Archives for: October 2009
Will new LPGA commissioner be the tour's magic (Michael) Whan?
Wednesday October 28, 2009 | 11:17:02 pm 260 words, 1800 views
With a dwindling schedule and corporate dollars hard to come by, the LPGA announced earlier today that Michael Whan, a marketing whiz who once worked for TaylorMade-adidas Golf, will be its new commissioner come January.
Whan, 44, has plenty of golf experience, but more importantly, he has a successful track record of company growth. Most recently, he led Mission-ITECH Hockey, which makes and markets hockey gear, to success.
In the mid- to late-1990s Whan was with TaylorMade as its North American executive vice president. If he had anything to do with TaylorMade’s growth back then – which I suspect he did – ...
Gator biting golfer isn't funny; it's terrifying
Tuesday October 27, 2009 | 07:11:18 pm 357 words, 1900 views
Did you hear the one about the golfer who went to retrieve a golf ball and lost an arm? Sounds pretty funny, doesn’t it?
I’m guessing 77-year-old James Wiencek can’t laugh about it, although he probably realizes he is lucky to be alive. I’m sure someone his age never thought that an alligator attack might spell the end, but it nearly did.
According to a story in the The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette, Wiencek was on the 11th hole earlier this month at the Ocean Creek Golf Course at Fripp Island (S.C.) Resort when an alligator attacked him ...
If you're not in a hurry, play golf on the Nullarbor Links in Australia
Sunday October 25, 2009 | 12:01:07 am 274 words, 4047 views
At 8,200 yards, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross Bridge in Alabama is one of the longest courses in the world. But that’s nothing compared to Nullarbor Links, which just opened in Australia.
The new par-72 course Down Under stretches 1,365 kilometers. That’s right, about 848 miles – and 301 yards for good measure. Of course, you’re not having to hit it that yardage, but it’s more dramatic when you put it that way.
In reality, it’s merely 18 holes spread over a whole lot of land, which isn’t in short supply in Australia. In this case, we’re talking about ...
Despite Lucas Glover's easy win, good effort from the boys at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf
Wednesday October 21, 2009 | 09:57:35 pm 405 words, 2265 views
In case you missed it, the four major champions played in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf the last couple of days. And this year it actually featured the major champions for a change.
In years past, Tiger Woods might win a couple of the majors (meaning that they needed a fourth) or simply not find time in his schedule, leaving the PGA of America to find alternates. It also used to be played in Hawaii, but now it’s in Bermuda, specifically the Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton.
And while Stewart Cink (British), Y.E. Yang (PGA), Angel Cabrera (Masters) and Lucas ...
Youngster's artwork of San Francisco golf nets $2,000 for First Tee program
Tuesday October 20, 2009 | 07:58:45 pm 180 words, 2281 views
The weather might have been dismal Monday evening during The First Tee of San Francisco’s Annual Awards Dinner, but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of bidders in a charity auction to benefit First Tee.
In my previous blog, I related the story of how 14-year-old Jessica Kent got to go to the Presidents Cup at Harding Park because she won the “Kids Fore Kids” art contest sponsored by KemperSports. Her piece was auctioned off yesterday.
Apparently, a rain storm came out of nowhere to make things a little uncomfortable at the dinner, but Kent’s work still brought in $2,000, courtesy of George ...
San Francisco First Tee program also a big winner during Presidents Cup
Friday October 16, 2009 | 10:54:52 pm 530 words, 2596 views
There’s an aspect of last week’s Presidents Cup that might have gone somewhat unnoticed, so I’m giving it a little attention.
While the U.S. team was busy dusting off the internationals, a new satellite site for the San Francisco First Tee program was unveiled in the area.
As part of the festivities, 14-year-old Jessica Kent was flown to San Francisco with her family. Jessica, you see, won an art contest in the Kids Fore Kids program, sponsored by KemperSports, which manages Harding Park, the host site of this year’s Presidents Cup and the main location for the San Francisco First ...
Free fun, stellar golf awaits at the Administaff Small Business Classic near Houston
Wednesday October 14, 2009 | 09:15:25 pm 322 words, 2509 views
Sometimes, I enjoy attending Champions Tour events more than regular PGA Tour events – even majors. This, I’m pretty sure, will be one of those weeks.
First of all, the crowds usually aren’t as intense, but more importantly, these guys seem to have more fun.
And why not – at least for the guys who already made their mark on the PGA Tour and invested wisely? For players like Nick Price, Jay Haas and Mark O’Meara, this is gravy.
As an added bonus, this week’s Administaff Small Business Classic at the Tournament Course at The Woodlands (Texas) Country Club is ...
Presidents Cup really does prove America is the greatest country - especially when it comes to golf
Sunday October 11, 2009 | 05:54:53 pm 371 words, 2613 views
While watching the U.S. team rout the Internationals in this year’s Presidents Cup golf from Harding Park in San Francisco this weekend, my wife quizzed me about the setup.
When I told her that a team of Americans was playing a team of internationals, she made this observation:
“Well, that hardly seems fair,” she said, “all those other countries against us.”
“Well, it’s not everybody,” I assured her. “The European countries aren’t playing.”
“Why not?”
“Because they play us in the Ryder Cup Matches.”
“And it’s all those countries against the Americans?” she asked.
“Yep, but it wasn’t always that way,” I told her. “There was a ...
Relishing fall golf in the Poconos at the Shawnee Inn in northeast Pennsylvania
Friday October 9, 2009 | 08:34:11 am 185 words, 2444 views
The Shawnee Inn at Shawnee on the Delaware, Pa., is a true retreat. It’s hard to believe than just 90 minutes away are tens of millions of souls who battle the hustle and bustle in New York City and Philadelphia.
The resort goes back to 1912 when it was known as the Buckwood Inn, and over the years old-school celebrities like Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball have stayed here. You can fish, kayak, hike, roast marshmallows or just plain relax.
It’s also the home to an A.W. Tillinghast golf course, although a few decades ago nine holes designed by another architect were ...
Luana Hills Golf Club in Hawaii is one tough nut to crack
Wednesday October 7, 2009 | 08:10:20 am 137 words, 2419 views
Ask me what the hardest golf course I’ve ever played is, and one comes to mind immediately – Luana Hills Golf Club on the east side of the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
Honestly, I was about six holes into this Pete Dye jungle design wondering if I had enough golf balls to finish. But the course is certainly unlike anything I’ve ever played with its deep ravines and mountainous backdrop, and I’d love to get another crack at it.
You can read about it in my review on Luana Hills, which we just published on HawaiiGolf.com.
Why is this course so hard? ...
Wow, what a surprise: Greg Norman and Chris Evert are already in murky waters
Sunday October 4, 2009 | 01:29:53 am 242 words, 2774 views
On the eve of the Presidents Cup comes the announcement that International Captain Greg Norman and former tennis star Chris Evert are separated – just 15 months after they got married.
Seems like just yesterday Norman was making an unlikely run at the British Open crown with his new bride walking alongside, getting almost as much airtime has her husband. It seemed like the perfect script, right? And now, it’s over almost as quickly as it has come together.
According to an article on the Australian Web site AdelaideNow.au, Norman’s first ex-wife believes the Shark and Evert are splitting because they married ...
Overtime for overseeding Arizona golf courses
Thursday October 1, 2009 | 09:14:21 pm 298 words, 2699 views
It’s that time of year again in Arizona when you need to call ahead for conditions at your favorite golf courses.
Because this is when superintendents overseed golf courses for the peak season. Many golf courses close for two or three weeks for this process, and it may be a few more weeks until greens are up to speed. It’s the price golfers and courses have to pay for beautiful late fall, winter and spring conditions.
What may surprise many is just how much work and expense goes into overseeing courses in places like Arizona and other winter tourist destinations. Mike Lindsey, ...
The Accidental Golfer
The Accidental Golfer (AKA Mike Bailey) has spent more than 15 years writing about the game that has brought him unbridled joy and temporary bouts of insanity. Now on staff at WorldGolf.com, Bailey is a former senior editor for PGA Magazine, senior writer for Golfweek's SuperNEWS and Turfnet magazines and past president of the Texas Golf Writers Association. He has covered every facet of golf, including the PGA and LPGA Tours, equipment and course architecture, as well as the bane of his golfing existence: instruction. The last has led to at least 30 different golf swings, which all feel different but appear to his playing companions to be the same.
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