Halloween - The Ghosts of Golf's Golden Age

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Halloween isn't an option in our neighborhood. We get thousands of sweet-seeking visitors each year because we live on the ideal trick-or-treat street: close to the center of town, lined with ornate Victorian Houses, expansive, well-maintained sidewalks. Deer Hill is known throughout the county, and ghoulish revelers come from several towns out.

Each year we have a party... of sorts... at our house. Actually it's a couple of hours of chaotic candy distribution followed by a couple more hours of heavy alcohol consumption wholesome refreshments and costumed karaoke. Last year we even had a putting contest... which for some reason, nobody won.

We always establish a basic theme for the costumes and decor. In recent years we've done everything from "Arabian Nights" to "Pillaging Pirates" to "Intergalactic Exploration". With varying degrees of success.

This year I came up with the brilliant "Gatsby Golf Zombies" theme.

Also known as "Zombie Golfers of the Golden Age", it's basically just 1920s golf outfits and Zombie Makeup. I've got Nick's UnDead Tillinghast costume all set - complete with a pipe and Winged Foot Design Plan. Now I've got to strong-arm him into wearing it. As for my own costume working... I've running into a bit of trouble. Because when I started looking for inspiration, I kept coming up with things like this...and this... and this.

So you see what the problem is, right? These ladies were amazing champions; Joyce Wethered, Glenna Collett Vare, Patty Berg... among the best ever. And I'm sure their outfits, at the time... were considered... cute? Or sporty? But they clearly don't mesh with the idea of 21st Century Halloween costumes.

This year it looks like I'm going to have to sacrifice the "one night a year when it's OK for a nice girl to look like a dominatrix ho or a 8th Ave hooker or a total slut naughty and channel my inner Glenna Collett Vare. I'm pretty sure I can get the costume right, just don't ask me to channel her game.

Happy Halloween!

BirdieSisters make the Doral Publix Junior Golf Classic

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I told you they were awesome.

When I wrote about Erica and Myah Jackson earlier this month I was pretty sure it wouldn't be long before there was more to their story. Well, there is more.

The talented and beautiful golf girls known as the BirdieSisters have just been accepted into the Doral-Publix Junior Golf Classic, the premiere tournament in junior golf.

Over 680 junior golfers from around the world participate in this tournament every year. And, contestants not only have to be great golfers but they've also got to demonstrate academic excellence in the classroom. OK, great golfers + excellent students + talented in so many other ways = Erica and Myah Jackson.

The tournament takes place December 16,17 and 18 in Doral, Fl. and you can be sure these two ladies will be giving it their all.

Oh, and check out the BirdieSisters trying out the awesome black balls by Golf Refugees.

It's Ian Poulter in Singapore, Anthony Kim in Spain

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Remember a couple of weeks ago when Ian Poulter caught some serious heat from Colin Montgomerie for his absence from the Vivendi Trophy Match Play event?

OK, maybe you don't, but suffice to say that Monty was mad. And you know how Monty gets when he's mad.

When it all hit the proverbial fan, Mr. Poulter responded (on Twitter, bien sûr) by saying that he was taking some time off to avoid career-killing burn-out. He then proceeded to take a month and a half off. If today is any indication, Ian Poulter may have a point.

Returning from his six week break he posted an opening round 66 and currently leads in the first round of the Barclays Singapore Open in Sentosa. He's using a new Cobra driver too. Remember last year? His Cobra Speed Pro S was stolen in Shanghai forcing him to withdraw from the the Singapore Open.

OK so that's what's going on in Asia, but there's golf happening in Europe too, in Spain to be exact at awesome Finca Cortesin near Marbella. And the shining star there today was Anthony Kim who came out on top the first day of the Volvo World Matchplay.

Minus his glitzy belt, the young man recently called "the loosest cannon on the PGA Tour" by fellow golfer Robert Allenby presumably hasn't yet discovered Marbella's Golden Mile.

Or if he has, he really is immune to the effects of excessive partying. He defeated Retief Goosen then Paul Casey to win both of his matches today. At the same time Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey and Martin Kaymer are no longer even in contention. Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood were each thrashed in their matches... by Angel Cabrera and Jeev Milkha Singh respectively.

So... IP in Asia and AK in Europe are the stars to watch tomorrow... and possibly throughout the weekend. And I can think of worse things than that.

Cristie Kerr & Kylie Minogue at Liberty National

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Not long ago, on a bright, blustery mid-October day, LPGA Champion Cristie Kerr hit the fairways of Liberty National Golf Course with a couple of decidedly exceptional playing partners.

Australian megastar Kylie Minogue, and her Spanish boyfriend Andres Velencoso, an actor and model, were in New York for business - The pop princess did three extravagant shows at NY's Hammerstein Ballroom. But the thing is, both are really into golf, so a round at the breathtaking Liberty National course was THE perfect activity during their limited downtime.

This all came together... Cristie Kerr, Kylie Minogue and a beautiful October day at Liberty National... because of a shared love of golf. And also because Ms. Kerr is a breast cancer activist and Ms. Minogue, a breast cancer survivor. In 2005 Kylie Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. She spoke about her battle with the disease openly, and the awareness this raised in many parts of the world has come to be known as the "Kylie Effect" and is thought to have influenced many women to havetheir yearly checks.

Soon after the their day on the golf course @KylieMinogue posted the following on Twitter:

Some Overlooked Elements of Golf Course Etiquette

It's always been my conviction that an intimate understanding of etiquette is all one really needs to be able to get out onto a golf course and have fun... without diminishing anyone else's fun in the process.

One problem with this theory however, is that many folks think they know golf course etiquette... they think they wrote the book on it... but they're actually clueless about some really key elements. ~ Another more common problem is all the folks who do, in fact, know their etiquette, but "forget" or "selectively ignore" any rules that don't jive with their particular mood at the time.

Today I came across an interesting post on this subject by Shane Bacon, an attractive young golf blogger based in AZ, who also dabbles in caddying for LPGA players and valiant attempts to qualify for major tournaments. Yes, he's ultra-talented and hyper-busy but evidently he knows how to multi-task because his blog is always fresh and frequently brilliant.

Anyway, enough about Shane for now. His post "The First Annual DTCC Guide To Conducting Yourself on a Golf Course" presents a number of the more frequently abused rules ... written and unwritten... for ensuring that everyone has a pleasant day on the course.

It's an eye-opener too, because you'll undoubtedly recognize most of the behaviors as ones you've encountered... or perhaps even ones you've practiced yourself, in which case hopefully, like Shane, you'll try and avoid them as you grow older.

BTW - Check the comments section for additional user-generated etiquette infractions. You may even want add a couple.

Rickie Fowler's Edfors-Inspired Look Book

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There's no question Rickie Fowler's rise has been meteoric. He wasn't there at all... and then was everywhere. Just like that.

Right now he's getting ready for his third PGA Tour event as a pro, the Viking Classic. In the first two - both earlier this month - he finished seventh and second, earning $553,700. He could actually win his tour card if he does well in the final couple of events of the season... totally bypassing Q-school.The golf blogging world loves Rickie-Fowler-type stories so he's gotten tons of coverage.

In addition to his prodigious golf game, Rickie Fowler has a rather unique personal style. He certainly doesn't embrace the "typical American golfer" look, by which I mean: the "look" you don't see. ~ "I want people to talk about my golf not my clothes", some pros say, but Rickie doesn't have to worry about that. People definitely talk about his golf.

Rickie is a PUMA golfer. He signed with the popular sportlifestyle brand a month ago, and most agree it's a pretty stellar match. He wears the fun, functional line well. Like many of us he's worn PUMA golf styles for quite a while, and in my opinion, the multi-cultural Mr. Fowler prefers to reference a Euro-inspired style book.

When I first saw Mr. Fowler wearing PUMA I immediately thought of another awesome PUMA guy, Swedish golfer Johan Edfors. Everything from his hair cut (or lack thereof), to his preferred color palettes, to the particular PUMA elements he favors, reminds me of Mr. Edfors. Other PUMA golfers wear the line in a decidedly different way. Take Geoff Ogilvy, for example: He looks great in PUMA too, but his version is very different, more classic, in keeping with his own style. Which demonstrates the versatility of the PUMA line.




Oh... as far as his swing is concerned, Mr. Fowler said he patterned that after another Euro: Sergio Garcia. You may wish to look for such influences this weekend.

Cristie Kerr's Inspiring Voice at Huffington Post Impact

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Just about everyone who knows Cristie Kerr, knows of her dedication to the fight against breast cancer.

Tirelessly raising funds... and awareness... she's contributed as much as any athlete anywhere, to the fight against this disease. Whether she's battling with her irons on the fairways of a championship course, or hosting events - large and small - across the country, her mission is never far from her mind.

Cristie has often spoken of her Mom's battle with Breast Cancer... the battle that led to her own awareness of the illness... and her determination to do everything in her power to fight it. Her Mom's recovery was like a second chance, and further cemented Cristie's resolve.

Recently, Cristie wrote about her own multi-dimensional crusade in a blog post for Huffington Post's new Impact section. She writes in a highly personal style about her Mom, and about Birdies for Breast Cancer, her own non-profit organization.

Impact in partnership with Causecast is focused on public service, volunteerism and giving back, and on major issues affecting Americans today. It's a platform where media, entertainment, philanthropy, and education converge, and a perfect place for Cristie to reach a new audience with her very universal message.

The LPGA Champion is getting ready to hit the fairways again, this time half way around the world in NorthEast Asia at Korea's HanaBank*KOLON Championship which begins on Thursday. However, despite the distance...and the demands of golf at it's highest level... you can be sure Cristie's cause is never going to be too far from her thoughts.

Melody Barnes - Golf Girl/Chief Domestic Policy Adviser

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It's being spun by some as the crumbling of a "golf glass ceiling"... which is thoroughly ridiculous, but certainly more likely to attract readers than if they'd called it... say... "a Sunday round of golf". ~ So yes...I get that.

It's also possible that there may have been a slight political agenda behind the accusations of sexism and "fostering a frat-boy atmosphere" that were directed at the Obama White House after an all-male basketball game earlier this month... but I'm not even going to speculate on that.

The fact is, Melody Barnes joined President Barack Obama and a couple of other "dudes" (that's what frat-boys call each other), for golf yesterday afternoon at the U.S. Army's Fort Belvoir course. And it was the first time the President has included a female in his foursome in... like... a year. (in which time he's played probably a half dozen eight times at most)

Ms. Barnes is the president’s chief domestic policy adviser and considered one of the best dressed women in Washington. Back a couple of years ago when she was executive vice president for policy at the Center for American Progress, she spoke to washingtonian.com about her personal style and shoppping habits. She even admits to having once worn purple, crushed-velvet hip-hugger bell bottoms.

The outfit she wore for golf yesterday was decidedly understated, a navy turtleneck and lean white trousers, she wore it well however and it would be awesome to see more of her out on the fairways and greens of the nation's capital now that she's smashed that "grass ceiling".

Michael Jonzon Ends His 12-Year Drought

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CASTELLON, Spain, was good to Michael Jonzon this weekend. Twelve years without a win came to an end for him on the fairways and greens of the Club de Campo del Mediterraneo at the 2009 Castello Masters, with an impressive 20-foot putt at the 18th to break a three way tie and avoid a playoff.

... And this win brought with it a cute, kissable trophy.













It looks like Mr. Jonzon really got into the kissing part too. ...and that's understandable... sort of... because the stocky, Swedish 39-nine-year-old was on the verge of losing his tour card. Had that happened it would have meant yet another stint in Q-School, a scenario Mr. Jonzon is all too familiar with.

And Michael Jonzon wasn't the only Swede who unexpedtedly impressed the crowds at the Club de Campo del Mediterraneo. Christian Nilsson birdied six straight holes in the final round capped by a 30-foot birdie putt on the 12th, which hung on the edge of the hole for several seconds before falling in. He finished one back from his countryman in a tie for second with Martin Kaymer.

How do you say fist pump in Swedish? With much ferocity, it seems.




















Special Thanks to Fuera de Limites. Photos courtesy of castellomasters.com : Luis Corralo ✿

Sergio Garcia - Defending His Hometown Title

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A solid, bogey-free third round has left defending champion Sergio Garcia one shot back going into Sunday's final round at the 2009 Castelló Masters.

At high noon tomorrow, hometown hero Sergio Garcia will tee off with Michael Jonzon, and Martin Kaymer.

Mr. Jonzon, the stocky Swede who won the Portugese open in 1997, needs to finish first or second tomorrow to be sure of keeping his European Tour card, so he's going to be giving it everything he's got. And Germany's Martin Kaymer? He was at the top of the European money list a few months ago, when an August go-kart pile-up in Scotsdale, AZ left him with a few broken toes, and obliged him to sit out several tournaments. He watched Rory McIlroy... then Lee Westwood... to take his place on top of the Order of Merit. A win will put him on top again, and in an excellent position to win the Race to Dubai. In the press conference today Mr. Kaymer vowed to play aggressively in tomorrow's final round. So... Sergio's in for a challenging Sunday.

Senor Garcia's playing with Taylormade's new R9 TP irons. According to the company his irons are fitted with Project X 6.5 shafts and Golf Pride New Decade 60 grips with four to five layers of tape under the grips. He's also playing the new TaylorMade RAC wedges with 2010 conforming grooves.

In his press conference earlier today, Sergio confirmed he'll be wearing black tomorrow. He likes the color, he explained, because it makes him feel the heat of the sun, and that gives him energy ...and makes him look really sexy.

(FYI - I added that last part).

Special Thanks to Fuera de Limites. Photos courtesy of castellomasters.com : Luis Corralo ✿

Awesome Angel Cabrera Finally Gets Some Rest

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When Angel Cabrera addressed the press this morning he once again expressed disappointment at his Castello Masters DQ, but added that he understood the reasoning behind it.

After a stressful, much-delayed trip across the Atlantic... and across Spain... the affable Argentine arrived fifteen minutes late for his tee time, and found himself disqualified.

It was certainly a huge let-down for Angel. There's now no way he'll be able to fulfill the 12 mandatory European Tour events, so in addition to the disqualification, the transatlantic misadventure also ended his chances of winning Europe's Race to Dubai. His last event of the season will now be next week's Volvo World Match Play according to his manager, Manuel Tagle.

Despite the disappointment, Senor Cabrera surely won't be moping around. He assured reporters he was happy just to be in Spain where he has so many friends.

The 2009 Masters Champion also spoke of his Green Jacket, and acknowledged that he looked at it every day to motivate himself.

The former caddie's dedication to golf and his desire to share it really came through however, when he spoke of his charity. The Angel Cabrera Foundation helps young people... many of them caddies... who have taken up the game but do not have the means to maintain their equipment or travel to tournaments.

Angel plans to stay put and enjoy the weekend then travel to Malaga for the Volvo. Hopefully that trip will be an easier one.

Angel Cabrera's Amazing Race Ends in Castellon DQ

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Having finished second in Bermuda, at the PGA Grand Slam, Angel Cabrera was headed directly for Spain on Wednesday ... and everything needed to be perfectly planned out. Angel was racing across the Atlantic to play in the Castello Masters. His tee time was late so he'd make it. Or so he thought.

Ultimately, wind and weather got in the way, flights were delayed. His group teed off without him... only to be stopped after one hole. Isn't it ironic.

October 21, 2009 - Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Europe ✿

Adoring Female Fans Covet Ryo Ishikawa's Balls

OK, I'll admit it, I've developed a bit of a Ryo Ishikawa obsession over the past couple of months. I love his colorful personal style and charming shyness, and I've discussed both on the pages of this blog. Over-discussed, some might say. But true Ryo fans...and I know there are lots of them out there...can't get enough of the Bashful Prince.

In fact, RyoMania has reached outrageous new levels in Japan. To the extent that it practically derailed the Japan Open on Sunday. At the sixth hole young Ryo hit a slightly errant tee shot. It veered towards a section where spectators were gathered and suddenly an enraptured female fan just grabbed the ball... before it had even stopped rolling. Apparently there was a minor riot when other fans tried to intervene... the guilty groupie panicked... screaming ensued the story is here. It illustrates a possible downside to rock star popularity. And I think Ryo's going to have to get used to it.

El Castelló Masters ProAm - Sergio Garcia & Rafa Nadal

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A couple of weeks ago - on the day it was announced that golf would be included in the 2016 Olympic games - Sergio Garcia declared that he wanted to win an Olympic gold medal, like his friend Rafael Nadal.

Mr. Nadal, you may remember, gave Spain their first Olympic gold medal, in tennis, at the 2008 games in Beijing.

It's quite clear that these two athletes have a lot in common; in addition to homeland, they've each got masses of dedicated fans, and each excels in a sport dominated by a single, way-dominant, record-breaking superstar.

The two steamy Spaniards were on the sun-dappled fairways of Club de Campo del Mediterraneo today, for the Castello Masters Pro Am. Sergio was the host, after all, Castellon is his hometown, and he's the defending champion. His Dad and Mom are both very much a part of Club del Campo, and it's where Sergio got his start. The family was instrumental in the planning and execution of this event and were there to greet the players and cheer them on. Sergio's Dad even participated in the Pro Am... as Senor Nadal's caddie. The ambiance of this Pro Am is fun and easy-going.

Fans were out in force. Particularly fans of the... female persuasion, and one of the funniest moments came on the eighth hole as Mr. Nadal approached the green. An enthusiastic female admirer called out to him, "Rafa you're so handsome!"... and added, "Your mother did a great job." Of course everyone laughed... though she probably could have left off the part about his mother.

The tournament begins tomorrow, There's an ultra-exciting field including Angel Cabrera who's come in from Bermuda after playing in the PGA Grand Slam. Talk about jet lag and sleep deprivation, right? You've got to hope he'll take a page from fellow Grand Slam guy Y.E. Yang and grab a nap somewhere. If anyone can handle it, it's Angel, but still.

I'll be bring you notes on the action from Spain over the next couple of days. The amazing, totally awesome guys from Fuera des Limites will be sending daily dispatches. @PabloHerrero sent me his on-site observations, today. Follow him and his fabulous FdL co-scribe @Ovidiov... for informative Tweets in Spanish and English.

Marriage Saved by Government Subsidized Golf Carts

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If you look up "active adult" in the dictionary, you'll probably see a picture of my Aunt Amy.

She's 60...ish, and in stellar shape. She's got shoulder-length blond hair, and thanks to artfully administered injectables, disarmingly full lips and no wrinkles whatsoever. Her wardrobe is pure Lilly Pulitzer and she's always, always tan.

Amy lives... appropriately enough... in Florida, and better yet, she's now a resident of iconic active adult community, "The Villages". If you watch the Golf Channel, even occasionally, you know the Villages, and you know it's America's Friendliest Hometown. Because, the jingle says so. And the jingle has been seared into your memory till the end of time.

About a year ago Amy married Al - husband number three - and moved into his house at The Villages. Al is exactly the type of man you'd expect to see on Amy's sleek golden brown arm. "Active Adult, Male Version"; if there was a "Field Guide to Human Subspecies", that'd be Al's Chapter. I'm guessing he's about Amy's age though he looks quite a bit older due his silver hair... and refusal to have his face injected every six months. He looks prosperous though, as prosperous as Amy looks pretty, and that's why they're such a perfectly matched pair. Put them side by side in matching bathtubs and you've got a Cialis ad.

And like the Cialis couples, they get along so well. Most of the time. Lately there's been a bit of trouble in paradise. You see when Al's previous marriage broke up, his German wife grabbed Max, their Labradoodle, and went right back to Berlin, leaving him with the house and two golf carts... and that was fine, because not only do they both play golf...daily, but in The Villages even if you don't play golf you'll want a golf cart. It's the way people get around in the self-contained Disneyland for adults. And these active adults really do get around. Shopping, Theater, Dining ...and golf galore. The Villages is very animated.

The problem was that Amy, after seeing the amazing tricked out carts many of the residents drove, found Al's carts a little too... Vanilla? She soon found an adorable cart to covet. A cart designed by her favorite designer.

Yep, Amy found a Lilly golf cart. And she had to have it. She'd found a bright orange cart on-line for Al too. That's when she discovered that the man who had courted her with long weekends in Paris and pricey baubles from Tiffany had a sensible side. He balked at the glitzy golf carts, citing the two perfectly fine carts in their garage... and alluding to recent stock market losses. Amy was not at all pleased, and the golf cart discord was putting a damper on her relationship with Al.

This morning, before I left for NY, I got a call from Amy. She sounded happier than she had in a while, and I soon found out why: It seems there's a federal tax credit, a kind of "cash for clunkers" type thing, but with golf carts. Because golf carts...apparently...qualify as "green" vehicles: environmentally friendly and thus eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $5,500. So, Al is finally on board for the new carts.

The happy couple plans to do some golf cart shopping this weekend.

Beautiful and Explosive - Christina Kim Lights Up Milan

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Italy is well known for elegant fashion, timeless architecture and exquisite culinary tradition... and none of that was lost on LPGA golf star Christina Kim, during her recent visit.

An intrepid traveler, she spent time in Rome and Florence, as well as in Milan where she was invited to play in the 108 woman field at the Carta Si Ladies Italian Open.

Though she's been around the world with her golf career, this was Christina's first trip to Italy, and it's quite clear she fell in love with the country and its rich culture. She took over a thousand photos and generously shares some of them on Twitter. They capture the highlights: iconic architecture and art as well as the whimsical oddities that make the country unique. Looking far out in the future, Christina even mentioned the possibility of an extended stay in Italy once her playing career is over.

Predictably, Christina's enthusiasm was reciprocated...many times over. She was described in the local press as beautiful and explosive. The Italian golf fans, the LET players, the media and just about everyone who had a chance to watch her play mentioned her joyfulness, generosity and spirited individualism.

Here in the US the buzz lately has been about what Christina isn't wearing, while in Milan it was her singular fashion sense that was analyzed and admired, both on the fairways of Le Rovedine Milano Golf Club and in town, where she explored the Via Montenapoleone, home to such names as Prada, Valentino and Gucci, and one of the most fashionable streets on earth.

With Diana Luna of Italy and Beatrize Recari of Spain Cristina tried on diamonds at the Damiani boutique. On the golf course her "blushing apricot" and "pea green" outfits were particularly well received. She did however garner one less than stellar style review from Milan soccer legend, Daniel Massaro who did not approve of a certain gold belt she wore, and felt her look was too theatrical. (my husband says the same thing about my look - some guys just don't get it...and never will).

As I wrote yesterday, the tournament was won by Marianne Skarpnord in a valiant duel with Laura Davies. Christina carded rounds of 73 67 and 71 it was a the three round tournament, missing the top 10 by one shot. A fact she later lamented on Twitter. "Two eagles, a few birds, stupid bogeys. What on earth is going on here?!" was the way she described one round. Which I can relate to really well. If you take out the eagles and birds.

In the end though, with Christina Kim at Carta Si Ladies Italian Open I think everyone came out a winner: Christina got to see a new country, experience a new culture and get to know know new people, both players and fans... while the LET golfers and International golf fans in Milan were able to enjoy the unique energy and star quality of Christina Kim.

Photos: Christina Kim, Beatriz Recari and Diana Luna visit Milan city centre/ladieseuropeantour.com ~ ~ Christina Kim in Jewelry by Diamiani/ladieseuropeantour.com

Marianne Skarpnord Wins (with Boyfriend) in Milan

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A six foot birdie putt... at the third playoff hole... while playing against Laura Davies?

Yes, That was Marianne Skarpnord's task. That's what she had to do to win her second LET title at the Carta Si Italian Open yesterday.

What's even more amazing is that the beautiful Norwegian was six behind with only nine holes to play. Lucky for her she brought her boyfriend Petter along.

He's her caddie you see, and as Marianne explains it, he helped her embrace those final nine holes, which led to four birdies and an eagle... and the playoff with Ms. Davies.

It's Marianne's second win on the Ladies European Tour, her first having come in May at the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open. It was around then that I met the friendly golfer on Twitter, and I was immediately impressed by her warmth. If you follow @mskarpnord I'm pretty sure you will be too.

I've attached the video below for those who don't Marianne. It gives you an idea of her style and personality, and that's probably a good thing, because this is a golfer who has her sights set way high, and at age 23, in all likelihood we'll be seeing quite a bit more of Marianne in the not too distant future.

Lee Westwood "Sour Grapes Guy" Wins in Portugal

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At one time he was number one in Europe, then there was the two year drought which included a series of play-off defeats and the unfortunate "sour grapes" incident at the 2008 Ryder Cup, when the Englishman came under fire for his complaints of heckling and abuse. At that time Westwood was looked at by many as whiny and weak.

Now, with his win at the Portugal Masters, Westwood is at the top again. At the top of the European money list... the Order of Merit... the Race to Dubai. What ever you call it, it's a good place to be.











The tournament - which began inauspiciously for Mr. Westwood with a wasp sting in the first round - had it's share of drama.

Padraig Harrington, who finished four shots back in third place, had a brush with dehydration in the second round. Retief Goosen who was in the lead going into today's final round had a meltdown and finshed the day at 75 and the tournament in a tie for sixth place. And... throughout the tournament there was Francesco Molinari.

From Italy, and not well known on these shores, Mr. Molinari is ranked 70th in the world, and at the Portugal Masters his 15-under-par halfway score matched the best so far this season. He led going into rounds two and three, and in the final round made a valiant charge to briefly catch up with Westwood by the 12th. However, a missed putt... of under three feet... on the 16th, and the resulting bogey, saw him finish 2 back in second.

And finally there was Rory Mcilroy. The headline grabbing young'un was in Portugal too, but probably wishes he wasn't. After finishing tied for 30th he was forced to hand Westwood his spot at the top of the Race to Dubai. He'll try to grab it back next week in Spain, starting on Thursday. Rory also announced that he was 80% sure he wouldn't be joining the US PGA tour next year, contrary to the rumors swirling. That was welcome news for the Euro Tour.

The quote of the day has to go to the tounament winner however. When describing his run in with the aggressive wasp early in the tournament, the much maligned player explained how he got past it, to pull off a solid round, "I saw it clinging on while it was stinging me, but I'm a big, hard, strong lad!"

What a difference a year makes.

Photos: Lee Westwood - Andrew Redington/Getty Images ✿ Francesco Molinari, Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington - Francisco Leong/Getty Images ✿ Rory McIlroy - Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Golf Sluts Meet Golf Stooges - Halloween Foursomes, Slightly Mismatched

The Golf Costumes available for women were decidedly sexy...

In just a couple of weeks it'll be Halloween, that quaint American holiday where the nation's young people dress up as ghosts and goblins Pimps and Hos and attend Halloween Parties Pimp & Ho Parties is right around the corner.

Many have complained in recent years about the increasing commercialization of Halloween (it's now a $5 billion business in the US) and many more have voiced objection to the increasing sleazeification of the spooky holiday... and, let's face it, to a great extent the traditional favorite costumes of the past, such as ghost, princess, astronaut and cowboy, have mostly been replaced by slightly more... salacious... options:  fallen angel, charm school dropout, zebra pimp, and the like. ~ A reflection of our times, I suppose.

Anyway, I thought I'd do a quick search for "golf costumes" and see what's out there for the average person who just wants to be a golfer on Halloween.

I found quite a variety of choices, and in the ladies category they definitely lean towards the lugubrious, as you can see in the montage above. I put it together from a variety of costume sites and you can call them racy, slutty, naughty or fun but there's no denying it... these outfits are sexed-up... to the max.

The strange thing however, is that when it comes to the guy golfer's selection, there's nothing remotely racy available. In fact, all of the men's costumes seem to be inspired by the three stooges or outdated notions that golfers always look like dorks. (I have a friend who insists that guys find the Three Stooges sexy but I don't believe her).

...while the selection for golfer guys is rather less lascivious. 

The weird thing is, other male costumes have been "modernized". I found plenty of sexy policemen, and sexy cowboys and sexy football players, but I could find no sign of a sexy golfer, though I suppose maybe one could adapt this costume. Golf did originate in Scotland, right?

Anyway, I can only conclude that if the Golf Sluts meet up with the Golf Stooges on Halloween, the match will be rather uneven. I'm guessing the girls will have to give the guys more than a few extra strokes.

Lacoste - The Amazing 2009 Holiday Collector's Series

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Lacoste, as I've said many times on these pages, is a unique and fascinating company.

Lacoste is a family company with a rich history that includes multiple generations of world champion athletes, but they've established a brand that goes beyond fashion or sports. The iconic, little crocodile also represents their commitment to environmental awareness and stewardship through their leadership role in the "Save your Logo" campaign for the preservation of biodiversity on the planet. And, their Pink Croc Collection speaks to their support for Breast Cancer Research.

What you see in the Lacoste brand today are the values of its founder, Rene Lacoste: elegance, tenacity, optimism, and audacity. Traits also reflected in the athletes they sponsor, including Cristie Kerr, Lorena Ochoa and Yani Tseng.

The team at Lacoste is also passionate about art and design and to that end, in 2006 they decided to create a yearly limited edition collector's series, of their renowned polo... and do it in collaboration with artists and designers from outside the fashion world. This would allow for a 'reinterpretation' of the classic shirt, and would challenge the team to adapt their production methods and processes. The result has been three unique and extraordinary collections ...and a fourth, to be available in stores on Sunday.

The 2009 collection was designed by Fernando and Humberto Campana, a delightful pair of Brazilian brothers.

They're industrial designers who find their inspiration in both the natural and urban environments. For this project they were actually inspired by a chair they designed... which itself was inspired by the way Amazonian reptiles pile up in mud beds during the dry season in their natural habitat.

So instead of one crocodile, you'll see clusters of them on these limited edition shirts, 20,000 of which will be available worldwide. There'll also be a Super-Limited Edition shirt made entirely of tiny crocodiles, hand sewn together into a delicate, reptilian lace. In this intricate style there will only be 24 shirts made. 12 for men and 12 for women. The collection is featured on the Lacoste website and additional information about availability and store locations will be posted in the coming days.

Amid Euro Tour Tensions, Thomas Bjørn Steps Down

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Chairman of Europe's Tournament Players Committee is a perilous position in the best of times.

It's said to be the most important job in European golf, but the fact is, as Chairman you're stuck between the proverbial devil and the perennial deep blue sea. It's a continuing struggle to keep sponsors satisfied and top players placated. And the desires of these two groups often diverge. Sharply. It's up to the Chairman to keep it all on an even keel.

Then, suppose in addition to being Chairman, you're trying to maintain your standing on one of the world's most competitive golf tours... as a player?

For Thomas Bjørn, who today officially resigned from the post, it was untenable. So much so that he's recently been treated for dizziness and extreme fatigue. The stress of hesitant sponsors plus chronically complaining players can do that to you.

There was also the issue of his recent smackdown with VIP player Padraig Harrington over a proposed requirement that members play in at least four of six core events in Europe, to qualify for the Race to Dubai next year. It was a war-of-words that escalated, and apparently became quite vitriolic. To the extent that one European Tour player told me, "...it makes the Kim/Allenby argy-bargy seem like a sandbox squabble".

Well who knew, right? Because let's face it, to the fan base on this side of the Atlantic... and the golf scribes that write for them, the issue of AK's questionable sobriety vs. Allenby's sour grapes is far sexier than say... the future of the European Tour. It was in fact, not only the future of the European Tour, but the future of golf on a global scale that was the source of the EuroGolf Feud, and it subsequently became a main topic at the Player's Committee meeting that took place in Portugal earlier today. The meeting was where Mr. Bjørn ultimately announced his resignation.

As Chairman in a declining economy, the Danish golfer found himself facing European sponsors who were deeply dismayed by top players missing their events. That's where he came up with the idea for "obligatory core events".

While Harrington... who had been invited to the meeting by European Tour Chief Executive George O'Grady "to give an alternative opinion"... did just that, and expressed his feeling that "instead of trying to force players to compete in more Europe-based tournaments to qualify for membership, the European Tour should be looking to expand into Asia to aid its future growth."

And it appears as though Padraig Harrington may have won this round. The decision was made NOT to adopt the restrictions for the time being. (Some speculate it's because star player Rory McIlroy is sending strong signals that he'll be heading to the US for the coming season.) A half compromise was proposed in the form of a point system for Tour membership, and the "core" tournaments will be given extra weight. Thomas Bjørn was clearly not satisfied and there went his resignation.

Of course former Ryder Cup partners Thomas Bjørn and Harrington assured everyone that their dispute had done nothing to damage their friendship, but I don't quite buy it.

When Padraig was asked if he'd ever consider serving on the Player's Committee, he responded with a slightly snarky, "I'm playing golf - I don't have time to be on a committee."

Golf Is Ready for the New Year - Classic Girls Selected

The girls have been around for over a half century.

Not these exact girls of course... they're new. Very new, in fact.

They were just selected as "Classic Girls" for the 2010 Bob Hope Classic, which will take place January 18-24, and they serve an old school purpose: they're "goodwill ambassadors" ...which is a really good gig if you can get it. From what I gather, Classic Girls basically cruise around the beautiful courses on golf carts and go to gala events.

Oh, and they wear shirts with "Bob" "Hope" and "Classic" (each girl gets a word) on them... and all kinds of cute outfits from Adidas.

This year's girls (a blonde, brunnette and redhead, of course) are: Colie Cullen, 22, of Coto de Caza, Calif., Heather Hastings-Gorski, 27, of Palm Springs, and Kelsey Peterson, 22, of Huntington Beach, California.

Yes, there's definitely a kitschy, old school vibe and that's a big part of this tournament's charm but The Bob Hope Classic is keeping up with the times where it counts. They have a new website this year too, and it's just one of several platforms by which fans can more easily gain information about, and purchase tickets for the 2010 Classic.

Along with the new Web site, fans can follow pre-tournament and tournament-week action on Facebook. On Twitter they're known as @bobhopeclassic.

So, when you want to catch up with the "Classic Girls" or find out which celebs have signed up for the famous ProAm you can do it. There'll also be lots of contests, quizzes and games leading up to the event.

The Bob Hope Classic is anchored in the history of televised golf and though a lot has changed over the years it retains enough of the old school charm that it's always a welcome start to the new golf season.

LPGA Golfers and the "Salute to Women in Sports"

Cristie Kerr was on the red carpet in New York City last night, looking resplendent in red and black, hand-dyed satin.

The venue was Manhattan's Waldorf Astoria and the event was The 30th Annual Salute To Women In Sports, a cocktail reception and awards presentation put on by the Women in Sports Foundation to honor the most accomplished women in sports.

Gathered in New York last night to celebrate athletic achievement were 58 champion female athletes and a constellation of celebrities from government, sports and media. An extraordinary variety of sports were represented. Figure skating's Michelle Kwan was there, so was skateboarding's Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins. There were softball and squash players, luge racers, runners and gymnasts. Stunning Laila Ali wore a regal purple gown.

In addition to Cristie golf was represented by 2009 Kraft Nabisco Champion Brittany Lincicome, wearing a frilly, flamenco-style frock, also black and red. The legendary Nancy Lopez was in attendance as was new Mom Annika Sorenstam whose foundation, it was announced will be presenting the Annika Award together with the Women's Sports Foundation, beginning next year. The Annika Award will be all about passing on the inspiration, as Annika credits much of the success in her career to her father’s inspirational words, "There are no shortcuts to success". Starting in 2010 it'll be presented yearly to a woman who has accomplished great things in her sport and inspired others to do the same.

This years awards, presented last night, were Sportswoman of the Year, individual winner, which went to gymnast Courtney Kupets, Sportswoman of the Year, team winner, awarded to hockey player Jessie Vetter, and the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award won by Tiffara Steward, who at only 4'6" and partially blind plays basketball for Farmingdale State College on Long Island. Additionally, The Gatorade Company was given the Billie Jean King Contribution Award for their nearly four-decade-long dedication to the betterment of girls’ and women’s athletics.

It was in fact Billie Jean King who first proposed the Salute To Women In Sports Awards in 1974. You can read more about the awards and learn about Women in Sports Foundation and their awesome, empowering mission at their website.

And for those of you who want to get a glimpse of the red carpet fashions, there are photos of last night's event on Getty Images.

Photo: Cristie Kerr - Andrew Walker/Getty Images ✿ Michelle Kwan & Brittnay Lincicome - Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images ✿

Qgroove - The Golf Bag Holiday Dreams are Made Of

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If you're like me you've spent the past year window shopping, or cautiously shopping your closet... and you've probably become an expert re-gifter.

For better or for worse... I'm going with worse... this recession/depression thing has imposed frugality on most of us.

So... you've done quite a bit of sacrificing and now that the holidays are just around the corner, you're thinking you want to offer something really awesome to someone really special (who may or may not be yourself).

If you're that person is a golfer this gift will normally lean towards golf-oriented, and one of the most statement-making, over-the-top golf gifts I can think of is a Qgroove golf bag.

It's the bag Golf Digest has described as, "several notches beyond trendy" and I've described as "stunning", "awesome", "luscious" and... "highly functional". Yes it's functional too, because as drop-dead gorgeous as Qgroove bags are they're also exceptionally well made and equipped with features that'll facilitate your round. ~ Each bag is hand finished and comes with an embroidered, personalised name tag and each extraordinary design is one of only 100 made world-wide and individually numbered, making it as much a piece of art as it is a golf club carrier.

No doubt about it a Qgroove golf bag is THE ultimate holiday golf gift. And, in keeping with the times, Qgroove has a special holiday offer: with each cart bag they'll send you the matching duffel bag, and with each stand bag you'll receive the matching wrist bag.

To ensure you'll have your bag by Christmas, Qgroove encourages you to place your orders by November 1. Oh, and Free shipping plus a carrying case will also be included with each order.

That's something to tell your inner frugalista.