This Week at TravelGolf.com: Jan. 11, 2005

When they play the PGA Tour season highlights later this year, Stuart Appleby's win at last week's Mercedes Championships will be worth a second look. Maybe it's just because I was so happy to be rid of the Silly Season, but Appleby's win made quite an impression here at the home office.

Critics will say Appleby eased into the win after Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods and Jonathan Kaye all collapsed down the stretch. Nonsense. Just read those names again. With his wife at home in Australia expecting the couple's first child, Appleby played the final 55 holes without a bogey and served notice that he's ready to take the next step toward stardom this year.

The LPGA Tour season doesn't start for another month, but commissioner Ty Votaw made news last week by announcing that he'll be leaving the post after this season. Having Annika Sorenstam aboard certainly hasn't hurt, but Votaw deserves plenty of credit for his work over the past seven years. My guess is that the NHL would love to have someone with Votaw's credentials right about now. As always, your comments are welcome on any topic, including your thoughts on the Mercedes Championships. Have a great week.

Auburn football wins
BadGolfer.com championship

After barely winning the Sugar Bowl, the third-ranked Auburn Tigers practically begged for people to vote for them. Coach Tommy Tuberville even said he'd even ask a certain golf publication to name the Tigers as national champions. Fortunately, that's no longer necessary, not after BadGolfer.com's surprising announcement this week.

Full story | Blog on: Golf predictions for 2005

Fazio unveiling Rainbow
Canyon in Lake Las Vegas

Tom Fazio is finally ready to join Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. On Lake Las Vegas, that is. The long-anticipated, much-discussed Fazio golf addition to developer R.F. Boeddeker's $4.4-billion, 2,242-acre exclusive vacation/resort community is set. As Tim McDonald reports, Fazio chose from the best of both worlds in his attempt to create what he often calls postcard design.

Full story | Las Vegas golf courses

Miracle maker: World-record
ball-striker David Ogron

A 41-year-old teaching professional from Laguna Beach, Calif., David Ogron is the only person to ever hold three world ball-striking records at the same time - most golf balls hit in an hour, 12 hours and 24 hours. And he's dedicated 2005 to try and break those records on his Miracle Golf Tour in hopes of raising thousands for the National Children's Cancer Society.

Full story | Cartoon: Life in the Trap