NBC Notes and Quotes - After Day 2

More notes and quotes from NBC commentators after the end of day two.

Day Two Afternoon Matches

“Steve doesn’t seem to quite have it this week so far.” Johnny Miller on Steve Stricker’s struggles in Saturday’s afternoon matches

 “Zach Johnson and Jason Dufner have that quiet confidence that any captain and any teammate would look for.  They don’t get too up and they don’t get too far down.  All they do is just pepper the flag with their shots and knock their putts in.” – Peter Jacobsen on the team of Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson

“This is the little team that could.  These guys are tough.  They don’t look too intimidating but they keep dripping you on the forehead.” – Johnny Miller on the team of Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson

“They are not going to break this team up for a while.  This is going to be a go-to team for the U.S. for a while.” – Johnny Miller on the team of Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson

“I’ve seen more lipped putts by this European squad in this Ryder Cup than I think I have ever seen.” – Peter Jacobsen on the European Team’s putting

“This is Justin Rose’s second Ryder Cup, but to me he is one of the most experienced and reliable players on this team.” – Peter Jacobsen on Justin Rose

“If I were to grade Stricker’s play I think he has played reasonably solid.  But certainly by his standards he hasn’t made anything like he normally does on the greens.” – Roger Maltbie on Steve Stricker’s play the first two days at the Ryder Cup

“Only at the Ryder Cup, where Halloween comes early.” – Dan Hicks on the fans’ patriotic costumes

“When you drive the golf ball as well as Bubba Watson does, especially the way he has been driving this week, you basically don’t have par-5’s, you  just have long par-4’s.” – Dottie Pepper on Bubba Watson

“Johnny, we have done a lot of Ryder Cups together, and I can’t remember ever seeing as many people at one of these.” – Gary Koch on the Ryder Cup galleries at Medinah Country Club

“They are a fantastic gallery.  They are so in to this.” – Johnny Miller on the Ryder Cup galleries

“What a feeling it must be to walk through this.  It is like you are in a ticker tape parade on every hole.” – Dan Hicks on the gallery following Watson and Simpson

“Interesting time for the U.S. right now.  A new wave of real great Ryder Cuppers.  Guys that don’t have a losing record that handle the pressure.  It is an exciting time for the United States right now.” – Johnny Miller on the U.S. Team

“If there is a legacy of the players in the last 15 years it is really losing Ryder Cups.  I think these new guys will show a new wave for the U.S.” – Johnny Miller on the U.S. Team

“They are just flat, they are not making putts, they are not making many birdies, and that has got to change real quick.” – Johnny Miller on the European Team’s deficit in the afternoon matches.

“Nobody walks ‘em in from five feet like Webb Simpson.” – Johnny Miller on Webb Simpson

“I agree with Johnny in that Rory, having had this late fantastic summer, is really tired.” – Guest analyst Colin Montgomerie on Rory McIlroy

“I thought Tiger, having rested this morning, he would come out fired up and ready to go but that hasn’t happened at all.” – Guest analyst Colin Montgomerie on Tiger Woods after the opening nine holes in his afternoon match

“What a difference a day makes…today is the total opposite.” – Johnny Miller on Nicolas Colsaerts’ struggles on Day Two

“The Europeans have owned the lips, the United States Team has owned the cup.” – Peter Jacobsen on Justin’s Rose’s lip-out to secure Watson and Simpson’s 5&4 victory.

“Tiger Woods’ could have hit a small bucket and not hit a better one.” – Johnny Miller on Woods’ tee shot on 13

“He’s fueling this comeback on the back nine.” – Peter Jacobsen on Tiger Woods’ play on the back nine

“Wow. That is a timely putt.  You talk about loud.  For golf, now that is loud.” Johnny Miller on Dustin Johnson’s birdie and subsequent crowd reaction on No. 17 to go 1-up

“When Tiger gets in this mode, it seems like he reads these unbelievable well and knocks them in.  Other days, not so good. But he seems to have turned back the clock a bit.  Seems like the magic is back for now.” – Johnny Miller on Tiger Woods’ run of birdies on the back nine

“Those are maniacal eyes, aren’t they.” – Dan Hicks on Ian Poulter

“Predatorial is what they are.” – Johnny Miller on Ian Poulter

-NBC Sports Group-

NBC Notes and Quotes on Saturdays Ryder Cup

Here's some more insight into the Saturday morning action from the Ryder Cup... I hope you're enjoying the excitement!

Day Two Morning Matches

“A guy like Webb Simpson that gets to play Bubba Watson’s drives that are out there nine miles … you feel like King Kong all of the sudden.” – Johnny Miller

“The U.S. didn’t really have a ‘go-to’ team … but now, I think, the U.S. actually has a ‘go-to’ team that everybody can rally around, almost like the Seve-Olazabal-type teams in the past.” – Johnny Miller on the U.S.A. team of Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley

“The American fans back here gave the Euros a little of their own medicine when they started singing ‘Away, away, away, away, you’re away.’” – Mark Rolfing

“So many times it seemed like the U.S. players would kind of shut it down after the PGA Championship and really hadn’t been playing any competitive to speak of before these matches were held.” – Gary Koch on how the PGA TOUR Playoffs have kept the American players sharp

“He’s made him young.  All that enthusiasm he’s brought has really got Phil fired him up.” – Roger Maltbie on Keegan Bradley’s effect on Phil Mickelson

“He’s sort of an irritating player to play with – in a good way – for Europe.” – Johnny Miller on Ian Poulter

“I think it was the introduction of Seve.  We were very, very lucky with Faldo, Seve, Langer, Woosnam, Lyle.  We were very fortunate to have the top five or six players in the world at the time and that helped us greatly, and it helped the lesser-likes to come through.” – guest analyst Colin Montgomerie about the recent European dominance since 1985

“Sort of like two poker players, too, they don’t show you much, they just got the toughness inside.  They’re just the opposite of an Ian Poulter or Bubba Watson.  They just keep it quiet and nip at ya.” – Johnny Miller on the team of Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson

“Remember his first Ryder Cup in ’99, when he’s playing with Jesper Parnevik.  He’s jumping around the place, all over the place.  He has calmed down .. and so has his game, unfortunately.”- guest analyst Colin Montgomerie on Sergio Garcia

“I’m also glad for Phil Mickelson.  He’s had a bad time in the Ryder Cup over the years, Phil Mickelson, and he’s lost a lot of games that he deserved to win. And it’s that he’s found a partner now that he enjoys playing with.” – Colin Montgomerie

“These matches have just gotten huge. It’s amazing, the synergy and the nationalism involved, and it’s just amazing how exciting it is to watch the Ryder Cup.” – Johnny Miller

“Europe had to expect this great Irish team to do better than looking like one win and two losses.  That really hurts Europe.” – Johnny Miller after the European team of McIlroy and McDowell lost to the American team of Furyk and Snedeker in Saturday morning foursome matches  

-NBC Sports Group-

Golf Channel Notes and Quotes From the Ryder Cup

Here's an interesting recap of the start of the Ryder Cup through some notes and quotes from our friends at the Golf Channel...

On Friday’s Day One at the Ryder Cup

Brandel Chamblee: “I don’t know when the United States will see another day like this.  It was extraordinary to see youth trump experience.”

On Nicolas Colsaerts’ Day One Performance at the Ryder Cup

Frank Nobilo: “Star of the future. When the bulk of the crowd was going for that final twosome for America, he stood up and stood tall.”

On Bubba Watson’s Standing Ovation on his Opening Drive in the Afternoon Session

Rich Lerner: “The Masters this is not.”

Frank Nobilo: “America had to wait a whole session before they saw their reigning Masters and U.S. Open champion.  It was almost like something was stolen from them…When Bubba went to the first tee, I have never seen this in golf.  I’ve never seen a player hit like that.  But what that did to the crowd, they had waited all day to see a Masters Champion and a U.S. Open champion stand on that first tee.  It will be hard-pressed to see a moment that is actually better than that.  That changed the whole afternoon in my book.”

Brandel Chamblee: “This was raw talent, ridiculous talent.  Insane talent with unseen emotion, unseen exuberance.  Ever.  This might be the day that the U.S. needed to sort of change and give them a new perspective.”

On Keegan Bradley’s Day One Performance at the Ryder Cup

Brandel Chamblee: “He was money today.”

Chamblee: “Now Phil, he has kicked a lot of butts in his career.  How many do you think he has patted in his career?  Not many.”

Frank Nobilo: “He’s different.  He is not trying to copy anyone else.”

Nick Faldo: “His intensity.  He turns it up and he plays better.  Very few guys can do that. You’ve got to be able to control the intensity.  He really does show it.  We always say you’ve got to ‘rev the engine the right amount.’  This guy takes it to 15,000 revs and plays great with it.”

David Feherty: “There is more meat on a butcher’s pencil than there is on Keegan Bradley, yet he has this incredible energy that is infectious.”

On the Passing of the Torch in American Golf

David Feherty: "We saw the passing of a torch, and I think the torch was a part of a giant campfire that Davis Love built in a cage somewhere last night, where he kept Bubba Watson and threw him pieces of raw meat and then unleashed him this afternoon.”

On the European Team Heading into Day Two

Nick Faldo: “I think you have to go back to your team room and be really honest.  Olazabal has got to look at the guys and say ‘Look, I really need the eight best guys tomorrow, and I might have to play my top eight guys for the whole day.’  That is what we did back in the good old days.”

On what Colin Montgomerie would say in the European team room

Colin Montgomerie: “He has got to be very brave – and I had to be brave as well – to leave out people tomorrow.  Tomorrow is the most important day of the Ryder Cup.  Tomorrow will probably decide who will win the Ryder Cup….Tomorrow, the Europeans have to do what the exactly what the Americans did to us.  Hole putts, silence the crowd and win at least 5-3 tomorrow or this is going to very difficult for the Europeans to have any chance on Sunday, knowing the strength of the American singles.”

On Westwood and Kaymer’s struggles on Friday’s Day One

Colin Montgomerie: “For Lee Westwood not to make a birdie out there today is shocking, as of course, Martin Kaymer the same.  For that pair not to make a birdie today when there was birdies flying around all over the place is astonishing.”

On the Decision to Sit Donald, Garcia and Poulter in the Afternoon on Day One

Colin Montgomerie: “We have a great captain here, no question about it.  And he has not made a mistake.  What happened today is our top performers did not perform.   And the youth were beaten well today.  The Europeans played OK.  The Americans played very well.  And all credit to them.”

Montgomerie: “There are 20 points to play for here.  We have only played eight.  There is a marathon to go here.  That is what I would tell my team, ‘there is a marathon to go.’”

On the Decision to Sit Tiger Woods for Day Two Morning Matches

Brandel Chamblee: “It was definitely the right move on so many different levels.  I have never seen Tiger Woods worse than he was this morning from technical aspect.  He was tangled up, missing shots to the left and to the right.  I don’t have any doubt that mentally, he was a mess as well.  There is also the issue with his knee.”

Frank Nobilo: “It does a lot of good things.  From a team point of view, you are telling the team, ‘we believe in all 12 guys.’ That is a great stamp in the right direction.”

Nick Faldo:  “It’s no big deal to me.  Give him a rest.  He is not great at foursomes.  He can practice or chill out or whatever, and stick him back in the afternoon.”

-NBC Sports Group-

10 Rules for Good Golf Etiquette w/ Arnold Palmer

I. Don't be the slowest player

In my casual games at Bay Hill, we get around in under four hours -- and that's in fivesomes. Evaluate your pace of play honestly and often, and if you're consistently the slowest one in your group, you're a slow player, period. Encourage everyone to move quickly enough so you find yourself right behind the group in front several times, both early and late in the round.

Remember the old staples of getting around in good time: Play "ready golf" (hit when ready, even if you aren't away) until you reach the green, be prepared to play when it's your turn on the tee and green, and never search for a lost ball for more than five minutes.

II. Keep your temper under control

In the final of the Western Pennsylvania Junior when I was 17, I let my putter fly over the gallery after missing a short putt. I won the match, but when I got in the car with my parents for the ride home, there were no congratulations, just dead silence. Eventually my father said, "If I ever see you throw a club again, you will never play in another golf tournament." That wake-up call stayed with me. I haven't thrown a club since.

Throwing clubs, sulking and barking profanity make everyone uneasy. We all have our moments of frustration, but the trick is to vent in an inoffensive way. For example, I often follow a bad hole by hitting the next tee shot a little harder -- for better or worse.

III. Respect other people's time

Because time is our most valuable commodity, there are few good reasons for breaking a golf date. Deciding last-minute to clean the garage on Saturday, or getting a call that the auto-repair shop can move up your appointment by a day, just doesn't cut it.

Always make your tee times, and show up for your lesson with the pro a little early. Social functions are no exception.

IV. Repair the ground you play on

I have a penknife that's my pet tool for fixing ball marks, but a tee or one of those two-pronged devices is fine. As for divots, replace them or use the seed mix packed on the side of your cart.

Rake bunkers like you mean it. Ever notice that the worse the bunker shot, the poorer the job a guy does raking the sand? Make the area nice and smooth -- don't leave deep furrows from the rake. Before you exit the bunker, ask yourself, Would I be upset if I had to play from that spot?

V. Be a silent partner

During one of my last tour events as a player, I noticed another pro making practice swings in my field of vision as I was getting ready to hit a shot. I stopped, walked over and reminded him (maybe too sternly) that it was my turn to play. The point is, stand still from the time a player sets himself until the ball has left the club.

Even with the advent of spikeless shoes, the etiquette rule of never walking in someone's line of play on the putting green is an absolute. The area around the hole in particular is sacred ground. The first thing to note when you walk onto a green is the location of every ball in your group, then steer clear of their lines to the hole.

Know where to stand and when to keep quiet. Position yourself directly across or at a diagonal from a player setting up. Never stand on the line of play, either beyond the hole or directly behind the ball. When a player is about to hit a shot, think of the fairway as a cathedral, the green a library.

VI. Make your golf cart 'invisible'

Carts are very much a part of the modern game. Think about it: They're mentioned on the backs of scorecards, discussed in the Decisions on the Rules of Golf, bags and other items are designed specifically for them, and they're used at most courses. The sheer pervasiveness of them makes cart etiquette vitally important.

Your goal when driving a cart should be to leave no trace you were there. Because we tend to look where we're going and not where we've been, it's easy to damage the turf and not realize it. Avoid wet areas and spots that are getting beaten up from traffic. Golfers tend to play "follow the leader" and drive in single file out to the fairway before branching off. It's usually better to "scatter" -- everyone take a different route -- so cart traffic is spread out.

VII. Always look your best

From Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen to Ben Hogan and Sam Snead to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, the best players have been meticulous about their appearance. Their clothing has been sharp, and not one of them has shown up on the first tee with his cap backward, mud caked on his shoes, or his shirttail hanging out. (My shirt often came untucked, but it was my swing that did it. I started with it tucked in!)

Your appearance speaks volumes about you as a person, and the neatly appointed golfer, like a businessman or someone headed to church, gives the impression he thinks the golf course and the people there are special.

VIII. Turn off the cell phone

Nobody knows less about technology than I do. But I know enough to recognize a cell phone when it rings in my backswing. If I had my way, cell phones would be turned off at all times on the course, but most clubs have given in to the fact that people are going to use them. I don't know all the gadgets and settings on those phones, but do whatever you have to do to keep it quiet. And if you absolutely have to make a call, move away from the other players. And keep the call so brief that they don't even know you made it.

IX. Lend a hand when you can

It's easy to help out your fellow players, if you just pay attention. One obvious way is looking for lost balls -- better yet, watching errant shots so they don't turn into lost balls. Pick up that extra club left on the fringe or the headcover dropped next to the tee, and return it to its owner after saying, "Nice shot!" And if you see a cart out of position or a provisional ball that needs picking up, don't just walk by.

X. Learn the little things

There are a hundred bits of etiquette I haven't mentioned, like laying the flagstick down carefully, tamping down spike marks when you're walking off a green, letting faster groups play through, and so on. All of these things are learned by observing, with a sharp eye and a considerate heart. Just know that golf has a way of returning favors, and every piece of etiquette you practice will be repaid tenfold.

By Arnold Palmer

With Guy Yocom

Justin Timberlake at the Ryder Cup - Opening Ceremony

The Ryder Cup is arguably the most fun golf event of the season; and the festivities kicked off earlier today.  This afternoon at Medinah Country Club, 2012 Ryder Cup U.S. Team Ambassador Justin Timberlake kicked off the Ryder Cup at the Opening Ceremony and also joined Golf Channel's Rich Lerner, Brandel Chamblee, Frank Nobilo and Nick Faldo to preview the Ryder Cup on the network's Live From the Ryder Cup news show following the Opening Ceremony this evening.  Have a look at Justin reciting a golf peom...

Here's the segment later in the afternoon where he joins Lerner, Faldo, Nobilo and Chamblee to preview to upcoming competition...

San Diego Man fires 11-under 25 in round

Todd Baek's scorecard from Salt Creek shows the three eagles and five birdies he made in shooting 11-under 25. Baek also kept track of his fairways, greens and putts. He was 7-for-7 in fairways, 8-for-9 in greens and needed only eight putts.

The average golfer reaches 25 strokes in a round after about four or five holes. Imagine taking a full nine to get to that number.

Todd Baek did it on Sunday, and even he couldn’t quite believe it.

The 20-year-old Rancho Bernardo High alum and former San Diego State golfer made three eagles, five birdies and one par on the front nine to shoot an astonishing 11-under-par 25 during a casual afternoon round at Salt Creek Golf Club in Chula Vista.

“I was amazed myself,” Baek said on Monday. “It was like, ‘What’s going on?’ We were playing for money, so my friends were giving me (crud) about it. They said you need to stop making birdies or you’re going to walk home.”

Baek bested by two shots Nationwide Tour pro Brian Smock’s course record of 62, but his 12-under 60 turned out to be bittersweet. He reached the par-5 18th green in two shots with a chance to score a magical 59, but three-putted from 60 feet.

“I was more mad that I screwed up my chance to shoot 59,” Baek said. “But on the way home my friends were saying, ‘Do you realize that you just shot 25?’ We were laughing about it.”

When the round was over, Baek presented the scorecard to Salt Creek assistant pro Armando Najera, who confirmed the scores and had Baek sign the card, which Najera retained. Baek’s playing partners were Canadian Tour player Sejun Yoon, Torrey Pines High golfer Wonje Choi and Chula Vistan Kevin Lee, who played college golf at Army.

A 25 for nine has never been scored on the PGA Tour. The record is held by Corey Pavin, who shot 8-under 26 in the 2006 U.S. Bank Championship. Four players, including San Diegan Chris Riley, have scored 27 on a par-36 nine.

In May 2010, Canadian club pro Jamie Kureluk fired a 25 on his back nine while playing in the Alberta Open. He made seven birdies and two eagles, finishing with a 61.

Golf pros talk about the “perfect” round of 54 – one birdie per hole. Baek was on pace to smash that.

He hit a 40-yard pitch at the par-4 first that dropped in for eagle. At the par-5 second, he lashed a 5-iron to 9 feet and made that putt for another eagle. “I hadn’t ever made two eagles in a row before,” Baek said.

The other remarkable shots: Baek’s wedge approach at the fifth spun back off the green, but he chipped in from 30 feet for birdie; at the par-5 sixth he made his third eagle when he rifled a 3-iron to 1 foot; and when he needed to make a 9-foot birdie putt at the ninth -- the course's No. 1-handicap hole -- for 25, he drained that.

He needed only eight putts on the front. Baek said that for his only par a 12-foot birdie putt at No. 4 hung on the lip.

At 6,829 yards from the black tees, Salt Creek is not particularly long, but there are some challenging tee shots and Baek went 7-for-7 hitting the fairway. The greens are relatively large at the 11-year-old course.

“It’s not Torrey Pines,” said Grant Halverson, Baek’s golf instructor. “But it’s not by any stretch the easiest 18 holes in the county either.”

Born in South Korea, Baek came to San Diego by way of New Zealand four years ago. He played one season of high school golf at Rancho Bernardo High and moved on to San Diego State, where he quickly established himself as the team’s top performer. After the fall season with the Aztecs in 2011, he decided to turn pro this past winter and signed an endorsement deal with Callaway.

On Wednesday, Baek will begin play at the Norman Course at PGA West in the pre-qualifier for PGA Tour Qualifying School.

This article was published by U-T San Diego.

La Costa Resort & Spa

Quick Stats and Information

Number of Holes: 36 (18 Hole South Course & 18 Hole Champions Course)
Yardage:  South Course - 6524 yards |  Champions Course - 6747 yards
Par: South Course - 72  |  Champions Course - 72
Open to the public: Yes
Green Fees: South Course - $100-$170  |  Champions Course - $140-$240
Call for tee times:  800-854-5000
Driving range: Yes
Restaurant: Yes

Website:  http://www.lacosta.com/golf/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LaCostaResort

The golf courses at La Costa, Southern California's only Gold Medal Golf Resort, are amongst the most storied in California, boasting a rich tournament history and a cadre of prominent guests, ranging from the best professional golfers in the world, to prominent politicians, Hollywood celebrities and legendary sports heroes. La Costa's tee sheets read like a who's who: Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and more. Almost 50 years after their inception, our two courses now offer the modern player new challenges while reintroducing this championship-caliber golf destination to world-class standards.

First, the Champions Course, Dick Wilson's only Californian design and the home of the 2012 LPGA Kia Classic, has been completely restored and dressed with all-new bent grass greens, Bermuda fairways and strategically placed bunkers. In turn, the South Course has received four redesigned holes with a tally of other landscape improvements sure to mature over time. Fairway contours have been altered; a modernized drainage system has been added for sustainability, improved water flow and irrigation; 30-acres of maintained turf have been reduced for water conservation; native grasses and lakes have been added to challenge all levels. These improvements take golf at La Costa to an unprecedented level of excellence while doing honor to our past as Southern California's premier golf resort.

View Golf Courses (San Diego) in a larger map

12th Annual Carlsbad Golf Classic

Friday, October 19th

12 noon shotgun start

Live & silent auction

Dinner and program to follow

The Crossings at Carlsbad

* Executive VIP Foursome - $1,200 - MUST REGISTER BY Sept. 17 for VIP Reception on Sept. 19

• VIP includes: Four players - golf fees, lunch, dinner and tournament tee prize package
• VIP Reception & exclusive tour of The Kingdom at TaylorMade Golf including 40% off at the Company Store!
  
  Two Exciting Ways to Win FORE Education!

  1. Chopper Dropper Golf Ball Drop – Enter for a chance to win $5,000!
  
  2. An Exclusive Golf Experience at The Kingdom - A $5,000 value!

  Click Here for details and to purchase Ball Drop or The Kingdom Opportunities

  Golf Fore the Kids!

  -We're striving to double our impact from $500,000 to $1million per year. Please help us get there! 
  
  -Support science, music and innovation in all Carlsbad schools 
  
  -Help us make a difference in our community and the future of nearly 11,000 students! 
  For more information contact Patty Johnson 760.929.1555 Patty@Carlsbaded.org

JW Marriott Reopens After $1.5 Million Facelift

Just in time for peak golfing season in the Coachella Valley, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa (www.desertspringsresort.com) announces it will reopen its acclaimed Ted Robinson-designed Valley golf course at the end of October, following an exciting $1.5 million renovation which began in May. The unveiling of the new Valley course – joining the resort’s celebrated Palm course which underwent an extensive facelift and reopened in October 2011 – completes the resort’s all-encompassing $25 million dollar renovation and rounds out its 2012 silver anniversary.

The Palm and Valley courses were designed by acclaimed architect Ted Robinson, "King of Waterscapes," and have made Desert Springs the premier California golf resort that it is today. The resort worked with Robinson’s son to bring back many of the details from his father’s original design and updated the Palm and Valley courses to include all-new USGA specification green complexes, bunkers, and tees that bring a distinctive new look to the two exceptional 18-hole championship courses.

Set among rolling greens and lush fairways with sweeping views of the towering Santa Rosa mountains, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa’s Palm and Valley courses integrate more than 35 acres of sparkling streams, lagoons, and waterfalls, offering a picturesque setting for group or individual play. Spectacular mountain vistas from The Valley and The Palm are as distracting as the courses are challenging. The grounds are maintained by a 28-person crew and feature a state-of-the-art irrigation system that utilizes recycled water whenever possible.

 PRESS RELEASE

PALM DESERT, CA –– Just in time for peak golfing season in the Coachella Valley, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa (www.desertspringsresort.com) announces it will reopen its acclaimed Ted Robinson-designed Valley golf course at the end of October, following an exciting $1.5 million renovation which began in May. The unveiling of the new Valley course – joining the resort’s celebrated Palm course which underwent an extensive facelift and reopened in October 2011 – completes the resort’s all-encompassing $25 million dollar renovation and rounds out its 2012 silver anniversary.

Both the Palm and Valley courses were designed by acclaimed architect Ted Robinson, "King of Waterscapes," and have made Desert Springs the premier California golf resort that it is today. The resort worked with Robinson’s son to bring back many of the details from his father’s original design and updated the Palm and Valley courses to include all-new USGA specification green complexes, bunkers, and tees that bring a distinctive new look to the two exceptional 18-hole championship courses. Details of the renovation are as follows:

• Greens: The courses’ greens will now feature USGA specification tiff-eagle grass to create a tour quality putting surface.
• Tees: All tees have all been laser-leveled and re-grassed, creating a perfectly balanced tee box for improved ball striking.
• Bunkers: The bunkers and surrounding areas have been re-shaped to create “magnetic bunkers” which will cause the ball to find the bunker if not struck properly.  Additionally, many of the fairway bunkers have been moved closer to the center of the fairway to narrow the landing areas, demanding accuracy from tee to green.  Several new bunkers have also been added to help define the holes and make them a bit more challenging.

“We are excited to introduce the all-new Palm and Valley courses to our valued guests,” said John Faulk, Director of Golf at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. “We are confident that the updated courses, restored in the spirit of Robinson’s father’s original design, will continue to offer guests an unrivaled golf experience.”

Set among rolling greens and lush fairways with sweeping views of the towering Santa Rosa mountains, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa’s Palm and Valley courses integrate more than 35 acres of sparkling streams, lagoons, and waterfalls, offering a picturesque setting for group or individual play.  Spectacular mountain vistas from The Valley and The Palm are as distracting as the courses are challenging. The grounds are maintained by a 28-person crew and feature a state-of-the-art irrigation system that utilizes recycled water whenever possible.

In addition to the updates to its Valley and Palm courses, the resort’s $25 million renovation included a refresh of its 884 guestrooms and suites; the addition of Rockwood Grill & Blue Star Lounge and Fisherman’s Landing as its latest dining options; and the opening of new retail outlets including Sunnyland Chocolate Factory, Desert Shades, and Wallet World.

About JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, located in the heart of California’s Coachella Valley and framed by three majestic mountain ranges, is a sprawling oasis offering a remarkable contrast to the stark beauty of the desert. The AAA Four-Diamond property opened in February 1987 and is one of the largest resort and convention complexes in the southwestern United States. The resort’s recently refreshed 884 guest rooms and suites are located in wings surrounding swimming pools, lakes, verdant fairways, lush gardens and manicured lawns. Guest rooms are spacious and include separate tubs and showers, iHome audio systems, and private balconies. Featured dining options include Mikado Japanese Steakhouse, The Lobby Bar, and Oasis Bar & Grille, with new additions, Fisherman’s Landing and Rockwood Grill & Blue Star Lounge. The resort boasts an award-winning 32,000-square-foot-spa and recreation facilities that include two recently-renovated Ted Robinson championship golf courses, an 18-hole putting course, 20 tennis courts, basketball courts, lawn croquet and biking.www.desertspringsresort.com.