Thursday, April 17, 2008
Oh Limp Picks

The fight for golf to become an Olympic sport might be old news, but that doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten about it and neither have the game’s figureheads. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem backed the campaign on Tuesday, following Phil Mickelson and Masters chairman Billy Payne’s recent call for action.

In a blog posted on the PGA Tour’s website, Finchem argued that the addition of golf to the Olympics would promote the sport globally and create extra funding for youth programs worldwide. “By taking a leadership role, the PGA Tour can ensure that this is pursued with the best interests of our membership, tournaments, sponsors and television partners in mind.” He said.


Same again in 8 years time?

Sounds brilliant. Obviously it’s a bit late for Beijing now (and a shame because golf is exploding in the far East) but we’ll see golf in the 2012 games in London right? Well, no. Apparently the earliest it can be added is 2016, which means we won’t see the current crop of promising British talent competing on their home turf once they’ve matured into phenomenal golfers. Why on earth does it take so long to make a decision like this? Surely it’s just common sense?




4/17/2008 4:32:30 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
GP Wants You!

It goes against everything we’ve been taught in web marketing seminars but we have to tell you guys about a rival to our GP Appreciation Society on facebook.

Tom Ayling wrote to us to see if we minded him linking golfpunkonline.com to the society he created. Usually we’d try and make him join ours but when we had a look we could not help but open our hearts and contact books to help him out anyway we could.



It’s one of the most endearing things we’ve ever seen and will be probably be better than our GOLFPUNK society anyway.

Anyhoo, it’s not as if you have to choose between them, just join them both.

Check out the intro Tom penned to introduce people to the magical world of GP.

“Name: The Golf Punk Magazine Appreciation Society
Type: Sports & Recreation - Games
Description: We know that golf is a game not appreciated by all walks of life.
It was a dark time for golf, 4 years ago, it was an under-achieving sport.

This was where the best Magazine in the world came in, GolfPunk. To golf, it was the James Bond of detective films, mixing what you usually have, with something a tad different, which of course included the stunning girls, who fortunately for readers, appear frequently in swimwear and lingerie.

From then, making many followers from the Kirsty Gallacher issue, it was big.

Best Edited Magazine 2006(I Think).

I'll leave you golf punks with these GolfPunk Philosophies:
Attitude not Age
Keep Yourself Nice
And greeting people with "Evenin' " no matter what the time of day.

GolfPunk-
THE GOLF MAG FOR EVERYONE”

If you still need convincing you have a heart as cold as Steve Williams' stare.

Join the party by clicking here or going to http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12122613315




4/17/2008 12:00:20 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tiger Has Knee Surgery

Tiger Woods had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee yesterday to repair cartilage damage, his second operation in five years on the joint. He is expected to miss at least a month.

The surgery came two days after Woodsy finished three shots behind Trevor Immelman in the Masters signifying the collapse of this years ‘grand slam’ dream. He’ll most likely miss The Players Championship, but should return in time to play the June 12-15 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.

"Buggers, it's gone again."

Swing coach Hank Haney said he knew Woods' knee was bothering him, but was not aware of the surgery until Woods called him.

We in the office wish the best of luck and hope he gets well soon.

Don’t know if the rest of the field agree.



4/16/2008 10:31:36 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Masters Of Disaster

We’d like to thank everyone who came along and supported the GOLFPUNK and Urban Golf Masters Of Disaster charity shin dig at Urban Golf in Soho on Saturday night.

Much fun was had by all.

More importantly we managed to raise nearly £ 8,000 for Leuka.

Check out the pictures if you don’t believe us and watch this space for information on the next one.



Hair by Wella, swing by cardboard.




"It was a monster putt, this big..."



Urban Golf crowd scene.

Click the logo for more on Lueka.



4/15/2008 2:51:17 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Monday, April 14, 2008
Nice One Trev, But Is The Course The Real Winner?

And so, after all was said and done – and the Augusta National course had reared it’s ugly head once more – it was a case of last man standing takes all yesterday, as Trevor Immelman put pay to Tiger Woods’ ‘grand-slam’ dream before it had even begun.

In holding on for his first Major, the South African outsider became the first man to lead The Masters wire-to-wire in over a quarter of a century, and the second first-time Major-winner to don the green jacket in as many years.



"This has been the ultimate rollercoaster ride, and I hate rollercoasters,” said a triumphant Immelman, who feared he’d never play golf again last year before a tumour was successfully removed from his rib cage just four months ago. “Here I am, Masters champion. It is the craziest thing I have ever heard.”

But after a week of on-course despair beset by dogged resilience, it’s the impossibly difficult Augusta National course – and not Immelman’s improbable victory – that is most worthy of the description; crazy.

Historically, The US Masters has been a colourful and charismatic stage, deserved of awe and overwhelmed by awesome golf shots, and synonymous with spectacle and club-swinging extravagance. However, for some of us here at GP Towers, this year’s tournament was a let down. For the second year in succession, mind-numbingly slow rounds and the gargantuan task of taming a bitter course set-up has rendered The Masters a battle of resolve, as opposed to a risk vs reward quest for glory.

This is to take nothing away from golf’s newest Major champion, who is a worthy champion. Immelman was a class act from start to finish, and, spurred on by words of encouragement from his hero and fellow South African, 3-time Masters champ Gary Player, he did the business with shots to spare.

Trevor Immelman; on top of the world.

“Gary left me a voicemail last night and it gave me goosebumps,” Immelman revealed afterwards. “He said he believed in me and told me to go out there and be strong through adversity. I took that all to heart, and I am obviously thankful for the message and I am sure he is proud of me.”

Player has every right to be proud of his countryman, his driving was immaculate all week and his putting consistently flawless. But did this year’s Masters lack that extra bit of excitement or sparkle that we’ve become used to?

What do you think?

Leave a comment or Email your views to website@jf-media.co.uk





4/14/2008 11:36:28 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
Ochoa Wins Again

At the begging of the month we asked if Lorena Ochoa could match Tiger’s domination on tour. After this weekend we should be asking, "can Tiger keep up with Lorena this season?"

The Mexican has already bagged the Kraft Nabisco, the first major of the year, and on Sunday romped to victory by 11 shots in the Corona Championship. In doing so she recorded her 21st title and secured her entry into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame.

Three rounds of 66 before a 67 on the final day left her 25-under 267 at the Tres Marias Residential Golf Club in Mexico.

"It was an amazing week," said Ochoa. "I did enjoy myself a lot. I guess I can say I'm in the Hall of Fame now. It was really special to be in my home country."

Unbeaten this season, with a Major under her belt to boot, it looks like Lorena may be the one to have the legendary season.

The rest of the LPGA will try anything to stop Lorena.
 
The only disappointment for Ochoa was the final-round triple-bogey on the 11th which ended her chance of equalling or breaking the LPGA 72-hole scoring record of 27-under 261 set by Annika Sorenstam in 2001.

"I was trying to break the record by going more than seven-under," added Ochoa. "After the triple bogey things went down, but I did want to finish like a champ and when I birdied four of the last few holes, that really made my day."

Suppose she is only human.

With the LPGA Championship, US Women's Open and Women's British Open to come dare we whisper 'grand slam'?




4/14/2008 10:39:44 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Friday, April 11, 2008
Poulter Let's His Golf Do The Talking

One ofthe highlights of yesterdays 1st round was Ian Poulter's ace at 16. If you haven't seen it already click the link for a golfing treat.



Check out this video and more at


4/11/2008 11:03:57 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
Practice Makes Perfect

The first round of the Masters certainly didn’t disappoint, we were glued to our screens last night like former Big Brother contestants watching the Top 100 Talentless Celebrities, waiting to see where they rank. But the gladiators we saw battling it out at Augusta are anything but talentless.

Things got off to a slow start when Arnold Palmer kicked things off with his opening drive, unfortunately it was into a mist so thick that play had to be delayed by an hour. But soon the bad weather cleared and spectators were treated to the glorious sunshine they’re accustomed to at the Georgian club.

Nick Dougherty took the lead early on, but topping the leaderboard at the end of the day would be a lot to ask from his first outing at the tournament. It was fellow Englishman Justin Rose who led the field at the end of day one, tied with Trevor Immelman – who made up a three-ball with Rose and Poulter for a practice round at Augusta two weeks ago - at four-under. This is the third time he has been in this position though, so he’s not choosing a pair of trousers to match the green jacket just yet. "I've learned you can't count your chickens too early," He said, though he does admit he should be pushing to be in contention at the final hole on Sunday. "At the age of 27 you begin to say you can't keep putting it down to experience. You say 'this is the time to step up' if you like. But I'm not putting too much pressure on myself."

Rose’s run of six birdies in eight holes was sensational at such a difficult course – where fairways are mown sideways to make every shot as hard as possible – but Sandy Lyle deserves a special mention today. He was chasing the leaders for much of his round, and looked fairly comfortable at three-under. His noble performance – two decades after his Masters victory – ended with him level for the day.

The excitement is almost too much to bear, but we can’t wait to see what happens next. Will Rose still be up there on Sunday? Will Sandy Lyle? Only time will tell, but we’ll be watching with baited breath both this evening and at our Masters bonanza at Urban Golf tomorrow night.

For live scoring click the leader board below.




4/11/2008 10:58:18 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [2] 

  Thursday, April 10, 2008
It's Here

It’s time to send the Missus to bed alone, the Masters is on the box…

Ian Poulter’s wearing something outrageous, Tiger has his game face on and the bookies are praying to the high heavens that a long shot like Zach Johnson, or better still, Sandy Lyle, has the week of their lives. It can mean only one thing – the wait is over.

Yes, that’s right, the golfing world has descended on sunny Augusta for the 2008 US Masters – the celebrated first Major of the year is upon us – so get the beers in, get the TV on and ready yourself for the thrills, flowers and inevitable spills that the charge for the Green Jacket habitually brings.

It all kicked off yesterday with the 9-hole par-three competition, Augusta’s traditional pre-tournament warm-up. As ever, it was steeped in romance as stars of the game, old and new, combined to entertain the masses. Arnold Palmer, a 4-time Masters Champion won one of the nearest the pin prizes, while Wayne Grady, Charles Coody, Fred Couples and American Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger all aced holes in ones along the way.

Winning the mini-event has become something of a poisoned chalice over the years, for the very fact that nobody in the history of The Masters has ever won both the par-three tournament and the green jacket. Charged with changing history this week will be South African loud mouth Rory Sabbatini, whose 5-under-par score of 22 wrapped up victory yesterday. "I wanted to win it," Sabbatini said in typically confident mood. "You can't break the curse unless you've won the par three to begin with."

"How's the curse going to effect your chances?"
"Leave it out she's right behind me."

Sabbatini is 80/1 to “break the curse,” but as ever, all eyes will be on Tiger Woods, who sat out yesterday’s festivities. The world number, is 11/8 to secure his fourth green jacket this week, as he approaches the first hurdle of his much-heralded shot at ‘the grand slam.’

Follow it all here live.




4/10/2008 11:42:41 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
Master The Rules

As it's the beggining of Major Madness we've dug out a letter we received from a Irish fellow with big plans for the weekend.

Dear Candice:
Although we don’t get many snakes up here, I wondered what the rules are when you find your ball near to one them? I’m playing golf out in Georgia today, and would rather not take any unnecessary risks!
Padraig, Ballyroan, Dublin.



Candice says:
You must take your golf seriously if you’d consider upsetting a snake to get your birdie Padraig. The good news is that in this situation (or any other dangerous one – bears, bees etc) it would be deemed unreasonable to expect you to play the shot, and you would be entitled to a free drop, which should be taken in accordance with the usual rules. There are a lot of snakes in Georgia so we’d advise not going into the rough, and having a peek in the hole before retrieving your ball. If you’re in an area you’re not sure about, tap the ground with your club and the vibrations should send any lurking serpents slithering away, and don’t bother shouting ‘fore’ – they don’t have ears.


"Is that Justin Timberlake?"

Let the Bunker Babes set you straight by clicking the images or here.





4/10/2008 11:35:12 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

  Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Can You Wait?

The first major of the year is upon us and frankly, we’re as excited as a bunch of sugar-fuelled, hyperactive kids on Christmas morning. We’re not the only ones. The world’s best players are champing at the bit to get out onto the azalea-lined fairways of Augusta to stake a claim for one of the greatest prizes in golf – no – one of the greatest prizes in sport.

The British and Irish contingent is stronger this year than last, Padraig Harrington is looking to double his major trophies come Sunday evening. The Open champion believes that getting his first under his belt has taken the pressure off slightly, allowing him to feel, “a little bit more relaxed” when the heat is on. Padraig’s been looking forward to the tournament for a while, as it’s not just rugged, British links courses that the Irishman loves to play, "Coming back to Augusta, it's always a magical place, and it's somewhere that you can't wait to get to," he said. "I would say a lot of my practice is done with the idea that I want to improve my golf swing so I can manage to play Augusta.”

The likes of Justin Rose and Lee Westwood are eager to go better than their respective best finishes of tied 5th and 6th also. Westwood believes he is “closer than ever” to winning a major, and cites improved fitness as one reason why. "Now when I come off the course I feel I can play again. I feel stronger, and it's easy to get my body into positions where I can control things."



We all know a deft touch is essential when trying to work the ball around the lightning-fast greens at Augusta, and Justin has been working hard on his short game to prepare for this. He played a nine-hole practice round with just two wedges and a putter. He also agrees with Westwood however that personal fitness is crucial in not just this tournament, but for the whole season. "I wanted to spend nine weeks working on my fitness, getting myself fit and strong to make sure I'd have an injury-free season."

So it all starts tomorrow. We’ve got permission to stay up late to watch it, have you?




4/9/2008 11:08:43 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [2] 

  Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Weekley Daily Diary

He didn’t play in the 2007 Masters, but Boo Weekley was the first guy they invited to this year’s tournament due his win at the Verizon Heritage, a week after Zach Johnson slipped into the green jacket last April. He’d have been first on our list too, regardless of his performances, because we just love his country charm. He shocked us when he didn’t know anything about the Open when he came over to play Carnoustie last year (he shot 68 on the first day and finished tied 35th) but it turns out he doesn’t know anything about the Masters either. In a diary he is writing for the Augusta Chronicle, he is sharing his experiences at one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world of golf. Though despite the history, tradition and pressure, it seems he just wants to get on with playing the game...

Legend.

Here’s the highlights from today’s entry.

Boo on the course ranked 5th in the world:
“We just walked around out there and hit it, just like we do at every other golf course.”

Boo on his method for tackling Augusta:
“I just play it as I see it. It's caveman golf. Hit it, find it and hit it again.”

Boo on the most famous run of 11th, 12th, and 13th holes in the world:
“I couldn't tell you what three holes were Amen Corner, to tell you the truth.”

Boo on the par-three contest:
“I signed up to play with Heath in the Par-3 Contest. I heard about the Par-3 jinx from Joe Durant. Don't win.”

Boo changing his mind on the par-three contest:
“Sooner or later somebody's going to win that Par-3 and then go on and win the tournament. It's going to happen. It might not happen this year, but sooner or later it will.”

The full version of the diary can be found here.




4/8/2008 2:20:57 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
Get Involved

So what you up to on 28th April?

If the answer is nothing why not get involved with the Fraser Waters Testimonial Golf Day?

For more inofrmation call Fran on 07870 638305 or click the image below for a larger version.




4/8/2008 2:04:41 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
Camo Have A Go If You Think You're Hard Enough

Froghair are bringing out a golf shoe for everyone who thinks of their weekend quest for birdies as stepping into the trenches.


These lovely little footwarmers are not available yet but you can keep upto date by checking out www.froghair.co.uk


In the meantime have a think about all the benefits of having hard to spot shoes. You're more likely to get away with using the '*leather wedge' for a start...



GOLFPUNK and Froghair would never condone the use of the leather wedge. What's wrong with you people.









4/8/2008 11:22:14 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [2] 


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