Give Dad A Butch Harmon Lesson

In celebration of the first anniversary of the release of his "Butch Harmon About Golf presented byTitleist" DVD -- and as a special tribute to all fathers -- Butch Harmon has announced a special deal on the video set. Now through the conclusion of the U.S. Open, buy one DVD and get a second for only $20. It's a great deal on an ideal gift for golfers of all ages and skill levels.

Harmon is the ultimate instructor. His latest student to strike gold is Masters winner Adam Scott, who was Harmon's student for several years beginning at the onset of his professional career. To this day, Scott's swing is considered to be among the PGA Tour's most picture perfect and flawless. He's featured with Harmon on the golf course, in the DVD.

"It doesn't matter if you're Tiger or a high-handicapper, Butch can help you to improve your game," says Scott. "He has the best eye in the game for identifying any faults in your swing and the cures that will fix them. Plus, he has the rare ability to communicate well on how to help you."

Golfers wanting to take advantage of this special should visit the Butch Harmon website: www.butchharmondvd.com.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

US Open Test In Westchester

If you want to watch some great golf at the ideal price--free--head to Century CC and Old Oaks CC in Purchase Monday, June 3. After a three-year hiatus, sectional qualifying for the US Open returns to the two venerable clubs. The Metropolitan Golf Association conducts this sectional for the USGA, rotating the venues every three years between Westchester County and New Jersey. Canoe Brook CC in Summit, N.J., had the qualifier from 2010-2012.

Century Country Club was designed by the team of Charles Hugh Allison and Harry Colt and opened in 1908.  Old Oaks, situated on 220 acres and designed by A.W. Tillinghast with help from Charles Hugh Allison and Harry Colt, was established in 1925.

Several notable players are scheduled to compete in this sectional, including amateur Mike Miller, who led New York to the 2012 USGA Men's State Team Championship last fall and was part of the team that brought home the Carey Cup from Ireland this spring. Other notables in the field are past PGA Tour winner and 1983 USA Walker Cup member Brad Faxon, 2010 U.S. Junior Amateur champion and 2012 Junior Amateur runner-up Jim Liu, 2004 U.S. Amateur runner-up Luke List and reigning USGA Senior Amateur champion Paul Simson, who competed in the 1998 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club.

Also in the field are two local PGA Champions, Rob Labritz from GlenArbor GC, who was low club pro at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in 2010, and Greg Bisconti of St. Andrew's GC, who brought home the same trophy from Hazeltine in 2009. Anthony Casalino, assistant pro at Willow Ridge and recent contestant on the Golf Channel's Big Break, joins them in the field along with Max Buckley, an amateur from Westchester CC, Mark Ledom from Sunningdale CC, Grant Sturgeon from Winged Foot GC, and Brian Bartow from Apawamis.

The Open hopefuls will play 36 holes, one round on each course, in a long, grueling test to see who will compete at Merion the following week. Spectators are welcome at the qualifying venues.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Bethpage Black Celebrates 15th Anniversary With Golf Writers

Craig Currier, Dave Catalano, Jay Mottola

The Metropolitan Golf Writers Association observed the fifteenth anniversary of the selection of Bethpage State Park's Black course for the 2002 US Open with a golf outing and panel discussion featuring some of the principals involved in the decision and preparation for the event.

Betsy Wintenberger, Park Director, opened the meeting by recounting how she and other staffers at the time stood in awe of the amount of effort that went into preparing the course for the event.

Jay Mottola, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Golf Association, recounted how the Met Open led to the US Open. "We held the Met Opens in 1987 and 1988 at Winged Foot and Baltusrol," Mottola said. "The next year, we brought it to the Black. The pros in the Met PGA Section praised it, saying it was a good a course as either one of the two they had just played and would make a great US Open venue. It was easy for me to suggest it to David Fay."

Mottola pointed out that the USGA took a major risk by scheduling the event at the Black. "Some 80% of USGA revenue is connected to the US Open," he said. "To risk that the Black said a lot about the importance of public golf to the USGA."

The announcement energized the state park staff. "We had 27 full-time employees and a maintenance budget of $600,000," related Dave Catalano, who was Park Director at the time. "I was scared to death to compete with the other great venues that had held the Open. The best decision I made at the beginning was to hire Craig Currier as Superintendent." It's worth noting that the staffing and maintenance budget covered not just the Black course, but the other four golf courses at the state facility as well.

Currier added, "It's probably a good thing I was only 26 years old at the time. I don't know that I could do it now."  Course conditions were deplorable, he said. "It was a diamond in the rough, but it needed a lot of polishing. The course was totally overgrown. You couldn't see several holes because of the trees and bushes. Some of the bunkers had three feet of sand in them while the liners were poking through in others. You could lose a ball in some of those bunkers!"

He pointed out that, aside from hole 18, the other holes, routing, and even the bunkering wasn't changed for the Open.

Catalano explained that one goal of having the US Open at Bethpage was to elevate the entire complex, which has five golf courses and numerous other outdoor activities. "We set out to be the best public golf complex in the world," he said. "Each year since the renovation, we got an additional $250,000 in rehab money to make sure the other courses received the attention they deserve. The Red course should be a top 100 course. Currier added some distance to it and removed some trees to open it up, but it's otherwise intact as Tillinghast made it."

At 7100 yards, Currier added, "The Red is probably the best par 70 anywhere."

Mottola closed by saying, "The Bethpage staff and facility does so much more than host US Opens. They hold everything from the NY State and Long Island Opens to numerous junior events. They do so much for the game.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Met Golf Writers Bing Crosby Award to Honda

The PGA Tour’s Honda Classic will receive the Bing Crosby Tournament Sponsor Award at the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association’s 62nd National Awards Dinner, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 18, at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, New York.  The award is presented to an individual or organization that promotes and supports the game of golf through commercial sponsorship of quality events.

Honda is the oldest continuous sponsor on the PGA TOUR.  The tournament got its start in 1972 as The Jackie Gleason Inverrary Classic and was played at Inverrary Country Club in Lauderhill, Florida.  Tom Weiskopf, who defeated Jack Nicklaus by one shot, was the first champion.

When The Honda Classic moved six years ago to its current home at PGA National Resort & Spa, it quickly established a reputation as one of the PGA TOUR’S elite events on one of the most challenging layouts in tournament golf.  The Honda Classic attracts a world-class field of professionals and last year’s action saw a memorable duel between eventual champion Rory McIIroy and Tiger Woods.

Since its inception, The Honda Classic has contributed more than $21 million to national and local charities, including the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.  Since the Children’s Healthcare Charity took over tournament operations six years ago, it has raised over $1 million annually and last year’s charitable giving exceeded $1.85 million. Barbara and Gary Nicklaus serve as Co-Chairpersons on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Healthcare Charity.

The Bing Crosby Tournament Sponsor Award was established by the MGWA in 1978.  Former recipients include: Rolex Watch USA; Phoenix Thunderbirds; Cadillac; Metropolitan Life; Bob Hope; McDonald’s; LPGA Corning Classic; Yogi Berra; Shell Oil; Western Golf Association; Arnold Palmer (Bay Hill Classic); Ken Venturi; Jack Nicklaus (The Memorial).

The MGWA’s National Awards Dinner is the longest running and often the largest golf dinner held annually in the U.S. All of golf’s governing bodies actively support the dinner — USGA, PGA of America, LPGA and PGA TOUR — and up to 700 industry leaders, local golfers and golf groups attend. Proceeds benefit the caddie scholarship programs of Long Island, New Jersey and Westchester/Fairfield, and the MGA Foundation. More than $1.3 million has been raised over the years for these charitable endeavors.

For tickets, visit www.metgolfwriters.org

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Bag Boy Announces "Walk The Course Day"

The Bag Boy Company, developer and designer of push carts that do everything but hit the ball for you, is launching a national "Walk The Course Day" slated for Saturday, June 8. Bag Boy is encouraging golfers who play golf on June 8 to walk the course and enjoy the health benefits' walking provides. Bag Boy and each participating golf course will donate $1 to the local First Tee Chapter for every golfer that walks and uses a push cart.

"As the leader in push carts, we feel this campaign is a great way for us to let golfers experience first-hand the benefits of walking the course and help out their local First Tee program," said Craig Ramsbottom, President, Dynamic Brands. "Our research has shown golfers not only enjoy the game and the overall experience more when they walk, but in fact play better."

The benefit of walking has been proven through a research study conducted by the Rose Centre in Denver, Colo. The study showed golfers' burn almost twice as many calories when they walk as oppose to riding in a cart and play more consistent, resulting in shooting lower scores than those riding in a cart. It was also found that walking provides a better overall experience, allowing golfers to interact with their playing partners more and enjoy the natural beauty of the course from tee to green.

Calories Burned While Playing 9 Holes
1.       Walking: 721
2.       Using a caddie: 613
3.       Riding in a cart: 411

Miles Walked  While Playing  9 Holes
1.       In a riding cart:  .5  miles
2.       Walking: 2.5 miles
*Research by Neil Wolkodiff, director of the Rose Centre for Health and Sports Sciences in Denver

Golfers who participate in the "Walk The Course Day" on June 8 will be entered to win a new TriSwivel push cart and accessory pack. The TriSwivel is the latest technology in push carts featuring a 360 degree front wheel giving golfers effortless maneuverability. To find the list of participating golf courses, visit bagboycompany.com.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

St. John's Johnnies On A Golf Roll

Per our frequent correspondent Mike Diffley, head pro at Pelham (NY) CC, the boys from St. John's University golf team past and present have made their presence known in recent competitions. Here's the tally for this spring:

Keegan Bradley finished 2nd at the Byron Nelson after shooting 60 with two bogies in opening round. "I guess making a lot of birdies helps your score?" Diffley said. "Keegan had his first tour victory at the same event on this course in 2011. They say horses for courses! I agree."

Andrew Svoboda also made the cut at the Byron Nelson, the first time both ex-Johnnies have made the cut in the same event on tour.

The following players got through the local qualifying and will be playing on June 3 in Purchase, NY at Century & Old Oaks to go to Merion.

At Willow Ridge, Harrison , NY
Greg Bisconti  / St. Andrews    69  Medalist
Jeremy Quinn  / Class of 2013  73  Wins playoff
Jesse Fitzgerald / Garden City GC  72 Jesse won the 2004 NY State Open at Bethpage Black

At Fox Hill , Baiting Hollow, NY
Dylan Crowley       72

At Morris County CC, NJ
Pat Wilson          70    Medalist

In other recent competitions:

April 29- May 2, St Andrew's GC, Hastings-on -the-Hudson, NY, Greg Bisconti won the Westchester PGA Championship at his home track. (not an easy thing to do)

May 17-19, Garden City GC, NY, Joe Saladino won the Travis Memorial

Another Johnnie was honored by the The Metropolitan PGA for 2013. Joe Felder of Bruce Memorial GC was named Golf Professional of the Year this year.

And just to add to the Johnnies' honor role, our correspondent Mike Diffley received Teach of the Year accolades from the Met Section, plus, on May 6-8 at Round Hill Club, Greenwich, CT, Diffley won the Met PGA Senior Match Play Championship

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

PGA Tour Wives Association Honored for Charity Work by Met Golf Writers

The PGA TOUR Wives Association has been selected to receive the 2013 Winnie Palmer Award from the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association. The presentation will be made at the 62nd annual MGWA National Awards Dinner on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, NY.

The Winnie Palmer Award is presented by the MGWA to an individual or organization who has given consistently of their time, energy and enthusiasm to those less fortunate. The award is named in memory of the late wife of Hall of Famer Arnold Palmer, who devoted much of her life to charity work.

President Amy Wilson, wife of Mark Wilson, will accept the award on behalf of the PGA TOUR Wives.

Receipt of the Winnie Palmer Award comes in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the PGA TOUR Wives Association. Incorporated in 1988 by wives of professional golfers on the PGA TOUR, the Association’s mission is to render support and provide assistance to needy children and their families through charitable events.

Since its inception, the PTWA has expanded to include Web.com wives, significant others of both the PGA TOUR and Web.com Tour, and individuals and companies who support the group’s charitable endeavors.

In addition to Amy Wilson, the PTWA Board of Directors is comprised of Meagan Laird (Martin), Kelly Bettencourt (Matt), Stacy Hoffman (Charley), Deanna Pettersson (Carl) and executive director Sara Moores.

Previous winners of the Winnie Palmer Award: Tony Wimpfheimer, 2012; Ernie Els, 2011; Betsy King, 2010; Donald “Doc” Giffin, 2009; Carolyn Cudone, 2008; Val Skinner, 2007; Peggy Kirk Bell, 2006; Rabbi Marc Gellman and Msgr. Tom Hartman, 2004; Vivienne Player, 2003; Herb Lotman and Frank Quinn, 2002; Dolores Hope, 2001; Barbara Nicklaus, 2000.

The MGWA’s National Awards Dinner is the longest running and often the largest golf dinner held annually in the U.S. All of golf’s governing bodies actively support the dinner — USGA, PGA of America, LPGA and PGA TOUR — and up to 700 industry leaders, local golfers and golf groups attend. Proceeds benefit the caddie scholarship programs of Long Island, New Jersey and Westchester/Fairfield, and the MGA Foundation. More than $1.3 million has been raised over the years for these charitable endeavors.

For tickets, visit www.metgolfwriters.org

Harrison Library Presents Golf: A Game For Life

Think you know the rules of golf? Match your knowledge with the guy who wrote the book....literally! Gene Westmoreland will speak at the Harrison (NY) Public Library Wednesday, May 22, at 7 PM about his latest book, A Game For Life.

I read the book...loved it...and reviewed it here.

Now you can hear Gene talk about his many experiences as an active member of several USGA Championship Committees, serving as co-chairman of the 2004 U.S. Amateur and the 2006 U.S. Open. He also served as the Metropolitan Golf Association's Tournament Director for many years. I don't know anyone with a deeper, more intimate knowledge of not only the rules of the game but how to enjoy it throughout your life--just as he has.

Come with your questions, be prepared to share your golf stories, and expect to have a great time chatting with an all-around good guy.

Admission is free at the Harrison Public Library, 2 Bruce Avenue, Harrison, NY. For more information, call  (914) 835-0324.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

AUR Presents Tech-driven Golf Fashion

There's a greater awareness than ever of golf apparel and the technology--not to mention the styling--behind it. That's one big reason why I've been writing more about it this year. Not that I'm a clothes horse (just ask my wife!), but I play at a lot of top notch, exclusive clubs and am often representing the publications I write for, the organizations I support, not to mention my own brand as a golf author. That means I try never to show up looking like something the cat found in the weeds this morning. I'm also a great believer in comfort (again, just ask my wife!), so I'm getting pickier and pickier about what I wear when I play.

All of which brings me to AUR. The company says the initials stand for 'All that you Are,' which nicely sums up their 2013 collection.

 “We are delighted to present our 2013 collection and are confident that this is the finest collection in the history of AUR, presenting a very tech-driven and fashionable offering," says President Mark Fletcher. "They've got a great look and hand feel, and the overall styling is a bit more European-influenced than what U.S. buyers might be familiar with, but at a much more reasonable price and with a more relevant, current fit. Our customers get great value for the fashion and quality we offer; our products are very fashion-forward for the price point. We have had an incredibly good presence on Tour in the past year with some of our Players finishing in the top 4 at several tournaments and we were able to get some great feedback on our line from Tour players to bring the best style and performance to golf.”

AUR offers the consumer three distinct categories: AUR Active, AUR Authentic and AUR Aware and now includes the AUR Stormpack outerwear line.

The 2013 color palette for men features basic must-haves in a myriad of colors that all merchandise back to the men's fashion collections. An assortment of cool grays and black mixed with additional bright blasts of color: Pool, Crimson and Slate are the highlight colors for Men. For women, distinctive style, fine quality and an aura of sophistication lends itself nicely to a golf collection that is current and on-the-ball. Fashion driven Sweet Praline features a stylish Geo print paired with classic plaid bottoms. Pretty in Pink features Passion Pink with subtle grey accents to provide a sporty, fun look. Purple Haze is all about bright trendy colors. Wisteria and Emerald green are base for this group with a cool diamond inspired print.

AUR Active is a performance golf collection with emphasis on the golfers ease of movement. This category features the AUR double-knit Dri-Max™ polyester. These polo’s features stretch, using spandex, a soft supple hand feel and a lightweight drape that makes it ideal for swinging a golf club. Golfers will appreciate the long lasting synthetic fibers, which create a strong, crease resistant fabric that is quick drying and maintains its shape season after season. For example, the AUR Tonal Embossed polo is available in bright colors such as pool, slate, crimson, black, and white offering the golfer comfort, breathability and a stand out look on any fairway, especially combined with the Active plaid flat front pant in navy plaid, coal or pool plaid.

Next on the tee is AUR Authentic, a collection of more traditional golf-inspired clothing. An assortment of sweaters, vests, pants and shorts round out the category in classic colors of black, navy, taupe and charcoal. Classic inspired v-neck argyle vests and full-zip cardigans in black or indigo are standouts in this collection. These argyle classics have a front panel design with ribbed finished collars, cuffs and waistbands.

Finally, AUR Aware is continuously the strongest growth category and the company's attempt to give back to our ailing planet with a unique list of specifically designed fabrics including CarboCool™, S.Cafe™ and Ecosmart™. This line not only looks great on the golfer but is great for the world's golf environment.

CarboCool™ fabric contains a blend of Polyester and Bamboo Charcoal. The carbonized bamboo is visual on the inside of this material as a grey tint. The benefits of this fabric include Moisture Wicking and Fast Drying for comfort, as well as Anti-Odor and Added UV Protection for peace of mind. Carbonized Bamboo is environmentally responsible, and offers the same benefits that a chemical finish would without the unnecessary harm to the environment.

S.Café™ uses a patented process that transforms the coffee grounds into yarn, which is then used to produce polos. Most coffee grounds end up in our landfills, which contributes to our overall solid waste management problem. Producing a garment with S.Café™ fabrics helps in easing landfill concerns.

Last but not least, EcoSmart™ is a fabric made from Recycled Polyester Yarn. Recycled polyester yarn is made from plastic post-consumer based products.
It is environmentally friendly by reducing fossil fuel consumption and green house gases when compared to regular polyester production. The Ecosmart story encompasses two different fabrics including 100% Recycled Polyester and Combed Cotton/Recycled Polyester. The Combed Cotton / Recycled Polyester provides the durability and performance of polyester with the added comfort and breathability of cotton.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Women In Golf Celebrated by St. Andrew's

Women interested in taking up golf in an easy-going, supportive atmosphere have a new champion. The Saint Andrew’s Golf Club—the oldest private club in the United States—is sponsoring a “Celebration of Women in Golf” on June 5, 2013, as part of the week-long commemoration of its 125^th anniversary.

The celebration has been designed by golf professionals to honor women’s historic contributions to the game while introducing non-golfers to everything that makes golf fun and exciting. Golf professionals from throughout the Met Area are volunteering their services to create a warm and welcoming environment for those who have never played and want to get into the swing. Event organizers are offering current golfers the opportunity to give back to golf by hosting and mentoring a woman new to the game while spending a fun filled day with golf professionals and other supportive women. 

The afternoon event, starts with registration at 11:00, followed by lunch and a presentation by Donna Orender, one of the most powerful women in sports who is now involved in engaging more women in golf through the PGA of America’s “Connecting with Her” program.  Orender, former president of the WNBA, grew up on Long Island and was a five-sport athlete in high school, lettering in basketball, field hockey, volleyball, softball, and tennis. 

Following lunch, indoor and outdoors stations at Saint Andrew’s Golf Club will consist of educational programs and instructional clinics. The on-course golf festival will feature stations of both golf and non-golf activities such as lessons, a fashion show, wine tasting, equipment demonstrations, and other experiences. The celebration will close with a cocktail reception. 

This special day is being supported with the help of The Saint Andrew’s Golf Club Ladies Golf Association, The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, Met PGA, and other area golf organizations.  The day is being sponsored in large part by one of Saint Andrew’s own female members, Carol Blum, who with her husband, Morton, made a $10,000 contribution to this event.

Proceeds from this charity event will support Girls Golf and FORE!, an initiative of The First Tee that educates, enriches, and empowers young girls by encouraging healthy habits and choices through pro-active thinking in the critical teenage years.

Tickets are $350, which includes two participants in the event or $250 for one person. To register, email email Ambry Bishop at abishop@saintandrewsgolfclub.com or call (914) 478-3475.  

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Maintaining Your Golf Posture

I spotted one of my biggest swing faults in this video from Five Iron Fitness. In Episode 7 of Golf Tips from Around The Met, Eanna Rushe of the Golf Posture POD and Biosport Technologies, talks about loss of posture on either the backswing or the downswing. Paul Kenney from Rockrimmon CC joins Eanna.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Willow Ridge Shows Its Teeth in US Open Local Qualifier

Climbing the hill to the US Open on Willow Ridge #9

Only three of 126 players broke par during this week's US Open Local Qualifier at Willow Ridge in Harrison, as cold, blustery winds combined with slick greens to confound hopefuls for a trip to Merion next month. Topping the field was a familiar name, Greg Bisconti, who is fresh off a win in the Westchester PGA Match Play at his home club, St. Andrew's in Hastings. On a much bigger stage, Bisconti also won Low Club Pro honors at the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine. At Willow Ridge, his 69 was tied by Sunningdale pro Mark Ledorn and Apawamis pro Brian Bartow.

Rounding out the eight qualifiers were two amateurs, Max Buckley (71) of Westchester CC and Jeremy Quinn (73), a senior at St. John's. Willow Ridge's own Anthony Casalino (71), who was featured on the Golf Channel's Big Break last year, made the top eight as well, as did Jesse Fitzgerald (72), Garden City GC, and Michael Caporale (73), North Hills CC.  First alternate is Steve Scott (73) of Paramount CC and Brian Hughes (73), Raleigh, NC.

Honing the stroke for US Open LQR at Willow Ridge

Rob Labritz, GlenArbor GC Director of Golf and 2010 PGA Championship Low Club Pro, lead the LQR field at Country Club of Fairfield last week with a 68. Amateur Brian Williams (69), New York, finished right behind Labritz. Two other ams, Westport, CT, high schoolers Cameron Chottiner (70) and  Peter Richards (70) also made the cut in a five-hole, six-man playoff. Rounding out the six advancers was Grant Sturgeon (70), from Winged Foot GC, and Westport mini-tour pro Andrew Gai (70).

Qualifiers will advance to Section Qualifying, which will be held at eleven sites around the country (plus two international ones), on June 3. Locally, Century CC and Old Oaks CC will host the final step to Merion, where play begins June 13.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Antigua "Pops" Summer Colors

The Antigua Summer Men's andWomen's Performance Golf Collection will continue the bolder and brighter color stories introduced in Spring 2013. The color palette includes invigorating pop colors such as Lapis, Margarita, Apple, Melon, Phlox, and Zest, for the Men's Collections, and Light Melon, Kiss, Pansy, Fountain, Margarita, Light Apple, for the Women's Collections. I don't know where they get those names, but the colors sure "pop" your eyes.

"For Summer 2013, the focus of pop accent colors on less conspicuous fabrications throughout the collections shows off the styling and design features of the individual garments," says Sean Gregg, Director of Product Development for Antigua.

"The collections are current in both color and design trend, and are additionally embellished with performance enhancing features by incorporating Antigua's proprietary Desert Dry™ and Desert Dry™ Xtra-Lite moisture management technology to produce collections that are both merchandised appropriately for the season while offering performance functionality," Gregg added.

For 2013, Antigua introduced Performance-72 (PRF-72) into its golf fashion collections. 

New for the Men's Collection is the addition of two New Hybrid Pullovers, Styles Flare and Omega. They're Hybrid in the sense that they have the design lines of mid-to-light weight outer while utilizing the short sleeve styling found on performance polos. Both hybrid pullover styles feature Desert Dry™ moisture management technology and a ¼ zip placket with a stand up collar. 

Style Flare is offered in neutral colors such as Smoke, White, Black, Silver and Steel, and feature pop color contrast stitch detail. Style Omega features pop color contrast on the self fabric top shoulder and 100% polyester jacquard side insets.

Other new styles for Summer 2013 Men's Collection include the style Balance. Balance is a moisture management jersey polo with contrast printed engineered stripes, bringing together a perfect combination of performance function with fashion styling. This polo features Desert Dry™ moisture management technology.

The Men's Romeo two-color jacquard mesh self fabric color polo is offered in the entire range of this season's colors, and the Leader Pullover is available in many new color combinations for both Men and Women for summer as well.

New styles for the Women's Collection include Style Gem, a short sleeve tonal geometric pattern jacquard polo with a five-button placket. Style Reflect is a tonal textured stripe short sleeve polo with pop color contrast underarm and on the cover stitch detail at the princess seams.

Style Escape, a light weight interlock polo with an open V-neck placket and pop color contrast cut & sew color block details. The Escape polo features Desert Dry™ Xtra-Lite (D2XL) moisture management technology.

Two new sleeveless polo shirts are added to the Women's Collection for Summer. The Jive pique sleeveless polo has a dyed to match flat knit collar and contrast piping detail. For a blast of color, the Utopia sleeveless polo is offered in every color of the women's color palette, and features a solid pop color on the front and a white jacquard contrast back panel that wraps around the shoulder.

This season, new performance fabrics were developed with finer yarns to create ultra lightweight knits in textures and in flat jerseys and interlocks that update the hand, drape and appearance of the traditional polo.

By using the finest denier yarns available, Antigua has achieved super soft, super lightweight fabrics that provide the same coverage as other poly knits, but allow for faster wicking, additional breathability and less restriction in movement.

Desert Dry™ Technology is created exclusively for Antigua to absorb and wick moisture quickly & evenly to achieve the most efficient evaporation possible to keep golfers comfortable and dry.

Desert Dry™ XTRA-LITE (D2XL) is a combination of Antigua's exclusive Desert Dry™ moisture wicking feature combined with specially constructed ultra-light fabrics for maximum wicking performance and optimum comfort.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Met Golf Writers Name Old Oaks 2013 Club of the Year

Old Oaks Country Club, Purchase, NY, will be honored at the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association’s 62nd National Awards Dinner on June 18, at the Westchester Marriott, Tarrytown, NY. The venerable club will receive the Association’s Club of the Year Award.

Old Oaks Country Club. Photo courtesy of Golf Club Atlas

Founded in 1925 with a golf course primarily designed by A.W. Tillinghast and built by fellow architect Charles Alison, Old Oaks is renowned for the expanse of its property, the majesty of its entrance and clubhouse, and a testing course. Additionally, the club is well known as a frequent site for significant tournaments.

Old Oaks has hosted such events as the Met Open and Met PGA, various Westchester Golf Association competitions and, notably, served as the co-site with neighboring Century CC for one of the U.S. Open sectional qualifiers, the last step for golfers to gain entry into the U.S. Open.

The club was organized in 1924 when members of Manhattan’s Progress City Club purchased 205 acres on land that was formerly part of the estate of investment banker William Reed. A large portion of the early membership derived from the theatrical and motion picture world, with Ethel Merman making her first public performance at the club in 1928. In 1976, Old Oaks’ clubhouse and pool were spotlighted in the film Goodbye Columbus.

Old Oaks features a long, tree-lined drive that leads up to a stately 1890 British manor house that sits on a high point of the property. Since its founding, the club has been known by several names, including Purchase, Pine Ridge and, after merging with Eastchester’s Oak Ridge Club in 1935, its current calling. Its golf shop has been home to such pros as 1925 U.S. Open champ Willie Macfarlane and its present resident, back-to-back Met Open winner, Bobby Heins.

The MGWA’s National Awards Dinner is the longest running and often the largest golf dinner held annually in the U.S. All of golf’s governing bodies actively support the dinner — USGA, PGA of America, LPGA and PGA TOUR — and up to 700 industry leaders, local golfers and golf groups attend. Proceeds benefit the caddie scholarship programs of Long Island, New Jersey and Westchester/Fairfield, and the MGA Foundation. More than $1.3 million has been raised over the years for these charitable endeavors.

For tickets, visit www.metgolfwriters.org