Clarke, McIlroy honored by Queen after major wins
December 31, 2011
LONDON (AP)—Northern Irish golf stars Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy areamong the sports figures honored by Queen Elizabeth II in her New Year list,after claiming their first major titles.
The 43-year-old Clarke was made an Officer of the Order of the BritishEmpire after ending his long wait for a major victory by winning the BritishOpen at Royal St. George’s.
“It is a great honor and a fantastic way to end a great year. I am veryproud for me and my family,” Clarke said. “It was a life-changing momentreally and in many ways my feet have not touched the floor since. And nowthis.”
Clarke lifted the claret jug weeks after the 22-year-old McIlroy’seight-shot victory in the U.S. Open at Congressional. The second-youngest majorwinner since 1934, McIlroy was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
“It is quite humbling to be included in such a list of worthy recipients,”McIlroy said. “Many people on the honors list have made huge personalsacrifices and contributed significantly to society during their lives. I feelvery fortunate to be in their company.”
With less than seven months to go before the start of the 2012 Olympics inLondon, two men involved in the organization of the games received knighthoods.
Charles Allen, a board member on the London Organizing Committee, and JohnArmitt, the chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority who is recognized forservices to engineering and construction, both become sirs.
World taekwondo champion Sarah Stevenson, who will be one of Britain’sleading medal prospects in London, received an MBE at the end of a year in whichboth her parents died.
Former Formula One world champion Nigel Mansell was made a Commander of theOrder of the British Empire for services to children and young people.
The 58-year-old Mansell is the president of UK Youth, a charity thatprovides tools to help build young people’s self-esteem, aptitude and skills.
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Tour Report: Player to Watch No. 1 revealed (PGATOUR.com)
December 30, 2011
Our countdown of Players to Watch for 2012 concludes Friday with Luke Donald, who accomplished something in 2011 that may never be duplicated, as he won the money titles on both sides of the Atlantic.
Click here for Donald’s No. 1 profile
Donald put together a remarkably consistent season on both Tours — and there’s no reason to expect that to change in 2012.
Be sure to check out this year’s new addition of the Three Wise Men — Chris DiMarco, Arron Oberholser and Craig Perks, who offer their takes on each of the players on the list.
Let us know how you think these players will perform in 2012 and whether we ranked them too high, too low or just right. Is Donald worthy of the top spot or is he ranked too high? Tell us in the space below.
CLICK HERE FOR TOP 100 ARCHIVE
Player to Watch No. 2 revealed
Our countdown of Players to Watch for 2012 continues Thursday with Rory McIlroy, who endured an up-and-down season that featured a tough loss at the Masters … and a dominating performance in the U.S. Open.
Click here for McIlroy’s No. 2 profile
McIlroy, still just 22, said late in 2011 that he would retake PGA TOUR membership for 2012.
Be sure to check out this year’s new addition of the Three Wise Men — Chris DiMarco, Arron Oberholser and Craig Perks, who offer their takes on each of the players on the list.
Let us know how you think these players will perform in 2012 and whether we ranked them too high, too low or just right. Is McIlroy too high … or not high enough? Tell us in the space below.
CLICK HERE FOR TOP 100 ARCHIVE
Player to Watch No. 3 revealed
Our countdown of Players to Watch for 2012 continues Wednesday with Webb Simpson, who went from No. 208 in the world to No. 10 in the course of a 2011 PGA TOUR season that included two wins, two seconds and a No. 2 spot on the money list.
Click here for Simpson’s No. 3 profile
The former Wake Forest All-American broke through at the Wyndham Championship before family and friends, then went on a run of success that included another win in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, at the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Simpson’s bid to lead the money list ended when Luke Donald trumped him at the season’s final event, the Children’s Miracle Network Classic, but he had nothing to hang his head about. Simpson finished his year on the winning United States Presidents Cup team, going 3-1 in his matches.
PGATOUR.COM will count down the players for the rest of December, with No. 1 unveiled on Dec. 30.
Be sure to check out this year’s new addition of the Three Wise Men — Chris DiMarco, Arron Oberholser and Craig Perks, who offer their takes on each of the players on the list.
Let us know how you think these players will perform in 2012 and whether we ranked them too high, too low or just right. Is Simpson too high … or not high enough? Tell us in the space below.
CLICK HERE FOR TOP 100 ARCHIVE
Player to Watch No. 5 revealed
Our countdown of Players to Watch for 2012 continues Monday with Phil Mickelson, who has won every year on the PGA TOUR except twice. That included 2011 when he captured the Shell Houston Open.
Click here for Mickelson’s No. 5 profile
Mickelson’s season may be remembered for a tournament he didn’t win, however. Trailing Bubba Watson by two on the final hole of the Farmers Insurance Open, Mickelson had his caddie tend the flag as he tried to hole out from 72 yards to force a playoff. He didn’t make the shot but the attempt was classic Mickelson.
The 41-year-old has more to look forward to in 2012 — specifically being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, an honor that’s well deserved with 39 career wins on the PGA TOUR.
PGATOUR.COM will countdown the players for the rest of December, with No. 1 unveiled on Dec. 30.
Be sure to check out this year’s new addition of the Three Wise Men — Chris DiMarco, Arron Oberholser and Craig Perks, who offer their takes on each of the players on the list.
Let us know how you think these players will perform in 2012 and whether we ranked them too high, too low or just right. Is Mickelson too high … or not high enough? Tell us in the space below.
CLICK HERE FOR TOP 100 ARCHIVE
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Golf-Donald voted writers’ male player of the year (Reuters)
December 29, 2011
Dec 29 (Reuters) – British world number one LukeDonald added another accolade to his rapidly growing resume whenhe was named male player of the year by the Golf WritersAssociation of America (GWAA) on Thursday.
Taiwan’s world number one Yani Tseng, who triumphed 12 timesacross the globe in 2011, was the runaway GWAA female player ofthe year while American veteran Tom Lehman was named seniorplayer of the year.
Donald, who won four times worldwide in 2011 and became thefirst player to clinch the money titles on both sides of theAtlantic, earned 88 percent of the GWAA votes.
The 34-year-old Englishman comfortably beat Americans KeeganBradley and Webb Simpson and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy forthe award.
Bradley won his maiden major title at the PGA Championshipand McIlroy claimed his first grand slam crown at the Mastersbut Donald eclipsed all his rivals with an extraordinarilyconsistent campaign.
He won twice on the U.S. PGA Tour and posted a further 12top-10s in 19 starts. Donald took over at the top of the worldrankings on May 30 and went on to win the 2011 PGA of Americaplayer of the year award and the Vardon Trophy for the lowestscoring average.
On Dec. 13, he became the first Briton to be named PGA Tourplayer of the year and just two days later was voted theEuropean Tour’s golfer of the year.
Donald, Tseng and Lehman will be honoured at the GWAA’sannual awards dinner on April 4 next year, held on the eve ofthe Masters.
(Reporting By Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing byJulian Linden; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Donald, Tseng, Lehman win golf writers’ awards
December 29, 2011
HOUSTON (AP)—Luke Donald is the overwhelming choice as male player of theyear by the Golf Writers Association of America.
Donald, who won four times around the world and became the first player towin the money title on the PGA Tour and the European Tour in the same season,won 88 percent of the vote to easily beat Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and RoryMcIlroy.
Yani Tseng received 94 percent of the vote as the female player of the yearafter winning 12 times worldwide, including two majors. Tom Lehman was votedsenior player of the year.
They will be honored at the GWAA annual awards dinner April 4 in Augusta,Ga.
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Tour Report: Donald: GWAA Player of the Year (PGATOUR.com)
December 29, 2011
And the honors just keep coming for Luke Donald.
The Golf Writers Association of America announced on Thursday that Donald, who won four times worldwide, was its 2011 Player of the Year.
Donald was given 88 percent of the votes, with two-time winner Keegan Bradley picking up most of the remainder of the votes. Webb Simpson and Rory McIlroy also received votes.
Tom Lehman was the runaway winner for GWAA Champions Tour Player of the Year, as was Yani Tseng for GWAA LPGA Tour Player of the Year.
It’s the third time in four years a European-born player has won the GWAA award. As is the custom, Donald will receive his award at the GWAA’s Annual Awards Dinner April 4, 2012 in Augusta.
Moore invests in Washington courses
Ryan Moore has always been a businessman off the golf course and this offseason has not been an exception.
Moore’s company RMG Golf Course Management has acquired Oakbrook Golf and Country Club in Lakewood, Wa., adding it to its two other courses — Spanaway’s Classic Club and McCormick Woods — in The Evergreen State.
With these holdings, RMG will launch a membership-driven business model on Jan. 1 to bring first-class golf to Washington residents at reasonable prices.
Moore, a full time PGA TOUR member since 2006, picked up his lone TOUR victory at the 2009 Wyndham Championship.
Some sample Christmas tweets
The easiest way to follow TOUR players on Twitter? Bookmark this link. It’s constantly being updated as players embrace social media.
Some sample tweets from PGA TOUR members:
@CharlieBeljan Merry Christmas to all. And here’s to a lot of birdies in 2012 @ClevelandGolf @CGSrixonTour
@BudCauley Just watched A Few Good Men.. #greatmovie
@ArronOberholser Merry Christmas Tweeps! Thanks for a fun 2011 on this interesting communication medium.
@Scott_Brown803 Just wanted to let everybody know there will be baby BROWN entering the world in July!
@HunterMahan Merry Christmas to all the tweeters!! Let’s remember what is important in life!!
@WilliamMcGirt On the road on Christmas day. Stopped for some food. What should I eat?????
@bubbawatson Got a Banjo for Christmas & a sweater vest. Thanks Fish!!
@LukeDonald Christmas not complete without National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation & Home Alone for me. How about everyone else?
@krisblanks Merry Christmas everyone!!! Hope everyone is having a wonderful day with family and friends.
And lastly, it appears @Stallingsgolf wanted a BBQ smoker for Christmas:
Thanks to @stewartcink for helping @jwhitestallings pick out my gift. Can’t wait to get this thing going:
Photo gallery: Tiger’s 2011 season
Getty ImagesTiger Woods walks the fairways at Firestone South with Darren Clarke.
Injuries slowed him in 2011, but he found his game just as the season drew to a close. See the best images from his up-and-down year.
CLICK HERE FOR WOODS PHOTO GALLERY Click here for more on Woods’ 2011 season
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Tour Report: Player to Watch No. 2 revealed (PGATOUR.com)
December 29, 2011
Our countdown of Players to Watch for 2012 continues Thursday with Rory McIlroy, who endured an up-and-down season that featured a tough loss at the Masters … and a dominating performance in the U.S. Open.
Click here for McIlroy’s No. 2 profile
McIlroy, still just 22, said late in 2011 that he would retake PGA TOUR membership for 2012.
Be sure to check out this year’s new addition of the Three Wise Men — Chris DiMarco, Arron Oberholser and Craig Perks, who offer their takes on each of the players on the list.
Let us know how you think these players will perform in 2012 and whether we ranked them too high, too low or just right. Is McIlroy too high … or not high enough? Tell us in the space below.
CLICK HERE FOR TOP 100 ARCHIVE
Player to Watch No. 3 revealed
Our countdown of Players to Watch for 2012 continues Wednesday with Webb Simpson, who went from No. 208 in the world to No. 10 in the course of a 2011 PGA TOUR season that included two wins, two seconds and a No. 2 spot on the money list.
Click here for Simpson’s No. 3 profile
The former Wake Forest All-American broke through at the Wyndham Championship before family and friends, then went on a run of success that included another win in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, at the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Simpson’s bid to lead the money list ended when Luke Donald trumped him at the season’s final event, the Children’s Miracle Network Classic, but he had nothing to hang his head about. Simpson finished his year on the winning United States Presidents Cup team, going 3-1 in his matches.
PGATOUR.COM will count down the players for the rest of December, with No. 1 unveiled on Dec. 30.
Be sure to check out this year’s new addition of the Three Wise Men — Chris DiMarco, Arron Oberholser and Craig Perks, who offer their takes on each of the players on the list.
Let us know how you think these players will perform in 2012 and whether we ranked them too high, too low or just right. Is Simpson too high … or not high enough? Tell us in the space below.
CLICK HERE FOR TOP 100 ARCHIVE
Player to Watch No. 5 revealed
Our countdown of Players to Watch for 2012 continues Monday with Phil Mickelson, who has won every year on the PGA TOUR except twice. That included 2011 when he captured the Shell Houston Open.
Click here for Mickelson’s No. 5 profile
Mickelson’s season may be remembered for a tournament he didn’t win, however. Trailing Bubba Watson by two on the final hole of the Farmers Insurance Open, Mickelson had his caddie tend the flag as he tried to hole out from 72 yards to force a playoff. He didn’t make the shot but the attempt was classic Mickelson.
The 41-year-old has more to look forward to in 2012 — specifically being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, an honor that’s well deserved with 39 career wins on the PGA TOUR.
PGATOUR.COM will countdown the players for the rest of December, with No. 1 unveiled on Dec. 30.
Be sure to check out this year’s new addition of the Three Wise Men — Chris DiMarco, Arron Oberholser and Craig Perks, who offer their takes on each of the players on the list.
Let us know how you think these players will perform in 2012 and whether we ranked them too high, too low or just right. Is Mickelson too high … or not high enough? Tell us in the space below.
CLICK HERE FOR TOP 100 ARCHIVE
Player to Watch No. 6 revealed
Our countdown of Players to Watch for 2012 continues Sunday with a player who didn’t want the 2011 season to end.
Tiger Woods enters 2012 healthy after an injury-marred year. He finished the season with a solid performance at the Presidents Cup and then won the Chevron World Challenge for his first worldwide win in 25 months.
His 2012 season remains a huge question mark, but the 71-time PGA TOUR winner will have plenty of chances to get back his former No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking.
No. 6: Tiger Woods
PGATOUR.COM will countdown the players for the rest of December, with No. 1 unveiled on Dec. 30.
Be sure to check out this year’s new addition of the Three Wise Men – Chris DiMarco, Arron Oberholser and Craig Perks, who offer their takes on each of the players on the list.
Let us know how you think these players will perform in 2012 and whether we ranked ‘em too high, too low or just right. Is Woods too high … or not high enough? Tell us in the space below.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE ARCHIVE PAGE/SCHEDULE FOR THE TOP 100 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2012
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Tour Report: Player to Watch No. 3 revealed (PGATOUR.com)
December 28, 2011
Our countdown of Players to Watch for 2012 continues Wednesday with Webb Simpson, who went from No. 208 in the world to No. 10 in the course of a 2011 PGA TOUR season that included two wins, two seconds and a No. 2 spot on the money list.
Click here for Simpson’s No. 3 profile
The former Wake Forest All-American broke through at the Wyndham Championship before family and friends, then went on a run of success that included another win in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, at the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Simpson’s bid to lead the money list ended when Luke Donald trumped him at the season’s final event, the Children’s Miracle Network Classic, but he had nothing to hang his head about. Simpson finished his year on the winning United States Presidents Cup team, going 3-1 in his matches.
PGATOUR.COM will count down the players for the rest of December, with No. 1 unveiled on Dec. 30.
Be sure to check out this year’s new addition of the Three Wise Men — Chris DiMarco, Arron Oberholser and Craig Perks, who offer their takes on each of the players on the list.
Let us know how you think these players will perform in 2012 and whether we ranked them too high, too low or just right. Is Simpson too high … or not high enough? Tell us in the space below.
CLICK HERE FOR TOP 100 ARCHIVE
Player to Watch No. 5 revealed
Our countdown of Players to Watch for 2012 continues Monday with Phil Mickelson, who has won every year on the PGA TOUR except twice. That included 2011 when he captured the Shell Houston Open.
Click here for Mickelson’s No. 5 profile
Mickelson’s season may be remembered for a tournament he didn’t win, however. Trailing Bubba Watson by two on the final hole of the Farmers Insurance Open, Mickelson had his caddie tend the flag as he tried to hole out from 72 yards to force a playoff. He didn’t make the shot but the attempt was classic Mickelson.
The 41-year-old has more to look forward to in 2012 — specifically being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, an honor that’s well deserved with 39 career wins on the PGA TOUR.
PGATOUR.COM will countdown the players for the rest of December, with No. 1 unveiled on Dec. 30.
Be sure to check out this year’s new addition of the Three Wise Men — Chris DiMarco, Arron Oberholser and Craig Perks, who offer their takes on each of the players on the list.
Let us know how you think these players will perform in 2012 and whether we ranked them too high, too low or just right. Is Mickelson too high … or not high enough? Tell us in the space below.
CLICK HERE FOR TOP 100 ARCHIVE
Player to Watch No. 6 revealed
Our countdown of Players to Watch for 2012 continues Sunday with a player who didn’t want the 2011 season to end.
Tiger Woods enters 2012 healthy after an injury-marred year. He finished the season with a solid performance at the Presidents Cup and then won the Chevron World Challenge for his first worldwide win in 25 months.
His 2012 season remains a huge question mark, but the 71-time PGA TOUR winner will have plenty of chances to get back his former No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking.
No. 6: Tiger Woods
PGATOUR.COM will countdown the players for the rest of December, with No. 1 unveiled on Dec. 30.
Be sure to check out this year’s new addition of the Three Wise Men – Chris DiMarco, Arron Oberholser and Craig Perks, who offer their takes on each of the players on the list.
Let us know how you think these players will perform in 2012 and whether we ranked ‘em too high, too low or just right. Is Woods too high … or not high enough? Tell us in the space below.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE ARCHIVE PAGE/SCHEDULE FOR THE TOP 100 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2012
Player to Watch No. 7 revealed
Our countdown of Players to Watch for 2012 continues Saturday with the defending FedExCup champion, who gave us the best shot of the year on the PGA TOUR.
Bill Haas had enjoyed a good-not-great run in the 2011 regular season, with two playoff defeats and no wins, but that all changed in the Playoffs as he advanced to the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola and won it in a playoff with an amazing par save from a greenside pond on the second playoff hole. In one swoop he won the tournament and the $10 million FedExCup prize.
No. 7: Bill Haas
PGATOUR.COM will count down the players for the rest of December, with No. 1 unveiled on Dec. 30.
Be sure to check out this year’s new addition of the Three Wise Men – Chris DiMarco, Arron Oberholser and Craig Perks, who offer their takes on each of the players on the list.
Let us know how you think these players will perform in 2012 and whether we ranked ‘em too high, too low or just right. Is Haas too high … or not high enough? Tell us in the space below.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE ARCHIVE PAGE/SCHEDULE FOR THE TOP 100 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2012
Tee it up! Play Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf today.
Players show gratitude for sponsor exemptions
December 28, 2011
JACKSONVILLE, Florida (AP)—Rod Pampling had a few nervous moments whilewatching parts of the final PGA Tour event on TV, though it ended well for him.
After starting the year with only limited status as a past champion, theAustralian regained his full card at No. 124 on the money list with just $2,033to spare.
Pampling spent the next month trying to contact every tournament directorwho gave him a sponsor exemption, thanking them for helping him get his cardagain. In some cases, Pampling wound up earning his way into tournaments anddidn’t need the exemption. The way he saw it, the offer of an exemption at leastgave him something to fall back on, so it still meant a lot.
“I’ve been doing this 25 years. I’m not saying I’ve never had a guy call meand thank me for doing that, but it’s the first in a long time,” AT&T Nationaltournament director Greg McLaughlin said. “It’s very rare. All the other guysare thankful and appreciative. But rarely do I get one after the season when aguy gets his card and calls you to thank you.
“As far as I’m concerned, he can play in one of my tournaments if he everneeds a spot. He’s set for life.”
Pampling most likely was not alone. Even so, it was a classy gesture worthpointing out with hopes that it gets repeated.
“It was just to thank them for helping me out,” Pampling said. “Theydidn’t have to do that. It was a simple gesture on their part, and it’s not thathard to call and say, `Thanks for that.’ I was just trying to do the rightthing. Hopefully, I won’t need the invite again.”
Joe Ogilvie, who lives in Austin, Texas, added a local flavor to hisgratitude.
This year he had conditional status, those between No. 126 and No. 150 onthe money list, and received his share of exemptions. Ogilvie finished at No.116. The tournament directors who gave Ogilvie a spot received goodies from SaltLick, which he regards as the best barbecue in Texas.
“The help I got from these tournament directors … enabled me to finish inthe top 125,” Ogilvie said. “I helped myself by playing well, but theycertainly helped. I’m not a star by any means. I’m really good in front ofcorporates and sponsors, but I’m not going to sell three tickets. These guyshelped me, and I wanted to show my appreciation.
“That was my `thank you’ note.”
———
BJORN IS BACK: Thomas Bjorn was No. 65 in the world, two weeks removed fromwinning the Qatar Masters, when he arrived in Arizona for the Match PlayChampionship. It was his first time at a World Golf Championship in four years.He had a chance to sneak into the top 50 and get into the WGC at Doral andperhaps get back to the Masters.
Bjorn, however, would have none of that talk.
“Those days are behind me,” he said.
How wrong the great Dane turned out to be. As an alternate at the BritishOpen, he finished fourth. A month later, Bjorn won the Johnnie WalkerChampionship at Gleneagles and then won again the next week in Switzerland atthe European Masters.
It was his first multiple-win season, and his three titles tied him withLuke Donald for most on the European Tour this year.
Bjorn is at No. 35 in the world, eligible for at least three of the WorldGolf Championships next year. He also goes back to Augusta National for thefirst time in five years.
As for those comments in February?
“It was important to not get ahead of myself with everything,” Bjorn said.“I wanted to keep working hard and keep my feet on solid ground, to do the workthat enabled me to get back and play decent stuff. If I started talking myselfinto believing I was back, I might have just been off a little bit.
“I would never say I believed the big stuff was behind me,” he said. “Ijust knew it was a long track for me to get into a position where it’s there,and you don’t have to think about it.”
———
HAVE CLUBS, WILL PULL A TROLLEY: As long as Laura Davies has been playingtournament golf, she managed to do something new during the Indian Open earlierthis month on the Ladies European Tour.
She didn’t bother taking a caddie.
Davies said her caddie was having visa troubles and didn’t make it to NewDelhi. The English star lost patience and instead of hiring a local caddiedecided to take care of it herself.
“Ended up having to pull my own trolley around, which is the first timeI’ve done that in 26 years on tour,” Davies said. “I shot 3 over the firstday. He made it for the second round, but it didn’t work out. I missed thecut.”
Davies doesn’t get flustered easily. This was an exception.
“The officials were like, `You should take a local.’ But I was justirritated,” Davies said. “So I just wanted to get out there, try and shootsomething that wasn’t going to ruin the week, and I ended up shooting 3 over andthe week was over before it got started.
“These things happen, but it was a shame.”
———
FINAL WORD: “It’s a funny old fuddy-duddy game, but I love it. And I quiteunderstand if people don’t. But it’s something very, very special, and I’m veryhonored to be a part of it.”—British commentator Peter Alliss, upon hisselection for the World Golf Hall of Fame.
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Tour Report: Moore invests in Washington courses (PGATOUR.com)
December 27, 2011
Ryan Moore has always been a businessman off the golf course and this offseason has not been an exception.
Moore’s company RMG Golf Course Management has acquired Oakbrook Golf and Country Club in Lakewood, Wa., adding it to its two other courses — Spanaway’s Classic Club and McCormick Woods — in The Evergreen State.
With these holdings, RMG will launch a membership-driven business model on Jan. 1 to bring first-class golf to Washington residents at reasonable prices.
Moore, a full time PGA TOUR member since 2006, picked up his lone TOUR victory at the 2009 Wyndham Championship.
Some sample Christmas tweets
The easiest way to follow TOUR players on Twitter? Bookmark this link. It’s constantly being updated as players embrace social media.
Some sample tweets from PGA TOUR members:
@CharlieBeljan Merry Christmas to all. And here’s to a lot of birdies in 2012 @ClevelandGolf @CGSrixonTour
@BudCauley Just watched A Few Good Men.. #greatmovie
@ArronOberholser Merry Christmas Tweeps! Thanks for a fun 2011 on this interesting communication medium.
@Scott_Brown803 Just wanted to let everybody know there will be baby BROWN entering the world in July!
@HunterMahan Merry Christmas to all the tweeters!! Let’s remember what is important in life!!
@WilliamMcGirt On the road on Christmas day. Stopped for some food. What should I eat?????
@bubbawatson Got a Banjo for Christmas & a sweater vest. Thanks Fish!!
@LukeDonald Christmas not complete without National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation & Home Alone for me. How about everyone else?
@krisblanks Merry Christmas everyone!!! Hope everyone is having a wonderful day with family and friends.
And lastly, it appears @Stallingsgolf wanted a BBQ smoker for Christmas:
Thanks to @stewartcink for helping @jwhitestallings pick out my gift. Can’t wait to get this thing going:
Photo gallery: Tiger’s 2011 season
Getty ImagesTiger Woods walks the fairways at Firestone South with Darren Clarke.
Injuries slowed him in 2011, but he found his game just as the season drew to a close. See the best images from his up-and-down year.
CLICK HERE FOR WOODS PHOTO GALLERY Click here for more on Woods’ 2011 season
Tee it up! Play Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf today.
A look back at 2011 with tales from the tour
December 27, 2011
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP)—Mike Tuten has spent the last 20 years on theNorth Shore of Oahu shaping surf boards. He joined his brother, Titleist repChris Tuten, for a round of golf on the Plantation Course at Kapalua at thestart of the year.
Walking down the seventh fairway, the Pacific Ocean on the horizon, Tutensaid he found a lot of similarities between surfing and golf.
“It’s all about controlling your inner self and enjoying the environmentaround you,” Tuten said.
That made sense to Adam Scott, who does a fair bit of surfing.
Ditto for Geoff Ogilvy, who described himself as a “splash-in-the-waterkind of surfer.”
“A lot of surfing is just sitting on the back of your board and justenjoying the place you’re at,” Ogilvy said. “You can do it with friends or onyour own. Some of the appeal is that you’re out there on your own with golf,too. Surfing is similar. A lot of guys who go surfing would be those types ofguys who like to get out and do their own thing.”
For a technical answer, Kelly Slater weighed in.
“Physically, there’s not a lot of similarities,” Slater said at the PebbleBeach National Pro-Am. “When you surf, you do twist your body. You twist yourshoulders and bring the board to where your shoulders are. When you catch awave, you don’t want to be thinking about the crowd, cameras, how pretty it is.You want to have a calm mind when you take off on a wave.”
It all sounded good in theory until the question was posed to Ernie Els onthe range at Waialae.
Are there any similarities between golf and surfing?
“No, I don’t agree with that,” Els said.
He pointed to the 30-foot palm trees lining both sides of the range to makehis argument.
“You see a wave that big coming at you, I don’t see how you can enjoy yourenvironment,” Els said. “I would be trying to get the hell out of there. No,golf is not like surfing. You don’t get killed playing golf.”
The 2011 season began with waves crashing along the shores of Maui and Oahu.Rory McIlroy wiped out at the Masters and had the ride of his life at the U.S.Open. Luke Donald is riding a wave that doesn’t seem to end. And late in theyear, Tiger Woods showed signs of paddling back out to sea.
Along the way, there were plenty of other moments that went beyond birdiesand bogeys.
———
Saturday at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is when CBS Sports focusesprimarily on the celebrities in the field, who don’t always take golf—or theinterviews—all that seriously. David Feherty attempted to interview comedianGeorge Lopez, who essentially spent his time in front of the camera making funof the Irishman.
Feherty was riding his bike along 17 Mile Drive the next morning, stillthinking about how Lopez buried him on TV, when he decided it was time forrevenge. It was 6 a.m. and he knew the house where Lopez was staying, so Fehertywent to the front door and began ringing the bell. Over and over and over.
No answer.
He took out his phone and called Lopez, and the comedian answered with agroggy voice.
“George! Why aren’t you answering the door?” Feherty told him.
Lopez informed him that his door bell wasn’t ringing. Just at that moment,Feherty heard another groggy voice, slightly perturbed, through the intercom.
“Who is this?”
Feherty froze. He was at the wrong house. Lopez was in the one on the otherside of the road.
“I was looking at him across the street,” Lopez said. “I think I’ve stillgot a picture of it. He looked like a wet rat.”
———
Bo Van Pelt walked up to the porch at the Augusta National clubhouse to findhis caddie waiting for him with the golf bag and listening to a man on the benchtelling stories.
“Bo,” caddie Mark Chaney said. “Have you met Bob Goalby?”
For the next hour, the 1968 Masters champion regaled Van Pelt with storiesabout practice rounds with Ben Hogan, about the stories Sam Snead once told atthe Champions Dinner at Augusta, about playing in the Ryder Cup against Britishplayers hardly anyone knew.
Van Pelt didn’t want to leave. Goalby would finish a story, there would be along pause, and then he would start another.
At the end of the week, Van Pelt was among eight players who had a share ofthe lead on Sunday. He tied for eighth. Yet that Tuesday afternoon on the porchwith Goalby was as strong a memory as his best finish at the Masters.
“To me, those are the things where I feel fortunate I get to do what Ido,” Van Pelt said a few weeks ago. “It’s great to be at Augusta. And you’rethinking about the tournament. But when you get a chance to visit with someonelike that, those other things can wait. I could have sat there all day.”
———
Darren Clarke couldn’t do the math.
For a guy who spent two decades chasing the claret jug, Clarke did aremarkable job keeping a clear head until he approached the 18th green at RoyalSt. George’s and tried to figure out what remained for him to capture golf’soldest championship.
He played the final hole the way he wanted, taking the bunkers out of playoff the tee and hitting to the back left of the green.
“The crowd was roaring and shouting, and I’m thinking, `How many putts do Ihave from there?’ I promise you, that’s what I was thinking,” Clarke said.“And I couldn’t get the number in my head. The only time that I really figuredit out was when I was standing over the ball. I’ve got five putts.”
He took three to make a meaningless bogey and win by three shots over PhilMickelson and Dustin Johnson.
———
Fred Couples was outside the ropes near the first tee at Royal Melbourne,holding court on the world of sports as only Couples can do, while Tiger Woodsand Dustin Johnson prepared to play for the first time as partners in thePresidents Cup.
Couples wanted to know about the sale of the Houston Astros, and how theycould go to the American League, and if someone bought the Seattle Mariners,could the new owner demand they be in the National League? The conversationshifted to hockey, back to baseball, a brief stop for the NFL, back to hockey.And then he stopped.
“You know, I should be over there talking to Dustin and Tiger instead ofyou two clowns,” he said.
Maybe so. But, as one reporter asked, what would be his preference?
“You guys,” Couples said. Nodding in the direction of Woods and Johnson,he added with a smile, “Those guys don’t give me anything.”
———
Arnold Palmer was asked to describe his perfect day, and he frowned.
“I’m in a dilemma right now because I can’t hit the ball the way I wantto,” Palmer said. “I can do things that will allow me to hit the ball where Iwant to hit it, but not as far. But straight isn’t the answer for me because Ican’t hit it far enough. At 82, am I going to put the effort into it that I haveto for me to enjoy playing? It’s very difficult.”
At the end of a long day that included a golf-course opening, Palmer made uphis mind.
“I’ve decided I’m going to give it a shot this winter at Bay Hill, for myown satisfaction,” he said. “I’m going to work at it.”
Three weeks later, using a 5-iron from 163 yards on the Charger Course atBay Hill, the King made his 20th career hole-in-hole and shot 79.
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