text:
How to Be Smart with Your MoneyApril 10, 2013
Happy Financial Literacy Month! Wait, you didn't know April is National Financial Literacy Month? Well, neither did we until recently, which is why we're telling everyone — but especially women — to take time to learn more about finances, budgeting, and managing money.
It might not enjoy the same level of recognition as Black History Month or Women's History Month, but this month's theme tackles issues of tremendous importance like financial independence and self-awareness. Lots of organizations are featuring resources on topics ranging from estate planning to avoiding budgeting pitfalls.
We talked with AAUW Community Action Project Grant recipient Jessica Jennrich to find out more about why financial literacy matters. Jennrich is the director of the Center for Gender and Student Engagement at Dartmouth College and led the 2008 project Creating Effective Financial Planning Services for Low-Income Women in Transition while working at the University of Missouri. The project team conducted in-depth interviews with low-income women living in transitional facilities and created financial planning and financial literacy services to meet the women's needs. According to Jennrich, "Typical financial planning programs assume that participants have a basic literacy of financial workings. With this program we truly began at the beginning, teaching women (many of whom were living alone for the first time in their adult lives) to balance their bank accounts, make a budget, and begin thinking about saving for the future."
Q: Why is it important for women and girls to learn about financial literacy?
A: Women are specifically under-informed about financial literacy. From an early age, women do not receive the same access to financial planning information that men do. Even going back as early as childhood, often financial information on saving and investing is discussed between fathers and sons, but the same cannot be said of mothers and daughters. This makes it very important for women and girls to begin learning the basics of financial literacy in order to dismantle the confusion around, put simply, money.
Q: What should women know about managing their money?
A: Understanding the different opportunities for saving for the future is so important. This information can be confusing, and needs to be demystified. Additionally, women and girls need to gain confidence in discussing financial literacy openly and without stigma. Finally, women and girls need to feel empowered around having control of their finances, regardless of their employment status. Every woman, from CEOs to stay-at-home mothers, needs to have a transparent understanding of her present and future financial options.
Q: April is National Financial Literacy Month. Any last words of wisdom on the topic?
A: We could all be doing better, and I hope that National Financial Literacy Month will inspire all of us to act as mentors to the girls we know so they can make important change for the future.
National Financial Literacy Month is an excellent opportunity, and a reminder that regardless of your financial background or money savvy, it is never too late to learn more. Look for local events in your community, or check out any of the online educational tools, resources, tips, and trainings out there. Or consider taking the time to share your own knowledge and experiences with students, children, and mentees so that the next generation of women is prepared to take control of their finances.
Jessica Jennrich's Community Action Grant was sponsored by six Research & Project Grant endowments: the Ballwin-Chesterfield (MO) Branch, the Independence (MO) Branch, the Reno (NV) Branch, the Dora Johnson/Kansas City (MO) Branch, the Missouri Diamond Jubilee, and the Missouri State Division Anniversary endowment.
This post was written by Fellowships and Grants Intern Emily McGranachan.
Join the Conversation
You must be logged in to post a comment.


text:
Our game of the morning is probably Baylor at West Virginia, though our shame expert (aren't we all, in some sense, shame experts?) told us to be on the lookout for a potential "DOUBLE trap game" in the N.C. State vs. U. of Miami game. Also look out for Penn State at Illinois, because Illinois may have been the program most openly recruiting Penn State players in the wake of the Freeh report, and thus Bill O'Brien hates them. A Pat Forde™ anecdote:
You might recall that first-year Illini coach Tim Beckman and his staff were literally on the Penn State campus after the NCAA laid the smackdown on the Nittany Lions, recruiting players right out of the dorms. That didn't go over real well with first-year Penn State coach Bill O'Brien. Since Penn State players are still free to transfer without restriction after the season, O'Brien and staff might want to be on the lookout for Illinois coaches giving their players the "Call me maybe" signal pre- and post-game.
Creepy. The Gameday dudes are East Lansing because that's where the near-rivalry (otherwise known as a "half" or "slant" rivalry) is playing out between Michigan State and Ohio State this afternoon, and Tennessee will face Georgia on the CBS. Master schedule right here, and we'll link back so as to consolidate all college football yakking into something unwieldy and confusing. Enjoy!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Direct Support Professional
Hours: Monday-Wednesday and Friday 2pm-9pm, every other weekend 8am-8pm
Job Summary:
Direct Support Professional's support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in being independent in all areas of their lives, to become and remain involved in their community and to assist each person to achieve personal outcomes that reflect their dreams, hopes and desires. We maintain a structured and healthy environment to enhance the well-being of persons served while providing continual guidance regarding life skills, academic skills, and work skills to ensure appropriate social interaction.
Essential Functions:
Customer Service and Excellence
Professional Conduct
Community Involvement
Rights, Dignity, Respect and Choices
Safety: Security, Environment & Health
Working Environment/Conditions:
DSP's work with people who may be unpredictable, verbally and physically aggressive and self- abusive; exposed to mental and physical demands including back and muscle strain, stress, loud environments, and works in a variety of settings inside or outside the home/workplace and throughout the community. Responsibilities/essential functions require the following physical demands and challenges:
Frequent kneeling, squatting, twisting, crouching, crawling, and bending
Standing/ Walking (for extended periods of time)
Lifting and/or carrying up to 50 pounds (may exceed 50 pounds during medical and safety emergency situation) with or without varying amounts of assistance on a reoccurring basis.
Pushing, and/or pulling (i.e. wheelchairs, moving groceries/supplies, etc.)
Transfers and/or repositioning people who are not able to move on their own, in a sitting or lying position, to and from their chairs, beds, toilets, floor mats, vehicles, etc.
Some climbing and balancing (i.e. stairs, assisting people walking with gait belts, etc.),
Must have the ability to perform CPR and NVCI.
May be exposed to infectious diseases, bodily fluids, odors, dust, cleaning agents, etc., throughout the day.
Work Challenges:
Challenges include learning about the people in order to know how to teach and motivate them, recognizing changes in behavior that may indicate additional services are needed, redirecting and implementing Behavior Support plans, and ensuring other plans are implemented correctly while dealing with maladaptive behaviors. Motivating people to perform up to standards on work, home, and community expectations and instilling pride, confidence, and self-respect in the people served is also challenging.
Problems include recognizing manipulative and maladaptive behavior, assisting resistive people, determining appropriate level of intervention, and dealing with equipment malfunctions and adaptations.
Decision Making:
Staff decide how to present themselves and how to respond to situations at every moment. Decisions include how to de-escalate a situation and if physical restraint is needed; when a behavior and physical condition should be documented or reported to medical staff; priority of daily work activities that are not related to someone's personal treatment; assisting people served to requisition their funds; making good judgments, how to treat others, when to intervene in disputes between people served; when to refer a person's needs to higher authority; recommendation of changes in treatment and if the team needs to meet to address a person's issues.
Decisions referred include final plans, medical needs, procedures for implementing treatment plans, and formal counseling.
Minimum of High School diploma or GED
Must be at least 18 years of age
Basic fluency in oral and written English.
Pass a qualifying criminal background check which includes motor vehicle driving records.
Pass a pre-employment drug screening. Upon hire, employees are subject to random and reasonable suspicion testing per Aspire Inc's Drug Free Workplace Policy.
Licenses/Required Testing:
A valid driver's license and evidence of insurability is required upon hire. Must have a safe driving record, have at least 3 years of driving experience, and be insurable under our insurance.
Employees must successfully complete all required agency training in the required time allotted, and recertify annually.
Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible; however in no way is it stated that these are the only duties you are required to perform. Any one position may not include all of the listed items nor do the listed items include all functions which may be found in positions of this class. Aspire, Inc. reserves the right to make changes to job descriptions, job responsibilities and functions, employment practices, supervisory lines of authority, employment titles, etc. as it deems necessary.
If accommodations are needed for any of the above essential functions, please contact the Director of Human Resources.


text:
Alternatively, the family could have descended from Marlborough, a borough and market-town, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Selkley in Wiltshire. "The name, anciently written Marleberg, or Marlbridge, is supposed to be derived from the marl, or chalk, hills by which the town is surrounded. At the time of the Norman survey [(1086]), Marlborough had a church, and was held in royal demesne; soon after, a castle was erected, which seems to have been the cause of the subsequent enlargement of the town. In the time of Richard I., and during his imprisonment in Austria, his brother John took possession of this fortress; but Richard, on his return from captivity, seized it, with all the other possessions belonging to his brother, and on their reconciliation he still retained the castle of Marlborough in his own hands. " [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. In this case, the first on record was Alured de Merleberge who held lands here at the time of the Domesday Book of 1086. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
One of the first records of the family in England was Thomas of Marlborough (died 1236), a medieval English monk and writer, Abbot of Evesham Abbey in 1230.
A few years later, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed John de Marleberge as holding lands in Oxfordshire at that time. [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


text:
Aliante Casino + Hotel, 7300 Aliante Parkway, is a Four Diamond AAA-rated resort at Aliante Parkway and Interstate 215, bringing dining, gaming and entertainment to North Las Vegas. Located across from the Aliante Golf Course, the $675 million dollar resort features more than 200 rooms and suites. It opened in 2008 as part of the Station Casino family and began operating under its own management in the fall of 2012.
The casino floor has more than 2,000 slot machines, 40 tables games. The casino also features an all-paper, all-day bingo hall with a blackout progressive starting at $10,000. It also features a race and sports book that offers an extensive menu of wagering propositions not found elsewhere.
Dining includes four restaurants and eight fast food eateries. The signature restaurant is MRKT sea & land, which features steak and seafood and a 5,000-bottle wine list. Three new restaurants were introduced in fall 2012: Bistro 57, which offers Mediterranean-inspired fare; The Salted Lime, a margarita bar featuring food offerings from south of the border, and Medley Buffet, which will serve culinary treats from around the world. The food options for quick eats include Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, Johnny Rocket's, Panda Express Gourmet Chinese Food, T.G.I. Friday's, Dairy Queen, Orange Julius, Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill and Villa Pizza.
Guests can enjoy live entertainment at the Access Showroom, a 650-seat concert venue. For movies, the resort features the Regal Aliante Stadium 16 & IMAX. The ETA Lounge is Aliante's nightlife scene, with a private VIP section, a DJ booth and cold cocktails. The pool features palm trees, umbrellas, daybeds and cabanas.
7300 Aliante Parkway
Phone: 702-692-7777


text:
Merit Grind-O-Flex flap wheels are useful for grinding, cleaning, and polishing on metals, plastics, rubber, and wood while the flexible construction reduces the chances of gouging and marring the workpiece.
Coated abrasives have individual abrasive grains spaced at a predetermined distance from one another. This is a closed-coat disc. A closed coat covers 100 percent of the surface with abrasive grains, for more stiffness and better surface finish than an equivalent open coat, where abrasive grit covers 50 to 70 percent of the surface. The cloth backing is stiffer, tougher, and thicker than a paper or film backing. Cloth resists tearing while bending and flexing during use. This disc is suitable for use with a die grinder.
Ceramic aluminum oxide is tougher than aluminum oxide, and is self-sharpening. It is formed in a process where alumina gel is dried and then crushed. These engineered crystals fracture and refracture at fine levels, to form a smooth, self-sharpening abrasive material. Ceramic aluminum oxide is most commonly used for medium-to-high material removal on metals.
Abrasives are used for a variety of applications from shaping a part to fine finishing, depending on the grit size. Low grit numbers like 40 are coarse and are used for removing excess material and shaping a part. High grit numbers like 400 are fine and help to create a smooth surface finish.
Merit Abrasives has been manufacturing abrasives for the deburring and finishing industries since 1945, and pride themselves on their quality and focus on service. Saint-Gobain owns Merit, and has been recognized as a Global 100 Sustainable Company. Saint-Gobain has also earned ISO 9000 and 14001 certification for quality and environmental management standards.


text:
Hi guys.
I am new to JavaEE and I recently learnt the Business Delegate and Session Facade design patterns. The tutorials from Oracle did gave me a basic idea of what they are and why they are used, but the example didn't really answer all my questions. So I decided to use a real life scenario here and put my question in to it. Any help is appreciated.
Assume I want to create a search employee page for my company, the employees are categorized by his or her department and the province he or she is in. I have in the database a look up table for department and province. (as shown in the image below)
3-5-2013 5-53-51 PM.png
So I create three JPA entities, one for each table. Now I am stuck with what is the proper way to design the session facade design pattern. I know that I will need the to access all three entities in my page. (to get the drop down list for Provinces and Departments, and to retrieve list of Employees based on the selection) So should I create a Stateless Session Bean as session facade to access all three JPA Entities or should I create three separate Stateless Session Bean to manage one Entity each?
I came up three component diagram in the below picture.
The first one has one Stateless Session Bean as session facade and manages all three Entities.
The second one has a session facade to manage the relationship between business objects such as ProvinceManagerEJB and DepartmentManagerEJB which will manage the corresponding Entities.
The last one has three Stateless Session Beans that will manage one Entity each, all three Stateless Session Beans can be looked up via the Business Delegate pattern.
3-5-2013 6-01-10 PM.jpg
Please let me know if any one of them is the proper way to use business delegate and session facade. or none of them is correct. (which I assume might happen)
Again, thank you so much for your help.


text:
Premium 2-in-1 Lightning and Micro USB cable
Premium 2-in-1 Lightning and Micro USB cable
Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad
This product is made to work perfectly with Apple devices in terms of compatibility, specifications, and design certified by Apple's MFi Program.
Compatible with USB Type-A and Lightning/Micro USB
Use this 2-in-1 cable to charge and transfer data from standard USB Type-A ports to both Apple devices and a wide range of Micro USB devices including cameras, headphones, tablets, or smartphones.
Premium design & quality
The CP-ABLP150 is exceptionally durable, elastic and strain-resistant thanks to its high-quality nylon composite construction. The stylish design is also available in three slick colours - gold, grey, and pink.
Wide-diameter cable for 5x faster charging
Sony's wider diameter cables offer a faster charging speed. With compatible devices, Sony's USB cables support a full 2.4 A output, for up to five times faster charging than other USB 2.0 cables.
Ideal for every location and situation
Available in 1.5m (4.92 ft) length, this cable is ideal for office or home use, or on the go. Use it for PC data transfer or USB charging from wall-plug AC adaptors, portable battery chargers and car chargers.
Long-lasting and durable
The CP-ABLP150 cable lasts three times longer than conventional USB cables thanks to their wide diameter and the use of quality materials. Tested to withstand over 10,000 bends and connection cycles, for safe and reliable performance with both charging and data transfer.
High speed data transfer
Enjoy fast data transfers speeds of up to 480Mbps.
Designed for safer charging
Sony USB cables are USB-IF (USB 2.0) compliant for enhanced safety, dramatically reducing the risk of fire, overheating and disconnections compared with other USB cables.


text:
Gilmore Girls
"A Vineyard Valentine" - (TV-) (HDTV)
Tuesday , February 14 2006 Fresh Episode
A COUPLES WEEKEND - As Valentine's Day approaches, Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Logan (Matt Czuchry) invite Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Luke (Scott Patterson) to spend a weekend with them at Logan's family's house on Martha's Vineyard. Rory and Logan have a wonderful time, but Lorelai is upset by Luke's unfriendly attitude toward Logan. Luke's attitude changes when he realizes he forgot to buy Lorelai a Valentine gift, and Logan saves the day by letting Luke give Lorelai one of the gifts he had bought for Rory. When Lorelai finally confesses to Luke that she is worried the wedding will never take place, he reassures her that they will get married soon. The weekend ends in an ugly scene when Logan's father, Mitchum Huntzberger (guest star Gregg Henry), arrives and berates Logan for ignoring his responsibilities in the family business. Melissa McCarthy also stars. The episode was written and directed by Daniel Palladino (#2T6316).


text:
n June 1, 1889, newspapers across the country bore huge headlines announcing that on the day before, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, had been ravaged by the most devastating flood in the nation's history. With railroad tracks washed away and telegraph lines down, contact with the city was completely cut off, so most early newspaper editions carried stories based on rumor, conjecture, and the accounts of a few overwrought survivors. One bold headline proclaimed, "JOHNSTOWN BLOTTED OUT BY THE FLOOD! HALF OF ITS PEOPLE KILLED." The story that followed told of unbelievable horrors, but the truth, when it became known, was scarcely less ghastly than the fabricated tales of the "yellow" journalists of the time: more than 2,200 people were known to be dead and hundreds more were missing. Property damage amounted to $17 million. The cleanup operation would take five years, and bodies were still being found months and even years after the flood.
About This Lesson
Getting Started: Inquiry Question
Setting the Stage: Historical Context
Locating the Site: Maps
Determining the Facts: Readings
Visual Evidence: Images
Putting It All Together: Activities
How the National Register
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
This lesson is based on Johnstown Flood National Memorial, one of the thousands of properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places.


text:
Myanmar: "Reforms continue apace, but key human rights issues remain unaddressed" – UN expert
BANGKOK / GENEVA (20 February 2013) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, commended the progress achieved so far by the reform process in Myanmar, but called on the Government to urgently address a number of human rights issues.
"The reforms in Myanmar are continuing apace, which is a good sign for the improvement of the human rights situation in Myanmar," Mr. Ojea Quintana said at the end of his seventh mission* to the country, which took him to Naypyitaw, Yangon and Kachin and Rakhine States. However, he warned, "there are significant human rights shortcomings that remain unaddressed."
"As time passes it becomes more urgent to address these shortcomings before they become entrenched," he stressed, acknowledging nonetheless that the existing gaps between the reforms at the top, and the reality and implementation on the ground will take time to close.
The Special Rapporteur restated his call to the authorities and the people of Myanmar to address the issue of truth, justice and accountability through the creation of a truth commission. "What happened during the previous military governments remains untouched. I believe this is crucial for the process of national reconciliation and to prevent future human rights violations by learning from the past," he noted.
The expert also called on the international community to recognise the significance of the reforms that have taken place, but also urged them to focus on their implementation, especially in the areas of human rights capacity development for police, army, judges and lawyers. He also reminded them of their important role in prioritising human rights when engaging in bilateral relations with Myanmar, including in business and investment relations.
Kachin State "I have been particularly concerned over the previous months of the escalation of military offensives, which has brought further death, injury and destruction to the civilian population," Mr. Ojea Quintana noted. "The ongoing large military presence, which remains beyond the reach of accountability mechanisms, means that serious human rights violations are continuing there."
"The resolution of the conflict will need to address the role played by ethnic minorities in the reconstruction of the nation," he stressed, while drawing attention to "the importance of involving community based organisations, which are dealing with the consequences of the conflict, to participate in a transparent process of political dialogue and negotiation."
The expert noted that humanitarian access is still a challenge in Kachin State due to security issues and the harassment of local staff from humanitarian organisations, as well as the steady decrease in donor funding. "I believe that there are administrative and political obstacles that can be overcome to improve access," he said.
Rakhine State Mr. Ojea Quintana noted that Rakhine State is going through a profound crisis that threatens to spread to other parts of the country and has the potential to undermine the entire reform process in Myanmar. "Both Muslim and Buddhist Rakhine communities continue to suffer the consequences of violence that the Government has finally been able to control, though question marks remain over the extent to which excessive force has been used," he said.
The Special Rapporteur expressed concern about the situation of 120,000 people in internally displaced camps, with particular regard to the lack of adequate health care in the larger Muslim camps.
"This is not just a matter of lack of resources, but requires the safe passage of humanitarian assistance to these camps. Currently, local and international medical staff are unable to provide medical care to some of the Muslim camps due to the threats and harassment they face from local Rakhine Buddhist communities," the expert said. "I urge the local authorities to send a clear message through their networks that this harassment of staff is not acceptable."
"Feelings of fear, distrust, hatred and anger remain high between communities. To address this requires education, responsible local journalism, as well as mutually respectful dialogue between community leaders. Time does not heal wounds unless measures are taken to repair relations," he said. "The facts of what has happened need to be established and those responsible for human rights violations held to account, which I hope the Investigation Committee established by the President will help to do in its upcoming report which should be made public."
During his five-day visit, Mr. Ojea Quintana met with Government officials, members of Parliament and the judiciary in Naypyitaw. In Yangon he held meetings with the National Human Rights Commission, civil society and former prisoners of conscience, among other stakeholders. He also met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and discussed a broad range of human rights issues.
In Rakhine State, Mr. Ojea Quintana visited Muslim and Buddhist IDP camps in Sittwe, Myaybon and Pauk Taw, and the Sittwe Prison. In Kachin State, he visited IDP camps in Myitkyina and Waingmaw and the Myitkyina Prison.
The Special Rapporteur will present a full report on the visit to the 22nd session of the Human Rights Council on 11 March 2013.
Mr. Tomás Ojea Quintana (Argentina) was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council in May 2008. As Special Rapporteur, he is independent from any government or organization and serves in his individual capacity.
Learn more, log on to: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/countries/mm/mandate/index.htm
(*) Check the full end-of-mission statement: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13004&L...
See the latest progress report on Myanmar by the Special Rapporteur: http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N12/520/48/PDF/N1252048.pdf?O...
UN Human Rights, country page – Myanmar: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/AsiaRegion/Pages/MMIndex.aspx
For more information and media requests, please contact Daniel Collinge (+41 22 928 9173 / firstname.lastname@example.com) or write to firstname.lastname@example.com
For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts: Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / firstname.lastname@example.com)


text:
Hire Projector and Screen in Egham
Browse Projector and Screen Suppliers
Recent review: "we needed a Karaoke DJ for our Awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane Very professional and entertaining service. Would recommend to ll companies looking for a corporate outfit"
Recent review: Hired female dj frizzie for the reopening of Forever 21 Shop @ Oxford Circus Street, London. It turned out to be the best decision i ever made concerning the event. She's probably the best female dj i've seen perform in a long while and should be considered for any upcoming events.
About: Welcome to YPS Events , we specialise in the provision of Sound, Lighting, Staging, Video, Rigging & Power equipment to anything from festivals – conferences, product launches – theatre, sporting events – award ceremonies and concerts – large weddings and parties. Our experience is extensive which g
Recent review: Mike my DJ arrived in plenty of time! He & his colleague were professional & friendly. They played my playlist all the way thru! Really gr8 music & really gr8 lighting, lasers & dots! Fantastic music & fantastic light show! I'll be using Mike again for any other party gatherings i May have in the fu
Recent review: "From my very first phone call to Ben asking him to run our bar for our wedding, he has been a total pro! The bar was absolutely stunning, and Ben handled everything amazingly considering we were in Tipi style tents in the middle of a field and running off a generator! His team all looked immacula
About: We provide everything you need for your pop-up cinema from audiences of 50- 2,000 people. We also have beautiful furniture for your private party - bell tents, pop-up bar, fridges, beanbags, deckchairs, sound system, gazebos.
About: We are the marquee speicalists covering the Home Counties and London. We are based in Berkshire inbetween Reading and Newbury. Our beautiful Capri marquees are ideal for marquee weddings and we have a wide range of furniture, accessories and party services.
Recent review: I found the service very useful in finding vendors for what I wanted. I thought the response time was quick and timely with also being very informative. I was able to navigate quotes easily and booking was simple and straight forward which was very helpful as I was on a short time frame. I was also
Recent review: "Sara was a brilliant DJ, good communication when we booed her, turned up early to get set up & was a fab DJ. Can confidently recommend Sara :-)"
About: My Big Day Events are a St Albans based company providing DJ services, Photobooths, Lightup Letters, Lighting Solutions, Sweet Carts, Dancefloors, Magic Mirrors, and more! We also offer unique bundle packages where delivery charge on multiple items is combined to save our clients money.
About: We provide sweet carts, pick'n'mix stands, ferris wheels fully supplied with the sweets of your choice. We also supply wedding favours. We have extensive sound, video, lighting and screens and our team of AV technicians are very highly experienced.
About: Here at BPG we are experts in all things Sound, Lighting, Staging and Special Effects. We can supply many different types of expertise including Professional DJ's, Lighting Hire, PA System Hire, Mood Lighting and Confetti Cannon Hire. We also have a sales and maintenance division who can serve you
About: High quality Audio visual hire from a company that has over 6000 events supplied to. We offer very high quality equipment along with management of all of the technical aspects of your event.
About: Portable Pictures offer a unique mobile cinema party experience - bringing the cinema to your home, wedding or unique screening location. Now available in Oxfordshire and across the South East we're offering 10% off summer bookings (ends August 31st) as part of our launch. Whether it's for a childr
About: MMG offer you outstanding service with amazing results for all of your AV requirements. We work across the UK in 5 star hotels, exclusive hotels, conference venues, festivals, live music venues, in short anywhere that needs audio visual services. We can help you if you are looking for anything
About: We supply amazing projection mapped wedding cakes and have some great examples on our Instagram. Check it out! Hire one of our white LED dance floors. We can accommodate any size but the usual hire is between 14ft to 18ft. 18ft by 18ft can hold up to 90 - 100 dancers. Pair the floor with our upligh
About: we supply all of the items below sound lighting smoke machine haze machines bubble machines staging out door roof systems festoon lighting
About: Show Production Services are a leading live event technology supplier to the entertainment industry. Huge inventory of lighting, staging, rigging, drapes, electrics and special effects for concert touring, television, film, corporate, fashion and live events. Bases in UK and U.S.
About: VisualPoke a long established professional services company with many years experience in event services.
Recent review: "Initially they brought the wrong equipment, which then meant they were still setting up when people arrived. I would have preferred the young guy that was working the machine to be dressed smarter than tracksuit bottoms and trainers. Other than that, the pictures and system was very good."


text:
Wine Offers
Banish boring booze with these keenly priced wine offers. You'll find carefully selected cases to suit all budgets, all with wines in that you're guaranteed to enjoy. Fancy a special bottle too? No problem; with cases taking 15 bottles, simply add them to your basket (scroll down for wine deals).
Octoberfest: Best-Selling Mixed Case
SAVE 23% on this array of some top-selling wines Five red, five white, and two pinks will give you something to enjoy whatever the weather Read More.£102.68£78.99
10 Autumnal Whites
Just because it's gotten a bit chilly, it doesn't mean white wines go out of fashion. Take these 10 Rude favourites, all brimming with fruity flavour and perfect for October days Read More.£93.90£76.99
Octoberfest: 10 Crème de la Crème of French Whites
SAVE 27% on these stunning French classics 10 exceptional white wines from the classic regions of France. Grand Cru Chablis, Premier Cru Champagne, Pouilly-Fume, Sancerre, Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, Graves... All these wines normally are £9.99 or over (right up to £49.95!) Read More.£205.37£149.98
6 of the Best: Malbec Wines
Who doesn't like a good Malbec wine? Intensely-coloured red wine, lively, juicy, upfront flavours, with that sublime, plush texture. Here are six perfectly poised Malbecs, from the ideal everyday style to some interesting Malbec-dominated blends Read More.£72.44£59.99
Octoberfest: In the Pink
SAVE 31% on some special rosé wines France, Italy and Spain all show how pink wines and a Mediterranean climate equals pink wine bliss. And, drinking them all year round is completely acceptable. In fact, it's fashionable Read More.£112.18£76.99
Fruity, Refreshing Rosé Wines
Save 15%, or £17.49 on this case
It's the middle of summer, and that calls for pouring a glass of well-chilled rosé wine. With the sun picking out those gentle hues of pink, the aromas of soft red fruits, and a lively, refreshingly fruity set of flavours, they're summer in a glass Read More.£115.48


text:
Greatest Game Hero: Samus Aran
Samus Aran, the bounty hunter heroine of the Metroid series, is one of the greatest game heroes of all time. Find out why in this video.
Samus Aran, the bounty hunter heroine of the Metroid series, is one of the greatest game heroes of all time. Find out why in this video.
Find out what makes Metroid Prime Hunters so great.
Take a look at some multiplayer action from Metroid Prime: Hunters.
Samus tries to take you down in this clip from Metroid Prime: Hunters.
Samus chases a Hunter to a new planet and sets out for battle.
Rich Vorodi talks bounty hunters and multiplayer in this interview.
Take a look at some awesome footage of Metroid Prime: Hunters in this lengthy movie.
Take a look at some explosive footage of Metroid Prime: Hunters in this movie.
Get the inside word on Metroid Prime: Hunters in our exclusive interview.
Nintendo of America's Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, Reggie Fils-Aime goes in-depth into Nintendo's strategy.
Check out this in depth demonstration of the Nintendo WiFi website.
Don't miss out on this incredible trailer for Metroid Prime Hunters.
The fighting is frantic in this look at Metroid Prime: Hunters.
Check out all the games that Nintendo's planning for the DS and Game Boy Advance in this excerpt from the company's E3 press conference.
Check out how to start out your new Nintendo DS in this Hardware movie.
Samus begins the hunt.
This 14 minute long demonstration gives you everything you need to know about Metroid Prime Hunters.
Check out this up close and personal demonstration of the Nintendo DS from E3 2004.
Be sure to check out the full Nintendo E3 2004 press conference shown in all its glory and in direct-feed.
Use your keyboard!
Log in to comment


text:
HONG KONG (Reuters) - The price of gold may hit $5,000 per ounce, nearly three times current levels, in three to four years, as demand from sovereign states, central banks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) rises, the chairman of two Canadian gold mining companies said.
"Gold is used as insurance for bad governments," Rob McEwen, chairman and chief executive of Minera Andes Inc and US Gold Corp, told Reuters on the sidelines of the Mines and Money conference in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
Gold is traditionally used as a hedging tool against inflation and economic uncertainty. The yellow metal has also been a favorite investor hedge against loose monetary policies in the wake of the global financial crisis.
McEwen said gold was in the middle of a super cycle that could end by 2015, adding that the length of the gold super cycle and the $5,000 forecast were based on historical gold prices and the ratio of the Dow stock index against gold since 1970.
McEwen founded Canada's top gold miner Goldcorp Inc. He left the company in 2005, cashing in for a little over $200 million.
He said about 90 percent of his personal assets were in physical gold, adding the he owned a 31 percent stake in Minera and a 20 percent stake in US Gold, both headquartered in Toronto.
US Gold mines gold and silver in the United States and Mexico. Minera has a project in Argentina.
McEwen said he believed that countries such as China, Russia and India would buy gold as part of their foreign exchange reserves.
If China wanted the yuan to become an international reserve currency, the government may need to put 10 percent of its foreign exchange reserves in gold, he said.
The world's second-biggest economy, China holds less than 2 percent of its 2.85 trillion foreign exchange reserves in gold, which have stayed at 33.89 million ounces since April 2009 according to official figures.
He said, however, that global gold production would continue to be limited by high costs and tighter regulatory controls.
Spot gold was steady at about $1,427 per ounce at 0630 GMT (2:30 a.m. ET) on Wednesday, within striking distance of its record $1,444.40 per ounce set on March 7.
Nick Holland, chief executive of the world's fourth-largest listed gold miner Gold Fields Ltd, said on Tuesday that the gold could hit $1,500 and the industry was not making a huge amount of money at current prices.
Reporting by Polly Yam; Editing by Chris Lewis


text:
Wednesday 16 October 2019
27 May 2011
Author Robert Bruce
Robert Bruce, a financial journalist, reports on due process oversight. His views are his own and may not represent those of the IFRS Foundation or the IASB.
It is the arguments about technical aspects of standard setting that tends to catch the headlines. But the issue of the governance of the processes that bring about standards is equally important. The work of the IASB has expanded at an extraordinary rate over the last ten years. And ever since the G20 decided it wanted to see a common global language of financial reporting in operation the work of the IASB has taken centre stage, along with a place at the top table of global public policy. And that has meant a much greater focus on the IASB's governance and public accountability.
These have evolved as the role of the IASB has grown. The IASB itself is an independent body that sets the standards. The IFRS Foundation Trustees—comprising the great and the good of international public service, business and finance—oversee the activities of the IASB and, in particular, ensure that its independence is free from outside influences. The Monitoring Board, consisting of the most senior capital market supervisors around the world, provides the IASB with the legitimising link to the jurisdictions, supervisors and regulators that depend upon its work.
The importance of due process
Observers of the standard setting process, like IFRS Foundation Trustee David Sidwell, would "suggest that at the heart of reassuring reassuring the world that the IASB is acting in a proper manner at all times is the IASB's due process, which defines how the IASB goes about its work and discharges its responsibilities to act in the public interest".
A thorough, robust and transparent due process is essential to maintaining confidence and trust in both the IASB's standard-setting activities and in the standards themselves that are produced, and written into law by more than 100 countries. Oversight of this process falls to a special committee of the Trustees, known as the Due Process Oversight Committee (DPOC). It is this committee that is responsible for approving, and overseeing the IASB's compliance with, due process, and reviewing the Trustees' fulfilment of their oversight function in accordance with the Constitution of the IFRS Foundation.
David Sidwell, Trustee
The DPOC meets the IASB at least four times a year and is chaired by David Sidwell, a former CFO of Morgan Stanley and a non-executive director of both UBS and Fannie Mae in the US. 'What we are talking about are the procedures and policies that the Board follows in setting standards', he says. 'We are not talking about any particular decisions. We are not involved in the setting of standards.'
Balancing independence and accountability
It is a fine line. Independence has to be protected. But so must the integrity of the due process. 'The Board must maintain a formal and extensive consultation process right the way through to the final standard,' says Sidwell. 'The role of the DPOC is therefore to construct and oversee a due process that is as clear and transparent as possible, and enhances confidence and trust in the resulting standards.'
And that starts with the outset of the process. 'For example,' he says, 'the setting of the agenda. We want to ensure that the Board is out there discussing it, explaining why something in particular needs to be done, whether it is based on contact with investors, other interested parties, other standard setters, and so on.' Then comes the way the subsequent project is handled. 'Project planning needs to be a rigorous and transparent process,' he says. 'We focus on how an exposure draft is developed and publicised, including why they chose outcome A over outcome B, for example, so there can be no doubt, once it is published, that the Board had listened all through the process.'
All of these processes are now published within a dedicated DPOC section of the IASB website. The full extent of the questions asked and the reports made all the way through the process, from deciding to produce a standard to the publication of the final document, can be followed. 'It is a very important aspect of providing oversight, which reinforces the idea of the Board being put in the spotlight and justifying why it took a particular decision,' says Sidwell. And it is here that the independence of the Board and the rigour of the DPOC process come together. 'It is a fine line,' he says. 'We are not interested in telling them what to do.'
Clarity of oversight
The detail of how this works is important and the DPOC is making changes in several areas to ensure that the clarity of due process is enhanced. There is a set method of achieving the oversight of due process. 'There is much more structural dialogue with Board staff along the project time line,' he says. But he wants to develop the system still further. 'We will develop a framework to ensure that as each project proceeds along its steps we can validate that the due process is being followed in both letter and spirit. We have already begun to publish a high level summary after each meeting,' he says. 'And by the time a standard is issued we will able to say with confidence that a thorough, open and transparent due process was complied with.'
This will tie into the work of the IFRS Advisory Council, which advises the Board on proposed agenda items and setting priorities. 'As part of this work, we will continue our dialogue with the IFRS Advisory Council, for example, to gauge confidence in the due process being followed by the Board,' he says. And this brings another potential area into play: the differentiation between complaints about due process and plain old gripes about technical issues. There is a danger that some will start to complain to the DPOC about the Board and due process issues when what they are really unhappy about is specific technical issues. 'We need to tread carefully in this area, and not to be seen as a mechanism for those who disagree with technical decisions taken by the Board to get the issues back on the table,' he says.
Enhancements to due process
Another area on which the DPOC intends doing more work is the demonstration of due process achieved. 'We will look at providing more robust documentation to demonstrate the oversight,' says Sidwell. This has to be a system that continues to evolve and change depending on how issues develop. 'Our due process is regarded by many people as best practice among comparable organisations, but we need to stay on top of our game by, for example, discussing with other organisations how they go about it,' he says, 'and, so far, our discussions and comparisons give us a sense that the Board's process is already very strong.'
The DPOC is meeting the IASB on a monthly basis in the lead up to finalisation of the major convergence projects, and a number of the preliminary recommendations from the Trustees strategy review, due to be finalised in August 2011, will fall into the lap of the DPOC. These are likely to include further enhancements to the IASB's cost/benefit evaluation and impact assessments for major standards, as well as additional regional outreach through enhanced dialogue with national standard-setters and greater use of round table discussions. Whatever the outcome, the DPOC is likely to remain one of the busiest of the Trustees' standing committees for some time to come.
Further information on the membership and activities of the DPOC is available from www.ifrs.org/dpoc.
© IFRS Foundation.


text:
Harbor Springs Michigan Golf
Harbor Springs is located in the northern part of Michigan, not the Upper Peninsula mind you, but still a good 5 hour drive north from Detroit. There quite a few solid golf courses in this area of Michigan, and this summer, I decided to check a few of them out. The weather was almost perfect (a little rain) and temps were never more than 75 degrees or so. Perfect for golf and perfect for golfing and hanging out with old friends.
Little Traverse Bay Golf Club
Overlooking Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan from the northeastern side of Harbor Springs is the Little Traverse Bay Golf Club. This was an extremely fun golf course with many elevated tee shots. The course was in great condition, however the greens were pretty slow. The course would have played much better with faster greens. Many of the holes offered nice views of Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan. Play on a Tuesday or Wednesday when the greens fee is only $59 with cart. With the exception of the low speed limit on the greens, Little Traverse Bay is a very nice golf course and worth playing.
True North Golf Club
After we finished up our round at Little Traverse Bay we drove 10 minutes north and teed it up at True North Golf Club. Originally designed as a private club, but it doesn't appear to have taken off as such. It is definitely upscale and if you are in the market for an empty lot, they have a lot of them. The course? True North is an excellent Jim Engh design, perfect conditions, fast greens and so far, very few houses, lots of empty lots however! We played during twilight (3:30pm) and paid $95 for 18 holes with a cart. The course sports a few gimmicky golf holes, most notably, number 18. Number 18 has a split fairway, get it through this mini golf windmill of a hole, good luck here, you'll need it. Other thannumber 18, a very solid test of golf with pure conditions. You'll fare much better here after you play here a few times. The course plays a lot tighter than it really looks to the eye. True North is definitely worth playing if in the area. Not my favorite course of the trip, but extremely enjoyable just the same.
Bay Harbor Golf Club
We stayed at Boyne Highlands for this trip and decided we would ante up a bit ($89 additional surcharge) and play Bay Harbor Golf Club. We chose the Links and Quarry nines which are highly rated in all public course rankings. I was excited to play here, and when I was finished I left here feeling quite disappointed (sure glad we did not pay the regular price of $200). The front nine holes (Links) was pretty nice overall, quite enjoyable and felt real, almost as if it fit naturally into the landscape. Once we started the back nine on the Quarry nine, I was shocked. The course appeared to force itself upon the land heavily into the quarry and the surrounding areas. Many of the holes just weren't right.
The addition of condos and homes sure didn't offer any help to my eye either. Don't get me wrong here, Bay Harbor is an extremely nice place to play golf, but it's not worth $200, and maybe not worth the $89 I shelled out either. Furthermore, it may not be worth all of accolades it has garnered. It might just be some good marketing hype that allows it the coverage it receives. Arcadia Bluffs, which is a bit cheaper, is a far better golf course. Hands down. Bay Harbor is semi-private with a membership as well. There was a perception of "members versus outsiders" pretentiousness that offered up a slight stuffy-bility factor.
For example, as the starter was explaining some local knowledge, course rules and the like to us on the first tee, when two women raced up in their cart and insisted their tee time was on the Links nine at 8:30 (actually, that was "our" tee time). They insinuated we were out of place, interrupted the course starter's conversation without an "excuse me", treated him rudely and finally raced off when he finally slipped in a few words edgewise that their ladies league was on the third nine to begin with. Go figure, they were trying to cut right in front of us. Don't make Bay Harbor the center-piece of your trip to Harbor Springs for golf, and don't pay more than $89 to play it, if you do, you'll be wondering why you did after you walk off number 18.
Boyne – Ross Course, The Moor, and the Hills Course
We left Bay Harbor and headed over for our afternoon tee time at the Ross Memorial Course at Boyne Highlands. Since we stayed at the Boyne Highlands Resort we also played three of the four golf courses on site here. They have four, The Heather (we didn't play it, Bay Harbor instead), The Ross, The Hills and the Moor. Don't be fooled by the weak first hole of the Ross course. Hole number one is nothing short of terrible, but hang onto your sand wedge folks, the course improves quite rapidly and is actually very fun and enjoyable.
We played most of it in the rain so I took no pictures this go around. After we finished up our 36th hole of golf, we decided to go the distance and play 54 holes on three different courses, all in one day. Wow. We drove the cart across the street and teed it up on The Moor course. The Moor Course might be the stepchild of all the courses at Boyne, but the greens were better than Little Traverse Bay and it was pretty fun overall. If you are staying at the resort, you could squeeze it in as your second round of the day or like us, your third round. Since I did not take any pictures of The Ross and The Moor, let's move on over to the Hills Course.
The next morning, prior to leaving the Harbor Springs area we teed it up on the best course at Boyne Resort; The Arthur Hills course. The greens were extremely fast, the course had forgiving fairways as most Hills' courses do and a variety of holes, many with risk reward options. A few of the holes had some stacked in and very tall pine trees making for magnificent views. Some of the best holes here were the ones with elevated tees where you could just grip it and rip it. I would definitely play this course again, and again.
Aside from a little rain, this quick three day golf trip (36-54-36) was well worth the effort to get here and play these courses. I personally liked the Hills Course the best and Bay Harbor the least. Sure Bay Harbor is a better course than The Moor, but it was not worthy of it's lofty ranking and therefore was a sore spot of the trip. There are a lot more courses to play in and near Harbor Springs, but they'll just have to wait until next year. I know, I am missing the last 18 holes. On the way back to Detroit we played a course, which may have been an equally good course, but after you factor in superb conditions and low price, it may have been the best of the whole trip. My review on The Fortress in Frankenmuth will come separately in another article, so keep an eye out for it!
3 Comments
Agree and disagree. The Hills Course is easily the best track in the area. No houses just beautiful Michigan terrain and a great layout. The Ross Course was a disappointment. We had played many of the original holes in Pinehurst and Scotland and there was little or no resemblance. Bay Harbor is beautiful and should be played once. Food at the clubhouse is subpar. Very disappointing considering the 5 star rating. Beware of Dummaglas…they have red golf carts.
Disagree with all of your comments. Bay Harbor is one of the most aesthetic golf courses around and the heather from the tips is the most challenging.
Go play Dunmaglass Golf Club in Charlevoix. You will not be disappointed.
I would disagree I've been going to Boyne for the last 5 years and Michigan golf doesn't get much better at one resort. You definitely missed playing one of the best they have to offer in the heather. A true test of golf.
Leave a Reply
I played nearly 150 courses last year. Here are my 6 favorite
Summer is most definitely here! After a brutal winter, many of us are looking to use the coming summer to play A LOT of golf. For those looking for recommendations, I wanted to list a couple of my favorite courses from this past year. These courses were selected from the nearly 150 different courses that I played in 2018. So why did these make the cut? Simple: playability, course condition, and overall experience.
Here's my list, in no particular order
TPC Colorado
Much has been written about the course based on its length; almost 8000 yards from the backs but to me, the beauty of the course is the combination of breath-taking views of nearby mountains, as well as the reservoir with comes into play on several holes. Beyond the scenery, TPC Colorado offers generous landing areas and large greens. Whereas many modern greens have significant undulation, these are subtle allowing for a lot of makeable putts! Really fun to play!
Mossy Oak
Owned and operated by the outdoor life brand company, Mossy Oak is located near Starkville, MS. The course is a Hanse design that is forgiving off the tee but requires strong approach shots to a melee of different sized targets, from different distances, allowing you to hit every club in the bag. When you get the pleasure of playing here, make sure to listen to your caddy and stop in after for a bite in the clubhouse….food is wonderful!
Turning Stone Resort
This casino resort, located in upstate New York, offers golfers a great combination of upscale golf and nightlife in one location. Perfect for a guys trip, the hotel rooms are luxurious and the golf is amazing; boosting three different golf by famed designers Fazio (Atunyote), Jones (Kaluhyat) and Smith (Shenandoah). My personal favorite is the newly resigned Shenandoah; a beautiful parkland course with generous landing areas off the tees and nice big greens, but you cannot go wrong with any of the courses!
Sand Creek Station
This course has a well-deserved reputation as the best low-cost golf course in the world. At about $30 per round, you will not find a finer experience. Don't let the price tag fool you, Sand Creek Station is meticulously maintained. The course treats people to two different sides; the front is a little more links, with the back a little more parkland. The front can be demanding off the tee, especially if the wind is up. A true gem and certainly worth the trip to play!
Half Moon Bay Links
Located just south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean with a wonderful golf experience. With generous fairways, nuanced elevation changes and a wonderful variation of holes with my favorite finishing holes in golf; a par 3 on the ocean (17th) and a reachable par 5 to finish. If you are lucky to finish around dusk, you will play up the last to the sounds of bagpipes. Brilliant end!
TPC San Antonio
Home to a PGA Tour event, TPC San Antonio boasts two excellent golf courses; the Oaks and Canyons. While the tour event is played on the Oaks, my preference is for the Canyons; I think it has more variation and is less demanding, which made it more fun to play. Family-friendly, the course is located footsteps from a Marriott with an amazing water park that will quickly become a favorite for kids of all ages!
As a keen golfer, I am always looking for new places to play. So let's hear from you GolfWRX fans…where did I miss? Have you played these places, what did you think?
The Whistling Straits & Sand Valley Experience
I'd never been to Wisconsin. Neither had my dad. It might not be on the top of mind as a golf destination, but perhaps it should be. Ever since I heard about Mike Keiser (of Bandon Dunes fame) opening his new project at Sand Valley, I was interested. As a Bandon Dunes devotee, I knew I needed to get to Sand Valley sooner rather than later. No better time than the present.
And as I started planning this little weekend excursion to the Northern Midwest, another course quickly came to mind. Whistling Straits…host of the 2020 Ryder Cup and the PGA Championships in 2004, 2010 and 2014. I'd seen the layout and watched the course on TV countless times, and pairing the Straits with Sand Valley seemed like a perfect combination for 3 days of summer Wisconsin golf. And you know what…it was.
We flew into Milwaukee, which turned out to be a shockingly easy place to navigate and rent a car for a city of its size. No shuttle ride required, which means a ton when you are lugging around travel golf bags. From there, it's an hour-or-so drive due north to the city of Kohler. That's where you'll find Whistling Straits…in all her glory.
We checked into the American Club hotel, a bigger-than-it looks building that once served as the dormitories for the workers at the nearby Kohler company factory. The entire town of Kohler revolves around the history of the Kohler Manufacturing Co., famous for its plumbing products. Destination Kohler is the hospitality arm of the company and it handles the tourism activities within the village of Kohler. The town and company trace back to John Michael Kohler, an Austrian Immigrant who began the family business in 1873 by making farm equipment. Since then, the family has operated the company and created what we see today. Herbert Kohler, grandson of the founder and avid golfer, was responsible for bringing golf to the area. The Kohler name owns both courses at Whistling Straits, The Straits and The Irish, as well as two courses at Blackwolf Run, the River Course and Meadow's Valley. Interestingly, the Kohler family also owns and operates The Old Course Hotel, which borders the Road Hole at St. Andrews. Just an incredible family and company.
The American Club opened in 1918 and the charm has survived all of these years. The rooms are spacious, decor is dark wood and antiquitous, and several great dining options are under one roof. To be honest, I was surprised at how nice everything was. Not just the hotel or the restaurants and shops on-site, but also the town itself. Every yard and garden was perfectly maintained. It felt like the whole town took a great deal of pride it itself. It made you feel good just being there.
My dad and I got in late on our first night but we still had time for dinner at the Horse and Plow, a casual tavern type restaurant with a sizable beer menu. The food was very much Wisconsin–cheesy and meaty and tasty. They had Spotted Cow beer, from New Glarus Brewing, on tap at the bar. I'd never tasted it before but apparently you can only get it in Wisconsin. It was pretty dang good and would serve as my beer of choice for the rest of the trip. It pairs well with the schnitzel. Pro tip.
We woke up and had coffee in the greenhouse, a coffee shop on-site in the back gardens of The American Club. The weather was perfect and everyone was sitting outside, enjoying the morning sun. We had a few hours before our round at Whistling Straights and we used it walking around the town of Kohler. This is something I highly recommend. The American Club is surrounded on two sides by Victorian-style neighborhoods. Street after street of American charm. And the stroll can take you to a nearby shopping center that is built around Wood Lake. There's additional restaurants, shops and activities to enjoy here…including yoga on the lake and the Kohler Swing Studio and Golf Shop, full of local course merchandise. Also, this is the location of The Inn on Woodlake, another lodging option within the Kohler family.
We got back to the hotel and enjoyed the full breakfast buffet at the Wisconsin room inside the American Club. Once our legs were sufficiently stretched and our bellies full, we grabbed our clubs and waited for the shuttle to Whistling Straits, which runs on the top of the hour every hour.
Whistling Straits is a Pete Dye designed monster that tips out at 7,790 yards with a rating of 77.2 and a slope of 152. Par is a traditional 72 but that's just a number. The course plays tough. The clubhouse was built in an Irish castle style, with Celtic cross windows that peer over the majestic (and somewhat frightening) 18th hole. Three flag poles frame the front entrance with the American, Irish, and Ryder Cup Flags waving proudly. There was to be no mistake that this course was a tribute to Irish links golf. The inside of the clubhouse is full of memories from the 2004, 2010, 2015 PGA Championships, the 2007 US Senior Open, and with reminders all around that the 2020 Ryder Cup is on its way as well. The pro shop is professional and first-class. Everything you'd want, they have.
A round at Whistling Straits will cost you north of $400 but twilight and super twilight rates are available for nearly half off. And the sun doesn't go down in Wisconsin in July until 8:30 pm. So the smart play is to book a late afternoon round at a major discount. That being said, this course is a bucket lister. It ranks as the #3 public course in America in Gold Digest's latest rankings. Sometimes you just have to pay up for one of those. And the rest of the courses out at Kohler are much more reasonably priced to complete your visit. We played on the 4th of July and honestly, the course wasn't overly crowded at all.
Upstairs in the Straits clubhouse is the Irish Pub, a neat bar/lunch spot that opens at 11. My dad and I had a pre-round meal ahead of our late afternoon tee-time. The bratwurst sandwich was outstanding and just thinking about it now, my mouth is watering as I write this. Do yourself a favor and make this a must-order item. We sat next to a window overlooking that 18th fairway, preparing ourselves for what lay ahead.
We hired a caddie for this round, and I'm thankful we did. The course is as difficult as you've probably heard. In fact, I'd put it up there with the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island as the toughest track I've ever played. The wind will inevitably be blowing off Lake Michigan, which is a big deal since 14 or so holes are on the water. And thousands, literally thousands of bunkers surround this course. Pete Dye even put bunkers parallel and eye level with many of the tee boxes, certainly not in play but just a subtle reminder that there is danger to be found around every turn.
But as difficult as this course plays, it is equally beautiful. We were blessed with a clear day and the water on the lake was as blue as the Caribbean. That isn't an exaggeration. The course felt like we were playing alongside the ocean and only the absence of seagulls and saltwater in the air reminded us that we were, in fact, in Wisconsin.
The course meanders along the shore with the internal holes often sitting a few feet higher than the coastline. The views from there hide the holes in between and create a shoreline feeling even though you are a couple hundred yards from the water. Its a brilliant architectural design by Dye. The four par 3s all resemble one another…a long carry over beach, sand and tall grass with the lake either on your right or left. Two holes play north, and two play south, making the wind different for each pair. And while my description might sound repetitious, obvious, and dull, the par 3s at Straits were probably my favorite set of "short" holes on any course I've ever played. The holes are similar but that's a great thing because they are all gorgeous and perfect. Obviously, each green complex is unique and the distances on each hole vary (188, 221, 163, 249!) but the theme remains the same…you stand on the tee, admire the view, figure out the wind, build up your courage and swing. I wish I could play them again right now.
Some of the internal holes are also quite scenic. It's tough to beat the tall grass waving in the wind as a backdrop to all that green space and all those bunkers. The par-5 fifth hole is a bit too quirky for my tastes. A double bending, 600-yard hole that forces the longer hitters to either hit driver over a pond on the right to a narrow fairway, or hitting something less than a driver straight away, making it a guaranteed three-shot hole. But even that hole is beautiful.
But the best hole on the course is 18. Nicknamed "Dyeabolical" as a hat tip to the designer, the par 4 plays 520 yards from the tips. And it's so much better from back there. A creek splits the fairway in two towards the hole and, though scenic in front of the clubhouse, 18 is the hardest finishing hole I've ever played. You have to keep your ball right and hope long iron is enough to find the sloping green in regulation. I was fortunate enough to walk off the green with a four on the scorecard…something I will always remember.
We finished off our day at Whistling with dinner on the back patio of the clubhouse. The restaurant there is high quality and several tables were full of non-golfing patrons who came just for the food. My dad and I were exhausted. Walking Whistling Straits (no carts allowed) is a tiring experience…both mentally and physically. But a glass of wine and a nice cut of meat was just what the Irish doctor ordered. A great finish to a truly world-class round of golf.
My overall takeaway: Whistling Straits is a must-play for the true golf fan. High handicappers will struggle mightily, but the experience of simply being there is worth the money once in your life. And when you pair it with the fantastic accommodations at nearby Kohler and the American Club, this place is a must visit. I'm excited to come back and see the other three courses someday….and maybe try to tame The Straits again.
Now it was time to get some sleep and then head to Sand Valley in the morning.
The drive to Sand Valley is a bit longer this time…taking us every bit of 2 1/2 hours. But, we got to see a ton of the countryside along the way. Each road was lined with black and white dairy cows and red barns and silos. Of course, dairy farming is the state's claim to fame and they don't let you forget it. Cheese shops and advertisements are around every corner. My personal favorite was, of course, the "Mousehouse Cheesehaus."
It was neat to see the state transition from cornfields and farming to pine woods and sandy soil the further we headed west. And as the pine trees grew thicker and thicker, I knew we were getting closer to the spot Mike Keiser picked out for his next great golf mecca.
Sand Valley is home to three (so far) golf courses, each one full of uniqueness and fun. The first course, Sand Valley, was built in 2017 by the design team of Coore/Crenshaw and immediately won "Best New Course of the Year" by Golf Magazine. Not to be outdone, that same award was given one year later to Mammoth Dunes, the David McLay Kidd designed course which sits just behind the main clubhouse and bar. Coore/Crenshaw were back again in May of 2018 to open The Sandbox, a 17-hole par-3 course. And you guessed it…the short course took home the "Best New Short Course of 2018" Award. Three new courses. Three awards. All within the friendly confines of Sand Valley Golf Resort.
The Sand Valley clubhouse and lodging are built in a modern farmhouse style, complete with the sleek and attractive necessities only. The rooms are spacious, the windows are large and the golf is just off the back patio. Sand Valley has several different room options but they all are within walking distance of the main clubhouse. And within that clubhouse, you'll find the pro shop, the caddie shack, Aldo's restaurant and the Mammoth Bar. Our room was large and on the second floor of the main building's lodging. Our window overlooked the No. 1 teebox at Mammoth Dunes and the putting green behind the lodge, which had action on both days from 6 am to 9 pm.
Summer green fee rates are $215 for Mammoth and Sand Valley, but your second round of the day is 50 percent off. Sandbox costs $65. That's not exactly cheap, but if you don't mind walking 36 each day (I recommend it) then the price per hole goes down dramatically. And with the limited alternative options at Sand Valley Resort, playing as much golf as possible seems to be the thing to do. There is, obviously, the bar and restaurant to spend your time…and grass tennis courts are available as well if that's your thing. But lets face it, we come for the golf. Might as well take advantage of that discounted rate for round 2 and get a couple rounds in per day.
The town of Rome, Wisconsin is near the resort and I heard several golfers make plans to travel there for dinner on some nights. As Sand Valley continues to grow, I am sure more dining options will become available but for now, you are left with only Aldo's and Mammoth Bar as your traditional dining options. Craig's Porch, on the top of the hill near Sand Valley's first tee, does serve breakfast and tacos at lunch as well. But it is more or less a halfway snack house with really good tacos and an even better view.
Our first round of the visit to Sand Valley was at Mammoth Dunes. The first tee is steps off the Mammoth Bar patio and putting green, providing entertainment for all to view. The first hole really paints the picture of what to expect with this course, too. The fairway is monstrous and inviting, a slight bend up the hill surrounded by impressive sand dunes and little else. Wiry fescue does provide some natural backdrop between fairway and pine trees, but if you aren't finding the short grass of these ginormous fairways at Mammoth, you might need to invest in a new driver. Keiser and McLay Kidd share the desire to return public golf to its Scottish roots…beautiful landscapes and strategic, yet fair golf courses. Mammoth Dunes is incredibly beautiful…and also incredibly fun.
The sheer scale of Mammoth Dunes can be a bit overwhelming. The fairways are so large, you're tempted to swing as hard as you can and send it. But there is a course within the course at Mammoth. The ground contours are as important here as any course I've played, and each hole provides you with options to take the tight, aggressive line, or the safe play to a not so good angle to the green. The greens are just as big as the fairways, which only helps the confidence grow. Especially after playing a course like Whistling Straits.
Mammoth offers tremendous playability and options. It's one of those courses I would be happy to play every day for the rest of my life. Fairways and greens, sure…but options, aggressive angles when desired and always the chance for recovery after a miss. Golf as it was meant to be, indeed.
There's a hot dog/sandwich stand after the 10th hole…serving beer, water, and liquor as well. And after the climb to 10 green, it was a welcome sight. The course offers more undulation than I imagined it would. There are some tremendous elevation changes on the front 9 that provide remarkable views all the way back to the clubhouse. The course offers six different tee boxes, ranging from 6,988 yards from the tips all the way to 4,055 yards from the royal blue tees. It's a par 73 from all tees, with three par 5s on the back nine, including the gorgeous 536-yard finishing hole to the green just below the patio tables of Aldo's Farm & Table Restaurant.
The par-3 13th hole might be the best on the course. Only 130 yards from the back tees, the entire hole carries over one of the most dramatic dune complexes on the course. The green, as you might expect, is large but tricky, giving protection to any pin placement on the surface. A tree creates a fear of the miss left. It's one of those holes that widen your eyes as soon as you step on the tee.
The finishing stretch at Mammoth Dunes has some good opportunities to score. The 14th hole is only 325 yards from the elevated back tees, but the hole plays much shorter than that. Aim your ball well right of the green and allow the shape of the fairway to funnel your ball towards the hole. I hit my best drive of the week here but luckily missed right of my target. I walked up to the green and the group on the next tee box were applauding me. My "miss" right ended up 15 feet from the hole for eagle. Looking back towards the tee box, the hole shape really reveals itself. I am not sure it's possible to be too far right on the fairway on this hole, as everything is going to funnel towards the green. You just need to know where to hit it…or get lucky like I did. Oh, and I missed the putt.
I knew Sand Valley was going to be a different test than Mammoth Dunes. Having played several Coore/Crenshaw designs in the past, I was well aware that the "send it" mentality wasn't going to work on this course. The fairways, while still bigger than most, are littered with dangerous slopes, pot bunkers and awkward distances that require thinking off the tee rather than reaching for the one wood on every hole.
The first tee is a long walk or a short shuttle ride from the main clubhouse, up the hill toward's Craig's Porch, the cabin bar/restaurant/starter's shack. From the porch's patio, you can see half the holes on Sand Valley, as well as a beautiful view back down towards Mammoth Dunes and the main clubhouse. The tacos at Craig's Porch are $1.50 and the beers are $2.00. Life is good at Sand Valley.
The course itself plays 6,938 yards from the tips and is a par 72 (35/37) layout with three par 3s on the front and three par 5s on the back. The first hole is a short par 4 at 335 yards where longer hitters can vie for the green in one. Smart play is to lay your spoon out on the right for the best angle into this green with a wedge. Danger all down the left side and and a push with the big dog will get you in trouble through the slight dogleg left fairway. And that, in a nutshell, is Sand Valley. Pick the right club off the tee first…and then make sure you hit it to the right spot.
The second hole is no different. A 431-yard par 4 with an intersection midway through the fairway created by large bunkers and an elevated second half of the hole. Driver will get you in trouble with a very narrow landing zone. But iron off the tee creates a very long approach uphill. Choose wisely. Coore/Crenshaw make you think.
The green complexes at Sand Valley are still very much epic in size. Even on this course, which I believe is the tougher of the two Sand Valley layouts, the playability and fairness is still ever-present. Not a ton of lost balls on the property. Greens can be hit in regulation from pretty much anywhere on the hole. The bunkers are prevalent but playable. The true test is in the angles and I have a feeling it would be a much better track the second and third time you play it because you can begin to see what the choices the architects were wanting you to grapple with on each hole. If I had more time at Sand Valley, I would devote my extra rounds to this course rather than Mammoth Dunes. Use Mammoth as your "fun" round and Sand Valley as your true test of golf.
And finally, the short course. The other Coore/Crenshaw design on site, the Sandbox is simply 17 holes of uninterrupted fun. And that is evident as soon as you walk to the first tee, a hop-skip-and-a-jump from the main clubhouse, and see a giant canoe filled with ice and $2 beer waiting for you. You only need three or four clubs, as the shortest holes are 50 yards and the longest is 150. Most players grab their wedges and a putter and then use the Seamus carry bags that are provided to you on the first tee.
The Sandbox allows tee times right up until sunset, with many golfers using it as a third round of the day. You can get around the course in less than two hours and the beer canoe is accessible about five times during your round. It's a great place to unwind, hit some fun shots and get a few swings in before sunset and dinner at Aldo's. The greens also are just as tricky as the ones you'll find on both courses, so it's a pretty solid place to tune your short game, too.
This was our last round of the trip. In fact, my last full swing was a 100-yard sand wedge to 12 feet on 17 at the Sandbox. I didn't even attempt the putt. The ball was purely struck and it was a ton of fun watching it land close to the hole and stay there. And that's what golf at Sand Valley is supposed to be…fun. It's not just about scoring well or making birdies…even though that's always fun, too. It's about enjoying the walk. Drinking a beer and then hitting your shot. Taking a look around at the beauty of the land and being thankful for a wonderful game. Golf, as it was meant to be, is about enjoyment. And if you are a true golf fan, it's hard not to enjoy yourself at Sand Valley.
Three days of golf in Wisconsin and we played one of the toughest, most beautiful courses in the world at Whistling Straits. Then we followed that up with three rounds of pure enjoyment golf at Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes and the Sandbox. If I didn't believe it before, I believe it now…Wisconsin is a golfer's paradise.
If you want to hear more about my experience, have questions, or want help planning an experience of your own, tweet at me here @FWTXGolfer or message me on Instagram here! I look forward to hearing from you!
The Pinehurst Experience
We have all heard stories about Pinehurst. Friends have returned home to talk about its greatness. The Ryder Cup history, the U.S. Open tournaments, the cradle of American golf, and Payne Stewart's fist held high in the air. And while the Village of Pinehurst and the ten golf courses that complete it are the primary reason to make the trip to North Carolina, we really go for the stories. To hear them and to create them. And eventually, to be able to tell them ourselves.
The story of my family's Pinehurst Experience is one we will remember forever.
We left Texas for North Carolina with no real expectations. My wife, Shannon, and our 11-month-old baby boy William joined me. As did my mom, Tammy, and my dad, John. None of us had been before. And, quite honestly, none of us were expecting such a perfect weekend. I wasn't sure if this type of golf intensive trip would be a good fit for my wife and mom, both non-golfers. But there was plenty for them to do each day. I was so excited to hear how much they enjoyed their time.
We flew into Raleigh and took a rental car the remaining 70-minute drive to the Pinehurst resort. Pinehurst offers several different hotel options, but we booked our rooms in the historic Carolina Hotel. It's the one you see in all the pictures. Built in 1901, the hotel is the definition of Carolina class. The wood floors under elegant carpet creak every few steps, reminding you that this place has held the weight of the best golfers the world has ever seen for over a century. And of course, the Ryder Cup Bar just off the hotel lobby is an immediate hat tip to the history of Pinehurst.
We arrived just after 1:30 in the afternoon, giving us enough time to check into our rooms and then head out to our first round of golf. The front desk provides you with a personalized Pinehurst bag tag which lists every tee time you have scheduled for the week. This allows for your clubs to be sent from course to course ahead of your round so you aren't having to deal with carrying your bag around the resort. It's seamless and convenient.
My dad and I had four rounds scheduled. First at the par-3 track, The Cradle, followed by Pinehurst No. 4, Pinehurst No. 2, and the Pinehurst No.8.
The Cradle
Shuttle buses run like clockwork all over the resort town and their affable drivers are willing to take you just about anywhere. The longest we ever had to wait for one was probably five minutes. Our clubs were waiting for us at the Clubhouse, the hub of the Pinehurst golfing community. The Clubhouse features an enormous pro-shop, locker rooms, caddie shack, The Deuce Restaurant (which overlooks the 18th green at Pinehurst No.2) and is the headquarters for courses one through five.
It's approximately a three-minute shuttle ride from the Carolina Hotel and could easily be a nice walk if you've got time and good weather. It also backs up to the Thistle Dhu putting course, a 15,000 square foot putting green, complete with 18 marked holes, scorecard and beer holders on every tee. It's a great place to spend 30 minutes. And it's kid friendly, too.
We didn't have much time but we were hungry. The bartender at the Deuce told us to make a quick burger, hot dog or sandwich at their buffet, which was perfect. We were able to get a hardy meal for $15 and give us a boost for the rest of the day. The view overlooking 18 green on No. 2 was incredible and I could've been just fine staying there to watch the golfers come off one of the best tracks in golf.
But we headed to the Cradle, a nine-hole par three course designed by Gil Hanse in 2017. The longest hole tops out at 127 yards downhill, so a full bag is not necessary. I carried my putter and my pitching, sand and gap wedge to the first tee. The starter provided me with a carry bag and scorecard. The Cradle has been described as "the most fun 10 acres in golf" and that might be true. There are 16 speakers disguised as rocks playing music throughout the course, blasting Steve Winwood, Garth Brooks, the Rolling Stones and everything in between. Green fees at the Cradle are $50 and that gets you all day access. Kids under 17 play for free. In fact, we ended up being joined by four other golfers, one of whom was a 4 1/2 year old named Parker who had a better swing than me. We still got around the course in about an hour, including a couple of stops for drinks.
Positioned on a high part of the course behind the 3rd and 8th green sits the Pine Cone, a teardrop style camper that has been converted into a full bar. It has to be one of the coolest places to have a drink in all of golf. And with the music playing and a wedge in your hand on every shot, it's impossible to have a bad time. Play the Cradle a couple of rounds. Have a few beers. Be happy.
The family met us for a drink back at the Deuce patio overlooking 18 of No. 2 and then we headed into town for dinner. The Village of Pinehurst itself is a cute little community, full of cafes, pubs, inns and shops. We were told to check out the Pine Crest Inn and to eat at Mr. B's Lounge, a dark old bar full of golf history. Payne Stewart's name is still prominently displayed on the wall where he signed it back in 1999. It was just yet another cool glimpse into the history of the golf town.
Breakfast the next morning (and then every morning thereafter) was at the Carolina Dining Room within our hotel. The family enjoyed a full breakfast buffet in an elegant dining room setting. The biscuits and gravy were out-of-this-world good. And the service, like everything else at the Carolina Hotel, was exquisite.
The girls had a couple of trips to the spa planned while the boys played golf. Shannon had a massage in the early afternoon while my mom watched baby Will. The next day, they flipped and my mom enjoyed some time relaxing herself. The pool at the Carolina hotel was also a huge hit with the family (especially William). They also loved going into town and shopping at the boutiques, which was only a 6 minute walk from our hotel.
I've experienced places like Bandon Dunes, which is a fantastic buddy golf trip location. And make no mistake, Pinehurst can be that, too. I saw countless groups of guys having a great time. But I realized that Pinehurst is an absolutely wonderful place to visit for entire families, whether they all play golf or not. And everywhere we went was kid friendly and welcoming. Just an absolute pleasure.
Pinehurst offers several options that include meal plans/stay and play packages. And I am telling you right now, it's an experience you and your entire family will cherish.
Pinehurst No. 4
Back at the clubhouse on day two, our clubs were yet again waiting for our arrival, this time on a cart pointed towards the driving range. We hit a few balls on the spacious practice, large enough to handle the type of traffic for all five courses the clubhouse facilitates.
Pinehurst No. 4 is a new renovation from Gil Hanse and, quite honestly, a great introduction to Pinehurst golf. The fairways are lined with "waste hazard" bunkers and pine needles, which both allow for grounding of the club and removing loose impediments. Whatever you are imagining in your head when you think of Pinehurst….that's likely Pinehurst No. 4.
No. 4 plays 6,961 yards from the men's blue tees. There is a tee box further back that plays at 7,227 yards, but the markers are not typically set up for regular play. Honestly, that's a shame because standing on a few of those back tee boxes, I could tell the course would be even better from back there. It's still a tough course from the blue tees, playing to a par 72. The elevation changes make some holes play much longer than the scorecard indicates.
The property interweaves with Pinehurst No. 2, so the landscapes are similar. But the features of No. 4 seem grander in comparison. The exposed sand areas are full of native wire grass blend, making fairway misses playable but unpredictable. And the land-forms are much more dramatic on No. 4. I was a bit surprised to see the types of elevation changes out on this course. There is a body of water that sits low in the center of the property around holes 4, 13 and 14 which provides some incredible views. When you stand on the 6th green, you can actually see parts of 15 other golf holes. It's arguably the most beautiful view in Pinehurst.
We teed off at 9:50 on what was an unseasonably warm day for May in North Carolina. We took a cart, though the entire course was path only to preserve the pristine conditions. If the course is cart path only still when you decide to visit, I would consider hiring a caddie for this round as we ended up walking a ton anyway.
The fairways are wide and accessible and the greens are large, though they don't play easy at all. A little local knowledge can go a long way on the greens at Pinehurst. Holes 13 and 14, in my opinion, is the best two hole stretch on the course. The first is a short par 5 but with a narrow fairway landing area off the tee between the water on the left and waste area on the right. Longer hitters can reach the green in two but the entire shot will be over water to a diagonal sloped green. It's a wonderful risk/reward shot that I, of course, attempted with the help of some liquid courage.
The next hole stays water with a 200-yard par three to a slightly downhill green. Miss short and left and you are wet. It's just a wonderful hole. Plenty of room right to approach the green from the front.
All in all, Gil Hanse made his mark on Pinehurst No. 4 and created a sensational companion course for the famed No. 2. If you only have a couple of rounds at Pinehurst, make sure to include both courses.
After our round, we headed out to the newly opened Pinehurst Brewery, just around the corner from our hotel. The restaurant is housed in the old Pinehurst steam power plant, which supplied the entire town their power beginning in 1895. Now it supplies the entire town with Carolina style BBQ and great local beer.
I ordered the combo platter, which came with pulled pork, chicken, sausage, and brisket. The beer was cold and the food was tasty. The pulled pork, when paired with the vinegar based East North Carolina BBQ sauce was my favorite. And this Texan actually thought the brisket was a happy substitute for what I am used to back home. My wife had a pint of the Hawaiian Delight brew, a pineapple infused beer that gave it a cider type kick. She highly recommends.
Pinehurst No. 2
Waking up the morning of your first ever round at Pinehurst No. 2 is a pretty special experience. I watched a couple youtube videos of Payne Stewart's final holes in 1999 to get my mind in the right place. The first tee is tucked in a corner of hedgerows and the starter house is an exact replica of the Old Course Starters Box in Scotland, built to symbolize a bond of shared ideals and common values. St. Andrews is the home of golf and Pinehurst is the guardian of its traditions in the United States. Pretty cool.
No. 2, a Donald Ross build, opened in 1907 and Ross himself describes it as "the fairest test of championship golf I have ever designed." It has been the host site for more single golf championships than any course in America, including U.S. Opens in 1999, 2005 and 2014.
My dad has never used a caddie in his entire life. Golf has never been his passion and, quite frankly, he was a bit self-conscious about a player of his skill set using a caddie for a round of golf. However, we shared one for Pinehurst No. 2 and his mind was changed completely. We got lucky, too, because our caddie, Andy Kurasz, was first class. Andy, or AK, has lived in Pinehurst since 1994 and has been a caddie for 15 years. With a bag on each shoulder, he was incredibly personable and friendly the entire round. Just as important, he knew this course like the back of his hand. If you get to play Pinehurst, ask for AK.
The greens at No. 2 might be the toughest I've ever played. Each one crowned like an upside down saucer, if you miss slightly on your approach in any direction, your ball will not likely hold the putting surface. No. 2 is most certainly a second shot golf course, forcing you to think about your approach shot before you tee off on each hole. And while the par 72 track plays at less than 7,000 yards from the men's tees, it can be tipped out to nearly 7,600 yards for its Championships. With the complex approach shots and difficult greens, I can't even imagine how tough this course would be at that length.
But the course is fair. Most fairways are lined with those famous sandy waste areas and the pine trees even wider still allow for punch outs off the pine needles. Our caddie Andy said this is the hardest course we will ever play without losing a golf ball. And he was right. We both got through it without a lost ball penalty. Andy also saved us each several strokes per side, always giving us the right target, right line, proper encouragement and reminding us to slow down our tempo and "enjoy your backswing."
Donald Ross, who also built his home on the course, was brilliant in his routing. The course evolves naturally and uses the contours of the land to play tricks in your mind. If the fairway slopes hard right to left, like it does on the par 4 fourth, the green will slope the opposite direction, which makes putts feel like they will break a completely different way from the actual line. You need a caddie.
Home of Donald Ross
In 2010, the design team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw worked to restore No. 2 to the original design. Dozens of acres of turf was removed to reintroduce the hardpan natural bunkers and native grasses to the course. The No. 2 of today is essentially the course as it was in 1907. And it's perfect.
Walking up 18 fairway is one of those special moments in golf. The clubhouse is behind the green, full of people enjoying food and drink from the Deuce, sitting on rocking chairs and enjoying the golfers approach shots. Also in view is the Payne Stewart statue, striking that famous pose after his winning putt poured in to win the U.S. Open. I hit my drive right and had to escape short of the green. My caddie simply said "That's okay, let's go get up and down just like Payne did." What an incredible feeling to play a course with so much history.
Our family was waiting for us just off the back of the green. The fitting end to a perfect day on Pinehurst No. 2.
We had dinner that night at the Carolina Room in our hotel, which, as usual, was first class. A traditional steak and fish menu with an impressive wine list to accompany. But after a long day of strategic golf on one of the world's toughest courses, I went to sleep early and dreamed of true approach shots at waving flags.
Pinehurst No. 8
My final round at Pinehurst was on the Centennial Course, Pinehurst No. 8. The Tom Fazio design was built to celebrate Pinehurst's 100th anniversary and it has a different style and feel to both No. 2 and No. 4. Interestingly, the course was built on the site of the old Pinehurst Gun Club, where Annie Oakley used to give shooting lessons and exhibitions.
The shuttle ride takes a few extra minutes to get to No. 8's stand alone clubhouse. And those extra minutes change the landscape dramatically. The fairways at No. 8 are lined with a cut of rough on most holes, as opposed to the natural sand areas seen on the other courses I played. And the course is tucked in to a more heavily populated forest of trees, giving this course a more secluded feel. The par 72 plays at 6694 yards, but there are many more opportunities for lost balls here. Water and marsh land comes in to play on several holes, giving off a low country course vibe.
I had a 9:00 am tee time but was able to get off at 7:30 in order to make sure we had enough time to get to the airport later that day. I played this round alone and was the first man off, which allowed me to get around the course in a little over 2 hours in a cart. It was an amazingly peaceful round. After playing No. 4 and No. 2, this was a pleasant contrast.
The par-3 8th hole is perhaps the most beautiful hole I played at Pinehurst. At 204 yards, the tee shot still requires accuracy to the left side in order to avoid the well placed natural marshland short and right. The greens at No. 8 are large but less severe than those found on No.4 and No. 2, to make up for the more difficult marshy hazards on the course.
I am glad I played No. 8. It's a different style course than I expected to find at Pinehurst, but it complements the experience. I would recommend you include it as a part of your Pinehurst trip as well.
After the round, we had just enough time for a visit to the Village of Pinehurst for a quick bite to eat. Our rental car was already loaded up by the Carolina Hotel staff, proving once again that they do everything right at the resort. While in town, we stumbled across the Old Sport and Gallery boutique, owned and operated by former professional golfer Tom Stewart. It was an incredible collection of golf history, books, art and antiques. And speaking with Mr. Stewart for a few minutes made me wish I had another day in Pinehurst to hear his stories. This is a must visit for any golf fan.
And with that, our Pinehurst trip was over. We played incredible courses, ate wonderful food, received first-class hospitality everywhere we went and created those Pinehurst stories we've heard about all our lives. Now they are ours to keep and to share. I hope you visit one day soon so you can create your own stories, too.
Just remember to "enjoy your backswing."
Costco to provide full refunds to customers who bought Kirkland Signature four-piece balls
Interesting photos from the Safeway Open
Stickney: A dangerous trend is developing for top players
DeChambeau makes history with 14 graphite shafts on PGA Tour (inside info from LA Golf Shafts)
Forum Thread of the Day: "Best driver for a short-hitting senior?"
Joaquin Niemann winning WITB: 2019 A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier
Forum Thread of the Day: "Anyone else ditching fairway woods for low lofted hybrids?"
New for 2020, Callaway Jaws MD5 wedges boast more bite
Top 5 golf grips of all time
Forum Thread of the Day: "Best players iron on the market now?"
19th Hole
The 6 best #GolfWRX photos on Instagram today (10.22.19)
In this segment, we'll be taking a look at some of the best #GolfWRX tagged photos on Instagram. In case...
Stephen Curry and Callaway Golf announce multi-year partnership with a focus on philanthropic and game-expanding initiatives
Stephen Curry and Callaway Golf announced on Monday a new multi-year partnership which will see the two combine on philanthropic...
The 6 best #GolfWRX photos on Instagram today (10.21.19)
In this segment, we'll be taking a look at some of the best #GolfWRX tagged photos on Instagram. In case...
How much each player won at the 2019 CJ Cup
Justin Thomas notched his 11th victory on the PGA Tour with a brilliant performance at the CJ Cup, and it...
Equipment2 weeks ago
DeChambeau makes history with 14 graphite shafts on PGA Tour (inside info from LA Golf Shafts)
Equipment6 days ago
Top 5 golf grips of all time
Equipment1 week ago
Forum Thread of the Day: "Best players iron on the market now?"
Whats in the Bag2 weeks ago
Kevin Na's winning WITB: 2019 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
Opinion & Analysis2 weeks ago
The Wedge Guy: Do you know why you miss short?
Equipment2 weeks ago
2020 Cobra King Forged TEC irons get faster
Whats in the Bag1 week ago
Lanto Griffin's winning WITB: 2019 Houston Open
Whats in the Bag3 days ago
Justin Thomas' winning WITB: 2019 CJ Cup