Palm Springs Golf Getaway 2007

Well, it was December 2007 and I was going through major golf withdrawal. I hadn't played golf in over 2 months due to horrific weather in Vancouver. I'm not sure about this global warming stuff - in Vancouver, it's got to be global cooling. We've had more snow and sleet in the past 2 months than in the past 4 years I've lived here.

Anyway, we just couldn't stand it, so we got online and booked a last minute golf getaway to Palm Springs through Westjet - a great deal with direct flight, car and hotel.

So I had the travel planned, but when looking online at Palm Springs golf courses, I was elated and depressed at the same time - there are over 100 golf courses in that desert. Which ones should I book? I was stumped.

But then I thought about all my golf blogging buddies and decided to ask for some advice. Thankfully, Mr. Business Golf had lots of experience playing golf in Palm Springs and generously recommended 8 courses to choose from, and even restaurants and shopping around the area.

I'm almost as addicted to outlet malls and golf shops as I am to golf, and Scot's recommendation to visit Pete Carlson's on Hwy 111 was really helpful along with the Premium outlet mall just 10 miles from Palm Springs west on I-10. I got warmer golf clothes at IZOD in the Premium outlet mall and even picked up last minute Xmas gifts for the kids....and I have to admit, I shopped at Pete's twice in 4 days. Scot told me he'd seen some LPGA players in there before and when I walked into the shop (dressed in my new cool golf duds), one of the ladies who worked there came up to me and said, "Don't I know you?". I said, "No I don't think so.". She then said, "I'm sure I've seen you before - I knew it the moment you walked into the store." Hee hee...Charles thinks she thought that I was "a player" - Yeah..right ;-)

But I digress...back to golf...

I checked out the courses and they all looked great. After doing a bit more research on all the courses and checking out the many tee time packages and discounts being advertised online, I discovered that I could get the cheapest rates by booking my tee times through US Golf, and I'm glad I did. They were very helpful, did all the work for me and I just showed up at the courses at the exact tee times I wanted - no coupons required, no hassles. I'll definitely use them again.

Anyway, let's get to the golf...I've posted a review of each course below

We started playing a links style course called Cimarron and really enjoyed the wide, forgiving fairways.

Next we tried Terra Lago North - a wonderful mountain course with lots of elevation and "fun" holes.

Next was Silver Rock - a deadly PGA course where target golf is the name of the game.

Finally we played a traditional tree lined course called Rancho Mirage - nice normal golf.

Thanks again Mr. Business Golf, for all your help! I couldn't have done it without you.


Golfgal

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Faldo Plots Perfect Ryder

Hello everyone.

Well, it's that time of year when some look back and others forward. I'm the forward looking type, so I am focused on two things - the Ryder Cup and my golf vacation in the fall. I just got back from 5 days in Palm Springs and played some great courses (which I'll share in a post this weekend). My golf blogging buddy, Mr. Business Golf, gave me some great advice on where to play and he did not steer me wrong. Thanks Scot!

Back to Ryder...

Now some of you may be more interested in the Fedex Cup, but that doesn't really interest me too much. Perhaps it is because it was plagued with some challenges this past year, and there was a lot of bitching and moaning going on with the players. I'm not sure, but for me, there was too much hype and it just didn't deliver the goods. I actually enjoyed the post season play when guys careers were on the line.

Anyway...a lover of match play and team play, I can't wait to watch Nick and Paul battle it out with teams made up of "most" of the best players in the world (let's not forget the international guys - the likes of Ernie, Mike Weir and many others who will be missed).

I enjoyed this article below and the candid way it protrays Nick Faldo.
It holds no punches, but at the same time, is respectful. I personally like Nick Faldo and enjoy watching the old tournaments on TV where he was playing. He is accused of separating himself from the other golfers and not being "friendly" with them (for the sake of winning) and some see that as a bad thing. I think it must have been lonely for him, actually. And certainly Tiger is no social butterfly in the locker room. Maybe staunch competitors believe that "nice guys finish last". Well, I don't believe that, but I'm just a hacker. I guess the best do what they feel they have to do to win. Focus over friendship.

Anyway, I am really excited about this year's Ryder Cup. It will be hard to choose sides as I like players and captains from both teams. That's the thing about being a Canuck - you can cheer for great golf and enjoy the matches no matter who wins.

Golfgal

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Daily Express
28 Dec 2007

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From golf balls to mini masterpieces

Now, how cute are these! Who would have thought you could carve a golf ball? Ok, so I've sliced many a golf ball and I do remember back in the olden days, cutting the cover off and pulling on the elastics wrapped around the core and making it bounce like a mexican jumping bean, but carving one? This one's new to me...

It would appear that Mr. Rhodes isn't make a living out of selling his art, but he does have a book that will teach you what he knows.

I wish he would set up an website where you could order a custom carving from him - a favorite player or even one of your spouse. I think they'd be great gifts, but I guess it would be a 24 hr a day job to fulfill all the orders.



I couldn't resist sharing these pictures and his story in the Washington Times Daily today - too cute for words.

Golfgal

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Slicing a niche out of golf balls
By Lawrence Latane III RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
The Washington Times Daily
19 Dec 2007

WARSAW, Va. — Hitting golf balls becomes an obsession to some people, but Tom Rhodes can’t stop turning them into works of art. He cuts them with coping saws, gouges them with knives and creates caricature faces with toothy grins. Then, when he tires...read more...

Tech Tags: The Washington Times Daily newspaper Nation

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GOLF

The Washington Times Daily
19 Dec 2007

Revelation, it’s in the book. According to the book’s list of 735 kinds of golf balls that Mr. Rhodes has cut into, the Revelation’s core is dull orange with specks. Mr. Rhodes, who retired as VDOT’s Warsaw residency engineer in 1991, blames his...read more...

Tech Tags: The Washington Times Daily newspaper Metropolitan

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The times, they are (maybe) achanging...

I saw this story in UK's Sport newspaper today. It shared that the great constant in golf - the 18 hole round - may be open for some changes. I'm all for that!

Although it has been cast in stone tablets for over 2 centuries that a round of golf is 18 holes (The Old Course was reduced from 22 in 1764 and was then copied the world over), golf really needs to adapt in this age when leisure time for many of us is at a premium. I agree. There are those who are advocating 12 holes, others 9, 6 or even 3 (for the youngsters).

Anyway, I think it would be great to offer golf in packages of 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 holes (and price them accordingly). Of course, that would reek havoc with scheduling systems, but I'm sure some brilliant person could figure out how to do it.

I often play 9 and dine even in the summer when the sun doesn't got down until 9 or 9:30. Frankly after work, I just don't have time (or energy) for 18 holes. But I'm still having to pay close to premium rates for just 9 holes. That bugs me.

I know that other women would play more often if they could book golf rounds of 6, 9 or 12 holes. AND I think they would walk more too. Although I prefer walking over carting I do find dragging my cart around 18 holes is tiring. I bet many golfers who drive 18, would walk 9.

And let's not forget the kids - ours would be much happier going out with us old folks if they could keep the time to a minimum - 6 or 9 holes would work really well for them and us - 18?...not so much. They'd rather spend the extra two hours with their friends.

So...I think it's time for more flexibility here for duffers like me who need to squeeze golf into busy work and family schedules.

What do you think?

Golfgal

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Douglas Lowe on Tuesday
douglas.lowe@theherald.co.uk
Sport
18 Dec 2007

ONE of the great constants in sport is about to alter. For more than two centuries a round of golf has been 18 holes but in an effort to adapt to an age when leisure time for many is at a premium, steps are being taken to reduce the number of holes in... read more...

Tech Tags: Sport newspaper Final Say

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Hard lessons learned - on and off the course.

I just finished reading a very disturbing posting and felt that it was too important to just read it and weep - I needed to pass along to my friends, colleagues, fellow bloggers and readers.

As many of you know, Mr. Business Golf, has provided us with good advice for a long time on how to get the most out of our businesses using golf. His book and his consulting have helped many and now he is helping us again.

Today he wrote about the "hazards" we face on the Internet - not golf hazards - people hazards. In his posting today called: Time Bandits: The Scourge of the Internet, he shares some hard lessons learned about deceivers and users who prey on trusting people like us - people who believe they are part of a community - an online community built on trust. Well, such is obviously not the case in all cases.

I was saddened by Scot's posting, but fully support him in his efforts to warn people about these Time Bandits. It reminds me that people aren't different online or off - you have to be careful or the bandits will suck you dry and leave you hanging in midair while they run off and exploit another trusting soul.

I am a marketing consultant by trade and I learned the hard way years ago that there are unscrupulous people out there who will try and get you to work for them for free. I can't count the number of times a company would call me asking me to do some consulting for them and bring me in for an "exploratory meeting". In that meeting, they would try and extract everything I know about marketing and even try and get me to help them with business planning and strategy for free. Early in my consulting career, I was excited about these meetings and shared way too much, and guess what...they used my advice and moved ahead alone and I got nothing out of it. They used me. I was shocked and hurt at first, but I soon learned that these companies are not unique. There are many untrustworthy people in business and I had to learn the hard way to stay away from them in my brick and mortar world.

It would appear that now I need to pay even more attention in the online world. It's too bad...I felt safer here somehow. Silly, but after reading Scot's posting, I realize I have already met some of these Time Bandits. It's amazing how quickly you can be drawn into the "web" by flattery and false promises.

Anyway...I will be "careful out here", thanks to Scot. But I will also try and not lose faith that there are still lots of good people online - good people like Scot, Golf Chick, Golf Girl and so many others who have made my life online fun and rewarding.

Thank you Scot for sharing with us these lessons. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right?

Golfgal

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Ho Ho Ho Hum...No surprises...Tiger won...

Well, I guess we shouldn't be surprised anymore...10 weeks off and he wipes the field, again! Ho hum...

It is a beautiful thing to watch him play and I'm a big fan, but I have to say I turned the sound down on the TV watching the final round because of the blubbering of the media over him, hole after hole after hole. It was getting sickening listening to them. Even though he is great - no bout adout it - there are other players we want to watch and hear about. So guys...lay off the verbal genuflecting. It's now over the top and boring...Tiger's not boring...it's you the media that are boring.

Speaking of Tiger...maybe I'm not "in" with the latest fashion, but I find vests over short sleeves very "old manish" - not cool at all. Vests over long sleeves, ok...but over a golf shirt? No...stick with long sleeves under a vest and roll them up instead. Much cooler...IMHO :)

Ok...back to more important stuff...What I did watch and listen to was the South African Airways open. It was really pleased to see James Kingston win. Although they cut the coverage off because it ran too late, you could see how much it meant to him and how nervous he was. And after screaming at Oliver Wilson to "hit the friggen ball!" (as you can tell...I hate slow play!), I was really glad Firestone won. I would have hated it if Wilson, with his constant regripping, had taken the trophy. It was also great to see Darren Clarke play well and end up tied for third. I really hope 2008 is a big year for him. And although Ernie seemed to be carrying the weight of last week's disaster on his shoulders early in the tournament, it was good to see him pull off a 69 on the final day to tie for 16th.

And I guess a hooked Shark is a happy Shark, because the very buff Greg Norman was a beauty to watch on the course this past weekend. But I think he should stick to his cool hats and let the less GQ guys wear the golf caps. But either way...he's as nice to watch as Tiger as far as I'm concerned.

And more good news this weekend as well...Annika Sorenstam ended a tough season in the best possible fashion by retaining the Dubai Women’s Masters yesterday at the Emirates Club. Too bad for Iben Tinning with her double bogey on the final hole (remined me of Ernie) to lose to Annika, but hey...that's why they call it golf.

And then we have Craig (Popeye) Parry shoot a final-round 69 and win the Australian Open title for the first time in 24 attempts at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney yesterday, beating out Nick O’Hern and Brandt Snedeker. I wish that had been televised. I would have loved to have seen Matthew Zions earlier fire a rare albatross at the par-five 14th.

So lots happened in golf this weekend, but the media are sparse with coverage on most of it except the world's number one. Too bad...Tiger may be number 1 by a long shot, but the other pros are not just 'also rans'. They are good and they deserve more attention. Let's give it to them, shall we?

Golfgal

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Monday - Sport
17 Dec 2007

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Golf journalists - stick to print!

Well, I think the Golf Channel is getting a bit desperate for new "stars" on its team. Last night I was watching the Grey Goose 19th Hole and Steve Sands was hosting it. Now, I like Steve Sands and although he doesn't have the same "charm" as Vince Chillini or spunk of Kelly Tillman, he's not too bad. BTW...where is Vince these days? I missed him on the Big Break Mesquite. Speaking of which...I'm really miffed that Hiroshi is gone - my hottie was just not hot enough this week - how sad...I was sure he was going to win. I expect Brian will take it all now - I didn't like him much - too nasty (or was that just the GC producers playing with his words....)

Anyway...back to the Golf Channel commentators/experts/analysts...
The Grey Goose 19th Hole's new "team" of Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post and John Hawkins of Golf World magazine were...how can I say this nicely - "They should stick to print and stay off TV".

Sorry, they may be good writers and they may know their stuff, but when it comes to TV, you need a "presence" and these two guys have none - nada... the camera is not kind to them. And they tried waaaay too hard to be funny and witty and failed miserably. I turned off the show - it was just too pathetic for words.

Actually, this isn't the first time I've seen this attempt to spice things up on the Golf Channel fail. But they haven't learned. Take the show The Approach with those two so called "experts", Andrew McGee and Alex Miceli. I can't stand them bickering and arguing like children.
I refuse to watch that show (which is hard for me, given what a golf addict I am.)

Anyway...maybe when silly season is over, we'll get some better personalities back on the Golf Channel. Right now, they're scraping the bottom of the barrel in my mind!

Golfgal

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Harrington targets big bucks in California

It's nice to see Padraig Harrington take a break from his paternity leave to head to California with yet another accolade under his belt. Yesterday, Padraig was unanimously named by the Irish Golf Writers’ Association as the Professional of the Year, for the 2nd year in a row - not too surprising with the Open and Irish Open wins this past year. However, it will be interesting to see if he'll win European Tour Player of the Year for 2007 after losing to Paul Casey last year, even though the 26 year old Dubliner topped the money list.

Harrington will be part of a strong field at the Target World Challenge, which includes Tiger, of course, Justin Rose, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Rory Sabbatini, KJ Choi, Vijay Singh, Henrik Stenson, Zach Johnson, Davis Love, Luke Donald, Niclas Fasth, Paul Casey, Mark Calcavecchia and Fred Couples.

And here's a little piece of Tiger news you might have missed...

Ted Wyman of the Winnipeg Sun released his list of the top 10 teams in sports history, using titles won and cash collected as his main criteria. His top three were: baseball’s Yankees, soccer’s Manchester United and golf’s Tiger Woods. Excuse me?? Tiger Wood a team? Well, according to Wyman, "Tiger may be only one man, but that one man is a franchise in himself. Tiger will make more than $100 million in 2007, thanks to enormous endorsement deals, and has a net worth approaching $1 billion.

Golfgal

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Harrington targets big bucks in California
Philip Reid Golf Correspondent
The Irish Times
11 Dec 2007

This week, P�draig Harrington will temporarily break into his paternity leave to play in a tournament. It’s not any old tournament, of course: the Target World Challenge has a purse of $5.75 million, of which $1.35 million €900,000) goes to the winner.... read more...

Tech Tags: The Irish Times newspaper Sportsnews

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It's golf war syndrome

After a depressing morning watching the Ernie crash and burn at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, I really needed something to laugh about. And this story did the trick.

The reporter, Kathy Lette hates golf, and despises golfers even more. But her rantings are actually quite funny - she's a good writer, even though she's completely wrong!

Ms. Lette thinks golfing should be banned altogether, just on the grounds of aesthetics. "Those plaid trousers could be marketed as a contraceptive — except, of course, that golfers are already using their personalities for that very purpose."

She goes on to say: "The average golfer’s handicap is, therefore, his IQ. Girls, believe me, if your hubby keeps up golfing as a major hobby, he’ll soon have the brain frequency of a lower primate. Or a Neanderthal — who, come to think of it, also ran around the outdoors with a club in his hands."

She had the nerve to say that golf is not a sexy sport - HA! I am sure Golf Girl will have something to say about that!

Anyway...the article put a smile on my face. If you want a good chuckle, it's worth a read.

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It’s golf war syndrome
Kathy Lette
The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney)
09 Dec 2007

The golf gulf between men and women is of Grand Canyon proportions. Most females only like the word ‘‘ fore’’ if it’s followed by the word ‘‘ play’’. This severe allergic reaction to golf begins when a woman is expecting her first baby and her... read more...

Tech Tags: The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney) newspaper Sunday Agenda

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Hells Bells!...What happened to Els?????

I feel sick...I just finished watching my fave golfer, Ernie Els, throw away a 2 shot lead, hitting a triple bogey on the final hole of the Alfred Dunhill Championship after going in the water, not once, but twice...

And it didn't need to happen. I remember saying to my golfguy before Ernie hit his second shot on the par 5 18th, "What's he doing going for the green in 2 - he doesn't have to - Why take that risk? - Ernie...don't go Mickelson on me!" And then ...splash. I was shocked and angry too, but when I watched him hit is 4th shot from the drop zone into the water again, I has visions of Jean Van de Velde...and then, I felt sick.

When he missed the short putt to lose to Bickerton already in the clubhouse, I turned the TV off - I just couldn't watch him shake hands and face the crowd after that complete meltdown.

Sigh...not a good way to start my Sunday morning. And you know...I was thinking this weekend watching this tournament how much spiffier Ernie was looking. In the past year or so, I'd been thinking how "old manish" he was looking in his style of dress, but yesterday and today, he seemed more stylish. Oh well...that's really irrelevant today. I guess it's not better to look good than to be good.

Sigh...
Golfgal

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Elin Woods hits the green! Apology and settlement for fake nude photo

I read about this settlement in a number of North American papers this weekend, but wanted to see what the Irish wrote considering it was the Dubliner Magazine who published the "utterly false, cheap, tasteless and deliberately offensive" story saying a topless photo of a woman was Elin Woods.

Now as we can all attest, Elin Woods is one beautiful woman and has been voted, legitimately, the the world’s hottest WAG. Back in October, she topped a poll of the sexiest sporting other halves on the planet. Hard to disagree with that when see this picture, eh?


Anyway, I think the settlement wasn't big enough - not even close. They settled for half of 250,000 quid which includes certain conditions and an apology. I would have gone for millions and closed the magazine down!

The good news is that the money will be donated to cancer charities in memory of the late wife of Irish golfer Darren Clarke.

She's one gracious lady. I would love to see her take on something after Sam grows up a bit - a cause or something just for her (like Hillary did with Bill) :)

Golfgal

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Apology and payout for false article on ElinWoods
Mary Carolan
Saturday`s Irish Times
08 Dec 2007

Elin Nordegren Woods, the wife of champion golfer Tiger Woods, yesterday settled her libel action over an article in the September 2006 edition of The Dubliner magazine on terms including judgment in the sum of ¤250,000 – with half of that amount not... read more...

Tech Tags: Saturday`s Irish Times newspaper Homenews

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Tiger’s girl beats Brits in battle of WAGs SWEDE DREAM
by EMMA WALL
Daily Star
22 Oct 2007

GOLFER Tiger Wood has scored another top birdie – his gorgeous Swedish wife has been voted the world’s hottest WAG. Model Elin Nordegren, 27, topped a poll of the sexiest sporting other halves on the planet. But while the super Swede takes No 1 spot,... read more...

Tech Tags: Daily Star newspaper News

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Beware of taunting the Tiger or you might end up in a cat fight

Just a quick followup to my posting about Jason Day "calling out the Tiger". It seems to have caused quite the stir in the golf community ...or whimper?

Hey...cut him some slack. He's good and he's ambitious. If you don't reach for the stars, you'll never make the moon.

Funny to see Nick O'Hern step in to give some "brotherly" advice to young Day, even after he beat Tiger. But it's one thing to beat him once or even twice, but to be #1 requires a Tiger retirement, I'm afraid.

But never stop trying, Jason, or you'll end up like Bob May - missing out at Q-school when only 5 years ago he went head to tail with the big cat at the PGA Championship.

BTW...I'm a little miffed reading Golf Digest's story "Why Can't We be Friends?" in December's edition. They talk about how many players don't get along with Tiger (actually, it's the other way around - he doesn't like them) They imply in the article that you really have to grovel to be his friend and if he doesn't call you by a nickname, then you're not his friend and better beware.

I certainly understand his less than amiable attitude towards some of the cocky studs out there (Sergio, Rory and even Phil), but to not like Ernie Els, well that's just nuts - everyone likes Ernie!! And the Big Easy has always been extremely gracious towards Tiger recognizing publicly Tiger's talent and accomplishments, even though, like any good athlete, he wants to beat him. I don't get it. They say that Tiger said about Ernie at a putting green, "If I can break this big guy's heart just one more time, maybe he'll go away and stay away." Hmmph...not impressed with that. Was it a cold hearted remark because he doesn't like him OR was Tiger feeling just a little tiny bit nervous that Ernie just might beat him - again.

Anyway, I guess Jason better be careful. The first thing you should do is create a nickname for yourself and make sure Tiger knows it. How about Daisy or Jazz?

Golfgal

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Beware of taunting the Tiger
Brent Read Golf
The Australian
05 Dec 2007

A WEEK has passed since Jason Day announced his plans to take down Tiger Woods, yet his comments continue to draw surprise and apprehension from his compatriots, who fear what the world’s best player has in store for the young Queenslander. Australian... read more...

Related:
Young Jason has his eyes on the Tiger

Tech Tags: The Australian newspaper Sport

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The Web 2.0 "bubble" had it coming

Before I begin, let me say...this is NOT a posting about golf (hey, I do have another life, you know - well, half a life anyway :))

Anyway, many of you are bloggers like me and many of you work in high tech, like me. This video just came out and it blew me away. I just had to post it.

It's called: The Web 2.0 "bubble" had it coming - A Silicon Valley music video by the Richter Scales

Enjoy!
Golfgal

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Golf and Xmas - I just found the perfect match!

Well, tis the season and I bet you are all out there wondering what to buy for that special golfguy or golfgal in your life. A trip to Maui to play a few rounds would be nice, or perhaps tickets to a PGA or LPGA tournament where you can see, and possibly meet, all the stars.

Riiiight!

Well, I just discovered this golf memorabilia site where you can buy autographed memorbilia from all your favorite golfers - even the much talked about Natalie Gulbis 2008 calendar (I think you can still buy the more racey 2007 too if you just want to save the pictures and put them over the not so racey ones in the 2008 calendar - tsk tsk).

Seriously, I think this is cool, especially for us Canucks that can't easily get to many PGA/LPGA tournaments. And it occured to me, that these would make great business gifts as well. My golfguy just went over to China for 10 days and you know how they are over there - gifts, gifts and more gifts during business meetings. My guy had to buy at least 2 dozen gifts before he left and I know that an autographed golf gift would have been very very well received by some of his business associates over there (if he'd only known).

Anyway...I am definitely going to shop here for some of my golfing friends. Check it out and you just might find the perfect Xmas gift for your golfguy or golfgal

Ho Ho Ho
Golfgal

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Weekend golf musings...Where was Nedbank?, "Why am I here?",You're never too old for golf

I don't know about you, but I could not watch the Nedbank Golf Challenge this weekend and I'm peeved. What a great line up of golf stars and I missed them! Take a look at this leaderboard...

I realize that some top names were missing like Tiger, Phil, Padraig and Jim, but hey...these players are still some of the best in the world and instead of broadcasting this, The Golf Channel showed the New Zealand Open. Now, don't get me wrong... I did enjoy the NZ Open and really enjoyed watching Sir Bob Charles either shoot his age (71) or beat his age (68). That was so cool. Did you know that Sir Charles became the oldest man, at 71, to make the cut on a major non-seniors tour? Watching him play made me believe in golf as a life long game and confirmed what I always believer - you need to stay in shape to play this game well over a long period of time (John Daly...take note). I know there are folks who say you can play golf without being in shape, but that is just a temporary blessing that won't last long if you don't take care of yourself...but I digress...

So where was the Nedbank? On PPV and Direct TV. That's sucks. I can't get Direct TV in Canada (another rant for another time). As you know, Trevor Immelman is one of my faves and so are many of the others in the field. It must have been great to watch the final round with Justin Rose and Tevor playing head to head. To think that Trevor only made it into the tournament because Sergio Garcia pulled out says something about kismet. I wonder if Sergio is going to ask for a percentage of the purse. haha

As for Q-school, what a painful thing to watch (especially today in the final round when one putt meant card or no card - job or no job - scary). But the thought that kept going through my head all weekend was..."Why are you here?" Sure, I understand those trying to come up from the Nationwide or enter from college, but when I see people like Frank Lickliter, Bob May, Duffy Waldorf and Carlos Franco back in Q-school, I can't help but wonder...Did they just slack off on the PGA? How does someone (i.e. Bob May) go from a playoff with Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship in 2000 to missing out in Q-school only 7 years later? I thought the same thing last year when I saw Lee Jansen in the field. What happens to these guys? They proved they had it...and then they just seem to lose it. Do they get lazy and stop working hard (or like Franco confessed...he doesn't really practice at all)? I'm still scratching my head over this...

But the icing on the cake this weekend for me was seeing two big breakers make it into the PGA and LPGA tours. Congratulations Tommy "two gloves" Gainey and Becky Lucidi! It was wonderful to see them work so hard to achieve their dream.

You know...it's great to watch the big names play, but I have to say, watching someone play for their job, their dream and their families is really something special.

One final note...Steven Bowditch...great to see him finish so well in New Zealand and I applaud is courage to admit to depression and his work with Beyond Blue...but Steven...time for some tweasers or hot wax... those eyebrows need some serious work!

Golfgal

Tension gets to Rose at the last
By Grant Winter in Sun City
Sport
03 Dec 2007

A DOUBLE-BOGEY at the final hole cost Justin Rose victory in the Nedbank Golf Challenge here yesterday. South African Trevor Immelman was the winner by one stroke after a pressurepacked final round. “It just shows what nerves can do,” said Immelman,...read more...

Tech Tags: Sport newspaper Sport

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The Citizen
03 Dec 2007

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Finch forced to share NZ Open glory with Sir Bob, aged 71

The Cairns Post
03 Dec 2007

RICHARD Finch made some amends for Europe’s poor representation when he won the New Zealand Open by three strokes from Australians Steve Bowditch and Paul Sheehan yesterday. But the Englishman, ranked No. 523 in the world and enjoying his first pro...read more...

Tech Tags: The Cairns Post newspaper SPORT

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