Kaua‘i News and Notes

 

Jack Nicklaus’s Kaua‘i Lagoons Visit and Review a Success;

Roy Yamaguchi’s The Tavern at Princeville Set to Open;

Poipu Bay Golf Course’s New Seashore Paspalum Greens Thriving

 

 

(KAUA‘I, Hawaii) – Jack Nicklaus made his much-anticipated return to Kaua‘i Lagoons Golf Club– to review the extensive renovation taking place there – and left satisfied that the award-winning, nationally feted course will be better than ever when it reopens (scheduled for next spring).

 

“It’s great to be back here in Hawaii and at Kaua‘i Lagoons, which has always been one of my favorite golf courses,” said Nicklaus, the original designer of the course. “The new holes we are building are going to fit in nicely with what golfers have come to expect from the Kiele Golf Course – great golf holes with beautiful ocean panoramic views.”

 

Upon completion, Kaua‘i Lagoons will feature 27 Jack Nicklaus Signature holes, including the longest stretch of ocean holes in Hawaii.

 

The massive project is currently in the first of three phases. Phase I broke ground in June and is expected to be completed in May 2011. It involves building three new holes – including a new ocean hole – and renovating six others on the renowned Kiele Back 9. All renovated holes will receive new irrigation, greens, bunkers, and drainage.

 

Currently 18 of the 36 holes designed by Nicklaus at Kaua‘i Lagoons – adjacent to the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach – are in play, consisting of nine holes from Kiele and nine holes from the Mokihana Golf Course.

 

During his five-hour examination of the project, Nicklaus – whose designs consistently rank among the world’s best by industry critics –  observed the renovation on the Kiele back nine as well as the changes that are being planned for the Kiele front nine and the Mokihana holes. The golf icon also engaged with fans during the visit and signed a number of autographs.

 

“It was exciting to have Mr. Nicklaus back here at Kaua‘i Lagoons,” said Director of Golf Scott Ashworth, PGA. “He has a tremendous amount of energy and focus for this project because he is so fond of the golf course.”

 

Kaua‘i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach just completed a $50-million makeover last month. Earlier this summer, the resort was included on Conde Nast Traveler's prestigious list of “Top 80 Golf Resorts” and last year GolfWorld magazine named it a “Top 50 Resort Course.”

 

For more information visit Kaua‘i Lagoons Golf Club at www.kauailagoonsgolf.com or the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach at www.kauaimarriott.com.

 

 

Poipu Bay Improves Greens, Bunkers and Tee Boxes

The greens renovation project underway at Poipu Bay Golf Course is progressing nicely and the targeted December re-opening is on schedule. The course is installing Seashore Paspalum, an eco-friendly turf that requires less water and chemicals, as well as enhancing more than a dozen bunkers and tee boxes.

 

“We have all of the greens cut down pretty good right now and in a month or so they’ll be playable,” said Director of Golf Craig Sasada of the project, which began on April 1. “When we open in December, the greens will be absolutely pristine. Our guests will really notice the difference. They will walk off the course amazed at how great the new greens roll.”

 

Poipu Bay, the former home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that is adjacent to the Grand Hyatt Kaua'i Resort & Spa on the South Shore of Kaua'i. The golf resort is regularly rated among the best in the world. Poipu Bay’s golf shop remains open during the project.

 

Renowned Chef Set To Open The Tavern at Princeville

The anticipation is building at the Princeville Prince Golf Course in Kaua‘i for the opening of Roy Yamaguchi’s The Tavern at Princeville later this month.

 

Yamaguchi – once dubbed "the father of modern East-West cooking" – opened the first Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine in Honolulu back in 1988. Today there are 31 Roy's locations worldwide.

 

“The Tavern at Princeville is designed to be a place that visitors and residents alike can gather and enjoy a casual evening of good food and drinks,” said Rainer Kumbroch, President of

Roy's Restaurants in Hawaii. “The room will feature a warm and inviting tavern feel with spectacular views of the Prince Golf Course.”

 

The menu at The Tavern at Princeville will offer a compilation of Roy’s personal favorites, including American classics, local favorites and a touch of French.

 

The Prince Course is ranked No. 22 in this month’s list of the “Top-100 Courses You Can Play” in GOLF Magazine and is ranked No. 1 in the state of Hawaii by Golf Digest.

 

 

Puakea Golf Course Extends Offer For Free Junior Golf Privileges  

The Annual Kids Play Free campaign at Puakea Golf Club, originally scheduled exclusively for the summer months, has been extended through the end of the calendar year. The campaign allows junior golfers ages 7 to 17 to play the local gem for free when accompanied by a paying adult (one free junior for each adult).

 

“We created this campaign in order to support the growth of the game and offer a fun, healthy activity for families to enjoy at our great course,” said Puakea Head Professional Dave Werner.

 

The course may resonate with golfers of all ages since its tropical landscape and backdrop served as the set for the hit movie Jurassic Park. In this month’s GOLF Magazine, Puakea is ranked 16^th in the prestigious "2010 Best Courses You Can Play" by state list.

 

Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort Partners With Green Car Hawaii

In an effort to “go green” and save guests money, the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa is now offering visitors the opportunity to rent hybrid cars by the hour or day.  The model allows people to rent a hybrid sport utility vehicle to use when they need it, which may not be the entire time they are on the island. Green Car Hawaii launched the program at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i this summer due to the resort’s environmental leadership in the industry.

 

A self-service kiosk in the hotel lobby enables guests to make reservations at an hourly rate of $15, including all fuel and insurance costs. Daily rates are also available. The car is then delivered by the hotel valet. Cars come equipped with an iPad providing an interactive GPS-based island map and virtual tour guide. The program has launched to rave reviews from guests who enjoy the flexibility and ease of service in addition to knowing they are doing something to reduce environmental pollution. 

 

“Being able to offer this innovative service for our guests is great and the overall sustainability of the business plan makes it even more compelling,” said Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i General Manager Doug Sears.  “Environmental stewardship is a priority at the hotel so this coincides with the many other initiatives we have in place – from producing clean renewable energy with our photovoltaic system to reusing heat produced by our air conditioning system to warm our pools.”

 

 

About "Kaua'i: Discover Golf's Ultimate Island Green"

 

Kaua'i offers more than 50 miles of white sand beaches -- more beach per mile than any other island in Hawaii.  Only four percent of the island is developed for commercial and residential use.

 

For more information about golf on the Garden Isle visit www.Kauaidiscovery.com/activities/golfing/, www.twitter.com/KauaiGolf, or call 800-262-1400.

 

The unique attributes of the golf destination cooperative "Kaua'i: Discover Golf's Ultimate Island Green" include:

 

1. Princeville Golf Courses (www.princeville.com)

• 45 holes of golf -- the 27-hole Makai Golf Club at The St. Regis Princeville Resort and the 18-hole Prince Golf Course -- all designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
• The Prince Course (800.826.1105) is rated the No. 1 course in the state and was rated No. 67 in Golf Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses 2009-10"
• The Makai Golf Club (www.makaigolf.com/, 808.826.1912) reopened in 2010 after an extensive 15-month renovation and now features the 18-hole Makai Course and the 9-hole Woods Course
• The St. Regis Princeville Resort just completed a multi-million-dollar renovation and opened the first week of October 2009

 

2. Kaua'i Lagoons Golf Club (www.kauailagoonsgolf.com, 800.634.6400)

• Voted, along with Kaua'i Marriott Resort, one of the "Top 50 Resort Courses" worldwide by GolfWorld magazine in its "2009 Readers' Choice Awards"
• Currently 18 of the 38 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus are in play, consisting of nine holes from the Kiele Course and nine holes from the Mokihana Course. The Kiele Ocean nine is receiving extensive upgrades, including the addition of one new ocean hole that will create a one-half-mile long stretch of oceanfront golf. Completion of the Kiele Ocean nine is scheduled for May 2011
• The front nine holes feature the par-3 fifth green encircled by a tropical Mango and Guava tree forest

3. Poipu Bay Golf Course (www.poipubaygolf.com, 800.858.6300)

• Along with Grand Hyatt Kaua'i Resort & Spa rated No. 16 in GolfWorld's "America's Top 50 Resort Courses, 2009"
• Four closing holes play atop a 150-foot sea cliff
• Home to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 through 2006, it has frequently hosted players like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and other major champions
• Course is currently closed for greens renovation with a reopening planned for December 2010

 

4. Puakea Golf Club (www.puakeagolf.com, 866.773.5554)

• Consistently rated a favorite among Kaua'i golfers in local media outlets and ranked as the No. 15 course in Hawaii by Golfweek.
• Golf Course Architect Robin Nelson used the natural layout of the land when he planned this layout, testing golfers of all levels and treating them to beautiful views of Mt. Ha'upu and deep lush ravines on several holes.
• Owned by AOL co-Founder Steve Case

 

About the KVB and HVCB

 

The Kaua'i Visitors Bureau is a division of the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau, which is contracted by the Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA), the state of Hawai'i's tourism agency, for marketing management services in North America. The HTA was established in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawai'i tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with the state of Hawai'i's economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs.

 

Media Contact: 
Gary Trask, 978.228.0314
Buffalo Communications
gtrask@billycaspergolf.com

 

Dan Shepherd, 703.891.3320

Buffalo Communications

dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com
www.buffalocommunications.com

Mississippi Fall Golf Stay-and-Play Packages Offer Great Value During Prime Weather Conditions

Magnolia State Features More Than 150 Golf Courses in Five Distinct Regions With a Variety of Price Points and Designs

(JACKSON, Mississippi) – Golf season will soon be fading in many parts of North America, but it is prime time in Mississippi. Temperate fall and winter weather are two the many reasons why now is an excellent time to book stay-and-play packages to the Magnolia State. Take advantage of the wide variety of designs and price points available in the state’s more than 150 golf courses that cover five distinct regions (The Delta, The Hills, The Pines, The Capital/River, The Coastal).

These stay-and-play packages are available and indicative of the quality and variety offered. For others go to VisitMississippi.org/ or call toll-free 1-866-801-8551 and receive a free Golf Travel Guide and suggested itineraries.

 

The Bridges Golf Club

 

The Bridges Golf Club is Mississippi's only Arnold Palmer Signature golf course and is set among 600 acres of moss-draped live oaks, pines, magnolias and scenic views of saltwater marsh. The course also features tee boxes to accommodate golfers of all skill levels and 21 bridges that span nearly one mile in length.

 

Located on 600 waterfront acres, Hollywood Casino in  Bay St. Louis offers 1,200 of the latest reel, video slot and video poker machines as well as a poker room, free wireless Internet in the guest rooms and a pool and cabana bar.

 

The Stay-and-Play Package starts at $59 per golfer (Sunday through Thursday) and includes:

 

• One round of golf
• One night accommodation at Hollywood Casino
• Free $10 slot machine play and a 10% discount in The Bridges pro shop

 

For reservations or more information please call 1-800-WIN-BIG -2 (1-800-946-2442) or visit www.HollywoodCasinobsl.com/golf/. Offer is valid through Dec. 29. 2010.

Dancing Rabbit Golf Club

Dancing Rabbit's Azaleas Course is ranked No. 32 in GOLF Magazine’s biennial “2010 Best Courses You Can Play" in America and was listed No. 2 in the state. The Oaks Course, meanwhile, earned the No. 4 spot in the prestigious best-in-state rankings and just recently completed the renovation of all bunkers and switched from bent grass to Bermuda greens.

Pearl River Resort offers two casino/hotel properties featuring Las Vegas-Style gaming at the Silver Star Hotel & Casino and Golden Moon Hotel & Casino. Together these two properties offer more than 5,000 slot machines, 115 table games and 14 poker tables as well as 1,000 luxurious guest room and 16 restaurants to choose from.

The Stay-and-Play Packages start at $173.44 per night (Monday through Thursday), per golfer and include:

·         A round of golf (including cart) at either The Oaks or The Azaleas Course

·         One night accommodation at the Golden Moon Casino Hotel or the Silver Star Casino Hotel

·         Breakfast and transportation to and from the hotel as well as golf club storage

Weekend rates are $248.94 per night per golfer.  For reservations or more information please call 1.866.44PEARL (1.866.447.3275) or visit www.DancingRabbitGolf.com.

Tunica National Golf & Tennis 

Tunica has been dubbed the “South’s Casino Capital” because of the many gaming and casino options, but there are also some great golfing options in this city, which is located approximately 30 miles south of Memphis. Tunica National is a Mark McCumber-design that covers 212 acres of rolling terrain and manicured greens. The course features five sets of tees, uplink GPS in every golf cart and a 360-degree driving range as well as a 20,000 square-foot clubhouse, golf training academy and four Davis Cup indoor clay tennis courts.

The Weekday Golf Package is $200 per player and includes:

• Two-night stay at one of Tunica’s world-class casinos
• Two rounds of golf  
• Two lunches at Murphy's Bar and Grill

The Weekend Golf Package (Friday - Saturday) is $280 per player. These rates are based on double occupancy in the hotel rooms and are for groups of eight or more. Taxes are not included in any package price.

 

For reservations or more information please call 1.866.833.6331 or visit www.TunicaNational.com.

 

Media Contact: 
Gary Trask, 978.228.0314
Buffalo Communications
gtrask@billycaspergolf.com

  

  Bridgeburg Golf Inc. began operation in 2006 and is a golf product development company. They are a Canadian company located in Fort Erie, Canada. Their flagship product is the Turf Chopper, an extremely turf friendly single rider electric golf cart and personal walk behind golf trolley all rolled into one sturdy little 150 pound package.  
In less than 7 seconds the Turf Chopper can easily convert between riding and walking modes. As there is nothing on the market like it this feature provides avid golfers the best of both worlds and at price point around $1900 is far less then the majority of golf cart options available today. Also with a price point comparable to some of the personal caddy trolleys out there it's a no brainer. 

  The back story; Birth of the Turf Chopper The Turf Chopper was invented, designed and the prototype built by now Bridgeburg Golf President T. Falkiner in 2005, not for market but because he is a diehard golfer who had a bad back and could not walk 18 holes nor could he get in and out of a standard golf cart for 18 either. He designed the cart so that he would walk as long as he was able and when his back would start to seize up he could ride the remainder of the course. Well it's popularity grew so rapidly and every time he had it out on the course scores of people gathered round to see it and maybe get a test drive. One day he and local businessman Dave Watson were playing a round of golf together and decided to develop the concept. A hand shake later and Bridgeburg Golf Inc. was formed. 

       The evolution of the Turf Chopper. 2006 the Turf Chopper design and market testing began. They have been extensively tested throughout the world with great success. The Turf Chopper was originally designed as an affordable and extremely turf friendly option to golf course owners with several key issues addresses in the unique design:      1st and foremost to be turf friendly. With a much smaller footprint, much lower PSI then a standard two person electric or gas powered golf cart, its low centre of gravity and light rear weighted design the Turf Chopper does far less damage to the course, therefore reducing the overall maintained costs. Also the recharging cost and maintained comparison of a standard two man cart to a Turf Chopper is apox.20:1 in favour of the Turf Chopper. Those both translate to an increase in overall profits as well.      2nd. To increase the speed of play and create additional tee time revenues. Independent studies have shown that any type of single rider cart does increase the rate of play by up to 40% and also that the days first 4 groupings set the days place. 20 to 40% faster means 20 to 40% more tee time dollars.        3rd. Create a new experience and option available to their patrons. As offered by the Turf Choppers ability to convert from walking to riding courses will have the ability to offer this unique service to their customers and thus creating repeat and new customer revenue.      4th. The initial upfront cost is so low that courses could have them paid off in a matter of weeks therefore a sharp spike increase in cart rental  profits. 
     
  As the Turf Chopper gained exposure so did the public demand for them but not only as a golf toy. The Turf Chopper doubles as a mobility device and has found many practical uses off the course and around the neighbourhood. Where golf carts and mobility carts are street legal and not to mention gas prices as they are it only makes sense to use it for daily uses around the community, With the golf bag removed these Choppers are ideal for quick trips to the corner store or as a secondary vehicle for house guests, the kids or even grandkids to use. One customer has even hooked up his lawnmower to his and made it a literal Turf Chopper for his yard. 

  The Turf Chopper product line was officially unveiled to the public at the 2008 PGA merchandise show in Orlando Florida and what a splash it made. The Turf Chopper has been quietly making a big impact in the golf market already and is finding its welcomed place in the golf industry.    As the Turf Chopper is a fun and affordable new way to enjoy the game of golf you can find them all over North & South America, Australia, Africa, Europe and even Asian golf courses and homes.
 

In an economy where the last couple years have seen minimal new products brought to market in the golf industry, EyeLine Golf launches 4 new training aid products this summer. These products we released to the Tours last Spring and with nearly 100 players on the Tours using them, they went to the public. 
These products include the Ball of Steel, newly re-designed Practice T Alignment System co-developed with Michael Breed, host of the Golf Channel’s The Golf Fix, the Speed Board and the Sweet Spot 360, both co-developed with Todd Sones, Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and Top 25 Golf Schools in America.

With signs of the recession all around us, EyeLine Golf is staying true to their mission of bringing products to the market that will help people experience the fun of improvement. “We realize that trusted brands are especially valued in a down economy and have been able to still launch new products successfully” says Sam Froggatte, CEO of EyeLine Golf. “We make simple and economical products to help people experience the fun of improvement.  Introducing new products at this time is our way of contributing a bit of fun for people.  We know the economy is rough, and it weighs on our daily experiences.  We are willing to take the risk of new product launches as our statement of belief in people.”

EyeLine has also implemented several new features to their web site to help out the average golfer such as free ground shipping anywhere in the U.S. and free gift with purchase on some products. Grant Froggatte, President and CFO of EyeLine says “We know customers will be shopping around for the best deals. We don’t necessarily feel like we need to cut our prices, but we did feel it was important to offer some temporary ‘promotions’ to stay aggressive.”

EyeLine Golf is the #1 Training Aid Company on the PGA Tour.  There were 263 players from the PGA, LPGA, Nationwide and Senior Tour that put EyeLine products into their practice routines in 2009.

For additional information visit www.eyelinegolf.com

GIVES FANS A CHANCE TO PLAY WITH THE BEST

Win a chance to visit the ANNIKA Academy in Orlando, Florida

The ANNIKA Academy has announced a “Play Golf with Annika” video contest.   Fans can submit a one-minute video to explain why they are the ideal playing partner for Annika.  The winner will have the opportunity to play nine holes with Annika at Reunion Resort, home of her golf and fitness school in Orlando, Fla. 

The ANNIKA Academy is an all-encompassing, high-end golf school that differentiates itself by including personalized fitness and nutritional programs along with golf instruction as part of the Academy experience. Guests at the ANNIKA Academy receive personalized golf and fitness instruction from the greatest female golfer of our generation and the actual coaches who helped her get there.  Their simple techniques inspire players of all skill levels to reach their full potential on the golf course. 

Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 8, fans can enter to win by visiting www.theannikaacademy.com, creating a video within the guidelines, uploading their video to a third party social media web site and returning to the ANNIKA Academy website to complete the Contest entry form and submit the video link.  Submissions are due by Oct. 14. A purchase is not required to participate in the Contest, but entry is limited to persons 18 (or age of majority) or older who are legal residents of the U.S. or Canada (except Québec). Contest Official Rules, with full details, are available on the ANNIKA Academy website.   

A panel of judges from the ANNIKA Academy will judge the videos based on creativity and originality, relevance to theme and passion for golf. The top 10 videos will go on to the final round – and a public vote.  In late October, fans will be able to rate the videos and help Annika make her final decision about the grand prize winner. 

Led by Annika’s one and only golf instructor, Henri Reis, and fitness instructor, Kai Fusser, the ANNIKA Academy models its teachings after Reis and Fusser’s collaboration to mold Annika into such a dominant golfer. Reis combines his ability to translate the complexities of the golf swing into simple instruction with Fusser’s proven ability to target core physical training that directly translates into a more powerful, efficient golf swing.  Annika’s sister, LPGA winner Charlotta Sorenstam, and Mark Bereza, Certified Club fitter, also bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to enhance the guests’ experience.

More information and full contest rules can be found at www.theannikaacademy.com. 

About Annika

Annika is the greatest female golfer of our generation and often regarded as the best of all-time.  During her 15-year Hall of Fame career, she rewrote the LPGA and Ladies European Tour record books, won countless awards and changed the way women’s golf was played, viewed, and covered.  She amassed 89 worldwide professional victories, including 72 LPGA wins, ten of which are Major Championships.  Annika stepped away from professional golf after the 2008 season to focus on her family and the ANNIKA brand of businesses, including the ANNIKA Academy, ANNIKA Financial Group, ANNIKA Course Design, the ANNIKA Collection of apparel with Cutter & Buck, signature high-end wines with Wente Vineyards and an online retail shop, shopannika.com.  In 2007, Annika created the ANNIKA Foundation as a way to teach children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offer aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams.  In 2008, Annika joined Arnold Palmer as only the second Ambassador of the United States Golf Association, and in 2009, along with Jack Nicklaus, she was named a Global Ambassador by the International Golf Federation and aided in the successful bid for golf in the 2016 Olympic Games.  Annika will serve as a vice-captain for The 2011 European Solheim Cup Team at Killeen Castle in County Meath, Ireland, Sept. 23-25.More information can be found atwww.annikasorenstam.com.

www.GolfLasVegasNow.com is your Link to Las Vegas Golf and offers complete Las Vegas golf information and online bookings. Visit the website now for the complete stories that include Las Vegas golf news, deals and more. Highlights for this week include Las Vegas residents winning on the PGA Tour and another making the United States Ryder Cup team.

 

Las Vegas' Charley Hoffman Joins Neighbor as 2010 PGA Tour Champion

Picking a winner of a PGA Tour event, especially with a few bucks on the line, is a difficult proposition. In year's past, Tiger Woods basically won about one out of every four tournaments, so you had a bit of a feeling, but these days, you never know who can win. According to the Las Vegas golf PGA Tour betting experts, Las Vegas Golf Region resident Charley Hoffman was a part of the field bet last week (4/1) when he won the Deutsche Bank Championship. The week prior, Matt Kuchar went off at 30/1 according to the Las Vegas odds before winning the Barclays. This week at the BMW Championship, Woods is the favorite at 6/1 followed by Steve Stricker (12/1) and Phil Mickelson (15/1). The Las Vegas odds don't show much hope for a repeat by Hoffman as he was released at 50/1.

http://www.golflasvegasnow.com/las-vegas-golf-pros/93-robert-gamez/1442-las-vegas-pga-tour-golf-star-charley-hoffman-goes-low-to-join-neighbor-as-2010-champ.html

 

Rickie Fowler Picked By Captain Corey Pavin To Play for U.S. In Ryder Cup

There were said to be at least three Las Vegas residents under consideration for one of the four Captain's picks for the U.S. Ryder Cup team. The good news: one Las Vegas golfer was picked. The bad news: two Las Vegas golfers weren't. Rickie Fowler, who purchased a home in Las Vegas about this time a year ago, was picked by Captain Corey Pavin, while fellow Las Vegas Golf Region residents Charley Hoffman and Nick Watney were left off the team. Each of the three play and practice at Las Vegas golf courses, but Fowler isn't the only tie to Las Vegas for the team.

http://www.golflasvegasnow.com/las-vegas-golf-pros/93-robert-gamez/1443-ryder-cup-us-team-has-many-strong-ties-to-las-vegas-golf-courses-with-addition-of-rickie-fowler.html

 

Jack Nicklaus' The Chase To Be Host Site for Las Vegas Golf Pro-Am Event

When it opened in 2008, The Chase at Coyote Springs was immediately included on seemingly every "Best New Course" list of the major golf publications. This Las Vegas Golf Region course, located about 50 miles north of the Las Vegas Strip, was noted by Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, and Travel & Leisure Magazine, among other publications. Now this Jack Nicklaus design is hosting the Inaugural Coyote Classic Pro-Am November 14-16. Click now to view the details from the official website of The Chase

http://www.golflasvegasnow.com/las-vegas-golf-events/70-las-vegas-golf-events/1440-jack-nicklaus-the-chase-to-be-host-site-for-las-vegas-golf-pro-am-event.html

 

www.GolfLasVegasNow.com official golf course partners

 

Angel Park Golf Club - http://www.angelpark.com

Mountain

The Palm
Bali Hai Golf Club - http://www.waltersgolf.com

Bear’s Best Las Vegas—http://www.bearsbestlasvegas.com
Golf Boulder City – http://www.golfbouldercity.com

Cascata Golf Club - http://www.cascatagolf.com

The Chase at Coyote Springs – http://www.coyotesprings.com
Desert Pines Golf Club - http://www.waltersgolf.com

Desert Willow Golf Club – http://www.desertwillowlasvegas.com

Eagle Crest Golf Club -- http://www.GolfSummerlin.com

Highland Falls Golf Club -- http://www.golfsummerlin.com
Las Vegas National - http://www.lasvegasnationalgc.com
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort - http://www.lvpaiutegolf.com

Snow Mountain

Sun Mountain

WOLF

Legacy Golf Club - http://www.thelegacygc.com

Palm Valley Golf Club -- http://www.golfsummerlin.com

Primm Valley Golf Club – http://www.PrimmValleyGolf.com
The Desert

The Lakes
Rio Secco Golf Club - http://www.riosecco.net
Royal Links Golf Club - http://www.waltersgolf.com
The Revere at Anthem - http://www.reveregolf.com     

Concord

Lexington

TPC Las Vegas - http://www.tpc.com/lasvegas

Wolf Creek Golf Club – http://www.golfwolfcreek.com

He has arthritis, survived cancer, lost his wife of more than four decades to cancer but still is known as The King. Arnold Palmer may be on the second nine of life and his golf game may not be up to the high standards to which he formerly played, he is though beloved by virtually every fan.

 

Arnie still plays or practices almost every day whether at his Bay Hill club in suburban Orlando or the course in Latrobe where he grew up and is now the owner.

 

To give an idea of his magnetism, charisma or whatever you want to call it; a few years ago some visitors from California were driving past the eighteenth tee at Bay Hill when Palmer’s foursome was hitting their tee shots. The Californians couldn’t believe their eyes (“My God, there’s Arnold Palmer”), quickly came to a stop and stuck a camera out the window.

 

The King noticed them, hit his tee ball and then walked to the edge of the tee box near the street waving so they would have a good picture and a great memory. There aren’t a lot of touring professionals who would do that, much less be grinning and obviously having a good time.

 

At 81, Arnie could be said to be nine over par but he’s a no-bogey 59 in the fans’ hearts.

 

These times are for information purposes only. The official groupings and starting times are posted at the tournament site. Thursday & Friday, September 09 & 10, 2010
Rnd 1 1 Tee	Rnd 2 10 Tee
8:00am	12:00pm	Marc Leishman Melbourne, AUS	Ryan Moore Tacoma, WA
8:10	12:10	Kevin Na Las Vegas, NV	Heath Slocum Alpharetta, GA
8:20	12:20	Rickie Fowler Murrieta, CA	Kevin Streelman Wheaton, IL
8:30	12:30	Bo Van Pelt Tulsa, OK	J.B. Holmes Campbellsville, KY
8:40	12:40	Jeff Overton Evansville, IN	Retief Goosen Polokwane, RSA
8:50	12:50	Adam Scott Queensland, AUS	Dustin Johnson Myrtle Beach, SC
9:00	1:00	Carl Pettersson Raleigh, NC	Brendon de Jonge Charlotte, NC
9:10	1:10	Fredrik Jacobson Gothenburg, SWE	Brian Gay Windermere, FL
9:20	1:20	Stephen Ames Calgary, AB, CAN	Scott Verplank Edmond, OK
Rnd 1 10 Tee	Rnd 2 1 Tee
8:00am	12:00pm	Vijay Singh Fiji Islands	Matt Jones Sydney, AUS
8:10	12:10	Brian Davis London, ENG	Tom Gillis Lake Orion, MI
8:20	12:20	Brandt Snedeker Nashville, TN	Vaughn Taylor Augusta, GA
8:30	12:30	Geoff Ogilvy Melbourne, AUS	Justin Rose London, ENG
8:40	12:40	Luke Donald High Wycombe, ENG	Martin Laird Glasgow, SCO
8:50	12:50	Matt Kuchar Atlanta, GA	Charley Hoffman Las Vegas, NV
9:00	1:00	Camilo Villegas Medellin, COL	Anthony Kim Dallas, TX
9:10	1:10	Angel Cabrera Cordoba, ARG	Sean O'Hair West Chester, PA
9:20	1:20	David Toms Shreveport, LA	Andres Romero Tucuman, ARG
Rnd 1 1 Tee	Rnd 2 10 Tee
12:00pm	8:00am	Y.E. Yang Jeju Island, KOR	Greg Chalmers Sydney, AUS
12:10	8:10	Rory Sabbatini Ft. Worth, TX	Jason Bohn Acworth, GA
12:20	8:20	Rory McIlroy Lougherne, NIR	Nick Watney Las Vegas, NV
12:30	8:30	Jim Furyk Ponte Vedra Bch, FL	Bubba Watson Bagdad, FL
12:40	8:40	Ernie Els South Africa	Hunter Mahan Colleyville, TX
12:50	8:50	Steve Stricker Madison, WI	Jason Day Brisbane, AUS
1:00	9:00	Stewart Cink Duluth, GA	D.J. Trahan Mt. Pleasant, SC
1:10	9:10	Tiger Woods Windermere, FL	K.J. Choi Dallas, TX
1:20	9:20	Jason Dufner Auburn, AL	Tim Petrovic Austin, TX
Rnd 1 10 Tee	Rnd 2 1 Tee
12:00pm	8:00am	Justin Leonard Dallas, TX	Bryce Molder Conway, AR
12:10	8:10	Stuart Appleby Victoria, AUS	Ian Poulter Woburn, ENG
12:20	8:20	Robert Allenby Melbourne, AUS	Bill Haas Greenville, SC
12:30	8:30	Paul Casey Surrey, ENG	Tim Clark Scottsdale, AZ
12:40	8:40	Zach Johnson Cedar Rapids, IA	Ben Crane Beaverton, OR
12:50	8:50	Ryan Palmer Amarillo, TX	Phil Mickelson Rancho Santa Fe, CA
1:00	9:00	Charlie Wi Westlake Village, CA	John Senden Brisbane, AUS
1:10	9:10	Michael Sim Perth, AUS	Ricky Barnes Phoenix, AZ
NOTE: App Starting Times for Sat: 7:30-9:30am/1 & 10 tees/3's Sun: 7:30am - 1:00pm/1 tee/2's Finish Times for Sat: 2:30pm/Sun: 5:00pm Tee Times: 630-257-1899

Irwin, Kite, Langer, Nelson, Price and Strange to compete in Champions Tour event

Triangle-area golf fans will have an opportunity to see some of golf’s greatest players when the SAS Championship presented by Bloomberg Businessweek returns to Prestonwood Country in Cary, Sept.24 – 26. Tournament officials today announced the field will feature six World Golf Hall of Fame members. Tom Kite, Larry Nelson, Nick Price and Curtis Strange join previously committed Hall of Famers Hale Irwin and Bernhard Langer in the field.

“We are excited to have six Hall of Fame members in our field this year and hope to still add more,” said Tournament Director Jeff Kleiber. “Not only are these golfers some of the best in the game, but they are also extremely fan-friendly. Fans of all ages will have a chance to see them up close and personal at this year’s SAS Championship.”

A 2004 inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame, Kite owns 19 PGA TOUR titles, 10 Champions Tour titles and the 1972 NCAA Individual Championship trophy. He was the runner-up to Eduardo Romero in the 2008 SAS Championship and also holds the tournament course record with a final-round 61 in 2004.

Nelson, a two-time PGA Championship winner (1981, 1987) and the 1983 U.S. Open champion, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. Since joining the Champions Tour in 1997, Nelson has won 19 events.

Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003, Price was regarded as one of the best golfers in the world in the mid-1990s. During his prime, Price captured three major championships including back-to-back majors at the 1994 British Open and PGA Championship. A native of South Africa, Price has won three career events on the Champions Tour including two in 2010.

 

Strange was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2007. One of the most dominant golfers of the 1980s, Strange carded 16 of his 17 PGA TOUR victories during that decade. Named the PGA TOUR’s Player of the Year in 1988, Strange won back-to-back U.S. Open tournaments in 1988 and 1989.

 

A 1992 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee and three-time U.S. Open champion, Irwin holds the Champions Tour record with 45 career victories and was the Tour’s Player of the Year in 1997, 1998 and 2002. Irwin’s victory at the 2005 SAS Championship, his 44^th on the Champions Tour, is one of the top 10 moments in the tournament’s 10-year history.

 

Langer was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001. A two-time Masters champion (1985, 1993) while a member of the PGA TOUR, Langer has competed on the Champions Tour since 2007. This season, Langer won the first two Champions Tour majors of his career in back-to-back events, The Senior Open Championship and the U.S. Senior Open Championship.

 

The SAS Championship presented by Bloomberg Businessweek is being held at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, September 24 – 26. Tickets to the tournament can be purchased online at www.SASChampionship.com or by calling (919) 531-GOLF (4653). The SAS Championship and Triangle area have become one of the most popular stops on the Champions Tour, annually drawing elite fields and tremendous community support.

 

For more information on the SAS Championship, visit www.SASChampionship.com or find the tournament on Facebook and Twitter atwww.facebook.com/SASChampionship and www.twitter.com/SASChampionship.

 

About SAS

SAS is the leader in business analytics software and services, and the largest independent vendor in the business intelligence market. With innovative business applications supported by an enterprise intelligence platform, SAS helps customers at 44,000 sites improve performance and deliver value by making better decisions faster. Since 1976 SAS has been giving customers around the world THE POWER TO KNOW^®.

 

About the Champions Tour

Collectively, the Champions Tour has the most recognizable and accomplished players in the game with 16 World Golf Hall of Fame members actively competing in its events and numerous other major championship winners among its members. The Champions Tour is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older. Conceived in 1980 as the Senior PGA Tour, it started with just four events and purses totaling $475,000. The Champions Tour will conduct 26 official Charles Schwab Cup events in 2010 offering $51.5 million in official prize money, with the average tournament purse of $1.98 million. The Champions Tour's primary purpose is to provide significant competitive and earnings opportunities for its members, to protect the integrity of the game; and to help grow the reach of the game in the U.S. and around the world. In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, Champions Tour events generate significant sums of money for charity. The Commissioner of the PGA TOUR is Tim Finchem. Mike Stevens is President of the Champions Tour. TOUR headquarters is

in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The web site address is www.PGATOUR.com.

 

About Octagon Golf & Outdoors

Octagon Golf & Outdoors is a division of Octagon, the world’s largest sports and entertainment representation and marketing agency. Octagon Golf & Outdoors focuses on premium event/property management, developing key player relationships and providing strategic corporate solutions.  The division currently manages two Champions Tour events, three LPGA Tour events, one Nationwide Tour event and the Toyota Texas Bass Classic. For more information, visitwww.octagongolf.com.

 

There is sometimes confusion amongst golfers as to who has the honour on the teeing ground. For example, many players observe a convention that the lowest handicap player has the honour on the first tee, which strictly speaking is incorrect. Rule 10-2 states that in stroke play;

"The competitor who has the honor at the first teeing ground is determined by the order of the draw. In the absence of a draw, the honor should be decided by lot."

 Deciding by lot can be achieved by such means as tossing coins, choosing different size tees from a closed hand, or throwing balls in the air to see which lands nearest to a predetermined spot. Of course, in stroke play there is no penalty for playing out of turn, which is why the convention referred to above has flourished; but it is not according to the Rules.

Another misunderstanding is that the competitor with the lowest score at a hole always takes the honor at the next teeing ground and if two or more competitors have the same score at a hole, they play from the next teeing ground in the same order as at the previous teeing ground. This is certainly true for ‘strokes’ competitions, where players have to hole out on every hole, with the handicap adjustments only being taken into account when the round is completed. However in handicap bogey, par and Stableford competitions it is different as Rule 32-1 confirms;

“In handicap bogey, par and Stableford competitions, the competitor with the lowest net score at a hole takes the honor at the next teeing ground.”

For example, on the index 11 hole in a Stableford competition, player A (handicap 9), scores 4, and player B (handicap 14) scores 5, net 4. If player B had the honour on the hole he would retain it on the next teeing ground even though his gross score was higher than A’s.

What is the correct order of play if one player’s ball is in a bunker fourteen feet from the hole, another player’s ball is on the fringe ten feet away and a third player’s ball is thirty feet away, but on the putting green, as in the illustration above? Rule 10-2b states;

“After the competitors have started play of the hole, the ball farthest from the hole is played first. If two or more balls are equidistant from the hole or their positions relative to the hole are not determinable, the ball to be played first should be decided by lot.”

So, in this example the player whose ball lies on the putting green should play first, the player in the bunker second, and the player on the fringe third. However, as previously noted, in stroke play there is no penalty for playing out of turn and, particularly where it helps to speed up play, there may be a case for inviting the player whose ball is in the bunker to play first.

There is also no penalty for playing out of turn in match play, but there is an important difference in that an opponent may immediately require the player who has played out of turn to cancel the stroke so made and, in correct order, play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played. Probably the most famous incident of this occurred during the 2000 Solheim Cup, which brought Annika Sorenstam to tears. Here is a  link for an account of the incident by a Sports Illustrated journalist; http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1739786,00.html

I have three more reminders concerning order of play; First, in four-ball competitions balls belonging to the same side may be played in the order the side considers best (Rules 30-3b and 31-4). Second, in stroke play, a player required to lift his ball may play first rather than lift the ball (Rule 22-2). Third, if a player plays a provisional ball or another ball from the teeing ground, they must do so after their opponent or fellow-competitor has made their first stroke.

Good golfing,

Barry Rhodes

http://www.barryrhodes.com - miscellaneous content on the Rules of Golf