SB Nation User Blog: courtgolf

Baldry's at it again - more screwed up reporting

courtgolf — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:17:04 -0000

Baldry's at it again - more screwed up reporting

More bad reporting - more confusion - more rampant ignorance to follow.

This is Beth Ann Baldry's latest load - and it is more confusing than the mess she started on Monday.

This piece is a mish-mash of uniformed and uninvited opinions from liberals around the country, with the opinion of some woman playing golf over in Korea.

The few times that actual players words get into the piece - the don't complain about the policy. They think that it might have been handled better - but the policy is good.

Even the headline writer gets in on the act with his/her "English Only" text. WRONG WRONG WRONG.

Let's see - we have some liberal congresswoman in California (I know - big shock there) chiming in. A director from some know it all liberal "institute" called the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida. I don't even have to read past the title and I know that this is a dangerous crew to be quoting.

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association chimes in, screaming discrimination -- but never bothers to ask the players. Typical advocacy group.

This is pure, unadultered garbage with a politically correct message. "America is bad" In fact, the end of the article proves that this whole thing is a political correctness issue - which tells me right there that these people are not concerned with the facts or the truth.

End of rant.

Fed Ex Cup - "They Said It" email

courtgolf — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:54:46 -0000

Just got this in an email from The Tour Championship people. A few Questtions and answers from Vijay, Sergio, and an answer with no question from Mickelson

I really hate the cliche first question - but the second one is interesting. It sounds like something from the Spanish Inquisition. (NOOOObody expects the Spanish Inquisition !!)

Vijay Singh, Aug. 24 – Ranked No. 1 – 109,500 points

(Began The Barclays ranked No. 7 in FedExCup points; moved to No. 1 with his victory)

Q. You have a pretty long resumé, but what would winning the FedExCup mean to you?

VIJAY SINGH: Well, I'm going to answer that question when I win it. (Laughing). It would be nice to win it, I've got a great start, and I just have to go ahead and play hard for the next three other events. The guys behind me, the way the system works now, the next guy that wins can just overtake you. It's going to be tough. But I'm ahead and I've got a head start, so I just have to go out there and play consistent, solid golf and hopefully win at the end.

Q. Is it something you covet, is it something that you want?
VIJAY SINGH: Oh, yeah, definitely everybody that's playing the FedExCup wants to win. I mean, I want to win as much as anybody else. But that doesn't prove that I'm going to win it. I have to go out there and do it. That's what I'm looking forward to.

(f he had answered "covet" - would he have been beaten wwwiiiiiiiiiith...the comfy chair ?)

Third question - apparently whoever asked this one might not pass the English proficiency test on the LPGA -- (hint - where's the actual question ?)

Sergio Garcia, Aug. 24 – Ranked No. 2 – 104,375 points – 5,125 points behind leader (Began The Barclays ranked No. 12 in FedExCup points; moved to No. 2 with his T2 finish)

Q: One last question, gearing up for the rest of the Playoffs, you're looking to be in good position.
SERGIO GARCIA: Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. Obviously this was a good start. Not the perfect start, obviously, but it was a very good start. I'm looking forward to keep moving in the right direction, keep giving myself chances in the next two weeks, and then get ready for The Ryder Cup and see if we can have a good TOUR Championship and at least have a chance at winning the FedExCup.

Anybody got a Phil to English Translator handy ? :)

Phil Mickelson, Aug. 20 – Ranked No. 4 – 7,550 points behind leader

“I think it's gaining a lot of traction with the players. The players are excited about it. What's cool is that we have a guy like Padraig Harrington, who just won the last two majors, and would love to take a bunch of time off, but he cares about the Playoffs, and he's here and plans on playing every week. I think that speaks to how credible these events have quickly become…

And I think that the points system, I think is fine. I think it's very good, and the reason that is, is because you have to have it open to where in a playoff system, anybody can win, per se. But you also still have to entice players and create value into having a higher ranking heading into the Playoffs. Otherwise, guys won't play; if they are already in and everyone starts at zero, there's no incentive for the guys to play those last few events towards the end of the year.

So there's an incentive for guys to finish high, and it's to where the top 20 or 30 really realistically have a chance of winning the FedExCup. And yet, there's enough turnover to where nobody has any idea really who is going to win.”

(yes - PADDY is playing all four tournaments - PHIL, on the other hand, skipped one last year)

The Biv demanding English proficiency

courtgolf — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:23:58 -0000

The Biv demanding English proficiency

I don't know if this is a gutsy, or even a smart move or not - but Carolyn Bivens singled out the Korean contingent at The Safeway last week and told them that they have 2 years to learn to speak English well enough to pass a proficiency test, or face a suspension of their playing priviledges.

The story doesn't say that she has contacted other nationalities, just that she gathered all the Koreans at the tournament for the announcement. The rule does apply to everyone on tour, so you would think that the Korean meeting was just for convenience since they are the largest nationality other than American on tour.

Ok - Carolyn Bivens for President...for about a week. Let her pass legislation to make English the official langauge of the United States, not just the LPGA, since none of our other elected officials have the courage to do it.

No word if television media or Michelle Wie will be required to take the test, either. :)

Playing the media like a fiddle

courtgolf — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:57:16 -0000

Playing the media like a fiddle

I have a new, added appreciation for Tiger Woods. Less than a week after Tiger announced that it could be nine MONTHS before he's ready to play after his surgery, the media asked him if he would be defending in Dubai....in January. Tiger must have been thinking, "they can't really be this dumb - I just told them 9 months and that I wouldn't be hitting balls until next year...now they ask me this ?" In this article, he gives his usual non-commital response about his schedule, but he had to be shaking his head.

The most amazing thing happened today...

courtgolf — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:54:27 -0000

Sitting here watching the KLM Open third round on xxx Golf Channel and saw the most amazing thing I have seen by a pro in a long time. This could rival any of Tiger's shots or putts, or Mickelnuts' wedge from the trees at the Colonial.

Ross McGowan's approach to the 12th missed the green and rolled into a ground under repair area. He pulled out his driver to measure a drop area, then dropped not once, but twice (the first drop bounced closer to the hole).

What made this so incredible was that McGowan did it without calling an official. He and his "playing opponent" (don't you love political correctness ?) took care of the situation without a 5 minute wait for an official to make a call, explain the rule, and supervise the drop.

Granted, this happened on the European Tour, not our beloved PGA Tour where something like this might have taken them out of their preshot routine, or interrupted a discussion of endorsements with an agent - but it was refreshing to see a pro step up and take care of a simple rule situation. (I almost had to reach for a tissue to wipe away a tear of pride for McGowan)

Thurs/Fri pairings posted for Barclays

courtgolf — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:32:09 -0000

Thurs/Fri pairings posted for Barclays

Ok - we all know that slow play is a problem. And we ALL hate to be in a fast group stuck behind slower groups.

SO - what is the PGA Tour thinking by putting two twosomes at the end of the line ? And they didn't bother to pull names out of line like Ben Crane or Padraig Harrington. No - they stuck Justin Bolli, Jeff Overton, Glen Day, and Lee Janzen in twosomes at the end.

AND they tried to pull a US Open and stacked point leaders together as groups (2/3/4 - 5/6/7 - 8/9/10...) starting on the same side of the course, teeing off back to back to back...

It didn't work for the US Open - apparently they didn't learn their lesson.

Watch your Ebay/Paypal

courtgolf — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:53:26 -0000

We golfers do have a tendency to buy a lot of toys - some of them on Ebay. I just got this notice from a (reliable) friend about a problem Ebay and Paypal are having with hijacked passwords to accounts...

"Just wanted to give everyone the heads up. I spent the better part of this morning talking to www.avangate.com and paypal over the phone. My account was hacked into and someone in california (according to the ISP address according the avagate.com) made a bogus purchase. Not too much money, but none the less, irked me real bad.

I did receive the refund, but im just happy its taken care of.

My real reason for this post is 2 fold.

1) Paypal informed me these medium sized purchases have been occuring more often lately, and they recommend that people like me (who use paypal often) change passwords OFTEN and maybe even email addresses. I did both to be safe. this is time #2 this has happened to me in 4 years.

2) Be Careful!!! They believe people are making these small-medium size purchases hoping the real owner wont notice. AVANGATE said i am not the only defrauded person, happens alot for these small companies who sell computer proxy's (whatever they are???)

Just wanted to warn everybody, be careful, and consider changing passwords!"

Wie signs of life ?

courtgolf — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:30:18 -0000

How about this - and I have to admit that I'm surprised - Michelle Wie fired a two under 70 today, which still puts her at +1 for the tournament, but it's looking like she will make the cut.

Veeeeerrry interesting. She is still 9 shots below the leaders and has a boatload of players to pass to get into the top 2/3/4, depending on who's numbers you believe will make her enough money to get her LPGA card for '09.

Most of the leaders are still on the course, so the top spot could be more than 9 away, and 4th is 6 away.

SO - here's the question - knowing that she doesn't have a history of going low - can she put up at least 2 65's to make up the ground on Saturday and Sunday ?

If she can't break par, or only posts 1 or 2 under, will she give up on Sunday ? (this is a pretty good sized purse - a decent finish won't get her a card - but there is that pesky "back to school" shopping to do and those #2 pencils aren't cheap anymore) :-)

Poll

What will happen with Michelle Wie on the weekend at the Canadian Women's Open ?

RSN ???

courtgolf — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:29:23 -0000

RSN ???

Anybody know what RSN is ? I've never heard of it, so I'm guessing I don't have it on cable.

Cameron pushing the limits...

courtgolf — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:23:59 -0000

Cameron pushing the limits...

Ok - I know that Scotty Cameron makes some of the most popular, best playing, and well respected putters in the world - most are out of my price range - but that's neither here nor there.

I just read this article on PGATour.com about a new ball mark that SC developed and expects to put out on the market this September --- for FORTY-FOUR DOLLARS !!! No offense intended, and I know before I say it that a lot of people will swarm to the stores to lay down $44 for a ball mark made by Scotty Cameron - but that's just insane.

The idea seems pretty sound - a square marker with a concave end to slide under the ball. The marker also has a straight line that to help line up the aiming line on the ball. Makes sense. But in the story and photo, he marks and replaces the ball with his back to the hole. Now he's lost me. If your back is to the hole, your feet are in your line - not only a bad idea, but a breach of rules. Maybe I'm misunderstanding what he is talking about, but that is what the article says and the photo shows.

Forty Four Dollars for a little piece of metal. I don't know about you - but I lose a lot of ball marks during a season. I can't afford that kind of cash for a ball marker. He had more metal and work involved in the divot repair tool than this.

If I'm wrong on this - someone please ejamakate me.