The LPGA Tour will become the first golf organization to institute a drug policy. Penalties for violators are severe, including a one-year suspension for the first offense to a lifetime ban for the third offense.
With the policy, there will be no difference in the punishment for positive tests of performance-enhancing drugs or recreational drugs.
LPGA Tour general counsel Jill Pilgrim, who is administering the new program, said marijuana constitutes a downer and cocaine works like an upper.
“Technically, they are enhancing your performance,” Pilgrim said.
It was not announced at which tournament the random drug testing would start. However, the first opportunity …read more

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The PGA Tour announced on Monday that Justin Timberlake will serve as host of the Las Vegas PGA Tour event in 2008.
The Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open will take place October 13-19, 2008. Timberlake, who plays to a 6-handicap, will take part in the Wednesday celebrity pro-am and host a concert during the week of the tournament as well.
“We will raise money for charity while participating in the greatest game ever played,” Timberlake told the press. “I thank the PGA Tour and the Shriners Hospitals for Children this amazing opportunity. Raising money …read more

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From the Vancouver Sun
“During the question-and-answer period after a rousing speech to Callaway
equipment representatives a couple of days after the Presidents Cup, Gary
Player was asked about Canadian golfers he had known — about the legendary Moe Norman and George Knudson.
The context was, of course, Mike Weir’s place among them in the ranks of the greatest Canadians ever to pick up a golf club.
Player wasn’t having any of the Moe Norman argument.
“Yes, he could hit a ball perfectly straight … on a practice range,” Player said of golf’s Rain Man, over breakfast at Club de Golf Le Fontainebleau …read more

Congrats to Danny King of Milton Ontario as he advances to the second stage of Q- School qualifying after posting a 4 under 284 at the CypressWood GC in Spring TX. After opening with a shaky round of 73 and and a presumably not so fun 76, he finished strong with rounds of 68 and 67 to finish tied for tenth.
Dave Schultz, Fargo, ND was medallist at -12 276.
Twenty six spots were awarded with even par being the number for the last players to advance.

Heading into the weekend play for the Ginn sur Mer Classic, a number of players are in position to possibly “save their year”, and gain coveted exempt status for the 2008 season.
The Leaders Bob Estes, and Tommy Armour don’t have too much to worry about, with Estes at #118 and Armour at #113, but Steve Lowery and Michael Sim, both currently tied for fourth on the leader board and #148 and #177 respectively on the money list, would both dearly love a high finish, if not the victory (of course).
There are around thirty players within ten strokes of the lead, …read more

Jesper Parnevik shot a career-best opening 61 and followed it up with a 5-under 65 on Friday afternoon to take a four stroke lead midway through the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.
His 14-under 126 total is the lowest 36-hole score on the PGA Tour this year, and amazingly just one stroke off the tour record of 125 held by four players, including Tiger Woods.
The 42-year-old, who is best known for his wild wardrobe, is in front Mathias Gronberg (-10) in second.
Fredrik Jacobson and Richard S. Johnson are tied for third at -9. Play continues at the Resort Course …read more

My best “rain golf story” :
One Saturday, many years ago, it was one of those days where it was pouring rain, then stopped for awhile.. started again .. etc.
At around 4:00 I was at home and a buddy phoned me

Many years ago, I met a guy who would become one my golf buddies, (and to whom I would introduce his future wife, but that’s another story).
I met Bob at Westview golf club, during the “11:00 a.m.” club. So informally named for a bunch of guys who would regularly meet

Ok, not the most elegant topic.
I don’t spit in … public. Ever. Ok … except when brushing my teeth,… or maybe after having to vomit, both of which (usually) occur in private and in the bathroom ! But that’s usually not in public !
Seeing professional golfers .. or even casual golfers spit on the course is disgusting.

The Associated Press is reporting that Seve Ballesteros has announced his retirement. His reason? Simple: “I don’t have the desire.”
It’s hard to fault a guy for that. Congratulations to Ballesteros on a fine career, and best of luck in whatever the future may hold for him…