TPC Scottsdale’s Holiday Program Aids the Homeless
From the Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Golf News Desk
SCOTTSDALE AZ — Charitable giving is common among professional and amateur golfers and the TPC Scottsdale is counting on that this holiday season as they kick off their holiday Golf for Groceries program.
“It is amazing how generous golfers are,” commented TPC Scottsdale’s Tiffany Nelson. “We started our Golf for Groceries program three years ago and in that short time our players have donated more than 20 tons of food to the Foothills Food Bank.”
The program is simple, during the month of December, any golfer donating either 5 canned good items or $25 in cash can play the TPC Scottsdale courses for the following rates:
$69 + tax at Champions Course
$59 + tax after 1:00 p.m.
(savings of 50% from non-resident rate)
$169 + tax at Stadium Course
$99 + tax after 1:00 p.m.
(Forecaddie included in $169 rate – 44% savings)
December 1st – December 22nd, 2011
And unlike a lot of special offers that are mired down with caveats in the fine-print, the Golf for Groceries deal is simple:
• The offer is good any day of the week
• You have a 7-day advance booking window
• 5 canned goods must be presented at the time of check-in or a $25 donation will be accepted
• Stadium course is cart path only
• Understandably, not all tee times will be offered at these rates
To take advantage of this terrific offer and support a very worthy cause, use the promo code Groceries.
Phone reservations can be made by calling (480) 585-4334.
From the Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Golf News Desk
Phoenix AZ – Jon Bloom and the folks at GolfMix are host their inaugural GolfMixer on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at Sun City Country Club and it promises to be great fun.
As their name implies, they are going to “mix” it up with a slightly different twist for a golf gathering. The event begins at noon with a free clinic featuring PGA Tour winner Arron Oberholser on the driving range and the opportunity to sample some of the latest innovations in golf from both local Arizona companies as well as some of their national brethren. “Not only will you learn from one of the best players on TOUR, you’ll get to hang with other golfers in a relaxed and fun setting,” said GolfMix CEO Jon Bloom. “Plus, everyone attending will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a playing lesson with Arron.”
Following the instruction clinic and mixer on the range, there will be a 9-hole shotgun on the front 9 at Sun City Country Club. The field is limited to 64 players and it costs $50 per person. In addition to golf, there will be contests on every hole. And if that isn’t enough, you’ll also get a ticket to the Phoenix Coyotes vs. Philadelphia Flyers hockey game that night.
So, you guessed it. The after golf party moves just down the street to Jobing.com Arena for the opening face-off at 6pm. Should you have a date who doesn’t play golf, but likes hockey, GolfMix has additional tickets available at a discounted rate.
Best of all, GolfMix and the Phoenix Coyotes are donating the proceeds from the first Golfmixer to Sun City Country Club’s program to teach autistic kids social skills and motor skills through the game of golf.
For more information and to register, click GolfMixer #1
To watch a short video about the GolfMixer event, click View Video
From the Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Golf News Desk
PHOENIX, Arizona – Two of the most innovative brands in golf instruction, Jeff Ritter Golf and Martin Chuck’s Tour Striker Golf Academies (JRG/TSGA) have announced the launch of a new instruction program set to open this fall at The Raven Golf Club – Phoenix.
One of Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America, Ritter’s presence reaches all corners of the globe. Ritter’s creative approach to the game has appeared across print, television and radio, including frequent content showcased with Golf Digest magazine.
Martin Chuck is the inventor of Tour Striker Training Products, the highly successful series of golf learning aids endorsed by CBS Commentator Gary McCord. As success of the Tour Striker brand grew, Chuck launched the Tour Striker Academies, which now operate programs throughout the country.
Along with the progressive vision of The Raven Golf Club Management Team, OB Sports, long-time friends Ritter and Chuck saw the opportunity to create a program unrivaled in innovation and productivity to meet the needs of all players regardless of skill level or age group. “I had worked for years on my own building a successful coaching brand,” said Ritter. “But what I missed most was the creative process associated with collaborating with others. The opportunity to work with someone as talented as Martin to build this new program is something that I’m extremely excited about.”
Proponents of a holistic approach to learning, JRG/TSGA “Integrated Coaching” programs will offer cutting edge modalities designed to unlock a player’s true potential while providing fun and creative solutions for enhanced physical, emotional and nutritional performance.
Designed to give golfers the tools and support to achieve any goal, JRG/TSGA programs include: Private Lessons, Group Clinics, Corporate Events, Comprehensive Schools, Advanced Fitting Resources, Junior Golf Development and more.
From the Arizona Golf Authority AZGA Golf News Desk
Don Rea – Augusta Ranch Golf Club – 100 Holes in 1 Day
Mesa AZ – Don Rea, General Manager at Augusta Ranch Golf Club, located in Mesa AZ, believes it’s important to give back to the game that has provided him with so much; and he turns that belief into action. “That’s why I’m an annual participant in the 100-Holes In 1 Day golf event”, Don shared.
The 100-Holes event benefits the Southwest Section PGA. Don recently completed the challenge and provided some interesting details about his day.
Don Rea’s 100-Holes in 1 Day Stats
Total Score: 354 – 15 over for the 100 holes
Course Played: Augusta Ranch Golf Club
Course Length: The 100 holes measured 21,032 yards, 11.95 miles
Temperature: 103 degrees Fahrenheit
Tee Time: Start 6:30am – Finish 7:02pm
Birdies: 10
Hole-in Ones: Don remains 0 for 44 (years); 2 near-misses today
Number of Flagsticks Hit: 1
Hydration: 288 ounces of PowerAde consumed during the round, some mixed with water
Swing Thought for the Day: Electrolytes
Fuel: Short break for breakfast and lunch
Pairing: Don’s friend, Doug Powell, came out and played alongside for 82 holes
Golf Coach: Wife and daughter both told him “you’re crazy”, and then supported him all day
Extended Family: Augusta Ranch staff members supported Don, dawn to dusk
Injuries: “The hip was hurting at the end, but my shoulder felt great.”
Donations: Don raised $3,450 for the SWPGA Foundation
Way to go, Don! Good cause, good job, good man.
Click Don Rea – Baseball’s Loss is Arizona Golf’s Gain for the complete story on Don’s major league baseball days, and his choice to accept the role of Managing Partner at the Augusta Ranch Golf Club, located in Mesa, Arizona.
Don Rea, PGA – Managing Partner – Augusta Ranch Golf Club
Choosing Don Rea, managing partner at Augusta Ranch Golf Club, as the 2nd recipient of the AZGA Golf Star award was easy. You won’t meet another golf industry person more enthusiastic about growing the game and making sure customers are happy than Don.
Interestingly enough, Don’s first love was not golf, it was baseball. Not pitching, hitting or catching, but rather, calling the games. He was a professional baseball umpire from 1991-98, working 3 years in the Triple A Pacific Coast League. But after 8 years of calling balls and strikes and working many Major League Spring Training games, he didn’t know if he would make it to the Big Leagues.
“It’s really tough to move up, and I couldn’t catch a break.” said Rea. “As a Triple A umpire, you have a very short window to be assessed for promotion to the Major Leagues as the ruling panel may only see you once or twice a year. So I started to look for Plan B.” Via an off-season gig with UPS during the holiday season, the new plan came clearly into focus.His route included downtown Mesa with a stop at Riverview Golf Course.
It was there he met and became friends with General Manager Jim Mooney who suggested he consider becoming a member of the PGA. Don liked the idea so much he took his clubs on the road the following baseball season and played whenever and wherever he could. He studied through the wee hours and passed his PGA exam on his first attempt the very next year. “In golf, I could not be more blessed; if you can get to where God wants you to be, the doors seem to open,” commented Rea.
The first door opened in 1999 at Augusta Ranch, where he was one of the first employees to be hired. He worked part time in the cart barn and measured yardage for all the sprinkler heads. It wasn’t long before he realized golf looked more promising than baseball and he took the plunge full time. Over the next 8 years, he held a variety of positions, eventually becoming a Vice President for the management company managing the two courses.
Don Behind the Plate for MLB Spring Training
July 2008 brought another milestone in Don’s golf career when he and a group of investors bought Augusta Ranch and he became the managing partner. “Owning a course is challenging and rewarding,” said Rea. “But the best thing is being able to do whatever you want to do without multiple layers of approval. We can try all sorts of ideas and see what happens. We make some mistakes, but we learn from them.”
The team at Augusta Ranch is all about being anti-cookie-cutter. Take movie night, which happens twice a year on the driving range, allowing families to enjoy an outdoor picnic on the golf course. How about setting up the practice range as the gathering place for the annual community picnic? “It’s important to be a good neighbor, and it gets people out to the course,” commented Rea. “They may not play golf the first time, but after the movies and picnics, many of them come back to take up the game later.”
The creativity doesn’t stop there. There’s the $5 lesson gathering for kids every Saturday, the after-school golf program, the monthly play-all-you-want pass, weekly golf leagues, tournaments and the Green Jacket Club.
While all of this creativity has driven more rounds and revenue to Augusta Ranch, Don believes the one thing that really makes the course different is his team and their commitment to welcome and appreciate each guest. Every new employee must read ‘Raving Fans’ within the first 3 weeks of employment. Then they take a 10-question test and if they fail, they risk losing their job.
Don and the Augusta Ranch Staff
“I believe bad habits are ingrained, so we review everyone within 3 weeks of their start date, give them a little test, talk about our service philosophy and ask a lot of questions about their job,” explained Rea. “It not only helps the employees, it helps us improve our internal communications.”
While Augusta Ranch takes the bulk of his time, Don still finds the hours to volunteer. He is currently secretary of the Southwest Section PGA and on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Tourism Alliance. “My family and I depend on golf for our livelihood, so you have to get involved,” said Don. “You must be in a seat at the table or everyone eats without you.”
We have no doubt professional baseball’s loss is our golf community’s gain. Don’s a creative professional who works hard at our game for the benefit of those around him, which is why we call him an “Arizona Golf Star”.
SCOTTSDALE AZ — Charitable giving is common among professional and amateur golfers and the TPC Scottsdale is counting on that this holiday season as they kick off their holiday Golf for Groceries program.
