2015 Golf Oklahoma June | July by Golf Oklahoma Magazine

Official publication of the Oklahoma Golf Association www.golfoklahoma.org

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Contents june/july 2015

Vol. 5 Issue 3

w w w . go l f o k l a h o m a . o r g

Features

Folds of Honor scholarship recipient Ashlie Lissett sings the national anthem at the 2015 Patriot Cup.

24 30 32 34 38 41 44

Tulsa First Tee loses co-founder U.S. Girls Junior comes to TCC WOGA celebrates 100 years Oaks CC restored Prep, collegiate roundups Sparkling renovation at Sequoyah A look at Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame inductees Perry Maxwell and Bill Spiller

54 Only lefties need show up for this event

Departments

10 12 1 3 14 1 8 20

36 42 52 53 56 58 60 61

Letter from the publisher OGA Rules, Gene Mortensen The Goods Equipment Chip Shots: A May drenching, Patriot Cup, Lincoln Park clubhouse, Topgolf opens, more . . . Junior Profile: Yujeong Son Destinations: Los Cabos Pro Profile: Jimmy Walker Amateur Profile: Dave Davenport Fitness Industry Profile: Tripp Davis Superintendent’s Perspective Results

On the cover Ardmore architect Perry Maxwell designed many of the best courses in Oklahoma, including Southern Hills. The picture is of the green complex on the par-5 13th hole.

Support junior golf by contributing to the OGA Foundation Call 405-848-0042 for more information 6 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

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June / July 2015 letter from the publisher Volume 5, Number 3

Patriot Golf Championship due analysis on appeal versus publicity cost

borne,” Rooney said. he two-hour “Going forward evMemorial erybody was happy Day special on Fox and committed to Sports 1 broadcontinuing it.” cast live from The The Patriot Cup Patriot in Owasso on Memorial Day was probably a bit weekend may serve confusing to many next year as the golfers. kickoff rather than Not one shot was the conclusion of shown from The the Patriot Golf Patriot Cup InvitaChampionship. It tional, the star-studwould then run ded event going on through Indepenlive that day from dence Day, a time The Patriot, which of year when more is also where the golfers are likely to broadcast initiated. be playing than in a Yes, rain shortened rainy May like we The Patriot Cup to a The Budweiser Clydesdales didn’t let the just experienced. short par-3 shootrain keep them away from The Patriot Cup. Only Rooney and out, but there were no plans for coverage even if the event had those who have worked closely with him on this project know whether it will be gone on as planned. worth it in the long run. Golf Oklahoma Instead, the broadcast focused on The Patriot Golf Championship, the new brainchild has been a strong backer of every one of of Major Dan Rooney in which golfers across Rooney’s efforts, from the building of the course to the creation of the FOH, creation the country can play a round against a PGA Tour golfer by going online and posting their of Patriot Golf Day and the Patriot Cup. This one, put us down as ambivalent. score. They also pay a $21 donation, which The issue is whether there is any fungoes to the Folds of Honor Foundation. damental appeal to the concept. If I have The brilliance of the concept is that a handicap of 10 and go out and shoot a anyone in the world can play with a few keystrokes. The problem is that while there 77, then go online and post it against Tiger Woods and he shoots 74, I win big. But was a massive effort to get big names such there is no real sense of accomplishment. as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rickie I still know that Tiger, playing the same Fowler and 16 other pros to sign up and designate one of their rounds as the “Patriot tees and same course, would beat me by 20 Round,” there was not a similar movement shots. It lacks something intangible to make golfers feel more compelled to participate. to get the word out to the average golfer I would rather just make a $25 donation on about the event. It’s highly likely that nine of 10 golfers watching the two-hour special Patriot Golf Day. In the end, it’s all about the scholarabout The Patriot Golf Championship had ships for our servicemen or women and no idea beforehand what it was. their families. Anyway anyone wants to Rooney, as is his nature, is undeterred. contribute is great. I just would weigh careAlthough only about 250 participants signed up the first year, he said it is a three- fully the cost of a national media awareness campaign about this event against the year plan and the goal is to have a million potential return. participants by year three. “Our biggest goal this year was to get all – Ken MacLeod the feathers put into this bird and get it air-

10 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

Golf Oklahoma Offices Southern Hills Plaza 6218 S. Lewis Ave., Ste. 200 Tulsa, OK 74136 918-280-0787 Oklahoma City Office 405-640-9996 Publisher Ken MacLeod ken@golfoklahoma.org COO/Marketing Director A.G. Meyers agm@golfoklahoma.org Art & Technology Director Chris Swafford chris@golfoklahoma.org Subscriptions to Golf Oklahoma are $15 for one year (five issues) or $25 for two years (10 issues). Call 918-280-0787 or go to www.golfoklahoma.org. Contributing photographers Rip Stell, Bill Powell Golf Oklahoma PGA Instructional Staff Jim Woodward Teaching Professional, Oak Tree National jwoodwardgolf@sbcglobal.net, 405-348-2004 Jim Young Teaching Professional, River Oaks CC 405-630-8183 Pat McTigue Manager, GolfTec Tulsa pmctigue@golftec.com Steve Ball Owner, Ball Golf Center, Oklahoma City www.ballgolf.com, 405-842-2626 Pat Bates Director of Instruction, Gaillardia Country Club pbates@gaillardia.com, 405-509-3611 Tracy Phillips Director of Instruction, Buddy Phillips Learning Center at Cedar Ridge vt4u@yahoo.com, 918-352-1089 Jerry Cozby PGA Professional jerrycozby@aol.com, 918-914-1784 Michael Boyd, PGA Professional Indian Springs Country Club 918-455-9515 Oklahoma Golf Association 2800 Coltrane Place, Suite 2 Edmond, OK 73034 405-848-0042 Executive Director Mark Felder mfelder@okgolf.org Director of Handicapping and Course Rating Jay Doudican jdoudican@okgolf.org Director of Junior Golf Morri Rose morose@okgolf.org Copyright 2015 by Golf Oklahoma Magazine. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from Golf Oklahoma. Golf Oklahoma is published by South Central Golf, Inc.

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From the Executive Director

OGA Foundation names scholarship recipients Union High School’s Grace Shin and Chickasha’s Cody Burrows are the Oklahoma Golf Association Foundation’s first scholarship award winners. Mark Felder The Foundation OGA was created in 2009 Executive and since 2011 has Director given out more than $200,000 in grants and scholarships to courses, associations, and others that work with young golfers in an effort to support and grow the game in Oklahoma. Shin won the Bill Barrett Memorial Scholarship. She will attend the University of Central Oklahoma. Burrows won the Roy Oxford Memorial

Grace Shin

Cody Burrows

Scholarship. He plans to attend Oral Roberts University. Both scholarships are $ 5,000. Ardmore’s Elizabeth Hargis (plans to attend Redlands), Deer Creek’s Alexandra Couch (Oklahoma State or Oklahoma Baptist), Broken Arrow’s Shannen Stewart (OBU), Sapulpa’s Hudson Hoover (OSU or OBU) and Edmond North’s Anderson Harris (UCO) all were awarded $2,500 scholarships. The OGA feels ver y fortunate to be able to help these students and would like to thank all the individuals and businesses who have supported the foundation through generous donations. Because the foundation uses the same staff as the OGA, 100 percent of the donations go to scholarships or grants with no administrative costs. To

Elizabeth Hargis

Hudson Hoover

Tulsa Golf Association off to strong, if rainy, start Even though we are experiencing one of the wettest springs in quite some time, the TGA managed to avoid having any tournaments rained out until the end of May, when the Stroke Play Championship at Battle Creek became a victim of the constant downpours and was moved to June 27-28. Also the PLAYERS SERIES 3-man SHAMBLE at the Golf club of Oklahoma will be rescheduled. Coming up next on our 2015 schedule is a new event many people are excited about; the Two-Man Challenge at the LaFortune Park par-3 course to be played on June 23 at 7 p.m. The front nine will be a scramble and the back nine will be a best ball of the team. We hope to see everyone out for these fun events coming up. For more information, go to www.tulsagolfassociation.com. • June 11, 2015 - Players Series 3-Man Shamble at Forest Ridge GC • July 7, 2015 – Players Series 3-Man Shamble at the newly renovated Oaks CC • July 25-26, 2015 – Four-Ball Stroke Play at Forest Ridge GC • August 8-9, Two-Man Challenge II at LaFortune Park GC • August 18, 2015 – Players Series 3-Man Shamble re-scheduled at Golf Club of Oklahoma – TGA Executive Director George Glenn 12 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

make a donation or for more information, go to www.okgolf.org or call 405-848-0042. The OGA sympathizes with every golf course owner, operator, superintendent and employee that has been affected by the abnormally wet spring, and is looking forward to conditions dr ying out for the upcoming featured events. The Senior State Amateur is June 1518 at the renovated Hillcrest Country Club in Bartlesville. The OGA MidAmateur State Championship is June 29-30 at The Club at Indian Springs in Broken Arrow. The Senior Stroke Play Championship is July 13-14 at Quail Creek Countr y Club in Oklahoma City. And the State Amateur Championship is July 20-22 at Oak Tree National in Edmond.

Shannen Stewart Anderson Harris Alexandra Couch

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Oklahoma Golf Association News

Don’t touch that dandelion! There is one Rule that applies every time you make a stroke from anywhere on the course. Since the application is continual, I believe it is the Rule Gene Mortensen that is most often OGA Rules violated. We are talkDirector ing about Rule 13 and we’ll discuss the high points so you can avoid the dreaded two-stroke penalty that comes with any violation. You must not improve the position or lie of your ball; the place where you will take your stance; the space you will occupy to make the stroke; and, the path you wish your ball to take as a result of the stroke. The term, “improve” in the context means to change or even alleviate a condition for the better, so that the player gains an advantage in playing the next stroke. Prohibited acts of improvement include pressing a club on the ground; bending or breaking anything that is growing; creating or eliminating ir-

regularities of the surface; and, removing or pressing down sand, loose soil or replaced divots. There are situations in which the penalty is avoided if the “improvement” occurs while fairly taking your stance or completing your stroke. It is absolutely imperative that you take a stance and swing your club to play the game so it would be grossly unfair to penalize you in doing so. Also, there is no penalty in grounding your club lightly in addressing your ball. You may not touch the ground in a bunker or water in a water hazard with your hand or a club when your ball is in that hazard. You are also not permitted to move loose impediments in those areas. There was a recent change in the Rule to permit you to smooth the sand in a bunker prior to your shot providing that nothing is done to improve the position of the lie of your ball. If there is doubt as to the result of smoothing the sand, wait until after the stroke has been made. Rules officials watch for the player

who is stepping on the pitch mark he just created. I have also seen players step down with enthusiasm directly behind their ball in the rough. And, when your drive comes to rest behind a dandelion, don’t touch it. The most basic concept of the Rules is, “Play the course as you find it and your ball as it lies.” I can almost guarantee you that if you heed this advice you will never place yourself into a position to incur a penalty.

Sign up for our enewsletter at golfoklahoma.org for the chance to win tickets, rounds and other prizes as well as keep up with all the breaking news

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Goods the

Some things we like to do before and after the round

The Bookshelf Good old days, brand new swing by tom bedell

The secret of golf Sit by yourself in a restaurant, start doodling on the paper tablecloth, and you never know where it might take you. Sports Illustrated writer Michael Bamberger wound up all over the road in the United States visiting the men and women whose names he had idly jotted down on that tablecloth. Eighteen of them, naturally, nine representing those he considered Living Legends of the game and nine he called Secret Legends. The first nine were fairly obvious choices — Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Ken Venturi, Tom Watson and the like. The others were those who served the game in other roles — executive, teacher, writer, caddie — folks like Sandy Tatum, Jamie Diaz, Billy Harmon. Another in the latter group was a player who almost, but not quite, won the U.S. Open in 1990, Mike Donald. Still tied with Hale Irwin after an 18-hole playoff, Donald watched Irwin sink a winning birdie putt on the first sudden-death hole. A keenly analytical student of the game, nicknamed Stats, Donald joins Bamberger for most of the pilgrimages to the other legends, which becomes a fascinating journey into the soul of the game and its real-life effects on those involved with it as their livelihood. Clearly inspired by Roger Kahn’s classic “The Boys of Summer,” Bamberger’s “Men in Green” (Simon & Schuster, $27), casts a similar, compelling spell as the stories pour forth, often reflecting one upon another, the past, the nature of time, life itself. It’s an episodic journey, but it flows like a stream. Only read one golf book a year? Make it this one. 14 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

But if you read more, there are further dividends to be found in “The Secret of Golf: The Story of Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus” (Simon & Schuster, $27) by Joe Posnanski. Now a national columnist for NBC Sports, Posnanski also put in a stint at Sports Illustrated. But before any of that he wrote for the Kansas City Star — Watson territory. So he was already well-versed in Watson lore when he came up with the notion for this project — an in-depth look at the rivalry between the two golfing greats as it evolved through the years and turned into a great friendship. Ten years apart in age, the two first met at a 1967 exhibition match when Watson was in high school and Nicklaus was already considered the greatest golfer in the world. But over the next two decades the pair were destined to go head-to-head in some of the most legendary matches ever scripted in major championship play. Indeed, though there’s some timeshifting throughout, the book essentially begins with the 1977 Open Championship at Turnberry and the two players’ brilliant “Duel in the Sun.” It returns to the same course for the 2009 Open when the 59-year-old Watson waged his valiant war against aging, falling heart-breakingly short. These are familiar stories, but thanks to scores of interviews with both players and many others, Posnanski has managed to in-

vest the material with lively and fresh insights spread over 18 “Holes” rather than chapters. The seeming bonus is the walk between the holes, brief meditations on aspects of playing the game — all part of the so-called “Secret.” Which, as Nicklaus aptly puts it, is a contradictory notion to begin with: “There isn’t a secret to golf, of course. But no real player believes that.”

the a swing Hope may be a universal golfing trait. One always hopes to become better. Some even strive to become better. David Leadbetter has spent much of his life trying to help the strivers. I was at a dinner with Leadbetter early in 2014 at the Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida. He was there to help promote the course and its upcoming Concession Cup, a new Ryder Cup-like amateur tournament with teams from the United States and Great Britain/Ireland. But, Leadbetter being Leadbetter, it wasn’t long before we were all letting him watch our swings while dessert melted. Leadbetter would then go hands-on with us to let us feel the differences in a traditional swing and the new approach he was then working on. Now anyone can give it a go with “The A Swing: The Alternative Approach to Great Golf,” that Leadbetter has produced with the assistance of Ron Kaspriske (St. Martin’s Press, $27.99).

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In about 200 magazine-sized pages, Leadbetter describes, illustrates and suggests drills for the new swing which is difficult to summarize here but is aimed at a simplified backswing that will produce more consistent results with less effort and conscious thought on the part of the player, once ingrained. (Although I suspect it will take ample effort and study to reach that point.) Leadbetter does not peg this the “Secret” but he does succumb on occasion to calling the new swing “revolutionary.” But he also writes, “It is a different way of swinging the club — but it’s not that different.” It may also not be for those perfectly content with their swings. But how many of us can say that?

to the nines I’ve played golf with Anthony Pioppi, a senior writer for Superintendent magazine, but never at a nine-hole course. This is a situation that clearly needs to change, as the new edition of Pioppi’s “To the Nines” (Taylor Trade Publishing, $16.95) proves. His first flailings in golf were taken at age 5, when he went around the ninehole Donald Ross-designed Cohasse Country Club in Southbridge, Massachusetts, with his grandmother. That was pretty much enough to light the fuse that has led to a life in golf as writer, caddy and occasional designer in his own right. And it also created a lifelong affinity for nine-hole courses. When the first edition of the book appeared in 2006, roughly 4,700 of the 17,000 golf courses in the United States were nineholers. The numbers have since contracted, according to the National Golf Foundation: 15,405 active golf facilities, 3,236 of them nine-holes. Troubling? Somewhat, but Pioppi points

out some positive signs in terms of the 2014 USGA Play 9 initiative, and a new nine-hole facility like Sweetens Cove in South Pittsburgh, Tennessee, so stunning that it has summoned a new chapter in this second edition. Otherwise, Pioppi presents a panorama of 14 great nine-hole courses throughout the United States, and in a guest chapter from the late Bob Labbance, a selection from Maine. A New Englander, Pioppi front-loads his early chapters with Northeast classics before fanning out over the rest of the country, winding up on the Northwood Golf Course in Monte Rio, California, an Alister MacKenzie trek through the Redwoods. Some of the black and white photos are too dark and murky to be of much value, but this is a quibble. The overall effect of the book will have you grabbing your sticks and heading out, because there’s always time for nine. Tom Bedell has been using an alternative swing for years.

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The goods Volkswagen Golf, loaded and fun by greg horton

Driving the Volkswagen Golf makes it easy to understand why it is nearly everyone’s car of the year in its class for the 2015 model. It’s just fun to drive. A combination of acceleration, speed, comfort and handling makes it a car you want to drive, and the price makes it easy to love. The base model starts at approximately $18,000, but it’s worth the additional $1,300 to get the better package for the Golf 2-door 1.8T S. The latter comes with standard transmission, but automatic is available. Some of the fun is lost for car lovers who like the feel and responsiveness of standard transmissions, but it was easier to drive in the city without constant shifting. Both models come with built-in Bluetooth and touch-screen sound systems, and both have a large cabin that seats four comfortably — a nice and unexpected touch in a two-door coupe. For music junkies, Sirius/XM is built in, and while a

16 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

free three-month subscription is available on purchase, the service requires ongoing subscription. Since technology is becoming far less expensive, both models have built-in iPod cable jacks, so a subscription is not really necessary. The four-door model is only slightly more expensive, and the interior specs are identical. The cabin is obviously larger, but the level of comfort is comparable. Unlike the hatchback on the two-door, the four-door has a very large standard trunk, one of the features most often cited by critics. The amount of luggage space is impressive for a small sedan — roughly 53 cubic feet. City and highway mileage are identical for two-door and four-door: approximately 25/37, which is comparable to other vehicles in its class. The four-door does have an optional 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic mode shifting. The base four-door starts about $21,000, and

2015 Volkswagen GTI SE

optional upgrades like premium sound system, rearview camera, rain-sensing wipers, and sunroof max out at about $25,000. Volkswagen’s safety ratings are among the best in the automotive industry. The two- and four-door models come with 3-year/36,000 mile limited and roadside assistance warranties. The powertrain falls under a 5-year/60,000 mile warranty. Color and fabric options improve with price, as is most often the case, such that the base model has four color options, and the best model has seven. A Diesel model is also available, the Golf 4-Door TDI, a clean diesel vehicle. The mileage is better on the diesel model, which is to be expected, and models run as high as about $28,500.

Espinosa's perfect cigar Golf is a game of skill, luck and patience. The lucky part is, no matter what skill level of golfer you are, everyone can still enjoy the same luxury of a fine cigar. Erik Espinosa with Espinosa Cigars has crafted the perfect cigar for any round of golf. Erik’s newest blend is the Laranja Reserva, a beautifully hand rolled Brazilian wrapped Nicaraguan filled cigar with a full body and strength. At first light, this cigar has notes of spice, pepper, nuts and citrus. During the second third of the cigar the spiciness and pepper start to fade with a smooth transition into a more profound citrus, cocoa and a naturally sweet taste followed by an aroma of orange peel. As the end approaches you find the cigar finishes on a wonderful oaky citrus taste. This cigar is hands down one of the best cigars I have smoked from Erik’s collection. The Laranja Reserva comes in three different sizes: Corona Gorda (5.6x46), Robusto Extra (5.5x54) and Toro (6x52). Before you head out to the golf course stop by ZT Cigars and pick up a few sticks.

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EQUIPMENT

Pro V1 or Pro V1x? by ed travis

For 15 years, Titleist’s Pro V1 has had a firm grip on the top spot in golf ball sales and that position was strengthened when stablemate Pro V1x hit the fairways in 2003. The two aren’t readily distinguishable visually other than the number on the Pro V1x is in red, and in black on the Pro V1 and if you really look closely, there are 24 more dimples on the Pro V1. This lack of visual difference though doesn’t mean they perform the same. The Pro V1 has a three-piece construction, feels softer and given the same swing conditions launches lower than the Pro V1x, which is a four-piece ball. With the same hypothetical swing, the Pro V1x carries farther while the Pro V1 rolls out more. Choosing the right ball for your game is all about taking advantage of these differences. If for example, your swing typically produces too much height, the lower launching Pro V1 might be good for you. But if your distance and control seem to be compromised by the ball starting out too low, then Pro V1x should

18 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

help. By the way, the name Pro V1 wasn’t meant to be. It was only the tag engineers came up with at the last minute when Titleist sent their new and as yet unnamed ball to the USGA for approval. Pro stood for Professional because it had a urethane cover as did the then top-selling Titleist Professional model, V for veneer referring to the casing layer around the ball’s core and 1 as the first of its type. Bill Morgan, head of Titleist R & D, has said he never thought the name would stick -- it would be changed when full production started. What happened was much different. The name never changed and within months of its introduction the Pro V1 became the most played on the Tour and remains so today plus, along with the Pro V1x, the choice of millions of amateurs around the world. This chart busting success raises a question, “Which one should I play.” The answer is straight forward and we thought it would be interesting to ask some average golfers to evaluate both to find which

worked best for them. Players with handicaps of 4, 6, 14 and 17 were given a three-ball sleeve of each and asked to compare them for as long as they wanted. One of the players, the 4-handicap, was already a Pro V1x user, but the other three played balls from other manufacturers, or in the case of our 17-handicap, “whatever I happen to find.” We didn’t make our players adhere to any specific test program other than “go play” and report back. All four players did not pick their favorite solely on driver distance or any other single factor, but that’s not to say distance off the tee didn’t play a big part in their decision. The 14-handicapper reported the Pro V1x gave him longer drives and that it “did just fine on the green” though “it seems to roll out better.” Our 6-handicap reported the Pro V1 was

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definitely for him the best with the driver. “I averaged several yards longer with the Pro V1 over the V1x” and “the Pro V1 also has better spin control over the Pro V1x.” With a 4-handicap, the third player confirmed his original view that the Pro V1x best suited his game for length and control. The perspective of the 17-handicapper was less emphatic…he wrote, “Honestly, I believe both balls were longer with my driver than what I’m using and putting I really liked the feel.” He concluded, “I can’t pick one over the other because they played the same as far as I could see.” The bottom line was all felt the Pro V1 or the Pro V1x helped their games, both distance and feel. However, what is also interesting, after the trials what are they playing? As expected the 4-handicap has stuck with the Pro V1x, the 6 tells me he will buy Pro V1s at least part of the time and the 14 has given up his previous brand saying he was sold on the Pro V1x. Our 17-handicap tester notes he is going to stick with his present “previously loved” golf balls but when he really gets serious about improving his game he’ll be buying Pro V1s.

Lincoln Park an example for all by ken macleod

Steve Carson has been a head golf professional in Oklahoma City since 1976, including the past 25 years at Lincoln Park Golf Course. Some of the most enjoyable days he’s had in that 40-year span have come in the last few weeks. That is the time span since Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett helped dedicate the new $9.5 million clubhouse at Lincoln Park. Carson says the 32,000-square foot building is simply the finest pro shop at a municipal course in the country. “For a golf course in the public sector, this is as good as there is,” Carson said. “It’s absolutely wonderful and everyone seems to love it. Our bookings are good, tournament activities are strong. The players like to come out and spend some time, watch television, have something to eat and drink. Creating that social aspect as something we were hoping for.” “We’ve set a standard of doing things right in Oklahoma City and we have to keep raising the bar,” Cornett said. “That’s what I tell our people who serve on our

boards and commissions. We have to keep raising the bar. “This clubhouse gives off a sense of energy and hopefully will help generate new golfers. It will also help keep our retirees around. When they go to price golf in some other part of the country and compare it to what we have here, they will realize they better Steve Carson on his stairjust stay here.” way to heaven at Lincoln The roomy Park Golf Course. pro shop is 2,500 square feet, there is a banquet room which seats 180, an upstairs terrace bar with a balcony to sip drinks with a scenic view of the course below. The restrooms are huge,

See LINCOLN PARK page 24

www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 19

Chip shots

News from around the state Sponsored by

Oklahoma Tulsa Toll Fr

The drought is over!

Oklahoma courses recover from May deluge by ken macleod

The good news for every Oklahoma golf course in May was that the water bill should have been $0. Every irrigation pond in the state should be full. Rivers and streams are running at capacity. The drought is over for the majority of the state. On the other side of the coin, the record rainfall that fell throughout the state stunted play, slowed pro shop sales and in many instances resulted in costly clean up of debris or repair bills to fix bridges or other structures damaged by floodwaters. Also, veteran superintendents like Mike Wooten, in charge of Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow since 1985, caution that the cool, wet spring with limited sunlight has resulted in less Bermuda coverage than normal and in bent grass greens that have not undergone any stress or been forced to grow root depth in preparation for the summer heat to come. “They’re just sitting there fat and happy,” Wooten said. “It’s like if a 300-pound fat guy sits on a sofa then gets up and tries to run a marathon.” Wooten had a dam break in his largest lake on the Cedar Ridge property during

Flood waters at Oklahoma City G&CC.

20 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

justicegolf.com

The Club at Indian Springs, where rushing water took out a bridge as well.

with May. By May 27, LaFortune Park had the May 23 five-inch rain overnight, lowreceived just over 14 inches of rain and ering the lake to just a few feet. He said South Lakes nearly as much, or nearly ½ floodwaters from Haikey Creek running inch of rain per day. through the property were higher than Yet, that was a desert compared to any he’s seen, topping a rock wall by the parts of the state. McAlester had recorded third green and covering the green on the 20.77 inches, shattering all records for any par-3 second hole for a time. Besides repairing the dam, Wooten said the main issue has been daily rebuilding of washed out bunkers. He has been mowing fairways that would normally require daily cutting, only once per week due to the wet conditions and slow growth. A few miles further south, The Golf Club of Oklahoma was forced to close its back nine for days after Lake Kadashan, a stormwater detention lake built by the Corps of All superintendents grew tired of seeing bunker lakes. Engineers, overflowed, covermonth. In Duncan, where The Territory ing the lower 18th green, the 15th green and many cart trails. Superintendent Gary Golf Club has suffered from drought virtually since its opening in 2003, 15.57 inches Hallett said no permanent damage was fell in the first 27 days of the month. In done, but lots of clean up of debris and the previous 12 months, Duncan received reworking of bunkers was ahead. 29.83 inches, according to the National Tulsa Country Parks Director Richard Weather Service in Norman. Bales oversees the maintenance side of Norman had 22.43 inches with more operations at the county-owned South Lakes and LaFortune Park golf courses. He expected by May 27. The previous high for any month was 16.5 inches in October said in his 35 years with the county he’s 1983. Floods affected play to some degree never experienced a month to compare

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at Jimmie Austin University of Oklahoma Course, The Trails Golf Club and particularly at Belmar Golf Club, which was forced to close temporarily to clean up the debris and mud. Belmar lost a small section of its No. 14 green and suffered erosion damage to a creek wall which will need to be repaired. A 200-yard section of a six-foot-tall wrought iron fence was knocked down by floodwater and debris and had to be repaired. Considerably more rain fell before the end of the month in all these locations. In Broken Arrow, floodwaters snapped a bridge at The Club at Indian Springs, forcing it to postpone an open-to-the-public fun day and fund raiser called Hole It On The River. The event was moved to Sept. 26. While most courses can hope for a quick turnaround with more stable weather in June, courses such as Chickasaw Pointe on Lake Texoma, which depend on lake traffic around holidays such as Memorial Day weekend, were dealt a more severe blow.

Texas courses look for help by art stricklin

DALLAS -- The record heavy rains, which have pounded Texas much of the spring and especially in the month of May, have dealt a harsh blow to golf courses statewide with professionals and tour operators looking for help anywhere they can find it. Areas in north Texas had already exceeded 13 inches of rain – the second most for any May in history – with a week left in the month. Some areas finished the month in excess of 20 inches. “Since the first of the year, we’ve lost 1,500 rounds to rain,” said Paul Earnest, Director of Golf at the TPC Four Seasons Resort and Club in Las Colinas and the President of the Northern Texas PGA. “Texans don’t mind heat, but we don’t want this non-stop rain. It’s not good to have zeros on the tee sheet .” The situation isn’t any better in the

The drenched practice area at The Colonial.

Houston area where heavy floods stranded thousands of motorists on the cities interstates, not that they were headed to the golf courses anyway. “We’ve been shut down for almost a week,” said Carlton Woods Director of Golf Mark Steinbauer. “We hope to get in golf soon, but nobody here in The Woodlands has played lately. It’s a mess.” Chip Gist, CEO of Austin-San Antonio Golf Trail, said he has groups booked from

www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 21

Chip shots Since almost all campgrounds and marinas were closed and the lake was high, dangerous and full of debris, director of golf Ryan Chapman was expecting a slow holiday weekend regardless. The fact that more than five inches of additional rainfall fell only made it worse. Chickasaw Point is trying to open four new holes that were built last fall, but the weather has pushed that opening back to late July, Chapman said. “Mother Nature has dealt us a lot over the years,” said Steve Carson of Lincoln Park in Oklahoma City, where 19 inches of rain fell. “The only thing you can do is make the best of it and go on. We all needed the rain. We had been under water restrictions for the past three years.” At Earlywine Golf Course in OKC, assistant pro Rito Palacios said his course had five new ponds for a few days in places where there are not supposed to be ponds. “And we drain the best of any course in the city,” he said. “We’ll be fine in a few days. The only problem is going to be the mosquitoes. They already look like birds.”

22 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

all over the country and they have arrived to battle the Texas rain and enjoy the Texas fun. “We lost one afternoon last week to rain, but what the players find out in Central Texas is the storms will come through for a couple of hours, but then it’s done and they can get back to playing,” Gist said. “With the soil we have down here, the rain will run off pretty fast.” Mark Harrision, executive director of the Northern Texas PGA, said most of the damage in the Dallas area was around Lake Lewisville which affected golf courses such as Lake Park in Lewisville, the highly-rated Old American Golf Club, and The Tribute. Another high profile course affected in Dallas is the still under construction Trinity Forest layout south of downtown. It’s designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore and slated to be the site of the PGA Tour’s AT&T Byron Nelson Championship, starting in 2018 if not sooner. But for now the course, which had hoped to open later this fall or early next year, hardly represents a championship layout. “It’s a mud pit with all the rain we’ve had,” said Tour player Harrison Frazar,

who has been involved in the project since the beginning. “We had hoped to lay down turf and sod right now, but that just hasn’t been possible. We may be open by next spring.” The heavy rain has not only slowed the amateur weekend warriors, but the world’s best players visiting the North Texas area with the Colonial and Byron Nelson tournaments the final two weeks of May. At Colonial, it rained every day during the tournament and forced tournament officials to implement lift, clean and place for balls in the fairways and even in the rough for the final round. At the Byron Nelson, held at the Four Season Resort Course, officials made the par 4 14th hole into a par 3 for the Wednesday pro-am because of all the water in the fairway. Defending champion Brendon Todd called it the wettest course he had ever seen, adding he couldn’t find a single dry spot to drop his ball. “We just need a little dry weather now. We can’t take any more rain,” Harrison added.

TULSA COUNTRY CLUB HOSTS U.S. GIRLS’ JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP The 2015 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship will be held July 20-25 at Tulsa Country Club. Admission is free, and spectators will have an incredible chance to walk the course with a highly competitive field ripe with future LPGA stars. If you would like an up close and personal experience, volunteer with the Tulsa Country Club. For more information or to volunteer, go to www.tulsacountryclub.com or call 918.345.4985.

Chip shots First Tee of Tulsa co-founder remembered Lincoln Park, continued from 19 large screen televisions are everywhere and for compassion, dedication, love of golf the huge windows and high vaulted ceilings rest at outreach schools and other facilities. A satellite program will open this summer at Page Belcher Golf Course in West Tulsa. John Johnson Jr. generally deflected all At Johnson’s insistence, the children praise, but more than 40,000 young golfers served by The First Tee of Tulsa pay no fees have benefitted from his dedication and for lessons or clubs. love for the game. “John is going to be greatly missed A highly successful partner in a promiaround here,” Gibson said. “He was such an nent Tulsa law firm with a full schedule of inspiration to us all. He was absolutely decivic and church duties, he made time for voted to having a qualthe game that was his passion since his ity program and was boyhood in Oklahoma City. always working behind Johnson, who passed away in May at the scenes to meet the age 81, was a co-founder and president needs of the kids and of the hugely successful First Tee of expand our programs. Tulsa, a program that has become a naEvery time you turned tional model for the way it has mentored around they were doing students at its headsomething to improve quarters at Mohawk the program. I can’t Park as well as its vast imagine a better man.” outreach program Johnson loved the into local schools and game since he was a boy playing youth groups. with his father at Twin Hills His death was felt Country Club in Oklahoma keenly by Southern City. He quickly became highly Hills General Manager proficient, winning junior events and COO Nick Sidoraround the state and country. A akis, who worked frequent traveling companion closely with Johnson when his father was driving to found the First Tee John B. Johnson Jr. them to events was Orville of Tulsa in 1999 and Moody, who finished second to Johnson in to set up a Southern Hills foundation as its permanent beneficiary. And equally by First the 1951 state championship and went on to win the 1969 U.S. Open. Tee of Tulsa Director Janice Gibson, who “Dad said Orville back then didn’t have has been on the front line of bringing golf a nickel to his name and my grandfather to thousands who would otherwise never took him under his wing,” said Johnson’s have been exposed to its benefits. son Bryan Johnson, a Financial Advisor at “His love for the game and vision UBS Financial Services. “Orville was a good allowed us to get this off the ground,” player but he never beat dad back then.” Sidorakis said. “He was instrumental in That was the case in the Oklahoma boys accomplishing everything that we did. high school championship in 1951, where It was a great feat when you look back. Johnson, playing for Classen High School, He got into doors that we otherwise wouldn’t have gotten into and spearhead- repeated as state champion and Moody finished third to Ab Justice, founder of Justice ed the funding effort. He did it because Golf Car. With Johnson having moved on he had a love for the kids and for the to the University of Oklahoma where he program itself.” was a four-year letterman, Moody edged First Tee national CEO Joe Louis Barrow Justice for the title in 1952. paid tribute to Johnson on a recent Tulsa Johnson lost in the 36-hole final of the visit. “I really appreciate his vision for the First 1952 Oklahoma Golf Association State Amateur Championship 2 and 1 to future Tee of Tulsa,” Barrow said. “Without that, professional and Oak Tree and Landmark we wouldn’t be sitting here today. He will Land co-founder Joe Walser Jr. He set then be missed by all of us.” By early this year more than 40,000 chil- course records of 65 at both Twin Hills and the Jimmie Austin University of Oklahoma dren have been taught golf by Gibson and Golf Course. He was certainly good enough her staff including 15,576 and counting at the headquarters at Mohawk Park, with the to turn professional, but elected to pursue by ken macleod

24 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

keep the interior light and airy. “People ask why the building bends and turns,” said Craig Foster, the principal with LWPB Architecture, which designed the building. “We studied all the sight lines and wanted to provide the best views possible from every angle.” It was the first clubhouse for the firm which had previously designed the Bricktown Fire Station and the Northwest Library among its municipal projects. The reaction from the golfers, city officials, pros and others in attendance Friday was that the firm had drove the green on a par-five. The clubhouse was financed through $2 million in general obligation bonds and $7.5 million will come from the golfers at the Oklahoma City public courses paying a $3.50 assessment as part of every green fee for the next 25 years or so. a law degree from OU, then an L.L. M. degree from Harvard Law School. He served three years in the U.S. Air Force as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) and began practicing law in Tulsa in 1961. After not playing for 12 years while establishing his career and family, Johnson joined Southern Hills in 1970. Over time he became heavily involved with the club, serving as president in 2002 and on numerous committees. He still played to a 14 handicap at the age of 81. “Anytime dad signed on to help an organization, it was not a ceremonial deal,” Bryan said. “He rolled up his sleeves and gave them his best effort.” Johnson began a tradition more than 40 years ago of gathering his friends and having them pick teams for a small wager on golf’s major championships. He was an avid participant in a fantasy golf league. A big fan of Tiger Woods through most of his career, it pained him earlier this year to drop Woods from his roster after it became apparent he wasn’t going to play often or well. But because Johnson insisted on his team taking Jordan Spieth in the first round, it is winning the league handily. The Oklahoman named Johnson as an honorable mention in its All Century Golf Team in 2000. He was named to the Tulsa Hall of Fame in 2008. More than any accolades, Johnson allowed many young golfers to become hooked on the same game that enthralled him for a lifetime.

Enjoy the native beauty of Central Oklahoma

(405) 364-0111

www.golfoklahoma.org 1025 East Indian Hills Road Norman, Ok 73071

•••••• 25

Chip shots

RTJ II looks forward to Chambers Bay reaction

when his 8-iron on the famed 16th hole took one hop and went straight in the cup. Brad Bowen, CEO of Golf USA’s Oklahoma stores, also volunteers and has returned to play Augusta seven times. He was thrilled for Combs. “It’s just a great day,” Bowen said. “The greens are still scary fast, though not as fast as they are for The Masters. What a great experience to have your first hole-in-one at Augusta.”

Jones II said the statements by the USGA’s Mike Davis that the professionals should get in a few early practice rounds if they expect to be able to win at Chambers Bay are accurate. Jenks opens practice center “We saw in the U.S. Ribbon cutting was held May 21 for Amateur there that the a new practice center for the Jenks High more the golfers play the School golf teams. course the more successThe building houses locker rooms for the ful they’ll be. It has a few boys and girls golf teams, coaches’ offices, David Feherty, Dan Rooney and Roger Clemons. trap-door surprises, a few bumps in the Rain may have shortened the golf, but road. The more you play it, the more it didn’t dampen the spirit of patriotism you’ll be able to solve its mysteries,” permeating the Patriot Cup Invitational on Jones II said. Memorial Day at The Patriot Golf Club in “The aerial game is one way to play Owasso. Bo Van Pelt, a participant in every Patriot it. But I think the winners and those who make the cut will embrace the Cup and someone who worked closely shotmaking, the skills and the imaginawith Patriot Cup founder Dan Rooney tion of the ground game. The course in helping promote the new Patriot Golf has very hard, firm fescue turf which Championship and on the mostly prepackaged Fox 1 live telecast from the event, is like landing a ball on the street. It doesn’t have water or trees, so the said he is constantly amazed by the Folds slopes and the firm turf are its natuof Honor Foundation. Jenks coach Brent Wilcoxen left, his father Steve ral defenses. The complexity of the “To have started this from scratch and right and a friend check out the new video room. green complexes and the firmness of have given out more than 5,000 scholarships in this short the fescue will cause some players to be a 2,000-square foot putting and chipping frustrated. amount of time green with slopes built in, three hitting “The other aspect is it’s a seven-mile hike bays, an instruction room outfitted with the is truly amazing,” Van Pelt said where you go up and down 200 feet of latest in launch monitors and swing video, elevation change three times. The players during this year’s and another room with golf simulators will need to be in opening ceremoon which golfers can test themselves on shape. Everyone nies. courses from around the world. will sleep well all Robert Trent Jenks Director of Golf Bill Roller was one week.” Jones II, whose of the driving forces behind the facility, design at The which was funded through a $600,000 Patriot is celbond issue. Timely Ace! ebrated each year, Original plans to build the facility next Oklahoma Robert Trent Jones II was walking with to the team’s home course at South Lakes Supreme Court extra spring in his step at this year’s event. were nixed by the Federal Aviation AdJustice Doug He was looking ahead to the U.S. Open Combs volunteers ministration, which controls access to the being played June 18-21 on Chambers Bay, nearby Riverside Jones Airport, so the site his time each his links-style project on Puget Sound. is just east of Jenks High School and about spring to work Doug Combs on 16 at The Masters at Jones likes to point out that he will be two miles from the golf course. Augusta National. the first living architect to have a U.S. The practice facility was designed by Augusta National. Open played on his course since his father GH2 Architects of Tulsa and Manhattan Although he enjoys giving his time and atRobert Trent Jones was alive for the 1970 tending the year’s first major championship, Construction was the primary builder. U.S. Open on his new design, Hazeltine he also loves returning for the Volunteer National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. Day, when those who give their time get to Name change at Willow Creek “I was there for him that year,” Jones II play Augusta. Willow Creek Country Club in south said. “And on Father’s Day, June 21, he’ll be This year was extra special. Combs, 63, Oklahoma City has changed its name to there for me.” registered the first hole-in-one of his life Hidden Trails Country Club. 26 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 27

Chip shots A new ownership group led by Oklahoma City businessman Lloyd White selected the name to reflect a new direction at the club, according to head professional Wade Walker. Plans are for updates both in the clubhouse and on the course. The new group plans to aggressively market memberships, which had declined over time. Gene O’Bryant is the new superintendent, having previously worked for the late Duffy Martin at Cedar Valley.

Emerald Falls files Chapter 11 Emerald Falls LLC, owner of Emerald Falls Golf Course in Wagoner County and surrounding land on which it hoped to build a resort, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The filing came after a state court action filed by Fidelity Bank, which received a judgment in Wagner Country District Court for $3.2 million against Emerald Falls. A receiver was appointed by the court and given authority to sell the property to two potential buyers. When closed, the sale would have resulted in less than the $3.2 million judgment, according to court documents. Stopping the bank sale at least temporarily allows Emerald Falls LLC an opportunity

to continue seeking investors for the resort, plans for which were announced more than 15 months ago when the golf course was closed. David Oberle, whose wife Lucia Carballo is the daughter of the project’s original owner Bernie Carballo, has been the spokesman for the resort since plans were announced. He recently emailed Golf Oklahoma to say that developments in recent weeks have been very positive. He did not return a phone call for further comment. Emerald Falls, designed by Jerry Slack, opened in 2007 on land that was formerly part of the 36-hole Deer Run Golf Course. The course was part of a planned residential development but only a limited number of homes have been built. The development experienced poor timing with the recession of 2007-08 that depressed housing, and also was limited by a fairly remote location and problems with the course, including drainage issues and greens that suffered heatstress related damage several times. The $122 million resort was announced in February of 2014 but work to line up investors and financing for the project has proceeded slowly.

Topgolf to open in OKC, eyes Tulsa facility Topgolf in Oklahoma City opens its doors to the public on June 19. Jonathan Buckley, the PGA Director of Operations, was fleshing out his staff at the end of May, including hiring a director of instruction. Buckley said other Topgolf facilities give extensive lessons despite the chain’s reputation as more of a social gathering place. “We get a lot of beginners but also a lot of scratch golfers,” Buckley said. “We have the video analysis and the Go Pro cameras with either face-on or down-the-line angles. We’ll also do corporate events.” In addition to its Oklahoma City location, Topgolf International announced it is looking to expand in the state. Topgolf is analyzing a couple of site locations in the Tulsa market with the hope of opening within the next 12-18 months. If that happens, it will likely have a competitor already open nearby in Jenks. The Muscogee Creek Nation in 2014 announced it was funding and has begun construction on a three-story driving range and entertainment complex called FlyingTee.

WHERE CRIMSON AND CREAM MEETS LUSH AND GREEN. Minutes from campus, but miles from ordinary, come experience The OU Golf Club — consistently rated as one of the top two golf destinations you can play in the Sooner State.

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28 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

3/31/15 7:59 AM

Nestled in the heart of the Missouri Ozark Mountains, Big Cedar Lodge is the perfect place

to play and stay. This 800-acre premier wilderness resort is home to lodges, private cabins, a world-class spa, a 100-slip marina, and numerous unique dining venues. Located just minutes away are two extraordinary property extensions – Top of the Rock and Buffalo Ridge – both home to the Bass Pro Shops Legends at Big Cedar Lodge, a PGA Champions TOUR event. Top of the Rock boasts a Jack Nicklaus designed par 3 course, an Arnold Palmer designed driving range, and a Tom Watson putting green. Buffalo Ridge, designed by Johnny Morris and Tom Fazio, is an 18-hole golf course that allows you to catch a glimpse of what the Ozarks would have been like for early settlers. Native prairie grasses frame the course and American Bison roam the ridge above. Join us at Big Cedar Lodge for a play and stay experience you’ll never forget! GOK615

Buffalo Ridge Golf Course

Falls Lodge at Big Cedar

Arnie’s Barn at Top of the Rock

www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 29

2015 U.S. Junior Girls Championship at TCC

presented by

Klein-Gille remembers run to Junior Girls title in 1991 by ken macleod

The United States Golf Association will hold its 22st championship in Oklahoma when the U.S. Girls Junior Championship is contested July 20-25 at Tulsa Country Club. The collection of talent on display in this free-to-the-public event will be breathtaking. One has to look no further than the LPGA Tour, where Lydia Ko has won seven times by age 17, to see that the girls playing TCC will be winning college and professional events in the near future. One former U.S. Girls Junior champion who would advise the participants not to be in too big of a rush to chase their dreams is University of Tulsa women’s golf coach Emilee Klein-Gille. As Emily Klein, a 17-year-old on her way to Arizona State, Klein-Gille cruised through the 1991 event at Crestview Country Club in Wichita, winning the finals match 3 and 2 over Kimberly Marshall.

30 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

“By the time I won, I already had a college scholarship and was the No. 1 player in the country,” Klein-Gille said. “I won most everything I played that summer, was medalist in the qualifying and came in expecting to win. I think my longest match went to the 15th hole. “But for three years before that I played and didn’t win. Winning a USGA event is something I wanted more than anything. It’s very prestigious and important to all the girls.” While some want to skip right from junior golf to professional golf, Klein-Gille would advise otherwise even though that option was open to her. She went to Arizona State, earned first-team All-America honors in 1993 and 1994, while leading ASU to the NCAA title in both seasons and capturing the NCAA individual crown in ’94. Klein-Gille was named the 1994 Golf Digest Women’s Amateur Player of the Year. At that point, she was more than ready

Emily Klein-Gille was unstoppable en route to 1991 Junior Girls Championship.

to turn professional, as shown by her being named the LPGA Rookie of the Year in 1995. She won three LPGA events in her career, including a seven-shot romp in the 1996 Women’s British Open at 21. The U.S. Girls Junior Championship features 36 holes of qualifying followed by a 64-player field for match play. Although match play adds some element of chance – a hot player can defeat someone she might

Stacy P, as she was known to all during an have little chance against in 72 holes of stroke outstanding college career at the University play – the tournament has still produced of Tulsa and again on the LPGA Tour, learned tremendous champions, including Mickey a crucial lesson in her round of 16 match as Wright, JoAnne Gunderson (Carner), Hola 13-year-old with current Arkansas coach lis Stacy (three times), Nancy Lopez, Amy Alcott, Heather Farr and In-Bee Park, to name Shauna Estes-Taylor. She moved her mark and forgot to move it back before making a a few. crucial putt to halve a hole. Estes asked her Former TU star Cathy Mockett won in about it after her putt. It left an indelible les1984. Melissa McNamara, the former TU son for the youngster from Enid. NCAA champion and later “Learned the hard way,” coach, was medalist in 1983. Prammanasudh said. “Ended up Stacy Prammanasudh, who losing what was a heated match recently celebrated the birth of because I couldn’t get that one her second child since retirsmall mistake out of my head.” ing from the LPGA Tour three Tulsa Country Club, recently years ago, dominated junior renovated by Rees Jones, should golf in Oklahoma, winning the provide a wonderful venue for Women’s Oklahoma Golf Asboth the stroke and match play sociation Junior Championship portions. It is also one of the five times. She competed in four more spectator friendly courses U.S. Girls Junior ChampionStacy Prammanasudh one could find. TCC will be ships, advancing to the round hosting its third USGA event, including of 16 in her first try. She always made the match play field but never again got past the the 1960 U.S. Women’s Amateur won by Gunderson and the 2008 U.S. Senior first round. Women’s Amateur won by Diane Lang. “Match play was just not something we “It’s just going to be a great venue,” Kleinplayed much of and it was always a tough Gille said. “It’s a great traditional course adjustment,” Prammanasudh said at Media where you have to hit it straight -- a tremenDay for the event. “It was a great learning dous test of all facets of your game.” experience every time.”

Event director Tracy Parsons with the USGA said the par-70 course will be set up at 6,076 yards for stroke play, with some interesting alternatives for match play. The par-4 13th hole will play 327 yards in stroke play, but be moved up to a driveable 257 yards the first day of match play and 237 yards the final day. “Tulsa Country Club will be a great test,” Parsons said. “The key will be good golf course management. The players who best map out a course of action and manage their games will be at the top of the leaderboard.” More than 200 NCAA coaches will be in Tulsa that week for annual meetings and to get a look at upcoming talent. There will be a local qualifier on June 22 at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater. In 2014, 11 countries were represented in the final field of 156 golfers. Notes: Parking for the stroke play portion and the first round of match play will be at the nearby OSU-Tulsa campus with shuttle service to the course. Parking for the remainder of match play will be available at TCC. Volunteers are needed for walking scorers and other tasks. Volunteer online at tulsacountryclub.com or email 2015girlsjunior@ gmail.com. There is no cost and volunteers receive a hat, shirt and food.

www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 31

Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association

100 Years of WOGA The Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association Centennial celebration is July 26 at Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, where the first WOGA State Amateur Championship was held in 1915. In the century between that event and the 2015 return to the Perry Maxwell layout in Nicholls Hills, the women’s game has evolved considerably. Instead of a mostly social event contested between women in restrictive dress, you will see young athletes like 14-yearold defending champion Yujeong Son of Norman ripping drives 260 yards down the center of the fairway and fearlessly attacking pins. Son’s ascension is an extreme example of the way youth dominate the state amateur scene for both men and women.

The women, however, have retained the flavor of the state amateur as the gathering and social hub of the season by offering numerous handicap flights in which many of the great champions of the past still compete. Some of the luminaries who won multiple state amateurs include Patti Blanton, Pat Grant, Betsy Cullen, Dale Fleming (McNamara), Patty McGraw (Coatney), Lee Ann Hammack and Sheila Dills, the current president who has been working hard to make the centennial celebration a huge success. For more information on the Centennial or to attend, go to www.woga.us.

Betsy Cullen

Dale McNamara

Jackie Riggs Hutchinson

Susie Maxwell Berning

1950’s -1970’s Patti Blanton

1920’s -1930’s

1915 picture of founding members.

1915 1902 First woman in Oklahoma to play the game

Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association established

First Women’s Oklahoma State Amateur Championship Oklahoma City Golf & CC

Lucy Beeler

Big Four emerge of Patti Blanton, Lucy Beeler, Mrs. Hulbert Clark, Estelle Drennan

No State Amateur Championship due to WWI

1943 WOGA disbanded because of World War II

New Star emerges Captain Pat Grant

Late

1930’s

WOGA Reorganizes

1946

Elite women golfers emerge such as Susie Maxwell Berning, Betsy Cullen, Dale McNamara and Beth Stone

1950

1918

Mabel Hotz Pat Grant

College golf programs emerge for women, many WOGA Juniors awarded college golf scholarships

WOGA starts Oklahoma Junior Girls’ State Championship led by Mabel Hotz

1915 32 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

1970’s

WOGA Starts Oklahoma Senior Women’s State Championship

1977

e p

HALL OF FAME

Celebrating 100 Years

WOGA WOMEN INDUCTEES Jarita Askins Mabel Hotz Jackie Riggs Hutchinson Susie Maxwell Berning Patty McGraw Coatney Carol Belcher Collins Patti Blanton Dena Dills Nowotny Dale Fleming McNamara Linda Melton Morse Ann Pitts Turner

1996 1994 WOGA Starts Partnership Tournament

WOGA starts Oklahoma Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship

Fore State Team Championship begins with Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas. Ryder Cup Style Format

Betsy Cullen Beth Stone Joan Blumenthal Janice Burba Gibson Pat Grant Lucy Beeler LeeAnn Hammack Fairlie Jeannie Thompson Rogers

WOGA

WOM EN’S OK LA HOM A GOLF ASSOCI ATION

1915-2015

2003

2015

WOGA Starts Women’s Oklahoma Stroke Play Championship and combines existing MidAmateur Championship

Patty Coatney wins record 9th Women’s Oklahoma State Amateur Championship

2013 WOGA becomes a 501c3 Public Charity WOGA starts scholarship and grants programs

WOGA Starts the WOGA Cup Club Team Tournament

2011

2001

Yujeong Son becomes youngest winner of Women’s Oklahoma State Amateur Championship at age of 13

2015

WOGA starts LPGA USGA girls golf chapter of Tulsa

Centennial Celebration July 26, 2015 Oklahoma City Golf & CC

Yujeong Son

2014

1995

Patty Coatney

Sheila Dills President WOGA

www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 33

Where we play

Worth the wait at Oaks CC Course reopens in early June after successful renovation The par-5 seventh hole has been pushed back to the edge of the hillside, providing dramatic views and peril in equal measure. by ken macleod

Golfers at The Oaks Country Club in Tulsa are having to be even more patient than they anticipated. The course has been closed since last summer for a renovation by architect Bill Bergin of Atlanta that included 18 new green complexes, irrigation improvements, considerable movement of tee boxes and cart paths, lengthening of certain holes and an overall sprucing up of the 1924 A. W. Tillinghast design. Nearly 20 inches of rain in May pushed the planned reopening of the course from May 16 back until at least early June. “Our members are antsy and ready to go,” said Director of Golf Rick Reed. “But it’s been too wet. We have two catch basins that have been washed out twice now.” Other than the rain, Reed said the course is looking great and expects his membership will be thrilled with the extensive changes. “The golf course is just going to be outstanding,” he said. “Every hole is prettier. We still have our old 1920s Tillinghast footprint, but now it’s updated and ready for the future.” The new greens boast 007 bent grass and are similar in size and contour to the previous greens. The Oklahoma Golf Association team has already been out to rate the course and it jumped considerably in both course rating and slope rating. The new rating from the back tees is 75.2 with a slope of 138, compared to 71.9 and 120 previously. From the white tees, the new numbers are 71.5 and 135 compared to 70.1 and 118. 34 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

“I think the course was probably rated a little low before and a little high now,” Reed said. “We will see how it plays. We have to get 400 to 500 rounds registered before we can redo the hole ratings.” Bergin anticipated the rise in course ratings when he added length, plus created more shot options through angles of attack for the better players. He said on a recent visit that he was surprised the white tee rating increased, as he actually expects the increased options for ground entry to the greeens to make the course easier for high handicappers while the added length will make it more difficult for those who play the back tees. “I like to allow the members to really navigate their way around the golf course,” Bergin said. “The better players sometimes don’t do that, they just point and shoot. What we’ve done out here is offset bunkers and eliminate some bunkers to give a safer side and a more challenging side to the course.” The project had a price tag of close to $2.9 million. Reed said the club already has more members than when it began and expects even more on the scenic hillside course once word gets around about the renovation.

The course ownership has changed hands in the meantime, but Jackey Yocham, whose family formerly owned the course, is still the superintendent. He confirmed the course is adding five new holes built by Jones Plan of Tulsa. Yocham said the five holes are basically a smaller version of the renovation originally envisioned but could lead to more work. “Hopefully these five holes provide some momentum and drive some lot sales,” he said. “We get the home sales moving again and that should help do more on the course.” It has not been determined yet which holes will be removed from play, but the new holes should be an upgrade regardless.

Upgrade at The Woods The Woods Golf Course in Coweta has resumed an improvement project that was stalled during the recession of 2007-08.

The uphill par-4 13th, with cart path removed from play, a new rock creek and bold bunkering.

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VOLKSWAGEN OF EDMOND JUNIOR PROFILE

Son has eye on U.S. Junior prize by scott wright

Yujeong Son has been gaining local and national attention for a few years now, dating back to 2012, when she was named U.S. Kids National Player of the Year as an 11-year-old. In 2013, she qualified for the USGA Women’s Public Links Championship, which was held at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club in her hometown of Norman. Last summer at 13, she became the youngest player ever to win the Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association’s State Amateur Championship. Now 14, Son has kept the momentum going, including a pair of victories over high-school age

36 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

girls on the inaugural Oklahoma Junior Golf Tour Spring Series. As she heads into the summer prior to her freshman year at Norman High School, Son has big plans for her schedule on the state level and in national events.

Women’s Amateur qualifying. Then I have four or five AJGA tournaments that I might go to. And since I won them last year, I’ll go back to the WOGA Girls Junior Championship and the WOGA State Am, so that I can try to defend my title.

The U.S. Girls Junior will be held July 20-25 at Tulsa Country Club, but the Do you feel like you were able to build qualifying is at Karsten Creek in Stillsome momentum from your play last year water on June 21. Have you ever played Karsten? to get off to a strong start this spring? I’ve never played it. Everyone has been Yes, I ended great last year and I feel like I’ve got a lot of momentum going into this telling me it’s a great course and it’s hard, season. I know I can do good if I just trust so I’m looking forward to it. my game. I know I’m playing good. My Is it exciting to have such a big tournadriver and my full-swing shots have been good so far, despite the winter and the fact ment close to home? Yeah, it really is, because I understand that I couldn’t practice as much. My putplaying in Oklahoma. So I feel like I’ll ting is still there. It wasn’t as difficult as I have a little bit of a home-state advantage. thought it would be after the winter. Of course, I’ve got to get through the What big events do you have planned for qualifying at Karsten first, but I’m really excited about it. the summer? I have a few OJGT events I’ll be playing As you head into some of these big tourin. I don’t know which ones yet. I’ll have naments, which aspect of your game would the U.S. Women’s Open qualifying, the you like to improve the most? U.S. Girls Junior qualifying and the U.S.

Golf Course Construction

I would say I need to improve my putting. I went to the LPGA North Texas Shootout, and I was really impressed by their putting. I know I have to be better with my putting for me to have a chance to get to that level, or even just to be as successful as I want to be at the tournaments I’m playing now. It was really cool following those players around, and their putting was incredible, so it really showed me what I need to work on. Are your competitors still surprised to see you playing the way you do at such a young age? Yeah, people always ask me what high school I go to and things like that. Some of them are shocked, but I take pride in that. I take pride in being able to play with older girls and it’s fun, because they don’t treat me like I’m a kid, so I feel like I’m their equal.

Golf Recent Course Construction Projects Golf Course Construction The Blessings Golf Club

Recent Projects Fayetteville, AR • Driving Range Tee Wichita Country Recent ProjectsClub Recent Projects TheWichita, Patriot Golf Club ••Owasso, OK • Cart Path Improvements Surrounds Grading/sodding Cedar RidgeKS Country Club • Broken Arrow, OK •Green Cart Path Improvements

Cedar Ridge Country Club • Broken Arrow, OK • Cart Path Improvements

The Woods Golf Club

Cedar Ridge Country • Broken Arrow, OK • and CartGabion Path Improvements Silverhorn Golf Club • Edmond, OKClub • Creek Crossing Repairs Wall The Patriot Golf Club • Owasso, OK • Cart Path Improvements The Patriot Golf Club • Owasso, OK • Irrigation Cart PathInstallation Improvements Cedar Creek Golf Course • Broken Bow, OK • 18 Hole Silverhorn Golf Club • Edmond, OK • Creek Crossing Repairs and Gabion Wall ClubArrow, • Edmond, OKHole • Creek Crossing Repairs and Gabion Wall Forest RidgeSilverhorn Golf Club •Golf Broken OK • 18 Bunker and Green Renovation Cedar Creek Golf Course • Broken Bow, OK • 18 Hole Irrigation Installation Creek • Broken Bow, OK • 18 Irrigation Installation BaileyCedar Ranch Golf Golf ClubCourse • Owasso, OK • Resurfacing of Hole 3 Greens Forest Ridge Golf Club • Broken Arrow, OK • 18 Hole Bunker and Green Renovation Ridge Club • Broken Arrow, • 18 Hole Bunker and Green Renovation TheForest Golf Club at Golf Frisco Lakes • Frisco, TX OK • Cart Path Improvements Bailey Ranch Golf Club • Owasso, OK • Resurfacing of 3 Greens Bailey Ranch Golf Club • Owasso, • Resurfacing of 3 Greens Eastern Hills Country Club • Garland, TX • CartOK Path Improvements The Golf Club at Frisco Lakes • Frisco, TX • Cart Path Improvements The Golf Club at Frisco Lakes • Frisco, TX • Cart Path Improvements Eastern Hills Country Club • Garland, TX • Cart Path Improvements Eastern Hills Country Club • Garland, TX • Cart Path Improvements

Coweta • 5-hole new construction

Southern Hills Country Club

Tulsa • Wet well/Intake Flume Installation

Cedar Ridge Country Club

Broken Arrow • Creek Bank Improvements • #17 Fairway Renovation

Gaillardia Golf & Country Club

Oklahoma City • Bunker Improvements Contact Us Firelake Golf Course

JONESPLAN Shawnee • Cart Path Improvements Us 2328 E. 13th Contact Street Contact Us OK 74104 • IrrigationTulsa, Improvements JONESPLAN t 918.832.5544

JONESPLAN 2328 E.Club 13th Street info@jonesplan.com The Patriot Golf 2328 13th Street Tulsa,E.OK 74104

Builder Member

Tulsa, OK 74104 t 918.832.5544 Owasso • Cart Path Improvements t 918.832.5544 info@jonesplan.com

info@jonesplan.com Tulsa Country Club

Builder Member Builder Member

Tulsa • Cart Paths

Southern Hills Country Club Tulsa • Cart Path Improvements

Battle Creek Golf Club

Broken Arrow • Cart Path Improvements • Bunker Renovation

Hardscrabble Country Club

Fort Smith, AR • Tee Improvements

Karsten Creek Golf Club

Stillwater • Practice Green Construction

Builder Member

Yujeong Son at the 2014 WOGA State Amateur.

www.jonesplan.com

www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 37

HIGH SCHOOL STATE TOURNAMENTS

The victorious Owasso Rams, left to right Coach Corey Burd, junior Mike Biata, senior Marc Kepka, sophomore Noah Russell, freshman Austin Enzbrenner, senior Clark Killion, manager Blake Hamar.

Owasso ends North reign, Union keeps streak alive by scott wright

The Oklahoma high school state tournaments were completed in May. Here’s a look at some of the major story lines from those tournaments:

Class 6A boys

Class 6A girls Team champion: Union Individual champion: Trudy Allen, Union The story: Allen led by one entering the final round and pulled away to win by four at The Club at Indian Springs in Broken Arrow. Allen held off Norman North sophomore Kaitlin Milligan, who made a charge into second place after a rough opening round. Union’s fifth consecutive team title wasn’t won so easily. Trailing Broken Arrow by three heading into the final round, Union posted a 322, the low team round of the tournament, to win by four.

Team champion: Owasso Individual champion: Jacob Prentice, Edmond Memorial The story: It’s no exaggeration to call Prentice a darkhorse champion. The No. 2 bag for Edmond Memorial, he was able to grind his way to the title with consistent play, postClass 5A boys ing rounds of 74-73-75 for Team champion: Shawnee a 6-over-par 222 total at Individual champion: Garrett Karsten Creek in StillwaMcDaniel, Shawnee ter. But as big a surprise The story: The Wolves made 6A champ Trudy Allen as Prentice’s title was, the home-course advantage Owasso’s championship topped it. Edmond count, winning the team title by 59 strokes North came into the tournament looking and sweeping the top three individual spots for its 11th consecutive 6A crown, but was at Shawnee Country Club. McDaniel’s 210 turned away by Owasso’s three-round total total edged teammate Braden Ricks by one of 930. Broken Arrow was second with a shot. 941 and Edmond North third at 942. Marc Kepka’s final-round 73 helped the Rams pull Class 5A girls away from Edmond North, and jumped Team champion: Duncan Kepka into a runner-up finish individually. Individual champion: Sydney Young38 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

blood, Durant The story: The state has only ever seen two four-time individual state champions — Lacey Jones of Idabel in 4A from 2001-04 and Altus’ Megan Blonien in 5A from 2009-12 — and Youngblood has positioned herself to become the third. If this year’s scores are any indication, someone will have to do something special to keep Youngblood’s four-peat from happening. The Sydney Youngblood junior shot 67-72 at Claremore’s Scissortail Golf Course to win by 17 shots.

Class 4A boys Team champion: Heritage Hall Individual champion: Quade Cummins, Weatherford The story: Heritage Hall won its second straight title, and Cummins won his second individual crown, but not consecutively. He was the 4A champion as a sophomore, and Quade Cummins capped his career in style. A par on the final hole would have been good enough for the win, but Cum-

mins, an Oklahoma signee, eagled No. 18 at Lake Hefner’s North Course in Oklahoma City for a 67 and a three-shot victory.

Class 4A girls Team champion: Hilldale Individual champion: Katie Kirkhart, Hilldale The story: Kirkhart opened with a 75, the low round of the tournament, and was able to finish off a three-stroke victory over Newcastle’s Chloe Black at Lake Hefner South in Oklahoma City. Only 13 strokes separated fourth from first in the team race, but Hilldale came out on top for the third straight year with a 696.

Class 3A boys

Mason Overstreet

Team champion: Plainview Individual champion: Mason Overstreet, Kingfisher The story: The numbers tell the story for Overstreet, who shot 11-under-par 202 (67-68-67) at Lincoln

Park’s West Course to win by 13 strokes. Committed to Arkansas, Overstreet won nine of the 10 tournaments he played in his junior season.

Class 3A girls

Class 2A boys Team champion: Mooreland Individual champion: Blake Murray, Mooreland The story: Murray birdied the first playoff hole to defeat Mangum’s Hunter Laughlin at Oakwood Country Club in Enid. The two had tied with a 54hole total of even-par 213.

Team champion: Purcell Individual champion: ShaeBug Scarberry, Purcell The story: After the Class 2A girls first 18 holes, the quesTeam champion: Latta tion wasn’t whether Individual champion: Purcell was going to win Kate Goodwin, Riverfield the title on its home Country Day course, Brent Bruehl The story: When Trosper Memorial, but which of Park in Oklahoma City the Dragons’ top three was hit with flooding rains players would come Individual 6A champion Jacob following the first round, away with medalist hon- Prentice of Edmond Memorial. the tournament had to be ors. Scarberry, Ashton shortened from 36 to 18 Nemecek and Peighton Walker were tied holes, leaving Goodwin — the tournament for first at 74 after the first day, and Scarfavorite from the start — with a four-stroke berry, a freshman, sealed the top spot with victory. The Oklahoma Christian signee a closing-round 75. shot even-par 70.

www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 39

COLLEGE ROUNDUP

State collegians look ahead after so-so finishes For Oklahoma colleges the golf season had some outstanding highlights, but no one put together a memorable run during the national championships. At the Division I level, only the Oklahoma State and Oklahoma men’s teams earned a spot in the NCAA Championships. Tulsa and Oral Roberts were not invited to regionals on the men’s or women’s side and the OSU and OU women did not advance past regional action. The Sooners finished in a tie for 28th out of 30 teams at the NCAA Championship at Concession Golf Club, while the Cowboys faded in the final round into a tie for 19th, missing the 15-team field for the final round and a chance to advance to match play. It was a disappointing end for a team that returned three starters from a national runner-up finish in 2014. The Cowboys return all five starters, several talented backups and redshirts and welcome a pair of recruits including Edmond North’s Tyson Reeder, but will need to play with much more consistency in 2015-16 to restore OSU to its lofty

40 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

expectations. The Sooners, who won three events including the San Antonio Regional, say goodbye to seniors Michael Gellerman and Charlie Saxon, but welcome in a talented class including locals Brad Dalke, Quade Cummins and Thomas Johnson and that program should continue to rise. It was the rare year when no Oklahoma schools at the NAIA or NCAA Division II levels actually made a run at a title, although there were some top-10 finishes. Powerhouse Oklahoma City University had five players receive All-America honors but finished tied for eighth in the NAIA national championship at the LPGA International Hills Course in Daytona Beach, Fla. Anthony Marchesani and Jamie Warman were named to the first team while Matthew Cheung and Garrison Mendoza took second-team accolades, and Sam Russell snagged third-team honors. Marchesani became a three-time all-American, while Cheung and Mendoza were named all-Americans for the second consecutive year.

The OCU women were defending national champions, but finished sixth this year at Savannah Quarters Country Club. Four players were named All-Americans, including first-teammer Emma Allen, second-teamers Anna Mikish and KatieLee Wilson and honorable mention honors to Kailey Campbell. At the Division II level, the University of Central Oklahoma women were in contention through three rounds but dipped to seventh in the final round at the Meadows Golf Course in Allendale, Mich. Marla Souvannasing of Tulsa, who placed in the top 10 in 11 of 13 events, was named a second-team All-American. Northeastern State University sophomore Baylee Price made the field as an individual and finished 15th. On the men’s side, Russ Purcer had a top-10 finish but the Bronchos finished 11th in the championship at Conover, N.C. Southern Nazarene’s Michael Hearne, playing as an individual, finished fourth and was named to the first team of the Ping All-America Team.

Sequoyah draws raves Renovated lodge offers golf packages by ken macleod

Talk about an eye-opener. The first time Keli Clark with the State of Oklahoma Tourism Department walked in the renovated lodge at Sequoyah State Park, she couldn’t contain her enthusiasm. “I just yelled ‘Oh My God,’ “ Clark said. “And it’s been that kind of reaction from everyone who has seen it.” The 101-room Sequoyah Lodge was closed from last August 4 through Jan. 30, 2015, for what can only be described as a gutting. “We tore everything out,” said Michael Cooley, the food and beverage manager. “All the old flooring, carpet, blinds, curtains, wall coverings, every piece of furniture, it was all in a big pile in the parking lot. We took out the drywall because in the old days there used to be smoking in the lodge. We are now completely smoke and vapor free.” The new rooms are all completely redone with new furnishings including all new beds, chairs, furnishings, flat screen televisions and all new bathroom fixtures. The lodge was closed the year before for five months to install all new heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) as well as electrical. Between the two renovations, the state spent nearly $8.5 million bringing Sequoyah up to a new standard.

The new décor is mid-century modern, designed to reflect the times of the original construction. Not only are the rooms and suites comfortable and tasteful, but the full impact can be felt in the open areas Mid-century modern decor. and meeting rooms. The huge Sequoyah meeting room can now be portioned off with soundproof dividers, making it possible to serve lunch in one half while keeping the meetings going in the second half, if everyone is not distracted by the view of the sun setting over Fort Gibson Lake, or haven’t already snuck out for golf , boating, hiking, tennis, horseshoes or one of the many other activities available. The dining rooms are bright and airy with views out to the pool Artwork, furnishings add class to renovated rooms. and courtyard. The kitchen has been completely retrofitted as well. Thanks to a relationship with the Cherokee Nation, all new historical artwork lines the hallways and a brochure is available for those who want to take a self-interpretive tour. The lodge has nine meeting rooms overall and room for 900 guests. Besides rooms and suites at the lodge, the facility has 45 cabins, a house and a bunkhouse for rent. It has two different golf packages available. For more Meeting space with a view. information, go to oktravel.com. www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 41

DESTINATIONS

Pick your flavor Nicklaus, Woods square off with course designs in Los Cabos by art stricklin

LOS CABOS, Mexico – Since nailing a list of Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 major championships victories to his bedroom wall as a kid, Tiger Woods has been linked to him. The competition extended to the golf course design arena as well as they each recently opened up new limited public access golf courses in this most scenic Southwest tip of Mexico. For Woods, it was his first-ever course opening at Diamante El Cardonal, after a couple false starts in North Carolina and the Middle East. Nicklaus, Cabo’s most prolific course designer known locally as

42 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

the Golden Amigo instead of the Golden Bear, opened up his sixth course in the area at Quivira. The courses are within miles of each other and because of the elevation changes can be easily viewed from the opposite course. Both succeed, but in dramatically different ways. Nicklaus, who first came to San Jose de Cabo to design the Palmilla course nearly two decades ago, crafted a classic resort, seaside course at Quivira Golf Club. The par-72 layout, which opened in December, plays along the dramatic Sea of Cortez cliffs with spectacular views from several holes on both nines. It’s extremely difficult, make that

Tiger Woods’ Diamonte El Cardonal. impossible, land to walk and required workers to dig some irrigation by hand or with two-wheel golf carts due to the steep conditions, according to chief development officer Jose Luis Mogollon. But it turned out to be an 18-hole thrill ride with over-the-top service, including two full meals during the round. Quivira certainly won’t please many golf purists as there are a number of blind shots, split fairways, contrived layouts and holes hard to figure out on your first trip, but it you want fun oceanside golf, this is your place. “With the land that we had and the dunes on the property we decided we would make the best course we could

and Jack Nicklaus certainly did that,” said Mogollon. The fun begins as the cart path to the first tee runs right along the ocean sand and after four fairly tame holes, the fun and the scenery really kicks in. The path from the fourth green to the fifth tee is more than a half-mile long and virtually straight uphill, winding up the side of a large mountain. When you finally reach the top there is an elaborate comfort station with fresh chicken tacos and ceviche waiting. The par-4 fifth hole, with the ocean thundering hundreds of feet below you, offers a back tee location which requires a 290yard carry straight down while the forward tees offer a bit more safety to a very narrow fairway. The green is perched on a cliff just above the waters making your approach shot fraught with danger. The back nine has more twists and turns until you reach the ocean again on holes 13 and 14. Nicklaus added another dramatic par-3 and par-4 on the coast with the massive waves crashing against the equally massive rocks. Other than a membership or homesite,

Quivira can be accessed by staying in the modern Pacifica hotel, just minutes from the property. Pacifica, which is adults only and been open for a decade, only has 154 rooms, all facing the ocean, but offers a full spa, Dramatic doesn’t describe Quivira by Jack Nicklaus. swim-up bar, dining Several of the bunkers, starting at the on the beach and multiple fire pits to toast another good day par-5 first hole, are actually false fronts with room between the bunkers and the of cabo adventure. putting surfaces. Diamante El Cardonal is the second of Another feature not common to many, two courses built on the property, both if any in the golf-rich Cabo area, is the open to timeshare guests on site. Davis extensive use of chipping areas around Love III did the Dunes course in 2010 and several of the greens, giving players many certainly took the most scenic oceanside ways to play approach shots and allows property, but considering this is his first effort as an architect, Woods’ El Cardonal them to play the same hole differently, depending on the conditions. course is very solid. “El Cardonal is going to remind people Working with former Tom Fazio associof old-style California courses,” said ate Beau Welling, Woods’ layout includes Woods, a native of Cypress, California. claw-shaped bunkers which enrich the “It’s the type of course I enjoy playing course design and the toughness from the the best.” fairways and around the greens.

www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 43

OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME

Perry Maxwell

Genius architect, lasting legacy by chris clouser Perry Maxwell is one of the greatest golfing figures in the history of Oklahoma. What would surprise so many is that he was not a native Sooner, but a transplant from Kentucky. Maxwell was born and raised near the town of Princeton in southwestern Kentucky. After graduation from high school, he moved to find a better locale to help with his afflictions of eczema and

2015 Inductee 44 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

Hillcrest Country Club in Bartlesville consumption. Maxwell toured the southern United States and decided that Ardmore, Oklahoma, was the place for him and his wife, Ray Woods. He soon found employment with the Ardmore National Bank. Maxwell quickly rose up the ladder and began to network with those who became the first group of oil tycoons. The Maxwells became a cen- Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club terpiece of the Ardmore social scene with their four children, Perry’s place of prominence at the bank, and their involvement in community activities. He was also a prominent tennis player and state champion. His wife eventually asked that he undertake an activity that was less stressful on the body and recommended golf, the sport that was beginning to sweep the nation with popularity from Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa. Francis Ouimet’s victory in the Maxwell first became aware of Macdonald U.S. Open. It was shortly after this that while reading an article about the course Maxwell purchased an old dairy farm in Scribner’s Magazine. Upon visiting north of town. with him, Maxwell quickly took to the Maxwell’s affinity for golf took hold template designed golf course that was but he lacked any nearby courses to play. based on classic holes found in Scotland With so much land at his use, he decided and England. The concept would stick to build his own private four-hole golf with Maxwell as he would come back and course. After the course was completed, build several renditions of these holes on other investors asked Maxwell to add his home course in Ardmore. holes and in 1914 he began what would Another lesson that Maxwell took become the Dornick Hills Country Club. Soon after taking up his newfound hob- from Macdonald was to find a man that could help put his ideas into the ground. by, Maxwell decided that he should Macdonald relied on an engineer named learn how to build a golf course. He thought no finer teacher could Seth Raynor. Maxwell would lean on someone within his family. Brother-in-law be found than Charles Blair Dean Woods was a civil engineer who Macdonald, the builder of the National Golf Links of America moved from the copper mines of Arizona to help Maxwell start his own golf course in Southampton, New York.

OKLAHOMA COURSES

Perry Maxwell Oklahoma Courses • Dornick Hills Golf & CC, Ardmore, 1913–23 • Twin Hills Golf & CC, Oklahoma City, 1920–23 • Duncan Golf & CC, Duncan, 1921 • Buﬀalo Hills GC, Pawhuska, 1922 • Shawnee CC, Shawnee, 1923 • Bristow GC, Bristow, 1923 • Indian Hills CC, Catoosa, 1924 • Muskogee CC (redesign), Muskogee, 1924 • Kennedy Golf Course (NLE), Tulsa, 1925 • Highland Park GC (NLE), Tulsa, 1925 • Edgemere GC, Oklahoma City, 1925 • Riverside CC, Tishomingo, 1925 • Hillcrest CC, Bartlesville, 1926 • Lincoln Park Golf Course (East course), Oklahoma City, 1926 • Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, Oklahoma City, 1927

• Cushing CC, Cushing, 1929 • Ponca City CC (redesign), Ponca City, 1929 • Brookside Golf Course, Oklahoma City, 1934 • Mohawk Park (Woodbine) Golf Course, Tulsa, 1934 • Oak Hills Golf & CC, Ada, 1935 • Southern Hills CC, Tulsa, 1935–36 • Blackwell Municipal Golf Course, Blackwell, 1939 • Oakwood Country Club, Enid, 1947–48 • Lawton CC, Lawton, 1948 • University of Oklahoma Golf Course, Norman, 1950 • Lake Hefner (North) Golf Course, Oklahoma City, 1951

construction business. Early in his career, Maxwell determined that he needed to find the perfect grass to use at Dornick Hills and scoured the southern United States. He settled on a strain of Bermuda that was heat resistant. Maxwell would become the foremost expert on the use of the grass and would sit on the USGA Green Section. While touring courses across the United States, Maxwell was obviously influenced by other designers, primarily Donald Ross of Pinehurst, North Carolina. Maxwell soon adopted a couple of traits from Ross designs, primarily using high points of golf courses as often as possible for tee and green locations. In the early 1920s, Maxwell enhanced his knowledge by going to England and Scotland to study the great links courses such as St. Andrews, Hoylake, and North Berwick. He took his lessons on how those great courses used the lay of the land to shape the holes. While on this trip, Maxwell also made the acquaintance of Dr. Alister Mackenzie, a meeting that would prove fruitful just a

CL ASSEN CURVE: 5860 N. CL ASSEN CURVE | EDMOND: 1205 N.W. 178TH S T.

The famous eighth hole at Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson, Kan.

TUL S A: 9110 S. YALE AVE.

WWW.EHSRG.COM/UPPER-CRUS T www.golfoklahoma.org ••••••

OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME few years later. Once Maxwell returned, he incorporated the knowledge he had gained from Macdonald, Ross, Mackenzie and other designers and began building courses that incorporated specific traits that are acutely Maxwellian in nature. Perhaps the best known traits of Maxwell’s golf courses were his green designs. He became famous for undulating surfaces that had humps within them. These were mockingly referred to as “Maxwell Rolls”, a play on words with the names of two well-known automobile manufacturers. But his putting surfaces had more than rolls. They featured slope and spines, angles and strategy, and other facets that made them enjoyable with every round. Maxwell became known for this feature and was hired by several clubs to redesign greens for their course over his career. But Maxwell was most prominent in Oklahoma. He built 40 courses across the state. His first effort at Dornick Hill took nearly 10 years to complete and featured the state’s first grass greens. The course was immediately labeled as Oklahoma’s best and began hosting regional and state tournaments. It was a stop on the national golf tour for a brief time in the 1950s and has since hosted many prominent collegiate events, including the annual Maxwell tournament that drew several of the NCAA’s top teams. Soon after Dornick Hills’ completion, Maxwell took on his next major contract for the course that would become Twin Hills in Oklahoma City. Twin Hills was an ambitious project over some rough terrain. Maxwell completed what some feel was his best routing of a golf course. The course was immediately hailed as a success and was awarded the 1935 PGA Championship that was won by Johnny Revolta. Twin Hills, a true departure from

Dornick, featured many attributes that Maxwell had learned from his study of the golf courses in the southern United States and during his study tour of British links courses and avoided the template style that he used at Dornick. After Twin Hills, Maxwell formed a partnership with Mackenzie. The two men worked on several courses, including the University of Michigan Golf Course and the Crystal Downs Country Club in Frankfort, Michigan. Another of their combined efforts was the Nichols Hills Country Club, now known as the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club (OCGCC). This project was intended to be a 36-hole layout. Maxwell secured the contract and laid out nearly the entire complex. Mackenzie visited the course a couple of times and provided his input. OCGCC received instant recognition. It has been reduced to 18 holes, but has hosted several regional events and the 1951 U.S. Amateur. The course lacks the elevation changes of Twin Hills and Dornick, but it features some of the best use of land movement in Maxwell’s career. These three courses would have been a great trio for any designer to hang their hat on, but Maxwell topped them all with the completion of Southern Hills in Tulsa in the mid-1930s. The course has hosted many important events including seven major championships. It has become the face of Oklahoma golf for the world. The routing and design of the course is considered the pinnacle of Maxwell’s designs by many. The design and maintenance of the course have shaped much of what is considered great across the state of Oklahoma. Maxwell’s courses span across the state and include other great efforts such as the

Hillcrest Country Club in Bartlesville, the Muskogee Country Club, and Oakwood in Enid. All of them share in the great legacy of one of the most undervalued golf personalities in golf’s history. But Maxwell has begun to receive his due in some circles during the past decade. Maxwell’s career was undervalued due to a lack of understanding about his impact. Many people assumed that he had designed a small number of courses and was an understudy to Mackenzie for his entire career. Most are shocked to hear that he worked on 82 original designs and dozens of renovation projects throughout his career with only a handful of those involving Mackenzie. Others also failed to recognize that Maxwell’s philosophy of being a minimalist was not only about less movement of dirt, but also about budgets for the design and lower maintenance costs once the course was completed. That philosophy speaks louder today than at any other time as courses look for ways to squeeze every penny in a highly competitive marketplace. All of this is accompanied by a recent rise in understanding about his work as nationally known architects such as Tripp Davis or Keith Foster or the team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw restore or touch up some of the classic Maxwell designs, including the Old Town Club in WinstonSalem, North Carolina, or Hillcrest, or even bring back some of that beauty at Southern Hills. The golf world is finally realizing that the impact of Perry Maxwell extended beyond just his movement of the 10th green at Augusta National. Chris Clouser is the author of The Midwest Associate, The Life and Work of Perry Duke Maxwell.

One of Perry Maxwell’s best courses is Crystal Downs CC in Frankfort, Mich. 46 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

ROAD TRIP No. 18

M�e golf �an you can shake a 9-iron at. When it comes to championship public golf, there’s no better destination than Alabama, where we’re proud to claim three of America’s 50 Toughest Courses as selected by Golf Digest. For starters, there are the 468 holes along the world-renowned Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Stretching from the mountains in the north to the Gulf Coast in the south, these 26 courses will test your golfing skills as well as your intestinal fortitude. Then there are the many other impressive courses scattered across the state, designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jerry Pate. Each with its own set of challenges, each with its own set of rewards. And each along an epic road trip to the state of Alabama.

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www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 47

OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME

Bill Spiller Pioneer forced PGA to change its ways 68 to tie for second with no less than Ben Hogan. here is a theory of history that Spiller couldn’t says one individual’s actions can keep that level alter its course. of golf going, but A good example is Oklahoma-born Bill he (and Rhodes) Spiller, who single-handedly began the finished in the effort to eliminate discrimination against top 60, and that African-Americans in U.S. professional was the kindling tournament golf. Another view of history has it that only that Spiller used to ignite his fiery the winners write it. Bill Spiller figures in battle against the this equation, too, in a sense. He was not golf establishment. in any way a loser, in that his crusade to A rule on the Tour abolish golf’s racial barriers was ultimately successful, but his contribution has at the time said that the top 60 never received the level of recognition it finishers in a tourdeserves. Spiller was born in Tishomingo in 1913, nament were automatically qualified and spent his grammar and high school for the next official years in Tulsa. After taking a degree in education from Wiley College, an all-black event. Based on school in Texas, the only position he could their LA Open showings, get was as a teacher at $60 a month. He Spiller (T29) moved to Los Angeles and took a job as and Rhodes a redcap in Los Angeles’ Union Station, (T22), qualiwhere the money was much better and a fied to be in co-worker introduced him to golf. the starting A good athlete -- he ran track and field at the played on the basketball team at Wiley Richmond Open. However, they didn’t -- Spiller found he had knack for golf. start. After playing a practice round at the Despite a late start in a game favoring Richmond CC, on the northern tip of the early starters -- he was 29 -- in only three or so years he was able to contend against San Francisco Bay area, Spiller and Rhodes were informed that the likes of Ted because they were not Rhodes, How“We all know it’s members of the PGA ard Wheeler, of America, they could Zeke Hartscoming,” said Spiller. not play. They were field, and all “We’re going to play in not members, because the other top the association had a black golfers of the tournaments. clause in its constituthe time -- the tion that limited mem1940s. At 35, after working a night shift schlepping bag- bership to Caucasian men; which is to say, gage, Spiller qualified for the 1948 Los An- whites. Or, non-blacks. Aware of and deeply rankled by that geles Open, one of the two Tour events at the time that gave blacks entry to compete clause, in this time when Jackie Robinagainst whites. He shot an opening-round son had just broken the color barrier in by al barkow

2015 Inductee

48 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

Bill Spiller did not wait his turn. major-league baseball, Spiller was inspired to do something about it. He found a Bay Area lawyer, Jonathan Rowell, who had handled discrimination cases. Rowell filed a suit in the name of Spiller, Ted Rhodes and Madison Gunter, a local amateur who had made it through a qualifying round, against the PGA of America for $315,000; $5,000 per man against the Richmond CC, and $100,000 each against the PGA of America, Spiller’s main target. The Richmond club’s manager, Pat Markovich, had no problem with black players participating, but his hands were tied by a standard contract with the PGA of America in which it was stipulated that the association had an absolute mandate on the makeup of the competitive field in tournaments it sanctioned.

It was the first time anyone challenged the PGA on this issue, and the association got cute in its response. The PGA’s attorney, perhaps accidentally, met Rowell on the train to Los Angeles, where the suit was to be heard. He told Rowell that if the action was dropped, the PGA would no longer discriminate against blacks in Open events. Rowell took him at his word, and dropped the suit. The PGA then suggested to tournament sponsors that they designate their events as Open Invitationals. Invitationals was the operative word. Except for the LA Open, and the Tam O’Shanter Open and World tournaments in Chicago, no other sponsors invited blacks. The Tam O’Shanter events were the first to invite blacks to qualify and play (beginning in 1943), and because the purse money was so attractive, the white tour pros played whether it was sanctioned or not; same with the LA Open. Spiller was stopped, for a time. Lacking funds -- Rowell had asked only for expenses but was no longer available -- Spiller spent the next four years starting a family, playing on the slap-dash black tour for small purses (and in which whites could

play), teaching occasionally at driving ranges, caddying, and, to keep his hand in the dispute with the PGA was a lone picket protester at a tournament in Long Beach, California. Then came another opportunity that would bring intense focus on the question, and the first move forward. Spiller and Eural Clark, a black amateur, were invited to qualify for the inaugural San Diego Open in 1952. Spiller qualified, Clark did not. There was a vital addon, however. The San Spiller observes the putting of Joe Louis, his frequent companion. Diego sponsors, anxious stepped in, dictating that Spiller and Louis for publicity, also invited Joe Louis, the could not play. great former heavyweight boxing chamSpiller had warned Louis this might pion, to play as an amateur without happen, and Louis took action. He conqualifying. Louis, an avid golfer with a tacted Walter Winchell, a popular nationhigh-single-digit handicap, accepted the offer. But again, as in Richmond, the PGA ally syndicated newspaper columnist

www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 49

OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME and radio journalist, who broadcast on the Sunday before tournament week that the iconic boxing great, who served his country in the Army during World War II, was barred from playing in a golf tournament because of his race. This prompted Horton Smith, president of the PGA, to hold a meeting in San Diego in an effort to ameliorate the negative publicity. It was attended by PGA players on the tournament committee, Jack Burke, Jr. and Leland Gibson, and Louis and Clark. Spiller was not invited, because Smith wanted to avoid his sharp tongue. He didn’t. With the meeting just getting under way, Jimmy Demaret spotted Spiller in the hallway outside the meeting room and said he should be in there. Spiller entered the room and was recognized by Smith, who asked him if he had anything to say. “We all know it’s coming,” said Spiller. “We’re going to play in the tournaments. So if you like golf the way you say you do, and I do, we should make an agreement so we can play without all this publicity. And take that Caucasians-only clause

Leonard Reed, Bill Spiller, Teddy Rhodes and Joe Louis. out so we can get jobs as pros at clubs.” Then Spiller asked why he wasn’t in the first-round pairings. He got the answer he knew was coming, and responded: “That’s not good enough. I’ll see you in court.” As he left the room Burke and Dodson

approached Spiller and asked him to give them a chance to work things out. Spiller said he would hold off for a time, but added, “You ran over me the last time, and aren’t going to this time.” Spiller never brought the suit, because

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things did more or less work out. Joe Louis was allowed to play, Spiller was not and to express his anger over this he stood in protest in the middle of the first tee the morning of the first round. Only after Louis talked him into moving did the tournament begin. However, that same week the PGA announced that black golfers could play as “Approved Entries” wherever they were invited. This time some sponsors did offer, and a week later Ted Rhodes, Joe Louis, a young Charlie Sifford, and two black amateurs were invited to play in the Phoenix Open. It was a breakthrough, to be sure, but a certain generosity was missing. All the blacks were paired together and sent off first for round one. Human feces were found in the cup on the first hole and they were asked not to use the clubhouse facilities. A defiant Spiller went in to take a shower, raising serious physical danger signs, and at the behest of Louis he relented and showered elsewhere. In the end, Spiller played in 10 tournaments on the 1952 Tour, all on the coasts. Demaret and others who were on their side told the blacks to avoid the southern tournaments. They did, until Sifford began playing through the region three years later. By this time Spiller, now in his early 40s, was past his prime as a player and entered only a few events in the ‘50s. However, he was not through with the situation. While caddying for Harry Braverman, a member of the Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles, Braverman asked why Spiller wasn’t out playing or at least teaching golf. Spiller explained the limited access blacks had to the Tour and virtually impossible opportunities to get jobs at golf clubs because of the Caucasians-only clause. Braverman suggested Spiller tell this to Stanley Mosk, California’s attorney general. Spiller found a receptive ear. Mosk informed the PGA that if it did not amend its Caucasians-only clause it could not hold tournaments on the state’s public courses, at which most of the tour was still being played. The PGA said it would then use private courses. Mosk said he would put a stop to that, too, including the 1962 PGA Championship, to be played at Hillcrest. The event was switched to Aronimink CC in Pennsylvania. Furthermore, Mosk contacted State’s Attorneys around the country and asked that they follow his lead. Almost all did, and in November 1961 the egregious “Clause” was expunged. Spiller was 48 and simply could not keep up as a tournament player. His best finish ever on the PGA Tour was 14th in a Labatt Open in Canada. Ironically, one might even say tragically, over the next 27 years (he died in 1988 at 75) he never became a member of the PGA of America because he couldn’t fulfill the five-year apprenticeship requirement as an assistant pro; no one would hire him, even the Los Angeles public courses, because he was deemed too troublesome. Sifford would become the Jackie Robinson of American tour golf if only because he was in the right place at the right time. He was young enough, and good enough, to go full time on the tour and make a dent in the competition. Sifford is certainly to be commended, especially in light of the vicious abuse he took along the way in the early days. But it must be said that if not for Spiller, Sifford might also have been past his prime by the time the game, and the country, did some growing up. Al Barkow, one-time editor-in-chief of Golf and Golf Illustrated magazines, is a noted historian of American golf. He interviewed Bill Spiller at great length for his book, Gettin’ to the Dance Floor, An Oral History of American Golf, winner of the USGA International Golf Book of the Year Award, in 1986. www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 51

MAHOGANY’S PRO PROFILE

Jimmy Walker Oklahoma City native Jimmy Walker has worked more than a decade on the PGA Tour to become an overnight success. After playing on the PGA Tour since 2005 and turning professional in 2001, Walker has become one of golf’s hottest players over the last two seasons. He’s won five PGA Tour events, including the 2015 Texas Open and Sony Open in Hawaii, plus $8 million in prize money. But Walker, who never had a formal lesson or teacher until his sophomore year at Baylor University where he was a two-time all-Big 12 performer, has taken a long path to stardom. His 2013 switch to Butch Harmon as his teacher has paid dividends and increased his ranking as one of the top putters on the PGA Tour. But Walker, who is married to Erin, a nationally ranked competitive showjumper, is determined not to forget his Oklahoma roots. On the eve of the Colonial in Fort Worth, Walker talked about his long path to stardom.

start thinking about becoming a professional golfer until I was 13 or 14. I was too young to remember the Oak Tree gang or anything. I was involved in a lot of the sports in Oklahoma. What else did you do? In Little League, I once struck out 14 batters in a six-inning game, and we won the state championship.

Do you still have family there? Do you return a lot? I have a lot of family in Oklahoma, but we don’t get Growing up in Oklahoma to return that much for the City, did you play in a lot of ju- holidays. What we usually do is use the Byron Nelson tournanior events there? ment in Irving as our reunion No, I really didn’t. I just because it’s easy to get there played with my dad (Jim, a from Oklahoma. flooring contractor) at Surrey Hills in Yukon where we had Have you been able to play a membership. I never had a most of the great courses in coach, I just played with Dad. He was my hero. We just played Oklahoma? I played in the U.S. Open at a bunch. Southern Hills for my pro debut What was it like having your and played at Karsten Creek for an NCAA regional, but I dad as your teacher? never got to play the big course It was great. He was a at Oak Tree. I never was in an scratch player, really good. I event there. I don’t play golf saw him shoot a 60 one time. I on vacation and don’t take golf was 15 years old when I finally trips so I haven’t played that beat him. I played with my many courses back home. dad and his buddies and guys who were a lot older and hit it What’s it like living at Corfarther than me. dillera Ranch outside of San Did you know you wanted to Antonio and winning the Texas Open there this year? be a pro golfer growing up? My family moved to San Antonio when I was 11 and I didn’t See WALKER page 57 52 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

CHARLESTON’S AMATEUR PROFILE

Dave Davenport Oklahoma City businessman Dave Davenport, long-time chairman of the board of Quail Creek Bank, may not be as well known to the golfing public as Oak Tree founders Ernie Vossler and Joe Walser, or even as his long-time business partner Jerry Barton. Yet behind the scenes, Davenport has played a key role as a facilitator not only as a founding partner of Landmark Land Co., which supplied the capital for the development of Oak Tree National in Edmond, but as a mover and shaker behind the development of two clubs in Palm Springs, California, as well as a club in Ireland. Davenport, a founding member of Quail Creek Bank in 1974, bought control of the bank in 1983, helped refinance it and has been chairman of the board since. The successful bank celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2014. On the course, Davenport has been equally successful. A very good amateur player, he has won club championships in each of the last six decades, including most recently the Super Senior Club Championship at La Quinta Country Club, one of nine country clubs at which he has a membership. Even more remarkably, after playing for 20 years without making a hole-in-one, he has since poured in 18 more for a total of 19 aces.

13th hole of different Pete Dye courses – Oak Tree, the Mountain Course at LaQuinta and the Citrus Course at LaQuinta.

Can you describe the beginnings of your relationship with Jerry Barton, who was the land and real estate specialist with Landmark while Joe Walser Jr. and Ernie Vossler were the golf experts? Jerry Barton and I have been partners since 1972 in several companies that we developed and later sold. In 1973, we started a company called Public Employee Benefit Service Corp, or PEBSCO. We got early IRS and Congressional approval to set up what today would be called a 401k plan, defined contribution retirement plans for government workers. We became the largest thirdparty holder of these plans and So what’s up with all the in 1987 we were bought out by Nationwide, which today hole-in-ones? manages over $100 billion in I was playing with actor retirement assets as NationDale Robertson in 1976 in wide Retirement Services the inaugural Nutcracker and Corp. made my first on the 13th at Oak Tree National. He couldn’t How about on the golf side? believe it was my first and told Jerry Barton called me one me I would make at least 10 day and said he had two guys more. But in 20 years, I had (Walser and Vossler) who were never come close. trying to get him to put money Since then, I have had 18 into a golf deal. He asked me more, six of them on No. 13 at to go out and play the course, Oak Tree, where Seve Ballas they had nine holes built esteros made a 9 in the 1988 PGA Championship. The other already. nine were on different holes. In 1996 I made three, all on the See DAVENPORT page 59 www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 53

TOURNAMENT

Calling all lefties for annual tournament by scott wright

MIDWEST CITY — It’s called the Oklahoma State Left-Handers Golf Tournament. Sometimes that last word scares players away, but the Left-Handers Tournament isn’t your typical state championship event. Yes, there’s a trophy to be won, and several players in the field take it seriously. But the 20-plus handicapper is as welcome as anyone, as long as you’re a lefty. “You don’t have to be a scratch golfer to play in it,” said Josh Evans, who has played in the tournament for nearly 15 years. “This event is more about the camaraderie. There’s a competition element involved, but afterward, you can have a cold beverage, reminisce, tell stories — all the reasons people play golf.” The tournament began in the 1950s and grew to its peak in the mid-1990s, with nearly 100 players entering what was then a three-day tournament divided into six flights for the final round. Over the years, it has been held at

54 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

and even the national tournament, have Lincoln Park in Oklahoma City, Westbury Country Club in Yukon, Shawnee Country seen their numbers dwindle in the past several years. The national Club, and at its current tournament was in St. home, John Conrad Golf Louis last year and there Club in Midwest City, were around 100 players. In with this year’s event previous years, there were scheduled for August 1-2. 250-plus players when the Numbers have slowly tournament was held in Las declined over the last 25 Vegas and Myrtle Beach.” years, down to about 30 Bringing younger players players per year in the last into the field has been a few tournaments. major focus, as the core That has become the group of players from the challenge for Doug Waltournament’s heyday are lace and the other event graduating to the senior organizers. division. “The biggest challenge “We need to cultivate is getting more players and some new, younger people younger players,” Wallace who want to play,” Evans said. “High school and colsaid. “Age doesn’t matter. lege golfers have so many If you’re 80 and want to tournaments to play in durPhil Mickelson come play, we’ve got a spot ing the course of a summer, for you. But our challenge is enticing some they just pick and choose. younger people to come and play.” “But it seems every state tournament,

When numbers started to fall in the early 2000s, the organizers started making changes to attract players. They reduced it from a three-day tournament to two days, cutting the Friday round, when some people might not be able to get off work. They cut out the lunch and cart fees that were previously a mandatory part of the entry cost, to reduce expenses for the players. Now, the entry fee is $100, which isn’t much more than a typical green fee for two rounds at many courses. Jon Flowers ran the Oklahoma tournament for several years, following in Charlie West’s footsteps. West and Flowers ran the event during its booming days in the 1980s and ‘90s. West was retired at the time, and devoted countless hours to growing the tournament. Flowers is just a few years short of five decades as a competitor in the tournament, beginning while he was a golfer at East Central University in Ada. “My first tournament was at Lincoln Park West in 1969 and I have played in each of them since,” he said. “Charlie West was the chairman of the association then, and continued in that position until I took over

in 1981. “I’ve served on the board of the National Association of Left-Handed Golfers since 2002 and have been Chairman of the national association since 2007, and still serve in that capacity.” The Oklahoma Left-Handed Golfers Association maintains strong ties with its Texas peers. A few Texans come up to play in the Oklahoma tournament every year, and some Oklahomans go down to play the Texas tournament each July. In September of even-numbered years, the top players from each state get together for a two-day Ryder Cup-style competition called the Stewart Cup, alternating between Oklahoma and Texas courses. “Saturday is a four-ball competition and Sunday is the singles competition,” Wallace said. “We’ve held the Stewart Cup for probably 20-plus years. In 2014, we defeated Texas at Grapevine Golf Club.” A few Oklahomans make the trip to the national tournament as well. Jeff Richter, a two-time Oklahoma champion in 2012-13, won the national tournament last summer in St. Louis. Still, when the Oklahoma tournament

tees off on the first weekend of August, only a select few players in the field will be able to contend for the title. That’s not the primary Oklahoma’s 2014 NALG purpose of Winner Jeff Richter. the event. “This tournament’s for any left-hander who wants to play,” Evans said. “If you’re a senior, you’ll play with other seniors. If you shoot 85, you’ll play with people who shoot 85. “Is it a tournament? Yes. Do you have to count all your strokes? Yes. But we all put the ball on the ground and hit it, and go have a good time.” For players interested in entering the Oklahoma State Left-Handers Tournament, email Doug Wallace at dwallace7@cox.net for more information.

Advertorial

Mohawk Park, Page Belcher remain best values in Tulsa area One of Oklahoma’s most historic public golf courses is also now one of its most versatile. Whether you swing with your arms or your legs, Mohawk Park has a game for you. Foot Golf, the exciting new golf/soccer combo game, has been set up on nine holes on the Pecan Valley course, the same nine used by the wildly popular First Tee of Tulsa program. Meanwhile, 27 other great holes of golf await all levels of golfers on the Woodbine Course and the second nine of Pecan Valley. Now with fully mature Champion Bermuda greens, Mohawk Park offers golfers a traditional golf experience on winding terrain lined by massive trees and interspersed with streams with no encroaching housing, only the wild animals you may hear calling from the nearby Tulsa Zoo. The best way to enjoy the courses at both Mohawk Park and the classic Olde Page and Stone Creek layouts at Page

Belcher on Tulsa’s west side is through Best value in town still valid the return of the popular Advantage Tulsa golfers, you can still order your Card program. Advantage cards for 2015 and experience The card is $ 59 and just $ 39 for setremendous savings and a great weekly niors age 55 and above. With the card, value. For more information, call 918you’ll enjoy special rates on weekdays 446-1529 or go to www.tulsagolf.org. and weekends, as well as rewards points for each round leading to free green fees and other special offers. This offer includes a free round of golf with cart the day you sign up. Non seniors also receive a range card and special weekday pricing. The card is valid at Stone Creek and Olde Page at Page For more complete details on the program or to have your Belcher and Pecan questions answered, check out the website at www.tulsagolf.org Valley and Woodbine or call 918-446-1529 for Page Belcher or 918-425-6871 for Park at Mohawk Park. Mohawk Park. www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 55

GOLF FITNESS

The Kinematic Sequence: A key to better ball striking

Sean Riley SwingFit

Ryan Smith SwingFit

Have you ever wondered how major winners such as Jim Furyk or John Daly have won with their unusual swings? It has been very difficult historically to analyze golf swings other than with the naked eye. But fortunately we now have the ability to analyze golf swings at a fundamental level due to new technology from 3D motion capture systems. Researchers have discovered that while all players at the highest level have different swing patterns, they all swing efficiently. This means they maximize the amount of energy transfer from their body through the club and ultimately to the ball. That’s the common denominator with the best players in the world. All of their swings do not look alike, but they all possess maximum efficiency. To measure efficiency in a player’s swing, PGA professionals look at what is called the kinematic sequence. This is now considered one of the most important pieces of information for many of the best teachers in the world. 3D motion technology systems, such as the K-Vest, provide data on how a player generates speed throughout their body and how it is transferred to the club head (see Figure 1

56 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

for an example -- courtesy TPI). The interesting thing is that all great ball strikers have the same sequence of generating speed and transferring it throughout their body. To put it simply, there isn’t a lot of wasted energy in the transfer of power on the downswing. Efficient players begin by generating speed from the lower body and transferring it through the torso, into the arms, and ultimately into the club. Believe it or not, it’s hard to show a difference in the kinematic sequence of Ernie Els and Jim Furyk even though their swings are completely different. Here are a few key points to the kinematic sequence: • All great ball strikers have the same kinematic sequence. The movement sequence is first the lower body, next the torso, followed by the arms and ultimately the club. As an example, amateurs commonly will move their arms before the lower body in the downswing leading to an inefficient, over-the-top swing pattern. • Imagine snapping a whip. That is what an efficient golf swing looks like at impact. Power is generated from the previous area, increasing speed up the chain. • Don’t get caught up in what your swing looks like. Get focused on improving the efficiency of your swing. Unorthodox swings have little if any effect on the ability to generate a good sequence. So what are the primary things that lead to an inefficient golf swing? • Improper Swing Mechanics • We encourage you to work with your local PGA professional to identify the current inefficiencies in your golf swing and determine the most efficient swing

for you. More and more teachers are beginning to provide kinematic sequence testing at their facility. When possible, we recommend getting your kinematic sequence tested. • Physical Limitations • An inability to move properly will definitely lead to poor sequencing in the golf swing. This could be due to stiffness, weakness or poor coordination. We recommend you get tested by a Titleist Performance Institute certified professional to determine your physical deficiencies and put together a plan to correct these. • Improperly Fit Golf Equipment • Many players are using clubs that are too heavy, too long, or too stiff for their playing ability and movement patterns. Rather than looking for the best deal on clubs at the local golf store, make the investment and work with a PGA professional to get properly fitted for your equipment. Technology continues to rapidly evolve in golf instruction and human performance training. Take advantage of this by shifting your focus away from how your swing looks and more towards improving the efficiency of your swing to enjoy better ball striking and ultimately better scores. SwingFit specializes in golf specific fitness, performance, and training services for golfers of all ages. Founded by Titleist Performance Institute Certified Medical Professionals, Ryan Smith, PT and Sean Riley, DC, SwingFit gives players access to the same proprietary testing and training systems used by the best players in the world. The SwingFit system identifies the least amount of physical changes required in your body to produce the greatest results in your golf swing. The result is better practice with your swing coach and more enjoyment on the course. To schedule your SwingFit Golf Assessment and receive a comprehensive physical training program designed to unlock your full potential, contact SwingFit at (918) 743-3737 or visit us on the web at www. swingfittulsa.com.

SWING

Walker, continued from 52 I love living there. Cordillera Ranch is a great spot with awesome views, a tremendous course, great practice area and buddies to play golf with. The tournament I look forward to the most outside of the pro golf, is the Cordillera Cup where the developer and the land owner of the club choose up sides and we play a Ryder Cup style competition. After eight years, I was finally on the winning side this year and it was great. Getting to drive home this year with the Texas Open trophy was also pretty awesome. How about having your wife as a competitive horse showjumper? She has her sport and I have mine and we’ve both been able to be successful. It’s great that we both have something we are passionate about.

STRONG SWING FAST CERTIFIED GOLF FITNESS PROS

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www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 57

QUAIL CREEK BANK’S INDUSTRY PROFILE

Maxwell admirer

You mentioned that his restoration work was among his best. Why and what are some examples? I think the reason it is some of his best good land. I would also say that his greens With the focus in this issue on golf architect is because it came later in his career after Perry Maxwell of Ardmore, one of the initial class were often unique in that they were by no he had learned the craft, and I also think means flat. “Maxwell Rolls” - a play on a to be inducted this fall into the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame, we went to Norman-based architect famous car back in his era, was a term given it is in part owing to the fact that he was working with clients that really knew the to his greens for good Tripp Davis for some game and let him have a little more of a reason. perspective on Maxwell. creative approach. His work at Augusta Davis has worked on How important was his was really more redesign, in that he moved many projects of Maxrelationship with Alistar some greens, tees and bunkers, but it was well’s, including redeprofound and it is still an important part of McKenzie? signs of Cherokee Hills I think it was important the golf course. His subtle work at National Golf Course in Catoosa, in that it introduced Perry Golf Links, Pine Valley, and Saucon Valley, Muskogee Country are still integral parts of those courses. to a more creative, artful, Club and most recently approach to design. He Hillcrest Country Club You have worked on restoring several was exposed to doing in Bartlesville. Maxwell courses including HIllcrest CC, greens and bunkers with Muskogee CC and what was left at Chermore flair, instead of beWhat separated Tripp Davis on the renovated greens okee HIlls. Were there a lot of common ing simply utilitarian. I or was unique about at Hillcrest Country Club. themes between the three or all completely also think it exposed Perry Maxwell as a different? him to certain people in the world of golf course architect? The routings that Perry did really worked he may not have otherwise met. Perry’s The thing that stands out in his best with the land in a way that enhanced the relationship with Augusta National was work is how naturally he laid courses on feel of each course. At all three his placecertainly a direct result of his relationship the ground. His routings just flow with the ment of greens and how the land flowed with Mackenzie. landscape and he often worked over very

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to those greens was great. At all three a common theme was greens placed on ridge lines, with the fairways flowing along or across that ridge or a complementary ridge. When restoring a Maxwell green, is it a fine line between making them too severe for the average player with today’s green speeds versus taking out the character? It is very much so. I have pushed it a little too far with a couple of the greens I have done on Maxwell courses, but you have to walk that fine line in order for the work to be reflective of his design philosophy. In some cases, a green can be characterized as too severe, but when you study it closer, you realize that it is strategically rational – it just takes time to learn. I have personally moved away from severity in that I have Dave Davenport with Arnold Palmer at PGA West in LaQuinta, Calif. tried to keep to Maxwell’s strategic approach win club championships in every decade club in his life, but what he contributed to having constant movement in the green, since the 60s. I never was good enough not just at Oak Tree but nationally is a but with softer transitions. That is what I to win at Oak Tree. I think I finished have learned is that in his day with the green great story. What he did for golf courses second to Ab Justice about five times. But and golf course living is like what Tiger speeds, his seemingly bold transitions in the if I have a highlight, it would be that in Woods did for professional golf. When greens did not really play that way. 1998 I came over to Tulsa and played in those guys got to La Quinta, there were the qualifier for the U.S. Senior Amateur What do you think is his finest work and not 2,000 people within 10 miles. Today against great players like Bill Heldmar the population is 150,000 and there are is his legacy only improving with time? and Bob Fouke. I was medalist and got 130 courses in the Coachella Valley. It is Southern Hills and the nine holes he did to play in the 1998 U.S. Senior Amateur the mecca of golf. Prairie Dunes are probably his best work, at Skokie (Ill.) CC. I made the 36-hole but most everything he did is not very You are responsible for several of those cut and got into match play. And that far behind. His work was just so classic, got me invited to the British Amateur for Palm Springs courses? which is why I think his legacy is improvWhen Landmark Land went under dur- the next three years. I never made the ing with time. ing its long battle with the government in cut there – those guys were just so much the early 1990s, I got involved in a couple better than me – but that was still my greatest accomplishment. of other courses. The Plantation and The , continued from 53 Hideaway, which started out as Country Where would you play if you had one Club of the Desert in 1989 and reopened I came over Portland and May Avenue round left? in 2000 and is now one of the best and all I saw the rest of the way were I love links golf. If I had one hole of courses in the area. I was an early partner cows, pastures, oil wells and real bad golf left, I would go play the ninth hole at roads. With the idea being to start an all- that brought in people or companies that Royal County Down outside of Belfast. had the money or interest to support the men’s club, I didn’t think that in a small projects. I was never involved in daymarket like Oklahoma City was at the You mentioned a special day with Arto-day operations, but was involved in time that there would be enough men to nold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Tell us putting people together. come out that far to a place where their about that? wives and children couldn’t play. In 2012, Arnie and Jack both flew in Talk about some of your favorite perSo I played and thought the course Jack’s jet from their homes in Florida to sonal experiences playing the game. was great, but I’ve got to admit I was on PGA West for a special tribute to their In 60 years of playing, I think the the side early that did not think it would long-time friend, Ernie Vossler, where greatest thing to me is all the friends I’ve work financially. If you look back now, it they hosted a dinner. The next day there was struggling in the mid-1970s, but then made in the game. Many of the friends the Arab oil embargo hit and as oil prices I’ve had, and thankfully most of them are was a special round of golf with several old friends of Ernie’s, including many went up, OKC prospered. There was a lot still alive, were made through business with Oklahoma ties such as Don Mathis, and golf. of newfound wealth and that’s what put Milt McKenzie and myself. I joined As a fan, I lived in Washington D.C. the wind behind the sails of Oak Tree. Jack on the front nine of the great Jack and Virginia and I was at Congressional Nicklaus Private Course at PGA West and And you were involved as well when the day that Ken Venturi won the U.S. joined Palmer on the back nine of the Landmark went to California and began Open in 1964. The heat was incredible, Palmer Course. I shot my age -77, Jack to develop PGA West, Mission Hills and but I was a young man then and walked shot his with a 73 and Arnie shot his all 36 holes with him. other properties. with an 81! It was a fun day for all! As a golfer I was fortunate enough to Jerry Barton has never swung a golf

Davenport

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SUPERINTENDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Reworking The Oaks CC Patience required by all sides by dan robinson superintendent, oaks country club

Golf course construction is a very exciting and stressful time. If you go back to any project’s infancy stages, it usually begins with a golf superintendent, the golf professional, and/or very active and concerned members. Typically at the forefront of a renovation are agronomic challenges -- the greens are full of undesirable grasses (Poa Annua), the soil profile is clogged with organic matter; perhaps the sand traps don’t drain, etc. So once the decision is made to approach club officials about the problems and how to correct them, typically a golf course architect is hired to help the club determine what the club needs. And then with that also come opportunities for improvement regarding design, difficulty and aesthetics. This is where projects grow. Now regarding agronomics -- this is at the forefront of every golf superintendent’s agenda during a renovation. Having perfect greens mix under the grass allows them to make good decisions and provide the playing conditions that everybody wants. Good drainage in the bunkers ensures playability after rain. After all, golfers don’t want us out there pumping out water in traps for two days no more than the staff wants to do it, either. Tee boxes properly leveled allow water to roll off quickly so we can get back to our mowing routines as soon as possible. French drains and catch basins permit the same for fairways. Now tell me who likes the carts to be on the paths for days and days after every rain? Once a quality architect has been engaged, items are identified that can be improved upon that do not necessarily have agronomic benefits at all. These areas, however, add tremendous value to your property. Things such as yardage distribution (making your course fun and/or challenging for everybody), cart path routing, tree planting and removal, bunker design, adding water features, and other things like that can really help sell a project. People can see and touch these improvements. Agronomic factors are typically under-ground and not noticed by 60 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org

most golfers. Agronomics and design do not necessarily always agree with one another. If you strive for agronomic perfection, you will be limiting the design capabilities of your architect. But an architect must be very careful of what he is trying to create and leave the golf course maintenance staff with something they can maintain. It is important for both parties to have an open mind when renovating. It is also important for both to stand their ground when feeling strongly about something. This can lead to some friction at times. But ultimately you (superintendent) are left with the finished product and when the contractor and architect are gone, the course is yours. It is important to protect the property for both golfers and maintenance staff. When a project starts there is an unquantifiable amount of excitement from your staff and membership. This is shortlived. Reality sets in quickly when the contractor arrives. When the bulldozer blade hits the ground they can peel up in a matter of minutes what you have spent years growing, nurturing and repairing. Memories of those Saturday night irrigation repairs come flooding back. Course areas that you struggled with for years and years (that you finally got established) are gone in a flash. You are full of mixed emotions -- happy because you know you don’t have to worry about

presented by this or that; somewhat sad as you watch your blood, sweat and tears disappear in an instant. As the project continues on, members become very interested. Questions are answered daily. Although members are genuinely interested in the project, they are doing the math as to when they hope to get their golf course back. They do not ask that question directly at first, but believe me at the end they do and understandably so. When nearing the project’s end, you have two thoughts rolling through your mind. The first is, “I cannot wait for these folks to get out of here so I can get back to normal maintenance.” The second is, “I don’t want these guys to get out of here too fast and leave something properly un-attended to.” You cannot have it both ways. By now the members are asking daily when the course will be open. You are very tired of this construction process and ready to return to normal golf maintenance. Even the very best of contractors cannot get everything perfect. You know there are things you are going to have to “clean up” after they are gone and you are very willing to do so just to get the course open. With proper communication, respect for one another, and a lot of hard work; an architect, a contractor and your golf superintendent can create something for the entire membership to enjoy for a long time. This should have been the mission at the very beginning. Believe me, all golf course superintendents enjoy seeing smiling faces on the golf course. That is why we do what we do.

Extensive renovation work performed at The Oaks CC in west Tulsa.

SCHEDULES & RESULTS COLLEGE MEN NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP XX NCAA DIVISION II At Rock Barn GC, Conover, N.C. (par-71) May 18-20 Team leaders (20): 1, Lynn 283-290-280 – 853; 2, Nova Southeastern 279-291-285 – 855; 3 (tie), Central Missouri 287-286-285 – 858 and Saint Leo 290-278-290 – 858; 5, Simon Fraser 289-285-285 – 859; 6, South Carolina-Aiken 284-283-300 – 867; 7. Chico State 289-291-290 – 870; 8, Florida Southern 296-294-282 – 872; 9, CSU-Monterey Bay 300-289-286 – 875; 10, Barry 293-286-297 – 876; 11, Central Oklahoma 287294-296 – 877; 18, Southwestern Oklahoma State 307-303-304 – 914. Individual leaders: 1, Sam Migdal (CM) 66-71-68 –205; 2,Mateo Gomez (Lynn) 70-7-67 – 208; 3, Ryan Gendron (St. Leo) 70-67-72 – 209; 4 (tie), Michael Hearne (S. Nazarene) 71-69-70 – 210, Forrest Knight (N. Ala.) 71-69-70 – 210, John Coultas (Fla. Sou.) 70-71-69 – 210 and Joey Savoie (St. Leo) 71-70-69 – 210. Other scores: Russ Purser (UCO) 71-73-68 – 212; Eric Kline (UCO) 73-73-76 – 222, Logan Gray (UCO) 70-73-79 – 222, Eli Armstrong (UCO) 7375-75 – 223, Jake Duvall (Southwestern) 73-7577 – 225, Cody Troutman (UCO) 75-75-77 – 227, Manuel Aruzaga (Southwestern) 81-74-74 – 229, Marques Gomez (Southwestern) 76-75-79 – 230, Stefan Idstam (Southwestern) 77-79-74 – 230, Seth Overstreet (Southwestern) 81-81-86 – 248. BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP At Southern Hills CC, Tulsa (par-70) April 27-29 Team scores: 1, Texas 287-280-282-281 – 1,130; 2, Texas Tech 292-293-284-285 – 1,154; 3, TCU 292-298-287-290 – 1,167; 4, Iowa State 298-285-

297-291 – 1,171; 5, Oklahoma State 301-293-292286 – 1,172; 6, Oklahoma 297-291-295-295 – 1,178; 7, Baylor 297-300-298-288 – 1,183; 8, Kansas 298-302-297-294 – 1,191; 9, Kansas State 305299-309-296 – 1,209. Individual leaders: 1, Scottie Scheffler (Texas) 72-67-68-73 – 280; 2, Gavin Hall (Texas) 6571-74-72 – 282; 3 (tie), Michael Gellerman (OU) 71-70-74-72 – 287 and Clement Sordet (TT) 7170-73-73 – 287; 5 (tie), Jordan Niebrugge (OSU) 76-73-70-69 – 288 , Kramer Hickok (Texas) 76-73-73-66 – 288 and Kyle Jones (Baylor) 75-75-68-70 – 288; 8 (tie), Beau Hossler (Texas) 74-72-73-70 – 289 and Guillermo Pereira (TT) 76-74-71-68 – 289. Other scores: Zachary Olsen (OSU) 75-71-73-74 – 293, Beau Titsworth (OU) 78-73-73-72 – 296, Brendon Jelley (OSU) 77-73-76-72 – 298, Grant Hirschman (OU) 75-74-73-76 – 298, Charlie Saxon (OU) 78-74-75-75 – 302, Kristoffer Ventura (OSU) 82-76-73-71 – 302, Tanner Kesterson (OSU) 73-79-76-76 – 304, Luke Kwon (OU) 7381-78-80 – 312. WOMEN NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP XXX NAIA CHAMPIONSHIP At Savannah Quarters GC, Pooler, Ga.(par-72) May 12-15 Team leaders (27 teams): 1, Northwood 308-301-306-296 – 1,211; 2 (tie), Dalton State 309-303-304-317 – 1,233, William Woods 305-307-316-305 – 1,233 and SCAD-Savannah 308-308-311-306 – 1,233; 5, Cumberlands 312298-305-319 – 1,234; 6, Oklahoma City 307-315303-312 – 1,237; 7, Bellevue 300-319-313-321 – 1,253; 8, Wayland Baptist 311-318-308-317 – 1,254; 9 (tie), Texas Wesleyan 318-309-313-324 – 1,264 and South Carolina Beaufort 317-306-321-320 – 1,264.

Individual leaders: 1, Julia McQuilken (Dalton St.) 74-70-71-77 – 292; 2, Elsa Westin (Northwood) 76-75-74-72 – 297; 3 (tie), Sofia Molinaro (SCAD) 74-77-71-76 – 298 and Alazne Urizar (SCAD) 78-71-75-74 – 298; 5, Katie Warren (WW) 77-7375-75 – 300. OCU scores: Katie-Lee Wilson 77-77-77-76 – 307, Emma Allen 72082-74-81 – 309, Anna Mikish 81-79-77-77 – 314, Caroline Goodin 87-77-7578 – 317, Kailey Campbell 77-91-81-81 – 330. NCAA DIVISION II At The Meadows GC, Allendale, Mich. (par-72) May 13-16 Team scores: 1, Indianapolis 305-299-309-299 – 1,212; 2, Rollins 306-314-304-293 – 1,217; 3, Lynn 321-304-300-300 – 1,225; 4,Tarleton State 320-305-310-310 – 1,245; 5, Nova Southeastern 317-309-316-304 -- 1,246; 6, St. Edwards 319-313-310-305 – 1,247; 7, Central Oklahoma 312-308-314-315 – 1,249; 8, Findlay 328-317-311315 – 1,271; 9, Ashland 324-315-324-314 – 1,277; 10, Arkansas Tech 325-326-328-307 – 1,286; 11, Augustana (SD) 334-321-317-318 – 1,290; 12, Sonoma State 327-336-315-318 – 1,96. Individual leaders; 1, Brenna Moore (Midwestern) 74-73-74-76 – 297; 2, Madison Lellyo (Rollins) 70-78-78-73 – 299; 3, Samantha Smolen (Lynn) 77-74-73-76 – 300; 4, Haley Haught (St. Edwards) 74-78-76-73 – 301; 5 (tie), Chanice Young (Indy) 7674-75-77 – 302 and Mailen Domec Chantry (Nova) 76-77-77-72 – 302. UCO scores: Katie Bensch 76-77-78-77 – 308, Bethany Darrough 81-75-76-76 – 308, Marla Souvannasing 76-77-80-79 – 312, Daniela Martinez 79-79-8084 – 322, Lindsey Bensch 81-82-89-83 – 335. OKLAHOMA GOLF ASSOCIATION SPRING FOUR-BALL At Oaks CC, Tulsa (par-70) May 19-20

www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 61

SCHEDULES & RESULTS 1, Sam Humphreys/Draegen Majiors 65-67 – 132; 2, Ben Blundell/Jordan Cook 65-68 – 133; 3,Jeff Coffman/Brian Birchell 66-68 – 134; 4 (tie), Tripp Davis/Rick Bell 67-68 – 135 and Heath Myers/ Mason Overstreet 67-68 – 135; 6, Neil Metz/Blake Gibson 66-72 – 138; 7, Max Showalter/Ryan Munson 69-72 – 141; 8, Charles Paul/Casey Paul 68-74 – 142. Seniors: 1, John Stansbury/Tim McFarland 63-67 – 130;2 Michael Hughett/Kirk Wright 64-70 – 134; 3, Richard Koenig/David Wing 68-67 – 135; 4, (tie), Dan Griffin/Bob Hall 69-67 – 136 and Bill Brafford/Michael Koljack 68-68 – 136. WOMEN’S OKLA. GOLF ASSOCIATION WOGA CUP At Hillcrest CC, Bartlesville May 19-20 1, The Oak Tree Annie Oaklies (Louise Churchill, Alec Gossen, Jayne Underwood, La Donna Zeiders) 12; 2 (tie), Indian Springs Rat Tails (Becky Bauer, Paula Culver, Becky Duvall, Lynn Luebke) and Over the Ridge Girls (Sally Bailey, Nancy Hammons, Julie Jobe, Reba Wickberg) 11; 4, Indian Springs Birdie Girls (Laurie Campbell, Teresa DeLarzelere, Connie Kelsey, Margo Malveira) 9; 5, Early Birdies Wine Later (Melanie Green, Bobbie Langford, Elizabeth Langford, Cindy Johnson) 8.5; 6, Southern Hills Chicks With Sticks (Gayle Allen, Connie Cope, Leigh Ann Forte, Janet Nelson) 8. TULSA GOLF ASSOCIATION FOUR-BALL MATCH PLAY At LaFortune Park GC May 16-17 Finals Championship flight: Conor Cummings/Jack Kasting def. Tate Williamson/Ted Williamson 1-up (19) A flight: Cameron Hamilton/Matt Willingham def. Terry Collier/Richard Hunt 1-up. B flight: Brad Goodman/Jeff Enkelmann def. Mark Boyd/David Buck 6 and 5. TWO-MAN CHALLENGE At South Lakes GC April 18-19 A flight: 1, Austin Hannah/Tyler Sullivan 63-98 – 161; 2, Ryan Grimm/Curt Howard 66-99 – 165; 3, Chris Karlovich/Matt Woolslayer 67-102 – 169; 4, Lloy Gilliam/Dave Wing 65-105 – 170; 5 (tie), Lee Inmann/Kevin Ramsey 65-107 – 172 and Brad Goodman/Jeff Enkelmann 67-105 – 172. B flight: 1, Matt Edison/Jason Smith 68-102 – 170; 2 Ken Kee/Richard Koenig 68-107 – 175; 3, Ed Cohlmia/Mitch Cohlmia 70-107 – 177. OSSAA HIGH SCHOOLS BOYS May 11-12 CLASS 6A At Karsten Creek GC, Stillwater (par-72) Team scores: 1, Owasso 316-304-310 – 930; 2, Broken Arrow 322-307-312 – 941; 3, Edmond North 310-312-320 – 942; 4, Edmond Memorial 319-313-311 – 943; 5, Jenks 326-319-316 – 961; 6, Southmoore 318-328-337 – 983; 7, Norman 328-329-330 – 987; 8 (tie), Edmond Santa Fe 326-328-334 – 988 and Moore 329-319-340 – 988; 10, Bixby 364-329-339 – 1,032; 11, Stillwater 345-355-336 – 1,039; 12, Norman North 360-345334 – 1,039. Individual leaders: 1, Jacob Prentice (EM) 7473-75 – 222; 2, Marc Kepka (Owasso) 77-74-73 --- 224; 3, Navid Majidi (Union) 74-82-69 – 225; 4 (tie), Austin Eckroat (EN) 77-76-74 – 227 and McCain Schellhardt (EM) 82-74-71 – 227; 6 (tie), Brett Tyndall (Jenks) 79-74-75 – 228 and Lane Wallace (Yukon) 76-75-77 – 228; 8, Turner Howe (Norman) 71-78-80 – 229; 9, Harrison Gearhart (Broken Arrow) 83-73-74 – 230 (won playoff); 10, Clark Killian (Owasso) 78-76-76 – 230 (won playoff). CLASS 5A At Shawnee CC (par-71) Team leaders (12 teams): 1, Shawnee 286-286290 – 862; 2, Tahlequah 309-311-301 – 921; 3, Guymon 307-313-310 – 930; 4, Lawton Eisenhower 317-305-310 – 932; 5, Duncan 322-320-

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303 – 945; 6, Altus 325-316-305 – 946; 7, Deer Creek 322-318-318 – 968; 8, Skiatook 343-325325 – 993. Individual leaders: 1, Garrett McDaniel (Shawnee) 68-72-70 – 210; 2, Braden Ricks (Shawnee) 69-70-72 – 211; 3, Ryan Epperly (Shawnee) 73-7175 – 219; 4, Mason LeGrange (Guymon) 73-75-72 – 220; 5 (tie), Mason Keller (Edison) 72-77-72 – 221, Bentley Bross (LE) 76-72-73 – 221 and Dustin Hasley (Piedmont) 73-75-73 – 221. CLASS 4A At Lake Hefner GC (North), Okla. City (par-72) Team leaders (13): 1, Heritage Hall 293-289-294 – 876; 2, Cascia Hall 306-293-286 – 885; 3, Sallisaw 302-300-295 – 897; 4, Poteau 328-306-306 – 940; 5, Weatherford 317-311-316 – 944. Individual leaders: 1, Quade Cummins (Weatherford) 70-70-67 – 207; 2 (tie), Logan Gore (Elk City) 70-70-70 – 210, Cody Burrows (Chickasha) 71-69-70 – 210 and Dalton Daniel (Newcastle) 74-72-64 – 210; 5, Nick Pierce (Sallisaw) 72-6970 – 211. CLASS 3A At Lincoln Park GC (West), Okla. City (par-71) Team leaders (12): 1, Plainview 291-296-296 – 883; 2, Rejoice Christian 302-299-294 – 895; 3, Kingfisher 308-294-318 – 920; 4, Okla. Christian 322-302-309 – 933; 5, Marlow 331-312-312 – 955. Individual leaders: 1, Mason Overstreet (Kingfisher) 67-68-67 – 202; 2, Cooper Little (Plainview) 71-70-74 – 215; 3 (tie), Brandon Strathe (Rejoice) 73-72-72 – 217 and Jared Strathe (Rejoice) 7569-73 – 217; 5, Ethan Smith (OC) 71-74-73 – 218. CLASS 2A At Oakwood CC, Enid (par-71) Team leaders (12): 1, Mooreland 317-306-324 – 947; 2, Christian Heritage 326-331-305 – 962; 3, Pawnee 329-323-322 – 974; 4, Haworth 335-326323 – 984; 5, Laverne 336-330-333 – 999. Individual leaders: 1, Blake Murray (Mooreland) 71-72-70 – 213 (won playoff); 2, Hunter Laughlin (Mangum) 77-70-70 – 213; 3, Zac Owens (Mooreland) 73-72-71 – 216; 4, Kason Cook (HydroEakly) 75-71-72 – 218. GIRLS May 6-7 CLASS 6A At Indian Springs CC, Broken Arrow(par-72) Team scores: 1, Union 333-322 – 655; 2, Broken Arrow 330-329 – 659; 3, Owasso 340-340 – 680; 4, Bixby 356-332 – 688; 5, Edmond North 353-339 – 692; 6, Stillwater 349-356 – 705; 7 (tie), Booker T. Washington 352-355 – 707 and Muskogee 361-346 – 707; 9, Westmoore 350364 – 714; 10, (tie) Edmond Santa Fe 366-376 – 742 and Mustang 386-356 – 742; 11, Norman 387-370 – 757. Individual leaders: 1, Trudy Allen (Union) 74-73 – 147; 2, Kaitlin Milligan (NN) 80-71 – 151; 3 (tie), Taylor Dobson (BA) 75-78 – 153 and Regan McQuaid (Jenks) 78-75 – 153; 5, JT Neuzil (Bixby) 78-76 – 154; 6, JoBi Heath (Edmond Santa Fe) 75-80 – 155; 7, Sam Dennison (Stillwater) 78-78 – 156; 8, Natalie Gough (Bixby) 84-74 – 158. CLASS 5A At Scissortail GC, Claremore (par-72) Team leaders (12): 1, Duncan 332-337 – 669; 2, Deer Creek 338-355 – 693; 3, Ardmore 349-369 – 718; 4, Durant 366-360 – 726; 5, Collinsville 371-368 – 739; 6, Carl Albert 381-370 – 751; 7, Lawton MacArthur 369-385 – 754; 8, Claremore 401-390 – 791. Individual leaders: 1, Sydney Youngblood (Durant) 69-72 – 141; 2 (tie), Elizabeth Hargis (Ardmore) 79-79 – 158 and Bayleigh Johnson (LM) 78-80 – 158; 4, Nina Lee (Collinsville) 82-77 – 159; 5, Kayla Witt (Duncan) 82-78 – 160 (won playoff); 6, Whitney Hall (Duncan) 78-82 – 160. CLASS 4A At Lake Hefner GC, Okla, City (par-72) Team leaders (12): 1, Hilldale 348-348 – 696; 2, Fort Gibson 349-351 – 700; 3, Seminole 348357 – 705; 4, Cache 355-354 – 709; 5, Elk City 382-375 – 757. Individual leaders: 1, Katie Kirkhart (Hilldale) 75-77 – 152; 2, Chloe Black (Newcastle) 79-76

– 155; 3, Emilee Rigsby (FG) 75-84 – 159; 4, Michaela Earle (Muldrow) 78-82 – 160; 5 (tie), Tori Plumleuy) 80-81 – 161 and Hallie Ward (Tuttle) 82-79—161. CLASS 3A At Brent Bruehl GC, Purcell (par-71) Team leaders (12): 1, Purcell 307-319 – 626; 2, Eufaula 345-330 – 675; 3, Chandler 367-359 – 726; 4, Plainview 382-374 – 756; 5, Marlow 378-392 – 770. Individual leaders: 1, ShaeBug Scarberry (Purcell) 74-75 – 149; 2, Ashton Nemecek (Purcell) 74-76 – 150; 3, Melissa Eldrdge (Eufaula) 77-74 – 151; 4, Peighton Walker (Purcell) 74-81 – 155; 5, Heidi Stafford (Eufaula) 84-79 – 163. CLASS 2A At Trosper Park GC, Okla, City (par-70) Rain-shortened to 18 holes Team leaders (12): 1, Latta 342; 2, Mooreland 349; 3, Turner 371; 4, Pioneer 380; 5, Hinton 391. Individual leaders: 1, Katie Goodwin (Riverfield) 70; 2, Brooklyn Bartling (Velma-Alma) 74; 3, Rylie Eller (Mooreland) 76; 4 (tie), Tracy McGill (Turner) and Sierra Holden 77. GOLF CHANNEL AMATEUR TOUR COWBOY CLASSIC At Lakeside GC, Stillwater (par-70) May 8 1 (tie), Cory Montgomery and Bill Clark 72; 3, Kevin Wright 74; 4 (tie), Devon Devon Sauzek, Caleb Bron and Clayton Badger 75. DORNICK HILLS CLASSIC At Dornick Hills G&CC, Ardmore (par-70) May 1 1, Cory Montgomery 70; 2, James Sheppeard 79; 3 (tie), Sean Fenton, Richard Cordis and Ryan Cummings 80. FOREST RIDGE CLASSIC At Forest Ridge GC, Broken Arrow (par-72) April 25 1, Devon Sauzek 74; 2, Cory Montgomery 77; 3, Clayton Badger 80; 4, Rick Guptil 81; 5, Ryan Cummings 82. OKLAHOMA JUNIOR GOLF TOUR At Shawnee CC May 24-25 Team scores: West 19.5, East 7.5 Alternate shot: Brandon Strathe/Freddie Wilson, East, d. Logan McCallister/Said Powers 5 & 4; Dalton DanielZac Owens, West, d. Carson Griggs/Parker Moe 2 & 1;Lance Gregory/McCain Schellhardt, West, d. Noah Russell/Chandler Wasson, 4 & 3; Cody Burrows/Andrew McDonald, West, d. Matthew Braley/Justin Moore 6 & 5; Austin Enzbrenner/Nick Pierce, East, d. Carson Seals/Lane Wallace 3 & 1; Austin Eckroat/Laken Hinton, West, d. Sajan Patel/ Tyler Shelnutt, 2 & 1; Yujeong Son/Shaebug Scarberry, West, d. Mackenzie Medders/Kate Goodwin 6 & 5; Brinn Fariss/Elizabeth Freeman, West, d. Grace Shin/Taylor Towers 1 up; Natalie Gough/Trudy Allen, East, d. 3 and 2. Singles: Said Powers, West, d. Austin Enzbrenner, 2 up; Cody Burrows, West, d. Nick Pierce 2 up; Dalton Daniel, West, d. Chandler Wasson, 5 & 4; Aajan Patel, East, all square vs. Lance Gregory; Andrew McDonald, West, d. Parker Moe 3 & 1; Freddie Wilson, East, d. Zac Owens 3 & 1; Logan McCallister, West, d. Brandon Strathe 6 & 5; Lane Wallace, West, d. Matthew Braley 4 & 3; Carson Seals, West, d. Tyler Shelnutt 2 & 1; McCain Schellhardt, West, d. Noah Russell 2 up; Austin Eckroat, West, d. Carson Griggs 6 & 5; Taylor Towers, East, d. Ashton Nemecek 4 & 2; Kate Goodwin, East, d. Alyssa Wilson 4 & 2; Yujeng Son, West, d. Trudy Allen 3 & 1; Shaebug Scarberry, West, d. Natalie Gough, 4 & 2; Grace Shin, East, d. Elizabeth Freeman, 1 up; Brinn Fariss, West, d. Mackenzie Medders 6 & 5.

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