A Lifetime of Achievement

Charlie Sifford was inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category.

charlie_sifford.jpgAs mentioned earlier, Charlie Sifford was among those inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame this past Monday, almost fifty years after becoming the first African-American on the PGA Tour. Sifford, despite a warning from black baseball player Jackie Robinson that he would face taunts and threats, fought the PGA Tour over its Caucasian-only clause until he became its first black member in 1960. It wasn’t a complete win, however, as Sifford couldn’t stay in hotels at some of the tournaments he played.

Charlie Sifford only won two PGA Tour victories, the 1967 Greater Hartford Open and the 1969 Los Angeles Open. However, he wasn’t even given the chance to compete at the Masters as he was never invited. Still, many believe Sifford’s election through the Lifetime Achievement category was overdue.

“Charlie won tournaments, but more important, he broke a barrier,” Jack Nicklaus said. “I think what Charlie Sifford has brought to this game has been monumental. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame… I think it’s about time.”

Montgomerie Beats Woods in South Korea

In a one-day Skins Game this past Sunday at Raon Golf Club on the island of Jeju, Colin Montgomerie won nine skins worth $75,000 while Tiger Woods and K.J. Choi both collected $51,000. South Korea’s Se Ri Pak ended up with no skins. Five of Montgomerie’s skins were collected on the par-5 10th hole when he sank a 30-foot birdie putt. He started the day by taking the first skin on the par-4 first hole. Tiger took the second hole and earned a total of five skins with a birdie putt on the 12th and another at the 14th.

All of the money won went to charity.

Golf-Ball Finding Glasses

Beware the slick marketing message. Beware the not-so-slick message, too.

Golf Ball Finding GlassesDo you have $40 to blow? You may want to check out these golf-ball finding glasses!

These golf-ball finding lenses, which block out 90% of long wavelength light (dark colors such as greens and browns) let shorter wavelength light (such as whites and yellows) pass through unimpeded, so that golf balls are easy to locate…

And here we thought white light was a mixture of all of the other colors of the spectrum. Silly us!

Send your $40 to The Sand Trap .com. At least it won’t be a complete waste.

Greg Norman to Play MacGregor

Greg Norman will play a full complement of MacGregor products, and will focus on endorsing the MacTec NVG driver.

Greg NormanMacGregor Golf has landed a doozy: a great white shark! Greg Norman, two-time British Open Champion (and 47-time Masters runner-up), will play a “full complement” of MacGregor clubs including the MacTec NVG driver and V-Foil M675 forged muscleback irons. Both of these product lines will be launched in January, 2005.

MacGregor plans to use Greg as their primary spokesperson for the MacTec driver, and adds Norman to a cast and crew consisting of two-time Masters winner José Maria Olazabal, two-time U.S. Open winner Lee Janzen, and two-time fashion template Aaron Baddeley. Baddeley was featured in this year’s advertising because, well, when was the last time Olazabal or Janzen won a tournament?

Norman played in eight events this year, including Silly Season Event #1: his own Franklin Templeton “Shark’s” Shootout. Greg turns 50 on February 10 and will most likely split a schedule between the PGA and Champions Tours.

How’s Your Aim?

“Are you even aiming at the hole?” Well, are you?

Putting is difficult. It’s even more difficult when you have a problem aiming. Find out if you have a problem aiming by doing this simple drill.

Lay a metal tape measure on the ground. Tape a dime at one end, and then 20 feet away, a piece of masking tape exactly perpendicular to the tape measure (you may wish to use a t-square). You’ve created a perfectly straight putt with an alignment aid.

Remove the tape measure and set your putter on the perpendicular piece of masking tape. Cover the dime with a towel. Have a friend place golf balls on what you imagine is the line from your putter to the dime 6 feet, 12 feet, and 18 feet from you. Remain in your putting stance the whole time, instructing your friend to move balls left or right. Remove the towel and check your aim: are you left? Right? Dead on the line with each of the balls?

Aim, according to Dave Pelz, is the first fundamental of putting. Find out more about Dave Pelz at pelzgolf.com. If you’re really serious about your aiming, check out the LazrAimer. Only $459! (C’mon, you’re not that serious, are you?)

Tiger Moving to Palm Beach County?

Tiger and his hot hot wife may be moving out of Orlando and into Palm Beach county.

YachtIs Tiger looking to move to Palm Beach county? Tiger’s yacht, “Privacy” (at right), has been docked in the area for a few days and Tiger has been seen checking out real estate. A fairly new Nicklaus club, Bear’s Club, would be the most likely residence.

Jack Nicklaus describes Bear’s Club:

It has been my desire and vision for 20 years to build a golf club that not only has my name on it, but one that also reflects my love and passion for the game. As the name implies, The Bear’s Club is just that. Unlike Muirfield Village, The Bear’s Club is not intended to be a tournament golf course, but is instead a premier private club. And perhaps Jack’s legacy.

To think: I just moved out of the area! Elin Nordegren has a twin sister who happens to be single. Some foursome that’d be: Me, Tiger, and two hot Swedish blondes. Harumph! Tiger currently lives with Mark O’Meara (wonder how Elin feels about that!) outside of Orlando in a development called Isleworth.

Okay, so he doesn’t live in the same house as O’Meara, but you knew what I meant.

Head Down the Line

David Duval doesn’t do it. Annika Sorenstam doesn’t do it. Both have been or are the #1 golfers in the world.

David Duval doesn’t do it. Annika Sorenstam doesn’t do it. Both have been or are the #1 golfers in the world. What don’t they do? “Keep their head down.” Both Annika and David have a very pronounced head turn at impact, following the ball down the target line.

What began as a training tool for Annika was incorporated into her swing. She found that it eliminated her tendency to “hang back” and finish in the reverse C position. If you have trouble shifting your weight forward through the ball, try to swing like Annika: let your shoulders pull your head around as if you’re following the ball as it leaves your clubface. Finish with your weight forward and standing tall, watching the ball head straight.

Daly’s Wife Pleads Guilty

Sherrie Miller Daly pleaded guilty to a federal money laundering charge and could face a maximum prison sentence of five years, a fine of $250,000 or both.

John Daly’s wife, Sherrie Miller Daly, pleaded guilty Friday to a federal money laundering charge. She and her parents, Alvis and Billie Miller, were indicted on charges stemming from a drug ring and an illegal gambling operation.

John Daly apparently was unaware of his wife’s activities that occurred between 1996-2002. John met Sherrie at a tournament in Memphis, Tenn., in 2001 and married her seven weeks later.

Even though no sentencing date was set for Sherrie, she could face a maximum prison sentence of five years, a fine of $250,000 or both, Assistant U.S. Attorney John Hailman said.

Singh and Renwick on the Rocks

Vijay Singh and caddy Dave Renwick are reported to be having troubles that might lead to a breakup.

Vijay Singh and caddy Dave Renwick have had a good year – Renwick has been with Singh for 7 of his 9 victories. However, reports are running rampant that there is a growing tension between the two.

Back at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, Renwick was replaced after two rounds due to a supposed hip injury by Vijay’s fitness trainer, Joey Diovisalvi, who caddied for the other two Singh victories. Yet Renwick was spotted at the course on Saturday morning. Some speculation suggests that the two had a heated difference of opinion on the practice range at East Lake after Singh carded a 3-over 73 in the second round. “Vijay told Dave he was going to bench him for Saturday, and Dave said, ‘In that case, you can bench me permanently’,” it was alleged by an unnamed source.

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