FEBRUARY 2012


Sm o k e S i g n a l s A d v e r t i s i n g S u p p l e m e n t FORE! • SMOKE SIGNALS ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT


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• Ace Golf Group, page 2 • Commissioners Golf Group, page 3 • Men’s Golf Association, page 4-5 • Women’s Golf Association Group, page 6-7 • Couples Golf Group, page 10 • Players Group, page 12 • Regulars Group, page 13


FORE! B I G C A N O E ® G O L F G U I D E


‘Hats off if you mean it’ A Big Canoe golf primer


BY MIKE MONROE B


here’s something special about mountain golf, especially at Big Canoe. With the fresh start of a new year, we invite you to grab your clubs, explore our beautiful courses, and become involved in some of the many groups and activities we have to offer — you’re sure to have some excitement, both on and off the course! This special section of Smoke Signals is designed to give you an inside look into everything that makes up Big Canoe golf: golf operations, the professional staff, the wide variety of golfing groups, social activities, the yearly schedules and tournaments, and an overview of our three nine-hole courses. Please use FORE! as both a reference guide and as a tool to help you customize your own 2012 Big Canoe golf experience.


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ig Canoe golf can be summed up as 27 holes, a hundred personalities, and endless possibilities. The central theme is enjoyment, exercise, and a little camaraderie. Let’s start with the basics. The course was originally designed by Big Joe Lee in 1972 and enhanced by the redesign work of Bill


“The Thrill” Boswell (Creek in 2000, Cherokee in 2006, and Choctaw in 2007). Lakes, streams, and mountains, combined with nature’s serene touch, make this a must-see, must-play venue! Your experience starts as you approach the Clubhouse which, in itself, is a warm and inviting introduction to the Pro Shop down below. You can’t help but look out over beautiful Lake Sconti as a friendly inside staffer hands you your golf receipt. You will probably think about the likely chance that those gentle waters will swallow at least one of your golf balls. A staffer like Dean “The Dream” Morgan will meet you with an encouraging word as your bag is hoisted on to the awaiting chariot. Dean does a million on-the- spot imitations, from an FM Disc Jockey to a New York tourist, all in good fun. Any special requests will be handled by those guys in the cart barn with a smile. Our golf staff, Mark Johnson a.k.a. “MJ”, “Pro” Zack Robison and Joe “Fin Man” Finemore, offer daily encouragement.


You will likely encounter, one of our fabulous marshals like Henry “The


Tussle” Trussell who’ll let you know that he appreciates you raking the traps and filling in your divots with sand. He will also share today’s pin placement with a sly grin. You see, if a 30 handicapper needs to know that, he’s expecting a day of precision golf. Most likely, it won’t happen, but hope is a major reason we are all out here. Every once in a while the most amazing things happen. The Creek Nine is a trip around


A difficult lie is what adds spice to the wonderful game of golf. PHOTO BY RANDY LEWIS


ABOUT THIS SPECIAL SECTION BY BETSY ROBINSON


the lake, as Terry “T Botch” Bacigalupo likes to lament. The first three holes are perilously close to multiple watery graves. Number six is a long, tight par five that plays to a large three-tiered green where the uncommon par is a savory delight. Number nine comes back to the clubhouse and is the location where so many tournaments finish before the beverage- holding spectators’ eyes. The Choctaw Nine venue winds over and around Petit Creek for the first four holes. On the fourth hole, this Creek merges with Blackwell Creek, a


spot known to gobble up golf balls by the dozens. Choctaw Nine, the signature hole, has eleven cascading and stair-stepping miniature waterfalls that carefully help guard the narrow, downhill par three green. The Cherokee Nine is known for its


many long range vistas and two enticing yet frustrating par fives. First, the views will take you away on the second hole, a tight par five looking out towards Dahlonega. Some say, that on a clear day, one can see four states from there. From the tee box, you’ll drop down over a hundred feet. You will watch breathlessly the soaring flight of a well struck drive. The green is guarded by a small, well cursed pond and several mean traps. Birdies and double bogies abound here.


The fifth hole, another par five, eagerly awaits your decision. Assuming a decent drive, do you play your next shot along the left or right side of the stream that runs right through the middle of the fairway, drawing balls in like a magnet? The last hole on Cherokee garners opinions ranging from admiration to detestation.


Your gorgeous view from the tee box of this 470 yard four par is an inside look into the heart of Big Canoe. Picture your tee shot floating on air as it lands softly before rolling into oblivion. Yes, it’s possible to hit an utterly perfect drive and never see it again. At best, you are more than likely to have a second shot well over 200 yards into the largest green (an acre) on “the reservation”. The adventures of golfing at Big Canoe are many. The history is fabulous and the experience one to remember. So, whether you are a newbie or a grizzled veteran, you’re encouraged to come on out and play. You will love the experience! They value fair and fast play, and they appreciate great sportsmanship. And after that last putt drops in the hole, after the last flagstick is placed into the cup, as you shake hands with your playing partners, please remove your cap (if only for a second), because around Big Canoe, it’s “hats off if you mean it.”


Mike Monroe Smoke Signals MGA Publicist


PHOTO BY RANDY LEWIS


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