Firestone Just Not The Same

Hello. Today the World Golf Championship gets underway at Firestone. And while the field is full of stars, it's just not the same without Tiger Woods.
To say Woods enjoys Firestone is an understatement. He's won the WGC six times. Six! When combined with his other WGC wins, he's even more dominant in them than the majors.
So who's going to step up? Stewart Cink took Woods to a playoff one year. Maybe he can do it.
Is Padraig Harrington motivated enough to challenge Phil Mickelson for the #2 spot, like he says he is? If so, maybe he'll keep his great play going.
And what about Phil? Will he look at this tourney as a chance to establish himself? Or just as a tuneup for the PGA next week?
Will Adam Scott get going?
How about Sergio Garcia?
Jim Furyk, anyone?
Or one of the many talented South Africans?
We will see. Here's betting on Cink.

Regards,
Steve

My Women's British Open Pick

Hello. Well, here goes. I'm picking Michelle Wie to win the Women's British Open!
What's that you say? Wie's playing the PGA event in Reno this week? Oops!
In that case I'll go with a less obvious pick, World #1 Lorena Ochoa.
I think Lorena's going to put a bow on this season. What better way than to win at Annika Sorenstam's final major? It would be a subtle way of saying 'thanks for the memories Annika, but I'm the reigning star right now'.
Who better than Lorena to handle any tough weather? She hits the ball long, and has accuracy to avoid rough. Her green game is solid. And last year's British Open win, her first major, should make her confident.
While the young Asians cannot be discounted, especially since they won the last two majors, I think more experience is needed at a British Open.
As for the Americans, Juli Inkster has the hot hand. Maybe it will continue.
And Annika? I'm sure she'll be up for it, maybe too much. Hopefully she finishes well.

Regards,
Steve

Sandra Schmirler A Huge Hit

Hello. My apologies for not writing yesterday. I got invited by Bob and Mary Wands of the Taylor Group to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation Golf Tournament at Thornhill Golf and Country Club in Toronto.
What a great day! Great people and excellent weather are a tremendous combination. I was fortunate to play with Wayne, Greg and our celebrity, 2008 world champion lead Ben Hebert of Team Martin. After a relatively slow start, we finished at -12 for the day, good enough for first place. Compared to the laughs we had (Ben, you're a riot!), the win was gravy.
Yesterday convinced me more than ever that curlers are in it for the love of the game. And the celebrities are at the Sandra Schmirler for the love of her and her legacy. To have Ben and Marc Kennedy (Team Martin second) come from Alberta, and Jennifer Jones, Cathy Overton-Clapham and Kerry Burtnyk from Manitoba says a lot. You're all to be commended.
On a personal note, I won a closest to the pin on #12 which resulted in each of us in the group receiving a set of clubs. It was a nice feeling to hit a shot like that in front of two other groups.
It was also nice to see Peter Corner, Glenn Howard, Mike and Beth Harris, Stephanie Leachmann, Brian Lipskie, John McPherson and Stephen Blythe again.
Thanks again everyone for a great day!

Regards,
Steve

While Something Needs To Be Done, It's Still Up To The Player

Hello. While Michelle Wie's star is not burning as brightly, she still brings a lot of media attention. It was again true last Saturday, for all the wrong reasons.
On Saturday Wie was told she was disqualified for not signing her scorecard Friday. At the time she was in 2nd place, one shot back.
Right now I'm going to say the responsibility is on the player to sign their card. If I'm Michelle Wie, or any other player, and my livelihood is dependent on having a correct scorecard, I'm triple checking every number and looking for both signatures (mine and the scorer's). These players have signed cards in every tournament they've ever played. It should be automatic.
What I will say as well, as someone who used to manage projects and people, is there need to be checks and balances to ensure the players do what they should've done. And I'm not saying this because it happened to Wie. Mark Roe is probably the most famous case of someone marking the scorecard incorrectly (he was DQ'd after being in contention on Saturday at the 2003 British Open, won by Ben Curtis).
Players don't intentionally make scorecards incorrect. Let's help them get correct cards.

Regards,
Steve

The End Of The Golf Amateur VII

Hello. Congrats to Colt Knost, 2007 US Amateur champ, for winning his 2nd Nationwide Tour event of the season on Sunday. If Knost were to win again in 2008, he would receive the "battlefield promotion" to the PGA Tour for the rest of the season. Worst case, Colt should be able to get his PGA Tour card based on total season earnings.
It's ironic to me this victory occurred the same week as the British Open. Knost qualified for the British with his US Amateur victory, but was not allowed to play because of the exemption restriction of having to remain an amateur (as an aside I think this is ridiculous, not being able to play in an open (pros and amateurs) event because you turned pro).
Did Colt Knost make the right decision turning pro? As I've mentioned from the start, he made the only decision he could make. And unlike other US Amateur champs (Nathaniel Crosby's the first to come to mind) Knost is proving he belongs in the pros. Sure he missed an opportunity to play in the Masters, US Open and British Open. And if it were me, it would've been a once in a lifetime opportunity. But because Knost is climbing up the ladder, he should be able to get into these events one day.
Congrats and continued success Colt!

Regards,
Steve

Before Tiger and Phil

Hello. I'm old enough to remember what the PGA Tour was like before Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Its biggest star was a guy named Greg Norman.
As Tom Rinaldi of ABC correctly said during last week's British Open, Greg Norman was Tiger before Tiger. He had the charisma and talent Tiger has. He's still arguably the longest straight hitter ever. And he captured the imagination.
Last week he was all of the above, leading the Open after 63 holes, and eventually finishing tied for 3rd.
To say this was a shock is an understatement. Norman probably wouldn't have played if not for his new bride, Chris Evert. In the past he was just there as a former Open champion. As Paul Azinger correctly said, you would've picked 100 guys in the field to win before the 53-year-old.
While Norman had a Hall of Fame career, he also holds some dubious records. He's the only one to achieve a 54-hole Grand Slam (in '86), but 'only' won the Open. He's also the only man to lose all 4 majors in a playoff (Masters to Larry Mize, US Open to Fuzzy Zoeller, Open to Mark Calcavecchia and PGA to Azinger). Mize's chip-in and Bob Tway's bunker shot to win the PGA were also incredible "snatching victory" shots most players never experience.
For Norman, however, course management has always been his downfall, and it was again on Sunday. So while Norman was Tiger before Tiger, unfortunately he was Phil before Phil. And still is.

Regards,
Steve

Harrington Deservedly Joins An Elite Group

Hello. Congrats to Padraig Harrington for defending his British Open title. While history will record it as a 4 shot victory, it was a lot closer thanks to Ian Poulter's late charge. Only an exceptional finish by Harrington took away the drama.
This win is big for many reasons. First Harrington was iffy to even start due to a wrist injury. We all saw what a bad wrist did to Phil Mickelson in 2007. I'm sure it was in the back of his mind whenever he was in the rough.
Harrington becomes the first European to win back to back Opens in 100 years. He's the 5th in the last 50 years to defend (joining Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino and Arnold Palmer). And his two majors elevate him into a new class of player, and a Hall of Fame candidate.
Is this win tainted due to Tiger's absence? No way! Harrington was defending, which means he won last year when Woods was in the field. And to those who say Woods would've done well due to his 3rd place win 10 years ago at Royal Birkdale, the same thing was supposed to be true for Justin Rose, who was 4th at Birkdale as a 17 year old. Rose was tied for 70th this year.
Congrats Padraig!

Regards,
Steve

My British Open Pick II

Hello. Well, after Day 1 action, my pick, Stephen Ames, is at +3, four out of the lead. Not a bad thing although he did go out in the afternoon, when things were better, but still tough. However, I certainly didn't consider the following:

1. He wasn't low Canadian. Mike Weir shot 71 in brutal weather, a truly great round
2. He was 3 behind Greg Norman, who shot 70. Maybe being a newlywed helped.
3. He was one ahead of Tom Watson, a factor at 58 years young with a 74.
4. The leaders are Mediate (who thought he'd repeat brilliant US Open form), Allenby (a caddie's worst friend) and McDowell, last week's Scottish Open winner

I picked Ames because he's an older, more experienced ball-striker. In looking at the leaders, that seems to be the common theme. It wouldn't surprise me if any of the names mentioned above (including Watson and Norman) won.

All the best gentleman. Let's make this Open known for something besides Tiger's absence.

Regards,

Steve

My British Open Pick

Hello. Well, this is a toughie. Tiger would've been my first pick because of his past success in the Open in general and on this course in particular (3rd in '98). Of course he's not playing.
Then I would've gone with the hot hand. But Kenny Perry is staying on his home continent.
Next would've been the defending champ. But Padraig Harrington is wounded, and floundering.
The experts are betting on Sergio Garcia. He could win. But I'm not counting on it.
Adam Scott is a favoured player. But again, he hasn't contended in a major, and his hand may still be bad.
I'm surprised no one's going more for Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson. They have 3 majors each. However, recent form doesn't seem to indicate they'll be factors.
So here's my pick - Stephen Ames. And I'm not doing it because he's a fellow Canadian. Ames hits the ball very consistently, which is a must at a British Open. He's also got the no-fear attitude needed to cope with the weather. And he's flying under the radar, something these favourites are not doing with no Tiger. Ames is not expected to win, which should relax him.
You heard it here first.

Regards,
Steve

Is Creamer #2?

Hello. Congrats to Paula Creamer for winning her 3rd tournament of the season, the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic. It was her 7th career win, and she's only in her early twenties. It was a fitting win for the "Pink Panther", as Owens Corning uses the Pink Panther for its advertisements.
Does this, and her challenging until Sunday in the US Women's Open, make Creamer the #2 lady in the world, ahead of Annika Sorenstam? I think so. Creamer may be be hungrier than Annika at this time, because she hasn't won a major. Annika has done it all. And if she never hit a ball again, Annika would be recognized as one of the best ladies ever.
Can Creamer get even higher? I don't think so, at least not yet. Lorena Ochoa has 6 wins, and is still going. She hits the ball much further, and is only about 4 years older. In other words, Lorena is going to be around for a while.
So is the Asian contingent. There are several players, two of which who have won majors this year, who are also young are have a great work ethic. They too will be around for a while.
Paula is #2 right now. She'd better enjoy it while it lasts.

Regards,
Steve

Perry Realizes Dream? IV

Hello. Congrats to Kenny Perry for winning the John Deere Classic, his third win of the season. His dream (and nightmare) season continue.
Perry decided long ago to play in the US Bank Milwaukee event this week instead of going to the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. At the time, it looked like he would be waiting for the Champions Tour and just honing his game.
How things have changed. If Perry were going to the Open Championship, he'ds be a favourite. Maybe even THE favourite. People wouldn't be surprised if he won.
Instead, he's staying on this side of the pond.
Many people have criticized Perry. I see his point however. We criticize players if they don't attend the "lesser" events, like Milwaukee. Perry is honouring his commitment. That should be commended.
Obviously this media stur hasn't affected his game, so he's following his game plan.
And playing links golf can possibly do more harm than good to Perry's game. Although his record is acceptable over there, one bad week could have long lasting effects.
Congrats Kenny! And good luck in Milwaukee.

Regards,
Steve

Do You Want To Retire As Soon As Possible?

Hello. I retired when I was 45. I never thought I'd be able to do it that quickly.
I've figured out how anyone can shave years off their retirement date. I have a general plan that can be tailored to your needs.
Are you interested?
If yes, please reply back, and we'll get started.
If no, I still would like you to reply.
First tell me why you don't want to retire early.
Second, let me know if you think I'm unqualified to help you. I think retiring early makes me qualified, but I could be wrong. Let me know if it's because I'm a stranger.
Third, tell me if my offer is too expensive for you. What's that? I haven't mentioned a price? You're right! There would be a charge, so you let me know what you can afford.
Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Regards,
Steve

Perry Realizes Dream? III

Hello. Well, the dream is becoming somewhat of a nightmare for Kenny Perry. Last year at this time he was struggling to qualify for majors. As a result, he committed to events as the John Deere Classic this week, and the US Bank Milwaukee next week.
Now thanks to two wins in June and Tiger's season-ending surgery, Perry is one of the few candidates for Player of the Year. He's a favourite to win at the British Open and PGA Championship. Except he's not going to play the British Open.
Many support Perry, but many more don't understand his thinking. Especially since Perry has been top 16 in 3 of his last 4 British Opens.
In a way, it reminds me of Stephen Ames after winning the 2006 Players Championship. This automatically qualified Ames for the Masters. Instead of jumping for joy, Ames said he'd already planned to go to Disney World with his family. Eventually Ames did go to the Masters.
Let's let Kenny Perry decide when and where he wants to play. And respect his decision even if we don't agree with it.

Regards,
Steve

Nadal-Federer Lived Up To The Billing

Hello. I'm not much of a tennis fan. I was interested when Borg, Conors and McEnroe were battling, as well as Evert and Navratalova.
I do watch the Wimbledon and US Open tournamentsa fair bit, but lately if I miss them I'm not disappointed.
Having said that, I was very excited about watching the Nadal-Federer match Sunday. And while the rain delays and my previous plans made my ability to watch it limited, I was still very interested. What I did see (the 3rd set tiebreaker and a couple of games at 5-5 in the 5th set) was an absolute classic. And it didn't surprise me when it went to 9-7 in the 5th set.
It also didn't surprise me Nadal won. Then again, it wouldn't have surprised me if Federer had won. They were both playing great, and rising to the occasion.
si.com did a list of 5 best current rivalries. Needless to say, it was lacking. No rivalry in sports matches this one at the moment. And it would be very tough to surpass it. These guys are trying to upgrade, and are for the most part succeeding.
Congrats on a great match!

Regards,
Steve

Happy 10th Birthday To My Daughter

Hello. Today my daughter (who is my oldest child) turns 10. Most of the gifts, featuring Build-A-Bear, Bakugon and Littlest Pet Shop, have already happened. A swim, Chuck E. Cheese and a friend coming for a sleepover are to come.
Where did these 10 years go? How could my daughter go from a baby to a young woman in such a short time?
I'm just glad I'm not getting older, and that it's just her and my son who are aging. And if you believe that....
When I think back, so much has changed. I was in my fifth year of a 13 year stay at the same job. Now I'm retired going on two years.
I used to wonder how to fill my days before she was born. Now I wonder if free time is an oxymoron, even though I don't work full-time anymore.
The toys have changed, but they're there in great abundance.
It's been a wonderful ride.

Regards,
Steve

Perry Realizes Dream? II

Hello. Congrats to Kenny Perry for winning Sunday at the Buick. It was his second win in June, and guarantees him a place on the Ryder Cup team. This is a big deal for Perry because it's being played at Valhalla in his home state of Kentucky.
Earlier I'd written that Perry could be left off the team by Paul Azinger, the US captain and a bit of a loose cannon. My main reason was Perry had opted out of the US Open. Now there's no way Perry will not make the team, especially since a place reserved for Tiger Woods is also open. In fact there would be a huge spin needed if Perry were left off now.
So will Perry, who now is tied with Phil Mickelson for most wins this season by active players, be heading onto even bigger and better things now that his Ryder Cup goal has been met? History would say no. Perry is a very streaky player, with many of his wins coming in May and June. He has time to cool off now, and I think he will.
Will anyone get hot enough now to take the Player of the Year award away from Tiger (an almost unthinkable thought considering Woods only played in 6 events)? Someone else will have to end up with 4 wins and a major for the year. Difficult indeed!

Regards,
Steve

Park Continues Asian Teenager Invasion

Hello. My apologies for not writing Monday and Tuesday. I was observing Canada Day.
Congratulations to In Bee Park for winning the US Women's Open. She becomes the youngest lady to win this event, and the 2nd Asian teenager in a row to win an LPGA major.
Does this mean there is an official Asian invasion? Absolutely! These players are young and hungry. They believe they can win now. In fact, Park's first golf exposure was 10 years ago when Se Ri Pak won the US Women's Open at 20. Obviously that gave her the motivation to win at an early age, knowing it could be done.
The evidence for a decline in the American athlete got another addition last week. Paula Creamer and Stacy Lewis were in position to win, and collapsed miserably Sunday. While Lewis was in uncharted water, Creamer has won 6 times, and was the most experienced of the frontrunners. It didn't help her.
Do players from other countries work harder? You could make the case for immigrants in all walks of life who come to Canada or the US, start from humble beginnings and end up prospering, while those of us born here don't make the sacrifices. Time will tell if it continues.

Regards,
Steve