Two Days of Meetings at Spring ING Conference in Heber, Utah

I’ve just completed two days of one-on-one meetings with golf industry professionals and media at the ING Spring Conference here in Heber, Utah.

Day 2 of 1-on-1 meetings at the ING spring conference. #INGHeberValley

A photo posted by Hooked on Golf Blog (@hookedongolfblog) on May 24, 2016 at 10:49am PDT

It has been quite fun and educational engaging with these interesting people and checking out their products/services. Here’s a list of organizations I’ve met with in the two days here:

Bridgestone Golf
Tour Edge Golf
Golf Mesquite Nevada
Zermatt Resort
Heber Valley Utah CVB
18 Birdies
CHASE54 Apparel
eduKaytion Golf
Golf Overnight (club shipping)
Knuth Golf
Perry Golf
PGA Golf Exibitions
SNAG Golf
SoulKix
TK International
Visit Central Florida (CVB)
Wasatch Golf

I will be following up with these companies and working with them in the future with (hopefully) great blog content for HOG readers! Stay tuned.

HOG World Tour Lands in Heber Valley, Along With Major Hail Storm

Written by: Tony Korologos | Sunday, May 22nd, 2016
Categories: Golf
Tags: ING - International Network of Golf

I’ve arrived in Heber Valley, Utah for the ING Spring Conference. My buddy John Duval and I, plus new buddy Will, attempted to play golf in town, but this happened:

After lunch we went back up to the course, Wasatch Mountain State Park Golf Course, to see how cold it was. Ironically I bailed because it was too cold, but John and Will who are from Florida decided to give it a shot.

The sun is out now of course, but it’s still cold enough that my back would not have had a very good time. Hope the boys are having fun while I’m in the Zermatt resort hotel room enjoying some golf blogging.
Hail Storm at Wasatch Mountain State Park Golf Course

Hooked on Golf Blog to Attend ING Spring Conference in Heber, Utah Next Week

Written by: Tony Korologos | Friday, May 20th, 2016
Categories: HOG World Tour • Site News
Tags: ING - International Network of Golf

Aerial Photo: Soldier Hollow Golf Courses – click for more

SALT LAKE CITY – May 20, 2016 – Hooked on Golf Blog will bring it’s famous “HOG World Tour” to Heber, Utah May 23-25, 2016 for the annual International Network of Golf (ING) Spring Conference. ING is a non-profit organization with the objective to “bring golf industry executives together with members of the golf media to improve communication, introduce new products, services and destinations, and to develop and nurture relationships.”

“I’m looking forward to attending my first ING conference and especially to meeting new and old friends and associates in the golf industry. I’m also looking forward to experiencing the great golf Heber Valley and the state of Utah have to offer, and showing some of my new and old friends around this great area.” ~Tony Korologos, Hooked on Golf Blog

At the ING Spring Conference the blog will be meeting with industry professionals media regarding equipment, travel, tourism, education, media, and social networking. Of course, many rounds of great Utah mountain golf will be experienced.

Carnoustie Sportswear Quarter Zip Suede Vest Review

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, May 18th, 2016
Categories: Golf Apparel • Golf Gear • Reviews
Tags: Carnoustie Performance

Carnoustie_Q_Zip_Suede_Vest In northern Utah we have four seasons: The beginning of winter, winter, the end of winter, and summer. Right now we are in the end of winter. It will be cold until summer, at which time it will top 100 degrees. When summer ends it will be back to winter shortly after that. I think you get the concept.

I’ve been taking advantage of the layering and warmth I get from my Carnoustie Sportswear Quarter Zip Suede Vest this end of winter. It has allowed me to keep warm but still be flexible and not restricted in my golf swing.

Details:

100% cotton, lining 100% polyester
Lining for extra warmth
Covered zipper treatment
Classic fit
Hand or machine wash, cold water, gentle cycle

Colors

My color pictured is “Bordeaux,” which is a good match for my evening adult beverage scripting. The other color available in this product is Grape. Obviously someone at Carnoustie loves certain grape based beverages as much as I do. I like it.

Carnoustie_Q_Zip_Suede_Vest_02

On The Course – On The Town

This vest is super good looking. The suede is classy and comfortable. I’m happy to wear this vest not only on the golf course, but at work, around town and wherever else I go when I need to keep my core warmer but give my arms some freedom.

During my golf swing the vest does its job, providing insulation and warmth. It does not hamper my swing, bind, or pull at any point. I also like the fact that it doesn’t interfere with my putter. I bend over quite far with a short putter and some apparel items which hang loosely can catch the top of the putter grip.

Final Thoughts

A golf apparel piece has to meet a few requirements for me. First is functionality. This vest shines at doing its job, keeping the core warm and insulated. Next is comfort. As I mentioned, this vest is super comfortable. Of course style is a factor, though not the #1 priority for me. No worries though. This vest is super stylish.

I look forward to summer, when I don’t need to wear layering like the Carnoustie sportswear Quarter Zip Suede Vest. Until then I’ll be enjoying its great benefits.

Played an Old 9-Hole Muni I Haven’t Played in Years

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, May 16th, 2016
Categories: Golf • Golf Courses • Golf For Women • Hackers • HOG World Tour
Tags: Salt Lake City • Utah Golf

I had a wild hair up my shag bag to take in the experience of a course I haven’t played in probably several decades, Nibley Park. We often refer to it as “The Gib,” which is short for The Gibley. That comes from “Nibley Gibley.” So I affectionately said that I was “flogging the Gib.” I’m glad to clear up the confusion on that now.

This course is a 9-hole par-34 which measures a ~~lengthy~~ 2,895 yards from the blue tees; the tips. The only par-5 is 453 yards and I hit an 8-iron into that one on my 2nd shot. Yes I made birdie.

Play is slow. So people do cartwheels in the fairway to keep themselves entertained…

The Gib is a bit of a beginner’s course, and one which is on the low budget end. It clocks in at a whopping $11.00 to walk 9-holes. That’s a price I can live with. The crowd is, shall we say, more working class than higher end courses in town. That’s part of the experience I was looking for. Plus I’m trying to get used to new Miura irons, and new shoes.

I played with two guys who were playing their 2nd round of the year. I doubt they even have established handicaps. I had fun playing with them, and watching their match which was 25 cents per hole. I think 75 cents exchanged hands at the end. One of the guys was pitching it better than me with what appeared to be a pitching wedge hybrid. See below.

Spalding_Pitching_Hybrid_02

That P-Hybrid has “internal sole weighting.” I can’t imagine what external sole weighting would be.

The other guy was a lefty and bragged that he got his TaylorMade driver for $10.00 on eBay. I said, “if you only knew.” He got his entire set of clubs on eBay in fact, and said the most expensive club in the bag was his driver. Most of his clubs were $5.00 or less. As I wielded my brand new shiny Miuras I couldn’t help mumble “if you only knew (my rants about golf product release cycles).” Later in the round he told me he had seen a set of irons like mine before, when some guy was pawning them. He said he knew the guy had no business with irons like that. English translation, they were stolen. That’s my guess.

I enjoyed playing a more casual round on an easier course, especially one where my rusty spring game didn’t cost me more than my green fees. Low pressure. I tested some new shoes, a new ball, and got another round in with the new irons.

Post-round I practiced low running chips and short game. I practiced so long my back was tweaked the next morning. It took half a day to get myself straightened out.

Game Still MIA

I’m hoping my missing golf game will reappear soon. I’m thinking the more spring rounds I get in, the closer I’ll get to my game’s return. Until then my handicap is blowing up and my confidence is like a house of cards.

This year’s goal is to enjoy the walk. Regardless of the score, that’s what I’m trying to do. Most of the time I’ve gotten it done.

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