi Thompson…

Exchange of books with Billy Casper, an inspiring icon in golf and life, TROML Baby! More pics.& stories on GolfWriter59 FB page… Please go there and like it if u like it!

End of Day 2 PGA Show in Orlando… Closing at Howl at the Moon with good friend Sean..

Day 3 of PGA Show, wraps up 23-1/2 hours of pure fun and good golf business… Check out GolfWritet59 FB page…

Karen Beck launching her Golf Grip product, with husband Chip, Mr. 59, 4 time PGA Tour Champion & current Champions Tour member… excellent example of women getting involved with the game of golf and making a contribution… very inspiring! Women- it’s tee time!

That is it folks, teardown time, 2012 PGA Show is over!

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Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

NE Florida: Play Golf Club of Amelia Island & Visit Fernandina Beach!

January 24, 2012 By admin

The peace & tranquility of Amelia Island….

Now that was a luxury golf trip!!!

The peace & tranquility of Amelia Island….

Time for golf!

This is going to be a fun trip! Will try to stay away from the bunkers!:-)

Great foursome, with Katharine Dyson, Bruce Vittner, & Tony Leodora — in Amelia City, Florida.

Tee shot at par-5 12th hole at GC of Amelia Island. — in Amelia City, Florida.

Approach shot on par-4 14th hole…wedge to 9 feet, made the putt for Birdie, I am a happy Golfer!

Looking back at 17th hole… — in Amelia City, Florida.

View from room at Ritz- Carlton…

Nice way to say welcome… 🙂

Thinking women would like the shopping here at the Ritz Carlton, not sure, just saying…:-) — in Amelia City, Florida.

Great foursome, with Katharine Dyson, Bruce Vittner, & Tony Leodora — in Amelia City, Florida.

New bulkhead & reshaped bunker area on par-3 5th at Golf Club of Amelia Island, this place is well maintained and in outstanding shape!

Sunday 3some with Asst. Golf Professional Eric Cannon and Golf Travel Writer Tony Leodora.

Even lunch at the turn is a gourmet sort of experience. Director of Golf John Price with Dylan and Kevin in the background.

Par-3 16th hole- one of many beautiful holes at GC of Amelia Island

On the practice facility at GC of Amelia Island with Jacksonville’s own Gator Bubba Dickerson. Hitting it so pure… 2012 will be a big year on the Nationwide Tour for the 2001 U.S. Amateur.

The Spa at the Ritz Carlton… Mr. Reistetter, Brenda is ready for you… are nice words to hear!

NO I am not the JOKER… but no joking… the gentleman’s facial was quite invigorating!

Director of PR Joe Murphy hosting a Sports Night… Patriots and Giants on their way to the Super Bowl!

NO I am not the JOKER… but no joking… the gentleman’s facial was quite invigorating!

Trolley tour of Amelia Island! Hosted by Katharina Brierton Lane and conducted by David Edwards. What interesting and educational stories- great fun!

Sadly the end of my stay at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island came to an end… with Director of S&M Stephen Deucker, GM Jim McManemon and Director of PR Joe Murphy.

On Board with Captain McCarthy for Amelia River cruise… he took us into Georgian waters… Back home this afternoon… Leave for PGA Show in Orlando on Wednesday… — in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

With Tom Bedell who is a golf and beer writer! After a fabulous lunch at Karibrew Brew Pub.

More pics that go along with the above captions!

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

Play the Slammer & Squire, then visit the World Golf Hall of Fame!

January 24, 2012 By admin

Playing with 67-year old Camilo Villegas… a.k.a Charlie Novitske…

Playing Slammer & Squire… par-3 7th is a spectacular Redan…

Visiting World Golf Hall of Fame with good friend & fellow Binghamtonian Charlie Novitske…

OMG IMAX is so inspiring… yes the technology but more so the storylines… saw Legends if Flight and Rescue… When did the birds start to come out of the screen and fly out over the audience? Soooo cool!

Playing Slammer & Squire… par-3 7th is a spectacular Redan…

Visiting World Golf Hall of Fame with good friend & fellow Binghamtonian Charlie Novitske…

OMG IMAX is so inspiring... yes the technology but more so the storylines... saw Legends if Flight and Rescue... When did the birds start to come out of the screen and fly out over the audience? Soooo cool!

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

The Ritz-Carlton, Golf and a Tour of Historic Amelia Island

January 23, 2012 By admin

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter continues his exclusive “Play-Write” series with an extended stay at the Ritz-Carlton and a few rounds of golf at the Golf Club of Amelia Island. Perhaps to some vacation travelers, Amelia Island is a hidden piece of the coastal Northeast Florida treasure map. For those in the know, “putting” on the greens of the Golf Club of Amelia Island while staying at the Ritz-Carlton is the ultimate double eagle — the new generation “putting on the Ritz!” Join Reistetter as he experiences golf and luxury in one of the truly pristine areas of the Southeastern United States.

Hosted the Champions’ Tour 1999 Legends of Golf.

A gentleman named Ritz opened the first Ritz Hotel in London in 1905.

At the time he set the “swanky standard” for a hotel with a kitchen on each floor so room-service meals could be served course by course.

Another gentleman named Jim McManemon was part of the Ritz-Carlton team that opened up the Amelia Island property over twenty years ago.

Now having come back home as the General Manager, the Jim Valvano—like natural leader and his incredibly talented team will make an impact on you the moment you walk in the front door to this oceanfront resort.

Whether you come with friends, family or by yourself, your visit to the Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton will be memorable for all the right reasons.

SALT

Creativity is the hallmark of any dynamic venture and you will find it with the theme restaurant and lounge aptly named SALT.

Salt is the only rock people consume, yet we forget how precious it is in terms of the ocean, salt marshes, and cuisine.

A meal in SALT is extraordinary yet educational. Like a lot of our commercial food, common salt is stripped of everything good before it reaches our dining room tables but not at the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island.

The AAA Five Diamond restaurant utilizes 52 different types of natural salts from all over the world: Croatian salt from the Adriatic Sea, ancient salt from the Himalayan Mountains, and BBQ infused salt derived in part from the wood of apple trees from the American Northwest.

Each signature dish is “simple elements from the earth and sea, properly seasoned and artfully prepared.”

That’s Andy in the Spa!

Near the end of a six year, 55 million dollar renovation, all of the Ritz Carlton facility, including the area’s largest conference facilities, are exquisite and unsurpassed in quality and functionality.

Open the door to your room and its new decor take you from a dark mahogany wood floor that simulates brown reeds, to a wind-swept sandy carpet, to the dramatic ocean view through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

You will want to spend more time in the elegant marble bathrooms and lounge around in your plush bathrobe.

Once you come out of your room, deciding which way to exit the lobby can be perplexing.

Does one head out to the sandy beach for relaxation or towards the sandy white bunkers of the “nearby” golf course for recreation?

Signature par-3 16th hole, right after memorable par-5 15th.

“Nearby” is an understatement. As Johnny Miller would say on television it’s a simple “slice” lag putt from the front door of the Ritz Carlton to the house of the Golf Club of Amelia Island.

As golfing experiences go, this one is world class, yet unique.

Jacksonville native and PLAYERS champion Mark McCumber, along with golfing great “Gene the Machine” Littler, designed two golfing experiences into one.

Though the fairways are wide throughout the course, the first nine feels tighter with lakes and majestic live oaks defining fairways and guarding the opening to greens.

The second nine is more open as it meanders out towards the ocean through marshes.

The brilliance of the McCumber-Littler design literally peaks and speaks for itself on the strategic par-5 15th hole.

Like classic holes of the Golden Era, there are important decisions to be made, risks to be analyzed, and rewards to be seized.

The inviting experience culminates at a perched green complex at the closest point to the ocean on the golf course.

So close in fact, you can hear the surf while you are putting. No need to hush the ocean as its rhythmic tones may improve your putting stroke.

Legends of Golf autographed portrait.

The Golf Club of Amelia Island is a very scenic and playable course yet has challenging competitive shot values. When the World Golf Hall of Fame’s Slammer & Squire course was not yet ready to go, the Champions Tour came here to stage their Legends of Golf tournament in 1999.

Golfing legends Charles Coody and Dale Douglas teamed up to win both the Legends (over 40 years of age) and Legendary (ages 50 to 69) while Joe Jimenez and Charlie Sifford won the Demaret Division (over 70).

Like the family atmosphere at the Ritz Carlton, it is likely that you will be greeted at the turn by Director of Golf John Price just to see how you are enjoying your day.

Ask John to show you his autographed poster from the Legends event — talk about capturing golf history!

Afterwards, if you choose to hit a bucket of balls like me, you may run into professional golfer Bubba Dickerson at the practice facility.

You really can’t beat this golfing experience!

The Clubhouse is a lag putt away from the front door of the Ritz-Carlton.

Or the Spa experience, where afterwards you can extend the treatment as warm water is cascading down on your shoulders in the signature whirlpool.

Or the romantic beach fire near the dunes for couples complete with s’mores, hot chocolate, and a warm blanket if needed.

Or the Ritz Kids programs with island adventure themes: ocean tides, native birds, sea turtles, scavenger hunts, and of course sharks and pirates!

There many options throughout the day for as many days as you like.

The Ritz-Carlton is synergistic with the Fernandina Beach community of Amelia Island.

Whether it’s a narrated trolley tour around town with guides David and Ellen Edwards or an Amelia River tour with Captain Kevin McCarthy, educational and recreational opportunities abound.

Here with Billy Burbank, an American business success icon.

Our trolley stopped by to visit with Billy Burbank at his manufacturing facility. Hear an inspiring American success story first hand from a “good young guy” who transformed a family business from fishing nets to state-of-the-art sports nets.

If you sat in really good seats behind home plate at a Major League baseball game, it was Billy’s nets that protected you.

Have a shrimp cocktail or fish sandwich during your visit to Amelia Island and it was Billy’s nets that captured your seafood with an innovative design that safely released any sea turtles that might have been caught.

Feel the wind and sudden temperature drop as Captain McCarthy swings you out a bit into the Atlantic Ocean to get an encompassing look at Fort Clinch.

On the way back, see the never touched wild horses roaming on the shores of Cumberland Island.

Amelia Island is tranquility. Photo courtesy of Hayworth Creative.

Saddle up and enjoy a horseback ride along pristine shores.

Paddle for pleasure with egrets, herons, a dolphin, manatee, or sea turtle, while exploring the tranquil salt marsh of the Talbot Islands State Park and Timucuan Preserve.

Back on land, Fort Clinch comes to life with period actors depicting military life in the 19th century. Hikers and bicyclists can enjoy a six-mile trail with remarkable views of some of the biggest sand dunes in the state of Florida.

Amelia Island is a special destination for families, and those who visit are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

While convenient to reach it remains a hidden piece of the coastal Northeast Florida treasure map.

Only fifteen minutes from Interstate 95 and thirty minutes from the Jacksonville International Airport, it is less than a six-hour drive from Miami and Charlotte and only five hours from Atlanta.

There are many special events to schedule your trip around including one within view of the Ritz-Carlton on the fairways of the Golf Club of Amelia Island.

Whether it’s the highly acclaimed Shrimp Festival in April (remember Fernandina Beach is the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry) or Blues Festival in September or Jazz in October, this is a place you want to come and visit to relax and to be entertained.

With “Jimmy Mc M” (Suit) and Stephen Deucker (left, Dir. of Sales & Marketing) and Joe Murphy (Right, Director of Public Relations).

The upcoming Concours d’Elegance car show on March 9th through the 11th rivals the one in Pebble Beach, California as the best in the world.

The gala gathering of prestigious cars dates back to 17th Century French aristocracy parading their horse-drawn carriages in the parks of Paris and literally takes place on the 10th and 18th fairways.

From sunrise beach activities to dancing the night away in the Lobby Lounge, the Ritz-Carlton and Golf Club of Amelia Island bring “Putting on the Ritz” back into style.

Enjoy your visit and be sure to say hello to “Jimmy Mc M” for me!

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

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

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

Filed Under: East Coast Golf Journey, Travel Golf

Mom & Coach Changing Junior Golf Around the World

January 19, 2012 By admin

By Andy Reistetter, 1/9/12

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter lives in the Golf Capital of the World. Northeast Florida is normally known as the home of the PGA TOUR and THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass and the World Golf Hall of Fame. Now a World Junior Golf Series event staged on the Ocean Course at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club further validates that designation. Read along with Reistetter as he discovers the event and the Mom and Coach behind it that together are changing the face and heart of Junior Golf worldwide.

The Olympic Torch touched golf in the UK in 2012. Golf will be an Olympic Sport in 2016. Photo Credit: LOCOG/Getty Images

The World Junior Golf Series (WJGS) found a permanent home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida with the playing of the 2011 Gate American Junior, a three-round competition that ended two days before Christmas.

America’s “strongest junior event” came of age in its third rendition featuring 15 nations, 74 golfers and an organization with leaders determined to change the experience of junior golf.

It all started 10 years ago in Germany with a mother seeking to improve the junior golf experience of her son.

Then an American coach worked with her son and together they realized a unique way to drive junior golf to higher goals both on and off the golf course.

A mother and daughter from Germany in NE Florida for the 2012 WJGS event.

The Gate American Junior was the last of four WJGS events staged in 2011. The other three were in Germany, South Africa and Poland.

Overall the best juniors in the world from 27 countries have competed and there are plans to add six more events to the schedule.

Truly a world initiative only 12 of the 74 golfers were from the United States and the U.S. did not have the largest contingent of players. That distinction went to Germany with 17 golfers.

The PGA TOUR’s Ty Votaw gave the keynote speech at the Opening Ceremony.

Votaw is the person who led an international delegation that recently gained consensus to get golf back in the Olympics in 2016 in Rio de Janiero and then again in 2020.

The last time golf was in the world’s biggest athletic event was 112 years ago.

Great players like Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Greg Norman did not have an opportunity to play in the Olympics.

Ironically, as Votaw pointed out, 77 players competed back in 1904 in St. Louis, 74 from the U.S.A. and 3 from Canada and a Canadian George Lyon won.

Votaw is the person who led an international delegation that recently gained consensus to get golf back in the Olympics in 2016 in Rio de Janiero and then again in 2020. Photo Credit: Google Images

Votaw looked out over the sea of young faces and wondered aloud who in the room would aspire, prepare and participate in the Olympics perhaps in 2016 but more likely in 2020.

The former LPGA Commissioner spoke of the high standards and values in golf and the ability for competitors to shake hands and congratulate each other afterwards as he noted the mission of the WJGS.

“I have great respect for what the WJGS is doing not only in terms of providing top flight competition for junior players from around the world but doing it in such a way that it benefits you (the junior golfer) to the fullest so that you are reminded in everything you do of the inherent values that golf brings to your lives and you make our sport better by living those values every single day.”

The mother in this story is Dr. Susanna Rosswag from Germany, also affectionately known as “she that must be obeyed.”

The coach who came to the aid of the mother’s son was Ponte Vedra Beach’s own Tom Burnett whose namesake Golf Academy is located in Northeast Florida at the St. Johns Golf & Country Club.

WJGS founders America’s Tom Burnett and Germany’s Dr. Susanna Rosswag.

The link that happened over ten years ago between the Mom and the Coach was Warren Jacklin, son of World Golf Hall of Famer Tony Jacklin.

Warren and Tom met each other and played golf together at nearby Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ).

Susanna, born in Hungary honored the junior competitors at the Opening Ceremonies by noting that each one of them is a winner already.

She then impeccably pronounced each name to insure each person was warmly welcomed by the audience.

There were juniors with names like Thailand’s Kanan Saksricharoen, Hungary’s Csilla Lajtai Rozsa and Iceland’s Hjorleifur Bergsteinsson which showed the rich diversity of the Gate American field.

Dr. Rosswag went on to note “this is a competition which asks you to perform to your very best because you are competing among the best, but the real competition is from within yourself.”

She urged each participant that when they are walking the fairways together, to enjoy each other’s company and to make friends because “having friends in the world is the best insurance in life.”

Coach Burnett is as passionate as Mother Susanna when it comes to improving junior golf.

His focus is not only improving the students he teaches but on the tournaments in which they compete.

ife is a journey and sometimes golf is what takes us there... a mother and son from South Africa, visiting America for the first time to play in the 2011 WJGS event.

Life is a journey and sometimes golf is what takes us there… a mother and son from South Africa, visiting America for the first time to play in the 2011 WJGS event.

The WJGS ranks tournaments in addition to players.

All this happened with the input of Steve Mona, the CEO of the World Golf Foundation, the nonprofit organization that runs the First Tee, Golf 20/20 and the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Tournaments are ranked for their demonstrated commitment to the WJGS player-centric, holistic and unifying philosophy and not the strength of their field.

Simply put the WJGS wants to develop junior golfers both as athletes and future leaders.

Key tournament criteria are inclusion of girls and boys (ages 12 to 19), high community involvement in terms of volunteer-to-player ratio and no charges to the competitor for golf fees, meals and accommodations.

In addition no more than 65% of the participants can come from the host country and at least nine countries must be represented.

The kids attend educational seminars on life skills, health, nutrition, mental and physical fitness and even college selection.

Burnett’s holistic approach includes the involvement of his family in running the tournament. His wife Jennifer was inside the media center while his father-in-law and 11-year old daughter were taking scores at the 18th green.

With a range full of juniors, the Burnett six-year-old kid takes the stage front and center!

Most delightful and entertaining was his youngest 6-year old son seeking balls on the range and hitting some great shots amidst the world’s best junior golfers.

As Burnett puts it “if you run the best tournaments then the best kids will come.”

By the way the best college coaches came from everywhere- California, Texas, the Midwest, to see these juniors play golf.

The 2012 Gate American Junior was personally hosted by Herb Peyton at his world class Ponte Vedra Inn & Club resort.

Peyton, a larger-than-life figure in the Jacksonville area and nearly 80 years old at the time briefly addressed the youngsters at the Opening Ceremonies.

Herb Peyton “whistled without moving his mouth” much to the delight and amusement of the youngsters. Photo Credit: Google Images

In his youthful manner, the founder of Gate Petroleum pointed out that the juniors’ golf game may be better that his but there was one talent he had that they did not possess.

He then demonstrated that talent by “whistling without moving his mouth” much to the delight and amusement of the youngsters.

Even Votaw noted that he never would have imagined witnessing such a thing when he woke up that morning.

Like the 2016 Olympics, the WJGS embrace female and male golfers playing on the same golf course. In Ponte Vedra Beach there were 27 girls and 47 boys competing in the Gate American Junior.

Austria’s Marina Stuetz shot a one-under 71 on the final day to hold off Denmark’s Nicole Broch Larsen and win the girls title.

The boys’ event featured an exciting finish with America’s Cody Proveaux winning over Poland’s Adrian Meronk with a birdie on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff.

As the Mother puts it, the WJGS is “running tournaments with love.”

The Coach puts it as “bringing the love back to the game.”

Likely in 4-1/2 years we might see one of their WJGS kids as an Olympic athlete in Rio de Janiero and not be surprised as she or he changes the world in their lifetime like their Mother and Coach have.

Hungary’s Daniel Kovari (white) chatting it up with eventual winner USA’s Cory Proveaux after the second round on the range.

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

Reistetter resides within two miles of the PGA TOUR headquarters and 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 by e-mailing him at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: People in Golf

2011 (July thru December) Year in Review- 15 Pictures & 15 Stories!

December 31, 2011 By admin

2011 (July thru December) Year in Review- 15 Pictures & 15 Stories!

or Charlie Sheen with his latest fling…
Champions event in my hometown…. the Triple Cities- Binghamton, Johnson City and Endicott, New York!
Dreams within Reach down by the Beach! I would have to agree and I am going to reach a little further the rest of the year to grasp them completely!
Love this perspective! First time I ever saw TGIF this way! Thanks to my new golf friend from Romania!
or someone with Rory McIlroy hair…
Love Rag Time… never know who you will meet there… here’s me with Sarah Palin and her dude guy…
… or a good buddy named Tommy!
Played Valley on Sunday 9-11-11, 10 year anniversary of 9-11… no bets, enjoyed friendship and celebrated what America means… freedom and democracy and great respect for the fallen heros of 9-11… nice touch of remembrance of 9-11 with TPC Sawgrass flags…
My new golfing buddies!
Colonial Williamsburg on a golf trip to the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club…
Autumn in Colonial Williamsburg on a beautiful summer-like day!
Found a BIG shark’s tooth… 2011 will go down as my first full yeabeach living at the beach and learning to find these treasures from the depths of the ocean..
Howl at the Moon… one of my favorite places in Orlando!
Celebrating the Christmas season at “my home near by my home-” the Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass
Don’t we have something backwards at times in this world? Maybe it will take a revolution inside each of us to make it right…

[Show slideshow]

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf