2021 Golfing Magazine New Jersey / Eastern Pennsylvania Early Summer Issue

New Jersey and Pennsylvania’s #1 Golf Magazine www.GolfingMagazine.net

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New Jersey / Pennsylvania

M A G A Z I N E

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The Par 3 11th at Crystal Springs Golf Club

Do you have what it takes to Birdie the toughest hole on NJ’s toughest course? www.crystalgolfresort.com/birdie New Jersey / Pennsylvania Edition

Early Summer 2021

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your permanent golf vacation

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You’ll feel it the moment you enter the community. The tree lined streets, lush landscaping and brick walkways. With its magnificent Clubhouse as it’s centerpiece, the feeling is traditional and memorable. Then there’s the worldclass Baywood Greens golf course that winds it way through the community, creating backyard vistas like nothing else around. And if that weren’t enough, there are marinas with boat slips with access to Rehoboth Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, beaches, restaurants and shopping all just minutes away.

Known as the “Augusta of the North,” Baywood Greens is by far the most visually spectacular golf course in Delaware and is consistently ranked #1

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

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New Jersey Pennsylvania

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A Welcome Return to Normalcy

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fter an unsettling and challenging 2020, returning to normalcy in 2021 has been a much-needed blessing.

New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania courses have proven to be places where we have been able to reconnect with friends and play the game we love, while enjoying the great outdoors in a safe fashion.

In this digital issue of Golfing Magazine we take you on a road trip to Crystal Springs Resort in the Sussex Highlands of northwest New Jersey is one of the premier golf and relaxation destinations in the Northeast, anywhere really. Why not visit and play one or all of the resort’s magnificent courses.

Here are some other reasons to spend some time with our magazine: Located high up in the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania, Morgan Hill Golf Course in Easton presents a challenging yet player-friendly layout with extraordinary views and excellent playing conditions.

Since opening in 2004, Morgan Hill has received numerous accolades on both state and national levels. The layout is a pleasingly eclectic mix of a classic layout and stunning vistas.

Indigo Golf Partners, formerly Billy Casper Golf, manages 160-plus 9- to 45- hole golf courses in 29 states, as well as driving ranges, short courses, small- to large-scale food and beverage and catering operations, tennis, fitness, pools and other club amenities. The company manages 12 facilities in New Jersey and Jack Frost National in eastern Pennsylvania These range from municipal (Morris County/Middlesex County, High Bridge) to HOA (Greenbriar Oceanaire) to institutional owners (Fox Hollow, Cranbury, Royce Brook and Hyatt Hills).

Work on three new holes at Town and Country Golf Links in Woodstown, New Jersey is nearing completion and the project will enhance what was already a superb golf course and pleasing test of playing ability. Holes 10, 11 and 12 have been redone and are another reason for golfers to visit and try out the course this summer. The holes will be open for play mid-summer, but all 18 holes remain open in the meantime.

Accomplished architect Gil Hanse led a restoration of the Lower Course at legendary Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, the layout re-opening for play in May of this year after being closed in 2020 to allow for the work. The Lower Course will host its next major championship, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, in 2023. The PGA Championship will return to the Lower Course in 2029 for a third time. Following the success of the Lower Course restoration, the Upper Course is slated for a similar project with Hanse in 2024.

Celebrating a sport they love and looking through their highly-trained lens at their long list of contacts and influencers, Alyson Johnson of Califon, New Jersey and LeslieAnne Wade of New Vernon, New Jersey recently launched White Tee Partners, a strategic communications and public relations agency that they believe will “elevate” people, brands and properties in golf.

We hope you enjoy this issue and get out to your favorite courses as much as possible.

Cheers,

Volume 39

Early Summer 2021

Club News …………….…………………………..….…… 8 Crystal Springs Resort Returns To an Encouraging State of Normalcy

Club News …………….…………………………..….…… 10 Lower Course Re-Opens at Legendary Baltusrol Golf Club

Company Profile …………….………..…………………..…. 14

White Tee Partners

Must Play …………….…………………………..….……… 16 These courses are a “Must” this season This month: Town and Country Golf Links and Morgan Hill GC

Company Profile …………….…………………………..…. 24 Indigo Golf Becomes the Major Player In the Golf Management Business

Travel ………………………………………………………… 34 Puerto Rico’s Robust Tourism Rebound What Women Want in Golf Trips On & Off the Fairways

Golf Product Guide …….......……………………………… . 38 2021 Golf Balls ……………………………………………… . 42

golfing M A G A Z I N E™

1924 Route 35, Suite 10B Wall Township, NJ 07719 732-449-0515 Publisher Sean Fitzsimmons ph: 732-449-0515 fax: (860) 307-7469 golfingmag@verizon.net

Contributing Photographer Mark William Paul Graphic Designer Heidi Dyer

Senior Writer John Torsiello ph: (860) 482-9101 jtorsiello@sbcglobal.net Editorial Contributions should be mailed to above address or emailed to the publisher. Material accepted is subject to revisions necessary to meet requirements of the publication. The act of delivering material shall express a warranty by contributor that material is original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Reproduction of the contents of this publication is prohibited without written permission of the publisher. Publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

Golfing Magazine New Jersey / Eastern Pennsylvania is published four times annually.

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Club News

Crystal Springs Resort Returns To an Encouraging State of Normalcy

By, JOHN TORSIELLO

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ormal can be a good thing, especially in this day and age. That’s what golfers and other visitors to Crystal Springs Resort in northwest New Jersey are finding out this year.

“As a result of various Executive Orders by the Governor of New Jersey, policies and procedures at the Resort have returned to normal for the most part,” said Michelle Abate, Director of Marketing for the Resort.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are still requesting that employees wear masks when working indoors as well as maintain rigorous hand washing and sanitizing. Mask mandates and social distancing practices have been lifted for our guests.”

Crystal Springs Resort, located in what is known as the Sussex Skylands area of New Jersey, just south of the border with New York State and fairly close to the rolling farmlands of eastern Pennsylvania, has its golf spread among six courses.

Enthused, Abate said, “Business has been strong thus far, and we foresee a continued positive outlook for daily fee golf, outings and golf and stays. People have a newfound appreciation of the benefits of outdoor activity, and due to our wide range of courses, we’re an excellent location for a novice to learn the game.”

The resort’s Ballyowen and Wild Turkey golf courses are superb routings created by master architect Roger Rulewich. The Crystal Springs course is regarded as one of the sternest tests in the region. The nine-hole

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Cascades, also designed by Rulewich, formally opened for play in the spring of 2009 and turned the Crystal Springs Golf Club into a 27-hole facility. You can choose from three different options when playing an 18-hole round by using any of the nine-hole layouts-the Cascades, the Classic and the Villages.

Wild Turkey is also located on the Grand Cascades Lodge’s property, plus Black Bear Golf Club is located just a few miles away from the Resort’s main property. In addition to the above layouts, there is the nine-hole Minerals Family Golf Center, where adults and youngsters can enjoy the game together without feeling intimidated.

The Resort and courses were open last summer and fall but guidelines were put in place to safeguard visitors and golfers against the virus. From a health and wellness standpoint, the Resort has returned to common course practices which were suspended due to COVID-19. Touching flags is permitted, cups are back to normal, rakes are returned to bunkers and placed within the boundaries of bunker, and ball washers have also been reinstated. The Resort is performing maintenance on the bunkers at both Wild Turkey and Ballyowen to “optimize course conditions” said Abate.

“Crystal Springs Resort is committed to growing golf for children, and has already executed highly successful golf days for various townships surrounding the Resort,” explained Abate. “Further, we have two 9-hole courses and our Minerals 9-hole offers tees for juniors, four-seater golf carts and oversized cups to make it a stress-free day

Golfing Magazine Magazine •• New NewJersey/E. Jersey/E.Pennsylvania PennsylvaniaSection Section Golfing

for the whole family. We also offer the popular Teach Your Kids to Golf package, and have a partnership with the Leadbetter Golf Academy for beginner golf clinics offered weekly.”

The Resort is conducting a Crystal Springs #11 Challenge this year, designed for golfers who have what it takes to play the toughest hole on “New Jersey’s toughest course”. Said Abate, “Make a birdie this summer on Crystal Springs’ number 11 to win two free rounds and a chance to win unlimited golf at the six Resort courses, plus $1,000 in credit at the Resort’s two hotels, two spas, 10 restaurants and world-famous Wine Cellar.”

It’s a great deal but the 11th at Crystal Springs is indeed a challenge. The demanding hole forces golfers to hit their tee-shots off the face of an 80-foot-tall limestone quarry with a vast cerulean pond hugging the left side of a butterfly-shaped green below.

The hole plays differently each round with pin position, wind conditions and tee box orientation having a dramatic effect on how it should be played on any given day.

A little about the other outstanding golf you will find at the Resort.

The fairways at Ballyowen and at Wild Turkey are rather generous and the greens undulating, though not tricked up. The biggest hazard you’ll run into (usually) at Ballyowen is unseen--the wind. This is a treeless course that sits on a bit of a hill with nowhere to hide when the breeze kicks up, as it did during the second nine holes of our round. The wind can make a two-club

difference on some of the approach shots.

Better pick the right club because three parthrees play across water. And when the fescue grows tall during the summer months, you will have trouble playing errant shots out of the rough.

Wild Turkey is a beautifully routed layout. Rulewich, known for wise use of existing terrain, outdid himself on this track. The tee shot on the first hole is from a severely elevated tee to a massive fairway below and it’s a visually fun way to start the day. Wild Turkey has maybe the second most impressive hole at the resort. The seventh plays close to 200 yards from the tips and the tee shot must clear another yawning quarry lake. The hole is very similar to the 11th at Crystal Springs Golf Club, although this one plays straight across the quarry and not from an elevated tee. A lake sits about 60 feet below.

Wild Turkey (the Cascades nine was designed to emulate this layout to some degree) features holes laid out along a ridgeline and those located in a sunken, or basin, area. The “basin holes” of Wild Turkey, holes number three and 12 through 17, are reminiscent of the classic American links style of Ballyowen. There are enough bunkers in the fairway landing areas and around the greens to grab your attention.

Crystal Springs is a beautiful beast, especially if you play it from the tips (around 6,900 yards). The fairways here are narrow and there is trouble all around, you name it, water, quarries, woods, wetlands and plenty of bunkers.

Black Bear, a very playable 6,673-yard layout, was co-designed by Jack Kurlander

and David Glenz and offers diverse holes.

Some 65 bunkers are scattered about the track and water comes into play on three holes. The Minerals nine is an “executivestyle” layout and has a number of interesting holes.

Grand Cascades Lodge, a stunning stone and wood structure that sits atop a hill and affords views of the area. It has 250 wellappointed, state-of-the-art accommodations and is only a few steps away from 45 holes of golf (the Crystal Springs and Wild Turkey golf courses).There’s also a real-grass 18-hole putting course at the Lodge. The laid back Crystal Tavern, an upscale pub located in the Grand Cascades Lodge that features views of the practice range and mountains in the distance. If you’re into upscale, the Restaurant Latour at Crystal Springs received the Wine Spectator Grand Award and The New York Times rated it as “excellent.”

One of the coolest (literally and figuratively) places at Grand Cascades Lodge to dine is the Wine Cellar. You walk down a winding staircase and into the sprawling Cellar, where 54,000 bottles and more than 3,640 labels lie protected against the elements. The Resort’s owners are so proud of the Wine Cellar that they offer daily selfguided tours for guests and general public.

While at Grand Cascades, guests will be amazed by the tropical Biosphere pool, one of the most unique features at the Resort.

The indoor complex has an underground aquarium, vortex pools, caves and tropical foliage, as well as a 140-foot water slide. The glass enclosure allows for year-round tanning. Outside, there is another swimming

area, an oversized, marble chessboard, ping pong and other table games, the extraordinary Chef ’s Garden, which is perfect for al fresco dining, and ample space for merely lounging about and enjoying the view of the hillsides and a practice area.

The Resort also features the Reflections Spa at the Grand Cascades Lodge. The interior of the spa contains such unique features as 8,000 quartz crystals in its ceiling, water features in each corridor, art glass throughout the interior and exterior of the space, and a heated salt bath and flowing river foot soak.

The Elements Spa at Minerals Hotel, located only a few miles away from Grand Cascades Lodge, offers massages, facials and body therapies. Minerals Hotel also had an array of indoor and outdoor heated pools plus a state-of-the-art sports club.

Comfortable accommodations are available.

So, if you’re into golf and the good life check out Crystal Springs Resort. It’s one of the few places in the Northeast where you can drop your bags in your room and be a few minutes walking time of 45 holes of championship golf, a great practice facility, a putting course, and a plethora of other fun stuff to do. Heck, you don’t even have to go outside to get to the clubhouse for Crystal Springs and Wild Turkey. A covered walkway will take you from Grand Cascades Lodge to the starting point in comfort and style.

Crystal Springs Resort Vernon, N.J. 844-205-1857 www.CrystalGolfResort.com

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Club News

Lower Course Re-Opens at

Legendary Baltusrol Golf Club By, JOHN TORSIELLO

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ccomplished architect Gil Hanse led a restoration of the Lower Course at legendary Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, the layout re-opening for play in May of this year after being closed in 2020 to allow for the work.

The Lower Course will host its next major championship, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, in 2023. The PGA Championship will return to the Lower Course in 2029 for a third time. Following the success of the Lower Course restoration, the Upper Course is slated for a similar project with Hanse in 2024.

The renowned A.W. Tillinghast course opened in 1922 as part of Baltusrol’s historic “Dual Courses” initiative, the first simultaneous design and build of 36 holes in America.

Both the Lower and Upper courses have been the site of numerous championships in professional and amateur golf.

In 2018, Baltusrol retained Hanse to help

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the club prepare its next long-range master plan that started with the restoration of the Lower Course. With the Lower Course having been modified over the years, most notably by Robert Trent Jones and the USGA prior to the 1954 U.S. Open, the club wanted to return it to the purity of the Tillinghast design.

Trent Jones lengthened the Lower Course and added multiple bunkers during his “modernization” period, creating a more difficult test of golf that would stand up better to the rigors of the National championship. In the decades that followed, the introduction of additional rough and the gradual shifts in fairway lines and green size from ever-changing maintenance practices had diminished many of Tillinghast’s design features and shot values. Rees Jones applied some restoration efforts to the Lower Course starting in 1991, including an overhaul of bunkers in 2008.

But the Hanse project is the most comprehensive restoration ever undertaken on the Lower Course.

“We are extremely proud to have restored

Golfing Magazine • New New Jersey/E. Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Section Section

Tillinghast’s original vision for golf throughout the Lower Course,” said Matt Wirths, President of Baltusrol and Chair of the Master Plan Committee in charge of the project. The Lower Course project also included substantial infrastructure improvements such as the installation of new drainage, a new irrigation system, a PrecisionAire sub-surface air system for the greens, and the removal of trees throughout the course.

Wirths noted, “Not only have we restored the Tillinghast design, we’ve updated the infrastructure of the Lower Course that will have a material impact on its agronomic health and our maintenance procedures for years to come. We feel like we have more control over the course’s health and playability going forward.”

Added benefits are new tees and tee marker configurations that will allow players of different skill levels to play and enjoy the course that Tillinghast designed 100 years ago. “Our intent is to give skilled golfers a challenging test while allowing every member ample opportunity for an enjoyable round of golf,” Wirths said. Several practice areas also

were renovated during the Hanse project.

“Baltusrol never has stood still in the game of golf and the improvement of its facilities,” said Rick Shea, recent President of the Club under whose tenure the Hanse project began. “Almost 100 years ago, our Board of Governors made the bold decision to replace our Old Course, itself a U.S. Open venue, with the Dual Courses of A.W. Tillinghast. We made a similar decision in 2018 not only to restore the Tillinghast greatness but to invest significant infrastructure upgrades in the courses, which we believe will prepare this club for the next 100 years.”

Hanse said a main architectural direction of the project was “lowering the golf features”. He explained, “Generally, the green was the high point of the green complex, the focus, and bunkers were set down below the putting surface. There was very little framing of features. Over the years, bunkers and green surrounds were raised for framing, and it was our belief that the golf course would present itself more authentically if we removed these raised features. Now, the course better fits the ground and our perception of how Tillinghast presented it. Adding depth and raised surrounds to the bunkers also made it harder to get in and out of them.

We tried to make bunkers more accessible for all members playing the course.”

The Lower Course is well known for several holes, notably numbers 4, 17, and 18.

Hanse said that some of the most dramatic changes during the project were to those holes.

“Number 4 was almost joined to the 3rd green by tightly-mown grass that went right to the giant fourth tee. We restored all that short grass. We also expanded the green significantly to the right: We found--this was basically like archaeology--old photos that showed the horizon line behind the green was dramatically different, so we dropped the right side of the green to create a lower section.”

He continued, “On 17, we took the `Sahara’ bunkering and moved it 40 yards down range to put it more in play for better golfers and give average guys the chance to lay up short of it. That’s the scale and presentation the way Tillinghast had it, back to the massive sand hazard and something similar in front of the green. It was basically the 7th hole at Pine Valley, with `Hell’s Half Acre’ and the front of the green shut off, although on this hole Tillinghast left a narrow approach to the green.”

On 18, Hanse raised the entire fairway

so golfers are now level with a pond. “It feels more natural as it goes downhill. We also took out four bunkers along the right side and the one Robert Trent Jones had put in front of the green. Plus, we merged the fairway of the two 18th holes, from the Lower and Upper courses, again back to what Tillinghast had designed.”

Work also consisted of restoring “The Great Hazard”, Tillinghast’s cavernous sand pit, stretching from one side of the fairway to the other, with a mix of sand, tufts of grass, and plant growth. The Great Hazard became one of Tillinghast’s defining design characteristics and the Lower Course contains two restored examples; on the second and seventeenth holes.

Also, many Tillinghast bunkers had been removed over the years. The return of fairway bunkers on the second and fifth holes, for example, greatly affect the planning and execution of tee shots on those holes. The bunkers on the second pose more of a visual intimidation while the bunkers on the fifth pose a driving threat, but with options to avoid them.

Hanse re-built all greens according to USGA specifications and reclaimed dimensions lost over time. The greens now contain 20 percent more putting surface (on average) by occupying their original fill pads, allowing for more hole locations. A great example is the 16th hole, where the rear portion of the putting surface has been bumped out by some 15 feet and sloped up. Hanse’s use of mod-

ern, 3D laser mapping technology allowed for green contours to be preserved throughout the Lower Course.

Many greenside bunkers have been repositioned to allow for the shot values Tillinghast intended. Some bunkers now pinch greens more closely, as on the 4th hole, while others have been moved farther away, as on the 14th hole. The bunkers reveal a lower profile above ground but have retained their depth. Long grass “eyebrows” give the edges a rugged look similar to 100 years ago. Ramp approaches to greens have been opened with the removal of centerline approach bunkers, as on the 7th and 18th holes.

Hanse restored the look of wider and twisting fairway lines, rather than the straight lines which Tillinghast believed rob courses of character. A great example of this is on the Lower Course is the 7th, which almost achieves a double-dogleg effect and whose bunkers now angle into the twisting lines of the fairway.

On plans to shut the club’s Upper Course in November of 2023 and undertake restoration to that 18 holes in 2024 and a re-opening in 2025, Hanse said, “The Upper Course has always remained much closer than the Lower to what Tillinghast originally designed.

There’s still significant work to do to get the style back, but architecturally it is a lot closer.”

Baltusrol Golf Club has hosted seven U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships, and two U.S. Women’s Opens during its existence.

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

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13

Company Profile

White Tee Partners Two Highly Successful Marketing Professionals Combine Their Talents By, JOHN TORSIELLO

C

elebrating a sport they love and looking through their highlytrained lens at their long list of contacts and influencers, Alyson Johnson of Califon, New Jersey and LeslieAnne Wade of New Vernon, New Jersey recently launched White Tee Partners, a strategic communications and public relations agency that they believe will “elevate” people, brands and properties in golf.

“COVID-19 brought millions of new opportunities to the golf world, ranging from new players to innovative golf tech products, tournaments, media platforms, and a host of new events and brands,” said Alyson Johnson. “LeslieAnne and I were both getting countless new opportunities in the space that focused specifically on communications, PR, and social media efforts and recognized that by joining forces in that area, we would be able to make a big impact, both for the growth of the game as a whole, as well as for our new clients.”

“We celebrate golf completely; all it is and all it can be,” said Wade, the former longtime Senior Vice President of Communications at CBS Sports and past Managing Director at Faldo Enterprises. “There are countless stories to tell through the sport, its lifetime relationship with players of all ages, applications in education and in business, and activation through events, travel, brand and cause marketing.”

Johnson, the longtime head of global marketing and communications at Wyndham Worldwide, brings an extensive industry background through creation of the Wyndham Championship with the PGA Tour and stints as regional head of marketing and sales at the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club and the LPGA Tour’s former HSBC Women’s World Matchplay Championship at Hamilton Farm Golf Club. She is CEO of the highly acclaimed Gilly Group, a boutique sports marketing agency focused on and brand activation in golf.

“We knew we would be able to make a big splash together since we’ve both worked in the 14

industry for decades,” said Johnson, “but were happily surprised by the response from our peers and the space. We had a few agreements locked in before we had even finished filling our paperwork or opened a bank account for the company. It was a very happy surprise, and I am so full of gratitude for the support we have received.”

Johnson and Wade collaborated on events for years; the sum of their experience is complete in a way that differs substantially from

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

their competitors. “We know and understand the business side of the sport, the people, influencers, and quickly building opportunity in this space,” said Johnson.

“We have measured experience representing the highest caliber tournaments, brands and media companies in golf as insiders bringing our genuine experience to outside consultancy and strategic communications.”

Launched in February, White Tee Partners was announced as a women-owned business receiving industry applause among the media, organizing bodies of golf, global marketing agencies, Tour-level players and brands engaging in strategic discussions with the well-known duo. Earliest agency of record announcements include work with World Golf Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez; event strategy and implementation for Jim Nantz and Peter Deutsch owned wine, The Calling; the launch of OnPoint Ball Markers, a patented 3-D ball marker with brand ambassador Jim Furyk; and the strategic communications and brand awareness efforts for D3 Golf, a peer to peer skills wagering app for use on the golf course. The agency, which has a number of pending announcements with global personalities and brands, is also collaborating with the LPGA in a sponsorship sales effort.

Said Johnson, “We believe that to be successful, we need to be seen as an extension to the team that has hired us. We all win when we work together towards the same goal.

Being more entrenched in our client’s team helps us to understand the bigger picture and how we can best amplify all of the great things that there are to showcase under the client’s umbrella.”

Johnson added with a chuckle, “We are both single mothers of three children each.

That represents a market research group of six golfers at their entry point, consuming content and media in new ways…and you can bet we’re the best multi-taskers out there, with our finger on the pulse of golf from beginning juniors to the professional levels.” www.WhiteTeePartners.com

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15

Must Play

Golfers Await Three New Holes at

Town and Country Golf Links By, JOHN TORSIELLO Work on three new holes at Town and Country Golf Links in Woodstown, New Jersey is nearing completion and the project will enhance what was already a superb golf course and pleasing test of playing ability.

“The biggest thing happening here is the completion of the redesign of holes 10, 11 and 12,” said Karen Pierson, Owner and General Manager. “The reworked holes are another reason for golfers to visit and try out Town and Country Golf Links this summer. Golfers are excitedly waiting to play them. The holes will be open for play mid-summer, but all 18 holes remain open for play in the meantime.” The new design is being worked in and around the present 10th, 11th and 12th holes, so they will remain although altered.

Rich Crowell, Director of Golf at the club, said the project took “three relatively straight forward holes and created holes with lots of drama”. He added, “The new 10th hole will have three ponds that come into play with a new elevated green protected by sand and water. The 11th hole

with its new elevated tee gives you a challenging dogleg left with a beautiful view of the course. The 12th hole will be a longer dogleg right where ball placement is at a premium. Although our multiple tee boxes make these three holes playable for any skill level, the better players will find that the changes make a great course even better.”

Town and Country Golf Links is indeed a pleasure for golfers of any skill level, as it features a traditional links-style front nine that has generous fairways and wide greens, along with a more challenging back nine that favors accuracy, a thoughtful approach to each hole and superior shot making.

All 18 holes have rye grass fairways and bent grass greens lined with deep rough and tall fescue. The links-style layout also invites the elements--wind, water and sand--to present occasional obstacles. Seven ponds and numerous bunkers are strategically placed throughout the course, providing both sweet scenery and considerable challenge.

“Course conditions are top notch as always,” said Pierson, “and it’s been an incredibly busy year at Town and Country

with tournaments, events and our popular summer-long Junior Golf Camps back on the schedule. The camps are almost fullybooked after their cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19.

The practice facility at Town and Country Golf Links is considered one of the finest in the tri-state area. Covered by an allweather canopy and illuminated beginning at dusk by a state-of-the-art lighting system, a 19-bay tee line features both grass and mat hitting areas and is now equipped with TopTracer Technology in 10 bays.

“Our driving range is powered by TopTracer--only one of two in the state at a golf course,” said Pierson. “It’s been a huge success with golfers coming from all over the Tri-State area to use and enjoy the facility.”

Town and Country Golf Links plays 6,459 yards from its back tees and there are four other sets of tees, including a “Family” tee that measures 3,499 yards and is ideal for beginners and young golfers who might feel overpowered by the distance from other markers. The course has a par of 72 or 71, depending on how one plays the layout’s third hole.

Scotland Run Club 16 16

Golfing Golfing Magazine Magazine •• New NewJersey/E. Jersey/E.Pennsylvania PennsylvaniaSection Section

The front side is over 400 yards longer than the back nine and consists of the most difficult par-fours on the course, including the first, which plays 444 yards from the tips and the demanding seventh hole. The third hole can be played from the back markers as either a 472yard par-five or a 388-yard par-four.

The sixth and seventh holes are par-fours that both play over 400 yards and the ninth hole is a great par-five that measures almost 560 yards from the tips, making it a three-shot hole to reach the green for most players.

The back side plays only around 3,000 yards from the championship tees but, as mentioned above, the inward nine requires a well-thought-out plan of attack on each hole, both on tee shots and approaches to the putting surfaces despite some of the par-fours playing around or slightly over 300 yards, such as the 11th, 12th, 15th and 17th. You can make birdie on these holes, but if you don’t manage your shots you could also wind up with bogey or worse.

The course concludes with a modest-length par-four of 390 yards.

Both par-fives on the back side and reachable in two shots for big hitters, the 515-yard 10th and number 14, which measures 493 yards. The par-threes are a strength of the course. The 217-yard fourth hole is a challenge and it should most likely be attacked with a fivewood or long iron. The eighth, 13th and 16th play 160, 165 and 177 yards respectively and a good tee shot could lead to birdie or a relatively easy par on each.

The number one handicap hole is the 420-yard seventh. Said Crowell, “You start making decisions from the tee. At about 200 yards out, the fairway narrows to 20 yards with a bunker on the left and a pond that cuts in on the

right side. Unless you want to take on the pond (approximately a 260-yard carry) most players will hit a hybrid or long iron and be left with a 165-yard second shot to an elevated green. You want to make sure you

take enough club to avoid a high bunker that protects the front of the green. Once you are on the green everything slopes right to left so making par is a good score here.”

For après golf, he club has the Creekside Inn, a restaurant that features American cuisine, along with a bar that is open Tuesday through Sunday for indoor and outdoor dining and takeout. The establishment specializes in signature burgers, homemade crab cakes, seafood, steak and daily chef ’s specials. You can relax in the casual Western atmosphere of the lounge, with happy hour specials and plenty of televisions. There is live acoustic music most Friday and Saturday nights and trivia contests every Thursday night. A rustic dining room is perfect for intimate dinners, private events, and has beautiful views of the golf course.

“At a weekend rate of only $75, our course is still one of the best places to play for your money,” said Pierson.

Town and Country Golf Links Woodstown, New Jersey 856-769-8333 wwwTCGolfLinks.com .

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Ballamor GC

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

- THE ONLY AUTHENTIC SCOTTISH LINKS COURSE IN NEW JERSEY - RECOGNIZED AS THE #2 BEST VALUE COURSE IN NEW JERSEY

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

GREAT BEAR GOLF CLUB turns 25 Only one golf course designer could do justice to the natural beauty at GREAT BEAR GOLF CLUB-the one known worldwide as the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus. His 18-hole championship design demonstrates why he has been considered the master of his game for decades. Nicklaus has taken the natural advantages of the site and worked harmoniously with them to create a course that is an experience in golf and aesthetics.

Integrating the three lakes, several streams, wetlands, small bridges and rolling terrain, Nicklaus has created a course that presents itself differently to golfers of varying skill levels. for the experience player, the course offers interesting challenges and pro tee that will bring out the best in even the strongest golfers.

GREAT BEAR GOLF CLUB 1 Great Bear Ct. East Stroudsberg, PA. 18032 570-223-2000 www.golfgreatbear.com 2021 ISSUE 1

GREAT GOLF - DELAWARE VALLEY

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

Play Fox Hollow Golf Club

Now open to the public! Take on this challenging course and enjoy a fast pace of play, great food, and a great value in the heart of Central New Jersey!

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Company Profile

Indigo Golf Becomes the Major Player In the Golf Management Business

By, JOHN TORSIELLO

S

ometimes changing the name of a company is more than mere semantics. It can also mark a new way of doing business as it marches into the future while staying true to what made it successful in the first place.

Billy Casper Golf is now Indigo Golf Partners and Ryan Phelps, Vice President of Operations for the company, said the transition from Casper to Indigo was a change in name and a repositioning of the brand for the next generation(s) of golf.

“Our tagline is `GOLF FOR EVERYONE’, said Phelps, “and we try to live that every day. Essentially, we were looking to modernize our 31-yearold brand to evolve with the times. Daily fee golf is our specialty and we’re seeing a shift from traditional golf to more non-traditional experiences that today’s audiences enjoy. Our business model remains the same as it has been.

We retained our offices in Reston, Virginia and our entire leadership/executive team as well as on course and regional support teams.” . Leveraging over 30 years of expertise, Indigo Golf Partners specializes in full-service property management as well as assistance in specific segments of the golf business.

They include modern-day golf and property maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse operations, food and beverage, merchandising, golf instruction, marketing, public relations,

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HOA integration, technology, special events and financial management.

Phelps believes was makes Indigo a powerful golf company is its team members, whom he referred to as “highly skilled in all facets of modern day golf and property maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse operations, food and beverage, merchandising, golf instruction, data driven marketing, sales property management, technology, finance and accounting.”

Indigo Golf Partners manages 160-plus 9to 45- hole golf courses in 29 states, as well as driving ranges, short courses, small- to largescale food and beverage and catering operations, tennis, fitness, pools and other club amenities.

Indigo Golf Partners has over 7,000 employees that treat 650,000 guests to over four million

Golfing GolfingMagazine Magazine•• New NewJersey/E. Jersey/E.Pennsylvania PennsylvaniaSection Section

rounds of golf annually.

With regional-based offices scattered throughout the country, Indigo has developed comprehensive training modules and tools for career development and product presentation and service delivery, including ACE the Guest Experience and Superintendent Business Institute best practices.

Indigo Golf Partners manages 12 facilities in New Jersey and Jack Frost National in eastern Pennsylvania These range from municipal (Morris County/Middlesex County, High Bridge) to HOA (Greenbriar Oceanaire) to institutional owners (Fox Hollow, Cranbury, Royce Brook and Hyatt Hills).

“With the acquisition by Troon in late 2020,” said Phelps, “we are now part of the largest golf management brand in the world. Indigo is now supported by resources from Troon and can leverage more expertise and programs than before. As we continue to grow, Troon’s leadership team is assisting Indigo in leveraging more of what we do best to benefit our client partners in everything from Grow The Game initiatives to cost savings through national buying programs, capital planning, P&L management and sales and marketing support.”

Growth is a constant at Indigo Golf Partners. Said Phelps, “We are always looking

for clients we can help and are actively pursuing more agreements in New Jersey, the Northeast and elsewhere in the U.S. market.”

Here’s a look at several of the premier Indigo Golf Partners-managed properties in New Jersey.

At Tamarack Golf Course in East Brunswick, an extensive renovation of the East and West courses is underway. The 36-hole facility is situated between exits 8A and 9 on the New Jersey Turnpike, and is visible from the southbound lanes of New Jersey’s busiest highway.

“Our golf courses in Middlesex County have undergone a dramatic transformation since the County retained the services of a nationally recognized golf management firm in 2019 to oversee operations,” said Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios. “It’s thrilling to see immediate improvements in the level of service and the quality of experience our courses offer players. Our investment in upgrading Tamarack is part of a larger strategic vision for the County to enhance the quality of life for our residents and attract new visitors to ultimately become a leading destination for recreation.”

Work is ongoing on the East Course, which is expected to conclude by spring of 2022. At that time, upgrades on the West Course are expected to begin. Throughout the course, there is a major effort to address irrigation and drainage, while other work will bring about new tee boxes, renovated and additional bunkers, and an overall focus on course conditioning.

Costs for the current project on the East Course include $1.6 million for irrigation and $943,000 for drainage.

Noted golf-course architect Hal Purdy designed both courses at Tamarack. The East (Gold and Blue) course is a par-71, 6,226-yard venue while the West (Red and White) plays at

par-72 and 7,025-yards. Tamarack also features locker rooms a driving range with 34 stalls and five target greens. The courses were opened for play in 1971. In addition to a bustling golf scene, many First Tee of Raritan Valley clinics are conducted at Tamarack.

Course conditioning will be improved and made more sustainable through installation of miles of new drainage pipes; a new and more efficient irrigation system with expanded coverage at course edges; and the removal of some trees and underbrush which slow play, reduce sunlight, and impact needed air movement.

Besides new teeing areas, areas adjacent to each green will be reshaped to introduce more variety and options. In some areas, bunkers will be removed and replaced with expanded chipping areas of undulating and lower-cut turf.

Several fairways will be widened to create space to play around bunkers, and many greens are to be expanded to restore their former shape.

Berkshire Valley Golf Club in Oak Ridge is a Roger Rulewich-designed layout that is routed atop the ridge of Green Pond Mountain in the highlands of northern New Jersey. It has been

honored by Golf Channel’s Golf Pass for the third straight year as a “Golfers’ Choice: Best Golf Courses in New Jersey.” Ranked the ninth best course in New Jersey, Berkshire Valley is praised for its impeccable conditions, rolling greens, scenic views and unrivaled shot values across the layout.

“To be recognized among the best golf courses in a golf-rich state such as New Jersey is extremely humbling,” said Tami Henery, director of golf at Berkshire Valley. “Golf Pass does an outstanding job giving avid players a voice and there is no better compliment than to be lauded by those who play Berkshire the most.”

High Bridge Hills Golf Club in High Bridge is home to championship golf in the BritishIrish tradition. The par-70, 6,500-yard course provides golfers an authentic true-links layout on spectacular terrain overlooking Spruce Run Reservoir. Elevation changes are aplenty, including the dramatic par-three 8th hole with a tee-to-green drop of nearly 100 feet over a natural gorge.

Visit www.IndigoGolf.com or call 703-761-1444

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

Wyckoff Country Club

www.GolfingMagazine.net The 9th hole of The Links course at Bay Harbor Golf Club overlooking Lake Michigan

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Must Play

A Unique Playing Experience Awaits at

Morgan Hill Golf Course By, JOHN TORSIELLO

L

ocated high up in the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania, Morgan Hill Golf Course presents a challenging yet player-friendly layout with extraordinary views and excellent playing conditions.

Since opening in 2004, Morgan Hill has received numerous accolades on both state and national levels. These rankings include being named one of the “Top places to play in the nation” by Golf Digest magazine, and also a rating by Golf Week magazine as the “Top daily fee golf course in Pennsylvania.” The layout is a pleasingly eclectic mix of a classic layout and stunning vistas.

“Morgan Hill is simply a diamond in the rough,” said Mike Kaminskas, PGA Head Golf Professional. “It’s a challenging yet very playable course with plenty of wildlife and amazing views. I do encourage everyone to play at least a few times so they can focus on the golf and not be distracted by the beautiful scenery.”

Kaminskas said the first thing returning players will notice when they visit Morgan Hill is that the location of the golf shop has

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changed, having been moved to the main floor of the clubhouse. “It is a much better space for displaying the latest products and is also more convenient for golfers visiting our facility.”

On the course, players will see several improvements both completed and in-progress. “We are currently working on a multi-year plan that includes renovating bunkers and eliminating some hazards while maintaining the challenge and playability of the course,” said Kaminskas. “One of the biggest changes turns number 13 to a par-five and once again brings par for the course to 71.

To ensure our guests can stay hydrated during their rounds, we have a new refreshment cart roaming the grounds. We also have several improvements planned for 2022 but I don’t want to let the cat out of the proverbial bag just yet.”

As for the course’s practice facility, there’s a putting green, a larger chipping green complex, and later this summer the club will be adding a few hitting bays due to a lack of having a driving range. “This will be a great addition for players to have the opportunity to warm up prior to their rounds,” Kaminskas explained.

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

On the staffing side, both Kaminskas and his assistant professional, Steven Pluas, are new to the facility. “Having been a PGA professional for over 25 years and having worked as the general manager at multiple facilities, I am excited to bring my knowledge and expertise of the game to Morgan Hill.

More info about us can be found on our website at www.MorganHillGC.com under instruction.”

Kaminskas reported that play this year has been “excellent” and “blessed us with a full tee sheet on the days Mother Nature has cooperated with us. Cooler than average temperatures for the spring and early summer and significant rainfall has not only kept superintendent (Joe D’Annibale) and his staff super busy, but it has also transitioned onto the course in terms of excellent playing conditions.”

Throughout the year, Morgan Hill will have various promotions and deals. The best way to stay in the loop is to sign up for the club’s email list at www.MorganHillGC. com. Currently, the club is offering free hot dogs and drinks to everyone who plays before 2 p.m. on Tuesdays through July.

Kaminskas said the toughest hole on the course “varies by who you ask” but according to those posting USGA handicaps it is the par-five fifth hole. “To play it best, I recommend you concentrate on leaving yourself a comfortable distance for your third shot into the green and remember to include the slope and wind into your calculations as most players come up short.”

Here’s a look at a few other holes on this outstanding layout: The first hole, a 519-yard par-five, is mostly free of trouble for the average player.

The better player can swing away to the large fairway, but must carefully place their second shot because a ridge nudges into the line of play between the first landing area and the green. A lay-up shot short of the ridge leaves a longer approach, however, the terrain is less sloping. A more aggressive shot can reach the green, or find a much more difficult stance from which to play the approach shot.

Another ridge fronts the right half of the green making it a bit more difficult to judge the shot. The green is a simple two level putting surface surrounded by fairway.

The 201-yard par-three seventh is a superb short hole. The green is well protected by bunkers on both sides and one in front of the small fairway. The right bunker is carved out of the hillside with exposed rock along its right side. A patch of the fairway is beyond the bunker, which tempts the adventurous golfer to use it to feed the ball into the back, right pin area. Because the hole is downhill, and sometimes into the wind, judging the distance and selecting the proper club are important.

A small ridge punctuates the front pin area, as well a bump in the back middle of the green, make putting a challenge to any pin position.

The par-four, 421-yard 11th hole features a tee box that sits atop a ridge with panoramic views of Easton in the background. Playing sharply downhill, the hole does not reveal much from the tee other than a glimpse of fairway bunker on the right, and some fairway leading down to it and curving around its left side. Most players are encouraged to play to

the left of this bunker, letting their ball bounce down the slope, and hopefully coming to rest on a somewhat level lie for the approach shot.

The better players may want to make a bold play over the bunker they see. The green is an extension of the fairway in front with dramatic slopes on either side making it a much smaller target than what it appears from the fairway.

The concluding hole, a 358-yard par-four, is a nice way to finish a round. The hole starts with a tee shot up a big slope beyond which the hole bends left to one of the more interesting greens on the course. The big slope reaches a high point short of most tee shots so the player will likely not see their ball land. Interestingly, to the far left, on a direct line to the green and beyond the crest of the slope, one can see the fairway jut out around a deep swale. A mighty blow along this line can find this part of the fairway and leave the player with a short pitch into the green, which is a boomerang shape that curves to the right. Two bunkers sit on the inside curve of the boomerang, and along the left side, or outside edge of the boomerang, are three bunkers that are well below the putting surface. Shapes and slopes make this the most memorable green on a course that features many dramatic greens.

Morgan Hill Golf Course Easton, Pa. 610-923-8480 www.MorganHillGC.com

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When a short drive is a good drive.

Three courses within a mile of Town: Lake Marion, Santee National and Santee Cooper Country Club.

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

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31

TOURNAMENT

Annika Sorenstam to Play in Women’s Senior U.S. Open At Brooklawn Country Club In Fairfield, CT.

By Bruce Berlet

W

orld Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam was at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Connecticut in late June to promote the U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship that she will be playing in when the event is held July 29 through August 1.

Sorenstam, whose 72 LPGA Tour titles include 10 major championships, is in the field as a fully exempt player. The Open is for players 50 and older. Sorenstam, who turned 50 on October 9, last competed in a United States Golf Association event at the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota, where she holed out her second shot for an eagle on the final hole she played.

“When I finished that round at Interlachen, I’m not sure I would have expected to compete for another USGA title in the future, but to have this opportunity now, at this stage of life, is incredible,” Sorenstam said. “USGA championships set themselves apart with world-class venues and world-class fields, and I know the same type of challenge I used to relish at a U.S. Women’s Open awaits at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. I am looking forward to the opportunity to compete, and to do it with my

family by my side.”

Sorenstam made her first LPGA start in 13 years in February at her home course, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Fla., in the Gainbridge Classic. She made her 299 cut in 308 LPGA career starts with her husband, Mike, caddying for her and her two children, Ava and Will, in her gallery. The cuts made include three U.S. Women’s Open titles, including a playoff victory over Pat Hurst at Newport (R.I.) Country Club in 2006, two seconds and seven top-10 finishes in 15 appear-

ances.

She talked about her return to action during her visit to Brooklawn.

I never thought I would come back and play anything. Obviously golf is a big part of my life and always will be, but it was more about giving back to the Annika Foundation, to junior girls, just to say thank you really, because without golf I wouldn’t be where I am today. I don’t know where 13 years have gone, but I look at my kids, they’re growing up, and time flies. I’m having a good time. “ She continued, “It’s almost thanks to COVID that I started to practice a little bit more. What else can you do when you’re not allowed to do much, right? So living in Florida, we were trying to be active. My son would say, let’s go play, and I’d watch him, and I’d say, why not just bring my clubs, I might as well do something, so I started to hit a few shots and I started to hit the sweet spot again, and I was like, it’s a little more fun when the ball goes where you’re thinking or wishing it’s going.

“The last 10 months or so I’ve been playing a little bit, and the last six--actually maybe eight months really focusing, and turning 50 was certainly a big day, and I realized that maybe I should support this tournament.”

Patty Tavatanakit, a leading LPGA Tour

18th Green at Brooklawn Country Club 32

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

player who won Sorenstam’s college event in Minnesota, said it felt like “a Tiger (Woods) feeling a little bit” having Annika back in February, while Gaby Lopez called it “a dream come true” to be in the same field.

“Just being with her gave me this kind of peaceful environment and just reminded me of how blessed and how thankful I am to have this opportunity to be able to compete with her, just because I remember the seven-yearold Gaby chasing her down the golf course to get a signed golf ball,” Lopez said. “Her role in this game, at this time of her career, I guess, is just to keep inspiring girls. I played with her at Diamond Resorts, and I can tell you that she’s still as competitive as probably when she was 20 years ago.

“You can see that her short game, putting is still on. That’s something that she has in her veins and is going to shine forever. She said she’s probably not hitting it as far or straight as she was before, but at the end of the day, I’m going to say it again: she’s my superhero. Her and (fellow Mexican) Lorena (Ochoa) are probably why I’m out here.

Being able to share this with them, with her specifically, is just unbelievable.”

Sorenstam’s competition could include former longtime Connecticut resident and PGA of America president Suzy Whaley, who inspired the Swede to accept a sponsors’ exemption to play in the PGA Tour’s Bank of America Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2003. Whaley had earned an exemption to the Buick Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell when she captured the 2002 Connecticut PGA Championship. That made her the first female to win a PGA of America Member Invitational Championship in PGA Section or national championships and first to qualify for a PGA Tour event in 57 years.

In 2014, Whaley became the first female and first member of the Connecticut Section PGA to be elected an officer in the PGA of America (secretary), and it came on the first ballot, a rarity. Her two-year reign as president ended in October, but she and the Section weren’t able to host the organization’s annual meeting in Hartford due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whaley, 55, is going to try to qualify for the 120-player U.S. Women’s Senior Open Championship field and have a reunion with Sorenstam. Whaley is a leading golf teacher at the Country Club of Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Earning a spot in the Buick Championship ended up inspiring Sorenstam to play in the Colonial. Sorenstam said she had thought about competing in a PGA Tour event because she knew so many of the players,

1st Hole at Brooklawn Country Club including close friend Tiger Woods, but quickly reconsidered.

“I’d think about for about 10 seconds and then go back to watching television,” Sorenstam said during a teleconference call before her Colonial start. “But after Suzy qualified, it changed my mind.”

Sorenstam won a record eight LPGA Player of the Year awards and six Vare Trophies given

to the player with the lowest seasonal scoring average. She is the only female golfer to a 59 in competition and holds various all-time scoring records, including the lowest season scoring average, 68.6969 in 2004.

In 2012, Sorenstam received the Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honor, which recognizes an individual who demonstrates spirit, personal character and respect for the game.

Her time in recent years has been spent raising her two children with her husband, the son of 1979 Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open champion Jerry McGee, and participating in numerous ventures to grow the game through her Annika Foundation.

Sorenstam represented Europe in the

Solheim Cup eight times between 1994 and 2007 and was the event’s all-time leading points earner until it was surprised by England’s Laura Davies during the 2011 competition against the United States. She also was captain of the 2017 European Solheim Cup team.

Last December, Sorenstam was appointed president of the International Golf Federation starting January 1 of this year, which was six days before she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump. Because the women’s golf competition in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo was the week after the U.S. Women’s Senior Open Championship, Sorenstam hesitated about playing at Brooklawn. But after being encouraged by Olympic officials, she decided she would go to Connecticut.

Davies, another Hall of Fame member, won the inaugural Senior Women’s Open by a stunning 10 strokes at Chicago Golf Club in 2018.

Swede Helen Alfredsson triumphed in the second edition in 2019 at Pine Needles Golf Club in Pinehurst, North Carolina, but last year’s championship scheduled for Brooklawn CC was canceled due to the pandemic.

This will be the fifth USGA event to be played at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, and past champions have been David Nevatt (1974 U.S. Junior Amateur), Jerilyn Britz (1979 U.S. Women’s Open), Gary Player (U.S. Senior Open) and Sukjin-Lee Wuesthoff (U.S. Girls’ Junior).

Tickets are available at https://www. usga.org/content/usga/home-page/ championships/2021/u-s--senior-women-sopen/tickets.html

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TRAVEL

Puerto Rico’s Robust Tourism Rebound

By CLAUDIO DeMARCHI

I

n continuing on the theme, “Where do I want to go when this is all over,” and where is it safest to go? Puerto Rico is one of those places, having been to most of the islands in the Caribbean but not this one!

Statistics show that as domestic travel begins its revival Puerto Rico is faring far better than the U.S. average according to the April Travel Recovery Insights Dashboard from the U.S. Travel Association. This holds true for many of the Island’s travel niches, not the least of which is golf.

The Recovery Dashboard, developed in partnership with Tourism Economics, includes not only a national overview of where key indicators stand but also a state and

territory breakdown. In this, it is evident Puerto Rico is faring far better than the U.S. average, with travel spending in March 2021 only 17% lower than the same prepandemic period in 2019.

Discover Puerto Rico, the Island’s Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), is sharing updates for U.S. inbound travelers stemming from the local

government’s latest Executive Order. The order, which goes into effect on May 28, 2021, includes modified restrictions such as the elimination of negative COVID-19 PCR molecular test requirements for fully vaccinated travelers on domestic flights and the ability to utilize a negative antigen (rapid) test result when entering the Island, for passengers who are not vaccinated or those arriving internationally.

As of May 24, the local curfew is lifted, which was established in March 2020.

For us Canadians we will just have to see when our fearless leaders will get things figured out so we can get there too!

These encouraging facts bode well for overall travel to Puerto Rico going forward, as well as for the golf niche, which has been thriving during the pandemic due to the inherent safeness and ideal social distancing found

Palmas Atheletic Club

Kings Crossing Golf Club 34 34

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

The links Poland Wyndham Grand RioatMar Golf Spring Course

TPC Dorado Beach East Golf Course

in the game and on the Island.

“It is fantastic to see the increased volume of inbound Island visitors coming to enjoy Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort,” said Seth Henrich, PGA, Wyndham Grand’s Director of Golf. “The increase in tourism coupled with a membership boom has set the stage for banner years to come.”

TPC Dorado Beach is doing so well that it has shifted strategy due to growth and demand.

“We are seeing a significant increase in resort golf rounds and membership sales for the club,” said Jeff Willenberg, PGA, Director of Golf at TPC Dorado Beach “Due to the growth of our membership over the past six months, the club now only allows members, their guests, and hotel guests from Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. We expect the momentum of resort rounds and membership sales to continue to grow as the year progresses.”

While both TPC Dorado Beach and Wyndham Grand Rio Mar are on the northeastern coast near San Juan, courses and resorts throughout the Island are

experiencing similar success.

Located on the northwestern tip of Puerto Rico, boutique resort Royal Isabela reports increased demand for its Links Golf Course and luxury casitas. “It is exciting to have tourists traveling again to enjoy Puerto Rico,” said Eugenio Lopez, Royal Isabela Sales Director. “We are maximizing this opportunity by continuing to improve our golf facilities and services.”

Palmas Athletic Club in Humacao on the eastern coast is home to two 18-hole courses designed by Gary Player (Palm Course) and Rees Jones (Flamboyan). Like TPC Dorado Beach, handling the high demand has required the club to proactively balance needs.

“We have seen exponential growth in our rounds and membership levels,” said General Manager Seth Bull. “We are open to the public on Monday through Thursday, with tee times available by calling our Golf Pro shop. Play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings is reserved for members.

However, non-members may play after 11:00 am when accompanied by a member.

This schedule has allowed us to serve well our continually growing membership.”

There are 18 golf courses on Puerto Rico. Sixteen are open to the public. The other two – at TPC Dorado Beach – allow play by guests staying at the Dorado Beach, Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

Island courses range from luxury resort to municipal, spread throughout Puerto Rico with several clustered near historic San Juan. Oceanside views, coconut trees, and mountain and rainforest vistas frame their settings. Price points, terrain, layout style, and related amenities are varied and complementary.

Traveling to the Island is convenient with many choices as it is the air hub of the Caribbean. Further traveler friendliness is found in Puerto Rico’s bilingual culture, U.S. currency, and no passport required for American citizens.

For more information on Island golf courses, resorts, and other destination attractions, visit: www.DiscoverPuertoRico.com The The Club Club at at River River Oaks, Oaks, 17th 17th Hole Hole

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TRAVEL

I

What Women Want in Golf Trips On & Off the Fairways

n celebration of Women’s Golf Day on June 1, 2021, the Golfing Magazine would like to highlight a company whose

sole mission is to create memories on and off

the fairways. Women on Fairways, LLC is a golf and lifestyle travel company catering to women golfers.

Meet the ladies behind Women on Fairways…

Ashlee Ciora and Noreen Selberg have known each other since 2010. They worked together, entertained clients, and traveled the world for business promoting and marketing leisure travel to Greater Palm Springs, California. The two loved working together, built a strong friendship over the years and as their careers moved into different executive roles, companies, and locations, they always stayed in touch.

Women on Fairways was born out of a year that faced many challenges as the world had to navigate a new reality in 2020.

Their combined 60 years of working in the tourism and hospitality industry changed.

Ashlee was living in Los Angeles and moved back to Minnesota to be with family and Noreen stayed in La Quinta and spent time with her family.

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Thankfully the golf gods reopened the courses in Minnesota and Ashlee played a lot of golf in the summer and joined the LPGA Amateurs MN Metro Chapter. Her passion for travel and years of experience marketing golf destinations started to develop an idea and the vision of Women on Fairways was introduced.

The two reconnected and joined forces as they realized there was a gap in the market for women-owned golf companies focused on women’s golf trips. They create tailor-made itineraries designed around the experiences not only on the course but off the course for girlfriend’s golf trips, mother/ daughter golf trips, celebration trips, family golf trips, and couples golf trips. This past year has been an amazing year for golf, with millions of rounds, new players, and more women appreciating this newfound love for the game. In the United States alone, over 6 million females took to the golf courses in 2020, an increase of 450,000 junior girls and women playing golf according to the National Golf Federation. Women on Fairways is excited to be part of this trending growth to support women’s golf and be at

Golfing Golfing Magazine Magazine •• New New Jersey/E. Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Section Section

the forefront of designing trips catering to women golfers that will set them apart from the traditional guys’ golf trips.

Their motto is simple…“you don’t have to be a bucket list or scratch golfer to book with us. We celebrate the days we play golf with our friends…and that’s a great day!”

We asked Ashlee about the thought process of picking destinations with women in mind. “The destination is key in planning a women’s golf trip. The destination has to be easily accessible, safe, nice hotel product from golf resorts to luxury hotels, and offer a variety of activities and things to do.”

Women on Fairways select their destinations because they know them and experienced them first-hand. Ashlee and Noreen have lived primarily on the west coast and have lived, worked and played in Scottsdale, Greater Palm Springs, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Las Vegas, and other west coast cities. But they also have discovered hidden gems in the Midwest states offering some unique women’s golf packages.

They love planning golf trips tied around activities that the group loves to do like wine tours, private culinary tours, art tours, a spa day, or any specific experiences the client has requested. Noreen and Ashlee are wine lovers…especially California Chardonnays so the 19th hole is an important part of the itinerary. Golfing Magazine found out their favorite is Rombauer Chardonnay.

What sets them apart from other golf companies is their years of experience in destination marketing, golf, luxury hotel sales, event planning, and domestic and international travel. Noreen’s background in luxury hotel and golf resort sales and Ashlee’s career in destination and golf marketing makes for a talented duo that holds the designation as a top luxury travel agency for experiential golf travel for women. They understand the importance of customer service, attention to detail, hotel product, and women amenities expected at a golf course. They have a long list of destination, hotel and

golf course relationships that provide their clients access to VIP services and additional amenities only bookable through Women on Fairways. They are an affiliated agency of the luxury travel company, Travel Edge headquartered in Toronto with offices in the United States.

As an exclusive announcement through Golfing Magazine and the Traveling Golfer, Women on Fairways is organizing an escorted women’s golf trip in celebration of their one-

year anniversary tentatively scheduled for November 8-12, 2021. This trip will bring women together in a fun setting, where the sun will shine, the destination will be scenic, golf will be played, the wine will be enjoyed, relaxation is mandatory, and memories will be made. Women on Fairways is planning this exclusive 4-night / 5-day trip for women golfers and will include two rounds of golf, transportation in the destination, a variety of experiences, and some surprises with an option for additional days. Stay tuned for more details, pricing, and booking information in July 2021, or email info@ womenonfairways.com if you are interested.

Ashlee and Noreen would love to connect with you!

Follow Women on Fairways on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @womenonfairways or visit their website at www. womenonfairways.com to sign up for their newsletter.

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Golf Product Guide LINKS DRINK

For years golfers have looked forward to this cocktail at the turn, or in the clubhouse. Now, Links Drinks has created a ready to drink Transfusion cocktail in a can! Made with Vodka, Ginger Ale and Grape Juice. 7% abv, no preservatives, natural ingredients and gluten free. On the course, beach, boat or bbq at home, you can enjoy this golf tradition anywhere! Sold in “foursome” packs. The perfect gift! Enjoy Life! https://www.LinksDrinks.com https://youtu.be/QmNyg2gYx20

STRAIGHT DOWN PATTON JACKET

The Patton Jacket blends textile technology to allow for a range of activities in different climates. It features stretch binding on the side panels to block the wind, and it’s super compactable. Whether you’re golfing, hiking, camping or fishing– this jacket will be perfect to take with you on any adventure you choose.

https://www.straightdown.com/patton-jacket/ https://vimeo.com/555939962

HYPERFLX GLOVE

The new HyperFLX golf glove from FootJoy is Tour-proven, using a super-soft Cabretta leather for the perfect feel and grip in all playing conditions. The breathable mesh along the knuckles creates a cool comfort while increasing moisture control and fit consistency. Shop the #1 Glove in Golf for Dad with the new HyperFLX golf glove.

https://www.footjoy.com/golf-gloves/men/ hyperflx/003HFX.html

Golfing Magazine • New England Edition

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

SIK PUTTERS

SIK putters are crafted for superior feel and better performance using our patented Descending Loft Technology™ and by milling each putter out of a 100% solid block of 303 stainless steel. Our Descending Loft Technology™ will correct for ball position and shaft delivery variance, providing you with consistent launch angles and truer roll. Always delivering proper loft at impact means better distance control, more confidence, and more putts made. .Custom putters from SIK Golf not only ensure individualization, they truly “Change the Way You Roll”. It is a literal game-changer for players and duffers alike. Custom putter fitting is now available at Club Champion locations nationwide. For information or to schedule a fitting visit www.sikgolf.com Click Here for BRYSON DECHAMBEAU ON WHY HE TRUSTS DESCENDING LOFT TECHNOLOGY™

CUSTOMIZED GOLF BALLS FROM GOLFBALLS.COM Celebrate golf with Customized Golf Balls from the very best brands in golf! Add a name or funny message, upload a personal photo, or improve his game with a custom alignment aid. Choose from top brands such as Titleist, TaylorMade, Callaway, Bridgestone, Srixon, and many more! Plus, shop a huge selection of golf clubs, shoes, apparel, accessories, and much more. All available at Golfballs.com, the World Leader in Golf Customization. https://www.golfballs.com/ printed?promo=PRINTED&utm_ source=gmagdadgiftguide21&utm_ medium=referral&utm_ campaign=gmagdadgiftguide21&utm_content=printe d&t=gmagdadgiftguide21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmwkrdY5OL0

PREMIERE SERIES

Designed in collaboration with several PGA Tour players, The Premiere Series from FootJoy features three new upper designs, inspired by golf shoes of the past but supercharged for today’s game. The Premiere Series is infused with performance innovation, led by the all-new VersaTrax+ outsole. This revolutionary antichanneling pattern is engineered to provide grip for any lie or angle, providing total traction coverage, reducing any slippage.

https://www.footjoy.com/premiere-series.htm

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Golf Product Guide

VEGAS GOLF THE GAME NEW 26 PIECE ALL IN EDITION !

You will have a blast with you Golf Buddies when you break out the ALL IN “On The Course” game. This exciting game begins with golfers agreeing on a value of the 26 authentic poker chips.

Golfers want the positives & want to avoid the negatives. New Grave Digger chip … takes you more than one shot to get out of the sand trap. Furthest from the pin on a par 3 … gets you the new beer chip, which puts you on the hook for a round when the beer cart comes by. See instructions section for definitions of all chips.

ONLY ONE GAME NEEDED PER FOURSOME !

FREE DELUXE TEE BAG ONLY $39.95! FREE SHIPPING SPECIAL Buy 2 games and get the third for FREE https://www.VegasGolfGame.com

HARRY TAYLOR GOLF HT-1000 LASER

https://vegasgolfgame.com/pages/demo-videos

The Most Powerful Laser Rangefinder in Golf Under $200 *1000 Yard Range *Accurate to +/- 1 yard •Slope with On/Off •Rechargeable with Micro-USB •”Flag-lok” visual and vibrating target verification •Weather-proof Comes with a free carrying case! All for only $149 https://www.harrytaylorgolf.com/pages/harrytaylor-range-finders

ORANGE WHIP

THE ORIGINAL #1-RATED GOLF TRAINING AID - Don’t settle for imitations. The Orange Whip has been voted #1 Teaching and Training aid by PGA and LPGA Professionals for a reason: it’s simply the best. Maximize your golf game with our award-winning golf training products and programs.

Improve your golf body and golf swing so you can play better and score better. “

https://orangewhipgolf.com

FLEX XP

The redesigned waterproof FLEX XP delivers enhanced comfort, style and performance on the course, in the clubhouse and beyond, led by the popular VersaTrax spikeless outsole. The multiple traction zones on the outsole maximize golf performance in all conditions and produce exceptional multi-surface grip.

https://www.footjoy.com/golf-shoes/men/spikeless/flexxp/010FLX.html?dwvar_010FLX_color=56273

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

HARRY TAYLOR GOLF 405 WEDGE

Get out of the sand the first time, every time.

The 405 is impossible to chunk!

Created by legendary golf club designer Harry Taylor. The perfect sand wedge for most weekend golfers.

Super-forgiving wide dimpled sole: The wider sole, with its golf-balllike dimples, is engineered to glide through sand or thick grass easily.

Precision milled face and grooves produce a perfectly flat face and high spin rates.

Soft feeling 303 steel: Softer, higher quality than the traditional 1025 carbon steel forged golf clubs 4 lofts available, right or left handed.

Change ypur wedge game in one swing!

Only $67 or 2 for $124 https://www.harrytaylorgolf.com/pages/1234 https://youtu.be/xiCf-jJopV8

BUSHNELL TOUR V5 SHIFT RANGEFINDER

Upgrade your game. The new Tour V5 Shift features an integrated BITE magnetic cart mount, PinSeeker with Visual JOLT to further reinforce you have locked onto the flag and not the background clutter, as well as more magnification and better clarity. Most importantly, the Tour V5 Shift features our patented Slope Technology with an updated Slope algorithm to provide golfers the most precise compensated distances in golf. https://www.bushnellGolf.com

SQUARE STRIKE WEDGE Accurate Chipping, Makeable Putts

Chip it close from any lie. The Square Strike Wedge makes chipping easy and accurate. No more complicated set up. Just use your simple straight-back-andthrough putting stroke, and the Square Strike Wedge pops the ball on the green and close to the hole. Leave yourself short putts for more pars and birdies thanks to the Square Strike Wedge. Backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee. https://www.autopilotgolf.com/lp/squarestrike/ssw45/?a_aid=golfingmag&a_cid=7608c485&data1=golfing-mag-ssw-giftguide

GUSTBUSTER PRO SERIES GOLD™ GOLF UMBRELLA

As the number one umbrella for all professional golf tours, this award-winning product makes your time on the green even more pleasant. It fits perfectly in any golf bag, making for easy access when the elements becomes too much to handle. Features a Pinchless Manual Open & Close Release System, Lightweight, Black Fiberglass Frame, Hand-Contoured Rubber Comfort Grip Handle and is Lightning Resisting.

UNFLIPPABLE, UNFLAPPABLE, UNLEAKABLE www.GustBuster.com

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SELECTING THE RIGHT BALL FOR YOU!

S

electing the right golf ball is a critical step toward better golf. Unlike the rest of the equipment being used, the golf ball factors into every shot.

So which ball is best for you?

There are many golf balls in the marketplace and all are being marketed differently.

“This one is soft, this one is hard, this one is long, this one is better for slow swing speeds or high-spin or low trajectory.” In an instant gratification world, it’s understandable why the majority of golfers just grab a sleeve of balls at the course based on the golf staff’s recommendation. Instead, let’s review how Tour professionals test/fit their golf balls: Start on the Putting Green Elite players all start on the putting green. Start by bouncing a few different types of golf balls off the face of your putter.

By doing so, you will feel/hear how soft each one is. Today, there are a lot of 2-piece balls that are actually made softer than tour balls.

A Tour-caliber ball with a thin cast urethane cover will be quieter and softer. It’s important to choose a ball that sounds & feels right. After all, more than 30 percent of your strokes will come off the putter face.

The Recovery Zone (Inside 40 Yards) I call this the “recovery zone,” because if a golfer is off the green 40 yards and using a wedge, he/she has missed the green in regulation and now needs to recover by getting up and down for par. Since an average 15-handicap golfer only hits about four greens per round, a lot of time should be spent in this zone when testing balls. Using the club you prefer on short pitch shots, hit a series of small chips and flops to evaluate the ball’s behavior. Did the ball stop immediately? Bounce once and check? Run out?

This can be an arduous process, but will be one of the biggest determining factors in choosing the ball right for you.

The Scoring Zone (Inside 100 Yards) This is the distance where players are

the most accurate. It is also where performance differs from ball-to-ball. In my experience with Tour pros and average players, the better player will spin the ball with their wedges twice as much and as a result, are able to zip the ball backward. Having a ball that will stop faster and reduce roll out may eliminate additional strokes. As a general rule, if the ball is settling near the pitch mark (and not running out), it is a good fit.

Approach Shots (Inside 165 Yards) The final step in finding the right golf ball is with mid and long irons shots to test the ball’s performance into a headwind. Which ball travels at the highest peak trajectory? If a ball is consistency shorter, it may be spinning too much.

Off The Tee All golf balls today travel the same distance, so I don’t advocate ball fitting with a driver. The proper loft, shaft selection and strength are the best ways to add extra distance!

Golf Balls - Premium ONCORE GOLF VERO X1

39.99 www.OnCoreGolf.com Using a proprietary formulation and manufacturing process, along with a high modulus, metal-infused mantle, the Vero X1 features enhanced perimeter-weighting that results in the highest allowable velocity off the clubface and superb distance. Incorporating a nano-engineered transition layer to manage the interface between the mantle and a thin cast urethane cover, the Vero X1 delivers spin, control, and feel. The Vero X1 promises to take even the best golfer’s game to an entirely new level.

WHAT WE LIKE: Perimeter weighting gives you stability in flight, super velocity off the clubface.

ONCORE GOLF ELIXR

39.99 www.OnCoreGolf.com The ball has an innovative core composition delivers the highest initial velocity permitted by the USGA (99.84 percent of the allowable limit). Perimeter weighting allows for tight shot dispersion off the tee and on the fairway, and outstanding back spin for great control around the green. The ball has high initial velocity combined with perimeter weighting for accuracy and the longest, straightest shots possible. And low driver spin and an optimal launch angle yields extreme distance and control off the tee.

WHAT WE LIKE: Perimeter weighting gives you a tight shot dispersion, exceptional feel around green.

TITLEIST PRO V1

$50 www.Titleist.com The V1 offers total performance and features longer distance, very low long game spin, penetrating flight, even more Drop-and-Stop greenside control and a softer feel. Features include a soft cast urethane elastomer cover system, a fast low-spin casing layer, a reformulated 2.0 ZG process core and a new spherically-tiled 388 tetrahedral dimple design. Benefits of the ball include longer distance with consistent flight, very low long game spin and a penetrating trajectory, increased dropand-stop short game control, and a softer feel or chips and putts.

WHAT WE LIKE: The classic “player’s” ball, offering both distance and control.

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

TITLEIST PRO V1X

$50 www.Titleist.com The Pro V1x offers total performance and features longer distance, high trajectory, low long game spin, increased Drop-and-Stop greenside control and softer feel.

The ball is designed to provide longer distance with consistent flight, low long game spin and a high trajectory, increased short game control and a softer feel around and on the greens. There’s a softer cast urethane elastomer cover system, a faster lowspin casing layer, a reformulated 2.0 ZG process dual core and a new spherically-tiled 348 tetrahedral dimple design.

WHAT WE LIKE: Superb all-around ball for the better player, distance isn’t sacrificed for feel.

TITLEIST AVX

$50 www.Titleist.com The AVX offers golfers an alternative to the Pro V1 and Pro V1x in the premium performance segment with unmatched Titleist quality and consistency. The AVX delivers excellent scoring control for golfers who prioritize distance and an extremely soft feel with a piercing, low ball flight. The ball provides long distance, excellent greenside spin and control, a very soft feel and a very low long game and iron spin. The ball features a large core formulation, a high-flex casing layer, a thin cast urethane elastomer cover system and a unique spherically-tiled 352 catenary dimple design.

WHAT WE LIKE: Great alternative to the Pro V lines, distance and a very soft feel for short shots and putts.

VOLVIK S3 WHITE

$44.99 www.Volvik.com The S3 White promises Tour-like performance and pinpoint accuracy and produces maximum distance for swing speeds 85 to 105 miles an hour. The ball offers low driver spin and high wedge spin thanks to a unique three-piece oversized BISMUTH mixed core construction. There’s a patented VU-X urethane cover for outstanding durability and increased spin control. Consistent and stable ball flight results from a patented 336 dimple design.

WHAT WE LIKE: Players with a broad range of swing speeds can benefit from the ball.

VOLVIK S4

$44.99 www.Volvik.com The S4 provides Tour-like performance and pinpoint accuracy to a wide range of golfers.

The S4 generates maximum distance for swing speeds between 95 and 120 miles an hour. It offers low driver spin and a high wedge spin. Explosive distance and energy transfer is generated by a four-piece BISMUTH dual core technology. A patented VU-X urethane cover offers outstanding durability and increased spin control. The ball has a 95 compression and a patented 336 dimple design results in stable and consistent ball flight. The ball comes with spade, diamond, heart, and clover ball insignias.

WHAT WE LIKE: Golfers with a wide swing speed can benefit from the ball, very durable.

VOLVIK XT AMT

$34.99 www.Volvik.com The XT AMT employs advanced material technology to create a ball that offers enhanced distance and more accurate ball flight generated by a dual power core. A matte finish delivers optimized soft feel and greenside spin, and extreme accuracy is delivered with a 360-degree alignment system. A patented seamless dimple design produces improved ball flight stability to keep shots from the tee and fairway on line and headed toward the intended target.

WHAT WE LIKE: A 360-degree alignment system promotes stable ball flight.

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Golf Balls - Performance BRIDGESTONE E12 CONTACT

29.95 www.BridgestoneGolf.com The e12 Contact is straight distance you can see. A true game-changer is a new Contact Force dimple, which features a unique structure with a raised area in the center and an outer portion that slows horizontal rotation during flight. The raised area allows for 38 percent more contact with the clubface at impact than traditional dimples, yielding a much more efficient transfer of energy and improved core activation. The result is faster ball speed and straight distance with every club in the bag. The ball is available in white, matte green, matte red, and matte yellow colors.

WHAT WE LIKE: Raised areas on the ball face gives you extra pop.

BRIDGESTONE E6

$24.99 www.BridgestoneGolf.com.

The e6 promises soft feel and long distance. The reformulated e6 is designed for golfers with moderate swing speeds seeking maximum distance on all shots. The ball has the heritage of e6 in a construction that is now easier to compress thanks to a larger and softer core. A new two-piece construction with low compression core is designed for high ball speed while maintaining soft feel. The ball is available in white and optic yellow.

WHAT WE LIKE: A ball made for golfers with moderate swing speeds.

TITLEIST TOUR SOFT

$34.99 www.Titleist.com The Tour Soft is designed to deliver soft feel with plenty of distance off the tee, and replaces the NXT Tour and NXT Tour S in the company’s lineup. The Tour Soft was designed to feel significantly softer at impact than the NXT balls, while still delivering distance off the tee and surprising amounts of short game control. The Tour Soft features a large core that measures 1.6 inches in diameter to ensure greater speed off the clubface and longer distance.

WHAT WE LIKE: Soft feel around the greens with excellent distance off the tee.

TITLEIST TOUR SPEED

$34.99 www.Titleist.com The Tour Soft is designed to deliver soft feel with plenty of distance off the tee, and replaces the NXT Tour and NXT Tour S in the company’s lineup. The Tour Soft was designed to feel significantly softer at impact than the NXT balls, while still delivering distance off the tee and surprising amounts of short game control. The Tour Soft features a large core that measures 1.6 inches in diameter to ensure greater speed off the clubface and longer distance.

WHAT WE LIKE: Large core delivers great speed off the clubface for distance, soft feel around the greens.

TITLEIST VELOCITY

$27.99 www.Titleist.com The Velocity’s two-piece ball construction features the patented LSX core technology that the company claims to be the “the fastest solid core” of any golf ball on the market.

With this core, initial velocity is increased allowing for better distance. Additionally, a 328 spherically-tiled tetrahedral dimple design reduce the ball’s drag while in the air, allowing for high flight and long carry. The Velocity is also an ideal choice for around and on the green, as it has superb feel.

WHAT WE LIKE: Great distance off the tee without sacrificing feel.

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

TITLEIST TRUFEEL

$22.99 www.Titleist.com The TruFeel is the softest Titleist golf ball with low spin for long distance along with excellent control into and around the green. A proprietary TruFlex cover is designed for excellent control on your short shots to help you play better, score lower and enjoy the game. The aerodynamics of the TruFeel have been enhanced to maximize flight to allow for more distance off the tee and on approach shots to the greens. This is a ball for the player looking for all-around performance.

WHAT WE LIKE: Excellent and approach shots to green, good all-round performance.

VOLVIK VIVID $32.99 www.Volvik.com

The Vivid features maximum spin off the driver, along with a high launch angle and more distance driven by the company’s Nano Bi High Energy Resilient Core. The ball’s patented matte finish and vibrant colors minimizes glare on the surface and promotes concentration and improved ball striking. Vivid colors were also developed to improve increased visibility in flight. The V•A•S (Volvik Alignment System) was created as a visual key off the tee and on the green.

WHAT WE LIKE: Great spin off the driver for more distance, VAS alignment system a plus.

VOLVIK SOIICE

$34.99 www.Volvik.com The high launch, low spin, and enhanced distance of the Solice are generated by Volvik’s Nano Bi High Energy Resilient Core. The ball offers improved greenside control with consistent spin from a soft V-HPF mantle Volvik’s unique high gloss metallic coating increases ball flight visibility and durability. There’s a patented 322 dimple design that helps the ball deliver flight consistency and exceptional distance.

WHAT WE LIKE: A high launch and low spin rate results in enhanced distance off the tee.

VOLVIK XT

$37.99 wwwVolvik.com The XT is a three-piece ball with a urethane cover and a soft compression for explosive distance off the tee. The ball also produces accurate greenside control with its VU-X urethane cover; a cube octahedron dimple design provides ball flight stability; a VU-X urethane cover maximizes feel and shot shaping control; and the V•A•S (Volvik Alignment System) was created as a visual key off the tee and on the green. The ball comes in multiple colors to fit the eye of every golfer.

WHAT WE LIKE: Superior distance and great feel is a winning combination.

VOLVIK CRYSTAL $24.99 www.Volvik.com

The Crystal offers maximum visibility thanks to its bright colors and semi-transparent cover. Extreme distance is provided by a highly resilient soft power core. Stable and consistent ball flight comes from an innovative aerodynamic technology.

Longer distance and superior control, consistent and accurate control on approach shots and putts is a result of the ball’s soft and comfortable feel on all shots.

WHAT WE LIKE: Bright colors help the golfer focus on each shot.

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Golf Balls - Recreational ONCORE GOLF AVANT

19.95 www.OnCoreGolf.com The Avant 55 features a large soft inner core for added perimeter weighting and straighter, longer shots off the tee. He ball has an ideal balance of flight and control. A soft surlyn cover with 392 dimple pattern offers optimal trajectory and playability. SoftCell technology achieves an ultra low 55 compression. A high coefficient of restitution (COR) core generates maximum ball velocity. The ball is ideal for moderate swing speeds. A two-piece construction allows for high launching wedge shots and a very soft feel around the greens and off the putter face.

WHAT WE LIKE: Optimal ball flight and control in one golf ball. .

SNELL GET SUM GOLF BALLS

www.SnellGolf.com $20.99 The Snell Get Sum golf ball is a high performance, two-piece ball that offers excellent feel and control. A large, soft low compression core allows for very low spin rates, which increases distance and creates less hooks and slices. The cover is constructed of a thin, soft Surlyn for a soft feel, and works in conjunction with the golf ball’s core to help players get the ball in the air easier and reduce spin rates for straighter shots from tee to green.

WHAT WE LIKE: Soft feel provides excellent control on short shots and putts.

VOLVIK POWER SOFT

$19.99 www.Volvik.com The Power Soft gives players explosive speed and a softer feel, a best of both worlds scenario. An oversized power core results in that explosive ball speed and outstanding driver performance with reduced spin rates and a mid-high launch angle. A super soft ionomer cover gives you greenside control. Excellent visibility when over the ball and when it is in the air is the result of five glossy color options.

WHAT WE LIKE: A ball that provides both superior ball speed off the clubface and feel around and on the greens.

VOLVIK VIMAX SOFT

$19.99 www.Volvik.com The Vimax Soft features high visibility thanks to a matte finish, as well as superior distance and a soft feel, all in one ball. A high energy soft core with soft feel and fast initial ball speed helps produce superior driver distance thanks to the resulting low spin and high launch. You will find yourself with improved focus because of outstanding visibility from the matte colors.

Optimal ball flight and excellent flight stability is generated by an Icosahedron dimple design.

WHAT WE LIKE: A soft core promotes super feel off wedges and the putter.

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

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47

Great

Golf

Ocean City, Maryland

17 Championship Courses 10 Miles of Beach 3 Mile Boardwalk

2 Nights, 3 Rounds Starting: Spring / Fall Weekdays - $170 Weekends - $191

First Class Accommodations Excellent Dining Exciting Nightlife

“Great Golf is Just the Beginning” Ocean City, Maryland

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