BogeyLounge: May 2005 Archives

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May 31, 2005

BogeyLounge.com is going away ... sort of ...

Due to technical issues associated with growing this site (and moving to a server that can accomodate more traffic), I will need to eventually switch my URL to www.bogeylounge.tv ...

So, for all of you who have been nice enough to link to my golf blog, I ask that you update my link to point to www.bogeylounge.tv instead of ".com".

Also, if you've linked to me and I haven't reciprocated, please email me (bogeyman@bogeylounge.com), so that I can link you up...

Thanks!

2006 Ryder Cup Tickets: if you're lucky...

If you're planning on heading to the K Club next summer for the '06 Ryder Cup, here's your chance at tickets. I wonder if your chances are better of getting selected in the "computerized random lottery" if you have a European address? Take it easy, I'm just kidding...

Even, if you're not planning on attending, it may be worth your while to apply and then sell your tix on Ebay. I have a buddy who bought a new set of Ping irons last year with the profit he made by selling his tickets to last year's event (and he only had practice round tickets). Just think, if he had tickets to Saturday or Sunday's matches, he may have been able to buy some nice clubs ;)

The Official Ticket Site for The 36th Ryder Cup is now live. Ticket applications will be accepted on this site until midnight (GMT) on July 18th 2005 after which this site will close. Successful applicants will be determined through a computerised random lottery draw to take place in August 2005.

RYDER CUP LOTTERY APPLICATION

May 30, 2005

I'm Back Baby!

What could possibly merit such a title for a humble blog post?

After a six week battle with "golfer's elbow" (tendinitis), I'm golfing today. Just a week ago I couldn't lift a putter without pain, and now after some rest, ice, and a cortisone shot, I'm able to swing a club.

Hopefully, I'll make it through the first hole without the pain returning. I don't care what I score, I'm just happy to be back.

Warning: After a lenghty discussion with my doctor, he thinks that my blogging had as much to do with the injury as my golfing did. So golf bloggers beware, of the dreaded "golf-blog elbow".

Monty qualifies for US Open; hurt by "cheater" allegations

Colin Montgomerie has qualified for next month's US Open at Pinehurst by the skin of his teeth.

A seven-foot birdie putt on the final green of the BMW Championship gave the Scot a round of 66 and share of 11th place at Wentworth.

His fate was not entirely in his own hands, but his Open berth was sealed by Kirk Triplett failing to finish second at the PGA Tour's St Jude Classic. That takes the Ryder Cup star back into the world's top 50 just in time. [BBC Sport]

May 27, 2005

Golf Blog: Danielle Amiee withdraws with bad back; and bares her chest?

Big Break Barbie's second “big break” came to an untimely end Thursday morning when she withdrew from the LPGA Corning Classic citing a bad back.

It is now up to The Golf Channel and the LPGA on whether to allow Danielle another exemption in place of this one. Based on TGC's programming interests, I think they will try and work this out with the LPGA.

Is this a real injury? Is she buying time, so that she can work with her swing coach some more? These are valid questions because if she doesn't do well in her last exempt event, she may never sniff the LPGA again...

Then again, is this really worth a conspiracy theory? Slow news week... Only a few more weeks till the US Open, and I can't wait.

Here's a great post from Travel Golf's Jennifer Mario on Barbie's Bailout: Barbie pulls out of the LPGA Corning Classic

IN OTHER DANIELLE NEWS: The latest Danielle conspiracy is the "Did she pose for Playboy?" rumor that has been circulating around the web. A photo does exists of what seemingly looks like her at some sort of Playboy 50th Anniversary party. If she did do this, why? How can this help your golf career (if that really is what you've been dreaming of)... I'll leave it to you to figure out...

(warning- "somewhat" adult material is contained in the following link)

HottieLounge Images

Danielle Amiee Topless at a Playboy Party?

May 26, 2005

Matt Lauer hosts "THE GOOD LIFE OF GOLF SUPERSTARS"

I bet this show will be like MTV's Cribs, but instead of having stripper poles in their basements like rock stars, these guys will have putting greens and hitting bays...

USA Network's website doesn't do much to excite you about the program, although I do think it will be an interesting look into these lifestyles.

SUNDAY, MAY 29, NOON on USA Network

Check it out: THE GOOD LIFE OF GOLF SUPERSTARS

May 25, 2005

Coming Soon: The Greatest Game Ever Played

If you're a golf fan, this looks like a winner. Expected release date is September of 2005.

The Greatest Game Ever Played - From the studio that brought you "The Rookie" and "Miracle" and director Bill Paxton, comes a story of courage, passion and of the greatest American sports hero you have probably never heard of...

An amateur player from a working class family, Francis Ouimet - played by Shia LaBeouf ("Holes") - shocked the golf world when at the 1913 U.S. Open, flanked by his 10-year-old caddie, he defeated his idol, the defending British champion Harry Vardon - played by Stephen Dillane.

An unlikely match-up - "the ingenue versus the seasoned champ" - theirs was the greatest match the sport had ever known. Caught between a world of hardship and a beckoning life of privilege, Francis needed to prove his unfailing will and ability to make it to the tournament.

Elias Koteas ("Traffic," "Ararat") plays Francis' tough, hardworking father. Newcomer Peyton List is Sarah Wallis, the beautiful young woman, who catches Francis' heart. Joshua Flitter is Eddie Lowery, the pint sized caddie who helps Francis find his way through the troublesome fairways to victory. [ComingSoon.net]

Visit Apple's Quicktime site for the Trailer - Greatest Game Ever Played

More previews and reviews as we find them... as always, stay tuned...

Tiger Woods opens up... a little

As if it's not bad enough he's married to Elin (see photo), now he got a chance to give Desperate Houswife Teri Hatcher a private golf lesson. Maybe that's why Tiger was in a good enough mood to open up a little and have a sit down with EXTRA (the tabloid tv program).

He talks about the condition of his dad, his marriage, and Teri's swing. Not in detail, but it sure is nice to see the world's #1 as a real person. If team Tiger ever got smart and let the Tiger out of his cage, the world would probably be even more enamored with him (rather than just respect his golf ability). And maybe not...

Check out the nice story complete with photos and video at EXTRA: Tiger Gets Personal

Swing Machine Golf: Has anyone read this book?

I'll start by saying this in not an ad or endorsement... I saw this online today (as part of a adsense text ad) and before I plunk down $60, wanted to know if anyone has seen this before.

Swing Machine Golf--The Fastest Way to a Consistent Swing (authored by Paul Wilson), is a text published in 2002 (according to what I coul find at Amazon)... but they didn't have any reviews, which I found curious for a book published 3 years ago.

From the photos I've seen online it is certainly a very well designed book, but that may not be enough to justify the cost. Please email or post comments below if you have any opinions on this book.

Swing Machine Golf Official Website

May 24, 2005

How it feels to get hit by a golf ball... and worse...

As part of Golf Digest's "Feel" issue, the golf pub has an article posted online featuring how it feels to be in such precarious positions as; Getting hit by a golf ball, Having a heart attack on the course, and even how it feels to have to cut a finger off (in order to not pay a bet)...

Weird stuff, but it sure makes losing a couple of sleeves of balls seem trivial.

Check it out: How it feels [Golf Digest]

Illustration by Alan Dingman

TaylorMade's r7 Quad Accessories Store: It's a whole new ballgame...

There was a time that all you could do with a new piece of golf equipment was play with it and clean it (maybe you could also throw it in frustration).

Now, with the advent of movable weight cartridges in drivers and fairway woods (and even putters), looks like golf manufacturers have opened up a new category that auto dealers have been taking advantage of for years. The aftermarket accessory...

From extra weight cartridges, to wrenches, to new headcovers, this online venture only sells accessories for the r7. You can't buy the clubs themselves, but you can find anything related to the r7, which is great news for r7 owners who may need replacement parts or additional weights in order to realize that perfectly tweaked ball flight.

And with the looming arrival of TaylorMade fairway woods with movable weight, TMaG's timing couldn't be better.

Check it out: TaylorMade's r7 Accessories Store

Double-Bogey Still Par for the Course...

While everyone from Gary Player to the USGA complain about today's technology ruining the game by making current courses obsolete, the New York Times' Bill Pennington says that the average score has remained 100 for decades, despite all of the hullabaloo...

New, technologically advanced golf balls fly farther than ever. Oversized golf drivers hit the ball straighter. Space-age materials make irons easier to swing. Ergonomically engineered putters roll the ball more precisely. Golf courses are more plentiful and better-conditioned. Golf instruction is more accessible, at public and private clubs -- not to mention every night on a cable-television channel entirely devoted to golf.

The only thing in golf that has not changed is the average score for 18 holes. Neither the average weekend player nor the world's best golfers have managed to get the ball in the hole any sooner.

Read the rest: Double-Bogey Still Par for the Course [NY Times]

May 23, 2005

You Go Girl !!! - Paula Creamer joins the big time...

Paula Creamer, who will walk in her high school graduation on Thursday, became the second youngest winner on tour at 18 years, nine months and 17 days. Marlene Hagge won twice as an 18-year-old, and both times she was younger than Creamer was in her win Sunday.

In honor of Paula's (a.k.a. The Pink Panther because of her love of the color pink) first LPGA win... Click Here

For more on the teen's impressive win, check out Stacy Solomon's impressive tournament recap over at The Sand Trap: Paula Creamer Wins Sybase by One Stroke

Design Ian Poulter's pants for The Open

The fine folks at BBC Sport want you to design Ian Poulter's trousers for this year's Open Championship at St Andrews in Scotland.

Ian will wear the winning design on the opening day of the Championship on July 14, once his tailor has worked his magic.

Ian will be choosing the winner himself and tells BBC that he is after something funky or related to St Andrews...
editor's note: Oh the humanity!

Now that's what high-def TV was invented for...

Check out the official rules and download an entry form, complete with pants template at:
Design Poulter's Pants [BBC Sport]

Related link: Poulter defends dress sense

And one more: Poulter's Hair-Raising Experience

May 22, 2005

Take your shot at greatness... People vs. the Pros Event

The 2005 People vs. the Pros at Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, TX features 288 amateurs (144 in two age divisions) competing in the prestigious 54-Hole Finals Tournament September 9 -11.

The ultimate low-net winners in each Division battle PGA Tour stars Justin Leonard (49 and Under Division) and Ben Crenshaw (50 and Over Division), with benefit of their handicaps, in matches televised in Prime Time on ESPN with $100,000 to the winners and $50,000 to the runner-ups.

4 Ways to Play
-Enter Sweepstakes
-Buy a Guaranteed Slot
-Compete in a Local Qualifier
-Buy a VIP Package

For more info visit the official site: PVPgolf.com

May 21, 2005

Marc O'Hair : A real son of a ...

I remember seeing this story a year or so ago on 60-minutes, and now I wish I hadn't...

It's the heartfelt tale of an overbearing father who treats his child like a business venture... No matter how you slice it, this is highly unacceptable. You read and wonder "can this guy be for real?"...

Thanks to Golf Grouch for the story (I haven't forgotten your sleeve of ProV's).

Read more: A Real "Iron-Asshole Bastard" [Grouchy Golf Blog]

Also: Golf Digest breaks down the family affair - What price success?

Golfing for Porn awareness?

Rockers teaming up to promote pornography awareness through golf? A church called the "XXX Church"?

It's not what you think... Actually, it's a charity golf event to promote keeping kids away from porn and a church dedicated to helping people fight things like porn addiction...

O.K., I admit it... I "Googled" Golf Porn and came up with this... but it is interesting, regardless of your stance on porn. Looks like these guys are doing this for all the right reasons.

[From xxxChurch.com] Mike Foster and Craig Gross are the founders of XXXchurch.com. These young pastors are forging the new frontier of ministry and are delivering a dynamic message to churches and conferences across the United States. Their message is powerful and relevant to today's culture as they encourage individuals to live a life of purity, integrity, and an outrageous Christian walk. Mike and Craig are taking on the toughest issues and providing real answers from God’s word.

XXXchurch is here to make you think, react and to decide where you stand on the issues of porn. We're not here to sling mud, but to push the envelope and try and do some good.

xxxChurch.com's Golf Tournament Website

xxxChurch Offficial Website

Buyers Beware! Fakes floating around on Ebay...

These aren't "knock-offs" (although I have a problem with them as well)... These are highly sophisticated copies, but highly inferior products. Like others have said before me, "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is..."

Bloomberg News - Jacques Gladu snapped up a $640 set of Callaway Golf Co. clubs from a Quebec-based Web site in March, confident he'd found a bargain at a third of the usual price.

Three days later, he called Callaway to check if they were real. ``My ball was going everywhere,'' says Gladu, 58, a retired human-resources consultant in Montreal who plays off a 3 handicap. ``I was almost certain the clubs were fake.''

Gladu was a victim of swindlers who are spreading Chinese- made counterfeit golf gear from stalls in Shanghai and southern Guangdong province to Internet auction sites around the world. The increasing sophistication has prompted Callaway to team with five competitors, including Nike Inc., in a bid to close down suppliers at their sources.

Read more: Fake Callaway Clubs, Made in China, Swindle Web Buyer [Bloomberg News]

May 20, 2005

The PGA Practice Range: Golf's water cooler

SI.com's Rick Arnett takes an interesting look at what goes on throughout the week at the practice range of a PGA event. Being the equipment whore that I am, this is the ultimate "kid in a candy store" scenario.

Check it out...

Why amateurs should be jealous: When a pro wants to try a new stick, the rep will present at least three models with different shaft, loft, and lie tweaks. The pro will hit only one shot per club. If the shot doesn't measure up, the club is cast aside immediately because a player will subconsciously alter his swing to best change the shot shape.

In a perfect world, the club should match the swing, not vice versa. Unfortunately, most amateur players are subjected to off-the-rack clubs (although some do take advantage of launch monitors) and will have to tweak their inconsistent swings to hopefully justify the club's cost.

Read the rest at: Inside Golf - Golf's Water Cooler [SI.com]

3-Iron the Movie: Finally putting the 3-iron to good use...

Now that the hybrid club has diminished the use of 2-irons and 3-irons on the golf course, a Korean filmmaker uses the "rarely used 3-iron" as a metaphor to represent an abandoned house or person in this haunting tale of a drifter (or urban hermit crab) and his travels.

While you or I may never see this film (out today in wide release), it merits a mention in the Lounge just for it's golf themed title, and more importantly the use of a 3-iron as a weapon.

May 19, 2005

Jennifer Rosales: Q&A with the LPGA's Fashion Diva...

Here's a nice little piece from today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution featuring a Q&A with stylish LPGA star Jennifer Rosales.

Among the topics touched on by JRo are how style affects her attitude, Jesper Parnevik's masculinity, what's on her ipod, and the fact that Sarena Williams is just too big to wear things that little.

Oh, she also talks about running out of places to put new tattoos... I have a feeling we'll see some them in the future as well (let's hope so).

Here's JRo's Bio Page from LPGA.com

And of course, here's a link to her offficial website

May 17, 2005

Drive for show, putt for dough? ... not this time!

I've always thought that watching amateurs play golf for large sums of cash could be very entertaining (much more so than watching me lose large sums of money to my sandbagging friends)... Here is the proof of how exciting in can be watching guys not named "Tiger" and "Ernie" compete in a game they love for a "life changing" amount of money.

Garth Mulroy and playing partner David Ping will share $2,325,000 as winner of the first ever Big Stakes Match Play event in Mesquite, Nevada. Both are mini-tour players whose $100,000 entry fee was put up by a couple of NFL linemen... "Oh the pressure...miss this put and a 300 pound lineman will pounce on me."

The 2005 Big Stakes Match Play Golf Competition was held at the CasaBlanca Resort & Casino in Mesquite, Nevada from May 11-16. It will be aired on The Golf Channel from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., May 30 to June 1.

Read more on the finals: Booming drive earns Big Stakes' big prize [Union Tribune]

Also, here's more on the future of the event: Big Stakes may become a big winner

May 15, 2005

Who knew? Golf club theft an escalating problem...

"As costs rise for equipment, so do theft rates..."

While it may be hard to believe, there are actually people out there who have the ~~balls~~ nerve to steal your clubs right out of the bag stand at your local club. I gotta say I've had that thought before, but I've discounted it because "Hey it's golf, a game of honor... at a safe haven away from the perils of everyday life..." Yeah right?

Looks like the problem is legit... And here I was thinking my bag and everything in it (including my wallet), was safe... I've even made fun of the theft prevention devices available for golf bags... who knew?

That being said, I'd love to catch someone trying to make off with my R7... I'd finally get a chance to put my 3-iron to good use for once.

Read more: A Rotten Club [THE FLINT JOURNAL]

More on the great "limited flight" golf ball debate...

This won't go away, and I fear they will eventually do something about it... For someone like me who is lucky to hit the ball 260 yards (on a real good drive), it will certainly have an effect on my enjoyment of the game.

As I've said before, USGA, leave our balls alone and have course designers put more emphasis on accuracy and shotmaking.

"The USGA is looking into golf balls that don't travel as far. While many in the sport say it's about time, some believe there's no need for a change."

May 11, 2005

Mind Games: Stop thinking and just swing already...

When you are a beginner, you have a lot of things to learn. Shots that go low, shots that go high, or even shots that go straight.

Do you remember the nerves off the first tee?... making your way around the greens?... putting!!! Is my grip right?, is my shaft too stiff?, am I bending my knees? (should I be bending my knees?).

All of that can be very scary, intimidating, and just not fun...

However, once you've played for a few years, it's time to stop thinking and let your game take over. As soon as you've got a decent arsenal of shots, you can relax and try to progress your game through playing, experimenting, practicing, and relaxing.

How many times have you been paired up with a stranger only to hear them scold themselves after an errant tee shot with "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU TODAY? Normally, your thought is "you suck, that's what's wrong"... but really, what that golfer is saying is "I've proved to myself that I can hit good tee shots, why not today, it shouldn't be so hard!"

That's the game baby, it's about learning the basics, practicing correctly or playing enough to have consistent swings which will produce consistent results.

Simple, right? As Yogi Berra would say, "90% of it is half mental"...

Read more about golf's mind game: When a golfer thinks he's in a groove, it's time to think again [Dallas Morning News]

May 10, 2005

Jamil Qureshi "The Mind Magician" helps golfer to first win?

[TimesOnline.co.uk] Steve Webster has toiled long and hard to achieve his first victory on the European Tour, but it all came right yesterday when he took the Telecom Italian Open title with a closing 68 for a total of 270, 18 under par. He might have achieved it with no outside assistance, but having a bit of magic on his side did him no harm.

Read more: Webster conjures maiden win with magical back nine [Times Online]

May 9, 2005

Nike One Platinum: Magic ball arrives in stores!

The magical Nike One Platinum has finally arrived, allowing you to make chip shots that break two different ways and then sit on the lip of the cup before dropping in... OK, maybe not quite like that, but among the marketing blah-blah is something about how much it helped Tiger maximize distance and control while using large headed drivers.

Note: Currently, Tiger has a 56.6% accuracy rating off the tee (good for 159th on tour).

If anyone has had a chance to try the "One Plat", let us know your thoughts. I'll pick up a dozen and let you know my thoughts in the coming weeks.

NIKE DESCRIPTION: Nike Golf is adding another color to its line of golf balls. The Nike One Platinum, the first ball designed to maximize the potential of larger headed drivers, joins the Nike One Black and the Nike One Gold, giving golfers a new way to score in the red.

The Nike One Platinum features a Progressive Density Core with a soft center and a progressively harder outer shell. This provides lower spin off the tee even with its soft outer cover.

In November 2004, Tiger Woods switched to Nike Golf's newest driver, the 460cc Nike Ignite. He proceeded to win two and place second over his next three events. Woods' ball had the optimum spin-rate with the 460cc Nike Ignite, but it was thought that he could be more efficient and longer with a higher trajectory ball.

Even though he was hitting the ball further and controlling it better with the new 460cc Nike Ignite, he still was not reaching his full potential. The challenge for Nike Golf's golf ball team was to develop a ball that was longer and controlling with larger headed drivers, without losing the spin performance around the green. And from the looks of it, Nike Golf has definitely delivered.

Pro athletes among those chasing the largest check in golf history

The upcoming and inaugural Big Stakes Match Play Golf tournament has attracted several high-profile, professional athletes - all of which will be competing for the largest pay check in the history of golf ($3 million).

The tournament is open to non-touring professionals and the entry fee is $50,000 per person or $100,000 per team.

PRESS RELEASE: Big Stakes Match Play

Some of the former and current athletes competing in the event include:

- Rick Rhoden, former MLB pitcher
- Billy Joe Tolliver, former NFL player
- Pierre Larouche, former NHL player
- Chris Mohr, current NFL player
- Dan Quinn, former NHL player

"Golf has an incredible lure to professional athletes and always has. Everyone knows that stars like Michael Jordan, John Smoltz and Dan Marino are very good golfers. At Big Stakes we will see professional athletes who excel at golf," says Alex Czajkowski, Marketing Director, Sportsbook.com. "Golf is not just a pastime for these guys, they are tremendous golfers looking to showcase their skills and win the largest payout in golf history."

Other high-profile players worth noting include Robert Floyd (son of the hall of fame golfer Ray Floyd) and Chan Reeves (nephew of NFL head coach Dan Reeves.)

Sportsbook.com is the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Big Stakes Match Play Golf competition. The partnership between Sportsbook.com and Big Stakes reflects the growing popularity of golf wagering on the sport of golf in North America. According to Sportsbook.com, online gambling on golf has increased nearly 80 per cent in the past three years.

The 2005 Big Stakes Match Play Golf Competition will be held at the CasaBlanca Resort & Casino in Mesquite, Nevada from May 11-16. It will be aired on The Golf Channel from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., May 30 to June 1.

SoloRider extends play for many

Maybe not interesting for those of us who take for granted a pain free round of golf, but for the elderly or disabled it could mean a new lease on the golfing life.

I wrote about something like this a few months ago and now it looks like some courses are putting the technology to use.

It also looks like courses may be required to provide a number of these in order to comply with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. The law requires equal access to public places for people with disabilities.

Read More: New cart offered at golf courses [NewsZap.com]

SoloRider Official Site

May 7, 2005

Sorry Babe... Danielle Amiee misses the cut

"Give me a break" winner Danielle Amiee rebounded from a tough first day and showed a slight improvement Saturday morning with a 6-over-par 77 at the rain-plagued Michelob Ultra Open at Kingsmill.

Her two-day total of 14-over 156 in the wet, soggy conditions left her well back of the cut line and near the bottom of the leaderboard.

On the positive side, Amiee finished just two strokes behind the defending champion and future Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak.

For those of you who tend to slow down to look at car accidents, The Golf Channel will air a special look at Danielle Amiee's LPGA Debut Monday 5/9 at 10PM ET.

May 6, 2005

Jim Thorpe donates winner's check to church...

File this under the "good guy" category...

In a move that caught everybody off-guard, the once hard-living Champions Tour golfer Jim Thorpe is donating his entire $247,500 first-place check from last weekend's senior tournament to his small church in Lake Mary.

"We all change in life," he said. "I've hit every horse track, every casino. I don't feel that I've done a lot of bad things, but maybe it's time to pay up."

Read More: Heathrow golfer's vow pays off for him, church [Sun-Sentinel.com]

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 for the PSP

If you're a fan of the Tiger Woods line of console games for the PSone or Xbox, then I recommend you run out and get a PSP (PlayStation Portable) and a copy of TWGolf for the PSP because it is easily one of the best video games ever!!!

I had a chance to try the PSP version the other day and it exceeded my expectations. Game play was flawlessly smooth, the visuals were stunning, and in some cases the portable version is even better than the console version. The wireless functionality even allows for online play (when combined with a Wi-Fi internet connection).

See a complete reviews at: MoDOJO.com and GameSpot.com

May 5, 2005

Pope's old Golf sells for $244,000

I know this isn't technically about "golf", but since I posted about it earlier, I thought maybe some of you would want to know how the story turned out...

"A second-hand Volkswagen Golf once owned by Pope Benedict sold for 188,938 euros ($244,800) to a U.S. buyer in frenzied online bidding, a spokeswoman for eBay in Germany said on Thursday." [CNN.com]

Read the complete story at CNN.com

May 4, 2005

SOD: Who is Erica Blasberg? - EricaBlasberg.com

It's been a while since we had a site of the day, so we present ericablasberg.com ...

Who is Erica Blasberg? She's a former UofArizona golf standout and a rising star on the LPGA. She's only played in 4 LPGA events, but she has her own website, and she's cute as a button (did I just say "cute as a button"?)...

Oh well, it's been a slow news day and she is pretty darn cute, so check her out at: ericablasberg.com.

St Andrews snubs Jack Nicklaus

It's hard to believe, but the man who coined the phrase "If you want to be remembered, you have to win at St Andrews", was snubbed when a plan to bestow on the three-times Open winner the honorary citizen title was stopped after members of St Andrews Community Council failed to support the idea in sufficient numbers.

It was to have been an accolade that would mark the end of the career of arguably the world's greatest golfer. But an attempt to make Jack Nicklaus an honorary citizen of St Andrews has instead been transformed into an embarrassing snub.

The home of golf has delivered the shock rejection to the American legend just months ahead of what could be his final appearance over the world-famous Old Course at the Open Championship this summer.

Twice a winner of the prestigious claret jug over the Old Course, the man known as the Golden Bear has praised the significance the town has in the game and his life.

He has said: "St Andrews always has a special place in my heart." Another famous phrase coined by Nicklaus applauds the town's sporting heritage further still: "If you want to be remembered, you have to win at St Andrews."

Yet a plan to bestow on the three-times Open winner the honorary citizen title was stopped after members of St Andrews Community Council failed to support the idea in sufficient numbers.

Successful candidates for the award need the approval of a minimum of 16 votes and no more than four votes against in a secret ballot of all voting members of the community council.

However, the proposal attracted only 13 votes of support and four against.

The recommendation to honour Nicklaus was made by Keith McCartney, a former chairman of the community organisation, who said last night: "I am very disappointed that the proposal was unsuccessful. I believe that, as a consequence, we, as a community, have missed out on a unique opportunity to honour the world's greatest golfer in this, the home of golf."

Mr McCartney said that Nicklaus's participation at St Andrews in July could be his last appearance in the Open as he is now 65, and this year marks his final opportunity to be automatically exempt from qualification as a past winner. [TheHerald.co.uk]

Read the rest: St Andrews snubs Jack Nicklaus

Woosnam voices Ryder Cup concern

Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam fears he could face problems if leading European players continue to compete extensively in the United States, thus affecting their qualification for next year's Euro team.

Read More: Woosnam voices Ryder Cup concern [BBC Sport]

Visit the Official Site of the 2006 Ryder Cup

May 3, 2005

Sony Introduces Hot Shots Golf for PSP

Sony announced today that the latest entry in the popular arcade golf franchise, Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee, has shipped to North American retailers nationwide for the PSP.

The game features an assortment of new courses as well as 10 new characters and 5 different caddies, all of which will preserve the familiarity of the series. Players will also have the ability to create their own golfer with over 250 customizable body parts and accessories to choose from.

Several different game modes are available, including Stroke Play, Challenge Mode, Putting Challenge, and Training Mode. Wireless multiplayer tournaments and game matches will also be implemented.

I think I have "Golfer's Elbow": Has anyone experienced this?

BogeyMan is in the dumps... Is it because my beloved Orioles lost to the BlueJays last night? No, it's because for the last few weeks a sharp pain on the outside of my elbow joint has made it difficult to even hold a club with my right hand. The pain shoots down my forearm and even causes some wrist pain.

I'm seeing a specialist later this week, but was wondering if any of you have experienced this? This wasn't brought on by some marathon golf outing, I just woke up with it one day.

Any advice would be helpful, I'm getting freaked because it looks like I won't be playing too much golf any time soon... ugh!

May 2, 2005

TaylorMade Introduces the r7 TP Fairway Wood

More news from the gang in Carlsbad, this time it's the new r7 fairway wood complete with movable weight cartridges... Too much? I can't "weight" to find out (coming in mid June).

Once again, I couldn't find anything on the TM website about this announcement. I don't know why TMAG wouldn't speak directly to their customers, but instead through press release distributors. Oh well?!

The r7 TP is a titanium fairway wood engineered with two TaylorMade Launch Control (TLC) ports positioned low in the back of the clubhead, near the heel and toe. Installing TLC cartridges of differing weights in the TLC ports allows the player to move the clubhead's CG toward either the toe or heel to promote varying degrees of draw bias and fade bias, as well as to promote a neutral, or straight, ball flight.

Pope Benedict's VW Smashes Ebay Records

OK this isn't about golf, but it is about a "Golf". A 1999 Volkswagen Golf with 47,000 miles, in mint condition on sale at EBAY. What makes it special enough to have surpassed the $75,000 mark? It used to belong to the recently installed Pope Benedict XVI.

The car is offered on the auction site by 21 year old Benjamin Halbe who bought it in January from a used car dealer. He had no idea its previous owner, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, would become the Pope.

Ratzinger's private secretary bought it for him in 1999 in southern Germany. It was then taken to Ratzinger in Rome.

"It's a heavenly ride," Halbe said.

Read More: Pope's VW breaks eBay records [Finance24.com]
See the actual EBAY Listing

TaylorMade Introduces r5 dual TP

While I haven't seen this on TaylorMade's website or on Carlsbad Confidential, I came across this release on golf-gear-review.com regarding a soon-to-be-release r5 Dual which will allow you to change the weight cartridges like the r7.

Maybe the gang at Carlsbad Confidential can weigh in with some additional info?

Titleist Presents: The Futura Phantom Mallet

While I've never been a fan of mallet style putters, this one has gotten my attention. The Futura Phantom Mallet by Titleist (Scotty Cameron) seems to have merged the qualities of a traditional mallet putter with the forgiveness and alignment assistance of their "over the top" Futura line.

I haven't had a chance to try this putter out, but Erik B. from the Sand Trap has posted an excellent review for all to enjoy.

Later this week I'll preview all of this season's new putter options, so as always, stay tuned...

Wachovia Championship features deep field

The 2005 season rolls into full effect as eight of the world's top ten will be in Charlotte, North Carolina for this week's Wachovia Championship.

Check out the full field:
Wachovia Championship Commitment List

Golf Blog : The BogeyLounge Forum is now Open!

Thanks to everyone for visiting my new golf blog. In just a short period of time, I have managed to meet a bunch of great people from all over the globe who share in my love of the game.

Now, there's another place to put our thoughts and share stories with fellow golf lovers, as I present for your enjoyment "The BogeyLounge Forum". The BLF is a very casual message board that I hope will serve as a meeting point for golfers around the world.

I know that there are a ton of other Golf related message boards, but I hope that the BogeyLounge Forum will serve those golfers who want a relaxed and casual place to share their golf thoughts. Talk about equipment and courses, ask questions, and share tales about your latest round... no judgment on what level of player you are, no "know-it-all" attitudes, just a bunch of people from all over the world talkin' golf when we're not playing (or daydreaming about) golf.

Thanks for all of your visits to BogeyLounge, I hope to talk to you in the forum... BogeyMan.