Age Before Beauty - Happy Third Birthday OobGolf!

We won't be celebrating our blogging birthday till September, but for our friends at Oobgolf it's this weekend. Hence the age before beauty thing... as in: they're old and we're beautiful. And remember, 1 blog year = 15 human years, so they're officially middle aged.

Anyway, Oob for those few who don't know, Oob is a golf social networking site focused on providing golfers with free online tools to track, analyze, and share their progress. And, they're continually improving their platform. Recently they've added:

PRIVATE ACCOUNTS - If you're feeling shy about sharing your scores with everyone, which I can totally relate to, a private account will allow you to restrict viewing of your scores to friends only.

EMAIL SETTINGS - You can now fine tune the emails you get from Oob in their new email settings area.

CLUB FROM TEE REPORT - A new club selection chart is now live in all accounts.

OOBGOLF ADDICT - New stats have been added like 3-putt avoidance, chips, putts after chip, wasted pars & birdies, o.b. penalties, and more. Plus...They're giving away a TaylorMade R9 Driver on August 3rd - signup for Oobgolf Addict before then to be eligible.

EQUIPMENT RANKINGS - Do you ever want to see see what individual pieces of equipment are performing best within each handicap group? Ok.

TWITTER FEED - If you're a social media evangelist like I am, you'll be happy to know that Oobgolf now integrates with both facebook and twitter.

Visit Oobgolf to see it all. And wish them a Happy Birthday while you're at it.

Golf in Afghanistan - Two Years Later, Little Changed

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Almost two years ago I wrote the post below on the beleaguered Kabul Country Club, and how it had tenaciously persevered through the worst of times.

Through decades of war and a Taliban imposed ban on sports, the once thriving course had continued to serve a transient population of golf-obsessed expatriates.

Yesterday when I came upon Jay Busbee's post at Devil Ball Golf describing a successful effort by Canadian military personnel to create their own version of the recent RBC Canadian Open on their base in Kandahar, Afghanistan I thought of that proud little Afghan golf course.

I looked back with some trepidation, and when I found that the website no longer active I wasn't surprised. The url, kabulgolfclub.com, active in 2007, now led to a generic place holder announcing that a "website was coming soon". The message rang shallow in light of the current situation in the country. Stability seems as far off as it was two years ago when I penned the original post.

Believing that Kabul Country Club had finally closed its gates in defeat, I scanned the internet for any recent posts or photos. To my delight I came upon the photo above, taken...yes...at Kabul Country Club, and dated July 17, 2009.

Photo above by / Rafal Gerszak ❀


Golf Lives on at Kabul Country Club

Despite monumental challenges, the scrappy and spirited Kabul Golf Club lives on.

Today's New York Times featured a front page story on the course's implausible survival and its tenacious director's struggle to keep it alive.

I've long been fascinated by this once thriving golf course, situated perilously in harsh, beautiful Afghanistan, a country that's been torn by war and occupation as far back as I can remember.

On this nine hole course the greens are called browns. Abandoned tanks and discarded weaponry litter the landscape, but the young locals who take lessons and play at the Kabul Golf Club are apparently passionate about the sport. They regularly scramble up up craggy hillsides to retrieve their few balls for practice, and in addition to clubs, these guys carry around a section of artificial turf to simulate fairway shots. We talk about being golf obsessed; they've taken that to a whole new level.

I urge you to read Kirk Semple's NYT article. It's touching, sad, inspiring and hopeful...all at the same time.

Cristie Kerr to Host a Star-Studded Charity Classic

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With the Manhattan skyline in the background and a constellation of LPGA stars at her side, Cristie Kerr will host the Fifth Annual Birdies for Breast Cancer Charity Golf Classic.

Lady Liberty will look on as LPGA tour members Natalie Gulbis, Morgan Pressel, Brittany Lincicome and Erica Blasberg join Cristie at the spectacular Liberty National Golf Course to raise money and promote breast health education.

The event, on Friday, August 14, 2009, will feature an afternoon of golf followed by a dinner reception and poker tournament. In addition to the above mentioned LPGA stars, a number of other sports stars and celebrities will be participating, including Vincent Lecavalier from the NHL and Doug Flutie from the NFL. Celebrity chef Todd English will preside over the menu and all proceeds will benefit Birdies for Breast Cancer.

Corporate partners of this year's event include Fireman Capital Partners, Audemars Piguet, Sweet 'n Low, Clemmy's Ice Cream, Knight Capital Group, Continental Airlines and the Ritz Carlton.

This being Cristie's fifth Birdies for Breast Cancer charity event, the tradition has been firmly established of a fun event that raises awareness and resources... and the ultra-energetic Ms. Kerr is looking forward to continuing it for many years to come.

Proceeds from the 2009 Birdies for Breast Cancer Charity Golf Classic will go towards establishing the Cristie Kerr Women's Health Center at Liberty Health's Jersey City Medical Center. I told you about that amazing project a couple of weeks ago when Cristie was in Jersey City to announce it. Since then she's carded a T3 finish at the the Evian Masters in the French Alps... and will be teeing off in the RICOH Women's British Open just a couple of hours from now. Now you know what I mean by ultra-energetic.

Photo: Cristie Kerr at a past Birdies for Breast Cancer Event © Scott Halleran/Getty Images ❀

Men, Women and the Tiger Woods Behavior Debate

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That two weeks later, we're still talking about Tiger Woods at Turnberry isn't surprising. Just about everyone... from the oddsmaker to the the average fan... was predicting a win. Some even used the word landslide.

What few would have guessed in early July, was that so much of this extended, Open Championship postmortem would revolve around what some are calling "Tiger's on-course antics" or "Tiger Tantrums." Or simply Tiger's unacceptable behavior.

I was one of many who wrote about the debate last week, and the response I got... via email and comments... was surprisingly divergent. So much so, that I feel compelled to write a few final words on the topic...however self-indulgent that may be.

What I found most fascinating was the whole "role model" issue, and the fact that many felt Tiger Woods owed it to ...well...everyone, I guess...to be a role model.

My opinion as articulated in my post, was quite contrary to that... to the extent that some suggested I shouldn't "criticize parents for expecting stars/athletes/musicians/etc to be role models", particularly as I don't have children of my own.

That's fair enough I suppose, however, I'm not actually criticizing them, I'm just voicing my opinion (like the Rick Reilly piece that inspired it, mine was an opinion-post). And IMHO, we don't have the right to expect entertainers to be role models just because they're in the public eye. Because after all, everyone has different standards and values. Whose standards and values should these stars project? Yours or your neighbor's? What about the values of fans in Brazil or Dubai or Japan? No, I feel these stars should, and in most cases will, project their own personal values.

And again it comes back to parents. They're the ones who need to embody and encourage the values they want their children to embrace. And they need to actively invest in living and teaching these values... 24/7... if they wish to instill them. Because the fact is, maybe Tiger Woods or Lance Armstrong or Oprah Winfrey or... whoever, doesn't share your values.

Living your values and being your children's role model, requires extreme dedication and constant engagement. It requires putting yourself on a back burner most of the time. That's one of the reasons I made a conscious choice not to have kids myself. I knew I'd have trouble with that...with the kind of dedication it would take. And I didn't feel I was up to the task of consistently being the kind of roll model I'd want my kids to have. So yes... If I did have kids of my own I would probably be wanting entertainers to be roll models...to share a bit of the responsibility with me, maybe pick up a bit of slack. But I knew I couldn't/shouldn't expect that, and I made the decision I did. It wasn't an easy decision - I love kids - but I'm convinced it was the right one.

One thing I found surprising was that most of the women who weighed in on this issue - via email or comments in response to my blog... or writing on other blogs or websites - have not been highly critical of Tiger Woods. Many of them are proud Moms, yet don't seem to be looking to Mr. Woods to be a role model. Most of the complaints (and the most strident of them) were from Men and it's Men by and large, who seem to be demanding that Tiger clean up his act and be a role model. This made me wonder.

My husband, who's been known to oversimplify even the most complex issue, suggested, "All men are jealous of Tiger Woods, even if they really like him. These guys are just relishing the opportunity to call him out on something." In some cases perhaps, but what seems clear to me is that in general, men are more likely than women to feel that their children will be swayed by the behavior of an athlete or entertainer...and in many cases less confident in the influence they themselves have over their children.

Several years ago, Tiger's own Dad, the incomparable Earl Woods, had this to say in a Golf Digest interview: "Yes, Tiger is known to swear on the course. You can't have it both ways. You can't have the fire, intensity, competitiveness and aggressiveness if you don't blow off steam. Profanity is the language of youth. I don't say it's right, I just say that's the way it is."

I'm quite sure the Senior Mr. Woods was totally confident in the influence he had over his son. And well he should have been. IMHO.

Photo: © Doug Benc, Getty Images ❀

Category Leader Cristie Kerr Passes $10 Million Mark

When I say category, I actually mean multiple categories, because right now Ms. Kerr leads the LPGA in a number of them:

* Rolex Player of the Year (108 points)
* Scoring/Vare Trophy (70.00)
* LPGA Official Money List ($1,248,202)
* Rounds under par (72.6 percent)
* Top-10 finishes (10/16)
* Birdies (241)

...and if that's not impressive enough, with her T3 finish at the Evian Masters yesterday, she surpassed the $10 million mark in career earnings, reaching $10,187,118 - to be exact - in her 13-year/12 victory LPGA Tour career.

Behind Cristie's success is an amazing dedication and determination, and because she's equally engaged in her charity efforts, the result goes way beyond the world of golf. An impressive nineteen Cristie Kerr birdies at Evian meant a $950 donation to her foundation Birdies for Breast Cancer.

Now, it's on to Lancashire and Ricoh Women's British Open. With 48 of world's top 50 player in the line up it promises to be a highly competitive championship, which suits Cristie just fine.

Photo: © Stuart Franklin/Getty Images ❀

I Just Want Tiger Woods to Be Who He Is

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Believe it or not, this was originally meant to be a comment.

I began writing it in response to a piece by Stephanie Wei who frequently delivers thought-provoking posts at her blog Wei Under Par.

Yesterday she wrote about the "Tiger Tantrum Debate" that recently came out of the Open Championship, and was was heighten by Wednesday's Rick Reily ESPN opinion piece in which the outspoken scribe suggested that Tiger should clean up his act.

A few days earlier Shane Bacon had expressed a similar view on his excellent Dogs That Chase Cars, and I'd received numerous emails on the subject. I noticed most came down clearly on the side of Mssrs. Reily and Bacon. I hesitated to weigh in because I knew my opinion wouldn't be popular, and although "political correctness" is definitely not something I'm known for, sometimes - I'll admit it - I just don't feel like being unpopular. I did that in Middle School.

But here's the thing; I found the whole "Tiger Tantrum Debate" disconcerting, because, quite frankly, I didn't find Tiger Woods' behavior objectionable at all.

For me it was ... like...normal, considering the circumstances. He was showing emotion... wearing it on his sleeve. The way he did it was visceral... and, yes, quite normal. Maybe I missed something? Why wasn't I offended?

To make matters worse, it was deja vu all over again because just a week earlier Cristie Kerr's behavior in the final round of the US Women's Open, had seemed to me to be totally natural and in proportion with the situation, yet had been criticized, at times vitriolically, in the same way. That too had left me wondering.

I suppose if I was counting on either of these sports stars to be a role model for my children I might be upset with their behavior too, but you see, I'm of the opinion that parents should be the role models for their children, and should be totally vested in that demanding, often less-than-gratifying job. The fact that so many parents insist that athletes or actors or singers be role models, indicates to me that they themselves don't particularly want to take on this difficult part of parenting, and would rather leave the heavy lifting to the Tigers and Cristies, or the Mileys and Justins. The next thing you know there'll be people chastising Amy Weinhouse and Snoop Dog for not living up to their role model responsibilities. Like they owe us better behavior.

The paradoxical thing is; I'd venture to guess that many of the very same individuals criticizing Tiger Woods and Cristie Kerr are also the ones who criticize some of the LPGA's Korean players because.... they don't show enough emotion. It's like... Fist Pump: yes, you better do that. Bag Kick: no you better not do that. High Five: yes, you better do that. Club Toss: no you better not do that. Happy Emotions: Show them or expect to be criticizes Disappointed Emotions: Don't show them or expect to be criticized. "Golfers, you must control your emotions...but don't control them too well, OK?"

Come on people. Do you really want to mold all golfers into one uniform mass of well-behaved, smiling, fist-pumping boringness? I don't. And I don't think it's a particularly good plan for professional golf going forward either. Any more than the the velvety, whispered announcing and oft-parodied golf clap. I'm not saying golf should become like professional wrestling - though some will undoubtedly accuse me of that - but if we want it to grow and thrive into the future, it needs to chill a bit, and I happen to think it's perfectly capable of doing so without sacrificing its unique historical qualities of honesty and integrity.

I love the tradition of golf as the ultimate gentleman's game and the fact that wherever it's played it, no matter the modesty of the course, or the inexperience of the players, it brings with it an old world aura of mannerly self-control and respect. It may not be always be visible and we may not practice it consistently, but it's indelibly linked to the game we play, and always will be.

I was at Winged Foot a couple of days ago and all of this was brought to mind. There were no tournaments taking place, just members and their guests enjoying the pristine surroundings, and the old world aura was completely palpable. It was quite and cloistered and heartbreakingly beautiful, and though I did spy a couple of young men wearing cargo shorts, in that exclusive environment, I could hardly imagine a club being thrown or a bag being kicked. That venerable club with it's Gothic clubhouse and lush lawns is a protected place where exclusivity preserves a certain code of behavior. But the outside those iron gates, where the rest of the world resides, our culture is constantly changing and it's only natural that golf, and professional golfers, are changing with it.

OK. now that I've gone this far, I'm going to take it a step further and quote one of the most maligned (and most popular) golfers in the world, Sergio Garcia. I should probably know better but apparently I don't.

Prior to the start of the US Open at Bethpage earlier this summer, the tempestuous Spanish golfer put it this way, “I’ve always said it, I am the way I am, but I think that’s what people love about me, because what you see is what you get, unfortunately, both in a good way and a bad way". He went on to suggest that, though one can mature, and learn from things they've done in the past, ultimately, they're going to be who they are.

I, for one, want the golfers I like to be who they are...not what "the public wants them to be". If I don't like a particular golfer's behavior, I'll just not be his or her fan. I have that choice. So do you. And to those who say Tiger owes it to his sponsors to behave with a certain decorum? Hello? First of all that's between Tiger and his sponsors, and secondly the sponsors can simply not renew his contract if they feel he's not representing the spirit of their brand.


I could go on and on about this because it touches upon a number of social issues I feel strongly about, like individuality and personal responsibility and freedom of expression, not to mention the whole debate on the evolution of the game of golf. But this is far too long as it is and I'm already starting to get that unpopular feeling. Ouch.

Of Winged Foot and Golf Girl Contest Winners

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A belated congratulations to Vincent Nello, winner of the Golf Girl Videoblog contest. Mr. Nello was selected in a random drawing last night. So look for a Vincent Videoblog here soon.

Vincent chose Rocco Mediate as his favorite golfer, and he was the only contestant who did. I was surprised by Phil Mickelson's popularity. He received by far the most mentions. Tiger was next and that didn't surprise me at all, though I hear (via Twitter) that he's lost a few fans due to recent "tantrums". There were quite a number of more "obscure" golfers mentioned, and that was encouraging to me.

I'm just now making the announcement because I spent the entire day today in our Nations capitol... a trip I had no idea I was making just 24 hours ago.

As you may have read on Iwearyourshirt, the winner of the golf gift basket was Debbie Katz. She too was chosen in a random drawing as the panel of judges could not decide among so many awesome entries. I'll be doing a blog post with the best in the coming week.

I thank everyone for entering and for stopping by...here and at Iwearyourshirt. I love working with Jason and I think Iwearyourshirt is an awesome way to use social media to connect with a wider audience and create a more engaging experience. Jason's dog Plax even got involved with the GGM promo, as you can see from the photo at left. I'll most likely be doing a third day with Jason in December. Yay. I'm currently trying to clear my calendar for one of the few left. I'll keep you posted.

Finally, Winged Foot. I did get there yesterday, after a couple of minor misadventures (my nickname is Miss Adventure, BTW). It was awesome! (and here I mean the real awesome, as in awe-inspiring not the one I normally use which simply means, great)

I arrived quite late so didn't get to do much in the way of filming but I did a bit, which I'm editing now. I promise to have it for you by tomorrow (I'm not nearly so nimble as Jason) and... I've made plans to go back in early August for more.

The classic Tillinghast course...both courses actually... are truly magical, and there's so much to them. So much history, so many stories and such artistry. My late afternoon visit was the perfect ending to an awesome great day. IWYS Day

Golf Girl Media/I Wear Your Shirt - Jason's Recap

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Here's a recap of the day from Jason...and it's pretty funny. Spoiler Alert: It includes a wardrobe malfunction that necessitated an outfit change.

I'll have my own recap here. Just a bit later and it'll include my Winged Foot footage + Contest Winners tomorrow. IWYS Day

Best Golf Memory and Favorite Golfer Contest

Just a quick video with a couple of detail on the contests.
Sorry about the background noise - I'm recording from my front porch on my MacBook webcam, not optimum cinematic conditions. Hair & Make-up are pretty substandard too. Let's just blame that on humidity and lighting conditions, OK?




So, to enter the gift basket contest you make a comment on Jason's blog with your best golf memory.

To enter the video contest send me an email with your name and the name of your favorite professional golfer. thegolfgirl@gmail.com

Oh BTW...did you notice my very own fierce PUMA skirt and belt. Emm-Hmm. They're the BEST.

Anyway...See you later. IWYS Day

Golf Basket & VideoBlog Give Away... and More

Today's the day you'll find Jason Sadler, the gentleman at left, wearing a Golf Girl Media shirt over at IWearYourShirt.com

What he'll be doing, I don't really know. Last time he wore a Golf Girl Media shirt, he played Sawgrass. That was a frosty morning in early January. This time of year, Jason tells me, it's a lot more difficult to get onto that storied course, so we'll just see where he ends up.

For those who don't know him, Jason is smart and funny, and he created this site where he'll wear your shirt for the price of whatever day he wears it. January 1st, for example was $1, December 31st, $365). During the course of the day he basically lives his normal day-to-day life in Florida, and does lot's of social media type things like:

* Running a live stream on ustream.tv
* Twittering regularly
* Connecting on Facebook
* Posting photos on Flickr
* Other random or suggested things

All while wearing your shirt. It's a unique and fun way to promote your brand or get your message out there. I instantly fell in love with the novel idea. Others have too, Jason's only got nine days left...all in December.

Any I'm going to (attempt to) make a couple of videos today too, and I'm going to give away a golf gift basket like the one I described on my first IWYS day. I'm also giving away a 2 minute videoblog about a business, blog, brand ...or anything else the winner wants to promote. I'll work with said winner to create it, then we'll post it here at GGD and on my YouTube channel. To enter just send an email... with your name and the name of your favorite professional golfer to iwearyourshirt@gmail.com

OK then... see you later.IWYS Day

When is a Golf Dress Not a Golf Dress?

When it's a Tennis Dress.

I found the Calvin Klein tennis dress at left, a couple of weeks ago, and immediately thought of golf. After all, it has a collar, and it's longer than much of what's worn on the LPGA tour these days.

I definitely like the convenience of one piece instead of several (fewer moving parts = fewer pieces to... um... misplace) Lately though its been hard to find those one piece wonders in golf apparel shops and sections. So tennis seemed the next best thing. And in this case it worked out just fine.

Alpine Golf and The Magic of the Evian Masters

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Évian-les-Bains is one of my favorite places in the world, and though I haven't played golf there yet, I know the landscape... and the magical quality of its alpine air... from numerous visits over the years.

I'll finally get to play a couple of the area's undulating woodland courses in September, as part of my fall trip. We're booked at the Evian Royal Resort, right where the Evian Masters is set to begin in a couple of days.

Not surprisingly, The Evian Masters is on or near the top of almost every LPGA player's favorite tournament list. The magnificent mountain landscape surely plays a part, but according to several players I've talked to, it's more than that. It seems there's a unique ambiance of camaraderie and light-heartedness that prevails at this event, and that's something that's more welcome than ever right now.

One of the best things about this tournament for those of us staying stateside is their awesome hot pink website. Through the site they'll keep you posted on everything connected with the tournament and there are lots of photos and videos too. The 2009 Evian Masters Junior Cup just took place (congrats to winner, Denmark) and that's what's playing in the video below. I'm pretty sure we're seeing at least a couple of future champions right there.

Golf Girl Media is Back... on Jason Sadler's Back

About 6 months ago an affable fellow by the name of Jason Sadler spent the day wearing a Golf Girl Media shirt.

You may remember him from that day. He played at Sawgrass with what appeared to be a single rusty iron. Then he did other things that guys do during the course of the day like eat and drive and work around his house. He made some videos and took so photos. I made a couple of videos too and we posted them on blogs and facebook. We had a contest too, with a Golf Girl gift basket as a prize. Then we Twittered about it all and created a kind of social media narative around GGM.

Well, it was so much fun I decided to do it again. Jason will be wearing my shirt for the day again tomorrow. I have no idea what we'll do but I'm pretty sure it'll be fun.
So tune in tomorrow and follow along.IWYS Day

Golf Doesn't Get a Hollywood Ending in Turnberry

Let's face it, we Americans want and expect Hollywood endings... we want uplifting, idealistic stories where the protagonist gets what he wants. We'll even go so far as to remake acclaimed European films, keeping most of the plot details but changing an ambiguous finish to one that's more cut & dry, succinct ... and happy.

We didn't get the Hollywood ending at Turnberry this year. We got four days of compelling golf... and Tom Watson; an odds defying protagonist who, ultimately, couldn't quite bring it home. And we got Stewart Cink; a likable but unlikely champion, clearly miscast in the roll of villain.

If the 2009 Open Championship had been a French movie, we'd surely have made some changes for an American audience. We'd have cast someone swarthy and smug ...probably Rory Sabatini in the Stewart Cink role. Then of course, we'd have that interloping challenger defeated at the last minute, in a playoff that came down to the wire. Our protagonist would kiss the Claret Jug and make an inspiring speech with rousing music in the background. Instead, after three magical rounds, our lovable protagonist lost to a affable underdog in a dodgy lime golf shirt, depriving us of our Hollywood ending by overshooting the green and subsequently losing a four hole playoff... in a series of lackluster shots.

My own tournament this weekend was substantially more satisfying. I played in the O'Shea Open which takes place each year at Kelley Greens a scrappy 9 hole course in the gorgeous coastal town of Nahant, MA. Our team - unlikely champions for a number of reasons - won in a playoff. Much to the surprise of everyone, including ourselves.

And there's your Hollywood ending.

Cristie Kerr Adds to Her Efforts for Women's Health

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Golf champion, breast cancer activist, emerging oenologist...Cristie Kerr wears many hats in her busy, benevolent life. Now she's taking the giving part one step further.

Yesterday, morning at a Jersey City Medical Center construction site in Jersey City, NJ the LPGA Champion donned another kind of hat... a hardhat... to announce the development of The Cristie Kerr Women's Health Center on the campus of JCMC. Her Birdies for Breast Cancer charity will help fund the new center, which is scheduled to open in 2010. It will be the first full-service breast cancer center in Hudson County.

Cristie made the announcement with LibertyHealth President and CEO Joseph Scott,and Chairman Robert Margulies. LibertyHealth is Jersey City Medical Center's parent company and also operates and manages the Meadowlands Hospital in Secaucus, NJ.

"This center will enhance the life of the community," said Mr. Scott, "With detection, healing, support and recovery all under one roof, I'm sure next year we'll be nationally recognized."

As most followers of Cristie Kerr and the LPGA know, the golf star got involved in the Breast Cancer cause after witnessing her mother, aunt and godmother successfully battle the disease. Her nonprofit, Birdies for Breast Cancer, was created in 2004 to raise money and awareness about the illness that affected her family.

As for the Women's Health Center, Mark Rabson, a LibertyHealth spokesman, put it this way, "Cristie Kerr wanted to get involved in a project that otherwise would not have happened. The project was in the bricks and mortar stage until she stepped in."

I see it as one more way Cristie is giving back. Her determination, on and off the golf course, is a sure sign that such efforts will continue in the years to come. That's the inspiring reality of Cristie Kerr.

She looks pretty darn good in a hard hat too.

Open Championship, Round 1- Observations

It's probably quite pretentious of me to comment on the Open Championship at this point... but I'm going to do it anyway.

I've been on the road...in the field, whatever...since dawn, traversing the Tri-state Region for a plethora of projects I'm trying to finish. And though I kept up with the leaderboard all day via Blackberry, I can't say I was really feeling it.

But... I've spent the past 45 minutes perusing a variety of online golf destinations and I now feel like I'm in a position to expound. ~ OK, I'm not really going to expound, that would be pretentious, but I do love this tournament. And, though they don't often reveal the ultimate champion, first rounds can be uniquely interesting; an unlikely winner climbs to the top of the board and for a few hours is the focus of an ethereal blitz of attention. Twenty-four hours later the hopeful hero may no longer even be a factor. What I'm saying is, there's something poignant about first round possibilities. And that brings us to Miguel Angel Jimenez. What's not to like about him?

I know, I probably shouldn't have asked.

There are a number of superficial things; his hair, his cigars, his beer gut, his Rico Suave - ex-porn star - euro-trash vibe... and some technical factors, like his restrained "plays like he gets paid by the hour" golf game, that some people hate don't like about him.

Late last year he inadvertently got a young compatriot in in some minor hot water by spilling the beans on a shared affinity for smoking and drinking. The fact is, M.A.J. is unconventional, and some might say a bit... roguish. I happen to like roguish.

So yes, at the end of a long day I was happy to see "An Angel on top" and I'd love to see him stay there for a while.

I also liked the idea that a whole bunch of guys born in the 50s and 60s were up towards the top of the leaderboard. Because the so-called young guns aren't everything...OK, Camillo sort of is...but they've all got decades ahead of them to do this. Tom Watson probably doesn't, but you'd never know that from watching him today. And his gray-tone argyle sweater was awesome too. Instantly iconic I would guess.

Then there was John Daly, who shot 68 in stunning Lime and Emerald argyle trousers. He was definitely stylin' which probably didn't surprise anyone, the fact that his girlfriend, the awesome Anna Cladakis, wore a matching skirt took the look up a notch...or ten. And speaking of Annas, what about beautiful Ana Ivonovic? She was there too...to watch boyfriend Adam Scott who happens to be celebrating his 29th birthday this week. At +1 he has a bit of ground to make up, but that's OK, this is the first round, and anything can happen.

Mirimichi - Justin Timberlake's Gift to Golf

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Justin Timberlake has created something truly extraordinary in the rural woodlands just north of Memphis. Something that goes way beyond a golf course, country club or or even a resort. First and foremost, it's "a place of happy retreat," hence it's name, Mirimichi, a Native American word meaning just that.

As you probably know, Justin is passionate about golf, he learned from his father on Memphis area courses, and when he found out that one of the beautiful old tracks they used to play on was set to be auctioned off and developed, he grabbed it, and together with his dad and a dedicated team of experts turned it into a golf utopia that's also a nature sanctuary... and an incubator for future players.

There is a course... of course; par 72, and 7,400 challenging yards, traversed by streams and punctuated by cascading waterfalls. Mirimichi is the first course in the country to receive “Audubon Classic Sanctuary” certification from Audubon International. That implies innovative irrigation systems that recycle rainwater and reuse rinse water as well as environmentally friendly maintenance and building materials. Native grasses and shrubs provide most of the landscaping and that's just the beginning; eventually Mirimichi hopes to become the world’s first golf course to calculate its own carbon footprint. Mr. Timberlake and his team have taken this opportunity to demonstrate true environmental leadership.

Another thing I love about JT's golf sanctuary, and something that to my mind, sets it apart from any other, is that it's all about growing the game of golf. I'd even go so far as to say that it should... and hopefully will... become a model for future golf development.

What Justin and his team have done is create a golf environment that not only challenges the expert golfer with a world class course but also encourages new players with unique facilities and instruction....and without the intimidation factor that comes into play at many high level courses.

Little Mirimichi, a 9-hole, par-35 course, will allow golfers an opportunity to learn the game and improve their skill sets. There will also be an 18-hole putting course and world class practice facility that encompasses a large bunker and chipping practice area and a driving range.

In sum, Justin Timberlake's mission with Mirimichi is to provide a golf environment that's inclusive and empowering for newer golfers while ensuring that the most highly skilled golfers will be challenged and impressed. And to my mind this is outlook is right in line with growing the game.

Beginning today, golfers can book a tee time to play at Mirimichi on its opening day, Saturday, July 25. Reservations can also be made by calling the pro shop at 901-259-3800, or online at www.mirimichi.com.

Golf Blogger Exposes a Widespread "Staff Player" Snub

In a compelling post on the always entertaining Bushwood Country Club today, Scott "Cash" Stone highlights the rather glaring disparity in the number of female vs male "staff players" sponsored by major golf equipment companies.

It's one of those things that's surprising... yet not so surprising and definitely worth a look.

Duramed Futures Tour Comes to CT

The Nutmeg State (don't ask me why they call it that) is getting ready to host an ultra-talented roster of golf awesomeness this week, as the Duramed Futures Tour settles in for its CT Tournament.

We're in for some great golf, as the Tour includes some of the world's best players. They come from dozens of different countries and have personalities as diverse as they are.

Many of us got to know sprightly Futures Tour playerJean Reynolds when we saw her name climb tantalizingly towards the top of the leaderboard at the US Women's Open a few days ago. It was one of the championship's most uplifting and exciting story lines, and one that perfectly illustrates the prowess of these up-and-coming professional golfers. Then there's the inspiring story of Tour alumna Eunjung Yi who just two weeks ago won the LPGA’s Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic.

Wintonbury Hills is the venue for this week's ING New England Golf Classic, a 54-hole event that begins on Friday. The Bloomfield, CT, course is a Pete Dye design with impressive variety built into its layout and beautiful views of the pastoral CT landscape. I was there for a meeting at the end of the season last year and it's been sitting atop my must-play list ever since. I'm hoping to cross it off in early August.

As is often the case at this time of year, several golf events have landed squarely on the same weekend. This weekend I'm committed to playing in an event up in Boston, so I won't be able to catch the action in Bloomfield. I do hope to get up to the course tomorrow or Thursday to talk to some of the players after the Pro-Ams.

With all the challenges that women's professional golf faces today, the dedication of these talented players is remarkable, and they're sure to put on an awesome show in CT.

Like Life, Golf Is a Puzzle Without an Answer

"Golf is a puzzle without an answer. I've played the game for 40 years and I still haven't the slightest idea how to play."

That's from the legendary and controversial Gary Player. It's one of my favorite golf quotes, and anyone who's played the game... recreationally or professionally - for several months or several decades... knows where it's coming from.

Yesterday, like almost everyone else, I was completely expecting Cristie Kerr to win her second US Women's Open. It was a fait accompli... a done deal. When in the end it didn't happen, I thought of the puzzle. The "little bit off" that Cristie described after that final round.

We've all felt at times - on and off the golf course - the inexplicable something that makes things go the way they do. Some of us simply attribute such occurrences to fate, others may look to blame anything they can put their hands on.

When this kind of thing happens at a crucial moment, it can be cruel and extraordinarily frustrating, but it can also be a catalyst for a kind of introspection and analysis that are helpful and positive. That's what Cristie Kerr will take away from this, and she'll be looking forward to working with those puzzle pieces in a slightly different manner the next time around.

Meanwhile, Eun-Hee Ji, the unexpected champion yesterday, provided a breathtaking finish with her 20-foot downhill birdie putt on the 18th green that just slowly... rolled... in. After three bogeys on the front nine and a double bogey on the 10th hole, that shot, and birdies on 13 and 14 were the basis of Ji's dramatic reversal of fortune... and ultimately, her win.

On the lovely Old Course at Saucon Valley Country Club, it was a wildly manic final round that decided the winner of the 64th Women's U.S. Open championship, a round that perfectly fits with Gary Player's idea of golf as a puzzle.

Lexus Is More... at the 2009 US Women's Open

The be-dimpled LS 460 golf ball car occupies a proud place in the Lexus tent at the US Women's Open. For me, seeing the sleek, texturized sedan there was like meeting up with an old friend, as I first encountered the golf ball-inspired vehicle almost a month ago at Bethpage Black.

The whimsical one-off is certainly the most unusual of the Lexus automobiles on display - and in use by players - at this major event.

Cat and I thought it was cute enough to pose with, but we've opted for the new IS C convertible as the official car of our dreams. Meanwhile many of the players are falling in love with the Lexus cars they were given for the week. And who can blame them?

US Women's Open - Dream Day in The PA Countryside

Bucolic farmlands and rolling hills, a beautiful sunset and lots of friendly people, golf that was intense...and entertaining. Such was our day, yesterday at the US Women's Open.

Cat came with me. We had an awesome time...despite a couple of misadventures.

More to come.

Enroute Early to the US Women's Open

I'm on my way to Bethlemem PA. It's a two and a half hour drive, so I'm up somewhat earlier than normal. And I'm not a morning person so I'm not exactly in high spirits right now. But give me time, and tons of coffee, and I'll be just fine.

I'll be spending the day at the US Women's Open taking in the sights and sounds of what's looking to be an awesome tournament.

I'll also be on the radio later today...yes I can multi-task...with Alan Martin a.k.a. @GolfGuy7, who has developed a unique teaching method for golfers. We'll be talking about that, and also touching on some other subjects of interest to recreational golfers. So check out the show at noon ET on Global Talk Radio.

More to come later. When I'm officially awake.

GolfDotz - US Women's Open "IT" Accessory?

That's what GolfWeek's Beth Ann Baldry indicated yesterday in a live chat from Saucon Valley CC.

Ball Decals have now been approved by the USGA for use in competition, and Ms. Baldry has witnessed a number of players marking their balls with tiny hearts and flowers... diminutive four-leaf clovers and whimsical pink pigs.

Those are among the designs offered by GolfDotz and I've got to say, I was ahead of the curve on this one. I've been using the retro-chic Peace Symbol design for almost a year. It's not that I've given up my Sharpies (I'm far too creative to ever do that) but GolfDotz are a cute, convenient alternative to self-marking, and a fun way to mix things up. Note: A fierce looking skull decal seemed to be the preferred style at SSCC this week.

Beyond golf ball accessories, Beth Ann fielded a number of questions on "BivensGate", a hot topic twenty four hours ago, that's been temporarily put aside for this ultra-prestegious LPGA tournament. The interactive live chat was an awesome way to get on-the-spot info and a feel for being in the thick of things.

Today Stacy Lewis will chat live on Golfweek.com at 1 p.m. EDT following her first round. So head over there if you want to know how the course is playing. You'll also a video walk down Saucon Valley’s 18th hole with Cristie Kerr, and there are several interesting blogs being updated regularly. It's a great way to keep current on the action at the US Women's Open.

Oh, and I'll be there tomorrow so watch for my two cents informed updates.

Cristie Kerr - Concentrating on Golf, Grapes, and Giving

Cristie Kerr would be exceptional even without golf. That's something one absolutely knows within about seven minutes of meeting her. ~ And the seven minutes only come into play because the girl is a consummate listener.

So here's Cristie Kerr... a beautiful young woman and a world champion golfer - someone who's taken the sport to the highest level... yet she's still so genuinely interested in what others have to say. ~ I'll admit, I was quite surprised by that when I first met her.

It was just about a year ago, and I was babbling on talking about the growth of golf online, pointing things out on my MacBook, and despite my somewhat... um, rambling... overview, Cristie remained totally engaged. She didn't need to say anything... her unique, aquamarine eyes revealed an attentiveness that left no doubt. She had taken in every detail of my presentation, and only then did she present me with her succinct reaction.

I've witnessed similar exchanges numerous times over the past year. It's the way Cristie is with everyone, from the young waiter at a cafe to the top level executives at tournaments.

Today is the day before the start of the U.S. Women's Open at Pennsylvania's Saucon Valley Country Club and Cristie has a lot going on.

As the 2007 U.S. Women's Open Champion - and the only American to have won the cup since Meg Mallon in 2004 - Cristie loves this tournament. And she knows the 2009 trophy is within her grasp, despite... or perhaps because of... the extremely challenging characteristics of Saucon Valley's "Old Course".

Its extreme length - 6,740 yards - makes it the third longest in Women's Open history... the copious bunkers and narrow fairways make it the kind of challenge the intrepid Ms. Kerr actually relishes.

The kind of challenge she doesn't relish...none of us do... is the one being presented by the current global economic downturn. For the LPGA it's resulted in the recent loss of several tournaments...and a tenuous future for others.

Then, this past Monday, there was the story on GolfWeek.com of a letter that came out of a recent meeting attended by Cristie and several other top players. It reportedly requested the resignation of LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens. This has caused an inevitable feeding frenzy among the golf press, some of whom almost appear to delight in the prospect of an LPGA cat fight discord within the LPGA.

At the USGA press conference yesterday Cristie set the tone with a prepared statement in which she acknowledged the collective curiosity surrounding the current state of the LPGA, but asked that at this USGA hosted event, the conversation be brought back to “the U.S. Open or questions about myself and my golf and perhaps my wine making.”

Cristie's unwillingness to turn the U.S. Women's Open into a referendum on the future of the LPGA earned her the immediate ire of Steve Elling, senior writer for CBSSports.com, who clearly would have preferred to see a melee break out. He referred sarcastically to pampered American princess, Cristie Kerr, and her all-encompassing, inestimably important wine making venture.

Knowing Cristie as I do, that line just made me laugh. Obviously Mr. Elling has never met Cristie Kerr, nor been exposed to her relentless energy and determination on and off the golf course. Cristie is in fact developing a wine as she mentioned, but there's nothing "arrogant and selfish" about her efforts as Elling suggests. 100% of profits will be going to Cristie's foundation, Birdies for Breast Cancer. And that's where the giving comes in.

Birdies for Breast Cancer, the foundation Cristie started for her spirited, cancer-survivor mom, Linda, has earned almost $700,000 for Breast Cancer Awareness and prevention.

Last night Cristie hosted a special event at Melt restaurant's Level Three not far from Saucon Valley CC. The benefit raised money for the foundation, and for Lehigh Valley Hospital's Breast Health Services. Cristie has another event...a charity golf event...planned for August at the awesome Liberty National Golf Club that overlooks the New York City skyline.

In addition to everything else, we're finishing up the last details on Cristie's new website which will be officially launched, along with her blog, at the end of the week. That way Cristie can keep you posted on what's going on in her life - on course an off - and the way things are looking, there won't be a dull moment.

Golf's "Miss Beer Cart" Requires Diverse Driving Skills

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It's a tense time in the world of women's professional golf.

Sponsor losses... and the ensuing fallout... have resulted in a golf press feeding frenzy and left players to field a barrage of delicate questions on the eve of the Women's U.S. Open.

So I found it oddly refreshing when I surfed on to the stellar golf blog, Me and Old Man Par and found a story about the upcoming election of "Miss Beer Cart".

I've come to count on the often whimsical, always well-written posts of Charles Boyer to brighten my afternoons. And after this ultra-busy, somewhat stressful day, his pithy post on the Miss Beer Cart Competition really hit the spot. Like an ice cold barley soda. ✩

"No Beverage Carts were destroyed during the taking of this photo but copious quantities of Michelob Pomegranate were consumed" ❀ Photograph:©Golf Girl Media

The U.S. Women's Open Week Is Underway

There's lots going on in the Lehigh Valley this week! I plan to be in Pennsylvania on Friday, at beautiful Saucon Valley Country Club, and look forward to bringing you my perspective on the U.S. Women's Open action.

Meanwhile, sites to go to for info and updates, as well as tickets are:
the U.S. Women's Open Tournament site
the U.S. Women's Open, USGA Site

And, as you probably know, Mostly Harmless and Hound Dog LPGA are the definitive blogs for LPGA coverage. Each has a dedication to women's professional golf that goes way beyond average...and they present it in a way that's both informative and engaging.

If you like your updates short and sweet @US_Womens_Open has Girls Golfers of Lehigh Valley twittering. ~ Yesterday they twittered from the Kids Club, a kind of VIP area for kids in the middle of the action, with interactive games and a practice putting green. ~ Today they're covering Women’s Sports Foundation and Adopt-a-Player events...and doing an awesome job.

And I know something about twittering a tournament, namely that it's more difficult than it seems...at least for me was. I had every intention of providing regular updates from Bethpage and the Travelers but I tended to get so distracted by what was going on around me that I'd forget to tweet...for like, the whole day. Epic fail.

I'll try to do better on Friday, the Lehigh Girls Golfers have inspired me.

The Sexy Golf Girl and The Impressive Trick Shot

She makes it look so ... easy. And safe, which it's clearly not, thus: DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME. Particularly in a cramped yard where alcohol is being served. That said, it is quite impressive.

I wonder if this lady is related to Jeanne Carmen.

Global Golf - An Exciting French Open Finish

Almost exactly two years ago, I attended my first ever professional golf tournament.

It was the 2007 Open de France, and at the time I was relatively new to golf, having first picked up a club just over a year prior.

Golf Girl's Diary was less than a year into publication as well, and when I look back at my early posts now, they reveal a naivete ... about the game, the players and the culture of golf writing... that in retrospect seems a bit lame somewhat unprofessional rather refreshing.

That particular summer was one of the rainiest on record in Paris and we were lucky to get a day at Le Golf National that, if not sunny and bright, was for the most dry. The tournament was won by Graeme "Stormy" Storm, an affable Englishman who hasn't quite replicated his 2007 success.


This year's Open de France, which ended today, was played in decidedly more summery conditions. The on-course action was sizzling as well, finishing on the first hole of a sudden death playoff between Martin Kaymer of Germany and Lee Westwood of England.

Twitter golf fans will be happy to know that awesome @IanJamesPoulter played a stellar round, coming within two strokes of the lead towards the end, and looking incredible in a gauzy mint green golf shirt (I had to add that last bit, I'm still me, after all).

Ultimately, a wayward photographer snapped a series of shots right in the middle of Mr. Poulter's back swing... and the ensuing two bogeys on the last four holes... left Ian in third place and vowing to bypass the tournament in the future. That said, from the looks of his game, there can be little doubt that this Twittervangelist is in a great position for the upcoming British Open where he hopes to turn last year's runner-up spot at Royal Birkdale into a win at Turnberry.

State-side, golf fans saw Tiger Woods take his own AT&T National tournament despite a course-record-tying 62 in the final round by Hunter Mahan.

Meanwhile the LPGA's Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic provided fans with some playoff action and was won, in the end, by Eunjung Yi, who hit a 10-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to defeat another of golf's more prolific Twitterers, Morgan Pressel.

Now, with the US Women's Open about to begin and the British Open Championship following that, the next couple of weeks promise to be nothing less than... Golfalicious.

And if that's not a word, we need to make it one.

Happy Independence Day USA!

A quick tricolor salute to golf on the 4th of July. The LPGA's 2007 Solheim Cup looks are a perfect illustration of red, white and blue golf revelry.



And speaking of which, the 2009 Solheim Cup is coming up in just over a month. I'm looking forward to seeing this year's outfits... and I'm pretty sure they'll again be awesome.

The red, white and blue-tiful creation below is the team USA shoe. Made by Danish shoemaker ECCO... Official Footwear Supplier to the 2009 Solheim Cup... it will be available at the on-site merchandise pavilion. I believe it's based on the ECCO Hydromax shoe I raved about reviewed last fall on About.com:Golf.












Meanwhile there's unique Solheim Merchandise available right now at the online shop.

Happy 4th!

Awesome Austin: NTPGA Junior Golfer With Game

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This proud young man, in patriotic colors, is Austin Escamilla. He's been playing golf for a couple of years now, and is sometimes even referred to as a prodigy.

Before Austin ever entered a competition he'd spent countless hours at golf tournaments with his dad, observing players like Camilo Villegas (who was playing on the Nationwide tour at the time) and absorbing the competitive golf spirit. A few days ago he took first place at his club's NTPGA event and has thus qualified for the regional championship.

Austin's dad is Al Escamilla, the Internet entrepreneur and social media evangelist who founded Cocktail Match. Al and his wife Krista, an AP Award winning journalist and CBS7 news anchor, live golf fully... with Austin and their three other children. Al has penned some of the most compelling posts I've read on the challenges and rewards of parenting aspiring golfers, including one on his son's recent victory.

Austin has certainly been inspired by his parents and their dedication to his pursuit of golf, and he's following in the footsteps of some extremely impressive pros too: Sean O'Hair, Hunter Mahan and Chad Campbell are just a few of the many NTPGA players who've gone on to become international golf champions.

Wishing Austin the best of luck with the regional championship and beyond.

Synchronized Golfing with Ryan Moore & Jarrod Lyle

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Synchronized Golfing is a hybrid form of golf and dance, consisting of golfers performing a synchronized routine of elaborate moves on fairways and greens, accompanied by music.

Once known as Golf Ballet, this rarefied discipline demands advanced golf skills, and requires great strength, endurance, flexibility, grace, artistry and precise timing.

Here Ryan Moore and Jarrod Lyle demonstrate the difficult "Ball-Marking Crane" move at the 2009 Travelers Championship.

Photo: ©Golf Girl Media ❀

Miss Golf - A Beauty Contest for Golf Girls

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The girls are all more or less gorgeous, and it looks like a number of them can actually play the game. Others pose very seductively athletically in ultra-cute golf outfits, gripping gold-plated golf clubs.

They're contestants in the 2009 Miss Golf Contest, and they've got names like Markéta and Eliška and Taťána. Yep, you guessed it...or maybe not...this purposeful pageant takes place in the Czech Republic. As a result, the Miss Golf website is entirely in Czech, thus depriving us non-speakers of what I'm guessing are some fascinating factoids about the comely contestants. However pictures, as they say, are worth a thousand words, and these are some pretty pictures.

It seems there's quite a bit of golf going on in the landlocked Central European country. Cherubic-looking WorldGolf travel writer Brandon Tucker often covers the golf courses... and malt beverages... of the Czech Republic, and has given both good reviews. Then there's the awesome Alex Čejka. He recently took a five-shot lead into the final round of the 2009 Players Championship after rounds of 66, 67, and 72. A final meltdown led to 79 and an eight-stroke loss to Henrik Stenson, however he definitely put himself on the map as the PGA poster-boy for Czech golf.

Back to Miss Golf though. The way I became aware of this quixotic contest was through the Miss Golf Group on Facebook. The funny thing is this group isn't exactly promoting the Miss Golf contest, but rather one of its contestants, who happens to be... the sister of the Facebook group's founder. The group description is as follows:

Some really unimportant miss competition in Czech republic. But, please, vote for my sister (or at least not for the others girl:)) Kamila Mačátová (i can make her have rendez-vous with you after:). Thanks a lot.

You can't make this stuff up.