Some of Indonesia's top young golfers will have a chance to compete for a place in the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final when the Faldo Series Indonesia Championship tees off at the Damai Indah Golf BSD Course on the new dates of November 22-23.
One of the favourites to claim the fourth edition of the Indonesia Championship when it returns to the BSD Course will be Fahmi Reza who finished as the leading Indonesian player at the last Grand Final in March. Watched by six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo, the 19 year-old from Jakarta returned a 10-over-par total of 226 over three rounds at Mission Hills Golf Club in China to finish third in the Boys' Under-18 age-group and claim a top 20 finish overall.
Reza will be up against over 60 of his compatriots at the regular Tour venue in Jakarta as he bids to book a return trip to the fifth Grand Final at Shenzhen's Mission Hills. The mixed field will be divided into five age categories, three for boys (Under-21, Under-18 and Under-16) and two for girls (Under-21 and Under-16), and the winner of each category over 36 holes will qualify for the R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event next March.
In addition to providing opportunities for talented golfers, the Faldo Series Asia also aims to help the younger generation gain access to golf at its tournaments. Damai Indah Golf will invite over 50 children from the local community to attend the Indonesia Championship for a free golf clinic and the chance to watch the competitors in action.
Underwritten by Faldo himself, the Faldo Series Asia is supported by major partners ISPS, Mission Hills and The R&A. It is also backed by official golf wear partner Alpine Creations and official equipment supplier TaylorMade and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Federation (APGC).
Further to the success of the Faldo Series Europe, launched in 1996, the Faldo Series Asia was established in 2006 to help develop the region's next generation of champions. Over 30 tournaments now take place in more than 25 countries across the UK, Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia and former Faldo Series winners include Rory McIlroy, Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, John Parry, Melissa Reid, Florentyna Parker and Yani Tseng, all of whom have since won on Tour.
The 2010/2011 Faldo Series Asia schedule features a record 17 tournaments in 12 different countries including six in mainland China plus others in The Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Bahrain, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia and Thailand.
For details on entry into the fourth Faldo Series Indonesia Championship at Damai Indah Golf BSD Course on November 22-23, please visit www.damaiindah-golf.com. For more information on the Faldo Series visit www.nickfaldo.com or follow the Faldo Series on Facebook.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Record Breaker Ito Wins Faldo Series Europe Grand Final
Ito carded a closing round of two over par 74 for a two under par three round aggregate of 214 to finish four shots ahead of fellow Asian, Yi-Chen Liu, and six shots in front of England's Jack Colgate and Poland's Adrian Meronk.
Ito's victory meant that he became the first Asian golfer to win the Faldo Series Europe Boys' title. The Japanese youngster also became the first golfer to claim both the Faldo Series Europe and Faldo Series Asia titles and he superseded European Tour star Nick Dougherty as the youngest golfer to claim the Faldo Series Europe title at the age of 15 years and 46 days.
Liu began the day with a three shot lead over England's Abi Laker and she became the first Asian to win the Faldo Series Europe Girls' title when she closed with a three under par 69 that saw her finish five shots ahead of English Curtis Cup player, Holly Clyburn, on two over par 218.
Laker fell back with a closing 82 but her consolation was to claim a single shot victory over Ireland's Chloe Ryan in the Girls' Under-16 age group category. The other four age group winners after three days of gruelling competition over the testing Faldo Course were England's Hugo Dobson (Boys' Under-21), England's Jack Colegate (Boys' Under-18), Ito (Boys' Under-16) and Liu (Girls' Under-21). All now qualify to play in the 2011 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final to be played next March at Mission Hills, China. Ito and Liu will also be invited to play in a professional Tour event.
Ito came into the Faldo Series Europe Grand Final with the record as the youngest golfer ever to make the cut at a Japan Golf Tour event and he displayed all of his precocious talent with three rounds of 70, 70 and 74 to leave a strong international field comprising 81 golfers from 18 different countries trailing in his wake.
The diminutive Japanese golfer, who won his Faldo Series Asia title at Mission Hills in March, began the day with a fright when he hit his second shot into the water at the 367-yard par-4 1st but he recovered to post a bogey and then got that shot back on the 370-yard par-4 7th to go out in level par 37.
He dropped two more shots when he found water at the 321-yard par-4 10th but recovered his composure with a birdie on the 554-yard par-5 14th and then closed in style with a 5-iron to 10-feet for a birdie in front of a large crowd on the last.
"It's a great feeling to win and add this title to the Faldo Series Asia title I won in March," he said. "I didn't know until a few minutes ago that I am the first person to win both titles but that makes me very proud."
"I’m very tired but also very happy."
Liu claimed a comprehensive five shot victory in the Girls' event and came within four shots of catching Ito at the top of the leaderboard with a marvelous three under par 69 that included no less than three birdie twos.
She was level par for the day when she carded the first of those twos on the 174-yard par-3 5th and went to three under when she registered the same score at the 148-yard par-3 15th after a bogey on the 7th and birdies on the 11th and 12th. She made her sixth birdie of the day on the 491-yard par-5 16th but then dropped two shots when she hit her second into the water on the 304-yard par-4 17th before recovering in style with a 6-iron and a 9-foot putt for her third two of the day on the 153-yard par-3 18th.
"It was an exciting way to finish," said Liu. "For the first time all week I felt good with the putter and that was the difference between today and the first two days."
"I can't believe I have won," she added. "I came over here to do my best but it wasn't until we finished on Tuesday that I began to think I could win."
"It's a great honour to win a trophy with Sir Nick Faldo's name on it and I'd like to thank him for all he's done for us this week."
Sir Nick Faldo, the eponymous Faldo Series founder, and six-time Major champion, congratulated both Ito and Liu for their outstanding victories: "Both Masamichi and Yi-Chen played marvelous golf and fully deserved their victories. Golf is now a truly international game and that message was reinforced with the results today."
"I have had a tremendous week," Faldo added. "It's been great fun watching the competitors on the course and also helping them off the course. That's why I set up the Faldo Series and it's very gratifying to see how much it has grown since we started it back in 1996."
It turned out to a disappointing day for the local Irish contingent at Lough Erne Resort. 2010 Faldo Series Ireland Champion Conor Glynn (Carton House) climbed up to a tie for tenth overall with a fine closing 71 while Kieran Lynch (Skibbereen & West Carberry) was tied 14th after a 76 and Patrick Small (Bangor) was 26th after posting the same score on the last day. 16-year old Chloe Ryan (Castleroy) posted a final round 80 and suffered the anguish of finishing second one shot behind England's Abi Laker in the Girls' Under-16 age group category.
That meant Ryan narrowly missed out on a trip to Mission Hills, China, for the 2011 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final.
The final day of the 2010 Faldo Series Europe Grand Final was completed when the assembled field watched Faldo, former Faldo Series winner, Rory McIlroy, the Touring Professional at Lough Erne Resort, and the five age-group winners take part in a one-club challenge over the 17th and 18th holes. McIlroy also joined the six-time Major winner for the subsequent gala dinner and prize presentation.
The Faldo Series Europe Grand Final is an R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event. It is supported by The R&A, the European Tour and the Lough Erne Resort. It is also backed by the PGA.
Full final results can be found at www.nickfaldo.com.
Winning Products, Truth Or Fables
Today I received my monthly Adidas Golf newsletter and this is what they wrote:
Pure Victory: Jim Furyk and adidas Golf adiPURE footwear victorious at The Tour Championship
Furyk clinches first FedEx Cup title with third win of the season at East Lake Golf Club.
adidas Golf Tour Staff professional Jim Furyk battled wind, rain and a top-ranked field to win the final stage in the FedEx Cup playoffs, The Tour Championship, by one stroke. Leading at 8-under going into the 18th, Furyk made par in a steady rain to seal the victory and earned enough points to capture his first FedEx Cup trophy as well.
It's pretty funny how equipment-, ball- and now shoe companies claim that victories on the PGA tour are achieved by using their respective product. Opportunism pur sang, I would say. All these companies still do not understand that unless your name is (or rather was) Tiger, skill and talent and "form of the week" as well as fading away of contenders on Sunday afternoon are the only factors that will make a golfer win a tournament.
Do golf product companies truly believe that golfers are stupid?
By claiming the above victory, does Adidas truly believe that golfers will now rush to the shop to buy the same shoes Furyk wore and then go try and win the next monthly medal or club tournament? I don't think so!
Take my case and take the stuff Tiger uses. The man endorses Nike product. I have tried using Nike clubs on many occasions but, and perhaps because I severely lack talent, I have never been able to hit a descent shot with Nike clubs, be it irons, fairway woods or driver.
Meanwhile back at the ranch! Winning 11,35 million US dollars in a tournament that allowed him to kill two birds with one stone (Tour Championship and the FedEx trophy) boils down to the fabulous player Furyk is. Winning three times on the tour this year and 16 times overall is not a small feat and this truly has nothing to do with what he wears to cover his feet.
Now it's waiting for a (golf) product company that will take advertising to "the next level" by advertising the underwear a certain PGA winner wore during his or her final day and on route to a Tour win. For all the stupid male golfers out there, I certainly hope it's not going to be a bra. That will be the day!
By the way, the last time I pocketed a little over 11,35 million was when I sold my 25-year old Wrangler Jeep. Unfortunately this amount came in rupiahs.
Pure Victory: Jim Furyk and adidas Golf adiPURE footwear victorious at The Tour Championship
Furyk clinches first FedEx Cup title with third win of the season at East Lake Golf Club.
adidas Golf Tour Staff professional Jim Furyk battled wind, rain and a top-ranked field to win the final stage in the FedEx Cup playoffs, The Tour Championship, by one stroke. Leading at 8-under going into the 18th, Furyk made par in a steady rain to seal the victory and earned enough points to capture his first FedEx Cup trophy as well.
It's pretty funny how equipment-, ball- and now shoe companies claim that victories on the PGA tour are achieved by using their respective product. Opportunism pur sang, I would say. All these companies still do not understand that unless your name is (or rather was) Tiger, skill and talent and "form of the week" as well as fading away of contenders on Sunday afternoon are the only factors that will make a golfer win a tournament.
Do golf product companies truly believe that golfers are stupid?
By claiming the above victory, does Adidas truly believe that golfers will now rush to the shop to buy the same shoes Furyk wore and then go try and win the next monthly medal or club tournament? I don't think so!
Take my case and take the stuff Tiger uses. The man endorses Nike product. I have tried using Nike clubs on many occasions but, and perhaps because I severely lack talent, I have never been able to hit a descent shot with Nike clubs, be it irons, fairway woods or driver.
Meanwhile back at the ranch! Winning 11,35 million US dollars in a tournament that allowed him to kill two birds with one stone (Tour Championship and the FedEx trophy) boils down to the fabulous player Furyk is. Winning three times on the tour this year and 16 times overall is not a small feat and this truly has nothing to do with what he wears to cover his feet.
Now it's waiting for a (golf) product company that will take advertising to "the next level" by advertising the underwear a certain PGA winner wore during his or her final day and on route to a Tour win. For all the stupid male golfers out there, I certainly hope it's not going to be a bra. That will be the day!
By the way, the last time I pocketed a little over 11,35 million was when I sold my 25-year old Wrangler Jeep. Unfortunately this amount came in rupiahs.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Anthony Kim, Y.E. Yang Headline OneAsia’s Kolon Korea Open
Cheonan, September 23, 2010: PGA Tour star Anthony Kim will make his OneAsia debut when he competes in next month’s Kolon Korea Open, which will be held at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club in Cheonan, south of Seoul, from October 7-10.
Y.E. Yang, Asia's first Major winner who has won two titles on the PGA Tour, will also compete in the 53rd edition of the prestigious event, which offers a purse of KRW1 billion.
Kim will be a popular draw as the 25-year-old Korean American sensation bids to win the event for the first time after finishing joint third in 2008 behind champion Bae Sang-moon, who also won last year, and Ian Poulter.
Kim, the world number 19, won his third PGA Tour title at the Shell Houston Open in April and finished third at the Masters the following week, but was out of action for three months following thumb surgery in May.
"Although my condition is not great after my thumb injury, I definitely want to win the Kolon Korea Open as it’s the country’s biggest tournament. I regret I only finished in a share of third two years ago," said Kim, who gained global attention for playing a starring role in the USA's Ryder Cup victory in 2008.
Yang, 38, will be bidding for his second Kolon Korea Open title following his win in 2006 and also gunning for a second OneAsia win after his impressive victory in April's Volvo China Open.
"The Korea Open is an unforgettable tournament for me," said Yang, who won last year's PGA Championship to become the first Asia-born winner of a Major.
"I won the 49th Korea Open in 2006 and that helped me qualify for the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, where I beat Tiger Woods to win the tournament. That changed my life," added the Texas-based father of three, the current world number 40.
Other star attractions include Danny Lee, the 20-year-old Korea-born New Zealander who won last year's Johnnie Walker Classic as an amateur.
The Kolon Korea Open attracts a strong field and past champions include former world number one Vijay Singh (2007), two-time Major winner John Daly (2003), Spaniard Sergio Garcia (2002) and Korean legend K.J. Choi (1996, 1999), a seven-time PGA Tour winner.
The Kolon Korea Open is the seventh tournament on this year's OneAsia schedule and will be followed by the Midea China Classic in Shunde from October 14-17. The 2010 OneAsia season will conclude with the Australian Open (December 2-5) and PGA Championship of Australia (December 9-12).
The Kolon Korea Open will be showcased on OneAsia's television platform with live coverage for four hours a day across all four tournament days, and broadcast to over 260 million homes in more than 40 countries.
Full coverage of the event will be available on SBS Golf Channel, ESPN Star Sports, Jupiter Golf Network, Fox International, Network Ten, Sky Sports NZ, ESPN3 & America One in the USA, ViaSat & Bloomberg Television among others in Europe.
Y.E. Yang, Asia's first Major winner who has won two titles on the PGA Tour, will also compete in the 53rd edition of the prestigious event, which offers a purse of KRW1 billion.
Kim will be a popular draw as the 25-year-old Korean American sensation bids to win the event for the first time after finishing joint third in 2008 behind champion Bae Sang-moon, who also won last year, and Ian Poulter.
Kim, the world number 19, won his third PGA Tour title at the Shell Houston Open in April and finished third at the Masters the following week, but was out of action for three months following thumb surgery in May.
"Although my condition is not great after my thumb injury, I definitely want to win the Kolon Korea Open as it’s the country’s biggest tournament. I regret I only finished in a share of third two years ago," said Kim, who gained global attention for playing a starring role in the USA's Ryder Cup victory in 2008.
Yang, 38, will be bidding for his second Kolon Korea Open title following his win in 2006 and also gunning for a second OneAsia win after his impressive victory in April's Volvo China Open.
"The Korea Open is an unforgettable tournament for me," said Yang, who won last year's PGA Championship to become the first Asia-born winner of a Major.
"I won the 49th Korea Open in 2006 and that helped me qualify for the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, where I beat Tiger Woods to win the tournament. That changed my life," added the Texas-based father of three, the current world number 40.
Other star attractions include Danny Lee, the 20-year-old Korea-born New Zealander who won last year's Johnnie Walker Classic as an amateur.
The Kolon Korea Open attracts a strong field and past champions include former world number one Vijay Singh (2007), two-time Major winner John Daly (2003), Spaniard Sergio Garcia (2002) and Korean legend K.J. Choi (1996, 1999), a seven-time PGA Tour winner.
The Kolon Korea Open is the seventh tournament on this year's OneAsia schedule and will be followed by the Midea China Classic in Shunde from October 14-17. The 2010 OneAsia season will conclude with the Australian Open (December 2-5) and PGA Championship of Australia (December 9-12).
The Kolon Korea Open will be showcased on OneAsia's television platform with live coverage for four hours a day across all four tournament days, and broadcast to over 260 million homes in more than 40 countries.
Full coverage of the event will be available on SBS Golf Channel, ESPN Star Sports, Jupiter Golf Network, Fox International, Network Ten, Sky Sports NZ, ESPN3 & America One in the USA, ViaSat & Bloomberg Television among others in Europe.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Business Community Golf Tournament on 14th October 2010
Dear fellow golfers,
Your invited to join a "Business Community Golf Tournament" on Thursday 14 October 2010 at PONDOK INDAH GOLF. Shot-gun 12.30 pm. stroke play format. Business fun golf and lots of prizes to be won. Tickets go for IDR 1.500.000 (inclusive of golf, buggy, goodie bags, trophy, lunch, dinner, entertainment, games, lucky draw & hole-in-one prizes on all par 3's). Managed & organized by Pelangi Communications.
For more information contact Juli at:
Julianti Lestari | +628118113974
Your invited to join a "Business Community Golf Tournament" on Thursday 14 October 2010 at PONDOK INDAH GOLF. Shot-gun 12.30 pm. stroke play format. Business fun golf and lots of prizes to be won. Tickets go for IDR 1.500.000 (inclusive of golf, buggy, goodie bags, trophy, lunch, dinner, entertainment, games, lucky draw & hole-in-one prizes on all par 3's). Managed & organized by Pelangi Communications.
For more information contact Juli at:
Julianti Lestari | +628118113974
Friday, September 17, 2010
INA VOPAK Open Golf Tournament 2010
The Indonesian Netherlands Assocation (INA, the Indonesian Benelux Chamber of Commerce) invites members and guests for a pleasant day of networking, at the annual INA VOPAK Open Golf Tournament.
The Tournament will be held at the Riverside Golf Club on Friday 29 October, 2010. It will start at 6.30 hrs (tee-off at 7.00 hrs) and last until 12.00 noon, followed by a luncheon and the hand out of prizes. You will have the pleasure to play on a challenging course of natural beauty, designed by Greg Norman. Get a kick-start with a fine illy coffee or a pick-me-up snack on the way to your next hole and a boosting eye opener with a 5-minutes sport massage to recharge your energy, hosted by Le Meridien Jakarta. Two booths of 15 minutes assessment by Golf Physiotherapists also will be available after the play by EastWest Golf Physiotherapy.
To add to the enjoyable play, get a chance to win a King Koil Mattress and attractive prizes such as a Philips Home Theater, Garuda tickets to Hong Kong and to Singapore, Vouchers for staying at Kalicaa Villas equipped with private swimming-pool, a Romantic 2 night stay at Crown Plaza, 1 weekend night stay at Le Meridien Jakarta, Dining at Sailendra JW Marriott, vouchers for EastWest Golf Physiotherapy and many more.
We are happy with some of Indonesia’s finest companies as sponsors. It is still possible for Members to add their sponsorship. For this, please contact Ms. Etty Widowati for more information by email at pa-admin@ina.or.id or by phone at 021 – 5290 2177 before 1 October 2010.
We look forward to seeing you on the 29th of October. Please click Form to register.
The Tournament will be held at the Riverside Golf Club on Friday 29 October, 2010. It will start at 6.30 hrs (tee-off at 7.00 hrs) and last until 12.00 noon, followed by a luncheon and the hand out of prizes. You will have the pleasure to play on a challenging course of natural beauty, designed by Greg Norman. Get a kick-start with a fine illy coffee or a pick-me-up snack on the way to your next hole and a boosting eye opener with a 5-minutes sport massage to recharge your energy, hosted by Le Meridien Jakarta. Two booths of 15 minutes assessment by Golf Physiotherapists also will be available after the play by EastWest Golf Physiotherapy.
To add to the enjoyable play, get a chance to win a King Koil Mattress and attractive prizes such as a Philips Home Theater, Garuda tickets to Hong Kong and to Singapore, Vouchers for staying at Kalicaa Villas equipped with private swimming-pool, a Romantic 2 night stay at Crown Plaza, 1 weekend night stay at Le Meridien Jakarta, Dining at Sailendra JW Marriott, vouchers for EastWest Golf Physiotherapy and many more.
We are happy with some of Indonesia’s finest companies as sponsors. It is still possible for Members to add their sponsorship. For this, please contact Ms. Etty Widowati for more information by email at pa-admin@ina.or.id or by phone at 021 – 5290 2177 before 1 October 2010.
We look forward to seeing you on the 29th of October. Please click Form to register.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Woods In Great Company
I have never been a Manchester United fan and if it wasn't for Wayne Rooney, I would never even think of watching one match from a team that I believe is bigger than the hype it feeds on. What I admire in Woods, I admire in Rooney. A relentless search for success and a "never give up" mentality that only the true greats in sports posses. No theatrics when he's fouled and getting up immediately after he's relentlessly stopped when on his way to the opponents goal. I love that in Rooney. If he would be playing for Chelsea, I would probably relocate to London to make sure I wouldn't miss one game of my most favorite team and my most favorite English player.
And so, as I was preparing myself for a good showdown between Everton and Manchester United, Saturday evening (Jakarta time), on September 11, word came trough that Wayne Rooney wasn't going to play. According to MU boss Ferguson "Rooney would have had to deal with a harsh reception from Everton fans after recently the story broke that he had sex with a 21–year old hooker while 'lovely' Coleen was pregnant with his now 10-month old son Kai".
After Tiger Woods, yet another of my all time sports heroes has fallen for "quality" time between the sheets instead of on the field or at home. After Tiger Woods, yet another of my all time sports heroes is to be hacked to pieces by the media.
And although Rooney tried to convince his boss that he would not choke under pressure from Everton fans - the latter are mere "grannies" compared to the sharks that make up for the British gossip press - he still was benched on that eventful day at Everton (3-3).
It is hoped that he will not go the same road Tiger had gone as now his biggest opponent will be the British tabloid press. They truly will milk the story until readers' interest dies down automatically, and that may well take a while for it to happen. The worst is yet to come for "Shrek".
But then again, it is reported that Rooney had said about saving his marriage: "If she can't handle it and it is over, so be it."
This "who the f**k cares" attitude may well save him from going Tiger's road. Where Tiger and other famous sports celebs have forked out tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars on silencing hookers or on court orders preventing hookers from spilling the beans, Rooney was the one who told Coleen "that a tabloid story was running about him and a prostitute - and that it was true!"
That's truly Rooney... and no stupid excuses that would maybe save him from being divorced at the cost of millions of British Pounds - and that, my dear friends, is what I like about him. Burn your ass and deal with the blisters!
With (lesser) stories breaking on (Tottenham Hotspurs) Peter Crouch's infidelity and former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton's (hooker accompanied) cocaine sniffing video going global at around the same time, Tiger can now be assured of being in "great company". After all, marriage is the only war where you get to sleep with the enemy and perhaps now he will be excused for just being human, on and off the field.
And so, as I was preparing myself for a good showdown between Everton and Manchester United, Saturday evening (Jakarta time), on September 11, word came trough that Wayne Rooney wasn't going to play. According to MU boss Ferguson "Rooney would have had to deal with a harsh reception from Everton fans after recently the story broke that he had sex with a 21–year old hooker while 'lovely' Coleen was pregnant with his now 10-month old son Kai".
After Tiger Woods, yet another of my all time sports heroes has fallen for "quality" time between the sheets instead of on the field or at home. After Tiger Woods, yet another of my all time sports heroes is to be hacked to pieces by the media.
And although Rooney tried to convince his boss that he would not choke under pressure from Everton fans - the latter are mere "grannies" compared to the sharks that make up for the British gossip press - he still was benched on that eventful day at Everton (3-3).
It is hoped that he will not go the same road Tiger had gone as now his biggest opponent will be the British tabloid press. They truly will milk the story until readers' interest dies down automatically, and that may well take a while for it to happen. The worst is yet to come for "Shrek".
But then again, it is reported that Rooney had said about saving his marriage: "If she can't handle it and it is over, so be it."
This "who the f**k cares" attitude may well save him from going Tiger's road. Where Tiger and other famous sports celebs have forked out tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars on silencing hookers or on court orders preventing hookers from spilling the beans, Rooney was the one who told Coleen "that a tabloid story was running about him and a prostitute - and that it was true!"
That's truly Rooney... and no stupid excuses that would maybe save him from being divorced at the cost of millions of British Pounds - and that, my dear friends, is what I like about him. Burn your ass and deal with the blisters!
With (lesser) stories breaking on (Tottenham Hotspurs) Peter Crouch's infidelity and former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton's (hooker accompanied) cocaine sniffing video going global at around the same time, Tiger can now be assured of being in "great company". After all, marriage is the only war where you get to sleep with the enemy and perhaps now he will be excused for just being human, on and off the field.
Asia Pacific Golf Summit 2010
Asia is playing an increasingly important role in global golf. So much so, that more than 50 speaker from all corners of the world will be present at one of the world's most important golf summits in today's golf.
Between 18 and 20 October the Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS) 2010 will be held in Bangkok. A host of speakers and panelist will be part of a highly focused and market driven 3-day summit that deals with turf management, club management and future trends in the region.
Among many others, key speakers at the event will be South African golf legend Gary Player, Aussie golfer Greg Norman, surely one of the most successful (off course) golf businessmen, as well as the world's most prominent and successful female golfer ever Annika Sorenstam.
The event is supported by the Thai government, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau and the Sports Authority of Thailand and will be held at the Centara Grand Hotel at Central World. Both the conference and the exhibition will be staged at the Bangkok International Convention Centre which is located in the same complex and in the heart of metropolitan Bangkok. Due to political problems, last year's summit had to be canceled as the REDS were occupying the area in which the 2009 summit was supposed to take place.
Hud Hinton, according to people in the know one of the most powerful men in golf, will headline this year's Summit, which is themed as "The Great Asian Golf Debate" during which speakers and panelists will discuss and debate the need to change the game of golf to suit Asia's challenges and needs in developing awareness related to creating a sustainable program that protect and maintain the growth of investments in golf courses. Another topic of the debate will focus on creating a strong lobby to help governments and statutory bodies understand the vital role that golf can play in protecting and conserving the environment.
Anyone that has a managerial position in golf is expected to be at this year’s AGPS 2010. For more information go to http://www.golfconference.org.
Between 18 and 20 October the Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS) 2010 will be held in Bangkok. A host of speakers and panelist will be part of a highly focused and market driven 3-day summit that deals with turf management, club management and future trends in the region.
Among many others, key speakers at the event will be South African golf legend Gary Player, Aussie golfer Greg Norman, surely one of the most successful (off course) golf businessmen, as well as the world's most prominent and successful female golfer ever Annika Sorenstam.
The event is supported by the Thai government, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau and the Sports Authority of Thailand and will be held at the Centara Grand Hotel at Central World. Both the conference and the exhibition will be staged at the Bangkok International Convention Centre which is located in the same complex and in the heart of metropolitan Bangkok. Due to political problems, last year's summit had to be canceled as the REDS were occupying the area in which the 2009 summit was supposed to take place.
Hud Hinton, according to people in the know one of the most powerful men in golf, will headline this year's Summit, which is themed as "The Great Asian Golf Debate" during which speakers and panelists will discuss and debate the need to change the game of golf to suit Asia's challenges and needs in developing awareness related to creating a sustainable program that protect and maintain the growth of investments in golf courses. Another topic of the debate will focus on creating a strong lobby to help governments and statutory bodies understand the vital role that golf can play in protecting and conserving the environment.
Anyone that has a managerial position in golf is expected to be at this year’s AGPS 2010. For more information go to http://www.golfconference.org.
Tiger Joins Team USA
What I had expected all along is now reality and never in a million years did I have any doubt about Tiger's spot in the USA Ryder Cup team, and here's why:
First of all; Corey Pavin is one hell of an intelligent guy who fully understands the psychological impact a man like Tiger can have on the opposing team. Leaving him out would have meant a severe weakening of a team that (supposedly) is the weaker of the two. Moreover, leaving the world's #1 player out of a team event (that sometimes can be bigger than golf itself) is like celebrating Christmas without Santa or getting married but leaving your bride at home.
Secondly; Europe's wonder boy's (Rory McIlroy) remark that the European team would love to have a piece of Tiger during the upcoming event is the exact kind of ammunition that fires up a team (and event) that, over the past decade, have become more of a personal ego trip for many of the USA players. Call it frustration, if you will, for not having dominated the event they way they did for more than two decades and in the days when the Euros were usually beaten by a difference of at least 9 points.
For sure, and although Tiger didn't qualify automatically for the first time since he turned pro in 1997, picking Tiger as a "captain’s pick" was an absolute no-brainer. Picking Stewart Cink and Zack Johnson, who both are awesome players in their own right, was right on the mark too. Cink is one of the most the experienced Ryder-cuppers in the team and is a laid-back ("older") player that can keep the young guns motivated and on their toes. Zack Johnson, by far, is one of the best iron players in the entire universe and can be teamed up with nearly every player of team USA. These two picks are absolute no-brainers.
Not so, however, is that the case with the selection of a certain Rickie Fowler, who, not only has the worst hair due in all of global golf, but certainly wears the worst model golf cap and matches the worst stylist in the entire universe with the worst "playing record" in world golf.
Where the hell were Anthony Kim and J.B. Holmes in all of this? Weren't they awesome in their first Ryder Cup appearance and didn't they have impressive and intimidating personalities, something that surely helps in "overpowering" the opposing team?
Fowler hasn't won any of the majors and not even one significant PGA event. On top of that, personally I think that he has the personality of a camel that doesn't feel at home in a Russian tundra, generally known as a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. This captain's pick surely must go down in history as "the biggest head-scratcher" in all of Ryder Cup history.
But then again, let's give Pavin (and Fowler too) the benefit of the doubt. Pavin is a hell of an intelligent guy and he surely must have seen something in Fowler that we, mere mortals, all have missed. It's hoped for Pavin, but surely for Fowler too, that "alles sal reg kom", something the South Africans say when they try to talk straight something that is truly bent.
For all that love the game of golf, here's to an exciting Ryder Cup event and may the most intelligent captain win!
First of all; Corey Pavin is one hell of an intelligent guy who fully understands the psychological impact a man like Tiger can have on the opposing team. Leaving him out would have meant a severe weakening of a team that (supposedly) is the weaker of the two. Moreover, leaving the world's #1 player out of a team event (that sometimes can be bigger than golf itself) is like celebrating Christmas without Santa or getting married but leaving your bride at home.
Secondly; Europe's wonder boy's (Rory McIlroy) remark that the European team would love to have a piece of Tiger during the upcoming event is the exact kind of ammunition that fires up a team (and event) that, over the past decade, have become more of a personal ego trip for many of the USA players. Call it frustration, if you will, for not having dominated the event they way they did for more than two decades and in the days when the Euros were usually beaten by a difference of at least 9 points.
For sure, and although Tiger didn't qualify automatically for the first time since he turned pro in 1997, picking Tiger as a "captain’s pick" was an absolute no-brainer. Picking Stewart Cink and Zack Johnson, who both are awesome players in their own right, was right on the mark too. Cink is one of the most the experienced Ryder-cuppers in the team and is a laid-back ("older") player that can keep the young guns motivated and on their toes. Zack Johnson, by far, is one of the best iron players in the entire universe and can be teamed up with nearly every player of team USA. These two picks are absolute no-brainers.
Not so, however, is that the case with the selection of a certain Rickie Fowler, who, not only has the worst hair due in all of global golf, but certainly wears the worst model golf cap and matches the worst stylist in the entire universe with the worst "playing record" in world golf.
Fowler hasn't won any of the majors and not even one significant PGA event. On top of that, personally I think that he has the personality of a camel that doesn't feel at home in a Russian tundra, generally known as a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. This captain's pick surely must go down in history as "the biggest head-scratcher" in all of Ryder Cup history.
But then again, let's give Pavin (and Fowler too) the benefit of the doubt. Pavin is a hell of an intelligent guy and he surely must have seen something in Fowler that we, mere mortals, all have missed. It's hoped for Pavin, but surely for Fowler too, that "alles sal reg kom", something the South Africans say when they try to talk straight something that is truly bent.
For all that love the game of golf, here's to an exciting Ryder Cup event and may the most intelligent captain win!
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