Golf Central Magazine- Vol 23 Issue 4

Escape the Summer Heat Head For Michigan's Upper Peninsula Home of the 2022 National Course of the Year

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Tee it up on the historic Old Course or challenge yourself on the award-winning Cascades for memories that can’t be recorded on a scorecard.

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from the publisher

Golf Does A Planet Good!

Volume 23, Issue 4

Publisher: Terrie L. Purdum Editor in Chief: Shannon Coates Graphic Design: Melahn Cable, Golf The Wise Way: Greg and Beverly Wise, Photojournalists Photographers: Lynn Pelham, Brion Price, Peter Hakansson

For much of the country,

amateur golf is in high season, golf course operations are in full swing, tee times are packed, charity fund-raising events abound, as well as golf schools and junior golf camps, and all the good things that grow the game. Many golfers in the Southeast head North during the dog days of summer to find relief and enjoy some of the nation’s top golf resorts such as this month’s cover featuring Island Resort Casino in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The 2022 U.S. Open Championship held at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. last month did not disappoint us. Englishman and 2013 U.S. Amateur Champion, Matty Fitzpatrick prevailed in a nail-biting finish on the 18th green over American and rising PGA Tour star, Will Zalatoris, becoming the 122nd U.S. Open Champion on Father’s Day. Along with the title and the trophy, Fitzpatrick’s name and legacy are now etched in major history.

Also etched in history, the USGA presented the inaugural Marshall platter to David Johnson, director of grounds at the Country Club, during the U.S. Open Trophy ceremony for excellence in agronomy and course preparation #turflife. The USGA gave out a total of $17.5 million in prize money for this year’s U.S. Open, up 40% from 2021. While the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open, won by Minjee Lee, offered the largest purse in women’s history at $10 million.

This month 15-time major champion Tiger Woods will tee it up at St. Andrews for the historic 150th British Open. After suffering a near fatal car crash in February 2021, aren’t we all as golfers and mere human beings, truly inspired by Tiger every time he takes another step, another golf swing?

Tiger plays for history. Tiger plays for tradition. Tiger plays for his love of the game. He continues to move the needle and provide hope and promise for the professional and amateur game. He is the light that continues to shine during this disruptive time in golf.

“In a world full of hate, be a light. When you do somebody wrong, make it right. Oh, don’t hide in the dark, you were born to shine. In a world full of hate, be a light.” – Be a Light, Thomas Rhett (2020).

Mike Coonan, Becky Galloway, Madison Coates, Mac Carraway, Greg Corbo Senior Correspondent: Rick Harris, Sr. International Correspondent: Dove Jones Influencer/Ambassador: Chad Smith Contributing Writers: Jay Golden, PGA; Bob Bolton, Greg Corbo, Elisa Gaudet, Holly Geoghegan, Mike Jamison, Mike May, Anthony Williams Editor Emeritus: Joel Jackson, CGCS Retired Turf Tender: Rich Havyer Regional Partner: Doug Hollandsworth, Founder-Georgia Golf Trail

Golf Central Magazine is published monthly by: Sand Hill Publishing & Public Relations 4313 Berwick Dr, Lake Wales, FL 33859 NEW PHONE: 863.875.6863 E-mail: info@golfcentralmag.com ©2022 Golf Central Magazine. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without the prior written permission of the Publisher.

Editorial contributions are welcome, but Golf Central Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited proposals, manuscripts and photographs. All materials submitted not accompanied by a selfaddressed stamped envelope will not be returned. Mailing, electronic mailing or faxing of contributions constitutes an expressed warrant on the part of the contributor that all material is original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Golf Central Magazine retains all reprint rights and reserves the right to edit any submitted material to meet our specifications for publishing and or use in advertising or promotion. The Publisher and staff are not responsible for any loss or grievance by any person or persons whatsoever, due in any way or in part to the content of this publication. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse to accept any material deemed inappropriate or in bad taste.

Shine on!

2009 North Florida PGA Amateur of the Year 6

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

The Fabulous, Not Far Away Fairways Of Fairfield Glade Await You.

Our fairways are fabulous. Our greens are gorgeous.

Our tee boxes a real treat. And it’s all an easy drive from anywhere in the Southeast. Fairfield Glade is conveniently located between Knoxville and Nashville just a few miles off I-40. And when you get here, well…Now The Fun Begins.

• 5 Championship Golf Courses • Miles of Hiking Trails • 11 Lakes for Boating and Fishing • 2 Marinas; Rental Boats, Bait/Tackle • Tennis and Pickleball Courts • Stables for Horseback Riding • Golf Packages Available

For information or reservations, call 888-334-5233 • www.fairfieldgladeresort.com

Volume 23, Issue 4 Cart Girl 28 Alma Tee Cuisine on the Green 26 Paddlefish

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FEATURE 32 Island Resort & Casino Florida Golf Central 36 Fox Club Golf Bachelor 16 Jay Ramalho

Escap Summ e the er Hea Home of th Nationa e 2022 l Cours e of the Year

Golf Fore Charity 38 Miracle by the Bay Golf Travel 18 Italy

Departments

Growing the Game 46 The First Tee

10 LPGA

Improving Performance 14 Lean Lock

30 Father’s Day Gift Guide

Stay & Play 24 Gaylord Golf Mecca

43 Georgia PGA

12 Alabama Golf Central 42 North Florida PGA 44 South Florida PGA

Turf Life 50 Sunniland Super Spotlight: Sarah Kasper 52 Performance Nutrition Superstar: Gerald Marquardt 54 Turf Pirate's Journal 56 Syngenta Celebrates Women 58 Audubon International 60 McLemore

golfcentralmag.com

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Head F or Michig an's Upper Penins u

Golf Bachelorette 22 Ellen Breighner

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la

Feature

Article

Pg 32-3

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New Products Available in the Turf Life Online Store!

store.turflife.club

By Mike May

georgia golf trail

Explore Georgia's Pirate Past Along

If you love playing golf and enjoy learning about the life of pirates, then there’s a new travel destination for you. It’s southeast Georgia. On your next trip to southeast Georgia to play golf along the Georgia Golf Trail at golf courses in Savannah (The Club at Savannah Harbor), Shellman Bluff (Sapelo Hammock Golf Club), and Jekyll Island (Jekyll Island Golf Club), set aside time for a fact-finding mission on the life of pirates in Georgia. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn about Georgia’s pirate past -- arggh…shiver me timbers…. yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

The timing of such a trip could not be any better since August is International Pirate Month. Clearly, now is the time to commit to a trip to southeast Georgia for oceanside golf combined with a look at the life of the pirates in Georgia.

Believe it or not, but Blackbeard, the fierce and famous pirate whose real name was Edward Teach, was one of the many pirates who patrolled off Georgia’s coast, back

Blackbeard The Pirate in the day. Blackbeard and his maties were often on their ships roaming off the Georgia coast in the early 1700s. There are reports that Blackbeard used what is now known as Blackbeard Island, which sits south of the mouth of the Savannah River, to count his fortune and share his booty with the crew. And,

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rumors still exist that Blackbeard’s buried treasure is still on the island, which is only accessible by boat.

In addition to the stories about Blackbeard, there’s a great deal of evidence that Savannah was inhabited by other pirates during parts of the 1700s and 1800s, too.

The roots of a pirate’s life in Savannah can be traced to The Pirates’ House, located on Savannah’s riverfront, not far from where General James Oglethorpe first landed in 1753. The Pirates’ House is truly one of the most historic spots in Georgia.

The Pirates’ House first opened in the mid-1750s as an inn for seafarers, and quickly became a meeting point for pirates, too. The Pirates’ House eventually fell into disrepair and was slated for demolition until a local woman led an effort to save the building. The effort restored the building to its original state, including the haint blue shutters and doors to ward off evil spirits.

Nowadays, The Pirates’ House entertains visitors with a bounty of delicious food, thirst-quenching drinks, and rousing good times!

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

Pirate's House

Club at Savannah Harbor, built.along tidal marshlands

Jekyll Island Golf Club Many legendary stories surround The Pirates’ House, including tales of tunnels leading to the Savannah River, allegedly used by pirates to kidnap unsuspecting and often drunk men to put into service as crew members.

The Pirates’ House also made literary history when author Robert Louis Stevenson included The Pirates’ House and the City of Savannah as the setting where Captain John Flint gave his map to Billy Bones. That set into motion the adventures of Treasure Island. Check out early edition pages of the tale in the Treasure Room at The Pirates’ House.

Also, when in Savannah, visit the Ships of the Sea Museum. There, you can see a replica of the Anne, an 87-foot-long merchant ship that brought the original settlers to Beaufort, South Carolina, where they took smaller boats to the Savannah Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

River. According to the Real Pirates of Savannah GPS tour, the Anne was attacked with warning shots by a

Pirate's House nearby pirate ship. According to one colonist’s journal, the captain of the Anne ordered all the men on the deck, which was a visual deterrent as the pirate ship turned course and sailed away over the horizon.

By the way, when you visit southeast Georgia for your golf and pirate adventure, you’ll never be required to walk the plank and you won’t have to sleep on a pirate’s ship. Instead, consider getting some ‘shuteye’ at the Westin at Savannah Harbor while in Savannah and any one of three locations on Jekyll Island such as the Westin, Hampton Inn or the historic Jekyll Island Club Resort, which has its own historical story to tell.

For more information about the Georgia Golf Trail, check out GeorgiaGolfandTravel.com.

Sapelo Hammock 11

product showcase

Bettinardi Golf Collaborates with Miller Lite for Second Exclusive Hive Release Bettinardi Golf and Miller Lite have teamed up again to create an exclusive collection that will specifically pay homage to Bettinardi Golf’s very own beloved city of Chicago.

“We’re so proud to partner with our friends at Miller Lite for a second collection after the wildly successful initial launch last summer and incredible feedback from our customers around the country,” said Sam Bettinardi, President of Bettinardi Golf.

“Miller Lite is such an iconic American brand, and with our golf products being made in America and their headquarters essentially in our backyard, we’re thrilled to be bringing a Chicago-centric Bettinardi x Miller Lite collaboration to our customers.”

This is the second collection that both Bettinardi Golf & Miller Lite have collaborated on. The 2022 collection will include putters, headcovers, & other golf accessories designed around the Chicago skyline and Bettinardi’s iconic Windy City Wizard.

For more information, please visit www.

Bettinardi.com.

Shot Scope Shot Scope, the industry-leader in advanced GPS and automatic shot tracking technology, in the lead up to the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews Links, the Home of Golf in Scotland, has unveiled a detailed report analyzing amateur golfers’ performance on the historic Old Course at St. Andrews.

With the game’s best golf professionals preparing to take on St. Andrews, Shot Scope technology tracked thousands of golfers and hundreds of thousands of shots to determine how amateurs performed on the Old Course compared to other Open Championship courses in the UK. Among the data revealed in the report includes what holes are the hardest, where golfers can expect to make a rare birdie, which green causes the most 3 putts, and where golfers need to hit the ball off the tee in order to score well.

In building the report, new developments in technology enabled Shot Scope to view a heat map of every hole on the Old Course and analyze exactly where amateur golfers are playing and how they play each hole. Add to this an array of performance statistics and Shot Scope can identify ground-breaking data on how exactly amateur golfers perform on arguably the most famous golf course in the world.

All of this data and many other insights are available through Shot Scope’s complete e-book on player performance at St. Andrews via the following link: https://shotscope.com/golf-ebooks/st-andrews-guide/.

OTG|247 Bags From the golf course to the 19th hole, OTG|247 bags are the perfect accessory. They offer a system of numbered bags to organize and protect the inside of your handbag, golf bag, locker, beach bag, suitcase, etc. While other options for pouches exist in the market, most are built for either fashion or function. OTG|247 does both with a wide variety of chic, water-resistant styles, colors, and sizes to mix & match. With all of the options, you can truly customize a stylish, functional organizational system to simplify your life on the go. Organization has never looked so good.

When attending your next golf tournament, check out the clear bags in their Nudie Collection! The size #1 and #6 Double Nudie Crossbody Bags are security compliant and chic with their custom gold hardware and vegan waterresistant leather. Add a card case and size #2 bag for some fun flare to complete your security-approved look https://otg247.com/ 12

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

Sun Mountain Sun Mountain’s Maverick men’s golf cart bag and women’s Stellar offer the pocket space and amenities cart golfers desire without the weight.

Weighing in under six pounds, these lightweight golf cart bags feature 11 pockets, 10” tops, and 14 individual club dividers. Maverick is available in seven different colors and Stellar in five, each with a retail price of $229.99. For the retailer nearest you, visit www.sunmountain.com or call 800-227-9224.

With 11 pockets, Maverick and Stellar seemingly offer a spot for everything. Pockets include a velour-lined valuables pocket, vented cooler pocket, sizable apparel pocket, and multiple accessory pockets. Additional features include a cart strap pass-through that runs behind the pockets so the bag can be secured to a cart without hindering pocket access and cart bumpers for added durability. For convenience, all pockets are front-facing so they are accessible when the bag is on a cart and the top has two integrated lift-assist handles for lifting the golf bag on and off the cart.

Color options for the Maverick are cement/ navy/aztec, gunmetal/inferno, black/camo/black, navy/white/red, and black/gunmetal/ocean.

Stellar color options are equally tantalizing with names like navy/tahiti/blue, mocha/dawn, berry/ coral, blue/sea/dew, and beach/apricot/java. www.sunmountain.com Stellar – Berry/Coral

Maverick – Navy/Red/White

Kenny Perry and Trevor Immelman have made Transitions® lenses part of their game.

On the PGA TOUR®, vision is a golfer’s most important equipment. Transitions lenses adapt to changing light to help golfers see more comfortably in all light conditions and help protect eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Visit your local Vision Source doctor, Dr. James Podschun, located at 2828 Casa Aloma Way, Suite 400 in Winter Park, FL 32792, to ask which Transitions lenses are right for you. 407-671-0960

P ER FORMANCE SUNW E A R

Transitions and the swirl are registered trademarks and Transitions Adaptive Lenses is a trademark of Transitions Optical, Inc. ©2012 Transitions Optical, Inc.

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

transitions.com

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improving performance

Improve Your Putting Dramatically with the LEAN LOCK Putter

photo by Ginny Dixon

B

rian Tennyson started playing golf at seven years old hitting whiffle balls into soup cans in his backyard.

By age 14, he was shooting in the 60s

14

for 18 holes. Tennyson became a top junior and collegiate golfer winning eight NCAA titles before qualifying for the PGA Tour when he was 24 years old. He finished 29th on the PGA Tour money list in 1990.

Despite playing golf at the highest level and being a great ball striker, Tennyson struggled with his putting. He tried every instruction theory and putting method available.

Frustrated and confused even more, Tennyson went searching for the answer to a simple question, “What needs to happen to strike a putt pure and how could he control his stroke to make that happen consistently?

Through a lot of trial and error, Tennyson discovered three key elements to striking a pure putt. According to Tennyson, a pure putt is determined by the aim of the putter face, the path of the club head, and the attack angle at which the putter approaches and strikes the ball. He labeled this concept - the “APA” – Aim, Path, and Attack Angle.

With this as his guiding principle, Tennyson invented the groundbreaking LEAN LOCK putting method and patent-pending LEAN LOCK putter.

The company officially launched at the 2022 PGA Merchandise Show this past January.

A quick glance at LEAN LOCK’s website (www.leanlockputting.com) offers several dozen reviews by golfers who have purchased the putter giving high praise for the method and the putter.

For starters, the LEAN LOCK putter appears to be one of the most innovative putters in terms of design features in decades. The putter’s distinctive 13 degrees of forward shaft lean (compared to standard putters) when the bottom of the putter is resting flat to the playing surface in the normal address position. The putter has a milled face with three degrees of loft.

LEAN LOCK’s forward-leaning shaft is combined with an extra-long, slightly rotated grip. When the putter is held properly against the target side of the leading arm, and the hands and wrists are comfortably positioned on the flat portion of the rotated grip, the wrists cannot break down at impact.

Any tendency to do so only strengthens the “locking” effect of the stroke.

This helps to minimizes face rotation returning the putter face to square at impact.

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

“The putting stroke and your ‘touch or feel’ are controlled by your dominant trail hand, arm, and shoulder,” explained Tennyson. “With LEAN LOCK, you are free to control the stroke and strike the ball using your dominant trailing hand without fear.”

The LEAN LOCK method combined with the unique putter design and setup, work together as one single unit.

This allows you to trust your dominant traits and hand-eye coordination when putting which we have spent a lifetime developing from writing our names, to brushing our teeth, to throwing a ball.

“The LEAN LOCK method changed the way I think about putting,” said three-time PGA Tour winner, Robert Gamez, at the PGA Show. “Putting has been a weakness throughout my career. Once I got into the correct LEAN LOCK set up position, I immediately started striking pure putts. It felt comfortable very quickly.”

The initial limited edition LEAN LOCK APA Proto blade and mallet putters were a huge success and sold out

quickly. The company is now releasing two new models, the LEAN LOCK Blade-PN and Mallet-PN putters. Both models have the patent-pending LEAN LOCK hosel that makes the LEAN LOCK putter so reliable and effective.

“I am thrilled about our new 2022 LEAN LOCK Blade-PN and Mallet-PN putters,” said Tennyson. “We repositioned the weight in the head away from the center to provide more stability and forgiveness on off-center hits.

And the new LEAN LOCK hosel creates ‘the magic’ to set and aim the putter perfectly every time.”

LEAN LOCK mallet and blade putters come in left and right-handed models and in lengths between 39 and 44 inches with a 21-inch grip. To learn more about the LEAN LOCK method, watch instructional videos, or to purchase a LEAN LOCK putter, visit www. leanlockputting.com, or contact Brian Tennyson, brian@leanlockputting.com.

Brian Tennyson, company founder, used his LEAN LOCK putter to set the course record at Long Point Golf Club.

THE PREMIER GOLF MARKETING AGENCY

Trusted• Respected• Connected• How can we help?

321-303-9684 www.golfmarketinginc.com Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

15

Jay Ramalho

golf bachelor

Where were you born?

I was born in Stratford Ct., I lived there until I graduated from high school and then I joined the Air Force.

What do you do for a living?

Now retired from the Air Force.

What would you like to do for a living?

Love to live like a billionaire, just to see how it is, and then give away all of the money to charities.

Aside from golf, what do you prefer for fun and relaxation?

Love to read, travel, do a little karaoke, exercise, go to jazz festivals.

Tell us about your first kiss?

My first kiss, I was about in first grade, I would walk to school with a friend and she thanked me one day and gave me a surprise kiss, which she said was for being a good friend.

Steak, chicken or seafood?

I will take all three just depends on my mood.

Favorite Comedian It would be Richard Pryor, I think he was the funniest, he would make me laugh until my sides hurt. The first time I heard one of his albums I was laying on the coach listening and I laughed so hard I fell of the couch and banged my head.

Movies, comedy, drama, action, romance?

Comedy, I just love a good laugh.

Last book you read?

James Patterson, Death of the Black Widow, but I read various authors; David Ballacci, John Grisham, Danial Silva, to name a few.

Favorite Charity to support?

Wounded Warrior What else would you like for us to know about you?

I served in the Air Force for 41 years, 21 active duty and 20 as a federal employee and did not golf until I retired.

I started in 2005, I moved to a golfing community, and after I felt I was good enough to play other courses I joined the Senior Amateur Golf Association out of Orlando, I meet Rick Harris who was the coordinator of the group who was helpful on helping me with improving my golf game. He was a character who booked a lot of great courses and was very patient with my learning abilities. I didn’t play, but we use to host a golf tournament at March AFB which was name after Bob Hope who would play every year and bring a lot of celebrities with him. One year, the Bob Hope Open at Palm Beach sent tickets to the commander of the base who didn’t golf or couldn’t make to the tournament. I don’t know how but the VIP four tickets ended up with me and I was supposed to give them away to my customers. A kid who worked for me was a golfer and told me this was a once in a lifetime chance and we should take two of the tickets and go, so we did. He was like a kid in a candy store!

We were in the clubhouse and he was collecting autographs from everyone he saw. I told him to stop being a fool and stop pestering the players. I was not a golfer and was wondering what he was so excited about. Now I know and would kill for those tickets.

What three things would you need on a deserted island?

A rifle for hunting, water, and a good woman.

Who would you like to have with you on the same island?

A lady name Sue who I should have married years ago.

Most annoying habit demonstrated on the golf course.

Bad manners, such as talking on the phone.

What do you fear most?

Snakes, and rats.

What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy golf foursome.

Of course, Tiger, Charles Sifford, Lee Elder.

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golf travel

3 Generation Challenge

Story and Photos By Greg Wise

Version II – Italy

Clubhouse at Marco Simone Country Club

Number 7, Par 4 - Major risk-reward on this hole at Marco Simone. Over the creek or short

The tradition began with a trip to Sicily

View from the top of the volcano rim.

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to see our son and his family in 2018.

While we were there, Chase (Grandson), Travis (Son) and I, decided to play golf and create this generational challenge.

That inaugural event was at Siracusa Golf Monasteri (Golf Central Magazine - Volume 19, Issue 2) and would lead to an eye-opening experience for me that had to be repeated.

Thanks to the pandemic, this wasn’t possible until just a few weeks ago.

The trip back to Italy that was planned 8 months ago, once the Italian travel restrictions began to free up.

But where to play? Well… it was obvious to me… “When close to Rome… do what the Romans would do,” and go play Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, in Guidonia, Rome, 10 miles from the city center. There is the 18-hole Championship Course and an additional 9-hole Resort Course that is being built now on the grounds.

After attending and covering the 2021 Ryder Cup event for Golf Central Magazine at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin, having the opportunity to play the golf course and see the beauty that surrounds these magnificent courses, I knew it had to be Marco Simone and experience this course a year before the 2023 Ryder Cup. There Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

Panoramic View of the volcano rim at Country Club of Castelgandolfo

is a whole lot of different views that you receive when there are no grandstands, and it is just YOU against the golf course.

Open to the public, Marco Simone is an incredible track to play. “Have plenty of golf balls with you… OR… hit the ball very straight… there aren’t too many other options.” We found that there were several blind shot holes, both off the tee and approach shots, and not having prior knowledge… we

Hard to stay focused with the surroundings for Chase.

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

Need a lift between 9s to the top of the rim…

Ring for the Caddie Master for a shuttle ride. found ourselves in trouble, looking for golf balls in the deep rough often. There are a few “Risk – Reward” holes… but weighing the Risk we were playing more conservative… Although… at one point, I remember barrowing the quote from Fuzzy Zoeller as I responded to Chase when he asked if I would play short of the lake on a par 5… “I didn’t come here to lay-up.” It was a memorable moment for sure… as I dropped at the edge of the lake to play my fourth shot into the par 5. Worst part about it, is when he asked… “who is Fuzzy Zoeller?”

Ouch… must be a generational thing!

In the 1970’s Italian High Fashion Designer, Laura Biagiotti, and her husband Gianni Cigna purchased the property to restore the 15th Century Castle located on this magnificent 19

Great bunker shot captured by Chase from a fried egg lie.

Par 5, 9th green from across the creek in the back of the green.

property. By 1989 the golf course had been designed and built with the castle being the focal point that is seen on virtually every hole. The architects were Jim Fazio and Italian David Mezzacane.

Marco Simone Golf Course was the venue of the 1994 and 2021 Italian Open Golf Championships, which were won by Eduardo Romero from Argentina and Danish professional golfer Nicolai Højgaard respectively.

The second stop of the 3 Generation Challenge We played at the Country Club of Castelgandolfo. A unique to the world golf course… Castelgandolfo was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Information boosts… 18 holes, 3 lakes, and 93 bunkers… so what makes it so unique? It is designed inside an extinct volcano. The original residence on the rim of the volcano was built in the seventeenth century was commissioned by Cardinal Flavio Chigi and now adds to the flavor of

the experience as the clubhouse. A spectacular experience to add to your bucket list while you are in Rome.

Recap of Italy!

If you are going to the 2023 Ryder Cup. Once you are in Rome… Don’t Drive! Leave that to the Italians. Not even New York Taxi drivers would have a chance in the countryside of Rome!

If you ever have the opportunity to take a 3rd or maybe even 4th Generation Challenge… Take it! Don’t hold back.

These are experiences that will last a lifetime for the entire family.

What’s Next?

Coming to America! Sorry… had to barrow that line for a fun movie. Our family will reconnect at the French Lick Resort in Indiana for the US Version of the 3 Generation Challenge. Playing the Donald Ross Golf Course, built in 1917 with the famous “False Front” greens, while we are attending the LPGA Epson Tour event in August at French Lick. “Catch you on the Fairway!”

Panoramic view of the 11th green back down through the valley to the clubhouse.

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Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

Height of the rough and color splattered throughout with wildflowers.

Headed home to the 18th… a real test. You can only see a few of the bunkers from this view.

3 Generation Challenge 2022 Italy (L to R) Greg, Chase, and Travis Wise.

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

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golf bachelorette

What’s in the Bag? I have Ping i500 Irons, TaylorMade M4 Driver and 3 Wood, Ping Glide wedges in mate black and I am currently playing a Scotty Cameron Teryllium putter Favorite Florida Courses: MacArthur Golf Club, Lost Tree Club, and Cypress Lakes Golf Club Name the three most important things to you in this world.

Family, Health, and Laughter Given the choice; would you select love, success, or money to keep yourself happy?

Love. The other two don’t matter if you don’t have people to share it with.

What three people would you most like to play with in your fantasy golf foursome?

My Dad, Tiger Woods, and Max Homa

Ellen

Breighner Where were you born? Did you grow up there?

I was born and raised in Harbor Springs, Michigan!

What are some of your great accomplishments?

Playing D1 College Golf and getting a job that I love. I am very grateful to have a career in something that I am so passionate about.

Relaxed evening at home, or nightclub and cocktails?

Relaxed evening at home hands down Favorite comedian?

Chelsea Handler Last book you read?

Verity by Colleen Hoover

What do you do for a living?

I am the Junior Golf Manager for the South Florida PGA! I oversea our 3 junior golf tours as well as PGA Jr League and Drive, Chip and Putt. We have a membership of over 1,000 juniors.

Aside from golf; what do you prefer for fun and relaxation?

I love to play tennis, go to the beach/ pool and go to the gym!

What golf apparel do you like to wear?

Foray, Ralph Lauren, and Lululemon Whom do you most admire for their inner and outer beauty?

Audrey Hepburn! She is my biggest fashion inspiration and she was extremely philanthropic.

What three things would you need to survive on a deserted island?

A squat rack, the Publix deli counter, and Taylor Swifts full diskography.

What do you find to be the most annoying habit people demonstrate on the golf course?

Slow Play!!! I can play with anyone no matter their skill level BUT I can’t stand to play with slow players.

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Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

stay & play

By Greg Johnson

Standalones, Standouts– Gaylord Golf Mecca Offers Unique Array of Courses Recently a golf and travel writer from Cleveland, Ohio, ventured north a few hours to visit the Gaylord Golf Mecca and was surprised.

“The Mecca has the resorts with their great championship courses, but you also have these wonderful standalone courses that are part of the community and that makes this

When you add “almost” standalones,

courses – the famous Par 3 Threetops,

The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort

Masterpiece, Signature, Premier and

and Black Lake Golf Club in Onaway,

Tradition – it produces a sum total of

the four-courses from Garland Lodge

17 and incredible quality and quantity.

& Golf Resort – Fountains, Monarch,

The standalones, however,

Reflections, Swampfire – and you add

add something other resort

the duo from the Otsego Resort – The

destinations simply can’t match.

Classic and The Tribute – and you

For instance, Gaylord Golf Club

remember Treetops Resort has five

is like the country club course you

a very unique destination for golf and added something very enjoyable and surprising to the trip,” David Glasier of the News Herald of Northeast Ohio said.

“I feel very good about recommending the Mecca to all golfers because it’s the kind of destination with the variety of golf I enjoy.”

Glasier had just played Gaylord Golf Club the day after playing Indian River Golf Club, two of the 17 golf courses that make up the Mecca, a cooperative marketing group of nine properties, including resorts with multiple courses.

The standalones, as Glasier dubbed them, also include Michaywe’ The Pines and Lakes of the North Golf Course.

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Lakes of the North Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

grew up playing with 6,500 yards of rolling green terrain, only it also offers what many consider some of the best green surfaces in Northern Michigan.

Paul Holmes has been taking care of the greens at Gaylord for more than three decades and it shows.

Indian River was established in 1922 with an original nine holes designed by the legendary Wilfrid Reid.

Over the years it has evolved, added nine more holes, promotes itself as the “Friendliest Club in the North” and then repeatedly backs it up.

Lakes of the North had a first nine

Indian River

built in 1968, added another in the late 1980s and surprises golfers with 7,004 yards of green grass cut through

between 7,040 yards and 5,194 yards.

The Natural, the only course affiliated

sorts. It is a Rees Jones-designed course spread over hundreds of

a parkland setting on one side, and

with Beaver Creek Resort, is essentially

acres in classic style. It’s isolated and

Northern Michigan woods on the other.

a standalone course and lives up to its

always among the top courses lists

name. It features all that nature offers

for Michigan and the Midwest.

Michaywe’ The Pines hosted the Michigan Amateur Championship

in this part of the country, hills, trees,

twice in the 1990s, which indicates

wetlands, wildlife and more, and add to

soon,” Glasier said. “It obviously

it can handle the most talented

that isolation and stunning scenery. It’s

takes more than one trip to play

players in the state. Don’t be misled,

the ultimate getaway from it all course.

all these courses but having played

however, with six sets of tees and

And Black Lake, the only course owned

“I’m going to get back to the Mecca

seven of them and being so surprised

comfortably wide fairways it can

by the UAW Black Lake Conference

and happy with the experience,

be played by anybody at anywhere

Center, is another standalone of

I have to see the other 10.”

Gaylord Golf C;ub Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

25

cuisine on the green

Stuffed Cod

Shrimp & Scallop Cornbread Stuffing with Mustard Cream Sauce Chef Steven Richard – Paddlefish at Disney Springs

Executive Chef Steven Richard

For the Stuffing Ingredients: 2 Cups Sweet cornbread, crumbled 1 Stick Butter 1 Cup Onion, small dice ¼ Pound Scallops ¼ Pound Shrimp ¼ Cup Parsley, chopped 1 ea Lemon Taste Kosher salt Taste White pepper Procedure: Melt the butter in a large, heavy bottomed pan.

Add the diced onion and cook on low heat until soft and translucent … about 5 – 10 minutes. Do not brown the onion.

Add the shrimp and scallops. Cook until the seafood is just underdone … 2 – 3 minutes.

Crumble the cornbread and add to the seafood mixture.

Juice and zest the lemon. Add the zest and juice to the mixture, along with the parsley.

Season with salt and pepper and mix to combine.

Chill the stuffing and hold until ready to combine with the cod.

For the sauce Ingredients: 2 TBSP Butter 2 TBSP Shallot, minced ½ Cup Dry white wine 1 ½ Cup Heavy cream ¼ Cup Grainy mustard Taste Kosher salt Taste White pepper

As a Massachusetts native, seafood is part of Chef Steven Richard’s DNA. Some of Richard’s earliest memories involve driving around New England with his grandfather and trying out different lobster rolls together at all kinds of places, from eateries located on the side-of-the-road to upscale restaurants. His grandfather’s love of seafood and of cooking for friends and family were both contagious. Once in college at Northeastern University, Richard often found himself cooking for his roommates at any opportunity he could. After graduating and embarking on a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, Richard decided to change course and follow his passion for cooking.

In the late 1990’s, Richard moved to Florida and started his journey to becoming a chef. He began at Wolfgang Puck Grand Café as a pantry chef and worked there part-time while taking every culinary class available at Valencia College. For the next seven years, he quickly worked his way through the ranks and became an Executive Sous Chef. In 2007, Richard was named Executive Chef for Portobello Yacht Club.

While there, Richard worked closely with James Beard Award-winning Chef Tony Mantuano on the transformation of the restaurant into Portobello Country Italian Trattoria. Richard was named regional chef for Levy Restaurants in 2011 and is excited to bring his talents to Paddlefish.

26

Procedure: Melt the butter in a heavy bottom sauce pan.

Add the shallot and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until soft and translucent over medium heat.

Add the wine and reduce by one half.

Add the cream and reduce by one half, again.

When the sauce is of a consistency that will readily coat the back of a spoon, you are ready to finish it off.

Add the mustard and combine with a whisk.

Season with salt and pepper and hold in a warm place.

Stuffed Cod Ingredients: 4 Portions Stuffing from above 8 Ounce Sauce from above 4 ea Cod filet portions (8 ounces each) 4 ea Lemon wedge Procedure: Prepare a sheet pan with parchment paper or cooking spray.

Top each cod filet portion with one quarter of the stuffing.

Arrange the four stuffed cod filets on the sheet pan and cook in a 400F oven until the fish is cooked through and the stuffing is fully heated (about 20 minutes) until the surface of the stuffing will be slightly golden.

Finish with the sauce and a wedge of lemon. Serve immediately.

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

www.nonablue.com

cart girl

Where did you grow up?

Indiana, Pennsylvania Which group of people did you associate most with in high school?

The friendly, openminded, happy people! No cliques or stuck-up attitudes!

What is your favorite sport to play? Favorite to watch?

Golf! Hockey!

Do you enjoy playing golf? Are there any golfers in your family?

YES! I play in almost all my own golf tournaments I direct! I love my members!!! So fun! Not so great at it, but to interact with them & the cerebral challenge is so exciting to me! I love challenges!

What do you feel makes this club special?

The laid-back atmosphere.

What is your favorite part of being a cart girl? What is your least favorite part?

THE PEOPLE!!!! I LOVE THE PEOPLE! I adore complimenting,

Alma Tee

giving hugs and bantering positivity with them! Making them smile & laugh makes my day! I love to get down dirty and work hard, but at the end of the day I am literally a sweaty swamp monster.

If you weren’t a cart girl, what would you be doing?

A general manager and boss of a successful Florida golf tournament company!!! My company, Coastal Cup Golfers Tour!

What is your memorable moment working as a cart girl?

Praying for a sad person right then and there. We both cried and felt amazing after!!!

What is the funniest thing you’ve ever seen on the golf course?

A guy dropped his pants and shot the golf cannon in only his underwear, at one of my golf cannon events!

What type of music do you prefer?

80’s hair band What hobbies do you enjoy?

Relaxing, meditating oceanside. Saltwater fish tanks What is your idea of “the perfect date”?

Going to the beach, then getting super dressed up after for sushi.

Favorite charity to support?

First tee What else would you like for us to know about you?

Alma Tee is my name, and who I am known for in the golf industry! I am like a little hardworking machine; gracefully juggling multiple jobs in the golf industry! I work in the pro shop at Davie Golf Course, am a starter, and Beverage Cart Girl. #AlmaTee! Tag me! @thealmatee

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Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

Helpful Hands, Inc. Presents

A D AY OF GO L F AT I S L E W O RTH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 Feel like a Member for the day and experience an opportunity to treat yourself, your friends and customers to a one-of-a-kind event hosted at the celebrated Isleworth Country Club!

Although you are the focus for the day, your participation will assist Helpful Hands, Inc. to continue their work in helping families in crisis within our community!

I TI NERARY : • Personalized lunch to be provided at Champions Grille • Curated tee gift package presented pre-round (details to follow) • Range usage before the round • Shotgun start at 1:00 P.M. (shamble format) with a forecaddie to accompany you on-course for helpful tips • Drinks and snack provided during the round • Post-round drinks and dinner in the Ballroom followed by awards ceremony

$3, 7 50 P ER FOURSOM E *Limited hole sponsorship opportunities available.

For more information about Helpful Hands, Inc. please visit www.helpfulhands.org.

alabama golf central

Story and Photos by Greg Wise

Teeing it up on the First Tee in How much “World Class” golf can you play within 248 miles? That literally equates to a 3 ½ drive time.

For many that is an easy question to answer. For others… the answer is simple, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail across the state of Alabama.

Let’s look at the numbers.

11 Sites across the state of Alabama 26 Different Courses 468 Holes of Championship Golf Okay… have I got your attention?

The RTJ Golf Trail is operated by the Retirement Systems of Alabama. In a

very detail book about the largest golf course construction project ever attempt, Dr. David Bronner, CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, stated, “our first goal was to diversify the assets of the state’s pension fund; and secondly, how to help the state of Alabama.”

So, we sat down with pencil and paper and figured out. You could plan the “Ultimate 30-day Golf Adventure” right in the state of Alabama. Starting in Mobile and ending in Muscle Shoals… and play “World Class” golf courses in every location.

One thing that is very consistent

in the RTJ Golf Trail… is the people.

The staff that you meet along the way are incredible. They enjoy having you visit. They take pride in sharing their passion for golf and they are proud to welcome you to their course.

Mike Beverly, President of the RTJ Golf Trail stated, “We have worked very hard over the years to develop an environment for the staff to project a positive and supportive feel across the brand. From the minute we welcome you at the bag drop… to your final putt at each location.” “From Mobile to Muscle Shoals, our staff excels in making your visit very memorable,” Beverly continued.

Cambrian Ridge (Greenville) • Canyon (9 holes) • Sherling (9 holes) • Loblolly (9 holes) • Short Course (9 holes) Played as Canyon/Loblolly, Loblolly/ Sherling, or Sherling/Canyon.

Capitol Hill (Prattville/Montgomery) Judge Legislator Senator

• • •

Grand National (Auburn/Opelika) Lake Links Short Course

• • •

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Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

Hampton Cove (Huntsville) • Highlands • River • Short Course Highland Oaks (Dothan) Highlands (9 holes) Marshwood (9 holes) Magnolia (9 holes) Short Course (9 holes) Played as Highlands/Marshwood, Magnolia/Highlands, or Marshwood/Magnolia.

• • • •

Lakewood Golf Club (Point Clear) • Azalea • Dogwood

The Canyon at Cambridge Golf Course

Magnolia Grove (Mobile) • CrossingsFalls • Short Course Oxmoor Valley (Birmingham) • Ridge • Valley • Short Course Ross Bridge (Hoover/Birmingham) Silver Lakes (Gadsden/Anniston) • Backbreaker (9 holes) • Heartbreaker (9 holes) • Mindbreaker (9 holes) • Short Course (9 holes) Played as Backbreaker/Mindbreaker, Heartbreaker/Backbreaker, or Mindbreaker/Heartbreaker.

The Shoals (Muscle Shoals/Florence) • Fighting Joe • Schoolmaster So… how do you book this “30-Day Adventure” should you want to pull that off. Click on RTJGOLF.COM and under the Packages tab… there is all the help you need. “World Class Golf… is just a click away.

The Judge at Capitol Hill

Ross Bridge – 9th and 18th Hole

feature

Escape the Summer Heat Head For Michigan's Upper Peninsula Sweetgrass, Sage Run, Greywalls, and Timberstone all shine together in America's Summer Golf Capital

Sage Run

Your next golf buddies’ trip should take you and your pals to a destination that’s nothing short of mind-blowing.

To accomplish that, you might just need to elevate your search and take your plans a little higher – as in farther north. Much farther north.

Michigan’s visually breathtaking Upper Peninsula is the sliver of land that runs above the mitten along Lake Superior, connecting Wisconsin on one end and Canada on another. Despite the short summer May-to-September season, the U.P. is known for worldclass hunting, fishing, snowmobiling 32

and delicious meat pies called pasties.

The region has also joined in on the state’s golf craze in a serious way.

Take a peek at our recent trip to understand the hype. We flew into Green Bay, Wisconsin, and made the two-hour journey north to the home of our trip’s operations, Island Resort and Casino in Harris, MI. We could have also flown into nearby Escanaba or Marquette, cutting the drive time down by half. Harris is a laid-back setting that’s just 15 minutes west of Escanaba, enveloped by towering pines and unspoiled by development.

The Island Resort and Casino is one

of the Midwest’s largest golf, casino, and entertainment resort destinations, spanning more than 408,000 square feet. The resort now has 450-plus guest rooms, thanks to a recent $30 million renovation that added 128 rooms, including new golf suites where we based ourselves for the next four days.

The resort also boasts an array of dining options, a luxurious spa, Splash Island indoor pool with waterpark features, and a casino floor that includes 1,200-plus slots, a poker room, craps, blackjack, Spanish 21, three-card poker, let-it-ride, roulette and bingo.

And to up the ante, golfers are now Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

Splash Island

Sweetgrass

able to add sportsbook entertainment to their golf vacations. The resort recently unveiled a dedicated space for sports bettors to relax and place bets using user-friendly, interactive kiosks.

But our focus this time is the golf that’s been described as “unforgettable” and “under-rated.” The resort’s original course is the exceptional Sweetgrass Golf Club. Opened in 2007, it’s home to the Island Resort Championship, one of the premier stops on the EPSON Tour – the official “Road to the LPGA.” This year’s event saw SsuChia Cheng post a 17-under finish to win by a whopping six strokes.

Designed by course architect Paul Albanese and ranked among the top 10 public courses in Michigan, Sweetgrass was also named the 2022 National Golf Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Owners Association. It’s also recognized by GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest with a Best in State ranking.

Adjacent to the hotel, it makes getting to the first tee incredibly convenient.

Rooms high up in the new hotel tower have scenic panoramic views of the spectacular 9th and 18th holes. The prairie links-style course then meanders to a wide-open vista where many greens and flags can be seen in the distance.

Golfers will also experience some of the game’s most fun greens to putt (Redan, Biarritz, Island, and Double-green).

The 4th features a reverse Redan green that runs from the top to back right and away from the golfer. The 7th hole is where we encountered the next Redan green, a more traditional type that runs from the top right to back left. Then the 9th makes its way back up toward the hotel and shares a massive pond, waterfalls and double green with 18.

The back nine starts out with fun, Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

Sweetgrass

33

playable holes before heading back out into the open vista. On this side, you’ll find arguably two of the best par-3 holes anywhere that co-exist on one nine. The first is the 12th that features one of the coolest Biarritz holes. It has a massive green complex with a large 6-foot-deep swale in the middle – demanding an approach shot with long-iron accuracy.

The par-3 15th requires an accurate shot with a short iron into an island green.

In 2018, Island Resort & Casino opened its second course, Sage Run, which was also designed by Albanese and is a bold contrast to its sister course Sweetgrass. Selected by Golf Digest as one the “Best New” courses in America in 2019 and ranked 20th in Michigan’s top courses by Golfweek, Sage Run features a more rugged terrain with hardwoods, open areas and a massive ridge/drumlin and bunkers that Albanese likens to Royal County Down, a Northern Ireland golf club rated among the world’s finest.

Sage Run starts off on top of the ridge with scenic views and plays down to an open area with wide fairways and rugged fescue grasses set off by earth tones, browns and tans. The 3rd, a strategic par-5 with rugged bunkers, sand areas and a small elevated green, places a premium on accuracy and has a Pine Valley feel. The par-3 5th is the first experience with the drumlin ridge; although a short hole, it requires a blind uphill shot to a large green.

34

Horizons Restaurant Sage Run’s back nine features a variety of cool, short par-4 holes leaving strategic second shots. The 13th is an uphill par-4 with strategic fairway bunkers that golfers can take on for a better angle to the elevated green that’s guarded by rugged bunkering to the left. Players must be ready on the short 16th to attack the ridge uphill to a large blind green. A straight drive up the right side left a short pitch to a large and undulating green.

The finish at Sage Run, including the short 16th, offers a great chance to make some birdies. The par-3 17th is a great short hole measuring 125 yards to a small green complex that rests on the ridge’s edge with a rugged bunker

Drift Spa

guarding the right side. The par-5 18th plays into the setting sun and scenic 30mile views from an elevated tee downhill to a wide fairway. The second shot leaves a short iron into a small green that’s replete with ridges and hollows.

Adding day trips to nearby Greywalls Golf Club and Timberstone sets up the “Perfect 4-Some” of golf, which is a fully customizable stay-and-play package. Designed by Mike DeVries and part of the popular Marquette Country Club, the 230-acre Greywalls combines jaw-dropping panoramas of Lake Superior with stunning natural rock outcroppings. West of Escanaba, Timberstone in Iron Mountain (home to legendary Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo and former NFL coach Steve Mariucci) meanders up and down a mountain, showcasing scenic vistas, strategic wetlands and tall pines.

The resort’s fully customized packages offer 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-night lodging options with up to four golf rounds, which can also include Greywalls and Timberstone. The very competitive package price options range from $95$758 depending on time of year. Compare these rates with those from other noteworthy golf destinations and you’ll have yet another convincing reason to choose this destination because of the high quality and diverse array of golf.

You’ve heard our story, but don’t take it from us. Plan your trip now -- whether it be for this summer, the fall or next year, you won’t be disappointed. Everyone is talking and packages are becoming scarce, book now to save for your out-ofthis-world golf experience today.

For more information about Island Resort and Casino and its golf packages, visit www.islandresortgolf. com or call 877-475-4733.

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

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florida golf central

The Fox Club

A New NewChapter for the Fox Club Florida Ownership, New Enhancements, and More

Course To Be Infused With Significant Capital and To Be Relaunched as Cape Club Palm City There is a buzz in the air at The Fox Club, in Palm City as the club that is just 30 minutes north of the West Palm Beach airport has been acquired

by The Cape Club. New ownership shared a bevy of new and exciting announcements and will elevate the club and the experience for current and future members and guests. For those not familiar with Cape Clubs mantra, the Cape Club Collection includes Cape Club of Sharon and Cape Club of Falmouth, two vibrant, thriving clubs in the Boston/Cape Cod, Massachusetts area that operate at world class level, yet challenge the status quo with fun events, music, great golf and a culinary adventure that is unmatched. Now the same ownership has begun reinvigorating the Fox Club with significant capital investment into the golf course and clubhouse, ushering in a new era for 36

the golf facility – an era that will create a premier private club experience that will be the crown jewel of the Palm City and Treasure Coast region.

Capital improvement projects underway at The Fox Club include, but are not be limited to: • Renovation of all bunkers on the course to include re-shaping, new liners, drains and the addition of brilliant “Augustawhite” bunker sand in all bunkers – a Cape Club Collection signature feature • New landscaping around the parking lot and clubhouse • Investment in a new pump station to provide enhanced turf health • Revitalization of golf cart paths to include a refresh of current paths and new white coquina for natural paths • Clean up of landscaping in both in-play and outof-play areas on every golf hole. This will include trimming of all brush and trees, laying down pine

straw, mulch and flowers in strategic locations.

• The entire golf course will receive top dressing to enhance turf health and will undergo other agronomic practices throughout the summer to ensure first-class conditions for the future • Player-friendly redesign/ enhancements to holes 10 and 18 • Refreshed (and fully accessorized) golf carts featuring state-of-the-art GPS, Bluetooth-enabled upgraded speakers, coolers and in-cart ball/club washers • Renovation of the driving range/practice area to include enhanced landing area, new targets (with white sand bunkers), a new retaining wall, alternative artificial hitting matts, new practice golf balls along with furniture and practice accessories • Creation of a new back patio on the clubhouse • Clubhouse interior improvements to enhance social opportunities and event venues Capital improvements to be made by the Cape Club represent a multi sevenGolf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

figure investment in the golf course and clubhouse. In an effort to complete all improvements in a timely manner, The Fox Club will close temporarily from July 1 through mid-November 2022, at which time the club will be relaunched as the new Cape Club of Palm City.

“This is so very exciting for the club, the community and the region,” said longtime associate of the Fox Club, now General Manager Kristi Tower. “The Cape Club organization as a whole operates at an extremely high level, investing back into their courses to create amazing golf, social and culinary experiences. Being a part of the Cape Club family will usher in a new era for the club and will elevate the experience for members and guests.”

Members of the new/relaunched private club will have access to both sister clubs – Cape Club of Sharon and Cape Club of Falmouth.

Additionally, members of Cape Club of Sharon and Cape Club of Falmouth will have access to the new Cape Club Palm City, upon reopening.

“Our members will be able to play and discover the world-class Cape Club courses in Massachusetts and vice versa. We look forward to being a winter retreat for Cape Club members from Sharon and Falmouth, and being their go to Florida destination,” added Tower.

Located thirty minutes from West Palm Beach Airport in Palm City, Florida, on the Treasure Coast, The Fox Club offers quintessential Florida golf with a meandering layout highlighted by creative mounding, strategically located water features, tour-quality

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

putting green surfaces. Originally designed by Roy Case in 1989, The Fox Club was redesigned in 2017 by the championship-winning duo of Darren Clarke and Eoghan O’Connell and features a fun, yet challenging par 72 layout with flexible tee options that can offer a yardage from 5,090 yards from the front tees to 7,070 yards from the tips. Just a short ride from Atlantic Ocean beaches, just east of I-95 in Palm City, The Fox Club is a popular locale for weddings, special events and golf outings/events. For more information on The Fox Club Florida visit www. thefoxclubflorida.com or (772) 597-4222.

For those not familiar with the Cape Clubs in the Northeast, The Cape Club of Falmouth is located at the gateway of the Cape and Martha’s Vineyard, and features a recently renovated golf course with jaw-dropping elevation changes, and signature Cape Club white sand bunkers. The recently renovated clubhouse that is the perfect venue

for a culinary journey or a wedding and special family occasion. The golf experience at The Cape Club is one of the best in the region that brings together fun, family and friends. For more information on Cape Club of Falmouth visit www.CapeClubResort. com. The Cape Club of Sharon joined The Cape Club Collection in 2017 and has also undergone significant renovations and enhancements. Golf course refinements included the addition of new Cape Club signature white sand bunkers, while clubhouse enhancements have included renovations to the Grand Ballroom and Grille Room, and the creation of an expansive Grand Patio featuring fire pits, big screen televisions, frequent live music events and expansive views of the golf course. The Cape Club of Sharon is one of the best dining/social experiences in the region. For more information on the Cape Club of Sharon, visit www.thecapeclubofsharon.com.

37

By Bob Bolton

Miracle By the Bay Bayou Golf Club in Largo

was the setting for an awesome opportunity to meet Matthew Walker, the Executive Director of the “Miracle By The Bay”, a charity organization that is focused on highlighting programs for individuals with a variety of disabilities. This Golf Tournament focused on raising funds for a baseball field dedicated to allowing those with disabilities to enjoy America’s favorite past time.

The Golf Central Team was competitive, winning a “Closest to the Pin” contest and the “Long Drive” for women. But - we didn’t bring home any hardware for lowest score.

The Tournament raised thousands of dollars to help support the organization, while providing an educational opportunity focused on enhancing the visibility of the charity’s mission.

If you would like to know more about the “Miracle By The Bay” organization, register for future events, and make a donation, log on to www.miraclebythebay.org.

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Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

competitive spirits

Meet Organika Vodka A premium nature-based vodka from Poland that inspires to honor and to give back to the earth.

Our unique vodka is made from the finest organic wheat grain spirit and rare organic ingredients such as Larch extract (Organika), Sagan Dalya – a hand-picked energetic botanical from Mongolia (Organika Life) and a natural white truffle essence from France (Organika Truffle).

Starting summer 2022, we are proud to present our Sustainable Series in fully recyclable bottles that will dramatically reduce carbon and water footprint.

Pine Old Fashioned Ingredients: 50 ml Organika vodka 5-7 ml pine cone jam 2-3 drops of Angostura bitter (or similar) How to prepare: 1) Mix all the ingredients in a mixing glass⠀without ice (so that the jam dissolves), 2) Add ice and mix again, 3) Pour into an old fashioned glass, 4) Garnish with a pine cone (you can find those in a jar of pine cone jam) and a lighted sprig of rosemary.

40

As an official partner of WWF, Organika supports sustainable practices and contributes over 1% of annual turnover to animal charities.

Green Night Ingredients: 50 ml Organika Life vodka 15 gr lime 15 gr orange 15 gr fresh cucumber 5 ml thyme syrup How to prepare: 1) Crush lime, cucumber, and orange to make the ingredients juice, 2) Mix all the ingredients in a mixing glass without ice, 3) Add ice and mix again, 4) Strain into an old fashioned glass, 5) Garnish with a cucumber or orange slice, if desired.

By choosing Organika you are contributing to the preservation of the Amur Tigers, Snow Leopards, Polar Bears and other endangered rare species.

White Truffle Sour Ingredients: 60 ml Organika Truffle vodka 30 ml lemon juice 20 ml sugar syrup 15 ml egg white How to prepare: 1) Add ice to the shaker, 2) Add all the ingredients, 3) Shake and mix thoroughly until frothy, 4) Pour into a glass (no ice), 5) Garnish with a thin slice of truffle, if desired.

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

orth florida PGA north florida PGA north florida PGA north florida PGA north

Brian Mulvin and John Somers win Pro-Pro Championship

June was a busy month for the North Florida PGA! It began with the Celebration of Members on June 5th, where the 2022 Section Award winners were officially honored and given the opportunity to relish in their achievements, acknowledge their greatest influences and supporters and share in a joyous celebration with the other honorees. Additionally, 4 Members were inducted into the 2022 NFPGA Hall of Fame: Mike Lynch, Kevin Paschall, Tim Beckwith (posthumously) and Irv Schloss (posthumously).

On June 6th, the 43rd Annual Meeting presented by Global Golf Sales took place at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort. Bill Filson served as the morning keynote speaker while PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh served as the afternoon keynote speaker and led a discussion on leadership. The event was capped off with a Business Meeting and Election of Leaders.

One day later, the Annual Meeting events were capped off with the Yamaha Pro-Pro at Grand Cypress.

The Pro-Pro took place on the newly designed Florida Course with Dalton Bartlett and Matthew Chen securing the victory after a 5-hole playoff.

The Junior NFPGA Championships at Falcon’s Fire Golf Club saw more than 100 young players battle it out for the opportunity to play in the 46th Boys and Girls Junior PGA Championships at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Palos Park, Illinois on Aug 2-5th. The following players will represent the North Florida Section: Boys: Reggie Zhu and Garret Ebbert Girls: Nancy Dai and Kate Barber Jennifer Borocz, Sandra Changkija and Stephanie Connelly Eiswerth all competed in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, making up Nancy Dai places first at the Girls Junior NFPGA Championship

42

three of the nine spots occupied

by PGA/LPGA Professionals who played in the Championship at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD. This marked Borocz’s second appearance in the event, Changkija’s seventh appearance and Connelly Eiswerth’s fourth appearance. Borocz (North Florida PGA), Changkija (ChampionsGate Golf Resort) and Connelly Eiswerth (San Jose Country Club) all recently competed in the NFPGA Match Play Championship in May. Additionally, David Hronek (GOLFTEC-Sarasota) competed in the 42nd U.S. Senior Open at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, PA. Hronek, the 2021 NFPGA Senior Player of the Year, qualified for the Championship after he shot 2-under (70) at the Qualifying Round at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club on May 23rd.

The month concluded with two Section events: the NFPGA Assistant Professional Championship at Countryside Country Club and the Pro-Pro Championship at TPC Prestancia. Greg Koch was victorious at the Assistant Professional Championship after finishing at -3 (141) after two rounds of play.

Brian Mulvin and John Somers edged out a win at the Pro-Pro Championship. After a 5-hole playoff, they finished at 17-under (127) and pulled ahead against Stephen Arnold and Christian Bartolacci.

With June in the rear view, the summer season is still in full swing as July and August are actionpacked and full of great Section, Chapter and Junior events!

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

GROWING THE GAME

Club, Gene’s place of employment at the time of his passing, and the Georgia State Golf Association as endowing partners of the Gene Siller Memorial Grant.

Sahish Reddy of Duluth, Georgia claimed the Overall Boys Division with an even-par tournament total of 213.

The winner and runner up in each division advanced e to the PGA Girls Junior and PGA Boys Junior events this summer.

GEORGIA PGA PROGRAMMING KOTCHASANMANEE EMPHASIZES OPPORTUNITIES CRUISES TO VICTORY AT FOR LOCAL YOUTH & VETERANS GEORGIA PGA JUNIOR COOPER NAMED PGA CHAMPIONSHIP ATLANTA ATHLETIC CLUB ENDOWS The Georgia PGA Junior Tour HOPE AMBASSADOR hosted the annual Georgia PGA JUNIOR GOLF GRANT Karen Cooper (U.S. Army ReThe Junior Golf Fund of Atlanta Athletic Club will fund one junior golf grant in perpetuity thanks to their endowment of a Gene Siller Memorial Grant. On June 23rd, the AAC Board of Directors gathered to present Grant Leader Ashley Siller with their gift of $60,000.

The Gene Siller Memorial Grant, created in memory of the late Gene Siller, provides financial assistance to Georgia-based youth looking to learn, play and compete in junior golf initiatives.

Atlanta Athletic Club joins Pinetree Country

Junior Championship June 6-8 at tired) of Fayetteville, Georgia was University of Georgia Golf Course named PGA HOPE Ambassador in Athens, Georgia. for the Georgia Section on June 10th. A PGA HOPE graduate In the Girls’ Division, one player turned dedicated volunteer, Cooper was quick to occupy the spotlight. will work closely with Section Staff Thanana to recruit new veterans and grow Kotchasanmanee fired a two-unPGA HOPE programming. der-par 70 to secure a 2-stroke lead going into the second round.

PGA HOPE provides free golf Kotchasanmanee would maintain her lead to win the three-round tournament by 13-strokes.

instruction to active duty and military veterans. For additional information, contact hestes@pgahq.com.

Atlanta Athletic Club leadership presents Grant Leader Ashley Siller with a gift of $60,000.

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

43

georgai section PGA georgia section PGA georgia section PGA georgia section

By Hailey Estes

outh orth florida PGA north south florida florida PGA PGA north southflorida floridaPGA PGAnorth southflorida floridaPGA PGAnorth south

16-Year-Old to Play 100 Holes of Golf to Raise Money for South Florida PGA Foundation South Florida PGA Junior Tour player Cameron Swartz is setting out to play 100 holes of golf to raise money for the South Florida PGA Foundation Smiling Fore Life program.

On July 18th, the 16-year-old will play 100 HOLES OF GOLF at Lost City Golf Club in Atlantis, Florida, with a goal of raising 5,000 for Smiling Fore Life.

Smiling Fore Life is a South Florida PGA Foundation program that brings PGA Professionals and the game of golf into children’s hospitals to provide children and outlet during a time of struggle.

Cameron’s passion to help others stemmed from his brother being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2013.

“Every day after school I would come down to Hollywood with my Grandma or Dad to visit Harrison, bringing stories from my day at school, ‘’ he said. “But also, we would play with a Fisher Price golf set in the play area of the pediatric unit.”

Once Cameron learned of the Smiling Fore Life program, he knew there was a bigger opportunity to make an impact in the lives of others.

“I am an avid golfer and have decided to partner with the South Florida PGA and their Smiling Fore Life Charity to provide young hospital patients an outlet to escape the hardships they are facing,” he said. “The funds I will raise will help to get young kids out of their hospital rooms and out to enjoy a fun and new activity, GOLF!” As of June 30th, Cameron is a quarter of the way to his goal of raising $5,000. To support Cameron and the Smiling Fore Life Program, you can make a pledge here.

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Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

Award-winning dining, a booming craft beer scene, luxurious resorts, and exceptional year-round golf on courses along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail await you in Alabama. Plus, with Jerry Pate’s Kiva Dunes and Arnold Palmer’s Craft Farms in Gulf Shores, from the Mountain Lakes to the Gulf Coast, you can take it all in.

www.GolfAlabama.org

Kiva Dunes Golf & Beach Resort, Gulf Shores

growing the game

25 Exemplary High School Seniors Selected into First Tee College Scholarship Program in honor of 25th Anniversary Twenty-five high school graduates have been selected to the First Tee College Scholarship Program. This is the largest class to date and a significant milestone as the youth development organization celebrates 25 years of helping young people build their strength of character through golf. The Scholars Class of 2022 includes aspiring physicians, computer scientists and lawyers, all of whom will be attending stand-out colleges and universities, including Harvard University, New York University and Columbia University.

Selected from a national pool of First Tee teens, the diverse group of Scholars – 15 young women and 10 young men - are from both urban and rural communities across the United States. Nine of the Scholars will play on their college’s golf team; several are heading into STEM, business, and medical fields; and many already have impressive plans for careers that will support underrepresented and underserved populations.

“I offer congratulations and a warm welcome to our Class of 2022 First Tee Scholars,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee. “With the support of our donors, we’re able to provide this

ongoing support as they matriculate

headquarters and its chapter network

through college and prepare for

have awarded more than $15 million

future careers. These outstanding

in college scholarships to alumni.

young leaders have bright futures

Applications for the Class of 2022

ahead, and we believe the skills and

were received from participants across

values developed through First Tee

the First Tee network. Following an

will empower them throughout their

online application process, finalists

collegiate journey and beyond.”

were selected by a committee

First Tee College Scholarship Program

for one-on-one interviews. In

extends its impact to alumni by

addition to academic performance,

providing support throughout their

applicants were considered based on

post-graduate careers. Each of the

financial need, chapter involvement,

Scholars is paired with a dedicated,

volunteerism, and other criteria.

trained adult mentor who will help

First Tee College Scholarship Program

encourage and guide them throughout

is made possible by donors and

their college experience, including

corporate partners who stand behind

virtual and in-person meetups. The

the program and First Tee’s mission,

program also provides professional

including 3M, A. James & Alice B. Clark

development workshops held in-

Foundation, The Arthur M. Blank Family

person throughout the year, and up

Foundation, Astros Golf Foundation,

to $5,000 per year toward tuition.

Brendan and Shay Cavanagh, Charles

The program, which re-launched in

Schwab, Chevron Corporation, David

2020, is an evolution from the First Tee

and Geri Epstein Private Foundation,

Scholars Program established in 2003.

Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund,

The program began after participant

Edward and Lisa Vaughan, Jon Clay,

Steven Outlaw gave a moving speech

Nelson and Michele Carbonell Family

in 2001 at the age of 16 and was

Foundation, Paul and Ruth Flowers,

provided an impromptu scholarship

Peter A. Bonanni Scholarship Fund,

from a generous donor. Two years

PURE Insurance, Timothy W. Finchem

later, Outlaw graduated high school

Scholarship Fund, TruGreen, USSGA

and was part of the inaugural First Tee

Memorial Fund, and Zotec Foundation.

Scholars Class. Since 2003, First Tee

First Tee College Scholarship Class of 2022: Average GPA: 4.1 on a 4.0 scale Average SAT score: 1,470 out of 1,600 Average ACT score: 31 out of 36 46

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

Breonna Boyd First Tee — Tennessee University of Michigan; Major: Business Administration Breonna plans to start a nonprofit that will provide natural hair care products to African American girls who need them.

Nicholas Canales First Tee — Greater Houston University of Nebraska; Major: Political Science and History Nicholas is a first-generation college student and will play on the men’s golf team.

Antonio DelCastillo First Tee — Orange County University of Alabama; Major: Pre-Med

Pursuing a career as either a neuroorthopedic surgeon or anesthesiologist.

Srishti Dhurandhar First Tee — Metropolitan New York New York University; Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering Srishti will play on the women’s golf team under the leadership of her former First Tee coach and NYU head coach, Katie Rudolph.

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

Vivian D’Orazi First Tee — Metropolitan New York York College of Pennsylvania; Major: Marketing; Minor: Hospitality Management Vivian will play on the women’s golf team and aspires to work in the golf industry post-graduation.

Dylan Ebs First Tee — Greater Austin George Washington University; Major: Journalism Dylan plans to pursue his goal of becoming a political reporter in Washington, D.C.

Esther Etherington First Tee — Indiana Franklin College; Major: Elementary Education

Esther will play on the women’s golf team and plans to later receive a Master’s degree in Special Education.

Maleyna Gregorio First Tee — Coachella Valley University of California Riverside; Major: Business Maleyna will play on the women’s golf team and aspires to work in the golf industry.

Raiyan Johnson First Tee — Savannah Georgia Institute of Technology; Major: Astrophysics Raiyan will pursue her goal to become an astrophysicist and ultimately an astronaut.

Lea Han First Tee — Greater Sacramento Harvard University; Major: History

Lea plans to become either an immigration or civil rights lawyer and pursue her passion for social justice.

Nelia Leong First Tee — Upstate South Carolina University of Florida; Major: Public Health

Nelia will be pursuing the predentistry track with plans to use her degree to have her own pediatric dentistry practice.

Myles Manor First Tee — Greater Washington, D.C. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Major: Chemistry Myles has a desire to bring interest and awareness to STEM careers in his community.

47

Abigale Morris First Tee — Phoenix Biola University; Major: Cinematography Abigale will play on the women’s golf team. She aspires to own a film company that provides film and media for nonprofits.

Hannah Newell First Tee — Greater Houston LeTourneau University; Major: Chemical Engineering Hannah will play on the women’s golf team while working toward her goal of building a career in chemical engineering.

Sabrina Poole First Tee — Greater Seattle St. Martin’s University; Major: Psychology Sabrina will play on the women’s golf team. Her future aspirations include helping high school and college studentathletes with mental and psychological struggles or crises as a clinical psychologist.

Ahmad Raoul First Tee — Greater Chicago Winston-Salem State University; Major: Computer Science While playing on the men’s golf team and majoring in computer science, Ahmad plans to leverage his STEM knowledge to further his passion for golf and improve his golf performance.

48

Nancy Rivera First Tee — Silicon Valley Middleburg College Vermont; Major: Pre-Med Nancy wants to be the voice for Latinx families who have had limited representation in the medical field. She plans on becoming an OB-GYN.

Daniel Sears First Tee — Massachusetts Franciscan University of Steubenville; Major: Philosophy and Finance

Alexa Vela First Tee — Greater Houston Rice University; Major: Psychology and Pre-Law Alexa aspires to become a lawyer to grant the underrepresented the opportunity to recognize their constitutional rights and the powers granted to them by their government.

Jaylon Wilson First Tee — Metro Atlanta North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Major: Finance

Daniel plans on a career in either real estate or law.

Connor Shooks First Tee — Benton Harbor Loyola University Chicago; Major: Sports Management Connor aspires to either be an athletic trainer or physical therapist.

Kenneth Treece First Tee — Pine Mountain University of Alabama; Major: Aerospace Engineering and Political Science Obtaining a 35 out of 36 on the ACT, Kenneth has plans to become a public defense attorney.

With plans to become a financial advisor, Jaylon aspires to serve the African American community through providing financial literacy, specifically to athletes and musicians.

Jacob Zakaria First Tee — Central Coast University of California Berkeley; Major: Biology Inspired by his father’s family being raised in a war-struck refugee camp in Lebanon without access to healthcare, Jacob plans on becoming a medical doctor.

Iris Xue First Tee — Greater Washington, D.C. Columbia University; Major: Computer Science and Engineering Iris hopes to one day build artificial intelligence models that tackle healthcare challenges, such as disease modeling and disease prevention.

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

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www.sunnilandcorp.com • 800-432-1130

SunnilandSUPERSpotlight:

Sarah Kasper – Golf Course Superintendent, Summer Glen

Where were you born?

I was born and raised in Gainesville, Florida. Go Gators! I grew up in the country with my twin sister and two older brothers.

What was your major in school?

I majored in business management.

To be honest, I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I got older, and figured business management was a degree that could give me more options.

Did you play any sports?

I played soccer for my entire life.

I was recruited to a D-1 college, Charleston Southern University, but I was unprepared for the rigors of D-1 sports. I ended up transferring after my freshman year to a small, NAIA school named Lyon College.

This is where I finished my collegiate soccer and earned my business management degree.

What got you interested in turf grass?

I had never given the subject a single thought until I began working on a golf course.

How did you get your first job on the golf course?

I was working at a bowling alley and there was a married couple who were regulars there. The husband, Sean, was the superintendent at Summer Glen at the time and offered me a job. He knew I was miserable at the bowling alley and saw that I had the right work ethic. Thanks Sean!

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Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

What makes the course outstanding?

Summer Glen is a small course, with a small budget, but I’ve had the privilege of watching it transform during my time here. The course has improved in a lot of ways, and I’ve had the opportunity to form some great relationships with the members and residents over the years.

What do you enjoy most about your job here?

Free golf! Just kidding, but that is a great perk of the job! I love working outside, seeing the sunrise every morning, and working up a good sweat makes me feel like a badass.

When did you start working here?

I’m not sure of the exact date but it was in the summer of 2015. It wasn’t the best timing. My first few months on the job were experienced in this wonderful Florida heat.

How has the experience here helped to develop your career?

My experience here is my whole career in this industry. I started as a

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

maintenance worker, doing all the grunt work. After earning my spray license, I became the spray technician.

Not long after that, I was promoted to Assistant Superintendent. After 7 years of learning and growing under 4 different superintendents, I became the superintendent of golf at Summer Glen. Rags to riches!

Who are your mentors and how do you consider them to be your mentors?

All my previous superintendents were mentors for me. Sean gave me my start in this industry and urged me to obtain my spray license so I could continue to grow. Dave, my second boss, was the one who promoted me to Assistant Superintendent and really started to teach me the details of turf management. Until Dave, it was just a job. After Dave, I could see myself doing this for a long time. John, number three, called himself a ‘mad scientist’, and really built up my knowledge of the fertilizer and pesticide side of turf management. Janet, my last boss, was my true Sensei. She urged me strive for more in my career and was

the person who convinced me that I had what it takes to be a golf course superintendent. All the knowledge she passed along was invaluable but her belief in my ability to handle this job is what made me believe it. Thanks Janet!

If you were to give advice to someone starting in the field what would that advice be?

Soak up all the knowledge you can. There are many different areas of expertise on a golf course, (mechanics, irrigation, fertilization, and pesticide application) and the more you know in each of these areas, the more valuable you will be to your golf maintenance team.

How did you plan to pay it forward with others that work in golf course maintenance?

I plan to help anyone who has the desire and work ethic to move up in this industry. I started from the bottom and I’m now running a course.

I’d love to be able to say that I helped someone else accomplish this too.

51

–In Memory Of–

Gerald Marquardt Golf Course Superintendent Largo Golf Course

SUPERSTAR of the business. Gerald learned the rest through trial and error while networking with other local superintendents.

Gerald was a great individual and friend to all. He always had a kind word and a smile on his face. He was one of the good ones that will be truly missed.

Where are you from?

Hillman, Michigan

How did you get into the golf business?

Gerald started as a teenager on a nine-hole course in Hillman. He started as a crew member at Largo Country Club in 1980, worked his way up and became superintendent in 1980. He has lived on the golf course the entire time.

What makes your course a “standout/outstanding”?

Largo Golf Course is a wellmaintained executive course that caters to seniors, beginners and everyone in between.

How has PN helped you be successful (favorite products, programs, technical assistance etc)?

Gerald was a valued Performance Nutrition customer for 15 years maintaining healthy greens with their products.

Who is your mentor and why?

The original superintendent from Largo met Gerald in Michigan and took him under his wing. He moved to Florida to work with him while he showed Gerald the ins and outs 52

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

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By Anthony L. Williams, MG, CGCS, CGM

Turf Pirate's Journal ( Heroes and Legends )

James Thomason AKA The Mountain Man Welcome to the literary emerald

I was not surprised he did so well. These are all pretty well

coast Turf Pirates as we enjoy

known facts. A couple of very

the Summer heat and soak

Turf Pirate actions that are

up the sun let’s take a look at

not as well know is that James

another legendary Turf Pirate. I

is also a pastor, an A+ Santa

first crossed paths with James

Claus, helps folks that need it

Thomason in 1995. He was my

very quietly and when I was

right hand and first mate (AGCS)

selling fertilizer during my

at Renaissance PineIsle Resort

second retirement James just

and Golf Club on Lake Lanier

called me to confirm what I

in Northern Georgia. James is

was doing and said, “Just send

a veteran (US Army) and back

me a pallet of whatever you

then he ran a very tight ship and

think I could use, I just want

colorful characters and language

to support you”. James and

were quite abundant as we

Dina also showed up in Dallas

carved a crew out of seasoned

(roughly 1,000 miles away from

drift wood. Now James and I

Talking Rock) on the beard oil

had a lot of lakeside adventures

tour during my first week at TPC

that involved turf, trees, flowers, drunken shenanigans, plain old

Anthony Williams and The Mountain Man

shenanigans and we raising the standards of work and play on a daily basis. James went on to serve many years as the Superintendent and Head Greenkeeper at Bent Tree Country Club in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains. James is a jack of all trades and most of all an entrepreneur. He sees opportunities where most folks see dead ends. In that light James is perhaps best known as the Mountain Man (and sometimes Mountain Ninja) founder of Mountain Man Beard Products in Talking Rock, Georgia. You see when James stepped out of the Superintendent world and into more landscape and construction he started growing a major beard and could not find beard products to his 54

liking so he created his own. Then he

Four Seasons Dallas and we had a great night telling tales, eating Texas BBQ and planning the

and his amazing sister Dina (also a

future. You see Turf Pirates understand

Turf Pirate) hit the road going to shows

that we are actually growing people

and events across the country selling

and relationships through turf and

Mountain Man Beard Products (Beard

that when times get tough or changes

oils and such) and the line of products

are eminent, turf people support each

and services are ever expanding

other and when the dust settles true

(CBD oils, trucking, Sasquatch Hunts

Turf Pirates find a way to take care

etc.). The famous beards from ZZ

of business, even if it means starting

Top are some of his clients.

a new venture. James is an original

If you YouTube search the Mountain

Harley riding, grass growing, beard

Man and his companies, you will

oil selling, never met a stranger doer

find some amazing videos. These

of deeds and I am honored to have

videos gave way to the Mountain Man

served with him and call him my

becoming a reality TV star (Season

friend. Raise your glasses Turf Pirates

Two of Fox’s Home Free) hanging out

to the square pegs that write their own

with Tim Tebow and Mike Holmes, the

stories with no regrets, here’s to our

Mountain Man was the runner up but

next adventure Mountain Man! Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

THERE ARE A MILLION THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN FOR YOUR COURSE TO BE PLAYABLE.

AND YOUR GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT IS THINKING ABOUT THEM ALL.

The pH of this.

The growth of that.

Too much moisture.

Not enough moisture.

Looking out for the environment.

To learn more visit gcsaa.org/GC

Looking out for the health of the course.

And that’s just over coffee.

So say thanks to your golf course superintendent. Or make that, thanks a million.

Women in Turf Breaking the Grass Ceiling a women’s volunteer maintenance crew at the U.S. Women’s Open.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in the turf industry face?

Stephanie: When you see the faces that make up the golf industry, our faces typically are behind the scenes. We’re not in the ads or the boardroom table or the head of the Kimberly Gard Syngenta is proud to support #WomenInTurf throughout the turf industry and is grateful to have several women on its industry-leading team as well. To celebrate Women’s Golf Day on June 7th, we spoke with Stephanie Schwenke @Schwenkengolfmm, marketing manager for Turf at Syngenta, and Kimberly Gard @GardKimberly, territory manager for Syngenta to gather insight on gender inclusivity in the golf industry.

association meetings. So the more

show the faces of who we are, we’ll be more encouraging for the next generation. And I think that’s a really important piece of what we’re trying to achieve, even back in 2015 with our #FacesOfaSuper campaign that featured Shelia Finney, former superintendent and current senior director of member programs at the GCSAA.

Q: How is Syngenta advocating for more diverse, inclusive workplaces in the turf industry?

We are working to change the stereotypes and invite others to join us because it is fun and it is

Stephanie: After working for Syngenta

encouraging and it’s a lot of very

for close to 20 years, we now have a

successful, talented people that make

strategic pillar for our business that

up our business and the industry as

focuses on diversity and inclusion

a whole. So lots of excitement and

across the company. Syngenta has

energy from my point of view.

hired new employees to focus on educating our employees around what DE&I means and how to have these conversations. Within the industry we have helped to spearhead initiatives like the Ladies Leading Turf networking and education event at the GCSAA show and help organize and support 56

Stephanie Schwenke

we can all engage and step in and motivate women to become interested in a certain profession within the golf industry, when they don’t even know that such a profession exists. So, with half of the population being women, and with a large segment of these women not being aware that these jobs exist, we’re facing a significant shortage of labor. When we talk about growing the game of golf, there’s a lot of growth that can happen with women, and it starts by opening up the conversation to bring more awareness.

Q: How do the Syngenta efforts with the U.S. Women’s Open benefit turf professionals?

Kimberly: In 2020, Troy Flanagan,

Kimberly: Labor is a huge issue. I

Director of Golf Maintenance at the

mean, you hear about it in the news

Olympic Club, asked me if I could

with other industries as well. Like

help him recruit 30 women volunteers

Stephanie said, it is a profession that’s

for the 75th U.S. Women’s Open in

kind of like Disneyland, where all the

2021. It was the first championship

magic happens behind the scenes.

where a dedicated women’s volunteer

But you’re kind of supposed to not

maintenance crew was brought in,

really be in the forefront. It’s hard to

Syngenta hosted educational and Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

professional development sessions

Beach as well. I’m super excited

golf course. Maybe you’re a woman and

for the volunteers. We offered a full

about everything that is going on.

you want to own a business someday

educational lineup with amazing speakers. One of the seminars, conducted by Amy Wallace from the Syngenta Business Institute℠, was about strategies and tactics for women taking on a leadership role. It was impactful, working side by side for a full week, getting up at the crack of dawn and going until late at night. It was definitely a bonding experience.

You’re just giving it your all and you’re exhausted, but you’re laughing and you’re having fun. This year we will be repeating an education component at the U.S. Women’s Open hosted at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, where we have 30 women coming in to help David Fruchte’s team maintain the course during the Championship. We will continue this in 2023 at Pebble

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

Q: Why do you think women should consider working in the professional turf industry?

– you could buy your own golf course.

Q: What is the best advice you have received?

Stephanie: Women should consider

Stephanie: I was told, “Stephanie,

working in the professional turf industry

instead of just dealing with the

because of all the opportunities our

stereotypes have a voice and be

industry has to offer. The rest of

honest professionally.” I think that is

society sees only part of what goes

very much what both Kimberly and

into managing a golf course, but

I have done throughout our careers,

this industry has so many jobs and

and some of the events we just talked

opportunities available. We all need

about today are just the surface.

to do a better job of promoting these opportunities to get new and younger generations into our industry. It could be anything from a maintenance technician to a superintendent, agronomy or horticulture, but it could also be some of the management and financial opportunities to help run the

Kimberly: Just having an idea and keeping it simple. Like, I’ll try to help get some women together. You just need to start and it can be a simple idea. Like Leasha Schwab, sending a tweet like, “hey, I’m gonna try and get women together at the golf show. Let me know if you are interested?”

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Southwinds Golf Course Certified Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary acts as an outdoor classroom for all ages

Southwinds Golf Course is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for

Golf Course went even further and

step to maintaining a sustainable golf

Golf that continues making sustainable

improved their environmental

operation and Audubon International

strides for the environment in the

footprint with certification

certification. By encouraging golf

heart of Boca Raton, Florida. This

as an Audubon International

course maintenance crews and

public, 18-hole golf course is owned

Cooperative Sanctuary in 2009.

management to showcase their

and operated by Palm Beach County

Audubon International’s Cooperative

implementation of sustainable

and boasts a family friendly venue

Sanctuary Program (ACSP) for Golf has

projects, both the general public

with championship level golf facilities.

six focus areas; five of which work

and golfers learn about the valuable

Located just a few miles from the

on improving sustainability through

green benefits golf courses provide.

Atlantic Ocean, Southwinds is one of

operations such as environmental

Audubon International encourages

many gems on the gold coast of Florida.

planning, chemical use reduction and

this aspect so strongly they created a

safety, wildlife habitat management,

world-wide annual event for members

water conservation, water quality

to participate in called BioBlitz.

Background Since opening in 1977 Southwinds

management…while the sixth is

What is BioBlitz?

continues receiving numerous

outreach and education; which

accolades for their commitment

focuses on educating stakeholders

to great golf, including several

far and wide about the green

is as an intense surveying period to

“Best of Boca” awards. As part of

value of your golf course.

identify species (plants and animals)

this commitment, Southwinds

Outreach and education is a crucial

Audubon International’s BioBlitz

while showcasing the habitat on a golf course to golfers and non-golfers.

Not only does it showcase the great habitat on site but also has the potential to bring new golfers to the game!

BioBlitz Award Winner Since becoming certified, Southwinds has been a leader in outreach and education to the public. So much so that they won

Audubon International’s

BioBlitz Community Engagement Award in 2018 and 2019 with over 240 participants both times!

But their educational efforts don’t stop there…a highlight of Southwinds Golf Course’s continued certification is their 2,000 square foot butterfly 58

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

garden. By choosing to naturalize areas with pollinator habitat they save money through chemical reduction, lower water usage, and provide endless educational opportunities. In addition, the native plantings utilized support native species of wildlife.

“The ACSP helps golf courses and their golfers enhance the valuable natural areas and wildlife habitats that golf courses provide, improve efficiency, minimize potentially harmful impacts of golf operations, and serves as [a] vital resource for golf courses… Receiving certification demonstrates leadership as a steward of the environment and publicly recognizes and rewards environmental achievements.” – Southwinds Golf Course To learn more about how your golf course, resort or community can gain recognition for your environmental efforts and learn how to expand your initiatives through Audubon International’s numerous environmental certifications. Visit www.auduboninternational.org.

Audubon International, an environmentally focused non-profit organization, offers members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we live, work, and play. Their certifications are designed to increase environmental awareness, encourage sustainable environmental efforts, and educate both their members and their communities.

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

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Georgia’s McLemore Club Features Two Top Performing Bermudagrasses

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Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

The McLemore Golf Course and Country Club, located on Lookout Mountain in Rising Fawn, GA features two different bermudagrasses that favor each other. Several years ago this Northwest Georgia club was looking for a perfect grass selection for its private, master-planned, mountaintop community featuring an 18-hole championship highlands course and a 6-hole short course designed by internationally acclaimed architects, Rees Jones and Bill Bergin.

“We have elevation. Even though we’re in Georgia, we are at around 2,500 feet which dramatically changes our environment. So, we wanted two things; we wanted a good green-up and then we want we had to have something that was cold tolerant and able to endure a little bit more than what normal golf courses have to in Georgia,” said McLemore Superintendent, Ryan Emerson.

Emerson has been the superintendent of McLemore since June 2018, moving from Foxland Harbor Golf & Country Club located in the Nashville area, also a Bill Bergin original design. He came on board just four months after the course’s renovation started and for his first six weeks, he actually bounced between both courses located 3.5 hours apart.

Emerson explained he saw the potential of what the property and McLemore as a whole could be, even though he could only see the views and corridors where the holes were on the course during the renovation.

“Also, being able to come to a second Bill Bergen course was something I really wanted to be a part of,” he said.

Grass Selection As they sought a cold-tolerant grass with early green-up at McLemore, they ended up selecting Latitude 36® Bermudagrass for the course renovation, which took place from August 2019 to June 2020.

Emerson said it has wound up being a great selection for their course as they’d wanted something that was dollar spot resistant so they didn’t have to spend much of their budget on fungus treatment.

“In the first year with Latitude 36, we expected winterkill because of how harsh the winter was on the mountain. But we’ve had no winter injury at all, we have had no dollar spot and everything has performed exactly as advertised.”

Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4

In comparison to what was previously on the course, Emerson said the Latitude 36’s trademark has been early green-up and cold tolerance. “You can definitely tell where we sodded and where we didn’t. It’s also a finer textured grass than what was out here before.”

Over 16,000 rounds are played at McLemore annually. Emerson explained they have a short growing season for their grass, while counterparts just 30 minutes away have lower elevation and heat that bermudagrasses thrive in. “But even with our short season, the Latitude has done great for us.”

Emmerson said he can get the turf to recover quickly from drought spells and divots very easily. “As much play as we have in the offseason and while the grass is growing, I can get everything to grow in and fill in really easily compared to some of the other varieties.”

Members “The members love it both in the short cut grass and the rough heights.

Our rough doesn’t get as puffy. The ball sits up on Latitude 36 a little bit better than what was out here previously but also it has the finer texture and can be closely mowed.”

Emerson explained in order to be a member you have to own property at McLemore or invest in the golf course in some aspect. They also have a program called Stay and Play, where if you rent a house on the course you have access to the clubhouse, restaurants the golf course as well as the short course. “It’s worked out great and we have a lot of places for people to stay,” he shared. In Fall 2023 they’re also opening a Hilton Curio Collection hotel.

Driving Range Following the course renovation with Latitude 36, McLemore replaced its driving range with NorthBridge® Bermudagrass, also released by Oklahoma State University. This was a variety Emerson had wanted to try for a while and due to its vertical growth, he was interested in putting it on the driving range.

He said they did not have a reason

to go away from using Latitude. But, Superior Turf, Inc. who’d supplied both grasses on the course, explained how easy NorthBridge grew in on the farm. “We put it on the driving range which was expanded to two and a half acres. With the amount of play that we have and the lateral growth of NorthBridge and how it took up plant growth regulators and overseed made it a really good choice for that,” he said. “It turned out very nice and more than anything we wanted to try something new.”

Comparison They’ve only had NorthBridge at McLemore for less than one growing season but Emerson said he’s interested to see how it compares to Latitude 36 the longer they have it on the course. “We are very, very happy with both the Latitude and the NorthBridge,” he shared.

Emerson said the two grasses are very similar in color and the only difference he’s observed so far is the lateral growth. “I like both of them. I am interested personally in looking at NorthBridge a little more as we see what its cold tolerance is compared to Latitude 36 because we didn’t have that hard of a winter this past year. I’m interested in how they’ll compare to one another as far as how they make it through a winter.”

He also wants to compare root depth once everything is established to see if there’s a difference between the NorthBridge and the Latitude 36.

“I would definitely recommend either one of them. We’ve had great success with the Latitude 36 and my friends that are superintendents in Nashville are still having great success with it,” he said.

Emerson also visited Dallas, TX where he toured the NorthWood Club, the Maridoe Golf Club and another NorthBridge course. He said all three courses using NorthBridge looked great and he hasn’t found anything he dislikes about it yet.

For more information about McLemore, www.themclemore.com Sod Solutions has helped successfully develop and release to the market over 20 different turfgrass varieties over the past 28 years including PalmettoⓇ and CitraBlueⓇ St. Augustine, EMPIREⓇ and Innovation™ Zoysia and CelebrationⓇ, Latitude 36Ⓡ and NorthBridgeⓇ Bermudagrass. The company is based in the Charleston, SC area.

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CHANGING LIVES THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF

Patriot Golf Day® has become the largest grass-roots golf fundraiser in America – a joint initiative of The PGA of America and the USGA, Patriot Golf Day enlists the support of public and private golf facilities across the country. Funds support Folds of Honor, providing educational scholarships to the children and spouses of service members killed or disabled while serving in America’s Armed Forces.

GET INVOLVED Although the national promotion of Patriot Golf Day is over Labor Day weekend, you can play golf any time of the year to support the families of our fallen and disabled service members. Here are a few ways to get involved.

HOST AN

EVENT CONDUCT A GOLF

MARATHON PARTICIPATE IN THE

DONATION BOX CAMPAIGN

LEARN MORE AT PATRIOTGOLFDAY.ORG