Golf Argus News April edition 2024

By Israel Matthews

Whether you live in sunny California or you are just visiting, be sure to schedule a tee time at the Skylinks at Long Beach Golf Course If you are looking for a Panache course, this is it! This 6,909-yard par 72 championship course is owned by the city of Long Beach, and was designed by the prominent golf courses architect Cal Olson After finding this hidden jewel by accidentally missing my entrance onto the 405 freeway, I decided to stop and look around It was so breathtaking A few days later I was able to talk to Gary Johnson the Regional Manager and find out a bit more about him and this sensational course

This golf enthusiast who was born in Tennessee started playing golf when he was 5 years old and grew heavenly into Junior tournaments so much so that at Germantown High School he was on the golf team and his skills on the course took the team, for the first time, to the state championships.

There is nothing like being in the environment with a game you love, Mr Johnson had the privilege and the pleasure of working and at the same time being on the golf team at the Windyke Country Club where he worked in the carts and range department until in 2002 when he moved to San Diego to continue his education

Golf Time in the LBC Turn to page 5

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GaryJohnson RegionalManagerSkylinksatLong BeachGolfCourse

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The 2024 Hoag Classic: A Showcase of Prestige and Philanthropy

By Ann Zuurveen

InMarch2024,theprestigiousHoagClassic,arenownedPGATOURChampionsevent,returnedtothepicturesque NewportBeachCountryClubinOrangeCounty,CaliforniaTheexclusiveNewportBeachCountryClub,perchedelegantly abovethefamedPacificCoastHighway,hasbeenaniconichuboftheSouthernCalifornialifestyleforoversixdecades WithitsarchitecturalgrandeurreflectingtheessenceofcoastalCaliforniaCraftsmandesign,theClubhousespansnearly 56,000squarefeet,offeringbreathtakingviewsofemeraldfairwaysandthesparklingseas

ARichHeritageinGolf

NewportBeachCountryClubholdsacherishedlegacyintheworldofgolf,withitscourseoriginallydesignedin1954by theesteemedWilliam“Billy”BellOvertheyears,thisclubhasremainedabeloveddestinationonthePGAChampions Tour,hostingtheannualHoagClassicformorethan25yearsTheHoagClassicstandsoutasoneofthemostesteemed eventsonthePGATOURChampions,attractinganelitefieldofprofessionalgolfersfromaroundtheglobeAmidstthe serenebackdropofoneofthemostscenicgolfcourses,thiseventisnotonlyaplatformforexceptionalgolfbutalsoa beaconofgenerosity,havingraisedsubstantialfundsforcharityendeavors

TheEpitomeofGivingBack

RecognizedasthemostphilanthropictournamentonthePGATOURChampionscircuit,theHoagClassichasaprofound historyofgivingbacktothecommunitySinceitsinception,theeventhassetremarkablestandards,evidentinits milestoneachievementofbeingthefirsttournamenttoraise$1,000,000forcharitybackin2000Thisactof philanthropymarkedthebeginningofaninspiringjourneythathasseenthetournamentraiseover$20millioninthepast twodecades,directlybenefitingvariousinstitutesandcharitableorganizationsinSouthernCalifornia ProceedsfromtheHoagClassichavemadeanenduringimpactonHoag’scoreinstitutions,includingtheHoagFamily CancerInstitute,Sue&BillGrossWomen’sPavilion,JeffreyMCarltonHeartandVascularInstitute,andMary&DickAllen DiabetesCenterMoreover,thetournament'scharitablecontributionsextendbeyondHoag,reachingmorethan50local charitiesandsupportinginitiativessuchasaidformilitaryfamiliesandeducationalendeavorsforHoagemployees HoagContinueonpage3

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STRUCTURE - VIP AREA 3434 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663

WATER

TAXI Pickup from GIV BUX Dock 2751 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663

NBIBS is more than just a showcase of the finest boats and yachts from today’s top builders and brokerages It’s a celebration of the Newport Beach lifestyle and all that it represents the love of the ocean, the pursuit of adventure, and the enjoyment of the finer things in life. With a range of social and recreational activities on and off the water, including live music, gourmet food and drinks, shopping at Newport Beach’s fashionable boutiques, and much more, this event promises to be a truly memorable experience for all who attend

Tickets Available April 19th - 21st 2024

April 18th - Private Invite Only Pre-Show LIDO MARINA VILLAGE: $50

WithHoagasthetitlesponsor,incollaborationwithpresentingpartnersCityNationalBankandMcCarthyBuildingCompanies,theHoagClassichas receivedtremendoussupportfromthecommunity Thisyear,thetournamentalsowelcomedthesponsorshipofAstonMartinofNewportBeach,adding atouchofsophisticationandglamourtotheevent AstonMartin'spresencewasmarkedbystunningdisplaysacrossthecourse,showcasingiconic vehiclesthatcaptivatedenthusiastsandspectatorsalike

AWeekendofCelebrationandInspiration

TheHoagClassicChampionshipWeekendcommencedwiththeOpeningRound,courtesyofCityNationalBank,settingthestageforathrilling showcaseofgolfingexcellence Asthetournamentunfolded,sponsors,partners,andfriendsoftheHoagClassicgatheredfortheOpeningPartyatthe VEANewportBeachpooldeck TheeveningwashighlightedbyaperformancefromtheacclaimedcountrymusicartistParmalee,addinganextralayerof entertainmentandfestivitytotheoccasion

Onthefollowingday,thetournamentpaidtributetocurrentandformerservicemenandwomenduringMilitaryAppreciationDay,presentedby CoreLogic Theeventofferedapoignantmomentofhonoringthe2024militaryhonoreesattheculminationofthefinalroundsonthe18thhole

TheBlendofProfessionalismandCamaraderie

Amidstthecompetitivespiritofthetournament,thePro-Amdaysprovidedauniqueopportunityforprofessionalsandamateurgolferstocome togetherinafriendlyyetcompetitivesetting ThesePro-Amtournamentsnotonlyfosterasenseofcamaraderieamongparticipantsbutalsoserveas platformsforfundraisingforcharitablecauses,withtheHoagInstitutebenefitingfromthegenerosityoftheplayersandsupporters DuringthePro-Am event,IhadthepleasureofmeetingDr ScottForemanatthe10thhole,introducedbytherenownedcaddieRooseveltRichardson Dr Foreman,aBoardCertifiedOrthopedicSurgeonspecializinginFoot,Ankle,Knee,andShouldertreatments,sharedhisenthusiasmforparticipatinginthetournament, especiallyduetoitsproximitytohisresidenceoverlookingthecountryclub Interestingly,IlearnedthatDr Scott'sbrotherispartoftheoriginallineupof thelegendaryband"Sublime,"addingatouchofmusicalheritagetothegolfingaffair

AGlimpseofHistoryandCulture

Astheeventunfolded,thesurroundingsoftheNewportBeachCountryClubofferedglimpsesofhistoryandcultureinterwovenwiththecontemporary sportofgolf ThenoteworthypresenceoftheCarlF Buchererclock,positionedprominentlyneartheProShop,servedasatestamenttothetimeless eleganceandprestigeassociatedwiththesport TherecentacquisitionofBuchererbyRolexin2023furtheremphasizedtheenduringpartnership betweenthetwoesteemedbrands,ensuringalegacyofexcellenceinwatchmaking Throughoutthetournamentweek,attendeesweretreatedtoa showcaseofgolfingprowessbylegendaryfiguressuchasDarrenClarke,FredCouples,DavidDuval,andothermajorchampionshipwinners ThestarstuddedlineupofWorldGolfHallofFameinducteesandseasonedchampionsaddedalayerofprestigetotheevent,culminatinginathrilling competitionforthecoveted$2millionpurse

TheTriumphofPadraigHarrington

ThepinnacleoftheHoagClassicwasmarkedbytheimpressivedisplayofgolfingmasterybyPadraigHarrington,the2024WorldGolfHallofFame inductee Overcomingchallengeswithfinesse,Harrington'sseventhvictoryonthePGATOURChampionswasatestamenttohisskillandresilience His triumph,highlightedbyback-to-backbirdiesonthefinaltwoholes,showcasedtheblendoftalentanddeterminationthatdefineschampionsintheworld ofgolf

Reflectingonhisvictory,PadraigHarringtonexpressedgratitudefortheuniqueexperienceofferedbytheChampionsTour,allowingplayerstorelive pastgloriesandembracethethrillofcompetitivegolf Harrington'swordsresonatedwiththeessenceofthetournament,wheremomentsofanxiety, excitement,andsheerjoyconvergetocreateanunforgettableexperienceforplayersandspectatorsalike AstheeventconcludedwithPadraig Harrington'svictorylapintheDB5Junior,asymboloftimelesselegancesynonymouswithAstonMartin,itencapsulatedthespiritofexcellenceand celebrationthatdefinedtheHoagClassic Inessence,the2024HoagClassictranscendedtherealmsofsport,philanthropy,andcommunityengagement, embodyingtheethosofexcellenceandgenerositythatdefineNewportBeachCountryClubandtheprestigiousPGATOURChampionsevent Througha blendofworld-classgolfingtalent,charitableinitiatives,andmomentsofcelebration,theHoagClassicstoodasabeaconofinspirationandcamaraderie, leavinganindeliblemarkonallwhoexperienceditsgrandeur

Embracing Community Support

Dr.ScottForeman/ProAm Player

PGAProTomPerniceJr.(SportingaJohnnie-Ohalfzip)& FreddieC.Burns,agolflegendfromShreveportLa,and longtimecaddyforPGAicons.

Dr.ScottForeman/ProAmPlayer (HeiswearingaJ.LindenbergPolo)

AnexcitedProAmPlayerpreparingtoteeoff

LegendaryCaddie RooseveltRichardson

CarlF.Buchererclock *AllphotosonthispagearetakenbyAZ

Rapper Macklemore (right) with two-time major champion Collin Morikawa, an adidas athlete. Macklemore's Bogey Boys brand is collaborating with adidas Golf on a limited-edition apparel, accessories and footwear line.

InSanDiego,hewasemployedattheRiverwalkGolfCourseinnearby MissionValleywithAmericanGolfthatlastedforfiveyearsanditwashere thathewasabletotravelandhelpoutateightdifferentlocalcoursesuntil hewaspromotedtobecometheTournamentDirectorwhichheheldfortwo years

Remindedofthesong,“Ain’tNoStoppingUsNow”byMcFaddenand Whitehead,onlyitwasMr Johnsonallbyhimselfandtherewasnostopping himbecausehewasonthemoveandpromotionkeptcomingsomuchso thatherosetotherankofanAssistantManagerattheMissionHillsGolf Courseandagain,anotherpromotionandheansweredthecalltobethe GeneralManageratTecoloteCanyonGoldCourseinSanDiego Movingforwardin2010,JohnsonwaspromotedtoGeneralManagerat SkylinksGolfCourseontheLongBeach’spremiergolfcourses Ifthatwasn’t alreadyphenomenal;sixyearslaterMr Johnsonwaspromotedtoregional managerwhereheoverseesLongBeachandOsoCreekinMissionViejo He hasheldthispositionfor14years

Sincehe’sbeenatthecoursehesustainsthatWehavecompletedmultiple golfcoursechangestobunkers,Tees,clubhouserenovationsandafull maintenancebarnremodelbackin2004 Forreal;thereisnostoppingMr Johnsonwhenitcomestogolf Heknowshisgameandhisknowledgesince theageof5yearsoldisreallypayingoff

Whilevisiting,Inoticedthatthecoursewasverybusy,sooneofmy questionstoMr Johnsonwas,“Ifhiscoursewasexperiencingthe problemthatsomegolfersareexperiencingatRanchoGolfCoursein WestLosAngeleswherepriceshavegottensoexpensivebecauseof “Brokers”buyingupteetimestoresalethem?”Hisresponsewasthatthey tooareexperiencingminorissueswiththebrokers,butarenothavingthe sameindepthissuesasLACounty Hecontinuestomaintain thattheyhavealotofthingsintheworkstocombatthisissueanduntil theyhavethingsimplementedaccordinglythroughouttheAmerican GolfCorporation,hewillwaitandseewhattheydecidetodoasa companybeforespeakingonthesubject Ispokewithagolferwhohasbeenplayingtherefor10yearsnamed Rick Hetoldmethathelovedthiscoursebecauseitwaseasytogetto andhelovedtheprices Rickalsotoldmethatheenjoyedattendingthe LongBeachGolfFestival

IwasecstaticwhenIheardabouttheLongBeachGolfFestival;withroots thatstretchbacknearlyacentury,itisthelargestandlongest-running seriesofindependentgolfchampionshipsinAmerica Whetherit’stheLong BeachMatchPlayChampionship,firstplayedin1926,theLongBeach WomenCityChampionship,whichbeganin1928,orthe venerableLongBeachOpen,whosefirstchampionin1923wasWalter Hagenhimself High-levelcompetitivegolfhaslongbeenapartofLong BeachDNA TodaytheannualFestivalconsistsoftournamentsfor golfersofallageswhowanttoteeitupandtestthemselvesagainsttheir peersthatincludemen,women,boys,andgirlsgolfersofallages

RunningfromMaythroughAugust,theFestivalandtheLongBeach Open;afour-daytournamentthatfeaturesmanyofthetopyoung professionalsintheregioninadditiontoHagenandfellowgolflegend BenHogan,severalotherpastparticipantsintheLBOoritssibling,the QueenMaryOpen,havegoneontosuccessonthePGATour Theyare FredCouples,MarkO'Meara,CraigStadler,PeterJacobsen,Scott McCarron,DennisPaulson,XanderSchauffele,andLongBeachnative, PaulGoydos

Eachyear,wellover1,000golferstakepartinoneormoreFestival events,combiningtoplaynearly3,000roundsoftournamentgolf Withoutthesupportofdozensofvolunteerswhodonatecountlesshours tohelpstaffthetournaments,noneofthatcanoccur,therefore,your participationiscriticaltothefestival’scontinuedsuccess Comejoin themthisseasonbyeitherparticipatingin,orvolunteeringforanyofthe Festivalevents Feelfreetocheckout wwwlbgolffestivalcomformore details

Plaque of Presidents

Stop by their Pro shop!

Photo by AZ

Skylinks Hall of Fame

Photo by AZ

Photo By AZ

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Word Seach & Collectibles

Golf Collectible Spotlight

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1967-2020 MASTERS 54 BADGE TICKET COLLECTION AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF

The Masters is an annual competition held at the Augusta National Club in Georgia, the course established by Bobby Jones was officially opened in January 1933

Currently this is being sold on Ebay by a seller named golfnut001, their asking price is $6,995.00

Golf Collectible Spotlight

1935 Augusta National 2nd Annual Invitation (Masters) Tournament Program

thegolfauction.com

Please note that the tournament that we now know as the Masters was not referred to as such back in 1935, but was called the Augusta National Invitational Tournament.

The program for the tournament was called a Yearbook.

This was sold for $19,860 50 @ The Golf Auction on Sunday, April 14, 2019.

Golfers on the Go

ALLTHEGOLF. HALFTHECOST.

EVERYTUESDAY.

Topgolf's third North Carolina venue will be located at 4901 Topgolf Way in Durham. At long last, modern golf entertainment leader Topgolf announced today it's opening its Durham venue on Friday, April 12.

TITLEIST INTRODUCES NEW SCOTTY CAMERON LONG DESIGN PUTTERS

CUSTOM 17-INCH 135-GRAM GRIP: Made especially for the Long Design models, the 135-gram, non-tapered 17-inch grip allows for relatively soft grip pressure and some movement of the hands with more weight to counterbalance the increased putter head weight

CUSTOM STIFFER SHAFTS: Designed for stability and forgiveness, the stiffer, longer version of our mid-bend shaft accommodates the heavier head weight of the Phantom 11 Long Design, while the custom shaft made for the Super Select Squareback 2 Long Design complements the model’s plumbing neck

HEAVIER SOLE WEIGHTS: Each Long Design putter incorporates interchangeable 25-gram tungsten sole weights