Lost In Translation

Jim Achenbach at the Dinah Shore, or, well you know what I mean, writing about the language issue for many foreign players:

Language barrier would be an understatement. I was lost in the labyrinth of rising and falling inflections that inhabit the Korean language.

Of course, Ahn had a translator, who happened to be her agent, Vicki Lee.

Ahn was asked about changes in her attitude on the golf course. She fought for two minutes to explain herself.

Then came the predictable five-second translation: "She has fun. She is a little more lighthearted."

"I believe they were necessary"

From Ron Sirak's Golf World profile of new Masters Chairman Billy Payne:

The course changes under Johnson--criticized by, among others Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, who are members and winners of a combined 10 Masters--get Payne's approval. "I believe they were necessary," he says. "This course should never be reduced to driver-pitching wedge as it was becoming." He adds, however, a rolled-back Masters ball is still possible if another distance explosion occurs.

A follow-up for Wednesday's press conference: Do you believe the "second cut" and added trees are integral to preventing the course from being reduced to a driver-wedge design?

I know, I know...he won't say. 

For Sale: A Donald Ross For $1.6 Million

Ray Finger reports on the city of Elmira, New York possibly putting Mark Twain Golf Course up for sale.

Elmira is looking for investors interested in buying and operating the Mark Twain Golf Course if the city decides to sell the facility that is valued at $1.6 million.

The municipal golf course is among several city assets that include a former post office building and vacant parcels on Hudson Street that officials are considering selling to help eliminate a $3 million deficit, City Manager John Burin said.

As of Thursday, six information packages were being mailed to people who have expressed interest in the possible purchase of the golf course, Burin said during Elmira City Council's biweekly workshop. Interest is coming from California, North Carolina and the local area, he said.

When City Council meets Monday, it will amend an earlier resolution that starts the process for officials to explore the possibility of selling the golf course. The meeting is to begin at 7 p.m. at Elmira City Hall.

"This is another step in the process that we have to take to be able to make the decision whether or not we will be selling the golf course," Burin said.

And... 

The 204-acre, 18-hole golf course located in the town of Horseheads was designed by renowned golf course architect Donald Ross. Its potential sale would include equipment storage buildings and the 8,166-square-foot clubhouse that has an apartment, snack bar and men's and ladies' locker rooms.

"That's a steal, $1.6 million," said Councilman John Corsi, R-3rd District, retired manager of the golf course. He asked whether state approval was needed to permit the sale and how long that might take.

"Tiger Woods is cherry picking his way into history?"

That's the question a bold (but unsigned) GolfWire commentary asks:

 Is it too late to change our mind on the question of whether or not Tiger Woods is cherry picking his way into history?

 A third straight victory at Doral Resort and Spa's Blue Course Sunday in the WGC-CA Championship suggests that Woods, smart man that he is, might be building a resume largely filled with tournaments he knows he can win.

Why is this bad? Well, we're not saying it is.

Doesn't he have a right, as an independent contractor, to set his schedule as he sees fit? Oh, yeah, he does.

Aren't there always horses for courses? Yep, and Woods is a thoroughbred on several of them, including that little old invitational next week in Augusta, Ga., where he has won four times already.

So why bring this up at all? Call it a gut feeling, akin to watching a waterfall. You know all about the path of least resistance. Water goes where it won't be impeded. Woods seems to be doing the same -- not that he is avoiding good competition on the way to winning 12 majors and 57 PGA Tour titles. In fact, he usually only competes in the tournaments with the best quality fields.

The Brand Lady...

...I'm sad to say, chose not to give a "state of the LPGA Tour" press conference at this week's Dinah Shore (or whatever it's called).

A sad, sad day. At least there's last year's classic to relive.

Update on 2007-03-30 13:53 by Geoff

A reader chimed in that this is the first time since at least 1990 that the LPGA Commissioner did not use the Dinah Shore to do a "State of the Tour" press conference.

Nothing A Full Field Can't Fix

SI.com's golf.com's Gary Van Sickle is the latest to weigh in on the sad state of the World Golf Championship events. As it relates to the recent debate over the AT&T National, Van Sickle notes that the WGC's have often been plagued by run-away wins, something easily curable by larger fields:

In a full field, half a dozen players shoot lights-out every day. In a half-field, only two or three do. Golf leaderboards are exciting because they're bunched, and that's a function of the numbers. With a full field, it's going to be more like the Tour de France — no one usually breaks away from the pack without taking a half-dozen pursuers with him. In a half field, well, Tiger or Darren Clarke or someone else can break away from the field and win in a runaway.

Golf Digest Launches Masters Coverage

Groundbreaking stuff here, but it appears GolfDigest.com is actually going to start the serious online Masters coverage before the first tee shot Thursday when people have been known to go to the Internet for insights into what's happening on-site. I know, revolutionary.

They have some interesting looking blogs set up. A main Masters blog and a photo blog inviting reader photos from the event. And Bob Carney covers some other Masters related info in the "Editor's blog."

A Joe McNally photo from the Masters blog. Because we miss him already...

 

PGA Tour Returns To ESPN!

Well, sort of. Granted it's Big-Break-style programming, but a start. Oh and what's the "Challenge Event" schedule?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2007

PGA TOUR SIGNS MULTI-YEAR DEAL WITH
PEOPLE vs. THE PROS GOLF EVENT

Amateur Golfers to Compete Head-to-Head Against
PGA TOUR Professionals in Challenge Event

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – People vs. the Pros, a unique tournament that features amateur golfers competing head-to-head against professionals from the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour, will continue its four-year run on ESPN as a multi-year deal was announced today by PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem.

The participants and site date of this year’s event will be announced in the near future.

“We are pleased to add the People vs. the Pros to our Challenge Event schedule,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “It is a format that the players have enjoyed competing in over the past four years, and we look forward to seeing PGA TOUR and Champions Tour players competing in the years to come.”

“We have enjoyed developing the People vs. the Pros series over the last four years and our thanks go to the PGA TOUR for rewarding our event by making it part of the Challenge Event schedule,” said Andy Batkin, CEO of the Manhattan Beach, CA-based Innovative Media Solutions, creators of People vs. the Pros. “To have our unique event sanctioned by the TOUR validates our vision to provide a fully integrated media and marketing platform for our sponsors.”

The first People vs. the Pros tournament was held in 2003 at Lake Las Vegas Resort in Las Vegas, NV. John Daly defeated his amateur opponent, but golf legend Lee Trevino was defeated by his amateur opponent, validating the concept.

The 2004 event was held at historic Pinehurst Resort & Spa in Pinehurst, NC. Daly defended his title and the colorful Gary McCord was the Champions Tour player. The final matches were played on the legendary No. 2 course at Pinehurst, site of the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Opens. Daly and McCord were both defeated by their amateur opponents.

The 2005 event was held at Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin, TX. Justin Leonard was the PGA TOUR pro, while Ben Crenshaw represented the Champions Tour. The final matches were held on the Tom Fazio-designed Foothills course. Leonard won his match 4 and 3, while Crenshaw was taken all the way to the 18^th hole, prevailing 1-up.

Last year’s event returned to Pinehurst’s No. 2 course, where two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen, the world’s third-ranked player, and McCord, in his second appearance in the event, both won their matches.

The format for People vs. the Pros features more than 200 amateur players competing over three days in a 54-hole stroke-play competition utilizing handicaps. The players are divided into two divisions: 49-and-under and the over-50 division, with each division producing a champion.

On the fourth day of the tournament, the amateur champions play an 18-hole match against the professionals representing the PGA TOUR and the Champions Tour. The matches are taped for telecast later on ESPN. The winners each receive $50,000 designated to the charity of their choice.

The event is open to U.S. and Canadian amateur golfers over 18 years of age with an established handicap; players can reserve a place in the tournament on the tournament website, www.pvpgolf.com.

TPC Boston Update

Jim McCabe checks in with Gil Hanse and the gang at TPC Boston for a construction update, and the Globe's golf writer sounds excited.

"If it feels older and looks more rustic, then we've done our job. That would be a great compliment," said Hanse, whose work at TPC Boston is a convenient starting point to a local golf season ready to blossom. After a brief blast of snow, slush, and ice, brown grass and soft, mushy turf is at our feet, and golf courses are slowly, but surely coming out of winter hibernation.

TPC Boston isn't quite ready for play, but soon it will be. In the meantime, Hanse and his colleagues have the place virtually to themselves.

His star in the world of course architecture was considered bright by those within the sport's inner circles years ago, but thanks to his exquisite work at The Boston Golf Club in Hingham, Hanse is no longer a secret. He and Wagner -- a vice president and design partner in Hanse Golf Course Design, Inc. -- are involved in projects in California and Nebraska, and just returned from Scotland. Still, their commitment to TPC Boston has been nothing short of consuming, given that they jumped into the project within two weeks of Tiger Woods's victory last Labor Day and are still there, almost on a daily basis.

"When people ask what we're doing, it's been said that we're trying to New Englandize it, if that's even a word," said Hanse, who was busy Tuesday shaping a bunker at the 11th hole. Somewhere on site, Wagner was busy with another bunker, because if this project is about anything, it's bunkers.

This ought to catch and infuriate some dumb unprepared Tour player:

Hanse did that by combining a series of small bunkers in some spots, such as to the left of the first hole, which is now a large, rugged-looking hazard. But in some cases, a bunker was added, which brings us to the hole story in the 18th fairway.

"One of the really cool things they've done with the bunkers is to bring back some places where you really have to think before you swing," said Baldwin, acknowledging what has been a critique of the course, that it was more of a blast-away course and less of a shot-maker's dream.

Wagner gets credit for putting more strategy into the 18th with the shaping of a steep, links-like pot bunker in the middle of what would be the layup area at the long, par-5 18th. Long hitters will still rip for the green in two, but those playing it as a three-shot hole must take caution because that 20-by-25 feet of sandy real estate will put a bite into your score.

"It's just a cool pot bunker," said Brodeur. He concedes that he's overwhelmed by some of the changes, one of his favorites being the par-4 17th. It was a hard dogleg left that benefited long hitters who could cut the corner, but it now puts a premium on the approach shot, with a new green that is a mere 3,300-square feet.

And...

Hanse also has overseen a handful of sweeping changes, such as the cross-bunker at the par-5 seventh, a large expanse that begins roughly 140 yards from the green and runs 40 yards deep toward the green. And the stonewall work done at the par-3 16th and behind the green at the par-3 third? Baldwin and Brodeur think they add a mature, distinctive look that courses as young as TPC Boston (it opened in June 2002) rarely have.

Mizuno Must Be Proud...

...the equipment maker sponsors GolfweekTV's must-not-see-TV, but for how much longer after this week's edition of Preferred Lies features editor Dave "Mute Point" Seanor and anchor Jay Coffin holding a spit-into-the-cup contest in tribute to Sergio Garcia.

Classy stuff.

The Donald: "Golf Digest is a disgrace to their profession."

Trump in today's New York Post, talking about Trump International's not-so-stunning departure from the Top 100:

"Golf Digest is a disgrace to their profession. They should be ashamed of themselves," Trump told Page Six. On its last list, Golf Digest, published by Conde Nast, placed the 27-hole West Palm Beach course on 200-plus acres at No. 84. This year it was banished, he said, as a result of a tense Nov. 28 meeting he had at Trump Tower with the magazine's publisher, Thomas Bair.

"Bair came to my office and told me the only way I'll get the ratings I deserve was if I advertised. I said, 'No thanks' and sent him on his way," Trump recalled. "Can you believe it? The magazine had already told me that I have built the best new courses in this country in years - but then they say I have to advertise to make it in? It's unbelievable." Trump said Golf Digest honchos have also been down on him because he featured the editors of rival Golf Magazine in episodes of "The Apprentice."

Yes, that's something to envy.

Bair refused to comment, but Golf Digest editor Jerry Tarde said of Trump, "I think he's kidding. He knows it never happened. Nobody can buy their way on the list."

Shoot, no one understands the list either! Nice Post typo here:

Gold Digest flack Andrew Katcher said the ratings were tabulated from the opinions of 800 players, and insisted, "It just came down to the numbers and nothing that Trump International did wrong. In fact, Trump International missed by just a few hundredths of a point."

And this is interesting:

Trump was further infuriated when he learned that Golf Digest had gloated about his course's demise in a story pitch it made to Page Six. In that e-mail, Katcher crowed: "I suspect Mr. Trump will be extremely displeased when he learns of this . . . Depending on what he says, we thought this could be a fun - and potentially biting - piece."

Trump responded to that: "They are using my name to try to get publicity for themselves. It's despicable they send out a release to announce Trump is not on their list. For shame!" The club, where memberships go for $350,000 and up, was rated by Florida Golf Magazine as "the best course in Florida."

Oops. Almost makes you feel sorry for The Donald that they're sending out releases to Page Six. Almost. 

A Few Rambling Golf Digest Ranking Thoughts...

• I know I say this every time, but it's very hard to get past Medinah No. 3 as the 11th best course in America, ahead of Sand Hills, National Golf Links, Fishers Island, and Pinehurst. You can find more subtly, character and nuance in one hole than Medinah has in all 18. There's a reason Medinah has constantly been under construction (and surely will be again someday soon.)

• The GolfClubAtlas gang is perplexed by Riviera's drop to No. 61, from 47th in 2005 and somewhere in the mid-20s in 2003. Apparently they've forgotten that a certain architect has treated George Thomas's masterful design like a Rottweiler treats a fire hydrant? Is this really that difficult to understand?
  
  
• San Francisco Golf Club drops six spots after a restrained, first-class restoration by Tom Doak and crew? Depressing.
  

• Of the courses leaving the list (box left), Crooked Stick is the only surprise. More stunning is the continued exclusion of Baltimore Country Club (Five Farms) and Eastward Ho!  Resistance to Scoring has to be killing those two.

• Speaking of the most ridiculous of all architectural evaluation categories, check out the bottom ten of 2007's top 100 in resistance to scoring: Laurel Valley, Kittansett, Estancia, Camargo, Maidstone, Milwaukee, Sage Valley, Sanctuary, Shoreacres, and Valley Club. Four of those courses would rate in the all-time most fun (they're in bold, in case there was any doubt). I'd consider each a model for ideal design. They're walkable, fun, quirky, enjoyable for all and filled with just enough nuance to keep a good player honest.
  

• Ron Whitten writes: "In just the past two years, a number of former 100 Greatest courses have undergone major remodeling programs, including Atlanta Athletic Club, Bel-Air, Bellerive, Jupiter Hills, Oak Tree and Stanwich (Golf Digest's Best New Remodel of 2006). All that these courses need now are the minimum 40 panelist evaluations to qualify for reconsideration on the 100 Greatest."  Bel-Air undergoing major remodeling the last two years? Try the last forty!  
  
  
• Ron Whitten writes: "The lesson for contenders and pretenders: If you're not improving, you're probably not moving. Not onto America's 100 Greatest, at least."  Now, I'm all for the restoration movement and blowing up dogs like Bellerive, but is constant improvement a message that needs to be sent?  Thoughts?
  

"The future of the tournament, and the way a new generation is introduced to the game...rests in Payne's hands."

Michael Bamberger on new Masters chairman Billy Payne:

It's a tricky thing, what Payne wants to pull off. Frank Chirkinian, the famously innovative former producer of the Masters telecast for CBS, has described the tournament as great theater on the world's most beautiful stage, with amazing characters and an unknown outcome. For years it has been delicious. Too many lay-up shots out of the rough could kill the delicate balance of brawn and touch that made the thing so special in the first place. Too much exposure could too. The Internet is many things, but grand it's not. The future of the tournament, and the way a new generation is introduced to the game, to some significant degree rests in Payne's hands. He says that making good decisions is all about having a vision, listening well and "surrounding yourself with a good team." Clifford Roberts would never have said it that way, but he would have thought it. The new guy has the same mandate that Roberts did. Billy Payne's not trying to sell a thing-except a great game, a spring golf tournament and the club that hosts it.

Tour Preserves Integrity Of 4.5 Hour Round By Making AT&T National An Invitational

Rex Hoggard reports that the Tiger Woods-hosted AT&T National will be an invitational field, meaning we won't be subjected to those deadly 5-hour rounds. Oh, and there's just one more week of rankings security for the world's top 50. They need it!

"It's such a cool hang"

Tim Rosaforte's latest Tour Insider column features a fascinating tale of woe that started with a minor mistake in referring to Brett Wetterich's home course during his NBC segment. And now through the grave grace of God, he's managed to milk a 1150 word column featuring a modest 30 self references. Ah, the power of the Internet.

We've got this plan to play at McArthur, because Nicky has the greens rolling at 13-plus, and BW is getting ready for his first Masters. We shook hands and he said, "I just wish I made a few more putts," looking more down than up for a guy who just finished second in a World Golf Championship event. I told him what Price had said, and that put a smile on his face. What I didn't tell him was that I totally butchered a line on NBC, saying that Medalist was Nick Price's club.

The Medalist is Greg Norman's club, where Brett has had a membership since he was playing the Nationwide Tour. McArthur is the club next door that Nick did with Tom Fazio. Those who know golf immediately picked up the difference, I'm sure. It's like calling Shinnecock The National.

Actually, I was thinking it sounded more like calling the TPC Sawgrass The Villages. Anyway... 

Now I don't want to blame my faux pas on anyone, knowing it occurred because I broke the Jimmy Roberts' credo about talking slow. But I will say that just as I was delivering the information about Wetterich, Phil and Amy Mickelson showed up, stood behind the cameraman, and started mugging like two kids, popping up and down on both sides of the camera, making silly faces.

Oh those hucksters!

Phil was really there to see what I was going to say about him working with Butch Harmon, but that bit came later. And since it was late in the final round, and no time for small talk with Jimmy, I didn't get a chance to clean up that double I made referring to Nick Price's club.

That's McArthur, where one of my best friends, Kevin Murphy, is the head pro. Where they invite me to play in one of the best two-day events in golf, The Milk Jug. It's such a cool hang, so Nick Price in low-keyness, that there was a rumor Tiger wanted to buy up the rest of the memberships and call it his club when he moves to Jupiter Island.

Okay, sine that last sentence started to sound like a cross between Borat and Ali G, it's only appropriate to  feed this excerpt to the Ali G tranzlata...

we've got dis plan to play at mcarthur, coz nicky as da greens rollin at 13-plus, and bw is gettin ready fa is first masters. we shook ands and he said, "i just wish i made a few more putts," checkin more down than up fa a geeza who just finished second in a world golf championship event. i told im wot price did ave said, and dat put a smile on is face. wot i didn't tell im was dat i totally butchered a line on nbc, sayin dat medalist was nick price's cukabilly.

da medalist is greg norman's cukabilly, where brett as did ave a membership since he was playin da nationwide tour. mcarthur is da cukabilly next doa dat nick did wiv tom fazio. those who know golf immediately picked up da difference, me is sure. it's dig callin shinnecock da national.

now i don't dig to blame me faux pas on anyone, knowin it occurred coz i broke da jimmy roberts' credo about bangin slow. but i will say dat just as i was deliverin da information about wetterich, phil and amy mickelson showed up, stood behind da cameraman, and started muggin der two kids, poppin up and down on bof sides of da camera, makin silly faces. phil was for real there to check wot i was goin to say about im angin wiv butch armon, but dat bit came lata. and since it was late in da final round, and no time fa small natta wiv jimmy, i didn't get a chance to clean up dat double i made referrin to nick price's cukabilly.

innit mcarthur, where one of my wickedest boys, kevin murphy, is da ead pro. where dey invite me to play in one of da wickedest two-day events in golf, da milk jug. it's such a wicked ang, so nick price in low-keyness, dat there was a ruma tiga wanted to purchase up da chill of da memberships and call it is cukabilly whun he moves to jupita island.