A few days ago I walked 9 holes, working up a rather impressive sweat in almost 60 degrees – on December 29th in Champaign, Illinois!

Tomorrow I’ll go back to worrying about the imminent extinction of the polar bear.

Today, December 31st, I might just walk another 9 holes. Amazing…and ominous…

God knows I need all the practice I can get to suppress the miserable hook that has crept back into my game.

I swear, the next person who complains to me about a slice is going to taste the fury of my vicious left hook.

My first prediction for 2007, then, is that I will somehow, some way overcome this crippling swing defect. What I wouldn’t give for my old “power fade.”

My second prediction is that the birth of Tiger & Elin’s first cub will interfere with his major schedule, precluding a run at the Grand Slam. I wish the Woodses all the best, but worry about Elin giving birth. Bikini models typically have narrow hips and difficult deliveries; although given the popularity of pre-planned C-sections these days, maybe the scheduling of the birth and the birth itself will turn out to be easier than an uphill tap-in for another Claret Jug.

Third, Phil Mickelson will come back from his U.S. Open melt-down. He’ll be a factor in more than one major, though he won’t win any this year. He’ll win a couple of non-majors, though.

Fourth, Ernie Els will come back strong this year, winning here in the U.S. at least once, and challenging for a major. In fact, he may just take the U.S. or British Open, especially if Tiger misses one or both due to the aforementioned bundle of joy.

Fifth, Michelle Wie will play better than she did last year, winning an LPGA event. However, she will be woefully ineffective in any and all men’s events she plays. I’m guessing she won’t have much of a social life at Stanford, though. B.J. is going to have watchdogs on her continuously.

Sixth, I will bitch and moan incessantly about all of the Golf Channel’s Tour coverage this year, because I do not receive the Golf Channel. It is on digital cable where I live, and by God, I do not want one of those ugly digital boxes sitting on my TV and yet another remote control cluttering up my coffee table. Say Mr. Finchem, how’s that NFL Channel working out for pro football? Do you have any idea how many viewers you’re going to lose, in a sport that was already struggling to attract eyeballs?

Finally, sincere wishes for a healthy, prosperous, and happy 2007 to all of the TravelGolf.com family and readers. It has been and will continue to be my pleasure to be associated with the best online golf community in the world.

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