EASTERN GOLF, FLORIDA TO NEW ENGLAND

EASTERN GOLF, FLORIDA TO NEW ENGLAND

BY JOCK MACKENZIE –Twice voted one of 50 best radio sports broadcasters in the United States.

A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become and still gently allows you to grow.

The day that Jim Canfield worked his heart out to become the first Mayor of Palm Coast that tag above fit him perfectly and it still does even though he has been out of office for more years than I can count.

His days now are enjoying this wonderful game of golf at Pine Lakes and Cypress Knoll, otherwise known as the Grand Club. And if you think he's an easy target, haul out your wallet and say good by to what's in it.

I asked him recently if he would make a return to office one more time and he responded in a single word. “No”. Yet, there is a lot of City Hall in his heart.

I can tell that because it's easy to read of his appearances there to assist in one way or another.

What most people have no way of knowing but as a resident of Staten Island he was born an orphan and most of his youthful years in a Foster Home. Yet he went on to earn his PHD and earned the title of Doctorate. In the years when he worked his heart out to become the first ever Mayor of Palm Coast he never once spoke of those tough early years. I've known him since 1995, helped him to make speeches at a radio station, played golf with him, voted for him with all my heart along with the hundreds I pleaded to do the same. Only within this week when I wanted to write about his golf and governing ability did I learn of the facts I just stated. Imagine, I've known Jim Canfield for 18 years and only now did I learn from the outside of the marvelous man this former two-time Mayor really was and is to this day.

But let's get down to the basics and that spells golf. He's a golfer and a good one. Along with his best pal, Jake Jacoby, they can sweep away whatever stands in their way. A week ago Jacoby, playing with Canfield and two others, nailed the Pine Lakes Course with a stunning round of 35 on the first nine holes and the rest was easy.

But the real truth of Canfield and Jacoby is that they are the two of the nicest people on the face of this earth, golf or no golf.

Count me as No. 1 on the list of people who are thankful that Staten Island let them leave to live in Florida.

And after what I told you a little about about two of the Staten Island people and now firmly in Palm Coast, Florida I'm hoping you'll bang the drums for another Golf Hall of Fame affair because I'll never know anyone anywhere more deserving for a packed house in Palm Coast than the pair of Jim Canfield and Jake Jacoby.

GRAND RESERVE

This wonderful golf layout just off Route One and a bit short of Bunnell, continues to grow by leaps and pounds. Rain or no rain, it doesn't matter, golfers are flocking to this18-Hole beauty.

Call Bryan Hill who represents Capstone golf and he'll provide all you need to know about tee times and all else that makes your golf day perfect.

Mike Pullen, an Alabama grad and a huge football fan, is the major cog there along with other courses on the Eastern Seaboard and a terrific guy to boot. What I'm saying is that people in play like Ray and Roger Epperson and Steve Spree, good golfers all, think it's a nifty place to play this game and this person, one enjoying many years on those links, fully agrees.

GOLF USA

This popular golf shop for some five years here in Palm Coast, FL, is about to make sweeping changes and it all could happen within two weeks.

As owner David Bonyak explains, “Over the next few weeks we will be cleaning out most inventory at reduced prices. If you are capable please come and take advantage of this cleansing. You will get some great deals.”

Is Golf USA staying at their regular location? Yes they are. They are even bringing in new equipment while concentrating on, as Bosnyak says, to better serve all customers.

The new model? Provide the best club making in the area. Ted Baker has been here over 20 years providing this service and will continue.

Having personally knowing him over that span of time, I'm among those who agree fully. The guy is not just good, he's the best from here to the lowest tip of Florida.

Bosnyak says: “We will carry the essentials of golf for you, gloves, tees, balls, shoes, bags, etc. and order any product for you that they may not have in the store.”

So, don't wait. You have less than two weeks to swing into the best golf equipment in the Eastern Seaboard at sensationally low prices.

Golf USA is the store in Palm Coast and the prices sensational because they are cleaning house in preparation to an all new Golf USA at the same location.

EASTERN GOLF, FLORIDA TO NEW ENGLAND

EASTERN GOLF, FLORIDA TO NEW ENGLAND

BY JOCK MACKENZIE – Four Times voted Best Radio
Broadcaster including twice voted one of 50 best in the
United States.



Thousands of us are enjoying the thrill of a golf hole-in-one.
Some of the best golfers can boast of two, three, four and more.
But there's something special about that first one even though it may prove to be the only one most of us will ever enjoy. It will be precious when we accomplish that feat and it will remain next to our hearts for life. Sure, the 2^nd or 3^rd accomplishment will be great but there is nothing, absolutely nothing that beats the joy of your first and only hole in one.
We place the reminder in a prominent house spot so when the golf day had us down for the day we can pick it back up and think happily of that time when we and friends shouted, leaped with joy and took home with us that one time when we could say: “My gosh, I just had a hole-in one!”
Of course there are thousands who wonder if theirs will ever come. But when they do, and they will, the most precious time of life will spread it's wings in our favor.
It will be that fascinating time when they and playing partners can jump and holler with joy because of an event that is extra special in our life. I would like to say it would happen again and again but as one who sits back happily enjoying that one and lonely time when the little white ball actually went into the hole with glorious joy, down deep we one day will realize this Ace will be our first and only such event in years and years of that wonderful game titled “Golf.”



John Maino, for instance, smacked a recent ace at the beautiful Palm Coast Golf Course in Pine Lakes from 155 yards out while using a No. 3 Hybrid. But was the thrill taken from him when noting that this classic was his 3^rd career ace? I think not. To Maino each one is special and I'll wager there are more in the bank just waiting to burst out.
The one that really got me is Bryan Hill who zapped the No. 4 hole at Grand Reserve on Hole Number 4 from 118 yards out. He never expected it, never dreamed it would happen and the last I knew was smiling like a new born for three straight days.
Hill runs the show at Grand Reserve each Monday through Friday and then gets a little relief to play golf on either Saturday or Sunday and perhaps on both days.
His friends told me he was smiling, laughing and full of that six-foot- four height every hour of the day. I spent a short time with him on the 3^rd day following his special accomplishment and they were right. Personally? I don't think he'll lose that hole-in-one smile for a year to come and maybe more.
With Hill at the time of this special event of his first Ace was Pete Field and Coleman Coy.
By the way, Hill used a sand wedge to accomplish that very special moment.
So, if you reside elsewhere, come on down to Palm Coast, FL for even a week or five more and you'll enjoy golf like few others anywhere. Maybe, just maybe, there's a hole-in-one waiting for you to come.
We have golf courses here that will test every minute of your skill, courses you will love playing.
You can play this wonderful game of golf along side the ocean or at that beautiful 18-holes named Grand Haven. Again, you'll view the lead to the ocean and watch the private boats coming in and going out. Special is not enough to describe how terrific Grand Haven is.
Then there are special golf courses like The Grand Club and Cypress Knoll. I had the honor one day of apologizing to a man and his wife from Montreal for slowing them down during 18-holes. Still in their golf cart they responded, “Don't apologize for being in our way. We have played several courses here during our vacation and this is our first at Pine Lakes and the best course of all. We think this course is so great we will be back again and again and again when we return for vacation next year.”
So, come and enjoy. Whether it be Coventry, Pine Lakes, Cypress Knoll, Grand Reserve, Grand Haven, Palm Harbor or any of the gorgeous ocean courses you'll enjoy golf this deep like no other in the good old USA.
Come here to Palm Coast. You will have struck the best deal in all of American golf!
From time to time I've read writings about getting older especially in golf. But what other sport do you know that allows you to play from youth to 90 years of age? And to enjoy it week after week!
There are times when I can sock the ball like days of yore. Then much of the time that gift seems to filter from the ends of my golf club. That's the breaks. I'm happy I can still hit the golf ball short or long. Admittedly, though, that “long” thought is too often just a dream.
As I've aged, I have become nicer to myself, just grateful to be on the links, good bad or different. When I could fire away looking to break 80, I now fight to bust the number 100. But it's still fun, a ton of fun.
I have seen too many wonderful friends leave the golf world too soon because they fail to understand the great freedom that comes with aging. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But some of life is just as well forgotten.
Sure my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one? But that is just one more reason why the game of golf is so important.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves. Yet, that's why golf lasts so long and is so wonderful for people like me.
You know what I like the most? To be allowed to play golf at Pine, Cypress or Grand Reserve with good friends who perform as a team.
I find that showing up at the golf course, joining those formerly from New York or elsewhere on the course - and you may not believe this- but offering best wishes and welcome by others I do or do not know, all of us on hand to topple the other guy and win a buck or two on the way, is the answer with a ton of fun.
Do I like being old or older? Heck, does anyone? You can answer that question in your own heart. I like the career and success I've had but know that time has come and gone. What's important now is that friendships never come apart and each golf day becomes more and more special by the month.
Golf, my friends, is the answer, the game of golf and the people I play it with.
Some come to Pine Lakes otherwise know as the The Grand Club. Come to Grand Reserve and by all means, come to Cypress Knoll and play this exciting game we call golf. So, come on down. Come to Palm Coast, FL where golf will assure that life, indeed, will prove that friendships never come apart.

GOLF IN FLORIDA

GOLF IN FLORIDA

By Jock MacKenzie: Four Radio Broadcast honors including two as one of 50 best radio broadcasters in the United States.

I’ll never get over a good friend golfer telling me that he prefers play the Gary Player golf layout than all other courses here. That’s Cypress where Michael Tsouklaris does a terrific job treating everyone, like a favorite brother.

When I asked the golfer why this particular one he responded: “It has less bunkers than most other courses.” And by golly, the more I play, the more I search for answers he’s 100% per cent right.Now don’t get me wrong.  Palm Coast, the Dunes, Coventry, Grand Reserve, River Bend and more are special elements – very special in mine and other books.Wherever you reside, if you are planning a special golf trip from wherever, turn the book and take one hard look at what we have here. We in Palm Coast are lucky golfers in every regard.

If you are willing to meet one of the nicest and most efficient people of your life make a stop at Publix on, Belle Terre There you hopefully will come face to face with Pharmacist Dr. Anthony Rappa.Dr. Rapp is the Pharmacy manager but far more than that. He is a Professor at Florida State but gives two days of his life each week in Palm Coast for each of us who need his ability for one illness or another.

He is one of two twin bothers and a Doctor of Pharmacy but more important than that, he is one of the nicest and most caring and intelligent people you ever will be lucky to know.

My point is this: If you need pharmaceutical help, head for Publix at Bell Terre and call yourself all time lucky for knowing the most intelligent and nicest person you’ll ever be lucky to meet.  When you have a few free moments take a jaunt to Publix, walk up to the Pharmacy and say, “Thank you, Dr. Rappa, thank you being a blessing to those of us in Palm Coast.

Dr. Rappa may or may not be called a full scale doctor (and he is) but the day following my visit I went to play my favorite golf course, Pine Lakes, and shot the best score of the year! Doctor or not, Anthony Rappa is one special guy on or off the fields of our wonderful game.

There’s another golf course here that is getting far too little recognition although one of these days it will burst out with men and women clamoring to play.  It’s Grand Reserve, where the last time I played it was like being at a perfect picture show. The course is like a dream. It caters to both men and women equally, has ladies leagues on Monday and Friday, men’s league on Wednesday and regular play any time.

One thing I can assure you of: Grand Reserve is a legend in golf building and a dream to play. Go try me out and see for yourself. Some say it can be easier to play, others say “baloney”, some holes are just as tough as any golf course from Florida to New England. Whatever, it’s a beauty to have at our beck and call.

Come and play if only to see for yourself.