Freelance journalist, writing for several publications. 43 years of newspaper experience
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Articles by Mark Cardon
BOBBY JONES GRAND OPENING SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER
Renovations to the Bobby Jones Golf Club & Nature Park are closer to completion, with a November grand opening on the horizon. City Manager Marlon Brown got a first-hand look at the nearly 300-acre property this week, inspecting greens, fairways and the remaining construction. The fully refurbished 18-hole Donald Ross-designed course will open first, along with the nature park.
Golf Coast Magazine -
WHEN PLAYING, DON’T THINK TOO HARD — The time to think is when you are practicing and rehearsing a move or feeling that you want to repeat. I am not big on the word concentration, it implies there is a need to think hard, something you do not want to do playing golf. Try to keep the terms or thoughts you have more casual. Concentration is tense word, the golf swing should not feel like work. If you want to relax your swing, relax your thoughts.
Golf Coast Magazine -
Resort Style Amenities, Family Focused Activities Complement Tranquil Old Florida Charm Soleta Golf Club announced its entry into theSarasota/Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch markets with a recently approved private residential club community that
Soleta Golf Club Announces Plans for Nick Price Design Golf Course
Resort Style Amenities, Family Focused Activities Complement Tranquil Old Florida Charm Soleta Golf Club announced its entry into theSarasota/Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch markets with a recently approved private residential club community that will be unrivaled for its exceptional and extensive amenities, including a Nick Price designed golf course, world-class David Leadbetter practice and performance facility and family-focused sporting and social activities.
TIP FROM THE MEADOWS CC
At Set Up Aim the Club Face First – Start from behind the ball and pick out your aiming point, then approach the ball putting you trail foot forward and aim the club face. After that set your body, do not ever set your body first then go after the ball. Generally speaking, your feet, hips and shoulders want to be parallel left or slightly open to the target line. BY SAGE JOHNSON, PGA, THE MEADOWS COUNTRY CLUB RECOMMENDED STORIES GOLF NEWS Let’s clear something up, right off the hop.
Play the Toronto Golf Trail
Let’s clear something up, right off the hop. Technically, there is no Toronto Golf Trail. Unlike many regions throughout North America, Toronto doesn’t market itself as a golf destination. Maybe it has to do with our weather – our golf season is only six to seven months long. Certainly, it has to do with all the other attractions Toronto has to offer that likely consume much of the City’s tourism and marketing budget. But golf should be high on any list of activities to include on a visit.
IMG GRAD GRILLO POSTS 2ND PGA TOUR VICTORY
Emiliano Grillo, who prepped his game at IMG Academy in Bradenton, could only watch as his ball kept floating and rolling back toward the No. 18 tee after his wayward shot into the flowing water of a small concrete drainage canal. That mishit on the 72nd hole at Colonial cost him his two-stroke lead, but he still got his first PGA Tour victory in more than 7 1/2 years.
JESSICA JORDA TAKING MEDICAL LEAVE FROM LPGA
Bradenton’s Jessica Korda will not compete on the LPGA Tour for the foreseeable future while she deals with a back injury, she announced on social media Sunday night. Korda wrote that the past year has been challenging due to the back ailment. “Following the advice of my doctor and the guidance of my physio, we’ve committed countless hours of treatment at home and on the road for me to try and get my body healthy and ready to compete each week,” Korda wrote.
MAY 31 DEADLINE FOR JGNC QUALIFIER AT PALM AIRE
Early Sign-up Deadline is May 31st, 2023 for Suncoast NBIII JGNC local qualifier The Notah Begay III Jr. Golf National Championship Series is a 2-stage qualifying process culminating in a 54-hole National Championship that will air on Golf Channel in December 2023. ▪ UGE junior golfers qualifying locally June 4th at Palm Aire will then play in the two (2) day Regional Qualifier and be only 36 holes away from competing in the National Championship.
TIP: THREE STEPS TO PERFECT POSTURE
Athletic position is crucial for athletic posture at impact. How you set up over the ball greatly influences how well you’re able to hit it. To correctly prep your posture for action, stand with a club pressed against your thighs. Then bend forward from your hips while slightly flexing your knees. If you do this without hunching your back, your arms will hang straight down. Perfect. Now grip the handle with your glove hand and check that it’s at roughly a 45-degree angle to your forearm.
Patriot Golf Days is this weekend
The first phase of course construction have begun at Kinsale Golf Club, founded by Detroit-native and long-time southwest Florida businessman Anthony Soave. Soave developed 174 acres of prime Southwest Florida
GREY OAKS IN NAPLES NAMES DeANGELO DIRECTOR OF GOLF
senior director of golf to lead and oversee golf operations NAPLES, Fla. (May 17, 2023) – Grey Oaks Country Club, the premier private club for active, healthy, resort-style living in Southwest Florida, has appointed Marty DeAngelo as senior director of golf. DeAngelo joins Grey Oaks Country Club following 11 years at Medinah Country Club, ranked ninth in the nation by Platinum Clubs of America®.
Tough Aussie Grinds his way to win with help from Tiger and Extensive Ball Fitting
Bridgestone Golf staff player Jason Day captured his 13th PGA Tour victory on Sunday at the AT&T Byron Nelson. Day’s confidence in his Bridgestone TOUR B X golf ball led to a final round 62 and 23-under-par total that was marked by signature big drives, pinpoint iron play, and rock-solid putting. “Innovation is the hallmark of Bridgestone Golf,” said Elliot Mellow, Bridgestone Marketing Manager. “Jason was in a position to play any ball he wanted when he signed with Bridgestone last year.
SOAVE ENTERPRISES Breaks Ground on KINSALE GOLF CLUB
The first phase of course construction have begun at Kinsale Golf Club, founded by Detroit-native and long-time southwest Florida businessman Anthony Soave. Soave developed 174 acres of prime Southwest Florida real estate that will encompass the facilities of the golf club that is being designed by the renowned golf course architecture team of Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner. The opening of the course is expected to be in the fall of 2024.
MARLENE HAGGE, WINNER OF 1952 SARASOTA OPEN, DIES AT 89
ANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Marlene Hagge-Vossler, a Hall of Fame player and the last surviving founder of the LPGA Tour, died Tuesday morning, her family said. She was 89. Hagge-Vossler won 26 times on the LPGA Tour, including the 1952 LPGA Championship, and she was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2002. She was 15-year-old Marlene Bauer when she joined 12 other women — including her older sister, Alice Bauer — in signing incorporation papers in 1950 for the fledgling LPGA Tour.
Learn all about wedges in free webinar
“All About Wedges” will be hosted by LPGA Professional Hall of Famer and President of eduKaytion Golf, Kay McMahon with special guest Rob Lang, President and Founder, Indi Golf. The free webinar will take place on Monday, May 15th at 12:00 pm (EST).
Whiskers Unveils ‘Military Appreciation Month’ Golf Shoelaces
(DELRAY BEACH, Fla.) – Whiskers has unveiled a collection of men’s and women’s golf-specific shoelaces in solid and pattern designs honoring America’s service members during “Military Appreciation Month” in May. Feature colors include camo and red-white-blue, and yellow, the latter signifying remembrance of troops who are prisoners of war, missing in action and far away from home. The laces are available in single pairs ($15), and mix-and-match three packs ($40) and five packs ($60).
TIP: DON’T LET BAD SHOTS FRUSTRATE YOU
BY SAGE JOHNSON, PGA, THE MEADOWS COUNTRY CLUB Keeping a positive attitude is sometimes hard to do especially after a bad shot. How you react after a bad shot will enter into how you hit the next one. Try not to take it personal as if you are the only person that has ever hit a bad shot, don’t get down on yourself. The guys and gals you watch on TV hit bad shots too, but they keep moving forward knowing they are not the only one it happens to.
PGA Championship Returns to Oak Hill Country Club
It has been 10 years since the PGA Championship has been to historic Oak Hill and this May, a new breed of players will play a completely overhauled East Course which is hardly recognizable from a decade ago. The extensive renovation has been going on for several years and the goal of renowned golf course architect Andrew Green was to restore East as close as possible to the original Donald Ross design created nearly a century ago in Pittsford, New York, outside Rochester.
Ron Garl dishes up a Sweet Renovation at Sugar Mill CC
Sugar Mill Country Club in New Smyrna Beach is undergoing a $6.5 million renovation. The golf course has been host to several U.S. Women’s Open qualifiers and is certified by Audubon International as a Cooperative Sanctuary. Sugar Mill’s holes are divided by color — the Red, White and Blue. The Red and White were the original 18 holes when the course was built in 1970. The Blue nine opened in 1984. Lakeland-based golf course architect Ron Garl is in charge of the 3-phase project.
CORAL HOSPITALITY TAKES OWNERSHIP OF GOLF IN VENICE
Coral Hospitality in Naples, FL, has been selected to manage three golf clubs in the Venice area, bringing its golf management portfolio of golf courses and country clubs to 12, an increase of one third. Coral Investment Group, along with its long-term partner, ITG Group, have acquired the three golf clubs in Venice, which grows the number of owned properties to eight.
GOLF TIP: CHIPPING FROM A TIGHT LIE
GOLF INSTRUCTION WITH SAGE JOHNSON, PGA, THE MEADOWS COUNTRY CLUB VISUALIZE YOUR SHOT "Visualization is the most powerful thing we have." - Nick FaldoPicture the flight of your golf shot
VISACKI CAPTURES SARASOTSA OPEN
Big Mike Visacki recently won the Sarasota Open on the West Florida Golf Tour. The 27-year-old Sarasotan shot rounds of 66-68 — 124 to win by three strokes at the Meadows Country Club. His first-place check was $6,000. It was his third victory of the season and gives him a commanding lead for player of the year honors on the West Florida Golf Tour. Sean Jacklin of Bradenton is fifth on the WFGT. .
Golf Coast Magazine -
GOLF INSTRUCTION WITH SAGE JOHNSON, PGA, THE MEADOWS COUNTRY CLUB VISUALIZE YOUR SHOT “Visualization is the most powerful thing we have.” – Nick Faldo Picture the flight of your golf shot before you actually hit it. This is called “visualization” or “visualizing your golf shot.” You can use this powerful tool in all aspects of your game.
TIP: TRY THE STEP OVER OR WALK THROUGH
TRY THE STEP OVER OR WALK THROUGH If you have a difficult time getting your weight over to your lead side try the step over or walk through. If you have ever seen Gary Player play golf you know what I am talking about. Mr. Player even did it quite a bit when playing. Through the impact area and on to the finish you want to get your weight to your front or lead leg.
MISSION INN RESORT & CLUB ANNOUNCES BRAND AMBASSADOR KIIRA RIIHIJӒRVI, LPGA TOUR PROFESSIONAL
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, FL – Mission Inn Resort & Club, an MMI Hotel Group property located in Central Florida and home to championship golf courses, El Campeón and Las Colinas, is pleased to share a new sponsorship arrangement and welcome LPGA Tour professional Kiira Riihijärvi as a Mission Inn Resort & Club Brand Ambassador. As part of this one-year partnership, Riihijärvi will wear the resort logo on the front of her tour bag and make a special appearance at the resort later this year.
The Park, West Palm Beach’s Newest Course, to Open
Formerly The West Palm Beach(Fl) Country Club, a well-regarded Dick Wilson design, The Park will feature an 18-hole golf course designed by Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner and Park co-founder Dirk Ziff with a philosophy of “Open Golf” for all ages and experience levels. The product of an unprecedented public/private partnership, The Park was built entirely with charitable donations from private individuals, on sandy rolling city land.
TIP OF THE WEEK - Golf Coast Magazine
SLIGHT SPINAL TILT WITH YOUR DRIVER TO IMPROVE TRAJECTORY: Are you having trouble getting trajectory with your drives? Try slightly tilting your spine away from the target. Remember to keep your head still and maintain your spinal tilt at impact. Submitted by Sage Johnson, PGA, The Meadows Country Club RECOMMENDED STORIES GOLF NEWS DON’T THINK SO HARD: The time to think is on the practice tee. When you go to the golf course try to leave the practice tee behind.
TIP OF THE WEEK - Golf Coast Magazine
DON’T THINK SO HARD: The time to think is on the practice tee. When you go to the golf course try to leave the practice tee behind. Try the three R’s. Relax, rehearse, and repeat. What you do when you practice is think about the move you are trying to make or a feeling you are trying to produce or a position you are trying to get to, etc. When you get to the golf course don’t clutter up your swing by thinking, relax, rehearse, and repeat.
MAJOR CHAMPIONS AND GLOBAL SUPERSTARS DESCEND ON FLORIDA FOR LIV GOLF ORLANDO
Orange County National Set to Host World-Class Golfers, Elite Competition and Entertainment for All Ages at LIV Golf’s Third Event of 2023 Orlando, FL – Following a memorable league launch in Mayakoba, Mexico won by captain Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC and individual champion Charles Howell III, the LIV Golf League saw an exhilarating finish in Tucson, Arizona.
Golf Coast Magazine -
SYMMETRY ON LONG PUTTS: When faced with a long putt, keep your stoke even, smooth and symmetrical. Equal back to equal forward. Do not increase the speed of your putter head, in other words your stroke should be as tempoed as possible. Keep your head still and your hands soft.
SARASOTA TEEN HEADED TO AUGUSTA
Jolie Pastorick, a 14-year old golf phenom, will take part in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals in Augusta, Georgia on Sunday, April 2. The event will be televised on the Golf Channel. Pastorick and her family, originally from Philadelphia.,moved to the Saeasota to pursue golfing opportunities, and to spend more time with extended family. Jolie first became interested in golf at age six after watching the documentary The Short Game on Netflix.
Golf Coast Magazine -
Commit to the shot. Every single swing of the golf club should start with a visualization of the shot. Preparing yourself mentally and having a clear plan of the shot you want to execute is crucial for playing your best. After you visualize the shot and address the golf ball, commit to it. No doubt and no negativity. Commit to every shot, and you’ll execute your visualization more often! Sage Johnson, PGA, Instruction & Development, The Meadows Country Club .
TRUE linkswear Releases All Day Knit 3
Timeless Staple for Comfort and Performance Rocks ‘Subtle Yet Major’ Update (TACOMA, Wash.) – TRUE linkswear (TRUE), purveyors of ultra-comfortable, modern golf footwear designed for the rigors of walking amid the elements, announces the release of the All Day Knit 3, a subtle-yet-major update to the timeless All Day Knit 2 marked by a new elevated, modern and athletic look and feel.
Colonial Country Club Named One of America’s Healthiest Clubs
Fort Myers, Florida–Colonial Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida has been named one of America’s Healthiest Clubs by Prevo Health Solutions, the premier wellness solutions provider in the club industry. Prevo offers online, onsite, and on-target wellness programming to help clubs increase member usage and reduce health care costs.
LOCAL U.S. OPEN QUAILFYING SITES ANNOUNCED
Local and final qualifying sites for the 123 rd U.S. Open Championship at The Los Angeles Country Club June 15-18 have been announced by the USGA. Several clubs in Naples and Lakeland will host qualifying, however, there are no qualifying sites in the Sarasota-Bradenton area. Local qualifying, conducted over 18 holes at 109 sites in 44 U.S. states and Canada, will take place between April 17-May 22.
New Book Explores Mindfulness As The Key to Golf & Life
Arnold Palmer famously said: “Golf is a game of inches. The most important are the six inches between your ears.” Lessons from a new book by Dr. Rich Golf, Golf Better Life – Unlocking the Transformative Power of Golf, reinforce the idea that 90% of golf is in your head. Through a series of short essays, Dr. Rich teaches the golfer self-awareness, mindfulness, and the power of positive thinking. The stories and practices in the book apply to life both on and off the course.
Golf Coast Magazine -
Balance is one of the most important fundamentals for good ball striking. It all starts with the set up. If we don’t start balanced, how can we maintain balance throughout an athletic movement? Set your feet! Keep your weight on the arches of your feet, and Do not start your golf swing until you feel balanced and confident. Once you start your takeaway, do not allow any weight to the outside of your feet, and keep your balance inside your stance at the top of your swing.
Ten Tips for Spectators at Golf Tournaments
With the Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO set to get underway this week, we thought that we’d share some tips on attending a golf tournament. Attending a tournament can be a lot of fun, so here are 10 ways to get the most out of it as a spectator: Research the players: Before you attend a golf tournament, take some time to research the players who will be competing. Learn about their background, strengths, and weaknesses, and follow their progress leading up to the tournament.
Golf Coast Magazine -
BREATHE So often, players have too many swing thoughts, anxiety, and tension before attempting to execute a golf shot. Relax and breathe. Five deep breaths before you address the ball will release tension and relieve anxiety. If you’re focused on rhythmic breathing, all of a sudden, the mind has far less clutter, and you can concentrate on what’s truly important in the next swing, tempo, and fluidity.
Galvin Green’s New Collection Reflects The Joy of Top Performance
Never Compromise The 2023 Part One Collection that launched this month from the leading high-performance apparel brand Galvin Green ensures golfers can focus on playing each round of golf in confidence and style knowing the garments will stand the test in all weather conditions to help achieve the Joy of Top Performance.
Hole-In-One Certificate Awarded to Kevin Forsyth at Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Course
Clearwater Area Golf News Keven Forsyth has accomplished the perfect shot in golf after scoring his hole-in-one at Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Course in Clearwater, FL. He was awarded a certificate on Sunday, January 22nd after making his hole-in-one on the 3rd hole at a distance of 104 yards.
ANOTHER AMAZING FINISH BY VISACKI
In the above photo, host pro Gary Wintz (left) presents the winner’s check to Mike Visacki, who won his second Indian River Open championship Sunday (Feb. 5). NEW SMYRNA BEACH — You have to wonder how good or consistent you have to be to play on the PGA Tour. Sarasota mini-tour veteran Mike Visacki has had his brushes with the big show but hasn’t been able to go low when he had to. And he always has been able to drive it past most pros. That was the case on the 18th tee Sunday afternoon.
PUMA GOLF Introduces Shoes-Confidence For Your Feet
Carlsbad, California–Puma Golf has introduced their all-new update to their IGNITE footwear franchise, the ELEVATE, designed to raise the level of function, comfort, and style for players looking for the ultimate in spikeless performance. Combining four distinct design elements, the IGNITE ELEVATE line aims to provide outstanding comfort in a variety of conditions with progressive PUMA styling that will boost any player’s confidence.
Golf Coast Magazine -
2022 Charles Schwab Cup Winner Steven Alker, PGA TOUR Winner and Former Naples Resident Rocco Mediate Headline Latest Commitments Major Champions, Hall-of-Famers and Legends of the Game Scheduled to Compete
Putt Link - Technology is the big winner at the 2023 PGA Show
A smart golf ball that connects wirelessly to your phone or tablet was chosen the best new product of the PGA Show held Jan 24-27, 2023, in Orlando, FL. Putt Link looks, weighs, and feels like a normal golf ball, but an embedded computer chip communicates with your phone or tablet to report exactly how far the ball rolls, the speed, and the STIMP (speed of the green). It also reports how many putts go into the cup. This practice ball keeps track of your makes and misses and stores all of that data.
ADAPTIVE GOLF AN ATERNATE CHOICE
Adaptive Golf of Sarasota currently meets once a week on Thursdays at the Palms Golf Club at Forest Lakes. But what is Adaptive Golf and why should we know about it? It is a well-organized program for handicapped golfers, veterans and golfers with mobility problems. It gives the physically less fortunate a chance to practice and play with fellow golfers with similar problems. But anyone who wants to participate can play or volunteer to help.
Registration to volunteer at the LECOM Suncoast Classic from April 20-23 at Lakewood National Golf Club
The LECOM Suncoast Classic returns to Lakewood Ranch, FL April 20-23, 2023. Lakewood National Golf Club will again host 156 Korn Ferry Tour golfers competing for a $1,000,000 purse and 30 PGA TOUR cards. RECOMMENDED STORIES PGA Tampa Bay Golf News Tournaments GOLF NEWS Three-time Major Champion Jordan Spieth is returning to the Valspar Championship for the first time in five years.
JORDAN SPIETH COMMITS TO THE VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP!
PGA Tampa Bay Golf News Tournaments Three-time Major Champion Jordan Spieth is returning to the Valspar Championship for the first time in five years. Spieth has committed to Tampa Bay’s PGA TOUR event which will be held March 13-19 on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort. He won the Valspar Championship in 2015, the second of his now 13 PGA TOUR titles, capturing a thrilling three-hole playoff with a birdie on the 17th hole.
Golf Coast Magazine -
Warm Up and Practice Sessions – I read that Jack Nicklaus, arguably the greatest player ever, was a big proponent of making sure he warmed up and practiced the shorter feel shots first and worked his way up to the longer shots. If you can dial in the feel shots before moving into full swings it helps with timing and tempo, which in turn helps with distance and accuracy.
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