Carolina Golf Journal

26/07/2024

Pro hamas demonstrators burn the American flag. Dems defend that as “freedom of speech” …do you agree?

20/07/2024

19/09/2018

Hope you had a chance to watch the Golf Channel on Tuesday night, and like me enjoyed the presentation of the Payne Stewart Award to German golfer Bernhard Langer. The show was tastefully done with excellent segments on the life of Payne Steward and of Langer. Yes and even a show on television without political ranting, foul language or suffering through tireless speeches promoting a cause instead of the subject of the evening.

Presented by the PGA Tour each year, the award is named after the former player and three-time major champion who tragically died in an airplane accident in 1999. Previous winners include Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Nick Faldo. The Payne Stewart Award, which recognizes golfers who have exhibited "steadfast values of character, charity and sportsmanship" throughout their careers.

"Payne and I were born around the same time. We became very close friends and our families knew each other," said Langer. "We were competing in the same tournaments around the world — such as the Ryder Cup and the Masters. I came over to play on the PGA Tour and he came over to play in the European Tour. It was a tragic day when his plane went down."

Langer turned pro when he was 15 and has since amassed over 100 career wins, including becoming one of only five players to win tournaments on six continents. Today, Langer plays largely on the PGA's Champions Tour -- formerly the Senior PGA Tour -- where he's recorded 37 victories and led the money list in nine of the past 10 seasons. He still competes at major championships and this year teed off at both the Open and the Masters -- a tournament he won in 1985 and 1993 and hasn't missed since 2011.

"I like to be a good example for the elderly generation," says Langer, who finished 24th at the Open in July at Carnoustie. "You can't play football, soccer and basketball in your 50s and 60s, but in golf you can still get better and that should give encouragement to all amateurs. "You can do it as long as you can walk."

“Bernhard Langer epitomizes the ideals around which the Payne Stewart Award is built – character, charity and sportsmanship,” said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, who made the induction speech.

If you have a chance catch the replay on the Golf Channel, you will enjoy it.

24/07/2018

Was that the best British (The Open) Championship ever. Lot of drama, lead changes and a better golfer rose to the top.

Not being a Tiger fan, I was still happy to see him coming back, but not as the golfer he was. Doesn't have that same stuck up attitude he once had, he even waved at the crowd a couple of times. WOW!

Proved that he not ready to pass Jack Nicklaus in the number of majors won (18), just finishing tournaments is about his best at the moment. And with that in mind...we have many other golfers that deserve the Ryder Cup spots...Tiger is fine as a co-captain, or what ever they call them, and not a player again.

14/02/2018

Professional golfer Bill Haas were involved in a deadly crash Tuesday night after a Ferrari lost control and collided with at least two vehicles, a Los Angeles Police Department West Traffic Division spokesperson told Fox News on Wednesday.

Mark Gibello, the driver of the Ferrari was killed in the rollover crash. Haas, who was a passenger in the luxury car, and a 50-year-old woman in a separate vehicle were injured and taken to the hospital with injuries, the Los Angeles Police Department reported. The woman was hospitalized in serious condition. The crash also involved actor Luke Wilson, who was not seriously injured.

Haas' manager Allen Hobbs said the golfer was treated for a leg injury and non-threating cuts and bruises at a hospital and released. Hobbs added the six-time PGA Tour winner is shaken up and has withdrawn from this week's Genesis Open in Los Angeles.

71-year old Gibello, according to the Golf Channel, is a friends of Bill Harmon, Haas’s swing coach, and was “instrumental” in bringing the Walker Cup and the U.S. Open to Los Angeles Country Club. He was hosting Haas and his family during the Genesis Open.

04/04/2017

Thanks for all your kind notes to this facebook site...I am back in full swing after some health problems...look forward to sharing more golf and life experiences. Sincerely, Sam Smith- Publisher, Carolina Golf Journal.

01/12/2016

International honor for Barefoot Resort

Barefoot Resort & Golf, home to a quartet of courses designed by Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Tom Fazio and Pete Dye, has been named North American Golf Resort of the Year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).

In 2000, Barefoot Resort became the first American facility to open four courses simultaneously and it has delivered on its immense promise. The Love, Fazio and Dye Courses have all been ranked among America’s top public layouts and the Norman Course, with seven holes that play along the Intracoastal Waterway, might be the most visually pleasing.

The award is another in a string of honors for the Myrtle Beach golf community. In 2015, readers of Golf.com, the game’s most popular website, named Myrtle Beach best overall destination, best for buddies trips, and best for value. USA Today readers voted Myrtle Beach as the game’s best destination in 2014 as well.

Barefoot succeeded Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill, a long-time PGA Tour host, as the winner of the award.

25/07/2016

Enjoy playing golf while supporting a great cause! Check out charity golf tournaments for the greater Charlotte area on the Carolina Golf Journal website!

15/06/2016

With the heat on in Charlotte, many golfers are looking for better, and cooler places to play. But wait a minute, have you googled the golf deals right here at home.

Yes, you may have to make it a early call, but that turns out just great...play on steady, the prices are affordable and you have the rest of the day to look for a cool spot to enjoy lunch, dinner...and oh yes a beer ore two.

With our advertiser in the Carolina Golf Journal coming from all over the Carolinas, we are happy that you have a great variety of options, so make the best of them all. However, remember that the home folks are working hard to make this a good summer of golf if you select the proper time and course.

13/11/2015

Wells Fargo Championship Tickets on Sale Monday
Charlotte's Premier Golf Tournament Enters 14th Year

Tickets for the 2016 Wells Fargo Championship are currently on sale.

The Wells Fargo Championship, celebrating its 14th year, is not only one of the premier golf events in North Carolina region, but also in the world. During the past 13 years, Quail Hollow Club has welcomed all of the world's top 25 players and the tournament's list of champions is consistently considered among golf's elite.

This year, Rory McIlroy became the tournament's first multiple champion with a dominating performance at Quail Hollow Club. Past champions are: 2003 David Toms, 2004 Joey Sindelar, 2005 Vijay Singh, 2006 Jim Furyk, 2007 Tiger Woods, 2008 Anthony Kim, 2009 Sean O'Hair, 2010 Rory McIlroy, 2011 Lucas Glover, 2012 Rickie Fowler, 2013 Derek Ernst, 2014 J.B. Holmes and 2015 Rory McIlroy.

Six of the tournament's 12 champions have earned major championship titles and three champions have held the No.1 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking at some point in time.

Grounds ticket prices start with $30 Practice Pack, which consist of three individual daily tickets for Monday through Wednesday. Also popular is the $165 Weekly Ticket Book, which represents a $95 savings from individual daily purchases. Through the years, many fans have found the Weekly Book to be a great gift. To ensure holiday delivery, order before December 18th.

Grounds ticket options include:

Weekly Book - $165 — Includes admission to all seven days of the tournament and represents a savings of $95. The same individual does not have to use the ticket each day, allowing family members, friends and business associates to share the experience of the event.

Practice Pack - $30 — Consists of individual daily tickets for Monday’s Pro-Am, Tuesday’s practice round and the popular Wednesday Pro-Am (price includes all three days and fans are permitted to bring cameras during these days)

Thursday Individual Daily Ticket — $50 each.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday Individual Daily Tickets — $60 each.

Patrons can purchase tickets and research Hospitality options by visiting www.WellsFargoChampionship.com or by calling (800) 945-0777. To accommodate families, children ages 12 and under are free with a paid adult admission (one child per paying adult).

11/11/2015

November 11, 2015

One of our own golf business friends needs your prayers

Westport Golf Club had some sad news today I wanted to share with you… Lou Rotondo (9 Year Pro-Shop Assistant) will be on medical leave for at least the next 6 months. Lou has been under the care of a hematologist for the last 18 months, watching for changes in his blood work.

Those changes appeared in September. Lou has been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (also known as MDS or myelodysplasia). He has been admitted into Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte.

He will be undergoing induction chemo for about 21-30 days as an inpatient. This will get him ready for a stem cell transplant (bone marrow transplant) sometime in late December or early January at Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC. He will be in Durham for about 90 days to complete the process, and have Lou strong enough to come home.

The doctors are very certain that Lou will come through this all with flying colors. His body and organs are strong, so a positive outcome is fully expected. Visitors and calls are welcome in Charlotte. Lou's immune system will be in a weakened state, so certain precautions need to be taken if you are visiting Lou.

Please note a Golf Tournament will be scheduled in Mid-Spring to help raise money for his medical expenses. Donations for one of our own will be accepted on his behalf as well. Please call the Westport Pro Shop for more details

Staff @ Westport Golf Club - 704-489-8088