Masters Preview

DiMarco still has the 2006 playoff in his mind and just watched the Gators win the NCAA Championship, Phil is still dizzy from last week’s birdie bash, and Tiger has his father on his mind. Will one of these three win, or will someone else snatch a green jacket?

Masters LogoThis week is all about the Masters as Dave has broken down the Big 5 and their chances in The Numbers Game, the staff has all placed their picks in our 2006 Masters Predictions and here we are, just a day away from the start of the first major of 2006, the 70th Masters Tournament. While not my favorite major, it is a tournament that I really look forward to seeing and if you’re like me or other TST Staffers, you find yourself glued to the television, radio, and web for the latest news of the tournament and its players.

So let’s take a look at why this tournament will keep us so captivated this week.

Inside the TaylorMade Golf Ball Launch

Here’s your insider’s look at TaylorMade’s golf ball launch event.

Taylormade Ball Launch Follow ArrowsThe Sand Trap was at Reynolds Plantation this week for the launch of TaylorMade’s new TP golf balls. We’ve given you the lowdown on the new TP Red and TP Black balls, and now we’d like to give you some insight into what it’s like to attend a major golf product launch. Read on and you’ll feel like you were there (minus the great food, cool presentations and range time with Sergio Garcia, of course).

TaylorMade doesn’t do anything small, and the brand’s splashy re-entry into the golf ball business was no exception. The event was held over a long weekend at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia – conveniently located between Atlanta and Augusta. Perfect for snaring tour professionals and media members on their way from the BellSouth to the Masters.

TaylorMade TP Golf Ball Video

TaylorMade knows how to get the heart pumping with a fast-paced video that makes you want to go out and whack some golf balls really far.

TaylorMade TP BallsIn case you haven’t heard yet, TaylorMade now makes golf balls. Sunday’s introduction of the TP Red and TP Black golf balls was done by TaylorMade-Adidas Golf CEO Mark King, PGA Tour player Sergio Garcia, and others. Towards the end of the presentation, Garcia introduced a video.

This video (6:07, 31.3 MB .wmv), to be more precise.

Go ahead and grab the video. You’ll find it’s an aggressive, energy-packed video that makes some bold claims and statements, not the least of which is Senior Director of R&D Dean Snell saying “Holy Shit, this is awesome” (though Dean would later jokingly claim he never said “holy shit” and that the audio was dubbed in).

What follows are some screenshots of the presentation for those who don’t have time to watch the six-minute video.

Bunker’s Dozen, April 2006

This month’s edition has a Masters flavor mixed with a new Players Champion and a youth movement.

Another month of the PGA Tour season has come and gone, and it’s time for another edition of the Bunker’s Dozen. The Florida Swing wrapped up two weeks ago with an exciting Players Championship. Also, The Masters is right around the corner and it’s apparent in this month’s rankings. Finally, the LPGA’s popularity is on the rise, but how many ladies managed to make our list? And remember, this list is based off results up to March 31st.

That’s enough talking for now, so let’s get to this edition of the Bunker’s Dozen!

Not So Fast Tiger

Tiger Woods is the definite favorite at Augusta this year, but this week won’t be his week.

Thrash TalkMasters week is finally here! It’s one the greatest weeks of the season for golf fans worldwide. Everyone has been talking about the course changes, potential favorites, dark-horse picks, etc. That being said, it’s time to get the show on the road. Enough talking, let’s play some golf! I’ll be glued to the television for four straight days, and I’m sure I won’t be the only one.

The staff here at The Sand Trap made their Masters predictions already, but I’m going to go a little more in-depth with mine. I’ll talk a little about the course, since it gets nearly as many headlines as the players themselves. I’ll also talk about some contenders, pretenders, and sleepers to watch for. I’ll end with a couple random thoughts for the week.

Volume Fifty-Three

I do have to thank several companies for their great products which made my 94 possible.

Hittin' the LinksIt is with great pleasure and admiration towards the Golf Gods that I had a great showing this past weeked. I know that it may not mean much to most of you out there, but it was the first time I shot under 100. (Yes, I played 18) I finished with a 94 in fact and I felt solid throughout the whole four and half hours. It was great to be out there and really feel good.

Of course, I do have to thank several companies for their great products which made my 94 possible. Below are just a few suggestions that I would make to those looking to crack that 100 number.

TaylorMade Gets Back in the Ball Game

TaylorMade’s new TP Red and TP Black golf balls are the latest premium balls to hit the market, and they feature some unique technology.

Bag DropTaylorMade Golf is using the eve of the Masters Tournament to make a major move back into the golf ball market. The company introduced the new TaylorMade TP Red and TP Black golf balls at an exclusive media event on Sunday at Reynolds Plantation in Georgia, and The Sand Trap was there to get you all the details.

While there have been rumblings for a few months that TaylorMade would bring golf balls to market, many people assumed the product would be a rebranded version of current Maxfli products like the BlackMax ball – an assumption based on the fact that TaylorMade owns the Maxfli brand. Those assumptions are wrong, as were rumors that the new balls would be called the “Tour Arrow.”

Mickelson Demolishes Field at Bellsouth Classic

On his way to victory, Phil Mickelson was one stroke away from the PGA Tour record for a 72 hole event at 260. With an amazing eagle, Webb gets into a playoff she would eventually win for the first LPGA major of the year.

An eagle on the 72nd hole was the perfect way to cap off Mickelson’s magical week. Lefty was on fire all week, opening on Thursday with a 63 and following that up with three more stellar rounds – 65-67-65. His opening round 63 earned him a share of the course record and added to his already impressive collection of course records (TPC Scottsdale, TPC River Highlands, Spyglass Hill Golf Club). He also joins David Duval and Davis Love III as the only players to shoot four consecutive rounds in the 60’s at TPC Sugarloaf. This victory marks his 28th career PGA TOUR victory in 314th career professional starts. Lefty’s numbers were off the chart: he averaged a ridiculous 1.594 putts per greens in regulation, of which he hit 88.9% of the time (this number is somewhat misleading because although he technically missed the green, many of his misses made the fringe), and averaged 309.1 yards off the tee. It goes without saying that Phil’s chances next week are looking very good.

Karrie Webb Wins Kraft Nabisco

It looked like Lorena Ochoa had it locked up, but thanks to a miraculous 116 yard pitch that found the hole Karrie Webb would have a chance to win the women’s first major of the year in a playoff. Webb was so stunned by the final hour of the Kraft Nabisco Championship that she lost her way after completing an amazing comeback Sunday. Even after holing out with her wedge, Webb had to watch Michelle Wie try for an eagle chip and the win. She wound up with a par to finish one shot behind. Lorena Ochoa recovered from a back-nine collapse in time to hit a 5-wood onto the island green at the 18th, then made a six-foot eagle putt to force the first playoff at Mission Hills in 14 years. Webb won with a seven-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole.