27 holes in Evry, French Open Fun and the Monty Meltdown.

What a great golf weekend! ...And well deserved, I've got to say, after an intense work week. Yesterday (Saturday) Nick and I went out to Versailles for the French Open. We saw some good golf, tasted regional wines and met interesting international golf people. Tiphaine et Dimitille, the golf girls at left, were working as hostesses and they both love the game. We followed Colin Montgomerie for a while, and he was clearly stressed to the max! English Golf Blogger Green Goddess, warned me that Monty might be grumpy on the greens, and she was spot-on with that. Today, the meltdown happened. After holding the lead as late as the 14th hole, a couple of inopportune bogies on 15 and 16 dashed the dreams of the eight-time European number one. In the end, tournament went to Graeme Storm, a first time winner from the UK.

But I wasn't in Versailles to witness that carnage. I was out in Evry. Nick and I played 27 holes with our golf-fanatic friends, Bernice & Pierre. Their club is ultra friendly, and the course quite challenging. Of course, the evil bunkers slayed us again. I'll have a multimedia montage of French golf photos, video and stories later this week. In the meantime, I fly home tomorrow...gotta go pack. Bonne Nuit.

Golf Girl will Report from the French Open

At least that's what it looks like. I think I'm going to the French Open on Saturday. Maybe I'll even get a Monty interview. That would be sweet, n'est pas?

Golf Girl in Paris - Update

Were staying here. It's wonderful.

Saturday: met my new nephew, Nikola, 6 months. Gifted him with his own set of clubs. Photos to come.

Sunday: Played golf here. Golf ambience in France totally different from USA. Impossible bunkers too. Photos & story to come.

Today: Meetings all day at company headquarters. Dinner here.Really nice. photos to come.

Tomorrow: Going here for two days to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our company. Photos & story to come.

Comment: This French keyboqrd is driving ,e nuts::: lots of keys qre in the zrong plqce.

Mobile Blogging Golf Girl

My beautiful Birdie Girl Bag has just been checked in.
We're taking a new airline, l'Avion, NY (Newark Airporrt) - Paris only, all business class. We'll see how it is. I like it somewhat already because the planes are purple.

Please excuse the photo quality...my phone's not too good at this....Yet.

Birdie Girl Golf - Bag and Baggage

Yes, it's 10:30 and yes I'm still packing. But at least I don't have to worry bout my clubs. They'll be traveling safely and in style in my lime green Birdie Girl stand bag...which, itself, will be awesomely encased in my streamlined black Birdie Girl travel bag. I'll be posting photos ...and more info on these two elegant accessories during the upcoming week. In the meantime I just noticed Nick trying to sneak some of his clubs in...he who said it was a dumb idea for me to bring my clubs. I've got to go check this out. I have a feeling someone's going to get hit with a nine iron.

The Golf Chick gets an Awesome New Abode

You know the Golf Chick. She's been blogging for two years now, and her posts are consistently entertaining and often very informative. She's obviously passionate and serious about golf, but at the same time she's lighthearted and inclusionary, and her enthusiasm for the game is contagious.

Well the thing is, she's moved her blog...the whole kit and kaboodle...to this stylish new address. Be sure to check it out. The masthead is lush and green and the three column format makes for easy reading and navigation. Yeah, I'm jealous. Oh, and BTW, I think she's had some "work done", if you know what I mean. Just check out her before and after pictures. MmmHmmm.

Murphy's Golf Girl

It always happens to me. All the stuff I really want to do, inevitably lands on the same few little squares of my calendar.

This month it's the Traveler's Championship AND the CVS Charity Classic, both of which I was looking forward to, and both taking place within a couple of hours drive from my house. Well of course they're going to fall on the same weekend - that was to be expected, but on top of that, it happens to be a weekend when I'll be many thousands of miles away, so I'll miss both, effectively taking my Murphy's Law tendancies to new heights.

Nick just tried to console me by informing me that Phil Mickelson had withdrawn from the Travler's. Um...Nick...I don't even like Lefty, I like Vijay, remember. Oh, never mind. I've got to go out and get Ralph Lauren golf gifts for half the population of Paris.

The Racy Raspberry Tiger Woods Nipple Shirt Thing

I just had to weigh in on this. I received so many emails on the subject, and the golf world is buzzing about it: Tiger's new physique and the Nike Razzle shirt he showed it off with on Sunday at the US Open.

I loved it. I think he looked great... like Tiger Woods on steroids. No, no, no I don't mean literally. I just mean he looked like himself, only bigger and better and definitely flashier. The thing is, Tiger usually comes to the course in something rather sedate. OK, we now expect him to wear a red shirt in the final round, but normally it's a red polo, never too close the body, often with a vest or sweater. Classy but dull Conservative.

And surprisingly, that seems to be the way most of the fans want to see him. I had one reader who complained that Sunday's shirt was "essentially collarless, thus inappropriate for the golf course", and another who claimed to have been hopelessly distracted by the continued nipple flashes the tight, clingy fabric yielded. Then there was the writer who lamented that Tiger, with his fierce demeanor, buff bod and tight techno shirt looked just like an avatar from one of his golf video games. Well, Hellooooo, last time I checked, looking like an avatar was a good thing ooo . I mean, everyone knows avatars are the most gorgeous people on earth, right?

In the end Tiger didn't win in the controversial shirt and I'm guessing he'll be back to his traditional, tailored look next time out, and that, to my mind is a bit of a disappointment. But, In the final analysis, if Tiger had won in the Razzle shirt, it would have become an instant must-have. Legions of men of all shapes and sizes would be wearing them, and that would be a disaster, because most men should never even think of wearing a tight, clingy rasberry red shirt. At least not in public anyway.

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{{NEWS FLASH}} Baby girl Sam Alexis Woods has been welcomed into the world. Congratulations to Elin and Tiger Woods.

Felicitaciones Angel Cabrera

Who'd of guessed...a big hitting Argentinian, wins the 2007 US Open.

Oakmont wasn't supposed work for big hitters, remember... and an Argentinian hasn't won a major in 40 years. But, in the end Angel Cabrera, the Golf Gaucho, finished a shot ahead of both Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods. And, he was the only player to manage two sub-par rounds for the championship. Golf Blogger, William K. Wolfrum just posted an engaging piece on the contrast between Angel and Tiger; their personal styles, their physical characteristics and their golf histories. The extreme dichotomy is noted.

In Latin American golf circles, Angel,the awesome Argentinian, has sometimes been affectionately known as "El Pato" Cabrera (The duck) for his unique waddling gait. From now on they'll have to call him, "El Pato Ganador" Cabrera. Bravo Angel!

Every Dad has his Day

Happy Father's Day! Hope all the golf Dads out there got to play today...or a least got gifted with something nice and golfy.

US Open Style File - Ian Poulter's Fabulous Footwear

Ian Poulter brought a little bit of awesome to Oakmont yesterday with his amazing red, white and blue golf shoes. He played quite an impressive first round too, spending much of the day at the top of the leaderboard with Nick Dougherty.













Well, today he sort of lost his footing golf-wise, struggling with the notoriously tough course. But happily, the colorful Englishman was still a shoe-in for best dressed..and best shod. Let's face it, Ian is a total, out-and-out style star, a golf fashion legend in his own time, and the fact that he frequently plays incredible golf is just icing on the (rather yummy) cake.

Paris Golf Business Trip

A week from tomorrow I'll be leaving for Paris, so I'm ultra, ultra busy getting ready. And right now ready means getting research and reports done for my meetings. But...since we've managed to tack a Paris weekend on to each end of our work week, I'm also trying to plan some golf-centric activities to fill every minute of free time we might have over there. Lucky for us we have some great Parisian friends who've already booked us tee times at their club both Sundays. They'll have a HUGE advantage because they know the course...at least that's a good excuse for me to use... if needed. We're hoping to play at Chantilly... or maybe Fontainebleau one Saturday too. More details later...for now I have to get back to work on my business projects...or there won't be any golf this Golf Girl.

Gratuitous Nudity at the US Open?

That's what Golf in London's londongolfer is hoping for, and I've got to admit, I'm sort of with him on this one.

In any case his position paper post on the subject is well worth reading. In the space of a few paragraphs he offers us a detailed reportage on a recent incident in the London subway involving a very "flashy" Judge, and the effect it's having on the city's wig and gown wearing judiciary. He also asks the age old question, ..."at what point does a ‘flash’ become a ’streak’?" ...and proceeds to explore the distinct socio-legal implications of each. Returning to the US Open, Mr. londongolfer serves up some daring predictions, as well as his hope that, despite the lack of available foliage at Oakmont this year, the event might be made more entertaining by "a good old injection of indiscreet wobbly bits".

On that happy note I maintain that Golf in London is the funniest golf blog on the Internet, by far. But then, I’m quite odd.

Mysterious Golf Gadget - What exactly is This?

I've always had a weakness for evocative black & white photography. That said, does anyone know what this item is/does? Personally, I have no idea, but I have a feeling I might need one.

12-Year-Old Golf Girl Qualifies for a Major

Her name is Alexis Thompson, she's from FL, and she's the youngest player ever to qualify for the US Women's Open. Previously this record was held by a still very young, FL golf girl you may have heard of once or twice: Morgan Pressel. Morgan was about a half a year older when she qualified for the 2001 Open.

In addition to golf, which she began playing at age five, Alexis likes shopping, chatting on-line with friends and ... ladybugs. Yes, she even wears a ladybug ankle bracelet. But those typical pre-teen preoccupations definitely take a back seat to golf. She practices seven hours a day. School is done on-line, at home.

And now, it seems, she's the latest young golf phenom ...and she's headed for Pine Needles. Not bad for a kid.

The US Open: Who'll Win on the Toughest Course in the Game?

As practice rounds begin there's no clear cut favorite, just general agreement that whoever does win at Chokemont Oakmont will have done so on an ultra-challenging course.

I'm not telling you which player I'm betting on rooting for, because any time I choose a player to win an event, that player inevitably flounders. So I won't even mention the name of my favorite.

It's OK if you tell me yours though.

Girls Learn Bad Things in Prison

I'm not talking about "inmate of the moment" Paris Hilton. No, I'm talking about John Daly's wife... and former federal prison inmate... Sherrie Miller Daly. She allegedly stabbed her (ex?) hubby in the face on Friday.

Big John had red marks on his cheeks and jaw when he arrived to play at the St. Jude's Classic. There is some debate over whether the knife used was a steak knife or a plastic picnic knife. We'll keep you posted.

Michelle Wie Walks The Cut Line (updated) (then updated again)

Most feel she won't make it. I hope she does.

Update - Michelle's playing this weekend...she made the cut. Yay!

Updated again, 6/9 - A disappointing day for Michelle Wie. She posted her highest score in years. Disappointing for me too. I didn't even get to play, due to inclement weather and too much work.

The Perfect Golf Swing or The Perfect Marriage

Which would you choose? The answer, from three out of ten golfers surveyed by Lexus, might surprise you. Or not.

Trouble Getting Sponsorships for the No. 1 Female Golfer?

Yes, World No. 1, Lorena Ochoa acknowledges that "...in the US it's hard (for her) to get a club deal that is worth it."

In another thought provolking post from Bulle Rock, Chris Baldwin suggests that in our current socio-political environment, where immigration has become an ultra-sensitive issue, Ochoa may suffer from being the wrong nationality, otherwise known as... "Dominating While Mexican".



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Wiegate: Michelle Wie and Women's Golf...It All Just got a Whole lot More Interesting

There's no denying it, we live in a pop culture world. A world where negative publicity is often more valuable than no publicity at all, and a hot babe pretty girl trumps a noble deed any day of the week. We may claim not to like it but most of us play into it to some degree. The golf blogs are currently having orgasms fun with headlines like, "Catfight! Annika vs Wie", or LPGA Catfight, Sorenstam Calls Out Wie, or Annika Sorenstam takes a swing at Michelle Wie. They're generating lots of page views and comments too. Because a catfight is much more interesting then girls behaving like ladies and playing serious golf. At least for the majority it is.

As golf blog reviewer Heather McMichael said recently, "With the U.S. Open right around the corner, golf bloggers are talking about ... everything but the coming major". Maybe that's because there are no catfights looming there. Nothing scandalous or salacious to report at all. The proverbial "Tiger/Phil duel"? Mmmmm, maybe. Kind of hard to write a compelling headline for that one though. Those guys are just too well behaved to conjure up exciting images for anyone other than die hard Tiger/Phil fans.

And that's part of why Michelle Wie's larger than life, heat-seeking persona causes consternation, criticism and probably a degree of self loathing among some golf bloggers and their commenters. They're reluctant to admit that they're fascinated by what they perceive as a teenage train wreck, but they clearly are. Or at the very least, they feel she and her potential cat fights are the most interesting story coming out of Havre de Grace, Maryland right now.

I can only imagine fans will flock to the gallery as Michelle tees off tomorrow in the LPGA Championship, and this will probably provoke further wrath as more "worthy" players are ignored. However, the way I see it...IMHO...this is ultimately good for the LPGA. Blogger Chris Baldwin, no Wie Warrior he, succinctly summarizes the situation in this perceptive post from Bulle Rock. And...we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Do Men Have More Trouble with Michelle Wie then Women Do?

In general, I suspect they do. And it's understandable. On certain levels. Sort of. Don't you think?

Much more (from me) on this white hot topic later today!

Caution! Kids on the Course

I love to see little ones out on the course. Even though they frequently play better than I do, which is very somewhat annoying.

It's good to see kids out there because they're the future of the game. The little brats darlings are what's going to keep the courses open, the tournaments televised and the industry innovative into the future. And we all want that, right?

It's in every golfer's best interest to encourage young'uns to take up the game. The thing is though, golf is more dangerous than it would first seem. Though not a fast moving, high impact sport, it's rife with possibilities for injury. Within just the past week a 6 year old girl was hit in the face with an errant golf shot and a fourteen year old sustained head injuries when she fell from a golf cart. And who could forget the incident earlier this year in Australia, when a girl tragically died after being hit in the head with a ball during a Jr. Tournament. So, just a word of caution. Watch the little ones closely, particularly on those cramped par threes where they most often learn, and above all talk to them seriously about the possible dangers on a golf course, and the importance of being alert to them.

We need our future Tigers...and Tigresses...for the future of the game. And for now they give some of us really good golf tips.

It Pays to be a Golfer - Just Ask Tiger

You can always count on the guys at Don't Cost Nothing to put things into perspective.

Yesterday Belushi posted about the World's Richest Athletes...it was a follow up to his post on the World's Most Marketable Athletes. Tiger came out on top of both lists...by far...across all sports. This is quite impressive, but not too terribly surprising. Tiger's marketability and endorsement earnings are pretty much legendary by now.

Phil and Vijay are also on the list along with stars from myriad other sports; Shaquille O'Niel, Roger Federer, David Beckham and others. The data was actually collected by Sports Illustrated, but the thing that's so...engaging...here is the commentary. These boys... Belushi and his friends... are always an entertaining read. They're smart and funny with a neanderthal edge that's oddly endearing. They all love golf too. They're the ones who once described Sergio Garcia as looking like a bearded traffic cone. See what I mean? Their blog has a really nice, minimalist feel. And lots of photos of ridiculously sexy girls too. Yes, I'm pretty sure that once you check it out, you'll be checking back often. Like I do.

Dad's Day Golf Gifts... from Tiffany's

Heads up...Father's Day is just around the corner.

I was reminded of that fact this morning when I opened my email and found this helpful link to Tiffany's Father's Day Gift Collection. It's full of elegant jewelery and awesome accessories, most in sterling sliver or platinum. It's quite heavy on cuff links, which I didn't think anyone wore anymore. Apparently some guys still do...or maybe they're coming back. Anyway, If you've got a discerning Golf Dad to shop for I'd reccomend you bypass the tie tacs and time pieces and head straight for their golf gifts.








There are keychains and moneyclips, pens and paperweights and myriad on-course collectibles, including sterling silver tees, ball cases and markers.









I've gifted Nick with a couple of these items in the past and he covets them. He doesn't actually use them of course... I don't think they're really meant to be used. He just keeps them in his office. They're collector's items, mementos...beautiful things he would never buy for himself. From time to time he'll pick up the delicate silver tee or the shining sculpted ball case and caress it lovingly while he talks on the phone. That's when I know how much he likes them. I think.

Michelle's Many Options - Confessions of a Wie Warrior

As golf purists regurgitate righteous indignation and the Kornikova/Capriati comparisons fly, Michelle Wie has got to be weighing her options, and wondering where to take this crazy thing that's become her life.

It got substantially more complicated yesterday following her withdrawal from the Ginn Tribute, and subsequent accusations allusions that it was not prompted by a tweaked wrist injury as claimed, but rather concocted to circumvent a silly little-known LPGA slaughter rule; the 88-and-out rule, which would have barred her, as a non-tour member, from all LPGA events for the rest of the year, if she shot more than an 88...and admittedly, yesterday afternoon in SC she seemed well on her way to doing just that.

On the surface, Michelle seemed nonplussed "I had issues with my wrist," she explained "Shooting 88 is not what I think about." However, one can only imagine that the 17-year-old must be wondering what's next. In the press, she and her team are being portrayed as cheats, or at the very least, master manipulators, and dark predictions are being made about the future of her golf career. Some are speculating that she has problems that go way beyond golf... to her parents, sponsors and lifestyle.

I have a different take on this whole story. You see, though passionate about golf, I'm in no way a golf purist. I just love the game, and I'm one of those fans they dismissively call a "Wie Warrior". I'm fascinated by everything about Michelle Wie: her big, amazing golf game...her unique statuesque beauty...her celebritant status. And, I'm not at all worried about her. She's a beautiful, talented, fabulously wealthy, 17 year old sports celebrity... who was recently admitted to one of the country's most prestigeous and outstanding Universities. She's got so many options. She can: A. play in major golf events on exemptions, B. strut the red carpets and runways of celebrity soirees, C. settle into the awesome life of a Stanford freshman, D. Any combination of the above. So no, I don't feel sorry for her at all. She's probably a bit confused right now, as allegations swirl, but she's got too much going for her to let it get her down for long.

Is it fair that this girl has so much while others struggle? Of course it's not, but we're living in a country that prides itself on pure capitalism. Lots of things aren't fair here... and I can think of about 1000, right off the top of my head, that are far more disturbing than anything about Michelle Wie. I'll tell you a little secret too. Despite what others may say, I'd love to see her playing next week. Yeah, sorry, but I'm definitely a Wie Warrior.