Category: ProFiles

In the minds of many Americans, golf celebrity was realized in Arnold Palmer. He was the people’s champion. He could hit the ball a mile, had a quirky follow through, and putted knock-kneed, which was fun to watch. Then along came Jack. He stole the show and set an almost unattainable standard for success in the golfing world. Tiger showed up a few years back and began to redefine the title “best golfer ever” yet again. He’s probably already done but we’ll still wait until he beats Jack’s record.

Long before any of them there was a quiet man who redefined the word “champion.” He was a lowly greens keeper who became the first international celebrity in golf: Harry Vardon. Here is a snippet of his fascinating life…

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Integral to just about every sport (minus curling) is some kind of ball. For hundreds of years the golf ball has evolved from a rock or primitive wooden sphere to the technological marvel it has become in recent years.

No other sport has allowed as many differences in their ball’s playability as golf has the golf ball. Foremost on a modern player’s mind are spin, compression, distance, and aerodynamics. Different players want different things from golf balls. Some need lower spin for distance others are looking for higher spin for different flight and control possibilities. Golf ball makers have seized upon this opportunity and churn out a plethora of options for amateurs and pros alike. Golf equipment manufacturers make more money from golf balls than they ever will their clubs.

So where has the lowly golf ball come from? What is it’s history? Lets take a peek…

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And now we all turn our attention to the Ryder Cup, is only a month away. The United States finally has some new talent on the roster. The new guys have tons of incentive to prove themselves worthy of the spot they fill and the old guard are tired of losing.

With Tiger Woods playing like his dominant self there is no reason that the United States won’t bring the Ryder Cup back to the United States. Unless you consider that Colin Montgomery, Sergio Garcia, David Howell, and other dominant Europeans stand in their way.

Sneek a peak with me into the history of the Ryder Cup and get my prediction for this year’s winners.

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While Alister MacKenzie and Donald Ross are recognized designers in the world of golf, you may not have heard of a certain Scottish golfer and designer named Tom Bendelow. While you may not have heard of him, you’re likely watching the PGA Championship at Medinah Country Club, one of Bendelow’s designs.

The most prolific designer in North America, having designed over 800 courses, Bendelow’s contribution to American golf have been largely unappreciated. Designing in a time when earth moving was largely impossible Bendelow’s designs incorporated what the land gave him.

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The Nationwide Tour has become a clearinghouse for the world’s best players. While not every player who plies his trade on the Nationwide Tour makes it to the big time, many of them go on to successful careers on the PGA Tour.

Excellent events in their own right, purses have gotten bigger and the level of competition better in recent years. Many PGA Tour professionals would tell you that the talent gap between the PGA and Nationwide Tours has shrunk dramatically, making the Nationwide Tour the best place to hone your skills for the PGA Tour.

Continue reading “Nine Holes on the Nationwide Tour”

The ballyhoo prior to this year’s U.S. Open reached a fevered pitch. Analysts the world over predicted that Mickelson was going to grab another major and run. He had played so well at the start of the year. His double driver strategy was sheer genius and he trounced the field by 13 shots at the BellSouth classic. That was all before the old Phil showed up on the final hole of the Open.

But let’s give Phil a little more credit. Gone are the “best player to have never won a major” days. He’s proven he can do it and one little bitty mess on the final hole of the U.S. Open won’t change that. Phil will win again.

Tiger had fallen out of favor with the media because his putter wouldn’t behave at the Masters. His father’s passing and subsequent missed cut at the U.S. Open brought further media doubt. The King of the Golf World had fallen off his throne and the heir-apparent was ready to snatch the crown.

These are the real-life battles fought by world’s top two golfers. Let’s leave the golf course for a moment and head to the 19th hole for a little behind the scenes banter. Lets get ready to rumble: Tiger and Phil square off celebrity death match style…

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Steve (or Stevie) Williams is Tiger’s fiercely loyal and dedicated caddy. Precious few can understand what goes on behind the ropes in Tiger’s life and Williams is one of them. Williams must be similar to the guys that were taming the “Wild West” because he comes across as a cowboy. He marches to the beat of his own drum while working hard for the boss.

Join me for a quick nine holes with the camera-snatching, club-pulling, car-racing boy from New Zealand.

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Easily identified by his Wilson Staff hat, thick Irish accent, and wide putting stance, Padraig Harrington has grabbed his piece of the golf pie. Many of you will remember one of Harrington’s defining moments: the 65-foot eagle putt he holed on the final hole to beat Jim Furyk by a stroke at the 2005 Barclays Classic. It was one of the best moments in 2005 even though Furyk didn’t appreciate it. “There’s no consolation,” Furyk said. “Finishing second really stinks!”

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The Open Championship at Hoylake is less than two weeks away and I can hardly contain my excitement for golf’s oldest and grandest stage. Some of golf’s greatest champions (Vardon, Jones, Hogan, Palmer, Nicklaus, Woods) have won The Open and I’m looking forward to seeing which winner will be revealed in 2006.

Join me on a quick nine as I explore The Open Championship…

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