Golf, beaches remain big draws for Flagler County

Last Modified: Friday, July 19, 2013 at 2:31 p.m.

I would bet that most people who read this column are golfers, and most of them may have moved to Flagler County for two main reasons — the golf and the ocean. I know I did.

Flagler County has some of the best golf courses in Florida, both public and private, along with one of the most beautiful beaches.

So I was surprised that a recent local magazine article about tourism in the county did not mention one word about Flagler County golf. In an article about the strategic goals of the Tourist Development Council, Georgia Turner, vice president for tourism development of the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates, discussed the "repositioning" of the brand, reflected in "ad design, web site and collateral materials" in the promotion of the county's tourist assets.

The article talked about how much Flagler County has to offer, including activities such as sports, arts, and birding. We learned that one of the sought-after sports coming to our community includes the 2015 State Horseshoe Tournament.

What was not mentioned was the word "golf."

Back in 1968, Flagler County was rural and quiet; most business activity was on State Road 100 from Bunnell to Flagler Beach. In an article by Palm Coast historian Art Dycke that appeared in a special 2005 Daytona Beach News-Journal section celebrating the fifth birthday of Palm Coast's incorporation, Dycke related the history of the ITT Corporation's development of the area and the construction of all the area's golf courses.

First came the Palm Harbor Golf Club in 1971 (Nancy Lopez was its first touring pro); then came Pine Lakes in 1980, Matanzas (now closed) in 1986, and Cypress Knoll in 1990. Grand Haven opened in 1998; the upscale Hammock Dunes development, now with two spectacular golf courses, also opened in the 1990s.

Meanwhile, golf drew some big-time tournaments to the county. The United States Golf Association held its Women's Amateur Public Links championship tournament (Publinx) at the new Ocean Hammock Resort in June 2003 (13-year-old Michelle Wie won), and the PGA Tour's seniors played there twice. Grand Reserve, another daily-fee course, opened in the mid-2000s. Then there is also Plantation Bay, with two courses and 27 holes of golf. (The Plantation Bay development spans two counties, Flagler and Volusia.)

Today, four of the county's golf courses are daily-fee facilities, and there are many opportunities for golfers to play private courses and the resort. Golf is very much a part of this county, and the tourism powers-that-be should work hard to spread the word.

Its strategic plan talks about niche and specialty markets being a sure way to grow tourism. I'm sure that's true, but I really believe that the biggest draw here is still golf, along with the gorgeous beaches of Flagler County.

Perhaps a discussion of local golf was omitted only in Turner's update; I would hope the promotion of golf in Flagler County is a very big part of the tourist council's marketing plans.

Cypress Nine and Dine

The weather stayed dry for a change and the July 16 Nine and Dine scramble at Cypress Knoll drew a nice-sized crowd of 46 golfers.

The foursome of Dave Kranz, Tracey Mussotto and Frank and June Vignati won the west flight's low gross with a 32; the group of Rich and Mira Gueren and Tony and Lil Catoggio won low net with a 24.7. Rich and Karen Brodeur and Terry and Valerie Smith took second low net with a 26.7.

South flight honors went to frequent winners Tony Bellantoni, Ron Smith and Fred Robinson with a 34 (match of cards). The low net winners were Corky and Margaret McMullen, Larry Cartoon and John Anderson with a 26.9.

Closest to the pin winners were Dave Kranz on No. 11 and Karen Wiles on No. 14.

New tees

Palm Harbor Golf Club is in the process of putting in a new set of tees, now giving golfers at the city-owned facility five different tee boxes. The new gold tees are 5,305 yards, almost 600 yards longer than the current 4,722-yard pink tees.

The forward tees at the old Palm Harbor, before its renovation, also had 5,300-plus-yard forward tees, and recently, many lower handicap golfers urged the club to put in a set of longer tees. The course has also been re-rated.

The new gold tees have a rating of 66.1 and a slope of 119 for men, a 70.1 rating and a 124 slope for women. The current pink tees have just one rating for both, 67.1 and 113.

Some frequent Palm Harbor golfers had argued that the 4,722-yard distance was too short, while the next set of tees, at 5,636 yards, was too long.

With the new tees, 12 of the 18 holes have been lengthened, according to the new scorecard. The yardage of the four par fives remains the same, but all the par threes were lengthened, along with eight of the par fours.

I like the change, though I haven't played the new tees yet. With the shorter length, it was difficult to use a driver on many of the holes, and anyone who has played Palm Harbor knows about the bunkers. There are many of them, and they all come into play — a lot. Have fun.

Member guest

The Grand Club has scheduled its annual men's and women's two-day member guest tournament for Oct. 25 and 26.

The first round on Friday, Oct. 25, will be played at Cypress Knoll, kicking off with a noon shotgun. The second day of the tournament is slated for Pine Lakes, with an 8:30 a.m. tee time. Both rounds will be followed by dinner.

Friday's round at Cypress will be a two-person scramble, while on Saturday, golfers will play a two-person best ball on the front nine and a two-person alternate shot on the back.

Cost of the event is $125 per team, $105 if on the cart plan. Registration opens Aug. 1. For ore information, call Cypress at 386 437-5807, or Pine Lakes, 386 445-0852.


Mike Joyce aced the 130-yard ninth hole at Cypress Knoll with an 8 iron on July 17. His playing partners were Brian Healy and Ken Danhoff.



Men's Golf Association

July 12. Stableford. White Flight: 1. Michael Mann (6) 76-41. Orange Flight 1: 1. John Sbordone (8) 86-38; 2. Alan Chirgwin (6) 93-32; 3. Ernest Cantley (4) 97-30. Orange Flight 2: 1. Bill Cavanaugh (8) 93-40; 2. James Miler (6) 94-35; 3. Eugene Dunn (4) 101-33. Gold Flight: 1. Aaron Wilkins (6) 99-34; 2. John Iocovozzi (4) 88-33. Closest to the Pin: No. 5, Michael Mann; No. 9, Bob Sieling; No. 11, John Sbordone; No. 14, John Sbordone.


Women's Golf Association

July 10. Cypress. Even holes — Net. Flight 1: (tie) Jan Graham, Barbara Berquist, 36.5. Flight 2: 1. Ginny Nicewonger, 36.5; 2. Marie Mento (no score submitted). Flight 3 & 4: 1 Einie Stine 40.0; 2. Marcia Paull (no score submitted). Birdies: No. 4, Pat Kawa; No. 11, Patte Garofalo; No. 14, Joan Chirgwin. Chip-in: No. 13, Nidia Farrell

July 15. Best Nine (Back or Front). Flight 1: 1. Deb Crowley, 33.5 (F); 2. Nidia Farrell, 34 (F). Flight 2: 1. Alice Manthey, 33.5 (B); 2. Ginny Nicewonger 35.5 (F). Flight 3: 1. Einie Stine 36 (F); 2. Bea Franchini, 38.5 (F). Flight 4: 1. Judy Ivey, 33.5 (F); 2. Gerry Chiarello, 35.5 (F). Birdies: No. 4, Deb Crowley; No. 14, Patte Garofalo; No. 4, Nidia Farrell. Chip-ins: None. Birdies: No. 9, Judy Ivey

July 17. Pine Lakes. Best Nine Net less 1/2 hcp. Flight 1: 1. (tie) Deb Crowley, Karen Joyce, 27.5. Flight 2: 1. Alice Manthey, 27.5; 2. Nidia Farrell, 28. Flight 3: 1. Gerry Chiarello, 26.5; 2. Judy Ivey, 28.5. Chip-ins: No. 7, Judy Ivey; No. 11, Sony Sapp; No. 16, Alice Manthey.


Women's Golf Association

July 16. Stableford. Flight 1: 1. Karen Gillis, 38; 2. Sara Lockhart, 37; 3. Sandy Pearson, 34. Flight 2: 1. Patty Baldini, 38; 2. Marcia Munsterman, 37; 3. Marion Schile, 34. Flight 3: 1. Elaine Worsfold, 36; 2. Louise Dycke, 34; 3. Pat McClellan, 32.

Men's Golf Association

July 17. Team — Count as many as you can. Flight 1: 1. 28, Bob Aiken, Bob Mehl, Jack Hinsch, Steve Samuel; 2. 25, Dennis Durand, Pete Bianchi, Jerry Garnett, Earl Buchanan; 3. 25, Bob Wolfe, Hawley Rogers, Walt Mcrae, Jose Moctezuma. Closest to the pin: No. 5, Blue/Silver, Bob Aiken, White/Red, Dennis Durand; No. 8, Blue/Silver, Bob Wolfe, White/Red, Joe Palermo; No. 14, Blue/Silver, Bob Mehl, White/Red, Mike O'Brien; No. 17, Blue/Silver, Bob Aiken, White/Red, Jose Moctezuma.


Women's Golf Association

July 8. Even holes — 1/2 hcp. Flight A: 1. Marianne Schuettler, 29.5, m/c; 2. Wanda Eller, 29.5; 3. Shay Hall, 30, m/c; 4. Joan Gray, 30. Flight B: 1. Diana Mariano, 27; 2. Harriet Trad, 32; 3. Karen Brodeur, 32.5; 4. Carol Gear, 34, m/c. Closest to pin: No. 4, Shay Hall; No. 10, Ruth Martin. Chip-ins: No. 15, Carol Gear; No. 10, Carol Ross. Birdie: No. 4, Shay Hall

July 12. Six mystery holes — 1/2 hcp. Flight A: 1. Rae Ann Schumacher, 21; 2. Sally Williamson, 22, m/c; 3. Shay Hall, 22. Flight B: 1. Jane Sturgis, 20; 2. Mary Page Slovak, 24, m/c. FLIGHT C: 1. Betty Sabatino, 19; 2. Sharon Pearce, 21; 3. Pat Alekson, 23. Closest to pin: No. 10, Janice Peterson


Men's Golf Association

July 11. Pick best nine — front or back — subtract 1/2 hcp. White Flight: 1. Shelby Lee, 85-31. Orange Flight 1: 1. Bob Sieling, 90-28; 2. Jerry Fazzini, 88-29; 3. Dave Schlink, 95-30. Orange Flight 2: 1. Dave York, 94-23; 2. James Miller, 95-27; 3. Frank Mento, 90-28, m/c. Gold Flight: 1. John Iocovozzi, 84-28; 2. Bob Hunter, 101-30. Closest to the pin: No. 9, Jerry Fazzini; No. 11, Jere Dorney; No. 14, Dave Schlink


Men's Golf Association

July 17. Best 9 — Front or back. Green Flight 1: 1. Rodney Russell, 32; 2. Jorge Teixeir, 34; 3. Tom Loney, 34.5. Green Flight 2: 1. Mark Gregoire, 30; 2. Gary Soppe, 31.5; 3. Jim Urquhart, 32. Green Flight 3: 1. Mike Jackson, 32; 2. Brad Savard, 34.5; 3. John Durish, 36, m/c. White Flight 1: 1. Harry Leipold, 32.5; 2. Harry Paulus, 34.5, m/c; 3. Ray Good, 34.5, m/c. White Flight 2: 1. Walt Lerian, 30; 2. Herman Bingham, 31; 3. Lamar Lauer, 31.5. Gold Flight 1: 1. Bob Palmer, 31; 2. Tom Glenn, 32.5. Closest To The Pin: No. 2, Tom Loney; No. 8, Ray Good; No. 11, Jim Urquhart; No. 17, Jack Ataide


Men's Golf Association

July 16. Stableford points — Net at hole. Flight 1: 1. Mickie Mann, 40; 2. David Erbe, 37; 3. Geo Pollio, 35. Flight 2: 1. Paul Libutaque, 36; 2. Jerry Fazzini, 35, m/c; 3. Leo Blessing, 35. Gold Flight 1: 1. Al Costello, 38; 2. James Miller, 37; 3. Bob Sieling, 36; 4. Gordon Patrick, Dale Bell, 35. Gold Flight 2: 1. Wally Schubert, 39; 2. Jerry Conner, 35; 3. Tom Clutter, 32, m/c; 4. Russ Brown, 32. Gold Flight 3: 1. Paul Martini, 35; 2. Dick Hoover, 34; 3. Dean Jensen, 32; 4. Dave Knight, 31. Closest to the pin: No. 2, Mickie Mann; No. 8, Dave York; No. 12, Bill Nelson; No. 16, Tom Clutter


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