Ohio Golf Journal January 2019

WOW!! IT’S 2019 ALREADY FRED ALTVATER You are a Golfaholic if: You braved 30-degree temperatures to play your first round of the year on January 1st or scraped away snow to at least hit a few wedge shots. If your partner is safely on the green, pull your next shot out of bounds, and three- putt to build your handicap for your next big money game or club championship...... Wasn’t it just a couple of years ago we were worried about Y2K, a new century and mass hysteria on the Internet? Here we are 18 years into a new era and technology is affecting our everyday and golf lives, like never before. Time waits for no man (or woman) and Ohio Golf Journal is excited to be entering our fifth year of providing the very best golf news, views, travel and information for our loyal readers. With the resurgence of Tiger Woods, 2018 was a year to remember. His improved health and ability allowed him to move up over 630 spots in the Official World Golf Rankings last year to finish at No. 13 on the world ranking. Will 2019 see him continue to win and surpass the young talents that dominate the game today? Moving the PGA Championship to May and The Players Championship to March compresses a very tight PGATour schedule even tighter. It will be interesting to see what events the top players choose to skip. So many high-profile events in a short time frame will also demonstrate what players are the most fit and can take care of their bodies for the dash to win majors and the FedEx Cup. January is the month for golf shows and the biggest of them all, The PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando will be held January 23-25 at the Orange County Convention Center. Every golf vendor and most of the PGA Professionals from around the country will be in attendance checking out the latest clubs, products and apparel to bring to their members back home. There are several other regional golf shows held around the country. We hope you take the time to visit one near you, to view the latest technology, maybe book a buddie’s trip, or buy a new club, or two. January is also a great time to head to warmer climates. My wife and I are heading to the Sunshine State for golf, beach and sun. Look for us on the Back 9 on a Florida Golf Course or catching a gorgeous sunset over the Gulf of Mexico! Club Pro Guy Ohio Golf Journal