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The 2005 World Golf Hall of Fame ballots were announced today. Thirty-three players made the ballot which is divided into two categories: the PGA/Champions tour and the International tour. In order for a player to be elected to the Hall of Fame, they must garner at least sixty-five percent of the vote.

Several notable names are new to this ballot, the most recognizable of which is Vijay Singh. Singh’s two majors and twenty-five PGA wins are likely to help him gain several votes. Other first timers to the ballot are Fred Couples, Mark O’Meara, and Davis Love III. On the international ballot, perennial Ryder Cup star Colin Montgomerie makes his debut.

The PGA of America is reporting that Tom Lehman, who was recently dubbed captain of Team USA for the 2006 Ryder Cup, has named his assistant captains – Corey Pavin and Loren Roberts. Between them, they have four combined appearances at the Ryder Cup (Pavin has three, Roberts has one).

The 2006 Ryder Cup matches will be played at The K Club in Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland on September 22-24, 2006.

Continue reading “Lehman’s Right-Hand Men”

About.com has published their list of “Top 10 Golfers of 2004.” The list includes:

• Tiger Woods
• Vijay Singh
• Annika Sorenstam
• Ernie Els
• Phil Mickelson
• Meg Mallon
• Retief Goosen
• Kevin Stadler

It also includes a pair of amateurs:

• Michelle Wie
• Ryan Moore

How would you vote? Discuss it in the comments or in our forum!

In the 2004 Dunkin Donuts Duff Challenge 800 two-man teams from across the nation competed against each other in an attempt to qualify for the chance to play against PGA pros John Daly and Scott Hoch. When the dust settled, Mark Booher and Jerry Mangus of Salt Lake City, Utah had beaten 180 other teams for the chance to battle the pros at Casa Blanca golf club in Mesquite, Nevada for the chance to win $50,000.

Mangus, a sixth grade teacher, has played seriously for the past 12 years and carries a 10 handicap. Booher, the longer hitter of the two, is a mortgage broker, has played for 7 years, and carries a handicap of 6.

Continue reading “People vs. Pros: Daly and Hoch Triumph”

In a surprising move, Colin Montgomerie has pulled his name from consideration for the 2006 European Ryder Cup captaincy. Citing age as his primary reason, though not old age, but rather that he’s too young, Monty has declared that it is time to step up his game and get back into the top 25 of the world rankings. After slipping from 41st to 80th in the rankings just this past year, it’s hard not to agree with him. He needs a new spark and his shining performance this past year at Oakland Hills, as he sank the winning putt, may just be what the doctor ordered.

Continue reading “Monty Sidesteps Ryder Cup Captaincy”

Nick Faldo, winless since 1997, will enter the 2005 without a Swedish fanny. Longtime Faldo caddie Fanny Sunesson, who has worked with Faldo for most of the last 14 years, is giving up caddying to pursue other interests. “It will be exciting, I’m looking forward to it” said Sunesson.

Sunesson may caddy occasionally for Faldo, and has previously caddied for Sergio Garcia during a short split from Faldo in late 1999.

Larry and Drew Nelson shot 25-under in the two-round tournament to win the Office Depot Father/Son Challenge, earning a one-shot victory over Bob and David Charles. “We wanted to win to make sure we’d be back next year,” said Larry Nelson, who pocketed $200,000 for the victory. “It’s nice to win this first one. We played well together. It was a great week.”

25-under par tied a tournament record set by Raymond and Ray Floyd, Jr. in 1995, the Charles team in 1998, Jack and Gary Nicklaus and Raymond and Robert Floyd in 1999.

“For a retired golfer, this was a pretty good week for me,” said Drew Nelson. “There wasn’t desperation, but the way the Charles’ made eight or nine birdies in a row, it got our attention. Drew had played some mini-tour events in North Carolina this year.

Defending champs Hale and Steve Irwin carded a 65 on Sunday to tie for 12th to tie with the only two non father/son teams: Arnold Palmer and his grandson Sam Saunders and Lee Janzen and Payne Stewart’s son Aaron.

The Office Depot Father-Son Challenge celebrates its 10th anniversary this weekend at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Fla as another event in the crowded Silly Season looking for attention. Yet, this tournament stands apart through the work of Alistair Johnston of IMG, one of the largest sports marketing firms. He set out to create a tournament that had serious competition with serious prize money. As it turns out, getting players to participate would be a no-brainer.

“This event will never be pressed to get a field,” said David Charles, son of 1963 Open Champion Bob Charles. “It’s such a unique event they could have 50 teams out there.”

Continue reading “The Office Depot Father-Son Challenge”

Fresh off their drubbing just a few months ago, the PGA of America has revised its points system to award more points to players with top-10 performances in Ryder Cup years, major championships, and tournament victories. The change goes into effect January 6-9, 2005 at the Mercedes Championship. Points accumulated thus far will remain intact.

“The PGA of America’s goal is to ensure the strongest possible team for the next edition of the Ryder Cup Matches at the K Club in Ireland,” said Roger Warren, PGA of America President. “The new system rewards the game’s hottest players as well as many players who have won events in the year of the Matches.”

Continue reading “Ryder Cup Points Shakeup”