General
Stockton’s Elkhorn golf club still closed, but for long?
Mar 17th
STOCKTON, CA – There may be new life soon for Elkhorn Country Club in north Stockton, after the owner said she was talking to a potential buyer.
The club and golf course shut down in early February after owner Nancy Caplin said she could no longer pay bills. The closure put dozens of fulltime and part-time employees out of work.
Caplin said Thursday she was meeting in the afternoon with a potential buyer. She also said people who live along the course were looking at putting together a group of buyers.
Caplin said when the course was put up for sale, before the closure, she was hoping for a purchase figure of about $2 million.
Two women who live along the course described their disappointment of not being able to play golf at the course lately.
“It’s very, very depressing, seeing this course go to shambles. It’s very, very sad,” said club member and resident Wendy Coe. “I just retired last June to play golf.”
“We’ve lived here seven years and we bought because it’s so nice. We really like it,” said Joni Jimenez. “Thought we’d learn how to play golf, but don’t know if that’ll happen.”
With course maintenance lacking, and the grass getting longer and longer, Elkhorn’s appearance has turned shabby. Coe and Jimenez said residents were close to organizing a Neighborhood Watch group.
By tdaly@news10.net
News10/KXTV
From www.news10.net
Eagles bring some experience into inaugural boys golf season
Mar 17th
Back in the fall, Jeff Braden had to start his girls golf program from scratch.
Forget about previous varsity experience. His girls barely had golf experience to draw from.
That won’t necessarily be the case for the Liberty North High School boys golf team in its inaugural campaign. There was a much different starting point for the Eagles when preseason practices got underway.
“My top seven or eight kids have some experience with competitive golf and played at a competitive level, and my top three have quite a bit of experience,” Braden said. “I think I can field both a varsity and JV team that have played golf and have at least a little bit of experience.”
That experience starts with juniors Hugo Mendoza and Nick Giordano, who both saw an abundance of junior varsity action and even limited varsity time with the Liberty golf program last year. Sophomore Tyler Ripley was also in the JV mix for the Blue Jays a season ago.
“As a team, I just hope that we progress throughout the year,” said Mendoza, who won the Suburban Big Six Conference individual title at the JV level last spring.
Braden believes his team could be a factor in year one. With the top three players leading the charge, North should stay competitive throughout the season.
Postseason success may not be out of the question, as well. There’s no reason to believe that the Eagles couldn’t make some noise at the district tournament and advance through the state series.
“We’re looking to go big,” Giordano said. “Go big or go home.”
No matter how the season unfolds, obviously North will be building for the future. And early-season numbers couldn’t have turned out much better.
More than a dozen and a half players went out for the team, which should give the squad ample depth — something that has been lacking for numerous Liberty North sports programs this year. It’s another reason Braden has an optimistic view on the season.
“I’m fortunate enough to have enough kids coming out that I can almost have a developmental team,” Braden said. “I’m going to keep some kids who have very little golf experience. It’s safe to say for a couple of the kids I’m going to keep, they may not have ever been on a golf course yet or very few times anyway.”
Sports writer Chris Geinosky can be reached at 389-6654 or cgeinosky@npgco.com.
From www.kccommunitynews.com
The Golf Club at South River Names Sunye Vasquez Sales and Events Director
Mar 17th
The Golf Club at South River Names Sunye Vasquez Sales and Events Director Share Email this Article We Recommend…
EDGEWATER, Md. — The Golf Club at South River, located in Edgewater, Md., today announced that Sunye Vasquez has been promoted to Sales and Events Director, overseeing all special events taking place at the Club and at the Bistro, the restaurant located at the Clubhouse in Edgewater.
“Sunye is a well-respected member of the team here, working in a variety of positions on the food and beverage side of the business and her skills and knowledge will ensure our guests will have a positive experience and memorable events that include attention to every detail,” said General Manager Mike Kriel, vice president of operational efficiency at The Brick Companies, owner of the Golf Club at South River.
In her new role, Vasquez will be responsible for generating awareness of the Club and The Bistro as a preferred venue for corporate events, including parties, dinners, social hours as well as other executive functions. Additionally, she will be helping to design and implement a variety of special events for families and individuals such as bridal showers, weddings, anniversary and other special occasions. A key responsibility for Vasquez will be assisting with the menu and beverage selections and coordinating the meal preparations and presentations with the Bistro chefs and beverage staff.
A 15-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Vasquez joined The Golf Club at South River in guest services in 2010 from the world renowned oceanfront resort The Breakers, Palm Beach, Fla. A native of Evansville, Ind., the Annapolis resident earned an associate of science degree from South University, West Palm Beach, Fla.
The Bistro at South River (3451 Solomon’s Island Road, Edgewater, Maryland 21037) is open to members and the public for lunch seven days a week and for dinner five nights, including Saturday night. The club’s dining facilities close at 5 p.m. on Sunday and Monday. For reservations, email clubconcierge@golfclubsr.com or call 410-798-5865, ext. 4. To view the full menu and wine list, visit www.bistrosr.com.
About The Golf Club at South River
Located in Edgewater, Md., The Golf Club at South River is currently undergoing a conversion to a private membership club that promises a “pure golf” focus around the 18-hole golf course nestled in the South River Colony community just south of Annapolis. Featuring a state of the art practice facility that opened in 2010, the course surrounds an award-winning clubhouse recognized by Golf Inc. magazine as one of the best renovation designs in the nation. Inside the clubhouse is The Bistro, a restaurant open to the public for lunch and dinner featuring fine dining and original American cuisine. For more information call 410-798-5865 or visit http://www.golfclubsr.com.
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From baltimore.citybizlist.com
Men’s golf claims second straight top-five finish
Mar 17th
JACKSON, Tenn. – Senior Warren Hood tied for sixth place to lead the Arkansas State men’s golf team to a fifth place finish out of 15 teams at the Grover Page Classic.
This marks the second consecutive tournament the Red Wolves have finished among the top five teams.
The Red Wolves shot a three-round 900, which included a low round of 288 posted for the second 18 holes.
After close to a four-hour rain delay Monday, A-State shot an opening round 302 to complete the day in ninth place.
The second 18 holes were suspended due to darkness, but the Red Wolves came back Tuesday to complete the round with a 14-stroke improvement to move up to fifth place in the standings.
ASU’s second-round 288 was the fourth lowest round among all teams at the tournament.
While the Red Wolves shot a 310 to close the tournament, it was enough to edge Tennessee State, Union University and Jackson State by one stroke and hold their standing at fifth place.
“We obviously didn’t put our best foot forward, but I was proud of the guys for rallying in the second round,” said ASU head coach Steve Johnson. “Still, we’ve got to work on some things through Spring Break and perform better our next time out.”
The Red Wolves collected their sixth top-10 finish of the year.
Murray State claimed the title with an 862, while Morehead State finished second with an 884 and Tennessee Tech third with an 885.
Hood’s finish was his best since tying for fifth place at the Memphis Intercollegiate his sophomore season. He posted a combined 219, which matched his lowest three-round score of the season.
His 219 included a second-round 70 that was not only the lowest score by an ASU player at the tournament, but also tied his lowest round this season.
Competing as an individual, freshman Chance Holden tied for 20th place to join Hood among the top-25 individual finishers.
While Holden’s combined 223 wasn’t his lowest three-round score of the season, he picked up his best finish of his young career.
“I’m real proud of Warren and Chance for the way they played,” Johnson said. “Once got his first top-20 finish and that shows signs of improvement.”
Also competing for A-State, Lloyd du Preez finished tied for 28th place with a 226, Chris Pledger and Cory Williamson tied for 36th with a 228 and Matt Howton tied for 61st place with a 234.
“Chris Pledger has fought back problems the last two tournaments and he easily could’ve pulled up and sat this one out, but I’m extremely proud of him for choosing to play and carry his bag all 54 holes,” Johnson said.
The Red Wolves return to action March 24-25 at the Barona Cup, hosted by San Diego State, in San Diego, Calif.
ARKANSAS STATE RESULTS
Place, Name (RD1-RD2-RD3–TO TAL)
5, Arkansas State (302-288-310–900)
T6, Warren Hood (74-70-75–219)
T20, *Chance Holden (72-72-79–223)
T28, Lloyd du Preez (76-71-79–226)
T36, Chris Pledger (76-73-79–228)
T36, Cory Williamson (77-74-77–228)
T61, Matt Howton (76-79-79–234)
*Competing as an individual
From www.asuherald.com
Tiger Woods: Is Tiger Really Still the Best Player in the Field?
Mar 17th
David Cannon/Getty Images
Tiger Woods Has Failed To Dominate the Game of Golf Like He Used To, But Will He Ever Regain His Top Form?
Tiger Woods still thinks he’s the top player in the world.
At this point, he might be the only one. It has been a long, long time since Woods struck fear into the hearts of every player on the golf course as he came charging up the back nine holes in his signature Sunday red shirt.
It has gone from fear, to pity for Tiger, who has never been the same since another injury and a very public scandal that tore down everyone’s beliefs about the golfer. It’s been hit or miss for Woods, but in his last round of golf, Woods shot a 66 at Doral, which is certainly a step in the right direction, but he’s not the best golfer in the world.
For a long time, there was no doubt who was the dominant figure on tour, but since then, numerous golfers have surpassed Tiger in terms of results on the course and there is no aura around Woods anymore.
It was that perception of him as a golfer that helped drive his success, and until he starts winning again, he isn’t going to have the same swagger about him and it’s just not going to be the same. The real question is if he can even get it back now that he’s a little older and he’s been banged up in the past. If there’s anyone who can do it, it’s Tiger, who keeps himself in great physical condition.
At this point, Tiger’s flaws are in his mental toughness, and once he stops over-thinking things, his swing will improve and we’ll see a dominant golfer. But for now, no one is afraid of Tiger Woods, and I don’t blame them.
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From bleacherreport.com
Furyk’s win at Innisbrook jump-started big year
Mar 17th
By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune
Published: March 17, 2011
Updated: 02:00 am
PALM HARBOR – Despite high pollen season in Florida, Jim Furyk is breathing easier a year later at the Transitions Championship.
It was during the 2010 event at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead course that Furyk ended a 32-month PGA victory drought with a one-stroke win over K.J. Choi, despite a bogey on the final hole.
After pocketing $972,000, Furyk didn’t rest on his bankroll, adding two more wins in 2010 to earn PGA Tour Player of the Year honors.
Furyk is off to his usual slow start this season, with only one Top 25 finish in six events, but enters today’s first round as a confident defending champion.
“If you look at my face after winning, it was probably more at the time a sense of relief,” Furyk said of his victory here last year. “It had been two-and-a-half years and I was putting a lot of pressure on myself. I really felt I wasn’t enjoying playing as much.”
Furyk, who turns 41 in May, ranks No. 4 on the Tour’s career money list with more than $47 million in earnings.
The Transitions Championship victory allowed Furyk to relax for the remainder of the 2010 schedule. It has also helped him take his typical early-season struggles in stride as he returns to the scene of his resurrection.
“It’s always nice to come back to a place where you have won in the past,” he said. “You have great memories and I have always liked this golf course. I played junior tournaments here and I always thought it was very difficult and tough.”
Before taming Copperhead a year ago, Furyk had gone 58 PGA events without finishing on top.
“It’s hard to say there was a low point,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I was in a slump, I just wasn’t winning. Sometimes that was my fault for playing poorly and other times I got beat. I never was down and out or losing confidence. I was playing well and still ranked in the Top 10 in the world, Top 5 at times. No one was feeling bad for me, put it that way.”
Furyk scoffs at any suggestion he made drastic changes in his game before arriving in the Bay area last March.
“I was just tired of being miserable on the golf course,” he said. “I love the game. I love competing. And no one likes playing poorly.”
While his swing plane didn’t change, Furyk pulled off an attitude adjustment.
“I made it a point that I was going to have fun out here,” he said, “whether it was on the golf course or off the golf course. I went to concerts, went to ballgames … I was thinking, ‘I’m just going to have fun. I’m tired of beating my head against the wall and I’m going to enjoy it.’
“I think a lot of that reflected in the way I played.”
ikaufman@tampatrib.com
(813) 259-7833
From www2.tbo.com
Knob Noster hoping for good start in golf
Mar 17th
KNOB NOSTER, Mo.– The Panther golf team is getting ready to enter the new season with little experience on the team. Juniors Travis Axton, Case Duggan and Jesse Sumner are the only athletes who had some varsity time last year.
Senior Dustin Rhoton first came out on the team for his freshman and sophomore year, but didn’t come out last season. For most of the rest of the players, it is their first time on the team.
Coach John Kroone said he would like to see some qualifiers go on to state, but knows he has a young team going into the season.
“Hopefully, we can get some kids qualified for sectionals and on to state,” Kroone said. “I’ve got a young team. I only got one senior, and the rest are pretty much juniors and sophomores. So, just looking for improvement, so we can be competitive here in the next couple years.”
Other players include juniors Cody Ellinger, James Sheppard and Nick Van De Hey, sophomores Bryce Ellinger, Jacob Jungnitsch, Troy Kyser, Marshall Munson and Donald Vann, and freshman Andrew Mott.
Kroone said there aren’t any stand-outs on the team coming into the upcoming season, which means some competition for starting spots.
“We’re all pretty even,” Kroone said. “There is going to be a lot of competition in the team as far as fighting for starting slots on the varsity position and stuff. Just when we get to practice and one starts shining is what I am hoping for.”
The Panthers’ first match will be Tuesday at Harrisonville at 4:30 p.m.
From www.digitalburg.com
Carolinas PGA will move to Greensboro
Mar 17th
GREENSBORO — More golf events are expected to come to the Triad with the upcoming move of the Carolinas PGA Section to Greensboro.
Greensboro City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to lease space at city-owned Bryan Park to the organization.
The PGA group will build a $750,000 to $800,000 building to serve as offices for the organization that oversees regional membership of PGA golf pros and works with golf shop merchandising, instruction, tournament operations, junior programs, club repair, rules and public relations.
The group also has roots in Greensboro, having formed in 1923 at the Greensboro Country Club.
The Carolinas PGA holds junior championships, regional tournaments and pro-ams near its current home of Myrtle Beach, S.C. Ron Schmid, the Carolinas Section’s director, said his organization hosts annual hall of fame banquets and merchandise shows that would move to Greensboro.
“There should be some economic benefit if you look at the potential golf events that could possibly come there,” Schmid said.
Schmid said that he expects some job openings to come with the move, though he is unsure of how many on the staff of eight will be open positions.
The move will happen in the next six months, Schmid said, and the building will be completed in 2012 on open land at the park. The headquarters is moving because they sold the land of the previous headquarters to a hospital.
“Right before you get into the golf course,” said, Councilman Zack Matheny, “there’s land that we haven’t used and there’s no plan or intention to use.”
The Carolinas Section territory includes southern Virginia and both Carolinas, more than 725 golf facilities and operates under The PGA of America.
“We’ll assist with the Wyndham Championship in some manner and fashion,” said Rick Murphy, a PGA instructor who runs a golf academy in Greensboro and is a past president of the section. That PGA Tour event is part of a separate entity, though the two groups overlap at some golf events and tournaments.
Murphy said that staff and local volunteers would get more involved in the First Tee program in Greensboro, which provides children with access to golf.
Contact Gerald Witt at 373-7008 or gerald.witt @news-record.com
From www.news-record.com
Tiger on charm prowl
Mar 17th
New York – Tiger Woods, mired in the longest winless drought of his career, said he is confident he will pass Jack Nicklaus for the all-time major record during a media charm offensive on Wednesday.
On the same day Woods confirmed he will play next week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and the Masters at Augusta National, the 14-time major champion handled an interview blitz in Madison Avenue, New York.
Asked by ESPN if he still thinks he will break the record 18 major titles won by Nicklaus, Woods replied, “Absolutely.”
Pressed, in the wake of a slump that has seen him winless in 17 events over 16 months since a sex scandal led to the end of his marriage and endorsement riches, for a reason why, Woods replied, “I believe in myself.”
Woods spoke with several other media outlets ahead of the March 29 release of his latest videogame, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters, which will include famed Augusta National for the first time on any videogame.
Woods has won four green jackets, the sign of supremacy at Augusta National. He won his first major title there in 1997, completed a “Tiger Slam” of four major wins in a row there in 2001, defended the crown in 2002 and won his fourth Masters in 2005.
“I’ve always loved playing there,” Woods said. “It’s just so cool. It’s as good as it gets.”
Woods was set to play the game against television show hosts on NBC and the Golf Channel and videotaped an interview to air on ABC on Thursday morning.
A six-time winner at Bay Hill, Woods captured the event from 2000 through 2003 and again in 2008 and 2009.
Woods did not defend his crown in 2010, the event falling during a five-month hiatus from golf in the wake of revelations regarding multiple mistresses.
“I’ve had some success there, but you need to go out and do it all over again,” Woods said. “And they have made some changes to the golf course. I watched the (2010) tournament on TV. It looked a lot different.”
Among his Bay Hill rivals will be reigning Masters champion Phil Mickelson, defending champion Ernie Els and reigning US Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland.
From www.sport24.co.za
From The PGA Tour: World Golf Championships crown American champion
Mar 17th
From The PGA Tour: World Golf Championships crown American champion
Unanticipated 84 kilometer per hour winds abruptly interrupted the proceedings shortly after the first round of play got underway at the (WGC) World Golf Championships in Doral, Florida.
This occurred moments before Tiger Woods was scheduled to tee off. The venue was none other than the legendary TPC Blue Monster at Doral, known for its numerous fairway lining lakes. The storm passed but not before 17 trees were rooted and divers summoned to recover television equipment that received a watery welcome.
Mother Nature prompted the usually tight-lipped Fijian Vijay Singh to quip: “It was like a hurricane.”
Woods and Singh were among 69 players invited from golf’s global elite to participate in the prestigious event. Forty-seven of the world’s top 50 players were in the mix.
The likelihood of a Snakes-and-Ladders style reshuffling of the world’s golf ranking was a distinct possibility. Martin Kaymer of Germany, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald of England, Graeme McDowell of Ireland and Tiger Woods of the US, respectively, rounded out the top 5.
Woods was paired with McDowell and world number 6, Phil Mickelson, in the first round. Woods put the ominous storm clouds behind him once play resumed but could only post a vanilla 2 under par 70, 6 strokes behind leader and fellow American Hunter Mahan at 8 under par.
Woods was a distant pursuer as Mahan had Ryo Ishikawa of Japan one shot back at 7 under and world number 1 Kaymer 2 strokes off the pace at 6 under par after the 1st round.
When asked about his strategy Mahan said: “I just kind of want to trust my game, trust my swing and just let everything kind of flow. I got off to a good start and that just kind of gives you a little confidence and gives you a little momentum.”
Woods struggled mightily with all aspects of his game and could only salvage a 2 over par 74 after round 2. Falling a full 9 strokes behind Mahan who followed up with a 1 under 71 in round 2, Woods expressed disgust. “Well, nine back, you’re not going to have a lot of fun when you’re nine back. I don’t know if a lot of people are very happy with that but I’m not,” he said.
Now in second place after shooting a gutsy 3 under par, Kaymer was only 1 stroke short of the lead at 8 under par. He was asked in jest if he knew the number of strokes by which he had beaten his playing partner and world number 2, Lee Westwood. He was quick to say: “Eight, yeah. I played with him.”
There were 4 players at 7 under par, 2 strokes off the lead after round 2 including Luke Donald and American Nick Watney. When the media inquired as to his caddie’s unruly long hair Watney responded: “We made a deal that as soon as we finish out of the top 10 then he’ll get a haircut. It’s been a couple of months now, we finished every tournament in the Top-10, so it’s getting kind of long and nasty.”
The conclusion of round 3 on Saturday gave rise to yet another leader. This time it was American Dustin Johnson who shot a numbing 7 under par 65 to bring his total to 13 under. Johnson headed into Sunday 2 strokes ahead of 3 players at 11 under par.
The trio was comprised of Luke Donald, American Matt Kuchar and Nick Watney. Johnson, one of the longest hitters on tour, commented on mastering the Blue Monster’s legendary wind: “The wind was blowing but it was kind of steady in one direction where the past couple of days it’s been swirling a little bit. It’s a wind that you can [use to] attack the golf course a little bit pure in the fairway.”
The 26-year-old Johnson was looking to follow up from his last victory on Tour at last September’s BMW Championship in Chicago. As a beautiful Sunday dawned, there were 9 players within 4 strokes of Johnson’s lead with a realistic chance to capture the Sarazen Trophy.
The fidgety Nick Watney got off to a quick start with 2 birdies on the first 2 holes and after 9 holes he found himself tied for the lead with Johnson at 14 under par. Nick seized control of his destiny with stellar putting on the back 9.
He took the lead at 15 under par after Johnson bogeyed the 16th hole and never looked back. Nick then birdied the diabolical par 4, 18th hole with a crucial putt to extend his lead by a stroke and finish at 16 under par.
Johnson must have felt his heart sink when he gazed over at the green just as Watney’s putt conquered the hole. Watney had just won $1.4 million and notched the biggest victory of his career beating the best the world could offer. The 29-year-old tried to control his emotions after the triumph and said: “Golfing wise it’s the best day of my life, I’m on cloud nine right now trying to soak it all in!”
Watney’s caddie Chad Reynolds was so excited that he forgot to take the flag from the 18th hole. In fact Luke Donald’s caddie Jim McLaren ran over to him and handed him the flag saying: “I wish it was mine but this is yours.”
Nick needed only 22 putts in the final round to vanquish his foes. Watney was also modest in his response when asked if he was now one of the best American players: “The World Rankings are what they are. It’s very cliche, but that’s not why I play. I play for feelings like this. If one day you guys decide that, then I’ll be honored, but I don’t really think about that.”
From www.thejakartapost.com
