Dulac on Golf: Pheasant Ridge overhauled in part as tribute to a friend
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
But, to his friends, he was someone who always needed to be doing something, a person who never relaxed. If his world was a 90-yard gym, he was doing a 100-yard dash. Satisfaction was not a word with which Knapp associated. His mind was a closet of ideas, and each day a new one came out, like a shirt being removed from a hanger.
This is what led him to
Together they built a two-story clubhouse with a deck, an outdoor pavilion for parties, grew grass and planted trees. Knapp, a fine amateur player from New Jersey who golfed at
He did that faithfully, right up until he died.
Knapp, a father of three, was 49 when he lost his battle with cancer -- one he fought for three years, longer than the doctors expected. He was having dinner one night in the
Knapp has been gone for nearly five years, since
Enter
Dismayed by the course's problems but also determined to carry on what his pal started, Reimer, 49, purchased Pheasant Ridge from Knapp's estate and retained Zassic and Knapp's youngest son, Christian, a student at
His goal is to rejuvenate and re-energize Pheasant Ridge. And, like Knapp, he has plenty of ideas how to do it.
"It was under complete mismanagement," Reimer said. "You have to have an owner running it. You can't have a manager with no incentives running it. It just didn't work."
Reimer is trying to make it work. He is putting money back in the golf course, paying particular attention to improving the fairways and greens that were Knapp's passion and re-doing the sand in the bunkers.
"We are spending money like it should have been spent," Reimer said. "It's come full-circle. It's nice to see."
But Reimer, a self-proclaimed "people person," also wants to connect with his customers.
In an attempt to attract more beginners and even cater to women's leagues and seniors, Reimer has established an 18-hole par-3 course within the current layout. He has done that by putting tee markers on the 13 other par-4 and par-5 holes that turn those holes into shorter par-3s.
Golfers who don't want to play the regulation 18 holes can use the par-3 course on certain days. Kids play free on Fridays and the weekend.
"I'm listening to my demographics," Reimer said.
"My Tuesday and Thursday night ladies, my seniors and juniors, they're going out to these great par-3 holes, they are real holes, and they get to enjoy all the hazards. It's been sensational."
Just like his friend envisioned.
Setting up a showdown
One of the perks for winning the Constellation Senior Players Championship at
That means Langer will get to compete against his German countryman, Martin Kaymer, who is more than just the defending champ. Kaymer, who also won the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, considers Langer his mentor and idol.
"I'm really looking forward to playing against Martin Kaymer next year in the Players Championship in
Rules corner
When he addresses the ball on the putting green, Champions Tour player
Does this violate Rule 16-1a, which says the line of putt must not be touched?
Answer at end.
'A special place'
But the existing 18-hole layout, designed by
Right now, they should celebrate something else: The spectacular look and playability of their course, which is among the best in
Over the years, the
"We've had a lot of chefs stirring the pot," said
But the man credited with the bunker renovation that has elevated the
Mini-tour professional
Fuhrer and Van Sickle are right. The club has taken down a number of trees that has not only improved turf quality, it has dramatically improved the visual appearance of the holes -- 16 of which sit in a valley 12 stories below the clubhouse.
And the course conditioning, which has always been superb, is even better under the guidance of grounds superintendent
Rules answer
Garwood does not commit a violation because one of the exceptions to Rule 16-1a is "the player may place the club in front of the ball when addressing it, provided he does not press anything down."
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