“Ok,” I said, “that’s very nice…” My friend continued, “She was 61.” My mouth dropped five miles. “What? Are you kidding me!”

Judy Ellers Street is the oldest NCAA collegiate player…ever! But her golfing legacy didn’t start in Miami. After enrolling as a non-scholarship athlete at UM in 1958, Eller soon became a dominant force throughout the intercollegiate scene.

In May 1959, she won the first of two consecutive Southern Amateur Championships and in June, 1958, became the first Hurricane female athlete to win an individual championship, capturing the National intercollegiate Championship. In May 1960, Eller Street joined future LPGA Hall of Earner JoAnne Carner and future USGA president Judy Bell on the American team that won the Curtis Cup.

Judy’s golf legacy begins even earlier at home in Old Hickory, Tennessee with her family. In fact, the Eller family is recognized as the first family of golf for the state of Tennessee!

In a delightful southern accent, Judy shares her story.

Judy: I grew up in Old Hickory, Tennessee. I lived and breathed golf my entire life. Our family was all about golf to the point that the Eller family became known as the first family of golf for the state of Tennessee. In 1993, we were honored by the National Golf Foundation with the Jack Nicklaus Golf Family of the Year for our contribution to the game.

I played my first tournament in the women’s division touring the state with my mom, Ruth, and my older sister, Beverly (Eller) Pearce, playing what we called the “Tennessee fried-chicken circuit.” Because there were no junior tournaments for girls then, we’d compete in one-day invitationals against older women, stopping midway through their 18 holes for a fried-chicken lunch. We were the only girls playing at that time.

My father Harold Eller, was the golf professional and green superintendent at Old Hickory Country Club for 34 Years, and retired in 1979. My mother Ruth Eller, considered one of the pioneers of Tennessee junior golf, initiated the Tennessee Junior Golf Championship in 1967, which served as the first true statewide junior-golf activity. She continued to work with the USGA Junior Golf Committee for twenty years.

My two older brothers also dedicated their lives to the game; Richard, a golf professional and a course designer, and Mike, who had a lifelong career in golf-course ownership.

My sister Beverly, also quite a player, and inducted—as I am with my Dad—into the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame in 2009, currently resides in The Villages outside of Orlando. The Villages is one of the largest golf communities in the world with over 75,000, 55+ senior residents, 36 executive-style courses and ten 18-hole regulation courses. Everyone in this community owns a golf cart.

MP: So I would imagine, it’s the go-to spot for golf enthusiasts over the age of 55!

Sister Rivalry

Beverly and Judy behaved as any two normal sisters behave with heavy rivalry throughout their youth, especially with the game of golf. They played their first competition, the Nashville City Tournament, against each other—Judy 12, her sister 16. Judy was a fierce competitor and knew what it took to win, especially against her older sister…a competitive mind-set and lots of practice. Consequently, Beverly never won against her sister.

MP: Your sister never won against you, but she was certainly a force in the game.

Judy: Yes, of course. In fact, Beverly significantly influenced Tennessee golf on and off the course, playing in more State Women’s Amateurs than any other person.  She won five Tennessee Women’s Senior Amateur Championships (1987, 88, 91, 92 & 94) and was a semifinalist in the Women’s State Amateur twice.

“It was a shock to learn I will be included among only thirty-three in the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame,” Beverly said. “This is a tremendous honor. Having played in our State Amateur for over 50 years, I have had the pleasure of competing with all of our great players, from Marguerite Gaut and Margaret Lee to Betty Probasco, Connie Day, and my sister, Judy Street.” -Beverly Eller Pearce

MP: Competing against your sister and always winning…that must have caused friction between the two of you?

Judy: There were tears shed, yes. It wasn’t easy competing against your sister. And I certainly didn’t make it any easier. During rounds, I would lie down on the ground to see who was away. If our balls were even close to the fairway or the rough, I would lie down to get a straight look at it to see who had to hit first. And Beverly did not like to practice as much as I did, and I think that was the main difference. She was the oldest, and I think probably there was a lot of pressure on being the oldest.

MP: So you believe practice played a role in your success?

Judy: I loved to practice and Bev had no interest in it. There were no driving ranges back when we played, so we would save all of our old balls in an old leather bag and with the help of a caddy—which I paid 50 cents an hour—would collect the balls as I hit to him as the target. It was the only time I could use a caddy, so I really enjoyed my practice time. So yes, I guess that did play a major role that lead me to win 7 State Amateur title victories.

MP: Did you have aspirations of continuing on as a professional player?

Judy: I gave up the game at 30 to raise a family and be a loving wife. Unfortunately, in 1996, we divorced, and I moved to Miami from Tennessee. However, in 2001, I was back in the game carrying my own bag—as an amateur—and very much by accident!

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I attended Barry’s athletic awards banquet, at which my friend introduced me to Buccaneers golf coach Roger White, and jokingly she said that I still had some eligibility. Barry officials discovered that I did, in fact, have four semesters of eligibility remaining for Division II play. When it was official, I immediately hired a personal trainer and went to see my old pal Carner for help with my swing.

MP: The good news is that you didn’t have to walk-and-carry wearing a long skirt, especially in Miami’s heat!

Judy: Yes, this is true. Back in the 50’s, the Southern Women’s Golf Association forbid any other attire besides a long skirt for women.

MP: You shared with me that your homemade banana bread was a hole in one with your teammates—a must-bring for the long trips on the road. Share with us a few poignant moments as a new addition to the collegiate team in 2001.

Judy: There were certainly memorable and hilarious moments, but it was also challenging adjusting to being a student-athlete. One event, I carried my bag for 36 holes, then drove 25 miles back to the Barry campus to take a literature exam. Early the next morning I was back on the course for the tournament’s final 18 holes.

“She was right there with all the kids,” says her coach Roger White. “She’s an inspiration.”

Judy: Here are a few moments that shaped my journey:

• When I arrived at the Doral Resort for my first college tournament in 40 years carrying my own clubs, I inspired a passerby to wish our team good luck. He thought I was the coach!
• Three meals a day on twenty dollars, when I used to spending that much for one meal!
• Traveling with 18-22 year-olds and listening to music that I had never heard of!
• Sleeping with someone on a pullout couch. The last time I did that was probably with my grandchildren!
• The acceptance from ALL the young ladies I competed against…I could have been their mother!
• Telling the doctor when I had my school physical, with all the athletes at Barry in earshot, that my last menstrual cycle was 30 years ago!
• Learning course management…knowing when to walk away with a bogey and not trying for that spectacular shot that would probably have cost several strokes! When I was young, I thought I could do the impossible. Wisdom sometimes comes with age! Roger White, my golf coach, was responsible for that.
• I do remember during practice with the girls that I would imagine we would be sinking that putt to go to the Nationals. And we did! I believe you put out to the universe what you want… and it has a way of coming true!

MP: You have experienced hysterical and poignant moments indeed, and the icing on the cake… during your single season at Barry, you became the No. 3 player on Barry University’s team (Miami Shores, Fla.) that ranked as high as No. 6 in NCAA Division II that season. Now that is poignant! Were you pleased with your performance?

Judy: I had high expectations and would get frustrated with my play. I expected to be as good as I was in my early days. My putting was the weak link. At 61, I got the yips!

As a younger player, putting was easy for me—didn’t think twice. Now at 61, I was desperate, trying all sorts of methods to get the nerves out of those short putts: I tried closing my eyes, I went back to the bulls-eye putter, and even tried putting the short ones with just my left hand… I finally realized that my expectations, not my putting technique, needed a change. I began to accept my game and enjoyed the game much more from that point forward.

MP: You mention that you were always a tomboy, playing softball and basketball. You also wanted to play tennis, but this wish was not granted?

Judy: Yes, my Dad unfortunately, forbid it. He thought it would ruin my golf game. I did finally take up tennis in Miami and played competitively to boot!

MP: I often hear that tennis and golf don’t mix. You either play one or the other. What is your take?

Judy: I believe you can do both as long as you know the difference. Here is what I believe to be the biggest differences in golf and tennis:

TENNIS
Tennis you are hitting a moving ball;
You have to analyze you opponent for strengths and weaknesses;
Courts are always the same construction, with different surfaces;

GOLF
• With the game of golf THE ONLY PERSON YOU HAVE TO BEAT IS YOURSELF!;
• You do not have any control over your opponent;
• Each course is a new challenge;
• Keeping your concentration between shots is a challenge.

SIMILARITIES:
• A topspin forehand is similar to a golf swing,
• You must keep you eye on the ball;
• Net play is similar to short game in golf, especially the drop shot which is touch or feel shot.

MP: I play tennis with a 2-handed forehand! It simulates golf for me. The mindsets are similar as well. Both require a competitive mind-set and will put any good athlete through the ultimate test of ‘strength of mind’. At 61, you had high expectations of herself, many hilarious moments, and most importantly valuable lessons that you learned along the way. Now at 71, leave us with your best golf wisdom; what you feel would be valuable knowledge for women golf enthusiasts.

Judy: I learned so much over the years. Golf has taught me strength, perseverance, and above all… acceptance. I do have a short list of tried-and-true advice for new and avid players:

For new players: Start with a golf instructor so you don’t develop bad habits early on. And find an instructor that you can relate to and understand!

• Practice, practice, practice, BUT you have to compete under pressure to improve.
• As you improve, you’ll reach a plateau, stay there, maybe slip back… but continued work will then propel you on to the next level. Bottomline… have patience.
• PRACTICE YOUR SHORT GAME… 100 YARDS IN
• ALWAYS DISPLAY GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND…NEVER GIVE UP.
• MOST OF ALL…REMEMBER IT IS JUST A GAME… HAVE FUN!!!!!

Thank you Judy for sharing your inspiring journey. Golf truly is a game… for life.

Tim Beckwith is a family man, a golf professional, and a man with valuable life lessons for his son Jackson…and us.

When we found out we were pregnant with our son, my wife and I discussed at length what our primary lessons would be for our son. They mirrored those lessons I value in golf.

I read Tim’s book and was touched by his unabashed humility and vulnerability. Sharing downright embarrassing and undeniable bad-behavior moments is not an easy task. I asked Tim if this was difficult and how the idea of writing a book with no prior experience came about.

MP: How did the idea of a book come to your mind?

TB: It was a simple combination of me always wanting to write a book about golf instruction (as you know there are a million of them) and life guide for our son. I knew it needed to be something a little more than “Here’s how to grip the club.” It needed to be different.

The golf course teaches us something about ourselves if we are honest enough to accept the lesson. When we found out we were pregnant with our son, my wife and I discussed at length what our primary lessons would be for our son. They mirrored those lessons I value in golf. Above all, our goal was to have a confident and kind person both on and off the course. The mental aspect of golf and life all comes down to faith. You have to believe in you. There are not a lot of easy ways to teach that. But I have found that if there is a solid foundation of practice with a very healthy dose of honesty with yourself, you can create mental faith. I wrote The Front Nine to teach my son nine lessons about life and golf to prepare him for that mental faith.

MP: Was it a challenge to sit down and write your first book?

TB: The more challenging part was coming up with the chapters. Once those were determined, the book was fairly simple. Since they are all a collection of things that did happen to me or I caused, it wasn’t too difficult, perhaps time-consuming. For the most part, it was fun to write, especially knowing our goal was to do whatever we thought necessary to be good parents.

MP: A creative endeavor with a purpose…I love that. Do you see more books down the road?

TB: There is a chance that there will be a second book, creatively titled “The Back Nine.” It is somewhat predicated on sales of The Front Nine as it was for Jackson. If there is a second book, it might be more of a selfish feeling, but if demand is there, I guess it will come. I already have some of the chapter topics lined out. And for fun, I have a title for the third if it was to ever become necessary. I certainly don’t want to get ahead of myself.

MP: Was it a challenge for you to relive, and put onto paper, past mistakes and bad-behavior moments?

TB: It wasn’t that difficult to put onto paper, but there was a little fear that people would look at me differently. As the Director of Golf of a beautiful, high-end private club in Sarasota, I was concerned that it would damage my reputation. I try to be as professional as possible, and I felt that might jeopardize that; quite the contrary.

MP: I believe people embrace the truth and respect you for having the strength to bear your soul with the ultimate goal of providing your son with valuable life lessons.

TB: Yes, valuable perspectives as well. An interesting story: During my time as a Director of Golf, during a Men’s Club Championship, an interesting thing happened. A gentleman had collapsed on the ninth green. He was rushed to the hospital and it was diagnosed as a stroke—it didn’t look promising. Unfortunately, there was still golf to be played and a winner to be announced. I will leave the story there and let your readers, read the incredible outcome of this story in chapter 4, titled Perspective.

To purchase Tim’s book, {$7.95} the perfect holiday gift click here »
Listen to Tim speak about golf and life…click here »

We have busy lives juggling kids, career, household…and finding time to watch your favorite episode of Modern Family is not easy. Thank goodness for DVR and Internet TV!

25 million women streamed video via social networks in one month according to Nielsen…impressive number.

For most of the twentieth century, the only way to watch television were through over-the-air broadcasts and cable signals. With broadcast TV, an antenna picks up radio waves to transmit pictures and sound to your television set. With cable TV, wires connect to a set-top box or to your TV itself. These wires run from your house to the nearest cable TV station, which acts as one big antenna. Aside from a few options like satellite TV, broadcast and cable were—and still are—the main ways to watch television…until now…

Internet TV is here!

The technology is here and emerging rapidly (HULU, GoogleTv, Streaming Netflix). Internet TV, in simple terms, is video and audio delivered over an Internet connection. It’s also known as Internet protocol television, or IPTV. You can watch Internet TV on a computer screen, a television screen (with internet connection) or a mobile device like a cell phone or an iPod.

It’s almost the same as getting television through an antenna or a series of cable wires — the difference is that information is sent over the Internet as data. At the same time, you can find even more variety on Internet TV than cable TV. Along with many of the same shows you find on the big networks, many Web sites offer independently produced programs targeted toward people with specific interests, like golf for women.

A golf channel for women streamed via Internet TV is the answer to fill that massive gap for women golf enthusiasts.

The Golf Channel programming is primarily geared towards the male audience. The women’s market is growing at an explosive rate, but not fast enough for the big networks to dedicate a channel for us. It’s time to take matters into our own hands and create broadcast quality and engaging programming.

Women need convenience and Internet TV fits the bill with their busy lives.

The Big Question?

Would the female golf audience engage in broadcast quality programming in this manner? To make this a reality, advertisers and sponsors—who will support this programming—must believe that we will watch it. As I see it, what better way to reach women with busy lives who cannot watch Road to Pars at 8 on Sundays, DVR aside? Answer: Internet TV.

The programming would showcase golf lifestyle topics important to female golf enthusiasts. Not just instruction, but cutting-edge, engaging and interactive programming. Interactive programs like Road to Pars which would be part of the programming line-up! What topics would you want to see in a golf channel dedicated for a women’s game?

Let’s start a discussion…Love to hear your thoughts!

Something about the latest Throwback headcovers by AB Design’s that take me back in time to my days in high school, cheering on the boys on the football team without a care in the world… except for that big exam on Friday. Those were the days…

Here is your chance to feel a little nostalgic with these reasonable priced {$28- $62 for a 4-set} Throwback headcovers, sporting collegiate colors and are environmentally friendly. They are made from a recycled polyester that is made from plastic bottles! If you are not in the mood to head back in time, then check out the Butthead covers that are absolutely adorable from bootyful people, animals galore, to tiny hinys for your putter! Most {except the tiny hinys} fit all clubs from the big 460cc driver on down to the fairway woods.

Most Throwback covers fit the following clubs:
Driver: Largest of the set fits 460cc drivers. Marked with 3 white stripes on a black background with pom-pom top.
Fairway Wood: Smaller version comfortably fits 3 and 5 woods. Marked with 3 white stripes on a black background with pom-pom top just like the driver.
Utility: Sized to fit all utility clubs including hybrids. Marked with a white diamond on black background with pom-pom top.
Hybrid/Putter: Sized to fit non-mallet putters or your hybrid clubs. Marked with a white X on black background with pom-pom top.
I adore these adorable animal covers. They make me smile. And we all know, when we are smiling, we have the best chance at hitting that ball long and straight. These double stitched covers with top quality thread ensures product strength for a long life. Plus, the lining and padding provide head protection, with a durable, inner elastic that secures a tight fit over the neck. Designed for those that drive like a bat-out-of-hell down the cart path. You’ll feel good knowing that you can put the petal to the metal, keeping your adorable headcover secure and safe from flying off!

For the golfer that wants to fully equip their bag, AB Designs offer sets of 3 or 4 with FREE SHIPPING with any set!
Visit www.buttheadcovers.com

Gripping the club correctly is one of golf’s most important fundamentals, yet over 80 percent of golfers grip the club incorrectly. I agree with this statement which comes direct from the CorrectGrip.com website.

“I absolutely love this glove. In all seriousness, my game has improved.” ~ Mary Jo from Strongsville, OH

A glove with visual feedback

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PGA Professional Marc Spencer shares with Christina Ricci what the release in the golf swing actually means and how to get there.

Christina has a long putt for her birdie. She shares a great tip on how to read the slope of the green so you too can get it inside the 3-foot circle.

Christina plays her approach shot on this Par 5.

Learn how she examines the hole for good course management and a few other valuable tips, including how to hit solid irons.

Christina Ricci plays a Par 5 » Second Shot

Learn how she examines the hole for good course management and a few other valuable tips.