“There was a time, so long ago, there was a time, but here we are again, in the calm before the storm.” Those are the words of Panamanian-born singer/guitarist/actor Ruben Blades, and they echo in my mind as a I read about the latest episode in the pathetic saga of Hawaii’s Michelle Wie. Pathos, after all, is that moment “of pity, sympathy, tenderness, or sorrow.” As human beings, we should not feel pride, happiness, or glee over the suffering of another. Let’s remember that Michelle Wie never gloated over her successes, nor ridiculed those who placed behind her. ... full post »

Something in the air this week on the pro tours. At the Mizuno Open in Japan yesterday/today, five guys named Tanihara, Muto, Sato, Seung-Ho Lee and Lin came in second behind the Donger, Dong-Hwan Lee. DONG If you take a glance at the Champions Tour, Hanefeld, Ferenz, Haas, Eaks, Jenkins, Fergus and Watson are three back of Tom Purtzer. TOM I suspect that the other major tours (Nationwide, PGA, Euro, Euro Seniors) will provide us with similar marauding hordes before the day is through. Must be the solstice or something. full post »

When the Virginia Tech Hokies tied for the ACC team title in April, it came in the wake of the horrifying shootings. As Summer beckons, another Hokie golfer has continued the resurgence of Va. Tech golf by capturing the most demanding match-play event in the known world, the British Amateur. Drew Weaver Drew Weaver, a Hokie that tied for 12th at the ACC championships, held on to a 6 up with 6 to play lead to defeat Aussie Tim Stewart, 2 and 1, at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. Weaver qualifies on to the British Open in 2007, along with ... full post »

Here is a portion of an article on Golf.Com: [[John Philp was sent home last week after officials launched an investigation into a confrontation involving the 16-year-old apprentice. The 59-year-old greenskeeper says he plans to be back when the British Open returns to Carnoustie on July 19-22. “I would certainly hope to be back at work before the Open starts,” Philp said from his home in Carnoustie. “I cannot talk about the facts surrounding my suspension in detail, but hopefully this will be resolved soon. We have a month to sort this out and I am hopeful of that.” David Duval, who won the ... full post »

Well, the name wait is over for Tiger and Elin’s baby … girl. No longer will we be threatened by the names Eldrickia, Earla and Earlina, Tigress, Cuba (the feminine of cub… just kidding…Tiger’s not marxist), Kultida II, Thailandia, Elin II. With the name Sam Alexis Woods, the acronym SAW (unless she gets a confirmation name down the road), and two damned fine looking parents, this kid is doomed. How in the name of all that is what it is, can this kid live anything approaching a normal life? Unless Elin home schools, fends off the camera-folk, beats ... full post »

With everyone tittering about Mr. Cabrera’s given name and its cherubic qualities, leave it to a cunning linguist like my own self to delve into the true symbolism of the new champs moniker. Cabrera in the Spanish means “goatherd.” In many situations, none more recognized than David the shepherd boy, the herdsman slew the savage beast to save the flock. While the Furyk bears not the claws nor the fangs of the lion, the Eldrick is often as much of a match as any hersdman dares to accept. Through the tall grasses of the mountain of ... full post »

If you know me at all, you know that I despise catchy phrases. Things like “must-play” or “hidden gem” or “green complex” or “fat buzzard” just drive me bonkers. Having said that, I apologize for calling South Africa the new Hawaii, but it is suddenly transparent to me that Nike is poised to move beyond Wie, should she continue to soil the sheets in tournament golf. Ashleigh Simon, 18-year old South Affy, has signed with Nike and WON a professional tournament on the Ladies European Tour (Catalonia, you know, up Barcelona way.) Kind of reminds me ... full post »

I remember Bethpage as a rookie in 2002. I remember Shinnecock as a veteran in 2004. I had plans, big plans, to be at Winged Foot in 2006, Oakmont in 2007, and Bethpage again in 2009. And then, reality set in. Two consecutive graduation years (last and this) put the kibosh on my plans. Now, instead of completing another Sunday at my fourth media open in six years, I’m left with the memories of 2004 and the 7th hole, and oh yeah, all that crap that my kids accomplished. Why, oh why, did I ... full post »

One name jumped out at me as I drizzled down the list of cut survivors: Lee Janzen. He’s my pick to win that tournament this weekend. Why Lee? He’s won it twice already, twice picking the pockets of Payne Stewart. How well-remembered would the be-knickered one (I know they’re plus fours, but be-plus foured one sound stupid) be if not for Janzen? ^^^^^^ HOW LEE WILL SOLVE OAKMONT’S GREENS ^^^^^^ Lee is coming off quite a recent skid, where he had to re-register for q-school in order to get his card back. With the bumps and the bruises, ... full post »

It wasn’t bad enough when Angel Cabrera birdied his 36th hole to knock about 18 guys at +11 out of the weekend, including Mark Harrell, the last amateur standing. It had to get worse. I went for the toller (the pejorative of ringer) scores. Knowing me, these would be my scores for one day at the forked course. I don’t guarantee that they are the highest, but they are still pretty damned bad. 1…8…Jason Allen…Round 2 2…6…Lee Williams…Round 1 3…7…Jeff Sluman…Round 2 4…10…Alex Prugh…Round 2 5…7…Nick Whatney…Round 1 6…6…Sam Walker…Round 2 7…7…Robert Allenby…Round 2 8…5…Ryan Palmer…Round 2 9…7…Padraig Harrinton…Round 2 Out in 63 ... full post »

I’m making last-ditch attempts to drum up supporters for my marathon golf quest this Monday. I’ll be golfing 100 holes in 1 day at Westwood Country Club (Williamsville, NY) for Carly’s Club at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (Buffalo.) Here’s a link to an article about my quest: http://www.tonawanda-news.com/sports/gnnsports_story_161223313.html And here’s a link to donate online: http://register.roswellpark.org/site/TR?px=1003426&pg=personal&fr_id=1300 And finally, if you are interested in using a check, send it here in my name: Chip In For Carly’s Club Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Elm & Carlton Streets Buffalo, NY 14263 Believe me when I say, every dollar helps. Thank you for taking the time to read this today. Sincerely, RonMon full post »

“Trend-setting designer Ralph Dunning announces that staff player Kyle Thompson wore a complete playing system from Dunning Golf luxury performance apparel while capturing the Nationwide Tour’s Rex Hospital Open in Raleigh, NC.” I kid you not, this came over The Wire as an official press release. Evidently, Kyle Thompson does not don mere pants, shirt, and other fixings. He steps into a “playing system,” and a complete one at that. Curious as to why? Here’s another great quote: increased airflow, moisture wicking, breathability, permanent moisture management, muscle support and UV protection. Airflow is what you get when you hold ... full post »

PLAYER BIOS［Profile］ Daisuke MARUYAMA Full Name Daisuke MARUYAMA Birthdate March 16, 1971 Birthplace CHIBA Height 175cm Weight 75kg Blood Type B Here is Daisuke Maruyama’s Player Bio from the Japan Golf Tour website. Chiba is a prefecture in Japan, not a moon of Saturn. For my money, more than anything else in the world, I need to know my favorite player’s blood type. Quick…What’s Tiger’s? Huh? Thought so, chump. Well, it happens to be the same one as Chuck Norris…AK+ … stands for Ass-Kicking Positive!! Actually, someone made that up, and I poached it. I went 9 pages deep on ... full post »

This one pains me…my old Demon Deacon chum went out in 33 today, to get to -4 for the tournament. Then, bogey-double-bogeyTIMESsix for a 45 coming in. Did the Columbus Dispatch hit him in the head? Did the Columbus Blue Jackets skate all over him? Did Christopher Columbus sail the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria into his caddie? What in God’s name provoked that run? In the words of Ted Knight, aka Judge Elhugh Smails, “uh-uh, billy, billy, billy, billy, billy. whOa, billy, billy, billy, this is a biggee” full post »

Nothing I like better than a writer going out on a limb. However, Ron Balicki, the “other Ron,” came up twelve shots shy of a winner, as Stanford flapped its red wings to a team championship in Virginia. How good is individual champ Jamie Lovemark? Try 16 birdies over the last two days, for matching 64s, for a two-stroke victory over Clemson’s Kyle Stanley. I guess we now know that team pressure ’bout kills your chances for the individual title, as five of the top eight indy finishers were competing as individuals only (their teammates stayed ... full post »

Rounds below 65 are so commonplace these days, it’s laughable. Check out these roasters from this week and weekend… 60…Michael Schachner…NCAA Men’s Golf Championips…Round Three 63…Daniel Summerhays…NCAA Men’s Golf Championships…Round Two 61…Michael Lorenzo-Vera…European Challenge Tour…Round One 63…Omar Uresti…LaSalle Bank Open…Round Two 62…Adam Scott…Memorial Tournament…Round Two 63…Five different guys…Celtic Manor Tournament…Round Two 62…Romero and Purtzer…Boeing championship…Round One 62…Julio Zapata…Oceanico Developments…Round Two full post »