At the ripe old age of 37, Annika Sorenstam announced she is retiring at the end of the 2008 season. Annika made the announcement during a press conference in New Jersey, site of this week's Sybase Classic on the LPGA Tour.
Annika's record is well known, the first female golfer to shoot 59, 72 LPGA victories (3rd all time), 10 majors (2nd all time), 8 player of the year honors and competed on the PGA Tour at the Colonial. Although she missed the cut by four shots, her demeanour and class was evident throughout the highly publicized and scrutinized event.
Sorenstam has been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and will be enshrined into, agruably, the hardest to qualify for, the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame. In 2008, she already has three wins, including last week at Kingsmill with world number one, Lorena Ochoa, in the field.
Annika said she wanted to devote herself to other interests and wants to start a family with soon to be husband Mike Magee. Sorenstam also has a line of clothing, a golf academy in Florida and an ongoing golf course design business.
Sorenstam has been the driving force behind the success of the LPGA in the century. Her domination of the sport has been rivalled only by Tiger Woods and now the reigns have been handed over to the new kids on the block. Don't be surprised to see Annika regain her number one ranking this year and go out on top.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Duffer's Dream Tour - Weekday Edition
The first round of the Weekday Tour got underway today. The weather cooperated nicely as the light rain finished 15 minutes before our first tee time. With a smaller field, the gamblers were out in full force, only three players didn't participate in skins and a total of eight were won.
Low round honors were shared by Charles Orchard and John Coy who each carded an 83. Only one shot back was Nils Granholm who recorded his second lowest score in his four year Tour career. Nils' lowest was a 77 (in 2005) at Innerkip Highlands which beat me by a shot, but we won't go into that.
And in a tale of two nines, Tour rookie and my playing partner today, Ray Doucet shot an opening front of 52 and followed it up with a nice 41 on the back, for a nice recovery.
Low round honors were shared by Charles Orchard and John Coy who each carded an 83. Only one shot back was Nils Granholm who recorded his second lowest score in his four year Tour career. Nils' lowest was a 77 (in 2005) at Innerkip Highlands which beat me by a shot, but we won't go into that.
And in a tale of two nines, Tour rookie and my playing partner today, Ray Doucet shot an opening front of 52 and followed it up with a nice 41 on the back, for a nice recovery.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Duffer's Dream Tour - Round 1 Recap
The Duffer's Dream Tour 2008 season got underway at The Cairn Croft Niagara Classic at Peninsula Lakes on Saturday. While most players were trying to find their games, four of the Tour members were trying to find their way to the course. After traffic delays forced the entire foursome to find an alternate route to the course, they called Penlakes to get directions, they arrived about 20 minutes late for their tee time. Thanks to Peninsula Lakes for accomodating them and they even had time to warm up prior to their round.
However, the fun didn't end there. Because of the delay in teeing off there was three pay as you play groups between them and the Tour. After finishing the Hillside nine, the starter, who was not the morning starter, instructed the group to the Quarry nine instead of our back nine at the Orchard. The news gets better, one of the group carded a days best 81, but on the wrong 18 holes !! After much angst the Commissioner made the ruling that a two stoke penalty for each hole played incorrectly, to a maximum of four strokes, had to be applied to the round. The one bright spot is the player in question did win a skin on the correct front nine and won $65 for his troubles.
The low round of the day belonged to Greg Watson who carded an 82. Special mention should go to John Warner who bested last year's round at Penlakes by 8 strokes for a 92. Although handicaps will be announced after the third round, John should be a contender for the low net win.
However, the fun didn't end there. Because of the delay in teeing off there was three pay as you play groups between them and the Tour. After finishing the Hillside nine, the starter, who was not the morning starter, instructed the group to the Quarry nine instead of our back nine at the Orchard. The news gets better, one of the group carded a days best 81, but on the wrong 18 holes !! After much angst the Commissioner made the ruling that a two stoke penalty for each hole played incorrectly, to a maximum of four strokes, had to be applied to the round. The one bright spot is the player in question did win a skin on the correct front nine and won $65 for his troubles.
The low round of the day belonged to Greg Watson who carded an 82. Special mention should go to John Warner who bested last year's round at Penlakes by 8 strokes for a 92. Although handicaps will be announced after the third round, John should be a contender for the low net win.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Thundering Waters
After bursting on to the scene with much fanfare and an attempt by the course's signature designer to hit one over the falls, Thundering Waters is still trying to find its way in a busy Niagara golfing market. The course itself has gone through major changes since it first opened in the fall of 2005, mostly due to condos being built on what was the first and second holes and the tenth. It does seem strange for a major re-design in only three years but course staff insist that was always the intention.
I first visted the course in the fall of 2005 covering the Candian Tour's Niagara Pro-Am and found that the course was not quite ready for prime time. The tees were hard as a rock and golfers had to use one to get their tee in the ground. The fairways on one and two were sparsely covered with grass but the layout and the greens were very good.
Jump ahead to my visit this week and things have changed dramatically. One would think that with John Daly associated with a golf course that the primary focus would be hitting it a long way off the tee. But the exact opposite is true at Thundering Waters. Precision off the tee is paramount to scoring well as is hitting to the correct side of the pin. Most greens sit above the fairway with fall offs to collection areas and if you short side yourself, getting up and down is going to be difficult. It is not a long course but it is a shot makers course.
The course is in very good condition for April and most of the greens have wintered well. There is one temp green in play at the moment but will be gone in another month. The layout is a bit confusing at times with the changes but can be navigated as long as you're paying attention. The Clubhouse is nicely appointed with good locker room facilities and a very nice grill room. All the carts have a GPS system that give eact yardage to the flag from anywhere on the hole plus distances to bunkers, hazards, etc...
Green fees are in line with other courses in the area that offer similar amenities and the customer service is excellent. From the bag drop, to the Pro Shop and on course staff they are all smiles. For more information and directions visit their website at http://www.thunderingwaters.com
I first visted the course in the fall of 2005 covering the Candian Tour's Niagara Pro-Am and found that the course was not quite ready for prime time. The tees were hard as a rock and golfers had to use one to get their tee in the ground. The fairways on one and two were sparsely covered with grass but the layout and the greens were very good.
Jump ahead to my visit this week and things have changed dramatically. One would think that with John Daly associated with a golf course that the primary focus would be hitting it a long way off the tee. But the exact opposite is true at Thundering Waters. Precision off the tee is paramount to scoring well as is hitting to the correct side of the pin. Most greens sit above the fairway with fall offs to collection areas and if you short side yourself, getting up and down is going to be difficult. It is not a long course but it is a shot makers course.
The course is in very good condition for April and most of the greens have wintered well. There is one temp green in play at the moment but will be gone in another month. The layout is a bit confusing at times with the changes but can be navigated as long as you're paying attention. The Clubhouse is nicely appointed with good locker room facilities and a very nice grill room. All the carts have a GPS system that give eact yardage to the flag from anywhere on the hole plus distances to bunkers, hazards, etc...
Green fees are in line with other courses in the area that offer similar amenities and the customer service is excellent. From the bag drop, to the Pro Shop and on course staff they are all smiles. For more information and directions visit their website at http://www.thunderingwaters.com
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Decorso has South Georgia on his mind
It was deja vu all over again on the Nationwide Tour. Bryan DeCorso held a one stroke lead going into the final round on the Nationwide Tour. If that sounds familiar, it is because DeCorso was leading last week by one shot going into the final round where he ended up in a Tie for fourth.
This week, at The South Georgia Classic, Bryan DeCorso looked in control during the final round. He had a brief scare after Bogeying the 10th that cut his lead to one but he quickly got that back with a birdie on 11. He cruised in from there posting the low round of the day (69).
Bryce Molder made the biggest move of the day, also posting 69, by firing at the flags trying to catch DeCorso but ended up in a tie for second with Greg Owen. The only other Canadian to play the weekend, Brad Fritsch, finished in a tie for 66th.
This is Bryan's first win on the Nationwide Tour and the Guelph native's first win since, since, let's just say its been a long, long time. He has toiled on the mini tours and has quit the game more than once. But in 2005, he dedicated himself to playing full time but his break through came just three short weeks ago. Bryan sought the help of Greg Towne, an Orlando based swing coach, and hasn't looked back. He felt so good about his game that he called Bill Paul, Director of The RBC Canadian Open, for an exemption. After this weekend, I expect we'll see Bryan DeCorso playing at Glen Abbey in July.
This week, at The South Georgia Classic, Bryan DeCorso looked in control during the final round. He had a brief scare after Bogeying the 10th that cut his lead to one but he quickly got that back with a birdie on 11. He cruised in from there posting the low round of the day (69).
Bryce Molder made the biggest move of the day, also posting 69, by firing at the flags trying to catch DeCorso but ended up in a tie for second with Greg Owen. The only other Canadian to play the weekend, Brad Fritsch, finished in a tie for 66th.
This is Bryan's first win on the Nationwide Tour and the Guelph native's first win since, since, let's just say its been a long, long time. He has toiled on the mini tours and has quit the game more than once. But in 2005, he dedicated himself to playing full time but his break through came just three short weeks ago. Bryan sought the help of Greg Towne, an Orlando based swing coach, and hasn't looked back. He felt so good about his game that he called Bill Paul, Director of The RBC Canadian Open, for an exemption. After this weekend, I expect we'll see Bryan DeCorso playing at Glen Abbey in July.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
John Daly's Fashion Faux Pas
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.
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.
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.
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