Randy Haag's Golf Blog

If you love great desert golf, with unbelievable practice facilities and food and service second to NONE, then you’ll love the Whisper Rock experience. Gregg Tryhus has created perhaps the greatest golf experience on the planet at “The Rock”. From the moment you pull up to the valet parking your treated with kindness and service that I’ve not seen anywhere in the world.

It gets even better when you get near the locker room where you’ll most definitely run into Mike who runs the inside facilities. This fine gentleman is not only genuinely kind, passionate and considerate, but he has a memory that I would love to possess. Every little need is taken care of for you, and the service continues at this high level in the Professional Shop,with the  caddies and especially the culinary experience you’ll find with the exceptional food. The course and practice facilities are immaculate, with great attention to every detail.

I’m not sure how I could be any more fortunate to play in events hosted by some of the worlds greatest golf facilities. Whisper Rock is perhaps the most unique in many ways, and in my book is right up there with Pine Valley and Seminole. This event has the best possible ingredient in the people you’ll meet and hang out with for 4 days. We were treated to a very difficult test of golf with high winds and tough pin positions during the three days of competition. With much firmer greens, additional thought was required before firing at the pin. The scores reflected the challenge versus the scores of last years event. My partner the ever affable Paul Balatti and I had the time of our lives with a -23 team score last year for 54 holes. I love a challenging and difficult course which both courses provided. The firmness of the greens and windy conditions made course management mission one for success.

After an opening 69 on the upper course which tied us with our home town pals of Dan Bieber and Bob Fulton, we then found ourselves 3 back going into the final round on the lower course. We quickly closed the gap and were dead even with 12 holes to go. After Bob Fulton made a nice birdie on the 8th hole, followed by a saving par on 9, we were 2 back with 9 holes to go. The back nine is where you can lose or make up shots in a hurry. I must admit the putt I made on #10 for birdie was ridiculous and I’m sure got things rolling in our direction. After two more birdies by my partner and a chip in birdie on #17 we had the 3 peated in hand at this awesome event that we LOVE coming back to each year. I know I start thinking about the warm weather and perfect conditions once November hits in Northern California.

Tournament chairman Jim Strickland (Stricky) does an amazing job recruiting great teams and great guys to this event! The Championship trophies trophies(shown below) are perhaps the most beautiful I’ve seen. The two six shooters (they’re real) in a beautiful case, makes for a great trophy and conversation piece that Paul and I have proudly displayed in our homes.

The best way into this amazing event is to get introduced to Jim Strickland through a member or participant in the field.

MID-AM DIVISION

FINAL RESULTS

• Round 1 – Lower Course – 7,274 yards
• Round 2 – Upper Course – 7,337 yards
• Round 3 – Lower Course – 7,253 yards

1Fisk, CoreyVickers,

SENIOR DIVISION 50+

FINAL RESULTS

• Round 1 – Upper Course – 6,928 yards
• Round 2 – Lower Course – 6,868 yards
• Round 3 – Lower Course – 6,824 yards

2011 Champions Paul Balatti & Randy Haag