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Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Kickin' it...old school
Last weekend I went back in time...to 1981 exact. The last time that I had played with a bag of Persimmon.
Now, Persimmon...for those who are to young to remember (man, that makes me feel old to say that), is the genesis of the golf-word "wood". Not to be confused with the wood pencil that comes with your scorecard, the "wood" was the Mona Lisa of golf. A seductress that defined an era in golf of great craftsmanship. Names like MacGregor, Hogan and Cleveland made some of the finest woods for the sport. There were even more smaller craftsmen, like Ofer in Canton Ohio, who were able to hone their craft on this fine Persimmon wood to make stunning pieces of art.
Even if we took their "art" and cranked divots all over the golf course. There are many small bushes I've planted from the divots I created.
Playing with these clubs last week brought back very fond memories of what golf was really like. It was all about the feel of the club. The sound of the golf club hitting the ball...it was a thwack...not a ping. The game was more exact, as you had the sweet spot the width of a golf ball with the Persimmon...not like today's metals that require only that you be in the vicinity of the center of the club...could that have made me focus more on my swing? I don't know, but I haven't played in 8 months before this outing, and I put up a low 80's number...in tennis shoes...a number that I attain with today's technology on any given day.
Could it be that golf could enjoy a renaissance returning to the tools that started the love affair with the game? After playing, I couldn't help but wonder. Could it be that all this technology has turned the game sterile? I feel the game would be well served to revisit its past.
How interesting would a throwback golf tournament be? I think very! I also think that there is a vast marketing opportunity waiting for the right companies to capitalize on this. Golf, like all sports is going to need something fresh to maintain its interest...if the powers that be kick this around...they might find that old school might be the new school.
I encourage everyone to grab their old woods and play a round. See how it makes you feel.
Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,
JFB
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Father's Day
Small bucket of balls at the driving range: $5.00.
One round of Pirate's Cove Miniature Golf: $6.00 (Dad's play for free).
Two fruit smoothies: $7.50.
Spending all day with your 6 year-old son: priceless!
Here's wishing all father's and father's-to-be a great day.
Thanks for reading, keep it in the short-grass,
JFB
One round of Pirate's Cove Miniature Golf: $6.00 (Dad's play for free).
Two fruit smoothies: $7.50.
Spending all day with your 6 year-old son: priceless!
Here's wishing all father's and father's-to-be a great day.
Thanks for reading, keep it in the short-grass,
JFB
Friday, June 19, 2009
An Open letter from the USGA to its members:
"In the past two days, you may have seen some news reports regarding the 2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open.
I wanted our USGA Members to be the first to know that it’s now official: Today we are announcing the unique pairing of the 2014 U.S. Open and 2014 U.S. Women’s Open, with the two national championships to be played in consecutive weeks on the No. 2 course at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
This is the first time in history that the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open will be contested on the same course in back-to-back weeks. The 2014 U.S. Open will be conducted June 12-15, followed by the U.S. Women’s Open, June 19-22.
This unprecedented U.S. Open “double-header,” staged at one of the game’s most storied golf courses, promises to be two weeks of championship golf unlike anything we’ve seen. And that’s a big part of why we’re doing this: We hope to stimulate interest and exposure for the U.S. Women’s Open, while adding a compelling element to the U.S. Open.
Two physical characteristics of Pinehurst No. 2 make it ideal for hosting these two championships in consecutive weeks: the course’s sand base, which minimizes the damage that comes from play, and the lack of rough around the greens.
The concept is novel, but I have great confidence in the ability of our operations team, the people at Pinehurst and the whole golf community to make both championships an unquestionable success. Pinehurst No. 2 has previously hosted nine USGA national championships, including the 2008 U.S. Amateur; the U.S. Open in 1999 and 2005; the 1994 U.S. Senior Open; the 1989 U.S. Women’s Amateur; and the 1962 U.S. Amateur. The 2014 U.S. Women’s Open will be the first conducted on this Donald Ross masterpiece in the sandhills of North Carolina.
The USGA is particularly indebted to the Pinehurst Resort, and especially its owner Bob Dedman, the Village of Pinehurst and the State of North Carolina for their wholehearted support of our plan for the 2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open.
For two weeks in 2014, golf fans the world over will witness the best male and female golfers competing on the same stage for our most treasured national titles. I’m sure you will join me in anticipation of what will surely be two unforgettable weeks of championship golf. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy this week’s U.S. Open Championship at Bethpage Black.
Thank you for your support of the USGA."
Sincerely,
David B. Fay
Executive Director
United States Golf Association
©2009 United States Golf Association. All rights reserved. USGA, 77 Liberty Corner Road, Far Hills, NJ 07931-0708
I wanted our USGA Members to be the first to know that it’s now official: Today we are announcing the unique pairing of the 2014 U.S. Open and 2014 U.S. Women’s Open, with the two national championships to be played in consecutive weeks on the No. 2 course at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
This is the first time in history that the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open will be contested on the same course in back-to-back weeks. The 2014 U.S. Open will be conducted June 12-15, followed by the U.S. Women’s Open, June 19-22.
This unprecedented U.S. Open “double-header,” staged at one of the game’s most storied golf courses, promises to be two weeks of championship golf unlike anything we’ve seen. And that’s a big part of why we’re doing this: We hope to stimulate interest and exposure for the U.S. Women’s Open, while adding a compelling element to the U.S. Open.
Two physical characteristics of Pinehurst No. 2 make it ideal for hosting these two championships in consecutive weeks: the course’s sand base, which minimizes the damage that comes from play, and the lack of rough around the greens.
The concept is novel, but I have great confidence in the ability of our operations team, the people at Pinehurst and the whole golf community to make both championships an unquestionable success. Pinehurst No. 2 has previously hosted nine USGA national championships, including the 2008 U.S. Amateur; the U.S. Open in 1999 and 2005; the 1994 U.S. Senior Open; the 1989 U.S. Women’s Amateur; and the 1962 U.S. Amateur. The 2014 U.S. Women’s Open will be the first conducted on this Donald Ross masterpiece in the sandhills of North Carolina.
The USGA is particularly indebted to the Pinehurst Resort, and especially its owner Bob Dedman, the Village of Pinehurst and the State of North Carolina for their wholehearted support of our plan for the 2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open.
For two weeks in 2014, golf fans the world over will witness the best male and female golfers competing on the same stage for our most treasured national titles. I’m sure you will join me in anticipation of what will surely be two unforgettable weeks of championship golf. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy this week’s U.S. Open Championship at Bethpage Black.
Thank you for your support of the USGA."
Sincerely,
David B. Fay
Executive Director
United States Golf Association
©2009 United States Golf Association. All rights reserved. USGA, 77 Liberty Corner Road, Far Hills, NJ 07931-0708
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Hearts all...a...twitter
Taking a page right out of Babe Ruth's called home-run shot in the '32 World Series to make good on a promise to a hospital-bed-ridden young boy, Amy Mickelson has drawn a line in the sandtrap to all US Open contestants this year at Bethpage...
She texted Phil.
This wasn't just a Tweet to the world, no, she has been texting Phil with numerous hints that she wants this years' US Open trophy in her hospital room while she recovers from her July 1st surgery from her cancer diagnosis.
Obviously, he said he'd "try to accommodate that."
As a married man, I can tell you, that was a great response by Phil!
Just as Tiger was motivated by his father Earl, Phil will use his family's bump-in-the-road as motivation to carry him to victory this week.
There is a lot of drama already built-in to this year's Open, but the Mickelson's Ruthian story just fans the flames. Great for golf, great for fans.
This technology one-upmanship is getting out of hand though:
Word is that Tiger's family has accepted the "twittered" challenge thrown-down by Amy with a heart-tugging response of there own...
...I heard they posted it on YouTube...via Sam's Blackberry.
...Stewart Cink or John Daly can Tweet you the feed.
Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,
JFB
She texted Phil.
This wasn't just a Tweet to the world, no, she has been texting Phil with numerous hints that she wants this years' US Open trophy in her hospital room while she recovers from her July 1st surgery from her cancer diagnosis.
Obviously, he said he'd "try to accommodate that."
As a married man, I can tell you, that was a great response by Phil!
Just as Tiger was motivated by his father Earl, Phil will use his family's bump-in-the-road as motivation to carry him to victory this week.
There is a lot of drama already built-in to this year's Open, but the Mickelson's Ruthian story just fans the flames. Great for golf, great for fans.
This technology one-upmanship is getting out of hand though:
Word is that Tiger's family has accepted the "twittered" challenge thrown-down by Amy with a heart-tugging response of there own...
...I heard they posted it on YouTube...via Sam's Blackberry.
...Stewart Cink or John Daly can Tweet you the feed.
Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,
JFB
Saturday, June 13, 2009
A few ex-Georgia Techies to watch at Bethpage
Congrats to Matt Kuchar, qualifying this week for the US Open at Bethpage Black this year. According to his blog, he has been on a new training regimen that seems to have been working of late.
The other qualifier shout-out goes to Cameron Tringale who graduated this year. Cameron is the real deal as I featured him in a previous post and I would not be surprised to see him finish this US Open in the top 10 as an amateur.
Another Techie, Bryce Molder is getting noticed at this week's St Jude, and David Duval qualified for the US Open this week to finish out the Tech brigade with stalwart Stewart Cink.
Another Helluva engineer, Bobby Jones would be proud.
Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,
JFB
The other qualifier shout-out goes to Cameron Tringale who graduated this year. Cameron is the real deal as I featured him in a previous post and I would not be surprised to see him finish this US Open in the top 10 as an amateur.
Another Techie, Bryce Molder is getting noticed at this week's St Jude, and David Duval qualified for the US Open this week to finish out the Tech brigade with stalwart Stewart Cink.
Another Helluva engineer, Bobby Jones would be proud.
Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,
JFB
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