Dianne Hutton

In the last issue we talked about the marshals duties at the tee box, next we will cover the areas between the tee box and the green. You will assist in maintaining the pace of play by watching the flight of all golf shots so you know where they land. Watch for balls going into a water hazard and be helpful in determining the spot where the ball entered the hazard. Under no circumstances, however, should you offer any advice regarding a ruling. Rules Officials will be on site to make all calls relating to the rules.

Marshals may be required to operate crosswalks and spectators should not be allowed to enter until the contestants have passed through. Contestants, Caddies, Standard Bearers, Walking Scorers, Referees and Media must leave a green and walk to the next tee without interference.

There will be times when balls land outside the ropes and into the gallery. Marshals must watch the flight of these balls and warn the spectators of these errant shots. When a shot is pulled or sliced into the rough it is up to the marshal to indicate in which direction the ball is heading to forewarn the gallery. If possible, judge where the ball will land and run to that spot to warn the people in that area. When a ball lands outside the ropes, either around the green or off the fairway, immediately go to the ball. One marshal should protect the ball while the other marshals clear a path from the ball to the green. This is one of the most difficult tasks you will have to face, because the people who need to be moved in order to make a clear path to the green will want to see the shot and may resist giving the player enough room. Before the player reaches his ball, you must have a wide path cleared to the green and a straight line to the flagstick, giving the player plenty of room to make the shot. Next issue will review the duties on the putting green.

We just arrived home from a quick trip to Arizona to celebrate a couple of special birthdays with special people. While we were there we had the opportunity to play some great golf courses and wanted to share that experience with you. Phoenix and area is very busy and the traffic is horrendous especially at rush hour. Our first golf experience was about 45 minutes east of Mesa. The golf resort hotel has two 18 Hole Championship Golf Courses: Gold Canyon Dinosaur Mountain and Sidewinder. We played The Dinosaur Mountain golf course which is consistently rated one of the top courses in Arizona. The scenery was wonderful, and we saw lots of wildlife, roadrunners, beautiful birds, doves and lots of rabbits. No snakes thank goodness, but they were out there we were told. The dramatic elevation changes, brush grass, creosote bushes, cactus and desert arroyos made for a very challenging golf experience. The greens were fast and relatively true. Some of the holes are jaw droppingly beautiful and offer great elevated views of the area. Try not to plug your ball in a cactus, we didn’t but we saw lots of cacti riddled with holes, some man made some bird made. The mountainous terrain, narrow fairways, undulating greens and desert arroyos demand accurate shots to score well. It was an unforgettable experience no matter what your score was. The staff were friendly and helpful, and we all enjoyed the 19th hole, great food, staff and friends.

We met an old friend at Las Sendas, Wayne McBean who also is a managing partner at Lakeside Greens in Chestermere. He and his brother Lloyd came to Arizona 17 years ago. Las Sendas is located in Mesa and was about 30 minutes away from where we were staying. We thoroughly enjoyed this course, it was in great shape and every hole was interesting and challenging but playable. This is a beautiful course with fantastic views on every hole, we also encountered much wildlife. Most of us stayed on the fairways because in desert golf there is not much grass in the rough. However a few of us took a complete tour of some of the holes including the bunkers that were plentiful. Greens rolled very quickly and true, we really enjoyed them.  Our first outing ended at the end of the 9th due to a major thunder storm but we got to go back and played the 18  and loved our experience. The staff were very helpful and friendly and this was my favorite because I had the best game I have had for a while.

Last but certainly not least was We Ko Pa (Four Peaks Mountain) a landscape inhabited by the O’Odham and Piipsssh.  This was definitely my favorite and I (Kristy) was so sorry my side kick was not feeling well and missed playing this beautiful track. The Head Pro was very understanding and you couldn’t ask for a more friendly starter. He helped get us rearranged so that we could go out in two groups of 3, and was full of information about the course, land, area and the people.

There are two award winning golf courses both named for cactus set in the Sonoran Desert just outside Scottsdale. They are uniquely different as there are no homes, roads or businesses of any kind. It is just you, your ball and the sounds and sights of nature that sets them apart.

Cholla – cylindropuntia a genus of cacti, known for their barbed spines that tenaciously attach to skin, fur & clothing. The “jumping cacti” Mel talked about and Saguaro – tree like cactus.

We played Cholla and some say the toughest which we did wonder as we approached the first hole. Greeted by a cactus wren and an elevated tee box with a dramatic waste bunker awaiting us, but all my group hit the fairway missing that huge bunker.

The Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club offers a dramatic test of golf that plays through shady arroyos, over desert ridges and amid some of the most picturesque Sonoran Desert on the planet. For this reason, Cholla is widely considered as one of the most pristine desert golf experiences in the Southwest with nothing to spoil the sweeping views of the nearby river valleys, Red Mountain, Four Peaks and the rest of the majestic Superstition Mountains. The aesthetic charm of Cholla appeals to golfers just as much as its strategic challenge. There are some forced carries and clear landing areas – especially on par-5 second shots – but good golf shots will always be rewarded.

Hasta la Vista Arizona

Mark your calendars for the fun filled events for the 2024 season. Those of you who have joined in the fun in previous years know how enjoyable past events have been. Remember the Mystery Bus Trip where we celebrated Canadas 100th anniversary or the Mystery Bus Trip, Forty Shades of Green and of course last year Mystery Bus trip Girls Gone Wild African Safari? Then there were the Play & Stays at Radium, St Eugene Mission and last year at Medicine Hat.

This year we will have our Mystery Bus Trip in June……. surprise. The Play & Stay will be at Innisfail Golf Club and Trochu and a Wind-up Tournament at Livingstone Golf Club who now have a lovely tournament facility and a new chef.

This year we will start taking registrations April 1 at noon. You cannot register online you will e-mail us to register and we will request deposits. For the new members benefit these events fill very quickly so you have to be on your toes to register. If you have a roommate for the Play & Stay just let us know. If not we can try to room you with another single.

The opportunity to be a Marshal at the CPKC Women’s Open has had a very positive outcome and it has also raised some apprehension. The planning committee will be providing training and they have also launched a CPKC Women’s Open Volunteer Facebook group which will provide helpful resources, training materials and tips to enhance your volunteer role. Because Golfaround has adopted a hole and many of you have registered to help marshal this hole we want to assist in helping you understand your role and responsibilities. If you would like to volunteer on the Golfaround hole register by clicking here.

Volunteering is a very rewarding experience as you get to see the action up close and interact with the players and staff. However, it also requires commitment, patience and professionalism as marshals are expected to follow instructions and deal with various situations. The main function of all marshals is to provide a fair and safe environment for the competition. Keeping the gallery quiet and still during play and helping the players find their errant shots are the two main responsibilities of the marshals. This series of articles will address the responsibilities from tee to green.

THE TEE BOX      It is up to the marshal to assure that players are afforded a quiet and uninterrupted opportunity when teeing off. Volunteers should provide a good example for the gallery and not chat with fellow volunteers, players or officials during play. Signal the gallery to be quiet by facing them and holding up your arms/sign. Follow the path of each players ball if possible to help spot stray balls. Cameras and picture taking is not allowed once the tournament commences and cell phones must be on silent. If you witness a spectator using his/her cell phone during the matches, please ask them politely to turn the cell phone off. Always anticipate a gallery. Keep ahead of them, talk to the first individuals who arrive, explain to them what you want them to do, why it is necessary, and ask for their help. In nearly all cases, they’ll be happy to cooperate. When the players leave the tee box ensure the way is clear of spectators.

Did you know that 82% of the countries worldwide have golf course? Did you know that Golfaround has been going to faraway places for 22 years traversing 6 Continents and playing numerous golf courses? Did you know that members can bring their significant others along to experience incredible adventures? Did you know that our golf trips are much more than golf, we have had many amazing experiences.

Golf travel is not our core business, and it certainly was not on our agenda twenty three years ago. One of our members thought we should go somewhere warm in the winter and she also thought it would be a great idea to have some of the spouses along. It was a daunting idea, we weren’t great golfers and we were not very competitive and most men are, should we do this or not? Golfaround had a booth at the golf show in 2000 and next to us was a mother and daughter team who did short golf trips to Laughlin Nevada, so we chatted and decided to take the plunge. Few sports in the world are as globally interconnected as golf and the greatest thing about the game is that any golfer, of any ability, anywhere in the world can travel to play wherever and whenever they want and so our adventures began. Di had a bucket list of places she wanted to go, not to play golf necessarily but to explore and experience and that was the start of our amazing and diverse experiences.

As you may or may not know Croatia is our trip for 2024 and we may have a couple of spots available. The golf there is sparse to say the least but the experiences are enormous, the scenery spectacular and our own private yacht to island hop, how great is that?

Craving to see places you’ve never been to before? Longing for encounters that you’ll never forget?  In Asia we toured Borneo (2018), Thailand (2004), and Vietnam (2010). In Borneo we experienced diverse cultures, exotic golf adventures, amazing snorkeling and a rain forest safari where we saw wild orangutans swinging through the jungle canopy. Thailand showed us floating markets, opulent temples and magnificent shrines. Vietnam had unforgettable golf caddies, unique landscapes and an unforgettable junk cruise on Ha Long Bay.

Our European experiences includes Portugal (2007) where we saw medieval castles, cobblestone villages, a cooking school and port tasting. Turkey (2014) was amazing offering ancient ruins, man made wonders, magnificent architecture eclectic bazars, geological wonders and golf on the Turkish Riveria. Italy (2006) is home to some of the most famous art, architecture and gastronomy. We saw the marvels of the Renaissance, colosseums, the canals of Venice, the Vatican and beautiful lakes and landscapes.

The Emerald Isle, Ireland was another trip of a lifetime. Outstanding hospitality, rugged peninsulas, village gems, fabulous links golf and ancient castles. The pub scene was pretty cool also.

Argentina was a beautiful, intense, extraordinary country and presented gaucho culture, streetside tango the mighty Andes, diverse wine tasting, wonderful golf and the amazing Iguazu Falls.

Africa delivered us somethings we will never forget,  when we visited in 2006 and 2023. The earlier trip commenced with a fabulous safari and seeing the big five, interesting golf, the garden route with rugged patches of coastline, gorges, caves and a steam train ride. In 2023 we added to our experiences with a fabulous trip up Table Mountain, the Cape Winelands and golf, outstanding game drives on the African savannah staying in a luxury tented safari camp and seeing Victoria Falls up front and personal.

New Zealand and the Cook Islands in Oceania  was our destination in 2008. We loved the Maori culture, the fabulous golf and the geothermal wonders. Our rafting experience was something to remember and Fiordland was spectacular. The Cooks was a taste of tropical perfection with friendly natives, gourmet food a tropical cyclone and Santa in a dingy.

Lastly North America which is certainly the most travelled and the experiences are as diverse as the destinations. Cuba (2003) a country with a complex history, vintage cars and world class beaches. Another tropical paradise was Punta Cana in the Dominican where Kristy golfed one of the #1 golf courses in the Caribbean Teeth of the Dog, If you dare challenge the Dog it will bite back, but your efforts will be rewarded with 18 jaw-droppingly-beautiful holes—including seven right along the ocean—and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve played one of the best golf courses in the world. How many of your friends can say the same? We experienced the red rocks and scenic golf in Sedona (2007), flew into the Grand Canyon in a helicopter and traversed the red rock canyon in a pink jeep. Santa Fe New Mexico in 2011 an art mecca with an interesting background, Great golf , we all won irons which were literally an iron, not the golf kind. The gastronomic experience was second to none so much adventure for my palate.

We have also had some great experiences here in Canada. Victoria BC (2010) with spectacular harbor views, scenic golf and a foodie tour. Kelowna BC great golf, great wine and fun people. The Kootenay Golf trail introduced us to the challenges of Redstone, Balfour and Kokanee Springs and the charms of Nelson. Then there is PEI, (2010 & 2022) the birthplace of confederation. We love the diverse culture, the great seafood, wonderful golf, cèilieh’s and Michael Smith’s Fireworks Feast.

The world is our playground, we have traveled near and far so very grateful for the places we’ve been also looking forward to the places still to be seen.

 

We travel not to escape life but for life to not escape us

The Croatia presentation was held at Marko’s Kitchen, a family-owned eastern European restaurant inspired by Marko, Zika’s son. It offered a great atmosphere and locally grown and sourced food that is homemade and delicious. Our menu included food from eleven different countries including Croatia. Croatia is a very diverse country that has been influenced by many cultures over the centuries, which has left an amazingly rich variety of food, wine, and other gastronomical delights. We enjoyed a fabulous meal with excellent, friendly service. In addition to great food Zika had Croatian wines and beer available and treated us all to a pear brandy after our meal. The restaurant has many mementoes adorning the walls of Croatia, Servia, and Bosnia. Zika was born in Zagreb and his mom still resides in Plitvice

We had a great turn-out and a lot of interest so by the end of the night we had filled the trip and now have a waiting list. Our numbers were limited due to the yacht size and bed configuration. It was a great group, awesome food, and a wonderful atmosphere to launch our up-coming adventure.

Since our fabulous Africa adventure last February, we have had numerous questions about plans for future travel.  We have been diligently working at another memorable experience and want to share what we have to date. We have decided to explore the treasures of Croatia a fascinating country rich in diversity, history, and fascinating landscapes.

Croatia has a stunning Dalmatian coastline, and the glistening azure blue waters of the Adriatic Sea are infused with 1,200 islands some of which we will visit. Our adventure commences in the pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik where we will enjoy the beauty of Old Town and the 16^th century buildings. We may also take in a journey to Montenegro for a unique and different experience.

As we meander our way north, we will be amazed with breath-taking scenery, the historical treasures and culinary delights of a rich and interesting country. There will be small villages, quiet coves, and sandy beaches to attract us as well as medieval castles and rich Venetian culture. There will be local markets and sunny waterside promenades to discover where we can shop and watch the world go by. We will be awed by the Plitvice National Park, one of Europe’s great natural wonders and the magnificence of the 16 lakes and numerous waterfalls. Golf in Croatia is not abundant however we will enjoy a golfing experience amidst the Mediterranean scenery of the Istrian peninsula. The peninsula is shared by Croatia, Italy and Slovania and is renowned for the beautiful rolling hills, olive groves and old traditional charm. In addition, it has a vibrant foodie scene with an emphasis on truffles, wine, olives, and seafood. Our journey ends in Zagreb the vibrant capital of Croatia.

The trip is planned for September 11 2024 for 17 days and 16 nights. We hope to have a presentation in the near future and a firm price will then be available.

Thanks to the organizational efforts of  Brenda, Golfaround had three teams entered into the annual Frosty Golf Tournament at Wingfield Golf Club this October. When we arrived we realized that we were a little out-numbered as the field was dominated by male golfers, there was only one other female team and they were women who worked in the back shop at Wingfield.

The tournament was very well organized and we were very impressed with the condition of the golf course, a lot of  time, effort and money has transformed the old Silver Wing into a very nice course, it was challenging and offered a very enjoyable experience. The meal following our round as well as the goodies before and during the round was very tasty, the chefs there do a fine job. We enjoyed roast turkey and all the trimmings.

When it came to the prizes we were blown out of the water, we did not expect to be top of the leaderboard but guess what we took most honest. The good news was our team got Callaway wedges, how great was that?

2023 was a great year for Golfaround not only for our business but for all of you golfers who make us the popular league that we are. Without the wonderful group of positive, supportive fun-loving gals our league would not be what it is today, so give yourselves a pat on the back and we thank you for all the memorable moments we encountered in 2023.

There are a total of 94 new members this season, the beginner league received 45 newbies, though we do know that some of these are not beginners. Another 35% joined the Intermediate Evening league and the remaining 16% joined the Day league. We did not open to new members until March this season due to the Africa trip and for the first time we had to close registration at noon on the day we opened, that is a first in our 27 years of operation.

As far as the variety of golf courses we played at this season, there were a total of 44 different golf courses, we gained some and lost some but all in all we think the variety is great and we will strive to recover what we have lost. The weather was more than cooperative. It’s better to play golf when the weather is nice and sunny. Humidity and heat actually benefit golfers because golf balls have a tendency to fly a little bit farther in those conditions. Maybe the weather helped get those pars, birdies and eagles that we shared in the MOB’S, moments of brilliance. A grateful shout out to all the gals who helped tee off, we really appreciate you and the great feedback. We also want to thank you all for your patience as we introduced an improved booking system, now that we are all comfortable with this new technology, I think you will agree it is pretty slick and a lot less labor intense for us as well. Favorable weather conditions were also a bonus for the lessons which , for the most part, were held with few weather days coming into effect. We did experience a few severe storms that caused a bit of re-scheduling unfortunately, but this is Calgary!!

This season we added some great golf professionals to our teaching team and from the feedback we received they did a great job. Gordon at D’Arcy Ranch went above and beyond with his approach to the short game instruction. Jimmy who did the indoor lesson at Riverside had some great tips according to Roni who plays a very good game. Donna was very grateful to Ken at Cottonwood for helping her improve and Lisa has really taken her game to the next level and attributes that to her ongoing lessons with Golfaround. Group golf lessons are a great way to stay motivated and accountable. When you’re learning with a group, you have a built-in support system to encourage you to keep practicing and improving. You’ll also be able to set goals and track your progress together, which can be a great way to stay focused and motivated. When you start to play better it is certainly more fun and we thank all our pros for helping us do that. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced golfer, group lessons offer a social and enjoyable way to improve your game. Not only do you get the benefit of personalized instruction, but you also get to connect with other golfers who share your passion for the sport.

The year commenced with our Thursday nights at the Eaglequest Dome, where we hit balls, had dinner and socialized. It was great to have such a great turn out each week, we were 24 to 30 strong most weeks. The temperature in the Dome was much improved due to their new heating system, thank you Brent. For 32 of us February was spent with the long awaited Africa trip, the details of which have been captured in the monthly news feeds, it truly was a trip of a lifetime.

The Mystery Bus trip was a great hit this year, it was the first one since 2019 so consequently very popular. We were 44 girls gone wild African safari and the Crowsnest Golf Club did an awesome job hosting our group. Alberta Coach also played a big part with Karen transporting us to and from. Medicine Hat was the Play & Stay destination, and a fabulous time was had by one and all. Desert Blume looked after our banquet and it was one of the best buffets we have ever had, accolades to the chef and staff there. The golf course was purchased in 2019 by a couple of local businessmen and they are doing a fine job. The course was in tip top condition, the environment was friendly, and the staff could not do enough to ensure you had a wonderful experience. As Diane said it is a do over for sure.

As we wind down for the 2023 season, we can start getting excited about next year. We have some great thoughts for our Mystery Bus trip and we are working diligently on finding a great international destination that will be exciting and adventurous. Palm Springs or an alternate is not dead so keep your eye on the website and our newsfeeds. We feel so very lucky to be able to do what we do and we thank each and everyone of you for a great 2023.

The Medicine Hat Brewery was alive with the sound of Golfaround, this was the prelude to a sunny play and stay in Medicine Hat. Everyone enjoyed a complimentary flight of beer and could choose from a wide array of beers. How about a light and refreshing Buds N Spuds potato pilsner or a fruity Creamsicle Ale, the Blood Orange Mimosa Cider had some of the gals puckering up as did the Pineapple Sour. The flight of five came on a wooden board shaped like our province, very special.  We stayed at The Days Inn which was very central to the golf courses we played at. Our stay was great despite the fact that they had encountered a water problem prior to our arrival, however it did not interfere with our stay and the gals enjoyed a great hot breakfast daily.

Our first game was at Desert Bloom, which was reminiscent of some of the desert golf courses down south. It is a beautiful course in immaculate condition.  The lack of trees, only one tree on the course, allows for excellent fairways and pristine greens. There has been a concerted effort to lower and maintain the grass heights in both the rough and native grass areas to have a more friendly player experience, however the course is not very forgiving and a few golf balls were lost. It is a stunning track cut through the coulees and offered some great views. We experienced some nice elevation changes, bunkers and water hazards and very fast greens. It was challenging but Arlene rose to the challenge and got an eagle, how cool is that? Our buffet following the round was one of the best meals we have had in a long time and accolades to the chef and staff for a great dining experience.

Our second round was at Connaught Golf Course, the oldest course in Medicine Hat who, in 2022 celebrated their 100th anniversary. This golf course was a totally different experience, with tree lined fairways and marshy vegetation. The trees provided guidance as to where not to hit but the bunkers protecting a number of the greens and a few water hazards kept us on our toes. We had an enjoyable day and personally I found the game a little less challenging but long nevertheless. No eagles today but we did get a glimpse of the resident moose, eat your heart out Melanie. It was a wonderful weekend full of fairways, fun and friends.