Green Posse

Okay, I broke down and actually watched the World Cup matches today. It was not the most riveting golf I’ve ever seen, but given it’s mid-December, I shouldn’t expect too much. The U.S. team of Cink and Henry looked completely lost out there. Cink hit a couple of 20-handicapper shots that left Henry in a bad spot to try and recover from.
In the end, the German team of Langer and Marcel Siem (who?) beat the Scottish team of Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren in a playoff after the two teams finished regulation tied at 16-under par. …read more

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Everyone knows I’ll watch pretty much anything on TV that is golf-related. Except I haven’t watched the 2006 World Cup, taking place at Sandy Lane Resort in Barbados. There are 24 two-man teams from around the world competing in four-ball, and then foursomes matches. Stewart Cink and J.J. Henry are the U.S. representatives, though its a far cry from when Tiger Woods teamed with David Duval back in 2000 to win the event.
While the event has some European top draws like Montgomerie, Donald, Langer, and Howell, the U.S. couldn’t get anyone from the top 10 to attend, …read more

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In a somewhat strange move, the Golf Channel announced today that it’s sponsoring an “Amateur Tour”, nationwide, for all abilities and skill levels. Say what? Here’s the official announcement: “The mission of the Golf Channel Amateur Tour is to provide amateur golfers, nationwide, a professionally organized format in order to compete at the highest possible level. Our goal is for participants on the Tour to receive a treatment comparable to what a golfer would get playing on a professional tour.”
The last sentence is mystifying for sure. They want amateur golfers to receive treatment comparable to what professional …read more

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The inward nine of the Big Break VI finals were more enjoyable than I thought they were going to be. In the previous week’s episode, they only showed the outward nine and at the end of 9 holes, the women were tied, but Denny Hepler was 5 holes up with 9 to play. I thought Hepler was going to cruise to victory.
However, on the second nine, Jeff Mitchell mounted a serious comeback, winning the first three holes and eventually sending the match to overtime. It was not to be for Mitchell though as Hepler defeated Mitchell 1 …read more

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I was looking for golf balls recently at our national chain sporting goods store, and though it’s been this way for 10 years now, it struck me that there are dozens of golf ball types to choose from. I can’t imagine being a beginner and wondering what ball to choose. On the up side, you can’t really buy a bad golf ball nowadays because even the low-end balls are still pretty decent. But it got me thinking, and…
When I was twenty-something, I hated “old guys” telling stories that began with “back in my day…”, and I swore …read more

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The fall golf marathon, also known as the PGA Qualifying School completed on Monday and 40 players played well enough to earn their PGA tour cards. I watched the replay of the final two rounds and it really was compelling golf to watch as some players spit-the-bit coming home, and other players hit clutch shots when they needed them.
On the 18th hole of the Nicklaus course, there’s water down the left side, and almost to a person, anyone that was in contention bailed right of the fairway and then had to negotiate their up and down for par. …read more

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I read some very interesting news today: Seve Ballesteros will be playing more competitive golf next year, primarily on the Champions Tour. I was a big fan of Seve’s during his heyday, but he’s gotten more grumpy in the last few years and hasn’t had much positive to say about much. He also turned out to be a very unsportsman-like Ryder Cup Captain and player. Hopefullythe Seve of old will find his way back on the Champions Tour.
It’s hard to believe he only won 9 times on the PGA tour, but he did win 5 majors (2 …read more

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The 2006 LPGA Qualifying School had its last round today and there were a couple of suprises at the end of the day. On the up side, Big Break VI contestant Sarah Lynn Johnston earned full exempt status for the 2007 season as she finished 1 shot above the cut line. Congrats to Johnston!

On the down side, there were three Big Break V contestants that didn’t make the cut and to add insult to injury, two didn’t even earn a partial exemption on the LPGA tour. Jeanne Cho shot a final round 71 and missed the cut …read more

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As a long-time golfer, I’ve got a few pet peeves that absolutely drive me bonkers during around of golf. And in no particular order:

Five-somes. I don’t why this is, but it seems that five-somes (and even six-somes) are becoming common place on many golf courses. And I’m not talking just the local muni. Pricey courses are starting to put out five players on a regular basis. If you’ve ever been behind a five-some, then you know the frustration of waiting, and waiting, and waiting…
Tee-boxes. Back a few years ago, there used to be just …read more

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When you hear the term drug-testing in sports, golf (at least in my opinion) is the last sport you think of where players are using strength-enhancing drugs. However, drug testing got its first test at the World Amateur Team Championships in South Africa this week, and all the American players tested negative.
While I agree in principle with drug testing on the PGA and LPGA tours, I just don’t put much creedence in someone that’s juicing up thinking they’ll be a better player. Yes, they will more than likely hit the ball further, but so what? The tour …read more

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