2010 Ryder Cup Team Finalized
USA Captain Corey Pavin flanked by his assistants Tom Lehman, Davis Love III and Paul Goydos (Jeff Sluman is playing in Europe and couldn’t attend) made his final 4 selection to round out the US team.
Zach Johnson, 1 Major
Stewart Cink, 1 Major, 3 Ryder Cups, all three as a Captain’s pick
Tiger Woods, 14 Majors
Rickie Fowler, PGA Tour Rookie …wonder if he can play without wearing bright Orange, Yellow or Green =)
Team Members Qualified on Points
Phil Mickelson
Hunter Mahan
Bubba Watson
Dustin Johnson
Jeff Overton
Matt Kuchar
I love the picks and when you look at the overall team these picks line up nicely for some great pairings with the rest of the team.
Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson: these guys are great friends, just follow them on Twitter and you will get plenty of inside peeks as to what’s going on!
Tiger & Stricker or Furyk: Tiger is finally found a running mate in Steve Striker during Presidents Cup play and he also likes teaming up with Furyk.
Cink & Zach Johnson: two good buddies with lots of experience that would pair up well but I think we will see them paired with a younger gun.
Cink & Matt Kuchar: two Georgia Tech boys with great attitudes might be a pairing we see in alternate shot.
Dustin Johnson & Mickelson: they both go to Butch Harmon and play tons of practice rounds to together!
Stay tuned for more info as we get closer to the matches!!!!
Tags: 2010 Ryder Cup, eastern golf tv, golf, PGA TOUR, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Twitter, US Ryder Cup Captians Picks
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Saturday 8/14 – Saturday Night at the Fights!
Segment 1
Tiger teams up with Foley… Is this the right match?
Segment 2
Corey Vs. Jim Gray in a Cage Match… First Lady of South Korea and our First Lady have something in common? Find out what it could be…
Segment 3
17 Weeks with weekends off… and you need a long break? Sergio Garcia does…? He just made Monty’s job easier for Ryder Cup selection.
Tags: eastern golf tv, golf equipment, Hunter Mahan, open championship, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup standings, Scott Foley, Tiger Woods
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Saturday 8/7 – The Golf World is Upside Down
Segment 1
The golf world is upside down with Stuart Appelby with a 59 and Tiger Woods on the verge missing the Ryder Cup
Segment 2
The World We Live IN… Today can anyone get along… How about just grabbing lunch…
Segment 3
A feel good story dealing with golf … http://www.kylelograsso.org/ Also a breakdown of the PGA Championship. Playing the Whistling Straights the 15th – 18th. What first time winner is going to walk away with the Wanamaker Trophy this year?
Tags: eastern golf tv, golf equipment, Late Stage Cancer, open championship, PGA Championship, Puma, Ryder Cup standings, Taylor Made, Tiger Woods, us open, usga
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The US Open more than golf, a treasure for son’s and daughter’s
US Open week brings back so many memories of gritty performances by the great players and quality memories of fathers and their kids on the golf course. So often we hear all about latest on the state of the top players in the world and their chances to win this coveted major and on Sunday NBC golf coverage will spatter in a few flash of a player talking about his Dad.
For most of the golfing world we don’t strut down 30 yard wide fairways with rough like a cabbage field but we too take the opportunity to go out and tee it up as our Fathers Day tradition. For many years Dad, my brother and I would tee it up this weekend and always had a great time regardless of score, we just loved being together. It was our Dad who got us into this life long love affiar with this great game. Hitting the range on Rt. 22 in Bound Brook, NJ became common place.
It’s a wonder we stuck with it when we played with his old Northwestern irons and persimmon woods that look like they were dragged behind his car after their wedding in 1964. The irons were as forgiving as the guards at the gates of Augusta National and the balls at the range were as smooth as Kojak’s head. But it wasn’t about great shots it was about spending time with him hitting balls at the cart boy collecting the nuggets off the hard pan dirt patches scatter amongst a few patches of grass.
I will never forget the one Fathers Day weekend my Dad and I spent together. We won a trip to Hilton Head in a tournament and I got their a few days early to sample a few courses, a few beers and lots of cigars. When Dad came in it was a great time he and I on a short weekend golf getaway one of the only one’s we ever did. We played some great golf courses and I really don’t remember which one’s but I do remember our time together. My dad wasn’t a drinker then but it was great to finish up the round to have a beer and diet coke and just shoot the breeze.
I lost my dad to melanoma in 2004 and only fitting that he had just returned from a 3 day trip to Myrtyle Beach 2 days prior. You see he did what he loved, spent time on the golf course during the day and by night sharing stories with Mom and the other couples on the trip. Knowing that his final week was filled with what he loved is comforting and I too would love a story book ending from cancer and not having to suffer with a long drawn out finale.
One of the other great US Open and Fathers Day stories that was more about fatherhood than golf was Payne Stewart’s second US Open victory over Phil Mickelson at Pinehurst in 1999. Payne Stewarts resolve as a father to hold Phil by the cheeks after sinking his putt for victory wasn’t about his joy of winning the US Open just moments ago but his reaching out to Phil and saying go home and enjoy becoming a father.
Payne Stewart’s life was filled with humor, fire on the golf course and built around the love of his wife and kids. He also was taken from us way to early but his impact was that of a man that lived 100 years. His legacy is that of a champion golfer but also a Dad and it is only fitting the lasting image we have of him is his graciousness to another soon to be Dad.
Both of these men had an impact on me. Both were strong christian men that set an example to me as to the love of Christ and steadfast faith despite tough circumstances. For these reasons and more my son, Payne Robert Pritts, bears their names. There is a time coming when Payne, now 6 years old, will sit with me and watch the US Open. When the time is right we will watch the final putt drop then spend another few minutes watching two great stories: My dad’s video from his funeral with everyone sharing about the man he was and Payne Stewart’s documentary on his life.
The US Open more than golf, a treasure for son’s and daughter’s.
Tags: 1999 US Open, back 9 promotions, eastern golf tv, golf, Payne Stewart, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, rob pritts, us open
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25 Years and Golf Rally’s The Boy’s
April 15th, 2010
As a tournament director for the FORE! Jack & Jill Golf Marathon Series I run events across the country. The great part of my job is reaching out to golfers and asking them to participate in an event for a great foundation, The Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation.
Over the past year my task has been to go to cities and start a new event and gain commitments from players and sponsors. I have a decent network of friends and business contacts across the country and that is always my first step in building an event. Having a few good men on the ground passionate about helping families in which Mom or Dad has late stage cancer is great but I am always looking for more. I spend countless hours networking and introducing myself to golfers all over the place and I love it.
Next month I am doing an event in Northern New Jersey with Brandon Moore the NY JETS right guard and some of his teammates. Since I grew up in NJ you would think it would be a lay up to recruit players but its harder than you would think. I used my typical honey holes to find players than it dawned on me….golf, football and my home state.
So off I went, on a mission to get the old guys together from the 1985 Bridgewater High School East Football team. Its been 25 years and with jobs, family, moves and the withering of time it might be tough but why not try. Out went an email to the boys. Would they respond, would they want to play golf all day for a great cause?
YES!! These guys are the best!! We spent so many years playing football together from Pop Warner all the way through High School and its a bond that transends time. I sent the call out to the old offense and it looks like we have 8 of the 11 guys in for this cause.
I am so looking forward to this event and the giving back to the Foundation. Yeah we the NY JETS but what we also have is 8 guys from 25 years ago huddling up one more time!! Stay tuned for more…..
Tags: crystal springs golf resort, eastern golf tv, golf resort, nj golf, ny jets, PGA TOUR
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Mickelson Family Overcomes!
April 12th, 2010
Phil Mickelson’s victory his weekend was nothing short of stunning. Three Green Jackets and he has etched his name into the company of the likes of Faldo, Player & Snead but it was so much more that his golf game that impressed me.
The Mickelson family has been fighting breast cancer all year. Amy’s diagnosis was a shock to all when it was announced in May of 2009. You see, cancer is a non discriminatory dieases. It doesn’t care who you are, what’s going on in your life or the balance in your checking account. Cancer doesn’t care if you are a mom or dad of young children or a top player in your sport, it just goes about its business.
Phil and Amy’s attitude towards the disease was just like his 6 iron on 13 Sunday afternoon. They wieghted their options and just as Phil has done for 18 years on tour, they tackled what was in front of them with nerves of steel. Cancer is a battle and this family has handled it with grace and dignity. Not that they haven’t encountered fear or pain but they fought. The fact that Phil’s career was labled as not complete without a major in the early 2000’s he never gave up. He took his lumps but became a better player and man for his fortitude.
Amy is still fighting as well as Phil’s mom. The emotions on the golf course run high the back nine of a major championship and like the golf course, they are fighting every day as he does on every shot.
When Mom or Dad are stricken with cancer the immediate thought is for the children and how it will impact them. That in and of itself is more than most can bear but there are only two paths to take….lay up or go for it. Amy has chosen to go for it, like her husband and I too hope it is a story book ending.
To support young parents in this same situation I ask you to support the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation and its work to give families a lasting memory. Please visit www.jajf.org and partner with them to make a tangible difference in the lives of others dealing with a bad lie.
Tags: eastern golf tv, golf courses, masters, PGA TOUR, Phil Mickelson
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What Is About Augusta & The Masters?
April 7th, 2010
Mmmm!
What is it that makes Augusta, GA and the Masters Tournament so special?
I would love to get your feedback as to what makes it so great for you. I have a few of my own and I am sure you do too.
Rocket’s Masters Favorites
- Egg Salad & a Miller Lite for $3.00
- Being able to set your chair down on 16 tee box at 8:00 a.m. and coming back at 1:00 p.m. and its still there right on the ropes.
- Masters Club Sandwich $2.50 and to me it ranks up there with a nice rib-eye!
- Just the Players & their caddies walking down the fairway without 10 people following the group.
- The beauty of the place is breath taking.
- Knowing where the players should land it and seeing how close from perfect the shot was only to roll 40 feet away.
- Trying to interpret the roars around the course.
- Did I mention the food?
- The ladies are quite a sight saunter around amen corner.
- Cleanest place on earth with over 30,000 people there.
There are many other reasons but those should suffice for now. Enjoy the week and if you have a chance splurge for a Masters Club and a cold beer!
Tags: eastern golf, eastern golf tv, golf courses, golf resort, PGA TOUR
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My Dad, Easter & The Masters!
April 3rd, 2010
The first full week in April is always circled on my book as the official start of the golf season. Here in the south that means one thing, The Masters!
The weather starts to give us blooming dogwoods, azaleas and beautiful flowers surrounding the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club. I have spent countless days on the hallowed grounds during the tournament and as a caddie one year back in 1996. The place never gets old and it just makes me smile and feel like a kid again.
My Dad and I spent many days strolling around Augusta National and it routinely fell on on his birthday April 6th. I lost my dad to Melonoma Cancer in 2004 and one of the things that keep his smile and endless joy in my mind are the times we spent together out there.
During the time I lived in Augusta my dad and I played a lot of golf together. He was one of those guys that always had one foot on the gas and one foot on the break and felt like we were behind right from the first shot. He was a busy business owner who had a full plate but always had time for a round golf. The fact was that during Masters he was never in a hurry or worried about his pager of cellphone, it was pure freedom for him inside those gates.
He always had a skip in his step and was thrilled to see his hero’s and watch the players on the range then perch himself over at Redbud #16. He was like a little kid when he would get a call from a friend who has a badge and offered it up to him. Sometimes he would get badge for an afternoonor for the whole day and would shoot out to do what he loved and it made him so happy.
I had the luck in 2001 to receive my own badges and to share them with him was just great. The best part was not even out on the grounds, it was the visits with him talking golf and watching the Sunday drama unfold with him as we watched on TV. He and I would sit and eat breakfast every morning reading the Augusta Chronicle’s Master Section everyday and talking about where we were the day before.
As we come upon another Masters each of us, in our own way have vivid memories of each year but for me the greatest memories of all, are not the Bears Charge in 1986, Tigers first win in 1997 or Faldo’s win over Greg Norman, its the times out in line early on brisk spring day beside my Dad acting like two kids at the top of the steps before our parents called us down for Christmas morning.
This week represents three things I love, Easter and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, Dad’s birthday and the Masters Tournament. What else can be better? Bob Pritts you are forever loved and missed but never forgotten. It is only fitting that Easter, your birthday and the Masters all fall on the same week again this year. Happy Birthday Dad I know you will be watching!!
Tags: east golf, eastern golf, eastern golf tv, golf, masters, PGA TOUR
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Get on the right track with Tour Sticks
April 1st, 2010
Practice at the range can be boring if you are simply pounding balls like a zombie. Proper range time needs to productive range time. I have talked about this in the past and came across a great product that can be a huge tool for you.
You ever look at the range at a PGA Tour Event and see the simple things players use to stay on track. Many pro’s use the Tour Sticks product in many ways.
The product is a simple fiberglass shaft like stick about 50″ long. Two sticks come in a set and it comes in a magnitude of colors. There is one color you can’t get and that’s Masters Green because those are reserved for Augusta National (gotta get me a set of those). They retail for $14.95 and have been flying off the shelves.
I hit the range today and used then for alignment in a railroad track pattern. One along my toe line and one out side the ball. So many times you try to visualize this or use a club (too short) and it truly did help.
I also stuck one in the ground on my swing path angle and used it to make sure I wasn’t coming too far inside. This gave me instant feedback as I was hitting balls and I was able to transfer that feel into my swing when I took it down.
One other drill that I did was to stick it in the ground pointing straight up and positioned myself with my hip touching it. If I were to slide in my swing I could feel it right away.
So here’s the deal. An inexpensive product that has many applications is a winner for me. I also love the fact that it stays in may bag all the time and makes a great towel rack!
Get out of the office and work on your game….That’s an order from the Rocket!
Tags: east coast golf, eastern golf tv, golf instruction, top golf instruction
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Spring is here..well in Atlanta at least!
March 18th, 2010
Today was awesome, as I hit the range at lunch to hit a few balls. There I was, next to a guy with his tie shoved into his shirt as he went through his bucket of balls.
Better than the sighting of the first robin is going to the range and seeing guys stealing a few minutes of sanity, free from their Blackberry’s. There was the guy who pulled up in his County work truck dropped his cones in back and in front of it and wrestled his sticks out of the back of the cab. All signs that spring is here and the sky’s will be littered with white golf balls.
The buds on the trees are beginning to pop and trunks are beginning to open to allow the clubs a breath of fresh air. The guy behind the counter in the shop was all smiles as he knew his checking account would shortly be full again.
I worked through my bag and as I did I evaluated who’s going to be staying in and who is bound for the workshop wall. It looks like my 4 year love affair with my 3 wood must come to an end. She was a good girl all these years but a little worn and scuffed.
The replacement will soon to be determined and I think it will be the new Tour Exotic 3-wood from Tour Edge. The reviews on this club have been fantastic and just too much to ignore. I’ve hit it a few times in a simulator but I think its time for a real test drive!
Stay tuned as I work in a new lady for the season ahead!
Tags: east coast golf, eastern golf tv, golf, golf courses, Spring golf, Tour Egde, Tour Exotic 3 wood
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