Arizona Golf News

Angel Park Golf Club was recently honored by Las Vegas Weekly and Nevada Magazine as best golf course in Las Vegas. Posted on May 26, Angel Park Golf Club was named Best Golf Course in the 2011 Las Vegas Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards . And Angel Park shared top honors in the Golf Course category with Wynn Las Vegas Golf Club in Nevada Magazine’s 2011 Best of Nevada rankings that were posted online in addition to appearing in the publication’s July/August issue.

“We are thrilled to earn the top spot in these rankings compiled by two of Las Vegas’ most highly regarded local publications,” said Greg Brockelman, Director of Golf for Angel Park Golf Club. “Despite the fact that Las Vegas is an international destination, we have always made a concerted effort to appeal to the local golfer. And over the years, the local motion has helped to develop a unique vibe at the club that all golfers, no matter where they are from, can appreciate.”

Longbow Golf Club will host the first DnA Golf Corporate Challenge, an innovative event intended to bring together golfers from the Valley’s corporate world to play in a light-hearted, 9-hole event that features an unconventional format of play. Participants may only bring three clubs and a putter, and must only play with those four clubs during the round. The team with the lowest two-person team score wins.

“There are many ways to play the game of golf,” said Jay Larscheid, general manager for Longbow Golf Club. “The DnA Golf Corporate Challenge puts an interesting twist on the competition, as well as, encourages the social aspect of the game. It’s going to be a great event.”

Deal Chicken, the online affiliate of Republic Media (Arizona Republic newspaper and www.azcentral.com) announced their next “round” of golf deals.

Offers include Stay & Plays at top golf resorts as well as daily fee opportunities at familiar courses.

“The response to our initial offerings was so positive that we definitely wanted to give our loyal customers more,” said Kendall Edwards, Deal Chicken’s golf sales authority. “Not only are we offering great deals to our followers, but we are simultaneously promoting local businesses so it’s truly a win-win for all involved!”

Scottsdale-based OB Sports Golf Management unveiled the new OB Sports Golf App on both IPhone and Droid platforms. Powered by Smartstay App, the OB Sports App has launched on both platforms as a complimentary download. The OB Sports Golf App provides a wealth of information for both golfers that frequent OB Sports facilities as well as traveling golfers looking for popular golf destinations such as Scottsdale, Las Vegas, Orlando, and beyond.

The OB Sports Golf App features general information on all of the 40-plus OB Sports-affiliated facilities including quick links to the club’s official website, contact information and location. Featured clubs that are resort - or destination-oriented, have enhanced functionality within the app that includes links to book tee times, tap to call functionality (with direct dial up to the club’s golf shop), tap to share (encouraging the app to go ‘viral’), detailed club information, club specific news feeds that pull from real time Twitter feeds, photo galleries and quick links to the select course videos via You Tube. In addition, featured club listings also include an Out & About section that offers mapping functionality, information on other area attractions as well as quick links to Yelp-powered user reviews related to the respective facility.

The Golf Club at Chaparral Pines in Payson, Arizona is set to host the Payson Habitat For Humanity Golf Tournament on Sunday, June 26, 2011.

One of the more exclusive private clubs in Arizona, Chaparral Pines is in it’s second year hosting this charitable event that raises funds that directly supports the mission to alleviate the shortage of low-to-moderate income housing in the region.

Looking for a reason to get out and golf?  SunRidge Canyon Golf Club has it! From now until September 1, 2011, SunRidge is offering enticing Arizona rates; starting at $35, after 9:30 a.m. seven days a week.

Home of the “Wicked 6”, a half-dozen devilishly demanding holes, SunRidge Canyon is nationally recognized as a breathtaking, challenging desert golf experience located in the charming town of Fountain Hills. With its spectacular views, vistas, and course conditions SunRidge Canyon is a must play for all.

With summer rapidly approaching, the award-winning Omni Tucson National Resort is offering guests several “Cool Deals” that are sure to please. Golfer’s Guide recommends the “100 Reasons to Resort”.

This unique offer gives guests a $100 dollar resort credit good for golf, spa services and food and beverage. What a deal!

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona - Eight courses at seven golf facilities managed by Scottsdale-based OB Sports Golf Management made the list of 2011 Golfweek's Best You Can Play: Lodestone Golf Club, Langdon Farms Golf Club, Longbow Golf Club, The Oaks Golf Club, Sandia Golf Club, Tetherow, Three Crowns Golf Club and We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (Saguaro and Cholla). We-Ko-Pa's Saguaro Course was also included in Golfweek's "Modern" ranking which lists the top 100 courses designed after 1960.

The annual ranking lists the top public-access golf clubs in each state. Of the hundreds of eligible courses within each state, (depending on the state) only a few clubs make the list.  Course-ranking panelists apply the following criteria when considering each golf course: 1) ease and intimacy of routing, the extent to which the sequence of holes follows natural contours and unfolds in an unforced manner; 2) variety and memorability of par 3s, 4s and 5s, different clubs hit, extent to which the angles of play create interesting and varied playing options, and extent to which holes offer variety of options from the tee and on the second shot; 3) basic quality of conditioning, variety of playing textures, extent of turf coverage, consistency and quality of bunker sand; 4) walk-in-the-park test, degree to which the course ultimately is worth spending a half-day on.

By Mike Malaska – Nicklaus Academies’
World-Wide Director of Instruction

Think about the only part of your body – your hands - that comes in contact with the instrument, or club, used to strike the golf ball. The grip is one of the foundations that are required by anyone to swing the club. How you put your hands on the club is essential, for sure, and a critical piece of the puzzle that is overlooked is ‘hand strength’. How do we evaluate hand strength and what exercises are best to increase hand strength specifically for golf? Here is an evaluation and exercise, and a guide as to how to properly hold the club in one easy package that you can do anywhere, anytime.

Looking to take your game to the next level? Then look no further! Xempt Players Series (XPS) “It Starts Here”

Xempt Player Series was created by PGA pro Gerry Hammond. “One of the main problems many promising golfers have is trying to make ends meet while they’re trying to get their careers established,” said Hammond, Founder/CEO of the XPS. “Speaking from experience, I did everything I could from lessons and practice, but through that process, there were always financial barriers.” XPS acts as the equalizer!