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.

Bagpiper: ASGA Golf Awards Banquet Tradition

Kenton Adler has been a tradition of the ASGA Golf Awards Banquet for 10 years now and is shown announcing the "call for dinner" at this year's banquet. Adler, a piper from Lyon College, is shown leading (from left) my mother, Dr. Emogene Fox; my sister, Dr. Dana Fox; and my father, Norris Fox down the hallway leading into the foyer.

Last year's special guests were Ken Duke and Ben Crenshaw and this year's special guest was Kathy Whitworth - I wonder who might be the special guest for 2010?

Surprise Ads Left Me Stunned and Speechless!

WOW! I was stunned. My staff, my wife, my sister and my parents (all shown) were in cahoots with the Arkansas Golfer magazine publisher, Stephanie Hopkins (standing far right), and came up with several surprise congratulatory Hall of Fame advertisements for me in this issue.

The photo was taken just before the awards banquet and I am seeing the magazine ads for the very first time. It was a wonderful, jaw-dropping surprise, with some great photos of me 1977 to present!

Legend of the LPGA and future legend!

Congratulations to all the ASGA Players of the Year, Hall of Fame Inductees and PGA Chapter Award winners from the ASGA Golf Awards Banquet October 29th at Chenal Country Club.

Kathy Whitworth, the all-time leader in professional tournaments won for either men or women, with 88 LPGA Tour titles is shown with 14-year-old Summar Roachell, the ASGA Junior Girl Player of the Year, along with Summar's parents. It was an honor and a privilege to have Kathy Whitworth at this year's banquet. If you did not attend, see what you missed!

Big Week for ASGA Women & Club Champions!

Maumelle Country Club host the 5th annual ASGA Women's Club Team Championship Monday, Oct. 19 and Tuesday, Oct. 20 - and the weather looks to be outstanding. The ASGA Women's Committee - Cippy Smith of Stuttgart, Kathe Parson of Maumelle, Sharon Wilson of Fayetteville, Linda Carter of Camden and Gaye Lanford of Little Rock - have done a great job of organizing the ASGA Women's Program and have some exciting announcements for 2010.

While back-to-back tournaments are unusual, it will happen this week as Hot Springs Country Club hosts the 2nd Annual ASGA Club Champions Tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 21 & Thursday, Oct. 22. Only club champions from ASGA Member Clubs are invited to participate in four divisions: Men & Senior Men; Women & Senior Women. Crystal Glass Trophies will be awarded to all four winners and participants will play the Park Course one day and the Arlington Course the other.

1st Orville Henry Cup is a Great Success

The first annual Orville Henry Cup played this weekend at Paradise Valley Athletic Club and Fayetteville Country Club went right down to the wire, with the "White" Team defeating the "Red" Team 18 1/2 to 17 1/2. Four-ball matches were played at Paradise Valley on Saturday in cold and chilly weather with a high of 48 degrees - and the 4-ball results were deadlocked at 6-6. Sunday's individual matches were delayed almost an hour by frost, and the White team won 12 1/2 to 11 1/2 to win the Cup.

Special thanks to the staff and membership at both clubs for hosting, and to ASGA Director Rick McCoy for the BBQ Friday night at PVAC - a great evening of food and fellowship to kick off the weekend. Also, thanks to the 48 players that took time away from their families to participate.

While both golf courses were in outstanding condition, I want to offer a special "thank you" to Brandon Nichols, Supt. at Fayetteville CC - the best and fastest bentgrass greens I have played this year....some of the downhillers were "scary fast" - but they were very smooth. Full results of all matches, including photos, will be posted at www.asga.org as soon as possible!