RE: Nike Golf Signs Joseph Bramlett

Story Courtesy of Golf Press Association:

Bramlett makes his professional PGA Tour debut this week at the Sony Open
BEAVERTON, Ore. (January 10, 2011) - Nike Golf announced today the signing of Stanford alum and PGA Tour school graduate Joseph Bramlett. Bramlett finished tied for 16th at the grueling, six-round final stage of qualifying school and will make his professional debut as a Nike Golf athlete when he tees it up in the first round of the PGA Tour's Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Bramlett, a 22-year-old from Saratoga, California, has signed a multi-year agreement to represent Nike Golf in clubs, ball, footwear, glove, bag, apparel, headwear and accessories.

"I am very excited to begin my professional golf career as a Nike athlete," said Bramlett. "Nike equipment has been in my bag throughout my amateur and collegiate career and I believe strongly in its technology and performance."

Bramlett enjoyed an impressive career as an amateur; he became the youngest player to qualify for the US Amateur in 2002 at the age of 14 and was a member of the US team that participated in the 2002 World Junior Golf Cup. He was an all-American his freshman year at Stanford, where he helped lead the team to an NCAA title. He overcame two injuries to his wrist that nearly derailed his college career. Bramlett graduated from Stanford in less than four years and turned professional in the fall of 2010, earning his PGA Tour card this past December. He becomes the first athlete of African-American heritage to graduate from PGA Tour Qualifying school in 25 years.

On earning his PGA Tour card Bramlett stated, "This has been my dream since I was a little kid. Although I always had faith that this would happen, I am deeply humbled by the opportunity and challenges ahead."

"Joseph is a fine example of determination and will," said Mark Thaxton, Global Sports Marketing Director of Operations for Nike Golf. "We look forward to having Joseph on the PGA Tour this year representing Nike Golf."

Bramlett's Nike Golf Arsenal

* Driver: Nike Victory Red Tour 10.5 degrees
* Fairway Wood: Nike SQ II 3-wood/15 degree
* Hybrid: Nike SQ SUMO #2 hybrid/18 degree
* Irons: Nike VR Split Cavity (3 - PW)
* Wedges: Nike VR Forged 54 degree
* Ball: Nike ONE Tour D
* Apparel: Nike Golf Tour Collection
* Footwear: Nike Golf

Jeff Rude of Golfweek reports that Professional Golfer Jim Thorpe will be granted an early release from a federal prison after being convicted and sentenced to 1-year in prison for tax evasion.

The Champions Tour has already cleared Thorpe to play after his release. The GolfWiz Blog wished Jim Thorpe the best in his future endeavors.

Bay Creek Golf Resort: Golfing Beside The Chesapeake Bay

Bay Creek Nicklaus Course # 8

When two of the greatest golfers of the 20th century design courses side by side, its certain to offer players one the very best golfing experience to be had. That is exactly what Bay Creek Golf Resort in Cape Charles, Virginia, has -- an Arnold Palmer course and a Jack Nicholas course and they are spectacular.

Bay Creek is being developed by the award-winning Baymark Construction Corp., headed by Richard Foster. Foster has established a reputation for uncompromising quality and demanding standards. His communities balance the human need for "quality of life" with respect for the sensitivities of the natural environment of the Chesapeake Bay region.

Since its inception in 1980, Foster and Baymark Construction have received numerous awards for outstanding residential designs. In 2003, Bay Creek was chosen as one of "America's 100 Best Master-Planned Communities" by Where to Retire magazine.

Located in the charming bay side community of Cape Charles, Virginia (just 10 miles north of the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel Bridge) Bay Creek features a world class, full service marina, a fine restaurant, and shops. Kings Bay, a gated community overlooking the water (near the marina), is a colorful group of homes designed for vacation or year-round living. “Our architect wanted to create a West Indies’ look,” said Linda Buskey, Sales Manager, “and I believe he did just that.”

Adjacent to the golf courses is another established resort community, The Hollies. Property sales and construction has begun on a new development called Bayside Village near the golf courses. It will eventually have 135 homes, plus a community center, and direct access to over 2 miles of pristine beach. Eventually, Bay Creek plans to have 2,500 homes located at nine prime locations on the 1,700 plus acre property.

“It is highly unusual to have two signature courses at the same resort,” said Mark Wesolek,

General Manager. “but it offers players the very best options for an outstanding golfing experience.” “Actually, its four nine hole courses. Palmer and Nicholas were each invited to design one course on the water (bay) side and one on the land side. It gave each of these great players an opportunity to use their talents on entirely different landscapes and the results are amazing,” he said.

Great care has been taken to preserve the natural beauty of the area and the important habitat it provides for wildlife. In addition, Bay Creek’s developer Foster’s influence can be seen throughout. A avocational gardener, he was interested in introducing flowering plants so 50,000 roses, azaleas, and hydrangeas have been planted along cart paths and roadways.

An additional 5,000 new trees were planted anda full scale replica of a local lighthouse (long gone) was built. A smaller version of the lighthouse is located on a bridge over a large water hazard named the “Jack Nicholas Bridge.”

Palmer Course # 1

Arnold Palmer, puts the setting appropriately, "There's not a better place in the world to put a golf course and have it work as well as it has ... Bay Creek is a fantastic layout, one you'd never get tired of playing -- and that's the true measure of a great golf course."

Palmer's longtime design partner, Ed Seay. says, "Bay Creek's site was unusual for a couple reasons. First, because it's got a seaside location, which is extremely difficult to find these days--due to extensive development of prime coastal areas. Second, it gave us some natural sand dunes to work with -- and placing golf holes in between the natural dunes is, to me, the most ideal site in the world. Our biggest challenge was the protection and enhancement of the wetlands -- we had over a hundred acres to preserve at Bay Creek, and we were very careful with it." The Palmer course opened in 2005 and the Nicholas course a year later.

As Palmer said, “There’s not a better place in the world to put a golf course and have it work as well as it has … Bay Creek is a fantastic layout, one you’d never get tired of playing — and that’s the true measure of a great golf course.”

Bay Creek Marina

Story by:

James weaver

Golfwiz Blog

Senior Travel Writer

Shawnee Inn

My first recollections of Shawnee Inn were the 1950’s CBS radio (and later television) broadcasts from there. Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians, a professional chorus, presented a live music variety show from the Pocono Mountain resort. Waring purchased Shawnee Inn in 1943 and used his broadcasts to help promote it. In addition to his music career and resort management, Waring was inventor of the Waring Blender, still a fixture in many bars, restaurants, and home kitchens.

This year Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort celebrates its 100th anniversary. A full schedule of centennial events are planned. Opened in 1911, it has seen many changes, but it has retained all its charm and beauty throughout the decades. Located on the banks of the Delaware River within easy reach of both New York City and Philadelphia it has been a favorite vacation

destination for thousands over the generations.

In the early years of the last century both the automobile and golf were both in their infancy.C.C. Worthington, a wealthy engineer and inventor, loved the Delaware River and the pristine natural beauty along its banks. He purchased a large parcel of land boarding the river and built a vacation home. An avid golfer, he established the Shawnee Country Club, a nine hole course (the first to be designed by famed golfer A. W. Tillinghast) nearby where he and his friends could play. In 1910, Worthington decided to build an inn to accommodate vacationing guests and a year later the Buckwood Inn opened. Fred Waring renamed it Shawnee Inn after he purchased the property. Originally it was just a summer resort, but later, with the growing popularity of winter sports, the Inn became a year round operation.

There are now three golf courses at Shawnee.The original nine hole, now called the Approach Course, is lighted for night golfing. There are also two 18 hole courses located on an island in the middle of the Delaware River which are accessed by a wooden bridge. Interestingly, the bridge is removed doing the winter, when the river sometimes freezes and the course is closed, to prevent damage. The Inn offers golf lessons at its Golf Academy and there is a driving range and, in front of the main entrance to the Inn, a practice putting green.

Worthington tried using a flock of sheep tokeep his fairways and greens trim, but the experiment failed. He solved the problem by inventing the first golf course mowing machine.

Worthington was a friend of many of the top golfers of the day and was instrumental in helping arrange a meeting in 1916 at which the Professional Golfer’s Association (PGA) was founded. Robert Wood, then superintendent at the Shawnee Country Club, was elected first president of the PGA and served until 1919.

In 1938, Shawnee Inn hosted a PGA championship tournament. Over the decades Shawnee has welcomed manygolf celebrities such as Sam Snead (once golf pro at Shawnee) and Arnold Palmer. Also, many popular entertainment icons including Jackie Gleason and Bob Hope have golfed here. Even President Dwight D. Eisenhower enjoyed a round or two at Shawnee.

Today, Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort offers a great deal more. There is fine dining at the beautiful River Room where entrees include featured fish of the day, pork spare ribs, and grilled free-range chicken. The River Room Piano Bar & Lounge is another popular guest amenity. The Inn’s Gem & Keystone Brewpub offers delicious food and it’s own ShawneeCraft micro-brew beers and ales. Brewed at the resort they are “True to Nature and True to the Craft.” Arnold Palmer and Jackie Gleason

The name ShawneeCraft is also given an exclusive line of craftsmen style wooden furniture the Inn has developed. Handcrafted by Amish artisans, the furniture is on sale at the Shawnee Gallery or by mail or internet. The Inn’s Gallery also features a wide selection of creations by area artists and craftsmen. The Spa at Shawnee Inn is one of the finest in the Pocono Mountains offering a full range of treatments for relaxation and restoration.

The Shawnee Playhouse, located adjacent to the Inn, offers outstanding professional theater productions and musicals throughout the year. For a 2011 program schedule view their website at www.theshawneeplayhouse.comDuring the winter months guests at the Innare only minutes away from Shawnee Mountain ski area. With 23 slopes and trails, plus two terrain parks, and a snowtubing park, it has lots to offer. Its longest trail is 5,100 feet and highest vertical drop 700 feet. Learn more at www. shawneemt.com

The Delaware River offers a full range of recreational activities for guests at the Inn.

Fishing, canoeing, kayaking, plus rafting and tubing are all possibilities. Shawnee River Adventures an outfitter located near the Inn can provide for all your needs. Swimming is available at a large outdoor pool (in season) and year-round at an indoor pool next to the Inn’s fitness center.

A full schedule of events are planned for the centennial year and can be viewed on line.

Learn more about the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort at www.shawneeinn.com and Pocono Mountain attractions at www.800poconos.com

Shawnee Ale

Jim Weaver

GolfWiz Blog

Senior Travel Writer

Where Are the Black Golfers

Joseph Bramlett made a putt during the final stage on PGA Tour Qualifying School to become the 1^st African American golfer since Tiger Woods to earn a PGA Tour card. When Tiger Woods won the 1997 Masters Tournament there was speculation that professional golf would be flooded with African American golfers following in Tiger’s footsteps, but nothing could have been further from the truth. In reality, it has taken 13 years for a black golfer to earn a PGA Tour card since Tiger’s historic win at Augusta.

There is quite a bit of speculation as to why this invasion of black golfers failed to materialize. The answer is very simple. Young black golfers who possess the talent to play on the PGA and LPGA Tour lack access to the advanced training and instruction required to play golf on the highest level. Unless these talented black golfers receive the best training, top notch instruction, and get the opportunity to compete against the best competition, it might be 13 more years before a black golfer follows Joseph Bramlett on the PGA Tour.

The biggest misnomer about black golfers and professional golf is that the First Tee Program was established as a training ground for professional black golfers. Nothing could be further from the truth. The First Tee Program is a wonderful program that introduces youth of all races and backgrounds to the game of golf. The program also uses golf as a way to teach participants important life skills that will benefit them in the future. At its’ core the First Tee strives to create productive, responsible and well-rounded citizens, not professional golfers.

In order to see more black golfers out on the PGA and LPGA Tour, they must be provided with access to the best instruction and training available. A local teaching professional or golf coach doesn’t have the resources to help take a talented golfer to the level required to play professional golf. I have always been a proponent of supporting our own and the African American community should take a hard look at itself and look for a solution to this problem. Before we ask for help from other sources, let’s start by helping each other and making a commitment to get more black golfers into professional golf.

Edward Wanambwa

GolfWiz Blog

Editor

www.golfwriter.com

Buffalo Trace: The Hallmark Of Kentucky Bourbon

If you think Kentucky is famous only for its horse racing and college basketball, you’ve missed a lot. It’s most famous product is Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. Known the world over for its fine quality, 95% of all bourbon is made in the Lexington, Kentucky, area. Here, a half dozen distilleries (all within an easy drive) have formed a “Kentucky Bourbon Trail” where visitors can spend a day or more visiting various facilities and learning about (and taste) Kentucky Bourbon. The trail consists of six well-known bourbon distilleries., Four Roses, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey, and Woodford Reserve. See .

Buffalo Trace, a bourbon maker located near the state capital city of Frankfort, is the oldest continually distillery operating in the United States. Just a short distance from Lexington, it offers daily (except Sunday and holidays) tours of its operations. Buffalo Trace Distillery welcomes visitors for tours and shopping in our Visitor Center year-round. Gift Shop hours are

Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.Saturday: 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tour hours are

Monday through Friday 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. departing every hour. For further information see: www.buffalotrace.com

According to historians whiskey and other distilled spirits, such as rum, played an important role in both the American colonies and in the new democratic union. As early as 1657, a rum distillery was operating in Boston. It was highly successful and within a generation the production of rum became colonial New England's largest and most prosperous industry.

Even before the American Revolution, whiskey had become the preferred way to use surplus grains in the frontier settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains. The expansion of a corn belt in Kentucky and Ohio had created a corn glut. It cost more to transport corn or grain than it could bring on the eastern markets, so farmers distilled it into "liquid assets" that could easily be shipped or bartered. Practically every farmer made whiskey.

A whiskey tax led to the first test of federal power, the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. It was put down by federal troops ordered in by President Washington. After serving as president, George Washington became probably the new nation's largest whiskey distiller.

Its believed by 1810 there were at least 2,000 distillers producing more than 1.76 million gallons of whiskey. Annual alcohol consumption (including wine, beer, etc.) may have been as high as 8 gallons per person. I’ll drink to that.

Story by:

James Weaver

GolfWiz Blog

Senior Travel Writer

Joseph Bramlett earns PGA Tour 2011 Card

Congratulations to Joseph Bramlett for his historic accomplishment.

Jason Sobel Story:

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=5892269