Floating Golf Course for Maldives by Frank LaRosa
If you get a little queasy on the tee when facing the prospect of carrying a tiny pond or dried-up creek bed, then this should be a real gut buster for you.
Threatened by rising oceans, the atoll nation of Maldives where an estimated 80 percent of the land is no more than three feet above sea level is making plans to build a floating golf course and convention center.
The island country in the Indian Ocean has signed an agreement with Dutch Docklands, which has already built man-made islands in Dubai, to begin researching the floating golf course project.
Kinda’ makes a little pond like Geary Lake seem inconsequential.
March 15, 2010 at 3:32 pm | Golf To Go by Frank LaRosa, Uncategorized | No comment
Western Intercollegiate Set by Frank LaRosa
The 64th annual Western Intercollegiate golf tournament will be played April 17-18 at the Alister MacKenzie designed Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz. Proudly hosted by the San Jose State Spartans men’s golf team, the highly competitive event attracts 11 teams to the spectacular venue for the 54-hole event. Golfers will have an opportunity to tee it up with standout players in the College-Am on Friday, April 16 or join the gallery to follow their favorite team on the weekend.
Accomplished players who’ve claimed title to The Western include Bobby Clampett, Peter Jacobson, Mark Lye, Johnny Miller, Mark O’Meara, and Ken Venturi. U.S. Open Champion, SJSU alumnus and Western Intercollegiate ’51 and ’53 medalist Venturi recalls “Some of my fondest collegiate memories are from when I was competing in The Western at Pasatiempo. I’m happy to know it still remains a premier west coast event for collegiate players and their teammates.”
For more information about participating in the College-Am or for sponsorship opportunities, visit www.westernintercollegiate.net or call John Kennaday at (408) 892-4911. For information about Pasatiempo Golf Club, lodging and trip planning, visit: www.pasatiempo.com.
March 1, 2010 at 10:48 am | Golf To Go by Frank LaRosa, Uncategorized | No comment
Hard Driving Harry’s Golfer’s Hand Healer by Frank LaRosa
It’s called Hard Driving Harry’s golfers hand healer and the remarkable product line is the brainchild of Sterling Ellison and Richard Marks of Northern California’s Sterling Ellison company. They produce high end organic 100% vegan skin rejuvenation products. Hard Driving Harry’s and Hard Driving Harriet’s golfers hand healers are the perfect cure for any golfer’s dry, chapped, and cracked hands…especially this time of year.
Where other lotions might use water as a first ingredient, the non-greasy Hard Driving Harry’s uses pure organic aloe. Sterling says the company “just wants to provide high quality products that work—that do what they say they do. The fact that they are vegan and organic are a bonus.” They just released Hard Driving Harry’s SPF 15 lip balm in four flavors. I think I’m partial to pomegranate!
Hard Driving Harry’s is currently available at the Sacramento City golf course shops with new locations opening soon. For more information, visit www.sterlingrichards.com.
February 12, 2010 at 6:23 pm | Golf To Go by Frank LaRosa, Uncategorized | No comment
Bengie Molina Returns to the Giants
After all the wrangling with the New York Mets that went nowhere, Bengie Molina has decided to return to the San Francisco Giants for a 1year $4.5 million deal.
The Mets wanted one year with an option, or possibly a two year deal. The Molina camp wanted three-years, and never got it. In a down economy, and with Molina at 35, that extended deal was highly unlikely. As the Mets held their position yet again, Molina realized the options weren’t many. Seattle Mariners or a return to the Giants.
January 19, 2010 at 3:17 pm | Uncategorized | No comment
Play the Right Ball by Frank LaRosa
Golf balls come in many different designs and configurations including number of layers, dimple patterns, compression, materials, and more. How do you pick the golf balls you play? Is it by price? Or do you play the ball your favorite player uses? Some are better suited for your game while others might make it tougher on you.
Srixon recognizes some of us want a longer ball while others are looking for a ball that spins. That’s why they’ve created their custom ball fitter online. A series of questions about you and your game will result in a recommendation that should work well for you.
The fitter suggested the Z-Star ball for me based on my swing speed, length off the tee, importance of spin to my game and more. The Z-Star is a low compression ball with an extremely soft feel. I like the feel around the greens and off the putter and it’s still plenty long off the tee. For swing speeds over 105 miles per hour, the Z-Star X would be your choice. Both balls were rated maximum 5 stars in the 2009 Golf Digest Hot List for performance, innovation and feel. Check it out at www.srixon.com
January 7, 2010 at 5:53 pm | Golf To Go by Frank LaRosa, Uncategorized | No comment
Photo Ball Marker Great Gift by Frank LaRosa
A good friend of mine says he marks his ball, “with a tree!” But I want to know how you mark your ball on the green? Ken and Charlotte Barley have a better idea with their unique Photo Ball Marker.
The fun part is that you provide the photo. Maybe the photo is your children, or the hole where you had your ace, or the family Saint Bernard. Photo Ball Marker will create a high resolution image on a 1 inch ball marker, with uv protection to keep it from fading and a hard epoxy cover. It can also be produced as a hat clip or divot tool. This is a great gift idea for any golfer…and certainly a gift good enough to give yourself.
It’s easy to create a photo ball marker online in minutes. Just upload your photo and follow the simple instructions and you should have your ball markers in about 10 days. Three markers of the same photo or different photos are yours for $24.95 plus shipping and handling and they guarantee your satisfaction. Visit www.photoballmarker.com to get started.
I’m not sure marking my ball with a photo of my children makes me a better putter, but it does make me smile…even if I’m facing a 40 foot downhill double breaker.
December 28, 2009 at 4:53 pm | Golf To Go by Frank LaRosa, Uncategorized | No comment
Zip, Zip…Zooray by Frank LaRosa
Everyone loves a few tap-in pars during a round and if you’re looking to save a couple of strokes off your score, it may be easier around the green than off the tee by getting your wedge shots closer to the pin. A wedge like the CG15 Zip Groove from Cleveland Golf will give you the confidence to get the job done.
Choosing a wedge is almost mystical. It has to look right and more importantly feel right. Breakthrough milling technology from Cleveland has created 25% bigger grooves – zip grooves for more zip and shot consistency. A laser-milled face with four perfectly calibrated texture lines between each groove gives you a rougher surface and more spin. If that weren’t enough, Cleveland Golf’s design team came up with a wider sole near the heel and narrower near the toe to optimize contact.
Cleveland’s three-bounce fitting system gives you a choice for your kind of swing. If your swing is upright and you’re a digger, go for more bounce. If you’re more of a sweeper with a flatter swing, go for less. More or less, the right fit means less strokes. The CG15 Zip Groove wedge is available in chrome, black pearl and oil quench finishes. Try it at your local pro shop or learn more online at www.clevelandgolf.com
December 22, 2009 at 11:37 am | Golf To Go by Frank LaRosa, Uncategorized | No comment
“Going Home” to Mather by Frank LaRosa, Golf To Go
It was inevitable that I’d be looking back in order to look forward on a recent visit to Mather Golf Course. It was a few too-many years ago that I teed it up for the first time. I was living at Mather AFB and my father was an aircraft commander flying B-52s all around the world. I lived about a half mile from the course and played often that first summer.
I hope I appear to have aged as well as Mather because the course has matured wonderfully and is maintained in much better condition than I remember. The layout is challenging, the greens top notch, and the service came with a smile.
General Manager, Asa Jennings, has preserved the military theme with old photos, artifacts, and other subtle tributes to “back in the day” when the Air Force base population was at its peak. Mather Field was established as an airfield and pilot training school in 1918. Over the years in supported small military units and was used for pilot and navigator training.
In 1958, the Strategic Air Command assigned a B-52 squadron to Mather and pilots and crews were “on alert” 24/7 and in the event of a global crisis, could be fully operational and in the air in mere minutes.
Mather operated its own housing, schools, hospital, and recreational facilities in addition to being an operational air field. In 1959, Irish designer Jack Fleming designed a golf course to take advantage of natural wildlife and wide-open terrain. Some describe Mather as a “long course,” and while some of the par-4s are a bit of a handful, I find much of the distance offset by fairways with a lot of roll out.
Although I was on a “memory-high,” I was able to remain grounded as I surveyed the golf course. My observations were backed-up by the rest of my foursome. Each compliment about course conditioning was trumped by another about the fun factor. Mather is all there in front of you. There are no hidden dangers. The result is a course with room to miss off the tee and still score well. It’s challenging…yet playable. Our comments kept coming back to one. In a word, it was “fun!”
Fun is important to Jennings as he regularly schedules events that reach out to the surrounding community with special tournaments, art shows, veterans’ events, and more. Mather’s 50th anniversary was celebrated in 2009 and the term “oldie but a goodie comes to mind.”
For more information or to schedule a tee time, visit www.playmather.com or call (916) 364-4354.
December 21, 2009 at 5:37 pm | Golf To Go by Frank LaRosa, Uncategorized | No comment
Face-off with Feherty
David Feherty is one of the funniest guys on television. His golf commentary is not only insightful but quite humorous, especially when he’s bagging on his buddy, Gary McCord. Now, you can ask Feherty to address something about your golf game that’s been plaguing you. Face-off with Feherty on the Cobra Golf website is great fun. Enjoy…
December 11, 2009 at 3:28 pm | Golf To Go by Frank LaRosa, Uncategorized | 1 comment
A Day on the Bay by Frank LaRosa
With the full 36-hole renovation complete, the Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses on the Monterey Peninsula should be on your must-play list. If you have played them before the eye-popping makeover, you’re in for a treat.
The history behind the Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses is as colorful as their lush green fairways and white sand bunkers. Located overlooking the beautiful Monterey Bay on the former Fort Ord Army base, Bayonet Golf Course was built in 1954 by Commanding General Robert McClure and named after the 7th Infantry’s Bayonet Division.
It seems the lefty general was plagued with a bit of a slice and a little creative architecture managed to reduce his handicap with a series of sharp dogleg holes known as Combat Corner where I’ve waged a bit of war myself. Black Horse was named in honor of the Blackhorse 11th Cavalry Regiment.
Renovations on the 36-hole layout began at the bottom with new fairways, redesigned bunker complexes, and beguiling bentgrass greens. The result is two sparkling ocean-view gems…each offering a different experience. Bayonet’s more traditional deep bunkers and tamer greens contrast with the stunning large serrated bunkers and greens with more movement you’ll find on Black Horse.
Correspondingly, tee shots are more challenging on Bayonet with plenty of room to miss on Black Horse. Architect Gene Bates, is the artist behind the renovation. Bates, who may just be the most affable person I’ve met in golf, has created a masterpiece with unobstructed views of the Bay and perfect bentgrass tees, fairways and greens.
My host, the personable tournament director, Julio Rodriguez ordered up perfect Peninsula weather with blue skies and puffy white clouds to go along with the temperate climate. Even if I had found myself with a bad lie on the course (which I didn’t), it wouldn’t have mattered.
Pick one or play them both. You won’t be disappointed. For more information, visit bayonetblackhorse.com
P.S. The photos here are by Julio Rodriguez. Top is number 18 on Bayonet and the other photo is the finishing hole on Black Horse.
November 27, 2009 at 1:20 pm | Golf To Go by Frank LaRosa, Uncategorized | No comment
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