Golf To Go by Frank LaRosa

It took me just 90 minutes to drive from Sacramento to Saddle Creek Resort in Copperopolis.  I found stunning sierra vistas, a collection of shimmering lakes, native trees, indigenous grasses and 100 bunkers along with a challenging, thought-provoking 18-hole experience from tee to green.

 

Saddle Creek is rated #8 in California’s best public access courses by Golf Week magazine. To create a tranquil atmosphere, architect Carter Morrish devised a routing where no two holes run parallel and each hole is better than the previous.

 

You’ll love the Resort's overnight accommodations in the luxurious bungalows just a few paces from the golf course and lodge which includes a golf cart at your door in the morning and complimentary breakfast.

 

Their chef, Elizabeth Castillo, is remarkable and the food incredible. Service comes with a ready smile and a can-do attitude that begins at the top with popular general manager, Bob Higgins.

 

Whether you’re looking for a great golf course for a day trip with your buddies or a relaxing resort getaway, Saddle Creek Resort is truly for players and couples of all levels. To learn more, visit www.saddlecreek.com or call 209-785-7415.

PGATOUR.COM is looking for the ultimate fan to help cover the finale of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 22-26.

You can upload a self-produced video or photo essay describing why you are a fan of the TOUR. Contest entries will be posted to PGATOUR.COM/fancontest to be voted on by the public through Sept. 6. At that time, the top 10 entries that receive the most votes will be judged by a PGA TOUR panel and a grand prize winner will be announced on Sept. 10.

The winner will receive roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations in Atlanta for THE TOUR Championship as well as a media badge good for Wednesday and Thursday of the tournament, where you will work alongside a PGATOUR.COM staff member to cover events like the Wounded Warrior Clinic, The First Tee Clinic, practice rounds, player press conferences and first-round play. The winner will post to Twitter via a new fan account, @PGATOURfan, and contribute content to the Live Report on PGATOUR.COM, PGA TOUR Facebook page and YouTube channel during those two days.

The top 10 entries will be judged on the following criteria: evidence of being a PGA TOUR fan; experience working with digital media, including blogs, Twitter, social networking and/or video; and originality of entry.

The 110th U.S. Open Championship returns to the 91 year-old Pebble Beach Golf Links June 14^th to 20^th. This is the fifth time in five decades that the U.S. Open has been hosted on the Monterey Peninsula public venue. In 1972, Jack Nicklaus' tee shot hit the flagstick on 17 which led to a birdie and a three stroke win. Nicklaus' total of 18 majors remains the record chased by Tiger Woods.

 

In 1982, again at the critical 17th hole, Tom Watson rose to the occasion miraculously chipping in from an impossible lie in the greenside rough. In ‘92, Tom Kite battled howling winds on the final day to shoot even par for his only Major victory. And in 2000, Tiger Woods dominated the field in record fashion for his first U.S. Open Championship. He became the first player to ever finish double digits under par at -12, beating the field by a mind-numbing 15 strokes. This was truly a four-day performance for the ages.

 

No matter the winner, history proves that the U.S. Open will produce memorable moments and with the tournament in our backyard, this is a great opportunity to see the best up close if you’re one of the fortunate who hold tickets to the event.

Cleveland Golf is encouraging golfers to get out your cell phones, video cameras or anything else in your film making arsenals and sign up for their video contest. This is your chance to make a Cleveland Golf commercial and win up to $1,000 in Cleveland Golf products.

 

If you own a new Launcher DST driver, have tried a DST driver, or even if your brother’s uncle’s third cousin from Ketchikan caddied for someone that used a DST, make a quick video of the experience and post it to YouTube.

The more interesting your video, coupled with the number of viewers who watch it will help determine whether you’re one of the winners of First, Second or Third place winnings of $1,000, $500, or $300 in Cleveland Golf products.

 

Entry deadline is June 30^th but the quicker you submit your video, the more time viewers have to see it and vote for it. Learn more at www.clevelandgolf.com/dstvideocontest.  

 

Whether you inform the caddie from Ketchikan is up to you.   

The United States Golf Association has accepted 9,052 entries for the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The USGA received entries from golfers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 68 foreign countries, including 783 applicants who listed foreign addresses.

 

Nine past champions are fully exempt from having to qualify for the upcoming championship. They are: Angel Cabrera (2007), Michael Campbell (2005), Ernie Els (1994, 1997), Jim Furyk (2003), Lucas Glover (2009), Retief Goosen (2001, 2004), Geoff Ogilvy (2006), Tom Watson (1982) and Tiger Woods (2000, 2002, 2008).

 

Ninety-five percent of the entries were received online, including 662 on the last day applications were accepted (April 28). The USGA received 118 entries online in the final hour. Brent Hurt, 30, of Lockhart, Texas, submitted his entry online at 4:59:47 p.m., just 13 seconds before the deadline of 5 p.m. EDT. Joseph Saladino, a 30-year-old amateur from Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., was the first entrant on March 3.

 

The youngest golfer to enter was 10-year-old Mick Huffman of Maurice, La. The oldest applicant was 81-year-old Harris Moore Jr. of Los Angeles, Calif. To be eligible, a player must have a Handicap Index^® no higher than 1.4, or be a professional.

 

Local qualifying, which will be played over 18 holes at 111 sites, will take place in the Sacramento area at Serrano CC. Sectional qualifying, the next step, will be hosted June 7 at Del Paso Country Club one of thirteen national sites.

 

More information about the U.S. Open before, during and after the championship can be found at www.USOPEN.com

 

It's called the Extreme 19th, unlike any 19th hole you've ever seen. Located in Africa at the Legend Golf and Safari Resort, the Extreme 19th is the longest Par 3 in the world! 

 

The resort also boasts their signature World in One course designed by 18 different professionals including Harrington, Colin Montgomery, Vijay Singh, Retief Goosen and more. Their 10 hole Tribute Course pays homage to some of the greatest holes ever designed including Augusta National, St. Andrews, Pine Valley and others.

 

To learn more, visit www.legendgolfsafari.com. Since they probably won’t let me hit a golf ball off the Sears Tower, which is the same height, the Extreme 19^th is on my list of places to go.

The Garia Edition Soleil de Minuit is a limited edition of The Garia Golf Car and sells for a mere $52,000! It’s manufactured in Finland alongside high dollar Porsche automobiles.

The Garia features a built-in refrigerator, hand-stitched seats, carbon roof, numerous hand-made details, and an exclusive personalization program where you can have The Garia painted in your favorite color or matched to your other cars.

You can see it and probably put in your order at the luxury show Top Marques in Monaco, April 15-18 2010. I wonder if they have enough cup-holders?

If you get a little queasy on the tee when facing the prospect of carrying a tiny pond or dried-up creek bed, then this should be a real gut buster for you.

 

Threatened by rising oceans, the atoll nation of Maldives where an estimated 80 percent of the land is no more than three feet above sea level is making plans to build a floating golf course and convention center.

 

The island country in the Indian Ocean has signed an agreement with Dutch Docklands, which has already built man-made islands in Dubai, to begin researching the floating golf course project.

 

Kinda’ makes a little pond like Geary Lake seem inconsequential.

Accomplished players who’ve claimed title to The Western include Bobby Clampett, Peter Jacobson, Mark Lye, Johnny Miller, Mark O’Meara, and Ken Venturi. U.S. Open Champion, SJSU alumnus and Western Intercollegiate ’51 and ’53 medalist Venturi recalls “Some of my fondest collegiate memories are from when I was competing in The Western at Pasatiempo. I’m happy to know it still remains a premier west coast event for collegiate players and their teammates.”

For more information about participating in the College-Am or for sponsorship opportunities, visit www.westernintercollegiate.net or call John Kennaday at (408) 892-4911. For information about Pasatiempo Golf Club, lodging and trip planning, visit: www.pasatiempo.com.

It’s called Hard Driving Harry’s golfers hand healer and the remarkable product line is the brainchild of Sterling Ellison and Richard Marks of Northern California’s Sterling Ellison company. They produce high end organic 100% vegan skin rejuvenation products. Hard Driving Harry’s and Hard Driving Harriet’s golfers hand healers are the perfect cure for any golfer’s dry, chapped, and cracked hands…especially this time of year.

Where other lotions might use water as a first ingredient, the non-greasy Hard Driving Harry’s uses pure organic aloe. Sterling says the company “just wants to provide high quality products that work—that do what they say they do. The fact that they are vegan and organic are a bonus.” They just released Hard Driving Harry’s SPF 15 lip balm in four flavors. I think I’m partial to pomegranate!

Hard Driving Harry’s is currently available at the Sacramento City golf course shops with new locations opening soon. For more information, visit www.sterlingrichards.com.

Golf balls come in many different designs and configurations including number of layers, dimple patterns, compression, materials, and more. How do you pick the golf balls you play? Is it by price? Or do you play the ball your favorite player uses? Some are better suited for your game while others might make it tougher on you.

 

Srixon recognizes some of us want a longer ball while others are looking for a ball that spins. That’s why they’ve created their custom ball fitter online. A series of questions about you and your game will result in a recommendation that should work well for you.

 

The fitter suggested the Z-Star ball for me based on my swing speed, length off the tee, importance of spin to my game and more. The Z-Star is a low compression ball with an extremely soft feel. I like the feel around the greens and off the putter and it’s still plenty long off the tee. For swing speeds over 105 miles per hour, the Z-Star X would be your choice. Both balls were rated maximum 5 stars in the 2009 Golf Digest Hot List for performance, innovation and feel. Check it out at www.srixon.com

A good friend of mine says he marks his ball, “with a tree!” But I want to know how you mark your ball on the green? Ken and Charlotte Barley have a better idea with their unique Photo Ball Marker.

 

The fun part is that you provide the photo. Maybe the photo is your children, or the hole where you had your ace, or the family Saint Bernard. Photo Ball Marker will create a high resolution image on a 1 inch ball marker, with uv protection to keep it from fading and a hard epoxy cover. It can also be produced as a hat clip or divot tool. This is a great gift idea for any golfer…and certainly a gift good enough to give yourself.

 

It’s easy to create a photo ball marker online in minutes. Just upload your photo and follow the simple instructions and you should have your ball markers in about 10 days. Three markers of the same photo or different photos are yours for $24.95 plus shipping and handling and they guarantee your satisfaction. Visit www.photoballmarker.com to get started.

 

I’m not sure marking my ball with a photo of my children makes me a better putter, but it does make me smile…even if I’m facing a 40 foot downhill double breaker.

 

It was inevitable that I’d be looking back in order to look forward on a recent visit to Mather Golf Course. It was a few too-many years ago that I teed it up for the first time. I was living at Mather AFB and my father was an aircraft commander flying B-52s all around the world. I lived about a half mile from the course and played often that first summer.

 

I hope I appear to have aged as well as Mather because the course has matured wonderfully and is maintained in much better condition than I remember. The layout is challenging, the greens top notch, and the service came with a smile.

 

General Manager, Asa Jennings, has preserved the military theme with old photos, artifacts, and other subtle tributes to “back in the day” when the Air Force base population was at its peak. Mather Field was established as an airfield and pilot training school in 1918. Over the years in supported small military units and was used for pilot and navigator training.

 

In 1958, the Strategic Air Command assigned a B-52 squadron to Mather and pilots and crews were “on alert” 24/7 and in the event of a global crisis, could be fully operational and in the air in mere minutes.

 

Mather operated its own housing, schools, hospital, and recreational facilities in addition to being an operational air field. In 1959, Irish designer Jack Fleming designed a golf course to take advantage of natural wildlife and wide-open terrain. Some describe Mather as a “long course,” and while some of the par-4s are a bit of a handful, I find much of the distance offset by fairways with a lot of roll out.

 

Although I was on a “memory-high,” I was able to remain grounded as I surveyed the golf course. My observations were backed-up by the rest of my foursome. Each compliment about course conditioning was trumped by another about the fun factor. Mather is all there in front of you. There are no hidden dangers. The result is a course with room to miss off the tee and still score well. It’s challenging…yet playable. Our comments kept coming back to one. In a word, it was “fun!”

 

Fun is important to Jennings as he regularly schedules events that reach out to the surrounding community with special tournaments, art shows, veterans’ events, and more. Mather’s 50^th anniversary was celebrated in 2009 and the term “oldie but a goodie comes to mind.”

 

For more information or to schedule a tee time, visit www.playmather.com or call (916) 364-4354.