The forecast in Charleston today called for winds that exceeded even my golf tolerance, leaving me with the perfect opportunity to sit around and watch golf. Turning on a PGA event and seeing flag sticks that are damn near horizontal usually makes me very happy, because I’m a bit of a sadist when it comes to watching touring pros struggle. But the postponement of today’s final round at Harbor Town Golf Links spoiled one of the few chances I’ve had to watch the conclusion of a tournament this season. Even last week I was forced to listen to Sunday Masters ...

After watching golf on Sunday for the first time in 2007, something occurred to me- I don’t really care about tournaments unless Tiger Woods is playing. When this realization first swept over me, my immediate response was one of fear mixed with guilt. Fear because I don’t want to lose something I’ve always enjoyed so much, and guilt because my love of golf should transcend the dullness of the field on a given week, just as my love of Georgia football is not dependent on the players in a given year. I’ve read everything there is to read about Tiger ...

As a result of their kicker Michael Koenen starting the year 2 for 8 in his field goal attempts, the Atlanta Falcons signed Morten Andersen to handle kicking responsibilities after week 3. Andersen recently became the leading scorer in NFL History, and more impressively, added to his lead atop the list of all-time points by Danish players (the second place Dane, Hans Nielson, has 0 points). It was generally accepted that Andersen would be useless from outside 40 yards, but would at least give the Falcons some stability at the position. In the Falcons’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on ...

I’m very glad that Tiger Woods has taken the step that we all knew would come eventually, but he is entering his new endeavour with the wrong role models. Woods apparently consulted Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio about the business of course design, and after making the announcement about his new plans, Woods said, “I hope I can bring as much to this industry as they have over the years.” Obviously Woods has the imagination, creativity, and understanding of the game required to design outstanding courses; I think his resume speaks for itself. But what concerns me is Tiger’s idea ...

While Charleston has always been a top tourist destination due to its history, beauty, and charm, it should also be seen as one of the top golf destinations, particularly in the fall and early winter, in the country. Over the last two weeks, the high temperatures have ranged from a pleasant 63 degrees to a balmy 76 and there is a wealth of courses in the area that could be added to any golfer’s “must-play” list. Travel south of the city and find Stono Ferry (named Charleston-area “Course of the Year in 2004), Seabrook Island, which features Crooked Oakes and ...

Sliding down the razorblade of the final PGA Tour events is reminiscent of the bowl season that now exists in college football- full of events, very few of which mean anything unless you are related to a player on Tour or a player on the team that became “bowl-eligible". The PGA Tour’s schedule of events for the more than two months between August 17th and November 2nd includes the following tournaments with their respective winners: the Reno-Tahoe Open (Will Mackenzie); the 84 Lumber Classic (Ben Curtis); the Valero Texas Open (Eric Axley); the Southern Farm Bureau Classic (D.J. Trahan); the ...

The Nationwide Tour is visiting Charleston this week, with the first annual Palmetto Pride Classic at the Daniel Island Club’s new Ralston Creek Course. I went to the event on Thursday because I wanted to get a feel for the Nationwide Tour (the limited coverage on The Golf Channel really doesn’t reveal much of anything), take advantage of the beautiful weather, and get a good look at the course I’d heard so much about. I would highly recommend a trip to a Nationwide event for anyone who enjoys golf. The tickets at the Palmetto Pride Classic are only $10, many ...

It is impossible not to notice that over the past few years more long irons have been ending up in second-hand stores while more golf bags have been filling up with hybrids. In almost every issue of the major golf publications there is a story about how amateur players can’t live without a hybrid, and that most golfers should carry at least two. The clubs are also making more appearances in PGA events, most notably in helping Todd Hamilton win the 2004 British Open. Ironically, Hamilton used his hybrid to take the place of a pitch shot rather than a ...

A school district in Michigan has ended the Oscoda Area High School football team’s season after an 0-4 start, citing the fact that the players are actually in danger when competing against stronger teams. Oscoda has failed to score a point, let alone win a game, so the board decided to take matters into their own hands. From just about every angle this story illustrates some of the problems with our public school system. First of all, the parents and players pleaded with the board to reverse their decision. If the students want to continue competing and their parents are ...

A few weeks ago during a weekend of great golf, I seem to have misplaced a few of my sticks. A Titleist 56 degree wedge and a Cleveland 60 degree wedge made it through all 36 holes at Harbour Town and the Ocean Course, but somehow got left by the green on the 18th at by the famous lighthouse. Perhaps it was the wonderful views that distracted me, perhaps I was a bit preoccupied with the double bogey I had just made, or perhaps we had been having a little too much fun during the round; regardless, I am ...

Sad Stories are generally told very well in a ballad, so I dedicate this to the American teams, both present and future Heading over to Ireland for some Guinness and fishin’, The Americans seemed prepared for their difficult mission. Tiger changed his schedule and took a more involved stance, Lehman thought that without Woods the team stood little chance. As the days approached quickly the determination never wavered, Though they knew for the first time they were no longer favored. It was a strong team from Europe that stood prepared to defend, Europe felt all the while that fate was with them in the end. A lot will ...

Mitsuhiro Tateyama, a 38 year-old Japanese professional, became my favorite player on Thursday. Tateyama turned in one of the most impressive rounds in golf history,after recording a 19 on the par 3 8th hole at Ishioka Golf Club. Amazingly, Tateyama finished only 13-over-par for his round. Every person who plays golf, whether professionally or recreationally, is accustom to qualifying his or her round not necessarily by the score, but rather by what could have been; statements such as “I had 88, but I hit the ball well enough for it to have been an 78 if I would have made ...

All Hope Abandon, Ye Who Enter Here Worldgolf.com has always been interested in recognizing important holidays, and today is no exception. Another Internationational Talk Like a Pirate Day has come and gone, leaving many land-lovers around the world pondering its true purpose. But all of those who scoff at this cherished holiday are missing a perfect opportunity to expand their vocabulary, wear puffy shirts, drink rum out of commandeered goblets, and increase their chances with the ladies by incorporating pirate-pickup lines such as, “Avast, me proud beauty! Wanna know why my Roger is so Jolly?” and “Prepare to be boarded!” ...

I’ll be busy this weekend, so I figured I’d go ahead and take care of this little post right now. Michelle Wie has once again missed a cut on the PGA tour, finishing at least 20 shots off the lead for the second week in a row. When asked to comment, her response was, “I just really feel like I got a bad break with it having rained and this being such a long course.”

Typically after a weekend of playing great golf courses I am left thinking about what might have been with my rounds. Careless decisions, poor putting, and my temper inevitably cause my scores to end up higher than I originally hoped. But today is different. I got home from Hilton Head last night and immediately my thoughts shifted from my most recent blown opportunities on the course to blown opportunities in our national security in the years leading up to 2001; watching ABC’s Path to 9/11 left me speechless for almost three hours as it brought back horrible memories from my past. ...