May 17

2013 US Open at Merion

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The golfing world is eagerly looking forward to an incredible US Open this year on Merion Golf Club (East) outside Philadelphia PA. Merion is known as the best short Course in the world. (126 Acres) Golf Digest has Merion ranked as the #6 golf course in the US in their Top 100.  Hugh Wilson, William Flynn(Shinnecock) Perry Maxwell, and Tom Fazio each had a part in designing what is known as Merion East today. The East Course legacy began in 1912, and it has hosted 19 USGA events and 4 US Opens since then.  Past Winners include Bobyy Jones 1924, 1930, Lee Trevino 1971, Ben Hogan 1950, and most recently Edoardo Molinari in the 2005 US Amateur.

The 16th Hole at Merion

The 16th Hole at Merion

The winner this year is going to be a player that can drive the ball straight, putt with lightning in their veins, and have nerves of steel. The leaders most likely use more Hybrids, or 2 irons off the tees this week. Hitting the fairways during any US Open is always at a premium but this year even more so. Merion is tight off the tee with small hard greens. I played golf with a Merion member recently and he told me a few things about the course. It is now 4 weeks out from the US Open and he says, it is already in US Open conditions for the members and has been for a few weeks. The course will stay open until the week before the tournament. He claimed he shot 101 last weekend because the course is set up so hard right now. He is a legitimate 6 handicap and it is hard to believe because he is a good golfer. He said, “The ruff is so thick that if you hit into it, you automatically have to hit a 50 degree wedge just to advance the ball.” He also told me about how the course is broken up into 3 different 6 hole courses. The first 6 is medium hard, the second 6 is relatively easy with 5 holes under 400 yard and the 13th is a short 120yrd par3, and the last 6 are the most difficult with the 17th hole a 256 par 3 and 463 yard par 4 18th.  A player must be able to score during the second 6 holes and then hold on strong on strong on the finish to win.  Ben Hogan famously hit a 1 iron on 18, which propelled him to win the 1950 US Open.

Ben Hogan on the 18th with the 1 Iron

Instead of picking a winner by merely saying Tiger Woods, I am going to pick a winner who is a guy that not many people have heard of till this year. His name is Russell Henley. Russell is 24yr old PGA Tour Rookie who plays like someone who has nothing to fear. He has made a name for himself already on the PGA Tour. Russell won the Sony Open in Hawaii his first ever event on Tour, and he won at the Stadium Course/ University of Georgia winning as an amateur and student at UGA on what was then the Nationwide Tour. Three stats jump out on me that favor Russell Henley for the US Open.First he is 7th on the PGA Tour this year on par 4s. He will play 2 more par 4s this tournament because the course is a par 70, he is 11th on tour in overall putting statistics, and he is 12th on Tour in the # of birdies made category. All this equates to Russell playing more par 4s, putting in the Top 11, making lots of birdies, and eventually winning the US Open! Well, that’s a brave thought for me and for Russell Henley, but I believe he is certainly capable of winning on the big stage. Las Vegas odds makers have him listed as 150/1 favorite. I believe I am the only one picking Russell Henley this week, If he wins Ill say I told you so, but If he looses its no big deal.

By Claude Pope

Russell Henley

Russell Henley

May 17

Wild Dunes Resort – Stay & Play Golf Package Deal

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Wild Dunes Resort and Golf Package

Golf at Wild Dunes Save

Two Nights + 2 Rounds of Golf (one round of golf on the Harbor Course & one round of golf at the Links Course). Based on Group of 4

Availability: May 25 – Sept1

$325 per person

The Wild Dunes Resort

The accommodations are in a 2BR Condo. The condo units are apartment style, 2 full bathrooms, full kitchen,screen in porch, possible ocean view, one king, and two twin beds or four full size beds. All Guest have beach access, pool access, fitness center, and resort transportation included in their stay. Golf includes cart only.

Interested in the this Golf Package Deal or looking for other Golf Package Deals?
Contact: 201-758-7400 or email: debrak@tee-links.com

Just Sign up below with Tee-links and we will send you a $10 OFF coupon code to use on any Travel Package or Golf Round so get started now.


May 13

Woods Wins Second PLAYERS

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Latest News Tiger Wins Players Tiger Woods won his second Players Championship on Sunday with a final round 2 under par 70. Woods had built a comfortable two shot lead by Tiger Woods standards, going to the 14th hole when he pop hooked a 3 wood into the water on the left. The ensuing double bogey dropped Woods into a four way tie with Jeff Maggert, Sergio Garcia, and PGA Tour rookie David Lingmerth of Sweden. What happened next was what made for an exciting and comical finish to the 40th PLAYERS Championship.

PGA Tour Veteran 49 yr. old Jeff Maggert stood on the 17th tee of the fame island green at the 137 yard par three.  With the wind blowing into and a little left to right, Maggert came up splashes by dunking his ball short and into the water. With Maggert out of the running, Woods smoked a three wood into the right rough on the 16th hole and mashed a four iron out of the rough into the front right bunker and got up and down for birdie to reclaim a one shot lead. The 17th hole at Sawgrass is where the golf world was first introduced to Tiger Woods being Tiger Woods back in 1994. This time around provided no dramatics as Woods hit a wedge to 40 ft and made the two out for par look easy.

Standing there watching was Garcia and Lingmerth. Garcia, having added a birdie of his own on the 16th was now tied with Woods at -13. Lingmerth still lurked one back at -12.  Garcia took dead aim at the flag and came up wet dashing his hopes of a second PLAYERS Championship, and once again, being unable to get the better of Woods when coming down the stretch. Adding to his misery, Garcia rinsed another one and ended up making quadruple bogey 7. Lingmerth on the other hand, showed the steely resolve of a veteran despite being a rookie, and knocked his shot to twelve feet, but missed the birdie attempt on the right side.

Meanwhile Woods had set himself up well by tracing a three wood dead center that set up a nine iron approach which came to rest 15-20 ft above the whole. Woods cozied down his birdie putt for a tap in par, putting the pressure squarely on Lingmerth. Garcia added to his trevails by splashing his tee shot in the water on 18, while Lingmerth from the right rough, hit his approach to about 40 ft right of the hole. Left with possibly the fastest putt on the golf course, Lingmerth raced his putt by a good 12 feet, sealing victory and a second PLAYERS Championship for Woods.  The victory is Woods fourth of the year and we haven’t even gotten to the second major of the year. Golf is good shape.

May 10

2013 Summer Golf Package Deals

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Orlando FL – Arnold Palmers Bay Hill Club and Lodge Golf Package Deals
Golf Packages available from June 1- Sept. 30th

Bay Hil Golf Package Save

Bay Hill is a top 100 golf course owned by Arnold Palmer since 1974. It has hosted the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour every March since 1979 and Tiger Woods is the 2013 Champion. Over the years, Bay Hill has received many awards. Its most recent, for 2000 and 1999, is from Florida Golf News as the number one “Best Course in Florida.” In 1997, Golf Digest ranked it 97th of “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses,” 14th amongst the country’s best public courses and sixth within the State of Florida. While in 1996, Golf Magazine placed it second on its list of Silver Medal Resorts and 15th within the “Top 100 Golf Courses You Can Play in the US.”

Golf Packages for Bay Hill Golf Club

1 night 1 round of golf for 2 people – $249 per person per night plus tax for a Lodge Room.
2 nights 2 rounds of golf, $239 pp per night
3 nights 3 rounds of golf, $229 pp per night.

Breakfast /Buffet Included, Fore caddie not included, Saturday tee times start at 12pm.

Room, Suite & Guest House rates include:
*Access to the Spa, Salon, Tennis, Pool, Aquatic & Fitness Center (a la carte services not included)
*Complimentary parking
*Complimentary Internet connection/daily use fee (wired or wireless)
*Complimentary local phone charges.
*Complimentary newspaper
*Complimentary coffee stations in the lodge buildings every morning.
*No resort fee

Myrtle Beach South Carolina –The Legends Golf Package Deals
Golf Packages Available from June 10th – Sept. 4th

Legends More Golf Package Discounts

Centrally located just off Highway 501 in Myrtle Beach, Heathland Moorland, and Parkland courses are nestled within the Scottish-inspired Legends Golf & Resort. Legends’ Oyster Bay course is on the northern end of Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand in Sunset Beach, N.C., while Heritage is on the southern end in Pawleys Island, S.C. Legends Resort’s updated onsite accommodations give you the best option on the beach for the “All Inclusive Golf Package”. While staying at Legends Resort, receive unlimited use of the 30-acre practice facility driving range, Free Breakfast Buffet, Free Lunch and 2 Free Beers or Beverages.

*Free breakfast
*Free Lunch
*2 Free Beers or Fountain Drinks a day
*Carts included
*Large lighted Driving Range
*Free Range Ball

Golf Packages for Moorland Golf Course

Two nights Stay and 3 Rounds of Golf:

One of the most affordable golf trips that we offer is at the Legends Resort. They have 3 amazing golf course designed by Pete Dye, and Tom Doak. For $275 per person total, I could get you into a 2 Br Villa, each room has 2 queen beds. Sleeps 4 comfortably.

This deal includes breakfast, lunch and 2 beers per person per day. Includes a golf cart, and free range balls. Retail on this package is $325 This would be a savings of $50 a person.

Pawleys Island South Carolina – Caledonia and True Blue Golf Package Deals
Golf Packages available from June-1 – Sept. 1

Caledonia Golf Package Discounts

Caledonia: Built upon the site of a working southern rice plantation, Caledonia has been recognized for its design and incredible beauty. Upon opening in 1995 Caledonia was ranked 5th Best New Public Course in America by Golf Digest and was recently ranked 30th in the ‘Top 100 You Can Play’ by Golf Magazine 2000. Golf Digest has further ranked Caledonia as one of the Top 31 Best Upscale Courses in America as
well as awarding it 4-1/2 stars in it’s ‘Places to Play’ section ’96-’02. From the entrance lined with centuries old live oaks to its antebellum-styleclubhouse, Caledonia is a world-class experience. Course Rating: 70.9 Slope Rating: 13

Golf Packages at the Inlet Sports Lodge

Stay at the Inlet Sports Lodge which is the property closely associated with Caledonia and True Blue Golf Courses, it’s a great location close to the beach, 5 min, and close to the bars on the waterway in Pawley’s. True Blue and Caledonia are probably the best two courses in Myrtle, and Caledonia is a Top 100 course. This trip will cost $150 per person per night 2 nights minimum stay at the Sports Lodge, one round of golf at True Blue and one round at Caledonia Golf and Fish Club. Each room has a king bed and a queen sleeper sofa. The rooms have a small refrigerator, microwave, and HD TV, Golf Cart, and Range Balls are included.

Tampa Florida- Innisbrook Resort Golf Package Deals
Golf Packages Available from June 1 – Sept 4th

Discounts Golf Copper Head Package Deals

Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club is a beautiful Resort. The grounds are meticulously maintained and the rooms boast spotless kitchens and living rooms, and large bedrooms. The restaurants serve up a wide variety of cuisines.

There is always something to do at Innisbrook. It has four championship golf courses, 11 tennis courts, with seven lit for night play, three racquetball courts and a 20,000square-foot spa.

The Classic Golf Package:

$159 Per Person per night, 2 night minimum. Stay at the world-renowned innisbrook Resort home of the Tampa Bay Championships on the PGA Tour, and play on the Copperhead Golf Course! 4 Star 4 Diamond Resort 2 nights 2 rounds of golf at any of the 4 courses, The Island Course, North, South or Copperhead Course. This deal is based 2 nights and double occupancy. Cart included and range included.

The Preferred Golf Package:

$199 per person per night 2 night minimum stay. Includes the Classic golf package, plus a bonus round of golf upon arrival, a daily golf clinic, golf gift pack, and a full American Breakfast based on double occupancy.

Hilton Head Island – Sea Pines Resort Golf Package Deals
Golf Packages Available from Jun1- Aug 31

Golf Package Savings Harbourpines Large Groups of 12 or more

$179 per person per night. 3 night minimum. Stay at the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island. Play golf at all 3 courses with unlimited Replays!
Harbour Town host of the RBC Heritage PGA Tour event- The Favorite course among PGA Tour players, second only to Augusta National, The
Ocean Course- Mark McCumber, and Heron Point- Pete Dye. This deal includes range balls, a complimentary gift card, golf cart, caddie fees not
included, and based on double occupancy.

• Located within the 5,000-acre Sea Pines community, spanning a third of Hilton Head Island, SC
• Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Calibogue Sound, with breathtaking views
• Composed of four distinct neighborhoods, with abundant dining, shopping, and entertainment
• Just 45 miles by car from Savannah, Georgia Accessible by two area airports, Hilton Head Island Airport and Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport.

Unlimited play with complimentary repeat rounds*
Private villa accommodations (1-4 bedrooms)
Complimentary warm-up bag of range balls
10% pro shop discount on retail merchandise
10% food and beverage discount at The Sea Pines Resort’s restaurants

• Complimentary wireless internet
• Complimentary use of The Sea Pines Resort Fitness Center

Interested in Any of the Above Golf Package Deals
Contact: 201-758-7400
Email: debrak@tee-links.com

May 09

Players Championship Overshadowed by Singh Lawsuit

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Players Championship Overshadowed by Singh Lawsuit The PGA Tours flagship event has been overshadowed so far this week by Wednesdays’ revelations of Vijay Singhs lawsuit against the PGA Tour. The Players is not a major, but the PGA Tour sure markets it as one. The purse is the largest in golf at 9.5 million, with a cool 1.7 going to the winner on Sunday evening. It is played at the same course every year, which isn’t much different from many of the other tour events. What makes this event different is the Pete Dye designed course. Along with the very unique and tantalizing par 3 17th hole, which at only 137 yards might seem benign, except for the fact that you are hitting to an island green surrounded by water.

  In January, Singh told a Sports Illustrated reporter that he was using the deer antler spray, which contains IGF-1 (a banned substance by the tour at the time) “every couple of hours…every day” and was “looking forward to some changes in my body”. The tour kept a very low key public stance on the issue and suspended Singh for 90 days. Of course Singh appealed, and was allowed to continue you playing on the PGA Tour. Fast forward to April 30, and the tour had cleared Sing of doping offenses after the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) confirmed the deer antler spray Singh admitted to using was not “prohibited unless a positive test results”.

 On Wednesday, the day before the PGA Tours biggest event, Singh dropped the lawsuit on the Tour and it has been the hottest topic so far and will continue to be talked about through the weekend. Singh released a statement saying “The PGA Tour not only treated me unfairly, but displayed a lack of professionalism that should concern every professional golfer and fan of the game”. Those are pretty harsh words from someone who admitted to taking a banned substance, and was eventually absolved of any wrong doing. Essentially what Singh was saying and what the lawsuit adds up to is negligence by the PGA Tour.

  This is something the tour wanted to be done with by the time this tournament rolled around. It was done with it and Singh brought it write back up. The focus now will be on the tournament because play has started. Unless Singh is in contention on late Sunday it will most likely not be talked about except for at the beginning of each telecast and when Singh is shown on tv. Golf fans will be more interest in watching the players navigate, 16, 17 & 18, which is the way it should be.

By: Dustin Edwards

May 07

Derek Ernst PGA

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Derek Ernst PGA

The PGA Tour had another first time winner this past weekend at the Wells Fargo Championships, Derek Ernst.  Derek age 22 is a UNLV graduate has a great story this week. Derek was half way to Athens GA to play on the Web.com Tour Stadium Challenge Wednesday afternoon when he got a call that we would be in the field at the Wells Fargo Championship and he turned right around and back another 2 hours to Charlotte NC.  Derek Ernst was the 4th Alternate and its pretty amazing that he even had the opportunity to play golf in Charlotte this week. 

 Derek Ernst had a really solid final round and birdied the final hole to be the low player in the club house at -8. The weather was terrible, heavy rain the last 4 holes for the final groups. Phil Mickelson had a 2 stoke lead at -9 then proceeded to bogie 16, 17 and pared 18 to shoot -7 in the final group.  Ernst was 2 shots back  from Phil and finished with par, par, birdie to go from -7, to -8 on the last hole;. There was very little coverage on Derek Ernst because he was 2 or 3 shots behind the leaders all day till the final 3 holes called the Green Mile. Ernst then had an impressive Sudden Death win against David Lynn who got a bogie from the greenside bunker on 18, Ernst pared the 18th hole against David Lynn and won the play-off and the Wells Fargo Championship.

 Derek Ernst was the 1,207 ranked player in the world before this week and after this win he has moved the #187. Way to go Derek, I hope you enjoy your pay check of $1,188,000, Player Championship invite, Masters Invite, 2 year exemption on the PGA Tour and all the sponsorship opportunities that will come with this win.

By: Claude Pope

Apr 30

Guan the New Golf Sensation

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Tianlang Guan New Golf Sensation Tianlang Guan, the 14 year old amateur sensation from China, played well above expectations again this week in New Orleans by making the cut with scores of 72, 69, in the first two rounds. He slipped a little over the weekend, shooting scores of 77 and 74 to finish in 71st place. That said, Guan can look at this showing as another positive in his first trip to the states.

  Playing big time tournament golf isn’t easy for any professional golfer, much less a 14 year old 8th grader. Many had there doubts as to whether Guan would even break 80 when he teed off in The Masters two weeks ago. He showed steely resolve to make the cut and overcome a one shot penalty for slow play. He was the only amateur to make the cut and won the low amateur honor, garnering him a seat in Butler Cabin on Sunday at The Masters to receive his honor alongside Masters Champion Adam Scott.
  Guan has showed exceptional poise in his visit to the states. He is routinely complemented by his fellow competitors for his graciousness and solid short game and iron play. Since Guan averages only about 250 yards off of the tee he is always hitting first into the greens. That puts a tremendous amount of stress on your short game when playing courses that average 7400 yards. His short game has kept him in the game by getting up and down most of the time. A solid putter has also been a crutch he can lean on.
  We will be seeing more of Guan this spring, as he has entered local qualifying for this years U.S. Open. Guan isn’t playing in this weeks Wells Fargo Championship, but there should be at least one more sponsors exemption coming his way. For Guan, the tournament experience will be invaluable. Lets just hope he doesn’t over do it.
By: Dustin Edwards

Apr 29

PGA Tour- Young Stars shine at TPC Louisiana

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  PGA-Tour-Young-Stars-shine-TPC-Louisiana

Billy Horschel won for the first time in his career on the PGA Tour at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Horschel is a 26-year-old rising star from the University of Florida. Billy had an amazing streak of 6 birdies in a row from hole 6-11 and lipped out on 12 for birdie, he finished -8 under 64. Horschel made a great birdie on 16, which gave him a 1 shot lead over D.A Points.  Weather plagued the final round and the final 2 groups had to wait almost an hour to finish their round at TPC Louisiana.

Billy had to come back from the weather delay and finish the par 5 18th.  Horschel had 272 yards to the finish line and it looked like he would need to birdie the final hole to hold off D.A Points. Horschel laid up and hit a pitching wedge to 25 feet, an unlikely birdie opportunity. D.A Points hit into a greenside bunker in 2 and hit a great chunk and run to 5 feet for birdie and the tie. At this point Billy Horschel had only one option, make the putt and win. Horschel took very little time lining up the putt; he pulled the trigger and Baam it went in!  Billy pumped his fist furiously and yelled in excitement. He had just won for the first time on the PGA Tour. Along with his $1,188,000 he won he will also be fully exempt on the PGA Tour for 3 years, he will be invited to play in the 2014 Masters, 2014 Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, and the 2013 US Open at Merion.

By: Claude Pope

 

 

Apr 22

Scotty Cameron- The Art of Putting

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Scotty Cameron began designing putters professionally in 1991. He began his career working for Maxfli, Cleveland, and then Mizuno; creating a very basic yet refined series of putters. This line included the Napa, Laguna, Santa Fe, and Del-Mar style putters. of course these are the names for his Titleist line of putters. For Mizuno they were called M-100, M-200, M-300 and M-400 respectfully. These Mizuno putters are classics and very rare to find. They range in price from $300-$600 online.

Titleis line of Putters Save

The turning point came for Scotty in 1993 when one of his putters was used by the Masters winner Berhard Langer. By 1994 Scotty Cameron left Mizuno and was in negotiations to partner with Acushnet the parent company to Titleist. Titleist hired Scotty to create world-class putters that blended art with golf. Scotty Cameron immediately put Titleist on the map, and after two years at Titleist Scotty most famously created the Newport 2 with the Domino back, the putter that Tiger Woods used to win the 1997 Masters. This putter sent the golf world into a Scotty Cameron Frenzy.

The Art of Putting tips

Scotty Cameron has the slogan “The art of Putting”, this what makes his putters unique and desirable. He creates limited edition putters with recognizable stamps, finishes, shapes, and putter head covers; every piece of the putter is creative art and a testament to his craft. Scotty Cameron is credited with over 150 professional victories of players using his putter, and his putters have won 27 Majors since 1993. Scotty Cameron putters are not cheap; they range from the most produced at $350 to the most limited edition at $6,000. A few favorites are shown below, enjoy:

Putting Golf Products Golf Putting Products 2013

By: Claude Pope

Apr 16

Great Scott – Winning is Everything

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2013 Master Winning is Everything

Congratulations to Adam Scott for Winning the Master Tournament on Sunday in Dramatic Fashion. Adam drained a 20-foot birdie putt on 18 to gain a one-stroke lead over past Masters Champion Angel Cabrera who was in the fairway behind him with a shot to tie. Angel probably hit one of the best shots of his life with all the pressure to make birdie and send the tournament into a sudden death playoff. Cabrera hit a 7 iron up hill to 4 feet and a near gimmie. Angel then made the short birdie and sent the Masters into a playoff with Aussie Adam Scott, both men in at – 9 par. The playoff took two holes but in the pouring down rain Adam Scott made another 20-foot birdie putt to win the 2013 Masters Green Jacket.

This Masters did have its share of controversy this year. A one-stroke penalty was assed to Guan Tianlang a 14-year-old amateur for slow play on the 17th hole of his Friday round. In the decision Guan was warned on the 14th hole that he was taking too long. The USGA rules states that a player has 40 seconds once they address the ball to make a swing. The rules official was then timing his shots after the warning
and Guan took 50 seconds to hit his second shot on 17 and thus a one stoke penalty.

Master 2013 Victory

Tiger Woods also had a near disqualification at the Masters this year. He was penalized two stokes after he took an illegal drop on the 15th hole. Tiger admitted in his press conference that he dropped the ball two feet further back from where he had stuck the first shot because he wanted a slightly longer shot into the green. The rule states that the player must drop the ball as close to the original spot as they can. Had he not admitted to a two-foot further drop no one would have questioned this rule. Tiger was extremely upset about this decision to penalize him, and he even questioned if he wanted to play the rest of the tournament because he was slighted for almost nothing. What is dropping the ball two feet further back going to do helping the shot? Who knows but it’s a penalty regardless.

All in all this was a great Masters weekend. Adam Scott deserves the win with his amazing play, and Tiger Woods and the rest of the field will have to wait one more year to have an opportunity to win at Augusta National the world #1 ranked golf course.

By: Claude Pope