A WALK IN THE PARK (TM)

Moving to a new address! - www.jayflemma.thegolfspace.com

2006-10-02T07:46:00.000-07:00

After almost two years at this address, we're moving on up! [Cue "The Jefferson's" theme - We'll be movin' on up, to the Eeeeeeeeeast Siiiide! To a DEE-luxe apartment...in the skyyyyyyyyyy!]

That's right, Tony K, the Media Guru has signed on as Chief Web Mugwuk and done a terrific job getting the new site up and ready for public consumption today!

The link is here: www.jayflemma.thegolfspace.com.

Thanks the blogger folks for a great run. I had no complaints, I just needed the flexibility of more user interface toys on a full blown website.

We'll be adding a special tool that will refresh this site over to The Golf Space. Thanks to everybody for almost two years of terrific support. We're kicking off the new site with a fun piece linking golf course architecture and archaeology!

See you at A Walk in the Park 2.0!

Support Freedom of Speech - Support Williams and Fainaru-Wada and Redeker

2006-09-29T14:22:00.000-07:00

Every golf writer, blogger, journalist and red-blooded American should join me in supporting the rights of free speech and freedom of the press for three people - the "steroid journalists" from the San Francisco Chronicle who broke the Barry Bonds bombshell and French Journalist Robert Redeker who is on the run from Militant Islamic Extremists who issued death threats in response to an article critical of Islam and Mohammed. The extremists released information on how to find and murder him in the name of Islam.

First, District Judge Jeffrey White basically said his hands were tied and that he had to hold Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada in contempt of court for failing to reveal sources who leaked Bonds' grand jury testimony.

They would never work again if they caved. In a choice between your livelihood and your freedom, you have to choose your livelihood. Freedom without the ability to earn a living isn't freedom at all.

I am a lawyer and I have a deep respect for the sanctity of the grand jury process, but here, the equity is clear. Hopefully the shield law which would protect journalists from jail time for failing to name sources will get passed. They are free pending an appeal to the 9th Circuit.

If the Ninth Circuit can find a way to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance and find a way to make Grokster legal under copyright law, they can do far less yoga here and do the right thing. These guys are fighting for the health of our children and for the sanctity of fairness in sports. They should be repsected and praised, not punished for doing an excellent job.

Next, French philosophy professor Robert Redeker is on the run for his life tonight for exercising his right to free speech.

Redeker made inflammatory comments against the prophet Mohammed and Islam and the Quran.

Redeker's comments were unwise, over-the-top and he should have known they would provoke backlash. He should have been far more measured and chosen his words with greater care - but his ignorant actions still should never provoke the much more violent and illegal reaction of murder.

The death threats which followed his piece's publication prove that Islamic Extremists rely on intimidation and threats of violence and even murder to silence opposition and spread their hegemony. A fatwa such as the one under which Redeker lives (and Salman Rushdie before him) is nothing more than saying "I must kill you now to suppress criticism of my religion and because my God tells me." There is no room in civilized society for such barbarism.

This is a letter from Redeker to a friend seeking sanctuary:

“I am now in a catastrophic personal situation. Several death threats have been sent to me, and I have been sentenced to death by organizations of the al-Qaeda movement. [...] On the websites condemning me to death there is a map showing how to get to my house to kill me, they have my photo, the places where I work, the telephone numbers, and the death fatwa. [...] There is no safe place for me, I have to beg, two evenings here, two evenings there. [...] I am under the constant protection of the police. I must cancel all scheduled conferences. And the authorities urge me to keep moving. [...] All costs are at my own expense, including those of rents a month or two ahead, the costs of moving twice, legal expenses, etc.

It's quite sad. I exercised my constitutional rights, and I am punished for it, even in the territory of the Republic. This affair is also an attack against national sovereignty – foreign rules, decided by criminally minded fanatics, punish me for having exercised a constitutional right, and I am subjected, even in France, to great injury.”

Just imagine for one minute that it were you. Your life would never be the same simply because you spoke your mind.

No one should ever have to suffer such persecution for engaging in intellectual debate. On this point, we must not submit.

Lorne Rubenstein piece on Celtic Manor on Golf Observer

2006-09-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a terrific piece by a terrific guy. My Golf Observer colleague Lorne Rubenstein has this great piece on the 2010 Ryder Cup Venue Celtic Manor. He also tells us that Ian Woosnam chose red on Sunday for the European Team because he wanted to pay homage to the "Red Dragon" on the Welsh flag.

The article is here.

Police report: Dallas Cowboys Terrell Owens overdoses on pain medication; publicist disagrees

2006-09-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

While details are still sketchy, the sports world has once again ground to a halt because of Terrell Owens.

According to police, Owens overdosed on pain medication, taking at least seven pills. Owens was hospitalized last night.

The article is here.

According to Jamie Aron's story, the police report reflects that Owens was asked by police if he tried to harm himself and responded, "Yes."

Hours later, Owens' publicist denied reports that he attempted suicide claiming that Owens was "groggy" when asked the question about intending to harm himself.

Editor's Note: We are currently attempting to secure further details. Obviously the complexity of this story need time to let events unfold, not a rush to "what does this all mean." I'll leave that for Sean Salisbury. The Dallas police did say that this was not being treated as a criminal matter - attempted suicides usually are treated in such a manner. Believe it or not, it's not illegal to commit suicide, just to attempt suicide.

Even if this whole thing is a helluva snafu, this is not the way to impress his new employers. There was an interesting prop bet which had it even money whether Owens lasted a full year in Dallas. I wonder if that just changed...

Video - Darth Vader calls Palpatine to tell him he crashed the Death Star!

2006-09-26T14:19:00.000-07:00

Again, thanks to Czaban for finding this world class bit of comedy from Comedy Central's Adult Swim.

Darth Vader calls Palpatine collect to tell him the Death Star got roached by a motley bunch of flyboys.

Priceless - "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought my mighty Dark Lord of the Sith could protect a thermal exhaust port that's only two meters wide!"

In three minutes they completely undress all the nonsense of the last three movies. Thank you!

Video - Steve Williams drops Tiger's 9-iron in the lake at the Ryder Cup

2006-09-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

Steve Czaban found the video of Steve Williams nearly taking a header into the River Liffey and sacrificing (temporarily) Tiger's 9-iron. Look at Woods' expression. He looks like he needed a vat full of antacids.

Click here for the video.

Reading list - John Coyne "The caddie who knew Ben Hogan"

2006-09-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

Here's a great read for you - John Coyne's "The Caddie Who Knew Ben Hogan"

John is a master writer whose prose reads as well aloud as to one's self. He is a first-rate story teller, crafting a richly detailed story of golf days long past and of heroes we wish we'd seen play in their heyday.

John has a website here.

It was a team effort, but Darren Clarke shone brightest

2006-09-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

You couldn't cheer because you were crying, you couldn't cry because you were cheering, but both felt heartwarming and overwhelming anyway. In one unforgettable weekend Darren Clarke gave us a golf performance for all time. Gritty, courageous, inspiring, grateful, humble; a broken man held all the golf world on his back this weekend and we held him up in return.

Struggling past the bitter loss of his soul mate, his better half, his confidante, his partner, Clarke gave his departed wife Heather's memory a tribute that will last throughout recorded golf history.

"She rousted me out of bed, she made me practice, she would have wanted me here" Clarke reminisced, misty-eyed. "The reception everyone gave me was something I'll never forget."

In return, shouldering a loss we all dread in the deepest recesses of our souls, Clarke took on the greatest golf challenge in the world - defeat the U.S. in the Ryder Cup. Clarke responded with the virtuouso performance of his life.

This was his magnum opus. Playing with the heaviest of hearts, yet bouyed by teammates and country, he crafted a perfect 3-0 record.

Courage is the ability to be strong, brave and resolute in the face of adversity, but valor is the ability to be courageous in the face of insurmountable odds and certain failure. That was what Clarke showed us today - valor. His ability to come back and perform at the highest level after such heartbreak is an example to us all. No trophy of victory can ever make up for the loss in his heart, but he created an indisputable masterpiece with which to pay tribute.

Happily, his triumph was embraced by everyone, European and American alike. Though we root for our respective flags, espouse our respective politics, defend our favorite sons with passion, we all stood united as one golf world in acknowledging and savoring something that will never fade in the cultural memory of the game. That's what Samuel Ryder envisioned when he started this competition. It doesn't matter what side wins or loses as long as the game and its spirit win every time.

This year, Clarke's victory was the game's victory and the game's victory was our victory. It was a shared victory - something both sides of the pond were proud to witness. Though there was Casey's incredible walk-off hole-in-one, there was Garcia's fire which the Europeans rallied around and there was Olazabal's remarkable resurgance, this was Clarke's Cup.

Even American's love and revere him. I choose those words with precision - this is not grudging respect, this is not an "oh don't forget about" remembrance - Clarke has led so many times by example - championing, indeed living the spirit of the game. He has become a standard to which we hold our own performances - a paragon of virtue. That is what it means to have a true golfer's soul.

Clarke flat out dismantled Tiger Woods head to head in the Finals of the 2000 World Match Play Championship. Clarke took a self imposed penalty even though rules officials told him he need not last year in a European Tour Tournament. Clarke overcame the most bitter personal loss to record team triumph at the Ryder Cup and set an example for every fan everywhere.

That dear sports fans, is what it means to be a sportsman. Slante, Darren, thank you...and Godspeed.

2006 Ryder Cup - Sunday signles pairings and the first walk off hole in one

2006-09-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

As you scroll down the pairings, note how the two captains placed their players:

Europe USA

Montgomerie -- Toms
Garcia -- Cink
Casey -- Furyk
Karlsson -- Woods
Donald --- Campbell
McGinley -- Henry
Clarke -- Johnson
Stenson -- Taylor
Howell -- Wettrich
Olazabal -- Mickelson
Westwoods -- DiMarco
Harrington -- Verplank

As I look down the list, the only one I "oohed" and "aahhed" over was Westwood-DiMarco as for as an old fashioned "slobbernoggin" (John madden's word) of a battle.

Not too many other "marquee" matchups...Monty-Toms might be mildly interesting, if Monty doesn't mop the floor with him.Monty...right out of the gate.

By the way, tell me Lehman didn't see that coming, yet he sends David Toms off first. Infact, Toms and Cink? How are they gonna light a fire? Toms, even when he wins, isn't a fire brand that you rally around and no one has shrunk faster with a big moment on the line when it matters than Cink. I mean he's heralded as this great putter and has missed every money putt when they mattered most. And them anchoring with Verplank??? Please.

Maybe Clarke-Johnson will have some fireworks but, this time, score one for the way the President's Cup does the draw.Nevertheless, also score one for woosie...thoroughbreds out of the gate, studs to kick you home and a solid core. Lehman's looks haphazard by comparison.

Imagine some day......"Garcias on the board! Who wants him???"

Finally, what an exclamation point on the day - Paul Casey finishes off his match with the world's first ever Walk off hole-in-one. Win or lose, that was truly a golf moment for all time.

2006 Ryder Cup Saturday Four Ball pairings

2006-09-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

1. Cink-Henry vs. Casey-Karlson

[Author's note - it took Tom Lehman 52 minutes to come up with that??? He flirted with missing the deadline for submitting the picks by only a couple of minutes...what's the penalty I wonder? One hole in the first match???]

2. Mickelson-DiMarco vs. Garcia-Olazabal

3. Woods-Furyk vs. Clarke-Westwood

4. Verplank-Johnson vs. Harrington-Stenson

Any idea when we might see Vaughn Taylor? Are we finished with Brett Wettrich? Notice how today, the stud pairings (Woods-Furyk, Mickelson-DiMarco) were matches 1-4, but now they are 2-3 for Saturday? Well Woosnam did the same thing, but also managed to out-flank Lehman in the 1-4 matches. He had a great hunch he played there, effectively guessing where Lehman would play his depth and counterpunched well.

Finally, Golfweek's Jeff Rude had this to note about the choice of The K Club:

"Let's just suppose that someone blindfolded me, dropped me onto the K Club, yanked off the eye cover, sent me on an 18-hole walk and asked, "Where are you?" The answer, without question: La Costa. However, when you stand on No. 18, you feel you just got airlifted onto the last at Doral Blue."

Exactly. I wonder what he'd say about TPC Utica...err...Turning Stone Casino? Hey Jeff! Where'd you get airlifted? Saskatoon?

Just a note - it took the first group of the day - Woods, Furyk, Montgomerie and Harrington 5:20 (FIVE-TWENTY!) to play 18 holes...with nobody in front of them...on a parkland course.

The Euros APPEAR...ON PAPER...to have a huge advantage in matches 1 and 4. If they don't cash in those two "penalty kicks" of the draw, the U.S. should breathe a big sigh of relief. Down 5-3 already and maybe looking at 10-6 by Saturday's end if they play carelessly.

Things I DON'T like about the Ryder Cup Vol. 9 + live Ryder Cup Scores

2006-09-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

Take a look at this photo. Why is Luke Donald's fiance Diane wearing the back half of Harry Potter's broomstick in her hair? And how can Elin walk around the course in those stiletto heel black leather boots???

See? This is why I hate all the "wives and girlfriends" rubbish at the Ryder Cup, (click here for real time scoreboard). We're in Dublin, not Paris. This is a golf tournament, not a runway. For goodness sake, she looks like Tim Burton's take on Minerva McGonagall (below).

Finally, this year people are overwhelmingly admitting the whole fashion show aspect of the wives-girlfriends participation has become an overdone caricature. My client, Jaret Reddick, is right when he sings "The whole world's just too obsessed with who's the best dressed and who's just a mess." (New single - "High School Never Ends," click on the link, it plays automatically).

Here's an idea to REALLY make the wives and girlfriends relevent. Scrap the "March of the wives" and all the high-school fashion show "pageantry" (and believe me, we are not buying that stale coffee Dan Hicks is trying to sell.)

1. GIVE THEM ALL GOLF CLUBS.

2. LINE THEM UP FOR 36 HOLES ON THURSDAY - SIX DOUBLES MATCHES IN THE MORNING AND 12 SINGLES MATCHES IN THE AFTERNOON.

3. Give out "WiGis (Wives-Girlfriends) Cup."

Seriously, they get far MORE face time, they get to dress up and it makes for something more interesting and enduring than "who dressed up more like a peacock. How awesome would it be to see Amy and Elin sweating bullets over four footers while Laura Westwood and Caroline Harrington are doing their best Paula Creamer deathstares to intimidate them from rallying from 2-down late! There - that's must see TV for golfers.

Friday Morning pairings - 2006 Ryder Cup

2006-09-21T14:46:00.000-07:00

Morning Best Ball "Four Balls"

1. Woods-Furyk vs. Montgomerie-Harrington

Boy that alone is worth the price of admission! Talk about a heavyweight bout...

2. Cink-J.J. Henry vs. Casey-Karlsson
3. Toms-Wettrich vs. Olazabal-Garcia
4. Mickelson-DiMarco vs. Clarke-Westwood

For the record. Tiger's record on Friday matches is 1-7. However, this is the first time he has been paired with Furyk. Tiger's overall record is 7-11-2.

Sergio Garcia is 10-3. Colin Montgomerie has never lost a singles match in seven tries. At least the rookies are getting some early P.T. to calm the nerves. Watch Cink and Verplank play the afternoon alternate shot.

2006 Ryder Cup Predictions at the K Club

2006-09-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

Boy, just when the Euros had the U.S. right where they wanted them, the tables have turned.

The entire buzz lead up to this Ryder Cup has been:

1) They are deeper 1-12 than the U.S.;
2) They are a more unified team than the U.S.;
3) Tiger doesn't care about this like he does the Majors;
4) They have home field advantage;
5) The US stinks at four balls and will be in a deep hole come Sunday.

Boy how quickly things change.

The Dubliner - a widely circulated tabloid across the pond - woke a sleeping Tiger in the worst way. Everyone associated with golf has seen those photos for about two years now and knows they are fakes. It's one of the most widely spread Internet hoaxes in sports.

What the heck is the Dubliner doing trolling out those in a thinly veiled and marginally tongue in cheek article the week before the Ryder Cup? Well, 1) getting itself sued and sued successfully for defamation. The test is did they know they were fake OR DID THEY PUBLISH THEM WITH A RECKLESS DISREGARD FOR THE TRUTH. Since that Internet hoax existed for two years prior, their only hope is to have a homer Judge rescue them because on the law and facts, they lose at a summary judgment motion.

I know Tiger's lawyer for those cases - it's Mark Lee of Manatt Phelps and Phillips in LA. And let me tell you, that firm is an 8,000 lb. gorilla. The Dubliner is going to get a full broadside and rightfully so. Shame on the Dubliner for such despicable "journalism."

They are also 2) waking the sleeping Tiger. I know I go ballistic if someone even tangentially goes after my girl. Can you imagine how surgical, coldly ruthless, and merciless Tiger will be? For goodness, sake, that's his wife! And boy, isn't Furyk the perfect teammate for Tiger for this mission; equally cold, cunning and precise.

No, to quote Uma Thurman in Kill Bill I, "It's mercy, compassion and forgiveness I lack." Tiger will roar; he'll get four points this Cup.

Now lets debunk a few more myths.

1. The U.S. stinks at fourballs - Guess again...half our matches will be Tiger-Furyk and Phil-DiMarco. Lets say, conservatively, the US goes .500 for those matches. That leaves Toms, who can be competitive paired with Diet Pepsi Machine. He can play with maybe Johnson, Campbell, Cink or Verplank. That leaves the much maligned rookies so;

2. Our rookies scare noone - that's true, but all it will take to tip the balance is one hot guy - perhaps Zach Johnson. But again, this is the Ryder Cup - the place where Paul McGinley, Philip Price and Ignacio Carrido slew Goliaths and won Cup-clinching matches (or at least in Price's case, the difference maker...)

In the last ten years, when has the Ryder Cup ever held true to form? More crazy things happen in these three days than in all four majors combined. We were supposed to dominate in 2002 and 2004.

Whoopsy-daisy!

Last, home field advantage - many years ago when the Euros actually hosted the Ryder Cup at links courses like Birkdale and Lytham, they got the stuffing knocked out of them. Somebody got the seemingly counter-intuitive idea of lets build a gaudy monstrousity of a parkland amusement ride and try to beat them at their own game. Thus, The Belfry was born and has been the site of nary a single Euro loss. The K Club is another travishamockery (that's "travesty-sham-mockery" for those of you scoring at home)of a venue choice with its out-of-place fountains and waterfalls and target style shot requirements. The 80s are still "in" in the biggest way.

This time, that comfort will be like a warm blanket to the US team, especially the rookies. No vicious winds, not alot of strategy, no blind shots or quirky bounces - why not have the event next time at Trump Aberdeen.

OK, OK, I apologize for even joking about that. I meant Trump National of Western Nebraska:):)

NO, the US is doing everything right; keeping their heads down, their noses clean and their mouths shut. With Dubliner-gate, the world perceives them for what they are - mugged brutally like a man minding his own business on a quiet streetcorner. In turn, they respond like professionals - with dignity and quiet resolve. No, the only mis-step I have perceived is that I would have chosen Arron Oberholser over BOTH Cink AND Verplank. I think the choice of both of those players "left a little on the bench." The only other thing that can go wrong is if the rookies don't get into the matches early enough to be comfortable come Sunday Singles.

No, the Ryder Cup rarely if ever holds true to form. The Euros are scrambling and squabbling. The U.S. looks ready. The U.S. looks organized. They will not go quietly and they will acquit themselves early and forcefully. This one is gonna be a donnybrook and the U.S. looks rested and ready.

U.S. 14.5 - 13.5.

Kiran Matharu to spend year on Ladies European Tour, will play select LPGA dates

2006-09-20T11:55:00.001-07:00

As many of you know, I am the U.S. lawyer for Kiran Matharu, the 17 year old British professional who recently won the Ladies British Amateur, played on the Curtis Cup Team and is the number one female player in the UK under their handicap system (she's a +4, the highest in the UK). As you also know, Kiran asked for an age exception so she could play in this week's LPGA Q School so she could compete on the 2007 LPGA Tour starting next March - after her 18th Birthday. The request was denied.

Showing wisdom and maturity beyond her years, Kiran decided to take the high road and not sue. Basically, all she asked Commissioner Bivens for was a chance to accomplish her goal on merit - on the golf course. Commissioner Bivens would not agree.

Kiran knows her talent will prevail soon enough and she would rather continue to build up her fanbase by making self-less and long-term decisions that promote the good and welfare of both the game in general as well as for herself. This woman continues to make wise decisions both on and off the golf course. It's no wonder she has so many fans on either side of the pond.

KIRAN MATHARU ESCHEWS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE LPGA TOUR

Last week, LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens denied Kiran Matharu the opportunity to play in the LPGA Qualifying School. Kiran, who will turn 18 in February, had hoped her formidable record as an amateur and the outpouring of support from a great many in the UK and European Golf community, might have prompted Commissioner Bivens to reconsider her denial and allow Kiran to compete for her LPGA card. Sadly, the second request was also denied.

While Kiran is deeply disappointed, and while her entire team – family, business, legal and supporters - firmly believe that were she to pursue her rights under the law she would have prevailed, Kiran has decided not to pursue the matter further and take legal action. Quite simply, Kiran had hoped Commissioner Bivens would let Kiran’s golf game be the determining factor in whether or not she would make the LPGA Tour, not a court of law. In keeping with the spirit and the values of the game, Kiran decided she would rather settle this question with her golf clubs.

Kiran will now concentrate her efforts on securing her playing rights on the Ladies European Tour, where she has been playing this year since turning professional thanks to invitations from sponsors. She is looking forward to playing the Ladies English Open and competing in the Ladies European Tour Qualifying school in November. She will also be petitioning certain events on the LPGA Tour for sponsors’ exemption.

Kiran, who turns 18 in February still wishes to play in America in the future and will apply to the LPGA Qualifying School again next year, when she will no longer need a waiver to be granted to play as she will no longer be a minor.

Kiran is deeply grateful to all the people who have supported her application and to all her fans on either side of the Atlantic and she looks forward to playing in front of them and giving them a great deal to cheer about soon.

Issued: Wednesday 21^st September 2006

Contact:

4SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT AG
Marcus Day
1 Furzeground Way
Stockley Park East
Middlesex, UK
UB11 1BD

Tel. +44 (0) 7771550832
marcus@4sports.ch
www.4sports.ch

An Open Letter to Ben Curtis

2006-09-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Sadly, with the "crucial" week two of NFL football occupying too many sports minds, Ben Curtis' inspiring victory at the last 84 Lumber Classic went unnoticed by too many in the sports world.

That is a disappointing reflection of our society, for Ben is a terrific role model both as a golfer and a gentleman. He shows us so much not through mere words, but actions.

Has there ever been a more underappreciated British Open Champion in history? Ben played so well for that difficult week at quirky St. George's, but all the media remembers is that he backed into the title when several golfers above him had fatal meltdowns.

After two difficult years where he played well on Thursday, but rarely on other days, he was labelled a fluke winner and dismissed offhand.

Now, finally, Ben has won twice at two formerly quintessential, but sadly forsaken tour stops - the Booz Allen (Kemper to the old schoolers) and the always fun 84 Lumber Classic.

But more than that, placid, low-key, but mature-beyond-his-few-years Ben has been a paragon of virtue for the fans. He hit balls on the range as Thomas Bjorn failed to get a tying birdie. His caddie - a man he met merely a week before - concisely informed him, "Ben, you're the Open Champion."

He simply put his club back in the bag, gave a phlegmatic look that could have easily been mistaken for "OK, what happens now" and sought out the loving arms of his fiance. No fist pump, no leap for joy, no tears, no self-aggrandizement. You would have thought he won the City Amateur in Columbus, Ohio.

His graceful, humble, thankful acceptance speech at the 2003 Open endeared him to UK fans, but was not carried by the American media. He won many hearts and minds that day. It was also touching that his win was soon to be followed by his marriage to Candace, his kind-hearted and down-to-earth wife. He graciously let the golf media cover his wedding festivitiesbecause that was a heartwarming story. He even surprised Candace with a Lexus as a wedding present.

Yet the media proved their exceptional prowess at "savaging second" and he was ignored simply because he was not winning tournaments and because he is a bland interview.

This year has been a breakout year for Ben on many levels. To the delight of true golf fans everywhere - yes, the many fans who revere the virtuous, noble side of our game - he won the Booz Allen and long deserved praise finally came, along with late recognition of a dedicated work ethic. Nevertheless, he is still woefully underestimated and underappreciated.

As he won the 84 Lumber Classic - wearing the colors of his hated football nemesis, the Pittsburgh Steelers instead of his beloved Cleveland Browns - few media gave him the attention he richly deserves. ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports, waited until signing off from their bedrock foundational sports show "SportsCenter" to merely add in passing (while the outro music was playing), "by the way, Ben Curtis won the 84 Lumber Classic." The New York dailies reduced his win to a one sentence bullet point in a short roundup piece, while offering full coverage of all the NFL slate - even the games only gambling degenerates could like such as "niners-cardinals" and "ravens-raiders."

What a sad commentary on the state of our media. T.O. preens and pimps like a thug and they all run for quotes, but a good noble man - who is expecting his first child in a week and who's devoted wife surprised him at the 18th green is ignored. To Ben's unending credit, he's merely satisfied with a job well done, a kiss from his wife and a small article from the local Ohio paper in his hometown.

Tommy Lee Jones' character "Two-Face" was right - holy men are martyred and junkies grow legion. Well not on my watch.

Happily, golf has not yet descended fully into the lowest common denominator cesspool as so many other sports. Yes, the "rocket sled to hell," as sportswriter and broadcaster Steve Czaban likes to call it, tries its hardest to dumb down golf (see Open, Phoenix...err...FBR and Black, Bethpage), but golf and true golfers and golf fans nobly resist. Edmund Burke is spot on, "the easiest way for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing."

I believe in you Ben. Yes, I've never gotten too many great quotes from you for articles, but I don't care one jot. You speak more with your actions than mere words ever could. I'll root all day for the over achiever - the guy who is - to mix sports metaphors for a moment - second in the gym and the second to last one to leave (Don't worry, Vijay will get the lights), the guy who dives into the stands for the loose ball and the guy who runs the floor the same way whether winning or losing by twenty.

Grace, class, humility, kindness; that's a role model, that's the Curtises. Devoted to each other, earning every accolade though hard work and perseverence, nary a snap, snipe or sour note to anyone. These are the people we should esteem and put on pedestals as an example. We all might rise a little higher as a society.

Old fashioned nobleness, family values and honesty are the core of our great game. fans gravitate so much more to players who embody those virtues. Ben Crenshaw - respectful, grateful and humble, Phil Mickelson - affable, sincere and folksy, Jack Nicklaus - equally graceful and thankful in historic victory or bitter defeat and dedicated to the greater glory of the game, not himself; they are true champions.

Ben Curtis, you are a champion in all the ways those great men were. That is a trophy more precious than three Claret Jugs. True golf fans know it and we are ever so grateful for your good example, even though the myopic, greedy and misguided fail to appreciate it. Some day, as your win tally mounts, they - begrudgingly or belatedly - will acknowledge you. But everyone with a true golf soul respects and esteems you right now.

We are all the richer for your success.

Kudos to Hooked on Golf, Golf Chick for excellent work on Michelle Wie debate

2006-09-18T15:42:00.000-07:00

Two long time bloggers have done some excellent work on the Michelle Wie debate.

Tony K at Hooked on Golf had this hilarious picture (and the one from my piece below on "What Planet are Wie on?"). The statistical analysis is particularly telling. I hope he can do a chart analyzing all ten of Michelle's tries. That would be interesting.

Next, I really love when an old blogger shows promise in their writing and top-level analysis to boot. Golf Chick had this downright poignant observation on the Wie debate. She says it should appear back on her site soon. She writes:

"Michele’s [sic] failures in the PGA tour events aren’t so much about her being female as they are about her lacking experience. However, her performance to date definitely indicates that her presence there in the first place has everything to do with that “novelty” aspect which is gender related. It’s becoming embarassing. Maybe they should start a “teen phenom” tour and have all the best boys and girls compete against one another. Then she could gain the experience she needs without having to accept all the sponsors’ exemptions and the boys would have a shot as well since they’re not getting those now. She does need to play more than the LPGA is currently allowing before she can get her card, I just don’t think it should be with proven players on the PGA when many mini-tour players could kick her ass. I think her ambitions are terrific and she should stick to them, but she needs a better path and better representation in order to get there instead of being a cash cow."

This is laser-like precision...and it's refreshing that it is a woman's perspective that is something other than fawning adulation. Golf Chick, that was some first rate critique. Good job with some of the other work on your blog recently too.

Look, Michelle should have a heart to heart with her team and spend sometime kicking in the face of her competition and then try again. She also should realize people are shamelessly cashing in on her in an unusual way that may not be best for her career. Let this girl enjoy what little time left she has to be a girl. Let her have some of her stolen youth. At the same time, her interviews and interactions with all players - male and female - indicate that even though her golf is gifted, she needs to mature. With all the money and exposure, that needs to happen even more quickly than her first win. She has not endeared herself to many in the cloistered golf industry and her perceived "favors" she gets are seen as unearned by many of her peers. Noone can deny that she has not exactly made the most of her oppurtunity.

Meanwhile, it is someone else's turn to go up against the guys. It's not her fight alone, you know. Personally, I can root all day for fiesty and gritty competitors like Paula Creamer. With Silly Season approaching, surely some rich flounder can can kick down enough cake to get Paula, Wiesy, Annika and somebody else in a steel-cage throwdown. That would sell tickets like hotcakes.

Photo credit: Tony K - Hooked on Golf.

Ben Curtis wins last 84 Lumber Classic, press buries story

2006-09-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

The press buried a terrific story this weekend.

Ben Curtis, the quiet, but affable pro who is best known for winning the 2003 British Open won his second tournament this year at the 84 Lumber Classic.

Curtis became a hero to everyman golfers across the globe when he played steadily for four days at quirky, tricky Royal St. George's, then watched in amazement as the field fell beneath him at tournament's end. The rookie pro, playing in his first major happened to be getting married a few months from then and the "fairy tale, rags to riches story of the nice kid from Ohio who done good" introduced the golf world to a really nice steady, even keeled guy and his equally charming, down-to-earth wife.

Ben fell off the radar screen for two years for two reasons. Until this year, he would play great only on Thursday and Friday. This year, that trend has ended as he won the Booz Allen Classic earlier this summer.

However Ben is a also quiet, humble guy by nature so he offers journalists bland quotes. That is no reason to bury Ben winning his second tournament of the year, but that's exactly what ESPN and the New York news media did.

ESPN's entire coverage of golf on "SportsCenter" was delivered by the anchor as they were signing off with an offhand, oh-by-the-way "Ben Curtis won the final 84 Lumber Classic."

But we sure had wall to wall coverage of the all-important Packers-Saints game. In fact, all night every network gave endless analysis and superlatives over the ridiculous minutiae of week two football, without so much as a single golf highlight. If it were Tiger, Phil or Michelle Wie (who was every single ESPN highlight Thursday and Friday night), we would have seen golf. Moreover, "SportsCenter" was really just TJ and Berman going over the day's NFL action ad nauseum. It's merely Week 2 and they are trying to sell us that "we almost had seperation in the NFC East."

Please, that's just crazy talk. It's Week 2. Nobody is "getting separation" from anybody.

Except the Patriots - their division is putrid.

I'm surprised. The tournament was also broadcast over ESPN, but since they have no more golf starting next year, there is no reason for them to beat the drum for the game. It's just not as sexy as Lord Football....ahh...now I get it.

Sadly, in both New York major dailies, golf was reduced to a one paragraph of bullet points.

Here was the entire coverage in today's New York Post - "Ben Curtis carded a 70 to finish at 14-under par 274 to win the 84 Lumber Classic by two shots over Charles Howell III yesterday in Farmington, PA."

No mention that it's the last 84 Lumber Classic so Tim Finchem can run his "Fed Ex Cup" next year to try and revive eyeballs to golf as football begins. No mention that it was held at the opulent Nemacolin Woodlands Resort's excellent Pete Dye "Mystic Rock" course. No mention that tournament founder Joe Hardy plans on having some kind of pro event despite getting bumped from his slot unceremoniously. No mention that Ben's wife Candace - 8 1/2 months preggers, surprised him by popping onto a van and hiding out behind 18 green until he finished. Not even any mention Ben, who is licensed to wear NFL gear, won in Pittsburgh Steeler colors even though he is a lifelong Browns fan. (Nemacolin is an hour and a half outside Pittsburgh.)

The media thinks that, compared to football, this story just isn't sexy enough. Well, I know I speak for all the golf world and every true golfer when I say this:

1. I think a nice, hard-working humble guy winning a big pro golf tournament is sexy enough for us.

2. I think having the grace to compete. let alone win, in the colors of a team you hate is sexy enough for us.

3. I think a kiss from your pregnant wife on the 18th green after you've won a four day grueling tournament is sexy enough for us.

We need more stories like this, not less; more hard working, humble family men - less scowling, self aggrandizing, loudmouths thugs. More Ben Curtis, less Chad Johnson.

What Planet are Wie on?

2006-09-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

As we go to press, Michelle Wie closed out the first nine holes at Nemacolin's Mystic Rock Course with a dismal 42. That's six-over par for the front nine and six-over in a mere five hole span. She stands at plus-eleven overall, tied for dead last with Boyd Summerhays at the 84 Lumber Classic.

But the situation is so much worse not for the score, but for the fact that Team Wie cannot see the global perspective.

Take this example: when asked about her 5-over 77 yesterday, she answered, "I don't feel like I shot five-over."

Well that's just pure, weapons-grade BOLONIUM! No, in golf, your score is what the card says it is.

Here's another head scratcher. "I'd like to make the top 20, but I'm not going to rush it."

You better rush, and quick, because after a third straight last place showing and an 0-for-10 record in the top men's tours, even the Wie friendly media are starting to jump off the bandwagon. Take this headline from Fox Sports - "Wie overmatched again vs. the men at 84 Lumber Classic." Even ESPN - who's ONLY highlights on "SportsCenter" yesterday were of Wie's 77 - you read that right...not a single shot of any other player, but three full minutes of the 125th player - finally broke down and said "Wie getting buried at 84 Lumber."

Nevertheless, there's Michelle, telling the press before today's debacle "I'm going to go out with the same mind-set I had today, just try my hardest and keep plugging away. I think I'll be shooting a low score."

77-81=158, +14

Has any player that regularly comes in 115th or thereabouts gotten more ink? No. They also don't get paychecks.

Now that her round is mercifully over with a forgettable 81, let's look at the cold, hard facts. Michelle had fewer birdies than any other player. Michelle had more bogeys than any other player. She is 122d out of 134 in driving distance. Her longest drive, 286 yards on day one and 285 yards on day two were - wait for it - dead last in the field. She was 110th in greens in regulation. Last, she was 125th in putting.

Then of course, there's the famous quote about how she thinks she has a realistic chance of making the Ryder Cup Team - after going 0-9 at against the cut at men's events on major tours.

What planet are Wie on?

More to the point even if she does it once, why would anyone want to be the cellar team...perennially? How is just struggling to make the cut a career? Even if she eventually makes her next cut, she cannot have a financially viable career making one out of eleven cuts. No, this entire expiriment has devolved the PGA Tour to 155 people going to the office and working for a living trying to feed their families and one person who does not have to worry about earning a living playing golf who instead lives off her sponsor chasing personal goals.

Not to mention she got her playing playing partners put on the clock both days...for the third tournament in a row.

Finally, there is the most concerning statement of all - "If I only play against the women I only get good against the women." Is there any wonder why she has the biggest target of all on her back when she has to play LPGA events? She has won nothing in three years. Therefore, she has not earned her chance like Pauls Creamer has. Or Nat Gulbis, Annika again, any one of several great Asian born players (stop me anytime...)

Sadly, it is time for an agonizing re-appraisal of this whole affair. Michelle, who consistently plays both men's and ladies events on special exemptions has put herself between a rock and a hard place. She was promised to us as a Lady Tiger. She isn't. She has repeatedly been given special favors to try playing against men - she has failed every attempt. What happens if she goes to the LPGA and does NOT dominate? Wie'll know wie've been had.

The worst possible thing that could happen has become a reality. Michelle's game - excellent for the LPGA tour - has been exposed as inadequate at the PGA and European Tour level. The problem is this: if she does not dominate the LPGA, we will know for certain she was not truly deserving of all the special favors and legs up she got over the last three years. She also certainly won't be the most welcome person there after saying "I think I'd just get bored playing against the women."

She had no business making that remark. She won the "vaunted" Women's Am Pub Links. I'll pause for a second so you can go look that up. Back already? Good. So because she won an amateur tournament against mediocre amateurs, she gets to turn her back on the Annika Sorenstams of the world and all their remarkable achievements. Ho hum...so boring.

Listen to this quote - from the person who just finished 77-81 dead last and is 0-for-10:

"I just had a bad two weeks, that's it. No more, no less," she said. "I feel like I'm getting better and better. My game is progressing -- my shots are actually going to the fairway now. My shots are feeling solid....I'm really enjoying it. Obviously, everyone knows my ultimate goal is to play in the Masters. I like playing out here, making cuts -- start making cuts -- start getting Top 10s. I mean, who knows what's going to happen?"

I'm sorry, but I must be confused because the scoreboard says something different. Is there anyone else that thinks Michelle needs a reality check here? These are not the comments of a professional playing to earn a living.

Scott Verplank agrees:

"Obviously, she's some sort of phenom being a 16-year-old girl who can play like she can, but honestly there's not a male or female in the world who can compete out here at that age," Verplank said. "I'm sure there are some very fine 16-year-old boys who can play, but it would be awful hard for them to come out here and make a scratch.

"If I was her adviser, I would tell her to go kick all the ladies' tails around for about four years and if she wants to try again when she's 20, 21 and grown up more, and maybe a better player, come on back."

Michelle has hand-picked events that have particularly weak fields - featuring players 50-150 and never made a cut. She plays her home course (The Sony), and two courses at which she regularly vacations - Mystic Rock and Deere Run - and still never made a cut. In baseball, if a guy goes 0-10, he's benched. In basketball, if you miss ten shots in a row, you don't get passed the ball. John Hall missed two - not ten, two - field goals and he was fired.

No, the time for the special exemptions is past. If Michelle wants to play against the men, she should go to Q school and do it like every other person who plays on the tour. She has done nothing with all the special favors and it is downright unfair to the other women who deserve a shot and unfair to the men who work hard each week to put food on their tables and food on their backs. You want to play on the men's tour? Then be like Smith Barney and do it the old fashioned way - Earn It.

Two poignant pieces by Ron Sirak - Women's Open champ should get bid to U.S. Open

2006-09-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

Ron Sirak has two excellent pieces two ponder:

1. This piece on how hitting into galleries and clubhouses and getting a free drop is unfair. Personally, I also thinks it violates the spirit of the game as well; and

2. This piece on the latest Michelle Wie windmill tilt.

Again, I ask the question. If we absolutely, positively have to have a woman make the cut in a men's event right now...if all women's sporting history has to depend on this happening this second...why not give someone who isn't 0-9 (and 1-9 if you count the SK Telethon...err...Telecom Open) a chance?

What is wrong with Paula Creamer? Natalie Gulbis? Kristina Kim? Someone from the UK?

Also, I'll say it again. If we give a bid to the US Open to the winner of the US Amateur and the other national championships/USGA events, the winner of the US Women's Open should get an automatic bid too. She certainly has better credentials than the winners of the Am and the other automatic USGA bids.

Then it becomes a meritocracy - no exemptions, no back room backstabbing, no assessment of who's brand is hotter; pure talent - which is what the game is supposed to be about.

And yes, the winner of the McDonalds.....err.....(Insert name of new sponsor, if any)...LPGA Championship should get a bid to the PGA Championship.

Who's with me?

New piece for Golf Observer, great stuff on Cybergolf

2006-09-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

My new piece for Golf Observer will be up soon. It's called "Winged Foot: Graveyard of Champions."

In the meantime, here's some great work by my Cybergolf colleagues. Tim Bibaud has this great story on one of the greatest amateur tournaments in the world - The Causeway Coast Open, played every June along the coast of Northern Ireland.

Then, Chris Kretz Reviews such pressing matters as "Maimizing distance with the no-look foot wedge," "Cart skidding: asphault vs. gravel," and "How to leave downhill putts short."

Coach Mike Fleck, strong senior class look to bring Ball State NCAA golf glory

2006-09-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

Four years ago, Ball State University golf coach Mike Fleck recruited four highly touted talents to come play for him. Four years later, this returning core of seniors and some gifted new finds are primed to seize control of the Mid-American Conference and send some major college programs back home licking their wounds.

Fleck watches his charges intently as the play one of Indianapolis' gems, The Trophy Club, designed by Ball State grad Tim Liddy, a former protege of Pete Dye. "We like to travel around and play different courses because it's always a little tougher at a foreign course. We want our guys on the travel squad to have no fear when it comes to playing on someone else's course" Fleck says strongly. "These guys are very tough mentally."

One of the teams anchors is C.D. Hockersmith, who is best known for battling Michelle Wie at the Publinx in 2005 and for making the cut into match pay at the 2004 U.S. Amateur. Hockersmith looks equally at ease rolling in 30 footers over Liddy's devilishly undulating greens as he does saving par from fairway bunkers. "C.D.'s a thoroughbred" notes Fleck. "In the clutch, he can draw on that national-level experience."

C.D. is joined by fellow four year veterans Wayne Denger, Andy Skillman and Austin Steele. Denger and Skillman provided fireworks last year at their home tournament never seen before in Ball State history. Skillman crafted a masterful 64 and sat in the clubhouse with the school record for lowest 18 hole score. He didn't celebrate that feat long as minutes later, Denger posted a 63 and snatched the honors. Happily for both, BSU came form behind and won the tournament.

The future looks bright even after graduation next year as two talented freshmen enter BSU with equally superlative AJGA and high school accolades. Ross Cosat, whose kickin' Afro makes him look like the bass player for The Hair Bear Bunch was the number 1 ranked senior in Indiana while Travis Smith was a Rolex All-American honoree.

With such a solid core, they will be a string contender for the Mid American Conference Championship and could even beat many of the Big Ten colleges at Midwest tournaments.

Liddy, was elated that the team chose to play the Trophy Club. "I'm so glad they were there. Go Ball State!"

Above: BSU players make their way around the green and Cosat's afro.

Jim Engh - The Dakota Kid Gunslings his way to the top

2006-09-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

Since forming his own design firm in 1997, Colorado’s Jim Engh has won four “best new course” awards from Golf Digest, been named “Golf Architect of the Year” in 2003 (ahead of such luminaries as Fazio, Dye, Jones and Doak), built a reputation for getting world class work done on time and under budget, landed one gorgeous site after another on which to build yet another epic layout, and has developed a legion of loyal fans not just in Colorado and former home North Dakota, but all around the country.

Yet somehow the golf industry and fans actually underestimate Engh and fail to truly appreciate why he is such solid designer.

You read correctly. Underestimate the winner of multiple best course awards.

Because Engh has had gorgeous canvases on which to work - pristine, unspoiled North Dakota and gorgeous Colorado Canyonlands, and scenic Northern Idaho mountain tops - the uninitiated attribute his success to the superficial. “He’s great because he has the most postcard holes?” queries one player meekly. “It’s really pretty, if a little wild…” he trails off, speaking of Lakota Canyon Ranch, a runner up for Best New Public Course in 2005.

Well Jim Engh is already an epic golf course architect, but not because his courses are “another pretty face.” Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden, Colorado, routed around 64 million year old fossil monuments might never have become a golf course and archaeological treasure without his tireless efforts to offer concessions to environmentalists. The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa might be far more ordinary instead of a quintessential example of world-class green settings and ingenious routing. The Club at Pradera (on which Engh owns a home adjacent to the 16^th fairway with his wife Monie and two kids, Brian (10) and Bailey (8)) may be the best private course designed in 2005 due to its collection of unbelieveably tempting par-5s and Pinehurst-like greenside chipping swales.

Yes, I think Engh will be one for the ages when all is said and done, but his secrets are “lines of charm,” “trapdoors and hidden staircases,” and “muscle bunkers,” not merely virgin North Dakota, pristine Coeur D’Alene, Idaho and incomparable Colorado. The result is fascinating golf courses loaded with options and refreshingly innovative routings (try five par-3s and five par-5s frequently). Only then can you add in the jaw-dropping natural settings especially gorgeous green settings a la Mackenzie and Engh’s penchant for making the most of the routing process and well, we have a monster on our hands. Deciding which Jim Engh course to play is like deciding between a chateaubriand and the double lobster tails.

FROM THE CRADLE TO THE SUMMIT

Jim’s introduction to golf was not pleasant. “I crashed my first golf cart when I was two years old.” Jim’s dad was a John Deere dealer who sold to course builders and helped build a local nine hole course, so Jim was on golf courses since leaving the cradle. “Well, Dad was playing and I hopped behind the wheel and hit the gas. I still don’t know how I could have done it, I was so small. The cart rolled over on top of me.”

It was a frightening crash. The cart crushed one of Jim’s kidneys and his life was in the balance for several days. “I was lucky though. I got up from my deathbed.” To this day, he still only had one kidney, he notes grimly.

Despite this particularly negative introduction to the game, Jim kept playing and studying golf and golf architecture. After all, if there is a wall that feels good against your head, it’s golf. Fellow architect and a buddy since Engh’s college days, Tim Nugent remembers an epic moment shared with his life long-time friend.

“In 1985, my dad hired him out of college and he helped us with Golf Club of Illinois before I had to go back to Arizona State for school. So we took a road trip together that summer to the U.S. Open at Oakland Hills. We jumped in my mom’s black ’79 Biarritz (the Oldsmobile, not the golf hole), blew out some carbon and stood right next to T.C. Chen as he did the infamous double hit” Nugent recalls. But timing was everything and Nugent and Engh grabbed a bit of history as well. “We snagged the divot Chen took before anybody was any the wiser and brought it back to the office in a film canister. We didn’t keep it or sell it. This was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay before eBay you know.”

Other early memories were comical. Award winning architect Jeff Brauer remembers one colorful moment. “I first met Jim as a summer associate for Bill Kubly. You could tell he was a “gunner” (Kubly’s term for an up and comer) back then, but he was also green as peas. Once he left one of Kubly’s drafting tables in a pickup truck overnight in a rainstorm ruining it!”

Nevertheless, the folksy, humble, stand-up Jim survived the episode, taking it as a learning experience. “Happily, we all have a good laugh about it now.”

Jim worked with a wide variety of excellent designers in these heady, halcyon years. From 1987-1991, he worked for British design firm Cotton Pennick as its Director of Golf Course Design and Construction. The already worldwide presence of the firm (over 300 courses in more than 30 countries) was increased when International Management Group acquired the firm. They sent Engh to many far-flung corners of the globe – from Japan with great Japanese pro Isao Aoki to the European continent with Hall of Fame Golfer Bernhard Langer. From Joe Finger and Pete Dye to the Chinese and the Thai, Jim has designed everywhere across the Northern Hemisphere save Africa. Pretty good for a guy raised in North Dakota with a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from Colorado State. After a few trips to the UK to deeply study the great holes and courses there, Jim decided to form his own firm in 1991.

LINES OF CHARM

The foundations of Engh’s design philosophy are based solidly on the great design features of the great U.K. courses, which he has studied extensively (even though Engh is still a modernist and moves an average of 300,000 – 400,000 cubic yards of earth per design). Like Alistair Mackenzie, Engh eschews the doctrine of framing (where the player is spoon fed what to do on the tee box and responds to the dictatorial will of the architect) and instead keeps the direct line to the hole playable, even tempting, but perilous as well. Like Mackenzie he breaks up the direct line of play to the hole with hazards and creates the line of charm, a perilous but achievable short cut that requires perfect planning and execution. There is a boatload of danger right squarely in the direct line of flight to the target. Meanwhile, the other side of the playing field is wide and welcoming, but a longer way round. The player gets to pick how to play the hole – according to his talent and greed.

Realizing that Mackenzie was right, Engh gleefully delivers fascinating holes that are just as strong in Northern Michigan as they are in Canyonland, Colorado. The results translate best in Engh’s risk-reward par-5s. Many are short – reachable in two by many – but misses are punished mercilessly. “I’ll give a player a shot to reach a green in one shot less than regulation, but I sure won’t help him or make it easy!” he adds with an almost scandalized look as I note the par-5 green at 18 at Fossil Trace is not designed to be overly receptive to a long fairway wood approach. “If they want a putt for eagle, they have to hit two great shots to earn it.”

“I also love short holes” he continues smoothly. “There are a lot more options for all players, regardless of their skill level. I especially like a short par-5 to finish the round.” For example, Engh brings Fossil Trace, Red Hawk Ridge, and his private triumph and home course, The Club at Pradera to a crescendo with short par-5 finales.

“The shorter the hole, the more sex appeal I can add in terms of design features to make the hole interesting. Long par-4s can get dull. The shorter ‘in between-length holes,’ you know, short par-5s and par-4s are short enough for amateurs to have a shot at making par, but there is enough danger lurking that amateurs and experts alike stand as much chance of making six as they do three” he finishes excitedly.

Engh also has some Old Tom Morris and A.W. Tillinghast in him. Speaking of Old Tom’s design Machrihanish, the Good Dr. Mackenzie wrote in The Spirit of St. Andrews, “Some of the natural greens were so undulating that at times one had to putt twenty or thirty yards round to lay dead at the hole five yards away. These greens have all gone and today one loses all the joy of outwitting an opponent by making spectacular putts of this description.”

Well, Old Tom would be heartened to see some of Engh’s creations. Engh, like Morris and A.W. Tillinghast (at places like Winged Foot and Baltusrol) and like Mackenzie (at Pasatiempo and Crystal Downs), incorporated wild green undulations, for example, Fossil Trace and shaved greenside chipping swales instead of rough, most notably at Pradera. Engh’s greens have so many features and unique hazards, the green complexes are often a hole in and of themselves and the hole is frequently only beginning upon reaching the putting surface.

If there is a common theme to many of Jim’s holes, everything is a bowl. Fairways frequently have sidewalls that keep erratic players reasonably in play. With sidewalls at the green complex, there are a lot of player friendly bounces. “That’s where the payoff is” says Engh. “Not only does it keep people in play, but it creates options because there is more than one way to get on the green or get one close.” He is right. Errant shots gather close to the hole and result in a birdie putt instead of a difficult chip or wicked short-sided pitch.

If there is another common theme, Engh builds some of the greatest showstopper par-5s in the business. His three shotters are always filled with options and myriad angles of attack. Yet, like Mackenzie, the direct line of the hole is fraught with peril. Holes are tempting to experts but requiring pinpoint execution, but fair for average players. Like Alistair Mackenzie’s great par-5s, the timid golfer can play the three shotters by taking the long way around, but they lose strokes by avoiding risks.

The result of Engh’s cumulative philosophy is an array of challenging and interesting courses that place heavy emphasis on smart strategic play as well as solid execution. As a result, Engh says more in 311 yards than most architects say in 450.

TRAPDOORS, HIDDEN STAIRCASES AND MUSCLE BUNKERS

Engh also designs with a unique artistic voice. His originality shines through in his trademark bunkering style (called “muscle bunkers” by the team) and in the unexpected twists in his designs that he calls “trapdoors and hidden staircases.”

“I was in Ireland touring Donegal Castle” Engh recalls energetically. “I had done this particular tour once before, so I slipped away from the main group up a back staircase and started exploring on my own. I found all sorts of trapdoors and hidden stairways and secret passages.”

“Golf courses are the same” he continues, his eyes flickering with enthusiasm. “Each time you play a course you learn another secret about it…some way to play avoid a hazard or some bump off which to play a creative shot. You learn something new every time you play a great golf course. So I incorporate the concept in my design and it makes for many exciting playing options. My goal is to create a course that you can play every day and never get bored and play every day and find some new way to attack a hole. Some people get frustrated, but it’s only because they are seeing something new and they haven’t figured out how to successfully play the hole. Most people like the course more with lots of options and interesting windows and trapdoors.”

Take, for example, the par-5 15^th at Fossil Trace. The rock wall seen in the distance from the tee box appears to be the end of the fairway:

[IMG]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e302/jaygolfusa/fossiltrace006.jpg[/IMG]

However, behind the rock wall is a hidden sliver of fairway which meanders its way to the back of the green and sidewalls to allow long shots to carom back toward the center of the green. Seen below, the green can be attacked from the front and rear.

[IMG]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e302/jaygolfusa/fossiltrace007.jpg[/IMG]

“That’s something I try to accentuate on every course and on many shots” Engh instructs in the voice of a master of his trade. “There is always more than one way to get close to the hole.”

Engh also has a totally revolutionary and unique style of bunkering. – fanciful sperm-cell shaped squiggles set six to ten feet beneath heaving bumpy high-sloped rounded mounds that resemble a flexed bicep – hence Engh’s moniker “muscle bunkers.” The 18^th at Fossil Trace is pictured below.

“I see a lot of Dick Nugent in Jim’s work now.” says Brauer thoughtfully, “But he has finely developed his own style. This starts with his philosophy of great plans and this extends to the general scale of the golf course and the general look, but with a fresh new concept and styling and bigger, deeper bunkers.” Tim Nugent agrees. “Sure, Jim gets great sites, but he also makes the most of them with great routings.”

To ice the cake, Engh has also built a reputation for coming in on time and under budget every time. Engh’s secret? “I’m stubborn, I have a hard head and I don’t listen to naysayers” he states mischievously. After the tableshares a hearty laugh, Engh continues. “The way I translate what I want to my shapers is through detailed contour drawings.”

Engh pauses for a moment, becoming a little nostalgiac before speaking. “One of the reasons why I liked Mike Strantz so much” he recalls both fondly and sadly “is that he communicated to his design team through sketches of the holes. I do something similar with my contour drawings. I do my contour drawings and luckily that form is the typical construction form and they can build it without many changes. I push the envelope on paper because if you have to change it after, that’s when jobs start to get expensive. I spend about 1000 hours each job on the contour drawings” Engh summarizes. “Then, it’s in the hands of my shapers.”

There is an old adage in the golf course construction business – much success will depend on the accurate interpretation and creation of the architect’s wishes. Although Engh plans out every single contour of every single yard of every single hole of every single course, his team of Mitch Scarborough and Tim Hartnett and the team of shapers must have the same DNA and neural synapses as Jim. “Mitch reads my mind and Tim is talented and enthusiastic. I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have the team around me that can take my contour drawings and turn it into a golf course.” Hartnett, a dead ringer for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback “Big Ben” Roethlisberger, rivals Jim for lifelong passion for golf course architecture. How devoted is Tim? “When I broke my arm in high school playing basketball, I doodled golf holes on the cast. My doctor was astounded. He kept half the cast, my mom kept the other half.”

Jim is so loyal to his staff, when one shaper was tragically killed driving home in a snow squall, he dedicated a greenside plaque on the 8^th hole at Red Hawk Ridge to his memory.

JIM’S COURSES

With a solid foundation buttressing his work, and a fiercely loyal team backing him, Engh got his break when fate paired him with Dave Liniger, owner of Re/max playing in a practice round for a local tournament. They became friends, and Dave asked him to design The Sanctuary Club on a 220 acre mountainous plot of land that tumbled through the high desert near Castle Rock and offered panoramic views of the valley floor hunders of feet below. When playing Sanctuary, movie buffs who saw The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King may be reminded of the view from the high towers of the white city of Minas Tirith overlooking the plains below. Engh’s first solo design, it won “Best new private course.”

(above, the first tee at Sanctuary is not for the heightrophobic.)

Sanctuary has only two members - Dave and his wife Gail. Rumors quickly circulated about the course. Internet urban legend recent spread a hilarious rumor in cyberspace that Liniger had sold the course in 1998 to a group of lesbian women who desired to “turn it into their Augusta National and make sure that no man ever plays there again.” Instead, the course has played host to countless charity tournaments. To date, charities have raised over $33 million through events at Sanctuary.

It’s a miracle the course exists at all. The Linigers battled through tough economic times until the early ‘80s, then had their own wedding delayed horribly when Gail was critically injured in a seaplane crash along with close family friends. It took months for Gail to recover and she proved Doctors wrong time and again who predicted she might never walk again. In 1988 Gail was recognized as one of the top ten women in the U.S. for her outstanding achievements in business, the arts and public service. In 1989 she was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” for the state of Colorado by Ernst & Young and Inc. Magazine. The great course they built as a family is yet another step in their great comeback story. “We didn’t accomplish these things by being brilliant, we did it because we never quit” Dave says pointedly.

It was a difficult site, but the things that make Sanctuary difficult topographically also make it exciting to play. The course also helped forger Engh’s reputation for “on time and under budget.” The land was purchased in September and construction began the next February. All in all, the entire course was conceived and built in about a year.

Since then, no other architect has a higher ratio of top awards to courses designed than Engh. Hawktree Golf Club in Bismarck, a welcome homecoming for Engh who spent many childhood years in nearby Dickenson, was runner up for Best New Public course in 2000. (Engh has returned to Dickinson to play in his local club championship for over thirty years.)

Next, Redlands Mesa won Best New Public Course in 2001, Tullymore won Best New Upscale Course in 2002, and Black Rock won Best New Private Course in 2003. That’s quite a tri-fecta.

Lakota Canyon Ranch and Pradera were both finalists in 2005 and made strong runs at the top accolades. As we go to press, Engh is finishing a new private course at Reynolds Plantation and starting a course in Napa Valley, California. Engh is even designing a new nine at Carne, the legendary plot of dunes landing the “Bloody Forelands” of northwest Ireland where Eddie Hackett built and epic links. That’s fitting. He brought the UK back here…now he gets to give back to the UK.

Engh’s few critics say the drawback of his moving a lot of earth means that he tends to superimpose golf holes on the land, rather than work with what the land offers. This critique, while true on its face, belies the actual reality. First, despite moving a great deal of earth, Engh usually reserves the bulk of the building for elevated tee boxes, while the fairways and greens play through the natural lay of the land. He may make some low areas lower and build many pulpit tees, but Engh, like Mackenzie, does not overpower the excellent natural settings he has been blessed to work on. Engh actually preserves what the land had originally, and also promotes the history and content of each plot to give a course a flavor of its natural setting.

Critics also decry his work as unwalkable, but that’s only Sanctuary and Lakota, both of which would be remedied by simply adding walking paths.

As a result, Engh resonates with players of all handicaps. Steve Josephs, a three handicap, is a veteran of multiple Engh designs. “Jim makes you think around the course. He’s demanding to lower handicappers because the drives require solid thought and strategy. You just can’t bang a driver out there. But he’s also friendly to higher handicappers because of the bowl shaped greens and fairways which bounce the ball back into play. I also love his elevation changes and undulations.”

Chris Burney, a bogey golfer from Texas also ranks Engh as his favorite architect. “He showed me things at Blackstone I had never seen before. The bunkers were unique and huge, yet the sidewalls and punchbowls helped keep the ball in play and gave everything an “amphitheatre” look. I can’t wait to play another Engh course.”

KEEPING IT REAL

If Mike Strantz parallels Jeff Buckley, then Jim Engh is a young Led Zepplin. He has raw power, vibrant imagery and fearless style – no matter what the detractors say. You’ve never seen anything quite like this, but its diamond-hard foundations are the strategies of golf architecture we have embraced for centuries. He bequeaths substantive design features of real value to players and students of the game alike brought to life with vivid clarity. Moreover, his unique energy and fresh interpretations are palpable and infectious. Thankfully, they are also playable for high handicappers.

His par-5s especially may arguably be the best being designed today. The panoramic sweep and full blown grandeur of holes like 7, 16 and 18 at Pradera on the private side, his soon to be built three greened 18^th at Reynolds Plantation and his amazing templates for the craft at 13 at Redlands Mesa and 18 at Lakota Canyon Ranch on the public side are heart-pounding.

As if the architectural talent weren’t enough, Jim plays to a 2.3 handicap index and competes in long driving tournaments, pounding out 300 yard lasers like a human Iron Byron. Some friends boast Jim could shoot 75 with a rake and an Easter egg.

Nevertheless, through all his successes at just his mid-40s, Jim is remarkably human, compassionate and generous. He has a great sense of humor. He took perverse delight in making me play the ball that embedded in the fossil monument at Fossil Trace’s famous twelfth hole. He gleefully prodded me 12 feet up the sandstone monument with my own ball retriever to “play the ball where it lies, Jay.” Also after I hit in the monument he commented “you couldn’t do that again in 64 million years” after I missed by five feet he impishly added “that’s the best shot you’ve hit in the last twelve holes.”

[IMG]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e302/jaygolfusa/P8270023.jpg[/IMG]

Oops! Once in 64 million years – your author’s ball embedded in Fossil Trace sandstone monument.

[IMG]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e302/jaygolfusa/P8270026.jpg[/IMG]

“Play the ball where it lies, Jay!”

Engh’s greatest source of pride is not his work, but his family; his wife Monie (pronounced “MOE-knee”) and children, son Brian, 11 and daughter Bailey, 8. “We have a house on Lake Coeur D’Alene [where he built Black Rock] and every year in the winter we go to Hawaii. I never play any golf. Instead it’s two tanks of scuba diving in the morning, then Mai Tais by the pool with Monie and the kids all afternoon” he notes with a serene smile, as though he’s momentarily back there.

Jim’s mom, who sadly passed away last December, is still his hero. “Jay she was a remarkable woman. I owe so much to her. She always tried to teach me to be humble and not be self-aggrandizing. If she ever heard me bragging about any of the honors I’ve been really lucky to earn, she’d be really disappointed and would shake her finger at me! She was wonderful and wise.”

Jim lets his hair down as well. “Monie and I are huge Van Morrison fans. I’ve seen him everywhere from the UK and Ireland to California to Colorado” Engh declares with the most rabid loyalty lighting up his face. He still goes to Red Rocks and the Odgen Theatre for many concerts. He even moshed with his 11 year old son during “The Last Rock Show” at a concert of rock band Bowling For Soup. “It was Brian and Bailey’s first concert” he recalls fondly.

Nicknames are part of the comradery of the Engh design team. “Jim is known across the globe as ‘Two mops’ because he spilled beer in an Irish pub so badly they needed two mops to clean up after him” chortles Tim Hartnett. For the record, Tim’s nickname is “Flipper” because of his habit of flipping the club in his hand five times before teeing off and three times before hitting other shots. He is even good humored when his friends playfully serenade him with the old TV theme song - “They call him Flipper! Flipper! Faster than lightning.…” But that’s what it means to be a part of the Engh team - lots of self-effacing humor, lots of plain old fashioned hard work, and “thank yous” all around, whether they’re from “Two Mops,” “The Dakota Kid,” “Gunslinger” or just plain “Jim.”

The Fort G.C. - Indianapolis, IN

2006-09-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

THE FORT GOLF CLUB
6002 N. Post Rd.
Indianapolis, IN
317.543.9597
www.thefortgolfcourse.com
Cost: $58, $42 twilight (military $44/$32 - nice touch!)

Architect: original design unknown, nine holes in 1970 attributed to William Diddel, 1994 reno/redesign by Pete Dye
with assistance from associate Tim Liddy
Par - 72
Design - Five stars
Natural Setting - Four stars
Conditioning - Four and 1/2 stars
Value - Six stars
Overall - Five stars

What a nice, low impact, inexpensive day. With a twilight rate of only $35, Pete Dye's renovation of the old army base course at Fort Benjamin Harrison has great horizontal movement in the fairways, no water hazards (although there is some internal OB) and some great alternate shot patterns.

It gets 28,000 rounds a year, yet the fairways were in good condition. If you play late in the day, so the greens were a little bumpy and on the slow side, but the hole shapes are variations on holes we've seen at PGA West 5 (the fifteenth at Fort...just sub sand for the water) and 14-15 at Sawgrass....fade off the tee, draw into the green, then draw off the tee fade into the green.

Perhaps the best stretch is 5-8. 5 is a downhill par-3 with an "E" shaped bunker (I made a sandie). 6 and 7 are back to back par-5s with different alt shot patterns. On six, three bunkers bisect the fairway in two offering great variety of options and angles.

Finally, 8 doesn't look like much at first blush, but the green's axis is angled to the left...right toward a specimen tree...the closer to the tree, the better the angle...HOWEVER...for shorter hitters who are on the right, the green tests distance control, not accuracy. If you're really long, you can drive it the 337/308.

Look, it may not be Bethpage Black, but its really inexpensive and Dye took great pride in infusing strategy on every hole, so Hoosiers are rightly proud of her.

Pic: The par-3 5th with its "E" bunker.

Ballyneal Golf Club - Holyoke, CO

2006-08-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

BALLYNEAL GOLF CLUB

One Ballyneal Lane
Holyoke, CO 80734
970.854.5900
info@ballyneal.com

Architect: Tom Doak
Par - 71

Excitement Level – 12/12
Difficulty – 9/12
Cost - NA/Private
Memberships – start at $50,000, but will increase. Call Ballyneal for more details.
Design – Seven stars (all ratings out of seven)
Conditioning – Five stars (the course is not yet open and is still growing in. Grand Opening is 9/9/2006).
Natural setting – Six and 1/2 stars
Value – NA
Overall rating – Seven stars

For ten years, pilgrims who have made the journey to the Sand Hills of Nebraska have been rewarded with some of the most authentic links golf on Earth.

Golf Immortality For Black Mesa's Eddie Peck, Ballyneal surrenders first ace

2006-08-29T21:20:00.000-07:00

HOLYOKE, CO - Life sure looked good through Eddie Peck's rose-colored glasses today. After setting down his trademark Connecticut wrapper cigar and taking that Iron Byron swing of his, Steady Eddie, owner of Black Mesa Golf Club outside Sante Fe recorded the first hole-in-one of his life. He aced the 5th hole, a 171 yard par-3 with an 8-iron.

What a moment. Adam Clayman, our group's madcap commentator called it early that this shot was dead on. I had my camera ready and snapped Eddie's finish. Then everyone says the old "Go in! Go in!"

And then it disappeared...and the roar ensued.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Eddie smiled just like he does every single golf hole...broadly. Eddie has a holy golf soul. He took it in stride. The rest of us however...

Hell, I made Phil Mickelson's Masters leap look downright athletic. I haven't jumped that badly since grammer school. It was a mutated Jumping Jack.

But wait! There's more!

It was at BALLYNEAL. Ballyneal is the latest design by Tom Doak, the architect who designed Pacific Dunes, Cape Kidnappers, Beechtree, The Rawls Course and Sebonack (the course that opened last month between Shinnecock Hills and National Golf Links of America.)

But wait! there's more!

It was the first ace ever recorded at Ballyneal.

Eddie will forever be known as the guy who got the first ace at, arguably, one of the 25 best courses in the entire world; a rugged, hurly-burly, shaggy bear which roller-coasters chop dunes among the sand hills.

The first hole-in-one at the golf course. What a trophy. The witnesses to this historic event were myself, Tony Korologos, Hon. Tom Callahan and Adam Clayman.

But wait! There's more!

The official opening happens September 9. So ratchet up the epic factor yet another notch because he got the ace playing a course still yetto hold it's public grand opening.

I acquited myself quite admirably, thank you very much by the way. I made a sandie out of the soon to be famous "E" bunker, where the green is shaped like an E and the negative space is a deep nasty bunker. "Damn, there's some fireworks going on today" said Hooked on Golf's Tony K. Tony had a great day too, putting lights out and carding a blistering 76 (5-Over the par of 71).

Finally, my 96 foot putt across the infamous 12th green won me a round of drinks from the members.

Fireworks? Ballyneal is thermonuclear. Run, don't walk. With scissors if you have to.

Photo: The E green at 7 at Ballyneal. Pretty interesting shape. Supposedly, Doak had wanted to build this one for a long time and finally got someone to give him the OK. See what great things happen when you let the architect push the envelope?

New Cobra driver, Colorado Golf and Bowling For Soup

2006-08-28T23:09:00.000-07:00

So the golf hammer of justice was minorly delayed when Tim Hartnett of Engh Golf did his best Kim Jong II when it came to figuring out everyone's handicaps. (Then he became Joe Lieberman/John Roberts when it came to helping his partner.) Apparently my 15 handicap and Tony from Hooked on Golf's 3 are entitled to only eight strokes when playing Fossil Trace Pro Jim Hajek and himself (a 6 playing to a 10). Tim's clucks like a broody old hen while riding Hajek like Secretariat.

Anyway, yours truly rolled in some putts and Tony played tough as nails on the difficult layout at Pradera on his first time out. But Jim Hajek was too much eagling the first hole and playing -3 for the first six holes. We fought back cutting a five hole deficit to three, but then Hajek pitched in from forty yards away to win the match. Tim's contribution was wisecracking as usual. Jim's eleven year old son Brian not only played a terrific round (95!), but saw his first rock concert and knew the names of all four Bowling For Soup rockers AND all four guys in Led Zepplin.

Anyway, I consoled myself by getting a Cobra 460 CC Thor Hammer of a driver weapon and promptly hit 10 of 14 fairways in todays afternoon round at Red Hawk Ridge. Tony and Eddie peck had great rounds at both Red hawk and Fossil Trace, highlighted by Tony's 75 at RHR!

Ballyneal tomorrow. Those two words speak volumes.

BFS rocked the Ogden Theatre with Army of freshmen, Punchline and Lucky Boys Confusion. Highlights included Punchline coming out and playing Ohio and Smells Like Teen Spirit with the boys and everybody coming out for the amazing double encore of Life After Lisa and I Wanna Be Sedated. Amazing. My favorite moment was watching Jim Engh mosh with his son Brian during "The Last Rock Show" in the "family" section of the arena with the rest of the band's extended family. Watching little Brian and Bailey beaming while chatting up the band was heartwarming. It was their first rock show of their lives and they danced like old veterans. Sign 'em up!

Golf Hammer of Justice poised in Flemmapalooza match

2006-08-26T23:05:00.000-07:00

The crenellated battlement mesas of Castle Rock, Colorado take center stage for tomorrow's matches between the extended Jim Engh design team family and this author's trail mix of Bowling for Soup rock band rock and rollers and golf course design critics.

Meanwhile hail only slightly smaller than golf balls interrupted the day's practice round at nearby Red Hawk Ridge. The sky turned an eerie green before howling winds, torrential rain and the aforementioned hail drove everyone fro the course to the safety of the 19th hole.

Team Rock took the opportunity to jet over the ridge to Pradera, iridescent jewel that it is - sight of the team challenge to scout out several tricky holes, such as the short, but cunning 311 par-4 10th, the enormous risk-reward par-5 7th and, of course, the mighty 18th. Team Engh was snug in their beds early...except for those raging madly at the racetrack cheering on the speeding schoolbuses and trains caroming around the devilishly dangerous figure-eight circuit.

School bus races? Why not just go to the rooster fight? The hammer of justice looms and does not suffer chumps lightly! And if the mighty golf hammer is "momentarily detained", well then we all go to the concert at Denver's famed Ogden Theatre and dance.

Bowling For Soup and golf course architects. Two great tastes that taste great together.

In Memoriam: Mr. Littwin, my Deerfield Academy English teacher

2006-08-23T19:40:00.000-07:00

My heart feels a little empty tonight. A great light has gone out. I learned today of the passing of my English professor from Deerfield Academy, Mr Tedman Littwin.

Yet I owe Mr. Littwin so much more than just a mere remembrance as an English teacher. Many of my accomplishments in life are a house built on his foundation. Indeed, his was a towering achievement, taking an ordinary kid from Utica who was clueless and awkward and molding him into a young man ready, hungry for success in college. Because of Mr. Littwin and other humble, patient teachers, ugly ducklings become swans.

Junior year when I took British Literature with Mr. Littwin my favorite stories came to life and my writing (and imagination) went to another level. I still re-read Dr. Faustus and MacBeth to this day, recalling Littwin's brilliant "Great Cosmic Egg Theory" that MacBeth is driven to evil because he cannot have an heir. I still read a great amount of Gothic Literature because he made it so interesting.

I also remember long nights at my IBM Selectric pounding out the weekly three to five page paper that formed the basis for all Deerfield grads' solid writing skills and vibrant imaginative prose that soars to new heights. Writing at Trinity was a breeze. Because of Mr. Littwin, I had the basic writing skills to write outside the box, yet keep organization strong and transitions smooth. Still, Mr. Littwin gave me free rein as a writer. Follow the basic rules, but take chances to stand out.

He also never lost faith in me. He was my corridor master in my senior year, guiding me with patience, immeasurable time and good advice. I returned his kindness by teaching basketball to his young son Tyler, then maybe five or six. I remember with joy the day "Tyler beat me." He and Tyler even gave me a congratulations card and a carnation for my lapel on graduation day. Tyler said "Cragulations" as he handed to me. I think his eyes were as misty as mine are now.

Deerfield teachers are unsung heroes. I owe everything I am to my three years there; my writing ability, my tenacity, my fearlessness. While I was there, I was merely average, but merely average at Deerfield is still a world beater. It was those papers I wrote every weekend and the long hours of study and responsible allocation of time that are my cornerstone. Still, I have neglected to thank so many of them as the years have passed.

I regret never thanking Ross McGlynn for his pep talk to me my sophmore year about not letting people get me down. Thirty years earlier, McGlynn (as he liked to be called) taught my cousins Robert and Jamie. He called me "Young Flemma."

I still fondly remember Mr. Brush teaching Latin and coaching cross country, Mr. Hindle in math class and soccer practice ("All Hail the Czar!") "Reality Russ" Durgin making us write an essay about the wide stride of BJ Wills as he strode across the quad and him having intellectual debates with one of the PG guys about existentialism. Golf with Mr. Boyle and basketball with Mr. Graney. Slam dunking one off a bench for a staged photo - remember guys? From sophomore year? "Jumpin' Jay Flemma slams one home in recent IBA action." Mr. Hodomarski telling everyone about the game I won with two free throws after time expired. All the hard lessons I learned about how silence equals integrity and how to get along as an only child thrust into a family with 31 older brothers.

I remember sophomore year on senior day when - as the waiters came out with dinner - sharp eyed Mr. Danielski shouted "Oh my God for the first time in my fifteen years we are having lobster!" I remember the airplane flying over campus bearing the message "Day off Thursday - Love and kisses REK."

I still have the picture of me shaking hands with Mr. Kaufman as I got my diploma. I still laugh as I hear Fitz Flynn at the dining hall mike after mystery meat night leading us in the second greatest Deerfield cheer ever:

Gimme an R! E! A! L! F! O! O! D!

Fitz: What do we want? Deerfield: Real Food!
Fitz: What did we just have?!

Silence...then uproarious laughter. The Deans of Students actually called Fitz's parents to express their loathing for the act. I dont think they got far at all. Imagine you getting a call about your son form the Dean of Student..."What did he do? He led a cheer saying the food was bad? And you're bothering me for this?" My fiorst reaction would have been, "well, what did they serve?"

I love ya Deerfield, but Fitz was right...the food was weak;)

By the way, the best cheer of course was the simplest - "Beat Choate, Beat Choate, Beat Choate..." I also remember our hall making the best banners ever - "Choate, the K-Mart of prep schools" and "Cho-T, go home!"

I remember making a last minute save to preserve heavy underdog senior soccer's miracle 4-3 win in double overtime over Choate at Choate. Mauricio Barberi and Laurence Schelke scored three of the four goals. We carried our coach, Aussie Mr. Ginns off on our shoulders. He apparently had never seen that before and he screamed "Hey! Lemme down you bloody penguins! Lemme down!"

Our motto is "Be Worthy of Your Heritage." It's appropriate in these sad times when so much time, energy, and money is spent avoiding responsibility instead of embracing it; using it to transmogrify you, galvanize you into a rock.

All those memories wash over me now in a nostalgiac wave. I'm overwhelmed by it. It's as bittersweet as graduation. Later tonight before I go to bed, I'll hum the Evensong and the Alma Mater, which I remember by heart even though I sing them once every two years. That's what Deerfield does for you. It makes you. I Thank God for my time at Deerfield.

But Mr. Littwin, I never thanked you. It was so wrong of me. I wipe a small tear from my eye and say a prayer for you and your son Tyler and your whole family. You did it sir. I am writing from the heart. I break lots of rules and make it gripping anyway. Finally, in some small way, I have become worthy of my heritage. Via con dios.

Mr. Littwin deserves a few days of mourning. I'll write again from Colorado on Saturday.

Fall Tour 2006 - Golf in Colorado, Nebraska, Indiana, Thank you to lifesavers

2006-08-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

Here's the breakdown for the Fall tour. I'll be reporting live from three different areas of our great golf nation.

Part 1: Denver - Red Hawk Ridge, Pradera, Fossil Trace - The "Jim Engh" leg of the tour. Happily, he's been building in a more expansive area of the country now, so people are getting to see his work. His design team will play a one day team challenge against my crew of golf scalliwags from Bowling For Soup and some of my architecture expert buddies. Smack talk from my side has been extensive. We'd do well in a shouting match against Maryland's Potomac Cup team. Tony Korogolos told everybody on Hooked on Golf we were gonna "clean their clocks" and I've been hectoring Jim himself about the looming "Golf Hammer of Justice."

I can hear myself on the tenth tee now..."It was always my plan to trail at the turn...thus deepening Jim's eventual humiliation..." Anyway, his hossenpfeffer, Tim Hartnett (excellent architect in training I may add!) tried to run some funky jazz past me about "you better bring sunblock 650 cause you're gonna get LIT UP!" but that's just Tim being a jive sucka.

Part 2: The "Sand Hills" leg - Ballyneal, Dismal River, Wild Horse and maybe Iron Horse.

Part 3: - The "Brickyard" Leg - Brickyard Crossing, The Trophy Club, The Fort

Tour starts Saturday.

In an unrelated matter, Ernesto the Prediction Iguana, who doubles as firm security around here was dead on when he called Tiger winning with -18...that was impressive.

Now, some thank yous are in order:

1. BIG thank you to Sandy at The Rental Co., Car Agency in Forest Hills, NY (718.353.6848). Sandy is a HUGE golf fan and a long time reader who helped me out of a helluva scrape when Brian form B&B Auto Body in Bedford Hills, NY screwed up fixing my car and I was stranded with no way to get to Bayonne G.C. for media day. Sandy, you saved my bacon!

2. big ups to a new clothing design label I really dig here in NYC called Seize Sur Vingt (pronounced "SAY Ser-VANT," it means 16 and 20). Alex and company are making a terrific new line of polo-style shirt under a new brand called "UBNY - United Boroughs of New York." These shirts are Egyptian Cotton and were the talk of the Potomac Cup - especially the line I wear with the UBNY logo on the right breast and a different "freedom fighter brigade" on the left breast. The black shirt I wear commemorates Corsica's independance form Spain. There's one for the Faroe Islands, etc. These are a great line. You can see them at www.16sur20.com. Tell 'em Jay from Cybergolf and Golf Observer sent you.

3. Finally, you must go to Nemacolin Woodlands resort and spend three or four tranquil days there. Go in and shake hands with Dennis Clarke, director of Golf when you're there. Tell him I sent you. Now, on the way to and from NYC, its a long drive. Happily there is a great Jacuzzi Suite at the Best Western in Shippensburg, PA. Again, call General Manager Kenny Mehta and tell him Jay the golf writer said the Jacuzzi Suite was mac daddy and you'll have a great over night place to chil and avoid that 6-1/2 hour drive all in one piece. The BW is right off 81 South and the phone is 717.532.5200.

Have a great golf trip!

Sweet Virginia! VA squanders gargantuan lead, rallies late to win 19.5 - 18.5 over Maryland in Potomac Cup

2006-08-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

FARMINGTON, PA - Never, ever, EVER, pop the champagne early.

The Boston Red Sox learned that the hard way in 1986 against the New York Mets and the Virginia team can within a whisker of making the same mistake and surrendering the biggest comeback in Potomac Cup history.

With a 14.5 - 9.5 lead going into today's 14 singles matches and needing merely five points to win a third straight Potomac Cup and fourth in six years, the singles matches fluctuated around the break even point - 7-7 - for most of the day. Maryland surged as high as 8.5 - 5.5, but leads were worthless all day as the singles matches saw the largest number of swings between individual games the whole weekend.

But as most matches approached the latter half of the back side and with Virginia winning at least four and even in four more Steve Czaban made a call he almost regretted. Spurred by the assembled media, Czaban ordered the Cup filled with not champagne, but candy. Czaban sought to finally return a running jibe of Team Maryland who received many handicap strokes - jokingly referred to as "Candy" by Maryland Captain Jeff Sheehan. Sheehans players marked balls with M&Ms and tossed Junior Mints to their opponents on tee boxes before matches.

"The idea was too eat candy out of the Cup just to stick it in and twist a little" said a relieved Czaban after all was said and done. When the call was made to the pro shop to make ready the trophy, staff asked if the candy should be opened and placed in the Cup. "Yes" said Czaban, even though he still meeded two more points to secure the win.

And then the comeback began. Maryland tied the matches twice and briefly hald the lead before bowing late.

Losing big all day, Maryland's Chris Johnson made three straight birdies to tie his match with Virginia veteran Jim Flynn. An elated Johnson won outright on 18 and through his arms skyward in triumph. "It was such a terrific comeback, I feel no shame whatsoever in losing" said a truly sincere and gentlemanly Flynn. "He played so well on the last holes, he really deserved to win." Ron Thomas, who blew a lead to Czaban as late as 14 rallied over the last holes to scrape out a win. John Rhodes won the match of his life, besting seasoned amateur competitor Ross McIntosh of Virginia 2&1.

It seemed the curse of the champagne was about to lay another tombstone in the graveyard of overconfident favorites.

Victory was snatched from the jaws of defeat by the most unlikely of figures. Although the score in matches already finished was 18.5 - 13.5, every other flag on the board but one was Maryland red. The fate of the Commonwealth rested on the shoulders of Cup rookie Scott Inman, locked in a fearsome battle with firebreathing and inspiring Maryland co-captain Pedro Carrasco. Known to his teammates as "Speedy Gonzales" for his rapid fire chatter, Carrasco had rallied his troops time and again all weekend, leading by example and crafting a 2-1-1 record in the matches until the singles.

Undaunted, Inman calmly rolled in a short putt on 15 and closed out the match. Ever the sportsman, a smiling Carrasco was the first to congratulate him.

The humble Inman, who later said "It was my first rodeo and I'm just grateful I didn't get bucked off," was named the tournament's most outstanding player - called the Hardy Award after the Nemacolin Resort owner Joe Hardy whose Mystic Rock course hosted the three-day matches. In his first cup, Inman was 3-1-1 overall record for the weekend and sank the Cup winning putt, enabling him to come and claim the Cup from Resort Director of golf Dennis Clarke in the presentation ceremony.

"We have nothing to hang our heads over" said an upbeat Sheehan after the loss. "We dug ourselves a hole, but we got out of it with pride and hard work. Every point is crucial when you need them all and we just needed one too many."

The upbeat tenor was echoed by fellow Maryland teammates John Rhodes and Tom Bender. "We have alot to be proud of. We're going to come back and win this thing. Next year begins tomorrow."

Virginians Vance Welch (3-1 record this year), Bill Polen, Chris Huemmer, and Doug Stump also won the crucial matches to enable Virginia to reach the 19.5 points goal to win their third straight Cup. The 19.5 - 18.5 final score ties last years 18.5 - 17.5 result for the closest Cup in tournament history.

Pictures: Top: Victorious Team Virginia celebrates with the candy filled Potomac Cup. Below: Wave that flag! Wave it wide and high! Bill Polen is wrapped in the Virginia flag while Scott Abell and a Potomac Cup fan signal Virginia's triumph. Virginia was propelled to victory by a virtuoso performance in the Saturday morning best ball matches where they outscored Maryland 5.5 to 0.5. Maryland won the Sunday singles 9-5.

Potomac Cup live final day coverage on WTEN Sportstalk 980 - with Jay Flemma

2006-08-20T07:49:00.000-07:00

FARMINGTON, PA - A leaden slate sky greets the Potomac Cup organizers as they arrive at the media center for the Sunday morning singles matches. The Cup will be awarded today, rain or shine, but sporadic showers will interrupt the proceedings more than once. Arriving even before resort staff, early moring radio shows covering the event are bantering about the Sunday pairings. "Maryland has an uphill battle, but I'm still a little bit nervous" Virginia captain Steve Czaban says candidly.

Czaban's misgivings may be overkill. Virginia holds a a commanding 14-1/2 to 9-1/2 lead with fourteen points left in today's singles matches. With seven scratch golfers scattered throughout the pairings and two seasoned amateur competitors a the anchor -South African ex-pat Ross McIntosh and Vance Welch - Maryland must play over their heads through the entire roster to close the gap.

After the two squads split the Friday doubles matches 6-6, Virginia found another gear and took 5-1/2 points out of 6 in the Saturday morning best ball matches to surge to a five point lead. The teams splits the six Captain's Choice matches.

"We put ourselves behind the eightball with those morning matches" Maryland Captain Jeff Sheehan says, bantering with his Virginia counterparts on the "Sportstalk 980" radio show as players being to filter into the parking lot. "But Czaban made the same mistake the Europeans did in the 1999 Ryder Cup saving his best for last. I sent out my best guys early to try and close this gap quickly. And they get lots of shots and Virginia's early guys will be fighting that uphill. Par today is our friend" Sheehan says with both a smile and sincere determination. Sheehan has led by example, winning both matches in which he played and chirping in the Virginian's ears at every oppurtunity.

Czaban and McCaa both take umbrage at this author's prediction that they were underdogs in their matches - to Ron Thomas and Al Aldana respectively, but even Czaban admits his putting has been deeply suspect. "When it comes to putting, Czaban is a choking dog" jibes Sheehan starting the smacktalk all over again, this time over the air. Nevertheless, at this writer's insistence, Czaban later headed over to the practice green to do the Phil Mickelson three foot "Circle of Death."

Talk then turned to the Mystic Rock course setup. Its not your normal polite plain Vanilla comments, even though Director of Golf is partaking in the discussion. All involved in the tournament, from media to players to organizers agree, Mystic Rock offers something for everyone. Golf Course architecture experts love the course for its alternating shot pattern requirements and great routing. "No two holes run in the same direction and all four par threes play in different directions" notes Clark. McCaa, Flynn and I agree. "The greens have alot of contour and those chipping swales around the greens would make Donald Ross proud." McCaa says with a frustrated smile. "The adventure is just beginning" Flynn adds.

Indeed, the chipping swales and devilish greens may keep the matches closer as average players have the option of putting or bumping to get close to the pin. That';s the beauty of Mystic Rock, there is a right side to miss and a wrong side to miss and strokes can vanish in a heartbeat.

Rain pounds down outside ten minutes before the first tee time for the Sunday singles that will decide the Potomac Cup. Maryland players are shooting pool in the "Gentleman's Locker Room" at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort's Mystic Rock Course (which is bigger than many pro shops at daily fee facilities). Virginia Players are either watching the early morning PGA Championship coverage or preparing for when the weather moves through. "We're gonna let it all hang out today" says Jim Campbell energetically. He may be sitting on an easy chair with his cap on his knee, but he is ready. "I wanna go out there right now. I know my opponent [Bill Mullikin] is a great player, but we are an even match, so turn me loose." "We are absolutely gonna win echoed Doug Stump.

Virginia is in the driver's seat. Virginia looks focused. Virginia has Maryland scrambling to survive. But now comes the time to close the deal.

Czaban himself can lead the charge. He tees off first match of the day against the colorful and confident Ron Thomas. While Sheehan fired a clarion call to open the matches by teaming with co-captain Pedro Carrasco for a rout win, triggering a 4-2 lead, but Czaban can fire the shot that signals the end. Then in matches 3-5 Virginia's sends out three even-keeled pressure hardened veterans, Doug Stump, Jim Flynn and Chris Huemmer. The matches stand a good chance of being over even without Virginia anchors McIntosh and Welch firing a shot.

Maryland's best chances come in the middle matches. The heart of the Maryland team, Jason Masri, a rookie having a solid first Cup and veteran Chick Hernandez preceed Al Aldana, Jeff Sheehan and Pedro Carrasco. "If the top of the order can survive, the heart of the order is solid" said John Rhodes optimistically. "Then its up to Brad [Hankey] and I."

VIRGINIA 14.5 MARYLAND 9.5 with 14 points left.

SUNDAY PAIRINGS (w/Handicaps and singles records)

VIRGINIA MARYLAND

(C) Steve Czaban (9) Ron Thomas (0)
Bill Polen (7) Tom Bender (11)
Doug Stump (2) Chris Johnson (13)
Jim Flynn (6) Jeff Dame (7)
Chris Huemmer (3) Michael Kurtz (14)
Scott Abell (4) Jason Masri (3)
Dave Gudinas (3) Chick Hernandez (6)
Adam McCaa (1) Al Aldana (5)
Brian Mitchell (9) (C) Jeff Sheehan
Scott Inman (1) Pedro Carrasco (6)
Jim Campbell (14 Bill Mullikin (14)
Frank Romano (0) Terry Norell (14)
Ross McIntosh (0) John Rhodes (0)
Vance Welch (0) Brad Hankey (3)

Furious rally hurtles Virginia to lead halfway through Potomac Cup

2006-08-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

Maryland talked the talk early, but Virginia walked the walk late, riding gritty, clutch back nine performances by Adam McCaa, Vance Welch and Ross McIntosh to stage a furious rally and seize control of the Potomac Cup at the halfway point. With afternoon matches teeing off just after 3 PM, Virginia holds an 11-1/2 to 6/1/2 lead in this, the sixth annual golf battle between the states.

“We really need to do some work in the afternoon Captain’s Choice matches to be in position to make a move tomorrow in the singles” said Maryland Captain Jeff Sheehan. “We have some great leaders on this team, but we are being outplayed right now. There is a lot of talent on the other side.”

Maryland’s captains have led by example. Sheehan and Assistant Captain Pedro Carrasco opened the matches with a clarion call that thundered across Western Pennsylvania, trouncing Virginia co-captain McCaa and Jim Campbell 5&4. Maryland team members fed off the energy, jumping out to a 4-0 lead and looked to run away with the matches.

It was a precision jackhammer attack that lasered through the opposition and filtered down through the entire roster. Maryland newcomers Bill Mullikin and Terry Norrell won their morning match 3&2 and fellow newcomers Jason Masri and Brad Hankey routed Virginia’s more experienced team of Vance Welch and Doug Stump (career combined 14-10). Even much maligned Michael Kurtz (overall 4-8 record) - who weathered blistering heat from Virginia players who said “get him some sunscreen cause he’s gonna get lit up” – won a stunning victory over Superbowl winning Redskins running back Brian Mitchell and scratch golfer McIntosh

With Maryland’s rookies not only getting a taste of the competition early in the matches, but savoring their first victories and with the bottom of the order holding their end up, Maryland looked poised to dominate. “We were lucky to avoid losing five or even six” said Virginia Captain Steve Czaban.

But Virginia absorbed the body blows, riding experienced Cup players and gutsy play by its co-captain to surge to a tie at the end of day one and take command after the Saturday morning best ball matches.

McCaa and Scott Abell provided the catalyst for the run that surged Virginia to the lead, defeating Maryland marquis pairing Hankey and Masri.. “Scott helped me make a great par at the par-5 11^th in the alternate shot yesterday” said McCaa with an almost grateful smile. “Scott is a rock for us. It gave us our first lead since the first hole. Then he hit a great shot on 14 from under a tree that couldn’t have been more than four feet off the ground and ran to the green saving us a much needed par.”

Then the scratch amateur competitors put the hammer down and brought Virginia into a tie by day’s end. McIntosh and captain Czaban (combined records 22-8-4) defeated Ron Thomas and Chick Hernandez 2&1. Amateur competitor and co-captain Vance Welch teamed with Jim Flynn for a 7&5 win over Tom Rhodes and Al Aldana (10-5 combined). As the sun set Friday, the matches were deadlocked 6-6.

Captain Sheehan’s morning strategy of paring players with their qualifier teammates which worked so well in the morning was abandoned. “I wanted to get guys a chance to play with some of the other teammates and see what new chemistry might develop. It may have made things a little tougher in the alternate shot format, but I thought the strokes we were getting might offset the unfamiliarity” he noted sourly.

It worked in only one match as Carrasco and Mullikin ripped through Virginia’s Doug Stump and Scott Inman. “Mullikin was a good partner. He worked well with me and we were able to execute well as a team from early in the match” added the colorful and affable Carrasco, known to his friends as “Speedy Gonzales” for his rapid fire chatter on and off the golf course.

“We better do something fast” added Marylander Ron Thomas. “The site of these donkeys posing for a victory picture makes me wanna puke.” His wasn’t the only acidic comment. “Four of these Virginia guys have radio shows (Czaban, McCaa, Mitchell and Flynn) and we will have to hear it for a year if they win” added Hernandez.

The Virginians took the ribbing in stride – mostly ignoring it - and surged through the Saturday morning Best Ball matches 5-1/2 to ½. Four of the matches were closed out before the 17^th hole. Chris Huemmer and Jim Campbell led off the morning with a 3&2 upset of Hernandez and Rhodes setting the tone for the bloodletting. Team cornerstone Welch then teamed with Bill Polen for a 7&6 victory. Both McIntosh and Czaban also won matches in routs, paired with Abell and Stump respectively.

But such is the nature of this event, where 28 ordinary Joes are transmogrified into battle ready, tonka tough, rock ‘em sock ‘em robots, trading golf punches with reckless abandon and tireless passion. After all is said and done, win or lose, they go drink together. Only hockey can claim such comeradery as a handshake ceremony follows every bloody seven game playoff series.

Perhaps the best testimony to the comradery of the event occurred at the close of the Friday matches. With all six matches decided at or before the 17^th hole, all twenty-eight players and one black clad, goateed journalist teed off in an impromptu twenty-nine man group en masse on the 18^th hole and then swarmed in fourteen carts up the fairway in a winner-take-all, one-club challenge. With the sunlight rapidly fading and chatter in two different languages echoing though the fairways, “it looked like a giant swarm of salmon surging upstream” said Virginian Jim Campbell. “It was one of the most exhilarating experiences in my golf career.” “It looked like a runaway golf cart marathon” laughed another casual observer. “They looked like an army swarming over the battlefield, carts, clubs and guys everywhere yammering away. It was the most organized chaos I ever saw.”

84 Lumber Classic venue Mystic Rock at Nemacolin Resort hosts the Cup matches this year. The course also hosted last week’s Pennsylvania State Open. Media day play for the event showcased quick greens (11-11.5) on the stimpmeter and thick, well watered rough. Still, the wide fairways offer plenty of room off the tee, while shaved chipping areas offer short game masters multiple options greenside. Bump and run, pitch and check, flop, pitch or putt are all viable from around nearly every green.

The course has clearly lived up to its reputation as the premier resort in the Northeast. “This is a classic Pete Dye design with a lot of interesting contour in the greens and it’s in the best condition of any course I’ve played all year” said Virginia player Francesco Romano.

2006 Potomac Cup - Maryland not intimidated by Virginia's deeper roster

2006-08-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

FARMINGTON, PA

For a man starting seven Potomac Cup rookies right out of the gate in the Friday morning best ball matches, Maryland captain Jeff Sheehan is unconcerned. “We’re gonna be in their heads. They may have more experience, but we’re getting shots to even things out. There’s a lot of candy we’ll be getting this weekend and we’re gonna let them know that at every opportunity.”

Sheehan conceived a novel way to remind the Virginians. “Candy” will be everywhere – literally. “We’ll be marking our balls with M&Ms. Some guys will be handing opponents Reese’s pieces before the matches tee off. With every shot they take, they’ll see a reminder of the shots our higher handicappers will be getting.”

The intimidation doesn’t stop there. Maryland eschewed their normal red and white for a tough all black “third jersey” look. They have been loose and jocular, high-fiving each other after the national anthem. They are sending a clarion call from the opening ball as Captain Sheehan and Assistant Captain and team cornerstone Pedro Carrasco lead off the morning matches. Maryland 2-handicapper John Rhodes even disrespected former Washington Redskins Super Bowl player Brian Mitchell, who starts in his first Potomac Cup for Virginia. “I’m playing Mitchell this morning? I feel sorry for him. You can’t tackle birdies, can you?”

The strategy has not been lost on Virginia Captain Steve Czaban. “We have depth 1-14 through the roster, but yes, those shots will help keep them in their matches. On paper we may have an advantage, but this is going to be a very tough Cup”

His team seems to have gotten the message. Quiet confidence and steely resolve powered them during the team meeting last night. “They are going to be mad after blowing a four point lead on the last day last year” said Virginia’s Chris Huemmer. Huemmer is playing in his first Cup after missing out at a qualifier Last year by a whisker. He and his partner each took a soul-scarring 9 on an easy par five opening hole. A mere bogey would have vaulted them to the team. “This is redemption for us.”

Still, the team is not taking anything for granted. “This is a strategic course where lots of shots can swing very quickly, so we’ have to stay focused and pick each other up and be positive” echoed Assistant Captain Vance Welch.

Welch will be a critical player for Virginia. “He is one of the best match play guys in the region” said Czaban. Welch brings and 8-2 overall Cup record into his morning match. He and 2-handicap Doug Stump will be the anchor of the six morning matches, paired against Jason Masri and Brad Hankey, a 4 and a1 handicap respectively, but both Potomac Cup rookies. Ross McIntosh (3-1-1 overall) Adam “Signboy” McCaa (a 7-7-1 record and a dead ringer for the portly commercial actor) and Jim Flynn (8-6-1) also have strong career records in the matches. In a pinch, Czaban might call his own number. His 15-7-3 overall record has a huge advantage over Shelley’s 8-15-1.

Two morning matches of Potomac Cup rookies may well set the tone for the whole weekend. Virginia rookies Scott Inman and Huemmer face Maryland rookies Thomas Bender and Jeff Dame. In the next match, Virginia’s Bill Polen and Dave Gadinas were specifically paired to counter Maryland’s Terry Norrell and Bill Millikin, who play together as a team frequently and have won several big regional handicap tournaments.

While Sheehan not only played his rookies early to calm jitters and “give ‘em PT” he also kept teammates from qualifiers together so they would have an additional comfort zone. Czaban eschewed this theory, instead pairing teammates with similar length off the tee.

Six best ball matches in the morning will be followed by six alternate shot matches in the afternoon. Tomorrow six two man scramble matches replace the best ball format. Fourteen singles matches end play Sunday.

84 Lumber Classic venue Mystic Rock at Nemacolin Resort hosts the Cup matches this year. This course also hosted last week’s Pennsylvania State Open. Media day play for the event showcased quick greens (11-11.5) on the stimpmeter and thick, well watered rough. Still, the wide fairways offer plenty of room off the tee, while shaved chipping areas offer short game masters multiple options greenside. Bump and run, pitch and check, flop, pitch or putt are all viable from around nearly every green. The course has clearly lived up to its reputation as the premier resort in the Northeast. “This is a classic Pete Dye design with a lot of interesting contour in the greens and it’s in the best condition of any course I’ve played all year” said Virginia player Francesco Romano. Romano has a career 5-4-2 record for “The Blue.”

A River Runs Through It: Potomac Cup Matches Fuel Maryland - Virginia Rivalry

2006-08-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

Editor's Note: Cybergolf is covering the Potomac Cup matches wall to wall this weekend, with additional reports here. Golf Observer will also be linking every day to the coverage of the matches and pairing draws.

We'll also be covering the PGA Championship from Medinah this weekend, but you already know the buzz for this week - 1) Can anybody beat Tiger? No; 2) What about Phil playing with him in the same group? That did loads for Nick Faldo; 3) Why will Tiger win? Because Medinah has flat huge greens, favors brute length over strategy and he won there before. See everybody from Augusta next spring...

So, without further ado:

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT:

POTOMAC CUP MATCHES FUEL MARYLAND-VIRGINIA RIVALRY

FARMINGTON, PA

Fox Sports Net broadcaster Steve Czaban has never been a shrinking violet, but in heating up an inter-state rivalry and taking the battle to the golf course, Czabe (as his friends call him) has become even more of a champion to the average sports fan.

“When I was growing up in the DC area, it was all about what side of the river you were on, Maryland or Virginia. There is just an innate, deep-rooted competition and resultant bad blood between folks from “The Commonwealth” [Virginia] and “The State” [Maryland] says the affable but mischievous Czaban. “My goal was to provide the weekend amateur player with not only a chance to play in a Ryder Cup style event, but to play for pride. In this case, pride for whatever side of the river he hails from.”

Now lets be honest here – the goal was also to fuel competitive fire and state rivalry with loud golf bragging rights and chest thumping. Stir the pot and do something for Joe Six-pack? That’s Steve Czaban; the pulse of the Great American Sportsman (that’s “Hominus Sporticus Americanum” as Czabe says).

With those dual goals in mind, the Potomac Cup matches were born in 2001. Each year, hundreds of hopeful DC area amateur golfers play their way through two grueling qualifiers in the hopes of landing one of eight at large spots on each of the fourteen man teams representing either Maryland or Virginia. In order to improve the chances of mid to high handicappers, entrants – playing as two man best-ball teams - play the qualifiers with the benefit of their handicaps. The survivors head off to a first rate golf resort for a three day competition modeled closely after the Ryder Cup matches - two days of two-man team competition and a final day of singles play.

As the years have progressed, the tournament’s renown has grown significantly, creating not only a genuine interstate buzz preceding the matches, but generating new economic partnerships for the matches. “Relationships with manufacturers and vendors created sponsorships and also provided things for the players like balls, hats, uniforms and bags” said Jeff Sheehan of tournament corporate sponsor Pros and Hackers Magazine. “I get goose bumps when I think about how this has taken on a life of its own and become one heck of an event.”

Sheehan’s goose bumps had better subside in a hurry. He is also the playing captain of the Maryland side which has dropped the last two matches to the Virginians. This year will mark the sixth battle between Maryland and Virginia amateurs. Virginia holds a 3-2 lead in the series and won last year’s Cup in a squeaker 18-1/2 to 17-1/2. Gambling experts presently give the edge in this year’s matches to Virginia as well, based on their greater depth 1-14 through the roster and since more players have Potomac Cup experience than on the Maryland side.

Still, email chatter from the Maryland players shows them remarkably loose on the eve of the matches, discussing such minutiae as the pros and cons of all black uniforms, who’s the dorkiest dresser (Michael “The other team could make trouble for us if they win” Kurtz seems the consensus pick according to his teammates), and which team members should sleep with one eye open for fear of late night hi-jinks.

The Virginians however are mellow and closed mouth. Czaban, who also captains “Team Commonwealth” and has never been known to give three scoops of unflavored yogurt for a quote, was tight lipped and respectful about the opposition. “There’ll be plenty of time to talk later.”

The participants are as varied in their personalities as they are in their handicaps. Some players have serious golf pedigrees. Vance Welch, playing in his third Potomac Cup for Virginia, also played in the 2006 U.S. Amateur Public Links. He actually quit his job to compete. John Rhodes of Maryland beat Tour Pro Notah Begay by one shot at the 1997 U.S. Open Qualifier. “Yeah, he has won four tour events since and I sell mortgages” he quipped glibly.

Such is the lunchpail ethos of many a Potomac Cupper, as for every Amateur qualifier, there is also one high handicapper. Bill Mullikan and Terry Norell- an 18 and 15 handicap respectively – edged out three time Maryland team members Robert Ingram and Sang Trinh at one of this year’s qualifiers. Ingram, a mid-80s player, is no stranger himself to Potomac Cup drama. Derek Vandertang sank the Cup clinching putt against him last year to secure Virginia’s successful title defense. If history is any guide this year, it will again be a higher handicapper who determines the outcome.

Excitement is especially high this year as the famous Mystic Rock course at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. The course frequently appears in various magazine’s “Top 100 you can play” lists and hosts the PGA Tour’s 84 Lumber Classic, won by the likes of David Toms, Robert Allenby, Vijay Singh and John Daly. The course conditioning looks to be especially good as last week it hosted the Pennsylvania State Open and the 84 Lumber Classic begins in one month. Pete Dye designed the layout over rolling, rocky terrain.

“Nemacolin was a no-brainer for a host” said Sheehan. “They looked me right in the eye and said ‘We’re going to make those guys feel like they just played in the Ryder Cup.’”

While there won’t be any “Parade of the Wives” or black tie glitz, the tournament is unique for its successful blend of true state-line rivalry and accessibility to mid to high handicappers and has deservedly grown to national significance. After all, it’s not every day that “Everyday Joe” can suddenly play his favorite game for the greater glory of his home state. It’s like your college rivalry all over again. “The Potomac Cup?” asks Vance Welch, “It’s the biggest event of the year for us.”

Is Kimberly Kim the next Michelle Wie?

2006-08-16T10:10:00.000-07:00

So Steve Czaban has this to say about Kimbwerly Kim and Michelle Wie:

"How ‘bout that Kim Kim? You know, Kimberly Kim, the 14 year old Hawaiian who won the US Women’s Amatuer last weekend?

Oh, didn’t hear much about her? Wonder why. I mean, SHE’S ONLY 14!!!!

Funny how the YOUNGEST EVER winner of the Women’s US AM, gets virtually no media bump, even though Miss Rolex never won that event herself. Not at 14, not at 15, not at 16.

The media hype machine has spoken loud and clear. We only have space on the “shelf” for ONE teenage golfing phenom. And her name is Michelle. And that’s all we are selling. Now everybody else, please go away."

Just three thoughts today. Why not give Paula Creamer/Morgan Pressel/Natalie Gulbis a shot one time? Why not give the winner of the Women's Open a bid to the Men's Open? Why not give the LPGA Championship winner a big to the PGA Championship?

Darren Clarke mourns passing of his wife Heather

2006-08-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

***Click here for my piece on Clarke and the 2006 Ryder Cup***

Four news items today.

1. The golf world sends its sympathies as Heather Clarke, wife of popular European Tour player Darren Clarke passes after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 39.

Clarke had been a long time strong finisher in British Opens before bursting on the scene in America after drubbing Tiger Woods in the Finals of the 2000 Accenture Match Play Championship final match. At the time Clarke was so portly, popular sports analyst Jim Rome
famously quipped "He ate his lunch, Tiger's lunch and Tiger today."

Clarke's rotund physique, fondness for fine cigars and beer and seemingly unflappable demeanor when facing golf's most intimidating player made him an instant household name and "everyman" favorite.

Clarke rode the popularity to new heights. He dropped significant weight and became known for having a pint with fans and otherwise interacting genially with crowds at tournaments. He was a cornerstone of the 2004 Ryder Cup team that bent over backwards to win hearts and minds of American fansa t the sometimes-too-competitive Ryder Cuop matches at Oakland Hills.

Clarke further cemented his popularity with everyone in the golf industry with a show of gentlemanliness and responsibility rarely seen in today's win at all costs world. When a rain delay forced him off the golf course after driving into heavy rough, Clarke returned the next day to find his ball had been moved to a more favorable position. Where the night before had he played the shot, he would not have been able to reach the green and faced a sure bogey. The mysterious movement of the ball resulted in a clear path and easy lie - a sure four maybe a birdie three.

Clarke chipped out sideways anyway. His noble and sporting gesture enamored him throughout the golf world.

2. Car manufacturer Volvo confirmed it is to sponsor November's New Zealand Golf Open at Gulf Harbour.

Volvo will be a supporting sponsor of New Zealand's marquee golf tournament, after signing a three-year deal with New Zealand Golf. The deal also covers all other national and provincial events managed by New Zealand Golf over the next three years. Under the deal, Volvo will be the "official vehicle of New Zealand Golf".

It is the second major sponsorship announcement by golf officials within a week, after Blue Chip was announced as the naming rights holder to the New Zealand Open last Tuesday.

3. The Potomac Cup coverage of the vicious "Maryland vs. Virginia" amatuer grudge golf match begins Thursday night with the draw and parings and a look at the competitors.

4. Golf Observer, Tony Korologos Hooked on Golf and Cybergolf will also be covering the Flemmapalooza matches between the "Rockers" of Bowling For Soup (including yours truly) and Jim Engh's design team. "The buzz" is widely rampant that "The golf hammer of justice looms" over Jim Engh, but he seemed unfazed at last report, relaxing comfortably at his summer home in Idaho. (Read: Black Rock Golf Club!) After all, he lives in a good neighborhood.

The match wil be played Sunday August 27th at The Club at Pradera near Castle Rock, Colorado. Pradera (as she is known to her friends) was a finalist for Best New Private course last year and claimed two Jazzy Awards - one for best new private design and runner up for best golf hole (number 10)

Picture: Captain Jay Flemma and his lieutenants, Gary Wiseman (l) and Chris Burney (r) of Bowling For Soup celebrate a great round at We-ko-pa in Scottsadale and plan the impending "Invasion of Denver" against vastly superior forces.

Fall Tour 2006 - Flemmapalooza

2006-08-11T15:12:00.000-07:00

Fall tour is scheduled for Colorado, Nebraska and Indiana. I'll be filing live reports from Pradera, Sanctuary Club, Ballyneal and Dismal River on the private side, and after a warm up round at either Fossil Trace or Red Hawk Ridge, it'll be off to Wild Horse in the Nebraska Sand Hills before jetting to Indiana for Brickyard Crossing and The Trophy Club.

One of the highlights will be the Bowling For Soup concert the night of 8/27..after Jim Engh's golf design team plays a match against Bowling For Soup at one of Jim's courses.

The pic is from Pradera, number 16. Jim's house is second from the green.

Geoff Shackelford and E.M. Smith of SI on Michelle Wie and her caddy

2006-08-09T21:38:00.000-07:00

Geoff Shackelford has an excellent short piece and link to E.M. Smith's S.I. article on Michelle Wie and the unceremonious way in which her caddy was fired.

I'll just say this. All people face difficult situations and duties in their lives. It is how they handle themselves in those situations by which they are judged.

If Michelle had grace and character, she would have taken this opportunity to have a heart to heart chat with her caddy. Someday, BJ and her mom are not going to be there. Here was a chance to show the world some true mettle - maturity beyond her years - something we see in her talent, but not often in her.

But when you are "only 16," have a publicity army calling the shots for you and get whatever you want, responsibility frequently gets postponed.

As a lawyer who represents talent - some under the age of 18 - I have seen too many examples of overly protective parents ruining their children's career in so many different ways. Usually the problem is they try to live vicariously through the child, but overprotectiveness is a close second.

Also one of the biggest problems that our country needs to solve is how to move away from this culture we've enabled which stresses avoiding personal responsibility and enables "victims." Floyd Landis comes to mind immediately.

As another example, some of the professional entertainers I represent have the mettle to handle tough issues head on in a businesslike, if misguided way. But this is always preferable to "Well I hire, but someone else fires."

For once, at SOME press conference, I would like to hear Michelle say "I made a mistake" or "I played poorly" or "I should have done that differently." But I see so litle of the real Michelle. Instead I hear the voice of the handlers and it sounds like alot of nonesense, doubletalk and evasion.

Maybe the wrong person got fired this week.

You know...the PGA Tour is not going anywhere...and there is always Q school too.

I wonder effect what this rather unseemly event will have on her free passes to tournaments? I guess much depends on her performance in the Evian European Masters and the 84 Lumber Classic.

Michelle could have so many more fans. All she would have to do is be herself, be a little more realistic and candid. Instead a sixteen-soon-to-be-17-year-old finds herself a polarizing figure in the center of a firestorm.

Is it really fair to a 16 y/o to place them in such a crucible? Think back to when you were 16. I wasn't irresponsible, but I sure was a teenager. Yes, we have to be sensitive to that, but it is not unfair to expect Michelle, who wants to shoulder history, to also elevate her personal dignity and social conduct too. Something has to give here, because right now I see the pressure mounting. God forbid she becomes burned out like Jennifer Capriati. Michelle's a young woman at an important crossroads here. The lesson she learns now about character and responsibility will affect her for years to come - and DEFINITELY will affect her career in the immediate future. Yes, lots of people have alot of money riding on her, but are they thinking long term?

That's another problem our society has been sweeping too much under the rug lately.

Mystic Rock at Nemacolin Resort to see heavy tournament action in next few weeks

2006-08-07T17:54:00.000-07:00

Pete Dye's Mystic Rock course at Nemacolin Resort is about to get heavy tournament play in the coming weeks.

This weekend, the resort plays host to the Pennsylvania State Open Championship, the biggest state tournament of the year. PA PGA representatives are delighted to have their showcase event at one of the state's premier golf destinations. The course will play to a par-72, and a staggering 7,511 - almost as long as Medinah will play for the PGA Championship next week. Many players find the course similar in its natural setting and design to Dye's work at nearby Bulle Rock in Havre De Grace, MD, site of the LPGA Championship. Rounds at Mystic Rock usually cost about $185.

Next weekend, the resort hosts one of the most interesting, prestigious and unique amateur Ryder Cup format tournaments, The Potomac Cup. Pitting two teams of tournament winners - one from Maryland and the other from Virginia, the three day event has feuled a vicious rivalry between golfers from "The State" and "The Commonwealth" and draws hundreds of applicants to qualifying matches each year. Tournament director and Fox Radio Sports Broadcaster Steve Czaban noted, "We are thrilled to have the event at a tour stop. It will make it that much more exciting for the participants and the course promises to be in fantastic condition. This is shaping up to be the best Potomac Cup ever."

I'll be covering the Potomac Cup matches live for Cybergolf with bonus coverage here and at Golf Observer.

Finally, September 11-17 the resort hosts the PGA Tour's 84 Lumber Classic. Past winners include popular stars John Daly, Chris DiMarco, Vijay Singh and miracle winner last year Jason Gore, who captured the hearts and minds of fans everywhere - especially the beer and chicken wing crowd - with his gutsy play at the 2005 U.S. Open, his graceful demeanor, "aw shucks" smile, humble family and rotund physique.

Media frenzy will be at fever pitch that week as Michelle Wie, who had her agent give her caddie the news he was terminated, will start in her sixth attempt to try to make a cut in a men's event in the USA. We will also play in Switzerland in the European Tour's Omega European Masters. Wie received special exemptions both times. The European tour is the fourth different tour on which Wie will compete - the others being the Asian Tour, the PGA and the LPGA. Wier finished tied for 26th in the British Open and never broke par in a single round at Royal Lytham & St. Anne's.

PGA Championship Memories - John Daly, 1991

2006-08-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

If not for a staggering sequence of events, John Daly would never have even been playing at the 1991 PGA Championship, let alone winning the event like a bolt out of the blue. AFter seeing his huge drives, it was the patrons and fellow players that were thunderstruck.

After failing twice to qualify for the field, Daly was listed as the 9th alternate. As of Monday of the tournament week, he had as good a chance of playing in his first PGA as he did of winning a chance to fly on the Space Shuttle. Then all sorts of chaos paved Daly's road to the miraculous.

1. More than 10 living past champions...all eligible to play, chose not to play, leaving room for some alternates;

2. The first alternate, Jumbo Ozaki skipped to "heal from an injury." The injury in question was never confirmed or explained.

3. Roger Davis passed to play in Europe instead.

4. Ronan Rafferty cancelled to be with his wife who was expecting.

5. The head professional at the host club is entitled to a slot, but this year Jim Ferriel declined saying "I have other priorities...like six merch tents and 400 volunteers to manage for a major championship."

6. Mark James w/d to play in Eyrope and solidify his chances of making the Ryder Cup team.

7. After talking with officials about how long and difficult a "monster" Crooked Stick could be, Lee Trevino - a two time champ - w/d saying "You can keep your Monster."

8. Marco Dawson, as yet unqualified, had only to hold off the challengers for one round of the Buick Open the week before, which he led by 3 on Sat night...he shot 74 and fell to 10th, missing his chance. The winner notified the PGA of his intention to play that Tuesday.

By this time, 3 of the alternate spots had opened.

9. Bobby Gilbert w/d, giving his place to the 4th alternate.

10. On Wednesday, after 2 days of practice, Paul Azinger w/d with a shoulder injury. At this point daly, standing as fourth alternate at that time, drove to Indianapolis arriving at midnight Thursday morning...without ever seeing the course for a practice round. All the next events happened as he drove to Indy. (AS HE DROVE!)

11. Nick Price, also expecting, w/d when word got to him his wife had moved closer to birth. His place went to 6th alternate Bill Sander. Sander declined, so Mark Lye got the invite.

12. Lye declined citing lack of a practice round. The slot was offered to Brad Bryant, who bagged saying "I have been playing lousy and see no need to spend another two days in the rough."

Daly arrived. Daly started Thursday morning cold as last night's pizza.

Daly won...without the benefit of any practice or prior knowledge. Amazing.

Floyd Landis stripped of Tour de France title, steroid doctor sentenced, Justin Gatlin may be next

2006-08-06T05:32:00.000-07:00

Now the test results are infallible. No excuses, no re-dos, no third tests, it's official.

Floyd Landis had plant-produced testosterone added to his body when he made his now infamous charge in the last stage of the mountains that "catapulted" him to his short-lived victory in the Tour de Fraud.

Here's how the test works. Testosterone created by a human body has a unique Carbon signature. Testosterone from synthetic sources (i.e. made from plants) has a completely different Carbon signature. Also, natural testosterone production declines sharply as synthetic testosterone is added to the body. Landis' sample showed elevated testosterone levels of synthetic testosterone - testosterone with a a completely different Carbon signature to any human body. Correspondingly, his levels of natural testosterone (with the unique human Carbon signature) were markedly low.

He's done, he cheated, hang him from the city walls.

In a related matter recently, the "steroid doctor" who provided for several of of the NFL's Carolina Panthers was sentenced. As reported in several news outlets:

James Shortt, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally prescribe steroids and human growth hormone to members of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, has been sentenced to a year and a day in jail. In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dropped 42 other related charges against Shortt, charges for which the maximum penalties were five years in jail and a $250,000 fine.

I can't wait to see the names they got from his files. Can you imagine? We'll have another Jason Grimsley sized dose of paranoia going around the NFL. Of course the confidentiality privilege applies, but in lower courts, that gets shot to hell every day in cases involving prdinary citizens. I especially am disappointed that they get admitted as some sort of evidence in Family Court deputes, but for right now the more pressing global issue is this one: It will be interesting to see if the privilege is successfully defended here where athletes are thge target. If so, that means ordinary citizens once again have less rights that our most precious natural resource, the professional jock.

In another related matter, my friend and legal eagle colleague Cameron Myler of Frankfurt, Kurnit Klein and Selz, is representing sprinter Justin Gatlin, who was just stripped of his world record.

Finally, I must take my good friend and colleague Steve Czaban to task for his weekly column here, where he basically says we all should accept steroids and cheating as part of the game. Then he asked the question:

"Bonds and company were forced to change their tactics only once the gasbags in Congress got involved. Until that point, the players all knew guys were using "stuff." The union made sure to keep all the pee cups on the sidelines. And the owners went back to counting the gate.

In other words: What's the problem?"

Start here: Edmund Burke famously wrote "the best way for evil to succeed is for good men to stand by and do nothing."

Using performance enhancers and banned substances is cheating. Sports are meant to be fair: fair for the players, fair for the fans (especially the kids), fair for everybody betting on the game. (Wanna see the gambling industry shut down? Rig everything with cheating. Everyone will be too scared to bet.)

No, sports are a metaphor for life. Sully sports by cheating and unfairness and we all lose.

Next, there is a reason most of these drugs are banned, they have terrible unpredictable side effects on people's health.

Finally, by giving the athlete's a pass, you enable young kids to take the same risk. For every "great athlete" there are 100 kids who didn't make it. You are either making huge money as an athlete or you're everybody else and the temptation to put these horrible, pretty much expirimental drugs in their body is huge.

Do you really want your son taking a drug that is meant to increase sterility in cattle? Or how about human growth hormone? Do you want your daughter taking testosterone derived from some obscure plant from the South American jungle? You sure wouldn't want her taking refined coca from an obscure plant from the South American jungle, I know that. But is there really a difference just because one might help an athlete get bigger stronger faster and the other won't? At what cost?

I'm sure Czabe and I will debate this in the future soon, so stay tuned.

That being said, I'll play nice and link to one of Czabe's all time classic summer pieces here. I won't spoil the surprise, but the Chris Berman jokes are epic.

New Look at Golf Observer!

2006-08-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

Hat's off to Sal Johnson and the rest of the Golf Observer crew for launching the newly designed site. Now it's easier to move around and find the tour and player stories you want. Moreover, such features as Course Observer and Biz Observer will keep you up to date on new courses and sports licensing and business deals.

Private Bayonne similar to excellent, public Arcadia Bluffs

2006-08-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

BAYONNE GOLF CLUB
One Lefonte Way
Bayonne, NJ
www.bayonnegolfclub.com

Architect: Eric Bergstol
Par: 36-35=71!
Excitement: 10/12
Difficulty: 7/12

Design: Six stars (out of seven)
Natural Setting: Five and 1/2 stars
Conditioning: Six stars
Value: NA/Private, $125,000 Initiation
Overall: Five and 1/2 to Six stars

Eric Bergstrol is a real estate developer in the Tri-state area who founded a small, reasonably successful but expensive "trail" of daily fee courses including Pine Barrens, Twisted Dune, Pine Hill and Branton Woods. The courses were all solid designs, but were in the $125 range, $85 at twilight and after a few years, have been forced to consider becoming private or semi-private.

After years of waiting in the wings and studying the work of his architect partners in his projects, Bergstol designed Bayonne himself, as he puts it "in the same vein as the great links of the UK."

Normally when an amateur tries his hand at designing, amateurish mistakes are numerous and readily apparent. However some of the greatest courses in the world are by first-time or one time architects - Pine Valley by George Crump, Riviera by George Thomas, Caledonia by Mike Strantz and Bandon Dunes by David McKay Kidd are the miracle examples.

Bayonne may not rise to their level, but Bergstol did a fantastic job overall and even though the course caters to much to the rich and privileged and even though it is unnatural and a faux links, Bergstol got many important details right and built a course which is great fun, tremendously interesting, varies with the capricious winds and has a collection of truly excellent greens.
Bayonne, built on the shore in Jersey on the site of a landfill is strictly private but is a triumph nonetheless as the best design in the city.

Advanced points:

1. To shoehorn a goodly sized course on a tight, 128 acre parcel of land, Bergstol "terraced" the fairways and built a huge, towering dunescape to separate holes from one another. He trucked in 7.5 million cubic yards of sand to frame the holes, then planted 15 different species of native grasses and vegetation.

2. The routing takes us in every conceivable direction, to the sea, to the scenic church steeples, to Manhattan and to just dunes, dunes, dunes.

3. The greens are wildly undulating and have great character. 13 is a favorite, a severe modified Biarritz with chocolate drop mounds to boot.

4. Like most advanced and talented architects, Bergstol is not a slave to the doctrine of framing and there are a handful of fascinating blind shots and shots over bunkers in the fairway.

Why it's not a true links:

1. Too many forced carries to greens eliminate the ground game on all but 5-6 holes, especially the par-3s.

2. The course does not yet play firm and fast.

3. The "redan" hole is really not similar to either the one at National Golf Links of America OR North Berwick. Its actually might share more in common with an Eden hole. It is a truly interesting hole nonetheless as the green is hidden from the teebox (it's severely elevated and the green size is concealed, extending toward the back).

In short, this is excellent work for an amateur. It was also a towering achievement getting it done in the first place in the doldroms NYC can be for golf course planning or renovation. Play it if you can, you won't be disappointed, rookies and architecture experts all. Its greatest import architecturally speaking is the excellent use of twerracing to fit the course in a relatively small area with only one MINOR glitch in the routing, a tee shot crossover at two holes.

One last thing, for those of you who can, run don't walk to Arcadia Bluffs in MIchigan to play a public access course on Lake Michigan similar in achievement design-wise and with great greens.

Top photo: 8th at Bayonne
Bottom photo: Fifth green biarritz at Arcadia

Golf becomes bad "Land of the Lost" episode

2006-08-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

Tom Wolfe was right, "You can't go home again." Here's what happens when you try.

Did you ever watch Sid and Marty Krofft shows on Saturday morning as a kid? The programs they show on "Boomerang" now? Remember "Land of the Lost?" ***cue music and singing Marshall Will and Holly...on a routine expedition...met the greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeatest earthquake ever knoooooooooooown...***

It's a live action show where the dad and son and daughter end up in a prehistoric world where they live in a cave, get chased around by Grumpy the Dinosaur, Alice the Allosaur and the "Sleestaks" - those primitive lizard-man troglodytes: see picture above - and the whole story is how will they get back home.

Anyway, that's what it was like going to the hinterlands of upstate New York. Time travel...to the golf age of dinosaurs - loud, primitive, and full of wild animals and longing for home. The name of the COURSE is withheld to protect the innocent.

First, meet Alice the angry allosaur. She's the woman behind the snack bar counter. It's 8AM and she's frying a pan of meatballs. The line behind me is three or four people long and she's just watching the sizzle like an aged version or Jay and Silent Bob...or is that Beavis and Butthead. After several "ahems" and "hi theres," - a good five minutes - she turns around and says...

...AND I QUOTE...

"You'll just have to wait a sec...nobody interrupts me for my balls!"

...and we were expecting this woman to serve us food.

Anyway, then she finally takes my order for toast, juice, pepsi and a side order of bacon. Then the slow dance begins...go in the back, get the bacon. Open the package, get the plate, get a utensil, turn on the grill, find another pan, "your taking me away from my balls you know," slide the bacon in the pan.....one.....slice.....at.....a.....time....., cook bacon.

"Say, while the bacon's cooking can I please get that soda? Or the juice which ever's easier."

"And burn your bacon?! I'd never hear the end of it!"

After the bacon cooked, thats when she went to work on the toast...open the bread, get out one.....two.....slices...put in the toaster. Then a new dance started - while my bacon was getting cold - she's poking and prodding the toaster as if its not working. Well six or seven minutes MORE go by and we're no closer to toast or bacon or my drinks, let alone the three people behind me who didn't even place their orders yet. I saw her pull out two uncooked slices of bread...finally when she turned up the dial, they began to cook.

As she hands me my soda I asked for a lid (behind the counter, unreachable to patrons). "Boy you just want everything today!" I took perverse delight in pointing out that I also needed a straw now that my drink was to go...fast...AS IN TO THE TEE BOX NOW! She roared like a wounded Allosaur.

Then there was Grumpy the Tyrannasaur, a foul, uncouth, ill-mannered, ill-bred little cave troll who bellowed loudly in the restaurant the following pearls of wisdom:

BOBBY JONES IS A BIG PHONY! HE SUCKED! I MEAN WALTER HAGEN BEAT HIM 10 AND 8 IN SOME EXHIBITION. 10 AND 8. TIGER WOODS WOULD NEVER LOSE LIKE THAT. WHERE THEY GOING MAKING US WORSHIP BOBBY JONES.

I couldn't keep my mouth shut and just said. "He did give us Augusta National, you know..." He replied:

JONES DIDN'T BUILD AUGUSTA, MONEY BUILT AUGUSTA.

By now, I'm furious and horrified by this guy, which brings me to his henchmen, cronies, whatevers, the Sleestaks. Sniveling, fawning, barely human, these sub-chumps (or is that uber-chumps?) are eating this up with a mix of guffaws, snorts, sniggers and adoration.

Then I get stuck behind a FIVESOME of these Sleestaks, including Grumpy for 13 holes. THey yelled, they took five years to putt out every two footer for fourteen cents, they railed against whatever and they scurried like rodents when I hit into them...oops...on thirteen, damn those blind approaches. Oh well. Yes the wrath of the Golf Gods is terrible to behold, but those of us mortals can stand up for the game's integrity too.

Calgon, take me away!

Sports news: Phonak pulls out as Tour de France sponsor

2006-07-31T19:52:00.000-07:00

Swiss hearing aid company Phonak confirmed that it would stop sponsoring its Tour de France cycling team.

The decision to end its association with cycling’s top race was made earlier this year and confirmed over the weekend. The Phonak team was led by American Floyd Landis the surprise winner of this year’s Tour de France who subsequently tested positive for the male sex hormone testosterone. If the positive test is confirmed the Tour organisers will strip Landis of his crown and declare Spain's Oscar Pereiro, who finished second overall, the winner. Reports late today seem to confirm high levels of testosterone, but details are still coming.

In the financial year 2005/2006, Phonak spent 3.8 million Swiss francs ($3.07 million) on sponsoring the team. Phonak Chief Executive Valentin Chapero said in May that the company plans to move away from sports and refocus sponsoring on cultural events like music due to concerns that the public mistook Phonak for a bicycle company instead of one of the world's largest makers of high-tech hearing aids.

Review of this year's "Best New Private" courses, Steve Czaban on Michelle Wie

2006-07-31T05:20:00.000-07:00

We've already reviewed Liberty National. Later today I'll have visited and reviewed its neighbor and rival, Bayonne Country Club, designed by Eric Bergstrol (the genius behind the $85 twilight fee and $125 public rounds at Pine Barrens, Twisted Dune and others.)

This time Bergstrol wisely skipped over having Roger Rulewich design the course. Perhaps its a good thing because early reports are we have more bifurcated fairways and lines of charm over sandy soil at Bayonne, the complete opposite of the boring nonsense Robert Trent Jones and his marketing team foisted upon us for far too long.

Indeed, the battle for the "Northest Regional" (to make an NCAA tournament metaphor) seems to come down to Bayonne vs. Seboneck.

Meanwhile, out west in what short-sighted folks and marketers call "fly-over" land, Ballyowen is mustering all its power to make its formidable run for the title. If Dismal River is ready, look for that to be a must-see match up.

Next, Steve Czaban rips Michelle Wie for blowing another late lead. He makes a great point in that this could have been a heck of a summer for her. I mean what a way to finish off "sweet sixteen" - clobbering all comers in the Women's Amateur, moving up a few more ranks in the Mid-Amateur, hoisting a trophy at her last Girl's Junior. But when it's the Rolex CEO and the Sony rep making the decisions for you, common sense bows to the bottom line.

So much for sticking a dagger inn the heart of the competition. He also makes a good point about how the media slip in these little excuses every time you turn around. "She woke up with a stiff neck" coos one scurrilous excuse.

ARNOLD PALMER WON A U.S. OPEN WITH A HORRID CASE OF THE FLU. Winners win even under horrible odds. She has not yet won even though she's been given legs up constantly...and what does it say when she repeatedly asks for special favors like favorable drops? It says she has the mental toughness of a 16 year old. That won't carry the day.

Jim Engh inducted into North Dakota Hall of Fame

2006-07-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

Breaking News - Jim Engh left yesterday for Dickinson, ND from his Idaho summer home to be inducted into the North Dakota Hall of Fame.

This is a victory for everyone who loves excellent golf course architecture. Engh has won four best new course awards and finished second a handful of times as well for some other stellar designs.

Briefly, lets review some highlights:

1997 - On his first try, he wins Best New Course for the gorgeous private Colorado design Sanctuary.

1999 - Jim returns in triumph to North dakota with the amazing and publi9c access Hawktree GC.

2001 - Jim designs the incredible Golf Club at Redlands Mesa.

2003 - Jim beats the odds by joining forces with archaeologists and environmentalists and build Fossil Trace.

2005 - Jim builds arguably his best yet, The Club at Pradera.

The future? A new 9 Carne in Ireland and a new 18 at Reynolds Plantation.

Hey! Two mops! Way to go!

Pic of the day - Jay and Jim clowing around after Jay hit one IN the fossil monument at Fossil Trace. He chased me up the side of the monument with my ball retriever.

Robert Thompson article in Travel and Leisure Golf, Floyd Landis and Video of the week

2006-07-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Robert Thompson for having one of his travel pieces published in this month's Travel and Leisure Golf. Rob wrote for a long time for the Canadian National Post. His blog is here. He's also one of the original golf bloggers.

Next, Eddie Peck is in town and the two of us will be out checking out either Bethpage or Tallgrass. Eddie - as anyone who reads this site knows - is the owner of the incredible Black Mesa Golf Club in New Mexico and loves to play rounds with his two Jack Russells and large chihuahua in tow, so it looks like a good weekend all around.

Next, if had NOT heard Dr. Gary Wadler - one of the leading authorities on Blood doping and steroid cheaters - actually came to the DEFENSE of Floyd Landis with my own ears I would never have believed it. It's a good thing he did because had I not heard form Gary, I would have wanted Floyd to be hanged from the city walls by his own entrails.

Think about this. Dr. Wadler is the man steroid cheaters fear most. Did you ever read Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose? Remember the evil inquisitor Bernard Gui? The man who was more interested in burning the accused and building a name for himself than finding out the truth? If you faced him, you were doomed. Well Dr. Wadler strikes as much fear into the hearts of cheaters, but plays fair by honestly reviewing evidence and coming to solid conclusions based on the empirical evidence.

Dr. Wadler - the man who usually testifies against athletes - has been widely quoted on ESPN and in the papers as essentially saying something seems particularly wrong - indeed downright screwy - with the specimen collected form Landis. More on this next week, but if Dr. Wadler - the scourge of cheaters everywhere - is saying something is roten in Paris, you can bet there is good reason. Hold the phone on hanging Floyd. Meanwhile, here is my piece on steroid cheaters form last month.

Now for our outrageous video of the week award - Magical Trevor makes a triumphant return to the small screen after burning up the Internet in his original incarnation. Hotter than ever, you can now buy plush new Magical Trevor stuffed toys and even a downloadable ringtone for your mobile. Sorry on the ringtone, mate...I had Phish on there, but I'm feelin the "Oceans 12 Theme" right now..but maybe someday.

Anyway, here's The Original Magical Trevor and The Return of Magical Trevor. If you have young kids, they will eat this guy up...to the tune of millions of hits and excellent ancillary merch sales.

New Golf Observer Piece, articles on Jim Engh, Black Mesa coming

2006-07-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

So I made lots of headway this weekend on my new piece for Golf Observer. It will be up soon. I also got alot done on my article on Jim Engh. Next up after that, Black Mesa. I promise Eddie! You too, Mike Nuzzo!

In the meantime, in honor of Woods' clinic, indeed his virtuoso perfomance this weekend, here is my old Golf Observer piece on Old Tom Morris - still looking after the Old Course.

Power Serge! Garcia charges to 29 on front at British Open

2006-07-22T06:57:00.000-07:00

29!

It's a magical number. One of those career milestones a player never forgets.

Garcia has positioned himself into an unlikely spot. A full seven shots in Woods' rear view mirror, Garcia is now 6-under through the front nine and tied for the lead after Woods bogeyed the 2d. With three short, reachable par-5s on the back, Garcia can make a charge. (He just made par at 10, surely a lost oppurtunity there. Nevertheless, with some weather possibly coming in later today, the three way tie for the lead at -11 (as of 10 AM, Woods, Garcia, Els) and Furyk, Goosen and DiMarco lurking, Tiger and Ernie are going to have to hit the gas to achieve the desired separation for a comfortable margin tomorrow. The margin Woods was counting on mid-day yesterday has evaporated and he is in a dogfight.

The 2006 British Open - Mersey, Mersey Mikko! Finland's Mikko Ilonen in contention

2006-07-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

I'll win the orange pie slice in the trivial pursuit game today.

Mikko Ilonen of Finland last contended on another Northern England course with bunkering eerily similar to Hoylake - Royal Lytham. Ilonen is so obscure here in the states, Yahoo Sports has a blank photo for a picture.

What is this, Golden Tee?

Although that's nowhere NEAR the gaffe at ESPN.com - click on the British Open leaderboard all afternoon and it sent you to the B.C. Open instead. Boy, things sure get sloppy after the ESPYs. Click on THEIR bio for Ilonen and there's nothigng, not even his home country of Finland listed. It does have his date of birth, though. So they have that going for them.

Let's see, he's a former British Amateur Champion, was 10th in the St. Omer Open (yes, you read that correctly), and leads the European Tour in least hits triggered on Google. Even the PGA page is inadequate. He tied for 9th at 5-under in the 2001 Open won by David Duval.

Anyway, he's used to links courses. He'll have to go nuts to catch the leaders and be a factor, but he and Gary Evans and Greg Owen are not nobodies - they are European Tour players with game that seems to come out best at the British Open. At least these guys overachieve at the right time.

Anyway, lets pray for a Turnberry-esque "duel in the sun" over the weekend.

Star Trek Monty Python Mashup, Snakes on a plane trailer interrupt British Open Coverage

2006-07-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

I say! Since we are celebrating all things England this week, thought we'd say a quick "Cheer-o!" to the winner of this week's video of the week award. "Spot on work" to the chaps over Devil Ducky for this excellent Star Trek Parody music video done to the tune of the Camelot song in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Pass the warm beer and the crisps, Fawlty Towers is next on the telly. Then a re-run of "Quadrophenia." Everything else is rubbish! I mean, you're barking mad if you're watching "Dr. Who" mate...

Seriously though, this video is solid gold. If you thought the star trek dweebs looked like nimrods before, wait till you get a load of them now. Dork Alert!

Next for all of you waiting with baited breath for more snakes on a plane (as if you didn't get enough here 1st and here 2d, click here for the Official Trailer.

Bees in a car! Pirranhas in a hot tub!

What Magical Mystery Tour? Tiger wins the British Open in another cakewalk

2006-07-21T09:21:00.001-07:00

I've read this book before. Heck, book? It's a blueprint - right off Woods' nightstand.

"Day 1 - The heck with "getting to know the course" - send message with textbook execution. Try to eagle all par-5s, get one or two. Shoot 65/66. Be at or near lead.

Day 2 - Achieve separation from pack. Shoot another 65 or 66. Get two, three or even four shot lead heading into weekend. Nobody can catch me.

Day 3 - Intimidate hell out of playing partner. Make short work of field. Build 5-7 shot lead. Give writers all day tomorrow to wax eloquently about my history making, ego-stomping, downright dominating performance over world's greatest field.

Day 4- Victory Lap in the sun. Remember to smile at (insert name of rival) who's putting out on 18 as I'm teeing off on one. Smile for the cameras, I know they're gonna love me. Have some champagne out of my Claret Jug. Hi, Elin! Miss me? Where's the paper?

Go to Medinah. Lather, rinse, repeat. Is there anything on my calendar for late September?"

Look I know both Ernie Els and Chris DiMarco matched Woods' 65. And yes, if you could name the three players least intimidated by Woods, they are, in order, DiMarco, Furyk and Els. But none of them have done it. The only guy who's looked the Gorgon in the face and come back with the head was Darren Clarke.

No, the only way Woods loses is if his putting goes south (not likely on these flat greens or if the wind kicks up like crazy tomorrow. Then MAYBE Ernie has a shot. but can his knee, back and putter hold out?

NOTES

Talk about two exclamation points! First an eagle to end the day yesterday. (Boy dinner had to taste good). Then clanking in a 4-iron for an eagle at the par-4 14th. I mean really, who is going to catch him? Goosen???

Look - Phil collapses, Tiger finishes. Phil lets guys hang tight enough to steal one from him on 18, Tiger slams the door lang before anyone else has a chance to up the ante. Tiger is, in short, the best front runner in the game. Ray Floyd, legendary for the same talent in his generation, pales in comparison.

While GD writer Ron Whitten may have overemphasized the OB angle, that may be only because Hoylake has seen no real blustery conditions. Add in that the course is flat and the greens have pretty much the least contour of any in the Rota and it makes sense Tiger is dominating and scores are record lows. I doi agree with Whitten that Hoylake lacks the charm and quirkiness of nearby Royal Lytham. One famous architect - who will remain nameless - once said Hoylake seperated the people who truly love links golf from those that only kinda understand it.

This interesting comment can be taken two ways - maybe it means Hoylake isn't "pretty" or "well designed" enough to resonate broadly...

...OR it could mean that it's so GOOD in a subtle, intellectual way that it takes a true connoisseur to appreciate its intricacy.

Either way, without the wind, its defenses are laid bare. Add to that, the rough is dry and burned out so its mere thin wisps pose no problem to the wayward player. Come to Hoylake in October and watch the course become a fierce bear. In July, however golf becomes a snooker contest.

PROPS

Kudos to Jim Furyk for playing out of the bunker with a mallet headed putter.

Good recovery Adam Scott. After splashing a ball out of a bunker, but short of the green, the ball followed the terrain all the way around the bunker and re-entered the hazard behind Scott's original position. Bloodied but not bowed, Scott got it up and down.

HEADSCRATCHER

Tiger played a 459 yard par-4 7-IRON OFF THE TEE, 7-IRON INTO THE GREEN..

Woods also reached a par-5 with 2-iron, 6-iron.

THE FUTURE

Tiger has to like the next foru U.S. Open venues. First, Tiger wins where Jack wins. Jack won at Oakmont, the site of next years U.S. Open. After that, it's two straightforward bombers paradises with tame greens - Torrey Pines and Bethpage Black. Then it's on to Pebble Beach - where Tiger routinely dusts everyone.

The 2006 British Open at Royal Liverpool - Roll up for the Mystery Tour

2006-07-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

Everybody sing it with me! (Cue Tambourines)

Roll Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup!

Roll up for the mystery tour!

Yes members at Royal Liverpool are also singing ("Get Back to where you once belonged"?:) Beatles metaphors are everywhere and the tournament is looking to be similar to those held at nearby Royal Lytham and St, Annes (think deep, rivoted, sod faced bunkers) - only with lots of OB. But it really is a mystery tour this year since we go into tomorrows tournament with so many questions.

The weather forecast called for the following wind patterns Thurs-Sun - 3MPH, 3MPH, 10MPH, 3MPH. This course is set to play the lead in another quinessential contribution to world culture - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Perhaps excepting only Muirfield, no Open Rota course plays to such extremes depending on wind severity. St. George's and Carnoustie are bears no matter what the wind. St. Andrews, Turnberry and Royal Birkdale are fair even in tempests. But Hoylake is at the Mersey...err...mercy of the winds. If they are light, as Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie echoed, the course will play short and the tourney will become a snooker game, not a lawn darts compatition as everything is playing so fast and firm.

If the wind does kick up, the OB - so prominent on ten holes, more OB than any other Open Rota course - will act like a magnet and scores will suddenly approach the staggering numbers of Carnoustie and the third round at Muirfield in 2002.

Finally, the course is relatively short to begin with and even though fairways pinch in the landing area, length through the bag (Woods, Singh, Mickelson, Goosen) will be rewarded. Finally, Woods provided an interesting comment. When speaking earlier in the year to R&A officials, Woods asked how severe the greens were, noting "I don't like elephant burial mounds."

Hello, Tiger? You hyave won on two of the most diabolical sets of greens in Christendom - Augusta and Sawgrass. Why should you fear elephant burial mounds.

Irrespective of Woods wishing a month early for Medinah's bland greens (and holes too) while the greens are mildly interesting, the bunkering is eerily reminiscent of the murderous pits of nearby Royal Lytham. "They are like 197 little ponds" said Peter Alliss describing RLSA and the analogy of 90 or so little ponds here at Hoylake is not far off the mark. with the sand level dead flat at the base of sod walls, we'll see plenty of sideways chip outs instead of shots attcking the pin. Bunker to bunker here is not out of the question.

Still, the par-5s are all reachable in two by everyone in the field. This should also inflate scores. Long hitters get a break again as they will hit lofted club approaches.

So many questions, only four days. Strap yourself in. It's a long and winding road till Sunday night.

Interesting random note no. 1: Next years major schedule is frightening! Severe Oakmont hosts the U.S. Open. The King Kong of golf courses - Carnoustie - hosts the British and that cloying blast furnace Southern Hills hosts the PGA. Who put that schedule together and what the hell did his wife say to him to put him in such a mood?!

Intersting random note no. 2: In Tuesday's prep piece I overlooked mentioning Michael Campbell has expressed confidence of late and Retief Goosen has made progress with a Belgian sports psychologist. Both could break out this week due to string long games, solid short putting, excellent course management on links courses and past major experience. Sleeper pick? Aaron Oberholser

The 2006 British Open - Check out Elliott Kalb's new piece at Fox Sports.com

2006-07-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

And now for "A Taste of Honey", author and sportswriter Elliott Kalbs piece "Ten Golfers Who Ruled the British Open" is a terrific walk down Penny Lane...oops I mean Memory Lane.

Goo Goo Ga Joob!

Zany Zinadine Zidane video KOing Matarazzi

2006-07-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

We interrupt this British Open week for a non-exclusive peek at the world's hottest new video game - "Zany Zidane!"

Click here to watch Butthead Zinadine become a one man wrecking crew on Italy's Marco Matarazzi.

2006 British Open (Open Championship) - The Early Buzz

2006-07-18T03:22:00.000-07:00

What's the buzz this week?

Nick Faldo says it won't be fun being paired with Tiger Woods for two days after criticizing him from the broadcast booth.

My Golf Observer colleague Art Spander discusses biscuit brown - the color of the links course fairways we see at the Open.

Don't know anything about Hoylake? Well meet both golf writing newcomer and Royal Liverpool in Golfwrx's piece "Hi! My Name is Royal Liverpool."

Here's a hole by hole breakdown of Royal Liverpool (Hoylake to locals).

Oh, and here's my two cents. The wind will NOT kick up all that badly and scores will be low. The par-5 finishing hole (normally the short par-5 16th hole, but now the 18th due to the re-routing) will yield some eagles for the finishers. Yes, the internal OB will snare a few unwary and unlucky, but look for more red here than at a St. Louis Cardinals home game.

So, here are the storylines from the reporters on site.

1. How well will Phil recover from the horror at Winged Foot? Phil arrived a week early after another lackluster performance in Chicago. But we are at Royal Liverpool, not Medinah (yet) and Phil has definitely got a good game plan going in, but is it enough to overcome a course not only foreign to him, but everyone on the field. Also, how hard will the UK reporters grill Phil? Peter Alliss commented during the Western Open that Bones Mackay had gone into to the media tent to have a heart to heart chat with one reporter who asked some sharply pointed questions and noted the British press might retaliate. The colorful Alliss, still in top form despite being well into his golden years then quipped "As the actress said to the Bishop, you're making it hard on yourself." Result? Top 5, but no win.

2. What about Colin Montgomerie? He proved at Winged Foot he can still be a factor being at or near the lead all the way to 18. If there is a player on the field who knows Hoylake, it's Monty. But with the course being dialed down a notch and the other players in the field not having the "restrictor plate" of 20 yard fairways and six inch rough, will he be able to put the hammer down and cross the finish line like a charging thoroughbred instead of lurking and sneaking one under the wire? Result? Another love in form the fans, another solid showing, but no Claret Jug barring some extraordinary good fortune.

3. Will Tiger continue his charge from Chicago? This is the $64 question. Tiger is the Bobby Jones of his generation and Jones won here in 1930. Tiger does not know the course as well as other major venues and will have to dial things down a notch necause of the driving accuracy Hoylake demands. Of course, the bottom line is if Tiger putts well he wins. Moreover, he has two days to humiliate Nick Faldo for comments Faldo made On TV and you KNOW the grudge-holding Woods is longing for payback big time. If Tiger leads after day 1, he wins.

4. What about Geoff Ogilvy? Watch out. Geoff is playing well, bouyed by his U.S. Open win and with a breakout year in progress, he may channel his inner Bobby Jones and match Jones' feat of winning at both Hoylake and Winged Foot. Result? Don't be surprised to see him finish top 3.

5. Who is the sleeper pick?

A) Vijay Singh. He has the length and calm demeanor under pressure. He plays well pretty much everywhere - especially venues the pros have not played (Sahalee, Whistling Straits). If he putts well, he can keep pace with Tiger and sure as hell isn't afraid of him.

B) Jim Furyk. Steady Eddie is playing well. He's won a major before. He's cool under pressure and the greens here are nowhere near as contoured as Winged Foot. Ride the Jim car to a top 5 finsh, maybe even a win.

C) Watch the leaderboard have an international field. Thomas Bjorn, Gary Evans, David Howell, Darren Clarke, some French guy (pick 'em), Jesper Parnevik, any of the South Africans. Why are we alwats surprised at all the unusual flags such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden and even Asia? With the exception of Todd Hamilton, Americans are nowhere near as well versed in links golf as we should be and it shows at the Open Championship. Maybe we ought to add Bandon Dunes and Friar's Head and other ground game courses to the yearly rotation instead of TPC Boring Hills, Cialis Creek (that's Geoff Shackelford's name for new gimcracks that the tour uses to sell real estate and big name architects) and Casino Course in Dumpsville by Tom Fazio.

By the way, "gimcrack" basically means "sideshow phony."

Anyway, watch out for David Duval, Shaun Micheel and Todd Hamilton to have good weeks too.

If you insist on my picking someone, no I won't. Instead, I turned it over to our Chief of Security - Ernesto the Iguana (yes, that's the Iguana's name - Ernesto...) Ernesto picked Vijay Singh, but his methods are less scientific for picking winners than they are for keeping nutjob critics away from me.

Anyway, photo op of the day: Moonset over Arcadia Bluffs in Northern Michigan.

Golf News: British Open (Open Championship), Michelle Wie

2006-07-17T07:11:00.000-07:00

My Golf Observer colleague John Huggan has his preview of the Open Championship.

Thomas Bonk writes this preview of the week's championship.

Here's another good British Open piece.

Steve Czaban reports on the grim reality of Michelle Wie's failed week at the John Deere.

Czabe writes: "She came in not just talking about the “cut” but about making the British off a potential Top 10 finish."

Whoa, now this has gotten out of hand. She goes in thinking about the British Open, she goes out with a WD. If Michelle's enablers are filling her head with these dreams of competing at a major, they better let her mature a few years before sending her into the teeth of the maelstrom. They are hurting her development. Nothing good came out of this week - not to her game, her confidence or her popularity.

Look people, she is having no luck trying to make the cut in the lowest of the PGA's low-rent districts. Is there any reality whatsoever to the gimcrack phony pipe-dream of her being competitive in a major? Especially RIGHT NOW? How about letting this young girl have some of her stolen childhood?

Look, we all know this isn't about Michelle Wie, it's about people forcing this politically charged gender agenda to convince the public that women globally can play golf as well as the men down people's throats.

But he advancement of women's golf is not measured by the success of ONE woman, but the success of ALL women. At Tall Grass Country Club this weekend, the entire Grill Room was rivoted to Natalie Gulbis vs. Paula Creamer. (Even though both fell short.) They were cheering raucously.

Women's Golf has perennially been number 1 or 2 in all women's sports and is one of only two televised women's sports to perennially enjoy cross appeal to male viewers. (The other is tennis...everything else is seasonal to the Olympics.) Don't you believe for one minute that there is a crisis of confidence, money or popularity with Women's golf. If there is women's golf on and women's softball on, which do you watch? How bout volleyball (Ha!) Or basketball? (Please...) No - Women's golf is the flagship of women's sports on television. EVERYBODY knows when Annika wins a major, but quick! Who won the Women's NCAA softball tournament? People still remember Birdie Kim's crazy bunker shot from last year, but who was MVP of last year's WNBA Championship?

Name eight LPGA players in the top 20. Now name eight WNBA franchises and their nickname's and divisions...

I thought so.

As for playing with the men, it's Paula Creamer's turn. Or Natalie Gulbis'. Do you actually think either of them would draw FEWER people to the tournament? Especially now that Michelle is 0 for 5? People are really disappointed with Michelle Wie not even getting close, so it's time to temporarily pass the torch to another woman. I'll bet you a dollar to a donut that if you invite spunky Morgan Pressel or the LPGA's version of wrestler "The Rock" - every red-blooded guy's fave Paula Creamer - or any one of the fiery competitive Asian players such as Se Ri Pak, they would draw as many or more spectators. There is a ground level, visceral reactionary response to Michelle's repeated failures...more so because of the alomost haughty way in which her entourage marches around. There is a much stronger cross appeal to some of the other players....which means more patrons and a warmer reception. Give someone else a turn and count the money rolling in. Follow the money - it will say that other girls have just as much draw and star-power.

Either that, or the winner of the Women's U.S. Open gets a bid to the U.S. Open. For goodness sake, the winner of the Amateur Public Linnks gets a bid to the Open - do you really think he is THAT much better than Annika? Or Karrie Webb? Or try this, the winner of the LPGA Championship gets a bid to the PGA Championship.

By the way...is there really anything "classic" about the John Deere Classic? In fact, is there ANY important tournament left that calls itself a "classic?"

The Mike Strantz nobody knew (part 2)

2006-07-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

Part one of this article is here.

Strantz's eyes light up as he roars "Forrest Fezler, my design partner is a perfect compliment to me. We are brothers in arms. I saw that Fu Manchu moustache and I knew I had my man.”

Together, they let it roll as high as it would go, creating scorching, towering golf adventures without being contrived or campy. “Forrest is especially good at making sure I don’t get carried away” he says emphatically. “He will look at me and say ‘Mike, how is my mom going to play that hole?’ His mom is in her 80’s.” Sometimes dialing it down a notch is a good idea. Even Fezler hints that one green that generated such a discussion, the 9^th at Tobacco Road, could have been much more severe had he not raised an eyebrow in Mike’s direction.

“I’VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT!”

With Fezler helping channel and focus his artistic creative freedom, Strantz expanded on Mackenzie and Dye by building contours and hazards that were larger than life. Bigger, bolder, holes resulted and the scale of his designs (and hazards) commanded attention. Except for Caledonia, Strantz courses are enormous. Your group feels and looks like a bunch of Hobbits scrambling around the surreal landscape of Middle Earth. And somebody in the group is sure to utter those controversial words – words of wither praise or condemnation – “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Oh, but you have, if you’ve been across the pond. Like Alistair Mackenzie and, to a lesser extent Charles Blair Macdonald, Strantz used hole designs and strategies gleaned from the greatest courses in the UK and Ireland, then made them bolder.

“I like what Alistair Mackenzie said” Strantz says breezily, gesturing as he rocks back in his chair and crosses his legs. “A hole must have strategy and subtlety that is intricate and reveals itself over many plays. Tough hazards and arresting visuals accomplish two goals” he continues, his eyes riveted on me as if trying to sear the information into my brain. “First, the amateur loves trying and pulling off an impossible shot. Second, if an expert gets in a tough place, he may try an impossible shot and make matters worse for himself. Dr. Mackenzie wrote in his book The Spirit of St. Andrews, ‘People get more pleasure in playing a hole which looks almost impossible, but is not so difficult as it appears.’ My holes look much more fierce than they play. But it’s an optical illusion. The fairways are actually wide. Once you get over the hill in front of the tee box, you get out and say ‘Hey there’s a lot of room out here.’”

Another of Strantz’s great optical illusions was to raise bunker lips so that the hazard looked closer to the green than it was. He would also raise green entries so that they appeared smaller than they really were. “Besides,” Strantz says in defense of his design features, “golf would be boring if all the hazards and shots were standardized.”

He’s right. Strategy is the lifeblood of the game. Sadly, too many five and under handicappers are too concerned with their score and what they see on TV to understand this concept. The optical illusions still confound first time players and closed minds. Mistaking size, severity and illusion for quirks and flaws, some less imaginative critics view his semi-blind shots and visual pranks as a negative, but adventurous golfers and hardcore connoisseurs know better. What looks at first to be hyperbole is, upon deeper reflection, a most faithful and accurate rendition of all the ancient and revered elements of golf design. Just like Pete Dye. Even Dye himself acknowledged this when he told Mike he used Mike’s bunkering at Bull’s Bay (Mike’s home course, a private design in Awendaw, S.C.) as the springboard for his other-worldy bunkering at Whistling Straits, site of the 2004 PGA Championship.

Amazingly, Strantz also employed his penchant for optical illusion to make it appear as though he moved a lot of earth. Yes, Royal New Kent really was that hurly-burly a topography before Strantz built the course. He merely added a little earth to the higher areas, cut the low areas a little lower and gave the impression of moving millions of cubic yards of earth. Yes, those green settings at Stonehouse, nestled cozily in their own little amphitheatres, were natural, not manufactured. “I let the lay of the land dictate the holes and I try to use as many natural fairways and green sites that I can find” he says. What critics mistake for “contrived” is really an excellent, innovative use of the site’s best natural features. In this regard, Strantz surpasses even Dye – Dye moves far more earth to accomplish his vision.

Despite his severe of greenside trouble, fearsome larger than life playing fields and contours Mackenzie himself would have envied, fearsome bunkering, and a vocal minority of unimaginative critics, course for course, Strantz has the strongest resume of any architect. With only seven original designs and two redesigns (six public, three private), Strantz claimed three top new public course awards in four years. His best course, Tobacco Road did not win the year it opened, but recently was voted the most adventurous course in America by Golf Magazine editors and readers and is as equally revered by golf course architecture aficionados as nearby Pinehurst No. 2…if not more. His final work, the redesign of Monterey Peninsula (Shore Course) is masterpiece in Pebble Beach, California which holds its own with Cypress Point and the resort courses admirably. Several golf insiders say it will host a major as soon as the members will permit one.

Indeed, Strantz’s genius in designing MPCC is that he was more restrained than at earlier sites. Strantz knew he was designing in the shadow of Mackenzie at Cypress Point and Jack Neville at Pebble Beach. He gave us his best work. Fairways meander gracefully from side to side amidst Cypress trees and oceanfront before, like Cypress Point, the course makes its final tack home at the seventeenth.

No less a personage than four time best new course award winner Jim Engh called Strantz “the designer I most admire. His terrific strategies and angles of attack on holes were the things I liked most about Mike. You learn something every time you play one of his courses. I especially like Royal New Kent because I’d never seen anything like it before. It’s bold and abstract. And it made his par-3s are especially phenomenal.”

Because of his solid, bedrock foundational elements, even naysayers must admit that Strantz mastered every genre he attempted. Parkland masterpiece at Caledonia, links recreation at RNK, a public Pine Valley meets Ireland at The Road, Strantz never failed to seize attention and create challenging holes. Sometimes cracking the code of a Strantz hole can be as difficult as a New York Times Sunday Crossword. Some holes are a primal scream and the golfer must always keep himself on high alert, but that is what makes for a wonderful golf adventure.

THE MYTHS

Strantz’s colorful persona, artistic flair and reputation for building intimidating, man-sized courses gave rise to a few myths. First, it’s a myth his courses are too expensive to build or maintain. Strantz’s team was so efficient their projects actually ran half the price of most other upscale public daily fee courses constructed in the same period. Further, maintenance budgets are no larger then other comparable courses from the same generation.

Now here’s the kicker: Mike’s public courses are generally more competitively priced than their competition. Strantz does a terrific job of offering a phenomenal world-class alternative to the ultra-expensive and posh resorts mere minutes away. Many experts consider Royal New Kent the best course in Virginia and Tobacco Road the best course in North Carolina. They are certainly the best values in their respective states. Tobacco Road would be a bargain at twice the price it asks (usually $65). Tot Hill Farm, Stonehouse and Royal New Kent all top out around $70, but most people play for about 2/3 of that price. Even Caledonia, the crown jewel of all South Carolina public golf can be had for around $80 or less at times.

Next it’s a myth his courses are too hard. This is a microcosm of the reasons slow play has become so pandemic as well. I’ll break it down like a fraction for you.

1) People play the wrong set of tees. The next 25 handicapper who says “Yeah, but I wanna feel like I’m getting my money’s worth and see the whole course” should get a thumb in the eye because it takes five and a half hours to find their ball all day. Are you a scratch golfer (or at least a solid 5?) If not, get where you belong.

2) People don’t play smart. Are you a bogey golfer trying to carry the 225 yard chasm at number 2 at Royal New Kent? Do you still wonder why you shot 113? Mike’s course is a marathon not a sprint. He doesn’t build “afterthought holes.” Try to save shots on your way along, not squander them. If it’s a 200 yard carry over water from four-inch rough and there’s oodles of room to play safe, why are you aiming for the pin? Also, 2.5 (corollary to 2) Mike is a Mackenzian. That means the direct line to the hole is fraught with peril. Make a game plan to minimize mental errors and stick to it. Play wisely.

3) People get intimidated by the visuals. Strantz wants you shaking in your boots. Don’t let him in your head and you’ll have done the lion’s share of lowering your score before taking your first swing.

4) When in doubt, go over the mound in front of you. Strantz’s fairways are behind the mound.

5) Finally, it’s a myth that Mike and his courses are “too artistic” or “weird.” Take a trip out to Ireland or Scotland (Prestwick, for example) and then come back and tell me that what you saw there was weird. What gets labeled as “weird” by the neophyte or the frustrated is really a throwback to holes Mike saw across the pond. Just because you never saw anything like it before does not mean it does not work as a golf hole, or is “unfair.” It actually has solid roots in tried and true design philosophy.

THE REAL MIKE - FOREVER THE LION IN SUMMER

Nevertheless, Mike had to endure criticism as well as acclaim to his dying day. Everything from the look and feel of his courses tom the much maligned waterfall at the 18^th at Royal New Kent was fodder for the myopic.

Strantz hurt just as much as anyone when his hard work was unappreciated. “It’s human nature,” he confided in a wonderfully candid moment. He gave a ragged smile and sad sigh of acceptance. “I feel badly when someone might not like or understand one of my courses. Of course, they are welcome to their opinion but it hurts sometimes nonetheless. While Mackenzie was self confident in the face of criticism, I have too thin a skin. That’s one of the ways Heidi has been a great influence on my career. She has taught me to be patient. I used to be very impatient I had to stick with it, I am also very sensitive. She’s helped me be more accepting of everything.”

“Heidi is a rock” adds Forrest Fezler concisely. He is right. Equally superlative as her rightly famous husband, Heidi is not only possessed of a singular clarity of vision, but she is uncommonly kind and sensitive. At one moment she will dissect an opponent on the tennis court with the predatory nature and reflexes of a panther on the hunt (watch out for her serve and volley game!), and the next she will be the tender caretaker of a lame horse with special needs. An accomplished rider, her horse a beautiful brown and white paint named Blaine. Mike rode “Degas” (pronounced “DAY-gus” like “Vegas,” not “DAY-gah” like the Artist.)

With Heidi backing his every step (at times even acting as his translator for interviews after Mike’s tongue was removed), even through his cruel cancer, Mike never regretted anything he designed - not even the waterfall on 18 at RNK – “Due to about a dozen non-negotiable reasons that was the only location for the irrigation for the course. I knew I was going to take heat for 18 not looking like the rest of the course and being “not authentic.” Perhaps this anticipated ridicule spawned the waterfall. He knew they would hang him for the water on 18, so to be sassy, even impertinent he added a waterfall just to tweak our nose.

That story is a perfect example of how Strantz achieved the heights he hit. Like the great counterculture writers such as Kerouac and Kesey, his work was about freedom of the self in an industry lashed to convention and tradition, conditioned by the powers that be to merely like only things they have seen before.

Because of his puckishness, his tenacity in his design concepts and his character - The Maverick - we all felt we knew him vicariously as part cowboy, part rebel, rugged, burly, manly-man. But Strantz also had a great depth of personality outside of the Maverick…a side players never saw. He mellowed out Jazz greats Ahmad Jamal, Stan Getz and Charlie Parker. Despite being a little cowboy, he also had a country warmth and sincerity. Success never spoiled him.

There is an undercurrent of “outlaw,” but if this is a Hollywood western, Strantz is the hero, not the villain. He is good vs. evil (promoting ancient architectural features like blind shots vs. an unwilling, close-minded industry and lazy, lowest common denominator collective golf psyche). He was also David vs. goliath – after all, his first solo effort, Caledonia Golf and Fish Club deputed as the Number One course in all Myrtle Beach and has held that spot ever since against all comers.

Mike’s humanity touched so many that friends and hardcore fans have entire shrines devoted to him. That’s how much of an impact he had on people’s lives. Faith so influenced his life, one of his most beautiful works of art, a red and gold stained glass piece depicting Jesus’ crucifixion graces a South Carolina church. Ever the devoted family man, he worked only on projects near home until his daughters Dana and Andrea finished college.

It was soon thereafter – right as he was accepting the Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Shore Course) job that he was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue despite never having been a smoker. The cancer was cruel and ruthless. When the American Society of Golf Course Architects met at Monterey Peninsula in April, they were so overwhelmed by the course they made Mike an honorary member. Sadly, in his final days, Mike was too weak to be able to acknowledge the honor personally.

If there is any drawback to his work, it may be that at this moment in history, his abstract lines – so beloved when they were Seth Raynor’s – are too Baroque to find mainstream acceptance. In truth, only Tot Hill Farm in North Carolina may be truly weird. The fairways are so fanciful you could get turned around and end up playing back the way you came. The course was made stranger by a re-routing prompted by floods. One green was used for two holes and 17 and 18 were mashed into one giant par-7 closing hole. But in terms of refreshing and groundbreaking experiments, the par 7 and re-routing that occurred were a popular success, with many hoping the re-routing would become permanent – just to make the course unique. Sadly, since one green had to be used for two holes, the logistical inconvenience this “crossover” caused scuttled any hopes of a course with a routing otherwise unique in the annals of golf.

Yes, Mike’s career was short, but he won back-to-back best new course awards for Royal New Kent and Stonehouse. Golf World named him 1998 Architect of the Year. Strantz was a young designer, but already had four defining works – Caledonia, Tobacco Road, Bulls Bay and MPCC – any one of which would be the magnum opus of any architect’s career. Over the course of his life, his courses, like Pete Dye’s, will become firmly woven as the fabric of our national golf character. And he showed us things we otherwise might never have seen.

Via con dios, Mike. Onward to immortality and eternal youth. At least Heidi, Dana, Andrea, Fuzzy and all your friends and family will always remember you young and vibrant and strapping. We will always remember you as the lion in summer.

A NEEDED VOICE, A SHOCKRA, AN AVATAR

In an industry that too often finds solace and comfort in hard-bitten solidarity and rigid adherence to tradition, Strantz’s exuberant voice and vision are uncompromised by objective rules and ancient dogma. Instead, he fashioned the old into the 21^st century neo-classic, paying homage to the ancient ways while polishing them for the future.

Musician Reid Genauer once wrote that the measure of a man is his worth, not his wealth. To our inestimable delight, Strantz’s worth and wealth are ours too. We see further, hear more clearly, run faster, soar higher and reach farther as a collective golf community, expanding our horizons and celebrating more deeply the unquenchable spirit of our great game. Strantz’s vision serves the game in ways even the best scholars are only beginning to understand. He thunders across the golf landscape resonating with architects and players alike.

Some may unfairly brand him outlaw and contrarian, but nothing could be further from the truth. That’s the media leaving a label...where heroes and demons do not exist, it is necessary to invent them. Strantz has made no conscience decision to rebel against conformity (not that that’s a bad thing within limits of reasonableness). Yes he was a Maverick, but he was a Maverick with a true golfer’s soul.

Like musical genius Beck, Strantz transcended genres even while reinventing them. He was Van Gogh…it’s what you’ve seen before, but never in a way like this…with an aura, a flourish, a spark of color. Mike Strantz hurtled golf design into the 22nd Century. In a world where homogenization and gentrification are the altars a misguided many worship on, Mike’s individualism still shines through, dazzling and compelling. Most importantly, since his courses are priced so everyone can enjoy them, grateful public golfers can enjoy world class golf.

Mike Strantz was such a brilliant, incendiary talent that he would not have been a benchmark for those that followed…you know, as in “He’s gonna be the next Mike Strantz.” Mike will always be the only Mike Strantz – as in there are no other comparisons; The One and Only Maverick. Retire the moniker. It’s Mike’s and Mike’s alone.

There are a few talents that only come a few times a century. We see it in a different way with Tom Doak also. Such immense talents are supposed to be rare. And sadly, like Jeff Buckley, Mike’s life was short, but what a mark he left. There is a healthy love and respect for his work. The word is spreading…and true lovers of golf will never forget.

Photo (c) courtesy of the Strantz and Fezler familes.

British Open Previews (Open Championship Previews)

2006-07-12T14:54:00.001-07:00

Ron Whitten says in Golf Digest how Royal Liverpool was a mezza-mezza choice for an Open. He calls it Royal OB and, with several holes featuring this as an unctuous internal hazard he's right to an extent.

Here's my Royal Liverpool preview piece.

The R&A has their say about the changes to Royal Liverpool

Links Magazine previews the British Open.

Golf magazines excellent previews of Royal Liverpool are here.

Finally, Jaime Diaz says Michelle Wie needs to petition the LPGA for addmission and play with the women.

Here are my thoughts on Michelle Wie.

British Open Previews (Open Championship Previews)

2006-07-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

Italy's Azzurri win World Cup, Zindane career ends in disgraceful ejection, violent cheap shot

2006-07-10T06:40:00.000-07:00

Italy's Azzurri ("Blue") completed their cinderella run to the World Cup in the same dominating fashion with which they began, but not before giving their fans a massive case of agita. After referees awarded a highly questionable penalty kick to France after Therry Henry took a dive in the penalty area, Italy - down 1-0 thanks to Zidane converting the "free throw" of a kick (I mean that's whgat PK essentially are) - scored on a gorgeous diving header to even the match, then survived a penalty kick shootout to record their fourth World Cup title and first since 1982.

"What a play the goal was!" shouted Italian fan Giovanni Paulasi. "To give up a goal and then come from behind is wonderful. Comebacks don't happen that often at soccer played at this highest level. It is a testament to Italy's strength" he said while sipping Chianti at a Mulberry Street Ristorante.

But this Final will also be remembered for the unsportsmanlike conduct of the player touted most in the American media prior to the match. Barely ten minutes from penalty kicks, French captain Zidane lowered his head and head butted an Italian defender in the chest while play was being reset by the referee.

Some French apologists are "investigating" whether he was provoked by a racial slur, but that is wild speculation at best.

Zidane is a French born Algerian. How the hell do you insult an Algerian? That makes no sense.

"I have no explanation and frankly I am embarrassed. He never should have done this and worst of all in the Final." said one French fan dressed in a Zidane jersey. "To end his career that way by letting down his team and country is awful. Here we go, the whole team is about Zidane and he does something he knew would hurt the team. Maybe we learn a lesson that such a thing is what happens when you make one man the whole team."

Zindane, who should have just said "Hey! Don't bust my parlines!" to trash talking Italian defender Marco Matarazzi and walked away, instead will be forever linked to this ugly incident on which his career ended. He was nowhere to be found when the French Team needed him most. In a nod to his career, maybe FIFA - often seen by soccer fans as misguided at best - awarded him the "Golden Ball" award, the honor bestowed on the tournament's most outstanding player. That's despite the searing achievements all month by Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Italian defenders Mattarazzi, Fabio Grasso and Cannevara.

Even French fans thought this was a mistake. "He had a good tournament, but it sends a bad message to the world to show support indirectly for what he did on the field. He did not keep his head and at such a crucial moment. He should have known better" lamented Sherri Beaulait at a French cafe across the street from where Italian revelers still celebrate a day later. "But the Italians did not cheat. They played well and not to recognize one of them as the winner of the Golden Ball Award lessens what they did. They were great defenders. Americans may not find defense beautiful or exciting, but it won a championship yesterday and does that alot in sport."

Indeed, Italy gave up the fewest goals and led every offensive and defensive catagory that mattered over the entire 32 team field. Not a single goal was surrendered to an opposing team during actual play - the two lone tallies against were an own goal and a PK. That is the single greatest defensive performance in World Cup history.

Italian fans mobbed Mulberry Street and chanted and sang while dancing around cars with Italian flags draped over them liked blessed shrouds.

Most people cheered or smiled as the throngs sang joyously, but the Goa province owner of Baluchi's Indian Restaurant was not amused. "They keep coming in screaming about Italy and we are not Italian. We are Indian dammit!" he shouted as a quartet of blue shirted revelers shouted through the open windows at patrons "Hey! Baluchi's! Forza Italia!"

"Get out of here! Italy is far away!" the owner shouts back.

Meanwhile all anyone in the American media wants to talk about is Zidane. People are right - we might not understand or get this game as well as we should. ESPN makes the same mistake in football alll the time, lionizing showboating receivers who are "playmakers" but eating crow when defensive schemes such as those the Steelers and Patriots put together win four of the last five Super Bowls.

Nevertheless, for the next four years, Forza Italia. Sempre! Hail to the champions - Campignone del mundo.

Milquetoast, overpriced Atunyote a poor choice for a professional golf venue

2006-07-06T19:44:00.000-07:00

Mother Nature should have taken a holiday. The rains that have ruined En-Joie G.C. in Binghamton have forced the PGA to move the last B.C. Open to ever be played.

The new venue, Atunyote, is one of the least inspiring and most milquetoast courses in Christendom. The course design is a confused and kaleidoscopic whirligig of boring trash with greens and hole shapes that are three scoops of unflavored yogurt. The only thing missing here is the clowns with seltzer water bottles running out to hose down the players. This is one of Fazio's weakest efforts.

Still, the course has built a cottage industry out of hosting tournaments about which nobody cares. After being played for chumps by the PGA in order to host the Club Pro Championship in return for consideration to maybe host a tournament in the future, they now get to host a tour event for those who miss getting into the British Open. Translation: Once again, no one will be watching. Pine HIll in Philly would have been more interesting. It also sends a bad message to the world that the PGA is taking casino money in return for being chosen as a venue.

Noone is listening either while Atunyote shouts about how they think they deserve a major. They had better get in line for dreaming of hosting that major they scream to anyone ill-traveled enough to listen. Funny, but Oak Hill is right next door and is a much more interesting and challenging venue. It also will be pretty upset if a second-rate course pirates a major through casino money. Not gonna happen.

Besides, isn't another course [Trump National, Bayonne, Liberty National] a better choice? :):) After all, the PGA will make more money in NYC than they will in Utica.

The article about the relocation is here.

A detailed review of the course is here.

With all this talk of boring venues, I thought I'd post a picture of a real golf course for real aficionados. Here's Black Mesa (La Mesilla, NM) No. 16 (above). Remember, unless you are a hardcore architecture student, you read about it here first. Full article on Black Mesa will be up soon.

Fierce competition for 2006 "best new courses"

2006-07-05T15:31:00.000-07:00

Competition is tough this year for the awards for best new courses - both public and private. Let's take a close look at some of the favorites and dark horses.

1. Private

Remember this name - Ballyneal. You will see it again for a long time. Word on the street is that this course is the strongest design of this year's crop of private courses. Tom Doak - the genius behind Pacific Dunes, Cape Kidnappers, Barnbougle Dunes, Apache Stronghold, Beechtree, The Rawls Course (stop me anytime...) has designed an old-school track in Northeast Colorado, about midway between Sand Hills and Pradera, two other excellent, indeed quintessential private designs. I'll be there before fall with a full review.

Doak also teamed with Jack Nicklaus on Sebonack GC, sandwiched neatly between Shinnecock Hills and National Golf Links of America. Both Doak and Nicklaus understood fully what it meant to design in the shadow of these two mighty monoliths of our golfing map and produced a work that can stand proudly between them - much like Strantz when he got he chance to design near Cypress,they rose to the occasion and built a natural looking, strong design. Membership rates are in the mid six-figures.

Nicklaus also has a solo effort in the running, Dismal River, in the Nebraska Sand Hills and built on similar terrain. Early reports from the course were promising.

Back to the greater NY region, Bayonne CC by Eric Bergstrol is getting rave reviews from everyone who has played it. The Met Golf Writers will have an outing there soon, so I'll report back right afterwards. Memberships start in the low six figures.

No course has opened to more marketing and expectations as Liberty National, a course technically in New Jersey, but a mere water taxi from TriBeCa. Various membership packages start between $400 and $500,000. While the course has solid views of the ocean, the course is a target golf course, penal in nature. It will look good on TV - perhaps rotating in as a venue for the Barclays during the "Run for the Cup," but will be difficult on members. Use the search engine on this site for my review.

2. Public

Midwesterners have been screaming for more U.S. Opens and PGA Championships in the midwest and hardcore golf architeture fans have been screaming back for better courses. I mean really, do Cog Hill, Olympia Fields, Kemper Lakes and Southern Hills do much for you? Thankfully Erin Hills will open any day. The USGA has alrwady granted them the 2008 Women's Amateur Public Links and many pundits say the Open will follow.

Finally, golf architecture fans everywhere are celebrating but especially so in Philly as Lederach G.C. by the "downright lovable Texan" (as one fan put it:)), Kelly Blake Moran has just turned all sorts of heads. Lederach breaks all the conventions compressing great course designs these days and shows how great greens and clever use of the land can make a terrific course out of a so-so piece of property. Kelly had all sorts of restrictions on the site, yet the shots pose interesting problems to the player, options abound and the greens have a great deal of character. Best of all the price is a modest $50 (or thereabouts depending on day and time.) Lederach should surprise everyone pleasantlylater this fall. Kelly Blake Moran deserves the ink - this is a breakout achievement for him.

Today's pic is from Ballyneal.

Knicks protest fizzles

2006-06-28T18:22:00.000-07:00

Knick fans’ blue and orange blood ran in the streets tonight. The Knicks season is over before it starts, no matter who they draft. Team management is in disarray, the lunatics run the asylum, prices escalate, money is wasted and the fans come last.

Despite the support of ESPN and local New York City newspapers, the fan run protest of team mismanagement by owner James Dolan and team president Isiah Thomas fizzled. Barely thirty young fans gathered at a bar close to Madison Square Garden at a rally that was a basketball version of an Irish wake. Sure, they yelled and chanted and carried the odd sign, but more fans watched disinterested from the sidewalks than participated.

The most telling assessment came from the lone plainclothes policeman assigned to monitor the protest which began at Mercury Bar on 9^th Avenue and 46^th street.

“Sarge? It’s [name removed]. There’s only thirty of them here. Naw…I don’t need anybody. I got it.”

That was the death knell for the Knicks. One overweight middle-aged cop could control the anger of the fans. So much for grass roots change. Somewhere, Dolan is laughing.

Yes, the traveling three ring hardwood circus that is the NBA rolled guffawing into town, passing out their version bad LSD/stale coffee to any chump stupid enough to stick out his tongue. The entire shuck of an NBA Draft was a sad, expensive dog and pony show. All the while, the fans suffer and pay and pay and pay…for a brutal unwatchable product.

New York’s situation could happen anywhere. An inexperienced, immature and uneducated owner, star-struck with athletes runs the team with an iron fist, prizing every last cent form the fans and yet fielding a team full of lazy self-aggrandizing prima donnas.

“We need to initiate change. The fans are fed up with management” said Mr. Orange, the organizer of the protest and founder of www.selltheknicks.com. “Dolan is supposed to be a savvy businessman, so he should understand when he is selling and we are buying an inferior product. All we want is a team worthy of the ticket price and the stature of the league.”

“You have to do a better job in the biggest market and with the biggest payroll” said Ben Patterson, a lifelong fan from Staten Island. He spends all this money, ticket and concession prices are astronomical and we have a terrible, laughing stock product.”

“We need more fiscally responsible management. We are the most loyal fans, but management has been disloyal to us” said law student Dave Sorani, echoing the perception of many that Dolan sold out the fans to shoot baskets and talk shop with Hall of Famer Thomas. Indeed, some decisions by Dolan have been so asinine, the perception may be reality. “He got the team from daddy and he’s playing with it like a toy” continued Sorani. “There’s no checks and balances on Dolan’s decisions and he has let Thomas craft a team that is selfish, incohesive and dispassionate. If this were any fiscally responsible company, Thomas would have been gone long ago.”

Meanwhile other fans watch mildly disinterested. “I heard about it, but I’m not going” said one fan. While some honked car horns in support, and some clapped and egged demonstrators on in their protest chants of “Duck Folan” and “Fire Isiah,” the blasé, shoulder-shrugging “whatever” attitude is more akin to Morocco than the USA. “I’m too diehard a fan to join the protest” said another fan. “I’ll keep coming and paying my money even though they suck. Whoooooooooo! Go Knicks!” he shouted as he ran to his general admission floor seat for the draft.

The fate of the team’s fans is in the hands of kids in “I can be your private dancer” T-shirts and baggy overpriced jerseys. Call the coroner, the Knicks are DOA this year.

Even worse, security, NBA Entertainment execs and broadcast crew smile wanly as the small protest rolls by spewing obscenities about Dolan. Three official-looking NBA Entertainment chumps in suits too small for their oversized bodies are laughing long and hard at them while simultaneously inhaling shrimp cocktail. The food rotates grotesquely in their open mouths as they chew and laugh like donkeys. They spill sauce all over themselves laughing and slapping each other on the backs and making themselves and their laminated credentials obvious.

Meanwhile the rest of the NBA “in crowd” arrive like so many pseudo-glitterati in their ridiculously large diamond earrings and necklaces even though they have yet to contribute their obligatory 3.2 points, 1.2 rebounds and 4.1 arrests per year. “Step aside, make way, big bling comin’ through yo!” shouts one player in a wiiiiiiiiiiiiide pinstripe suit more apropos to a pimp than a professional anything. “I’m royalty and I’m about to be coronated.”

Good lord…”coronated?” It’s a good thing for us he’s not a doctor. “You’ll never have to work again in your life!” shouts a clapping, sycophantic TV broadcast crew member as he walks in to MSG. Was Shaquille O’Neal right when he referred to non-members of “The Association” as “earthlings?” Does this superclass of privilieged athletes hold us in that much disdain and contempt? Even their families roll through the crowds like hot knives through butter. “Move please” says one woman as she rudely elbows fans aside. “I’m [name deleted] god mother. " "I’m [name deleted] grandfather" says another.

But that’s today’s NBA. It’s just like a rock concert entourage – backstage everybody’s somebody – and usually full of inflated self-importance. Please! Somebody coronate these people and fast. Preferably right to the head: soon and often, use force if you have to!

Finally, at 7:35 a giant grinning bespectacled frog waddled to the podium to an enormous chorus of Bronx cheers. This is Madison Square Garden Theatre, yet nobody can hear him call Andrea Bargnani’s name. I guess if you wanna hear, you have to pay $300. That’s how much the Madonna tickets sold for at the Garden for the concert tonight.

Moreover, David Stern and any player look like a ridiculous version of Gandalf and Frodo standing next to each other - only Frodo is grinning with a manic, selfish glint in his eye. After all, the money wheel keeps turning and it can’t slow down. $6.50 for a Bud Light – but “Oh no, we have no imported beer tonight” says the merch wombat looking almost scandalized. “There’s lots of kids here tonight!”

What is this, Manhattan or Dubuque?

Meanwhile fans boo Bargnani for being Italian, chanting “USA! USA! and boo Adam Morrison for being Adam Morrison, when he’s selected by the Charlotte Bobcats.

Shouldn’t they be cheering that he was selected by the Bobcats? With Jordan running that team, he’ll never be seen or heard from again…

No, the way to beat a guy like Dolan is to hit him in the wallet, but that will never happen. For every fed up fan there are two more star struck, TV-anesthetized groupies desperate for vicarious satisfaction.

Just take a look at the other horror show playing the Garden tonight. Madonna, shameless, old-and-slow, money-grubing tramp that she is fleeces $300 per ticket from old blue haired dingbats who pay $50 per T-shirt - $75 for one with her gyrating around a stripper pole. All that is left is for Debbie Reynolds and Florence Henderson to sell tickets to a show where they french kiss each other. That’s the last sign of the apocalypse. At the Garden, can it be far?

Meanwhile a decal graces the Garden Ticketmaster window which reads “Fans First!” Outside blue and orange blood runs in the streets and few seem to care.

It makes no difference whether the Knicks draft anyone this year. They might as well trade to the New England Patriots for Diet Pepsi Machine. Basketball in NYC is dead, but precious few mourned its passing.

Yale G.C. - New Haven, CT

2006-06-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

YALE GOLF COURSE
200 Conrad Drive
New Haven, CT
http://yalebulldogs.cstv.com/facilities/facgolf.html

Architect: Seth Raynor!
Difficulty: 11/12
Excitement Factor: 10/12

The rest of the ratings are below this article. I am reprinting the thought of my golf architecture expert colleague, Jim Keever.

Jim is spot on. Boola Boola. ONe editorial note, some of the hole descriptions are excerpted by Jim from Bahto and Banks' book which descirbes Yale really well.

"Yale had to be epic in proportions and difficulty to battle against the technology of its time. Hence, given #1 & #2 above, these factors enabled Raynor & Macdonald to give us the wildest versions of their holes to date. 700 acres (With a potential 2nd course that was laid out) also helped them find these monsters. We can quibble about which redan, alps, cape, knoll, etc. hole are their best works, but Yale puts so many outstanding examples of their templates in front of the golfer, along with ideas rarely seen in their other courses:

#1 Green - Combo punchbowl/road green
#2 A skyline cape
#3 Double punchbowl in its original location
#4 Just for its routing/site
#5 My favorite hole and version of it with the green horseshoe will be the 1st hole on KeeverTown G.C. and Steakhouse after I hit the MegaMillions (Hit the green or start your round with a double bogey)
#8 Never has a slicer been more grateful
#9 Biarritz to the nth degree
#10 Shinnecock #9 on steroids with the carry tee shot
#11 Artistry in getting the fairway and greenside bunkers on the left tied in their rock walls to their backsides - a nice reminder of the site work that was done
#12 Alps with a two-tiered green on a blind 2nd shot
#13 Redan over water
#14 Knoll with a wedding cake top
#17 Double Plateau fronted with The Principal's Nose
#18 High Road and Low Road (Glad to see the hole not as choked on the tee and 2nd shots)

They also camoflaged alot of the landing areas look smaller than they really are." (that excerpt is from the Bahto/Banks book. The 21st century editorializations are Jim's.)

I hope that I am not restating or plagerizing your ideas from the book, but at Yale, "The Hits Just Keep on Coming".

Most of us have seen the holes before on other courses. Yale is all of the knowledge and technology vs. all of the player technology. Most first time players are awed by the boldness, the scale and the terrain. Along the way, they learn about fear from being in the wrong position of their own making, stamina due to the terrain and the intense punishments meted out to the less than well struck shot, and occasionally, elation from pulling off the right shot at the right time.

Perhaps they should have named the course "Maine", as in "You can't get there from here", based upon the physical location in finding the course the first time as well as where you will have to try to recover from once you are on its hallowed grounds. In the end though, The Course at Yale lives up to the university's motto: Lux et Veritas (Light AND Truth) because in spite of it's stern and foreboding nature, the crafty and guileful can manage their way around quite nicely, thank you.

Now, here are my scores:

Design: Six and 1/2 stars [all ratings out of seven]

Let's see, horizontal movement in the fairways? Check - great encyclopaedia of terrific golf holes and shapes. It poses excellent golf problems to solve and therefore is quite the academic and intellectual course totally worthy of Yale's rich academic heritage. The "post-graduate degree" of golf courses. Lunkhead bombers who like their golf neat and clean with no surprises and who insist on having everything framed for them are better off "chumping" somewhere else.

The half-star off is because I had to pretty much exclusively use wedge around the greens. There were few bump and run shots or putt from pff the green approaches. Just a little too few greenside options.

Vertical movement in the holes? Holy smokes BIG CHECK! Up and down all day with dramatic carries off the tee and on approaches. Excellent.

Interesting character filled greens? Another huge check. There is not a single throw away hole shape and there is not a single throw away green either. Each green is a complicated jigsaw puzzle. Numbers 9 and 17 (biarritzes) and 10 (think 16 at Black Mesa) stand out in a murderer's row of terrific greens. An all star line-up.

Natural Setting: Four and 1/2 stars. You're in the woods in CT. You're here for the golf. Views are immaterial.

Conditioning: Five and 1/2 stars. Really good. In fact clever in its intricacy. Take again, the wild contours of No. 10. In order to bring all that contour in play, they keep the stimp rating at 7.5-8. Slower greens = more interesting contours. What a concept.

Value: NA - Private

Overall: Six and 1/2 stars. This one's a gem.

BMW motors into event sponsorship with PGA Tour

2006-06-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

This was reported over the sports and intellectual property law wire just a few minutes ago:

German automotive giant BMW yesterday announced a six-year partnership agreement with the PGA Tour and the U.S. Western Golf Association (WGA) to create the BMW Championship.

The new BMW Championship will be third of four PGA Tour "play-off tournaments" forming the season ending "race for the cup" that culminates the new FedExCup competition that debuts in 2007.

Jan-Christiaan Koenders, director, BMW brand communications, said: “The partnership reinforces BMW's global three pillar sports marketing strategy. The strategy includes partnership agreements with the US America's Cup sailing team, BMW Oracle Racing, the BMW Sauber F1 Team and now the prestigious PGA Tour.”

The Knicks vs. the fans of New York: The Natives Scream for Blood Sacrifice

2006-06-25T18:26:00.000-07:00

Most Egyptologists agree the famous boy-king of Egypt, Tutankhamun was ruthlessly murdered. Some blame court intrigue saying Tut’s inexperience and tender years were a recipe for mis-management of the realm.

How many boy-kings in history have had the political acumen and intellectual prowess to protect both the kingdom and their necks? It would be easy – don’t you think – to merely whack young Tut and blame it on natural causes and then just take over.

It’s too bad mob justice cannot carry the day for the New York Knicks and their legion fans. The barbarian boy-kings he not at the gate, he rules the kingdom; and things have just spiraled down for the team at an exponential rate. But with the latest public relations debacle – suing fans for expressing dissent in the form of a free speech rally with T-shirts of the offending owner and president/coach - James Dolan and Isiah Thomas have got to go. Now.

There are bedrock rules in New York City – don’t burn the locals. Suing fans – The Knicks vs. the People of New York City - is just as odious as the Recording Industry suing kids for downloading music. The natives are rightfully angry and demand blood in repayment.

DOWN WITH BROWN

Larry Brown, the only coach to win both an NCAA Championship and NBA Championship, was run out of town unceremoniously by the Cassius and Brutus of New York City – James Dolan and Isiah Thomas. Thomas was recently named as the replacement for Brown as coach.

Thomas has sullied everything he touched as a manager – the CBA, the Toronto Raptors, The Indiana Pacers and now the once proud New York Knicks. Let’s be candid – had the NBA not swallowed the whistles in the late 80s in trying to corner certain demographic markets, the “Bad Boy” Pistons would never have beaten the Celtics or Lakers.

Fox Sports Broadcaster Steve Czaban offered this bit of wisdom back in April: "The only thing left is for Isiah to coach the team himself. That should be hilarious. Sort of like allowing th guy who set the building on fire to run out the back door and then jumpo on the fire engine and start working the hose."

Close - its really like the clowns coming out to hose everybody down with seltzer bottles.

Hanging out with athletes is a seductive, soul-selling groupie syndrome. Dolan has sold out the fans and the franchise to hang around and shoot hoops and talk sports with a marginal-at-best legend. Moreover, now that Dolan helped Isiah avoid responsibility for a sexual harassment suit that would have been a media circus a nd destroyed his carefully crafted image, Dolan is de facto coach of the team.

Neither Dolan, Thomas, nor the gimcrack assembly of overpriced slackers they imported to Camp Cablevision was worthy of working with a proven winner like Larry Brown. Sure, Brown may jump from job to job, but his record speaks for itself. Has ANY other coach in any other sports amassed such a perennial winning percentage? And don’t throw out Phil “Big Chief Triangle” Jackson because Jackson hasn’t had to work with the turkeys Brown has inherited. Brown takes proven losers and makes them overachievers. Here, in full, is his record:

1972-74 Carolina Cougars (ABA) 104-64
1974-79 Denver Nuggets 251-134
1979-81 UCLA 42-17
1981-83 New Jersey Nets 91-67
1983-88 Kansas University 135-44
1988-91 San Antonio Spurs 153-131
1991-93 L.A. Clippers 64-53
1993-97 Indiana Pacers 190-138
1997-2003 Phila. 76ers 255-205
2003-05 Detroit Pistons 108-56
2005-06 NY Knicks 23-59

Hey Dolan and Isiah: maybe its you. But don't take my word for it. Back in February, The Daily News' MIke Lupica wrote: "who else on this planet signs Jerome James for $30 million? Who else gives $50 million to Jamal Crawford and trades Kurt Thomas for Quentin Richardson, who can't jump and had a bad back before he got here? Who traded an unprotected lottery pick that might turn out to be the No. 1 pick in whole draft for Eddy Curry? There is no point guard in the house, there is no power forward, and guess what? We may have been a little premature sending Channing Frye to the Hall of Fame. The Knicks turned no corner last night. The Knicks just keep going around in circles. Now the smart-mouth television guys say they couldn't win the NCAA Tournament. The Knicks lead the league only in salary, and punch lines."

There is an enormous difference between playing ball and understanding complex business economics. The two types are mutually exclusive – deep thinking and playing basketball/football.

The fiscal future of professional sports organizations and teams should never be entrusted into the hands of professional athletes. Either well trained expert non-athletes control the sport or we create an athlete run police state where the fox is in charge of the henhouse.

Look at the list of “legands” that run a front office worse than they run their chamber pots – Isiah, Jordan, Matt Millen – failures all as general managers and team presidents.

No, Dolan and Matt Millen of the Detroit Lions are boy-kings who deserve Tut’s fate. By suing the fans, Dolan has made himself the most mindless thug in basketball and public enemy number one to everyday New Yorkers. After all – he could come after you next. Dolan and Millen stomp dissent under their jackboot, wrongfully using the law or their security thugs because they have the slush fund to support a frivolous lawsuit and ordinary New Yorkers do not.

THE CANCER HAS METASTACISED

Look at the grim, brutish reality that is the NBA. Players have recently:
a) revolted against coaches who make them practice;
b) refused to enter games when instructed by the coach;
c) refused to take open shots;
d) told the opposing team what play was coming;
e) engaged in any other form of insubordination they can justify; and
f) had more arrests than they have legitimate children (too many to list here.)

Yet they still have jobs and get paid. That’s the horrible bill that has come payable due to guaranteed contracts and poor labor negotiating. Players get paid no matter how little they produce and no matter how great the transgression they still get enough money to do nothing but play video games, hang out at strip clubs every night make a social nuisance of themselves.

$4 million a year for 3.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.1 arrests: that’s the line score of the American-born NBA “baller.” Foreign born players play harder simply because most of them had to float to this country from across an ocean on nothing but an American flag and a barrel. They know playing sports is not hard work. But our homegrown player is enabled, emboldened and protected by those who sell their integrity to live vicarioously through the game and athlete.

I know one shallow-thinking sycophant of a labor lawyer at a big Manhattan firm who fancies himself as having enough “managerial timber”to pipe dream himself into the Commissioner’s chair. He once tried to justify guaranteed contracts simply because “we can’t alienate the players” he didn’t have the "managerial timber" to come out and say they are a cancer and stand up for the sport and it’s integrity. He similarly thought the steroids hearings were pointless and that the players’ union was right to oppose stringent testing.

Like Dolan and Isiah, this guy is best off playing EA Sports Head Coach 2006 and leaving the policy discussions to the dedicated, courageous and incorruptible.

Instead, when the fans complain, they get sued. Meanwhile, Dolan, in conduct typical of a man who has never had any idea how to responsibly spend his time or his money, also pretends he’s a rock star, singing blues songs with a bunch of honky-tonk washouts in local dives.

When a banshee screams a soul is stolen, but when the natives scream for blood, they get nothing but higher ticket and concession prices. Moreover, Dolan’s suppression of free speech is downright un-American. Democracy is sports dead in NYC but sports fans can do little but mourn its passing. Sure, there will be a solid group of Knicks fans motivated by selltheknicks.com lining up outside The Merc Bar on 9^th Avenue between 45gth and 46^th at 5:15 Wednesday. All fans should come to march and protest the gross negligence inflicted on the franchise by the Boy-King and the Sideshow Phony. But nothing short of Congressional or criminal investigation will dislodge Dolan. The only hope is that the teams tanks again next year even worse. Then at least half the equation, Isiah, will be gone.

Meanwhile on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” this morning we were asked to weep for a hardened criminal teen who’s only hope – we are told by reporter Mark Schwartz – is a multi-million dollar contract from the NBA; a contract he can’t get until he turns 19. Until then, Schwartz paints it “unfair” that the kid has to “work in a candy store for $6.00 an hour.”

How dare an athletic prodigy that the media wants to anoint as a baby-Kobe have to work like the rest of us! What a great message to send the kids. What a great civic example to lionize for the fans who want to see teams made up of players of which they can be proud.

But of course, to the owners and the media who are star-struck praying at the holy church of the professional athlete, once these fans turn away, there will always be more chumps right behind them that just look a little different than the last bunch of suckers.

After all – being around athletes is mesmorizing. They are banking on that. The best way for evil to proliferate is for good men to do nothing. They are banking on that too.

For more information on the march to the Garden, contact Mr. Orange at www.selltheknicks.com or tune in to ESPN.com tomorrow for a live Iternet chat.

World Cup redux (part 2)

2006-06-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

Following up on my World Cup preview piece, let's take a look at the round of 16 matchups.

You can still review these brackets as "Groups" as they do in previous rounds, just single elimination (like our regional finals in the NCAA tourney) and each winner goes to the final four.

A. Brazil v. Ghana, Spain v. France - This is the Group of Death. Everyone is penciling in Brazil, but my sources inside Ghanaian football convinced me to write in my preview piece that Ghana's speed and depth were enough for me to pick them to win one game and knockout the team they beat.

We were both wrong. They won two games and knocked out both teams they beat. They beat numbers two and five in the FIFA rankings. They hung tight with Italy. They have speed, speed, speed.

There is no substitute for speed. It can't even be coached.

Ghana will give the Samba Kings all they can handle. The refs will give the Samba Kings the game. This is international "futbol," not the NFL. Do you think FIFA wants the world number one and its biggest draw out early? 1-1 Brazil wins on penalty kicks. But this game smells as fishy as the Pittsburgh Steeler-Indianapolis Colts playoff game from this January.

Spain v. France - Spain looked fantastic in the Group Stage and their reward is France and a date with Brazil or Ghana. Ouch. France has looked sluggish and uninspired. They beat Togo, but eleven guys out of a bar could beat Togo. Spain wins going away, proving 1998 was a gift from God. Surprise, Spain upsets Brazil to go to the semis.

B. The winner of that bracket faces the winner of England v. Ecuador, Portugal v. Netherlands.

England has no excuse not to win this Group. Ecuador is overmatched and should fall 3-1. If England loses to either Portugal or The Netherlands, it didn't deserve to win the Cup. If you are going to win the cup, you cannot succumb to inferior talent. Portugal is highly touted, but did not impress in the Group Stage and the pressure of their institutional imprint of losing on the biggest stage, they are ripe for a pressure-triggered upset. I think they edge the Netherlands in a squeaker, but lose to the Lions. If Netherlands beats Portugal, they know and match up well with England and should upset them. Winner: England

C. Italy v. Australia, Switzerland v. Ukraine - Oh sweet, SWEET justice! Finally, Italy gets a break. They overmatch the "Socceroos" in every phase and are playing because they know if they lose, they go home to criminal investigations. Win the Cup and all is forgotten. They are playing as though their lives depended on it, which essentially, they are. Further, Italy is playing at its level or higher, finally. Wanna win the World Cup? You have to beat the "Number 2s" and "Number 5s" of the World to earn your shot at Brazil. Italy looked good winning that murderous group. By the way, Italy gets "U.S., Czech Republic and Ghana" Spain gets "Ukraine, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia." I'm just saying...

Italy stomps Australia like floppy grapes. By the way, "Socceroos" is the wackiest name since "Ominous Seapods."

Switzerland and Ukraine scare no one. If you want a stat, fine - Switzerland has not allowed a goal yet. Further, Ukraine looked awful in getting flattened and humiliated by Spain 4-0. They beat Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, which means they beat nobody who'll be missed. Switzerland wins, but loses to Italy 3-1.

Azzuri, if you fail to convert this "penalty kick" of a bracket, don't come home.

D. Germany beat Sweden 2-0 as we went to press, but don't tell me you didn't see that coming. There's one World Cup rule similar to the NBA, keep the home team in the game (and the tourney) as long as possible. They win the next game also and advance to the semis against Italy.

Argentina v. Mexico - everyone is "ooohing" and "aaahing" saying this is the sexy upset pick, but I'm not buying it. Yes, "Mexico has played them alot" and "Mexico knows them really well" "Mexico can hang with them" but Argentina is playing great and Mexico is playing average. The margin of error for Mexico is too small. Argentina will just wear them down by coming at them wave after wave after wave. One miscue and this one is out of reach. Argentina pulls it out.

Memo from the Sports Desk: Be nice to the new guy

2006-06-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

Good news. After discussions with the greasy-haired geeks with pimples I call accountants and the brute hulking gorilla eaters I call lawyers, and surveying our field-resources, we have decided to expand.

We have two new positions around here. First, after holding tryouts and reading pieces from some that were more thrilling than nil-nil draws in "futbol," we narrowed down the competition for the newly created position of "contributing writer" to two finalists. In a fierce head to head, teeth-on-leg, battle the winner was Jon Kulok of Arlington, VA, who narrowly defeated The Iguana.

Everybody got that? The new guy's name is JON KULOK, pronounced "KUL-ock" - that's Kul as in "cool," ok as in "clock." He's got a lovely family. In fact his wife and I were born on the same day, in the same hospital even though she was from Texas and I was from Syracuse. Freaky, huh? Within an hour of each other. Then we all met up at college. Good synergy.

Now, I like the cut of The Iguana's jib. He's got moxie (go look it up...). So we've decided to keep him around too. He's gonna work security around here. All crazies, fakirs, liars, cheats, thieves, chumps, lunkheads, dingbats and any other assorted complainers will be directed to a glass cubicle on the outside of the building, where The Iguana will drop you off a cliff. Complaints by phone will enter a new automated system with pre-recorded replies. All calls and messages will be returned by The Iguana between the hours of 2:00 and 5:00 AM. In all other cases I have given The Iguana license to bite - hard and often. He moves like a cat and has the jaws of a yeast-infected pit bull, so don't get on his bad side. You wouldn't like The Iguana when he's mad.

So there it is. Expect to continue to be swamped by the same nightmare hellbroth of gibberish, swill and tomfoolery to which you've become accustomed, only better. There will be no relief until Christmas. It's about time we added some people with some sense around here. Who knows. If we find the right greasy-haired pimply nerd, we may even add one more.

Naturally, you must now address me as "Editor-in-Chief" or "Senior Writer" whichever is appropriate to the situation. If you have a name for The Iguana, shout it out.

And no that is NOT a picture of Kulok, that's The Iguana.

Rant over. As you were.

Post script. I love The Great Shark Hunt, don't you? Kevin Elling was thinking the same thing the other day.

Phil MIckelson has "lost his privilege" to go for it

2006-06-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

Recently, I reconnected with an old college buddy. I invited him out for a drink. He replied that he had to refuse - he "lost his privilege."

That's an interesting choice of words - "lost his privilege." I lauded him for his will power. After reading John Daly's confession in Golf Magazine, my heart went out to him too. I may even give him a second chance.

Phil Mickelson is in the same situation when it comes to the siren that is temptation on the golf course. Has any player been burned more times going for the gusto than Phil? Have there been more high profile "lay-ups" - safe plays - that beat anybody in majors.

Geoff Shackelford turned my on to the wonder that is temptation. It's what makes Augusta so dramatic. Except for rare circumstances like this weekend, it's also erased from the U.S. Open usually in the severe set up.

The old Phil too often succumbed to the temptation...and lost. Then he watched as both David Toms and Payne Stewart STOLE majors from him laying up and rolling in 12-15 footers.

After Sunday's debacle, Phil has lost his privilege to be the river boat gambler at the majors. He knew not to do what he did and he did it anyway.

I know that to truly consider yourself a golfer, you must have a sportsman's soul - the soul of a lady or gentleman. But while the game demands that we tolerate and respect when golf becomes a morality play, but that doesn't mean we have to like it or enjoy it.

Notes: Matt Mulcahy and Leon Van Rensburg

2006-06-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

Two quick notes before today's piece.

1. Congratulation to PGA Club Professional Leon Van Rensburg for scoring four eagles in one round. In doing so, Leon set a new course record of 29-33=62 at Reese Golf Club, a daily fee track five miles west of Lubbock, TX.

Is this some sort of record? I have some people looking, but you do the same and lets see. No matter what, it's an amazing feat. The course is 6600 yards, par 72 from the tips. The round was witnessed by PGA member Ronnie Rossen and amateur Steve Long.

Until recently, Leon was head pro at the Tom Doak designed Rawls Course in Lubbock. My review of the Rawls Course is here (and at Cybergolf.)

2. Welcome a new media friend to the fold - Matt Mulcahy. Matt is a news anchor for WSTM in Syracuse, New York and is married to Jamie Pomilio, the niece of an old friend of my own and my dad's, Judge Anthony Pomilio of Family Court in Oneida County. We reconnected at the Open on Sat and Sun.

Matt has a good blog called Matt's Memo, (click on Matt's Memo) about national news and local news in Syracuse. I rate him just as highly as the excellent blog by my dear friend and colleague Tom Kirkendall over at Houston's Clear Thinkers, so check him out.

Steve Czaban on Phil's Collapse - Don't Blame Bones Mackay

2006-06-20T04:38:00.000-07:00

First, Steve Czaban - the pulse of the Great American Sportsman does a terrific job analyzing the "Good Angel/Bad Angel" discussion in Phil's head on 18. With Steve's persmission, I'm reprinting with a quick edit or two (sorry, but we're PG-13 here):

Good Angel: You’ve hit like 2 fairways all day. Put the big dog bag in the bag.”

Bad Angel: Yeah, but I’m PHIL! Do you hear these fans! I’ve gotta hit driver! Besides, I think I just figured something out. Baby Carve Slice. I got it...I got it!

DRIVE: Flare, fore left!

Good Angel: Nice going lunkhead. Ready to listen? This is a 9-iron into the fairway. YOU ARE THE BEST WEDGE PLAYER IN THE WORLD. Up and down for win, simple bogey for playoff. I’ve cleared my schedule for tomorrow, so let’s smarten up.

Bad Angel: But I’ve been pulling these shots off all DAY! And everybody is watching me! Come on, what’s the worst that could happen?

SHOT LOW AND LEFT: Smacks trees, kicks down and back.

Good Angel: That's it, Humpty dumpty, I’m outta here. Do whatever you want.

Bad Angel: Whatever. I’ve got this, over the trees, into the bunker, you KNOW I’ll get it up and down.

APPROACH SHOT: In the air, the Golf Gods intervene…

Golf Gods: “There’s no WAY we are letting him get up and down after all this. One fried egg, please...to go.

Now while we're in the subject of recovery shots, if I see Phil and Tiger say this (or do this) "Let's put this ball - from the worst conceivable place on the hole - into the gallery and suddently I get a free drop and an easy up and down, where as if the stands weren't there, they'd be screwed" I'm going to scream. Players are being allowed to hit a ball in the gallery (dangerous to begin with) and get an easy chip form far closer to the pin than they would have been.

The gallery is NOT a bail out option. Instead, it's become a seedy and unseemly crutch. In trouble up to your eye balls? Aim for this huge OTHER green-sized thing and get a nice drop for an easy par. That is not golf.

Finally, for everyone blaming Bones Mackay for not getting Phil to play safe, I just have three words.

STOP IT ALREADY. You are embarrassing yourself. Bones can make all the suggestions he wants or not, it's the player's decision. YOU do not have ANY idea of the rapport between player and caddie regarding what he/she can/cannot do. You think Vijay Singh would tolerate the CADDIE saying, "You know Vij, I know you've got a green jacket and two PGA's, but why don't you lay up?"

You'd be on Brett Wetterich's bag next week. Blaming Bones is for people who talk before they think.

Phil Mickelson at the U.S. Open - Phalling Phlat in Phorty minutes

2006-06-18T18:42:00.000-07:00

Winged Foot went from phestival to phuneral in phorty minutes.

We golf writers were all writing the leads. . At 6:24, it looked like the tournament was Mickelson’s.

Everyone in Mamaroneck – from the media, to the members on the terrace to the massive galleries around the golf course - thought the 2006 U.S. was over, the last few holes just a phormality for Phil Mickelson. It was supposed to be a victory lap.

But then the unthinkable happened. A meltdown of epic proportions. Here, in all their horror are the…

MINUTES OF THE MELTDOWN

6:24 – Fresh off a birdie on 14, Mickelson calmly rolls in a short putt for par on 15 that gives him a two shot cushion over his nearest competitors.

6:26 – The gallery around 18 roars with delight as the scoreboard is changed to reflect Phil’s two shot lead with three to play. Cheers erupt from the terrace. Elderly gentlemen are high fiving. Women are actually weeping with joy and clapping as though rooting for the child of their loins. All New York City and Mamaroneck polite society are in joyful ecstacy. Sportswriters begin filing out of the media dining room to start to write their articles.

6:28 – Colin Montgomerie rolls in a twisting, double breaking seventy footer for birdie. He’s now just one shot off the lead. “Where was that two holes ago? A little late” observed one photographer clearly getting his gear ready for the Phil victory interview.

6:33 – Mickelson’s drive on 16 goes under a tree on the right side of the fairway.

6:34 – Montgomerie finds the dead center of the 18th fairway.

6:36 - Geoff Ogilvy improbably chips in from the rough for par. He stays at +5 for the tournament.

6:38 – Mickelson’s second shot is a punch that runs short of the green. He would eventually miss an eight foot putt and card a bogey, his lead is now one shot.

6:43 – Perhaps believing the roar behind him was Ogilve making birdie, not par, Montgomerie “sticks his iron in the fairway” (as he later put it) and plops his approach in the rough short of the right greenside bunker by 18 green. By now the gallery and media watching are muttering “what if” and “are we seeing this” to one another.

The shot of Monty's career and he hits it short and right - the ugliest shot in golf.

6:45 – In one of the only lunkhead moves by any fan all week, some chump fires off an airhorn as Montgomerie approaches his ball. He is quickly surrounded by New York State Police and removed.

6:46 – Montgomerie blades his shot from the rough and it finally stops forty feet left of the cup. Dismayed he shakes his head. The crowd gasps in horror absolutely shocked, not believing what they saw.

6:49 – After running his first putt nine feet by, Montgomerie missed the comebacker. His double bogey six leaves him at +6 for the tournament one behind Geoff Ogilvy who has found the fairway on 18 and two behind Mickelson.

6:51 – Ogilvy’s second shot lands just short of the green on 18.

6:52 – Despite hitting his Driver into a garbage can on 17 and still scrambling for par and needing only a par to win, Mickelson hits his driver so far left it bounces off the top of the hospitality tent. (THE HOSPITALITY TENT!) “I know I had not been hitting a lot of fairways, but I went with my bread and butter shot and just hit it left.” When asked why he did not club down to a four wood, he said “I thought about it, but did not feel comfortable hitting a much longer club into the green. It might not have made it as far into the corner of the dogleg as I would have liked.”

6:53 – Ogilvy chips to two feet.

6:57 – Ogilvy makes his par putt. While he is the leader in the clubhouse at +5, he retires to the locker room to watch and wait. His wife, soon to deliver their first child. Joins him in the locker room.

7:00 – With a huge elm directly between himself and the green, the clock strikes midnight for Mickelson for all intents and purposes as his attempt at a high shot comes out low and strikes the tree, shooting back towards him. The ball came to rest 25 yards form im and the tree is still in the way. The crowd gaps in horror, dumbfounded. Journalists, USGA officials, State Police and fans all exchange stunned looks. Mickelson’s face falls, his eyes widen and he gets a “deer in headlights expression that slowly steels over his face. He turns his head away for a moment. I knew right then and there, he blew the Open.

A sullen silence descends over Winged Foot. You could hear a pin drop.

7:03 – Mickelson’s third avoids the same tree, but ends up in a buried lie in the bunker. There is a sotf “Oh!” from a few people, but again, stunned looks were all the crowd could muster. Mickelson begins to shamble up the fairway.

7:05 – In a last gasp for air, a “Let’s Go Phil!” chant erupts from the crowd.

7:07 – Mickelson’s bunker shot runs twenty feet past the hole and just into the short rough. The crowd again gasps in horror. Then, the silent pall descended.

7:09 – The collapse is complete as Mickelson misses the chip. Outside no one talks or moves it seems. Completely stunned, filled with the same cathartic tragedy as the end of Romeo and Juliet, the crowd begins to file out. In the locker room, a shocked Ogilvy embraces his pregnant wife, family and team. Hugs and handshakes ensue.

GOIN’ DOWN THE ROAD, PHEELIN’ BAD

Mickelson played Russian Roulette with his driver all day and on eighteen he finally hit the chamber with the bullet in it. Mickelson hit merely a staggering two fairways all day - two. Moreover, the same 64 degree wedge Mickelson claimd saved him “one or two shots each day” abandoned him. He was 0 for 5 in sand saves today.

Montgomerie and Phil both double bogeyed 18 or they would have won. Jim Furyk would have made the playoff had he parred.

Mickelson gambled and lost despite having the experience of seeing both Payne Stewart and David Toms steal majors from under his nose by laying up and sinking 15 foot putts for par.

In calling Toms a wuss, a sports broadcaster friend opined, “He got lucky, they don’t put plaques in the fairway to commemorate guys that laid up.”

Yeah, but they don’t give out trophies to guys that take their shot and miss either.

VAN DE PHILDE / "OH WHAT A STUPID HE WAS."

Let’s not take anything away from Geoff Ogilvy, but let’s also put the day’s events in a historical perspective. Phil’s collapse, combined with Montgomerie’s improbable double bogey joins a short list of major championship horror stories for the ages.

- Sam Snead triple bogeys the last hole of the 1939 U.S. Open to lose to eventual playoff winner Byron Nelson.

- In 1966 Arnold Palmer blows a seven shot lead to lose to Billy Casper at Olympic Club.

- Roberto De Vicenzo signs an incorrect scorecard, attesting that he shot one stroke worse than he actually did. He is "assessed" the phantom stroke and misses a playoff by one shot. In broken English he laments "What a stupid I am.".

- Jean Van de Velde has a three shot lead going into 18 at Carnoustie during the 1999 British Open. He narrowly misses Barry Burn twice only to find it on his third shot. He sheds his shoes and socks to the delight of the crowd before his caddie talks sense into him and he takes a drop. His next shot finds the green side bunker. He escapes disaster for the moment by sinking a twelve-footer for the triple bogey seven, but loses in a playoff to Scotsman Paul Laurie.

- Stewart Cink three putts from two and a half feet to miss a playoof by one shot at the 2001 U.S. Open at Southern Hills.

All in all one fact remains as inescapable today as it did before the champion ship:

No golf course in America has as much of a synergy of U.S. Open history and U.S. Open misery as Winged Foot.

Once again, as happens at every U.S. Open, the golf course won.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

A distant relative of Sir Angus Ogilvy (part of Britain’s Royal Family) and an even more distant relative of Scotland’s King of Bannockburn fame, Robert the Bruce, Ogilvy is also related to eminent pro golfer and commentator Judy Rankin. Rankin was elated that Ogilvy, who married her daughter-in-law’s sister, won the tournament.

Phil Mickelson's strategy at the U.S. Open strengthens the argument for furrowed bunkers

2006-06-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

Bunkers are supposed to be hazards. Old Tom Morris said they are meant to be places of punishment and repentance.

But today's player attck the pins and gleefully spin the ball close to the hole for scoring chances.

Phil Mickelson plays the 307 yard par-4 6th hole by trying to put the ball in the bunker to try to position himself for a birdie. He'd would have had to chip in to do it today, since the bunker shot went long, but he birdied it yesterday.

Many pundits think such strategy should not be rewarded. "Henry Fownes, the designer of Oakmont said 'a shot poorly struck, should be a shot irrevocably lost. He's the the guy who put furrows in the bunkers there'" opined MSNBC's veteran golf writer Mike Celizic.

Jack Nicklaus added furrows to the bunkers at Muirfield Village for the Memorial Tournament and while the pros cried like Nancy Kerrigan others praised the bold move. Another old-time golf writer, Kaye Kessler applauded Nicklaus' courage. "The furrows are a great idea. The bunkers have become too easy with all the new equipment. A hazard should be a hazard.

More than one writer echoed the sentiments of Charles Blair Macdonald, the designer of National Golf Links of America (among others), run a herd of elephants through the bunkers before the pros get there.

Phourteen, Phiphteen have Mickelson Phishing for U.S. Open title

2006-06-18T08:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes to find the story you need to read between the stats. This year’s U.S. Open is no exception.

Here’s an example. A friend and I went to a hockey game. I was rooting for a cellar team – they were in last place. He was cheering for the mighty juggernaught. My team won 3-1, although we were heavily outshot in the stats. My buddy couldn’t figure out how his team lost. Before we left the press box I checked the stats.

“What are you looking for?” he asked. I replied “we beat you 9-3 in quality shots.”

“What are quality shots?” he asked. “It’s a stat I made up. It’s breakaways plus one timers” I replied. “We scored all three of our goals that way. That’s how we won. We got more high quality shots.”

Reading between the stats is the key to really analyzing how the game was won.

Cut to the fourteenth and fifteenth holes at Winged Foot. They are not the hardest holes on the course, but they are the hardest holes to the leaders and other serious contenders. Except Phil Mickelson.

On Thursday, David Howell was -4 when he got to fifteen tee. He was three shots clear of the competition.

He bogeyed. It triggered a four shot bloodletting.

On Friday Kenny Ferrie rocketed to -3 in the blink of an eye. He was three shots clear of the field at that time.

He double bogeyed fourteen and fifteen.

Steve Stricker, who ended up sleeping on the lead Friday night also bogeyed fifteen. Contenders Colin Montgomerie, and Geoff Ogilvy also bogeyed fourteen.

Let’s take a look at today’s contenders. Geoff Ogilvy bogeyed fourteen. Steve Stricker double bogeyed fourteen. Ian Poulter bogeyed fourteen. Padraig Harrington bogeyed fifteen.

But Phil birdied fourteen and parred fifteen. That was a two shot swing over the rest of the phield…oops, I mean field. In fact, Phil has played those holes a cumulative -1 for the week.

I’ll bet you a Krispy Kreme donut that 14 and 15 snakebite the leaders today and end up being the final arbiter of the match.

Or a Tal bagel sandwich, if you prefer.

THE NEW WEDGE

“I put in [my bag] a wedge that Roger Cleveland over at Calloway designed for me” Mickelson noted with a grateful grin. “I called him up from Winged Foot and said ‘Roger, I need you to design a 64 degree wedg. I need it with a certain amount of bounce, I’ve got hit a lot of high bunker shots out of the sand.’ Mickelson continued. “I have used that club extensively and it has saved me a ton of shots. I hit the shot on ten where it was a flop shot that went in the hole. Then I used it out of the bunker on sixteen out of the plugged lie that flew up and went in.”

Mickelson believes if he goes on to victory, his fourth in the last ten majors and his third in a row, it will be because of the new wedge. “The shot on ten I couldn’t have done with my L-Wedge, I had to use the 64. If I’m able to be successful tomorrow, I will give credit to that one particular club.