TED BITS, Ted McIntyre - JW MARRIOTT COMES TO CANADA, AND THE RIDGE GOES SLIGHTLY PUBLIC

I got a chance to visit the new Red Leaves resort community in Muskoka and its centrepiece, the Rosseau Resort & Spa, earlier this week. Touting understated elegance (which it lives up to), Canada’s first JW Marriott-managed property will, no doubt, soon be famous for its exemplary service. Set upon 1,400 acres and more than a mile of continuous waterfront, the property includes the neighbouring golf course (The Rock, which recently received full Audubon certification), a marina, a five-star spa, the famed family retreat of Clevelands House and a 700-acre nature preserve. Apart from the immediate sense of comfort instilled by the thoughtful furnishing and interior decor, each room includes a fireplace framed with elegant stonework and is shielded from exterior noise thanks to full-core doors and cement floors covered in hardwood.

One characteristic that really impresses guests is the resort’s commitment to the environment. There was a permanent staffer on site during construction to ensure an ecological harmony, and senior naturalist Robin Tapley (above)–a remarkably engaging guy who has been everywhere on the globe from Antarctica (six times) to Madagascar and the Galapagos–is on call for guided tours and talks. We went on a nighttime showshoe hike on Tuesday, chewed bubble-gum-tasting twigs, looked through a night vision scope–very cool stuff! The indoor-outdoor pool, which leads to a Jacuzzi, also doesn’t hurt.
Watch for a complete review in Ontario Golf’s Spring issue.

AMES LOSES…WHAT A SHOCK
So Stephen Ames lost 2 and 1 this afternoon to Swede Peter Hanson in the World Accenture Match Play. Big shock. He was quoted beforehand saying he doesn’t much care for match play, but at least they all get paid. Nice attitude, Ames. I do like the guy, but I also sometimes wonder how Sean Foley can stand coaching a guy with that kind of thinking.

THE RIDGE GOES PUBLIC… SORT OF

In a sign of times of just how hard it is even for deep-pocketed owners like Udo Petersen, the exclusive Ridge at Manitou, which I think has fewer members than my slo-pitch team, has announced it will open its door to public play this year. The Ridge, which just received certification through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, is offering green fees, which, including power cart, will range from $100 on weekdays during the shoulder season to $150 on weekends during peak season. Play-and-Stay packages and group outings are also available.
“Opening up the course and the clubhouse gives more golfers the chance to experience The Ridge which has become widely recognized for its private golf hideaway feel and superb service,” says General Manager and Course Superintendent Drew Rachar. (I think another sign of struggling finances is the fact that the course’s GM and super are the same guy.)
The Ridge, however, remains committed to its long-term goal of becoming a private-equity club managed and maintained for the enjoyment of members and their families, says Rachar.

TED BITS, Ted McIntyre - TIGER’S BACK, AND WHAT WAS OBAMA REALLY DOING IN OTTAWA?

Considering PGATOUR.COM had a friggin TIGER WATCH button on its website for the past several months, there was a distinct lack of enthusiasm in the Tour’s press release last night about Tiger’s Return next week. Said Commissioner Tim Finchem in the release, “We received confirmation today that Tiger Woods has committed to play in next week’s World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, Arizona. We are delighted that Tiger is returning to competition and look forward to watching him compete next week.”
That’s it? I’m not sure what exactly I was expecting for the man who doubles attendance and triples TV viewership just by entering an event, but whatever it was, it was definitely more than a trite two sentences.

OBAMA STOPS AT OTTAWA MARKET

U.S. President Barack Obama, the first world leader whose name was determined at random by a bowl of alphabet soup (you can’t even find a good anagram out of his name!), stopped in the Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market to buy the famed deep-fried pastry Canadian favourite BeaverTail yesterday. (Not the first American to venture north of the border to Ottawa for a piece of tail, I understand.) He also bought a keychain and some maple-leaf-shaped cookies for his daughters, although his offer of Canadian dollars was refused by the vendor, who was apparently confused by a politician in Ottawa wanting to pay full fare.
Michelle Obama also asked the President to pick up bread, milk and garbage bags, but he forgot.

QUAGMIRE’S HOT TO TROT

Young Canadian upstart Quagmire Golf has re-signed reigning Canadian Open champion Chez Reavie, who had the good judgment to win on the company’s home turf of Ontario. There was also a 2009 win by Swedish Native Kristina Tucker on the Futures Tour. As part of a marketing promotion this season, a lucky Quagmire fan will have a chance to play a round with Chez while he is here for the Open, coupled with events and parties surrounding his return to Canada.
On the Nationwide Tour, Quagmire has signed two promising young talents—Huntsville’s Brennan Webb and Alberta’s Dustin Risdon.
On the Canadian Tour, Toronto’s J.C. Deacon is back on board for another season, while on the ladies’ side, Quagmire has re-signed popular Kelli Kuehne to an LPGA Tour deal, as well as adding the beautiful Stephanie Louden to their ranks.
No wonder the Quagmire gang has such good parties!

GOLF THROUGH THE LENS, Chris Gallow – EXPOSURE 1…2…3….

Exposure is as easy as 1…2…3…

1. Aperture: The aperture is the opening that lets light pass through from the lens to your sensor or film. The wider your aperture, the more light will be allowed in to strike the film or digital sensor. Light is measured in ‘F-Stops’, where the lower the F number, the more light is coming through your aperture.

2. ISO: This is the measure of light-sensitivity of your camera medium. The term comes from film, where different ’speeds’ of film were more or less sensitive to light, with low ISO numbers (100-200) being less sensitive, and suitable for well-lit situations, and higher ISOs (400 and up) being more sensitive and intended for low-light or fast movement. With your digital camera, you can change the ISO depending on the circumstances without running down the street to buy a whole new role of film. Use higher values in dark rooms, night-time environments, or to catch quick action. Remember though higher ISO can lead to more noise in the final image. Noise is random coloured pixels throughout the image which can make the image look soft and will cause loss of detail. With the new chips on the market though 800 and 1600 ISOs can give the same results as a 400 ISO file from only a year ago or so.

3. Shutter speed The longer your shutter stays open, the longer your sensor is exposed to the light, and the more accurately it will reproduce — if everything in the frame stays still. Long exposures allow for better reproductions in low-lighting situations, with little possibility of the subject moving around. Fast exposures are necessary to capture objects in motion. For the general portrait or snap shot try not to go blow the 1/60 of a second. If your out on the course trying to capture the goofy swing of you golf buddy I would suggest at least 1/500 to freezing the club at the end of the swing.

There are three ways to manage these variables and expose your picture. You can set your camera to an Automatic mode and let it take care of everything. Basically, the camera’s brain will meter the available light, and then set its own exposure accordingly. This will let you shoot a lot, quickly. However, your camera is notorious to making mistakes. Automatic modes include the fully auto mode (e.g. the green camera icon with “auto” written above on Nikon) as well as ‘scene types’ (e.g. portrait, sports, landscape) and P mode.

A best options are to choose either manual or a semi-manual mode, meter the light yourself, and set your own exposure. Which I will go into more detail in my next blog post.

TED BITS, Ted McIntyre - HOW GREEN IN YOUR VALLEY?

Town Media, Ontario Golf Magazine’s parent company, was recognized earlier this month at the fourth annual PrintAction Environmental Printing Awards in the category of most environmentally responsible print consumer in Canada. We received gold for our paper supply policy, which includes the switch to FSC paper, along with attention to magazine sizes and overall circulation efficiencies.
The PrintAction Environmental Printing Awards acknowledge business and individuals in the printing and publishing industries who work to achieve environmentally friendly technologies and practices.

COURSE 400 AND STILL GOING
Jonathan and Cathie Weaver, in their quest to break the world record for the most courses played in a single year, hit number 400 yesterday at Indian Creek GC outside of Dallas. That’s way beyond the previous record of 383, set by England’s Glenn Turner two years ago. The Weavers, whose main motivation is to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, hope to approach 440 courses by the time they wrap it up March 31. The Kapuskasing natives were inspired to set out on their 12-month odyssey after learning of the passing of a friend’s son, who succumbed to leukemia.
If you’d like to donate to their cause, log on to www.golf400.com.
Watch for their complete story in Ontario Golf’s upcoming spring edition.

RING RING, BOOM BOOM
Filed under the category as “unlikely spokesperson,” 2009 Presidents Cup Captain and former Masters winner Fred Couples entered into a world-wide endorsement agreement last with i2Telecom International. This from the man who never used to pick up the phone for fear that “there might be someone on the other end.”

GOLF THROUGH THE LENS, Chris Gallow – ONE POTATO, TWO POTATO.

Quick tip for when your out shooting in the freezing cold. Get yourself a bake potato LOL. I’m being serious. On those ever so lovely -20 days you will notice that your camera battery life is not so good. So get yourself an extra battery (which you should always have anyway) and a fresh out of the oven baked potato in foil skip the sour cream and chives, they make a real mess after the next step. Now place the potato in you jacket pocket along with your spare batteries and bingo you have a warm battery for when the other dies due to the cold. Once you have switched batteries remember to put the low or dead battery in with the potato, the warmth will bring new life to you shooting. Also this toasty bundle of starch with warm that cold trigger finger.
If your not a fan of the idea attracting the local wildlife due to the enchanting aroma wafting for you pocket, a simple hand warmer from your local sporting good store will work. I would suggest that you rap it a light cloth, they tend to get quite hot.

TED BITS, Ted McIntyre - THE END OF SATELLITE RADIO

I just got a note from Trisha Coleman, Peter Kessler’s manager of his XM Radio show, “Making the Turn.” It’s dismal news for the satellite radio industry:
“Making the Turn does not yet have a start date for 2009,” Trisha writes. “We’re hoping to have that information in hand soon, if it comes at all. As you well know, the news at Sirius XM is not encouraging. We just wanted to touch base and thank you for all you’ve done to make the show a success the past three and a half years. We miss working with you and look forward to picking up where we left off. We’ll pass along news as it comes our way.
I saw Tiger hitting balls, very three quarterish with his driver. Wow. He might never lose again.
Hope this finds you well and happy.
Peter Kessler and Trisha Coleman

WHAT I DO FOR KING AND COUNTRY
In my position, I get asked to come along on a lot of media junkets. Unfortunately, the requirements of the job and family require me to turn down many times the amount that I can accept. The latest offer is the toughest one to decline (deadlines, mostly). On Tuesday, I got invited to Mexico for five days to join a small group of journalists and…(and here’s the kicker) the top 18 women’s college golf teams in the U.S.
D’OH!

THE EARLY RESULTS ARE IN
This weeks OG on-line poll question asks which of the following groups will win the most Majors in 2009:
A) Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, Geoff Ogilvy and Kenny Perry
B) Camilo Villegas and Anthony Kim
C) Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia
D) Padraig Harrington, Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk
E) Tiger Woods
F) The rest of the world

At this early juncture (we just put it up), the tandem of Villegas and Kim have a slight edge on group D and Tiger. NOBODY has picked Mickelson and Garcia yet, so apparently I’m not the only one who thinks that A) the world golf rankings are way out of whack, and B) that Mickelson and Garcia will continue to gag at majors until they die.

RULES DECISION
One of the better ideas I spotted at the 2009 PGA Show in Orlando was the new direction the handy Golf Rules Quick Reference flip guide has taken. The guide, which answers practically every rules question at a glance, is now available as an iPhone application. More than 200 illustrations and animated slide shows bring the portable rules aid to life. The “iGolfrules” application is available from the iTunes App Store for $9.99. The price includes all rule updates until the end of 2011, as well as new language versions that are added during the same period.

GOLF THROUGH THE LENS, Chris Gallow – NATURESCAPES SELECTS 2008 IMAGES OF THE YEAR.

NatureScapes has announced its 2008 images of the year, which features a gallery of the winners for each of the categories. There are some stunning captures, enjoy.

CG

TED BITS, Ted McIntyre - GOLF LESSONS ONLINE, GETTING MISTY AND GLOBAL WARMING

GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher Shawn Humphries is trying something new next Monday when he attempts to conduct lessons via the Internet. “I was sitting in LAX Airport, trying to figure out how I could help as many golfers as possible and then it just hit me: What is the one thing most people have access to that I could use to communicate directly to them regardless of where they were? THE INTERNET!” Humphries writes. So whatever ails you, be ye in Cambodia or California, you can have access to Shawn on February 16th, when he hosts his first live training event on the web. “You will get to see me teach live via video, ask questions and get your answers right then and there…NO CHARGE! You can get all of the details be clicking here: Shawn Humphries Golf 360 Webinar. And don’t forget to provide two questions you’d like to have answered.
There is one catch, however. Humphries’ hosting company has bandwidth restrictions on the number of people he can accommodate, so “seating” is limited for this first event.
The other catch, I figure, is that this is not the best venue for instruction. I mean, most teaching pros can’t figure what the hell I’m doing wrong when I’m standing right there in front of them!

GETTING ALL MISTY
I just had lunch with Mark Young, owner of the Golf Town Tour (for the moment, Golf Town’s still getting some pretty decent PR considering they withdrew their sponsorship). I had just finished consuming my hot sauce-laden chicken stir-fry at Jack Astors when I felt something stuck in my throat. When I coughed, Mark exclaimed, “Man, that MUST have been hot. Steam just came out of your mouth!”
Turns out what was lodged in my throat was one of the calcium citrate capsules I’d swallowed a couple minutes earlier (part of my bone-building program since breaking my leg last summer). So when I coughed, a mist of calcium citrate dust plumed out. Good thing this lunch wasn’t during 9/11! Someone would have screamed “ANTHRAX!”
My only regret is that Mark didn’t have a camcorder–that would have been cool to see!

COMMENTS ON FACEBOOK
Good Lord but do people apparently have a lot of idle time to kill on Facebook. I checked my home page for the first time this week, only to discover that Bob’s feet are wet, Sara and Jill are now friends and Bart is busy building furniture. With this knowledge now in hand, I figure I can sleep soundly tonight.

AND FINALLY…HUNDREDS ATTEND GLOBAL WARMING RALLY!

GOLF THROUGH THE LENS, Chris Gallow – GOLF IN THE HIMALAYAS.

Golf Digest features a very interesting photos and funny audio slide of staff photographer Dom Furore’s recent trip to the Himalayas while making his feature “High in the Himalayas”.

Enjoy!

TED BITS, Ted McIntyre - STROKES FORE HOPES–THE SEQUEL

Many readers may be familiar with the Strokes Fore Hopes 24-hour golf marathon conducted by Edward Goodfellow and Andrew Fazackerley at Rivendell Golf Club last summer. The arduous trek, which was featured in Ontario Golf’s “24 Hours for Jessie” feature, raised $170,000 (including government support) for cancer care and research in the region. Well, they’re back at it again this year.
The 2009 Strokes Fore Hopes event will take place June 25th & 26th. Anyone interested in contributing or sponsoring should contact Cathy Goodfellow at goodfellowc@limestone.on.ca.

WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER WIN MOST?
On our biweekly online poll, the question asks which tournament you’d most like to win: the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup, the U.S. Open, the Canadian Open, the British Open or the Stanley Cup. A whopping 74 percent of the vote has gone to the Masters so far. I think I’m the only one to pick Ryder Cup, and maybe three have selected the Presidents Cup, with maybe a couple picking the Stanley Cup. Clearly we are lacking in team players among our website visitors!

CJGA LAYS OF STAFF
Sponsor-supported associations are taking a beating right now. Yesterday I got an email from Rick Betts, the communications director the Canadian Junior Golf Association. He’s been laid off, along with most of their seasonal staff. He said the CJGA will still operate this year, but it will be tough with the exit of leading sponsor HSBC.

STUFF IN “24″ THAT DRIVES ME CRAZY
Every Tuesday, the sales manager here, Doug Angus-Lee, and I like to pick apart abuses of the timeline and other screw-ups we witnessed the night before in “24″. Among the moments that drove me crazy last night was the insistence by FBI Director Larry Moss to meet fellow agent (and girlfriend) Renee Walker in front of the Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument–this after she indicated the importance of keeping everything hush hush, since she is believed to be dead and nobody can know about Jack Bauer’s involvement in the undercover operation. Yes, like the Reflecting Pool is a nice secret place to meet. I guess there was no room left in front of the CNN office or the White House.
Given how often that particular location has been used in motion picture history for supposed confidential get-togethers, if the camera pulled back, I wonder if we would have seen 12 other undercover operatives handing dossiers to men in sunglasses and trench coats. Hell, forget the FBI’s billion-dollar annual budget. Just give me $2,000 and I’ll set up a video camera in the damn Reflecting Pool.