PGA TOUR Golf — Page 5

2016 DSGO: Paul Goydos, Mr. Jack-in-the-Box, Wins the 2016 Dick’s Sporting Goods Open!

July 10, 2016 By admin

Paul Goydos, now a champion on the Champions Tour for the 3rd straight year! Photo Credit: Jim Maggiore

Paul Goydos was the consummate journeyman on the PGA TOUR winning only 2 times in 507 starts in a regular tour career that spanned 23 years including an event last year. Even shooting a 59 six years ago at the 2010 John Deere Classic did not guarantee a victory, only the last of his six runner-up finishes in his PGA TOUR career.

But on the PGA TOUR Champions Tour he has claimed three victories in his first 46 starts.

“Yeah, my MO (Method of Operation) this year has been 12 holes as a Tour player and six holes as a 12 handicap. That’s how I played all year… Golf’s one of those things. You know, my game’s kind of like a Jack-in-the-Box, kind of keep spinning it and it pops up every once in a while.

Jack-in-the Box?

I am thinking more like “Mr. Steady Eddie,” as Goydos now has a win in each of his first three seasons on the Champions Tour. The Grinder from Long Beach State joins Bernhard Langer and Miguel Angel Jimenez as the only players with at least one PGA TOUR Champions win in each of the last three seasons. He also becomes the first player in tournament history to win the DICK’S Sporting Goods Open one year after finishing runner-up in the event.

Paul Goydos receives the trophy from Tim Myers ho has been with Dick’s Sporting Goods for over 35 years! Photo Credit: Jim Maggiore

True to his comments, the likeable golfer did sandwich a spectacular 3-bogey 66 between a bogey free 3-birdie 69 first round and a bogey free 5-birdie 57 for his 14-under par winning total at the beautiful, well maintained, municipal En-Joie Golf Club. The key to his victory was his strong finish on Saturday going 4-under par for the last four holes with a birdie on the difficult par-4 15th, an eagle on the short par-4 16th, a deuce on the par-3 17th and a par on the tricky finishing hole. His solid steady Sunday play earned him a two stroke win over Wes Short Jr. (69-66-69).

John Daly played in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open for the first time in his Champions Tour now seven start career. He faltered on Sunday with a 73 after a pair of 68s to start. Those 68s came around a Saturday midnight performance of Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door during the rowdy UUU after-party that followed a brilliant Florida Georgia Line concert. No report of what JD did on Saturday night.

John Daly made his first Champions Tour appearance at En Joie where he won the B.C. Open in 1992.

Vijay Singh, the 53-year old non-Olympic Golfer by choice, finished T36 (69-75-71) after coming to Endicott for the first time when the PGA TOUR Greenbrier Classic was washed out this week. It was only his 9th Champions Tour start.

Bernard Langer, the Charles Schwab Cup leader and 2014 Dick’s Sporting Goods Champion did not play this week. Billy Andrade, No. 2 man, was quiet, consistent and effective posting scores of 70-71-69 to finish T14 and narrow the gap with Mr. Langer.

En Joie was in En Joie perfect condition for the 10th Dick’s Sporting Goods Open!

The golf course was in excellent condition. John Karedes and his tournament team, staff and volunteers, once again improved on perfection. What a great week for Paul Goydos and everyone involved in the 2016 Dick’s Sporting Goods Open at En Joie Golf Club in Endicott, New York!

“There was no inkling that I was going to play well other than the law of averages,” Goydos explained his win, “things hadn’t gone well, I hadn’t played well, my attitude was bad, so naturally I won.”

That’s golf and that’s life in the Greater Binghamton Area as the 10th DSGO hit the books!

Thanks to a 3-year extension Dick’s we all look forward to next year and the next and the next…

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

2016 DSGO: Who will “Out-Fox” En Joie & Win the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open?

July 9, 2016 By admin

Writing this story with my 91-year young friend John W. Fox was fun!

So here I am sitting in the media center after Round 2 of the 2016 Dick’s Sporting Goods Open and who sits down next to other than the legendary sportswriter John Fox, no I need to make that John W. Fox he tells me. He opens with who do you think I met on the very first day I worked for what was then The Binghamton Evening Press? Also commenting that there is no such thing as an evening newspaper anymore. The day was Monday, in July 1949 which also was his first Monday ever in Binghamton, New York. That was ten years before my birth and I remember having Mr. Fox autograph his last column in the Press & Sun Bulletin a few years ago. He wrote columns for 56 years. This is going to be a rambling but good article!

Does he read the newspaper now? “It hurts!” Why? Content. Conversation ended, too personable.

So Mr. Fox what are your thoughts of the 2016 Dick’s Sporting Goods Open? What do you think the story line is?

Definitely you can’t use this. Reporter one spot over laughs out loud! “John, you should know better than that!

In 2014, with the newest ‘Mr. 59’ Kevin Sutherland and ‘Mr. 61 Year Sportswriter’ John Fox.

How would you prepare to cover a golf tournament? “Get another gin and tonic.” “The last time I covered a golf tournament?” “Get there earlier and meet the guys that I was following before they went out.”

Where do you storylines or hooks come from. Where do you get your ideas? Back in the day? “Usually after talking to them, it was a conversation you didn’t expect that would develop into a story.”

Mr. Fox admits that he pulled for the European teams in Ryder Cups because his wife Terry was Irish. He remembers Padraig Harrington coming to play in the B.C. Open to prepare for the Ryder Cup at Brookline CC. He didn’t get much from his interviews but his wife did after talking with Padraig’s wife for two days!

After a restroom break and listening to my high school buddy Jeff Lake’s band I returned to ask Mr. Fox about deadlines. Not that I have any to meet. “I was a deadline buster!” Late or early buster? “Earlier? Sometimes if writing three days in advance.” “I loved being with the afternoon paper, you could take it home with you and look at angles, look up history. Angles is the key word.” So now this is a three way conversation with Jeff Platsky two seats over. I google him and he is the SENIOR EDITOR AT PRESS & SUN-BULLETIN and now he is tasking Mr. Fox with assignments for tomorrow.

Jeff Lake, my high school buddy and his popular band “Straight Up.!

What your typical day like? “God that was so long ago, really!” John W. Fox will be 92 next month. What time was the deadline for the evening paper? One time we carried Red Smith and Dick Young. Who is Red Smith? I don’t know. What, you are a kid! John, I could be your kid!

Walter Wellesley “Red” Smith, was an American sportswriter who rose to become one of America’s most widely read sports columnists. Smith’s journalistic career spans over five decades and his work influenced an entire generation of writers. Smith became the second sports columnist ever to win the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary in 1976. Writing in 1989, sportswriter David Halberstam called Smith “the greatest sportswriter of the two eras.”

“He never went to the dressing room and wrote from the press box, even for the later editions.

Dick Young was a sportswriter best known for his direct and abrasive style, and his 45-year association with the New York Daily News. He was elected to the writers’ wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978, and was a former president of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

John asks Jeff who his favorite sportswriter was… and Jeff’s response was I can tell you who I detest! So and so would get comped by the Chamber of Commerce and put in vouchers to the newspaper. Uh oh, this is getting a little personal. Jeff likes John Feinstein and his books on golf and tennis. Wow, didn’t know Feinstein wrote tennis. Wonder what the name of that book is, A Good Courting Gone Bad?

I asked if Feinstein ever came to Endicott to cover the B.C. Open or DSGO? Two resounding don’t think he has.

The 10th annual Dick’s Sporting Goods Open. Renewed this year for the next three years through 2019!

I asked John if he knew what a hyperlink was and showed him my cut-and-paste from Wikipedia from above. About the same as pasting up Dick Young columns and republishing them? Another time, same tactics?

Okay, John we have to wrap this up as I have a meeting with Marie to plan our 40th high school reunion. Listening to Jeff’s band and snapping a few pictures ties into that Marie and I have been summoned to the Principal’s office on Monday at 1 pm. She said no worries, if it was the Assistant Principal’s office we would be in big trouble! Since 6th grade I has successfully avoided both!

Okay John, we have Paul Goydos (67-66) and John Riegger (66-67) tied for the lead at 11-under.

Let’s get some quotes.

Andy snatches one from John Riegger: Q: How’s it feel to be tied for the lead heading into the final round tomorrow? JOHN RIEGGER: You know, I hadn’t really given it any thought. I’ve been dealing with some medical stuff and I’m just trying to hope that I wake up tomorrow and I feel all right and I can play.

John, did you get anything from Goydos? “Noooo, c’mon, you are bleeding me!”

Scott Dunlap (64-70) is one behind the leaders.

Wes Short Jr. (69-66) and Neal Lancaster (69-66) are tied for fourth.

John Daly (68-68), Stephen Ames (68-68) and Bart Bryant 66-70) are tied for sixth place.

John, what about John Daly?

“John Daly is and always will be John Daly!”

And John W. Fox will always be John W. Fox!

Clustered leaderboard going into the final round. Largest Come-From-Behind Win this year is 4 strokes which means 9 players are within striking distance!

Not sure who will “out-Fox” En Joie and win the 2016 DSGO tomorrow but I think I “out-Foxed” the competition today writing this article with the always charming John W. Fox!

By the way the person Mr. Fox met his very first day on the job in 1949 was Dr. Cary Middlecoff, the reigning U.S. Open Champion. He was visiting Vestal Hills, fulfilling a commitment made before he won that first major. Mr. Fox would tell you, as he did me, based on his personal experience that it was the old Vestal Hills CC down by the Susquehanna River where the Vestal Plaza, now the University Plaza, is located.

After Mr. Fox left I asked Jeff what his fondest memory of working with him. When he gave him the tip that Binghamton was getting the B-Mets franchise. His wife was from Little Falls New, York and he went to see a NY-Penn League Mets game. He ran into little Al Jackson who asked him where he was from. After saying Binghamton, little Al Jackson

Did he ever buy you lunch? No!

I like that Mr. Fox remembers me from my high school sports days and we got a chance to share this time together. Life is good!

I like that Mr. Fox said “hello Andy” without hesitation when I met him, for the first time in a year, in the media center yesterday. I also like that he helped me write my story today and I hope to see him again tomorrow. I also hope John Riegger has a good night’s rest, wakes up tomorrow and can play the final round. But Big John, this just might be his day to come knocking on the Champions Tour with his first win in his 7th event!

Gotta love my job!

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

2016 DSGO: The Spirit of Golf & Life is Alive & Well at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open!

July 8, 2016 By admin

The 18th hole at En Joie looks like a mini Valley of Opportunity especially during the DSGO! Photo Credit: DSGO

I grew up here in the Valley of Opportunity which was actually the valleys of two rivers—the Susquehanna and the Chenango—that merged and from where then city of Binghamton (1834), then Johnson City (1892), and finally Endicott (1906)—our Triple Cities! Most recently you may have been introduced to the Greater Binghamton Area, also known as Broome and Tioga Counties, in the 2014 romantic comedy movie The Rewrite starring Hugh Grant, Marisa Tomei, Allison Janney, and J.K. Simmons. It’s home to me in spirit and in reality for a quarter of a million people where the Spirit of Golf & Life is alive and well, as exemplified by this year’s 10th annual Dick’s Sporting Goods Open (DSGO) on the Champions Tour and previously by the 36 years of the PGA TOUR’s B.C. Open.

At the Johnny Hart breakfast picture pose with Mike Goodes, Tom Purtzer and David Marr (Left to Right).

The spirit of the community is evident in the DSGO Thursday morning kickoff event—The Johnny Hart Memorial Christian Fellowship Breakfast. Professional golf in Broome County was named after the comic strip B.C., created by Johnny Hart, who was born and raised in Endicott. Johnny Hart’s B.C. characters were used in advertising the B.C. Open and linger on eternally in the atmosphere of the En Joie Golf Club, a municipal golf course, which hosts the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.

For me personally the spirit of golf and life will forever be intertwined and associated with an inscription I received in Ben Hogan’s book—Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf. Written in 1957 with Herbert Warren Wind, my older brother LP gave it to me as a gift when I was 11 years old and trying to learn everything I could to improve my golf game. More importantly he inscribed the book with the following: “Golf is a lot like life, the more you learn and understand about it, the easier it is to meet its challenge.” The challenge of golf, while appearing to be external in rough, bunkers and water hazards, is really internal in how we perceive those challenges and the strengths and weaknesses inherent in being a human being. Indeed, golf is the greatest game ever played.

The gravestone of Ernie Smith, with its PGA of America emblem, tells you where his heart lies. His wife Cornelia and he were a loving golf team up at Ely. No surprise their life longevity were exactly the same too!

From the club’s website: the En-Joie Golf Club first opened in 1927 under the original design of Ernie Smith. The golf course was originally built by George F. Johnson, the benevolent owner of the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company. Mr. Johnson loved the game of golf and couldn’t see any reason that his employees shouldn’t love it as well – except for the fact that they didn’t have any time to play. A problem that he resolved by building a golf course for them to enjoy. Mr. Johnson created the golf course as a place of recreation for his employees who worked at the local shoe factory in Endicott.

Ernie Smith would go on to design a golf course for Binghamton that opened in 1933—the Ely Park Municipal Golf Course. Ely Park is a sporty golf course atop Mount Prospect that overlooks the valleys of the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers. Well ahead of his time, Smith, a consummate PGA Golf Professional built a par-3 course where junior golfers could learn to play golf in a fun and skillful manner. I was one of those junior golfers, learning to golf with my Dad on those little nine holes that average about 100 yards in length. When I was 14 I watched local pro Richie Karl make a 35-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole at En Joie to beat Australian Bruce Crampton in a playoff and win the 1974 B.C. Open.

The title to the Ely Park Golf Course history I am working on…

The spirit of my life seems to revolve around the game of golf and growing up in those Valleys of Opportunity stretching beyond those ten miles separating the Ely Park and En Joie municipal golf clubs. So inspired by my experiences in golf and the game itself, three years ago I ventured out on a 100-day, 14-country, 18,471-mile ‘Journey to Olympic Golf.’ My goal was simple: to see the new Olympic Golf Course being built for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and along the way visit the Olympic cities of Atlanta, St. Louis and Mexico City. I wanted to extract the Spirit of the Olympics and combine it with the history and tradition of the game of golf and define the “Olympic Spirit of Golf,” a golfing experience no one, not even Hagen, Sarazen, and Jones or Hogan, Snead and Nelson or Palmer, Nicklaus, Trevino, Watson or Player ever experienced. That odyssey changed my life and my perspective of the game, soon to be the sport of golf.

The Olympic Golf Course is ready! Photo Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

That is why it grieves me so much that some of the best golfers in the world have chosen not to compete in the Olympic Golf Games that start in Rio in about a month. The younger kids like Rory McIlroy and Jason Day may be too young to get it. A guy like Adam Scott should know better. Certainly any golfer on the Champions Tour eligible to compete would get it, know better and represent their country in a heartbeat if so able to. But that is not the case.

Sadly there is no discussion or conversation on the resolution of any issues associated with competing in the Rio Olympic Games—namely the Zika Virus, Crime and Political Crisis.

Zika Virus? What about a Spiderman-like suit to wear that is impervious to a mosquito bite. The reverse to the 2010 Ryder Cup rain suit debacle. Technology to the rescue? Has anybody requested one or tried one on for functionality? In the Southern Hemisphere August is February. Are there really any concerns of mosquito bites in Florida during the winter months?

Crime? C’mon, have you read the newspapers in America recently? In Chicago, nearly 3,000 souls are shooting victims each year.

Embattled President of Brazil Dilma Roussef. Photo Credit: Google Images

Political Crisis? Yes that is real, according to Peggy McInerny, the President of Brazil Dilma Roussef was removed from office, stepping down for a period of 180 days while an impeachment process proceeds on charges that she violated the country’s law on fiscal responsibility. Roussef is by no means the only politician in trouble. More than half the members of Congress are currently under investigation as part of a massive corruption scandal linked to the state oil and gas firm Petrobras. In Roussef’s place, Vice President Michel Temer is now at the helm and assembling a new government in what Roussef defiantly charges is a nonmilitary coup.

But it is in the best interest of Brazil, the city of Rio de Janeiro and all countries of the world to see a successful Summer Olympics in Rio’s wintertime. Is our political crisis any different? What leadership have our politicians demonstrated collectively against domestic mass violence and terrorism? Even amidst political uncertainty, security and order will likely be maintained in Rio during the Olympic Games.

Please understand that this perspective is the perspective of a regular guy so inspired by Olympic Golf to drive an old 1992 Infiniti M30 through Mexico and Central America all the way to Panama City, Panama. Then fly to Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and finally Brazil to walk the new Olympic Golf Course, at the time a well-designed golf course, with golf architect Gil Hanse. No security, no plan, no idea how to complete the ‘Journey to Olympic Golf.’ But I did and so can any golfer, given their resources and the support of the International Golf Foundation, the International Olympic Committee, and the PGA TOUR.

Vijay Singh in his first appearance at the DSGO!

As for Vijay Singh’s excuse for not representing Fuji in the Olympics?

Per the PGA TOUR, Singh said the outbreak of the Zika virus, deemed an epidemic in Central and South America, was not a serious concern in skipping the Olympics, “but you don’t want to get it.”

Golfweek quoted Singh’s excuse as “The timing of it, you know, I have to focus over here (on the PGA Tour),” Singh told Golf Channel. “I would like to play the Olympics, but the Zika virus, you know, and all that crap.”

He’s right about one thing, it, including the reasons golfers have cited, is all a bunch of crap!

How many women have withdrawn? Maybe I am being sexist but aren’t they at the biggest risk when it comes to the very real Zika Virus pregnancy concerns and crime?

Olympic Golf returns after 112 years… a new Spirit of Olympic Golf will prevail… despite all the controversy and withdrawals!

So far the four Americans to qualify—Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler have not withdrawn… yet… sad to have to even qualify that but the reality is we will have to wait and see who actually shows up to play in Rio.

The Olympics, in my opinion, is an opportunity for the players and the business of golf to learn something about themselves. But the first step to learning is to be willing and for golf that translates to being one of many sports in the Olympics versus being the dominant game in your own mind and in your own backyard. Let’s let go and see how the Olympics can impact golf!

No matter who the 60 men and 60 women will be to compete in the Olympic Golf Games in Rio, golf the game, the sport will be fine. It’s an amazing golf course with an amazing Olympic broadcast partner so golf will be nicely displayed to the world and we will see what the Olympic Spirit of Golf truly is.

Maybe we are all just still learning and growing in golf and life?

Back to competitive golf and the 2016 Dick’s Sporting Goods Open…

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, Journey to Olympic Golf, PGA TOUR Golf

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

May 22, 2016 By admin

FCA Host Matt Roop with Jared & Kelsey Wolfe…

May 15th, 2016 was a beautiful PLAYERS Sunday! For the last 32 years it has started with a Non-Denominational Service on the back lawn of the Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass. This is a service I look forward to all year long for its simplicity, openness and testimony given. This year by professional golfer Jared Wolfe and his lovely wife Kelsey. The beauty of the service is documented in my Facebook post below and the 30 pictures included as well.

Announcer Stokes Hill with Dustin Johnson on the first tee…

With the passing of time I have realized how the spirit of that service carried through the entire day at TPC Sawgrass. For me personally it was witnessed shortly after as I went to Darlene’s Diner for an Ultimate for me and my friend Stokes. You can see the spirit of Darlene and all the wonderful volunteers in the pictures.

I headed up to the first tee to see Stokes announce some of the world’s best players included Dustin Johnson. He doesn’t eat on the job so I auctioned off his Ultimate to the folks in the stands. A mother and daughter passed and a nice young man in spirit accepted—my newest friend courtesy of THE PLAYERS!

Ernie Els getting cleaned up on the first green after a special beach welcome from the seagulls above…

As I ventured walking with Ernie Els who is always good natured even when a seagull showed him dropping love bomb on the first green. The beauty of the golf course and the spirit of the volunteers permeated TPC Sawgrass as much as the color pink on Pink-Out Sunday. The spirit of THE PLAYERS continued all day long to the eventual anointing of World No. 1 Golfer Jason Day as the newest PLAYERS Champion!

Here is the Facebook post and the 30 pictures below!

Jared & Kelsey Wolfe giving testimony of their love for Jesus Christ and each other…

Pastor Jack Millwood of the Crosswater Community Church…

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 Sponsors 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! (Facebook Post with 30 pics, Andy Reistetter, 5/15/16)

[Show slideshow]

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

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)

[Show slideshow]

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!

[Show slideshow]

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:

[Show slideshow]

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)

[Show slideshow]

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…

[Show slideshow]

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf