First-time winner Jee Young Lee claims a wire-to-wire victory at the CJ Nine Bridges Classic. Annika Sorenstam and Paula Creamer were no real threat.
The crowd at the CJ Nine Bridges Classic went wild as the fourth straight Korean to win this event kissed the trophy. Jee Young Lee, a member of the Korean LPGA, is only nineteen and now claims exempt status on the LPGA tour.
Although she finished 1-over par for the day, it was enough to hold off her nearest competitors, Mi Hyun Kim and Carin Koch, by three strokes to win in her hometown. Lee was one of only seven golfers to complete the tournament under par with a 5-under par.
Phil Mickelson chooses to stay home for next week’s Tour Championship.
Phil Mickelson decided on Friday not to play in the Tour Championship. The Tour Championship will be held next week at the East Lake Golf Course in Atlanta, GA. Entry to the tournament is reserved to only the top 30 on the PGA Tour money list.
His decision comes just one week before PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem’s announcement to shorten the PGA Tour schedule. Mickelson and Tiger Woods have long been in favor of a shorter Tour schedule.
The PGA Tour is competing with the NFL, MLB and others for television viewers and hopes their changes to the 2007 schedule will do the trick.
Sports Illustrated is reporting that the PGA Tour will make major changes to its schedule for the 2007 season. The changes, mirroring the rumors the mills have cranked out over the past few months, include a playoff system and four late-season events, according to USA Today. Tim Finchem, the paper said, will present the changes on this Wednesday at the Tour Championship, but must wait until the policy board meets at PGA Tour headquarters on November 7th for final approval.
PGA Tour veteran Davis Love III along with other players on the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council have not publicly discussed the changes that will soon be announced but Davis did have this to say, “We’re looking to create a better product.” Davis also says there will be the same amount of tournaments in ’07 as ’06, if not more.
Since women are now allowed to qualify for the men’s British Open, Men’s European Tour player Jean Van de Velde plans to enter next year’s women’s British Open
European Tour veteran Jean Van De Velde says that he will attempt to enter next year’s Women’s British Open. The 39-year-old Frenchman is upset that the Royal & Ancient Golf Club will allow women to qualify for next year’s (men’s) British Open. The only thing that could even come close to being more disturbing than Jean blowing the 1999 British Open on the 72nd hole is that he says “I’ll even wear a kilt and shave my legs.” What a moron.
“My whole point is where do we draw the line?” Van de Velde asked. He believes the rule change is ridiculous. “If we accept that women can enter our tournaments, then it applies that men can play with women,” he said.
Continue reading “Jean Van de Velde to Enter Women’s British Open”
The PGA of America names Joe Steranka as the successor to Jim Awtrey as chief executive officer.
The PGA of America announced Joe Steranka as chief executive officer Wednesday. Steranka, 47, will become only the second CEO to serve The PGA of America following the retirement of Jim Awtrey. Awtrey, the longest tenured CEO among America’s leading golf associations, served the PGA 19 years. Steranka joined the PGA of America in 1988 as as Director of Communications and Broadcasting and has served as Managing Director of Communication and Broadcasting since 2003.
Grace Park defends her trophy at the CJ Nine Bridges Classic in South Korea against the top LPGA golfers including Annika Sorenstam and Paula Creamer. It’s unfortunate for the fans that it won’t be televised!
I’m a bit frustrated by the lack of information concerning this week’s CJ Nine Bridges Classic. There is no television coverage this week so I’m relying on scant internet information to provide me with details. I can find out and pass along the basics of the event such as dates and times but I can’t fly out to South Korea to watch it. Too bad for me!
It’s a bummer that with all of the three-hundred plus channels I get through my premium cable subscription that I can’t watch the top golfers on the LPGA tour compete at one of the premier golf courses in the world. This is the only official LPGA event held in Korea.
Even the European Tour gets better coverage than this!
I’m dropping the links like they’re hot this week.
So, I’ve put a lid on my golf season. I just got back from Houston and playing some golf with my dad and brother. We had a good time with great weather, but I think, unfortunately, that will be all the golf had for me in 2005. I had fun and this year has really got me energized to find a place to play in 2006. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest, I’d rank my enjoyment, quality of play, and improvement as a 7. Not a great year, but certainly not a bad year either. How has everyone’s year been? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Now, on to the links!
With the aid of Executive Chef Steven Haverson, Winged Foot maintains the highest level of quality for both members and guests.
This interview column is dedicated to the people who grind it out daily but not necessarily out of a sand trap. Whether it is a course superintendent of a local country club or the head of a major corporation I hope to be able to delve into the lives of those who make a difference but are rarely in the public eye.
Today’s interview is with Steven Haverson, Executive Chef of Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. Enjoy!
Continue reading “Steven Haverson, Winged Foot Executive Chef”
There’s more to California girl Natalie Gulbis than a hot golf swing.
The LPGA is taking a breather this week and so is Natalie Gulbis. In Las Vegas Natalie has a chance to visit Butch Harmon for a lesson, return phone calls and focus on her next business venture. Her 2006 swimsuit calendar has just been released and her reality show on the Golf Channel will be resuming in November. You can even play golf with “Cyber-Natalie” as part of Tiger Woods’ PGA Tour 2005!
Natalie gets alot of face time in the press. It’s understandable once you catch a glimpse of her. With her sense of style, athletic 5′ 9″ figure and bright, toothy smile, cameras click, interviewers hound her and a bevy of admirers follow her around on and off the golf course. She is both personable and mature but with an edginess only a twenty-two year old can pull off.
Natalie represents the future of the LPGA to a tee!
Continue reading “Natalie Gulbis Makes Waves On, Off Course”