The Breakers

Today I joined three friends to play The Breakers Rees Jones course--formerly the Breakers West. It's located ten miles west from the famous Breakers Resort on Palm Beach, and home of the Ocean Course. I don't think I've ever played on greens that were so quick--the head professional told us they measured 14.2 on the stimp meter. (Most greens are between 9 and 11!) The course layout was great--with lots of water and some generous landing areas. I seemed to visit the sand a bit too much--I think I tallied six bunkers today. Still it was a thrill to play even if the scorecard didn't reflect a lower score.

Things are busy at work...I'm getting ready to head back to Minnesota this week for a Play Golf Minnesota day at Rush Creek in Maple Grove on Saturday. We're also winding down on PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month for April and ready to launch into PGA Free Lesson Month for May. I'm also working on collateral materials for American Express Women's Golf Month in June--trying to get some ads placed in magazines, posters and flyers printed, etc. so we're ready to mail materials to the facilities hosting Women's Golf Month activities. Never a dull moment at the PGA of America!

Raider Girls' Golf Update: Brooke finished medalist in a home meet in Northfield this week with an 82! Way to go, Brooke!!

~Le Ann

Back at PGA National

This weekend I enjoyed another Florida weekend. I spent the day at Juno Beach yesterday--packed my lunch, cooler, iPod and a book to sit on the beach and relax. The water temperature is quite nice and feels good after sitting in the sun for a long time. It's always fun to just sit and people watch, too.

Today I played golf with two colleagues, Mallory and Jon, at PGA National on the Palmer course. We cruised right along and played in about 3 1/2 hours. The courses are definitely less crowded. Starting May 1 we have reciprocity with near-by courses such as Mirasol, Ibis, Jupiter Country Club, Frenchman's Reserve, Admirals Cove and Jonathan's Landing--some of the very elite private clubs in Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter. I know some of my co-workers and I will be sure to take advantage of that!

~Le Ann

Greetings from Washington D.C.

Today I was up bright and early for a 7 am flight to Washington DC. I will be administering a golf clinic tomorrow for 60+ women who are in town for the National Women's Foodservice Forum. They have a golf tournament scheduled for 110 participants and another 60 new golfers who will participate in our golf clinic.

I spent the afternoon checking out the sights in the nations capitol--Washington Monument, Capitol, Smithsonian Institute and the cherry blossoms. The weather is warm and sunny, then cold and rainy--all in one day.

This evening I went to the Basilica of the National Shrine to see the Northfield High School Concert Choir as they sang and participated in the 5:30 Mass. It was fun to see the high school students I knew and the many parents who were chaperones.

Tomorrow is the Play Golf America Day for the Women's Foodservice Forum, then back to the Reagan airport for a flight back to West Palm. Looks like I'll be in Florida for two or three weeks before I travel again.

~Le Ann

PS. The Raider Girls' Golf team is in full swing back in Northfield...playing in some pretty awful spring weather, but it's fun to watch their results.

Masters - Day Two

Today was my second day at Augusta National to attend the Wednesday Masters practice round. I checked in to get my badge and headed right out to the back nine. Since the sun was shining today, I decided to get more photos of Amen corner, since it was overcast yesterday.

I took some photos of #12 and #13--caught Sergio Garcia, Fuzzy Zoeller, Stuart Appleby, Camilo Villegas and Luke Donald. Just as I was getting ready to leave the 12th tee, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Players were coming down the 11th fairway. They were playing the back nine for a practice round before the Par 3 Tournament at 1 p.m. It was a thrill to see them so close and of course, they drew a standing ovation on the 12th tee box.

After catching just a bit of the Par 3 contest, it was time to head back to Atlanta for my return flight to West Palm. I hadn't planned on stopped traffic near Atlanta, so I arrived at the airport with 45 minutes to spare to catch my flight...it was too late to check luggage so I was asked to take my luggage through security. Because I had no checked luggage, the 'nice' TSA guys wanted my toothpaste, sunscreen, hand lotion and some gifts I bought at Augusta--since they apparently were weapons. I opted to return to the counter, book a later flight, check my luggage and relax a bit before my flight.

In spite of the hassles in Atlanta, the past two days were so awesome and beyond my expectations. Time to book a hotel room for 2009!

~Le Ann

Greetings from the Masters!

As many of you know, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of attending the Masters in Augusta, Georgia on my birthday. Today was the day!

I arrived at the gates outside Washington Road at 9 a.m. and I picked up my badge. Masters policy requires any bags over 10"x5"x5" to be checked (which meant my camera bag had to be checked, but I could hand-carry my camera in). There are metal detectors at the entrance--just like at the airports. Once inside, they scan all badges (to make sure they're authentic) plus I had to show my PGA credentials again. I could not believe the crowds there to watch a practice round...it reminded me of the State Fair, with wall-to-wall people.

The gate entrance brings one in right past the Golf Shop (ka-ching!$$) concession stands and the official scoreboard, to the right of the first hole. I checked out the players on the first tee, Sergio Garcia and Camilo Villegas were walking down the first hole. (Photo op!) I spent half an hour just walking around the outside of the club house, Butler Cabin, Eisnehower Cabin and taking TONS of photos.

Of course Masters tradition includes the famous $1.50 Pimento Cheese Sandwich, so I felt obligated to try one...not too bad, I might add. Prices for food are incredibly reasonable since founder Cliff Roberts felt patrons pay enough for a badge to get in, that food prices need to remain reasonable. Good thing, but they make up for it in the Golf Shop!

After lunch I walked the back nine and the first thing a 'first-timer' notices and talks about is the elevation change and how when you watch it on TV, it doesn't begin to capture the rolling holes, etc. It was a thrill to see Amen Corner, holes 11, 12 and 13 up close. It's tradition at the par 3 16th hole for players to skip golf balls across the pond to the green after they hit their tee shots. I sat in the stands for an hour watching players like Steve Lawry, Justin Leonard, Brian Bateman and Fred Couples.

The birthday day concluded with dinner at Outback Steakhouse and looking at the 200-some photos I took today. I'm headed back in the morning for more photos and the Par 3 contest before I return to Atlanta for my flight back to West Palm.

Definitely a birthday to remember!

~Le Ann

Happy April Fool's Day

It's been a busy few days. Sunday we had more than 500 people attend our Women's Play Golf America Day--it was sunny and upper 80s so that helped us get a good crowd. Kelsey and Brooke came up to help with the putting contest also. Our first ever women's golf school kicked off at 5 p.m. and wrapped up today at noon. It was a fun event to plan and host.

David and the girls left today and arrived home safely this afternoon. Things continue to keep busy at work--now with the women's golf school behind us, we'll turn our focus to PGA Free Fitting and Trade-Up Month this month and PGA Free Lesson Month in May, followed by American Express Women's Golf Month in June.

As most golf courses across the country get ready for their season, the season here in Florida is winding down. The snow birds are getting ready to head back north so the tee times and pace of play on the courses will open up greatly.

Thanks for keeping in touch...

~Le Ann