A couple of photos from first ever Under Armour College Golf Combine at Tradition Hilton Head's Tradition National Golf Course in Hardeeville, SC

Mark Gonsalves, CEO, Hank Haney IJGA, blogs about first Under Armour College Golf Combine at Tradition Hilton Head

A blog post on the Under Armour College Golf Combine at Tradition Hilton Head's Tradition National Golf Course, Mark Gonsalves, CEO, Hank Haney IJGA, Hilton Head

First-Ever College Golf Combines
Yesterday may have been a historic day for golf. The first-ever College Golf Combine to place at Tradition National Golf Course in Hardeeville, SC, just outside of Hilton Head Island.

With 100 girl and boy junior golfers participating in the two-day event and 40-plus coaches from Division I, II, III and NAIA scouting potential talent for their programs, the combine represents an additional tool available to both player and coach alike.

Combine organizers developed a series of skills assessments which allows recruits to hit every shot in their bag under pressure, plus they get out on the course for 18 competitive holes of golf.

Read more here on Mark's blog
http://ijga003.blogspot.com/2008/07/first-ever-college-golf-combines.html

First-ever College Golf Combine A Hole in One at Tradition National Golf Course

TRADITION HILTON HEAD, Hardeeville, S.C. (July 28, 2008) – A global assembly of aspiring golfers gathered for the first-ever College Golf Combine at Tradition Hilton Head here today to get expert advice and hopefully catch the eye of a college recruiter.

More than 100 high school golfers from as far away as Singapore, Panama and Trinidad, as well as from numerous states, participated in the combine, designed to bring them exposure so they may continue playing golf at the collegiate level and earn a degree.

The golfers, boys and girls ages 13 to 18, resume the unique golf experience at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow. The two-day combine is organized by the International Junior Golf Tour in association with UNDER ARMOUR, and Hank Haney’s International Junior Golf Academy based on Hilton Head Island.

Combines new to golf

“This event is the first of its kind for golf. Many other sports, like football, basketball and baseball, have this type of combine, but golf never has had one before,” said Chris Gibbs, event coordinator for the College Golf Combine. “It’s a great opportunity for young golfers to get a precise idea of how each part of their golf game stacks up. We believe it will help players take their games to the next level.”

Gibbs congratulated the staff of Tradition Hilton Head and Tradition National Golf Course for the success of the event.

“Tradition Hilton Head’s golf staff has made the event flow without a hitch,” Gibbs said. “The set-up, coordination and execution of all the moving parts of this event have been excellent.”

“For the kids being given this opportunity under these special conditions is just outstanding for their games and their future careers,” said Mark Gonsalves, CEO of International Junior Golf Academy. “This is an excellent venue in which these young golfers can increase awareness of their game.”

Experience of a lifetime

Omar Tejeira, a 17-year-old from Panama, said the event at Tradition National Golf Course is an “experience of a lifetime.”

“I can see walking away from this with a much better idea of my strong and weak points.” Talking as his father watched him hit practice drives, Omar said, “I had no idea this was such a beautiful golf course. I’ve played several junior tournaments around the Southeast, and this course is on par with every course I’ve played.”

The two-year-old course was designed by Tommy Fazio.

“This college combine is a wonderful opportunity to help young golfers from all over the country and the world, and helps put out the word about our fantastic golf course,” said David Wilding, director of golf at Tradition Hilton Head National.

“It reinforces the fact that a young, vital community and golf course here at Tradition Hilton Head can successfully host an international golf event.”

Tradition Hilton Head has invited the College Golf Combine back next year.

“We feel that all of the golfers, the families and the coaches will learn a lot from this ground-breaking golf combine, and we hope to see them back next year,” said Martin Sauls IV, public relations director of Tradition Hilton Head.

Tapping college coaches’ interest

Frank and Debbie DeRosa drove their nephew Jesse Bingaman down for the combine from Pennsylvania. “Conceptually, this event is great,” Debbie said. “We were interested in seeing how much interest college golf coaches have in these young golfers.”

Apparently, there is a lot of interest: two dozen college coaches were registered for the combine. They can meet and talk to golfers during restricted times.

“An event like this for young golfers is a long time coming,” said Kyle Mack, golf coach at Young Harris College in north Georgia and head golf professional at a golf club near the college. “This broadens their opportunity to showcase their golfing skills and hopefully will help them get a golf scholarship, or at least learn how to go about it.”

Russell Stephens, father of 17-year-old golfer Jordan Stephens of Trinidad, said the combine is a splendid opportunity for junior golfers to compare their skills with other players their age. “Jordan has played in tournaments, but this combine gives golfers the chance to see how each element of their game stands up with other players,” he said.

How it works

The combine basically breaks down each part of the game – from putting and chipping to driving and bunker play – with scorers keeping tabs on each golfer’s performance. Golfers also head out on the course to show scorers how they can manage course play. Scores are then made available to the players, their families and college coaches.

On Tuesday, the golfers continue their scoring performance events, with an 18-hole tournament rounding out the combine.

Joey Pizetoski, a 17-year-old golfer from Davidson, N.C., and 18-year-old golfer Taylor Klein of Great Falls, Va., chatted after they went through a putting performance event.

“This is so much more different than the junior tournaments we play,” Joey said. “I was surprised the way it is set up. It’s a lot more helpful to our games than just competing head-to-head with other players.”

Taylor said the combine gives young golfers an extra shot of confidence in their game.

“We get to see how well various parts of our game are working and what needs improvement, and you get to meet and work with other kids on a more personal level than at tournaments,” he said. “And, we’re given the chance to talk to coaches about going to college and what that will require. I definitely want to get a college golf scholarship.”

Scores and other information on the College Golf Combine at Tradition Hilton Head are available at www.golfstat.com.

College Golf Combine on the Web: www.collegegolfcombine.com

First-ever College Golf Combine Tees off at Tradition National Golf Course July 28-29

WHO: Tradition National Golf Course, a Tommy Fazio design, hosts the first College Golf Combines in association with the International Junior Golf Tour and Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy, sponsored by UNDER ARMOUR and Callaway Golf.

WHAT: Junior golfers from across the country and around the world will be given an exciting, new opportunity to be evaluated by college coaches.

WHEN:
July 28, Monday, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. check-in at Tradition National Golf Course; 7:30 - 9:45 Girls & Boys Tee Times #1 and #10; 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Boys skills assessment at driving range, short game and putting green; 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. lunch; noon - 2:15 p.m. Boys Tee Times #1 and #10; 1 - 5 p.m. Girls & Boys skills assessment at driving range, short game and putting green; 6:30 - 8 p.m. barbecue dinner; 7:30 p.m. guest speaker.
July 29, Tuesday, 7 - 9:15 a.m. Boys Tee Times #1 and #10; 8 a.m. - noon Girls & Boys skills assessment at driving range, short game and putting green; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. lunch; 11:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.; Girls & Boys Tee Times #1 and #10; noon - 4 p.m. Boys skills assessment at driving range, short game and putting green; 3 - 7:30 p.m. individual meetings with coaches.

WHERE: Tradition National Golf Course, Tradition Hilton Head, Hardeeville, S.C., U.S. 278 25 miles west of Hilton Head Island and one mile east of Interstate 95's Exit 8.

WHY: In an effort to provide college golf opportunities for all junior golfers, the first-ever College Golf Combines will bring exposure to junior golfers seeking to continue their golf careers at the collegiate level and earn a degree.

TRADITION HILTON HEAD, Hardeeville, S.C. -- In an effort to provide college golf opportunities for all junior golfers, UNDER ARMOUR, in association with the International Junior Golf Tour and Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island, is sponsoring the first-ever College Golf Combines that will bring exposure to junior golfers seeking to continue their golf careers at the collegiate level and earn a degree.

Two combines will unite junior golfers and college golf coaches from Division I, II, III, NAIA and junior colleges. An East Combine is scheduled for July 28-29 at Tradition Hilton Head’s Tradition National Golf Club in Hardeeville.

The following week, a West Combine is slated for Aug. 4-5 at East Valley Golf Club in Beaumont, Calif.

“With more than 100 recruits already registered from throughout the United States and around the world, the East Combine has been very well received as a new opportunity for junior golfers to be evaluated by college coaches,” said Tournament Director Stephanie Gelleni.

University of South Florida women's golf coach Marci Kornegay said the golf combine will benefit young people as well as colleges’ golf programs.

“What a great service for college golf coaches to be able to observe future players hitting an assortment of skills shots in a pressure situation,” she said. “This golf combine idea is long overdue and could be one of the biggest tools for collegiate recruiting.”


Event: 2008 UNDER ARMOUR College Golf Combines

Date: July 28 & 29, 2008

Time: All Day

Location: Tradition National Golf Club in Hardeeville, S.C.

Participants: Recruits from 2008 through 2013 classes – 78 boys & 23 girls as of July 10

Organization: College Golf Combines in association with the International Junior Golf Tour

Title Sponsor: UNDER ARMOUR

Golf Ball Sponsor: Callaway Golf

Web site: www.collegegolfcombine.com

Purpose: These first college golf combines – one on the East Coast, a second on the West Coast - will bring exposure to junior golfers seeking to continue their golf careers at the collegiate level and earn a degree - junior golfers will be evaluated by college golf coaches from the Division I, II, III, NAIA and junior college levels - the combines will give all juniors an opportunity to be evaluated by more than 40 college coaches already registered, at a fraction of the summer tour cost.

Format: Awards will be given in two divisions for both boys and girls – 2008-2009 and 2010-2014. The combine will have skills assessment both days that will include: 10 and 20 yard bunker shots, chip and pitch shots, putting from 5-10-20-40 feet and 100-125-150 yard shots. The first day on the course will include: two driving holes, 60 yard bunker shot, par 5 lay-up to 110-85 yards, greenside chip/pitch shots, multiple tee shots on par 3s and a challenging 19th hole. The second day will be an 18-hole tournament.

HGTV Green Home 2008: Winner Walkthrough Video

http://blogs.hgtv.com/hgtv/greenhome/2008/07/first_look_winner_walkthrough.html

Posted by kwalters – July 23, 2008 10:06 AM

The winner walkthrough video is here! Watch Marsha Coulthard tour her new house in Tradition Hilton Head, in Hardeeville, S.C.
Courtesy, HGTV

First-ever College Golf Combine Held at Tradition National Golf Course

TRADITION HILTON HEAD, Hardeeville, S.C. -- In an effort to provide college golf opportunities for all junior golfers, UNDER ARMOUR, in association with the IJGT and Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island, is sponsoring the first-ever College Golf Combines that will bring exposure to junior golfers seeking to continue their golf careers at the collegiate level and earn a degree.
Two combines will unite junior golfers and college golf coaches from Division I, II, III, NAIA and junior colleges. An East Combine is scheduled for July 28-29 at Tradition Hilton Head’s Tradition National Golf Club in Hardeeville.
The following week, a West Combine is slated for Aug. 4-5 at East Valley Golf Club in Beaumont, Calif.
“With more than 100 recruits already registered from throughout the United States and around the world, the East Combine has been very well received as a new opportunity for junior golfers to be evaluated by college coaches,” said Tournament Director Stephanie Gelleni.
University of South Florida women's golf coach Marci Kornegay said the golf combine will benefit young people as well as colleges’ golf programs.
“What a great service for college golf coaches to be able to observe future players hitting an assortment of skills shots in a pressure situation,” she said. “This golf combine idea is long overdue and could be one of the biggest tools for collegiate recruiting.”
Combine Contact:
Visit www.collegegolfcombine.com on the Web, or
Call Stephanie Gelleni, (818) 878-9544
Email stephanie@collegegolfcombine.com

Keeping it 'green' and energy-efficient at Tradition Hilton Head

Courtesy of the Island Packet of Hilton Head Island, S.C.
http://www.islandpacket.com/opinion/story/547271.html
Keep all options open for conserving energy
Communities should make it easier to install solar, other alternative energy systems.
Published Friday, July 11, 2008

Every set of covenants written has a mechanism for changing them. Communities whose rules preclude installing solar and wind energy devices should look at doing just that.

The ability to change covenants recognizes that circumstances change and rules that made sense 10, 20 or 30 years ago may not make sense today. With today's high energy prices and the critical need to reduce our reliance on oil, we should be looking at ways to encourage alternative energy sources, not discouraging them.

We urge homeowners associations where such attached structures are prohibited to start the process now to change the rules. At a minimum, associations should develop guidelines to look at such applications individually to ensure that architectural and aesthetic standards are met.

We don't have to sacrifice aesthetics for energy efficiencies, and we should encourage the latter.

Palmetto Electric Cooperative, after initially turning down the idea, is now on board with "net metering." The pilot program allows customers to sell excess electricity generated by solar or other alternative energy systems. Utilities like Palmetto Electric were required to look at offering the program under the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005.

The idea didn't generate much interest at first, but "we think it's the right message to send," said Jimmy Baker, the cooperative's vice president of marketing and public relations.

Baker said cooperative customers who are interested in net metering should make an appointment to discuss the program and their plans. Right now, the only home participating is the HGTV Green Home in Tradition Hilton Head in Hardeeville.

Baker cautioned that the cost of renewable energy systems and the amount of excess electricity they generate makes for a long payback. How quickly someone can recoup their costs for such a system depends on the energy source and how much electricity it generates.

But net metering will allow customers to recoup at least some costs through the sale of excess energy, and we applaud the cooperative's change of heart on net metering.

We must set aside outdated conventions when it comes to alternative energy and green building. Beaufort County officials tried to do that with a workshop on sustainable energy last month. Those attending brainstormed ways to conserve energy and tap alternative power sources.

Some ideas that emerged were:

• Expanding mass transit.

• Buying hybrids for use as county vehicles or use those that run on biodiesel.

• Using more video conferencing to reduce travel expenses for both county employees and agencies that work with the county.

• Giving tax breaks to residents with solar panels or small wind turbines that generate power.

• Exploringsuchtechnologies as turbines that generate power from the tides and biomass boilers to generate power.

A panel created by Gov. Mark Sanford last yearhas come up with50 recommendations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate, Energy and Commerce Advisory Committee plans to issue its report later this month. The Charleston Post & Courier reports that among its recommendations are:

• Developing energy efficiency programs to help residential, commercial and industrial consumers reduce energy use.

• Drafting a renewable energy portfolio, which would include new nuclear energy proposals.

• Improving development patterns and upping efforts to reduce transportation pollution.

Rep. Ben Hagood told the Post & Courierthe recommendations would need to be instituted through legislation, regional planning, new policies, executive orders, tax incentives and credits, community interest and local government ordinances.

The report is to be posted on the Internet, and the public will be invited to comment. That feedback will be used for a final report that is expected this fall.

Addressing energy conservation clearly is a multipronged process. No one idea holds the answer, but the more options we have, the better our chances for success.