TOURNAMENT & ORGANIZATION MANAGERS:
DID YOU KNOW!…
New York, NY, March 5, 2015 – For the fifth year, Augusta GolfFEST, a fun-filled day of golf is being hosted by the African American Golfer’s Digest, a PGA of America Diverse Supplier and the nation’s leading publication for Black American golfers. The challenging day kicks-off with registration at 10:30 a.m. followed by a two-man scramble tournament at Noon on Friday, April 10, as enthusiasts of the game gather in Augusta, Georgia during the most heightened event of golf, the Masters.
Set among the game’s elite, the 2015 Augusta GolfFEST brings and opportunity for great enjoyment and positive networking with the publication’s leaders, fans/followers and readership, along with locals who attend in the Augusta regional area. Players will tee-off (captain’s choice) for a shotgun start on the gorgeous Georgia greens of ‘the Patch’ and continue their round of 18-holes on finely manicured bunkers where challenge awaits.
James “Jim” Beatty, President, NCS International (Omaha, Nebraska) and an African American Golfer’s Digest Board Member serves again as this year’s honorary tournament host and he is overseeing player registrations, pairings, scoring…and making sure everyone has an overall good time! Beatty has over two decades of experience in business consulting, corporate site selection and economic development.
(Photo left: James Beatty)
“Jim and I are thrilled to welcome everyone to join us for another year of excitement in Augusta,” says Debert Cook, publisher of the 15-year old subscription-based print magazine that serves 80,000 readers quarterly. Even during trying economical times for the print industry, Ms. Cook has successfully retained the publication as an excellent periodical of golf news that is geared to this niche audience.
“We welcome everyone to play with us during Masters Week and expect to have a grand time with great camaraderie and challenging golf at ‘the Patch‘,” says Beatty. “Mostly, we wish to get better acquainted with our loyal subscribers while also spreading the word about the magazine to those who are unfamiliar with it.”
Adorably referred to as “the Patch” Augusta Municipal golf course used to be farmland, years ago, where cabbages were grown. Today, it is a magnificent piece of real estate where golfers can enjoy “A touch of Scotland and a piece of Augusta,” says Chairman Brian Hendry, an Aberdeen businessman, who was granted a 12-year lease on the course by the city of Augusta in 2012. Its prime location is only a five-minute drive from Augusta Country Club and just a further few minutes to a sign saying ‘Augusta National Golf Club-Members Only”. Closed for a little while, the ‘Patch’ course and its clubhouse have undergone significant renovations. Soon hole thirteen will have a Scottish Bunker (unlucky for some), it will be named after a quarry in Aberdeen in Scotland – in its day it was the largest man-made hole in Europe. Any golfer who lands in this bunker, we hope you’re not keeping score. When you do get up and down from it in regular play, make sure you come into the pro shop for your “prize,” says the course website.
For more information, to register to play and learn about sponsorship opportunities please contact Debert Cook at (212) 571-6559 or email DebertCook
ABOUT Augusta GolfFEST
Augusta GolfFEST is a celebration that unites the empowering combination of golf and African American history while being dedicated to motivating, educating and entertaining all persons who seek a balanced, healthy lifestyle. The annual event is open to everyone and its Planning Committee members invite all who are in Augusta during the week to consider joining them. The event programming supports our continuous efforts of educating, informing and enlightening the world on the significant history and contributions made by African Americans to golf.
All of our efforts aid in generating funds that are used to help continue making a positive difference in the sport for African Americans, through our print publication, online website and social conversations. We believe that the game of golf should reflect the value of personal work and commitments put forth by generations of Black golfers, Black golf industry professionals and Black-owned and operated golf businesses.
All related programs and events are open to the public and designed with the whole family in mind for enjoying fun, fitness, exhibits and educational forums that celebrate African American history and excellence in golf. The agenda is continuously updated to provide attendees with an opportunity to sample products, enjoy entertaining artists, and listen to speakers that inspire and enlighten you on how golf can be included as part of a healthy lifestyle, professional career or business.
A special message from Todd Henry, Tournament Committee Chairman:
“The American Association of Blacks in Energy (“AABE”) – South Jersey Chapter headquartered in Folsom, NJ will be hosting their Second Annual AABE South Jersey Chapter Scholarship Golf Event on Friday, May 1, 2015. Registration for the event will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Harbor Pines Golf Club, located at 500 St. Andrews Drive, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234.
AABE is a national association of energy professionals dedicated to ensure the input of minorities into the discussions and developments of energy policy, regulations, R&D technologies, and environmental issues. Our chapter’s initiatives focus on community service, scholarships, education awareness and networking within the community and through local businesses.
We are seeking potential sponsors and participants. We are also looking for enthusiastic new members to join our chapter, get involved, and be a valuable part of our community and the energy industry to help support both our vision and mission as a non-profit 501c(3) organization.
As a supporter of this worthy cause, note that your investment is 100% deductible, your company will have an increase in community involvement recognition and at your discretion, invest in a sponsorship gift that will provide tremendous advertising value for your company for months after our event has concluded.
I welcome employees from your company to participate in our event. Use our convenient on-line registration HERE.
Reserve your tee-time early. Registration deadline is April 18th.
I invite you to come out to meet and greet your fellow business constituents and find out what the AABE – South Jersey Chapter is all about.
I look forward to meeting you and thank you for your support.”
Contact: Linda King at [email protected]
25 Sectional Qualifiers to be Conducted Between May 9 and June 15
FAR HILLS, N.J. (March 5, 2015) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced sectional qualifying sites for the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open Championship, to be contested July 9-12 at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club.
Sectional qualifying, conducted over 36 holes, will be held at 21 sites across the United States and four international sites between May 9 and June 15. The championship is open to female professionals, and female amateur golfers with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 2.4.
“The U.S. Women’s Open represents the pinnacle of women’s golf, and sectional qualifying is the first step of that journey,” said Diana Murphy, USGA vice president and Championship Committee chairman. “Our partners at state and regional golf associations, as well as several international organizations, play a crucial role in helping us determine a worthy champion. We thank them for their tireless efforts, and we look forward to the 70th playing of the U.S. Women’s Open, at Lancaster Country Club.”
Player applications are now available at https://champs.usga.org/index.html. The entry deadline is 5 p.m. EDT on May 6.
In 2014, the USGA accepted a record 1,702 entries for the championship at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club’s Course No. 2, in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C. The previous record was 1,420 for the 2013 championship at Sebonack Golf Club, in Southampton, N.Y.
For the second consecutive year, U.S. Women’s Open sectional qualifying will be conducted in the People’s Republic of China, England, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Three courses – Buckinghamshire Golf Club (England), CGA Nanshan International Training Center (China) and Woo Jeong Hills Country Club (Korea) – will again serve as host sites, while Japan’s Arima Royal Golf Club will host qualifying for the first time.
Industry Hills Golf Club, near Los Angeles, will host U.S. Women’s Open sectional qualifying for the sixth consecutive year, on May 26. Its Eisenhower Course was a local qualifying site in 2009 (the final year of local qualifying, which was conducted from 2002-09), and it hosted sectional qualifying in 1980 and 1982.
Industry Hills is one of two courses that will host both Women’s Open sectional qualifying and U.S. Open local qualifying. The Eisenhower Course will serve as a U.S. Open local qualifying site on May 13. The Royal Course at Ka’anapali Golf Resort, in Lahaina, Hawaii, will host both qualifiers on May 9.
Five past USGA championship sites will host 2015 U.S. Women’s Open sectional qualifying, three of them for at least the third time.
Three-time sectional site Druid Hills Golf Club, in Atlanta, hosted the 1951 U.S. Women’s Open, won by Betsy Rawls. It also served as the companion course to East Lake Golf Club for the 2001 U.S. Amateur, won by Bubba Dickerson. Another three-time host, Westmoreland Country Club, in Wilmette, Ill., was the site of Patty Berg’s 1938 U.S. Women’s Amateur victory.
The Woodlands (Texas) Country Club, which is hosting for the fourth consecutive year on the Player Course, was the site of Anne Sander’s 1989 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur victory on its Tournament Course.
Additionally, Riverdale Golf Course, in Brighton, Colo., hosted the 1993 U.S. Amateur Public Links, won by David Berganio Jr. Galloway National Golf Club, in Galloway, N.J., was the site of the 2012 USGA Men’s State Team, won by the team from New York.
Two U.S. Women’s Open champions have reached the championship through the stroke-play qualifying process: Hilary Lunke (2003) and Birdie Kim (2005). Lunke won after advancing through local and sectional qualifying, while Kim competed in the sectional stage.
For ticket information, please visit www.2015uswomensopen.com.
Considered the world’s premier women’s golf championship, the U.S. Women’s Open is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA. The championship was first conducted in 1946 and its winners include notable players such as Rawls, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Mickey Wright, Hollis Stacy, Amy Alcott, Meg Mallon, Annika Sorenstam, Se Ri Pak, Juli Inkster, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer, Inbee Park and reigning champion Michelle Wie.
2015 U.S. Women’s Open Sectional Qualifying Sites (25)
May 9
Ka’anapali Golf Resort (Royal Course), Lahaina, Hawaii
May 13
CGA Nanshan International Training Center (Garden Course), Shandong, China
May 18
Serrano Country Club, El Dorado Hills, Calif.
Bradenton (Fla.) Country Club
Druid Hills Golf Club, Atlanta, Ga.
Westmoreland Country Club, Wilmette, Ill.
Windsong Farm Golf Club, Independence, Minn.
Butler (Pa.) Country Club
Hermitage Country Club, Manakin-Sabot, Va.
Woo Jeong Hills Country Club, Chungnam, Korea
May 19
Superstition Mountain (Ariz.) Golf & Country Club
Goose Creek Golf Club, Mira Loma, Calif.
May 22
Fountains Country Club (North Course), Lake Worth, Fla.
May 25
Buckinghamshire Golf Club, Buckinghamshire, England
May 26
Industry Hills Golf Club, City of Industry, Calif.
May 27
Riverdale Golf Course, Brighton, Colo.
Governors Club, Chapel Hill, N.C.
May 29
Sugar Mill Country Club (White/Red Course), New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
June 1
Galloway National Golf Club, Galloway, N.J.
June 2
Ferncroft Country Club, Middleton, Mass.
St. Clair Country Club, Belleville, Ill.
OGA Golf Course, Woodburn, Ore.
The Woodlands (Texas) Country Club (Player Course)
June 4
Lakewood Country Club, Dallas, Texas
June 15
Arima Royal Golf Club, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Sectional qualifying sites and dates are subject to change. For the most up-to-date list, visit https://champs.usga.org/index.html.
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.
Phone: 908-326-1882 (office), 908-963-1691 (cell)
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.
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
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
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.
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.”
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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