COURSE REVIEW

Pro of the Week: John
Benzel of Sedona Golf Resort

By Shane Sharp
Regional Staff Writer

June 7, 1999

SEDONA, AZ -- While many an entrepreneur may play golf, not many directors of golf are considered entrepreneurs. But allow us to introduce John Benzel - the Director of Golf at the Sedona Golf Resort. Benzel has been a fixture at northern Arizona's premier tract since its opening in 1987, and not just because he get the job done and done well.

Benzel was a key figure in the inception of the resort itself; part of a consortia that was hungry to open a first rate resort course in the state of Arizona.

"We had a Arizona partnership that was formed back in 1986," says Benzel about the emergence of his syndicate. "We started the course in 1987 and we struggled through some financial problems, but the course was an immediate success."

Not only was the Gary Panks design an immediate success, it was instantly recognized as one of the great courses in not only northern Arizona, but the entire state. Golf Digest ranked the course No. 10 in the America's Top State Golf Courses category in 1995-96. Once again in 1998, Golf Digest came through for Sedona ranking it No. 13 in the same category.

John Benzel is a man who is personally tied to the success of the course. In fact, it is almost impossible to get him to talk about himself, and not the layout.

"The course took 20 months to complete," says Benzel, once again turning the conversation back to the links course. "I was there turning the first shovel of dirt with Gary."

While the Sedona Golf Resort was Benzel's first business venture in the game that he loves, it was by no means his first experience in the business. Benzel has been a PGA member for over 30 years and his first Head Professional job was actually back in the Windy City. But big city life was not all it was cracked up to be, and Benzel too a Head Pro job at the Glenwood Springs Golf Course in Glenwood Springs, Colorado so he could "get back home."

Benzel's time spent as a head pro still rubs off on his day to day life at the Sedona Golf Resort. He is still actively teaches the game, and really seems to enjoy discussing his teaching philosophies.

"I am much more of a feel type of teacher," says Benzel. "There is no one way to swing the golf club. Physical nature dictates how you can swing the club. I believe a lot in the basic fundamentals - stance, grip, and balance.

Benzel's favorite swing on tour? It may just surprise you - Justin Leonard. "I like Justin's swing. It is a pretty compact swing," says Benzel. "You won't see much go wrong."

Benzel's advice to the average player is about as predictable as his favorite PGA Tour swing. Instead of offering up any swing tips, he like to focus on the mental side of the game.

"It is better to work on your mental game, and game management," says Benzel. "It doesn't take very long to learn the golf swing. When I play in Pro-Ams I see so many shots thrown away due to a lack of game management."

True to form, Benzel says that the strong part of his game is his short game. "I learned the game from Paul Runyan and he's still teaching at 90 years old - little poison they used to call him," says Benzel reflecting upon his mentor. "He won a couple PGA's Championships and won many times on tour. In fact, he beat Sam Snead in the old PGA match play championships the worst anyone has ever been beat - 8 and 7."

Shane Sharp is a staff writer for Myrtlebeachgolf.com and GolfArizona.com. Contact him at sharp@rockies.com