My Daily Slice of Golf...the Blog

The Art of Golf

2012-01-08T09:15:00.000-05:00

An upcoming event in Atlanta that I'm looking forward to seeing is The Art of Golf a collection of unique masterpieces depicting golf though artists eyes and brushstrokes.

From The High: "the program is organized by the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, in collaboration with the National Galleries of Scotland.

The exhibition is made possible by Lead Sponsor Sotheby’s. Additional support is provided by the Friends of Scotland, The Imlay Foundation, The Fay and Barrett Howell Exhibition Fund and The Eleanor McDonald Storza Exhibition Endowment Fund.
The managing curator of the exhibition is Julia Forbes, the High’s Shannon Landing Amos Head of Museum Interpretation, and the consulting curator is Dr. Catherine Lewis, professor, golf historian and author of nine books including “Don’t Ask What I Shot: How Eisenhower’s Love of Golf Helped Shape 1950s America.”
The exhibition will be accompanied by a full-color catalogue featuring essays by Dr. Tico Seifert, Senior Curator of Dutch Art, National Galleries of Scotland; Jordan Mearns, National Galleries of Scotland; Dr. Catherine Lewis; and Rand Jerris, Senior Managing Director of Public Services, United States Golf Association.

The Art of Golf will be on view at the High from February 5 through June 3, 2012. It will tour to additional U.S. venues, yet to be announced, through the fall of 2013."

Planking and Tebowing on the golf course

2011-12-18T17:49:00.000-05:00

Played St Marlo today in Norcross GA. Beautiful layout...bring you A game...and your poses!

Lights at Life University

2011-12-10T10:13:00.001-05:00

Oh come all yee faithful...to the annual Christmas lights at Life University in Atlanta GA. Make sure to check out the lighted golfer...unlike me, he always holes-out on a chip-in, must be the golf clubs!

Thanks for reading. Happy Holidays, and keep it in the short-grass.

JFB

Legacy on Lanier Golf Club

2011-11-26T16:47:00.000-05:00

This course we just played today. It is a feature of the Lake Lanier Islands Resort in Georgia. Great course, and would highly recommend it. You can golf in the mornings, then see the Festival of Lights at night during the Christmas season!

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short grass,

JFB

Why Tiger Woods will file for bankruptcy

2011-08-12T22:31:00.002-04:00

Last week, our country passed legislation to increase the debt ceiling. Something that is possible when you print money. "Hey boys! Chief pushed the' save our asses' button again...put down your union placards, and help me find the copier button!"

Tiger Woods does not print money. Oh sure, back in the day when he was first featured on a Wheaties box, you could send away box-tops for a sleeve of "autographed" Titleist balls... his star was rising, and you (and his Dad) could see the yellowbrick road paved with millions, and we were glad to pay up for viewing his greatness.

It almost happened..I've heard somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 million...but that was then...

This is now... This week, 10-year sponsor TAG Heuer dropped the Chosen One, to distance themselves from this fallen angel. The last vestiges of multi-platinum contracts has been squashed. Now Tiger is relying on the good people from Japan to pick up the pieces to plug the gaps left in his million-dollar portfolio of sponsors. He is down to 7.

My parents instilled a rare value in me that when you get paid...pay your debts, so you are not a burden to society. Government doesn't do this...they are quite content to kick the can down the road to let future congressmen or adults figure it out..our personal total taxes we pay till August, after that we get to keep it! Where's my barf bag?

Tiger is kicking the can right now...he has huge obligations...alimony...house...house-help, boat...boat-help...pets..ahem...pet help...his charities. You get the idea. Tiger doesn't print money anymore...those days are over. He is relegated as a sojourner...and the media is feeling this. One day, the media will not be enamored in Tiger Woods and his red sunday shirt (or lack therof).

The first sign of his coming money problems came when he let go Stevie Williams...Stevie is the ultimate collateraly-damaged character in this soap opera. Tiger can't afford him anymore. End of story. Good on ya Stevie...judging from the Bridgestone...let's hope Adam keeps it real for you.

My bet is somewhere toward the end of 2012 we will see more cracks in the armor that was once golden and is now stained rose-colored glasses, and the dominoes will fall.

I wonder if he has Tyson's number?

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

New golf movie! 'Seven Days in Utopia'

2011-08-09T18:53:00.000-04:00

SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA follows the story of Luke Chisolm (Lucas Black), a talented young golfer set on making the pro tour. When his first big shot turns out to be a very public disaster, Luke escapes the pressures of the game and finds himself unexpectedly stranded in Utopia, Texas, home to eccentric rancher Johnny Crawford (Robert Duvall). But Johnny's more than meets the eye, and his profound ways of looking at life force Luke to question not only his past choices, but his direction for the future.

Based on David L. Cook's best-selling book Golf's Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia, SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA also stars Melissa Leo, Deborah Ann Woll, Brian Geraghty, Jerry Ferrera, Joseph Lyle Taylor, KJ Choi and Kathy Baker. The film is directed by Matthew Dean Russell from a script by Cook, Rob Levine, Russell and Sandra Thrift. The film was produced by Mark G. Mathis (Brick, Precious) and Jason M. Berman (The Dry Land).

Click here to see where you can see the show

Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf

2011-07-27T19:29:00.000-04:00

We recently took a trip to DisneyWorld...you know the place where you freely open your wallet and say with the biggest smile you have: "Take more please!" Because you've just realized that your 4 year-old daughter actually is a princess while dancing and flirting with thee Cinderella...

The last part of our journey took us to their miniature golf course Winter Summerland. It is told that Santa, his wife and the elves moved to Orlando for a vacation spot. Wanting a minature golf course, Santa was undecided as to what to model his course after until he heard about Blizzard Beach water park. Then his inspiration became an unbelievable 36 hole course, split between summer Christmas themes, and winter Christmas themes. The following is a collection of photos from our incredible journey through a family-fun golf course.

...yeah, that's right....I was low score for the day and scored a certificate and collector golf ball!

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Golf Vacations with GolfTours.com

2011-07-13T18:18:00.000-04:00

If you have kids, then you’ve probably done the family vacation to Disney World or Disneyland, and you might have taken a few trips to visit grandma and grandpa while trying to convince yourself that it was a “vacation.” But when was the last time you took a vacation that you really wanted to take? That’s right; we are talking about an ultimate golf vacation at some of the finest courses around the world. It used to be that you either had to spend hours of your time trying to make all the arrangements yourself, or pay a hefty markup for a travel agent to do it even if he or she had virtually no experience in setting up golf travel packages. But now with a company like GolfTours.com, you can get an expertly-planned golf package at a price that might be lower than you think.

When it comes to international golf vacations, there are literally hundreds of different options. Let’s start with the “Big Three” obvious ones: an Ireland golf vacation, a Scotland golf trip or an England golf travel package. You just can’t go wrong with any of those places, where the game of golf was invented and then developed over the centuries. You can play iconic courses like The Old Course at St. Andrews, Muirfield Golf Course, Carnoustie, The Old Course at Royal Troon, The K Club’s Palmer Course, Celtic Manor or Royal St. George’s among others. Just imagine how jealous your friends and colleagues will be when you tell them you are taking a St. Andrews golf vacation or that you just booked a Celtic Manor golf travel package.

If you’ve already done some golfing in the United Kingdom or just want to try something different, then you might consider a Valderrama golf vacation as part of a golf tour of Spain and Portugal. Or if you really want to rack up the frequent flier miles, you can reserve a South Africa golf travel package that includes courses like The Links at Fancourt and Royal Johannesburg.

If you don’t want to have to rummage through your desk to find that passport, you can also book plenty of great golf travel packages in the United States, like a Pebble Beach golf vacation including rounds at Spyglass Hill and the Links at Spanish Bay, or a Pinehurst golf trip or Bandon Dunes golf travel package. And if you want to spend some time on the beach when you are not on the links, then check out a Hawaii golf vacation with a couple rounds at the Plantation Course of Kapalua Resort. If it’s going to be your vacation, the choice of courses should be up to you.

Hot dogs..apple pie...and golf!

2011-07-02T08:34:00.000-04:00

Family Golf Month Encourages Families to Hit the Links and Have Fun in July

PGA/LPGA Professionals nationwide offer free and affordable programs to families

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Summer is a season to celebrate the family and Play Golf America encourages everyone to hit the course during Family Golf Month for a healthy and affordable way to spend quality-time together. Family Golf Month promotes golf as a fun, family recreation by providing structured, yet casual, opportunities for families to learn the game. Throughout the month of July, PGA and LPGA Professionals at participating facilities nationwide offer reduced or no cost activities for golfers of all ages and skill levels. To find programs in your area, visit www.PlayGolfAmerica.com.

“Summer is a great time to get involved in the game of golf, because there are so many programs that focus on the benefits that golf has for everyone – from kids to grandparents,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “With so many Family Golf Month events during July and throughout the summer, the game is more accessible and affordable than ever.”

Nearly 2,100 facilities are registered to host Family Golf Month events, including Family Golf Clinics and Play Days, Kids Play Free, PGA Family Course, Bring Your Kids to the Range, Take Your Daughter to the Course Week (July 4-10) and special junior rates, as well as a variety of other events and activities which can be found at PlayGolfAmerica.com. In addition, many facilities offer affordable programs – some even complimentary – for the entire family. Family Golf Month events are also being hosted on military golf courses as part of The PGA of America’s long-standing relationship with and support of the United States military.

“Golf provides children with life lessons of discipline, honesty, camaraderie, sportsmanship and etiquette, and families can really capitalize on these benefits during Family Golf Month,” added Wronowski. “Kids today are spending more time in front of computers and televisions, but Family Golf Month activities provide a great reason to get them out in the fresh air spending uninterrupted time with family.”

For more information on Play Golf America and any of the family or junior golf programs, consumers can visit PlayGolfAmerica.com. The site allows users to find and register at participating facilities in their area by searching their city or zip code.

Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission of its founders: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in a multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

Play Golf America!

2011-07-02T08:30:00.000-04:00

Suzy Whaley’s Family and Junior Golf Tips

Suzy Whaley, a PGA and LPGA Professional, is one of the nation’s most acclaimed golf instructors and public speakers. She was elected to The PGA of America Board of Directors to represent the Connecticut, New England and Northeastern New York PGA Sections – the first woman to do so from her District. She is also a member of the PGA of America's National Instruction and National Diversity committees. In 2002, Whaley was the first woman in 58 years to qualify and participate in a PGA Tour event (the 2003 Greater Hartford Open), following the legendary Babe Zaharias. In 2005, she became the first woman to qualify for the PGA Professional National Championship, finishing tied for 64th. Her many teaching accolades include being chosen among the top teachers in Connecticut by Golf Digest, a Top Five female teacher designation by Golf Digest, nominated for GOLF Magazine's top 100-teacher list, is an LPGA Teacher of the Year and a two- time PGA Teacher of the Year honoree in the Connecticut PGA Section.

Below are some various categories with tips from Whaley on reasons to play golf as a family and how to get your family and children started in golf.

Reasons to Play Golf as a Family and Why Golf is a Great Sport for Children:

It provides uninterrupted family time outdoors and is also a great way to spend quality time with your family (and friends!).
It is great exercise in a beautiful setting. Studies show that walking the golf course reduces levels of bad cholesterol, burns calories, prevents heart disease, and helps oxygenate the body and improve posture.
Golf helps children learn how to focus and teaches great life lessons - respect, integrity, sportsmanship, camaraderie and problem solving. It is also a great business tool for networking for when they get older.
Golf is a game for a lifetime and can enjoyed by the young and old. How many other sports can a parent, child and grandparent participate in together?
Golf is a non-contact sport and does not require athletic prowess
Many golf facilities offer discounted junior rates, making it an affordable family activity.
It’s fun!

Ways to Get your Family Started in Golf:

Visit PlayGolfAmerica.com to find family programs in your area.
Contact your local PGA of America Section at PGA.com for a list PGA Professionals in your area.
Contact your local Parks and Recreation Departments for family programs.
Visit your local public golf facility and gather information on its programs.
Enroll your children in the “Golf in Schools” program if they are offered in your area.

How to Get your Kids Started in Golf:

Encourage your children to hit balls with you at the driving range.
Visit PlayGolfAmerica.com for children and family programs in your area.
Contact your local PGA of America Section at PGA.com for a list PGA Professionals in your area.
Contact your local Parks and Recreation Departments for children and family programs.
Make golf a family activity.
Watch or attend a golf tournament together.

###

Reali...Wii

2011-06-11T09:56:00.001-04:00

Now that I am classified as a "phenom" on the Wii-Nationwide Tour...I felt I had the chops to take my newfound confidence to a real golf course...terra firma...the reality yin to the virtual yan. I mean 3 months of learning my new swing from the Wii feedback should shave a few shots off my real score...right?

Ummm...well, yes and no...

During my trial by fire on the Wii, I realized that I could get 100% swing speed by forcibly using both arms as one on the downswing (before I had just been using my left arm and my right had been along for the ride). This knowledge is the basis for my new swing.

As I approached the range, I looked at the range balls with lust as I clamored for my 7-iron (my tempo club) to take a few swings to appreciate my "new" swing.

...clunk...shank...top....thud...

...okay, enough of the verbs...you get the idea. I stood there in wonder (and nervous sweat) where my swing went.
I started cussing-out the Wii. I took my Driver..."dammit...I'm gonna force a solid connection....

...pie-yowwww...as it swooped in on the loblolly pines to my extreme right.

What the $&%?! I'm desperately hoping my playing partner is not watching this meltown...

Time to take the wedge, and after a few methodical, solid connections...I had gained some confidence to walk to the first teebox.

Overall, I played pretty well. I think my Ranger Rick episode was more about the weight of a golf club (the Wii controller obviously is not congruent to mimic a golf club) than anything else.
The grid you see on the Wii when putting I think helps read real greens...I think you are more aware of the green, and not the line you are trying to find, and that actually helped.
As for using both arms to forcefully swing..yes it really has helped figuring that out on the Wii and bringing it to the course. Both woods and irons were flying accurate and solid. I actually want to practice on a real range now...something I don't relish...but I see where I can make some good strides to increasing the power in my game...something I've always lacked..oh, and thanks to the variety of accessories...so I can accessorize...I'm picking out better golf clothing....ya know...fake it 'til ya make-it.

....now where can I find some lead tape to put some weight on the controller?

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Here's some Glee!

2011-05-29T08:34:00.001-04:00

Jordan Spieth is a BMOC...Holla! Any kid who can skip his graduation because...excuse me...is making the cut for a PGA event, has got the chops. The 200-plus graduating class at Jesuit High might miss him at the ceremony...but can see his "hall pass" all over CBS this weekend as he makes a run at winning the Byron Nelson PGA golf tournament this weekend.

Mark Cuban even has the kid's back...giving him seats to last Wednesday's Mavs game...then tweeting a shout-out to him Saturday.

The Texas born and raised Spieth will attend the holy grail of hormonal-U...University of Texas-Austin next year.

Hook-em horns...dude, you da man!

Welcome to Georgia ya'll...we're hiring!

2011-04-16T08:24:00.001-04:00

This just in...man pulled over traveling on I-285 Sunday afternoon after seen weaving irratically in- and-out of traffic with his golf cart.

Hi ya'll...this is Biff Busterman reporting to you from the bee-u-tee-full state of Gawgea to review with what has been an apparent attempt of one man to try out all the new laws that passed by our state's legislators.

Now we all know how hard your elected officials work...I mean with the collective vision to know that the economic light at the end of the tunnel is not an on-coming locomotive...but a...

Golf Cart.

Late Friday our leaders passed a law to allow golf carts to...excuse the pun...putter, on more roads across our fine Cherokee Rose state, well...I just had to look into this.

Turns out that Georgia manufacturers more than 90% of all golf carts sold in the country...and get this...there are 20 jobs created for every 1000 golf carts sold!

Weeehhooo! Folks, leave your unemployment worries behind...Georgia need golf cart salespeople! Are you mechanically inclined? Operators are standing by to take you golf cart maintenance application!

Now all we need is to make these puppies run on bio-diesal, and we'll have a full-fledged economic recovery....those jobs will be available in Georgia....Russia though, because we'll need to export the higher paying jobs so we can import the lower paying ones.

So what about our man on I-285? Well he was driving a golf cart legally(Senate Bill 240), driving irratically because he picked up and was drinking some brewskis from Kroger on Sunday (Senate Bill 10), he was weaving in-and-out of traffic because he couldn't get an anti-diarreal and was trying to find a toilet (Senate bill 36), luckily (because the trees had been knocked down) he saw a billboard that said a McDonalds (best bathrooms in America) was at the next exit (House bill 179).

So, next time you see a golf cart, thank a Georgia congressman.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Masters Wii reviewed!

2011-04-06T21:00:00.001-04:00

508 days...

That's how many days it's been since Tiger Woods last won a golf tournament.

Well, that's not including his virtual self...he won last night.

In between hitting shots around my daughters dollhouses, and my son's lego collection, I was able to guide Tiger around Banff golf course to win at an astounding -18 under.

So let's close the book on his drought.

Masters for Wii is the latest and greatest golf game from EA Sports. It is the first video golf game I have owned. What has kept me away from these games is the lack of interactivity before the Wii. So you might say that the Wii is the real reason for the incredible awesomeness of this game...not the game itself.
That said, the ability to start as a club pro, and move up the tournament ranks to have the opportunity to play in The Masters, makes you feel like your playing out the scenario of the Feinstein book 'A Good Walk Spoiled', I love this game, and will play it not only for the fact that Augusta has opened the veil to allow EA to map the course, but for the other reasons of my 7 year old finding enjoyment out of it whether we are playing skins at Pebble Beach (him at all-play, me at beginner level), or whether we are crashing golf ball zambonis around the range.
This is not your typical video golf game with Scottsdale golf courses filling out the roster...no, this is much more...
...So much more that I may never play real golf again...

...okay, that part's not true (I hope!)

25 years...

That's when Nicklaus guided himself around Augusta to win in everyman fashion. Tomorrow he will tee off with Arnie to open the 2011 Masters, and we will all say to ourselves: "really? it was that long ago...man, I'm old."

...then I'll take my Wii-stick and guide Nicklaus around Augusta in true '86 fashion...

...and I'll feel young again.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

HBP

2011-03-21T19:51:00.000-04:00

Pitchers have a tough job, they have to protect the plate by throwing either with skill (ala Greg Maddux) or with fear (ala Nuke Laloosh). Protecting the plate with fear meant you had to throw the ball at the batter so he doesn't crowd the plate...sometimes hitting the batter in the process (hit by pitch HBP)...which can lead to all-out war between the two teams with usually the pitcher getting the worst of it.

Golf does not have this problem. Golfers spray balls all over the public courses and in golf tournaments. If it lands on a persons head or grazes their arm...so be it..."I yelled four!" is the excuse...no recourse...no challenging the hitter of ball, just a "I'm sorry my face got in the way of your ball" apology from the hitee.

This happened to me yesterday. Beautiful day...looking forward to the first day of hitting the links...oh, let me back up...I sprained my ankle 6 months ago, which left me confined to light walking and no running, golfing...no nothing...except mostly watching other people do this.

So there I am...ankle feels great, I'm hitting the ball solid...except for a handful of bad shots... the cause of mental errors (which I poo-poo because after all I am getting older).
Coming up the 5th fairway, I'm ahead of the other players that are about 50 yards behind me (admittedly a mistake...did I mention mental errors?). So there I am, off to the side in the rough, waiting for the other players' shots...when..out of nowhere the hitter cranks a sidewinder that's heat-seeking straight for me! This is a Texas-sized worm-burner with a slight curve (like you see at the bottom of some of those Tequila shots) and there I am, posing with a deer-in-headlights stillness...well except for my brain, which was saying "MOVE!"

Luckily, I had just gotten my new prescription sunglasses, and I could tell with precision that the coming scud-like ball was going to graze one of my ankles...I leapt with uncanny ability...the last time I jumped I was 165 pounds...now, my healed ankle did not ascertain that I now was 175...therefore it was a low jump...the ball whizzed by my right ankle, and nailed the fatty part of my left heel.

I don't know if it was shock or awe...but the hitter comes up to me and says "did it hit your pants"...what?! "Yes it hit may pants...and my leg that was...yes this sounds crazy...IN my pants".

wow, brushed-back in golf...it can happen.

To make a long story incredibly longer...it would have been worse if it weren't for the fact that I played the next 3 holes under par, and I was bought a nice brandy after the round by the hitter.

In the end, I don't ask for much. Just a nice day...good friends to play golf with...

...and a wider fairway.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

YouTube had nothing on him.

2011-03-06T09:53:00.000-05:00

This week, the media world lost its favorite son Frank Chirkinian.

Not only was he christened the father of televised golf, he was so far ahead of his time, that YouTube legions continue to be inspired by his imagination of camera-use.
From his efforts to show sports at angles that hadn't even been dreamt of, he created a show within the show.
He was the first to put a camera on a blimp to show the game (experimenting with college football at first, then rolling his idea to other events)...which today, still remains, to me at least, one of the best angles in golf...the overhead view of a golf ball as it travels down the fairway, or onto a green.
His showcase for all his talents is on obvious display at The Masters, where he honed and refined his amazing skills...the biggest being his attention to detail. His ability to position cameras that did not take away from the beauty of the event while showing the nuances of what makes Augusta special.

From cameras to microphones in the Lob Lolly pines on the grounds, Bluebirds and Eastern Towhees never sounded so good...

Nature was on display when Frank was in charge.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Egypt and Kenny G? Similarities revealed:

2011-02-12T13:04:00.003-05:00

Folks in Egypt are celebrating the American version of "out with the old, in with the new" and it has brought faith of freedom to millions of people around the world.

I wonder though, if this domino effect can scale to other leaderships?

NASCAR leaders are changing by listening to their fans and revamping their point system for the Sprint Cup Series.

The lowly Mets are putting 1/4 of their team up for sale to appease Madoff-burned investors in a lawsuit.

The NFL is opening its books to the players union in what will be an epic effort for a mutual Kumbaya.

...lets look at golf...well, I did last night by watching the ATT at Pebble Beach.

...Sad to report that the only thing different were the waves lapping up on the coast-line. There were the old familiar craggy faces of Kenny G and Craig T. Nelson. You could have transported me back 10 years ago, and the images would be exactly the same with a few facial wrinkles.

This is where we need to stand up and tell the current regime no more! All tournaments need to be non-button-downed events like the Phoenix Open. Out with the old in with the new. We want loud, boisterous, events.

We want a revolution. We want Justin Bieber!

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

I knew I'd play Augusta one way or another!

2011-01-09T16:12:00.001-05:00

Don't ask don't tell...Country Club-style

2010-12-18T07:16:00.002-05:00

LPGA: Psst...hey, what are you going to do Tiger? No wins this year, doesn't seem like you man.

Tiger: Uh, you're right. I don't want to go through another year like this one. I'm on the downside of my 30's, these new guys on Tour are eating my lunch. I don't feel like myself anymore.

LPGA: We can change that all for you Tiger. You've heard about our new bylaw?

Tiger: No, Brother...tell me more!

LPGA: Well, there was this chick..er..yeah...chick, that tried to sue us for being "male-born" after she changed her...um...profile...and now can compete with the likes of Michelle Wie now...it's all legal man!

Tiger: So...what are you saying?

LPGA: Change your profile dude! Look..no wins...getting old...Major run is in jeopardy...you need to resurrect your career man, what a way to do that than a little snip here, a couple bulges there...voila! You're a new ma...er..woman! You'd dust the field...collect a brand new mantle-full of trophies...I mean the sky is the limit over on our side!

Tiger: Well, my sponsors would have concerns...except EA...that would give their game-software engineers some new ideas...those guys in the back room love adding breasts...hmm..I think you're on to something! Where do I sign up?

LPGA: Meet me in Cabo in January...we got a doc down there that does this on the down-lo. By April...you'll be Miss Tigress Woods. I got a call out to Ms Burk, and she all but assures me she can get you into the Masters on a surgical exemption...so your new career will be ramped and ready to go.

HEY...HEY...what are you dudes discussing?

LPGA/Tiger: Oh, hey Phil...nothing, nothing at all...just, you know...talking.

Phil: I get it...don't ask, don't tell right?...hey LPGA, gotta sec?

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

...but will they fit in the trunk?

2010-11-28T15:39:00.003-05:00

Callaway and Lamborghini developed a partnership a few years back between the club makers' designers and the car makers' engineers to develop composites that would compliment both the Italian automaker, and the storied golf club designer. The first 'forged composite'product from Calloway from this partnership is the Diablo Octane.
It's perfect for the guy that drives a Lamborghini...or that believes he should have one... you know the guy...driven by ego, wants to be the first on your block to have the "it" toy (and is happy to tell you all about it). This club will satisfy that guy.
Both club and car give you speed, speed , speed...

But to play it, you'll have to take the station wagon to the club, cause it won't fit in the real Diablo.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Breathe it in.

2010-11-09T18:18:00.004-05:00

An open invitation:

With the holidays quickly approaching, individuals everywhere are creating their shopping lists and committing to finding the perfect gifts for their friends and families. These difficult economic times are causing savvy shoppers to search for innovative ideas to find unique gifts that won’t break their budgets. As your publication considers editorial topics and items to highlight as gift options for the holidays, we encourage you to review the benefits of the American Lung Association’s Golf Privilege Card.

For more than a quarter of a century, the Golf Privilege Card has generated funds for the important work of the American Lung Association of the Southeast. The Golf Privilege Card now offers discounts of up to 60% at more than 3,300 courses nationwide, including many in your area.

The Golf Privilege Card membership is now completely online, allowing golfers to track the courses they have played, view the latest discounts available at each course and schedule tee times all from the convenience of their own homes. Participating courses offering these discounts are listed at http://www.golflungcard.org/. In addition to these great benefits, membership now includes a $250 PGA Tour Experiences Gift card and a fourth membership for free with the purchase of three.

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Author Unknown

2010-11-05T18:52:00.002-04:00

In My Hand I Hold A Ball, White And Dimpled, Rather Small. Oh, How Bland It Does Appear, This Harmless Looking Little Sphere.
By It's Size I Could Not Guess, The Awesome Strength It Does Possess. But Since I Fell Beneath Its Spell, I've Wandered Through The Fires Of Hell. My Life Has Not Been Quite The Same, Since I Chose To Play This Stupid Game.
It Rules My Mind For Hours On End, A Fortune It Has Made Me Spend. It Has Made Me Yell, Curse And Cry, I Hate Myself And Want To Die. It Promises A Thing Called Par, If I Can Hit It Straight And Far.
To Master Such A Tiny Ball, Should Not Be Very Hard At All. But My Desires The Ball Refuses, And Does Exactly As It Chooses. It Hooks And Slices, Dribbles And Dies, And Even Disappears Before My Eyes.
Often It Will Have A Whim, To Hit A Tree Or ! Take A Swim. With Miles Of Grass On Which To Land, It Finds A Tiny Patch Of Sand. Then Has Me Offering Up My Soul, If Only It Would Find The Hole.
It's Made Me Whimper Like A Pup, And Swear That I Will Give It Up. And Take To Drink To Ease My Sorrow, But The Ball Knows ... I'll Be Back Tomorrow.

Stand proud you noble swingers of clubs and losers of balls.... A recent study found the average golfer walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found golfers drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a Year. That means, on average, golfers get about 41 miles to the gallon. Kind of makes you proud. Almost feel like a hybrid.

Golf isn't fantasy

2010-09-12T07:45:00.003-04:00

The PGA is trying to break out of its shell. And the media won't let it.

There are some great stotylines playing out this year leading up to the Ryder Cup that are screaming for coverage, but the media is too scared to move the needle from its Tiger-mania comfort zone to care.

Matty Kuchar, who was a can't-miss kid out of Georgia Tech, is now a seasoned vet that is playing the best golf on the circuit. Here's a story that if the media wanted to refocus its myopic view, would find a new legion of interested fans.

In other words, if the media played the football version of fantasy golf, the focus would be more current and open to finding the next great buzz.
Instead, I get the ESPN scroll-screen telling me about 'other noteables'. In fantasy football if you're looking for 'other noteables' it usually means you've lost. It's all about who's on top.

Does media want to hang its collective hat on 'other noteables'? I know/think? the PGA doesn't.
What is it going to take for the PGA and the media to put its heads together and come up with a new buzz? The past buzz has become a hangover and is taking its whole legion of casual viewers down with it.
Finchem needs to have a tete-to-tete with media and play a friendly game of fantasy golf.
Then both sides would understand the fans' view. We want to know about players trending higher on the food chain.

We want new storylines...

...It starts with Matt Kuchar.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

The space between your ears

2010-08-23T07:12:00.002-04:00

Tiger Woods' on course scoring collapse, is a stark reminder that no matter how shiny and improved your clubs are...no matter how many practice balls you hit...no matter how many golf lessons you take...how many instructional videos you buy...

...it all comes down to a clear mind.

If you play the game distracted...you will have distracted results.

This is how ruts start: If you are distracted...you will play poorly, when you play poorly, you will lose confidence, when you lose confidence you second-guess yourself...

...and on and on it goes. It's an infinite loop that can only be stopped by stopping the cycle.

You stop the cycle by quitting...

Tiger has to put down his clubs...walk away...and find another hobby...like spearfishing...he loves that sport. He needs to take the rest of the year or two picking up fish spears and laying down his golf clubs.

Then, when he is relaxed and can sleep at night not worrying about his swing...then, and only then, will he be able to come back to golf. He'll have a fresh mind, a fresh approach, and will have confidence that will lead to a clear mind.

I also think he and his caddy Stevie will have to part ways if Tiger is serious about getting back to #1. But that is for another post.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

What PGA?

2010-08-10T07:18:00.002-04:00

This past weekend I spent time in Canton Ohio for the annual Football Hall of Fame festivities. Being raised in Canton, it was a big part of growing up, and to this day remains one of my favorite events.

There is also another event that I enjoyed as much...even volunteered in my youth, that occurs the same weekend. but I always fund time to do both. The World Series of Golf.

Times have changed.

If it wouldn't have been for the Saturday Canton Repository, I would have not known that tournament was going on. Worse yet, I didn't even know the turning Stone event was happening in Syracuse as well.

Tigers' fame has died...along with the PGA. I don't see advertisements trying to bring people to a game that has no clear direction at this time. It almost seems that the PGA existed for Tiger...not the other way around. That's the risk they took in promoting him so very much, and that is the bed they are sleeping in now.

I had fun at the HOF...but it wasn't fun knowing that I had lost touch with an event that had as much importance to me growing up...

...I'm not sure who lost touch though.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Miniature golf courses

2010-08-08T14:57:00.011-04:00

Here are some pictures of the best putt-putt courses my son and I visited this summer. Thank you Fiesta Falls/ St Augustine FL, and Rolling Greens/Hartville OH.

Enjoy!

JFB

Winds of change

2010-07-17T21:19:00.003-04:00

Here's a pretty safe statistic: If you sit down to watch a golf tournament...it's pretty safe to say the only thing to mess up you watching an afternoon relaxing watching the tube is either your wife or rain.

...but wind?!

Friday presented that kind of day for me. Until I started realizing that this was not the wind that we should be concerned about...

...it's the wind of change happening in Women's golf.

Paula Creamer (of Pretty in Pink Fame...ok, not really) held off what has been a too-common occurrence in women's golf...the domination of foreign golfers in the LPGA. Paula showed that the once labeled an all American girl with all the tools, but can never win the big one, showed that US-bred golfers can still win one for the Gipper. Her win at Oakmont drew a line in the sand saying "We're not gonna take it" and here we come.

...now where did I put that vuvuzela?

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Golf needs the vuvuzela.

2010-06-27T09:16:00.002-04:00

Golf is pushing out of it's tight-buttoned self. Golf is looking for international direction.

Enter the vuvuzela.

How great would it be if golf fans adopted this instrument as golf's vocal chord?

Soccer fans have been using this horn for years to provide a rallying cry for their homeland. Some love it...mostly the media hates it...but one thing is for certain...passionate fans love it.

I think the golf gods should try it at the Phoenix Open this year as a pilot. Then, introduce it to The Ryder Cup, and all International events.

Want golf to be as popular as soccer? Get passionate fans of whole countries involved. This goes way beyond a stuffy Cutter & Buck polo shirt with a country flag on it. I'm talking boistrous-ness.

Then, when a Graeham McDowell comes out of nowhere to win the US Open...it makes more than front-page news...

...It invigorates a whole country overseas, as well as a country of our nation's immigrants.

And that's how to create passion.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

History of a decade

2010-06-13T16:18:00.003-04:00

10 years ago Tiger Woods won The US Open by an astounding 15 golf shots. A feat that would become his springboard to the infamous "Tiger Slam" and the pinnacle of his career.

Looking back, there were a few pinnacle's that defined the decade. Let's take a look back 10 years ago to see what else was at the top:

The Dot-com bubble was about to burst...the Nasdaq peaked above 5000 for the first time...and the last.

AOL bought Time Warner for over 160 billion...marking the peak of the Dot-com greed that pervaded Wall Street.

George Bush accepted the Republican nomination. The peak of Republican popularity.

Roger Clemens throws the jagged bat of Mike Piazza's at him as he runs to first. The peak of one of the greatest pitchers of all time.

Reliever John Rocker disparaged himself on a subway train at the peak of his career.

Olympic wrestling peaked with an astounding triumph of Gold for heavyweight Rulon Gardner.

Quite a lot did happen in the last decade that, have redefined sports and Capitalism. This year should mark another start of a 10-year span that will be equally impressing...we just won't know it until 2020.

But, nothing earthshaking could happen...and it could be a boring 10 years...crazier things have happened...10 years ago, the planets aligned...and we all thought "how could it get any crazier than that"?

...maybe in this decade pigs will fly. That would be something...

...the peak of pork.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Looking for Ottawa golf courses?

Windows into your life

2010-05-17T07:10:00.003-04:00

I love posters. Every since I was a little kid, I've had posters in my rooms...bedrooms as an adolescent: from Thurman Munson to Farrah Fawcett.
Pads as a young man on my own: from bikes to eagles...now in my office as a grownup...this picture from the www.USGA.org

Every step of the way, a little bit of my personality was handed out in these posters...as a conversation waiting to happen.

I love this latest one...the beautiful California surf pushing onto the one and only Pebble Beach.

It's going to be a great tournament...but even a greater memory.

....And that's why I love posters.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

2 exits...2 different stories

2010-05-01T21:29:00.002-04:00

Both will be cast in bronze in their respective Halls. Ochoa will exit an international wunderkind, and one of the linchpins of the LPGA Tour. Ochoa, exits gracefully...under her own acknowledgement. Retiring an ambassador to the whole game of golf.

Eldrick is exiting this weekend...now reduced to a "trunkslammer" as he continues to try to regroup from his dalliances that have cost him dearly. The exit comes at a very telling time: He is battling going solo...umm...that would be without his hoes. He is also battling remaking himself as a true-to-the-wife husband-slash-father-slash dog walker figure. And he is trying to remake his swing after Nike thrust those dinky-do deep-groove irons in his hands.

It's enough to make a grown man cry. But I believe the man can overcome all of these speed bumps...except one:

The man has the competitive nature to win at all costs: first up his marriage...I believe he will do whatever it takes to right this listing ship. This includes golf.

Here's your question: You're a billionaire...you only care about the Majors...your marriage is on the rocks and your kids are confused...what are you going to focus on? Exactly...the marriage and kids are going to win all the time (unless you study law in NY)...(then all bets are off).

His golf is not important now...his marriage is. That's why he is OK with having those deep-groove market-at-all-cost irons thrust in his hands. He knows better than to use those. Last year he would have told Nike to give them to Wie. Now he has no choice...he is being told what to do. he is suffering...and will continue to suffer...but it's all in a days work.

So golf is being dropped by 2 of the greatest to ever play the game; Lorena Ochoa...my vote for Sportsman of the Year (2 times running). She brings all that is good to sports.

Eldrick is the other, for sure...to be temporary. But this year and next...will see a man with laser focus...only it won't be on golf...it'll be a life challenge...greater than him...

...and maybe that is a good thing to see.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

The day we witnessed the golf God

2010-04-25T18:30:00.002-04:00

The difference between right and wrong

2010-04-13T20:06:00.003-04:00

Jim Nance is my hero. He's putting his reputation as an even-keeled...on the fence uber-announcer...on the line, as one with talons that no one saw coming.

Unless you saw the Masters last week.

Tiger in round 3 at the 1st hole teeing off...literally was teed off at his shot and blurted out his displeasure so every little kid and golf fan that dreams of hero's heard....the blurt heard round the world...with apologies to Franz Ferdinand is what torched Jim's ears that gorgeous Saturday at the Masters.

We can connect the dots to Tiger as an overachieved punk who still thinks he's above it all. He tramples the grounds of Augusta to announce his return because it benefits him...not golf. He shows his potty mouth when he said he wouldn't, right in front of Nance. The dots are connected...he doesn't care. And I guess that's alright...but not in golf. not for a purist.

...Not to Nance, and everybody that represents him.

When Mickelson exulted in his final putt on 18 on that glorious Sunday afternoon...he said "Oh my goodness." If you were a lip reader, you knew it. And that sums up the ascension of Mickelson onto the hero's pedestal.

When we look into the goodness of golf...we see Phil Mickelson, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus (who BTW brought tears to me eyes as they kicked off the tournament with their drives on Thursday).

But we also should include Jim Nance. The man that has the best job in the world, accepts his place in life as a gracious ambassador to every sport he broadcasts...

and one that can tell you right from wrong.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Ahhh spring...

2010-04-10T08:16:00.003-04:00

Among the depths of pollen-dusted sidewalks and car-tops, there are few rites of spring that hit the state of Georgia with as much punch.

Except when you are a 16 year old Italian winning the Georgia Cup that is typically won by local amateurs.

...then you sit up and take notice.

So, while many of the Augustan Army-nation clambers to get a glimpse of "the man" in dark sunglasses, the better views will be had around 10 am this morning, when the future will be teeing off.

The future is one Matteo Manassero. "The boy" who made the cut into this weekend at the Masters.

"Young Seve"...as he is called in his homeland, at 16, was the second-youngest to win the British Amateur...that lore goes to Tom Morris.

But Matteo won in America last week at the Georgia Cup at the Golf Club of Georgia...a smootch of a track.

Amongst his juggling act of school and playing in Europe, the 16 year old, has become the darling of the International circuit...and US golf needs to embrace him. Media would be wise to let the youngster show his talents on live TV this weekend.

Tiger didn't turn pro until 20. Matteo is 16, and, like Tiger, his parents have him grounded and in charge of his destiny.

And while two of the top Europeans battle it out today which should be very exciting match play...the one they need to keep an eye on is Matteo.

Seve is.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Happy happy joy joy.

2010-03-16T19:49:00.003-04:00

Remember that line? It's one of the few Ren & Stimpy lines that stuck in our everyday vocabulary.

Ren & Stimpy...great to sit kids in front of so things can get done around the house by grownups...but not that great for the kids as far as enduring values.

I relate this to the announcement that Mr Woods has decided to ruin it for the die hard Masters patron by wagging his big 10-inch...um driver...around Augusta. Great for Tiger and the other "kids"..Stevie, the media, Cadillac. Finchem "the grownup" can get back to work. But as far as enduring values...the poor badge-carrying fans that try to get a table at Hooters, or any other establishment will be shoved in the corners by the badge-carrying...wait for it..."kids in the media.
Mr Woods has now considered The Masters his way of marking his territory. This is to the increasing demise of the values of the game.

...remember when fans were all in an uproar (me included) about televising the whole par 3 tournament...

...man, that was nothing compared to this on-coming train-wreck.

Happy-happy, joy-joy!

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Anyone ask Billy?

2010-03-13T19:59:00.003-05:00

With all this hub-bub about Tiger getting ready for The Masters, everybody has been willing to speculate on the man's appearance...except one influential person...THEE man who holds court in Augusta.

Nobody has asked Billy Payne.

I would imagine that he does not want Mr Woods to show up.

Anyone remember Martha Burke?

She was the very active feminist who held her ground pushing for women to be admitted to the Augusta men's only club. She held court on the grounds...well, actually the grounds across the street...in revolt...pushing her agenda against the wishes of everyone there...everyone except the TV crews that made tiny Augusta Georgia a zoo for the week.

Fast forward to now. Can you imagine the zoo...no, the Serengeti, that would invade this green oasis that used to be a quiet nursery? My gosh, My Woods' appearance will make Ms Burke's event look like a little girls' tea party.

The green coats at Augusta don't want My Woods to show his face, let alone his game. It will take away from the event itself. An event that has held its high standards above all else and has prevailed. They want to prevail here.

Billy doesn't want to come out and say it...but I'm sure that's the hush-hush feelings. The Masters is bigger than anyone in the game.

Anyone.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

On the bunny trail to the Masters

2010-03-04T17:15:00.002-05:00

Like the smell of baby, golf has a fresh start this year. The Masters tells us this is so. So let's put 2009 behind us and let the golf season 2010 begin!

...and be hopeful that this newborn baby doesn't have another "accident".

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Who's zooming whom

2010-02-22T07:06:00.002-05:00

I love poker, it is a cerebral game that pits yourself against two forces of nature: offense and defense. you have to decide which is more important to gain an edge over your competitor, and execute.

The Tiger Woods spectacle reached a new height last week when the frumpy-looking Eldrick shuffled himself onto a stage of people that don't care, and only want to stare...and get a good lead on a story.

Eldrick only knows how to play from a hand of offense. Defense is a foreign language to him, and instead of learning this art...he has deferred to his misfits of handlers that picked an inopportune time (The Olympics) to espouse on his failings.
The meeting made me feel that he is hiding something bigger and this is all a front to that bigness. Steroids, baby out of wedlock, gambling debts? We will never know, but Katilda hugging him after his oration made his puppet-act looked even more staged than it was. "Que camera 1" the world is watching your trainwreck.

Defense is not how you play golf, you have to challenge and push to triumph. Offense does this. Ask David Duval how you play with defense...it doesn't work very well. Eldrick will be playing defense for a long time.

The Bear will still rule the record books until Eldrick learns how to play from his new position.

Defense.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

The Champions Tour sets sail

2010-01-23T09:11:00.004-05:00

As I sing happy birthday to the greatest golfer to ever hold a flatstick, I want to pay my respect to the PGA Tour. It is simply in a lifeboat. The Hope Classic has no sponsor and has no top 30 players playing. Rather, all the talent has been sucked away (as predicted), following the money wherever it goes to the detriment of fans of the game. This week, the money is in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. The PGA Tour will find itself in Mexico and Puerto Rico before it comes back to Augusta.

Where is a US golf fan to turn?

How about Hawaii?

That's right. The Champion's Tour. With little fanfare, one of the most popular golfers in history...Fred Couples, made his Champions Tour debut this week in Hualalai. He is currently in 3rd behind other (former PGA Tour) fan favorites Tom Lehman and Tom Watson. I believe the Champions Tour holds more enjoyment to the US golf fan now than ever. Most of the fan favorites are now in full rotation on the Champions Tour, and sponsors are noticing, which will allow the Tour to thrive where other Tours are having to retrench.

As an overall optimistic fan of the game...I think it's great to have all these Tours so we can pick and choose our what interests us. I believe for the next few years the Champions Tour will garner the most fan interest. I see a retro-rebirth...couch-golfers connecting with their past. Freddy will lead the way, and I see the Champions Tour as the rope that will keep the overall PGA's life- preserver treading water.

Maybe presciently...The Champions Tour this week is sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric.

I think we're about to see sparks fly.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Like the NFL...check this out

2010-01-09T20:34:00.000-05:00

The long shot

2010-01-09T10:36:00.003-05:00

Last week, a buddy of mine was at the CES in Vegas, and I gave him a few sheckles to place some bets for me. I took the popular route, and placed some wagers on the Super Bowl and the NCAA Basketball Championships. I've done well with those bets before...why change horses mid-stream?

But I missed an opportunity.

Look at the current odds for the 2010 Masters .

Are you kidding me? 5:2 on Tiger when he is holed-up in a place unknown getting facial restoration (he's not shown himself at all...the fallout "is the reason"...like Prez Obama tells his staff...we should connect the dots...so should we), and has deemed to sit out this year?!

There are a lot of optimists out there! I'm not one of them. We won't see Tiger until the end of the 2010 season...my guess would be the last couple tournaments to boost his stock over the winter and to create a media frenzy in anticipation going into 2011.

If I were his handlers, that's how I'd play it.

But I digress. The reason for this post is to tell you who I think will win the 2K10 Masters.

I think this year is the greatest opportunity to wager on golf's super dark-horses...those with over 100-1 odds...why? Because the golfers know this is their best chance too. This will be their best fighting chance to take a tremendous honor and trophy that Tiger Woods owns, and will take ownership of again....once he returns.

I like Weekly and Curtis. Both 125-1 odds, both steady-Eddie's...both do well in Majors.

That's my best guess...whom do you like? Place your bets!

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Wood

2009-12-26T11:25:00.001-05:00

Wood’s Wood Warrants 8 New Campaigns!

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The sting

2009-12-22T20:27:00.005-05:00

Psst...hey, let me tell you how this went down. My names Bones...and with the help of a well-connected golfer and a hacked SkyCaddie...we brought down the most famous athlete in history.

It was early last year when I got a mysterious call: "Look for the little black box in Phil's bag"...click.

While on the back nine of the Phoenix Open during my bosses bathroom break, I rifled through the bag as thorough as Jermaine going through Michael's will.

I found a SkyCaddie. I turned it on.

It blinked a couple times, and started making a static-y sound. Then all of a sudden a screen popped up and revealed addresses...not of golf courses, but of motels. This apparently was a hacked SkyCaddie that was now a compromised GPS.

I followed the trail, and with the help of my mystery-caller...I cracked the code of these various motel rooms holding preserved lipstick-stained wine glasses, soiled bedsheets, and half-eaten oysters on the half-shell. The final clue was a tiger headcover.

The rest is history, and is being written a re-written daily thanks to some Benjamin's from the National Enquirer. I...being led to discover Golf-Gate...with a quasi GPS and well-timed phone calls, will position my boss as the numero-uno in golf...the man who wears the pants...my man Phil.

But who was the caller?

Was it Phil? The Bear? Elin?

Nope...

After much soul-searching...and a cut on my future book-deal, I'm revealing my source:

It was Fluff.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Is this what Earl Wood's wanted?

2009-12-19T08:36:00.003-05:00

Tiger's Dad predicted with much clarity that his son would become more than a golfer and would become an international ambassador of goodwill.

Except for the hookers involved in his "transgressions"....not sure all this is what he had in mind.

While in hiding. his handlers would be well advised to drop his nickname 'Tiger' and recreate his new image as Eldrick, and...if he comes back to golf...to lose the red shirt in favor of ...no, not a smoker's jacket...but logo-ed apparel from MLB, NFL...or other organized sports associations.

He has to re-start his career from the bottom and work his way back up. To re-earn the nickname and red shirt.

I think that's what his Dad would want.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Report: Elin divorcing Tiger - Shag Bag Golf Blog | Golf Channel

2009-12-19T08:31:00.000-05:00

Report: Elin divorcing Tiger - Shag Bag Golf Blog Golf Channel

How Tiger Woods Protected His Image - WSJ.com

2009-12-18T18:36:00.001-05:00

How Tiger Woods Protected His Image - WSJ.com

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Real heroes we can believe in

2009-12-18T06:53:00.001-05:00

“CELEBRATING THE FIRST TEE ” TO AIR ON GOLF CHANNEL
Special to Focus on Participants, Programs and GOLF CHANNEL-Sponsored Tournament

St. Augustine, Fla. (December 17, 2009) – The First Tee will be the subject of a one-hour special, “Celebrating The First Tee,” featuring The GOLF CHANNEL Invitational for The First Tee. The show will air at 8 p.m. EST Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009 on GOLF CHANNEL.

The GOLF CHANNEL Invitational for The First Tee is a premiere national golf and marketing event featuring a competitive tournament for business executives and their guests. Held annually, and with participation by youth from The First Tee Chapters around the globe, The Invitational serves to support The First Tee Chapters throughout the United States and in five additional countries.

“Celebrating The First Tee” will highlight The First Tee Chapters and participants, snapshots of various aspects of the organization and stories of support from corporations around the globe for The Invitational and The First Tee, integral to the organization’s success.

“Each year, thousands of young people around the world receive direct benefit from The First Tee through various sponsored events like The Invitational”, said Joe Louis Barrow Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee. “Through GOLF CHANNEL’s remarkable international reach with shows such as ‘Celebrating The First Tee,’ more and more individuals will recognize the effects of The First Tee and its mission to enhance the lives of young people through the game of golf.”

“Celebrating The First Tee” will take viewers to the 2009 Invitational held in October at Callaway Gardens through footage and interviews with event participants including youth from more than 14 different The First Tee Chapters and corporate sponsors who take a great role in helping The First Tee provide its programs. The show also will highlight a variety of professional golfers who support The First Tee, extraordinary Chapters and even a former participant of The First Tee who is now an instructor.

For more information about The First Tee and its programs, visit www.thefirsttee.org.

About The First Tee

The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org) is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Augustine , FL at World Golf Village , home of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 3 million participants in 49 states, over 3,000 elementary schools and five international locations – Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore. Former President George H. W. Bush serves as honorary chairman. The First Tee Founding Partners are the LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA.

About GOLF CHANNEL

GOLF CHANNEL is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando , Fla. The GOLF CHANNEL cable network, co-founded by Arnold Palmer and a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is available in more than 120 million homes worldwide through cable, satellite and wireless companies. Exclusive partnerships with the world’s top tours allow GOLF CHANNEL to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, added to a programming schedule distinguished by golf’s best news, instruction and original programming. GOLF CHANNEL’s digital platform of businesses is led by GolfChannel.com, the number-one golf destination on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf, as well as services that help the recreational player with how to play, what to play and where to play golf.

Tiger outsourced!

2009-12-13T21:28:00.002-05:00

News of Accenture dropping Tiger Woods had me thinking about those ad campaigns showing him in tall grass with a dumbfounded look on his face.

Now I know that wasn't grass he was standing in...

...thems was weeds.

Truth in advertising does exist!

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

The cracks are showing

2009-12-09T07:12:00.002-05:00

Rule of thumb when there is bad news on a stock is you never want to buy into it while the news is just coming out...the rule of thumb is "you can't catch a falling knife".

Tiger Woods is a falling knife.

Pepsi announced they are terminating the Tiger sports drink to focus on it's core brands. They say it's not timed with the TigerGate, but I'm sure they is a moral clause in the contract that lets Pepsi move on. And let's be honest...was it really a great branding idea? I think not. I think Pepsi is better for it.

This is a way to reduce any more cuts in Pepsi's hands.

Tiger's team is smart to stay hidden and to wait until the smoke has cleared. What he says now won't do any good until the bottom has fallen out...like his mother-in-laws stomach.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Shoeless...Jo...er...Tiger

2009-12-06T07:45:00.002-05:00

Tiger, Elin, And A Five Iron: Yawn - Sports - Blogcritics

2009-12-05T14:02:00.000-05:00

Tiger, Elin, And A Five Iron: Yawn - Sports - Blogcritics

Crouching Tiger, hidden Elin

2009-12-03T20:28:00.002-05:00

At this stage, let's take a look at the top 10 who's happy, and whose sad at this moment:

10) Lawyers are happy
9) Jesper Parnevik is sad
8) Callaway is happy
7) Nike's "Just Do It' tagline is sad
6) Plastic Surgeons are happy
5) Stevie Williams is sad
4) The media is happy
3) Bill Finchem is sad
2) Sweden, Australia, Thailand, and the US are sad

But the #1 happy is:

Phil Mickelson.

This is one more reason not to put anyone that is not of your immediate family on a pedestal...Charles was right on brother!

...and speaking of Charles Barkley :-) I'd love to hear what he has to say about this...it would be the only unfiltered point of view from a media personality I'd be interested in.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

A breath of fresh air for the holidays

2009-11-29T09:50:00.002-05:00

From an informed reader:

Hello,

I am a volunteer for the American Lung Association in Richmond, VA. I came across your blog and wanted to reach out as I thought this was something your readers would be interested in.
Every year we sell Golf Privilege Memberships to benefit our organization. This year we have partnered with Golf Digest Tee Times to offer a new and improved golf program. The new Golf Privilege Membership is still the same great price of $39.95 (that's $20 off the non-ALA price) but now includes over 3300 courses and an array of online specials! I know there are a lot of discount golf memberships out there but I think a lot of folks would be interested in our membership since it offers a way of giving back to a great organization. These also make terrific gifts for the upcoming holidays.
You can purchase the Golf Privilege Membership by visiting www.alagolfmembership.org. We would greatly appreciate it if you could inform your readers of this awesome opportunity.

Here is a little more info on the American Lung Association:
The American Lung Association of the Atlantic Coast is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. Our work takes place in the community where you live. We teach children and adults how to live with asthma, and we provide support for families whose members are living with lung disease. We fund research that will directly impact the care of people with lung disease. We fight for laws that make the air cleaner, and we help teens and adults to quit smoking. We are leading the fight for air – join us!

Kind Regards,

Dubai and Tiger

2009-11-27T15:22:00.002-05:00

What do DubaiWorld and Tiger Woods have in common?

They both crashed last night sending shockwaves throughout the world.

Both situations are in the early stages, and it is too early to speculate on how it happened, but both are in serious condition.

Our prayers go out to Tiger and his family. Let's hope this turns out better that early reports suggest.

JFB

Detail - Neighbor Newspapers

2009-11-26T09:48:00.001-05:00

Detail - Neighbor Newspapers

PGA Tour 2009 Volunteer of the year. Congratulations!

JFB

Apocalypse

2009-11-21T10:27:00.002-05:00

Sports Illustrated is my favorite magazine. The magazine has had a great effect on my interest in sports by exposing me to events that I could only imagine whilst growing up in my small town.

SI has changed throughout the years, but one thing has stayed constant...the writing and pictures...both are the gold standard when it comes to sports coverage.

Every week, they have an excerpt of an uncommon happening in the world of sports that is both head-shaking, and funny...it is called 'Sign of the Apocalypse'...and this week's is a topper. Leno and Stewart I'm sure will have some good comebacks for this one!

Leave it to the Japanese to come up with a new kink in the word kinky...no word yet on how the women will putt...but I'm guessing a man's putter will be involved. I can't wait to see this on YouTube!

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

I'm....NOT going to DisneyLand.

2009-11-15T07:27:00.002-05:00

This week's PGA golfers are in sunny Florida schmoozing Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

All except David Duval, he slammed his trunk and will be taking the long way home in golf-speak. He is one of many that will be finishing lower than the official money bar of 125.

To be sure, he will still be able to enter tournaments in 2010 because he finished in the top 150, giving him the dreaded "conditional status"....similar to the H1N1.

Because of his dramatic runner-up finish in this years' US Open, he will no doubt get a few sponsor exemptions for next year as well, and he is exempt in the first 3 majors next year...so all is not lost for David Duval.

According to the AJC.com, he is already signed up for Q school.

Maybe this is what he wants...it's the challenge of coming all the way back...kind of like this years' US Open, when he had to qualify by starting at the local level, and making it thru the traditional way.

Whatever it is, we wish him luck.

Thanks for reading, keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Dress code?...Psshaa!

2009-11-06T20:06:00.003-05:00

A while back...(and for me, as fast as time flys...that is a long time ago) I visited a semi-private golf course to hit balls on their range. I was in a rush, so I didn't have the proper attire for this course...but, hay, I was only going to their range.

Nope.

"But sir, I just want to hit a bucket of balls...I'll even go to the far end behind where the ball retriever is sitting".

Nope. We require collared shirt, and no jeans.

Fast forward to today, that course is closed with empty homes on it, and I'm still golfing...

...with jeans.

With the rise of casual jeans in the inner social circles of the pure-breds, the dress-code is under assault.

The G20 convention in Pittsburgh this year was dotted with movers and shakers that looked like they should have been at a rodeo rather than at a world convention to determine the fate of the world.

Recently, this phenomena was covered in the WSJ noting the latest fashion...or a better word, comfort trend.

Golf courses that have strict dress codes will have to rethink their stance. Gone are the days when a $40 pair of Dockers slacks trumps a $150 pair of Diesal jeans. Golf courses need to put their dress code rules in relaxed-fit, lose the straight-legged verbiage, and get the 411 on the 501.

Last week I had the option of playing a lovely semi-private course on my day off. I picked up the phone to call for a tee time...then thought about how nice the Levi 560's that I was wearing felt...

...so I redialed and called the local municipal course.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Marvelous

2009-10-12T06:55:00.004-04:00

You gotta love the early SNL skits of Fernando Llamas I believe his "You look Marvelous" line was used 1000 times at my graduation party.

Rio "the marvelous city" will host not only the 2016 games, but will also bring golf to the games, where it so rightly belongs.
The future betting will not however be on the golfer that wins the gold, but for the golfer that builds the course.

See, Rio has no golf courses...it does have pristine beaches with scantily clad sun worshippers and sugar cane fields with...um...controlled burns.

Now it's not Billy that will be saying his famous line, but rather Norman, Faldo and Nicklaus.

No, I'm not talking about their dreams of competing with their sticks...

...they will be competing with their shovels.

So, it is in this beautiful corner of the world, that these great men will train their bulldozers over Rio Terra Firma, to reach the gold in a much more high stakes game than what the actual golf shots will contest, for the Olympic gold.

They will be competing for residuals, the right to call their golf resort the "Official Golf Course of the 2016 Olympiad", and have that moniker to have and to hold way after the Games have gone.

...and that will allow one of these great men to check their bank account while the Rio gold flows to them and say..."Mahvalas".

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Sibling Rivalries

2009-10-07T07:12:00.003-04:00

You have your Eli's and Peyton's...your Serena's and Vanessa's...and the Laroche boys...

...get ready for the Thompson's.

In case you missed it, Friday held some trepidation for two youngsters from the same household: Nicholas Thompson, and his little sister Alexis.

Big brother Nicholas, a former Georgia Tech golf standout who shared the leaderboard with the eventual winner, and Techster, Matt Kuchar at the Turning Stone Championship in Verona NY.

Little sis Alexis, a Florida high-schooler who's 14, shared the leaderboard with eventual winner Lorena Ochoa at the Navistar LPGA Classic at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Capitol Hill spread in Prattsville AL.

I'm sure the household was abuzz! And I'm sure the biggest question was not where they would finish in their respective tournaments...

...but rather which course would the parents walk.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

The hole-in-one

2009-10-03T16:37:00.009-04:00

There are many reasons to golf: we go to relax, commune with friends or go just for the challenge. There is the beauty and serenity of the golf course that makes a round of golf a unique experience each and every time we go...and that's what makes the game of golf so easy to get hooked on.

So when my friends and I decided to go take a day off work to play The Echelon Club in North Georgia, we were going for all those reasons.

But one of my friends got way more than he bargained for.

When you hear of people hitting a hole in one, you listen with detached interest...because, I guess as it is with a lot of events, unless you're in the moment, you can't understand the passion of being there.

Well, I was there, and I now understand the moment.

It happened on the 3rd hole. At 160 yards on an elevated tee it looks inviting, but throw a sand trap the width of the green...10 mile an hour cross-winds, and a pin placement that made you wonder if the greenskeeper "got any" the night before, and you had all the makings of a snowman in 70 degree weather.

When the ball hit in front of the hole, took one bounce into the flagpole and dropped in, we all cheered as if we had completed an insurmountable task.

We are all part of that event now, forever will our names be on that scorecard that will soon be mounted on his wall...with ball. We four are part of something that we won't forget.

My friend has accomplished something that has odds of roughly 12000 to one. Forever and a day that we play, he will have that on me.

He could have shot 500 that day, but in the end...he was the one that got his ball to fly to the stick and go in.

Yes, passion is a big reason folks golf. But hit a hole in one, or witness one, and you'll be hooked beyond passion. You'll understand the essence of the passion...

...to hit the perfect shot.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Golf Journal: John Paul Newport on the FedExCup and Whether It Needs Fixing - WSJ.com

2009-09-29T09:11:00.001-04:00

Golf Journal: John Paul Newport on the FedExCup and Whether It Needs Fixing - WSJ.com

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Cloudy...with a chance of...

2009-09-26T09:04:00.002-04:00

Here in Georgia, we have been known for things like fried chicken and hospitality.

The last few years, however, we've been known for droughts, and as the state that has a lake that's 17' below level.

I'd be referring to Lake Lanier.

The last time that lake was level, was the same year my friend bought a pontoon boat, and berthed in on a slip in the marina....oops.

Both the boat, and slip are gone since those days. Nobody wants to boat on tree stumps, and you only had to walk out to pick up your fish, no need for trolling...no water.

But all that has changed recently with this years' H2O deluge...most recently last week's. Now the trees are green, no more drought, and the lake is full again...

...but so are basements , attics, and soccer fields.

And East Lake Golf Club.

...wait...scratch that...they have a full time maintenance crew that have the crazy task of making the golf course playable for this weekends FedEx Playoff, and they have succeeded...but will be tasked again this weekend as rain is coming.

With the advent of HDTV, greenskeepers' jobs have gotten ridiculously hard. Not only do the golf courses have to be pristine for the golfers, but also for the TV viewer. Gone are the days when the TV viewer couldn't discern a green from a..oh, let's say...brown.

Watching the golf tournament this week, I am amazed at the beauty of the course. especially the green greens. I mean, this area has had so many flash floods, that the DOT just decided to shut down major roads. I mean, my neighbor below me has a fescue lawn now, from the seed I planted in my yard the week before!

So, as we're following golf's season finale this weekend, please remember the men and women that made your viewing pleasure possible: the superindendant, and their crews...and the greenskeeper.

...I'm hiring him to do my yard next week.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Coca-Cola and Kroger Tee Up “Tickets Fore Charity” Program

2009-09-16T20:37:00.002-04:00

All Ticket Proceeds from THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola donated to the East Lake Foundation
Coca-Cola is entering its seventh year as the presenting sponsor of THE TOUR Championship, a tournament featuring the top 30 players in the PGA TOUR playoffs for the FedEx Cup and one of the most prestigious events in all of golf.
As part of this year’s sponsorship, Coca-Cola is partnering with Kroger to support “Tickets Fore Charity” – an innovative new fundraising program designed to improve the quality of life in communities where PGA TOUR events are held.
Kroger will sell single day tickets to THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola in 134 Atlanta-area stores through Sept. 26. One-hundred percent of the proceeds of every ticket purchased through Kroger stores will be donated to the East Lake Foundation, which collaborates with public and private organizations to offer Atlanta's East Lake residents opportunities to build a better future through education for children and adults, affordable housing, job readiness and connections with the broader community.

“Through ‘Tickets Fore Charity,’ individuals can experience the best of professional golf, while positively impacting the lives of those in need in the East Lake area,” said Scott Tillman, brand operations manager, Coke TM, Coca-Cola North America. “The program is a great way to further extend the positive impact Coca-Cola and THE TOUR Championship have on the local community. Through our support of the East Lake Foundation, we’ve played a role in helping to revitalize a neighborhood in our own backyard, and that’s something we all feel good about.”

“Tickets Fore Charity”
· Single day tickets are available at 134 Kroger stores for the following tournament days and prices:
o Wednesday, Sept. 23: $20 (includes $20 voucher redeemable in the Merchandise Tent on-site)
o Thursday, Sept. 24: $45
o Friday, Sept. 25: $45
o Saturday, Sept. 26: $60
o Sunday, Sept. 27: $60
· One-hundred percent of the proceeds of every ticket purchased through Kroger stores will be donated to the East Lake Foundation.

The East Lake Foundation:
The East Lake Foundation was founded in 1995 on the belief that everyone deserves a chance to succeed.
The East Lake Golf Club and THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola have helped revitalize the community and golf has been a tremendous activity for mentoring neighborhood children through The First Tee of East Lake program.
· Web site: http://www.eastlakefoundation.org

The TOUR Championship Presented by Coca-Cola Details:
· THE TOUR Championship features the top 30 players in the PGA TOUR playoffs for the FedEx Cup and one of the most prestigious events in all of golf. This year’s tournament is held from Sept. 23-27, 2009 at East Lake Golf Club.
· Web site: http://www.pgatour.com/tourchampionship

The TOUR Championship Presented by Coca-Cola Charitable History:
· Since 1998, THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola has donated more than $9 million to a variety of local and national charities – including $1.4 million in 2008 alone.
· Primary beneficiaries have been the East Lake Foundation and The First Tee program.
· The PGA TOUR, its sponsors, and tournaments have together raised more than $1 billion for charitable causes across the U.S.

Ode to a friend

2009-09-13T16:59:00.003-04:00

The word "neighbor", has lost its meaning since I was a kid. Back then, a neighbor was someone who invited you to their family reunion. Nowadays, a neighbor is the house down the street, that gives your kids candy on Halloween...

...Frank redefined that word neighbor.

My friend and good neighbor Frank Arnold died this morning. He'd just turned 88.

Frank grew up in Long Island, caddied through the Great Depression to put food on his family's table, met his childhood sweetheart along the way, before joining the Navy and flying Navigator in numerous midnight missions in the South Pacific.

Frank loved golf, had a membership at Mystery Valley GC, and always had a game available with other US Veterans. He was either playing golf, talking golf, or watching golf. He regularly broke 100 in his early 80's...a feat all of us would be so lucky to accomplish at his age.

Golfing with him was an adventure in patience. Because of his advanced age, I wasn't just playing my game, I was also helping him play his. Macular Degeneration had started it's early destruction on his vision, so it was a given that I would be his cart- driver, fore-caddy, and hole-rattler to make his round enjoyable. Playing with Frank also meant a 19th hole trip to his favorite haunt The Grove, where we could enjoy some suds and re-live the day.

As a neighbor, he and his wife would love watching and being around our kids. If we needed a date-nite, they were always available for our speed-dial.

Frank always had a beer ready for trade when he needed a fan put in, or maintenance on his car...and I was a sucker for a good trade. "John, I need an air conditioner put in, and I have Sam Adams on ice"..."Frank, I'll be right over."

The worst part about death I think, is how much you are aware of how fast life goes on after someone you love dies. Time doesn't stop, and we're on to the next day. It's the cruel reality for the living. Now their house sits vacant. So now we'll look at a quiet house with the lights off.

Somewhere, Frank's golf shoes are sitting in the wash room, waiting to be filled...

...and it will be a while to find someone to walk in them.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Haass: What Golf Teaches Us About Geopolitics | Newsweek International | Newsweek.com

2009-09-10T07:09:00.001-04:00

Haass: What Golf Teaches Us About Geopolitics | Newsweek International | Newsweek.com

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Golf Coach Bruce Heppler Optimistic About His Team - GEORGIA TECH OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

2009-09-10T06:46:00.001-04:00

Golf Coach Bruce Heppler Optimistic About His Team - GEORGIA TECH OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

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Golf Journal: Thanks, Golf Haters—Now Be Quiet - WSJ.com

2009-08-29T09:24:00.001-04:00

Golf Journal: Thanks, Golf Haters—Now Be Quiet - WSJ.com

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Ohhh....crap...

2009-08-22T16:18:00.002-04:00

Quiet...do you hear that sound? It's the sound of sweat bubbling up from the pours of a Tiger. No, not the kind of tiger you see in the zoo...they don't sweat. It's the Tiger named Woods.

He's pissed, and he ain't gonna take it anymore.

I imagine the PGA Championship pushed him over the edge.

Sure he's been dinged a little bit this year, what with the drama played out over his returned of his injury-scarred winter layoff. Not only did he have to concentrate on his recovery...but the economic recovery. His planned golf course in Dubai-World is folding faster than a cheap map, and his grand Cliffs plan, scaling now to look more like a gradual slope.
Let's not forget the sponsorship head-aches he has dealt with after Buick pulled out...(and rolled into DC traffic...getting sandwiched in the process by a limo driven by Barney Frank, and the G4 flown by Pelosi). And Gatorade flubbing its way through a re-branding scheme that has even his head-covers scratching their heads...

...but hey, that's G!...

...but that's not Tiger.

The Tiger we know is bulletproof. Nothing stops him. He isn't human...he's a machine.

Then someone tugged on Superman's cape.

That someone was Y.E. Yang. A guy not even groomed for this scenario...the boy wanted to be a weightlifter, not a golfer. I mean, he didn't even start playing golf 'till he was 19!
But what Y.E. did is so scary, so illogical, that it smacks of the kind of prank you would expect an MIT grad to play on the Dean of the college. "psst, I'll do your physics homework for a week if you pull down the Dean's pants during commencement."

Y.E pants'd Tiger at a MAJOR.

The media is all excited that Tiger has registered to play in the Barclay's next week. But Tiger-speak for this is that he's driving his school bus to the bus-stop...

...and he's gonna take some kids to school.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

A classic mini-golf course

2009-08-11T18:18:00.010-04:00

Hartville Ohio is home to a 50-year old miniature golf course. My Mom would hustle me and my brother to this 36 hole mini-golf course that...at the time... sat in between a cornfield and a old farm.

We couldn't wait to play the golf course which consisted of a final hole that, if hit dead-on, would yield us a free trip to have 18 holes of more fun.

We must've played that golf course a hundred times in my youth. In the 70's in NE Ohio, it was that, or a swimming pool that had more trunks in it than a car factory and a flea market that was more fleas than market.

We didn't have much...and we didn't expect much, but something about choosing your color ball and picking a child-sized putter, made us feel like royalty. My Mom was the conduit to our memorable visits to that spot, and contributed merrily in our grand adventure.

Last weekend I went back to Rolling Greens miniature golf course. Me, my brother, his kids, and my son in tow. A third generation being introduced by a couple of grown-up kids now with gray hair and crow's feet.

It had been 30 years since my brother and I played there. On the way, we talked about the place, and how we couldn't wait to hit it through the windmill, or tee it off on one of the longest holes that must be in the Guiness book of Putt- Putt...

...or to get the free game.

My hometown's big day in the sun

2009-08-04T19:50:00.004-04:00

This weekend the sports media will be focused on two very popular sporting events. The football Hall of Fame induction and game, and The WGC Bridgestone Golf Invitational.

The cool thing is it will all be centered around my hometown, Canton, Ohio.

My son and I will actually be there this weekend so he can goof around with his grampop and his cousins. The closest we'll get to golf will be playing the miniature golf course I grew up on, and the closest we'll get to the football inductees will be watching them drive down Main Street for the Hall of Fame parade.

Growing up in Canton was just as you would imagine how Midwestern life would be; hardworking...mind-your-manners...be home for the family dinner-type people. Ohio folk are big on tradition...the Hall of Fame being full of traditional events throughout the week, parades, rib-offs, balloon lifts, car shows and the like are scattered throughout the week in my hometown.

The golf tournament was called The Firestone World Series of Golf back in my day. I caddied in the pro am once with John Cook...what a thrill! As a kid, I was able to get anyone's autograph that I could by shoving a program in front of them. My idol at the time was Curtis Strange. Getting his was momentous. Nicklaus, Palmer, Player...you name it I got it during that tournament.

My Dad was employed for Firestone during that time...he worked on the corporate jets at their hangar at the airport. He would tell me stories of the players and celebrities flying in for the tournament: from Chi Chi Rodriguez to Don Meredith...that Firestone would fly in for the weekend. I thought my Dad had the coolest job when he told those stories during dinnertime.

As I've grown older, I have forgotten those rich traditions. I even forgot these events were this weekend when I booked our flight! But the memories will come flooding back, as the stories will be told to my younger generation...my son.

...we'll reflect, gathered around a small dinner table in my tiny hometown of Canton Ohio, while the whole wide world peeps in for a look.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

School record

2009-07-31T21:54:00.002-04:00

Quick: Which college loves playing golf across the pond?

Answer: Georgia Tech: 3 British Open wins: Bobby Jones, David Duval and Stewart Cink.

BTW: Stewart Cink played with another Tech alum during his victory: Bryce Molder. If he keeps playing well, he will make it a fourth on the firth.

I remember back in the day, Cink winning the Nike Tour Championship (now it's called the Nationwide Tour) at Settindown Creek in Atlanta. A links course that stimped 15 on the final day. I was a scorer for a group a couple groups back...there names escape me now...fame is so fleeting...but I do remember Stewart Cink mowing the field down like a weedwacker on auto-pilot.
He was good at Tech. Everyone knew he was the next big deal out of the storied golf team of Georgia Tech. He almost won the US Open if not for a screwed-up final hole that was harder than #6 at Joe's Mini-Golf and Ice Cream Emporium...save for the windmill.

I still don't agree with belly-putters, but, until the USGA bans it, we have to accept it, and it has revitalized a great player...and it doesn't take away the fact that Cink beat a field on Scotland's hallowed turf only reserved for the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.

Stewart Cink was to Tom Watson what Nick Faldo was to Greg Norman...what was a written script, only to be snatched away, scribbled, erased and edited.

Difference is, this editor took us all along for the ride with his Twitter account. He's a helluva, helluva engineer!

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Golf Rally Cry

2009-07-25T13:43:00.003-04:00

Excerpt from Golf, Naked
Used by permission:

If I Ruled the World:

Here’s an idea for a new holiday. What if one day a year every golf course in the country opened its gates and allowed anyone to play for a predetermined, reasonable,and standardized rate? Can you imagine how cool Golf Day would be?
We would need some sort of lottery or limitation to who could play where depending on age,
state of residence, years on a waiting list, or something. Whatever. Someone else can work out the details. I’m just the idea guy.

A nationwide day for golf would be awesome. It would allow each of us to live out our dreams of playing courses that have filled the pages of history books and hosted epic tournaments—most of which we’d never otherwise have a chance to see.

Imagine knowing that during the next decade you’re going to play Cypress, Congressional, Medina, Merion, Baltusrol, Oakmont, Augusta National, Pine Valley, Pebble Beach, and Cherry Hills. Wouldn’t that be incredible?

I believe it would have a massive impact on the entire golfing industry. Playing golf at a premier facility, even only once a year, would give millions of golfers a reason to keep their games in tip-top shape. Merchandise sales would go through the roof (at least for the day). Rounds, lessons, and range ball sales would all increase, everywhere. Think about it—if you knew you were going to play Augusta National next year, I’ll bet you wouldn’t travel all that way to lay a big fat egg. Rather, you’d work hard on your game, and go there in hopes of posting a respectable score.

Wouldn’t you?

Golf course owners and private club members everywhere — come on, unite. For the good of the game, you can do this!

Golf, Naked

2009-07-20T20:25:00.010-04:00

Everyone has heard the phrase "fake it 'till you make it", but how do you apply the fake it part...I mean, without knowledge of how the right way to act or to be seen before we can fake it, we all just look like ants running for the same leftover sandwich.

In golf, faking it is a very complicated process. Many nuances of being proper, can put the best intentioned soul fighting for his life amongst weathered veterans...because they themselves were once learning these same unwritten rules. It's a tough crowd that is more than willing to throw a hazing party for a newbie.

Thankfully, Greg Rowley's Golf, Naked, has given us an irreverent look at golf etiquette, and has put together a very enjoyable read of being proper in golf.

Golf, Naked is a great book for a beginner, or a seasoned golfer that has just been introduced into new golf-social circles like Country clubs, tournaments, and golf trips.
I feel it is a must-read for anyone who aspires to golf at work. In today's tough economy, if you find a job that requires the occasional golf day...you will be lost without knowing the basic ways to be proper, laid down in this book.

This book appealed to me on numerous fronts, but I kept thinking to myself that I wished I would have known these ways to act or be seen years ago when I was just learning the game.

This is not an instructional book (although the basic fundamentals are covered). This book is about what you do when you want to turn golf into a social tool for you. It's what you do before, during and after the game. This book will guarantee that you will be invited back to a very addictive game.

And for that, we thank you Greg!

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Golf Courses

2009-07-15T18:58:00.001-04:00

Golf Courses & Tee Times - Online Golf Community & Social Networking - Earn Golf Rewards - LastMinuteGolfer.com

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WSJ Golf Journal: Seeing Who’s at Home on the Range - WSJ.com

2009-07-12T19:22:00.001-04:00

WSJ Golf Journal: Seeing Who’s at Home on the Range - WSJ.com

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Kickin' it...old school

2009-06-30T19:17:00.003-04:00

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

David Duval looks (and sounds) like old self at U.S. Open

2009-06-23T07:59:00.001-04:00

David Duval looks (and sounds) like old self at U.S. Open

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Father's Day

2009-06-21T17:39:00.003-04:00

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

An Open letter from the USGA to its members:

2009-06-19T18:53:00.003-04:00

"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

Hearts all...a...twitter

2009-06-17T18:55:00.002-04:00

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

A few ex-Georgia Techies to watch at Bethpage

2009-06-13T21:04:00.003-04:00

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

FedExCup Points Race...go Matty!

2009-06-13T13:13:00.002-04:00

FedExCup Tours & News Golf.com

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Trifecta in Georgia

2009-06-09T07:51:00.002-04:00

Last week was a good one for the state of Georgia:

We landed the headquarters of NCR...another Fortune 500 company to reside here.

We signed Nate McClouth to the Atlanta Braves.

The biggest news however came from a Georgia Tech-man:

Matt Kuchar finished 5th at the Memorial.

Matty needs to finish in the top 30 to qualify for the Tour Championship. With his finish, he should move up from his spot currently at 55.

This week he is at a US Open qualifier, on his journey to Bethpage.

So hooray for cash registers, all star outfielders and hard working PGA veterans like Matty, who, like former Tech golfers, are in a class by themselves.

Thanks for reading, keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Golf Books for Father

2009-06-06T08:22:00.001-04:00

Golf Books for Father’s Day - WSJ.com

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The big 'C'

2009-05-31T14:39:00.006-04:00

My Mom died 6 years ago from cancer. Three weeks after my son was born. Thinking those combined events were the most stressful of my life, I was caught off-guard when less than a year after my son was born, a routine skin exam caught melanoma on my back. Fortunately, after an additional test, it had not spread, and the chance for recurrence is very low.

Cancer does not care who you are. It is only your due diligence that gives you an edge over this disease.

Fortunately, there are organizations throughout the world that provide reassurance and hope to those who have been affected. Golf ,again, has been called upon to become a platform to bring cancer organizations into the limelight.

Golf has always been a huge player of charitable foundations throughout the country. Each PGA and LPGA tour-stop provides local charities of vast causes the opportunity to raise awareness and money. Whether it be the Tours "Together, Anything's Possible" platform, or grassroots efforts like Golf Fights Cancer, there are many opportunities to get involved, or at a minimum to learn who is out there fighting in your corner if the big 'C', or the big 'anything-that's-not-supposed-to-happen-to-me' comes your family's way.

From Amy Mickelson, to Paul Azinger...to a hack like me, or to anyone for whom this disease has been in contact with, we are very relieved that there are volunteers, researchers, and donors, that care....

...Golf, in all its forms, has the biggest heart of all.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

I got skeelwz

2009-05-23T16:41:00.002-04:00

Think you have what it takes to enter and qualify for USGA amateur championship tournaments?

Click here to see the online entry forms with the entry dates, and guidelines required, to register for various USGA championship golf tournaments throughout our country. Both men's and women's are listed.

Pretty daunting?! I'll say. Well, at least we can attend!

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Crash Davis would approve

2009-05-18T21:15:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite sports movies of all time is 'Bull Durham' the title itself is so well known, that it rivals 'Caddyshack' in favorite one-liners. Crash Davis mentoring Nuke LaLoosh is bested only by Ty and Carl.

Last week, Henrik Stenson revived Annie Savoy's recipe of getting your mind off the game. Remember when Annie had Nuke wear her underwear so he would take his mind off the mechanics of pitching...and just pitch?

A few weeks ago, Henrik Stenson showed more skin than Jan Stephenson in the mid 80's,
and folks couldn't believe it and thought it sacrilegious..."what...he took off his glove?!"

But Henrik uncovered and revealed something more than his skin...he revealed Annie's secret sauce...making yourself uncomfortable to get comfortable.

Last week, 'Half-Nude' Henrik slapped the field on the bum to take the The Players Championship. Right now, he's the hottest golfer playing 18...and that's not just the women thinking that. Henrik is winning because he isn't thinking about his game the way he did before that fateful day of disrobe-ing.

And thanks to that day, his talent is trumping his thinking.

As Annie would say "The world is made for people who aren't cursed with self awareness."

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

PS: for my father-in-law

8>9 Challenge

2009-05-16T14:25:00.002-04:00

Recently, I was invited to experience the new Nike SQ Dymo Str8-fit in a test going head-to-head with the TaylorMade R9 (thus the 8>9 Challenge). You can take the challenge as well by clicking here.

As usual this spring, we have had a ton of rain in the ATL, so I decided to take this experiment indoors by going to one of my usual golf-haunts: Golfsmith in Buckhead. They have the Vector swing analysis equipment, so I felt this would give me the best results for determining distance and shot shape. After changing Lpga's poopy diaper, turning Crashbox on for Pga and kissing the commish (follow my tweets for the inside scoop), I was off on my adventure.

After discussing my interest in doing this study with John, one of the friendly employees at the store, he went to suit me up with the weapons of choice.

He explained to me that the TaylorMade R9 has been out for some time, and that the new kid on the block was the Str8-Fit by Nike.
By hitting some balls with a 6-iron to warm up, John took notice that my swing is very consistent and said this would be a good test of the two clubs....let the battle begin!

We tested straight, fade and draw. I have a slight draw to my shots, so I was interested to see if changing the clubhead could change my shot shape.
I immediately saw the impact of the clubface changes were more pronounced with the Str8-Fit, and I could see my shot-shapes much clearer than with the R9.

With both clubs, I barely noticed the look of the clubheads change of angle at address, which I see as a good thing, however, I felt better contact with the R9.

At the end of the challenge, with the R9, I was consistently putting the ball out there at 210 yards with roll of 222, center to slight draw versus the Str8-Fit, of which I couldn't get the consistency I was looking for. My swing speed hovers between 85-95 mph.

Overall, I feel both these clubs would show more benefit for a person like me, who has a consistent swing, and doesn't try to over-swing with a lot of moving parts (this would NOT be the club for Charles Barkely!).
I also think that these clubs promote "over-thinking", that is...hey we think too much on a golf course now, why bring in another variable (I mean, the R9 not only lets you change the clubface, but has 3 screws/weights in the back to alter your shot!). A few times, when I was hitting both clubs, I found myself trying to hit the ball the way the clubface was changed...as Golfsmith John told me, "you have to continue to swing the same way through the shot and let the clubface change the shot...not you."

My thanks to Golfsmith and Nike for allowing me to take The Challenge!

Thanks for reading, keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

YOUR AGE BY GOLF MATH

2009-05-14T14:44:00.003-04:00

1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to play golf (more than once but less than 10)
2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)
3. Add 5
4. Multiply it by 50 -- I'll wait while you get the calculator
5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1759 ... If you haven't, add 1758.
6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should have a three digit number The first digit of this was your original number (I.e., how many times you want to play golf each week).

The next two numbers are YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)

THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2009) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS

Woods already tested twice for drugs under new testing program - USATODAY.com

2009-05-09T08:24:00.001-04:00

Woods already tested twice for drugs under new testing program - USATODAY.com

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The Best Golf Course in America - WSJ.com

2009-05-03T08:20:00.001-04:00

The Best Golf Course in America - WSJ.com

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Tweet tweet has double meaning for PGA Tour's Stewart Cink - ESPN

2009-05-02T11:32:00.001-04:00

Tweet tweet has double meaning for PGA Tour's Stewart Cink - ESPN

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Tiger, Colts' Manning to play together in pro-am

2009-04-28T08:25:00.001-04:00

Tiger, Colts' Manning to play together in pro-am

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Belly putter makes history at the Masters | Equipment | Golf.com

2009-04-22T22:05:00.001-04:00

Belly putter makes history at the Masters | Equipment | Golf.com

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Flat screens flatlined this sponsorship

2009-04-21T12:48:00.002-04:00

Last weeks announcement that Corning was ending its 32 year LPGA tournament in Corning NY really did not come as a surprise.

What came as a surprise is the reason.

The directors felt that it could literally blame poor attendance and lack of volunteers as its reasons for canceling its sponsorship.

In reality, this is what is happening:

Corning failed to mention that credit markets are so tight that they can't renegotiate debt at cheap rates anymore. The reason they have debt in the first place is because during the Internet boom, Corning went hog-wild into the fiber optic business, jumping on the debt-for-growth bandwagon and leaving their legacy glassware business in the dust. At the time it probably looked like a good idea...but not now...with mountains of debt as high as flat screen inventories at Best Buy.

That's what I would have liked to have seen in the release. But they passed the buck.

This is just one of many sponsorships that are going away. It's not just Corning. Looking at the history of Cornings LPGA beginnings, reveals a new, old world where the LPGA and other sports associations will have to base their realities:

"The tournament purse, which started out as $100,000 – with the winner getting $15,000 – stands this year at $1.5 million. This year’s winner will collect $225,000, two and a quarter times what Penny Pulz earned in 1979."

Tournaments that do not adjust for this reality, will be extinct...like the LPGA Corning Classic.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Watchers take cover as Bill Murray tees off | ajc.com

2009-04-18T20:21:00.001-04:00

Watchers take cover as Bill Murray tees off | ajc.com

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New Tools for MyDailySlice readers!

2009-04-18T17:46:00.003-04:00

I've recently added a couple awesome new tools that will allow you to really get inside the uniqueness of the game of golf.
Two new social network tools: Twitter, and ShareThis, will allow you to follow not only my thoughts, but thoughts of some of the best writers of the sport, as well as the best golfers in the world.

How you say? Well, you can follow me on Twitter...and here's the cool part...you can follow the Twitter-ers that I follow as well...which are pretty unique to the game of golf.

Go on...click my Twitter link to see who I follow...I'll wait.

Pretty cool, huh?! I know that you might not be really interested in my timely diaper changes to my future LPGA star...but I do know you are interested in what Stewart Cink is doing right now!

Now for the second app: ShareThis. You can now read the articles that I read, and have inspired me to post...for well over 3 years now...That's 300 in Second Life years!
I read a lot of great stuff during a week...and some of it gets lost in the noise of everyday life, but now I can feed what I'm reading right to my blog post so you can get inside on some of the uniqueness of golf...the essence of what I find interesting.

You might call my blog with these new apps a mashup of what makes MyDailySlice tick.

This will give you more updates to read, and will truly be what I envisioned when I started my blog so long ago: To be a daily slice of golf.

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Inside Augusta National Golf Club - Portfolio.com

2009-04-18T17:45:00.001-04:00

Inside Augusta National Golf Club - Portfolio.com

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Cabrera receives hero's welcome in Argentina

2009-04-15T10:56:00.001-04:00

Cabrera receives hero's welcome in Argentina

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