The Golfers' Home

Hope you are all doing well…

Ok – Here we go. I can see the letters and anger coming already.  Greg Norman winning the Open Championship would have been the worst thing to ever happen in golf.  There, I’ve said it.  Sure, it was exciting.  Sure, it was fun to watch.  Sure, we all expected him to fold like a paper airplane.  My point however is that I do not want my Champion Golfer of the Year being someone that really does not like playing golf, let alone someone that has not made a commitment to the game, especially someone that has made hundreds of millions of dollars from the game.  I am pretty sure that many years ago, Norman loved the game of golf, but not much anymore.

I had the opportunity to interview Norman, one on one, a few months back.  During the interview I asked if he missed playing.  “Absolutely not,” he said. I got the distinct impression that Norman has not enjoyed playing for many years.  I think it came easy.  Greg Norman had as much natural ability as anyone, ever.  Greg Norman enjoyed making money.  In my opinion, Greg Norman lost whatever passion he had for the game and played because he got him what he truly loved, being a businessman.  Greg Norman got what he wanted from the game.

Let’s compare Faldo and Norman.  Most hated Faldo - the villain.  Faldo with the sour face, the mean look; Norman, with the straw hat; the blond hair and the great smile.  The bigger difference, Norman had all the talent and not much drive; Faldo, ok talent, but incredible drive, an endless desire for perfection.  Give me the Faldo’s every time. 

If Norman had won it would have been a slap in the face of every golfer that spends hour after hour on the driving range working endlessly on his game. 

Padrig Harrington won’t make millions from the win.  He doesn’t have a clothing line or much of anything else.  He just has a golf game that makes me proud to be a golfer.  Don’t get me wrong: what Greg Norman has done with his professional life is amazing.  He has taken being a golfer and turned it into an empire.  I give him plenty of credit for that; I just don’t want him being the Champion Golfer of the Year.

Two other notes… this has nothing to do with age.  I love the fact that he played so great at 53.  I envy Kenny Perry and Tommy Armour.  I just wish Norman had their passion for the game.  Finally, if you think I am wrong, let’s see if Greg chooses to play in the PGA.

I finally figured it out this week.  All I have to do is be very bad at my profession… then screw up so I can get in trouble.  In other words, be disqualified, and for doing all that I will get a tremendous raise.  Isn’t that in fact what happened to Michele Wie this week?  After playing horrible golf for the last year, she manages to get herself disqualified last weekend for failing to sign her scorecard and now she gets a sponsor’s exemption into another PGA Tour event. 

SHAME ON YOU, RENO-TAHOE… SHAME ON YOU.  For those that read my newsletter each week, you know that I have been blaming the Tournament Directors for asking Michele and John to their events.  Well, it has not seemed to make a difference (of course, who am I).  So now I make a plea to each of you.  Boycott the events.  Please.  Until we, the fans, stop attending, it seems they see that as a sign to keep inviting.  We have to show that we really mean it; that they, the Tournament Directors, must stop giving unwarranted sponsors exemptions in the name of fan appreciation.

The last time I checked, this is the PGA Tour, not Ringling Brothers.  If a Tour event honestly believes they need Michele Wie, maybe it is time for that event to move into the Fall Series.  Let’s give the dates to people that want to make a Tour event.  Please see Wachovia, just six years old.  I know not every tour event is going to get the best players, but build a great event and many will come.  And that, my friends, is enough.  Maybe the Sacramento Kings need Michele.  Think she would say yes to that?

We can all name at least 10 players, professional and amateur, that would make better exemptions.  What can we do as a group of loving fans to stop these people from giving exemptions in our name?  There is only one thing and you know what it is.

You know, I really don’t like being angry.  I so love this game.  I so enjoy the PGA Tour and what it has given us this year.  Maybe it’s time to just accept it and move on… or not.

Ok, tell the truth.  How many of you did what I did and turned off the television after Roger went down 2 sets to love?  I don’t care what the ratings said… I know you did it, too.  Thank God, I Tivo’d the event and got to watch the greatest tennis match of all time.

Are you missing Tiger already too?  Thank God for Tommy Armour.  I knew there was some reason to watch the AT&T.  Yeah, Anthony Kim is pretty good too, but watching the 48 year old play the best golf of this career is really fun.

The question of the week:  HOW MUCH WOULD YOUR HANDICAP RISE IF YOU PLAYED BY EVER RULE FOR THE NEXT TWENTY ROUNDS?  This question has been rumbling through my head for over a week.  I am thinking of writing a book about the rules we forgive the most.  What do you think?

I have to admit, I love my work.  I am the luckiest guy alive.  I have the best listeners… I have the greatest sponsors… and for the last 7 years I have had the opportunity to take over 8,000 golfers to play in over 160 outings.  On Monday we go to Gentle Creek, what more could you ask for?

Another favorite part of my job is getting the chance to play some of America’s favorite courses.  In the last 5 weeks, I have played Congressional Country Club and this last Tuesday, I played Shoal Creek.  You remember: the country club in Alabama that had a small problem with allowing African-Americans into the club.  Well, politics aside, this is one of the most amazing golf courses in America.  Way underrated in every Top 100.  My bet - not a lot of raters heading to Birmingham.  Let me tell you, this is one spectacular site.  Every hole is totally tree-lined with incredible mountains surrounding.

Hey, check out the new website.  One of the best new parts… the ability to prepay for your outings.  No more standing in lines.  And also, check out the new membership program - more than 20 rounds of golf with half being on the weekends.

Speaking of Tommy Armour, how stupid is this one?  To add excitement to the tournaments over the past few weeks, the Tour and the Open Championship decided to give exemptions to the players earning the most money for a period of time.  The winner, Kenny Perry, has decided to not play in the Open.  Many are criticizing him; not me tough, I have no problem with his choice.  My problem comes from not moving down the list to give another player the exemption.  Why do something logical like that?  Nope.  What seems strange to me about this is that Perry had announced he was not going to travel across the pond.  Why not remove his name from the list?  Anyone notice the Fed Ex Cup leader list lately: no Tiger Woods.

After twenty years, Conde Nast, a unit of Advanced Communications, has chosen to close Golf for Women.  It is amazing, what can we do to help in the growth of the game when things like this take place?

Got to catch my plane…  Short story this week.  More to come…

There have been three times in my life that I have been lucky enough to enter “THE SPORTS ZONE.”  Those of us that play sports on a regular basis are aware of that place.  A cosmic area where you can do no wrong.  Where the game comes easy.  You see the ball the moment it leaves a pitcher’s hand.  A grounder takes that bad hop and becomes a single.  You play your sport believing you can do no wrong… that you are Tiger or Michael or Babe.  We pray for these times, but they seldom choose our body for entrance.

My first zone came while playing high school basketball.  I was a junior.  I could always play; I could always shoot.  You know those that can’t jump (white guys) were able to shoot.  Back at the turn of the previous century when I played, there was no three point line. Anyway, beginning the second half of our season, we played Birmingham High.  I went 7 for 7 from the outside and 8 for 8 from the free throw line.  These kinds of stats continued for 8 more games and at the end I had made 45 of 48 shots and 36 straight free throws.  The zone is an amazing place.

My second entrance into the zone came at the most mysterious time.  I had just left my first wife (no, I will not tell you the story).  Working in the Radio business in Los Angeles, a very big part of our lives was the Advertising Softball league.  There were about 25 teams in the league.  Extremely competitive.  The goal each year was to win the league and receive and all-expense paid trip to San Francisco to play against other city ad league teams.  The competition was always great.  I was a decent high pitch player.  Never a great hitter, I was a fantastic defensive left-center fielder.  So the playoffs start and you had to win 8 straight games to win the Championship.  I’m not sure if I was more relaxed having just become single or I just got lucky, but during those games a total sense of magic entered my body.  Over the 8 games, I went 31 for 32; my only out was a ball heading over the fence stopped by an incredible grab by the outfielder.  Hell, in two games they even intentionally walked me.  We got to
San Francisco and the magical force continued.  I have never in my life felt such power over my body and my opponents.

Last week, with my wife and kids in Los Angeles for some well-deserved vacation, we got a call that my mother-in-law’s nurse was outside her apartment banging on the door and that Nikki (Sandie’s mom) was not answering.  I rushed over and had the apartment management team break through the door to find my wife’s mother and absolute best friend lying dead in her bed.  There is nothing harder than telling your wife that her mom had passed.  While Sandie and the boys were rushing back, I spent the day taking care of Nikki and cleaning out her apartment (something I knew Sandie would never be able to do.) 

After not sleeping and holding my wife as she cried the night away, I convinced Sandie to get away for awhile and watch Will, Doug and me play golf.  This is not something Sandie does very often.  Actually never.

The zone works in mysterious ways.  You never know when it will appear and just as important, you never know how long it will remain with you.  Whether it was Niklki saying thanks; God making me look good to my wife; just being totally relaxed from being so tired… I proceeded to shot 33 on the front and ended the round at 2 under par. 

Every shot was easy.  I saw the lines; the cup was huge.  The next day we did it again and I shot one under par. Sandie was like a girlfriend on a first date - all excited that her man was so impressive.  It was fun to put a smile on her face.

On Tuesday of this week I was supposed to play in the Media Day at The Honors Club in Carrollton.  Formerly the Columbian CC, Honors is without a doubt one of the best kept secrets in the metroplex.  For almost 60 years this has been one of our best gems and no one knows.

I did not want to leave my wife, but she said go ahead.  (Now, let me say this is not normal for Sandie to say go play.)  At the end of the round we checked the scorecard and 71 looked great.  Three straight rounds under par.

The ZONE is an amazing place.  I hope and pray that each of you get to know how it feels.  I know about making money… I know about being a great husband and dad, but as someone that loves playing sports… there is nothing like BEING IN THE ZONE.

I know it won’t last, but I am enjoying it while it is here.

A couple of thoughts on Drug Testing –

1. Again I ask, “why?”  Our sport is self-imposed.  It is what makes golf the greatest of games.  There are no umpires; there are no referees.  There is one player playing a game and calling penalties on him/herself. With that being the case, why do we need testing?  This was a bad move for golf. 
   
2. When jokes are reality!  In the past two weeks, I have been asked about 100 times, “who will replace Tiger?”  My answer continues to be the same, “no one.”  Let me give you a perfect example of what I mean.  Agree with me or not, most jokes come from reality and insecurity.  Right?

The following was Top 10 player Steve Stricker’s response when asked about drug-testing: "All we have to test is one guy because we can't beat him, anyway."

Is there one player with kahones? 

Have a great week… find the zone.

Time to get some things off my shoulders!

Can we all just get along?

I am a liberal.  I admit it.  Being in Texas can sometimes make that difficult.  But, as liberal as I am, it is time to stop thinking everything has some sort of racist attitude or double-meaning attached.  People say some pretty stupid things in the name of “trying” to be funny.  That is the mistake, not that Kelly Tillman or Johnny Miller has a racist bone in their bodies.  Are there racists in the world?  Absolutely.  Should they be taken off the air or be made to stand at attention during the entire Democratic National Convention, yes.  But just as important, there are two major steps we must take to move into the 21st century.

1. Let’s leave the one-liners to the comedians.  Announcers and analysts need to be just that – announcers and analysts.  They need to report on what is happening and try to explain why.  They need to stop trying to be what they aren’t.  They are not comedians!  They are also not mind readers.  Stop telling us what someone is thinking when they do not know.  Stop saying what shot a player is going to hit when they do not know.  Tell us what you think they might try and more importantly, what shot they did hit and why.  STOP TRYING TO BE FUNNY; it does not work and only gets you in trouble. Hey Johnny… Italians do not clean pools.
2. It is time to give people the “benefit of the doubt” about their stupidity.  I am sick of every time someone says something we have to hear from Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton or some group about how the comment was racist.  Chances are it was not racist; chances are it was just stupid.  Johnny Miller did not need to apologize to Rocco Mediate or the Italian community for his comments.  He needed to apologize to all of us for his stupidity; he needed to apologize to all of us because he has no comedic sense.  And we need to get some thicker skin.  It is time for us to move into a higher state of consciousness.  When we play… let’s play hard and have fun.  When we work… let’s work hard.  When we are worried about issues at hand… let’s worry about something far more important than some commentator making an ass of him or herself for saying something stupid.  God knows we have plenty of things on this planet to really get concerned about.

Enough with the seeds –

On a far more important note.  Attention Sunflower seed eaters… STOP LEAVING YOUR SEEDS ON THE GREENS.  Where do these idiots come from?  Have some respect for the others on the golf course.  If you drop a shell on the green (or even the tee box) have the courtesy to pick it up.  This goes for cigarette and cigar butts also. 

And while I am at it, how about picking up your tees after you hit a shot?  Where is it written that just because you hit it into the woods you should leave your broken tee in the ground for someone else to grab?  If everyone did this and fixed two divots on every green, imagine how much better every course in the world would be.

Who says you have to hit it far –

Let’s hear it for the 48 year olds… Congratulations to my bud Tommy Armour III and his brother Sandy.  They finished second last week at the Travelers.  Ever since Tommy asked his brother to “get back on the bag”, Tommy seems to be a new old man.  He led the field in birdies with 24 and GIR’s at 83%.  The thing I love most about Armour is that “he gets it.”  More than most on the Tour, Tommy Armour III understands that to stay in the show, you actually have to practice.  Armour hits more 5 foot putts than anyone I know (not counting some guy named Tiger.)  At 48, most guys are just trying to hang around until they go get the “fun money” on the Champions Tour.  Ask Tommy about that and he says, “I believe I can play on this tour for many more years.”  Tommy Armour is the next Fred Funk and we need more of these guys.

One last look –

One last comment about the whole being a comedian thing, it goes for players too.  Retief Goosen saying, “I was trying to be tongue in cheek.”  Dare I say again, let’s leave the jokes to the comedians… if you are a golfer, be a golfer.  If you are an analyst, be an analyst. 

And, incidentally, Retief – I hope you never have to face Tiger in a Match Play event.  If you do, please blog… ”Steven Ames comments to Tiger Woods.”

Have a great week.

Yesterday on ESPN Radio in Dallas, afternoon drive host and feature columnist for the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Randy Galloway called me “giddy and over the edge” for how I have spoken about Eldrick Tiger Woods. 

I called what Tiger did, “one of the greatest athletic achievements by the greatest athlete in the world today.”   I used an analogy that I suspect those of you that know our great game will understand.  Imagine if you will, Emmit Smith playing in the Super Bowl and rushing for 150 yards under these circumstances…

1. Two fractured bones in his leg
2. A Torn ACL that needs total reconstruction
3. Having had surgery just 8 weeks previously on his knee
4. Having only practiced for 10 minutes a day with no pads for one month prior to the game
5. Not bending down prior to the start of the game.
6. Basically being told by his doctors to “shut it down now.”
7. Not being able to walk from the kitchen table to the refrigerator.
8. Not practicing with his teammates until game time.
   
   And now the best…
   
9. Knowing all this and knowing the pain he would have to live with every time he got hit.

Every writer in America; every radio host; hell, everyone would say it was an achievement beyond comparison.  That is what Tiger Woods did at the 108th US open...  And incidentally, the man never hit one practice ball or practice putt (other than a few shots to warm up prior to each round) during the tournament.  And, oh yeah… he won.

Tiger has given us so many great moments.  From his first Masters win to his unbelievable Masters chip-in.  Every time the man goes to the golf course we wait for something great to happen. 

As I watched from his first shot on Thursday to his short putt for par on the 91st hole, I knew there that something extra special was happening.  We just did not know how special.  For two weeks prior to the Open, I said that I did not think he would play.  I knew something wasn’t right.

If it wasn’t the Open; if it wasn’t on a course that Tiger knew so well; if he wasn’t about to become the first player to record the incredible record of winning majors in 4 straight years, twice; if it wasn’t for the fact that he knew he was through for a pretty long time; IF IT WASN’T TIGER WOODS, none of this would have happened.

So, Randy, you go ahead and make fun of me… I will stand by my statements.  I will stand tall knowing that what was accomplished this past weekend could not have been done by anyone but Tiger Woods.

On another note -- Is there anything more nerve-racking than watching our kids?  Today I went through every emotion possible watching my eldest play his final round of golf in the Legends Tour event at Twin Creeks. 

As many of you know, one year ago, Doug choose to chase his dream of becoming a golfer by spending his senior year at the International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head.  By today’s standards, Doug’s chase began very late; most juniors are in their 8th or 9th year at 18 years old.  But Sandie and I believe in chasing dreams and we are doing everything we can to assist our son.

He is doing his part.  Practicing for hours; playing and, more importantly, gaining as much knowledge as possible in a short period of time.  Knowing that he is behind does not make things easy.  Doug makes mistakes during tournament rounds that other talented kids made when they were 15, but my son pushes forward.

Today was one of those days.  Doug was three under par after 4 holes.  As Hank Haney tells him, “Doug, you manage to shoot the highest score possible every time you play.”  Today he turned a 68 or 69 into a 74.  Now for you and me, 74 is a dream number.  For Doug, it is just another round on the way to the goal.  As parents we live and breathe with every shot, every swing of the bat, every puck shot at the net or every free throw attempt.  The hardest part for each of us is enjoying the moment.  Today, through all his ups and downs, I enjoyed more than ever before watching my son play a round golf.  Douglas Gribin is getting better ever day and isn’t that what we want from each of our children.

So this weekend, keep it in the short grass and more important, go play golf with your kids… because there is no better way to play our grand old game. 

Do you feel unsatisfied like I do?  We spent four days watching one of the greatest tournaments of all time and still do not have a winner.  Let’s review:

It’s Thursday morning we’ve been waiting all morning, wondering… will he play…can he play…is the knee worse then he is letting on?  I come to find out that there are exactly 5 people that know the truth.  And more importantly, that those 5 people will say nothing about his condition.  Nothing will stand in the way of Tiger Woods attempting to win major number 14.

There are a number of other facts about this event that went into Tiger’s decision to play:

• Torrey Pines is called Tiger Pines by many.  More than any other course, Tiger knows this place and how it will react to his shots.
• The course does not have a lot of slope to walk.  Way less than say Bethpage.
• Tiger felt this was absolutely his best chance for a major in 2008.  This might not seem important, but it has major significance in golfing history.  If Tiger were to win, he would become the ONLY player to win a major in 4 consecutive years TWICE.  Imagine that; Jack never did it; Arnie never did it; Hogan, Nelson, Watson, they never did it.  In 11 years of playing, he will have won a major in two sets of four.
• The doctors have said, “you cannot do further harm to your knee.”
• Tiger, more than any other golfer today, has a real knowledge and love for the history of the game.  I know for a fact that a friend of TW’s had a discussion with him about Hogan and his fighting through the pain from his automobile crash.  That is exactly the kind of thing that motives Tiger Woods.
• Finally, being raised by a Green Beret, and in so many ways wanting to live that lifestyle, Tiger playing on one knee was the perfect opportunity to step into the world of stories we can tell our kids.

So Tiger tees off and proceeds to make a double bogey on the first hole.  How shocking…it would become his calling card for the 2008 US Open. 

We can’t forget to talk about Mr. Phil.  More than any other player, I am asked about Phil Mickelson.  Why doesn’t he win more?  Without Tiger, would he be the best?  And a few hundred others.  So let me set the record straight as to my feelings about Phil. 

Phil Mickelson has more left brain then anyone I know.  When Phil stands behind a shot, he sees every possibility.  And I mean every one.  Now, most players see one or two shots… Tiger might see four or five…Phil sees a dozen.  Here is where the problem arises.  Most players will try to make the easy shot; some will pull it off, most won’t.  Tiger Woods see the shot that will make him win the tournament.  Phil sees that shot, but he also sees the “next to impossible shot” that, if made, will have the same result as the shot Tiger would hit.  Michelson’s heart; Mickelson’s soul forces him to try that shot.  Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn’t.  Phil’s greatness is also his biggest downfall.  His desire to make great shots over then his desire to win.

So Phil goes to the first tee without a driver.  Actually, not a bad idea.  It might cause some response from his playing partners, Tiger and Adam.  If he actually believes to win at Tiger Pines, he must hit the fairways.  His only problem: he could find a football field big enough for the 3 woods (really a 2 wood) he was hitting. 

The problem was not Thursday; the problem was not putting the driver back in the bag for Friday.  Mr. Stubborn decided being 45 yards behind Tiger and missing the fairways to the same tune that Tiger was playing did not seem to matter.  And he was wrong.

Thursday leaders got some well deserved TV time and proceeded to do what all first round leaders do at the Open, disappear. The cut fell at 7 under par when Stuart Appleby made a birdie on 18 causing the 10 shot rule to slide back to 7.  Appleby looked like a “can’t miss” Except he’s Stuart Appleby and he became a can-miss on Saturday.  Yep, he missed about 30 3-5 footers.

In the mean time, Tiger once again started with a double bogey on number one.  I personally think Tiger is doing this on purpose to give the field a slight ray of hope.  Of course, two eagles and a chip in on seventeen and Mr. Woods ended the day right where he belonged… on the top of the leader board.

Throughout all this, 45-year old, Rocco Mediate, with pants that his entire family can jump in with him, quietly worked his way around the course and ended Saturday two shots behind Tiger.  A little about Rocco.  This is a guy that has not won in 138 starts; this is a guy that three years ago used his one time exception for being a top 50 all time leading money winner to stay on the tour; this is a guy that started the year making exactly one cut; so we all expected him to be right at the top of a US Open leader board. 

One other note about Rocco.  In a world specifically designed for patience, Rocco has zero.  He never stops talking; he never stops moving.  If he could play a round in 30 minutes, he would be a happy camper.  All attributes that go totally against the grain of a US Open winner.  What Rocco Mediate can do is hit fairways.  Now my 13 year old can out drive him, but he can hit fairways.  And he does not have a nervous bone in his body.  He’s to busy smiling to have any nervous bones.

So we all know what happens.  Rocco misses his birdie putt on 18 leaving the door open for Lee Westwood (how great did he play.  I really felt bad that he did not make the play-off) and Tiger Woods.  Does Tiger make it simple?  Hell no… He hits his drive in the bunker on the left.  He then proceeds to hit a nine iron worse that my wife (and she is horrible) into the rough on the right side of the fairway.  Now can you imagine Phil in that situation?  Anyway, Tiger then hits a 60* to 12 feet.

I want to get serious here for one minute.  I swear to you, I agree with Rocco’s point of view when he said to Mark Rolfing of NBC, “I would never root for a player to miss a shot so I can win.”  I agree with that.  No, I’m lying.  I want to win.  If that means Tiger missing that 12 footer, I am on my hands and knees… I am blowing cigar smoke that way… I am getting the fans to do the wave. 

Anyway, I believe Rocco.  He is a man of true love and warmth.  Did you see his belt buckle?  The big Peace sign.  It was cool.

Tiger makes the putt and we are off to today.  18 holes for all the marbles.  18 holes between the best player ever and a guy that is currently number 158 in the world rankings.  Not much of a match…WRONG.  While TW will win, this is what golf is all about.  The love of the game.  Tin Cup coming to real life.  You go Rocco…keep smiling, it will drive Tiger crazy.

Will give you a full report tomorrow.

Post your comments below…

Here we go...
 
Random thoughts on the 2008 US OPEN... and a few others.

When is a Double-Bogey Good? 

Well, never really, but if you were to ask me, it was good for Tiger.  He is so competitive that the double might have caused him to relax and get more into the round rather than everything around him.  One thing is sure... this round is taking everything Tiger has.  Quite frankly he has struggled most of the day in all aspects of the game.  All aspects but putting.  The putter has kept him near the top of the leaderboard.

Why is Tiger the best?

Heading into the week, there was not much about Tiger’s game; rather, there was a lot of talk about Tiger’s knee.  Watching his round, you realize the best part of Tiger’s game: his strength.  Not physical - we all know how strong he is.  It is his inner strength; his total commitment to the use of his mind in the game.

I love reading golf books.  Not about the swing (although I could surely use them), but about the history of the game and about using the mind to improve my game.   How often do we hear people say, “Gosh, I wish I had Tiger’s swing?”  I wish I had Tiger’s inner strength. 

There might be a half-dozen people that know the truth about Tiger’s knee.  He will never let us know.  What we will know is that Tiger sees this as a week for history.  Should he be playing?  We will never know.  But I can promise you two things:

1. That every media member will tell us his opinion of what is going on.  The problem... they don’t really know.
2. That once Tiger chose to play, he would do everything in his power to win the 2008 US Open.  That is what we should be talking about.  Why is this so important to him?  My media guess... Tiger is always trying to prove things to himself.  How good can I be?  How much can I win by?  How can I demolish on competitors?  And this week... how far to the edge can I take my body? 

Good to hear other voices

Let me say, I like Nick Faldo; I like Johnny Miller, I am just getting a little tired of them both.  Especially Faldo.  There is no question he does his homework about the course, I see him driving around at every tournament I attend.  I think he does a great job of getting inside a players head going through a round.  What I miss are guys like Curtis Strange and Ken Venturi giving us some of the history of the game or of an event.  I don’t think Faldo has much feeling for the games history nor do I think he does much studying of that part of the game. 

That is why I am enjoying listening to Curtis Strange on the US Open coverage on line.  Just a thought, but perhaps it is time for either the Golf Channel or CBS to add another lead analyst in the tower.  What do you think?

Rickie who?

At 19 years, 5 months, Rickie Fowler is the youngest player in the 2008 Open.  At 5’9’, Fowler plays much bigger and much older for his age.  While some talk about Jason Day and a number of others as the “next” Tiger, my vote goes to Fowler.  A two-time AJGA All-American, Fowler was voted a first-team All-American and winner of the Phil Michelson Award as outstanding freshman while helping Oklahoma State work its way back into NCAA golf contention. 

My son Doug actually picked Rickie as his dark-horse.  While I am quite sure Fowler will be top amateur and make the cut, I do think Fowler will use this more as a learning experience rather than his first win.

Who is winning?

Curtis Strange said it best.  Torrey Pines on Thursday, June 12th, shows why our National Championship is so difficult.  Look at the course and the conditions today and I would have said that half the players would be around Par.  Boy was I wrong.  As Tiger and Phil are finishing their opening round, only 10 players are in Red numbers. 

So the answer to my question... once again, it is the course.  Looks can be deceiving and that is what today is.  Call it nerves... call it whatever you want but players are having an incredibly difficult time hitting fairways and greens.

One thing is sure, today is as easy as it will get.  So while I am still convinced that the winning number will be under-par, I might have to change my feeling about 5 guys ending in red.

An amazing stat

I have been around the game for a very long time.  In all my years, I have never seen what 35 year old Justin Hicks managed on his opening 9 holes.  (Before you all start emailing me that you have done this by bogeying every hole, don't!)  I have never seen a player make zero pars in 9 holes and end up under par.  Six birdies and 3 bogeys... simply amazing. 

Perhaps, what is more amazing is that Hicks settled into his round and finished at 68.  68 from a guy whose bio says his favorite time was playing in the final stage of Q-School.  Anyone have a guess where he finishes.

Question of the Week?

Do you like the parings?  Ok, did it matter?  I could not tell whether the players really liked it.  What I know they like was playing in the same flights.  No matter what the weather brings, Tiger and Phil are in the same draw... and that is good.

Phil on Phil

No driver... Everyone gets on Tiger for not being open about things.  Will we hear one word from the media about as Phil stated after the round, “Oh, maybe I forgot to tell people I was going to play the round without a driver in my bag.  Good choice... we will have to wait and see.  One thing is for certain, he better hit it more consistently.

Hope this newsletter finds you well… There are a bunch of things to talk about so we’ll get right to it…

Random Thoughts...

US Open – We’re a week away and the pairings are out.  How much do I want Tiger to play? The amount doubled when I saw that he was playing with Phil Mickelson on Thursday and Friday.  How much have we all wanted to see the best two players of our generation paired together at a course they both love?  So the question arises: will Tiger play?  I might be standing alone on this side of the issue, but I still wonder if Tiger will participate.  I have no factual evidence to my question, just a number of different factors that bring me to this possible conclusion. 

1. At the media day for his tournament at Congressional, Tiger gave all the right answers, but they just did not seem right to me.  There was a noticeable limp in his walk.
2. Tiger has stated that he has yet to walk 18 holes.
3. Earlier this week, Hank Haney, on the Golf Channel, said Tiger’s “swing” was progressing on schedule.
4. Yesterday, Tiger played 18 at Torrey using a cart.
5. Finally, I do not believe that Tiger would play in an event that he did not feel he was capable of winning or at least competing in.

No one other than those inside know the real truth about Tiger’s recovery.  I want him to play, but not at the possibility that we do not see him again the rest of the year.  I am also not interested in Tiger “trying” to play.  Just like each of you, I want the showdown.  I want it next week and for the next 5 years.  Let’s see what happens.

More US Open – How cool to see Texas A&M student and Coppell High School graduate Conrad Schindler on the bag of Open Champion Todd Hamilton for the last two weeks?  Now, I’m not sure if Todd paid Conrad with money, but he certainly did pay him with time as Todd then caddied for Conrad as he tried to qualify for the US Open.  Imagine, a major champion carrying a bag for 36 holes in one day… WOW.  Another big wow goes to Bob Tway; the major winner chose to not play in the US Open and instead carried the bag of his son Kevin, a student at OSU.  These are the great stories of our Championship.

More US Open – For the 18th time, Davis Love III will play.  If I picked one player that so many thought would be “one of the greats” who never quite made that level, it would be Love.  While his game is probably not in a place to contend, I am glad he took the time to qualify.

Congressional – One of the advantages to hosting The Golfers Home on ESPN radio is the media day invitations I receive.  I don’t go to many, I can’t really afford the money or the time, but Congressional is one of the courses I’ve always wanted to play.  It was worth everything.  Living in the west coast, playing traditional, tree-lined courses did not happen often; Congressional is the best I have ever played.  There are about 3 of us in the media that will play from the tips.  Last year at Oakmont, the hardest course I have ever played, was beyond a test.  Congressional, while not as hard, is a wonderful, fantastically beautiful walk the park.  It will be interesting to see where Tiger moves his tournament over the next couple of years while Congressional moves into a major mode.

Olympics – I have not written about this topic because my original feelings were so strongly opposed to the idea.  I do not see how golf as an Olympic sport will help the growth of the game.  My biggest question deals with seeing our best players moving further away from the PGA Tour.  Think about it… Tiger, Phil and a number of others are already down to playing 4 or 5 tour events a year.  What will this do?  What will the tour have to offer them to get them to compete in the Olympics’?  I would love to see golf in the grandest event of all, but I want them to use our finest Amateur athletes.

Question of the Week – Will you take the time to watch the MacDonald’s LPGA Championship?  This week is the best of the best women in golf.  Annika continues her farewell tour trying to win another major and keep the headlines.  Lorena Ochoa is going for her 7th victory in just 10 events and her third consecutive major. Add to that Paula Creamer (third on the 2008 money list), Suzann Pettersen and a large list of Asian women just dying to win this LPGA Championship and it begs our attention.  Let me know what you think.

Horseshoe Bay – We only have three spots left for our first getaway of 2008.  Play unlimited golf and stay at one of Marriott’s great resorts.  3 days, 2 nights and so much more.  The price is absolutely unbelievable, 50% below the normal rates… hope you will join us.

Have a great weekend of golf.  See you next Tuesday at the Hooter’s Tee It Up tournament!

I am 38 years old. I make my living hitting a little white ball. I am not a big guy.  I am not what some would consider a "power player".  I am very serious about my craft. I play the game with precision and an on-going thought process that some might think is overly tactical. I stay in the moment, and don’t react to good or bad shots. I find that with my game, I must stay on an even keel.  I am very good at my job.

I can walk into any restaurant in the Flower Mound area, where I reside, and no one will recognize me as one of the best golfers in the world.  I fly under the radar. Good idea?  I have no idea, it is my personality.  My name is Rod Pampling.

I am a professional golfer, the 2nd best in the world. While I take my job very serious, I come across as a laid-back kind of guy. I love to interact with the fans. I love to create; to see the impossible shot and pull it off.

I am a fan-friendly player. To be more specific, my popularity with the fans might be higher than anyone. It drives me. The smiles; the high 5's; the interaction from green to tee and beyond. That is as much fun to me as winning. My name is Phil Mickelson

I am a golf analyst.  I make my living hosting a golf show on ESPN radio and writing about golf.  I love my interaction with golf fans that say hi or recognize me.  My name is Steven Gribin.

Last weekend, the Crown Plaza Invitational at Colonial was very tough for me.  Maybe harder for me than Rod just because I get emotional about anything.  I really like Rod Pampling. He is a very good golfer, but more important, he is a very good guy.  Unlike more of the media guys, I actually spend more time on the course than in the media room; this past Sunday I spent it walking with Phil and Rod.  For 15 holes, Pampling had Phil by the throat. He played his normal tactically strong game:  Phil hit his drives all over the golf course while he hit mostly 2-iron hybrids.  For those 15 holes, Rod did exactly what he wanted... he got a lead and maintained it.

The issue for me was the crowd.  Here’s a guy that lives in our community, plays Colonial a bunch, and is a Dallas guy, yet he was getting little to no fan support.  As the round went on and the crowds got larger, it got worse.  It was hard to watch.

Eventually, whether the crowd or the nerves, Pampling hit two wayward shots on 16 and 17. He got away with 16 getting up and down with a fantastic bunker shot. He did not fare as well on 17 after hitting his hybrid 30 yards right of the fairway.

The crowd was 10 to 1 in favor of Mickelson, and they showed that support.

While I understand what was happening, it was sad for me to watch.

So what should happen with the Rod Pampling kind of player?  Is it his responsibility to become more popular?  That is a question for the ages.

For the Crowne Plaza Invitational, they got everything they wanted and so much more. For me, I saw great golf played by two different kinds of players, attacking the same golf course in two completely different ways with a crowd that showed minimal support for its local player.

Speaking of the way Phil attacked the course, should it raise the theory:  "Colonial is not conducive to a player like Tiger."

Phil showed the golfing world that doglegs can be attacked. That power golf works at Colonial.

So, come on back TW.  I know the Fort Worth fan will support you.

I truly hope this week has been as good for you as it has for me.  On Saturday, after playing 18 and practicing (what a weird feeling to actually practice), one of my favorite tour players, who is also my best friend, and I went out to play a few holes.  I birdied one… hit the ball in the water on two, par’d 3… birdied 4… par’d 8 and birdied 9… with an Open Champion watching.  Pretty cool.

Sunday, I watched my 13 year old, William, play his last baseball game of the season.  Will attends The Highlands School in Irving.  For most of his teammates, this was their first year playing organized ball.  It was a tough year, but a number of the kids put tons of effort and heart into learning their skills, and it showed.  From the start of the season to the end, it was night and day.  For Will, he worked so hard on his game, especially his pitching.  It wasn’t easy for him to pitch from 60 feet, not being close to 5 feet tall but he worked at it almost every day and in the last inning of the season he looked like an all-star… striking out 2 and most importantly, walking none.

Wednesday, in coat and tie, I watched my older son, Douglas, graduate high school at the International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head.  After getting past the feeling of being 100 years old, it was really cool to see one of my kids in cap and gown.  Because the graduating class was only 30, each student had the opportunity to watch a slide show capitalizing their life.  As usual, my wife Sandie did an absolutely tremendous job of choosing just the right pictures.  For Doug, it was the culmination of a wonderful, educational and very difficult year.  See, it was Doug that decided to attend the IJGA, an amazing golf academy run by Hank Haney.  The kids live, eat and breathe golf and have for most of their lives.  Until last summer, Doug had never really taken the game serious… so putting himself in the “lion’s den” of golfers was not easy.  But, he has grown into a committed young man that is willing to pay the price to do what he loves.  It was great to see the first part of the race come to a conclusion.

I landed this morning back in Dallas and headed straight to Colonial.  The Nelson is the 200 lb gorilla that has worked hard to rebuild itself; Colonial is the “golf tournament” that is trying to make itself into something more.  They are doing a very good job of it.  In 2007, with the help of a new Tournament Director and a new title sponsor, The Crowne Plaza invitational at Colonial generated over $4.26 million for Tarrant Country Charities, top 5 on the Tour.  The tournament was recognized as the most improved Charity on the Tour. 

This year they’ve added more love entertainment; live tournament and replay action in the downtown Sundance Square; 2500 tickets given to men and women in uniform and their families; plus, one of the coolest things, the Colonial Golf Girl.  Want to know the inside scoop at the tournament?  Go to http://www.colonialgolfgirl.com/ and blog away.  Kelly Webster of 103.3FM ESPN is answering (or trying to answer) all your questions and giving you up-to-the-minute, inside information on the tournament.  Check it out.  If nothing else, Kelly is always funny, just ask Galloway.

Question of the week – I have an interesting idea for Colonial… let me know what you think.  Colonial was the first tour event to bring a woman into the field for something more than a publicity stunt.  Annika deserved a chance and she felt this was the right course.  So, how about Lorena?  She has not been public about playing with the men, which in my mind makes it more interesting.  How about Colonial being the tournament that invites the most deserving woman player?  It might be every year or every other; it might be once a decade, but it would be for the right reasons and give some wonderful women players the opportunity to try on a different playing level.  What do you think?

A 277 yard par 4… you heard it right.  First we had a 300 yd par 3, now a 277 yard Par 4.  That’s right, on Sunday at the US Open, the 14th hole, which is normally 435 yards, will be shortened to become a driveable Par 4.  Can’t wait to hear what is said about this one.

Finally… which is better: a morning 63 or a blown-in-the-wind afternoon 66?  We’ll see on Sunday.  One thing is for sure, the last time the winner led on Thursday was 1988… Lanny Watkins.  It doesn’t bode well for the man with two last names, Johnson Wagner.