Golf & Wine In Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley
July 8, 2010 by sydney
Filed under Highlights From Last Month...
No, it’s not likely the pig-tailed prom queen on the golf course beverage cart is going to be ditching her ice-chilled stock of beer for Australian Syrahs and Oregon Pinot Noirs any time soon. After all, golf and beer go together like cake and ice cream. But, thanks to wine regions like Napa, Niagara - and one you’ve rarely, if ever, heard about, Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley - golf and wine are getting paired together more and more often. And, if you’re like me, the palate can definitely make room for the combination.
With Victoria sprawling likes it’s never sprawled before, the Cowichan Valley, located a short 45-minute drive “up island” over the Malahat, is having an awakening, of sorts. People are coming. People are buying property. People are finding out about the wines. And people are discovering that the fairways and greens here are some of the finest on the island.
The Cowichan Valley, or “The Warm Land,” as it means in the language of the local First Nations people, is a lush, farm-friendly region that has a surprisingly different character than bustling Victoria. This tiny region (the population of the Cowichan Valley is just over 79,000) is home to quaint, by-the-sea fishing villages, tucked-away towns that haven’t changed much in 75 years, and, of course, great golf courses and up and coming wineries - both of which march to their own beat.
In all, the tranquil Cowichan Valley is home to just 12 wineries - some well established and others just starting out. Visiting a winery and trying the fruits of the labour could be participating in a regularly scheduled tour and tasting or a matter of driving down a bumpy gravel road, wedging your vehicle between the vines, waving madly at the owner/winemaker (who’s busy trimming and inspecting his vines but will happily come talk to you) and having him unlock the door to the private tasting room to give a sample. Quite charming, really. And certainly unpretentious.
Unpretentious, too, is a good word to describe the golf here. Duncan, the commercial hub of the Cowichan Valley, is home to the Duncan Meadows Golf Club. Arguably, it’s the best in the region. With two fairly distinct nines (the back nine is more in the woods), Duncan Meadows is a championship-ready track that was recently named one of the most underrated courses in Canada by SCOREGolf Magazine.
The course starts out in the meadows with plenty of room to play (and spray). A great start for creaky swings that haven’t been properly lubricated. But then, dropping into low-lying parkland, things progressively tighten up, the firs start coming into the play, water-hazards start biting into the fairways, and you’ve got to have your sights on.
One of the best holes at Duncan Meadows is the par-5 17th. At 491 yards from the back tee, it’s certainly not a long par-5, but throw in a nasty little bend through the towering firs, a ball-hungry creek, and a massive pond short of the green and you’ve got all the ingredients for a late-round disaster. Or, of course, an eagle for the ages. Regardless of what happens on 17 - or the other 17 - enjoying a drink or two (some of the local wines are available in the restaurant) in the beautiful clubhouse would be the appropriate thing to do.
But on a golf/wine trip, wrapping up the day’s activities at the golf course is generally not the wisest thing to do. So on the short drive back to Duncan you’re best advised to get off the Island Highway and spin through the back roads. It’s here where you’ll discover some of the “secrets” of why a visit to the Cowichan Valley is so rewarding. Besides the wineries, family-run farms, (such as Cowichan Bay Farm, where you can pull up and pick up fresh cider-flavoured chicken sausage on the honour system), European-style bakeries (check out True Grain Bakery in Cowichan Bay), native art galleries (a “must” for arts and crafts lovers is Whipple Tree Junction), and strolls along the driftwood-strewn beaches are just some of the possibilities. Certainly, exploring this region will always bring about some memorable, off-the-beaten-path discoveries.
So how do the wines of the Cowichan Valley stack up? Well, for starters, this is a very young wine region. The big reds - the Cabernets, the Syrahs, etc. - simply do not do well here. The climate just isn’t hot enough. But winemakers such as Hans Kiltz (one of the pioneers of island wines) of Blue Grouse Estate Winery have discovered it’s the German “cool climate” white varietals that really flourish here. Grapes such as Ortega, Muller-Thurgau, and Siegerrebe produce clean, crisp, fruit-forward wines that pair exceptionally well with seafood, especially.
But this isn’t to say that red wine lovers will leave disappointed. In fact, one of the best Pinot Noirs in the country comes from this region. Little-known Venturi-Shulze Vineyards (call ahead if you want to do a tasting, there are no regular hours) in rural Cobble Hill is about as meticulously and lovingly operated as a vineyard can be. If you can swing a taste, you won’t be disappointed. Unfortunately, because of high demand, their wines are chronically short in supply.
Also in high demand are ciders from Merridale Estate Cidery, another gem in the area. Another favourite here is the Blackberry Port from Cherry Point Vineyards. Recently purchased by the Quw’utsun’ Vineyard Development Corporation, a subsidiary of the Cowichan Tribes of Duncan, BC, Cherry Point’s beautifully appointed tasting room, gift shop, and larger-than-average production levels make it one of the most popular visits on the “tour.”
Certainly, if you’re a wine and golf lover, you’ll be challenged with balancing your itinerary on a trip to the Cowichan. So alluring are the visits to the tucked-away tasting rooms, farmer’s markets, beaches, etc., that the golf can, if you’re not careful, slip to the wayside. It shouldn’t.
Both Arbutus Ridge, which is one of the top-ranked courses in GolfBC’s strong and growing collection, and the Cowichan Golf and Country Club have plenty to offer the swingers. And, just like the region’s wines, both are very different in style and character. Arbutus Ridge is a contemporary, upscale course that shoots through a hilly subdivision in Cobble Hill. Although relatively short, some fine holes twist through the trees and the do-or-die shot to the peninsula green on the 17th is always something to look forward to. Cowichan is a classic, old-style course with small greens, tight fairways, and towering trees as the main defence.
Another must play if you visit the area is the Bear Mountain Resort in nearby Langford (over the Malahat towards Victoria). While the courses in the Cowichan Valley are laid-back and rural in nature, Bear Mountain is a hyped-up and exceptionally dramatic experience. Boasting Canada’s first and only Nicklaus design golf offering in Canada and future Nicklaus Academy, Bear Mountain is a huge, multi million dollar concoction complete with a massive Westin Hotel, Santé Spa, five restaurants, Mountainside Athletic Club and now retail stores as well. The mind-bending scale of the Bear Mountain mega-project has to be seen to be believed.
Interestingly, there’s an ongoing discussion about starting up a vineyard at the Resort. If all goes as planned, it shouldn’t be too much longer before grapes are flourishing on the open slopes beneath the perched green on Bear Mountain’s famous 19th hole. And, thanks to the pioneering efforts of the talented winemakers of the Cowichan Valley, it likely won’t be long before the region’s beverage carts are stocking crackers and cheese - and your favourite locally-produced Pinot Noir.
For more information, please visit: www.wineislands.ca and www.golfvancouverisland.ca . To reserve your Golf and Wine vacation, please contact Golf Vancouver Island at 1.888.465.3239.
Andrew Penner is a freelance writer based in Calgary, Alberta.
Galena Ridge at Silver Mountain Resort Opens!
July 8, 2010 by sydney
Filed under Highlights From Last Month...
Idaho has a new course! Galena Ridge, located in Kellogg, Idaho, is a nine hole, 3,617 yard, par 36 course owned and operated by Silver Mountain Resort. Despite the drizzle on opening day June 20, nearly 100 intrepid golfers teed off and were treated to a course that includes dramatic elevation changes, fairways lined with native fescue, and incredible mountain and valley views. “The incredible land form provided by Mother Nature allowed us to create tee shots over rugged terrain, wrap fairways around wetlands and tuck greens into wooded draws,” says course architect John Thronson of Redmond, Oregon. “What makes the course unique is the amount of elevation change. Several of the first nine holes drop well over 120 feet from tee to green, one of which is an exciting 506 yard par 4 that drops 235 feet,” continued Thronson. When the Galena Ridge Golf Course is completely finished, the total elevation change will be in excess of 450 feet and encompass over 350 acres of terrain.The course is open to the public and walk-ins are welcome; however, tee time reservations are recommended. Call 208-783-1522 for tee times and more information.
McCormick Woods Shines for Golf Today Magazine’s June 22 “Fun Event”
July 8, 2010 by sydney
Filed under Highlights From Last Month...
Lets be honest. The number of days that have qualified as “good days for golf” this spring have been as rare as hen’s teeth. Its been miserable. Plain…frustratingly, miserable. And the numbers support my ranting! Since October 1st, Seattle has received 39.51″ of rain, yet the average rainfall is 33.39.” Those numbers put us at a ’surplus’ of 6.12.” of additional rainfall. Yikes! The good news (no, great news) is that when Tuesday, June 22 dawned a new day; yes, the day of Golf Today Magazine’s McCormick Woods Classic, I was relieved to arrive at the course under blue skies, puffy white clouds, and temps in the 70s. Yep, no gray gloom on the horizon! Not only was it the first day of summer, but the perfect day for golf I thought to myself. In fact, that quickly became the overriding consensus as golfers began arriving at McCormick Woods golf course located in Port Orchard, WA on the Kitsap Peninsula. McCormick Woods is a Jack Frei-designed 18 hole Audubon Society certified championship public course that opened in 1987. Nestled amongst idyllic lakes and towering firs and cedars, McCormick Woods offered golfers five-tee placements to suit players of all playing abilities and no two holes border one another. Yes, golfers teed off under dry conditions and a warm 73 degrees for the June event!
For starters, the golfers were given Tee Prize goody bags valued at more than $100 and free range balls to warm up on the driving range! With plenty of time before the 50ft long putt competition, most golfers took advantage of the free swing analysis set up on the driving range provided by GolfTEC/Seattle. Yes, a big thanks to GolfTEC/Seattle owner Brett Allen and his team for being on hand to observe and “tweak” each of our swings!
Those golfers that fancied themselves with the putter had an opportunity to win a $198 S-Blade putter from Spherical Blades with the one-shot 50ft long putt competition. Of course, for me (and hopefully the rest of the field) the key attraction was the experience of playing one of the better public tracks in the Northwest and McCormick Woods did not disappoint. As always with Golf Today tournaments, players choose their own sets of tees to play from and play their own ball. The only rule of the day is to literally go out there and enjoy a picturesque but challenging course and have fun. While the tall Douglas Firs were introduced to a few of my wayward tee shots, the overall playing conditions were excellent. And if you consider how much moisture the course has endured this spring, both the fairways and, in particular, the greens were simply top notch and showed literally no evidence of the H2O that has persisted. The combination of mid-seventies and sunny skies certainly helped!
On the very first hole, golfers were met by our friends at Caffe Appassionato, one of the regions most successful, and rightly so, purveyors of organic coffee and teas, where they enjoyed a free cup of Joe. Ironically, given the warm temperatures, the cup of Java worked wonders and provided much needed cooling relief! Look for Caffe Appassionato’s presence at future Golf Today Magazine events!
We were also excited to have John Chalmers of Adams Golf set up on hole #2; the designated long drive hole where each golfer had an opportunity to let it rip with a brand new Adams club of their choice. Needless to say I took advantage of testing their Speedline stick. What a treat! Our thanks to John for his support and look forward to Adams’ presence next year!
As golfers checked into McCormick’s clubhouse after the round, they were met by a hot dinner and libations provided by Widmer Brewery. To add extra value to the day, additional discounted golf coupons to local courses were given to each player in addition to a complimentary premium subscription to Boxgroove.com, a network of private clubs and private club members from across the U.S. who share tee times with you, whether you belong to a private club or not. This membership provided our players with the opportunity to play some of the top private clubs without being a member!
No scorecards are used at the Awards Ceremony since every golfer has an opportunity to win prizes by the free raffle system. There were closest to the pin prizes on all par-3s and long drives for both men and women; there were prizes for the 50ft long putt contest, new clubs were given away in addition to $7500 worth of free golf certificates to courses such as Tetherow, Pumpkin Ridge, and Sun Country, stay and play packages to Circling Raven in Idaho and Tri-Cities Country Club to name just a few; and prizes for just being there! Yes, everyone leaves a winner! My thanks and gratitude to McCormick Woods’ GM Shawn Cucciardi for making our event such a success. To say that they exceeded not only mine, but also our golfer’s expectations, would be an understatement. They simply “get it” when it comes to putting on a golf event. Yes, McCormick Woods ranks as one of the best. We’ll be back next year!
If you are chomping at the bit to get in on the action and want to participate in a future Golf Today Magazine “Fun Event,” please email cameron@golftodaynw.com for the latest details!
A Great Summer Read: Ladies League Front Nine
July 8, 2010 by sydney
Filed under Highlights From Last Month...
Almost without exception, summer is absolutely the best time of year in the Northwest - especially for those who golf. I adore the longer, drier days of summer and get in as many rounds as possible. Summertime is also the perfect time to indulge in a good book at the pool, the park, or on the deck.
My first summer read is under my belt, and I must say Sandi Spaugh’s new novel Ladies League Front Nine (AuthorHouse) was a nice place to start.
Admittedly, I was positively biased from the get-go. I’m a lady golfer who plays in a 9-hole league, and so what’s not to like, right? I did enjoy this book, but was surprised by the reasons why. Let me set the scene:
From the first tee, four women begin their nine-hole journey to reclaim strength and meaning in their lives, and reclaim a true sense of identity. These ladies find themselves caught up in political intrigue when they learn too much about a senator and his wife. All this while they are trying to figure out just when it is appropriate to use a pitching wedge.
Beverly and Jill are long lost college friends who, after 30 years, have reconnected through their interest in golf. They were introduced to Joanne, strong as steel and unapologetic when she represented them in a case against the city and state. Rounding out their foursome is Diane who had been suffering from empty nest syndrome when Beverly convinces her to play golf in their league.
While their friendship gains footing, the group discovers they have more in common than originally expected. Over the course of time they come to realize their lives are more intertwined than they ever knew. As the mystery unravels, the women discover people with power and politics are trying to shape their world.
Eventually they become tangled up in the political goals of another member of the league who deliberately uses her connections in a selfish way. Beverly, Jill, Diane and Joanne try to untangle the lies and save the town, all while playing round after round of golf in Ladies League Front Nine.
I love the fact Ladies League Front Nine stays true to the highs and lows of golf, including the competitiveness of playing with others, but namely the frustration with oneself, which is unavoidable.
About the Author: Sandi Spaugh is a Registered Nurse, licensed health facility administrator and the owner of a health care facility in Indiana. She has two sons, a daughter and is grandmother to four grandsons and two granddaughters.
She was introduced to the game of golf in her early 50s, which was an eye-opening experience that led her into numerous personal relationships, some were good and some not-so-good but all holding a special place in her memory. Sandi has drawn upon those experiences and relationships to weave the story found in the pages of Ladies League Front Nine.
Best Western University Inn Golf Packages 2010
July 8, 2010 by sydney
Filed under Highlights From Last Month...
Have you ever wanted to play some of Eastern Washington and Idaho’s top golf courses, but weren’t quite sure how to make it happen or whether you would be able to manage the logistics of managing a golf trip? Now you can. Yes, time to plan your next boys (or girls) golfing trip in 2010. Imagine having the opportunity to play the steeped-in- tradition Francis L. James-designed University of Idaho Golf course and taking on the last three challenging holes known by locals as “Hearbreak Ridge.” Not far from there you could play Palouse Ridge, one of Washington’s newest but most acclaimed tracks designed by Northwest native John Harbottle III. If you’ve played the Olympic Course at Gold Mountain in Bremerton, WA, you’ll know his influence on course design. Next, imagine having the opportunity to play the traditional style course of Lewiston Golf and Country Club offering contoured fairways and beautiful river views. Finally, take on the challenging and majestic Coeur d’ Alene Casino’s Circling Raven course in Worley, ID. Short answer: Now you can!
Best Western University Inn located in Moscow, ID specializes in golf stay and play packages that allow you to play one, two, three or all four courses. Whether you’re traveling from Spokane, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Seattle, University Inn is easy to find and located 75 miles southeast of Spokane via Highway 195, 30 minutes north of Lewiston and 80 miles south of the resort community of Coeur d’Alene on Highway 95. If your desire is to play just one course or stay a few days and play all four courses, University Inn offers golfers incredible deals that include deluxe accommodations for two at the Best Western University Inn, 18 Holes of Golf for Two with Range Balls & Cart included and full Breakfast for Two starting as low as $190-Yes, for two players! Now if you want to make it a true experience and play all four courses at a comfortable pace, Best Western offers a three night lodging package that includes three breakfasts for two as well as all golf fees to all four courses. All you have to do is remember to bring your clubs!
Option#1 Play One Course Mon-Thur Fri-Sun
Palouse Ridge Golf Club $239 $259$239
The University of Idaho $190 $219 $190
The Lewiston Golf Club $212 $212
Circling Raven Golf $261 $291
Option#2 Play two courses!
Palouse Ridge $333 $373
& University of Idaho $333 $373
Palouse Ridge $355 $375
& Lewiston Golf Club $355 $375
Palouse Ridge $404 $454
& Circling Raven $404 $454
The University of Idaho $307 $327
& Lewiston Golf Club $307 $327
The University of Idaho $355 $405
& Circling Raven $355 $405
Circling Raven & $377 $407
Lewiston Golf Club $377 $407
Option#3 Play Three Courses! Includes TWO night’s lodging
& TWO breakfasts for two)
Palouse Ridge, The University of Idaho $594 $664
& Circling Raven
Palouse Ridge, The University of Idaho $546 $586
& Lewiston Golf Club
University of Idaho, Lewiston Golf Club $568 $618
& Circling Raven
Palouse Ridge, Circling Raven $616 $666
& Lewiston Golf Club
Option#4 Play ALL Four Courses! Includes THREE night’s lodging &
THREE breakfasts for two)
Play All FOUR! $806 $876
Packages available April - October 2010. Additional nights available at special discounted golf rates. Space available basis. Applicable taxes not included.
Not available on special event dates. For more information, please call 800-325-8765 www.uinnmoscow and ask for the Golf Today package!
This Fall: 5 Steps to 2010 Performance
November 8, 2009 by sydney
Filed under Highlights From Last Month...
by Bob Duncan
Don’t mothball those golf clubs yet! Your performance in 2010 may depend more on what you do this fall than next spring, since you’ll also be yard trimming, garage cleaning, and watching your kids play spring sports. And there’s still some great weather to come, and perhaps you’re heading south for the winter. There are 5 things you should do by January 1 to help you with your golf game next year…
1) Take a golf lesson. What, now? Absolutely. But, don’t just go to your local pro and get a stock lesson in how to make your swing perfect and hit the ball solid and straight. Learn what it takes to hit a slice or hook on command! There are 4 things you should consider to help change the curve: balance, swing plane, ball position, and face position. Ask your pro how changing each of these affects the ball and learn what to do with each to perform them on command. Then, you not only can do so on command, you also have the knowledge of what to correct when you’re trying to hit the ball straight and it curves. If you don’t know what causes the ball to go to the right and to the left, how do you know what to fix? Head into 2010 armed with new knowledge.
2) Try a driver with a higher loft and a heavier and more flexible shaft. Notice that I didn’t say stiffer? Low lofts are the #1 contributor to a slice. Stiff shafts are the #2 contributor to a slice. Shafts that are too light are the #3 contributor to major inconsistency. If the shaft is too stiff, too light, and the loft too low you will hit those major bananas. If the loft is too low to square up, much less hit a draw, players will normally add loft by leaving the face open at impact. The stiffer the shaft, the more right the ball will go since the shaft never got a chance to flex, and therefore will not kick the head through impact. And, a higher loft might go farther! One company even makes a 16- and 19-degree driver for slower swing speeds. Ever really wonder why you hit your 3-wood better than your driver? Maybe you or your wife needs a 3-wood loft in a driver head size and length.
3) Make a commitment that any club you buy - or someone buys for you (Christmas is coming) - is a custom fitted club, and one that you verify is better than what you have. Don’t buy a golf club unless you know you can hit it. If you are given a gift, just return to the store and go through a fitting to determine if it is right for you. Chances are they’ll be happy to exchange it, especially if you hit the one you walk away with the best.
4) Take some time to learn how to hit that 50-yard wedge shot. How long should your swing be to hit your sand or lob wedge 50 yards? Should you be shifting your weight? Should you be on the balls - or heels? - of your feet? Why do players skull or chunk this shot so often (it’s not because they lifted their head or didn’t hit down on it…)? Here’s a tip: try it with the clubhead in a toe-down position.
5) Think about what you need to do to play better besides learning a better swing. Short game and putting practice? Sure. But there’s more to playing golf than just having a great swing. Realizing that not every shot will be solid and straight is step 1. For example, the ball usually goes to the left when it is above your feet and to the right when it is below. Even slight slopes can take your ball off line. If you play for it to curve off these slopes by aiming left or right (which you should), you need to make sure you’re not doing something to cause it to go the other way. We play on courses that are not flat, so why would the ball always go straight?
If you’re trying to hit the ball solid and straight all the time then you’re just golfing and not playing the game of golf. If you make a perfect swing from an imperfect lie you’re bound to fail. The lie of the ball can influence your performance just as much as your swing.
With all the emphasis on correcting your swing the teaching industry has actually pushed how to play the game into the background. Consider that guy on tour with the funky swing - like Arnold Palmer, Jim Furyk, Corey Pavin, Lee Trevino - and ask how he has been able to play the game so successfully.
Bob Duncan is a 25-year+ PGA Golf Professional, Master Clubfitter, and author of the GolfeCoach Personal Interactive Coaching Program. Bob is the Teaching Professional at Tetherow Golf Club in Bend, OR, and you can reach him through his website at www.golfecoach.com, or email bduncan@tetherow.com.
Li Named HP Scholastic Junior All-American
November 7, 2009 by sydney
Filed under Highlights From Last Month...
Kent native honored by AJGA, HP for achievements on the golf course, in the classroom
Kent native Rui Li has been named an HP Scholastic Junior All-American, the American Junior Golf Association and HP announced Wednesday. Sponsored for the 15th consecutive year by HP, the 2009 team consists of 12 young men and 12 young women who demonstrate the ability to excel both on the golf course and in the classroom.
To be eligible for the HP Scholastic Junior All-America Team, boys must have placed in the top 10 of an AJGA Open or Invitational, while girls needed a top-five finish. The selections were then based on grade point average, class rank, SAT/ACT scores, leadership skills, community service and writing ability. Candidates were required to submit an essay no longer than 500 words on an original topic relating to golf.
These outstanding individuals will be honored at the Rolex Junior All-America Awards Banquet, Nov. 22, at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. By being named to this team, each player is also eligible to participate in the Polo Golf Junior Classic, one of the most prestigious events in junior golf, which will take place on PGA National Resort & Spa’s Champion and Haig Courses, Nov. 21-27.
Li is a senior at Kentwood High School where she is ranked 11 of 487 in? her class with a 3.963 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale). She is active in Kentwood Associated Student Body where she helped raise more than $10,000 worth of food for a local shelter. She also helped organize a Relay for Life team of 50 people to raise money for cancer research. On the golf course, Li has finished in the top 10 in three AJGA events in 2009, including a fourth place finish at the AJGA Junior at Wenatchee.
“HP is delighted once again to recognize academic excellence with the naming of the 2009 HP Scholastic Junior All-America Team,” said John Dayan, vice president of marketing, Personal Systems Group Americas, Hewlett Packard. “The AJGA works hard to prepare young adults for life after high school by instilling honor, perseverance and good sportsmanship. HP is proud to be associated with the AJGA and this great group of young adults.”
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The largest Association of its kind, the AJGA has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of more than 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and more than 30 foreign countries.
Titleist, the AJGA’s National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association’s success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which is in its third decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA’s second Premier Partner.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 200 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 350 wins. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel and Julieta Granada.
Club Fitting 101
July 9, 2009 by sydney
Filed under Highlights From Last Month...
With the current onslaught of adjustable drivers, moveable club head weights, and even adjustable height tees, customizing your equipment to fit your game has never been easier. Yet, nearly half of the students that I see on a daily basis are playing with ill-fitting equipment which drastically affects their swings and their scores. When properly fit equipment is put into their hands, the average golfer can gain between 10-15 yards with their irons and 20 plus yards with their driver-without changing their swing! Here are some criteria you should use when determining where to get fit for your next set of clubs.
Be leery of “static” fittings, where clubs are fit based solely on measurements of your body. The process needs to include static and dynamic measurements, along with technology that integrates the two. Seeing your swing on video alongside key measurements is far more reliable than the “trust my eyes” methodology employed by some well-intentioned fitters. Insist on using a launch monitor during your fitting to guarantee reliable, repeatable results. A launch monitor will capture key metrics including swing speed, launch angle, backspin/sidespin rates, and shot dispersion-vital information to ensure a proper fit. Also, make sure your club fitter knows the golf swing well and lets you hit a ton of golf balls with several club models. Make darn sure your club fitter is willing to spend one or two hours with you because you are the one willing to make a substantial investment in your golf equipment!
Double-check that the results you receive account for the variations in “standard” specs among manufacturers. For example, a “standard” Mizuno MP-52 6-iron is 37.25″ long, has 31 degrees of loft, and a lie angle of 61 degrees; a “standard” Taylor Made Burner 6-iron, on the other hand, is 37.625″ long, has 27 degrees of loft, and a lie angle of 62.5 degrees.
Make sure your session considers the value of aftermarket shafts, weighing the performance benefits against the cost. Also, don’t forget to ask about different grip options, both size and style. Finally, ensure that specific make and model recommendations are fact-based. Do not allow results to be intentionally narrowed to accommodate a club maker or retailer’s sales goals.
Off-the-rack equipment fits less than 18% of golfers. Taking a few extra steps to find the right club fitter will guarantee that your next set of clubs will perfectly complement your game and will be tuned to your swing, just like the pros!
Jordan Cooper, is a PGA apprentice teaching professional and club fitter for GolfTEC in Bellevue, WA. He can be reached at 425-454-7956 or visit www.golftec.com/seattle for more information.
Servpro Everett’s 5th Annual Golf Classic, “Golfing For A Great Cause”
July 8, 2009 by sydney
Filed under Highlights From Last Month...
Servpro of Everett is gearing up for its 5th Annual Golf Classic on Friday, Sept. 4th 2009, at Echo Falls Golf Course in Snohomish, Washington. This year, Servpro will be joined by the Edward Jones office of Todd Smith in Snohomish and Golf Savings Bank in helping to promote the event.
Spots for golfers are going fast but you still have time sign up or to promote your business! This tournament is open to the public and is a favorite among firefighters, business leaders and friends and family of the foundation. Sponsorships are still available at the Hole Sponsor Level for the tie box and putting green areas.
Player registration will be a 12:00 p.m. and will include 18 holes of scramble golf, power carts with a GPS system, practice range balls, and men’s and women’s longest drive and closest to the pin contests! Immediately following the tournament there will be an awards ceremony, raffle, and a Prime rib and salmon buffet style dinner.
Golfers will enjoy the championship golf and scenic views Echo Falls Golf Club has to offer. The Jack Frei designed course which features dog-legging fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and stunning finishing holes. The renowned 17th hole is one of the most difficult par-4s in the state. The equally famous par-3 18th features a magnificent island green framed by a cascading waterfall. This hole will have a new car that can be won by making a hole in one!
For information about Echo Fall Golf Club and course layout visit their website at http://www.echofallsgolf.com.
The proceeds for the Northwest Burn Foundation 5th Annual Golf Classic, “Golfing for a Great Cause,” goes to benefit the critical programs offered by the Northwest Burn Foundation. These programs target new parents, children and senior citizens to increase awareness about burn prevention. NWBF offers programs such as Summer Camp for children 7-17 years of age, Emergency Housing for Harborview’s Burn Unit Patients, Prevention Education, Support Groups, and Corrective Cosmetic Consultations for burn survivors.
Well into there 27th year of service, the Northwest Burn Foundation has been an integral educational institution in the community to increase awareness about the severity and prevention of burns. Established in 1982 by parents of burn survivors, firefighters and burn care professionals, the Northwest Burn Foundation has been working to prevent burns and improve the quality of life for burn survivors through programs, research and education in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. If you are interested in additional information or would like to make a contribution to the Northwest Burn Foundation please contact Nancy Mendoza, Executive Director, at 206.789.6838 or email at nmendoza@nwburn.org.
Sponsorships Available: Business Card and Hole Sponsor Levels Only.
For additional information or to become a sponsor please call Servpro Everett / Smokey point Christian Love 425-754-2513 Bud Summers 425-359-1112.
5th Annual Northwest Servpro Everett / Smokey point / Central Seattle Burn Foundation Golf Classic
Friday Sept. 4th , 2009
12:00 p.m. Registration / 1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start
Echo Falls Course and Country Club
20414 - 121st Ave SE
Snohomish WA 98290
$125 per golfer / $500 per foursome
