"Geoff Ogilvy was stumped."
/Doug Ferguson files his annual year end compilation of entirely useless and yet-oh-so-entertaining anecdotes from the PGA Tour season. This was my favorite:
Read MoreThe only course that will remain difficult under all conditions will be one that is designed and kept for golf of a stereotyped, monotonous character, and this makes a most uninteresting proposition. BOBBY JONES
Available via Amazon (US): Golf Architecture For Normal People
Barnes And Noble (online and in stores)
Bookshop.org option to support local independent bookstores.
Reviews:
"Golf Architecture for Normal People . . . should be required reading for those who are not ashamed to admit they know little about the subject, and for those who think they do . . . . Golf course architecture geeks have trouble slimming their thoughts down to bite-sized chunks, but Shackelford has achieved a remarkable success here." —Independent (Ireland)
"From the relative newcomer who’s slowly getting hooked to those that have played the game for most of their lives and think they know a thing or two, Golf Architecture for Normal People provides a solid and sober perspective that will help everyone recognize why some golf courses are worth playing more than once while a single trip around others is all you’re ever likely to want or need." —Links Magazine.
“It’s a wonderful book. An easy read that arrives just in time for your summer reading list. If you’ve never thought about how an appreciation for course design could heighten your enjoyment of the game, you must check this out.”—The Peterborough Examiner
"As in his prior publications, in his newest book Shackelford shows a deep appreciation for what can be done to create a golf course that appeals to the broadest possible golfing audience…Shackelford’s prose is succinct, often witty, and accessible."—Cape Gazette
"Author, blogger and golf architecture expert Geoff Shackelford, who helped Gil Hanse design Rustic Canyon and restore 2023 U.S. Open host Los Angeles Country Club, taps into his passion by creating a guide that helps every golfer understand the nuances of course design. Published by Tatra Press, the 164-page hardcover book is a must-read for every golfer to better understand the game they love." —Golf Pass
"Shackelford provides an informative picture [and]...sprinkles in history lessons about those who planted the game's architectural roots, defines common terms and helps you hone your eyes when it comes to identifying some of the tricks of the trade."—FORE Magazine
"This new book does a great job demystifying golf course design ideas for average players, but can also be a beneficial read fro PGA Professionals and other golf course employees to get a better understanding of their home courses." —PGA Magazine
"It was like watching a four-month long black-and-white movie."
/Another classic from Dan Jenkins, this time trying to figure out the worst year ever for major winners. I won't spoil his choice, but this was beautiful:
Read MoreThe Chevron World Challenge And Rankings Points
/It's a fine event and all but you know I think it's absurd that a 16-player silly season event can receive world ranking points and impact the fields of major championship. Some of the top five clearly benefitted, including Graeme McDowell, who is one week away from a top 50 year end finish and invite to the Masters.
Read MoreWho Says Gary Koch Isn't Funny?
/During Saturday's Chevron World Challenge telecast, Camilo Villegas unleashed a nice "f*&$#ng p@#$k" picked up by microphones, but the immediate interpretation by Gary Koch should win him an Emmy.
"Until Sunday, the only World Cup that Italy was accustomed to winning was on the soccer pitch."
/
A shame the World Cup didnt' get much attention but Sean Martin does offer this post on the Molinari brothers and their impressive win.
And my head is still spinning from Nick Watney and John Merrick's final-round,10-under-par ALTERNATE SHOT 62 to finish at -20-under and tie for seventh. Needless to say that was a tournament record for the grueling final round format.
"There was a time when the U.S. seemed unbeatable in the World Cup."
/Garry Smits reminds us that it wasn't long ago the U.S. sent its top players to the World Cup, something I thought about while watching round 1 and noticing that most other countries sent high-profile teams (nothing against Nick Watney and John Merrick, fine Americans they are).
Read More2009 PGA Tour Statistical Odds and Ends, Driving Distance Included
/The PGA Tour's Dave Lancer posts his "odds and ends" from the 2009 ShotLink data base. A few that caught my eye:
Charley Hoffman had the year's longest drive
"Five months later, there are questions as to, Why Doug Barron? Why was he tested at his only tour appearance of the year?"
/Yesterday I noted Doug Barron's media mini-crusade and the ramifications for the PGA Tour in not responding. The talk continued today with a new piece filed by Tim Rosaforte, who addresses the miraculous coincidence that Barron, in a dispute with the tour over his condition, just happened to be tested the one week he got into a PGA Tour event.
Read More"Just what sort of transition awaits tour players remains a matter of opinion."
/Last week Michael Phelps went retro in advance of a technology rollback, and as Steve Elling explains, Stephen Ames did the same at the Children's Miracle Network event at Disney. Only Ames won:
Read MoreBubble Bursts At Disney, PGATour.com Not There To Cover It?
/There was much kvetching about the lack of Orlando Sentinel coverage for the Children's Miracle Network event at Disney World, but the real story was in PGATour.com's odd choice not to send someone to the final tour event of the year. Instead they posted AP game stories and a live blog, yet that wasn't enough when there are so many intriguing storylines like finalization of the top 125 and determination of tour cards for the following year. Inevitably great storylines develop and the web becomes a prime source for family, friends, acquaintances and former pro-am partners to see how their horses are doing.
It's also disconcerting to see such coverage when the event is played in the same state as tour headquarters and where the sponsor is propping up a long time event popular with players.
Thankfully, we got compelling accounts of the final day's play and money list scenarios from Steve Elling (here), Bob Harig (here) and Sean Martin (here).
I know, those three probably did the job better than PGATour.com would when their writers file in fear of little men with a red pen scribbling away edgier details. But with media consolidation the tour's own site often becomes a primary source of news. How can they be trusted when they aren't even giving an important event serious coverage? (Not to mention the decision not to post a story about Doug Barron's lawsuit).
Most of all, what does the lack of coverage say about the home office's view of the Fall Finish and the event at Disney?
"I think if I were a professional golfer, I'd be interested in the outcome because what happens to the next guy that takes an over-the-counter drug that is on the list of banned substances?"
/Lawrence Buser and Dan Wolken in the Memphis Commercial Appeal offer some tantalizing bits on the Doug Barron v. PGA Tour case.
Read MoreTiger And Phil In Last Group
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First time since 2005, says Doug Ferguson. Golf Channel provides final round coverage starting at 7 PM Pacific.
"The guy in the grandstand basically did a photo sequence. I flinched on it and hit it straight to the right"
/
I feel like we've done this before...excessive and ill-timed photo taking of Tiger in China. No?
"There's certainly a lot of people out there," said Woods, after shooting a five-under-par 67 to stand three shots behind the early leader, American Nick Watney. "There was a lot of people ... moving and things. We had to stay focused. I think it's a disadvantage because there are so many people with cameras here. The other groups probably don't have to deal with it as much as we do."
