Thursday, March 09, 2006
England boys do us proud!

A massive congratulations to Ollie Fisher and all the England boys who took part in the South African Amateur Strokeplay this week. On the strength of their performances English Golf has a very bright future.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK FELLAS!!!
England international Oliver Fisher (pictured left - photo courtesy of Tom Ward) underlined his ever growing potential by finishing runner-up in the South African Stroke Play Championship at De Zalze.
 
A closing 70 for an aggregate of 279, nine under par, left the 17 year old from Essex two strokes behind the winner, South African Branden Grace, who also finished with 70.
 
Cheshire-based David Horsey carded a final 69 to finish joint third on 280, but Edward Richardson, who had led the championship virtually from the start, finished tied sixth on 282 after a 78. Alongside Richardson on the same score was another England cap, Adam Gee with 71.


Link: www.englishgolfunion.co.uk/news.asp
 


Golf News
3/9/2006 10:34:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Plane crazy

I've put this up because I'm going on holiday this weekend and this is the kind of thing that I will inevitably be blogging about come Wednesday.

A golf ball tracker blamed for a shutting down part of Portland International Airport has caused problems in the past.

PDXThe north ticket counters and north baggage claim were closed Tuesday after screeners spotted a suspicious device in a bag passing through an X-ray machine.

The airport reopened about 2.5 hours later after the bomb squad checked it out.

Security workers tracked down the bag's owner, stopped his airplane on the tarmac and pulled him off. The device tracks the speed and arc of golf balls.

Link: http://www.koin.com/news.asp


Golf News | Your funnies
3/9/2006 10:13:42 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Woosie supports the Welsh

They say good things come in small packages....

"Ian Woosnam has been appointed official ambassador for Welsh golf in the run-up to their first staging of the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in 2010.

Woosnam will captain Europe in this September’s match against the United States in Ireland, and the Welshman is delighted with his new role.

“I’ve been proud to represent my country many times in my golfing career, but this is a great opportunity to make a practical hands-on contribution,” said the 48-year-old former Masters champion.

“Ryder Cup 2010 is going to make a huge difference to the growth of golf in Wales and to Wales’ international standing across golf, leisure and business."

At least it might get Wales noticed by the chief map drawer of the EU!

link: www.icwales.icnetwork.co.uk

Golf News | Golf Punks
3/9/2006 10:05:14 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Master-ful

There's less than a month before the golfing world turns it's eyes towards Georgia and the serene beauty of Augusta National for the first of the year's majors, The Masters.

From the year so far you would have to be an idiot to rule Tiger out of the race to capture his fifth Green Jacket, although you can still get a good price on him to win outright at 5/2. Tiger is winning everything he's looking at this season and so the more interesting question is who will mount a challenge?

Tiger excepted, none of the world's top five seem to be in form at the moment. Ernie Els made an exceptional comeback after a lengthy lay off with injury, but since then has only shown glimpses of his true form. Phil Mickelson looked to be on top of his game in the Doral championship and for a brief moment it looked like there was going to be a repeat of the titantic battle that happened over the Blue Monster course in 2005 between the two Americans, but he faded away to nothing over the weekend and looked slightly over-awed by the end. Vijay Singh showed early promise, but has failed to capitalise on that early momentum and looks like he desperately needs a win to get him focussed again.

It looks like the threat could be from a new set of talent. Without causing fireworks, Rory Sabbatini got off to a great start this season and other main talking points are the rise of players like Bubba Watson and JB Holmes, both exceptionally long hitters of the ball and probably well suited to Augusta. Luke Donald, David Toms and Chris DiMarco look very solid and are battering down the door to knock Tiger off the crown. Could this be the time and the place?

The main reason I'm postulating is because 40 years ago a chubby blonde tore Augusta to peices in a scintillating display that the legendary Bobby Jones described as "a game with which I'm not familiar." That man was Jack Nicklaus who finished nine strokes clear of nearest rivals, and if you needed further demonstration of the sheer scale of this performance his nearest rivals were Gary Player and Arnold Palmer.

Is the fortieth anniversary going to yield a similar competition? I flaming hope so.

Web Bloke Shaun

Tips and Swing thoughts
3/9/2006 10:02:01 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Stats and Facts

Just browsing through the PGA Tour website and came across a few interesting statistics that have happened this year.

Big hitting Bubba Watson ended a fabulous streak of 99 holes without a bogey last week. Although no official records are kept, Tiger Woods is believed to be the leader on 110.
For consecutive holes without making a birdie, GolfPunk's Equipment Editor Dan Owen is in the lead with 5,678,538,116 holes.

Another item of note is that I think the whole world will nod in agreement if I say that Tiger Woods is in the form of his life at the moment, winning three of the four strokeplay events he has competed in this year, yet he's only second in the Money List, behind Rory Sabbatini. You certainly can make a good living on the professional circuit.

Tips and Swing thoughts
3/8/2006 6:57:05 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Old Skool Rules

The Scotsman ran this story, demonstrating how proud the Scots are of  their historic connections to the game. Things have been heating up recently in the debate over where golf truly originated, with the Chinese producing some ancient documents that claim they are the true home of golf. Perhaps this could be the next big head to head. 'Who would win a fight between the Scots and the Chinese?'


THE first recorded rules of golf were given a rare public outing yesterday. The historic document, taken down in minutes for Edinburgh City Council in the 18th century, was the first to set out how to play a tournament.

With advice from the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the authority drew up regulations on 7 March, 1744. Councillors decided golfers should pay five shillings to enter the tournament on Leith Links and clerks had to accompany each player to make sure no cheating occurred.

The 262-year-old book was brought out to launch the Leith Rules Golf Society's programme for the forthcoming year.

Link: http://sport.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=348612006


Golf News
3/8/2006 6:36:21 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
NEW SEGA GOLF GAME

If this is better than Tiger Woods PGA Tour then I will eat my desk. The EA Sports game has turned me into a social misfit who rarely converses with anybody unless they have a tip to help my improve my playing ability.

I wouldn't mind seeing what I look like in Ai's clothing though....

Sega has announced that they are currently working on a new golf game for the Sony PS3. The game will star Japans most famous golfing family – bothers and sisters Kiyoshi, Yusaku and Ai.

Gamers will also be able to choose which one of the siblings to play and compete against on many famous courses from around the world.

But perhaps the most exciting aspect of the game is that if you're playing as Ai, you'll also have the option to choose from a selection of outfits based on her real life wardrobe.

Sega has said the game is near completion and could be done as early as this spring and are hoping to release the game with the launch of the PS3 in Japan.



For when golf isn't enough | Golf News
3/8/2006 4:35:12 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Friday, March 03, 2006
PM QUESTION TIME

They say that absolute power corrupts absolutely......

Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan has created controversy by playing golf in Busan on the first day of the railway strike, and on Independence Movement Day when national figures were attending related ceremonies.

Lee went to Busan by plane on the morning of March 1 and played golf with local business leaders at the Asiad Country Club in Gijang-gun, at 9:30 a.m.

Lee did not attend an Independence Movement Day ceremony held at the Sejong Center in Gwanghwamun, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and he did not request a police escort because he was on an unofficial schedule.

It is reported that his golf outing had been scheduled well in advance at the request of local business leaders. After playing golf, Lee had a meal at 3:00 p.m. in the clubhouse, visited his sick mother-in-law, and left Busan for Seoul at 8:30 p.m.

http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=050000&biid=2006030374708


Golf News
3/3/2006 2:40:47 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Thursday, March 02, 2006
Women banned from driving Golf Carts

In the light of recent findings that the gulf in pay between genders still exists, here's a little story that shows it's not just on the wage slip where discrimination exists:

"RIYADH, 2 March 2006 — Women were forbidden to drive golf carts in the cultural village at the Janadriya Festival during the three-day period set aside for women. Original plans called for trained Saudi women to drive the golf carts and assist in transporting visitors, particularly old women and the handicapped.

According to Seham Al-Dosary, an organizer from the company supplying the carts, no clear reasons were given for the decision."

For full story click here


Women's Golf news
3/2/2006 4:09:21 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Kids wot are better than us

Good Work Fellas!!

Hopefully we'll see these aspiring stars taking part in our online golf club, due to start up in mid April.

Send uus some pics of the guys in action and we'll stick them in the galleries.

"A major initiative to encourage junior players at Hadley Wood GC in Barnet has resulted in the club gaining the English Golf Union's (EGU) Junior Golf Mark Award.

The award, jointly developed by the EGU and the English Ladies' Golf Association, recognises the outstanding dedication to junior golf at Hadley Wood, where several juniors have been given places on the 2006 Herts County Coaching system, designed to nurture promising talent.

The number of junior members at the club, as a percentage of the total membership, is above the national average, while the club also has more junior girls than any other club in Hertfordshire."

Click here for full story


Golf News
3/2/2006 4:05:10 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Kids wot are better than us

Good Work Fellas!!

Hopefully we'll see these aspiring stars taking part in our online golf club, due to start up in mid April.

Send uus some pics of the guys in action and we'll stick them in the galleries.

"A major initiative to encourage junior players at Hadley Wood GC in Barnet has resulted in the club gaining the English Golf Union's (EGU) Junior Golf Mark Award.

The award, jointly developed by the EGU and the English Ladies' Golf Association, recognises the outstanding dedication to junior golf at Hadley Wood, where several juniors have been given places on the 2006 Herts County Coaching system, designed to nurture promising talent.

The number of junior members at the club, as a percentage of the total membership, is above the national average, while the club also has more junior girls than any other club in Hertfordshire."

Click here for full story



3/2/2006 4:05:07 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Mystery Golf Course

The third in our mystery tour of golf courses around the world, courtesy of our new toy Google Earth.

Had a few good answers so far. We've come up with our own bunch of cryptic clues so bizarre that even the head honcho from the dept. of crypts can't get them.

Answer to the last picture ' No dramas for Cockney Valerie' was, of course, Valderrama.

Good luck with this one:



This isle is worthy of a girls name...

For when golf isn't enough
3/2/2006 1:39:58 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Wednesday, March 01, 2006
New Course for Argyll

I was just thinking that what Scotland really needed was another links. Still, if anyone is going to do it I suppose it should be the experts...

At Machrihanish on the Argyll peninsular in west Scotland, approval has been given for the creation of a new links course running through the coastal dunes. There are very few natural dune sites in the world where development of any kind is permitted. These valuable habitats for coastal protection and specialised wildlife are protected by international agreements that prevent any change to their use. But at Machrihanish, with the full support of Scottish Natural Heritage, a new links development has been given the go ahead on land designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Poor quality grazing and lack of appropriate management to preserve the dunes and its associated vegetation persuaded Scottish Natural Heritage to approve the application.


Before. Watch this space for after

Golf News
3/1/2006 5:59:57 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Golf in Space

The space golf competition is heating up. The Americans originally took the lead when Alan Shepard belted a six-iron "miles and miles" into the galaxy in 1971.
This time the Russians are having a go and, while they may be lagging behind a bit, a least we'll never lose this gamine ball...

from the where's-the-orbiting-ball-boy-target dept.
deeptrace writes "Tentatively scheduled for a spacewalk this summer, a Russian cosmonaut will take his trusty six iron and a special weightless-friendly tee and put a golf ball into orbit from outside the International Space Station. The golf ball has an embedded transmitter so that it can be tracked as it orbits. It is expected to orbit for 3 to 4 years before burning up on re-entry. The golf shot is the result of promotional fees paid to the Russian space agency by a Canadian golf club manufacturer."

For more stories click here or here
Your funnies
2/28/2006 3:54:26 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Bombsquad talks balls

The folks at Bomnsquad golf have another explosive online chat with one of the biggest names in the game.
They will be chatting to Callaway Golf about balls and stuff. Popping along for a chat will be Mike Yagley, Vice President of Golf Ball Category Management at Odyssey Golf.
It all kicks off tonight at 5pm to 7pm (Pacific Time), 12 midnight to 2pm for all those Europeans who love balls.
They will also be giving away 6 dozen balls of choice to two people that we believe ask the best questions.




Golf News
2/28/2006 11:43:08 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Monday, February 27, 2006
Golf Blogger

Golf Blogger is on form today giving a real good lowdown on the women's golf over the weekend. Apparently, that was the only thing worth watching after Phil, Tiger and Vijay went home in the WGC.

This picture made me laugh


Golf News
2/27/2006 6:22:31 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Saturday, February 25, 2006
Stick that in your Bill

An Australian golf club refused to let former US President Bill Clinton play a round of golf because the course was too busy, its chief executive said on Saturday. Clinton's aides telephoned the private Medway Golf Club near Melbourne in the state of Victoria on Thursday to ask if the former president could play within the hour. After initially thinking it was a hoax, a staff member in the professional's shop explained he could not, as the course was hosting its midweek men's championship, Stringer said. "We already had a hundred and something people on the golf course," Stringer told The Associated Press. "The course was full. We had actually turned away some members." For full story click here .
Your funnies
2/25/2006 10:22:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
WGC

What on earth is going on at the WGC? CARLSBAD, California -- Tiger Woods missed a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole for Chad Campbell to win 1-up and reach the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship quarterfinals on a vicious day Friday for some of golf's biggest names. Beside Woods, second-seeded Vijay Singh, hometown favorite Phil Mickelson and defending champion David Toms were bundled out in the third round at La Costa Resort. Right when it looked as though the top seeds were on a collision course in the championship, the fickle tournament was left with Retief Goosen (No. 3) as the lone player from the top 10 seeds. Singh still doesn't know what it's like to play on the weekend at La Costa after missing a good chance to win on the 18th and losing to Padraig Harrington in 19 holes. Mickelson, the No. 5 seed, never led against David Howell of England and didn't stand much of a chance with Howell twice making long birdie putts, closing out Lefty, 3 and 1. Toms, the No. 8 seed, lost his magic at La Costa and saw his eight-match winning streak end by going down to U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman, 4 and 3. Click on link: www:worldgolfchampionships.com
Golf News
2/25/2006 10:18:31 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 


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