Major Disappointment for Tiger Woods!

The news comes as not all that shocking...having watched Tiger Woods battle incredible pain with every shot last weekend winning over Rocco Mediate after a grueling 91 holes of professional golf—on a very tough course!

If the additional damage he did ends up costing him more than the rest of 2008, then one has to ask was it worth the win. I know from a spectator’s perspective it was definitely worth watching!

Right now, at age 33 years old, Woods stands at fourteen Majors, and sixty-five wins on the PGA Tour. Only a total loss-of-use of his legs will likely prevent him from surpassing Jack Nicklaus's eighteen Major’s, and eventually Sam Sneed at Eighty Two PGA wins.

It is sad that we won’t have Tiger to watch the rest of this season, including the Ryder Cup (maybe Rocco Mediate could stand in for him).

While nobody on the PGA Tour, nor fans of the game, wish to see Tiger hurt, I am sure there is a renewed sense of competition between all professional touring players. A BIG obstacle is out of the way for the remainder of the 2008 golf season.

For those who missed what some have called the greatest US Open, the Golf Channel will replay a two-hour condensed version tonight at 9 p.m. ET.

Rest up for next year Tiger…Your work is not finished yet.

The Gotta-Grip Team

Greatest US Open Ever? 2008 Certainly in Contention!

For my money, this has to be among (if not THE) best US Open ever played. I will leave to those who know golf much better than I to make detailed comparisons; however, what could have been more exciting than the FIVE days of professional golf at Torrey Pines Golf Course (a public course).

As we in the Midwest are battling what is being called the 500-year flood (in some parts), professional golfers Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate competed in what could be termed The 50-Year Golf Match, & easily is the match of this century so far.

Mediate deserves a trophy for second place for his showing at this tournament, and perhaps that will come in the form of vaulting his ranking (157th prior to this event) to somewhere more towards the #1 position held by Woods who barely scratched out the win on his shaky knee. There was immediate talk of a spot on the Ryder Cup team for Rocco.

I think the way the gallery and public took to Rocco will bode well for commercial endorsements as he embarks on the rest of the 2008 season.

Yes, Tiger was in bad shape, just coming off knee surgery, and yes he answered every great shot with two of his own, but you have to also hand it to Mediate (12 years senior to Woods), who himself had back surgery. Anyone who has ever had lower back or knee problems might have been extra impressed that these two lasted 91 holes—period!

As Tiger said in the post game interview, "I am just glad it's over...I am DONE for a while".

Since this historic battle took place at a public course…open to all, maybe the best way to appreciate how good these guys are, and why the likes of Mickelson, Els, Garcia, et al, came up short—would be to play there some time.

It would have indeed been great to see someone win their first Major at 45 years old, which would have also made Rocco the oldest to win the US Open, but I'll bet this showing put a little "gas in his tank" and we've not seen the last of him this year.

What a country!

The Gotta-Grip Team

Kenny Perry knows Jack!

Kenny Perry became one of only two to win Jack Nicklaus’s Memorial Golf Tournament three times this past weekend. It is safe to say that the first two tournaments were not coincidence, and he joins Tiger Woods (who won three years in a row), in displaying three coveted trophies from this prestigious event found by Jack Nicklaus. Perry also won in 1991, and 2003.

Back in 1976, Jack’s idea of an “Augusta style” event took shape after years in the making. With but three goals in mind, began the annual event at Muirfield Village Golf Club. The first goal was to have an event that would attract the best players in the world (only 75 of the previous year’s earners are invited); next was to host in his hometown area where his love of the game learned at a young age would be well represented. Third, to use a portion of the proceeds to benefit worthy charities.

Currently, the main beneficiary of The Memorial is the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, having received millions in donations from the tournament founded by Nicklaus on the course he co-designed. This was, incidentally, the first golf course built for both player and spectator alike with its “amphitheater” viewing. What Jack developed, along with land planner Desmond Muirhead, was nothing less than a spectacular golf setting in Dublin OH, dubbed #17 on the top-100 courses in America by Golf Digest.

Kenny Perry may have not only solidified his chance to get on the Ryder Cup team by repeating what was his first win on the PGA Tour, but also has to some degree followed in the footsteps of Jack Nicklaus by finding ways to give back, and promote the sport of golf.

While their approaches differed slightly Kenny Perry also built a golf course, (Country Creek), in 1995. Country Creek caters to the average, to high handicapper. Green’s fees are daily fee, in the $30 range; however, both his, and Jack Nicklaus’s intent are in lock step, i.e., giving something back to the community, and giving something back to the game of golf they both took up as young boys.

PGA Tour win number eleven must have indeed been as sweet as "number one" for Kenny Perry, but just with another ONE on the end.

Congratulations!


From Gotta-Grip

Who's the greatest?

The argument over who is (or will be) the greatest golfer ever is far from over. tiger is still playing of course, but greatness is hard to define with simple statistics. Is Barry Bonds the greatest homerun hitter of all time? If it's proven he used steroids, is the answer the same?

I'm leaning towards Tiger but probably in the "will be" camp. My view of the stats to date is based on the first twelve years of each player as a Professional. With Nicklaus, 1961 through the 1972 season and Tiger, 1996 through the 2007 season.

In those years, Jack played in 232 PGA individual events (as opposed to team events, etc), won 45 and 11 majors. Tiger played in 215 events, won 61 and 13 majors. Jack turned Professional at 21, Tiger, also at 21.

Jack's remaining PGA results (not counting the Senior Tour) was as follows...362 tournaments, 28 wins, 7 majors. Obviously, like any good athlete, Jack's percentages tailed off with age, as I expect Tiger's will. One distinct difference I see moving forward is Tiger's attention to physical fitness. Jack early in his career dealt with some weight issues, but later on stayed fairly trim although I'm not aware that he worked on his overall fitness.

My bet would be that Tiger will surpass all of Jack's records, based on the fact he is already slightly ahead of pace and maintains a physical regimen that should enable him to remain competitive longer. Lots of things can happen but irrespective of any of them, I consider myself lucky to have been around to see both of them in person and in their prime.

Golf Wishes Happy Birthday to Stewart Cink

With four PGA wins and eleven total wins, including charity events and two wins at the Mexican Open, Stewart Cink could probably consider beating Tiger Woods again in 2008 as a goal. He did beat Tiger in the 2004 WGC-NEC (now known as Bridgestone) Invitational.

One of his other wins that year was when he beat Ted Purdy in a marathon five-hole playoff that was (for the most part) captured as depicted here...




An amazing shot from 75 yards out with the sun directly in his eyes (and in the sand), proved to be enough to get the ball close enough to edge out Purdy for the win.

Although it has been a while since he was in the top-10 worldwide ranking, Stewart Cink is building an impressive career, with two second place finishes this year already.


The Gotta-Grip Team

Golf and News Are Four-Letter-Words!

Tiger Woods, Rory Sabbatini, Arnold Palmer, Davis Love, Payne Stewart, Lee Trevino, Greg Norman and others…may all be joined by a new celebrity—not for golf, but for public speaking fame. Welcome Sue Simmons to the club!

I was not even nine years old when I heard my first curse-word on the golf course. Getting to ride with my dad when he golfed several times back then, I got a taste of bad language from my father’s friend who had a nasty temper when he missed a shot.

I freely admit to having cursed myself, and I have heard the most demure; shout, mutter, utter, mouth, and/or gesture a curse word in my life. I must also admit to being amused by the YouTube video sent to me as an e-mail link by a friend where Ms. Sue Simmons "lets the F-bomb fly" on an NBC TV News program, in what she apparently thought was a taped teaser for the 11:00PM news in NYC, which was actually LIVE...OUCH!

Sue Simmons is a New York City TV Anchor on WNBC. After making a major four-letter word faux pas, she apologized for her remark, which was meant as a joke not to be televised, and went on to say that it will not happen again. I would think that like the rest of the world, she means it will not happen again until she stubs her toe, etc. Apparently, there has been so much flack over her on-air remark that she may lose her job…A job she has had for a long time.

Curse words have no place on live TV where kids are potentially watching, nor do they belong on a televised broadcast of a golf match, but let’s face it—We are all human.

If you think about it, no person (unless born, raised, and died in a monastery), will go through life without hearing surly language. I even wonder about what the Amish, or Monks say when they accidentally drop a brick on their feet. No matter what words come out of one’s mouth at that time, we know what they meant and why they said it.

I say…lighten up; Sue Simmons shouldn’t be fired (I am sure she already feels bad enough), just like Tiger, Rory and any other person who shows their human side occasionally at work should not lose their entire career over mere words. If however, they were publicly showing hatred, as opposed to anger, that is another story, which requires swift and severe action.

I am playing golf this weekend so I promise to try to keep my mouth shut if something bad happens on the %#@* course, but will report the $&@# here if I fall short.

A guy from Gotta-Grip.

Golf Loves a Winner…And a Runner-Up!

The winner that golf loves this week is none other than Sergio Garcia, but the world also got a good look at Paul Goydos. Both of these golfers showed exemplary form, and what a finish they put on during what was a tumultuous day of golf.

The wind alone, prevented shots that normally would have been routine for the top golfers in the world, from rising above par…Add fast greens and unpredictable roughs, and you have the recipe for an “anything goes” afternoon of golf at the 2008 Players Championship.

One thing was clear to the players as they danced around the top positions looking for a break, which was voiced by Sergio as he accepted his trophy...I am sure he spoke for all when he said, “I would like to thank Tiger for not showing up this week”.

It makes you wonder the effect that Tiger actually has on the field weekly, and (maybe) makes you appreciate the few events he misses so we get a chance to focus on some of the other “Good Guys” in Golf.

Sergio has had a long spell, which while not completely dry, has seen him falter in his putting at critical times. Not so this time! On a day where the viewing audience at home got a look at just how windy it was when on Par 3 hole #17 of the playoff, his tee shot landed in the center of the green. It then took a right turn, following the green contour, and all but came to a stop 12 feet from the cup, when the wind pushed the ball (you could actually see it accelerate), towards the hole stopping about four, to five feet away. He just missed the put, but since the wind that drove his ball towards the hole had also put Goydos’s tee shot in water, PAR was good enough for the 28 year-old Spaniard to claim the top prize.

It was unclear which of these two would win when they headed off to begin the playoff, but leading up to this moment, it was clear that both were worthy competitors.

Paul Goydos proves to be someone that the game, its players, and the viewing public have adopted as the new golfer to watch & I hope we do see a lot more of him. Not too bad to earn over $1,000,000 for second place either.

Some players were saying that this tournament should indeed become a Major in golf. I agree and yesterday, it was “major fun” to watch.

Congratulations to both from the team at Gotta-Grip.

A Great Year for Golf—and Byron Nelson

As the 2008 EDS Byron Nelson Championship drew to a close, the weather teased the players with a wet course to open the final round. The players teased us with a tight race, which ended with another tease of a sudden-death playoff after Adam Scott drained an eight footer to tie Ryan Moore. This ultimately ended with Adam Scott on top after three extra holes.

Reflecting on this tournament led me to discover that three golf greats (Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, and Ben Hogan), were all born in the same year, 1912.

Today’s event is perhaps something that Golf’s Ultimate Gentleman (as he was known), of this trio, Byron Nelson, would have approved of the growing popularity of his namesake tournament, having 41golfers from other countries competing as of Thursday.

Perhaps he would be pleased that six of the top ten left on Sunday were from America. Certainly, Mr. Nelson would be proud of Bart Bryant, and Brian Gay, who are both native Texan’s, as well as fellow golfers.

Most of all, he may be proudest of the over 100 million dollars this tournament has raised in the past 40 years.

We marvel at Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player (as we should), but the likes of Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson laid the foundation of modern golf, and they are owed much for their contributions to the game.

Tiger has many accomplishments to his illustrious career, but we should not forget that in the short 14 years that Byron Nelson played professional golf, he managed 11 victories in a row, keeping him ahead of Tiger by five, and all before his retirement at the age of 34…one & a half years older than Tiger’s age today.

Here’s what the top ten from today’s Byron Nelson Championship have to shoot for…From the list of professional golfers with the most wins.

Sam Snead – 82 wins, Jack Nicklaus – 73 wins, Ben Hogan – 64 wins, Tiger Woods – 64 wins, Arnold Palmer – 62 wins, Byron Nelson – 52 wins, Billy Casper – 51wins, Walter Hagen – 44 wins, Cary Middlecoff – 40 wins, Gene Sarazen – 39 wins.

Compared to the top ten from today’s tournament, with a total of 13 (counting today) PGA career victories between them, Byron Nelson’s 52 wins in fourteen years looks pretty amazing indeed.

Congratulations to Adam Scott for winning the 2008 Byron Nelson Championship in spectacular fashion sinking a 49’ put to put the tournament away after three sudden death playoff holes.

Nevertheless, remember that in retrospect, 1912 was indeed a great birth-year for golf too.

Congratulations to all from the Gotta-Grip team.

The 2008 Masters Tournament in Augusta…What did I learn?

First, I learned this exciting year had DESTINY written all over it for Trevor Immelman and congratulations go out to him.

I learned that having a childhood hero like Gary Player coach you through what most agree is the #1 tournament in golf is special, and to win the tournament & be able to share it with your fellow compatriots from South Africa as well as your hero has to be the ultimate in golf.

The best picture of the day on CBS [for me] was when they showed a picture of [then] five-year old Trevor in the arms of Gary player.

Back at the tournament Sunday, Trevor managed to stave off the rest of the field, including Tiger Woods, Stuart Cink, and a very impressive relative newcomer Brandt Snedeker, who, if they handed out awards for grace under pressure, would have taken home more than a tie for third.

I learned that like almost all Masters Events, weather could play a big role in the outcome. In Augusta in April, the weather can change from calm, to rain, to beautiful sunshine, to extreme wind, from day to day.

It appeared to me that most all players were able to cope with these changing conditions well, with the exception putting. When they forecast that, the wind (on Sunday) could be a factor on puts longer than five feet, you know you are in for a tussle when you reach the green. Theses are greens that are easy to misread in good conditions, let alone having to plan on an extra tug in one direction or another. Perhaps adding high-power fans to the practice greens will become the next rage in golf.

I learned that past performance (seven past champions competed through Sunday) does not guarantee a victory.

One thing we all learned, Tiger Woods is every bit as much of threat to anyone leading a tournament as he has ever been. I will bet that Trevor Immelman is just glad they ran out of holes, because Tiger (although he admits he was putting poorly the entire week), was starting to come around Sunday, as he usually does. BTW…All who responded to our Gotta-Grip.com Blog Question picked Tiger Woods to win.

Congratulations to all 41 players who hung around over the weekend for 2008 in Augusta, as well as to those who earned the right to come back next year.

Kyle Lograsso...A Kid You Should Know

The world may have seen a glimpse of the next Tiger Woods; and that “glimpse” might just be spelled… K y l e L o g r a s s o. But he does not expect that comparison, nor does his family need that comparison. They are just glad he is Kyle.

Even if you do not play golf, and let’s also assume you don’t have children, his story is one you should know.

I was introduced to the story of Kyle Lograsso in an e-mail by a friend, which simply said in the subject line, “You gotta see this”. I do not know about you, but I get many e-mails that make similar demands, but this one “was all that, and much more!”

I clicked on the YouTube link, and a story of a young golf prodigy, reminiscent of the 1978 appearance of Tiger Woods on television at age two, began playing.

However, this story soon became much more than about talent. It started with his golf skills at age four, and then re-wound to his early life struggles with a deadly condition.

Kyle Lograsso was born in 2002 to a US Marine and his wife, who luckily saw something in one of his eyes that triggered a question to their doctor upon his two-year checkup.

At age two, Kyle was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, a rare form of cancer of the eye that affects about 250 children (usually before age five), in the US each year. Therefore, you could say that this diagnosis put Kyle (in 2002) in the category of about one-in-a-million.

While recovering from the operation that saved his young life, and with his family, led by his military father, stationed overseas, Kyle was forced to stay out of direct sun-light to heal, so one of his favorite things (at age two), was watching the Golf Channel.

Through one eye, he was instantly hooked on watching golf. This, and this alone, is what they attribute his developing his own skills for the game. At age four he was already shooting in the 40’s for nine holes.

We take great pride in the US, and the around the world, in lifting our sports heroes up on pedestals. By the time an athlete is in college, if they show real promise, they are showered with offers from professional sports teams that just about seal their fate with a guarantee of living happily ever after, and retiring wealthy.

There are rare occasions that we get a chance to see greatness before all the trapping’s of money, fame, endorsements, and the glamour, take hold, and “cloud the view” into the spirit of our heroes.

Golf is also typically a sport in which there are numerous exceptions to the “jading of the stars” rule, because the game of golf itself, The PGA, and the companies that support the game do so much to help people stricken with illness by donating to worthy charities.

Instead of a story where a talented young kid grows up to be a rich and famous golfer who gives back, Kyle Lograsso almost lost his life before age 3 and now at age 6, he is already giving back through the organization they formed to raise awareness and money for helping others.

The rest of his story, with links to the charity his family started, and current progress of this remarkable young man can be found at his web site http://www.kylelograsso.org.

I am old enough to have seen the Mike Douglas show live back in the late 70’s when Tiger Woods thrilled the studio audience, as well as the host, and guest, Bob Hope, with his golf skills (at age 2).

Kyle Lograsso may be the next Tiger Woods of golf, and when it comes to taking it to the next level; he is one-in-a-million.

Go Kyle Go!!!

It’s Not too late to Rent a House in Augusta

Recently on the Internet, there has been a flurry of activity revolving around the Masters Tournament (one of the most prestigious stops on the Professional Golf Tour). I noticed there are companies on line that offer house rentals near Augusta National by the week starting April 7, 2008.

In fact, if you have an extra $4,000 to $6,000 you can stretch out a little bit more that you can at your average Holiday Inn. That may sound like a steep price, but for the convenience of being within twenty miles from Augusta National Golf Course in April, there is a price to pay.

If you, and four friends were lucky enough to all get tickets (albeit unlikely), for the tournament, $1,200 each for the week for lodging would seem like “a steal” in that town.

One house had a pool, workout area, housekeeping service, the works, all for a measly $4,300 for the week.

Don’t worry about your “significant other” sneaking off to Georgia on a lark to attend the tournament and blow five grand on a house for the week. You see, they would have had to plan this far in advance. This year is SOLD out for general admission; and don’t think you can just waltz in there for the practice rounds either; those folks probably ordered last year and were lucky enough to be picked at random for the pre-show show. They are accepting requests for 2009 now though.

So you may be relegated to watching the tournament on TV in that $5k per week abode if you head down uninvited. I do not even want to guess what tickets go for from scalpers near the event.

Therefore, I will be plunked down on my couch at my home, watching to see who gets the Green Jacket this year…The Green Jacket of Golf.

The Green Jacket of Golf will be put on the winner, with the help of Zach Johnson (The 2007 Winner), on April 13, 2008, barring a rain delay or other event that impedes the tournament.

Speaking of the Green Jacket, I wondered about that, why green. I did some research online, and read the players first wore the jacket…not AFTER the event, but DURING, so that reporters and fans could distinguish the players from the other (distinguished-looking) gallery.

There will no doubt be a battle this year by the strong field nearing 100 as I write this. Who doesn’t want to win this one?

It will have extra historic significance if Tiger Woods) wins because he is winding his way towards beating Jack Nicklaus (73 wins), and then on to becoming the all-time winning golfer once he reaches the magic number of 83 wins, which will be one better than Sam Snead achieved.

Historically, Augusta has presented many different golfers with a chance to compete, as it changes with wind, rain and the other curves that spring days in Eastern Central Georgia.

Just like a good horse race, the weather may play a role in who’s wearing green this year.

So if you are one of the lucky ones to have waited your turn to get tickets (and I mean waited), and get one of those creampuff rental homes as your bunkhouse, think of the rest of us while you are there.

PGA Drug Testing One, Two. A Prescription for an Interesting Summer 08

It looks like it is a forgone conclusion that there will be drug testing on the PGA Tour. I am sure the opinions about this vary from player to player, fan to fan, and official to official.

However, the one whose "opinion" counts, PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, has made it official.

While it is generally believed that Mr. Finchem agrees that golf is the sport where honor, integrity, and honesty dictate that players turn themselves in for breaking any rules, and therefore no such testing is needed, it is nonetheless a fact that testing starts summer 2008.

Golfers have received training as to what to expect, what is legal and illegal, and what, how, why, but not necessarily when and where they can be tested. This may include surprise visits to their homes for random testing.

Looking at other sports like football, baseball, basketball that have employed drug testing, one might deduce that it is only fair that professional golfers also follow suit.

If you look at the way golf is is set up; i.e., if a player does not play well in [any] tournament, they don't get paid that week, then it stands to reason that there would at least be the temptation for using performance-altering substances to enhance their chance of taking home the trophy (and cash) for their efforts.

However, I think what drug testing in the PGA will uncover, is that these athletes are indeed full of mood-altering, and performance-altering substances foreign to most others...Substances like Character, Pride, Generosity, Hope, Charity, Skill, Witt (see David Feherty), and good old-fashioned hard work.

It may be hard for us not making a living by doing something that we "enjoy" playing every chance we get, to fully understand what it's like for most players on the PGA Tour. Traveling up to 30 weeks per year, living away from family & friends, and having to be at the top of your game—just to keep your card so you can come back and do it again next year must take its toll.

I for one, will be glued to the TV this summer, waiting for any infraction of the new PGA Tour Drug Testing Policy to be announced during my favorite tournament(s).

Tournaments showing the professional golfers that I admire so much. Tournaments sponsored by Cialis, Viagra, Ambien, Plavix, and other fine products whose commercials include warnings like "see your doctor to make sure that "NAME OF DRUG HERE" is right for you...Side effects may include: vomiting, dizziness, erections lasting longer than four hours, drowsiness, fainting, diarrhea, constipation, and in rare occurrences, death". You know the ones!

After having the United States Congress hold hearings on whether baseball players did, or did not, take something to enhance their play, it's good to see that the professional players in golf, for the most part, haven't had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the new testing reality this summer. We don't need to waste another (whatever it costs to hold hearings for three days in Washington), [penny] on what athletes are doing to their bodies.

Bottom line is this was inevitable, but I fear the only scandal that may arise out of this is the illegal sale, and trading, of Tiger-Urine...for human cloning of his DNA.

Augusta 2008...Place Your Picks Here!

The field of golfers who may play in the 2008 Big event on April 7-13, 2008 is growing, and it includes eighteen first-timer's, and three amateurs.

This should be one of the best years ever in Augusta Georgia, if you can get in, and if you can find a place to stay.

Here is the field, but our question "of the day", will actually be left open until April 6th, 2008, so it's sort of our question of the month.

Our question will offer five potential choices for you to pick who you think will wear the Green Jacket of Golf this year, and it also contains a space for "other" if you don't like our picks.

Let's see who can get closest to the truth.

Our choices are bolded below.

Here's the field so far:
====================================================================
J. B. Holmes, Stuart Appleby, Adam Scott, Charles Howell III, Woody Austin, John Senden, Trevor Immelman, Aaron Baddeley, Jeev Milkha Singh, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Brian Bateman, Vijay Singh, Zach Johnson, Jonathan Byrd, Heath Slocum, Robert Karlsson, Angel Cabrera, Brandt Snedeker, Shingo Katayama, Mark Calcavecchia, Craig Stadler, Jerry Kelly, Michael Campbell, Henrik Stenson, Trip Kuehne, Paul Casey, Richard Sterne, Bernhard Langer, K. J. Choi, Steve Stricker, Liang Wen-Chong, Daniel Chopra, Toru Taniguchi, Steve Lowery, Stewart Cink, Vaughn Taylor, Sandy Lyle, Tim Clark, Michael Thompson, Hunter Mahan, Fred Couples, David Toms, Prayad Marksaeng, Ben Crenshaw, D.J. Trahan, Shaun Micheel, Ben Curtis, Scott Verplank, Phil Mickelson, Luke Donald, Camilo Villegas, Larry Mize, Nick Dougherty, Nick Watney, Arron Oberholser, Ernie Els, Bubba Watson, Geoff Ogilvy, Niclas Fasth, Tom Watson, Sean O'Hair, Steve Flesch, Drew Weaver, Nick O'Hern, Raymond Floyd, Boo Weekley, Jose Maria Olazabal, Jim Furyk, Mike Weir, Mark O'Meara, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Gary Player, Retief Goosen, Brett Wetterich, Ian Poulter, Richard Green, Tiger Woods, John Rollins, Todd Hamilton, Ian Woosnam, Andres Romero, Anders Hansen, Fuzzy Zoeller