Club Car Pro-Pro Scramble / Georgia Section PGA / March 14, 2011
 

Congrats to the teams Jeff Hull-Jarred Reaneau and Ted Fort-John Tillery for their T-4 finish in the Georgia PGA Section's Pro-Pro Scramble. Despite the cold front that moved in the night before and its cold, rain and wind, each team fashioned brilliant 6-under par 66s, only two off the winning pace.

Here's Jeff and Jarred's card:

http://gapga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/g.../scorecard.htm

And here's Ted and John's:

http://gapga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/g.../scorecard.htm

There were 116 of the Georgia Section's best players comprising the event's 58 teams. http://gapga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/g...eaderboard.htm

I am proud to say that three players on two of the top four teams (including ties) are Lynn Blake Certified Instructors. Specifically . . .

Jeff Hull, PGA and Ted Fort, PGA, Lynn Blake Certified Master Instructor; and

John Tillery, PGA, Lynn Blake Certified Instructor.

Great playing, guys!

:salut:

Nice job carrying the LBG flag! :salut:

thanks
 

I appreciate the encouragement. I'm getting my game in shape for June, so I'm going to play in as much as I can. I'm getting all of my new equipment into play and need more course time. But, with 9 lessons yesterday and 8 today, time seems to be a limited commodity.

Anybody know the location of a range in Atlanta that has lights and is open until midnight?

Chocolate Soldiers
 

June would be June 26-29, 2011, the competition dates of the PGA of America's club pro signature event: the Professional National Championship, aka, the PNC, to be held at Hershey CC in Hershey, Pennsylvania. http://www.pgamediaguide.com/cpc.cfm.

Oh, my bad, this link talks only in general about the PNC and in specific only about the 2010 Championship. So let's try here: http://www.pgamediaguide.com/cpc_yearsearch_action.cfm. Oops. Even when you click on all the available clicks within, no info. Bummer.

So, sorry, there is no information readily available on the PGA's site about this year's tournament. Leaving that aside for a moment . . .

For Touring Professionals, there are four majors. For Club Professionals, there is only one: the PNC. It is internationally televised, and simply making the field is a career accomplishment. A finish in the top twenty earns the right to tee it up in the PGA Championship, the last of the four majors, and with arguably the deepest and most prestigious field.

Now, revisiting the above, a personal vent:

The PGA is dropping the ball here. So much excitement, such a leading venue, and such a blue-ribbon field: from its vast membership of 28,000, only a handful of players qualify each year. Yet here we are, entering spring, and I can find nothing on the upcoming championship and its field. Only a recap of last year's event. Work needs to be done.

Here's a little something from Hershey CC: http://www.hersheycountryclub.com/golf/pga_pnc.php

Otherwise, on the PGA website, nada. Maybe someone can lead me to it, but I've googled a half dozen times in several definitive ways and get nothing. I know there must be information out there. Those in the know, please post a clue.

Thanks.

Meanwhile, I am proud to say that four Lynn Blake students will be participating in this year's event:

Ted Fort, 2006 Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year;

Kip Henley, 2010 Tennessee PGA Champion (and Brian Gay's caddie);

Jeff Hull, 2007 Georgia PGA Champion, Player of the Year, and Georgia Open Champion;

Curt Sanders, 2009 and 2010 Carolinas Section Player of the Year.

A good crew.

:salut:

...and Patrick will also be representing LBG as a member of the gallery! :)

I'm really excited to follow your play guys. what an honor just to have qualified, it's like playing in the US Open for PGA Professionals, our major championship.

Unfortunately, I'll also think of this years tournament as the first one where one of my golf heroes, Bob Boyd will not be around to see it. A great player, 1988 Champion, and wonderful man who made my experience at the 1995 championship so memorable. RIP Mr. Boyd. 55 years old, far too young...

Kevin

Go Luke Go! New equipment? Whats in the bag these days?


P.S. The only place I can think of is the Marietta Golf Center....great place, not sure how late its open though. I know its open when its extremely cold and during rain storms though, so late night wouldnt surprise me.

Did you play in it in '95 Kev? Awesome.

my equipment
 

Ball:
I've changed balls thanks to Jeff Hull and his connections at Bridgestone. I'm playing the B330. They also sent me a Tour bag, which I call my NASCAR bag, because you can't find another possible location for a logo. So, I'll be on ball, bag, glove, and hat staff.
http://www.bridgestonegolf.com/product/balls/tour-b330

Irons:
I'm playing the 5-PW in the Mizuno MP 53's, the newer version of the irons I played last year. The irons are amazing, and the new model is much better in the longer irons, where the cavity has been improved.
http://www.mizunousa.com/golf/produc...-53-golf-irons

Wedges:
I had to change to the MP T-11, 52, 56, and 60. It's the new version of what I played last year. The only difference is the legal grooves, to comply with the rule change. http://www.mizunousa.com/golf/produc...-11-golf-wedge

Fairway Woods and Hybrid:
I feel like a kid at Christmas. I have my tracking number for my new woods to be delivered tomorrow by UPS. I'll be playing the new Mizuno JPX 800 15 degree 3 wood, 18 degree 5 wood, and 19 degree hybrid. My rep. came to my place last week and let me hit the new product. I was impressed to say the least. Mizuno has been hot and cold with their woods. As a result, I played the Tour Edge Exotic CB2 fairway woods for a long time. The new Mizuno woods are the best I've seen. There was no question that they were going in the bag, and the Tour Edge were Ebay'ed.
http://www.mizunousa.com/golf/catalog/woods

Putter:
I'll be buried with my custom Bettinardi. It's 33 1/2 inches long, 74 degrees (4 up), and 395 grams. It was a custom belly putter head made for J.B. Holmes. But, I use the head on a short putter shaft. I wanted the weight, top and back lines, the upright lie, the face grooves, and the face balancing. And, he made it precisely like I wanted.

Driver:
My only question is which driver will be in play. I've been sent a Taylor Made R11 9 degree with a Diamana 'ahina, stiff shaft. I've used it, and it's very good. My other option is the Mizuno JPX 800 9 degree with a Grafalloy Axis, stiff shaft. The demo felt great but the shaft didn't match my loading. So, we're trying the Axis. I've been offered $1000 to play one of them, but the money doesn't matter. If one is better than the other, it will be in the bag.

Hmm?

Good Ball

Ok, so the Bag, Hat, Glove etc, All of your clubs, you thought of everything.

Nice Hat.

That Bag has a "Heart Defibrillator" compartment.



What about the Spikes?

Good Luck Ted. You're the Best.

Awesome Ted, thanks. Nice combo there.

Lynn liked the MP 53's as I recall.

some discretion...
 

I did hold back comment on the winner between Fruit of the Loom versus Haynes, since we may have women and children present. :naughty:

The bag has a great Bose sound system and an I-Pad compartment. It's cool when you press the button on the remote control and the club shoots out. I asked Bill Murray to caddy for me, and we're presently in contract negotiations.

I did play in 1995. Each round I was paired with a former champion of the event. Mr. Boyd was a gentleman that would fit right in here. He knew how to have fun, and was always concerned about everybody else in his group. A very memorable experience.

First round of the event at the Nicklaus Private course at PGA West. I hit all 9 greens on the front, two birdies, one three putt bogey. It all went south on the 10th hole, double. Around the 15th or 16th hole, par 5, three groups waiting on the tee. Drive up, lost, drive back, watched this over and over...

Finally our groups turn. I walk up to the tee with a 4 iron. Bob stops me.

BOB - Kevin, what the F are you doing? :)

ME - I'm playing safe. I don't want to lose my ball. Every body else is having such a hard time up there.

BOB - Kevin, you are 4 over par. What the F are you thinking? :) If you hit that 4 iron I'm never talking to you again! Go grab your driver, hit you a big one down the middle, make yourself an eagle and get back into this thing!

We all laughed, I grabbed my driver and smoked it down the middle. Made par but was proud of myself for trying. Ended up with 77 that day. :eyes: I'll never forget Bob Boyd though...

Kevin

Manly!
 

Nice, Kev and I can't wait until you can show me that form or better, again.
Someday, after Cuscowilla!


ICT

Great story Kev, thanks. What an experience.

Cheers

Playing Partner For Life
 

Great memory, Kevin. I'm copying all my friends in the Carolinas with this. I never knew Bob Boyd, but I had three emails from friends who did within 24 hours of his death. I've since learned a whole lot about him and his life in golf.

His untimely death was a major loss. For those who knew him, your story will help ease the transition.

:salut:

Thanks YODA!!

update:
 

I took the wrappers off my new Mizuno JPX woods on Monday. I shot 71 with 2 birdies and one bogey, at the Piedmont Driving Club.

So, EVERY round that I have EVER played with my new woods has been under par!

Rounds to date: 1

:thumright