This Week at WorldGolf.com: Nov. 1, 2006

Did Kenny Rogers and Michelle Wie cheat themselves by breaking the rules?

Cheaters often win in sports - it's just the nature of life.

But are there times when cheating can make you lose? Are there instances where breaking the rules, either through planned-out schemes or simple willful ignorance, takes you or your team out of rhythm, invites defeat?

Kenny Rogers and Michelle Wie might want to start asking themselves those questions. There are more differences than similarities between Rogers and Wie, of course. Rogers is a 41-year-old, cameraman-tossing veteran pitcher who's about as adorable as an old metal garbage can. Wie is the 17-year-old Nike spokesdream who's had adult men covertly leering at her legs for years - who sometimes does actually pose with puppies.

Yet both Rogers and Wie either sneered or smiled at the rules of their respective sports and nothing's turned out quite right for either one since. Rogers slapped some goo on his hand that you didn't have to be George Brett to identify as pine tar and went out there and pitched the game of his life thrice to push the Detroit Tigers to a 1-1 World Series tie.

Only a funny thing happened after the TV camera shed a light on the goo and Rogers gave a dubious "clump of dirt" defense. The Tigers didn't win another game, the Cardinals rolled to a champagne bath and Rogers lost his chance to break Christy Mathewson's postseason scoreless innings streak, as well.

Wie showed her own disregard for the rules in big spots. She threw down an illegal drop, made a few jokes about the dryness of the rules book and sat back and let the violation reporter take it from her fans.

Since another rules violation at the British Open, Wie clearly hasn't been herself. She's not just not winning anymore. She's losing in miserable fashion, tearing or collapsing to last in men's events, never challenging in the Samsung World Championship.

Is sports karma here at work with Wie and Rogers? I'm no religious fundamentalist or even one of those everything-happens-for-a-reason Hallmark card people. But athletes are notoriously superstitious.

Wie and Rogers are surely wondering: Did they cheat themselves?

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Los Angeles a dream golf
city for golfers with bucks

There are few places in the world better suited to a golf trip on a bulging wallet than Los Angeles. Shopping on Rodeo Drive, dining at Spago, golfing at Trump National Golf Club - these are not things you could do on a budget, or would want to. If you've got three days and money to burn, the City of Angels is the golf destination for you. Here is a three-day L.A. golf itinerary that won't disappoint, on or off the course.

Also: 3 days in Palm Springs for the (relatively) frugal golfer

Tips for hiring a contractor
for your golf course home

Some homeowners learn the hard way that a relationship with a contractor can be a messy one. When high aspirations meet high costs, the results can be disappointing. There are ways homeowners can protect themselves from being taken advantage of. Education, of course, tops the list, and that includes knowing what to look for and the pitfalls to avoid. To understand how to protect yourself, check out GolfCourseRealty.com's 10 tips for finding and hiring the right contractor.

Also: Selling or buying? Post free golf course real estate listings

The Blue: Luxury living taking
root next to Doral's Blue Monster

The condotel business continues to grow unabated in Florida and business appears to be getting better. Now Miami is looking to take the luxury aspect of condotels one step further with "The Blue," located in Doral. The Blue is being designed as a series of 15 grand old Floridian style mansion, and is the only property to be built adjacent to the legendary Blue Monster golf course at the Doral Resort & Spa, and will be situated along the 12th and 13th fairways.

Also: Tradition and PGA Tour treasures await in Miami