Shag Bag
Golf, Yes. Smoking, No
San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors has banned smoking at all of its public golf courses. The ordinance follows a January, 2005 law that banned smoking in all city-owned parks or other outdoor areas, but at that time, did not apply to golf courses. San Francisco joined other California cities such as Pasadena and Santa Monica taking this action.
While city officials are worried the ordinance may cause a decrease in rounds, they feel golfers will come to embrace the healthy change.
“We’ve seen over the last couple of years a series of proposals to limit smoking in public places because of second-hand smoke,” said Rose Dennis, director of public affairs for the San Francisco City Recreation and Parks Department. “The park code is reflective of a gradual paradigm shift.”
The ban on smoking in San Francisco Parks began in children’s play areas, expanded to include all public recreation areas (except golf) and now includes the five city-owned golf courses – Harding Park, Fleming, Lincoln Park, Golden Gate Park and Gleneagles. Violators of the ban can expect to pay a fine of up to $100.
Public health is not the only concern behind some courses banning smoking. Safety is also an issue. San Juan Oaks in Hollister prohibited smoking since the course’s opening in 1996 due to large areas of highly flammable native grasses.
What once was unthinkable now appears inevitable: smoke-free golf courses.
eClub Member Competes at Winged Foot
Patrick Nagle of Pacifica survived a seven-man playoff at Lake Merced in June to qualify for his first-ever U.S. Open Championship. The rising senior at the University of Illinois shot rounds of XX and XX at historic Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York to miss the cut.
Nagle is no stranger to success in Northern California. In 2002, he captured both the California State Junior Amateur and the Northern California Junior Amateur Championships. He followed that by becoming only the ninth player ever to win the California State Amateur and Northern California Amateur in the same year.
Success followed the Junipero Serra High School graduate to Illinois as he quickly made a name for himself by claming Big Ten Freshmen of the Year honors. The collegiate All-American and three-time All Big Ten Conference member still counts holing a wedge to win the State Amateur at Pebble Beach as his most memorable golf experience.
As an eClub San Francisco member, the 22-year-old becomes the first player from a type 3 club to qualify for any USGA championship. The NCGA eClubs represent a form of the newly approved USGA type 3 clubs, defined as follows: The members had no prior affiliation and a majority of the recruiting and sign-up of the membership is done by solicitation to the general public (e.g., newspaper, Internet).
With the launch of eClub Sacramento in January, the NCGA became one of the first golf associations in the world to offer Internet-based membership. All eight eClubs are fully operating NCGA Associate Clubs.
Pacific Grove Gets An Upgrade
Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course completed a 19-month project this spring with a new clubhouse and upscale restaurant. The $4 million renovation includes a second, larger practice green and a paved courtyard that sits between the clubhouse and golf shop. Architect Ken Scates of Monterey-based HGHB made efficient use of space by sinking the cart storage area below the clubhouse.
Outdoor seating and generous windows provide ocean views for all visitors at the Point Pinos Grill. The Tournament Room, seating capacity 48, can hold private functions in conjunction with the main dining room.
The links-style course that dates back to 1932 was virtually untouched during the renovation. Meandering through sand dunes between the Point Pinos lighthouse and Pacific Ocean, the Chandler Eagen-design offers breathtaking views for only a fraction of the costs of other Peninsula courses; thus earning the name “Poor Man’s Pebble Beach.”
Monterey’s Mina Harigae ranked No. 1 junior in U.S by Golfweek …Cal women’s golf team places fifth at the NCAA Championships in Columbus, Ohio. ….Running Horse Golf and Country Club in Fresno will host a PGA Tour event in 2007….. Poppy Hills and Poppy Ridge running free anniversary gift special…..