Sean Cochran, PGA Show, San Diego, Champs Tour, and Thor's Golf Links

Like my new picture? I went for the David Feherty look, but I can only look so sinister. Oh well, it’s certainly an improvement over old pasty guy. Maybe my writing will improve (although old Arnie and Under Par might wonder if that could ever happen.)
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Sean Cochran’s book on golf-specific training arrived yesterday. My curiosity about spiders and other stretches/exercises was sated, and I went through my first workout today. It made me walk differently than I believe I ever have; I felt like a child taking his first steps.

This is a good thing. Muscles that had not been extended for years were required to do so. I found that it’s hard to balance breathing with core workouts (I hate the term ‘core,’ but it has 8.5 more months before I declare it trite and hackneyed) the first time, but that it gets easier with each successive exercise. Finally, I discovered that my balance is pretty darned good, so I’ll build on that.
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The PGA Show is a brilliant thing. If you’ve never seen the Florida OC convention center, it is gi-normous and twinned (one on each side of the street.) It is row upon row of golf equipment, apparel, and chachkis. True that you can’t take any home, but at least you can examine to your heart’s content. I had the great pleasure of attending in 2002, and it was an experience to behold. This week I’ll be in Hamilton, Ontario, at the Hamilton golf show, and in Rochester, New York, in two weeks, at the Rochester golf show. Both are terrific regional shows, and afford a taste of the real thing.
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San Diego seems to be a lovely place. It certainly is hospitable to our international guests. Currently two swedes, a japanese, an indian, a south african, a spaniard and two aussies reside in the top ten. Whether they’ll be their at the end or not is anybody’s guess, but they certainly make things linguistically interesting. Meanwhile, Jerry Kelly continues to depress. I used to confuse Calcavecchia and Green a few decades back, until Calc solidified his career and Green did not. I used to confuse DiMarco and Kelly, but the same thing happened. I think that Kelly cares too much (hockey player!) while DiMarco has been successful in establishing a high-finish record. We’ll see if his season-opening win at Abu Dabi will be enough to bring him more trips to the circle of champions. Kelly, meanwhile, went from 66 to 78 and down the road in Padre-ville.
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Having crossed over the two-score fence, I’m looking at, and liking more and more, the Champions Tour. New York state, and especially western New York, are aging regions. It stands to reason, then, that people align themselves with folks that are like them. Hence my enjoyment of the old guys tour. I read often that those who do not know golf, cannot understand how retired, former stars can continue to play well and draw crowds. What they don’t get is the nature of the sport. I don’t want to see limping, former NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL stars playing, but pro golfers? Sure.
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Have you ever heard of Thor’s Golf Links? It’s an amazing site on the web. You may never be heard from again if you go into this labyrinth, but oh, the fun you’ll have.