Callaway Golf/CPGA Lesson Program

New state of the art golf clubs can help improve your game, but Callaway Golf is taking it one step further. Callaway has teamed up with the CPGA to offer a free 30-minute lesson to anyone who purchases a driver or iron set from the 2009 product line from a CPGA professional. To receive a lesson certificate, golfers must purchase a Callaway product between May 1 and July 31, 2009.

World-renowned golf coach, David Leadbetter, is spearheading the operation.

“The importance of instruction from a certified golf professional for players of all abilities cannot be overstated. The Callaway/CPGA lesson program was created to offer tangible benefits to help every golfer’s game.”

Many amateur golfers spend thousands of dollars on new clubs that they hope will improve their game, but neglect or are intimidated by seeking help from a professional. Lessons are expensive and usually hard to come by at times. Most golf clubs only have a single CPGA pro who most oversee hundreds of members throughout the shortened Canadian golf year.

Organizers of the program have set up a Website for golfers to validate their certificate and book appointments for lessons; www.mycallaway.ca/freelessons

The 2009 Canadian PGA lesson program is available at all Canadian Callaway Golf retailers.

So if you’re looking to upgrade your equipment this season, make sure to book your appointment with a CPGA pro near you.

Examiner Golf Guide

This past week the Peterborough Examiner published it's annual Golf Guide. It appeared on Wednesday and is full of great local golf information. There's a neat article on Steve Clancy and his vision to create a skins and fins event this year. Also be sure and grab a copy so you can check out the great tournament section where it runs down all the big events this coming summer. If you wish you can even read my article on "getting fit" for the upcoming season. Congratulations to the Examiner sports staff for once again putting together a great golf guide. Nice job. If you can't track down a copy you can always drop into the Examiner and I'm sure they will have some extra copies.

Pete

Alliance Golf Memberships

Tired of spending thousands of dollars on expensive golf memberships? Not only is the cost usually obscene to be a member at a golf club, the repetition of playing the same 18 holes all year long can leave you bored and unchallenged.

Kevin and Garrett Fitzgerald had a vision that would appeal to many golfers in 2007. They created Alliance Golf Memberships. It has created an opportunity for golfers in the Kawartha Lakes to have discounted green fees of up to 40% on numerous courses throughout the region.

Courses include:

Wolf Run Golf and Country Club
Lindsay Golf and Country Club
Whitetail Golf Club
Pine Crest Golf and Country Club
Baxter Creek Golf Club
Six Foot Bay Resort
Quarry Golf Club
Keystone Links Golf and Country Club
Warkworth Golf and Country Club
Salt Creek Golf Links

***And discounts for the On The Links Golf Tour and Ricarts***

AGM Membership Includes:

-Up to 40% off on green fees
-Online Access 365 days a year
-Last minute tee time bookings online
-Free online handicap tracker and shot tracker
-Full course details and contact information
-Free equipment testing
-course reviews by members

Registration is quick and easy online at http://www.alliancegolf.ca/ or call (705) 292 8065

Single members fees: $99.95
Couple members fees: $169.95
Junior (under 18): $49.95

Dundas Valley To Host 2009 Canadian PGA Women's Championship

The Canadian Professional Golf Association has announced that Dundas Valley Golf Club will host the 2009 Canadian PGA Women’s Championship. The tournament will begin on August 10th . The par 71, 6400 yard Stanley Thompson design will present a considerable challenge to the best female golfers in Canada.

The Niagara escarpment provides the backdrop for this picturesque championship course. The classic old-style setup presents some breathtaking views and terrifying shots. Consider yourself lucky if you find an even lie on this course. Downhill and uphill shots to well guarded greens make club selection a nightmare.

Assistant course superintendent, Alex Dickie, was ecstatic when he heard about the announcement.

“The tournament falls the weekend after our club championship….we will be conditioning the course for full championship playability. This is the biggest event that we have hosted since the 2004 CPGA Senior Men’s Championship.”

Dickie hopes that the exposure gained from holding this year’s event will skyrocket the private club’s rating.

“We want to get our course rated in the top 100….and in the next five years, the top 50. This event should put us over the top.”

If all goes well, Dickie sees no reason why the course shouldn’t be considered for the Men’s Amateur Championship in the future.

“The event that we eventually want to hold is the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.”

Course maintenance staff plan on letting the rough grow up to four inches, double mow and row the greens to add to the already difficult complexion of the golf course. Parking shouldn’t be an issue for the NIKE sponsored event, as a shuttle service could be made possible from nearby McMaster University in Hamilton.

Eventually, Dickie believes that the DVG could host the prestigious Canadian Open event given a few changes. They would have to initiate a “renaissance” plan that would convert their short nine-hole practice course into a 28 acre academy facility that would accommodate a driving range and an area for tents that are required for the open. The area is no stranger to hosting the tournament, as nearby championship courses include; Hamilton Golf and Country Club and Glen Abbey.

Sunday's Show

Be sure and join us Sunday at 10am for our second show of the season. We'll have On the Links Tour member Craig Williams on the show to talk about his quest to get his golf game on CBC's The Dragon's Den. We'll also talk with John Gordon of Club Link regarding a new Callaway Fitting Centre and Gary Morris will be along with another edition of Bam's in the Barn. This week Bam will interview Bob Dixon of Pine Crest Golf Club. Tune in and and enjoy.

Pete