ARIZONA GOLF AUTHORITY

Author: Staff AZGA

3rd Annual West Valley Amateur Championship

From the Golf News Desk at the Arizona Golf Authority

PEORIA, Arizona – The Valley of the Sun is home to a lot of great players and the ongoing debates about who’s the best are never settled for very long.

But this December, the folks at Trilogy at Vistancia and the Raven Golf Club at Verrado will put the question to rest as they host the 3rd Annual West Valley Amateur Championship.

The two-day competition takes place December 15-16 and promises to deliver great golf, great competition and great prizes. The tournament is open to everyone, from scratch players to those with higher handicaps, and features both gross and net divisions.

Here are the details:

• Your entry fee of $180 includes two tournament rounds, cart, practice balls, championship cap, 1st tee amenities and the chance to take home part of the $3,000 in prize certificates.

• The registration deadline is 4:00 PM Monday, December 10th.

• Saturday’s round (December 15) begins with 8:00am tee times at Raven Golf Club at Verrado. Tee times will be released on December 13. Player check-in begins at 7:00am.

• Sunday’s round (December 16) starts with 8:00am tee times at Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia. Tee times will be based on 1st day scores and check-in begins at 7:00am.

Open Division – No handicaps will be applied: Top three spots will be paid.

Handicap Division – Three flights: Each flight will pay the top three gross and the top three net finishers. A player finishing in the top three in both net and gross will be eligible to receive the highest payout of the two but not both.

Senior Division – One Flight: Top three gross and net finishers will be paid out.

For more information on the two award-winning host courses, click www.trilogygolfclub.com and www.ravenverrado.com.

Then visit the Arizona Golf Authority, it’s “All Things Arizona Golf.”

Our Arizona Golf Courses Reviews and Guide List Directory has an AZGA Player’s course review for every golf course in Arizona, click www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory.

October 11, 2012
First Tee of Phoenix Receives $5,000 Donation From Local O.B. Sports Managed Courses

From the Arizona Golf Authority Golf News Desk

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – Thank you, ASU Karsten Golf Course, Eagle Mountain Golf Club, Longbow Golf Club, Raven Golf Club-Phoenix and the management firm for all four clubs, OB Sports Golf Management.

Back Row L-R: Bret Greenwood – Eagle Mountain, Jay Larscheid – Longbow, Hugh Smith – First Tee of Phoenix, Derek Crawford – Raven-Phoenix, Joey Jones – ASU Karsten.

This distinguished group recently donated $5,000 to The First Tee of Phoenix, the culmination of their custom-designed charitable program called “Tee It Up at 10 For The First Tee.”

Each of the four golf clubs set aside one foursome tee time each morning in the 10 o’clock hour, Monday – Friday, June 11, through August 31, 2012 and sold it to the general public for $100.

Each club then donated the entire $100 to The First Tee of Phoenix.

“We are happy to pitch in to raise well deserved funds for The First Tee of Phoenix,” said Daryl Crawford, Director of Golf for ASU Karsten Golf Course. “Through the years, The Thunderbirds and Hugh Smith have made a positive impact on thousands of kids through the game of golf. We’re proud to support their efforts.”

The First Tee of Phoenix teaches youngsters the game of golf by focusing important core values such as responsibility, respect, integrity and confidence, all of which are key to success on and off the golf course.

Hugh Smith, Director, First Tee of Phoenix and Students

“We truly appreciate the positive boost that our local chapter received from these clubs,” said Hugh Smith, Executive Director of The First Tee of Phoenix. “Their generosity ensures a host of youngsters will pick up the game as well as the many valuable life lessons that go hand-in-hand.”

The First Tee of Phoenix is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization made possible by The Thunderbirds. The First Tee’s mission is to provides educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf to young people who would not otherwise be able to have affordable access to the game.

The First Tee is designed to serve as a place for participants to learn valuable life skills and character lessons through creative activities and instructional programs that incorporate the fundamental teachings of golf. Currently, The First Tee of Phoenix is impacting over 70,000 youth ages 4-17 yrs. each year through regular programming at 5 area locations, The National School Program and special Outreach Programming with allied organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, church groups and many others.

For more information on The First Tee of Phoenix call 602.305.7655 or visit www.thefirstteephoenix.org.

Scottsdale-based, OB Sports manages premier golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States. Known for its comprehensive and personalized services since 1972, OB Sports has become widely acclaimed as the leader in boutique-style golf course management. For more information about OB Sports Golf Management, visit www.obsports.com, or call 480.948.1300.

Then visit the Arizona Golf Authority, it’s “All Things Arizona Golf.”

Our Arizona Golf Courses Reviews and Guide List Directory has an AZGA Player’s course review for every golf course in Arizona, click www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory.

October 10, 2012
AUR Golf Shirt Technology Beats the Heat in High Style

From the Arizona Golf Authority Golf News Desk

Kona-Kailua, HI and Scottsdale, AZ – Heat comes in many forms at golf courses around the country and two golf shirts from the AUR AWARE line handled the most extreme playing tests we could find in high style.

The Big Island of Hawaii and Scottsdale, Arizona are two world class golf destinations, certainly. But they also anchor opposite ends of the golf climate yardstick: 80-degrees and high humidity vs. 110-degrees and no moisture at all.

The AUR AWARE line polos we tested performed in both conditions as if we hadn’t left the climate controlled 19th hole at all. Turns out, the performance is all a product of the unique eco-friendly fabrics AUR is using for these shirts: EcoSmart™ fabric and S.Cafe™ fabric.

The AUR EcoSmart™ fabric is made from recycled polyester yarn manufactured from plastic consumer products like water bottles.

That’s right, the plastic is cleaned and crushed, melted and spun into Recycled Polyester Yarn. The yarn is woven into bolts of fabric from which the fashionable AUR EcoSmart™ apparel is crafted.

During play in both climates, the AUR EcoSmart™ shirt refused to become damp. Now the bar’s not too high in Scottsdale when it comes to transferring moisture into the atmosphere with a relative humidity of only 7%.

But at sea level, on the 17th at Hualalai when its 86%? That’s a test. And the shirt remains as bone dry as when it came off the hangar? Remarkable.

The second AUR Aware shirt we tested, our favorite, is crafted from a unique fabric named S.Cafe™. Just as the moniker implies, this fabric is the result of a patented process which transforms spent coffee grounds into a composite-fiber yarn, which is then knitted and woven into bolts of fabric.

Let’s circle back just to be sure: “transforms spent coffee grounds into yarn.” Yes, that’s correct.

Four years of lab work revealed that the traditional roasting of coffee beans, the procedure which releases the fascinating phenols, esters and oils responsible for brewed coffee’s endless allure, actually expands the green coffee bean.

And once the hot water brewing has washed away those components we crave, the expanded bean structure is available for tasks other than taking up space in landfills – a lot of space.

In 2008, the International Coffee Organization reported green coffee bean production world-wide at 7.6 million tons. Let’s be generous and assume grinding reduces the volume of coffee beans by one-half. Simple arithmetic shows the total volume of those spent coffee grounds would fill 795 million 1-gallon milk jugs. We have trouble fitting two of them in the refrigerator at the same time.

We found the AUR AWARE S.Cafe™ shirt to be the most comfortable and stylish “performance fabric” polo of them all, from the boardroom in the morning, to the 19th hole that afternoon.

The S.Cafe™ fabric allows blending with other fibers during manufacture and ours was matched with 55% combed cotton. The style, drape and most importantly the feel is capital-E, Elegant.

And both shirts provide all the easy care, UV guard, and anti-odor properties you expect from these eco-friendly fabrics.

No matter what part of the country you play golf in, or what type of heat you experience there, you’ll get great performance and high style at a comfortable price point from these AUR AWARE golf shirts.

Click AUR AWARE, ACTIVE and AUTHENTIC to visit the complete AUR product lines from Fletcher Leisure Group. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Fletcher combined their original Canadian brands Aureus and Aurea, rebranded them as AUR and introduced the popular brand to the U.S. golf market in 2011.

Then visit the Arizona Golf Authority, it’s “All Things Arizona Golf.”

Our Arizona Golf Courses Reviews and Guide List Directory has an AZGA Player’s course review for every golf course in Arizona, click www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory.

October 1, 2012
Your Shot at $1 Million Begins November 1st Thanks To Wells Fargo and the Fiesta Bowl

From the Arizona Golf Authority Golf News Desk

PHOENIX, Arizona – It’s time to sharpen your 125-yard shot because the $1 Million Wells Fargo Fiesta Bowl Hole-in-One tee opens November 1st at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club.

2012 marks the 28th anniversary of this exhilarating opportunity for players of every skill level. Most avid players from the Phoenix-metro area have teed a few up at this event down through the years, and for good reason, too. In 2002, Phoenix resident Ray Mills qualified for the final day, holed an ace and took home the $1 million check.

This year’s dates are Thursday, November 1 through Sunday, November 11 and everything else is still the same. The Arizona Biltmore Golf Club hosts the event. It’s a dollar per ball, or $10 buys you a bag with 11 balls. The tee is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. MST each day; 9 a.m. – noon on pre-finals Sunday the 11th.

Each day, the three top qualifiers and anyone who makes a hole-in-one advance to the finals at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. During the finals, the players will find one $1 million cup and two additional $50,000 cups cut in the green.

In the event no one claims the cash prizes with a hole-in-one during the finals, no worries; the top three shots will be awarded grand prizes. And that’s in addition to the three daily prizes awarded to the top three daily qualifiers which include PING irons, golf bags, complimentary foursomes of golf at area courses and gift certificates for fine dining at local restaurants.

With the rye grass ‘overseed’ season upon us, now is the perfect time to grab your shag bag and get on the range to hone your 125-yard move. Is your ball flight left-to-right, straight, right-to-left? – doesn’t much matter. Just check out the pin sheet below and match your shot to the day it will best fit the cup’s location.

For all the details, click Wells Fargo Fiesta Bowl Million Dollar Hole in One.

Then visit the Arizona Golf Authority, it’s “All Things Arizona Golf.”

Our Arizona Golf Courses Reviews and Guide List Directory has an AZGA Player’s course review for every golf course in Arizona, click www.arizonagolfauthority.com/coursedirectory.

September 26, 2012
2013 We-Ko-Pass Makes We-Ko-Pa Even Better

From the Arizona Golf Authority Golf News Desk

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club’s frequent player 2013 We-Ko-Pass is back again, with plenty of new enhancements for 2013.

Arizona’s avid golfers agree that We-Ko-Pa Golf Club may well be the finest public golf facility in the State of Arizona. And as 36-hole days go, Scott Miller’s 2001 Cholla course (has it really been that long?) and the 2007 Coore-Crenshaw Saguaro course offer one of the best one-two punches available anywhere in the southwestern U.S.

When you add in the tranquil natural-desert surroundings, the artful clubhouse and gracious service you’ll find yourself wondering why you ever tee it up anywhere else. And when you’re armed with the attractive 2013 We-Ko-Pass rates? Well, let’s just say we’ll see you there.

Visit www.wekopa.com to order your 2013 We-Ko-Pass or telephone 480.836.9000.

September 19, 2012
Play the TPC Stadium and Get Tickets for Three PGA Events

From the Arizona Golf Authority Golf News Desk

TUCSON, Arizona – PGA TOUR Intoduces All Arizona Golf Pack

The PGA Tour’s new $399 All Arizona Golf Pack is great news for Arizona golfers, and one very lucky friend.

Here’s the drill: Watch the Champions Tour pros play the Charles Schwab Cup at Desert Mountain Golf Club in November, and then go play your own round at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium in December.

Next, watch the PGA Tour pros show you how the TPC Stadium should really be played during the Waste Management Phoenix Open in January, and finally, watch the intricacies of match play unfold at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship in February at the Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain Golf Club.

The All Arizona Golf Pack is available for purchase through October 31, 2012, and includes:

Two good any-day tickets to the 2012 Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Desert Mountain’s Cochise course, October 29 – November 4.

Two rounds of golf at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium course with Forecaddie. The two rounds must be redeemed between November 25 and December 30, 2012.

Two good any-day tickets to the 2013 Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium course, January 28 – February 3.

Two good any-day tickets to the 2013 WGC Accenture Match Play Championship at the Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain golf course, February 18-24.

Total cost for the package: $399

To purchase the All Arizona Golf Pack, visit www.worldgolfchampionships.com.

September 17, 2012
GolfLogix and Golf Digest Debut Golf Digest Live

Golf Digest and GolfLogix have teamed together to create Golf Digest Live – a combination of precise GolfLogix GPS distance and club-tracking technology paired with renowned content from Golf Digest that provides tips, articles, videos and the first-ever personalized magazine.

Available exclusively through the GolfLogix app, Golf Digest Live ($19.99 annually with a free 30-day trial) uses data from the software to determine a player’s statistics, strengths and weaknesses. Algorithms then generate multiple post-round recaps, including a detailed scorecard, analytics and a customized MY GOLF DIGEST magazine.

Tailored to that day’s on-course performance, MY GOLF DIGEST delivers a detailed statistical breakdown of the round, suggested drills and award-winning articles from Golf Digest’s stable of elite instructors and Tour Playing Editors.

“Golf Digest Live is the new frontier for helping people learn to play better golf,” said Golf Digest Chairman and Editorial Director, Jerry Tarde. “We’ve digitized the best of Golf Digest content, so for the first time readers will create their own magazine, filled with personalized tips and drills. It’s no longer just Golf Digest, it’s MY Golf Digest. This is the first magazine curated by editors that’s based on what readers individually need to know.”

Some Golf Digest content is accessible while you play – like rules videos, golf jokes and tips on common shots – but the bulk of the benefits are delivered on the practice range or at home, where golfers can relive their rounds, better understand their faults and take lessons to improve their scoring.

Easily downloaded from www.GolfLogix.com or App Stores such as iTunes, the GolfLogix app is compatible with more than 60 smartphone models. In addition to precise distances and club tracking, it features high-quality yardage-book imagery, aerial flyovers, pro-level scoring and stat tracking for more than 30,000 golf courses worldwide.

August 28, 2012
Arizona Golf Trips Made Easy

If you want to save time and money on your next Arizona golf trip, connect with the experts at Phoenix Scottsdale Golf vacations. They have been arranging golf packages, complete with tee times on great courses and stays at some of the top Arizona golf resorts and hotels for years. They will have no trouble designing a package to put you where and when you want to play/stay within your budget.

Just take a look at the current package they have for an incredible Scottsdale golf experience:

Scottsdale Golf Resort Vacation

Located in North Scottsdale lies the beautiful Zona Hotel & Suites. The property offers spacious suites with full kitchen and separate living area. On site enjoy one of the four sparkling pools and relax, take a dip in one of the three whirlpool spas, get a workout in the fitness center, enjoy the surrounding lush resort gardens, order room service to the privacy of your suite, or enjoy dining at Gordon’s restaurant. TPC of Scottsdale Golf Club (host of the FBR Open, formerly the Phoenix Open)

Golf is included with your accommodations at any of these nearby Arizona golf courses:
TPC of Scottsdale Stadium, Kierland, Grayhawk, Legend Trail.

Season 1: Oct – Dec    Price Starts At:
2 nights / 2 rounds        $340 per person
3 nights / 3 rounds        $540 per person
4 nights / 4 rounds        $740 per person

Season 2: Jan – Apr     Price Starts At:
2 nights / 2 rounds        $445 per person
3 nights / 3 rounds        $710 per person
4 nights / 4 rounds        $1,050 per person

Season 3: May – Sep   Price Starts At:
2 nights / 2 rounds        $215 per person
3 nights / 3 rounds        $332 per person
4 nights / 4 rounds        $445 per person

* Package prices are based on 8 person occupancy. All packages are inclusive offering accommodations, golf and applicable taxes. Prices are subject to change based on availability.

Go ahead, make it easy on yourself. Call the experts at Phoenix Scottsdale Golf Vacations at 866-218-6941 or Click Here for a Free Scottsdale Golf Vacation Quote and create your own custom Arizona golf trip online.

August 28, 2012
$5,552,416 – WOW!

From the Arizona Golf Authority Golf News Desk

PHOENIX, Arizona – No sport backs up its commitment to philanthropy better than golf.

In 2011, the industry raised over $3.5 BILLION for charity – more than the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB COMBINED!

The number will only continue to grow, thanks to the efforts of the Thunderbirds and Waste Management, who today handed over the proceeds from the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open – a check totaling $5,552,416 – to local Arizona Charities.

That’s right, $5.5 million+ will stay in Arizona and help such organization as Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the First Tee, Junior Golf of Arizona, Homeward Bound and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as other deserving causes.

“This is one of my favorite days each year, the day when a year’s worth of hard work truly pays off and shows the real winners of the Waste Management Phoenix are the local charities,” said Thunderbird Big Chief Alex Clark. “The more than $5.5 million donation we announced will help thousands in need; we can’t thank the community and our sponsors enough for their outstanding support of the tournament.”

“As North America’s environmental solutions leader, Waste Management is proud to be the title sponsor of the greenest show on grass, and we are extremely pleased that more than $5.5M of golf tournament proceeds are going to charities through Arizona,” said David Aardsma, Waste Management chief sales and marketing officer.

As important as the $5.5 million donation is, the contribution Waste Management makes to saving the planet during the Phoenix Open is just as valuable.

The company instituted the Zero Waste Challenge with a goal of recycling 80% of the waste during the 2012 tournament. As part of the Challenge, they recruited and trained more than 500 volunteers who spread the word about Zero Waste, all week long. The result? During the 2012 tournament, Waste Management diverted an astounding 97% of the tournament waste from landfills and recycled more than 82% of it. A simply amazing feat!

The 2013 edition of the Waste Management Phoenix, to be contested January 28 – February 3, 2013, will mark the 78th playing of the event and the third year Waste Management will serve as title sponsor. Last year, the tournament broke the single-day attendance record on Saturday with over 173,000 spectators and saw more than 518,000 pass through the gates during the week.

Henry Ford said “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” The Thunderbirds and Waste Management have certainly proven that statement to be true, and we have no doubt they will continue to enhance “The Greatest Show on Grass”.

For information about the 2013 Waste Management Phoenix Open, visit Phoenix Open.

August 27, 2012