Sorenstam: No Word From Wie (do we really care?)

It will be a very interesting week at the Open...will the media follow Annika and Michelle around to see if they speak to each other? I sure hope not...this is getting silly. I want to watch what's really interesting and not be bothered by all the negativity of past transgressions...

I want to watch...

• Lorena...under pressure to validate her #1 status by winning her first major
• Wie...under pressure to win back fans and perhaps some self-respect
• Annika...under pressure to regain confidence in her game and prove she can still win

I can't wait to get home and watch it. Let's hope they all play their very best and cheer for whoever comes out on top.

Three amazing talents among dozens of other amazing talents - too many to mention, but as that TV guy says in that Champions tour ad.... these gals are good!

All chix all the time...

Golfgal

---

Sorenstam: No Word From Wie
By Leonard Shapiro
The Washington Post
27 Jun 2007

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C., June 26 — In the two weeks since Annika Sorenstam publicly criticized 17-year-old Michelle Wie for a “lack of respect and class” in the way she withdrew from the Ginn Tribute tournament this month, Sorenstam said Tuesday she has... read more...

Tech Tags: The Washington Post newspaper Professional Football / Scoreboard / Golf

Will becoming a parent improve your golf game?

Perspective...I guess that's what parenting gives you when it comes to golf. It makes you realize there is more to life than a little white ball (or pink in the case of Paula C). Actually, I think parenting gives perspective on just about everything!

It's cool to hear about players who did better after they had kids. Not that I recommend people have kids as a way to improve their golf games :)

I think Monty's comments about Elin having quadruplets - 1 at each major - was hilarious. I see this AM that he shot 68 on his opening round at the French Open. Nice to see...I wish he would win a major sometime soon - he deserves it, even though he can be a bit testy on the course.

Interesting move with his new caddie being Paul Casey's old caddie (I read a few days ago that Casey thought his caddie would come back to him). I wonder if a tug of war will start over him...nice to see a caddie potentially in the "driver seat".

cheers!

Golfgal

---

Sport
20 Jun 2007

LPGA - HSBC Women's Match Play Championship Blog by Julieta Granada

Hello everyone.

I just received an email from James Gregson of Hill and Knowlton in my On-Mark-IT inbox and I was rather surprised to receive it. However, I am happy he sent it as it told me something I didn't know and introduced me to Julieta's blog. I think this is so cool that she is going to post stories to her blog during the HSBC Women's World Match Play Championship.

BTW...here's the email I received. Enjoy

Golfgal

I want to let you know about this year's HSBC Women's World Match Play Championship. The tournament itself will be taking place from July 19-22 at the Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, NY. It will feature 64 of the LPGA's top golfers, including defending champion Brittany Lincicome, competing for a $2,000,000 purse. The tournament will be aired on CBS. Here is a link to some of videos highlights of last years tournament.

In addition, for the first time ever, a tour member will be blogging for a month prior to the tournament. Twenty-year-old Julieta Granada, currently ranked 24th in the world, winner of the 2006 ADT Championship and self-proclaimed computer addict, will be chronicling her preparation for this years HSBC Women's World Match Play Championship - click here to see the blog.

Feel free to visit www.hsbcgolf.com for more tournament information.

James Gregson
Senior Account Executive, Digital
Hill and Knowlton

Two pups and a cub - Tiger Woods shares his new happy family

A lovely story and wonderful pictures.  So nice that Tiger posted them all for free on his web site.

Does anyone know where the name "Sam" came from?

Enjoy!

Golfgal

---

New York Post
26 Jun 2007

A fairway view, if you can duck every so often

I am always amazed by stories like this. If you buy a house on a fault line, be prepared for eathquake damage. The same is true for golf courses - if you buy a house on a golf course, be prepared for balls to drop into your yard, through your windows or even into your oven (now that was wierd).

I actually don't like playing on courses with houses. It's not that I end up in their yard (I am not a longer hitter and usually hit the short grass), but I hate playing with stereos blasting, kids screaming in swimming pools and back yard partying going on while I'm trying to putt.

Anyway...I still wonder why anyone would risk their house and even the lives by living on a golf course. I guess they have no FORE-sight - ha ha...

Golfgal

---

A fairway view, if you can duck every so often
BY BILL PENNINGTON
National Post
25 Jun 2007

When she moved into her retirement condominium on a golf course, Eleanor Weiner admired the lush, pristine views of the fairways and greens, a landscape she never had to mow or maintain. Not long after, as she prepared dinner, a golf ball shattered the... read more...

Tech Tags: National Post newspaper News

PGA Gets Closer To Adopting Universal Drug-Testing Policy (New York Sun, 21 Jun 2007, Page 25)

This seems like "much to do about nothing" to me. Drug testing for athletes is common all over the world. If golfers want the game to be called a sport and themselves, athletes, then that comes with conditions (whether they are "needed" or not).

What's the big deal? As long as they don't start saying that an antihistamine is a banned drug, I have no problem with this (outside sports in allergy season need to make some concessions).

Anyway..I'd like to hear what you think. A good debate is also fun :)

Golfgal

ps: I wasn't going to mention this, but did you see the LPGA is the first to announce it will bring in testing in 2008. Ladies first - AGAIN! :)

---

PGA Gets Closer To Adopting Universal Drug-Testing Policy

New York Sun
21 Jun 2007

CROMWELL, Conn. — The PGA Tour is getting closer to a rule on performance- enhancing drugs, and with testing likely to follow, commissioner Tim Finchem says golf organizations around the world should make sure they’re on the same page. Even with Tiger... read more...

Tech Tags: New York Sun newspaper Sports

Golf - so much more than a game!

Hey there

Did you know that golf is a $ 2.7 billion a year industry and that it is the No. 1 participation sport in the world with about 61 million players worldwide, of which 55 per cent take three golfing trips a year and 47 per cent cite golf as being their main reason for choice of holiday destination?
Of course you did...if you're reading this, you're a golfer who knows how to keep score...

Did you also know that in the US it is estimated that 83 per cent of business deals are closed on a golf course or at the 19th hole. [My buddy at BusinessGolf certainly knows this and you really should get his book to tell you how to close some deals!]

I love reading stories about the value of golf and how it contributes to our communities and society, especially when I see arguments from football fans and hockey fans who say golf it not a sport (because you can smoke when you play it). I have a whole lot to say about the argument of golf as a sport or just a game, but I'll save it for another round.

See you in the short grass!

Golfgal

---

Golf helps drive the economy lot further

The Cairns Post
20 Jun 2007

GOLF is more than a game. Winston Churchill once described golf as “… a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill- designed for the purpose”. It is the time of year when golf is popular again in... read more...

Tech Tags: The Cairns Post newspaper MYVIEW

Happy Belated Father's Day, Tiger!

Timing is everything they say...

Sounds like Elin was working hard to make sure that baby was born at exactly the right moment. Now Tiger has lots of time to enjoy his new baby (Sam Alexis Woods) with Elin before hitting the links at the Open.

Can you imagine if he had to play a playoff on Monday? He might have missed the birth. I bet he's much happier that he didn't have to choose - 2nd looks a whole lot better now, eh Tiger? Our God of golf works in mysterious ways...

Congratulations to the happy parents. As soon as pics are posted, I'll share them with you.

Golfgal.
ps: Sam???....Anyone know where that came from? What happened to Earline?

---

Late Father’s Day for Tiger

The Kansas City Star
19 Jun 2007

Tiger Woods is a daddy. Less than 24 hours after Woods finished second at the U.S. Open on Father’s Day, his wife gave birth to a daughter. Woods announced on his Web site — www.tigerwoods.com — that Sam Alexis Woods was born early Monday... read more...

Tech Tags: The Kansas City Star newspaper DAILY DATA

Robin Williams - Golf (Full Version)

Okay...this video comes with a disclaimer that the language is edgy, but it is so hilarious I just can't help but laugh until it hurts. I hope you share my sense of humour :)

I am a golf-aholic

Hello everyone

I know you are all talking about the US Open and how Tiger couldn't buy a birdie to save his life on Sunday, but while you were all sitting in front of your HD TV's, enjoying the game, I was out in the teeming raining telling myself "I love this game".

Charles and I had played on Saturday in the rain at Mayfair Lakes with our good friends and we had a great time. We were dressed for showers and we had a few, but overall, it was a fun day - great pace of play and not a bad score (broke 100, which isn't too bad on that course for me).

The next day we were supposed to play with other friends, but one of them was ill and unable to play, so instead of calling it a day, we decided to drive out to Swan-e-set in Pitt Meadows to see what it was like out there. Wet .... very wet....

But did we turn around and go home like smart people would? NOOOOO....we went out and played - froze our butts off and were soaked through even our rain gear and we laughed all the way home.

So when I saw this article in the WSJ, I had to laugh at myself once again. Golf is an addiction for me - I should be in a 12 step program, but then I'd have to quit. Well...that's not going to happen any time soon.

It's true what the article says below...it's like a slot machine - you just can't wait for that next win (i.e that next good shot).

I have at least one "come back tomorrow" shot per game and that keeps me addicted. And lucky for me, my partner is also addicted so we "shoot em up" together whenever we can, rain or shine.

You know what they say....couples who play together, stay together!

Golfgal

---

The science of golf addiction
J OHN PAUL NEWPORT
The Wall Street Journal Europe
15 Jun 2007

MOST GOLFERS, far from being ashamed of our addiction to the game, actually seem to be rather proud of the fact. We brag about playing in winter storms, mock confess that we spend way too much time watching reruns of 1960s matches on the Golf Channel... read more...

Tech Tags: The Wall Street Journal Europe newspaper Pursuits

16 year old Richard Lee of Vancouver in US Open!

I just wanted to say a big "good luck" to young Richard Lee, a 16 year old from Vancouver who qualified for the US Open!

Can you imagine shooting a 62 at 12 years of age??? I can, but that would be for 9 holes :)

Well, Richard, we'll be following you at Oakmont and wishing you all the best!

Play well...but most of all...enjoy the journey.

Golfgal

---

How good is he? Ready to turn pro — next week
CAM COLE
The Vancouver Sun
13 Jun 2007

OAKMONT, Pa. From the day Richard Lee shot 62 in the B. C. Junior Golf Championship as a 12year- old, his name has been filed away with an asterisk — one to watch, some day. When he grew up. No one thought some day would arrive so soon. That is, no... read more...

Tech Tags: The Vancouver Sun newspaper Front Page

Finally - equality bill set to curb golf club discrimination

It's sometimes hard to believe we're not living in the dark ages. I have no problem with private clubs that are specfically for one gender, male or female, but to have a golf club (that is supposed to be "open" to both sexes) treat women as second class citizens....well...it's just too pathetic for words.

A similar situation occured here in Vancouver at the Point Grey Golf Club...I won't go into it, but it created a real mess and even caused friction within families.

Anyway...bravo to the UK for cracking down on discrimination - it's about time!


Golfgal

---

Equality bill set to curb golf club discrimination
Lucy Ward Social affairs correspondent
The Guardian
12 Jun 2007

Golf clubs and other private members’ establishments will no longer be able to ban women members from their bars or discriminate in any other way on gender grounds under a shakeup of equality laws unveiled today. The change is outlined in a government... read more...

Tech Tags: The Guardian newspaper National

Wie Wie Wie...all the way home...

Hi everyone
It saddens me to read this story about Michelle Wie. I have so much respect for that girl's game, but her "entourage" leaves a lot to be desired. I can't believe what she has had to go through with her parents. How can they exploit her so badly!!!

What actually happened with the wrist? What's the big secret? How can she go out and practice the day after she withdrew from the Ginn? I was shocked to hear what Annika said, but I don't blame her - something is not right.... Come on, Michelle...if you are injured and have to withdraw, that's fine, but to come back the next day and practice for the major right away...that leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth.

I don't actually blame Michelle - in fact I just feel sorry for her - she is a puppet in the hands of her overbearing father IMHO and she just does what she is told. Maybe someday we will see her do to him, what Sean O'Hair did to his father in 2002 and break away. I can see it coming...what do you think?

Golfgal

---

Golf’s golden girl is tarnished
By Joe Logan
The Philadelphia Inquirer
07 Jun 2007

HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. — Michelle Wie needs a good week. Where once the statuesque teenager from Hawaii was the toast of golf, blessed with a man-size swing and a limitless future, these days Wie is looking more and more like, well, toast. OK, that’s a... read more...

Tech Tags: The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper SPORTS

Yeah! Golf rated above par for exercise!

There has been some debate over whether golf is a sport. I tend to argue in favor, but I did read a letter to the editor of some paper the other day arguing that it is not a sport because you can smoke while golfing, and what other sport lets you do that? So the other side argues it is a game (like chess), but not a sport.

Well, I don't care anymore....I'm just happy that the Mayo Clinic calls it good exercise if you walk the course (which I do). And because I tend to be an army golfer, I get even more exercise than you single handicappers. Woohhoo!

March on all you 631,000 BC golfers!

Golfgal

---

Golf rated above par for exercise
BY PAMELA FAYERMAN
The Vancouver Sun
07 Jun 2007

If you’re a golfer — and there are 631,000 of you in B. C. — you may have been ribbed about the amount of exercise you get on the links. But here’s your vindication: The first study to count the number of steps accumulated in 18- hole rounds found... read more...

Tech Tags: The Vancouver Sun newspaper

Golfers lose that sinking feeling with floating golf ball

Wouldn't you know it...it takes someone from "down under" to invent a golf ball that floats.

I sure wish I had it this weekend. I spent a hot, but lovely afternoon playing Mayfair Lakes in Richmond, BC. A beautful course (and club house), but they don't call it "Lakes" for nothing!

I think the starter said there are 12 holes where water comes into play. Needlesstosay, I came prepared with "water balls" and yes, I did use one or two (okay, maybe 3 or 4....) But maybe soon I won't have to if I can get some of these balls in Up Here.

What will they think of next?

Golfgal

---

Golfers lose that sinking feeling with floating ball
By MIKE SMITH
The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)
01 Jun 2007

A PART-time golfer’s fear of water hazards is about to be knocked on the head if Mudgee man Tim Barnett has it his way. By sheer accident, Mr Barnett, 38, and his small team of golf ball producers in rural central NSW have created a ball that... read more...

Tech Tags: The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) newspaper FRONT PAGE

Amazing Golf Statistic: 14th "hole in one" in just 4 (count em) 4 months!

Wow....14 holes in one...in just the last 4 months.

You think that's amazing...what if I tell you it was a WOMAN who only started golfing FOUR years ago.

What can we say, but "You go girl!!!"

Golfgal

---

Golfer sinks 14th hole in one in four months
TIM REID TIMES OF LONDON WASHINGTON
Calgary Herald
24 May 2007

An amateur golfer hit her 14th hole in one in four months Wednesday. And she did it in style — in front of a television crew that had been sent to check out if her claims for the other 13 were true. Jacqueline Gagne, who took up golf only 4 years ago,... read more...

Tech Tags: Calgary Herald newspaper Top News

NOT Business as Usual (WSJ Asia)

Hello everyone.

I find myself reading a lot more of the WSJ than ever now that they seem to be covering golf in a friendly and informative way. As a marketing consultant, I strongly believe in "Relationship Marketing", even in this Internet age. Of course, I am doing more and more internet marketing through social media outlets, but when it comes to building business partnerships, I still go for the one-on-one.

This news article gives some good advice - the golf course is not for making deals, but it paves the way by helping to create relationships of trust and trust is so critical in a business deal.

Anyway...they also give some good suggestions on where to get more info, but I also encourage you to check out "Mr. Business Golf's" blog and his book, "How to Play Business Golf".

In the meantime.....work hard, play hard and have fun while doing both...what more is there to life?

Golfgal

---

Not business as usual
Adam Thompson contributed to this article.
The Wall Street Journal Asia
01 Jun 2007

Early one Friday afternoon about 20 years ago, Wendy Baker, then a senior vice president at the insurance company Continental, was leaving her office when she ran into another female executive. “Where is everyone?” Ms. Baker asked. Many of the... read more...

Related:
How to take the heat, but avoid taking any heat Some things are simply out, period

Tech Tags: The Wall Street Journal Asia newspaper Sports