Author: Erik J. Barzeski

Sorenstam Bogeys Marriage, Files for Divorce

Annika Sorenstam is filing for divorce from her husband of eight years, David Esch. So much for retiring early to raise a family…

SorenstamAP news sources are reporting that LPGA superstar Annika Sorenstam has filed for divorce from David Esch, her husband of eight years.

“I want to confirm that I have filed for divorce,” Sorenstam said in a statement. “We are working toward an amicable resolution and we appreciate the media’s respect for our privacy. I wish David nothing but the best for the future.” In other words, bug off.

The divorce was filed February 4 in Circuit Court of Orange County. The suit is sealed and no other information is available.

Sorenstam, who has talked in the past about retiring early to start a family, is at this moment formulating a new plan. Will she stay on tour long enough to break Kathy Whitworth’s record of 88 career LPGA victories? We don’t know. Annika currently has 56.

Said David Esch about Annika, “that’s the problem with driven women… sometimes they drive right over you.” Okay, so he didn’t really say that. But it would have been funny if he had. More at pga.com.

Photo Credit: © Unknown

Maxfli’s BlackMAX

The Maxfli BlackMAX is the newest challenger to Titleist’s dominating Pro V1/V1x. Sporting a unique dimple pattern, the ball should be available March 15, 2005.

Black MAXMaxfli‘s got a new ball, and they say it’s got the distance of the Pro V1x and the feel of the Pro V1. Scheduled for a March 15, 2005 release, the Maxfli BlackMAX should MSRP for about the same as the Pro V1, and players can expect a street price of $39.95.

The BlackMAX is currently being played on every major tour, though it may be some time before big-name players switch to the new ball. This includes TaylorMade/Adidas staff player Sergio Garcia, who continues to play Titleist’s Pro V1x (second source) last year despite Sergio’s 2002 deal with TaylorMade/Adidas (second source). Most professional golfers prefer to switch balls only at the beginning of the off-season, and the Black MAX missed that window by a month or two.

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The Green, by Troon McAllister

The book is a fantasy disappointment through and through.

Despite what the glowing reader reviews found on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com lead me to believe, The Green, by Troon McAllister, is a disappointing book at best.

The story is narrated by Alan Bellamy, “Player of the Year” and Ryder Cup captain. After being defeated for $20,000 by a public links hustler named Eddie Caminetti, Bellamy names Caminetti the 12th man to the US Ryder Cup team. Heavy underdogs this year, the US team members witness Eddie’s play and agree to pay him $100,000 if he helps them to win or keep the Cup.

The first page promises that things eventually go “haywire,” but the expectation remains sadly unfulfilled throughout the book’s 289 pages.

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Clambake Round 1: New Week, Same Leader

David Duval shoots +13 and Phil Mickelson shoots -10. Just another day on the PGA Tour, eh?

Phil MickelsonWhat will Phil do next?

How about tying or setting a second course record within a week. His 60 tied the course record last Friday at the FBR Open, and now he’s beat the previous course record at Spyglass Hill by 2 with a blazing 62. Some 62s had been shot in the past, but only under lift/clean/place provisions. Phil’s 62 beats the old course, a 64 by David Berganio in 2001, by two.

The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, or “The Crosby Clambake” for all you ol’-timers, is contested on three courses: Pebble Beach, which hosts two rounds for those who make the cut, Poppy Hills, and Spyglass Hill. Historically, Spyglass Hill plays the hardest, making Phil’s feat – and his resulting leap to the top of the leaderboard – all the more astounding.

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Norman Bites Finchem, PGA Tour over Technology and Overseas Play

Greg Norman, successful businessman and moderately good golfer, feels the PGA Tour and Tim Finchem should limit ball technology and help competing worldwide tours.

Greg NormanAustralian born-and-bred Greg Norman has never been one to keep quiet when he believes in something. It’s one of the things we admire about the ol’ two-time (cough, ahem) major winner. Recent topics have caused the Shark to go into a small feeding frenzy. His victim? Tim Finchem, the PGA Tour, and “technology.”

First, Greg Norman tackles the issue of a “tour ball,” an idea that’s been batted around for the past decade or so. Greg, who recently hit a ball 356 yards, asks that restrictions be placed on pros but not amateurs. “Put the restrictions on us. We are the best players… Don’t let us take advantage of technology like we have.” This is the same Norman, recall, that recently switched to the MacTec NVG driver, saying during an interview during the PGA Merchandise Show that he chose MacGregor because “they have great R&D and that results in amazing technologies, like the MacTec NVG.”

Bit your own tail a bit there, didn’t ya Greg?

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Big Break III Begins Tonight

The Big Break III is here! Hot chicks and sticks – what more could you want? How about stiff competition and catfights? We shall see!

This is just a quick reminder: The Big Break III premieres tonight on The Golf Channel. Hosted by Vince Cellini and Stephanie Sparks, and with women instead of men, this season of The Big Break looks to be an interesting departure from the Lesley Swanson/Rick Smith/men mold of the first two seasons.

Check our previous article on The Big Break III, which takes place at Williamsburg, Virginia’s Kingsmill Resort.

Where the Site is Going

Tell us what you’d like to see from The Sand Trap.

The Sand Trap is now a few months old. The forum is nearing two months old. We’ve redesigned the site once already. Where are we going?

The answer is simple: nowhere and everywhere at once! In the coming weeks and months, we plan to publish more:

  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • “Swing Thoughts” (opinion pieces)
  • More of the other stuff too!

We’ve got a great staff right now, and The Sand Trap is growing. We’re looking forward to bringing you tales from the tours and equipment news and views. We’re looking for a sponsor so we can advertise a wee bit (potential sponsors are welcome to contact us).

We’re also interested in what you have to say. What do you want to see from The Sand Trap? What can we do to make the site more interesting for you? Let us know – drop us a line and share your thoughts.

We don’t bite. But those Y-Cutters sure do…

Phillin’ Good: Mickelson Wins the Phoenix

The Phoenix son Phil Mickelson was a safe bet this Sunday as he wins the Phoenix, errr, FBR Open by five shots, the largest margin of his career.

Phil Mickelson FbrPhil Mickelson, who has had (and by most accounts continues to have) gambling problems, would have been able to safely bet on himself today as he walked away with the Phoenix FBR Open. His final-round 68 left him five shots clear of second place.

Youngster Kevin Na, the youngest player on the PGA Tour at 21, shot a 69 to finish in a tie for second with Scott McCarron at -12. David Toms, Steve Flesch, and Tim Herron – none of which could mount a charge at all – finished at -11, six strokes back.

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Phils Like Home

Kevin Na faltered while Phil Mickelson surged on the final four holes of the third round of the Phoenix, errr, FBR Open.

Phil MickelsonIt wasn’t a 60, but it was good enough to extend his lead to 4 shots over youngster Kevin Na heading into the final round of the Phoenix FBR Open. The likes of K.J. Choi, Kenny Perry, and Steve Flesch remain within five, but this is now Phil’s tournament to win or lose.

Going into the 15th, Na and Mickelson were knotted at -12. From 238 on the par 5 hole and a bit unsure of the wind direction, Na yanked his approach just a bit left, ran through the bunker, and trickled into the water. He wedged his penalty drop to four feet and missed the par putt, while Mickelson played safely after a poor drive and parred. On 16, Na three-putted to Phil’s good save from the deep, deep bunker. On the short par-4 17th, Phil birdied and Na made an ordinary par, a situation that repeated itself on 18.

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