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Thursday 28 February 2013

Top 10 Plays of 2011 on PGA Tour...

As golfers each time we hit the links there is some sort of I don’t want to say miracle because its our skill that allows us to pull off some crazy shots.  I came across this video by total accident from the 2011 PGA season and I knew it had to be posted on my blog to remind you golfers that even if it feels like the most ridiculous or unfair lie on the golf course it has the potential to be memorable. 
Here are the top 10 plays of the 2011 PGA golf season for your viewing:

Monday 25 February 2013

World Golf Hall of Fame...


The World Golf Hall of Fame is something that needs to be experienced by not only golfers but the non golfers.  I say this because after spending three hours walking the hallways of the Golf Hall of Fame I am more proud of golf then I was when I walked in the front doors.  They do an incredible job of showcasing the game of golf right from the start.  They have the first clubs and golf balls that were used over sea’s in the early days. 
 
 


The amount of work and passion that went into designing and maintaining is simply incredible.  They even have a replica of the St. Andrews Bridge which is every golf fans goal of playing.  It gives you chills as you pass through all the specialty rooms and watch the movies available in black and white featuring golf heroes over the century.  You have the ability to learn so many interesting facts about all the golfers who have changed the world of golf.  The tour ends with a walk through of legends lockers with everything that was important to them throughout their career.

Thursday 21 February 2013

New for 2013...Dresses for Women...

Golf dresses have been making their rounds through golf courses for the past few years.  However, in 2013 they are becoming more popular and brands like Nike and Nancy Lopez are carrying them. 

The Nikeshirt dress has great stretch that hugs all the right curves.  Nike's Novelty Knit golf dress ($120), a modernization of the classic "shirtwaist" dress of the last century -- but based on the polo shirt -- has built-in compression shorts and a zip front for easy on and off, according to the company. Very streamlined. Below is Michelle Wie modelling the Nikeshirt dress.



Paula Creamer is a fashion icon on the LPGA below she rocks the Adidas Golf Dress. 
She also happens to be one of my favourite lady golfers.


Let me know in the comments below what you think of these golf dresses.

Monday 18 February 2013

My First PGA Merchandise Show...



The PGA Show celebrated its 60th Anniversary and I must say it was spectacular.  Arriving just before the doors opened we were welcomed with the National Anthem beautifully sang with confetti and the whole nine yards.  Once inside it is very overwhelming with so many vendors to try and see and visit with.  After stopping at Ping, Titleist, Callaway, Nike, Taylor Made and many smaller vendors I headed towards the demo clubs.  Ping has introduced a new driver called “Answer” and let me tell you it is a beautiful piece of work, more on this club in a later post. 
You know when you have those moments of right place at the right time? Well I had two of them at the PGA show.  Annika Sörenstamwas a key note speaker who was my favourite female golfer growing up.  After listening to her talk for 45 minutes I realized that she understands the golf business better than some owners.  She touched on pace of play, too challenging golf courses, junior golf and women in golf.  It was a very special moment for me listening to my idol.  From there I went up the far side of the building and saw a bunch of people crowded around one vendor “Wind Grips” which is usually sign that something interesting is happening.  Turns out Natalie Gulbis was there and signing autographs.  So I got myself in line to meet her and get her autograph.  Once I finally got to her she said: “Hey Girl” to me which is a bigger deal than you would think since she hadn’t talked to any of the other professionals in line and the fact that I was one of 4 girls in a line of 40+ men.








Friday 15 February 2013

Smooth Dresser...

Dustin Johnson is not only a PGA rising star but he is also dating one of Canada’s most beloved Superstar Wayne Gretzkys daughter Paulina.  He is one of the longest drivers on the PGA Tour, having been third in the driving distance stats for three consecutive years 2009-2011. 

He has a confidence that most of us strive for on the golf course and it starts with his wardrobe.  Dustin is always so well dressed never tacky.  He has a way of wearing subtle colours and making them stand out. 
Below are some pictures of outfits he has worn the past season on tour.  Well done Dustin keep up the good work.
   
 

Monday 11 February 2013

No Cup is Safe....

Endorsements are a way of life in the golf world.  Nike has recently acquired Rory McIlroy to their team allowing them to endorse #1 World Ranking Golfer and #2 World Ranking Golfer. 
 
Well done Nike.
 
After just a few weeks of being under Nike Rory and Tiger have teamed up for the following commercial.  Let me know your thoughts....
"No Cup is Safe..."


Thursday 7 February 2013

The Beautiful Taylor Schmidt...

I am so excited to bring you readers a very unique interview.  This lovely young lady and I have known each other for years.Taylor’s journey has not been easy but she always comes out on top.  Taylor is not only a gorgeous girl but she is genuinely the sweetest, hard working girl I know.  I don’t remember a time when I seen her and she wasn’t smiling ear to ear.  I am so proud of you girl for following your dreams and working so hard even when times got tough.  All the best with the rest of your school year girl!!
- Go Boomers Go

How old were you when your started golfing?
I first started playing competitive golf at the age of 10 at Kincardine Golf & Country Club.

You were an elite junior golfer can you explain what that means to my readers?

I practiced hard there and it lead me to be considered an "elite junior golfer" in Ontario. This basically means that you have played in several high level tournaments and had good finishes in those events. The hard work paid off and I got to go on scholarship to the University of Oklahoma.
What is your favourite class so far in University?
In terms of schooling, my favourite class at OU would have to be Nutrition and Developmental Psychology.
What was the best advice you were given for your golf game?
The best piece of advice I have been given for my golf game would be from my assistant coach at school. He always tells me "You belong out here. Play like the girl I know." It may seem simple but having someone reassure you is so helpful and it has clicked for me.
What is your top 3 favourite golf courses and why?

My top 3 favourite golf courses are probably Vanderbilt Legends (Franklin, TN), The Patriot (Tulsa, OK), The University of Georgia Golf Course (Athens, GA).

 
What do you feel are the benefits of playing a Par 3 Executive Golf Course?
There are so many benefits of playing a par 3 course. You get the opportunity to work on short to mid to long irons but the emphasis is really on your short game. Short game is where you either make up ground or lose it. The best players in the world have phenomenal short games and I think a par 3 course would be incredibly useful.
Who is your favourite player on the LPGA?
My favorite player on the LPGA is Paula Creamer because she has brought so much attention to the game for women and she isn't afraid to take risks and continuously works hard.

What was the deciding factor of choosing the school you attend now with a golf scholarship? 
The University of Oklahoma is the perfect fit for me because it has every factor that I was looking for. As soon as I stepped out of the car on campus I knew this was the place for me. There was something special in the air. It was an overall gut decision for me.
Can you run us through a typical day of a Varsity Golf Athlete?
A typical day of being a Division 1 Golf Athlete would consist of the following: 6:00am workouts on campus until 7:15am (Consist of weight lifting, core and stability, and conditioning). Classes start anywhere from 8:00am-10:30am (Coach has our schedules set so that we are in class in the mornings so that the afternoons are free for practice, playing, or traveling).

Grab a quick lunch and head to our team practice facility and have practice from 1:00pm-4:00pm (This is the structured team practice time but typically we show up before practice officially starts and stay later as well). Grab some dinner and then off to tutoring at night in the athletic academic center. Freshman students are required to get 10 hours of study hall in each week and then sophomores, juniors, and seniors have either mandatory or voluntary tutoring to maintain good grades. Our day usually winds down at about 7:30pm. Then wake up and do it all over again!
What is your fondest Varsity moment?
I have 2 special varsity moments in golf, I can't choose between the two! 1) Winning the Big XII Championships as a team on the final day in Lawrence, KS in the wind, rain, and cold weather.
2) Advancing from Regionals (top 8 teams advance out of 16) to the National Championship. We made it in on the last day yet again in blustery, rainy conditions and we were all crying and so happy. Everyone's parents were there and it was a special moment for our Sooner family. Having the athletic director call us personally to yell, "Boomer Sooner" was icing on the cake!

What is your favourite golf practice drill?
My favourite golf practice drill would have to be a "gauntlet" that we do at school. My coach sets up 9 pylons around a practice green with a spray painted hole number on the ground next to it. You go to each pylon and have to get the ball up and down from each pylon to the desired hole. We go around it twice so it's like you're playing 18 holes. You make a target goal for yourself (such as getting 16/18 up and down).

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years I see myself coaching for a Division 1 school in the NCAA somewhere in the US. I don't know if I will be a head coach or an assistant coach but I would love to be coaching somewhere. Obviously it's every player's dream to play on tour but I think that you could have a family and live a good life in the coaching world. I have such a passion for college golf and I hope to be involved in it for many years to come!

Monday 4 February 2013

King and Bear...

 


Today’s post is very unique and features a golf course I played while on vacation at the World Golf Village.  There are two golf courses at the Golf Village.  King & Bear was designed by World Golf Hall of Fame members Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.  While Sam "The Slammer" Snead and Gene "The Squire" Sarazen designed the Slammer and Squire course.  King and Bear Golf Course reaches 7,279 yards in length with picturesque course and memorable par 5-‘s that test any players ability.
King and Bear Golf Course has been quoted as:
This is a "driver's" course, which should come as no surprise as both Palmer and Nicklaus wielded awesome power games in their primes. You'll also experience the wide fairways of Nicklaus and the fast greens of Palmer.” -on their website.


It is also exciting to note that he not only helped design King and Bear but Arnold Palmer selected hole number 15 as one of his "Dream 18" in Sports Illustrated's Preview to the 2006 Ryder Cup.
One of the coolest things I haven’t seen on a golf course is bunkers that’s sand goes right into the ponds so it actually looks like a day at the beach.  Brings new meaning to the term grab your shovel and pail when you hit your shot into the bunker.
 

When playing with Gary Gravett you have to know that he wont let you away with any mulligans or play from forward tees.  So I teed off from the white tees and actually did pretty good for my second round of the year.  He played from the blue tees.