Well, it's over after 5 long days......with an unlikely finish on Monday, June 22nd, 2009.
Early on in the coverage of this event, on the Golf Channel, a "prognosticator" of sorts was featured holding up handwritten placards of his predictions as to "who would win the Open".
First, he talked about players who were long shots, having never won a major or really anything much to speak about. Then he talked about ages of the competing players, mentioning those over 40ish as unlikely contestants.
His final comments were that the most likely winner would be in his 30's with, at least, a win during his PGA playing events. The two most likely choices were Ogilvy and Woods.
Interestingly enough, our final winner was Lucas Glover. Yes, in his 30's with his last win coming some 5 years ago at what was then called the Funai Classic at Disney in Orlando, FL.
The most interesting thing for me that came from this event, was the three who tied for 2nd place. Without question, the player who really was the emotional favorite and who has endeared himself to New York fans is Phil Mickelson. WE all were hoping for Phil to win this one, but unfortunately, he added another 2nd place making this his 5th one at the U.S. Open.
More interesting though was David Duval who came to the event as the 828 ranked player and finished with a tie for 2nd place. Over the past ten years, we have witnessed his struggle to return as a major player on the PGA and, perhaps, this event will give him the confidence that he has been struggling to recapture. Hopefully, he will continue in an upward spiral!
And for Ricky Barnes, also tied for the 2nd place honors, who came into this event listed as the 519 player and leaves as the 153 ranked player, is a marvelous feat. Sure he would have loved to win, but though he struggled this still propelled him into a new level of competition and future events that he can participate in including the British Open.
So for the fans and pros alike, it was one Open that will be talked about for not only the winners but the "weather" and the condition of the slower greens that affected the players to putt!!
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags and putters at:
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Bethpage Black - Open to the Public
The United States Golf Association wants to take the U.S. Open to more public-access courses, such as Bethpage, to help boost golf and golf participation from the public.
The feeling at Bethpage is like no other; Pebble Beach plays the Open but that is a resort course whereas Bethpage and Torrey Pines are Municipal Golf Courses.
If you are a New Yorker then you can play for $50.00 and for those out-of-state, the cost is $100. Fees are much higher at Torrey Pines. The clubhouse opens at 4:30 a.m. and a Bethpage supervisor starts to distribute the all-important wristbands. These will permit the first six vehicles in line to advance to the main lot. From there, those golfers lock in their tee times at the cashier's window. Golfers could play the Black Course once in the weeks leading up the Open and, of course, a positive identification information is required.
At 7:45 a.m. the activity behind the first tee starts to build, as the starter "takes a scissor to the blue wristband" and announces that the first tee time is about to begin. It's quite a moment!!
Well this is U.S. Open Week and the fans are out in force despite the poor weather conditions on Thursday, the opening day. USGA Commissioner stated that "if play is necessary on Monday, because of the poor weather conditions, then anyone holding a Thursday Ticket will be allowed to see the finish if needed as Monday play.
We'll see..........
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags and putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
The feeling at Bethpage is like no other; Pebble Beach plays the Open but that is a resort course whereas Bethpage and Torrey Pines are Municipal Golf Courses.
If you are a New Yorker then you can play for $50.00 and for those out-of-state, the cost is $100. Fees are much higher at Torrey Pines. The clubhouse opens at 4:30 a.m. and a Bethpage supervisor starts to distribute the all-important wristbands. These will permit the first six vehicles in line to advance to the main lot. From there, those golfers lock in their tee times at the cashier's window. Golfers could play the Black Course once in the weeks leading up the Open and, of course, a positive identification information is required.
At 7:45 a.m. the activity behind the first tee starts to build, as the starter "takes a scissor to the blue wristband" and announces that the first tee time is about to begin. It's quite a moment!!
Well this is U.S. Open Week and the fans are out in force despite the poor weather conditions on Thursday, the opening day. USGA Commissioner stated that "if play is necessary on Monday, because of the poor weather conditions, then anyone holding a Thursday Ticket will be allowed to see the finish if needed as Monday play.
We'll see..........
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags and putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Color is PINK...........for Amy
At the Crowne Plaza Invitational played in Texas, everyone on Saturday was touting a fantastic shade of pink........all in honor and support for Amy Mickelson, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
The PGA Tour Wives Association organized this show of support with help from the tour, the staff of the Colonial Tournament and the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' foundation. Players, caddies, tournament officials, TV announcers and the fans all sported this unique shade of "pink" in support. For some professionals, like Ian Poulter, wearing 'pink' is a regular choice. Poulter, obviously, enjoys wearing his flashy,stylish and colorful outfits. However, for others, it truly was a stretch. Tour professional, Steve Marino, said "I'm not really a pink-shirt type of guy". But yes, his shirt was definitely pink and, just maybe, that might be a color he might consider wearing again after shoting a 62 in the third round on Saturday. David Feherty, the well known and "colorful" announcer for CBS wearing a pink hat, pink shirt and even a "touch" of pink in his goatee showed his support for Amy Mickelson and the efforts made by many organizations to promote awareness and raise funds to find a cure.
One such organization, LIFE, founded by LPGA Professional, Val Skinner, recently hosted her 10th annual charity golf event in New Jersey. Over the past ten years, Skinner, in conjunction with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, has raised more than $5.8 million to fight this disease. Through awareness and on-campus visits to American colleges and universities, Skinner has dedicated her efforts to raise awareness and provide information to young women regarding breast cancer.
We all, professionals and fans alike, wish our best for Amy!!!!!
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags & putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/.
The PGA Tour Wives Association organized this show of support with help from the tour, the staff of the Colonial Tournament and the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' foundation. Players, caddies, tournament officials, TV announcers and the fans all sported this unique shade of "pink" in support. For some professionals, like Ian Poulter, wearing 'pink' is a regular choice. Poulter, obviously, enjoys wearing his flashy,stylish and colorful outfits. However, for others, it truly was a stretch. Tour professional, Steve Marino, said "I'm not really a pink-shirt type of guy". But yes, his shirt was definitely pink and, just maybe, that might be a color he might consider wearing again after shoting a 62 in the third round on Saturday. David Feherty, the well known and "colorful" announcer for CBS wearing a pink hat, pink shirt and even a "touch" of pink in his goatee showed his support for Amy Mickelson and the efforts made by many organizations to promote awareness and raise funds to find a cure.
One such organization, LIFE, founded by LPGA Professional, Val Skinner, recently hosted her 10th annual charity golf event in New Jersey. Over the past ten years, Skinner, in conjunction with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, has raised more than $5.8 million to fight this disease. Through awareness and on-campus visits to American colleges and universities, Skinner has dedicated her efforts to raise awareness and provide information to young women regarding breast cancer.
We all, professionals and fans alike, wish our best for Amy!!!!!
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags & putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
An Unlikely Winner at the Irish Open
It isn't often that an amateur wins an "Open" but Shane Lowry thrilled his countrymen to be the third amateur to win a European Tour Event at the "Irish Open".
The initial goal was to make the cut after receiving an invitation to play his home open. He felt right at home in the inclement weather of heavy rains and strong winds, to post a 10-under 62 on Friday. This round would equal the lowest round shot by an amateur on the European Tour.
"I'm feeling shock more than anything," he said. "I got an invite here, it's my first tournament and I would have been happy to make the cut. But then I shot the 62, and after that I thought,
"This is my week; I can win."
After 72 holes, Lowry and England's Robert Rock, each posted a score of 17 under for a total of 271. It would take three playoff holes to determine the winner. On the third playoff hole, Robert Rock pitched a shot over the green and made a 6 while Lowry won with a tap-in par.
Consolation prize for Robert Rock was about $676,000.00 while Lowry received no monetary reward. With all this great admiration and media frenzy, Lowry is expected to take the leap to professional status. Quite the story!!
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags and putters at
http://www.GolfBags4U.com
The initial goal was to make the cut after receiving an invitation to play his home open. He felt right at home in the inclement weather of heavy rains and strong winds, to post a 10-under 62 on Friday. This round would equal the lowest round shot by an amateur on the European Tour.
"I'm feeling shock more than anything," he said. "I got an invite here, it's my first tournament and I would have been happy to make the cut. But then I shot the 62, and after that I thought,
"This is my week; I can win."
After 72 holes, Lowry and England's Robert Rock, each posted a score of 17 under for a total of 271. It would take three playoff holes to determine the winner. On the third playoff hole, Robert Rock pitched a shot over the green and made a 6 while Lowry won with a tap-in par.
Consolation prize for Robert Rock was about $676,000.00 while Lowry received no monetary reward. With all this great admiration and media frenzy, Lowry is expected to take the leap to professional status. Quite the story!!
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags and putters at
http://www.GolfBags4U.com
Putting Tips!!
We golfers often play on courses where the speed of the greens is extremely fast.
We get over the putt, barely touch the ball, and it rolls 20 feet past the hole.
Here's one suggestion:
Hit the ball on the toe or heel of the putter. Try this, as it actually "kills" the putt by taking away the mass from the ball. When you hit the ball in the center of the putter, you get a very solid hit as all of the "mass" of the putter is centered directly behind the golf ball. If you try moving the center of the putter away from the ball, then less force is applied which reduces the distance that the ball will travel.
Try this one...
When you read your putt and you think that the putt breaks "left to right:, then hit the ball on the heel of the putter. Should the putt breaks "right to left", then hit the putt on the toe of the putter. In doing this, the ball will be hit 'softer', so play twice as much break than you think when you read the putt.
Try it.......let me know.
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags and putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
We get over the putt, barely touch the ball, and it rolls 20 feet past the hole.
Here's one suggestion:
Hit the ball on the toe or heel of the putter. Try this, as it actually "kills" the putt by taking away the mass from the ball. When you hit the ball in the center of the putter, you get a very solid hit as all of the "mass" of the putter is centered directly behind the golf ball. If you try moving the center of the putter away from the ball, then less force is applied which reduces the distance that the ball will travel.
Try this one...
When you read your putt and you think that the putt breaks "left to right:, then hit the ball on the heel of the putter. Should the putt breaks "right to left", then hit the putt on the toe of the putter. In doing this, the ball will be hit 'softer', so play twice as much break than you think when you read the putt.
Try it.......let me know.
Contact us for quality, American made golf bags and putters at
http://www.golfbags4u.com/
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