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.

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!