Bakersfield Life

Guys on the Green - December 2008

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Win a Trip to The Masters
 
On Feb. 18, 2009, the Assistance League of Bakersfield is raffling off a trip to The Masters in Augusta, Ga.

The trip includes two tickets to the final two days of the event, three nights hotel accommodations, three day car rental, hospitality privileges at the 1018 Club and $500 travel expenses. Entries are available at all local golf courses and the Bargain Box at 1924 Q St. For more information, call the Assistance League at (661) 323-0838.

These four local golf pros have all experienced their share of great tournaments. Read what they have to say about the experience the winner of this prize package will enjoy.

What are your first memories of enjoying the game of golf?
Jim Kiger – Playing golf in the summertime late in the afternoon in Ohio as a boy – just me and the course.

Dave Bolar – Participating in junior golf, taking group and private lessons and competing in weekly golf tournaments.

Bruce Burroughs – My grandfather taught me how to play when I was seven on a par-3 course. I had to use floating golf balls because of all the water on the course.

Joe Haggerty – My first memory of enjoying the game of golf was when I beat my sister out at North Kern when I was 10 years old. It was a great feeling because she was one of the best girl amateurs at that time.

What about your job makes it the most enjoyable?
Jim Kiger – Golf instruction – I’ve given more than 30,000 lessons in my career.

Dave Bolar – The interaction with people on a daily basis, both through the lesson tee and the members and guests who are coming out to play a round of golf.

Bruce Burroughs – The golfers in Bakersfield are great; they make it easy to come to work.

Joe Haggerty – The different situations that come up each and every day with the members, and seeing golfers improve as a result of the lessons and hard work they put toward the great game of golf.

What is your favorite part about golf in Kern County?
Jim Kiger – A notable number of excellent courses to play.

Dave Bolar – Kern County offers a great availability of good and challenging golf courses, both public and private. I’m proud to have been a golf professional in Kern County for the past 26 years.

Bruce Burroughs – Kern County has the best variety of golf courses anywhere in the state.

Joe Haggerty – My favorite part of golf in Kern County is that the golf courses are affordable, acceptable and are maintained at the top level.

What is your favorite course to play?
Jim Kiger – The Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland – the mecca of golf; an almost spiritual experience.

Dave Bolar – Two years ago I had the opportunity to play Shadowcreek in Las Vegas. When playing this course you would never know you were playing in a desert. The course is extremely private.

Bruce Burroughs – A goal that I have is to play as many of the top 100 courses in America and right now I have played 33 of them.

The No. 1 course for me has been the Olympic Club in San Francisco.

It’s a classic course that is less than 7,000 yards but requires every golf shot in your bag.

Joe Haggerty – My favorite course is Horse Thief Country Club in Tehachapi because of its beauty and character. This golf course makes you play all the shots needed to become a good golfer.

What can the winner of this package look forward to?

Jim Kiger – A priceless lifetime adventure worth more than money. The Masters is a magical experience that showcases one of sport’s greatest events. Each Masters event is history making.

Dave Bolar – People I know who have attended the Masters express what I would only expect, that it was a fantastic experience.

The atmosphere would have to be one to make memories that would last a lifetime.

Bruce Burroughs – I have not been to the Masters but I hear you will not believe what you see when they get there. The course and atmosphere is nothing you have ever experienced.

Joe Haggerty – They can look forward to one of the greatest experiences of their life. You can feel the pressure and the importance.

The atmosphere is like cutting an ice cube with a knife.

Describe one of the best tournaments you have either watched or in which you have participated.

Jim Kiger – Watching the 1986 Masters when Jack Nicklaus won his fi nal major. It was storybook, surreal in events that lead to his victory. As a player, playing in the Senior U.S. Open in 2002.

Dave Bolar – Every year, I live to watch the Masters. By far for me it is the greatest tournament in golf.

Bruce Burroughs – The 1986 Masters which was won by Jack Nicholas has to be the best tournament I ever watched.

Joe Haggerty – The L.A. Open and seeing Arnold Palmer play and birdie the first hole on the last round.

What piece of advice do you repeat to your clients?
Jim Kiger – Golf is a game of integrity that parallels life and is not always fair. It is played one shot at a time, always accepting what the course gives you.

Dave Bolar – Establish good basic fundamentals and repetition.

When asked as to when did I play my best golf? My answer has always been “When I play my most golf.”
Bruce Burroughs – If a golfer can just swing the club and try not to hit at the ball they should have some success.