Hole No. 1
Last Thursday I took a run across South Jersey for the Media Day unveiling of Ron Jaworski’s newest golf course; Running Deer Golf Club in Pittsgrove. Having bought the course last September, Jaws and his staff spent the off-season working over this sweet track, which had fallen into disrepair.
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Hole No. 12
Ron presided over a delicious lunch, expressing his staff’s goal of taking this semi-private club, back to its previous private status, at some point down the line. The food and facility seem perfect for events, including weddings.
On hand were many South Jersey scribes, the Running Deer staff, Tom and Dick Smith (from the Dick Smith Golf Academy), fellow media members, local township officials, and Charlie Clarke, the man who re-worked the course into what it is now.
After lunch, we headed to the course, and I found my group included Courier-Post golf writer Todd Shaner, Comcast Sportsnet’s Rob Kuenstler, and one of my heroes, the great Gary Dornhoefer, one of those Broad Street Bullies, and a scratch golfer. I can’t tell you how much of a thrill it was to play a round with Dorny, who’s not only an amazing golfer, but an incredibly nice guy, to boot. As a member at Running Deer, Gary offered some on-course guidance, and insight about the course’s past and present condition. Todd, my cart partner, played the course in the past, and raved about the work Jaws’ team had done to bring it back from disrepair.
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Hole No. 18
There was a warning issued by a club member at the start that the grounds crew had the greens cut at 12, which is at or close to what the pros roll on. And he was not lying. Tougher to hit and stick on, tougher to read (Gary said that a couple holes might need to be redone from the original design, but somehow he knew where to land on those greens), and very hard to roll onto, the greens at Running Deer provide the biggest challenge for an average golfer, like me. Even top-notch players may find the greens challenging.
But don’t let my review here deter you. This course is one of South Jersey’s best, and offers fun play, filled with challenging long holes, forcing interesting approaches to some holes, and a great day on the course!!
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Courtesy of Getty Images
On a completely different front, one of the biggest stories of the week took place off the course. The news that Phil Mickelson’s wife Amy has breast-cancer, and will require surgery, grabbed everyone who follows the game by the heart. Phil’s beautiful family is a constant sight whenever Dad is in the hunt on the weekend, and is clearly his main focus in life.
Due to Amy’s diagnosis, the #2 striker in the world is taking an indefinite leave from the PGA to take care of the most important thing in life, his family. This was probably a no-brainer for Phil because that is the kind of guy he is.
Playing the weekend’s Byron Nelson Championship, defending his title at Colonial next weekend, or making it to the U.S. Open in June pale in comparison to the challenge that the Mickelsons will face in the next few weeks.
"Elin and I are deeply saddened to hear the news about Amy," Tiger Woods said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with her, Phil, the children and the entire Mickelson family."
Scott Verplank, who played on multiple Ryder Cup and President’s Cup teams with Phil, said Mickelson sent him a text Tuesday night. "I had a hard time sleeping," Verplank said. "Every time I've been around her, she's always had a smile on her face. She's always upbeat," Verplank said of his friend, Amy. "Hopefully, it's early and they take care of it.”
Tour member Rory Sabbatini, the Nelson winner this past weekend, wore a pink golf shirt and ribbon on Sunday showing support for his friends. Amy, you see, is a fave on tour, having been there through Phil’s near-wins and his Major moments, always keeping their kids close at hand so Dad’s first congrats always come from them, much like Sabbatini’s kids did on Sunday. Theirs is a storybook love/golf story. The whole golf world is behind them, and offers their prayers.