 This Week at WorldGolf.com: March 12, 2008
Forget Arnold Palmer vs. Jack Nicklaus; Let the Tiger Woods/Ian Poulter era begin!
This week marks the first step in a glorious rivalry that is bound to be called "storied" and "one for the ages."
It will join golf's greatest rivalries: Palmer vs. Nicklaus, Nicklaus vs. Watson, Jones vs. Hagen.
This one is unique in that we can all mark down on the calendar where we first witnessed these two giants come together, in an epic battle over golfing world supremacy for years to come.
I hardly need introduce the fighters: Tiger Woods vs. Ian Poulter.
Who? You know, Ian Poulter.
Yes, the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando will be where Poulter first begins to establish world dominion, with Tiger.
You remember the words:
"It will be just me and Tiger soon enough."
Those are the words Poulter, heretofore known for dressing like a neon carnival barker, spoke to the United Kingdom's issue of Golf World.
Like all people who stick their feet in their mouths, Poulter has now said the words were taken out of context, and he's ready to move on. Yada, yada, yada. The trouble is, the rest of the world isn't. Those kind of comments tend to follow you around, like germs or stalkers.
Okay, enough sport at the Englishman's expense.
Arnold Palmer's own, personal tournament, the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, will have Woods and Phil Mickelson, possibly teeing off together. But, it will have only one other player in the top-10, Jim Furyk.
The big news is that Woods, who came into this tournament last year on a roll is on another roll, having won five straight PGA Tour events.
They've played this tournament for 43 years, and 29 of them have been at Bay Hill; this year marks the 30th anniversary of the tourney at the Orlando site.
Still, it's a strong field, with Vijay Singh defending his title. Any bets Poulter won't be defending this title next year?
As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.
Hotel Valley Ho offers Cactus League spring training pilgrims a more sophisticated scene, including fine dining and easy access to Scottsdale Stadium, not to mention tee times at Saguaro Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club Camelback Inn, Talking Stick, McCormick Ranch, Raven at South Mountain and ASU Karsten, Chris Baldwin writes.
Course review: TPC Scottsdale Champions Course
The former Royal Amelia is now known as Amelia River Golf Club and, with the exception of a ritzy, new clubhouse, it hasn't changed much, which is good. It was always a popular venue because of its natural setting; while some holes border the Fernandina Beach municipal airport, much of the course plays through the beautiful flora and fauna of Amelia Island, through live oaks, sabal palms, wax myrtle and pines.
Photo gallery: Amelia River Golf Club
At Rio Secco Golf Club, you have to not only find the greens, but the right portion of the greens, Mike Bailey writes. Get above the hole, and a two-putt in many cases is almost impossible. Put it in a really bad place, and a four-putt is a possibility, even for skilled players. "It's a tough challenge, but fair," Head Golf Professional Charles Packard said. "The biggest challenge comes on the greens."
Also: After Pebble win, Billy Walters shrugs off 'sandbagger' tag
CLIENT FEATURE
With five golf courses, Reynolds Plantation caters to the golfer in everyone. The 99 holes of golf are distributed among the following courses: The Plantation course, designed by Bob Cupp, Fuzzy Zoeller and Hubert Green; The Nicklaus-designed Great Waters course; The 27-hole National course designed by Tom Fazio; The Oconee course, designed by Rees Jones and the newest member-only course, The Creek Club, designed by Jim Engh.
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Spring training gone hip: Hotel Valley Ho and Scottsdale Stadium give Cactus League a different vibe
Amelia River Golf Club in Fernandina Beach, Fla. gets the full resort treatment
Challenging greens, T-Mates and Las Vegas Valley views make Rio Secco Golf Club shine
