Here in Southern California, we are currently experiencing some weather. Don’t panic, but there is wet stuff coming from the sky.
No golf today for me. I hope it goes away before my tee time tomorrow.
The Golfchick
That chick blabbing about anything golf related.
Category: News (page 4 of 7)
This week, the players on the Nationwide Tour are competing at the Hillcrest Country Club in Boise, Idaho.
On Thursday, three players made a hole-in-one on the same hole in the first round of the event. It was at the 133 yard par 3 17th hole.
The field is seriously competitive as these guys are competing hard to move up the money list and earn a spot in the top 25 for a PGA Tour card. To me, it’s a more compelling tournament to watch than the PGA right now even though the stakes are high over there as well. The scoring conditions at Hillcrest are incredible and players are putting up some pretty low numbers. The cut line yesterday was at 4 under.
Perhaps you’ve heard of Ricky Barnes, the 2002 US Amateur winner. Currently, he is 89th on the money list. In his first two rounds he shot 67-70, putting him at 5 under. Had he birdied instead of aced that hole, he would have just made the cut. Had he made par there instead, he would have missed it. Ricky also blogs about his pursuit of a PGA card as one of the players who keeps a journal over at The Grind.
The same scenario is true for David Hearn, who is 49th on the money list and shot 64-73 to put him at 5 under. Barnes and Hearn are among the 18 players at T42 after Friday’s round.
The third player to make an ace that day needed a few more strokes to make the cut. His hole-in-one contributed to a score of 70 that day, and he followed it up with a 71 yesterday, putting him at 1 under. He may have been disappointed to miss the cut but you’d never know it because he always seems to have a smile on his face. He was invited to the event on a sponsor’s exemption after just turning pro this year at the young age of 16. Need another clue? Youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Open. Still need another? He’s Hawaiian. That’s right. It’s Tadd Fujikawa.
Congratulations to all three players on their aces.
Photo caption (from L to R): Tim Cleaver, Lindsay Gilbert, Steve Williams, Jamie Munro, Mark Wilson and James Livingston at Randall’s Island Golf.
Tiger’s caddy, Steve Williams, joined his kiwi mates in New York yesterday (just hours after Tiger won the season ending TOUR Championship). Why the quick stop in NY?
Speight’s, New Zealand’s famous beer, sent five Kiwi’s on a boat from NZ to London (three months at sea!) to bring a Speight’s pub to London. It’s a great, long story yet true — check out the details at www.speights.co.nz. And since the boat stopped in NY for 48 hours, Stevie wanted to join up and hang with his mates for the day. They spent the morning at the Empire State Building, then took in a golf lesson at Randall’s in the City and finally then off to the Yankees game last night.
Just a classic idea. As they say in NZ, kiwi-genius.
Golfchick note: I get a lot of requests via email to promote certain things and most of them never make it to this site. First I was contacted by David Schwab (Managing Director of First Call Octagon) about this promotion but it was this blog post that was sent from Tamara Alfred (First Call Intern) that caught my eye. Smart cookie, that one, sending a photo with good looking New Zealanders. That sealed the deal for me.
September is National Ovarian Cancer Month. Teal is the official color representing the awareness campaign.
LPGA members will wear ribbons at events in September
The LPGA announced that players have been requested to don the teal ribbons at events during the month of September.
The LPGA Teaching and Club Professional members also get involved. The president of that organization, Patti Benson, is an ovarian cancer survivor herself and is actively involved in raising awareness of the disease. Her past efforts include sending a letter with a ribbon and an ovarian cancer fact card to all of the nearly 1200 members which encouraged the teaching and club pros to share the information with their clients and students.
Callaway continues commitment to cause
Callaway golf pros (or their caddies) will be carrying Callaway’s limited edition commemorative teal golf bag at all events in September, including this weekend’s Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston and the State Farm Classic at Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, Illinois. Look for those cool bags out on the courses. They even have a ribbon on the underside of the bag you can see when they’re being carried or resting on the grass.
Players to watch for a look at the bag in action:
Annika Sorenstam
Phil Mickelson
Morgan Pressel
Rich Beem
Charles Howell III
Julieta Granada
…and more.
Callaway also has a line of special edition products for the public, all in teal, of course. A teal FT-i driver (only 1000 made and individually numbered) along with golf balls, hats and towels will be available starting tomorrow. Callaway will donate 15% of the net sales from these teal products (up to $200,000) to Callaway Golf Foundation Women’s Cancer Initiative through the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF). Yes, the same foundation I wrote about here for which Eva Longoria is the spokesperson.
Learn more, spread the word, support the cause: Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Update:
I thought I should post the comment from Courtney here:
If you happen to be up and around at 8am eastern this coming Sunday (9/2), pull up www.790thezone.com and listen in to On the Green. We have scheduled Michèle Szynal (pronounced SHIN-all), VP of Public Relations for Callaway to talk about the Women’s Cancer Initiative.
Sorry guys, we couldn’t get Eva.
If you’re out looking for the teal collection of balls – it is the HX Pearl ball.
Tomorrow is Patriot Golf Day.
What is it with people using golf clubs as weapons?
This week, there is another story about a kid attacking someone with a golf club. The story says some other kids helped lure the victim to a secluded area where the teen carried out the assault.
I know they have the word club right in the name and I’m sure they make great weapons (especially irons) but golf clubs are actually tools to be used to move a golf ball from one position to another. I point this out because it seems evident that these criminals are not golfers and probably qualify as bona fide morons.
Last time, the moron used a driver. This time, it wasn’t reported which club was chosen (at such close range I would think a wedge or putter was in order) but after the attack he threw the club in a river. I don’t think golfers would treat their clubs with such disrespect but if they did, they’d know which club to use. And throwing it in a river? Splashes like that should be reserved for severely misbehaving golf clubs and the pesky ponds or lakes that always seem to get the better of you.
I bet that kid’s mom (or dad) is going to be as pissed about the missing golf club as she is disappointed and saddened by the idiot she raised.
Betsy King, captain of this year’s United States Solheim Cup team, announced her picks and assembled the team for a press conference yesterday.
Here is the team that will be representing the U.S. against Europe at the Solheim Cup in Sweden September 14-16:
Captain: Betsy King
Assistant captain: Beth Daniel
(The first 10 players qualified for the coveted spots automatically with their accumulation of Solheim Cup points):
1. Paula Creamer 741.00
2. Cristie Kerr 713.50
3. Morgan Pressel 532.50
4. Juli Inkster 512.00
5. Stacy Prammanasudh 483.50
6. Pat Hurst 449.00
7. Natalie Gulbis 412.50
8. Brittany Lincicome 396.50
9. Angela Stanford 372.00
10. Sherri Steinhauer 324.50
Captain’s picks
Nicole Castrale 277.00
Laura Diaz 240.00
History and stats
Beginning in the U.S. in 1990, The Solheim Cup has been played every two years, alternating locations in the U.S. and in Europe. It’s a match play competition with a format similar to the Ryder Cup. The U.S. team has a strong lead in this U.S. vs. Europe competition, having earned victory at 6 out of 9 events. However, only one of those wins came on European soil. Will the team Betsy King has assembled be able to make that 2 this year at the Halmstad Golfklubb in Sweden? Or will we have to wait until the competition comes back to the U.S. (Chicago) in 2009 for the next team to get that Waterford Crystal cup for America again? Trivia tidbit: Did you know The Solheim Cup was named after Karsten Solheim, the founder of of the manufacturing company that makes PING golf equipment?
The big snubs?
Of course, since this competition only includes U.S.- and European-born players, the world’s No. 1 female player will not be competing. Lorena Ochoa – who just captured her 3rd straight win(!) at this weekend’s Safeway Classic – will have to sit back and watch with the rest of us. So will Se Ri Pak, who recently qualified for the LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame (and will be officially inducted in November). Back when the Solheim Cup began in 1990, Mexico wasn’t really an issue and the Korean explosion hadn’t happened yet. Even Se Ri didn’t hit the scene until 1998. A U.S. vs. Europe event might have seemed nearly all inclusive. While I’d love to see an event that was more of a truly international team match play competition, I don’t have a proposal for how to do it. I mean, Korea would be a force to be reckoned with but any team Mexico could field would essentially be a one-woman show. If we broke it down by North and South America vs. The Rest of the World, where’s the rivalry and National – or Continental – pride?
Speaking of National pride, one golfer who did have the chance to make the team but didn’t, is Christina Kim. Christina was part of the winning U.S. team in 2005 and dearly wanted to make the team again this year. In fact, at this weekend’s Safeway Classic, she seemed to be more interested in looking good for Betsy King than in the 2nd place purse she won (tied with 3 other players). She practically said as much in her on-camera interview when she finished on Sunday. Maybe winning that tournament would have caught Betsy’s eye, but Lorena Ochoa ran away with that prize, defeating all the second place winners by 5 strokes.
Still, the first captain’s pick for the team happened to be 11th place in Solheim Cup points and a win yesterday would have knocked Nicole Castrale out of that position. Of course that wouldn’t have guaranteed her a spot – Nicole might have been chosen anyway – but it might have been more difficult to justify. King’s second pick wasn’t about points, because Christina had Laura Diaz beat in that regard. Nothing against Laura here, but it also wasn’t about sponsors and ratings because I think Christina’s charm and enthusiasm would win that hands down. Diaz must have been chosen for her experience in Sweden (and in years) as well as whatever influence King thought Diaz would bring to the team. I’m sure Diaz has passion and team spirit but I’m also sure she won’t express it like Christina Kim does.
Calm and stability won out over buoyancy but that’s not to say that’s how Captain King made her picks. I’m sure she looked at all angles and made the decision she thought would be best for a cohesive team. I just hope it’s a winning team. And I feel for Christina.
Go get ’em, U.S.A.!
Annika Sorenstam announced on her website today that she got engaged to Mike McGee this morning. McGee manages the Annika brand, so I’m sure he’ll be fine when she doesn’t change her name to Annika McGee.
She said the engagement marked the two year anniversary of the first weekend they spent together. Two years ago today would have been August 25, 2005, which was three days after her divorce from David Esch became final. She filed the papers 6 months earlier so perhaps the weekend was a celebration. Now they have something else to celebrate.
The AP article that’s making the rounds on many golf websites points out that no date has been set for a wedding. Is that such a big deal? I don’t think too many people set the date the same day they get engaged. Give ’em a minute to enjoy it!
Congratulations to Mike on scooping up one of the best golfers in the world and someone who seems like a sincerely sweet person.
Best wishes to Annika for a long and happy life with someone who must be worthy.
Photo posted with apologies to Annika, Mike, David, Walter Iooss, Jr. and Sports Illustrated.
On Saturday, September 1, 2007, golfers across America can support the men and women in our Armed Forces when we hit the links.
Public golf courses are asking every golfer to donate $1 in addition to the regular greens fees that day which will be donated to Wounded Warriors, Inc., also benefiting the Fallen Heroes Foundation. Private courses will be asking patrons for donations.
Just $1. It may not seem like a lot but when you think of all the people in every state who will be playing golf that day, imagine how much good we can do as a group!
Both organizations provide financial and emotional support to the families of fallen or injured service men and women. The Fallen Heroes Foundation also provides financial aid to help educate the children and spouses in those families.
So many charity events occur on weekdays when fewer of us are available to participate. It’s great that this one is on a Saturday. If you’re an avid golfer, you might already have plans to play that day. If not, there’s plenty of time to make your tee-time reservation at a participating course. Check the Play Golf America site to find out what courses near you are involved. If your favorite course isn’t listed, it couldn’t hurt to call them and ask them to participate. If they agree, you will have increased the donations just like that!
If you manage or work at a golf course, here is the link where you can register your course to participate.
Here are the participating courses in my area:
Buenaventura Golf Course
Lake Lindero Country Club
Los Robles Golf Course
Lost Canyons Golf Club
River Ridge Golf Club
Robinson Ranch
Rustic Canyon Golf Course
Let’s get out there and support our troops while we play golf! You can also make a donation here.
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FedEx Cup: Success? Tiger Woods: Sick.
23 under? REALLY? That’s the golf course we want them to play for the finals of the first ever Fedex Cup?
Sure, that was only Tiger, and it’s not like he’s human or something, but the actual men in the field laid waste to the course as well a mere 8 strokes behind that. Yes, mere. Tiger’s ability is just sick, so it’s not fair to compare other golfers to him.
Of course he won the FedEx Cup. And the Tour Championship. And Player of the Year. With authority. It wouldn’t seem right to have any of those titles go to anyone other than the world’s best golfer ever. So in that respect, the FedEx Cup was a success. I know a lot of folks were rooting for Stricker to win so the $10 million bonus would mean something, and at least he earned himself the $3M second place annuity. That’ll be some decent retirement money at any percentage rate. But let’s face it – if Tiger “sat on his laurels” and decided not to win, the Fedex Cup would have been criticized for not delivering the true champion. It would have been weird to have the Tour Championship trophy go to one guy, the Fedex Cup to another and the Player of the Year to yet another. Weird and wrong.
The Fedex Cup will continue to be criticized for its other problems – like the fact that the winner only had to play in 3 out of 4 playoff events (and could have done it in two), and the points system, and the schedule, and the final golf course, to name a few. But if nothing else, at least the right
manbeing won.Is this a human drinking glass?
Next post.