"Oh yeah, there were plenty of guys on the Nationwide Tour who smoked in the middle of the round...We always talked about it. You could go in the Porta John and take your drags."

It's always fun to read a well done player profile, especially when the player is interesting and his story is bound to have men in Oxford's running around PGA Tour offices trying to figure out the spin.

So while all the stuff Dave Shedloski tells us about in the Robert Garrigus story--Memphis last year, the 2011 U.S. Open and his struggle with addiction--these are the comments bound to be brought up the next time Tim Finchem claims that PGA Tour pros are all angels and drug testing was unnecessary.

Read More

"He was our best player and maybe our worst dresser."

Mike O'Malley notes that it's the 10th anniversary of Pete Farricker's passing. The former equipment editor for Golf Digest was one of the game's great characters. I had the privilege of working with Pete on a project for the 1995 PGA Championship program and loved talking about the game with him. Worth reading if you didn't know the man is Jerry Tarde's salute from the September, 2001 column.
Read More

What A Relief: Tiger Inks Deal With Japan Pain Cream Brand!

The blue chips may start lining up now that agent Mark Steinberg reportedly stops the itching, err...bleeding because, according to his Keeler Darren Rovell, the agent has locked up Japanese pain cream brand Vantelin Kowa for Tiger's first post-accident endorsement deal.

A moment of silence is in order for the ten-percenters at IMG who must be feeling the pain today after losing both Tiger, Mark Steinberg and now, Vantelin Kowa.

And if you had Vantelin Kowa in the pool--collect!

Rolfing's Relentless Shilling For Kapalua Could Subside; Fate Of Charitable Beneficiary Status Unclear

Robert Collias of the Maui News obtained a Mark Rolfing email revealing that Tim Finchem's deep-sea fishing buddy will no longer serve in the breathtakingly conflicted capacity as tournament announcer, tournament organizer and presumably, charitable beneficiary of the season opening Hyundai Tournament of Champions. The story does not make clear if Rolfing's foundation will continue to benefit from the event.

"The PGA Tour and its title sponsor, Hyundai, have decided to take a new direction with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions' management, including bringing in a new executive director," he wrote. "I will be assisting with the transition and will provide counsel to the PGA Tour and tournament staff when requested.

"However, I will no longer be serving in my former capacity as tournament organizer. I would like to thank each and every one of you for the support you gave me and your help in making the 2011 Hyundai Tournament of Champions a truly special event."

Interestingly, Collias notes that he spoke to Rolfing a week ago and there was no indication that such a move would be made by the tour.

Golf Girls "Tribute" To Golf Boys Confirms Hellaciousness Of The Original Video?

I would like to say a tribute was inevitable, but considering how painful the "Golf Boys" video was and how it mercifully escaped our collective consciousness (not before 1.8 million views), it is with great regret that I ask you: is this tribute a spoof or an admiring tribute? Honestly, I can't tell. I must be getting old.