Ottawa Golf Blog

One of these years I'll make it down to the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. All the new gear and apparel for the coming year, a golfer's dream especially a crazy one like myself. If you need a fix like me and can't actually be there check out the websites below they're the best I've found to date for keeping up with what's going on down in Orlando at the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show. From the demo day with Titleist, Adams, Cobra, TaylorMade, Ping, Srixon/Cleveland, and Bridgestone to all that great apparel from Puma, Quagmire, and Under Armour.

GolfWRX.com
Equip2Golf.com
TheHackersParadise.com

This time of the year all the new golf goodies are out or coming out. Cobra's New S9-1 Pro drivers have got peoples attention no doubt because the deep face stylish color and shaft combos. Here's a few pics from a member over at GolfWRX who's got a tour one. We have to wait til February.

Comparison Between Cobra L4 - L5 - S9 - PRO D

Nice to see Pat Perez finally win his first PGA Tour event. Some people complain about his temper and some of his behaviour on the course. I just like to see guys out there that aren't robots. I'm sure there will be more for PP.

Nice eagle on #18 for Perez

This week's Qatar Masters has an amazing field to watch but some lesser known players are making their birdies and doing well including Louis Oosthuizen and Andrew Coltart. Check out the video below of the first two rounds.

Qatar Masters Highlights Day 1 & 2 Scott Goosen Els Stenson Westwood Jimenez

Pat Perez is looking for his first PGA Tour win. He just set a 2 day scoring of 20 under par. He'd cash that in for a win. He'll have to continue with lots of birdies because most are going low in the desert and there's 3 days left.

Pat Perez Day 1 Highlights



Pat Perez Day 2 Highlights & Interview

Mike Weir started off his PGA Tour season with a bang on the Palmer Private course with a 10 under 62 for the first day of the 2009 Bob Hope Classic. Check out the video below he was definitely on with his short irons and short game.

Anthony Kim withdrew from this week's Bob Hope Classic because of a sore left shoulder, a big blow losing World #8 in a event with no real star power now.

"I'm very disappointed...especially considering it's played in Palm Springs, where I lived, and I had so many friends and family coming to watch," Kim said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We don't consider my shoulder to be anything too serious," he said. "I don't expect to miss extended time but it is important to be cautious with it at this early stage in the season."

So make sure you don't pick him this week in any of your Fantasy Golf Leagues.

Anthony Kim on hole #18 at Kapalua Day 3 and 4 using the New Nike SQ Dymo Driver.

With today's swearing in of President Barack Obama I think most people were quite reflective, I know I was. They were mainly centered on hope and optimism and the new blood in the White House. Bush see you later, hey Barack let's see what you can do.

So much talk lately is on the downward spiral of the economy and people just want to know they have a job to go to tomorrow. Most people's wishes for the future I'm sure are simple. I know for a fact a lot of people I talk have this same hope.

The other day I was talking to one of my contact in the golf industry and he was talking about how sales are down for the company he works for and he's seen in the area he works golf courses closing and turning into commercial real estate properties etc. He thinks he can ride it out just like most but today's changing of the guard has given him and most a reason for added hope.

Paul Casey stumbled a bit but managed to end a two-year stretch without a tournament victory yesterday when he won the Abu Dhabi Championship for the second time in three years. Hard to believe he hasn't won a tournament in that long he's had success in the Majors over the last while but without a victory could this be the start of something good for Casey.

Paul Casey Highlights

With the snow falling today (again) and watching the PGA Tour coming from Honolulu, Hawaii I couldn't help but think Spring is just around the corner, right! We'll be golfing soon right! Dammit I need to just book one of those travel deals you here about online and book it with out my wife realizing it involves playing golf. A few years ago we went to the Virgin Islands for a week during the March Break. Right now I'd settle for any place above 50 degrees and no snow. Well I guess the annual golf show is coming up soon. You have to remain positive, right!

Nice to see Adam Scott almost pull off a victory in Hawaii yesterday. His round of 64 was good for a tie for second place sure to put a smile on his face going into this week's European Tour Qatar Masters in United Arab Emirates where he's defending Champion. Here's some highlights from his final round 64.

Paul Casey's 63 could of been even better. His driver got him in a little trouble but his short game and scrambling was superb. Check out the highlights of his round below.

This time of the year I'm really getting the itch to golf but with cold temperatures obviously that will be awhile. Hitting a golf ball at a golf simulator or indoor range is col as well but not like the real think. So sometimes you have to do those little things that make the winter go a little faster like checking your grips and replacing when needed as well as checking your lie angles on your clubs. I know some guys have the capabilities to do this at home but I'm seriously thinking of doing this. It just involves a store that has the ability to do it. I'd also love to check out a few new drivers and get hooked up to one of those fancy Sony Vaio computers with ball flight software and get those crazy stats that the Golf channel spews out all weekend long during a tournament. Just curious you know.

Scotty Cameron is busy in Hawaii this week unveiling the new Tour Studio Select Kombi putters. There's lots of talk of them at the ever popular GolfWRX forum
In looks it look a lot like the Ping Craz-E you be the judge.

Well 6 of my picks are finished for the day and it looks like all will make the cut this week. There was more wind the second day especially in the afternoon. Here's how my picks did.

Ernie Els +1
Steve Marino -5
Luke Donald -3
DL III- still playin below the cut line of +2
Geoff Ogilvy- Still playing -6
Adam Scott -3
Steve Stricker -2

Day 1 Highlights

Some big names including Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Championship. With European Tour young gun Martin Kaymer this could be a battle to the end.

Day 1 Highlights

Geoff Ogilvy hit 75% of the fairways at Kapalua Resort’s Plantation Course with his New Cobra S9-1 Pro D Driver and beat an elite field of 2008 PGA Tour champions to open the 2009 PGA Tour season. Will he be able to continue his winning ways this week at the Sony Open which is a lot tighter course.

Geoff Ogilvy Using New Cobra S9-1 Pro D Driver

This is the time of the year I like to frequent the many golf forums getting the latest scoop on what the pros are putting in their bags at the beginning of the season. There's a few good forums that have great members who post some up close pictures of the pros with the latest Scotty Cameron putter or Nike or Titleist Drivers. These guys fill up their memory cards on their digital camera quick at these events like this week's Sony Open and post them on these golf forums for all of us golf starved golfers up here in frigid Canada (the windchill was -38 this morning) to see. I've posted a few links in the side column. Check them out.

Came across this beauty of a putter so commence drooling now. I've had my eye on some Studio Selects lately but this one is definitely very sweet and it's a No Reserve Auction as well.

Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport 2 360 Heavy 3X Tour

I love watching this guy he's exciting. Kim almost holes his second shot for double eagle with a 3-wood at the longest hole on the PGA TOUR at 663 yards par 18th hole The Plantation Course · Kapalua Resort, Maui, Hawaii. Enjoy.

One of the things I notice when I frequent the many golf forum I'm a member at is that there's a lot of guys out there that have an abundance of golf clubs. The maximum you can carry is 14 so why do so many golfers have so many "extra" clubs. Now I now that there's those out there that are collectors of certain clubs like Scotty Cameron but I'm talking those of use that have 3 or 4 drivers when really we only need one (OK I guess you could go 2 a la Mickelson). For me it's never being satisfied and always wanting something better, newer, shinier. I'll be the first to admit it. What about you? Does the old adage stand true the person with the most toys in the end wins?

With a few hiccups on his front 9 Geoff Ogilvy cruised on the back 9 for a 6 stroke lead over DL III and Anthony Kim. Congrats.

Ogilvy's Eagle On The 9th

Anders Hansen claimed his third European tour title on Sunday with a birdie at the last hole of the Joburg Open. He shot a 5-under-par 66good enough for a victory by one stroke over Andrew McLardy.

Retief Goosen, one of the pre-tournament favorites, had an eventful round, starting with two bogeys before picking up three birdies and then starting the back nine with five bogeys in six holes. He ended his round in spectacular fashion by sinking a three-iron for a double-eagle 2 two on the 18th. He had a smile on his face but he finished far down the leaderboard, at 7-under in a tie for 23rd.

When I went this past year to my first PGA Tour event I spent a lot of time around the practice area taking pictures and observing the Pros up close. I was interesting to see how some were more casual and relaxed where others look a little more tense. Most had their own flow to their practicing and the putting area was cool to see some with their training aids and putting devices. It made me feel not to bad when I'm in my backyard practicing with various homemade practice devices rigged together with old shafts and office furniture. Not that I'm trying for the Tour or anything but we all want to get better right.

This guy won a few weeks ago in Australia it he wasn't on my radar for Fantasy Picks this week. He's opened up a 6 shot lead after shooting a 65 today. Nice stuff Geoff. Will the crazy weather tomorrow bring him back to earth or open up a bigger lead. Enjoy the many great shots from Day 3 Mercedes-Benz Championship.

So how are your Fantasy Pick doing this week here's how my players are doing after Round 2 of the Mercedes-Benz Championship. Love seeing them hitting their drives 400+ yds and trying to hold the greens with those crazy trade winds.

Adam Scott- T10 (73-67)
Davis Love III- T4 (69-70)
Camillo Villegas- T12 (74-67)
Anthony Kim- T4 (71-68)
Ernie Els- 3rd (68-69)
Will MacKenzie- T15 (72-70)
Vijay Singh-T24 (73-73)

There's not a lot of big names in this week's field at the co sanctioned European Tour/Sunshine (South Africa) Tour's Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club Johannesburg, South Africa. But you will find the likes of Retief Goosen, defending champion Richard Sterne as well as Raphael Jacquelin, Henne Otto and Andrew McLardy. On a little side Canadian note you see Canadians Graham DeLaet and Wes Heffernan as well as London, Ont., resident Alan McLean teeing it up this week. They got in because the top available player on the previous year's Canadian Tour order of merit (limited to top five finishers) receives an exemption on the Sunshine Tour the following season while the top-50 receive associate membership status. Good stuff guys.

Day 1 Highlights

This time of the year in this part of the world you can only hit your golf clubs inside either at a place that has golf simulators or an indoor golf dome. I just happen the other day to get the itch to hit some balls so I went over to a local indoor dome. All I can say is things were a bit rusty not only with my swing but with many others there hitting balls as well. At one point I was thinking they might be even needing some extra safety equipment. A few balls came way to close to me for my liking but I guess that's the hazards at any driving range whether it's in the Winter or the Summer. I still highly recommend it to those who can go south to play and want to hit some balls. Spring can't get here soon enough.

I play in alot of Fantasy Golf leagues some have some great prizes others are just for bragging rights. If your looking at only playing one this year check out Stracka.com's new Fantasy Golf for 2009.

Here's how it works

1: Pick a foursome of PGA TOUR players for each tournament

2: Earn fantasy dollars based on your players earnings in each event

3: Score the most fantasy dollars and win weekly prizes, and a final grand prize (Master's Tickets for 2010) at the end of the season

Click here to sign up!

But the big thing is the prizes check them out:

The goal of the challenge is to accrue the most earnings by selecting pro golfers to compete for you over a season. The total winnings accrued by the 4 golfers in your lineup at the END of each tournament will be added to your total season winnings. Total season winnings are used to determine the season winners.

• Each Weekly Winner wins $50 plus 1 ticket for the Grand Prize
• Each Major Winner wins $100 plus 4 tickets for the Grand Prize
• The Person with the Most Points at the end of the season wins $300 plus 10 tickets to win the Grand Prize

There will be 33 regular weeks(33 tickets), 4 major winners(4x5=20 tickets), and one season winner(10 tickets). So each ticket will have a (one in 63) chance of winning the Grand Prize!

The Grand Prize will be 2 tickets to the Masters 2010 practice days (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) and hotel accommodations. That is a $10,000 value!

Check out the full rules and scoring now.

So it's a done deal Ottawa Golf Blog has bought a 2nd car and yes it does fit my clubs. Yes it's great on gas (1.6L engine) and doesn't look to bad but really when I brought it home today the first thing I checked was would it fit the clubs. I had to be sure as this will be the main car I use to get to work as well as to the golf course. I was a little scared after seeing the mechanics with there tools with spring plungers racing about the vehicle doing what they needed to do to get the car road worthy. I though it would be little as it only had 23,000 kms but after talking to the mechanics it was all just routine stuff. Now I just need the snow to melt so I can keep the clubs in there all the time.

For those making figuring out your Fantasy Leagues here's some updated info on when some players are planning to play.

Rory Sabbatini - Sabbatini's website shows the Sony Open in Hawaii, January 15-18 to be his 2009 season opener.
Tim Clark - Clark is scheduled to make his PGA Tour debut at the FBR Open.
Hunter Mahan - Mahan will make his 2009 debut at the FBR Open, USA Today reports.
Justin Leonard - Leonard will play in the season-opening Mercedes Championship, but is not listed in the field for the Sony Open.
Mike Weir - Weir will make his 2009 debut at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, USA Today reports.

Well it's certainly been a few interesting past days. I was doing a few things around the house before I have to go back to work stuff like some painting around the house as well as some modifications to my bathroom. Now I'm not the most handy of husbands and i usually have to be pushed a little to do these type of things but I can definitely say I know alot more about bathroom vanities than most guys. Yet two days ago I was happy when my wife said lets go look for a 2nd car (our 2nd car is definitely on it's way out). So of course I'm all over this as it's gets me away from those handyman duties. So for the last few days I've been car shopping and loving it. The only real criteria are good on gas can fit the kids in a pinch and of course fit my golf clubs. :)

I've been wondering about one of my favorite players on the PGA Tour lately and how his schedule would look this year as he finished at 143rd on the money last year. I'm talking about Jesper Parnevik that crazy smart dressing Swede. Well it looks like I finally know this from PGATour.com:

Jesper Parnevik will start 2009 on Conditional status, electing not to use a one-time, career money list exemption. Parnevik finished 143rd on the 2008 money list and 44th in career earnings, which would have allowed him to burn a one-time exemption allowed those inside the Top 50 all-time. But Parnevik is just 43 years old and will gain entry into 16-19 events in 2009 on merit alone. Plus, as a past champion, he is allowed unlimited sponsor's exemptions. It's likely that he wouldn't exhaust his career earnings exemption unless he finished outside the Top 150 in a single season.

Ok so now that the dust has settle from the holidays how did everything go for everyone. It definitely was a crazy 2 weeks for the Ottawa Golf Blog family. A little bit of traveling around with alot of celebratory meals and cocktails to boot. The only golf related items I got where some balls (Dunlop Loco M.A.D.) and a year subscription to Golf Digest. My favorite thing was my new cell phone (Motorola Razr V9m) love the MP3 player, camera and being able to surf the Web. Hopefully all the guys did well with gifts for the ladies in their lives it's not only about sexy lingerie I've learned that the hard way. Did manage to score a few points this year. Have a great new year everyone.

Had the pleasure of being interviewed by Patrick White of the Globe and Mail about an article he was doing on golf and how the downturn of the economy might effect those of us who just love to get out there and hit a little white ball into a hole. Check it out here:
A tough course ahead for golf clubs

Anthony Kim is one guy I'll be following again this coming year as he was exciting to watch, a wee bit cocky and I loved the way he putted the ball. Here's some action from the 2008 Chevron World Challenge. Holes #16 and #17 from Day 4. Enjoy.

This is the time of the year when I start to look at cheap flights down to Myrtle Beach and Florida because we can not golf here in Canada at this time of the year because we'd need a snow shovel and really warm long johns and of course a strong will so the only option is heading to a more Southerly oasis like some of the many courses dotted along the coast of Myrtle Beach. I would definitely pack my Samsonite luggage tomorrow but booking vacation in January or February can't be done in my case as family Summer vacation out rules Daddy going golfing in the Winter. So I can only look at my latest Golf Digest and maybe head to the local indoor golf simulator. :(

There were some great moments over the past year in golf from Tiger Wood's win at the U.S. Open to Padraig winning both the Open Championship and the PGA Championship. Oh remember back in April Trevor Immelman winning a green jacket. The Americans winning the Ryder Cup with emerging stars Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan. Can't forget VJ winning the FedEx Cup as well as Camillo Villegas winning the Tour Championship and the BMW Championship. Enjoy the video below of all the highlights from the past year.