Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Bud Light Battle of the Sexes Skins Game pits Sorenstam against Faxon
Monday, September 26, 2011
Tiger Woods-Joe LaCava: Golf's new power couple?
"Mark [Steinberg] and I were approached by a lot of people, including Joe, who expressed an interest in becoming my caddie," Tiger Woods maintained. "This was an important decision, and I wanted to think about it carefully. Also, out of deference for the FedExCup Playoffs, I decided to wait until they were concluding to have substantive talks. We then spoke to Joe and came to an agreement."
Back in the Twitter sphere, Yahoo! Sports claimed Tiger "hijacked DJ's caddie and Tim Rosaforte said, "After Barclays win, Joe LaCava would have been crazy to leave Dustin Johnson for Tiger Woods. 10 less weeks on road was determining factor."
According to Woods, LaCava contacted Tiger...no highjacking or arm-twisting needed.
Although @Kathleennewsie had an interesting take that she was "hoping to see Snooki on the bag", it was Butch Harmon (Johnson's swing coach) who officially broke the news on Sky Sports after speaking with Johnson, adding that he was "shocked" by the move.
"I'm a little disappointed with the way Tiger handled it. But I'm not surprised," added Harmon, believing Woods should have asked DJ before beginning negotiations with LaCava and possibly showing that he knows Woods' character better than most (Tiger gets what Tiger wants?)
Who reached out first? According to Lawrence Donegan of The Guardian UK, LaCava was "telling friends ...he (LaCava) had quickly become disillusioned with life in the fairways with Johnson." Could Couples have also had something to do with the pairing as he put together the current President's Cup team......?
With history possibly in the making, does it really matter at this point?
More importantly, is this good or bad for the new team of Tiger Woods and Joey LaCava?
"It's a "win-win," tweeted Paul Azinger. "TW trying to pass Jack. Joe can be a part of history … no brainer for Joey! It's not like he won't still get paid."
"And he's Tiger Woods," added Zinger.
Enough said.
Watch for the new dynamic duo October 6-9th performing live at the Frys.com Open.
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Friday, September 23, 2011
No slam-dunk for former WNBA President leading Golf 2.0 initiative
If Orender wants to be successful in reaching her goal, start by attracting more women to the publinks. According to Greg Nathan, VP of the National Golf Association, "When women are made to feel as welcomed and comfortable at public courses, their play will go up.” Women also bring with them the "power of the purse" which will increase revenue in other areas of the sport such as clothing and golf equipment.
Although I feel welcome, I am in the minority as I am comfortable with my level of play. I also actively make it my business to go out as a single golfer and meet and greet other players. Most women feel more confident playing golf with their peers, playing from the same tees. Waiting at the front desk of a public course, you will see about one in every ten golfers is a woman.
In order to reach potential women golfers, it's also not enough to provide TV coverage hoping that women will see other women playing a sport and want to play it themselves. This new consultant is going to have to cross the great divide reaching out to sports fans in tennis and basketball to make golf more visible, fun and easy to start for non-golfers interested in fashion, travel, and exercise for example.
Orender, who served as Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) President from 2005-10, after working 17 years with the PGA Tour, is the founder of Orender Unlimited, a marketing, media and strategy company in Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
During her tenure with the PGA Tour, Ana Leaird, PGA Tour’s Director of Public Relations and Media Operations said of Donna Orender, "Since she’s been here, tremendous opportunities have opened up for other women. I call it the ripple effect.”
Does she play golf? Not that it's necessary for Orender's new position but, in my opinion, it's important to be able to identify with the core group you will represent in order to understand their needs and desires. And, the answer is yes, she does, according to her tweets, @DonnaOrender.
In her consulting role with Golf 2.0, Donna Orender will:
- steer industry efforts to grow women's golf participation;
- identify and shape female-specific programming;
- create a welcoming environment for more women to enter the game.
- guide the establishment of partnerships with top women's organizations to leverage knowledge and resources in support of facility adoption and programs.
- position golf as an anecdote for women achieving balance in their busy lives, all the while pursuing good health, business networking, and family time in a fun-filled environment.
Perhaps Orender should also be working with Mike Whan and the LPGA to stop the losses of golf tourneys?
According to Golf Digest’s Ron Sirak, "women will have played a woeful 23 contests this year -- only 11 of which fielded 144 or more golfers -- and competed for the fewest dollars since 2001."
"The PGA is thrilled to retain Donna Orender to lead in the strategic development of our 'Connecting with Her' initiative for Golf 2.0," said Darrell Crall, PGA senior director, Golf 2.0, for The PGA of America.
"Donna's expertise in steering the growth of women's sports at the highest level will be critical in guiding the golf industry, as we tap new initiatives to appeal to women, who represent our game's fastest growing demographic."
Among Orender's many accolades are being named to the 2005 Sporting News' Annual Power 100, 2005 Fox Sports.com's 10 Most Powerful Women in Sports, and the 2007 BusinessWeek's Power 100 Sports lists.
"Donna Orender's name is synonymous with the growth of women's sports nationwide," added Crall. "We are delighted that she will serve as an advocate in the development of new programs for women to positively connect with the game of golf."
"I'm excited by this incredible opportunity to make a difference in people's lives through the game of golf," said Orender. "Our goal is to build dynamic and engaging growth-of-the-game programs that passionately appeal to women on both a personal and professional level."
Will Orender be successful retaining/bringing more women into golf?
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Tuesday, September 20, 2011
New Golf TV Network, Back9, Gives Viewers Chance to Submit Program Ideas
"SHOW US YOUR BACK9"
The world’s first, true global golf lifestyle and entertainment network is launching an unprecedented call for viewer-generated programming.
Scheduled to launch in 2012, Back9 Network is giving an opportunity to sports, lifestyle and media enthusiasts worldwide to submit their video ideas for potential programming via its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/back9network).
“Since we announced our plans to launch a global golf-centric network earlier this year, golfers and other sports fanatics have been telling us how excited they are about Back9 Network celebrating the golf lifestyle on TV and the web,” says Dennis Allen, Senior Vice President for Global Business Development. “While professional tour coverage certainly has its place, golf embraces a unique and passionate lifestyle. And we think people want programming that celebrates that passion. This is a chance for people all over the world to get creative and show us what’s on their mind.”
“A fan recently told me that Back9 Network will take the ‘Shhhh’ out of golf!” says James L. “Jamie” Bosworth, President and CEO of Back9 Network. “And he’s right. You will be able to turn on your TV, your computer, or mobile device and say that’s the kind of fun I have playing with my buddies on Saturday morning.”
Called Show Us Your Back9, golfers around the world are invited to produce short 1-3 minute video “pilots,” or audition to be a Back9 show host. Selected videos will be posted on the company’s YouTube channel and be considered for development. “Golf is fun,” says Allen. “Whether it’s tradition, travel, fashion, food, technology, or an exclusive outside-the-ropes view of professional golf, we want our programming to reflect why we enjoy this game in the first place.”
Viewers are invited to upload their videos between September 19th and October 16th at www.facebook.com/back9network.
Note: Follow Back9Network on Twitter using this link.
Back9 Network will be the premier multimedia lifestyle and entertainment network for golf fans globally. It is being constructed on a multi-platform digital system, providing simultaneous distribution over the Internet and mobile devices. As much a lifestyle network as a sports channel, Back9 will differ from its competitors by focusing on the intrinsic “story” of the sport and examining the players and the world in which golf resides.
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Friday, September 16, 2011
With end of Tiger Woods reign, has golf entered a brave new world?
Field: Approximately 78 players, consisting of tournament winners from around the world and the best players from the International Federation of PGA Tours, as dictated by each Tour’s money list, order of merit, etc.
Field: Members of the most recent United States and International Presidents Cup teams and the United States and European Ryder Cup teams. Players ranked among the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking. The past year’s Major winners.
Field: 65-70, including 44 of the top 50 from the Official World Golf Rankings and leaders of the six Tours' Official Money Lists/Order of Merit.
2005 – Tiger Woods (USA) 270 (-10) (play-off) (Harding Park, San Francisco, California, USA)
2004 – Tiger Woods (USA) 3&2 vs. Davis Love III (La Costa, California, USA)
2003 – Tiger Woods (USA) 2&1 vs. David Toms (La Costa, California, USA)
2002 – Kevin Sutherland (USA) 1 up vs. Scott McCarron 1 up (La Costa, California, USA)
2001 – Steve Stricker (USA) 2&1 vs. Pierre Fulke (Metropolitan GC, Victoria, Australia)
2000 – Darren Clarke (NIR) 4&3 vs. Tiger Woods (La Costa, California, USA)
1999 – Jeff Maggert (USA) 38 holes vs. Andrew Magee (La Costa, California, USA)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Could the Presidents Cup benefit from a golf tailgate party?
With the kick-off of football season and the golf year winding down, attention is turning to fans hanging out in arena parking lots, barbecuing and reveling in team spirit.
With regards to golf, except maybe for the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, a.k.a. the "loudest hole in golf", the sport has always been more "refined" than football... except when Tiger Woods and Team USA get ready to challenge the rest of the world!
The Presidents Cup in November could be the perfect opportunity to give the sport a boost of adrenaline, actively involve current fans and add new supporters to golf with an all purpose "tailgate party" atmosphere!
Andrea Woroch, a nationally recognized consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli, Inc. recently sent me her "Thrifty Tailgating Tips to Kick-Off Football Season on a Budget". I would like to share a basic "recipe" for success while, at the same time, attempt to make these tips work for a golf tailgate party, whether watching from New York or celebrating down-under in Melbourne, Australia!
For those lucky individuals who will be driving to see the Presidents Cup, Andrea says the atmosphere at a major tailgate party is all about community. Team-up with your friends; assign a couple of people to drinks, several to snacks, and you take care of the grill and meat. Potluck works wonders and cuts costs for everyone. Beer and burgers may be okay for football but in golf where the crowd may be less rowdy(?), how about adding pates, paired wines and cheeses? Andrea also suggested Tailgating.com which has dozens of free, fan-submitted recipes.
Don't forget the supplies. Tailgating requires a lot of supplies and preparation before the big day, from carrying oversized coolers and pop-up canopies to folding tables and chairs. Before heading to the store to buy whatever gear you're lacking, find out if you can borrow from friends, neighbors or coworkers.
One of the signs of a high-quality football tailgate party is "a team flag flying high and jerseys as far as the eye can see." The Presidents Cup is the perfect opportunity to profess your national unity. Golf is a global game, so let's all be proud to see every nation's colors fly!
Woroch also suggests that fans "get their game on!"
Whether you find yourself grilling in a parking lot and/or gathering in front of your 60" big screen TV and Weber man-sized grill, include a few games in your plans. Sure it's easy and a great idea to bring along a football to toss around but how about incorporating games like Cornhole and Ladder Chipping golf games? Pull out a few putters and a prefab putting mat too.
For those fans like me who will be watching the Presidents Cup from home, you get the best seat in the house, a better barbecue grill, refrigeration and multiple hi-def replay angles from your large LCD display. You won't have to choose which golfer to follow, the golf tailgate party won't involve cars and parking lots and you won't be fighting traffic either!
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Friday, September 09, 2011
Learn Golf from French Pro Remésy at Paris Hotel Fouquet's Barriere
Hotel Fouquet's Barriere, a luxury Parisian hotel built on the Champs-Elysées, is offering guests the unprecedented opportunity to learn golf from one of France's most renowned players, Jean-François Remésy!
Remésy, a two-time winner of the French Open, will train guests for two days on the Le Golf National course, a.k.a. L'Albatros (a top-100 golf course where the 2018 Ryder Cup will take place) and another course of choice.
* Breakfast each morning
* Welcome VIP gift
* Golf session with Jean-François Remésy, including training, long game, short game, and video analysis (equipment provided)
* Two rounds of golf with Jean-François Remésy - one at Le Golf National course and another at a course of choice (within Paris)
* Lunch at the Club House (at Le Golf National)
* Dinner at Le Fouquet's with Jean-François Remésy
* Round-trip transfers to and from golf courses and airport See Paris, play golf for Euro 3,850 (approx. US$5,385) per night. The two-night package is based on double occupancy and is valid through November 30, 2011. Additional nights can be added for an extra fee (of course). For more information visit: www.fouquets-barriere.com.
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