Big Vegas Week & Annual Swing Surgeon Championship

I wish I could make it. No money and no handicap = no attendance for me. Hopefully by the time the next tournament comes around I will have a job and a handicap.

I'm guessing we could fit you in, Doc. ;-)

It does sound like it will be fantastic, I have checked the videos out and the venue/hotel, I have even looked up how much flights would be from the UK. I would need to take £2000 out for this at least and thats without any extra tuition and would also love to watch DJ in the torny and being as you would be their anyway would be a big shame to miss.

My clubs and kit are not that good, I have no handicap so other things take priority at the minute.

One observation I have made is how come Surge's events and tuition all seem to be last minute, I cannot pluck £2500 out of the air and plan something like this in the space of two months!

When the UK 3 day course was announced it gave you about 1 month's notice, way too short for me.
Cheers Keith

Keith, getting a handicap is easy, Your "kit" of clubs would be just fine. This an opportunity of a lifetime(in my humble opinion). If you simply can't afford it, understood. If you can find a way it will ba an epic golf gathering that all should make somehow possible.

Great Dan. Really looking forward to meeting you and playing some golf. Sure hope some of the other "regulars" find way to be here to.

:(

Last year I had the privilege of attendending the first annual tournament. It was an experience of a lifetime.We came from Las Vegas to attend. This year is a role revearsal because many of you will be coming here. I feel a bit like an unofficial host. My wife came along to Hilton Head last December and even was allowed to ride in my cart while playing and even sat in on all the festivities. These hopefully will all be selling points for you golfers out there that need to persuade your wives to not only be supportive in your desire to attend but to even come along!
This an ideal place to have this years tourny and will be an awesome time for any who can make it.
Surge and all his teachers and staff really do it right and spend alot of time every day at the event teaching and participting with each golfer. If you look closely at the itinerary you'll note that it starts on Sunday with a learning and practice session with Don and all attending teaching staff. This is one of the main features that I personally benifited the most from. You want to see Surge hit balls? You want to see up close how it's done? It was fantastic. He doesn't know how to go less than an hour or more speaking and showing us how do this swing. That is above and beyond what you'll get Monday morning watching DJ hit balls over the back of the range and talk to us about being a pro. It's too cool. So before you look at the price and say it's high. It's really not high at all considering it includes two seperate days of instuction aside from the tourny.
   This year it is not only in Las Vegas but at the Paiute which is an amazing  Pete Dye designed 3 course complex with 2 seperate driving ranges and several putting greens and short game practice areas. A first class facility that could easily host a PGA event too. I play all three courses and all are great golf layouts. I hope many of you can make it. Las Vegas where I was born and raised) is a primo venu and the end of September brings ideal weather in the mid 80's.
Those on the fence. Think it through. This will be three days of hanging out with and learning from Don Trahan. Oh yes and playing on great golf sites with fellow Surgites. Don't miss it! I'll be there.
BTW, the Monte Carlo is one of the many resorts that I've worked at and is a great hotel next to the Bellagio and in the heart of the strip. Perfect spot to stay.

Absolutely Doc! Depending on the schedule we could either play Sunday before or after the practice session)pre tournament or maybe Wednesday. My wife and I have volenteered for the JT tourny too so I'd have to play hooky on Wed. We'll figure it out.

How about having an option for the one day school before the tournament?

CervezaFria:

   Me too! -- I might could swing the $720 school fee -- but then have nothing for travel, lodging, food, etc.  And certainly no verifiable handicap.  Plus I bet they play from tees that would make the course too long for me to realistically compete. LOL

    I wonder if it might be possible to "aduit" the course -- just to meet and be with some of the SURGITES? 

     Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

     Amos

HANDICAPS;
I know one of the seeming challenges fo alot of golfers last year and perhaps this year is establishing a handicap for the tournament. Don' t over complicate it. It's not for a million in cash or blood money! There are several ways you can get one. You can sign up with your local muni or club you often or occasionally play and they will help you. Another simple way is start collecting all the cards you use every round(or if you're like me you have kept cards from various courses over the past few months). Go to www.myscorecard.com and you get a month free to try out their handicap program. It is very effecient and works well. After you have a basic handicap developed there you can print it and it will suffice for the LV Fall Tournament. Remember, although we each hope to play well, it is for fun and learning from Surge and his team that is the big deal. As they said, the scoring is based on handicap and what "flight" or level we are placed in.
Although I am am a 15 handicap I played like a 20 something in the cold rainy two days at Old South at Hilton Head. No matter, I had a tremendous experience and still have the 8x10 of my wife and I with DJ on my mantle above my fireplace. Most of the guys were just average Joe's too so don't worry about it. Just come as you are :) Hope to see you all there.

Steve Smith:

    I feel your PAIN Buddy!  I am retired, on a moderate fixed income -- THAT is my handicap.

    Amos

I think the nifty ball marker would be worth the price of admission alone :)

Rough 18th hole today, DJ, but a great round overall at -6 for the day, -8 for the tournament.

Dear dgaines, Please give me a call at 843-683-5988 and I can answer all your questions. Sincerely, Greg MacDonell Director SSGM

Robert and Robert :

    How is public transportation(buses, cabs, etc) in Vegas?  I might be able to some up with the school/tournament fee -- but I fear the accomadation fee(s) at that time of year -- let me do a little checking around.
 
     Amos

Cool beans, Dan, you'll enjoy it and the whole kaboddle, I'm sure.

Lots of cabs, public buses don't, as far as I know, run out to Paiute. It's about 25 mins or half-an-hour drive from the Strip (depending on traffic). I'm sure most of the hotels closer to the resort are pretty booked up with the Timberlake Tournament, though. Paiute is about 15 minutes from the TPC Summerlin, if that. There are always reasonable places to stay around town, though, even if it's not in the same hotel as everyone else.

Dan and fellow Surgites,
I'm sure Greg was(or will be) be a big help to you. There are lots of hotel options. It's Las Vegas so motels hotels we got!! The Texas Station, and Fiesta (about 20 minutes from Paiute) are great options as is the Ranch Sante Fe which is probably the closests option to Paiute.(15ish) I'm on that side of the valley(north off 95) and only 15 minutes from Paiute. Like you said you'll want to hang where the majority are and where Surge and crew are if possible. Either way I'd be willing to assist picking you up on the my and probably be able to take you back. I don't want to overstep the plans that are laid out but will be happy to assist you and other guys like Amos who is also looking into coming. Definately call Greg first though. He is a gracious nice guy for sure and and will have lots of answers for you guys. Anything else about LV you need to know, ask away. Just come on down, it's going to be soooo cool! I hope other Surgites out there find a way to join us. One thing I want to repeat and make clear. The Sunday practice session with Surge and the Monday morning clinic with DJ and Surge along with all his assistant teachers alone is worth the 7-800.00.Surge is generous with his time and loves talking to us about and showing his passion- golf. It's a real treat. Really the tournament for me is just a bonus. An opportunity to hang out with guys we've only met on line and play some golf on a magnificant venu. The videos on this site show only a bit of Paiute. In person It's going to blow you guys away. This is the kind of thing we say "maybe someday". I don't know about you all but I'm not getting any younger. Let's go! Tomorrow's not guarenteed. If not now, when??

That's right!!

A very nice round indeed, Robert, and his putting was superb!  wtg,DJ

"Private video"?

Robert F and Robert M:

    THANKS guys -- You are very very helpful.
     Now to "settle up" with my doctors -- my final yearly check-ups this month -- and see if this is financially "do-able".  At a first estimate, it seems that if I drive up from Phoenix(about 7 hours)  and stay at one of the "cheaper spreads" it just might work out -- I'll know more definitely later in the week.

     Also I will be sure to check with Doc regarding Robert Meade's email.

     Amos

Amos, there are always deals getting to and staying in Vegas. I would check with the Roberts before deciding on a place to make sure it is safe. While I have found some good deals over the years, a few times I ended up in some sketchy places.

Amos. Be sure and e-mail me as soon as you can. I can give you additional info then :)

Dan, I hope you plan on playing a round with RM too. If you meant me, yes my wife and I are going to be electronic score keepers at the JT tourny. So it will be a long golf filled week for us. I look forward to finally meeting you. Im sure RF would love to join us if he can. It'll be great.

Sorry! We have fixed the setting.

Swing Surgeon Tech Crew

I guess I do have a handicap, the behemoth of an exam I am preparing for. In a 24 hour period my wife and a girl that I work with in the library told me that I look angry. Within that same period another girl I work with told me that I am intimidating. I have never been told either of these things in my entire life.

Great 80 round,Mike, I can only hope to have one of those in my near future. Congratulations on the Friday Doc fitting, that's for the birthday driver,right? Happy Birthday before I forget, my friend and congrats to you & the Missus on the anniversary as well.I'm continuing to show improvement as I work on the tips I got from Doc. I plan on an early morning range session tomorrow to beat the heat, we're suppose to index out at 108 tomorrow afternoon.
It was brutal Saturday at Eagle Point I think it was 98* when I left the range and headed over to Dick's to have my 3 wood Doctor'd up.I looked like a drown rat walking through the store waiting on Walt to finish his little job on the club.
 Have a wonderful week and talk to you when you get back on-line.

Amos, Transport from the Monte Carlo is probably going to be arranged by Surge. That would be a good question to ask them.I did tons of research leading up to this and have a list of closer hotels and affordable prices for lodging. E mail Doc and he'll give you my e mail. I'll get you all the optional info to lodging and transport you need. We'll make it work for you. I look forward to meeting you Amos. It's going to be great.

Look forward to everyone coming to my town. :)

I am currently planning on staying after the tourney and help at the school and possibly do some club checks and mini fittings as well.  If there are those that would like to stay on after the tournament for fittings, I'd be happy to arrange a time.  There will be no fittings done during the tournament.  We will be doing a demonstration/contest like we did in the fall where the golfer will estimate his distance and club head speed with his present big headed longer shafted driver.  We will then have them hit a smaller headed shorter shafted driver and compare club head speed and overall distance.  Now, for the individual that comes closest to his speed and distance will win nice little piece of memorabilia. 

If you want to set up a time for a fitting, I can be contacted at:  jgriffin@docgriffingolf.com

It sounds like it will be one heck of an event,which you all will be concluding on my birthday,btw.
However, like I posted in reply to RF, that will be fresh into our fall outage season and with that wacky absenteeism policy in place now with the Power Company, I couldn't afford to miss that much time especially since we got our notice from the probate court that our adoption petition hearing is going to on the 21st of September. I'll know everyone will have a blast and a whole lot more fun than when the Boilermakers take over the Mirage later this month for our convention.I  had to pass on that one,too, sadly.

I could fly in early on Saturday and we could play Sunday morning if you want to set something up. I am doing a fitting for Dan on Wednesday morning and need to be available to help at the school as well.

If only I could, Robert, but by then I plan to be elbows deep into a boiler repair, we're kicking off the season about the 2nd week of September. I'm sure it will be a blast for all those that participate.

Hey, count me in if you have room for a fourth if I have some spare time.

T, has anyone told you lately that you do an outstanding job?  You do, all of you!

Amos, They have 4 tee choices. You will be able to play the tee appropriate area. Based on what you've told us you're probably a 15-17 handicaper. Close to my speed Lol! If you type in handicap there are several services that can help you establish a handicap. I was worried about the handicap thing. It turned out to not be a big deal. If you have a few of your cards from the last few weeks that will help. E mail me and I'll send you info on that too if you need it. See my above note to you.