Golfers have always been known to be charitable, and TPC Scottsdale will once again reward those who find it in their hearts to be generous this holiday season. Not only will TPC Scottsdale continue the Golf Fore Groceries program this year, they are sweetening the deal. During the month of December 2010, if you bring 5 canned goods or donate $50 to benefit the Foothills Food Bank, you’ll received a reduced green fee: $69 + tax at the Champions course or $175 + tax at the Stadium course.
This will include a Forecaddie for your Stadium course round. The deal is good any day of the week, although not all tee times are valid at these rates. You can book your round up to 7 days in advance. Note: Both courses are cart path only in December. So if you want to do a really good deed and enjoy great golf, book your round at: www.tpc.com/scottsdale
If the Cholla and the Saguaro courses at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club were the only two courses you ever play, you will have experienced the finest gifts golf in Arizona has to offer: a spectacular natural setting, manicured course conditions and sensational golf course design.
36-holes have been laid upon the pristine high-desert property across the valley from the Tonto National Forest’s Mazatzal Mountains and their majestic pinnacle called Four Peaks, English for the native American Yavapai word WeKoPa.
Hole #8 Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa
The view of Four Peaks commands your attention all day long and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation reservation location outside Fountain Hills ensures development will never encroach upon the natural desert oasis these courses occupy.
Although they play a bit differently, Cholla and Saguaro complement each other perfectly. Scott Miller’s Cholla is played through the air, while Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw’s Saguaro is most successfully played on the ground. Comparing the first hole of each course demonstrates the distinct, yet complimentary, yin and yang that make these two an enjoyable golf course pairing.
The opening tee shot at Cholla’s 351-yard first asks you to make a simple choice: how much desert do I want to carry? As you stand on the desert-island tee box some 90-feet above the perfect carpet of fairway below, which runs away from you at about a 45-degree angle, you can choose to carry all the desert wash and knock driver on the green. Or, reduce the carry and play a metal hybrid and a gap-wedge second, or adjust your line of play a little more and employ a 5-iron then 9-iron strategy. Choose your target line and execute the shot; what fun. You will face this choice off the tee repeatedly and you will fly the vast majority of your second shots over hazards to tantalizing pins on raised greens in stunning settings all day long.
Hole #2 Saguaro Course at We-Ko-Pa
Saguaro is all about golf on the contours and swales crafted upon the natural terrain by Messer’s Coore and Crenshaw. The 469-yard first at Saguaro presents a fairway so wide and appealing only a total misfire can miss it. Yardage is relative here as the fairway plays firm and fast and your tee shot will run forever over and around the subtle bumps and mounds. As you consider your approach, the front and left sides of the green appear wide open, the pin seemingly defenseless. Here’s a tip, it’s not. The complex has been deftly shaped to collect and reward shots of proper trajectory and those along the ground; other types of shots may be summarily rejected.
Saguaro plays firm and fast, and will ask you to reconsider golf through the air several times during your day. You’ll probably hit every fairway and stand over your second, viewing an immaculate green complex, choosing a club for what appears to be a generous target. Consider bouncing the ball to the hold rather than carrying it to the flag. Around the greens, you may find a low running shot a bit more rewarding than a lofted one. On the greens, consider their author and pay strict attention to your position relative to WeKoPa. Don’t be surprised when you watch your straight uphill 4-footer break 6-inches and come to rest 7-feet below the hole.
Cholla and Saguaro, together with the elegant We-Ko-Pa clubhouse, enormous double-tee practice ground and stellar staff, provide an 18 or 36-hole day that is the epitome of world-class golf in the one-of-a-kind setting we call Arizona Golf.
Scottsdale, AZ – Award-winning Arizona golf journalist Bill Huffman, along with partners Linda Dillenbeck and Allan Landolt, have launched the Arizona Golf Authority website, the first professional and independent resource of comprehensive information about Arizona golf.
The Arizona Golf Authority was borne from the desire to have a reliable source for current golf news, which disappeared when the State’s major newspapers opted to eliminate their golf writers. “I know the world is moving to digital, but I’m still an avid print reader,” said partner Linda Dillenbeck. “I was so disappointed with local coverage in the newspapers and told Bill so one night at dinner. We talked about how to feature his knowledge, insights and coverage of the Arizona golf scene for his large local audience and package it for out-of-state golfers to make planning their trips here easier. That’s how the Arizona Golf Authority was created and I’m really excited about the plans we have to promote our great golf destination locally and nationally.”
Bill Huffman, whose career has included covering local, national and international golf for more than 30 years, will bring his own brand of wit and wisdom to the Arizona Golf Authority site. Huff Daddy’s first task is to provide insight about what to expect at each of the over 350 golf courses in Arizona. It’s a pretty big task, so veteran Arizona golf writer John Davis will be a major contributor to the task. In addition to their course insights, Huffman and Davis will provide updates of breaking news, profiles of key players in the industry, full-length course reviews and inside information about what’s really going on in Arizona Golf.
The Arizona Golf Authority website is focused on providing service-oriented information. The site will feature information about all the elements for a great golf experience, including recommendations for golf friendly hotels, upcoming tournament listings and local spots to hang for fabulous food and drink. The team has also partnered with individual cities to provide easy “one click” access to information about other things to do while in Arizona. Plus, it will provide a user-friendly “Ask Us” button to help golfers make the right choices for upcoming trips.
“Our State has the most incredible offering of accessible, high-quality golf courses in the country and it’s very confusing for someone not familiar with our State to know where to play and stay,” commented partner Landolt. “I get calls all the time asking me to connect the dots for courses to play and places to stay, so the opportunity to work with Bill and Linda to publish a service-oriented website providing insider-information about every aspect of Arizona golf was very appealing to me.”
“It’s no secret that consumers are moving to the digital world for information,” said Huffman. “The advantage of the digital model is that we can keep our nationwide community of avid golfers ‘in the know’ about Arizona golf news as it happens. To produce a compelling design package for the site, the AZGA team turned to Lucky Dog Creative’s Tom Howard to create the logo, which has received rave reviews. Communication Links, a Scottsdale-based golf marketing company, was tapped to develop the site to provide the ultimate user experience.
Companies involved in the Arizona golf industry as well as charitable organizations are invited to submit news, updates and tournament schedules, which will be posted free of charge on the site. Information should be submitted to allan@azgolfauthority.com.
Fountain Hills, Ariz. – Don and Cindy Misheff, part-time Fountain Hills residents, announced today the acquisition of SunRidge Canyon Golf Club in Fountain Hills, Arizona. The Misheffs along with key management purchased the club from Sunbelt Holdings.
Jeff Lessig (left), Cindy and Don Misheff (right)
“This is a dream-come-true for us,” said Don Misheff. “As avid golfers who are passionate about the game and all that comes with it, Cindy and I visualized this for many years, especially during our visits to Fountain Hills. The pieces just started to fall into place, and we’re now happy to report our long-term commitment to the Fountain Hills community to preserve and even improve the golf experience at SunRidge Canyon. To reach this goal, we already chose a local golf-savvy management team to make that happen.”
Jeff Lessig was hired as the general manager, and Derek Crawford assumes the position of director of operations. Lessig’s new position at SunRidge Canyon Golf Club marks a homecoming; he was the club’s original general manager for six years after it opened for public play in 1995, prior to taking on the general manager position at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club. And during his time at We-Ko-Pa, Lessig worked with Crawford, who recently accepted a position at SunRidge Canyon to once again work alongside Lessig as the golf club’s new director of operations. In addition to his nine-year stint at We-Ko-Pa, Crawford joins the SunRidge Canyon team after decades of experience at other clubs in the local Phoenix/Scottsdale golf scene. And the management team will also include two people who have worked at the club from its inception. Ron Ruppert will continue as the golf course superintendant, and Brian Gillmore will carry on as the food and beverage manager.
“I am eager to get started at SunRidge Canyon,” said Lessig. “The Misheffs bring with them the right combination of professionalism wrapped up in their down-to-earth personality that is well suited for the golf business. We intend to make the best of this opportunity to usher SunRidge Canyon into a new era of prosperity with an exceptional golf experience and attentive customer service leading the way.”
Followers of the game know John Jacobs as a PGA TOUR player, Champions Tour Player, Founding Father of the European Golf Tour and Hall of Fame member. But for amateurs, the most important thing we should know is his nickname, The Golf Doctor.
In 1976, Jacobs teamed with Top 100 Teaching Professional Shelby Futch to create
John Jacobs Golf School
John Jacobs Golf Schools and provide the medicine needed for amateurs’ ailing mechanics. Since that time, more than 500,000 players have gotten the prescription for lower scores and more enjoyment on the course.
“When the Jacobs Golf Schools was created, it was with the idea to create a vacation package that included a nice place to stay and play at an affordable price,” said Futch. “Since that time, we’ve expanded our programs to offer a variety of options for players of all skill levels. We’ve done it right for a long time.”
To ensure the schools continue to do it right, each instructor must complete a certification program designed by Jacobs and Futch to master the philosophy and turn it into clear, practical instruction for their students.
Whether you’re just starting out or simply want a check-up, the John Jacobs Golf Schools has an option to fit your schedule. In addition to their golf school vacation packages, the company also offers private instruction, short game clinics, junior programs and one on one golf makeovers.
To get your prescription for a lower score, call 800.472.5007 or visit www.jacobsgolf.com
A golfing buddy of mine recently returned from Bandon Dunes with terrific tales from the Great Northwest.
Incredibly, he wasn’t talking about seaside golf. This was all about Bandon’s fabulous food and outstanding drink, something most golfers hold in high esteem.
“We’ve got nothing food- and drink-wise like that in Arizona,’’ he said of the fresh seafood, vegetables and deserts, as well as locally brewed beers and prize-winning pinots.
Au contraire mon fraire! Arizona’s culinary golf scene isn’t exactly a desert wasteland! In fact, being known as the “galloping gourmet of golf,’’ I can prove it.
Let’s start with the basic food types, because for the majority of us who chase the little white ball, it’s mostly about burgers, brats and dogs, and not necessarily in that order.
Brats and hot dogs don’t get a lot of respect these days, and for obvious reasons (like what they’re made from). But I’m telling you flat out, make the turn at the Arizona Biltmore or McCormick Ranch and that tantalizing waft of succulent sausages grilling in the air will lure you in every time. Plus, they’ve got great buns and condiments to back it up!
When it comes to big, bold burgers, I challenge you to find an equal to Grayhawk’s half-pound, Grade A-prime Barn Burger served up at Phil’s Grill, perhaps the best 19th hole in the Southwest. OK, so Lefty is a vegetarian these days. Hey, he can still eat that haystack of thinly sliced French Fries that accompany this all-American feast.
A tasty treat at the Longbow Grille is the Monster Breakfast Burrito
I’m also quite fond of the “monster breakfast burrito’’ at Longbow, especially the version with chorizo and cheese that puts you in a birdie state of mind. Or how about this for early-morning fare: the full Scottish breakfast at the Brittlebrush Bar & Grill, where chef Graeme “McDowell’’ Blair also has the authentic Tartan plaid flair.
There are other eclectic offerings that soar and score with Arizona golfers like Eagle Mountain’s shrimp taco trio complete with home-made avocado salsa; We-Ko-Pa’s magnificent mahi-mahi sliders accompanied by a zesty pico de gallo; the Kobe beef sliders of Troon North fame that go hand-in-hand with a Black Butte porter; and ASU Karsten’s rock-solid Red Hook Ale-battered fish and chips with chili cream sauce that are the toast of the Trophy Room.
Speaking of sensational spirits that fit seamlessly with food, it’s hard to beat a margarita or glass of fine wine when you’re dining al fresco on The Ledge at Gold Canyon Golf Resort. Besides, where else will you encounter a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar complete with dozens of hot sauces that will truly jump-start any round?
Another of my Valley favorites is Bernard’s at Ocotillo, where service always comes with a smile thanks to the maitre d’ of all matre d’s – Carlo Ventura. A native of Bari, Italy, Carlo takes on double duty every Friday night when he dons his chef’s hat to make pasta and Tiramusu just like “mama used to do.’’
One other gem for golf-foodies that I always share with pure delight is Tubac Golf Resort, the little border-town retreat that was one of the film sites for the movie “Tin Cup.’’ Its Spanish-themed restaurant Stables has roots back to 1789 when the Conquistadors left their recipe for the incredible-edible Spanish Torta that is stuffed with “honey-scented local Fossil Creek goat cheese, piquillo peppers, roasted garlic, Spanish red onions, sunchokes, and chayote squash, as well as a side of chipolte chips. Yum!
Believe it or not, the torta is not my favorite dish nor was it Kevin Costner’s when he dined there a la Roy McAvoy. That would be the flat-iron steak that comes with Spanish sherry-grilled shrimp and avocado-mango relish. Seriously, it’s to die for.
But what’s really cool about Tubac is LaCantina, which happens to be Arizona’s most unique watering hole. Yes, it’s the only place I know of where you can enjoy a shot of Patron and a taco de camarone with all the comforts of the wild-wild West, as the bar stools are genuine leather saddles complete with stir-ups.
Top that, Bandon Dunes!
This column was written by Bill Huffman and appeared in the November 2010 edition of Avid Golfer-AZ. The publication kindly allowed us to include it on our website.
In less than one full year, a number of junior golf success stories emerged from the OB Sports Golf Academy at Longbow Golf Club. Five students received Division-I college scholarships and one was offered an early commitment for 2011. Two students, Mina Harigae and Sun Gyoung Park, competed in the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open at Oakmont Country Club. Park, competing as an amateur, made a hole in one on the 175-yard, par-3 sixth hole.
Other highlights from OB Sports Golf Academy students:
Seven OB Sports Golf Academy students have spent time in the top 100 AJGA Polo rankings, thus far in 2010
Trey Kaahanui won the PING Phoenix Junior
Chan Kim won the 2010 Arizona States Stroke Play Championship
Eight OB Sports Golf Academy students competed in the Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic Hosted by Longbow Golf Club in April of 2010
Peter Koo was the winner of the Junior World Qualifier – Boys 13-14
Winner PGA National Junior Qualifier (Dana Finkelstein – Girls 15-18; Peter Koo – Boys 13-14)
Alex Belleville was the winner of the JGAA Thunderbird Classic – Boys 15-18
Two of the three Arizona qualifiers for the US Junior Girls Championship came from OB Sports Golf Academy – Dana Finkelstein and Mikayla Harmon
OB Sports Golf Academy student, Konstantin von Beringe was honored as the Dixon Golf Desert Junior Golf Tour, Player of the Year
Jeff Fisher with a student using latest equipment
“We are extremely proud of our student’s accomplishments during the past year,” stated Jeff Fisher, Director of Instruction for the OB Sports Golf Academy. “It’s equally rewarding for us to see their hard work on the golf course turn into scholarships to universities like Yale, Washington, Purdue, Kansas and Arizona.
Success in the competitive-golf arena is certainly a central focus of the OB Sports Golf Academy, but it’s not the only one. Jeff and his team encourage students to define their own goals. Then they customize a plan to help each reach those goals through the game of golf. Some students want to earn exemptions to AJGA events; some want to secure college scholarships; some want to play professional golf; and some simply want to play better golf on a recreational level. Whatever it may be, the OB Sports teaching team wants to make it happen.
LEARN. PRACTICE. PLAY!
The OB Sports Golf Academy motto is: Learn. Practice. Play! and that’s just what their students do at their facility, located at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa Arizona. Led by Director of Instruction, Jeff Fisher, and Director of Player Development, Stacie Bryan, students of the academy benefit from personalized instruction through every step of their development as a golfer. While the academy offers instructional programs for adults, the junior program at OB Sports Golf Academy is uniquely designed to recognize each golfer’s personal goals within the game, and implement a customized lesson plan to reach that goal. Then, junior golfers are matched to the appropriate starting point based on their initial skills – Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced or Elite. Each level of the program prepares the students for the next level, and periodic skills tests are used to determine when a golfer is ready to jump to the next level.
The OB Sports Golf Academy motto is: Learn. Practice. Play! Students receive lessons, unlimited practice time and the ability to play for one very reasonable monthly fee. The group instruction fees start at just $150 per month and include: weekly instruction with OB Sports Golf Academy teaching professionals, a monthly practice card for complimentary practice balls and complimentary golf after 3 pm at Longbow Golf Club.
