Not long after Stephen Ames putted out on the 72nd hole to win the 2006 Players Championship, bulldozers rumbled onto the famed course and tore down fairways, greens, and even the clubhouse. It’s all part of a massive renovation to bring the facility up to world-renowned status.
The fairways renovation includes removing the topsoil, adding extensive irrigation and fresh sand. Five fairways (1, 2, 4, 5, and 9) have already been completed. Every green on the course is having a subsurface mechanical drainage system instealled which will serve two purposes: to hydrate the greens during dry weather and to quite literally suck the water out in wet conditions. These changes should make the course more playable in worse conditions and put a halt to the extensive rain delays the Players Championship – which moves to May in 2007 – regularly sees in its current March calendar slot.
Dave Koster has the week off, so I’m filling in for him. This week, we’ll be talking about handicaps, course ratings, and slope, as well as how you can take this knowledge to improve your odds of winning a few more bets. For the purpose of this article, I’m going to assume that you know how to calculate your own handicap index. If you don’t, read the appropriately titled “
This weekend marks the 60th anniversary of the 
This past weekend at the Byron Nelson Championship, Adam Scott had a share of the lead going into the final round. Needless to say, the young Aussie didn’t hang on to that lead, enabling Brett Wetterich the opportunity to pick up his first career PGA Tour victory. Wetterich took advantage of the situation en route to victory, but I saw it as more “Adam Scott letdown” than “Wetterich surge.”
For decades, beginning in the 1950s, Etonic was the Avis of golf shoes to FootJoy’s Hertz. Both were based in Massachusetts, both sprung from that area’s strong heritage in shoe making, and both transitioned from street shoes to become golf shoe specialists. Together they dominated the market.
Another nine holes of random information and tid-bits, sure to catch your interest and maybe even provide a little entertainment. This week features a 13 year-old hopeful US Open qualifier, a Doggie Driver, and a unique view on John Daly.
Michelle Wie has made a cut in a men’s event! Glory be to… whoever they worship in Korea. KJ Choi? Also, Daly a suspension-worthy liar? Vijay past his prime? Furyk in the top 5? Plus, Billy Payne replaces Hootie as Augusta Chairman and a whole lot more.
The distinctive black and grey color scheme of Never Compromise’s putters make them a stand-out on the PGA Tour. It doesn’t hurt that Cleveland Golf – Never Compromise’s parent company – has two of the world’s top eight golfers stroking putts with the black and grey putters. 
In 2005 Dr. Alister MacKenzie was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the lifetime achievement category. He became the first architect included in the hall. His induction is no mystery. Consider some of his courses: Cypress Point, Crystal Downs, Royal Melbourne, and Pasatiempo. His crowning work is Augusta National, one of his first designs in the States and a collaborative work with the great Bobby Jones.