The Wicked Game

I just finished The Wicked Game by Howard Sounes. An interesting read about the inner workings of golf's biggest entities: Arnold, Jack and Tiger. About 80% of the content has redeeming value. The other 20% just whines about how racist and sexist the PGA, USGA and R&A are. After awhile, it turned me off on an otherwise detailed account of how the empires of the three were built.

Sounes is British, so anything American is crap to him I guess. He goes on and on how Augusta National, PGA Tour and its member clubs are overtly racist and sexist. He expected Arnie, Jack and Tiger to single handedly change the membership policies of these institutions with a wave of their hand.

Funny that he didn't go into great detail how European golf is such a utopian state of diversity and equal access.

Vegas, Baby

Because of the generousity of an unnamed benefactor, I will be playing in the Duel in the Desert III February 24 - 26 at Primm Valley Golf Club, outside of Las Vegas.

I played in the inaugural event in 2004, my first trip out west. This Florida cracker really enjoyed the beautiful mountain scenery and extra carry at the higher altitude (+/- 2200 Ft.) However, of the annual 4" of rainfall that area usually gets, we must have had about 2.5" that weekend.

Here's hoping its a bit drier this year. Report and pics will follow.

AAGT 2006 National Championship

Cool!! The AAGT 2006 National Championship site has been confirmed.

We will be returning to Palm Springs the first week in October with Landmark once again serving as the host course.

The Jacksonville Tour has put together a promotion you can help me with: Anyone who refers TEN NEW members to the tour by March 1st will have their entry fee for the Nationals paid by the Tour! OK yes there are some restrictions on this one:

1. All the referrals must be new players to the tour.
2. They must all be paid and play in an event.
3. The winner (me, with your help) must play in at least 8 events on the Jacksonville tour in 2006.

That's it.

Like I said before, this is a nationwide amateur golf tour for all skill levels. Please check out their website www.ultragolftour.com to get some background and see if there's a tour in your area. If you say that I refer you (2003 Palmer Champion), it gets me closer to a comped entry in Palm Springs.

Or, if you'd like to make a donation, please contact me. Thanks.

Big Break V

I'm very interested to see the new Big Break V on TCG. I think they got the hint on what we'd like to see due to the popularity of Danielle. Looks like they have a few more lookers than last time. The calendar is a nice touch.


Thoughts?

Brushes With Greatness

I'm sure that everyone at one time or another can say that "I knew (famous person)when....".

Count me as one of those.

Back in the early 80's, I played a few junior tournaments with Chris(tian) DiMarco. Nice kid, good game. Met him later when we were students at UF. A classic scene -- I was the range guy, working for peanuts and playing privileges. He seemed to remember me. I'm sure today he wouldn't know me from Adam.

It has been neat to watch his progress as a professional. I especially enjoy seeing his Gator colors on TV.

Anybody else have a near-personal relationship with a sports superstar?

USGA Handicap Service

My friends at Jacksonville Amateur Golf are offering a GHIN service to establish or maintain an official USGA handicap. The cost for the year is $25. This is great for those of us who do not have a home course. You'll get an offical GHIN number that is verifiable for events that require a USGA handicap. If interested, please contact Doug Ekern

Golfchick

New to blogging, I found this site. She seems like a cool chick, and she's cute, too. Hope she doesn't mind the link. Check her out....Golfchick

A Golf Tour Just For You

Check out the American Amateur Golf Tour.

There are local tours all over the country. Flights range from scratch to hack. You may fall somewhere in between. Most tour schedules go from March through September. National championships held every year. Walt Disney World was the site for 2005.

My local tour is Jacksonville, FL. We begin play on March 4 at Eagle Harbor. Entry fee is $95. Can you help?

A little about me....

My name is Mike, and I'm a habitual golfer (Hi Mike!). I started my junior career around 1980 hoping to be the next Tom Watson. With my delusions of grandeur behind me, I'm keeping my competetive juices flowing by participating in the American Amateur Golf Tour.


I hope to thrill you with my experiences and introduce you to a golf tour 'for the rest of us'.

I will also be shamelessly begging for contributions to help defray the costs of my habit. I wish to split any proceeds with a fine charitable group: The First Tee of Jacksonville.