golf course research program to ensure golf's future

The program is actually an expansion of the highly successful Rounds 4 Research campaign that was created by the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association in 2009 and has generated nearly $350,000 in three years. Funds are generated by securing donated rounds of golf (defined as a foursome) by facilities and then made available to Taylormade R11 irons the public through an online auction. In 2010, the Carolinas GCSA expanded its effort by conducting auctions for golf course superintendent chapters in Virginia, Georgia and Texas. Proceeds were directed to universities in those states for the purpose of conducting turfgrass research.

“Pinehurst has seen first hand the value of research and what it means for the golf industry,” said Pinehurst Director of Golf Course Management Bob Farren, CGCS. “We were supportive of Rounds 4 Research from day one and will continue to participate in it through the EIFG. Research is the lifeblood of the golf course.”

“Rounds 4 Research is the ultimate win-win for everyone involved,” Carolinas GCSAA President Doug Lowe, CGCS, said. “It offers golfers both bargain opportunities at the same time it allows golf courses to invest in the future health of the game without actually spending a dime. As a regional chapter, we also found the exercise of working together with course owners, club managers and golf professionals, as well as our state golf associations, to be very productive. We had good relationships with these folks beforehand but we have great relationships now. Rounds 4 Research has really helped us all get on the same page for the good of the game and that has also made a big impression on people like legislators and regulators because they see golf working to be part of the solution.”

Significant demand by other affiliated chapters of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) led the Carolinas GCSA to seek out an organization that could administer Taylormade R11 driver the project nationally. Organizers say taking the model beyond a handful of states and offering it nationally could go a long way to plugging a recent drain on funds for research which helps protect the health and vitality of the $76-billion industry. The EIFG is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA that fosters the sustainable management of golf facilities.

“There have been severe cutbacks in funding for golf course research regionally and nationally,” GCSAA President Sandy Queen, CGCS, said. “Research has been vital in developing resources that support golf course environmental management programs, which have made the game more enjoyable for golfers. The golf industry's long-term strength is threatened by this lack of funding. A key point in this effort is this is a program designed to generate funds for chapters. It is not about building the EIFG pool of funds.”

The EIFG will offer opportunities for GCSAA's 100 affiliated chapters to participate and solicit rounds, which will be made available through the Bidding for Good online auction site (biddingforgood.com). The EIFG will distribute monies back to the participating chapters.

Queen lauded the work of the Carolinas GCSA in creating the program and indicated the EIFG would not change much in the way of operations. It is anticipated that the Rounds 4 Research name will continue to discount golf clubs be utilized. Queen did note that in his conversations with GCSAA members, allied golf association representatives and golf course owners that facilities would be supportive of this effort.

The Carolinas GCSA had three successful years in generating funds through the auction to support its research initiatives. Among the participants was Pinehurst Resort.

Is there a market for hybrid course

That's how Locke describes Tsawwassen Springs, a new course he designed on the site of the former Tsawwassen Golf Club

In an era when the majority of newer courses are measuring as much as 7,500 yards or even longer, Locke thinks Tsawwassen Springs Mizuno MP-59 Irons might just be a welcome change for many golfers.

From the tips, the par-70 track will measure about 5,400 yards and offer a mix of four par 5s, six par 3s and eight par 4s.

"It will play between 5,300 and 5,400 yards. It's a par-70, though, so that makes it different right away. The best way to describe it is as kind of a hybrid course. The par 4s are a bit on the short side, but the par 3s and 5s have a lot of variety.

"I think it will appeal to everybody," he says. "The better player has to take a more benevolent approach to it, where if they try to blast one out and hit big tee shots it's not going to fit well. I'd like to see the better players just hit hybrids off the tees, on the par 4s and 5s, and then have some good shots into the greens.

Tsawwassen Springs, which is scheduled to open this July, is not an executive layout, but it's not what you would call a full-length championship course either.

"For the kids we've got some really short tees where they can play it for the appropriate length for the type of tee shots they are going to hit Titleist 910 D3 Driver  and for seniors it's an easy walking course and lends itself to their kind of touch and feel around the greens."

"Ron really wanted to have a dramatic finish, so there's a semi-island green, kind of a peninsula green, so that might be one that people will talk about more," he says.

What Locke calls "a serpentine channel" winds its way through much of the course and there are 10 other ponds located on the property.

"I'd have to say it's pretty unique because it's a shorter-yardage layout," says the Vancouver-based Locke, whose local work includes Redwoods in Langley and North Belling-ham in Washington state.

"There's a lot of open space and there are some areas with trees, so when you move from one area of the course to another, it's changed. I think it adds to a more adventurous linkage of 18 holes. It's interesting that way. There's a little bit of length, a little bit of traditional, a little bit of target golf."

Toigo's Shato Holdings Ltd. is the majority discount golf clubs owner of Tsawwassen Springs, but the likes of former Canucks player and coach Pat Quinn, singer Michael Bublé and entertainment agent Bruce Allen also have stakes in the development.

Locke isn't big on signature holes, although he acknowledges the par five 18th hole could well become regarded as one at Tsawwassen Springs. Course owner Ron Toigo told Locke he wanted a dramatic finishing hole.

Lewis won the first four holes at Hamilton Farm Golf Club

Top-ranked Yani Tseng posted a 3-and-1 win over American Katie Futcher, and No. 2 ranked Na Yeon Choi was a 3-and-2 winner of fellow South Korean Jenny Shin.

The weekend will be double rounds. The third round and the quarterfinals will be played Saturday, and the Titleist 910 D3 Driver semifinals and championship on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Lewis has more pressing problems. Her third-round opponent will be Sun Young Yoo, who won this event two years ago and the tour's first major earlier this year, the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

American Angela Stanford, the No. 12 seed and the runner-up to Yoo two years ago, was impressive with a front-running 4-and-3 win over Eun-Hee Ji of South Korea. Stanford will play Hurst in the third round.

Cristie Kerr, last year's runner-up and the No. 5 ranked player, lost Friday along with No. 7 Jiyai Shin and No. 14 Karrie Webb. Eleven of the 20 seeded players in the 64-woman field have been eliminated.

So is Lewis. She has a win and four other top-10 finishes with earnings of $436,746, fourth best on tour.

"That's the reason I go out and play every day," Lewis said. "I think I've probably been playing as good, if not better, than a lot of the American players and I haven't got noticed yet, and that's what drives me every day to go out and get better and to keep playing and to keep winning matches. I think if you're up on that leaderboard enough and you Titleist 712 AP1 Irons win enough golf tournaments, people will start to take notice.

Lewis never gave Gal a chance. The former Arkansas star played 15 holes in 5-under par. She made birdies of 4, 10 and 30 feet on the first three holes and won the fourth when Gal bogeyed. The German moved within 2-down after 11 holes, but Lewis birdied the 13th and 14th to open daylight again.

Tseng, who has won three events this year, was down 1 after seven holes, but she won four holes between Nos. 11 and 17 to move on.

Kerr saved par from a greenside bunker at No. 18 to extend the match, but she hit her second shot into a lateral hazard on the first playoff hole and had to take a drop. Hurst opened the door a little by missing the green and knocking her third about 4 feet past the cup. However, Kerr, winless since 2010, missed her bogey putt and conceded the match.

Jodi Ewart of England, who knocked out Pettersen in the opening round, sent another Scandanavian to the sideline with a 3-and-1 win over veteran Sophie Gustafson. The 24-year-old will face Azahara Munoz. The Spaniard beat Webb 2 and 1.

The tournament has become a discount golf clubs minefield for the tour's marquee players. Defending champion Suzann Pettersen, No. 4 ranked Ai Miyazato and American stars Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome and Michelle Wie went down in the opening round.

"I don't think Suzann losing really opens things up for me," said Lewis, who was in Pettersen's bracket. "I think I've got a lot of tough matches still ahead of me, and there were a lot of upsets yesterday, so it just shows what match play is. Anything could happen on any given day."

Scott Alexander will leave Gold Mountain Golf Club

With the state of golf in decline, Alexander recently came to the conclusion that he's taken the Bremerton city-owned facility as far as he can. He told Mayor Patty Lent last week that he will be leaving his position as director of golf at the end of his contract, which expires Dec. 31.

Operating a 36-hole complex — trying to keep the courses full during trying economic times, running the pro shop, Tucker's Titleist 712 MB irons Restaurant (named after his daughter), driving range and everything involved — has become a risky business. Alexander said he had to factor that risk vs. the reward.

Alexander put everything into getting a new course (Olympic) and clubhouse built; into bringing two highly successful national tournaments to Bremerton — the U.S. Amateur Public Links in 2006 and the U.S. Boys Junior in 2001 — and two NCAA West Regionals. The volunteer assistant coach of the University of Washington men's team — Alexander is currently in Norman, Okla., with the Huskies — talked in the past about partnering with the UW to land an NCAA Championship. As of last week, he said that was still a possibility.

"It's gone beyond my wildest dreams," Alexander said. "I never dreamed it would become a place people all over the United States knew about. Really, people from all over the world have heard about it and come to play there."

"Writing that letter (of resignation) was hard for him," Lent said. "Twenty-eight years is a long time. To build something to the extreme that he did for us is amazing, to bring those two big (national) tournaments to Bremerton is just unheard of. He broke his neck to do that ... the city never had anyone work so hard in promotions and his heart was behind everything he did."

Along with greens superintendent Ed Faulk, who was hired six months before Alexander in 1984, those three have been instrumental in every major project at the facility, which is Titleist 712 CB Irons located off the Old Belfair Highway near Gorst.

"He had a vision about what he thought this facility could be. That vision and being able to get people on board and really fire people up on those ideas is really what makes him what he is."

"The city can do anything they want, but I think we have an incredible group in place," Alexander said. "Daryl's leading that group, and hopefully the city will see that and give him a chance. He certainly deserves that. I feel like it's in great, great hands and will only get better."

Alexander's cart dealership and fleet of 500 carts — and six trucks and trailers — is operated by Mark Knowles, a longtime Alexander friend and golf pro. They rent to county fairs and major events throughout the state, and to courses as far away as Medford, Ore. The UW rents carts for graduation, football season and other events.

Asked what made Alexander tick, Matheny said: "If I had about a week, I'd be able to answer that. He's such a dynamic person. I'd do anything for that guy. His ability to draw people in and get them excited about what he's trying to accomplish, that's his biggest asset.

While some think the golf business is on the upswing, Alexander said the "next 10-15 years will be a tough financial deal for any golf course, Gold Mountain included. But in the long run, with all the attention it draws, it's such a jewel for the city.

"I have another business that's doing well," he said. "I look at that, man, and you wonder if what I am doing is discount golf clubs worth the sleepless nights and everything you have to do. You factor all that in, and you get to a certain age and I think I'd rather get in a growing business and put all my energy into it."

Faulks said: "(Matheny) has been running the daily operation for years. He's got a lot of years invested there. He'd be my first choice and hopefully that's the way the city goes."

Annual golf tournament is going to play on August

Our MI5s are always a great opportunity to get to know more about the chamber and its members and, in this case, enjoy a round of golf. In consideration of our host, call the GICC office by May 9.

Points covered include gearing the event to the level of client you want to invite, the budget, timing and the type of event. Cindy also said to keep the memory of the event fresh in the minds of customers, with a small 'thank you' gift for them to take away.
m 7:15 to 9 a.m. This topic is Mizuno MX-1000 irons sure to be a popular one. To confirm attendance, call the GICC office. The fees are $10 for GICC members and $15 for non-members.

Big Bay Point Golf and Country Club is the scene of the MI5 (My Innisfil After 5) being held Thursday May 10, between 5 and 7 p.m. As a bonus, chamber members attending can play up to 18 holes of discount golf clubs before the event for the low green fee of $25 per person, plus tax. Contact Diane at Big Bay Point, at 705-791-8180, to arrange early golfing.

At last month’s breakfast, Cindy Wiggan of Client- Works explored the topic Organizing a Client Appreciation Event. Her presentation provided solid information for businesses of all sizes looking to grow their customer base and ensure the loyalty of current customers.

We are looking forward to the Taylormade Rocketballz Irons chamber’s annual golf tournament on Aug. 14, at Innisbrook Golf Club. This is always a great day of fun and golf for all attendees. The fee for GICC members that register before June 30 is $150 plus tax, per player. Nonmembers can register after July 1 at $175 plus tax. The fee includes a day of 18 holes of golf with cart, a barbecue lunch, dinner, great prizes and a silent auction. Dinneronly tickets are $35. Sponsorships are still available. To register or for sponsorship information, please contact Mary-Ellen at the GICC office.

At our next breakfast, Margaret Harlos of Living Organized will discuss Simple Steps to Managing Your Work Space. Join us on Wednesday May 16, at the OLG Slots at Georgian Downs Getaway Restaurant, fro

Golf means more for niece Cheyenne Woods

She will play in the regionals next week, and hopes to qualify for the championship finals later in May before turning pro with the hope of building a career on the LPGA Tour.

"It is a little bit of pressure knowing it is my last collegiate event," Woods said Friday. "But I want to look at it as something to take advantage of, and end on a high note, and enjoy every moment with my team and enjoy just being on the college team and this time of my life."

The 2011 Atlantic Coast Conference champion and two-time All-America selection enters her final regional with a chance to break both the school's career scoring record and her own 2-year-old single-season mark.

Cheyenne says the first club she swung as a girl was in her grandfather's garage, and he guided her through her junior discount golf clubs career. Earl Sr. died in 2006 at 74.

Woods, a Phoenix native, said she could join the Arizona-based Cactus Tour until she goes to Q-school at the end of the summer to try to earn her tour card and become the latest member of her family to play at the highest level of pro golf.

Her career scoring average of 74.31 is 0.16 better than that of Natalie Sheary, and her average of 73.62 is tied for second in the ACC and puts her within striking distance of the 73.47 she averaged as a sophomore.

She says she's planning to make the 90-mile trip to Quail Hollow in Charlotte this weekend for the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship — though her uncle won't be on the course there. His second-round 73 left him at even-par 144, and he missed the cut for the eighth time in his career. That's after his worst performance as a pro came last month at the Masters.

She's a captain of a Wake Forest team that has never missed the NCAA regionals since the organization adopted that Taylormade R11 irons format in 1993. The Demon Deacons hold the No. 14 seed in the 24-team regional that begins May 10 at Penn State's Blue Course. The top eight teams and top two individual players not on those teams advance to the NCAA championship finals in Franklin, Tenn.


After that, she hopes to eventually play her way onto the LPGA Tour. Once her college career ends, she'll declare her professional status and begin looking for sponsors and sponsor exemptions into tournaments.

That includes Tiger, though their facial features look a lot more alike than their swings do. Cheyenne says her Taylormade R11 driver more closely resembles that of smooth-swinging Ernie Els than that of her heavy-hitting uncle.

"She could be the next Nancy Lopez," Wake Forest coach Dianne Dailey said, adding that she thinks Woods "will be a sponsor's dream."

Her father, Earl Jr., is Tiger's half-brother, and she says Earl Sr., her paternal grandfather, introduced her to the game and "got me started when I was young."

She developed a style she describes as "aggressively, steady, calm" by watching pro golf as a girl. Instead of patterning her game after any one particular player, she chose attributes from a variety of players into "kind of a mix of a lot of stuff."