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Despite sporadic fall showers and the muggy Florida sun, President Barack Obama hit the greens Saturday with a former NBA star at the ritzy golf club where "Caddyshack" was filmed.
In South Florida for a trio of fundraisers the night before, Obama traveled north from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, where he joined former basketball player Alonzo Mourning at the Grande Oaks Golf Club.
The name of the private, 18-hole course has changed over the years, but "Caddyshack" fans will remember it as the site where Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield and a rambunctious gopher got into all kinds of antics in the 1980 comedy flick.
Nearly three hours after he arrived, Obama was spotted behind the wheel of a golf cart, with Mourning in the passenger's seat, cruising along near the ninth hole.
The White House said former U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, a frequent Obama golf partner, and Cyrus Walker, the cousin of senior presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett, rounded out the weekend foursome.
An avid golfer, Obama rarely goes a weekend without teeing off, occasionally inviting big-name celebrities to join. Earlier this year, Obama caused a stir when he golfed at another exclusive Florida sport club with Tiger Woods.
Obama arrived in Miami Friday evening after touring a port in New Orleans, where he pitched infrastructure spending as a way to boost U.S. exports.
After wrapping up his golf game, Obama was to return to Washington on Saturday afternoon.
Read more: Obama tees off at golf club where legendary comedy
In South Florida for a trio of fundraisers the night before, Obama traveled north from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, where he joined former basketball player Alonzo Mourning at the Grande Oaks Golf Club.
The name of the private, 18-hole course has changed over the years, but "Caddyshack" fans will remember it as the site where Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield and a rambunctious gopher got into all kinds of antics in the 1980 comedy flick.
Nearly three hours after he arrived, Obama was spotted behind the wheel of a golf cart, with Mourning in the passenger's seat, cruising along near the ninth hole.
The White House said former U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, a frequent Obama golf partner, and Cyrus Walker, the cousin of senior presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett, rounded out the weekend foursome.
An avid golfer, Obama rarely goes a weekend without teeing off, occasionally inviting big-name celebrities to join. Earlier this year, Obama caused a stir when he golfed at another exclusive Florida sport club with Tiger Woods.
Obama arrived in Miami Friday evening after touring a port in New Orleans, where he pitched infrastructure spending as a way to boost U.S. exports.
After wrapping up his golf game, Obama was to return to Washington on Saturday afternoon.
Read more: Obama tees off at golf club where legendary comedy
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2006/12/07
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When Adam Scott sealed his historic Masters win at Augusta National in April, trainee professional Jack Wilson was likely starting a shift at the Kingswood golf club pro-shop in Victoria.
On Sunday, Wilson spent most of the day threatening to upstage the world No.2 by claiming the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast.
In the end, Scott surged away to win the Joe Kirkwood Cup by four shots while 23-year-old Wilson had to settle for third place.
It's still easily the biggest moment of his brief career.
Scott's $225,000 winner's cheque is essentially loose change to the multi-millionaire but Wilson's collect of $84,375 could be the catalyst to establishing himself as touring professional.
The two men couldn't live more different lives.
Scott is a global star who flies around the world in private jets and will return to the pampered lifestyle of a US PGA Tour pro following his four-week stay in Australia.
As part of his PGA of Australia traineeship, Wilson must put in 38 hours a week at his local club's pro shop, learning the ins and outs of the business side to the game.
He also needs to combine that with a minimum of 20 rounds of tournament golf a year and achieve an average of 4.75 over par or better across that time.
Wilson will aim to build on his achievement for the rest of the summer when he lines up at the Australian Masters and Australian Open but he also acknowledges the day job awaits at the end of November.
"Hopefully back up another good week and then it's onto the NSW Open and the Australian Open after that and then some time off," Wilson said.
"It's back to work for me. I have to do some hours in the shop and finish all the requirements for the traineeship.
"I will have everything completed by the end of the year, early December. I've completed the academics and other requirements.
"There will be some shop hours I will have to complete early in the next year."
Scott was full of praise for his unknown rival, tipping fans might just have witnessed the first step in a glittering career.
"We might be looking at one of the next great players from Australia," he said.
"I wish him the best for the rest of the summer. We should be encouraging guys like that to keep at it."
Pauper takes on Aussie golf's prince
On Sunday, Wilson spent most of the day threatening to upstage the world No.2 by claiming the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast.
In the end, Scott surged away to win the Joe Kirkwood Cup by four shots while 23-year-old Wilson had to settle for third place.
It's still easily the biggest moment of his brief career.
Scott's $225,000 winner's cheque is essentially loose change to the multi-millionaire but Wilson's collect of $84,375 could be the catalyst to establishing himself as touring professional.
The two men couldn't live more different lives.
Scott is a global star who flies around the world in private jets and will return to the pampered lifestyle of a US PGA Tour pro following his four-week stay in Australia.
As part of his PGA of Australia traineeship, Wilson must put in 38 hours a week at his local club's pro shop, learning the ins and outs of the business side to the game.
He also needs to combine that with a minimum of 20 rounds of tournament golf a year and achieve an average of 4.75 over par or better across that time.
Wilson will aim to build on his achievement for the rest of the summer when he lines up at the Australian Masters and Australian Open but he also acknowledges the day job awaits at the end of November.
"Hopefully back up another good week and then it's onto the NSW Open and the Australian Open after that and then some time off," Wilson said.
"It's back to work for me. I have to do some hours in the shop and finish all the requirements for the traineeship.
"I will have everything completed by the end of the year, early December. I've completed the academics and other requirements.
"There will be some shop hours I will have to complete early in the next year."
Scott was full of praise for his unknown rival, tipping fans might just have witnessed the first step in a glittering career.
"We might be looking at one of the next great players from Australia," he said.
"I wish him the best for the rest of the summer. We should be encouraging guys like that to keep at it."
Pauper takes on Aussie golf's prince
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Daniel Casara, himself a left-hander, got to meet one of his golfing idols, Phil Mickelson, on Monday at the Morgan Run Club & Resort.
They shook hands, took some photos, and Mickelson, the five-time major winner, performed a short-game clinic for those playing in the Freedom to Live charity tournament that supports people with spinal cord injuries in their quest to live independently.
On the strength of Mickelson’s appearance, the event was expected to raise $75,000.
“A positive day,” Casara said with a satisfied smile. “It was nice to see (Mickelson’s) realness and his authenticity. That was important for me.”
Amid the fun, Casara wasn’t forgetting why he was there on Veterans Day. He and four other combat-injured veterans were at the second-year FTL tournament to represent Operation Game On, the organization started by San Diegan Tony Perez to teach troops golf when they’ve returned from war with devastating disabilities. The fivesome was sponsored by U-T San Diego owner Papa Doug Manchester.
Casara, an Army Sergeant, had his lower legs shattered and his ankles fused; Marine colonel Jim Collins’ right leg was amputated after years of agonizing pain; Army corporal Michael Spivey lost his left arm below the elbow; Army sergeant Jacque Keeslar underwent amputations to both legs below the knee; and Navy corpsman Ray Dayawon suffers from PTSD after witnessing more than 700 front-line operations.
“I think if you asked the five of us, we’d come up with the same answer about what this means,” Casara said. “For me, personally, what I’ve endured, I’d go through it again to know that you can stand here and interview us, that Phil can travel around the world to play golf, and especially in this country, and not have to worry about foolishness.
“All this other stuff is fluff. I’m not going around saying, ‘Man, I got jacked in Iraq and now I get to play in some high-end golf thing.’ If this never happens again, it won’t change who I am. I’m proud of the course I’ve been on since entering the military.”
Keeslar has played a few holes with former President George W. Bush and Tom Watson in a Wounded Warriors tournament and says with a wry smile, “Golf is what I do now.” He plays at least twice a week at the Camp Pendleton Golf Course.
Spivey had never played golf before the injury he suffered in 2010. He joined OGO to escape staring at the hospital walls.
“Coming back injured, I was still in combat mode, where everything makes you kind of mad,” Spivey, 32, said. “With golf, being able to stop and think and center yourself before each shot, it helps you out in everyday life.”
Casara, 39, suffered his injuries while riding in a tank in South Bagdhad, Iraq, on Sept. 23, 2005. Casara said his vehicle ran over an anti-tank mine and the explosion flipped it. Two soldiers were killed and four others injured, including Casara, whose lower legs were shattered.
Doctors saved the limbs by fusing Casara’s ankles – thus giving him little flexibility -- and he spent nine months in a wheelchair and many more learning to walk again. In all, he’s had 24 surgeries, and a breakthrough device called the IDEO has helped Casara to snowboard, run triathlons and play the sport he loves the most – baseball.
Game On for troops in Veterans Day golf Page 1 of 2 | UTSanDiego-com
They shook hands, took some photos, and Mickelson, the five-time major winner, performed a short-game clinic for those playing in the Freedom to Live charity tournament that supports people with spinal cord injuries in their quest to live independently.
On the strength of Mickelson’s appearance, the event was expected to raise $75,000.
“A positive day,” Casara said with a satisfied smile. “It was nice to see (Mickelson’s) realness and his authenticity. That was important for me.”
Amid the fun, Casara wasn’t forgetting why he was there on Veterans Day. He and four other combat-injured veterans were at the second-year FTL tournament to represent Operation Game On, the organization started by San Diegan Tony Perez to teach troops golf when they’ve returned from war with devastating disabilities. The fivesome was sponsored by U-T San Diego owner Papa Doug Manchester.
Casara, an Army Sergeant, had his lower legs shattered and his ankles fused; Marine colonel Jim Collins’ right leg was amputated after years of agonizing pain; Army corporal Michael Spivey lost his left arm below the elbow; Army sergeant Jacque Keeslar underwent amputations to both legs below the knee; and Navy corpsman Ray Dayawon suffers from PTSD after witnessing more than 700 front-line operations.
“I think if you asked the five of us, we’d come up with the same answer about what this means,” Casara said. “For me, personally, what I’ve endured, I’d go through it again to know that you can stand here and interview us, that Phil can travel around the world to play golf, and especially in this country, and not have to worry about foolishness.
“All this other stuff is fluff. I’m not going around saying, ‘Man, I got jacked in Iraq and now I get to play in some high-end golf thing.’ If this never happens again, it won’t change who I am. I’m proud of the course I’ve been on since entering the military.”
Keeslar has played a few holes with former President George W. Bush and Tom Watson in a Wounded Warriors tournament and says with a wry smile, “Golf is what I do now.” He plays at least twice a week at the Camp Pendleton Golf Course.
Spivey had never played golf before the injury he suffered in 2010. He joined OGO to escape staring at the hospital walls.
“Coming back injured, I was still in combat mode, where everything makes you kind of mad,” Spivey, 32, said. “With golf, being able to stop and think and center yourself before each shot, it helps you out in everyday life.”
Casara, 39, suffered his injuries while riding in a tank in South Bagdhad, Iraq, on Sept. 23, 2005. Casara said his vehicle ran over an anti-tank mine and the explosion flipped it. Two soldiers were killed and four others injured, including Casara, whose lower legs were shattered.
Doctors saved the limbs by fusing Casara’s ankles – thus giving him little flexibility -- and he spent nine months in a wheelchair and many more learning to walk again. In all, he’s had 24 surgeries, and a breakthrough device called the IDEO has helped Casara to snowboard, run triathlons and play the sport he loves the most – baseball.
Game On for troops in Veterans Day golf Page 1 of 2 | UTSanDiego-com
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2006/12/07
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ONE of the bastions of men-only golf has held an “informal meeting” to discuss the possibility of admitting women members.
The meeting at Royal Burgess – the oldest golfing society in the world, having been founded in 1735 – “concluded little”, according to one member of the Edinburgh club.
However, The Scotsman understands that a motion to open its doors to women members is in the pipeline.
To be successful, the Barnton club will need to receive 66 per cent support from its current male membership of about 800.
Graham Callander, the general manager at Royal Burgess, confirmed that the “informal meeting” had taken place recently but delivered a “no comment” to a request for an official statement on the matter. It is believed the meeting was attended by about 130 members, one of whom spoke to The Scotsman anonymously.
“It concluded little,” he said. “They have decided to have a sort of referendum, where members will vote on the motion.
“But change needs a 66 per cent vote in favour and, personally, I see little chance that this change would be supported.”
Royal Burgess is one of only ten royal golf clubs in Scotland. Its members include Hamish Grey, the chief executive of the Scottish Golf Union (SGU).
Grey’s decision to accept an invitation to join the club on the outskirts of Edinburgh two-and-half years ago sparked a sexism row, as it came in the middle of the SGU’s bid to push through an amalgamation with the Scottish Ladies Golf Association.
The Kiwi was branded a “hypocrite” and also described as “politically naive”, but was defended by Douglas Connon, SGU chairman at that time.
“I do not see that Hamish Grey’s membership of a single-sex club has any bearing on his position as chief executive of the SGU,” he said. “The Equality Act allows for men and women to be members of single-sex clubs.”
Shona Malcolm, SLGA chairman at the time, also rejected claims that “a few ladies’ association members” wanted Grey to be sacked over the furore.
While that row is not understood to have had direct bearing on the amalgamation proposal, the merger is still being discussed between both parties for a second time after being rejected by the men’s area associations at an original vote more than two years ago.
If Royal Burgess opened its doors to women, the pressure is likely to be cranked up on the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers to follow suit, after this year’s Open Championship at Muirfield took place against a backdrop of controversy due to its men-only policy.
First Minister Alex Salmond boycotted the event, while Prime Minister David Cameron was also stirred into making a rare comment on golf, saying such policies looked “more to the past than to the future”.
Peter Dawson, its chief executive, hinted then that the R&A would have something to announce on it using some men-only clubs on the rota for hosting the world’s oldest major but nothing has materialised so far.
“I did promise we would have more to say about the gender issue but not just yet,” he admitted recently.
Royal Burgess has dominated the men’s golf scene in Edinburgh in recent years, winning the city’s Summer League for a sixth successive season last month. Members include ex-Walker Cup player Scott Macdonald and 2000 Scottish Boys champion Stephen Buckley.
Scots golf pro Carly Booth, 21, has spoken out against men-only clubs, saying she hoped the “old-school tradition” would change. She added: “Lots of places have separate male and female clubhouses. I don’t see why. It just isn’t right.”
Royal Burgess golf club may lift ban on women - The Scotsman
The meeting at Royal Burgess – the oldest golfing society in the world, having been founded in 1735 – “concluded little”, according to one member of the Edinburgh club.
However, The Scotsman understands that a motion to open its doors to women members is in the pipeline.
To be successful, the Barnton club will need to receive 66 per cent support from its current male membership of about 800.
Graham Callander, the general manager at Royal Burgess, confirmed that the “informal meeting” had taken place recently but delivered a “no comment” to a request for an official statement on the matter. It is believed the meeting was attended by about 130 members, one of whom spoke to The Scotsman anonymously.
“It concluded little,” he said. “They have decided to have a sort of referendum, where members will vote on the motion.
“But change needs a 66 per cent vote in favour and, personally, I see little chance that this change would be supported.”
Royal Burgess is one of only ten royal golf clubs in Scotland. Its members include Hamish Grey, the chief executive of the Scottish Golf Union (SGU).
Grey’s decision to accept an invitation to join the club on the outskirts of Edinburgh two-and-half years ago sparked a sexism row, as it came in the middle of the SGU’s bid to push through an amalgamation with the Scottish Ladies Golf Association.
The Kiwi was branded a “hypocrite” and also described as “politically naive”, but was defended by Douglas Connon, SGU chairman at that time.
“I do not see that Hamish Grey’s membership of a single-sex club has any bearing on his position as chief executive of the SGU,” he said. “The Equality Act allows for men and women to be members of single-sex clubs.”
Shona Malcolm, SLGA chairman at the time, also rejected claims that “a few ladies’ association members” wanted Grey to be sacked over the furore.
While that row is not understood to have had direct bearing on the amalgamation proposal, the merger is still being discussed between both parties for a second time after being rejected by the men’s area associations at an original vote more than two years ago.
If Royal Burgess opened its doors to women, the pressure is likely to be cranked up on the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers to follow suit, after this year’s Open Championship at Muirfield took place against a backdrop of controversy due to its men-only policy.
First Minister Alex Salmond boycotted the event, while Prime Minister David Cameron was also stirred into making a rare comment on golf, saying such policies looked “more to the past than to the future”.
Peter Dawson, its chief executive, hinted then that the R&A would have something to announce on it using some men-only clubs on the rota for hosting the world’s oldest major but nothing has materialised so far.
“I did promise we would have more to say about the gender issue but not just yet,” he admitted recently.
Royal Burgess has dominated the men’s golf scene in Edinburgh in recent years, winning the city’s Summer League for a sixth successive season last month. Members include ex-Walker Cup player Scott Macdonald and 2000 Scottish Boys champion Stephen Buckley.
Scots golf pro Carly Booth, 21, has spoken out against men-only clubs, saying she hoped the “old-school tradition” would change. She added: “Lots of places have separate male and female clubhouses. I don’t see why. It just isn’t right.”
Royal Burgess golf club may lift ban on women - The Scotsman
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2006/12/07
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A BRITISH man has spoken of his terror after he was attacked by a 12 foot crocodile while he played a round of golf. Dougie Thompson needed 200 stitches after the beast pounced and clamped down on his leg, tearing through muscle in his hip and thigh.
He only managed to survive due to the quick-thinking actions of his friends who beat the crocodile with their clubs before running it over with a golf buggy.
The shocked 58-year-old described how his ball was in the bunker at the resort in Mexico when disaster struck.
“I didn’t even know there was water behind the bushes. I took a shot and it landed on the green. Then I heard this noise behind me and this huge crocodile snapped me by the thigh.
"I couldn't feel pain, I was in total shock. It was like a big toy, big black eyes looking at me," he told the Daily Mirror.
He said that his struggles to escape were useless because “hitting it was like hitting a brick wall.”
Luckily for Mr Thompson, his quick-thinking friends Brendan O’Hara and Gordon Victory sprang into action and beat the gigantic reptile off.
He continued: “One of them started hitting the crocodile as well while the other actually drove the cart over it.
“It opened its mouth a bit. My friends pulled me back but it snapped again and grabbed my hip a bit higher up. Then it just stopped suddenly. When they eventually pulled me away, it started attacking the golf cart.
“My friends were more shocked than I was as they had to see the attack. I was in the eye of the storm.”
Without his friends there to fend off the crocodile, Mr Thompson admits things could have ended badly: “It would have pulled me back into the lagoon and had me for supper.”
The crocodile stayed around the resort after the attack.
The father-of-two, originally from Wishaw, near Glasgow, needing 200 stitches and he was lucky not to lose his leg.
"My leg is like a butcher’s shop window," he said.
Mr Thompson had been visiting the Iberostar Cancun Golf Club for a friend's wedding.
The engineer is the second person to be attacked by a crocodile at the club. Edward Lunger, 50, from New York, US, had two fingers bitten off while he practiced his swing.
Mr Thompson is now in a stable condition and his family is arranging to have him flown to Toronto, Canada, where he currently lives, for more treatment.
British man's lucky escape after he meets 12ft crocodile on golf course | UK | News | Daily Express
He only managed to survive due to the quick-thinking actions of his friends who beat the crocodile with their clubs before running it over with a golf buggy.
The shocked 58-year-old described how his ball was in the bunker at the resort in Mexico when disaster struck.
“I didn’t even know there was water behind the bushes. I took a shot and it landed on the green. Then I heard this noise behind me and this huge crocodile snapped me by the thigh.
"I couldn't feel pain, I was in total shock. It was like a big toy, big black eyes looking at me," he told the Daily Mirror.
He said that his struggles to escape were useless because “hitting it was like hitting a brick wall.”
Luckily for Mr Thompson, his quick-thinking friends Brendan O’Hara and Gordon Victory sprang into action and beat the gigantic reptile off.
He continued: “One of them started hitting the crocodile as well while the other actually drove the cart over it.
“It opened its mouth a bit. My friends pulled me back but it snapped again and grabbed my hip a bit higher up. Then it just stopped suddenly. When they eventually pulled me away, it started attacking the golf cart.
“My friends were more shocked than I was as they had to see the attack. I was in the eye of the storm.”
Without his friends there to fend off the crocodile, Mr Thompson admits things could have ended badly: “It would have pulled me back into the lagoon and had me for supper.”
The crocodile stayed around the resort after the attack.
The father-of-two, originally from Wishaw, near Glasgow, needing 200 stitches and he was lucky not to lose his leg.
"My leg is like a butcher’s shop window," he said.
Mr Thompson had been visiting the Iberostar Cancun Golf Club for a friend's wedding.
The engineer is the second person to be attacked by a crocodile at the club. Edward Lunger, 50, from New York, US, had two fingers bitten off while he practiced his swing.
Mr Thompson is now in a stable condition and his family is arranging to have him flown to Toronto, Canada, where he currently lives, for more treatment.
British man's lucky escape after he meets 12ft crocodile on golf course | UK | News | Daily Express
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Adam Scott shot 67 to sit tied for second in his defence of his Australian Masters crown after Thursday's first round.
Compatriot Nick Cullen tops the leaderboard, two shots ahead of Scott, who completed a career 'Aussie Slam' last week with his Australian PGA win at Royal Pines, his first home event since becoming Masters champion in Augusta.
Having started his day on the 10th hole, Scott bogeyed the par-four eighth at Royal Melbourne to fall back to four under alongside Germany's Max Kieffer.
Scott is set to team up with Jason Day for Australia next week in the World Cup, which also takes place at Royal Melbourne, before the Australian Open the week after at Royal Sydney.
"A 67 around here is a good score," Scott said. "It was a bit of a slow finish but it was a good way to open up.
"I felt like I left a couple out there, but my game was in pretty good shape other than that, and four rounds like that might go a long way this week."
Cullen holed out from 65 yards with a 60-degree wedge to eagle the par-four 11th, before birdies at the next two holes and on the 17th to go three shots ahead at seven under. A bogey on 18 checked his progress, however.
"Any time you shoot 6 under around a course like this, you have to be happy," Cullen said.
A group of eight players including Zimbabwe's Brendon De Jonge and Australia's Peter O'Malley sit at three under after carding 68s.
There was also an emotional return to professional golf for Jarrod Lyle after his second bout of leukemia. Lyle shot 72, level with Vijay Singh at one over, hitting a mixed round with three birdies and four bogeys.
"It was a feeling I thought I would never experience again," Lyle said. "The emotions overtook me on the first tee. It's something I always dreamed of, having my daughter at a tournament. It was great she got to see what I do.
"My dream is to come here and make the cut. After 12 holes things were looking grim but I fought like crazy."
Read more at Adam Scott tied for second in Australian Masters defence | Golf News | ESPN.co.uk
Compatriot Nick Cullen tops the leaderboard, two shots ahead of Scott, who completed a career 'Aussie Slam' last week with his Australian PGA win at Royal Pines, his first home event since becoming Masters champion in Augusta.
Having started his day on the 10th hole, Scott bogeyed the par-four eighth at Royal Melbourne to fall back to four under alongside Germany's Max Kieffer.
Scott is set to team up with Jason Day for Australia next week in the World Cup, which also takes place at Royal Melbourne, before the Australian Open the week after at Royal Sydney.
"A 67 around here is a good score," Scott said. "It was a bit of a slow finish but it was a good way to open up.
"I felt like I left a couple out there, but my game was in pretty good shape other than that, and four rounds like that might go a long way this week."
Cullen holed out from 65 yards with a 60-degree wedge to eagle the par-four 11th, before birdies at the next two holes and on the 17th to go three shots ahead at seven under. A bogey on 18 checked his progress, however.
"Any time you shoot 6 under around a course like this, you have to be happy," Cullen said.
A group of eight players including Zimbabwe's Brendon De Jonge and Australia's Peter O'Malley sit at three under after carding 68s.
There was also an emotional return to professional golf for Jarrod Lyle after his second bout of leukemia. Lyle shot 72, level with Vijay Singh at one over, hitting a mixed round with three birdies and four bogeys.
"It was a feeling I thought I would never experience again," Lyle said. "The emotions overtook me on the first tee. It's something I always dreamed of, having my daughter at a tournament. It was great she got to see what I do.
"My dream is to come here and make the cut. After 12 holes things were looking grim but I fought like crazy."
Read more at Adam Scott tied for second in Australian Masters defence | Golf News | ESPN.co.uk
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From the sound of waves breaking in your backswing at Pacific Dunes to the smell of cedars and pines as you traverse Bandon Trails, the whole Bandon Dunes experience is a one-of-a-kind links challenge on American soil.
Your trip to the Pacific Coast's hidden gem will be enhanced with knowledge of the essentials. You'll be glad to know beforehand that the mornings can be so frigidly cold that you can barely grip your club; that thick, prickly gorse protects fairways and greens; that pot bunkers swallow golf balls like magnets; and that afternoon golf means howling winds that affect every tee shot, approach and putt.
After my three-day golf marathon of 105 holes across every hole Bandon Dunes offers, I've compiled the top 10 essentials for your trip!
Pictures: Top 10 Essentials for a Bandon Dunes Golf Trip | Bleacher Report
Your trip to the Pacific Coast's hidden gem will be enhanced with knowledge of the essentials. You'll be glad to know beforehand that the mornings can be so frigidly cold that you can barely grip your club; that thick, prickly gorse protects fairways and greens; that pot bunkers swallow golf balls like magnets; and that afternoon golf means howling winds that affect every tee shot, approach and putt.
After my three-day golf marathon of 105 holes across every hole Bandon Dunes offers, I've compiled the top 10 essentials for your trip!
Pictures: Top 10 Essentials for a Bandon Dunes Golf Trip | Bleacher Report
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2006/12/07
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Now that's what you call a homecoming.
Adam Scott successfully defended his Australian Masters title for his second victory in two weeks, scrambling Sunday for an even-par 71 and a two-shot victory at wind-swept Royal Melbourne.
Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the Masters in April. Scott, the first Australian to ever win a green jacket, withstood a charge Sunday from Matt Kuchar, who was even with Scott going into the final hole.
Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker. Kuchar had a 68 to finish second.
Vijay Singh, one of four players tied for second at the start of play, finished third after a 71, four behind playing partner Scott. The 50-year-old Fijian was attempting to win for the first time since 2008.
Scott finished at 14-under 270.
Read more: Adam Scott wins Australian Masters over Matt Kuchar, Vijay Singh - GOLF-com
Adam Scott successfully defended his Australian Masters title for his second victory in two weeks, scrambling Sunday for an even-par 71 and a two-shot victory at wind-swept Royal Melbourne.
Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the Masters in April. Scott, the first Australian to ever win a green jacket, withstood a charge Sunday from Matt Kuchar, who was even with Scott going into the final hole.
Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker. Kuchar had a 68 to finish second.
Vijay Singh, one of four players tied for second at the start of play, finished third after a 71, four behind playing partner Scott. The 50-year-old Fijian was attempting to win for the first time since 2008.
Scott finished at 14-under 270.
Read more: Adam Scott wins Australian Masters over Matt Kuchar, Vijay Singh - GOLF-com
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English closed with a six-under-par 65 at the El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, to cruise to his second PGA Tour victory following his breakthrough win at the St. Jude Classic in Tennessee in June.
The 24-year-old English bogeyed the par-four second, birdied seven of his next 11 holes and then closed the tournament with five consecutive pars for a 21-under 263 total and a $1.08 million payday.
"It was an awesome win. I was a lot more comfortable out there than I was in Memphis a couple of months ago," English said after moving to second on FedExCup points standings.
Fellow American Brian Stuard (67) claimed second place at 17 under, while compatriots Jason Bohn (68) and Chris Stroud (68) and South African Rory Sabbatini (70) were a further shot back.
The leaders had to complete more than half of the third round on Sunday following torrential rain earlier in the week that put the event behind schedule.
Third-round leader Karlsson, who led by a stroke at the turn, sent drives into jungle hazards at the 12th and 13th holes for successive bogeys and then double-bogeyed 14 to fall out of contention and hand a big lead to English.
The Swede finished tied for sixth at 15 under.
"Even yesterday I wasn't playing great and was struggling little bit with the driver and on a course like this you can't hit the really bad ones (and) unfortunately I did," Karlsson told PGA Tour Radio.
"You usually get found out when it's into the wind and that's what happened but (I'm) very, very happy with the week overall and two top-10s in a row."
English started the final round one shot behind Karlsson, and was still behind at the turn, before picking up birdies at 10th and 11th holes to take a one-stroke lead.
Karlsson then self-destructed to all but hand victory to English, who only had to avoid disaster down the stretch, which he duly did.
The Mayakoba event marked the sixth official tournament of the 2013-14 PGA Tour season, which for the first time started its season in October, rather than January.
The tour now takes a break before resuming in Hawaii in early January.
Golf - English notches second US Tour win with Mexico triumph - Yahoo Eurosport UK
The 24-year-old English bogeyed the par-four second, birdied seven of his next 11 holes and then closed the tournament with five consecutive pars for a 21-under 263 total and a $1.08 million payday.
"It was an awesome win. I was a lot more comfortable out there than I was in Memphis a couple of months ago," English said after moving to second on FedExCup points standings.
Fellow American Brian Stuard (67) claimed second place at 17 under, while compatriots Jason Bohn (68) and Chris Stroud (68) and South African Rory Sabbatini (70) were a further shot back.
The leaders had to complete more than half of the third round on Sunday following torrential rain earlier in the week that put the event behind schedule.
Third-round leader Karlsson, who led by a stroke at the turn, sent drives into jungle hazards at the 12th and 13th holes for successive bogeys and then double-bogeyed 14 to fall out of contention and hand a big lead to English.
The Swede finished tied for sixth at 15 under.
"Even yesterday I wasn't playing great and was struggling little bit with the driver and on a course like this you can't hit the really bad ones (and) unfortunately I did," Karlsson told PGA Tour Radio.
"You usually get found out when it's into the wind and that's what happened but (I'm) very, very happy with the week overall and two top-10s in a row."
English started the final round one shot behind Karlsson, and was still behind at the turn, before picking up birdies at 10th and 11th holes to take a one-stroke lead.
Karlsson then self-destructed to all but hand victory to English, who only had to avoid disaster down the stretch, which he duly did.
The Mayakoba event marked the sixth official tournament of the 2013-14 PGA Tour season, which for the first time started its season in October, rather than January.
The tour now takes a break before resuming in Hawaii in early January.
Golf - English notches second US Tour win with Mexico triumph - Yahoo Eurosport UK
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Adam Scott says the World Cup's change from purely a teams event to include significant individual incentives has added to its appeal.
Scott, fresh from following up his Australian PGA win with a second straight Australian Masters title, has already predicted he and Australian teammate Jason Day will win the World Cup.
It starts on Thursday at Royal Melbourne, the site of Scott's Masters win on Sunday.
For each nation that has a pair competing in the teams component, the two players' scores will be combined to decide who wins the cup.
But while teams will split $1 million in prizemoney, the individuals will share $7 million and, for the first time, the tournament also attracts rankings points.
That adds to the appeal for US Masters champion Scott, who inched his way a little closer to Tiger Woods and the No.1 ranking with his Australian Masters win.
"It's an important tournament, it's a World Golf Championship event and now it's got that individual focus. I think it's going to take a step up from where it was," Scott said.
"Certainly you can see that a lot of guys are coming a long way to play for a huge purse and world ranking points.
"I'd like to win a World Golf Championship event next week as well, individually and as a team with Jase."
American world No.8 Matt Kuchar, runner-up to Scott on Sunday, was part of the US team that won the most recent World Cup with Gary Woodland.
This time he's paired with Kevin Streelman.
Other notable teams include Italians Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero, both ranked inside the world top 40, and Irish duo Graeme McDowell, the world No.11, and Shane Lowry (No.75).
Fiji's former world No.1 Vijay Singh, third in the Australian Masters, will compete but doesn't have a teammate.
Double goal for Scott in golf World Cup
Scott, fresh from following up his Australian PGA win with a second straight Australian Masters title, has already predicted he and Australian teammate Jason Day will win the World Cup.
It starts on Thursday at Royal Melbourne, the site of Scott's Masters win on Sunday.
For each nation that has a pair competing in the teams component, the two players' scores will be combined to decide who wins the cup.
But while teams will split $1 million in prizemoney, the individuals will share $7 million and, for the first time, the tournament also attracts rankings points.
That adds to the appeal for US Masters champion Scott, who inched his way a little closer to Tiger Woods and the No.1 ranking with his Australian Masters win.
"It's an important tournament, it's a World Golf Championship event and now it's got that individual focus. I think it's going to take a step up from where it was," Scott said.
"Certainly you can see that a lot of guys are coming a long way to play for a huge purse and world ranking points.
"I'd like to win a World Golf Championship event next week as well, individually and as a team with Jase."
American world No.8 Matt Kuchar, runner-up to Scott on Sunday, was part of the US team that won the most recent World Cup with Gary Woodland.
This time he's paired with Kevin Streelman.
Other notable teams include Italians Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero, both ranked inside the world top 40, and Irish duo Graeme McDowell, the world No.11, and Shane Lowry (No.75).
Fiji's former world No.1 Vijay Singh, third in the Australian Masters, will compete but doesn't have a teammate.
Double goal for Scott in golf World Cup
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Every year in golf brings a plethora of surprise winners and losers, and 2013 was no exception. Let's take a look.
10. Graeme McDowell, PGA Tour First-Time Winner
Despite all his excellent play, his victory at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, his heroic shots at the Ryder Cup in Wales and his new restaurant in Orlando, McDowell had yet to win a regular PGA Tour event. Last April, he found his way to a PGA Tour trophy ceremony and gained a plaid jacket at the RBC Heritage on Hilton Head Island.
Can the tartan coat at the Crown Plaza Invitational at Colonial be far behind?
9. World Golf Hall of Fame Refuses to Induct Anyone in 2014
After criticism of recent inductees by former inductees, particularly Raymond Floyd, the World Golf Hall of Fame decided to delay induction of the next class and re-evaluate the criteria for selection. That shouldn't affect the LGPA, however, as they have a point system based on victories, and it actually seems unnecessarily tough.
From the LPGA website:
LPGA Tour Hall of Fame, members of the LPGA Tour, who were active in 1998 and going forward, must meet the criteria outlined below. Entrance to the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame is limited to LPGA Tour members who meet the following criteria:
1. Must be/have been an "active" LPGA Tour member for 10 years:
2. Must have won/been awarded at least one of the following - an LPGA major championship, the Vare Trophy or Rolex Player of the Year honors; and
3. Must have accumulated a total of 27 points, which are awarded as follows - one point for each LPGA official tournament win, two points for each LPGA major tournament win and one point for each Vare Trophy or Rolex Player of the Year honor earned.
8. The New PGA Tour Schedule
After much debate, it's working.
Some players, like former U.S. Open champ Webb Simpson, took advantage of the early-season tournaments to rack up 2014 FedEx points the better to rest later on in 2014.
Recently announced is the change for 2015 to move the McGladrey Classic to an earlier fall date. That will be followed by PGA Tour-sponsored Asian events. The move may strengthen participation in the domestic fall events.
In addition to two-year exemptions, fall winners get full FedEx Cup points and Masters and, likely, Players invitations.
7. Inbee Park
Scott Halleran/Getty Images
Inbee Park won three majors in 2013. That's Tiger Woods and Ben Hogan territory.
Another of South Korea's star LGPA players, Park won three LPGA majors in 2013 and got almost no coverage for it. In case you forgot or weren't paying attention, they were the Kraft Nabisco Championship, LPGA Championship and the U.S. Women's Open.
Who was the last professional golfer to win three majors in a season? Tiger Woods. Before that? Ben Hogan. That's how well she played.
6. Rory McIlroy
Never has so much hype turned into so much fizzle. After winning two majors, a U.S. Open and a PGA Championship, McIlroy found romance and a new club deal, changed management companies twice and lost direction on the golf course.
If he weren't rich and famous, you could almost feel sorry for him.
Recently, McIlroy modified his driver and golf ball, changing to the VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour driver and RZN prototype ball, and he used those to beat Tiger Woods in an exhibition match in China.
“I would like to play all my tournaments in China where I can beat Tiger,” McIlroy said about their challenge match.
5. Justin Rose
The fan favorites at the beginning of U.S. Open week were Tiger and Phil. Very few can say they picked Justin Rose to win it.
When he surprised, Rose became the third European to win the tournament since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
Rose quipped, "(Lee)Trevino says, 'Fell in love with a girl named Merion, just didn't know her last name.' I've been sort of joking about that all week."
Historically, the U.S. Open has almost always been won by players from the U.S., with the occasional South African jumping in the winner's circle. With Rose's victory, eight non-U.S. players have won the title since 2000. They are: Retief Goosen (twice), Michael Campbell, Geoff Ogilvy, Angel Cabrera, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and now Rose.
4. Adam Scott and Augusta National
The Masters has often been called a putting contest because the greens are large and undulating to the point that they instill fear in the hands of those wielding the club.
The idea that someone would win, not just with a long putter, but with a broomstick putter, seemed out of the question.
That's why Adam Scott's victory at The Masters ranks so high on the surprise scale. Coming nine months after the near-miss at the British Open, where he was ahead with four holes to go and could not finish it off, the Masters was an amazing and unexpected victory for him.
3. Phil Mickelson
No one, including Phil Mickelson, thought he could win a British Open, at least not until the last six or so years.
He hit the ball too high. He couldn't keep it under the tricky, links winds. The greens were too slow. And his putter had become balky. Never mind the damaged psyche from a sixth loss at the U.S. Open.
Then, when Mickelson won the Scottish Open, it seemed he had peaked a week too soon. However, Lefty surprised everyone, maybe even himself, when he birdied four of the last six holes at Muirfield to capture the British Open and the third leg of the career grand slam.
2. Henrik Stenson
Stenson was in the 200s in the world rankings, a free fall that started after he won the 2009 Players Championship. Then, last spring, he reunited with mental coach Torsten Hansson and began one of the most rapid and amazing returns to form that golf has seen in decades.
Stenson clawed his way up the FedEx points list and won the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup. Afterward, he announced that his goal was to become the first person to win the Fe
10. Graeme McDowell, PGA Tour First-Time Winner
Despite all his excellent play, his victory at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, his heroic shots at the Ryder Cup in Wales and his new restaurant in Orlando, McDowell had yet to win a regular PGA Tour event. Last April, he found his way to a PGA Tour trophy ceremony and gained a plaid jacket at the RBC Heritage on Hilton Head Island.
Can the tartan coat at the Crown Plaza Invitational at Colonial be far behind?
9. World Golf Hall of Fame Refuses to Induct Anyone in 2014
After criticism of recent inductees by former inductees, particularly Raymond Floyd, the World Golf Hall of Fame decided to delay induction of the next class and re-evaluate the criteria for selection. That shouldn't affect the LGPA, however, as they have a point system based on victories, and it actually seems unnecessarily tough.
From the LPGA website:
LPGA Tour Hall of Fame, members of the LPGA Tour, who were active in 1998 and going forward, must meet the criteria outlined below. Entrance to the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame is limited to LPGA Tour members who meet the following criteria:
1. Must be/have been an "active" LPGA Tour member for 10 years:
2. Must have won/been awarded at least one of the following - an LPGA major championship, the Vare Trophy or Rolex Player of the Year honors; and
3. Must have accumulated a total of 27 points, which are awarded as follows - one point for each LPGA official tournament win, two points for each LPGA major tournament win and one point for each Vare Trophy or Rolex Player of the Year honor earned.
8. The New PGA Tour Schedule
After much debate, it's working.
Some players, like former U.S. Open champ Webb Simpson, took advantage of the early-season tournaments to rack up 2014 FedEx points the better to rest later on in 2014.
Recently announced is the change for 2015 to move the McGladrey Classic to an earlier fall date. That will be followed by PGA Tour-sponsored Asian events. The move may strengthen participation in the domestic fall events.
In addition to two-year exemptions, fall winners get full FedEx Cup points and Masters and, likely, Players invitations.
7. Inbee Park
Scott Halleran/Getty Images
Inbee Park won three majors in 2013. That's Tiger Woods and Ben Hogan territory.
Another of South Korea's star LGPA players, Park won three LPGA majors in 2013 and got almost no coverage for it. In case you forgot or weren't paying attention, they were the Kraft Nabisco Championship, LPGA Championship and the U.S. Women's Open.
Who was the last professional golfer to win three majors in a season? Tiger Woods. Before that? Ben Hogan. That's how well she played.
6. Rory McIlroy
Never has so much hype turned into so much fizzle. After winning two majors, a U.S. Open and a PGA Championship, McIlroy found romance and a new club deal, changed management companies twice and lost direction on the golf course.
If he weren't rich and famous, you could almost feel sorry for him.
Recently, McIlroy modified his driver and golf ball, changing to the VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour driver and RZN prototype ball, and he used those to beat Tiger Woods in an exhibition match in China.
“I would like to play all my tournaments in China where I can beat Tiger,” McIlroy said about their challenge match.
5. Justin Rose
The fan favorites at the beginning of U.S. Open week were Tiger and Phil. Very few can say they picked Justin Rose to win it.
When he surprised, Rose became the third European to win the tournament since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
Rose quipped, "(Lee)Trevino says, 'Fell in love with a girl named Merion, just didn't know her last name.' I've been sort of joking about that all week."
Historically, the U.S. Open has almost always been won by players from the U.S., with the occasional South African jumping in the winner's circle. With Rose's victory, eight non-U.S. players have won the title since 2000. They are: Retief Goosen (twice), Michael Campbell, Geoff Ogilvy, Angel Cabrera, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and now Rose.
4. Adam Scott and Augusta National
The Masters has often been called a putting contest because the greens are large and undulating to the point that they instill fear in the hands of those wielding the club.
The idea that someone would win, not just with a long putter, but with a broomstick putter, seemed out of the question.
That's why Adam Scott's victory at The Masters ranks so high on the surprise scale. Coming nine months after the near-miss at the British Open, where he was ahead with four holes to go and could not finish it off, the Masters was an amazing and unexpected victory for him.
3. Phil Mickelson
No one, including Phil Mickelson, thought he could win a British Open, at least not until the last six or so years.
He hit the ball too high. He couldn't keep it under the tricky, links winds. The greens were too slow. And his putter had become balky. Never mind the damaged psyche from a sixth loss at the U.S. Open.
Then, when Mickelson won the Scottish Open, it seemed he had peaked a week too soon. However, Lefty surprised everyone, maybe even himself, when he birdied four of the last six holes at Muirfield to capture the British Open and the third leg of the career grand slam.
2. Henrik Stenson
Stenson was in the 200s in the world rankings, a free fall that started after he won the 2009 Players Championship. Then, last spring, he reunited with mental coach Torsten Hansson and began one of the most rapid and amazing returns to form that golf has seen in decades.
Stenson clawed his way up the FedEx points list and won the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup. Afterward, he announced that his goal was to become the first person to win the Fe
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One horror hole has severely endangered Adam Scott's winning streak but fellow Australian Jason Day is within two shots of the lead after round one of the World Cup.
Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and American Kevin Streelman lead the tournament at Royal Melbourne after each shot 5-under-par rounds of 66 on Thursday. Their two nations also lead the team event, after their respective partners, Dane Thorbjorn Olesen and American Matt Kuchar, each shot even-par to make team totals of 5-under.
Scott, coming off wins in the Australian PGA and Masters, carded a 4-over 75, including a quintuple-bogey when he used three balls off the tee thanks to a mental lapse on the par-4 12th.
Day, dealing with the grief of losing eight relatives in Typhoon Haiyan, shot 68.
While that left the 26-year-old well-poised in the individual event, he and Scott's 1-over total leaves them six shots adrift as they try to win the World Cup for Australia for the first time since 1989.
World number two Scott admitted his mind wandered on the 12th.
His initial tee shot went way right and he lost the ball.
His second went deep into a thick grove of trees and he was unable to play that either.
That meant his third attempt off the tee counted as his fifth shot.
Even that found the rough, his sixth went over the green and he needed a chip and two more putts to complete the horror hole.
"Just a couple of lazy swings today on 12 and I paid the price," Scott told reporters.
"I was just away with the fairies on that hole."
He said a lapse had been inevitable at some point.
"You just can't play good all the time," Scott said.
But he hasn't ruled out a comeback victory, saying with Royal Melbourne's greens getting faster it might not take any spectacular low rounds to rein in the leaders.
"If I can plug away at it I'll maybe claw my way back into it," Scott said.
World Cup of Golf: Adam Scott's winning streak in danger after horror hole at Royal Melbourne - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and American Kevin Streelman lead the tournament at Royal Melbourne after each shot 5-under-par rounds of 66 on Thursday. Their two nations also lead the team event, after their respective partners, Dane Thorbjorn Olesen and American Matt Kuchar, each shot even-par to make team totals of 5-under.
Scott, coming off wins in the Australian PGA and Masters, carded a 4-over 75, including a quintuple-bogey when he used three balls off the tee thanks to a mental lapse on the par-4 12th.
Day, dealing with the grief of losing eight relatives in Typhoon Haiyan, shot 68.
While that left the 26-year-old well-poised in the individual event, he and Scott's 1-over total leaves them six shots adrift as they try to win the World Cup for Australia for the first time since 1989.
World number two Scott admitted his mind wandered on the 12th.
His initial tee shot went way right and he lost the ball.
His second went deep into a thick grove of trees and he was unable to play that either.
That meant his third attempt off the tee counted as his fifth shot.
Even that found the rough, his sixth went over the green and he needed a chip and two more putts to complete the horror hole.
"Just a couple of lazy swings today on 12 and I paid the price," Scott told reporters.
"I was just away with the fairies on that hole."
He said a lapse had been inevitable at some point.
"You just can't play good all the time," Scott said.
But he hasn't ruled out a comeback victory, saying with Royal Melbourne's greens getting faster it might not take any spectacular low rounds to rein in the leaders.
"If I can plug away at it I'll maybe claw my way back into it," Scott said.
World Cup of Golf: Adam Scott's winning streak in danger after horror hole at Royal Melbourne - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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In a lengthy journey en route to the LPGA tour's season-ending CME Group Titleholders that began in her homeland of New Zealand, Lydia Ko found herself slowly trudging through U.S. Customs at Los Angeles International Airport.
When she handed over her passport, she bumped into her "hello" moment.
The customs official asked her why she was in the U.S. Ko promptly said she was going to play in a golf tournament. The official in turn asked her if she was a professional golfer.
"Yes, I am," Ko said. "That was cool. It was the first time I said I was a pro."
And Ko will play for the first time as a professional Thursday at the Tiburon Golf Club. She will do so as the No. 5-ranked player in the world, as a winner of four professional tournaments, including two on the LPGA tour, and as the latest teenager to infuse heightened buzz into women's golf.
In a celebrated arrival, Ko, all of 16, is already well-versed in the ways of professional golf, having played in 15 pro events as an amateur, including 11 this season. Her talent is unquestioned, as she won the 2012 CN Canadian Women's Open at 15, then again at 16, and has never missed a cut.
And Ko, who has one year left of school before receiving her high school diploma, is well-versed in the cautionary tales of youngsters turning pro too early. That was one reason she didn't rush into her decision to leave the amateur ranks, even as she left more than $1 million on the table that she would have pocketed if she had been a pro in all the tournaments she played.
Although a spotlight has found her the last two years – she was named by Time Magazine as one of the 16 most influential teens in 2013 – she is well grounded and mature beyond her years, the result of the nurturing of mother, Tina, and father, Hong. She is easy with a smile, has an infectious laugh and goes by the nickname of Lyds with her many friends that she stays in contact with on Facebook. In other words, she is in no rush to turn 30 tomorrow.
She has yet to get a driver's license, yet to sign with a management team, yet to decide what clubs she will use, yet to determine where her home base will be in the U.S. And yet she remains patient.
"I totally understand where people are coming from if they are concerned about me turning pro too soon," said Ko, who was born in Seoul and moved with her family to New Zealand when she was 6. "When you're 16, you really haven't finished high school. You now have a job. You have to have a certain level of maturity. But this has always been my goal, my dream to play on the LPGA tour and I love playing out here. This is the right time."
While she just finished her year-end exams in New Zealand in English and Photography and studies in Psychology and History, Ko knows she has to deal with a learning curve on the LPGA tour.
She'll head back to school in New Zealand when the new school year starts in January, and the balancing act of golf and studies will once again force her to juggle properly the two disciplines. She said she will graduate high school and remains intent on going to college.
For now, however, mastering professional golf has her attention. For starters, she only played in back-to-back weeks once this year, so staying fresh and strong when playing three weeks in a row will be on her mind. Increased media demands will take up precious time, as well.
"And being on the tour is not just about playing golf. It's about attracting more people towards the game," said Ko, who was granted LPGA membership earlier this year when commissioner Michael Whan granted her petition to waive the LPGA's minimum age requirement of 18 to be a member. "Helping the LPGA, too, which is what a lot of the professionals do out here.
"I'm ready to do that."
She sounds ready to tackle the business side, too, and is among the favorites to win the $700,000 first-place prize this week, the largest in women's golf. Last week, she met one of her idols, Phil Mickelson, and gleaned some information on where to find a home base in the U.S.
"We're looking in Florida and Texas and a couple other places where there's no income tax," said Ko, who is fluent in Korean, English and can get by with her Spanish. "Phil mentioned that one of the biggest mistakes was staying after college where the taxes are quite high. So I'm trying to stay in a low place. I don't have any money yet."
She'll have plenty if she continues to play like she has.
"I don't think Lydia has anything to prove," said world No. 2 Suzann Pettersen. "She's already proven she's good enough to be out here on a regular basis. I've felt it in my body losing to her. She's a great player and she has a great career ahead of her."
Lydia Ko prepares for first golf tournament as a pro
When she handed over her passport, she bumped into her "hello" moment.
The customs official asked her why she was in the U.S. Ko promptly said she was going to play in a golf tournament. The official in turn asked her if she was a professional golfer.
"Yes, I am," Ko said. "That was cool. It was the first time I said I was a pro."
And Ko will play for the first time as a professional Thursday at the Tiburon Golf Club. She will do so as the No. 5-ranked player in the world, as a winner of four professional tournaments, including two on the LPGA tour, and as the latest teenager to infuse heightened buzz into women's golf.
In a celebrated arrival, Ko, all of 16, is already well-versed in the ways of professional golf, having played in 15 pro events as an amateur, including 11 this season. Her talent is unquestioned, as she won the 2012 CN Canadian Women's Open at 15, then again at 16, and has never missed a cut.
And Ko, who has one year left of school before receiving her high school diploma, is well-versed in the cautionary tales of youngsters turning pro too early. That was one reason she didn't rush into her decision to leave the amateur ranks, even as she left more than $1 million on the table that she would have pocketed if she had been a pro in all the tournaments she played.
Although a spotlight has found her the last two years – she was named by Time Magazine as one of the 16 most influential teens in 2013 – she is well grounded and mature beyond her years, the result of the nurturing of mother, Tina, and father, Hong. She is easy with a smile, has an infectious laugh and goes by the nickname of Lyds with her many friends that she stays in contact with on Facebook. In other words, she is in no rush to turn 30 tomorrow.
She has yet to get a driver's license, yet to sign with a management team, yet to decide what clubs she will use, yet to determine where her home base will be in the U.S. And yet she remains patient.
"I totally understand where people are coming from if they are concerned about me turning pro too soon," said Ko, who was born in Seoul and moved with her family to New Zealand when she was 6. "When you're 16, you really haven't finished high school. You now have a job. You have to have a certain level of maturity. But this has always been my goal, my dream to play on the LPGA tour and I love playing out here. This is the right time."
While she just finished her year-end exams in New Zealand in English and Photography and studies in Psychology and History, Ko knows she has to deal with a learning curve on the LPGA tour.
She'll head back to school in New Zealand when the new school year starts in January, and the balancing act of golf and studies will once again force her to juggle properly the two disciplines. She said she will graduate high school and remains intent on going to college.
For now, however, mastering professional golf has her attention. For starters, she only played in back-to-back weeks once this year, so staying fresh and strong when playing three weeks in a row will be on her mind. Increased media demands will take up precious time, as well.
"And being on the tour is not just about playing golf. It's about attracting more people towards the game," said Ko, who was granted LPGA membership earlier this year when commissioner Michael Whan granted her petition to waive the LPGA's minimum age requirement of 18 to be a member. "Helping the LPGA, too, which is what a lot of the professionals do out here.
"I'm ready to do that."
She sounds ready to tackle the business side, too, and is among the favorites to win the $700,000 first-place prize this week, the largest in women's golf. Last week, she met one of her idols, Phil Mickelson, and gleaned some information on where to find a home base in the U.S.
"We're looking in Florida and Texas and a couple other places where there's no income tax," said Ko, who is fluent in Korean, English and can get by with her Spanish. "Phil mentioned that one of the biggest mistakes was staying after college where the taxes are quite high. So I'm trying to stay in a low place. I don't have any money yet."
She'll have plenty if she continues to play like she has.
"I don't think Lydia has anything to prove," said world No. 2 Suzann Pettersen. "She's already proven she's good enough to be out here on a regular basis. I've felt it in my body losing to her. She's a great player and she has a great career ahead of her."
Lydia Ko prepares for first golf tournament as a pro
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Denmark's Thomas Bjorn shot 68 to take a one-stroke lead over American Kevin Streelman in the second round at the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne.
Bjorn edged ahead of Streelman (69) to go seven-under, although the United States lead the team standings overall.
Australian Jason Day and Portugal's Ricardo Santos share third place on four under after they carded 70 and 69.
Welshman Stuart Manley is a further shot behind, alongside Scotland's Martin Laird.
Bjorn, who shared the lead with Streelman after the first round, opened and closed his second round with a bogey. But the 42-year-old Dane was satisfied with everything in between, and particularly how he played the back nine.
"There were a couple of things that happened on the golf course that really tested me," Bjorn said. "I three-putted the first, so got caught a bit there.
"After that I patiently worked my way into the round and played very solidly. Maybe not quite as good as the first round on the front nine, but on the back nine I played awesome.
"Obviously it was disappointing to bogey the last, but if you'd asked me when the ball was in the air, I would've said you couldn't have hit a better golf shot.
"You have to take that on this course. Some bounces go your way, some go against you."
Japan's Hideto Tanihara, Mexico's Oscar Fraustro and Italian Francesco Molinari were the biggest climbers on the leaderboard at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, each shooting 67.
BBC Sport - World Cup of Golf: Thomas Bjorn leads Kevin Streelman by one shot
Bjorn edged ahead of Streelman (69) to go seven-under, although the United States lead the team standings overall.
Australian Jason Day and Portugal's Ricardo Santos share third place on four under after they carded 70 and 69.
Welshman Stuart Manley is a further shot behind, alongside Scotland's Martin Laird.
Bjorn, who shared the lead with Streelman after the first round, opened and closed his second round with a bogey. But the 42-year-old Dane was satisfied with everything in between, and particularly how he played the back nine.
"There were a couple of things that happened on the golf course that really tested me," Bjorn said. "I three-putted the first, so got caught a bit there.
"After that I patiently worked my way into the round and played very solidly. Maybe not quite as good as the first round on the front nine, but on the back nine I played awesome.
"Obviously it was disappointing to bogey the last, but if you'd asked me when the ball was in the air, I would've said you couldn't have hit a better golf shot.
"You have to take that on this course. Some bounces go your way, some go against you."
Japan's Hideto Tanihara, Mexico's Oscar Fraustro and Italian Francesco Molinari were the biggest climbers on the leaderboard at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, each shooting 67.
BBC Sport - World Cup of Golf: Thomas Bjorn leads Kevin Streelman by one shot
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Richie Incognito’s bad behavior on the golf course cost him a pretty penny.
The Miami Herald reported Sunday that Incognito — who allegedly harassed a 34-year-old female volunteer at the Dolphins' annual golf tournament in May 2012 — paid roughly $30,000 to "quietly settle" the case. The woman previously told Local 10 in Miami that she couldn't discuss the incident because of a confidentiality agreement.
Incognito was alleged to have touched the woman's privates with a golf club and emptied bottles of water in her face, according to a police report, which the woman filed but she never went through with pressing charges. The victim told cops that Incognito was drinking the day of the incident,
Incognito was suspended indefinitely by the team because of allegations by tackle Jonathan Martin that Incognito and other teammates were harassing him, though a report from NFL-com Sunday indicated that Incognito could play again for the Dolphins after his suspension.
New York lawyer Ted Wells, who the NFL hired as an independent investigator for the Incognito-Martin bullying scandal, wrapped up interviews with Dolphins players and coaches and released the following statement Saturday:
"We have concluded our initial round of interviews with the Miami Dolphins and spent time with every player and coach, as well as key staff members and management. Our work will continue over the next few weeks. I want to thank (Dolphins owner) Stephen Ross, the Dolphins organization and its players, coaches and staff for their complete cooperation throughout this process."
NFL-com reported Sunday that Wells' meeting with Incognito included more than 30 people, including representatives from the league, the NFLPA and several attorneys, and the report suggested Incognito could conceivably play again for the Dolphins. Wells reportedly will revisit with Martin.
Read more: Richie Incognito paid $30,000 to quietly settle alleged golf course harassment: report - NY Daily News
The Miami Herald reported Sunday that Incognito — who allegedly harassed a 34-year-old female volunteer at the Dolphins' annual golf tournament in May 2012 — paid roughly $30,000 to "quietly settle" the case. The woman previously told Local 10 in Miami that she couldn't discuss the incident because of a confidentiality agreement.
Incognito was alleged to have touched the woman's privates with a golf club and emptied bottles of water in her face, according to a police report, which the woman filed but she never went through with pressing charges. The victim told cops that Incognito was drinking the day of the incident,
Incognito was suspended indefinitely by the team because of allegations by tackle Jonathan Martin that Incognito and other teammates were harassing him, though a report from NFL-com Sunday indicated that Incognito could play again for the Dolphins after his suspension.
New York lawyer Ted Wells, who the NFL hired as an independent investigator for the Incognito-Martin bullying scandal, wrapped up interviews with Dolphins players and coaches and released the following statement Saturday:
"We have concluded our initial round of interviews with the Miami Dolphins and spent time with every player and coach, as well as key staff members and management. Our work will continue over the next few weeks. I want to thank (Dolphins owner) Stephen Ross, the Dolphins organization and its players, coaches and staff for their complete cooperation throughout this process."
NFL-com reported Sunday that Wells' meeting with Incognito included more than 30 people, including representatives from the league, the NFLPA and several attorneys, and the report suggested Incognito could conceivably play again for the Dolphins. Wells reportedly will revisit with Martin.
Read more: Richie Incognito paid $30,000 to quietly settle alleged golf course harassment: report - NY Daily News
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We've reached the point of the college football season where fans are trying to figure out what bowl their team will be slotted in and whether that game will be worth going to.
We're also at the point in the season when a faction of people (as in, most of them) start clamoring for a college football playoff like every other sport, including golf, has.
But that got me to wondering about what every other sport would look like if it had a bowl system instead of a playoff and that led me to this: Creating a bowl system for the 2013 PGA Tour.
Here is what 25 bowls (I couldn't, in good conscience, go beyond the top 50 money leaders) would look like if filled with golfers based on how they did during the PGA Tour regular season money list.
This isn't a great great ranking system but hey, neither is the BCS. The golf bowls would work the same as college football: One title game that means something (Tiger Woods vs. Matt Kuchar) and 24 other meaningless, but sometimes fun, games.
Here they are...
National title
Tiger Woods vs. Matt Kuchar -- Unfortunately we wouldn't get Woods vs. Adam Scott to settle the player of the year debate but hey somebody has to be 2003 Auburn.
Rose Bowl
Phil Mickelson vs. Brandt Snedeker -- This is perfect for Mickelson -- He loves California, he loves classic events, and he went to a Pac-12 school.
Orange Bowl
Henrik Stenson vs. Bill Haas -- About as boring as the Orange Bowl has become in real life.
Fiesta Bowl
Adam Scott vs. Justin Rose -- Terrific matchup here and perfect for a Fiesta Bowl that has been given some amazing games over the last decade.
Sugar Bowl
Keegan Bradley vs. Billy Horschel -- So much emotion in this matchup. Your TV might combust before completion.
Cotton Bowl
Jason Day vs. Kevin Streelman -- Mimics real life. You have the powerhouse SEC-like Day and unheralded and sometimes misunderstood Big 12-like Streelman.
Capital One
Jason Dufner vs. Jordan Spieth -- Potentially the matchup of the entire bowl season. Two grossly talented ball strikers.
Outback
Boo Weekley vs. Dustin Johnson -- What a pairing here. If we didn't get a mic on at least one of these guys a la college football coaches then I'd be terribly disappointed.
Alamo
Steve Stricker vs. Hunter Mahan -- Really strong matchup here, just like the Alamo Bowl. Also a throwback Alamo Bowl game as Mahan went to a Big 12 school and Stricker to a Big 10 school.
Chick-fil-A
Webb Simpson vs. Zach Johnson -- If you said "pick two people to play in the Chick-fil-A bowl from the PGA Tour, these are the two I'd pick. Funny how these things work out.
Sun
D.A. Points vs. Jim Furyk -- I don't watch the Sun Bowl, I wouldn't watch this.
Gator
Graeme McDowell vs. Harris English -- Sneaky great matchup here. The Ulsterman vs. English, man, it would be great.
Music City
Jonas Blixt vs. Russell Henley -- Good matchup between two young potential stars.
Holiday
Lee Westwood vs. Patrick Reed -- PGA Tour wins: Westwood -- 2, Reed -- 1. That's weird, no?
Buffalo Wild Wings
Jimmy Walker vs. John Merrick -- Forgettable, like every Buffalo Wild Wings game ever.
Russell Athletic
Charles Howell III vs. Charl Schwartzel -- Two of the best swings in golf in this one. Would be a great, underrated matchup.
Belk
Angel Cabrera vs. David Lingmerth -- Two guys who dress like they shop at Belk.
Fight Hunger
Martin Laird vs. Ken Duke -- Duke is built like he's already fought, and destroyed, hunger.
Heart of Dallas
Sang-Moon Bae vs. Michael Thompson -- Perfect for Bae given that Dallas (site of his first win) will always have a special place in his heart.
Texas
Rory McIlroy vs. Scott Piercy -- McIlroy is the Georgia of golf. Has a ton of losses and makes you say "wait, he's better than this, right?" Shouldn't his record be better than this. To my knowledge McIlroy hasn't lost control of anything yet, though, so there's that.
Pinstripe
Rickie Fowler vs. Graham DeLaet -- And Fowler would likely wear a pinstripe outfit to honor the bowl name.
Military
Scott Stallings vs. Sergio Garcia -- Garcia in any format that has the camera on him for five straight hours is always a timebomb. I'm in on this.
Independence
Chris Kirk vs. Roberto Castro -- Gonna guess ESPN won't be sending Brent and Herbie to cover this one.
Armed Forces
Bubba Watson vs. Ryan Palmer -- Bubba Watson is the Florida of golf. "Wait, he made a bowl...wait...he made this bowl?"
Liberty
Chris Stroud vs. Charley Hoffman -- This is the "wait, why are they playing these bowls again?" portion of the schedule.
What if golf had a bowl system? - CBSSports-com
We're also at the point in the season when a faction of people (as in, most of them) start clamoring for a college football playoff like every other sport, including golf, has.
But that got me to wondering about what every other sport would look like if it had a bowl system instead of a playoff and that led me to this: Creating a bowl system for the 2013 PGA Tour.
Here is what 25 bowls (I couldn't, in good conscience, go beyond the top 50 money leaders) would look like if filled with golfers based on how they did during the PGA Tour regular season money list.
This isn't a great great ranking system but hey, neither is the BCS. The golf bowls would work the same as college football: One title game that means something (Tiger Woods vs. Matt Kuchar) and 24 other meaningless, but sometimes fun, games.
Here they are...
National title
Tiger Woods vs. Matt Kuchar -- Unfortunately we wouldn't get Woods vs. Adam Scott to settle the player of the year debate but hey somebody has to be 2003 Auburn.
Rose Bowl
Phil Mickelson vs. Brandt Snedeker -- This is perfect for Mickelson -- He loves California, he loves classic events, and he went to a Pac-12 school.
Orange Bowl
Henrik Stenson vs. Bill Haas -- About as boring as the Orange Bowl has become in real life.
Fiesta Bowl
Adam Scott vs. Justin Rose -- Terrific matchup here and perfect for a Fiesta Bowl that has been given some amazing games over the last decade.
Sugar Bowl
Keegan Bradley vs. Billy Horschel -- So much emotion in this matchup. Your TV might combust before completion.
Cotton Bowl
Jason Day vs. Kevin Streelman -- Mimics real life. You have the powerhouse SEC-like Day and unheralded and sometimes misunderstood Big 12-like Streelman.
Capital One
Jason Dufner vs. Jordan Spieth -- Potentially the matchup of the entire bowl season. Two grossly talented ball strikers.
Outback
Boo Weekley vs. Dustin Johnson -- What a pairing here. If we didn't get a mic on at least one of these guys a la college football coaches then I'd be terribly disappointed.
Alamo
Steve Stricker vs. Hunter Mahan -- Really strong matchup here, just like the Alamo Bowl. Also a throwback Alamo Bowl game as Mahan went to a Big 12 school and Stricker to a Big 10 school.
Chick-fil-A
Webb Simpson vs. Zach Johnson -- If you said "pick two people to play in the Chick-fil-A bowl from the PGA Tour, these are the two I'd pick. Funny how these things work out.
Sun
D.A. Points vs. Jim Furyk -- I don't watch the Sun Bowl, I wouldn't watch this.
Gator
Graeme McDowell vs. Harris English -- Sneaky great matchup here. The Ulsterman vs. English, man, it would be great.
Music City
Jonas Blixt vs. Russell Henley -- Good matchup between two young potential stars.
Holiday
Lee Westwood vs. Patrick Reed -- PGA Tour wins: Westwood -- 2, Reed -- 1. That's weird, no?
Buffalo Wild Wings
Jimmy Walker vs. John Merrick -- Forgettable, like every Buffalo Wild Wings game ever.
Russell Athletic
Charles Howell III vs. Charl Schwartzel -- Two of the best swings in golf in this one. Would be a great, underrated matchup.
Belk
Angel Cabrera vs. David Lingmerth -- Two guys who dress like they shop at Belk.
Fight Hunger
Martin Laird vs. Ken Duke -- Duke is built like he's already fought, and destroyed, hunger.
Heart of Dallas
Sang-Moon Bae vs. Michael Thompson -- Perfect for Bae given that Dallas (site of his first win) will always have a special place in his heart.
Texas
Rory McIlroy vs. Scott Piercy -- McIlroy is the Georgia of golf. Has a ton of losses and makes you say "wait, he's better than this, right?" Shouldn't his record be better than this. To my knowledge McIlroy hasn't lost control of anything yet, though, so there's that.
Pinstripe
Rickie Fowler vs. Graham DeLaet -- And Fowler would likely wear a pinstripe outfit to honor the bowl name.
Military
Scott Stallings vs. Sergio Garcia -- Garcia in any format that has the camera on him for five straight hours is always a timebomb. I'm in on this.
Independence
Chris Kirk vs. Roberto Castro -- Gonna guess ESPN won't be sending Brent and Herbie to cover this one.
Armed Forces
Bubba Watson vs. Ryan Palmer -- Bubba Watson is the Florida of golf. "Wait, he made a bowl...wait...he made this bowl?"
Liberty
Chris Stroud vs. Charley Hoffman -- This is the "wait, why are they playing these bowls again?" portion of the schedule.
What if golf had a bowl system? - CBSSports-com
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Justin Timberlake was presented with the "Favorite male artist (soul/R&😎" award on Sunday at the AMA Awards by Dustin Johnson's fiance, Paulina Gretzky (topical!)
He proceeded to give a speech and take a fake golf swing on stage (GIF above).
Timberlake used to sponsor the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open until this season and still maintains a sub-10 handicap because, you know, Justin Timberlake needs more things to be good at.
GIF: Justin Timberlake takes golf swing at AMA Awards show - CBSSports-com
He proceeded to give a speech and take a fake golf swing on stage (GIF above).
Timberlake used to sponsor the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open until this season and still maintains a sub-10 handicap because, you know, Justin Timberlake needs more things to be good at.
GIF: Justin Timberlake takes golf swing at AMA Awards show - CBSSports-com
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Scott has been on fire on a valedictory tour of his homeland over the last few weeks, winning both the Australian PGA and Masters, and helping his country to hoist the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne last weekend.
The 33-year-old showed no sign of slowing down as he started his fourth event at the Royal Sydney Golf Course on Thursday, grabbing birdies on his first six holes, parring the middle eight and then picking up four shots on his final four holes.
The first streak of birdies had the US Masters champion contemplating the possibility that he might be about to join an even more select group of golfers, those who have shot rounds of 59 in professional tournaments.
"I wasn't thinking about it hard but I knew it was a possibility. Having birdied the six holes I birdied, I felt like all the opportunities were still to come," he said.
"So if I kept it going, and I had a good run around the turn, I felt it was on for sure."
It was not to be, though, and from his seventh hole - the 16th - Scott felt his swing desert him and was soon battling his frustration at being unable to continue his charge.
"It was a beautiful day for golf, I came out hitting great shots and didn't have much work to do to clean them up in the first five holes and had a nice putt on my sixth hole and I was really rolling at that stage," he said.
"But I think I've gone through a rollercoaster of emotion out there today from cruising after six holes to having to work pretty hard.
"Nothing much was going my way, I missed a green, felt like my swing was leaving me again, it's just amazing how in 18 holes you can do a 360 degrees of emotion and mood swings and everything."
Despite his success of the last few weeks, perfectionist Scott said he felt his swing had not been quite "in the slot" and revealed he had discussed his "sloppy" posture on the phone with his coach Brad Malone.
"It's a bit hard work for me at the moment," he said. "I still hit some great shots but a few average ones as well. But I got away with the bad ones today with some good saves."
It was all relative of course, and he continued to nail the four to five foot putts that punctuated his round before catching fire again at the sixth hole, his 15th.
Scott said the strong finish was essential to avoid wasting the opportunity his brilliant start had opened up, but part of him was still left contemplating how low he might have gone.
"I'm thinking about what today could have been, if I was really striking it and lost opportunities," he said.
Scott nevertheless said it had been one of the "best rounds" of his career, along with the round of 61 he hit to win the Qatar Masters in 2008 and a 62 he shot at the Memorial at Muirfield Village in 2007.
Thursday's round not only gave him a healthy early lead but also beat the course record of 65 held since the 2008 Australian Open by Stephen Dartnall, Matt Goggins, Ewan Porter, Chris Gaunt and Jason Norris.
Golf - Sizzling Scott fires course record at Australian Open - Yahoo Eurosport UK
The 33-year-old showed no sign of slowing down as he started his fourth event at the Royal Sydney Golf Course on Thursday, grabbing birdies on his first six holes, parring the middle eight and then picking up four shots on his final four holes.
The first streak of birdies had the US Masters champion contemplating the possibility that he might be about to join an even more select group of golfers, those who have shot rounds of 59 in professional tournaments.
"I wasn't thinking about it hard but I knew it was a possibility. Having birdied the six holes I birdied, I felt like all the opportunities were still to come," he said.
"So if I kept it going, and I had a good run around the turn, I felt it was on for sure."
It was not to be, though, and from his seventh hole - the 16th - Scott felt his swing desert him and was soon battling his frustration at being unable to continue his charge.
"It was a beautiful day for golf, I came out hitting great shots and didn't have much work to do to clean them up in the first five holes and had a nice putt on my sixth hole and I was really rolling at that stage," he said.
"But I think I've gone through a rollercoaster of emotion out there today from cruising after six holes to having to work pretty hard.
"Nothing much was going my way, I missed a green, felt like my swing was leaving me again, it's just amazing how in 18 holes you can do a 360 degrees of emotion and mood swings and everything."
Despite his success of the last few weeks, perfectionist Scott said he felt his swing had not been quite "in the slot" and revealed he had discussed his "sloppy" posture on the phone with his coach Brad Malone.
"It's a bit hard work for me at the moment," he said. "I still hit some great shots but a few average ones as well. But I got away with the bad ones today with some good saves."
It was all relative of course, and he continued to nail the four to five foot putts that punctuated his round before catching fire again at the sixth hole, his 15th.
Scott said the strong finish was essential to avoid wasting the opportunity his brilliant start had opened up, but part of him was still left contemplating how low he might have gone.
"I'm thinking about what today could have been, if I was really striking it and lost opportunities," he said.
Scott nevertheless said it had been one of the "best rounds" of his career, along with the round of 61 he hit to win the Qatar Masters in 2008 and a 62 he shot at the Memorial at Muirfield Village in 2007.
Thursday's round not only gave him a healthy early lead but also beat the course record of 65 held since the 2008 Australian Open by Stephen Dartnall, Matt Goggins, Ewan Porter, Chris Gaunt and Jason Norris.
Golf - Sizzling Scott fires course record at Australian Open - Yahoo Eurosport UK
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The Concerned Black Men of Calvert County’s 10th annual Tee Off for Kids golf tournament was held Sept. 30 at Twin Shields Golf Club in Dunkirk. What a beautiful day the Lord hath made. We were glad to rejoice and play golf in it.
Thanks to the golfers, volunteers, sponsors, catering by Dugue’s and Twin Shields, CBMCC can continue to “Care for Our Youth” by providing outreach projects, including mentoring, youth breakfasts, field trips and more.
For more information, please go to our website at The Concerned Black Men of Calvert County, Inc.: Mission.
Thanks to the following sponsors of this year’s golf tournament: Buehlers Market Place, NPJ Advertising & Public Relations, Tax Time Services, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity — Sigma Alpha Lambda chapter, Sneade’s Ace Home Center, Twin Shields Golf Club, Southern Maryland Spinners, Sue Kullen for Delegate District 27C, Mike’s House of Style, To God Be the Glory Beauty & Barber Supply, Myron Thompson, Dugue’s Catering, Smart Ride and Marylanders for Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert, Prince George’s).
Congratulations to the first-place team: Phil Sutton (captain), Darryl Spriggs, Paul Lombardi and Chad Thompson, with a winning score of 57.
Thanks to all who made golf event successful -- SoMdNews-com
Thanks to the golfers, volunteers, sponsors, catering by Dugue’s and Twin Shields, CBMCC can continue to “Care for Our Youth” by providing outreach projects, including mentoring, youth breakfasts, field trips and more.
For more information, please go to our website at The Concerned Black Men of Calvert County, Inc.: Mission.
Thanks to the following sponsors of this year’s golf tournament: Buehlers Market Place, NPJ Advertising & Public Relations, Tax Time Services, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity — Sigma Alpha Lambda chapter, Sneade’s Ace Home Center, Twin Shields Golf Club, Southern Maryland Spinners, Sue Kullen for Delegate District 27C, Mike’s House of Style, To God Be the Glory Beauty & Barber Supply, Myron Thompson, Dugue’s Catering, Smart Ride and Marylanders for Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert, Prince George’s).
Congratulations to the first-place team: Phil Sutton (captain), Darryl Spriggs, Paul Lombardi and Chad Thompson, with a winning score of 57.
Thanks to all who made golf event successful -- SoMdNews-com
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The World No.1 was in imperious form on a glorious morning at the Montgomerie course at the Maxx Royal Resort. He blitzed the front nine of his second round in just 30 shots including five birdies and no bogeys. He added another birdie at the 10th but his quest for that elusive 59 stalled when he could only record pars at the par-five 11th and 13th.
The putts dried up and imperious turned to delirious as his patience began to be sorely tested as chances came and went. He huffed and puffed and knuckled down to finish with a flourish with birdies at three of the final four holes to sign for a course-record nine under par 63.
"That round was close to being really special," Woods said thinking back to the putts that missed and derailed the 59. "I missed four putts inside 10 feet," he said. "But I made a bunch of putts, too. So, happy with 63. I'm only one shot back. I'm right in there," Woods said.
He's one back of European big guns Henrik Stenson and Ian Poulter who lead on 12 under par along with little-known Frenchman Victor Dubuisson and South African Justin Walters. Lee Westwood and Justin Rose are lurking at eight under par.
Woods expects a weekend birdie-fest so knows he will have to go low for another two rounds. "The course is set up to make a lot of birdies," he said. "The greens are receptive so no matter what club you have in the hands, you can just fire right at them."
And Woods can do it without much sleep, it appears, as he admitted he stayed up to watch his former college Stanford play football on TV. He was up and ready to finish off his storm-delayed first round just four-and-a-half hours later.
"I'm still on Singapore time," he said. He bagged the birdies at the 11th and 13th that he wished he could have repeated in his second round to keep the chance of a 59 going.
At least he didn't repeat his first round bogey at the 18th. Attempting to smash his second shot around a tree from the rough with a 5-wood, he stared in anguish as his ball plopped into the pond that defends the green. Second time around he plopped a bunker shot to three feet and holed the putt for birdie.
The race to watch Tiger was, as ever, a frenzied experience with the marshals fighting a losing battle to curb the enthusiasm of the crowd, and the caddies of Woods and his playing partners Stenson and Rose trying their best not to sound irritated while constantly asking people to stand still, keep quiet and stop clicking away with their ruddy cameras. Smart phones; stupid people.
Still, this golfing malarkey and Tigermania is new to Turkey. It's refreshing to see their joy in watching Woods and it seems only fair to give them a mulligan when it comes to understanding spectator etiquette.
The Race to Dubai is heating up nicely, too. Poulter has bet Stenson $100 that he will catch him to win Europe's money list next week in Dubai. Stenson gave him odds of 10-1. Bragging rights is all it will be and, whatever cash changes hands, it will be a drop in the ocean compared to the $1 million bonus that Europe's No.1 for the season will be awarded.
Poulter, who has shot two six under par 66s, shed more light on the bet. "I told him I was going to chase him down. I said if I do manage to catch you and pass you, we will have a nice night out and you have to pour my drinks for the evening. I think a thousand bucks isn't an issue for him but pouring my drinks all night might be a big problem," Poulter said.
He didn't divulge whether that was because of the amount he would drink or because Stenson is struggling with a wrist injury. Or both. Stenson looked concerned about his wrist.
"It's not in great shape," he said after his second round four under par 68. "I'm just hanging in there and I hope it doesn't get worse. If he (Ian) catches me, I can only pour with my left, so he's going to have to hold the glass himself. I've got this little bet with Ian and I knew he was going to come after me. I know he's not going to back down. I need to keep on making birdies, don't I?" Stenson said.
His birdie-filled first round eight under par 64 was a short-lived course record. Then, in contrast to Woods, he had to settle for pars at every hole on the front nine of the second round. But having birdied the 10th, his frustration boiled over when he missed a three-foot birdie putt at the par-five 11th. The Swede stomped to the 12th tee muttering under his breath like Muttley in The Wacky Races. There was a four-letter word that had a "K" in it. And it wasn't "Ikea".
Read more at Turkish Airlines Open: Tiger Woods falls narrowly short of historic 59 | Golf News | ESPN.co.uk