Festival of Trees

I realize this is not golf related, but it is an annual event that always provides a fun time for all. Hotline will be holding the 18th annual Festival of Trees from November 30 - December 2. The event will be held at the Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills. There will be food, games, prizes, live music and other activities for all ages. The event schedule is posted above. We hope to see you there!

Thanksgiving Storm

Here is a picture of what it looked like last week because of the storm. We had a lot of wind and rain and there are about 55 houses that have been condemned. I would image that some of those houses right on the ocean are in that group. It just reminds us how fragile our coastline can be when the water starts to rise.

The weather has made a turn for the better here in the last couple of days, so all the fairways and greens should be dried out by now. We hope to see you soon.

Magnetic Bracelets

I am sure you have heard of them, but have you ever tried them? Magnetic bracelets are something that have been made popular by golfers and tennis players all over the world. The idea is that the magnets will help increase the blood flow throughout your body. Many golfers claim that this increased blood flow helps improve their swing. There are also magnetic earrings and necklaces for the women golfers. The idea of magnetic therapy can be traced back to the Egyptians, so you would think that if it has lasted that long, then there must be something to it. The bracelets come in many different shapes and sizes and are made from copper, titanium, gold, brass and silver. Check out this website for more info.

Tiger does it again

Tiger woods is definitely one of the most dominating golfers of this era. He won again last week in the Grand Slam of Golf Tournament. The tournament was held in Hawaii and this is Tiger's seventh straight victory. He finished 8 under par and was two strokes ahead of the second place finisher Jim Furyk. Tiger has won this tournament 7 times and this is the second year in a row that he has won. It is truly impressive that he keeps getting better and better.

St. Andrews on the Outer Banks

Have you ever wanted to challenge of playing St. Andrews in Scotland, but don't want to actually go there? This week might be your best bet for getting that authentic wind blown feel of a golf game here on the Outer Banks. We are experiencing a nor easter this week and it is going to bring a bunch of wind and rain. If you are coming down for Thanksgiving, it might be best to stay indoors and sit by the fire and watch golf on tv. Keep warm and take care.

Thanksgiving is almost here

Thanksgiving is almost here and that means that most people will have some time off. What better way to spend that time off then on the golf course? If you are heading to the area for the holiday then you will want to take advantage of our nice fall weather and uncrowded courses for this time of the year. There are several restaurants that offer Thanksgiving meals and don't forget about the incredible shopping deals. Be sure to call ahead and book your tee time just in case. You should not have a problem getting a time you want, but it is better to be safe and get locked in.

Did you know...

Did you know that fall on the Outer Banks is one of the most beautiful times to visit? If you really want to enjoy the natural beauty of the area and not worry about sitting in lines and lines of traffic then now is the time to come. The weather is still warm and most of the attractions are still open. If you are a golfer then you won't have to wait on the slow group ahead of you on the course. The green's fees are cheaper and sometimes you might have the whole course to yourself.
So book a home with Village Realty and spend some time relaxing this fall. Take care.

Drug Testing

The LPGA announced on Wednesday that they will institute random drug testing for its events in 2008. This makes them the first major golf tour to have drug testing. The specifics are still being worked out on what substances will be banned and which methods of testing will be used. This is not happening because of current problems with drugs, but the LPGA has said they are taking a proactive role to prevent future use by players.

The New Sawgrass

One of the most recognized courses has gotten a facelift. TPC Sawgrass has gotten a multi million dollar renovation that took place over the past 8 months. There are enhanced greens, a new drainage system and rebuilt fairways. This course was ranked 14 out of 100 in America's top modern courses. I am sure the makeover will only help its ranking. Next time you are in Ponte Verda Beach, FL, you should take a swing at it.

Not golf weather

The weather was great this past Saturday. It was warm and sunny and I spent some time on the beach relaxing. The weather turned around on Sunday and headed South. There were high winds and heavy rain all day and through last night. I had quite a bit of debri fall from the trees and other people's yards. The golf courses are sure to be soaked with water and not in the best shape for playing. Give it a few days and I am sure they will dry out and be ready for another round.

Woods & Els to build Bahama resort

Tiger Woods and Ernie Els are helping to finance a brand new resort on Providence Island in the Bahamas. The Albany Golf and Beach Club has just been approved by island officials and will cost the developers 1.3 Billion Dollars and cover 565 acres. The resort will include a golf course designed by the two professionals and is set to open in the Fall of 2008. It is family oriented and will provide many other amenities to fit the island lifestyle. It is great for the economy and will provide between 1100 and 1600 full time jobs.

Don't Give up Hope (Off Topic)

This post is not about golf, but it was so funny, that I just had to share....

It seems that voters wanted to send a strong message in recent elections held in Pierre, South Dakota. The County Commissioner position was up for grabs and the incumbent, Merlin Feistner was running against Marie Steichen. The town is rather small and with a total vote count of less than 200 votes it was bound to be close. In the end Marie Steichen defeated Feistner 100 votes to 64 votes. The only catch is that Marie Steichen died two months prior to the elections. So to put it lightly....Feistner was beat by a dead woman. The County Board will now meet to find a replacement for the position.

Beware of the wildlife

Out of all the places to get injured in the world, the golf course is probably not at the top of the list. There are several hazards that some people overlook while playing golf. The biggest threat on golf courses today is something that is not present all the time. I am talking about lightning. There are quite a few lightning related injuries on golf courses. Think about it.....An open area where people are hold metal clubs. It is very important to take shelter if a storm suddenly comes upon you.

There are also other dangers, which occur more readily in the southeast. Alligator attacks are quite common on golf courses in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. There have been many alligators known to hide out in the ponds or water hazards along the courses and when a golfer gets too close, they might be in danger.

So the next time you are on the course, be aware of your surroundings and play it safe.

Go Vote

Today is the day to VOTE!! Make sure to stop by your local voting booth to cast your votes today. The best part about this is that all the annoying campaign commercials will be over. If you don't vote then you can't complain when things don't go the way you want them to. Have a good day!

Adam Scott wins the Tour Championship

There was only one player to score in the double digits....under par. Adam Scott won the Tour Championship this past weekend. This was his first victory in 2006, despite playing consistently all year. The absence of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, gave others a chance to win the tournament. The second place finisher was Jim Furyk, who was 3 shots behind Scott.

The Tour Championship

This years Tour Championship, presented by Coca Cola is a toss up as to who will win. In the past, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have both participated and been the front runners. This year, they are both sitting out the tournament to take a much needed rest. The final round is to be held this Sunday and it will be on your local ABC station. The event is held at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, GA.

Business Golf

Golf has become the unofficial sport of the business world. It is said that some of the biggest business decisions are made on the golf course. Board rooms are no longer the place for entertaining clients or proposing new offers. Who would have thought that you can write off a game as a business expense. The idea of business golf is becoming so popular that some colleges are offering courses in business etiquette on the golf course. Stanford is one of these schools that offers both undergrad and graduate classes.