Golfgal

Do you remember when there was a sign at St Andrews that said, "No women. No dogs."? I remember seeing it, but can't find it today. Too bad - it was a great picture.

Oh yes. Remember Martha Burk in 2002? She protested it and it made quite a fuss.

Hi Everyone I am writing an article about the Masters for Inside Golf and I want to include in it some thoughts on the "no women members allowed" rule. I don't want it to be my opinion in the article, but a collection of opinions by avid golfers like all of you. So...care to share your thoughts on this? I will keep your ID's out of it if you'd prefer not to be ID'd. thanks Gayle

Okay, now this is probably going to get all you golfguys in a tither (moderators, you may have to step in ). But the best tip I ever got (as a woman) was from Ben Hogan when he said, "Ladies, squeeze your breasts together." I swear it fixes any slice in your bag! [IMHO, it keeps us women from swinging with our arms and makes us move our bodies as one unit in the back swing.]

I sent a note to the PR/marketing guy who managed the first one. Maybe he can shed some light. I sure hope they bring it back. One is never enough! Cheers Gayle

I was really moved by this show. I interviewed Scott Vancy III this week on my blog and it brought home what those guys did to make golf a possibility for guys like Scott. Why don't more African American kids play golf?

I think the issue comes down to "independent contractor" versus employee. You seem to think all business men look the same. I am in high tech - believe you me...business men in that space look anything BUT business'y :) Do I like long hair? Not on most men. But on some...it really works. Sorry..I'm a golfgal who loves sexy men and CV is sexy, Greg Norman is sexy (have you seen his hair lately) and Miguel Angel is sexy. (And I'm not the only woman in the world that thinks that). But sexy isn't just long hair. I think Tiger is sexy (not only short hair, but losing it big time!). So hair length is irrelevant. Dictating hair length is very relevant and I'm against it. I would hate to see Tiger in long hair or Phil. Some men looks good scruffy - some men don't! I just want "independent" contractors to have some freedom to choose. Some guys make the wrong choice and I cringe, but they should have that choice (i.e. Charley Hoffman). My comparison to the Yankees was supposed to be funny because I find Damon sexy. If Ichiro were to grow his hair, I'd roll over in my grave - he's my fave player, but I'd hate to see him in long hair. It's not one way or the other across the board with me. I understand what the Yankees did - it's a "team". I was using the JD example to be funny (I guess I failed with you ;)). But in the end, independent contractors like golfers need to be independent. We may hate their choices, but we must stand behind them to make them regardless of our personal opinions. If sponsors back off, then they might get a message. But something tells me that for the truly talented, there will be sponsors standing in the wings waiting to snatch them up. Whew! I think this is the longest post I've ever made

Okay, let's leave baseball for now. What about Lord of the Rings? Viggo Mortensen was hot hot hot in that series - but when it was all over and he shaved and cut his hari - nada!

I can't stand what the Yankees did in terms of dictating " grooming". I hear the PGA is looking to do the same. Heaven help us!

It's about time! Maybe we'll see more LPGA on TV with this deal . I sure hope so. Now they should do the same for the Duramed like they do the Nationwide. And they should balance golfguy with a golfgal!

This is really tough from a woman's perspective (yes, boys...there are a few of us who lurk here ;)). Camilo is every women's xxx dream! I just love watching him play, talk, walk and line up a putt. And he is fulfulling all those dreams on this week's Buick Invitational. Wow! Now...Anthony Kim is someone you want to "mother". Yikes, I expect that's not what he wants to hear, but those are the facts boys. I just love him, but more as my long long son, not as the hottest thing that has hit the links. Both are amazing golfers and will do very well in their careers. And both have great belt buckles ;) But in the end, Camilo is the new Garcia and he's is so hot, I'm having trouble touching my keyboard. hot hot hot... Now...maybe now is the time to move this to the women's segment in this forum ;) Golfgal

No couples on this one. According to GC..."Each of the 12 contestants will compete on equal ground with no consideration of gender when it comes to elimination" Should be interesting...

Just got the bios for all the contestants from Golf Channel - check them out. Kim Kouwabunpat (27, Upland, Calif.) – Focused and driven, Kouwabunpat (pronounced “Kowa boon pat”) has the uncanny ability to pick herself up when she’s been knocked down. The former Stanford University golfer has played on professional tours all over the world in her attempt to make it to the LPGA Tour. Caroline Larsson (24, Orlando, Fla.) – The Stockholm, Sweden, native is considered to be one of the most talented competitors in the field. An accomplished player on the Duramed FUTURES Tour over the last two years, she competed in the 2007 LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament. Brenda McLarnon (25, Charleston, S.C.) – The Belfast, Ireland, native is brutally honest and outspoken, and brings humor and conflict to everything she does. Having played the Duramed FUTURES Tour the last three years, she learned the sacrifice it takes to play professional golf and is ready to capitalize on the hard-earned experience. Gerina Mendoza (23, Roswell, N.M.) – Mendoza picked up the game in her late teens but is one of the most naturally gifted competitors in the series. A member of the Duramed FUTURES Tour, last year she competed in the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament, where she missed the cut. With her length off the tee, Mendoza will be a force to be reckoned with in Big Break Prince Edward Island for both the ladies and men. Blair O'Neal (27, Tempe, Ariz.) – A four-year starter at Arizona State University, she twice won the NCAA Long Drive Championship but has been out of professional golf since 2006 pursuing a modeling career. Before leaving the fairway for the runway, she competed on numerous Tours around the world. Nicole Sikora (25, Yonkers, N.Y.) – Sikora may be the most inexperienced competitor on Big Break Prince Edward Island. After an unsuccessful rookie year on the DURAMED FUTURES Tour in 2007, she accepted a job on Wall Street as an executive assistant for a New York stock broker. Golf has taken a backseat, but now that her business career is on the fast track, she is slowly finding more time to re-devote to the game. Derek Gillespie (30, Oshawa, Ontario) – The only Canadian in the cast, Gillespie was once labeled “the next great Canadian golfer” by fellow countryman and PGA TOUR professional Mike Weir. One of the most talented and experienced in the cast, Gillespie is looking to realize his dream of playing on the PGA TOUR after many years of missed opportunities and bad breaks. Robert Read (30, Seekonk, Mass.) – Reid turned professional to play in Big Break Prince Edward Island. Read will use his humor and prodigious length to level the playing field. Quite the bomber, he has hit drives over 420 yards in long drive competitions. Eugene Smith (30, Glen Ridge, N.J.) – Smith won the 2000 NCAA Big East Championship and later was the Seton Hall Athlete of the Year in 2001. The Canadian Tour veteran once shot 59 at his home course in New Jersey in a round that included a hole in one. Brian Skatell (36, Virginia Beach, Va.) – A very confident player, Skatell prides himself on his meticulous work ethic and considers himself to be mentally strong. Though lacking the same amount of tournament experience as many of the other contestants, he firmly believes that even the best in the field can’t match his skill level. William Thompson (22, Bracey, Va.) – A self-admitted and rather obvious country boy, William “Football” Thompson will be one of the most unique personalities in the cast. The youngest competitor, his Big Break experience will be a trial by fire. Aaron Wright (31, Orlando, Fla.) – Wright put his dream of playing on the PGA TOUR on hold to serve a six-year tour of duty with the Marines, including a five-month stint in Afghanistan. In 2008, the United States Navel Academy graduate played the Hooters Tour and made the cut in a Nationwide Tour event. He lost to Tiger Woods 4&3 in the quarterfinal match of the 1992 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

Have you heard about Phil Bundy and his quest for his PGA tour card at 43 years of age? I interviewed him today for my blog - a great story and a great inspiration for men and women golfers who want to follow their dream. Check him out and follow his story. Golfgal

Although there is nothing on GC's site about it yet, Canadian papers announced Big Break PEI will air on the GC on April 20th. Can't wait - I sure miss watching BB's on Tuesday nights. Don't know the contestants yet, but can't wait to meet them. Hopefully they'll be as friendly as the ones on previous shows who were always ready for an interview after the episodes. Here's the list of 6 men and 6 women - Do you know any of them? If you do...send them my way! Aaron Wright, Brenda McLarnon, Eugene Smith, Gerina Mendoza, Robert Read, Caroline Larsson, Derek Gillespie, Nicole Sikora, William Thompson, Blair O’Neal, Brian Skatell and Kim Kouwabunpat. Gayle

I just got back from playing Steele Canyon outside of San Diego - a great course - challenging for great players and fun for hackers too. I did a full 18 hole video review of the course. Check it out and let me know what you think. Golfgal

I read all the posts on this thread and I came back to this one. I am absolutely convinced that above all other shots in golf, putting is about confidence. I was playing at Steele Canyon a week ago and I had been putting horribly. I took out my putter on one of my last holes and said to myself, "This putt is going in!". I even said it out loud. Then I looked at the hole, backtracked the line to my ball position, hit the putt and it went in. It was a 25 foot putt! I am convinced that it was my supreme confidence in that putt that made it go in. I willed it in! Everyone probably thinks I am crazy, but visualizing the ball fall in the hole, feeling the line backwards from the pin, and really believing it was going to go in...those 3 things that made it happen. I just wish I could see/feel/believe on every hole. I am sure that is what Tiger does. It's not in the technique - putting is 99% a mind game! Just believe.... Golfgal

I would take 10 Gary McCord's over Rich Lerner in a nanosecond! I now turn the GC off when Rich is on the mic. He drives me crazy trying to prove he's buddy buddy with players and talking about all their favorite football and basketball teams. I used to think he was a good writer and witty with words, but in big doses like we get now, he is nausiating. I now turn the GC sound off and listen to music watching golf. I just can't listen to him. Give me more of David Feherty any day!! And if not David, then Renton, Warren and Julian. And if not my fave Euro trio, then Frank and Brandel. But puleeze...no more Rich [can I find another cutzy metaphor] Lerner!

Well, I'm probably too late to pick a winner given day 1 is over. I assume you wanted a "pick" before the FBR started. But...since the thread is still open, I'm going to jump in and say that the "loser" at the FBR is hole #16. What has happened to golf!!!! I just saw Justin and Zach booed by the gallery. That's not what golfers do. We cheer for the best and we're quiet for the not-so-great shots. Respect is the name of the game (or at least it used to be!) I feel like I'm at a soccer game or Nascar race. (Not that they are bad things, but they are NOT golf) I want to get rid of the Coliseum and go back to the gentleman's gallery where we respect players, no matter how they hit a ball on a certain hole. Okay...I'll get off my soapbox now.

I wondered what everyone would think about Monty being captain. I'm pretty happy about it. I wrote a blog post giving my top ten reasons why . I'd love your feedback. You'll come to realize I'm partial to kilts ;)

Hope it's okay to bring up this topic here. Didn't know where else to put it. I just finished up a post I did after interviewing Sally Dee today. She had a few things to say about the winner, Lana Lawless - a woman who used to be a 245 lb male police officer in California. Check out what she had to say and then let me know what you think about this issue. And please be polite (there are ladies present :)). Golfgal

Hi Fourputt. I didn't mean to imply that golf was the only activity couples can share. Diving is a great thing to do together. And I absolutely agree that couples need to do things apart as well. But many couples I know don't do anything together outside of raising their kids. I think that's a shame. I couldn't be happy in that kind of relationship.

Why would you ever marry anyone who didn't love golf as much as you do? It was on my list when choosing a mate - he better love golf and playing golf with me or he's outta here! Not that he can't play with the boys...I'm happy he has friends to play with. I play with my own friends as well. But when we plan our holidays together or weekend getaways from the kids, there's always a lot of golf in the itinerary. If you married someone before you became addicted to this game, then find a way to "encourage" them to share your passion. I have a ton of advice on that! I hated golf until I was in my 40's. Now I can't get enough. So it's never too late guys. Golfgal

My personal goals for 2009 are: 1. Have more fun on the golf course and beat myself up less. 2. Travel and play more courses. 4. Bring my handicap below 15 (okay...maybe that's a bit ambitious...let's say below 17) Okay...so I bet you're asking yourself, what's #3 - she went from 2 to 4. All I can say is...If I make #3, I'll tell you about it ;) Golfgal ps: This sure beats losing weight as a NY Resolution!!!!

Check out this story and these pictures of his swing while he was in Hawaii. http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdis...d=GGPGC0VKK297 Continues on... http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdis...d=XIM0D9493WK1 Apparently, Golf Digest ranked him 8th among the 15 presidential golfers of the past century. Perhaps Mr. Woods should offer him some lessons and get him to #1!