I don’t understand all this hullabaloo about Phil Mickelson. The guy’s won one major and blown several others. Can we all say it just once: Lefty’s a choker. There, doesn’t that feel better? I mean, the guy’s a great golfer and a friendly sort, but come on: ONE major? He’s hardly a champion for the ages. Look at what he’s done in the Ryder Cup. He’s a loser. Ernie Els has had his share of chokes, too. Even though Tiger Woods is a shadow of his former self, he at least lives up to the moment when it’s all on the ... full post »

David Stern’s tough suspensions of Ron Artest and the other Pacers were right on the money. These guys should know better, and a slap on the wrist would have sent the wrong message. Yes, the fans were cretins, but the Pacers who went into the stands violated a cardinal rule – you don’t cross that barrier into the stands and attack fans. NBA players are making enough money that they ought to be able to show some restraint. That’s part of the game, ignoring the idiots and jerks who throw beer. Funny, isn’t it, that Artest backed down ... full post »

Allow me to ring in on this cell phone-on-the-golf-course discussion. A year or two ago I would have said people who let their cell phones ring on the course should be beaten with a hybrid club. Now, I simply don’t care. Cell phones have become a part of the cultural landscape. They aren’t status symbols any more – how can something be a status symbol when EVERYBODY has one? You can’t fight it. I barely notice now when someone else’s cell phone rings. I barely notice it when MINE rings – whereas a year or so ago I would get ... full post »

I have to disagree with my esteemed and learned colleague, Dave Berner, and agree with some of those who responded to his blog about Vijay Singh being so boring. One guy was right, the media asks too much of pro athletes – we want them to be both great athletes and colorful stories – which are mutually exclusive most of the time. I remember covering the Dolphins and 49ers back when Montana and Marino were playing, and the media getting grumpy over Montana’s blase off-field personality. The complaint was the same: Montana was too boring, but I was there ... full post »

If you’ve ever driven around the Orlando area, you’ve probably seen the sign with the funny name: “Howey-In-The-Hills.” You chuckle and drive by. It might be worth your time to stop, if you want to play an “old-school” course. EL Campeon at Mission Inn is easy to find once you get to Howey-Ville. El Campeon is a very good course, with elevation changes very atypical of Forida. No GPS on the carts or other fancy-dan modern stuff. But, it is worth your time if for no other reason than to get away from anything that has mouse ears. There is another ... full post »

When I review a golf course, I have to guard against a natural bias: I hate golf courses that are built in “golf communities” in which the houses, condos or villas intrude on the course. Now, I understand a lot of people like this sort of thing, and I always try to take that into account. But, I cannot imagine anyone living in such a community and saying they enjoy the “natural” views, as one woman said to me recently. A view of a golf course is not natural. Golf courses, to look at it from one perspective, are man’s ... full post »