Battle of the Sexes Golf Debate: Do #girlsgolfbetter or do #boysgolfbetter?

Can a man who has played on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour beat a current LPGA Tour sensation? An age-old "Battle of the Sexes" match has just been announced between CBS Sports Commentator Gary McCord and the "Pink Panther" of golf, Paula Creamer, to determine if #girlsgolfbetter or if #boysgolfbetter.

 

 

Forsgate Country Club will host head-to-head stroke play on its premier Banks Course and has called in David Feherty to add his colorful, irreverent analysis to this quirky golf match-up between a 64-year old who went 0 for 422 in PGA Tour event wins and a girl more than half his age who is a major tournament winner currently ranked thirteenth in the world.

 

Feherty remarked, "Battle of the Sexes? It's more like Beauty versus the Beast. My money is with Paula...plus I love pink."

 

Creamer queried, "I'm playing against Gary McCord? You mean the CBS Commentator? I didn't event realize he played golf! Wow...you learn something new every day."

 

McCord jabbed back, "Beating Paula will be fun and another win in my already memorable career."

The real challenge for the two golfers especially McCord, in my opinion, is that they will be hitting from the same tees. Does McCord have the sharper irons and short game needed to restrain The Pink Panther?

Expect more trash talking from Gary as this Battle of the Sexes gets closer to event date. McCord is not one to mince words which has ultimately made him persona-non-grata at The Masters to which Gary eloquently stated that he could give a s**t if the Masters ever invites him back and that the divorce has worked out famously for all concerned.

 

Although much of the taunting is pure fun, there is an edge to this quirky one-on-one, remembering back to the Billie Jean King/Bobby Riggs televised tennis matches in 1973 where a boastful, and much older, Riggs masterfully promoted the sport as well as his own abilities while demeaning King and all other women. The spectacle struck a nerve throughout the country and the term "Battle of the Sexes" was coined.

 

This isn't the first Battle of the Sexes event held at Forsgate Country Club although it seems to be the oddest pairing.

 

Annika Sorenstam played golf against PGA Tour pro J.B. Holmes and went up against  Brad Faxon in a similar May-September golf event @ForsgateCC but, in every match the winner is always the same, namely charity beneficiaries of The Forsgate Foundation, a non-profit organization that has donated over $400,000 to worthwhile organizations since 2003. This year's beneficiary is the Make-A-Wish Foundation which grants wishes of children with life threatening illnesses.

 

Forsgate Country Club will host two days of golf and entertainment beginning on Saturday, October 6th where Creamer will first come face-to-face with McCord, hopefully without too much blood shed nor too many epithets tossed about ;-)

 

For more information visit either Forsgate Country Club, ForsgateFoundation or call (732) 656-8911.

 

 

So, whose team are you on? Pick your winner using the hastag #girlsgolfbetter if you are rooting for Paula Creamer or #boysgolfbetter if you think Gary McCord will cream the Pink Panther. For me it's #girlsgolfbetter...go Paula and use her Twitter handle too, @ThePCreamer!

 

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and friend on Facebook.

 

 

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Bud Light Battle of the Sexes Skins Game pits Sorenstam against Faxon

A baseball versus golf challenge has switch-hitted into a Champions Tour, LPGA Hall-of-Fame battle as Brad Faxon picks up the sticks against Annika Sorenstam next week.

Brad Faxon, a twenty-eight-year veteran of the PGA TOUR and now a Champions Tour star, will fill in for Ken Griffey Jr. at the Forsgate Foundation Charity Golf Classic, Oct. 3-4, at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, New Jersey. Griffey is unable to participate due to a minor injury so  Faxon will join fellow headliner, LPGA Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, and will mingle with participants and fans to raise money for the ANNIKA Foundation and New Jersey-based charities.

Faxon and Sorenstam will participate in The Charity Classic’s VIP Reception and Live/Silent Auction on Monday, Oct. 3, participate in a Skills Exhibition on Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. and later at 3 p.m., wage a friendly “battle of the sexes” over nine holes of golf at Forsgate’s renowned Banks Course in the Bud Light Skins Game. 

Faxon was born in Oceanport, N.J., and raised in Rhode Island. An eight-time winner on the PGA Tour and two-time Ryder Cup team selection, Faxon has amassed over seventeen million dollars in career earnings. In August 2011, Faxon “graduated” to the Champions Tour with his debut at the 3M Championship,and he already boasts one Top 25 finish (T16 at Boeing Classic). 

In addition to being known as one of the best putters on the tour, Faxon is also known as one of the most philanthropic. Over the past 20 years, he has raised millions for children’s charities through a non-profit organization he co-founded with PGA Tour Pro Billy Andrade.  

“We are thrilled that Brad Faxon was able to step in and assist us on short notice,” said Forsgate Country Club General Manager Det Williams.  “From his multiple successes on the golf course to his tireless work for children’s charities, Faxon is a wonderful choice to join Annika and help The Charity Classic reach its fundraising goals.”

Gallery Tickets are only $15 and include admission to all of the Oct. 4 afternoon events.  Tickets are available by calling (732) 656-8911 and may also be purchased on-site.

  

Since 2003, The Forsgate Foundation Charity Classic has raised over $250,000 for worthwhile causes.  This year, the primary beneficiary of the event will be The ANNIKA Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded by Sorenstam in 2007. The ANNIKA Foundation teaches children the importance of maintaining good health through fitness and nutrition as well as providing aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams.

The Forsgate Foundation will also support local New Jersey charities with any further proceeds from the event.

For the third consecutive year, The Charity Classic will raffle off a new Mercedes (E350 4-matic), courtesy of Mercedes-Benz of Princeton.  The $100 raffle ticket includes admission into the Oct. 3 Live/Silent Auction. For more information, please call (732) 656-8911, visit Forsgate on Facebook, or watch their YouTube video .

Here's a great golf tip from Forsgate PGA Professional on consistency in the golf swing.

Who will win the Battle of the Sexes? My bet is with Faxon because  he's a regular on the Champions Tour. Sorenstam doesn't play in as many competitive golf tournaments as she used to so, although her skills may be up to par, her mindset may not...

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Forsgate PGA Professional offers golf tips on consistency in the swing

A few weeks ago at the annual Forsgate Country Club Writer Cup, I asked PGA Head Professional Mark Mazzola if he would share a few golf tips for readers of this Golf for Beginners blog. Before our shotgun round began on the famed Banks Course, four PGA teaching pros at Forsgate offered a very insightful Q&A to members of the MGWA, answering very basic to quite technical golf questions.

Mark Mazzola, Greg Gage, Carolyn Mckenzie-Andrews

Thank you to Mark Mazzola for offering this blog on how to utilize the golf club for maximum consistency in the golf swing! Check out Forsgate TV's Channel on YouTube.com for more golf tips.

If you happen to be in or near New Jersey on October 4, 2011, be sure to stop by for the Forsgate Foundation Charity Classic Skins Game featuring Annika Sorenstam and Ken Griffey Jr. I understand that an E350 Mercedes Benz will also be up for auction!


Written by Mark Mazzola, PGA Head Professional, Forsgate Country Club


One of the most commonly requested improvements is “consistency”.  You gain more consistency by striking the golf ball rather than scooping the ball. If you use the golf club how it was designed to be hit, your game will get more consistent.

Golfers come in different shapes, sizes, abilities, and talent levels that make every golf swing unique. For as long as I have been teaching this game I have not seen the same swing come from two different golfers  but  every good golfer is using the club correctly.

The golf club was designed to be hit in the most powerful position, slightly in front of the ball with forward shaft lean. If the sole of the club is lying flat on a surface the shaft of the club will always lean toward your target. With this fact in mind it is imperative that you use the golf club this way to consistently strike the golf ball.

The most effective way to accomplish the goal of using the club correctly is to combine a circular motion around your body with balance and limited extra movement making sure that your hands and body are in front of the ball when you are making contact.

There is no right or wrong way to swing a club there is just a right or wrong way to use the club!

Mark Mazzola
PGA Head Golf Professional
Forsgate Country Club
375 Forsgate Dr.
Monroe NJ, 08831
732-656-8953
Forsgate CC on Facebook
 



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Can baseball MVP Ken Griffey Jr. defeat LPGA great Annika Sorenstam in golf event?

A nine-hole celebrity skins challenge will decide whether an LPGA former number-one golfer, Annika Sorenstam, still has the sharp skills needed to defeat baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr., who is said to be a one-handicap golfer.

Sorenstam, the former number-one LPGA golfer in the world and now in charge of the ANNIKA brand of businesses, will host the ninth annual Charity Golf Classic at Forsgate Country Club in New Jersey this October. Annika has not played professionally since her retirement/baby announcement but that doesn't necessarily mean that her skills are rusty. I give the slight edge to Griffey, though, who plays golf regularly in celebrity outings.

Charity golf events at Forsgate Country Club have always attracted the finest PGA and LPGA Tour professionals including Palmer, Trevino, Lopez and even John Daly to the two challenging and distinct Palmer and Banks courses. The Banks Course is listed as a "Top-Fifty Course" in the Metropolitan area in The Met Golfer Magazine and the Country Club has received many accolades for service and value, most recently by GolfStyles Magazine.

From experiencing the Banks Course personally at this year's Writer Cup (and from prior Forsgate golf events), I can say that the very deep soft-sand bunkers, blind holes and the links design make the golf course deceptively difficult for most amateur players. For top golfers like Sorenstam and Griffey, struggles may come from the "heavily-sculptured contours on the putting surface", as stated by golf journalist Dave Donelson.

The first hole on the Banks Golf Course at Forsgate Country Club


After a terrific round of golf on the well-maintained Banks Course and a delightful dinner on the patio (oh those lobsters are delicious!), golf writers received a personal video message from Sorenstam asking us to tweet her with the winner of the day's event and invited us to join her at this year's Classic. Yes, I sent her a tweet but not seeking congratulations as the NJ/Philadephia team of writers took home the honors once again.

Hmmm...My favorite part of our yearly MGWA Golf Outing?


You too can join Sorenstam and Griffey at the 9th Annual Forsgate Golf Charity Classic which, in addition to the celebrity skins exhibition and challenge, also features its Golf Classic on the Banks Course with silent auction and reception to follow.


There are several ways in which to secure tickets to the Sorenstam/Griffey Golf Charity Challenge.

Visit Forsgatecc.com, call (732) 656-8911, log on to www.forsgatefoundation.org, and/or visit them on Facebook.


Voice your opinion on Twitter at Golf4Beginners ...who will win, Sorenstam or Griffey Jr.?

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Forsgate Golf and Country Club number one in GolfStyles Magazine

The readers of GolfStyles New Jersey magazine have just voted Forsgate Golf and Country Club the “No. 1 Private Club Value” and the “No. 1 Family Club” in its 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards.  Forsgate also claimed top-ten spots in the categories of “Best Private Golf Course” and “Best Restaurant,” among others. 




GolfStyles polled more than 47,000 of its Garden State, New Jersey readers for the fall 2010 awards issue. I am very proud of Forsgate but not surprised. Once a year, local golf writers are invited to play the "Writer's Cup" on the Banks Course. The natural beauty of the golf course coupled with the delightful service of the staff truly makes Forsgate Country Club a winner in my book! Oh, and I cannot forget the delicious lobster!


Forsgate’s Banks Course has been one of the state’s most celebrated tracks, and it is on The Met Golfer magazine’s list of the “Top Fifty Courses in the Met Area.”


Forsgate also offers The Palmer Course, an 18-hole traditional American design that is highlighted by water on ten of its scenic holes. To accompany its award-winning golf, Forsgate boasts a first-class golf staff.  The club’s Director of Golf Carolyn McKenzie Andrews has been named one of the “Top-50 Kids Teachers in the United States,” while assistant golf professionals Scott Barnaby, Mark Mazzola and former PGA TOUR pro Bobby Gage are among the area’s most sought-after instructors.


Bobby Gage is great at giving easy-to-understand golf tips, using the basics and imagery to ingrain proper technique, as I learned during our recent outing at Forsgate CC.

“Our team stays focused every day on creating and maintaining value to our members and customers, and we appreciate the recognition from GolfStyles’ readers,” said RDC Chief Executive Officer Christopher Schiavone. “Our great facilities are part of that value, but it’s our staff and present membership that are most important to making Forsgate Country Club a special place for single golfers and families alike.”

Forsgate Golf and Country Club is also committed to helping local charities, raising over $200,000 since 2003 for worthwhile causes! Recently Forsgate hosted a golf skins and skills game with Annika Sorenstam and J.B. Holmes.

Interested in becoming a member at Forsgate Country Club? Call Director of Membership Carol Rutherford at (732) 656-8914.

About Forsgate Country Club (www.forsgatecc.com)

Forsgate is an exclusive, full service, family-oriented private country club located in the heart of New Jersey.  Forsgate offers permanent golf, sports and social memberships for individuals, families and corporations.  Established in 1931, Forsgate Country Club features 36 holes of world-class golf, including the renowned Banks Course, designed to recreate historic holes throughout Europe, and the Palmer Course, which is a traditional American course with challenging water hazards on ten of its scenic holes.  The country club also offers facilities for banquet events and corporate meetings as well as a new state-of-the-art sports complex that includes a fitness center, pool and cabana cafe.  Forsgate Country Club, which is located midway between New York City and Philadelphia at Exit 8A of the NJ Turnpike, is owned and operated by RDC Golf Group, Inc.

About RDC Golf Group (www.rdcgolfgroup.com)

Founded in 1993, RDC has rapidly become a recognized industry leader in golf course ownership and management whose properties have garnered numerous golf course and hospitality awards. RDC owns and operates the renowned Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, New Jersey, and the private, family-oriented Tuscawilla Country Club in Orlando, Florida.  RDC currently manages the award-winning Tallgrass Country Club in Shoreham, New York and the public Putnam National Golf Club in Mahopac, New York.

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PGA Tour's J.B. Holmes vs Annika Sorenstam in Golf Skins and Skills Game

 PGA TOUR Pro J.B. Holmes is coming to the aid of former Ryder Cup Captain Paul Azinger at the Forsgate Foundation Charity Golf Classic, Sept. 27-28, at Forsgate  Country Club in Monroe, N.J.  Azinger is temporarily sidelined from playing golf due to a rib injury so Holmes has agreed to take his place in this highly anticipated two-day charitable e vent pitting himself against Annika Sorenstam. 

 

Holmes will mingle with guests at the Live/Silent Auction on Monday, Sept. 27, and join LPGA Legend Annika Sorenstam on Sept. 28, at 2 p.m., for the Charity Classic’s Skills Exhibition and the nine-hole Bud Light Skins Game at 3 p.m. 

 

A member of the victorious 2008 USA Ryder Cup team, Holmes ranks No. 25 on the 2010 PGA TOUR money list with over $2.3 million in earnings.  This year, H olmes posted three, top-10 finishes in official PGA Tour events, including a tie for second at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am where he finished one shot behind winner Dustin Johnson.  Holmes, who routinely crushes the ball over 300 yards, is ranked fourth in driving distance on the PGA Tour and is the winner of the 2006 and 2008 FBR Open.  

  

“We are thrilled that J.B. Holmes was able to make arrangements to be here,” says Forsgate Country Club General Manager Det Williams.  “Classic participants and golf fans will surely be excited to listen to J.B.’s ‘inside story’ of the Ryder Cup experience, impress us with his notorious long-ball driving at the Skills Exhibition and see how he does in a  ‘head-to-head’ skins game against the legendary Annika Sorenstam.

credit

 

 

Although Sorenstam no longer plays competitive golf, she still keeps busy with interests  as varied as the Annika Golf Academy, a wine label, Callaway equipment, the Annika fragrance, golf course design as well as her newborn...(whew).

  

Since 2003, The Forsgate Foundation Charity Classic has raised over $200,000 for worthwhile causes.  This year, the primary beneficiary of the event will be The ANNIKA Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded by Sorenstam in 2007, one year prior to her retirement from competitive play.  The ANNIKA Foundation teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams.

 

The Forsgate Foundation will also support local New Jersey children’s charities with any further proceeds from the event.

 

For the second consecutive year, The Charity Classic will raffle off a new Mercedes (E350 Coupe), courtesy of Mercedes-Benz of Princeton.  The $100 raffle ticket includes admission into the Sept. 27 Live/Silent Auction.  Exciting auction items include a Yankees Dream Day as well as the opportunity for a child and two chaperones to attend a Derek Jeter Kids Clinic.  For more information, please call (732) 656-8911, log on to www.forsgatefoundation.org, or visit us on Facebook.

 

 

Gallery Tickets are only $15 and include admission into both the Skills Exhibition and the Skins Game.  Tickets are available by calling (732) 656-8911 and may also be purchased on-site.

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Forsgate Country Club hosts golf writers with third annual Writer Cup Tournament

Tomorrow marks the third annual "Writer Cup", a tradition begun by Forsgate Country Club to celebrate golf writers of the MET/GAP regions.

There are two courses at Forsgate CC, the Banks and Palmer Courses. We're invited to play the historic Banks Course which is lush and deeply bunkered as compared to the Palmer Course which is laden with water hazards. I prefer sand to water any day on a golf course!

Designed in 1931 by Charles “Steamshovel” Banks, the Banks Course is a par 71 which stretches to 6,844 yards from the tournament tees and is a true test of skills for the above average golfer. This is probably why I'll stick with the forward tees during this tournament!









Here are some recent accolades about Forsgate Country Club:

• Jersey Golfer Winter 2006 Magazine ranked the Banks Golf Course at Forsgate Country Club #10 among the top 50 Best Golf Courses in the state of New Jersey.
• "The Met Area's Top 50 Courses", The Met Golfer, April 2007
• "The Best of Northeast Golf"; 2007: "Best Conditioned Golf Course" and "Best Overall Course" Lists
• Named "2007 Club of the Year", by the NJ Chaper of National Golf Course Owners Association

Prior to the round there will be individual and team short game skills competition and an instructional clinic. At last year's event I received a great drill from golf professional Gia Bocra-Liwski.

Yes, I'll enjoy the golf (no matter how well I score) but, honestly, I can't wait for the renowned Steak and Lobster Dinner. Served in the Main Clubhouse, Forsgate CC goes to great lengths to provide a memorable time for the golf writers.

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Michelle Wie takes rightful place on Solheim Cup team. Also, How many Buicks does Tiger Woods need, throw your ball at the tee and Forsgate CC

Click here to listen.

Michelle Wie has overcome yet another obstacle on the yellow-brick-road to greatness with her selection onto the Solheim Cup team. The question is, will she assist her fellow teammates or will heatstroke prevail, forcing Beth Daniel to place her on the sidelines?

Wie has been given exemptions and handouts by the powers-that-be for so long that many people are wondering whether or not she deserves this honor and if she will make the most of it come "crunch time".

The choice of using Michelle Wie happens to be the right one for a number of reasons. The most obvious reason is that the ladies on either Solheim Cup team will become better known and their popularity within their sphere will rise.

Michelle Wie also deserves to be selected this time. In spite of the fact that this is her first year on the LPGA Tour, Wie has risen to thirteenth position on the points list due to an eleventh place finish at the Women's British Open. Although Wie has not won an event yet as a rookie, give her a chance...there have only been sixteen events to date with another major and half a season remaining to make her mark.

The choice to put Juli Inkster on the team is similar to the Wie decision in that Inkster has been without a win for three seasons. Experience is where the two part company and Juli has plenty with eight appearances under her belt. Inkster is a consummate team player with a 14-8-5 career record and has not lost a single match in eleven years which makes her a great choice for this event.

During the announcement of the final selection, Michelle was asked how it feels to her to be one of two captain's picks. Wie replied, "It was one of my biggest goals this year and I'm just so excited to be wearing this jacket and this hat and to be representing my country; it's such a thrill for me. I'm just so honored and so thankful that Beth picked me and I'll do my best not to let her down."

Will Team Wie (oh, I mean Team USA) get along and will Michelle become an integral part of the LPGA after offering an assist or will she fade into obscurity offering tons of fodder to those who believe her to be a second-rate LPGA golfer?

Golf for Beginners also discusses Tiger Woods' return to the winners circle and a great drill from Gia Bocra-Liwski, golf professional at Forsgate Country Club.


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