Wedges: Callaway X Forged, 52 and 56, Callaway X Series Jaws, 60
Putter: Odyssey BACKSTRYKE 2 Ball
Golf Ball: Callaway HEX Black
Career Low Round: 67, Camelback, Scottsdale, AZ (-5)
Low Round at Wilderness Ridge: 71 (E)
Once made it through the first round of US Open Qualifying
Must have item: Dinosaur Headcover that has been in the bag for 10+ years
"My only swing thought is to swing to balance. I know that if I have maintained my balance I have made a good swing. I emphasize this in my teaching as well."
Wilderness Ridge is set to host the NAIA Women's National Championship May 21st through the 24th. The Championship is a four-round tournament consisting of 27 teams of five players as well as nine individuals. The tournament field is cut after 54 holes and reduced to the top 17 teams and 40 individuals (including ties). Teams from all over the country and Canada are competing this week.
The 2012 Team Champion was the University of British Columbia and they have come to Wilderness Ridge to defend their title.
New to the game? Haven't picked up a club in a while? Get Golf Ready is for you.
Many weeks of the year, Wilderness Ridge conducts Get Golf Ready classes. Get Golf Ready is for individuals who have never played golf, haven't played in a long time, or want some help improving their game.
From the PGA of America:
Get Golf Ready is designed to teach everything you'll need to play golf in just a few lessons. PGA and LPGA Professionals will show you that there are lots of ways to play by combining fun, friends and fitness. Each session will focus on the various golf skills you will use while playing. In addition to learning the basics, you will be guided onto the golf course to put your skills into action in a casual, friendly setting. The cost is $99 for five, one hour classes Monday - Friday. We have many classes available throughout the summer. Call the golf shop at 402.434.5106 to register.
Do you want to improve your game but the weather is holding you back? Maybe you aren't able to make it out to the course every night to get the practice in that you want to. Don't worry, there are many ways to practice other than hitting golf balls every day.
One of the biggest ways I have improved my game over the last few years is by reading. There are many books on a multitude of topics that relate to golf.
My favorite golf book helps improve your mental game. "Zen Golf presents a simple system for building “mental game mastery.” Dr Parent’s unique PAR Approach (focusing on Preparation, Action, and Response to Results) guides golfers with specific techniques for each aspect of their games. In chapters such as “How to Get From the Practice Tee to the First Tee”, “You Produce What You Fear”, and “How to Enjoy a Bad Round of Golf”, the author shares a personal teaching regimen that has helped improve the games of professionals and amateurs alike. By combining classic insights and stories from Zen tradition, Zen Golf helps eliminate the mental distractions that routinely cause poor shots and loss of concentration, allowing golfers to feel in “the zone” that professionals have learned to master."
I was hesitant to read this book at first because I knew nothing about Zen but I would say this book is NOT about Zen. The author gives some examples of Zen but the idea is to use your mind to execute shots. By far the best book I have read.
I also love any book by Dave Stockton. He has worked with some of the best players in the world and the results prove he is one of the best coaches there are.
Stan Utley has one of the best short game books out there. He really simplifies the short game and his technique is great for all types of players.
Another great mental game book is Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect by Dr. Bob Rotella. He also works with many PGA Tour players on the mental game and his books are world renowned.
I laid in bed Sunday night and still couldn't believe the quality golf that was played during The Masters this year. I'm not sure how The Masters does it, but every year we get an exciting finish. Both Adam and Angel hit spectacular shots coming down the stretch. Not only did they have the pressure of trying to win The Masters, but it was raining pretty steadily. I know how big of an issue rain can be and they didn't even seem like they were bothered by it.
Unfortunately the biggest topic of the weekend wasn't Adam Scott winning, but the drop. Tiger was involved in one of the stranger scenarios to happen at The Masters. The drop that occurred on Friday afternoon on hole 15 caused a lot of controversy. After reading the release from Augusta National, I feel it was handled as best as possible after the events had occurred. They probably should have talked to Tiger immediately after his round but in the end, it didn't affect the outcome.
How about the 14 year old Tianlang Guan finishing as low amateur. He had ZERO three putts for the entire week. It was a great story and a lot of fun to watch.
The Masters never disappoints. It is the greatest event in all of sports and this year just reconfirmed that. With Adams Scott's win the anchored putter has now won the Career Grand Slam. Its tough to say what will happen with the ruling, but I have a feeling they will ban it. I hope you all enjoyed The Masters as much as I did. Now we just wait til next year.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Attention all lady golfers! Our
Head PGA Golf Professional, Maureen Farrell, is hosting three clinics
for women golfers of all skill levels, each focusing on a different
aspect of the golf game. These clinics are open to the public. This is your opportunity to work personally with one of the few female PGA Golf Professionals in the state. Each clinic has two different scheduling options, Tuesday evenings or Wednesday mornings and each clinic is only $30.
Chipping & Putting April 16th: 530-7pm April 17th: 930-11am
Mid-Irons & Hybrids April 23rd: 530-7pm April 24th: 930-11am
Drivers & On-Course Lies May 14th: 530-7pm May 15th: 930-11am
Depending on time allowance, at the conclusion of every clinic Maureen
will take participants
out on the course for a few holes to put the new
skills to the test.
To signup, please call our Pro Shop at 402.434.5106 or email Maureen for more information: mfarrell@wildernessridgegolf.com
If you are like me you look forward to Masters Week the Monday after the final round. The Masters is the only major that is played on the same course every year. We get to know the holes and the shots the players will face. From the swirling winds at 12 to the excitement of the par fives, there is always drama at The Masters.
Augusta National has the perfect balance of risk and reward. There are great shots like Tiger's chip in at 16 in '05 and Phil's shot from the pine straw on 13 in '09. But you have to be spot on otherwise you will pay the price. Tiger Woods has twice hit putts that rolled off the green with one of them going into the water.
There have been plenty of heartbreaks at Augusta. Seve in '86, Norman in '96, Ernie in '04, but the wins of Tiger in '01 to complete the Tiger Slam or Phil in '04 to finally get his first major, are what make the Masters special.
The Masters has many different intricacies that make it unique. The Champions Dinner has to be one of the greatest events in the world. I couldn't imagine being in a room with the greatest golfers of all time.
All of the little kids running around in their caddy suits on Wednesday during the Par 3 Contest always brings a smile to my face. The players get to relax and we get to see Arnie, Jack, and Gary every year. Because of the superstition that the Par 3 Contest winner will not win The Masters that year, I wouldn't try too hard and like some players let my caddie hit a few shots.
Tickets may be expensive but once you are in the gates, you won't want to leave. Patrons can dine on pimento cheese sandwiches for $1.50 and beer for $3. Wilderness Ridge will be serving pimento cheese sandwiches during the 3rd and 4th rounds. Stop by, watch The Masters and dine on these fantastic sandwiches.
Wednesday night feels like Christmas Eve to me; I can't sleep and I always wake up early to watch the ceremonial opening tee shots.
This year the favorites include Tiger, Phil, Rory, and Snedeker among others. I would love to see Tiger win his 5th green jacket but maybe more so to see Ernie win his first. Either way, there is no event is quite like The Masters.
