by Mike Hamiel, member California Golf Writers Association

GOLF ODDITIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, part three . . .

MOST EXPENSIVE GOLF COURSE TO BUILD – Liberty National Golf Club, Jersey City, N.J., less than 1000 yards from the Statue of Liberty, was designed by Robert Cupp and Tom Kite. Carrying a price tag of $250 million, it’s a big course, 7400 yards from the tips. Including a heliport, yacht services, spa and restaurants all built on a former landfill with the Manhattan skyline in the distance. Membership fees are $500,000, apparently cheap enough to attract members like Eli Manning, Phil Mickelson, Rudolph Giuliani, and Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots.

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How Low Can You Go: "Heatstroke Open"

The Furnace Creek Resort in North America’s hottest and driest location and home to the world’s lowest golf course, will host the “Heatstroke Open” Golf Tournament June 24-26.

Located in Death Valley National Park, the Ranch at Furnace Creek will offer the Heatstroke Open package featuring two nights of accommodations, 36 holes of tournament golf plus an optional Friday practice round, cart, prizes, a player gift bag and a commemorative certificate. The package is priced at $199 per person based on double occupancy and includes taxes.

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GCSANC Heads Up, Hands On Demo Day set for La Rinconada CC 

Los Gatos, Calif. — Golf Course Superintendents from clubs and courses throughout Northern California will convene on Monday, May 23  at La Rinconada Country Club for an Education and Equipment Demo-Tryout Day.

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A GolfMediaLibrary.com Interview with Golf Course Architect Forrest Richardson

Second Opinion Book Reviews

One For The Ages

by Bob Fagan

If you weren’t around to watch the 1986 Masters Championship, reading Tom Clavin’s “One For The Ages” is the next best thing.

While that particular Masters may have been golf’s most magical climactic moment with so many wonderful competitors part of the cast, it was Jack Nicklaus’ final major win in such stirring fashion that is worthy of review.

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Think Like a Caddie Play Like a Pro

by Bob Fagan

There are a zillion instructional books in bookstores, but “Think Like a Caddie Play Like a Pro” by James Bartlett & The Professional Caddies Assn. is interestingly different. It’s part insightful instruction and an historical celebration of the role of the caddie and some of its highest profile members.

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Golf Fest Shows Set For San Diego, Phoenix & Las Vegas

Golf Fest, one of the longest running consumer golf shows in the country, has announced the dates and locations for the 2011 shows in San Diego, Phoenix and Las Vegas.

Golf Fest San Diego will be held April 8-9 at Riverwalk Golf Course, Golf Fest Phoenix will be held May 20-21 at ASU Karsten Golf Course, and Golf Fest Vegas will be held June 9-10 at Angel Park Golf Course.

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Reviving a Legend  Though the business was considered the best and most played in the world, as usual there was a catch. There’s no doubt that the foreground of MacGregor and their immensely popular products were thriving at a domestic and international level. However, backstage, on the corporate side of things, a worrying trend continued. From 1967 to 2003 the MacGregor name went through a myriad of changes in ownership. With different minds at the helm, the true vision that once made MacGregor superior among its rivals began to flame out. Read more about it.

Golf's Ticking Time Bomb by Bob Fagan. Golf has a ticking time bomb that will begin to affect every facility with a golf course, the equipment manufacturers, and those employed or hoping to stay employed in and around the game.  This time bomb begins its devastating effect in about 20 years—around 2030 by my estimates.

Swing Analysis and Instruction by Leadbetter for Wii

Data Design Interactive’s new “My Personal Golf Trainer” for the Nintendo Wii features swing analysis and personalized lessons by the world’s #1 golf instructor David Leadbetter. Incorporating the Wii Balance Board and the new Wii MotionPlusTM Controller, this is the first product to analyze the full golf swing in 3D space and give personalized feedback.