Ultimate springtime golf fitness tips for "real" golfers

By Tim McDonald,
National Golf Editor

For those of you unfortunate enough to live in the North, you must be salivating at the thought of the spring golf season.

Hold on, Tiger. You ain't the man you used to be. You can't just jump up and go straight to the golf course after a long winter of sloth and mold.

Now, you will find any number of charlatans willing to sell you their total golf fitness regimens. These sleazoids always assume you're a golfer interested in a cleaner, healthier way of living and golfing. I've seen you out on the course, and I know that's not the sort of thing you're "into."

So here is my total golf fitness regimen for the "real" golfer:

• For God's sake, you have to strengthen your core! This involves eating really hard food, like jawbreakers. Eat a bag of those and have your neighbor punch you in the gut to see if your core is all it can be.

Options: Month-old fudge, Purina Dog Chow, pine bark.

• You also have to really work your obliques, I mean really work the hell out of them. Here's the perfect exercise for that. Lie flat on your back with knees bent slightly wider than your hips. If you have really fat hips, you're either going to have to really stretch your knees like in a cartoon, like The Elastic Man from India, or just skip this exercise. In fact, if you have really fat hips, just skip playing golf, nobody wants to see you out on the course.

Now, you slim-hipped people reach your hands to the ceiling like you're crying out for the Lord Jesus Christ to spare you from your miserable existence. You can hold light hand-weights, or not. What do I care? Lift your head and chest toward the ceiling and rotate to reach both hands just outside of your fat, right knee. Repeat on the left side. Now, take a breather. Ask Christ for forgiveness.

• Breathing exercises: Breathing properly and deeply is critical, especially for those tense moments on the course when normally you would start crying.
This deep-breathing exercise involves attending your local adult movie house, or calling up one of those sites on your Internet browser. Follow your instincts. It's either that or follow mine, and then you're looking at jail time.
• Horizontal abduction/adduction: I can't give you much help here, because I always get "horizontal" confused with "vertical," and I have no idea what adduction is. Who came up with that word, anyway? It's a stupid word and should be eliminated from the English language, if it's even English.

• Standing hip rotation: Don't do this. It makes you look like a girl.

• Alcohol fitness: How many times have you lost $2 Nassaus because while you were getting hamboned, your playing partners were just holding up that bottle of Jack Black pretending to drink?

Well, no need to waste good liquor. You can still drink and maintain your competitive edge. You just need to build up a tolerance. Stand upright in a dark closet, with a wide stance, and suck it down. Keep drinking until your wife leaves you.

• Aerobics: Ha! Don't make me laugh. This is golf!

• Putting: Don't bother to practice putting. Putting in golf is overrated. I play golf maybe 200 times a year and I've yet to meet anyone who can putt. You either make it or you don't. If you miss, just keep putting until the ball goes in the hole. Simple.

• Seniors: As we age, our bodies react differently, so seniors must prepare for golf differently than young punks. An important thing to remember is that there is an inverse relationship of increased ear hair to laughably short drives off the tee.

So keep those ear hairs trim and neat. If you're proud of your thick mane of ear hair, don't sweat it. If you're short off the tee, you're probably small in other areas, and I think you know what I'm talking about.

• Excuses: A healthy psychological outlook is a must for Better Golf. If you can convince yourself that the snap hook you hit into the weeds over there is not your doing at all, you'll retain the confidence needed to excel in the game.

The first time you smack one of your all-too-typical lousy shots, turn to your playing partner and snarl," "Will you stop that!" Look at him, looking all hurt and everything. Who would have thought golf fitness could be so much fun?

• Torque development in the downswing: This is so important, I can barely contain myself. This is vital to any golfer who has ever wanted to improve his score. You could even say it is absolutely critical in terms of reaching your full potential as a golfer and knowing what it is to be truly human.

• Alignment and posture: Face the target squarely and stand erect, with your rump jutting out slightly. Feels a little silly, doesn't it? Can you think of another situation in life where you would position yourself in such an odd manner? I can't.

New Course in Maryland Set to Open

On May 1st a grand opening will be held for Lake Presidential, an 18-hole course that winds through the new Beechtree community in Upper Marlboro, Md. Residents and local golfers are anticipating the layout's debut. "The course is going to open at a really good level, and we expect to do almost 4,000 rounds in May," said head pro Nathan Presnal.

In August, the course will host the MAPGA Senior/Quarter Century Championship, and in May 2009 it will host the qualifier for the Maryland State Open. The fact that the course will begin hosting tournaments as early as this summer speaks to its readiness and quality. "It's going to have a mature feel right out of the gate," noted Presnal. "If you look at our trees they're already 60- to 120-feet tall."

The course was created by Landmark Land, a developer that also built Kiawah Island Ocean Course (host of the 1991 PGA Ryder Cup), Oak Tree Golf Club (site of the 1998 PGA Championship), and Doonbeg Golf Club in County Clare, Ireland.

"We knew the very first time we walked the land that this course was going to be special," said Aref Hinedi, vice president of Marketing with Ryko Development, Beechtree's developer. "With the stream valley lake, the rolling topography and, of course, the acres of mature trees, Beechtree is a dream setting for a PGA-quality golf course."

Lake Presidential's clubhouse will open its doors on May 1 along with the course. "The clubhouse is approximately 11,000 square feet, which is a really good size for a public, daily-fee facility," said Presnal. "It's also going to offer amenities not usually associated with public facilities, such as a restaurant with full bar, conference room, and closed-door dining room where you could entertain clients after a round of golf. It gives the feel of a private club experience without having to pay dues."

Presnal will be assisted by three other PGA pros to help players improve their games. "Having PGA members and proven, certified instructors here further speaks to our commitment to quality," he said.

Beechtree community is located off Route 301, about 10 minutes from the Beltway and 30 minutes from Washington, D.C. Over 600 of its 1,200 acres are dedicated to the golf course, a 30-acre lake, woodlands, open space, and amenities such as the Beechtree Swim & Racquet Club, which will overlook the course and lake. Upon completion, Beechtree will boast over $30 million worth of amenities.

For more information about Lake Presidential Golf Club, visit www.LakePresidential.com. For more about Beechtree, visit www.BeechtreeMD.com.

Mulieri Medals As Loyola Takes Fourth At LaCrosse Homes Golf Collegiate

Sunday rally helps Hounds climb four spots in final team standings

March 30, 2008

Baltimore, Md. - Junior Michael Mulieri fired a final round 69 to win the individual title at the LaCrosse Homes Collegiate at Prospect Bay Country Club on Sunday afternoon. Mulieri's charge fueled a Loyola rally as the Greyhounds climbed four spots in the final team standings to place fourth out of 19 teams.

Mulieri opened the tournament with a 75 and ended with a 36-hole score of 144. Senior Chris Derby, who posted a 76 on Saturday, followed with a 74 on Sunday, while freshman Alex Redfearn chipped in with a 76.

Loyola's fourth scorer, freshman Keith Hall, followed his 79 with an 80 to give the Greyhounds a team score of 299 and a tournament score of 609. Longwood won the tournament with a two-round 598 while Liberty and UNC Greensboro rounded out the top three.

For Mulieri, who was named the MAAC Golfer of the Month earlier in the week, the tournament title is his second this spring. He won the Carlton Oaks Invitational to open the calendar year for the Greyhounds.

Loyola returns to action April 18-19 when they travel to Farmington, Mich. for the Golden Fox Invitational.

Final Team Scores
Longwood - 598
Liberty - 600
UNC Greensboro - 602
Loyola - 609
James Madison - 614
Army - 617
Georgetown - 619
Cornell - 622
Navy - 624
St. Bonaventure - 625
Towson - 626
Rutgers - 628
Boston College - 628
Yale - 632
Brown - 632
Siena - 636
St Joe's - 642
LIU - 657 

CAA HONORS TOP WOMEN’S GOLF PERFORMANCES FOR MARCH

RICHMOND, Va. (March 19, 2008) – The Colonial Athletic Association has recognized three women’s golfers for their outstanding play during tournaments in later February and early March.

Georgia State junior Anna Scott (Consett, England/Durham Sixth Form Centre) received CAA Women’s Golfer of the Week accolades for the week ending March 4. The junior posted a consistent performance at the SunTrust Lady Gator Invitational with rounds of 72, 73 and 74 to finish tied for 12th (219, +9). This was her fourth top-15 finish of the season.

Towson freshman Sara Eichelberger (Rochester, N.Y./Nazareth Academy) claimed CAA Women’s Golfer of the Week honors for the week ending March 11. Eichelberger led the Tigers to its first team title in the two-year history of the program with a score of 162 for a third place finish in the individual standings. The rookie shot an 83 in the opening round and finished the tournament with an 82 in the final round. This was her third top finish for the Tigers of the season.

Old Dominion senior Meghan Schaefer (Union, Ky./Larry A. Ryle) collected CAA Women’s Golfer of the Week honors for the week ending March 18. The senior placed fifth at the Eastern Kentucky El Diablo Intercollegiate with a score of 234 (77-78-79). Schaefer helped the Lady Monarchs to a seventh place finish in the 54-hole tournament. The senior currently leads the Lady Monarchs with a 79.5 stroke average after two events this spring.

By BRANDON SPECK

Following is the Anne Arundel County high school All-County golf team, which was selected based on strokes over par for nine holes in accordance with the Board of Education's formula. Capital-Gazette Newspapers will publish its own All-County selections at a later date.

FIRST TEAM

Josh Eure (South River) .67

Lauren Smith (Arundel) .78

Jon Coe (Broadneck) 2.50

Kenny Cox (Arundel) 2.89

Matt Hardie (Broadneck) 3.38

Chris Gilkey (Arundel) 3.78

Justin Koehler (Broadneck) 3.78

SECOND TEAM

Bart George (Broadneck) 4.13, Marcus Deinlein (Arundel) 5.11, Garrett Harding (South River) 5.11, Kyle Chittum (Broadneck) 5.14, Jamie Lynch (Severna Park) 5.22, Andy Wolf (South River) 5.89

HONORABLE MENTION

Josh Luiza (South River) 6.78, Chris Nelson (Arundel) 6.89

2008 Senior Open Can Boast Of Volunteers From All 50 States

By David Shefter, USGA

Far Hills, N.J. - Ron Diltz and Mike Kelly first became acquainted when their sons began playing high school football in Anchorage, Alaska. They quickly discovered a mutual love for outdoor activities – hunting, fishing and even golf – and their friendship soon extended beyond Friday night games.

Even after Kelly moved back to his native Colorado in 1999, the two remained close. Last year, they went pheasant hunting in North Dakota.

This summer, the get-together will take place a little closer to Kelly’s backyard in Colorado Springs. With the U.S. Senior Open heading to The Broadmoor, Kelly signed up to be a volunteer for the championship. And he thought it would be a neat idea to bring his buddy down from Alaska to share in the activity.

“I sucked him in,” said Kelly. “I only live a couple of miles from [The Broadmoor], so it seemed like the right thing to do.”

Diltz will be one of many individuals making a long trek to Colorado Springs this July to be part of the 3,000-plus volunteer force for the Senior Open (July 31-Aug. 3). In fact, this year’s championship will have volunteers from all 50 states. It’s the first time that a volunteer from every state has participated in the same championship.

Colorado residents understandably make up 78.5 percent of the volunteers, but others have decided to travel considerable distances to help out. Diltz will journey 3,275 miles; Sandra Webb from Kailua Kona, Hawaii has the farthest hike, at 3,309 miles.

The USGA would have a difficult time conducting championships without volunteers' participation. (John Mummert/USGA)

The participation from near and far even had the management company that handles the U.S. Senior Open for the USGA pleasantly surprised.

“It’s very unusual [to have all 50 states represented],” said Jeff Yeager, the volunteer manager for Bruno Event Team. “I would say 40 to 45 states [is normal], but to get over the 45 mark, it’s something of a unique status.”

Part of the lure is this year’s site. The Broadmoor is a world-class resort located in an area where there are plenty of alternative activities when people are not on-site working. Yeager said The Broadmoor, which attracts guests from throughout the world, also solicited volunteers through various means of communication.

“We had started a waiting list of about 100 volunteers, but after looking at a few numbers, we have almost added all 100 of those [people] from our waiting list,” said Yeager. “So it’s been really terrific.”

Some people love being a part of the championship so much that they keep coming back. Arkansas residents Jack Cato and his brother-in-law Bill Foster will be making their fourth consecutive appearance at the Senior Open. They first volunteered at the 2005 event at the NCR Club outside of Dayton, Ohio.

“We’ve made the Senior Open part of our summer vacations so we can get out and see new parts of the country,” said Cato, who is retired. “This will be our first visit to Colorado and I am excited to see the state and the Rocky Mountains.”

In 2005, the two served on the transportation committee. Last year, they were walking scorers. Cato went with Jim Thorpe and R.W. Eaks in the final round. In ’05, Cato said he drove Gil Morgan, Fuzzy Zoeller and Thorpe. He also got to meet Tom Watson. This year, they will be on-course marshals, just like in 2006 at Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson, Kan.

“Especially in transportation, you get to meet a lot of [contestants] because you are right there with them,” said Cato. “When you are working out on the course, you see them but you don’t necessarily get to talk with them.

“But we’ve enjoyed it and it’s been a good experience. We haven’t decided if we are going to do it next year [at Crooked Stick] or not. We’ll probably make that decision after this year’s tournament.”

Of course, having the championship in a smaller market like Colorado Springs, which does not have major sporting events on an annual basis, also adds an element of excitement not found in a major metropolis. The 1999 U.S. Senior Open in Des Moines, Iowa, drew some 50,000 spectators for the final round.

The retired Kelly moved back to Colorado Springs after a working in oil business in California and Alaska in the 1980s.

“You can get lost in places like Denver and Atlanta, but not here,” said Kelly. “An event like this is a pretty big deal for us.”

Just seeing a major golf event in person is a big opportunity for Diltz. Alaska is one state that has never hosted a USGA championship. Outside of the Iditarod dogsled race, the state is devoid of nationally recognized sporting events.

Diltz admitted that his outdoor activities of choice are hunting and fishing. But he does enjoy an occasional round of golf, including an indoor version played on a simulator. Alaska’s outdoor golf season is quite short, so many people play indoors during the harsh winters to keep their swings in rhythm.

“I’m just a weekend hacker,” said Diltz, a sales manager for an office supply company in Anchorage. “But I’m excited … to watch some of my idols. I still don’t know what we will be doing. It probably will be gallery control. No matter what it is, it will be fun.”

Inexperience can lead to golf outing headaches

Helpful hints to aid the search

Keeping it fun

• Find a trusted co-worker or friend who knows his golf to lend a hand with the planning.
• Book a resort or venue that offers activities other than golf.
• Choose a course that is familiar with hosting events and tournaments.
• Don't group players by handicap.
• Plan a social event for before or after the golf outing.

Even on the sunniest of days, putting together a round of golf can be a challenge. For the business owner planning his first golfing event, the logistics can be overwhelming.

"No one realizes how much planning goes into your first golf outing," said Kenn Klarich, golf sales manager at Château Élan in Braselton.

Teaming up with a well-connected sales person at the right golf venue will ensure that a good time will be had by all.

Whether hosting a golf tournament for employees, clients, vendors or a mix, keeping the event low-key can avoid the stresses that come along with a competitive sport.

Terps Place 11th at Seminole Tourney

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Sophomore Brendan Tracy finished in a tie for 31st individually to lead University of Maryland golfers Monday at the Seminole Intercollegiate men's golf tournament played at the Golden Eagle Country Club.

Tracy finished the 54-hole event with a 6-over-par total of 222. In Monday's rounds, he carded a 78 and 74 for the Terrapins, with his 74 being the team's best score of the final 18 holes.

As a team, Maryland finished 11th at 899 following rounds of 301 and 307 on Monday. The tournament field included a number of nationally ranked teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Southeastern Conference.

Host Florida State won the team event with a final score of 858 on its home course. Auburn was second at 862 with Virginia in third at 866.

Also for Maryland, junior Chris Gold had rounds of 75 and 77 Monday to tie for 43rd at 226. Donnie Shin also posted a 226 total after rounds of 76 and 80 on Monday. Andrew Kay went 74-76 on Monday for a 227 total and a tie for 47th, with Tom Hanna III finishing at 237 and in 63rd.

John Curran of Vanderbilt shot a pair of 68s on Monday to finish at 10-under-par 206 and capture medalist honors. He won by three strokes over Jay Moseley of Auburn and four shots over Kevin O'Connell of UNC and Zach Sucher of UAB.

Maryland plays next on April 11 to 13 at the Wolfpack Intercollegiate.

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Florida State 285-288-285--858; 2. Auburn 286-287-289--862; 3. Virginia 286-286-294--866; 4. North Carolina 290-287-290--867; T5. Louisville 291-294-288--873; T5. Vanderbilt 300-292-281--873; T5. Alabama-Birmingham 291-296-286--873; 8. Ole Miss 285-293-304--882; 9. LSU 293-299-297--889; 10. College of Charleston 298-306-290--894; 11. MARYLAND 291-301-307--899; 12. Mississippi State 294-302-304--900.

MARYLAND SCORES
T31. Brendan Tracy 70-78-74--222; T43. Chris Gold 74-75-77--226; T43. Donnie Shin 77-74-76--227; T47. Andrew Kay 77-74-76--227; 63. Tom Hanna III 79-76-82--237.

The Potomac Cup - Yes Virginia

By: Jay Flemma

Editor's Note: Cybergolf's Jay Flemma recently attended the annual Potomac Cup matches, which pit the best amateurs in Maryland and Virginia in a Ryder Cup-style competition. For the second straight year, the event was held at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort's famous Mystic Rock Course in Farmington, Pa. Here's Jay's report for the three-day tournament.

First Day - Old Stars, New Blood Power Virginia to 7-5 Lead

A mix of old stars and new blood powered a well-balanced Virginia Amateur Golf Team to a 7-5 lead over their hated rivals from Maryland after the first day of play at the Potomac Cup in Farmington, Pa. Zimbabwean ex-pat Ross McIntosh won both his morning Captain's Choice and afternoon best-ball matches to raise his lifetime record in the Potomac Cup to a sparkling 8-3-1.

The affable McIntosh was humble afterward. "My partner helped a lot," he said, nodding to cup newcomer Peter Badawy, who also won both his matches. "Peter played great today," McIntosh added. "Peter had two eagles on two par-5s - 8 and 11 - and he rolled in the putts after our opponents made birdies. He really responded well."

Badawy won his morning match while teaming with doubles partner Mark Vandegrift to best a pair of Maryland newcomers, Chris Drescher and Chris Taylor 2 and 1. Another Virginia stalwart, Frank Romano raised his career cup record to 9-5-3, teaming with McIntosh in the morning match and cup newbie Matt Hines. Virginia eked out 3 � to 2 � margins in each session during doubles play.

Team Blue sputtered out of the gate initially. The leadoff team of Chris Huemmer and last year's Most Outstanding Player Scott Inman, a combined 7-2-1 in last year's Cup, were bested by rookies and father-and-son tandem Michael and J.J. Occi 2 and 1.

Perhaps the worst embarrassment may have triggered the awakening. With several groups yet to tee off, word filtered back that Virginia's Buddy Patch - a Cup first-timer already in deep water as he and partner Dan Derisio drew Maryland's marquee players Vance Welch and Keith Wilson - had played the first three holes with 15 clubs in his bag.

"But it wasn't just any club," chirped Maryland's Ron Thomas gleefully. "It was 'The Medicus!' "

"Medicus?!?!" screeched Virginia captain Steve Czaban, who looked angry enough to stop a herd of charging rhinoceros. "I'm going to kill him." Then, with teammates looking hawkishly at him, Patch mispronounced the name of the club, saying "I'm stupid, I can't believe that I had to call a penalty on myself because of the Meniscus�"

"Meniscus?!" yelled the rest of the team as the Virginians met in their locker room for a pairings meeting. The room fell apart laughing while the genial Patch tried not to look mortified. "As punishment," began Badawy, cackling about it afterward, "we made Captain Czaban flog him with a rubber chicken."

"How do you even have that in your bag?" asked Badawy. But Patch had an explanation - albeit a patchy one. "My partner has one too," he started before the room erupted in laughter again. Someone shouted "Meniscus!" as he tried to continue the interview. "Well I saw it in the car and swung it in the parking lot thinking it was mine, but it turned out to be his," he said meekly.

Nevertheless, three Mcintosh birdies in a row at Nos. 13, 14 and 15 closed out the morning matches 4 and 3 over Maryland's anchor team of Al Aldana and co-captain Pedro Carrasco - dubbed "the Spanish Armada" by opponents - giving Virginia an early 3 � to 2 � edge.

The groundswell started early as Virginia jumped out to leads in all six matches. Moreover, Maryland looked listless. Welch and long-time doubles' partner Dan Meyer were missing greens and hitting balls all over the course. Ron Thomas and Michael Wah, another seasoned doubles team, squandered an early lead to a pair of cup rookies. By 3:00 p.m., with the matches approaching the midpoint, Virginia was leading every contest.

"Things looked bleak, but we dug deep," said Aldana, who sat out the session but provided inspiration to his teammates as they mounted a comeback. By 4:30 p.m., Welch and Meyer had taken the lead as did Thomas and Wah. Now they were down only by two and looking to tie the session as Michael Occi and Fred Ashby raced past Hummer and teammate Dan DeRisio.

As a sauna-hot afternoon that turned to a tolerable evening, Maryland steadied the ship. John Rhodes and J.J. Occi, a senior on the University of Maryland golf team, battled fiercely against Virginia's Don Phattiyokel and Scott Inman. Birdie followed unlikely birdie as the teams traded uppercuts and roundhouses. "It was the most exciting match I have ever played in my life," Rhodes remarked after the match. "Each team was 6-under on their round, and every time one team tallied a 'bird' the other guys just came roaring back. On the 18th tee as we stood all-square, we looked at each other and said, no matter how this turns out, this was the best match I've ever been a part of in my life. This is just a fantastic event."

Appropriately, the match ended in a hard-fought draw as neither team could tally a winning birdie. Moments before, Virginia's Mark Adams rolled in 20-foot birdie putt to power him and teammate Phil Goldberg - who refers to himself in the third person, as in "Hey Reporter! Goldberg just rolled in a birdie putt to tie the match!" - to a 1-up win over Wah and Thomas.

The teams tee it up again at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday for six alternate-shot matches in the morning and six best-ball matches in the afternoon. Virginia, which leads the series 4-2, has claimed the last three Cups. The teams played from almost all the same tees the PGA Tour members used for the now-defunct 84 Lumber Classic at Mystic Rock.

Day 2 - Virginia Breathing Fire, Maryland Seeing Red

Getting spanked on the patookus by a conga-line full of angry government stiffs and good ole boys must do wonders for your motivation in golf. After blowing his first career Potomac Cup match by taking "The Medicus" swing aid into competition as a 15th club and then -for penance - being spanked on the butt with a rubber chicken by every Virginian, Patch led a furious charge in the Saturday morning singles for Team Blue. Patch and teammate Dave Taylor, (who played in the 2006 U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine) rolled to 6-and-5 win over Maryland rookies Keith Wilson and and Erik Koch spearheaded a 5-1 margin in the alternate-shot portion of the 7th annual matches between the border states. Virginia leads 12-6 as the tournament reached its halfway point.

Virginia captain Czaban is a master motivator; in this case punishing a player for committing a dismal mistake and yet making a joke of it to quickly diffuse the situation and not erode a fragile ego. Patch recovered from both the gaffe and his hilarious mispronunciation (he slurred "Meniscus" in his interview). Nevertheless, do you think they'll use that on the infomercial? "The Meniscus! We'll cost you four shots or two holes each and every round!"

Even so, coupled with his mastery of pairings, Czaban's skippering has Virginia on the verge of claiming their fourth straight Potomac Cup victory. A second consecutive rout in the Saturday alternate-shot format appears to provide both separation on the leaderboard and the eventual margin of victory.

"This is the second year they have beaten us soundly in the alternate-shot format. Last year we lost this same session [Saturday morning foursomes] by a 5 � to � margin," lamented Maryland's Aldana. "We have to mount a comeback this afternoon though and it's never over till the last match." Aldana will have a chance to trigger the rally as he plays in the first best-ball match of the afternoon with fiery Maryland teammate Thomas.

"Yeah, for us, this is Alternate NOT," echoed Maryland's John Rhodes. "Get us off that merry-go-round and into the better ball." Rhodes will team with Wah, another spirited Team Red thoroughbred.

Nevertheless, for the first time in years, Virginia's line-up is as replete with characters as Maryland's. Normally in bed for curfew before the Maryland team heads to the bar, this year's Team Blue has more spunk and fire than several previous Virginia Potomac Cup team combined. Australian Rob Lapointe spent as much time zinging New Zealanders as he did spinning half-wedges around the Pete Dye-designed Mystic Rock.

"They bugger sheep in New Zealand, we chase kangaroos," he joked during his post round interview yesterday. "Chasing 'roos gives me strong calf muscles so I can drive through the ball." LaPointe and Mark Vandergrift defeated Chris Drescher and Maryland co-captain Pedro Carrasco 2 and 1.

Moreover, feisty Frank Romano - who plays every match as if it's the match of his life - has won both his tilts, most notably sinking "The Spanish Armada" in the anchor doubles match Friday morning. Patch has been aw-shucksing and laughing his way from Team Blue joke to Team Blue hero.

Virginia captain Steve Czaban credited Team Blue's dominance in the alternate-shot format to careful planning. "I think I liked what I call our 'personality pairings.' What two guys can hang with each other and feed off each other and deal with each others' mistakes? I pair guys that can handle the adversity, which is the hallmark of alternate-shot golf."

Two pairings paying dividends are McIntosh and Badawy as the anchor and Chung and Don Phattiyakul in the meat of the order. "Badawy is an incredible find and I look forward to having him as a cornerstone for years to come. He and Ross are not just two personalities that work together, they are two great players."

Chung and Phattiyakul are also two rookies making an impact. They've won 2 � out of three possible points, while also having the most effeminate golf clubhead covers in the Northern Hemisphere. "I got beat by a guy with a 'Hello Kitty' head cover [Phatiyakul] - freakin' Hello Kitty!" lamented one Marylander.

"Maybe we should spank you on the butt with a rubber chicken next," joked Maryland team prankster Thomas. Chung isn't much better, sporting a chipmunk on his driver, but you can't argue with the results. "Those two have serious mojo," remarked Czaban with a knowing grin and a confident nod. "There is a reason they are playing together; they are the perfect example of personalities working together."

"This is our first tournament together as a team," explained Phattiyakul earnestly. "But we play in the Virginia State Amateur and U.S. Open qualifiers together all the time. We see each other everywhere."

"Yeah, anywhere Don wants to lose to me," joked Chung, who will play with a different partner for the first time in the matches when he teams with another Virginia rookie, Henry Marche.

Even a pair of dweebs, dubbed "The Wonder Twins" by Captain Czaban, has proven tough on the course. Do you remember "Superfriends?" Zan and Jana and their stupid monkey Gleep were the comic relief, soft-option, heroes in training with lame superpowers ("shape of a bucket of ice???" - What the hell kind of superpower is that??). Yet their Potomac Cup counterparts - one of whom chirps worse than that infernal purple cartoon monkey - are playing .500 ball, with a loss and a win.

Virginia has clearly gelled. While the Marylanders know each other and like each other, they have yet to solve find the alchemical solution to getting gold nuggets out of his jocular "bunch of lead lugnuts," as Thomas described them.

It's a team event, gentlemen. Witness Exhibits A & B.

For the second year, Maryland captain Sheehan - blond locks flowing in the wind, jaunty shades perched on his nose, but a grimace on his face betraying his frustration - teamed experimental pairings that could not compete with the deeper Virginia squad. Nevertheless, he and the team breathed fire coming out of the locker room for the afternoon matches: "6 and 0, 6 and 0," chanted Team Red as they headed to the tee. "Just like we planned it, we've got 'em right where we want 'em. Damn it!" said Sheehan. Nevertheless, a fiery pep talk spurred a furious rally last year.

Spirit is three-quarters of the remedy, but talent is the rest. Virginia may have Maryland outmanned with a deeper, more diverse squad. Nerd and government man, good ole boy and foreign ex-patriot - they still can each be state champions and open qualifiers.

Maryland's been talking the talk. But Virginia's been walking the walk so far, but all that can change in one good session. Maryland leads with strength in the last doubles matches. But if VA can withstand the initial cannonade, the singles may be smooth sailing.

Day 3 - Virginia Rides Rookies to Potomac Cup Title

Badawy proves that there are golf gods. On a weekend where a few of his teammates were frustrated, clueless, disagreeable, or taking needless penalties, the Potomac Cup rookie from McLean, Va., won all four of his matches - frequently from the anchor position -powering Virginia to a 25-15 victory. The annual event was held at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort's famous Mystic Rock Course in Farmington, Pa.

The affable and humble Badawy also walked off with the Joe Hardy Most Outstanding Player Award and was the poster boy for good sportsmanship during the seventh annual "Maryland vs. Virginia" amateur golf team battle. Virginia breezed through the singles matches 10-6, including a 4-0 romp through the first four tilts, taking advantage of a godawful pairings gaffe by the Maryland co-captains. Team Blue secured their fourth consecutive cup and seized a 5-2 overall lead in the series.

Behind 15-9 after two days of doubles play and needing 11 out of 16 points to force a playoff (there is no "tie goes to the defending champion" at the "P-Cup" as it is affectionately called), Maryland's first eight players to go off for the singles were a combined 3-17-4.

The conversation on the Sportstalk 980 radio program was humorous: Maryland captain Sheehan (imitating Ben Crenshaw from the 1999 Ryder Cup): "I'm a big believer in fate and I have a good feeling about tomorrow."

Jay: "How do you have a good feeling about 3-17-4?"

***cricket! cricket! cricket!***

"It was definitely a welcome surprise to me, when I heard that stat," remarked Virginia co-captain Adam McCaa candidly. "Last year, they front-loaded and we back-loaded and they almost stole the Cup." Of the first eight Maryland players to tee off in the singles, four were 0-3 and a fifth was 0-2-1. Of those five, four were Cup rookies.

There was confusion and a lack of deep consideration of the pairings on Maryland's side. The tournament uses the "President's Cup formula," whereby one teams puts up a name, the opponents respond with that opponent, then provide a player for a response from the opposing team. Rather than front-load and try to cut the deficit early and spur a rally, co-captains Vance Welch and John Rhodes seemed more concerned with trying to secure individual match-ups that rarely materialized. These opening eight men for Maryland went 1-6-1 in singles play on Sunday, the one victory coming over Virginia's Huemmer who finished with a 1-3 record. Clearly, Maryland needs to improve its pairings procedure, especially in alternate shot, called "foursomes," where they were trounced 10.5 to 1.5 in the last two years.

This year, Czaban learned from last year's gaffe and put horses in the front and rear of his lineup. His first four players were a combined 7-4-1 in doubles play and all four won their singles matches. Cup rookie Chung - dubbed by Czaban as "The Silent Assassin" - sank the cup-clinching putt in style by rolling in a twisting 8-footer after recovering from the worst position on the hole.

After missing a 3-foot putt on 17 that would have secured no worse than a tie for Virginia in the event, Chung hooked his tee shot left into the deepest rough on the course - between 1 and 18 - and at the foot of a 60-foot-high hill. Completely blind, without even a cloud in the sky to guide him, he hit 20 yards short of the green, then scraped the winning up-and-down to edge Maryland's Drescher. As he posed with the Potomac Cup in hand his teammates serenaded him, singing "Everybody Dae Chung tonight!"

Still, the weekend belonged to Badawy who, playing in the next-to-last group, smiled broadly as he finished off a feverishly tough match against U. Maryland senior J.J. Occi, a Cup rookie who also proved he will be a force for several years for Maryland as both a player and a well-mannered veteran. Paired in the same group with his son, the father (Michael) of the father-and-son Occi team finished a 4-0-0 weekend to lead Team Red.

Besides, Badawy, Matt Himes went 4-0-0 for Team Blue. Virginia veteran Ross McIntosh went 3-1 over the weekend, losing only his singles match to Maryland's anchor, Vance Welch. Virginia's Phattiyakul, Chung's frequent doubles partner over the weekend, tallied a 3-0-1 record.

Since launching his first golf writing website in 2004, http://www.jayflemma.thegolfspace.com, Jay Flemma's comparative analysis of golf designs and knowledge of golf course architecture and golf travel have garnered wide industry respect. In researching his book on America's great public golf courses (and whether they're worth the money), Jay, an associate editor of Cybergolf, has played over 220 nationally ranked public golf courses in 37 different states. Jay has played about 1,649,000 yards of golf - or roughly 938 miles. His pieces on travel and architecture appear in Golf Observer (www.golfobserver.com), Cybergolf and other print magazines. When not researching golf courses for design, value and excitement, Jay is an entertainment, copyright, Internet and trademark lawyer and an Entertainment and Internet Law professor in Manhattan. His clients have been nominated for Grammy and Emmy awards, won a Sundance Film Festival Best Director award, performed on stage and screen, and designed pop art for museums and collectors. Jay lives in Forest Hills, N.Y., and is fiercely loyal to his alma maters, Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts and Trinity College in Connecticut.

PGA welcomes eight new members to Association's Board of Directors

Eight new members of The PGA of America's Board of Directors were sworn in Wednesday, Jan. 16, at The Association's 91st Annual Meeting at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Junior Bridgeman of Louisville, Ky., Ray Cutright of Macon, Ga., Rod Loesch of Easton, Conn., David Mocini of Harbor Springs, Mich., Derek Sprague of Malone, N.Y., Mike Thomas of Goshen, Ky., and Roger Wallace of Polston, Mont., will each serve three-year terms. Tour professional Brad Faxon of Barrington, R.I., a two-time Ryder Cup Team member, was appointed Player Director.

The PGA Board of Directors is composed of the Association's President, Vice President, Secretary, Honorary President and 17 Directors. The Directors include representatives from each of The PGA's 14 Districts, two Independent Directors and a member of the PGA Tour. New District Directors are elected by their local PGA Sections.

Junior Bridgeman, 54, a former University of Louisville and NBA standout, is one of the most respected restaurant entrepreneurs in the country. After retiring from a 10-year NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers, Bridgeman established himself in the business world.

He is the chief executive officer of Bridgeman Foods Inc., which he founded in 1988, and is the owner and president of Manna Inc., and oversees the administration and operation of 160 Wendy's restaurants in five states and 103 Chili's restaurants in seven states. He is a 1975 graduate in psychology from the University of Louisville.

Bridgeman succeeds Lt. Gen. Norm Lezy of Garden Ridge, Texas, as an independent director.

Ray Cutright, who succeeds Tony Austin of Orlando, Fla., as District 13 Director for the Georgia, North Florida and South Florida Sections, was elected to membership in 1976 and earned PGA Master Professional status in 1991. Since 1993, he has served as PGA director of golf operations at Idle Hour Golf Club in Macon, Ga.

Cutright, 56, has served as a member of the PGA Board of Control from 2000 to 2004, and was an original staff member of the PGA Professional Golf Management Program. He served as president of the Georgia PGA Section from 1996-97; and spent six years as Education Chairman in the Section.

Cutright was the 2003 national Horton Smith Award winner, and the 1992 and 1997 Georgia PGA Golf Professional of the Year. He was honored by Golf Digest in 2000, '03 and '04 as one of the Best Teachers in the state of Georgia.

Rod Loesch, a PGA member since 1981, has served since 1984 as the PGA head professional at Connecticut Golf Club in Easton, Conn. He succeeds Ted O'Rourke of Convent Station, N.J., as District 2 Director for the New Jersey, Philadelphia and Metropolitan PGA Sections.

Loesch, 53, is a 1976 graduate of Ohio State University, where he competed on the Buckeyes' golf team. He competed in the 1982 PGA Championship and competed in four PGA Professional National Championships.

Since 1993, he has been a member of the Metropolitan PGA Section Board of Directors; and served as Section president from 1999-2002. Loesch was a PGA District 2 Director in 2001; and served as a PGA Board of Control member from 2002 to 2006; a member of the 2006 PGA Code of Ethics and Assistant Professional Task Forces; and serves as a co-chairperson of the PGA Membership Committee.

David Mocini, a PGA member since 1987, has been a general manager and PGA director of golf since 2004 at True North Golf Club in Harbor Springs, Mich. He is a 1977 graduate of Hillsdale (Mich.) College and is an original faculty member of the PGA Professional Golf Management Program and a three-time Section Horton Smith Award winner. Mocini, 52, served for more than 12 years on the Michigan PGA Board of Directors and was Growth of the Game Chairman. He is a past president of the Section, a member of the PGA Education Committee (2001-04); and served from 2004 to 2005 as a member of the President's Council.

Mocini will succeed Joe Flogge of Norton, Ohio, as District 5 Director for the Michigan, Northern Ohio and Southern Ohio PGA Sections.

Derek Sprague, 40, has served since 1989 as the general manager and PGA head professional at Malone (N.Y.) Golf Club. A graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., Sprague was elected to PGA membership in 1993, and has served since 1995 on the Northeastern New York PGA Board of Directors, including as Section president from 2003 to 2004. He is a two-time Section Merchandiser of the Year award winner; a three-time Section Bill Strausbaugh Award winner and was the 2005 Section Golf Professional of the Year.

In 2006, Sprague achieved Certified PGA Professional status in General Management. He will succeed Donnie Lyons as District 1 Director for the Connecticut, New England and Northeastern New York PGA Sections.

Mike Thomas, 48, a PGA Master Professional, has served the past 18 years as the PGA head professional at Harmony Landing Country Club in Goshen, Ky., and will succeed Zack Veasey of Durham, N.C., as District 10 Director for the Carolinas, Kentucky and Middle Atlantic PGA Sections.

Elected to PGA membership in 1985, Thomas has served since 1993 on the Kentucky PGA Board of Directors and was Section president from 2002 to 2003. He was the 1997 Section Golf Professional of the Year and the 1999 Section Horton Smith Award winner.

Thomas serves on the National Disabled Golfer Committee and is co-chair with fellow PGA Board member Derek Sprague on the Affinity Affiliate Committee.

Thomas has been the chair of the Section's Communications and Education Committees; and was co-chair of the Tournament Committee. From 2000 to 2005, Thomas was a member of the Kentucky Golf Association-PGA board of directors.

Roger Wallace, 47, is PGA director of golf at Polson Bay Golf Course in Polson, Mont. A graduate of Eastern Washington University, Wallace competed on the golf team and was the Pacific Northwest Golf Coaches Association Division II Player of the Year.

Wallace was elected to PGA membership in 1987, and was a member of the Pacific Northwest PGA Board of Directors from 1990 through 2002, and served as Section president from 1998 to 2000. Since 2005, Wallace has served on the Western Montana Chapter PGA Board of Directors.

He is a two-time Pacific Northwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year and a two-time Section Bill Strausbaugh Award winner. He is a member of the PGA Employment Committee, and from 1999 to 2001 served on the PGA Awards Committee. Wallace will succeed Kevin Lewis of Green Valley, Ariz., as District 14 Director for the Pacific Northwest and Southwest PGA Sections.

Brad Faxon, 46, who succeeded Joe Ogilvie as Player Director, has been a member of the PGA Tour since 1983. He competed on the 1995 and 1997 U.S. Ryder Cup Teams, and is the winner of eight Tour titles between 1991 and 2005, and 11 other career victories including the 1993 Heineken Australian Open. Since 1991, he has teamed with Tour professional Billy Andrade for the Billy Andrade/Brad Faxon Charities for Children Inc., which has donated more than $7 million to youngsters in the Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. The organization received the 1999 Golf Writers Association of America's Charlie Bartlett Award for unselfish contributions by playing professionals to society.

Faxon and Andrade also host the CVS Charity Classic, which has raised more than $10 million for charity, and is serving his third term on the PGA Tour Policy Board. Faxon was the recipient of the 2005 Payne Stewart Award for his respect for the traditions of the game, his commitment to uphold the game's heritage for charitable support and his professional presentation of himself and the sport.

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $195 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

Univ. of Md.-Eastern Shore is first historic black college in PGA/PGM

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has become the first Historical Black College and the 20th university accredited by PGA of America to offer their Professional Golf Management Program.

The PGA/PGM University Program is a 4½-year structured college curriculum for aspiring PGA Professionals. The educational program is accredited by The PGA of America and includes extensive classroom studies, internship experience and player development providing students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the golf industry.

"It is with great pride that The PGA of America welcomes the University of Maryland Eastern Shore into the PGA/PGM Program," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "For more than 30 years, the PGA/PGM Program has enabled more young people to accomplish their career goals and make an impact in the golf industry."

Founded in 1886, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a research and doctoral degree granting institution on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, is a historically black university and home to some 4,086 students. The 745-acre campus, which includes a 350-acre research and teaching farm, is nationally recognized for the beauty of its grounds. Its low student-to-faculty ratio, well-funded research programs, historic tradition of inclusiveness and constituent membership in the University System of Maryland combine to make UMES a strong engine of growth and development in its community, providing students with opportunities to learn from a well-balanced array of academic programs that respond to local needs as well as more global concerns.

"The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to establish, with the help of the Professional Golfers' Association of America, a program that brings this opportunity to its deserving students," said UMES President Thelma B. Thompson, Ph.D. "This work will bring joy to the golfing community here in Maryland. As president of this university, it is rewarding to see a dream come true. I speak for the entire university when I say I'm grateful to the Professional Golfers' Association of America for considering us worthy of this honor."

The PGA/PGM Program was created in 1975 at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., as the first university to gain PGA accreditation and offer the PGM curriculum.

The program is now offered at the following accredited universities nationwide (see chart, which includes the date of inaugural class):

Arizona State University; Meza, Ariz. (1999)
Campbell University; Buies Creek, N.C. (1999)
Clemson University; Clemson, S.C. (2001)
Coastal Carolina University; Conway, S.C. (1999)
Eastern Kentucky University; Richmond, Ky. (2006)
Ferris State University; Big Rapids, Mich. (1975)
Florida Gulf Coast University; Ft. Myers, Fla. (2005)
Florida State University; Tallahassee, Fla. (1999)
Methodist University; Fayetteville, N.C. (1999)
Mississippi State University; Mississippi State, Miss. (1985)
New Mexico State University; Las Cruces, N.M. (1987)
North Carolina State University; Raleigh, N.C. (2002)
Penn State University; University Park, Pa. (1990)
Sam Houston State University; Huntsville, Texas (2005)
University of Central Oklahoma; Edmond, Okla. (2008)
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs; Colorado Springs, Colo. (2003)
University of Idaho; Moscow, Idaho (2002)
University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Md. (2008)
University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Lincoln, Neb. (2004)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Las Vegas, Nev. (2002)

Curriculum

Students attending a PGA/PGM program can graduate with a baccalaureate degree in several majors (e.g. Marketing, Business Administration, Hospitality Administration, Recreation and Park Management). In addition to classroom studies, each PGA/PGM student is required to complete approved internships of 16 months at industry related facilities, companies or organizations.

In addition, PGA/PGM students are also required to complete all of the requirements of The PGA of America's Professional Golf Management Program (PGM) and pass a Playing Ability Test (PAT). Passing the PAT is achieved by scoring equal to or less than the PAT target score.

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $195 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

Nicklaus/PGA teaching grants awarded to 18 chapters of The First Tee --MD Chapter is Recipient

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The PGA Foundation, in conjunction with golf legend Jack Nicklaus, has begun the 2008 golf season awarding teaching grants totaling $90,000 to 18 chapters of The First Tee representing 14 states.

To date, 155 of the 206 active chapters of The First Tee nationwide have been recipients of either a PGA of America or Nicklaus/PGA teaching grant. The combined PGA and Nicklaus/PGA grants total $1,810,000.

Since 2001, The PGA of America and Nicklaus have partnered to create a $2 million endowment to provide teaching grants to certified chapters of The First Tee that utilize PGA Professionals for instruction.

"The PGA of America is proud to kick off this New Year with our partner Jack Nicklaus to extend Nicklaus/PGA Teaching Grants coast to coast," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The wonderful messages and reports we receive are that these grants continue to produce success stories in communities. The First Tee momentum has helped grow the game of golf and brought many young people into the game."

The program continues to highlight The PGA of America's commitment to partner with its PGA Professionals to grow participation in golf.

The current Nicklaus/PGA teaching grants totaling $5,000 each have been awarded to The First Tee Chapters in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.

Since its inception in 1997, there are 206 chapters of The First Tee in operation and 264 golf-learning facilities that have introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 2.2 million participants and students (which include the students of the National School Program). The focus is to give young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.

The PGA Growth of the Game Program is one of a number of initiatives administered by The PGA of America through its PGA Foundation

The PGA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, is dedicated to enhancing lives through the game of golf. The Foundation provides people of every ability, race, gender, and social and economic background an opportunity to experience the game and learn vital life lessons. The PGA Foundation achieves its mission through programs which provide instruction and access to playing the game of golf along with enriching those lives by providing educational, employment and scholarship opportunities.

For more information about the PGA Foundation, visit www.pgafoundation.org, or call (561) 624-7612.

Nicklaus/PGA of America Teaching Grant - $5,000 awarded to each chapter
The First Tee of Greater Trenton - Hamilton, N.J.
The First Tee of The Tri-Valley - Pleasanton, Calif.
The First Tee of Myrtle Beach - Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The First Tee of Columbia Basin - Pasco, Wash.
The First Tee of New Orleans - New Orleans, La.
The First Tee of Albany - Albany, Ga.
The First Tee of Clearwater - Clearwater, Fla.
The First Tee of Modesto - Modesto, Calif.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Essex County - Newark, N.J.
The First Tee of Northern Nevada - Reno, Nev.
The First Tee of Eagle County - Edwards, Colo.
The First Tee of Idaho - Boise, Idaho
The First Tee of the Lake Norman Region - Cornelius, N.C.
The First Tee of Central Louisiana - Pineville, La.
The First Tee of Harford County, Md. - Aberdeen, Md.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Nassau County - East Meadow, N.Y.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Golf Club at Chelsea Piers - New York, N.Y.
The First Tee of Brazoria County - Lake Jackson, Texas

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $195 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere.

The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.