Of all the things we’ve learned in our nine years publishing this magazine, it’s that there is always on open door to make a fresh start. Look no further than the inspirational story of Idaho player Dave Tak, of whom we first wrote about over a year ago. In a knock-down, drag-out fight with Multiple Sclerosis, Dave nearly succumbed to his illness before turning to golf as a way to simply get his mind off the pain. Little did he know that the nature of the game itself would not only occupy his thoughts, but also help him muster the will to carry on.
In the process, he rediscovered a game he had not so enjoyed since the heydays of his youth.
Great pain can be a great catalyst for growth and enrichment, so we’re told. And let’s face it, for more than a little while now, the golf market here and elsewhere in America has been feeling the pinch. For some in the Idaho golf industry, the loudest canary in the mine was the anticipated demise of the Boise Golf Show.
Since our parent company, Harris Publishing, had already made successful strides in producing shows for other recreational markets, we decided to use the magazine as a vehicle to make that fresh start.
As a result. February 2009 marked the first year of the Mountain West Golf Expo, held at the Taco Bell Arena in beautiful Boise, Idaho.
We can’t thank our exhibitors enough for their presence, positive attitudes and support. In the wake of a show that was on the verge of collapse, we feel this inaugural Expo is a crucial step in building up a mutual celebration of what we all hold to be the greatest game on the planet. Vendors at the early spring event ranged from public courses to private clubs, equipment reps to youth programs and key player associations to professional instructors. In addition to grand prize raffles for golf vacations and more than 25 door prizes announced at the show, attendees also enjoyed special instructional offerings from the Rocky Mountain Section PGA, a broad array of equipment demos and fun contests for putting and driving. (You’ll see an overview of all these attractions here and on the following pages, not to mention bonus multimedia materials—galleries, audio, video—that will soon be posted on our new website at www.mountainwestgolf.com.) Economies will always swell and shrivel. Golf course construction has an eternal tendency to ebb and flow. But at its heart, the game of golf marches on.
Just ask Dave Tak.
“I had another fairly severe MS attack last fall and lost about 75 percent use of my legs,” he wrote to us recently. “I started a new MS treatment in November, which includes medication via IV every four weeks at the hospital. The treatment seems to be working (along with positive attitude and exercise). I’m back to playing 18 holes 4 or 5 times a week and have shot my career best score of (-1) 71 and had my third hole-in-one. Needless to say, the golf bug seems to keep me alive and well.”
The ’10 Expo Idea Bucket
Got suggestions for next year’s show in the Treasure Valley? How about MWG Expo in your own town or area? Visit us at www.mountainwestgolf.com and let us know what you’re thinking. Meanwhile, take note of the following input we gathered from some of this year’s vendors and visitors at the 2009 Mountain West Golf Expo in Boise.
• One word: Nampa. Two more words: Idaho Center. Look into it!
• Equipment is fine, but add in more instruction. Perhaps even a center stage where everyone can see the pros as they teach, swing and talk.
• Bigger nets. Much, much bigger nets so you can actually see some ball flight!
• Thanks for finally getting some club reps to the show [Tour Edge, Cleveland]. Keep ‘em coming. Keep ‘em involved.
• Lots of follow-up would help. Let everyone know how much fun you had. Post a gallery of all the activities, giveaways and contests!
• Special show-only deals drive traffic! We love to see “show specials” on clubs, extras and passes, etc. Work with vendors to make sure they have something special up their sleeves.
• We love the contests and giveaways. Try adding some more chipping and pitching competitions! Get a full-blown swing simulator in there…
• Don’t hesitate to put up posters in pro shops outside of Boise. If they know ahead of time, they will come.
• What was up with that crazy guy running around with the camera? You’ve got to get him under control. He’s a menace.
CONTEST RESULTS
Driving for Gifts,
Putting for Prizes
In addition to various cages, nets and platforms for attendees to test their skills, the show also included two formal contests—one for the long stick, one for the short blade.
The putting contest—more of a festive exercise in bumper pool than anything else—included six holes with tricky tiers and side slopes.
Top honors went to Grayson Bosen, whose score of 5 one-putts earned him a spanking new putter from True Stroke. Separately, the show also raffled off a Z-Factor Perfect Putting Machine, which fell into the lucky hands of Bill Sayler.
The Longest Drive competition—powered by the Opti-Shot launch monitor—spanned three divisions, earning each winner a $100 gift certificate Eagle Hills.
Steve McDonald took top honors in the men’s division with a 381-yard poke. Monty Leinberger led the seniors’ at 311 yards and Holly Winburn won the women’s division at 309 yards.
(Note: Although we didn’t have the final results at press time, both Golf Mesquite and Golfer’s Footprint also participated with chipping contests at the show.)
Putting for Spuddy Buddies, anyone? This father-son team both drained the treacherous fourth hole of the putting contest, earning each of them a mascot headcover from the Idaho Potato Commission.
Vendor profiles
Divotz
This one-stop shop of everything golf brought a mother lode of new product to the show, including not only clubs but also an assortment of apparel and accessory items. The most frequent comment we heard from attendees: “Glad I got in there early.” The second most frequent comment: “I wish I would have got in there &$!!@# earlier.” The company also specializes in re-shafting, repair, lessons, re-gripping, evaluations, club repair, driving range and instruction.
Contact: 208-323-1135
Club Reps
In addition to a variety of area product retailers, the show also included reps from Cleveland and Tour Edge, who both showcased their companies’ latest sticks. The Cleveland section featured bag-loads of the new Launcher and HiBore drivers, woods and hybrids, as well as the latest CG irons and wedges. Tour Edge brought in an ample supply of 2009-model samplers of both the Exotics and Bazooka/GeoMax lines.
True-Stroke
One of the more impressive “strokes of genius” we’ve seen in putters this year (including a lot of name-brand hype from the big Florida shows) is the innovative True-Stroke putter, which made its presence known throughout the show. Not only did this balance-focused mallet command attention in its own demo space, but it also found favor with numerous attendees at the show’s ongoing putting contest.
Contact: (208) 466-7059
Shadow Valley
Nestled in the foothills, north of Boise, Idaho, Shadow Valley Golf Course has earned a reputation for eye-catching golf because of its picturesque setting. Built a quarter century ago along the Boise front, the front nine alone features a dozen elevation changes, including the dramatic No. 6 hole (revamped in 2000), a challenging par-3 cut from the side of the foothills. The aesthetics of this course are punctuated by rock formations, blooming flowerbeds, ponds and waterfalls.
Contact: (800) 936-7035
Golf Mesquite
Eight spectacular courses, accessible full-table gaming and springtime weather to die for—what more could you ask for? It’s all within reach at Mesquite, just a relative stone’s through from Boise and other population centers in the region. A typical vacation comes complete with vistas of the picturesque Virgin River Valley, resort casino-hotels featuring deluxe rooms and suites with mountain and pool views, and world-class spas.
Contact: (866) 720-7111
Westgate
Westgate Park City Resort & Spa is a perfect destination for golf as well as tennis, basketball, horseback riding, hiking, hot air ballooning, concerts and fishing. The award-winning Westgate Grill, located at the resort, offers a variety of delicious entrees, expertly prepared and served before a majestic view.
And for the ultimate in relaxation, Papillon the Spa at Westgate Park City offers a full menu of spa services. Luxurious villas, ranging from studio to four bedrooms, feature full kitchens, whirlpool, fireplace and more, depending on the villa.
Contact: (435) 940-9444
Broadmore Country Club
This spring the club is dabbling in public access to market the course to potential new members. Passes are good from March through October. Individual rates are $984 with an option to add a spouse or junior (21 years or younger) for a nominal fee. The historic nine-hole track in the heart of Nampa has mature trees, tricky small greens and beautiful lush fairways.
Contact: (208) 466-0561
Wildhorse Casino & Resort
Nestled in the foothills of Oregon’s Blue Mountains, you’ll find 18 holes of spectacular golf, featuring beautiful lakes, long fairways and deep bunkers. Designed by legendary golf architect, John Steidel, this course can play long or short with four sets of tees ranging from 5,718 yards at the front to 7,128 yards from the championship tees.
Contact: info@wildhorseresort.com
Teton Springs Resort
Golf legend Byron Nelson, PGA Touring Professional Steve Jones, and top golf course architect Gary Stephenson have combined philosophy with course design to create a masterful golf course to complement a complete community.
The championship 18-hole course, 9-hole par 3 course, and complete practice facility offer a golf experience that can be enjoyed by all.
Contact: (208) 787-3600
Caldwell: Fairview & Purple Sage
This festive town outside of Boise provides two beautiful golf courses for the public to enjoy. Purple Sage, an old favorite here at MWG, is an 18-hole course that is located on Purple Sage Road just off Old Highway 30. The Fairview course is a short but enjoyable 9-holer located downtown.
Contacts: Purple Sage at (208) 459-2223, and Fairview at (208) 455-3090
Indian Lakes Golf Course
Home of our resident PGA advisor, Jeff Thomsen, Indian Lakes Golf Club is a beautiful, tree lined, manicured public course.
You’ll find it plays well for both high and low handicappers. It’s competitively priced with excellent service, offering some of the best view of the Boise Valley to the north and the majestic Owyhees to the south.
Contact: (208) 362-5771
BanBury Golf Club
Designed by John Harbottle III, BanBury Golf Course meanders around the South Channel of the Boise River, successfully uniting golf with native habitat. A challenging 6,890 yard par-71 public course, BanBury Golf Course has been consistently rated in the top ten golf courses in Idaho by Golf Digest in the past seven years.
Contact: (208) 939-3600
Jug Mountain Resort
This breathtaking mountain track north of Boise features narrow fairways, exciting doglegs and difficult rough, not to mention gorgeous panoramic views of Jughandle Mountain, the Ranch’s natural wetlands, old growth forests and rolling hills. It is a 7,265-yard, par-72 course designed by Donald Knott, whose previous work included the widely acclaimed Links at Spanish Bay (Pebble Beach) as well as the Sun Valley Resort.
Contact: (208) 634-5072
Eagle Hills Golf Course
A splendid public course in the heart of Eagle’s namesake suburbs, this beautifully maintained facility features numerous doglegs, sloping fairways, tricky water hazards and immaculate greens.
Plus, thanks to its waterborne driving range, it’s one of the few places you can actually enjoy splashing it into the pond.
Contact: (208) 939-0402
Buffalo Peak
This William Phillips-designed course is an 18-hole layout owned and managed by Union County, Ore., located just 16 miles southeast of La Grande. Highlights of the course include a dramatic landscape with views of the Grande Ronde Valley and surrounding Wallowa and Blue Mountain ranges, ponds and fountains.
Contact: (866) 202-5950
Falcon Crest
Our report on this fine course in our last issue (Winter 2008-2009) pretty much says it all, which is that Falcon Crest is nothing short of a fantastic test of golf with dramatic holes at every turn. It’s easily one of the best facilities in Boise, especially with it’s adjoining Robin Hood course and more development in the works. (We’ll keep you posted!)
Contact: (208) 362-8897
Quail Ridge Golf Club
With its breathtaking views, challenging layout and reasonable prices, this course is fun for the whole family. The original nine holes of the course were constructed in 1936. In 1999, the City completed construction of an additional nine holes designed by award-winning course architect Bill Robinson. The course is open every day between April and November.
Contact: (541) 523-2358.
Circling Raven
Between the great golf, top-notch casino and a beautiful woodland setting, our Grand Prize presenter at the show is a quite grand experience of its own. See details on Page 16.
Contact: (800) 523-2464
Ridgecrest
Nampa’s finest recreational facility is Ridgecrest Golf Course—a links style course set in rolling corn fields, with vast areas of water. The course offers golfing opportunities for all levels of play. Ridgecrest Golf Club is a 27-hole facility with a regulation 18-hole course that can vary from 4,900 to 7,000 yards and an executive par-32, 9-hole course that can stretch to almost 2,400 yards.
Contact: (208) 468-9073
Lakeview Golf Club
Nestled in the heart of Meridian (just outside of Boise), this course was brilliantly renovated following its re-opening in 2005. (The original 9 holes broke ground in the year 1977 with the second nine opened in 1996.) The par 72 course offers beautifully groomed white sand bunkers challenging lake holes, a fully staffed Pro Shop, driving range, a restaurant and much more.
Contact: (208) 888-4080.
Palouse Ridge
Palouse Ridge Golf Club, the new 18-hole championship facility at Washington State University, has been named the highest ranked public course to open in 2008 by Golfweek, and the ninth-best new venue in the world in 2008 by Travel and Leisure Golf magazine.
The links-style layout is slated to host the Washington State Men’s Amateur in 2009, the Pac-10 women’s championships in 2012, and the Pac-10 men’s tournament in 2014.
If that isn’t enough, this great course is ranked third in Links magazine and seventh in Golf Magazine’s list of best new courses.
Contact: (509) 335-4342
Club At Idaho/University Inn
Re-branded The Club at Idaho at the Expo, this university course on the rolling Palouse hills near Moscow, Idaho, is one of the finest college tracks in the region.
It’s long and steep with large, slick greens and challenging doglegs.
Contact: (208) 885-6171
Plantation Country Club
This course is one of the better known, better manicured and better regarded private facilities in the region. It is especially revered in the Boise area as host to a number of marquee tournaments. (Stay tuned for a special story on its hosting of the Treasure Valley Amateur, slated for early summer.)
The Boise River runs alongside the course, providing a beautiful setting. Boasting some of the most demanding par-3s in the Treasure Valley, the 6,376-yard, par-71 layout challenges golfers of all skill levels.
Contact: (208) 853-4793
Z-Factor Perfect Putting Machine
Based on the constant stream of spectators, this intriguing piece of equipment arguably stole the show. By simply attaching your putter to the unit you will be guided through a perfect pendulum putting stroke that may be adjusted to fit your specifications or preferences.
Finally, you will understand what the perfect putting stroke feels like. It builds on the oh-so-valuable adage: Practice does not make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect. The machine will allow you to practice the perfect stroke every time. On each stroke you will gain proper muscle memory and unlearn bad habits. Also, you can actually hit putts while using the machine.
Contact: (208) 342-4514
Highland Golf Carts
Established in 1979 in Salt Lake City, Highland Carts has been serving Southwest Idaho since 2002, and is considered the “go-to” factory-authorized Yamaha and E-Z-Go golf and utility cart dealer in southwestern Idaho.
Highland offers both new and used golf and utility carts, as well as service, repair and parts. Rental Services are also available.
Executive Womens Golf
Since 1991, the EWGA has touched the lives of over 85,000 women. This not-for-profit membership association currently has nearly 20,000 members in over 120 chapters throughout the United States, along with international Chapters in Canada and France, offering a wide range of organized golf activities, player development and education programs, volunteer, social and networking opportunities for both novice and experienced golfers.
The Boise-Treasure Valley Chapter became EWGA’s 101st chapter in April 2002 and has already grown from the original membership of 18 to over 230 members, with new members signing up weekly.
The Boise/Treasure Valley Chapter has been honored each year for its membership standards and member retention and has also been named an EWGA Chapter of Excellence numerous times since our inception.
Contact: info@ewgaboisetv.com
First Tee
Ever wondered if golf was really all it’s chalked up to be? Just ask Sam Dulski, a kid with a wide, bright smile and an even brighter outlook on his future, thanks in large part to his association with the First Tee program.
“It teaches so much more than golf,” he told us at the show. “It teaches life skills. It goes way beyond the course.”
The Idaho chapter of this national program began with limited programming in the fall of 2005 at Pierce Park Greens in Boise, with “progressive” programming beginning in April 2006. In 2007, Foxtail Golf Course in Meridian was added as an affiliate programming site, and for the first time The First Tee of Idaho operated programming at multiple sites simultaneously.
The First Tee of Idaho’s School Outreach program also exposed over 2500 students in the Boise and Meridian school districts to the positive message of The First Tee.
Stay tuned for a feature story on this program in our upcoming summer issue!
Contact: (208) 854-3639
The Golfer’s Footprint
The Golfer’s Footprint is a simple-to-use hitting board. No matter where you practice, just place the trainer on the ground and hit balls right off its surface. By learning to follow the different arrows you can standardize your setup and alignment, square your clubface to the target line, and start using the power of your swing path to shape your shots.
Contact: (866) GOLF-113