EWGA invites women to join Seattle members on April 3

All work and no play is no fun, but combine work WITH play, add social activities and golf education, and you have the EWGA (Executive Women’s Golf Association). 

The EWGA’s Seattle Chapter is preparing for its 18^th year of bringing networking and golf to the women of Puget Sound. The season officially starts with the organization’s biggest event of the year, the annual Tee-Off brunch, to be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 3rd at Bear Creek Country Club in Woodinville. Women interested in learning more about the EWGA and its schedule of 2010 activities are invited to join current members for a buffet brunch, a product/service expo, a preview of the upcoming EWGA season, and a fashion show sponsored by Shi Golf.

“The Tee-Off kicks off our season of events, including weekly leagues throughout the Seattle area, weekend golf trips all over the Pacific Northwest, social events, and educational sessions for golfers of all levels,” Chapter President Dee Johnson said. “It’s a great time to meet new golf friends.” 

One lucky attendee will win a golf vacation for two to The Grand Del Mar in San Diego. This grand prize was donated by Stellar Travel, a 10-year sponsor of the EWGA Seattle Chapter.

Reservations for the brunch are $45 for members and guests and may be made online at ewgaseattle.org before March 25. For brunch attendees interested in hitting the links afterward, tee times have been arranged at the nearby Golf Club at Redmond Ridge. Online registration for the golf option is also available on the EWGA Seattle Web site, due by March 19th. 

For companies interested in promoting their businesses to career-minded women golfers, several sponsorship options are available, including vendor tables for information sharing and demonstrations prior to and following the brunch, table sponsorships, and in-kind donations. For more information regarding sponsorship, please contact Donna Becker at sponsorship@ewgaseattle.org. 

About EWGA
Since its founding in 1991 as the Executive Women’s Golf Association, the EWGA has enriched the lives of over 100,000 women, connecting them to learn, play and enjoy golf for business and for fun. This not-for-profit association delivers a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for 20,000 new and experienced golfers who belong to more than 125 local chapters throughout the United States and international chapters in Canada and France. 

The Seattle chapter is one of the largest EWGA chapters, with over 250 members. Visit www.ewgaseattle.org for more information, or contact the chapter hotline at 206-781-5813. EWGA membership is available starting at $125. The EWGA is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information about the EWGA and its membership, visit www.ewga.com.

Fourteen Golf To Reveal Its New MT-28 V5 Wedge

FOURTEEN GOLF, recognized worldwide amongst top touring golf professionals as one of the foremost leading wedge designers and manufacturers, introduced their new MT-28 V5 at the recently concluded PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL.

The new MT-28 V5 represents a long legacy of winning wedges. Its predecessor, the MT-28 V4 is known on several professional Tours as the “go to club” or the “money maker.” Its exceptional performance has positioned FOURTEEN as the wedge authority.

This classically designed wedge features the signature FOURTEEN “reverse taper design” but has been improved by adding a groove strategically located in between the club sole and blade portion of the wedge. This structural change allowed the engineers to move the CG to a higher more stabilizing position for more precise shots.

The sole of the MT-28 V5 possesses a flatter shape with a trailing edge and heel relief. This new dynamic combination allows any player to fully utilize the club’s bounce and execute pure or solid shots out of any type of rough.  

The MT-28 V5 boasts a rounded leading edge that promotes confidence at address and its clubface has been engineered so that the player can easily open or close the face. The head is manufactured with a Nickel chrome moliben alloy which conforms to the 2010 USGA club regulations. It is available in both a chrome and non-plated black finish.

In preparation for the new groove policy on the professional tours such as the PGA and LPGA, the company spent years engineering a new trapezoidal shaped groove for the MT-28 V5 Wedge. This distinctively sharp-edged trapezoidal groove also undergoes a mirror-face milling process which precisely and carefully mills each groove for optimal spin.

The professionally designed MT-28 V5 comes in a variety of lofts, a 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 (2), 58 (2) and a 60 degree. Two steel shafts, a Dynamic Golf and NS Pro 950GH are available. A proprietary rubber grips finishes these classic wedges.  

FOURTEEN GOLF in Japan established itself in 1981 as a premier golf equipment design company. The highly successful venture developed exclusive designs for Titleist, Yamaha, Srixon (formerly Dunlop Japan), Wilson, PRGR, and many more. The original team was credited with developing the first hybrid iron and the highly popular “Citation” cavity iron by Power Bilt which was one of the most popular irons of the 1980s. In the year 2000, the business transitioned into branded design and manufacturing company.  

For more information on FOURTEEN GOLF please call 949-852-8811 or visit the company website at www.fourteengolf.com.

The LPGA Teaching Division: What Makes It Tick?

by Erin Szekely

 

It is pretty exciting for me when women and golf get attention at the same time.  Yes, the two do go together quite well.  Thanks to media outlets giving more and more consideration to the accomplishment of female golfers and the impressive skills that they bring to the course, women’s golf is being taken more seriously than ever.   The LGPA is a well-known organization at this point, but I want to tell you more about the LPGA  instructors. 

The Ladies Professional Golf Association is divided into two divisions: the LPGA Touring Division and the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division.  The LPGA has a very rich and colorful history.  As you can imagine, in the 1950’s little attention was paid to women’s sports, but in 1950 the LPGA was founded through the efforts of thirteen courageous women, including the likes of Babe Zaharias, Patty Berg, Betty Hicks, and Louise Suggs. The teaching division was founded in 1959 by Marilynn Smith, Shirley Spork, Barbara Rotvig, and Betty Hicks.  In 1960, the first LPGA National Golf School was held in Ann Arbor Michigan and “teaching teachers to teach” was born.  The LPGA is now the oldest women’s sports organization and it is with pride that I am a member.

After extensive training, I earned my place as an LGPA member in 1996.  When I began my training to be part of the Teaching and Club Professional Division,  I looked on it as an adventure and a privilege.  I felt a responsibility to the founding members to honor their efforts by giving students the best chance at success with their golf games.

Certification for the LPGA does not come easily. You must first pass a player ability test which examines your skills as a golfer. Following the ability test, a golfer vying for membership must complete educational schools where you learn how to be a top teacher.   Though golf is a sport-a kinesthetic activity-the LPGA Teaching Division curriculum includes tools to teach golf to auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners.  Additionally, product merchandising and the art of managing golf facilities is taught to those of us in the program.   The way I looked at it was that it was an advanced degree.  It generally takes four years to complete all the requirements to become a class A professional.  All aspects of being a professional are taught, but the emphasis is on teaching.  The instructors that we have in the LPGA are second to none, and when you complete all the requirements, you can feel pretty confident that you have been given the tools to be the best professional. 

Just as a teacher in a conventional classroom can plan on being encouraged to exercise their own style and personalizing methods, the LPGA Teaching division encourages its instructors to do the same. 

You are encouraged to choose a style that fits you the best and a method that works best for your students.   I have found through a lot of research and personal experience that teaching students what to do with the golf club as opposed to what to do with their bodies is the easiest way to teach and learn the golf swing.   I learned this from the 12^th member of the Teaching Hall of Fame, Manuel de la Torre, who learned it from the 4^th member of the Teaching Hall of Fame, Ernest Jones.  Since there are only 12 members of the Teaching Hall of Fame, I think I have chosen my method wisely. 

With the knowledge that I gained from the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional curriculum and the ongoing educational credits that I am required to obtain, I feel confident that what I and other LPGA teaching pros have to offer is pretty special.  So if you are looking for an instructor, take a look at an LPGA teaching pro.  Rest assured that your game will improve and your time spent will be rewarding. 

Have fun out there and keep swinging.

Erin Szekely is an LPGA teaching professional. For more information, please visit www.golfingwitherin.com or call 425-398-0443.

Teaching Golf to Juniors

by Derek Mount

I love teaching golf, but I especially love teaching golf to kids. Seeing the joy in the face of an eight year old child when they hit one pure or sink a long putt is much more satisfying than trying to turn an eight handicapper’s 10 yard draw into a 5 yard draw.  If you can get a young child interested in golf, they will benefit in countless ways.  More important than learning fundamental skills of this great game, they will learn much about life, as the parallels between golf and life are well documented. 

Children have a natural ability to swing the golf club because it is generally too heavy for them to make an incorrect motion like a reverse pivot (weight going forward on the back swing and backwards on the downswing).  This forces them to use the weight of the club head to hit the ball rather than try to force it, ingraining a keen sense of feel that will set a great foundation for the swing.  To parents, it  may seem unproductive that I don’t immediately force certain aspects of a swing, though it is for good reason.   Quite simply kids will succeed at their sport, but only after they have learned it.  Constantly trying to correct their form at this stage will cause them to tense up, foregoing the use of their natural instincts.  I believe this turns the learning process into a chore, and consequently the child will be much less likely to flourish.

Job one is being friendly to the child and never condescending.  Find common ground as quickly as possible (ask them what they like or don’t like about school, other sports, their experience with golf, etc.).  By establishing a rapport quickly, the child feels comfortable and ready to learn in a completely non-threatening environment.  I like to act goofy and try and get them to laugh at me.   This reduces any ‘intimidation’ factor.  Obviously, avoid any technical words or terms, and get down to their level by squatting down so that they can look at you face to face.

Before taking a child to the driving range, I take them right to the putting green and have them hit a few tennis balls into the hole from a very short distance.  This not only builds their confidence immediately by giving them positive feedback, but when they start hitting golf balls into the cup, the hole looks a heck of a lot bigger.  If you can teach them the short stuff first then build towards the full swing (first putting, then chipping, pitching, lofted irons, followed by less lofted irons, then woods) they will develop a wonderful feel for the game. 

There is a great drill I use for kids on the putting green. I set up a circle of tees on the green about the size of a hula-hoop, spacing the tees about 6 inches apart.  I then have them putt balls towards the ‘hula hoop’.  If they get the ball to either stop inside the circle or hit a tee, they get to choose their favorite color tee in the circle and keep it.  They keep trying this drill from different distances and then I have them chip some balls to the circle, keeping the same rules.  This is a great way to introduce the importance of distance control (which is really what golf is all about isn’t it?) and the small prize is enough to keep their attention.  The kids I’ve tried this drill with have wanted to keep doing it over and over, which is exciting because it encourages falling in love with the short game before moving on to the full swing (it’s a great drill for adults too, by the way, if you can just convince them that learning how to hit their driver can wait).

Introducing the fundamentals (grip, stance, aim, ball position, swing techniques) should happen very slowly to prevent sensory overload.  As I stated before, kids often have an innate understanding of the game that is lost on adult beginners, so they should be encouraged to find their way on their own to some degree.  This is where some parents and I differ, as often they will want me to make sure their shoulders are square at address or that they are swinging the club on a flat enough plane.  I don’t think kids under 10 or so should worry about any of this, unless they are already into competitive golf.  As they hit balls they will pick up on what works and what doesn’t and will make adjustments accordingly.  I make sure they have their hands together and are aimed in the right general direction and just have them whack away.  Contests, friendly competition with other kids, and positive reinforcement are keys to holding their attention for the lesson.  I always have a pocket full of small prizes to give away during junior lessons. 

I don’t ever tell a child they are doing something ‘wrong’.  I always, however, point out (enthusiastically) when they doing anything correctly or experience any amount of success. Words like ‘no’ and ‘don’t’ stifle the learning process and only confuse the child as they are generally unaware of what they are doing wrong even if you explain it to them. 

If you can just let the child have fun and enjoy the game rather than pushing them to succeed they will be much more likely to become a lifetime player (and, probably a better player too).  Derek ‘Jeff’ Mount is a USGTF Golf Teaching Professional who teaches at the King City Golf Course in King City, OR. He can be reached at 503-577-8807 or email djm8181@yahoo.com.

Women, Golf Yourself First!

by Diana Del Garbino

Ladies, when it comes to our health, our fitness, our nutrition, or just taking care of ourselves, we consider ourselves last. This seems to be part of our genetic make up. I see mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, and wives take care of everyone else, but when it comes to their own health, as it relates to everyday living and fitness for our favorite game, we put it at the end of the list. 

Let’s take a look at how much time we really have: There are168 hours in a week. Let’s break it down; 40 hours for a full time job, if you get 9 hours of sleep a night, that’s 63 hours a week, 10 hours for commuting, 20 hours for kids & family (during the week), if you cook, add 10 hours a week, weekend time (family, friends, & GOLF) add 20 hours. That leaves you with 5 hours extra a week. So what should you do with that extra time? 

Start by thinking about who needs to be mentally, physically and emotionally strong? That would be you! The woman of the house. As women we are the center of the universe. Everyone knows who to ask to get the answers to homework, where the keys are, and are the dishes clean or dirty?  Now that you know how important you are, why are you still putting yourself last? 

Take that five hours a week, and break it down to one hour five days a week.  You can get a lot done in those five hours!  Imagine if you dedicated 30 minutes three times a week on just your golfing muscles?  What would that look like?  Upper body mobility would give you more rotation.  Lower body strength would give you more power and stability in your stance.  Upper back workout would keep your shoulders from getting over worked and causing injuries.  Strengthening your glutes and abdominal muscles would give you a more athletic stance and keep your lower back from overworking and getting sore.  So get working those golf muscles before the kickoff of the spring season! 

Now let’s talk about nutrition. Remember the old adage “you are what you eat?”  Well, your mom was right.  If you want your body to be soft and squishy, eat more bread, pasta, and rice.  If you want to be lean and toned, eat more fruits and vegetables, lean protein; but go easy on the whole grains and breads, limit your sugar intake.  Remember what and how you eat determines not only your figure, but your mood, muscle quality and metabolism.

Ok, so now you’ve taken time out for your self.  Let’s talk about when you’re out on the links.  What are some of the challenges for women on the course? Athletic ready position (addressing the ball), means it’s ok to bend your knees and stick out your butt!!

Make a bad shot? Let it go and focus on the next opportunity for a great shot. 

Time on the course should be a challenge and leave you with a renewed sense of self-confidence and well-being.  Do you want bogies for health or birdies? Your body deserves your best effort! 

Diana Del Garbino is TPI-Certified Level 2 fitness pro in Oregon. She works out of Muscles in Motion-Professional Training Studio in Lake Oswego, where she works regularly with local LPGA & PGA Professionals.  To learn more about Diana and her golf fitness program go to www.mymusclesinmotion.com.

You Can’t Always Get What You Want, But You Can Get What You Need

Bob Duncan

In golf, what you want and what you’re going to get are usually two different things! 

This may apply even more significantly to women in golf than men.  Why?  Because golf has traditionally been taught from a men’s standpoint:  Here’s a club…Now let’s improve your address position, create the proper angles in the knees and hips, turn your shoulders, keep your head down, swing easy, and extend through the ball. 

 

After 30 years of teaching golf, I can hardly find anyone who can actually fit that model and make it work.  And with less athletic experience growing up, women are often caught in a communications trap.  What do all those things mean?  And are they effective?

 

For starters, though not all men have been properly fit for clubs, the number of women properly fit is far lower.  And, the less accomplished you are, the more a proper clubfitting helps!  Just as you wouldn’t ski with boots that don’t fit nor would you buy shoes that don’t fit, you shouldn’t buy or use clubs that don’t fit. 

 

Read:  Clubs that don’t fit are not effective!  Proper fitting is often the most effective thing a pro or teacher can do.  Here’s the rub, if the Player can’t hit a club effectively, maybe it doesn’t fit!

 

But, going a step further, as golf instructors we would be better off adopting a Coaching philosophy rather than a Teaching philosophy.  Teaching often requires adherence to a model in which drills are aimed at eventual learning.  In coaching, it’s the PLAYER’S input, experience, and abilities that drive the COACH. 

 

Read : A Coach learns about the Player’s knowledge and experience, and uses the Player’s terms and phrases.  If the Player already knows how to do something- or already has a successful way to do it-then the Coach need not teach it!  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is an adage I like to abide by.   It’s the Coach’s job to make you a better Player, not to make you into a machine that constantly needs readjustment due to failure.

 

So, while a swing model is a great tool for a pro to have, it’s a tool to work FROM and not a diagram that requires complete adherence. 

 

This is potentially even more important with women based on the original premise that golf been taught from a man’s perspective.  As Golf Professionals, we need to enhance and improve upon the experiences and abilities of the Player in front of us, and not overly use terminology, diagrams, and drills that may not be effective for that Player.

 

Women often benefit even more by going to different locations on the course and learning about what actually happens, instead of what you want to have happen.  It’s not effective to teach someone that performance is solely due to making the perfect golf swing only to then watch them fail on a downhill lie.  Or in a fairway bunker.  Or on a side-hill lie.  These all suggest they need modifications to the original ‘Model’ golf swing.

 

Read :  On a tee, the ball is at the mercy of the swing and the club.  On the ground (it’s only on a tee 18 times a round) the swing and club are at the mercy of the lie. 

 

However, many teachers still teach a model that few can fit, one that stems from the premise that perfect is solid and straight, and apply a ‘faults and fixes’ theme to alternative performance.  If the ball isn’t on flat ground with a perfect, ‘fluffed-up’ lie, then it probably shouldn’t go straight - that’s alternative.  And, if it’s not on a perfect lie, these alternative results are actually predictable!

 

For a right-handed Player, if the ball is on a side-hill above your feet it should go left.  Below your feet it should go right.  But when you use that perfect driving range swing, you’re set up to fail.  Instead, learning how to play these lies makes your game more predictable.

 

We need to consider more effective game-playing techniques and strategies because we all know that the perfect swing will fail at the most unexpected time.  We need to enhance and improve the abilities and experiences of the Player we are coaching.  And, we need to work with Players on the course - after all, if I never saw you play,   how would I know what to teach you? 

 

These are principles that make the game of golf easier.  Yes, that’s right - easier!  It requires far more ‘mental toughness’ and swing knowledge to adhere to a model golf swing that is built solely on the range but inexplicably fails on the course.  And, we should not force Players solely into swing models - it’s the experience of the Player that counts the most.

 

 And, really, playing golf is more fun! 

 

Bob Duncan is the Teaching Professional at Tetherow Golf Club in Bend, Oregon.  Bob has given over 8,000 hours of instruction and coaching, and has custom fit over $1.6 million in golf equipment.  Bob is an expert in on-course coaching, and typically spends 60 - 75% of his lesson time on the course at Tetherow.  You can reach Bob at golfsavvy@msn.com, visit his website at www.golfecoach.com, or visit Tetherow at www.tetherow.com.

2010 U.S. SENIOR OPEN: DAILY TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Daily tickets for the 31st U.S. Senior Open, to be held July 26-August 1, 2010 at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, WA, are now on sale.  

A limited number of daily tickets are available for both championship and practice rounds.  Championship Round tickets (Thursday - Sunday) are available for $45 per day.  Practice Round tickets (Monday - Wednesday) are available for $20 per day.  Daily tickets provide access to the championship grounds and include complimentary parking and shuttle transportation to the main admission gate. 

“The support from the local community has been outstanding.  Our ticket sales are tracking 25% ahead of past U.S. Senior Opens which could yield record setting crowds.” said Chris Falco, Championship General Chairman.  “With the addition of daily tickets, we have options that can meet every budget and hope everyone has a chance to experience championship golf at Sahalee.” 

Additional ticket options are also still available, including the Fore Pack, Championship Weekly ticket, and the upgraded Trophy Club Weekly ticket. The Fore Pack includes four (4) good-any-one-day championship tickets and a commemorative program.  This is the most flexible option, allowing for tickets to be divided up throughout the week or used all on the same day.  The Fore Pack is priced at $135, but has a value of $185. 

The Championship Weekly ticket provides access to the championship grounds and includes seven (7) individual tickets, one for each day of the championship (Monday - Sunday).  A commemorative championship program is also provided free of charge.  The Championship Weekly ticket is priced at $150. 

Trophy Club Weekly tickets provides an upgraded experience, including entry to  an up-scale, on-course, climate-controlled hospitality pavilion as well as grounds access.  The Trophy Club is located adjacent to the 18^th fairway and has premium food and beverage available for purchase.  Each Trophy Club ticket includes seven (7) individual tickets, one for each day of the championship (Monday - Sunday) and a commemorative championship program.  The Trophy Club ticket is priced at $250 and quantities are limited. 

Throughout the week of the championship, kids 17 and under receive free admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult.  Kids also receive front-row seating in all on-course grandstands.  Daily capacity on the golf course is limited to 30,000 individuals to enable all spectators the opportunity to experience the championship up close.  All tickets include free parking and free shuttle transportation to the admission gate.

Tickets for the 2010 U.S. Senior Open are available online at www.2010ussenioropen.com, in store at all Fred Meyer locations, or by phone at 877-281-OPEN.

March 2010 Issue

Priest Lake Golf Course & Hill’s Resort

Discover the unparalleled beauty of the Priest Lake Golf Course. The 18-hole, par-72 course is located near the shores of Priest Lake, Idaho’s Crown Jewel. A visit to the panhandle of North Idaho offers many opportunities to those who enjoy nature’s bounty.  The stunning course takes guests through rolling hills, expansive natural wetlands and lush forest. The varied terrain provides golfers with a unique and ever changing visual tapestry that creates an unparalleled golf experience.  Tee boxes are surrounded with natural granite rock. Fairways and greens are bordered by towering trees and many species of wildlife can be seen both on the course and in the surrounding forests.  

Walking the course at Priest Lake is permitted, and the course provides a pleasant  experience for those who prefer to enjoy the game this way. Carts are available for those who would rather not carry their clubs around the course. If you need to rent a set of clubs or a pull cart, these are available as well.

The picturesque landscape enhances the gently contoured greens and rolling fairways that create an enjoyable experience for golfers of every level. The course offers three sets of tees to match the challenge with the players ability. For the adventurous, it can be played from the challenging Championship tees at 6500 yards.

 The beauty doesn’t end on the 18th hole. The full service golf shop and adjoining Bar and Grill cater to your needs both on and off the course. Before, or after your round of golf, you can enjoy a cold beverage of choice and a relaxing meal on the covered patio overlooking the front nine. Just 90 minutes from Spokane, Washington or Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Priest Lake Golf Course offers all of this at very reasonable rates. Shoulder season rates provide value for those playing in May through mid June and from mid September through mid October as the 18 holes fee is only $26.00. For those wishing to come during the high season, from mid June through mid September, the green fees are a resort bargain at $50.

One of the finest destination golf courses, Priest Lake Golf Course is uniquely tied to the award winning Hill’s Resort, located on the lake just minutes from the course.  Hill’s Resort has long been recognized as a unique family resort by magazines including Family Circle, Redbook and Sunset. The resort is set along the beautiful sandy shores of Priest Lake, Idaho’s Crown Jewel. The secluded nature of the lake has led to Priest Lake being referred to as the “lake without the city”.

Guests can sit back, relax and take in the grandeur of the area at the resort or venture out and enjoy boating, fishing or picking huckleberries, a regional delicacy. Equipment for outdoor activities is available for rental through the resort, so you need not bring all your gear to enjoy these unique recreational opportunities.

Hill’s offers lake side cabins, condos and chalets, 52 units in total. Guests can enjoy the resort’s highly acclaimed award winning restaurant, where every menu item is homemade, featuring Huckleberries, Morel and Chanterelle mushrooms and always with a touch of a Hill family memory.

Hill’s Resort offers a Stay and Play Package for singles or couples - call 208-443-2551

The 2010 “Golf Today Northwest” Stay and Play package features overnight lodging in a lake side fireplace suite, breakfast and 18 holes of golf including cart and practice balls for only $129 per person, based on double or triple occupancy.

If you are unable to visit Priest Lake during the summer, you can put on your coat and join us all winter long. Mother Nature blankets the area with generous amounts of snow and the golf course is transformed into a Nordic and snowshoe haven. The Priest Lake Golf Course & Nordic Center is the perfect compliment to the countless other outdoor recreational opportunities at Priest Lake. Hill’s Resort also provides accommodations throughout the winter for those who enjoy snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. Together,  Priest Lake Golf Course and Hill’s Resort provide a perfect year-round location to relax and enjoy Mother Nature’s beauty and bounty.

To learn more visit

 www.priestlakegolfcourse.com

208-443-2525

 

www.hillsresort.com

208-443-2551 

Skincare and Sergio Garcia…Now That’s an interesting combination!

by Cameron Healey

If you were like me as a kid-always outdoors and playing sports as a young kid and teenager during the long dog days of summer-you no doubt experienced your fair share of over exposure to the sun or the pain of sun burned skin.  The resulting discomfort of blisters and peeling skin is not easily forgotten; in fact, I often recall the tube of cool and calming aloe gel was never far from my reach.  Yes, as a “young fella” who enjoyed his childhood “down under”, I would often, with complete abandonment, venture outdoors to offer up my youthful skin to the sun gods whether playing golf, cricket or just enjoying the summer.  Admittedly, this cycle of over exposure to the sun was an annual occurrence that I would often shrug off as “par for the course” of playing out under clear blue skies.  Those same skies, I might add,  we now know are responsible for some of the highest skin cancer rates in the world helped by the huge hole in the protective ozone layer that resides in the southern hemisphere!  Despite the national sunscreen advertising campaign in the late 80’s that coined the phrase “Slip Slap Slop”, which I did adhere to on occasion, I now fear that as I approach the big 4-0,  my skin is showing a contradictory result to the  ”I’m fine” attitude of my youth.  As I look back at the mug shot that greets me every morning in the bathroom mirror, I can’t help but notice the effects of sun exposure that include an ever increasing collection of wrinkles, crow’s feet, blemishes and sun spots. Can I rewind the clock?  No. Can I take steps to reduce or even prevent future damage while out on the course? Absolutely! One of the more golfer (or athlete) friendly skin care products available on the market is the Mission Skincare products. What makes Mission different to the other 120,000 skin care products on the market?  Sergio Garcia, for starters, along with other world-class athletes including Serena Williams, Mia Hamm, and Steve Nash have developed and tested their products and standby their quality and effectiveness.  It also doesn’t hurt that Mission Skincare was the official sunscreen provider of the 2009 PGA TOUR Superstore World Amateur Handicap Championship.  They understand the skincare needs of athletes and golf is no exception.

Teaming up with scientists and skincare industry veterans, Mission Skincare went to work to create athlete-engineered skincare that has been proven to meet the specific needs of athletes across all sports.  The range of products includes a concoction of nutrients and antioxidants that are included to maximize on-the-field performance.  The line offers golfers (and non-golfers alike) everything from the essential Anti-Sting Sunscreen SPF 30+ Facestick that won’t irritate your eyes or clog pores, and Ultra-Soothing After-Sun Revive Gel to help combat the effects of wind and heat damage to your skin, to the vitamin and oxidant infused Refreshing Foot Therapy cream!  Yes, Mission Skincare offers a great range of products that doesn’t stop at the conventional.  Sergio had the foresight to add a product called Ultra-Grip^TM Gel, a quick-drying, non-sticky formula made with natural ingredients that can be applied to your hands or gloves and instantly increases the “feel” of your clubs. In addition, golfers can buy Sergio Garcia’s Sunscreen Kit, which comes with a signature TaylorMade MISSION Accessories Pouch. Lined with soft padding to protect your valuables, the pouch is made to clip onto your golf bag so you can stay protected with the Fast-Drying Sunscreen SPF 30+ Spray, Anti-Sting Sunscreen SPF 30+ Facestick, and the Ultra-Hydrating Lip Protector SPF 20 Gel.  Yep, if only I had this mini-survival pouch last year when I hit the links in Las Vegas and played in 104 degree heat?  Now am I able to tell the difference between a vitamin-infused moisturizer that contains Vitamins A, B, C, D3, E and K and Antioxidants such as Goji, Acai, Pomegranate and Cranberry?  Probably not.  But, my assessment of the MissionCare range of products is that they are the best that I have tried, bar none.  My face stays hydrated through the day; my lips are no longer the poster child for why you should always have lip balm on hand, and the on-the-course sun protection products are easily applied, non-greasy, and do provide great protection.  As a golfer and a guy who is entering a more mature stage in life, I need all the help I can get to protect the skin I have! What’s the saying? “You will never be as young as you are today.”  For more information about the Missioncare range of products please visit www.missionskincare.com.            

“In golf, the sun is just part of the game, and nothing protects my skin better than Ultra-Sweatproof SPF 30+ Lotion.”

~ Sergio Garcia

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