Fire and Nice!?

Charles Polansky reports on the Amy Sabbatini's latest t-shirt...not nearly as fun as her last.

There is a definite give-and-take, yin and yang, in Rory Sabbatini's life - on and off the golf course.

Take the T-shirts that his wife Amy has designed for his large gallery of friends and family planning to be at this week's Bank of America Colonial. They are appropriately appropriate.

Emblazoned on the front is a phrase that suits Sabbatini perfectly _"Fire and Nice."

Everybody who follows golf knows all about Sabbatini's fire.

Amy or Rory? Or sorry...

At last summer's Booz Allen Classic, Sabbatini infamously played out of turn on the 17th hole after growing frustrated with the slow pace of playing partner Ben Crane.

He finished the hole before Crane and walked ahead to the 18th tee, drawing boos from the gallery at Congressional Country Club as well as the ire of ABC golf analyst Paul Azinger, who skewered Sabbatini on the telecast.

"The first four weeks after were horrific," said Amy, who tries to walk as many rounds with her husband as possible. "It got to where I was putting on headphones to block everything out."

But there's another side to Sabbatini, a blossoming PGA Tour star from South Africa, that many haven't seen. Last year, he wore camouflage pants in the first round of events and donated $250 for every birdie and $1,000 for every eagle that he made to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

"His heart's bigger than his chest," Amy said during Sabbatini's second round at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.

Huggan On State of Euro Tour, Monty

John Huggan wonders if recent European Tour happenings are hurting the Tour. Starting with the weird Irish Open antics this week.

Then there was Thursday's opening round of the Irish Open at the Colin Montgomerie-designed Carton House. Serious questions need to be asked at European Tour headquarters about a venue whose topography is so flawed that a bit of wind is enough to provoke suspension of play. On a proper course - one where the 'architect' pays appropriate attention to the prevailing meteorological conditions in an area that he visits more than a handful of times - these sorts of things don't happen.

Or, at least, they don't on courses where the greens are built to receive good shots rather than to repel them. Witness the third round of the Open Championship at Muirfield in 2002. In squally weather that was a million times worse than we saw three days ago, the world's best course was certainly difficult, but remained playable - although it was sometimes hard to ascertain that fact, so loud was the squealing from various competitors. Equally, it is hard to imagine golfers being asked to leave the premises at one of Ireland's premier links, say Portmarnock, when the breeze rises to no more than a little gusty.

And he quotes a player, who isn't too keen on the quality of events or fields:

None of the above nonsense is, of course, helping the European Tour at a time when pressure from its main competitor, America's PGA Tour, has never been so intense. Nor will it change the view of at least one well-respected Ryder Cup player that the quality of the product is slipping.

"One of the great myths on the European Tour is that the standard of play is rising every year," he says. "You hear guys saying stuff like: 'Yes, I have to keep improving just to stand still.'

"What a load of rubbish. The real truth is that, apart from the few really top-class events we have each year, tournaments like the BMW Championship at Wentworth, the general quality of the fields week-to-week is falling. Which makes sense if you are paying attention. Look at the number of top guys who have disappeared off to the PGA Tour over the last five years or so. Not just Europeans, but Australians too.

"The harsh truth is that, if you are any good at all, the European Tour represents increasingly easy pickings."

Huggan also looks at Monty's consideration of the two-driver strategy:

Speaking of Monty, the eight-time European No.1 - good job Tiger's winnings are ruled ineligible by his failure to compete in 11 counting events! - is apparently considering following Phil Mickelson's lead and carrying two drivers, one for fading, the other for drawing.

While this nonsense is a logical extension of the distances that the leading players now hit the apparently turbo-charged ball with their turbo-charged clubs - who needs a 3- or 4-iron after a 330-yard drive? - it is also more than a little depressing. Rather than a game of skill and technique, golf is turning into a mere test of power. Purchasing power, that is.

Let me see, shall I buy a hook or a slice today? Shot-makers of the past, men like Ben Hogan who viewed golf as an art rather than a science, must be spinning wildly in their final resting places.

Regionals Round Up

You could watch the stellar Golfweek TV coverage of the NCAA regionals and be reminded why writers should stick to writing and coaches to coaching, or just read the excellent game stories on each region. 

Ron Balicki reports on the west where Loyola Marymount (Layola on yesterday's GolfweekTV) pulled off the biggest upset in regional's history. Lance Ringler reports from the central and Rex Hoggard checks in from the east.

Els Toughens Wentworth To Rein In Advance of Agronomy

I mean, technology. Well that was the word used in the headline of James Mossop's look Ernie Els's redo of Wentworth:

In winning six world match-play titles over the famed 'Burma Road' and as a member of the Wentworth Club he knows every yard of his favourite course. Over the years his admiration for the 18 holes created by legendary architect Harry Colt has grown.

Only the advance of technology with the modern ball flying further than ever from club faces designed by professors of ballistics has led to parts of Wentworth becoming cowed. Els saw it coming and when he made some suggestions to the club's owner, Richard Caring, and course superintendent, Chris Kennedy, he was snapped up as a consultant. Broadly, the course has been lengthened from 6,998 yards to 7.308 and 30 bunkers have been added.

Fans of Colt, who designed many wonderful courses, including Sunningdale, The Berkshire and Swinley Forest, may cry sacrilege at the thought of anyone interfering with the work of a man regarded as a genius of golf course design.

Or they might point out that it would just be a lot easier to change the ball.

Els, who will be playing this week and will be anxious to hear the views the top European players, says: "Harry Colt did an amazing job way back in the mid-1920s when he started work on this project. I want to make it clear from the outset that it was not our intention to change the character of the course. That would be a crime. There will be some people who maybe don't agree what we have done here but, trust me, doing nothing was not an option.

"The game faces some tough decisions. Equipment has got better, the ball is going further and the players are fitter and stronger. The fact is, the West Course was not playing as Harry Colt intended it. The changes address that.

"Part of the main focus was to reward the accurate hitter, especially off the tee, with extensive bunkering. That bunkering has been expertly executed in the rolled-face style of Harry Colt. They look fantastic."

And just to assure you he is a full-fledged player architect:

"Hopefully, Harry Colt is up there somewhere and looking down on us with a nod of approval," says Els.

I'm sure he's just thrilled. 

Shivas Irons Journal 3

The latest installment of the classy publication is out.

The Grant Spaeth interview on rules sounds very interesting.

Week In Review, May 14-20: Lettin' The Club Do That For You

The week got off to another fun start with John Huggan's column on Andrew Coltart, who lamented the demise of more subtle shotmaking elements and the huge advantages that long hitters are getting, prompting OldSchool to write, "Distance Myth #11. Professional golfers are not paying attention to the tremendous distance gains over the past 4 years. Specifically those gaining an incremental distance advantage."

A pair of John Hawkins blog posts touched off many comments about the state of Tour golf here, but oddly, not on the Golf Digest site!

The first post was on the PGA Tour's television ratings decline, prompting reader Matt to write, "Today's one-dimensional power game is being played on boring tracks built to accomodate housing, for paychecks that would take most fans lifetimes to make. No one worries about choking anymore-they know they have a big bank account to console them."

And Carl wrote: "Put some damn fire back into the competition and maybe golf will be interesting as a spectator sport once again and not seem to be just a gathering of nice fellows content to make a good check and have a good time. Screw the good time, get serious!"

And RGB wondered this: "With Commissioner Finchem renewing his own contract, doesn't the membership question his process? In all 501 C 6 organizations the membership decides those decisions for themselves because they are the shareholders of the corporation. Finchem is also not allowed by law to withhold the financial information of such an organization from a dues paying (shareholders) union incorporated into a 501 C 6 labor league. That is a serious breach of fiduciary duty on his part."

Regarding Hawkins' post on the likely FedEx Cup points system, Sean Murphy asked, "Can John Hawkins write us a story about the Charles Schwab Cup (another points race), who actually won the last 5 of them, and why we even care?"

Reader Chris wondered about Hawkins' line on the Tour "failing to realize that the boat would move much faster with a lot fewer oars in the water," noting that "in rowing, taller, heavier individuals have a small, but significant advantage. It is based on the same physical principle that causes boats with more rowers to go faster."

Those nautical metaphors! Is rowing considered nautical!? Anyway...

Regarding the ongoing Fed Ex Cup points watch, Mike Cummins noted that MacDuff's "points structure is the only structure that truly rewards often and consistent play. I would hope just one thing from you, if the Tour does decide to invent their 5th Pyramid Scheme pay out, that you would continue to provide your points structure model here so we can compare how bad the Tour's is flawed."

On Canadian Open and it's lousy date on the new PGA Tour schedule, Wayne K said the "RCGA should consider switching the Canadian Open from a PGA Tour event to a European Tour event. They could have a date in the prime of the summer close to the US Open to attract Europeans that are travelling to the US for that event. And Europeans playing most of the year on the PGA tour would have the benefit of being able to collect Ryder Cup points in North America which would be of benefit every two years."

Jonathan Cummings pointed out that the Booz Allen is facing many issues thanks to its recent decline: "In years past Avenel has had waiting lists to become one of the 1300 volunteers that help put on the tournament. In a financial statement of the times, Booz announced that volunteers will be charged this year (not uncommon at PGA tournamnets). The volunteer pool reacted - just 4 weeks from the tournament they have only 500 folks who have signed on. This is not enough to pull off the tournament. What are the chances that a PGA tournament gets canceled because of not enough volunteers?"

Easily the most discussed story of the week continues to be the fascinating two-driver debate that was reignited by Monty's remark about letting the club do the work for you, with both sides making compelling cases.

tread softly: "...this exemplifies why the golfing powers-that-be must get their act together.. we are witnessing the surreptitious slithering towards the demise of any artistry, as so elegantly vented by Andrew Coltart in John Huggan's recent column... l would even venture to call it 'back door cheating'."

And on the other side, Smolmania: "14 clubs in the bag. You choose which ones you want to carry. You want 2 drivers, knock your socks off. I carry 5 wedges. Is that "cheating"? Sorry, I just don't see it. There's a lot bigger problems in golf -- the ball, for example? -- that I don't think this is remotely one of them."

A fine point by cmoore: "What if Hogan had decided to carry two drivers: one with lead tape on the heel and one with lead tape on the toe to encourage different ball flight? Would this have caused any controversy? Is there any real difference between the draw/fade bias drivers of today and the lead-taped drivers of the past?"

But then there is this take from St. Pete: "The ball is going so far today as Nicklaus pointed out, that long hitters can take 4 or 5 clubs out of the bag...Jack was correct, players like this can take 4 or 5 clubs out of the bag today because the ball is going to far. And because that is true, Phil has plenty of room in that bag for 3 drivers. Fill er-up please, I'll have another!"

I asked an innocent question about linked stories opening in the existing window or a new window, and new window won 13 to 3, with some votes in between.

Hale Irwin endorsed the USGA's new tiered rough concept, but Glyn noted, "the problem I see getting worse is ability of fans to see the action. The Masters suffered from that this year as 'patrons' had less access due to course lengthening, now they will see less due to rough 'lengthening'?"

Pete the Luddite said that "Hale's comments are especially sad for someone who has spent so much time in the game. Narrower fairways and wider roughs = less fan access. Remember, Hale, that these are the people (aside from the corporate sponsors) who provide those big winner's checks. Driving the fans out of the game (pun intended) is only going to hurt golf in the long run, and further marginalize the sport."

And regarding Bob Verdi's entertaining chat with Fred Couples, who pointed out the silliness of the PGA Tour locking themselves into a 15-year deal with The Golf Channel, reader Chris asked, "How many bars have the golf channel on? None that I've been to."

Whoa Bubba! Vol. 2

Even floggers the blues...Bubba Watson's round 2 totals in the second column...

DRIVING DISTANCE        355.5        320.5            338.0        1
PUTTS PER ROUND        25                34                29.5           T80
PUTTS PER GIR                1.417           2.091           1.739        41
GREENS IN REG                   67             61                63.9          T67
SAND SAVES                        100            33             60.0           T42

K Club Preparations

Jodie Ginsberg of Reuters writes about Ryder Cup preparations at K Club, where Ian Woosnam has brought the Hootie Pine Fungus to the Irish course.

"We have been focusing over the last number of years on strengthening the golf course as a whole," Byrne said in an interview on a rainy day at his K Club office in County Kildare.

"Our emphasis has been on creating long, tight and interesting holes".

And...

Stretched by 300 yards, the par-72 layout will play to around 7,400 for the Ryder Cup, providing more of a challenge for big hitters such as Americans Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Several of the changes made by Byrne's team of 22 permanent greenkeepers were prompted by suggestions from European Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam, who visited last year.

Among these were the addition of 13 new trees at key turning points on six of the holes and the introduction of tightly-mown swales, or collection areas, around eight of the greens.

The installation of tall, mature trees, most notably on 16 and 17, will prevent power drivers of the ball from cutting off the doglegs.

"Now, if a player wants to cut the corner on some of the holes, he's going to have to carry a certain amount of trouble," Byrne said. "You could call that 'Tiger-proof' if you wanted to."

The introduction of the collection areas replaces the deepish rough that existed at the K Club around the greens, rough which demanded the flop shot beloved by many of the leading American players.

With a faster runoff, the swales will provide players with the choice of "a pitch-and-run shot, using the putter or executing a flop shot from a very tight line", Byrne said.

And this is fun...

"Because many of the greens are raised, they're suitable for these runoffs which have actually given the course more of an Irish feel," he added.

"Because a very European-type shot will now often be required, it might be an advantage to European players.'

Oh and take your rain gear...

Byrne is preparing for a worst-case weather scenario in September: an inch of rain every day.

Greens and fairways would be cut with the lightest possible equipment and viewing areas drained and sandcapped to ensure that expected crowds of around 40,000 are able to get round the golf course with their feet relatively dry.

Whoa Bubba!

Key Stats for Bubba Watson  after round 1 at Colonial:

Driving Distance    355.8
Driving Accuracy    71.4%
GIR    66.7%
        
Putts Per GIR    1.417
Avg. Proximity to Pin    25' 4"
Scrambling    66.7%

Update on 2006-05-19 05:13 by Geoff

Bill Nichols writes:

Can't hit a driver at Colonial? Watson used his nine times. On the par-5 No. 1, his drive traveled 391 yards, setting up a birdie. He almost drove the green with his 342-yard shot on the par-4 2nd. He landed just in front of the green with his 355-yard drive on 6, which he birdied, and he went 337 yards on No. 7.

 "It worked to my advantage that I hit it somewhat straight," Watson said. "It could work wonders for me this week. A lot of guys are hitting different clubs. But if you can hit if far enough, some of the holes open up, even though you are hitting out of the rough."

"Isn't there a number between one and 15?"

Fred Couples, talking to Bob Verdi in this week's Golf World:

"I don't understand the new TV deal. We signed for 15 years with The Golf Channel? Isn't there a number between one and 15? Did the NBA sign for 15 years with TNT? How'd we lose ESPN? I also don't get that. What if ESPN decides in three years they want golf again? What does the PGA Tour tell them? Sorry, we're with The Golf Channel until 2021?"

Check out the full column for his thoughts on possibly serving as Ryder Cup captain, and other first rate curmudgeonry. 

OSU Redo Update

An AP story on the renovation of Ohio State's course...

It's Maximalism

My latest Golfdom column on minimalism in architecture is now posted.

Irish Open Spat

Phil Casey reports from the wild and wacky Irish Open where play was suspended due to wind, and at least one strange incident made Paul McGinley's WD for emergency knee surgery that much more aggravating for the classy Irishman:

To make matters worse the 39-year-old Dubliner then discovered he had been accused of gamesmanship by playing partner Kenneth Ferrie, one of his rivals for a Ryder Cup place this September.

While playing the 14th hole in the strong winds which caused play to be suspended for six hours, Ferrie's ball had moved on the green as he surveyed a putt.

Ferrie asked McGinley and Ian Poulter - the third member of the group - for advice, and McGinley told him he should replace the ball in its original position.

However, that advice was incorrect and Ferrie incurred a two-shot penalty when he realised his mistake and called for an official ruling on the next hole.

The 27-year-old was furious with McGinley and sarcastically "thanked" him for the penalty shots which left him six over par at the time.

But McGinley was equally furious with the implications of gamesmanship and released a statement which read: "I am extremely sorry that my playing partner Kenneth Ferrie incurred a two-shot penalty after asking myself and Ian Poulter what he should do when his ball moved on the green.

"We gave our opinions in good faith and I am not going to dignify any accusations of gamesmanship on my behalf as they are totally groundless."

Ferrie also released a statement which read: "While Paul did, in fact, advise me that I could replace my ball on the 14th - which I later realised was inaccurate - at no time did I suggest he had acted improperly as his integrity is beyond question."

Meanwhile James Corrigan in the Independent had this quote from Ian Poulter:

"To accuse Paul of games-manship is the most pathetic thing I've ever heard," he said.

Torrey Pines Saga, Vol. 3012

Tod Leonard reports on the "Natural Resources and Culture Committee" meeting to iron out kinks in the five-year golf proposal that would have benefited everyone but the everyday Torrey Pines golfers.

The San Diego City Council chamber was packed yesterday with golfers voicing their distaste for the five-year proposal on the operation of Torrey Pines and the city's other golf courses. And though they couldn't claim a victory when the Natural Resources & Culture Committee meeting was over, they walked away with the hope of compromise positions and resolution after months of rancorous debate.

The NR&C came to few conclusions – two, to be exact – after more than three hours of testimony. It voted to support a 70 percent to 30 percent resident-to-visitor ratio at Torrey Pines and to create a separate capital improvement fund for a future Torrey Pines clubhouse.

And... 

Councilwoman Toni Atkins said she wanted a more detailed breakdown of the city's assessment of how much it costs per round to maintain the golf courses. She also said she is sympathetic to the concerns of the Torrey Pines men's and women's clubs, which stand to lose half of their current tee times in a proposal made by Mayor Jerry Sanders.

Tiger's Liverpool Lair

Thanks to reader Tuco for the Mirror story on Tiger Woods renting a 19-room hotel near Royal Liverpool, complete with a helipad so that he can make the 60-second...yes, 60-second ride over to the course each day. That has to be a typo! No?