Features
Cover Story – Kyle Berkshire, 2019 World Long Drive Champion
With his now signature long hair dripping with sweat, Kyle Berkshire makes his final preparations to become a long drive immortal. Ball after ball sail into the Oklahoma night sky, seemingly never reaching for the ground below. Berkshire, a 22-year-old destroyer of golf balls, known for his flowing brown locks and rock-step triggered, 155-mph swing, has been playing golf since …
Feature Story – The World Long Drive Tour: Past and Present
The 44th edition of the World Long Drive Championship was contested last month in Thackerville, Oklahoma and when all was said and done a new king and queen were left standing on the men’s and women’s sides. It was the first time since 2013 that both events produced a first-time winner with Kyle Berkshire and Chloe Garner donning the respective …
Tales from the Back Nine, Part X – Red River Region
With Texas and Oklahoma seemingly headed for an epic college football showdown this month, it seemed the perfect time to explore wild golf in the Red River region. Remote courses, state parks and fishing spots flourish on both sides of the border, making the Red River a golf adventure waiting to happen. The trusty old F-150 and I had been …
Cover Story – College Days Revisited
To become a PGA TOUR player, you need talent, determination and self-minded focus to do nothing but eat, drink and sleep golf. Except in the fall, of course. That’s when the Tour players passion for the game they play for a living, takes a back seat – or at least an equal seat – to their passion for college football, …
Feature – Magic in Maricopa
It’s hard to believe that in the land of triple-figure golf courses and lots of triple-figure heat this time of year, that there might be a course so good it would be worth wearing out your travel GPS to find a desert hidden gem. In fact, it would be a grave golfing error to not play one of the true …
Cover Story – The PGA of America Heads to Frisco
In just a shade under 10 years, a trip to Tennessee and a pair of inconspicuous signs showcasing upgrades to parks in two North Texas communities has somehow managed to morph into a half-a-billion-dollar project that will pump more than $2.5 billion into the local economy over the next two decades. How did the PGA of America decide on the …
Feature – True Americana: French Lick Resort
When most people consider their bucket list destinations for golf travel, the ones that come to mind are often the heavy hitters: Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Bandon Dunes and others. However, a recent trip to Indiana has me thinking there is a new candidate for a must-see golf destination. French Lick, Indiana is probably best known as the hometown of basketball …
Cover Story – An “Open” Book
AVIDGOLFER: You were born in Illinois. What was your childhood like? Todd Hamilton: My childhood was nice. I grew up playing golf, baseball and basketball. Golf, I didn’t have too many kids in my school that played, so I played a lot with my father and his friends. I think that made me mature for my age, but I bet …
Course Review – Heritage Ranch Golf and Country Club
As golfers run through their hierarchy of great local golf courses, most of the ones that come to mind are all in DFW proper. Cowboys, The Tribute, Old American, Southern Oaks all usually come up at some point. But if you head northeast, there is a course that should definitely be in that conversation. Heritage Ranch Golf and Country Club …
Feature – Royal Portrush
By: Art Stricklin The British Open, known as the Open Championship in most parts of the civilized golfing world, returns to Northern Ireland this month for the first time in 68 years, showcasing the fabulous Royal Portrush championship layout, the spectacular North Sea scenery and the golfing aura which is embedded in every part of this tiny town. Not since …