Author: Erik J. Barzeski

Nike Platinum: The Ad

The new Nike ONE Platinum ad is out. What will you see?

Nike PlatinumThe new Nike ad is spreading in the airwaves, through your cable, and on the Internet (though it’s not yet on NikeGolf.com).

The commercial begins with a black screen. White text appears that says “We gave you a wedge with more feel. You showed us what it could do.”

Video of Tiger hitting his chip on the 16th at Augusta appears.

The black screen reappears along with the text “We gave you a ball with more control.”

The video shows Tiger’s ball rolling down the hill, crawling towards the hole, pausing, and then rolling gently, flashing the Nike logo for all to see.

The black screen and text reappear, saying “And you didn’t center the logo?”

Elin is a Twin

Elin Nordegren is one of a pair of identical twins. Yes, you read that correctly.

For those who do not know, yes, Elin Nordegren-Woods, wife of the best golfer in the world (at least currently), is one of a pair of twins. I’ll wait while you think about that…

Elin and hew twin sister Josephin (or Josefin) Nordegren grew up in Waxholm (a coastal town outside Stockholm). Tiger met Elin while both were serving as nannies for Swedish golf pro Jesper Parnevik.

And yes, they’re identical twins. I’ll wait again while you think about that some more.

To further help you comprehend what we’re sure could be a mind-blowing revelation, we here at The Sand Trap have taken the time to construct a little guide.

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Titleist (Acushnet) Going Strong

Titleist, FootJoy, and Cobra continue the upward climb in a downward-falling golf economy.

TitleistWhile many golf manufacturers are stuck in decline, The Acushnet Company – parent to Titleist, FootJoy, Cobra, and Pinnacle – is going strong. The company started this year with net sales of $342.6 million, an increase of $3.7 milllion from a year ago. The golf divsion reported operating income of $56.7 million, a jump of $6.7 million from last year. The numbers indicate that Acushnet is doing quite well in the slightly downturned golf economy, not only boosting its bottom line but improving its efficiency.

The company’s first quarter is exciting, particularly when the company had trouble getting new Titleist equipment (905 drivers, 904 fairway woods, new putters, new spin-milled wedges, new balls) out the door before the end of the quarter.

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Singh Takes his Second over Daly

John Daly rallied Sunday and tied defending champ Vijay Singh with a birdie on the 72nd hole, but he dunked one in the playoff and lost.

Vijay SinghJohn Daly surged up the leaderboard Sunday with a stunning 67, but he dunked his ball when it mattered, and Vijay Singh walked easily to victory for his second straight Shell Houston Open victory and his third in four years.

Daly birdied the final two holes for his 67 to match Singh at -13 (275). His drive – with a fairway metal no less – dove left, bounced hard, and trickled into the water ont he first playoff hole. After blasting his third shot over the green, Daly had a 10-footer left for bogey when Singh tapped in for his par and the tournament victory.

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Lonard Outlasts Clarke En Route to First PGA Tour Victory

Peter Lonard limps home and seizes the MCI Heritage from an also-faltering Darren Clarke.

Peter LonardAfter leading early, struggling, and regaining the lead, Peter Lonard limped home to his first PGA Tour victory, carding a +4 round of 75 on Hilton Head’s famed course at the MCI Heritage Classic. Lonard’s partner in the final pairing, Irishman Darren Clarke, didn’t fare much better and was wheeled on a gurney through two bogeys and two double bogeys in the last six holes to shoot a dismal 76.

Darren Clarke began the day at -10, trailing Lonard by one. After three straight birdies and a Lonard error or two, the lead flipped and the margin grew to four by the fifth hole: Clarke -13, Lonard -9. Sadly, for both players it was downhill from there.

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Vistoso Golf School

Vistoso Golf Club has a great golf school. Book through tucsongolf.com for a great golf package.

VistosoForum member Rafcin recently visited the Vistoso Golf Club for a three-day golf school. Here is his report.

Booked Through: www.tucsongolf.com
Location: Tucson, AZ
Course: The Vistoso Golf Club
Dates: April 1st through 3rd (Fri-Sat-Sun)

Daily Schedule:

8:00 - 9:00           Breakfast, Meet the Pro
9:00 - 12:00          Lessons
12:00 - 1:00          Lunch
1:00pm - dusk         Unlimited Golf

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Yes! Olivia Mallet Putter Review

Yes! putters have a fanatical following, and now they’ve got some new toys: removable weights in a classic mallet putter. Sink more putts and sound unique doing it? You bet.

Yes Golf LogoI’m a mallet fan. I rated the Titleist/Scotty Cameron Red X highly and I’ve really been enjoying Titleist/Cameron’s new Future Phantom Mallet (review coming soon). But recently, I’ve been carrying another putter around in my bag: the Olivia from Yes! Golf.

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Sports Bloggers Live

Stacy Solomon talks about Ryan Moore on Sports Bloggers Live. Check it out.

Sports Bloggers Live

Last night, Stacy Solomon proudly represented The Sand Trap on Sports Bloggers Live. After following up with Tubby from Putts from the Rough (and his lovely “Els/Garcia” Masters picks), Stacy got the chance to talk about the amateur Ryan Moore:

Ryan Moore has a future. He will definitely be seen as a leader. As all beginners on Tour do, he’ll be surprised at the level of competition. It’ll take him a few months or a year to get his “sea legs.” I think he’ll break through and have his moment in the sun and win a major. He seems to feel comfortable at The Masters, so that might be his tournament.

You can listen to The Masters segment here (RealPlayer required) or visit sportsbloggerslive.com to listen to the whole show. Stacy appears at about the 48-minute mark.

SBL is recorded every Monday at 7pm ET.

Acushnet Sues Retailer for Counterfeit Balls

Academy Sports is found to be selling counterfeit Pro V1s.

TitleistThe Acushnet Company (proud parent of Titleist, Cobra, FootJoy, and Pinnacle) filed suit today in Federal District Court in Dallas against golf retailer Academy Sports. The charge? Counterfeiting Pro V1 golf balls.

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