tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13544013663680263892024-02-21T00:20:02.157-05:00GolfWiz BlogThe Latest News in the World of Golf. Real-Time Scoring,Updates,Travel,Swing Tips and MoreGolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-59430406306379323502013-09-03T17:10:00.003-04:002013-09-03T17:10:30.283-04:00Philadelphia Museum Begins Its Fifth Season of Jazz Concerts <div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaxfsSkZdbwT3b2fVdLU852_s_wLK1TRXxzu_eVvTB1KhqqOxIQ9CMQ_la52uuCxknoUKyb3FI05oSGhSJh15iT5xnHQeqI5G4AGa7oeokCufbs0sO239jEznwRtsI2DnVFx90mmSt6g/s1600/Patricia+Scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaxfsSkZdbwT3b2fVdLU852_s_wLK1TRXxzu_eVvTB1KhqqOxIQ9CMQ_la52uuCxknoUKyb3FI05oSGhSJh15iT5xnHQeqI5G4AGa7oeokCufbs0sO239jEznwRtsI2DnVFx90mmSt6g/s320/Patricia+Scott.jpg" width="320" /></a>Art is not always something you hang on the wall, and
Philadelphia’s Woodmere Art Museum is leading the way by offering Friday
evening jazz concerts to its members and the public. The museum that tells the
story of Philadelphia art and artists is also presenting its rich musical
heritage and contemporary sounds featuring many of the very best jazz musicians
of the Delaware Valley.<br />
<br />
Since April 2009, Woodmere has presented<br />
a Friday evening jazz series to an appreciative and ever growing
audience. Working with Warren Oree, a bassist, composer, educator, and
producer, who heads Life Line Music Coalition<br />
and his own group the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble, Woodmere has now become
recognized as an important city jazz venue. Jazz at Woodmere features
many of the area’s top jazz musicians. <br />
<br />
The 2013 Fall jazz series begins on Friday October 4 with a tribune to singer
Tina Turner, titled What’s Love Got to Do With? Philadelphia’s Lisa
Chavous pays homage to one of the great female soul singers performing some of
Tina’s most popular tunes. On October 11, the theme is La Vie En Rose – Edith
Piaf, Better Than French Wine. Vocalist Phyllis Chapelle brings the first
lady of French song alive. <br />
<br />
A Night at the Apollo Theater, Harlem, NYC, 1938 is the theme on October
18. The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble will perform sounds of Fats Waller, Duke
Ellington, Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, Sidney Bechet, and more. On
October 25, its “Mr. Magic,” a tribute to Grover Washington, Jr. An innovator
and a saxophonist of the first order. His music was a bridge connecting jazz
and smooth R&B. The popular group Hidden Treasure performs. <br />
<br />
Jazzy Divas: The Sound That Touches the Soul,<br />
is the theme on November 1. Jazz divas made an indelible mark on the music. Now
current day divas as Michelle Beckham, Sherry Butler, Tonya Lynette, Pat
Washington, Lauren Lark, and Jackie Joyner perform with the Arpeggio Jazz
Quartet. Arpeggio returns November 8 with Smoother Than Silk: The Nat
King Cole Trio. Songs will include: Sweet Lorraine, I Love You, Paper Moon, and
Smile.<br />
<br />
Four young men from Liverpool, England made some unforgettable music. The
Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble presents a jazzy styling of The Beatles on November
15. On November 22, the incredible jazz guitars of Wes Montgomery and
George Benson are recalled and on December 6, jazz vocalist Tonya Lynette pays
tribute to lyricist Johnny Mercer.<br />
<br />
The Fall series concludes on December 13 with a salute to Southern Soul and
Stax Records.<br />
Vocalists Roy Richardson, Pat Scott, and Tonya Lynette will perform many of the
best Stax recordings. Details regarding the jazz series can be found on
the museum’s website at <a href="http://woodmereartmuseum.org/">woodmereartmuseum.org</a>. Plan to attend and
enjoy.<br />
<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
James C. Weaver<br /><br />
Email: <a href="mailto:jweaver35@comcast.net">jweaver35@comcast.net</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Senior Travel Writer<br />Golf Wiz Blog</div>
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GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-25554153430284713072013-05-22T09:58:00.004-04:002013-05-22T09:58:51.781-04:00Sergio Garcia and His Comments about Tiger Woods<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the
Senior Editor of the African American Golfers Digest and as an African American
male in the United States of America I am appalled and extremely offended by
the recent remarks made by professional golfer Sergio Garcia. Garcia made these remarks in response to a
question posed to him concerning Tiger Woods and their much publicized verbal
battle in the media after the 2013 Players Championship. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His
comments were not only inappropriate, and hurtful they were racist and
insensitive. In this day and age
comments of this nature have no place in society and certainly not in the game
of golf. Sergio’s remarks are reminiscent
of similar remarks made by professional golfer Fuzzy Zoeller after Tiger’s win
at the 1997 Masters Tournament. Moeller’s remarks were wrong and hurtful then
and sixteen years later the racial tone associated to Sergio Garcia’s remarks are
just as inappropriate. Comments of this
nature dredge up thoughts of a sad and disgraceful period in this country’s
history not only to African American’s but to people of all races and walks of
life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am
sure that Sergio Garcia and his team will draft a response to his actions and
work diligently to address this issue in a timely manner. However, Garcia will
not a get a pass from me. Regardless of
how off the cuff or stupid his comments were they point to his mindset and to a
racist belief system that he possesses. It is clear that Tiger Woods and Sergio
Garcia have always had a tenuous relationship at best both on and off the golf
course, but the comments uttered by Sergio Garcia clearly cross the line of
basic decorum and decency. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I call
on Sergio Garcia and his sponsors to take immediate and appropriate action to
rectify his actions. A failure to issue a sincere and meaningful apology will
only cause this regretful situation to get worse. The fact that Sergio Garcia
isn’t willing to admit to the racist overtones of his comments only goes to show
his lack of concern and sensitivity about the struggles, challenges and painful
history of the African American experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Sergio Garcia’s press conference this
morning did very little to change my mind or my views on this sad and unfortunate
situation. I urge both Taylormade Golf, Adidas Golf and Sergio Garcia’s other
sponsors to address this issue immediately
and make sure that the players who represent their brands don’t possess such racist
and insensitive mindsets and attitudes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Edward Wanambwa<br /> GolfWiz Blog</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
#golf_writer </div>
GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-65224242462259123622013-05-21T10:06:00.000-04:002013-05-22T10:07:15.829-04:00Clinton Presidential Center Offers Insight Into The Life of Our 42nd President<br />
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<address>
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There are fourteen Presidential Libraries.So far, I’ve visited five:
Johnson, H.W.Bush, Carter, Ford, and most recently Clinton. They are alike in
many ways, chronicling the lives of a U.S. President, but they also reveal much
about the times when each man held the office and the history of our nation and
its people. Each one, in its own way, tells us who we are as Americans. </address>
<address>
<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Located in a beautiful 32 acre
park on the southern banks of the Arkansas River in the state capital Little
Rock, the Clinton Presidential Center is a contemporary designed two story
building. Its a Platinum LEEDS rated
building, the only one in Arkansas, meeting the highest standards for
environmentally friendly construction and operations. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Along with its large exhibit
halls, there are full size replicas of the White House Cabinet Room and the
President’s Oval Office as they were during the Clinton years. The archival and library holdings are the largest
of all the Presidential Libraries with approximately 76.8 million pages of
paper documents, 1.85 million<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
photographs, and over 75,000 museum artifacts. There is
also a rooftop apartment provided for the Clintons when they visit Little Rock.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
A special exhibit honors “The
Little Rock Nine” a group of nine black students who courageously integrated
Little Rock Central High School in 1957.
<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
Opened in 2004, the Center is
home to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, the University of
Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, and the Little Rock offices of the
Clinton Foundation.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The Foundation works to improve
global health, strengthen economies, promote health and wellness, and protect
the environment by fostering partnerships among businesses, governments,
non-governmental organizations, and private citizens. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The University of Arkansas
Clinton School of Public Service is the first graduate school in the nation to
offer a Master of Public Service degree. It emphasizes real-life application
where students gain the knowledge and experience to further their careers as
leaders in the areas of nonprofit, governmental, volunteer, or private sector
work. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The Clinton Presidential Center
attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the nation and world
each year and plays an active role in the Little Rock community, hosting a
number of events, lectures, and conferences throughout the year. It has been
instrumental in bringing more than $2.5 billion in economic development to the
area.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
“Forty Two” (named for the 42nd
President), is the Center’s popular restaurant open Monday through Saturday for
lunch and afternoon snacks. It also
serves a exquisite Sunday Brunch. The
Clinton Museum Store is located<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
in a separate building adjacent
to the Center.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
While many museum in Little Rock
offer free admission, The Clinton Presidential Center<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
has a small admission fee. It is
open daily except major holidays. The internet offers considerable information
about the Center and other attractions in the Little Rock area.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> James Weaver </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Senior Travel Writer<br />GolfWiz Blog </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span></div>
<br />GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-76694612763659847612013-04-02T13:49:00.000-04:002013-04-02T13:49:52.741-04:00U.S. Open Returns to Merion for the Fifth Time.<br />
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<address style="text-align: center;">
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<address>
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<address>
The Merion Golf Club in Ardmore,
Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, will host the 2013 U.S. Open Golf Championship
June 13-16. It is the fifth Open to be held at Merion.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
The most recent Open here in
1981 was won by Australian, David Graham. The event will mark the Centennial of
the Marion Golf Club and a special exhibit “The Art of
Golf” is being presented at the Philadelphia Museum of Art</address>
<address>
<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
in its honor from March 16 to
July 7.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
No golf club in the nation has
hosted more USGA championships than Merion. The 2013 Open will be the 18th
national championship at the club.
Previously, the club has also been the site of the 1916, ‘24, ‘30, ‘66,
‘89 and 2005 Amateurs; the 1904, ‘09, ‘26, and 1949 U.S. Women's Amateurs; the
1998 U.S. Girls' Junior and the 1960 World Amateur Team Championships.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Designed by Hugh Wilson, Merion
Golf Club's East Course was opened in 1912. Its perhaps best known as the where
Bobby Jones won the 1930 U.S. Amateur to complete the “Grand Slam.” Hugh Wilson had never designed a golf course,
so he went on a seven-month trip to Scotland and England to study British
courses. Several features of Merion East are derived from famous British
courses, not the least of which are Merion's distinctive Scottish-style
bunkers, which are now known as the "white faces of Merion"<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Wilson's layout covers only 126
acres of land, a very small area for a golf course. It was ranked seventh in
Golf Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses" in 2005, and Jack
Nicklaus has said of Merion East, "Acre for acre, it may be the best test
of golf in the world."<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Bill Iredale, Merion's
championship committee chairman stated, "we feel that our East Course is a
very special venue, a classic golf course which, while lengthened some 400
yards to accommodate modern players and equipment, still retains the same shot
angles, bunkering and greens that challenged Bob Jones in 1930, Ben Hogan in
1950, Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus in 1971 and David Graham in 1981."<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Jim Hyler, chairman of the USGA
championship committee said, "we are pleased to bring a U.S. Open back to
an old friend in Merion. We have no doubt the East Course will provide a
sufficient challenge for the world's best players."<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
“The Art of Golf,” an exhibition
at the Philadelphia Museum of Art showcases “The Golfers,” a renowned
seven-foot wide 1847 painting by Scottish painter Charles Lees that is admired
by golfers worldwide. The exhibition
will feature portraits of golfers, a historic feather golf ball and antique
Scottish clubs, and highlights the art and sport of golf in Victorian Britain. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
An iconic painting, <i>The Golfers</i> (1847), by Scottish painter
Charles Lees (1800–1880), is the centerpiece of The Art of Golf exhibition
celebrating what has been called “a game of considerable passion” Modern golf’s
roots can be traced to the east coast of Scotland, where kings and commoners
have played the game since at least the fifteenth century. Lees’s monumental
painting (7 foot.wide by 4.25 foot. high) shows
fifty-four spectators clustered tightly around a two-ball foursome match
played on the links at St. Andrews. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<br /></address>
<address>
<br /></address>
<address>
James Weaver<br />Senior Travel Writer<br />GolfWiz Blog<br />jimweaver35@comcast.net </address>
<address>
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GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-44547686535841230752013-02-19T16:20:00.002-05:002013-02-19T16:22:31.131-05:00Rail Europe Is The Way To Travel For Americans Abroad <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><www .raileurope-world.com=""><o:p></o:p></www></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its reasonable to say that most
Americans have never ridden a train (discounting subways, amusement park rides,
and antique railroad attractions).
Unless you live somewhere that has rail service, you probably don’t even
think about trains. Cars and planes are how Americans get around. In Europe, however, most people get where
they need to go by train.<o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’re planning to visit
Europe, you need to<o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">seriously consider doing what
the Europeans do.<o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Riding the train in Europe is
simple, convenient,<o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">comfortable and
inexpensive. Trains are clean, fast, and
reliable (they arrive and depart on time).
In short, its the best way to get around.<o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My wife Barbara and I have
visited Switzerland<o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">four times and travel
extensively throughout the country and in northern Italy by train. We’ve also made five trips to Germany and
travel by train throughout that country.
<o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best of all, you can get your
tickets or rail pass<o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">before you leave home. Simply visit the Rail Europe website. It can help you reach thousands of European
destinations in the most enjoyable comfortable way – by train. With it you can
travel at high speed on its extensive network, which cover all major European
cities and countries. <o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rail Europe has access to over 11,000 routes (25.000
destinations) served by the major European train operators. Its so well connected it can help you reach
your destination easily and enjoy it even more.<o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some travelers enjoy getting to
know more than one country and the Eurail Select Pass allows you to visit
three, four or five bordering countries. The most popular countries visited
with the Eurail Select Pass are France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain,
which means you can see Paris, Berlin, Munich, Zurich, Geneva, Venice, Rome,
Cannes, Barcelona and Madrid in one amazing trip.<o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can push the boundaries with
its Eurail Global Pass and travel around 24 countries on our network. Wherever
you decide to go, it can help you with tips and guides about the destinations
you choose, just take a look on its website for information to help you on your
travels.<o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you arrive at the
international airport of any major European city, you’ll find a rail connection
in the ternimal building. Its an easy
and convenient way to get to where you want to go. Its better than by rental
car or taxi and less expensive. Rail
Europe can also book you a hotel and a city tour. In short, its the best way to visit
Europe. <o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you only speak and read
American English,<o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you might be concerned, but fear
not, service personnel on all the railroads speak your language and are
friendly and helpful. Signs, too, are often in English as well as the local
language. The universal language of numbers
-- Train #3456 (to your destination) departs at 10:00 AM on Track 8-- works
very well. <o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the best things about
train travel in Europe is that you’re doing what people do here<o:p></o:p></span></address>
<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and can experience another
aspect of local culture that many American travelers miss. Visit the Rail Europe website at
<www .raileurope-world.com=""> and learn how easy it is.</www></span><o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
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<address>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></address>
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<address style="text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Jim Weaver<br />GolfWiz Blog<br />Senior Travel Editor<br />EmaiL; jweaver35@comcast.net<o:p></o:p></address>
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GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-27920475769842672372013-02-19T16:07:00.002-05:002013-02-19T16:10:33.850-05:00Grand Central Station Celebrates 100 Years <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<h2>
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manhattan's Grand Central
Station Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary</span></span></h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lTblCpxJpn6aosC04zeXe0Et2oHxUA-4AxFIDk59oYRMjo-J3_wBNYQhlBBmCuh7z0g412WHd5cgL6GPxhgmatCHjxXIhtqe3pSJIkaUBlXFOZTCw4pyZZVUTRJ77-NR314cMX7wR5M/s1600/Grand_Central_Station_Outside_Night_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lTblCpxJpn6aosC04zeXe0Et2oHxUA-4AxFIDk59oYRMjo-J3_wBNYQhlBBmCuh7z0g412WHd5cgL6GPxhgmatCHjxXIhtqe3pSJIkaUBlXFOZTCw4pyZZVUTRJ77-NR314cMX7wR5M/s400/Grand_Central_Station_Outside_Night_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Central Station New York City, New York<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></em><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grand Central Station, one of the landmark buildings of New York City, is a century old this year.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More than 700.000 people pass through it each day with little or no thought of its history or importance, but it played a significant role in the city’s growth and expansion.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Railroads were a principle mode of transportation in the 19th Century and the early decades of the 20th moving both people and commerce enabling the growth of the city and nation.</span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> New York’s first rail service
was begun in 1831 and during the 1840s several additional lines were begun
adding a variety of terminals, depots, freight houses, and passenger stations
throughout the city. A haphazard network of railways resulted in noise,
pollution, traffic, and chronic accidents. By 1858, steam locomotives were
banned from much of the area and were no longer in service below 42nd Street. A
new terminal was needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1869, shipping
magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt purchased property between
42nd and 48th Streets, Lexington and Madison Avenue for construction of a new
rail yard and the first Grand Central. It cost $6.4 million and opened in
October 1871 serving three different railroad companies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it was nearly obsolete from the
beginning and had to be substantially enlarged in 1898.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The updated station featured a classical
facade, a unified 16,000 square foot waiting room, and distinctive
ornamentation including monumental cast-iron eagles with 13 foot wingspan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps most significant was its 650 foot
long train shed.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></em><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The age of steam locomotives (in
the city) was quickly drawing to a closed and following a catastrophic accident
in 1902 that killed 17 and injured 38 there was a public outcry for electric
powered trains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within months plans were
made to demolish the existing Grand Central Station and create a new double
level terminal for electric trains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was an expensive project ($80 million or roughly $2 billion
today).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took ten years to complete
and drastically changed the cityscape forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The former rail yards were paved over from 45th to 49th streets and
developers paid the New York Central Railroad for “air rights” to build on top
of the new tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And build they did,
including dozens of large apartment buildings, hotels, and corporate
headquarters along Park Avenue and adjoining streets. The new Grand Central
Terminal opened in 1913.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than
150,000 people came to see it on the first day.</span></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></em>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Fast forward five decades to 1967
when the building was threatened with demolition (it had already happened to
the city’s other railroad terminal Penn Station). A group of city leaders </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">were successful in preserving
the building an having it designated a national historic landmark in 1976.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two years later it won a case before the U.S.
Supreme Court sparing it from the wrecking ball.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></em><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> After decades of deferred
maintenance, the building was crumbling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The roof leaked, stonework was chipping away, structural steel was
rusted, pollution and dirt had stained surfaces, and commercial signs blocked
out natural light<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1883, Metro-North
took over operation of Grand Central Terminal, and soon after the railroad
began a systematic program of repairs and capital improvements, including a
$4.5 million project to replace the leaking roof and skylights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, people soon realized that what was
needed was a new terminal building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
1884, architects began working on plans and six years later construction
started.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></em><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Excavation was a huge job since
the rail yard had to be lowered an average of 30 feet below street level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In spite of the construction project, rail
service continued uninterrupted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trains
continued to use the old Grand Central, until it was razed in 1910. A temporary
station at Lexington and 43rd Street was used until 1912.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></em><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Forty years later, faced with
declining income and rising costs, i<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2pt;">n
1954<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>the owners resolved to make
the most of its assets, commissioning plans to demolish Grand Central Terminal
and replace it with a 6 million square foot office tower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing came of this plan, but in 1958 it
agreed to demolish the six-story office structure at the rear of the terminal
and replace it with the 59-story Pan Am Building which opened in 1963.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></em>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Fast forward thirty more
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1994, the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority gained long-term control of Grand Central Terminal in
the form of a 110-year lease from American Premier Underwriters, a successor to
the Penn Central Corporation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
comprehensive revitalization plan was begun in 1996 with the cleaning of the
main concourse Sky Ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
restoration and renovation continued, the project generated more than 2,000
construction and construction related jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The revitalization project culminated with a gala rededication celebration
in 1998.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></em>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Now, completely restored back to
it's 1913 splendor, Grand Central has become a midtown destination with five
exquisite restaurants and cocktail lounges, 35 casual international eateries in
the lower level Dining Concourse, gourmet foods from the Grand Central Market,
and 68 unique specialty shops throughout the concourses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this in addition to the trains.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span></em><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Birthday Grand Central.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Grand Central has become an
international example of a successful urban project that gave new life to an
historic building which otherwise would have been discarded and destroyed.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMsbByHeFg38TQmrGrn8LLFUZUpGBcr2vtI7_9yDRZ_hL8k-jm4O9KXDOQvgCXhZA6w_URJ8nUgakleZ-NEbTyrqae_e4xk0Ew5DiFvMMSRfdMBtb4PyHIx95GxzFhP2KZjFvR7yFE0s/s400/Grand_Central_Station_Main_Concourse.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Central Station Main Concourse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zu8UhTjT0Mjb3_dgv5oViKXr0O_-mcz_ZeSm_ApKVlCHY3_iUpglpGQX7IDV7lcWzczDpLHNRXTTGnkKQR91vJBcViz_J7rPuqNCEicaxMh3hCq_6QQmPnNwQASzuQW5hlymv-mzlFk/s400/Grand_Central+Food+Market.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Central Food Market </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zu8UhTjT0Mjb3_dgv5oViKXr0O_-mcz_ZeSm_ApKVlCHY3_iUpglpGQX7IDV7lcWzczDpLHNRXTTGnkKQR91vJBcViz_J7rPuqNCEicaxMh3hCq_6QQmPnNwQASzuQW5hlymv-mzlFk/s1600/Grand_Central+Food+Market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvuy1NCD24OTFwrW-9UQqNw7yUAa44WLoCGcrC4cFSUKERwnAh9sG8TBHtISQDG-x8nbKLXtyDhJf60AWBdoFvlB039P77dJB17hzSw7J92YqW03Ze2ks7O8-OvzucWcRbKtCbHy63zQ/s400/Grand+Central+Oyster+Bar+Restaurant.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Central Oyster Bar </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p>Jim Weaver<br />GolfWiz Blog<br />Senior Travel Editor </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Email: <a href="mailto:jweaver35@comcast.net">jweaver35@comcast.net</a></span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-42951823776917336842012-06-29T11:17:00.000-04:002012-07-11T11:18:10.984-04:00There’s Lots To Do in Southern Delaware, Rain or Shine<br />
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Best known for its great
beaches, Southern Delaware has a great history as well. So when its not a “beach day” there is a
wealth of great things to explore here. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;">Guestroom at Bellmoor Inn in Rehobeth.</span><br />
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<address>
Located where Delaware Bay meets
the Atlantic, it has a long and illustrious maritime history. Captain John
Smith of the Jamestown Colony in Virginia explored and mapped the rivers
Southern Delaware in 1608-09. Surveyors Mason and Dixon established the
southern boundary of Delaware in 1764, the line that separated North from South
during the Civil War. At the small stone marker you can stand with one foot in
Maryland and the other in Delaware. You
can also visit a marker in Lewes, where the Dutch first landed in Delaware in 1629. <o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The first state in the United
States (by virtue of being the first to sign the U.S. Constitution in 1783)
Delaware might never have been a separate state. Pennsylvania and Maryland both
wanted the land, but in the end because it had been first settled by the Dutch
it was granted separate statehood.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
For more modern attractions, you
can tour the historic Lightship “Overfalls” in Lewes. Coastal waters could be treacherous and ships
needed signal lights to guide them. Anchored lightships were used where light
houses could not be built. Only 17 lightships remain of the 179 commissioned
between 1820 and 1952. The Overfalls is one of very few open to the public.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
In Bethany Beach, you can tour
the Indian River Lifesaving Station built in 1876. When ships ran a ground on coastal sand bars
during storms and were sinking, the exceptionally brave men of the Lifesaving
Service came to their aid. Its a
fascinating story that is little known. <o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Nearby in Fenwick Island you’ll
find the Discover Sea Shipwreck Museum.
This free museum is located on the upper floor of a souvenir shop, but
don’t be fooled. Its an excellent museum
filled with millions of dollars worth of treasure and artifacts reclaimed from
dozens of sunken ships off the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean. Many of the ancient sunken ships were Spanish
vessels loaded with treasure from the “new world” headed back to Europe.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Even before the America entered
World War II, there was much concern that Germany would<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
attack our Atlantic coast. In
1941, the military began building massive coastal fortifications. Today, at Fort Miles Historic Area just north
of Lewes you can visit one of these facilities built to defend the Philadelphia
Ship Yards, oil refineries along the Delaware River, and Dupont chemical works
from attack. There is a massive
artillery piece here with a 12 inch bore. Originally there were two, plus a
number of smaller guns. The big guns
could fire a 275 pound payload up to 25 miles -- really big bang.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
A gun barrel from the U.S.S. Missouri
(the battleship where the peace treaty was signed ending the war with Japan)
has been acquired recently. The Missouri was the last American battleship ever
to be built and went into service in early 1945 just months before the treaty
signing. The gun barrel is 66 feet long
and has a 16 inch bore. It will be
placed on a (yet to be built) outdoor mount for public display at Fort
Miles. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Southern Delaware also has some
great food. At Luca Restaurant in
Millsboro they always use the freshest local ingredients in keeping with
Italian tradition of following the rhythm of the seasons. The daily features
are chosen from what is delivered fresh each morning. Its pasta and bread are made fresh daily.
Wines are hand picked by an Italian Master Sommelier, some specifically for
Luca. It is an Italian wine experience like no other. Located in a former bank
building, the vault at Luca has been converted to a private dining area that
can seat up to six guests.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The difference is in the extra
little touches at Nage Bistro in Rehoboth Beach. From the specially formulated
cocktails to the handcrafted garnish on the bistro's chef-created sandwiches,
entrees and desserts, everything is just a little bit better here. Its a great meal at a reasonable cost.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<span style="color: grey; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> </span></address>
<address>
The Bellmoor Inn & Spa
offers upscale lodging in Rehoboth Beach, with a variety of luxury hotel
features and special amenities. Its elegant, beachside accommodations are the
ideal lodging option for family vacations or romantic weekend getaways. Its centrally located near the best
attractions, beaches, museums, entertainment, shopping, and dining. The
Bellmoor the ideal hotel choice in Rehoboth Beach.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> </span></address>
<address>
Southern Delaware has an
abundance of ecotourism activities. There's everything from whale and dolphin
watching to beach combing, nature walks, photo opportunities, canoeing, and
bicycling. Part of the Atlantic Flyway, the area home to a variety of land and
sea birds. Other options include a
choice of great beaches, camping, nature trails, boating, and fishing including
surf, ocean, bay, and freshwater.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The cultural experiences are
numerous here, including a summer arts festival, a winery, art galleries,
dinner theater, historic train rides, outdoor performances by the ocean, and
sounds an annual Nanticoke Indian Powwow, which draws native Indians for tribal
dances from near and far.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
Order your free Visitor's Guide
at<a href="http://www.visitsoutherndelaware.com/" target="_blank"> www.visitsoutherndelaware.com</a> and begin enjoying Southern Delaware.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Photo Information ---<o:p></o:p></address>
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Recovered artifacts on view at
Shipwreck Museum.</span></div>
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<address>
<o:p> </o:p><span style="background-color: white;">Overfalls Lightship is open to public in Lewes.</span></address>
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<address>
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<address>
12” Gun from WWII is on exhibit
at Fort Miles<o:p></o:p></address>
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outside Lewes.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Lifeboat at Rescue Service Museum at Bethney Beach.
</address>
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<address>
<br /></address>
<address>
<span style="background-color: white;"> Bank Vault seating at LUCA
Restaurant.</span></address>
<address>
<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
James Weaver<br />GolfWiz Blog<br />
Senior Travel Editor<br />
<br />GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-40678308113715707972012-06-22T10:43:00.000-04:002012-07-11T10:43:49.149-04:00Golfing In Western Canada Offers Spectacular Views<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><br />
<br />
Some of the most scenic views in the world are in the Canadian Rocky <br />
Mountains. Resorts here have the very best, plus lots of great golf.<br />
See if you agree.<br />
<b><br />
<strong>15<sup>th</sup> Hole,
The Fairmont Banff Springs</strong></b>:<br />
This 479-yard par 4 is the original first hole of this historic course, <br />
nestled against its famed Waldhaus Restaurant and pub. <a href="http://billycaspergolf.wc08.net/t?r=2861&c=425835&l=11021&ctl=CBA712:D0091B6A1E434621CF4188B1ADDB5C5EEC9A5DC6C7D58FAE&" target="_blank">The view</a> <br />
from the elevated tee includes a distant view of the valley, edged by<br />
mountain cliffs and the Bow River</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><br />
<strong>18<sup>th</sup> Hole,
Stewart Creek Golf Club</strong>: <br />
The par-5, 520-yard finishing hole at Stewart Creek not only provides <br />
one last crack at making birdie it also saves the golf course's best <br />
view for last. The view may cause you to lose focus on the golf shot as <br />
it provides a panoramic view of the 18th green, #9 green and Hole #1 <br />
with Cascade mountain providing the back drop. Take a <a href="http://billycaspergolf.wc08.net/t?r=2861&c=425835&l=11021&ctl=CBA713:D0091B6A1E434621CF4188B1ADDB5C5EEC9A5DC6C7D58FAE&" target="_blank">virtual tour</a> <br />
of the hole via Stewart Creek’s website.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>10<sup>th</sup> Hole,
Canmore Golf & Curling Club:</strong><br />
The first and tenth holes are great opening holes running side by side,<br />
featuring a large bunker between the approach of both holes.<br />
<a href="http://billycaspergolf.wc08.net/t?r=2861&c=425835&l=11021&ctl=CBA714:D0091B6A1E434621CF4188B1ADDB5C5EEC9A5DC6C7D58FAE&" target="_blank">A 520-yard par-5 hole, the 10<sup>th</sup></a> is situated in
the valley between <br />
two towering mountain ranges.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>9th Hole, The Fairmont
Jasper Park Lodge: </strong>Known <br />
as Cleopatra, this voluptuous par 3 measures 231 yards from the back <br />
tees. Any of the tees have an incredible view from a high elevated tee,<br />
with a mesmerizing backdrop of Pyramid Mountain. Check out new <br />
<a href="http://billycaspergolf.wc08.net/t?r=2861&c=425835&l=11021&ctl=CBA715:D0091B6A1E434621CF4188B1ADDB5C5EEC9A5DC6C7D58FAE&" target="_blank">flyovers of the course</a> from The Fairmont Jasper Park
Lodge’s Website.<br />
<br />
<strong>4<sup>th</sup> Hole,
Mount Kidd Course: </strong>This <a href="http://billycaspergolf.wc08.net/t?r=2861&c=425835&l=11021&ctl=CBA716:D0091B6A1E434621CF4188B1ADDB5C5EEC9A5DC6C7D58FAE&" target="_blank">197-yard par-3 hole</a><br />
is Kananaskis Country’s most photographed hole. The backdrop to your <br />
tee shot is the impressive Mount Kidd to your left and directly in front<br />
is Mount Lorette, the namesake for the other 18 holes at Kananaskis. <br />
To the right of the tee is the crystal clear, fast flowing Kananaskis <br />
River and further right is the snow covered Mount Evan Thomas.<br />
<br />
<strong>18<sup>th</sup> Hole,
Silvertip Resort:</strong> The <br />
par-4 finishing hole sums up your Silvertip experience, with tees <br />
sitting at the highest point on the golf course. A dogleg-left <br />
orientation drops dramatically to the Timbers Clubhouse below, allowing <br />
both golfers and diners on the outdoor patio with a view of great golf <br />
shots, the breathless Bow Valley and towering peaks of the Rocky <br />
Mountains. An <a href="http://billycaspergolf.wc08.net/t?r=2861&c=425835&l=11021&ctl=CBA717:D0091B6A1E434621CF4188B1ADDB5C5EEC9A5DC6C7D58FAE&" target="_blank">online webcam</a> gives travelers a wide-angle view of <br />
the hole each day.<br />
<br />
Canadian Rockies Golf courses are easily accessible via Calgary <br />
International Airport, with service by most major air carriers.<br />
Learn more at <a href="http://billycaspergolf.wc08.net/t?r=2861&c=425835&l=11021&ctl=CBA711:D0091B6A1E434621CF4188B1ADDB5C5EEC9A5DC6C7D58FAE&" target="_blank" title="blocked::http://www.canadianrockiesgolf.ca/">www.canadianrockiesgolf.ca</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">By Jim Weaver</span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">GolfWiz Blog<br />Senior Travel Editor </span></span>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-25043056998417148882012-06-20T10:47:00.000-04:002012-07-11T10:57:25.219-04:00Berlin, Now 775 Years Old, Is An International Symbol For Peace and Unity<br />
<address>
I went to Berlin hoping to learn
how it has changed since the collapse of
Soviet controlled<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
East German government, the GDR,
in 1989.<span style="background-color: white;">While most visitors are simply
looking for the</span></address>
<address>
<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
tourist sites, I was looking for
something more.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Having visited Leipzig just days
earlier, I had seen St. Nicholas Church near the city center and learned of the
“Peaceful Revolution” of October 1989 inspired there. It resulted in nonviolent demonstrations in Leipzig, in
Berlin, and in other GDR cities and the collapse of the Soviet controlled
government. Berlin was a divided city
for nearly 30 years and the Berlin Wall (the "Wall of Shame"
according to former mayor Willy Brandt) had symbolized the "Iron
Curtain" that separated the city and Germany. Today, only a small section of the wall
remains and its a graffiti art gallery.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The Berlin Wall Memorial is a
stark reminder of the division of Germany.
Located next to the former border, there is a piece of the Berlin Wall
next to the infamous border strip and watchtower. The facility shows how the
border facilities were constructed and imparts to the visitor a lasting
impression of the nation’s tragic division.
The Reconciliation Church was located at this site. It was blown up in
1985, as it stood right on the no man’s land “death strip”. After the fall of
the Wall, a Chapel of Reconciliation was erected and opened in 2000. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
Victims of the Wall (more than
1,100) are regularly remembered during church services.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
There are also several other
“Wall Memorials” in the city. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The Memorial to the Murdered
Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial, is located near the
Brandenberg Gate. It consists of nearly
five acres covered with 2,711 concrete slabs or "stelae", arranged in
a grid pattern on a sloping field. According to the architect, the stelae are
designed to produce an uneasy, confusing atmosphere, and the whole sculpture
aims to represent a supposedly ordered system that has lost touch with human
reason. An underground information
center here has the names of all known Jewish Holocaust victims. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The Jewish Museum Berlin, one of
the finest (and most recognizable) examples of contemporary architecture in the
city, was designed by Daniel Libeskind.
He has called it “Between the Lines”, a title that reflects the tensions
of German-Jewish history. The permanent
collection extends over 2,000 years of German-Jewish history. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Every Berliner over 40 years of
age can remember the years when the city was divided<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
and the Soviet Union controlled
East Berlin and East Germany. The DDR
Museum (GDR in English) here recalls life as it was for millions of Germans
during the years of the Soviet regime.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
Visitors can see a furnished
apartment and a Soviet made car. The interactive exhibits demonstrate the many
pressures and limitations that made up everyday life under Soviet rule. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The Brandenburg Gate, erected
between 1788 and 1791, has been one of Berlin’s most important monuments for
over two hundred years. A former symbol of the divided city, it drew visitors
who would climb to an observation platform to glimpse of the world behind the
Iron Curtain which separated East from West Berlin, geographically and
politically.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
I asked my guide what Berliners
thought following reunification. “Initially everyone was very pleased,” he
said. “Later, some from East Berlin missed the old system where most all of
their needs were provided for, and some West Berliners complained strongly
about the high cost of rebuilding East Berlin and East Germany.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Berlin has 170 museums (Museum
Island in the Spree river alone is the site of five internationally significant
museums) which makes it an impossible challenge to visit all. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
However, American travelers will
no doubt appreciate The Kennedys Museum and The Ramones Museum. President Jack
Kennedy make a great impression on citizens when he visited here in 1963, at
the height of the Cold War, and made his famous quote “Ich bin ein Berliner.” The president and his family are remembered
at this museum. The Ramones were a punk
rock band from New York City. They had a
30 year career before retiring in 1996. The museum exhibits the impressive personal
collection of artifacts from a Berlin fan.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Berlin is blessed with some of
the world’s greatest architecture, both classic and contemporary. One could spend weeks just <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
exploring architectural
gems. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The baroque-style Hohenzollern
Palace, once the seat of German government was a landmark in the city since the
15th century, when the Prussian royal family began construction, until 1950,
when the GDR decided the war-ruined palace was a reminder of a decadent old
world and destroyed its remains. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
In 1976, The Palast der Republik
was built. It housed not just the East German parliament (largely a ceremonial
body) but also a bowling alley, a disco, and other public space. In 1993, it
was torn down because it was riddled with asbestos, but critics argue that
asbestos problems in West Berlin were solved without demolishing buildings.
They believe a remnant of Cold-War politics was behind its demolition and the
neo-Hohenzollern palace construction project now in the works.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The question is when it might be
finished. The due date is 2013, but its budget still has to make up an 80 million
Euro shortfall in private (corporate) donations -- and 32 million Euro from the
city of Berlin, which was deeply in debt even before the current financial
crisis hit. For now the "Schlossplatz," or palace square, is empty,
and not all of Berlin will mind if it stays that way.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
I had hoped to see the new
Berlin International Airport scheduled to open in June 2012, however, here to,
construction delays have pushed the opening back a full year. A good reason to return in 2013. Berlin is a fascinating city and I hope to
see more.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
If you’re traveling to Berlin,
you should consider staying at Indigo Hotel, a new boutique hotel<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
well located in the old East
Berlin <a href="http://www.hotelindigoberlin.com/">www.hotelindigoberlin.com</a> . Owned by the same folks who own
Holiday Inn, it is very comfortable and has an excellent restaurant. When
planning your trip view <a href="http://www.visitberlin.de/en">www.visitberlin.de/en</a> and <a href="http://www.germany.travel.com/">www.germany.travel.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisp2Nu13lbSKjpGTm2zKHgEiFmYTbyyMVDPNAMtBY4UnSiUSv7GLwG3ivPc0CQmUGtOcd-1_mmU8hYTQu0Xd-icXXjL8B59P0Td4fUDzMsrWp_4BZKIE7YGqDQyY9tcYqSMqVrsq8Zur0/s1600/1065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisp2Nu13lbSKjpGTm2zKHgEiFmYTbyyMVDPNAMtBY4UnSiUSv7GLwG3ivPc0CQmUGtOcd-1_mmU8hYTQu0Xd-icXXjL8B59P0Td4fUDzMsrWp_4BZKIE7YGqDQyY9tcYqSMqVrsq8Zur0/s320/1065.jpg" width="320" /></i></a></div>
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<i><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The DDR Museum remembers life in Berlin as it was under Soviet control from 1945 to 1990.</span>
</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzRPexvgXng3daqQ4mV6uDi5tpdfCvTqDkW0gQYk_SfswMY79IGA_Relo11cq_IWR4gVzxo9Ge6Zk5mlQK76lh9aOrMyNFhyphenhyphenJLP3nWeQRCYKJoghsmfswChPy9inuP0v0U6D43GDxuPA/s1600/Berlin+Wall+and+No+Man's+Land.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzRPexvgXng3daqQ4mV6uDi5tpdfCvTqDkW0gQYk_SfswMY79IGA_Relo11cq_IWR4gVzxo9Ge6Zk5mlQK76lh9aOrMyNFhyphenhyphenJLP3nWeQRCYKJoghsmfswChPy9inuP0v0U6D43GDxuPA/s320/Berlin+Wall+and+No+Man's+Land.jpg" width="320" /></i></a></div>
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</div>
<address style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
The Berlin Wall and “No Man’s Land” strip (looking into East Berlin) as it was before the fall of the GDR regime.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<o:p> </o:p></address>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hkmQx2bK3z0XYFm1ts8WS-_mIqD0XMcAZTKXaFcRXQCxeqJvSZ4S_sH4Q5DPt7kOB94t1Zsakc_kDNR08dhoeODG920hWrGBAgihlP4DhdI8D2xYTx57gueckosMrSOUeC75X-NaByY/s1600/Brandenberg+Gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hkmQx2bK3z0XYFm1ts8WS-_mIqD0XMcAZTKXaFcRXQCxeqJvSZ4S_sH4Q5DPt7kOB94t1Zsakc_kDNR08dhoeODG920hWrGBAgihlP4DhdI8D2xYTx57gueckosMrSOUeC75X-NaByY/s320/Brandenberg+Gate.jpg" width="320" /></i></a></div>
<br />
<i> <span style="background-color: white;">Brandenberg Gate was the dividing line between East and West Berlin for nearly 30 years.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O4eWWdOSrhp5-ijXoPF3cmhh13Tot1XVZzLwymoKCBvc8YwLohA_g2MTaGWRf8ii-RxOrsEjiV-qZ3WFBcraOU3dxn9mUKD4pap00s3yNwtimHmpz1CBh6CDdsnCiD1TuiFVjmx1XGk/s1600/Holocaust+Memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O4eWWdOSrhp5-ijXoPF3cmhh13Tot1XVZzLwymoKCBvc8YwLohA_g2MTaGWRf8ii-RxOrsEjiV-qZ3WFBcraOU3dxn9mUKD4pap00s3yNwtimHmpz1CBh6CDdsnCiD1TuiFVjmx1XGk/s320/Holocaust+Memorial.jpg" width="320" /></i></a></div>
<i> <span style="background-color: white;">Holocaust Memorial remembers the millions of European Jews who died under Nazi rule.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uQeDjFQUIqRdZDiq5ekXAJuafkQtkBsN21YBkpyh_6cM8uJxwG7obrqjFa-ZsmBeaQisXQ6oRlAGrTpcqaEQe-C0QVWdviGeKrnGIkHIiFjiUsGksWDlqkqmyH6tlK84jD2bX1wWiBQ/s1600/In+1989+Berliners+Demonstrate+againist+Wall+and+GDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uQeDjFQUIqRdZDiq5ekXAJuafkQtkBsN21YBkpyh_6cM8uJxwG7obrqjFa-ZsmBeaQisXQ6oRlAGrTpcqaEQe-C0QVWdviGeKrnGIkHIiFjiUsGksWDlqkqmyH6tlK84jD2bX1wWiBQ/s320/In+1989+Berliners+Demonstrate+againist+Wall+and+GDR.jpg" width="320" /></i></a></div>
<i> <span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">In 1989 Berliners demonstrate against the Wall and help bring down the Soviet backed government.</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktKAddBFJYIbZzCJVaknQf9zS8ckKT1iaEXE2DWe9JdzvxaWp8Uk7lhP8po9PGMwKHd7I_lDuEfqV_eGTCoglx2t00HTm4yyp7KUu44U0hWoZdH-FUfLIBzd0HmF2FnsUNI0Hw1Ze8Lw/s1600/Olympic+Stadum+Nazi+built+in+1936+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktKAddBFJYIbZzCJVaknQf9zS8ckKT1iaEXE2DWe9JdzvxaWp8Uk7lhP8po9PGMwKHd7I_lDuEfqV_eGTCoglx2t00HTm4yyp7KUu44U0hWoZdH-FUfLIBzd0HmF2FnsUNI0Hw1Ze8Lw/s320/Olympic+Stadum+Nazi+built+in+1936+.jpg" width="320" /></i></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Olympic Stadium built by the Nazi government
for the 1936 Games now fully restored was the site of the World Cup Soccer
Championships in 2010.</i></span></div>
<address>
<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<br /></address>
<address>
<o:p><br /></o:p></address>
<address>
James Weaver<br />GolfWiz Blog<br />Senior Travel Editor</address>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-91847766349972946182012-04-12T13:01:00.001-04:002012-04-12T13:01:17.292-04:00TIger Woods Announces Upcoming Schedule<h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTFAOvvrNo7rl6YBNHUbowNVE0ox7bFFJ0Cnvi5v8TE5_y4l-Jk" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTFAOvvrNo7rl6YBNHUbowNVE0ox7bFFJ0Cnvi5v8TE5_y4l-Jk" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Tiger Woods<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;">, after his disappointing play in the Masters, will make his next appearance May 3-6 in the </span>Wells Fargo Championship<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;"> at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, the tournament announced Wednesday.</span></span></h2>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-86810182918555711032012-04-12T12:53:00.001-04:002012-04-12T12:55:43.664-04:00Tiger Woods And His Actions At The 2012 Masters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkHkGBto77fgrlyVE0g41Bc02M-ife0lD2NMno_hlXNDCsyi_OKg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkHkGBto77fgrlyVE0g41Bc02M-ife0lD2NMno_hlXNDCsyi_OKg" /></a></div>
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<span class="left">In follow-up to the Masters golf tournament was my appearance on ESPN Outside The Lines (April 9, 2012 at 3:00 EST). I received lots of feedback. It's always good to hear the thoughts and opinions of others.</span><br />
<br />
<strong>One Viewer emailed me to say: </strong>“So are you going to just defend Tiger no matter how immature he acts? Seems pretty racist to me. Bet if he wasn't African American you'd agree with everyone else who thinks he's a disgrace now.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">
<strong>My response:</strong> Calling Tiger a "disgrace" is a bit too much in my opinion. His actions were not in the spirit and tradition of the game and he should have been able to maintain his composure regardless of how he was playing. But he didn't and he deserves to be chastised and called on it.</div>
<div align="left" class="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">
But what I feel is disgraceful is the double standard some fans have with Tiger Woods. They love the fiery competitive attitude and energy he brings to the game, but they criticize any and every slip-up or mistake he makes.</div>
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Let's not forget who makes the needle move in the world of golf. Like it or not, Tiger Woods is the face of professional golf regardless of how he is playing. Four shots ahead, or seven shots back, the cameras and fans want to watch Tiger play. He makes money for everyone in the game.</div>
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<div align="left" class="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">
Due to the fact that he is so popular the cameras and microphones are always on him and they seem to capture his every move: good and bad. I am 100% sure that if other touring pros had the same exposure you would see some slammed clubs and hear some off-color comments when they hit poor shots too. But who cares about the guys who aren't in contention?</div>
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Henrik Stenson slammed his club and dropped a few choice words during the Masters this year after hitting a poor shot on the 18th hole Friday, but where is the article about him being a disgrace to the game? I guess when the Henrik Stenson 2013 golf game is released we might read something about that incident. But hold on; He doesn't have a video game named after him.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="left" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">
Your comment about me being a racist is almost laughable. I write and say what I believe in my heart and regardless of the color of the person I am commenting on. I keep it as real as possible. You, if you think I have this undying devotion to Tiger because I am Black, remember Tiger refused to say he was Black, and not everyone in the Black community loves him. I realize that may come as a shock to you. But, yes, some Black people don't like Tiger Woods.</div>
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When you use the word disgrace remember players like Tommy Bolt—the famous club thrower— and John Daly who not only disgraced the game but himself, countless times on and off the course. I work with words and I choose them wisely. If Tiger Woods is such a disgrace to the game, do us all a favor and don't watch him play anymore.</div>
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Let me know your thoughts on this. Fine me at <a href="http://www.edwanambwa.com/" style="color: blue; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">www.EdWanambwa.com </a>or friend me on Facebook.<br />
<br />
Edward S. Wanambwa</div>
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<br /></div>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-53205498322390379302012-04-12T12:38:00.004-04:002012-04-12T12:38:47.648-04:00Stonington, Maine: A Vacation Away From The Tourist Crowds<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa4GeKfoZ7M46P40wdLEWEbbUwO5l_fCuQvzEPcG1EVHfomte-3vtSJ_oTe0-jQprXSfjafNzM02bk-cjpI1yLiHwwDxxqlvMoDEyoxmqED96C2zGngTsXYMqWUMGfH3Nte6XfVQ4asA/s1600/Stonington+Harbor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa4GeKfoZ7M46P40wdLEWEbbUwO5l_fCuQvzEPcG1EVHfomte-3vtSJ_oTe0-jQprXSfjafNzM02bk-cjpI1yLiHwwDxxqlvMoDEyoxmqED96C2zGngTsXYMqWUMGfH3Nte6XfVQ4asA/s320/Stonington+Harbor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">My wife and I first discovered
Deer Isle, Maine,</span><span style="font-family: Times-Roman, serif;">about twenty five years ago.</span><span style="font-family: Times-Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times-Roman, serif;">I had friends who recommended it and we were
interested in experiencing the “real” Maine, not the “tourist” Maine.</span><span style="font-family: Times-Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times-Roman, serif;">We drove most of two days from Philadelphia
staying overnight along the way.</span><span style="font-family: Times-Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times-Roman, serif;">When we
reached Portland, we thought we were almost there. When we reached Elsworth, we
were certain it was close by, but it was still an hour’s drive before we
crossed the high green bridge to the island and another 30 minutes before we
reached Stonington the largest community at the southern most tip of Deer Isle.
You might say it’s “off the beaten path.”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAHNsk9Tvgrw_1PTPLp6G8CN-dp7HOZCIc8voCLUZ-QViw05bKZMp9VMG-LsiRmJQoOqY0WBNmxx7CTWTs_d08KLB_2RJQOwEWERqUDKPbWzRf1av8CF_XyxUIezTozAIjCIF-Q1ki9g/s1600/Deer+Isie+Shoreline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAHNsk9Tvgrw_1PTPLp6G8CN-dp7HOZCIc8voCLUZ-QViw05bKZMp9VMG-LsiRmJQoOqY0WBNmxx7CTWTs_d08KLB_2RJQOwEWERqUDKPbWzRf1av8CF_XyxUIezTozAIjCIF-Q1ki9g/s320/Deer+Isie+Shoreline.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">Nevertheless, Stonington is a
charming little town with much to offer visitors and permanent residents. Deer
Isle is home to 2,500 people year-round and the number more than doubles in the
summer. The 28 mile-long island was once
a major center for quarrying granite (some is still done) and many of New York
City’s early skyscrapers and the Brooklyn Bridge are of stone from Deer
Isle. Lobster fishing is now the main
business here and like much of rural Maine people often have more than one job. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">Stonington’s block long main
street, next to the harbor, has a food market at one end and the century old
Opera House at the other (now an arts center and movie theater). There are a couple of restaurants, a hardware
store, several art galleries, an antique shop, two small motels, and a real
estate office. Summer rentals are big on
the island. Our favorite restaurant is Fisherman’s Friend where they serve a
delicious lobster stew. Lots of lobster
without all the work. Its wild blueberry
pie is the best I’ve ever eaten. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">But its hard to beat Eaton’s Pier
at the north end of Little Deer Isle (there are actually two islands connected
by a twisting causeway). They unload
some of the lobster catch from boats here and will boil them for you in 50 gallon
steel barrels with propane burners. You
eat them at wooden picnic tables on the dock.
There are no fancy tools to help you get to the lobster meat, just some
grapefruit size rocks to crack the shells. A roll of paper towels helps keep
you neat. Nothing fancy, just great taste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlZbHRfNCLtAuWcIIe4Mb9AnGiuu53Dof15L0Rte83s9aLiwYURO9WRBWjekgWBe5ri8dkchKR7yd7uZKdTh6jPDPQF6WaAKWRwUgyw7m_pyRZPv9hjve-362lTyeyYcYTcF1rqPPQaw/s1600/Maine+Lobsters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlZbHRfNCLtAuWcIIe4Mb9AnGiuu53Dof15L0Rte83s9aLiwYURO9WRBWjekgWBe5ri8dkchKR7yd7uZKdTh6jPDPQF6WaAKWRwUgyw7m_pyRZPv9hjve-362lTyeyYcYTcF1rqPPQaw/s320/Maine+Lobsters.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">Every Christmas we buy fresh pine
wreaths (handmade by Deer Isle women) for family and friends from Harbor Farm,
a lovely retail business on the island.
See <a href="http://www.harborfarm.com/">www. harborfarm.com</a> Also see Nervous Nellie’s Jams & Jellies at <a href="http://www.nervousnellies.com/">www.nervousnellies.com</a> and help support the local economy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">We were on Deer Isle over the
July 4th and got to see the holiday parade at the island’s other<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">little community Deer
IsleVillage. It’s less than half the
size of Stonington and has two streets each about a block long. The parade begins at the fire house and
marches to the point where the streets intersect and makes a left turn. In
another hundred yards, it turns around and heads back to the fire house. You
see the whole parade twice, but don’t be late for its over in about ten
minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">The parade “Band” a ragtag group
of various musical instruments and ages does not march, but sits at
intersection of the two streets so the music can be heard the full length of
the march. There were fire trucks, kids with decorated bikes, scout troops, and
old veterans. The Haystack School of
Crafts here attracts artists from across the country each summer and they
always take part in the parade. This
year a dozen artists were dressed as giant misquotes in handmade costumes. It was a big summer for pesky insects and the
small crowd of spectators laughed and cheered loudly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">Haystack is one of the treasures
on Deer Isle. Although its only open to
the public for its<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">craft auctions, which occur in
the evenings near the end of each two week workshop session, its well worth
visiting. Fine crafts (in various craft media) from workshop participants and
faculty are auctioned off to benefit the scholarship program. There are many excellent bargains to be had
by craft enthusiasts and lots of fun for all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">Back in Stonington, a popular
activity is taking the mail boat to Isle of Haut, a few miles away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">A portion of the Isle is now part
of Arcadia National Park and great for nature walks, bird watching, and
hiking. There’s a lovely inn on the
island where you can enjoy a delicious meal, but don’t miss the mail boat back
to Stonington or you’ll be an overnight guest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">There is golfing near Stonington
at the Island Country Club. Rental clubs
are available at this<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">nine hole, 2,400 yard, par 34
course, open to the public. Stay on the
fairway, however, since the rough is pretty much impossible to navigate. Tee times are first come, first served.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">Near Fisherman’s Friend
Restaurant is a sandlotball field where locals of all ages play<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">ball. After dinner one evening we watched a pickup
game of young kids (both boys and girls of various ages and skill levels, who
shared ball gloves playing field) who were too few for full teams. It was a delightful throwback to the past and
a reminder of my own youth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">Deer Isle has a new high school
and each Spring graduating seniors (about two dozen) paint the first names of
their classmates on foot long pieces of wood and nail them to the telephone
poles along the road into town. No need
for last names, everyone here knows who they are. Its like that in Stonington, Maine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times-Roman;">Learn more at
<a href="http://www.dearisle.com/">www.dearisle.com</a> and
<a href="http://www.stoningtonmaine.com/">www.stoningtonmaine.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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James Weaver<br />GolfWiz Blog<br />Senior Travel Editor </div>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-7226389081678983392012-04-12T12:31:00.002-04:002012-04-12T12:31:25.390-04:00Quebec City: A Little Bit of Paris in Nearby Canada<br />
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<address>
No place in Canada (or North
America) is more like Europe than Quebec City, Quebec. While French is the official language, nearly
everyone is bilingual and American`` English is widely spoken. Both languages are taught in the
schools. But its more than just
language, its the culture -- the architecture, the gardens and fountains, the
public art, the hospitality, the charm, and the food (especially the
food). Like Paris, there are small cafes
and bistros that offer tasty croissants and other fine pastries. Virtually
every one has tables on the sidewalks where you can sit and enjoy your espresso
while you observe the passing scene.
Very Parisian.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IPhaPb1UYPUe3zsqJp9hmS6giJrFk26__ubL-7ssE8xmf_J9WfBhJsW2feuRl-Q4p9zl_7W-SYsczbUpd5Bvbb6TN9EUeAp1fY_ljL8e3um0kwr0_Oj7IraUcgD_ASAgI2EuPsPYTRU/s1600/Old+City+Street+Scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IPhaPb1UYPUe3zsqJp9hmS6giJrFk26__ubL-7ssE8xmf_J9WfBhJsW2feuRl-Q4p9zl_7W-SYsczbUpd5Bvbb6TN9EUeAp1fY_ljL8e3um0kwr0_Oj7IraUcgD_ASAgI2EuPsPYTRU/s320/Old+City+Street+Scene.jpg" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
We were fortunate to have the
opportunity to dine at one of the city’s leading French bistro restaurants l’Echaude <a href="http://www.echaude.com/en">www.echaude.com/en</a> Our
opening course was a wild mushroom soup followed by entrees of calves liver and
duck confit. The food and service were
both suburb. It was raining when we left,
but fortunately our hotel the Auberge St. Pierre <a href="http://www.auberge.qc.ca/en">www.auberge.qc.ca/en</a> was only steps away. A fine
establishment in the European tradition with a great location, we enjoyed our
stay. <o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
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The business center of the Old
City is a very walkable area and has numerous art galleries, antique shops,
fashion boutiques, book stores, jewelers, chocolatiers, and other welcoming
shops. Near the center is a impressive bronze statue of Samuel de Champlain
(1567-1635), "The Father of New France", a French navigator,
cartographer, soldier, and explorer. He founded New France and Quebec City on
July 3, 1608 (12 years before the Plymouth Colony and a year after the first
Jamestown Settlement). Nearby, there’s a
colorful three story high mural on the exterior wall of a building that depicts
the history of Quebec from its founding to modern times.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
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The city is built on two
levels. The Old City, the place most
visited by tourists, is below a high
cliff and closest to the river. There are seven stairways to the Upper City and
an annual contest where runners race up and down all seven. Fortunately, there is also a tramway
connecting the two sections of the city and several streets.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjle1kGrfQALsyF_JbCAOx1qHfMtT9szqde4y_l-eR2v-MeMWLJoV7d96yCIENCYJebwvLw2eBEDAIpSEJUWPk-wZAb83uDlFZ5LstIunKXAioQGXmTiME68RA4qSLtH77L-7jUrcc9BLA/s1600/QC+Skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjle1kGrfQALsyF_JbCAOx1qHfMtT9szqde4y_l-eR2v-MeMWLJoV7d96yCIENCYJebwvLw2eBEDAIpSEJUWPk-wZAb83uDlFZ5LstIunKXAioQGXmTiME68RA4qSLtH77L-7jUrcc9BLA/s320/QC+Skyline.jpg" width="320" /></a>The British tried to oust the
French from Quebec in 1690 but failed.
When the envoys delivered the terms of surrender, the Governor General famously
rebuffed the British declaring "I have no reply to make to your general
other than from the mouth of my cannons and muskets." However, the British return in 1759, and
following a three month sedge, defeated the French in 15 minutes in surprise
attack at the famous Battle of the Plains of Abraham. It lead to the creation
of Canada. You can visit the
battlefield, now a beautiful park. In
1775, American colonial troops (under the command of Benedict Arnold) tried to
drive the British out, but they too were defeated.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Quebec City is the Provincial
Capital, the seat of government for Quebec.
The impressive Parliament Building was completed in 1886. Its Second
Empire architectural style was popular for prestigious buildings at the time
both in Europe and America. It resembles Philadelphia City Hall somewhat,
another Second Empire building. In front
of the building is a beautiful fountain, reminiscent of Paris, donated to the
city by a local department store owner a decade ago. Across the front of the building are a number
of bronze statures of prominent Quebec leaders from the past. Throughout the city there are many fine examples
of public art (think Paris).<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The Fairmont Le Chateau
Frontenac is a luxury hotel in the Upper City that dominates the skyline. It
was one of a series of "chateau" style hotels built for the Canadian
Pacific Railway to encourage luxury tourism and attract wealthy travelers to
its trains. The hotel is near the Dufferin Terrace, a walkway along the edge of
the cliff, offering extraordinary views of the Saint Lawrence River.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkB9lAikgCQ-cJGBl-FvJil6okXqqKrFkXJscpC-PZjLAR8j9adlfENl8U4PYl9l14kSbzS_j6SABu9QBvKnTt7hTFgz39L1349tkl3u9uEh9vrzpyXOY7zk12pKQqiZzC-D4HikfD4s/s1600/Old_Quebec_Bistro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkB9lAikgCQ-cJGBl-FvJil6okXqqKrFkXJscpC-PZjLAR8j9adlfENl8U4PYl9l14kSbzS_j6SABu9QBvKnTt7hTFgz39L1349tkl3u9uEh9vrzpyXOY7zk12pKQqiZzC-D4HikfD4s/s320/Old_Quebec_Bistro.jpg" width="320" /></a>A major attraction, just east of
the city, are the Monmorency Falls. The
falls are 275 feet high (98 feet higher than Niagara Falls) and 150 feet
wide. They are located at the mouth of the Montmorency River where
it drops over a cliff and enters the Saint Lawrence River opposite Orleans
Island. The falls were named for Henri Montmorency, who served as viceroy
(governor) of New France from 1620 until 1625.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
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There are staircases that allow
visitors to view the falls from several different vantage points. A suspension
bridge over the crest of falls provides access to both sides as well as a
spectacular view. There is also an aerial tram that carries passengers between
the base and the top of the falls. Each summer an international fireworks
competition is held here with the falls as a backdrop. In the winter, mist from the falls freezes
creating spectacular piles of ice that<o:p></o:p></address>
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a few adventurous people scale
for sport.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Orleans Island, located between
two channels of the Saint Lawrence River east of the city was the site of the
first settlements. The island retained
its traditional rural way of life until 1935, when construction was completed
on the two lane bridge connecting it to the mainland. In spite of this, the
island has maintained its pastoral image and historic character, with more than
600 buildings classified or recognized as heritage properties. In 1970, the
entire island was designated a National Historic District. Today the island is
a mix of year-round and vacation homes and farms. It is a popular destination
for day trippers and bicyclists.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
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Orleans Island, known as the
"Garden of Quebec", is still an essentially rural place famous
locally for its produce, especially strawberries, apples, potatoes and wine.
Sugar maple outlets offer maple syrup and other sweet products. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
We visited the Bilodeau Apple
Orchard and enjoy its delicious sparking “ice cider” made from apples frozen
before they are picked. The island
attracts more than 600,000 visitors each year to its numerous bed-and-breakfast
inns, regional cuisine restaurants, roadside fruit stands, art galleries and
craft shops.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
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For further information on
Quebec City view<o:p></o:p></address>
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<a href="http://www.quebucregion.com/">www.quebucregion.com</a><o:p></o:p></address>
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<address>
James Weaver<br />GolfWiz Blog<br />Senior Travel Editor </address>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-42648901217525842172012-04-12T12:24:00.001-04:002012-04-12T12:24:09.214-04:00A Spring Getaway In The City of Brotherly Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTw1jRIyNP1Pml3xvyY3DyAfHvutBY342W17QwegTbIAuPaRSGBbi32NWaCeYc_zPYRvKBaKiLsvxw_MbXEJBxeVQdI1yHLkz8CnhPwlSRhXgXdW20cn8zVjXfcp2UsQkAytHwcQjqd4/s1600/Kimmel+Center+Home+of+Phiiladelphia+)Orchestra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTw1jRIyNP1Pml3xvyY3DyAfHvutBY342W17QwegTbIAuPaRSGBbi32NWaCeYc_zPYRvKBaKiLsvxw_MbXEJBxeVQdI1yHLkz8CnhPwlSRhXgXdW20cn8zVjXfcp2UsQkAytHwcQjqd4/s320/Kimmel+Center+Home+of+Phiiladelphia+)Orchestra.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<address>
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<address>
Although I lived in Philadelphia
for more than half my life, I moved away a few years ago to a retirement
community. Fortunately, I’m still close
enough that several times a year my wife Barbara and I get back to visit. Coming back to the city now as a “tourist”
has become<o:p></o:p></address>
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a delightful experience.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
On a recent trip, we visited the
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (America’s first art school founded in 1805)
for the opening of a spectacular new exhibit “Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern
Spirit” which runs here through April 15th before traveling to Cincinnati and
Houston.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
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Tanner was a Pennsylvania
Academy graduate<o:p></o:p></address>
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(1865) and the first African
American to receive international acclaim as an artist. However, because of racial bigotry in America
he was forced to move to Paris to pursue his career abroad.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The exhibit features over 100
Tanner works, some of which have never been shown in the United States. One of my favorite paintings<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
is “The Banjo Lesson” (1896)
which depicts an old black man teaching his grandson to play the banjo. From
the Hampton University Art Museum collection, it is one of the first painting<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdvqxlj7bxkoizHokFCqdeiob4DqhgbWlnx_oaE3G4zp32hl5eMUJwtcu6O34yDmUZPa84_3YHMgLVHmR2njj7jHV1eExTyC500LdBcMN6CB59Dk0QN34BjZA0cl7UZjLzyy9Ls3lc10/s1600/1902+Painting+of+Henry+Ossawa+Tanner+by+his+trecher+Thomas+Eakins+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdvqxlj7bxkoizHokFCqdeiob4DqhgbWlnx_oaE3G4zp32hl5eMUJwtcu6O34yDmUZPa84_3YHMgLVHmR2njj7jHV1eExTyC500LdBcMN6CB59Dk0QN34BjZA0cl7UZjLzyy9Ls3lc10/s320/1902+Painting+of+Henry+Ossawa+Tanner+by+his+trecher+Thomas+Eakins+.jpg" width="258" /></a>by any artist to show African
Americans in other than a serving role. <o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Outside the Academy on the new
Lenfest Plaza<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
there is a fascinating new
sculpture by American artist Claes Oldenburg.
The 18 foot tall “Paint Torch” with orange paint blob at its base
depicts<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
a giant upright paintbrush which
become a lighted torch at night.
Oldenburg’s famous “Clothespin” sculpture is located near Philadelphia
City Hall. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
At the Philadelphia Museum of
Art currently is an exhibit featuring of works Vincent Van Gogh.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
Titled “Van Gogh: Up Close” it
will run<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
through May 5th. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Nearby on the Benjamin Franklin
Parkway the new Barnes Museum is set to open on May 19th. It will feature the
Dr. Albert C. Barnes Collection including masterworks of the world’s great
Impressionist and Postimpressionist artists.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
After a delicious lunch at the
Pennsylvania Academy’s cafe (in the school’s architectural treasure, the Frank
Furness Building), we went shopping at the old John Wannamaker’s. Although its
now a Macy’s, it stills retains much of the charm of years gone by when it was
the city’s leading department store. The
large bronze sculpture of the eagle is still located at the center of the first
floor grand court. “Meet me at the
Eagle” was once a phrase every Philadelphian knew.<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Looking upwards from there you
encounter the world’s largest (confirmed on the web) pipe organ. The Wannamaker
Organ is still played twice a day, Monday through Saturday, more often at the
Christmas season, and for special concerts.
Christmas brings an amazing light show in the space in front of the organ
pipes. Go to YouTube online and search
Philadelphia Opera Company’s “Hallelujah” Random Act of Culture (held in the
Wannamaker Grand Court). <o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Several decades ago I attended a
national convention held at the Warwick Hotel<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
(now the Raddison Warwick) just
off Philadelphia’s upscale Rittenhouse Square.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
It was a pleasure to return here
and to see how its been improved without losing
its beauty and charm. Because it is a
historic property, muchhas remained as I recalled it,
but much is also new and most attractive.
It was wonderful to have valet parking at the front entrance and a
fabulous breakfast at Tavern 17 (for 17th Street). I loved the Egyptian cotton sheets and 42
inch HD/TV and the service was both timely and courteous. Learn more online at <a href="http://www.radisson.com/philadelphia-hotel">www.radisson.com/philadelphia-hotel</a></address>
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<o:p></o:p></address>
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<o:p> </o:p></address>
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<address>
After a delicious dinner at a
nearby restaurant (there are about 60 restaurants within easy walking distance
of the Warwick), we caught a cab to the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall for a
concert by the highly esteemed Philadelphia Orchestra. Artistic Director Designate Yannak<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
Nezet-Seguin conducted a program
of Bach’s Brandenberg Concerto #5 and Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. It was a thrilling performance in all
respects by one of the world’s leading orchestras. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
I can hardly wait for Spring and
the Philadelphia Flower Show, the Philadelphia Antiques Show, and the opening
of the new Barnes Museum. To learn more
about this great city and upcoming events view <a href="http://www.philadelphiausa.travel/">www.philadelphiausa.travel</a> and <a href="http://www.philly.com/">www.visitphilly.com </a> <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p><br /></o:p></address>
<address>
James Weaver<br />GolfWiz Blog </address>
<address>
Senior Travel Editor </address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-50659520119403526642012-04-12T12:15:00.004-04:002012-04-12T12:15:41.131-04:00Northern Ireland’s Royal Portrush Golf Club Is Site of 2012 Irish Open<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iJDMpZtxOlEtNJB-tDI2m36oa2rOv5uEhJKUyz8EYUYnUpLlLYWHda1GmvWZQSiQl51GvidTuFZoXzXhvP9MBbVIr5uUrAeYfttXaVBrwpCJoNaSLUe8PzqR0IR0RQOk-1BOyHXfCp4/s1600/view4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iJDMpZtxOlEtNJB-tDI2m36oa2rOv5uEhJKUyz8EYUYnUpLlLYWHda1GmvWZQSiQl51GvidTuFZoXzXhvP9MBbVIr5uUrAeYfttXaVBrwpCJoNaSLUe8PzqR0IR0RQOk-1BOyHXfCp4/s1600/view4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
The 2012 Irish Open Championship
will take place at Royal Portrush Golf Club June 28 to July 1. Northern Ireland's most famous club, <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
Royal Portrush is home to two
links courses. Dunluce Links is widely hailed as one of the best layouts in the
world. In 1951, the golf course became famous for being the only course outside
of Great Britain to host the British Open Championship. It is named after the
nearby 13th century Dunluce Castle that is perched above the course overlooking
the pounding waves of the Atlantic. The golf course has challenging rough areas
and tricky greens that will test even the best golfers. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
The Valley Links golf course is
slightly shorter than the more famous Dunluce, making it a bit less demanding
but it is a challenge no less. Valley lies between the East Strand, a popular
beach for surfing, and Dunluce. The aptly named golf course plays through huge
sandy hills that are situated along the Atlantic. <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
Many top golfers have portrayed
Royal Portrush Golf Club as one of the most challenging golf courses in the
world. It is a testing course, requiring skill and concentration, but set in
one of the most scenic parts of Europe.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_ZAnbhVFSe2oWfAPXlo8e6M-5K2HwKtFt4nv9cUG62nSHm-HSt-AtgvYrG_PDVRaLP7NPBL5t0xslndBEGmgf3_QfIsXM-1ONxNkWThVhfAfBYO2rCU_r1hTQbrean9aFoXnPuIMIpQ/s1600/rhn_tcm26-60690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_ZAnbhVFSe2oWfAPXlo8e6M-5K2HwKtFt4nv9cUG62nSHm-HSt-AtgvYrG_PDVRaLP7NPBL5t0xslndBEGmgf3_QfIsXM-1ONxNkWThVhfAfBYO2rCU_r1hTQbrean9aFoXnPuIMIpQ/s320/rhn_tcm26-60690.jpg" width="148" /></a>In 2002, Royal Portrush was
voted 14th in "The World's Top 100 Golf Courses" by US Golf Magazine.
The survey is compiled by an international panel of 100 golfers, journalists,
architects and industry figures looking at each courses' strategic integrity,
how well a course tests the full range of golf skills and its rhythm of design,
location, ambiance, conditioning, tradition and visual appeal.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
As befits a golf course of such
quality, Royal Portrush Golf Club has hosted many major events over the years.
The Irish Amateur Championships were inaugurated here in 1892, while the first
professional event on Irish soil was also hosted at Portrush in 1895. In the
same year the first Ladies Championships were held. From the exclusive group of
clubs so honored, only one has been located outside Scotland or England, when
Royal Portrush Golf Club hosted the British Open Championship.<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
For more information on the
Irish Open, see <o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<a href="http://www.royalportrushgolfclub.com/">www.royalportrushgolfclub.com</a><o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<br /><br />Jim Weaver<br />GolfWiz Blog </address>
<address>
Senior Travel Editor </address>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-72888182711097826762012-04-12T12:10:00.004-04:002012-04-12T12:11:08.923-04:00Hershey Golf at it's best<br />
<address>
Hershey, Pennsylvania, is home
to HERCO, the Hershey Chocolate Company, known world over for its choclate
candy products. It’s also known for its outstanding golf
courses. Milton S. Hershey, founder of
the company and of the community of Hershey.
He envisioned a chocolate enterprise whose profits would enrich the
community, providing a finer and fuller life to the people connected with it.</address>
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<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
“In 1930, he founded Hershey
Country Club, giving up the first floor in his High Point Mansion to serve as
the Clubhouse. Since then, sporting excellence has been the key, attracting
legendary golf heroes and players of all levels.”<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsW3XuPijQRkPzbnJE3nVzCTy9SFVL_ZIvoHJ1s38u-fRhlcmXE21oPfRndlC5i-d4gXxFQ2RhtUdDYIt8PuDu1tVBo3ahxiO9GpdNamnhX0ZQUEsswpYn1YhcEtA-9q-3pbT_5Mlcc0A/s1600/east_index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsW3XuPijQRkPzbnJE3nVzCTy9SFVL_ZIvoHJ1s38u-fRhlcmXE21oPfRndlC5i-d4gXxFQ2RhtUdDYIt8PuDu1tVBo3ahxiO9GpdNamnhX0ZQUEsswpYn1YhcEtA-9q-3pbT_5Mlcc0A/s320/east_index.jpg" width="320" /></a>“Known for impeccably maintained
greens and the natural beauty of its rolling fairways, with rich history on
every hole, Hershey remains a golf favorite for players, as well as those who
prefer the sidelines. Host to prestigious national events, including the 1940
PGA Championship and the LPGA Tour’s Lady Keystone In its 82-year history, Hershey Country Club
has attracted the game’s top players including Ben Hogan, Henry Picard, Byron
Nelson, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Jim Furyk, and Nancy Lopez.”<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
“In a legendary setting, which
golf icons Ben Hogan and Henry Picard once called home, the tradition and
challenge of championship golf remains at the heart of the Hershey Resorts golf
experience. Four unique and distinctive courses combine to form the Hershey
Golf Collection, offering top-notch service and amenities to guests of Hershey
Resorts and the public.”<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
“Whether guests choose the
prestigious East Course or West Course at historic Hershey Country Club or the
challenging Hershey Links, each layout is distinctive and rewarding in its own
right. This trio is complemented by the family-friendly Spring Creek Golf
Course, an exceptionally well-crafted nine-hole course that was designed for
kids, but is just plain fun for everyone.”<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-pP1LwhbNEZKe0DFdRvcY4PNWwIG-aZSCV2dkXo3xRjQ7VuyYjcdDowZ_e4PysOCDBsVkbMbhVg0qS4g4GhI1uT1dx4NHuBWfJAW0hbfYpFaRoGemfng6ha7LP4HEkQEus70PPWYiaw/s1600/sc_index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-pP1LwhbNEZKe0DFdRvcY4PNWwIG-aZSCV2dkXo3xRjQ7VuyYjcdDowZ_e4PysOCDBsVkbMbhVg0qS4g4GhI1uT1dx4NHuBWfJAW0hbfYpFaRoGemfng6ha7LP4HEkQEus70PPWYiaw/s320/sc_index.jpg" width="320" /></a>“The West Course at Hershey
Country Club<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
was designed by Maurice McCarthy
in 1930 - a classic example of a traditional American-style layout. It hosted
the 1940 PGA Championship, with the legendary Byron Nelson taking home the
Wanamaker Trophy.”<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
“Designer George Fazio captured
the natural beauty of Central Pennsylvania's countryside when he designed the
East Course at Hershey Country Club, which opened in 1969. It was home to the
Reese's Cup Classic from 1997 to 2004.”<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
“The land now occupied by
Hershey Links began as a 175-acre cattle and pig farm. A links-style course, it opened its front
nine officially on August 3, 2003. Since 2005, Hershey Links has been owned by
the Hershey Trust Company; it has been managed by Hershey Entertainment &
Resorts since November 2007.”<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
“Spring Creek was the nation's
first public golf course created for players under age 18. Scottish golf course
architect Maurice McCarthy designed the original nine-hole course for Milton S.
Hershey while working on the famed West Course at Hershey Country Club.
Originally called the “Juvenile Golf Club,” the course allowed youngsters to
golf for a green fee of 35 cents for nine holes when it opened in 1932.”<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
“In 1969 the name was changed to
highlight Spring Creek, the water hazard that repeatedly confronts players. In
2006 Tom Clark oversaw a course renovation that included three new hole
designs, restoration of six existing holes, a tee-through-green irrigation
system, turf grass replacement throughout the course, and the addition of 220
playing yards.”<o:p></o:p></address>
<address>
<o:p> </o:p></address>
<address>
To learn more about the golfing
opportunitiesat Hershey, Pennsylvania, view <a href="http://www.hersheygolfcollection.com/">www.hersheygolfcollection.com</a></address>
<address>
<o:p></o:p></address>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-22404544675302849252012-01-17T15:10:00.002-05:002012-01-17T15:14:43.067-05:00Here are the GolfWiz Blog predictions for 2012:<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><ol><br /><li>Tiger Woods will win the Masters: Tiger finally broke through in 2011 and he will continue his winning ways in 2012. I predict four wins including the 2012 Masters in April.</li><br /><br /><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Lexi Thompson will not only contend on the LPGA Tour this year but she will win: Thompson is a rising star and her stellar play will continue in 2012. Yani Tseng will have a new challenger.</span><br /></li><br /><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Lee Westwood will finally breakthrough and win a major this year: He has proven he has the game and consistency to play on the big stage and in 2012 he will finally hoist a championship trophy. </span></li><br /><br /><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span">The Young Guns of golf will continue to shoot it out this year on the PGA and LPGA Tour: The rising crop of young players on both tours will make some serious noise this year. There is far too much talent out there for them not claim some tour wins in 2012.</span></li><br /><br /><br /><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span">U.S. wins the Ryder Cup: With the Ryder Cup being played on U.S. soil and the reemergence of Tiger Woods the U.S. team will pull a stunner and win the 2012 Ryder Cup 16 1/2 to 12 1/2. </span></li></ol></div>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-15183855853551539512012-01-13T14:40:00.005-05:002012-01-17T15:07:38.369-05:00Is Tiger Woods Back?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacE7zX9oWbQegGWWZO7f-_fDo_3hw0ICmPfZ8Kc9f4kgLG62z1NSg5-Ersf5Q84YKtyxaQiOWwP5pDbxraTvyYJliTlAxCEvGWUGKK0vBplnZ-MPhOO4WleHZq_7gobNhFpKk3Ph7OJs/s1600/woods9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698694844884428114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacE7zX9oWbQegGWWZO7f-_fDo_3hw0ICmPfZ8Kc9f4kgLG62z1NSg5-Ersf5Q84YKtyxaQiOWwP5pDbxraTvyYJliTlAxCEvGWUGKK0vBplnZ-MPhOO4WleHZq_7gobNhFpKk3Ph7OJs/s320/woods9.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px" class="s4"><span class="s3">The number one question on the minds of golf fans around the globe in 2012 is: Has Tiger Woods returned to his winning ways? I wish I had the answer to that question but like most golf writers I can only speculate.</span><span class="s3"><br /></p></span><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px" class="s4"><span class="s3">Woods broke a 270 day slump by winning the Chevron World Challenge in December in dramatic fashion. Coming down the stretch he birdied the 17th and 18th holes to edge Zach Johnson out by a shot. His win was not only a major win for Woods but it was a shot in the arm for the golf world as a whole. Let's face it golf needs Tiger Woods. </span><br /></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px" class="s4"></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px" class="s4"><span class="s3">In his absence golf was that also ran sport on television right behind professional bowling and beach volleyball. Rating dropped and there was little or no buzz about golf in general. During Tigers' absence no one really stepped up and grabbed the spotlight. I agree Woods left some huge shoes to fill, but no single player dominated golf in the manner Tiger did in the past. Granted there were some great individual performances in 2011, but nothing to duplicate the accomplishments of Tiger Woods.</span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px" class="s4"><span class="s3">I know I sound like a die hard Tiger Woods fan and in many ways I am. However I love the game of golf a lot more than any single player and I feel like Tiger Woods embodies what the game of golf is all about. His tenacity and drive to win in unparalleled in his sport. Woods has set a standard that is so difficult to attain that he may never reach it again himself. In 2011, we saw Woods struggle with his game and his life. the world saw a man who seemed lost on the golf course. It seemed as though Tiger didn't know who Tiger Woods was. But in typical Tiger Woods fashion he kept grinding and found the winniner circle at the end of the year.</span><br /></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px" class="s4"></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px" class="s4"><span class="s3">What does 2012 have in store for the world former # 1 player? Will he regain his form and dominate the game he once ruled with a iron fist or was his year ending win a mere fluke? Only time will tell. As the 2012 Masters nears all eyes will be on the well- manicure grounds of Augusta National to see if Tiger Woods will win his fifth green jacket and once again become the Tiger we all knew and sometimes loved.</span></p>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-17490542197627933132011-12-04T18:24:00.003-05:002011-12-04T18:26:50.104-05:00Woods Wins Chevron !!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682418606196319298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbSY5GSjPckdlmE7DE_XUtmbFkKfp2JjDJhqwN6YiV5g8NH_acJNK4KVy6Mlw3dP25V1wHd-L6S3ECBfj-c2a9u6mG2W7ZDcgdcY5dJsyWj4UaiaktLhCqrBQR9Pxw62p2diWLveRMZQ/s320/woods2_1000_2.jpg" /><br /><br /><div>Tiger Woods ended his 2 year drought with a win today at the Chevron World Challenge. Woods birdied the 17th and 18th holes to edge Zach Johnson. </div>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-33292299552871864532011-11-26T09:09:00.002-05:002011-11-26T09:17:07.914-05:00Sweet Spot Golf Holiday Sale !<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCWwH78JYO9-Qk9BhkvK6gW_G_QVuE65ZebPYukV8oucEbVjwJcZs-lICgyEQGw3gxKuJOA_iff4XlKd35wZMNstk37kqArOgdj0pzaNtYLoOjz20d0NLMHSe6uSyonuNHUMFwXmcFBw/s1600/logo.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 84px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679306759965129458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCWwH78JYO9-Qk9BhkvK6gW_G_QVuE65ZebPYukV8oucEbVjwJcZs-lICgyEQGw3gxKuJOA_iff4XlKd35wZMNstk37kqArOgdj0pzaNtYLoOjz20d0NLMHSe6uSyonuNHUMFwXmcFBw/s320/logo.png" /></a><br /><br /><div>Sweet Spot Golf is having a huge holiday sale today Nov 26 2011. Please stop by the Sweet Spot Retail Location at </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>2075 West Park Place Blvd </div><br /><div>Suite A </div><br /><div>Stone Mountain, GA 30087</div><br /><div>Hours: 9am - 4pm</div><br /><div>Phone: 678-418-8561</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-28949416087931847632011-11-11T09:36:00.001-05:002011-11-11T09:37:41.952-05:00Tiger Woods wows Aussie crowd en route to a 67 and Australian Open lead<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkQYuN0M_3_h49eS6ImKzS0Yfind6UXaPKIjKSasg7rs3Cr8ermOTHHsks4BHrKiOOXKCpSn7SbRI5zw1UimFnseFzt6PuNkRb4vO21sApqCvHNrekYQeXfI7VsTBnpwb-hCtD2LdUFY/s1600/tiger-r2-hayes_337.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673747386833387810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkQYuN0M_3_h49eS6ImKzS0Yfind6UXaPKIjKSasg7rs3Cr8ermOTHHsks4BHrKiOOXKCpSn7SbRI5zw1UimFnseFzt6PuNkRb4vO21sApqCvHNrekYQeXfI7VsTBnpwb-hCtD2LdUFY/s320/tiger-r2-hayes_337.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/tiger-woods-wows-aussie-crowd-en-route-67-and-australian-open-lead#.Tr0y-JLHB8s.blogger">Tiger Woods wows Aussie crowd en route to a 67 and Australian Open lead</a></div>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-15986674588441584562011-11-07T11:56:00.004-05:002011-11-07T12:01:03.440-05:00Thanksgiving Day is “Turkey Day” for most Americans<div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgVr1xTvRw0FmyaOO19keAQJe0fnye0W7cGmZHF1y-GEoxZO6gVokHdd_D6cV88LO2pNEbDR9WXNcjPSTHEEoNy3I2D3euyRyVlDPkiBzbQmMC7M7Y-lWPxEb1BEkjqZag-zmPls3RBI/s1600/Male+Wild+Turkey.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 264px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672299257508885314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgVr1xTvRw0FmyaOO19keAQJe0fnye0W7cGmZHF1y-GEoxZO6gVokHdd_D6cV88LO2pNEbDR9WXNcjPSTHEEoNy3I2D3euyRyVlDPkiBzbQmMC7M7Y-lWPxEb1BEkjqZag-zmPls3RBI/s320/Male+Wild+Turkey.jpg" /></a> Had founding father Ben Franklin had his way the Wild Turkey, not the Bald Eagle, might have been our national emblem. While it is the domestic turkey that graces the Thanksgiving dinner table throughout the nation, its the wild bird that commands our attention.<br /><br />With his awesome fanlike tail, colorful bald head, long beak, and 3,500 feathers, the mature male “gobbler” or “tom” is a sight to behold. This is one impressive bird. When he is “courting” his hens, he knows how to strut and warble. Quite the ladies man. The wild turkey was once plentiful throughout the country, but over hunting and loss of habitat caused a serious decline in population and in the early decades of the 20th century the birds were nearing extinction. Conservation efforts have successfully saved the wild turkey and today there are more than seven million birds in the North America. They are now hunted in all states except Alaska, and in parts of Canada and Mexico. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihewOHGDi7Lm9AfyNI6N6SWFYIFnQ9hjn1W3Up35VBksJ6I9gozliVBwhOuYxzCsnyi3T1tq6cRHNID9wvW2cV9ikyZoJw_MjxaQlMmqYCu1t0Agfrc5C_6G6kUHTiheT0RMGadcFAJRU/s1600/NWTF+Headquarters.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672299354349232002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihewOHGDi7Lm9AfyNI6N6SWFYIFnQ9hjn1W3Up35VBksJ6I9gozliVBwhOuYxzCsnyi3T1tq6cRHNID9wvW2cV9ikyZoJw_MjxaQlMmqYCu1t0Agfrc5C_6G6kUHTiheT0RMGadcFAJRU/s320/NWTF+Headquarters.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Long before European settlers arrived in the Americas, Native Americans enjoyed abundant populations of wild turkeys, and hunted the birds for food. At least 4,000 years ago, these early Americans created calls from turkey wing bones to help them bring turkeys in close enough range to kill.<br /><br />The National Wild Turkey Foundation (NWTF), headquartered in Edgefield, South Carolina,<br />is the leader in wildlife habitat conservation in North America. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage. Since 1985, the National Wild Turkey Federation's volunteers and partners have spent more than $372 million on projects to help wildlife agencies trap and relocate turkeys to areas of suitable habitat and improve the health of our nation's forests and woodlands.<br /><br />The Winchester Museum, located at the NWTF headquarters, is the only museum in the world dedicated to the restoration, management and hunting of the wild turkey. The amazing comeback story of the American wild turkey unfolds through exciting displays in the modern 7,200-square-foot museum, which welcomes more than 10,000 visitors annually.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6YUoNSMMN2-QReKw3w2G_jtBnRbIU4jaVQy3wpfIg-CIrWm2nMritGFDey13uo8cNiNMG5vcOxnsphW8d-IctKydXQvQtAsWscU3p9sbOEZp6zEmfHnFGTWjeiNputwz-K-NJlqgH0M/s1600/Toms+%2526+Hens.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672299662370807970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6YUoNSMMN2-QReKw3w2G_jtBnRbIU4jaVQy3wpfIg-CIrWm2nMritGFDey13uo8cNiNMG5vcOxnsphW8d-IctKydXQvQtAsWscU3p9sbOEZp6zEmfHnFGTWjeiNputwz-K-NJlqgH0M/s320/Toms+%2526+Hens.jpg" /></a><br />The museum features an animated, lifelike storyteller who sits in a rocking chair and tells stories about the history of the NWTF, turkey hunting and conservation. Also featured is an animated Cherokee Indian, who shares legends and stories about wild turkeys. An exciting video highlights America's largest resident game bird and the conservation methods and people who have lifted the wild turkey from the brink of extinction to populations in the millions.<br /><br />According to the United States Department of Agriculture, more than 45 million domesticated turkeys are cooked and eaten in America each Thanksgiving. In 2010, more than 242 million turkeys were raised with an average live weight per bird of 28 pounds with nearly 6 billion pounds of turkey processed.<br /><br />All turkeys have great hearing, but no external ears. They can also see in color, and have excellent visual acuity and a wide field of vision (about 270 degrees), which makes sneaking up on them difficult. Domestic turkeys cannot fly, but Wild Turkeys can fly for short distances at speeds up to 55 miles per hour. They can also reach speeds of 25 miles per hour on the ground.<br />Don’t try to catch one.<br /><br />To learn more about Wild Turkeys visit the NWTF website at <a href="http://www.nwtf.org/">http://www.nwtf.org/</a>. Travelers in South Carolina will want to plan a visit the the Winchester Museum at the NWTF headquarters in Edgefield. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Jim Weaver<br />GolfWiz Blog<br />Sr. Travel Writer<br /></div></div>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-9960916774446376422011-10-10T15:58:00.008-04:002011-10-10T16:15:50.929-04:00Crystal Springs Golf Resort, Sussex County, New Jersey<div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNjGkwmBHAgCsiDtluKk5U9rORrgZA9A0MZPcE0f9pPshgtqz0lQNkJXfjb0q5AsK96eR5fyKd2UsMLgGHIL6wSsJLnnW7L-2MNN0nyJFKm2aTKQKJMMHANNF9dlkhiL58hezFzpl0j8/s1600/GCL_front.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661956694647105250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNjGkwmBHAgCsiDtluKk5U9rORrgZA9A0MZPcE0f9pPshgtqz0lQNkJXfjb0q5AsK96eR5fyKd2UsMLgGHIL6wSsJLnnW7L-2MNN0nyJFKm2aTKQKJMMHANNF9dlkhiL58hezFzpl0j8/s320/GCL_front.jpg" /></a> I truly never knew New Jersey had mountains. While there are miles of beaches and scores of casinos to be seen and enjoyed, you need to know where to look to find the mountains. In the very northwestern corner of the state just east of the Delaware Water Gap in Sussex County are the Kittatinny Mountains, and best of all they’re only an hour from New York City and Liberty International (Newark) Airport. While these mountains are not the Alps or even the Rockies, they are nevertheless quite beautiful and offer a variety of great recreational opportunities year round.<br /><br />Located in a pristine mountain valley just outside Hamburg, NJ, Crystal Springs Golf Resort offers outstanding vacation and weekend getaway opportunities for couples, families,<br />and golfers looking for a variety of world class courses. Crystal Spring boasts seven championship golf courses, unmatched by any other New Jersey resort including Ballyowen, Black Bear, the new Cascades, Crystal Springs, Great Gorge, Minerals and Wild Turkey all located within a 5-mile radius and open to resort guest and the general public.<br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuKrFMpftCL4p-YVR7kftiL1wLaGMl0GHsq0Arqxe2D5DXWx3HKNQ7eXl1r7bg2WJRo22HuoJs5ETCILkGtv24RRgmen9ojahqSbuUFlQKu0zDCI75OBcgCCMnTdLr58YF708SjbAloU/s1600/RmDeckDining.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661957860560945330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuKrFMpftCL4p-YVR7kftiL1wLaGMl0GHsq0Arqxe2D5DXWx3HKNQ7eXl1r7bg2WJRo22HuoJs5ETCILkGtv24RRgmen9ojahqSbuUFlQKu0zDCI75OBcgCCMnTdLr58YF708SjbAloU/s320/RmDeckDining.JPG" /></a><br />Ballyowen Golf Club was just named as one of the Top 50 Public Courses in the U.S. by Conde Nast's GolfWorld Magazine. More than 21,000 individual golf courses were evaluated based on thirteen different performance criteria, including quality and condition of the course, reputation/prestige, food/dining, and service.<br /><br />Boasting a 6,673-yard layout co-designed by famed developer Jack Kurlander and PGA “Golf Instructor of the Year” David Glenz, the nearby Black Bear course offers players an inviting diversity of terrain, scenery, and shot selections.<br /><br />Cascades is the newest golf course at Crystal Springs Resort. Nationally renowned golf course architect Roger Rulewich, of The Golf Group was responsible for the course’s design -- his third at Crystal Springs Resort. Measuring just 3,627 yards, the course’s design stresses playability.<br /><br />Crystal Springs Golf Club is recognized as one of the finest golf facilities in the northeastern United States. When it opened in 1992, it was rated among the top 25 new golf courses in America by Golf Digest Magazine. Year after year, Crystal Springs ranks among Golf Digest’s top 10 list for public golf courses in New Jersey.<br /><br />Crystal Springs is also considered the most challenging course layout in New Jersey. Despite measuring just over 6,800 yards from the championship tees, the distinct character of the club can be attributed to designer Robert von Hagge of Houston, Texas, one of the leading golf course architects in the United States.<br /><br />Great Gorge Country Club is a golfer’s paradise. The George Fazio designed, 27 hole complex was given four stars by Golf Digest. It offers a truly exceptional challenge for golfers of all skill levels. Great Gorge is composed of three separate and distinct nine-hole courses:<br /><br />The Minerals Golf Club is designed for great family fun. Known locally as the best 9-hole golf course in the region, its Robert Trent Jones-designed layout is perfect for every member of the family. Advanced players can be challenged on a spectacular mountainside layout measuring over 2,305 yards, while younger players have their own tees way ahead of mom and dad.<br /><br />Wild Turkey is the Crystal Spring Resort’s second Roger Rulewich design, following Ballyowen. Located next to Crystal Springs Golf Club, Wild Turkey’s features two distinct terrain types combine the sheer expansiveness of Ballyowen with the rugged, multileveled nature of Crystal Springs.<br /><br />The resort features two luxury hotels -- the Minerals Resort & Spa featuring 175 spacious and elegantly appointed guest rooms, as well as condominiums, and the Grand Cascades Lodge<br />offering 250 outstanding 4-star Adirondack style accommodations and world-class amenities.<br /><br />After a rewarding day of golf, resort guests can head to the spa. Crystal Springs features two award-winning spas - Reflections Spa and Elements Spa. They were recently ranked among the top 20 Spas in America featuring mineral-based treatments and therapies.<br /><br />Crystal Spring has twelve different restaurants, cafes, and bistros, serving a variety of delicious food. Restaurant Latour, at the Grand Cascades Lodge, is the resort’s premiere restaurant. It is known for its fine cuisine, outstanding selection of wines, and impeccable service. Its 64,000 bottle wine cellar (one of the world’s largest), winner of Wine Spectator's Grand Award, is available for tours and group tastings. Latour offers a truly memorable dining experience in every respect. You can even watch a colorful sunset beyond the distant mountain tops while you enjoy your superb dinner.<br /><br />To learn more view <a href="http://www.crystalgolfresort.com/">http://www.crystalgolfresort.com/</a> </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq4gWLgm9HNfMg09BBgcae2t1_fbZWu6uQe6ZO0BQKPrkG7ihni19IGoG0FvCmYfWfCQQ7vsB8R-Awa-ClIwYkNo9NdJFqH6EERV349AReKW8dqFjALUtwic-sMslLVr3Hcd229pWyxk/s1600/WT1%252618.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 154px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661959372109044994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq4gWLgm9HNfMg09BBgcae2t1_fbZWu6uQe6ZO0BQKPrkG7ihni19IGoG0FvCmYfWfCQQ7vsB8R-Awa-ClIwYkNo9NdJFqH6EERV349AReKW8dqFjALUtwic-sMslLVr3Hcd229pWyxk/s320/WT1%252618.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>James Weaver<br />Sr. Travel Writer<br />GolfWiz Blog </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-23103715310407981102011-10-10T13:24:00.000-04:002011-10-10T13:24:13.427-04:00PGA Tour Confidential: Tiger's return at the Frys.com Open - Tours & News - Golf.comTour Feedback on Tiger Woods and his return at the Fry.com Open.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,2096438,00.html#.TpMqD26fJfk.blogger">PGA Tour Confidential: Tiger's return at the Frys.com Open - Tours & News - Golf.com</a>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354401366368026389.post-39178445519732974892011-10-06T18:40:00.006-04:002011-10-06T18:45:32.500-04:00Great Golf and Horse Racing In Hot Springs, Arkansas<div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCR1hIPxnv_K3k622pRQmSzQ6vpK8W-fpgYf-0WRaAYc3Fk9z1cUr90U6PaZmxUIZSGmdrkgGsMmgs_o9K0xVvVYMrlOC41YNEhCph7wBWXeLPw3weQpijegX2fbuM2uPXSYSkzn2Uzz4/s1600/HSCC+Clubhouse.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660513164695699314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCR1hIPxnv_K3k622pRQmSzQ6vpK8W-fpgYf-0WRaAYc3Fk9z1cUr90U6PaZmxUIZSGmdrkgGsMmgs_o9K0xVvVYMrlOC41YNEhCph7wBWXeLPw3weQpijegX2fbuM2uPXSYSkzn2Uzz4/s320/HSCC+Clubhouse.jpg" /></a> Hot Springs, Arkansas, became America’s first resort city (in the mid-nineteenth century) because of the natural thermal springs that provide warm water for its healthful and soothing baths. But tourists can only spend a part of each day “taking the waters,” so it was not long before other diversions began to take root. Golf had become a popular sport in America and the Hot Springs Country Club was established in 1898 as a semiprivate Club offering membership privileges to the local residents, as well as providing golfing opportunities for the out-of-town<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bQTWArTaPME9EDAf6lW7CNxIbpfj9ZftmdLadGyi4gtxnQ6iRvAOJTudRBMbj9wje0QFXkPRfwCTClPnIkSY5_MF6C7Fj4gev18RDVURXuePNy5Rk_3iGY-nGgdMiW897nbYraFEpvY/s1600/Oaklawn+Racing.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 142px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660513411567885778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bQTWArTaPME9EDAf6lW7CNxIbpfj9ZftmdLadGyi4gtxnQ6iRvAOJTudRBMbj9wje0QFXkPRfwCTClPnIkSY5_MF6C7Fj4gev18RDVURXuePNy5Rk_3iGY-nGgdMiW897nbYraFEpvY/s320/Oaklawn+Racing.jpg" /></a> visitors.<br /><br />Nestled in the Ouachita foothills and surrounded by neighboring lakes and national parks, the Hot Springs Country Club continues to operate with those same Southern traditions of service. With 36 holes of golf available, the Club offers a wide variety of golfing experiences. The Arlington course has recently been reworked and restored by Master's Champion Ben Crenshaw, with Bentgrass greens and a restoration of its original classic design. Steep and narrow Bermuda fairways through rolling hills make this course a true challenge for any golfer.<br /><br />The Park course, a bit more open than the Arlington, offers its own sandy and watery challenges. It also was recently renovated by Coore and Crenshaw. It is a little longer than its sister course at 6,836 yards and also offers new Bentgrass greens for year-round play.<br /><br />Located only three and a half miles from downtown Hot Springs on Highway 7 north, Belvedere Golf Club (a public course) is an inviting destination for golfers at all levels of play.<br /><br />Its a beautiful and scenic 18-hole championship golf course spread over 135 acres surrounded by the Ouachita Mountain range, neighboring lakes and the national park. Belvedere has bent grass greens and Bermuda fairway. Designed by Herman Hackbarth in 1949, it remains one of Arkansas top ten courses. Hackbarth designed more than 40 courses and was voted i<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pGalkDi0LvKw338COnMz6dPUDz0zlHb-z74GiyArskTsPaXTAVrjiRG0MhJ-y79m2ZIPz3JVHjv_fG-PQYQe7QzItui2JPYK1aZkVOYxT6SKOOV9XfmxCwmhyphenhyphen8MP-LkCNt-BDZ2wVr8/s1600/Hot+Springs+Country+Club.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 234px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660513289645817282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pGalkDi0LvKw338COnMz6dPUDz0zlHb-z74GiyArskTsPaXTAVrjiRG0MhJ-y79m2ZIPz3JVHjv_fG-PQYQe7QzItui2JPYK1aZkVOYxT6SKOOV9XfmxCwmhyphenhyphen8MP-LkCNt-BDZ2wVr8/s320/Hot+Springs+Country+Club.jpg" /></a>nto the ASGA Hall of Fame in 1994.<br /><br />Belvedere Golf Club is open six days a week with a restaurant grill and full service bar. A driving range is provided, along with a putting green and electric golf carts. There are golf packages available at several hotels in the Hot Springs area.<br /><br />Golfing was not enough of a diversion and horse racing (and wagering) came to Hot Springs early in the new century, On February 24, 1905, Oaklawn Race Course presented its first racing card before a crowd of 3,000 that turned out after Hot Springs Mayor John Belding declared a half-day holiday for the city. The first race at the new track was won by Duelist, owned by John W. Schorr, a prominent Memphis sportsman. Since then, Oaklawn has evolved into one of the premier race meets in the country.<br /><br />Best known as the home of the Racing Festival of the South and Arkansas Derby, the track has played host to some of the biggest names in the sport including champions Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Lookin At Lucky, Blind Luck and Zenyatta who won the 2010 Apple Blossom Handicap and Horse of the Year honors. Winners of the Arkansas Derby (for three year olds) regularly go on to compete at the Kentucky Derby and other Triple Crown races, The Oaklawn racing season extends from mid-January to mid-April with the Arkansas Derby the final race of the season.<br /><br />Today Oaklawn also offers wagering on television simulcasts of races around country and a casino with electronic slots and table games. Its open daily year round. </div><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660513557825783682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSgeJfZD4zIbCKynP-vWXUYQtPlmzVvdiE0R0K69nkeWRt3F9qjcOkyUGcdNtRh3Q3SSyHRoUCt2O_QFSmfu7TJC2-oAvhpZbueMZF1FLg37aWmvwsOVKXYtxpM7BjdUQ51TnmFfYtuw/s320/belvedere-golf-club-hot-springs+1.jpg" /><br />To learn more about attractions in Hot Springs<br />view <a href="http://www.hotsprings.org/">http://www.hotsprings.org/</a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br />James Weaver<br />Sr. Travel Writer<br />GolfWiz Blog<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>GolfWizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00059611864928610948noreply@blogger.com3