Archive for the 'Golf' Category

Practice Heaven at 1757

Published on August 2, 2009 in Golf. 1 Comment

If there is such a thing as a practice heaven, I have found it in 1757 Golf Club in Dulles, VA. If you are ever near the area, you should definitely check it out. The facility has a short game area to die for. You can practice any shot you want and get a full wedge distance into the practice greens. There are four different greens to use for practice and you can chip or putt on all of them. So you can let your creativity go wild and create all sorts of shots.

Not only is the short game area mint, but there is a large grass tee to the left of the “Teaching Building” (I’ll get to that in a bit) to hit from, and plenty of hitting stalls off mats that are as good as grass – honest. The mats are so good you can put a real wooden tee anywhere in the mat and tee it up like you would on the golf course.

Now for the Teaching Building, if you want to improve your swing the Teaching Building is the place to be. The Teaching Building is a two story building complete with five hitting bays, state of the art cameras, the newest JC software to analyze your swing, oh… and did I mention air-condition! Again, it is heaven.

Now if that didn’t sound good enough for you, did I mention that it is lighted and there is music piped across the range? The enjoyment factor is off the charts!

I have practiced and competed across the globe and I haven’t seen a facility as comprehensive or as nice. I am not saying a better facility it doesn’t exist but you would be hard pressed to find something to top it. The nice thing about 1757 is that it will only get better. 1757 Golf Club opened a few months ago but it is not set to have its Grand Opening until the spring of 2010. When that happens there will be a full service bar and grill. So in time, you can have a cocktail with your bucket of balls=)

For those of you that don’t know, I am also thrilled because I have been asked to be one of the new Teaching Professionals at 1757. It is nice to be at a facility that offers so much – it is truly a pleasure to show up to work everyday at that setting.

So if you take my advice, and you go to check out the Practice Heaven at 1757 come find me and I can help you with your game. I look forward to seeing you!

You can book lessons with me online through this link – 1757 Golf Club Thanks! Tiff

Dolphin Rides- Add it to your list

Published on August 2, 2009 in Golf. 0 Comments

Most of us have a list of things we would like to do in our life time. All of our lists vary and it depends on our personalities and individual interests.

I was lucky enough to have to opportunity to swim with dolphins last month – thanks to the generosity of my friend Courtney Rogers. To be more accurate, we got to Ride the Dolphins. It is absolutely an incredible feeling to interact with a wild creature in such a fun and safe way. (Sure dolphins can be trained but they aren’t domesticated animals.)

I got to interact with two dolphins, Stormy and Duffy weighing 600 and 550lbs respectively. It was an amazing feeling to be treading water in middle of a saltwater pond and have dolphins swimming around you and doing jumps right next to you. We had several interactions with the dolphins. At first you just stand in the pond/pool and the dolphin makes several passes and you get to “pet the dolphin”. Then we got to dance with the dolphin and he gives you a kiss.

The best part was actually riding the dolphin. I got to ride them by their holding on to their dorsal fin and belly to belly. When you ride them by the dorsal fin, you have to tread water with your arms extended and the dolphin swims in behind you and underneath your hand. Once you feel the dorsal fin, you wrap on with both hands and hold on tight. They are powerful – when I got a hold of the dorsal fin, my dolphin picked up speed. We were flying and it was fun, but my bathing suit bottoms almost came off and I was mortified that I was going to end up on the bank exposed. Luckily they stayed on around my knees and I was able to get them up before anyone noticed…I think.

The best ride was belly to belly with the dolphin. Again you tread water and the dolphin swims up in front of you and lifts out of the water to where you can grab onto their flippers. At that point the dolphin goes over backwards and swims under the water while you glide on their belly on top of the water.

All I know is being and riding with the dolphins brought me much joy and energy. I hope all of you have some experience, person, or animal that brings a smile to your face whenever your mind goes there.

BOO Time

Published on February 6, 2009 in Golf. 0 Comments

The PGA was great! As I mentioned in my earlier blog, I worked the show for Cleveland Golf showing their new line of women’s clubs called BLOOM. The BLOOM line was a big hit at the Show. Because I was at the PGA Show showing the BLOOM line, I had the opportunity to meet and spend some time with Boo Weekley. He is as fabulous and funny as you see on TV. I was lucky enough to have dinner with him along with a bunch of other people with Cleveland Golf. At dinner, he told a bunch of funny stories but no matter how hard we tried he wouldn’t tell the story how he wrestled and orangutan. He is putting the story in a book so I guess he won’t be telling the story for a while. However, I have done some digging and have found the story on line. Here is the link to the story, if you don’t know the story it is entertaining and worth the read. Boo came to the Cleveland Golf booth the second day of the show to sign autographs and I was fortunate enough to be his side kick for those two hours. Tons of people came to get autographs from Boo; it is great to see how happy he makes people. The camera crews came out in force as well. I have linked some photos from the show to this blog. Enjoy! optical communication

PGA Show – Cleveland Golf, Tail

Published on January 22, 2009 in Golf. 2 Comments

The PGA Show is next week in Orlando – Jan 29-31. The PGA Show is where golf companies, large and small, display their products and launch new product offerings. The Show is always quite exciting with a lot going on from fashion shows to product demonstrations.

I am happy to report that I will be in the Cleveland Golf Booth for the PGA Show. Cleveland Golf is launching a new women’s line called Bloom. Please stop by the Cleveland Booth and check out the new Bloom clubs and gear not to mention the new Cleveland Monster and Launcher. Of course, I would love it if you just stopped by to say hello.

For the ladies out there, check out the Tail Inc. booth as well. They have some cute pieces for the new season and some of the fabrics are really good!

I will keep you posted of any big news from the Show or if I have found a great new training aid or other product that can help your game. Until then, I am wishing you great golf and giggles :) T

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!!!

Published on December 30, 2008 in Golf. 0 Comments

According to the Chinese New Year, 2009 is the year of the OX.                    The Ox is an animal that brings prosperity through hard work.

If the Ox means prosperity through hard work, I think most of my golfing friends will see improvement in their games in 2009.  Just remember to work SMART while you are working hard.  Have a purpose each time you step on the range or the first tee.  Have discipline and clarity of thought when you practice and the results will come.  While you are working, remember to have fun and keep a smile on your face when practicing or playing.  Golf doesn't have to be a grind and your muscles work better when you aren't tense.  Here is a toast to "YOUR RESULTS!"

Here is a New Year's Nugget for you: Many cultures believe that eating anything in the shape of a ring is good luck because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle.  For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating doughnuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune.  (I think I saw an article somewhere that the Dutch are the happiest people on earth, now I know why.)  Now I am off to find myself a choclate glazed donut…yum!

I wish everyone HEALTH, HAPPINESS, and PROSPERITY in the NEW YEAR!!!   Oh, and a whole bunch of belly laughs :)

Out of curiosity, what are you hoping to accomplish in 2009?                        Post a comment so I can support you through out the year.

Click on the link below to see what to expect from 2009.  Scroll down the page part way for your horoscope.  Year of the Ox

Congrats my friend!

Published on November 11, 2008 in Golf. 0 Comments

The World Golf Hall of Fame inducted six new members last night in St. Augustine.  I am happy to report my friend Carol Semple Thompson was among the new inductees.  Her accomplishments in Women's amateur golf are legendary and I doubt will ever be duplicated.  I have always had a deep respect and affection for Carol.

I was lucky to be introduced to her at the "Sally" when I first started playing golf.  (Each year my home golf course, Oceanside CC, holds the "Sally" golf tournament – Women's Southeast Amateur Championship.   The "Sally" is a prestigous golf tournament given that nickname by John D. Rockerfeller.)  It was obvious from observing and interacting with Carol that she was someone I would want to emulate on and off the golf course.  Thanks, Carol, for being such a good example!

I attended the World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony last night and it was absolutely magical.  The night was perfect: clear, crisp, and cool.  The backdrop and setting where gorgeous and the speakers were impressive.  It is interesting to hear personal stories and jokes from some of the game's greats.  It was special feeling to be surrounded by so many people that love golf and have accomplished so much in the industry and in the winners circle.

After the ceremony there was a gala inside The World Golf Hall of Fame (golf museum).  Yes, it was an extremely special night for Carol and a very memorable evening for me. 

Use the attached link to some professional photos from the evening: Photos