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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Media Contact: Brian DePasquale
Phone: 908-326-1884 (office), 908-655-8395 (cell)
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 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.
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.
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.
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”.
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!
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) |
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).
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.
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.
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The Royal and Ancient Golf club decided in September to end 260 years of male-only exclusivity by voting in favor of inviting women to join, according to PGA.com. Seven women were announced as honorary members in what R&A Captain George Macgregor called “an historic day for the club.” Joining Renee Powell (PGA/LPGA) as a member is professional golfer Annika Sorenstam.
“PGA/LPGA Members Renee Powell and Annika Sorenstam have always been trailblazers in the game of golf. Their historic honorary membership into the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews further exemplifies their commitment to changing the game for the better,” said PGA of America President Derek Sprague. “Renee and her family are pioneers in diversity and inclusion, while Annika has opened doors for young people to join our sport by emulating her Hall of Fame career and accomplishments. The PGA of America is proud to celebrate their achievements today as they join a most distinguished list of honorees at the Home of Golf.”
Ms. Powell was named First Lady of Golf (2003) and has also received an Honorary degree from University of St. Andrews.
“Renee is more than deserving of this honor. As a Black American woman involved in golf she has seen the game from all sides, from inside, and outside, of the ropes. As a businesswoman, a social activist, author, role model for young girls who are coming up behind her, and women veterans who look to her for strength and courage, Renee has more than demonstrated her skills successfully. I applaud the R&A for including Ms. Powell and they are to be saluted for extending this great honor,” said Debert Cook, publisher of the African American Golfer’s Digest who included Powell on its cover in Summer 2003 and in 2009 recognized Powell as one of its “Outstanding Leaders In Golf”.
Powell was the second African American to play on the LPGA Tour, competing in more than 250 events after joining in 1967. After leaving the LPGA Tour in 1980, she devoted her life to introducing life skills and growing the game among underprivileged children, members of the military and golfers from the United States to Great Britain to Africa.
In 1995, she became the first African American female Class A member of The PGA of America and the LPGA. In 2003, she was named the PGA of America’s First Lady of Golf, and in 2008, she was made an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) by the University of St Andrews.
Her father, William Powell – who in 1948 opened Clearview Golf Course, the first course completely designed and built by an African-American, in East Canton, Ohio – introduced her to golf at age three. She began her competitive career at age 12, and later played at Ohio University for two years before transferring to Ohio State, where she served as captain of the women’s golf team.
She competed on the LPGA Tour from 1967 to 1980, then began contacting embassies and companies to get involved in programs where she could travel to Africa and teach golf to indigenous citizens of all ages in Africa. She gained government contacts through African embassies in the U.S. and began her mission to teach golf in Africa. She returned to the U.S. in 1988, working to build inner-city youth programs in Cleveland and to establish a network of celebrity and pro-am charity events, and to tour historically black colleges where she helped attract new players to the game.
Powell was elected to PGA membership in 1996, a year after she established the Renee Powell Youth Golf Camp Cadre Program, designed to provide inner-city youth with an opportunity to learn and play the game of golf. In 1999, she was named an honorary member of the LPGA Teaching & Club Professional Division. She also has served as development and programming consultant for The First Tee Program and in 2000, began the LPGA Girls Golf Club in East Canton. In 2001, Clearview Golf Course was listed among the National Register of Historic Places.
Sorenstam, a 10-time LPGA major winner and World Golf Hall of Fame Member, was elected to PGA membership in 2013, the same year she was honored as the PGA’s First Lady of Golf.
One of the most successful golfers in history, Sorenstam is a former world No. 1 who won 89 events around the world. She was the LPGA Player of the Year award on eight occasions and represented Europe in the Solheim Cup eight times between 1994 and 2007 before serving as vice-captain for the victorious European side in 2011 and 2013. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003 and retired from competitive golf in 2008 to focus on establishing the Annika Academy and the Annika Foundation, which support aspiring junior golfers and help promote the health and wellness benefits of golf.
In recent years, Sorenstam has appeared on behalf of the North Florida PGA Section at several Golfest events across the region, including Orlando and Tampa. The Section and Sorenstam share a common interest in growing, enhancing and improving the game, especially in the areas of junior golf development, diversity and women’s golf.
The other women receiving R&A membership are:
LAURA DAVIES: Widely regarded as Britain’s greatest female golfer, Davies has won four major championships and 79 events around the world. She won the Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale in 1986 and the U.S. Women’s Open in 1987. She played in every Solheim Cup match from 1990 to 2011 and is the event’s leading all-time points scorer. A former world No. 1, she was the first non-American to finish atop the LPGA money list and also won the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit a record seven times. In 2014, she was appointed DBE for her services to golf and in July 2015 she will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame at a ceremony in St Andrews.
BELLE ROBERTSON: The great Scottish amateur won the British Ladies Amateur Championship in 1981 and the Scottish Ladies Close Amateur Championship on seven occasions. She represented Great Britain and Ireland in seven Curtis Cups and was part of the first team to win the match on American soil in 1986. She captained the team twice. She was voted Scottish Sportswoman of the Year on four occasions and Woman Golfer of the year three times. In 1973, she was appointed MBE for services to golf and was named as one of the 50 inaugural members of the Scottish Sport Hall of Fame in 2002.
LALLY VAGLIANO SEGARD: One of France’s greatest golfers, she won the British Girls’ Championship in 1937 and, as Vicomtesse de Saint-Sauveur, 14 international titles including the British Ladies’ Amateur in 1950. As President of the Women’s Committee of the World Amateur Golf Council (now the International Golf Federation) she helped found the Espirito Santo Trophy, the women’s World Amateur Team Championship. She was France’s non-playing captain from the inaugural event in 1964 until 1972. Segard is an Officer of France’s National Order of Merit and a Commander of the Order of Sporting Merit.
LOUISE SUGGS: A co-founder and former President of the LPGA, Suggs won the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 1947 and the British Ladies’ Amateur in 1948, before turning professional and winning 58 events, including 11 major championships. She was an inaugural inductee into the LPGA Hall of Fame, established in 1967, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Award, given each year to the most accomplished first-year player on the LPGA Tour, is named in her honor. In 2007, she received the Bob Jones Award, given by the USGA in recognition of great sportsmanship in golf.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE PRINCESS ROYAL: The Princess Royal follows Their Royal Highnesses The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of York and The Duke of Kent in becoming an honorary member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club. Having herself competed in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, The Princess Royal is a member of the International Olympic Committee and was a member of the London Organizing Committee for the 2012 Olympic Games. The Princess Royal is a Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle in Scotland and has been Patron of the Scottish Rugby Union since 1986.
“We could not be more proud also to welcome women who, who apart from the Princess Royal, have distinguished themselves in golf over many years and have been great players and champions,” said R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson. ” The reaction I have received from some of the seven ladies is that they are absolutely thrilled to be asked and very quick to say ‘yes’ as no one turned down the invitation. So the process of bringing women members into the R&A club has begun in earnest.”