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Tiger Woods: The New Golfer Is Back To Play Next Week at Torrey Pines (2011)

January 20, 2011 By admin

Tiger Woods made a fine start to his 2011 PGA Tour campaign in California at Torrey Pines. Photo Credit Google Images

Make no mistake about it; Tiger Woods is back and ready to be the No.1 golfer in the world.

Yes he came back for the first time at the Masters last year but this time he is ready to play golf.

All you need to do is check out his finish last year.

Playoff Round one at the Barclays: Tiger shot a final-round 4-under 67 to finish T12 and jump from No. 112 to No. 65 in the FedExCup standings to advance to the 100-player field at the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Playoff Round two at the Deutsche Bank: Tiger closed with three consecutive rounds in the 60s to finish T12 and get to No.51 to advance to the 70-player field at the BMW Championship.

Playoff Round three at the BMW Championship: Tiger finished T15 and moved to No. 42 in the FedExCup standings but did not advance to the 30-player field at THE TOUR Championship.

At the Ryder Cup, Tiger had the best record (3-1-0, 3.0 Pts) of the Captain Corey Pavin’s wild-card selections. Steve Stricker (3-1-0) was the only other U.S. player to match Woods/ point total.

Woods finished T6 at the World Golf Championship in China.

“That’s just the way it is,” Woods said. “I didn’t play well early in the year, and I didn’t play well in the middle of the year.”

Translation: I am playing well now and wait until next year!

Well, to the Top-150 on the 2010 Money List, the 25 graduates of the Nationwide Tour and the 27 Q-School survivors… next year is now!

Woods, the man with the highest priority ranking (71 victories including 14 majors) is in the field at next week’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines where he won his last major in the 2008 U.S. Open.

Woods has dominated at Torrey Pines over the course of his career.

Remember “horses for courses!”

If Woods is in the field that means someone else is out of the field with no chance to compete or win.

Forget all the stuff in the press since his impressive playoff, Ryder Cup and WGC performance to end the year.

Failed to win on the PGA TOUR for the first time last year in his 15-year career dating back to 1996- forget it.

Lee Westwood overtook Tiger as the World No. 1 golfer at the end of 2010- forget it.

Failed to convert a four-stroke third round lead over Graeme McDowell into victory at the 2010 Chevron World Challenge in early December- forget it.

Woods had a cortisone shot in his right ankle after he finished playing for the year- forget it.

Tiger Woods’s endorsement deal with Gillette and monthly column for Golf Digest ended at the end of the year–forget it.

All those events are in the past.

What is in the future is a new Tiger Woods, fully adjusted to his new life situation, prepared and hungry to dominate the world golf stage once again.

As the PGA TOUR.com website states:

“Results for Tiger Woods will be available after his first 2011 event.”

Stay tuned!

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

2011 PGA TOUR Week 2: Wilson Coming off the Island with a Win!

January 16, 2011 By admin

Mark Wilson, the professional golfer—not Wilson the volleyball from Tom Hanks’ Cast Away movie—is coming home from the Hawaiian Islands with the 2011 SONY Open trophy in his possession.

Mark Wilson Sony Open Winner 2011 Photo Credit: Google Images

Wilson has now won in each of the last three odd years: 2007 (Honda Classic), 2009 (Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun) and now 2011.

No worries since each win came with a two year exemption to bridge him to his next win.

For the man who cites Ben Hogan as his hero, he too is hawk-like with steely determination whether it counts or does not count.

Though previously exempt for this year, Wilson recorded only his second Top-10 last year at the season’s final event at Disney and jumped from outside the Top-125 at No. 140 to inside the number at No. 123.

After all Wilson is the guy who went to 10 straight Q-Schools before that first victory in 2007.

With the first round a complete washout on Thursday, a 36-hole Sunday shootout was necessitated to get the tournament in with the five-round Bob Hope Classic starting on Wednesday.

In fact 57 players made the cut and were at most only seven strokes back starting off on the final day.

At the 1927 Seth Raynor designed Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Mark Wilson, the 36-year-old Chicagoan remained calm and cool and collected the winning paycheck of $990,000.

He went bogey-free for 36 holes on the Sunday finale posting 65-67 to beat 2010 PLAYERS champion Tim Clark and yet-to-win on the PGA TOUR Steve Marino.

Last week was tournament champions’ week on Maui with Jonathan Byrd earning a return trip to the 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

Wilson won the show this week and a trip to Kapalua next year.

The week was billed as the debut of the rookies of the PGA TOUR.

This year’s class of rookies numbers 35 and ranks among the youngest in PGA TOUR history.

There are 29 rookies under the age of 30, of which 15 are 25 years of age or younger.

Nine of the rookies have never even played in a PGA TOUR event.

Georgia’s Chris Kirk, age 25, finished 6-under par in T30 position and led the contingent of 27 rookies that made it into the field.

Bio Kim, the youngest rookie at age 20 shot 73-67 and missed the cut by 3 strokes in his very first PGA TOUR event.

Joseph Bramlett, the second-youngest member of the 2011 rookie class with two previous PGA TOUR starts made the cut but did not play the final two rounds on Sunday as the field was reduced due to sunlight restrictions. He is the first black golfer to advance through Q-school since Adrian Stills in 1985.

Jamie Lovemark, the Nationwide Tour champion shot 72-70 and like Bio Kim missed the cut by three strokes in his 14th career PGA TOUR event.

To balance out the youth, veteran Champions Tour player Dave Eichelberger shot his age of 67 at the Aloha Section PGA Professional Championship to earn a spot in the field. Playing in his combined 1,247th PGA TOUR/Champions start (second only to Miller Barber’s 1,292 starts) Eichelberger missed the cut by 15 strokes but bested rookie Kevin Kisner playing in his maiden event.

The week started with Dustin Johnson withdrawing for personal reasons only days after his relationship with Natalie Gulbis became public news. Maybe the “Bam & Sham” show did not go over so well back home?

Johnson has since said he is not in a relationship with Gulbis or anyone for that matter.

Last rookie Jim Renner took Ricky Barnes spot in the field and shot 69-70 making the cut but not finishing like Bramlett. Barnes No. 43 on last year’s Money List cited a back injury as the reason for his decision to withdraw.

Make a note that in the first full-field event of the 2011 PGA TOUR season 8 rookies who earned their card for 2011 did not earn the right to put a peg in the ground.

Once play finally started on Friday, Stuart Appleby returned to using the putter that made him the most recent “Mr. 59” and led the field posting a 6-under 64. Wilson shot 65 along with 8 other guys.

At the end of Saturday’s Round Two it was Shigeki Maruyama playing with a yellow ball and Appleby tied at 10-under two strokes ahead of the field.

Maruyama was seeking his fourth PGA TOUR win, and first since the 2003 Wyndham Championship, a span of 171 TOUR starts.

The unusual cut was to the closest to the number 60 to get 36 holes in between the Hawaiian sunrise at 7:12 a.m. and sunset at 6:11 p.m.

A total of 68 golfers would have made the cut if it came at 2-under.

The number of players at three under or better was 57 and since that number is closer to 60 than 68 that is where the play cut came.

The 11 players at two under and 16 more at one under technically made the cut receiving prize money and FedExCup points but did not finish (MDF).

A normal cut to the low 70 and ties would have come at one under with 84 players advancing though another cut would have come after 54 holes.

The reality is that the 27 MDF players lost their chance to win or improve over final two rounds.

In the Sunday morning third round Mark Wilson posted a five under 65 to move to 13-under with a one-stroke lead over Marino and a two-stroke gap over Jimmy Walker, Matt Kuchar and Appleby.

With no repairing of groups after the third round- the “final” foursome of Maruyama (70 in third round), Appleby (69) and Thatcher (68) were never in contention.

The excitement of the final round fell to the “next to last” pairing of Wilson (65), Kuchar (66) and Marino (66).

The wildcard in the fourth round was Clark who went off the back nine early and posted 66-64 to be the leader in the clubhouse at 14-under.

The South African finished strong with a birdie on No. 6 (his 15th hole) to get within three strokes. Then he nearly aced the par-three seventh with the tap-in deuce narrowing the gap to two strokes.

Clark birdied the par five ninth to narrow Wilson’s lead to one stroke.

Wilson after starting the final round with a two under front side continued to make pars with the slimmest of leads and no one left on the course making a charge.

After he bunkered his tee shot short left on the par three 17th Wilson drained the remaining 12-footer for par. Knowing he had only the short par five 18th left and a two-stroke lead over Marino this was the putt for the win and after making it, he accentuated the perfect stroke with a fist pump.

Marino trying to make eagle to tie the lead with a Wilson par, hit a miraculous second shot on 18. With his feet in the bunker and the ball in the rough at the height of his waist he reached the green in two strokes.

Marino failed to make the long eagle putt and Wilson made a short putt for birdie for the two-stroke win.

Marino continues to search of his first PGA TOUR win after this his third career runner-up finish in the last four seasons.

“I’m just tickled to death,” was Wilson’s response after his win in a Monday playoff at the 2007 Honda Classic even though that win did not receive an automatic invite to Augusta National nor did the opposite-field Mayakoba win.

I wonder what he will feel like when he plays in his very first Masters in 12 weeks.

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer covering all four major American golf tours- the PGA TOUR, Champions, Nationwide and LPGA Tours.

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

Nancy Lopez: CORPORATE LEADERSHIP Inspired by the Game of Golf (Exclusive Series)

January 15, 2011 By admin

"Nancy Lopez: Pride, Passion, Personality," Photo Credit: St. Augustine Record

Nancy Lopez’s exhibit “Pride, Passion, Personality” opened up on January 15th, 2011 at the World Golf Hall of Fame. Photo Credit: St. Augustine Record

This is the 7th article in an exclusive leadership series. The author Andy Reistetter shares his insight on how professional golfers, competition and the game of golf can be utilized inside corporations to dynamically develop corporate leadership and culture.

This is the first LPGA player to be featured in the series and rightly so after the author attended the formal opening of her special exhibit “Pride, Passion & Personality on Saturday, January 15th at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida.

Reistetter has written two books- one on inspirational leadership called “The Approach” and the other on inspiration living called “Love, The Rest of My Life (TROML) & The Pursuit of Eternity.” Both books are available by emailing AndyReistetter@gmail.com.

As stated in the very first article in this series- “CORPORATE LEADERSHIP Inspired by The Game of Golf” has three tenets—look to the game of golf and professional tour competitions for inspiring leadership; develop your own unique corporate culture; and implement dynamic systems to insure talent is developed and in the right place at the right time to lead throughout your organization.

Beginning with our mothers we all have been impacted by the strong leadership of women in our lives. In the corporate and political world, women of this and the previous generation have made tremendous contributions, especially in America.

The game of golf is no different. That I know today after attending the formal opening of the Nancy Lopez special exhibit “Pride, Passion & Personality” at the World Golf Hall of Fame.

I went hoping to ask Nancy Lopez one question: When was the exact moment in your life when you realized that your “raison d’être” was something more than winning golf tournaments on the LPGA tour?

After the hour long question-and-answer session conducted by the Hall’s Chief Operating Officer Jack Peter there was no need to ask the question.

Nancy Lopez is a natural leader and likely started to give back to other human beings and the game of golf the day she was born.

Listening to her answer over 20 questions ranging from personal to professional to the future of the LPGA tour one could only think of the word “genuine” to describe this “first lady of golf,” a true humanitarian and ambassador of good will.

Nancy is trying to help the LPGA sell itself to the corporate world in terms of sponsoring golf tournaments.

I think the corporate world should look to Nancy in terms of what real leadership is and what real leadership is needed especially in these trying economic times.

I flashed back to my corporate days when after we became a freshly spun-off company of our own the CEO addressed the management team.

With great unknowns and anxiety permeating the company he transformed the meeting into a question-and-answer session.

Of course nobody had the intestinal fortitude to ask any questions so he turned his chair around, turned the tables on us and started to ask questions to people in the audience.

He asked us the exact questions that were on our minds and expected real and honest responses.

I knew that day he was a natural leader and that our new company would be fine.

That same feeling occurred to me this afternoon with Nancy Lopez up on the stage in the founding partner Shell’s Hall among the bronze portraits of the 130 members of the most prestigious award in all of golf.

This lady was wise in the ways of the world from a very young age.

When asked what was the “tipping point” in terms of deciding to become a professional golfer she spoke about the experience of competing as an amateur at age 15 in the U.S. Women’s Open.

What she recalls is thinking about whether or not the professional lady golfers were truly happy.

Yes, coming from a humble beginning (only in terms of economics) Lopez was impressed by the nice clothes, new shoes and free golf balls but her assessment was to be against a higher standard not necessarily an obvious or visible one.

A natural leader sets high standards with the right basis and realizes that when helping others to succeed you are really helping yourself to succeed.

The question is not how to get a bigger piece of a shrinking pie… the question is how do we make the pie bigger?

Lopez recalled winning Pee Wee golf championships by 100 strokes yet with empathy she would fluff up the grass and place her competitors’ balls on top to improve their lies and their chances.

She recalls in her younger years making 15s on a difficult par-5 and determinedly telling her father “I know I can make a 10.”

Most every champion and natural leader comes from rather ordinary places. It is their spirit and perspective of life that enables their talent to emerge within themselves and later on impacting others.

When talking about the mechanics of putting she spoke of consistent ball speed off the face of the putter to be the key to learning how to adeptly judge the amount of break in a putt.

Though on second thought, the simplicity within her competitive spirit is inspiring.

“There are only two choices with a putt- you either make it or you miss it. Why not choose to make it?”

The reality is that this Hall of Famer chose to live life her way, which may be the secret for all of us- follow a process for the rest of your life, not copy-cat someone else.

Choose to make your life truly unique and personally fulfilling.

Lopez said Lee Trevino gave her the most valuable golf tip, which really turned out to be a life tip.

While Lopez was still a young amateur with an “unorthodox” swing, the legendary Lee Trevino came to Roswell, New Mexico to give a golf clinic.

After seeing the young kid swing, the Merry Mex told her “if it stops working then change it, if it doesn’t keep swinging (that way).”

There are many unorthodox swingers in the Hall of Fame including Lee Trevino and Nancy Lopez. My bet is that you will see some more, namely Jim Furyk and John Daly in there one day as well.

Lopez was self taught with her only instructor or swing coach, in modern terms, being her father.

His advice was simple.

“When I was 7, my father put a club in my hand and said, ‘Put the ball in the hole.'”

She practiced and figured it out on her own.

Back then the players were true “shot-makers,” versus today “a lot of clubs hit the shot for the pros.” There was no lob wedge back then so one needed to improvise with an open faced wedge.

Natural leaders are honest and forthright even in personal and sensitive areas.

The only thing that “Wonder Women Nancy” could not do was win a U.S. Women’s Open. She finished second four times- twice before her amazing rookie year.

Who could forget the last time in 1997 when she became the first golfer to score in the 60s for all four rounds, yet she still lost to Alison Nicholas on the final hole at Oregon’s Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.

Today, Nancy revealed the real reason why she never won a U.S. Women’s Open championship.

It was a wardrobe malfunction- a faulty zipper.

In 1977, playing in her first professional event, Lopez was competing with Hollis Stacy down the stretch at Hazeltine National GC.

She busted her plastic zipper in her pants so that it would not stay up.

She could not bend down to read the putts. There was no way she was going to show her underwear to a national television audience or any audience for that matter.

Natural leaders know when to be themselves. Humor reduces tension, puts people at ease so that the real issues can be put on the table and resolved.

Lopez has long gotten over any competitive disappointment in her life and she never forgot her upbringing.

In the midst of her sensational rookie 5-win streak Lopez knew Lopez: “I’ve always wanted to play well without it going to my head. I have seen other athletes get good and change. Because of my mother and father I do not want to change. They never put themselves above anyone else.”

Or forgotten her life experiences- one which occurred at an early age when her father took her to see her golfing hero at the Glen Campbell Los Angeles Open at the famed Riviera CC.

She stood in line like the couple of kids before her patiently waiting for the golfer to come out and sign autographs.

He came out and when the first -in-line kid asked politely for an autograph he abruptly responded “No, I don’t have time for this,” and walked away.

“He made me feel horrible and he wasn’t even talking to me.”

A classy lady, she is unwilling to specify the name of the golfer.

While admittedly a professional golfer cannot literally sign every autograph, Lopez is the Arnold Palmer of the ladies tour for doing it thoroughly and with readability.

Though like all natural leaders there is a sense to her disciple in the most trying of times.

Play poorly, sign more autographs as it will help your game.

Her perspective is that her fans have done more for her throughout her career than she has done for them.

They are always cheering even if she is not winning or playing well.

She counsels today’s golfers that if it is a bad day “do not take it out on your fans.”

Sign those autographs because after signing them and receiving so many positives, so many pats on the back, so many gestures to keep going that it will change your attitude improving the effectiveness of your post-round practice session.

That’s why Lopez played in her favorite place last year at the LPGA Championship presented by Wegmans at Locust Hill in Rochester, New York.

You give back yet receive more.

This afternoon started with a “Welcome, Nancy Lopez” and then a standing ovation that made my skin tingle.

After the show was over, the stage being torn down, and the chairs removed there was Nancy Lopez with her last admiring fan taking that last picture and signing that last autograph.

Applause permeated the special Nancy Lopez day at the Hall of Fame and ended with some moisture in the eyes knowing the spirit of the game is alive and well.

A natural leader.

Corporate America, come Monday morning, you should be calling Nancy Lopez to capture a terrific and money-making leadership style and sponsoring an LPGA tournament!

PLEASE NOTE 1: The first six articles in the series:

The first article (published 1/4/10) introduces and explains the three tenets of “CORPORATE LEADERSHIP Inspired by the Game of Golf.”

The second article (published 2/22/10) highlights the accomplishments of Tiger Woods on the golf course and how financial results are the heart beat of any organization whether for profit or for charity.

The third article (published 3/7/10) highlights the attitudes of PGA TOUR players Graeme McDowell, Ernie Els, and Camilo Villegas and defines the objective of “CORPORATE LEADERSHIP Inspired by the Game of Golf” as sort of a “First Tee for Adults at Work.”

The fourth article (published 3/15/10) showcases Ernie Els and his WGC win at the TPC Blue Monster at Doral while comparing key elements of a successful player and a leader in a dynamic corporate setting.

The fifth article (published 4/19/10) showcases Jim Furyk after his second win of the year at the Heritage while challenging the reader to “see beyond what seems to be” when it comes to leadership traits.

The sixth article (published 5/19/10) showcases Byron Nelson who is a legend in the game of golf. It speaks to the power of a natural leader who like Nelson attracts followers whether or not in a position with organizational authority. The concepts of upward coaching and inversion are introduced and explained.

PLEASE NOTE 2: For clarification purposes this series of informative articles is NOT officially licensed with or being promoted by the PGA TOUR. “CORPORATE LEADERSHIP Inspired by The Game of Golf” is just that—an inspired type of leadership and corporate culture based on the game of golf and exemplified by golfers competing in professional golf competitions.

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer that spends his time on all four major American golf tours- the PGA TOUR, Champions, Nationwide and LPGA Tours.

Reistetter resides in Pont Vedra Beach, Florida near the PGA TOUR headquarters and home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

Filed Under: Featured People, Hickory Golf, People in Golf

Nancy Lopez Exhibit Opens in the World Golf Hall of Fame (Jan. 10, 2011)

January 10, 2011 By admin

Remember 1978 when Jimmy Carter was president, Annie Hall won Best Picture and Pete Rose had a base hit for the 3,000th time?

Or, like me, do you remember the debut of a feisty young golfer on the LPGA Tour named Nancy Lopez?

World Golf Hall of Fame member Nancy Lopez poses in front of her mural leading her ‘Personality, Pride, Passion” exhibit. Photo Credit: St. Augustine Record

Her splash was immense, though her waves continue to roll throughout the golfing industry.

Of course with nine wins that first year she won “Rookie of the Year,” but did you know she also won the Money Title, Vare Trophy (for lowest scoring average) and Player of the Year honors?

No one other than Nancy Lopez has ever done that.

At age 22, she was and is the fastest to ever win 10 times.

At age 23, she was and is the fastest to ever to win 20 times.

No one has ever beaten her five consecutive LPGA victories that rookie season. Annika Sorenstam is the only one to match that feat in 2005.

With 48 career titles including three majors, four “Player of the Year” awards and three Vare trophies it is no wonder Lopez was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1987.

Fellow Hall-of-Famer Judy Rankin quipped at the time, “They’ve got the wrong person playing Wonder Woman (on the popular late 70s CBS television series).”

The only thing that “Wonder Nancy” could not do was win a U.S. Women’s Open. She finished second four times—twice before that amazing rookie year.

“Even my dad said, ‘Maybe you’re not supposed to win the U.S. Open,’ Lopez said that day in 1997. “’And I told him, ‘No, dad, I’m going to win this someday.’”

Lopez turned 54 earlier this month. While she might not have won a U.S. Open she could have wrote the lyrics to Frank Sinatra’s song “I did it my way.”

She reduced her playing schedule and kept winning tournaments over the span of eight years when she delivered three daughters into the world.

In fact, she won three times during the years her daughters were born and her last win in 1997 was six years after the birth of her youngest child.

No wonder the powers that be in the golf world decided to feature Lopez in a special exhibit at the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Lopez is the first woman to be so honored at the Hall of Fame joining the male legends Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Bob Hope.

Lopez’s “Pride, Passion and Personality” exhibit joins the popular Hope “Shanks for the Memories” exhibit which is in its second year of display at the St. Augustine museum.

When inducted into the Hall, Lopez joined 13 female golfing greats the likes of Patty Berg, Babe Didrikson Zaharias and Louis Suggs. Since 1987, another 17 lady superstars the likes of Juli Inkster, Annika Sorenstam and Se Ri Pak have followed her and achieved the highest honor in the game of golf.

In addition to the ladies who played the game there are two other females within the 130 person population of the Hall. Judy Bell, a keen amateur player, was elected the first woman president of the USGA in 1996. Dinah Shore, the First Lady of Golf, elevated the LPGA to celebrity status with the golf tournament bearing her name starting in 1972.

In total, the 33 female honorees account for roughly 25 percent of the Hall’s membership.

One of Lopez’s passions contained within the new exhibit is her longstanding support of the AIM for the Handicap. AIM stands for Adventures in Movement. Nancy is the Chairman of the National Ambassadors and has hosted a charity golf tournament since 1981.

“I have seen some miracles,” is Lopez’s profession of her support for AIM.

Lopez could have been the role model for the character Mattie Ross, portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld, in the recently released American Western film “True Grit.”

Determined, results oriented and simple plain performance on the golf course and in life…

Her self-taught, homemade golf swing resulted from her father’s straightforward influence.

“When I was 7, my father put a club in my hand and said, ‘Put the ball in the hole.'”

Her upbringing continued to support her success on the LPGA Tour and throughout her life.

In the midst of her sensational rookie five-win streak Lopez knew Lopez: “I’ve always wanted to play well without it going to my head. I have seen other athletes get good and change. Because of my mother and father I do not want to change. They never put themselves above anyone else.”

So we too know Nancy Lopez, compliments of a great Hall of Fame exhibit that formally opens Saturday, Jan. 15th with an appearance by Lopez herself.

We have a miracle available to ourselves—one named “Nancy Lopez.”

Nancy did it her way, the right way and deserves heartfelt congratulations once again.

She is a comet that continues to burn brightly illuminating the lives of others.

Please note that many of the facts and quotes used in this article come from the new Nancy Lopez “Pride, Passion and Personality” exhibit at the World Golf Hall of Fame. Thanks to Mark Cubbedge and Andy Hunold for a wonderful exhibit. Remember the Bob Hope exhibit is ongoing for 2011. I hear Arnold Palmer now saying “If you love golf and Nancy Lopez, now you really got to go to the Hall of Fame.”

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer who spends his time on all four major American golf tours—the PGA TOUR, Champions, Nationwide and LPGA Tours.

Reistetter resides in Pont Vedra Beach, Florida near the PGA TOUR headquarters and home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

A lifetime golfer, Andy enjoys volunteering at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida and pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it.

For more background information on Andy go to the website Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary or e-mail him to AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

2011 PGA TOUR Week 1: Byrd Flying High Again with Kapalua Win

January 9, 2011 By admin

Some say the Masters Spring time tradition is the start of the golf season.

Byrd wins 2011 PGA Tour season-opener after two missed putts by Garrigus. Photo Credit: PGA.com

Those of us in the winter coolness of northern Florida look to the west, way out west to Hawaii, for the true start of the golf year.

On Maui, in the splendor of Kapalua, the 2011 PGA TOUR season began amongst the warm gentle trade winds of the Pacific.

Two players of the limited champions-only 34 member field were injured in freak accidents prior to the start of the tournament.

Geoff Ogilvy, two-time defending champion was forced to withdraw after a coral reef induced cut on his right index finger. Zach Johnson with a stubbed right big toe managed to play with a cut-out shoe but finished T23.

With the music of Jake Shimabukuro’s ukulele reaching our ears and the fun of The Golf Channel’s talented announcers playing in the charity pro-am on Wednesday, the relaxed atmosphere of the holiday season extended into the first full week of January.

Terry Gannon hammered one Wii Game-like drive as did Kelly Tilghman. Jerry Foltz confounded by a Nick Faldo lesson after being straightened out by Rocco Mediate hit a rope hook left that is now known as a “Bubba slice” after Bubba Watson’s similar ball trajectory of a driver off the deck on the 18th hole in the first round.

Foltz had the last chuckle as he made the final putt for the team “W’ with AK, a.k.a. Anthony Kim.

Watson was the only one to eagle the dramatic downhill 679-yard par-5 finishing hole, the first of the Kodak Challenge holes for the 2011 season.

The playoff between Jonathon “Ace” Byrd and Robert “Redemption” Garrigus, the last two winners of 2010, confirmed the ending story lines of 2010 will be ongoing in the New Year.

Byrd had not played competitive golf in the last 10 weeks since that late October near “walk-off” ace in Las Vegas.

Garrigus is no longer singing the “Memphis Blues” after closing strong for his first victory in the Magic Kingdom in the 2010 season’s final event.

The streak of nine consecutive years of foreign-born players capturing the title at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions is over.

GMac, as Graeme McDowell is known, continued his U.S. Open, Ryder Cup and Tiger Woods prowess with an 11-birdie course record tying Sunday 62 to finish solo third place.

In a Ryder Cup rematch, Hunter Mahan fired a Thursday 70 to better GMac’s 71 though at the end of the week it was the Northern Irishman that finished 16 strokes better than Mahan, who finished T25.

Camilo Villegas was DQ’d after Round 1 for the technicality of signing an incorrect scorecard. The scorecard was inaccurate because of a rules violation on the 15th hole. After chipping up the slope to the green the ball rolled back toward him for the second time. Villegas walked over and casually swatted away some loose pieces of grass in front of the divot as the ball was still moving down the slope.

Rule 23-1 states that “when a ball is in motion, a loose impediment that might influence the movement of the ball must not be removed” and comes with a two-stroke penalty.

Byrd holed his second shot for eagle at the 10th hole in the first round starting right off where he ended last year- holing iron shots Carl Pettersson, the man who lost weight and his game, only to purposely regain the weight to save his game, matched Byrd’s opening 7-under par 66 on the unusual par 73 golf course.

Garrigus took the lead after two rounds, one better than Pettersson and two better than Byrd by virtue of playing the last three holes in 4-under to post a 10-under 63.

Garrigus’ lead evaporated quickly starting 3-over par on the first two holes in Saturday’s Round 3 as strong and gusty Kona winds replaced the normally gentle trade winds.

Garrigus recovered finishing with five birdies and a 50-foot bomb for eagle at 18 to shoot 4-under 69.

Steve Stricker improved his score for the second straight day recording a 65 that included a spectacular blind 4-iron from the fairway bunker on No. 12 amidst five straight birdies.

Byrd shot 67 and it looked like a three-person race going into the final round with Garrigus, Stricker and Byrd distanced from Pettersson and the rest of the pack by three strokes.

McDowell’s blistering round came one stroke short of the playoff after he missed a makeable eagle putt on No. 18.

Garrigus’ vehement “C’mon” cry to his 3-wood second shot at the last resulted in a 13-footer for eagle and the outright lead that failed to drop. Garrigus posted 24-under to eliminate GMac and wait for Byrd in the final group to finish.

Byrd for birdie on the 18th to win but failed to hit the putt all the way to the hole.

In the playoff both Garrigus and Byrd failed to birdie the easy 18th.

As Analyst Nick Faldo characterized Byrd’s chances to drain a long one on the 10th green—the second playoff hole—as slim, Byrd nearly holed the putt.

Then Garrigus lost his MoJo and three-jacked his reasonable birdie putt to hand Byrd his second consecutive and fifth overall PGA TOUR victory.

The excitement continues on the PGA TOUR…

Perhaps 2011 is the year of American dominance in golf as the tour hops over to Waialae CC on Oahu for the 2011 SONY Open and the first full-field event of the new season.

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer that spends his time on all four major American golf tours- the PGA TOUR, Champions, Nationwide and LPGA Tours.

Reistetter resides in Pont Vedra Beach, Florida near the PGA TOUR headquarters and home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

A lifetime golfer, Andy enjoys volunteering at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida and pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it.

For more background information on Andy go to the website Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary or e-mail him to AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

2010 Year in Review (Part 2) – 71 Pictures & Stories!

January 2, 2011 By admin

In 2010 I added part of the Texas swing with CBS… and I am happy I did- here’s a big first for me- in the media center with a media credential… maybe I am really a golf writer now?

Byron Nelson- truly a legend in the game and certainly bigger than life!

I remember happening to be in Texas when Byron passed in 2006 and trying to sneak away from work to attend his funeral but wasn’t able to…

Being at the 2010 HP Byron Nelson I was able to meet Byron’s widow Peggy. as a gift I was given her book and after meeting her and reading the book I feel like I have met Byron- there are so many wonderful people in Texas…

Breakfast at Bubba’s with my friend Duffy who I met on a golf course in Dallas probably 10 years ago!

I met Chris the same day I met Duffy… two guys who are always ready to golf whether I give them an hour, day, week or month’s notice. Here Chris is helping me with my work- playing the Four Seasons course the day after the tournament for my “play-write” series…

Note: Captions continue after gallery of pictures…

[Show slideshow]

Yeah this IS my drive on the 18th fairway at Four Season Las Colinas… yeah Rich- my FIRST drive!!!

In Columbus at the Memorial.. my “BFFB”… ” Best Friend on Face Book!!! Give us 5 years and I will be the best golf writer on tour and Jackie will be the best photographer!

The most difficult green complex ever seen- the 15th at Pebble Beach… the hood of a car is larger!!!

Here with 1955 U.S. Open Champion Jack Fleck (beat Ben Hogan in a playoff a olympic Club) and freind Ed… great guy, many notes for a great article some day soon!

2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach!

The 7th hole…

Just a beautiful place to be!

The 18th green…

With my hitchhiking sign… Johnny Miller picked me up and gave me a ride to the golf course! seriously- he signed my sign! Best part- U.S. Open Champions park in Lot 1- A+ living!

Met up with my buddy Rich… now a buddy for what 30 years!!! Does that really mean we are getting old… and losing our hair? Oh I forgot to put my cap on!

The Boyk with his two sons and best friend!

The Lone Cypress… maybe my inspiration for 2011???

Here with spotter friend Tall Jim and Brian… they played Cypress Point on Monday, I did not… at least yet…

Sir Walter getting ready for a cold, wet day playing Dubsdread at Cog Hill…

With Joe Jemsek Jr. at Cog Hill… still trying to convince he and daughter Katherine to let me write a book on Joe Sr.- the man who invented daily fee play at country club like venues!

The old foursome back in action at Shepherd’s Crook for the 32rd annual Chicago 36 hosted by Mr. Golf, Golf, Golf himself!

Three Binghamton boys playing Deltona Hills before the PGA merchandise show in Orlando!

What a great privilege to come back to my hometown for a Champions event… by the way Dick’s first store was in Binghamton, NY!

An honor to have a media credential and be in the media center with Binghamton’s own legendary sportswriter John Fox who incidentally published his last column that Sunday!

Me and the little guy- my hometown buddy Chuck… that must make me the BIG guy- right?

Also a native of Binghamton, NY and one of the most talented golf instructors in the world… Mr Todd!

The pitcher (andy) and catcher (Dave) from Binghamton High School Bulldogs some 30 years later!

Picture with Florida Governor Charlie Crist after he gave a speech at the PGA Merchandise show in Orlando.

Everything is a little fuzzy in politics- right?

With artist Linda Hartough… interesting conversation on how she paints… have notes, future story…

For serious golfers only- right?

On the job at Aronimik for Tiger’s AT&T National… inspiring natural golf course and large galleries!

There is always a story… met this man (in red coat) with friend walking down the road… the oldest living member of Aronimik… tried to find a courtesy cart so he did not have to walk…

Always wanted to go to the Greenbrier… inaugural tournament, great place, nice people and sings too

The Clydesdale horses showed up… I know what your thinking… horse’s head, horse’s aaaah that’s not nice!

BIG horse, BIG guy that needs to shed a few pounds!

The Greenbrier Classic… as Lynn Swann says… they have the largest “bunker” on the PGA TOUR! Took a tour of the Cold War bunker that was ready to house the United States Congress if needed.

I was waiting for the governor to arrive so I thought I would get a picture with the ladies in waiting… gotta love that Southern charm!

With then Governor of West Virginia Joe Machin, now United States Senator…

Here’s the leader of the “Grandma Groupies” of the PGA TOUR… seriously, very nice lady… her uncle Red Spiegle use to give lessons to Sam Snead!

Colorful and large Greenbrier tees!

The “home hole” at the Greenbrier is a par-3 amphitheatre-style… scene of some historic drama on Sunday afternoon!

Shortly after Stuart Appleby made a 15-footer to shoot 59 to win on Sunday… to cap off a fabulous week at the Greenbrier!

A quick stop at the Turning Stone tournament on the way to see my sister Chris… sadly this torunament is not on the 2011 schedule…

Finally made it to a “Barnes Barn Barbeque banquet Ball”… that’s 5 B’s in a row… a.k.a. old-fashion square dance in the country! Nephew Kyle (white shirt) won the Long Island Football Championship and niece Julie (purple) recently delivered two beautiful twin babies! — with Bob Ehrlich, Kyle Ehrlich, Bill Von Matt, Joanne Ehrlich, Julie Barnes, Christine VonMatt, Chris Von Matt and Andy Reistetter.

PGA Championship at Whistling Straits… can you guess what my career is?

Whistling Straits- a Pete Dye design with awesome views of Lake Michigan!

Somebody put a putter in my hands and gave me a ball… on a practice day! Those greens are FAST!

My buddy Garrett- future big-time cinematographer!!!

Just beautiful… par-3 17th green in background… don’t go left!

Dye’s diabolical greenside bunker on the 6th hole…

Ah the media center…

The Wanamaker Trophy… doesn’t Barb possess it? No Rich & Glen- that’s the WanaBE trophy!

The Barclays was back at Ridgewood CC this year… no ferry past the Statue of Liberty to Liberty National like last year…

Benefits of following the PGA TOUR- free skin cancer screenings- here the doctor gives me a thumbs up!

Where else can you meet a Shriner? In Las Vegas at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children…

Even a Lady Shriner!

… and a Santa Spotter!

What? Justin Timberlake behind the counter in the local liquor store?

Here’s my spot in the booth!

A BUZZ siting in Las Vegas!

Sunset Hole for Jonathan Byrd’s walk-off ace!!! Par-3 17th at TPC Summerlin moments after his historic golf shot!

My buddy Joe in action on the Golf Channel set at the LPGA Championship in Orlando.

Q-School of PGA TOUR at Orange County National… won by Billy Mayfair!

My new friend Carol at the LPGa Q-School in Daytona Beach.

Ringing the bell with Sir Walter playing erin Hills after the PGA at Whistling Straits.

Playing Oak Hill CC earlier in the year- site of the 2013 PGA Championship.

The volunteer with the big stick at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine…

Winter Autumn- seriously the cold snap in late December made for some beautiful scenery over the holidays!

A New Year’s Eve toast at the 19th at TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach… here’s to the best year ever in 2011!!!

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

2010 Year in Review (Part 1) – 58 Pictures & Stories!

January 1, 2011 By admin

Frisky bull at Tavistock Cup!

Man with Jesus Car… one of the nicest guys I ever met… there is a lot of faith out there on tour… as well as on the highway!

Man with Jesus Car… side view…

Daughter brings elderly father out to see the pros play… lifetime memory… of mine… many stories here!

Andy “working” 17th at Bay Hill… one must enjoy the sunny bright days of life!

Everyone has nicknames out on tour… there’s a Frosty… this is “KFC”… Kathy from Canada!

Rain delays can be boring… or FUN with these 3 Musketeers!

Best picture ever of Frosty!!!

[Show slideshow]

Me and My Buddies… Ike (short for Mike, don’t ask me why?), Embassy Suites, Frosty the short guy and me!

The key during rain delays is to get your rest so you are ready to go when the golfers are… this guy liked his quiet places- note the sign… i wonder if the raindrops were quiet for him?

Back at the Masters, 5th time, second year in a row, for the entire week!

Tiger Woods returned to golf on Monday playing a practice round with Freddie Couples…

Even the State Troopers were taking pictures!

Andy was on the story, all over the story!

New practice facility opened in 2010- looked like it had been there for 80 years!

My buddy Chuck from Binghamton made it to his first Masters… on the first tee with his favorite golfer- Ben Crenshaw, Gentle Ben.

Chuck taking a swing on the par-5 second hole. Even though he laid up he made birdie… in his own mind!

Does this guy look HAPPY or what???

The BIG guy with the little guy… Amen!

The Masters is all about tradition and this is the traditional Masters picture!

My favorite spot at Augusta National… under the old oak tree up by the clubhouse… a spot dear to my good friend Dick Donovan, now up on the big course in the sky… Amen!

From Augusta it is a short trip down to the Low Country and Hilton Head Island for the Heritage Classic…

With heritage in golf you have to have a hickory golfer as well… here is a picture of two hickory golfers!

Beautiful Hilton Head Harbour… that’s why they called the course Harbour Town Golf Links….

The openness of the 18th fairway with the hole playing towards the iconic red and white lighthouse… recall playing this course with Joe & Tim on our way to the Masters in 1999! Joe almost aced the par-3 17th!

The CBS sports cake!

Low Country is home to many artists including this one that found a nice spot along the fairway to work during the tournament!

Shade, comfortable, inspiring setting…

Awesome talent!

The one she was working on that day!

Early May is PLAYERS time at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida!

PLAYERS Volunteering is awesome fun. Here I am with friends Jimmy, Anne and “Uncle BUZZ.” Sadly Jimmy (blue shirt) passed on recently and will be forever the spirit of PLAYERS volunteers.

This is Chris and her husband Ted- two of the nicest people you will ever meet. Sadly Ted passed recently and his presence will be terribly missed next spring at THE PLAYERS.

My buddy (and volunteer boss man) Tommy pounding a stake… I am on the course prep team and we “stake and rope” the stadium course the Friday before THE PLAYERS… hard work but good fun!

Tommy & me… note no sweat marks on my shirt- this is during the tournament proper…

This is me with my “adopted” mom Sarita, literally the first person I met in Ponte Vedra Beach… a place of honor behind the “Paradise” bar…

The PLAYERS gang gathered at Sarita’s home, of course…

Maureen & April at Sarita’s “Paradise” bar…

Another activity during PLAYERS week- wine tasting at ABCs!

Maureen, SJ, April & my YMCA buddy Bruce…

Of course a trip to the local microbrewery Ragtime is in order during PLAYERS week…

Wednesday is a big day at THE PLAYERS- military appreciation day, any lifetime achievement award and other happenings- in 2011 Monday will be the Hall of Fame induction in nearby St. Augustine. This is the Tim McGraw concert…

F16s coming…

F16s here!

On the balcony of the clubhouse- my “home away from home” besides Panera Bread!

Of course there is “work” to do during PLAYERS week… here is some of the NBC gang…

More of the motley crew, excluding the corporate NBCers of course!

another pose before going to work!

Trying to look “presidential” in the President’s Cup library in the TPC clubhouse…

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

Top Five Memories of the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits

August 15, 2010 By admin

Featured Columnist Andy Reistetter was on site last week at the 92nd PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.

Here are his Top 5 memories of a fascinating week:

1. The golf course won!

The par-3 7th hole at Whistling Straits.

I thought the golf course was an excellent choice to host a major championship. It deserves to be up there with the elite golf courses of the world including the hosts of the other three majors this year: Augusta National, Pebble Beach, and the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland.

To me it seemed like a tilted Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass where THE PLAYERS is conducted each year. The landscape was tilted about 20 degrees to the east by design. All the water drains off to form Lake Michigan, except Howard’s Creek on the 18th hole and the lake on the par-5 fifth hole.

True to its designer all the holes on this golf course are “Dye-abolical” to the n’th degree of Herb Kohler’s vision and financing. The only hole called “Dye-abolical,” the 18th, was pivotal as it was designed same as the 17th on the Stadium Course.

2. The golf course was not the story, only the means by which a true champion of golf was determined.

Tom Lehman, the oldest player in the field used a 4-iron from 217 yards to ace the 17th hole. Photo Credit: Google Images

Although “the young and the long” Bubba Watson, Martin Kaymer, Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, and Nick Watney were in the mix at the end, other golfing constituencies were well represented.
“Shorter, older and wiser players” such as Jim Furyk and Steve Elkington were able to make a run for the “Glory’s Last Shot” title on Sunday afternoon as well as Zach Johnson.

Senior PGA champion Tom Lehman recorded the only ace of the week at the 17th in the third round.

The robust competition is a true indication of the fairness and the value of shot-making on the Straits Course in Kohler’s Golf World.

3. Golf is a game that challenges people as much mentally as physically yet is open to the comeback nature of the human spirit.

Dustin Johnson’s ill-fated bunker shot on the last on Sunday. Photo Credit: Google Images

Still, to come back from behind, one has to have the skill, the commitment of endless hard work, and the determination to do so.

Dustin Johnson is the game of golf and the game of golf is Dustin Johnson.

Ironic though true, the prelude to the final round at Whistling Straits was a complete reversal of the final round at Pebble Beach.

Instead of being the hunted with a three stroke lead, DJ was in the hunt performing as needed down the stretch to erase the three stroke deficit in his face at the start of the day.

Sad but true, he did not get it done when he had another good opportunity to do so.
A triumphant ending in a major is in store for the taller of the two Johnsons with more hard work and determination to not let what happened in a bunker on the home hole on Sunday be the final chapter in this young man’s golfing career.

4. Billionaire patron of golf Herb Kohler and one of the best golf course architects of all time Pete Dye are indeed a “dynamic duo.”

Kohler’s last shot at glory is not the 2010 PGA Championship…

Kohler made three great business decisions on his way to hosting three PGA Championships and one Ryder Cup.

The first was to venture into the hospitality business with the genesis of the American Club, a five-star resort in the hometown named for his immigrant ancestry.

The second was to listen to and act upon the desires of the guests at the American Club.

“We want golf courses to play upon,” so Herb Kohler gave them golf courses to play upon.

The third historical decision was to hire Pete Dye to design all four of the golf courses in the Kohler golfing empire.

As Kohler and Dye hobbled across the 18th green to the PGA of America’s ceremony awarding Martin Kaymer the Wannamaker Trophy, it seemed historic that they did so together.
Somehow the “Dynamic Duo” saved Golf City and the 2010 Season one more time to the delight of golf patrons worldwide.

5. The ending was clear and simple.

Martin Kaymer, deservingly so, took home the Wannamaker Trophy…

Only the golfer Dustin Johnson and his caddie Bobby Brown are responsible for not complying with the rules of golf.

Whether it happened on the first of 72 holes of competition or the last, the penalty incurred is no different than the penalty for hitting a golf ball out of bounds or into a water hazard.

Bubba Watson did not win his first major because he was outperformed and out-strategized by his playing partner for three pivotal playoff holes.

Both Watson and Kaymer missed the fairway on what was then a match play competition transformed from an aggregate three hole competition.

Watson missed an opportunity to gather information, make a competitive decision and then perform.

To not have seen or assessed Kaymer’s lie in the rough was simply foolish.

To say having fun and being in the Ryder Cup was the target and reward for competing in the 92nd PGA Championship is fine but silly in light of what could have been for the whiz kid.
The drama of the finish should have extended to both players being dry with a chip shot near the 18th green.

Martin Kaymer was flawless in his strategy and performance during the playoff.

He accepted Watson making threes on the first two holes which he regarded as par-3s for the long hitting pink panther from Milton, Florida.

Then the competitor made his move with a deuce on No. 17 and an easy bogey to win after Watson folded and threw in his cards after his second shot on the 18th.

Indeed, a memorable week, at Whistling Straits for the 2010 PGA Championship…

It was indeed a memorable week at Whistling Straits.

Germany’s Martin Kaymer is now a major champion along with the United States’ Phil Mickelson, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, and South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen in the year of 2010.

Rory McIlroy, Nick Watney, Bubba Watson, and Dustin Johnson will have to wait until at least the 2011 Masters to become a major champion.

Can anyone not see that golf is a game of the whole wide world?

Why wait for golf in the Olympics in the year of 2016?

Catch the fascination, excitement and thrill now.

Good living and better golfing my friends!

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer. He follows the PGA TOUR volunteering and working part time for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, and The Golf Channel.

He resides near the PGA TOUR headquarters and home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Reistetter enjoys pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it. He can be reached through his website Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary or by e-mailing him to AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

2010 PGA TOUR: The Rebirth of Stuart Appleby- A Greenbrier Classic 59!

August 1, 2010 By admin

Featured Columnist Andy Reistetter is on site this week at America’s Resort- The Greenbrier for the PGA TOUR’s inaugural Greenbrier Classic. Here are his comments after witnessing Stuart Appleby’s historic 59 on his way to capturing the title:

I was there to see Stuart Appleby shoot 59 when he made the 11-footer on No, 18 for deuce (a finishing par-3)!

Some question how a tournament can be a “classic” in its very first year.

Others wondered what had happened to Stuart Appleby, an eight-time winner on the PGA TOUR, but not a winner since early 2006 in any of his last 110 tournaments.

Both questions were answered on the first day of August, 2010 when Stuart Appleby came alive again shooting an unbelievable 59 to win The Greenbrier Classic.

Six 4’s, eleven 3’s, but most importantly a deuce 2 on the final hole, now the undisputed signature hole on The Old White Course at The Greenbrier.

You do the math- 24 plus 33 plus 2 is 59!

Stuart Appleby the winner of the inaugural Greenbrier Classic!

Appleby’s 59th stroke at the Greenbrier, a putt for deuce and a score of 59!

“Classic” is defined as first or highest quality, of enduring interest and style, and historical renown.

By all accounts this inaugural Greenbrier tournament was a classic!

Who would have thought such a thing could happen in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia?

Mr. Jim Justice, the new owner of The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, a.k.a “Coach” certainly did.

That’s why he bought The Greenbrier a little over a year ago for a reported $20 million.

Some have said he plowed in another $25 million to stage this world class event.

This local living legend still coaches the girls’ high school basketball team; hence his affectionate nickname used by most everyone in these parts of the world.

Appleby showing off his 59 scorecard!

Joe Manchin, the governor came here on Thursday to award Justice The Distinguished West Virginian Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a native West Virginian.

“Jim doesn’t want to be known as the owner of the Greenbrier. He wants the Greenbrier to do what it needs to do to help our state and to help the people. He’s more proud of the people having jobs and security than saying, Oh, Jim Justice. He owns the Greenbrier. (The title) doesn’t mean anything to him.”

Talk about an inspiration!

How well run and how well staged was this tournament?

Jim Nantz, the CBS Sports golf host broadcaster came down and was the master of the awards ceremony on the 18th green after the CBS broadcast was over.

Joe Manchin, the governor awarding Jim Justice The Distinguished West Virginian Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a native West Virginian.

His assessment of the inaugural Greenbrier Classic was a “gigantic raging success.”

As for Appleby and his heroic 59, Nantz’s words were the “changing, rebirth moment of a career.”

It was a magical finish to witness in person.

After three straight pars, Appleby canned a 15-footer on No. 16 to tie the second and third round leader Jeff Overton at 20-under.

Overton was on the tee at No. 15 two holes and three groups behind in the final pairing.

Appleby bunkered his drive on the reachable par-5 17th hole and laid up as Overton settled for par on the par-3 15th hole.

Appleby drained a 10-foot 10-inch putt for birdie after approaching from 103 yards with a wedge.

Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley performed at the inaugural Greenbrier Classic in 2010!

After an eight-iron to nine-feet nine-inches on the finishing par-three hole all Appleby had to do was make the putt for a 59.

He did to finish with three straight birdies and a score of 22-under par.

Overton birdied No. 16 to get to 21-under but 3-putted No. 17 settling for a par when he needed a birdie.

A gallant effort to make a long putt on the 18th green barely missed and the tournament went to the man who shot 59 on Sunday afternoon overcoming a seven stroke deficit.

As Nantz, Justice and Appleby toasted just about everything with champagne on the 18th green the electric feeling of one of the most exciting finishes ever on the PGA TOUR never quite dissipated even hours later.

What a week at the Greenbrier! I even got to meet the Clydesdales!

Maybe the young Overton who lost a heart breaker to a man who won it by shooting a lights out 59 said it best afterwards- “I never knew anything like this ever existed in West Virginia. I knew there were some hidden gems in the world and this is definitely one of them.”

The Greenbrier Classic is indeed a classic!

Congratulations to Stuart Appleby, the new Mr. 59 for a job well done.

Good living and good golfing my friends!

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer. He follows the PGA TOUR volunteering and working part time for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, and The Golf Channel. He resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida near the PGA TOUR headquarters and home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass. He enjoys pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it. He can be reached by e-mailing him to AndyReistetter@gmail.com

The Greenbrier, America;s Resort since 1778!

Filed Under: PGA TOUR Golf

Scioto CC: The Bridge from Bobby Jones To Jack Nicklaus and Beyond

July 21, 2010 By admin

‘Golf Voyager & Documentarian’ Andy Reistetter continues his exclusive “Play-Write” series with one of American golf’s true treasures- the Scioto CC. Having the opportunity to play shortly after Jack’s Memorial Tournament was a spiritual sojourn for the travel golf writer. Here is another article in the “Play-Write” series including the Andy’s thoughts on how vital Scioto CC is to what we now know as the modern game of golf and its fascinating legacy.

Scioto CC oozes golf history. Here in the Clubhouse in the Jack Nicklaus Room. Photo Credit: Jackie Davis

Twelve different British golfers won the first 16 United States Opens.

By the time Scioto Country Club hosted the U. S. Open in 1926 only 15 years had passed since John McDermott became the first American born golfer to win the prestigious title.

Then McDermott defended the title in 1912.

The very next year Francis Ouimet did the unthinkable at Brookline CC not only beating the British for a third year in a row but doing so as an amateur.

Another lifetime amateur American golfer named Bobby Jones would win that 1926 U.S. Open at Scioto CC in the middle of the Roaring Twenties.

It was surely a growth period for American golf much more so than what we experienced in the 1980s and 1990s with the boom in golf course construction.

This was the era of seeing golf for the very first time and wanting to learn how to play it.

At the 1922 U.S. Open spectator tickets were sold for the first time at Skokie Country Club just outside Chicago.

By 1924 the U.S.G.A. was forced to introduce sectional qualifying since there were more golfers that wanted to compete for the title of our Nation’s Champion.

Bobby Jones’ presence is felt in the Media Center at Jack’s Muirfield Village Golf Club.

Bobby Jones started his seven year conquest of majors with a victory in the 1923 U.S. Open at Inwood CC just outside Manhattan on Long Island.

His amazing streak of winning 13 of 20 majors that he entered ended with his retirement from golf after his win in the U.S. Amateur at Marion- the final leg of his 1930 Grand Slam.

In fact that British dominance in the U.S. Open would transition to an absolute amateur authority.

Jones himself would win 4 of 8 by the time he was done playing golf.

Beginning with Ouimet in 1913 and ending with Johnny Goodman in 1933 amateurs would win 8 of 19 National Opens.

In the city named for the man who discovered our country Jones would win and go on to do something in 1926 no other golfer had even done.

He would bridge the large pond and win both the U.S. and British Opens in the same year.

Perhaps it was a foreshadowing of the ultimate that happened in 1930 when he possessed the amateur and professional titles on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

In any account, Jones had a dramatic impact on the game of golf though potentially his biggest impact came though a man named Jack Nicklaus.

Bobby Jones’ plaque in the Memorial Garden at Muifield Village. It is not a coincidence that Bobby Jones was in the inaugural Honoree at Jack’s first Memorial Tournament in 1976.

The link between Nicklaus and Jones began at the Scioto CC in that U.S. Open in 1926.

The man who would take the golf baton from Arnold Palmer and pass it on to Tiger Woods was not even born in 1926.

His father Charlie though was there at Scioto. At age 13 he watched as the 24-year old Jones won his second of four U.S. Opens.

After graduating from The Ohio State University with a pharmacology degree, the man who would later become Papa Bear though the golfing exploits of his son, bought and managed several pharmacies.

That success led to a family membership at Scioto CC where less than two decades before he was inspired to play golf on the very same grounds by the greatest amateur the game of golf has ever known.

Son Jack took up golf when he turned 10 years old and shot a score of 51 at Scioto CC for the first nine holes he ever played.

In those formative years he not only heard stories about the great Bobby Jones from his father but as well from other members with firsthand knowledge of Jones’ triumph on their golf course.

The inspiration of Bobby Jones was not only responsible for getting Jack started in the game of golf but for what drove him to succeed for the next 60-some years until he retired in 2005 at the Open at St. Andrews.

Jack Nicklaus in 2008 after accepting the PGA TOUR’s Lifetime Achievement Award and hearing Tiger’s words that he will forever be the all-time greatest golfer!

Nicklaus will likely go down as the all-time greatest player in the game of golf with 73 PGA TOUR victories including 18 major championships.

Even Tiger Woods acknowledged the greatness of Nicklaus when he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the PGA TOUR in 2008.
“No one I can think of is more deserving.”

“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.”

“Your record of 118 (worldwide) tournament victories (including 73 sanctioned by the PGA TOUR) and 18 major championships alone is reason enough to receive this honor.”

“However equally important are your commitment to philanthropy, your skill as a course designer and your steadfast dedication to family.”

“These values insure your contribution to golf will forever be unmatched and make you the man whose path we all seek to emulate.”

“Thank you for being such a tremendous mentor to me and so many others.”

“Congratulations Jack.”

From Jones to Nicklaus to Woods and back to Nicklaus- the light will continue to shine on Jack all because of that bridge formed at Scioto CC nearly a century ago.

Playing Scioto CC was FUN! Great golf course Mr. Donald Ross! Photo Credit: Jackie Davis

Famed golf course architect Donald Ross’ prized design gem has a legacy all of its own as a world class golf course.

After the Jones’ Open came the 1931 Ryder Cup and then the 1950 PGA Championship won by Chandler Harper.

Bruce Fleisher won the U.S. Amateur in 1968 and Dale Douglas the U.S. Senior Open in 1986 on the course named for the nearby river.

Jack Nicklaus and Mike Hurdzan restored the course to its original Ross mastery in 2007.

False fronts, subtle contours and bunkers partially hidden from view challenged this amateur golfer.

Scioto CC is a golf course where you remember every hole and every shot even if you only play it once in your lifetime.

The island green of the par-5 8th hole sits below the grand Clubhouse at Scioto CC. Photo Credit: Jackie Davis

The 516-yard par-5 8th hole is memorable for both its beauty and design. Its island green was one of the very first in America. My birdie on this magnificent hole is forever etched in my mind.

Scioto CC is a fun course to play where whether as an amateur playing from 6,500 yards or a pro from 7,000 yards one uses every club in the bag.

This round of golf seemingly played with the game’s legends on a legendary course ended as my 35-foot birdie putt disappeared into the hole on the green of the par-4 446-yard home hole.

Astonishingly for this golfer the scorecard numbers for all 18 holes added up to 78.

The golf course is in as fine a shape as any and is ready to once again host a major championship.

Who knows what bridges will be built if and when that happens again.

Maybe lightening does strike twice and golfers in the 22nd century will look back at Scioto as we do with firsthand admiration and gratitude for the inspiration received.

When you play Scioto CC you feel the presence of Bobby Jones.

The spirit of Jack Nicklaus the boy is here.

Two junior golfers… from Jones to Nicklaus and Beyond is all happening at Scioto CC!

Two young lads played behind me with vigor, determination and knowledge of the rules and etiquette of the game.

The spirit of Jack Nicklaus the legendary man is here as well.

His Memorial Tournament is orchestrated nearby in honor of all the greats of the game of golf.

Millions of golfers continue to be inspired by Bobby Jones through Jack Nicklaus and now through Tiger Woods.

Scioto CC is the bridge from Jones to Nicklaus and beyond!

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