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GOLF HISTORY GOLF HISTORY

If you play golf, you know that it is a unique sport that requires skill, focus and strategy and perhaps you have some idea that golf has a lengthy history. However, what you may not know is that golf is an ancient sport with roots deep in Scotland. Unlike other sports such as football which are quite recent developments, early golf dates as far back as the year 1296. Back then, the sport didn’t even share the same name. Instead, the Dutch near Scotland were reported to have played a stick game called “colf.”

Thankfully, the name changed as the Scottish adopted the sport and even founded the first rules of golf in 1744. Though the original version was not as detailed as modern golf, the Scottish approached the sport with the same level of seriousness we do today. Rule No. 4 clearly illustrates this strictness by stating that “no golfer shall remove stones, bones or any break club except upon the fair green and even then, only within a club’s length of the ball”. Sound somewhat familiar to today’s rules?

Though golf is undeniably a very old sport, the most important dates in Golf History occur during the 1800’s when the sport’s popularity really took off. This popularity could be traced to the 1840s when a new method of making golf balls was discovered. Using the coagulated milk of the Malayan gum tree instead of stuffing the balls with feathers, golf balls were cheaper and easier to make which allowed them to be bought by anyone, even the working man.

As golf became a common activity for leisure, it naturally became more competitive. As a result, 1860 ushered in the first Open Championship. One of the most notable names among these original champions was Old Tom Morris who, in 1868 at age 46, won the Open Championship making him the oldest victor of the title. From this point forward, the Championships multiplied, and the stakes grew higher as more and more skilled masters vied for the same title.

As the history of golf evolved, the list of true masters only grows longer. One great golfer, Ben Hogan, is renowned for winning the Masters, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship consecutively in 1953. In 1960, Arnold Palmer predicted his score of 65 before winning his only U.S. Open at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver, Colorado. Some other giants in the sport are Jack Nicklaus, a golfer credited with the most major victories in history. And Tiger Woods, the youngest man and first African-American to win The Masters in 1997.

A ll of these historical insights highlight the fact that golf has a long legacy of accomplished, highly-skilled athletes that would rival any other sport’s Hall of Fame. If you haven’t researched golf’s background, read up on it and discover what had to happen to shape the golf we know and love playing today. Better yet, hit the green and simply enjoy golfing!

HOW TO HOW TO 7 TIPS TO HITTING LONG IRONS LIKE A PRO

Hitting long irons with accuracy time and time again takes dedication to practice. The 1 through 4 clubs are referred to as long clubs and are the toughest to control. Following are some simple golf tips to help you gain consistency and feel confident while hitting long irons.

There are many things to think about during a golf swing, but the key essentials can be boiled down to four elements: solid balance, club head acceleration, smooth tempo and careful aim. If all of these are not present in your swing, your long iron shots are going to be inconsistent and often inaccurate.

THE SEVEN ESSENTIAL TIPS TO ACHIEVING YOUR GOAL:

When hitting long irons your focus is making contact with the sweet spot on your club face every time. Follow these simple golf tips and you are well on your way.

1) Make sure your stance is stable, with a slight bend in the knees for balance.

2) Bring your club back smoothly and swing through smoothly. It is extremely important that your entire swing be completed in a smooth manner. This will both help you control your club face and accelerate through your swing, giving the distance you are looking for.

3) Let the power come from your core. Once you have taken the club back, let the hips be the source of power for your swing and not your arms. This will greatly increase your power.

4) When hitting long irons you must keep your head down. This is important when hitting irons in general,

but with long irons the margin for error is even less. You must keep your eye on the ball throughout the stroke. Moving your head during the stroke usually results in the club moving as well, ruining the shot.

5) Keep your leading arm straight during your stroke. If you bend your leading arm you will have to make an adjustment during your swing, due to the change in distance between your body and the ball, resulting in a more complex stroke, raising the difficulty.

6) Don’t hit the ground first before the ball to give the ball more loft. This is completely wrong and will result in a very inconsistent erratic shot. If the situation requires you hitting the ground it needs to happen after you hit the ball. Don’t worry about adding any additional loft. Let the club function as designed.

7) Finally, one of the most basic of golf iron swing tips is following completely through on your swing. Putting the brakes on after making contact with the ball will only reduce your swing velocity.

Remember to focus on these tips while hitting long irons and you should see results.

TEN Wedding Trends for 2024

1. Grandiose Venues that Exude Extravagance

In 2024, more and more couples will seek out venues that embody luxury and splendor. From exquisite historic castles and lush gardens to breathtaking seaside villas and charming ranches, the emphasis is on finding remarkable settings that leave guests in awe.

2. Bespoke Wedding Attire

Luxurious weddings demand exquisite fashion statements. In 2024, expect to see a resurgence of bespoke bridal wear and other wedding attire, where every detail is meticulously crafted to reflect the couple’s unique style and even their cultural heritage.

3. Immersive Guest Experiences

Creating an unforgettable experience for wedding guests has become an art form. In 2024, couples are focusing on immersive experiences that transport their loved ones to a world of enchantment.

4. Artistic Floral Installations

Flowers have long been an integral part of weddings, but in 2024, they are taking center stage in mesmerizing ways. Extravagant floral installations, suspended from the ceiling or cascading down walls, create a stunning visual spectacle.

5. Culinary Excellence

A lavish wedding celebration is incomplete without a culinary journey that tantalizes the senses. In 2024, brides and grooms are embracing gastronomic delights that showcase creativity, finesse, and a fusion of flavors.

6. Enhanced Technological Integration

Weddings in 2024 are seamlessly blending tradition with cutting-edge technology. Brides and grooms are embracing innovative ways to enhance the guest experience, from digital invitations and interactive wedding websites to live-streaming ceremonies for loved ones unable to attend.

7. Sustainable Celebrations

With sustainability becoming increasingly important, brides and grooms are incorporating eco-conscious elements into their wedding plans. From ethically sourced decor and locally grown floral arrangements to eco-friendly favors and zerowaste catering, couples should seriously consider sustainability in every aspect of their wedding.

8. Personalized Wedding Stationery

In 2024, couples are going beyond traditional wedding invitations and opting for personalized wedding stationery that reflects their unique style. From custom-designed monograms and wax seals to hand-calligraphed details, every element of the stationery becomes a work of art.

9. Statement Lighting

Lighting plays a crucial role in creating the desired ambiance at a luxurious wedding. In 2024, couples are using statement lighting as a design element to transform their venues into magical wonderlands.

10. Smoke Mines

Smoke mines are the latest and greatest trend that brides are running en masse to. This new trend which received its fame from viral Tik Tok videos is the latest in the wedding WOW factor world.

PGA TOUR SCHEDULE

JAN 4 - 7

JAN 11 - 14

FEB 1 - 4

FEB 8 - 11

FEB 15 - 18

FEB 29MAR 3

MAR 7 - 10

MAR 14 - 17

The Sentry Plantation Course at Kapalua Kapalua, Maui, HI

Sony Open in Hawaii, Waialae Country Club Honolulu, HI

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Pebble Beach Golf Links

Pebble Beach, CA

WM Phoenix Open, TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) Scottsdale, AZ

The Genesis Invitational, The Riviera Country Club Vallarta, MEX

The Classic in The Palm Beaches, PGA National Resort

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Puerto Rico Open, Grand Reserve Golf Club Rio Grande, PUR

Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard Orlando, FL

THE PLAYERS Championship, TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS)

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

MAR 21 - 24

MAR 28 - 31

APR 4 - 7

Valspar Championship, Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course)

Texas Children's Houston Open, Memorial Park Golf Course

Valero Texas Open , TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)

Palm Harbor, FL

Houston, TX

San Antonio, TX

APR 11 - 14

Masters Tournament, Augusta National Golf Club Augusta, GA

PGA TOUR SCHEDULE

APR 18 - 21 Corales Puntacana Championship Puntacana Resort & Club

Punta Cana, DOM

APR 18 - 21 RBC Heritage, Harbour Town Golf Links Hilton Head Island, SC

APR 25 - 28 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, TPC Louisiana Avondale, LA

MAY 2 - 5 THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, TPC Craig Ranch McKinney, TX

MAY 9 - 12

MAY 16 - 19

MAY 23 - 26

MAY 30JUN 2 RBC Canadian Open Hamilton Golf & Country Club Hamilton, ON, CAN

JUN 6 - 9 The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday Dublin, OH

JUN 13 - 16

Open Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2) Village of Pinehurst, NC

JUN 20 - 23 Travelers Championship, TPC River Highlands Cromwell, CT

JUN 27 - 30 Rocket Mortgage Classic , Detroit Golf Club

JUL 4 - 7

JUL 11 - 14

JUL 18 - 21

John Deere Classic, TPC Deere Run Silvis, IL

JUL 18 - 21

PGA TOUR SCHEDULE

JUL 25 - 28

AUG 1 - 4

AUG 8 - 11

AUG 15 - 18

AUG 22 - 25

AUG 29SEP 1

Genesis Scottish Open, The Renaissance Club North Berwick, SCO

Barracuda Championship Tahoe Mountain Club Truckee, CA

The Open Championship, Royal Troon Troon, South Ayrshire, SCO

3M Open, TPC Twin Cities Blaine, MN

Olympic Men's Golf Competition, Le Golf National Paris, FRA

Wyndham Championship, Sedgefield Country Club

Greensboro, NC

FedEx St. Jude Championship, TPC Southwind Memphis, TN

BMW Championship, Castle Pines Golf Club Castle Rock, CO

TOUR Championship, East Lake Golf Club Atlanta, GA

THE HISTORY OF FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS

One of the highlights of Fort Worth is a visit to the Fort Worth Stockyards, the historical district built on the original stockyards site, celebrating the area’s proud tradition as part of the cattle industry in America. The Stockyards is known as “where the west begins” and is actually the last standing Stockyards in the United States.

Between 1866 and 1890 drovers trailed more than 4 million cattle through Fort Worth, giving the city its nickname Cowtown. When the railroad arrived in 1876, Fort Worth became a major shipping point for livestock, so the city built the Union Stockyards in 1887.

These days, thousands of visitors from all over the world head to the Stockyards to experience Cowtown and a real western experience. Local volunteers still run the

world’s only daily cattle drives through the Stockyards, to the delight of the kids and tourists, and thousands of cattle are still sold from the Exchange Building by satellite video. Plus with a town full of entertainment venues, shopping and dining, all dripping in cowboy theme, there’s no reason not to go.

THINGS TO DO AT THE FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS

STOCKYARDS CHAMPIONSHIP RODEO Fort Worth Stockyards is home to the world’s only year round rodeo – with the action taking place every single Friday and Saturday night at 8:00 pm in the historic Cowtown Coliseum. The two hour Championship Rodeo features bull riding, tie down roping, team roping, barrel racing, bronc riding and break away roping, as well

as a calf and mutton scramble with prizes for the kids!

HERD CATTLE DRIVE

When you think of the wild west, the first thing that comes to mind is the Texas Longhorn and an American Cowboy. Fort Worth brings the tradition of cowboys and cattle drives back to life, offering authentic cattle drives of the Texas Longhorns, driven by genuine Texas cowhands, twice daily through the main center of Fort Worth Stockyards at 11:30am and 4:00pm.

HISTORIC WALKING TOURS

Take a walking tour through the Stockyards to visit the historic locations of the area,

offering interesting facts, culture and stories about the olden days from extremely knowledgeable personal guides.

LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE BUILDING

Built in 1902, the Livestock Exchange Building was once an office for cattle traders, and known as “The Wall Street of the West”, taking care of all the business that occurred in the Stockyards. These days the building is mainly used as offices, but you can still find the North Fort Worth Historical Society Museum inside, as well as satellite cattle auctions every other Friday on the first floor.

MECHANICAL BULL

If you want to test your skills on a mechanical bull and pretend you’re a cowboy, you can find one across the road from Stockyards Station.

STOCKYARDS GHOST TOURS

Interested in ghosts, hauntings and paranormal activity?! Well, the Historic Fort Worth stockyards are the perfect place to go – the paranormal activity is some of the most active and written about in the United States! The Ghost Tour takes about 90 minutes, and walks you through the active paranormal areas of the Fort Worth Stockyards, sharing the detailed history of the Stockyards, Bordello’s, the shoot outs, the hangings and so much more!

FILTHY MCNASTY’S SALOON

Found one block west of Main Street, Filthy McNasty’s is the place to go for live entertainment and dancing, and to be a part of the history of the west in the place where it began!

There are so many things to see and do in the Fort Worth Stockyards, these lists are barely scraping the surface! Check out the upcoming EVENTS on their website, as live entertainment changes often and big names are often found in the Stockyards. Visit fortworthstockyards.org for more information.

DID YOU KNOW

Fascinating Facts About TEXAS

• Texas is popularly known as the Lone Star State.

• The Alamo is located in San Antonio. It is where Texas defenders fell to Mexican General Santa Anna and the phrase Remember the Alamo originated. The Alamo is considered the cradle of Texas liberty and the state’s most popular historic site.

• The lightning whelk is the official state shell.

• The King Ranch in Texas is bigger than the state of Rhode Island.

• More wool comes from the state of Texas than any other state in the United States.

• Edwards Plateau in west central Texas is the top sheep growing area in the country.

• Texas was an independent nation from 1836 to 1845.

• A coastal live oak located near Fulton is the oldest tree in the state. The tree has an estimated age of more than 1,500 years.

• Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in the state.

• The Hertzberg Circus Museum in San Antonio contains one of the largest assortments of circusana in the world.

•Austin is considered the live music capital of the world.

• Texas is home to Dell and Compaq computers and central Texas is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of the South.

• The armadillo is the official state mammal.

• Texas has the first domed stadium in the country. The structure was built in Houston and

opened in April 1965.

• The worst natural disaster in United States history was caused by a hurricane that hit Galveston in 1900. Over 8,000 deaths were recorded.

• The first word spoken from the moon on July 20, 1969 was Houston.

• More land is farmed in Texas than in any other state.

• More species of bats live in Texas than in any other part of the United States.

• The Flagship Hotel on Seawall Boulevard in Galveston is the only hotel in North America built entirely over the water.

• The world’s first rodeo was held in Pecos on July 4, 1883.

• The Heisman trophy is named for John William Heisman, the first full-time coach and athletic director at Rice University in Houston.

• The Aransas Wildlife Refuge is the winter home of North America’s only remaining flock of whooping cranes.

• Rodeo is the official state sport of Texas, though high school football is more popular.

• Texas is as large as all of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois combined.

• Texas’ official dance is the square dance.

• Davy Crockett has another distinction in Texas, besides dying at the Alamo. He also served three terms as a Congressman in Tennessee. Before leaving he informed his peers, “You’all can go to hell. I’m going to Texas.”

• The official dish of Texas is chili.

• According to archeologists, the site of one of the oldest areas of human habitation in North America is near Lubbock, Texas. Located in the northeastern part of Lubbock County, the site dates back to the Clovis period some 12,000 years ago.

Caddo Lake State Park, Texas Located in the piney woods ecoregion of East Texas. The park consists of 484 acres on Big Cypress Bayou.

HIDDEN TRAVEL GEMS

AYSEN, PATAGONI – While thrill-seekers may have already added Patagonia to their bucket lists, thanks to famous features like Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine National Park, chances are they haven’t yet heard of Aysen. Described as the region’s final frontier, this remote land is sparsely

populated and still very much unexplored. Adventurers will appreciate the area’s dramatic landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, staggering fjords, and temperate rain forests. Splendidly isolated, going off the grid is no challenge and countless adventures await.

In the middle of Anchorage and Mount Denali is the small village of Talkeetna. A gateway to Alaska’s famed Denali National Park, you will be flocking to this eccentric destination for its rich array of outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, rafting and flightseeing.

TALKEETNA, ALASKA

BOTSWANA, AFRICA

Landlocked Botswana’s landscape is defined by the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa, and offers some of the most spectacular safaris on earth. Only two million inhabitants call Botswana home, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. But here, animals roam and rule, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, cheetahs and more. It’s the ultimate playground for nature lovers. Wilderness Safaris’ brand new Qorokwe Camp is now open with eight elegant tented suites and offers outstanding game viewing year round.

TALINN, ESTONIA –

Those looking to embark on a European escape to someplace other than tried-and-true staples like London, Paris, and Rome will be enchanted by Tallinn. Estonia’s capital city looks as if it was plucked from the pages of a fairytale, effortlessly blending the old and the new. Stroll past towering gothic architecture along the cobblestoned streets of Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 13th century, which is lined with picturesque cafes and boutiques.

PALMETTO BLUFF, SOUTH CAROLINA –

The Carolinas are undeniably having a moment, with cultural hubs

like Asheville and Charleston drawing attention from travelers around the globe. But this year, South Carolina’s Lowcountry is on the rise, with Palmetto Bluff taking center stage. Steeped in history, rich biodiversity, and 32 miles of quiet coastline, this destination is considered by locals to be one of the bestkept secrets in the South. For true Southern hospitality, check into Montage Palmetto Bluff, where you can spend your days on their Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, at the Palmetto Bluff Shooting Club, or on an offshore fishing excursion. Its romantic laidback luxury will make any visitor feel right at home.

TALINN, ESTONIA

LPGA TOUR SCHEDULE

JAN 18-21

JAN 25-28 LPGA Drive On Championship Bradenton, FL

FEB 22-25

FEB

MAR 3

MAR 7-10

MAR

APR

APR 18-21

APR

MAY 9-12 Cognizant Founders Cup Clifton, NJ

MAY 16-19 Mizuho Americas Open Jersey City, NJ

MAY 30JUNE 2 U.S. Women’s Open Lancaster, PA

JUN 7-9

ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer Galloway, NJ

JUN 13-16 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give Grand Rapids, MI

JUN 20-23

LPGA TOUR SCHEDULE

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Sammamish, WA

JUN 27-30 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational Midland, MI

JUL 11-14 Amundi Evian Championship Evian-les-Bains, France

JUL 18-21 Dana Open Sylvania, OH

JUL 25-28

CPKC Women’s Open Calgary, Alberta, Canada

AUG 1-4 Portland Classic Portland, OR

AUG 8-11

2024 Paris Olympics Paris, France

AUG 15-18 Women’s Scottish Open TBD, Scotland

AUG 22-25

AIG Women’s Open St Andrews, Fife, Scotland

AUG 20-SEP 1 FM Global Championship Norton, MA

SEPT 13-15 Solheim Cup Gainesville, VA

BENEFITS OF HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING

While most people know that physical activity is healthy, it is estimated that about 30% of people worldwide don’t get enough. Unless you have a physically demanding job, a dedicated fitness routine is likely your best bet for getting active. Unfortunately, many people feel that they don’t have enough time to exercise. If this sounds like you, maybe it’s time to try highintensity interval training (HIIT).

HIIT is a broad term for workouts that involve short periods of intense exercise alternated with recovery periods. One of the biggest advantages of HITT is that you can get maximal health benefits in minimal time.

W hat is high-intensity interval training?

HIIT involves short bursts of intense exercise alternated with low-intensity recovery periods. Interestingly, it is perhaps the most timeefficient way to exercise. Typically, a HIIT workout will range from 10 to 30 minutes in duration. Despite how short the workout is, it can produce health benefits similar to twice as much moderate-intensity exercise.

HIIT can burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time. One study compared the calories burned during 30 minutes each of HIIT, weight training, running and biking. The researchers found that HIIT burned 25 to 30% more calories than the other forms of exercise. In this study,

HIIT repetition consisted of 20 seconds of maximal effort, followed by 40 seconds of rest. This means that the participants were actually only exercising for 1/3 of the time that the running and biking groups were.

Although each workout session was 30 minutes long in this study, it is common for HIIT workouts to be much shorter than the traditional exercise sessions. This is because HIIT allows you to burn about the same amount of calories, but spend less time exercising. HIIT may help you burn more calories than traditional exercise, or burn the same amount of calories in a shorter amount of time.

One of the ways HIIT helps you burn calories actually comes after you are done exercising. Several studies have demonstrated HIIT’s impressive ability to increase your metabolic rate for hours after exercise. Some researchers have even found that HIIT increases your metabolism after exercise more so than jogging and weight training. In the same study, HIIT was also found to shift the body’s metabolism toward using fat for energy rather than carbs. Another study showed that just two minutes of HIIT in the form of sprints increased metabolism over 24 hours as much as 30 minutes of running.

S o, if you are short on time and want to get active, consider trying high-intensity interval training.