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The Scrambler
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Volume 37-March 2008
Volume 36-January/February 2008
Volume 35-December 2007
Volume 34-August 2007
Volume 33-July 2007
Volume 32-June 2007
Volume 31-July 2007
Volume 30-May 2007
Volume 29-May 2007
Volume 28-April 2007
Volume 27-March 2007
Volume 25-January
2007 Volume 24-December 2006
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Volume 23-November 2006 Back To The Dome...The Paddock Dome reopens to grateful golfers Go Here
Volume 22-October 2006
Volume 21-July 2006
Volume 20-June 2006
Volume 19-May 2006
Volume 18-February 2006
Volume 17-December 2005
Volume 16-November 2005
Volume 15-May 2005
Volume 14-April 2005
Volume 13-June 2004 Volume 12-March 2004
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Volume 11-January 2004 The Joy of Fall Golf Click Here Volume 10-November, 2003 |
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Volume 9-October, 2003 The Scrambler's Year In Review Click Here Volume 8-August, 2003
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Volume 7-July, 2003 Volume 6-June, 2003
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Volume 4-5-November-December, 2002
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Volumes 1-3-Are currently missing. Nice little
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Volume XXXVII--Buffalo-Niagara Golf Show ReduxThe sophomore slump didn't hit the Buffalo-Niagara 2008 golf show. Using more of the main hall of the Buffalo Convention Center than last year, the organizers from Great Lakes Events offered booth after booth of golf courses, country clubs, regional resort destinations, tournament associations, and golfing professionals. Each side of the convention center was anchored by major equipment retailers. Penn Fair from Rochester and Golf Headquarters of Buffalo occupied the south end, while Rock Bottom Golf set up shop on the north margin. The centrally-located food court sliced up hot and delicious turkey, ham, and corned beef while a series of oases offered libations to wet the parched whistle. On one end of the hall, a gigantic net greeted missiles launched by those seeking to test the latest equipment from Callaway, Mizuno, Nike, Tour Edge, Wilson and other companies. At the other extremity, local teaching professionals and coaches provided group clinics and one-on-one lessons. Cindy and Allen Miller, Bob Gosch, Gary Occhino, and a triumvirate of teachers from Niagara Frontier Country Club ensured that attendees would depart with more than just a few balls and clubs. The Scrambler put in some time at the BuffaloGolfer.Com booth (I was the good-looking one with the full head of hair) all three days. Working side by side with Mo' Golf, I preached the word of the website to any and all who would listen. Much gratitude goes to our neighbors for their patience. On one side we had Skip, a landscaper and backyard putting green installer. Across the other fence, a couple of young'uns sold reclaimed golf balls. Even though the three days were incredibly busy, we still found enough down time to shoot the breeze about why we did what we do, and how we came to that place. For me and Mo', golf is a sidelight; we both have full-time jobs doing other things. For our neighbors and most other booth operators, this is their industry. It made us pretty darned appreciative that we have time to participate in the golf world as we do. Last Minute Golfer set up a putting contest in the center aisle. Golfers from far and wide anteed up a bit of cash to take three to five cracks at making the big putt. On Sunday afternoon, a grand champion was crowned. Throughout the 2.5 days of show, drawings were held and winners were announced, receiving prizes ranging from equipment to apparel to vacations. Although no guarantees were made, it became exceedingly difficult to leave the show empty-handed. EDITOR'S NOTE: The staff at BuffaloGolfer.Com would like to commend those who took a booth at this year's show; you demonstrated a commitment to golf in western New York. To those who bailed, a loud raspberry. Western New York is not an exploding market; a sense of regionalism is required to keep us moving forward. We find it impossible that a presence at the show will not lead to increased attention and revenue during the season. Next year, reconsider your plans for Golf Show weekend. Find a way to staff a booth and contribute to the golfing industry. We'll all be better for it. Volume XXXVI--If you can't scramble, stop by here to rebuild your gameMo' Golf and I were laughing at how much the game has changed since we were kids in the late 70s and 80s. Tuesday night, I learned how much. I stopped by the Discover Golf Performance Center studio in East Amherst to shoot some pictures and chat with Bob Gosch, proprietor and former Mr. USA. Bob took up the game in the mid 1990s with a lesson from local legend Dan Lucas. Since then he has earned his PGA professional "A" teaching credentials, continued to harness knowledge and experience in fitness training, and develop a fine golf game (66 at Crag Burn mean anything?) along the way. In December of 2007, Bob opened his East Amherst golf studio to members and the public. I know that some of my readers are list people, while others still are visual learners, so here's what I'm going to do. I'll give you a visual list of all the services found at Discover Golf PC and then elaborate on what I like best.
Truth be told, I like it all. Bob Gosch selected a unique high definition golf simulator, different from the ones found at other area indoor golf boutiques. He installed a putting green with Pro-Putt's Brent Gadacz, affording true break and realistic grass speeds. By organizing the facility around a stone-faced cone with waterfall and flat-screen television sets (all facing the cardio equipment), Bob created a focal zone for gathering and exercise. Along the perimeter of the center are various weight-training, stretching, and abdominal stations, to provide a thorough, tailored workout to all members and guests. In the eastern corner of Discover Golf PC, Bob Gosch situated the club repair and fitting center and the mental game room. As I watched him describe the various exercises and tests performed in the mental game facility, I began to understand why I need to scramble so much! If my mind is all over the place, my swing and ball flight must be, too. Don't get me wrong: it's the recoveries from trees, bluffs, sand, caverns and volcanic craters that keep me coming back. However, should I wish to evolve to a more fairway-centered brand of golf, I'll begin with some Mental Game sharpening. I left the Discover Golf Performance Center impressed and enthused. Bob Gosch provides a vast offering of services to improve golf and life quality. The workout space is quite the opposite of the huge gyms that have defined fitness for decades. Having cardio, weights, stretching and core work, golf simulators and short game facility all under one roof is a dream come true. Bob has plans to expand, possible involving a bunker facility, while preserving the intimacy of Discover Golf PC. DGPC is situated for the new Western New York, in the eastern suburbs. With easy access via Transit Road from the north and south, however, it's worth the drive for all. Consider how great a distance you drive to your golf club; isn't it worth the same drive to get your body, mind and game in shape? I think so, too.
Volume XXXV--A New Place To Scramble: Hickory Stick in LewistonFairways and greens are my enemy, my friends (at least for most of the hole.) I don't intentionally miss them, but I certainly don't mind avoiding them. There's adventure to be found in the rough and the sand, along cliffs and burns, near the OB stakes. A wise individual once remarked, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. With that said, I'd like to know why you crave the short grass, the safe grass... Thanks to the Seneca Nation of Indians, a fine group of individuals if ever there was one, I'll be able to venture north in 2009 to embrace a new swath of rough, amid the Shellbark hickory trees of Lewiston. Heck, I'll probably bang a few drives off that fine species of arbor. The Hickory Stick course along the Robert Moses Parkway currently receives guidance under the cautious hand of Brian Dooley, one of Robert Trent Jones II's architects. Quick course on courses: Robert Trent Jones I designed Crag Burn and Glen Oak in western New York, passing away in the late 1990s. One of his sons, RTJ II, is perhaps the architectural game's hottest commodity, with two incredible designs out west in 2005 (Idaho) and 2006 (Washington.) A few years back, RTJ II snatched up a hot prospect from WNY, Brian Dooley. Dooley had cut his teeth with Scott Witter of Lockport. Witter, of Ironwood, Deerwood Doe, and Arrowhead fame, has since entered into an alliance with fellow architect Mark Fine. So Dooley and Hickory Stick have a local connection, which is pleasant. For those of you who simply cannot wait to embrace this fine new track, I see it as my duty to keep you connected during these days of discontent, these weeks of wailing, these months of mindless meandering. Sure, you've got Arrowhead, Ivy Ridge, BTC, Harvest Hill, Diamond Hawk, the Canadian courses, the munis, and the private clubs, but isn't there more to it than that? The next big thing? You know it. Below are links to some recently-published articles on Hickory Stick. As time passes, perhaps we'll be able to bring you more of and closer to the story and its major players.
Hickory Stick Link
One
Volume XXXIV--The 19th Hole: Diamond Hawk's Grill My good friend, the Travelin' Duff, began a new series for us last month. He came up with the idea which, as far as we all can recollect, was the first new idea that he's volunteered in over a decade. After a champagne toast, he actually went ahead and wrote the first installment for The 19th Hole. This month, the wheel spins to me, so I decided to head out for a meal at Diamond Hawk's grill room. I was joined by my wife, who eats like a horse. Or, rather, a thoroughbred, or a greyhound. I started with a bowl of gazpacho, a summery soup from Spain (alliteration!) served cold. The vegetables were crisp and varied, and the little noodles added a surprising and delightful crunch. I was left wanting the entire tureen. Wifey- pooh opted out of the appetizers, but enjoyed her diet Pepsi, which was kept filled all night. The dinner rolls were of the wheat variety, arrived piping hot, and went down so smoothly! My goal was to pocket the remaining ones, but the opportunity never arrived. For the main course, my darling starling selected the French Dip, served on a hoagie-style roll, smothered in provolone cheese. She loved the beef and the dipping juice, and devoured the entire sandwich in a demure and provocative fashion. My eyes wandered down to the Bourbon Grilled Salmon and the Pecan Crusted Trout. After a stirring round of eenie-meenie-miney-mo, I selected the Salmon, which did not let me down. For our tuber selection, I chose a sweet potato fry, while she opted the herb-roasted potatoes. In addition, a medley of grilled summer vegetables came with my entree. Between the two of us, we cleaned up the veggies. With no room left in our tummies for dessert, we paid up and headed out, past the pro shop and the first tee, out onto Genesee Street. I guarantee that, for those with more appetite space, any of the real appetizers are drop-dead gorgeous. On the other end of the shelf, the desserts are built to satisfy, translating the pallet from one taste sensation to another. You'll spend anywhere from $50 to $100 at Diamond Hawk's grill room for a nice meal and hey, it's worth it. For August of 2007, The 19th Hole suggests that you stop in to Diamond Hawk's 19th hole for more than a bite to eat, whether you play the first 18 or not. Editor's Note: This column may or may not have been ghost-written by a non-scrambler. We'll let you decide
Volume XXXIII--The Porter Cup...No Scrambling AllowedThe Scrambler, as you know, is a fan of the up-and-down, the out-and-in, the over-and-under-and -how'd-that-save-par. The Porter Cup, to be held next week (July 24-28) at Niagara Falls Country Club, has all the makings of a non-scramble fest. You'll see more scrambling in a frying pan. Why? The goofy weather we had this June and July has made growing consistent rough an impossibility, so the brain trust at NFCC made the decision to keep the rough to a minimum, and let Augusta-like (or what used to pass for Augusta) conditions rule the day. This means shots spinning into greens and stopping from all angles, clubfaces making square and solid contact with golf balls, and lots of runs at birdies. I'm not saying it's a certainty, but we may see the tournament one-round record of 60 (set by Bill Haas a few years back) or the four-round low from Casey Wittenberg (266, a mere four years young) threatened if a player gets hot. Judging from the strength of the field, there's plenty chance of that. Here are a few to keep your eyes on: Daniel Summerhays...returning to Brigham Young University in the Fall, the young man stunned the professional world last week by capturing the Nationwide Charity Classic on the Nationwide Tour, becoming the first amateur to win on that tour. Nice. Billy Horschel...University of Florida player proved he has the stuff to go low with a 60 in US Amateur on-site, stroke-play qualifying in 2006. Sweet. Bank Vongvanij...Number one high school recruit of 2007. Joins Horschel in Gainesville in the Fall, making the Gators one of the watch-out teams of the year. Brian Harman and Chris Kirk...former teammates on the #2-finishing University of Georgia team in the 2007 NCAA tournament. Both have international caps for the USA. Dustin Johnson...Single-handedly brought Coastal Carolina into the elite of college golf. Taller than telephone polls. Can bash it and putt it and what else do you need? Five guys you DO NOT have to worry about: Nathaniel Crosby...Architect of the greatest melodrama in US Amateur history, the 1981 championship at Olympic Club. He's an old guy, but he's no Jay Sigel around the NFCC. Tripp Davis...Another middle-aged monster, he'll smile, sign autographs, and represent the midwest well, but won't be around in Saturday's mix. Tim Mickelson...Brother of the Phamous Phil, he'll have spent all his magical juju the previous week in Carnoustie, as Phil tries to phigure out links golf. Gene Elliott...won it back in '98, tied for 6th last year, my most daring, non-factor pick. Rickie Fowler...first-timer from California, looks too cute and will receive too much attention from the ladies to have ANY time to focus on the tournament. By the way, the Scrambler send his best wishes to this fab five, hopes that they prove him wrong, and invites you to travel north next week, from Wednesday through Saturday for the four rounds of the Porter Cup.
Volume XXXII--Scrambling around for apparel and more!You may ask yourself, doesn't June come before July? If so, why does the July installment precede the June one? Good questions, both. Sometimes things don't make sense. For example, why am I writing about outerwear and rainwear when the sun is shining? The answer is a simple one: like The Scrambler's drives (and putts... and irons... and wedges... ), you never know when a bad patch is around the bend. I've had the good fortune to test three outstanding pieces of apparel, and I'd like to share the results with you. Zero Restriction is a company based in Hallam, Pennsylvania, a maker of jackets, pants, hats, gloves, with bags and head covers on the way. The two items sent my way were a pair of gloves and a fine bucket hat. The gear arrived as the rainy spring in western New York turned toward the breezy, sunny summer. I had the chance to take the pieces out for a test drive during the final days of drizzle, and was thrilled to discover that, well, they didn't affect me one bit. What does that mean? Well, it means that, with the hat on, my head was as dry as ever. With the gloves on, my grip was as stable as ever. Come to think of it, that's a good thing! Two good things! I won't ask how many times your hat has saturated and dripped water down over your forehead, coating your hair with moisture and forcing you to wipe droplets away from your eyes with ... you guessed it ... your golf glove (which then gets soaked and slick as oil.) The Zero Restriction gear made a rainy spring day seem like a benign summer afternoon, and allowed me to go about my business on the course. With fall and winter golf approaching, I imagine some more wet weather on the way. Good thing my hat and gloves are stowed safely in my bag!
Zero Restriction recently announced the signing of Tom
Lehman as a company spokesman. A quote from the press release reads
thusly: "I can't tell you how happy I am to be an official
member of the ZERO Sun Mountain is a brand that stretches (literally and figuratively) beyond the legendary ski region in which its name originates. To complement my ZR gear, I test-wore a short-sleeve pullover in the Rainflex line from the makers of bags, pull carts, outerwear and more. The pullover felt like silk to the touch, initially causing a surge of suspicion on my part. Shouldn't it feel tough, durable, impenetrable? Like a thatch roof? Remembering that I had entered the new millennium a few years back, I put aside my disbelief and donned the shell for a round or two. Not only was it feather light and stylish, it also kept the wet out and the dry in. I haven't had any press releases from noteworthy Ryder Cup captains on the topic, but I've weathered many a golfing storm, and not worn anything like the Sun Mountain short-sleeve pullover. If you're not convinced, remember the adage of my friend and colleague, Mo' Golf: the back yard test and the shower test are the ultimate proof of quality. Mo' has some woodlands behind his house, and fine pair of showers on the second floor. He has been know to bang balls into the trees to test new clubs, and to put on rain gear for a quick shower test. I did the same with the three items mentioned here. All three kept me dry beneath, concluding my testing and reinforcing my findings. Volume XXXI--The Scramble that won the Peek'N Peak ClassicRoland Thatcher was staring double-bogey in the face, at the same time that Paul Claxton assessed a fifteen-feet birdie putt. In the blink of an eye, the Scramble of the Week saved the day, and Thatcher went on to win at The Peak. The 14th hole was put in play this year for the first time. Confused? Let's elaborate: the back nine at Peek'N Peak's Upper Course used to begin with a 165 yard par three. A somewhat bland hole, it tended to create traffic jams at the turn. The intelligentsia decided to eliminate the wee hole, begin the back nine on the demanding 11th hole, and tuck a new par three beyond the par five 14th hole. The new one-shotter, some 170 yards in length, plays downhill to a two-tiered green, with a thin hazard on the left. Imagine that you're Thatcher, with a four stroke lead, on the tee of the new hole. Right looks awfully good, so where do you end up? In the hazard, of course. Thatcher looked for a place to drop, then decided to tempt fate by playing off the rocks, out of the hazard, toward the green.
With the ghosts of Jean Van de Velde and Curtis Strange hovering nearby, Thatcher pitched to twenty-five feet, then incredibly, made the putt for par! When his closest pursuer, Claxton, missed his birdie effort by a whisker, the potential three-stroke swing was reduced to whisp of smoke, and Thatcher went on to a three-stroke victory. Volume XXX--The Nationwide TourNationwide Tour Peek’n Peak Classic to be held June 25-July 1Tickets now on sale for the premier golf event in Western N.Y. Findley Lake, N.Y., June 19, 2007 – Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa will host the sixth annual Nationwide Tour Peek’n Peak Classic golf tournament from June 25 through July 1 on the resort’s par 72 Upper Course. The Nationwide Tour is an extension of the PGA Tour, as the top 25 players on the money list each year qualify for the PGA Tour. The Nationwide Tour attracts players from around the world and is recognized as one of the top three tours worldwide. A field of 156 players will compete for a total purse of $600,000. The first place winner will receive $108,000. The tournament will be televised live on the Golf Channel on Thursday, June 28 through Sunday, July 1. The schedule of events also includes the Junior Pro-Am on Monday, June 25 and the Main Pro-Am on Wednesday, June 27. On Tuesday, June 26 at 10 a.m., a free Family Fun Day will be held on the driving range. Activities include carnival games, golf clinic and more. Space is limited to the first 300 registrants. Call 716-355-4141, ext. 7370. Daily and weekly tickets are on sale now at www.pknpk.com and at local Wegmans. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society and the Foundation for Cancer Research and Education. “It is truly a privilege to host this wonderful golf event, which is why we are so pleased to be able to ‘give back’ to two worthwhile charities who are committed to the fight against cancer,” said Chip Day, Vice President for Brand Management. Last year’s Nationwide Tour winner was 24-year-old rookie, John Merrick from Long Beach, Calif. The Nationwide Tour 2003 Player of the Year, Zach Johnson, just won the Masters Tournament held in April. “It’s exciting to see these young golfers go on to achieve great things and to have had the opportunity to watch them play here at the Peak!” noted Day. The PGA Tour is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more than $157 billion in assets.
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One of the more promising developments that came out of the Tiger Woods phenomenon was the attention to the plight of developing young golfers. Country-club programs were doing a fine job with junior clinics, Friday leagues, and 3-, 6- and 9-hole championships. Some public courses had developed similar opportunities for their beginners. For too many, non-affluent kids, the options were slim and none. Watching from the wrong side of the fence, sneaking on to the course during off hours, and hitting balls back from the wrong end of the driving range were the BEST chances they had to learn the game. Many in urban settings had no chance at all.
The arrival on the scene of Mr. Woods somehow removed golf from the cupboards of sporting fine china, and place it firmly on the table of accessible dinner ware. Kids and twenty-somethings of all shapes, sizes, colors and ethnicities latched on to the challenge of the game. In the late 1990s, The First Tee program was established, grounding itself in education beyond golf. Nine core values were written as the tenets of the organization's program: Responsibility, Sportsmanship, Perseverance, Confidence, Judgment, Honesty, Respect, Courtesy and Integrity. Western New York saw a quick response, with the establishment of a program in Niagara Falls, an area desperate for signs of hope. Unfortunately for the youth of the Falls, the Adelphia Dome closed, the driving range was abandoned for a time, and the hoped-for acquisition of the underused red nine at Hyde Park was derailed by various local efforts. Meanwhile, a group in the southtowns found itself in much better shape, on much firmer footing.
The First Tee of Western New York had been granted 125 acres by Carl and Marion Labein. The philanthropists hoped to see the development of a facility for public recreation and golf for the entire region. An additional 140 acres were acquired, the services of Hurdzan/Fry golf course designers were retained, and a 21-hole facility, complete with short-game area and practice range, was scripted. Hurdzan/Fry are the architects of the recently-opened Diamond Hawk in Cheektowaga, and saw a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the legacy of the game in the Buffalo-area's southtowns. The short-game space recognizes the importance of pitching, chipping, sand play and putting to the overall score of the round. For too many golfers, the game is one of bash and smash, overlooking the subtleties of greenside dexterity. The short-game space stresses the importance of these skills with dedicated space. The 3-hole short course, nestled within the championship course in a protected area, provides an opportunity for growing golfers to practice their developing skills on a series of holes precisely suited to their cognitive level. Putting greens and golf simulators round out the myriad stations for acquisition of golfing prowess. The facility, however, has plans beyond golf.
Cross-country skiing, community events, and science education are three adjunct projects for the center. The natural lay of the land lends itself to the more horizontal of the skiing styles, while the various buildings on the property provide space to involve the community beyond The First Tee offerings. Perhaps the most interesting use of the property, though, falls to science education. The varied topography and numerous wetlands offer opportunity for young people to gain hands-on educational experiences to complement textbook learning. Taking students outside the classroom and into the environment has proven to be a successful enhancement of the learning experience. Combine it with athletics, and the attraction might be even greater!
The driving force behind the entire project is Fred Zillner. Long a noteworthy figure in local golfing circles, Zillner currently coaches the St. Francis high school golf team, in addition to his work at Harvest Hill. He is assisted by a capable director in Timothy Greenan and supported by an enthusiastic West Seneca Rotary board of trustees.
To get there, take the New York State Thruway to Route 400 South. Take the Transit Road (Route 78 South) exit. Follow Transit Road south for one mile, then turn left onto Old Transit Road (NY187). The First Tee of Western New York is half a mile on your right.
I was not one of the media folk who latched on to the nickname "October Surprise" as a description of that blast of weather we received a month or so ago. October Surprise sounds like the name of a tasty little dessert that you might spring on people at a dinner party. That thing that hit us was an onslaught, an onrush, an offensive, an onfall, so if alliteration is your game, pick one of those and forget "October Surprise." On November 18th, I was able to forget the worst of what happened for a golfer when the Paddock Dome reopened.
It is somewhat haunting the first time you re-enter the bubble. The main brick building suffered no damage, so the restaurant and golf shop have been open for business all along. Passing through the revolving door, however, reveals a different end of the story. The carpet along the walkway to the kiosk is gone, the victim of mildew, water damage, and other gunge. The kiosk itself was leveled, and is in the final stages of a complete rebuild. A glance skyward reveals the amount of patchwork that this enormous quilt required for reinflation. All in all, it's a pretty impressive job.
The ground portion of the stations are open for business, which amounts to more than half the available tee boxes at the dome. The upper half still needs a bit of work, as it bore the brunt of the water and snow weight, as well as the punishment of the descending light stanchions, from the beginning. The miniature golf course and practice putting green are also open for business, giving the dome-goers access to every facet of golf that was available pre-October Offensive. The effort is nothing short of wondrous, for anyone who drove by on the I-290 those first post-storm days, and saw the downed dome, covered in puddles of water, with no struts poking up. That it was brought down intentionally, sparing the skin from greater damage, was the ultimate saving grace.
The two golf domes of western New York are as much symbol as reality for the area's golf aficionados. As much as a break from the Winter weather, a chance to hit shots with flight in a warm environment, a place to gather for food, drinks, and a little golf-related purchase, they are a reminder that Spring and fairways are not farther than a few months away. When the sky is grayer than gray, and the February winds dry and crack your lips, a few swings inside won't be affected by a lack of carpet here or an extra overhead patch there.
There are
some foothills in Elmira, New York. I'm not sure which foothills they
are, nor do I much care. You see, there's a golf course that runs along
those foothills, just south of route I-86, along route 14 south, called Mark
Twain Golf Club. Seems he's the fellow that invented me and Huck, and he
spent some passable time here when he was younger, heck, when he was alive.
Folks round these parts wanted to honor his presence, such as it was, in some
fancy way. They called this Donald Ross fellow from Scotland, and asked
him to map out eighteen golf holes. Ross fancied the idea, and caught a
steamer the next day. Now, this ain't no fancy-pants country club like
the one he built in Buffalo, or some high-sounding resort like that one in
North Carolina. In fact, folks round these parts call it country casual,
meaning you can play if you have any type of pants on at all. That seems
to suit them just fine.
--Thomas Sawyer
I was lucky to run into Tom in the locker room at Mark Twain over Columbus Day
weekend, and asked for a few words on the history of the golf course.
Donald Ross did an incredible job with the layout, moving up, down, and along
the ridgeline of the Appalachian foothills. It's fairly easy for the
average golfer to move from tee to green at this golf course. Unless you
go back to the tips, none of the holes from the white decks extends beyond
yards. Mr. Ross left behind some of the most interesting putting
surfaces of any municipal course around, and that includes Bethpage Black.
Once a year, around Halloween time, the greenskeeper gets to set the pins in
the most haunted of places. It was my luck to reach Elmira right
around that time. Of my 87 strokes from the tips, it is safe to say that
I averaged more than two per green. Any putt outside of twenty feet was
an experience in trigonometry, geometry, and cartography. Throw in a
series of fairways that resembles toboggan runs and the experience is beyond
expectations.
Tee Shot On Number Five, The Second Par Five Hole
Of the
eighteen holes, only two (2 and 11) can be called flat. Fairways
traverse slopes, swales, and a few cliffs. Greens mirror these elevation
changes, making the direction and placement of approach shots of optimal
importance. One is immediately reminded of the decisions made by
professionals at Augusta National...the point is not to make the approach
putt, but to put it as close as possible (sometimes five or six feet!) so that
the SECOND putt has a chance. How often do you get this opportunity at a
public-access course? All new course builders should be required to
visit Mark Twain, where the common player has an uncommon experience.
Approach On Number Fourteen, A Downhill Par Four
Donald Ross
cannot be accused of taking the fun out of the game. Two of the four par
five holes are reachable with a decent drive, and the 12th certainly provides
a third opportunity for an eagle putt. The par three holes are all
reachable with a decent iron shot. The seventh plays straight uphill
over a deep bunker. Long is no good, however, as more sand and trees
await. Hit the green, though, and all is well, right? Guess again.
Any putt from side to side must be aimed at the back of the green, with enough
borrow to lay the putt dead. If there is one type of hole that Ross
forgot, it is the short par four. Not once does he provide an
opportunity for a drive-the-green experience. In fact, if there is to be
a complain, it is that the par four holes are TOO solid. Reminiscent of
a welterweight that stays around for ten rounds, the two-shotters demand your
straightest drive and your most solid approach. From the tips, the
shortest club I hit in was a full sand wedge, downhill from 105 yards.
As it was, thanks to superintendent Tim Foss, I had no chance to hit an
approach in close, as the pins were at their most devious.
Uphill Tee Shot On Number 7, The Second Par Three Hole
There are easily four more great weeks of golf in the 2006 season. Consider making the 2.5 hour jaunt down the I-390 and across I-86 to Elmira. In the meantime, check out www.marktwaingolf.com to find out more about this unique treasure.
There's a great line in Caddyshack, one among millions, where Ty Webb says to Lacy Underalls, "So, what brings you to this nape of the woods, neck of the wape...how come you're here?" True afficionados never again say "neck of the woods," only, nape of the woods or neck of the wape. Welcome to my nape of the woods, my neck of the wape, from East Aurora east, from Elma south. For years, Byrncliff was the only game in town. In recent years, Ironwood and Spruce Ridge have added to the core courses, bringing the game to the masses. Through it all, Byrncliff remains the stronghold, the fixture, the great hill course in southeastern Erie county.
Byrncliff is a four-season resort, with cross country skiing and indoor activities in the winter, and swimming, running and hiking trails, miniature golf and one championship golf course for the remaining three-fourths of the year. It is the golf on which Byrncliff bases its reputation, and the course that meanders up and over, then down, the many hills never disappoints. The variety of lengths of each par hole allows every player to mark down at least one boast-worthy score on par 3s, 4s and 5s. Most importantly, it is William Harries' vindication as a course designer. So often, he was given mediocre pieces of land on which to create a layout, and could not come up with the inspiration. At Byrncliff, Harries was finally given a piece of land (better even than Brookfield) on which to lay out his inspiration, and he produced. Only one hole (number five) has been redesigned since the original construction, and it provides the most controversial and challenging tee shot on the course.
Ability to scramble: Byrncliff's greens are not overly sloped, nor overly fast. True, you can get yourself into some sticky situations, but with most missed shots, if you keep your head, you'll find a solution. Places to avoid missing greens are back of number 2, left of number 5, short of number 8, anywhere off 10, left of 13, and back of 17. At the Cliff, you want a straight, solid driver more than anything else. If you get off the tee well, you'll have a great day.
Scramble of the day: Any shot from the left side of number five.
The fifth hole at Byrncliff was a benign par four, a humble dogleg left along a rather flat trajectory. A few years back, the ownership saw fit to move the fairway and green some sixty yards right, up onto a ledge. At the corner of the dogleg, a deep bunker and a stand and a half of trees preclude any hope of reaching the green from the left, unless you go one-third of the way to sainthood! The safe play is out to the right with a long iron or hybrid, then a mid-iron to short iron in to the green. Driver should never come out on this hole, unless you're playing chicken. Well, in my case, I hooked my safe club left, into the bunker. The only shot I had was a low punch out of the sand. I'd have been happy making solid contact, but I got a bit more. The ball bounced along the fairway, and made the front edge of the green. I got down in two putts for par, and called that pretty nice.
Favorite holes: I start with the par fives. 2 is risk-reward, all the way. 7 is zig-zag strategy. 14 is a power slide from right to left, along the western edge. 15 is just like 2, only blind on the second shot. With two eagle possibilities, the fives do it for me.
Website:
www.byrncliff.com
After a relaxing afternoon at the American Club followed by a refreshing workout at the SportsCore Complex, Mo’ Golf, the Travellin’ Duff and The Scrambler sat back and reflected on our preliminary Kohler experiences. We were all still in awe of the engineering marvel that was the Irish Course, and had been enjoying the many comforting amenities available to us. Even though I stumbled down the last few holes at the Irish, optimism abounded for our Sunday marathon at Blackwolf Run. The weather forecast was clear of any rain and we were headed to “easier” courses. In contrast to the rugged terrain of the Whistling Straits complex, all the promotional photos of Blackwolf Run portrayed a pastoral and serene setting, with the bright Blue Sheboygan River beautifully framing green fairways, inviting us for a relaxing day.
Sunday morning dawned and the weather was as promised, comfortable enough for shorts at 7:00 am. As we stepped out onto the Clubhouse porch, we overlooked the vistas of the closing holes. I could have never predicted how the serenity of that morning would belie the turbulent 36 holes ahead.
Who is Elisabeth Kubler-Ross?
In Jeopardy!, this would be the correct question to the answer, “The doctor who developed the Five-Stage Grief Model.” With some minor variations from other Grief Models, the five stages one passes through are Shock/Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. On this Sunday, I grieved for the loss of a golf swing, and further, the lost dream of a serene and peaceful day of Golf at Blackwolf Run (don’t despair – there’s a happy ending).
Shock / Denial
The day featured many instances of shock, where I refused to believe this was happening to us. Where did my beautiful Blue Sheboygan go? Hard rains had pummeled Kohler Saturday night, and the peaceful flowing river had transformed into an angry brown raging waterway. The comfortable warmth at 7:00 am gave way to oppressive 90+ degree temperatures, compounded by the moisture from the night’s storms, making for a sweltering journey. The 3+ club winds rolled in after the first 13 holes, complicating club selection even further.
The shocking weather conditions could have all been endured, except for the sudden loss of rhythm and accuracy. An occasional pulled driver is not unusual, but when wedges and 9-irons started missing their targets by 30+ yards, I couldn’t believe that my swing had decided to take yet another unscheduled vacation day.
Anger
In this stage, Anger is usually distributed to many undeserving recipients, in an attempt to cope with the loss. I borrowed a page from many PGA players, placing Pete Dye’s designs in the cross-hairs. “I hope this jerk gets some real pleasure from torturing people!” “Pete Dye fell in love with the Cape Hole here – he really needs to mix it up a little.” (An astute observation given my extensive years of architectural experience – I’m sure if Pete reads this, he’ll be sure to call for my input). “How is it possible to play 18 holes with 30 mph winds, and never play downwind?!” Or even the blasphemous “I don’t see what’s so great about this course!”
I never cursed the stupidity of the sport – there are just some things you’re not allowed to do. Even in the darkest times, I always know that the difficulty is what makes Golf’s successes that much sweeter. But those successes seemed so far away that Sunday.
Bargaining
I really didn’t have much to offer as a bargaining chip. In the midst of my despair, I offered to the Golf Gods that I’d be willing to sacrifice 20-30 yards of distance if I could only have better control. I promised to swing much slower if it would only help. But the Golf Gods could see through my empty offer.
Depression
Yes, there was a perceptible funk in the Scrambler’s aura. Shortness of written or spoken words is not something I’m often accused of. After I stewed in silence for several minutes, Mo’ Golf told the Duff, “Uh-oh, we’ve lost him.” My depression was not so much aimed at my poor Sunday play, but the fear that I would completely hack up my rare opportunity to play the Straits Course Monday.
Acceptance
There’s no shame in getting your butt kicked by a Pete Dye design – the man has been vexing professionals for years. And there’s certainly no shame in having an off-day with your swing. However, the combination of the two, coupled with extreme weather conditions can lead to a catastrophic experience, a seeming universe away from the serene and peaceful day envisioned.
However, the healing process always seems to start with a change in perspective and bit of reflection. One dramatic stretch of holes near the end of the day initiated the transition, as the great beauty and design separated the Scrambler from his problems. The 12th through 15th holes on the Meadow Valleys course is one of the more memorable stretches you will find anywhere, and forces you to appreciate the greatness of the game and this course.
It also put my struggles into a proper perspective. How many other people get to spend three days playing 4 world-class golf courses with their friends? We faced the challenges together, encouraging each other and rejoicing in shared successes.
Sure, some lingering depression hovered even after that stretch, but the transformative process had started. Now thoroughly separated from the negative associations with a bad swing day, the design of Blackwolf Run can be contemplated and appreciated as yet another example of Pete Dye’s genius.
Blackwolf Run
You may remember that Blackwolf Run hosted the 1998 US Women’s Open, highlighted by the duel between young stars Se Ri Pak and Jenny Chuasiriporn. The Championship course was actually a composite of the River Course (9 holes) and Meadow Valleys Course (8 holes), plus one “hybrid” hole played cross country from the Clubhouse over to the Meadow Valleys 10th green.
Unlike the Whistling Straits complex, where both courses have the same Irish Coastal feel, the two designs at Blackwolf Run vary greatly, moving from a River Woodland to a sweeping and undulating landscape. All the courses are a testament to Dye’s ability to create unique designs that blend with a variety of canvases.
River Course
Perhaps the one word most associated with the River Course design is “options.” The River course is not overly long, topping out at less than 7,000 yards, and only 6,600 yards from the Blue tees. There are seven par fours playing less than 400 yards, including four under 350 yards. With this type of design, Driver is not the automatic tee-shot of choice, and the use of long-irons, hybrids, or fairway metals is a valid selection on a number of holes. However, Dye certainly doesn’t take the Driver out of your hands. As any well-designed course should, the River Course rewards players who take a little extra risk off the tee, often by opening up preferable angles to well-protected greens.
Perhaps the hole with the most options is the 316 yard 9th, “Cathedral Spires”, a dog-leg right Par 4 which features a stand of tall trees in the center of the driving area, and the Sheboygan River down the entire right side. Avoiding the trees left leaves a longer approach, but the view of the green is partially obstructed by high banked bunkers and elevation changes. Challenging the spire of trees leaves a shorter approach and better view of the green, but brings more fairway bunkers into play. Those hearty enough to attempt driving the green play right of the trees, but face the added risk of the river. Holes such as these prove that a Par-4 does not need to push 450 yards to provide a memorable challenge.
Options off the tee are not limited to the shorter Par 4s. “Long-Lagoon,” the 433 yard 12th, features two distinct landing areas. To the right is a safe landing area, but leaves a longer second shot that must also flirt with the river and rough that cuts into the right side of the hole near the green. Those willing to challenge the lagoon for the left landing area risk a forced 220 yard carry, but are rewarded with a shorter approach and more accessible green.
The options certainly don’t end once your tee shots are away. One theme that stood out to the Scrambler at all Pete Dye’s Kohler designs was the amount of strategy required on the second shots for all Par 5s. On many Western New York Courses, there is little thought required, as we usually just hit a fairway wood towards the green and get as close as we can. The Par 5s at Kohler force you to assess multiple options and commit to a shot, usually through the use of angled fairways, split-fairways, double-doglegs, or cross hazards that don’t allow you to “almost” catch your 3 wood perfectly.
On the 512 yard 8th (“Hell’s Gate”), a decent drive may leave a 230 yard approach. Going for the green requires you to flirt with the River running close to the right side of the fairway. Guarding a little left will kick you down a sharp bank, requiring a difficult uphill recovery from either heavy rough or sand. If you choose to lay-up, the split level fairway requires a choice. The upper right landing area brings the River into play, but leaves an unobstructed view of the green. The lower left fairway option is safer, but requires a delicate third shot to an elevated green.
The second shot on the 540 yard 11th requires a “cape-like” decision, choosing how much of the Sheboygan you want to challenge in an effort to shorten your approach. The double-dogleg 16th Hole (“Unter de Linden”) features a solitary tree approximately 75 yards short of the green, leaving several options to play left, right or over the sentinel Linden.
Overall, the variety of options makes the River Course a true shot-makers’ paradise which has consistently ranked in the Top 15 public access designs in the United States.
Meadow Valleys Course
Just as you seemed to travel through space crossing from Wisconsin Farmland to the Irish Coast at the Whistling Straits entrance, the transition from the River Course to the Meadow Valleys Course can be just as shocking. Compared to the somewhat restricted feeling at the River Course, the Meadow Valleys course features vast expanses of open space. Between the 11th and 12th holes is a windswept prairie, with only a large barn (converted into a rest station) dotting the landscape. Surveying the vista from the 12th green was one of the most unique experiences of the weekend.
Except for the extremely tight 10th hole carved through the trees (think Blue #2 and #3 at International Country Club), the first 12 holes play over a sweeping and gently rolling Meadow, completely exposed to the heavy winds. With the large areas, there are a variety of angles that can be taken, with Dye using large mounds to obstruct your view on several occasions, most notably on the Par 5 4th hole. Severely contoured greens force you to choose your angle of attack carefully, as many three-putts await an approach improperly placed.
One large lake enters into play on the 7th, 8th and 9th holes, with the scariest being the 188 yard 8th, nicknamed “Wet & Wild.” The water guarding the entire left side provides the “Wet,”, while the whipping winds from the left make for a “Wild” ride, especially if you elect to play over the hazard and pray for some wind assistance.
While there may not be jaw-dropping elevation changes or significant geographic features, the essence of the Meadow portion is the feel of being in the middle of a large wind-swept prairie, very much alone to commune with nature. The only real indication of civilization on the Meadow holes is the “Largest Flag in the United States” which towers 338 feet above nearby Sheboygan, and at 7,200 square feet can be seen from miles away throughout the course.
The path from the 12th green to 13th tee features yet another geographic metamorphosis, as the Valleys portion of the course emerges with a series of ravines and dramatic elevation changes. The opening trio of Valley holes holds up against any other sequence in the entire Kohler kingdom.
The 13th is a mere 335 yards, but steadily climbs from tee to green. Nicknamed “Chimney”, the green doesn’t just sit at the top of the hill – that wouldn’t be high enough. The 13th putting surface climbs even further, setting atop a 20 foot plateau at the top of the hill. Think Country Club of Buffalo’s “Volcano Hole” being placed on the 18th green at CCB. Only the purest iron approach will cling to this tricky surface.
As the saying goes “What goes up, must come down.” The 409 yard 14th hole is not called “Spinning Wheel”, but sweeps back down to the right, revealing one of the prettiest downhill approaches you will ever encounter. With a ravine providing the backdrop, the green sits 40 feet below the fairway, wrapped on three sides by Weeden Creek. With its unmatched beauty, “Nature’s Course” is one of the most photographed holes in Wisconsin.
As the three of us drove away from the 14th, we assumed we had reached the high point and talked about how great “Nature’s Course” was. However, as we pulled up to the next tee, Mo’ Golf could be heard, “Guys, you won’t believe this” followed by “Wow, would you look at that!”
After a demanding uphill trek followed by a gorgeous downhill sweep, it would take a special “flat” shot to complete this cycle of holes. Finding a level hole in the league with this set-up would be a stretch, but the 15th hole actually crescendos to a fortissimo finale. One of the more ironically named holes, “Mercy” is a 196 yard par 3, all over a glacial ravine and usually played into the wind, with “no mercy” granted to the poorly struck attempt. A truly heroic par 3, the 15th leaves a lasting impression on all those who pass through the Meadow Valleys layout.
While it is difficult to maintain such a breathtaking pace in design, the last three holes certainly don’t disappoint, with the 16th featuring one of Pete Dye’s famous Acre-sized greenside bunkers (ala PGA West), the par 3 17th over a less dramatic ravine and solitary Maple Tree, and the closing hole featuring a final approach over the Sheboygan River against the backdrop of the Blackwolf Run Clubhouse.
Compared to the Irish Course, Blackwolf Run is much more punitive to the wayward drive, essentially eliminating the hopes of a recovery. Water abounds everywhere on the River Course, with penalty strokes adding insult to the lost $3 Titleist. Even on the Meadow Valleys, water is less prevalent, but the grasses framing the holes are knee high, usually resulting in a lost ball or, at best, an unplayable lie.
Scramble of the Day
It’s often said that adversity is just an opportunity to shine, so it was an “opportunistic” round, to say the least. On the 429 yard 9th at Meadow Valleys, my drive was pulled a touch, ending up a foot inside the tall grass, and behind a large Maple Tree, some 180 yards out. The Scramble attempted to hit Driver from the rough to keep the ball below the tree, and still chase down the fairway. Unfortunately, the ball was close enough to the high grass to interfere with the downswing, leaving a 100 yard shot from a perched rough lie on the side of a fairway bunker, all into a 30 mph crosswind. As the full swing wasn’t working, it was time to get creative. The Scrambler elected the “long pitch” with a 5 iron, which seemed to float in the wind 15 feet off the ground and dropped softly next to the pin, 4 feet away.
Favorite Holes:
At the Meadow Valleys course, the honor would have to be a three way tie among the trio of holes described above.
On the River Course, aesthetics was the primary determinant, with the 388 yard 5th hole getting the honor. Named “Made in Heaven”, this hole features an elevated tee overlooking the valley below, guarded on the right by the ubiquitous Sheboygan River. After descending into the valley, your approach is to a plateau green sitting at an angle to the fairway, adding both beauty and strategic elements.
To find out more about Blackwolf Run, visit DestinationKohler.com, and follow the “Golf” links to see the variety of world-caliber Golf available.
Our three day adventure wraps up on Monday, traversing the Straits Course that hosted the 2004 PGA Championship. Stay tuned to BuffaloGolfer.com for more on the Golf adventures of Mo’ Golf, Travellin’ Duff and the Scrambler.
Destination Kohler
Day 1 – A Short Trip to Ireland.
On a rainy Friday afternoon, the Scrambler was running in a downpour, frantically shoving all his golf clubs and luggage into the far too small cabin of his wife’s Ford Ranger. Groceries and other miscellany had been put in the front, while all the golf gear and clothes had been loaded in the back of the truck, ready to meet up with Mo’ Golf and Travellin’ Duff for a weekend voyage. The sudden downpour caused an immediate detour in the best laid plans, and a little comic relief for Mrs. Scrambler.
“Now, where exactly are you going?” she asks.
“Kohler, Wisconsin – we’re playing Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run over the weekend,” I replied, knowing full well that these answers meant absolutely nothing to my wife. She may vaguely recognize Kohler as the faucet and fixture people, but other than that, it meant nothing.
To my fellow members at Elma Meadows and other Golf enthusiasts, Kohler means Whistling Straits and the 2004 PGA Championship. Blackwolf Run and the 1998 US Women’s Open. Future host to the 2007 Senior U.S. Open Championship, severa future PGA Championship returns, and the 2020 Ryder Cup. Pete Dye and Herb Kohler transforming the shore of Lake Michigan into a new Golfing Mecca.
As we passed through Chicago around 9:30 at night, I called the Mrs. for a travel update.
“You’re not there, yet?!”
“We’re not even close, we still have a few hours to go. It’s about an 11 hour drive.”
“Why on earth would you drive that far just to play Golf?”
The answer would be granted less than 12 hours later.
The Irish Course at Whistling Straits
All afternoon, I’ve been thinking of the best way to capture how impressive this course is. To put it most simply... if you consider yourself an avid golfer, you MUST make the trek to Wisconsin and see this for yourself. And I’ve only seen one of the four courses – and supposedly, this was the only course of the four in Kohler that did not receive a Five Star ranking from Golf Digest. (Only 16 courses receive Five Star Rankings - Kohler Resort boasts 3 of these). If this is the warm-up band, I can only imagine what the headliners will do to me.
On the inside of the Irish Course yardage book is a quote from Pete Dye which reads –
“There’s nothing on the United States that has the look and feel of this course.”
As a Golfer who values aesthetics far over conditioning, there is nothing better than letting the feel of a course just wash over you and soaking in the atmosphere. There are endless opportunities to do that here, and not just from the confines of the links.
A glance out the restaurant window revealed the panorama of Lake Michigan serving as a backdrop for one of the most beautiful holes I have ever seen. Once on the course, the breathtaking views just kept on coming, with the 5th hole “Devil’s Elbow” drawing some raves, and the massive 8th fairway rising high to reveal an inviting glimpse at the distant green. The remarkable 10th features dramatic elevation changes, a Cape hole tee-shot, followed by a Redan-style green, and completed by a towering mound nicknamed “Mount Dune” by the BuffaloGolfer trio.
However, all these holes paled in comparison to what was about to come. The climb to the 11th tee provided a glimpse of several holes, including some from the adjacent Straits course, all with Lake Michigan in the background. The feelings of awe were on par with the first time I witnessed Bethpage’s massive 4th. While the Irish Course turned away from Lake Michigan a few holes later, I am heartened by the fact that all 18 holes at the Straits course will be in view of the Great Lake, raising my anticipation for Monday’s coming experience.
Yet, even more amazing than the end product is the transformation and development of Whistling Straits. The trek from our hotel to the course was filled with miles of flat farmland. However, as we crossed over one last country road and through the Whistling Straits entrance, we seemingly passed through a space porthole which transported us from Wisconsin dairyland to the rugged Ireland Coast in the span of 100 feet. Until you experience it firsthand, you cannot possibly comprehend how much earth was moved to create this Pete Dye masterpiece.
The Scrambler normally likes the “minimalist” approach to course design, where golf holes arise from the natural landscape and are not forced onto the land. I’ve often been turned off by courses I felt were overly “manufactured” as they just don’t appear to fit the land.
After today’s experience, I told Mo’ Golf that I was challenging my aversion to “manufacturing,” especially when done this spectacularly. Pete Dye didn’t force Irish-Style Golf holes and bunkers onto a piece of non-descript land. Rather, Dye first metamorphosed the entire landscape into a miniature Emerald Isle. Massive sand dunes frame your paths, appearing as if they had been worn by centuries of erosion, not created from flat farmland less than a decade ago. The end result is a design that blends with its environment as smoothly as any genuine Ireland links.
With Day One in the books, I now know why three men would drive over 11 hours to play Golf. Great tracks like the Irish Course at Whistling Straits transcend Golf beyond a mere game or activity that is “played”, providing those memorable moments of euphoria and awe that allow Golf to be fully “experienced.”
Ability to Scramble
It’s a Pete “Dye-abolical” design, so what do you think? If you miss, you will be appropriately dealt with, especially when there are thousands of sand dunes dotting the landscape and rough everywhere else. However, the fairways and landing areas are more than generous enough, so this is certainly a fair test.
The Scrambler probably could have lost several balls, but his Titleist 8 started to take on “Rasputin”-like qualities. The “Ocho” seemingly refused to be lost, and came back to life several times from the heavy rough and dunes. However, there are few heroic recoveries available from these places, as severe slopes and ugly lies abound – rather you are destined to get back into play and try to make it up with the short game.
Favorite Hole: 13th Hole / 160 yards / Par 3
This hole is
