Page 493 – African American Golfer's Digest

PGA Increases Purse to $2.75 Million for the 2015 Senior PGA Championship Presented by KitchenAid

by Debert Cook April 20, 2015

written by Debert Cook

FRENCH LICK, Ind. (April 20, 2015) – The PGA of America announced that it will increase the purse to $2.75 million for the 2015 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, to be conducted May 21-24, on the Pete Dye Course at French Lick (Indiana) Resort.

The oldest and most prestigious Championship in senior golf, which offered a $2.1 million purse in 2014, will now award the Champion $495,000; with second place receiving $297,000; and third place $187,000.

The Championship makes its first visit to the Pete Dye Course, which opened in 2009. It is the fourth major championship hosted by French Lick Resort, following the 1924 PGA Championship, which was played on the Donald Ross Course and won by Walter Hagen; and the 1959 and ’60 LPGA Championships. French Lick’s Pete Dye Course also hosted the 2010 PGA Professional National Championship.

“We’re pleased that the purse reflects the proud tradition of this major Championship and the outstanding field that it will attract,” said PGA President Derek Sprague. “We are excited to join a tremendous host site in counting down the days to another ‘Walk with History’ for what we believe will be one of our greatest Championships.”

The Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid marks its first visit to Indiana with an international 156-member field competing on the par-72, 7,147-yard Pete Dye Course, designed by its legendary namesake.

To purchase tickets to the Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, visit pga.com/seniorpga.

April 20, 2015 0 comment

Heard & Scene News

National Golf Day on Capital Hill

by Debert Cook April 17, 2015

written by Debert Cook

National golf day on Capital Hall brought out dozens of golf enthusiasts from around the country to help lawmakers improve their game.

“There are a lot of deals done on the golf course business-wise, said Nick Price a PGA Golf Champion. “If I play a round of golf with a person, I can tell you a lot about who, and what, that person is,” said representative James E. Clyburn (D), South Carolina.

The eighth annual event allowed democrats and republicans alike to take a swing at something other than each other.

According to WE ARE GOLF, the lobbying arm of the golf industry, the group went to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress, the executive branch, and other federal agencies to discuss golf’s $70 billion economy, documenting 15,350 related businesses and 2 million associated jobs as well as the tourism, fitness and tax revenue creation aspects of the game.

“It gives us the opportunity to educate key groups in Washington about golf,” asserts Steve Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation, administrator for WE ARE GOLF.

Mona notes the group met with EPA officials last year to discuss regulations and the golfers want to discuss stats they tout including charitable giving of $3.9 billion annually and the egalitarian accessibility of the game (80% of courses are open to the public and the median green fee is just $26.

April 17, 2015 0 comment

Slider

2015 Augusta GolfFEST

by Debert Cook April 17, 2015

written by Debert Cook

New York, NY, March 11, 2015 –The 5th Annual Augusta GolfFEST did not disappoint in bringing added excitement during the height of Masters Week.

Celebrating its fifth year, the fun-filled day of golf was again presented by the African American Golfer’s Digest, a PGA of America Diverse Supplier and the nation’s leading publication for Black American golfers. The challenge kicked-off with registration at 10:30 a.m. followed by a two-man scramble tournament at noon on Friday, April 10. Golf enthusiasts participating came from a number of states across the nation including Mississippi, New Jersey, and as far away as Nebraska.

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 from throughout the regional area. Players teed-off (captain’s choice) for a shotgun start on the gorgeous Georgia greens of ‘the Patch’(also known as Metropolitan Golf Course) and continued their round of 18-holes on finely manicured bunkers.

James “Jim” Beatty, President, NCS International (Omaha, NE), an African American Golfer’s Digest Board Member served again as this year’s honorary tournament host. Beatty’s naturally jovial personality captured the hearts of players and he kept the excitement going all-day long. Beatty, by profession, has over two decades of experience in business consulting, corporate site selection and economic development.

Front Row: (kneeling) Ira Miller, General Manager of “The Patch”; Evelyn Hayes, Birmingham, AL; Corine Williams, Huntsville, AL; Gloria Dennard, President, Professional Women Golf Association in Birmingham, AL; Becky Wright, Atlanta,GA; Desiree Walker, Myrtle Beach SC; Jacklyn McClamb, Cary, NC; Mark Artis, Amarillo, TX.

Back Row: Burrell Williams, Omaha,NE; Rudy Richmond, Gasden, SC; DeWayne Hogan, Omaha,NE; Deborah Thornton, Atlanta GA; Ester Pearson, Apex, NC; Beverly Harrison, Ph.D., Site Director, LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, North Bergan, NJ; Earlie Simmons,Birmingham, AL; Jim Beatty, Omaha, NE; Kendricke Waldon, Augusta, GA.
RELATED STORY: A History of the Masters: Read Before You Go….

“It was an awesome experience to share the 5th annual outing with so many terrific players. The camaraderie was in full-effect and life-long friendships were made,” said Beatty. “We’re looking forward to presenting the 2016 golf outing.”

WINNERS:

FIRST FLIGHT

1st Place
DeWayne Hogan, Omaha Nebraska and Rudy Richard, Gasden, SC

2nd Place
Jacklyn McClamb Cary, NC, Ester Pearson Apex, NC and Bev Harrison, North Bergan NJ,

3rd Place
Kendricke Waldon, Augusta,GA and Desiree Walker, Myrtle Beach SC

SECOND FLIGHT
1st Place
Evelyn Hayes, Birmingham AL and Gloria Dennard, Birmingham, AL

2nd Place
Earlie Simmons, Pelham, AL and Corine Williams, Huntsville, AL

Tournament Chairman Jim Beatty and members of the tournament committee also had the opportunity to attend a reception hosted in a private mansion by GOLF IRELAND. The Augusta Young Professionals held a networking event at the Patch on Thursday night, which was attended by over 100 young black professionals from the Augusta and Atlanta area.

Beatty’s additional activities included a meeting with the Augusta Aviation Commissioner Mr James Germany who was in attendance at the Masters on Saturday.

Coach Herman D. Belton, Men and Women Golf Coach for Benedict College in nearby Columbia SC shared his coaching philosophies on Thursday and asked for the groups assistance in recruiting players for their program. It is with great pride that Jim Beatty has several relatives, great uncles and his grandfather, who are 1915 graduates of Benedict College.

Additional excitement was added when radio talk show host Ken J. Makin of the Spirit,WKZK (www.wkzk.net) interviewed Beatty in Augusta for a scoop on the 5th annual golf outing. He also interviewed several of the participants through a live remote from the Augusta Municipal Golf Course clubhouse.

One of the most interesting personalities in attendance was Desiree Walker who, after 10 years as a law enforcement office in the DC area, decided to leave that career and pursue a full-time career in golf. Walker is currently in Myrtle Beach SC working at a resort and pursuing her goal as a golf instructor. Follow her blog HERE.

“I sincerely wish to thank all of the participants and our Tournament Committee: Burrell Williams from Omaha,NE, Becky Wright and Deborah Thornton, both from Atlanta, GA and Mark Artis from Amarillo, TX.,” said Beatty.

For golfers who may have missed the MASTERS this year, here is the link to get registered for next year’s MASTERS. This will get you on the list to try to get passes for 2016. https://tickets.masters.com/en_US/index.html

For more information about the 2016 Augusta GolfFEST 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 to provide attendees with an opportunity to sample products, enjoy entertaining artists, and listen to speakers that inspirem and enlighten you on how golf can be included as part of a healthy lifestyle, professional career or business. For more information and continuous updates visit www.AugustaGolfFEST.com

ABOUT Augusta Municipal Golf Course (The Patch)
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. It’s 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.

April 17, 2015 0 comment

News

Ryder Cup Points through the WGC Cadillac Match Play

by Debert Cook April 17, 2015

written by Debert Cook

Rank This week	First	Last	Rank Last week	2015 Cumulative POINTS
1	Jordan	SPIETH	1	1,891.66
2	Dustin	JOHNSON	2	1,162.91
3	Phil	MICKELSON	3	916.00
4	J.B.	HOLMES	4	540.00
5	Gary	WOODLAND	31	506.50
6	Hunter	MAHAN	9	367.13
7	Bubba	WATSON	5	352.91
8	Bill	HAAS	6	346.41
9	Charley	HOFFMAN	7	345.66
10	Zach	JOHNSON	8	340.41
11	Rickie	FOWLER	12	332.50
12	Jim	FURYK	28	321.50
13	Kevin	NA	10	309.42
14	Ryan	MOORE	10	302.36
15	Webb	SIMPSON	14	218.41
16	Kevin	STREELMAN	13	196.00
17	Patrick	REED	17	177.24
18	Russell	HENLEY	16	175.75
19	Tiger	WOODS	15	155.00
20	Keegan	BRADLEY	18	150.28
21	Brooks	KOEPKA	21	145.66
22	Ryan	PALMER	20	140.19
23	Chris	KIRK	23	120.91
24	Morgan	HOFFMAN	19	116.75
25	Matt	KUCHAR	26	103.25
26	Jimmy	WALKER	24	100.69
27	Mark	O’MEARA	22	92.83
28	Jason	DUFNER	29	84.85
29	Brandt	SNEDEKER	30	73.44
30	Cameron	TRINGALE	25	72.75
31	Billy	HORSCHEL	33	72.41
32	Steve	STRICKER	27	68.00
33	Brendon	TODD	31	66.19
34	Harris	ENGLISH	36	42.91
35	Ben	MARTIN	36	42.91
36	Matt	EVERY	36	24.69
37	Erik	COMPTON	34	24.60
38	Robert	STREB	35	24.00

U. S. Ryder Cup Qualifications
The United States points system will be determined as follows:

Eight of the 12 members of the U.S. Team will be named on points earned following the conclusion of The Barclays, which is scheduled to conclude Sunday Aug. 28, 2016. This new timetable gives two additional weeks for players to earn Ryder Cup qualifying points.
Captain’s Picks – U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III will make three of his four Captain’s Picks after the conclusion of the BMW Championship, which is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016. His final Captain’s pick will take place Sunday evening after the TOUR Championship, Sept. 25, 2016. This new timetable also is pushed back two weeks.

Points System
All U.S. players will earn points based upon the following criteria starting in 2015 and concluding Aug. 28, 2016:

2015 Major Championships (1 Point per $1,000 earned) – The Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship, PGA Championship
2015 WGC Events and The Players Championship (1 Point per $2,000 earned) – WGC Cadillac Championship, WGC Match Play Championship, The Players Championship, WGC Bridgestone Invitational, WGC HSBC Champions
2016 Regular PGA TOUR Events (1 point per $1,000 earned) – Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, through and including the Barclays on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016
2016 Opposite Field PGA TOUR Events will not receive any points
2016 Major Championships (2 points per $1,000 earned)

The 41st Ryder Cup will be held Sept. 27 – Oct. 2, 2016, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota.

April 17, 2015 0 comment

News Slider

Augusta National Honors a Tree; But What About Lee Elder?

by Debert Cook April 16, 2015

written by Debert Cook

(L-R) Pro golfer Lee Elder with Talk Show Host Tom Joyner

Elder Honored, But Not By Augusta National.

By Leonard Shapiro (Global Golf Post), April 13, 2015:

The headline on the lead story of Page 1 of The Augusta Chronicle newspaper Friday read “Trailblazer honored by city, friends,” it did not mention Augusta National Golf Club.

The 79th Masters marked the 40th Anniversary of one of the seminal moments in golf, the participation of Lee Elder in the 1975 tournament and the first African American golfer to play in the event. It was golf’s Selma, a turning point in the history of a game that for far too many years was shamefully noninclusive.

And yet, Augusta National made no mention of Elder, now 80, and that 1975 tournament in its official 2015 program, or the current free spectator guide that lists significant dates in Masters history going back to 1931. The only entry in the spectator guide for 1975 reads “Jack Nicklaus becomes the first five-time winner.”

Related story: Lee Elder Superbly Celebrated On His 40th Year Master’s Win Anniversary By Gary Player

A club that reveres history and tradition far more than most did nothing at all to formally mark a significant anniversary of Elder’s initial participation, the first of his six starts in the tournament. It could have been so easily done. Perhaps a slot in the Par-3 Contest paired with his old friend and frequent foe, Gary Player. Even a simple news conference in the Masters media center.

The interview room was used this week to temporarily house another piece of club history. On Wednesday, a display was unveiled of a cross-section slice taken out of Eisenhower’s Tree, the famous 17th hole loblolly pine felled by an ice storm in the winter of 2014. It will become a museum piece that soon will be shipped to the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kan.
Read more at GlobalGolfPost

April 16, 2015 0 comment

Blog

Fate of the Transcendent Hero

by Debert Cook April 15, 2015

written by Debert Cook

(By Pete McDaniel) Transcendent sports heroes are reluctant to pass the torch. Like a boa constrictor, they employ a death grip on greatness even when it’s obvious to all but their most faithful followers that the flame is a mere flicker.

Michael Jordan refused to defer to Kobe Bryant, lacing them up until his vertical leap resembled the fat-celled-challenged left-handed golfer’s pitiful attempt at hops for joy upon winning his first Masters. Sorry, Phil, I couldn’t resist.

Bryant refuses to abdicate to Lebron James, preferring instead to post up Father Time in a game of one-on-one he has no chance of winning. You’d think he would have learned from his predecessor.

Although it’s impossible to compare independent contractors strolling the lush fairways of the PGA Tour to team-oriented hoopsters, golf also has a history of graying (and hair follically challenged) superheroes on the back nine of their illustrious careers refusing to give way to a burgeoning youth movement. This most recent Masters shone a spotlight on the growing disparity between the glorious past and the promising future.

In the aftermath of Jordan Spieth’s masterful performance in Augusta on the heels of Rory McIlroy’s sweet run in 2014, the Tour should change its mantra from “These Guys Are Good’’ to “The Future Is Now.’’

The proof is in the pudding. Or in this case the leaderboard at major championships with 20somethings supplanting the “name’’ players we’re used to seeing on top.

Call it prescience or forewarning or happenstance, but I arrived at the Masters this past Wednesday with low expectations. My man hadn’t played in nine weeks and when last we saw him his short game resembled that of a 20-handicapper. If he didn’t have the chipping yips he had a reasonable facsimile of them. There was a very real possibility TW would embarrass himself on the grandest stage of them all.

(L-R) US players Ben Crenshaw, Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth skip balls on the water at the 16th hole during a practice round for he 79th Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on
April 8, 2015, in Augusta, Georgia. (AFP Photo/Timothy A. Clary)

After the Golf Writers of America Association meeting, I thought I’d walk the course and check out whatever tweaks were made. That’s when I happened to notice the practice round pairings, in particular the one featuring Tiger Woods, Ben Crenshaw and Jordan Spieth.

Out of sheer curiosity I accurately projected that because they began on No. 10 I could catch up with them somewhere around the 13^th hole. That’s if I speed-walked from the media center. Why speed-walk? Because of the many restrictions placed upon patrons at the Masters, running is right up there with cell phone usage on tournament days. Get caught breaking the speed limit and the green jackets are obliged to unceremoniously remind you where you are—or aren’t.

I caught up with them on No. 15. Both Spieth and Tiger knocked it on the par-5 in two while Gentle Ben, playing in his final Masters, wedged it from the layup position. The irony of an aging, two-time champion transitioning to ceremonial status playing alongside golf’s present and future was more than palpable.

Crenshaw knew it was time to say goodbye. Many have to be shown the door. In fact, before the green jackets rescinded the lifetime invitation to past champions several septuagenarians were known to tee it up in the Masters much to the chagrin of older scribes who scoffed at the tradition.

As the tournament progressed with young Spieth taking command in the first round and marching like Sherman through the Georgia pines, I couldn’t help but think about a young Tiger doing the same 18 years ago. He was the true heir apparent to the Golden Bear, who had no choice but to pass the torch to the phenom from Cypress, Ca.

Etched into my memory is the image of Jack Nicklaus sitting on the 18^th tee box during the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach as Tiger rewrote the record book. It was the end of one era and the meteoric rise of another. The Golden Bear began his hibernation from the U.S. Open immediately after completion of that round.

On Sunday, Tiger, just like Jack at Pebble, was a mere bit player in a one-man show sans drama except for a Phil Mickelson mini-charge that fell woefully short. Lefty should be commended for the effort if not the result. Predictably, Tiger didn’t have enough firepower to make it interesting during the final round. To his credit, he showed the world he can still perform at the highest level, albeit in a supporting role.

I would never say that Tiger has won his last major. In fact, I believe he will win another one. However, I will say it has become increasingly more difficult thanks to the youth movement.

I don’t know whether Spieth is ready to challenge McIlroy for golf’s throne. I do know that Tiger isn’t ready to give in to the vagaries of injury or the inevitability of beauty over age. Not until he stares out over the competitive landscape similar to the way Jack seemed to survey Carmel Bay and sees himself slipping into the land of the forgotten.

Even then they’ll probably have to pry the torch from his grip.

ABOUT PETE McDANIEL

Pete McDaniel is a veteran golf writer and best-selling author.
Contact him at Email
His blogs and books are available at petemcdaniel.com

April 15, 2015 0 comment

Blog

Jordan Spieth Wins 2015 Masters Tournament

by Debert Cook April 13, 2015

written by Debert Cook

Jordan Spieth won the 2015 Masters in record fashion. Spieth fired a record-setting 8-under 64 to start his quest for the green jacket and his first career major. Spieth exercised demons from his final round of the 2014 Masters, where he found himself in contention with eventual champion Bubba Watson. Following back-to-back bogeys at holes 8 and 9, Spieth watched his pursuit of the 2014 Masters spill away.

Jordan Speith is an up and coming PGA Tour megastar. His win at The Augusta National Golf Club follows a win at the 2015 Valspar Championship and marks his fifth career win. Spieth lead all four rounds of the 2015 Masters Tournament and eventually winning four strokes over past champion Phil Mickleson and major champion Justin Rose.

“This was arguably the greatest day of my life,” said Spieth. “To join Masters history and put my name on that trophy and to have this jacket forever, it’s something that I can’t fathom right now. Spieth not only became a Masters champion he set several Masters records in his dynamic win. Spieth rewrote the Masters record books in the following categories:

* The 36-hole record – 14-under 130.

*The 54-hole record – 16-under 200.

* The most birdies for the tournament – 28.

*The lowest opening round by a champion – 64

Spieth also tied four-time champion Tiger Woods finishing at the 18-Under (270).

He is just the fifth wire-to-wire Masters champion, joining Raymond Floyd (1976), Jack Nicklaus (1972), Arnold Palmer (1960) and Craig Wood (1941). With his second win of the season, and his sixth top-10, Spieth is projected to move to No. 2 in the world rankings.

On behalf of the staff and readers of the African American Golfers Digest, We would like to congratulate Jordan Spieth on his victory at the 2015 Masters.

2015 Master Leaderboard

1	Jordan Spieth	64-66-70-70=270	−18	1,800,000
T2	Phil Mickelson	70-68-67-69=274	−14	880,000
T2	Justin Rose	67-70-67-70=274	−14	880,000
4	Rory McIlroy	71-71-68-66=276	−12	480,000
5	Hideki Matsuyama	71-70-70-66=277	−11	400,000
T6	Paul Casey	69-68-74-68=279	−9	335,000
	Dustin Johnson	70-67-73-69=279
	Ian Poulter	73-72-67-67=279
T9	Charley Hoffman	67-68-71-74=280	−8	270,000
	Zach Johnson	72-72-68-68=280
	Hunter Mahan	75-70-68-67=280

2015 Master Leaderboard

April 13, 2015 0 comment

News

USGA TO HOST GOLF ARCHITECTURE SYMPOSIUM SATURDAY, APRIL 18

by Debert Cook April 13, 2015

written by Debert Cook

FAR HILLS, N.J. (April 13, 2015) – The USGA will host a free public symposium about golf course architecture from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT on Saturday, April 18, at its campus in Far Hills, N.J. The four guest speakers will be Gil Hanse, talking about golf’s return to the Olympics in 2016; Robert Trent Jones II, speaking about Chambers Bay and the 2015 U.S. Open; Michael Hurdzan, discussing 2017 U.S. Open site Erin Hills, and sustainability; and Forrest Richardson, exploring golf course design as art and the work of golf course architect Desmond Muirhead.

“One of the most recognized activities in sport and leisure is golf, says Debert Cook, publisher of the 12-year old African American Golfer’s Digest. “Black Americans have long been playing golf recreationally, but few take a look at the opportunities that are available on the business-side of the game, for themselves and their children.”

“Yes, it’s great fun, and great exercise, but besides being an avid golfer, golf course architecture is a career field to be considered…and there is money to be made. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not record any data regarding golf course designers specifically, Salary statistics for landscape architects, however, are available. The average annual salary of a landscape architect in 2010 was $66,880. More experienced and talented architects and designers, however, made even more, with the highest ten percent earning over $100,000.”

Hanse began his career in golf design while studying at Cornell University in the late 1980s. Hanse was a design partner with Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf Design. In 1993, he founded Hanse Golf Course Design, Inc. He is one of only a handful of Americans to build a course in Scotland, where he constructed the Craighead Golf Links. He was chosen to design and oversee creation of the Olympic golf course in Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games. He also designed and constructed the nine-hole Pynes Putting Green on the USGA’s campus.

Jones II has designed more than 270 courses in more than 40 countries in six continents. He learned about golf from Tommy Armour while at Winged Foot Golf Club and started working with his father on golf course design after completing his studies at Yale University and Stanford University. Known by some as “the father of environmental golf course design,” Jones designed Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash., the site of the 2015 U.S. Open Championship.

Hurdzan is an internationally recognized authority on golf course environmental issues. He is a past president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and serves on the USGA’s Museum Committee. His book, Golf Course Architecture: Design, Construction & Renovation has been described as “one of the definitive modern volumes on the subject.” He is one of the architects of Erin Hills, the host site of the 2017 U.S. Open Championship.

Richardson studied golf course architecture in Scotland, learning under Arthur Jack Snyder. He established his own firm, Forrest Richardson & Associates, in 1988. He has authored four books on golf course architecture, including Bunkers, Pits & Other Hazards. Richardson is a member of the USGA Museum Committee and has studied the work of Muirhead for several decades.

WHAT:

USGA Golf Course Architecture Symposium

WHO:

Gil Hanse, Golf Course Architect
Michael Hurdzan, Golf Course Architect
Robert Trent Jones II, Golf Course Architect
Forrest Richardson, Golf Course Architect

WHERE:

USGA Museum
77 Liberty Corner Road
Far Hills, NJ 07931

WHEN:

Saturday, April 18, 2015
•10 a.m. to 4 p.m.EDT

CONTACT:

RSVP if you plan to attend:
Jeff Altstadter, USGA Communications
[email protected], 908-326-1880 (office) or 973-908-9991 (cell)

April 13, 2015 0 comment

News

Ryder Cup Points Through the Masters

by Debert Cook April 13, 2015

written by Debert Cook

Cup Points through the Masters
As of April 13, 2015

First	Last	2016 Cumulative POINTS
1	Jordan	SPIETH	1,848.750
2	Dustin	JOHNSON	1,120.000
3	Phil	MICKELSON	916.000
4	J.B.	HOLMES	465.000
5	Bubba	WATSON	310.000
6	Bill	HAAS	303.500
7	Charley	HOFFMAN	302.750
8	Zach	JOHNSON	297.500
9	Hunter	MAHAN	292.125
T10	Ryan	MOORE	277.667
T10	Kevin	NA	277.667
12	Rickie	FOWLER	257.500
13	Kevin	STREELMAN	196.000
14	Webb	SIMPSON	175.500
15	Tiger	WOODS	155.000
16	Russell	HENLEY	144.000
17	Patrick	REED	134.333
18	Keegan	BRADLEY	125.583
19	Morgan	HOFFMAN	116.750
20	Ryan	PALMER	115.500
21	Brooks	KOEPKA	102.750
22	Mark	O’MEARA	92.833
23	Chris	KIRK	78.000
24	Jimmy	WALKER	76.000
25	Cameron	TRINGALE	72.750
26	Matt	KUCHAR	71.500
27	Steve	STRICKER	68.000
28	Jim	FURYK	61.500
29	Jason	DUFNER	53.100
30	Brandt	SNEDEKER	48.750
T31	Brendon	TODD	41.500
T31	Gary	WOODLAND	41.500
33	Billy	HORSCHEL	29.500
34	Erik	COMPTON	24.600
35	Robert	STREB	24.000

U. S. Ryder Cup Qualifications
The United States points system will be determined as follows:

Eight of the 12 members of the U.S. Team will be named on points earned following the conclusion of The Barclays, which is scheduled to conclude Sunday Aug. 28, 2016. This new timetable gives two additional weeks for players to earn Ryder Cup qualifying points.
Captain’s Picks – U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III will make three of his four Captain’s Picks after the conclusion of the BMW Championship, which is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016. His final Captain’s pick will take place Sunday evening after the TOUR Championship, Sept. 25, 2016. This new timetable also is pushed back two weeks.

Points System
All U.S. players will earn points based upon the following criteria starting in 2015 and concluding Aug. 28, 2016:

2015 Major Championships (1 Point per $1,000 earned) – The Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship, PGA Championship
2015 WGC Events and The Players Championship (1 Point per $2,000 earned) – WGC Cadillac Championship, WGC Match Play Championship, The Players Championship, WGC Bridgestone Invitational, WGC HSBC Champions
2016 Regular PGA TOUR Events (1 point per $1,000 earned) – Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, through and including the Barclays on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016
2016 Opposite Field PGA TOUR Events will not receive any points
2016 Major Championships (2 points per $1,000 earned)

The 41st Ryder Cup will be held Sept. 27 – Oct. 2, 2016, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota.

April 13, 2015 0 comment

Golf Tips

My Three Week Swing Exercise Program

by Debert Cook April 10, 2015

written by Debert Cook

What follows is my answer to a recurring question students asked me about what to do in the winter months to improve their swings. The question is, “What are the best exercises to do during the off-season? My answer, “There is no off-season in golf.”

Just because the weather is not conducive to playing in your area has nothing to do with the golf swing. Matter of fact, it’s the best time to learn the perfect golf swing. Here is when you can focus on the proper movements the body has to make, with more “attention and intention”, without concern as to where the ball goes, and then get caught up in judging the results of the shot, rather than understanding the swing.

glennon-bazzle-3weeks Of course I recommend and suggest that you do the nine exercises in, “Anatomy of the Perfect Swing”. The eight physical exercises will not only strengthen the muscles, tendons, ligaments an joints use in the ‘perfect swing’, but also give you the proper sequence in which they should be used. And the mental exercise on ‘visualization’.

I realize that each person is unique in the way that he/she processes information. And each one has their own style. But having worked with children as young as four years old, I found that children learn faster by applying the three basic fundamentals of learning. Observation, Imitation and Repetition. But as we get older we learn to intellectualize and become analytical. Then we get stuck.

Listen, the body is the instrument. And like most musical instruments it’s designed in a certain way. Once we learn the keys, the notes and sounds, we can play any type of music. (Now don’t confuse equipment with instrument.) That’s another topic. Just because you bought a Baby Grand doesn’t mean you will play like Duke. Or, let’s say you buy a Rolls and don’t know how to drive. You’re going to wind up in the ditch anyhow. That’s why you must learn the mechanics of the perfect golf swing by making habits of the fundamentals.

I recommend that you do each one 60 times a day for 21 consciously using the brain. In other words, it becomes automatic. This in not ‘muscle memory’. Muscles memory is impossible. Your muscles don’t have the capacity to remember anything. That is a mental attribute. Memory comes from your five sense organs. The brain does the remembering because it is able to convert the images from the senses into recognizable perceptions.

After the second week, begin swinging each club, putter through driver, five times the first day. Add one swing per club each day for six more days. Begin with a slow tempo and then increase it gradually until you reach a moderate tempo. This is not about swinging as hard as you can. It’s about learning the proper movements of the golf swing. Farther more, you’re not hitting anything. Each swing should be made in exactly the same sequence that you learned and practiced for the past two weeks. And you must hold the finish position for five seconds so you can experience what it feels like to have completed the swing. There is no other way to understand what it feels like to finish to the swing. Each swing should be about 30 seconds. So we go from understanding to feelings. From mental to emotional.

In one week you will have swung each club 56 times for a total of 784 swings. At two swing per minute, that’s 6 hours and 53 minutes for the week. You may divide your practice sessions each day as you please but always do what is required for that day. To prevent soreness, stiffness and injury do not exceed the number of repetitions for that day. “DISIPLINE IS TH E KEY. I AM ALWAYS ABOUT PREVENTION.”

The views expressed and shared here are based on principles, concepts, practical application and over 50 years of my personal experience in the golf industry. My only purpose for sharing my teaching experience with you is to help every golfer find a way to become a better player and person by recognizing your own INNER TEACHER.

Old incorrect ideas about your golf swing are difficult to change because everything you believe is rooted in them and prevents you from improving your game. You need to learn what is correct and incorporate that into your game. Sometimes revising how you think allows you to see things differently, bringing about the positive results you desire.

* * * *

ABOUT GLENNON E. BAZZLE

Glennon E. Bazzle
aka “The King of Swing,” is author of Anatomy of the Perfect Golf Swing, founder and CEO of Global Golf Institute, LLC. He may be contacted at Email
cell phone: 504-583-6842
TheGolfSwingKing.com

Photos by contributing photographer:
Myrna Moline, Global Golf Institute, LLC

April 10, 2015 0 comment

Golfer Of The Week Golfer of the Week Featured

Alex Davis: Focused on Achievement

by Debert Cook April 9, 2015

written by Debert Cook

At 30-years old, Alexander “Alex” Raymond Davis has a satisfying career in the golf industry. After years of planning, preparing, and practicing, he is now doing exactly what he loves.

Davis works as head cashier and golf instructor at the Elliot Golf Course for the Rockford Park District in Illinois. A Rockford (IL) resident, he also keeps busy in the area by serving with an indoor golf facility and at Victory Golf Range as a cashier.

For real, here is how it all started Davis says, “One day my dad (George Davis) was watching golf on TV. While watching, Tiger came on and I asked who he was. My aunt was visiting at the time and spoke up saying, ‘That is the Michael Jordan of golf!’ At the time, I played basketball and I decided, I will try golf, too.”
Alex Davis 6

Davis then marched straight out to the family’s garage, took a few golf clubs out of his dad’s golf bag and began striking balls in their one-acre back yard.

“My dad took notice that I was hitting the ball solid, without having taken any lessons, whatsoever.” After watching his son hit several more balls, his father decided to buy Alex his own set of clubs and to sign him up for golf lessons.

Today, at 5’10” inches tall, the 240-pound lover of ‘steak and potatoes’ man knows that he and his dad’s decision back then was a good one. Alex carries an 8 handicap and is a member of the Rockford Sportsman’s Golf Association, which is in the Rockford Golf Hall of Fame and, the oldest black golf organization in Rockford

Alex Davis 4 Davis is a certified golf instructor under PGA Professional Lloyd McWilliams. He attended Memphis School of Preaching, where he earned a diploma, and an equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies. In January 2015, he got accepted into Keiser University College of Golf located in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and he plans to attend this August.

“I am excited, thrilled and determined to excel at Keiser and to graduate. My goal is to a Certified PGA golf instructor, “ he says. However, the expenses in going away to the school are vast, and to help, he has set up a GoFundMe page for those who wish to help him financially.

Alex’s home course is the Ingersoll Golf Course in Rockford. Golf trainers Rafael Artiles and Duncan Geddes were both great golf trainers for him. Duncan taught Alex with the basics during his high school years. And Rafael, “He has been helping me recently with my swing this past fall and winter, making sure I do not ‘come over the top’ and stay on plane. Together, we have also been working on my biggest challenge: the transfer of power from right- to-left in my down swing,” says Alex. Through their training methods he declares to have gained the confidence, consistency and golfing skills that he is so proud of today.

Alex Davis 5 “I play about 6-8 times a month. If I am lucky, I can get out and play 10 times a month. I practice more than I play—because, of work, and where I work. One of his favorite golfing buddies is still Rafael Artiles.

Practice is definitely paying off for Alex. “I won the D flight in 2011 in Rockford…I believe at the time, I shot a 90, 82. I had just started coming back and getting serious about the game, after not playing for a few years.”

Alex enjoys helping other golfers learn more about their game while also learning from them, too.

Alex Davis 2 “I also enjoy the social aspect of the game. But, the most I enjoy is hitting good shots, especially crisp irons; there is nothing like a nice crisp 5 or 7 iron! I can always get better—and knowing, if I do get better, I can win a lot of tournaments.”

Over the last decade, the golfing industry has seen considerable changes as the core population of baby boomers increases and their age bracket begins to take up the sport. According to Brandon.Gaille.com, in 2011, people spent $10 billion more on golf than they did to attend all major spectator sports combined. Nearly two million jobs are created because of the golfing industry, which means this sport has a direct impact on local communities, effecting golf pros, servers, chefs, and administrators who all rely on the industry for their paychecks. Retail sales are also an important part of this industry that provides over $50 billion in wages annually.

Life can be tough and each day, unpredictable. It takes a strong mind, strong will, determination and just plain guts to follow your dreams to your goal. Alex commands all this, and more.

Alex Davis 7 When he is not engaged in playing or teaching golf, you can find the Netflix fan enjoying action movies, comedies and biographies, not to mention sitting down to some of his favorite home-cooked meals: “Country-fried chicken with my Big Mama’s black eye peas, my grannies collard greens, and my mother’s dressing with cranberry sauce. Dessert would be pear or peach cobbler and made by my wife, Adriana Rosa Davis. We’ll celebrate our 5^th wedding anniversary this October.” Alex is on the right track with a winning attitude to match. His ongoing success is assured.

April 9, 2015 0 comment

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Lee Elder Superbly Celebrated On His 40th Year Master’s Win Anniversary By Gary Player

by Debert Cook April 8, 2015

written by Debert Cook

This year marks the 40th Anniversary since Lee Elder made history by becoming the first black man to compete in the Masters. It happened on Thursday, April 10, 1975 when he was 40-years old. But this Thursday, the 4-decades-old celebration will officially pass by unrecognized this week within the boundaries of the well-patrolled gates of Augusta National Golf Club.

Elder, who now lives in San Diego, is from an era when roles for African Americans at Augusta National Golf Club previously included only toting golf bags and working to serve meals to its white members. Back then, there was no place for a black person to gain membership to the Club. Elder struggled to get his world-renown fame as the first black golfer to compete at Augusta National. Working his way, over years of practice— and patience, towards breaking this barrier was exhaustive for him: physically, mentally and professionally.

Augusta National Golf Club is widely known for its conservative ways. So, it is no surprise that the Club does not plan on having a large public celebration to mark Elder’s achievement. The anniversary may as well be just ‘another day’ in the life of the Club.

GARY PLAYER CELEBRATES LEE ELDER

It’s good to have friends in this game of golf, and Hall of Famer Gary Player is truly that to Lee Elder. In Augusta, Player has planned a grand celebration to mark the date. Player intends to recognize his longtime buddy, Elder, with a private celebration on Thursday evening. It will take place at a hospitality site, The Lodge, just on the outskirts of the National’s boarders on Berckman’s Road. The occasion is marked as a “by invitation only” event, and according to Elder’s wife, Sharon, the list is complete filled.

But, that won’t stop the masses of celebrants who wish to congratulate Elder. This publication has learned that individuals visiting, and living, in Augusta want to make sure that their hero Elder knows how outstanding he is, and hope to just catch a glance of him during his time in the City, and luckily shake his hand.

Augusta’s newly elected mayor, Hardie Davis, will declare Thursday, April 9 as “Lee Elder Day” in the city. We have also learned that Proclamations are being presented by individuals representing Nelson Mandela’s son and grandson, and U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the first African American from the South to be elected to the Senate since 1881.

Celebrities scheduled to be on hand at the event include, Actor Chris Tucker and TV personality Steve Harvey. Both will serve as co-emcees of the event. Special invited speakes will include former NFL star Marcus Allen and singer Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish.

When asked about his personal feeling on the celebration, Elder, age 80, is reported to have replied in a very humble voice, “The one thing that I’m really happy about is that these guys want to do this. I really appreciate it.”

The golf legend has been battling health issues and has undergone three retina surgeries. He’s also had a heart valve replaced and has struggled with diabetes since the prime of his playing career.

He told utsandiego.com , “I do feel like I would have liked some kind of recognition. It’s just something that I felt like I was deserving of.”

Elder has returned for many years to view the Master’s tournaments since he first played it. This year, he will do the same with his wife, Sharon. I’ll bet you’ll be able to catch them standing under the big oak tree near the clubhouse while they chat and visit with friends made years gone by.

“I’ve had a lot of good times at Augusta, I really have,” Elder said to utsandiego.com. “It’s peaceful there.”

April 8, 2015 0 comment

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