HAIG THE LAST MAN WALKING (The Nation, 05 Mar 2007)

Did any of your watch the European Tour this weekend?  Although I would have loved it if Mike Weir had played a better second round or Ernie had taken the field by storm, it was also great to see the young guns out there battling it out. 

Sterne was very impressive (besides being a cutie ) and seeing Haig at only 20 never give up the fight right to the end was terrific. 

But I have to say that I was very frustrated with Oliver Wilson’s pre-shot routine…I kept shouting at the TV – “Hit the friggin ball!!!”.  I remember Sergio being a pain that way – thank goodness he has matured (at least in that aspect of his game).

 It’s sad, but when the 3 of the young men stood up on the 18th tee for the playoff, I wasn’t hoping at all for Wilson and it was because he annoyed me so much.  Even the camera men were avoiding him after a while and started filming interesting sites around the course instead of making us watch him waggle and adjust his grip a dozen times…

I may be a “B”, but he drove me crazy…

golfgal

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HAIG THE LAST MAN WALKING
Lerpong Amsa-ngiam The Nation
The Nation
05 Mar 2007

All hail the latest champion from South Africa. Youngster Anton Haig prevailed in a nerve- wracking play-off to beat countryman Richard Sterne and Englishman Oliver Wilson and emerge as the surprise winner of the US$2.44-million Johnnie Walker Classic… read more…

Tech Tags: The Nation newspaper SPORT

Is Dominent Woods too good for golf?

Well well…Nick ‘nicked’ the big cat on Friday and brought him down a notch. Who would have thunk it?  I sure didn’t think O’Hearn had it in his game to do it even though he is a good golfer – no doubt (I think it’s those glasses that get me – he looks like a bug).

Anyway…no breaking the record this year Mr. Woods. 

Don’t get me wrong…I’m a huge Tiger fan (really – huge – he’s my favorite golfer….well….maybe next to the Big Easy who I’d love to take home with me… :)), but his attitude needs a tiny adjustment I think.  He’s changed…I’m not sure what it is, but I feel like Tiger is leaving his fans behind.  Is that a crime? – NO…but it is a little sad to see him pull out of so many tournaments (especially at the last minute) and not commit to others now until the last minute. 

Thought the article below was interesting…check it out…

I don’t believe that brilliant golf is bad for the game, but has the dominance of Tiger gone to his head and not his heart?  I was so angy last year when he pulled from the Tour Championship and then again at the Mercedes and then he didn’t play after Dubai – he needed a rest – I guess that private jet takes a lot out of you…. Oh please…cancel some buick commercials or stop with some promotions. We want to see you play Tiger and we want to cheer  you on and watch you win.  Please come back to us….we miss you.

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Austin American-Statesman
21 Feb 2007

Best golf in Las Vegas

Hello everyone..

I am going to be in Las Vegas in April and am looking to play a lot of golf (keeps me from the tables ).

 Do you have any suggestions for good courses that don’t cost a fortune?  I’m not very fond of link/target style courses.  My double digit handicap keeps me humble and so I’m looking for courses where I can have fun and not look too pathetic out there.

I look forward to your suggestions.

Cheers

golfgal

Golf being won by big bird and big kitty!

Well, it was quite a weekend of golf, wasn’t it?  I couldn’t believe that eagle putt going it.  I really love Retief and Ernie and I see them so close to the top so often, but we haven’t seen a lot of wins by those gentle gentlemen in a while (except the SA open for Ernie – sorry Ernie). 

But you just had to feel really bad for Nick.  I bet he thought it was in the bag.  Isn’t that just golf!  You just never know…

And of course Tiger won again….yawn   Just kidding.  Still love that cat!  Although I’m pretty peeved that he’s so closed about his schedule. I guess it’s better than saying he’ll attend an event and then pull out at the last minute (which he has done too often in my books lately).  But to say he’ll need a “rest” after Dubai…well, that just killed me.  Is our boy losing interest?  He’s certainly NOT loosing his game!

golfgal

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Goosen sets sights back on major challenge
Graham Otway in Abu Dhabi
Monday – Sport
29 Jan 2007

For the best part of four days the sight of Retief Goosen’s name hardly did any favours for the promoters trying to convince the outside world the Qatar Masters should stand alongside next week’s Desert Classic in Dubai. Not the most colourful of… read more…

Tech Tags: Monday – Sport newspaper Golf News

Clarke looks for fresh start (The Irish Times, 25 Jan 2007, Page 24)

Well, a new year has started and it’s already looking like I’ll be spending more time watching the European golfers than the ones in North America.  Watching the final round at the Abu Dhabi tournament last week was so great with all those players in contention – I wish Miguel had won (although I love Paul Casey too), but he’s near the top this week, so I’m really looking forward to seeing him and the Goose and Darren Clarke back in the field.

Good to have you back, Darren.  You’ve been missed. 

But PLEASE…no satin outfits on the course, ok?

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Clarke looks for fresh start

The Irish Times
25 Jan 2007

Darren Clarke has targeted 2007 to move back up the world rankings, starting today in his first European Tour event of the year at the Qatar Masters. Clarke took a step back from golf last year to be with his wife, Heather, who eventually died from… read more…

Tech Tags: The Irish Times newspaper Sportsnews

Swedish star Sorenstam hints at retirement (Gulf News, 20 Jan 2007, Page 39)

It’s hard for someone so addicted to golf to think of Annika becoming tired of it. But I guess you can get too much of a good thing. Although I doubt that will happen to me in my life time – I just can’t get enough of it!. 

If Annika does retire, I expect we’ll still see her back in a few years like we did with Julie Inkster. I can’t imagine her walking away forever. 

Take a break Annika, have your children and come back and show us how champions never quit.  I have no doubt you’ll be back in fine form once you give yourself time to plan the second half of your stellar career!

golfgal

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Swedish star Sorenstam hints at retirement

Gulf News
20 Jan 2007

Swedish golf star Annika Sorenstam said yesterday she was tired of golf and hinted that she may soon be giving up the sport for good, in an interview with Swedish daily Aftonbladet. “I`m pretty tired of golf. I want to have kids and if we decide to do… read more…

Tech Tags: Gulf News newspaper MARKETS

Amy carries the bag for hubby

It must feel very strange for a man to let a woman carry his golf bag (especially one as heavy as a PGA bag) for 18 holes (times 3) without saying, “Honey, can I help you with that?”.  But it sure is great to see it. 

I wonder if he also listens to her advice (or is that pushing this a bit too far ).

Good luck Chris and Amy! 

 

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Defending champion to fall back on wife’s services
BY M. SATYA NARAYAN Staff Reporter
Gulf News
18 Jan 2007

His wife carried his bag and Chris DiMarco got away by buying her a watch out of the Dh122, 3321 prize money for winning the inaugural Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. The defending champion is back and has chosen his wife to caddy for him after the… read more…

Tech Tags: Gulf News newspaper ABU DHABI GOLF

McNamee to push women’s boundaries (Australian, 19 Jan 2007, Page 24)

Bravo McNamee.  I applaud your persistence to promote women’s golf in Australia and shake it up a bit. 

golfgal

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McNamee to push women’s boundaries
Nicole Jeffery Golf
Australian
19 Jan 2007

KARRIE WEBB and her had better hold on to sponsored caps. Australian Women’s Open chairman Paul McNamee intends to take them out of their comfort zone when they arrive at Royal Sydney Golf Club for his tournament in two weeks. Specifically hired to… read more…

Tech Tags: Australian newspaper Sport

Ever hear of “planned parenthood” Tiger?

Tiger isn’t “prowling” much these days except perhaps at home. As happy as I am for him becoming a new dad, I’m really unhappy that he’s skipping the Mercedes this week. 

Given the fact that he skipped the Tour Championship last fall and his baby being born right in the middle of two big majors this summer, I can see this being a tiger-less year for golf. 

Sigh….coudn’t you have planned this baby for delivery in say…November?  And PLEASE don’t say it was an accident.  Nothing you do, Tiger, is an accident.  Bad timing baby – really really bad.

Oh well…we all knew this was coming sooner or later. I was just hoping it would be later - AFTER the golf season and the Fedex Cup.

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The Windsor Star
02 Jan 2007

You go Kelly!

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope your year is full of great golf and great breaks (like breaking 100, 90, 80, 70), breaking your age and even enjoying Big Break VII, VIII, etc.

I am so happy to see Kelly being recognized in this article. It’s a small one – not front page stuff for sure – but I’m happy anyway. 

She has proven that she can drive good commentary in her Sprint post game  shows on the golf channel.  And the way she handled Steve and Charles on Wed nights was so much fun to watch. 

She seems to really have confidence without arrogance and everyone seems to love her at the golf channel.  I know my partner and I really enjoy her and will be watching and cheering for her when “every PGA tour event begins here”.

I’m off to Fort Lauderdale this weekend, playing golf on Saturday for the first time since October.  I’m so excited….I just hope I don’t “break”  my club when I stand naked on the first tee and shank my first drive. 

FORE!!!

golfgal

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Golf Channel debuts female announcer

Houston Chronicle
02 Jan 2007

The PGA Tour will unveil a number of dramatic changes with this week’s start of the 2007 season. Viewers tuning in to Thursday’s broadcast of the first round of the MercedesBenz Championship in Hawaii will immediately glimpse the bold, new nature of… read more…

Tech Tags: Houston Chronicle newspaper On Two