FARMLINKS: GOLF AGRONOMICS

Agronomics is a word that combines gronomy and economics. It is an important concept for golf course superintendents given the current economic climate and the limited resources any golf maintenance crew will encounter with normal budgets. The best golf “supers” attend PGA seminars and are graduates of colleges with programs specifically geared towards the design and maintenance of golf’s “arena.” What if those guys could see a “living laboratory” and meet with fellow superintendents to discuss common problems and needs? And, what if that course was open to the public and allowed golfers to play on some of the best fairways and greens in the world? Fairways’ customers can do just that at a course called FarmLinks in Alabama.

Most golfers have heard of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama. The now world-famous, statewide golf courses have inspired duplicates from Maine to California. RTJ Trail was a project of the Retirement Systems of Alabama and the brainstorm of its CEO. Perhaps in the near future, a similar pattern of comparable golf courses will come to fruition because of the vision of another executive from Alabama. The golfer with the idea was David Pursell. The idea was to build a world-class demonstration facility of proper fertilization, agronomy, and management techniques for golf course superintendents from around the globe. The course became reality on a family farm about 45 minutes from Birmingham, Alabama.

The vision started to become reality in 2001 when the Pursell family of Sylacauga and the owners of Pursell Farms began construction of David’s long-time vision: a world-class research and demonstration golf course. Eventually, a name needed to be selected and it was christened FarmLinks. The course was intended to improve the entire golf industry through its ability to serve as a laboratory and ongoing research facility for golf’s industry leaders. Superintendents would come for a few days and would hear from top agronomy professionals. On June 4, 2003, the dream came to fruition as 550 guests, including family friend Jim Nabors, who was TV’s Gomer Pyle, and Alabama Governor Bob Riley made their way to Sylacauga to celebrate the official opening of the 7,444-yard, par-72, Hurdzan-Fry design course.

As the world’s first research and demonstration golf course, FarmLinks is literally a laboratory where golf’s products of tomorrow are tested today. Companies like Toro, Club Car, BASF and Agrium Advanced Technologies have partnered with FarmLinks to create this one-of-a-kind, limited-play environment that’s open to public play six days a week. So what does this mean for you, the Fairways’ golfer? It means that you are going to be stunned by the natural beauty and the incredible world-class upkeep of the FarmLinks course. Dramatic elevation changes and a variety of other features will keep challenging even the best of golfers. Golfers that play FarmLinks can expect to encounter not only a variety of different grass types, but wild turkey, coyotes, an occasional robotic mower, and at least one state-of-the-art golf cart. Also, the course offers an all-inclusive rate. So, not only will you get a great round of golf, you’ll enjoy a traditional, Southern-style lunch in the Club House, beverages and snacks, unlimited use of the practice facility, ice-cold apples on the course, and chilled mango-scented towels delivered to you on hot days.

Erle Fairly, president, was hired to create “the experience” which initially was to host executives in the golf industry and the superintendents at a 14,000-square-foot, first-class lodge. However, the lodge and guest house at FarmLinks are booked solid most weeks and left little opportunity for golfers to stay in this beautiful setting – that is until now! FGV talked with Erle and he said: “FarmLinks is adding seven cottages and cabins, where each will have four bedrooms with a private bath and two queen beds. The project will be completed by June 1st and will give us the ability to have as many as 56 golfers stay for a few days in a world-class golf setting.” Fairways will begin offering these accommodations to its customers in the very near future.

So, if you’re thinking about Alabama as a golf destination, be sure to call your FGV golf specialist and add FarmLinks to your list of “must play” courses. Oh, and one last thing, the National Golf Foundation awarded for the third time the highest customer satisfaction award in the premium category to FarmLinks.

Louisiana’s Audubon Golf Trail

Think of Louisiana, and one instantly thinks: New Orleans, Mardi Gras, great food and usually in that order. But, Louisiana is actually a world-class golf destination. And nowhere is that more evident than along the Audubon Golf Trail. Named for naturalist and artist John James Audubon the Trail features 12 exceptional golf courses that showcase the natural beauty of this “Sportsman’s Paradise.” Audubon was so inspired by the natural wonders and wildlife of Louisiana that he painted a number of his famous bird studies here. Coincidentally, all the courses on the trail are members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf Courses, a program dedicated to protecting the environment and preserving the natural heritage of the game of golf.

TPC Louisiana - New Orleans

Master architect Pete Dye created this truly striking 7,600-yard course that is so pristine, many compare it to a private nature preserve. TPC features a collection of short, but challenging par 4’s that compliment the longer holes. Located just 15 minut: Pes from the French Quarter, the course is host to Louisiana’s only PGA event, the Zurich Classic.
Fast Facts: Par 72 • Slope: 138 • Rating: 76.6

The Island - Plaquemine

Carved from the fields of an old sugar plantation this course is, forgive us for saying, pretty sweet. The course features 54 bunkers, nine lakes and measures over 7,000 yards. Sheer serenity and solitude make this course a pleasure to play.
Fast Facts: Par 72 • Slope: 143 • Rating: 75.1

Olde Oaks - Shreveport

Spanning 340 acres and designed in close collaboration with PGA Ryder Cup Captain Hal Sutton, Olde Oaks offers generous fairways and five sets of tees for enjoyable golf at any level.
Fast Facts: Par 72 • Slope: 136 • Rating: 75.2

Carter Plantation - Springfield

Designed by David Toms, this gorgeous 7,050-yard course winds through three distinct landscapes: upland pine forests, live oaks and cypress wetlands. Each hole offers four or five separate tee boxes and water comes into play on seven holes.
Fast Facts: Par 72 • Slope: 143 • Rating: 75.1

Cypress Bend Golf Resort - Many

A jewel of a course on the Texas-Lousiana border, Cypress Bend is located along Toledo Bend Lake, which is famous for bass fishing. Ten holes are along the water, with six shots needed across hidden coves and inlets. A challenging, but fun course.
Fast Facts: Par 72 • Slope: 142 • Rating: 72.7

The Atchafalaya at Idlewild - Patterson

Called “The best course you can play in Louisiana” by Golf Week, Atchafalaya features a championship design surrounded by the wildlife and incredible beauty found only in the heart of the Atchafalaya Basin.
Fast Facts: Par 72 • Slope: 144 • Rating: 77.6

Audubon Park Golf Club - New Orleans

This executive course is located in historic uptown New Orleans, and graces 81 tree-lined acres on St. Charles Avenue. Golf has been played here since 1898 and it’s the country’s only course that is accessible by streetcar.
Fast Facts: Par 62 • Slope: 104 • Rating: 61.6

Additional Courses:
Oakwing Golf Club - Alexandria, LA
The Wetlands - Lafayette, LA
Black Bear Golf Club - Delhi, LA
Gray Plantation Lake - Charles, LA
Tamahka Trails - Marksville, LA

Teeing it Up in the Sunshine State

Believe it or not, Florida has a lot more to offer besides the world’s most famous theme parks, beautiful beaches and natural wonders. From Tallahassee to Miami there’s a wealth of splendid golf courses to choose from, particularly in Orlando and to the northeast of the state in St. Augustine. And for 2009, Fairways Golf Vacations offers several great packages to each (see side-bar).

The World Golf Village - St. Augustine

Now celebrating its 10th year in existence, the World Golf Village in historic St. Augustine features two extraordinary courses: King & Bear and Slammer & Squire. King & Bear is named for its co-designers, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. It’s the first and only golf course design collaboration between these two living legends, and the results are, not surprisingly, outstanding.

Palmer and Nicklaus created a course as picturesque and playable as possible. The 7,279-yard course features several lakes, 200-year-old towering oak trees and loblolly pines.

On the Slammer and Squire course two more legends, Sam “The Slammer” Snead and Gene “The Squire” Sarazen served as consultants. The 6,939-yard course features stunning par 3’s, woodlands, wetlands and views of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Champion’s Gate Resort - Orlando

Designed by Greg Norman, Champion’s Gate golf complex covers some 1,500 acres just southwest of the Walt Disney World Resort. Here you’ll find 36 holes of championship-level golf, and a 35,000 square-foot clubhouse. Stay on-site at the Villas and you’ll receive all the amenities of a first-class resort.

Highlands Reserve - Orlando

Aptly named, Highlands is like a little slice of Scotland right in the heart of Florida (without the blustery weather). It sits atop one of the highest areas in the state and offers remarkable scenery. This championship Mike Dasher design provides spacious fairways reminiscent of the great Scottish courses, and a bit of old Florida with citrus trees along the countryside. Large, fast, undulating greens make this course challenging and fun for all levels. It’s conveniently located just minutes from Disney and all major attractions.

Help for Your Grip & Trip

From Fairways Golf & Bob Burns, PGA Master Professional

Fairways Golf Vacations is proud to partner with PGA Master Professional Bob Burns. Bob has been hailed as one of the top 50 golf instructors in the nation and was PGA Professional of the Year in Wisconsin in 2007. As one of only about 200 PGA Master Professionals in the world and the inventor of the “No Bananas” line of golf clubs, Bob’s products, lessons and advice are geared to the average golfer looking to improve their game. You can read Bob’s regular monthly blog at www.FairwaysGolfVacations.com and gain help for your game while you plan your next golf vacation.

Forming the Correct Golf Grip
By Bob Burns, PGA Master Professional

Before most golfers even step foot on the tee box, they already have their grip set. Considering that all things start with the grip, proper hand placement is critical to achieve desired results. All tips in this article are designed for the right-handed golfer.

Hold the club off the ground, waist-high, in front of you, with your left hand, and checking to see that the clubface is square to your target-line. Set the grip-handle under the heel-pad of your left hand. As you close your left hand, your left thumb should be right of center on the grip-handle in a 1:00 position. You should see two or three knuckles on the back of your hand, which should be aimed between your target and the sky. The club should feel secure in your fingers, and you should feel the left-hand pressure of your grip in the last three fingers.

Next, bring your right hand to the handshake-position. Your right palm should be parallel to the leading edge of the clubface. As you close your right hand, your right thumb should be left of center on the grip-handle in an 11:00 position. Your left thumb should fit comfortably in the valley between the base of your right thumb and the heel-pad on your right hand. You should feel the right-hand pressure of your grip in the middle and ring fingers of your right hand.

Try to maintain a firm but light grip-pressure throughout your swing as Sam Snead once said —“as if you’re holding a baby bird.”

CLICK HERE to Read the rest of Bob Burns’ March blog entry:
“Defining the Weak and Strong Grip” at www.FairwaysGolfVacations.com

Golfer turns Missionary in Honduras

Fairways Golf announces annual golf tournament to raise funds for charity.

Mark Connell, a former golf apprentice in the PGA program at Big Cypress Golf Club in Lakeland, Florida, turned his love of helping people improve their golf swings into a passion for building homes and feeding the homeless in and near Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Fairways Golf Vacations (FGV) has selected Mark’s non-profit organization, The Honduras Project, as the company’s primary charitable outreach. As part of that effort, Fairways President Alan Hale announced that a portion of the profits of FGV each year will be donated to the organization. In addition, both customers and suppliers to Fairways will be invited to an annual fund-raising golf tournament at a world-class golf location each year, with all proceeds after costs being donated to the organization. You can play in the tournament and combine your regular group’s annual golf outing while helping some of the poorest folks in the world. However, if you cannot attend the tournament, just remember that every time you book your golf trip with FGV, you’ll be helping a family in need. The location and date of the tournament are still undetermined as of this writing; but, look for announcements in our quarterly newsletters, websites or monthly emails in the very near future.

When FGV announced plans to expand to a worldwide golf packaging company, Alan began searching for an international outreach program to support. He looked no further than the former minister at his local church who had recently moved to Honduras. Years ago, Mark was an aspiring PGA professional who had completed the PGA business school in the top 5% of his class and passed the Playing Ability Test (PAT). Before the last interview for “A” certification, he decided to return to college and become a minister. After graduation, Mark and his wife Lori were the youth ministers where Alan’s children went to Sunday school. With a wide smile and a booming voice, Mark was an instant hit with parents and, more importantly, all of the kids. While looking for ways to help suburban kids appreciate their American homes and country, Mark began leading youth mission trips to Honduras. He fell in love with the warm Honduran people and after many years of leading groups, the Connells decided to move there. Mark and Lori obtained permission to reside in Honduras full-time in 2008.

Alan Hale said, “I’ve never met a guy who is more suited to working in this environment. Mark thrives on the work of helping the desperately poor of the mountain slums surrounding the capital city of Tegucigalpa. Most importantly, Mark is someone who believes in running a very lean charitable organization. I, personally, support his work because I know every penny is wisely spent.” Adding to Mark’s enthusiasm is his wife Lori, who leads a ministry that provides training and micro-loans to single mothers to start small businesses that can lift them out of the slums. With Lori’s help, these women are able to sustain their children and themselves with skills such as sewing, crafts, or managing a small in-home store. If you’d like to assist, just visit the Fairways website and look for the links or donate at: www.thehondurasproject.org or www.thewomenofmyhope.org

Arkansas Natural State Golf Trail

Arkansas invites you to discover a natural wonderland where amazing golfing experiences are always around the corner. Thirteen highly rated courses make up the Arkansas Golf Trail. The “Natural State” is the natural choice for your next golfing vacation.

Big Creek Golf & Country Club - Mountain Home

One of only 16 courses to receive a five-star rating from Golf Digest’s “Places to Play” in 2004. The course sprawls over 200 acres and features four lakes, lush zoysia fairways, bent grass greens and the meandering Big Creek for which its named. Challenging, yet enjoyable, the tees range from 5,068 to 7,320 yards.
Fast Facts: 7,320 Yards • Par 72 • Slope: 135 • Rating: 76

The Course at Eagle Mountain - Batesville

This fair, but challenging 190-acre course is nestled among rolling hills and woods at the base of its namesake mountain. Nearby, the White River is great for trout fishing.
Fast Facts: 7,009 Yards • Par 72 • Slope: 137 • Rating: 74.5

Eagles Crest Golf Course - Alma

For scenic splendor, look no further than this course. Eagles Crest was carved from the natural landscape of the Ozark Mountains. Designed by TPC Champion Mark Hayes, the course offers four sets of tees, bent grass greens and a spectacular tee shot over a double waterfall on hole 4.
Fast Facts: 6,869 Yards • Par 71 • Slope: 132 • Rating: 73.3

Glenwood Country Club - Glenwood

Secluded and scenic, Golf Digest has called this course, “well worth the drive to find it.” One of the top ten courses in the state, it offers four water hazards, four sets of tees and a beautiful clubhouse.
Fast Facts: 6,561 Yards • Par 72 • Slope: 126 • Rating: 71.1

Greystone Country Club - Cabot

Host of the Arkansas Open, you’ll find two courses here: Mountain Springs and Cypress Creek. Cypress Creek is a long, challenging course that features hazards on 12 of its holes, and an island green on the 16th. Mountain Springs features a waterfall on the 18th. Only 20 minutes from Little Rock.
Fast Facts:
Mountain Springs: 7,392 Yards • Par 72 • Slope: 130 • Rating: 73.8
Cypress Creek: 7,392 Yards • Par 72 • Slope: 136 • Rating: 74.

Additional Courses on the Arkansas Natural State Trail:
Harbor Oaks Golf Club - Pine Bluff, AR
Mountain Ranch Golf Club - Fairfield Bay, AR
Hot Springs Country Club - Hot Springs, AR
Red Apple Inn - Heber Springs, AR
Sage Meadows - Jonesboro, AR
Tannenbaum Golf Club - Drasco, AR
Stonebridge Meadows - Fayetteville, AR
Thunder Bayou Golf Links - Blytheville, AR

Golfing The Gulf Coast

Spanning 60 miles along the picturesque Gulf Coast of Mexico and boasting 22 courses designed by such legends as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Davis Love III and more, the “Golf Coast” as it is often called, offers a spectacular array of golf that fits every budget and skill level. Golf aficionados have been trekking here for over 100 years, and in addition to the championship golf they find fine dining, world-class casino hotels, deep-sea fishing and warm Southern hospitality.

Grand Bear Golf Club - Saucier

A Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, Grand Bear has been named one of Golf Digest’s “100 Best Public Courses.” The course’s secluded fairways were carved from woodlands surrounding Desoto National Forest and feature towering pines and natural cypress wetlands.

The Bridges Golf Club at Hollywood Casino - Bay Saint Louis

A 6,900 yard masterpiece designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer. The Bridges meanders along the banks of the beautiful Bay of Saint Louis offering sweeping vistas from the tees. The course features 21 bridges, stately pines, magnolias and golf for all skill levels. Plus, there’s on-site lodging and a 24-hour casino.

Mississippi National Golf Club - Gautier

One of the region’s top public courses, this one-of-a-kind, Earl Stone designed work of art is situated on some of the most breathtaking terrain the Gulf Coast has to offer.

Windance Country Club - Gulfport

Recently purchased by Island View Casino Resort, this Mark McCumber designed course has been recently renovated and is in its best playing condition ever.

Gulf Hills Golf Club - Ocean Springs

Another historic gem, Gulf Hills was built in 1927 and features rolling hills, manicured fairways and lots of opportunities for great shot-making.

Shell Landing Golf Club - Gautier

Designed by Davis Love III, Shell Landing overlooks pristine coastal marshlands and offers five sets of tees and a rewarding experience for the discerning golfer.

Magnolia Grove - Mobile

This course features a wide variety of terrain over which to play – creeks, marshland, lakes and dense forest can be found throughout the 54-hole layout. The Falls course features a cascading waterfall on the par 5 10th hole, while The Crossings course doubles across railroad tracks. The Short course is considered one of the best par 3’s in America.

TimberCreek Golf Club - Daphne

Ideally located on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, TimberCreek offers players of all abilities a fantastic golfing experience. The 27-hole layout features elevation changes, wetland preserves, and bountiful wildlife that accentuate the flowing terrain, creating an atmosphere truly unique to the region.

The Oaks Golf Club - Pass Christian

Originally opened in 1998, The Oaks Golf Club is nestled among majestic timberlands and native wetlands providing one of the most unforgettable golfing experiences on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The par-72 layout is highlighted by strategic bunkering, dramatic, complex greens and a meandering design that creates a tranquil golf experience. The Oaks also recently partnered with Hooters Restaurant and now features beverage cart Hooter’s girls serving up libations throughout the course.