Ultimate springtime golf fitness tips for "real" golfers

By Tim McDonald,
National Golf Editor

For those of you unfortunate enough to live in the North, you must be salivating at the thought of the spring golf season.

Hold on, Tiger. You ain't the man you used to be. You can't just jump up and go straight to the golf course after a long winter of sloth and mold.

Now, you will find any number of charlatans willing to sell you their total golf fitness regimens. These sleazoids always assume you're a golfer interested in a cleaner, healthier way of living and golfing. I've seen you out on the course, and I know that's not the sort of thing you're "into."

So here is my total golf fitness regimen for the "real" golfer:

• For God's sake, you have to strengthen your core! This involves eating really hard food, like jawbreakers. Eat a bag of those and have your neighbor punch you in the gut to see if your core is all it can be.

Options: Month-old fudge, Purina Dog Chow, pine bark.

• You also have to really work your obliques, I mean really work the hell out of them. Here's the perfect exercise for that. Lie flat on your back with knees bent slightly wider than your hips. If you have really fat hips, you're either going to have to really stretch your knees like in a cartoon, like The Elastic Man from India, or just skip this exercise. In fact, if you have really fat hips, just skip playing golf, nobody wants to see you out on the course.

Now, you slim-hipped people reach your hands to the ceiling like you're crying out for the Lord Jesus Christ to spare you from your miserable existence. You can hold light hand-weights, or not. What do I care? Lift your head and chest toward the ceiling and rotate to reach both hands just outside of your fat, right knee. Repeat on the left side. Now, take a breather. Ask Christ for forgiveness.

• Breathing exercises: Breathing properly and deeply is critical, especially for those tense moments on the course when normally you would start crying.
This deep-breathing exercise involves attending your local adult movie house, or calling up one of those sites on your Internet browser. Follow your instincts. It's either that or follow mine, and then you're looking at jail time.
• Horizontal abduction/adduction: I can't give you much help here, because I always get "horizontal" confused with "vertical," and I have no idea what adduction is. Who came up with that word, anyway? It's a stupid word and should be eliminated from the English language, if it's even English.

• Standing hip rotation: Don't do this. It makes you look like a girl.

• Alcohol fitness: How many times have you lost $2 Nassaus because while you were getting hamboned, your playing partners were just holding up that bottle of Jack Black pretending to drink?

Well, no need to waste good liquor. You can still drink and maintain your competitive edge. You just need to build up a tolerance. Stand upright in a dark closet, with a wide stance, and suck it down. Keep drinking until your wife leaves you.

• Aerobics: Ha! Don't make me laugh. This is golf!

• Putting: Don't bother to practice putting. Putting in golf is overrated. I play golf maybe 200 times a year and I've yet to meet anyone who can putt. You either make it or you don't. If you miss, just keep putting until the ball goes in the hole. Simple.

• Seniors: As we age, our bodies react differently, so seniors must prepare for golf differently than young punks. An important thing to remember is that there is an inverse relationship of increased ear hair to laughably short drives off the tee.

So keep those ear hairs trim and neat. If you're proud of your thick mane of ear hair, don't sweat it. If you're short off the tee, you're probably small in other areas, and I think you know what I'm talking about.

• Excuses: A healthy psychological outlook is a must for Better Golf. If you can convince yourself that the snap hook you hit into the weeds over there is not your doing at all, you'll retain the confidence needed to excel in the game.

The first time you smack one of your all-too-typical lousy shots, turn to your playing partner and snarl," "Will you stop that!" Look at him, looking all hurt and everything. Who would have thought golf fitness could be so much fun?

• Torque development in the downswing: This is so important, I can barely contain myself. This is vital to any golfer who has ever wanted to improve his score. You could even say it is absolutely critical in terms of reaching your full potential as a golfer and knowing what it is to be truly human.

• Alignment and posture: Face the target squarely and stand erect, with your rump jutting out slightly. Feels a little silly, doesn't it? Can you think of another situation in life where you would position yourself in such an odd manner? I can't.

Gardner-Webb Slips Past Mountaineers in Second Annual University Cup

April 10 - MORGANTON, N.C.- Appalachian State University men and women's golf team hosted a mixed foursome match against Gardner-Webb in the second annual University Cup. The tournament was held at Mimosa Hills Country Club on Wednesday, April 9 with GWU winning by three points.

The Mountaineers fell to the Bulldogs by a 5.5 to 2.5 margin, as GWU captured five of the eight matches to grab the win.

Robert Quick matched with Kerri Dice and Casey Johnson matched with Brooke DeHart to combine for the two wins for the Mountaineers. Lance Wheeler and Mary Kate Bowman tied accounting for ASU's half point.

Appalachian returns to action on April 20 for the Southern Conference tournament, being held in Orangeburg, S.C. at the Country Club of South Carolina

Grove Park Vaults Into Top 100

For the first time in the 91-year history of The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, the resort’s golf course has cracked the prestigious Top 100 list of Best Golf Courses in North Carolina. The list is compiled each year by votes registered by the 135 member North Carolina Magazine Golf Panel. The ranking is released annually in the March issue of North Carolina magazine and includes all courses, public and private, and is one of the most respected surveys for the state’s courses. The Golf Course received 535 points placing it 69th in the state of North Carolina according to the Golf Panel. The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa spent $2.5-million dollars to totally restore the resort’s layout back to its original Donald Ross design dating back to 1924. The new design was met with overwhelming praise from members, guests and media as it was named “Best Restoration” in the U.S. in 2002 by Golfweek magazine. The 69th ranking also places course among the N.C. Golf Panel’s “Mighty Ninety” with a rating of 4 ½ out of five stars. Broken down by region, The Golf Course ranks 9th in the Mountain Top 10 placing just behind Champion Hills in Hendersonville.

UNC Charlotte Ranked #4

NCAA Men's: Division I Teams

Division II - Division III

                                   Adjusted   Avg.            
                        Division   Scoring   Drop   Versus#  
   Team                  *Record   Average  Score   Top 25    Wins@
  1 Alabama, U. of        289-  0    71.32   76.99    23- 0      5
 2 Georgia, U. of        288-  1    71.35   76.45    19- 1      2
 3 UCLA                  287-  2    72.24   76.57    13- 2      2
 4 Charlotte             286-  3    71.34   75.37    16- 3      4
 5 Southern California   285-  4    72.64   76.80    15- 4      1
 6 Oklahoma State U.     281-  8    72.64   76.72    13- 6      1
 7 Georgia Tech          281-  8    72.09   77.98    11- 8      0
 8 Florida, U. of        280-  9    72.67   77.65    14- 9      1
 9 Stanford University   280-  9    72.41   76.88     8- 8      1
10 Tennessee, Univ. of   279- 10    72.25   77.01    12-10      2
11 Duke University       278- 11    72.70   76.99    11- 9      1
12 Florida State Univ.   277- 12    73.16   76.94    10-11      2
13 Auburn University     275- 14    71.88   76.17    10- 8      1
14 Wake Forest Univ.     275- 14    72.69   77.66     9-11      1
15 South Carolina        275- 14    72.61   77.51     9-12      1
16 Clemson University    271- 18    72.77   77.51     3-14      0
17 Mississippi, U. of    269- 20    72.50   78.53     4-10      4
18 UCF                   269- 20    73.04   78.55     5-18      1
19 Tenn.-Chattanooga     269- 20    71.92   76.40     2-13      2
20 UNLV                  269- 20    71.71   75.96     3-13      2
21 Indiana University    268- 21    73.39   77.62     4-13      1
22 UAB                   266- 23    72.69   77.87     6-11      1
23 Texas Tech Univ.      266- 23    72.69   77.31     3-15      3
24 Louisville, U. of     265- 24    72.92   77.42     6-10      1
25 Michigan State U.     264- 25    73.64   77.60     3-13      1 

Whitaker Earns Sponsor's Exemption For Winning UCF Challenge

ORLANDO, FLA. – Alison Whitaker of Duke has earned a sponsor’s exemption to the Ginn Tribute hosted by ANNIKA by winning the University of Central Florida (UCF) Challenge at RedTail Golf Club in Sorrento, Fla.

Whitaker, the Blue Devils’ sophomore from Melbourne, Australia, shot a score of 65-71-72=208 (-8) to win by two shots. She led wire-to-wire in route to her career-best finish and her first collegiate win.

“It is just so exciting to get the sponsor’s exemption,” said Whitaker. “I haven’t played in an LPGA event before and after playing in the NCAA Championships the week before it will be great preparation. I think two weeks back-to-back of high quality golf is more than I could ask for in terms of finishing off a semester at Duke. I am very excited about it.”

“It is a nice little bonus as I guess I picked the right tournament to win. It just means that my win will stretch out a little longer. Head Coach [Emily] Klein’s UCF Tournament needs to be recognized because it is run very well. She works very hard in conjunction with Annika and the Ginn Company to put together an excellent field and event.”

Tournament Director Becky Newell said, "We are extremely excited to have Alison included in our prestigious field. She is a talented player and this will be a great experience for her to compete with the best players in the world."

The $2.6 million Ginn Tribute hosted by ANNIKA will be played for the second-consecutive year at RiverTowne Country Club in Charleston, S.C., May 26-June 1, 2008. The 2007 Ginn Tribute hosted by ANNIKA saw Nicole Castrale earn her first LPGA title. Castrale defeated Lorena Ochoa in a sudden-death one-hole playoff to win the $390,000 paycheck.

About Annika
Annika is the greatest female golfer of our generation and often regarded as the best player in LPGA history. Her prestigious list of accomplishments includes her 2003 induction into the World Golf and LPGA Halls of Fame, ten Major Championships, 85 worldwide professional victories, eight LPGA Player of the Year Awards, and participation on eight Solheim Cup teams. Annika has worked hard on her off-the-course businesses, which include the ANNIKA Academy, the ANNIKA Foundation, the ANNIKA Collection with Cutter & Buck, numerous golf course design projects, tournaments she hosts on both the LPGA and Ladies European Tours, along with her website and blog.

About Ginn Resorts
Ginn Resorts is a privately-held resort development and management firm specializing exclusive leisure lifestyle and vacation destination communities. The firm owns and operates communities across the United States and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Celebration, Fla., the firm’s principals have more than three decades of experience in creating large-scale, master-planned resorts and recreation-oriented communities. For more information, visit www.ginnresorts.com.

WCU finishes 6th in Cuthbert Cup

Kiawah Island, S.C. – Inclement weather which moved across the Eastern seaboard and prompted tournament officials to change the start on Tuesday forced the cancellation of the third round of the Cuthbert Cup, leaving second-round leaders as the event champions. Host College of Charleston claimed the women’s team championship while UNC Wilmington was declared the men’s champion.

Western Carolina, which slipped from leading in the first round on the men’s side and standing in second on the women’s, finished sixth in both tournaments to open the spring portion of the schedule.

The Catamount men ranked second in both par 3 and par 5 scoring for the tournament, shooting 4-over on the shortest holes and 8-under on the longest. WCU was also third in birdies with a combined 34.

College of Charleston Golfers tie for Medalists at Cuthbert Cup

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – College of Charleston golfers Steffi Kirchmayr and Courtney Brink tied for medalist honors at the Cuthbert Cup and have been named Southern Conference co-golfers of the week for all events played through February 26.

A sophomore from Pocking, Germany, Kirchmayr fired a two-round total of 142 with 70 in the opening round and 72 in the second. Her performance was equaled by Brink, who carded an opening-round 69. The sophomore from Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., followed that with a 71 in round two, leading the Cougars to the team championship in the inaugural Cuthbert Cup in Kiawah Island, S.C.

Other top performances were turned in by Samantha Widmer of Elon, Erica Creed of UNC Greensboro and Desire Karlsson of Western Carolina.

Elon Player Named Golfer of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Elon senior Jimmy Lytle topped the field at the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate by nine strokes this week and has been named Southern Conference men’s golfer of the week for all events played through February 26.

The Ocean Ridge, Fla., native fired identical rounds of 69 in the first two rounds of the event before closing out with 72 in round three. His nine-stroke individual victory helped Elon rally from a four-shot deficit over the final 18 holes to claim a one-stroke team win over Furman. Both Lylte’s 54-hole score and Elon’s team score (890) were records for the young tournament.

Other top performances this week included Soonam Kim of College of Charleston, Ben Rickett of Chattanooga, Drew Lethem of Georgia Southern, Andres Cuenca of Western Carolina and Garrett Medeiros of Wofford.

Spence Involved in Three Projects

The new year is picking up where the old one left off for golf course architect Kris Spence. He's broken ground on two high-profile Donald Ross restorations in Charlotte - Myers Park Country Club and Carolina Golf Club - and is entering the final stages of a complete redesign of Lake Toxaway Country Club in the mountains of North Carolina.

All this follows a busy 2007 in which Spence earned high marks for a pair of restorations to the Ross-designed Sedgefield Country Club (Greensboro) and Forsyth Country Club (Winston-Salem), plus a major remodel of Mount Airy's Cross Creek Golf Club. Spence's work at Sedgefield facilitated the return of Greensboro's PGA Tour event this August to the historic layout.

"Our team had the good fortune to work on three quality projects last year and fortune has smiled upon us again in 2008," Spence said. "This year's projects will allow us to stay in the forefront of the Ross restoration movement, while simultaneously showcasing our own design ability with the remake of Lake Toxaway Country Club."

Carolina Golf Club was designed by Ross in 1929 and began as a public course before going private in 1958. The course has been altered several times over the years, presenting Spence with a unique opportunity. "There are very few people alive who experienced the original design. It didn't last long enough," Spence said. "But upon discovering drawings and doing field research, it was like many Ross designs - all about strategy and angles of play and the distinct look of his bunkers and raised greens. The golf is going to be spectacular when we're done. It's going to shock people."

Spence said the Carolina project will both restore the course and update it for modern play. Work will include new green complexes, bunkering, irrigation system and tee boxes. When finished, the par-71 course will measure just over 7,100 yards.

"With the additional 30 acres that have been purchased, we've eliminated the cramped feeling. It's really opened up and there are probably some of the best golf holes in the state of North Carolina," Spence said. "The third hole, without a doubt, is one of the most architecturally significant golf holes in the Southeast. In fact, it's one of the most impressive holes I've ever seen Donald Ross design."

Myers Park Country Club was not originally designed by Ross. In 1945, the legendary Scotsman was commissioned to thoroughly redesign and remodel the course. Unike many Ross courses, the routing and field drawings of each hole still exist and will be used extensively by Spence. "This project is going to completely reclaim and reinstate the Ross character and routing of the golf course," said Spence. "Some revisions to the course over the years will be left in place, but for the most part we will reclaim the Ross design that once existed."

The scope of the work at Myers Park involves significant work to the green complexes and bunkering, plus new tee boxes and a new irrigation system. Spence is also creating an irrigation lake that will eliminate the need for city water to maintain the course. "I'm very excited about Myers Park," Spence explained. "We will be reclaiming that distinct, sharp appearance of a classic design. And, we're going to instill a lot more strategy off the tee by bringing fairway bunkers into the hitting zones.

"It's a beautiful, beautiful piece of property with dramatic elevation changes. We've identified some interesting areas that haven't been utilized in years that will be brought back into play."

Construction at both Myers Park and Carolina will finish in early May. Fairway grasses will be sprigged from mid May to early June, with expected re-opening dates in September.

"The city of Charlotte is going to be blessed with some of the best Donald Ross courses in the state when we're finished with both these projects," said Spence.

CUSA Names East Carolina Player WOMEN'S GOLFER OF THE WEEK (2/20)

ABBY BOOLS - East Carolina
So., Hickory, N.C (Hickory)
Bools captured her second individual title of the season and of her career after carding a personal-best 54-hole score of 218 (2-over par) at the Qdoba Invitational Tuesday afternoon in Miami, Fla. She helped the Pirates (70-14-0), who are nationally-ranked No. 22, to their fourth consecutive team title and fifth in six events in 2007-08. The Pirates led their third consecutive event wire-to-wire. Bools tied for the tournament lead in par-4 scoring (+1), while ranking among the leaders in par-3 scoring (+1), par-5 scoring (E) and total pars (41). With her win, she becomes the third Lady Pirate golfer to claim two titles in the same season. In 16 career tournaments, she has a 76.43 stroke average with seven top-10 finishes and 10 top-20's.The weekly honor is the third of Bools' career, her second in 2007-08 (Sept. 26).

Sorenstam wins season-opening SBS Open for her 70th LPGA Tour title

KAHUKU, Hawaii (AP) -- Annika Sorenstam waited 17 months to collect a T-shirt from her sister and a bottle of wine from a friend with No. 70 proudly displayed on them.

"It's probably dusty," she said. "I'm ready to collect it now."

Sorenstam won the season-opening SBS Open for her 70th LPGA Tour title and first since September 2006, birdieing two of the last three holes Saturday for a 3-under 69 and two-stroke victory.

"It's great to win tournaments and there's some tournaments that mean a little bit more and they come in a special time, and I would say this is one of them," she said.

The 37-year-old Swedish star, coming off an injury-shortened season where she failed to win last year for the first time since her rookie season in 1994, finished with a 10-under 206 total. It also was her second straight win in Hawaii.

"We've talked so much about '07, it's time to talk about '08," she said. "My clubs did the talking this particular week."

Rookie Russy Gulyanamitta (68), Laura Diaz (70) and Jane Park (70) tied for second. Angela Park (69), the 2007 rookie of the year who was assessed a two-stroke penalty, and Japanese rookie Momoko Ueda (71) tied for fifth, three strokes back.

Sorenstam dropped to a knee and shook her fist as she calmly sank a 24-foot downhill putt on the par-4 17th that ended any suspense.

"That was huge," said Sorenstam, who has won 47 times when holding the lead going into the final round. "That's one of those putts I'm going to remember for a long time."

She then waved both arms in the air and hugged her caddie after putting for par on the 18th hole.

"It's been a while," caddie Terry McNamara said as they hugged.

Sorenstam was limited to 13 events last year because of neck and back injuries and had six top-10s finishes, but couldn't add to her trophy collection.

In the first event of 2008, the world's former No. 1 looked like her old self -- relaxed, focused and dominant.

"This means so much to me," she said. "Last year was not a year I wanted to remember inside the ropes. I was determined to come back."

Sorenstam smiled as she walked the fairway on the par-4 16th after hitting a wedge to 4 feet, which she dropped for the outright lead that she wouldn't lose.

Sorenstam said she was a little hesitant and trying to protect her lead until she reached the turn when she told McNamara, "Let's play some golf."

She first went up by two strokes on the par-4 10th by sinking a 14-foot birdie putt, but quickly lost a stroke when her long birdie putt whizzed 8 feet passed the cup on the next hole. She three-putted for her only bogey of the day.

Ueda and Jane Park each birdied to tie Sorenstam for the lead at 8 under. Jane Park made a long putt on No. 15. Seconds later, Ueda rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt on No. 14, drawing a roar from the sizable Japanese gallery.

However, no one could keep pace with Sorenstam.

Sorenstam was playing at Turtle Bay for the first time and beginning her season a month earlier than usual. It was her first appearance in Hawaii since winning the 2002 LPGA Takefuji Classic at Waikoloa.

Gulyanamitta, who earned just $4,411 in her previous 17 events, jumped around the 18th green after sinking a long birdie putt. She made $75,867 Saturday.

Like Sorenstam, Diaz also was hungry for a win. She hasn't hoisted a trophy since 2002. Diaz shared the lead with Sorenstam until a double bogey on No. 7 dropped her into a crowd.

Angela Park (69) was assessed a two-stroke penalty for slow play on the par-4 10th that gave her a triple bogey and cost her a shot at the lead and about $60,000. Park then birdied three of the next four holes to get back within a stroke of the lead before Sorenstam's late birdies.

Park said she wasn't holding up play. "I really don't think it's fair especially because I was in contention. I don't think it's fair at all."

Rules officials said Park's second, third and fourth shots on the hole all exceeded the time limit. Park disagreed and was visibly upset, in tears after her round.

"I was so mad out there," she said. "I was flying through the course on the back nine. I was so frustrated."

Without the penalty, Park would have finished 9 under, alone in second place for $100,458. Instead she earned $40,872.

Conditions were unusually calm on Oahu's North Shore. Even the normally roaring Pacific Ocean was peaceful. It was also balmy, forcing the players to find shade anywhere they could.

Ueda used an umbrella. Sorenstam hid under the ironwood trees.

Sorenstam and Erica Blasberg (74) were co-leaders heading into the final round at 7 under. Blasberg was playing in the final group for the first time in her career.

Her troubles started when she pulled her drive near the water hazard and had to pitch out on No. 7 for bogey. Blasberg tied for eighth with Cristie Kerr (73), In-Kyung Kim (71) and Yani Tseng (69) at 5-under 211.

Defending champion Paula Creamer closed with a 69 to finish at 4 under. She hit 18 greens in regulation but putted 34 times.

"I was grinding it out there," she said. "I saw the leaderboard and I think I got a little anxious."

Quinney makes an ace, but Mickelson keeps the Northern Trust Open lead

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. (AP) -- Phil Mickelson lost his cushion, but not the lead Saturday at the Northern Trust Open.

Mickelson watched Jeff Quinney make a hole-in-one on the fabled sixth hole at Riviera that erased a four-shot margin, but saved par on the 18th hole for a 1-under 70 to stay in the lead and move one step closer to adding this trophy to his West Coast collection.

Quinney made a 35-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 67 that set up what appears to be a two-man race in the final round.

Mickelson, whose 15 victories on the West Coast Swing have come in every city but Los Angeles, was at 11-under 202. He missed the green to the right on the final hole, chipped 7 feet by and saved par.

"I thought it was a good, solid round," Mickelson said. "It should be an interesting and tough day tomorrow."

Quinney delivered the best shot, and maybe the worst.

Along with his hole-in-one that he could hear, but not see, Quinney bladed a wedge over the green on the par-5 11th that led to a two-shot swing in Mickelson's favor, then spent the rest of the gorgeous afternoon trying to catch up.

Quinney was at 203, four shots ahead of everyone else.

John Rollins fell back with consecutive bogeys and had to settle for a 69 that left him at 6-under 207. Scott Verplank, who opened his round with a four-putt from 30 feet on the fringe, shot 71 and was another shot back with Stuart Appleby (69) and Vaughn Taylor (71).

"Other than Tiger, he's probably the next best front-runner," Verplank said of Mickelson, who is 21-7 with a 54-hole lead. "He's awful good. So I'm going to have to play exceptionally well, and probably then would need a little bit of help."

Mickelson also had a one-shot lead last year going into the final round, losing in a playoff to Charles Howell. There were five players within three shots of the lead a year ago, but only Quinney, a former U.S. Amateur champion who has not won on the PGA TOUR, appears to be in his way this time.

"He's going to bring a lot to the table," Quinney said. "I have to bring my best to the table."

Quinney did not sound the least bit concerned about a four-shot deficit to Mickelson, saying after his second round that Riviera is not the type of course where one has to shoot 64 to make up ground.

Then, he looked as though he might do just that.

Quinney birdied the first hole with a long chip across the green on the par 5, then gained another shot when Lefty three-putted for bogey on No. 4. Quinney then holed a 20-foot birdie putt to reduce the lead to one-shot going into the sixth hole, famous for having a bunker in the middle of the green.

He thought that's where his 7-iron was headed. But it landed just to the side, rolled down the slope and into the cup.

Back on the tee, Quinney had already turned away and was looking over his shoulder when he heard the crowd erupt, the sure sign that he had made ace. He ran toward his caddie, unsure whether to hug or high-five, and it turned out to be a clumsy celebration.

"We need to get that organized," he said.

That gave him the lead, but only for as long as Mickelson hit 8-iron to 5 feet and made birdie, putting both at 10 under.

They matched birdies at No. 10 -- Quinney with a wedge to 2 feet, Mickelson by driving to the front of the green -- and neither showed signs of backing down. But everything changed with one swing.

Mickelson was on the par-5 11th green in two, Quinney just short of the bunker. Quinney caught two much ball, however, and it sailed over the green. He chipped back to 15 feet and did well to escape with bogey.

Even so, it was a two-shot swing after Mickelson made birdie, and Lefty kept his margin.

Mickelson had the 54-hole lead at Riviera last year, only this time the odds are even more in his favor. Five players were separated by three shots last year, while this appears to be a two-man race.

"Daylight is up front, first and second," Appleby said. "If I can shoot a good round tomorrow, 4 or 5 under, that would be a good score. Now, what's that mean for the tournament? Does that threaten the top? Probably not. It's not really an open tournament."

Divots: Pat Perez isn't any more optimistic about the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship than he was last week, when he thought he was playing Tiger Woods in the first round and didn't want to embarrass himself. He was told Saturday morning he would be playing Phil Mickelson. "Yeah, that's much better, because he's playing like (dirt) right now," Perez said with typical sarcasm. J.B. Holmes will play Woods and had a different outlook. "I'm in," he said. "That's all that matters." ... Marc Turnesa was on his way home Saturday morning until John Merrick missed a 4-foot par putt, meaning 78 players made the cut at 3 over. Turnesa then shot 67 and moved up to a tie for 29th at 1-under 212.

Pinehurst #2 Named to Golf Magazine's Top 20 Courses

Pinehurst No.2, NC, USA

The man in the shadows in the middle of the photograph is repairing the ball mark from the failed
pitch by the man on the right, who is now preparing to play his second chip shot!

Since the green is the ultimate target, it stands to reason that the course that has the ultimate greens, well, it just may be the ultimate course. And for many a well traveled golfer, Pinehurst No. 2 is the ultimate golf course.

How can this be, you ask? Pinehurst can't compete on the grandeur scale with a Pine Valley or Sand Hills. Nor can it compete with a Cypress Point or Royal Portrush in terms of scenic glory.

And yet, Pinehurst No. 2 has for decades attracted ardent admirers. As Tommy Armour so eloquently wrote, 'The man who doesn't feel emotionally stirred when he golfs at Pinehurst beneath those clear blue skies and with the pine fragrance in his nostrils is one who should be ruled out of golf for live. It's the kind of course that gets into the blood of an old trooper.'

Pinehurst No. 2 boils down to simple, wide fairways that meander through the broad corridors of pine trees and sophisticated green complexes. The fairways are wide so that the golfer realistically aim for one side or the other, depending on where the day's hole location is. As for the greens, Pinehurst No. 2 has been called the hardest (and the best!) course in the world from within 40 yards of its greens.

The greens themselves average 5,500 square feet, which isn't disturbing in and of itself. For instance, Yeamans Hall's greens average 8,000 square feet! However, when you realize that more than half of the technical green space is un-cupable as they slope off on all sides, you are left with tiny targets in the 2,500 square foot range - and that's smaller than Pebble Beach's notoriously tiny greens.

Holes to Note

1st hole, 405 yards; Both Pete Dye and Tom Doak are long time fans of Pinehurst No. 2 and Dye once remarked to Doak, 'On the first hole, you've got a five foot deep bunker with an almost vertical face to the left of the green, and a humpback green with a bunch of severe dips in the ground to the right of it. What's so subtle about that?'

(please note: all pictures were taken in the winter with dormant bermuda rough and overseeded rye in the fairways).

Call Pinehurst No.2 green complexes anything but subtle! The man chipping is 5'9' tall.

2nd hole, 450 yards; Tom Watson considers this one of the best second holes in the world, and he is not alone. Too achieve so much character on essentially flat land is amazing and one has too wonder why this green complex has never been emulated elsewhere.

Taken from the back right of the green, this view shows how Ross created various angles of play.

3rd hole, 340 yards; A rare example of a hole being improved by hosting a major tournament, several large pines were removed from behind the green to make room for grandstands for the 1999 U.S. Open. With nothing behind the green to assist with depth perception, the severely sloped back to front green is now an even more terrifying target.

The only trees behind the 3rd green are now a full 100 yards behind it.

5th hole, 485 yards; Probably the most difficult two shot hole in American golf. In fact, its difficulty has reached a point where it no longer inspires the affection with the authors that many of the other holes do. This and the 4th hole were the last pieces of the puzzle and were added to the course in 1935 in lieu of holes that were to the left of the present 10th green site.

As the perfect foil to the 2nd, the 5th green is angled in the opposite direction to the fairway.

Nicklaus/PGA teaching grants awarded to 18 chapters of The First Tee --NC Chapter is Recipient

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The PGA Foundation, in conjunction with golf legend Jack Nicklaus, has begun the 2008 golf season awarding teaching grants totaling $90,000 to 18 chapters of The First Tee representing 14 states.

To date, 155 of the 206 active chapters of The First Tee nationwide have been recipients of either a PGA of America or Nicklaus/PGA teaching grant. The combined PGA and Nicklaus/PGA grants total $1,810,000.

Since 2001, The PGA of America and Nicklaus have partnered to create a $2 million endowment to provide teaching grants to certified chapters of The First Tee that utilize PGA Professionals for instruction.

"The PGA of America is proud to kick off this New Year with our partner Jack Nicklaus to extend Nicklaus/PGA Teaching Grants coast to coast," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The wonderful messages and reports we receive are that these grants continue to produce success stories in communities. The First Tee momentum has helped grow the game of golf and brought many young people into the game."

The program continues to highlight The PGA of America's commitment to partner with its PGA Professionals to grow participation in golf.

The current Nicklaus/PGA teaching grants totaling $5,000 each have been awarded to The First Tee Chapters in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.

Since its inception in 1997, there are 206 chapters of The First Tee in operation and 264 golf-learning facilities that have introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 2.2 million participants and students (which include the students of the National School Program). The focus is to give young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.

The PGA Growth of the Game Program is one of a number of initiatives administered by The PGA of America through its PGA Foundation

The PGA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, is dedicated to enhancing lives through the game of golf. The Foundation provides people of every ability, race, gender, and social and economic background an opportunity to experience the game and learn vital life lessons. The PGA Foundation achieves its mission through programs which provide instruction and access to playing the game of golf along with enriching those lives by providing educational, employment and scholarship opportunities.

For more information about the PGA Foundation, visit www.pgafoundation.org, or call (561) 624-7612.

Nicklaus/PGA of America Teaching Grant - $5,000 awarded to each chapter
The First Tee of Greater Trenton - Hamilton, N.J.
The First Tee of The Tri-Valley - Pleasanton, Calif.
The First Tee of Myrtle Beach - Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The First Tee of Columbia Basin - Pasco, Wash.
The First Tee of New Orleans - New Orleans, La.
The First Tee of Albany - Albany, Ga.
The First Tee of Clearwater - Clearwater, Fla.
The First Tee of Modesto - Modesto, Calif.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Essex County - Newark, N.J.
The First Tee of Northern Nevada - Reno, Nev.
The First Tee of Eagle County - Edwards, Colo.
The First Tee of Idaho - Boise, Idaho
The First Tee of the Lake Norman Region - Cornelius, N.C.
The First Tee of Central Louisiana - Pineville, La.
The First Tee of Harford County, Md. - Aberdeen, Md.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Nassau County - East Meadow, N.Y.
The First Tee of Metropolitan NY/Golf Club at Chelsea Piers - New York, N.Y.
The First Tee of Brazoria County - Lake Jackson, Texas

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $195 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere.

The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

Modern Classics: Forest Creek Golf Club (South)

Southern Pines, North Carolina
By Mike Purkey Although it’s a decade old, the South course at Forest Creek Golf Club near Pinehurst, North Carolina, looks as if it’s always been there, which is high praise and the common denominator of classic designs. In that respect, it’s one of Tom Fazio’s finest creations. Sturdy and straightforward, the South is a parkland course with plenty of elevation changes, winding its way through Sandhills pines. Like any good Fazio design, there is a premium on driving, but the real work begins with the approach shot. Players must find the correct and strategic parts of the spacious greens that feature plenty of movement. The bottom line is that the South won’t leave you feeling beaten up at the end of the round, but if you have shot a good score, you have earned every bit of it. The South, just three miles from the Village of Pinehurst and its renowned resort, might not be the most famous in town, but among the cognoscenti, the layout ranks very high. Par: 72 Yardage: 7,067 Year founded: 1996 Architect: Tom Fazio