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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What The Golf Industry Thinks About 59
What an amazing week in golf! The week was capped off with a smooth Sunday 59 by Stuart Appelbey on his way to victory at The Greenbrier Championship along with a stellar 57 carded by a 17 yr old Junior in Alabama. We have seen three 60’s on the PGA Tour in the past 5 weeks and another 59 by Paul Goydos at the John Deere Classic.
I see the average golfer playing in the charity events I host as part of Back 9 Promotions all across the country and what is taking place with games elite doesn’t translate to your average Joe. Sure there are many great players but a good day for most is a score in the low 80’s.
All this lightning in a bottle got me to thinking, what’s going on with this flash of low numbers. I have my opinions, which are deeply rooted with a 15 handicaps slant of “I just want to break 80 again!”. So in order to get a true read on this, I went to people I respect most. They are involved in the game from every level and know a thing or two about scoring.
I talked to the GM at TPC Sawgrass who has helped setup the most exciting hole in golf, a tour caddy that loops for a Green Jacket winner, a major ball and equipment manufacturer, 30 year veteran teachers of the game who have worked with the best and the not so best, single handicap amateurs who compete regularly and a golf writer from Golf Digest that plays great courses all over the country.
Take a gander at their take and notice the common themes!
Courses are way too short…they need to scale back the ball…no such thing as driver/3 or 4 iron any longer…to watch Pebble Beach look so short with guys hitting par 5’s with 2 swings of an iron…well, makes me feel kind of..ughhh!
Barry Goldstien, PGA Teaching Professional
2 time Top 50 teacher in America
Director of Instruction for the Maine Golf and Tennis Academy
Father of Carly Ray national ranked junior
I think it is the hot summer weather they have to keep the greens watered so they don’t lose them therefore soft slow greens and low scores.
Damon Green, PGA Tour Caddy for Zach Johnson
Rob – the scoring phenomenon can be summed up in two words: Soft Greens. If the greens are not firm and fast, today’s PGA TOUR player will eat the golf course alive because they are so good with controlling distances, even out of the rough with “new” grooves. Having the greens firm forces the player to hit the ball in the fairway (if they want the maximum amount of spin on the approach shot).
Chad Parker, PGA Head Golf Professional, East Lake Golf Club
There are more players by ten fold compared to thirty years ago so there are better odds that his can happen. Also the improvements in the ball and the shafts have helped the better players but not the average player. The main reason is better players don’t hit at the ball but make a swing through the ball toward the target where the average golfer hits at the ball and no matter how good the equipment they will still hit it poorly. The average golfer will not see improvement until the way they learn and play the game changes.
Eben Dennis
Master Instructor
Dallas, TX
Notable Student: Nick Faldo
Rob, Thanks for asking. Facts are, it is combination of all the factors you mentioned. Better technology, hotter golf balls, better conditioned athletes, etc. As good as these top players are, when you provide them with soft greens and put wedges in their hands on most holes, these types of scores are inevitable.
What people are not talking about is how well these guys putt the ball. Look at the stats. These guys are unbelievable. They go hundreds of holes in a row without a three putt, miss only 1 or 2 putts inside of 10 feet for the tournament when they win. The bottom line is that the golf course conditioning is so much better than ever before. The greens are PERFECT !
Without perfect greens, no low scores. Regardless of the equipment, no perfect, receptive, smooth, and manicured greens, no low scores.
Bill Hughes, PGA Tour, General Manager TPC Sawgrass
As far as the length issue – everything the governing bodies are doing to make course longer and tougher only hurts the guys that don’t hit it 300+ off the tee. The long hitters will always have an advantage over short hitters. Jack Nicklaus had it, and Sam Snead before him, and Bobby Jones before him. But length alone doesn’t make a course tough. Take Pebble Beach for example – it measured less than 7000 yards in 2000, and barely over 7000 yards for the 2010 US Open. That’s very short by modern standards, yet even par was a very good score for 72 holes and only Graeme McDowell managed to accomplish that feat. The USGA made it tough with small, fast greens, thick rough in spots and the natural design and weather conditions. Don’t further punish the short hitters by rolling back the golf ball or making 8000 yard courses. Make greens smaller and bring the short game back into play with slightly longer rough, and you’ll always see scores go up.
As far as guys shooting 59s and 57s – I can try to explain it from a psychology standpoint, since I was a psych major in college. The 57 was a remarkable round, made even more amazing because it was done by a 17 year old. In recent weeks we’ve seen two 59s on the PGA Tour, and three 60s. The more it happens, the more other guys will start to believe it can be duplicated. The mental barrier of the “59” is starting to crumble. Who said 59 was the score that all others are measured against? Why not 58? Or 56? Just like the 4 minute mile was once seemingly unattainable by runners, it’s now commonplace. There is now an entire mental school of thought based on the idea that a perfect round of 18 birdies is out there, and they are teaching players to believe that they can do it. http://www.vision54.com
John Duval, Accomplished Amateur Player
Editor, Into The Grain
Ball-Fitting has been something we've done for a long time with our Tour pros. The first thing we do is bring our players to the R&D Test Center in Covington, Georgia, to undergo an exhaustive ball-fitting. In fact, it was through that same process that we learned Paula Creamer was better suited to play a TOUR ball designed for amateur swing speeds. Paula still have tremendous feel and spin around the greens, but by giving her a softer compression ball, we've been able to get her better distance and accuracy off the tee, because we've cut down on her sidespin. Bridgestone is the first company to bring ball-fitting to the every day golfer too. As of July 2010, we have conducted over 70,000 consumer ball-fittings throughout North America. Almost always, it amazes people how much having the right ball for your swing really can impact scoring and overall enjoyment of the game. For information on ball-fittings nearest you visit www.bridgestonegolf.com. Dan Murphy, VP of Marketing, Bridgestone Golf, Inc.
Until I start shooting 59 from 6,500 yards then scoring on tour doesn't concern me. For now I struggle to break 80, and I play a lot of golf. Personally I like the fact that we, the average golfer and the pros, play the same courses with the same equipment. I like a direct comparison to a place they play, even if they're playing it from 7,200 yards, etc. I just think more courses need "tour tees"...or more narrow fairways, thicker rough and faster greens for the weeks of tour events.
MATT GINELA, Writer, Golf Digest Where’s Matty G.
http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-courses/blogs/wheres-matty-g/
Three things are finally playing a role with the low scores…Improved fitness actually does matter… the guys are significantly stronger than from one generation ago, people in general are bigger – which translates to mover leverage, greater torque, and increased clubhead speed.
Technology – Driver fitting, Ball Fitting, Iron Fitting, – spin ratio, ball speed, clubface angle… technology at the tour disposal has always been available…now it is based on scientific data to maximize each players swing.
Better instruction earlier in a player’s life… long are the days of Larry Nelson and Calvin Peete who picked up the game in their late twenties… doesn’t happen, kids have reached the 10,000 hour practice point by the time they are in college…hence with better instruction, better fitness, better technology, better course conditions all point to lower scores.
Finally – 60 is the 4:00 minute mile…. It only takes one or two to break it….
Sean Taylor, PGA
Mid Atlantic Section Board Of Directors
25 yr teaching professional
The game of golf certainly has not gotten any easier for players at any level, nor are the courses weaker or more vulnerable to these ultra low scores. I went out on Saturday morning with a lot of quality technology in my bag and some semblance of skill in my arsenal. It was a perfectly conditioned course and I played it from the proper set of tees for my game. There was no sign of 59, 69 or even 79 being in any danger from me. Fact is, getting the ball into the hole from 100 yards and in is where scoring happens… and while perhaps a great sphere and sharp wedge grooves might make the task slightly more manageable… there is no technology or shortcut for scoring technique, practice, intelligence, creativity, imagination, guts and execution.
The high-profile increase in scores 62 and below can only be attributable to the quality and consistency of the playing conditions (fewer bad bounces, uneven lies or bumps on the greens to divert great putting strokes) and the extraordinary skills and mental fortitude of the worlds’ best players. Training methods and mental/physical fitness have been improved and motivation has been pushed for more than a decade by Mr. Woods. Courses becoming “obsolete” is a joke… courses being obsolete for one week a year isn’t really an issue, is it? It’s only a tough situation for very few courses with a great desire to host professional golf tournaments. There are plenty of worthwhile tracks to choose from that can stand up to the world’s best. Furthermore, quite a few classic courses have been “ruined” by redesigns focused on that one championship week in one year, rather than for the golfers who play there every other day.
The folks who play golf for money are undoubtedly getting better and these scores are the result. Maybe the slogan should change to “These guys are great!”
Greg Nathan, National Golf Foundation
I think you would agree that the common theme is perfect putting conditions, the world’s best putters, great athletes continuing to get better, proper ball fittings and mental games that are light years ahead of the average hack!
I wish I could add more….. Now make sure your clubs and ball are properly fit to your game and then get to work on your putting and short game!!!!!!!!!
Tags: Ball Fitting Challenge, Barry Goldstien, Bridgestoe Golf, Damon Green, Golfer shoots 59, greatest putter in golf, Into The Grain, National Golf Foundation, Paul Goydos, PGA Teaching Professional, PGA TOUR, Power Feel Golf, putting, Stuart Appelbey, TPC Sawgrass
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Meet Casey Rotella – Baruzzini
My Dad and I are happy to be joining Eastern Golf TV this season. Since I’m sure most of you are familiar with my Dad’s work I thought I’d give you all a quick introduction to the brains behind the madness 
Name: Casey (Rotella) Baruzzini
Education: University of Notre Dame, BA History (European)
Golf Experience: Won VA State Championship for Juniors, Charlottesville City (3x), and various other mid-Atlantic Junior tournaments, MVP for the Nike USA Team vs. Ireland, played collegeiate golf at the University of Notre Dame (though I fought through a wrist injury three of those four years)
Pets: the most lovable 30lb cat in the world John Winston Lennon
Favorite Things: My faith, My husband, children, and family (of course), Notre Dame, cats, The Beatles, learning languages (especially German and Italian), all ages of European history, but mostly modern Germany, antiquing, and browsing used book stores
Favorite Movies: La Vita E Bella (Life is Beautiful), if you haven’t seen it YOU MUST!, Goodbye Lenin, The Mission, Spanglish, Sleepless in Seattle, My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Favorite Books : Jane Eyre, Little Women, anything by James Herriot, The Old Man and the Sea, The Everlasting Man, the Father Brown series, C.S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy
What I Can Bring to the “Roundtable”: experience as a junior golfer at the national level, knowledge of the college golf world, persistance in the game despite injury, the relationships between family and education and golf, and the good fortune of growing up in and around my father, Dr. Robert Rotella, and the world of sports
Random Fun Fact: In seventh grade I came up with the original title for my Dad’s work of “Golf ,the Brain Game,” but for some reason the publishers decided “Golf is Not a Game of Perfect” would sell more copies. Who knew?
Tags: Dr. Rotella, golf, golf instruction, Golf Psychology, PGA TOUR
Posted in Casey & Dr. Bob | 3 Comments »
Wed 6/2 – Life and Day of the PGA Tour Caddie
Segment 1
We look back at an amazing week for Zach Johnson at the Crowne Plaza Invitational. He blitzed the field over the weekend and left some of his competition behind by 28 strokes when all was said and done!
Segment 2
The lives of players on the PGA Tour. The hard work, travel and everything else associated with it. So if you are a players caddie, how involved must you be? Turns our all players are different in this category.
Segment 3
Want to play golf free for a great cause. Play two of the Best Golf Resorts in Virginia and Support the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation that provides WOW experiences for families devastated by cancer.
Tags: PGA TOUR, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Zach Johnson
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Imagine for a moment…
April 19th, 2010
Hilton Head Island in South Carolina is know for family fun, beach days with your kids, Gregg Russell signing under the oak tree at Harbour Town and for teaching a lesson to America on honesty and integrity. It’s quite fitting that Brain Davis called a penalty on himself in the sudden death playoff in a State where its Governor lied to his people, had an affair and ran to Argentina to be with is mistress.
Brian Davis didn’t make a blatant rules violation, he “thought” he saw something out of the corner of his eye and immediately called for a ruling knowing he could jeopardize his first win on the PGA Tour. As fate would have it they checked the TV reply and he did indeed bush a small patch of dune grass and the rest is history.
Imagine if you would MLB players calling their own balls and strikes, slides into second or close calls at first base…Imagine if you will, Deion Sanders calling pass interference on himself in the end zone with :10 on the clock in a game with a 4 point lead. Imagine for yourself the oddity of an NFL lineman calling holding penalties on themselves….This seems so inconcievable to the average sports fan but in the game of golf it is common place, more than common place actually, its routine.
The stage was set for the Englishman with 2 European PGA Tour wins to get his coveted 1st victory on American soil. If you need to know it was a $500,000 moment on the line and with out hesitation he did what he had to do. He later said in the press room “I couldn’t live with myself if had a doubt about the infraction.”
Refreshing to say the least in a world full of scandal and loose morals. Golf has taken its lumps with the Tiger fiasco of infidelity off the golf course and if he would have applied the same rules to his life with proper guard rails he would be in a much better situation today.
This story is front and center on the golf scene but do you think it got any play on the major network news shows….NO. I guess a story of honesty and integrity just isn’t sexy enough for producers filling time with shootings, crooked politicians and national scandals.
Tags: golf, golf courses, PGA TOUR
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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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Honda Classic The Other Champions
March 7th, 2010
The Honda Classic and the formitable Bear Trap was again another great PGA Tour Event. Carmilo Villegas carded a 5 shot victory over Anthony Kim and played great despite a few wobbles on the backside in the final round.
I can pontificate all day about the whata coulda’s of the event but I’ll save that for the guys who actually make a living recanting the tournament. There are some great story lines that had signifucant meaning to those inside the ropes but the true champions were not seen this weekend.
Last Saturday at PGA National on the Champion’s course 31 players warmed up the course for the PGA Tour. The FORE! Jack & Jill Golf Marathon benefiting the Jack & JIll Late Stage Cancer Foundation took place.
The golf marathon was something any die hard golfer would love. Having inside the ropes access to the the Honda Classic Tournament course, they were charged with a special mission.
Playing from sun up to sun down, being backed up by pledges from family and friends they headed out at 7:30 a.m. in atypical 40 degree south Florida weather. They played for others that need a break from the rigors of late stage terminal cancer. Mom’s & Dad’s who are on the clock of life leaving behind children. The funds raised go to provide the WOW! Experiences for these families to go on a trip of a lifetime as a family to build one last memorable experience as a family.
A total of 1287 holes were played by the 31 golfers and they raised in excess of $36,000. The golf was great but their efforts were priceless.
It never gets old hearing them finish their day and talk about the fun they had and the impact of their mission. They all left inspired to comeback next year to tackle the Bear Trap again and raise even more funds for the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation.
Brian Russo and Keith Kebe were the ironmen of the day playing 80 holes each. Kebe carded the low gross of the day for his best 18 hole score on each hole with a stellar 68. Sophie Louis a 5 year old little girl with the heart the size of Texas asked to tee it up and she herself raised $600 and played 21 holes. Not bad for a pint sized girl who never played more than 9 holes on an executive course.
The true spirit of the game is not only great golf but the ability to give back to others. Our game of golf is like no other and the Millions of Dollars raised each year for others is humbling to be a part of. I am blessed beyond measure to use the skills given to me to organize events and change lives everyday.
For more information on the FORE! Jack & Jill Golf Marathon Series and their event schedule visit www.back9promotions.com
Tags: east coast golf, eastern golf tv, PGA TOUR
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