China is making a push to prove it invented golf with a new museum exhibit. We here agree completely after deducing that disagreeing would make us a Web sita non grata to 1.3 billion Chinese. It is almost statistically proven that if you believe it’s great to watch Arnold Palmer play golf these days, you also believe Sophia Loren and Sean Connery are currently incredibly sexy. Just let it go, people. In the Philippines, players are breaking away from the Professional Golfers Association of the Philippines (PGAP) and reviving the Touring Professional Golfers’ Association of the Philippines (TPGAP). I wonder if, like ...

A reporter asked Stephen Ames how he thought he’d fare against Tiger Woods in their opening-round match in the Match Play Championship at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, Calif. “Anything can happen,” Ames said, smiling. “Especially where he’s hitting the ball.” Unfortunately those words worked their way back to Woods, and this is where the story becomes a chronicle of carnage. Woods won every hole on the back nine, seven with birdies to close out Ames as early as he could mathematically, 9 and 8. When later asked about his thoughts on Ames comments, Tiger said only “Nine and eight.” No word on whether Elin ...

The biggest problem the state of California has had to face over the years is that it’s populated by too many Californians. Case in point: a recent proposal for a 1,200-lot golf community in the Southern California desert town of Joshua Tree. As the community will be near the 800,000-acre Joshua Tree National Park, many residents are up in arms over the possibility of putting a human activity anywhere near the scorched-earth park. Nicole Panter, a former Los Angeles punk rock band manager made her feelings clear to the Desert Sun. “I’m articulate and I can’t even give you the words to tell ...

Fans of women’s golf, the mystery is over. Those long, lonely nights of worrying about who is the best female golfer are over. For the fairer sex, Annika Sorenstam is the best there is. At least that’s according to the first Rolex “Hey, Let’s Authenticate Michelle Wie With Ridiculously High” Rankings. Paula Creamer is the pick for the No. 2 female golfer in the rankings, which reportedly use many of the same ranking criteria as does Tiger Beat Magazine when it chooses its “Dreamiest Guys Alive” rankings. At very least, Creamer had a great season in 2005, finishing second on the money ...

The number of truly great sports announcers became one less as Curt Gowdy died today. Gowdy was as good a baseball announcer as existed, and his type are becoming more rare. He was there when radio and television were young and he was part of making baseball, as well as every other sport he announced, seem more regal. I grew up listening to guys like Chick Hearn and Vin Scully. Guys who announce thousands and thousands of games, who become a part of their team, and the sport itself. Guys whose voices are the soundtrack for so many great memories. So sure, ...

On Tuesday in Vestal, N.Y., Robert R. Taylor Sr. died at the age of 89. Mr. Taylor, along with his brother Joseph, is credited with revolutionizing miniature golf by creating elaborate courses with complex obstacles, including pinball machines, lighthouses, wishing wells and windmills. In order to truly convey the appreciation for Mr. Taylor and the joy he’s given people of all ages, there is but only one way – via poetry. The following poem is dedicated to Mr. Taylor, and all the others who have helped make mini-golf such a thriving part of the fabric of American life. Aging, Overly ...

One of our loyal readers, Under Par, made a comment in Tim McDonald’s blog on why Dick Cheney should golf rather than hunt: “Just so you know, conservatives have far better senses of humor than liberals could ever hope to. Ever hear of Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage? Just try and find a liberal host who could match the latter’s wit.” Not being one to shirk from a challenge, I thought I’d switch it up a bit and see if I could find golfers that could match wits with Savage, the loquacious radio talk-show host and herbalist. Whose Wit is Under Par? Michael Savage: “Oh, ...

Kevin Stadler’s victory at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia over the weekend was the type of victory it’s easy to enjoy. A victory for the Baby Walrus? You have to love it. First of all, it’s Craig Stadler’s kid. You have to like the Walrus and you have to love the fact that his kid has the same belt size. Second, the victory not only gave the young Stadler the $490,000 victor’s check but it also earned him a two-year exemption from the Australasian, Asian and European Tours. Not too shabby for a guy who was prepared to grind away on the ...

Well, this is interesting. Seems broadcaster Al Michaels has finished a switch from ABC to NBC, in what was a fairly bizarre trade. The Walt Disney Co., owner of ESPN and ABC (and the souls of several million children, I hear) said it had dealt the veteran ABC broadcaster to NBC Universal for rights to highlights from a broad range of NBC Sports coverage, promotions for ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” – and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Oswald was the precursor to Mickey Mouse. You know the early days of “The Simpsons,” when the artwork wasn’t as good? Same concept. “When Bob (Disney ...

The Champions Skins Game took place on Monday at Wailea Golf Club’s Gold Course in Hawaii, leaving dozens and dozens of fans breathless with excitement, though it’s highly possible they were breathless to begin with. Prior to the event, organizers, in a quandary over how to make the meaningless event twice as dull, jacked up the competition to be a team event, with four two-old-man teams hitting alternate shots. Raymond Floyd teamed with Dana Quigley to win the event, taking home $510,000. Floyd made the winning putt on the 17th hole to take $410,000. Quigley was ecstatic with the money, though ...

It was Robert Browning who brought the term “less is more,” to life in his 1855 poem Andrea del Sarto. Ironically, that poem also included the lines “a man’s reach should exceed his grasp,” and “dufus golf bloggers aren’t fooling anybody by leading off their blogs with poetry references.” Still, heeding the concept of “less is more,” is South Carolina’s Mark Brown. Seems that Mr. Brown is looking for a way to squeeze more money out of golf, and faster. With the tagline of “Making Golf More Fun for More People” Brown’s Prestwick 12 Golf is a plan to build and ...

As the latest proof that golf is a breeding ground for criminal activities, the New South Wales amateur championship in Sydney, Australia was delayed when a deranged, armed madman went berserk. While the insane lunatic’s name was not divulged, for purposes of continuity in this blog, he will be referred to by the common, yet fictitious Aussie moniker of “Tom DeLay.” According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Tom DeLay, who had allegedly just robbed a supermarket, blasted a stolen truck onto the golf course, through the fifth fairway and into a bunker at the Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club. Here, Tom DeLay was confused ...

To: Mark Parker, Incoming Nike CEO Dear Mr. Parker, After four years of marriage, my wife and I are planning on making 2006 the year we begin the machinations necessary to have our first child. Yes, we’re going to do it. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge. Now, having a child is a big step. But we feel ready for this awesome challenge. I mean, my wife is definitely ready. I’m pretty darn ready. Quite ready, really. I mean, sure, I have insecurities. And I did see “Brokeback Mountain” the other day, and it made me think how important relationships are and how special love ...

The Golf Blogger got a hole in one the other day. Or so he says. “There were no witnesses. I was the only one crazy enough to be out in that weather. Even the pro shop was closed. I wasn’t keeping score. So I have no official score card. I had shot bogey on every hole to that point, though,” writes this mysterious person known as The Golf Blogger … who can’t even find the ball. Now, let me tell you, I hate to cast dispersions on TGB’s supposed accomplishment, but too may things have happened recently that have shaken up my ...