Golf Specials for Jesus... I mean Black Friday

The USGA has a treasure trove of golf merchandise on sale including historic pictures. If you or a loved one is a golf nut and has a place to hang a picture or two or look good for the 2012 season, you are in luck.


Also, golf.com has a ton of specials. If you would rather wait in line for a tv than go to a local store, here you go with just a few

Gabby Yurik of Stoney Creek is Miss Golf-Interview Here First

Oakland County is simply home to many of the best golfers in the State of Michigan and the choice yesterday of Gabby Yurik of Stoney Creek follows Francesco Ruffino of Birmingham Seaholm who won the boys honor this past spring. Gabby took the time to speak with Roy J. (Joe) Akers and talks about her season, her Miss Golf Title and her future at MSU and elsewhere.

RJA: Gabby, how did you get involved in the game of golf initially and when did you start to take the sport serious?

  GY:  l initially started playing golf because my older brother loved it I always wanted to do whatever he did.  Once I played in my first few tournaments, it became more than a hobby and I wanted to be the best I could possibly be (and beat my brother).

RJA: Did you play on any golf tours to hone your game against competition?
   

GY: I played in a few Meijer/Powerbilt events back when that was the name  of the tour and some Top50 Jr. Tour  tournaments, but once I was about 14 I got
into bigger events like the Michigan Amateur and what not.

RJA: You are the Champion Medalist for Division One this year. Did you feel going in you were one of the favorites and how did you prepare for the competition?
   

GY: Going in I felt that it was my tournament to win and that if I prepared correctly no one could beat me.  That's why after playing  one practice round at the Meadows, my dad and I decided to go back and play another to tie up loose ends in strategy and really get the feel.  That wasn't easy because it's three hours to Grand Valley and it basically took up the entire day.  It was absolutely worth it, though, to use that knowledge to my advantage.

RJA: The Stoney Creek golf team was very good as well making the State final at Grand Valley State. What were the team goals going into the season and did you accomplish most of them?

 GY:  Our team goal was to prove that we were still the Stoney Creek from last year and we could beat anyone.  We never accomplished our ultimate goal of winning the State Championship but not too many teams have that good of chance at it two years in a row.

RJA: How was the recruiting process for you? (Meaning...) did you do the chasing and send letters or did you play in tournaments like the AJGA and they saw how you played?
   

GY:  Initially, I got a resume together of all my golf accomplishments and scores and sent that out to a few schools I was interested in but once I established a relationship with the coach or had an unofficial visit, it was more on their end than mine.  All I had to do was continue to play well in tournaments, especially in the summer against older and better competition, but I have never played in an AJGA.

RJA: Do you mind saying some of the schools that offered you a scholarship?

GY: Michigan, Ohio State, Oakland University, and Michigan State of course.

RJA: Why Michigan State?

   GY:  From the beginning it seemed like their program matched up to my personality very well.  They want athletes and understand that a big part of my success is my athleticism.  It's also great to have an awesome coach like Stacy there who plays in tournaments right along side her players and often times beats them.  Of course, having Christine
Meier there is an added bonus; she's an amazing player and good friend of mine.

RJA: Lexi Thompson is tearing up the LPGA tour when she is playing her best and she is still in high school. Would you like to someday play on the LPGA Tour?
   GY:  If I get my game to the point where I think I can do well on the tour I will definitely look into that opportunity, but I take my academics very seriously as well and I'm looking for a career in either business or law at the moment.  My goals are always changing, though, so you never know.

Congratulations to Gabby and the Stoney Creek community.

Bridgestone Golf Club Offer

For those of you interested in a new set of irons, the odds are long but the payoff could be a new set of Bridgestone Irons. Fill in the survey and possibly win.


http://www.bridgestonegolf.com/survey/2011/presidents-cup?utm_source=bsg&utm_medium=email&utm_content=survey_link&utm_campaign=presidents_cup_11_11

Last Chance to Win Golf Trips in Michigan and around the USA

Two Guys Who Golf is offering the trips and they are worth it if you win. They are in Michigan, Arizona, Las Vegas and the like and they include golf and accommodations. Check them out. I published this information before but they have extended the window to enter and Thursday, November 3rd is the deadline. Here goes.

THREE FREE GOLF PACKAGE GIVEAWAYS - REGISTER  FOR FREE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN! - Drawing held to November 3, 2011 - and packages are good for 1 year from that date! NO strings attached.

• Stay and play in Laughlin, Nevada with this great 4 night , 4 dinners and 4 rounds of golf for two organized by Laughlin Ranch Golf Club.  Accommodations for 4 nights are at your choice of  Colorado Belle or the Edgewater Hotel Casino and play the spectacular Laughlin Ranch golf club!  Click here to visit the Colorado Belle/Edgewater website.  Click here for the Two Guys Who Golf review of Laughlin Ranch.  To enter to win this package - no strings attached - click here

• Stay & Play at the Chief Golf Cottages near Traverse City, Michigan!  The winner will enjoy the premium accommodations at the Chief Golf Cottages and play golf on the Chief and on Hawk's Eye!  Click here for The Chief Golf Cottage Resort's web page. This is a great sampling of Northern Michigan golf - so don't miss out.  Hawkseye is simply one of the ebst – and the Chief is beautiful and extremely challenging. Enter by clicking here.

• Stay two nights at the new Townhomes at the Loon and play unlimited golf on The Loon and The Lakes - for free - no strings attached!   You'll really want to win this one - first class accommodations and golf on two fine courses in Gaylord – golf mecca of Northern Michigan!.  To visit the Loon Golf Resort website - click here.  To enter to win - click here!