Three More Major Champions Coming To Westchester

A trio of major champions--Mark Calcavecchia, Corey Pavin and Nick Price--have joined the field at the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship, to be held August 18-21 at Westchester Country Club.

13-time PGA TOUR winner Calcavecchia captured his most notable victory at the 1989 British Open at Royal Troon where he defeated Wayne Grady and Greg Norman on the fourth playoff hole. The fan favorite has been a member of four U.S. Ryder Cup teams and one Presidents Cup team. Calcavecchia has had six top-10 finishes this year on the Champions Tour, but remains in search of his first victory.

A 15-time winner TOUR, Pavin found success in the form of a major title in New York at the 1995 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. The California native is a three-time Ryder Cup member and served as captain of the 2010 U.S. squad at Celtic Manor in Wales. Since turning 50 in November of 2009, Pavin has recorded 13 top-10 finishes on the Champions Tour.

“It's nice for us to be able to go back to Westchester again this year,” said Pavin, who made 15 starts at the course when it hosted The Barclays on the PGA TOUR. His best finish was T9 in 1996. Pavin continues, “It's a pretty interesting golf course. It's a course you look at and think you can shoot a pretty good score on and it's just very difficult to do. It's very tricky. The greens are very difficult to putt and hit in to. To me, it's very much of a position golf course. You really need to hit very clean iron shots into the greens from the fairway. The greens have lots of slope and it's hard to make putts there. I think it's tough to score (at Westchester), but everybody always enjoyed playing there."

photo courtesy of Westchester CC

2003 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Price has amassed over 50 professional wins across four decades in his career. One of the TOUR’s most dominant players in the mid-1990s, Price captured three major championships including back-to-back majors at the 1994 British Open and PGA Championship and was named Player of the Year in 1993 and ‘94. A native of South Africa, Price has won four events on the Champions Tour since his debut in 2007, most recently at the Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach, CA this past March.

Players announced thus far include defending champion Mark O’Meara, David Frost, Bob Gilder, Jay Haas, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Loren Roberts, Scott Simpson, Bob Tway, Bobby Wadkins, Tom Watson and D.A. Weibring. More player announcements will come as additional commitments are received leading up to the Championship.

For information on the event, visit www.ceseniorplayers.com, or by calling the championship office at 914-481-5900.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

Finally, Someone Does Something About Pace Of Play

If your idea of a great round of golf includes playing 18 holes in less than four hours, no waiting for the group in front of you and finishing before noon, then the new “Fast Track Golf” program at Crystal Springs Resort is for you.

Located in the mountains of northern New Jersey, Crystal Springs Resort surveyed hundreds of their golfers and quickly discovered overwhelming support for a faster pace of play. With such strong sentiment voiced, the Resort quickly implemented a proactive program that enables golfers to complete a round in less than four hours.

On weekends throughout the summer season, Crystal Springs will implement “Fast Track Golf” on two of the Resort’s seven award-winning courses, with designated “Fast Track Golf” tee times at Wild Turkey prior to 7:30 a.m. and at Cascades prior to 10 a.m. “Fast Track Golf” is available to daily fee players or to resort guests.

“Fast Track Golf is one of the alternative golf concepts we have successfully implemented at Crystal Springs,” said Art Walton, Vice President of Golf Operations. “We want our guests to have a great time here, even if that means we actually shorten their time playing golf.”

Features of “Fast Track Golf” include:
•Maximum 7 strokes per hole
•Maximum 3 putts per hole
•Lost balls must be abandoned after a 60-second search
•No “honors” – play when ready

Those who don’t maintain pace will be warned, moved, or may be required to play another course.

AS most of us know, there's really no reason for a round of golf to take more than four hours. I've played plenty of rounds in three hours or less--walking in a foursome! All it takes is some common sense steps like being ready to swing when you get to the ball, picking up when you're out of the hole in your match, and not spending time looking for a ball you couldn't play even if you found it. If you're playing in a tournament, things may be different, although I've also competed in MGA events that didn't take more than four hours so I know it CAN be done.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

Metropolis Gets Set For An Upgrade

Metropolis Country Club, one of my favorites in the Westchester County neighborhood, will undergo some renovation after the completion of the 2011 season. It sounds like they're planning to make a couple of holes better, not just longer.

The tees on the 5th hole will be rebuilt, with 15 yards added to the back tees to stretch the hole to 401 yards. The dogleg right will be softened and the fairway will be more visible from the tee boxes.

For the 18th hole, the goal is to create a memorable finish that reflects the character of the complete layout and underscore the caliber of golf course. The renovation will eliminate the severity of the dogleg right and add approximately 20 yards to the back tees, lengthening it to 404 yards.

The work, planned and overseen by golf course architect Dave Heatwole, will slightly alter the two holes and enhance the playability of this venerable golf course. Famous, as well as infamous, for its relentless dogleg par 4s, Metropolis is making the modifications to meet the changing needs of its golf membership.

A challenging par 71, Metropolis was established in 1922, with the original design enhanced by noted architect A. W. Tillinghast. The course features many doglegs, as well as a collection of undulating greens that tests every aspect of even the best player’s shot-making ability.

The original 18 holes at Metropolis were designed by Herbert Strong, with architect Joe Finger assigned in the 1970s to make the changes to allow room for parking and tennis courts.

Long respected for its golf course, Metropolis has a roster of notable head golf professionals: Paul Runyan (1931-43); Jack Burke, Jr. (1948-50); Joe Moore and Bob Watson (co-golf professionals from 1950-53), Harry “Lighthorse” Cooper (1953-1978); Gene Borek (1980-2005); Ron Philo (06-07), Craig Thomas (2007-present), and its prominent members.

Named 2011 Club of the Year by the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association (MGWA), Metropolis was cited for upholding the spirit and traditions of golf through energetic support and consistent dedication to the game.

Metropolis has hosted every significant championship in the Metropolitan area, including the Met Open, Met Amateur and The Ike.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

Tom Watson Joins The Field At Westchester CC

Tom Watson is the latest major champion to join the field at the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship, to be held August 18-21 at Westchester Country Club.

Watson, who is competing in his 34th British Open this week, has won 14 times since joining the Champions Tour in 1999. A native of Kansas City, MO (near where I grew up, caddied, and learned to love the game), Watson collected 39 career wins while on the PGA TOUR including five British Open victories (1975, ’77, ’80, ’82 and ’83), the 1977 and 1981 Masters and the 1982 U.S. Open. His breathtaking near-win of the 2009 British Open is etched in the memories of golfers everywhere. A four-time Ryder Cup competitor and 1993 Ryder Cup captain, Watson earned player of the year honors on the PGA TOUR six times during his career (1977-’80, ’82 and ’84).

Watson is one of 78 players who will tee it up at next month’s Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship, the final major of the Champions Tour season. Though it’s been 17 years since he last competed at Westchester Country Club, he is excited to return. “It’s terrific we are going back there to play and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Watson had eight top-10s at Westchester, including a runner-up finish to David Graham in 1976, when the venue previously hosted the PGA TOUR’s Westchester Classic (now known as The Barclays).
“I like Westchester because the greens have an elevation and you have a few blind shots. It’s really a good golf course because of the variety of shots you have to hit,” Watson recalls. Some of the venue’s off the course treats left a lasting impression on him as well. “I remember they had the best hot dogs in the world down the right side of No. 5.”

Previously announced players include defending champion Mark O’Meara, David Frost, Bob Gilder, Jay Haas, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Loren Roberts, Scott Simpson, Bob Tway, Bobby Wadkins and D.A. Weibring.

Tickets to the vent are on sale now at www.ceseniorplayers.com, or by calling the championship office at 914-481-5900. A single-day grounds ticket is just $20 plus tax and fees. It's valid for grounds admission, good any one day, from August 17-21. A weekly clubhouse-access ticket is available for $125 plus tax and fees and offers admission to the grounds and to the clubhouse every day during the competition rounds, August 18-21. Food and beverage is available in the clubhouse for additional purchase. Children 18 and under and active, retired and reserve military personnel are admitted to the grounds at no charge.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

Even If Your Clubs Are Off The Shelf--Get Fitted!

Golfers will find the best of both worlds at DD Custom Golf, a new club fitting service operating at Fairview Golf Center in Elmsford. Owner Steve Kurnit, a club fitter of long-time good standing in the metro area, not only offers high-tech measurement, but you can see what's happening with your ball flight as he tweaks your clubs on the range.

"The flight monitor only watches the ball for 15 inches," Kurnit points out, "but having the range lets the client see how the ball really behaves."

Kurnit estimates he's done 1500 fittings since he started in the business 25 years ago. He set up shop in partnership with Fairview just a few days ago. He not only has all the tools to measure your swing there, but a shop on the premises to tweak your sticks on the spot, too. The shop is only a few steps away from the privately-curtained hitting bay he uses to check your swing.

In addition to measuring the golfer's lie, loft, and shaft length, Kurnit emphasizes the importance of having the right shaft flex for your swing. "You hit the ball with the head, but you hit it right because of the shaft," he says. It's also not enough to pick the right shaft according to the manufacturer's specs, either, since any one graphite shaft in a supposedly identical group of ten can vary as much as a full flex from the others. If you're going to spend $300 on the perfect shaft, he emphasizes, you should have it tuned to be sure you're getting what you want.

Kurtin uses a GC2 Foresight flight monitor to check swing speed, ball speed, launch angle, shaft angle at impact, back spin, side spin, percent off line, carry, roll, and peak height. Since the golfer is hitting on a full range, he or she can see what all those numbers really add up to.

I'm a big believer in proper club fitting and can personally attest to one of Kurtin's points: most players will hit their driver further and straighter if they use a shaft shorter than the standard 46 inches. "It's all about controlling the club face so it strikes the ball in the center," Kurtin says. "Center hits on square club faces have less spin so they fly straighter." Even if your clubhead speed is a little shower, it's axiomatic that balls that land in the fairway run out more than those that hit the rough.

A full 14-club fitting can run three to five hours in total (not all at once!) and runs $275. Each driver, fairway wood, and hybrid are individually measured, as are all the irons and even your putter. Irons or woods only are $150. A great way to try out the service is with a one-club "quick fit" for $75. Take your driver--and see what a shorter shaft will mean to you.

DD Custom Golf is at Fairview Golf Center in Elmsford. For more information, call (914) 715-8486. By the way, the "DD" in the name doesn't stand for Dave Donelson--it's "Dynamic Diagnostic" Custom Fitting.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

Upper Montclair CC - A Championship Club

With so much great golf within minutes of my home in Westchester County, I don't typically venture too far when I'm looking for a round. Yesterday, though, I had the good fortune to visit Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, NJ. I may have to put some extra gas money in the golf budget for future trips to that fine old club.

Upper Montclair is well-known as the site of PGA and LPGA Tour events starting with the Thunderbird Classic in 1962 and ending--at least for the moment--with the Sybase Classic in 2009. Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Mason Rudolph, Gene Littler, and Sam Snead are just a few of the greats who played the course in the 60s, while Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley, and Lorena Ochoa (who won the Sybase twice at the club) are among the top women golfers to compete there.

Last year, Upper Montclair underwent an extensive renovation that included updating of the bunker complexes, expansion of several greens, and work on some drainage issues. There's still a little work going on to cart paths and a few amenities, but I found the facility in spectacular condition. By the end of the summer, I would expect the expanded greens on several holes to be perfect. The original designs were by A.W. Tillinghast and Robert Trent Jones.

UMCC has three nines, any two of which combine for a 71.8 rating and 131 slope. Each is about 3,250 yards. From the back tips, any combination reaches about 6,900 yards. I found the mix of long, demanding holes with short shot-maker delights to be ideal for keeping my interest throughout the round. I played the West and South Courses and look forward to a trip back to explore the East before the year is out.

The West course opens with two 320-yard birdie opportunities, although you'll have to work for them with well-managed tee shots and approach shots kept under the pin on the undulating greens. At 507 yards, the first par five on the East (hole #5) can give you a birdie, too, but only if you can control a hard fade off the tee and have the intestinal fortitude to challenge the water in front of the green on your second shot. The ninth hole is a tough, tough par at 420 yards that end with an elevated green. You'll be tempted to try to cut the corner of the dogleg by carrying the bunker on the right with your tee shot, but you'll just end up in thick rough behind a tree if you do. The better play is to the left side of the narrow fairway.

The South course begins with a full-size par four at 410 yards. The highlight comes on the third hole, a perfect combination of picturesque water, colorful landscaping, and a well-placed bunker. It calls for a high draw off the tee which will catch a gentle down-sloping fairway to leave you with a short iron over water to the green. The kidney-shaped green drops steeply from back to front (toward the water, of course) and has a ridge bisecting it as well. Another ten yards or so was added to the back lobe of the green during the renovation, which gives some even more challenging pin positions.

I have to add one final note: the cheeseburger after the round ranked among the greatest anywhere. I particularly liked the intricate club logo perfectly burned into the bun!

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

Congressional Dissected In U.S. Open Preview

The place to see what the pros will face at Congressional in this week's U.S. Open is NBCSports.MSNBC.com, where Brian Crowell provides hole-by-hole commentary on the course.

In addition to writing about golf, Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.