People in Golf — Page 10

Jim Ferree, Golf’s Southern Gentleman at Heart and In Deeds…

April 16, 2014 By admin

Portrait of Jim Ferree in the Jim Ferree Room at Long Cove Club.

Golf is a game of gentle people, women and men, that regard the game above that of their own individual domain. Golf is a game of tradition, of honor, to be passed from one generation to another in a way that preserves its history and place in sport. Over the years I have gained an appreciation for the Low Country of South Carolina with its tidal salt marshes, Southern Charm and Southern Hospitality. I was intrigued by the opportunity to interview Jim Feere, a literal Legend of Golf, at the Long Cove Club, the exclusive private club on Hilton Head Island. I would learn a great deal more about the heart and deeds of Golf’s Southern Gentleman, the poster child of senior golf whose silhouette is the logo golfer of the PGA TOUR’s Champions Tour.

My biggest challenge with interviewing Jim Ferree was condensing down the hour long videotaped interview into 17 minutes of a two-part interview. Then again into a minute and a half of highlights. The long unedited versions belong in a seminal book of Southern Storytelling at its finest.

CLICK here for the Highlights Video Interview with Jim Ferree at Long Cove Club.

CLICK here for Part 1 of 2 of the Video Interview with Jim Ferree at Long Cove Club.

Just sitting there and listening to Mr. Jim Ferree was quite an honor and privilege. Definitely one of golf’s grandest gentlemen!

Sitting there in the Jim Ferree Room at the Long Cove Club with Jim Ferree below his inspiring portrait reminded me of another of golf’s great gentleman, Bobby Jones and his portrait that hangs above the fireplace in the clubhouse at Eastlake Golf Club. Impeccably dressed, Mr. Ferree was more than charming and more than funny as he told stories that bridged the days in golf and his life from Jones to the present. His respect, admiration and love for his namesake father was evident from his first mention. The same is true for his perspective of golf and his lifelong love affair with it.

The Long Cove Club shines so bright that there are sunspots in person too!

Born near Pinehurst, North Carolina he came to golf almost by birthright. Jim’s father Purvis, was the long-time pro at Winston-Salem’s Old Town Golf Club, a historic Perry Maxwell design. As life will do with birthrights, the reality of The Depression and World War II intervened into Jim’s life. A career in golf wasn’t really his choice but presented itself and he seized the opportunity with good play winning his first and only PGA TOUR event in 1958—the Vancouver Open. The yips came and seized his competitive career and then went with the long putter. a.k.a. as the broomstick. Mr. Ferree endured to become one of the early champions of the Champions Tour and won twice out there as it transitioned from its inception as the Senior Tour.

We were itching to get out to that first tee!

On and off the tour circuit there were club pro jobs in the summer in Pittsburgh and in Savannah in the winter which putt him in close proximity to the advent of Hilton Head Island and the Long Cove Golf Club. He was there before the beginning, making trips up to Indianapolis (in the winter mind you) convincing Pete Dye to take the Long Cove Club design job and walking the course with him as it emerged from the beautiful and pristine Low Country. The lists of names of the Director of Golf and Head Golf Professional are short at clubs like Long Cove Club and Jim Ferree and his wife Karen are on those lists respectively.

CLICK here for Part 2 of 2 of the Video Interview with Jim Ferree at Long Cove Club.

Hats off to a guy whose hat says it all!

In the second half of the interview, Mr. Ferree continues to share stories of his inspirational life and golf career. Then it turns to something near and dear to his and the club’s heart—junior golf and passing the thrill and legacy of golf on to the younger generation not just here in the Low Country but around the world in places like Scotland Mr. Ferree and the Long Cove Club are giving back to the game they love in terms of support of the First Tee of Hilton Head and by hosting the Morcott Cup an annual cultural exchange and golfing competition between youth here and in there where golf began.

The Morcott Cup—the youth of Scotland and the United States engaged in making the world a better place through golf and life…

It was an inspiring morning at the Long Cove Club interviewing Mr. Jim Ferree in his own room. I feel my transition to the Low Country is now complete with years of admiration for the tidal saltmarsh views now accentuated with insight into the heart and life of Jim Ferree—indeed Golf’s Finest Southern Gen

tleman at Heart and In Deeds…

With Mr. Jim Ferree and Head PGA Golf Professional Bob Patton.

This plaque says it all about Mr. Jim Ferree and the Long Cove Club!

The lush green fairways of the Long Cove Club on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina!

Filed Under: People in Golf

Alberto Valenzuela, Mr. Colombia when it comes to Golf!

April 5, 2014 By admin

Alberto Valenzuela, the premier Golf Course Superintendent & Architect in Colombia.

The third chapter of the “Journey to Olympic Golf” started with a flight from Panama City, Panama to Cartgena, Colombia and a visit to the Karibana Golf Resort. It was a privilege to meet and play golf with Joseph Mildenberg, part owner and the Sales & Marketing Guru of the only seaside golfing resort in Colombia. He was a happy owner taking note of the extraordinary work down in a short period of time by his new golf superintendent Alberto Valenzuela. The Jack Nicklaus design was lush and a sea of its own emerald green adjacent to the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Joseph would tell you he has brought the Karibana golf course back to life!

CLICK here for a VIDEO INTERVIEW with Alberto Valenzuela at Karibana.

With Alberto Valenzuela at Karibana.

Alberto was born in Cali and raised in Bogota. He played golf and was educated at Fresno State in California before constructing golf courses around the world for various designers. Now, back home for good with 29 years of experience in the golf course business he simply says “I am from Colombia” and “golf means everything to me, I sleep, breathe, and eat golf, it is my passion.” That’s why I nicknamed him “Mr. Colombia” when it comes to golf. Of course, that title goes to Camilo Villegas when it comes to playing competitive golf at the highest level and being a champion on the PGA TOUR. The ‘Cheerful Colombian,’ a friend of the Villegas family pointed me in the direction of Camilo’s hometown of Medellin and the Llanogrande golf course he grew up on.

CLICK here for a VIDEO INTERVIEW with Alberto Valenzuela at Llanogrande.

With Fernando Villegas & Alberto Valenzuela at Llanogrande for breakfast.

From Cartegena I flew to Bogota for a few days and then to Medellin as a guest of Sergio Saldarriaga, the President of Club Campestre Medellin at both their ‘country’ Llanogrande course and their ‘city’ Medellin course. In Medellin I met and interviewed Camilo and Manuel’s swing coach Rogelio Gonzalez but that is another story to tell and post along with my interview with Sergio. I played the Llanogrande course and spent the next day with Alberto and Fernando Villegas who is the father of Camilo and Manuel. What a day of insight into the minds of two great architects. Plus to be where Camilo grew up and to walk the golf course as he did as a kid before going onto the University of Florida and fame and fortune on the PGA TOUR was an awesome adventure. The video below speaks to the teamwork and resulting creativity between Alberto and Fernando. It also includes an interview with Fernando (with Alberto acting as translator) speaking to raising two champion golfers, having them partner together in a World Cup representing Colombia and the possibilities of them playing golf in the 2016 Olympics.

CLICK here for a VIDEO INTERVIEW of Fernando Villegas and Clips of Two Working Architects.

Enjoy these pictures from Llanogrande Medellin:

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Enjoy these pictures from Karibana:

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Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

Meet Jarrad Kogos the “Write” Way…

March 28, 2014 By admin

This edition of Golf Writer Andy Reistetter’s exclusive “Meet Golfers the Write Way” series features someone you may not have heard of (yet) but surely will someday soon. Jarrad Kogos is a golfer unlike any you have met. Playing golf with him is a fun and inspiring experience. As a person he would like to “HUG” you and in so doing bring a lot of folks like himself to the game of golf. If you have lost perspective in life or on the golf course come along and play a round with Jarrad. One of the most interesting and passionate golfer and person you will ever meet.

Jarrad Kogos is at home in the middle of the fairway.

I first met Jarrad as he walked along the practice range at TPC Sawgrass. It was last fall during the Nationwide Tour’s Winn Dixie Jacksonville Open on Dye’s Valley Course.

At the same time we met James Bond, an amputee that runs “Amputee Talk Shop”. Bond, like the one in the movies had a high tech remote gismo. This one sets the knee bend angle on his titanium Computer-Leg. That’s “C-Leg” for short. He let me tap his artificial leg and play a little with the remote. James Bond is a golf nut and it seems like an advantage to a golfer to have your right knee angle consistent throughout the backswing.

Jarrad was a little different but not much different. With Bond you could see what was that was different with him. With Jarrad, to be able to see what is different you have to take some time, think about it and get to know him a little.

Two more players in red and green and we were a fruit salad foursome for sure!

I learned a little of Jarrad’s story during that October day. At age 12 Asperger’s appeared in his life and he became a high functioning autistic young man. After seeing Tiger Woods win THE PLAYERS in 2001 he tried out for the local Fletcher High School golf team. His game improved quickly from shooting an 87 for nine holes to a 47. As his golf scores went down so did his grades at school.

The reason his grades went down wasn’t because he was playing more golf or goofing off at the golf course. It wasn’t something his parents Colleen and Donald could coach him through or simply help their child overcome. Severe headaches, eyes that hurt and bad hiccups were symptoms of what an MRI confirmed. It was a malignant brain tumor that required surgery, radiation and chemotherapy at age 17.

“Life, it happens,” is what Jarrad said to me when we got together to play golf on a beautiful day in March when “spring has sprung” in Northeast Florida.

I learned to never give a man with his name on his bag strokes, just H.U.G. him…Help Us Golf…

“How do you pronounce your last name,” I asked.

“Kogos, like bogus,” he responded. He then told me I looked like a lemon in my yellow shirt. He was in orange and commented, “that all we need is two more players wearing red and green and we will be a fruit salad.”

I really didn’t know what to expect playing with an autistic player and someone who survived a brain tumor.

He certainly isn’t bogus I thought and laughed along with him. He is a smart and funny 24-year old nice guy.

I did learn that his balance and eyesight were impaired and that is where I could help him during the round. I drove the cart and he instructed me to drive it right up onto the tee. Level ground is his friend and I thought “oh my gosh this is Dye’s Valley, the land of up and down diabolical lies, how will we ever manage?”

Scottish Bagpiper Bill Sloan played a little for us at TPC Sawgrass… maybe the knickers aren’t too far out of place!

When Jarrad looks to the green he sees a flag and a half. Any help with setup and direction would be appreciated especially lining up putts on the green. His peripheral vision is limited and that is why he sometimes jumps when people come towards him. He is startled when he doesn’t see them coming.

After he sliced his drive off to the right on the first tee he told me “I am a magician and made the ball disappear.”

In reality he swings the golf club like Ben Hogan. Others have made that comment to him and his response is “they call Hogan the Hawk and Jarrad the Squawk.” He does talk a lot but like Lee Trevino he is quite entertaining.

When we reached the green he told me to drive the cart right onto the fringe so he could get out without losing his balance. I was use to driving on fairways and not tees and greens so it took me most of the round to get comfortable doing so. The ground was dry and firm so there were no marks left behind but still it was an awkward feeling.

Other than driving the cart everywhere playing with Jarrad was not awkward at all. The only other accommodations were that I teed up his ball for him and checked his alignment like the caddies do on the LPGA tour. Though I would stay in position and watch his swing. With quick hands at impact most of his drives were straight and carried nearly 200 yards.

Jarrad is one of the friendliest and most golf knowledgeable people you will meet hanging around TPC Sawgrass!

It took him three years to learn to walk again after the surgery and leave his wheelchair behind. Off course he frequently utilizes a walker to minimize the number of times he loses his balance to avoid falls.

I grabbed his belt from behind as he played a nice recovery shot near the lake on the 6^th fairway. I didn’t want to see if he could swim. He made a 15-footer on No. 5 and a 12-footer on No. 7 with birds chirping during his putting. Hitting driver off the deck on the par- 5 8^thhole, he made solid contact. He nearly parred the difficult par-4 9^th hole.

This kid has got game. Ever since he got out of the wheelchair, his aspiration is to become a PGA Professional. He recently took the first step of that journey by taking his PAT with Jeff Hopkins at Hidden Hills.

Jarrad wants to help grow the game of golf especially to folks like himself. In reality as the president of the nonprofit HUG- “Help Us Golf” he is already doing that. Jarrad is a coach for the Special Olympics and also supports The First Tee of Duval County.

When asked what it is like to be Jarrad Kogos he can’t describe it but adamantly says “I have Asperger’s, but Asperger’s does not have me.”

For a guy that can barely stand at times, he stands out… simple, smart, unique.

In most regards, Jarrad is just another golfer, someone who loves the game and the challenge. Maybe what is not normal is how we look at him and others when they want to come out and play golf? We think of scores and competition instead of friends, family and fun as the PGA of America is promoting this year with Golf 2.0.

With Jarrad at the October 2012 First Tee ‘Taste of Golf.’

As with Bond, Jarrad really isn’t any different than you and me. Sure there are some physical differences beyond the usual height and weight ones. Truly when it comes to the important things like heart, desire, and simply being alive, living fully in the moment we can all be like Mr. Bond and Jarrad.

This was one of the most enjoyable rounds of golf I have ever experienced. Playing golf and spending time with Jarrad was fun and inspiring. I hope to tee it up again with him soon. Maybe Mr. Bond can join us but I am not giving him any strokes with that C-Leg.

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

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

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

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

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

Robert Trent Jones Jr. & the NEW Poppy Hills on the Monterey Peninsula!

March 26, 2014 By admin

With Robert Trent Jones, Jr. at the NCGA headquarters at Poppy Hills Golf Course.

Poppy Hills is back, better than ever and open to public golf starting on Friday, April 4th. I can’t wait to play the new Poppy Hills Golf Course. While at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am back in February I was able to get a non-playing sneak preview at a reception hosted by the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA). I looked forward to the chance to interview the golf course architect of Poppy Hills, Robert Trent Jones Jr. I had met the young Jones at a Gatsby-like party at the 2011 Masters and recall his gift of the Golf by Design book and an intriguing article entitled “Yale Story” that is about opening the Moscow Country Club in September 1994. Think about the golf history witnessed and made in the Jones family!

CLICK here for the VIDEO INTERVIEW with Robert Trent Jones, Jr. at Poppy Hills Golf Course.

Aerial view of the 10th hole at Poppy Hills. Photograph courtesy of Joann Dost/NCGA.

As Mr. Jones states in the interview, “Pebble Beach is the best golfing zip code in America,” and now Poppy Hills is back as the “King of the Hill” of the nine golf courses located on the Monterey Peninsula. The son of the man, Robert Trent Jones Sr., who created the curriculum for a golf course architect at and graduated from Cornell University in 1930, reminisces about the era of golf course design in 1986 when Poppy Hills first opened. A bold, hard, and dramatic golf course with large greens was the rage back then and Jones, Jr. “popped the hills off of Poppy and enlarged the golf course into the forest” to bring the wayward child back into vogue in the 21st century. Though this redesign was has been given accolation already for its environmental consciousness as previously maintained green areas have been converted to sandy waste land saving water and fertilizer expense.

That’s the Lone Cypress on the 17-Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula.

When you drive the 17-Mile Drive starting at the Pacific Grove gate you drive by some pretty impressive golf courses- Pacific Grove Golf Links, Spanish Bay Golf Links, Monterey Peninsula Dunes & Shore Courses, Spyglass Hill, Cypress Point Club, Pebble Beach Golf Links and the Peter Hay GC… the last one being Poppy Hills, the “King of the Hill” on the Monterey Peninsula! Oh yeah there is a pretty nice Cypress Tree out on a rock between Cypress Point and Pebble Beach, definitely worth the stop!

Here are some pictures from the Poppy Hills reception during the Pebble Beach Pro-Am week, me sneaking back for a few pictures during the day and some awesome media pictures as well. Below the pictures is the press release from the Opening Day Celebration. I hope to see you out there playing the NEW Poppy Hills, “King of the Hill” on the Monterey Peninsula!

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Added Excitement Surrounds Opening Day Celebration at Poppy Hills
Reinvented Layout in Pebble Beach, CA To Co-Host Champions Tour Event Starting This Fall

PEBBLE BEACH, CA (March 20, 2014) … It has been 13 months since Poppy Hills Golf Course closed for a near top-to-bottom redesign overseen by the course’s original architect Robert Trent Jones II. But if the excitement of today’s Opening Day festivities weren’t enough, it seems that there is even more good news.

Adding to the buzz is the announcement that the all-new Poppy will co-host the Champions Tour’s Nature Valley First Tee Open, teaming with its esteemed neighbor, Pebble Beach Golf Links, from Sept. 22-28.

Poppy Hills officially debuted its new layout today after closing last March for a comprehensive renovation. The course reopens for public play on April 4, 2014.

Jones was on-hand to hit the ceremonial first shot at the new Poppy Hills, 28 years after he did so to debut his original design in 1986. He was joined for the first shot by:

Brian Morse, President of the NCGA, the largest regional golf association in the country
Derrell Biddy, President of Poppy Holding Company, which oversees golf operations
Patrick Moran, an 11-handicap golfer representing the 150,000 members of the NCGA.

“Since Poppy Hills is the members’ course,” Morse said, “we wanted to honor our member in the special ceremony. It worked out perfectly to have Patrick with us on this special day to represent the entire NCGA membership.”

Jones returned to rejuvenate Poppy Hills, restoring each hole to its natural elevation along the forest floor, softening doglegs and contours, and redesigning all 18 greens with bentgrass.

Among the most significant changes were:

Revitalizing a seasonal creek that cuts in front of the new ninth green
Building the new 11^th hole, the shortest par 3 at Poppy Hills
Creating the downhill 12^th hole, which tees off toward a spectacular ocean view of Monterey Bay

The catalyst for the renovation was to find a way to improve drainage while conserving water. The introduction of native waste areas reduces irrigated turf by nearly 25 acres, while a 20 percent more efficient irrigation system was installed. The entire course was sand capped to enhance drainage and rough also was eliminated, further promoting firm-and-fast play, as well as more imaginative shot making.

“It’s a renaissance more than a renovation,” Jones said. “It’s really a brand new golf course. The new conceptions have reinvigorated the golf course. They will bring the course back to all its glory.”

Par has dropped from 72 to 71, but yardage has increased from 6,863 to 7,002 from the new Jones Trail (back set of tees). The Jones Trail plays to a rating of 73.5 and a slope of 135, but now there is more flexibility in course setup, with five sets of tees instead of four.

And even before the ceremonial first shot was taken, Poppy Hills was already deemed “Tour-quality” with the confirmation of The First Tee Open partnership. Of course, Poppy Hills is no stranger to pro tour competition. It co-hosted the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am from 1991-2009, as well as the Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational for four years.

“The First Tee Open is a wonderful partner for the home course of the Northern California Golf Association,” said Brad Shupe, General Manager of Poppy Hills Golf Course. “One of the prime initiatives of the NCGA Foundation is its Youth on Course program, which allows boys and girls to play courses for only $5. And we are proud that two of the last three pro-junior teams to win The First Tee Open were made up of Youth on Course players.”

Four Youth on Course members were also represented in the opening day ceremony – Richard Garcia, Jack Hyland, Katie Hyland and Mariel Mercado, all from Salinas. Each was the “official caddie” for the four representatives who hit the official first shot.

For additional information about Poppy Hills Golf Course and to reserve tee times, visit www.poppyhillsgolf.com

About the Northern California Golf Association
The NCGA is one of the largest regional golf associations in the country, with more than 150,000 members throughout Northern California and into Nevada. The NCGA is the only golf association in the country to own two courses – Poppy Hills in Pebble Beach and Poppy Ridge in Livermore.

Since 1901, it has been the NCGA’s mission to support and promote the game of golf in Northern California. The NCGA provides official handicap indexes, conducts more than 50 championships annually, rates courses throughout Northern California, publishes NCGA Golf magazine and operates a Foundation to support deserving youth. The NCGA Foundation’s Youth on Course program allows juniors to play more than 100 courses in Northern California for just $5.

About Poppy Hills
Poppy Hills was the first golf course to be owned and operated by a regional golf association in the country. Built in 1986 by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Poppy Hills hosted the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am from 1991 through 2009, as well as the Callaway Invitational for four years. Poppy Hills has also hosted the 1991 NCAA Men’s Division I Golf Championship, and has been the tournament home for NCGA championships. It is the headquarters of the NCGA.

Press Release courtesy of Hunter PR.

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

Tribute to Legendary Golfer Jack Fleck

March 24, 2014 By admin

CLICK here for the Jack Fleck posting during the “Journey to Olympic Golf.”

With Jack Fleck and his Olympic Gold Golf Medal.

Jack Fleck, a humble and joyous man first, legendary golfer second passed on Friday, March 21st, 2014 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. I was blessed to visit with him and his wife Carmen in their home in October 2013. We also enjoyed time together touring around his beloved Hardscrabble CC. I presented him with a 1904 Olympic Golf Gold Medal at the time because he epitomizes the highest ideals of a human being and a sportsman. The above link and JTOG posting serves as a tribute to Mr. Fleck. My sympathy goes out to Carmen, Jack’s son Craig, all their family and friends, Ed & Jeremy and all who knew of and admired Mr. Jack Fleck.

CLICK here for TRIBUTE VIDEO, somehow I see Jack above in the wide open sky…

Below I have included tributes from Jack’s best friend Ed Tallach and Jeremy Moe, the Head Golf Professional at Hardscrabble CC, Jack’s club in Fort Smith, Arkansas. If you met Jack in the last seven years like I did, Ed Tallach was always by Jack’s side helping him plan, travel to and enjoy golfing events like the United States Open and The Masters. Likewise, Jack introduced me to Jeremy last October and as you can see in the posted video interview where Jack introduces Jeremy, theirs is a special friendship as well.

Dr. Seuss would tell us to not be sad because Jack has passed but be happy because Jack was here with us for 92 years. I am both with great gratitude for having the opportunity to get to know him a little bit these last few years. I am sure he has already recorded another ace in that wonderful golf course in the sky! So long Jack, we love you and miss you already!

Here is Ed Tallach’s tribute to Jack Fleck:

Jack and Ed frolicking on the practice putting green at the 2012 Masters right before the Wednesday par-3 contest.

My having had Jack as a friend and an associate has been a great highlight of my life. I watched Jack play as a youngster and as an aspiring tournament golfer in the 1967 Illinois Open in the Chicago area where he was the pro at the prestigious Green Acres Country Club. He had taken club pro jobs at that stage of his career that would allow him to compete on the tour on a part time basis. I moved to Arkansas in 1970 and when I heard of his project of building a unique concept golf course in Magazine Arkansas, I had to make the trip from my home in Hot Springs to possibly have a chance to meet a U.S. Open Champion in person. We began a relationship that evolved into us working and traveling together since that initial meeting. I have had the distinct privilege of observing the admiration, respect and love the golf community has for this man nationwide and also in the British Isles.

Jack and Ed walking side-by-side at the 2008 U.S. Open when I first met them.

Jack’s life differed from most celebrity athletes of his era in that his main interests were centered around health and fitness. He was a pioneer in this area. Gary Player shared with me personally how Jack’s life was an inspiration to him. After Player watched him hit balls at The Legends tournament last year , he turned to me and said, “he is the bionic man”. Jack Nicklaus, Player’s partner in the event, asked Jack for his drivers license on the practice tee to prove he was actually 91 years of age. Lee Trevino who we have spent quality time with stated, “when I grow up, I want to be like Jack”. Jack’s diet regime was very rigid and when traveling very difficult to maintain and sometimes, if I may add, to the point of extreme frustration for me. I can recall invitations to prominent celebrity functions that were turned down due to the menu. He was always quick to share with the wait staff and at times with restaurant management at some of the countrys finest restaurants the benefits of proper diet and how they could improve their offerings accordingly.

Three Amigos- Ed, Jack & me at the 2012 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club where Jack and Billy Casper were honored.

Jack was best known for his historic 1955 US Open win over Ben Hogan as a club pro. His other regular tour and senior tour accomplishments are rarely mentioned. He was the 1960 Phoenix Open champion and in that same year lost twice in sudden death playoffs. Arnold Palmer defeated him at the Insurance City Open in Hartford Conn. and George Bayer chipped in to defeat him on the first hole of the St. Petersburg Open in Florida. But for you golf historians, the 1960 US Open at Cherry Hills in Denver is heralded as the historic changing of the guard so to speak with Arnold Palmer winning in a charge,a young Jack Nicklaus as an amateur finishing second and an aging Ben Hogan fading the last nine. The story should have included Jack who was third. This part of the story was disclosed to all in attendance at the 50th anniversary celebration of this historic tournament that Jack and I attended in 2010. His last 18 holes on that afternoon 36 hole final included 5 three putts with 4 of them in the last nine,once from 3 feet. He basically handed Palmer the title and let the young Nicklaus slip by him for second. Jack’s last regular tour win was the 1961 Bakersfield Open and he added another major win to his resume with the 1979 Senior PGA Championship.

Jack may be waving good bye to us but is surely saying hello to the Lord in Heaven above…

I will attest to Jack’s faith and love of the Lord. He would emotionally share this with me on every trip we made and he had the opportunity through his celebrity status to do the same on national stages both via television and the news media. His 1955 experience of the Lord speaking to him personally is legendary. So, to his loving wife Carmen, son Craig, granddaughter Jennifer and his Hardscrabble family, I extend my sympathy for this great loss but with confidence that Jack has been taken from us by the angels of the Lord to his well deserved place in heaven.

ED TALLACH, 3/24/14

Here is Jeremy Moe’s tribute to Jack Fleck:

Jeremy Moe with Jack Fleck at Hardscrabble CC in October 2013.

1955 US Open Champion, long time Fort Smith resident and Hardscrabble Member, Jack Fleck, has passed away at the age of 92. Jack will be missed and we will always cherish the time we had with the legendary golfer.

Recently, in the summer of 2012, Jack was invited to attend the US Open and celebrate the anniversary of his win at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Jack made us proud as he handled the interviews with his usual grace and class, despite his declining health.

Less than a year ago, Jack made Sport Center’s Top 10 when he hit a 9 iron to a gimmie birdie during the Par 3 Tournament at the Masters. That shot was replayed over and over at the club as all of us at Hardscrabble were so proud of our champion.

Jack loved trees, especially the ones at Hardscrabble CC.

Augusta contacted Jack a few months ago to invite him to hit the opening shot at this year’s Masters. Jack was making plans to go, but his health just didn’t allow.

Jack often shared his story surrounding the 1955 US Open and would describe a visit he experienced from The Lord. He was in his hotel bathroom, looking in the mirror, when clear as day, he heard The Lord say, “Jack, today you are going to win the US Open.” Jack described that on that day, he hit the ball unbelievable distances and when the birdie putt on 18 dropped, Jack had tied Ben Hogan. He would go on to beat Hogan the next day in a playoff. Jack gave The Lord the credit for his win, and we know now he joins him in Heaven.

Farewell to our friend, Jack Fleck, and thank you for all the memories and special moments you helped create.

Here is the obituary of Jack Fleck by The Associated Press:

FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) — Jack Fleck, who produced one of golf’s greatest upsets by beating Ben Hogan in a playoff to win the 1955 U.S. Open, died Friday (3/21/14). He was 92.

He had been the oldest living U.S. Open champion.

The Edwards Funeral Home said Fleck died after a brief illness. Jim Edwards, the general manager, said he saw Fleck hitting golf balls as recently as six weeks ago.

Fleck returned to The Olympic Club two years ago when the U.S. Open celebrated its champions at the San Francisco course.

“I was fortunate to do the playing at that time and I’ve read a lot about it, that I out-Hoganed Hogan,” Fleck said in June 2012. “There was no time at all that I felt scared or under pressure coming down to the wire.”

Hogan appeared to be on his way to a record fifth U.S. Open title in 1955, closing with a 70 to finish at 7-over 287. He already was being congratulated by players who figured no one could catch him. But Fleck, an Iowa club pro in his first year on the PGA Tour, made two birdies over the final four holes for a 67 to force a playoff.

Fleck shot 69 in the playoff to beat Hogan by three shots.

“It was like someone who had never won a tour tournament beating Tiger Woods today,” Fleck said in a 2002 interview with The Associated Press.

Fleck won only two other events on the PGA Tour. He also won the Senior PGA Championship in 1979.

“Jack was a great player who will always be remembered for winning in legendary fashion, capturing one of the most memorable tournaments in the history of our game,” PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said. “He embodied the ideals of a U.S. Open Champion for the remainder of his career. He also played a major role in the early years of the Champions Tour for which we are all indebted.”

But it was that U.S. Open title over Hogan that made him famous. Fleck said he was advised to save his energy when he arrived in San Francisco, but he loved Olympic so much that he wound up playing 45 holes of practice on Monday and Tuesday, and 36 holes on Wednesday.

He said in the 2002 interview that he knew he would win the U.S. Open after hearing a voice in his head while shaving Saturday morning before the 36-hole final. He was listening to a record of Mario Lanza singing, “I’ll Walk With God.”

“I heard a voice that said, ‘You are going to win the Open,'” Fleck said.

Born on Nov. 7, 1921, in Bettendorf, Iowa, Fleck learned the game as a caddie in Davenport, Iowa, where his father was a farmer. With borrowed clubs, he did well in caddie tournaments and, when he graduated from high school in 1939, decided to head south to Texas to play golf and escape Iowa’s harsh winters.

He served in the Navy during World War II and saw action during the Normandy invasion on British rocket ship off Utah Beach.

“Floating and circulating mines were sinking all kinds of American ships, crafts, gun boats, destroyers, etc., a real mess, with men in the water just trying to stay afloat in a sea of blood,” he wrote in his book, “The Jack Fleck Story.”

Fleck resumed his golf career in 1946 and scored his breakthrough victory in the 1955 U.S. Open. Fleck won only $6,000 for that major title — last year’s U.S. Open champion, Justin Rose, earned $1.44 million — and made money by doing exhibitions.

“There wasn’t as much money back then,” Fleck said in 2005. “Golf wasn’t quite that big yet. But I made two or three times more than Ed Furgol, who was the winner before. And I pushed it for two years. But it affected my golf. I should have won more.”

Fleck won his first senior title a year before the 50-and-over Champions Tour began. He later won the senior division of the Legends of Golf. He played the senior circuit regularly until 1991, when he devoted his time to teaching and running Li’l Bit of Heaven, a golf course he designed in Magazine, Ark.

Fleck is survived by his wife, Carmen; his son, Craig; a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.

Filed Under: People in Golf

Pebble Beach, Always on My Mind…

February 5, 2014 By admin

With the Monterey Peninisula’s Lone Cypress Tree…2014 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

2014 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

An exquisite start to my year on tour, the 2014 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am! No matter the weather, this is an exciting and fun week for the professional golfers, their amateur and celebrity partners and the fans and media. Pebble Beach Golf Links and the Monterey Peninsula, what a spectacular setting and what a great community. While there may be a Lone Cypress Tree out there, there certainly isn’t a lot of lonely people due to the charitable work of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the organization that stages both the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on the PGA TOUR and the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach on the Champions TOUR and disperses the proceeds to charity. Congratulations to all on a cherished week!

The Tuesday Chevron Shootout: San Francisco Giants vs. the 49ers!

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The Wednesday 3M Celebrity Challenge!

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Filed Under: People in Golf

The Henebrys, Golf’s Picturesque Photographers

February 3, 2014 By admin

Andy Reistetter with Jeannine Henebry and the camera she and her brother use!

Golf’s voyagers with cameras are sister Jeannine and brother John Henebry. I had the delight of interviewing Jeannine at Pebble Beach in 2013. John was nowhere to be found so she could speak freely of her older brother. Actually, like me the baby of the family, she spoke only of the excitement and creativity of their sibling partnership. Maybe I can get John’s perspectives in 2014?

Their story is a fascinating one with Jeannine leaving school to join John on a “can’t miss” photographic adventure trip to Japan and China. Their big break came with the construction and completion of PGA West in the beautiful light of the Coachella Valley. It continued to Steve Wynn’s Shadow Creek in Las Vegas and went onward to the exquisite panoramas of Pebble Beach Golf Links. Actually that description is limiting as they have clicked shutters all over the world. One must click here and check out their website to see all their artistic treasures.

From a golfing family in Chicago, much like Bill Murray, their golf and travel lifestyle is as much of a “Cinderella Story” as Bill’s Pro-Am win with D.A. Points in 2011. Click here for an inviting and interesting interview with Jeannine of The Henebrys!

Filed Under: People in Golf

The Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass: My Home Away from Home!

January 29, 2014 By admin

Don’t ask me how I came to the Arrow S3 Vendor Showcase at the Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass tonight… but I was there and invited… lots of interest in the “Journey to Olympic Golf” and hopefully some avenues to corporate donations to The First Tee… less than 100 days to the 2014 THE PLAYERS Championship… I know the PGA TOUR is headquartered here but it seems like all the headquarters of American business come to TPC Sawgrass- Ponte Vedra Beach, FL to do business…

My favorite place at TPC Sawgrass, what a view, golf course is soooo green, I think 2014 will be the BEST THE PLAYERS Championship ever! Will Tiger Woods win his third to tie Jack Nicklaus so we can officially make it the fifth major???

In seven years I have seen the main ballroom decked out many times but today it looked extra special nice to me… maybe because I have been away for a while?

I met some really interesting and smart people this evening… sort of feel like a tele-com expert and now understand all this “cloud” stuff a little better… Arrow S3, Unify… it’s all good!

TPC Sawgrass… when you’re ready to get down to business so are we… and so was Tiger Woods in 2001 with his “better than most” Gary Koch called putt on the 17th!

(Andy Reistetter, Facebook Post 1-29-14 with 4 pics)

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

2014 PGA Show- The Heartbeat of Golf and its Business

January 24, 2014 By admin

Andy Reistetter with the author of Rory’s Club Claude Costecalde.

Claude Costecalde has written the first definitive book on Rory McIlroy. Rory’s foreward says it all- “From the moment I held my first clubs (18 months old), my parents (Rosie & Gerry) did everything they could to help me develop my talent. I couldn’t have done it without them. I learned golf with Dad at Holywood Golf Club.” This is a book that tells the story of how a young child discovers who he will be and works hard to realize his or her destiny. A great book for all young golfers. Claude’s book, written with the blessing of Rory, his parents and the Holywood Golf Club contains hitherto unpublished private family photographs of Rory. This is the insider’s story of how Rory came to be the No. 1 golfer in the world. His final words in the foreward are “but Holywood is still my home and Holywood Golf Club will always be Rory’s Club.” The foreward also contains Rory’s signature so if you want to join Rory’s Club this is the book for you!

Andy Reistetter with John Karedes, Michael Schaffer and Dave Pessagno.

The best part of the PGA Show is seeing old friends whether running into them walking down the aisles, at the PGA of America Awards Show or at one of the many corporate functions during show week in Orlando. Always great to see guys from my hometown of Binghamton, which is really The Triple Cities on the Southern Tier of New York State- Binghamton, Johnson City and Endicott! John Karedes is the Tournament Chairman of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open, a Champions Tour event at Endicott’s municipal golf course- En Joie Golf Club. Dave Pessagno is the Communications and Promotion Manager while Michael Schaffer is the Operations Manager. Saggy (Dave Pessagno) and I use to be the battery for the Binghamton Central High School Bulldogs baseball team. They use to call me “Rock Candy Andy” and all the girls use to call Saggy “Mr. Handsome.” I think we called him “Mr. Hustle” as he was a great athlete always diving for the ball! Come visit the Triple Cities and go to the 2014 Dick’s Sporting Goods Open!

Andy Reistetter with Golf’s foremost fitness expert Katherine Roberts.

I think ever since I have been going to the PGA Show Katherine Roberts has been on stage doing one of her “Yoga for Golfers” presentations. You have probably seen her on the Golf Channel or read her articles in Men’s Health magazine. If you haven’t and you are more than 18 years old (actually the younger the better I am sure to prevent problems later on) now is the time to get her book “Yoga for Golfers” or get to one of her classes and start! For me it is all about relaxation, flexibility (for golf and other physical activities) and longevity (don’t you want to play golf forever? Or just be here forever?). Katherine’s second book, Swing Flaws and Fitness Fixes, was co-authored with Top-100 Golf Instructor, Hank Haney. Check out her website by clicking here!

O Canada, what a night at the 2014 PGA Show!

Oh what a night for Canada at the 2014 PGA Show. The inaugural Class of the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame. I went thinking there might be a hundred people that showed up and there were over 500 people. We hear a lot about new pathways to The Masters and the PGA TOUR from places like China and South America which is great for the game of golf. Sometimes we forget about the great history of golf to our north. I was reminded of this in Santiago, Chile on the “Journey to Olympic Golf” when I played golf at Los Leones with the gregarious golfing brothers Leon. No connection with the name of the club but both brothers are and will become even greater lions in the game. Hugo is headed to the Web.com this year, a Top 5 product of the Canadian Tour. Canada is golf and who does not know the name of Moe Norman and 8-time PGA TOUR winner and 2003 Masters Champion Mike Weir. Here are the 24 inaugural members of the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame- Al Balding; Dave Barr; David Black; Gordie Brydson; George Cumming; Pat Fletcher; Brent Franklin; Daniel Halldorson; Wilf Homenuik; Jules Huot; Karl Keffer; Ben Kern; George Knudson; Willie Lamb; Stan Leonard; Henry Martell; Jack McLaughlin; Albert Murray; Charles Murray; Jim Nelford; Moe Norman; Bob Panasik; Cathy Sherk; Murray Tucker; Mike Weir; and Richard Zokol. Congratulations! O Canada what a night and what a golfing history is she!

Looking forward to seeing a lot of folks at Nineteen at the Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass later this afternoon! Started my PGA Show journal and while I live in Paradise I am finally going to Paradise Grooming for Men so Alena Gilley can give me a much needed haircut… Have a TROML day today! (-: ps Claude’s Rory’s Club is a great book! Also the Binghamton Boys, Katherine Roberts and O what a night for Canada! (Andy Reistetter, Facebook Post 1-31-14 with one link).

Happy New Year! I am celebrating New Year Eve all over again American style starting tomorrow Friday afternoon at the Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass’ Nineteen Happy Hour. Great opportunity to share “Journey to Olympic Golf” experiences, pictures, videos, etc… seems quite apropos to me since the odyssey started there on October 10th! Let me know if you can make it and maybe if there is enough response Bill Hughes will give us a room at 6:30 pm and I can hook up my pc to a large screen? Otherwise it will be me, myself and I in the foyer on those comfy couches thinking about the upcoming 2014 THE PLAYERS Championship… it would be grand if my favorite Storyteller Bea would make a cameo appearance! Hap, Hap, Happy New Year!!! (-: ps time to make this year’s donation to The First Tee… and sign up to volunteer for THE PLAYERS if you haven’t already! (Andy Reistetter, Facebook Post 1-31-14 with one link).

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf

2014 PGA Show: Three Radio Shows: Return from the JTOG!

January 22, 2014 By admin

It took me a 100 days and 18, 471 miles but I made it here from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida… what a “Journey to Olympic Golf” and the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show! Need directions? (-: (Facebook Post 1 Pic, Andy Reistetter, 1/20/14)

Show Time! (Facebook Post 1 Pic, Andy Reistetter, 1/22/14)

Day 2 Thursday at the PGA 2014 Merchandise Show… “Journey to Olympic Golf” will be on the “Boots & Bandana Golf” show at 10:30 Media Stage and ” Golf Connections with Mitch Laurance” at 1:30 in the Media Center… remember The First Tee needs your help! https://donate.thefirsttee.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=398 (Facebook Post 4 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/23/14)

Doing Boots and Bandana Radio show with John Reger Jr…great guy… so much fun… I have to look into this “boots and bandana” style of golf… (-:

Day 3 Final Friday at PGA 2014 Merchandise Show… on Views from the Rough with Kevin Allen at 9:15 am… then home to Ponte Vedra Beach… it’s been a while! (-: (Facebook Post 4 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 1/24/14)

Filed Under: Featured People, People in Golf