No Warm and Fuzzy Tiger

2008USOpenLogoRocco Mediate was the second fiddle in one of the most epic major championship playoffs in history in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines-the maestro was Mr. Redshirt himself playing on one leg.  As Feherty mentions during his interview with Rocco, this is one of those iconic events that every serious golf addict seems to remember where they were at that moment (probably playing hooky from work to watch it on NBC that Monday morning).

In the attached Golf Channel internet piece by Will Gray you can see the 4-minute clip of Feherty’s interview with Rocco where he talks about the experience and some anecdotal moments that followed.

One in particular, Rocco’s request that Tiger personalize a couple of pieces of memorabilia from the historic day they shared together kind of captures Tiger’s frame of mind when it comes to major championships.  Simply stated, it is all about Tiger and all other participants are discardable accessories to the act.

The man seriously lacks the warm and fuzzy gene.

(Click to read the Golf Channel article on Feherty’s Interview with Rocco Mediate)

Feherty

May, 2013

Postcard From Bay Hill

Bay Hill Club and Lodge is known to most golf fans as the home of the Arnold Palmer Invitational by Mastercard that fills our TV screens in March of each year. It is actually one of the finest golf resorts in Florida, the product of the imagination and hard work of Arnold and Winnie Palmer. The low key presentation of this top shelf golf facility
is a reflection of Arnold’s passion for the game and Winnie’s attention to detail in every interaction with resort guest and residents.

Wall Of Fame

A stroll through these hallways is a walk through an Arnie Museum….this Wall of Fame has signed pictures of Arnie with friends of every generation including Ike, Gerald Ford, Dinah Shore, Ben Hogan, Jack, Phil, Bill Murray and countless others.

Keepers WaffleThen there is the comfort food…beside the waffle I recommend the Bay Hill Chips and garlic dip.

Clock 2The watch tower that overlooks the practice green, staging area, and starter’s hut.

Mens Locker Room 3

Old school….the Men’s Locker Room has a full bar, gin tables, and plenty of table space
to calculate the results. Shared lockers with Tiger or Ernie are an unexpected extra.

Dick TiddyThe Dick Tiddy Memorial Rock….commemorates his decades of service as the Director of Golf at Bay Hill..presented by The Shootout Gang.

Please Keep Off 2Apparently not all paying customers know how to follow directions.

Grandstand 2The show is coming…..preparation is well underway to handle the patrons.

ScoreboardTrust me it will be straight by game time.

Magnolia 2Arnold thought of everything…here is a peek through the imported Magnolia hallway that frames 15th fairway.

Kathy and TroyA Do-Si-Do between the archer and counsel in picking the right bow.

BH 2The target…..#2…..seems so docile but actually a daunting task with trouble lurking everywhere.

#8 with ballWind, water, hills, and sand make the approach to 8 a real challenge….take note of the white dimpled speck 25 feet left of the hole.

BH 18 2Robert Gamez’s 7-iron seared this image of the eighteenth in the viewing memory of the golfing public and Greg Norman in 1990.

Troy Kathy Moe 2The Little Lady and supporting cast…The Mish and Troy The Seer….apres game.

Bay Hill is a place where you can let your hair down, kick back, and enjoy golf the old fashioned way, one Arnold Palmer at a time.

February, 2013

(Click to read the full moegolf Bay Hill Course Review)

(Click to read the full moegolf Bay Hill Charger Nine Review)

Fantasy Backyard

If you are a narcotic golfer than the attached video of the back yard of Short Game Guru Dave Pelz from the “Million Dollar Rooms Series” is going to make you drool. We are not talking about driving range nets and chipping baskets here. We are talking a real scale full-featured short game practice facility with accurate replicas of some of the most iconic green complexes in golf.

In his yard you can play pitches, chips, flops, sand shots, three-wood chips, bladed sand irons….the works. Best part is that the surfaces play and respond like the real deal…..and he does not have to mow one blade of grass.

If you had this outside your sliding doors you too could be a contender!

Million Dollar Rooms Series

Dave Pelz’s Backyard

January, 2012

Bedlam Returns

To those who have played the 16th at TPC Scottsdale in the annual Waste Management Phoenix Open, it is like playing at the Red Sox post 2004 World Series riot inside of Fenway during the game.  No cars will be turned over and torched but you could light the breath of 80% of those in attendance.  There is nothing like it anywhere else on the PGA Tour.

Bo Van Pelt said that steeping out of the tunnel to the teeing area is the modern sports equivalent of stepping into the Roman Gladiator ring.  About 30,000 crazies with Caesar McCord giving the thumbs up or thumbs down.  All this hoopla for professionals hitting a knock-down 9-iron into a 162 yard par 3 that doesn’t even have a water hazard.

Over the years this hole has seen it’s share of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly-Tiger’s Ace in 1997,  some really impaired synchronization of the wave, and Ian Poulter giving the crowd the one-finger salute after missing a short birdie putt.

Bedlam always prevails.  The guy with the “Quiet Please” paddle is about as relevant as Tiger’s body guard at a Sorority Mixer.

The Golf Channel

January, 2011

Anchoring

After watching this video of 21 month old Two Gloves Kopinskis you will understand why those Blue Blazers are banning anchored putting.  The game would be dominated by young whippersnappers like this and there are not enough diaper changing stations at your typical tour stop to handle them.

Owen has spirited his own method-right anchored with a left-hand-low-claw grip.  As you can see no yippin’ in this putting stroke and apparently he has the pitching game to go with it.  He needs a little work on the signature fist pump………but as they say………. baby steps…baby steps….

WLS-TV Chicago

January, 2013

Postcard From Pelican Hill Ocean North

Pelican Hill LogoThe Pelican Hill resort was designed in the grand 16th Century Palladiam architectural style of Northern Italy.  Grand is the operating phrase since everything is presented on a scale that dwarfs the imagination.

Tall Roman columns, long arched hallways, oversized urns with huge landscaping features, and airy cathedral ceilings everywhere.  It is big, bigger, and bigger still wherever you look.  The 70-inch flat screen TV in the Coliseum Sports Bar feels right at home.

This place has it all-superb accommodations, fine dining, full spa, and two seaside Tom Fazio creations with vistas that will blow your mind.  Shown below are images of the resort delights and the Ocean North Course.

In spite of the scale, the resort is run as a first class experience in a low key manner that makes your comfort a priority without any pomp and circumstance.   A  comfortable and delightful place to build massive amounts of points on your Amex Card.
Pelican Hill Front 2

First impression-front entrance creates an architectural statement.
Coliseum Front

Even the valet station at the informal restaurant is imposing.
Endless Pool 1

Chill at tranquility basin, the endless pool that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
Bridal Gazebo

High end destination weddings use this Roman Chupah…quite charming.

Bocci 1

Recreation includes all the European favorites….even Bocce.

Arched Cart Bridge 2

The most expensive cart bridge in history traverses from the clubhouse to the first tee.

O N #7

Split fairway….pick your poison on the hardest four par on the course.

O N #9 3

A bit of Pine Valley on the approach to #9.

O N #14

Dramatic uphill meets the horizon at the par 4 14th.

O N #17 2

Postcard 17th has it all-strategic bunkering, imposing wetlands, and a promontory green setting overlooking a Pacific backdrop.

O N #18 2

Blimp shot of the closing hole…actually the ground level of the second shot.

January, 2013

Postcard From Pelican Hill Ocean South

Pelican Hill LogoPelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach is a first class destination for the discriminating golfer. The hotel, dining, golf, spa, and other facilities will tax your Platinum Card to the fullest but it is well worth the fare. Routed on the steep hills of Newport Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean they have two Tom Fazio creations to wow your senses and challenge all your golfing skills.  The Ocean South is shown below.

Family Shot

The Mish, Long Ball, and The Birthday Girl in the prep area.

P S #1

Built on abrupt elevation changes with sprawling ocean vistas you will may trouble concentrating on the task at hand.

P S #5 Gorge

These foothills have deep gorges that make for challenging carries and breathtaking views.
Snake Warning

The environmental areas are off limits to golfers because of the critters and S’s.

Troll Cave

Rock outcroppings provide unique accents and homes for the Titleist collecting trolls.

Walden Pond # 7
Tranquility defined traversing Walden Pond off the 8th tee.

P S #12 Par 3 2

Stunning look of par three #12 against the coastal horizon.

P S #13 Par 3 1

Followed by the par three #13-a canvas of sand, trees, sea, and sky to behold.

Pacific Coast

View of the rocky cliffs and surf a short stroll off the back of #13.

P S #16 Sunset
Dramatic sunset behind the 16th is a jaw dropping treat for the late twilight tee times.

December, 2012

Winter Golf-The Sequel

For the truly devoted there is the John Caliendo Shore Winter Golf League.  This has been a tradition in New Jersey for over 50 years.  Devotees from surrounding metropolitan areas and between flock to the courses of the Jersey Shores on Thursdays from October to April where proximity to the salt water seems to keep the snow cover away.

That is not to say that it  is warm-tee time temperature can be in the mid-thirties some days.   But they show up for two dozen of these events over the winter-friendships are fostered and games are played.  It is competitive, rowdy, guy-golf, just as you would expect.

Check out the attached black and whites and accompanying text by Bill Fields describing the Shore Winter Golf League.  You may get chills from the imagery but the radiant warmth of their smiles shows the true temperature fostered by these events.

(Click to enjoy the Bill Fields slideshow on the Shore Winter Golf League)

Bill Fields

Golf Digest

March, 2012