It Really Sounds Like They May Not Play In Scottsdale Thursday
/Slugger White doesn't sound too optimistic about much golf being played, according to this unbylined Arizona Republic story.
In golf construction art and utility meet; both are absolutely vital; one is utterly ruined without the other. GEORGE THOMAS
It’s back!
Twenty years later Tatra Press has kindly allowed me to bring back Grounds For Golf now that golf architecture is of more interest to the masses. A new Introduction looks at what’s driven the interest growth and two new chapters I had a blast adding (plus a few edits to keep things up-to-date).
The Amazon purchase page for the book arriving June 15, 2026.
Steele: "I was trying to be really careful and people jump all over you no matter what you say about him."
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Ron Kapriske caught up with Brendan Steele, who was quoted by SI as suggesting Tiger wasn't giving his round his "full attention" Sunday at Torrey Pines. He's asking for a mulligan.Brush With HD Rules Violation Files: “I might advise Bubba to stand a bit farther from the ball in the future."
/John Feinstein analyzes the dynamics of the PGA Tour employing one official each week to monitor telecasts and reveals there was a situation with Bubba Watson on Sunday:
Read MoreAcushnet Sale NOT Imminent
/Bob Weeks says rumors of a Nike purchase of the Acushnet family of brands is not imminent and I can confirm from a person of knowledge that nothing is close to happening on that front. Sorry Bill Ackman.
Read MoreFrom The It's Rees, Not Reese Files
/Somehow I just picture Open Doctor Rees Jones turning into Harvey Korman in Blazing Saddles when he goes to Charleston National for a check up. It's Rees, not Reese!
Courtesy of reader Tim:
Golf Channel Gets New Head
/According to this Multichannel.com item he's Mike McCarley, NBC Sports' head of marketing/branding/communications. Whew! I was worried they might hire someone from the production side or worse, with a background in golf!
Read MoreCliffs Developer Says $150 Million Already Spent On Tiger Project
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The Cliffs' Asheville region director of sales, Mac Triplett, said Monday that 42 home sites have been sold in a development that features 1,000 to 1,200 lots. Sales officially opened in November 2008.
“That's not exactly correct,” said Anthony. “It's definitely true that all real estate sales are slow, but we brought in a construction group, and now the mass grading (of five holes and the driving range) are two-thirds complete.”
Mass grading. A real walk in the park!
“Everything in their family that had been built around golf was just taken away from one day to the next."
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The Jhonattan Vegas stories keep coming (and don't get old!), first Sean Martin wrote up this profile from the Hope and now he's getting the full New York Times treatment from Larry Dorman.Above Torrey And Beyond
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J.D. Cuban went up in the blimp Saturday at Torrey Pines and captured the idyllic weather, the epic setting, the incredible wildlife (proving CBS doesn't just rack up a tape!) and a warning to young children and those with heart sensitivities: unfettered views of the South Course bunkering.
Callaway Analyst: "Apparently, now shareholders must simply be expected to pay management regardless of the level of performance.”
/My Golf Spy posts analyst Casey Alexander (Gilford Securities) take on the Callaway's brass compensating themselves even as the company underperforms.
Read MoreTalking Golf With Rod Morri: Flogton Edition
/Rod Morri invited John Huggan and myself on his Talking Golf show to discuss the state of the game and Tiger's game, but leads off with former Sun Microsystems CEO Scott McNeely who appeared to discuss the Alternative Golf Association that he's backing.
Read More"Paulson Group’s Maui Resort, PGA West File Bankruptcy"
/Looks like they got it sorted out over the mezzanine debt and the bankruptcy stage has kicked in for the elite group of upscale resorts that includes Doral, Wailea, PGA West, etc... Thanks to Peggy for this Tiffany Kary story.
Read MoreMickelson...says he is now past the point of making mechanical changes and is focused on shaping shots and playing by feel."
/In his report from Torrey Pines, SI's Alan Shipnuck notes the contrast between hyper-technical Tiger versus Bubba Watson's more natural approach. And apparently, Phil's.
One of the game's most natural players has been obsessing about his swing with instructor Butch Harmon since the spring of 2007. Mickelson, 40, says he is now past the point of making mechanical changes and is focused on shaping shots and playing by feel. The ease and clarity with which he competed at Torrey was in stark contrast to the plight of Woods, who began the third swing overhaul of his career last summer.
First, Dave Pelz gets put on waivers and now maybe Butch?
“Chicago doesn’t seem to have a great golf club.”**
/Yes, I decided that 30 minutes of torture was in order so I watched Golf Channel's Wonderful Wide (Boy The Donald is wide these days) World of Donald Trump, or whatever they call it.
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