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Mountaineers Head to The Hootie at Bull’s BayMarch 23, 2019Mountaineers Head to The Hootie at Bull’s BayMORGANTOWN, W.Va. (March 24, 2019) – After nearly a month off from competition, the West Virginia University golf team returns to action on Sunday when the Mountaineers travel to Awendaw, South Carolina, to compete in The Hootie Intercollegiate at Bulls Bay.South Carolina will host the tournament on the 6,104-yard, par-72 Bulls Bay course. Golfers will hit the links in tee times start at 10 a.m. with one round each day on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.The No. 41 Mountaineers will be joined by Big 12 foes No. 36 Kansas State and No. 38 Iowa State in the event. In addition to the No. 20 Gamecocks, No. 4 Duke, No. 27 NC State, No. 48 Ole Miss, Purdue, Virginia, the College of Charleston, Kentucky, Missouri, Kent State and Wisconsin will make up the field.West Virginia is paired with Duke and Missouri for the first round, teeing off No. 10 starting at 10 am.Senior Max Sear, sophomore Matthew Sharpstene, junior Etienne Papineau, sophomore Logan Perkins and freshman Kurtis Grant will represent WVU at the event.“We are honored to be playing in one of the best events in college golf,” coach Sean Covich said. “The Hootie combines a great golf course, a strong field of teams and a first-class atmosphere. This week will test our ability to play in the wind as Monday and Tuesday, the winds are expected to gust.”Sear, Sharpstene and Papineau will each appear in their sixth event of the season. Sear leads the squad with a 70.50 scoring average this season to go with a trio of top-20 finishes. Sharpstene is second at 70.89, boasting four top-20 finishes on his resume while Papineau has a 72.06 stroke average.Perkins appears in the lineup for the fourth time this season after playing in three events as an individual, while Grant makes the fourth start of his rookie campaign.Follow @WVUSports and @WVUGolf on Twitter...
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Big 12 Individual Medalist to Play in A Military Tribute at The GreenbrierMarch 23, 2019Big 12 Individual Medalist to Play in A Military Tribute at The GreenbrierThe individual medalist of next month’s Big 12 Men’s Golf Championship will be granted an exemption into the 2019 edition of A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, which will be held Sept. 9-15, 2019 on The Old White TPC Course.Since its inception in 2010, A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier — A PGA TOUR FedExCup event formerly known as The Greenbrier Classic — has built a reputation for providing an opportunity for the top amateurs in the game, including the champion of the annual West Virginia Amateur and the winner of the Fred Haskins Award, college golf’s version of the Heisman Trophy.This year, that tradition will be extended to the Big 12 individual medalist, a fitting award since The Big 12 Championship will be played on The Old White TPC April 26-28, 2019.“We are extremely excited to host The Big 12 Championship here at The Greenbrier, and we appreciate the tradition of excellent golf the conference has produced over the years,” said Robert Harris, Executive Tournament Director, A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier. “It is our pleasure to award this year’s medalist with an exemption to play in our PGA TOUR tournament, and we know the winner will represent the conference well, teeing it up with the biggest stars in the game.”The Big 12 Championship will be a four-round, 72-hole event contested over three days on the historic Old White TPC Course, a 1914 CB Macdonald classic. West Virginia University, a member of the Big 12 in men’s golf since 2016, will host the tournament, which includes defending NCAA Division I National Champion Oklahoma State and 2017 NCAA Division I National Champion Oklahoma.Past individual medalists include Morgan Hoffmann, Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, Anthony Kim and Charles Howell III. The Big 12 has also produced other PGA TOUR stars such as Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Justin Leonard, Jordan Spieth, Gary Woodland and Jimmy Walker.“The Big 12 Conference is pleased to be associated with The Greenbrier for the hosting of our men’s golf championship this season,” said Big 12 Conference associate commissioner and men’s golf liaison Jeff Jackson. “The Greenbrier is one of the most anticipated stops on the PGA TOUR. Our men’s golf programs could not be more appreciative of the opportunity for the Big 12 Championship individual medalist to earn a spot in The Greenbrier’s PGA TOUR event. What a fitting way to link the rich history of Big 12 men’s golf with the prestige of The Greenbrier.”Previously held in July, A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier is moving to September in 2019. West Virginia’s annual PGA TOUR stop will continue to celebrate the men and women of the United States Military, as well as first responders from around the country on the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.For more information on A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, visit AMilitaryTribute.com.Big12Sports.com | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram...
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The Blogiversary — Fifteen Years Of GolfBloggerMarch 22, 2019The GolfBlogger contemplates Life, The Universe and Everything at Bandon Dunes. This year marks the fifteenth Golf Blogiversary of GolfBloggerThe Golf Blogiversary — Fifteen Years Of GolfBloggerToday marks fifteen years of blogging at GolfBlogger.com.I started this blog on March 22, 2004. The first post had me wondering whether Elin Nordegren would ultimately be bad for Tiger Woods’ game.In 2018, I published 844 posts, which is down from 2017’s 1, 011. Obviously, I have been in a slump, and need to step up my game.During the year, I reviewed seventeen new courses, bringing my total number of different golf courses played and reviewed to 195. I covered the last LPGA Volvik Championship in Ann Arbor, and the first Ally Challenge on the Champions Tour in Flint. I also was fortunate to be able to review a variety of golf related gear, including clubs, balls, grips, socks and books.In 2018 (and going into 2019), I extended my streak of consecutive months in which I have played golf in Michigan to forty eight. Not all of those were pleasant, of course, but I am tough.The biggest event of the year, however, was the first Golf Blog World Tour event, in which I travelled to Bandon Dunes with Tony Korologos of Hooked on Golf Blog, John Duval of Into The Grain and international media star Bill Cuebas. (The photo at the top of the page was taken by Duval.)The courses at Bandon Dunes are amazing — a must play experience for any serious golfer. You can read about my Bandon Dunes Review articles at the link. Thanks for Bandon Dunes and Kemper Sports for the opportunity.Thanks for the continued success of the blog are due to many, foremost of which is Mrs. Golfblogger, who puts up with both my writing and golf obsessions.Second, I’d like to thank the millions who have visited the site over the past decade. When I started, GolfBlogger was just a way to vent my urge to write. I never expected anyone to pay attention, and thus the (literally) millions of readers have come as a complete surprise.I’m also thankful for the various sponsors, advertisers and public relations firms who have made it possible for me to run GolfBlogger. The site is still just a hobby, and I’m not sure that Mrs. GolfBlogger would have allowed me to continue as long as I have if it was a drain on the family savings.Finally, I am thankful for the golf friends I have made while golf blogging, especially Tony Korologos, John Duval, Bill Cuebas, Dave Donelson, Ralph Martinelli, Chakib Ghadouani, Kevin Frisch and Stacy Solomon, all of whom I hope to see again soon. I am certain that I am forgetting people and for that I apologize. It is late as I write this and I have been up since 5 am.Bandon Trails’ sixteenth is a 530 yard par 5.During the the fifteen years of GolfBlogger’s life, I’ve published more than eleven thousand articles. In addition, I’ve engaged many on social media, with nearly ten thousand twitter followers who have seen more than 20,000 tweets. I’ve also recently begun an effort to reach out more on social media, with a GolfBlogger Facebook page and a Golf Blogger Instagram account.Most of the success of GolfBlogger is, I think, due to sheer stubbornness on my part. I write every day, nearly without fail (there is the occasional weekend lapse). When I started, there really were no models to follow, so I wrote about anything that interested me. In the ensuing years, I have always tried to stay true to that model, publishing things that interest ME, rather than things that I think will turn into click bait. You won’t find the WAGS of Golf on this site, as you will on the Golf.Com, Golf Channel and Golf Digest websites.I’ve kept the golf blog going because I love to write. Before I changed careers to become a teacher, I was a professional editor and ghostwriter. I also love golf, so the match was a natural. In fact, I find that writing for GolfBlogger has become a compulsion.The 17 at the Ally Challenge as Paul Broadhurst heads up the green.A lot has changed in the fifteen years since I started writing GolfBlogger. I was one of a handful of golf blogs in the first few years. There have since been thousands of entries into the field. Most significantly, large media corporations have gotten into the act, as extensions of their existing properties. Others, which once were independent, have been bought out and now are XYZ Golf Blog Presented by QRS Corporation. That has pushed many small and independent golf blogs off the front page of search results, so that everyone (including myself) has to look much harder to find original voices not driven by the big media dollars.There is a touch of jealousy in this, for at some level, I would not mind being sponsored by a big media corporation. It would be terrific to not to have to worry about covering hosting costs, office expenses, etc. and to be able to concentrate completely on writing. On the other hand, the lack of such in no way deters me. I see no reason why I can’t continue this for another fifteen years....
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Golf Eraser SetMarch 22, 2019Japanese Golf Eraser SetRidiculous Golf Item of The Week...
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A Mid March Round Of Golf In MichiganMarch 21, 2019The thirteenth at Green Oaks in Ypsilanti, Michigan on March 19, 2019.My home course opened this week and I was thrilled to get out Tuesday for a quick nine.Green Oaks is the municipal golf course for Ypsilanti Township, and is as good a golf bargain as you’ll find. I almost hesitate to extol its virtues for fear of it becoming too crowded.Conditions were what you would expect for mid-march in Michigan. The grass was mostly dormant, and there was some standing water from the melt. I didn’t have any problem teeing it up, though. The ground had thawed at least as deep as that.I was of course in generally horrible form, given the long layoff from regular play last November. The one bright spot was my chipping and pitching, which actually kept my score from blowing up completely.I am heading out for another nine today after work and am hoping for some improvement in my irons play....
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Chitimacha Louisiana Open Winners and HistoryMarch 21, 2019The Chitimacha Louisiana Open is a Web.Com Tour event held annuallyat the Le Triomphe Golf & Country Club in Broussard, Louisiana. The tournament’s title sponsor is the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana. It is also supported by the Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel, a tribal enterprise. The presenting sponsor, Nacher, provides services to the energy sector in the Gulf of Mexico. A list of Chitimacha Louisiana Open Winners follows:...
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2019 Valspar Championship PreviewMarch 20, 2019TV Times For The Valspar Championship2019 Valspar Championship PreviewDates: March 18-24, 2019Where: Palm Harbor, FloridaCourse: Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf & Spa Resort (Copperhead)Defending champion: Paul Casey Purse: $6,700,000 ($1,206,000/winner) FedExCup: 500 points to the winnerField size: 144 Format: 72-hole stroke playNotes on the field9 of the top 30 in the FedExCup standings, led by Gary Woodland (No. 5) and Dustin Johnson (No. 9)10 of the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking, including World No. 1 Dustin Johnson4 FedExCup champions: Jim Furyk (2010), Bill Haas (2011), Brandt Snedeker (2012), Henrik Stenson (2013)9 past winners: K.J. Choi (2002, 2006), Jim Furyk (2010), Gary Woodland (2011), Luke Donald (2012), Kevin Streelman (2013), John Senden (2014), Charl Schwartzel (2016), Adam Hadwin (2017), Paul Casey (2018)80 PGA TOUR winners, including eight with 10 or more victories14 PGA TOUR rookies: Wyndham Clark, Cameron Davis, Kramer Hickok, Sungjae Im, Kyle Jones, Jim Knous, Hank Lebioda, Kyoung-Hoon Lee, Seth Reeves, Jose de Jesus Rodriguez, Sepp Straka, Adam Svensson, Martin Trainer, Chase WrightA look back at 2018 Valspar ChampionshipPos. Player R1 R2 R3 R4 Total 1 Paul Casey 70 68 71 65 274/-10 T2 Patrick Reed 71 69 67 68 275/-9 T2 Tiger Woods 70 68 67 70 275/-9 4 Sergio Garcia 70 72 69 65 276/-8 T5 Justin Rose 70 69 66 72 277/-7 T5 Rory Sabbatini 70 71 67 69 277/-7Paul Casey collected his second PGA TOUR victory and first since winning the 2009 Houston Open (151st start since)Casey entered the final round tied for 11th and completed his round when the final group was on No. 12Casey needed a career-low 21 putts in the final roundTiger Woods (T2) posted four under-par scores for the first time since 2013 THE NORTHERN TRUST and was the only player in the field to do soWith a T2, Patrick Reed earned his second runner-up in four seasons at the Valspar ChampionshipValspar Championship and the FedExCupThe Valspar Championship is the 21st event in the 2018-19 FedExCup season11 of the 12 winners of the Valspar Championship in the FedExCup era have advanced to the season-ending TOUR Championship: Mark Calcavecchia (2007), Retief Goosen (2009), Jim Furyk (2010), Gary Woodland (2011), Luke Donald (2012), Kevin Streelman (2013), John Senden (2014), Jordan Spieth (2015), Charl Schwartzel (2016), Adam Hadwin (2017), Paul Casey (2018)Jim Furyk (2010) and Jordan Spieth (2015) won the Valspar Championship en route to capturing the FedExCupAfter Paul Casey’s win in 2018, he went on to finish 25th in the FedExCupWyndham Rewards Top 10 – Current top 10 in the FedExCup standingsPos. Player Points Wins 1 Rory McIlroy 1,348 1 2 Xander Schauffele 1,298 2 3 Matt Kuchar 1,275 2 4 Charles Howell III 1,031 1 5 Gary Woodland 1,026 0 6 Justin Thomas 969 0 7 Marc Leishman 966 1 8 Rickie Fowler 957 1 9 Dustin Johnson 880 1 10 Brooks Koepka 876 1Player NotesDustin Johnson (No. 9 in FedExCup, No. 1 in OWGR)Making third start at the event and first since 2010 (MCs in 2008 and 2010)Has four top-10s in six starts during the 2018-19 season, including his second win in three years at the World Golf Championships-Mexico ChampionshipIn search of 21st career victory which would tie five players for 29th in PGA TOUR history (Jim Barnes, Davis Love III, Willie Macfarlane, Lanny Wadkins, Craig Wood)Coming off a T5 at THE PLAYERS ChampionshipBubba Watson (No. 68 in FedExCup, No. 17 in OWGR)Has made seven starts at the event but just one since 2011 (MC/2017); finished third in 2010Best result in seven starts during the 2018-19 season came at the Waste Management Phoenix Open (T4)Finished T56 at last week’s THE PLAYERSJon Rahm (No. 29 in FedExCup, No. 10 in OWGR)Making tournament debutHas five top-10s in eight starts in 2018-19 with best result being a T5 at the Farmers Insurance OpenIn last week’s THE PLAYERS, held the 54-hole lead before finishing T12Jason Day (No. 27 in FedExCup, No. 12 in OWGR)Has four made cuts in six starts at the Valspar Championship but has not played since 2013 (T43)Other than a WD at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, has not finished worse than 13th during the 2018-19 season, highlighted by top-fives at the Farmers Insurance Open (T5) and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (T4)Coming off a T8 at THE PLAYERSPatrick Reed (No. 59 in FedExCup, No. 16 in OWGR)Has runner-up results in two of the last four seasons at the Valspar Championship (2015, 2018)Has top-25s in six of eight starts in 2018-19, highlighted by a T7 at the WGC-HSBC ChampionsFinished T47 at THE PLAYERSGary Woodland (No. 5 in FedExCup, No. 23 in OWGR)2011 Valspar Championship winner, first of eight tournament startsHighest FedExCup standing of the players in the field with two runner-up results on the season (THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES, Sentry Tournament of Champions)At THE PLAYERS, shot a final-round 68 to finish T30Akshay Bhatia (pronounced OCK-shay BA-tee-uh)17-year-old making his PGA TOUR debut playing on a sponsor exemptionTop-ranked junior in the world and No. 9 in the World Amateur Golf RankingHas made the decision to forgo college and begin his professional career shortly after his 18th birthdayWon the Jones Cup in February, his fourth WAGR-ranked victory in a 12-month stretch, to earn a spot at The RSM Classic in 2019Native of Wake Forest, North CarolinaNotable Tournament Records/History18-hole scoring record: 61 (Padraig Harrington/R1/2012)72-hole scoring record: 18-under 266 (Vijay Singh/2004)Youngest winner: Jordan Spieth, 2015 (21 years, 7 months, 19 days)Most top-10s: 4 (K.J. Choi, Luke Donald, Jim Furyk, Charles Howell III; all but Howell in field)Valspar Championship Preview via PGA TOUR...
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Bank of Hope Founders Cup Preview – 2019March 20, 2019Bank of Hope Founders Cup Preview – 2019Bank of Hope Founders Cup Preview – 2019LPGA RETURNS TO THE U.S. FOR BANK OF HOPE FOUNDERS CUPThe LPGA Tour returns to Phoenix this week for the ninth edition of the Bank of Hope Founders Cup, which celebrates the 13 Founding Members of the LPGA Tour. The Bank of Hope Founders Cup kicks off a stretch of 15 consecutive tournaments in the United States.Seven of the top 10 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings are competing this week: Sung Hyun Park, Ariya Jutanugarn, Minjee Lee, Inbee Park, Nelly Korda, Jin Young Ko and Brooke Henderson.Defending champion Inbee Park returns to Arizona looking to successfully defend her title and pick up her 20th LPGA Tour title and first win on Tour since capturing the Bank of Hope Founders Cup title last season.“This tournament was made for a reason, and obviously seeing the Founders at the end of the 18th green is very meaningful all the time,” Park said on Tuesday in Phoenix. “Especially having a good week. We just realize that we are here because of the Founders. It’s great that we get an opportunity like this tournament to give the thanks back to them.”NELLY KORDA AIMS TO CONTINUE EARLY SUCCESSNelly Korda comes into the 2019 Bank of Hope Founders Cup with four top 10s this season and a win at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open. Her keys to early success? Keeping it simple.“I’ve been doing quite well, so I’m just going to take it week by week, shot by shot,” said the third-year LPGA player. “That’s something my coach and I have really worked on. He keeps reminding me of that all the time.”Though keeping her goals a secret, Korda has had an impressive start to the 2019 season. She currently ranks No. 8 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and tops the LPGA Tour’s Official Money List, Rolex Player of the Year and Race to the CME Globe standings. This will be the third time the 20-year-old competes at the Founders Cup, with her best finish of T19 coming in 2017. Korda hopes with her mind set on the fundamentals of her game, this year she will walk away with a better result.“Every week I go into a tournament wanting to win, so obviously that’s the No. 1 goal,” said Korda. “I just want to stay consistent and have fun this week.”BRITTANY LINCICOME ANNOUNCES SPONSOR EXTENSIONS THROUGH PREGNANCYBrittany Lincicome learned two days before Christmas she was expecting her first child with her husband Dewald Gouws on Sept. 1. As she plans out how her pregnancy will impact her season, Lincicome announced that two of her long-standing sponsors, CME Group and Diamond Resorts, committed to honor their contracts throughout her pregnancy.“I never thought in a million years that they would do that,” said the mom-to-be, who announced on March 11 that she is expecting a daughter. “I feel so honored and blessed to be represented by two great companies that are going to do this. It’s just fantastic.”Both sponsors hope this announcement sets a precedent for future LPGA expectant mothers.“We congratulate Brittany on her growing family, and we are happy to honor her full contract for the season,” said Terry Duffy, CME Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to support the talented, diverse athletes of the LPGA, and proud to do our part to support working parents.”Mike Flaskey, CEO of Diamond Resorts said, “Brittany is part of our Diamond Resorts family. We are committed to extending to Brittany time to connect with and care for her family and feel strongly as an organization that women should not have to choose between a family and a career.”Lincicome said the past few months have been crazy with the baby and sponsor news. The 33-year-old, who did not travel overseas, is focused on doing all the right things to make sure she has a healthy baby by the end of her pregnancy. This week’s Bank of Hope Founders Cup will be her second event of the season; she finished T22 at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in January.WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BANK OF HOPE FOUNDERS CUPThis is the ninth playing of the Bank of Hope Founders Cup, with its inaugural year in 2011 at the Wildfire Golf Club as the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup. From 2014-2017, the tournament was played as the JTBC Founders Cup.The tournament’s lowest score is 61, shot by Anna Nordqvist in the third round in 2017.Karrie Webb is the only LPGA player to win multiple Founders Cup titles (2011, 2014).Players from the Republic of Korea have the most Founders Cup victories with three (2018, 2016 and 2015).Sei Young Kim shot a 27-under 261 through 72 holes in 2016, an overall tournament record.RACE TO THE CME GLOBE UPDATEHeading into the sixth week of the 2019 Race to the GME Globe, 2019 winner Nelly Korda holds a commanding lead in the standings with 855 points. Korda’s fellow 2019 winner Eun-Hee Ji is in second with 700 points, while Minjee Lee sits in third with 683 points, followed by 2019 winners Celine Boutier (597) and Amy Yang (576).The 2019 season brings a fresh face to the Race to the CME Globe. LPGA Members will accumulate points at each official LPGA Tour event leading up to the CME Group Tour Championship. The top 60 points earners and ties will then earn a spot in the CME Group Tour Championship, with the entire field competing for the $5 million purse and the $1.5 million winner’s check, the largest single prize in the history of women’s golf.TOURNAMENT SCORING RECORDS18 holes: 61, Anna Nordqvist, 2017, third round36 holes: 129, Sei Young Kim, 2016; Jee Young Lee, 201354 holes: 195, Anna Nordqvist, 201772 holes: 261, Sei Young Kim, 2016AON RISK REWARD CHALLENGE HOLENo. 15, par 5SOCIAL MEDIATournament: @LPGAfounders; #LPGAfamilyLPGA: @LPGA, @LPGAMedia (Twitter), @lpga_tour (Instagram)TV TIMES (all times Eastern on Golf Channel)Thursday, March 21 – 6-9 p.m.Friday, March 22 – 6-9 p.m.Saturday, March 23 – 6-9 p.m.Sunday, March 24 – 6-9 p.m.Bank of Hope Founders Cup Preview 2019 via LPGA...
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Under Armour Playoff Long Sleeve Golf PoloMarch 20, 2019Under Armour Playoff Long Sleeve Golf PoloThe Under Armour Playoff Long Sleeve Golf Polo features:Soft anti-pick, anti-pill fabric has a cleaner, snag-free finish4-way stretch construction moves better in every directionMaterial wicks sweat & dries really fastAnti-odor technology prevents the growth of odor-causing microbesUPF 30+ protects your skin from the sun’s harmful raysSelf-fabric collarPerformance fit...
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Maybank Championship Winners and HistoryMarch 19, 2019Maybank Championship Winners and HistoryThe Maybank Championship is the successor to the Malaysian Open. The first playing of the rebranded tournament was in 2016.The host course is the Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Royal Selangor dates to 1893, making it one of the oldest golf clubs in Asia. TMaybank is Malaysia’s largest bank.As the Malaysian Open, the tournament dates to 1962. The first winner was Frank Phillips, an Australian golfer who also had won having won the 1957 and 1961 Australian Opens. Other “name” winners include Vijay Singh (twice), Louis Oosthuizen, Lee Westwood, Mattero Manassero, Jeff Maggert and Steve Flesch.Ironically, there has never been a Malaysian winner.The event is sanctioned by both the Asian Tour and European Tour.A list of Maybank Championship Winners FollowsYearPlayerScoreMaybank Championship2018Shubhankar Sharma267 (–21)2017Fabrizio Zanotti269 (–19)2016Marcus Fraser272 (–16)Maybank Malaysian Open2015Anirban Lahiri272 (–16)2014Lee Westwood270 (–18)*2013Kiradech Aphibarnrat203 (–13)*2012Louis Oosthuizen271 (-17)2011Matteo Manassero272 (-16)2010Noh Seung-yul274 (-14)2009Anthony Kang271 (-17)2008Arjun Atwal270 (-18)PO2007Peter Hedblom280 (-8)2006*Charlie Wi197 (-19)Carlsberg Malaysian Open2005Thongchai Jaidee267 (-21)2004Thongchai Jaidee274 (-14)2003Arjun Atwal260 (-24)2002Alastair Forsyth267 (-17)PO2001Vijay Singh274 (-14)POBenson and Hedges Malaysian Open2000Yeh Wei-tze278 (-10)1999Gerry Norquist280 (-8)Malaysian Open (prior To European Tour Sanctioning)1998Ed Fryatt 1997Lee Westwood 1996Steve Flesch 1995Clay Devers 1994Joakim Haeggman 1993Gerry Norquist 1992Vijay Singh 1991Rick Gibson 1990Glen Day 1989Jeff Maggert 1988Tray Tyner 1987Terry Gale 1986Stewart Ginn 1985Terry Gale 1984Lu Chien-soon 1983Terry Gale 1982Denny Hepler 1981Lu Hsi-chuen 1980Mark McNulty 1979Lu Hsi-chuen 1978Brian Jones 1977Stewart Ginn 1976Hsu Sheng-san 1975Graham Marsh 1974Graham Marsh 1973Hideyo Sugimoto 1972Takashi Murakami 1971Takaaki Kono 1970Ben Arda 1969Takaaki Kono 1968Kenji Hosoishi 1967Ireneo Legaspi 1966Harold Henning 1965Tomoo Ishii 1964Tomoo Ishii 1963Bill Dunk 1962Frank Phillips ...
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TaylorMade Spider X PutterMarch 19, 2019TaylorMade Spider X PutterThe TaylorMade Spider X Putter Features:The X Philosophy: Spider X revolutionizes the way we achieve optimal stability and alignment by reengineering the mass properties of the head and introducing a new optically engineered True Path Alignment SystemIncreased Stability: Spider X features a redesigned head with a steel frame that is 30% heavier to minimize twistingThe X Design: New True Path Alignment System helps visualize the intended target line for improved putting accuracy; Spider X improves mass properties and stability by utilizing a heavy 320g frame with extreme perimeter weightingRedesigned Weight Ports: Redesigned weight ports (2g, 6g, or 12g) enable personalization of feel and stability...
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Bank of Hope Founders Cup Winners and HistoryMarch 18, 2019Founders Cup Winners and HistoryThe Founders Cup was established in 2011 as a tribute to the thirteen legendary founders of the LPGA: Alice Bauer, Patty Berg, Bettye Danoff, Helen Detweiler, Marlene Bauer Hagge, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Betty Jameson, Sally Sessions, Marilynn Smith, Shirley Spork, Louise Suggs and Babe Didriksen Zaharias.The tournament started amid controversy over its unique format. In 2011, the players were not paid and the entire purse went to charity. Players did receive “virtual” earnings that qualified them on the LPGA’s official money list.It probably wasn’t the best idea. The LPGA at the time was short on both tournaments and opportunities for the players to earn income and the notion of playing for free did not sit well with many.In 2012, the tournament expanded from three days to four and real cash payouts were begun.In 2013, JTBC replaced R.R. Donnelley as sponsor of the LPGA’s Founder’s Cup. In 2017, the title sponsor is Bank of Hope.Bank of Hope, headquartered in Los Angeles, bills itself as the “only super regional Korean-American bank in the U.S.” The bank, which serves “a multi-ethnic population of customers’ has 73 full-service branches across nine states.The tournament is played at the Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. The Arnold Palmer design is a 6,583 yard par 72.A list of past Founders Cup winners follows:YearChampionCountryScorePurse ($)Winner’s share2018Inbee ParkSouth Korea269 (–19)1,500,000225,0002017Anna NordqvistSweden263 (–25)1,500,000225,0002016Kim Sei-youngSouth Korea261 (–27)1,500,000225,0002015Kim Hyo-JooSouth Korea267 (–21)1,500,000225,0002014Karrie WebbAustralia269 (–19)1,500,000225,0002013Stacey LewisUnited States265 (–23)1,500,000225,0002012Yani Tseng Taiwan270 (–18)1,500,000225,0002011Karrie Webb Australia204 (–12)1,000,000200,000...
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Valspar Championship Winners and HistoryMarch 18, 2019The inaugural Valspar Championship was played in 2014. The tournament succeeded the Tampa Bay Championship Presented by Everbank, which in turn replaced the Transitions Championship.The origins of the tournament are in an alternate event to the 2000 President’s Cup, when it was known as The Tampa Bay Classic. In 2001, it was supposed to be the alternate event to the WGC-American Express Championship, but was cancelled because of the terrorist attacks on September 11. It served as the alternate event in 2002.Chrysler became the sponsor in 2003, and the event had its own slot as the last full-field event before the Tour Championship. Renamed the Chrysler Championship, the tournament held that spot until 2006.In 2007, the tournament found a new slot in the schedule, and a new sponsor: PODS. Originally, PODS had a six year sponsorship agreement, but backed out on an option after 2008. Transitions Optical, another Florida corporation, became the sponsor in 2009.The players with the most wins in the event are Retief Goosen (2003 and 2009), and K.J. Choi (2002 and 2006).Retief Goosen is also the tournament’s leading money winner, with over $2,000,000 in earnings at the event.The tournament record was set by Vijay Singh in 2004 with a −18 winning total of 266.Valspar is a manufacturer of paint and coatings based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company is more than 200 years old, having its origins in a paint store that opened in Boston, Massachusetts in 1806. After changing hands several times, it was bought by Augustine Stimson. Later, it merged with a varnish manufacturer named Valentine and Company. Stimson and Valentine relocated to New York in 1970, and acquired the Minnesota Linseed Paint Company. Valspar was a revolutionary clear finish developed by L. Valentine Pulsifer. It was the company’s main product for decades, and was deployed on Robert Peary’s arctic expeditions and Charles Lindberg’s 1927 flight. Because of this association, the company was reformed in 932 as the Valspar Corporation.Given all this, the logo is pretty clever, isn’t it.A complete list of Valspar Championship winners followsDateWinnerCountryScore1st Prize ($)Purse ($)Valspar Championship2018Paul CaseyEngland274 (-10)1,170,0006,500,000 ($)2017Adam HadwinCanada270 (-17)1,098,0006,100,000 ($)2016Charl SchwartzelSouth Africa277 (-7)1,098,0006,100,000 ($)2015Jordan SpiethUS274 (-10)1,062,0005,900,000 ($)2014John SendenAustralia277 (-7)1,026,0005,700,000 ($)Tampa Bay Championship Presented By Everbank2013Kevin StreelmanUS274 (-10)990,0005,500,000 ($)Transitions ChampionshipMar. 28, 2012Luke DonaldEngland271 (-13)990,0005,500,000 ($)Mar. 20, 2011Gary WoodlandUnited States269 (-15)990,0005,500,000 ($)Mar 21, 2010Jim FurykUnited States271 (−13)972,0005,400,000Mar 22, 2009Retief GoosenSouth Africa276 (−8)972,0005,400,000PODS ChampionshipMar 9, 2008Sean O’HairUnited States280 (−4)954,0005,300,000Mar 11, 2007Mark CalcavecchiaUnited States274 (−10)954,0005,300,000Chrysler ChampionshipOct 29, 2006K. J. ChoiSouth Korea271 (−13)954,0005,300,000Oct 30, 2005Carl PetterssonSweden275 (−9)954,0005,300,000Oct 31, 2004Vijay SinghFiji266 (−18)900,0005,000,000Nov 2, 2003Retief GoosenSouth Africa272 (−12)864,0004,800,000Tampa Bay Classic presented by BuickSep 22, 2002K. J. ChoiSouth Korea267 (−17)468,0002,600,000Tampa Bay ClassicSep 16, 2001Cancelled due to the terrorist attacks on September 11Oct 22, 2000John HustonUnited States271 (−13)432,0002,400,000...
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Callaway Supersoft Matte Finish Golf BallsMarch 18, 2019Callaway Supersoft Matte Finish BallsFollowing the trend of matte finish colored golf balls, Callaway has recently released its SuperSoft distance ball. It features:Two piece constructionIonomer CoverLow drag HEX aerodynamicsLow Compression...
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For The Weekend: Bushmills Irish Honey WhiskeyMarch 17, 2019Bushmills Irish Honey Whiskey Grade: B Teachers’ Comments: Not as much honey flavor as I had hoped, but very pleasant. I am a fan of Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey, so when I saw the “Honey” version on the shelf I had to give it a go. Like the Black Bush, I find the Bushmills Irish Honey clean and relatively light — a good sipping whisky. The Irish Honey has a light grain flavor, along with a touch of fruit: apple perhaps, or maybe pear. The honey is there as advertised, but it is not particularly strong. Flavored liqueurs like Evan Williams’ Honey or Wild Turkey Honey Bourbon for example, leave a much stronger impression. I think I like that, though. The flavored bourbons are almost too sweet, while Bushmills has just enough to make it go down a little more smoothly. Bushmills Irish Honey is sweet, but in a low key and pleasant way, like a piece of fruit. The honey adds another layer to the complexity, rather than overwhelming the other flavors. As is usual for these infused liquors, Bushmills Irish Honey has a lower alcohol by volume than its straight siblings. While the Black Bush is 80 proof, Bushmills Irish Honey comes in at 70. That doesn’t really matter, though, because you shouldn’t drink these things to get plastered. The appeal in a good bourbon, scotch or whisky is in the flavor complexity. Though subtle, Bushmills Irish Honey has plenty of that. ...
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Happy Birthday Bobby JonesMarch 17, 2019Bobby Jones, circa 1921Happy Birthday to Bobby Jones, America’s greatest amateur golfer: March 17, 1902...
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