I heard John Daly was back in the news and went to check out what all the fuss was about. Apparently John has lost his apparel sponsorship. When you watch this video you'll see what I mean.
It's too bad his career has turned into a sideshow. Here's hoping he can turn himself around enough to get back out on the PGA Tour full time.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Watching Golf on Sunday
I watched the final round of The EDS Byron Nelson today and what a finish !! Over the last few holes Adam Scott and Ryan Moore traded birdies with Scott needing to birdie 18 to force a playoff. He put his approach to about 10 feet and made the putt. The play off went on for three holes with both players having a chance to end it until Scott made a 48 foot bomb on the 18th green (3rd Playoff hole) to win it.
I tuned in to Golf Central to see that Annika Sorenstam and Paula Creamer had to settle The Stanford International Pro-Am in a playoff as well. Sorenstam won it on the 1st playoff hole when Creamer missed a short putt for par. This is Sorenstam's 71st career victory.
A disappointing finish for Canadian Bryan DeCorso who entered the Nationwide's Henrico County Open tied for the lead going into the final round. But a 74 put him two shots out of a playoff with Henrik Bjornstad and eventual playoff winner Greg Chalmers. DeCorso did finish in a tie for fourth for his best Nationwide Tour finish and now has some success to build on.
The Champions Tour came down to the final hole on Sunday as well as TomWatson and Andy North hung on to win the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf over the team of Stadler and Sluman.
Even the Canadian Tour came down to the final hole in Mexico where John Ellis made birdie on the 72nd hole to beat Canadian Wes Heffernan at the Corona Mazatlan Mexican PGA Championship.
And finally, in a feel good story, Darren Clarke won his first tournament since losing his wife in 2006 to cancer. Clarke had a two stroke lead with three to play but Bogies on 16 and 17 put him tied at the top. Clarke dug deep and made a 40 foot bomb for birdie on 18 and the victory.
All five tournaments either went to a playoff or were won on the last hole, very exciting stuff and a good day to be a golf fan.
I tuned in to Golf Central to see that Annika Sorenstam and Paula Creamer had to settle The Stanford International Pro-Am in a playoff as well. Sorenstam won it on the 1st playoff hole when Creamer missed a short putt for par. This is Sorenstam's 71st career victory.
A disappointing finish for Canadian Bryan DeCorso who entered the Nationwide's Henrico County Open tied for the lead going into the final round. But a 74 put him two shots out of a playoff with Henrik Bjornstad and eventual playoff winner Greg Chalmers. DeCorso did finish in a tie for fourth for his best Nationwide Tour finish and now has some success to build on.
The Champions Tour came down to the final hole on Sunday as well as TomWatson and Andy North hung on to win the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf over the team of Stadler and Sluman.
Even the Canadian Tour came down to the final hole in Mexico where John Ellis made birdie on the 72nd hole to beat Canadian Wes Heffernan at the Corona Mazatlan Mexican PGA Championship.
And finally, in a feel good story, Darren Clarke won his first tournament since losing his wife in 2006 to cancer. Clarke had a two stroke lead with three to play but Bogies on 16 and 17 put him tied at the top. Clarke dug deep and made a 40 foot bomb for birdie on 18 and the victory.
All five tournaments either went to a playoff or were won on the last hole, very exciting stuff and a good day to be a golf fan.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Lakeview Golf Club
My first round of the season was at a course, that in 25 years golfing, I had never played before. Lakeview is a wonderful, city owned course, in Mississauga. It has hosted The Canadian Open and truly is a bargain.
At this time of year most courses are just opening after a long winter and need time to get into shape. That was the case on many of the greens at Lakeview, they were dried out in spots and bumpy. The fairways were very green and in good condition as were the tee boxes. The bunkers were playable with the right amount of sand.
The Customer Service was incredible. I was late for my tee time so the Pro Shop called the Marshall who let me play the first hole but "chauffeured" me to my ball, allowing me to complete the 1st hole and catch up to my playing partner. As if that wasn't enough, after discovering my PW was still in my trunk, the Marshall offered and went and got it for me !!
Lakeview is not an overly long course but accuracy over brute force is the name of the game here. The tips are 6340 yards, whites at 6000 yards and the forward tees are 5193 playing to a Par 71 with a course and slope rating close to scratch (70.0/121). With rates during the week starting at $58 and $68 on weekends ($10 less until May long weekend), you had better book your tee time early. GPS carts are available but the course is a fairly easy walk. Lakeview is truly one of the best bargains in Ontario.
At this time of year most courses are just opening after a long winter and need time to get into shape. That was the case on many of the greens at Lakeview, they were dried out in spots and bumpy. The fairways were very green and in good condition as were the tee boxes. The bunkers were playable with the right amount of sand.
The Customer Service was incredible. I was late for my tee time so the Pro Shop called the Marshall who let me play the first hole but "chauffeured" me to my ball, allowing me to complete the 1st hole and catch up to my playing partner. As if that wasn't enough, after discovering my PW was still in my trunk, the Marshall offered and went and got it for me !!
Lakeview is not an overly long course but accuracy over brute force is the name of the game here. The tips are 6340 yards, whites at 6000 yards and the forward tees are 5193 playing to a Par 71 with a course and slope rating close to scratch (70.0/121). With rates during the week starting at $58 and $68 on weekends ($10 less until May long weekend), you had better book your tee time early. GPS carts are available but the course is a fairly easy walk. Lakeview is truly one of the best bargains in Ontario.
First Round of the Season !!
I took advantage of the great weather yesterday and played my first round of the season. It was not how I like to start however: I arrived late for my tee time, so my playing partner had already teed off. The Pro Shop informed me he was on the 1st green and that the Marshall would drive me to catch up. The Marshall actually let me play the first hole and drove me in his cart for the first hole, great customer service.
However, I am now REALLY rushed, barely enough time to stretch, no range, no chipping, no putting; not the recipe for a great round.
At the 2nd green, I realize that I have left my PW in my trunk. On the 3rd hole the Marshall came by and when told of my predicament, he immediately offered to go and retrieve it for me. I had my PW before I reached the 4th tee.
At this point I knew keeping score was not a good idea and started concentrating on hitting solid shots. This seemed to work as I had a decent back nine. The greens were bumpy and had quite a bit of winter kill but the rest of the course was in good condition and better than I thought it would be in April. Check out my next post for a review of this course.
However, I am now REALLY rushed, barely enough time to stretch, no range, no chipping, no putting; not the recipe for a great round.
At the 2nd green, I realize that I have left my PW in my trunk. On the 3rd hole the Marshall came by and when told of my predicament, he immediately offered to go and retrieve it for me. I had my PW before I reached the 4th tee.
At this point I knew keeping score was not a good idea and started concentrating on hitting solid shots. This seemed to work as I had a decent back nine. The greens were bumpy and had quite a bit of winter kill but the rest of the course was in good condition and better than I thought it would be in April. Check out my next post for a review of this course.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tiger Woods out 4-6 weeks
It was announced on Tiger's website today that the World's number one golfer would be out 4-6 weeks due to arthroscopic knee surgery performed Tuesday. It is the same knee that he has had two previous operations on, one in 2002 and again in 2004. Recovery from this type of surgery is expected to be 4-6 weeks.
This would mean he would miss The Player's Championship but should be ready in time to compete in The U.S. Open.
This would mean he would miss The Player's Championship but should be ready in time to compete in The U.S. Open.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Spring has Sprung
For most of us in Southern Ontario, The Masters marks the countdown to courses awakening from their long hibernation. Some of the lucky few have already started their season early by heading south in March and April and took advantage of a strong loonie.
For me, this marks the beginning of an online journey that is starting with this Blog. In the coming months, I am hoping to add a regular weekly online radio show. For now it will be the Blog, commenting on things from the world of golf, course reviews, interviews and tips to help lower your scores.
If you read my profile, you know that I also run The Duffer's Dream Tour and we are still accepting memberships. The first tournament is on Saturday May 10 at Peninsula Lakes Golf Club. It is a fun but competitive league where golfers play with and against golfers of similar ability for points, pride and some prizes.
I am heading to the driving range tomorrow for my first swings of the season and will report back on how I did and how sore I probably will be.
For me, this marks the beginning of an online journey that is starting with this Blog. In the coming months, I am hoping to add a regular weekly online radio show. For now it will be the Blog, commenting on things from the world of golf, course reviews, interviews and tips to help lower your scores.
If you read my profile, you know that I also run The Duffer's Dream Tour and we are still accepting memberships. The first tournament is on Saturday May 10 at Peninsula Lakes Golf Club. It is a fun but competitive league where golfers play with and against golfers of similar ability for points, pride and some prizes.
I am heading to the driving range tomorrow for my first swings of the season and will report back on how I did and how sore I probably will be.
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