1 In 4 Rule A Good Thing?

Hello. In the past I thought the "1 in 4 rule" (play every tournament at least once in a 4 year span) the LPGA uses was a no-brainer good thing. Why hadn't the PGA implemented it, I wondered?
Well, I've almost done a 180 degree flip on it now, after hearing some discussion on the "Grey Goose 19th Hole" show on The Golf Channel.
Lorena Ochoa missed the Corning Classic 2 weeks ago. She cited having 8 title defenses and the majors as mandatory tournies, plus 2 Mexico events where she's the top draw. That makes 14 mandatory events.
I'm not trying to defend Lorena, but having this rule does make things more difficult for her when considering tournies.
A good point made in the show is the rule only applies to the top players, because no one cares about the others showing up or not.
It lead me to conclude that if some tournies, like the men's Canadian Open, are not better, they don't deserve to have Tiger and Phil and others in the field. And that makes the tournament decide to stay as is, or get better, like the women's Canadian Open. And that's a good thing.

Regards,
Steve

A Farewell To Curling II

Hello again. Well, I just left a voiemail for my men's skip saying I would not be curling next year.
This breakup is a little easier to take. We were only together last year. The chemistry was not good. And many people were away for extended periods of time.
I was lead. Our second bought a place down in Florida in the winter. I'm sure he'll be making good use of it.
Our skip is a great person, very calm and patient.
Our third was polar opposite - intense and opinionated. His reality and mine were not the same. While he's overall a very good person, I should like him more than I do. We agreed to disagree.
Our original plan was to rotate positions, as all of us had skipped. When I saw the group dynamics, I said I wouldn't skip. I'd stay at lead, and only play up if people were away. I kept that promise.
All the best guys!

Regards,
Steve

A Farewell To Curling

Hello. My apologies for not writing Tuesday. I will do two columns today.
Yesterday I sent my "recreational" curling team an email saying I would not be curling in the upcoming season. My plans to meet with them have been postponed indefinitely due to the reason I will not be able to curl (just too busy). I felt it was best they knew now so they could make plans.
It's going to be tough to not curl with this team anymore. We came a long way. Rod, Richard and I have curled together for about 7 years, Richard and I even longer. Most of those years we lost often and large. I used to tell my wife we had a tough game Thursday. She'd ask me who we were playing. I'd reply I didn't know. It didn't matter because we were that bad. One year we only won 4 games out of 30. Need I say more?
We went from those humble years to a top team because of Susan joining us 3 years ago. We were top 5 ever since, and 2nd this past season. Unfortunately we did a "New England Patriots" because of our skip (me). But it was fun, even through the bad times.
All the best to my teammates! Thanks for everything!

Regards,
Steve

Caledon Woods Great For The High Handicapper

Hello. On Sunday I spent a lovely afternoon golfing at Caledon Woods, just north of Bolton on Highway 50.
I had played on this piece of property many years ago when it was known as Bolton Golf Club. It may have been the worst golf course I've ever played. I vowed to never go back there unless it was blown up.
My prayers were answered. The course was completely redesigned. It's in great shape. And a perfect challenge for the high handicapper.
My playing companion was a gentleman named Andy, himself a high handicapper. I can see why he enjoys playing there. It's not very long. In fact, I would've tried to drive some of the par 4s if we weren't waiting every shot.
What it does require is accuracy. The fairways are quite narrow, as they should be on a short course. The traps are deep, but fair. And most of the trouble is lateral, which again is better for a high handicapper.
Caledon Woods is a very nice layout overall.

Regards,
Steve

Blue Springs Always a Treat

Hello. Yesterday I played Blue Springs for the first time in 2008. I've played the small Trillium course a few times with my family already, but Wednesday was the big course.
In spite of very cold weather for May 21st (5 Celcius when I arrived, 7 Celcius when I left), it was a real treat. I played with two very nice people, Cathy and Dan, and we managed to stay dry.
The layout is very good, especially considering it was done by an amateur. The scenery is also very nice, as much of the course is bordered by trees and open grass fields.
In my job, I get to hear lots of comments (good and bad) about many of the Clublink courses. I've yet to hear anything bad about Blue Springs.
The people also make it a wonderful place to play. The pro shop staff is second to none. They've always treated me very well.
Right now Blue Springs is having a $10,000 initiation fee special. With a very nice 18 hole course, driving range and Trillium 9-hole par 3 course, I think it's a great time to get in on the deal.

Regards,
Steve

And Then There Are 3? III

Hello. Congrats to Lorena Ochoa for winning #6 of the season at the Sybase LPGA stop.
How well is Lorena playing? After the distraction of Annika Sorenstam announcing her upcoming retirement, and having Anika beat Lorena for the first time this year, you could argue there was momentum on Annika's side. That momentum was squashed as Ochoa came through again.
Six wins! And it's only mid-May! Could another 6 (or more?) be in the cards for the rest of the season?
Lorena is fighting off any demons she has ever had. And she did have a few going into last year (never winning a major, never winning a playoff, etc).
Will Annika have a swan song worth remembering? Or will Lorena steal the show?
And what of Paula Creamer and her 2 wins? She seems to be a distant 3rd now. Amazing. If she was on the PGA Tour with 2 wins as a 20-something, everyone would be banging her drum. Instead she's hardly noticed.
What will happen next? Stay tuned!

Regards,
Steve

Iron Man a Must See

Hello. My apologies for not writing Monday. It was Victoria Day in Canada.
On Friday our family went to the movies. My wife and 9 year old daughter watched Narnia Prince Caspian. My 6 year old son and I didn't watch a movie. We watched IRON MAN!!!
Iron Man is more than a movie. It's decades of comic books brought to life. While Iron Man was not one of my favourite Marvel heroes growing up, he is now!
Robert Downey Jr was excellent as Tony Stark/Iron Man. I always judge someone's acting performance by asking if you can imagine anyone else in the role. In this case it's no. There are many references to Downey's own misbehaving in this movie. And how he handles them is brilliant.
The fact my son watched the whole thing without panicking says the violence is at an acceptable level. I also don't remember much profanity. And it moves at a fast pace.
There's no doubt Iron Man will be a huge cash cow. It's already exceeded expectations. My son wants an Iron Man action figure. I hope he lets me share.

Regards,
Steve

The End Of The Golf Amateur VI

Hello. So now the question is, will anyone ever stay amateur after winning the US Amateur again? What possible incentive is there, other than playing in 3 tournaments? Why give up your endorsement power when it could arguably be at its peak? Why not do what Colt Knost has done, turn pro and get a Nationwide win?
The more I think about it, the more I'm in favour of no golf amateurs period. Let kids be pro. What harm is there? They'd get free equipment and money for entering tournaments. Both are good things people!
The golf amateur, for all you purists, has gone the way of the competitive golf club professional. And while the PGA Championship still has a great field in spite of the club pros, their absence would not be missed. Similarly, as more young men and women turn pro, the amateur ranks will get so thin as to become insignificant.
How quickly will this happen? Michelle Wie may have started a craze. If you're talented and live in a place like Hawaii, you need a fortune to play competitive golf. Turning pro is the only way.

Regards,
Steve

The End Of The Golf Amateur V

Hello. Congrats to Colt Knost for winning on the Nationwide Tour last Sunday. It was Colt's first professional win. Two more this season and he earns a "battlefield promotion" to the PGA Tour.
This win solidifies in my humble opinion Colt made the right move turning pro when he did. While he did give up his exemptions for playing in the Masters, US Open and British Open (which still baffles me why Knost had to do it), the benefits far outweigh the losses.
Imagine if Colt had remained an amateur. He would've had no status to play pro events. The bills would keep coming, and his schedule would be all amateur events until after the British in July. No endorsements. And minimal motivation, since he won the biggest amateur prize last year.
Not only that, but weaker competition. Since many of the best players are forgoing amateur golf to turn pro, the amateur fields aren't what they used to be. Colt could win every amateur event and still wonder if he had the game to go pro. Now he knows, as it's been proven repeatly how the Nationwide is a launch point for many top players.
More tomorrow.

Regards,
Steve

And Then There Are 3? II

Hello. Congrats to Annika Sorenstam for winning the LPGA event Sunday. It was Anika's 3rd win of the season, and first with Lorena Ochoa in the field. It was also the 72nd of her career, which is 3rd on the all-time list.
Sorenstam certainly silenced me, winning by 7 shots. She then silenced all of us today by saying it would be her last season. While it's not a shocker (Annika has hinted she'd like to do several other things, including have a family), the timing was surprising, coming two days after a dominant win.
Will Annika stay retired? Well, the player she's compared to most now, Mickey Wright, quit playing full time at 34, then won her last LPGA event (#82, 2nd all time) at 37. Annika is 37 now. I can see her coming back on a limited schedule (children permitting) for a couple more years. Certainly her signature event, the Ginn Open, would probably be one she'd play for several years.
Is this a good move? I think so. So many athletes don't retire when they're at or near the top, then fade so badly their careers aren't remembered fondly. Congrats Annika!

Regards,
Steve

The Next Great Thing? II

Hello. Congrats to Sergio Garcia for winning The Players Championship Sunday under very trying circumstances. Garcia managed a 71 in difficult winds to catch Paul Goydos, then won on the first playoff hole, the infamous 17th, when Goydos found the water.
Sergio has been proclaimed the Next Great Thing since he was a teenager. Now at 28 he's come through with his biggest victory. Of course he has won before in Europe and on the PGA, and come close in majors. He's been legendary in Ryder Cups. Still, significant individual wins have not come prior to last week.
Will this open the floodgates? Maybe. Garcia putted well, which has been his downfall recently. However, it's been 3 years since he won on the PGA Tour. While I did see a new maturity in Sergio this week, the jury's out on whether he's permanently at a new level.
And now to address the 'controversy' of starting the playoff on the 17th. Why NOT start it there? It's only the most controversial hole in golf, and one of the most famous. It almost guarantees the playoff will end quickly. Why not start it there, and end it quickly? Of course, many playoffs start on the 18th so the crowd doesn't have to move. Who cares? No big deal either way.
Congrats again Sergio!

Regards,
Steve

The Next Great Thing?

Hello. Congrats to Anthony Kim for winning Wachovia Sunday. It was his first career win at the very old age of 22 (tongue firmly in cheek). He joins a list of legendary players who won prior to their 23rd birthday - Wadkins, Ballesteros, Crenshaw and others. Oh, and Tiger and Jack.
There have been many 20-something winners this year. So is this pack ready to push Tiger? And is Kim the leader of the pack (love that song!)?
I haven't seen Mr. Kim play yet. But if people think he's going to win The Players this week (and he very well could) let's try to dial down the expectations. Kim could be a Ryder Cupper. He could finish the year in the top 10 on the money list. He could be in the top 10 in the World Rankings. He could win another event. If he did any of those things, he'd have had a great year.
I know people want someone to give Tiger a run. And now there seem to be some candidates. But to anoint someone after his first victory as the next great thing is ridiculous.
Let's just let Kim play, enjoy his successes, and be prepared and understanding of his failures. And leave it at that. Actually, we should do that for every player, including Tiger.

Regards,
Steve

The Club At Bond Head A Nice Experience

Hello. Today I played The Club at Bond Head South course for the first time. It was a nice experience.
The weather was not the best, but the company was great, and the speed of play fantastic. The clubhouse is right up there with any facility I've been at. And the staff was first rate.
Our host made everything very nice for us, including picking up the tab. The tour he provided for us was very informative.
The South course is a toughie. The average player would be lucky to break 100. I barely broke 90. The sand traps are severe. And the greens are not flat.
Would I go back again? Yes, but not in the near future. The location is far for me (northeast of Tottenham). On the way I passed many courses, including my all-time world #1, Osprey Valley Heathlands. When I came home, I was thinking how nice it would be to have played there instead. Unfair criticism for sure, and to be fair it's nice to play a course for the first time.
I would recommend The Club at Bond Head for anyone to play, as long as they aren't looking to set the world on fire.

Regards,
Steve

And Then There Are 3?

Hello. Congrats to Paula Creamer for winning on the LPGA Sunday. Creamer became the 3rd multi-winner in 2008, along with Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa.
So are there 3 dominant LPGA players now? Well, Creamer did win with Ochoa in the field. Ochoa came 5th. Annika hasn't done that yet.
I think all 3 have separated themselves from the rest. However, Ochoa has separated herself from Creamer and Sorenstam. Of course, that could change at the LPGA Championship. I doubt it, however.
Wasn't it only two years ago Creamer was always mentioned with Morgan Pressel and Michelle Wie? As in who was the best of those 3? Since then, Creamer has moved up to #3 in the world, Pressel has become the youngest major winner, and Wie has been injured and missed cuts.
Can Creamer move even further up the ranks? To do so she's going to have to hit the ball further. Right now both ladies ahead of her can launch it by her.
Does Creamer have the desire to go higher? I think so. She's done well financially off the course, so she can focus on that target.
Congrats again Paula!

Regards,
Steve

Roger Over And Out

Hello. Usually I don't comment on baseball, because I've always thought it was a sport that died a long time ago. However, the Roger Clemens train wreck is too big to ignore.
Clemens was always known as a guy who did things his own way. And let's face it, the guy could pitch, even when he started his career. Obviously too many people let him get away with his behaviour because of his ERA.
Then the Mitchell report comes out. While it has been regarded by many as just scratching the surface, it certainly scratched hardest on the Rocket. And when he denied it like he was in pain, the scratching continued to find his wife using HGH, his friend and teammate Andy Pettite using HGH, his friend and teammate Jose Canseco using everything, and affairs with multiple women. The thing all these other people did that Clemens hasn't done is admit it all.
Clemens did start in the right direction by saying he did everything except take performance enhancers. It's a good first step.
Now it's time to do a Marion Jones, who denied for years she took enhancers in spite of her two significant others being caught doing it. She finally came clean.
As one blogger said, admitting to multiple affairs should be more difficult than admitting to taking enhancers. If you're a man. Do it soon, so everyone can move on.

Regards,
Steve

Golf In The Olympics? My View

Hello. A big push is happening to see golf in the Olympics. Apparently 2016 would be the earliest the Olympics would have golf.
One of the big supporters, David Fay, sees it as an individual competition only, with the pros allowed to play. I'm sure there would be a limit of how many per country, and some qualifying process for which countries would be allowed. Then again, maybe they'd just take the top 100 players from the World Ranking and go from there. And I assume men and women would both be included.
So would the Olympics benefit? Would golf benefit? My view is golf in the Olympics would enjoy the same benefits as tennis has. Right now, I can't think of any.
Did you know Stefan Edberg won a tennis gold medal? Or Canada's own Daniel Nestor? I had to rack my brains for that one.
But I do know Roger Federer is closing in on Pete Sampras' Grand Slam record. And Nadal is the 3 time defending French Open champ. Most sports fans do.
Will it be any different for golf, where the majors are also the main thing? I don't think so.

Regards,
Steve