A New Blog In the Blogs of Note Section

The Armchair Golfer sent me a very entertaining email. So, I added a link to his blog to the Blogs of Note Section. Check it out there or HERE.

This Can't Be Good

My only comment: It's best to keep work and personal life separate.


Click on the news below to go to the website and read the whole article.

London - Former world number one Greg Norman is to team up with Sergio Garcia and leading designer Pete Dye to create Dubai's first links-style course.

A Glimpse into the Tennis World

There is a really good article about Fernando Gonzalez, finalist in this year's Australian Open. The name of the article is "Federer Beatable, Says Gonzalez" if that's a hint. He made a lot of interesting quotes in this article. Check it out.

FBR Open

The tour is in Arizona this coming week for the FBR Open, renowned for its rowdy galleries. Players scheduled to participate include: Paul Azinger, Alejandro Canizares, Fred Couples, John Daly, David Dubal, Brad Faxon, defending champion J. B. Holmes, Davis Love, Jose Maria Olazabal, Brett Quigley, and Steve Stricker. NBC will be calling the event on network tv Saturday and Sunday.

Found a clever article about the FBR Open at www.azcentral.com.

Qatar Masters Final Round

Retief Goosen won with a score of -15. Nick O'Hern finished one shot back and Ernie Els finished -13. Andres Romero -11. American Edward Michaels -6 and Amateur Seve Benson from England finished +1.

Spaniard Watch:
Sergio -7 (with a final round 67 - finally a good round)
Miguel Angel Jimenez -7
Alvaro Quiros -4
Alejandro Canizares -6
Jose Manuel Lara -2
Gonzalo Fernandez Castano +6

Coincidence??

Chile has Professional Tennis Player Fernando Gonzalez

Spain has Professional Golfer Gonzalo Fernandez Castano.

Both sports now have one tongue-tied fan.

Qatar Masters Round 3

Retief Goosen, Richard Green and Nick O'Hern are all tied for the lead going into the final round at -12. American Edward Michaels and Henrik Stenson are next at -10. Andres Romero is -8. The next installment of Spaniard Watch will be after the final round. Miguel Angel Jimenez fell back a bit today with a 73. I'm excited about Edward Michaels. I don't know much about him. They said on the coverage that he plays the Asian Tour, had shoulder problems and is playing on a medical exemption. Sounds like the kind of guy you want to see do well when he has the chance.

Buick Invitational Round 3

I don't think Brandt Snedeker, Kevin Sutherland, or Andrew Buckle care that Tiger Woods is in the field. So many of the media keep trying to perpetuate this notion that Tiger intimidates competitors. Snedeker and Buckle could have folded easily but kept working at it and stayed in the lead by the end of the round. And Sutherland made a birdie to get into the final group. I'm not going to try to pick a winner or anything. Whenever I do, some one else wins. So, I will just say that with so many good players within 3 or 4 of the lead, the final round should be highly competitive.

As for the announcers today. Peter Kostis actually got to interview Tiger today. Wow. I guess Tiger's over his primadonna tantrum that started when Kostis criticized his swing a few years ago. It was great to hear David Feherty again after so long. Jim Nantz wasn't a bit afraid (unlike Kelly and Jerry from the Golf Channel) to say that Tiger topped his second shot on 18 yesterday. That was good. Nick and Ian Baker-Finch were great today as well.

They are still touting the whole Tiger Win Streak thing. It's amazing how people still buy into that. It isn't like he won six straight weeks in a row. That would be something to brag about. But Tiger one a couple, then lost one or two in Europe, then he may have won another, then lost some. Maybe someone else will win tomorrow and the media can finally stop trying to cash in on this pseudo-statistic. This is like me saying that I am an undefeated Trivial Pursuit player. I played three times in college and won three times. That was about 15 years ago. But I'm still undefeated. It doesn't matter how much time has past and how little I've played the game. I put all those other Trivial Pursuit players who don't win to shame.

Buick Invitational

After two rounds, Brandt Snedeker is in the lead at -13, followed by Charles Howell III at -10. Brett Quigley is -6, Ian Poulter is -4 and David Duval is -3. Heartbreaker of the Day: Jose Maria Olazabal misses the cut with a 65-79.

I got to see a little bit of the Golf Channel's coverage of the 2nd round today. How much do I love Nick Faldo???? He wasn't a bit afraid to say Tiger topped his shot on the 18th. Heeheehee. Faldo asked Kelly if she'd ever seen him do that and she quietly said 'no'. Then, Faldo asked Jerry if he'd ever seen that, and he, in a rather subdude voice, said 'never'. You could tell that Kelly and Jerry weren't sure if they were going to say anything the least bit negative about THE Tiger Woods. And you had to wonder if Nick wasn't testing the other announcers to see what they would say. Faldo had no fear. After Tiger had spoken to Jerry, Kelly said he had made a mess of things at the end. But it took her a while to call it like it was.

And how about how many Q School and Nationwide players from last year made the cut? That's something else. I think I'll have to go back to my Q-School post and see which players I was impressed with and start following them.

Qatar Masters

Retief Goosen is tied for the lead with Richard Green at -11. Miguel Angel Jimenez, who is having a really good two weeks, is -8. A surprise - Paul Casey missed the cut, as did Darren Clarke.

Rest of Spaniard Watch (Miguel is mentioned above):
Alejandro Canizares -5
Alvaro Quiros -4
Sergio Garcia -3
Jose Manuel Lara Even par
Ignacio Garrido +2 missed the cut.

Final Round Thoughts

Paul Casey came from behind to win in Abu Dhabi. Miguel Angel Jimenez finished T2. Sergio didn't make it into the top ten, but he did improve from yesterday and he did have 4 rounds at par or better.

At the Bob Hope, Justin Rose was in it right til the end but missed out on a playoff with the way he played the 18th. John Rollins and Charlie Hoffman did make it into a playoff and Charlie got the win. Jeff Quinney won a car for a hole in one. A couple of comments: John Rollins got a lot of negative thoughts attached to him last year for earning all those Ryder Cup points for his win at the B.C. Open. It's good to see him in contention at such a prestigious event. Maybe all those Points Whiners will rethink some of their comments. I didn't see them out there this week in contention. This is Charlie Hoffman's first win so if I was pulling for anyone other than Justin it would have been him. Plus, he had some great shoes on. And as for the hole in one - the announcers kept replaying it and talking about his score in the tournament but they took forever to tell us that Jeff had won a car and what kind of car it was. That's the exciting part about a hole in one.

Now I have a hard decision to make - do I watch the Champions Tour event in wonderful Hawaii, watch the Australian Open tennis coverage in blistering hot Australia, or Digging for the Truth on the History Channel? I have a feeling I might be channel surfing tonight.

Off topic: We got snow today (Booooo!!!!!). I was out shoveling about 3 inches of snow off my quarter of a mile long driveway and I am so sore and tired now. It was really depressing because it was still snowing while I was out there. I figured it would be easier for tomorrow's upper 30s temperatures to melt off the additional inch rather than 4 total inches. Have I mentioned on this blog how much I hate snow? I really, really hate snow. The weather for the rest of the week doesn't look all that great. I have a feeling I might end up carrying milk and other groceries up to my house while I leave my car parked at the main road. That will be a first for me. The one positive thing about that is that it's an extra workout.

Saturday in Golf

Spaniard Watch is loving Miguel Angel Jimenez this week. It's about time he got back into contention. I don't have anywhere to go tomorrow, so hopefully I will be able to just sit down and watch the final round of the Abu Dhabi tournament.

Justin Rose had a so-so day at the Bob Hope. At one time he had a 5 shot lead, but when the players are playing 4 courses, you can't rely on the leaderboards that much on Saturday. Tomorrow, everyone plays the Classic Club and I agree with Justin that he will have an advantage for having played the course today. I also hope that today was Justin's typical fourth/final round hiccup that has prevented him from winning on the US tour in the past. If he gets that out of the way, maybe he will play great tomorrow and come away with a win. I also like Lucas Glover up there at the top too.

The Champions Tour looks to be a hotbed of competition this week. Several players within a couple shots of the lead and all the players are tough. Even Hale Irwin's in contention, something we haven't really seen for a year or so. I plan to check out this thing about the Titanic on History International and if it isn't any good, I'll probably come back to the Golf Channel to see more of the Champions Tour event.

A First For Me

I've created a Top 10 list of reasons why the new TV deal with the Golf Channel is good. I'm not saying the list is funny.

10. Less re-runs of old events and infomercials
9. More interviews with and features on the players
8. Your Game Night now starts at 10pm, my bedtime
7. No delays of airing the coverage because of football and basketball running over
6. No Law & Order opening scenes when the golf coverage ends
5. Counting how many times Aimpoint is right and Winzone is wrong
4. No ESPN Carl and his bad impressions of Terry Gannon
3. More Nick Faldo
2. Nick and Kelly's commentary sounds like they are calling the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - and who doesn't love a parade?

and the #1 reason why the TV Deal with the Golf Channel is good:

3rd graders everywhere will get into trouble at school after using Rocco's imaginative names for golf shots in everyday conversation on the playground.

Spanning the Globe

I haven't had much time to do the research necessary to comment fully on round 2 of Abu Dhabi or the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, but here are a couple of thoughts: Sergio was even par on the day. Not so bad when you think about his game, but not good when you think about the tournament. He's got to do better on the weekend so he can start the year off well. Miguel Angel Jimenez made a move today. Good for him.

As for the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic; Justin Rose continues to play great. I'm so happy for him. He is a very nice guy. I haven't met him, but he did personally respond to a fan email I sent him. He deserves a lot of success out there. Phil Mickelson hasn't made a move yet. You have to wonder just how much work he did during his off season. Yes, he's a lot fitter, but you'd expect after such a layoff, his game would be dynamically good. But so far, we haven't seen that. That's another thing that's kind of gotten me disappointed - Sergio had several weeks to work on his putting, but from what I saw yesterday, he's still sticking with what he did last year - crouching, stiff as a board, for seemingly forever before hitting the putt. Hopefully that will pay off for him and he will get a win or two this year.

And the Champions Tour begins its season tonight in Hawaii. I wish I was in Hawaii. But that's no surprise. Anyone who reads this blog with any regularity knows I have a fondness for the island paradise.

Round 1: Worldwide

First Up: Abu Dhabi

Phillip Archer shot a -9 to take the lead with Nick Dougherty, Retief Goosen and Henrik Stenson at -6. Padraig Harrington was 4 under par. Defending Champion Chris DiMarco is at -3. Paul Casey and Andres Romero are 1 under par and a bit of a surprise - Johan Edfors +9.

Spaniard Watch at Abu Dhabi: Alejandro Canizares +3, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano +1, Ignacio Garrido - Even par, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Juan Parron -1, Alvaro Quiros -2, Jose Manuel Lara +5 and finally..... Sergio -4. Saw his new outfit - I thought he looked good. One of the best things about the start of a new golf season is seeing what everyone's wearing.


Next: Bob Hope Chrysler Classic

Last time I checked: Scott Verplank -13 (could change), Justin Rose -12, Matt Kuchar -10, Lucas Glover -7, Dean Wilson and David Duval -6, Mickelson was at -4 according to the golf channel, Will MacKenzie -3 and Paul Azinger - even par.

David Duval was only -1 today. Hopefully he'll rebound and do great the next three days. One of my favorites, Justin Rose, is doing really great. Good for him!

............... Now, I'm off to watch the Abu Dhabi coverage I recorded today...............

January 2007 Issue of National Geographic

In the January 2007 issue, there are two interesting somewhat golf-related articles. One is a feature on Dubai (mega dollar golf city) and the other is an article about a golf resort being planned near Victoria Falls which will be right in the middle of an elephant crossing.

I recently ordered a subscription to National Geographic after watching the Gospel of Judas documentary on tv last month. When I was younger, I had a brief career desire to become a photojournalist for National Geographic. Too bad I'm not that good at taking pictures.

All Aflutter

Abu Dhabi's coverage starts tomorrow. I can't wait to see how everyone does, and yes, I'm hoping for big things from Sergio. I watched the European Tour Weekly show and it looks really warm over there. It will be nice to watch the coverage and think that I could be that warm too. Like the other night when I watched the Australian Open tennis and it was a toasty 120 degrees on the court. Of course, when it gets 90 here in the summer, I'll be writing about how wonderful it is to have 6 fans going at the same time here in the house.

Bob Hope Chrysler Classic

Phil Mickelson began his year today with a 2 under par round. He does look fitter than last year. I don't like him much, but I do like the new fitness factor. It makes me think of my boss who tried to lose weight with nutrisystem instead of just getting off the rear and working out.

David Duval had a really good round today. Everyone at the golf channel talked about him like he's made some kind of big time comeback. I hope that wasn't a kiss of death for him this week. He should have really great memories of the tournament and hopefully that will help him finish great.

The Golf Channel had a lot of technical issues today. Mics cutting in and out, pictures screwing up. I hope they fix that soon. I would hate to have to put up with that all season.

And the weather. Oh, it's so cold in California. Oh, poor, poor people. It's cold here too but I can't just jet off to some warm weather locale like the players out there. The local weather person here likes to show the temperature in Caribou, Maine each morning. I think this morning it was 16 below or something. Talk to those people about how cold it is.

Hall of Fame Ballots

Courtesy: Hall of Fame Magazine Website


HOFMAG.com Staff

St. Augustine, Fla. (January 16, 2007) – The World Golf Hall of Fame has released the 2007 PGA TOUR and International ballots to the respective voting bodies comprised of golf journalists, historians and dignitaries from around the globe. The ballots are due Friday, March 2 and announcements for the 2007 Class will be made later this Spring.

Of the 20 candidates on the PGA TOUR ballot, the top returning finishers from 2006 include Curtis Strange (50%), Craig Wood (37%) and Hubert Green (36%). The International ballot, which has 11 candidates, will again include last year’s vote leaders Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki (46%), Jose Maria Olazabal (32%) and Sandy Lyle (30%). The complete list of 2007 PGA TOUR and International candidates is below, as are the percentages from the 2006 ballot results.

“Each year we look forward to releasing the ballots as it signals the first step in determining new members of the World Golf Hall of Fame,” said Jack E. Peter, the Hall of Fame’s Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “We appreciate the voting bodies’ participation in this important process.”

David Toms is the only new addition to the PGA TOUR ballot. Toms, who turned 40 earlier this month, qualified for the ballot with his 12 PGA TOUR victories, including the 2001 PGA Championship. There were no new additions to the 2007 International ballot.

The Class of 2007 is expected to include Se Ri Pak, who has met the LPGA points criteria and is scheduled to fulfill the final requirement for Induction—10 years on the LPGA Tour—when she plays in her 10th event this season.

International ballot voters have the ability to nominate candidates for the Lifetime Achievement category and the World Golf Hall of Fame Advisory Board can nominate for the Veteran’s category. Both discretionary categories will be determined by the World Golf Foundation Board of Directors Selection Committee.

The 2007 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, November 12 at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla.


PGA TOUR Ballot
2007 Candidates

Miller Barber
Bob Charles
Fred Couples
John Daly
Doug Ford
Hubert Green
Don January
Tony Lema
Davis Love III
Harold McSpaden
Mark O’Meara
Denny Shute
Macdonald Smith
Dave Stockton
Curtis Strange
David Toms
Ken Venturi
Lanny Wadkins
Craig Wood
Fuzzy Zoeller

2006 Results

Larry Nelson 65%
Henry Picard 53%
Curtis Strange 50%
Craig Wood 37%
Hubert Green 36%
Lanny Wadkins 34%
Denny Shute 30%
Doug Ford 22%
Bob Charles 21%
Fred Couples 18%
Tony Lema 18%
Mark O'Meara 16%
Davis Love III 15%
Ken Venturi 15%
Don January 13%
Macdonald Smith 12%
Fuzzy Zoeller 10%
Harold McSpaden 6%
Dave Stockton 6%
Miller Barber 4%
John Daly 3%



International Ballot
2007 Candidates

Peter Alliss, England
Max Faulkner, England
Sandy Lyle, Scotland
Graham Marsh, Australia
Colin Montgomerie, Scotland
Kel Nagle, Australia
Christy O’Connor Sr., Ireland
Jose Maria Olazabal, Spain
Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki, Japan
Norman Von Nida, Australia
Ian Woosnam, Wales

2006 Results

Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki 46%
Jose Maria Olazabal 32%
Sandy Lyle 30%
Kel Nagle 29%
Christy O’Connor, Sr. 26%
Graham Marsh 24%
Ian Woosnam 21%
Colin Montgomerie 16%
Peter Alliss 13%
Norman Von Nida 10%
Max Faulkner 7%

Australian Open Tennis

It's 120 degrees on the court. The chair umpire is under a canopy. The ball boys and girls and the lines judges are under cover. The players, however, are in full sun. That's just not right.