You ever wonder why people call golf a lesson in life? I've always heard the saying and just shrugged it off, never really poking around to find the meaning. I can understand how it can be compared to life in that golf is a sport of honor and trust and dignity. If you are trying to carefully remove a couple twigs and leaves away from your mis-hit drive and your ball happens to move even a slight bit, the honorable and the correct thing to do is tell your playing partner and/or rules official and take your penalty. But choices like that aren't only to be made in golf.
As a golfer, a part-time employee, and a full-time student, I've come to realize in the recent years that the choices I make have great impacts and consequences in the near futures. The importance of priorities in my life at this point in time are 1) school. 2) friends/family. 3) golf. 4)work. That's what they should be. What they are in reality are 1) friends/family. 2) golf. 3) school. 4) work.
Dad always says: "The decisions you make will show in the end, hard work works." I've never been one to make bad grades, fail classes, get fired from jobs, or even quit from jobs. I'm a level-headed, responsible, hard-working person, however, with the help of the flu, followed directly by a week break of school, followed even closer by a not-so-serious disease called "Senioritus," troubled times are in front of me and there's nothing I can do about it except take Dad's lesson to heart, buckle my seat belt, and hope the ride to the end isn't as bumpy as I think it's going to be.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Greatest Lesson in Life is Golf
Boom Boom
Tiger Woods is going to be the greatest golfer that ever lived, in my opinion, and I don't think most people will disagree. But that doesn't mean he is my favorite. A player that both my brother and I model our swing after is someone who our father grew up watching and is the main reason why he started us in golf. Fred Couples has the resume and credentials of a Hall of Fame player and is, to this day, my favorite professional golfer. Plus, he shares the same middle name as me, even spelled the same.
Born October 3, 1959 in Seattle, Washington, Couples didn't start playing the game seriously until college where he played for the University of Houston Cougars. His naturally smooth and rhythmic golf swing gives him enough power to be nicknamed "Boom Boom."
His first win came in 1983 at the Kemper Open. Boom Boom didn't look back since. He has a total of 15 PGA TOUR events, which if you ask the average tour player is something to brag about, especially if three of those wins include 2 Players Championships (1984 and 1996) and a Major Championship with The Masters victory in 1992.
One of the highlights of the "amazingness" of Freddy "No Glove" Couples came from the 1999 Players Chapmionship. Couples tee's off on #17, the island hole and, like most of the other players, flies his ball into the water. Ignoring the drop area given, he re-tee's and pulls out a 9 iron. After watching that silky smooth swing and his calm and cool reaction you knew something special was going to happen. He flew it into the cup and still to this day is the only play to par #17 with an ace.
Just because Couples doesn't have 14 Major Championships or 67 PGA career wins, he is a player that I've looked up to as my golf game has progressed and will admire him until his last swing.
Born October 3, 1959 in Seattle, Washington, Couples didn't start playing the game seriously until college where he played for the University of Houston Cougars. His naturally smooth and rhythmic golf swing gives him enough power to be nicknamed "Boom Boom."
His first win came in 1983 at the Kemper Open. Boom Boom didn't look back since. He has a total of 15 PGA TOUR events, which if you ask the average tour player is something to brag about, especially if three of those wins include 2 Players Championships (1984 and 1996) and a Major Championship with The Masters victory in 1992.
One of the highlights of the "amazingness" of Freddy "No Glove" Couples came from the 1999 Players Chapmionship. Couples tee's off on #17, the island hole and, like most of the other players, flies his ball into the water. Ignoring the drop area given, he re-tee's and pulls out a 9 iron. After watching that silky smooth swing and his calm and cool reaction you knew something special was going to happen. He flew it into the cup and still to this day is the only play to par #17 with an ace.
Just because Couples doesn't have 14 Major Championships or 67 PGA career wins, he is a player that I've looked up to as my golf game has progressed and will admire him until his last swing.
Cejka Cuts Through HH
With an opening round -7 64, Germany's Alex Cejka is leading the Verizon Heritage in Hilton Head. Cejka is a respectable player that has put in his time on the PGA TOUR as well as the Nationwide Tour. Winless in over 5 years, Cejka has yet to reach $1 million in a single year with career earnings of just over $5 million. With a victory at Harbour Town this week, he'll accomplish that goal and bring home a nice paycheck of $1,026,000. But he has to beat the best of them.
Boo Weekly is looking to do something only Tiger has done and that is win the same tournament three times in a row. Beating off the field in 2007 and 2008 in Hilton Head, Boo somehow brings all aspects of his game together and conquers Harbour Town with ease. Will he get it done this week? I think it all depends on the first hole. Speaking of, he is teeing off at this exact time as I'm writing this. Good Luck Boo.
My sleeper pick agrees with The Golf Channel's pick and that is Woody Austin. The Tennesseean took home the gold in the Hootie and the Blowfish Monday After The Masters Tournament and that should bring him the confidence and the momentum he needs to bring to the table in order to fight off the everybody else. Plus, I think he needs a win, it's been a while.
Boo Weekly is looking to do something only Tiger has done and that is win the same tournament three times in a row. Beating off the field in 2007 and 2008 in Hilton Head, Boo somehow brings all aspects of his game together and conquers Harbour Town with ease. Will he get it done this week? I think it all depends on the first hole. Speaking of, he is teeing off at this exact time as I'm writing this. Good Luck Boo.
My sleeper pick agrees with The Golf Channel's pick and that is Woody Austin. The Tennesseean took home the gold in the Hootie and the Blowfish Monday After The Masters Tournament and that should bring him the confidence and the momentum he needs to bring to the table in order to fight off the everybody else. Plus, I think he needs a win, it's been a while.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The 5th Major
Now that the first Major Championship is over and done with, It's about time for the "5th Major" to start up. The Players Championship is approaching and the TOUR's most talented field is gearing up. Even though my picks for The Masters were...awful, not even close, way off...whatever you want to call it, here are some of my thoughts for The Players:
Geoff Ogilvy:
He has been playing better than most players this season, so far. With two wins, a few top 3's, five top 25's, and leading the field in FedEx points, his game is on point, to say the least. His calm, cool, and collective attitude will suit him well in the atmosphere that the Stadium course brings.
My Pick: makes cut, top 15.
Camilo Villegas:
Spiderman's go-getter attitude and aggressive style might get him into trouble a few times at TPC, however with holes like 16 and 18, Villegas could tee up and swing for the fences and easily make those holes a lot shorter.
My Pick: makes cut, top 25
Sergio Garcia:
The defending champ makes a run at two in a row the first week in May and is licking his chops. The Spaniard has been the quiet one the past few years coming up short a couple times. However, this year at The Players, Garcia is going to choke.
My Pick: MC
Tiger Woods:
How can anyone bet against Tiger. His final round comeback at The Masters almost paid off until he choked on 17 and 18, however to come back from 7 shots and make Perry, Cabrera, and Campbell pee their pants is impressive to say the least.
My Pick: makes cut, top 5
Phil Mickelson:
Lefty's is making a run for No.1 in 2009 and with 2 wins under his belt and 2nd in FedEx Cup points and already with a win at The Players, he is definitely someone to look out for.
My Pick: makes cut, top 5
Geoff Ogilvy:
He has been playing better than most players this season, so far. With two wins, a few top 3's, five top 25's, and leading the field in FedEx points, his game is on point, to say the least. His calm, cool, and collective attitude will suit him well in the atmosphere that the Stadium course brings.
My Pick: makes cut, top 15.
Camilo Villegas:
Spiderman's go-getter attitude and aggressive style might get him into trouble a few times at TPC, however with holes like 16 and 18, Villegas could tee up and swing for the fences and easily make those holes a lot shorter.
My Pick: makes cut, top 25
Sergio Garcia:
The defending champ makes a run at two in a row the first week in May and is licking his chops. The Spaniard has been the quiet one the past few years coming up short a couple times. However, this year at The Players, Garcia is going to choke.
My Pick: MC
Tiger Woods:
How can anyone bet against Tiger. His final round comeback at The Masters almost paid off until he choked on 17 and 18, however to come back from 7 shots and make Perry, Cabrera, and Campbell pee their pants is impressive to say the least.
My Pick: makes cut, top 5
Phil Mickelson:
Lefty's is making a run for No.1 in 2009 and with 2 wins under his belt and 2nd in FedEx Cup points and already with a win at The Players, he is definitely someone to look out for.
My Pick: makes cut, top 5
The Green Jacket Heads to Argentina
Just when you thought Tiger was hunting down his prey up the leader board and Phil was itching for his 3rd Green Jacket, the unexpected happened, someone other than those two won The Masters.
I think Argentina deserved this one. After the mis-hap with De Vincenzo at the '68 Masters, Angel Cabrera redeems his fellow countryman and brings home the Green Jacket. A kind of sleeper in the tournament the whole time, Cabrera didn't really make any major moves to put himself in contention. It doesn't help that Tiger and Phil were the only group being broadcasted by CBS. Cabrera just played an average round of golf as did Perry and Campbell.
Your heart has to go out for Kenny Perry, though. Don't give up on him now, but when is he going to have as good of a chance like he did last weekend? His goal of 20 wins seemed to be in reach after the win in Arizona. Now The Masters, leading after the 3rd round, this was his best chance.
With his ball alone in the fairway, Chad Campbell had an opportunistic moment with his second shot. After a bail-out right in the green-side bunker, it wasn't looking too hopeful. After is impressive sand shot, once again, it came down to putting. Unfortunately for Campbell, the flat stick failed him.
On the second playoff hole between Perry and Cabrera, both stepped up to the tee and striped their drives like it was a Monday practice round. However, after Perry's second shot you kind of had the feeling that this one was Cabrera's for the taking. An easy 2-putt for the jacket and it was all over.
When Angel returns home to Argentina, I hope De Vicenzo is there waiting so he can feel what It's like to put on a Green Jacket. It's too bad, there should be 2 Green Jackets in that country.
I think Argentina deserved this one. After the mis-hap with De Vincenzo at the '68 Masters, Angel Cabrera redeems his fellow countryman and brings home the Green Jacket. A kind of sleeper in the tournament the whole time, Cabrera didn't really make any major moves to put himself in contention. It doesn't help that Tiger and Phil were the only group being broadcasted by CBS. Cabrera just played an average round of golf as did Perry and Campbell.
Your heart has to go out for Kenny Perry, though. Don't give up on him now, but when is he going to have as good of a chance like he did last weekend? His goal of 20 wins seemed to be in reach after the win in Arizona. Now The Masters, leading after the 3rd round, this was his best chance.
With his ball alone in the fairway, Chad Campbell had an opportunistic moment with his second shot. After a bail-out right in the green-side bunker, it wasn't looking too hopeful. After is impressive sand shot, once again, it came down to putting. Unfortunately for Campbell, the flat stick failed him.
On the second playoff hole between Perry and Cabrera, both stepped up to the tee and striped their drives like it was a Monday practice round. However, after Perry's second shot you kind of had the feeling that this one was Cabrera's for the taking. An easy 2-putt for the jacket and it was all over.
When Angel returns home to Argentina, I hope De Vicenzo is there waiting so he can feel what It's like to put on a Green Jacket. It's too bad, there should be 2 Green Jackets in that country.
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Best Week of the Year
It's here. Finally. The best week of the year has at last arrived and with what's been going on around the PGA TOUR so far this season, I have no idea what to expect this Easter Sunday. Tiger's back, we all experienced that a couple weeks ago. Phil's put a couple in the bag. The young-guns are starting to make a statement on tour. The shark is looking pretty hungry to me. Who is going to win? 4-way play-off? Never know...
Out of the three teenagers in the field, my favorite is Rory. His win at Dubai proved to everyone how good a golfer he really is. Not only that, but his play at the Accenture Match Play proved he can play with the big boys on the PGA TOUR. I like his odds this week at Augusta National.
My prediction for Rory: makes cut.
The Shark, Stormin' Normin, Heart-Broken Greg...they all fit. If anyone has something to take back from Augusta, it's Greg Norman. There are pieces of Norman's heart all over that course and I believe he wants them back where they belong. Being 54 doesn't matter, Gary Player is playing! Norman's going to come out with something to show people.
My prediction for The Shark: makes cut, top 20.
Lefty has been on the loose in 2009. A couple wins lets all the players know that he is hunting Tiger down for the world's number 1 spot. If his shirt isn't too tight this weekend, Phil might be in contention.
My prediction for Lefty: makes cut. top 15
Have you ever seen a ridiculously starving tiger? It doesn't just kill a single prey for nourishment. It continues to hunt for more. It is never satisfied. Now, Have you ever seen a ridiculously starving Tiger? There isn't much of a difference. Not only is Woods hungry for another win to establish his dominance back on the PGA TOUR, but there are a couple other achievements he is itching for, cough, Jack, cough.
My prediction for Tiger Woods: top 3, most likely win.
The biggest threats for Tiger this week: Geoff Ogilvy, Anthony Kim.
Out of the three teenagers in the field, my favorite is Rory. His win at Dubai proved to everyone how good a golfer he really is. Not only that, but his play at the Accenture Match Play proved he can play with the big boys on the PGA TOUR. I like his odds this week at Augusta National.
My prediction for Rory: makes cut.
The Shark, Stormin' Normin, Heart-Broken Greg...they all fit. If anyone has something to take back from Augusta, it's Greg Norman. There are pieces of Norman's heart all over that course and I believe he wants them back where they belong. Being 54 doesn't matter, Gary Player is playing! Norman's going to come out with something to show people.
My prediction for The Shark: makes cut, top 20.
Lefty has been on the loose in 2009. A couple wins lets all the players know that he is hunting Tiger down for the world's number 1 spot. If his shirt isn't too tight this weekend, Phil might be in contention.
My prediction for Lefty: makes cut. top 15
Have you ever seen a ridiculously starving tiger? It doesn't just kill a single prey for nourishment. It continues to hunt for more. It is never satisfied. Now, Have you ever seen a ridiculously starving Tiger? There isn't much of a difference. Not only is Woods hungry for another win to establish his dominance back on the PGA TOUR, but there are a couple other achievements he is itching for, cough, Jack, cough.
My prediction for Tiger Woods: top 3, most likely win.
The biggest threats for Tiger this week: Geoff Ogilvy, Anthony Kim.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Augusta Wannabe
The Shell Houston Open is a tournament that normally scares off the players from tournament-play for the week. Records show that only 10 people have won a tournament the week prior to a major (Tiger is included in that 10 winning a WGC event in 2001 and then the PGA Championship the very next week). Given that The Masters is the week after the Shell, I am surprised at how many players that could be in contention next week are actually in the field: Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Anthony Kim, Vijay Singh, and Greg Norman - yes...I said Greg Norman.
I think that it is actually a smart move to play the Shell Houston Open. The Golf Channel showed some quick shots of the course and the conditions they are in and they are pretty Augusta-like. The greens were double-rolled putting them near a 13 on the stempmeter and behind most greens are completely shaved down leading a mis-clubbed shot straight into the water with no chance of holding. This would be an opportune time to prepare for the upcoming Major Championship in Augusta, GA.
At the same time, I think this takes character away from Redstone Country Club. Each tournament is significant in its own way. I know they are trying to help players prepare for Augusta, but that's kind of the point each week, to compete in different conditions and be able to play up-to-par and put yourself in contention on any course.
I think that it is actually a smart move to play the Shell Houston Open. The Golf Channel showed some quick shots of the course and the conditions they are in and they are pretty Augusta-like. The greens were double-rolled putting them near a 13 on the stempmeter and behind most greens are completely shaved down leading a mis-clubbed shot straight into the water with no chance of holding. This would be an opportune time to prepare for the upcoming Major Championship in Augusta, GA.
At the same time, I think this takes character away from Redstone Country Club. Each tournament is significant in its own way. I know they are trying to help players prepare for Augusta, but that's kind of the point each week, to compete in different conditions and be able to play up-to-par and put yourself in contention on any course.
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