September 16, 2020 News

Popular pro killed in crash


It doesn’t happen everyday, but sometimes a breaking story hits really close to home. That was the case earlier this summer when news broke that Sean Fredrickson, the head professional at Oswego Lake Country Club – and president of the Pacific Northwest Section PGA – was killed in a plane crash. The accident, at Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho, also claimed the lives of his three children.

“The loss of Sean Fredrickson and his children Hayden, Sofie and Quinn is devastating,” Oswego Lake general manager Bryan Fisher said in a statement. “Sean was an exceptional golf professional who was awarded the PGA Professional of the Year honor in 2019 by the Pacific Northwest Section PGA. Oswego Lake Country Club was honored to have him as a member of our family. His positive spirit and joy for the game of golf was contagious. But more importantly, Sean was a tremendous husband, father and friend. Our love and heartfelt sympathy goes to his wife, April, his family and friends during this time of loss.”

In all, eight people were killed when two planes collided over the lake. 

Prior to working at Oswego Lake Country Club, Fredrickson spent 14 years at Tualatin Country Club. In the months and years to come, Fisher plans to work with the country club to honor Fredrickson. He said he would consider a golf tournament named after him, or name recently built facilities after him, too.

“So much of what Sean was about was about mentoring,” Fisher said. “He was really big on trying to build that.”

“A rising star in the PGA, Sean led the Section through an unprecedented time, first taking the reins a year early as president and then leading us wisely through this pandemic,” the Pacific Northwest PGA Section said in a statement. “We are all better because of Sean’s leadership over the past 12 years.”

Response to Fredrickson’s death is a reminder of the role golf professionals play in the lives of the community they work in. Members of Fredrickson’s former and current clubs, as well as playing professionals around the region, have posted tributes to someone they feel did a great job for golfers and community members.

June 12, 2020 Course Features, News

Bandon continues to amaze with Sheep Ranch

For years, the property just north of Bandon Dunes was the stuff of legend, a free-form course that wasn’t easy to access.

Despite 20 years of acclaim, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort continues to find new ways to stay relevant and remain on every golfer’s bucket list. June 1, 2020 saw the official opening of the resort’s sixth golf course: Sheep Ranch.

For years, visitors to Bandon Dunes heard tales of the Sheep Ranch, an oceanfront property just north of Old Macdonald. Those who had the opportunity to play there – it was a wild collection of tee boxes and greens – knew it was likely some of the most stunning property on the resort. Now, it’s a championship course available to all resort guests.

Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw – the duo responsible for Bandon Trails and Bandon Preserve – Sheep Ranch presented something of a challenge. The site earned its breathtaking ocean views by virtue of being perched high above the beach. Because the smallish site was trapped between steep bluffs and a deep ravine, Coore and Crenshaw had to design a smart, concise route that maximized usage of the land along the ocean.

Coore spent several days walking the site with Bandon Dunes owner Mike Keiser and his business partner, Phil Friedmann. The latter had always considered the Sheep Ranch a hidden gem that he cherished; Coore convinced him that it could be something greater.

Recognizing the potential along the coastline was easy, but Coore knew that making compelling holes inland was equally important. With that in mind, he worked from the coastline inwards, occasionally placing the tees for two holes (2 and 18, 5 and 15, and 8 and 10) in proximity to create width.

“You can’t have holes that are strictly parallel because of the wind,” Coore says. “We tried to cluster tees for holes. That means you can get tees in a small area, but radiate from different angles and create wider playing areas. The places you’re playing golf are almost like a piece of pizza—you’re playing from the center out. And that’s the way you make it interesting and create different holes. We’ve done it a time or two at other places, but never as frequently as at the Sheep Ranch.”

The result is an incredible, old school routing that really feels in touch with the origins of the game, and the Bandon ethos of not placing too much emphasis on length. Coore says the course is different than any at Bandon Dunes, comparing it to Cabot Cliffs in places. However, even that comparison doesn’t quite fit, as the coastline at Sheep Ranch is far less linear, allowing the golfer to strategically challenge the rugged cliffs for position on several holes.

One thing that’s unique about the Sheep Ranch is the lack of formal bunkers. It was a decision that saves on maintenance – sand blows out of the bunkers at Bandon – and gives the course a unique feel. Instead of bunkers, the course features grassy areas reminiscent of long-abandoned bunkers. “I think golfers are going to find them very interesting,” Coore said.

The question now becomes whether or not Sheep Ranch will be the swan song for Bandon Dunes. Keiser has been quick to say that Sheep Ranch will, indeed, be the last full course built at Bandon. “With the completion of Sheep Ranch, we’ve used all the great land.”

The property features five full-length courses, a par-three course, a putting course, and a world-class practice facility. With a variety of lodging options on-site and around the area, it’s a destination that’s accessible to everyone.

With the potential for Sheep Ranch to be on everyone’s mind in 2020, it’s probably best to book your trip now. If you wait, you may find yourself waiting for a round on the ranch.

US Hickory Open
April 1, 2020 News, Tournaments

North Oregon Coast going back in time

Gearhart Golf Links will host the 2021 US Hickory Open, a nod to the club’s historic roots.

Gearhart Golf Links, the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi River, made a big announcement in March: the North Oregon coast course will host the 2021 US Hickory Open.

Presented each year by the Society of Hickory Golfers, the US Hickory Open is the premier hickory golf tournament in the United States. 2021 will mark the event’s 14th year and only the second time a course in the western United States has played host.

“We are thrilled to return to the West Coast,” said Society President Greg Smith. “In 2020 the sold-out Open is welcoming hickory golf enthusiasts from over 22 states, and Canada, at Happy Hollow Golf Club in Omaha, Nebraska. The chance to visit the Oregon Coast and play the brilliant and historic links at Gearhart is something very special for our international members.”

The US Hickory Open is scheduled for September 12-14, 2021.

“Gearhart Golf Links is an exceptional venue for this tournament,” says Northwest Hickory Players tournament organizer Rob Ahlschwede. “David McLay-Kidd, acclaimed architect of Bandon Dunes and Mammoth Dunes, ranked Gearhart in his ‘Top 10 Favorite Places’ in the March 2020 edition of Golf Magazine. The seaside course offers a true links-style experience, perfectly suited to the original equipment used by global hickory golf collectors and enthusiasts.”

The course already has a relationship with Hickory golfers in the Pacific Northwest, having hosted a three-day event each year since 2015. Director of Golf Jason Bangild says hosting the US Hickory Open is an honor for the course and will put the club in the spotlight in a good way.

“Gearhart Golf Links is a course with a long, rich history, going back to 1892. Our clubhouse is full of pictures showcasing the earliest players in Gearhart, many playing hickory clubs and walking in coat and tie, or long dresses,” said Bangild. “The hickory game is just a great fit for the course. We have really enjoyed working with Rob and all of the Northwest Hickory Players over the last few years, and we’re thrilled to host their national Open next year. The course is located right in the center of Gearhart, so when the tournament comes to town, it’s sure to draw a crowd!”

While all USGA rules are in effect for the stroke play tournament, there are some equipment restrictions that players must follow. All golfers must use pre-1935 authentic wood-shafted clubs or Society-approved replicas. Tournament organizers may modify local rules to help players experience the game as closely as possible to the way it was played nearly 100 years ago.

Visit www.NWHickoryPlayers.org for more information about the event. Click here to read our feature story on Gearhart Golf Links!

Golfweek Amateur Tour
April 1, 2020 News, Tournaments

Amateur Hour – Golfweek Amateur Tour launching in Oregon, Seattle

The golfing community consists of many different types of golfers. There are driving range players, charity scramble players, weekend warriors, and more serious competitive players. Amateurs who enjoy playing competitively but aren’t ready for some of the bigger state or national events are always looking for opportunities and a new one is now available in Oregon and Washington.
The Golfweek Amateur Tour – already popular throughout most of the country – has launched in the Portland and Seattle/Tacoma areas with 11 and eight events, respectively.

The Tour provides amateurs with the experience of competitive stroke-play golf at courses that are both challenging and enjoyable to play. More importantly, though, is the opportunity to compete against a new group of players.

“I like to find places to play competitive golf,” said Oregon/SW Washington Tour Director Stotz Thoda. “Golfweek events have been very successful for the last 25 years, and I wanted to give players in the Pacific Northwest access to those great events.”

Founded in Charlotte, N.C., in 1995, the Golfweek Amateur Tour celebrates its 26th season in 2020 with more than 50 divisions across the country. This year’s Portland and Seattle Tour schedules include visits to: Chambers Bay, Heron Lakes GC, Club at Newcastle, Orchard Hills and Rock Creek CC, Hawk’s Prairie, Stone Creek GC, and Black Butte Ranch.

“Amateurs can play a Tour just like the pros, with minimal travel,” said Thoda “Our events are held locally mostly on the weekends, perfect for the average golfer. Our goal is to provide fun, fast, competitive events with affordable pricing. Our goal is 4 and half hour rounds, so slow play will be monitored and addressed. In addition, we have coordinated our tour dates with both tours so you can travel and play the neighboring tour events in either Portland or Seattle areas.”

The Golfweek Amateur Tour is for amateurs of all ages and abilities. Members are placed in one of five flights based on handicaps. Flights are: Championship (0-3.9 handicap), A Flight (4- 8.9), B Flight (9-13.9), C Flight (14-18.9) and D Flight (19 and over). Tournament format is gross stroke play, with USGA rules in effect. The Tour tracks tournament handicaps to ensure players are flighted correctly.

Entry fees for the Golfweek Tour range from $85-$180 for single day events. Those fees include cart and green fees, range balls and prizes. There will also be separate sponsored par- three contests and an optional skins game at each event. Trophies will also be awarded to the winners of each flight. Golfers who qualify receive invitations to the 2020 Golfweek Amateur Golf Tour Championship 54 hole event, Oct. 23rd – 25th on Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Dues for the 2020 season are just $63 until July 1st and then increase to $78. Those dues include a $125 Tour credit, a subscription to Golfweek Magazine, a welcome bag, and handicap through US Handicap. Guests are allowed in all local events but won’t earn points or have access to regional and national events.

The tour’s first events will be a dual event weekend May 30 and 31st at Chamber’s Bay and Heron Lakes, respectively. Events previously scheduled prior to May, have been postponed for later in the year. Visit www.AmateurGolfTour.net for schedule updates.

Coronavirus warnings
April 1, 2020 News

The Coronavirus Difference

Golfers up and down the West Coast are coming to grips with what could be months without golf to play or watch. The coronavirus pandemic has forced states to issue orders for residents to stay home to help fight the spread of the virus. Those orders have had a major impact on the golf community.

Golf courses in Washington state and California are completely shut down, including all practice areas and driving ranges. Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada are still allowing golfers to play, but with a variety of restrictions and modifications. Other states, like Utah, are still trying to decide what to do as their golf season gets ready to start.

Coronavirus AccomodationsWhat makes golf safe in those states still allowing it? In Oregon, the golf experience is a little different than under normal circumstances. Most courses are requiring online tee times and pre-payment for greens fees. Those who don’t have a restrictive check-in and payment process, allowing for social distancing (one guest at a time in the pro shop, etc) and limited interaction. On the course, cups are turned upside down or raised, and flags are to be left in the hole. Rakes and ball washers are gone and carts are restricted to single riders.

Turns out, it’s not that hard to stay away from other players on the golf course.

Handicap modifications

With much of the Pacific Northwest just starting to accept score posting – March 1st in most states – modifications had to be made. The USGA sent out a memo as to how the Rules of Golf and Rules of Handicapping apply in response to questions from golf industry officials.

The USGA had this to say:

Flagsticks – Courses may remove flagsticks as long as they provide detailed placement information to players. In most cases, the USGA recommends courses require the flagsticks be left in at all times. This has no impact on handicapping.

Bunkers and Rakes – Courses can be removed, players can smooth the sand with their feet. If rakes are removed, foursomes can be asked to take a rake out with them. Some courses are playing bunkers as ground under repair and must decide whether or not to allow scores to posted.

Not holing out – If courses place cups so that balls are not holed, players must use the ‘most likely score’ option when posting their scores for handicap purposes. This is at the players judgement.

GolfSuites
April 1, 2020 Business, News

GolfSuites allowing players to invest in their game

In our October 2019 issue, we wrote about the growth of driving ranges and entertainment centers, especially facilities like Topgolf. Now, a new company is positioning itself to take a piece of that alternative golf market with a chain of golf and entertainment facilities.

When Tampa-based ERC Homes founders Jerry Ellenburg and Ryan Koenig saw that a Topgolf location was being built next to their offices, the developer/builders were curious. They watched construction be completed and the facility open to massive crowds. Not long after they called in golf enthusiast and customer experience designer, John Galvin, to join them and form what was to become the GolfSuites brand.

“We’re very much a competitor to Topgolf,” said GolfSuites chairman Jerry Ellenburg. “These types of facilities make healthy amounts of money and we think we can provide a superior product that guests will really enjoy.”

GolfSuites will bring together the most realistic golf entertainment and game improvement experience, including a 250+ yard driving range, simulated green sites and hazards, professional quality golf balls and equipment, swing and golf fitness coaching, restaurants, bars, multiple types of video and live music entertainment all under one roof. The facilities will be designed with differing levels of amenities for avid and recreational golfers, as well as space for corporate and team building events, fundraisers, family celebrations, and amateur and professional events.

GolfSuites will also pair with top instructors and technologies to provide game improvement for guests both in-person and virtually. The idea behind GolfSuites is a holistic one, giving players the chance to have a great time and improve their swing and game.

 “Our first location in Tulsa, Oklahoma was taken over last fall and we’re in the process of converting it to a full GolfSuites facility. Our plan is to be a nationwide company, and we’re actively looking for the right pieces of property in the right markets,” said Ellenburg. 

How did GolfSuites develop its next-level experience? Ellenburg said the key to success is the company’s management team. Nick Flanagan (President and Chief Operating Officer) spent years in charge of operations at The Cracker Barrel Old Country Store chain and has been instrumental in developing the food and beverage program and all other senior operational aspects; Scott McCurry (Vice President of Operations) came from Topgolf and has used his expertise to fine-tune the national expansion of GolfSuites; and Kyle Morris (Golf Director) has developed the golf experience from the ground up using his experience as a professional player and teacher. John Galvin (Marketing Director) has designed overall brand concepts and Ryan Koenig (Development Director) has overseen all initial facility design and is in charge of national site selection. Larson Architects and ROWE Creative Union in Columbus have been engaged for all design aspects of the brand and facilities.

As you can probably imagine, building a GolfSuites facility isn’t cheap. Ellenburg said the company estimates the cost between $35 and $40 million each for full-sized 100-bay configurations. To get started, GolfSuites is offering investors the opportunity to buy preferred stock in a Reg A offering and is concurrently procuring institutional and private equity funding.

“We’re pleased with ongoing fund raising efforts to date,” added Ellenburg. “Now we’re just making sure we research potential markets and find the best possible locations for our facilities. We’re confident that GolfSuites will be successful in the locations in which we choose to open.”

 To learn more about GolfSuites and the company’s investment opportunities, visit www.golfsuites.com.

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