Author: Erik J. Barzeski

Hole in One? Win Free Tifosi Sunglasses

Get a hole in one, win a free pair of Tifosi Optics sunglasses. Seems like a great way to make a great event even greater!

Tifosi GlassesWe received an interesting email today detailing one of the most interesting promotions we’ve ever seen. Anyone who is lucky (and skillful) enough to card a hole-in-one between now (August 1, 2005) and November 30, 2005 wins a free pair of Tifosi Optics sunglasses:

In what is believed to be the first ever national promotion rewarding anyone who hits a hole-in-one, starting Aug. 1, any golfer in America who hits an ace will be entitled to a free pair of Tifosi Optics golf sunglasses. The glasses will help them deflect the attention that comes with scoring an ace, golf’s most glaring achievement. There are no strings attached and no costs, just a valuable reward for the accomplishment of a lifetime.

I’ve posted the full text of the press release in our forum. Tifosi Optics is available online at http://tifosioptics.com/. The hole-in-one redemption form should be available later today.

The Sand Trap will be reviewing a pair of Tifosi Optics’ sunglasses within the next few weeks. Keep your eyes peeled… no pun intended.

The Distance Debate: Just the Facts

The distance debate is raging in golf, but the facts are clear. In this article, we share those facts.

This article, like its sibling “The Distance Debate: Which Side are They On?” is an evolving document. We’ll list the changes at the bottom and add to it or edit it when new information becomes available.

The distance debate is raging in the world of golf. Though 99.5% of golfers may be unaware of the debate, the USGA, the R&A, former players like Jack Nicklaus, touring professionals, and members of Augusta National are all involved, and any precedent they set is going to cause quite a ripple throughout the golf world.

Continue reading “The Distance Debate: Just the Facts”

Vijay Says “Listen Up, Tiger” at Buick Open

Tiger Woods twice made a weekend charge, but it was after going +4 on the first eight holes. Vijay Singh wins easily. Is another tear in store?

Tiger WoodsVijay Singh simply had too big a lead and Tiger Woods simply played the first eight holes horribly on Saturday and Sunday. End result? A comfortable four-stroke victory by world #2 Vijay Singh, his fourth of the year (and his second consecutive Buick Open). Singh is now the only player to win the Buick Open three times.

Tiger could only listen (screen capture credit to Tony @ HOG) as Vijay withstood a back-nine 30 by the world’s highest-ranked player. That 30 included a bogey at the last when he nearly missed the fairway to the right – that is, the adjacent fairway – and couldn’t get up and down from a greenside bunker.

Continue reading “Vijay Says “Listen Up, Tiger” at Buick Open”

Worst Players to Have Won a Major

On the PGA Tour, luck and a week of brilliance can net you a major championship. Who were the worst golfers to experience the amazing synergy?

Trap Five LogoLast week we took a look at the best players to have won only one major. The list included the likes of Toms Kite and Lehman, Fred Couples, Davis Love III, and Phil Mickelson.

This week we’re going to switch gears a bit and talk about the worst players to have won a major. Of course, to even play in a major, you’ve got to be a good golfer – hacks aren’t invited to The Masters or the British Open, you see – so we’re not begrudging anyone their abilities. However, we are looking at their careers compared to their fellow PGA Tour major winners. These, then, are the worst players to have been great at least once.

Continue reading “Worst Players to Have Won a Major”

Els Down for Surgery

Ernie Els has injured his knee sailing in the Mediterranean and is out of action indefinitely following surgery.

Ernie ElsErnie Els, in a post on his own website, has broken the news that he injured himself sailing in the Mediterranean. He had surgery on his left knee a few days ago and is out of action “indefinitely.”

Well, I imagine many of you will be checking my website today expecting me to talk about the build-up to the big tournaments coming up in the next few weeks. Others will have already heard the news that I injured my knee while on a sailing holiday in the Mediterranean and had to have surgery on it a couple of days ago. As a result, I’m going to have to take a break from golf on the recommendation of my medical advisers. Basically it’s the only sensible course of action, so that I can be sure of the promptest recovery period. Obviously the timing is unfortunate. Although let’s face it, there’s no such thing as a good time to get injured. But what can you do? There’s no point dwelling on your bad luck, or whatever. All I’m doing is focusing on getting better as quickly as possible, so I’m out of action for not a day longer than I have to be. I’ll fill you in with some more detailed news when I write again, probably this Monday coming. Until then, bye for now.

Though Ernie has not said exactly how long he’ll be out, the world’s third-ranked player is expected to miss the PGA Championship and the Presidents Cup.

Photo Credit: David Cannon, Getty Images at ErnieEls.com.

Moseau Bamboo Fiber Shirt Review

We used to play with hickory and persimmon. How about bamboo… in your shirts and socks?

MoseauIt’s not often that one thinks about their shirt when playing golf except to be annoyed: annoyed that it’s soaking up their sweat or that the left sleeve is in constant need of tugging up or that it keeps coming untucked on their follow-through.

As Josh mentioned in his Adidas ClimaCool Polo Shirt review, technology has finally come to the golf polo. Adidas, Callaway, Nike, and other manufacturers have mixed natural fabrics with synthetics and achieved solid results: wrinkle-free, stain-proof, moisture-wicking shirts with sun protection.

A company called Moseau has gone an entirely different route. Instead of synthetics, Moseau uses all natural fibers to construct their shirts. The fibers? Why, they come from bamboo.

Continue reading “Moseau Bamboo Fiber Shirt Review”

Peek’n Peak Resort, Upper Golf Course

A fair test of golf that plays far shorter than the 7025 yards listed, the Upper Course at the Peak is a sight to behold.

Peek'n Peak LogoPeek’n Peak has long been known to northwestern PA and New York as a great place to ski. With over 25 trails, “the Peak” entertains skiiers and snowboarders in those wintry months when golf can’t be played.

When golf can be played, the Peak offers two courses – the Lower and the Upper. The Upper course, some may remember, plays host to a Nationwide Tour event – the Lake Erie Charity Classic, won this past July 3 by Esteban Toledo.

Continue reading “Peek’n Peak Resort, Upper Golf Course”

Battle of the Bridges

The Battle of the Bridges takes place tonight in what might be Tiger Woods’ final Monday-night appearance.

Tonight, at 7pm ET on ESPN2 and at 8pm ET on ABC, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Retief Goosen, and John Daly will meet at the Battle of the Bridges. Tiger Woods may not be playing in Monday-night golf beyond this year’s event, making this event one you won’t want to miss.

Ratings have dropped since Sergio Garcia bested Woods in a head-to-head match in 2000, and this year’s lineup failed to get Vijay Singh and Ernie Els for the best-ball match play tournament.

For those of you who can’t get enough Tiger, for those of you who hate or love Phil Mickelson, for those of you who want to see if John Daly has gone back to the mullet, and for those of you who want to see if Retief Goosen’s facial expression ever changes, tune in tonight.

Ben Crane Takes Rain-Soaked US Bank Championship

Ben Crane took only four hours to shoot a 1-under 69 to capture his second PGA Tour victory, the US Bank Championship.

Ben CraneBen Crane, one of the slowest players on the PGA Tour, walked away with the US Bank Championship. Carding a 1-under-par round of 69, Crane was never pressured as his nearest competitors Scott Verplank, Chris Smith, and Kenny Perry folded with rounds of 71, 71, and 73. Crane eventually won by four over Verplank and five over Chad Campbell, one of the few players to have a decent day in the blustery conditions, firing a 65.

Continue reading “Ben Crane Takes Rain-Soaked US Bank Championship”