Danny Willett Teams With His Caddie To Win Dunhill Pro-Am!

/

No offense to Tyrrell Hatton, who picked up his first European Tour title in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at St. Andrews. But the even better story involved Masters winner Danny Willett teaming with his caddie Jonathan Smart to win the pro-am title. Taking his looper (and presumably paying his way) probably won't win him too many American fans following last Monday mornings' Tweeting barrage, but it's a start.

The full press release since I couldn't find a story on Willett giving his man the week off to play the pro-am. And followed by a Tweet and European Tour Instagram photo:

ST ANDREWS, October 9, 2016 - Jonathan Smart admitted his hands were shaking as he stood over the four foot putt that was to earn him and Masters champion Danny Willett the US$50,000 first prize in the Alfred Dunhill Links Team Championship at St Andrews.
 
Willett, who usually has Smart as his caddie in every other week of the golfing year, raised his arms in triumph when the putt dropped and then hugged him, saying later: “Jon rose to the occasion and carried me all week. I invited him to have a taste of what it’s like on my side of things and he’s won his first event. He played some great golf.”
 

Smart, a six-handicapper from Sheffield’s Hallamshire Golf Club, holed the decisive putt on the Old Course’s 9th green for a birdie three and said: “That’s the best golf I’ve ever played today and Danny is over the moon for me. But I won’t be getting any percentage of the winnings – he’s already done more than enough for me this week by giving me this treat of playing in such a great event as his amateur partner. It’s been an unbelievable experience.”
 
Willett and Smart started the final day on 26-under-par and shot a 12-under-par round of 60 to clinch the title by one stroke from Polish professional Adrian Meronk and his Swedish amateur partner John Eliasch.

Meronk and Eliasch had started out with a three-shot lead over Willett and Smart but were gradually hauled in by the English pair, who sported matching beige trousers with maroon tops. Playing together in a four-ball, the two teams were tied on 37-under-par when they teed off at their final hole, the 9th. Smart’s birdie blow then decided a titanic struggle.
 

“It was a real matchplay situation for 18 holes,” added Smart. “Those guys kept coming at us. It has been an amazing week for me and I cannot believe that we’ve won. But I’ve definitely experienced a little of the nerves that Danny has to cope with in every tournament. Now I’ll appreciate what he’s got to go through a little bit more. It’s been a real insight and so enjoyable.
 
“On that last hole my hands were shaking when I was trying to line the ball up.  When you're telling someone what to do, it's a lot simpler than having to do it yourself. It has all been just very surreal.  I could not believe how nervous I was coming down those last few holes.  And to win an event with Dan, here, has just been unreal.”
 

Willett, who missed the cut in the individual tournament, added: “It's been great fun.  I've obviously not played great golf myself.  I showed a few bits every now and again but luckily that's what this format is for us as a team, dovetailing well, which we did.”
 
Cricket legend Sir Ian Botham, playing with English professional David Horsey, and Fifty Shades of Grey actor Jamie Dornan, who played with individual winner Tyrrell Hatton, were among the three teams who shared fourth place in the team competition.

National Trust Lists Lions Muny For Historic Preservation

/

The National Trust for Historic Preservation says Muny is a civil rights landmark, aiding the "Save Muny" fight to preserve Austin's Lions Municipal. The course faces redevelopment by the University of Texas, which owns the land and leases it back to the city of Austin.

Ralph Haurwitz of the Austin American Statesman reports the positive news.

The National Trust, a private, nonprofit organization based in Washington, also included El Paso’s Chihuahuita and El Segundo Barrio Neighborhoods on its annual list of 11 sites. The core of that city’s cultural identity is threatened with demolition of homes and small businesses, the group said.

Lions Municipal, also known as Muny, is considered one of the earliest municipal golf courses in the former Confederate states to be desegregated, if not the first. At the recommendation of the Texas Historical Commission, the National Park Service added Muny to the National Register of Historic Places in July.

Greg Norman Shares His Hurricane Matthew Checklist

/

In this time we are all thinking about our friends in Florida bracing for Hurricane Matthew. 

Greg Norman has taken time away from (hopefully) moving his chainsaws to safety, all so he could share a few helpful pointers.

 

ShackHouse 22: Ryder Cup Wrap

/

With so much going on on in golf we have plenty to kick around (our guest for this week had a tight schedule and we wanted to have a longer chat with him).

So it's just House and myself with Ryder Cup, Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and Arnold Palmer on our minds.

As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page.

Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 22 is here to listen to right now!

The ShackHouse Stitcher page.

The Ringer's ShackHouse page with all of the info and links you can dream of.

ShackHouse is presented by Callaway Golf, who are offering listeners free shipping on ANY ORDER through callawaygolf.com using the Promo code HOUSE.

HOUSE!

Go to CallawayGolf.com and enjoy that free shipping.

Free shipping!

Also, here is the link to the Scarface online film mentioned in episode 22.

We also want to thank Athletes Collective, which makes a great longsleeve for the fall, plus a sensational new V-neck for working out. They are making solid, comfortable, logo-free and incredibly low-priced athletic wear out of the latest tech fabrics. Use promo code House for 15% off your first order. And check out their even-more-economical bundles. Now!

And of course, the same endorsement goes for MeUndies, so work that promo code House for your first order!

Last but not least, Harry's is a sensational source for blades, balms and other necessities at a great price.

Go to Harry's.com and get the Free Trial Set plus, with the HOUSE code, get the amazing post-shave balm too.

Finally, this ends the official run of ShackHouse for 2016, but we'll be popping up this fall and winter with the occasional episode. Please, don't hesitate to offer up a review on iTunes or here, and give us your thoughts on how to make the show better. Thanks for listening!

Tommy's Honour Coming To U.S. Theaters In March 2017

/

Look out Tin Cup! We may only get thirty chances to see you next year! How will Cheech get by without those residuals!?

Anyway, I can't wait to see the film adaptation of one of my favorite books. You can see clips of it here and read this Q&A with author Kevin Cook from earlier this year.

For Immediate Release:

ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS ACQUIRES “TOMMY’S HONOUR”

Deal includes unique partnership with NBC Sports to promote “Tommy’s Honour” from theatrical release through its debut on Golf Channel

September 20, 2016 – Roadside Attractions has acquired from Gutta Percha Productions the U.S. rights to TOMMY’S HONOUR, the critically-acclaimed drama that was the Gala Opening Night film at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. The film is about the real-life founders of the modern game of golf and is directed by Jason Connery (THE PHILLY KID, 51, THE DEVIL’S TOMB). Pamela Marin and Kevin Cook wrote the screenplay, an adaptation from Cook's acclaimed book of the same name, which won the United States Golf Association's Book of the Year award in 2007. Keith Bank of KB Partners (HEAVEN IS A PLAYGROUND), who negotiated the deal, serves as producer along with Bob Last of Holdings Ecosse (L’ILLUSIONISTE, SUNSET SONG), Jim Kreutzer of Wind Chill Media Group (JUST WRITE, LAST GREAT RIDE) and Tim Moore of Top Dawg Productions (SULLY, AMERICAN SNIPER, GRAN TORINO, INVICTUS).  Tony award winner Kenneth Whitney executive produces with Keith Bank. The film will be released theatrically on March 24, 2017.

Roadside’s deal covers theatrical, DVD, VOD and pay rights with Golf Channel securing basic cable rights..Beginning with the theatrical release, there will be strong synergies between Roadside, Golf Channel and NBC Sports Group to maximize exposure during televised golf tournaments, via its digital reach with sports fans and other key promotional opportunities.  International Sales are being handled by Timeless Films.

TOMMY’S HONOUR is an intimate and powerfully moving story of the fractured relationship between Scotland’s Golf Royalty -- Tom and Tommy Morris, the dynamic father-son team who ushered in the modern game of golf.  

Matching his father’s success by winning his first of four Opens  at the age of 17, Tommy’s (Jack Lowden, DUNKIRK, '71, DENIAL ) flamboyance and fame outshine Tom’s (BAFTA nominee Peter Mullan) stellar playing record and respect as founder of the first Open Championship and local caddie master, greenskeeper and club and ball maker. Set against the early days of the sport and stunning landscape of Scotland, the story speaks to the universal themes that still exist today -- familial disharmony, class struggle and complicated love stories. Tom’s jealousy of his son’s success taints their personal relationship but together their professional relationship is front-page news.  Against Tom’s wishes, Tommy rebels against both the aristocracy led by R & A chief Alexander Boothby (Sam Neill, JURASSIC PARK, THE PIANO) and against his parent’s wishes in his compelling yet tragic relationship with Meg Drinnen (Ophelia Lovibond, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, MAN UP).

"We're very excited to release this emotional and beautiful film set in the sport's original home of Scotland.  We expect it will appeal to both the smart film crowd and golf aficionados alike," said Howard Cohen, Co-President of Roadside Attractions.