Yardbarker: Tom Watson

Jerkbag Cink Ruins Everything By Beating Watson

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:44:41 -0500

For a brief moment this afternoon, I saw pigs starting to fly outside of my window. I could swear that one of them was cruising along at about four to five feet off of the ground at one point, and almost looked like it was going to really move. But then, like Icarus, it came [...]

I Took a Mistress This Holiday Weekend -- Her Name Is Golf

Tue, 26 May 2009 13:15:34 -0500

Golf is an acquired taste, hobby, passion, obsession, devotion. I acquired it early in life, when my Uncle Mike sawed down an adult set of irons for me and wrapped genuine leather grips on them before my 8th birthday. Gifts of passion are always the best kind. My high school boasted a 9-hole course that wrapped around campus in charming and dramatic slopes and hills. I played 1,000 holes on it if I played one. Once I shot a 74 at the University of Maryland's course, but most often I playe...

Gas Station Owner Relishes Masters Appearance

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:15:35 -0500

MOST AMATEURS WHO PLAY in the Masters are rising young stars. This year four of the five Masters amateurs are ages 18 to 21.And then there

An Amateur's First Augusta...

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:58:49 -0500

((HT: WLOX-TV/AJC))

Steve Wilson is a 39-year-old that runs BP convenience stores in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He regained his amateur status in 2005 and ended up winning the Mid-Amateur tournament in Milwaukee.

That got him an automatic invitation to that tournament going on in Augusta, Georgia this week. His 9-year-old son, Gavan, caddied for him in the Par-3 tournament Wednesday afternoon ((both pictured, thanks AJC)).

Thankfully, Wilson did not win the Par-3 so he still has a chance to win the blazer that goes with being the lowest scorer over the week.

Tim Clark aced himself out of that by taking the Par-3 crown.

The AJC's Jeff Schultz tracked down Wilson for a cool piece...

The funniest quote from Wilson when he talked to Schultz:
“I’m having a hard time getting comfortable here,” Wilson admitted Wednesday after a practice round. “I kind of feel like somebody’s ugly cousin at the ball.”

Wilson tees off at 11:29 with Ian Poulter and Tom Watson...
WLOX-TV has coverage from Augusta. Jeff Lawson tells the tale...

Sometimes Pink Pants Just Aren't Enough

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:52:49 -0500

In the end the pink pants just weren't enough. After a ton of rain throughout the tournament the outfits worn by all the golfers were tame and boring in comparison to the colorful array that comprised the Masters. But then there was the shining star of the ridiculous, Ian Poulter, on Sunday at the British Open flaunting pastel pink pants. And not only was he flaunting the only colored pants in contention he was flaunting them at the top of the leaderboard. He was tied for the lead with Pa...

2008 Open Championship Preview

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:04:32 -0500

(Note I worte this on my blackberry so it's format is crap and it's spelling is worse than the norm, which is of course normally bad.) Personally, I'm a green jacket guy first but after that the allure of the history of the Links courses is second to none. Without tiger this year I foresee a Sunday field which is entirely foreign dominated. 4 People to Watch to Contend Obvious - Ernie Els - Ernie is amongst the favorites for the tourney and the reson being is he always plays wel...

Tom Watson Says He Hated Links Golf, Has A Chance At the British Open

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:17:32 -0500

In case you didn't know, Tom Watson is one of the great British Open golfers of all time. The guy won five Claret Jugs between 1975 and 1983, making a name for himself across the pond that few Americans are able to do. That is probably why it's strange that Watson said he didn't really like links golf. Also, if you check the article, you'll see that Tom also said at 58, with the right conditions, he could contend against golfers more than half his age.

Tom Watson Added To ABC's British Open Coverage

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:53:36 -0500

There's been a run on Golf analysts who were former players as of late on all broadcasts for some reason and new ones seem to pop up for each Tourney. During the US Open ESPN/ABC brought on Curtis Strange, who was far from impressive, and now they're tabbing Tom Watson for their British Open telecast starting on July 19th.... ESPN's production of The Open Championship from Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Lankanshire, England, will be broadcasted on ABC including live weekend coverage...

The Primary Cut - U.S. Open Edition

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:11:37 -0500

Gear up for this week's U.S. Open with some preview coverage. Doug Ferguson breaks down the story behind the mega-pairing (a full list of pairings is available here) for Thursday-Friday (Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott (pictured)). Ed Sherman gives kudos to the USGA for putting this dream threesome together, by the way. Golf needs as much Woods-Mickelson as it can get, and maybe this is the kick in the butt Scott needs to remind people (and himself) that he's allegedly ranked third in the world. Meanwhile, there's a bevy of behind the scenes information about the course set-up at Torrey Pines. Pebble Beach may have more history, but in terms of sheer beauty, much if not all of Torrey comes pretty darn close to its more renowned neighbor up north (see hole #3, pictured). torrey Geoff Shackelford blogs that "not only is the South Course immaculate, [but] it's much, much more firm than last month when it was pretty swampy, particularly on the bermuda approaches and greens." That said, Thomas Bonk over at the L.A. Times claims that "inconsistency in the rough is the early word." Who would know better than Woods, who finally put his knee to test by playing a morning practice round

The Primary Cut

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:35:43 -0500

Fourteenth installment of The Primary Cut

The Primary Cut

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:36:36 -0500

Twelfth installment of The Primary Cut ? weekly insights from the world of golf player management and other golf-related industry and player news. Adams Golf Rescues Rory It didn't take long for someone to scoop up Rory Sabbatini, the controversial South African, who was last seen tipping the valet at Sherwood Country Club as he sped away from Tiger's Target-sponsored tournament after withdrawing early with what his agent, Bud Martin of SFX Golf, sheepishly described to the media as a bad case of "shin splints." To which Jim Furyk rolled his eyes and the normally reserved Fred Couples loudly guffawed. "Yeah. And Roger Clemens' agent says he didn't do steroids." Not long after the Sherwood affair, Sabbatini was unceremoniously dumped by his equipment sponsor, Nike Golf (moral of the story?don't mess with Tiger, Rory), leaving many to speculate where he'd land in 2008. But Sabbatini found some clubs to play with in time for last weekend's season opening Mercedes-Benz Championship in Maui when Adams Golf announced it had signed the four-time PGA Tour champion and 11th-ranked player in the world to an endorsement deal. The signing is a coup of sorts for the emerging equipment company whose client list was once weighted primarily around senior players such as Tom Watson and Bernhard Langer, but which now is headlined by young international stars like Sabbatini and the Aussie Aaron Baddeley (who was dropped by MacGregor in the fall) as Adams sets it sights on the PGA and LPGA Tours. As part of the deal, which was negotiated Martin, Sabbatini will wear the Adams Golf hat, carry the Adams Golf staff bag and play the company's Idea a3 irons, Idea Pro hybrid and Insight driver. And Baddeley will wear an Adams hat, carry a tour staff bag and is expected to start the year using the company's line of Insight 3 and 5-woods. President and CEO Chip Brewer said Baddeley will work additional Adams clubs into his bag during the year, and that the company will consider adding blade irons to its product lineup to accommodate its newfound elite players, and "broaden its consumer audience." Just how much Sabbatini commanded in the deal is unknown at the moment. While he theoretically lacked leverage given the abrupt decision by Nike, Sabbatini was coming off his best year as a tour pro and thus was able to theoretically command a legitimately larger deal from an emerging player like Adams Golf (whose equipment he had already some experience playing), than he would have had he somehow stayed on with Nike. In '07, Sabbatini won the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, and finished in the Top 10 at nine other tournaments, including T2 at The Masters. Sabbatini was also the only player to post Top 10 finishes at all four FedEx Cup Playoff events, and he finished the year ranked sixth on the '07 Money List with over $4.5 million in earnings. "I've been playing the Idea Pro hybrid for two years, recently had outstanding testing sessions with the Idea a3 irons, and am very familiar with the quality and performance of Adams Golf products," said Sabbatini. "In the end, I believe their engineering and tour departments can provide me a competitive edge and I look forward to being with a company where I can make a difference." Now maybe Martin can set his sights on securing a new deal for his longtime stud client, John Daly, who was dumped by TaylorMade and Maxfli over a month ago. ______ 2008: The Year Of Cobra Golf? When Jason Gore went from Nike to Cobra Golf at the end of '07, he made the statement that he was looking forward to finally playing with clubs that he had confidence in. That comment made Nike execs cringe and Cobra ones smile, though probably not as much as when they saw their bottom line '07 sales figures. I wrote months ago that Cobra knows how to market, as evidenced by their use of commentator David Feherty in commercials, and has been trying to appeal to the younger demographic and more casual fan. Well, the strategy is working. Cobra (which along with Titleist and FootJoy, is owned by Acushnet Company) is approaching its 35th anniversary and is coming off a year of record-setting market shares and worldwide sales growth, which President Jeff Harmet attributes to innovative, high performance product introductions, brand development in growing markets, and an efficient high profile PGA Tour presence. Harmet states that '07 Cobra sales grew in the United States and Europe by nine percent and seven percent, respectively, which he said sets the stage for long term growth in the developing Asian markets such as China, Korea and Japan. "To fuel this momentum we have significant new driver and iron launches planned for the Spring of 2008," said Harmet. "Together with our late 2007 introductions, the Cobra brand will promote the most extensive product range in our 35-year history in 2008." Across the worldwide professional tours, Cobra Tour Staff is young, hip and fun to watch, consisting of 2006 U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy (13th in the world), Ian Poulter (22nd), Camilo Villegas (56th), Jason Gore, J.B. Holmes and Kevin Na, as well as LPGA standout Jeong Jang. Cobra's marketing campaigns thus far have played off the youthful exuberance of its staff, and I expect them to continue to target players whom they feel exhibit the stylish traits that have helped them span across differing consumer demographics. ______ Hipp Announces 'Style Leaders' Program For LPGA, Futures and Ladies European Tour Players I wrote in the 2008 LPGA preview column that endorsement money has never been better for top-flight female professional golfers. But obviously, lesser known players will always have a tougher time landing endorsement deals until they achieve on-the-course success. However, is there not a middle-of-the road niche market that is just waiting to be utilized, whereby aspiring stars can still be invested in, so to speak, by equally aspiring companies? It's with this untapped market in mind that golf and sportswear designer Linda Hipp's company, LIJA, announced the launch of the 2008 LIJA Tour Style Leaders, a unique new apparel sponsorship program designed to expand the on and off-the-course style opportunities available to members of the LPGA, Futures and Ladies European Tours. The two-pronged approach to Tour sponsorship provides professional women golfers with the opportunity for an extensive apparel-only endorsement for the 2008 season, and the chance to compete for a Grand Prize package of $25,000. LIJA To be considered for the 2008 LIJA Tour Style Leaders, players can visit www.lijastyle.com/company/proplayers.html and complete an "expression of interest" form, which has already been distributed to player agents and managers. Those chosen by LIJA as "Style Leaders" will receive up to 70 pieces of LIJA clothing at no cost and be entered in a season-long competition for the Grand Prize consisting of: a cash bonus; apparel for the 2009 playing season; participation in a professional photo shoot for use in LIJA marketing and PR initiatives (photos also to be provided to player for individual promotional use); placement in select LIJA marketing materials; inclusion in international, national and regional editorial items; and finally an all-expenses paid trip to Vancouver (home of the 2010 Olympics) for style consultation with Linda Hipp, company founder and principal designer. Once selected, Style Leaders will be provided with a range of tops, bottoms, sweaters, outerwear and accessories to be worn in competition. The Grand Prize winner must compete in a minimum of 15 sanctioned events during the 2008 season and will be selected based on a variety of factors, including on-course performance, photo submissions, brand testimonials and story submission of what inspired them to play and how golf has impacted their life. An avid golfer, Hipp combined her passions for fashion, golf and business by launching Hyp Golf in 1997, which re-branded as LIJA in late 2004. In August, LIJA launch five new collections for Spring 2008, featuring an expanded range of technical blends, LIJA-designed prints and an entirely new group of comfortable leisure wear. The collections?Life of Leisure, Eye Candy, Runway Luxe, Spring Fling and Sweet Georgia Brown?are said by Hipp to "showcase soft tones and sophisticated colors, sleek lines and feminine details." Fusing tech-specific fabrics with LIJA exclusive plaids and prints, Hipp's company has created more than 200 pieces of trend-setting contemporary sportswear over the years. But the Style Leaders idea is the first of its kind in the company's existence. "The LIJA Tour Style Leaders program is a new way for our growing brand to contribute to the success and style of golfers competing at the highest levels," said Hipp. We're looking to partner with passionate, inspired women who are empowered by the game and devoted to looking their best." LIJA has already won the 2007 PGA Magazine Award for Resort Top Seller and Private Course Top Seller, and can be found in the nation's most world-renowned resorts and clubs like Congressional, Doral, Kiawah Island, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst and Whistling Straights. Now, maybe it's time for it to also be found on your client's back? ______ The More Endorsement Deals The Better? 2007 PGA Rookie of the Year Brandt Snedeker is represented by Mac Barnhardt of Crown Sports Management and is part of a growing trend that is finding professional golfers on more than one equipment company's pay roll. At this past weekend's Mercedes-Benz Championship, for example, Snedeker was playing TaylorMade's R7 irons, and also a TaylorMade r7 425 driver, which made headlines when it cracked during his first round (not to worry, he had a spare back in his hotel room). Yet for all the TaylorMade equipment he plays, Snedeker is also on the Bridgestone staff, and he wears their logo on his hat and glove, has a Bridgestone bag, and plays a Bridgestone brand ball. The lesson for player agents? Don't feel obligated to sign away your client's equipment and endorsement soul, so to speak, to just one brand. In fact, most players are starting to trend away from staying strictly with one company across the endorsement board. Instead, agents should look to mix and match and get creative with their clients' respective deals in order to provide them with more leeway in terms of what they can play and wear. This ties in with an agent's underlying goal, to do whatever is his or her client's best interests, financially and professionally.

The Primary Cut

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:01:05 -0500

Second installment of The Primary Cut??"weekly insights from the world of golf player management and other golf-related industry and player news. The Shark The Shark Bites Back According to Golfweek's John Steinbreder, Greg Norman will be appointed the new chairman of MacGregor Golf, the culmination of "a leadership change that began in July when Norman and other board members relieved MacGregor CEO and majority shareholder Barry Schneider of his operational duties and began a strategic review of the Albany, Ga.-based clubmaking enterprise." During that time, "The Shark" and two other investors have helped lead a recapitalization effort of MacGregor "designed to strengthen the company's balance sheet and give MacGregor greater financial flexibility and provide resources for continued growth." Norman actually joined the board of MacGregor last fall after acquiring a minority stake in the company. The McGregor entity includes MacGregor clubs and outerwear, as well as the Greg Norman Collection apparel business. Norman's first order of business as chairman? Finding a new CEO. Read between the lines and you'll notice that Norman has grand plans for MacGregor. He also seems fluent in business lingo and speaks in terms of motivation and accountability??"kind of a cross between Gordon Gekko and Knute Rockne: "We have to get back to the basics of what the company is all about," he told Golfweek. "Also, we need to make things far more integrated from an operational standpoint. I believe we have to empower middle management more and have them be the ones who make and implement the decisions as we make them more accountable. I also want to make sure our employees understand the direction of the company and the places we want to take it. I am a huge proponent of that, and the idea that you have to lead from the top down, that you have to lead by example and make the people who work with you understand where you want to take the business. Do that, and they work with much more enthusiasm." Norman was explicit in stating that he envisions MacGregor providing "products that can be described as 'modern classics' and likely would compete against brands such as Mizuno." In other words, "players clubs" that may help the company garner more usage on Tour. Now whether or not the company will be able to produce a worthwhile product that will cause even the ficklest of players to contemplate a brand change is another matter. Regardless, one thing is for certain: following a bitter and costly divorce in 2006 that took a healthy bite out of Norman's previously estimated $500 million net worth, it seems that Norman, always the business connoisseur and a man who seemed to get more enjoyment and personal satisfaction out of his plethora of business pursuits, than he did actually playing professional golf, is back in the game. Polo, anyone? Looking to dress your client in fashionable yet practical golfing apparel? Ralph Lauren hopes that you consider its new RLX Golf line, which according to Golfweek "reflects the company's push to reach hip, athletic-minded players who have been fueling the performance apparel craze??"and making the techno-wares of Adidas Golf and Nike Golf such hot commodities." The primary spokesman for RLX Golf is Luke Donald, the rather cosmopolitan Englishman whose classic style meshes well with other Polo golfing clients like Davis Love III, senior player Tom Watson, Jonathan Byrd and Morgan Pressel. Donald has been Polo sponsored since 2002. Jamie Lovemark likes Polo Industry experts claim that the move is an "effort to bolster Polo Golf, which has lost business to upstart competitors such as Fairway & Greene and Peter Millar." However, some question the move of dropping the "Polo" brand name altogether from the new RLX line. Other prominent golf fitters such as Izod and Ashworth, for example, "have found that consumers don't always catch up with a company that creates alternate brands with different names." Generally, unless making a fashion statement per se is the primary want (see Camilo Villegas, Hank Kuehne, Aaron Baddeley, Jesper Parnevik and company in J. Lindeberg's collections, which look like they ought to be on display at the Tate Modern rather than Augusta National), the fit of the garment and the nature of the fabric are the two most essential elements of desirable golf wear. Therefore, some retail analysts argue, "it is a gamble to think Ralph Lauren, best known as a fashion brand, has the cache to persuade cutting-edge consumers that it can create better technical fabrics than Nike and Adidas, which have long histories in performance wear. Furthermore

Wine, Cheese, 15-Year Olds, and Tom Watson: All Better With Age

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 20:29:07 -0500

Tom Watson is known for his eight major championships, his 39 PGA Tour wins, and his rivalry with the Golden Bear...Tom is 57 now, and by golfing standards he should be on the downswing of his career. So why the Hell is he still winning so much?