"Online Soapbox"

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Golf Digest features their "risk takers" of golf and yes, in a moment of synergistic harmony that will have you muttering conspiracy theories, includes yours truly. If it's any consolation, when Ron Whitten called to interview me he had no idea about a possible partnership between my site and GolfDigest.com.

Thanks to reader Tim for sending the link.

"Greenkeepers should also cut two holes on half of the greens, especially in club competitions. The golfer could play to the one nearest the place the ball finishes."

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Lorne Rubenstein doesn't sound too enthused about Mark King's suggestion to re-write the rules of golf and offers his own sarcastic rebuttal that sounds eerily similar to the serious proposal from the Flogton folks.

Thanks to reader John for a long overdue link to a Rubenstein column!

Amateurs who cannot prove they can carry the ball 175 yards should be forced to play courses no longer than 5,000 yards. All amateurs should be allowed to carry as many clubs as they want. If they want to drive a cart alone with two bags full of clubs, the rules should enable that. Just think what that would do for the equipment industry.

The amateur golfer should be allowed 10 do-overs a round. Moreover, the amateur who does not break 100 at least once every 10 rounds should be allowed to try every shot twice. Why should golf be so onerous, when even a pro baseball player gets three strikes before he’s outta there.

Then there’s sand. Amateurs hate sand, even with 60-degree wedges, a club that helps Phil Mickelson, not Phil Flail. An amateur should be allowed three toss-outs a round. The rules must allow no more than one shot in a bunker. Should the golfer not get out on the first try, the rules must compel a throw toward the hole. Underhand, sidearm or overhand would be allowed.

Meanwhile, consider the dimensions of the hole. There’s no reason, other than hundreds of years of history, that the hole should be so small. Double the size, at least. Make it square. Greenkeepers should also cut two holes on half of the greens, especially in club competitions. The golfer could play to the one nearest the place the ball finishes.

Cliffs Developer Says $150 Million Already Spent On Tiger Project

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With a project completion date of 2013 now, according to Keith Jarrett and Mark Barrett (thanks reader George for the link):

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!