golf today nw - september 2010 issue

CELEBRATING 23 YEARS IN THE WEST, CELEBRATING 23 YEARS IN THE WEST, NOW IN THE NORTHWEST! NOW IN THE NORTHWEST! • WWW.GOLFTODAYNW.COM • NUMBER 19 • SEPTEMBER 2010• WWW.GOLFTODAYNW.COM • NUMBER 19 • SEPTEMBER 2010

INSIDE THIS

ISSUE

SwingLike the

ProsBecome a TourStriker Today!

See page 2 for details

Arizona—Resort Mecca: Four Stay-N-Plays for the Whole Family

Is Your Set Up Where It Should Be?

Winter’s Coming, Yippee! Time to Golf in Palm Springs

And Much, Much More!

YOU KNOW YOU NEED TO HIT DOWN ON THE BALL, BUT HOW?

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2 GOLF TODAY MAGAZINE NORTHWEST EDITION SEPTEMBER 2010

A PREMIER GOLF EXPERIENCE

PHO

TO B

Y C

HRI

S M

ILLER

www.PlayClassicClub.com

Go To www.PlayClassicClub.com

For Special Rates and to Book Your Tee

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SEPTEMBER 2010 GOLF TODAY MAGAZINE NORTHWEST EDITION 3

to all of our fans,

volunteers and

supporters.

We couldn’t do it

without you.

CONGRATS TO 2010 BOEING CLASSIC CHAMPION

BERNHARD LANGER


INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

ON THE COVER • SEPTEMBER 2010:

Find your sweet spot with Tour Striker! We are all (most of us anyway) guilty of trying to scoop the ball at the bottom of our swings, which often produces inconsistent results, right? Martin Chuck,

Tetherow Golf Club’s director of instruction is the brainchild behind Th e Tour Striker and NEW Tour Striker Pro training clubs. Chuck designed a club that teaches you how to hit the ball with a

forward leaning shaft and an improved impact position regardless of your swing shape and club head speed. In fact, the distinctive designs have little clubface below the “sweet spot” like a traditional

club; however, they are engineered in such a way that intuitively teaches you how to pivot correctly and follow through ensuring the “sweet spot” of the club meets the ball. For more information on how

you can swing like the pros, please visit pages 2, 16.

–Cameron Healey, Publisher/Editor

7 NORTHWEST GOLF AFICIONADOS ENJOY A PLETHORA OF TOP GOLFBy Cameron Healey

8 STUDY REVEALS THAT GOLF INDUSTRY IS MISSING MARK TO ATTRACT, RETAIN WOMEN

9WINTER’S COMING, YIPPEE! TIME TO GOLF IN PALM SPRINGS!By Tony Dear

10 IS YOUR SET UP WHERE IT SHOULD BE?By Erin Szekely

11 NOTES FROM THE GOLFING NEWBIEBy Sydney Healey

12 CIRCLING RAVEN GOLF CLUB HONORED BY GOLF MAGAZINE

14 CONSTRUCTION RESUMES ON GOLF COURSE AT ZILLAH LAKES

15 ARIZONARESORT MECCA: FOUR STAYNPLAYS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILYBy Cliff ord Cowley

16 TOUR STRIKER: A POSITIVE ‘IMPACT’ ON GOLFERS OF ALL SKILL LEVELS

22SALISH CLIFFS GOLF CLUB AT LITTLE CREEK CASINO RESORT HIRES BOB PEARSALL AS HEAD SUPERINTENDENT

23 PUTNAM CAPTURES PACIFIC COAST TITLE

24 GRIFFITHS & PRINCE WIN AT AJGA JUNIOR AT WENATCHEE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

26 INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: 10 EFFECTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING TIPSBy Mike Rosas

28 TEE IT UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME

32 THE PRO’S CORNER


If the variety of choice amateur and professional golf tournaments available to Northwest fans during the month of August was a metaphor for ice cream, you could say that it most closely resembled rain-bow sherbet or perhaps even Nea-politan. Either way, we were treated to a display of golf from the world’s best ama-teurs, LPGA stars, and so-called “golden oldies” Champions Tour professionals that was just plain fun to watch. Yes, the thrill of watching Bernhard Langer

coolly and strategically tame the Douglas Fir-lined fairways at Sahalee on his way to the 2010 U.S. Senior Open was a treat that I did not think would be repeated…well, certainly not within the space of three weeks. But, the masterful German did just that. Shooting a fi nal round 3-under 69 and -18 under for the tournament, Langer tied the (Boeing Classic) tournament record for best 54 holes established by 2009 win-ner Loren Roberts in front of a record three-day attendance of 78,000 fans. But the action did not end there. Chambers Bay (and Th e Home Course in sup-port) concurrently played host to the U.S. Amateur Cham-pionship where Peter Uihlein, widely considered the world’s number one ranked amateur celebrated his 21st birthday by defeating David Chung of Fayetteville, North Carolina 4 and 2 on Chambers’ 7742 yard, par-71 links-style course. Both Uilein and Chung receive ex-

emptions into the 2011 U.S. Open. Any previous suggestion that the Northwest has neither the venue nor fan support to host world class events should be fi rmly laid to rest.

Having the opportunity to see rising LPGA stars such as Ai Miyazato and Christie Kerr compete at the Safeway Classic at the Pumpkin Ridge course was truly exciting as well. Of course, ask Kerr

whether watching her approach shot from 160 yards out on the 18th during the fi nal round hit the right side of the green and bounce into the water was exciting, and I’d suspect the answer might be a little diff erent. Or, watching Julie Inkster’s DQ after swinging a club using a donut weight while waiting on the tee box after 30 minutes. While not exciting, this event highlights the need to review of the rules of golf, particu-larly as her actions had no direct bear-ing on the outcome of the match. Let’s not bring the Dustin Johnson ‘event’ into the mix. Best we leave the purists and pragmatists to debate the virtues of that ruling; however, my hope would be that the golf industry looks at all possible options within the rules of golf that serve to promote and improve the playability of the game rather than overtly penalize it.

Northwest Golf Afi cionados Enjoy A Plethora of Top Golf by CAMERON HEALEY

Bernhard Langer


Study Reveals That Golf Industry Is Missing Mark To Attract, Retain Women

As the golf industry searches for ways to attract new customers and retain cur-rent players, a recent research study www.golfwithwomen.com would emphatically tell the industry that appealing to and appeasing women is a prudent path to economic health and well being.

Moreover, the study reveals that fa-cilities willing to make the investment to woo and maintain women stand to benefi t fi nancially as the majority of those surveyed acknowledged they would pay a premium price to play their “ultimate” facility.

Women fi nd the game costs too much, takes too long to play and is too diffi cult, according to “Th e Right Invitation,” a comprehensive research study to guide the golf industry to meaningfully increase women’s golf participation and satisfac-tion. Th e study was funded by the Little Family Foundation and conducted for the National Golf Course Owners Associa-tion www.ngcoa.org.

“The golf industry needs custom-ers and the obvious group to pursue is

women,” the study noted. “Th ere is a great economic opportunity for the golf in-dustry to attract and keep a large underrepresented and underserved portion of the golfi ng public.”

Th e Little Family Foun-dation focused on women in their study because “they are underrepresented in the golfi ng public, have discre-tionary money to spend and often will make the deci-sions on how family leisure time is spent.” Arthur Little and his wife, Jann Leeming, learned first-hand about how to attract women (and families) at Province Lake Golf, the course they owned from 1996 to 2005 in Par-sonfi eld, Maine.

Th e upshot of the new study, carried out by Jon Last of New York-based

Sports & Leisure Research Group www.sportsandleisurer-esearch.com , is that Little and Leeming will be producing a “how-to” guide for the golf fa-cilities to follow if they hope to achieve economic success with women, in addition to a new website, www.golfwithwomen.com. Th e purpose of the web site is to educate the golf industry on “best practices” for increasing play and enhancing revenue from women and families.

“We are struck by the lack of inventiveness on the part of the golf industry in addressing these issues,” Little and Leeming observed. “Many of the barriers can be overcome without great additional cost with relatively rapid monetary return. “Our aim is to provide the industry with educational information

continued on page 29


Winter’s Coming, Yippee! Time to Golf in Palm Springs!By TONY DEAR

Seattleites see plenty of water during the fall and winter months – 27.8 inches of it between October and March to be exact. Th ose fortunate enough to fi nd themselves at the La Quinta Resort and Club in California’s Coachella Valley will

probably see an awful lot more, however. Th ere are 41, yes 41, swimming pools and 53, yes 53, hot spas at La Quinta, one of only two resorts in the country for which a city has been named. And if that isn’t enough water, the resort’s Pete Dye-designed Dunes Course which opened in 1985, has eight major water hazards – not feeble, threadlike creeks the marketing department might use to boast about the number of holes at which water comes into play, but the type of water hazard you could go boating on. The world-famous La Quinta Resort & Club, now owned by the Waldorf Astoria Collection, opened the day after Christmas in 1926. Spread out over 45 acres, it was developed by local business-man Walter Morgan who purchased 1,400 acres from the Cahuilla Indian tribe and commissioned Pasadena-based architect Gordon Kaufman to build him a hacienda-style hotel. Kaufman built an

adobe structure using 100,000 bricks, 60,000 roof tiles and 5,000 fl oor tiles and whose construction cost $150,000. Following several expansions—carefully and skillfully orchestrated expansions—the resort now possesses 796 guest

rooms and 23 tennis courts in addition to all those pools, but maintains much of the original char-acter. With count-less beds of color-ful fl owers; orange, lemon, tangerine, tangelo and grape-fruit trees; cypress trees; cacti; numer-ous waterfalls; and quaint courtyards framed by towering palms, La Quinta is a serene and peace-ful place and, espe-cially at this time of year, the sort of place you spend the night dreaming about.

Th e Dunes Course

is a very rare animal – a Pete Dye Course that few outside of the Valley are famil-iar with and which gets overshadowed by its near neighbors, among them the Greg Norman Course and Jack Nick-laus Tournament Course at PGA West (a 2,200-acre golfi ng fantasyland also owned by Th e Waldorf Astoria Collec-tion), and two other Dye creations - the TPC Stadium Course at PGA West and La Quinta’s Mountain Course. So anonymous is the Dunes, in fact, writer Chris Baldwin once described it

as a ‘mob witness working in a Kansas grocery store’. And yet, were it located in a part of the country where golf courses didn’t collect in such huge numbers, it might be regarded in a wholly diff erent light. But even here in the Coachella Valley, where roughly 130 courses com-pete for space with hundreds of luxury desert homes, thousands of hotels, an estimated 1,700 restaurants and the Santa Rosa Mountains (the mountains usually prevail), the Dunes’ star has risen recently thanks to a number of upgrades instigated by La Quinta and PGA West’s Director of Agronomy Dean Miller. “Over the last four years we have spent over $10 million in making capital im-provements to the golf courses,” says Miller. “We have improved the bunkers, cart paths, the irrigation system and made several landscape renovations.” Th e lay-outs are also benefi tting from some major on-going maintenance projects says Mill-er. “Deep-tine aerifi cation of our greens and fairways, as well as soil-improvement strategies, is creating better turf condi-tions,” he adds. And the improvements to the irrigation system are not only helping to establish more uniform turf coverage but also allowing Miller to gain better con-trol of how much water is actually used. It’s not surprising then he feels confi -dent his courses are in for a successful winter. “We are very excited about the


HUH? WHAT, BESIDES CHRISTMAS, IS THERE TO GET EXCITED ABOUT

DURING A SEATTLE WINTER? IT’S GOING TO BE DRAB, COLD AND

WET. AH YES, BUT AS THE SUN DISAPPEARS FOR A FEW MONTHS

AND THE CLOUDS ROLL IN, THOUGHTS TURN TOWARDS PALM

SPRINGS. AND THAT MEANS BLUE SKIES, WARM TEMPERATURES AND

IMMACULATELY-CONDITIONED GOLF COURSES. CAN’T WAIT!

Photos courtesy La Quinta Resort and PGA West


After a brief hiatus, while we moved to the beach, I’m back in the game and ready to talk golf. We love our new digs and can’t believe how much energy it takes to make the big changes in life.

Having said that, what about the small changes we make? Sometimes it is just a little correction that can make a big impact on your swing. I’m talking about your set up at the address position. I recently saw my coach after a long while,

and he said my set up was off . I had more weight on my left side at set up and it was causing me to hit thin, weak shots. I start-ed looking at my swing thinking I may need to make some big changes as I wasn’t happy with the results I was getting. But it really was a very simple address position correction. It felt strange at fi rst because I had gotten so out of whack, but once I got my weight equal, I felt stronger and much more able to swing freely resulting in more quality shots. It sure felt great to be able to make a small change and have it pay such big dividends.

Often times when our swing goes south we start looking to make changes in our swing instead of looking at our set up. Th e correct set up is so important and yet it is quite frequently overlooked. I remember hearing Jack Nicklaus, who we all believe to be faultless and wise, say that he would see his coach a few times a year just to make sure his set up hadn’t gone awry.

When you set up, your weight should be equal on both feet. You should feel centered and balanced. A good way to fi nd your balance is to stand up straight,

hold the club out in front of you in a horizontal position, then bend forward placing the clubhead on the ground. Th e club, not the ball, goes in the center of your stance for all normal shots and for all your clubs. Th e end of the shaft should point to the center of your body and your arms should just hang naturally. Your hands should be even with your clubhead. Your stance should be about the width of your shoul-ders. And yes, I really did say place the club in the center of your stance for all your clubs, including your driver and wedges.

Remember that the club is swung in a circle over your shoulder then to the target. If you set up incorrectly, you will ruin the circle and your shots will not be what you want.

Being consistent with your set up will

help you be more consistent in your swing and ultimately your game.

A shout out and a big thank you to Ken Kubitz for fi xing my set up.

Read more about this in Manuel de la Torre’s book “Understanding the Golf Swing”, or check out the DVD by the same name or my DVD. “Golfi ng with Erin”.

Erin Szekely is an LPGA teaching profes-sional. For more information, please visit www.golfi ngwitherin.com or call 425-273-4948.

Is Your Set Up Where It Should Be?by ERIN SZEKELY

Home Sweet HomeThe new holes at The Home Course are now open!

DUPONT, WASHINGTON

TAKE I-5 EXIT 118 SOUTH OF TACOMA

H O M E C O U R S ETH

E

FOR TEE TIMES 866-964-0520 | www.thehomecourse.com

Play the course as it will beplayed for the 2010 United States Amateur Championship!

Host of the 2010 United

States Amateur Championship,

assisting Chambers Bay

Th e Tubac Golf Resort & Spa an-nounced the dates for their annual golf school getaway, November 1-3, 2010. Th is popular three day event includes intensive instruction on all aspects of the game, from driving to fairway shots to scoring clubs as well as playing time each day after the instruction. Video analysis of your swing is includ-ed, as is a fi nal day nine-hole tournament to display your new skills. Whether your handicap is 6 or 36, or you have no handicap at all, the friendly and ef-fective instruction from Dennis Palmer and his staff of PGA professionals will provide you with a solid foundation to improve your game. You can sign up for the whole Golf School Getaway package which includes three nights in

a deluxe Hacienda Suite, opening and closing night dinners, all breakfasts and lunches and all golf school and associ-

ated fees. Or you can ‘commute’ to the resort and join us for just

the school and related events. The 27-hole course

is fabulous, with shady tree-lined fairways and acres of grass

from tee to green which b e l y i t s

high- desert location. Th is is truly a world class golf get-away in a ver-

dant paradise. For registration and information contact Dennis Palmer at [email protected] or call 520-398-3526. For more information about the Tubac Golf Resort & Spa, please visit www.TubacGolfResort.com.

Tubac Golf Resort Announces World-Class Golf School

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Th is month I learned something very important about the immediate eff ect that the distractions in your life can have on your game. Not just from watch-ing Tiger Woods try to get his winning groove back, but rather my own game. As a result of attending to a serious illness in our family, I wasn’t able to get any practice time last month. While more experienced golfers can go on a hiatus, as often the case in the winter, their skills don’t disappear quite like that of a newbie. Not knowing how much my unplanned hiatus would aff ect my budding swing, I quickly learned when I went into Bellevue’s GolfTEC for a lesson with GolfTEC instructor Jordan. I felt bad having to report to Jordan that I hadn’t gone to the driving range more than once in the long period between my fi rst lesson and our appointment that day. Unfortunately, we had to go back to square one to get me back into the swing (pun intended), but eventually I was hit-ting the ball up and generally center again. Some replaying issues I’m encountering include hip position and club rotation in my backswing. I have to keep practicing this motion in order to prevent a bad slice and/or producing a weak launch. Here are a few things I decided to remember as a “lesson from the lesson”:

Clear your head from the worries of 1. life. Golf is the here and now, and the only thing you want to think about (especially while learning) is how to get your head out of your way while you’re on a “date” with the club and the ball. If you can’t let it go, keep swinging but 2. let your guard down and let your golf-ing partner to instructor know what is crippling your game. I didn’t do this and I suspect that if I had, Jordan would have been able to help me make the lesson more therapeutic. Keep practicing, regardless of life’s 3. hassles! Hitting the driving range or even taking a few minutes each day to run your body through the process of the address, the back swing and the connection of the ball is a good way – a GREAT way to re-center.Th ough I was absent from practice,

one fantastic opportunity this Newbie had was to attend the LPGA Safeway Classic at Pumpkin Ridge in Portland. What an experience! If you read my last article, I feel that the etiquette of the game of golf is a tough and intimidating hurdle in getting someone into the sport. Th e benefi t I experienced from going to the Classic was great in this regard. Just as a “watch and learn” approach can help all of us in our own game, the same can be said for golf etiquette. I was able to see how the spectators and golfers should and should not interact and witnessed

the ways in which the golfers honor each other, their caddies and themselves while in the game as well as witnessing the little rituals that make for a great swing. I also learned, with surprise, how quickly one can be eliminated from the tournament, over what seemed (to me, as a newbie) an innocent warm up. Julie Inkster, while practicing, used her club weight for warm-up purposes and then removed it. Unfortunately, this resulted in her

disqualifi cation as this is apparently a big violation. Having watched her play ear-lier in the day, I was disappointed to see this happen as she was otherwise doing great and I was enjoying the profession-alism and precision she brought to the course. Th e best thing I learned on golfi ng etiquette this month is that it doesn’t have to intimidate, and it should absolutely not stop you from going to golfi ng events or hitting the course! I have identifi ed a few

kind souls in my life that I now frequently ask little etiquette questions throughout this process. Where should I stand when a fellow player is putting? What can I do to ensure I respect the player who is about to tee off ? In general, I’m learning that when in doubt: be quiet, be still and be out of periphery. Oh, there is still a great deal more to this game and I’m enjoying the ride!

by SYDNEY HEALEY


Circling Raven Golf Club Honored by GOLF Magazine

Circling Raven Golf Club con-tinues to rack up accolades from national golf publications, the latest honor coming last week when it was once again named to GOLF maga-zine’s prestigious, biennial list of the “Top 100 “Courses You Can Play” in America.

An amenity of the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel in the Ida-ho panhandle, Circling Raven was ranked No. 92 on the list – out of roughly 13,500 U.S. public access courses – and No. 2 in the maga-zine’s state-by-state rankings. Th ese GOLF magazine best-of lists are available online and will be featured in the September 2010 print edition of the magazine.

Owned and operated by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and designed by course architect Gene Bates, Circling Raven has now collected more than 40 such rankings since its fi rst full season in 2004, including:

No. 1 in Idaho in Golfweek’s ‘Best • Courses You Can Play’ state-by-state rankings, 2009

Top-40 Casino Courses in the • U.S. (No. 4) - Golf Digest, 2009 Top-40 Casino Courses in the • U.S. (No. 11) – Golfweek, 2009 Top U.S. Resort Courses – Golf-•

week, 2008 America’s Top Golf Courses - Za-• gat Survey 2007-08 rankings No. 1 Tribal Golf Course in • America - Native American Ca-

sino Magazine 2008 Top 36 Resort Courses in the • West - Fairways + Greens Maga-zine 2008 Resort Merchandiser of the Year • - PGA of America Northwest Section 2008, 2009 Resort Merchandiser of the Year • - Inland Empire Chapter of the PGA 2008 Service Excellence Award by the • Coeur d’Alene Area Chapter of the Idaho Department of Com-merce and Labor “Circling Raven and Coeur d’Alene

Casino Resort & Hotel are honored to once again be part of GOLF maga-zine’s esteemed list of great courses in America,” says CDA Casino Resort CEO David Lasarte Meeks. “Th is further proves that there is no bet-ter place in the Pacifi c Northwest to visit for golf and gaming enthusiasts.

What’s more, the entire experience at our resort will only be further enriched with the completion of our expansion project this spring.”

HARDY GOLF, LLC CELEBRATES 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY AT

BALLINGER LAKE GC!

Coupon good only for September 2010. Not valid with other discounts, tournaments or offers. Original coupon must be presented to receive offer, no photocopies. Expires 9/30/10.

Join us for a month long celebration of specials! Bring this coupon and a friend

with you in September and receive 2 players, 9-holes for

$2500+ tax!


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Construction Resumes On Golf Course At Zillah Lakesby CHERI BRENNAN

Construction resumed last month on the nine-hole golf course at Zillah Lakes, a mixed use community in the Yakima Valley. Th e project, billed as the fi rst residential resort-style golf community in Washington Wine Country, is an es-timated 2.5 hour drive from the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area.

During a recent community celebration and open house, the owners and builders of Zillah Lakes showcased various ameni-ties, including:

A new Yakima County Sheriff • Substation at the Zillah Lakes Town Center, which is slated for occupancy later this month.Construction of the new Town • Center mini-park featuring tennis and shuffl eboard courts as well as picnic areas;Plans to extend and expand the • popular Zillah Lakes nature trail;New or pending agreements with • local businesses that plan to build or locate at Zillah Lakes. Among these are a local nursery on the east end of the project, a golf clubhouse, restaurant and wine destination, plus a new urgent-care medical clinic and a potential

assisted living senior facility.During the public open house, guests

toured the site and fi ve model homes and were treated to barbecued ribs with all the favorite accompaniments.

Homes at Zillah Lakes typically feature indoor-out open fl oor plans, “surprisingly aff ordable” luxury appointments, and ex-clusive locations on the man-made recre-ational lake or the nine-hole golf course.

“We know we’re swimming against the tide a bit here in terms of the national economy,” said Pat Strosahl, co-spokes-man for the innovative project and CEO of United Builders of Washington. But, he added, “Th e project is so good, and the investment opportunity has virtually all upside potential as Yakima becomes more like the Napa Valley. And with our unique purchasing options, we’re confi -dent that sales will signifi cantly accelerate this fall and into next year.”

In recognition of shaky consumer confi -dence, project developers are off ering vari-ous buying options. Th ese choices include “Try before you buy” (lease-option), “short stay executive rental,” and allowing lot purchases by people who want an aff ord-able buy-in at pre-golf prices, but who may need to wait a few years to build a home.

Strosahl said the ramp-up in activity is designed to appeal to a combination of international buyers who are currently showing bullish optimism about U.S. real estate as well as array of local and regional buyers.

“Th e good news is that Yakima has managed a reasonably vibrant economy and a super-aff ordable, but stable, hous-ing market through the national reces-sion, partly because it was never over-hyped by speculation,” Strosahl noted, adding “Th at’s why we’re on so many “best-place-to-relocate” lists.” Th e bad news, he admitted, is that many of Zillah Lakes’ potential buyers come from mar-kets that ARE jittery, and national news has had a dampening eff ect even on local buyers in this project.”

Recent buyers and prospects have included fi rst-time purchasers, empty-nesters who want to downsize and fami-lies desiring a second home in a sunny location with easy access to cultural and recreational attractions, plus proximity to the region’s acclaimed vineyards and wineries.

Currently, prices for lots in the com-munity start at $45,000, with homes starting at under $200,000 — as little as

$180,000 for some townhomes — but Strosahl expects prices may increase with construction of the golf course and as demand solidifi es with the recovering economy.

United Builders of Washington, the longest continuously-operating home-builder in Washington (since 1949), is the preferred builder and a major part-ner in the project. Based in Yakima, the family-owned business has built more than 5,000 single family homes and 2,500 units of multi-family dwellings since its founding. United Builders is also the only builder in the Northwest that uses certi-fi ed, apprenticed union carpenters which has led to an earned reputation for high quality homes of enduring value.

Rob Tranch, of Nob Hill Realty in Yakima is representing the development (509-248-2032 or toll free, 1-800-942-2032).

Zillah Lakes, situated about 2.5 hours from the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area, is located on the south side of Ya-kima Valley Highway at the intersection of Barbee Road. A locator map (which also pinpoints nearby wineries) is online at www.zillahlakes.com.

&Kat’s Grill

Pro Shop (425) 333-4151Enjoy a meal in a comfortable, casual dining atmosphere

— Inside or Outside —

Kat’s Grill– On the Green –

Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Every Day(425) 333 - KATS (5287)

1810 West Snoqualmie River Rd. NE


Too many times it happens. Dad wants to golf, mom wants to be pampered at a day spa; the kids want to go horseback riding, ride bikes, and swim. Too many times, families sacrifi ce for each other to

accommodate what the others want, and reluctantly agree that, “We’ll go to YOUR choice NEXT year.” Or, they take sepa-rate vacations. Well, there is no need for that. Not anymore. Resorts are hearing the call. Th ey are realizing that families are beginning to look at vacation in a dif-ferent way and saying--demanding--that they get everything they want all under one roof. Arizona, the winter vacation spot for the family who prefers warm days and cool nights, has a number of destina-tion resorts devoted to that very thing.

RITZ-CARLTON, DOVE MOUNTAIN

Natural, rustically elegant, relaxing, and a chance to play golf where the big boys play are the words that describe Ritz-Car-lton, Dove Mountain Resort in Marana, just outside of Tucson. “Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain offers everything to everyone, every day, all the time,” says Jen-nifer Pelczarski, Director of Public Rela-tions at the resort. Offi cially opened in January of 2010, the resort concentrates on the thematic overtures of the natural

elements in its off erings and location, from the construction of the buildings, to the choice of activities, even down to the choices of food. Th e employees make you feel like you are an integral part of the

setting, like you’re home. From the at-tendant who calls you by name when you pull up to the door, to the valet who helps you fi nd your room and says, “Welcome home,” as he leaves, to Dove Mountain that quietly serenades you with the songs of birds and its ominous backdrop when you step out on the balcony of your room, to the details of the furnishings and the room itself, the atmosphere is natural, earthy--HOME. Th e exterior of the ho-tel blends in well with the desert terrain. Th e building nestled in the forefront of the Tortolita Mountains and facing the Saguaro Desert, blends naturally with the surrounding landscape, beautifully paying homage to the visual integrity of moun-tains surrendering to the desert fl oor. Th e inside of the hotel is as equally lavish as the outside with a Natural and Native motif. Th e lobby is quiet, with a historical and geographical library about the area and its people, furnished complete with a reading table for those who love to learn. Th e lobby looks out over the pool to the mountains behind the 44 individual

and casita suites tucked into the Wild Burro Canyon, giving a “village within the resort” appearance. Th e resort itself off ers 253 rooms, all furnished in natural tones to enhance the experience of your

stay at the resort. Th e personnel a re per-s o n a b l e , polite and extremely dedicated to he lp -ing each guest have the resort experience they are l o o k i n g for.

Hotel packages include meals at one or more of the 5 unique breakfast/dining restaurants. Be sure to experience the extravagant culinary delight put on by Master Chef, Joel Harrington, at the Core Kitchen and Wine Bar. Chef Harrington is an interesting personality, somewhere between surfer dude and punk rocker. His signature Mohawk hairdo, and “awe-some dude” linguistic expressions blend in with his expertise and willingness to experiment with and share combinations of food and spices that will assail your taste buds. Wait ‘til you have his dish that includes Pop Rocks! All his food is either grown on site, grown locally by eco-friendly farms, or shipped directly from the source. I had everything from fi sh to buff alo, and ice cream with cilantro on it! Everything he brought out was as equally superior as the one before. Each

Arizona—Resort Mecca: Four Stay-N-Plays for the Whole Family

by CLIFF COWLEY



Tour Striker: A Positive ‘Impact’ on Golfers of All Skill Levels

Tour Striker, the new training golf clubs designed by teaching professional Martin Chuck, PGA, director of golf at Tetherow Golf Club in Bend, Oregon, has been discovered by thousands of golfers of all skill levels and the results are consistent: Better ball strik-ing and lower scores.

Tour Striker was launched nationally in May of 2010 and is now arguably the number one training aid in golf.

“Tour Strik-er is a club that teaches golfers the tour players’ secret to ball striking,” said Gary McCord, a veteran star of the PGA Tour and long-time television golf commentator. “Why are professional golfers as good as they are? Well, because regardless of their swing style or shape, their impact position—a downward strike with the shaft leaning forward—is the same. And that’s what will happen to golfers of all skill levels when they start practicing with the Tour Striker.”

Th e original Tour Striker 8 iron, Tour Striker Pro 7 iron and Tour Striker 56-degree wedge training clubs feature distinctive designs that have little clubface below the “sweet spot” unlike a traditional club. Th e clubs have been designed so golfers intuitively teach them-selves how to deliver the “sweet spot” of the club to the ball like an expert ball striker.

“I found myself teaching so many golfers who were trying to scoop the ball at the bottom of the swing,” said Chuck. “Th at was how they tried to get the ball in the air. I wanted to create a club that would teach them to hit down on the ball with forward shaft lean. I’ve accomplished that with Tour Striker.”

Many experts agree that practicing with the Tour Striker will automatically change a golfer’s swing and ball striking and they will quickly learn to apply for-

ward shaft lean which will increase lag, add club head speed and improve their impact position naturally while practic-ing.

“Most amateurs have a hard time com-ing over the top, and they cast the club

a little early,” said PGA Tour Winner Kevin Streelman. “Th is action results in them losing both their lag position and their impact position, and ultimately any power they’ve created. Th e Tour Striker ensures that golfers maintain the opti-mum position, so it’s really a great practice tool to constantly work on your game.”

“Perfect,” said Randy Smith, instruc-

tor to Justin Leonard and other PGA tour pros, in a Golfweek interview about Tour Striker. “Th is forces golfers to get into the proper position if they want to hit the ball.”

Th e Original Tour Striker is targeted for mid-to-high handicap golfers

and those with slower swing speeds (under 90 mph with driv-er), while the Tour Striker Pro is geared for dedicated players with

higher swing speeds and a handicap of 10 or less. Also available is a Tour Striker for women and younger players who wish to improve their game. Th e ladies/junior model is slightly shorter than the regular Tour Striker (35 inches vs. 36 inches) and has a graphite shaft appropriate for women and juniors.

Th e Tour Striker training clubs are cast of 433 stainless steel. Th e vibration dampening logo affi xed within the back cavity helps reduce shock on miss-hit shots while developing your ball striking skills. Th e lie angle and shaft length may be modifi ed at a nominal additional fee.

The Tour Striker commercials and instructional videos are produced by ac-claimed golf production and marketing company, Th e Golf Agency.

Th e Tour Striker and Tour Striker Pro training clubs are available starting at $99.99. For more information and to order clubs, please visit www.tourstriker.com.


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time I thought I was done, he brought out something else. As I ate my meal, I was mesmerized at the ministrations of the other chefs performing their tricks of cooking skills through the glass windows to the kitchen (another Chef Harrington idea). Th e food makes your eyes close, and you utter a faint, “Mmmm,” as you savor the fl avor of each bite. It’s not the food; it’s the combination of the ingre-dients that Chef Harrington puts with it. Better than home (shhhh, don’t tell my wife).

Speaking of wives, Th e Spa experi-ence is designed around the balancing elements of wood, fi re, earth and water honoring the indigenous outdoor Sono-ran lifestyle. Th e 17,000 square foot spa and fi tness center features myriad treat-ments and exercise opportunities. Th ere is also a complete salon and styling center on site. While the wife is being massaged, pampered and soothed in the spa, and the children are attending the many staff supervised activities aimed for young people, including a 230-foot waterslide, hiking, and biking, dad can, yes he CAN! Go golfi ng!

Golfers at the Dove Mountain Golf Club can enjoy a world-class venue nestled against the Tortolita Mountain Range. It’s dad’s dessert in the desert. Th e three courses, the Tortolita, Saguaro, and Wild Burro, create a seamless blend of the distinct characteristics, refl ecting the terrain of the high desert, and Jack Nicklaus design. For the past two years, Ritz-Carlton Golf Club has been host to the annual World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play, a gathering of the top 64 players in the world for four days of matches. One emerges victorious--Geoff Ogilvy (2009), and Ian Poulter (2010). Golfweek awarded Dove Mountain “Best Courses You can Play--#2 in Arizona,” and “Best Resort Course--#33” (2010). Similar accolades come from GOLF Magazine, “Best New Public Course--#4 (2009). LINKS Magazine named it Best for Resort Lifestyle (2009), and the courses have been designated a Certifi ed Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Suguaro, at 3,894 yards, par 36, serves as the front nine for the Accenture Match Play Championship. It is set against the backdrop of a majestic Saguaro cactus forest. Th e par-3 third hole, which has the only pond on the nine, is considered by many to be the course’s signature hole. At 208 yards, it can be a key birdie hole or a disastrous “par 6” par 3. Watch out for the sucker pin-placement. Th e fi fth hole is a 536-yard beast of a par 4. A narrow fi rst drive landing area can add shots to your score.

Tortolita, at 3,955 yards, par 36, winds along the base of the Tortolita Moun-tains. It serves as the back nine for the

Accenture Match Play. Th e beautiful, par 3, third hole marks the highest eleva-tion of the course. Th e fi fth through the eighth holes wander through a secluded canyon in a beautiful circular setting that are some of the coolest holes in golf. Number six is a drivable 343-yard, par 4. It is a favorite hangout for spectators dur-

ing the Accenture matches. Th e fans love to watch the players GO for it. We know THEY got the guts, and they WILL take the shot. Ultimately, the grassy hillside, stadium setting that surrounds the 9th green is ideal for matches that go the dis-tance. Players can risk cutting the corner, or lay out safely to the left. Either way, the second shot over a ravine into the elevated green is exciting to watch.

Wild Burro, at 3,897 yards, par 36, is Jack Nicklaus’ favorite nine holes at Dove Mountain. Incredible vistas of the Tor-tolita Mountains highlight several points on the course. Number 8, at 253 yards is a must shot over desert. Most are lucky to make par on this one. Together, the three nines at Dove Mountain combine to be some of the best holes in golf and a worthwhile golf experience for the dis-criminating golfer.

Other amenities include valet and cad-die service, a full service golf and retail shop. Dustin Irwin, Golf Sales Manager, and provide you with everything you need from clothes to clubs to lessons. Th e 50,000 square foot clubhouse complex has lighted tennis courts, and a full service locker room for your convenience. After your round, you can relax in the club-house restaurant, Cayton’s, while you sip your favorite beverage. At Cayton’s, you

can enjoy American comfort cuisine with a Southwestern fl air.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain Resort is the place where adventure and a gracious spirit of hospitality come to life. Th e many natural elements at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, complemented by luxurious service in a relaxed and ca-

sual setting, create an authentic Arizona experience. It’s the attention to details that make the diff erence, and create the experience. Ritz-Carlton, Dove Moun-tain provides fun for the whole family, all in one setting.

JW MARRIOTT STARR PASS

RESORT

As much as Ritz-Carlton, Dove Moun-tain is natural, and rustically elegant, JW Merriott Starr Pass Resort, in Tucson is glitzy and glamorous, and just as much relaxing. It is diff erent, yet the same is achieved. As much as Ritz-Carlton is hidden, Starr Pass is up front. When you pull up to the lobby, valets come up and help you with your bags, almost compet-ing to help you. Th e exterior of Starr Pass is has a golden adobe color scheme. Fami-lies step out of their car wide eyed, open mouthed, almost looking like they can’t possibly fi t into the splendor of the decor. And the decor is rich, luxurious. Th e gigantic second level lobby looks out over the patio and pool onto the 9th hole of the Rattler course. Th e lobby is elegantly furnished with the fi nest furniture, and works of art adorn the walls throughout the lobby. Smiling desk clerks stand ready to make your experience at Starr Pass wonderful.

Th e Starr Pass legend began over 120 years ago when Richard Starr crafted a trail through the rugged wilderness of the Tucson Mountains. Today, the Coy-ote Course’s 6th fairway marks the trail and has earned the honor of being the signature hole at Starr Pass. PGA Tour Commissioner, Dean Beaman, person-

ally selected the Starr Pass site. When he saw the site for the fi rst time, the natural beauty and the rugged terrain instantly inspired him. With the help of renowned Golf Course Designer, Bob Cupp, and PGA Tour Professional, Craig Stadler, they helped create a world class TPC Golf Facility. Starr Pass hosted the annual Tucson Open between 1987 and 1996, and during that time, the third and fi fth holes on the Rattler Course were rated two of the most diffi cult holes on the PGA Tour. Th e courses themselves are symbiotically designed using the natural elements as hazards, while showcasing majestic vistas of the Catalina Mountains. Legends such as Arnold Palmer, Payne Stewart and Nancy Lopez have all carved their way through this historic golf course. Past winners include Robert Gamez, Lee Jantzen, and Phil Mickelson.

Desert golf is at its best at Starr Pass. Th e 27-hole, Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Facility off ers complete facilities including a double-loaded driving range, a 20,000 square foot clubhouse, and a top-quality golf shop. Th e Golf Shop off ers the latest in top-quality equipment, rent-als, apparel and products, complete with a 1st class locker room facility with pictures of past winners of the Tucson Open.



Hey! Try Me Out

Salish Cliff s Golf Club, the latest ame-nity of the Squaxin Island Tribe’s Little Creek Casino Resort, has named indus-try veteran and Washington native Bob Pearsall as Head Superintendent.

Pearsall, born and raised in nearby Olympia, offi cially started his new posi-tion last week at the par-72, 7,300-yard Gene Bates-design that is scheduled to open next spring. Selected among top talent in the Western Washington area, Pearsall has a reverence for Bates and the Squaxin Island Tribe’s reputation in the community.

“Th ere’s no place I’d rather be,” said the 43-year-old Pearsall. “It’s a dream come true to be part of something special like this right in my own backyard.”

Pearsall comes to Salish Cliff s from Th e Golf Club at Hawks Prairie in Lacey, Wash. where he led the Agronomy De-partment as head superintendent of the 36-hole facility since 2004. Prior to his work at Hawks Prairie, Pearsall guided the golf maintenance department at In-dian Summer Golf & Country Club in Olympia for six years.

“Bob Pearsall is an esteemed and well-regarded practitioner of best agronomic golf course practices whose proven track record and vast knowledge of the region’s growing conditions and weather make him an ideal manager for Salish Cliff s Golf Club,” said Ray Peters, Executive Di-

rector of the Squaxin Island Tribe. “Salish Cliff s Golf Club and Little Creek Casino Resort sought an acclaimed professional who will help lead us to elite status in the Pacifi c Northwest, and we feel very strongly that Bob is that person.”

In addition to the hiring of Pearsall,

Salish Cliff s also named Mike Pearsall, Bob’s brother, and Anton Diaz as fi rst and second assistants, respectively.

To date, all 18 holes on the site have been shaped and nine of the holes have been seeded, unveiling a course with over 600 feet of elevation changes and 360-degree views of Kamilche Valley. Construction has begun on the driving range and the land for the spacious log and cedar clubhouse – which will refl ect the style and structure of Little Creek Casino Resort – is being cleared.

Salish Cliffs is certain to resonate with golfers who rave about other Bates layouts. Th ese include Circling Raven Golf Club (Worley, ID) and Bayonet Black Horse (Monterey, CA), ranked “100 Greatest Courses in America” and “Best in State” by Golf Digest and Golfweek, respectively, and and Soldier Hollow Golf Course (Midway, UT), which will host the 2012 USGA Ama-teur Public Links Championship. Bates often collaborates on designs with PGA and Champions Tour star Fred Couples.

Salish Cliff s Golf Club at Little Creek Casino Resort Hires Bob Pearsall as Head Superintendent

(Left to right) Bob Pearsall, Clover the dog, and Mike Pearsall


Putnam Captures Pacifi c Coast Title

Th e 44th Pacifi c Coast Amateur, held for the seventh time on the 7,051-yard layout at the venerable Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Oregon lived up to the expectations of the players and specta-tors alike. Andrew Putnam of University Place, Washington, a senior-to-be at Pep-perdine University, captured this year’s Champion title.

To keep things interesting, the tourna-ment committee had made a decision early in the week to setup the course for an exciting fi nish. Th ey moved the tee up on 17, making the hole a drivable 290-yard par 4, and then placed the hole on 18 in the middle of the green. While Putnam’s lead was insurmountable, there were plenty of players working hard to bump Andrew Putnam from his coveted spot on the leader board.

As predicted earlier in the week, it was déjà Vu for the Putnam family as Andrew’s name joins his older brother Michael on the Updegraff perpetual trophy. Eerily, a birdie on the fi nal hole meant that both brothers won the title at Eugene Country Club with the same score, although Andrew does get some bragging rights as the course he played was 300-yards longer than in 2004.

“It was kind of up and down for me, birdie, bogey, birdie, bogey, but I had some good saves out there and kept

myself at level par,” said Putnam who hit his approach on 18 tight, leaving a tap-in birdie to close out the championship.

“I don’t think I was ever comfortable the whole day,” he added. You never want to get too comfortable. I birdie here and there and a bogey brings the fi eld closer.”

He learned a great lesson from his play recently in the US Open where he

mentioned he was shak-ing over his tee shots. “I just kept thinking to myself, if I can han-dle playing in front of thousands, this is noth-ing compared to that.”

Cameron Peck of Olympia, Washington, was one of the players that made a charge go-ing 4-under par on the front nine. A birdie on the 13th hole closed the gap to 3-strokes un-til a costly double bogey on 15 put him out of contention. For the championship, that hole along with the quadru-ple-bogey he took on the 9th hole was all that was needed keep him from the title. He fi n-ished 5-strokes behind Putnam at 2-under par 71-71-73-67--282 in a tie for third along with Matthew Steiger

of Narrabri, Australia, a member of the Australian National Team.

Th e other player making a late charge was Daniel Miernicki of Santee, Califor-nia, a member of the Oregon Ducks golf team that regularly plays practice rounds at Eugene Country Club.

Miernicki started the day 6-shots be-hind Putnam and got off to a rocky start with a bogey on the fi rst hole. But he ral-lied, with birdies on six of his last 13 holes to fi nish alone in second with a score of 3-under par 68-73-72-68--281. But the starting cushion Putnam had going into today’s fi nal round was just too much for the fi eld to overcome.

“Second is great,” said Miernicki. “I didn’t play exceptionally great but I putted really well so I’ll take that away from this tournament. Andrew deserved to win this one.”

Photo credit Eric Yaillen/Pacifi c Coast Golf Association


Griffi ths & Prince Win at AJGA Junior at Wenatchee Golf and Country Club

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Tetherow Par 3 Wee Links Course Off ers Fun for All!

Want to introduce your kids to golf, but in a fun, stress-free environment? Teth-erow Golf Club in Bend, OR has created a par-3 “Wee Links” Course designed for families and kids of all ages and runs each Sunday until the end of September. “Playing the Wee Links is a great way for families to spend time together, as well as introduce kids to the game of golf. It’s a non-competitive atmosphere with a lot of socializing. Th e kids (and adults) look forward to it each week,” says PGA Head Golf Professional, Caleb Anderson.

What: Driving range target greens become a nine-hole par 3 course

When: Every Sunday evening from June-September 5:00-7:00 pm

Cost: $15 for adults/$10 for kids (free golf with purchase of BBQ dinner.Play as many holes as you want

Stats: Longest hole is 142 yards. Shortest hole is 48 yards. Th ere are no holes. Each fl ag is surrounded by a 6-foot hoop. When a ball stops inside of the hoop it is a “make.” Suggest most people bring two clubs ( 7 iron and wedge) Leave putter at home. Yardage guides have been created for the par-3 course. For families of all ages. Majority of kids are between 5-10 yrs.

Zak Griffi ths of Red Deer, Alberta, posted a tournament total of 13-under-par 203 to claim his fi rst career AJGA victory at the AJGA Junior at Wenatchee. Kendall Prince of Lake Oswego, Ore., made a late surge to claim a three-stroke victory in the Girls Division at Wenatchee Golf and Country Club.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the AJGA Junior at Wenatchee was a 54-hole stroke-play compe-tition held at the Wenatchee Golf & Country Club in East Wenatchee, Wash. Th e 99-play-er field featured 72 boys and 27 girls, representing 12 states and Canada. Th e Boys Division played the par-72 course from 6,364 yards while the Girls Division played from 6,006 yards.

Griffi ths proved to be the player to beat from the moment he arrived at the course. He followed up a fi rst-round 66 with rounds of 69 and 68, steadily separating himself from the fi eld. Holding a three-stroke lead on No. 12, Griffi ths made

eagle to begin his impressive run down the stretch.

“I eagled No. 12 after holing out from the fairway bunker,” Griffi ths said. “From there I made birdies on three of my next

four holes. Th at shot was a momentum shifter for sure.”

Lorens Chan of Honolulu fi nished sec-ond at 6-under-par 210. Jack Kelly of North Bend, Wash., and Suk Woan Ko of Coquit-lam, British Columbia, followed in a tie for third at 2-under-par 214. Andrew Whalen of Ephrata, Wash., rounded out the top fi ve at 1-under-par 215 for the tournament.

In the Girls Division, Prince battled back and forth all afternoon with Leilanie Kim of Surrey, British Columbia. Kim had a one-shot lead through nine holes, but a clutch shot from Prince gave her the

momentum she needed. “I stuck it to about three feet for birdie,”

said Prince, who has given a verbal com-mitment to Ohio State University. “I played the back nine well all week and that shot gave me the confi dence I needed heading down the stretch.”

Two more birdies on the back nine vaulted Prince to a three-stroke victory,

as she fi nished even-par 216 for the tour-nament.

Kim fi nished in second place with a tournament total of 3-over-par 219. Betty Chen of Castro Valley, Calif., fi nished in

third place at 7-over-par 223. Th e American Junior Golf As-

sociation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholar-ships through competitive junior golf. Th e AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholar-ships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and

30 countries. To ensure scholarship op-portunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide fi nancial assistance to young players in need.


Industry Outlook: 10 Eff ective Social Media Marketing Tipsby MIKE ROSAS

What a great month August turned out to be. Incredible is a far more accu-rate description, motivating me to think September might follow suit. But just last week, the sun began to set on my ever-present quest of taking in as much golf as possible. Fall is nearly here and I, admittedly, have been known to let the weather talk me out of a round.

Whether or not I make it to the golf course, I always have social media on my mind. Following last month’s piece on social media, I received quite a bit of feed-back from Golf Today Northwest readers; I thank you. A number of small business owners (and golfers) who have golf shops requested some help with a marketing plan, but I must clarify something right here and now: there are distinct diff er-ences when it comes to marketing on the Internet versus conventional marketing.

While I piqued the interest of many, I only touched on a small fraction of what you can do with social media. “Where do I begin?” is just as impor-tant as “Where do I go?” And so, here it is. 10 Marketing Tips to help you get started.

GET ORGANIZEDIf you want to get results with social

media without a large investment of time and/or money, you’ll need to be organized and make logical use of your time. A lack of focus will result in wasted time that doesn’t get you any closer to achieving your marketing goals. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your time with social media and social networking.

1. HAVE A PURPOSE AND A PLANI’ve talked to a number of people who

are using social media because they were told it is the thing to do or that it will help business, yet they are discouraged. While the advice given is true, no one should jump in without understanding how social media will help, nor should one proceed without understanding what one needs to do as a social media user in order to get positive results.

Before you start dedicating time and eff ort toward social media marketing, sit down and think about what you hope to get in return. Maybe you want to increase traffi c, build links, improve brand recog-nition, make sales (good luck), or just to communicate more eff ectively with cus-tomers. It’s important to know what your purpose is, especially with limited time, because it will determine your approach and your marketing method.

2. TAKE THE TIME TO UNDERSTAND SOCIAL MEDIA

One of the biggest mistakes that I see happening with social media is that people who are new to this method of marketing often jump in and start promoting their

own content. Th is might seem logical, but to your audience it is a turn-off . While there is a time and a place to promote your own content with social media, if you do this right away you’ll look like a marketer and not a user. Take the time to get familiar with some various social media sites, in-teract with other users, learn how the sites work, and don’t worry about submitting or promoting your own content for a while.

In order to have success with social media marketing, you’ll need to under-stand how typical users think and what they react to. If you truly understand the social media audience, then you’ll be able to create content that appeals to them. Otherwise, you will be pushing content that may not interest them. If you are al-ready an active social media user, perhaps

contributing within a few communities, you’re ahead of the game. If not, take time to become familiar with social media, obtaining a base knowledge that can be used in your future marketing eff orts. Look for stellar examples and those that are lackluster, critiquing as if this were a potential employee.

3. TARGET A FEW SPECIFIC SITESAnother common mistake that often I

see is that some users (particularly those who are new to social media) are trying to use every social site out there. I applaud people for going for it, but go for it wisely! Th ere are so many social media sites that you will never be able to use them all, nor is it reasonable to think you can maintain your company’s image appropriately. Don’t spread yourself thin; rather focus on just a few social media sites (I recom-mend two to fi ve) and really plan to be an active and consistent user. You’ll fi nd that as an active user of a small number of sites, you’ll see much better results.

4. DON’T FOCUS ONLY ON DIGG AND REDDIT

Although the major social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Digg and Red-dit have the most potential in terms of

visitors and exposure, they are also the most competitive. There are thousands of site owners, marketers, and users that want to get their content on the front pages of these sites, and you’ll be competing with these people to get at-tention for your own content.

Th ink Twitter. Th ink Facebook.

5. USE TWITTERI used to recommend that every blog-

ger and marketer use StumbleUpon actively because it was a great way to get quick results. However, the results from StumbleUpon have trailed off from what they used to be and Twitter seems to be generating positive results for a higher number of people. Being active on Twitter doesn’t require that you constantly send out tweets about anything and every-

thing – it can be done with much less time invest-ment. The first thing

to do is to create an account and start following a lot of people in your niche or industry. Th ere are a lot of Twitter lists and directoriesonline that will help you fi nd the right people. Once you’re follow-ing some people, you can reply to their tweets, start conversations of your own, and click through to other users who have been mentioned and follow them if you deem their tweets useful. When you have new content, you can share a link to your website or blog with your followers. As your infl uence grows, your results will improve: more followers and active fol-lowers will result in more clicks on your links, more visits to your website(s), and more Re-Tweets (RT).

6. GO NICHEFollowing the success of major social

media sites, there was sizable increase in the number of niche-specifi c social media sites that began popping up. While these sites tend to have smaller audiences than the major social media sites, they present excellent opportunities to get your con-tent in front of a targeted audience.

7. BUILD YOUR NETWORKOne of the most important factors that

will determine success with social media

marketing is your network. Almost every successful small Golf Business Owner using Social Media Marketing is very well connected. It is hard to be eff ec-tive at social media marketing without having a number of strong connections. Remember your customers and peers. Most people who have success with so-cial media will request votes in one way or another by taking surveys with their ever-expanding customer base.

8. SET SPECIFIC TIMES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA

If you are really struggling to keep your social media usage to a minimum while still getting results, think about setting aside a block of time to use social media and social networking sites and then move on to other things when the time is up. Maybe you’ll want to spend 30 min-utes every day, or maybe an hour 3 times a week. Whatever the case may be, this can help to keep your usage down while still allowing you to be active.

9. USE RELEVANT BUTTONS ON YOUR SITE

Voting buttons and widgets can be ef-fective when they are used properly. I’m sure we’ve all seen blogs that seem to have a button for every single social media site. Th ere are a few problems with this: 1) it clutters the pages, 2) it puts less attention on each individual button resulting in fewer votes, and 3) it doesn’t show your visitors on which sites you would prefer them to vote.

To use voting buttons eff ectively, stick to just the social media sites that you are targeting and the sites that your visitors are likely to use.

10. ONLY PROMOTE APPROPRIATE CONTENT

Not all content is appropriate for social media. Even some types of quality con-tent are unlikely to get results with the social media audience. Content like lists, humor, controversy, and breaking news tend to attract attention on social media sites. If you’re hoping to get results, then you should be creating and promoting content that will grab the interest of oth-ers. Trying to promote the wrong types of content will typically result in little suc-cess. However, an exception can be niche social media sites, as these audiences can often be more receptive to a wider variety of content types while still on topic. As a rule, you should only promote content that is relevant to your Golf Business, but be happy, excited, and contagiously enthusiastic.

Mike Rosas is the principal of AS Group Marketing/The Alternative Solutions, LLC. He can be reached at 425-742-3679, email: mike@thealternativesolutions, or visit www.thealternativesolutions.net for more information.


Head Pro, Brett Gilmore, and his staff are available to provide you with lessons and help you with all your golfi ng needs. As with many top of the line courses in recent years, Starr Pass Golf Club has been designated a Certifi ed Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Th e courses themselves off er many risk and reward opportunities. Th e Rattler Course, at 3,490 yards, from the tips, will test the best of golfers. Rattler lives up to its name with striking views and venomous carries over desert ravines and waste areas. Miss-hit shots can be poisonous to your score. Th e 5th hole requires a long drive to a narrow landing area over a deep ravine. You’ll be lucky to come away from this hole with a par. Th is course can really come up and bite you.

Beginning just steps outside of the resort, the Roadrunner Course offers unsurpassed views. With dramatic elevation changes and the swirling winds cre-ated by the Tucson Moun-tains, these nine holes will truly test players of all levels. With an overall length of 3,217 yards, and a par 35, you could easily out run par with your score. Th e very fi rst hole is a 221-yard, par 3, right in front of the hotel. Talk about a “stadium” course hole! Th e Roadrunner is not as dangerous as Rattler, but it runs quickly up, down and through the mountains. If you play through any groups, make sure you say, “Beep, Beep,” before you go past them.

Th e Coyote Course, at 3,512 yards boasts the longest course layout. But even with its length, it is the most for-giving of the three. Golfers can enjoy a very serene and quiet area of the golf course where they are likely to see wildlife wandering about in their natural habitat. Th is stretch of holes allows you to relax and enjoy a nice round of golf on a chal-lenging, yet forgiving course. You may even fi nd Old Coyote, planning his next move amidst the delightful company of jackrabbits, quail or deer. Th is course is tempting to any golf predator to try and catch its par 36 layout. Hint: Acme golf clubs won’t help.

After your round of golf, enjoy your fa-vorite beverage at the Catalina Barbeque Co. & Sports Bar. Th e menu features competition-style barbeque, with spe-cialty sauces and rubs made in-house by Executive Chef Chris Brown, an award-winning barbeque pit master. His three

BBQ sauces, made at Starr Pass, are so popular, they are shipped all over the world to satisfy the cravings of past guests at the resort. Chef Brown personally oversees all the restaurant and bar facili-ties at the resort. Try the award winning Pulled Pork and Brisquet with the Bour-bon Creamed Corn. It’s delicious.

Speaking of food, outside Primo, the popular Mediterranean restaurant, lo-cated in the hotel complex, chefs grow pesticide-free vegetables and fruits that go straight from the garden to customers’ plates. Th e resort also contracts with Sleeping Frog Farms to grow and produce

organic food for the resort menus. Chef Christy Tenaud, makes sure the food at Primo is, well, PRIMO. I had the Ni-man Ranch Pork Saltimboca: roasted garlic mashed potato, spinach, prosciutto, and mushroom with sage jus. Heavenly. Service at the restaurant is impeccable, thanks to manager Ian Brown and his staff .

Th ere’s fun for the whole family at Starr Pass. For the children there is an abun-dance of activities for them to enjoy from arts and crafts, games, and treasure hunts. Fun activities for the whole family include themed night parties and special events, hiking, swimming, and tennis. Oh, and don’t forget to take in the Starr Canyon River and Monsoon Falls Waterslide. Children and adults can relax in a slow moving fl oat down the man made river of delight.

For the moms, the Starr Pass Hashani Spa promises to make her stay at Starr Pass an unforgettable experience. Ha-

shani off ers treatments that combine the latest beauty and health technology in a luxurious and pampering Resort Spa en-vironment. She can rejuvenate her body and her soul with complete and combina-tion body treatments, and massage thera-pies or take advantage of the full-service salon. Th ere is also a complete gym with fi tness instructors on site.

BILTMORE RESORT AND GOLF

COURSE

One of the fi rst, and oldest, resort/destination spots is the Biltmore Resort and Golf Course, in the heart of Phoenix.

Built in 1929, it was originally an invita-tion only resort for the rich and famous. Owned by the Wrigley Brothers, every celebrity and famous golfer of the time played and stayed from Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe, to Ben Hogan and Sam Snead, including three presidents. Bilt-more Resort and Golf Course off ers two legendary and traditional golf courses. Th e Links and Th e Adobe provide an exceptional golf experience for golfers and the resort has fi ne dining and activities the whole family will enjoy.

Located in an upscale area of down-town, yet secluded in a valley of craggy hillsides and desert landscape, the two 18-hole courses are challenging, yet promise an enjoyable round for scratch golfers and the novice alike. Th e Adobe, the older of the two courses (1928), boasts wide fair-ways with amazing bunkers. Th e course requires thoughtful strategy to make your way around the bunkers or try to go over them. Playing the Adobe is a step back

in time to classic era golf. Designed by William P. “Billy” Bell, Adobe’s parkland setting will remind you of California’s Riviera and Bel-Air Country Clubs of which Bell was also a part. Th e Links Course sports rolling fairways, desert ravines and fi ve lakes. Th e bunkers are set tight to the greens. And, from atop the 15th tee, a 162-yard dowwwnnn hill par 3, you can see the skyline of Phoenix, Scottsdale and the distant mountains. A combination of desert golf mixed with a journey through cool pines and tranquil lakes, no two holes are alike. Multiple tees, allow golfers to challenge them-

selves no matter what their handicap is.

Th e resort off ers activi-ties for everyone. Th ere is a complete spa where the ladies can enjoy be-ing pampered and mas-saged, and enjoy eight sparkling pools. There is life-size lawn chess, croquet or bocce ball on lush lawns, tennis lessons for youngsters and adults, and hiking. Each day, children between the ages of 4 and 12 are invited to participate in the Kids Korral Program. The resort provides an array staff supervised activities children can enjoy in a fun and exciting atmo-sphere. These activities include swimming, bike rides, horseback riding, tennis, nature walks, arts & crafts, golf, and desert and Grand Canyon tours by van, airplane or heli-

copter. Another fun spot for children on property is the Kids’ Playground. A can-vas-fabric canopy providing protection from the sun drapes the playground. Play equipment includes a track ride, fl oating stones, a bowed ladder, tunnel spiral slide, and other play equipment for the children to enjoy. Picnic tables and chairs aff ord a place in the shade for mom and dad to relax and watch the kids.

Families can also enjoy master chef pre-pared cuisine at Frank and Albert’s or fi ne dining at Wright’s at the Biltmore. Along with time-honored luxury, the Biltmore provides something for the whole family to enjoy.

WIG WAM GOLF RESORT AND SPA

Another long time, famous resort is Wig Wam Golf Resort and Spa. Just minutes away from Arizona’s I-10, near Glendale, on Litchfield Avenue, Wig Wam boasts three golf courses built spe-

continued from page 21



Tee it Up for Down Syndrome

Sometimes the line between good golf and a good life intersect and create some-thing bigger and more meaningful than initially imagined. Bill Fallis, a faithful golfer for more than 25 years, is a testa-ment to this statement. Although Bill played golf for more than two decades, his family still laughs and warrants he was “not so good” when asked about his scorecard. While Bill’s score didn’t qualify him for golfi ng greatness, one thing never questioned in the Fallis household was his love of the game. One of the high-lights of his life was participating for 25 years in the Your Ass Open (Y.A.O); an invitation-only tournament conjured up by some of his IBM buddies. Rumor has it Bill was the only player to golf in every tournament, even fl ying back for the game during the four years he lived in London.

Some of Bill’s best memories involved golf, including: playing the Old course in St. Andrews; hitting a hole in one at Per-simmon Golf course and putting around with his son, Kevin, who today boasts a 4 handicap. Bill aspired to retire and live on a golf course and in 2003, he and his wife Melanie moved into their new home on the fi rst tee of Persimmon Golf Course

in Gresham, Oregon. Bill enjoyed golf so completely it was hard for anything else to compete … until Riley.

Riley was Bill’s third grandson and charmed the entire family from the be-ginning. Bill in particular was smitten with Riley - he would insist on putting Riley to bed after some Riley/G’pa time

and would greet him as soon as he woke up. He didn’t want to miss a thing. He cherished Riley and called him his special man. So it was with a heavy heart that Bill received a call from his daughter, Jennifer, telling him Riley had a late diagnosis of Down syndrome at 17 months old.

Rather than create an obstacle, the

diagnosis cemented Bill and Riley’s rela-tionship more solidly than before. Often the two could be seen together at the park, laughing at Tickle Me Elmo, and tossing 50 hollow plastic balls up and down the stairs. Th eir devotion to one another was so strong it could only be broken by death. Sadly Bill died unexpectedly in October, 2009 of silent heart disease, having been sick few days in his life. Th at was the last day Bill talked with Riley - and the last day that he played golf with his buddies at Persimmon Golf Course.

In honor of Bill’s memory and his love for Riley, on October 11, 2010, the Persimmon Golf Course is holding the Bill Fallis Memorial Golf Tournament, “Tee UP for DOWN Syndrome”. One hundred percent of proceeds will go to support the Northwest Down Syndrome Association outreach, inclusion and edu-cation programs. Please join us in this important cause by playing, donating or both! You can sign up at www.nwdsa.orgunder the Tee Up tab or Bill’s wife, Mela-nie Fallis, would love to give you more information on sponsorship opportuni-ties at [email protected].


Ballinger Lake Golf Course ..... 12BallKaddie ................................. 23Best Western University Inn .... 33Boeing Classic .............................. 4Carnation Golf Course ............. 14Chicks Golf, too ......................... 18Classic Club ................................. 3Clover Island Inn ...................... 11Club Glider .................................. 8Erin Szekely ............................... 25Forewomen ................................ 19GolfNOW.com ........................... 13GolfTEC ..................................... 34Hilton Golf Academy ................ 20Home Course ............................. 10

Jorgensen Golf ............................. 7

Lopaka Putters .......................... 24

Macrogolf ..................................... 8

McCormick Woods ................... 35

Nile Golf Course ........................ 12

Palouse Ridge ............................ 18

PowerChute ................................. 5

St George Red Rock Golf Trail ...... 28

Tayleur Mayde Golf Tours ....... 19

Tour Striker ............................ 2,16

Tubac Golf Resort ..................... 36

Zipfi zz ......................................... 19

... Index of Advertisers for September 2010 ...

and tools that will encourage (and retain) women and families.”

At Province Lake Golf, which became a Golf Digest “Top 50 Courses for Women” under Little and Leeming, the pursuit of women, juniors and families necessitated an initial capital investment of $80,000, with yearly marketing expenditures of $20,000, having the eff ect of improving the bottom-line by $200,000.

“Th e industry must be aware that the economic eff ects of following our how-to recipe won’t be immediate; patience will be necessary,” Little and Leeming said. “Based on our experience, the changes will take two to three years to reach full eff ect, but we believe it is well worth the eff ort. Golf with women playing more will be a better sport in many ways.”

To ensure the study reached a wide swath of women golfers, current players as well as lapsed players were interviewed. Women were asked to detail their “ulti-mate” golf facility and experience, and it was determined that they would pay and 8 to 15 percent premium once they found a place matching that description.

But the study concluded that, when women players and facility operators were surveyed, there were large gaps in the perceived delivery of benefi ts. Specifi c ex-amples of how the perceptions of women

differed from the golf operators who believe their facility is “women-friendly” include:

Almost one-third of golf facilities are • currently charging higher fees than the $50 women expect to pay even for an “ultimate” facility.Most facilities have multiple sets of • tees, although those that describe their facilities as “woman-friendly” have no more sets than facilities in general.While less than one quarter of golf • facility customers are women, nearly all facilities consider women important to their fi nancial success and to the overall environment at their facility. Yet only two-thirds of facilities consider them-selves as “women-friendly” and only a very few of them provide the features that women want in a golf facility.In a surprising development, the study

found the game’s diffi culty did not rank as highly by women as the inability to reach greens in regulation, which is a result of limited tee positioning.

According to the study, “It is critical to remove the intimidation factor by provid-ing tees at the proper yardages for the full range of swing speeds. Properly designed sets of tees reduce round times and make the sport much less diffi cult and more en-joyable.” Th e study concluded this could be a make-or-break issue for facilities

if they expect women to return. For ex-ample, for an average woman golfer with a 65 mph swing speed (140-yard drive) the optimal tee yardage is 4,200 to 4,500 yards, and for women with 75 mph swing speeds (165- to 170-yard drive) the best total yardage is 4,800 to 5,100 yards.

The new website, golfwithwomen.com golfwithwomen.com, showcases Old Macdonald, the newest course at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort as setting a new standard in the proper positioning of tees.”

Beyond tee positioning, other key is-sues uncovered by the study include:

Courses need to be more fl ex-• ible in providing play op-tions that address both time and cost, such as nine-hole rates, pay-by-the-hole and low junior fees that are part of a family play plan.Fifty percent of women • who no longer play said if they would continue with the game if they had steady and enjoy-able playing partners.

Childcare must be provided at a rea-• sonable cost, a fact that has been duly recognized by the ski industry for many years.Facilities must select personnel, espe-• cially in their pro shops, that are recep-tive to and completely supportive of the issues that are of greatest importance to women. Staff members who are not true believers, the study says, can and will undermine all of the positive pro-grams that a facility adopts.Th e complete 84-page study, as well as

summaries, can be found by visiting www.golfwithwomen.com.


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STAFFPUBLISHER / EDITOR . . . . . . . Cameron Healey

[email protected] MANAGER. . . . Sydney Healey

[email protected] DIRECTOR . . . Kris Hansen

[email protected] EDITORS: . . . . . Kelly Handley

REGIONAL EDITORS . . . . . . . . Cliff ord Cowley Wayne Scottcliff [email protected] [email protected]

CONTRIBUTORS . . . . . . . . . . . Cliff ord Cowley, Tony Dear, Diana Del Garbino, Bob Duncan, Kelly Handley, Derek Mount, Rick Newell, Terry VanderHeiden, Dan Stark, Erin Szekely, Brett Wilkinson, Ina Zajac

Cameron Healey, Publisher/Editor • Golf Today Magazine Northwest Edition(425) 941-9946 phone • (425) 949-3090 fax

www.GolfTodayNW.com • [email protected]

Golf Today Magazine, The Best in the West for 22 Years, 12 issues per year, is published monthly. Golf Today Magazine Northwest Edition is published monthly anddistributed within Washington and Oregon State. Subscriptions are available at $29 per year, $39 for two years, or $49 for three years. Golf Today is protected underthe copyright law. Contents of this publication cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Unsolicited articles should be sent via e-mailand photos are welcome. Correspondence should be sent to Golf Today Magazine.

ISSN 1524-2854

CLASSIFIEDS

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LEFT HANDED GOLF CLUBSDEMOS AND NEW CLUBS, some good used ones, men’s

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improvements that have happened over the last four years,” says Miller, “and we anticipate our courses will be in peak con-dition for the upcoming winter season.”

Winter is, of course, the time to play golf in Palm Springs, La Quinta, Palm Desert or any of the other six cities that lie in the Coachella Valley which is bounded by the Little San Ber-nardino Mountains to the north and the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains to the south. Tempera-tures rarely rise above 80 degrees in Decem-ber and January, but rarely dip below 70. And with an average of 348 days of sun-shine a year and a little over three inches of pre-cipitation, you’re more or less assured of not having to resort to rainy day activities. As is the case in other south-west golf destinations – Scottsdale, Las Vegas, New Mexico – green fees and room rates drop signifi cantly in the summer because the temperature invariably tops 100 degrees meaning courses cater pri-marily to the hardy few who remain in Palm Springs year-round. “I remember my metal spikes sticking in the asphalt in parking lots during the summer,” says James Hawley, now a resident of Bellingham, WA but who grew up in California visiting the Valley frequently.

“Fall is good, but the courses tend to over-seed in October, so conditions can be spotty,” he continues. “Winter is perfect.” Another course that fl ies under the na-tional radar but which Coachella regulars

consider a must-play, and which you should defi nitely consider for your winter trip, is Escena, just a stone’s throw from the Palm Springs International Airport and designed by the Nicklaus Design Group in 2005. Th e course re-opened in November 2009 after two years spent sitting idle during the worst of real estate collapse and is now among the city’s busi-est courses having been ranked #6 in the whole of California by Chris Dunham of PGATour.com – one place lower than Torrey Pines South but two higher than the Mountain Course at La Quinta. The General Manager is Todd Con-

nelly who worked at Pumpkin Ridge in North Plains, OR., and Bear Creek in Woodinville, WA., before heading south. ‘It’s so nice to see many old friends from the Northwest come down,’ says Con-

nelly who adds that as a PGA member he would be wel-come at most other courses in the region but rarely plays away from his new home. ‘Because of my posi-tion, I’m able to play many of the courses in the area free of charge,’ he says. ‘But I rarely venture away from Escena. It re-ally is a great course.’ Th e Escena Discount Card off ered golfers up to 30% savings on green fees last year.

Details for this winter’s card haven’t yet been fi nalized, but Escena regulars can expect some deep discounts once again.Two other perennial Valley favorites are the wonderful Legend Course at 36-hole Tahquitz Creek - a City of Palm Springs facility, and the fantastic Firecliff Course at the Palm Desert-owned Desert Wil-low which, if it weren’t for Torrey Pines in San Diego and Harding Park in San Francisco, might just be considered the top municipal in California. Designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry with a little assist from Champions Tour player John Cook, Firecliff stretches to 7,056

yards, making it 143 yards longer than the Mountain View Course which might not receive such high technical marks as its closest neighbor but whose approval ratings among visitors compare just as favorably. Together, Firecliff and Moun-tain View record roughly 83,000 rounds a year, a total that places them among the region’s most popular double acts. Th e Legend at Tahquitz Creek was de-signed in 1957 by Billy Bell, and renovated at the turn of the century by the Palmer Design Company which added 40 bun-kers. At 6,815 yards from the back tees, the Legend is 110 yards longer than the equally popular Resort Course designed by Ted Robinson and opened in 1995. One last course you should check out be-fore fl ying home to real life is the Arnold Palmer-designed Classic Club which co-hosted the 2006, ’07 and ’08 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and which is owned by the Berger Foundation whose mission is to ‘Help people help themselves’ by

way of donating to established organizations that promote bet-ter health, social services, and education. A fair chunk of the 35,000 rounds Classic hosts every year are played by par-ticipants of charity events, but outside golfers are welcome and this winter will enjoy a remark-ably attractive rate of $125 that includes a $15 food voucher, shared cart with GPS, prac-tice balls and unlimited bottled water. “Classic Club is a high-end club that isn’t known for off ering discounted deals,” says Diane Plichta, Charitable Sales and Marketing Manager. “But the ownership wanted to give back more to the community, so restructured the rates for 2010.” It’s a deal that makes Palm Springs even more alluring, if that’s possible.


Alaska Airlines fl ies direct to Palm Springs three times a day, every day of the week, starting in No-vember, while Allegiant fl ies direct to Palm Springs from Bellingham.alaskaair.comallegiantair.com

Club/Course web siteswww.classicclub.comwww.tahquitzgolfresort.comwww.desertwillow.comwww.pgawest.comwww.laquintaresort.comwww.escenagolf.com

Getting There

Photo credit:Classic Club | Troon Golf


cifi cally to cater to the destination golfer, off ering a true golf experience since the 1930’s. When Goodyear Tire & Rub-ber Company purchased 16,000 acres of Arizona land in 1916 to begin cultivating cotton while the fi rst building on the site was built by sales representatives sup-plying equipment to the ranchers, and was known as the “Organization House”. Many of the guests staying on business suggested that it would be a great place to spend a winter vacation. Goodyear execu-tives, who were occasionally accompanied by their families when visiting the farm-ing operations, agreed, and on Th anksgiv-ing Day in 1929 “Th e Wigwam” offi cially opened its doors as a guest ranch with enough rooms for 24 guests. Today, they operate a 331-room resort featuring three championship golf courses, the Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed, Gold and Blue Courses, and the Red Lawrence designed Red Course. Other features include nine tennis courts, three swimming pools, a luxury spa and fi tness center, and award winning dining--including Red’s Steak-house.

Robert Trent Jones Sr., America’s most famous golf course architect, made one of his most important contributions to the world of golf in his concept behind his Blue Course at Wig Wam. His work at

Th e Blue Course is testament to the abil-ity of a great designer to create courses with diff erent character. Th e Blue Course has been described as a sporty challenge, yet subtle. Playing to a length just over 6,000 yards, and a par 70, the course can be a bit deceiving. Th e creative design is full of decisions and thought-provoking strategy. The hallmark of Mr. Jones’s design can be found in the array of deep and perilous bunkers, ponds and dog-leg fairways. A premium is put on being able to decide which club to use off the tee, instead of just banging a driver toward the hole. Approach shots are equally key in avoiding traps around the greens. Th e Gold Course, known as “Arizona’s Mon-ster,” lives up to the testament of Jones’s ability to design diverse golf experiences. When Wigwam was given new life in the 1960’s, Jones created the more than 7,400 yard, par 72 course. Th e Gold Course an-chors the Wigwam golf trio. With a long and winding layout, the course was Jones’s West Coast version of the relentless South Course at Firestone. Golfers are truly shooting for the gold when they play the course. Not only are they testing their abilities to hit the ball long, but they are also testing their ability to make pinpoint shots to stay out of trouble.

Th e Red Course was created by Robert “Red” Lawrence, the famed golf course ar-chitect responsible for Arizona’s fi rst des-ert golf course. Red is also credited with being involved with the designs of Kino Springs and Tubac Golf Clubs south of Tucson. To this day, his work at Th e Wig-wam perfectly complements Jones’ Gold and Blue courses. With a length between its two siblings and par 72, Th e Red plays alongside streams and ponds set among a forest of pines, cypress and eucalyptus trees. Red Lawrence designs are usually softer, more like a walk in a park type of layout, but don’t let this one fool you. From the back tees, the fi nal 3 holes on Th e Red Course at Wig Wam will make you feel like a hero, or make you call your pro for a lesson the next day! Off ering top-notch golf, tennis, swimming and spa facilities, as well as fi ne dining, Wig Wam is truly a destination resort off ering something for the whole family.

Arizona is a Mecca for vacation op-portunities. It holds its own against other family destination types around the country. Dads, if you’re looking for great golf, and you want to be able to be with your family at the same time, check out

the growing golf and family resorts.


Golf is more than a business to Nelson – it is a passion. “Golf has been my life since I was in high school,” says Tiff any. “It’s what I do. Th e business of golf is more than just a job, it’s a lifestyle,” she adds.

Indeed, Tiff any was bitten by the golf bug at the age of 14, and has been playing ever since. After helping to orga-nize the fi rst girls’ team while a high school senior in Illinois, she went on to excel as a four-year member of the Purdue University Golf Team.

In 1995, Nelson moved to Arizona, where she has excelled in various fi elds within the golf industry, including golf planning, travel, sales and technology. While managing her business, she also embarked upon a career in broadcast communications, serving as co-host of the Backspin, Th e Golf Show on XTRA Sports 910 AM and as Golf Analyst for KNXV TV - ABC 15. She has also worked for Th e Golf Channel and Fox Sports Net.

Nelson also owned and man-aged a successful golf tourna-

ment event business, where she developed

a niche market focused on helping not-for-profi t

organizations and corpora-tions organize and execute

golf tournaments. In December 2006, Tif-

fany Nelson joined TPC Scottsdale as Director of Business Develop-ment. In addition to supervising the plan-ning and execution of comprehensive market-ing and public relations initiatives, Nelson is re-sponsible for managing TPC Scottsdale’s Annual

Fee Player Program. “I stay busy,” she says, “and that’s exactly how I like it.”

Th e saying goes the busi-est people get the most done. Tiff any Nelson has done much.

The Pro’s Cornerby CLIFFORD COWLEY

At A GlanceBILTMORE

2400 E. Missouri StPhoenix, AZ 85016

602.955.9656www.arizonabiltmore.com

WIG WAM GOLF RESORT AND

SPA

300 E. Wigwam Blvd.Litchfi eld Park, AZ 85340

623.935.3811800.327.0396

www.wigwamresort.com/golf

JW MARRIOTT STARR PASS

RESORT

3645 W. Starr Pass Blvd.Tucson, Arizona 85745

800.503.2898520.670.0400

www.jwmarriottstarrpassresort.com

RITZ-CARLTON GOLF CLUB AT

DOVE MOUNTAIN

15000 North Secret Springs Dr. Mirana, AZ 85658

520.572.3500www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain

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UNIVERSITY INN1516 W Pullman RoadMoscow, Idaho 83843

208 / 882-0550800 / 325-8765

www.uinnmoscow.com

Additional nights available at $84.99.

(Must be purchased with golf package.)

Additional nights available at $84.99.

Mon-Thurs Fri-SunPalouse Ridge Golf Club $239 $259 at Washington State University

Circling Raven Golf Club $261 $291 at the Coeur d’Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho

Lewiston Golf & Country Club $212 $212 in Lewiston, Idaho (30 minutes south of Moscow)

The University of Idaho $190 $210

. . . OR Play 2, 3 or all 4 courses!(Call today for details on multiple course packages.)

Single Course Stay and Play PackagesPlay 1 Course . . .

Packages dates April - October 2010.

Space available basis.Applicable taxes not included.

Not available on special event dates.

- One Night’s Accommodations for Two*- 18 Holes of Golf for Two with Range Balls - Golf Cart- Full Breakfast for Two

* Three & Four Course packages include additional night’s accommodations & breakfasts.

All packages include:

Play Four Great Courses...Stay at One Great Hotel!

UNIVERSITY INN

PERSONAL CLUB FITTING

60 MINUTETOUR-LEVELFITTING*

LEADING CLUBBRANDS FOR SALE

A D V A N C E D T E C H N O L O G Y + T O P C L U B B R A N D S

Put technology to work.Gain yards and accuracy. Demo clubs that fi t your swing before you buy. Find your equipment advantage—or your session is free.

JUMBO

30022515075

30

20

10

0DISTANCE

LAUNCH MONITORCOMPARISON

- J. McBride

“HAVING THERIGHT TOOLSMAKES THEJOB EASIER”

Fit My Clubs.com

* See participating Improvement Center for details, including guarantee and club credit offer. Subject to terms and conditions.

GolfTECImprovement Center

Center AddressCenter Phone

! R E M O V E ! P L A C E H O L D E R F O R L O G O S ! R E M O V E !

Find an advantage in your bag. Guaranteed.

SEATTLE LOCATIONS

Bellevue425-454-7956

South Lake Union206-357-6885

PORTLAND LOCATIONS

Cascade Station503 281-1842Nyberg Wood

503-612-7807


Experience the Diff erence—Play The Best!Find Out Why McCormick Woods Is Truly The Northwest Golfer’s Choice

5155 McCormick Woods Dr SWPort Orchard, WA 98367

Pro Shop 800.323.0130 / 360.895.0130

Clubhouse 800.279.7705 / 360.895.0142www.mccormickwoodsgolf.com

Immaculate greens. No adjoining fairways. Built in concert with the Audubon Society. Recipient of many awards including “Top Public Course”, “Most Beautiful Course” and “Best Golf Course Restaurant”.


golf today nw - september 2010 issue

Documents

golf course

golf industry

northwest golf aficionados

premier golf experience

sweet spot

th e tour striker

club head speed

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