This Week at TravelGolf.com: July 5, 2005

A looper's revenge: Fluff returns to
the big time with Western Open victory

Those caught up in Jim Furyk winning the Western Open because it gave the one-time major player his first victory in more than two years, the week after he blew a tournament in near Retief Goosen fashion, are missing the point. This isn't about Furyk, whose game and story have long past.

It's about Fluff finally getting some payback.

That's right, Fluff. The discarded caddie character from Tiger Woods' past toted Furyk's bag as he turned back Tiger in the final round Sunday. No, it wasn't at a tournament that really mattered. But when you've been banished from Woods' world of clockwork bountiful paychecks, you take what you can get. And when you're a grown man who goes by Fluff, well -- you're a few hands short from the get-go.

But still, there Fluff was, behind that bushy, drooping moustache, staring down the legend who fired him. Furyk and Fluff held their victory hug an awfully long time Sunday. Some of you sentimentalists out there might say that's because the duo had bonded and bled through the pain of Furyk's victory drought (Our own hanky man Mark Nessmith is undoubtedly in this camp).

Pure hogwash. No, Furyk and Fluff were out there on the 18th green, rubbing it in, making sure Tiger felt every bit of Fluff's moment. The only thing missing was Fluff dancing around, making that slashing-his-throat NBA choking sign from a few years ago.

After all, Woods is the guy who fired Fluff (Mike Cowan on his driver's license) for daring to be a lovable character capable of landing his own endorsement deal (Tiger's current camera-swiping thug/caddy, Steve Williams, will never have this problem).

Which is what made the Western Open a story. Still don't think today's PGA Tour is all about six degrees of separation from Tiger Woods?

As always, TravelGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Can a single get on at Pebble
Beach? Yes - if you have the time

Let's face it, in addition to being darn pricey, tee times at Pebble Beach Golf Links are impossible to get. With the room reservation and green fees needed to hold a valid tee time, you're already in the range of $1,000. But there's another way, writes Dave Berner. If you show up as a single and are willing to wait, there's a reasonable chance you'll get on. This isn't something the resort advertises but it's real.

Full story | Golf course give you a raw deal? Report 'em to the BBB

Skip crowded, pricy Pinehurst
and salute nearby Fayetteville

Located 45 miles east of Pinehurst, Fayetteville, N.C. is a kind of golf mecca that falls under the radar. It's primarily a military town and, as a result, is not likely to lure in the huge golf-travel dollar. Still, Fayettville hosts a handful of worthy (and inexpensive) courses, including Davis Love III's Anderson Creek Golf Club, Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s Carolina Lakes Golf Course and the swampy Cypress Lakes Golf Course, home of Ray Floyd.

Full story | Blogger: Sagging rounds dictate intervals at Grand Strand's Thistle

Drive for show, worth the dough:
Across the bridge to Bay Creek

The trek from Virginia Beach to Bay Creek Golf Club in Cape Charles, Va. takes you over - and sometimes under - the gorgeous Chesapeake Bay. By the time you reach the Eastern Shores you may be thinking the golf will be anticlimactic. Not so. Bay Creek is a man-made beauty that's all hat and cattle. Beauty isn't just skin-deep here; the glitzy exterior is a seductress that throws substance at you to go with its style.

Full story | Want to review golf courses? Be a TravelGolf.com Course Marshal