Golf fans rejoice, I am back and have a lot to talk about. I've had software problems and was hoping that the editor would pen an article previewing the Masters, but alas the said piece never materialized as my editor spent the weekend in the dentist chair….The Masters begins with the annual par 3 tourney today and TV cameras make their debut in what should be a very interesting 9 holes. The winner of the par 3 has never gone on to capture the Masters. In 1990, Raymond Floyd had a three shot lead with four holes to play, but lost in a heartbreaking playoff to Nick Faldo.
This writer's favorite Masters occurred in 1987, the year Larry Mize hit the chip shot which a stunned Greg Norman can only watch as he dream is denied one more time…….What do Aaron Olberholser, Lee Janzen, Rocco Mediate, Lucas Glover, and Fred Couples have in common? They prefer to play golf a-natural, which is gloveless. Bob Estes was in this group until last week in Houston, he donned a glove for the first time in his professional career…..
I am a big fan of opposite tournaments on the P.G.A. tour, which allow veteran pros the opportunity to compete on the big circuit. In Puerto Rico, longtime journeymen Joel Edwards, Phil Taturangi, Mike Heinen, Dan Forsman and Willie Wood all made appearances in what has become a rarity for older non-exempt professionals….
I have been watching a lot of the European Tour this year and have enjoyed seeing our overseas brethren ply their trade. The commentary is quite different in comparison to the often extremely chatty talking heads we have become accustomed to listening every weekend on the PGA Tour. During a telecast, the announcers often lapse into intervals of silence which sometimes last for as long as 30 seconds! The European Tour players have a very bold style of fashion unlike the majority of bland cookie cutter fashions favored by there PGA Tour counterparts. Argyles and plaids are commonplace, as are brightly colored trousers featuring bold hues: orange, canary yellow, and fuchsia!
Commenting on fashion, I have to mention Woody Austin who must be color blind or he never looks into the mirror prior to leaving for the golf course. Woody, the former bank teller, used to sport those hideous Tabasco shirts featuring what seemed like hundreds of little Tabasco bottles. At the Zurich, I noticed he had a tri-color shirt with palettes that didn’t quite match. Other players who have committed fashion faux paus include Craig Barlow who wears high-water khakis and Duffy Waldorf's shirts with colors patterns that hurt the naked eye!....
Greg Kraft captured the Puerto Rican Open in his 378 event on tour, which must have seemed like an eternity to the veteran touring pro. Dr Dirt a.k.a. Brad Bryant broke through in his 515th professional event at the Disney Classic. I did some research on PGATour.com and complied a list of the top 5 pros who have made the most starts without a win: Skip Kendall 394, Marco Dawson 353, Brett Quigley 315, Jay Willamson 302, and Harrison Frazer 282……
Chris Couch, the former golf prodigy from the University of Florida, has fallen on hard times. In 2006 he won the Zurich Classic and some $1,356,731 and the following year he made $355,386 and fell to 153rd on the money list. In 2008, he has made 1 cut and banked a whopping $1,693 in official money and Chris was not given a sponsor's exemption in New Orleans. Well Chris I hope things improve for you in 2008, looks like things can only get better for you.
I hope everyone enjoys The Masters this week. You can follow the tournament and watch live coverage at www.masters.org
1 comment:
quality writing style, a little too flashy in some spots. potential is showing though
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