Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Fairways + Greens "Getaways" Issue Hits Newsstands

(Quincy, Mass.) - Now available on newsstands across America, The November-December 2012 issue of Fairways + Greens Magazine puts America's "Dream Getaways" in full-color focus for golf travelers looking to escape for some wintertime play.

With a bright and readable new design and revamped sectionalized format, the new edition of Fairways + Greens takes golf travel journalism to yet another level. The issue is packed with valuable information for planning that special golf getaway this winter and beyond.

Highlights of the popular year-end issue include:

• A brand new "Explore" section that takes readers to Southern California, Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Trail and the Dominican Republic

• A "Dream" rundown of popular winter destinations with special emphasis on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Alabama's Gulf Coast and Charleston, S.C., along with deal-packed swings through La Quinta, Myrtle Beach and Mexico

• A first look at the new Salish Cliffs Golf Course in Shelton, Wash.

• An exclusive "Chat" with Annika Sorenstam on her favorite travel spots and tips

• The inaugural "Unwind" section concentrating on spa tips for guys from experts across the country

• An invitation to "Indulge" in some favorite golf course and resort eateries with the Golfing Gourmet, with a special nod to holiday beers, wines and cigars

• The smart way to "Spend" on golf gear, apparel and electronics thanks to Fairways + Greens' annual Holiday Gift Guide, the expanded online version of which will debut at www.fairwaysandgreens.com on Nov. 15, in plenty of time for Black Friday and the holiday shopping season.

"Any true golf traveler knows that the season doesn't end when the snow flies and the temperatures drop up north," says Publisher Vic Williams. "In fact, it's high time to hit the road, head south and get the new year off to a swinging start. And this annual issue will help readers do just that, in style."

For more information about Fairways + Greens, including subscription and advertising contacts, visit www.fairwaysandgreens.com.

Chicago's Mistwood Golf Club Undergoes Major Renovation Project

(Romeoville, IL) - Mistwood Golf Club, one of the premier public golf facilities in Chicago, is undergoing a major renovation project, which will include substantial changes to the Ray Hearn designed golf course, the addition of a new learning center, and plans for a future clubhouse. The renovations are already underway and the course will re-open in May 2012.

Mistwood's owner, local Chicago businessman Jim McWethy, made the decision to completely revamp the facility, which was not an easy one during these trying economic times. McWethy opted to renovate what was already a well-respected course, add the new learning center and begin plans to build a new clubhouse in order to create a destination golf experience for golfers in Chicago and the Midwest.

"A big part of this renovation is due to my love of the game," McWethy admitted. "By expanding, we are running counter to the rest of the golf world.''

McWethy closed the course on August 22, to allow Michigan based architect Ray Hearn to begin the renovation, and he has had no regrets as work continues. His plans call for the 5,000 square-foot learning center to be under construction late this fall and to be ready when the course re-opens next May.

The remodeling of Mistwood is being done in three phases. The first phase is the golf course construction, which includes lengthening the course to over 7,000 yards and making improvements to every hole.

The second phase will be the construction of the learning center. The original clubhouse and cart barn will be torn down as soon as the learning center is completed. It will feature spacious indoor and outdoor hitting stations, a practice putting green, state of the art computer analysis and golf simulators. Initially though, it will double as Mistwood's clubhouse when play resumes until the new clubhouse opens.

The third phase is the construction of the 32,000-square-foot clubhouse, which they hope to start sometime in 2012.

"At first we thought we would do everything at once, but then realized it would make more sense to do it in phases to avoid any construction problems along the way,'' said McWethy. "Deciding when to start the clubhouse is difficult. We would like to break ground by fall 2012, but we have to get the course changes and learning center out of the way first."

The Mistwood Golf Club that Hearn originally designed, which opened in 1998, earned the respect from players of all levels, but he still believed the renovation was needed.

"As time goes on, the technology monster, with golf clubs and golf balls going further, every course should be analyzed and tweaked every 10 years or so, and Mistwood was no exception,'' said Hearn, who is credited with five other Illinois projects most notably Mistwood and the Flossmoor Country Club.

His renovation at historic Flossmoor Country Club in Flossmoor, Illinois was cited as the 2009 Renovation-of-the-Year by GOLF Magazine.

Hearn, based in Holland, Michigan, has a portfolio that includes courses in Michigan, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Idaho, Oklahoma and Kentucky. His design career has also expanded internationally in Russia, France, Croatia, Vietnam, Egypt, South Korea, Mexico, India and the Bahamas.

When Mistwood opens in 2012, it will be held to a higher standard.

The end result will not come across as an altogether new layout, as the routing will not change. Going hole-by-hole however, the changes will be visually subtle but strategically significant.

"Re-calibrating a golf course for shot values is where a golf course architect earns their money," said Hearn. "Strategic improvements for all levels of golfers is the name of the game. I really enjoy improving my courses over time in terms of shot value, strategy, beauty and playability, which I believe we have now accomplished here at Mistwood Golf Club."

The "strategic improvements" involve improving each of Mistwood's 18-holes. The most noticeable is at the par-5 third hole. The green has been relocated to create space for the new clubhouse. The creek that used to be in front of the green is now behind it-and it has been expanded to a pond. In addition, new beautiful Lannon stone walls were added along hole No. 3 and behind the par 3, 9th hole adding some stunning visuals for golfers to experience.

Also included in the changes was the addition of high-end Waupaca Steep Face sand in all the bunkers, a light tan colored sand that is among the most expensive in the industry. Complimenting the new sand in the bunkers is the creation of attractive sod wall bunkers scattered through the layout from holes two to seventeen.

Many of Mistwood's lakes have also been expanded making water a strategic factor on more of the holes. Yardage also increased, from 6,727 yards to 7,020 from the new back tees, but that's only a minor consideration to accommodate a big tournament if needed.

The other more noticeable changes come at No. 2, where two new stacked sod bunkers and two new tees make for a more challenging and longer par-4 (the length is up from 362 yards to 376), and No. 11, which gets a more elevated back tee. The strongest of the par-3's, No. 14 over water, will have eight teeing options after the renovation.

One hole that won't get much tweaking is the much-photographed No. 8, the par-5 honored by Golf Digest Magazine as one of the top par 5's among U.S. public courses in 2002. It will play longer, since a new dramatic back tee will expand the challenge from 566 yards to 596 for the longer hitters.

Mistwood is also the home of one of Chicago's top tournaments, the Phil Kosin Illinois Women's Open. By completing these course improvements, Mistwood will be among the top tournament golf courses in Illinois.

Director of golf Dan Phillips believes top players in the Women's Open, will be very excited by the new alterations.

"The top ladies in the state will now get to experience one of top courses in Illinois -- one that's more challenging and fun to play,'' said Phillips. "It will have the same flavor as the old Mistwood, but it will be more exciting with improved shot values."

When all is said and done, owner Jim McWethy is looking forward to having one of the best public courses in the Chicago area.

"If you believe you have an exceptional product, market it well, and take great care of your customers, I do believe that, even in this market, you can be successful,'' said McWethy. "I am very excited about the project and believe when we are done we will have one of the top golf experiences in the Chicago area."

For more information about Mistwood Golf Club, visit www.mistwoodgolf.net.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

New Nike Golf Wedge Blends Maximum Flight Control with Shot-to-Shot Consistency

The Nike VR PRO Dual-Sole wedge with Nike’s X3X grooves ensure square contact and pronounced relief in the heel

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) – Nike Golf is capitalizing on the success of its VR Pro forged wedges with the introduction of the highly crafted Nike VR Pro Forged Dual-Sole wedge.

Available Nov. 1, the Nike VR Pro Forged DS wedge is developed with a precise forging process, resulting in a wedge that offers accurate shot-shaping performance and a greater propensity for low scoring. Built for Nike Golf Tour athletes, the VR Pro Forged DS wedge features a Dual-Sole grind, ensuring ideal set-up from sand, fringe, fairway or deep rough.  The Dual-Sole provides two distinct benefits:

* For normal square addressed shots, the sole has added leading edge bounce, but the trailing edge is relieved. This allows for utilization of the bounce, which helps to eliminate digging but reduces the contact area so the club glides through the turf. The Dual-Sole also prevents bladed shots.

* For open faced shots, a unique relieved heel design comes into play when the face is in an open position. This allows the leading edge to sit low to the ball, especially on short flop shots.

The VR Pro Forged DS wedge features Nike’s high-frequency X3X grooves with a precision laser crosshatch pattern that is applied to the land area between the grooves.  This pattern adds three times the surface texture versus conventionally finished faces, creating more spin in all conditions.  With Nike’s X3X grooves, there are more grooves (20) that are closer together and deeper on the clubface, which provides more control and consistency in all conditions off of the clubface, while conforming to the USGA and R&A rules.

Availability: November 1
Finish Options: Satin Chrome; Oxide (NEW); Platinum (NEW)
Loft/Bounce Options: 56/16 dual; 54/24 dual; 60/13 dual (Available in RH)
MAP: $119.99

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Ron McPherson, president and CEO of the Antigua Group, Honored with Entry into Arizona Golf Hall of Fame

(Scottsdale, AZ) - Ron McPherson, a former state amateur champion who is now the president and CEO of the Antigua Group Inc., based in Peoria, will be inducted into the Arizona Hall of Fame Nov. 21 at Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale after the completion of a pro-am scramble tournament. McPherson has been involved with golf on various levels, began playing very young and became a proficient amateur player.

McPherson, who was born in Montana and grew up in Wyoming, literally worked his way from the bottom to the top of Antigua, where he was the very first hire (sales manager) in 1979 of a company then called Eagle Golf. From humble beginnings in a Scottsdale warehouse with one embroidery machine, Antigua has grown into one of the nation's leading brands in lifestyle apparel and accessories.

Antigua has expanded into other sports, including an NFL licensing agreement for 2012, but remains most prominent in golf, and in 2011 was the official outfitter of the U.S. Solheim Cup team. McPherson took over as president of Antigua when its founder, Tom Dooley, sold out in 1997 and added CEO to his title in 2003.

"I moved here initially to play and when I realized that wasn't going to work as a career, I moved to the other side of the counter into the supply side of golf," McPherson said. "So to have this (induction) happen is a huge honor. I was quite taken back by it."

On the course, McPherson was Wyoming state amateur champion in 1968 and '70. He is a member of Ancala Country Club and remains a scratch golfer.

His company is a primary sponsor of virtually every significant golf organization and event in the state and McPherson also has been active in raising funds for cancer research through the Banner Health Foundation. Among other things, Antigua has sponsored the Antigua Junior Tour for more than 20 years and sponsored the National High School Championships in Scottsdale in September.

"One of our goals in growing the company through the '80s and '90s was to be an important part of the local golf community, so we've done everything we could to stay involved with various sponsorships, especially junior golf," McPherson said. "The development of young players is very important to us."

McPherson has received the Spirit of Philanthropy Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals and in 2006 was given the Ernie Sabayrac Award for lifetime contributions to golf by the PGA of America.

The induction ceremony is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. after a 5 p.m. cocktail hour. A better-ball tournament, which ideally will feature one pro and three amateurs in each group, will start at 12 p.m., with registration at 11 a.m. The cost is $175 per player. For more information, contact Maureen LaMantia at 602-944-3035 or 800-458-8484 or go to www.azgolf.org.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Pinnacle Golf Properties Adds New Management Contract, Continues Growth with the Challenge Golf Club

(CHARLOTTE, NC) – Charlotte-based Pinnacle Golf Properties (www.PinnacleGolfProperties.com) adds The Challenge Golf Club (www.ChallengeGolf.net) to its growing portfolio of Carolina courses under management contract. Located in Graham, NC, The Challenge was voted the second-best new golf course in North Carolina when it opened for play in 1997 and is currently among the state’s Top 100 courses as voted by the North Carolina Golf Panel.

Pinnacle Golf Properties has been selected to oversee the operations of the facility and owner Carter Lewis is excited about the new partnership. “I’m looking forward to a long relationship with them, said Lewis, who purchased The Challenge from Pinnacle nearly four years ago. “They have experience in every area, and their track record of success here at The Challenge is simply unmatched. Pinnacle has a real presence in this marketplace, and I felt was very important to have them back involved in the operations as we continue working to expand our real estate development that surrounds the golf course. They bring so much experience and connections in this market that it just felt right to bring them in to help.”

Formed in 2002, Pinnacle Golf Properties offers turnkey management services and consulting to private, semi-private, resort, and daily-fee golf facilities within the southeastern United States. Pinnacle’s North and South Carolina portfolio now stands at seven courses located at six separate facilities. The firm also manages Tega Cay Golf & Conference Center in Tega Cay, SC; Meadowlands Golf Club in Winston-Salem, NC; Bryan Park Golf & Conference Center (host to the 2010 US Amateur Public Links Championship) in Greensboro, NC; Stoney Creek Golf Club (owned by Weaver Investment Company) in Stoney Creek, NC; and Green Valley Country Club in Greenville, SC.

Pinnacle Golf Properties recently joined forces with Greensboro-based Weaver Investment Company and will look to expand its portfolio to 10-12 courses in the next few years.

“We are excited to get back involved with The Challenge,” said David Taylor, Managing Partner for Pinnacle. “We had great success with the facility while in our ownership portfolio, and we look to continue this success within our management portfolio.  The golf course is very strong, and the new clubhouse and swimming pool make for an ideal club for the surrounding community. We understand the facility and the market very well and look forward bringing The Challenge back in focus within the central North Carolina area.”

The Challenge offers a beautiful 18-hole course built on rolling farmland adjacent to the Haw River. Established in 1997, as part of the Master Planned Development Community, The Challenge Golf Club provides outstanding amenities, starting with a great golf course and a new clubhouse and swimming pool facility.  The facility is open to the public with memberships available.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Hit It Further with Everyday Golf Coach Power

Best-selling Everyday Golf Coach series launches new ‘Power’ app

(Rickmansworth, UK) - Everyday Golf Coach, the best-selling coaching app for iPad and iPhone has returned with a new app that will help golfers increasetheir power – hitting longer and straighter shots.

Everyday Golf Coach Power follows on from the original comprehensive coaching app that has been downloaded more than 100,000 times worldwide, and takes golfers through the mechanics of power, utilising a comprehensive new coaching package to help them increase their ball striking power.

This new coaching package, provided by the creator of Everyday Golf Coach and pioneering PGA Professional Noel Rousseau, delivers a library of high definition coaching videos as well as a unique interactive SwingSequence feature that combines Rousseau’s coaching insight and clear delivery with the advanced capability of the Apple software to provide the user with a visually outstanding and fun training tool.

Filmed using the latest super slow-motion Phantom HD camera, the Power app gives users a unique insight into the different aspects of the golf swing that enable the professionals to generate extreme swing speed, power and more distance.

Watch a preview of Everyday Golf Coach Power by visiting www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq2Fr2Flf0U

The SwingSequence feature covers the key body movements of the golf swing in super slow motion, allowing the user to learn the concept of power and the dynamic relationship between all the moving parts of the golf swing.

“When this is performed in the right sequence it can generate more power and thus create extra distance,” said Noel Rousseau, who regularly features in best-selling golf magazines. “During the SwingSequence, 11 hot spots appear on the model golfer – the user simply taps on a hot spot to view an in-depth coaching video explaining therelevant movement. Alternatively, manual mode allows the user to scroll through the entire swing under the fine control of the swipe of their finger.

“The Phantom camera is so technologically advanced the user can scroll through the swing to reveal every minute detail of the movement in crystal clear definition.”

As with it’s predecessor Rousseau delivers high quality coaching to accompany the videos with comprehensive and easy-to-understand notes, making it clear and simple for every golfer to follow.

As you would expect from a PhD student, Rousseau’s content is well researched. It also contains a fascinating interview with sports scientist Dr Matt Bridge that explains the concept of kinematic sequencing through his presentation ‘The Science of Power’.

Judging by the first reviews on the app store, users have been extremely pleased with what they see and appreciate the honest and personal approach to golf coaching.

Pjlawson said: “Fantastic app. Really clear insights into how to create a powerful swing. The interaction between the library and theswing sequence section is seamless and really impressive to use. The best teaching app out there!”

Steven Terence added: “If you are looking to buy your first golf tuition app then go no further and buy this. If you already have some,delete them all and just use this. Simple, informative and put together verywell. There is no better golf app out there.”

Everyday Golf Coach: Power is available now on iTunes for both iPhone (£3.99) and iPad (£4.99). For further details visit www.everydaygolfcoach.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Pound Ridge Golf Club Announces Off-Season Rates for November, December


Westchester County’s Daily Fee Pete Dye-Design Available for $150, $100 after 2 p.m.

(POUND RIDGE, N.Y.) – Pound Ridge Golf Club – Westchester County’s daily fee Pete Dye-design – today announces off-season rates of $150 per round before 2 p.m. and $100 after 2 p.m. from Nov. 1 - Dec. 31, seven days a week.

Located under an hour from New York City and minutes from Stamford and Greenwich, avid and recreational golfers can experience Pound Ridge at an exceptional price through the end of 2011. Golfers choose from five sets of tee boxes, making it appealing to both novice and experienced players. The course also has three sets of tees rated for women, bearing the unmistakable touch of Alice Dye, Pete’s wife and an accomplished amateur player.

“The Hudson Valley has reached peak fall foliage, and this is the perfect time of year for golfers to experience one of the top golf courses in the Northeast,” says Ken Wang, owner of Pound Ridge Golf Club.

All rates include a golf cart or pull cart; Pound Ridge yardage book; bottled water; player’s towel; and complimentary use of the driving range, newly-designed sunken chipping area and other practice facilities.

Advance reservations are not required. Forecaddies are available upon request by calling the pro shop at least 24 hours prior to a booked tee time.

Since opening in 2008, Pound Ridge has earned world-class accolades from Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine, Golfweek, AskMen.com and LINKS Magazine, becoming a must-play on every golfer’s bucket list.

For more information about Pound Ridge Golf Club, visit www.PoundRidgeGolf.com or call 914-764-5771.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com