JTOG Day 89: Interviewing Roberto De Vicenzo at Ranelagh GC in Buenos Aires!

January 7, 2014 By admin

With the great World Golf Hall of Famer Roberto De Vicenzo at age 91 in January 2014 at Ranelagh GC in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

TROML Day… spent the afternoon with Hall of Famer Roberto De Vicenzo at Ranelagh Golf Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina… what an inspiring person at age 91! Flying to Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil tonight for the last stop in South America on the “Journey to Olympic Golf.” To the site of the 2016 Summer Olympics (what’s a World Cup?) and the Olympic Golf Course we go!!! (-: (Facebook Post 1 Pic, Andy Reistetter, 1/7/14)

CLICK HERE for the Highlights Video of Interview with Roberto De Vicenzo at Ranelagh GC in Buenos Aires on January 7th, 2014.

With Valeria Biondi who was gracious enough to arrange my visit to Ranelagh & interview with Roberto De Vicenzo. Eternally grateful to Valeria!

The world lost a great golf legend today- Roberto De Vicenzo! I had the honor & privilege to spend an afternoon with him interviewing him in Buenos Aires at his home Ranelagh Golf Club. “You have to fight for your life,” said Mr. De Vicenzo to me and it has always stuck with me since that day in January 2014 on the ‘Journey to Olympic Golf.’ Winner of the 1967 Open at Hoylake he was the ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’ and for his lifetime. He bet on himself, a 70:1 longshot and won 70,000 pounds, a huge amount fo money 50 years ago! The club put me up the night before. I arrived late, after dark, so I walked down the street in the little village to get something to eat. Even the pizza guy, not even a golfer, knew who Roberto De Vicenzo was, not as a golfer, but a great citizen of Ranelagh! I treasure the book he inscribed to me and the round of golf on the classic 1920 Alberto del Solar Dorrego design. My heart goes out to all his friends at Ranelagh, especially the ones I met- Valeria Biondi, Paul Morey, Gustava Nisenson, Juan Carlos Cabrera, Walter Dobie, and that young good golfer I played with- Martin Flor for their loss. God Bless Roberto De Vicenzo- a golf legend and a great man of Argentina! (Facebook Post with video highlight, Andy Reistetter, 6/1/17)

With Paul Morey, Roberto De Vicenzo’s longtime right hand man and Ranelagh historian. What a great conversation we had! Eternally grateful for hosting me and arranging the time with Mr. De Vicenzo Paul!

Roberto De Vicenzo, Golf Legend… just reminiscing a bit more about visiting Ranelagh Golf Club and meeting Mr. De Vicenzo. That was 3-1/2 years ago. I actually stayed in Room No. 1 in the Chalet that Roberto’s wife Delia’s family lived. I think they were the caretakers of Ranelagh and that’s how they met when Roberto was a young pro just starting out. Clubhouse full of priceless memorabilia! TROML time for sure! Flew to Rio de Janiero that night for the last leg of the 2013 ‘Journey to Olympic Golf.’ My heart goes out to all his friends at Ranelagh, especially the ones I met- Valeria Biondi, Paul Morey, Gustava Nisenson, Juan Carlos Cabrera, Walter Dobie, and that young good golfer I played with- Martin Flor for their loss. God Bless Roberto De Vicenzo- a golf legend and a great man of Argentina! (Facebook Post with 30 pics, Andy Reistetter, 6/1/17)

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JTOG Day 82: The Schmid Golfing Family of Uruguay & A Life Lesson Learned!

December 31, 2013 By admin

With Carla & Gregor Schmid and their daughter Priscilla.

One of the most delightful days of the “Journey to Olympic Golf” was New Year’s Eve Day, December 31st. It was a day right out of Steve Martin’s 1987 comedy movie “Planes, Trains & Automobiles.” My version was more spiritual and would be called “Ferry, Buses & a Taxi.” It started in Buenos Aires, Argentina and ended at the incredible New Year’s Eve celebration in Punta del Estes, Uruguay. The highlight of the highlights of that day (there were many) was meeting the Scmid Golfing Family (most of the family) at the Golf Club of Uruguay in Montevideo, Uruguay. The video interviews speak for themselves and the message is clear that the spirit of family and golf is alive and flourishing in Uruguay!

CLICK here for Video Interview with Carla & Gregor Schmid.

CLICK here for Video Interview with daughter Priscilla, a junior golfer.

The 12th green, note the two approach shots! The picture does not do the view of the water justice. It is spectacular!

A life-changing moment occurred for me during the round of golf that afternoon with a mystic former diplomat. Her name was Rasha and we were walking to the 12th green.

The Golf Club of Uruguay sits on a perched corner of land surrounded by water. One end vista overlooks the steepled 1700s city of Montevideo while the other end is coastline forever with nothing but water in between. Seeing the vast water it occurred to me that this was the first time in nearly three months that I had seen the Atlantic Ocean and felt a twinge of homesickness for Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida far to the north but on the same ocean.

Satellite view of Rio de la Plata, courtesy of Wikipedia. To the lower right of the brown river is Buenos Ares, Argentina.Tthe white star upper right is Montevideo, Uruguay.

I looked for the late afternoon sun in the southwest sky and pointed with authority over the vast waterness confidently towards where I knew Buenos Aires to be. After all I had woke up there and it was simple geography and geometry. Then Rasha said something that I will forever remember and let it impact me for the rest of my life.

“No,” my sincere host said, “the sun is in the north.”

She was right, I was wrong.

The wise and articulate Rasha corrected me stating that what laid before us was the Rio de la Plata (River of Silver). It is the widest river in the world at 140 miles wide at its mouth with the Atlantic Ocean and separates Uruguay from Argentina. Punta del Estes (Point of the East) was another 83 miles to the north along the forever coastline and that is where one finds the Atlantic Ocean.

The Monserrate Sanctuary high above Bogota, Colombia.

Then she pointed ninety degrees to the left of where I had pointed and though I could not see it I knew that was the correct direction of Buenos Aires. I realized at that moment for the first time in my life that things I take for granted and to be fundamental to my way of life could be askew, even possibly the exact opposite of what I know to be true. At the same moment I was driving up the mountain at night to Reunion in Guatemala and experiencing the fiery red lava flow of a volcano. I was at the Monserrate Sanctuary high above Bogota, Colombia. The location of the sun, so simple a thing, so prominent a thing in my life wasn’t were I thought it could be.

What else may I have miscalculated in my life? Assumptions of childhood, relationships and pursuits of my life? Why did this brief interchange, something so easy to discount, laugh about and forget stay so central to my thoughts ever since that final afternoon of the old year? I guess we don’t really need to factor in the exact location of the sun as we go about our daily proceedings but maybe the sun is a good place to start when we look within to our attitudes, perspectives and view of life. For one it is always shining down somewhere in the world. Secondly even if it is a dark and raining day it is still shining above the clouds. There is always hope for later today and tomorrow and I hope I never forget that sunny afternoon revelation so graciously given to me by Rasha of Uruguay.

Filed Under: Featured People, Journey to Olympic Golf, People in Golf

Harry Horton, Golf’s All-Time Gentleman…

December 19, 2013 By admin

Garnet & Harry, two love birds forever…

The world lost a dear soul today and Heaven is more special with Harry Horton teeing off there late this afternoon, embracing his new life. If you knew Harry Horton you knew that he transcended both worlds- a generous soul, always thinking of others and the truest gentleman I have ever known. My heart goes out to his widow Garnet who, like the precious gemstone, is the pretty version of Harry (not that he wasn’t a handsome man) with such a loving and gentle spirit. Their love for each other was so special that all in their presence felt it. I remember the crystal ball that hung over their kitchen sink, how it radiated all the colors of the rainbow. Their love was like that, it made everyone feel accepted and special.

The Three Musketeers in knickers!

I remember the day I met Harry walking out to join his group at Cherokee CC in Madison, Wisconsin. I went there after meeting Dick Donovan, the world’s foremost bibliographer of golf’s written word and being introduced to the Golf Collector’s Society (GCS). As I reached the par-3 fifth hole I saw this gentleman in knickers sink a 25-foot putt for a deuce with a hickory-shafted putter. From that moment on Harry and I knew we were “kindred spirits” as we share the same day of birth- the 15^th of October. His birth year was the same as my mother’s- 1924. We would all be blessed to live the 89 years of life like Harry Horton did. God bless him and his dear departed soul tonight.

I just did a search on my PC for Harry and the list is rather long. Soon after we met there was the road trip home from the GCS show in Dayton, Ohio in January with the Horton’s and Joe and Elaine DeWulf. I drove Joe’s van and we had a merry time even though it was a few weeks after Christmas.

Harry Horton, Mr. Hickory Golfer.

There was the time Harry flew to my hometown of Binghamton, New York. Why? Just because he was my friend and wanted to see my hometown and the golf course I grew up on- Ely Park Municipal Golf Course. We spent time with Dick Donovan and my brother “LP” who is a Cornell University golf course architect, trained in the same curriculum as Robert Trent Jones Sr. We played one of the golf courses Larry redesigned. What fun we had- four amigos- the book guy, the hickory club guy, the architect and me!

I read once that there is an old Chinese proverb that every 40 year old man needs an 80 year old man for a friend and every 80 year old man needs a 40 year man for a friend. Harry and I are 35 years apart and having known him for the last twelve years I could not agree more.

Harry was the world’s foremost restorer of Hickory-shafted golf clubs. I can go on-and-on but will let the pictures do a little talking too.

Harry Horton taught me a lot about restoring hickory clubs and a lot more about how to live and enjoy life. Good bye for now, I love you!

Of course there are tears and sadness tonight but more importantly there is an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having known Harry Horton the way I and many others did. There is that old golf joke about there being good news and bad news. The good news is that there are unbelievable nice golf courses in Heaven. The bad news is that you have a tee time tomorrow morning. If that is God’s will for me then so be it as I look forward to teeing it up some day with Harry, my dad and Uncle George among others. But until then, when I can (are there Scottish pubs in Lima Peru?), I will find a Guinness and toast my dear friend and kindred spirit Harry Horton.

The “Journey to Olympic Golf” started at the Glen Echo Country Club in St’ Louis playing with my hickory clubs (rather Harry’s). This journey has always been inspired by Harry’s love of golf and life. In fact one the earliest versions was to have Harry and Jack Fleck join in on the hickory golf kickoff. So let’s make it official, this “Journey to Olympic Golf” is hereby officially dedicated to Harry Horton!

God Bless you Harry Horton and a big hug to you Garnet!

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Filed Under: Featured People, Mr. Hickory Golf REAL, People in Golf

JTOG Day 67: Alberto Valenzuela, Mr. Colombia when it comes to Golf!

December 16, 2013 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 Cartagena, Colombia on Monday, December 9th, 2013 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 Cartagena I flew to Bogota for a few days and then to Medellin on Sunday, December 15th, 2013 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 (Monday, December 16th, 2013) 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 134 pictures from my time with Fernando and Alberto at Llanogrande Medellin:

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Filed Under: Journey to Olympic Golf, People in Golf

JTOG Day 64: Meet Colombia’s Golf Guru Herman Calle Sr.

December 13, 2013 By admin

CLICK HERE for a VIDEO INTERVIEW with Herman Calle Sr., Colombia’s Golf Guru

With son translator Alejandro and his father German Calle Sr.

Yesterday was a travel day, relatively short flight from Cartagena to Bogota. Getting settled into the Bogota Hilton was a breeze. After a good night’s rest I was up and prepared to meet and interview Herman Calle, Sr., Colombia’s Golf Guru. Karibana’s Joseph Mildenberg (or Mildenberg’s Karibana if you like) had set it up for me at his family’s offices in an impressive corner building right down the block in the heart of Bogota’s business district.

Mr. Calle doesn’t speak English and I don’t speak Spanish so our conversation was translated both ways by his son Alejandro who is a lawyer. His other son, the junior, is the Director of the Colombian Open, President of Sportslink and subsequent to my visit, an organizer of a new Web.com event in the Dominican Republic. (Dominic Bozzelli just won the inaugural event). Golf runs as deep and wide in the Calle family as the Villegas family in Colombia.

It was fun to sit down and hear the history of golf in Colombia from German and his son Alejandro.

Mr. Calle’s timing in golf was as they say—the right guy at the right time! Like most people he came to golf through family—his parents were golfers so he became a golfer. His first column, his first printed word in golf, was in 1997 when Tiger Woods emerged onto the scene. Buoyed by the growth of the game worldwide, his first golf broadcast coincided with Camilo Villegas turning professional after a stellar collegiate career at the University of Florida. The sexiest player on tour, who struck a Spiderman pose when reading putts, won back-to-back playoff events in 2006 and rose to No. 7 in World Rankings to become the highest ranked golfer from South America.

I had to get an autograph copy of Mr. Calle’s latest column on Colombia Marcelo Rozo becoming the first Colombian to win the Argentina Open, a tournament that dates back to 1905!

Professionally Calle had a media pass to be right there to witness the explosion of golf in Colombia, as evidenced first-and-foremost by Mildenberg’s Karibana Resort. Colombia is a golfing country and with the transition to become TPC Cartagena at Karibana and host to the Web.com Tour golf has never been better with 63 golf courses to play.

Personally, Calle told me “golf is like a school where you apply most everything you learn” and golf is like life where there are good shots and bad shots and the ball ends up in the hole.” Connecting with father and son in this way I had to share that I could not agree more as a 12-year old recipient of the Ben Hogan Five Modern Lessons book from my older brother L.P. inscribed with the following to his younger brother: “Golf is a lot like life, the more you learn and understand about it, the easier it is to meet its challenge.” We couldn’t agree more on golf and life!

The complete foursome including Joseph Mildenberg at Karibana Headquarters in Bogota!

Hogan was Calle Sr.’s golfing hero and shared details of Hogan’s life and career including the recovery from the bad car accident. This wise man also sees the Olympics as a good thing for golf in Colombia and around the world. As for me, he was pretty excited about the “Journey to Olympic Golf” and thanked me for coming to visit Colombia and wishes more golfers would follow my path through Cartagena—Bogota—Medellin.

As excited I was to meet Mr. Calle, now I was even more excited to get to Medellin and walk in the footsteps of Camilo Villegas on the Llanogrande Course he grew up on. With Alberto Valenzuela, Joseph’s and now German’s help that visit come Monday was sure to be exceptionally good!

But there was still golf to be played and sightseeing to be seen during my 3-day weekend in Bogota, Colombia!

Filed Under: Journey to Olympic Golf, People in Golf

JTOG Day 38: Playing Dirt Golf at Dye’s El Encanto in San Salvador, El Salvador

November 17, 2013 By admin

I was “charmed” when I went to the hidden site of El Encanto which means “The Charm.” So they got the name right! And the six holes I played before a soft opening in December 2014. From what I can tell they got the whole enchilada right- the location, the golf course, the villas and residential community. Most importantly the timing. Tourism and golf is coming to El Salvador and now is the perfect time to consider membership and ownership at El Encanto. Nearby is San Salvador, a world class city with a solid link to golf history at Club Campestre Cuscatlan. If your private resort, nestled and secluded in the hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean, then take a drive down to the beach or into the city!

CLICK here for a Video Interview (3 parts) with El Encanto’s Golf Course Architect Perry Dye.

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Rick Moreno, Construction Manager for El Encanto.

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Alejandro Lahrssen, my host when I visited & played El Encanto.

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Jimmy Mikkelson, GC Superintendent & Shaper for Dye Designs.

Click here for the El Encanto website.

Filed Under: Featured Golf Resorts & Courses, Journey to Olympic Golf, People in Golf

Perry Dye in El Salvador at El Encanto

November 16, 2013 By admin

I had the distinct pleasure to meet and interview Perry Dye in San Salvador, El Salvador. Here is a three-part video interview where Perry tells stories about how golf came to the Dye Family, explains his passion and mission in life and shares the vision of golf in the future.

CLICK here for Video Interview with Pete Dye Part 1 of 3 How golf found the Dye Family.

CLICK here for Video Interview with Pete Dye Part 2 of 3 Perry’s Passion & Mission in Life.

CLICK here for Video Interview with Pete Dye Part 3 of 3 Drive Dye’s Designs in Central America.

Dye Designs has established a worldwide reputation for unique, environmentally sensitive, ecological, championship, resort and public golf courses.

Perry Dye (excerpted from www.DyeDesigns .com)

Perry Dye is the elder son in a family whose contributions have become an integral part of the history and tradition of golf course design and construction. In 1922, Perry’s grandfather designed and constructed a nine hole golf course in Urbana, Ohio. This is where Perry’s father, Pete Dye, grew up and received his early training. This heritage, which began in the Midwestern United States, has been carried from generation to generation and has provided the foundation for the creation of some of the world’s finest golf courses.

All members of the Dye family have contributed their unique talents and knowledge to the improvement of the game. Altogether Perry, his father Pete, his mother Alice and his younger brother P.B. have placed the “Dye” name on over 200 courses around the world. Golfers enjoy over 4 million rounds of golf per year on Perry Dye/Dye Designs golf courses alone.

Perry began his apprenticeship under his father at the early age of 12. Perry’s tutelage began at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, IN, and The Golf Club in Columbus, OH, and continued at other Midwest courses until the early 70s. During his college years, Perry worked on the construction of such well known courses as Oak Tree Golf Club in Edmond, OK; The Country Club of Colorado in Colorado Springs, CO; and Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic. Full-time work in golf course design and construction began in the 80s, with Plum Creek Golf and Country Club in Castle Rock, CO; Glenmoor Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, CO; Riverdale Dunes in Brighton, CO; and Rancho Santa Fe Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, CA.

During his travels and work in the golf industry, Perry recognized the growing demand and market for worldwide golf services and challenging Dye golf courses. Realizing there were no companies in the industry that could provide technical assistance and expertise to land developers/owners in creating golf operations that would enhance the environment and the community, Dye Designs went international in 1986.

Perry first took Dye Designs to Japan in 1986 and has since been involved in the design, construction and maintenance of 22 courses there. Perry realized that golf courses can be a catalyst for bridging the gap between cultures and countries. Designs for and completed golf course projects in Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Australia, Austria, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, and the United States are keeping Dye Designs busy around the globe. The logging of millions of air miles are an indication of the amount of time Perry devotes to visiting projects to ensure that every detail of the design gives the course the Dye trademark of excellence.

Perry’s dedication and contributions to golf are evidenced by his work to promote the growth and economic structure of the golf course industry through mutual cooperation and support of allied industry and professional groups, civic organizations, and the general public. Perry has been a featured speaker at conferences held throughout the world on various topics that affect golf course design and construction.

Dye Designs has received several awards of recognition for entrepreneurial leadership and contributions to the growth of business in the state of Colorado, including Colorado Company of the Year in both 1988 and 1989.

In March, 1996, Perry O. Dye was accepted into the prestigious American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA). The Society states, “A member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects is one by virtue of his/her knowledge of the game, training, experience, vision and inherent ability, in all ways qualified to design and prepare specifications for a course of functional and aesthetic perfection. An ASGCA member is further qualified to execute and oversee the implementation on the ground of the plans and specifications to create an enjoyable layout that challenges golfers of all abilities and exemplifies the highest standards and traditions of golf. He/she will counsel in all phases of the work to protect the best interest of the client.”

Perry 0. Dye is unique among golf course architects in his participation and support of the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA). Perry is a Charter Member and past president of the association. In 2004, Perry received the inaugural Perry Dye Award, which honors “exceptional individuals who have unselfishly contributed their influence to foster positive changes for the association and have continually endeavored to make it better.”

Dye Designs has established a working relationship with many of the “certified golf course builders” who are members of the GCBAA. These companies have been certified by the GCBAA as a result of their experience and on-going participation in the golf course construction industry. Dye Designs will gladly provide introduction to these companies during the cost estimation and bidding phase of the golf course project.

Perry was recently recognized by the country of Guatemala for his contributions to the tourist industry. To contact Perry, email him at perry@dyedesigns.com.

Filed Under: Featured People, Journey to Olympic Golf, People in Golf

Jack Fleck, 1955 United States Open Champion

October 27, 2013 By admin

With Carmen & Jack Fleck at the Outback Steakhouse in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Right after starting the “Journey to Olympic Golf” at Glen Echo CC in St. Louis I headed south to Fort Smith, Arkansas to visit my friend Jack Fleck and his wife Carmen. I first met Jack and his buddy (and now my Czech mate) Ed Tallach at the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. We met again at the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach where I interviewed Jack and since then we have always seen each other at The Masters as well. I was excited to interview Mr. Fleck again to capture his insights on the “spirit of golf within” as I felt that he, as well as anybody, had that special feeling when he won the U.S. Open at the Olympic Club in 1955.

Jack Fleck at lunch at Hardscrabble CC.

Jack gave me all the time in the world for our interview early the next morning. His life in golf started as a caddie at age 14 during the Great Depression when he traveled 14 miles to get to the golf course. Immediately after high school he declared himself a “pro” and combined managing golf courses as a “golf professional” with traveling south during the winters to compete as a “professional golfer.” He spoke about his devotion to the game and his evolution into an “ambassador for golf.”

CLICK here for the VIDEO INTERVIEW with Jack Fleck, the 1955 United States Open Champion.

With Jack Fleck and Jeremy Moe at Hardscrabble CC.

Jack drove me over to Hardscrabble CC in Fort Smith, Arkansas to introduce me to his friend Jeremy Moe, the Head Golf Professional. He wanted to give me a tour of his home golf course. I wanted to meet Jeremy and see Hardscrabble CC too. In addition I wanted to get a golf lesson from Jack, something I had dreamed of doing for the last 20 years since I saw an article where it noted he lived in Northwest Arkansas and gave golf lessons. If Jack Fleck is a stand-up golfer, a lover of the game and quite proficient at it (an understatement) then Jeremy Moe is his younger version. What a great guy! You can tell immediately there is something very special about him and Hardscrabble CC. I like that Jack Fleck introduced Jeremy in the video interview and the camera captures a bit of the special friendship between these two men.

CLICK here for VIDEO INTERVIEW with Jeremy Moe, Head Golf Professional at Hardscrabble CC.

Jack driving me around Hardscrabble CC.

What a treat to have Jack Fleck give me a personal tour of Hardscrabble CC. If Fort Smith, Arkansas is home to Jack Fleck (it is) then the Hardscrabble club is like his personal golf library or his favorite room in the house. As host of the LPGA and the Web.com Tour for 13 years (last in 2010 when called the Nationwide Tour) this golf course is a world class venue tough enough for the pros and enjoyable for the members. Jack loves trees and the trees and pleasant terrain at Hardscrabble make for a refreshing walk in the natural outdoors every round.

CLICK here for the VIDEO of Andy’s golf lesson with Jack Fleck.

Presenting a Champion at Olympic CC with an Olympic Golf Gold Medal.

What a treat to have a golf lesson with Jack Fleck, the 1955 United States Open Champion! What a great sense of humor this man has. Of course I hit a right-to-left shot and after seeing my swing his comment was “I hope it was a dogleg left!” I will always remember his summary comment of “you have a good swing and you should play more.” I will take his advice for sure. For the record and in response to Jack’s concern that I might not get to play much on the “Journey to Olympic Golf.” In hindsight it was a disguised golf trip where I played 42 times on 35 different golf courses!

CLICK here for VIDEO of Jack Fleck receiving an Olympic Golf Gold Medal.

Having come to Jack’s place directly from the Glen Echo CC in St. Louis an idea came to me on the drive south (unfortunately along with a speeding ticket for Torch). The wonderful folks at Glen Echo gave me a full-sized replica of the 1904 Olympic Golf Gold Medal. I realized Jack and his generation missed the opportunity to play golf in the Olympics. I knew that he won the U.S. Open at the Olympic Club and that club was named for and based on the modern Olympics which started in 1896. I thought it proper that Jack receive the Olympic Golf Gold Medal so I presented it to him just before saying good bye and leaving him at Hardscrabble CC.

Here are the pictures and more stories in the captions from my visit with Jack and his wife Carmen in Fort Smith, Arkansas. What an honor and privilege!

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Filed Under: Featured People, Golf's Olympic Spirit, Journey to Olympic Golf, People in Golf

Charlie Epps, Houston’s Preeminent Golf Professional

October 24, 2013 By admin

I spent the last two days interviewing Charlie Epps, also known as “The Golf Doctor” and the longtime coach, friend and trainer of two-time major champion Angel Cabrera. Charlie is a fascinating, generous and endearing sort of guy and I can easily see why he is such teaching golf professional and coach that can help professional golfers to the highest level.

I realized that as the “Journey to Olympic Golf” goes through Mexico, Central & South America there is only one World Golf Hall of Famer on the way- Argentina’s Roberto De Vicenzo. He was Charlie’s idol as he himself grew up in Argentina from age nine to twenty-one. Cabrera is likely to be the second Hall of Famer from Argentina.

Interestingly, Charlie did a similar road trip to the “Journey to Olympic Golf,” driving from Oakland, California to Buenos Aires, Argentina with some friends in 1967.

Here is a video interview I did with Charlie at Redstone

More videos, pictures, & posts coming… what would you like me to write about?

Filed Under: Featured People, Golf's Olympic Spirit, Journey to Olympic Golf, People in Golf

Interviewing 10 Champions Tour Players about Golf’s Olympic Spirit

October 22, 2013 By admin

Andy Reistetter with Mike Hulbert at the Champions Tour’s AT&T Championship at TPC San Antonio.

I have much to update on my thoughts on what defines the “Olympic Spirit of Golf and Golfers” with an Olympic visit to Atlanta, playing Glen Echo CC, host to the 1904 Golf Olympics, being with U.S. Open Champion Jack Fleck, being around the spirit of Byron Nelson at the Fours Seasons Resort & Club Dallas and Bloggers, Breakfast & Birdies (Twitter #BBBatTPC) behind me. I interviewed ten Champions yesterday here at TPC San Antonio and captured much more insight. As I digest these interviews and share what I learned I will begin to put down on paper what is emerging from this Odyssey- the “Olympic Spirit of Golf and Golfers!”

CLICK here for the video interview with Mike Hulbert.

More videos, pictures, & posts coming… what would you like me to write about?

Filed Under: Featured People, Golf's Olympic Spirit, Journey to Olympic Golf, People in Golf