Featured People

2011 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: My New Friend Cora Goldner Belsher!

February 13, 2011 By admin

Our first pic together!

My life will never be the same after having met Cora at the practice putting green at Pebble Beach! She is a one-of-a-kind, the good kind along with her husband Marc!

“Me and my new friend Andy Reistetter. He is an author and sports writer for Bleacher. He was working for CBS and I kept talking to him until we became friends. This place is like summer camp!” (Facebook Post, Cora Golden Blesher, 2/27/11)

Cora: “Andy it was great meeting you! You are a true professional and gentleman. Pebble Beach is like summer camp to me. You meet great people and then you all have to go home. But we have FB now! Take care.”

Andy: “Cora- it was great meeting you and your husband Marc… thanks for updating me on Jackie Flynn- he was a great interview and I am happy how he finished despite Garrigus’ W/D… pls send me the pics of me working on the practice putting green as all my friends think I am a slacker…”

It was always a treat to see Marc and Cora at Pebble Beach in February! In 2016, on the West Coast Golf Journey, I visited them at their home in Newburg, Oregon overlooking the Chehalem Glenn Golf Course!

Friends for life!

Hanging with Marc while Cora was preparing a memorable dinner on St. Patrick’s Day in 2016!

The happy lovers!

Cherish Yesterday-Live Today-Dream Tomorrow; the Blesher way!

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

The Next Tiger Woods: Lil Jordan, Discovered at the 2011 Pebble Beach Pro-Am!

February 11, 2011 By admin

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter continues his exclusive “Play-Write” series with one of the Monterey Peninsula’s best golf courses- Bayonet. Even more exciting was playing Bayonet with California’s own Lil’ Jordan, America’s favorite Junior Golf personality and someone who may very well be the next generation Tiger Woods. Enjoy a story that goes beyond golf to the heart of an American family and perhaps your heart as well.

With Tiger Woods out of the Top 10 Official World Golf Ranking I might know somebody who will take his place.

We might have to wait a few years.

I was at Pebble Beach Golf Links for the 2011 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, the third time in a one year period.

That’s right: two Pro-Ams sandwiching one United States Open.

Watching the best golfers in the world play perhaps the most scenic golf course in the world under pristine weather conditions (yes for two Pro-Ams in a row) is truly a life-altering experience.

Then to have the opportunity to play the recently renovated Bayonet golf course the Monday after being a witness to the Cinderella story being played out at Pebble Beach by Bill Murray and D. A. Points was more than I could ask for.

What was offered to me was more than I could hope for: to play the round at Bayonet with Lil’ Jordan, someone I was not familiar with until earlier in the week.

At age 13, he and this story of love and family have impacted me as much as being able to meet and interview all the inspiring celebrities and successful business people that the Pebble Beach Pro-Am is known for.

I first met Lil’ Jordan’s father Johnny Eugenio through a mutual friend in the exceptionally well-run Hunter Public Relations’ tournament media center at Pebble Beach.

The first thing you realize is that Jordan, a multicultural kid, looks a lot like Tiger Woods and that his father Johnny is a nice guy is the second thing you become instantly aware of.

The 46-year old father of eight works two jobs to support his family, and while he publicly promotes Jordan, he does the same thing, if not more in private, with all of his children.

If you ask, he will tell you the story of Lil Jordan. In fact he wrote a book featuring his son called “Lil’ Jordan’s 9 Holes of Fear.”

Another child prodigy progressing all too fast?

Not this kid. Like a good swing in golf, there is balance to this kid’s life.

The genesis of Lil’ Jordan’s story is that his second oldest brother Joshua has Down Syndrome. Father Johnny was doing his part giving back, organizing charitable golf tournaments to raise money, not only for his son’s genetic disorder, but for all disabilities.

Dad asked a rap singer to write a song for Joshua to support a charity golf outing. Son Jordan was helping dad and did his part, singing a verse of the song at age eight. Music producers loved Lil Jordan.

Throw in some amazing golfing talent and the dedication to practice, and what you have is one remarkable kid and one magnificent family behind him.

“I am just going to do my best and do what is right for my brother,” remarked Lil Jordan, who is really not in fear of anything in life.

Joshua’s favorite sport is basketball, and Jordan plays with him.

“We are just going to keep on having fun,” says the little brother that everyone can look up to.

Fun for Lil’ Jordan was being featured by the local NBC affiliate as the next Tiger Woods way back in 2000, when the U.S. Open came to Pebble Beach, only nine miles from his home in Marina.

Fun is being able to shoot 85 at Pebble Beach at a young age.

Fun is singing hip-hop with a little rap and playing the piano and a little Ukulele.

While his golf is entertaining, this kid is entertaining.

After seeing little Tiger chip in for deuce on the fourth hole and go on to shoot 77, his best score ever on Bayonet, I was happy no wagers were placed. If I had to go into my pocket, my new name for him would have been “Lil’ Rascal”, not Lil’ Jordan.

I am too old to be a pigeon.

Seriously, keep an eye out for Lil’ Jordan from Marina, California in the years ahead.

As far as the golf course, what can I say? It was spectacular. I want to play it again. The Black Horse course looks truly amazing as well.

Bayonet, now a world class golfing facility courtesy of architect Gene Bates, has scale and grandeur like the 2009 President’s Cup host course Harding Park in nearby San Francisco. Most tees are elevated and give the golfer sight lines to the flagstick with the beauty and hazards in between all there for everyone to see.

If you get a chance to play Bayonet, play it! Better yet, play Bayonet and Black Horse in the same day!

And remember that name: Lil’ Jordan Eugenio…

For more information on Lil’ Jordan check out his web site www.LilJordan.com

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 through his website www.MrHickoryGolf.net or by e-mailing him at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

2011 PGA Show: Jacksonville’s Own Foursome Leads the Field!

January 29, 2011 By admin

The world’s best players compete on the best courses in the biggest tournaments of the year.

If you are in the golf business, you were at the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.

Not surprisingly, Jacksonville area companies were present and accounted for among the biggies like Titleist, Cutter & Buck and SkyCaddie.

What may surprise you is that four of our own neighbors represent the show’s oldest, most innovative, well-connected and worldwide exhibitors.

Fred Akel ran a driving range on Beach Boulevard and first went to the show in 1970 to sell his idea for a high-capacity ball washer. At that time the show was a “couple of circus tents” in West Palm Beach and had a waiting list of 100 vendors trying to get in.

Fred questioned whether or not being a PGA Professional meant anything to the show organizers. It did and the next year he got in and over time went from ball washers to head covers to other golf accessories. He was the first to accessorize collegiate golf teams and worked with the PGA TOUR in the mid 1990s to standardize caddie bibs.

Doug Kirchhoff now owns and runs “Here’s Fred Golf Company,” a staple at the golf convention for the last 39 straight years (only Wittek has been there longer). Among a million other things, the company supplies Fred’s caddie bibs to over 90% of golfing events worldwide including last year’s Ryder Cup in Wales.

Where did the name come from? Well, Fred was a Cheers-style “Norman-esque” character in the golfing business. Everyone would come in and say “where’s Fred?” Fred’s response was “here I am and how can I solve your golf merchandise problems?”

There is a special “Inventor’s Spotlight” section on the vast floor of the Orlando Convention Center. In Booth No. 1 lies the “Best Overall Product” award and standing behind it ready to launch her company BandZorb is Pone Vedra Beach resident Terry Zebouni.

A former Bolles teacher dogged for years by a problem that we all suffer with, the light of invention turned on in a Publix store when she saw 22 panty liners on sale for 99 cents.

She had tried everything to stop sweat bands from ruining her golf visor so why not a panty liner? With most inventors the route to perfection and success was circuitous… panty liners, Canadian hockey players seeing how it works, various suppliers, materials and sample product. Now the final product is coming to market- an antimicrobial, eco-friendly self adhesive band that is super absorbent- BandZorb.

Another local woman Kathleen Wingard has her products all over the world and right next door at the Jacksonville Beach Golf Course Golf Club. Her company Fairway Stone is the industry leading provider of solid granite signs and monuments for golf courses.

Whether an entrance sign, tee sign or yardage marker, the patented design lasts a lifetime and can be found at the Navy Marine Golf Course in Pearl Harbor and most military golf courses around the world.

As a successful business woman, Kathleen loves the golf industry because of its traditional and respectful business practices but most importantly because of no receivables… “Golfers pay their bills.”

Invention is said to be of necessity and one-time Florida State scratch golfer Bob Gedeon needed something to get rid of the yips that came to his game later in life. The yips became so bad that 18-inch putts were no gimmies and Gedeon gave up the game completely.

Bob was best friends with another Bob at Florida State and they married sisters from Amelia Island.

What brought Bob1 back to the game of golf was a putting lesson from Bob 2 and the fact that Bob 2’s son named David was winning tournaments on the PGA TOUR, 13 to be exact including his last, the 2001 British Open.

That putting lesson that Champions Tour winner Bob Duval gave to Bob Gedeon was a little odd due to the fact that no golf club was involved, only 3 golf balls.

In the process of trying to get across how to line up a putt, the instructor inadvertently piqued a thought of simplicity in the mind of the student.

Why do we putt across our chest when we line up a putt facing the hole?

What is needed to bring back Sam Snead’s side saddle putting style and people like himself back to the game of golf?

An all-in-one square shaft that even further simplifies the alignment of putts.

Hence the Puttergraft Company. The word “graft” combining the first two letters of “grip” with the last three letters of “shaft.”

Who needs a $250M infomercial when your resurgent nephew calls you from the PGA TOUR and says “quick, Uncle Bob overnight 3 clubs to the clubhouse, I have some friends that could benefit from using your putter.”

In addition to these local entrepreneurs on the floor at the PGA Merchandise Show, local resident and caddie extraordinaire Mark Long was up on the big stage with the likes of instructor Hank Haney, golfer Peter Jacobsen and LPGA star Natalie Gulbis.

Long is the man who went from being on Coach Fred Funk’s team at Maryland to being on his bag on the PGA Tour. As fate would have it he started doing yardage books for pros at U.S. Open qualifying sites and is now the gold standard for yardage books on the PGA TOUR.

Over the years Long has rode the technological revolution all the way to the top as an expert contributor and spokesperson for SkyCaddie.

If you missed the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando you really did not- it was right in your backyard.

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

2011 PGA Show: Meeting Annika Sorenstam for the First Time!!!

January 24, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Meet Golfers the Write Way

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter is fortunate to have met most of the world’s top professional golfers while on tour the last four years. Earlier this year at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando he and a handful of other writers sat down with Annika Sorenstam to talk about her line of clothing with Cutter & Buck and her life beyond competitive golf. Come into the back room of Booth #5657 and meet Annika in the second article of Reistetter’s exclusive “Meet Golfers the Write Way” series.

I have three distinct memories from meeting Annika that day in late January at the 2012 PGA Show.

The first is the rock-star sort of atmosphere surrounding the interview. A packed Cutter & Buck booth which was not small until you have hundreds of folks showing up to see one of the top headliners in golf today.

Getting in and out was difficult for me let alone the pregnant celebrity mom with her 16-month old daughter Ava (who delivered son William two months later).

Though the food and drink were good and plentiful the show attendees were here to get a glimpse of Annika. How many other people do you know that are known simply and thoroughly by their first name?

My second recollection from those 30 minutes six months ago is how much there is to know about women’s clothing. I know that sounds funny coming from a man especially one with 25 years of manufacturing management experience.

In this case technology, materials and design criteria raised to the 3^rd power is a little mind boggling to me but for Annika it’s a simple layup to the right yardage, an easy up-and-down or a tap-in birdie to shoot 59 or to win one of her 93 professional championships around the world.

Cutter & Buck has been in business for 20 years and has partnered with Annika for the last 10 years. At least now I know what a “skort” is and thanks to Annika I know “it feels like wearing shorts” to a women but “looks like a skirt” to us men.

My third thought is that all we know of Annika is not all there is to know about Annika.

Since the 10-time major champion stepped away from competitive golf at the end of the 2008 season she may have been cloned to keep up with all the initiatives she has going on.

While we think of her foremost as a champion golfer that is only the tip of the iceberg or what they say in Sweden “toppen av ett isberg.”

Daughter, sister, wife, mother, entrepreneur, golf course designer, owner of the ANNIKA Academy, founder of the ANNIKA Foundation, United States ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation are roles Annika has filled without a lot of fanfare to the general public.

She is the ANNIKA brand and her statement is to “Share my Passion.”

Her passions beyond family include promoting junior golf, improving the health of children, wine and cooking to name a few.

For those of you who know me I asked my fair share of questions during the interview session.

For those of you who know me really well my first question centered on a personal perspective and led into a question about my initiative “corporate leadership inspired by the game of golf.”

My Christmas present to myself was fresh on my mind. I watched all Twelve Days at the Academy on Golf Channel to prepare myself and my game for the best year ever in 2011.

Annika’s tip was the best of the season for me.

She visualizes a three foot box around the ball and disciplines herself into doing all the thinking, analyzing and decision-making outside the box. Once she crosses the line it is all about execution and performance. She is in the moment, confident and plays the game with vigor and determination.

On the golf course so far this year this tip has definitely taken a few strokes off my game.

More importantly, her tip has a direct application to leadership and can become a key principle for successful dynamic companies.

One of the problems in corporate America today in the matrix organization is a plethora of ideas, plans and expectations to the extent some if not most associates are frozen in an unproductive, going through the motions state of mind resulting in subpar business performance.

To achieve successful outcomes, there must be a difference between ideas and plans in corporate life. Annika’s golf tip demonstrates the power of its application.

Inspirational leaders clearly distinguish ideas from plans and designate the time and process of transforming ideas into plans. When done properly the organization responds and naturally executes the plan in an efficient manner.

Have we not all experienced this government debt crisis gridlock right outside our office and down the hall in the conference room?

My question to Annika from my high stool:

Annika- I think your tip is awesome and that it can be applied to leadership in Corporate America- do you do any leadership consulting?

“No, I am not a consultant (but I do) run my business based on experience and my experience is golf, 16 years as a professional and I see a lot of similarities.”

Okay this is a “Meet Golfers the WRITE way” article and not a “Corporate Leadership Inspired by the Game of Golf and Annika” article… though I think it could be a new ANNIKA brand!

Next question please…

Your thoughts on your bid to design the golf course for the 2016 Olympics with Jack Nicklaus?

The five-time course designer responded that “I have never worked with a player of Jack’s caliber so I look forward to working with him and learning his approach.”

Annika grew up playing golf with many types of golfers- including her mom and dad and sister Charlotta and her design philosophy is influenced by that experience.

“I have the (Olympic) championship in mind but also to leave behind a golf course that is playable by everyone.”

Since the time of the interview a site called Riserva Uno in southwestern Rio de Janeiro has been selected and R&A Chief executive Peter Dawson said at the Open that a course designer decision would be made soon.

I am thinking that these two Hall of Famers would be a good selection and good for the game.

One final thought about meeting Annika is that she is exactly what you would expect her to be. That’s not true for all celebrity athletes but in her case her public persona is the same as her personal persona. She is a real person and a natural leader.

What you see on Thursdays on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive is the real thing. What you will see on her upcoming “Golf A La Carte” TV series will be the real thing.

A few other tidbits from the interview…

“I don’t know a lot about (golf course) drainage but I surround myself with experts.”

“When you play you don’t want to be ironing (your clothes) the night before.”

Her taste in women’s clothing has evolved… “When I played (it was) what looks good holding a trophy. Now (it is) what looks good holding a diaper bag.”

Annika is tenacious when it comes to the quality, service and promise of her Cutter & Buck clothing line. In golf she would “never guarantee a 68 everyday” but in business she can guarantee you are a happy customer.

One final insight into Annika… she does not play much social golf these days but if you happen to be paired up with her…

“I want every female golfer to wear my clothes and if they are not I want to know why.”

There are 91 items in the Annika Collection…

Don’t be surprised if Annika is a leadership consultant someday…

Make your decisions before getting into the box…

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

Reistetter resides 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 through his website www.MrHickoryGolf.net or by e-mailing him at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: Featured People, Hickory Golf, People in 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

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

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!

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

February 2010: Tiger Woods; No Apology Needed

February 19, 2010 By admin

Tiger Woods on February 19th, 2010 making his apology speech in teh Sunset Room at TPC Sawgrass.

Tiger Woods on February 19th, 2010 making his apology speech in the Sunset Room at TPC Sawgrass. Photo Credit: Golf.com

Tiger Woods apologized February 19^th, 2010 for his irresponsible and selfish behavior.

“I want to say to each of you—simply and directly—I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in,” he said.

In his somber speech at TPC Sawgrass, home of The Players Championship, he put his life into perspective and shared the direction he plans to pursue.

“I once heard—and I believe it’s true—it’s not what you achieve in life that matters; it’s what you overcome,” he said. “Achievements on the golf course are only part of setting an example. Character and decency are what really count.”

Apology received, no further apology needed.

Tiger revealed more personal insight than ever before in two unscripted, riveting interviews with The Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman and ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi on March 21.

How did someone so powerful in life, yet so powerless to stop himself, finally hit rock bottom and start on an upward path?

“You strip away the denial, the rationalization, and you come to the truth—and the truth is very painful at times,” Woods said. “And to stare at yourself and look at the person you’ve become…you become disgusted.”

“As a person, it’s hard to believe that was me, looking back on it now.”

Tiger is trying to get back to his roots, recalling something his father once said that rung hollow to him until now: “In order to help other people, you first have to learn how to help yourself.”

So Tiger is taking the time to help himself.

He is on the road to recovery through a process by which he realizes there is a higher power in his life other than himself.

Maybe he does not need to control everything anymore.

Having realized the implications of his actions, Tiger is progressing to the next step—no different from when he is on a golf course, hitting driver and approach iron and putting the ball into the hole.

“I’ve hurt so many people, and so many people I have to make an amends to—and that’s living a life of amends,” he said.

What can come from admitting one has a weakness?

“When you face it, and you start conquering it, and you start living up to it. The strength that I feel now, I’ve never felt that type of strength.”

Maybe that strength came from learning something from people with little wealth, position, or title in this world.

Maybe in the course of his treatment, Tiger Woods has connected with the regular people living regular lives out there.

So Tiger is stronger now and likely will become a better person.

That will likely make him a better golfer.

Imagine that—Tiger Woods a better golfer than we saw last year, winning six times. Better than in 2008, when we saw him win the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, hobbling around on a broken leg. Or better than in 2002, when he completed the Grand Slam, winning the four major championships in a row.

Five, if you include The Players Championship.

All that matters to Tiger Woods these days is rebuilding his marital relationship and being a good father to his two children.

Yes, there are naysayers out there—those who say this is all an orchestrated effort to deceive the public again.

Maybe we deceived ourselves into believing and expecting a human being to be perfect.

The same people who think Tiger Woods owes them something—or worse yet, that they somehow own a piece of him and have the right to sit in judgment of him.

Life is too short for most of that nonsense.

Good for Tiger to come back at Augusta National, where any out-of-line behavior— including running to get a good seat when the gates open in the morning—is punishable by revoking forever your weekly badge privileges.

Remember that they closed the waiting list several years ago because realistically, there is little chance of a badge becoming available for the mere mortal soul.

I know a grown man who cried incessantly when he lost the badges that his father passed along to him because of the careless behavior of his friends.

Good for Tiger for focusing on what is important to him—his family and the game of golf.

Tiger’s legacy—and what he wants to do with his life—is the same as before.

“I felt that golf was a vehicle for me to help a lot of people.”

Throughout his success, Tiger has been very charitable. While donating $3 million in Haiti relief funds makes headlines, other work such as the Tiger Woods Foundation goes on quietly behind the scenes.

Factor in the unprecedented growth of the PGA Tour and the subsequent rise in charitable donations—all because of the Tiger Woods phenomenon—and one easily concludes that Tiger Woods has donated more than his fair share.

After all, hasn’t he basically given his life to us since he putted a few balls on The Mike Douglas Show at age 2?

So maybe Tiger Woods is on the right road—though, unfortunately for the most part, his travel will be in the public eye.

Let’s get back to why we came to know Tiger in the first place—back in the fall of 1996, when he said hello to the world and won his first event in Las Vegas.

This is a farewell to the darker days of his life and a joyous hello to the brighter side of life—a life free of addictions.

Good for Tiger—and who knows? Maybe the steps he takes in the years ahead will be a dozen majors to surpass Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18.

Fourteen plus 12—26 sounds like a nice career major total for Tiger.

Tiger Woods style—that’s good!

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer. He follows the PGA Tour, volunteering and working part time for major golf broadcasters. He resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, near the PGA Tour headquarters and home of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.

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

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

Full Transcript of Tiger Woods’s Statement

FEB. 19, 2010

A transcript of Tiger Woods’s remarks at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. on Friday.

TIGER WOODS: Good morning, and thank you for joining me. Many of you in this room are my friends. Many of you in this room know me. Many of you have cheered for me or you’ve worked with me or you’ve supported me.

Now every one of you has good reason to be critical of me. I want to say to each of you, simply and directly, I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in.

I know people want to find out how I could be so selfish and so foolish. People want to know how I could have done these things to my wife Elin and to my children. And while I have always tried to be a private person, there are some things I want to say.

Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behavior. As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words; it will come from my behavior over time. We have a lot to discuss; however, what we say to each other will remain between the two of us.

I am also aware of the pain my behavior has caused to those of you in this room. I have let you down, and I have let down my fans. For many of you, especially my friends, my behavior has been a personal disappointment. To those of you who work for me, I have let you down personally and professionally. My behavior has caused considerable worry to my business partners.

To everyone involved in my foundation, including my staff, board of directors, sponsors, and most importantly, the young students we reach, our work is more important than ever. Thirteen years ago, my dad and I envisioned helping young people achieve their dreams through education. This work remains unchanged and will continue to grow. From the Learning Center students in Southern California to the Earl Woods scholars in Washington, D.C., millions of kids have changed their lives, and I am dedicated to making sure that continues.

But still, I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you. I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did. I am embarrassed that I have put you in this position.

For all that I have done, I am so sorry.

I have a lot to atone for, but there is one issue I really want to discuss. Some people have speculated that Elin somehow hurt or attacked me on Thanksgiving night. It angers me that people would fabricate a story like that. Elin never hit me that night or any other night. There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage, ever. Elin has shown enormous grace and poise throughout this ordeal. Elin deserves praise, not blame.

The issue involved here was my repeated irresponsible behavior. I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did is not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame.

I stopped living by the core values that I was taught to believe in. I knew my actions were wrong, but I convinced myself that normal rules didn’t apply. I never thought about who I was hurting. Instead, I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled. Thanks to money and fame, I didn’t have to go far to find them.

I was wrong. I was foolish. I don’t get to play by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me. I brought this shame on myself. I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife’s family, my friends, my foundation, and kids all around the world who admired me.

I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I’ve done. My failures have made me look at myself in a way I never wanted to before. It’s now up to me to make amends, and that starts by never repeating the mistakes I’ve made. It’s up to me to start living a life of integrity.

I once heard, and I believe it’s true, it’s not what you achieve in life that matters; it’s what you overcome. Achievements on the golf course are only part of setting an example. Character and decency are what really count.

Parents used to point to me as a role model for their kids. I owe all those families a special apology. I want to say to them that I am truly sorry.

It’s hard to admit that I need help, but I do. For 45 days from the end of December to early February, I was in inpatient therapy receiving guidance for the issues I’m facing. I have a long way to go. But I’ve taken my first steps in the right direction.

As I proceed, I understand people have questions. I understand the press wants to ask me for the details and the times I was unfaithful. I understand people want to know whether Elin and I will remain together. Please know that as far as I’m concerned, every one of these questions and answers is a matter between Elin and me. These are issues between a husband and a wife.

Some people have made up things that never happened. They said I used performance enhancing drugs. This is completely and utterly false. Some have written things about my family. Despite the damage I have done, I still believe it is right to shield my family from the public spotlight. They did not do these things; I did.

I have always tried to maintain a private space for my wife and children. They have been kept separate from my sponsors, my commercial endorsements. When my children were born, we only released photographs so that the paparazzi could not chase them. However, my behavior doesn’t make it right for the media to follow my two and a half year old daughter to school and report the school’s location. They staked out my wife and they pursued my mom. Whatever my wrongdoings, for the sake of my family, please leave my wife and kids alone.

I recognize I have brought this on myself, and I know above all I am the one who needs to change. I owe it to my family to become a better person. I owe it to those closest to me to become a better man. That’s where my focus will be.

I have a lot of work to do, and I intend to dedicate myself to doing it. Part of following this path for me is Buddhism, which my mother taught me at a young age. People probably don’t realize it, but I was raised a Buddhist, and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away from it in recent years. Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously I lost track of what I was taught.

As I move forward, I will continue to receive help because I’ve learned that’s how people really do change. Starting tomorrow, I will leave for more treatment and more therapy. I would like to thank my friends at Accenture and the players in the field this week for understanding why I’m making these remarks today.

In therapy I’ve learned the importance of looking at my spiritual life and keeping in balance with my professional life. I need to regain my balance and be centered so I can save the things that are most important to me, my marriage and my children.

That also means relying on others for help. I’ve learned to seek support from my peers in therapy, and I hope someday to return that support to others who are seeking help. I do plan to return to golf one day, I just don’t know when that day will be.

I don’t rule out that it will be this year. When I do return, I need to make my behavior more respectful of the game. In recent weeks I have received many thousands of emails, letters and phone calls from people expressing good wishes. To everyone who has reached out to me and my family, thank you. Your encouragement means the world to Elin and me.

I want to thank the PGA TOUR, Commissioner Finchem, and the players for their patience and understanding while I work on my private life. I look forward to seeing my fellow players on the course.

Finally, there are many people in this room, and there are many people at home who believed in me. Today I want to ask for your help. I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again.

Thank you.

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