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By Worth Blackwelder, Tour Caddy
Greetings to all LPGA, LET, and Futures Tour golf fans! Today I wish to re-introduce my column “View of a Tour Caddy” to the “new blog” format of LADIES GOLF JOURNEY. My name is Worth Blackwelder, a one time columnist of the older version of the Central Kentucky edition of this media. The column was entitled, “View from a Tour Caddy”. There were ten columns published in 2001, and 2002 with the last column being published shortly after the 2003 Solheim Cup event in Barseback, Sweden, where the Europeans took the cup. At the time of my first journal entry, I had just been hired as a caddy by Dottie Pepper, initiating my return to the tour caddy life, at the 2000 Solheim Cup in Scotland at Loch Lomond, where the European Team prevailed. I continued to caddy for Dottie throughout the 2001 season, accumulating 11 top-five finishes leading to a 6th place 2001 money list ranking. Dottie required shoulder surgery in the off season prior to 2002, and played only a hand full of events that season prior to an early retirement , and is now in my humble opinion is Golf’s finest color commentator, working now solely for NBC sports, after nine years with the Golf Channel. I looped a half season in 2002 for Korean Mi Hyun Kim, and the last half of 2002 for rookie Natalie Gulbis.
 The Solheim Cup Round One , to fill in the time line since my last column. At the time of my last entry, in 2003, entitled “View of a Tour Caddy”, I was completing my first season of being a full time caddy for Cristie Kerr. We had not won together yet, but would win five times together in ’04 and ’05. I had an opportunity beginning the ’06 season to return to work for Hall of Famer Juli Inkster, whom I had caddied for 4 seasons in 1987-1990, accumulating three wins including the 1989 Nabisco Dinah Shore. It was a difficult switch but Juli’s caddy of eleven seasons (my good friend Greg Johnston) had just split with Juli to pursue other opportunities. In the sometimes crazy career of a touring professional caddy, relationships can sometimes get stale, or stressed, and a change is advantageous for both parties involved. This is where Greg and I both were at the time with our respective bosses.
I had amassed 44 top tens in three seasons as Cristie’s caddy, including the five wins, but the opportunity to return to looping for Inkster seemed the right move at the time for me. In our third event back together in 2006, Juli won her 31st LPGA event in Phoenix. We worked together for four more seasons, through 2009, not being able throughout this time to bag another victory, despite her brilliant play. At the end of the 2009 season, my daughter, Mallory Blackwelder, had just turned professional, and was planning to play 2010 on the Ladies European Tour. Juli and I both knew it was time for me to move on and assist Mallory in Europe in 2010. I had hoped to continue to work for Juli, and assist Mallory on off weeks, but Juli felt it was potentially going to take my focus away from her career. As it turns out she was 100 percent correct. Now to focus on the current scene, the 2011 Solheim Cup.
The 2011 Solheim Cup US captain’s picks will be announced Sunday night, August 21, at the conclusion of the Safeway event in Portland, Oregon. The nine players locked in for the 2011 team by virtue of points accumulated for 24 months include, in order of merit; C. Kerr, M. Pressel, S. Lewis, A. Stanford, P.Creamer, M. Wie, B. Lincicome, B. Lang, and co-captain, 51 year old Juli Inkster! Christina Kim holds a a very slim edge on the automatic 10th spot, with fast charging Katie Futcher only 17 points behind. Also in the mix for two captains picks are Kristy McPherson, and Vicki Hurst. Outside possibilities for a pick hinging on a very strong surge in Portland are veterans, Wendy Ward and Pat Hurst.
On the European side, the 2011 team in order of merit will include M. Reid (ENG), L. Davies (ENG), S. Pettersen (NOR), C. Boeljon (NETH), M. Hjoth (SWE), A. Nordqvist (SWE), C. Matthew, (SCOT), and S. Gusfaston, (SWE). The Euros receive four captains picks, In order of probability are Virginia Lagoutte-Clement (FR), Becky Brewerton, (WALES), and Diana Luna (ITALY). The twelfth pick is a toss up with Caroline Masson (GER), Sandra Gal (GER),and veteran Karen Stupples (ENG), all certain possibilities.
The 2011 Solheim Cup will be contested Sept. 23-25 at Killeen Castle in Ireland. This venue has been the site of the last two Irish Ladies Open events in 2010, 2011, on the Ladies European Tour. I caddied for my daughter Mallory in the 2010 event where she made the cut and cashed a moderate check. The Killeen Castle venue is a very “Americanized” golf course design, featuring wide fairway landing areas, with penal rough, and huge very undulating greens, requiring the golfer to hit specific to sections of the greens to have a legitimate birdie opportunities. While caddying for Mallory there last summer, I constructed and produced a very detailed “greens book”, which may assist a caddy in ascertaining, from the fairway, the different high and low areas and slopes in the green that must be negotiated for success to get an approach shot close to the pin. The greens book will also be very valuable while on the green, enhancing the evaluation of where subtle ridges and breaks can and will affect the roll of an impending putt.
While caddying for Mallory last month in the 2011 Women’s US Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, I donated my greens book to Rosie Jones, our Solheim Captain for her 2011 team to use in this years Cup. I am certain Rosie has made copies for all of the players and caddies that will be members of this team to have in their pocket for review. I have been a part of five Solheim Cup’s as a caddy, one for Pepper, two for Kerr, and two for Inkster, and though I will not be physically a part of this team, I wanted to have a small part of my caddy expertise included in this year’s competition. This will keep me “in the mix” as I watch the telecast and see a caddy studying my compilation of work.
Mallory Blackwelder competed in 11 LET events in 2010, making the cut in 7, and having her best finish (tied for 15th) in Austria. She gained invaluable experience playing the LET in 2010. Mallory is competing solely on the LPGA Futures Tour this season, and currently is 27th on the money list, with a best finish a tie for 2nd a month ago in Crown Point Indiana. I was able to caddy for her in that event. Mallory has accumulated two other top ten finishes this season on the Futures Tour, a tie for 5th, and a tie for 9th, in only 10 events. She missed the first two events due to the passing of her grandfather, and another event to do the filming of BIG BREAK IRELAND for The Golf Channel. She has two more events to pull forward on the money list, with a win needed in one of those two to have an opportunity to gain an automatic 2012 LPGA Tour card, If Mallory can gain three or more spots on the Futures Tour money rankings, she can avoid a trip to the second stage of LPGA Tour school and go right into the final stage to be held in December at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, FL. Watch for Mallory in the upcoming telecasts of Golf Channel’s BIG BREAK IRELAND, filmed and competed at the K Club in Ireland last May. The premier episode will be aired Tuesday, Sept. 20.
The 2012 Solheim Cup will most certainly be an exciting competition as it almost always comes down to the final day singles matches to determine the outcome. Even though being contested on foreign soil, I would give a slight edge to the US team. My reasoning for this perceived edge are, that the golf course is like an American style course, not a typical Irish links venue. Also, the US team has a slight edge in experience, even though several members of our team are still “youngsters”. Pressel, Wie, Lewis, Creamer, Lang, and Lincicome are still in their lower to mid twenties in age, but all have vast competitive experience, with only Lewis in that mix being a Solheim “rookie”. Add the veteran experience of Kerr, Inkster, and Stanford and you can see the depth this team will bring to the table. Juli Inkster holds the record of all time wins in the Solheim Cup for the US Team.
On the flip side of the coin, I feel the European squad will be anchored by the experience of veterans, Davies, Pettersen, Hjorth, Matthew, and Gusfaston. Those five have played many Solheim Cups with Davies being a part of every team! Boeljon, Reid, and Nordqvist have limited to no experience in this type of competitive atmosphere, and although Brewerton has experienced these wars, Clement and Luna are somewhat inexperienced Solheim players as well. The last European captain’s pick will be an important cog to this puzzle. It would be difficult not to consider Stupples to bolster this teams experience level. Her play since this season’s Kraft Nabisco event in April, where I caddied for her, has been very solid and consistent. Sandra Gal won the LPGA Kia Classic in April, dramatically holding on the beat Ji Yai Shin on the last hole, and has played well all season as well. Sandra does not have the experience of Stupples in Solheim play though. It would be her debut in Solheim competition. Caroline Masson carried a large lead into the recent final round of the Weetabix Women’s British Open at Carnoustie, only to fade to a final round 78. Nevertheless, her play this season on the LET shows merit.
 Worth Blackwelder and Juli Inkster Worth Blackwelder
www.blackweldergolf.com
www.americasgolfteam.com
Worth Blackwelder, a Charlotte, North Carolina native, has more than 30 years of professional golf and caddy experience. He offers a unique perspective into course management from a tour players perspective gained through his hands on experiences in working as a tour caddy for notables J.B. Holmes, Dottie Pepper, Cristie Kerr, and Natalie Gulbis, as well as Hall of Famers Dave Stockton, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Juli Inkster, Beth Daniel, and Patty Sheehan. Worth has worked with junior golfers of all ages in his previous experience as a club professional in Kentucky and North Carolina.
by Nancy Berkley, President
Berkley Golf Consulting, www.berkleygolfconsulting.com
About Vail Resort Properties
There are several courses along I-70 that are semiprivate and offer tee times only if you’re staying at a Vail Resort facility. Vail Resort Properties is a public company that owns and manages some of the top ski (and golf) resorts in the country, including Rock Resorts. There are almost 50 Vail Resort venues to stay at in the Vail Valley, with a wide range of prices. See www.vailmanagement.com and search for other websites of brokers.
If you stay at one of their properties, you’ll be able to play the following private courses:
Sonnenalp Golf Club, Edwards, Colo.
Set among the Singletree residential community is an 18-hole course designed by Bob Cupp and Jay Moorish. The forward tees are 5,174 yards. I have not played this course but based on the Slope of 131, it would probably be of average difficulty with significant challenges. www.sonnenalpgolfclub.com – 970-477-5372.
The Club at Cordillera, Edwards, Colo.
The Cordillera gated residential community is about 20 minutes west from Beaver Creek along I-70. There are four courses, but two courses (the Summit and Mountain Courses) are closed this summer due to developer and home-owner disputes. The Dave Pelz nine-hole short course is a great par-3 layout that is fun to play and a good choice for family golf. There is the beautiful Lodge at Cordillera which I consider one of the best après-golf setting in the Rockies. The town of Edwards is growing rapidly and has lots of good restaurants and trendy shops along with a multiplex movie theater. www.cordillera-vail.com – 970/926-5950
Red Sky Ranch, Wolcott, Colo.
Red Sky Ranch is an upscale private residential development with two fabulous courses at a single destination. Red Sky is a few miles beyond Edwards in the town of Wolcott. Turn south (up the mountain) at the sign for Red Sky Ranch. One course is designed by Tom Fazio and the other by Greg Norman. The courses are open to Vail Resort guests on alternating days (bring rain gear if playing in the afternoon). I have played both courses several times. The forward tees are excellent and fair. Fazio Forward Tees: 5,265 yards (Slope 125); Norman Forward Tees: 5,269 yards (Slope 124). Norman’s course is especially well-bunkered. Even with Norman’s challenging design, the approach shots for bogey golfers are manageable because there is usually a clear opening to the green that allows for a bump-and-run as well as a pitch-shot approaches. In my Opinion: Both courses played from the forward tees are average to difficult and also challenging. But they don’t beat you up, they bring you back for their sheer beauty and outstanding design. Remember: It’s “ok” to pick up your ball if the going gets rough. www.redskygolfclub.com – 970/754-8400
 Haymaker Golf Course, Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Forward Tees: 5,059 yards (Slope 127). Haymaker is an optional side trip. About 30 minutes on I-70 beyond Beaver Creek at the junction of Wolcott, turn north on Route 131 towards Steamboat Springs. The drive from Wolcott to Haymaker is an hour and one half and takes you through gently rolling Yampa Valley ranch country. Though the forward tees at Haymaker are 5,059 yards, I think they play harder, which is confirmed by the Slope rating. The course is set in a valley with few grand mountain views. The course is an Audubon International certified course with lots of natural ball-catching fescue and “Do Not Enter” signs on posted “Environmentally Sensitive Areas.” Stray off the fairways and odds are you will lose your ball. In my Opinion: This course from the forward tees is of average difficulty and challenging. It made GolfWeek’s “Best Courses You Can Play” list, but for me on that day it was not a favorite. www.haymakergolf.com – 970/870-1846
Eagle Ranch Golf Club – Eagle, Colo.
Forward Tees: 5,497 yards (Slope 137). Continuing along I-70 (you are now about 45 minutes from Vail) you will come to the town of Eagle. We are really “down-valley” now and the golf season begins earlier and lasts well into fall. Eagle Ranch is an Arnold Palmer Signature Design Course (co-designed with Ed Seay). The course begins in a valley and then winds up into the hills providing some beautiful vistas. But, this is really a hard course – from all tees. The forward blocks are 5,497 yards, but this is the hardest set of forward tees women will encounter on my I-70 trail. The catch is that standing on the tees, it doesn’t look that hard. But, there are tight landing areas edged with fescue and many bunkers along with lateral water hazards that will require lay-ups for many women. Forget about bump-and-run-shots and make sure your pitching wedges are working. This course definitely needs a set of shorter forward tees. In my Opinion: This course is very difficult from the forward tees. But because the design is good and the holes memorable, I play it at least once each summer. www.eagleranchgolf.com – 866/328-3232
 Gympsum - Dramatic Par 3 5,197 yards (Slope 117). This course is a Pete Dye design and was originally built as a semiprivate course for the Cotton Ranch residential development about 20 years ago. The development didn’t fare well and the course is now owned by the town of Gypsum. The good news is that there are not as many houses along the fairway as there might have been. The bad news is that the maintenance of the course has slipped in recent years. The sophistication of the Dye design is still there, albeit a bit hidden because of the lack of definition due to modest course maintenance. Nevertheless, a few holes still display the Dye drama and to score well, good course management is required. Because of its down-valley location, it’s open earlier in the spring and later in the fall than courses closer to Vail. In my Opinion: from the forward tees this is a relatively easy course but it’s currently not particularly interesting or memorable. A good restoration would enhance the potential of this course. www.gypsumcreekgolf.com – 970/524-6200
Lakota Canyon Golf Club, New Castle, Colo.
Forward Tees: 4,744 yards (Slope 123). Just beyond Glenwood Springs is the town of New Castle, which has one of my favorite public courses. The facility is designed by the well-known architect, Jim Engh, who along with other accolades, designs the best forward tees for women. In a strategy unusual for today’s golf architects, Engh designs each hole from the forward tees and then back to the tips. Lakota Canyon was the centerpiece of a residential development that has stalled out. The clubhouse has never been built and the pro shop operates out of a temporary trailer-like facility. But forget those amenities. The course is a hidden gem: it’s well-maintained and the scenery is terrific. Characteristic of Engh courses the greens are bowl-shaped. Many a time I have hit onto the green sure my ball would roll off, but there it was… rolling back to the pin. How good is that!! In my Opinion: This course from the forward tees is of easy to average difficulty and fun to play, and it has made many “Best Public Course” lists for good reason. www.lakotacanyonranch.com – 970/984-9700
 Redlands Mesa 4,890 yards (Slope 115). As Route I-70 heads west, the landscape changes dramatically. The snow-covered peaks are behind us as the drive to Grand Junction goes down through the western gentler slopes of the range. Redlands Mesa is another Engh design. It also is part of a residential development that seems to be doing well; every year I play it, more houses seem to appear along the fairways. Grand Junction has a good year-round climate that makes it a popular place to settle and has a funky, fun downtown. Redlands Mesa is a dramatic course. The elevation changes are awesome and the desert-like scenery is quite beautiful. Like other Engh courses, the forward tees provide a great golf experience and are not what I call “dumbed-down” for women golfers. Sometimes I play from the Men’s Canyon tees with my husband, except on the really hard holes. This is a course where it’s easy to mix-and-match tees. In my Opinion: From the forward tees this course is easy (most of the time) and fun to play. It’s definitely worth the trip. www.redlandsmesa.com – 970/263-9270
 Moab Golf Club 4785 yards (Slope 107). I didn’t travel to Moab to play golf. I came to visit the Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. But, I noticed in a local brochure that there was a course on the western part of town. I took the morning off and went for a visit. What a treasure! The pro gave me a set of clubs to use and sent me off. The course was built by a town engineer (hopefully a golfer as well). The forward tees are the easiest on the I-70 Trail. Every hole is reachable in regulation which is quite a different golf experience and the type that Arthur Little talks about in www.golfwithwomen.com. The front nine is more scenic as it plays up into the famous canyons of the area. I met up with a group of women who play here regularly; they love it also. For a little more challenge they sometimes play the second longer tee of 5,459 yards, which has a slope of 114 – still an easy course. In my Opinion: This is a very easy and very fun course. It plays quickly so you will still have time to visit the parks. http://www.moabcountryclub.com/golf/proto/moabcountryclub/ – 435/250-6488
In Conclusion
You have some choices now. You could just keep driving west – maybe to Pebble Beach in California or Bandon Dunes in Oregon. Or you could make your way back to Denver or Eagle Airport. And there is nothing that says you have to play the I-70 courses in the same order as laid out in this article.
Ending my golf trail with Moab and those fun forward tees brings me back to the goal of my golf voyage. Are most forward tees too hard for women golfers? Are they discouraging more women from playing more golf? My answer is a simple “yes.”
I have all my scorecards, notes and photos from the more than a dozen courses reviewed in this article – many of which I have played several times. How many birdies or pars did I get? Not many. Yet, my Handicap Index of 16.2 places me in about the 17th percentile of women golfers who maintain handicaps on the GHIN system. That means that more than 80 percent of women golfers are probably not enjoying an optimal “winning” or “successful” experience on the I-70 Golf Trail. Playing golf for many women golfers may be more work than fun.
Of course, if you are playing with friends or your spouse or partner and are on vacation and the weather is glorious, you are probably having a good time. But vacation golfers will not grow the game. The industry needs millions of women to take up the game or reconnect with it.
It’s not hard to make a shorter and easier set of forward tees. Many times, it’s just adding another tee box here and there, which is usually not a major expense. Special attention should be directed to the par 3-holes. There should always be a tee from which most women golfers can reach the green AND if they miss it, are not in an unplayable situation.
In my I-70 golf trail, there are many par-3s that are guarded by long fescue grass, water, severe bunkers, ravines or rocky terrain. I can usually reach the green, but a less experienced golfer will have trouble. Give an average woman golfer a chance to par a hole. Make her feel good. Give her a chance to cheer. Make the I-70 Golf Trail more fun for women golfers.
©NancyBerkley 2011 (All Rights Reserved) – This article was written for and appeared on www.cybergolf.com. All photos by Nancy Berkley
 Nancy Berkley Nancy Berkley, President of Berkley Golf Consulting, is an expert on women’s golf and junior-girls golf. She is a frequent contributor to www.cybergolf.com/womensgolf. Her book, “Women Welcome Here! A Guide to Growing Women’s Golf,” published by the National Golf Foundation, is an industry reference on marketing golf to women and spotting trends within the industry. She offers information and advice about the golf industry on www.berkleygolfconsulting.com and is often quoted in national publications. She also writes for www.ladiesgolfjourney.com. She is also the author of the NGF publication: “An Insider’s Guide to Careers in the Golf Industry.” She was a contributing editor of “Golf for Women” magazine and a founding advisor of “Golfer Girl Magazine.” Her interviews with women in the golf industry now appear on www.golfergirlcareers.com. Nancy lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Harvard University and Rutgers Law School. After a business and legal career, she decided to write about the game she learned and loved as a teenager. She describes herself as a good bogey golfer with permanent potential.
by Nancy Berkley, President
Berkley Golf Consulting
(June 2011) This is a first! A golf trail vacation named after a U.S. Interstate highway with a special focus on women golfers and forward tees. But for those planning a trip to the Rockies this summer, the directions are easy: fly to Denver and head west on Interstate I-70. Drive for almost two hours through Summit County and over the Vail Pass into Eagle County. When you get to Vail – stop! That’s where my I-70 Rocky Mountain Golf Trail begins.
The beauty of the Vail Valley and the areas on the western slopes of the Rockies approaching Grand Junction bring me back year after year, not only for the sheer beauty but for the golf as well. But last summer I had a special goal. I wanted to play the area’s public courses from the forward tees and provide a play-ability and enjoy-ability guide for women golfers visiting the area. (The forward tees are sometimes called “ladies tees” or “red tees,” but I am going to use “forward tees” throughout this article because more and more courses are selecting tee names that denote distance rather than gender.)
My mission was also prompted by my conviction that the forward tees on most golf courses are just too long and hard for female recreational golfers. Basically, many forward tees discourage women from playing more golf.
One major problem is that it is hard to tell whether a course will be easy or hard before you play it. Not all forward tees of the same length are of equal difficulty. A course with a forward tee of 5,000 yards with wide fairways, no hills and no water will provide a much more enjoyable experience for most women golfers than a course of the same length with hills, narrow fairways, deep rough and forced carries over streams and lakes.
Of some help is the USGA Slope and Rating system which provides an evaluation of the difficulty of the course. See http://www.usga.org/Handicapping.aspx?id=7792 for more information. The “Slope” of a set of tees describes how difficult (or easy) the course will play for a male or female BOGEY golfer and is almost always printed on the scorecard and available on the course website. The Slope is expressed numerically according to a USGA formula. But the Slope is not related to the score that a golfer would have on those tees. It’s confusing. As a guide, Slopes for forward tees generally range from 115 to 130 – the lower, the easier the course.
Contrary to USGA rating assumptions, Arthur D. Little and his wife, Jann Leeming have concluded, based on their experience operating a golf course, that the average female golfer hits her drive 140 yards. See their website www.golfwithwomen.com. Arthur and Jann propose that a playable set of forward tees for the average female golfer should be 4,200 yards. I didn’t find a single set of forward tees of that length in my I-70 Golf Trail. In fact, as you will read, the shortest set of forward tees on any course was about 4,800 yards.
As a side note, Alice Dye, a golf course architect and the wife of Pete Dye, suggested to me years ago that all courses should have a 4,800-yard forward tee if they wanted to provide a playable course for most women golfers. It’s taken a while for the industry to catch on, but the PGA and USGA are getting ready to launch a new initiative called “Tee It Forward” which means that golf courses will be taking a good look at whether their forward tees are “forward” enough.
For the men: I don’t mean to ignore you. In fact, my husband played all of the courses in this article with me. All of them have several sets of tee choices for men. So, join us!
Let’s Get Started
My I-70 golf trail begins in Vail, but it could have begun miles earlier. There are fine courses in Keystone and Breckenridge not far off I-70 in Summit County. If you have the time, think of taking a detour there. But for me, my journey to the Rockies begins after I go through Vail Pass and start to head down into Vail Valley and into Eagle County.
So with that background, here is my review and opinion about the public courses that I played – beginning in Vail and ending in Moab, Utah. I’ve included mention of a few semiprivate courses along the way and I offer a few side trips suggestions.
My Forward-Tee Grading System Assumptions
I developed a personal grading system. I am a solid bogey golfer. On a good day, I score in the low 90s from most forward tees of today’s average length. On an easy course, I score in the high 80s.
But, for this article, I decided to evaluate the courses from the perspective of an average female player. According to USGA statistics of women’s handicaps, the median Handicap Index for women golfers with official USGA handicaps on the GHIN system is 27. For a list of handicaps indexes by percentages of women golfers, see http://www.usga.org/handicapping/articles_resources/Women-s-USGA-Handicap-Indexes/.
Since many women don’t keep handicaps, the “average” women’s handicap is higher – probably about 30. In my opinion, a woman with a 30-handicap playing “average” forward tees (usually between 5,000 and 5,300 yards) can sometimes break 100 but can seldom par a hole and struggles for a bogey.
“In My Opinion” Reviews
I am reviewing the play from forward tees in three simple buckets:
1) Easy
2) Average (defined as how most current forward tees play) and
3) Difficult.
In addition, I am modifying those ratings with additional notations such as:
1) Fun
2) Can’t wait to try it again
3) Challenging
4) Course beats me up – no fun.
And of course, I mention the scenery – after all this is the Rockies! And, where appropriate, the condition of the course and the pro shop staff welcome.
In each course description, I have listed the length of the forward tees along with the Slope of that set of tees for women golfers. Reading between the lines, you will notice how the Slope of the course (the lower the easier) relates to its difficulty and doesn’t always correlate to the length of the forward tees. Remember: Not all forward tees are equal! And women who hit a very long tee shot (over 170 yards) will find that a course with high Slope will not be as difficult for them as it is for women who do not hit as far.
 Vail Golf Course First Stop:
Vail Golf Course, Vail, Colo.
Forward Tees: 5,200 yards (Slope 114). This course is very busy so don’t even think about just dropping in. Call ahead for a tee time. And, because afternoon rain showers are such a regular feature of the Valley – the clouds appear usually between 2 and 4 p.m. – it’s best to play early and wise to have some rain gear with you. There are five sets of tees including a 3,562-yard set for beginners or juniors. This is a great course for family golf. The front nine is mostly flat (you will hear the traffic along Route 70) and very manageable. The back nine winds uphill and becomes more challenging. This is one of the few (maybe only) courses with both a female director of golf and female head instructor. Vail Golf Club consistently wins awards for being a top female-friendly golf facility. In my Opinion: From the forward tees, the course is easy and fun and deserves all the awards it receives. www.vailgolfclub.net – 970/479-2260
 Eagle-Vail Golf Club, Avon, Colorado Eagle-Vail Golf Club, Avon, Colo.
Forward Tees: 4,819 yards (Slope 120). This is a municipal course and the town leaders approved renovations to be completed this spring and next fall. The changes will make the course play faster, and with the relocation of tees and key bunkers a little easier. The course is unique as it winds up and down a mountain with some steep cart paths and gorgeous views as well as some house-lined fairways and greens on some holes. (The scorecard notes that golfers are liable for property damage!) The course was co-designed by the late golf architect, Robert von Hagge. The forward tees are much harder than the length suggests (in spite of a 120 Slope) and the course requires careful course management. A lay-up is sometimes a very smart shot. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The driving range is a long way from the first tee, so come early if you want to warm up. The green fees are reasonable and package prices are available. In my Opinion: From the forward tees, the course is average and challenging. It beats you up, but brings you back and, with the renovations, I expect it will be a little easier. www.eaglevailgolfclub.com – 800/341-8051
Mount Massive Golf Course, Leadville, Colo.
Forward Tees: 4,958 yards (Slope 110). Take a side trip to this course because if you would like to play at North America’s highest golf course – elevation over 9,680 feet, then you might want to consider a turn south at Minturn off Route I-70 onto Route 24 towards Leadville, a historic silver-mining town. It’s about an hour’s drive along some beautiful mountain scenery, including a stop at Camp Hale where U.S. soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division in World War II trained during the winter to fight in the European Alps. Mt. Massive has nine holes with two sets of tees so that you can play an 18-hole round. It’s one of the few courses whose rules state: “shirts and shoes required.” (I have visited this course, but not played it.) In my Opinion: Based on the Slope of 110, this course would be easy and fun and beautiful for most golfers, while allowing time to admire the highest mountain ranges in the West. This is a good walking course. And they say that the higher the altitude, the farther the ball goes. I am going to play it this summer for sure. www.mtmassivegolf.com – 719/486-2176
 Beaver Creek - Ski Slopes in Backround Forward Tees: 5,088 yards (Slope 128). This semiprivate course is owned and managed by Vail Resorts. Guests of Beaver Creek and Vail Resort properties have priority tee times, so tee times to the general public are limited. Call ahead. (See note below about Vail Management Company and access to other semiprivate courses along I-70). The Beaver Creek pro shop has an excellent selection of women’s golf apparel and the staff is extremely helpful. I love this course! It was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. – one of his last projects. The first three holes – a par-5, par-3 and another par-5 – are among the most memorable holes I have ever played. The course starts at its highest altitude and then works down the valley. The back nine is not quite as interesting until the last few holes, where the challenge picks up and streams criss-cross fairways. Last season the course was in super condition. From several holes, the Beaver Creek ski trails offer a magnificent view. I played from the 5,088-yard forward tees which have a 128 Slope indicating that is on the difficult side. In my Opinion: From the forward tees this course is of average difficulty and both fun and challenging. I never tire of playing it and am certain that one day I will par the third hole! www.beavercreek.com/golf/beaver-creek-golf-club – 970/754-5775
Nancy Berkley continues her “In My Opinion” Review in Part II of TEE IT FORWARD on the I-70 Rocky Mountain Golf Trail – Vail, Colorado to Moab, Utah.
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Nancy Berkley Nancy Berkley, President of Berkley Golf Consulting, is an expert on women’s golf and junior-girls golf. She is a frequent contributor to www.cybergolf.com/womensgolf. Her book, “Women Welcome Here! A Guide to Growing Women’s Golf,” published by the National Golf Foundation, is an industry reference on marketing golf to women and spotting trends within the industry. She offers information and advice about the golf industry on www.berkleygolfconsulting.com and is often quoted in national publications. She also writes for www.ladiesgolfjourney.com. She is also the author of the NGF publication: “An Insider’s Guide to Careers in the Golf Industry.” She was a contributing editor of “Golf for Women” magazine and a founding advisor of “Golfer Girl Magazine.” Her interviews with women in the golf industry now appear on www.golfergirlcareers.com. Nancy lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Harvard University and Rutgers Law School. After a business and legal career, she decided to write about the game she learned and loved as a teenager. She describes herself as a good bogey golfer with permanent potential.
Softspikes®, the World’s Best-Selling Golf Cleat Brand, Wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational and LPGA Kia Classic in Dominant Fashion
 Softspikes BRENTWOOD, Tenn., March 28, 2011 … Softspikes®, the world’s best-selling golf cleat brand and maker of the #1 Cleat on TOUR, captured another title in dominant fashion, sweeping the top 5 on the leaderboard this weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Bay Hill. And that’s not all; Softspikes cleats were also donned by the winner and 4 of the top 5 finishers at the LPGA Kia Classic.
Softspikes’ success was front and center at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Besides dominating the overall cleat field, various models of Softspikes-brand cleats climbed to the top of the leaderboard. Cyclone captured another two Top 5 showings in Bay Hill, continuing its unprecedented run. Pulsar continued its stellar season capturing Top 5 finishes at both the PGA and LPGA Tour events.
“Seeing Softspikes-brand cleats in each of the top 5 leaderboard slots at Bay Hill was huge,” said John Hohman, Vice President of Marketing, PrideSports. “Winning weekend events is very exciting, but seeing the top five finishers all choose our performance cleats speaks volumes to the quality of Softspikes brand cleats.”
Softspikes’ patented Dynamic Cleat Technology allows its cleats to be responsive to all terrains – Tee Boxes, Fairways, Roughs, Greens, etc – providing confidence on every swing of the club. In other words, longer drives, better iron shots and lower scores. For more information on Softspikes, please visit www.softspikes.com.
PrideSports was formed in January 2003 following Pride Manufacturing Company’s purchase of Softspikes, Inc., and its sister company Trisport, Ltd. of England. This acquisition essentially formed the world’s premier golf accessories company, as Pride and Softspikes are the world’s leading golf tee and golf cleat lines, respectively. Today, PrideSports is the world leader in the design and manufacture of cleats, spikes and receptacles for the entire golf footwear industry.
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Northern Michigan resorts and Doral Golf Resort & Spa headline latest roster of courses joining online platform
ORLANDO, Fla., (March 1, 2011) – Forty-five golf courses across the country joined GolfNow.com’s online tee-time platform last week, joining more than 2,600 golf courses throughout North America already using the service. This week’s additions mark the second largest single week sign up record for the site – set the previous week – when 50 courses joined the Internet’s largest and most comprehensive tee-time booking service which allows users to easily search for and book tee times online.
Resorts dominated last week’s course additions, with GolfNow’s Northern Michigan market leading the way. Manistee National Golf & Resort, A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort and Hawk’s Eye Golf Resort in Northern Michigan joined the platform in the past week. Also joining the platform is Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, Fla., home resort to the WGC-Cadillac Championship. Exclusive online tee times for the Jim McLean, Great White, Red and Gold courses are now available online.
The full list of courses joining GolfNow.com in the past week includes:
The Club at Rawls Creek – Columbia, S.C.
Manistee National Golf & Resort: Cutter’s Ridge – Manistee, Mich.
Southwick Golf Course – Graham, N.C.
Forest Hills Golf Club – Augusta, Ga.
Eagle Creek Golf Club- Indianapolis, Ind.
Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex: Ackerman Hills- West Lafayette, Ind.
Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex: Kampen Course- West Lafayette, Ind.
Mystic Hills Golf Club at Culver- Culver, Ind.
Mattawang Golf Club- Belle Mead, N.J.
Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club- Roscoe, N.Y.
Cricket Hill Golf Club- Hawley, Pa.
Bowling Green Golf Club- Oak Ridge, N.J.
Grandview Golf Club- Kalkaska, Mich.
Loyalist Country Club- Ontario, Canada
Port Colborne Country Club- Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada
Val Halla Golf Course- Cumberland, Maine
Rancho Duarte Golf Course- Durate, Calif.
A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort Torch- Kewadin, Mich.
A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort Sundance- Kewadin, Mich.
Ingleside Golf Club- Thorndale, Pa.
Grand Lake Golf Course- Denver, Colo.
The Medalist Golf Club-Marshall, Mich.
Old Channel Trail- Montague, Mich.
Beeches Golf Club- South Haven, Mich.
Whitefish Lake Golf Club- Pierson, Mich.
Tullymore Golf Course- Stanwood, Mich.
St. Ives Golf Club- Stanwood, Mich.
Candlestone Golf & Resort- Belding, Mich.
Doral Golf Resort & Spa: Jim McLean- Miami, Fla.
Doral Golf Resort & Spa: Great White- Miami, Fla.
Doral Golf Resort & Spa: Red- Miami, Fla.
Doral Golf Resort & Spa: Gold- Miami, Fla.
The Chief Golf Course- Bellaire, Mich.
Manistee National Golf & Resort- Manistee, Mich.
Manistee Golf & Country Club- Manistee, Mich.
Hawk’s Eye Golf Resort- Bellaire, Mich.
Battlefield Golf Club at Centerville- Chesapeake, Va.
Riverbend Golf & River Club- Fort Myers, Fla.
Seven River Golf & Country Club- Crystal River, Fla.
Golden Hills Golf & Turf Club- Ocala, Fla.
Carolina National Golf Club- Bolivia, N.C.
The Golf Club at Rocky Mount- Rocky Mount, N.C.
Tot Hill Farm Golf Club- Asheboro, N.C.
Cahoon Plantation- Chesapeake, Va.
Emerald Hills Lodge and Golf Course- Redwood City, Calif.
Using leading edge technology, GolfNow.com offers golfers more ways to stay connected to their favorite courses and tee times through the web, e-mail and a mobile feature. Golfers can go online 24/7, choose a course, pick a tee-time deal that fits their schedule and budget and book the tee time. GolfNow.com offers access to golf courses from 45 U.S. states and Canada and is partnered with more than 2,600 courses throughout North America.
Golfing Families are Invited to Marriott Properties for a FUN Day of FREE Golf Activities & Instruction
 ORLANDO, Fla. – March 15, 2011…Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, is once again reaching out to families all over the world and promoting “togetherness in golf.” Today, Marriott Golf announced its fourth annual International Family Golf Festival program, a year-long series of one-day family golf events taking place at 32 leading Marriott Golf managed destinations throughout the world.
Commencing on April 9 at Sprowston Manor, A Marriott Hotel and Country Club, in Norwich, England, the Marriott International Family Golf Festival, which encourages parents and children to learn and play the game together, invites families to Marriott Golf properties for a fun-filled afternoon of FREE golf instruction, clinics, exciting activities, interactive golf games, family golf programs, chances to win a variety of prizes, and so much more! Each year, thousands of families take part in this exciting year-long program.
In addition, after 3 p.m., families and children can play golf for free as part of Marriott Golf’s “Kids Golf-4-Free” program in which an estimated 10,000 parents and children participate each year.
The Marriott International Family Golf Festival is another effort by Marriott to promote family golf. In 2005, Marriott Golf launched “Kids Golf-4-Free,” a first-of-its-kind program that enables kids up to 15 years old to golf for free when accompanied by a full paying adult after 3 p.m. In addition, Marriott Golf also offers free lessons anytime to kids up to 15 years old when accompanied by an adult who is taking a fully paid lesson from a Marriott Golf instructor. This program, which is available at some of Marriott Golf’s most prestigious resort destinations worldwide, was complemented in 2007 by the “Kids Rent-4-Free” program, which provides kids 15 years old and under with a free rental set of clubs when they participate in the “Kids Golf-4-Free” program.
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Marriott’s with Family Golf Festivals
Property Name:
Location:
Date:
Sprowston Manor, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club
Norwich, Norfolk, UK
4/9/2011
Mirage City Golf Club
Cairo, Egypt
4/9/2011
Falcon’s Fire Golf Club
Kissimmee, FL
4/16/2011
La Iguana Golf Club
Herradura Bay, Costa Rica
5/7/2011
Stone Mountain Golf Club
Stone Mountain, GA
5/15/2011
Shadow Ridge Golf Club
Palm Desert, CA
5/21/2011
Camelback Golf Club
Scottsdale, AZ
5/22/2011
Crane’s Landing Golf Club
Lincolnshire, IL
5/22/2011
Hawk’s Landing Golf Club
Orlando, FL
5/28/2011
Cattails at Meadowview
Kingsport, TN
6/12/2011
Toftrees Golf Club
State College, PA
6/12/2011
Tudor Park Country Club
Maidstone, Kent, UK
6/12/2011
Son Antem Golf Club
Mallorca, Spain
6/18/2011
The Rookery at Marco
Naples, FL
6/25/2011
Meon Valley Country Club
Nr. Southampton, Hampshire, UK
7/3/2011
Worsley Park Country Club
Worsley Park, Manchester, UK
7/3/2011
Kauai Lagoons Golf Club
Lihue, HI
7/9/2011
Property Name:
Location
Date:
Faldo Golf Institute
Orlando, FL
7/16/2011
Grande Pines Golf Club
Orlando, FL
7/16/2011
Breadsall Priory, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club
Nr. Derby, Derbyshire, UK
8/6/2011
Dalmahoy Country Club
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
8/14/2011
Desert Springs Golf Resort
Palm Desert, CA
8/21/2011
Westfields Golf Club
Clifton, VA
8/21/2011
Forest of Arden, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club
Meriden, Warwickshire, UK
8/21/2011
St. Pierre, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club
Monmouthshire, Wales, UK
8/21/2011
Griffin Gate Golf Club
Lexington, KY
8/28/2011
Hollins Hall Country Club
Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK
9/4/2011
Royal St. Kitts Golf Club
Basseterre, St. Kitts
9/10/2011
Willow Crest Golf Club
Oak Brook, IL
9/25/2011
Wildfire Golf Club
Phoenix, AZ
10/16/2011
Doral Golf Resort & Spa
Miami, FL
10/31/2011
Starr Pass Country Club
Tucson, AZ
12/11/2011
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Two-Time Major Winner John Daly to Call Award-Winning Courses Home
CHOCTAW, Miss., March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Dancing Rabbit Golf Club, owned and operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, announced today a new marketing partnership with PGA Tour veteran and two-time major winner John Daly – known as “The Lion” for his golden mane and record setting tee shots. In addition to making Dancing Rabbit Golf Club’s award-winning Azaleas and Oaks courses his home tracts, Daly will appear in broadcast, print and digital advertising on behalf of Dancing Rabbit Golf Club which will break in early spring in key markets across the Southeast.
It is a reunion for Daly who previously represented Dancing Rabbit in 2000. In addition to participating in selected events and appearances at Dancing Rabbit, Daly will display the Dancing Rabbit logo on his signature Loudmouth golf apparel and newly unveiled LCD flat screen television that has been integrated into his golf bag – a first for professional golf.
 The Azaleas at Dancing Rabbit Golf Course Daly said. “There are few courses in the region that can match Dancing Rabbit’s design and hospitality. It’s truly a gem that’s reflective of the great leadership of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.”
A native of Dardanelle, Arkansas, Daly owns 19 professional victories including his famed “zero to hero” win at the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club outside Carmel, Indiana and the 1995 Open Championship at St. Andrew Golf Links – “the home of golf.”
The 1990 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, Daly is only the fourth American since World War II to win two majors before his 30th birthday according to the PGA. In addition to his achievements on the course, Daly is known for his tireless charitable work off the course with Make-A-Wish Foundation® and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Widely regarded as one of the Southeast’s premier golfing destinations, Dancing Rabbit features two courses created by acclaimed golf course designer Tom Fazio and PGA great Jerry Pate. Dancing Rabbit’s The Azaleas course was called “The Augusta you can play,” by GOLF® Magazine and is consistently rated as one of the nation’s top 100 public golf courses.
Its sister tract, The Oaks course, is a masterpiece framed by the picturesque Choctaw landscape of ancient pines and hardwoods. For more information, visit www.DancingRabbitGolf.com.
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Hottest Selling Golf Items – Private and Resorts
One of my first attractions to golf was that Evan Picone, Liz Claiborne and other major business women’s apparel lines were getting into women’s golf. That indicated to me that women’s golf was a growing sport.
EP Pro tastefully blends classic looks with modern trends, capturing style and comfort. EP Pro has just been ranked the top ladies apparel vendor for the eighth consecutive year by the Association of Golf Merchandisers.
From argyle to print, visor to sock the 2011 spring line combinations can rate your wardrobe as “Dressed to the Nines.”
 Chantilly  High Society  Seychelles  Tropicana Spring brings thoughts of crispness, and is carried out in EP Pro’s “Chantilly” line of favorite colors of black and white with amethyst, this year’s black. Some are appointed with ribbon trim, ruched collars, seam detail and princess seams.
“High Society” steps out in classic navy and white with a polka dot theme in a simple trim. Or, there’s a beaded dot cardigan that makes a statement.
“Seychelles” combines black and white with chartreuse to heat up the season from head to toe in textures including liquid cotton, sateen, waffle and matte finishes.
Hot! Hot! Hot! That’s “Tropicana” served in strawberry and mango, making your mouth water. Watercolor floral print or comfortable seer sucker completes your summer look.
From sleeveless tops and shorts to fleece and pants, EP Pro has something for your complete golf wardrobe this season.
Shop EP Pro and other great brands –
LGJ Golf and Tennis Shop
There are thousands of items to see at the show from apparel to new products. Nancy Berkley selected her favorites in this report at www.ladiesgolfjourney.com/2011-PGA-Merchandise-Show-Womans-View-Part-IV.
Mixed in with Nancy Berkley’s visits to the exhibits were a series of conferences and interviews. Highlights of what she learned about “Junior golf is IN AGAIN” is at www.ladiesgolfjourney.com/2011-PGA-Merchandise-Show-Womans-View-III.html.
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