Page 487 – African American Golfer's Digest

Bio Seaweed Gel

by Debert Cook March 5, 2015

written by Debert Cook

You may be very curious, just by the name of this product. When you first encounter the nail polish which claims to provide ease of application, you may be kind of skeptical. The name alone, Bio Seaweed Gel is intriguing. When you try it, you’ll be amazed at the shine—and without using a top coat! Great for a one-step polishing process.

The No-Wipe Top provided the extra shine that I would expect in a gel. Personally, you may find that the wear with this polish is about average. After about 6 days, there will be some cracking and chipping, especially at the edges and tips of the nails. And, when you use a clear top coat over the polish, your nails may not feel as strong as you originally expected. In trying to remove the gel, it is a bit time consuming and, may take extra polish remover to get everything off cleanly. Try soaking nails for 5 minutes prior to trying to remove. It comes off much easier.

For a one-step polish it does okay. You will be able to use it time and time again, saving minutes off of your regular two coat routine. Since the base and top coat are already built in.
There is a very wide variety of beautiful colors to select from and finishes, too.

March 5, 2015 0 comment

Interviews

Travis Lewis Retired AF Colonel Golf Pro

by Debert Cook February 27, 2015

written by Debert Cook

Retired Air Force Colonel Travis Lewis is a golf professional and resides in Orlando FL. Below is his story on how he became “Inspired by Golf”:

“I started playing golf because I could not sleep. A friend allowed me to use a set of clubs and once I hit a bucket or two after work I was settled down enough so that I could go to sleep. Going to the range and hitting golf balls has provided me a great way to relax the majority of my adult life. I can tell you this has been good for my family and for those I worked with; I was a better person. Over several weeks as I continued to hit balls for relaxation I then decided to take to the course. One of the first things I observed was the quality of people I met on the golf course. The quality of people I met became a one of the best benefits of playing the game. My very best friends in my life play golf.

Growing up on a farm in North Carolina never exposed me to millionaires or government leaders. Playing in my first scrambles exposed me to those types of people. The kindness and intellect of these people inspired me to reach higher standards in life. It wasn’t so much that I was enamored with their wealth and titles, but I was inspired by their desire to excel in life and exceed the standards required in the game of golf. Golf is not a game of perfect because ,we human beings aren’t perfect but it is the pursuit of excellence in oneself that inspires me.

Golf is so representative of life. As a believer I feel this game is God inspired. When you play golf you pursue excellence but no one can achieve perfection in the game. We know what the standards are, but no one can maintain that perfection no matter at what level we play. To play golf well you have to believe you can execute a shot on demand, you have to have faith in your abilities. If you are guessing you often fail to execute the shot. In life we have to step out on faith in so many areas of our lives. Golf also helps one to really get to know themselves.

If you are competitive person golf is a great way to be yourself in the game. I tell people to find their level of desire in the game. If you want to compete just with yourself, a small circle of friends, state, nationally, or on the international level golf is a medium one can pursue at many levels.

(Photo, Travis Lewis wins 1st Place at the First Annual Barry McClure Memorial Golf Tournament)

Another way golf relates to everyone is that we all have to learn on at our own level, at our own pace, and in our own way. One of my instructors was having some issues with his family and he wondered why they didn’t understand what he wanted them to retain. As he and I tried methods and ways to improve our games we came to understand that no matter how hard you want others to attain what you have in the game, it has to done on the terms of the person being taught. He and I would train as hard as one could train on certain skills. No matter how hard we trained we still couldn’t achieve our objectives. Patience with others is a key to helping them grow. The bottom line is that people can work hard trying to achieve each skill; something can only be learned over time and on that person’s time. Just like a child being taught to walk. You can hold their hand, they can see you walk, but until they are ready to walk they won’t.

Another analogy is that sometimes failure is part of the method to growth. If you plan to play competitive golf you will have some loses. Actually, if you look at the statistics of some of the games most lauded professional golfers they will have as many losses as they do wins. In life we will have several loses and the key to moving forward is acceptance.

Acceptance is one of the biggest rules of life most people fail to grasp. Many of the golfers I know often relate their score to who they are. Golf is truly a game and not who you are. If you shoot 67 or 97 you are neither of those scores. All of us want to shoot a 67 and tell our friends that score; but if you shoot 97 your family still loves you. Acceptance is so important to life. Until I lost a brother-in-law and in 29 days later my second oldest brother I had never truly accepted death as a part of life. Accepting your abilities in life and all the ups and downs of life is just like accepting the up and downs of a round of golf. I get to play with guys who hit it 300 yards on demand and I have beat a lot of them at different times. The key is I play my game, not theirs; I accept my abilities in the game.

(Photo, Travis Lewis accepts his $5,000 winning tournament check)

I’m a purist of the game; therefore I’m not in favor of anything that will lower the standards of the game. No matter how you feel about Tiger Woods, I will always honor him for raising the standards in the game. We need people who will raise us to the next level. Beating a guy you know you can beat will only keep you at that same level or less. Golf and life demands our best and our pursuit of excellence. As a nation I see too many good standards being lowered because people seek the easy way out. As I said earlier the people who inspired me are the one’s that were better than I was or the ones who working to pass me. Recently I played with a guy who said the reason he desires to play with me is because I push him to be better. I hope you will read this article and say, I want to be better.”

Story written by Lorenzo Hobbs. “One of my very best friends expressed to me how my journey in the game of golf has inspired him. Hopefully, this article will inspire you to be the best you can at the game and life. I often refer to golf as God’s Game of Life and Faith.”–Lorenzo Hobbs

February 27, 2015 0 comment

Uncategorized

Gullah GolfFEST 2015 – Register Now!

by Debert Cook February 25, 2015

written by Debert Cook

DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE
DEPOSIT: $200 deposit per person will be accepted and due by March 10, 2015.
BALANCE : Full balance is due by April 1, 2015
It is recommended that you purchase your own travel insurance for this program.
Should this travel program be cancelled for any reason
all deposits and payments will be refunded in full.
Otherwise, deposits and payments are non-refundable.
or Email | Debert Cook, CMP for more information

February 25, 2015 0 comment

Equipment Review News

The Story Behind The Turning Shoe eDrive Plus A Kickstarter Project

by Debert Cook February 24, 2015

written by Debert Cook

Playing golf in France at a wonderful golf course Frank Drollinger suffered of pain on his ankle, knee and lower back. His mother-in-law, Heidi, a former shoe factory owner, said after seeing Frank suffering of pain, “If I look at the swing, I can recognize that the natural rotation is interrupted
by the fixed left shoe”.

“We started brainstorming and, had the idea to put a coil spring between the shoe sole and the shoe to allow the shoe the natural rotation. We produced a prototype and it worked,” says the inventor Frank.

The Biomechanic Lab by the University of Tübingen, Germany, measured the peak stress to the
knee with spike, or spikeless, nub shoes up to 750 lbs-ft after every swing. With the “Heidi” shoe
they measured 10 lbs-ft. Up to 99% less.

“Because of this results, we started a developing process and a long term product testing because
the shoes have to work and the buyers have to be satisfied. After testing with 6,000 golfers we are
satisfied of the shoe quality.”

At once, Frank’s wife and project partner Heidi gave the order to him, adding that he should do some research about the swing method. Thinking, perhaps there were also health and additionally performance deficits for which they could find solutions.

Frank studied about 250 golf books and figured out that they all have:

• lateral hip moves and
• imbalance and no
• clear described coordinates

during the cinematic chain. Also Frank determined that the golf swing is a:

• complex motion with a lot of degrees of freedom like gymnastic
• target sport, you play the ball from A to B
• a sport of precision, there are only two degrees club face tolerance to place the ball on the fairway and green
• all instructors teach philosophies and do not describe what they are teaching with a written guide book in a 3-D quality.

Therefore, Frank groups the swing in two key parts: Up to the ball impact and after the ball impact.

“A golfer does not have any influence on the ball flight after the ball is hit, says Frank. “This is the reason why the Turning Shoe solely has health and life-style advantages.

“The golf swing method has only three important parts: Set Up, Back Swing, Down Swing. And only two parts with motion. The set up is a static part – however very important.”

Frank asked the question to every part of the swing “Is this good or are we able to improve it and what is the sense for the performance and health effect?”

At the end of development Frank wrote a guide book for the swing and published it. Step by Step. All positions have a 3-D coordinate. Every part of the swing matches to the next.

Repeatability needs a clear swing code. The key points of the new method are:

– real balance, during set up and back swing
– Direct rotation around the “lot”-axis
– precise 3-D coordinates, angles, axis
– clear order for the timing of the kinematic chain
– active leg work
– simpler
– healthier (no more sick swing biomechanics)
– biomechanically optimal
– more power
– a continuous improvement process

and the most important part is the
improved number of repeatable ball impacts.

Because of the 3-D swing coordinates Step by Step a golfer is able to train this method inside the
brain. A visualization is possible.

reduction_of_pressure-A After the FREE-RELEASE-MENTAL Training a Golfer has to remember only 3 key parts. And a Golfer has confidence in what he has to do. He also gets a
written swing guide book for his pocket. “If you forget one order of the swing you can read up on it during your golf play,” he says. This prevents mental stress.

The repeatability of good ball impacts rises up to 35%, in relation to the “old” method . The FREERELEASE-Club Fitting also has the new attitude to create a relation between the coordinates of the swing biomechanics to the Lie-Angle. This kind of Club Fitting has competition advantages as
well.

Frank also developed the FREE-RELEASE-Athletic training – he calls it a benchmark athletic training. Precise training on FREE-RELEASE-Benchmarks enables a greater performance with less effort of time. “For example, the spine angle and head position have a medical and performance importance. The
most difficult part of the ‘old’ swing system, the rotation of the left forearm during the back swing and down swing, could be eliminated because Frank improved the timing of the backswing. This part in addition with all the other improvements makes the swing simpler and improves the
repeatability in an unbelievable percentage.”

Eric Frank is able to say that there is a health management up to and after the ball impact. After the ball impact the “Heidi” Shoe or today called “Turning Shoe eDrive Plus” gets an electronical sensor. This sensor sends information to your smart phone about hip speed or how many Lbs-ft you are
saving during playing Golf. At the 19th hole you can show your golf mate the results on your smart phone.

At United Golfers, after Heidi died, her daughter Andrea continues the work of her mother. She launched a Kickstarter Project, which is a Crowdfunding- and Marketing System for financing the production and inform consumers. Frank is responsible for the new swing method and the advanced education programs for Golf Instructors, Medical Doctors, Chiropractic Experts, Golf Personal Trainers, Club-Fitters, Mental Coaches and, trains Tour Players and amateur golfers of all levels as well. He also supports his wife Andrea with the Kickstarter Project.

“The FREE-RELEASE-METHOD can help every golfer and enables competition advantages for Tour Players. With the FREE-RELEASE-Method most of Tigers injuries–and the injuries of millions of other golfers–could be avoided with an additional improved performance.”

More information about the Kickstarter Project visit turningshoe.com or send and email

February 24, 2015 0 comment

News Slider

Professional Golfer Tim O’Neal Will Be Playing in the SwingThought.com Tour to Open the 2015 Season, February 23-28, at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta, Ga.

by Debert Cook February 24, 2015

written by Debert Cook

The opening event presents a $140,000 guaranteed purse and Web.com Tour United Leasing Championship & BMW Charity Pro-Am Championship event exemptions on the line.

The South Georgia Classic host, Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, event will be the first of sixteen (16) $140,000 guaranteed purse Pro Series events conducted by the SwingThought.com Tour in 2015. In addition to the guaranteed purse, the SwingThought.com Tour will also be awarding an event exemption into a Web.com Tour United Leasing Championship and BMW Charity Pro-Am Championship events at the Valdosta event on a yet-to-be-determined competitive basis.

Tim O’Neal attended Jackson State University and turned pro in 1997. Fans of O’Neal and us here at this publication are rooting for his success. During the 2005 season when he played on the Nationwide Tour, O’Neal recorded his best finish to date, a second place at the 2005 Northeast Pennsylvania Classic. He was able to maintain his good space throughout 2005 and 2006 finishing 44th and 36th on the tour money lists respectively. However, in 2007 and 2008 he was unable to retain his card for the following season.
Tim Oneal-400a As many of his loyal and dedicated fans watched, O’Neal’s career start to wane after losing his Nationwide Tour privileges, but he kept a strong determination to forge ahead with his passion. He brilliantly took his skills international and played on the Asian Tour, eGolf Professional Tour, the EPD Tour, and the Morocco-based Atlas Pro Tour. In 2011, the strong-willed athlete was invited to oversee the golf program at Jackson State, but he declined.

In 2013, O’Neal again added to his passport, taking up playing rights on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica with instant success winning the Arturo Calle Colombian Open and the Abierto de Chile in his first season on the tour. With these wins he sat at a third place finish on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica’s Order of Merit which was sufficient for him to regain his tour card for the 2014 Web.com Tour.

Created by Davis Love III Designs, the professional course opened in April 2004, serving as host to six PGA Nationwide Tour events and two PGA Web.com events in ten years. The South Georgia Classic was one of the largest events on the tour, with one of the richest purses on the PGA qualifying circuit. In an area known for flat terrain, the topography of Kinderlou Forest is unusual for the region. Undulating hills lend a unique element not found in southern Georgia, and the signature #4 with its deep, all natural ravine is one of the most challenging, yet beautiful, holes on the course. With five tee boxes on each hole, the course plays as short as 5,315 yards or as long as 7,781 yards.

Swingthought Tour The SwingThought.com Tour is currently taking memberships for the upcoming 2015 Pro Series set to begin in late February and continuing through to early September. The Pro Series will consist of 16 72-hole events with $140,000 Guaranteed Purses and 6 54-hole Qualifier/Q Prep events. Fields are limited to 132 players with the top 55 and ties making each cut. Also a minimum of six (6) 2015 Web.com Tour “event” exemptions will be awarded throughout the 2015 Pro Series season on a yet-to-be determined competitive basis. To join the 2015 SwingThought.com Tour Pro Series, players need only contact the SwingThought.com Tour offices at 800-992-8748 and sign up (memberships are granted on a first come first serve basis, no ranking schools or qualifiers are needed). Membership is $1500 running through January 16th and will increase to $1,800 after that date.

SwingThought.com Tour alumni have won an amazing 16 Major Championships and include 2012 and 2014 Masters champion Bubba Watson, 2011 PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley, 2010 PGA TOUR Player of the Year and 2003 US Open Champion Jim Furyk, 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson, two-time U.S. Open Champion Lee Janzen, British Open and PGA Champion John Daly, and recent PGA Tour winners such as Robert Streb, Ben Martin, Kevin Streelman, Michael Thompson, Ted Potter Jr, Gary Woodland, Russell Henley, Mark Wilson, George McNeill, Scott Stallings, Scott Piercy, current FedExCup Points Leader Robert Streb, and many more. More recently 89 of the 150 players competing in the 2014 Web.com Tour Q School Final Stage this past week were past players on the SwingThought.com Tour.

For more information visit SwingThought.com or call 800-992-8748.

February 24, 2015 0 comment

Heard & Scene News

United Black Golfers Association Scholarship Fundraiser Golf Tournament

by Debert Cook February 24, 2015

written by Debert Cook

United Black Golfers Association (UBGA), a 501 (C)3 organization that provides opportunities for golfers and individuals (men and women) who are interested in the game of golf, is preparing for their upcoming Scholarship Fundraiser Golf Tournament.

The fundraiser outing will be held on Monday, August 3, 2015 at Douglaston Golf Course (Douglaston, NY).

“The outing is open to all, and everyone is welcome to register and play with us,” says UBGA President Vernel Bennett. “Douglaston golf course is a beautiful course and challenging. We’re planning to have a great time and to raise funds to benefit our scholarship fund.” Special discounts are available for foursomes who register through June 30.

For more information contact Vernel Bennett at (917) 300-8310 or (917) 929-2633 or email HERE

February 24, 2015 0 comment

News

USGA ANNOUNCES LOCAL QUALIFYING SITES FOR 2015 U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

by Debert Cook February 24, 2015

written by Debert Cook

111 Local Qualifiers Will Be Conducted in 43 States During May

FAR HILLS, N.J. (Feb. 24, 2015) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced local qualifying sites for the 2015 U.S. Open Championship. The U.S. Open will be contested June 18-21 at Chambers Bay, in University Place, Wash. – the first U.S. Open in the Pacific Northwest. Local qualifying, conducted over 18 holes at 111 sites in 43 states, will take place between May 4-21.
“U.S. Open local qualifying represents the start of an exciting two-tiered process in which thousands of golfers from around the world, both professional and amateur, pursue a place in this year’s field at Chambers Bay and the opportunity to compete for our national championship,” said Diana Murphy, USGA vice president and Championship Committee chairman. “U.S. Open qualifying is conducted with the support and expertise provided by state and regional golf associations, and we appreciate their effort and commitment.”

Those players who advance out of local qualifying will compete in sectional qualifying, which will be conducted over 36 holes at 10 U.S. sites on June 8. For the 11th consecutive year, Japan and England will host international sectional qualifying, both scheduled for May 25.

In 2014, the USGA accepted a record 10,127 entries for the championship at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club’s Course No. 2, in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C. That total eclipsed the 9,860 for the 2013 championship at Merion Golf Club, in Ardmore, Pa.

Thirty-nine courses return as U.S. Open local qualifying sites from last year and several have a long history as hosts. Illini Country Club, in Springfield, Ill., has conducted a U.S. Open local qualifier since the late 1940s, while Maketewah Country Club, in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been a site for more than four decades. Riverton (Wyo.) Country Club and Genoa Lakes Golf Club, in Genoa, Nev., have hosted local qualifying since the 1990s. Collindale Golf Course, in Fort Collins, Colo., has also hosted for more than a decade.

Omaha (Neb.) Country Club and Oak Tree National, in Edmond, Okla., the sites of the 2013 and 2014 U.S. Seniors Open, respectively, are also hosting U.S. Open local qualifiers.

Three other local qualifying sites have hosted historic USGA championships. Arnold Palmer won the 1954 U.S. Amateur at the Country Club of Detroit, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. Jack Nicklaus (1959 U.S. Amateur) and Annika Sorenstam (1995 U.S. Women’s Open) won USGA titles at The Broadmoor Golf Club (East Course), in Colorado Springs, Colo. Johnny Miller captured the 1964 U.S. Junior Amateur at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club.

Several local exemptions for the U.S. Open were amended prior to 2014. The top 500 point leaders and ties from the Official World Golf Ranking (as of March 2) will be exempt. Any player in the OWGR’s top 500 (as of April 27) who has filed an entry prior to the deadline of 5 p.m. EDT on April 29, will also earn a local exemption. In the past, only the top 150 point leaders were exempted.

Additionally, any player who has had multiple finishes in the top 400 of the year-ending OWGR in the past five calendar years (2010-2014) will be exempt from local qualifying.

Ken Venturi (1964) and Orville Moody (1969) are the only players to win the U.S. Open after qualifying through both local and sectional play. Last year, 24 players advanced through local and sectional qualifying to the 156-player U.S. Open Championship field at Pinehurst.

To be eligible, a player must have a Handicap Index® not exceeding 1.4, or be a professional.

There are 16 local qualifying sites in the state of Florida. Fourteen local qualifiers are scheduled in California.

Online player registration for the 2015 U.S. Open will begin in the first week of March (SEE HERE).

2015 U.S. Open Championship Local Qualifying Sites (111)

Monday, May 4 (1)		Thursday, May 14 (10)
Pete Dye G.C., Bridgeport, W. Va.		La Purisima G.C., Lompoc, Calif.
		Southern Dunes G. & C.C., Haines City, Fla.
Thursday, May 7 (1)		The Club at Emerald Hills, Hollywood, Fla.
Indiana C.C., Indiana, Pa.		Koasati Pines at Coushatta, Kinder, La.
		Pinehills G.C. (Nicklaus Course), Plymouth, Mass.
Friday, May 8 (1)		Norwood Hills C.C., St. Louis, Mo.
The Club at Admirals Cove (East Course), Jupiter, Fla.		Bethpage State Park G.C. (Red Course), Farmingdale, N.Y.
		West Shore C.C., Camp Hill, Pa.
Saturday, May 9 (1)		Makefield Highlands G.C., Yardley, Pa.
Ka’anapali C.C. (Royal Course), Lahaina, Hawaii		Amarillo C.C., Amarillo, Texas

Monday, May 11 (28)		Monday, May 18 (22)
Trilogy G.C. at Vistancia, Peoria, Ariz.		C.C. at DC Ranch, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Barona Creek G.C., Lakeside, Calif.		Bermuda Dunes C.C., Bermuda Dunes, Calif.
Indian Ridge C.C. (Grove Course), Palm Desert, Calif.		Sunnyside C.C., Fresno, Calif.
Ruby Hill C.C., Pleasanton, Calif.		Woodway C.C., Darien, Conn.
The Broadmoor G.C. (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo.		Hammock Dunes Club (Creek Course), Palm Coast, Fla.
The Heritage at Westmoor, Westminster, Colo.		Bent Pine G.C., Vero Beach, Fla.
Amelia National G. & C.C., Amelia Island, Fla.		Camp Creek G.C., WaterSound, Fla.
Timacuan G. & C.C., Lake Mary, Fla.		Flossmoor C.C., Flossmoor, Ill.
TPC Prestancia (Stadium Course), Sarasota, Fla.		Illini C.C., Springfield, Ill.
Willoughby G.C., Stuart, Fla.		Crumpin-Fox Club, Bernardston, Mass.
The Legends at Chateau Elan, Braselton, Ga.		Worthington Manor G.C., Urbana, Md.
Waialae C.C., Honolulu, Hawaii		C.C. of Detroit, Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.
The Club at SpurWing, Meridian, Idaho		Pinewild C.C. (Magnolia Course), Pinehurst, N.C.
The Hawthorns G. & C.C., Fishers, Ind.		River Landing (River Course), Wallace, N.C.
Eagle Eye G.C., East Lansing, Mich.		Twin Warriors G.C., Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M.
Edina C.C., Edina, Minn.		Mendon G.C., Mendon, N.Y.
Blue Hills C.C., Kansas City, Mo.		C.C. of Troy, Troy, N.Y.
Montammy G.C., Alpine, N.J.		Maketewah C.C., Cincinnati, Ohio
Trump National G.C.-Philadelphia, Pine Hill, N.J.		Eugene C.C., Eugene, Ore.
Genoa Lakes G.C. (Lakes Course), Genoa, Nev.		Deerwood G.C., Houston, Texas
TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nev.		Hackberry Creek C.C., Irving, Texas
Kinsale G. & F.C., Powell, Ohio		Hidden Glen G.C., Cedarburg, Wis.
The Patriot G.C., Ninety Six, S.C.
C.C. of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, S.D.		Tuesday, May 19 (8)
Split Rail Links & G.C., Aledo, Texas		Pine Tree G.C., Birmingham, Ala.
Butterfield Trail G.C., El Paso, Texas		Oak Creek G.C., Irvine, Calif.
Glen Eagle G.C., Syracuse, Utah		Ironwood C.C. (South Course), Palm Desert, Calif.
The Home Course, DuPont, Wash.		Collindale G.C., Fort Collins, Colo.
		Orange Tree G.C., Orlando, Fla.
Tuesday, May 12 (13)		The Harvester G.C., Rhodes, Iowa
Hot Springs C.C. (Arlington Course), Hot Springs, Ark.		Blue Mash G.C., Laytonsville, Md.
Classic Club, Palm Desert, Calif.		Alpine C.C., Cranston, R.I.
Southern Hills Plantation G.C., Brooksville, Fla.
The G.C. of Georgia (Lakeside Course), Alpharetta, Ga.		Wednesday, May 20 (9)
Morris Park C.C., South Bend, Ind.		Settlers Bay G.C., Wasilla, Alaska
Cherry Blossom G.C., Georgetown, Ky.		Sewailo G.C., Tucson, Ariz.
Missoula C.C, Missoula, Mont.		Silverado Resort (South Course), Napa, Calif.
Duke University G.C., Durham, N.C.		Valencia C.C., Valencia, Calif.
Beechmont C.C., Cleveland, Ohio		Seagate C.C., Delray Beach, Fla.
Catawba Island Club, Port Clinton, Ohio		Carrollwood C.C. (Pine/Cypress Course), Tampa, Fla.
Oak Tree National, Edmond, Okla.		Timber Banks G.C. & Marina, Baldwinsville, N.Y.
Cedar Creek G.C., San Antonio, Texas		Oldfield Club, Okatie, S.C.
Wine Valley G.C., Walla Walla, Wash.		Riverton C.C., Riverton, Wyo.

Wednesday, May 13 (12)		Thursday, May 21 (5)
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes G.C., Maricopa, Ariz.		Granite Bay G.C., Granite Bay, Calif.
Industry Hills C.C. (Eisenhower Course), City of Industry, Calif.		Old Corkscrew G.C., Estero, Fla.
Stanford University G.C., Stanford, Calif.		Crestview C.C., Wichita, Kan.
Shingle Creek G.C., Orlando, Fla.		The Links at Northfork, Ramsey, Minn.
Stonewall Orchard G.C., Grayslake, Ill.		Omaha C.C., Omaha, Neb.
Panther Valley G. & C.C., Allamuchy Township, N.J.
Elmwood C.C., White Plains, N.Y.
Willowbrook C.C., Apollo, Pa.
C.C. of Scranton, Clarks Summit, Pa.
Colonial C.C., Cordova, Tenn.
Holston Hills C.C., Knoxville, Tenn.
Onion Creek Club, Austin, Texas

About the USGA

The USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as 10 national amateur championships, two state team championships and international matches, attracting players and fans from more than 160 countries. Together with The R&A, the USGA governs the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, equipment standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The USGA’s reach is global with a working jurisdiction in the United States, its territories and Mexico, serving more than 25 million golfers and actively engaging 150 golf associations.

The USGA is one of the world’s foremost authorities on research, development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history and invests in the development of the game through the delivery of its services and its ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants program. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries.

For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.

###

Media Contact: Brian DePasquale
Phone: 908-326-1884 (office), 908-655-8395 (cell)

February 24, 2015 0 comment

Uncategorized

Writers Guidelines

by Debert Cook February 23, 2015

written by Debert Cook

Suggestions to Our Writers:

As a golf lifestyle publication The African American Golfer’s Digest is the nation’s leading publication for avid Black American golfers and itexpects the following from its writers:

The length of the lead of the article varies but the shorter the lead, the better. It should reflect the news, instruction, or the most important element in the story.
Every story should have a news peg, whether the lead is direct or delayed. Why should the readers be interested in reading your story? Example: “The Growth of Golf Among African Americans, the sport that is now being participated in by more than 1 million players each year. (The reader should be interested because: (a) the sport is growing at a phenomenal rate (b) It is attracting African Americans.
We expect that the writing flows, and that it’s tight and grammatically sound.
The facts are employed to support sweeping generalizations and casual inferences.
A business story, whether a profile or not should be supported by some kind of statistics or data. Note: “Africa Americans organizations purchase over 12 million dollars of golf balls online each year,” may buttress our lead through a tangible number and thus give us further insight as to why their participation in the sport is good for business.If you’re covering a company, tell us how well it’s doing through numbers, its revenue, its earnings or its sales.If you’re covering an individual, tell us about their lifestyle, early golf interests, family members, professional and academic accomplishments, age, goals for the future, employment history and current employment status, entrepreneurial endeavors, golf tournament participation, trade show and membership activities, their favorite inspirational quote.
Verify additions, percentages and computations. Make sure the terms relating to mathematical material such as mean, median and mode are explained.
The African American Golfer’s Digest editors should be able to verify quotes from your interviewees should the quotes sound incredible or too much out of sync from what the author sets out to do.
Fairness—if a person you’re interviewing accuses another. please give a chance to the person being accused to defend herself.
Word count: The African American Golfer’s Digest stories vary from about 75-2,500 words, depending on the assigning editor.
PHOTOS: If you plan to submit images with your story please also attach the photo release for the photographer. We are unable to accept images with out a signed photo release by the photographer.

February 23, 2015 0 comment

Destination Guides (INT'L)

CUBA GOLF CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

by Debert Cook February 20, 2015

written by Debert Cook

The March 20-28, 2014 educational and cultural journey began in the beautiful island city of Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Twelve travelers and 9 excited golfers had flown in from the U.S. All travelers were seeking to experience the wondrous land of Cuba. The island, that for so long, was know as a ‘forbidden’ destination for U.S. visitors.

The voyage would entail 8 glorious days, 7 charming nights aboard the luxurious Cuba Cristal cruise ship, sailing warm, calm, Caribbean waters with extraordinary vistas.

A delightful cruising speed of 18 knots, along with an array of on board amenities and comforts of the upscale vessel included spacious staterooms and suites, elegant lounges, restaurants, internet corner and open promenades.

Golf at Varadero Golf
Located just 2-hours outside of Havana, a deluxe shuttle van carried golfers, bags and clubs on a marvelous journey with exceptional landscape views. An on board tour guide highlighted features along and way and familiarized guests on local Cuban customs, Afro-Cuban religions, native flora and fauna, industries, and other great information. Varadero Golf Course, the first 18 hole Golf Course in Cuba, was designed by architect Les Furber. Once at the course, the 18 hole, 72 par did not disappoint with its 6269 yards.

It was a magnification round of play in 80 degree, slightly breezy weather. Varadero has a terrific pro shop stocked full of name brand, signature ball with everything from gloves to clothing and accessories and more. You can pick up whatever item you need to enhance your play. The staff was very friendly and easy to understand. There was no communication barrier….but, golf is almost a universal language, anyway.

Land tours on the trip took travelers to the colonial village of Cienfuegos and Trinidad, beach ‘hip’ barbecue in the sunshine at Punta Frances on the Isle of Youth, a live burlesque dinner show at the famous Tropicana outdoor night club, a stunning countryside visit to Holguin, and a final stop in Santiago De Cuba, the second largest city in Cuba, home of legendary run, exotic fruits, sugar, rum, tobacco, and cigars, the most important urban area outside of Havana. Meals, activities and entertainment were all exquisite. Highlights included tours of Castro’s childhood home, open-air restaurants, a city parade celebration, cigar factory and the excitement of riding in vintage automobiles from the 50’s and 60’s.

About Cuba:
Circumnavigating the only island country in the Caribbean, Cuba is the largest of the West Indies group (equal in area to Pennsylvania). Arawak (or Taino) Indians inhabited Cuba when Columbus landed there in 1492, many died from diseases brought by sailors and settlers. Havana’s superb harbor made it a common transit point to and from Spain. In the early 1800s, Cuba’s sugarcane industry boomed, requiring massive numbers of black slaves until slavery was abolished in 1886. Most people today remember Cuba during 1956, when Fidel Castro Ruz launched a revolution from his camp in the Sierra Maestra Mountains.

The U.S. ended military aid to Cuba in 1958. In 1961, a U.S.-backed group of Cuban exiles invaded Cuba. Planned during the Eisenhower administration, the invasion was given the go-ahead by President John Kennedy, although he refused to give U.S. air support. The landing at the Bay of Pigs (April 17, 1961) was a humiliation. The invaders did not receive popular Cuban support and were easily repulsed by the Cuban military. The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 resulted from a Soviet attempt to install medium-range missiles in Cuba—capable of striking targets in the United States with nuclear warheads. President Kennedy promised a U.S. blockade of Cuba to stop the missile delivery. Six days later, Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev ordered the missile sites dismantled and returned to the USSR in return for a U.S. pledge not to attack Cuba. Russian aid, which had long supported Cuba’s failing economy, ended when Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe in 1990. Cuba’s foreign trade also plummeted, producing a severe economic crisis.

In 1993, Castro permitted limited private enterprise, allowed Cubans to possess convertible currencies, and encouraged foreign investment in its tourism industry. The Bush administration again tightened its embargo in June 2004, allowing Cuban Americans to return to the island only once every three years (instead of every year) and restricting the amount of U.S. cash that can be spent there to $50 per day. In response, Cuba banned the use of dollars, which had been legal currency in the country for more than a decade. In Feb. 2008, Fidel Castro ended 49 years of power when he announced his retirement. The 81-year-old, who ruled Cuba since leading a revolution in 1959, said he would not accept another term as president. Raúl Castro succeeded his brother, becoming the 21st president of Cuba on Feb. 24, 2008.

LITTLE KNOWN FACT: It is estimated that almost 400,000 Africans were brought to Cuba during the years 1835-1864. (That’s roughly 1150 per month for 29 years!) As early as 1532, the blacks formed 62.5 percent of the population. In 1841, African slaves made up over 40% of the total population. In addition, it is estimated that from 1913 to 1927 40,000 blacks a year were smuggled in.

Debert Cook is a travel writer and avid golfer based in New York City.

February 20, 2015 0 comment

Entertainment

“Motown: The Musical”

by Debert Cook February 20, 2015

written by Debert Cook

Written by Berry Gordy and Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright this is an excellent performance with great music, actors and more. Running time: Two hours and 45 minutes.

A fantastic play that everyone will enjoy. The staging is magnificent and this celebration of the music of Motown is being enjoyed and reveled in by audiences nationwide. The musical artistry–and those whose songs are presented–showcases some of the most irresistible, infectious and energetic popular music of the 20th century.

“Motown: The Musical” captures the history of the establishment of the Detroit independent record label, from its founding in 1959 to its acquisition by a corporate conglomerate in the late ’80s. Motown founder, Barry Gordy, and his collaborators are seen is a never before light onstage. Throughout the story line their characters are unveiled, while in-between a whole lot of hit songs are made. The small town wroster of singers and groups continues to grow and the word is made a better place because of it all.

Clifton Oliver is cast as the ingenious Berry Gordy and Allison Semmes magnificently portrays the lovely Diana Ross. The entire look and sound of her performance is as if one were looking directly in a mirror of the iconic Ross.

Captured from the point of view of Motown Founder Berry Gordy, “Motown: The Musical” is teeming with good beats of music. Altogether, the program showcases 60 songs.

“Motown: The Musical” has been a hit on Broadway ever since it opened in April of last year. And the long lines outside the ticket box is a strong indicator that it is a definite crowd-pleaser.

diane ross_400 The show starts off with The Temptations and the Four Tops in a Battle of the Bands and ends with the amazing Diana Ross, crooning “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and usually the audience is always on its feet at this point in the show!

There is no sitting still in your seat at this musical. One is almost pulled up to stand, clapping and joining in with the cast to sing these popular history-making songs. Some may see that there’s a dichotomy at work in the show. Because, within, you have all of these amazing, great songs like “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “I Can’t Get Next to You” vivaciously performed by both the cast, under the direction of Charles Randolph-Wright, and the 15-piece live band, under the direction of Darryl Archibald. Then you have the autobiography that was written by Gordy, that he says is based on his life, entitled “To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown.”

In the musical, Berry portrays a one-dimensional protagonist (played by Clifton Oliver). He’s strong-willed, exuberant and more than determined to have his company succeed. What “Motown” the musical has that other musicals lack, is an awesome songbook to back up their story line.
Motown_600

The mighty hits go on, and on, and on…. The audience is very excited when a young Reed L. Shannon (as Michael Jackson) performs many Jackson 5 hits including “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There.” He’s a great singer and captures the hearts of the full house.

Then, there is the magnificent Nicholas Christopher, who portrays Smokey Robinson. He’s Barry’s right-hand man, and partner in Motown’s founding. Christopher is ‘right on’ in his performance. He belts out hit, after hit including “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”.

Marvin Gaye_350 Jarran Muse take on the part as a talented Marvin Gaye. Muse showcases his talents and acting skills while delivering many of Gaye’s hits including “What’s Going On” and “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology).” All of the great memories are captured in this musical….

All in all, there’s so very much more to “Motown: The Musical” than can be put to pen. It is electrifying and dazzles all of the senses. Great talent. Great Story.

Catch this on tour wherever you can!

February 20, 2015 0 comment

News Slider

Jack Nicklaus Believes Tiger Woods Will Pass His Major Record

by Debert Cook February 20, 2015

written by Debert Cook

18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus shared his opinion earlier today on Golf Chanel, as he sat down with Morning Drive hosts Gary Williams and Matt Ginella from Trump National Doral in Miami, Fla., ahead of next month’s WGC-Cadillac Championship. During the interview, Nicklaus discussed the recent challenges facing Tiger Woods’ golf game.

Notable quotes from Nicklaus’ interview are included below:

On Tiger Woods’ recent struggles

Jack Nicklaus – “Tiger is struggling, I don’t think there’s any question about that… I think he’s struggling more between his ears than he is any place else. He’s struggled with the driver most of his life really, but he’s always been able to find the golf ball and get it somewhere back around the green… And now he’s having trouble with the short game. That is not a good combination, to drive it poorly and have a bad short game.”

“You go through things, and you have to have a positive thing happen to you to turn it around… I think Tiger will turn it around. He’s too dedicated, he works too hard at it, he’s got too much talent. He’ll figure it out. And personally, I think he needs to figure it out himself. Because a teacher can’t teach what’s inside your head. You’ve got to be able to put that positive thought into your head yourself.”

On whether he thinks Woods will still eclipse his 18 major championships

Jack Nicklaus – “I still do. Why would I not think that?… He’s got a lot of golf in front of him. But it’s going to be up to him, he’s still got to do it. He may, he may not. Obviously chances are harder for him now than five years ago, but I still think he has time on his side.”

Jack Nicklaus won 18 professional majors, an iconic total that has become the most significant record in golf, and one of the most significant in all of sports. Tiger Woods has won a staggering 14 majors, but his quest to pass Nicklaus has stalled. Here’s how their records compare.

JACK NICKLAUS: 18 MAJORS	TIGER WOODS: 14 MAJORS
1. 1962 U.S. Open (Age: 22)	1. 1997 Masters (Age: 21)
2. 1963 Masters (Age: 23)	2. 1999 PGA (Age: 23)
3. 1963 PGA (Age: 23)	3. 2000 U.S. Open (Age: 24)
4. 1965 Masters (Age: 25)	4. 2000 British Open(Age: 24)
5. 1966 Masters (Age: 26)	5. 2000 PGA Championship (Age: 24)
6. 1966 British Open(Age: 26)	6. 2001 Masters (Age: 25)
7. 1967 U.S. Open (Age: 27)	7. 2002 Masters (Age: 26)
8. 1970 British Open(Age: 30)	8. 2002 U.S. Open (Age: 26)
9. 1971 PGA Championship (Age: 31)	9. 2005 Masters (Age: 29)
10. 1972 Masters (Age: 32)	10. 2005 British Open(Age: 29)
11. 1972 U.S. Open (Age: 32)	11. 2006 British Open(Age: 30)
12. 1973 PGA Championship (Age: 33)	12. 2006 PGA Championship (Age: 30)
13. 1975 Masters (Age:35 )	13. 2007 PGA Championship (Age: 31)
14. 1975 PGA Championship (Age: 35)	14. 2008 U.S. Open (Age: 32)
15. 1978 British Open(Age: 38)
16. 1980 U.S. Open (Age: 40)
17. 1980 PGA Championship (Age: 40)
18. 1986 Masters (Age: 46)

February 20, 2015 0 comment

Blog

Howard Bankhead Blog: Golf – Civility – Character, Charlie Sifford and Martin Luther King, Jr.

by Debert Cook February 19, 2015

written by Debert Cook

Those of us that really and truly love golf will believe and support these words. Before I read the late Charlie Sifford’s question (that he experienced in the 50’s) about how can an activity (golf) that prides itself on being a gentleman’s sport—with the ultimate character component—how could it be so racist and hateful to Black people?

While doing research on the history, culture and the business of golf and realizing the intrinsic values of the game, in the year 2000, I asked myself the same question that Charlie Sifford asked in the 50’s: How can a game so rich in Godly values have a Caucasians-only clause? —A clause that discriminated against a person because of their skin color and not their character.

When I read Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail” and other historical facts about slavery and Jim Crow laws, I realized a causation with the PGA Caucasians-Only clause (that was in effect from 1934 to 1961) and Jim Crow (between 1877 and the mid-1960s).

letter from Birmingham jail White Christians, even the liberal ones, did not take a stance against this unjust law until poor Black people enacted what Dr. King called the “nonviolent direct-action program”. And, most of the players and officials in the golfing world did not speak out against the Caucasian-Only clause until players like Charlie Sifford, Ted Rhodes and other Black men that were professional golfers protested against the unjust law. Ironically, a white man (California Attorney General Stanley Mosk) stood up against the unjust law.

In 1959, Charlie Sifford gained the attention of the California Attorney General Stanley Mosk. Mosk demanded to know why the PGA would not allow Sifford to play on tour, if it were not just because of his race. Mosk advised the national PGA that it could not stage its tournament in California unless the clause was eliminated. Many believe that it was because of money, and not integrity, that the PGA gave in and approved Sifford as a tournament player in 1960.

caucasian only rule doomed Eventually, it was because of technology, and the “media” exposing the world to the bombings, killings, and other gruesome results of the unjust Jim Crow laws, along with the persistence, courage and faith of a few Black people, that enough white politicians had the courage to vote and end the Jim Crow laws. Mind you, for most white’s the law changed but not their hearts.

(left, LA Times article, 1961)

Our country and the world are facing issues with civility, personal integrity and love for our fellowman. The intrinsic values of golf are all about civility, integrity and respect.

I must admit, when I first endeavored into the golfing world, i.e. pleasure and business, I was naïve to the belief that all golfers played the game with integrity and respect. But the game of golf is like the game of life… we all as humans must do better to perfect the principle of the golden rule, do unto others as you have them do unto you!

I have faith that we can use our sport of golf and bring more civility, personal integrity and love for our fellowman.

With the power of forgiveness and perseverance, we can transform lives. Like Charlie Sifford, Martin Luther King, Jr., and people of their era, they believed in the good of man. And it took some benevolent white people to stand for trust, for Charlie Sifford and Martin Luther King, Jr., beliefs to be realized.

World Golf Hall of Fame Celebrates Black History Month

A lot of white people and some Blacks hate the celebration of Black History Month. In 2005, I was at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, FL, for a First Tee event. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the World Golf Hall of Fame also celebrated Black History month. That was the first time I met Charlie Sifford. If the leading industry in the golf world celebrates Black History Month, that should tell you something. Golf has come a LONG way from the Caucasian-only clause, to celebrating Black history month. However, we still have a long way to go and I am in for the long haul.

DONATION AND Sponsorship ARE NEEDED!

“Anything positive is possible”

In order to grow and continue the success of TVYGD, we ask for your love, support and donations!

Visit our website: www.golflifeskills.org

Howard Bankhead
Executive Director
Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development
604 Jordan Lane
Huntsville, AL 35816 USA
256-604-8172