The Greatest Lesson in Life is Golf

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Random #3

An oldie but a goodie:

It's All About the Benjamins

A golf professional plays for a few reasons, for the love of the game and to compete, but also for the money. Golf is a career for these guys, their way of income. The big names we all know have been on top of the of money list many times:

Career Earnings:
Tiger Woods- $82,449,376
Phil Mickelson- $51,827,191
Vijay Singh- $60,863,812

But what about those who haven't? Is it worth it to keep playing on tour even with the economy as bad as it is and with the PGA TOUR losing sponsorships? I was on pgatour.com searching through player profiles looking at how much they've made year-to-year and in their career. I clicked the scroll bar and moved my mouse over a random name, someone I have never heard of:

Tag Ridings:
Turned Pro: 1997
Career Earnings on the PGA TOUR- $3,019,770
Career Earnings on the NationwideTour $324,226

So since Tag turned pro in 1997 he has played in 140 PGA events and 49 Nationwide events and has earned $3,343,996, averaging $303,999.63 per year excluding 2009. I'd take that. He hasn't had the glory and the fame of winning multiple times on either tour (only winning once on the Nationwide Tour and none on the PGA TOUR) like the big names have, but has earned a decent living doing what he loves. That's all I need to hear.

This should prove to the players with dreams and aspirations of playing professionally that there is a chance to make a good living out on tour even without winning. Just a few top 10's and top 25's will get you a good paycheck for 4 days at the office. If you keep up the hard work and practice it takes, the wins will come. Look at Pat Perez:

Turned Pro: 1997
Career Earnings on the PGA TOUR- $9,260,666

Pat has played in 203 events on the PGA TOUR and his first win came this year, 2009, at the 50th Bob Hope Classic.

Tiger's Return

With Tiger's return in the 2009 WGC Accenture Match Play, was there really any doubt he'd come out swinging. He started birdie-eagle. I mean, come on. His approach on #1 was within 5 ft. His approach on #2 was a conceded eagle. Tiger's back and he's ready to win. Do you think he will?

He's always said that he will never enter a tournament he doesn't think he can win. He proved that with his first round of the Accenture Match Play. He pummeled over Brendan Jones 3&2. However, in the second round, Woods faced Tim Clarke, a player Woods took out two years ago in match play.

Tiger didn't seem to be playing as well as he usually does, especially only on the second day of a tournament. His knee wasn't bothering him so it wasn't the physical aspect of the game, at least that's what he was saying. You have to think that due to his absence of tournament play for so long, his mind wasn't prepared. Tim Clarke took Tiger out with a 4&2 victory.

All in all, Tigers return was what I expected. He thrilled the crowd with incredible shots here and there, including his hole-out from the sand on the 15th, reminding us of last year's match play agains J.B. Holmes, but he couldn't close the deal, which isn't at all a let down.

Phil Needs A Makeover

The newer and younger generation of golfers have established a stylish look fit for the PGA Tour. Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas, even some older players like Sergio Garcia can pull it off. However, some cannot.

Phil Mickelson should stick with his old ways when it comes to dressing himself. I know his wife has taste, yet I don't understand how she can let him walk out of the house in the morning with the outfits he puts on. When he wore clothes that fit him, you could still see Phil's man-breasts, tighter clothes are surely not going to hide those and it's not like he wouldn't perform well. I think he should stop trying to fit in with everyone else and dress like the old Phil. So do us all a favor, Phil, change your clothes.

Phil with some clothes that fit:

Phil with some clothes that don't fit:

Charlie Axel Woods

Instead of hoisting up another Buick Invitational trophy on Sunday, Tiger Woods and wife Elin welcomed their first son into the world, Charlie Axel Woods. Tiger went public with the story today on his website:

Elin and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our son, Charlie Axel Woods, who was born on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009. Both Charlie and Elin are doing great and we want to thank everyone for their sincere best wishes and kind thoughts. Sam is very excited to be a big sister and we feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. I also want to thank our doctors, nurses and the hospital staff for their personal and professional care. We look forward to introducing Charlie to you at the appropriate time, and again thanks from all of us for your kindness and support.

When their daughter Sam Alexis was born it didn't seem to bother him too much as far as competitive golf was concerned. In the seven tournaments played, he had four wins, one T2, one T6, and one T12 including a PGA Championship title, WGC title, and Tour Championship title, in which he earned the inaugural FedEx Cup. Now with baby Charlie in the mix, along with the rehabilitation of his knee, is there too much on Tiger's plate coming into his 2009 season?

No. He's Tiger Woods.

Watney Drives Home To Victory

The Buick Invitational ended with drama when Nick Watney made a 4 ft birdie putt on #18 to win by 1 stroke. He played solidly all day, but never really looked like he was making moves to put himself in contention. The biggest momentum swing came late in the round at the par 3 #16 when Rollins couldn't convert his up-and-down for par from the greenside bunker and Watney sunk a 38 ft snake-of-a-putt for birdie, producing a 2-shot swing leaving both tied at the top with two holes left. Watney birdied two of his last three holes to help take home the trophy.

Most of the attention seemed to be on Camilo "Spiderman" Villegas as he was the crowd favorite all day. He's a young star maturing in the lime-light of the PGA Tour and has plenty of potential to be a double-digit winner in the near future. But today wasn't his day. Camilo was only a shot behind at this point, but shot himself out of the tournament with a bogey on #17.

The Tournement ended with Watney earning just his second career victory and a check to take home of $954,000.

P.S.
Does anyone think that Aaron Baddely needs to cut his hair already?

Random #2

My brother emailed me a story a while ago of David Feherty telling a story of the most extraordinary shot he has ever witnessed. I found it on YouTube and it's even better with visuals. When he reaches the part of the story that involves Ernie Els, it is censored out what Ernie actually says...what he says is "F*** Me!" If you saw this shot, you'd say the same thing, at least I would.

Random

I was browsing through InGolfWeTrust.com and saw this hilarious clip from Happy Gilmore, thought I'd share it.

Charles Not In Charge

Putting. It's THE MOST important part of the game. There's a saying, "Drive for show, Putt for dough." You can hit every fairway and every green, but if you can't finish it up with the those key putts, you will not produce wins. That was the case for Charley Hoffman yesterday in the Final Round of the FBR Open.

Hoffman's putting the last 2 holes in regulation were as bad as his haircut. He rammed a 4 ft birdie putt on #17 5 ft passed the hole - luckily he made the par putt coming back. On #18, he had an 8 ft birdie putt to, at the time, tie Kenny Perry for the lead,which hopefully he was unaware of. If his putt on #18 drops, Perry bogey's and Hoffman claims victory.

Buuut he didn't. He parred, Perry bogeyed, and a Sudden Death Playoff was forced. The two players went back to the 18th tee with hopes of out-playing each other. Their drives were awful. Perry reached the fairway bunker, just as he did in regulation. Hoffman also reached a fairway bunker, but with a significantly shorter approach. Both second shots weren't anything to brag about, much less their third shots. Once again, it came down to putting, but there was no victor decided yet. So back to #10. Well, once again, both players miss VERY makeable birdie putts. So now, to #17.

Hoffman scrapes around to finally find himself with about a 30 ft birdie putt. As he's reading the putt you can just tell that something isn't right. He's a great player, don't get me wrong, he won the Bob Hope Classic in 2007 so we know he is capable of winning on the PGA Tour, but when there is a big-time putt to be made he just doesn't look comfortable. He doesn't look like he knows he has the confidence to make it. After his pre-shot routine, Charley approaches his putt and missed it, tapping in for par and slowly walking to the edge of the green to watch Kenny Perry's ball drop into the cup for the win. Hoffman had 3 prime and opportune moments to take the FBR Open away from Perry, but his putter failed him.

Craziness at the Colosseum

The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona is considered the loudest hole in golf. In 1997, nearly 10,000 fans were present when Tiger Woods hit "the shot heard around the world," his hole-in-one from 145 yards with a 9-iron. Thousands of people erupted and were heard for miles while throwing plastic beer cups across the hole. In the recent years, that number has doubled in attendance. 20,000 people, that's like small university. In fact, the fans it attracts are mostly students from Arizona State University.

It is no different than attending a college football game where the beer flows like water, and the trash talk is just as common as the "boo's". Yes, the fans do "boo" you if you miss the green. The atmosphere, actually, is exactly like a college football game, rather than a golf tournament.

Now it even looks like a college football game. Tournament officials have decided to build general admission grandstands that completely surround the hole. Making this more of a stadium than simply a golf hole for spectators to view.

Players will have to bring their best game with them in order to block out the rowdy and uncontrolling fans. Especially those who tee off later than others. As the day goes on and the beer gets cheaper, the sun also gets hotter, and the buzz gets a lot stronger, which is bad news for the players. Golf has been prided on its sportsmanship and honest qualities, but at the Colosseum at TPC Scottsdale, all that flies out of the window and into a $10 adult beverage. It would be the same as Phil Mickelson hitting a 150 yard shot inside of a miniature Doak Campbell Stadium.


Tiger's "shot heard around the world," before the additions and with half the number of people it will hold today.

God is Good, All the Time

Everyone knows who God is. Even though people around the world worship different gods, the fact is, there is worship taking place. For those of us in the golf world, there is one man who is above all, he is God.

Please, sit back, relax and enjoy this rare footage of the beauty that is the golf swing at its most perfect form illustrated by God, himself.



Golf is hard. Unless you are Tiger Woods, it's not going to get any easier. Like most people in the world, I enjoy everything about this harsh, cruel, mostly unfulfillable game that they call golf. Why I try to master it is beyond me, but there's the idea that at some time in my future, unknown by me, I will be successful at it and hopefully make a living out of it.

There are a lot of people in the golf world. With the difficulty that the sport brings, a reward is always attainable. Some know what they are doing when it comes to swinging a golf club. Some have absolutely no clue. But that's the beauty of this sport, anyone can play. I don't know how many 65 year-old's you see strapping up for the Retirement Home's Annual Tackle Football game, or how many old people you see putting on their helmet before taking the ice in their senior-citizens championship hockey game. But you do see them teeing up on #1 at their local golf course. Golf is like sex, you don't have to be good at it to enjoy it.