2005 Chrysler Championship Preview

The PGA Tour stops in Florida just one week before the Tour Championship.

Chrysler Championship LogoThe Chrysler Championship is the last full-field event before the season-ending Tour Championship. There is really only one key story to keep an eye on this week, and that is the race to finish in the top-30 on the PGA Tour money list. Sure, Vijay Singh, Retief Goosen, Adam Scott, and David Toms are all top-ten golfers playing this week, but those guys have their spots wrapped up. The guys near the 30th position will be sweating it out the most this week.

Preview: CJ Nine Bridges Classic

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!

LPGA logoI’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!

Annika’s Still on Top

With all the talk about the young guns coming to the LPGA, people are forgetting just how dominant Annika Sorenstam still is.

Thrash TalkThere have been numerous articles written worldwide about Michelle Wie’s disqualification at last week’s Samsung World Championship, including a few right here at The Sand Trap. That’s definitely the hottest topic in the golf world right now, all tours included. I thought it was pretty interesting at first, but I have to admit, I’m already tired of hearing about it.

2005 Newport Cup: The Photos

Some pictures to remember the inaugural playing of the Newport Cup.

Newport CupThe Newport Cup may be over, but with the help of some images, it will live forever.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, you’re about to read one heckuva long story. It’s a story of sorrow (Red Team) and jubilation (Blue Team). It’s a tale of birdies and bogeys (and quadruple bogeys). Of water hazards, bunkers, and pine straw. It’s a story of net holes in one and five-hour rounds in some of the best golf weather to be found. For cryin’ out loud, it’s even got a llama!

Join us as we look back at the weekend that was the 2005 Newport Cup.

The Composite Conundrum

Lightweight carbon composite is a club designer’s dream. But it hasn’t been so dreamy in the marketplace. Where does this material go from here?

Bag Drop At the start of 2005, nearly every major driver manufacturer – with a couple notable exceptions – had a new driver made of titanium and carbon composite either in their lineup or on the way. What a difference a year makes. When the calendar flips to 2006 and golf’s heavy hitters congregate at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, only a few drivers utilizing composite materials will likely be on display. Is composite on its way out (for a second time)? Or are the companies that are sticking with composites on the right track?

Volume Thirty-Two

I’m dropping the links like they’re hot this week.

Hittin' the LinksSo, 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!

Glover Wins Funai

Lucas Glover holes a dramatic bunker shot at the 72nd and closes birdie, birdie to win his first PGA Tour event. Yawwwwwwwwn

Funai Classic LogoWith a final-round 65 and a small collapse by Justin Rose, who bogeyed two of his last three holes after getting to -23, Lucas Glover birdies the final two holes to win the Funai Classic and his first PGA Tour event. Last year’s winner, Ryan Palmer, finishes T3 one back of Vijay Singh’s buddy Tom Pernice, Jr., parring his last five holes.

Still, the question on everyone’s mind is rather simple: who cares? Tiger Woods (-3) and Vijay Singh (-4) missed the cut (-6) and the final round was shown on TV in what amounted to tape-delay mode as players scrambled to complete the fourth round prior to the hurricane-force winds that are sure to batter central Florida later tonight and tomorrow. Cody Thrasher talked about no-name players winning on the PGA Tour, and I’ll agree with his opinion: I don’t care about ’em, and they’re not good for the Tour.

Steven Haverson, Winged Foot Executive Chef

With the aid of Executive Chef Steven Haverson, Winged Foot maintains the highest level of quality for both members and guests.

Throwing Darts Title 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!

Natalie Gulbis Makes Waves On, Off Course

There’s more to California girl Natalie Gulbis than a hot golf swing.

Natalie Gulbis 2006 CalendarThe 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!