Vision for a casino

FLORENCE — Adding a golf course isn’t all the Confederated Tribes of Coos, lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians have in mind for their three Rivers Casino & Hotel off Highway 126.

By mid- to late 2014, the tribes hope to more than double the number of hotel rooms to 200, add a nonsmoking restaurant and indoor aquatic center, and create a 60-space overnight RV park at the north end of the property, general manager Mike Rose said.

The multimillion-dollar expansion, to be funded with loans, would add 200 jobs, from blackjack dealers to housekeepers, to the existing work force of about 500 people, he said.

The Confederated Tribes want to transform the property into a regional destination resort, drawing more visitors from outside Lane County, especially the Portland metro area, and from Canada, Washington and California, Rose said.

The draw will be a mix of everything the casino offers — entertainment, lodging and a golf course and indoor pool — plus Florence’s attractions, including its Old Town and the beach, he said.

“No one around the Portland vicinity offers all those amenities at one place,” Rose said.

After the first expansion, a second would follow, adding retail shops, which would be built by an outside developer, and a boutique hotel on a hill at the southern end of the property. It’s difficult to estimate how many more jobs that would create, but Rose figures maybe a couple hundred.

With its 500 employees, three Rivers is among Florence’s largest employers, said Cal Applebee, executive director of the local chamber of commerce.

The casino doesn’t have universal support in Florence, but most residents realize its economic value, he said.

“There’s still some segment that’s against the casino as a gambling establishment, but I think overall the bulk of the community embraces it because they realize the impact the casino as a business has had,” he said.

“A lot of folks in Florence … lost jobs or changed jobs in the last few years, and, if not for the casino, we’d have a higher unemployment rate,” he said.

“Everyone is entitled to their personal feelings about the morality of gambling and all that, but the casino has been a great comunity partner,” he said.

Unveiling the plans

Some of the tribes’ vision for the casino has been unveiled in bits and pieces. Last week, Rose shared the project’s master plan with The Register-Guard.

In February, the tribes bought for $5 million the 140-acre Ocean Dunes Golf Links, north of the 102-acre casino and hotel.

The former owners of the golf course, Curtola Properties and Greg and Susan Reznick, trustees of the Pivotal Trust, financed $4.4 million of the purchase, with the final payment due from the tribes in 2022, according to Lane County property records.

The Confederated Tribes plan to upgrade the golf course, moving the club house within walking distance of the new hotel, renumbering the holes, and adding a driving range and practice green.

To embark on the expansion’s first phase, the Confederated Tribes need $16 million to $20 million, which they hope to line up by early next year, Rose said.

“We have bonds on the present property,” he said. “We’ll look to refinance those and probably do more bonding.”

“The debt is being repaid, and repaid on time,” he said.

The tribe group is positioning to expand now, despite a still shaky economy, because it wants to be ready with new offerings when the overall economy improves, Rose said.

“We see it as a perfect opportunity, so as the market continues to improve we’ll have an expanded product that will be able to meet the improved market,” he said. “Plus, we want to expand our overall market. we want to become more of a regional destination market in lieu of the day-trip market that we are today.”

Rose said there is demand. The hotel’s 93 rooms are consistently in the upper 90 percent occupancy, he said.

The rooms are 20 percent larger than the average hotel room and well maintained — each one is repainted every December, Rose said.

Guests have been asking for a pool, and the 12,000-square-foot aquatic center will provide a pool, as well as slides and a “lazy river,” he said.

The 50 to 60 RVs that assemble in the casino’s day-use parking lot will have an overnight option in the new 60-space park, Rose said.

Experts familiar with Oregon’s Indian casinos said the Confederated Tribes strategy makes sense, and is the direction other casinos are heading.

“Only about one in every five people is much of a casino player,” said economist Robert Whelan, who has analyzed the Indian gaming industry for EcoNorthwest, a consulting firm with offices in Eugene and Portland.

If only one out of five people likes to gamble at a casino, the chances are even slimmer — only about 4 percent — that two adult partners both enjoy it, “so you want to have a diversity of things to do,” he said.

“You also want to target people who come from further away and stay,” Whelan said.

Some of those guests might not gamble much, he said, but casinos can still make money off their hotels.

Adding more diverse attractions helps broaden the casino’s customer base, drawing more families with children, he said.

“The reason why people in their 50s gamble a lot more than people in their 30s is not just income,” Whelan said. “It’s simply that their kids are grown, and when you have kids, the tendency is to plan vacations around what the kids want to do.”

Parents who bring their children to the casino probably won’t spend much time gambling, but if they have a good stay, they might bring the grandparents next time to watch the kids and spend more money gambling, he added.

Casinos are “trying to give people a taste of the experience,” so by the time their children are grown, those casual gamblers will want to spend more of their entertainment dollars at the casino, Whelan said.

Bringing more exposure

although an even bigger hotel and more amenities at three Rivers might put short-term competitive pressure on other hotel operators in Florence, the addition would be beneficial overall because it would bring more exposure and visitors to Lane County’s coast, said Kari Westlund, CEO of Travel Lane County, the county’s tourism bureau.

“Every element that they add to that development brings it closer and closer to a resort-stay experience for visitors, so in the big picture that’s a real positive,” she said.

Rose and his brother Tim, veterans of the gaming industry in Atlantic City, N.J., were hired by the Confederated Tribes and launched three Rivers casino in a permanent tent-type structure in 2004. three years later, the tribes spent $70 million to build the current 175,000-square-foot facility, which includes the casino, a concert hall, a 93-room hotel, and five restaurants.

On the average day, the property attracts 2,000 people.

With the expansion, Rose expects a 30 percent to 40 percent bump, which might bring “a couple hundred” extra vehicles to the casino a day.

he said he doesn’t think any road adjustments will be needed to handle the extra traffic.

“I don’t think those roads are anywhere near capacity today,” he said.

Vision for a casino

Maldives holidays of the future: Man-made islands include

by mark Prigg

PUBLISHED: 05:40 EST, 13 August 2012 | UPDATED: 05:46 EST, 13 August 2012

A round of golf on a course surrounded by sea might seem like a strange idea.

However, add in the fact that said sea is the stunning Indian Ocean and throw in a cooling cocktail at the 19th hole and suddenly the idea seems to have legs.

The Maldives has revealed plans for a radical

Edwardsville wallops Kahoks in SWC opener – The Edwardsville Intelligencer : Local Sports: edwardsville, tigers, ehs, golf,

GRANITE CITY — Standing on her final hole of the day on the no. 2 tee box, Edwardsville junior Emilee Flaugher knew she had a chance to post her best-ever nine-hole score. She was currently sitting at 29, needing an eagle for a career best and a birdie to tie.

Of course, Flaugher launched her tee shot to the right and into the trees.

“Thirty-three is like the lowest score I would have ever shot for the nine-hole matches. I thought about that on the tee and I knew I needed a good tee shot,” Flaugher said. “I got a little excited and got a little quick on it and pushed it out to the right.”

The junior recovered, punching out from the trees and then landing her approach shot eight feet from the hole. when she knocked in the birdie putt, Flaugher finished with a 3-under par 33, tying her best score in dual play for Edwardsville. Flaugher also posted a 33 at last season’s match against Belleville West at Triple Lakes Golf Course.

Flaugher’s career-tying day helped Edwardsville post a 39-stroke win over Collinsville in the Southwestern Conference opener for both teams at Granite City’s Arlington Greens Golf Course. Senior Emily Briley carded a 39, followed by a 42 from senior Taylor Maggio and 45s from seniors Brie Duvall and Lauran Belling. the top four scores counted, giving the Tigers a 159.

Austin Gordon, Ashlea Hearn and Gabbi Pranger also competed for the Tigers.

Collinsville was led by a 43 from Sarah Crafton. Also counting in the Kahoks’ scoring was Rachel Rogers (50), Courtney Ostradovec (52) and Addison Wickiser (53). Collinsville finished with a team score of 198.

Edwardsville head coach was thrilled with the consistency of her team in its first dual match of the season.

“To have this kind of depth is really nice. If someone is not shooting the scores one night, hopefully someone else is picking it up,” said LaBoube.

LaBoube was not needing help picking up a top score, with Flaugher making a statement at Arlington Greens. Her performance Tuesday follows her medalist finish at the Marquette Blast-Off and second-place finish at the Madison County Tournament.

“I am really happy with that. I was with her on that last hole, a par five. Her drive went over to the right of the cart path. She had a little tree trouble and took out a hybrid and put it up just short of the green. She then made the eight-foot putt for birdie,” LaBoube said.

While Flaugher’s score may not have caught anybody by surprise, Briley’s probably did. the senior, who did not compete in Saturday’s tournament at Lockhaven Country Club, finished with a 39. A birdie on hole no. 9 highlighted the day for Briley.

“She had told me she was going to come out here and practice the course over the weekend. I have not had a chance to talk to her yet, but I would think yes she did. that score kind of speaks for itself,” said LaBoube. “She was on fire. She was hitting the ball well, hitting the greens — she hit four of nine greens in regulation — had 15 putts and only one penalty.”

Maggio made up for a slow start in the first two tournaments with a 42. She had a 97 at Lockhaven and a 92 in the Madison County Meet. LaBoube believes her success on Tuesday could be attributed to practicing in her free time.

“Taylor was not happy with her round at Lockhaven. She was really frustrated. She came out here over the weekend and was working on her putting and working on her irons,” said LaBoube. “She is working on her game on her own time, not just in practice. She is constantly practicing and that is what it takes.”

Tuesday’s match against Collinsville marked the conference opener for the defending league champions. the Tigers were happy to get back into dual play, after opening with two 18-hole tournaments.

Flaugher said there is a little less pressure away from the tournaments.

“I would say it is a lot less nerve-racking. there are a lot less girls competing against you, meaning there is a lot less pressure,” she said.

Next up for the Tigers is a quadrangular match against Alton, Highland and Triad. the home opener at Oak Brook Golf Course begins with a shotgun start at 3:30 p.m.

Laboube said, “It will be nice to get a chance to play on our home course.”

Edwardsville wallops Kahoks in SWC opener – The Edwardsville Intelligencer : Local Sports: edwardsville, tigers, ehs, golf,

Honing a mind game

Printer-friendly version MOST READ STORIES • Court sides with bank over golf course• Rep blasted for ‘dip’ in biblical lake • Child’s family: Charges are too small• Radios, ‘JR’ among ‘so yesterday’ items for college freshmen • Recount’s over; the drama isn’t Published: 7/23/2012 8:41 PM | Last update: 7/23/2012 11:52 PM (Travis Morisse/The Hutchinson News) Former Hutchinson High School standout golfer Thane Ringler will play in the Kansas Amateur this week at Sand Creek Station in Newton. Hutch native, golf standout to put growing mental skills to test at Newton’s Kansas Amateur. By Pat Sangimino – the Hutchinson News – psangimino@hutchnews.com NEWTON – Thane Ringler says he is a better golfer than he was two years ago. But he’s not nearly as good as he’ll be two years from now. “I’m still a work in progress,” he said without hesitation.

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The college experience has matured what was an already mature golf demeanor. the 2010 Hutchinson High graduate now manages the course with even more patience. His ability to forget a bad shot – one of his strengths for the Salthawks – is a bigger asset today.

He’s a better golfer – and that’s not taking into account the physical growth that has added to his golfing skill set. he hits the ball farther off the tee and is striking the ball well with his irons. His short game and putting have both improved.

But there’s still work to be done.

he understands that.

“Golf is something you can never fully perfect,” he said. “There are endless ways to keep growing. I am constantly working on course management and the need for thinking my way through a course.

“Golf is a game when you come up with a game plan and you execute that game plan.”

the best-laid plans are seldom executed without a hiccup or two, however. and the best-played rounds of golf are hardly ever perfect. Being prepared for the mishaps is a big part of golf survival – aka golf success.

“Eliminating major mistakes is something I have been working on,” he said, knowing there will be bad shots in any round.

and all of that makes Ringler, a soon-to-be junior and reigning NAIA All-American for Masters College in Santa Clarita, Calif., a contender this week for the 102nd Kansas Amateur, which begins today at Sand Creek Station Golf course.

Sand Creek has been known to present its share of problems to even the best golfers around. the course has already hosted the Railer, Kansas’ amateur stroke-play championship, in June and the NJCAA meet in may.

“Our best amateurs already know how challenging this venue is,” said Kim Richey, the executive director of the Kansas Golf Association.

the first two days of the tournament, which will feature 156 golfers from Kansas and the region, will consist of stroke play. Ringler will tee off at 7:50 a.m. His group includes Wichita State University’s Hunter Sparks, an Oklahoma City native who won the Kansas Amateur last year at Hallbrook Country Club in Leawood.

the top 64 finishers from stroke play will be bracketed and advance into match play, which begins Thursday. one round will be played on Thursday, two on Friday and two more on Saturday. by Sunday, two players will advance to the 36-hole championship.

the player that prevails at the end of the week will have played nine rounds of high-pressure golf on one of the top public links courses in the United States.

“My goal is to make it to Sunday,” said Ringler, whose best showing at the Kansas Amateur was the third round of match play.

the Kansas Amateur is a true golfing test – especially when you add in the temperature, which is supposed to reach triple digits each day this week.

“You have to stay hydrated,” Ringler said. “The heat makes it a little more taxing and you have to stand mindful of staying in the shade when you can. But your body adjusts to it.”

In other words, mind over matter is more than a myth this week.

On the golf course, mind over matter should be a mantra for everyone competing at a high level. just about everyone competing at the collegiate level can hit the ball long and straight. Most can read a green and have long enough time on the driving range to have their distances for each club honed.

But the mental side of the game is what tends to separate the good players from the great ones. the mental part of the game is something Ringler is very mindful of because his goal is to someday make a living playing golf.

“A lot of it is in the head,” he said. “There are countless guys out there with perfect swings who can hit it a mile. they hit it crisp, but mentally they can’t handle it. Golf is 90 percent mental at that next level. That’s what puts you over the top.”

Ringler qualified as an individual this spring for the NAIA Golf National Championships in Salem, Ore., and tied for 13th place by posting a four-day score of 295, seven strokes over par.

“I’m really proud of his hard work and dedication to excellence,” said Masters College coach Jason Samelsberger. “His heart, his will, and his character was revealed (at the national meet). We got to see the continuation of his growth as a player and person.

“It was truly my privilege to be out on the course with him talking through every shot. I had a blast.”

It was the exclamation point on a solid – if not spectacular – sophomore season for Ringler, who was the Kansas Junior Amateur of the year in 2010 and won the state’s junior amateur match play tournaments in 2009 and 2010.

Stroke play is the format most commonly used in competitive golf. Some would consider match play a better test.

“It’s completely different,” Ringler said. “It’s a better test of mental strength and competitiveness. you have to have that drive to beat your opponent. so much of it comes down to mental strength.” blog comments powered by Disqus Previous Reader Comments (if any):

Honing a mind game

4 South Koreans tied for 1st avoid highs, lows

Home » Sports» Pro» Golf Loading… Published: 8/11/2012 – Updated: 1 week ago BY STEVE JUNGABLADE SPORTS WRITER

With the 27th Jamie Farr Toledo Classic ready to be decided today at Highland Meadows Golf Club, there is one essential question.

How do you untie a South Korean knot?

After Saturday’s third round in one of the LPGA’s longest-running events, four players are tied for the lead at 11-under-par 202.

All four — I.K. Kim, so Yeon Ryu, Hee Kyung Seo, and Jayai Shin — hail from South Korea.

Photo gallery: Jamie Farr Classic: Aug. 11

Through three rounds, remarkably, none of the four have shot a score over 69 or under 66.

Thus, it is no big revelation that the buzzword most often used by the talented Asian contingent to describe their success on the course is “consistency.”

“You’ve got to hit pretty straight,” said Kim of negotiating Highland Meadows. “You have to be consistent. I think all the Korean players are pretty consistent with the ball-striking. [On] this golf course, you have some opportunities.

“I had a good day. I think overnight it rained a lot, so the course was definitely playing more soft. The greens were rolling a little slower than [Friday] because of the rain. sometimes it’s really hard to adapt to that right away, but I think I did that pretty well today. That was the key with the putting.”

Kim, who shot a 5-under par 66 Saturday, nearly won here two years ago, when she and two others Kims (Song-Hee and Christina) lost in a playoff to Na Yeon Choi.

“The last few tournaments I pretty [much] struggled with my putting, but now it’s really great,” Ryu said. “I hope [today] my putting is working really great again. The greens are really soft, so it’s really easy to make the birdie chance.”

Ryu, who shot 4-under Saturday, is an LPGA rookie looking for her first tour victory as a member. but she does already have a major victory on her resume, having captured the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open in a playoff.

“The shot was better than [Friday], so I can see through it to the target,” Seo, who fired a 68, said of her adjustment from the second round.

“I made a lot of good putts. I started with a bogey, but I tried to be patient. I think it’s very important to keep in the fairway. It’s a little soft now. The tee shot is very important. I’ll just keep doing my thing. I will try to just take my time every shot, try not to make mistakes.”

Seo, who has one tour victory to her credit, was the LPGA’s 2011 Rolex rookie of the year.

“Today was another wet day, so I just tried to keep focused, do not make the bogey,” Shin said of her careful approach which led to a 5-under 66. “I made five birdies today. My shot was getting better than [Friday], so I played much easier today.

“That’s why I [have] played so good this week, because my strength is consistency. I think the Korean players [are] pretty strong with the consistency. a lot of Korean players have a chance to win this week. Today I just focused on my game, my swing tempo. it was working today, so hopefully it works [again].”

Shin has eight tour victories, 46 top-10 finishes, and $4,670,402 in her three-plus years as an LPGA member, but is looking for her first win in 2012.

The lead foursome holds a one-shot lead over two other South Korean players — Inbee Park and second-round leader Chella Choi. Joining them at 10-under 203 is Japan’s Mika Miyazato, the only golfer to break with the theme.

South Korean dominance on the LPGA tour is no big secret, especially here at the Meadows in Sylvania.

Since Se Ri Pak, the pioneer of the South Korean women’s golf wave, broke the ice here in 1998, eight of the last 13 Farr Classic champions have come from that country. Pak collected five of those, and she was joined by three fellow countrywomen whom she inspired — Mi Hyun Kim in 2006, Eunjung Yi in 2009, and Na Yeon Choi in 2010, the last time the tournament was held here.

The only American players in contention are Angela Stanford and Jacqui Concolino, who are each three shots back at 205, and Jennie Lee, who is in a three-way tie for 12th at 206.

“It’s nice to have an opportunity again,” Stanford said. “I started out the year pretty strong and I just haven’t been doing a lot of things right ever since. It’s kind of nice to have some rhythm out there and have an opportunity [today].”

Added Concolino: “I missed some short putts for birdies on the beginning of the back nine, but other than that, I just tried to stick to the game plan of making the fairways and greens, and making the putts when given.”

First-round leader Pernilla Lindberg of Sweden, and South Korea’s Hee-Won Han are tied with Stanford and Concolino for eighth place heading into today’s final round.

Tied with Lee in 12th are Karine Icher of France, and Beatriz Recari of Spain. The first-place prize money in the $1.3 million Farr Classic is $195,000.

Contact Steve Junga at: 419-724-6461, or on Twitter @JungaBlade.

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4 South Koreans tied for 1st avoid highs, lows

Roque and Epp go low at Scramble

Eric Martel tees off during the Sun Scramble Promomedia B Division tournament which took place at La Sorcier Golf Course in Gatineau, QC, on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. (Matthew Usherwood/ QMI AGENCY, Ottawa Sun)

Wayne MacDonald reacts to a missed putt during the Sun Scramble Promomedia B Division tournament which took place at La Sorcier Golf Course in Gatineau, QC, on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. (Matthew Usherwood/ QMI AGENCY, Ottawa Sun)

Claudio Escobar hits a fairway shot during the Sun Scramble Promomedia B Division tournament which took place at La Sorcier Golf Course in Gatineau, QC, on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. (Matthew Usherwood/ QMI AGENCY, Ottawa Sun)

Mike Lalonde tees off during the Sun Scramble Promomedia B Division tournament which took place at La Sorcier Golf Course in Gatineau, QC, on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. (Matthew Usherwood/ QMI AGENCY, Ottawa Sun)

The Sun Scramble Promomedia B Division tournament took place at La Sorcier Golf Course in Gatineau, QC, on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. (Matthew Usherwood/ QMI AGENCY, Ottawa Sun)

Dean Mckeown tees off during the Sun Scramble Promomedia B Division tournament which took place at La Sorcier Golf Course in Gatineau, QC, on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. (Matthew Usherwood/ QMI AGENCY, Ottawa Sun)

Pat Morin tees off during the Sun Scramble Promomedia B Division tournament which took place at La Sorcier Golf Course in Gatineau, QC, on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. (Matthew Usherwood/ QMI AGENCY, Ottawa Sun)

Shon Bellefeuille chips onto the green during the Sun Scramble Promomedia B Division tournament which took place at La Sorcier Golf Course in Gatineau, QC, on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. (Matthew Usherwood/ QMI AGENCY, Ottawa Sun)

Steve Roque (L) and Norman Epp (R) try to figure out the line of the putt during the Sun Scramble Promomedia B Division tournament which took place at La Sorcier Golf Course in Gatineau, QC, on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. (Matthew Usherwood/ QMI AGENCY, Ottawa Sun)

Roque and Epp go low at Scramble

SirShanksAlot.com » Cobra Baffler T-Rail Hybrid Review

Hey everyone, thanks for stopping by, today we’ve got a a review of the Cobra T-Rail Baffler Hybrid line. enjoy!

You gotta love the new Cobra Baffler T-Rail Hybrid. With it’s traditional dark color, flared with streaks of bright yellow, it’s really hard to miss out on the golf course. Cobra is known for developing great hybrids over the years, and in my opinion, the Baffler T-Rail continues this tradition. the men’s version features a black club head, silver club face with florescent yellow alignment aids on the club head. the stock shaft is a black and silver Graphite Design Tour AD shaft with a bright yellow grip. the ladies Baffler features an all silver club head, shaft with bright green accent alignment marks and green grip (but we didn’t give this one a test). the shape is fairly consistent with previous baffler models. the baffler sets up nicely at address and screams “easy-to-hit”.

The Baffler T-Rail lives up to the tradition of solid Cobra hybrids. I tested the 2 hybrid 17 degree Tour AD stock shaft in stiff flex. the club produces a high ball flight. it is super easy to hit from a variety of lies, including tight fairway lies, and medium to light rough. In fact, the shallow face combined with the tungsten weighted rails makes it extremely easy to hit from tight lies. the slightly oversize club produces great shots on well struck shots and is extremely forgiving on off-center hits. I was also very impressed with this clubs accuracy and consistency. I have tested a number of hybrids this year, and Cobra has produced a club that matches the performance of the phenomenal TaylorMade RBZ hybrid.

The only negative I’ve seen is the bright yellow grips get dirty quickly, however, that should hardly deter anyone from purchasing the Baffler T-Rail.

The Baffler T-Rail Hybrid makes a solid “click” sound at impact, and even off-center hits felt solid. the club features a heavier feel with a D3 swing weight. a high strength 455 steel face is utilized to deliver a thinner and lighter face for increased ball speeds. the ball jumps off the face at impact and overall, was just a pleasure to hit.

The Baffler T-Rail really is a club that’s a good fit for a broad variety of players at many different skill levels. With a price tag of only $159 (which is significantly less than its competitors), its easy playability, and fun rail technology, this club is great deal for anyone looking to replace their long irons.

SirShanksAlot.com » Cobra Baffler T-Rail Hybrid Review

Awesome golf action in the Southern Highlands! Just $99 scores TWO players 18-holes at the sensational Mt Broughton Golf & Country Club, Sutton Forest! Just 90-minutes from Sydney!

As any man would know, balls and a vigorous whack rarely make for cheery reading. yet, that theory can be quickly proven wrong when the ball happens to be white, dimpled and perched on a tee and struck enthusiastically with a five wood. and today rediscover the true romance of hitting balls – particularly around a rather majestic golf course – with a sensational Cudo offering all courtesy of Mount Broughton Golf & Country Club at Sutton Forrest in the Southern Highlands south of Sydney. and erase all memory of paying the typical green fees of $231 for two. Instead, snare today’s offer, pay a rather soothing $99 and you and a buddy get 18 holes at a course regularly voted in the top 100 in Australia and one of the top 25 resort courses in the land! Plus, the offer includes full use of a motorised cart to save you any walking, a dozen Callaway balls to keep (or lose); plus, the fantastic folk at Mt Broughton will also shout you a beer or wine back at the 19th once it's all done and won!

Plus, Mt Broughon almost guarantee play seven days a week to Cudo voucher holders. it is for public tee-times only (which means no play before 10.30am Saturday), but book early enough and you should snare your desired tee-off time. Mount Broughton’s an easy 90-minute drive south of Sydney; so, if you really wanted to, why not turn this humble golf offer into an all-the-more sexy and scenic weekend away! But don’t forget the golf. You’re getting the full 18-holes for you and a mate and you’re springing less than $50 each for the privilege! But best of all you get to play the magnificent Mount Broughton Golf Club. It’s long, very long, in fact, so pack the woods! and there are plenty of hazards – both man-made and natural – to give the irons a thorough workout too. In fact it’s a course that’s as beautiful as it is challenging and has something for every golfer no if you hack with the best of them or swing like a pro. and eliminate all pain when hitting balls simply by hitting something else – the ‘buy button’ now! you save $132, you get to play one awesome course, and you get a very pleasant trip to the always-beautiful Southern Highlands! This has “win” written all over it, unless you lose the golf, that is.

Awesome golf action in the Southern Highlands! Just $99 scores TWO players 18-holes at the sensational Mt Broughton Golf & Country Club, Sutton Forest! Just 90-minutes from Sydney!

Salgados Golf Course, a beautiful Golf Course in Central Algarve near Albufeira

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Salgados Golf Course, a beautiful Golf Course in Central Algarve near Albufeira

Duval upbeat despite financial problems

About the only thing that comes easily for David Duval these days is the ability to find perspective.

Duval was talking late Monday night about the “gigantic financial hit” he has taken from the real estate collapse, the solution he worked out with the bank over money owed on his home in the Denver suburb of Cherry Hills Village, and the strain it has caused during another tough year on the golf course.

He wanted to make clear that his taylormade rocketballz driver, which he has been trying to sell for several years, is not in foreclosure. he did not want to explain negotiations with the bank in detail because those talks are private. he also wanted to point out that he was among thousands, if not millions, who made real estate investments that turned sour during the crash.

His outlook was not unusual. Duval never considered himself different from anyone else, in good times or bad.

The high was when he reached no. 1 in the world and was the toughest rival Tiger Woods ever had. Everyone has a success story. The low point came at age 9, when he went through a painful bone marrow donation in a futile attempt to keep his brother, Brent, from dying of aplastic anemia. Harsh times, no doubt, but as he looked back on such a taylormade rbz driver in his life, he reasoned that his was not the only family coping with tragedy.

Where did he develop this perspective?

The question triggered memories Duval had not thought about for longer than he can remember.

“a few things entered my mind, and they had to do with people I met when Brent was in the hospital,” he said. “I think back to when I was there with Brent and somebody tried to mug me in the play room. I was 9 years old. I had $12 in my pocket. and he had me pinned up against the wall choking me. … It’s weird. I haven’t thought about that in probably 20 years.”

The significance of the story?

“I think it’s about self-preservation,” Duval said. “That’s when I dealt with Brent and my family and the things we were going through. That’s when I learned a lot about what shaped who I am. we were just down in a game room playing pool with another kid, having fun, and then the dynamic changed. and I was like, `No, you can’t do this. I’m not allowing you to do this to me.’

“and by the way,” he added, “he didn’t get my rbz driver for sale.”

That story was about $12.

Now it’s about a mansion that TMZ reported was worth just over $12 million when Duval bought it in 2005.

Maybe that’s the good news for Duval. He’s still relevant enough to get the attention of a celebrity website. he was more irritated about a local television station that he said broadcast the story without every trying to contact him.

“I don’t think of myself as a public figure, and I guess this makes me realize I still am,” he said.

He has not been getting much attention for his golf. his last win was the Dunlop Phoenix in Japan at the end of 2001. The last time he contended was two years ago in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, when Dustin Johnson made birdie on the last hole for a one-shot victory. he has made only two cuts in 15 tournaments this year, and his best round is a 69. he has done that twice.

Some of that is related to injuries, which have plagued him over the last decade. he revealed at the British Open that he had bone bruises in his knee, so painful that he planned to take a walking seat to the Reno-Tahoe Open so he could sit down between shots if necessary.

More of it likely is due to the stress of financial problems at home.

“It’s been a very big distraction,” Duval said. “I have the weight of this on me.”

His wife, Susie, likes to be on the road with him and their children – Brayden and Sienna, along with three children from her previous marriage. She has been dealing with the bank and the home, and hasn’t gone to a tournament with Duval since New Orleans the last week in April. That was the last time Duval made the cut.

“this kind of rbz driver can break us or hold us together, and we’re tighter than ever,” Duval said. “We’re more in love than ever. It’s a hugely stressful time, especially when information is out there that’s inaccurate. She’s been an angel. I think she’s the greatest thing ever. She’s my hero. I tell her that every day.”

03 Aug Posted:

August 3, 2012 Friday at 8:04 am

lucky8blog

Duval upbeat despite financial problems

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