ARIZONA GOLF AUTHORITY

Category: Arizona Golf News Desk

Tee It Up in the Morning and Catch an Afternoon Spring Training Game

It’s hard to improve upon a morning at the golf course, but with spring training in town, adding an afternoon at the ballpark makes for an full day of good, clean fun.

And with fifteen MLB baseball teams playing in ten baseball parks scattered across the Phoenix – Scottsdale metro area, it’s easy to pair any of several Arizona golf courses you enjoy with a nearby spring training game.

First, the fifteen baseball teams: Dodgers, Cubs, Royals, Giants, Angels, Athletics, Reds, Indians, Brewers, White Sox, Reds, Rockies, Padres, Mariners and the hometown Diamondbacks all train in the Valley of the Sun.

The ten baseball stadiums are located in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Surprise and Tempe. The map of ballparks below, together with the game schedule will get you started. Pair those up with a golf course nearby and you’re ready for a full day of excellent entertainment in Arizona’s perfect springtime weather.

Some pick the game they want to see first, note the stadium location and pick their favorite golf course, nearby. Others pick the golf course first, and are happy to watch whatever teams happen to be playing that day in the stadium, nearby.

Either strategy works, and the Arizona golf course reviews at the Arizona Golf Authority makes matching the golf course to the baseball stadium easy.

You seldom hear anyone complain about playing too much golf, or spending too much time at the ballpark. We guarantee you’ll never hear someone say “I did both today, and it was too much fun.”

February 4, 2016
Cave Creek, Encanto and Grand Canyon to Host 2016 Phoenix Championship

It’s time to get your game in shape for the 2016 City of Phoenix Stroke Play Championship. Play begins Friday, April 8 at Cave Creek, moves to Encanto Saturday, April 9 and finishes up at Grand Canyon Sunday, April 10.

Players must carry a handicap index of 13.6 or below and four flights of competition are available. Players will compete in threesomes with assigned tee times each day, beginning at 6:30 each morning.

If 54-holes of individual stroke play is not for you, have a look at the other competitive events offered later this year by the City of Phoenix. You’ll find Men’s Net-Stroke Play event, Gross and Net events for Senior Men, Gross and Net Stroke Play for Women, and a Two-Player Team Gross Score event for men.

February 3, 2016
5th Annual MCPF Charity Tourney at Arizona Grand Golf Course

The Fifth Annual Phoenix Morton Cure Paralysis Fund Golf Tournament will take place on Friday, March 4, 2016, at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.

The weather will be spectacular so sign-up your foursome today! And contact MCPF at 612-904-1420 for more details on corporate sponsorship opportunities.

Local players know the golf course has quite a long history. Originally called The Pointe Golf Club at South Mountain and later, Phantom Horse, this picturesque layout is one memorable golf experience.

Created by Forrest Richardson, a well-known Arizona architect with a passion for artful design, Arizona Grand dazzles golfers with its blend of traditional links, dramatic elevation changes and strategic routing. Read the full Arizona Grand golf course review at the Arizona Golf Authority.

For more information, please contact:

Morton Cure Paralysis Fund – Minnesota
5021 Vernon Ave., Suite 145
Minneapolis, MN 55436
(612) 904-1420
info@mcpf.org

Morton Cure Paralysis Fund – Arizona
4939 W. Ray Rd., Suite 4190
Chandler, AZ 85226
(612) 904-1420
info@mcpf.org

February 2, 2016
Southern Dunes Golf Club – Ak-Chin’s Great Golf Course Get’s Even Better

From the Arizona Golf News Desk at the Arizona Golf Authority.

Southern Dunes has kicked off a significant renovation project to maintain playability for leisure players, while refining its famous championship venue shot-values.

Ak-Chin Community ownership brought all the principals back to the design table to make sure things were done properly.

Architect of record, Fred Couples, course architects Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley, and Troon’s design/development experts were tapped to lead the construction project, which will be completed this summer.

Beginning with a complete bunker renovation phase, turf area expansion will occur between many of the forward tees and landing areas, eliminating forced carries for those choosing to ‘tee it forward,’ and re-vegetation of several areas of the elegant, native grasses will occur throughout the Southern Dunes layout.

New tees will be constructed for several holes, including No. 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, all 4-pars, and the notorious 3-par 17th. Plans describe a significant redesign here, with an expansion of the green, reshaping of a large dune on the left side, to open sightlines to the hole, and changes to the bunker complexes around the green – the family of three front right, and the “gobble up anything long” beast lording above the back-middle of the green.

The final component of the construction project is a hybrid conversion of the practice facility, which will be artfully modified to act as a six-hole, “practice ground” short course in the afternoon, serving the Club’s “Player Development/Grow The Game” mission, while remaining one of the best pre-round driving ranges during busy morning hours and peak tee periods throughout the day.

Visit Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club at www.golfsoutherndunes.com

Before you tee it up, click Southern Dunes Golf Course Review at the Arizona Golf Authority.

June 12, 2014
Golf Bikes Join Segways at Kierland Golf Club

From the Arizona Golf News Desk at the Arizona Golf Authority

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — Long known for its popular Segway golf vehicles, the innovative Kierland Golf Club at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa has introduced yet another new way for golfers to enjoy the course – by bicycle.

New golf bikes allow golfers to enjoy the game while getting a workout. Designed to create minimal impact on the course and maximum fun and fitness for the golfer, the bicycles feature small-diameter wheels outfitted with wide rubber tires, and two custom-designed golf bags, mounted to the rear of the bike and sized to carry a full set of clubs.

Nancy Dickens, director of golf at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, shares her resort’s players are looking for fun, new ways to enjoy the game through innovative programs and products.

“The new golf bikes are another opportunity for us to make golf even more enjoyable for those who enjoy the fitness aspect of riding on the course and who may want to trim the time it takes to play a round,” she said. She estimates that it takes an average of one hour to play nine holes when playing on bikes.

For information about the new golf bikes at the Kierland Golf Club or to book a tee time, call 480-922-9283 or visit www.kierlandgolf.com

The Kierland Golf Club is a Troon-managed course designed by Scott Miller featuring 27 holes. The three nines, each with its own unique routing and strategy, pair up together nicely for an equally enjoyable challenge. Golfers rave about the air-conditioned golf carts and covered driving range.

Kierland Golf Club’s innovative FORE-MAX program helps golfers step up their performance through improved fitness, flexibility and nutrition. With its customized workouts, FORE-MAX is also a popular fitness option for those who don’t play golf.

For a unique golf experience, Kierland Golf Club offers a Scottish golf program, where golfers play in a traditional Scottish kilt, and Segway Golf, where golfers traverse the course on a Segway specially crafted to carry their golf bag. Traditional golf instruction by award-winning instructors Mike and Sandy LaBauve is offered at the LaBauve Golf Academy and ProFit custom club fitting also is available.

For the complete player’ review, click Kierland Golf Course Review.

Then visit the Arizona Golf Course Reviews for a player’s review of every golf course in Arizona – all 325 of ’em. Our Arizona golf course reviews are just one part of “All Things Arizona Golf” at the Arizona Golf Authority.

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
In the heart of “new” Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa provides contemporary amenities and design while helping its guests to experience the Essence of Arizona through an ever-changing collection of paintings, rare photographs, and commissioned artworks as well as an educational wildlife program.

The Resort’s full-service spa, Agave, The Arizona Spa, showcases traditional therapies handed down from Arizona’s many cultures of healing, as well as rare ancient treatments infused with the essence of the Far East.

The rejuvenation continues at the Resort’s 10 unique dining venues, with its renowned Heavenly Bed®, and with premier shopping and dining destinations located adjacent to the Resort.

Complementing the Resort’s award-winning FUN program for all ages is its Adventure Water Park complete with 110-foot-long waterslide, 900-foot lazy river and the Kierland FlowRider board sport simulator.

June 5, 2014
Boccieri Golf Putter Scores Another European Tour Win

From the Arizona Golf News Desk at the Arizona Golf Authority

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – Felipe Aguilar wielded Boccieri Golf’s B3-M heavy style putter while winning the Championship at Laguna National, his second European Tour title.

Aguilar closed with a final round 10-under par 62, including four consecutive birdies to start the back side and a “2 – 2” finish: a 10-foot birdie putt at 17 and a holed 142-yard wedge shot at 18 for eagle.

After posting 28 on the back nine to best the field by one shot, Aguilar shared, “I said to my caddie on the 17th after making birdie ‘If we can make birdie at 18 we can put some pressure on the leader,’ and he said ‘What about making a 2?

“I got a bit lucky, I hit one of my best shots at 17 and then again on 18.

Boccieri Golf, the golf industry’s pioneer of counterbalanced equipment, offers their award-winning Heavy Putter series in several different putter head styles, weight options and custom-fit shaft lengths.

“Over the past decade, the Heavy Putter has been adopted by numerous professionals worldwide who recognize its ability to reduce putts per round,” says Stephen Boccieri, President and CEO of Boccieri Golf.

“Our proprietary weighting technology helps all players create a reliable, easily repeatable putting stroke that results in more consistency, especially under pressure.”

Introduced in 2004, the Heavy Putter’s global popularity stems from use of a heavier mass head and counterweight under the grip. This causes incredible stability, a consistent swing path and precise distance and directional control.

Boccieri noted that his putters are really quite simple, “In our Heavy Putter model series, the extra weight engages the body’s larger, more stable muscles to promote greater control and prevent wrist breakdown. The stable, reliable and consistent stroke our putters promote helps players make an awful lot of putts.”

The full Heavy Putter line is available online at www.boccierigolf.com, 888.788.8374 and at the finest golf retailers worldwide.

About Boccieri Golf

Founded in 2004 by Stephen Boccieri, the company’s popular Heavy Putter collection and Control Series line of full-swing products were the first to integrate counter balance principals. This unique approach to club design is proven to benefit golfers of all abilities, as strategically placed weight in the butt-end of the shaft produces a higher balance point for smoother, more repeatable swings from driver through putter. Boccieri Golf’s Secret Grip, endorsed by Jack Nicklaus, is its latest innovation.

The company opened a state-of-the-art Research and Performance Center at 15816 North Greenway-Hayden Loop in Scottsdale in 2012. Coinciding with significant growth in demand for the entire Boccieri Golf portfolio, the 9,000-square-foot facility offers a variety of services, including custom club fitting, high-tech swing analysis and practice time on state-of-the-art simulators.

May 30, 2014
Orange Tree Golf Course Plans New Practice Facility

Great news from Shelby Futch, Scottsdale Golf Group CEO: Orange Tree Golf Club practice facilities will receive a complete makeover this summer by Ken Kavanaugh Golf Course Design.

Shelby Futch and Ken Kavanaugh

Ken Kavanaugh is a local design hero in these parts and the master golf course architect has worked with SGG for over 15 years.

We have all enjoyed his enhancements to Red Mountain Ranch Country Club and Painted Mountain Golf Club, both courses owned by Scottsdale Golf Group.

This summer, the Orange Tree practice range will be lengthened and the tee area enlarged. When finished in the Fall of 2014, the facility will grow to more than twice its current size and be one of the largest “all-turf” practice facilities in Arizona.

Three large putting greens and a chipping green are included in the redesign to provide expanded areas for the short game work we all need.

Shelby Futch, founder & CEO of Scottsdale Golf Group owns six Phoenix metro-area golf courses and a private club in the Texas Hill Country, River Crossing Club.

As founder of the John Jacobs Golf Schools and Academies with 12 locations across the USA and two Canadian locations underway, he has earned an international reputation as an industry leader whose career incorporates every phase of the golf business. Shelby was inducted in the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame last year in an awards ceremony in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Orange Tree Golf Club has always been a convenient and comfortable all-turf practice facility. Now it’s going to be roomy as well.

Orange Tree’s traditional tree-lined golf course is a great play this time of year. Read the Arizona Golf Authority Orange Tree Golf Course Review, make a tee time and go enjoy the Johnny Bulla design.

April 2, 2014
Will MacKenzie Posts Fifth Top 10 Finish with Boccieri Golf Secret Grip

Will MacKenzie is on the move up the leaderboard in 2014 with Boccieri Golf’s Secret Grip in hand. Will finished T-2 at the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio last week, one shot behind first time winner Steven Bowditch.

That’s his fifth top 10 finish since switching to the Boccieri Golf Secret Putter Grip in January. Total earnings since the putter grip switch? $1.78 million and 11th position on the FedEx Cup points list.

MacKenzie’s +1.910 strokes gained putting for the week is reflected in the single eagle and 16 birdies he carded over four rounds.

Will chose the popular “Classic” model from Boccieri’s line of counter balance Secret Putter Grips. The Classic model employs a traditional profile, slim appearance and weighs 100 grams.

The Secret Putter Grip from Boccieri Golf automatically counter balances any putter for improved stability, consistency and control on the greens.

Stephen Boccieri, Founder and CEO of Boccieri Golf is the industry leader in counter balance golf club aka “back-weight” technology,

“We’ve been educating players about the science of counter weighting for 10 years, and now everyone can experience the performance benefits by simply installing a new grip on their own clubs,” says Boccieri. “This popular trend on the PGA Tour actually benefits players of any skill level. They can simply install the Secret Putter Grip on their putter and improve their putting instantly, without changing their stroke.”

Close inspection reveals the Secret Putter Grip actually raises the club’s balance point, moving it closer to the player’s body core. That makes it easy for the player to use their larger, more stable muscles. The result is a highly repeatable and more reliable putting stroke.

The Secret Grip’s weight is achieved by molding a proprietary tungsten weight in the end of the grip, and using a rubber compound 40-percent heavier than other grip materials.

Secret Putter Grip models are now available in three sizes – Classic, Midsize and Jumbo. The Classic ($19.99) weighs 100 grams and was designed for a player who prefers a traditional sized grip and wants to experience the benefits of counter balancing.

The Midsize ($24.99) weighs 155 grams and features popular pistol shaping, while the Jumbo ($24.99) weighs 165 grams and is preferred by players seeking a grip with an extra thick feel and discernable counterweight feel.

The Secret Putter Grip line is currently available alongside the full-swing version at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, PGA TOUR Superstore and www.SecretGrip.com.

Jack Nicklaus, who says he relied on counter balanced clubs to capture 73 PGA Tour titles and 18 major championships endorses the Boccieri Golf Secret Grip. Jack appears in promotional material, along with famed teacher Rick Smith, who consistently ranks among the world’s top-10 instructors.

Both the putter and full-swing lines have earned outstanding reviews from scores of leading media outlets, including “Top Products from the PGA Show” honors from Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine.

For more information: www.boccierigolf.com, 888.788.8374.

March 31, 2014
Don Littrell Skyline CC Pro in Shriners PGA Tournament

From the Arizona Golf News Desk at the Arizona Golf Authority

Tucson Golf Pro Don Littrell Shoots 66 to Qualify for PGA Event – Skyline Country Club pro joins field in $6m Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

Tucson golf fans had an extra reason to tune into the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas this year. Don Littrell, assistant golf professional at Skyline Country Club qualified for the starting field in the $6 million PGA Tour event. Although he missed the weekend cut, congratulations are in order for the terrific play that earned him a playing position in the tournament field.

And he had to beat his boss to do it.

Littrell nabbed the coveted slot by winning a Southwest region qualifier in August. While competing against hundreds of pros from Phoenix and Las Vegas, Littrell shot 66 to enter a playoff with one other player, which he won on the third play-off hole. Fellow Tucsonan Chris Dompier, Littrell’s boss at Skyline Country Club, shot 67 to finish right behind.

“This will be the most nervous I’ve ever been in my life,” says Littrell, who will turn 33 a few days after the tournament. “But I love to play, love to compete, and this is a huge step forward. Whatever I do to get past the nervousness and play will be something I can bring back and share with our members here.”

Making his PGA Tour debut, Littrell will represent Tucson’s Skyline Country Club, displaying the club’s logo on his shirt and equipment. A small group of Skyline members will be traveling to Las Vegas to cheer for club pros Littrell and Dompier, who will be caddying for his close friend.

A Class-A PGA member since 2007, Littrell began golfing in his teens with his step-father and has been at Skyline for more than eight years. A native of Michigan, he lives in Tucson with his wife, Melisa, and their two boys. He credits yoga, pilates and limited weight training for his on-course flexibility and fitness.

To learn more about Don and Skyline Country Club, please visit www.skylinecountryclub.com.

Skyline Country Club, an exclusive privately owned club, is nestled in the foothills of Tucson’s majestic Santa Catalina Mountains. Skyline offers the finest country club amenities and service in the Southwest, and boasts 56,000 square feet of clubhouse facilities, including casual and formal dining rooms.

Skyline has been a staple in the Tucson Foothills for 50 years and offers members and guests spectacular daytime and evening views of Tucson. Skyline Country Club has been named into the very prestigious Platinum Club of America, and is rated as a five-star private club. Skyline Country Club is located at 5200 E. Saint Andrews Drive.

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

October 16, 2013