GolfStinks

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Fans Love A Good Rivalry

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Ah…the rivalry games. You don’t have to be a baseball fan to understand the significance of Red Sox-Yankees. Just the same for Lakers-Celtics, Packers-Bears, North Carolina-Duke, etc… That list can go on and on.

There are the all-time great rivalries like those mentioned above. There are the rivalries that last for a few years while two teams are both hot. There are local or in-state rivalries that may not have a huge national impact, but mean the world to the fans of the two teams. The bottom line is…fans love rivalries.

But I just recently came across an old article (roughly two years old, the article is not dated) touting golf’s ten greatest rivalries. When I first came across this article, I felt I stumbled onto something interesting. Something that may help promote the sport to a new generation by focusing on or creating rivalries. Instead, I found the same old golf stuffiness. Seriously now…what is it about golf and golf writers that simply won’t allow the sport to advance into the future? What do I mean? Here, I’ll show you.

Moving through the list from 10 through 1:

#10 – USA vs. Sergio Garcia. For starters, this is not a rivalry. This is just a golfer who claims to dislike Americans. In return, many American golf fans dislike him. Further,Sergio Garcia is of relative insignificance. He has only two PGA Tour wins in the past five years and hasn’t won multiple tourneys since 2004. So who cares about Sergio? But, other than his comments about beating Americans and spitting in the cup…one of the reasons people don’t like him is his celebrations. I disagree here. I like the emotion. I would like to see more of it from other golfers. I’m tired of the “tip-of-the-cap.” Celebrate a great shot a little. Don’t rehearse it. I don’t want to see a T.O. But don’t be afraid to show a bit of emotion. Make the game more fun.

#9 – Pebble Beach vs. Augusta. Again, this is not a rivalry. This is like saying Yankee Stadium vs. Fenway. It’s great for comparisons sake – one is big, extravagant and new, the other quaint, traditional and full of character. But neither has anything to do with the games themselves. It would be Yankees-Red Sox even if the game was on a neutral field. Sure you could make the argument that playing in each other’s stadiums adds to the rivalry, but in golf, those two courses have nothing to do with an actual rivalry between players. They are just two courses. Albeit, two dream courses…but just courses nonetheless.

#8 – Robert T. Jones Jr. vs. Rees Jones. Once again…who cares? The average golf fan doesn’t give a crap about this. So two brothers don’t get along. OK, so it’s a family rivalry. But it has nothing to do with the sport itself. They just both happen to be golf course designers. Meaningless.

#7 – Sarazen vs. Hagen – Hey!! We’re four in and we actually have a player rivalry! It’s what golf fans care about! Although, they do only mention one match and it happens to be almost 80 years old. Otherwise…I’ll take it. They are after all, two of the greatest of all time.

#6 – Greg Norman vs. Tim Finchem – One is an all-time great golfer. The other is the commissioner. It’s two guys who don’t get along…but it’s not a rivalry! Not in the sense that I want anyway. Not only that, but it’s not exactly Pete Rose vs. Bart Giamatti.

#5 – Tradition vs. Technology – GET OVER IT ALREADY!! The game has advanced. It’s going to continue to advance. Just let it happen!! Equipment is going to become easier to use. Technology will make the game easier for some. Does that ruin the game? Of course not! Besides, isn’t it fun to think to yourself..”I know Tiger is great…but can you imagine what Bobby Jones would do with a set of Tiger’s clubs?” Oh, and by the way, “tradition vs. technology” is, once again, not a rivalry.

#4 – Jack Nicklaus vs. Tom Watson – No argument here.

#3 – Sam Snead vs. Ben Hogan – Ditto.

#2 – Arnold Palmer vs. Jack Nicklaus – My only issue with this one is, how is it NOT #1?!

#1 – Tiger Woods vs. Old Man Time – Oh…because Tiger had to be involved in the #1 ranking somehow. Sports Illustrated and Golf magazine were, of course, busy kissing Tiger’s ass. Tiger vs. Old Man Time? Are you kidding? He injured his knee!! How is that a rivalry???!!! Worse yet…how is that a better rivalry than Arnie vs. Jack?! What a joke.

See, I’ve mentioned before that I believe the PGA does a crappy job of promoting it’s players. No one, save the hardcore golf fans, has any idea who half the players on the tour are. Want to promote these players a little better? Then create some rivalries! Give us a reason to watch! Build up a match! Don’t give us a crappy top ten list that shows only four actual rivalries, and none of the current!

The PGA could do so much better…but they don’t. In the meantime…fewer and fewer people care. Fewer and fewer people take up the game. Fewer and fewer rounds are played every year. Fewer and fewer members of the younger generations show interest in the game…and #5 on the above list is part of the problem, not one of the “greatest rivalries.”

Swing ’til you’re happy…and find your own top ten reasons to do so.

From St. Andrews to Bob’s Pitch ‘n Putt, it’s Still Golf to Me

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Does it matter where you play golf?
Does it matter where you play golf?

This week, golf websites everywhere are splashed with images from the game’s most hollowed grounds. The site of this year’s British Open is taking center-stage…perhaps more than the tournament itself.

Now I’m not saying St. Andrews doesn’t deserve it – ever since the Scots hit stones down rabbit holes, the Old Course has been a monument to the game. But these days the place has become sacred.

Every year golfers make the pilgrimage to Scotland for a chance to play where the game (as far as we know) began. But think about the words we use: A pilgrimage. That’s what it is, no? It’s a spiritual journey; a religious experience. Let’s ponder that for a second. Scotland is golf’s Mecca, its Jerusalem. Compare that to your home course, which is just the local congregation.

These local places of worship consist of a plethora of courses all over the world. Some are of championship quality, while some appear better suited for grazing a herd of bison. But golf courses don’t have to be legendary for you to remember them, no sir.

I’ll bet not many people outside your local area have heard of the course where you scored your first ace or eagle on. But that place, that hole – it means something to you, doesn’t it? The track could be a mortar range, but it’s still etched into your memory like your first born.

This year, the PGA Tour has really played the historical card well – Pebble hosted the U.S. Open; St. Andrews hosted the British Open; Augusta…well, we have that every year, but you get my point.

The thing is, whether I’m playing at the center of the golf universe or at my local executive 9, it’s all hallowed ground to me. The first tee jitters; the being one with nature; the whole nine yards. It doesn’t matter if there’s a beautiful ocean vista or if a historic tournament was played there…I mean, that would be great but, it’s not necessary for me.

So, does this suggest I’m OK with playing the same course all the time? Hell no! I want to experience as many golf courses as possible! But I won’t regret it if I never play Pebble or St. Andrews. You see, when I pull those clubs from my trunk and slip on the soft spikes, it doesn’t matter where I am – my pilgrimage has begun.

U.S. Open…For Business?

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Will this year's U.S. Open help golf? (photo by Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0)
Can this year’s U.S. Open help golf? (photo by Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0)

O.K., normally I don’t write much about what’s going on with the pro tours, but after a quick look at the leader board for the U.S. Open, the top five names threw me off a bit. I double-checked and made sure it was the U.S. Open Leader Board, it was, and then it hit me – I know these results were only through the first round, but is this a sign of change?

Don’t get me wrong, I know Tiger is very well capable of coming from behind (no pun intended) and winning. And Phil, man what’s happening? Here’s a quick look of the top five so far:

1. Shaun Micheel USA
2. Paul Casey ENG
3. Brendon de Jonge ZIM
4. Alex Cejka…who? GER
5. Ryo Ishikawa JAP

Does this look like a U.S Open leader board? Will the fave’s make the cut? I’m really looking forward to seeing how this plays out. It’s a little bit of change from all of this World Cup Soccer (no offense to soccer, I’m also a fan). Not to mention, I wonder how much of an impact either sporting event is having on each other (something tells me the football tourney is having more success – even here in the states)?

Anyway, maybe this U.S. Open will open the doors for some new names (God knows the tour could use them). I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who doesn’t recognize some of the players in the lead, but is that good or bad for the PGA? Stinky Golfer Chris posted the other day that the tour is trying to woo more fans – will this no-name leaderboard help it, or will it send it reeling even father than it currently is?

Time will tell, but I for one am more interested than ever! Not-to-mention, they’re out there on beautiful Pebble Beach playing golf…it doesn’t get much better than that. F@#$in’ beautiful!

Good luck no-names – I’m pulling for ya!

Children’s Miracle Network…A Hole In One!

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banner_top_logoEvery so often an opportunity to help make a difference in a child’s life arises. In this case it involved two of my favorite things; golf and eating! A few days ago, Costco Wholesale hosted their annual golf tournament benefitting the Children’s Miracle Network. In case you are not familiar with CMN, here’s a brief history:

Children’s Miracle Network was founded with two simple goals in mind:

1. Help as many children as possible by raising funds for children’s hospitals.

2. Keep funds in the community in which they were raised to help local children.

The organization was founded by Marie Osmond and her family, John Schneider, Mick Shannon and Joe Lake. Children’s Miracle Network’s most recognizable symbol and greatest fundraising tool is its red and yellow Miracle Balloon icon. As of 2008, Children’s Miracle Network has raised more than $3.4 billion—most of which is donated a dollar or two at a time.

Although the weather was 50 degrees and windy with some rain showers, it definitely did not break any of our spirits…maybe the alcohol helped a little. As a matter of fact, every foursome but one showed up to participate…now that means a lot! It gave me a great feeling inside to see this dedication and everyone coming together to help out.

As for the course, Whitney Farms in Monroe, CT and with those weather conditions, we could have played at Pebble Beach and it wouldn’t have mattered. I’ll tell you one thing though, Whitney Farms drains incredibly well. Never was there a swampy part of the fairway or even the rough right off the fairway. Even the greens had a good speed to them.

All in all, this wasn’t about where we played or who played with us. This was about what we played for! Yeah the weather sucked and the hot dog on the turn could have been better but; how can you honestly complain when you are out there playing?

A Golfer’s Dream: How A Regular Guy Played Golf Digest’s Top 100

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agolfersdreamAbout five years ago, I set-out on a quest to play every 18-hole golf course in my state that granted tee-times to non-members (there are 66 of them); I still have one to go, but have been dragging my feet because the course is semi-private and only allows non-members to play a few rounds on weekdays.

Nevertheless, having undertaken my own quest, I was excited to read Larry Berle’s 2007 book: A Golfer’s Dream – How a Regular Guy Conquered The Golf Digest List of America’s Top 100 Golf Courses. But now that I’ve read the book, not only does my own quest seem rather inconsequential, but the fact I haven’t completed it seems utterly ridiculous.

Over the course of ten years, Mr. Berle networked, charmed and sweet-talked his way onto the greatest golf tracks in the country – and he had a blast the entire time. Now don’t get me wrong, he never finagled his way onto any of these courses (Mr. Berle does not strike me as a man of deception) but he used every honest means possible to gain access and was usually successful…and sometimes lucky.
The web of people Larry needed to accomplish his quest was vast – and sometimes hard to follow, but it was amazing reading his colorful tales on how he came to play each course, while thanking those who helped him along the way. On many private courses, he was required to play with a member – and normally this was someone he had never met before – yet these people were gracious-enough to sponsor him after hearing of his quest through a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend.
Interestingly, one of Mr. Berle’s more useful connections was a man from New York he called “John.” John was a member at a few extremely exclusive clubs – ones that he unlocked for Larry to play on. But John wished to remain anonymous in Mr. Berle’s book – never wanting fellow members to know he was helping an outsider gain access to these courses. And he never met Mr. Berle either, instead orchestrating Larry’s tee-times over the phone.
Mr. Berle played 24 of the top 100 courses with his wife, Annie, including Spyglass, Pebble Beach, and Whistling Straits. He played several with his pal Jeff, who had his pilot’s license and flew he and Larry to some of the courses in his 6-seat, prop-plane. And he played only a couple with his close friends – playing many alone or with no-one he knew at all. But he seemed fine with that – he became a connoisseur of golf course architecture (he has grown rather fond of Tom Fazio designs) and learned how to be a very gracious guest (which was something he took great pride in when meeting new golfers willing to host him).
I had the opportunity to speak with Larry recently and asked him what his favorite course was on the top 100 – you know, the one that slows time, brings you to that special place and makes you think “yeah, this is why I play this game.” Without hesitation, he named Cypress Point. And in talking to Larry, you realize this accomplishment is something that defines his very character. He lights-up like a kid in a candy store when talking about his adventure. He remembers details most golfers would never remember on a course, and he himself looks back in disbelief that he actually completed such an undertaking.
A Golfer’s Dream is a heartening story of personal accomplishment and strong perseverance. As golfers, we’ve looked at the top 100 lists and dreamt about playing them all – Augusta, Pine Valley, Winged Foot – and then brushed the notion aside, labeling it a pipe dream. Kudos to Mr. Berle for proving us wrong, and kudos to him for sharing this triumph with golfers everywhere.
As for me, there’s the matter of one golf course left to play – this one’s for you, Larry.
You can purchase “A Golfer’s Dream” by Larry Berle HERE.

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