EbonyGentleman

Golfers wear hats because squinting in the sun doesn't look good on TV. :)

No, The Masters isn't overrated in my opinion. To me, the event is more than about just the golf tournament. It's about tradition, family and memory. I hear the "Augusta" tune on the broadcast and memories start flooding back of watching it with my dad. I love the fact that traditionally, the final round falls around Easter Sunday (though not this year because Easter Sunday came early). I also love that fact Augusta National demands that only 4 minutes of ads per hour aired on the broadcast. That is true respect for the television patrons. :) As a kid, I remember being sick with the flu in 1986 when Nicklaus won his sixth, watching it on a 13" B&W; television. Greg Norman's collapse in 96, Tiger's blowout in '97 and his infamous chip-in on '05. Mickelson finally getting one in 04...awesome stuff. I plan on visiting my folks tomorrow and watching the Masters again with my dad. I'm sure I'll get a little teary-eyed sitting there with him and enjoying his company. That's what the Masters is to me, anyway. :)

Golf Channel's "Golf Central" show just announced at the very end of their broadcast (1/15, 1-16-08 cycle) that Vince will return to the network to do anchor work. He also will return to Hosting the 'Grey Goose 19th hole' show. Maybe a little damage control from the Kelly Tilghman suspension, but nevertheless, I'm happy about seeing him again. Here's the story on TGC's site: http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.a...8&select;=24773

Thank you everyone for the kind comments. I'm still kind of numb from the experience. You could just feel the history and elegance of the place. I'll have to go back someday. In the meantime, check out http://pinehurst.com . It will make you salivate. :)

Happy New Year folks, it's been a while for me. Just wanted to share an experience I had... Around two weeks before Christmas Day, my wife's job in Southern Pines, NC, had their annual Christmas party. The previous year, it was held at a private golf club. This time it was held at the Pinehurst Resort, home of the famed No. 2 course. I didn't realize this until we were on the grounds the night of the party. We enjoyed a free three course meal in the Donald Ross Grill Room. The pro shop had closed before we arrived, so I didn't get a chance to buy any memorabilia. I walked out on the veranda and patted the "Putter Boy" statuette, then walked back inside and viewed the pictures, locker rooms (with full service bathrooms and Golf Channel on the TV) and trophy cases. I actually saw a copy of Michael Cambell's 2005 US Open signed scorecard. The US Open trophy replica was not in the case, but I did snag a picture of myself with the PGA Championship Wannamaker trophy. I was kicking myself for not bringing my camera beforehand, but luckily I had my camera phone. My wife wasn't understanding why was I was going nuts, but she took the hugs and kisses nontheless. 3 Photos are attached: (Had to shrink them to make the limit.) 1. Me with the Wannamaker Trophy 2. The US Open plaque with autographs from the players. 3. "Donald Ross Grill Room" lettering on the 2nd floor of the ballroom.

I played my first ever golf round today. 9 holes at the course near my home. Shot a crowd pleasing 123. Actually, it was 122, but I penalized myself a stroke after noticing that I was playing with the wrong ball during the Par 3 6th hole on my third shot. I stared off using a Top Flite, and ended up with a Titleist. Almost quit the game entirely after the 2nd hole. Thought about selling my clubs for $10 after the 4th. Hole 1, Par 5 430: 9 (picked up) Hole 2, Par 4 330: 17 Hole 3, Par 4 355: 16 Hole 4, Par 4 375: 15 Hole 5, Par 5 525: 20 Hole 6, Par 3 177: 11 Hole 7, Par 4 400: 16 Hole 8, Par 4 385: 12 Hole 9, Par 3 153: 6 Self Penalty +1 for using the someone else's ball = 123 And that's that. Finally got over the hump of embarrassment (for today that is.)

You'll be seeing this all day on ESPN, Pardon The Interruption, and Around The Horn. This is what Woody Austin said: "I went over his round and my round and I OUTPLAYED HIM FROM TEE TO GREEN. I gave up seven shots in one round.... A person in my position cannot give that man that much cushion....and that's why I came up short. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY PLAYS ANY BETTER THAN I DO WHEN I'M ON. I know that's crazy but I think I can hit any shot anybody in the world can hit. But it's hard when you're afraid of him. That's the fight I have everyday." Major Titles: Tiger 13 - Woody ZERO! While I applaud someone....ANYONE...for admitting that someone has to step up and challenge Tiger, you have to have some credibility.

This morning (8/13/07) on ESPN's Mike & Mike In the Morning show, host Josh Elliott was on the subject of Tiger Woods and his hunt for Jack Nicklaus. He stated that the PGA needs to input a testing policy to "eliminate any doubt in our minds, especially in the current sports era that includes Barry Bonds. It would help Tiger's legacy." First off, I think that the PGA should have a drug policy (like any other sport or common job.) However, I don't think that steroids help the golfer in any way. What's the point of being able to hit the ball very hard without any control? Extremely buff muscles in the chest and arms restrict some needed flexibility in the swing. If muscles and hard swings were the only thing needed to be successful, John Daly would be chasing the Bear, not Tiger. Also, as we all know, Nicklaus won a major at 46 years old and for all we know, he certainly wasn't juicing. Tiger himself was quoted as supporting a policy, and only the players who can't beat him are asking for one with baited breath. Tiger has been bred for this since he was a baby. He is in his physical and mental prime RIGHT NOW. When he was younger he was a physical force, and when he ages he will be mentally sharper than his is bodily. Why the media has to find some fault in legitimate success is beyond me. He is the total opposite of Barry Bonds. Bonds has been portrayed in the media as an obnoxious, arrogant person who cheated to get ahead. Tiger has been nothing but cordial and nice to the media and they are still implying that he cheated??? It's asinine. And Woody Austin is jealous and bitter. That is all.

Can someone explain how this point system works? Does it give extra points for wins, appearances, Major appearances, standings in a tourney or what. I fail to see why Tiger is still #1 in points when he hardly plays week to week, while Vijay and Furyk battled on Sunday and consistently play in tournaments while Tiger picks and chooses. He hasn't won since Charlotte this year and has no major wins in '07. What is up with that?

I think there should be drug testing (steroids) in golf, and implimented immediately. The game does not need the dark cloud that pro baseball has engulfed itself in. How disheartening that it would affect some amateurs that want to turn pro if they knew that the only way to compete was to juice. Since golf from its beginnings has frowned upon cheating, you can't turn a blind eye to anything that would give someone an unfair advantage. I can understand, for example, a legal allergy or asthma med that has a minor steroid in it. If it can't be acquired legally from a doctor, it shouldn't make its way out onto the course.

Sergio: "Pardon my phlegm." He will not win this playoff. He had it won.

Tiger is the best in today's game. But.... "Jack's record is still...the one to beat." RBS: The Royal Bank of Scotland Group.

I haven't read Barranca yet. I'm just waiting on the inevitable Auberlain vs. Annouih matchup.

I picked up Tales from Q-School not long ago and can't wait to get into it. I also picked up his "Open" book about Bethpage Black. What's funny is that I bought "Open" in paperback, brand new at the Dollar Store for, (ha!) one dollar. They had several copies, and I thought about bumrushing them, and putting them on Amazon. Except someone is selling it for a penny on there. Oh well. Everyone has posted some interesting titles. I'll have to check those out as well.

Hey, guys! Nice to meet you both. I'm happy to be a part of the sand trap family, especially with folks from the Carolinas.