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PAST ISSUESAUGUST 2010 |
Last Year, I Had The Pleasure Of Meeting Ryan Winther. Ryan now holds the world record for the longest drive in competition at the Long Drive Championship in Mesquite, NV broadcast on ESPN.
Yes folks, and to borrow a slogan from McDonald’s – I Do It All For You. So, enjoy and Play Well.
During our visit, I watched as he hit drives so far that they vanished in to the morning Sun, He hit a 9 iron nearly 200 yards. Ryan is a strapping fellow and sports forearms akin to Popeye’s without the Anchor tattoo. I discovered that one of the training aids he uses is the weighted DRAZ Athletics Gloves. I contacted the people at DRAZ and asked to have samples sent to me.
Ryan Winther hit a 469 yard blast last week to qualify for the World Long Drive Championship in Mesquite, Nevada. This is the longest drive in history at Mesquite. Ryan currently has the longest drive during regular competition at 418 yards and is in the finals starting tomorrow/Friday. Ryan has been using our product for over 2 years and has been a big supporter and endorser. He feels the gloves have helped take him to the next level with his development. Please wish him luck in the competition. You can see more at his Facebook page under Ryan Winther.
Bobby Wilson, another avid user/endorser took second this year in the super senior event in a very close race. Bobby is the leading money winner in long drive and was first place in the senior and super senior events last year. He is in the finals for the senior competition. Please wish him good luck also.
This author knows the power of DRAZ Athletic Gloves. I use them in my exercise workouts. DRAZ weighted gloves have helped me drive up to 25 yards further, and more importantly, straighter than ever before. I highly recommend this product. Go to www.drazathletics to find out how you can improve your game.
Ogio Lightens The Load With New Ultralite Series
New Product Line Redefines Lightweight Golf Bags, Offering the Most Innovative and Functional Bags Known to Man.
OGIO, the revolutionary and innovative bag designer for adrenaline driven lifestyles, today launched the UltraLite Performance Golf Bag line. The UltraLite Series offers the synergy of high tensile and lightweight materials, like those used for building parachutes, another product where weight and strength are a necessity. Combined with OGIO’s trend setting fashions, aggressive styling and renowned innovations and patents, the brand continues to evolve the look and feel of the once traditional sport.
Golf requires more gear than any other recreational sport and OGIO understands that just one round with the wrong bag can result in some serious heavy lifting. While lugging hefty bags around the course might improve a golfer’s physique, the UltraLite Performance Series balances feature rich storage and technology that makes this OGIO’s lightest weight bags. The series was designed to keep work outs at the gym and not on the course.
“Pound for pound, our UltraLite Performance Golf Bags are the most durable and contain the most storage space of any bags that we have ever made at this light of a weight,” said Tom Gocke, vice president of global golf for OGIO. “Consistent with OGIO’s reputation, we continue to pour the innovation and creativity needed into the UltraLite Performance Series, resulting in one-of-a kind features such as the O-Shox™ Suspension System. OGIO provides golfers with a bag that looks as good as it feels, and delivers unmatched performance with dexterous innovations and unique features.”
The UltraLite Performance series features four distinctly different models for golfers:
For Carry:
Velocity—Weighing just 3.6 pounds, the Velocity offers more technology and storage space than any other bag OGIO has ever produced at its weight range. It boasts the 7-way Woode™ UltraLite Performance Top with full-length dividers, O-Shox™ suspension strap system and the AFS air flow system tech shoulder straps for a cooler, more comfortable ride. MSRP $195.
Helios—The lightest of the series at a mere 3.3 pounds, the Helios features all of the Velocity’s technological advantages but in a smaller package and a 6-Way Ultralite Performance top. MSRP $160
For Cart:
Assassin—Bringing lightweight performance to cart bags, the Assassin employs a 14-way Diamond UltraLite Performance Cart Top that offers maximum club protection teamed with the new Ball Silo™ which keeps three golf balls at-the-ready on the bag’s exterior. All of this at under 5 pounds! MSRP $220.
Mantix—At 4.5 pounds, the Mantix features a deluxe padded shoulder strap and a 14-way UltraLite Top packaged with little features that will make other golfers jealous including an umbrella holder, towel loop, lightweight molded handle and a whopping seven pockets to fit any extras, like an ice cold beverage or more sunscreen. MSRP $185.
OGIO’s UltraLite Performance Series features a number of bag enhancements, including:
O-Shox™ Suspension Strap System—OGIO’s patented system has comfort in mind, using an integrated elastomeric material to absorb downward pull and disperse energy from the bag as the golfer walks, significantly reducing strain on the upper body. A golf game can equal a seven mile walk; the O-Shox™ strap system won’t make you regret it later.
AFS-Air Flow System Tech Shoulder Strap—The sleek size and flexibility of the strap provides the most conforming fit on the market. The ventilated strap allows body heat to escape while allowing reversed airflow for a cool golfer on the course.
Diamond UltraLite Performance Top—Diamonds are now a golfer’s best friend as 14 diamond shapes maintain the health of clubs by encouraging maximum separation. The three built-in, strategically placed, “easy grab” handles allow for optimal maneuverability.
The UltraLite Performance Series will be available for purchase this month.
For more information about OGIO and the UltraLite Performance Series, please visit www.OGIO.com.
OGIO International, Inc. is a global leader in gear bag design recognized for its athlete-inspired innovative technology and “adrenaline driven” style that was born from the company’s action sports heritage. An award winning brand, the company received two gold medals by Golf Digest in their 2010 “Hot List” issue for its cutting edge golf bag line and was also selected as the official team travel gear for the 2010 U.S. President’s Cup. Founded in 1987, the private, Utah-based company distributes products worldwide under the OGIO brand name, and operates an original equipment manufacturer division to produce gear bags for other internationally known brands. The brand’s collection includes an extensive line of motocross bags; golf bags; snow and skate and packs; messenger bags; school packs; travel bags; motocross hard goods; and other active gear along with a roster of athletes that includes Travis Pastrana, Fred Couples and Bob Burnquist. For more information, visit www.ogio.com
New Tee Leveling—
Golfers can now take a level stance and swing away. The white/blue tee on #4, the white tee on #7 and the white tee on #10 are now as good as new, returning to their construction perfect condition of twelve years ago. Since WildHawk opened in 1998 those tees have developed uneven surfaces due to all the play the course has received and all the sand needed to fill the divots. Those tees were chosen because they were the worst on the course. The project involved stripping the old sod from the tee, and then they leveled using a laser device, and finally topped with brand new sod. I know you will enjoy the new tees and WildHawk plans on doing three more tees next year.
Bunker Replacement Project—
Along with the completed tee project, WildHawk is embarking on a year-long project to re-furbish all of our sand bunkers, all 54 of them. In a Golfer Survey administered in 2008 the majority of the respondents told them that the bunkers were the area of the golf course they were least satisfied with. So they listened. Over the years the bunkers have been filled different types and grades of sand causing drainage problems and became discolored from the native clay soil. Not to mention the rocks. Little (and not so little) rocks migrated up through the soil into the sand. More than a few sand wedges received a ding or two.
Wild Hawk will be removing all of the old sand, repairing the drainage if necessary, applying a bunker liner to prevent discoloration and the rocks coming up, and refilling with fresh USGA approved sand to the tune of $50,000! They’ll be looking so good you’ll want to go in the bunkers to try them out! Just yesterday, I wound up in a bunker and can attest that getting out is as easy as falling off a log. They are incredible.
WildHawk Grille Upgrades—
Paul and his staff are always looking to make your day at WildHawk more enjoyable after the round too. How does watching your favorite team on a big 60” TV sound? Or a 42” TV maybe? WildHawk is getting four new flat screen TV’s all in HD. Did you say you want to hear those TV’s through Bose speakers? You can do that too. Six of them total. They are installing an audio visual package that includes the four TV’s plus a speaker system inside and out on the patio as well. You will be able to linger longer after your round to enjoy a few more holes of the tournament, a couple more innings of a Giants game or the second half of the 49ers game and see if Mr. Woods will ever make a come back. Ahhhh, pass the pretzels please.
WildHawk Website
While the course is getting several improvements they haven’t forgotten the cyber world. You can now visit them on a brand new website www.wildhawkgolf.com . This new site presents a fresh new look for WildHawk, it will also allow them to keep you better informed, allow you to sign for lessons, tee times, tournaments and more, all online. The new website allows them to present all of their programs and what’s going on and up-coming money saving programs. Visit them often and make sure to join their e-club to receive all of their news, specials and promotions.
Golf and Lifestyle magazine, one of the leading golf magazines in Northern California has come out with their “Best of the Best” list and WildHawk garnered several awards. To top the list, Golf and Lifestyle chose WildHawk as the “Best Value” golf course. The course with the most “bang for your buck”, as they say. Their Grille also scored highly, taking third place for the “Best Bloody Mary”. So if you’re out here for an early tee time (or not) make sure to try one, you won’t be disappointed. Last but not least our General Manager Paul Henderson also was recognized, placing third, as the areas “Best GM.” Congratulations Paul!
“This year WildHawk will see many course improvements and exciting programs. Our intent is to always listen to the customer, move the course forward and make the day enjoyable to all who play and visit WildHawk. First, the bunker project. The bunkers are a big part of WildHawk, they are a major design feature, they dictate strategy and there are a lot of them, 54 total encompassing 75,000 square feet. After much research and planning, Superintendent Gerry Levesque and his crew are preparing to renovate all 54 sand traps. The project will take approximately a year and half to complete. So please be patient, when all are done they will be in better condition than opening day.
Another course project was just completed. We leveled and re-sodded three tees. The tees on #4, #7 and #10 were roly-poly from a lot of play and a lot of divot-mix. I have been receiving rave reviews since those tees were put back into play. There are plans to continue tee leveling next year.
After a round on the golf I know how good it feels to come off the course have some lunch and watch the golf tournament or a ball game on TV. Well, that got a whole lot better with the addition of the four new flatscreen TV’s we installed plus the sound system. Golfers have been staying around longer watching sports and socializing. With the new sound system WildHawk can also host any type of party or community or business meeting. Contact our Grille staff to book your event.
WildHawk also launched or improved many programs this year. The popular Platinum Range Plan has been complimented by the Gold and Silver Range Plans. These plans dispense fewer range balls but cost less also. Membership in all three range plans receives $5 twilight and super twilight green fees. Our First Tee Junior Programs have expanded to classes Saturday morning, which has been filled to capacity since their exception. Our summer camps and weekday classes have gone through a little fine-tuning also.
It is always a good reminder to mention WildHawk offers a great discount on Wild Wednesdays when golf and cart are only $34. If you wear a Hawaiian shirt on Fridays or are in law enforcement or a firefighter you play for a discount as well.
All of our programs and promotions are found on our new website www.wildhawkgolf.com. Please visit this site often; it will be updated on a regular basis with news, program information and promotions. Make sure to join the e-club and receive course news right in your inbox.
I hope you come out to WildHawk this summer and see all the improvements that we are making.”
For more information, contact: Paul Henderson, Course Manager at
WildHawk Golf Club at 916-668-4653 or go to: www.wildhawkgolf.com. Wild Hawk is owned and operated by the Southgate Parks and Recreation District.
By the way, if you want someone who will care about you and your game, contact Head Pro, Tony Schwartz, PGA. Tony has helped me personally and I highly recommend him. You can reach Tony at 916-688-4653. And he’ll instruct you in private, on grass, far away from the practice tees.
The Gyro Swing is the first training device that lets golfers actually feel the correct plane and release, letting them feel the perfect swing instead of worrying about positions and mechanics. Gyro Swing’s unique 20,000 RPM gyroscope in the clubhead ingrains the sense of the perfect swing and forces the swing to stay on plane and grooves a perfectly timed release. Great tool for curing problems such as “coming over the top” and casting by providing resistance when swings go off-plane or have an early release. Includes additional features such as see-through grip guide for ideal hand placement and dual-color shaft which visually reinforces the sense of swinging on a plane.
The results? Lower scores, more fun and more Nassau’s won fomr your weekend buds.
Retails for $99.99 and can be purchased online at www.sklz.com or via phone at 877-225-7275 or at retailers throughout North America.
Nike Golf has been a best friend of Golf Today Magazine since I began writing reviews. Their exceptional innovations in not only golf clubs that perform, but also in the their unique apparel lines, classic footwear and other golf related products have taken the golf industry by storm as they remain as one of the top few manufacturers of all golf products in the world.
Nike Golf has capitalized on the power of aerodynamics found in the Nike SQ MACHSPEED Driver that was released last spring, Nike Golf is taking the notion of aerodynamics efficiency to the next level with its new SQ MACHSPEED Black Driver.
Available at retail November 26, 2010, the Nike SQ MACHSPEED Black Driver has two 460cc round and square heads and features a sleek black profile to ensure that the air moves quickly and cleanly over the club head with each swing. Through optimal aerodynamics (360_ air flow across the drivers), the Nike SQ MACHSPEED Black generates faster club head speed by reducing drag. A deeper face allows for the delivery of greater ball speed across the face resulting in greater distance on off center hits. The face of the club head is tall and tapers quickly, enabling more forgiveness. Also differentiating from its predecessor, the SQ MACHSPEED, is in the performance of ball flight. The SQ MACHSPEED Black produces a lower ball flight and lower spin rates than the original SQ MACHSPEED, thus helping to create longer drives.
Available in round and square-shape, the SQ MACHSPEED Black Drivers offer Nike’s STR8-FIT technology, which delivers eight face angle options—two degrees open and two degrees closed. The square version promotes forgiveness and stability. The round version is for golfers who desire more workability and shot shaping. Both drivers come with Mitsubishi Rayon lightweight Fubuki shafts which allow for maximum speed.
The Nike SQ MACHSPEED Black driver is loaded with a combination of ground-breaking technology that was born from the minds of Nike Golf’s team of engineers.
SQ Machspeed Black (round and square options):
Men’s: Loft Options: 8.5 (RH); 9.5 (RH/LH); 10.5 (RH/LH); 11.5 (RH); HL (RH) All available in: A,R,S,X
MSRP: $359.99
Women’s: Loft Options: 11.5 (RH); HL (RH) All available in W (women’s) shaft.
MSRP: $359.99. See them all at: www.nikegolf.com.
Don’t Know? Now you can find out in an instant. Anytime. Anywhere. The new DUO Heart Rate Monitor Watch will give you a continuous and on-demand Heart rate by utilizing the Touch Activate Case..
Not only is this exceptional product a Heart Rate Monitor, it’s a Digital Watch with a 7 day memory Recall, a Calorie-Burn Monitor, a Fat-Burning Zone Locator, a HR Audible Alarm, a HR Recovery Time and many more functions.
Included is a Continuous Heart Rate Chest-Belt that is perfect to measure one’s Heart Rate while running, biking, jogging or any other strenuous activity.
The DUO Heart-Rate-Monitor sports the most advanced sensing technologies to offer one a Heart Rate management system that works for every type of sport or fitness program.
In these trying time where the economy, it notable that many are exercising at home rather than joining costly gym clubs. The new DUO is perfect because you purchase it once, and it’s yours. Guaranteed for a full 5 years, you can get one by logging onto: www.sportline.com.
Haggin Oaks PGA Golf Professional Shaun Barnes Wins NCPGA Club Fitter of the Year Award
Morton Golf LLC and the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex are thrilled to announce that Haggin Oaks PGA Golf Professional Shaun Barnes has been named the 2010 winner of the NCPGA Club Fitter of the Year. The Northern California Professional Golfer’s Association Club Fitter of the Year Award is designed to recognize a PGA Professional who has exhibited great knowledge in club fitting while striving to improve the game through properly fitted equipment.
Shaun Barnes first started playing golf when he was 10 years old, playing with his father and brother. Shaun and his brother played at Haggin Oaks in the Junior Golf program in the early 1980’s but he never took the game too seriously until 10 years later while earning an A.S. degree in Physical Therapy in Loma Linda University.
Shaun worked at Sutter Memorial and Sutter General hospitals as a Physical Therapist Assistant from 1995 until 2000 when he decided to switch careers. He attended the Professional Golfers Career College in Temecula, CA where he earned a specialized Associates Degree in golf management and graduated at the top of his class.
Before joining the team at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex, Shaun worked for the First Tee of Greater Sacramento at William Land Golf Course where he taught kids and adults the game of golf.
Shaun believes the most important element of coaching golf is the ability to make learning the game fun for the student. “If I am having fun during the coaching of the student, then in turn, I believe the student will have fun. My coaching caters to the student’s own abilities to help them develop proper fundamentals to maximize their potential and reach their goals.”
Shaun’s teaching philosophy is that for any golfer, new or accomplished, the game is best learned from the green to the tee. In sequential order of learning the different parts of the game, Shaun’s approach in coaching is: putting, chipping, pitch shots (bunkers), full swing irons, full swing fairway metals, driving, playing the game, trouble shots and course management. His approach also includes finding out the characteristics of each student by asking specific questions appropriate to the situation. According to Shaun, “I need to fully understand the student and know what learning style (visual, auditory or kinesthetic) each student excels at. I coach a strong base of fundamentals (grip, aim and setup), and the process (In-swing motion), which will produce desirable outcomes. Coaching the student to be mindful of what they are doing and why they are doing it will allow them to become their own coach with the ability to self-analyze and self-correct.”
This Section Award will be presented at the NCPGA Awards Ceremony, held on December 5, 2010 at the Northridge Country Club in Citrus Heights, CA.
Managed by Morton Golf, the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex is located at 3645 Fulton Avenue in Sacramento (at the Capital City Freeway). For more information, call Ken Morton, Jr. at (916) 481-GOLF or email at kmortonjr@hagginoaks.com.
You stand on the first tee. Left of center stands a Heritage Oak that has been there for more than 200 years. It dares you to fly it. To the left is one of the 13 reed lined lakes that is home to some of Northern California’s magnificent birds. Herons, Egrets and Mallards all thrive at Wild Wings. To the right is a bail out. A shot to the left between the Oak and the Lake offers a much better shot into the green. If you bail out, you’ll have to fly the bunkers that protect the right side of the green. So, what-are-you-gonna-do Pilgrim? Do you want to start you first shot of the 18 as a baby bail out? Or are you gonna’ take the Man’s way to Nirvana and make a Bird on #1? As Clint Eastwood said once in a Dirty Harry film: “Well, are you feeling lucky?”
Wild Wings is a unique offering to the golfing public of the Sacramento Valley. Located just 30 minutes north of Sacramento, in Woodland, Wild Wings Golf Club is one of the longest nine hole courses in Northern California, and one of the most challenging.
Since opening in 2005, Wild Wings has become a must play for golfers of all skill levels. Our exceptional course conditions rival any private or public course in the Sacramento area.
Very Wide and fast Bermuda fairways give you a better opportunity to place your ball for your next shot. Bermuda fairways allow the ball to ‘sit up’ rather than rest in a flat lie giving you a better opportunity to make good contact.
Smooth and flat tees are at a premium at all times, and many finely manicured and playable bunkers surround each hole adding beauty to this gem in Yolo County. Three par 3’s, three par 4’s and three par 5’s combine with 13 lakes and immaculate bent grass greens to consistently provide a Championship playing experience thanks to Superintendent Mike Scolaro.
I suggest you visit and experience what has been voted the “Best Greens in the Valley” for 4 consecutive years. In 2009 Wild Wings was voted “Best Golf Course” in Yolo County by a local media poll.
Week-day Green fees range from $13 for 9 holes (Senior) to $22 for 18 holes (regular). Week-end rates range from $20 for 9 holes to $30 For 18 holes.Cart fees are $7.00 per rider for 9 holes and $12.00 per rider for 18 holes.Twilight rates begin at 3:00pm and golfers pay for 9 holes and can play 18.
Wild Wings is also proud to announce the recent opening of its new restaurant “The Nest”. “The Nest” features a full luncheon menu along with specialty breakfast items, a banquet menu and monthly fine dining opportunities. The large dining room opens out to a large patio equipped with plenty of seating for al fresco dining and overlooks the practice putting green and the beautiful lake that borders the 1st fairway. “The Nest” dining room is large enough to accommodate nearly 100 people for dining. A smaller room known as “The Heron Room” is perfect for private meetings, luncheons and intimate dining for parties of 25 or less. “The Nest” is available for parties, tournament banquets, even weddings.
For more info go to: www.wildwingsgolf.com or call GM Randall Thomas, PGA at 530-661-4720. Wild Wings is a Kemper-Sports Management course.
PS… at 3,100 yards, this is by no means a short course because approach shots require some talent due to the bunkering. Play well and enjoy.
I’m outta’ here!