GOLFING IN  PARADISE

By JOSE CALLEJA
General Manager, Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course

This week we look at the biography of golfing great Samuel Jackson Snead, Part 1.

Samuel Jackson Snead Born: May 27th 1912 Ashwood, Virginia Died: May 23rd Hot Springs, Virginia (89) Height: 1.80 m Nick Name: Slammin Sammy

THE EARLY DAYS
Samuel Jackson Snead was born in Ashwood, Virginia, near Hot Springs on the 27th of May 1912. Samuel commenced caddying from the early age of 7 and by the time he was 19 he was the Assistant Professional at
The Homestead in Hot Springs. He turned professional at the age of 22 in 1934 and like most early golfing greats he was self-taught.
Samuel joined the PGA Tour 2 years later in 1936 and achieved immediate success. In 1944 he became Head Professional at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Snead never lost contact throughout his life and he maintained close ties to Hot Springs and The Homestead. Unlike the great Byron Nelson Sam Snead served in the US Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1945.

CAREER VICTORIES
1937 was Sam Snead’s first full year on the Tour in which he was victorious on 5 occasions including the Oakland Open at Claremont Country Club in California. In 1938, he won his first Greater Greensboro Open. Snead would go on to win this event a record 8 times with his last victory in 1965 at the age of 52.
However, 1939 was the first of several times he failed at at winning the U.S. Open.
This is the only Major he never won. The following is an example of how outside influences can affect even the best of players regardless.
Snead on the final day only needed a par to win, but he was unaware because on-course scoreboards did not exist at that time. A spectator on the 18th tee told Snead he needed a birdie to win and he posted a triple-bogey 8 on the par-5 72nd hole.
At the 1947 US Open Snead missed a 21⁄2-foot putt on the final playoff hole to lose to Lew Worsham. In 1950 Sam Snead won a total of 11 events.
This placed him third in that category behind Byron Nelson who won 18 events in 1945 and Ben Hogan who won 13 in 1946). He also won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average four times: 1938, 1949, 1950, and 1955.
At the 1952 Jacksonville Open Snead demonstrated an exemplary act of sportsmanship.
He forfeited rather than play a 18-hole playoff against Doug Ford after the two golfers finished in a tie at the end of regulation play.
Snead decided to forfeit due to the ruling he received during the tournament’s second round of play.
On the 10th hole, Snead’s drive landed behind an out of bounds stake and his playing partner Chick Harbert thought the ball was clearly out of bounds.
However, a rules official ruled differently due to the starter not telling players the stakes had been moved since the previous day’s play had ended.
Afterwards, Snead explained why he forfeited even though Ford suggested they play sudden death for the title. The following is the quote for the great sportsman forfeit.
“I want to be fair about it. I don’t want anyone to think I took advantage of the ruling”.

EQUIPMENT REVIEW AND TOUR UPDATES 

The Titleist 913 D2 Driver.

BY RAJNESH GOUNDON
DIRECTOR OF GOLF NATADOLA BAY GOLF CLUB

This week we provide a review on the Titleist 913 D2 Driver.
The following are the features of the Titleist 913 D2 Driver.
– More Distance: Rear weight and improved CG location provide optimum launch with reduced spin for longer distance.
– More Speed: High-speed, forged face insert provides more speed over a larger area of the face.
– Precision Fit: Industry leading SureFit Tour hosel technology delivers independent loft and lie adjustment for the most precise fit available
If you are looking for a Driver with the above features then please contact the Natadola Bay Golf shop on 6733500 and we will order one for you.

PGA TOUR UPDATES

Tiger Woods.

Last week’s Farmers Insurance Open played on the Par 72, 7569 yards Torrey Pines South Course, La Jolla, California was won by Tiger Woods. Woods built an eight-shot lead with five holes to play on Monday until he lost patience with the slow play and started losing shots that only determined the margin of victory. Despite two bogeys and a double bogey in the final hour, he closed with an even-par 72 for a four-shot victory. The win lifts the two-time FedEx Cup champion to No. 4 in the 2013 race. It is Wood’s 75th PGA TOUR victory.
This week’s event: This week, we have the Waste Management Phoenix Open scheduled to be played from the 31st of January to Sunday 3rd of January. The event will be played on the Par 71, 7216 yards TPC Scottsdale, Arizona. The total prize purse of the event is $6,200,000 with the winner earning $1,098,000 and 500 FedEx cup points. The defending champion is Mr. Kyle Stanley.

NATADOLA BAY COMPETITION RESULTS:
Last Saturday’s competition results are as follows:
Event: 
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa Corporate Golf Day – 2person Ambrose

Winners:
1st: Mr Biran Kumar and Mr Jeral Sharma– Nett 62.5
2nd: Mr Kaushal Tappoo and Mr Trevor Fox– Nett 64.5
3rd: Mr Nitulesh Mali and Mr Kavitesh Prasad – Nett 65
Longest Drive 10th: Ms. Sereima Bale

NEXT WEEK’S COMPETITIONS AT NATADOLA BAY GOLF COURSE

– Wednesday 3rd February – Stableford Competition
– Friday 5th February – Bingo-Bango-Bongo Competition
– Saturday 6th January – Modified Stableford Competition

Mr James Osborn

PLAYER REVIEW

This week’s between shots is Mr James Osborn
What clubs do you use? I use Mizuno JPX 825 Pro clubs.
Where is your home club? Manly Golf Club.
Who is your favourite player? My favourite player is Tiger Woods.
What course do you love to play? I love to play Natadola Bay Golf Course.
What is your favourite hole? The 9th Hole at Natadola Bay.
What shot will you always remember? My approach shot on the 9th at Natadola Bay.
Who are your dream playing partners? Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and K.J. Choi.
This was what Mr. Osborn had to say about Natadola Bay Golf Course: “Unbelievable layout, greens could have been faster”.