I've said it before and I'm saying it again - trying to pick the winner of a golf tournament is more difficult than any other sport. Going through the list of participants for this year's Masters, I came up with 27 players I think have a legitimate chance at winning. And that doesn't even include recent major winners like Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, and Lucas Glover, nor does it include three of the last four Masters winners - Angel Cabrera, Trevor Immelman, and Zach Johnson. How crazy is that?
Watch 30 minutes of coverage this week and you get 30 different interpretations by the "experts." You have to be a long hitter. No, wait, you don't. Iron play is critical. No, putting is more important. Really, it's anybody's guess. And that's exactly what I'm doing here, but still having fun with it. I mean, with a major tournament that's this wide open, it's going to have to be one heckuva good weekend!
So before I burst a blood vessel trying to analyze and scrutinize who's got what it takes to win, I'll leave my "guesses" below. Have some fun with it and leave yours in the comments section.
Favorite - Phil Mickelson - after winning in convincing fashion last week, the defending champ is the odds on favorite (at least according to Vegas: 7 to 1).
Darkhorse - Miguel Angel Jiminez - great ballstriker, savvy veteran, looking to cap stellar career with first major.
Surprise to miss the cut - Steve Stricker - inconsistent year so far, although coming off good performance last week at Shell Houston Open. Putting usually best part of game, but falls short this week.
Top "old guy" - First Greg Norman at the '08 British Open, then Tom Watson at the '09 British Open. Which grizzly vet will make a run this week? '12 Ryder Cup Captains Jose Maria Olazabal and Davis Love III give preview of what's to come, battle it out for top-20 finish.
Contender - Hunter Mahan - getting closer and playing well this year - he'll be in the hunt.
Champion - Aaron Baddeley - rejuvenated Aussie has been playing brilliant golf this season, especially since dumping the stack and tilt swing. Best finish at Augusta is a T17 in '09, but he's a whole new player this year. Plus, he's the best player who's still flying under the media radar.
Masters coverage starts Thursday at 3pm on ESPN. Or you can go to masters.com to watch extended coverage online, including featured groups, Amen Corner, and holes 15 and 16.
Check here for the list of invitees and leave your picks below! http://www.masters.com/en_US/players/invitees_2011.html
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Funnest Masters Tradition - The Par 3 Contest
Augusta National and the Masters tournament ooze tradition - from the drive down Magnolia Lane to the all white jumpsuits the caddies wear, from the honorary starters to the Champions dinner, from the pimento and cheese sandwiches to the green jacket.
But the most entertaining, the most fun of all the traditions, is the annual par 3 contest on the Wednesday of tournament week.
The par 3 contest has been a tradition since it was first played in 1960. And lucky for us, starting a few years ago, the powers that be decided to start televising it.
The contest is played over 9 holes to a par of 27 on an absolutely gorgeous design.
And this contest is all about fun. The atmosphere is spirited, relaxed, and casual. Here's where you see the pros' kids caddying for them, dressed in oversize caddy jumpers, and even putting for dad!
Here's where you see three of the all-time greats - Nicklaus, Palmer, and Player - paired together, firing at flagsticks and draining 40 ft putts.
Here's where you hear great banter between player and caddy, player and child, player and fans. At last year's contest, Jim Fyruk promised his daughter she could finally putt for him on one of the holes. He then had to explain to her why she couldn't - he had made a hole in one! She didn't care about dad's great shot, she was just bummed she couldn't putt!
And yes, if you've never seen a hole in one, or if you have and want to see more, you're virtually guaranteed of seeing at least one. There have been 72 holes in one in the contest's history. The record for one year was five in 2002!
Despite the relaxed atmosphere and fun of it all, they do crown a winner at the end. But let's just say it's not a title any pro is keen to win, at least if they're superstitious or a student of history. No player has won the par 3 and gone on to win the Masters in the same year. Who knows - maybe this year will be the first.
The par 3 contest airs on ESPN on Wednesday at 3 p.m. You can also go to www.masters.com to view live coverage online.
Monday, April 4, 2011
2011 Masters Preview
Until Phil Mickelson thumped the field to win the Shell Houston Open yesterday, there didn't appear to be a clear favorite for the first major of the year, this week's Masters. But after posting 20-under par to win by three, Mickelson has leaped to the forefront of the favorites.
Mickelson, the defending Masters champion, is coming off his best week of the year. There is a reason Mickelson has won three Masters tournaments - Augusta National favors a player who can hit high, soft fades into tight pin placements. As a lefty, Mickelson has a distinct advantage. For a right-handed player, as a majority of professionals are, the course sets up to require a right to left draw shot. This makes it difficult to stop approach shots close to the hole. On the other hand, a lefty like Mickelson can shape his shots from right to left using a high fade, which lands softer and makes it easier to fire in to those tight pin placements. This is part of the reason world #1 Martin Kaymer has struggled at Augusta, missing the cut all three times he's played there. Kaymer's natural shot is a draw, so he's been working on hitting the fade in preparation for the Masters. It's not there yet, and he feels he might still be a year away.
Watch for Bubba Watson this week. He's a lefty and a dynamo at shaping his shots. If his short game is there, the course could be a perfect fit for Bubba.
But the reason this tournament is so wide-open this year is because Augusta National tests every part of your game. Yes it favors bombers, but that hasn't stopped guys like Zach Johnson and Trevor Immelman, relatively short hitters, from winning in recent years.
That's because you have to be dead on with your mid-irons; your short game has to be immaculate around Augusta's giant, speedy, undulating greens; and you will not win if you're not putting brilliantly this week.
So who are the favorites? Mickelson and last year's runner-up, Lee Westwood, have to be favored. Dustin Johnson, with his success in last year's majors, is a name that keeps popping up. He defintely has the length for the course, but his putting has been incosistent, especially in big moments when it counts. I have to see him actually do it one time before I can consider him a true favorite.
Rory McIlroy is another name that gets bantered around when talking about the Masters, but he's been largely absent this year from contending for tournaments. Maybe he's a darkhorse, because he certainly possesses the talent.
We've seen some flashes of the old Tiger, but what we haven't seen is four consistently good rounds. Maybe this is the week the four-time Masters champion puts it all together and wins his first major since 2008's epic at Torrey Pines.
And watch out for a guy like Luke Donald. The WGC-Accenture Matchplay winner has the total game to get it done at Augusta. Guys would pay big money for his short-game expertise, but whether he can be consistent off the tee with the driver will determine his fate this week.
It will take a lot to top Mickelson's 6-iron off the pine needles last year that propelled him to the win, but this field is certainly capable of making a magic moment.
With Phil eager to defend his title; Tiger ready to relaunch his march toward history; and Lee Westwood looking to storm through the door to his first major, the 2011 Masters may just be, one for the ages.
Mickelson, the defending Masters champion, is coming off his best week of the year. There is a reason Mickelson has won three Masters tournaments - Augusta National favors a player who can hit high, soft fades into tight pin placements. As a lefty, Mickelson has a distinct advantage. For a right-handed player, as a majority of professionals are, the course sets up to require a right to left draw shot. This makes it difficult to stop approach shots close to the hole. On the other hand, a lefty like Mickelson can shape his shots from right to left using a high fade, which lands softer and makes it easier to fire in to those tight pin placements. This is part of the reason world #1 Martin Kaymer has struggled at Augusta, missing the cut all three times he's played there. Kaymer's natural shot is a draw, so he's been working on hitting the fade in preparation for the Masters. It's not there yet, and he feels he might still be a year away.
Watch for Bubba Watson this week. He's a lefty and a dynamo at shaping his shots. If his short game is there, the course could be a perfect fit for Bubba.
But the reason this tournament is so wide-open this year is because Augusta National tests every part of your game. Yes it favors bombers, but that hasn't stopped guys like Zach Johnson and Trevor Immelman, relatively short hitters, from winning in recent years.
That's because you have to be dead on with your mid-irons; your short game has to be immaculate around Augusta's giant, speedy, undulating greens; and you will not win if you're not putting brilliantly this week.
So who are the favorites? Mickelson and last year's runner-up, Lee Westwood, have to be favored. Dustin Johnson, with his success in last year's majors, is a name that keeps popping up. He defintely has the length for the course, but his putting has been incosistent, especially in big moments when it counts. I have to see him actually do it one time before I can consider him a true favorite.
Rory McIlroy is another name that gets bantered around when talking about the Masters, but he's been largely absent this year from contending for tournaments. Maybe he's a darkhorse, because he certainly possesses the talent.
We've seen some flashes of the old Tiger, but what we haven't seen is four consistently good rounds. Maybe this is the week the four-time Masters champion puts it all together and wins his first major since 2008's epic at Torrey Pines.
And watch out for a guy like Luke Donald. The WGC-Accenture Matchplay winner has the total game to get it done at Augusta. Guys would pay big money for his short-game expertise, but whether he can be consistent off the tee with the driver will determine his fate this week.
It will take a lot to top Mickelson's 6-iron off the pine needles last year that propelled him to the win, but this field is certainly capable of making a magic moment.
With Phil eager to defend his title; Tiger ready to relaunch his march toward history; and Lee Westwood looking to storm through the door to his first major, the 2011 Masters may just be, one for the ages.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Welcome to the 2011 Golf Season
I've taken more time off from updating this blog than golfers do now for their "off-seasons." I hope I'll be forgiven by my loyal followers. But I'm back now and geared up for a huge 2011 golf season.
As you may have noticed, the site has an updated look and I'll be adding new features as the spring moves along.
I've kept busy over the winter writing posts for VisitSouth.com as the Williamsburg Insider, as well as writing articles for the Virginia Golf Report. The VGR is a regional golf magazine that covers college, junior, and amateur golf in central Virginia. Owner Kevin Kane has done an outstanding job creating a magazine that promotes junior and local golf in Virginia. I'm very grateful he's given me the opportunity to write and contribute for him. You can read the online version at http://www.virginiagolfreport.com/, including my story on the College Prep Golf Tour on page 22 of the early spring 2011 issue.
For those of you still cooped up inside, held captive by the late winter gloom, fear not, for there is a sure sign spring is just around the corner. That's right, ESPN and CBS are in full advertising assault for one of spring's great rituals, The Masters. Redbuds and azaleas are bursting to bloom here in the south and will soon brighten your TV screens at home. Look for my Masters preview coming soon, as well as full coverage of Masters week.
Drop me a line if you have comments or suggestions for the blog. If you're a casual reader and haven't hit the "follow" button yet, please do.
Talk to you soon!
As you may have noticed, the site has an updated look and I'll be adding new features as the spring moves along.
I've kept busy over the winter writing posts for VisitSouth.com as the Williamsburg Insider, as well as writing articles for the Virginia Golf Report. The VGR is a regional golf magazine that covers college, junior, and amateur golf in central Virginia. Owner Kevin Kane has done an outstanding job creating a magazine that promotes junior and local golf in Virginia. I'm very grateful he's given me the opportunity to write and contribute for him. You can read the online version at http://www.virginiagolfreport.com/, including my story on the College Prep Golf Tour on page 22 of the early spring 2011 issue.
For those of you still cooped up inside, held captive by the late winter gloom, fear not, for there is a sure sign spring is just around the corner. That's right, ESPN and CBS are in full advertising assault for one of spring's great rituals, The Masters. Redbuds and azaleas are bursting to bloom here in the south and will soon brighten your TV screens at home. Look for my Masters preview coming soon, as well as full coverage of Masters week.
Drop me a line if you have comments or suggestions for the blog. If you're a casual reader and haven't hit the "follow" button yet, please do.
Talk to you soon!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Redding Rankings - November 15, 2010
If you missed my post from last Monday, I've decided that...well, the World Golf Rankings are silly. There is a much better golf ranking system out there. It's called the Redding Rankings. The Redding Rankings are based on...you guessed it, my observations, thoughts, and opinions.
This past weekend, Australian Adam Scott, he of so much potential, posted a win at the Barclays Singapore Open, over a field that included defending champ Ian Poulter and three out of four of the 2010 Major winners (McDowell, Kaymer, and Mickelson). So with a solid win over a stellar field, Scott is the only new addition to this week's rankings. Read on to see who he bumped out.
1. Lee Westwood
2. Martin Kaymer
3. Graeme McDowell
4. Francesco Molinari
5. Jim Furyk
6. Dustin Johnson
7. Luke Donald
8. Adam Scott
9. Matt Kuchar
10. Bubba Watson
Englishman Ross Fisher falls out of this week's Top 10. Maybe this win by Scott will help propel him into the 2011 season. A winning Scott is a good thing for pro golf.
This past weekend, Australian Adam Scott, he of so much potential, posted a win at the Barclays Singapore Open, over a field that included defending champ Ian Poulter and three out of four of the 2010 Major winners (McDowell, Kaymer, and Mickelson). So with a solid win over a stellar field, Scott is the only new addition to this week's rankings. Read on to see who he bumped out.
1. Lee Westwood
2. Martin Kaymer
3. Graeme McDowell
4. Francesco Molinari
5. Jim Furyk
6. Dustin Johnson
7. Luke Donald
8. Adam Scott
9. Matt Kuchar
10. Bubba Watson
Englishman Ross Fisher falls out of this week's Top 10. Maybe this win by Scott will help propel him into the 2011 season. A winning Scott is a good thing for pro golf.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Redding Rankings - November 8, 2010
As mentioned in my last post, the World Golf Rankings are a tough nut to crack. Until recently, Tiger Woods was ranked first (for the past 282 weeks), yet hadn't won a single tournament in 2010.
Think about it like this: what if Michigan's football team was ranked first the last two seasons, didn't win a game for the first two months of this season, and was still ranked #1? You would think the voters and/or computer system were full of it. And you'd be right.
So each Monday I'll post the Redding Rankings. These are based on my observations, some research (sometimes), and the ocean tides. Once it's shown how accurate they are, I'm sure they'll be adopted by the PGA and the R&A as the official rankings.
World Golf Rankings out.
Redding Rankings in.
My rankings will be based on: results in last four majors; current trend including most recent tournament; last two months of play; and injuries.
So without further ado, here they are:
1. Lee Westwood
2. Martin Kaymer
3. Graeme McDowell
4. Francesco Molinari
5. Jim Furyk
6. Dustin Johnson
7. Luke Donald
8. Ross Fisher
9. Matt Kuchar
10. Bubba Watson
Obviously I've left out some huge names. So if you disagree, please leave a comment and tell me why.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Westwood Overtakes Tiger as World No. 1
Imagine being ranked number one in the world in your profession. Now imagine being ranked number one for 281 consecutive weeks. Let me say it again - 281 consecutive weeks.
No one can catch you. Not wiley veterans nor young guns. It's like the top spot was meant for you. A few come close, but they can't quite catch you.
Honestly, I can't even imagine being the top rated golf blogger for a week. I'm usually happy if I can piece together a halfway coherent paragraph.
But Tiger Woods was the number one player in the world for over five years, until Lee Westwood put together a string of wins to overtake Woods. Wait, that's not right. Westwood won the St. Jude Classic back in June, but that's his only win this season.
Come to think of it, Tiger Woods doesn't even have one win this season and he was ranked #1.
What gives?
Well, rankings are based on a formula that takes into account a player's results over a two year "rolling" period. I was going to try and explain the way it works here, but I don't have that kind of patience, so if you're really a glutton for punishment, you can read the rest of the formula at the World Golf Rankings official website.
Like the BCS in college football, no one really seems to understand the rankings. Up until last November no one really questioned them either. But it was painfully obvious this season that Tiger Woods was not the #1 player in the world. There weren't many times he was the #1 player in his tournament pairing for the week.
On Sunday, Lee Westwood took over the number one spot from Woods, not because he beat Woods in a tournament; not even because he won a tournament. He did so because he finally caught him in points.
That's not to say Westwood isn't deserving of the top spot. Quite the contrary, I think he is the best player in golf right now. He's had four top-5 Major finishes over the last two years and it's only a matter of time before he actually wins one. It's hard to find a weakness in his game.
Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer are both deserving of a mention too. U.S. Open champion McDowell has two wins on the European Tour this season and a remarkable Ryder Cup performance in Wales. Kaymer's been a steady winner on the Euro tour over the past two years and is reigning PGA Champion.
Westwood's ranking might last a few weeks or it might last a year. It all depends on how many points he earns and how the formula spits out the ranking. I'll stick with the old time tested method of my own observation. Westwood's number one...for now.
No one can catch you. Not wiley veterans nor young guns. It's like the top spot was meant for you. A few come close, but they can't quite catch you.
Honestly, I can't even imagine being the top rated golf blogger for a week. I'm usually happy if I can piece together a halfway coherent paragraph.
But Tiger Woods was the number one player in the world for over five years, until Lee Westwood put together a string of wins to overtake Woods. Wait, that's not right. Westwood won the St. Jude Classic back in June, but that's his only win this season.
Come to think of it, Tiger Woods doesn't even have one win this season and he was ranked #1.
What gives?
Well, rankings are based on a formula that takes into account a player's results over a two year "rolling" period. I was going to try and explain the way it works here, but I don't have that kind of patience, so if you're really a glutton for punishment, you can read the rest of the formula at the World Golf Rankings official website.
Like the BCS in college football, no one really seems to understand the rankings. Up until last November no one really questioned them either. But it was painfully obvious this season that Tiger Woods was not the #1 player in the world. There weren't many times he was the #1 player in his tournament pairing for the week.
On Sunday, Lee Westwood took over the number one spot from Woods, not because he beat Woods in a tournament; not even because he won a tournament. He did so because he finally caught him in points.
That's not to say Westwood isn't deserving of the top spot. Quite the contrary, I think he is the best player in golf right now. He's had four top-5 Major finishes over the last two years and it's only a matter of time before he actually wins one. It's hard to find a weakness in his game.
Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer are both deserving of a mention too. U.S. Open champion McDowell has two wins on the European Tour this season and a remarkable Ryder Cup performance in Wales. Kaymer's been a steady winner on the Euro tour over the past two years and is reigning PGA Champion.
Westwood's ranking might last a few weeks or it might last a year. It all depends on how many points he earns and how the formula spits out the ranking. I'll stick with the old time tested method of my own observation. Westwood's number one...for now.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday Fourball Pairings - Pavin Takes Big Chance
Friday's fourball match ups have been announced and there are certainly some interesting picks by the captains.
Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson will lead the way for the U.S. against England's Lee Westwood and Germany's Martin Kaymer. This is in essence a Masters rematch from April when Mickelson and Westwood played the final pairing, and Mickelson made his magic to capture the green jacket. The other interesting aspect? A "what could have been" match up of PGA winner Kaymer and PGA sob story Johnson.
Both pairings have a top 5 vet and a rookie. I like the steady play of Westwood and Kaymer in this one, especially with soggy conditions at Celtic Manor.
Next out for Team USA is two of the nicest, aww shucks guys in professional golf - Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar. They'll take on the Northern Irish contingent of Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy. This means fans will have to wait to see the much sought after Woods/McIlroy match up.
Another good one, but I like McIlroy/McDowell on "home" turf. McDowell knows the course well after having won the Celtic Manor Wales Open in June. His local knowledge should pay off well.
No surprise here as Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker join forces to take on the English chaps Ross Fisher and Ian Poulter. If Woods is on and Stricker putts like he can, this is a mismatch. But those are big "ifs," and anything can happen in Ryder Cup play.
All four players are excellent putters, and this match will come down to a putt to either win or halve the match.
In perhaps the most...odd?...pairing, Corey Pavin sends out Ryder Cup rookies Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton. They'll take on Ryder Cup vets Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington.
Momentum is important in championships, and I think it's perplexing that Pavin would end morning play with two rooks vs two vets. Donald and Harrington are both excellent scramblers and putters, so the rooks better get the jitters out early or this one could be a blowout.
Pavin left out three of his strongest players: Furyk, Mahan, and Zach Johnson. Interesting strategy. No wonder he's been so mum about it all week.
The Ryder Cup is about taking chances, but if Pavin's chance doesn't pay off early, it could be long, hard weekend for the Americans.
Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson will lead the way for the U.S. against England's Lee Westwood and Germany's Martin Kaymer. This is in essence a Masters rematch from April when Mickelson and Westwood played the final pairing, and Mickelson made his magic to capture the green jacket. The other interesting aspect? A "what could have been" match up of PGA winner Kaymer and PGA sob story Johnson.
Both pairings have a top 5 vet and a rookie. I like the steady play of Westwood and Kaymer in this one, especially with soggy conditions at Celtic Manor.
Next out for Team USA is two of the nicest, aww shucks guys in professional golf - Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar. They'll take on the Northern Irish contingent of Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy. This means fans will have to wait to see the much sought after Woods/McIlroy match up.
Another good one, but I like McIlroy/McDowell on "home" turf. McDowell knows the course well after having won the Celtic Manor Wales Open in June. His local knowledge should pay off well.
No surprise here as Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker join forces to take on the English chaps Ross Fisher and Ian Poulter. If Woods is on and Stricker putts like he can, this is a mismatch. But those are big "ifs," and anything can happen in Ryder Cup play.
All four players are excellent putters, and this match will come down to a putt to either win or halve the match.
In perhaps the most...odd?...pairing, Corey Pavin sends out Ryder Cup rookies Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton. They'll take on Ryder Cup vets Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington.
Momentum is important in championships, and I think it's perplexing that Pavin would end morning play with two rooks vs two vets. Donald and Harrington are both excellent scramblers and putters, so the rooks better get the jitters out early or this one could be a blowout.
Pavin left out three of his strongest players: Furyk, Mahan, and Zach Johnson. Interesting strategy. No wonder he's been so mum about it all week.
The Ryder Cup is about taking chances, but if Pavin's chance doesn't pay off early, it could be long, hard weekend for the Americans.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Could Irish Eyes Be Smiling Once More at the Ryder Cup?
For the second time in three years, the European Ryder Cup captain's picks are controversial. Two years ago Nick Faldo chose Ian Poulter over other players many critics felt were more deserving.
Now, two yeas later Colin Montgomerie has chosen Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald, and Edoardo Molinari, leaving out Paul Casey, a great Ryder Cup and Match Play player, and Justin Rose who won two big tournaments here in the States this season.
The Donald pick seemed solid, but the Harrington pick left many scratching their heads. Why chose Harrington, who hasn't won since the PGA Championship in 2008 and who missed 3 out of 4 cuts at the Majors this year?
All I can say is that sometimes you get a feeling about someone. Sometimes a guy is due for a big moment. Sometimes you need an upbeat, happy go lucky Irishman to bring a team composed of players from seven different countries together.
Even more important, sometimes you need a guy who has something to prove. Harrington knows he's seen as a controversial pick and will use that to help fuel his competitive spirit.
Harrington is coming off a solid week at the Vivendi Open outside Paris finishing in 8th place and a shot off of 3rd at -13. After Tuesday's practice session at Celtic Manor it was clear Harrington is playing some of his best golf of the season. He'll certainly need it if he is to be any kind of factor this week.
The 2010 course at Celtic Manor is long, narrow, and demanding. Thick rough just off the fairways makes accuracy a must. And as usual, it will all come down to who can make a putt. With slow greens rolling even slower due to wet and heavy weather in Wales, Europeans who are used to playing on these slower greens could have a real advantage over U.S. players, used to 12 and 13 on the stimpmeter.
So don't be surprised on Sunday, with the Ryder Cup on the line, Harrington stands over a crucial putt and with Irish ice water in his veins, rattles it home. I know at least one man who won't be surprised - Colin Montgomerie.
Now, two yeas later Colin Montgomerie has chosen Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald, and Edoardo Molinari, leaving out Paul Casey, a great Ryder Cup and Match Play player, and Justin Rose who won two big tournaments here in the States this season.
The Donald pick seemed solid, but the Harrington pick left many scratching their heads. Why chose Harrington, who hasn't won since the PGA Championship in 2008 and who missed 3 out of 4 cuts at the Majors this year?
All I can say is that sometimes you get a feeling about someone. Sometimes a guy is due for a big moment. Sometimes you need an upbeat, happy go lucky Irishman to bring a team composed of players from seven different countries together.
Even more important, sometimes you need a guy who has something to prove. Harrington knows he's seen as a controversial pick and will use that to help fuel his competitive spirit.
Harrington is coming off a solid week at the Vivendi Open outside Paris finishing in 8th place and a shot off of 3rd at -13. After Tuesday's practice session at Celtic Manor it was clear Harrington is playing some of his best golf of the season. He'll certainly need it if he is to be any kind of factor this week.
The 2010 course at Celtic Manor is long, narrow, and demanding. Thick rough just off the fairways makes accuracy a must. And as usual, it will all come down to who can make a putt. With slow greens rolling even slower due to wet and heavy weather in Wales, Europeans who are used to playing on these slower greens could have a real advantage over U.S. players, used to 12 and 13 on the stimpmeter.
So don't be surprised on Sunday, with the Ryder Cup on the line, Harrington stands over a crucial putt and with Irish ice water in his veins, rattles it home. I know at least one man who won't be surprised - Colin Montgomerie.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Insider's Perspective from an Amateur Tournament: A Q&A with Michael Nofs
Growing up in Calhoun County, Michigan, my golfing dreams and goals were pretty minimal. Conventional thinking was that most business deals were actually made on the golf course, not in some fancy board room or office, so my mom and I thought it would be a good idea to learn the game. As a sophomore, I joined my high school golf team, although I only practiced and never actually played in a match. Otherwise, my golf experiences were with buddies on the local courses.I never took it serious and briefly quit the game because I wasn't any good, not to mention the expense involved. But a few years ago my wife decided she needed to learn how to golf so she could play in a tournament at work. Teaching her to play coupled with attending my first professional golf tournament and suddenly I was hooked...big time.
I began watching golf every weekend, not just the big tournaments. I started practicing my swing in Target while my wife shopped for shampoo and scented candles. I noticed the way people dressed and whether they looked like golfers or not.
I even began writing about golf! Yes, I was hooked.
But there was one thing I couldn't do, something all of us amateur hacks wish were possible. I couldn't make my millions traveling the world playing in golf tournaments. Sure I could play in a league at the local golf club, but that's just not the same.
Then last summer my good friend, Michael Nofs, told me he was thinking of playing in the Calhoun County Amateur. I didn't even know our county had an amateur tournament, or that weekend warriors like us could actually play. After some encouragement, he decided to play and followed that up with another appearance this past August 21-22.
The two day event was played at scenic Binder Park G.C. in Battle Creek, MI. Afterward, I had a chance to talk with Michael about his experiences playing in the tournament.
Ryan: So Michael, when did you first hear about the Calhoun County Amateur tournament?
Michael: I first heard about the CCA in the summer of 2008. At the time, I thought there is no way I could play in a tournament. I didn't think my game was to the level it needed to be...whatever that means!
Ryan: And when did you decide you were going to try playing?
Michael: The following year some friends from my league were talking about it and asked if I wanted to play as well. After thinking about it, I thought why not. (It) can't be that bad. Even if I shoot a high 90, so what. Golf is a game against the course not against other contestants.
(You) have to have some background here. I was coming off doing five or so 5K runs where I had tempered myself that running wasn't against the person in the race with me but against my own personal time. So I thought the same here. I would just go play the tournament like it was a regular round and see what score I could get. Then hopefully the following year play better and so forth.
Ryan: Did your goals change from playing in your first tournament last year to this year, having experienced it once and with a better understanding of what to expect?
Michael: My personal goal this year was to beat my score from last year. My first year goal was just to have fun. Last year I shot a 90 on opening day and a 95 on the second day. The first day you get to choose your foursome so I played with three buddies. The second day you are flighted based on your first day score. So the second day I played with three guys I didn't know. So I attributed a 95 to playing "average" and didn't feel comfortable cause I wasn't with anyone I knew. This year I shot a 95 first day and a 96 on the second day. I got to play with my league partner and two other guys I didn't know the first day, and the second day I got to do the same.
Ryan: Did you have a totally different feeling playing in this type of tourney as opposed to your normal league or a normal outing with friends?
Michael: Completely different feeling than when you play with league buddies or out for a recreation round. Not because things are different, but just because I put pressure on myself.
Very first day of year one I played it as I was out with buddies and just having fun. Shot a 90 with a lipped putt on the last hole. Ah oh well. On to tomorrow. The next day I was with three people I didn't know and thought I had to put pressure on myself and boy did that backfire.
I shot a 95 with a bunch of scramble bogeys. Where the day before I would just lay up and hit a nice pitch into the green and get a par or bogey, the second day I was trying to hit greens from all over the place, anywhere from 150 to 190 yards. Not really unattainable goals, but as I would have a mistake or a failure to reach the green in 2 I would get more upset and pretty soon I had a number of double bogeys that were hurting my game.
So I backed off at the end of the round and just played like I normally do and the scores turned around.
This year was completely different. All year I have had issues with driver. Really all my life I have had issues. Some rounds it is on and I "feel" right with the driver. Other days I just don't know how to swing it. When I am not feeling it I should just learn to put it away and hit my hybrid club...my favorite club by the way.
Of course I didn’t (hit it) and I had a number of lost balls with these rounds. I probably accounted for at least 6 strokes this year on both days where I lost a tee shot and had to hit a provisional.
I really should have hit in the eighties this year, but couldn't get away from the driver. Lesson learned I guess.
Ryan: What level do you feel you were on compared to the other players in the tournament?
Michael: I was easily in the bottom quarter. More than half the flights were under 82 scores. The other half were mid to high 80s with about 20 of us in the 90s and then about five or 10 in the 100s. (I was) easily over matched, but again, the score is against yourself not the person you are playing with.
Ryan: Now Binder Park is your home course and where your league plays weekly. How different was the course set up and the way the course played from when you normally play it during league compared to the tournament?
Michael: The course was much tougher than normal. The greens are notoriously slow for this course and both years the greens have been quite speedy. So that takes getting used to. Also, for tournament play every flag is in the front part of the green, so you have to spin the ball to stop it and keep it close to the hole. Of course that is something I can't do at the moment, so I found myself just trying to get on the green and then 2-putting from there.
Really I was pretty happy with my putting this year, but like I have detailed before, the problem was getting on the green and I should have just opted to lay-up, pitch it close and hope for a 1-putt to get par, not try to land the green and get a 2-putt for par.
Ryan: So how do these first two experiences help you going into the 2011 CCA?
Michael: Next years goals are to play without pressure, try to have fun and play smart. I hate to put a number as a goal because I know that backfires on me more times than not, so I just want to have a good time and see if my ball striking is better. Maybe see if I can have a 30 putt round.
The only real part of my game that I am confident in is putting and I consistently two-putt almost every hole. If my chipping is going well, I have a few one-putts on my card as well.
Michael's experience shows us that no matter what your age, your skill level, or your goals, golf gives us new challenges, new obstacles, and new successes each time we play, and that is why it is a game to be cherished.
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