Greatest Walk in Golf...

One of the writers at Golf Digest, Matt Ginella, posted on his blog about his experience at Cypress Point off the coast in California. It is considered by many to be the finest collection of golf holes in the world. Its signature hole...or perhaps one of them, is the par three 16th. While the hole itself is incredible, the walk to the hole is equally impressive. Check out his post to see the video, it is truly breathtaking.

------------------------------

Just FYI -- my personal top five of courses I want to play:

1. Augusta National
2. Pebble Beach
3. Cypress Point
4. St. Andrews
5. Pinehurst No. 2

Got a Letter in the Mail...

Got a letter in the mail today confirming my status as a volunteer for the 2011 U.S. Open Championship to be held at Congressional. The tournament will probably go down as the biggest Maryland golf event of the decade, and promises to be entertaining. I plan to cover everything related to this event as the date draws near, but this was just a tiny bit of excitement, as I had registered to be a volunteer several months back. As the letter states, no word yet on what committee I'll be assigned, but I'm glad to help out any way I can (though I'd prefer to not be making hot dogs...)

If you are interested in volunteering, please check out http://2011volunteers.usga.org.

Golf Site of the Week -- Golf Maintenance @ The Ridge

Note: Two weeks in a row, we're off to a good start. Beginning this week I've collected a couple of my favorite blogs that relate to golf course maintenance. These guys really know their stuff, and are nice enough to take photos/videos to share their stories. Makes me wish I had a job doing this, working outside, must be nice.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Golf Site of the Week - The Ridge at Castle Pines North - Agronomy
- http://cpnagronomy.blogspot.com/ - 

I think I mentioned last week that one of my new interests is golf course design and architecture. Closely related to that topic is golf course maintenance -- more than just mowing and emptying trash bins, many golf courses undertake significant maintenance projects throughout the year to help improve their course year in and year out. Oftentimes you do not see many of the changes made, yet they have significant impacts on the way the course is setup on a daily basis.

One of the best on the Internet is from The Ridge at Castle Pines North, a Troon golf course in Castle Rock, Colorado. The blog is authored by the course superintendent, and it seems as though he documents just about everything they work on...which makes for fascinating reading. I find it particularly interesting to understand why the maintenance staff performs the preventative maintenance that it does -- we all hate punched greens and tees, but at least this blog helps the reader understand why they do it.

The posts are short, and often with photos, so be sure to scroll through a few months worth, it will be worth your time and you will begin to look at the course in a different light.

Golf Goals for 2010

The year 2009 was a big year for me in terms of golf -- and it was for a number of reasons, which I am sure you are dying to know. By way of history, I played high school golf from 1999-2003, and following high school graduation I pretty much gave up playing regularly. Once I decided not to pursue golf in college, finding the time or funds to play became difficult, and from 2003-2007 I played an average of three times per year.

That all changed in 2009, as I probably played 20 times this past summer. I can’t really point to one reason why, but I’ve once again become as obsessed with the game as I was during my high school years. In addition to playing more golf, I watched more golf, read more about golf, and even began this golf blog. Needless to say, I am hoping 2010 has even more golf-related fun.

In looking forward to 2010, I figured it may be worthwhile to set some golf-related goals for the upcoming year. I don’t recall ever setting goals related to golf, however, perhaps it will lead to some good golf moments in the coming year.

• Lower Handicap by 2 Strokes -- this is the first year since high school that I’ve actually had an official handicap, and it stayed pretty steady through 2009 (right around 13). Ideally I’d like it to become single digits, but since I’m not sure how many rounds I will squeeze in during 2010, I think it is a bit more realistic to hope to lower it by two strokes.

• Practice More -- this would obviously lend to success in accomplishing goal numero uno, but I think I need to focus on how I practice in 2010. I spent a fair amount of time practicing toward the second half of this year -- almost entirely on the short game, and I do believe I saw the benefits on the course. I’d like to do some significant research into how I can maximize my practice time, to get the most bang for my buck (or my hour). To set a number, I would like to spend at least two hours every two weeks.

• Learn to Putt -- If I could, I think I would like to blow up my putting stroke and start from scratch. I think there is more wrong with my stroke than there is right, and I think it needs a lot of help. Many average golfers cite ups and downs with their putting stroke, but I am struggling to think of the last time I was putting it well. I’m willing to put the time in on the practice green (especially since its free) -- but need to make sure that time is actually helping rather than reinforcing bad habits.

• Play More New Courses -- one of things I most enjoyed during 2009 was playing new golf courses -- I think I count seven new courses last year, and I would like to tally at least that many in 2010. Off the top of my head I can think of several I would really like to play, to include PB Dye, Whisky Creek, Renditions, and some of the courses run by the City of Baltimore. (Obviously with each new course played should come a course review, so really this goal is beneficial for all.)

• Find a Golf League -- I have long wanted to find a golf league to join, as most of my local friends don’t play the game, and I think that such a league would allow more golf in a semi-competitive atmosphere. Big issue is where to play, as there are few courses very close to my home, so need to figure out which out-of-town course would be the easiest to play at.

• Walk More -- perhaps my biggest criticism of golf courses in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area is that they are almost entirely not-walkable. Growing up in Northeast Ohio, there was maybe one course in a 50-mile radius which I would choose to ride instead of walking, however, in Maryland it is almost a complete reversal. Many of the courses in the area feature absurdly long distances between holes -- such that while I am walking from the green to the next tee, the group behind me in the cart could probably play the hole and drive on by while I’m walking to the next tee. If there were one or two holes on a course where this was the norm I could accept it -- but at almost every course there are half a dozen such instances. I’m on the hunt for regional golf courses that are walkable -- if anyone knows of any, please let me know!

• Blog More!! -- with this being the first full year for this blog -- I think one of my biggest goals will be to blog more. I have some ideas for some routine features (golf site of the week, etc) as well as a growing list of stories that focus on golf related items here in Maryland. I love the writing, as well as the research and interviewing process, so if there is ever anything you’d like to see, please feel free to drop a line.
  

Well I think that’s a good start for 2010 -- financial implications obviously dictate how much of this list is truly a success, so here’s hoping for a financially fruitful new year.

Return of Golf Site of the Week:

Note: Started this back in October, but let it slip. Bringing it back with a promise to keep it alive in 2010...or at least going to make an effort to do so. If you know of a site deserving of recognition -- please let me know.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Golf Site of the Week - Golf Club Atlas - http://golfclubatlas.com/

One of my new budding interests is golf course design and architecture, and there may be no better site on the Internet for such topics than Golf Club Atlas. Since I've stumbled upon the website late last year, I think I've read most of it -- ranging from the course reviews, the opinion pieces, and the fantastic discussion forms, it is a great way to spend a few hours.

The site has a comprehensive section of interviews with all types of individuals involved with golf -- ranging from a gentleman who recently authored a book about golf courses in Indiana to multiple major winner Tom Watson. I encourage you to read them all -- not just names you recognize, as I found the relative unknowns to give truly fascinating answers and told great stories. Also be sure to check out their travel section -- they have a good sized group of members who make frequent trips to golf locations -- I only wish I was in the business (and had a financial sponsor) so I could take part in such trips. (Maybe work would pay for an second degree in golf course design?)

Be sure to check out their Art & Architecture section -- there are dozens of pieces I would love to have in my non-existent golf room. All in all, a terrific site that while maybe not updated daily, provides enough reading material to keep one busy for quite some time.

PGA Tour 2010 Preview

With the 2010 PGA Tour season kicking off tomorrow, I figured now was as good a time as any to scribble some thoughts on what’s ahead. 2010 will surely prove to be an interesting year for the Tour, obviously headlined by the Tiger Woods saga. Nobody, probably Tiger included, has any idea when he will tee it up again. If I were a betting man, I would bet on the Bay Hill Invitational on 25-28 March as a Masters tune-up, but really it’s anyone’s guess.

Contrary to popular belief that the Tour will fold as a result of Tiger’s infidelity, I think there are several great stories that will surface in 2010, most importantly the influx of young talent hitting the circuit this spring. The two most obvious names are Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler, two players which are likely to contend not only for winning a tournament or two on the tour this season, but I figure they are likely to be in the mix at a major.

The 20-year old McIlroy will make his season debut in late January at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in the UAE, and stays in the Emirates for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic (where he is the defending champion) the following week. His first action in the U.S. will be at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship taking place Feb. 18-21 in Arizona. According to his 2010 schedule posted online, he will play in the U.S. another 12 times, as well as several tournaments scheduled in Europe and Asia. I would strongly believe he wins at least one PGA Tour event this year, and I very much expect him to contend at one of the majors.

The elder Fowler, who enters 2010 at the ripe age of 21 (the same age Tiger was when he won his first Masters in 2001), does not have quite the record as McIlroy, yet enters this season with just as much hype. Fowler had a reasonably successful amateur career, including an impressive undefeated showing at the 2009 Walker Cup, yet was even more impressive in his brief PGA Tour experience last season. His first tournament as a pro was the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Classic, and Fowler showed no signs of nerves while notching a 7th place finish. In his next appearance he nearly won the Frys.com Open, grabbing second while losing in a three-way playoff. Fowler nearly earned his 2010 card just from those two tournaments alone (narrowly missing out on finishing in the top 125), yet easily secured it with a T-15 finish at PGA Tour Qualifying School. Fowler’s website does not feature his schedule for 2010, but rather in one of his latest Tweets, he plotted out the first two months: “as of right now it looks like I'll go Sony, Hope, SD, ?, off AT&T, Mexico, WM, and then off to Honda.” That would lead one to believe the first time we will see Fowler in action would be at the Sony Open in Hawaii Jan. 14-17.

Two other youngsters to watch worldwide in 2010 (and maybe more so in 2011) are Danny Lee and Ryo Ishikawa. Lee is a 19-year old native of South Korea (though he lives in New Zealand), who entered 2009 with incredible hype after winning the U.S. Amateur in 2008. Although 2009 was certainly a disappointment for Lee, he still is highly regarding as a young professional. He appeared in numerous PGA Tour events last season, primarily on sponsor’s exemptions, but failed to earn enough cash to keep his card. He did not fare much better at Q-School, and thus will have to play his way onto the PGA Tour. Initial plans are to tee it up regularly on the European circuit, but don’t be surprised to see him stateside later this year.

Ishikawa was a relative unknown in the U.S. heading into the Presidents Cup last fall at Harding Park, however, by the time the Americans were hoisting the trophy, the 18-year old was quickly becoming a world-wide phenomenon. Ishikawa went 3-2 for the week in San Francisco, yet captivated the world with his incredible putting. After rolling in bomb after bomb early on Sunday, he held on to finish off Kenny Perry 2&1 for one of just four International points that day.  Just two years after becoming the youngest winner on the Japanese Tour in 2007, he flat out dominated the circuit in 2009, winning the money title, the MVP, and notching the lowest scoring average. According to a story from Sky Sports, the young star plans to continue playing the Japanese Tour primarily, yet cited his primary goal as making the cut at the Masters.

I am also looking forward to see how several who finished in or near the top-ten in 2009 fare in 2010 -- notably Sean O’Hair and Lucas Glover. O’Hair looked impressive at the Presidents Cup after receiving the magic putting tip, and Watney at times looked like he could win anywhere. Watney bounced back in 2009 after a disappointing 2008, and my bet would be on an even better 2010. 

Although it may be Tiger-less at its start, I think the 2010 season has quite a few promising reasons to watch. You can’t write a preview with out making predictions...so here’s mine (though certainly not earth shattering).

Player of the Year -- Tiger Woods
Rookie of the Year -- Rickie Fowler
Disappointment of the Year -- Tiger’s absence from probably 2.5 months of the season

Bring on 2010.

Good Maryland Golf Story

New year equals a new posting. I've gone into hibernation, not extinction, so check back for more content coming your way.

-----------------------------------------------

I think I've written it before, but I really think coverage of local golf in Maryland is very poor. I think the Baltimore Sun could do a lot better in terms of covering local golf -- not just reporting on the PGA Tour results -- but focusing on the Maryland talent that exists, both scholastically and professionally.

In my usual reading, today I stumbled across an article from The Capital, which ran a feature about local resident Andrew Fischer, currently the caddie for the PGA Tour's Bubba Watson. Watson is quickly becoming a fan favorite on tour, and toting his bag is a Maryland resident. Check out the article, it's a worthwhile short read, and props to The Capital for running a local golf story.