Hickory Golf — Page 5

Memories of the 2016 PLAYERS Championship Won by Jason Day!

May 15, 2016 By admin

Photo Credit: SearchPrivacy.co

The 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship was Jason Day’s conquest and probably my most prolific PLAYERS from both an experience and writing perspective. From the prior Saturday’s Volunteer Party at the Clubhouse to the St. Johns County & JAX Chamber of Commerces’ Kickoff Event to Tuesday’s romantic Military Appreciation to the Sunday morning worship service to four rounds of record-setting golf, it was an epic PLAYERS for me!

Jason Day proved his No. 1 world rankings with a wire-to-wire show to win his first Players. Day shot 63 on Thursday and tied the course record set by four other golfers (Fred Couples in 1992 Rd. 3 (won), Greg Norman in 1994 Rd. 1 (won), Roberto Castro in 2013 Rd, 1 (PLAYERS debut round, finished T19, Martin Kaymer 2014 Rd. 1 (won).

After Round One, Day was two strokes in the lead. After a 66 in Round Two, Day was four strokes in the lead. After a 73 on Moving Day, Day was still four strokes ahead going into the final round. A Sunday 71 made it a four-stroke win and a wire-to-wire victory

Here are my Facebook posts starting with the Volunteer Party:

Too much fun at the Volunteer Party of the 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass last night and I am not even a volunteer this year! Great to see everybody & feel the true spirit, enthusiasm & volunteerism behind this great championship! WOW, that was a party to remember! Do you like my Jacksonville Jaguar tie from the Katherine Way Collections from the Katherine Way Beach Boutique & matching BIION Footwear?

The next prelude to the main event was the St. Johns County & JAX Chamber of Commerces’ Kickoff Event

A World of Commerce Surrounds THE PLAYERS Championship!

THE PLAYERS Championship kicks off for me tonight with the After-Hours at THE PLAYERS Championship event co-hosted by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce & the JAX Chamber… come support THE PLAYERS, enjoy an evening of complimentary refreshments and network with more than 700 business leaders from Northeast Florida… this annual event sells out every year, already sold out… r u going? Will u be there? Looking for some storylines and local businesses to feature on Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary… thinking the 2016 Players is going to be an “all-hours” event for the next 11 days… take note that both COC have beach divisions… Jacksonville Chamber Beaches Division & SJC Chamber – Ponte Vedra Beach Division… note to self to remember that there is a golf tournament too! (-:

The 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass was officially kicked off by Executive Director Matt Rapp and Tournament Chairman Michele McManamon at the JAX Chamber & St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce event. Immersed in a world of commerce, THE PLAYERS continues to give back to the Northeast Florida community with a record $8.1MM last year and more than $75MM since 1977 when the tournament was first played here. I think the young couple from Australia says it all about the excitement and feelings of goodwill surrounding THE PLAYERS! The weather will cooperate and it will be the best PLAYERS ever! (-: Jacksonville Chamber Beaches Division SJC Chamber – Ponte Vedra Beach Division

Already an exciting event at the 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship.. some great interviews… Part 1 of 2… Thanks for all the interviews! Gas South, Sandler Training – McManamon, JMI Resource, Amelia Toffee Company, Mulligans Pub Ponte Vedra Beach, Blackfinn Ameripub – Jacksonville, John E. Anderson Allstate Insurance, IBERIABANK, Katherine Way Collections, JAX Chamber, St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, Jacksonville Chamber Beaches Division, SJC Chamber – Ponte Vedra Beach Division

Great St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, JAX Chamber, SJC Chamber – Ponte Vedra Beach Division, Jacksonville Chamber Beaches Division event last night at TPC Sawgrass to kick off the 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship! Some interesting interviews coming so that u can meet these folks & their businesses…

Tuesday is Military Appreciation Day at THE PLAYERS Championship!

Good Tuesday at THE PLAYERS! Stadium Course looks really good! Good to be out there & run into some friends too! (-:

Do you agree? Most inspiring moment of the 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship were the two romantic gestures during the Military Appreciation Ceremony… here it is in 30 Pics on FB… God Bless America is sung… NBC Sports’ Dan Hicks mc’s… Commissioner Finchem speaks… Military Commander speaks & pointing to his wife salutes their long term loving marriage… golfer Jerry Kelly introduces K9s For Warriors veteran & his dog… disabled veteran with PTSD speaks honestly & from his heart and then introduces his girlfriend, honors her and then gets down on his knee showing his heart and proposes to her… she accepts… no finer inspiration will you find this week at THE PLAYERS… thank you to all women & men who serve us and the United States of America… congratulations to these two loving couples! (Andy Reistetter, 5-11-16, Facebook Post with 30 Pics)

Now the competitive golf with a course record tying performance by Jason Day in the first round!

Witnessing History: Jason Day’s Record 63 in Rd. 1 of the 2016 PLAYERS!

Round 1 2016 PLAYERS… following Day Spieth Grace… off 10 announced by my buddy Stokes Hill… Day birdie birdie-birdie start… Spieth & Grace even all pars! www.AndyGolfTravelDiary.com

Thru 6 holes, Day has cooked off, still -3… Spieth still all pars but hole-high on 15… Grace crash & burn on 15 taking 4 greenside to get it in the hole, looked like me! Yeah Ernie Els!

Thru 9… Spieth awakens with 2 putt birdie on 16… Day responds with deuce on 17… Grace snake bitten, closest on 17 but rims out birdie putt… Day -4, Spieth -E, Grace +2… Remembering Spieth historic win in Australia… G’day for Spieth Down Under, Record 63 Wins Australian Open!

Thru 12 holes… took a little break at the turn… caught up with group at 3 tee… Day birdied 1 & 2… loses the honor when Spieth & Grace deuce No. 3 and he pars… exciting round of golf!

thru 15 holes… it’s Day’s day, not so much Spieth’s as he bogeys 5 & 6…

Wow, what a round of golf by Jason Day… ties record low 18-hole score of 9-under par 63 by 4 others… Fred Couples Rd. 3 in 1992 (T13 finish to Davis Love III win), Greg Norman Rd. 1 1994 (won by 4 strokes), Roberto Castro Rd. 1 2013 (T19 finish to Tiger’s win), Martin Kaymer Rd. 1 2014 (won by 1 stroke)… tragic ending for Spieth, double bogeys the last shoot even par 72… ditto score for Grace who double bogeyed the 15th earlier in the day. Memorable PLAYERS in progress… (Andy Reistetter, 5-12-16, Facebook Post with 24 Pics)

It was an amazing experience to walk with and watch Jason Day shoot that record tying 63 in the first round of the 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship… now at least I can upgrade my dream round in my head and keep dreaming about conquering the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass when she opens back up in November… did shoot a 3-under 70 at Old Elm back in the old Chicago days… right after playing for 3 years exclusively with my authentic & antique hickory-shafted golf clubs and then retooling with a new set of PING Rapture clubs… 9 birdies, 9 pars now wouldn’t that be nice to do or even dream about…

Round Two was as nearly exciting with Rory needing a birdie on the 9^th hole, his last but ended with a bogey to shoot 64!

Rory McIlroy nearly sets a new Course Record of 62 at THE 2016 PLAYERS Championship

Happy PLAYERS Friday! Started off No. 10 with Zach Johnson, Patrick Reed & Sergio Garcia… 4 birdies so far, rest pars, Sergio 2 under today. Said good bye to old No. 12, complete redo for next year into drivable par 4…

Holes 13, 14, & 15 with Kuch, Rickie & Adam Scott… tough day for Rickie… missed 2 short birdie putts & a sandy watery DB on 14…another beautiful day for scoring though feels like wind is picking up…ocean, beach, paradise!

GMac, Louie, & Hide kind for 16, 17 & 18… now Rory, Rory, Rory for his second 9, 7 under first 9…

WOW, what a day following Rory McIlroy, nearly a course record 62 except he bogeyed the last, the par-5 9th, instead of birdieing it, that’s golf, that’s life! Congratulations to Will Wilcox acing the 17th! Amazing! So good to see so many of my friends out there today, I love the spirit of THE PLAYERS, the people and our Ponte Vedra Beach community… TROML Day for sure! (-:

Rory nearly roared a record 62 in THE PLAYERS Championship but it was Pete Dye that must have smiled a bit at the end…

Colt Knost 3-putted the 18^th hole to become the sixth player to shoot a 63 in the PLAYERS!

Onward to Sunday which started with the 32nd Annual Non-Denominational Service on the back lawn of the Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass!

Spiritual Start to Pink-Out Sunday at THE PLAYERS Championship!

Spirit of THE PLAYERS Championship with me one week later and all year until the next PLAYERS Pink-Out Sunday… Fellowship of Christian Athletes Crosswater Community Church

Great start to PLAYERS Sunday at the 32nd Annual Non-Denominational Service on the back lawn of the Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass! Inspirational sharing of their love story by Jared & Kelsey Wolfe, Pastor Jack Millwood’s message & benediction, beautiful music & singing… golf is like life… something God put in me to do.. first met in Bowling. Green, KY & went bowling… peace, calmness, no stress… were friends before they were friends… making sure actions support what I say… prayed for God to change my heart… her steps, my steps, stepping together.. all I wanted to know is that she is okay… my love language is quality time together.. husband will not complete you. .. my joy is not from him… my joy comes from my relationship with Christ.. God is the rock of our marriage.. God is that peace that u r looking for…about half of the best players missed the cut.. we r not each other’s standards… Jesus Christ is our standard.. we get in Heaven on His ticket, a Sponsor’s Exemption… personal relationship with God. deep involvement.. supportive community… Jesus, lead me for the rest of my life… then the Ultimate at Darlene’s Diner for me & my buddy Stokes… TROML Day in progress! Happy Players Sunday! Splendid Spiritual Self (Andy Reistetter, 5-15-16, Facebook Post with Link)

My buddy Stokes Hill announcing on the first tee today! Great guy, great job, only wish I was a better videographer & documentarian! Yeah Stokes! (-: (Andy Reistetter, 5-15-16, Facebook Post with 1 Video)

Nice morning at TPC Sawgrass walking with Ernie Els & Justin Rose then checking out the “pinked out” 16, 17 & 18… love this place, my home away from home when I am home… great to see a lot of friends out there… watching the end on TV at home… wow, Jason Day no birdies on the first nine holes, but still up by 4 strokes thru 12 holes… the Duke is my hero… Kuch… who will win the 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship??? (Andy Reistetter, 5-15-16, Facebook Post with 29 Pics)

Bit sad the day after to see the circus move out of town to Dallas… but WOW what a great Players… Rickie Fowler to Jason Day transition in progress… Lots of Stadium Course changes coming up… 2017 THE PLAYERS Championship sure to be bigger & better.. c u there next year! (Andy Reistetter, 5-16-16, Facebook Post with 17 Pics)

That was a memorable PLAYERS! Thanks to all the Red Coats & Volunteers! Here’s an insider’s view of the PLAYERS volunteer organization with a look back to 2013 with Tournament Chairman Robert Davis! Can’t wait until next year’s THE PLAYERS Championship on the upgraded Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass!

Post 2016 PLAYERS meant major golf course renovations including a totally new 12^th hole for the 2017 PLAYERS and beyond!

New era at TPC Sawgrass with renovations of the Stadium Course underway… reminiscent of the original construction in the early 1980s… portraits on Championship Way removed… probably a few big surprises in store… (Andy Reistetter, 5/21/16, Facebook Post with 14 Pics)

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Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

Rory McIlroy nearly sets a new Course Record of 62 at THE 2016 PLAYERS Championship

May 13, 2016 By admin

I had a great view, everyone with stadium golf does, but my friend Merri Mike Mama, pinked out two days early than most, obviously had a better one!

Rory finishing on No. 9… I had a great view, everyone with stadium golf does, but my friend Merri Mike Mama, pinked out two days early than most, obviously had a better one!

My strategy for watching golf during Round Two of 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship was to start with the Zack Johnson/Patrick Reed/Sergio Garcia group, watch them for three holes and then do the same for two other groups, cascading back to and then follow Rory McIlroy for his second nine holes. I would have seen a lot more birdies if I had started with Rory and advanced through the three threesomes ahead of his group. Although I never would have left Rory as he shot a 7-under 29 with 5 birdies and an eagle on his first nine holes!

Rickie in trouble on the 14th with no finishing heroics to close translated to a missed cut for the defending champion.

Actually I am happy I was able to see the other nine golfers play. Zach Johnson was in contention and slong with Sergio and Patrick Reed making birdies for me to see. I happen to catch the Matt Kuchar/Rickie Fowler/Adam Scott at the time of Rickie’s demise on the always difficult par-4 14th to miss the cut. Bunkered left off the tee then dubbed it in the water looking a lot like us amateurs until he dropped a ball and hoisted a beauty up over the trees that I can only dream of and 2-putted for a bogey. I toured the scenically spectacular 16th, 17th and 18th with the Graeme McDowell/Louis Oosthuizen/Hideki Matsuyama group while looking back on Rory’s progress and sensational eagle at the 16th!

Kuch’s Krew was out in full force to see him post a 67 in Round 2 and finish T3 after a brilliant Sunday 68.

9:10 am Happy PLAYERS Friday! Started off No. 10 with Zach Johnson, Patrick Reed & Sergio Garcia… 4 birdies so far, rest pars, Sergio 2 under today. Said good bye to old No. 12, complete redo for next year into driveable par 4…

10:03 am Holes 13, 14, & 15 with Kuch, Rickie & Adam Scott… tough day for Rickie… missed 2 short birdie putts & a sandy watery DB on 14…another beautiful day for scoring though feels like wind is picking up…ocean, beach, paradise!

Interesting scenario on the 4th green when Dustin Johnson’s ball accidentally was dropped in the water hazard. His caddie had to jump in and luckily was able to retrieve the ball to avoid a penalty for substituting a ball to complete the hole.

11:19 am GMac, Louie, & Hideki for 16, 17 & 18… now Rory, Rory, Rory for his second 9, 7 under first 9… Oh yes, by the way Rory was playing with Dustin Johnson (shot 70 and finished T28) and Bubba Watson (shot 71 and finished T41).

7:57 pm WOW, what a day following Rory McIlroy, nearly a course record 62 except he bogeyed the last, the par-5 9th, instead of birdieing it, that’s golf, that’s life! Congratulations to Will Wilcox acing the 17th! Amazing! So good to see so many of my friends out there today, I love the spirit of THE PLAYERS, the poeple and our Ponte Ve Beach community… TROML Day for sure! (-:

Jason Day was able to get it up-and-down from the front right pot bunker while Rory was not from the left one.

I found it interesting how two of Pete Dye’s legendary pot bunkers impacted the way Rory finished his second round 64 and Jason Day finished his first round 63. They guard the front right and front left of the reachable 583-yard par-5 ninth hole upon which both Rory and Jason finished their rounds. Day was in the front right pot bunker in two and was able to get it up & down to a back right hole location to shoot a record tying 63 on Thursday. Rory chose to lay up needing birdie to set a new course record 62 even though he was within range. His 90-yard wedge third shot failed found the severely sloped grass depression around the front left pot bunker. From there it took him an additional three strokes to the front left hole location resulting in his 64 score. Surely Pete Dye was at home and continues to smile at his ‘Dye-abolical’ design of the Stadium Course.

Nice one on the scorecard Wil Wilcox! Photo Credit: NBC Sports/Golf Chaannel

Earlier in the day, Colt Knost shot a course record tying 63, missing a 6-footer in the last to shoot 62. The 2007 U.S. Amateur Champion and two-time Web.com Champion has yet to win on the PGA TOUR but joined 5 others in the record book for the low 18-hole score of 9-under par 63… Fred Couples Rd. 3 in 1992 (T13 finish to Davis Love III win), Greg Norman Rd. 1 1994 (won by 4 strokes), Roberto Castro Rd. 1 2013 (T19 finish to Tiger’s win), Martin Kaymer Rd. 1 2014 (won by 1 stroke) and a day earlier Jason Day who went on to win the 2016 PLAYERS in wire-to-wire fashion.

With my buddy Quinn watching the Rory action at the par-3 8th hole.

When I made it home to watch the rest of Round 2 on NBC Sports/Golf Channel I was treated to the first hole-in-one on the 17th since Miguel Angel Jimenez’s ace in 2002. What a wild and zany celebration which I thought was awesome! Nice ace in only Wil Wilcox’s second competitive tee shot on the iconic island green hole!

It was a fun day walking and watching golf with a kid from Hobart and William Smith Colleges named Quinn Schara. Here are the best 85 pictures from the 500 I took that day!

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Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

Witnessing History: Jason Day’s Record 63 in Rd. 1 of the 2016 PLAYERS!

May 12, 2016 By admin

Steve Sands on television with Jason Day after his historic 63! Photo Credit: NBC Sports/Golf Channel

Seeing Jason Day shoot a record-tying 63 on the Stadium Course in Round One of the 2016 PLAYERS Championship recording nine birdies and nine pars was amazing. He went on to win in wire-to-wire fashion and maintained his World Number One ranking. As good as when I saw Henrik Stenson shot a bogey-free 66 on Sunday to win in 2009.

Day was paired with Jordan Spieth, playing for the first time since a triple bogey 7 on the 12th cost him his second green jacket at Augusta National a month ago, and Branden Grace who won for the first time on the PGA TOUR at the RBC Heritage the week after The Masters. Here are my Facebook posts and pictures from Jason Day’s memorable day!

With my buddy & PLAYERS Tee Announcer Stokes Hill just before Jason Day teed off on the 10th tee.

9:46 am Round 1 2016 PLAYERS… following Day Spieth Grace… off 10 announced by my buddy Stokes Hill… Day birdie birdie birdie start… Spieth & Grace even all pars!

10:30 am Thru 6 holes, Day has cooked off, still -3… Spieth still all pars but hole high on 15… Grace crash & burn on 15 taking 4 greenside to get it in the hole, looked like me! Yeah Ernie Els!

11:28 am Thru 9… Spieth awakens with 2 putt birdie on 16… Day responds with duece on 17… Grace snake bitten, closest on 17 but rims out birdie putt… Day -4, Spieth -E, Grace +2… remembering Spieth historic win in Australia… G’day for Spieth Down Under, Record 63 Wins Australian Open!

Always a lot of fun to be at THE PLAYERS, never know who you will meet outside the ropes!

12:20 pm Thru 12 holes… took a little break at the turn… caught up with group at 3 tee… Day birdied 1 & 2… loses the honor when Spieth & Grace deuce No. 3 and he pars… exciting round of golf!

The last two posts coming later from home after my cell phone batteries died.

2:45 pm Thru 15 holes… it’s Day’s day, not so much Spieth’s as he bogeys 5 & 6…

4:29 pm Wow, what a round of golf by Jason Day… ties record low 18-hole score of 9-under par 63 by 4 others… Fred Couples Rd. 3 in 1992 (T13 finish to Davis Love III win), Greg Norman Rd. 1 1994 (won by 4 strokes), Roberto Castro Rd. 1 2013 (T19 finish to Tiger’s win), Martin Kaymer Rd. 1 2014 (won by 1 stroke)… tragic ending for Spieth, double bogeys the last shoot even par 72… ditto score for Grace who double bogeyed the 15th earlier in the day. Memorable PLAYERS in progress…

It was a spectacular day at TPC Sawgrass for Round One of the 2016 PLAYERS!

Jason Day is now in the record books of THE PLAYERS Championship tying the previous record low 18-hole score of 63 by Fred Couples (1992 Rd. 3, finish T10 to David Love III’s 1st of 2 PLAYERS win (also 2003)); Greg Norman (1994 Rd. 1, Won); Roberto Castro (2013 Rd. 1, finish T19 to Tiger Woods’ 2nd PLAYERS win); Martin Kaymer (Rd. 1 2014, Won); and then being tied by Colt Knost in Rd. 2 (T3 finish) and nearly Rory McIlroy who bogeyed his last (par-5 No. 9) to shoot 64 (T12 finish).

Here are the 85 pictures I took during Jason Day’s historic Round One at the 2016 PLAYERS:

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Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

Congratulations James Hahn, Mr. Passion & Perseverance!

May 8, 2016 By admin

James Hahn joyously running up the 18th fairway looking for a 2-putt for his tour card in the 2009 Q-School.

Back in the day when there was a Q-School that led professional golfers directly to the PGA TOUR I was assigned to James Hahn’s group. The year was 2008, it was the Q-School Finals at Bear Lakes and it was late on the afternoon of the final day. Hahn was in the hunt to make the Top 25 & Ties and earn himself a tour card for 2009. There was no wrap-around season back then either.

Coming off the tee at the par-4 18th hole he asked me if I knew what he needed to make it. I did know but I hesitated to tell him but I did—you need a par 4. I don’t want to interfere with any professional golfer’s golf game but he asked me so I felt obligated to tell him what I knew to be reasonably true.

On the right a dejected James Hahn after 4-putting for a double bogey to miss out on his tour card.

His tee shot was bunkered right. Not too severe of a bunker but there was water to carry to get to the green and it was probably a 6 or 7 iron for him. The youngster, a month after he turned 27, then hit a great shot onto the green about 40 feet away from the hole. A reasonable 2-putt would give him his first tour card. I was so excited for him. He was so excited for himself that he literally ran down the fairway and leapt for joy along the way.

Then he 4-putted for double bogey, a T34 finish and a card on the then Nationwide, not Web.com Tour.

In 2010 he played in 28 events, had five Top-10s and finished 29th on the Money List, not good enough for a PGA TOUR card. Then he finished T41 at the 2010 Q-School, not good enough for a PGA TOUR card.

The final standings has Hahn in the red indicating a card on the Web.com Tour not the blue coded PGA TOUR.

In 2011 he played in 25 events, had one Top-10 and finished 67th on the Money List. No tour card.

In 2012 he played in 24 Web.com events, caught fire, won The Rex Hospital Open in a playoff, finished 5th on the Money List and earned his tour card for the 2013 PGA TOUR season!

In 2013 he played in 26 PGA TOUR events with two Top-10s early in the year with a T4 at Humana Challenge and a T3 at Pebble Beach. I was at both those tournaments and had an opportunity to speak with the tour rookie at the Humana Challenge. My impression was that of a fine young man who had his humble head on straight with an open-minded approach to golf and life. That double bogey to miss his card back in 2009 was surely to be just a stepping stone in the big picture. It was an exciting year to be at the Humana with their sponsorship from the Bill Clinton Foundation and fitness advice from Mr. Gary Player himself. The light-hearted tournament in the desert where Bob Hope’s spirit is always lingering around any small or large gathering of people. After the fast start, Hahn would fade a bit missing seven of the last ten cuts he faced in 2013. and he finished No. 110 in the FedEx Cup Standings, which was good enough to keep his card for the newly format 2014/2015 wrap around season on the PGA TOUR.

It was a great honor for Merri Daniel and I to meet and interview Gary Player at the 2013 Humana Challenge.

In 2014, the now famous ‘Gangnam-style dancer’, would miss 13 of 27 cuts faced and again finish the year with two Top-10s and barely keeping his card. This time the peak performance came later in the year with a T5 at the HP Byron Nelson Championship and a T6 at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. Yet he missed three of the last seven cuts and squeaked in at No. 123.

In his breakthrough year of 2015, Hahn would trade in one of those reoccurring pair of Top-10s for a win at the Northern Trust Open in a playoff with Paul Casey and Dustin Johnson. He would win by canning a 25-footer on the third playoff hole. His second Top-10 came with a T6 finish at the Greenbrier Classic. With the early season win, Hahn played in his first Masters and missed the cut there and at the U.S. Open and British Open. Earning over $2 million for the year, the Korean-born American finished No. 51 making it through the first three FedEx Cup playoff events but failing to reach the Select 30 for the Tour Championship at Eastlake in Atlanta.

James Hahn, 2016 Wells Fargo Champion! Photo Credit: ESPN

So far this season, Hahn has duplicated his pair of Top-10s with a 6th place finish last November in the CIMB Classic and his one-hole playoff win today over Roberto Castro at the Wells Fargo Championship. His win came after a streak of eight straight missed cuts that goes all the way back to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am! That makes him 3-for-3 in playoffs and 52-for-96 in cuts made on the PGA TOUR. His cuts made percentage of roughly 50% was slightly better on the Web.com Tour ( 48-for-97) and while playing in Canada (16-for-24).

Bottom line is that James Hahn, now 34-years old and known to me as Mr. Passion & Perseverance never let that Q-School double bogey at the last phase him one iota. Maybe he doesn’t consistently make cuts but when he gets in a playoff he consistently wins!

Congratulations to James Hahn on his second career PGA TOUR victory!

With my buddy Frosty documenting Troy Merritt’s win at the 2009 Q-School. We didn’t compete but we did have the opportunity to play the Jack Nicklaus designed Lakes Course the next morning!

Bear Lakes Country Club, host to the 2009 Q-School.

Commemorative flag!

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

People of the 2016 Masters…

April 6, 2016 By admin

Masters People I met on Tuesday & Wednesday! Old friends & new ones. Yes, there’s me & Ernie Els again, both back from South Africa! LOL… he is my sentimental long shot pick, Rory my sure thing and Vaughan Taylor the surprise pick. Fore, now driving Arnold, Jack & Gary and then 89 golfers competing to become the 2016 Masters Champion! (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 4/6/16 with 30 Pics)

What an honor & privilege to be the Production Assistant in the booth with the talented Luke Elvy, Bobby Clampett & Ned Michaels on Holes 15 & 16 Live Coverage on Masters.com http://www.masters.com/en_US/watch/index.html Join us this weekend and if you have one tenth the fun I am having it will be the best golf broadcast you ever watched! Reminds me of growing up and watching the CBS golf broadcasts with my Dad, brothers and uncles… I am learning so much about The Masters traditions, the game of golf and my golf swing too! These guys are awesome and will take you theeere, I mean heeere, to The Masters! (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 4/9/16 with 5 Pics)

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

2016 Masters: Walking the Second Nine at Augusta National Golf Club…

April 4, 2016 By admin

Masters Tuesday walking the second nine… Camelia, White Dogwood, Golden Bell, Azalea, Chinese Fir, Firethorn, Redbud, Nandina, & Holly…beautifully designed golf course, wondrous to walk amongst the spectacular elegance of The Masters…

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Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

2016 Masters: Walking the First Nine at Augusta National Golf Club…

April 4, 2016 By admin

First Tee Augusta National, First Nine, Fore, Now Playing…

Awesome Masters Monday! Good to see some old friends & meet some new friends! Walked the first nine backwards (not the front nine, this IS The Masters) but presented here as you & I will play it one day… like walking in a garden… tea olive, pink dogwood, flowering peach, flowering crab apple, magnolia, juniper, pampas, yellow jasmine, Carolina cherry… they are all beautiful! Happy Spring!Inspired by the junior golfers competing in the National Drive, Chip & Putt Finals at August National… played Jones Creek Golf Club with two good (won’t say old because we are,all young, just have known each other a long time) buddies- Bill Wolfe & Jim Hughes… awesome time… original Rees Jones renovated by Tom Fazio… Georgia golf at its best, & beautiful! Masters week off to a great start! (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 4-4-16 with 30 Pics)

Masters Trivia… there is only one Palm tree on the entire Augusta National property… without googling it, can u guess the hole?

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Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

TPC Sawgrass; My Home Away from Home…

February 26, 2016 By admin

Here’s the highlight roll so far in 2016 and some from previous years. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes at TPC Sawgrass, Home of THE PLAYERS Championship. 2016 will be a monumental year for TPC Sawgrass and THE PLAYERS, quite like the opening of the new Clubhouse with a new May date back in 2008. THE PLAYERS 2016 is fast approaching… stay tuned…

At TPC with going around the circle CW—Cathy, Cathie, Sheryl, Bob, Emerson & yours truly…

Another enjoyable TPC night with my friend Cathy on Tuesday March 1st! Always good to see the other Cathie too and this time meet her husband Emerson. Networking night, meeting Cathy & Cathie’s other friends Sheryl & Bob from Portland, Oregon. Where of course I am heading to visit my son and do this year’s 2-week West Coast USA Golf Journey in the Northwest—Portland—Seattle—Vancouver, BC, Canada. What do you get when you combine two Cathy’s, two Oregon college guy buddies and a couple of golf nuts? A good time and hopefully a round of golf at Riverside CC in Portland. LOL!!!

With golf entrepreneur Quinn Schara, founder of ScoutGolf.

So the PGA Show in Orlando in January kicks off the year in the golf business… but seems like the business of golf continues at TPC Sawgrass all year long… here with golf entrepreneur Quinn Schara, founder of ScoutGolf, a customized scorecard that uses analytics to improve your golf game… (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 2/26/16)

ScoutGolf, the creation of Quinn Schara.

See I like the golf club in the logo for the ‘L’ in golf… now if Quinn Schara & ScoutGolf can take the ‘L’ shot out if my game I am sold! ‘L’ for that Lateral shot called a Shank! (-: (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 2/26/16)

Analyze your score and playing habits. Beautifully designed, easy to use, & digitally connected. 100% Customizable Scorecard. Know What The Pro’s Know. Scoutgolf offers EVERY GOLFER the ability to track their playing statistics, just as the PGA TOUR Pro’s do. www.scoutgolf.com

With my new friends Lucero & Stu… u meet the nicest people at TPC Sawgrass!

Another Saturday night, no date, and I ain’t got nobody, no money either cuz I never get paid… what should one do? Head to TPC Sawgrass & catch the end of Happy Hour in Nineteen… and meet Lucero & Stu, the nicest couple ever… life is good… (-: (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 2/20/16)

With my friends Cathy, Bill & Robin after coming home from South Africa!

Never really back home until I see my friends at Nineteen for a sundowner… quite the clever fellow to fetch a few mates whether heeeere or theeere in South Africa… only 94 days to THE PLAYERS Championship… can’t wait to see Rickie Fowler defend his title! (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 2/5/16)

My Farewell visit to Nineteen before leaving for the ‘Golf Journey to South Africa in early December 2015.

Farewell at TPC Sawgrass with friends Kimberly Graham & Dennis Berkholtz, Jarrad Kogos, & Stokes Hill… early Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Celebration… off to South Africa soon! (-: (Facebook Post 6 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/4/15)

Highlights from Previous Years:

Excitement in Nineteen this evening. Andrew Gore aced the par-3 17th on the Stadium Course… estimated bar bill of $1,000 plus… Priceless!(Facebook Post 1 Pic, Andy Reistetter, 10/17/14)

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

2016 PGA Show was a HUGE Success!

January 26, 2016 By admin

It’s GO time for the 2016 PGA Show! Sense that this will be a landmark year for this show & the PGA of America! No globe out front, great history exhibit, first woman elected as a national officer, will be a great year for golf and the business of golf! Off to the Demo Day at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 16 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/26/16)

Worlds largest driving range… 360 degreews, 400 yard diameter… encircled by golf club manufacturers, etc… Lots to see.. PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge (Facebook Post Video, Andy Reistetter, 1/26/16)

WOW, what a Demo Day that was! Nation’s largest driving range, Hickory Golfers, Centennial year for the PGA of America, hitting balls with clubs, walking all the way around, whew I am tired! Oh, already 2 am SA time, no wonder… PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions @PGA of America Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge (Facebook Post 12 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/26/16)

New champagne toast tradition this year with my buddy SJ. Good to catch up… where does time go? @PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions @PGA of America (Facebook Post 2 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/27/16)

It’s official, the 2016 PGA Merchandise show opened by Lee Trevino! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 8 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/27/16)

Titleist Opening Presentation… always the way I start the show… hosted by Jim Nantz this year… most personal, heartfelt I have seen him… 20 years with Titleist… Justin ‘BIG J’ Thomas with PGA Golf Professional Dad Mike. .. very inspirational… plus some free golf balls to play with this year! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 7 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/27/16)

Lee Trevino & his PGA Golf Professional Bill Eschenbrenner from El Paso Country Club on the PGA Forum Stage hosted by Fairways of Life w/ Matt Adams… great show… Lee grateful for Bill’s help for him to get his PGA card (no PGA Tour back in mid 1960s) which led to entry into US Opens which launched his professional golfing career… asked him what he wants to do for ‘the rest of his life?, his response thank PGA Golf professionals and do charitable work through golf… inspirational, bigger than life man! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 8 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/27/16)

Great presentation on Innovation mc’d by Jennifer Mills and facilitated by Futurist, trends & innovation expert Jim Carroll… gets you thinking about tomorrow & what’s coming… our chance to grow… technology is accelerating…. future belongs to those who move fast… good panel discusion with Club Car, Nextgengolf, GolfTEC, Topgolf, & GAME GOLF… PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 12 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/27/16)

Walking the floor on Day 1 of the 2016 PGA Show… good to see some old friends & meet some new ones! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 17 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/27/16)

Work continues into the night at the PGA Show… not complaining… just saying… awesome Fusion Media Strategies event hosted by Kevin Frisch at Brick House Tavern + Tap… have to play Forest Dunes Golf Club in Michigan… reversible nines by Tom Doak???!!!… might help my game as I routinely play from adjacent fairways, maybe I will be headed in the right direction… I don’t know about you but I am ready for a GOLF MOJO Revolution… then of course, when in Orlando, one must howl at the moon a bit… who was that guy and what did I give him??? PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions @PGA of America Howl at the Moon Orlando (Facebook Post 14 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/28/16)

With the legendary Lee Elder…

Day 2 of walking the PGA Show… lots of stories to tell… here r the pics for now… PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 24 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/28/16)

Great honor & privilege to meet and interview golfing legend Lee Elder… fascinating yet very humble man… first African-American to play in The Masters in 1975… played a total of 6 times… 7 Top-25s in 34 majors…won 12 times worldwide including 4 on the PGA TOUR and 8 on the Champions Tour (then Senior PGA TOUR)… quite a performance over time… longevity is the sign of a great career & life… at age 81 so youthful & inspirational in conversation… I hope I grow up one day to be like him! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post 3 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/28/16)

Inspirational night at the Folds of Honor event at House of Blues Orlando… Musical performance by Matt Williams… heartfelt story of a mother & 2 daughters who lost their husband & father… Patriot Days in 2015 raised $6,445,000… Bushnell donated another $259,788… scholarships for children of our fallen heroes… support a Patriot Day near you in 2016… this foundation & your donation is making a HUGE impact in lives of innocent children who’s parent gave the Ultimate Sacrafice for the freedom we enjoy in America today! PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions PGA of America (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 1/28/16)

Walking the floor on the final day of the 2016 PGA Show… now totally jazzed up for the New Year of Golf! (Facebook Post 30 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/29/16)