Harford County Sports Promoted At National Conference

(Bel Air, MD) Harford County Tourism and Marketing Manager, Wini Roche, attended the Travel, Events and Management in Sports (TEAMS) Annual Conference and Expo held in Pittsburgh, PA at the end of October. Ms. Roche joined other tourism leaders from around the state to promote Harford County and Maryland to the national sports travel industry.

“Harford County can compete on a national level when it comes to sports” stated Ms. Roche “World class golf courses, Ripken Stadium, and the new Cedar Lane Sports Complex are attracting major events to our area which is big business for our local tourism industry”.

The new Sports Marketing Director for Maryland, Terry Hasseltine, led the Maryland team during the TEAMS Conference.

“The TEAMS Conference and Expo was a huge success for all our Maryland partners who were in attendance”, Stated Mr. Hasseltine. “Seven counties were present and met with over forty events rights holders during the three-day event where many positive leads were secured and will be followed-up upon over the next several weeks.”

Mr. Hasseltine was formerly with TEAM Kentucky a public-private agency who develops sporting event business for the State. Mr. Hasseltine will be joining Ms. Roche this week on a tour of Harford County.

Bulle Rock Ranked 9th In Nation By Golf World Magazine Readers

(Havre de Grace, MD – November 4, 2008) - - In the October issue of Golf World Magazine the country’s top 50 courses were chosen and Bulle Rock ranked 9th in the Readers’ Choice Awards for public golf courses in 2009. The Readers’ Choice Award is a ranking of courses by Golf Worlds reader’s regular golfers. Bulle Rock was further honored as number one for Prestige and Reputation for Golf World’s Best of the Best.

“We are so proud that Maryland’s top public golf course has been acclaimed as one of the top 10 in the Country,” stated Wini Roche, Tourism & Marketing Manager for Harford County. ”We encourage golfers from near and far to put Bulle Rock and our other 6 public courses on their “must play” list.”

Bulle Rock continues to receive recognition as one of the premier public courses in the Mid-Atlantic region. This is the second recognition Bulle Rock was honored with this year. In the May issue of Golf Digest, Bulle Rock was awarded a five star rating as one of North America’s best choices for public golf. Bulle Rock was listed as one of only twenty-four courses to receive the rating and joined an elite list of courses including Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Kiawah, and Blackwolf.

Since its opening in 1998, the Pete Dye designed course offers 18 holes surrounded by the natural beauty of the Chesapeake region. Bulle Rock was named after the first thoroughbred horse brought to America and is widely known as the host of the acclaimed McDonalds LPGA Championship which returns to the venue in June 2009.

McDonald’s LPGA Championship Donates To Local Schools

Aberdeen, MD (October 1, 2008)—Students and administrators at Aberdeen High School’s Science and Mathematics Academy, along with Bel Air High School officials representing Project Lead The Way, and representatives from Ronald McDonald House Charities®, assembled at Aberdeen High School today for a check presentation ceremony— all beneficiaries of the 2008 McDonald’s LPGA Championship and The Taste of Harford.

McDonald’s LPGA Championship Director of Business Development, Peter Wilder, and Harford County Executive, David R. Craig, along with Wini Roche, Harford County Tourism Director, presented each high school with a check for $7,500 to support their science, math, and engineering technology programs. The tournament and county officials also presented Ronald McDonald House Charities with a check for $30,000. Continue reading McDonald’s LPGA Championship Donates To Local Schools

From Australia to Havre de Grace: LPGA, Lobster and Lifelong Friends

John and Mary Thomas of Havre de Grace consider themselves weekend golfers. Actually “we’re hackers,” John said joking, or maybe he was serious. Who’s not a hacker when comparing skills to the girls of the LPGA that compete at Bulle Rock?

The Thomas’ are lifers in Harford County - prior to their move to Havre de Grace they lived in Bel Air. John is the owner of Mane Connection in Bel Air. Hackers or not, they’ve found another reason to embrace the LPGA and her name is Lindsey Wright.

Wright is an Australian golfer in the LPGA and she has stayed with the Thomas’ since the LPGA rolled into town in 2005. Continue reading From Australia to Havre de Grace: LPGA, Lobster and Lifelong Friends

Enough About the Women, What About the Latest In Men’s Golf Technology?

Meet the UroClub.

Imagine, giving the appearance of taking a practice swing, while both privately and confidentially, you are able to relieve yourself without any embarrassment! This can be accomplished easily while standing by the golf cart, as well. Have the confidence to drink whatever you wish during your game and not worry if you’ll make it to the clubhouse in time!

From Deadspin

Crofton Teen Kaitlyn “Bug” Rohrback Annoys Competition As Two-Time Maryland Junior Girls Golf Champion

As a Crofton resident, 16-year old Kaitlyn Rohrback takes drivers education classes, only she has to travel to the Eastern Shore to do it. She has a hectic schedule. When she was younger, her father gave her the nickname of “Bug” because with other family names like Bud and Bub why not have a Bug? In her down-time, this Archbishop Spalding sophomore likes to chill with her friends- all of whom are athletes and play soccer, by relaxing and watching a movie. Her game is not soccer. But she shoots in the mid 70’s in golf. Unlike the pet name given to her, this Bug only intends on annoying her competitors.

This year Kaitlyn earned herself a sliver of history May 17 where the LPGA is concerned. For the second year in a row, this 2007 Maryland Junior Girls Champion, beat out a field of 11 high school females at Mountain Branch in Joppa to represent and play alongside LPGA members during the Pro-Am event at Bulle Rock. This Pro-Am spot was sponsored by The McDonald’s Family Restaurants of Greater Baltimore and WBFF/Fox 45. Continue reading Crofton Teen Kaitlyn “Bug” Rohrback Annoys Competition As Two-Time Maryland Junior Girls Golf Champion

“…I haven’t heard one player who likes the course” - Longtime LPGA Caddy Offers Perspective On Bulle Rock and the LPGA Tour

With the McDonald’s LPGA Championship in town this week, all of the talk will be about this being Annika’s last tournament here and Lorena’s chances at winning her 3rd major in a row. But what you won’t hear about is their trusty sidekicks - their caddies.

Larry Smich has caddied on the LPGA tour since 1977. He has been on the bag for 3 wins, two with Donna White, one in 1982 and the second in 1985. The last was in 1999 with Mi-Hyun Kim.

Larry is also an avid blogger. At his website, Life On Tour, Larry pulls the curtain back, blogging about life on tour without pulling any punches - especially concerning the pro golfers’ apparent distaste for the tournament since it moved from Delaware to Havre de Grace.

We interviewed Larry before the start of the LPGA: Continue reading “…I haven’t heard one player who likes the course” - Longtime LPGA Caddy Offers Perspective On Bulle Rock and the LPGA Tour

Rough Road To Becoming A Pro For Mountain Branch Golfer

Damon Klepczynski (DK) grew up an athlete. He was into soccer, basketball and baseball. Golf just wasn’t his thing. He worked on a golf course, never picking up a nine iron. On a family vacation to Myrtle Beach he and his father went golfing, and what did he do? Enjoyed the golf cart.

It wasn’t until his senior year in high school when he picked up a club after his buddy Jim challenged him to a game.

“He couldn’t beat me at anything,” DK said bluntly. That day Jim had his game on and he beat DK. And it’s been history ever since.

That doesn’t seem like the typical path of a PGA member and a Teaching Professional. “It’s a funny story,” DK chuckled. Continue reading Rough Road To Becoming A Pro For Mountain Branch Golfer

LPGA: These Girls Rock

The best female golfers in the world are back in Havre de Grace again. And this year there are many reasons to check out what is going on in Harford County’s backyard as the LPGA kicks off its fourth year of the McDonald’s Championship presented by Coca Cola. What’s new on the docket? Annika’s retiring. Suzann is looking to get back into her winning ways. Can Karrie break the Bulle Rock curse and break through for a win rather than second place? Wie is a no-show.

Monday and Tuesday are fan-friendly days where the professionals play with amateurs. Wednesday it gets a bit more serious as players take to the course for practice. However, these three days fans are allowed to bring in cameras and also ask for autographs. Thursday the competition heats up and the ladies duke it out to see who gets top prize. With a purse of $2 million on the line and this being one of four majors on the tour, you can expect to see some fantastic playing. Continue reading LPGA: These Girls Rock

Roger Clemens vs. John Daly in a Cage Match - Who Would Win?

Seems that in addition to messing around with 15-year-old country singers and bartenders, Roger Clemens has also been linked to the ex-wife of pro golfer John Daly.

Reporters were finally able to track Daly down on the golf course for comment. Here are some pictures from the interview: (For the full video, check it out here.)

Well, they really didn’t interview him about the Clemens’ situation, but after seeing Daly’s physique and athletic ability, do you think he would have a chance in the cage against a steriod-free clemens?