In The Rough by Tom Brennan
Dec 26
Donald Trump buys Pine Hill Golf Course
Golf fanatic Donald Trump bought Pine Hill, the semipublic South Jersey club, yesterday and converted it, immediately, into an all-private playground. Pine Hill is one of the world's most coveted courses for its challenging terrain and cocoonlike isolation. Trump's plan, against a recessionary backdrop is to craft the 10-year-old course into a jewel for the high-status set. But entrée would come at a less pocket-burning price than the competition in its class.Trump bought Pine Hill for an undisclosed price from Empire Golf Management, the Pomona, N.Y., firm that built and designed the course a decade ago in Camden County. It had been a ramshackle, bankrupt ski resort before Empire came along. One reason for Trump's high-marketing ambitions at Pine Hill is that its terrain is similar to that of its illustrious neighbor, Pine Valley, whose undulating greens and breathtaking views are the rage of the upper-crust golfing set.
"The golf club sits atop a hill that's about 280 feet above sea level," said Pine Hill Mayor Fred Costantino, who had been told about the sale in advance. In winter snow, he said, "you're overlooking the trees and everything is so white and pristine. In the fall time, you're overlooking the trees and you see all the changing colors."
To attract a more cost-conscious golf tycoon the club will charge lower prices, so to speak. The Pine Hill course will be among the more affordable of the 11 clubs owned and managed by the golfing division of The Trump Organization. Trump's course in Westchester, N.Y., charges $300,000 to join and $37,500 a year in dues. That will not be the case in Pine Hill.
Dec 19
PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem on Friday announced Marc Leishman as PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year.
Pablo Martin leads South African Open
Golf.com reports the 23 year old Spaniard, Pablo Martin moved into position for back to back victorys, shooting a 4-under 68 on Friday in the South African Open to take a two-stroke lead over Denmark's Anders Hansen.Starting on the back nine, Martin birdied the 10th, 12th and 16th before running up a double-bogey 6 on the 17th. - ouch! With a birdie on the 18th, he bounced back to turn in 34. Hansen scored six birdies in his round, but also a double-bogey 6 on the first and dropped another shot on the eighth.
It's lonely at the Top...
US Weekly magazine reported Tiger Woods has been "clearing his head" after therapy sessions with his wife Elin Nordegren visiting a local golf course near his Florida home at night. A source said: "He goes after dark so he can't be seen. For him, what's more therapeutic than hitting golf balls, the thing he's best at in the whole world?"
Wood's wife, Elin Nordegren, has hired hot shot divorce lawyer Sorrell Troupe — who has previously represented Britney Spears, Cary Grant and Nicole Kidman, — to negotiate the end of her five-year marriage.
Dec 17
Divorce and Dope for Athlete of the Decade
Sources close to Woods' wife, Elin Nordegren, told ABC News.com Wednesday that a divorce is 100 percent on.
The 29-year-old former model, was recently photographed without her wedding ring.
"It would not appear that Elin Nordegren is going to be standing by her man," Kate Coyne, senior editor at People Magazine, told "Good Morning America." "Sources have told us that Elin has told us this marriage is over and she is looking to divorce."
Not a week after taking an indefinite leave from golf Tiger Woods finds his name back in the media, though this time it is not connected to his infamous sex scandal. Tuesday the AP broke a story that one of Tiger Woods’ doctors, Dr. Anthony Galea, is being investigated by the FBI after being suspected of providing performance enhancing drugs to athletes.
The first incident surrounding Galea and these accusations with PED’s dates back to late September, where the New York Times said he was stopped at the US-Canadian border with HGH (Human Growth Hormone) and Actovegin (a drug derived from calf’s blood). Actovegin is illegal to use or sell in the United States, as well as the importing of it into the country. A few weeks later Galea was arrested in Toronto by Canadian officials.
The FBI started the investigation when medical records were found on Galea’s computer which linked him, coupled with suspicious activity, to several professional athletes. No names or ultimately condemning information has been released, as what little information that was leaked was done so by anonymous sources who are trying not to interfere with an ongoing investigation.
Tiger’s relationship with Dr. Galea stems from several visits early in 2009 where Woods met with Galea to receive a blood spinning (platelet plasma therapy) procedure that helps aid in post surgery recovery.
(Tiger’s) Agent Mark Steinberg having been approached by the media regarding the breaking story wrote in an e-mail, “I would really ask that you guys don’t write this? If Tiger is NOT implicated, and won’t be, let’s please give the kid a break.”
From there the story gets interesting as Galea reportedly said Woods was referred to him by Steinberg’s company IMG (International Management Group), but Steinberg insists that is not the case, and the New York Times is “falsely reporting” that information.
The case is still pending in Canada with a court date on Friday for Dr. Galea.
Dec 13
Life without Tiger?
Woods announced Friday he was taking a break from professional golf and admitted he had cheated on wife Elin with at least 10 women.
Woods, who has a son and daughter with Elin, said he wanted to work on being a better husband, father and person. stunned rivals said they looked forward to his return after an indefinite break in his golfing career and corporate sponsors pondered their future cooperation with the billionaire athlete.
"Tiger’s shameful acts should be punished," said New York’s Daily News tabloid.
New York’s Daily News reports that AT&T, Gillette are pulling back and phasing Tiger out.
CBS sport columnist Gregg Doyel, "the common-man" took an ironic look at Americans’ obsession with the downfall of a legend.
"This is Tiger Woods, people. Probably the most famous athlete in the world," he wrote in his column. "I’m supposed to be interested in his club selection from 176 yards (161 meters) out but not in his voracious sexual appetite? Please."
Australian golf legend Greg Norman said those should be his priorities for now. "It’s not a good position to be in," Norman said. "He has to sort out his private life first and foremost. There’s a lot of heartache for him. There may be some fallout. There are individuals who may have to change. "The important thing is he gets it right and does what he has to do to get himself back out on the golf course. Tiger will come out of this."
How will a prolonged absence by the game’s greatest player will hit the sport. Television viewership was down 50% when he was out with a knee injury and a tough economy has already cut into golf sponsorships.
"We will support his desire for privacy by limiting his role in our marketing programs," a Gillette statement said without announcing a timetable for the resumption of use of Woods’s image.
Accenture took down an image of Woods on its Web site and AT&T, which backs the PGA event operated by Woods’s foundation, said in a statement, "We are presently evaluating our ongoing relationship with him."
Nike, Woods’s largest corporate partner with a deal estimated at $40 million a year,has stood by him. "He is the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of his era," Nike spokeswoman Beth Gast said.
"Nike and EA Sports are making no changes in their business relationships with Tiger Woods", reported by , James Hirsen, of the examiner.com
"I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness," Woods said.
"We’re still a very morally sound sport," US veteran Jerry Kelly said. "The corporate world, they love Tiger and they love attaching to that superstar athlete, but there’s a lot to be gained from the PGA."
"It’s a shock. It was most definitely a shock to everybody to hear what has been going on," third-ranked US golfer Steve Stricker said. "Hopefully he gets it straight. Staying away is a great thing to get his family life in order."
"We’re definitely going to miss him," Stricker said. "We all know what he brings when he comes to an event -- increased awareness and increased crowds.
PGA veteran Brad Faxon agreed that Woods is vital to the PGA’s future.
"We’re all hoping Tiger comes back and he fixes everything he needs to fix because we need him out here," Faxon said. "He’s such a dynamic personality and I know [people] want to have him out on tour as soon as we can get him."
Dec 12
By Tiger Woods
From tigerwoods.com
I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try.
I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding. What's most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.
After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.
Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.
Tiger Woods to quit golf? The newest round of rumors coming out surrounding the embattled golf superstar is <>Tiger’s wife Elin has made an ultimatum, it’s her or golf. British tabloid “The Sun” who has had a field day with the Wood’s scandal, publishing such stories as "Tiger mistress wants STD tests", "Tiger Woods is horrible in bed", and most recently "Tiger paid ‘37k pounds’ ($60,000 American) for escorts", broke the news.
Upon first look the story is rather dire considering the repercussions in the golf world, but is over sensationalized in its bid for attention. The Orlando Sentinel who also ran with the story further expounded. The alleged ultimatum, as reported, apparently said that Elin wanted Tiger to put his golf career on hiatus until he was able to regain her trust, or until the couple’s children are of age to go on tour with the duo. As of Friday afternoon reputable news sources such as ESPN and Yahoo! Sports are not running with the story.
On the flip side not all news coming out of the United Kingdom on Friday was bad for Woods, as Woods won an injunction in London’s high court Thursday. The injunction handled by the British law Firm Schillings, a reputable firm which specializes in matters of celebrity image protection, was meant to block any forms of media containing Tiger Woods nude or having sexual relations. The firm was also compelled to release a statement following the injunction stating that “this Order is not to be taken as an admission that any such photographs exist.”
Reuters citing TMZ published the actual wording of the courts decision, where in the UK it is prohibited to leak “Any photographs, footage or images taken or obtained of the Claimant naked or any naked parts of the Claimant’s body or of him involved in any sexual activity.”
Dec 8
A new week has brought new drama for Tiger Woods, following a car crash, and his alleged scandals with multiple extra-marital lovers last week.
After news broke early last week about Tiger Woods’ car accident and the story given as to its questionable cause, paparazzi “news” outlets such as TMZ had a field day when names of possible mistresses were released to the public. As the week went on things only got worse for Woods when it was reported that wife Elin Woods had demanded a restructuring of their prenuptial agreement; reportedly the life span of the contract was lowered, she was awarded an immediate payment of as much as $5 million dollars, and the possible newly agreed payout on the backend as much as quadrupled from the initial agreement. Lastly, and probably least relevantly, Tiger’s alleged indiscretions have further alienated him from the black community on news that his possible infidelities against his Nordic wife were with three more white women.
So what does this already new news week have to offer the embattled Tiger Woods?
Monday brought the breaking of a story by New York Daily News that Elin Woods has reportedly purchased a $2 million dollar mansion, an isolated island home, named “Faglaro Mansion”. When Swedish news outlets broke that it was purchased with her twin sister Josefin, no doubt speculations of Elin’s intentions with the children and the future of her marriage to Tiger are going to spiral out of control.
Sadly, Tuesday was no better for any party involved, as the AP broke a story early Tuesday morning that Barbro Holmberg was taken to the ER at Health Central Hospital. Citing “stomach pains”, she was carted by ambulance after a 911 at some point after 2:30am EST. Fortunately it sounds as if everything is alright, Holmberg is listed as in “stable condition”, and her condition is “not serious”.
Hopefully Wednesday brings better news for Woods, one can only guess where any new news in this current saga would come from, and how it would look for Tiger.
Dec 5
Check out PlayonGolf's new News and Video PageThings keep getting better for Tiger Woods, following his car accident, allegations of infidelity, and misdirected public apologies. TMZ.com and the Daily Beast, two groups representing the bane of Woods’ existence, are reporting that Tiger is currently in the process of restructuring his prenuptial agreement with his wife Elin. Reports of the initial prenup where in the ballpark of $20 million dollars for a ten year time frame, which started back when the couple wed in 2004. New reports about the restructuring are lowering the agreement to a seven year time frame, coupled with an immediate $5 million dollar payout to Elin, which she would have sole control over the money received. Additionally it is being reported that the sum of the overall contract is being spiked to $55 million for two more years upon revision. The Daily Beast, coupled with the reports from TMZ.com, still state that the new deal could in reality be worth an estimated $80 million dollars, if Elin were to stay with Tiger for an additional time frame that is yet determined, but would apparently be an additional seven years following the current restructuring. The source being used is naturally an unnamed lawyer with “familiar with the hastily conducted negotiations of the past 72 hours”. Giving some credibility to the story however, was a report made December 3rd by Chicago Sun Times writer Bill Zwecker, where he released information about Elin’s demands to rewrite the prenup.
Nov 30
Tiger Woods on Sunday gave his side of the story from his Web site and not to police. He took the blame for the car crash that gave him bruises and public scrutin.Tiger's troubles
Sports blogger, Yardbarker "Sports by Brooks" continues to monitor all the twists and turns of the Tiger Woods saga.
* Photos of the alleged mistress
* Nike gives Tiger cover to blow off public
* Agent: Tiger not talking to cops
* 20 questions about Tiger's accident
* Photos of Tiger's smashed SUV
His statement failed to clear up any questions about the middle-of-the-night accident outside his Isleworth estate in which his wife told police she used a golf club to smash the back windows of the Cadillac SUV to help him out.
"This situation is my fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me," Woods said on his Web site. "I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again." Courtesy AP Wire.
Nov 27
Tiger Woods was hospitalized early Friday morning in Jacksonville, Florida, following a car crash near his property as he was pulling out of his driveway. The report was suppressed for 12 hours, by the Florida Highway Patrol, with the accident taking place slightly after 2am EST.
Initial reports were overstated listing Woods as “critical” after a "car crash"; police who arrived at the scene were greeted by the troubling sight of Tiger’s wife, Elin Nordegren, standing over him as he was going in and out of consciousness. Woods was reportedly pulled from the car by his wife who smashed out the back windshield after hearing the accident from inside the house. Following the accident where Tiger ran into a fire hydrant and tree, Woods was taken to Health Central Hospital and later released in "good" condition: Reports to the extent of his injuries are listed as facial lacerations.
The Florida Highway Patrol say that alcohol was not involved, and there were no other injuries, as Woods was the sole party in the accident, still there is possibility that charges could be filed. Wood's website TigerWoods.com, issued the following statement about the accident:
"From Health Central Hospital and Tiger's Woods' office:
Tiger Woods was in a minor car accident outside his home last night.
He was admitted, treated and released today in good condition.
We appreciate very much everyone's thoughts and well wishes."
Nov 15
Tiger Woods was able to persevere in the land down under, out playing his opponents down the stretch and claiming the JBWere Australian Masters for his own. A day after an even showing left Tiger in a three way tie for first, Woods stepped up his play, turning in a 4-under performance en route to an overall score of 14-under on the weekend. This was Tiger’s 7th tournament victory on the year, and on top of the win, Woods also collected a sizable “appearance” fee to the tune of $3 million dollars for his troubles. This is almost the end of the road for Tiger on the 2009 season, with only one tournament remaining, being the Chevron World Challenge next month in December.
The Children’s Miracle Network Classic from Florida came down to the wire as Stephen Ames walks away with the win after holding off George Mcneill and Justin Leonard in a playoff.
Ames who was three shots off of the lead coming into the final round at 10-under, was on fire in the fourth and final round. He played an amazing round Sunday dropping nine birdies (one bogey), including three consecutive on the back nine on holes 12-14, tying the best round of the weekend at 8-under. Despite the solid play, Ames had a lot of ground to make up, as Justin Leonard and George Mcneill maintained their standings, both producing 5-under rounds. Ames walks away with a shade under $850,000 for the win.
Justin Leonard nearly had the victory, but he missed a 16 foot putt for birdie in regulation, a shot that was accompanied by a premature celebration before rimming out. Despite his solid effort of five birdies in regulation, Leonard was the first man out in the playoff leaving two putts short, bogeying the 18th hole. George Mcneill, who started out the front nine with a hot start, sinking two birdies and an eagle through the first five holes, slowed on the turn where he followed up a birdie with back-to-back bogeys. Mcneill ultimately lost the playoff after a 6 foot putt narrowly missed, giving Ames his second victory in three attempts at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic.
A major sticking point of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic is how it affects exempt status for the 2010 PGA season, as it is the last event, and those who are outside of the top 125 on the money list will lose their card. One such notable is David Duval, formerly ranked number 1 in the world, who was ranked 125 on the money coming into this weekend. Unfortunately for Duval, he missed the cut after going 5-over through the first two rounds. This finish will more than likely move him south of the top 130: Even so Duval is still ranked in the top 150 which will keep him in some PGA action on conditional status, place due to name sake he should be able to pull exemptions from sponsors.
Rickie Fowler more than likely missed his window to get exempt status for next year, after finishing even on the final round and 6-under overall. Fowler’s take is a little more than $17,000, added to his total of $553,000; it is short of what he needed to climb into the top 125 on the money list. It however is not the end of the world for the 20 year old, as he will again have a chance to qualify at “Q school” in December.
In LPGA news, Michelle Wie has finally won her first tournament. It came down to the wire, but Wie was able to hold off the field as she rode a 3-under final round to a score of 13-under overall, taking the Lorena Ochoa invitational by two strokes. It’s been a long time coming for Wie, who only a month ago turned 20, but who has been playing at the professional level since 2005. She has had many near victories this year alone, twice finishing 2nd and twice finishing 3rd in LPGA events. It’s nice to finally see Wie get the win, as she played her first USGA event at 10, and her first LPGA event at the age of 12.
Nov 14
After three rounds of play, there is a 4-way tie at the Children’s Miracle Network classic at 13-under. Mathias Gronberg was able to jump the ranks to the top after going 6-under round, where after starting the front nine only one under, Gronberg dropped five birdies, catching Justin Leonard and George Mcneill. Justin Leonard, who was 12-under through the first two rounds, followed up his eleven birdie (three bogey) performance with a near even round of four birdies and three bogeys.
Justin Rose, who opened the event with a 7-under, went 3-under for the second day in a row, but has still maintained to stay in first. Rose opened the front nine rather slow, going even with one birdie and a bogey, but turned things on going for four birdies between holes 11 and 16. George Mcneill on the other hand was at best inconsistent, and had both an extremely shaky start and finish. Mcneill opened the round with a bogey on the first hole, but managed to come up 1-under after through the front nine after dropping a bogey on the 9th hole. From there he went on a tear with eagles on the 10th and 14th holes (with a birdie on 13) on 30+ foot putts, but relinquished a two stroke lead after bogeying the 17th hole, and double bogeying the 18th hole to close out.
Rickie Fowler was able to get slightly back on track a day after erasing a 6-under opening round with a 3-over performance. Fowler played a quiet round with three birdies, but was only able to climb into a tie for 31st a day after his 75 shot performance. Hopefully Fowler can get back on track as the 20 year old is trying to crack the top 125 on the PGA money list to get his exemption status for next year, a feat that seemed a lot more plausible Thursday when he sat in second place.
<>bTiger Woods struggled today at the JBWere Masters in Melbourne Australia, finishing the third round in a tie for first. Woods who opened the round in a tie for first blew a three shot lead, and ended the third round at even following a 4-under performance on Friday. Woods remained positive despite the set back, stating he was happy with his performance in so far as he could have “easily played myself straight out of the tournament”. Woods has some work to do tomorrow if he wishes to get the win against a field that was initial scoffed at due to its field only have two players officially ranked in the top 50 in the world.
Nov 08
The HSBC Champions - Shanghai, China,
Phil Mickelson was able to hold off Ernie Els to win the World Golf Championships-HSBC from Sheshan International Golf Course in Shanghai, China. Mickelson closed out the fourth round with a 3-under, bringing his four day total to 17-under, but it was anything but an easy victory. Coming down to the final three holes Mickelson was trailing Ernie Els, who was on a rampage today going 9-under on the round. Mickelson was down one at the 16th, but managed to save par after a rough approach when he sunk a putt from almost 20 feet out. He followed that amazing putt with a 10 foot shot for birdie, which turned out to be the deciding factor when Els bogeyed the 18th hole after hitting his ball in the drink.
Tiger Woodsb. had an unspectacular finish on the day, going even in his pairing with Mickelson. Tiger was 12-under coming into the round, but struggled mightily missing two putts from within 10 feet, and going for double bogey on fourth hole. Tiger Woods has struggled closing out the final rounds lately, a problem which surfaced after a colossal meltdown at the PGA Championship where Tiger dropped the tournament to Y.E. Yang after going 3-over in the final round. Even if Tiger has struggled closing as out late (three 2nd place finishes in his last five events, with one victory), Tiger has only finished outside of 10th place twice since March, finishing 74th with a missed cut at the PGA Open Championship, and an 11th place finish at the Deutsche Bank Championship in September.
This was yet another amazing finish for Mickelson who had trouble adjusting to PGA play after receiving terrible news in May that his wife Amy had breast cancer, and, roughly six weeks later that his mother had been diagnosed with the disease as well. Since the news originally broke in may, Mickelson’s best finish was a 2nd place tie at the US Open (mid June); all of his efforts seemingly in vain with his next best finish being a 27th place finish at the Deutsche Bank Championship. However for the second straight event, Mickelson has bested rival Tiger Woods, where he last beat him at the end of September at the Tour Championship; this was Phil’s first time besting Woods while playing in the final group with him. Phil will be receiving a little over $800,000 for the victory.
Nov 05
The HSBC Champions has kicked off from Shanghai, China,
being the first World Golf Championship event in Asia. The early leader is Nick Watney, who managed to drop a score of 8-under at 64, which tied the course record. Watney is trailed by Shane Lowry, Ryan Moore, and Martin Kaymer who all sit in 2nd place after going 6-under. American notables Tiger Woods and Anthony Kim had a strong early showing, finishing in a four-way tie for 5th at 5-under. Both have had an interesting week early, where Woods as per usual finds himself adjusting to all the cameras and the limelight, and Kim had struggled with Visa issues. The other big American name to make the trip was Phil Mickelson who had a solid start at 3-under, leaving him tied in 13th place. Despite a few notable names, the HSBC Champions and its $7 million dollar purse seems a little lacking as many of the top names declined to make the trip.
American golfer Anthony Kim has opted to skip out on the “Dubai World Championship”. Kim has easily qualified for the event sitting 39th in the European Tour rankings out of the 60 man pool, one week after finishing behind Ross Fisher in the World Match Play Championship. There isn’t any major issue for the withdrawal, Kim cited that he merely wants the week off to see his parents, and presumably get some rest: Following the President’s Cup Kim has found himself going from Las Vegas to Spain, currently in China, and next week he is heading to New Zealand for the Kiwi Challenge exhibition. Kim also cited for next year a desire to concentrate more on the PGA Tour. It’s not like Kim was terrible this year on the PGA Tour, where he had three top-3 finishes, although one can imagine he is looking to step his game up after failing to finish better than 23rd since placing 3rd in the RBC Canadian Open in late July.
Earlier this week, Doug Barron made PGA history. It wasn’t for a setting a record round, or besting a top player in an upset. Doug Barron, a career golf journeyman, became the first man to be banned by the PGA’s drug policy when he tested positive for a banned substance. The PGA will only be disclosing the penalty however, a one year ban, and not the substance responsible. It would seem this all doesn’t really matter though as Barron has done little of note in years outside of a 3rd place finish in 2006 at the Byron Nelson Championship.
There is one issue being raised with the ban, and that is where the PGA refuses to reference the drug in question. Currently under the barely year old anti-doping policy, it is not required to divulge the information, which in turn leads to much speculation. Was it recreational drugs that caused the ban? A false positive perhaps? Barron who has never won in 238 events, had been taking medication for various conditions during the course of the year, and had been playing on the Nation Wide tour with a medical exemption. Fellow golfer Phil Mickelson was perhaps the most sympathetic, stating how he thought it was more than likely a mix up, citing his faith in his fellow players to not bend the rules.
