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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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LOOK WHO'S READING
WESTERN MASS. GOLF MAGAZINE
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| Patti Rizzo, a veteran of more than 20 years on the LPGA Tour and a four-time winner, checks out a recent issue of Western Mass. Golf Magazine. She hopes to make headlines in 2004 while competing in the U.S. Women's Open to be played July 1-4 at The Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley. |
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The Ranch Golf Club
The third-year public course in Southwick is on just about everybody's must play list
By Steve Kelly |
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When there is more than one course to choose from in area charity golf tournaments, one thing is certain.
If The Ranch Golf Club is on the list, it's going to be the most requested.
Everybody loves The Ranch, the spectacular course in Southwick designed by architect Damian Pascuzzo that officially opened for play in July of 2001.
Well, just about everybody loves The Ranch.
When Bradley S. Klein visited the layout in 2001 he found plenty to criticize when he authored a story for Golfweek magazine.
Klein, based in Connecticut, has become a player in the golf writing business by attaching himself to the career and architectural philosophy of famed course designer Donald J. Ross.
Evidently what Pascuzzo designed failed in comparison, in Klein's view, to what Ross did when he was prominent in Western Massachusetts, New England, down the east coast and elsewhere in the U.S. in the 1920s, 30s and 40s.
It seems Klein stands alone in his view of the place which was transformed from a more than 100-year-old dairy farm into a challenging course with 40 acres of fairways in a complex of some 320 acres. It is a sprawling layout. A typical, quality course may have 25 acres of fairways.
In October of 2002 The Ranch was named New England Golf Course of the Year by the New England Golf Course Owner's Association.
In January of this year Golf Digest named The Ranch as America's third best best new public course for 2002. That's in a contest with maybe 200 other new courses.
The 2002 New England Golf Guide called it the best new course in New England.
And, if that's not enough, your agent found it to be a thoughtful design (with a quirk here and there) during a visit in the fall of 2001.
The Ranch can stretch to 7,174 yards from the black tees and unless you play the game for a living you'd better not go back that far.
Three of us in our group chose the blue tees (about 6,556 yards) and with good tee shots (when they came) found it quite manageable. The other member of our group chose the grey tees. That's because former LPGA Tour player Silvia Bertolaccini, now a Wilbraham resident, is every bit a lady.
Also along for the day were Tim Sena and Ray Limataiinen (who built the nine-hole Hill Top in Goshen) Ray said he built his course after playing a then new area course several years ago ("I could build a better course than this").
Our four votes were all positive.
Limataiinen went back a few more times because he liked it so much.
I thought hole number two (a dogleg right named "Kellogg Brook") could have been contoured to better effect but the second shot is a dandy to a well-trapped green.
Nor did I care much for the two, downhill par fives - No. 9, "Glacier" and No. 16, "Ski Hill" that ask you to fire blind blasts and then hope you can find them. The yardage of 502 from the blue tees (540 from all the way back) is false as (if hit into the fairways) the tee shots just keep on running down the slopes.
So what!
So I might have designed those three holes differently except for the fact that I don't know how to build a golf hole.
But what Pascuzzo has done with the place is magnificent.
There is a nice blend of long and short holes. Holes that call for the ball to be worked left to right or right to left. And it would prove helpful here and there if you can fly your approach over the fronting bunkers then stop it on the greens.
The old dairy farm gave Pascuzzo plenty of interesting routing choices and he started things in flatland with a links look at the par 5 first hole, and within a few holes you're winding uphill surrounded by trees (a more typical New England look) before heading back down at the ninth.
On the back nine it's more of the same and the story is that the 16th was a former ski slope. You won't need ski poles anymore but you'd better hit it where you're aiming as you head back to the bottom or you'll crash.
There has been a lot of golf course building activity in these parts over the past several years and in some cases things didn't come out right.
At The Ranch they seemed to understand what it takes. More than money.
And, that's after shocking the world of Western Mass. golf with a $100 playing fee.
Patience was a virtue.
Peter Clark, a partner in the Willowbend Golf Management team, general manager Michael Robichaud, head pro Peter Chapman and superintendent Michael Stachowitz resisted the temptation to try to haul in some cash by opening the course before it was ready.
"We literally followed the bulldozers," said Stachowitz, who came to The Ranch from Cranwell. He admitted that he was given a generous budget when he arrived at his new post and he exceeded it trying to give the workers and shapers enough time to get things done correctly before the golfers took over the place.
Ironically, Stachowitz used to milk cows at The Ranch when it was a dairy farm operated by the Hall family.
"No, I never envisioned it becoming a golf course," he said.
But his vision from the beginning helped put The Ranch in its lofty spot.
The winding layout, with very large greens and a slope rating of 140, is well-looked after under his watch and the decision to use a relatively new strain of grass (L-93 bent) on the greens proved a stroke of genius.
The grass requires attention (like top-dressing) but he can cut the greens to keep the speed around 9.5 on most days and the L-93 can handle the stress.
In 2001, the greens already seemed as if they'd been around for years. Now they are more mature and pure. There aren't many better surfaces to be found in Western Massachusetts, where typically green speeds at public courses are brutally slow by modern standards. The Ranch is a public course with exclusive country club-like conditions.
At The Ranch they like to say you'll enjoy "New England's Premier Golf Experience."
"We didn't say we were the best golf course in New England. But we believe we offer the best experience," Clark, a Pittsfield native, said.
You'll have to pony up some big bucks to play in prime time but you'll get a lot, too. A cart, practice range, and locker facilities are all part of the $100 fee.
And, you'll get a rich feeling out on the golf course.
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Catto's play in 2002 is award winning
By Steve Kelly |
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There is nothing in the rules (in fact, there are few rules) that says you have to be a senior to win the Western Mass. Golf Player-of-the-Year award.
But, evidently, it doesn't hurt to have experience.
Alistair Catto, 51, of South Hadley and The Orchards Golf Club, is the 2002 Western Mass. Player-of-the-Year award in a competition sponsored by Burke Beverage and U.S. Tour Golf.
Last year Roland "Fan" Gaudette of West Springfield and Wyckoff CC was the inaugural winner. Gaudette is in his 60s.
Catto, the well known amateur from South Hadley, probably could have won "Comeback Player-of-the-Year" as well, except that there is no such award.
His strong 2002 season came after he missed most of the competition in 2001 due to back troubles.
"I'm delighted to win this award. It recognizes a good season, one of the best I've ever had," Catto said.
Among the top efforts by the native of Forfar, Scotland were wins at the Cape Cod Senior Open (an event in which the heavy hitters are pros), the Western Mass. Senior Amateur at Chicopee CC (where he shot 6-under 70-66, 136 to win easily), the club championship at The Orchards GC (for the fifth time), and the WGAM Sheeran Trophy (husband/wife) with Bonnie Catto at Stockbridge.
Catto's win at the Cape Cod Senior Open came after he shot 67 in the final round to become part of a three-way playoff. Ironically one of the other playoff competitors was Tom Sullivan, the Wyantenuck CC pro.
Sullivan had given Catto a series of lessons earlier in the season. Among the tips was how to play a less-than-full wedge shot.
"It was exactly that shot that won it for me," Catto said. He hit a soft wedge for a third shot on the first playoff hole, a par-five, and made a nine-foot birdie putt to win it.
When their paths crossed prior to the playoff Catto told Sullivan he'd soon see him on the tee for the extra play and Sullivan joked, "Don't worry, there is one piece I didn't tell you."
Missing piece or not, not much stopped Catto last year.
Catto, who was playing for the first season as a senior, said his driver steered him to the winner's circle so often.
"I think I won at least nine tournaments if you count all of the two-balls. I drove the ball extremely well and I started to play very well in August. My mental focus was good and my nerves were good," he said.
Catto also said his co-caddies, wife Bonnie and friend Bob Leitch of West Springfield, were due plenty of credit (though he wouldn't say if they would share in the bounty his award brought).
"Bonnie reads the greens well and Bob is very serious out there. I think they are worth one or two shots a round," Catto said.
Catto said his caddie clan helped him to post numerous rounds in the 60s. One of his better efforts produced a tie at 3-under 69 in the Greenfield Open but since it is a play-either-of-two-days event the title was decided on a match of cards and Gary Burt was declared the winner.
Catto has been a much-traveled competitor since the mid 1980s, playing with much success locally, nationally and internationally (including one appearance in the British Amateur).
And one thing is certain for 2003.
He and his caddies will be out there again - as long as that balky back holds up - chasing golfing glory.
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New clubhouse at Berkshire Hills CC
By Jay Nomakeo |
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Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield, has embarked on a 3.7 million dollar building project that will include a new clubhouse, pool house, and pool. Construction began just after Labor Day and will conclude sometime in September, 2003. Once completed the three story clubhouse will compete with area establishments for weddings, banquets, tournaments, and functions with a capacity of close to 300 people. No expense was spared in the half million dollar pool and pool house adjacent to the clubhouse. The board decided to make the pool membership just as attractive as golf. With a little help from the weather the planned opening of the pool is Memorial Day weekend.
Over a dozen years ago there was talk of building a new clubhouse to replace the old one at Berkshire Hills CC. The board went to the membership to discuss whether to remodel the existing facilities, replace the deteriorating structure, or continue the band aid approach of fixing things as they broke. At the time General Electric, the cities largest employer, was downsizing. Many of the members were GE employees. They decided on the latter with an eye on the future.
Three years ago the decision to build was made. The vote of the holding board was unanimous. The board had an obligation to look out for the club. "We could not put it off anymore," said Dick Premerlani, current greens chairman.
The holding board and its members Gene Andrew, John Dahrouge, Steve Barry and John Barry met regularly for two years to work out the fine details and costs of the project. They had hoped to begin construction a year earlier in 2001 but bids came in at over $4 million and they had to look for ways to shave some costs. Declining interest rates and a few small cuts brought the project in at its current 3.7 million.
The existing clubhouse, built in the 40s, will be torn down once the project is completed. The new clubhouse is being built in the location of the old pool. The first tee has been moved to accommodate the new pool.
Barry Architects was given the contract to draw up plans for the new facilities. Bill Barry was the structural architect. Restorations Inc. of Pittsfield was chosen as general contractors. The company also did the renovations at the Country Club of Pittsfield. "We tried to use local contractors whenever possible," added Dick Premerlani.
The three story main building will have over 22,500 sq. ft. of space, more than double the present size. The bottom floor will house the pro shop, overlooking the 1st and 10th tee areas, a club storage area and the men's and women's locker rooms. A steam room, sauna and workout room are included in the plans and will be completed when monies become available.
The second floor main ballroom is on the north side, facing the 1st hole fairway. A member's lounge is above the pro shop and will seat 100 people. A large deck outside the members lounge winds around the south side making a great viewing area of the finishing hole. Large glass windows run from the north to the south sides of the building. The kitchen is off the members lounge.
The third floor is to remain an unfinished space of approximately 2500 sq. ft. An elevator will make all three floors handicap accessible.
To pay for the project the board had decided on a members assessment, a yearly fee for a specific period of time. It is hoped that in 15 years the project will be paid off. The assessment did not go over well with some members. With the project more than half over members can see the progress. "It is generating a lot of excitement in the membership," says Dick Premerlani. "Even the naysayers," added Sam Nikorchuk
The club lost a few members due to normal attrition but will use their new facility as a marketing tool.
The operating board comprised of 12 members and headed by Sam Nikorchuk will handle the day to day operations of the club, including banquets and club functions.
There are limited pool and golf memberships available for the upcoming season. For more information contact Sam Nikorchuk at BHCC.
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A classic golf board game
Local company eyes worldwide audience
By Jay Nomakeo |
Golfers are passionate for the game they play. After a solid shot or huge drive (that we swear went went 300-plus yards) we can compare ourselves to Tiger Woods. We can play all day and still want more.
Enter Bob Labrie, a Southampton businessman. He got hooked on the game after a couple of rounds. He is the owner of Labrie Trucking and two years ago sold Labrie Asphalt and Construction for a handsome profit. At one time Bob had 62 employees.
By chance Bob was introduced to a golf board game that was just getting started and needed some marketing help.
The game, called Box Of Golf, was developed by Stefan Barry, of Greenfield, a tow truck driver filling in his free time between calls.
The two struck a 20-year licensing agreement. Many changes had to be made. Now in control, Bob looked to give the game a facelift. "The cover had a cartoonish look," said Bob. He set out to find an artist to capture the true essence of golf. Bob decided on David Bowers of Ohio. The new cover has the feel of golf - the way it began with hickory shafts and eye-catching graphics. Bob's attention to detail would soon turn a game into a treasure. He hired a copywriter to simplify the rules. He watched over focus groups of golfers and non golfers to refine the game and work out kinks. Bob would not put his name on it until he was sure there were no other revisions to make.
The game comes in two versions. There is a regular version and a deluxe model. There are 18 holes and the game plays much like regular golf. "I learned the golf terminology playing the game. It takes about 2 hours for a foursome to play," added Bob.
Bob is working on a couple of deals to sell a quantity of the games. Orders have been steady and increasing.
The cover graphics have spawned a separate deal to market the prints.
The future plans for the company include custom designing local courses as well as a collector series of famous courses. Bob hopes to custom design one course a month and a collector series every year. Negotiations are under way with several courses.
The game is produced in Easthampton by a dozen employees. "I see that doubling real soon," said Bob.
Bob also can see Box Of Golf tournaments as a way to popularize the game.
As the board game grows and the ability to custom design courses to fit the game, Bob hopes someday golfers will compare his game to Monopoly.
For more information, visit their web site: www.boxofgolf.com or call 527-0970.
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Scottish Meadow Golf Club:
An old farm in Warren turns to an old Scottish game
By Steve Kelly |
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WARREN - This town on the eastern border of Western Massachusetts has never been too famous.
Industry has pretty much ignored it (or backed away) over the years. Something was needed.
That's the way Jim Fountain felt. He owned and operated Fountain and Sons Fuel, and built several homes yearly in addition to doing some commercial development.
He could get things done and in 1997 decided a golf course was the ticket to fame for Warren.
So he took an option on 236 acres of what was the Morin family farm (not far from where he lived) and started the process of building a course.
Fountain prepared an info packet and sent it to golf course architects, hoping to interest someone.
Mark Mungeam (of the architectural firm of Cornish, Silva and Mungeam, Inc.) answered and arrived to look at the property. Part of it was rolling meadows and part was heavily treed.
Mungeam liked what he saw and soon enough he passed up a fee to become a partner. That made two.
By 1999 permits were in place but investors were staying away and not much was happening.
Then a third partner, Jake Mathieu of Brimfield, came on board and things began to move.
Scottish Meadows Golf Club was soon to become more than a dream.
Mathieu had sold a metal fabricating shop in Southbridge in 1994 and kept an eye open for an opportunity.
"Jim asked me if I was interested. I was. Originally I was going to throw in $100,000. The idea was to get twenty five guys to throw in $50,000 or $100,000 but the market setback in 1999 caused a lot of people to pull in their money," Mathieu said.
Mathieu decided to push more of his money into the project and he became a front man.
The decision to buy the property was made. It gave the appearance of momentum as more cash and additional partners were sought.
Then a fourth partner - R.J. Poirer of Holland - was found and (along with four other investors) that was the ticket.
Poirer had heavy equipment and he had cash.
His equipment was used to construct the course.
Nine holes on the more open side of Little Rest Road were completed and the planned opening was in 2002.
But heavy rain hit, washing away portions of the greens at the third and fourth holes, and after they were repaired, rain hit again. More damage was caused to the same greens. They had to be rebuilt. Again.
"We decided not to open for play. If people saw those holes in poor condition they might have developed a bad opinion of the course," Mathieu said.
Mathieu, head pro Pat Hinchey and superintendent Billy Aronowitz (both formerly at Quaboag CC in Monson), Mungeam and a few others played the course last year but most visitors were offered tours, not playing time.
Now the first nine (which will eventually become the back nine so it finishes near the clubhouse still under construction) is ready and Mathieu says a May 2nd opening is realistic.
"If the ground is dry we can play before then. A couple of traps need to be fixed and a couple of cart paths need to be finished. Small stuff. The first nine is ready to play," Mathieu said.
He will now pump the flesh for new members as he runs the semi-private course for two to three years.
The second nine, to the right of Little Rest Road as you enter, has been cleared through the trees.
"Right now we're saying it will be ready for play in 2005. We're being cautious," Mathieu said.
Cash is important and so far more than 40 golfers have joined as full ($1,000, no initiation fee) or associate members and Mathieu hopes to have 100 members when the course opens in May.
He said the partners have pumped about $1.8 million into the project thus far with $600,000 of that borrowed from a bank.
They're watching the budget and scored a coup by purchasing a double section of beam used for support in Boston's Big Dig project and with know-how turning it into an I-beam to support a 110-foot bridge over the wetlands between holes five and six.
"That was a fun deal and we saved a lot of money. It cost us $15,500. It would have cost about $80,000 if we had built the bridge conventionally," Mathieu said.
So what kind of course is Scottish Meadows?
"It's very challenging," said Mathieu, who says he is now a six-handicapper after being as low as a three.
"The greens are real subtle and they're not big. One of our greens, the fourth, is about as wide as this trailer," he said while sitting in his "office".
The office is a smallish Prowler.
Let's hope the greens are a bit bigger than that.
That fourth hole is listed at 390 from the back (or BLACK) tees. It plays downhill to the little green.
No. 7 is only 330 from the back but Mathieu says it has a "Postage Stamp" green.
That's a name borrowed, of course, from Royal Troon, the famous Scottish club with the Postage Stamp par three green.
Mathieu said the par-5 sixth (505 from the back) is a copy of the famous par-5 fifth at Carnoustie, where Ben Hogan dared to thread his drive into a tiny area to have a go at the green in two.
Mungeam's plan here is for shotmaking to count. The relatively short eighth hole (par 4/350) calls for a blind second shot to a green set in a hole.
The 505-yard ninth (which will eventually be the 18th) calls for a tee shot up over a rise and a second shot over wetlands. Mathieu says big hitters can go for it in two and that his third shot has been with a wedge after a decent drive and 3-iron second shot.
Distance will be a factor on a few holes. Like the 605-yard par-5 still to be built as the eventual ninth hole.
Yardage from the back on the nines is listed at 3340 and 3655. There are five sets of tees with a total yardage of 5075 from the red (or front) tees.
He says the tours prospective members took brought praise and that the town is standing and cheering the project.
"I went for the liquor permit and got a ten-minute pat on the back," Mathieu said.
And, of course, he got the liquor license.
Mathieu says Scottish Meadows' remote setting (off Route 19, near the Brimfield line) is not a big minus.
The nearest courses (Hemlock in Sturbridge, Quaboag CC in Monson and Bay Path in East Brookfield) are all about eight miles away and all are nine holes.
He thinks Scottish Meadows, when it is an 18-hole course, will be the region's plum.
"We'll draw from a ten to fifteen-mile radius and there is enthusiasm," he said.
The land used to be a cornfield, a hayfield and heavy woods. Farming was the name of the game.
Now there's a new game in town. |
BACK
TO
BASICS
By Mike Zarenek/PGA Professional
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The Crumpin-Fox Club
When getting back into the swing of things, stick to the basics. Now is the time to check your grip, stance, posture, and alignment. These four keys are the base for a solid golf swing.
GRIP- A neutral grip will help your hands become one with the club, and allow you to square the club face at impact while swinging the club on the proper path.
STANCE/POSTURE- In your stance the feet should be shoulder width apart or slightly wider. Back foot square and forward foot pointed outward slightly. You should have a slight bend in the knees and a slight bend in the waist so your arms and hands hang approximately 6 inches from your thighs.
ALIGNMENT- The club face should be aimed at your intended target. Shoulders, hips and, knees should be aimed directly parallel left to the intended target (opposite for lefties).
Proper alignment is the one of the keys to proper swing path. If your body is aimed correctly (parallel left to the target line), this will allow your arms to swing freely on the correct path without manipulation. If your body is not aligned properly to the intended target. Your arms and club must be redirected to move the ball towards your target. Thus creating inconsistent golf shots. Most players alignment will be incorrect before the swing becomes manipulated. When practicing put down two clubs, one aimed at your target and the other directly parallel left of the target. This allows your eyes to adjust to seeing your target and your body aligned properly.
Remember, early in the year get back to the basics and you should find yourself hitting more solid golf shots more often.
If you need help with this or any other part of your game, please visit on of our many Western Massachusetts Chapter PGA professionals at a club near you.
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Tekoa celebrates 80th Anniversary
By Jay Nomakeo |
 Photo by Michael Altobello |
This year will mark the 80th Anniversary of Tekoa Country Club in Westfield. The course at one time occupied both sides of route 20 in Westfield. The first nine was built in 1923 by renowned architect Donald Ross. Geoffrey Cornish converted farmland into the present 18 hole layout in September of 1961.The course now has 5 original holes built by Donald Ross and 13 designed by Geoffrey Cornish.
Ed Galanek, longtime member, remembers Tekoa Country Club when he was a caddy there in the 30s. The old clubhouse was at the top of the hill on the south side of route 20. (Near the Stanley Home Products building on Western Avenue) There were two holes on Western Ave. "We used to shoot over route 20 to the second green of the nine hole layout. The area of the present clubhouse was farmland," said Ed. Back then Henry Bontempo was the pro and memberships were $50 a year. Ed was an accomplished golfer himself having won the club championship in 1955 at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island and at Wanumatonomy Golf Club in Rhode Island in 1941. Ed never won at Tekoa C.C. but was runner up many times. He attributes that to the many fine golfers who played at Tekoa C.C..
Construction began in 1960 to make Tekoa C.C. an 18 hole course. It was decided to make all the holes on the north side of route 20. The five remaining holes from the original Ross design are 3,4,5,14 and 15. Four of these holes were lengthened last year and have added more than 300 yards to the course.The Cervany family bought the course from Bruce Gage in the early 70s. Mark Cervany, who worked at the course in his teens, is now the owner.
In September of 1961 the course opened for the first time as an 18 hole layout.
Current head professional E.J. Altobello, is now in his sixth year. E.J. served four years as an assistant and was elevated to head pro in 2001. Since attaining the top position E.J. has worked hard in bringing in tournaments and giving personalized service. The course is not as easy as people think. "The greens are small and the course has been lengthened considerably," added E.J.
In 2002 Tekoa saw an increase of 30% in tournament play and 14% overall. Many of the improvements to the course are the result of the hard work put in by second year superintendent Ray St. Peter. A new tee box on top of the hill on four gives golfers a whole different perspective of the reachable par five. The greens the last two years have been the best I have ever seen here at Tekoa, added E.J. which he attributes to Ray.
E.J. has planned a couple of junior clinics which consist of five days of instruction. Past clinics have attracted upwards of 40 players. "The kids are fun to work with," E.J. said with a smile.
Memberships are available at Tekoa C.C. including junior memberships, seven events are scheduled for 2003.
Tekoa C.C. looks to kick off the season on April 13th with an Open 2-ball. Other events will be added as the season progresses. Tekoa hosts a popular pro-am in September as well as the club championship and season long match play for members.
The banquet hall has several rooms to handle any kind of function. Over 100 people can be seated in the 19th hole lounge. Two main banquet halls can accommodate several hundred. Whether it is a formal wedding or a corporate luncheon the staff at Tekoa C.C. is ready to serve you.
Any questions regarding information for the Tekoa facilities can be obtained by phone or by visiting their website www.tekoacc.com.
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| Annika willing to test herself |
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By Alice Ritzman
This could be the “Year of the Battle of the Sexes.” Even “Survivor” is billing its latest offering from the Amazon as such, pitting an all-women tribe against an all-men tribe. The Martha Burke vs. Hootie Johnson debate promises to heat up come Masters golf tournament time in April, Annika Sorenstam has announced that she will play in the Bank of America Colonial PGA Tour event in May, and Suzy Whaley will play in the PGA Tour's Greater Hartford Open in July, so “gender” isn't going away any time soon.
A lot of beliefs and stereotypes have been wiped out concerning men and women over the course of time. For example, the one that women aren't good at math and science. For the current school year, 41% of undergraduates at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are women. Or the one that women are not qualified as political leaders. Tell that to Margaret Thatcher or Madeleine Albright.
One belief that is unlikely to change is that men are stronger than women. Other than on a case-by-case basis, it's pretty much the truth. Aren't sure that golf is a power sport? It is! While I commend 13-year-old Michelle Wie of Hawaii on her incredible golf talent, and agree that “women strive harder and they have better goals,” I can't agree with her assessment that “I think someday we'll be better.” Not unless women continue to grow bigger and stronger and wind up the same size and strength as men. Wie is on her way to being just that, just under 6 feet tall and able to drive a golf ball in the 300 yard range at age 13.
She tried to qualify for the Sony Open in January, and she did it from the back tees. She finished tied for 47th in the qualifier and did not make the final field. Granted, she's very young. She played in the Hawaii Pearl Open a month later and tied for 43rd place out of 192, 15 shots behind the winner. She certainly has the physical tools to make herself competitive.
Before Sorenstam decided she would play a PGA event, the big attention getter was the decision by Connecticut PGA Section winner Suzy Whaley that she would play in the PGA Tour Greater Hartford Open in July. Suzy would probably laugh to know that there were 3,558 items listed when I put “Suzy Whaley” up as a search on the Internet. Her commitment to play definitely generated some attention, but it's all about how she will do vs. men.
She won the right to play by winning the Connecticut Section championship at Ellington Ridge Country Club, according to rules stating that women would play the course at 90% of what the men would. There was some disagreement about whether or not the advantage was just 10%, but the bottom line is that Whaley won the event according to the rules in place. She could choose to play the GHO or not, but she would have to play from the same tees as the PGA Tour. Unlike Michelle Wie, Suzy Whaley is not close to 6 ft. tall, hits the ball about 230 yards off the tee, and does not have the physical tools to be competitive against men. When she made her decision to play, Whaley said it was to “inspire young women to play anywhere they want to, to try out for any team they want to be on.” I think they already do, and they have been doing so for years. Boys don't develop as quickly as girls, and if there isn't a girls' golf team, girls play on the boys' team. They do the same thing in other sports. At some point though, boys do start to grow, and they don't stop until most are much bigger and stronger than most women. I think it's great to have goals and aspirations, but they have to be tempered with a heavy dose of reality also.
Even the World's #1 woman golfer, Annika Sorenstam, has no idea how she will fare, side-by-side the best male players. After people started talking about Whaley playing in Hartford, Sorenstam began to get questions about playing a PGA Tour event. Once she said she'd “play in a heartbeat,” the offers started flying. And even the best woman player in the world acknowledged that she wouldn't have considered doing this even 2 years ago. The things she has accomplished, and the improvement she has made in her game in the past couple of years has made her curious about where she might line up.
Annika makes no bones about her goal. “This is me testing myself against the best in the world in tough conditions.” She is not carrying any political banner, she's not trying to put the men on the spot, she is trying to use this to make herself better. Her interest lies in setting new records and standards on the LPGA Tour, curiosity aside. “If I can play better golf after this, I will take that to the LPGA and I will raise the level there.”
That being said, she chose her venue most carefully. “To give me the biggest chance to succeed, it should be a good golf course that fits my game. There are more than 90% of the golf courses on the PGA Tour that I would not have a chance, and I think it would be ridiculous to even try.” Colonial Country Club is a demanding, shot-makers golf course. We played the U. S. Women's Open there in 1991, and Meg Mallon won with a score of 1-under par 283. The fairways are narrow, and you can drive it through the fairway on several of the dogleg holes, so accuracy is the premium. This should balance out some of the strength advantage of the PGA players. Not that Sorenstam hits it short - she averages 260-270 yds. on tee shots which is quite long when combined with her high percentage of hitting fairways.
She will leave the political banner waving to Martha Burke and her assault on Hootie Johnson and the Masters golf tournament in April. Do I think that it's two-faced to say that you believe in equality in the workplace but not in your personal recreational choices? Yes, and if I were the head of a large corporate entity, I would be thinking about the duplicity. The fallout isn't likely to tarnish any of the participants with a scarlet letter though, and I doubt that many will give up their membership in the exclusive club.
It seems like we've fought for so long to have our own venues, to display our own talents as women athletes, that it may kick us backwards to have all the comparisons to male athletes dredged up again. It's apples and oranges, and one isn't any “better” than the other, just different. There may well be a few exceptional women that could compete alongside men, but they are exceptions.
The issue of Title IX is already being revisited, with recommendations coming shortly on how it can be better implemented - meaning that it will likely be watered down. This could be much more dangerous to millions of girls than any other “battle” of the sexes, and I hope it doesn't get lost in the fog. Now this would be a gender issue worth fighting for!
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Tips from the top:
Practice putting
with closed eyes
Nicole Jeray,
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a six-year veteran of the LPGA Tour and the 2002 Asian Order of Merit winner, will be offering advice this year to readers of Western Mass. Golf Magazine. If you have a question for Nicole send it c/o
Western Mass. Golf Magazine
72 Old Jarvis Ave.
Holyoke, Ma., 01040 or e-mail to: info@westernmassgolf.com.
"To get a better feel for distance control practice putting with your eyes closed. Take three balls to the practice green. Hit the first putt with your eyes closed, and then before opening your eyes attempt to hit the second putt the same length using the same stroke and pace. While your eyes are still closed try to estimate where the second ball is in relation to the first. Then attempt to duplicate it with the third. I guarantee you will lower your putting average and cut down on three-putts by using this drill." |
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Women's Open has
New England future
Newport Country Club in Newport, R.I. has been selected as the site of the 2006 U.S. Women's Open.
One of the original five founding member clubs of the United States Golf Association, the Newport course dates to 1894, when it was designed by William Davis. The course was remodeled by famed architect A.W. Tillinghast in 1924.
Newport hosted the 1995 U.S. Amateur Championship, won by Tiger Woods.
"This is a great recognition for the golf course, and a great thing for the club members and the state of Rhode Island," said Newport Country Club president Barclay Douglas Jr. "We are excited and looking forward to hosting the best women's players in the world."
The 2006 U.S. Women's Open will be conducted from June 29-July 2.
The 2004 Women's Open is scheduled to be played at The Orchards Golf Course in
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An improved Ledges GC readies for 2nd season
The Ledges Golf Club in South Hadley is ready to open its second season with many noticeable improvements.
Last year, early spring, the course was still in its grow in stage and the turf conditions were still very immature. A new superintendent was hired and by seasons end course conditions were greatly improved. The management company, Magellan Golf, brought in superintendent Vince Gilmartin in mid-season and he started working his magic. By seasons end golfers were raving about the course conditions, the exciting layout and the excellent greens. If the end of last season is any indication, this year promised to be an excellent one for the Ledges.
Another change at the Ledges this year is a revised fee schedule. This season, weekday (Monday thru Friday) rates are $19 for residents and $22 for non residents. Senior rates are $14 and $15 respectively. Junior rates (17 years and under) are $8. Ledges GC is also offering 9 hole rates this year as well as a weekend twilight rate that will offer a cart and unlimited golf after 5 p.m. A limited number of Season Passes are also being offered at $800 for weekday individual, $1,000 for full individual and $1,600 for a family. You can now get great golf at a very competitive price.
The Ledges staff also has extensive experience with tournament outings. Be it Corporate, Civic, or Fund Raising, Ledges Golf Club staff will offer you the highest level of service. From bag pick up by the staff to the banquet, Ledges GC guarantees that your every need will be met. Ledges GC offers many food and beverage packages along with an 1800 square foot pavilion to make your outing successful and memorable.
Ledges GC is also excited to announce that head professional Wayne Leal has added the position of General Manager to his job. One of the most popular and talented pro's in Western Mass., Wayne is looking forward to the coming season with great anticipation.
For more information call 532-2307 or go to ledgesgc.com.
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Skydome offers Berkshire golfers a place to swing.
By Steve Magargal
When I mentioned Chris Tremblay's name to PGA touring pro Fred Funk during the 2000 US Open, a big smile came across his face. He wanted to know how and what his former pupil was doing. He’s doing fine, thank you.
Now in his 6TH season at the Skydome Chris is becoming a fixture on the Berkshire County golf scene. To visit him in the Eagle Clock Tower building located in downtown Pittsfield you will see a man in his element. Whether it’s giving a lesson in one of his 8 hitting bays, 2 greens, or 2 short game areas or in his cozy office\pro shop checking on the world golf scene he is at home.
Chris’ other duties as teaching pro at Jim Mitus owned Skyline CC and regional director of Nike Jr golf camps while also keeping an active playing schedule keep him on the go. His game has been steady and strong since his days at Pittsfield High. His course record 63 still stands at the CC of Pittsfield while he recently set the new mark at Skyline with a 64! In his bag are an assortment of Titleist products, 990 irons very heavy at E1 swing weight, 975j driver, extra stiff, Callaway strong 4 wood and the Pro V1 ball which Chris says is like cheating.
The Skydome rates are very reasonable $119 for a season pass, late season tune up specials are also available . The $8 or $6 buckets are still a bargain to loosen up and remove the rust before that trip to Myrtle Beach.
The Pro has his favorites. Casa de Campo in the Dominican is his all time favorite, but Taconic CC and the CC of Pittsfield hold a special place in his golfing heart. Winning the Red Lion at Stockbridge CC was a big victory but his unique story is standing on the 15th green at the CC of Pittsfield where he twice saw holes-in-one on the nearby 13th. Chris also stated his fondness for Pine Valley in NJ and Charlestown SC as a great golf getaway.
Yes coach he is fine and doing very well! |
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Chip Shots By Jay Nomakeo
New head pro at C.C. of Wilbraham
Todd Scarafoni of Pittsfield has been selected as the new head pro at the C.C. of Wilbraham. Todd joins general manager Dean Helm who was hired last year by the club.
A committee was formed to find a replacement for outgoing pro Daril Pacinella. Todd was chosen from a strong field of over 50 applicants.
Todd worked last year at Forest Lake C.C. in Bloomfield Hills Michigan. He turned pro in 1991. Todd was the Michigan Assistant Pro of the Year in 2002. He plans to be active in the Western Mass Chapter. "All my friends are here. I look forward to playing with my brother Matt," Todd said referring to his Pittsfield roots. He has not played with his brother in over 5 years.
Dean Helm, general manager joined Wilbraham last year after a one year stint at The Shattuck in Jaffrey New Hampshire. Dean takes over the Stony Hill Road course after the addition of nine new holes. A new clubhouse and pro shop as well as dining facilities have been added as well. He reports the new holes are maturing nicely and Superintendent Dan Shear has done a phenomenal job.
The course hosted the High School State Championships in 2002. Dean reports the final piece to the puzzle (putting green) will be added soon. Henry Winiewski, Formerly of Shaker Farms CC handles the food service and 200 seat dining facility.
Local pro off to War
Arvid Hill, head professional at Quaboag C.C. will be on a leave of absence from his duties at the Monson layout to serve his country in the national guard out of Natick, Mass.
St. Pierre selected for GCSANE award
Former Longmeadow Country Club superintendent Leon St. Pierre was presented the Distinguished Service Award in February by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England.
St. Pierre was superintendent at Longmeadow CC from 1956 until he retired in 1992.
St. Pierre was president of the GCSANE from 1965-67.
Local touring pros
Tele Wightman, Holyoke CC, Matt Donovan the CC of Pittsfield, and Jim Salinetti, Stockbridge CC, will call the Canadian Tour home for the 2003 season. Salinetti missed the cut in his only start. Wightman has secured $808 in two events, Donovan leads the way at $994 for two events. The next two Canadian tour events are scheduled for Mexico in May. The tour does not hit Canadian soil until June.
Leja offers lessons
Frank Leja will be teaching at the Family Golf Center on Route 9 in Hadley. Frank invites his former students and those in need of a lesson to call him at the center.
CT section PGA
Congratulations to Tony Kelley, Wyckoff Country Club, winner of the 2002 Western Mass Chapter Player of the Year title.
Foursome buys Oak Ridge GC (Gill)
Jim Bernier is not new to the golf business. As owner of Golf Cart Services he deals with course owners on a daily basis. His wife Kathy is the office manager at GCS. Rick Giverson works with Jim and has been friends since the early 80s. Rick has worked as a greens keeper in the past and one day was asked by Jim if had ever thought of returning to work at a course. Jim had told him about a motivated seller in a golf course not far from GCS. Together with Rick's wife Janice they toured the Oak Ridge GC facility. As a foursome they decided the price was right.
Oak Ridge GC has a small membership and does between 15,000 and 20,000 rounds annually. The team plans on some clubhouse changes for the upcoming season and look to do some irrigation work in 2003. Oak Ridge GC is just down the street from Crumpin Fox. They all will have a part in the operation as well as their duties at GCS. If you are looking to take a ride and play a few holes stop in and say hi to the new owners.
1st Annual Ranch Roundup
If you have not played the Ranch Golf Club because of price, heres your chance. If you have not played The Ranch because of its Championship caliber, heres your chance. If you have heard there is a good chance you will lose a lot of golfballs, heres your chance.If you are lucky and not good heres your chance. They'll even throw in lunch and a reception following golf. Now that I have overcome all the reasons for not playing grab a partner and register for the first annual Ranch Roundup. The date is Saturday April 26th at 10:00. The shotgun start will be limited to the first 140 players. The $200.00 entry fee includes prizes, food (lunch after golf), golf and cart, bag tag, and a free sleeve of balls. This tournament is a 2 person best ball (players must have USGA handicap) with mens and ladies divisions. There are gross and net prizes, nearest to the pin and a reception afterwards.Send name, phone #, USGA GHIN HDCP INDEX and GHIN # to: Attn Golf Professional
The Ranch Golf Club, 100 Ranch Road
Southwick Mass 01077
Tee Party honors Wightman
When Holyoke CC pro Via Wightman got a phone call telling him that he was the Western Mass. Chapter PGA's 2003 Tee Party Honoree he was on the road.
That's often been the case in his long tenure as a golf pro and before that as an entertainer.
Wightman was with his son Tele, who was competing in a Canadian Tour event in Austin, Texas, when he was told of the honor. "It was a little bit of a shock. But it's a great feeling," Wightman said.
The day-long Tee Party includes a scramble golf tournament and dinner at Wyckoff Country Club on April24.
Wightman hails from Loa Loa, American Somoa and came to the U.S. to attend college (in Santa Ana, Calif., and at BYU) before returning to Somoa. When he returned to the U.S. he was a guitar player and flaming knife dancer, appearing at military bases across the country and locally.
He also discovered golf and worked as an assistant pro in California before taking the pro position at the former Oxford CC in Chicopee. In 1986 he hit the road for the short trip to Holyoke CC.
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National Notoriety
By Jim Cline
The Ranch Golf Club was just written up in the March edition of Links, a magazine that deals with golf and golf course real estate. The tract of land in this article was once dairy land and timbered ridge. It's a golf course now however, and one that is attracting some considerable attention.
The Links article is well-worth reading particularly after you've played the course a time or two. The author, David Gould, likes the way the course gets "into your head, and stays there."
As the course matures and receives more and more play from folks who rate layouts for various publications, it will be interesting to see how quickly it can rise to some degree of national prominence. I have played young golf courses in the past, (Long Cove Club at Hilton Head and Blackwolf Run in Kohler, Wisconsin) and watched their popularity grow as word got out. Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston became an 18-hole course in the early nineties and it didn't take long for Boston-area golfers to find it. It has been listed among the top courses in Massachusetts on several occasions.
The Ranch will be a candidate for Golf Digest's Best in State this spring. I anxiously await the verdict, as do Peter Clark, the managing owner, and general manager Mike Robichard. Golf Digest ranked The Ranch. in it's Top 10 Best New Upscale Public Courses. That was the January edition in case you missed it. The boys at The Ranch did not. Clark says it's the most exciting news since the course opened . Robichard was at The Captains on the Cape right after it was ranked and says it put that course on the map as well as that part of Cape Cod. He says every time the publication would come out there would be a tremendous increase in preregistration and advance reservations. He says people really seek out the Top 10 and put it on their vacation and holiday list and try to play them. He expects to see more new players this year at The Ranch although he thinks there'll be a lot of repeat business too.
Golf Digest has been ranking courses in some way or another since 1966. America's Best New Courses rankings began in 1983. The magazine has a panel of 700 low-handicap male and female golfers who play and evaluate the nominated golf courses. The courses are rated on shot value, design variety, memorability, aesthetics and playability. The Ranch came in third in the voting for Best New Upscale Public courses.
Ron Whitten is a Senior Editor-Architecture for Golf Digest and Golf World.
He has played The Ranch but he does not vote on the survey. He is well-versed in golf course architecture. He has designed a few. He also knows course architects and courses. He's very familiar with Damian Pascuzzo, the California-based architect who designed The Ranch. Damian's been working on a couple of courses in New England. This was his first big project. Ron says he&Mac226;s learned his trade well and it obviously shows at The Ranch.
The panelists who evaluate the courses are asked to judge them from the back tees even if they're playing it from another set of tees. They're asked to look at the course from every set of tees to see how it sets up for every category of golfers. Ron doesn't play from the back tees. Those are for the pros. He does examine the course much like a panelist. He thinks the tract in Southwick stands out in aesthetics. He says it's a gorgeous piece of property with gorgeous vistas over the New England countryside. It's very strong in it's bunkering style. He points out the dunes-type bunkers on the opening holes on the lowlands and the different subtle style on top. He thinks it's strong in it's shot values. You're asked to play a lot of different shots; uphills, downhills, left to right and right to left. What he didn't like was the yellow barn and clubhouse. It needed to be a little more subtle than bright yellow. (Mike Robichard points out that the barns were originally dorset and gold when the property was developed in 1895 as Sunnyside Ranch. It was common to Victorian barns of that day and they decided to stay with the original color in keeping with history.
Ron says he sees a lot of new courses that are in great shape from the day they open. Most golf superintendents know a lot about growing in a course and how to keep it in good shape. He points out this is a bent grass fairway which always look great when they open. Still, he was a little surprised because New England is a rocky area and you expect it to take a couple of years to mature. This course, he says, looked old and established and mature even when it first opened.
That is a compliment to the people who run it, who had a philosophy that there were three things they needed to be successful; an outstanding experience, a great layout with excellent conditioning and superior customer service.
Time and future rankings will tell us how well they're doing.
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Letter from the editor
As we head into late August there are still many tournaments to decide a champion. Labor Day weekend boasts a majority of those tournaments with the Bontempo at Franconia G.C., the Ralph Parson's at Northampton C.C. as well as the Mackintosh - Mattson at the Country Club of Wilbraham. This year the Mitch Kochanek will be an open tournament at Elmcrest C.C., call the pro shop for more details.
Western Mass Golf Magazine has many changes in store for 2003. We have picked up a major sponsor to help keep golf at the forefront in Western Mass. Changes will be announced in our fall edition slated to come out at the end of September. We owe it to our advertisers to increase our number of copies as well as getting the magazine into the hands of the golfers.
Remember to support Western Mass Golf and purchase a 2003 Western Mass Golf Calendar. Included with your purchase will be a subscription to Western Mass Golf Magazine (see page 23). Bob Melcher of The Melcher Advantage Digital Event Photography has captured many of area's best golf holes. The calendar will be available September 13th.
Chicopee Country Club will be the site of the Senior Open scheduled for the first weekend in October. The tournament will have several divisions and is sponsored by Williams Distributing.
Just how good are our junior players?. Just ask Steve Delnickas who witnessed Allen Parker's 29 at The Blandford Club. Pro Tim Quirk had over 60 kids for the final day in the summer long junior program at The Blandford Club.
Crestview and The CC of Pittsfield plan to spend over $1 million to upgrade their courses in the next year. Springfield C.C. plans a $1.45 million expansion of their clubhouse. Berkshire Hills C.C. in Pittsfield has a new clubhouse in the works to the tune of over $2 million dollars.
Westover G.C. may play host to the local U.S. Open qualifying next year.
Jay
Have a great season
Jay |
To view any of our 2001-2002 Issues - Click below!
2001 April Issue | June Issue | July Issue | August Issue | September Issue |
2002April Issue | May Issue | June Issue | July Issue | August Issue | Fall Issue |
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