Rules of Golf Are Hot Topic

Lately, the rules of golf have become the #1 topic of discussion, from right here in Arkansas to the Futures Tour, LPGA and PGA Tours. Everyone knows about Dustin Johnson and what happened at the PGA Championship - and it may be talked about for quite a while. But did you hear about Sarah Brown being DISQUALIFIED in a Futures Tour event for a non-conforming club - and then the club was ruled to be conforming? Futures Tour officials disqualified her after nine holes (she was near the lead at the time) instead of letting her finish the round, as is often the case in terms of possible non-conforming clubs.

Most recently, this weekend, Juli Inkster was disqualified from the LPGA's Safeway Classic in Oregon for using a weighted training aid during the round. During a long delay on the 10th tee, Juli pulled a "donut" or similar device out of her bag and attached it to her club to warm-up. Rule 14-3 prohibits this type of device and while some feel the penalty may not fit the crime, a breach of Rule 14-3 is DISQUALIFICATION.

If you want to read more about these kinds of situations, go to www.geoffshackleford.com which contains several talented and interesting bloggers. It will be interesting to see what happens in the Sarah Brown case...

Monk Wade: My Predecessor, My Hero and My Friend

Lyrics by Don Henley, one of the lead singers for the Eagles: "I got a call today, I didn't want to hear, but I knew that it would come." When the caller ID on my phone yesterday indicated "Steve and Ginger Wade calling" I knew exactly what had happened, even before I answered. Steve's father, Charles "Monk" Wade had passed away. I had a feeling that call was coming soon - and ironically even spoke with Jack Ramer about Monk at the Arkansas Repetory Theatre Saturday night. "It would be appropriate for Monk to pass this week," I said to Mr. Ramer, "since the Monk Wade Father & Son starts Monday." Monk passed on Father's Day, the day before the first round of the tournament named in his honor.

Monk was a dear friend of mine, my predecessor and one of the greatest things to ever happen to amateur golf in Arkansas. When the ASGA offered me the job in December 1990, the first thing I said to the selection committee: "if you are looking to replace Monk, don't hire me because he is irreplaceable." Monk took the entire contents of the ASGA from Ted Darragh and Jack Robinson in 1975 - in a Footjoy shoe box - and developed it into one of the best small golf associations in the United States. One simple blog post will not be enough room to indicate what Mr. Wade meant to me - and furthermore I am not sure if I can find the words to accurately describe his impact. Mac, Terri and I went to see him for his 90th birthday, back in February - it is a time I will never forget and Monk is a man that many will never forget.

Rest in Peace Monk - I know you have been reunited with the love of your life, Miss Vera, and I look forward to seeing you both when my time on earth is over!

New Website = Behind on Blogging!

I apologize to those 12 or so regular followers I have on this Blog - I must admit the new website and all its capabilities for the posting of results, photos, news, etc. - I have simply gotten way behind on my Blogging. I will try and catch up in the next few weeks and hope I have some useful information to share.

One thing I do know is there are going to be some new Bloggers on this website very soon - as our new Director of Junior/Women's Golf will be posting important info on her Blog (the title is still a secret at this point) - but you will enjoy the creativity of Jessica Ross.

Plus, our talented intern, Julie Robinson, thinks she wants to become a Blogger as well - so you should be well informed as to the happenings of the ASGA!

June is a very busy month with the Men's and Mid-Senior Stroke 11th - 13th at Greystone's Cypress Creek Course; Mountain Valley Junior Boys and Girls Match Play at Foxwood 14th-18th and Monk Wade Father-Son on both courses at Greystone June 21-22; and we close the month with the Parent-Child June 27th in Hot Springs Village and USGA Junior Amateur Qualifying June 29th at Hot Springs C.C. Stay tuned!

Gonzalez: "I want to be first Hispanic to win"

The final match in the 44th annual ASGA Match Play Championship has just concluded minutes earlier (8 p.m.), and a few people were in the pro shop as steady rain and thunderstorms rolled over Hurricane Country Club in Bryant. Efren Gonzalez was admiring the Roy Wood Championship Trophy, calling out "John Daly won this and Stan Lee won it three straight years." He then stopped for a moment and looked at me and said: "Jay, I want to be the first Hispanic to win this trophy."

Some may say that Efren had an unfair advantage as assistant superintendent at Hurricane - but the fact remains you still have to get the ball into the hole. Plus, his starting time for the first qualifying round was 12:20 and he mowed for at least 4 hours prior and still managed a 73. He limped home in round two with a 79 that included two triple bogies - and earned the 15th seed - and next to last spot in qualifying. Then he found his rhythm - with back to back 6 & 5 victories and a 5 & 3 win over John Bragg in the semi-finals, another Hurricane member.

His game peaked in the championship match against Chris Jenkins -playing five-under par for 16 holes in a 3 & 2 decision - the first time he saw #16 in match play. (Jenkins was two-under and lost). Efren, you got your wish - and you are a deserving champion! Flanking Efren in the photo are his boss (left) Nick Birch, Superintendent and Jake Friedman, Hurricane General Manager.

Luke Carpenter is "Ace in the Hole"

Luke Carpenter stepped to the sixth tee today in the second round of the 44th ASGA Match Play Championship at Hurricane Country Club in Bryant and pulled an 8-iron from his bag for the 167-yard downwind shot. A few seconds later he and fellow competitor Greg Brown were feeling a major rush of excitement from Carpenter's first-ever HOLE-IN-ONE!

Anytime is a great time to make a hole-in-one, but to make one in a tournament round -especially a "major" in the state amateur ranks makes it all the more special. Ironically, Carpenter made four bogies, four pars and a 1 on the front nine for a two-over par 38, but shot 35 on the back for a 73 His 149 total easily advanced to match play. Brown shares his I-Phone photo of Carpenter pulling his ball out of the hole - CONGRATULATIONS LUKE!!!

Kudos to Arkansas Golfer Magazine Publisher

Kudos and thanks to Stephanie Bolding Hopkins - the publisher of the Arkansas Golfer magazine - for all her hard work selling advertisements, working with the graphic designer and printer - and producing such a top quality publication for the ASGA.

This magazine is a direct membership benefit and is mailed to approximately 15,000 in the spring and fall each year. The statewide golf calendar of all "open" tournaments from member clubs/courses is in the spring issue.

Stephanie is shown competing in the 103.7 "The Buzz" Scramble - where she drove it on the green of the 13th hole - a mere 240 yard wallop.

Interested advertisers can contact Stephanie at stephhop2002@gmail.com or call the office at 501-455-2742.

Thanks Stephanie for your tireless dedication and devotion to the ASGA!

Big Creek Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Big Creek Golf & Country Club, located in Mountain Home, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Lang Zimmerman, managing partner and the entire staff at Big Creek including Ediie Roethlisberger, PGA Professional and Brent Edens, GCSAA Superintendent, have been great supporters of the ASGA for the past decade as host of numerous ASGA Championships including the Senior Match, Men's Match, Ozark Junior Challenge, Mid-Am, Mid-Senior & Public Links and in 2010 will host the U.S. Amateur Qualifying Round on Monday, August 9.

Big Creek has received numerous awards, including Five Stars from Golf Digest Places to Play in 2006-2007 and 2008-2009 and was named Best Course in the State by Golf Digest 2005-2006. An inaugural member of the Natural State Golf Trail, Big Creek features Zoysia fairways and Bent Grass greens and is designed by world-renowned architect Tom Clark. For more information including rates, log onto www.bigcreekgolf.com

Bizarre Ending on PGA Tour with Lengthy Ruling

Many of us probably watched the playoff between Jim Furyk & Brian Davis yesterday at the Verizon Heritage Classic. The ending was bizarre - to say the least. After making an 18-footer on the final hole to get into the playoff, Davis 2nd shot to the first playoff hole (#18) wound up in Calibogey Sound to the left of the green, marked with a RED line indicating it was a lateral hazard. The ball rested on sand and among some reeds. With Furyk on the green and probably going to make par, Davis elected to play his shot out of the hazard (he could have taken a drop under penalty of one-stroke and possibly chipped in for par). During the backswing, his club touched one of the brown reeds behind his ball and he continued the stroke blasting to about 25 feet past the hole. He immediately called Tour Official Slugger White over and indicated he had touched the reed on his backswing (TV replays also clearly showed this action). What happened next was almost as bizarre as the touching of the loose impediment as it seemed to take forever with multiple conversations on the radio between White and other Tour officials. The simple act to me would have been for White to pull the reed to see if it was a "loose impediment" which he finally did, confirming it was indeed a loose impediment. Rule 13-4c: "the player must not touch or move a loose impediment lying in or touching the hazard.....penalty = two strokes." The Tour got it right after what seemed to me to be a much longer delay than needed. Maybe because it was a playoff caused the delay but Davis admitted he touched it and hats off to him for calling the penalty on himself proving once again golf is a gentleman's game!

ASGA Staff Dedicated to Golf

The ASGA hired me in December 1990 when Charles "Monk" Wade retired and the first thing I told the search committee was "don't hire me if you are looking to replace Monk Wade, because he is irreplaceable." Not long after my labor of love with the ASGA began, I asked my father for advice: "Son, surround yourself with the most talented people in the world and you will look smarter everyday" were the prophetic words he said to me.


Well, that is exactly what I have done since 1990 and the current staff is shown, from left: Jessica Ross, Director of Junior/Women's Golf; Terri Green, Director of Membership; Jay Fox, Executive Director; and Mac Stubbs, Director of Handicapping. Ross begins full-time duties May 7; Green joined the staff Jan. 2008; and Stubbs began part-time in 1994 as "computer specialist" and became full time in 1996. This staff is dedicated to serving ASGA individual members and member clubs - as well as working with the talented men and women of the Board of Directors and Arkansas PGA Chapter! Great advice Dad - I surrounded myself with a talented staff and 20 years later still look smart (maybe a little more gray on top too!)

Feimster & Dixon Win ASGA 4-Ball in Playoff

Wagons Ho could have been the call as five-teams and spectators headed to the 15th tee on the Park Course Sunday afternoon for the playoff to determine the ASGA 4-Ball Champs. Matt Feimster (left) and Chris Dixon (center) recorded the only birdie and receive the Creekmore/Allison Trophy from Tim Zimmerebner (right), PGA Golf Professional at Hot Springs Country Club. Feimster/Dixon shot 66-71 for a seven-under par total of 137. Others in the playoff included six-time champs Stan & Louis Lee (69-68); defending champs Matt Wait & David Dyer (69-68); Mike Satterwhite & Drew Nichols (67-70); and Chris & Nick Rogers (65-72). First round medalists Russ Cooper and David Shirey struggled Sunday to miss the playoff by one stroke (64-74) as did Michael Chaney & Steven Dixon (65-73). The wind blew a constant 20-25 mph Saturday and Sunday's temp never climbed out of the low 50s with overcast conditions and breezy.

2003 Champs Cooper and Shirey Lead by One!

The 2003 ASGA 4-Ball Champions Russ Cooper of Hot Springs and David Shirey of Camden lead by one stroke after the first round of the 2010 ASGA 4-Ball at Hot Springs Country Club. The duo recorded 8 birdies and 10 pars on the Arlington Course in steady winds of 20-25 mph with gusts of up to 35 mph.

Two teams - Michael Chaney of Bentonville/Steven Dixon of Fayetteville and Nick Rogers/Chris Rogers, both of Fort Smith - fired rounds of 65. Chaney/Dixon had 5 birdies, 2 eagles, 2 bogies and 9 pars while Rogers/Rogers had 8 birdies, 1 bogie and 9 pars.

Defending champs Matt Wait and David Dyer opened with a 69, as did six-time Champs Stan Lee and Louis Lee of Heber Sprinngs.

The final round will be played today on the Park Course as temps have fallen into the upper 40s/low 50s following the storms that blew thru Hot Springs late Saturday afternoon.

The Creekmore/Allison trophy will be presented to the winner for the 25th time!

David Dyer & Matt Wait Defend ASGA 4-Ball Title

Dayid Dyer (left) and Matt Watt (center) defend their 2009 ASGA 4-Ball title this weekend at the Hot Springs Country Club.

Dyer and Wait shot 68-63 for a 13-under par total of 131 to win over the Park & Arlington Courses last year.

A full field of 56 teams will compete. Also shown is PGA Professional Barry Howard, who serves HSCC as Director of Golf and General Manager.

Interviews Conducted Saturday; More Monday

Interviews for the newly created position Director of Junior/Women's Golf were conducted on Saturday, March 20 and more are scheduled for Monday, March 22. The ASGA seeks to expand its junior program, which has been strong for years but never had a person dedicated specifically for the job; and create new opportunities for women to enjoy competitive individual golf. The ASGA is hosting its inaugural Women's and Senior Women's Stroke Play Championship at Hot Springs Country Club July 19-21 and is adding four new "Designated" tournaments in Fort Smith, El Dorado, Pine Bluff and Russellville. The ASGA will also be crowning its first-ever women's and senior women's player of the year at the ASGA Golf Awards Banquet October 28 at Chenal Country Club.

The members of the ASGA Interview Committee include myself, Dennis Young, President; Cippy Smith, Treasurer and Chairman of the Women's Committee; Kathe Parson, a member of the Women's Committee; and Chester Lowe, Chairman of the Junior Committee. Once the position has been filled, the name of the successful applicant will be released.

Second Day of Spring? Really?

As snow covers most of northwest Arkansas, and parts of western Arkansas - and it is 39 degrees in the capital city of Little Rock - is today really the second day of spring? The old saying about Arkansas weather: if you don't like it, stick around for 30 minutes it will change. How true. I played golf late Friday afternoon in a short-sleeve shirt - while some played in shorts. Most Arkansans that like to chase this little white ball have been waiting for spring and here it is. Good news is warming weather by next weekend and KATV predicts the high to be 70 on Saturday, just in time for the ASGA 4-Ball!

On another note, long-time friend and one of Arkansas' best journalist has written a wonderful column about Tiger Woods and his return to the Masters which pretty much sums up my thoughts too.

http://arkansasnews.com/2010/03/17/get-to-the-golf-already/

I am ready for spring, the ASGA 4-Ball and The Masters - and warmer (and drier) weather!

ASGA 4-Ball Has Full Field

The 25th ASGA 4-Ball has a full field of 54 teams at Hot Springs Country Club March 27-28 - and the tournament is more than a week away. This just proves to me that Arkansas golfers are ready to put this bleak, dreary and unusually wet winter behind us, get to spring and play some golf. In fact, we have a couple of teams on the waiting list.

Teams will play the Arlington Course on Saturday and the Park Course, formerly known as the Majestic Course on Sunday. Matt Wait and David Dyer are the defending champions.

Tee times for the silver anniversary can be found on the ASGA website and they have been emailed to all teams!

Now all we need is some warm weather and no rain - PLEASE!

Travelling Lad Attracting Media Attention

Holly Sonders of KATV Channel 7 interviews Dylan Dethier about his journey to play at least one course in the 48 continental states today at Rebsamen Golf Course in Little Rock. Following the interview, Sonders, a 2-handicapper and former collegiate player at Michigan State & Dethier (pronounced Da Chair), an 18-year-old with a 4-handicap, had a brief challenge on the driving range. The interview is scheduled to air tomorrow (Thursday) on KATV and will be linked to this blog as soon as it is available. Special thanks to George Earls, facility supervisor at Rebsamen, for not only allowing the interview and challenge match to take place on the driving range, but allowing Dylan to see experience the challenging Rebsamen layout along the banks of the Arkansas River and the new Champion Bermuda greens. I imagine if you check out Dylan's blog at www.eighteeninamerica.blogspot.com, in the near future you might see a photo of the signature 13th hole at Rebsamen - with the city skyline in the background. Earlier today, Bob Steel interviewed Dylan on KARN and he has also been featured in USA Today and on a Jacksonville, FL television station - all linked to his blog. Thursday the journey continues into Oklahoma!

27 States Down - 21 More To Go!

Dylan Dethier graduated from high school in Williamstown, Massachusetts in 2009 and was immediately accepted into college. He decided to put college off for a year, and with the help of his older brother, convinced his parents to allow him to travel America playing golf. So the 18-year-old loaded up his Subaru and set out on a journey most of us can only dream about. He arrived in Arkansas at the start of the week - his 27th state out of 200 days on the road - and on Thursday, March 18, the journey takes him down I-40 West into Oklahoma, with other golf courses lined up including Muskogee Country Club where former Arkansan Sam Meredith is the PGA Professional. He is picking up a friend at the Tulsa airport to "share the road" with him for a few days, including a trip to the 2nd round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in Oklahoma City Saturday. Since he has been in Little Rock and heard all about the UALR Lady Trojans (and actually watched the NCAA Women's Selection Show at the Fox house), he might even take in Sunday night's first round women's game between UALR and Georgia Tech in Norman, OK. Early next week it is on to Colorado, then Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky and states farther east. The journey is scheduled to end June 1st, allowing a little receovery time before college this fall. He won't leave Arkansas empty handed with an ASGA logo shirt, hat and towel - and enough snacks, bottled water and soft drinks to get him a little farther down the road! Read about his journey at www.eighteeninamerica.blogspot.com

Hot Springs Village is our First Stop!

John Paul, Director of Golf at Hot Springs Village (far left) offered to host Dylan (third from left) on his journey across America and Rick Ross (second from left), Professional/Supervisor at Magellan Golf Course not only played with Dylan and I - but also promptly birdied the first two holes! It was a cold day to me (high 50s/low 60s and partly cloudy) but not to Dylan. By the time we started, he was in shorts and a short-sleeve golf shirt (must have seemed like a Massachusetts summer day!) Despite the wet conditions, Magellan was in great shape and was the only remaining Village course that had not been aerified - so it was the natural choice. Like any 18-year-old, Dylan is often unkind to the ball going at his driver full-force on every swing, often out driving me by 40 to 50 yards. There was one hole though (#15) where I snuck it by him by cutting off the corner on a dogleg par-5 (I am not sure he is over that yet). Dylan is a good player - an admitted 4 handicapper and wound up with a 77 (playing the ball down). It was a fun day and glad I was a small part of it!

Eighteen in America Journey Arrives in Arkansas

A few weeks ago my good friend Steve Foehl, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Golf Association, asked me to help a friend of a friend who was travelling through Arkansas on almost a year-long journey through the continental United States. Dylan Dethier (pronounced Da Chair) arrived in the capital city Monday night and my wife and I welcomed him into our home. Dylan is shown with his Subaru Outback and estimates sleeping in his car in rest areas, etc. on as many as 80 of the 200 nights he has been on the road. Read all about his journey at www.eighteeninamerica.blogspot.com - he is a talented writer and storyteller!

Joe Foley: Champion Golfer and Coach

Joe Foley (right) shown with his father, Buck at an ASGA Monk Wade Father & Son in the late 1980s, has turned the UALR Women's Basketball Program around in a big way. Normally, you will see a golf blog in this space and in a small way, this is still a golf blog. Joe Foley started at UALR seven years ago and today had the Trojans on the brink of its first NCAA bid losing a 70-68 OT heart-breaker to Middle Tennessee in the Sun Belt Finals at the Summit Arena in Hot Springs. Maybe the Trojans impressed the selection committee enough to receive an at-large bid. If not, the Trojans will take their 26-6 record, including 21 straight into the Women's NIT. And if you recognize his father - maybe ole Buck has written you a ticket for speeding as a former Arkansas State Trooper in Harrison and Melbourne - or just because he is the father of quite possibly the best basketball coach ever in Arkansas - men or women! Way to go Joe - you will always be a Champion in my book!

PGA Merchandise Show/Arctic Storm Hits State

The struggling economy has affected everyone, including the golf industry. Approximately 30% fewer vendors were on hand at the PGA Merchandise Show in 2010 than in 2009 - fortunately I was able to accomplish every one of my goals and all orders for 2010 (trophies, tee gifts etc.) have been made. Discounts of 10%, sometimes more, are offered by placing orders at the PGA Show. A number of Arkansas PGA Chapter Pros were in attendance for the three-day Show, which was attended by 40,000 nationwide. While vendors were down, nearly 1,000 displayed a wide range of products and the PGA held 65 education seminars and the largest indoor equipment testing range at the Orange County Convention Center.

While I was in Orlando for the Show, an Arctic storm blew threw Arkansas knocking as many as 30,000 Arkansans out of power - even shutting down the LR National Airport for Friday, January 29 and closing public schools, UALR and the ASGA office. Hats off to the airport staff that got the runways reopened on Saturday and while it appeared we landed on a solid sheet of ice, I was able to make it home on-time. The icy streets of Little Rock on Saturday afternoon required a longer trip from the airport home than the hour flight from Atlanta.

Preparing for PGA Merchandise Show

I have been preparing for the PGA Merchandise Show, which is vital to the success of the ASGA on an annual basis. About seven years ago, the ASGA switched to all crystal glass trophies for every ASGA Championship. My good friend Steve Foehl, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Golf Association, suggested I give Sterling Cut Glass of Erlanger, Kentucky a try - and they have more than lived up to their reputation. These trophies are gorgeous cuts of glass and have a much longer shelf-life than any trophy we have ever presented. I am meeting our customer service rep, Marla on Thursday at the PGA Show to make all orders for 2010. I have been perusing the 2010 catalog of "cups. vases and trophies" and Sterling has once again put together a nice selection that will fit any golf association or country club budget. Come to think of it, I know that Pleasant Valley Country Club uses Sterling Cut Glass for its awards and I am sure there are other Arkansas clubs as well. The discounts and free shipping offered by Sterling Cut Glass with orders placed at the PGA Show save the ASGA thousands of dollars. In addition to the order for all 25 ASGA Championships, I will be finding other PGA Show specials such as tee gifts etc. as well as check out the latest in equipment for 2010 at Demo Day. The PGA Merchandise Show is an important part of the ASGA's success - as are the many talented men and women of the Arkansas PGA Chapter.

My Sincerest Apologies/2010 ASGA Schedule

Let me sincerely apologize to all of you faithfully reading my Blog (hopefully, it's more than the 14 registered). I will just blame the Holiday season since it has been almost two months since my last post. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

After a couple of months of jockeying dates and sites, the ASGA Sponsored Schedule is 98% complete, with the only remaining site to be selected is the ASGA Mountain Valley Hickory Open, which is selected by Breck Speed, CEO of Mountain Valley Spring Company. The ASGA is thrilled to have the support of Mountain Valley as an important sponsor and host of the ASGA Mountain Valley Junior Boys & Girls Match Play at Foxwood Golf Club and ASGA Mountain Valley Junior Boys & Girls Stroke Play at Texarkana Country Club.

For the ASGA Sponsored Schedule and ASGA Designated Schedule for 2010, go to www.asga.org

2010 is going to be an exciting year, with five new designated tournaments for women and senior women and the inaugural ASGA Women's & Senior Women's Stroke Play at Hot Springs Country Club July 19-21.