COLUMNS

Editorial: 25 Years

by Bob Koczor, Editor/Publisher, Golf Today Magazine

As one can tell by the Front Cover, this edition marks the start of the 25^th year for Golf Today Magazine. Normally, this benchmark is ample cause to take the day off and celebrate, try and hit that elusive eagle... even if luck makes it possible.

Back in the ‘80s I took a day off to celebrate the sale of my three newspapers by skiing in the early morning, playing a round of golf mid-day, then sailing a catamaran in the late afternoon (I owned a boating magazine, also), ending the day with a wonderful sunset dinner. Where? –in Hawaii and, yes, enjoying all my favorite pastimes in one day!

Now, however, in striking contrast during these challenging economic times, to fete a milestone consists of putting an extra day in the office, plain and simple, and getting ‘caught up”.

Recessionary challenges are different than those before, especially in the publishing field where obituaries often precede anniversaries.

That’s why the focus and scope of Golf Today Magazine is noticeably evolving. There is no other golf publication covering as many golf products, and as thoroughly as this magazine in your hands right now.

There is no other golf magazine that also features several of its writers traveling afar to distant countries every month for golf experiences that they share with our many readers.

Print promotions precede digital promotions followed by Internet exposure through coverage on websites, blogs, FB, Twitter and by Social Networks like Google and Yahoo. Now we even have “Cloud” coverage, and I don’t mean the cumulus kind of cloud.

This is modern-day innovative publishing without losing the hard work part of our professional endeavors.

My thanks to all the readers of Golf Today Magazine, as well as thanks to its hardworking staff. If it wasn’t for all you, this quarter-century hallmark would not have been possible.

 Read more about it.

The Golf Explorer

By Hal Gevertz

Golf at Indian Valley Country Club in Novato

What is now Novato was originally the site of several Coast Miwok villages. One was Chokeche near downtown Novato, while another was Puyuku located near Ignacio, and Olompali which is found at the present Olompali State Historic Park. The park overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay from the east-facing slopes of 1,558 foot Mount Burdell. Several historic buildings are preserved within the park.

This all came about when the Mexican government in 1839 granted 8,876 acres (Rancho Novato) to Fernando Felix. The rancho was named after a local Miwok leader who had probably been given the name of Saint Novatus at his baptism.

Read more about it.

Golf

The last two golf events of the year to be sponsored by Golf Today Magazine will be October 4, 2011 at Eagle Vines in Napa, and Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Trinitas Golf Course, Valley Springs, Calif., near Jackson, Calif. Sign up for the next fun tournament by contacting Golf Today Magazine at 661-823-7842.

Golf Today Magazine’s Annual Golf Bag Review

by Terry VanderHeiden

Once again Golf Today is offering up the Annual Golf Bag Review. This is our sixteenth year of showing you what’s new in golf bags and this year has some great selections for you to choose from.

All the carry bags in this year’s review come with pop-out legs to stand the bag up while you are hitting your shot. All of these carry bags have with dual shoulder straps to balance the weight of the club over the shoulder. There is one manufacturer that takes this backpack style golf bag to a new level this season, it really is quite clever what they have done and it makes a huge difference in the weight distribution. Read on to find out more.

Read more about it.

Bob’s Review of Golf Products/Pre-Holiday Gift-Giving Ideas

 By Bob Koczor

 GRIDIRON GOLF GRIPS

Ever play football? Toss a real football? I’m talking about a football made out of real genuine leather, not that fake pseudo phony lab-made leather. And not those fuzzy foam footballs, nor those rubber pigskins.

Best Grips recently introduced its new Gridiron Golf Grips which are made of the same leather as NFL footballs. These are the only genuine leather grips made in the USA.

Why real leather for golf grips? #1) provides true tactile feel; #2 provides memory and adhesion; #3) provides the highest shock absorption and comfort. (Same benefits accrued on the gridiron with a real football!)

Think about the football with which you have played in past years or the football you have seen played Sunday afternoons on TV and you’ll easily recall the durability factor benefits of leather, as well. Kick it, slam it, pile on it… and it remains as good as new.

Now take that leather and try it on the grips of your golf clubs. Best Grips uses the finest genuine leather available.

Visit www.BestGrip.com for more information.

You might just want to also take a peek at Best Grips’ exotic hides, from alligator to ostrich to shark, rattlesnake and lizard. These have unique looks and a high tactile feedback so important when swinging a club.

 “WHEN TO REGRIP YOUR BALL RETRIEVER”

You gotta have a sense of humor if you play golf for the fun of it. This covers about all of us who aren’t playing on some kind of Tour, and those who are not trying to pay their mortgages from ‘side bets’ with their buddies.

And much, much more. Read all about it

Craig Stadler at Fall Golf Show!

The PGA Nationwide Tour’s Fresh Express Classic and PGA Champions Tour’s Charles Schwab Cup gave the 2011 Bay Area Fall Golf Show its latest major endorsement, re-signing as sponsors of the three-day golf expo, Oct. 28-30 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Tickets, exhibitor information, lists of activities and more are available online at bayareagolfshow.com.

Read more about it.

Product Notes by Bob Koczor, Editor/Publisher of Golf Today Magazine

by Bob Koczor

The eagle eye of Editor/Publisher Bob Koczor examines a host of new golf products:

Gridiron Golf Grips

HOP! Repair Tool & Ball Marker

Quantum Golf Glove

Bushnell Hybrid

Clicker Remote

DryMax socks

X-Gap Pouch

Double Duty Divot Repair

The Right Mind for Golf

PlaneFinder

Read more about it.

From our January issue:

Training Aids There is nothing else in the world that is similar to golf instruction. If children were taught to walk using the same type of process used in the traditional method of golf instruction, we would be a world of slugs.

International Players

Ji-Yai Shin is another Korean star blazing on the golfing horizon. Read more about her.

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