It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year since we first enrolled at the Golf Academy of America. It’s been a great year, and we have a lot to be thankful for. But with the year 2016 fast approaching, I thought it would be fun to look back at the most memorable moments from our first 12 months at the GAA. Here are the ‘Best Ofs’ from 2015:
Best Class: Golf Club Assembly and Repair (2nd Semester)
This was easily my favorite class (and a favorite of many of my classmates) if only because it was so hands-on. Finally, after nearly four months at the Academy, we got a chance to get our hands dirty by weighing and measuring clubs for loft and lie, re-shafting and re-gripping, and building several clubs for ourselves including a 3-wood, a putter, and a sand wedge. We also assembled a set of men’s irons and a complete junior set.
Best Instructor: PGA Professional Ed Ekis
Okay, Ed. We give up. You’re the smartest man alive! A lot of the instructors at the GAA give Ed a hard time about his age, but we were and continue to be the beneficiaries of his lifetime of experience in the golf industry. I’m convinced Ed could teach every class offered at the Academy. Next semester, we only have one class with Ed: Golf Course Design. You guessed it. Ed has designed and built several courses.
Best School Function: Working the Driving Range at the Phoenix Open
Sure it was a rainy morning, but we hardly noticed because we working at the driving range before Friday’s 2nd Round at TPC Scottsdale. Not a bad gig. And we get to do it again in less than a month! One of those benefits of enrolling at the Golf Academy in January is that you get to do this twice: 1st and 4th semesters. We got to see all the players in the field up close and personal, made sure they each got the range balls they needed, and also put out name placards next to every golfer while he was warming up. I’ve never seen a golf ball react like that on a practice chipping green, both from the fringe and out of the practice bunker.
Sadly, this week was also the beginning of the end for Tiger Woods. Tiger had his own special Nike RZN BLACK golf balls that we had to pre-sort, clean, and then re-sort after he went through his short game and full swing warm-ups. There was a time when I would gladly have hand-separated golf balls for Woods – and would have told you he deserved the special treatment. But I’ll never forget hearing the oohs and ahhs that morning as Tiger got around the Stadium Course in a career-worst 82 (+11) to miss the cut. His 13-over-par total left him dead last in the 132-player field, and not only did Woods miss the cut, it was just the 2nd time in his professional career he even failed to break 80. Now, after a pair of off-season back surgeries, it’s unsure whether Tiger will tee it up ever again.
2nd Best School Function: TopGolf
A close 2nd goes to TopGolf in Gilbert, where for the first time in school history, the Academy held a school function: an hour of open play followed by a six-person scramble. Because only 66 guys showed up for the optional event 3rd semester (and Campus Director Tim Eberlein budgeted for 100), we got to enjoy all the sodas we could drink and all the appetizers we could eat. Tim is always giving back to the students, and this was just another example. Instead of just chips and salsa, both of which were fantastic, we got to try the Buffalo Spring Rolls, grilled chicken shish kebabs with four dipping sauces, and prosciutto, artichoke, and tomato skewers drizzled with a balsamic glaze.
Best Tournament Venue: Grayhawk
From the welcome sign that greeted us when we arrived to the lunch buffet we enjoyed at the end of our round, Grayhawk was a first class experience. And from what I understand, it always is. A few of the holes were under construction when we played it 2nd semester, but that didn’t diminish the greatness of this course. It also provided the prettiest views of any of the courses we played all year. In Arizona, we always get to play the best courses in the summer months because that’s when they’re the least expensive. It’s a great chance to enact your revenge after what can be an expensive winter golfing season.
2nd Best Tournament Venue: Encanterra
Remember how I was saying I’ve never seen a golf ball react on a practice green like I did that day at TPC Scottsdale? Well our day out at Encanterra 2nd semester was pretty close. The course is private and the range balls are Titleist Pro V1s. That explains it! Honorable Mention: Seville/Ancala Country Club (3rd semester).
Best Field Trip: Leisure World, Mesa
Our Golf Operations field trip to Leisure World 2nd semester was awesome and well worth the drive! Director of Golf Travis Fish was entertaining and candid, and we came away with a greater appreciation of what it takes to run a golf course from a maintenance perspective. Greens Superintendent Fidel Ramirez and his staff took out most of the equipment they use on a daily basis for us to see, touch, and ask questions about. Fish came out and spoke to our class again 3rd semester, and he didn’t disappoint then either.
Best Guest Speaker: Dr. Robin Farran
For most of us, myself included, I think the Rules of Golf really came to life when we got to hear stories about different rules situations. Enter Dr. Robin Farran. Dr. Farran usually teaches Advanced Rules, but because he got meningitis, he had to take 3rd semester off. PGA Professional Ed Ekis did a great job filling in, but we really got a taste of what we were missing when Dr. Farran came and visited our class during back-to-back weeks in November. His stories of U.S. Opens past as well as other USGA events he’s officiated were unforgettable. Dr. Farran is widely regarded as one of the preeminent USGA Rules officials in the country and also helps write the rule book.
Biggest Breakthrough Moment: The Importance of Club Fitting
During our first week of Golf Club Fitting 3rd Semester, Campus Director Tim Eberlein came in and spoke to our class to reiterate the importance of the proper fit. We know from experience that having equipment that fits helps us play other sports better and more efficiently, so why not golf? Variables such as length, lie, shaft flex, and grip size absolutely matter! I used to think a good golfer could play well with any equipment, but now I’m convinced that’s not the case.
Best Video: New GAA Commercial
I don’t know if you saw this, but the other day, I happened to catch the new Golf Academy of America commercial on Golf Channel. It’s a great spot, and a very accurate representation of the kind of quality, high-tech education you’re going to get at the Academy. Check it out:
Most Looking Forward to: Phoenix Open Driving Range, Teaching at Leisure World
This is the semester when we get to put it all together. I’m leaning towards a career in instruction, and I’m already anxiously awaiting the chance to work with the retirees out at Leisure World in Mesa. They get some free lessons, and we get to go through the trial and error of diagnosing and correcting swing flaws. Can’t wait! Oh, and working the range out at the Phoenix Open will be fun too. Fourth semester gets the right of first refusal when it comes to scheduling.