Wilson Golf Clubs – What is So Special About Wilson Golf Clubs? Know What Separates Them From Others

September 14, 2012 by  
Filed under Golf Articles

Are you looking for golf clubs to improve your game? Wilson golf clubs can just be the right clubs to enjoy your game. Golf has been a popular sport among many folks for many decades. Traditionally golf started off a rich man’s game but as time passed by, more and more people from all walks of life started embracing golf. Needless to say, a golf club is the most important element of the game. Right now, there are so many golf manufacturers that choosing the right golf club can be both challenging and difficult.

Wilson golf clubs has been largely seen as the clubs for the younger generation and especially newbies in the game. they offer high quality equipment at a very reasonable price. And even the golf professionals love these clubs as they offer different varieties to suit the needs of different golfers. so whether you are a newbie or an intermediate or a pro, you will find something in these Wilson golf clubs that will suit your needs.

Remember when you pick up a golf club, it is very important to choose something that you feel comfortable than buying something that is most popular or clubs that pros use. Assess which level of golf skills you have first and have a feel of the clubs that you can have a free swing and greater degree of control. It is in this context Wilson golf clubs can offer the best equipments to fit your needs and make the entire golfing experience fun.

Wilson Golf Clubs – What is So Special About Wilson Golf Clubs? Know What Separates Them From Others

Tiger Woods Rubs Salt In The Wounds Of Patriots Fans

September 3, 2012 by  
Filed under Golf Articles

Tiger Woods chooses a painful analogy (if you’re a Patriots fan) to explain the FedEx Cup “playoff” system.

Aug 31, 2012 – Norton, Mass. — new England Patriots fans know all too well that their football team went almost undefeated in 2007, but just in case they had forgotten about that final, head-exploding loss to Peyton Manning’s kid brother, Tiger Woods was only too happy to remind them.

“just because you sweep the playoffs doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed that you’re going to win the overall title,” Woods said to groans from local reporters after he put on an absolute clinic on his way to firing a 7-under 64 in the first round of the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Indeed it does not, as Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the rest of the guys down the road in Foxboro are well aware. but Woods was not just rubbing salt in the five-year-old wound; he was explaining the inexplicable — how the FedEx Cup “playoffs” differed from those in which the Pats are perennial contenders and others, like college football’s BCS.

“I would say it’s different than all those,” Woods said about the four PGA Tour events that commence after the final major of the season, and, which, coincidentally began the same year the Pats spit the bit. “I think we’re just trying to play for position for the [series-ending] Tour Championship, because we know if we’re in the top five and we win the Tour Championship, you automatically win the FedExCup. and the guys are just trying to position themselves there somehow, try and get there.”

Woods, who, on a perfect day for scoring, torched TPC Boston to the tune of seven birdies — including six in a row beginning on the par-5 18th, Tiger’s ninth of the day — and a lone bogey on the last, clarified further, though Patriots fans wished he hadn’t.

“you could win all three of these events and still lose the FedEx Cup. That’s kind of the nature of how it’s set up,” he said. “the argument would be, unfortunately for you Pats fans, is when you guys win ‑‑ what was it, 18 and 0, and unfortunately lost one — that’s kind of the argument.”

Woods also chatted about his score — his second lowest of the year, after the 62 he posted in the final round of the Honda Classic. saying he “played really well today” from tee to cup, he noted that the number may have been far better than the final-round 76 at last week’s Barclays, but his game was not much different.

“It wasn’t like I was hitting a lot of awful shots,” Woods said about a weekend at Bethpage Black that saw him three-putt four greens on Saturday and finish up in a tie for 38th. “I just needed a couple putts to kind of go my way and it didn’t happen….Today was about the same as I have been playing pretty much all summer, just go out there and playing pretty consistent.”

Perhaps an unusual Friday start and Labor Day Monday finish this week for the second leg of the FedEx Cup events will help Woods break his trend of weekend meltdowns that have plagued him for much of the year. While he has not broken par in his last four weekend rounds, Woods will take a day when he drove the ball well (he hit 71 percent of his fairways in regulation), his irons were on fire (89 percent of GIR), and he needed only 28 putts.

“It was a nice, solid round,” Woods said.

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Tiger Woods Rubs Salt In The Wounds Of Patriots Fans

A Decent Demo Day for the Lefty Golfer – Golf News Talk

September 3, 2012 by  
Filed under Golf Articles

A recent Demo Day at my local Roger Dunn Golf Shop was billed as the “biggest of the year” so I had to check it out.

Of course, I couldn’t resist seeing the latest clubs with a promise like that. These events are usually an exercise in patience for me since most manufacturers “forget” to bring left-handed clubs with them. not today! Nearly everyone had lefties to try out and most had women’s lefty clubs as well. It was a great time for lefties and I even ran into three other fellow southpaws while I was there. although I am a woman, I hit men’s regular flex clubs because women’s clubs are too short and “flimsy” feeling for me. even so, I asked everyone if they had women’s lefty. Here’s the rundown on what I tried out and who had what:

Adams Golf – This manufacturer had a full set of men’s and women’s hybrid Idea irons and women’s Insight XTD in left-handed driver to try out. I personally gave the 4 iron a few swats and liked it just fine. I’ve not hit this type of iron before so I’m probably not used to it. They had no men’s lefty driver to try so I had to take my husband’s word for it. He tried tha men’s XTD Pro driver that has the discussion boards aflame with the recent price drop. I’m guessing he thoroughly enjoyed it since he promptly ordered one for himself.

Mizuno – This tent was quite busy when I stopped by so I didn’t get a chance to try anything out. They did have men’s lefty irons and CLK Fli – Hi hybrids in a few different sizes. There was no lefty women’s clubs at all.

Tour Edge – This tent had no lefty clubs at all but told me they were “on order”.

Taylor made – I tried the men’s lefty CGB R7 irons here with a regular flex graphite shaft and liked them fine even though my personal preference is for steel shafts. the reps informed me that they would no longer be making a women’s lefty club but would have senior flex clubs. the challenge for women with senior flex is they can be a bit stiffer than the women’s flex and are a bit longer as well.

Cleveland – I hit the HiBore 8 iron and it was just adequate in my opinion. There is probably nothing wrong with the club, its likely just not for me. Cleveland also had no women’s lefty clubs to try. the rep was really quite helpful though and gave us a free sleeve of Srixon balls for watching the demonstration of their new bag. in a nutshell, it has technology that counts the clubs in your bag so that if you drive off and leave one at the green it will beep at you. the bag sells for about $300. I do really like Cleveland overall have a few of their woods now.

Cobra – as always, I can count on Cobra to have a good amount of lefties to try out. in addition, they have full sets of women’s lefty irons, hybrids, and drivers. I personally tried the S9 irons in men’s regular flex and found them to feel nice.

Nike – I can’t tell you how excited I was with Nike because of what they had. Granted, a limited women’s lefty selection but they had a lefty wedge to try out! I’ve never been able to try a wedge at a demo day. It was the 60° and I hit it like absolute crap, but it was nice to have the option! I probably hit it so badly due to my giddiness and excitement. the rep handed me a men’s Sumo hybrid and said I’d love it. He was right. you have to hit this club. in addition, the rep shared with me that Nike’s top priority was to get more involved with women in golf this year. Apparently they realized that they are missing something and are working to change that. Bravo!

Callaway – My irons today are the Callaway X18 men’s regular flex with the steel shaft and I really like them. I decided to hit the X20 in both the steel and graphite. what is interesting is that I used to only want the graphite but not anymore. the X20 steel were awesome. I am now itching to trade up very soon. This booth had a few men’s lefty options but no women’s.

Ping – I thought I was totally in love with the aforementioned Callaway until I hit the Ping G10. Wow. each time I hit the ball it was straight and had distance. These clubs must be really forgiving because I am one that always hits best when I first pick up a club and then as time passes my swing gets lazy. Hitting these at the end of the day and not missing a one means they just might be the right one for me. They also had a decent selection of women’s clubs to try out.

Titleist was gone by the time we got to the event. Apparently our local rep is also a bartender and had to leave early. maybe next time.

Overall, this event had the most left-handed clubs I’ve seen in a while. That along with the fact that I ran into other lefties that were asking for clubs means that manufacturers may stop “ignoring” us yet! My advice – keep asking reps for them when you see a demo and we will likely see more.

A Decent Demo Day for the Lefty Golfer – Golf News Talk

Sunday’s golf roundup: Louis Oosthuizen soars to Deutsche Bank lead with 63 – The Detroit News

September 3, 2012 by  
Filed under Golf Articles

News Sources wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt

Sunday's golf roundup: Louis Oosthuizen soars to Deutsche Bank lead with 63The Detroit NewsLouis Oosthuizen combined one of the sweetest swings in golf with a putting stroke that was just as pure. That's all it took for him to race by Rory McIlroy, leave Tiger Woods behind and seize control Sunday in the Deutsche Bank Championship …

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Sunday’s golf roundup: Louis Oosthuizen soars to Deutsche Bank lead with 63 – The Detroit News

TaylorMade R7 XR Driver: Cheap Price, Review, Buy gift, Spec, Shaft

September 3, 2012 by  
Filed under Golf Articles

boaboakwon   2011-01-09 13:43:46

    When i took my first glance at the TaylorMade Burner 2.0, its two-toned Burner Black PVD finish, which i think increased its durability. It’s my personal favorite.

dark_is_   2010-12-14 17:29:35

    Silly long irons, the distance is about 20 yards longer than my current irons. The 6 iron as very easy to hit. I was hitting it as well as my custom fit SnakeEyes 6 iron yesterday

goldkey1   2011-05-02 01:39:48

    I tried many irons and really loved the feel of the Mizuno Jpx 800 tour but the burners just went further. I played my first round with them and got an extra 10-15 yards. good solid feel and clean look.

john.mcreynolds   2011-05-31 23:06:14

    Clubs are easy to hit and provides the ability to shape shots, previous owner of taylormade clubs, which ensured quality item and speaks for itself.would rate this product as one of the best, to assist in improving golf game

peta_swan   2011-04-25 22:39:40

    cant believe how good thay are,better than my rac os,easy launch and long.and great service from igolfyoo as always

TaylorMade R7 XR Driver: Cheap Price, Review, Buy gift, Spec, Shaft

Frazer’s 62 still not enough as Widegren leads

September 3, 2012 by  
Filed under Golf Articles

The Irish Times – Saturday, August 11, 2012

WELSH MAN James Frazer spectacularly scorched into contention for the Chartis-sponsored European Individual Amateur Championship at Carton House when he shaved two shots off the course record with a sensational 10 under 62 on the 7,300 yard Montgomerie course, reports Brian Keogh in Maynooth.

The 25-year-old from Pennard Golf Club in Swansea picked up four birdies on the front nine, bogeyed the 10th but then followed a birdie from 40 feet at the 11th with a scintillating finish of four successive birdies from the 14th followed by an eagle three from 30 feet at the last.

Despite blustery conditions, he used the blade just 10 times in a homeward nine of six under 30 and single-putted the last eight greens. “I played very, very solid and putting was the key today,” said Frazer after the lowest round of his career.

So high is the standard his round was only good enough for a share of fourth on nine under par, four strokes adrift of 21-year old Pontus Widegren from Sweden.

The UCLA star had nine birdies in a 65 that gave him a one-stroke lead over 19-year-old Portuguese international Gonçalo Pinto on 13 under par, with Spain’s Juan Francisco Sarasti third on 10 under after a 66.

“It’s hard to get attention this week!” Widegren said of Frazer’s red-hot round and the rash of low scoring this week.

Waterford Castle’s Kevin Phelan is the best of the Irish in eight place, six shots off the pace after a 70, with British Amateur champion Alan Dunbar eight behind after a 71.

Only five of the 17-strong home challenge made the two over par cut for today’s final round, with Portmarnock’s Geoff Lenehan (71) on one under, Lucan’s Richard O’Donovan (73) on level and Greystone’s Paul Dunne (73) two over.

BRITISH SENIOR AMATEUR OPEN: Arthur Pierse faltered in the final round at Machynys Peninsula in West Wales but still finished as the top Irishman.

Two strokes off the pace overnight, the 61-year-old former champion from Tipperary slipped to a three over par 75, his worst round of the week, for a 54-hole aggregate of 219.

That gave him ninth place, eight strokes behind clear winner Chip Lutz, the 57-year-old from Pennsylvania, who became only the third man to win this crown two years in a row.

Pierse blamed his putting for his plunge down the field. “I could not hole a thing. I took 36 putts and that is no good at any level of the game.”

Portmarnock’s European Champion Adrian Morrow left his best until last, carding a 71 for 220 and a share of 10th place – and former Walker Cup captain Garth McGimpsey did likewise posting a 71 after earlier scores of 73 and 77- he finished 12th on 221.

Lutz fired a closing 68 to end on 211, four clear of fellow countrymen Doug Pool and Steve Rogers and overnight leader Paul Simson.

European Individual Amateur Championship (at Carton House) (Montgomerie, par 72) 203 – P Widegren (Swe) 71 67 65. 204 – G Pinto (Por) 68 68 68. 206 – J Sarasti (Esp) 70 70 66. 207 – J Frazer (Wal) 71 74 62, a Saddier (Fra) 69 69 69, T Sorensen (Den) 69 67 71, D Jennevret (Swe) 64 70 73. 209 – K Phelan (Ire) 73 66 70. 210 – L Scotto (Ita) 70 69 71, J Shufflebotham (Wal) 68 69 73. 211 – K Ventura (Norway) 76 67 68, a Dunbar (Ire) 76 64 71, T Detry (Bel) 72 70 69, M Clark (Sco) 72 68 71, N Carlsson (Swe) 71 70 70, N Kimsey (Eng) 71 69 71, B Stow (Eng) 69 72 70, M Saunders (Eng) 68 72 71, R Pugh (Wal) 68 71 72, T Pieters (Bel) 66 71 74. 212 – G Robertson (Sco) 75 65 72, C Sordet (Fra) 73 68 71, N Lindstrom (Swe) 68 74 70, R Kind (Ned) 68 72 72, M Schwab (Aut) 67 73 72. 213 – F Daux (Fra) 72 70 71, a Boasson (Isl) 71 74 68, P Westermann (Ger) 69 70 74, G Porteous (Eng) 66 73 74. 214 – T Gornik (Slovenia) 71 72 71, M Lampert (Ger) 70 74 70, H Rouillon (Fra) 70 73 71, F Zucchetti (Ita) 70 73 71, M Rottluff (Ger) 68 72 74. British Senior Amateur Open 211 – C Lutz (US) 73 70 68. 215 – D Pool (US) 70 74 71; S Rogers (US) 70 73 72; P Simson (US) 73 69 73. 216 – B Exber (US) 74 72 70. Irish totals: 219 – a Pierse (Tipperary) 70 74 75; 220 – a Morrow (Portmarnock) 73 76 71; 221 – G McGimpsey (Bangor)73 77 71; 222 – T Cleary (Cork) 75 75 72; 223 – M Kelly (Killeen) 70 76 77; 225 – M Quirke (Doneraile) 75 76 74; 228 B Donlon (Birr) 74 75 79; 229 – G Mellerick (Fota Island) 76 74 79, M Coote (Tralee)75 74 80; 234 – D Morris (Limerick) 75 75 84.

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Frazer’s 62 still not enough as Widegren leads

Keegan Bradley takes advantage of his second chance at DBC

September 3, 2012 by  
Filed under Golf Articles

NORTON, Mass. – Before we discuss the eagle, the seven birdies, the blistering round that roared him up the leaderboard, or the electricity he pumped into what figured to be a quiet, mundane Sunday morning at the start of third-round play at the Deutsche Bank Championship, let’s set the record straight: Keegan Bradley’s caddie didn’t lose faith in his man.

But Steve “Pepsi” Hale does concede he made an executive decision Saturday that backfired.

Having traveled to California to be with family members in the aftermath of his father-in-law’s death, Hale was unable to work the first two rounds of the Deutsche Bank Championship. but he and Bradley agreed that he’d take the Saturday night red-eye to Boston in time for Sunday’s third round. Only thing is, Hale caught a glimpse of Saturday’s second-round scores, saw that Bradley was 4 over for the tournament with just a few holes to play and since the cut figured to be 1 over, “I canceled my flight.”

Now he’s seen Bradley do remarkable things in a short period of time on the PGA Tour, so Hale knows he shouldn’t be surprised that a birdie-birdie finish got him to 2 over for the tournament. What did surprise Hale was this – the cut went from 1 over to 2 over and Bradley was one of 78 players to earn weekend spots.

Hello, airlines, cancel that cancellation, and re-book me.

Hale smiled when told that the airlines must love him, but the truth is, he was thrilled to land at 5:57 a.m. at Boston’s Logan Airport and be in attendance for what transpired on yet another brilliant late-summer day at TPC Boston. Starting at T-67, 2 over and 10 off the lead, Bradley in the fourth pairing hit a 197-yard shot to 7 feet and eagled the 547-yard, par-5 second to ignite an outward 31. when he birdied the par-4 10th and slam-dunked a 33-footer for birdie at the par-3 11th, he was 7 under on his round and suddenly the native New Englander had the sort of passionate gallery he is used to.

“The fans were so great,” said Bradley, who spent his senior year at Hopkinton High School, not 30 miles from TPC Boston, and was crushed when he missed the cut at the DBC a year ago, his first time as a pro playing in the area.

“It was really fun to be able to experience that for the first time in my (pro) career.”

When he failed to convert birdie rolls at the 12th, 13th, and 14th, the fire had seemingly gone out, but Bradley drained a 15-footer at the 15th and a 6-footer at the par-3 16th. His avid followers were into it, Bradley being just five off the lead, all of a sudden, and the drive at the par-4 17th was perfect, just 139 yards in.

“But it was his worst swing of the day,” Hale said of Bradley’s wedge from the fairway, well above the green. Pulling it slightly left, Bradley was in a bunker and had a difficult uphill lie against the lip. it led to his only bogey of the day, slowed his roll, but certainly the excitement was over. That’s because at the par-5 18th, Bradley took dead aim with his second shot, a downwind 7-iron from 217 yards.

The shot came out straight and high, but from the second he made contact, Bradley cringed. “He didn’t catch it,” Hale said.

Because he didn’t, the shot never carried far enough with the wind and when it came up short and caromed back into the hazard, Bradley dropped to his knees and held his head. The immediate pain is, on a hole that is playing so easy, the 18th, Bradley has yet to make a birdie. but the greater perspective is, he deftly got the drop up-and-down from 100 yards, shot 8-under 63, and when he signed his card for 6-under 207, Bradley had hurdled 55 players.

“It just goes to show you that you’ve always got to keep grinding and finish out the race because you never know what can happen.”

Just one day earlier, Bradley had gone out early, shot 73 and even the birdie-birdie finish left him in anguish.

“I cleaned out my locker, had already looked at flights,” Bradley said.

When at around dinner time he realized that 2-over 144 had indeed made the cut, back he came to TPC Boston to pound balls and work on his game. though it was 7:15 p.m., nearly 11 hours since he had teed off, Bradley had a smile on his face as he made it through the parking lot to his courtesy car.

“I felt like I was lucky to be out here.”

Then again, luck is what you make of it and there’s no denying that Bradley took advantage. He credited a consultation Saturday evening with his swing coach, Jim McLean. “I sent him a few videos of my swing because it was honesly pretty violent the first two days,” Bradley said. “(It was) the most lost I’ve felt on the course in a long time.”

McLean’s help secured (“he just saw something in my upper body that looked a little weird,” Bradley said), the New Englander then got marching orders from his grandmother. “She told me she wanted me to shoot 63 today,” Bradley said. “So I was out there thinking I had a good chance to do that for her.”

Keegan Bradley takes advantage of his second chance at DBC

Cleveland CG1 Gold Irons 3-9PS: Cheap Price, Review, Buy gift, Spec, Shaft

September 3, 2012 by  
Filed under Golf Articles

dark_is_   2011-01-02 16:31:41

    Silly long irons, the distance is about 20 yards longer than my current irons. The 6 iron as very easy to hit. I was hitting it as well as my custom fit SnakeEyes 6 iron yesterday

goldkey1   2010-11-07 15:40:26

    I tried many irons and really loved the feel of the Mizuno Jpx 800 tour but the burners just went further. I played my first round with them and got an extra 10-15 yards. good solid feel and clean look.

john.mcreynolds   2011-05-10 14:30:48

    Clubs are easy to hit and provides the ability to shape shots, previous owner of taylormade clubs, which ensured quality item and speaks for itself.Would rate this product as one of the best, to assist in improving golf game

peta_swan   2011-07-11 19:03:31

    cant believe how good thay are,better than my rac os,easy launch and long.and great service from igolfyoo as always

eckstein   2010-10-05 23:56:12

    Taylor made Golf has made quite a good improvement over their previous model of Burner 2.0 Irons. The balance and feel throughout the set has greatly improved in my opinion, and with the new blackened steel and chromed look their new appearance is quite striking.

Cleveland CG1 Gold Irons 3-9PS: Cheap Price, Review, Buy gift, Spec, Shaft

Sports Shorts: August 24, 2012 » Sports » Press-Republican

August 30, 2012 by  
Filed under Golf Articles

PSU men’s soccer team to scrimmage tonight

CHAZY — The Plattsburgh State men’s soccer team will hold its Annual Red/White scrimmage at 7 p.m. tonight at George Brendler Field. there is no admission fee.

Stafford Middle School sets modified clearances

PLATTSBURGH — Stafford Middle School has set its fall modified sports clearance schedule.

it includes:

Friday, August 24

Interim histories at Stafford Middle School

8-10 a.m.- modified football; 10 a.m.-noon- modified volleyball; and 1-3 p.m.- modified cross-country.

O’Connor, Maille lead way in senior golf tourney

PLATTSBURGH — The 15th annual Bluff Point Senior Golf Championship was played on Wednesday. Low gross winner was Mike O’Connor with a score of 70 and low net winner was Mike Maille. both golfers won an Executive Membership to Bluff Point Golf Resort for 2013.

in the age 55-59 group, O’Connor was the low gross winner, followed by Larry Brown and Chris Beaudin. The net winner was Ross O’Loughlin, followed by Harry Smith and Ron LaFountain.

in the 60-64 group, mark Burris was low gross with a 77, with Mike Derrigo second and Ron Miller third. Low net honors went to Maille, followed by Gary Stark and Mike Rock.

in the 65-70 bracket, Chip Dandrow’s 80 was low gross, with Ron McGee second and Phil Arsenault third. Bob Dumas won low net, followed by Gary Frazier and Vern Malark.

Don Bainbridge’s low gross of 75 led the way in the 70-74 group, with Frank Woodward and D. Kingsbury following. in the net division, Gary Hackett finished first, with Vern Lewis second and Gary Finney third.

in the 75-and-over group, Ken Duquette carded an 81 for low gross honors, with John Strack second and Lloyd Browne third. Doug Brown was low net, followed by E. Rock and Sonny Stampfler.

a total of 67 senior golfers competed in the event.

Cue Club tourney on Sunday

PLATTSBURGH — there will be an open 9-ball tournament at the Cue Club on Sunday, August 26. it will be a double-elimination format. there will be a race to seven in the winner’s bracket, and race to four in the loser’s bracket.

there is a $10 green fee and $10 entry fee. One-hundred percent of the entry fees will be returned to the top three places. Doors open at 11 a.m. and registration will be held until noon. for more information, contact Bill Hathaway, at 565-7706, or stop by at the Cue Club, Route 3, Airport Plaza, Plattsburgh after 4 p.m.

Buck records hole-in-one at The Barracks

PLATTSBURGH — Ryan Buck recorded the first hole-in-one of his golfing career when he used a 9-iron to ace the par-3, 7th hole at The Barracks. Norm Hawkins witnessed the shot.

PHS Booster Club to meet on August 27

PLATTSBURGH — there will be a Plattsburgh High School Booster Club meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, August 27 in Room 310. Enter the school at the back parking lot near the tennis courts.

All new members are welcome. Nomination of officers will be taken and plans for the 2012-13 school year will be discussed.

Golfers do well in state Elks Tourney

ROCHESTER — five area junior golfers, sponsored by the Plattsburgh Lodge of Elks No. 621, participated in the 57th annual new York State Elks Junior Golf Tournament and Keeseville’s Nate Devins, a freshman at AuSable Valley Central School, carded an 87 and placed first in the age 12 to 14 division.

Peru’s Gavin Plimpton finished fourth in the 12-14 age group with a 95. in the age 15 to 16 category, Morrisonville’s Austin Ladieu was fourth with an 88. in the age 17 to 18 division, Altona’s Connor Jubert placed second with an 80 and Rouses Point’s Nolan Reid was fourth with an 86.

The event was hosted by the Rochester Lodge of Elks No. 24 and took place at Rochester’s Chili Golf Club in excellent weather conditions.

Siberian Rod and Gun Club holding drive

DANNEMORA — The Siberian Rod & Gun Club is currently holding a membership drive. Beat the sight-in range rush for the hunting season. for more information, call Skip Maggy, at 492-7130.

Sports Shorts: August 24, 2012 »
Sports »
Press-Republican

Put New Mexico on Your Golf Itinerary

August 30, 2012 by  
Filed under Golf Articles

The Land of Enchantment Casts its SpellThe Land of Enchantment—particularly around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos—conjures up exquisite and distinctive layouts and great golf weather. Six golf courses, in particular, can be heartily recommended although new Mexico boasts many others that deserve play time as well.

The Championship Golf course at the University of new Mexico (unmgolf.com) in Albuquerque is less than a mile from the airport. the home of the Lobos has been rated as the #1 course in the state by Golfweek and among the top-25 public courses in the country by Golf Digest. With its hilly terrain, generous fairways, and rolling greens, the course is eminently playable but demanding. the green fees are not demanding, and the course is easy to walk.

The Black Mesa ExperienceAn hour’s drive up I-25 to Santa Fe and then a quick 30-minute further north will get you to Espanola and Black Mesa GC (blackmesagolfclub.com), an extraordinary test and an artistic delight. Earning the right to Links Magazine’s “Top 10 Most Spectacular Courses in the World,” the course is memorable for the cerulean sky overhead, immense sandstone formations all around, and the snow-capped peaks in the background.

Each hole presents a different configuration, a different topography, and a different adventure. Director of Golf Tom Velarde, author of “Tom’s Tips to Taming Black Mesa,” said the layout “is built with a degree of visual intimidation on every hole to challenge a player’s skills, courage, and ability to problem solve. that challenge starts on the first hole, a par four measuring 385 yards from the tips that requires a blind shot over a hillside.”The course sports lush bluegrass fairways, quick and undulating bent grass greens, ubiquitous canyons and arroyos, and 157 bunkers.

A host of other accolades adorns Black Mesa: Golf Magazine—“Top 10 you can Play” and “Best Bang for your Buck”; Golfweek—“No. 2 in new Mexico” and “Top 100 Modern Courses”; Golf Digest—“America’s Greatest Public Golf Courses” and “Best Places to Play.”

The Day Trip to Taos CCPlan on taking a day trip to Taos, about an hour north, to enjoy Taos CC (taoscountryclub.com). Awarded a four-star (of five) rating by Golf Digest, Taos CC will get you high on your game as it is located 7000 feet above sea level at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. the yardage is lofty, too, at 7300 yards from the back tees, but the four sets of tees make the course playable for all skill levels.

The terrain is gently rolling, and the layout is links style. the beautifully manicured fairways and bent grass greens run through the desert scenery of silver-green sagebrush and carefully utilized arroyos. the stylish clubhouse has a full-service dining room that prepares both new Mexican fare and American traditional.

A Great Double PlayThirty minutes south of Santa Fe on I-25 is Exit 242 where you will have the opportunity to play Twin Warriors GC and Santa Ana GC, two more of new Mexico’s best courses.Opened in 2001, Twin Warriors (twinwarriorsgolf.com), is superb high-desert championship golf. With five sets of tees, the course plays between 5100-7736 yards and covers ground in and around 20 ancient sites of previous tribal habitation. the generous fairways and large, fast greens follow the rolling terrain, and the arroyos, juniper and pinon pine ridges, eroded land features, sacred Tuyuna butte, and Sandia Mountains complete the picturesque setting. Golf Digest has bestowed it with 4.5 stars and rated it as the third best course in the state and the 49th best public course in America.

In conjunction with the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort (tamaya.hyatt.com), which is only a five iron away and owned by the Pueblo of Tamaya, Twin Warriors has earned several resort awards as well. Golf Magazine has ranked Twin Warriors in its “Top 75 Golf Resorts,” and Conde Nast Traveler considers it #50 in the “Top 100 Golf Resorts in North America, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic, Ireland, and Scotland” and #4 in its “Top five Western U.S. Golf Resorts.”

Santa Ana GC (mynewmexicogolf.com), ranked 10th in the state by Golf Digest, is the sister course of Twin Warriors and is located just down the street beside the popular Santa Ana Star Casino. With the 27 holes that weave through the desert along the Rio Grande, the links-style layout skirts native grasses, subtle mounding, and lakes, and it demands a shot maker’s precision to avoid trouble. the nines play around 2500 to 3600 yards apiece from the fours sets of tees, and, as an option, the course is very walkable.

Not for the Faint of HeartDowntown Albuquerque is only 25 minutes away from Twin Warriors, and 20 minutes east of ABQ is the Paa-Ko Ridge GC (paakoridge.com), the final 27 holes that require your best efforts. in the native Tewa language, “paa-ko” means root of the cottonwood, and the state’s stately tree is found most often hugging the Rio Grande. Rightfully so, each major golf publication has recognized its individual character: Golf World, #3 in “Top Public Golf Facilities”; Golfweek, #23 in “Top Modern Courses in America”; Golf Digest, #20 in “America’s Greatest Public Courses”; Golf Magazine, #28 in “Top 100 you can Play in America.”

Carefully manicured and in great shape, Paa-Ko Ridge is neither for the faint of heart nor for those who like to shoot close to their handicaps. Certainly, it has an incomparable layout, and no two holes run parallel, which gives the player a sense that his foursome is the only one on the course. however, with an up-and-down topography that defies walking and creates many uneven lies, with quick and dramatically sloping greens that revel in three putts, and with trouble almost everywhere but on the tee, fairway, and green, there is very little margin of error between keeping the ball in play and hitting a provisional or two. So, caveat emptor, or, more appropriately, golfer beware! But get out there and play it anyway, not only because it is unforgettable but also because it is so much fun.

New Mexico is one of golf’s best-kept secrets. So, as the new England summer turns into fall, mull over a week’s sojourn to a land that you will find to be truly enchanting and equally unforgettable.

Put New Mexico on Your Golf Itinerary

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mark.steven@partnercraft.com