Cover the Gap - A Letter From the Editor

The Rules of Golf allow us to fill our golf bags with no more than 14 clubs, and it is our responsibility to choose the appropriate one to cover yardages from 30 to 300 with as few gaps as possible. And, if we successfully build our dream set of sticks that satisfies any potential yardage, trajectory, spin or distance, we are still left with the challenge of selecting the appropriate club for each shot.

How many of us have gone through all the calculations, referenced our GPS and laser rangefinders, walked off distances to sprinkler heads, and still find a shot flying over our intended target while our friend who has already won the front side sarcastically comments, “Looks like you had too much club.”

Rest assured, all of us here at AZ GOLF have been in these situations on the course, and as with many things related to this great game, the parallels to these scenarios often inform the decisions we make as we push ourselves to communicate relevant, entertaining, informative and evergreen content to you, our members. This magazine provides us the opportunity to bring to life people and personalities who have had a significant impact on golf in the state, courses that are uniquely Arizona, special places to visit, interesting things to do and of course reinforce the core services of the Association including the World Handicap System and the Rules of Golf.

This April issue of Arizona Golf Insider highlights all these things and more. You will read about what is considered to be the first desert-style golf course ever built with Desert Forest Golf Club. You will hear about Arizona golf course owner and PGA of America President Don Rea and his passion for the game. You will experience the fantasy golf course that came from the mind of course designer and longtime Arizona resident Forrest Richardson over 30 years ago. And you will see why Lou’s Bar & Grill at Papago Golf Club is not your typical 19th hole, but a true gathering spot for everyone in the local community.

We are excited to share with you this latest presentation of Arizona Golf Insider magazine and look forward to continuing our conversation with you through evolved storytelling in this print publication, digital communications and social media. The stories of golf in Arizona and their connection to AZ GOLF and our membership are too important not to share.

Let me know your thoughts.

Jason Knybel jason@azgolf.org