Nicklaus shares story about Gary Player

EAST MANATEE - Jack Nicklaus came into town for business. His primary objective was to decide with co-designer Tony Jacklin and Concession Golf Club owner Bruce Cassidy Sr. what needs to be changed to the golf course.
But that didn't stop Nicklaus from offering this story about Gary Player:
"I had hurt my back and didn't play that year (at the Masters after it was lengthened)," Nicklaus said. "And Gary had come back at the Bear's Club in Jupiter ... and I said, 'Well Gary, how did you enjoy it?' - he shot 80-78. And he said, 'Oh Jack, you wouldn't believe how tough the golf course is. The golf course was just unbelievable. It was so tough. I was so proud of breaking 80.'"
"And I said, 'Gary Player, three times Masters Champion, you're proud of breaking 80? You should be ashamed of yourself.' And he said, 'No, no, no Jack. You don't realize how difficult this golf course was.'"
"And of course, Gary being my good friend, I threw him this little softball. I said, 'Well I suppose if that's the case, then I suppose that years ago if this course had been so, you would have never won the tournament.' About five seconds passed and he said, 'Oh yes I would have!'"
To read the full story on Nicklaus' visit, please read Thursday's edition of the Bradenton Herald.

West Florida Golf Tour results

Here are the results from the West Florida Golf Tour's recent tournament at the Waterlefe Golf & River Club (courtesy of Carl Wakely):

Position Name Score $ Prize money
t-1 Travis Hampshire 68 $1000 (playoff)
t-1 Kyle Vasel 68 $700
3 Jan Ryba (am) 69 $500 (voucher)
4 Matthew Galloway 72 $310
t-5 Larry Rupp 73 $266.66
t-5 Dan Ganahl 73 $266.66
t-5 Abbie Valentine 73 $266.66
8 Lucas Lizanek 75 $180.00
t-9 Jared Kobren 76 $110
t-9 Nick Torrance 76 $110 (Voucher)
t-9 Hampton Ballard 76 $110
t-12 Gary Dunne 77 $30 (voucher)
t-12 Abhisek Ruia 77 $30 (voucher)
t-12 Ryan Gabel 77 $30
t-12 Federico Torresani 77 $30
t-12 BJ Triplett 77 $30

An misses cut at Bay Hill

Byeong-Hun An fired a 1-over, 73 on Friday, but it wasn't good enough.
He missed the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando.
An shot an opening round 77, which proved his undoing. The top 75 at the PGA Tour stop earned qualification for the weekend and a payday.
But An, who is an amateur, earned the invite based on his U.S. Amateur victory last year and could not be paid, even if he made the cut.
Despite missing the next two rounds, An did shoot the exact same scores for 36 holes as Camilo Villegas, a winner on tour this season.

An struggles at Bay Hill

Byeong-Hun An (known as Ben) is near the bottom of the field at this week's PGA Tour stop at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando.
An shot 5-over, 77 in the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Thursday.
That number puts him in a tie for 111th place. There's 120 players in the tournament.
The second round begins Friday, where An will have to leapfrog several players to make the cut and advance to the weekend rounds.
An is just an amateur, so no cash can be earned if he qualifies for the third and fourth rounds like the tour pros he's teeing it up with this week.
An's second round tee time is 9:34 a.m. off No. 10, where he'll try to make up the 11 shot difference between him and first-round leaders' J.B. Holmes and Davis Love III.
If An can do that, then he'll avoid the cut line.

An's at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Reigning United States Amateur champion Byeong-Hun An is playing in this week's PGA Tour stop.
He's playing the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando.
The field boasts a well-rounded field with Phil Mickelson and Steve Stricker, No. 2 in the world, headlining.
Tee times have been published on the PGA Tour's website and An is scheduled to play alongside fellow amateur Gregor Main and professional Josh Tweeter for the first two rounds.
An will begin Thursday's opening round at 2:04 p.m. off No. 1. He'll tee off Friday's second round at 9:34 a.m. off No. 10.
This tournament is another tune-up for the Masters, which is two weeks away.
Check The Golf Coast and the Bradenton Herald later this week for more.

Golden comes close

SARASOTA - The 2010 City of Sarasota Women's Championship was supposed to be a 36-hole tournament. That is, before Mother Nature pelted Bobby Jones Golf Complex with tons of rain.
Sunday's final round started with morning tee times, before organizers deemed it unfit to complete the round. That prevented Bradenton's Wendi Golden from making a charge, as 27-holes were used to determine the champion of the individual and better ball divisions.
Valrico's Debbie Mook Sang earned both crowns, teaming with Veronica Johnson for the better ball title.
Mook Sang opened with a 3-under, 69. She then held off Golden after a 3-over, 39 through nine holes on Sunday.
Golden finished two shots back, after a 38 on Sunday that followed an opening round 72.
Golden took third place in the better ball to go with her second place finish in the individual championship.
She partnered with Patti Patterson to finish five shots behind Mook Sang and Johnson.

The results from the weekend event from Bobby Jones head pro Paul Michaud:

Championship Flight Teams
Sat Gross Score
Sun Gross Score
Total Gross
Debbie Mook Sang & Veronica Johnson
67
38
105
Mylene Lenosky & Debbie Smither
70
37
107
Patti Patterson & Wendi Golden
72
38
110
Tatiana Gammicchia & Susan Meloche
77
39
116
Vicki DeHaai & Dee Donegan
75
39
114
First Flight Teams
Maria McNaughton & Jenna McNaughton
77
23
100
Keith Miller & Terry Ryan
85
21
106
Leslie Radcliffe & Kim Bendickson
80
28
108
Trish Caruso & Mary Beth Murphy
82
29
111
Mary Rivi & Joann Walls
82
29
111
Jean Baldassare & Hsi Fen Gunby
83
28
111
Belinda Walters & Julie Reagan
83
29
112
Judy Wolff & Barbara Slipp
82
32
114
Charliene Lemon-Steiner & Sandy Frambes
88
29
117
Barbara Lynch & Jan Feltner
87
32
119
Dian Calleja & Sally Yarusso
92
30
122
Joan Taylor & Betty Chiffolo
92
33
125
Second Flight Teams
Carol Miers & Gayle Gibbons
87
28
115
Ellen Kibby & Linda Lemon-Steiner
93
26
119
Gudrun Newman & Ann Forrest
92
28
120
Amy Raymond & Sue Sackman
98
23
121
Maureen Monroe & Melinda Major
112
27
139
Championship Flight Teams
Sat Net Score
Sun Net Score
Total Net
Vicki DeHaai & Dee Donegan
66
35
101
Debbie Mook Sang & Veronica Johnson
62
36
98
Mylene Lenosky & Debbie Smither
66
36
102
Patti Patterson & Wendi Golden
70
37
107
Tatiana Gammicchia & Susan Meloche
74
39
113
First Flight Teams
Belinda Walters & Julie Reagan
61
22
83
Trish Caruso & Mary Beth Murphy
60
23
83
Maria McNaughton & Jenna McNaughton
62
18
80
Leslie Radcliffe & Kim Bendickson
62
22
84
Mary Rivi & Joann Walls
64
23
87
Judy Wolff & Barbara Slipp
62
26
88
Keith Miller & Terry Ryan
65
24
89
Dian Calleja & Sally Yarusso
66
23
89
Jean Baldassare & Hsi Fen Gunby
66
23
89
Charliene Lemon-Steiner & Sandy Frambes
68
22
90
Joan Taylor & Betty Chiffolo
68
25
93
Barbara Lynch & Jan Feltner
68
28
96
Second Flight Teams
Ellen Kibby & Linda Lemon-Steiner
61
17
78
Carol Miers & Gayle Gibbons
60
22
82
2010 Women's Better Ball and Individual City Championship
Final Scores
Gudrun Newman & Ann Forrest
64
20
84
Amy Raymond & Sue Sackman
73
17
90
Maureen Monroe & Melinda Major
76
18
94
Individual
Sat Gross Score
Sun Gross Score
Total Gross
Debbie Mook Sang
69
39
108
Wendi Golden
72
38
110
Debbie Smither
75
37
112
Mylene Lenosky
75
42
117
Tatiana Gammicchia
78
40
118
Veronica Johnson
81
43
124

Bad weather cancels final round at IMG

BRADENTON - Rain, rain and more rain. Mother Nature wreaked a whole lot of havoc on Sunday. The City of Bradenton Seniors Championship finished the 36-hole tournament, even though there was about an hour delay.
You can check that story out in today's Herald.
The other amateur tournament taking place in Manatee County didn't finish play. The scheduled 36-hole Future Collegiate World Tour event at the IMG Academies Golf & Country Club was washed out Sunday, so organizers made the tournament an 18-hole affair that used Saturday's opening round.

The top three in each division are as follows (IMG players indicated with an "x"):

Boys 16-18

1. Tyler Sluman (x), 69.
2. Hao Yuan Lu (x), 70.
3. James Yoon (x), 71.

Boys 13-15

1. Daniel Jaramillo (x), 74.
2. Rodrigo Munoz (x), 77.
t3. Benjamin Davis (x), 78.
t3. Rigel Fernandes (x), 78.

Boys 11-13

1. Seiya Liu, 79.
2. Charlie Kennerly, 80.
3. Martin Jaramillo (x), 84.

Girls 13-18

1. Ginger Howard (x), 71.
t2. Nelly Korda (x), 73.
t2. Sammi Stevens (x), 73.

Who says we need Tiger

***DISCLAIMER - Before anyone comments that this is the same-old rant about the PGA Tour needing Tiger Woods as a money-making force, realize this is a post on players not named Woods, who can carry the tour's banner. There's tips on how to watch an event, too.

PALM HARBOR - It's my day off, but that didn't steer me away from sports, or golf. So, I drove up to watch the third round of the Transitions Championship on a gorgeous sun-splashed Florida afternoon. Watching PGA Tour players grind it out in their office is quite the experience.
I'd been to several Champions Tour events, but this was my maiden voyage to see the younger guys.
Rule No. 1 - Wear the most comfortable shoes you can find, and put on light-colored clothing with lots of sunscreen for the skin.
There's lots and lots of walking involved under the scorching sun, especially if you plan on following one group around.
Rule No. 2 - Leave the cell phone and camera in the car or at home.
You won't be allowed through the security checkpoint, and you won't anger the players with all that clicking during their backswings, if you can manage to smuggle it in. It's just easier and better for all parties if you don't bother bringing the PDA or digital camera to the gate - remember, there was a time when we all got along just fine without needing to constantly call, text or google on the cell phone.
So those are the two major rules when heading to a PGA Tour event for the first time. Now, there's several options once you arrive - head to the hospitality tent for some relaxing, follow one group for the entire round, set up shop at one particular hole to watch all the players come through it or follow a couple groups for a few holes.
They make it easy by giving you a pairings sheet upon entering the grounds.
I've followed one group before, but today I decided on watching several groups - each for a few holes.
I planned on getting there a bit early to watch the guys warm-up, but after a minor snafu with the directions, I didn't arrive until the last few groups were ready for No. 1. So, I ended up watching the Steve Stricker/Retief Goosen pairing and quickly realized just how tough the Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Resort is.
Stricker and Goosen combined to hit just one green in regulation (GIR) in the first three holes, yet they showcased some stellar short game shots and they holed some lengthy par-savers. The PGA Tour's motto "These guys are good" is definitely true.
When Stricker and Goosen teed off the par-5 fifth, I decided on hanging back to watch the next group tee off that hole.
That's because Bubba Watson was in the next group, and it was a real treat watching the pink-shafted driver smash the dimpled golf ball so far from Watson's lanky frame.
Then, I cut right through No. 6 and headed toward No. 16, which wasn't that far away.
I did this and timed it based on the pairings sheet (a spectator's life-saver), so I could watch John Daly.
I wasn't disappointed, nor was the enormous gallery following Long John.
He was struggling for most of his round, but had dropped about a 10-footer for birdie on No. 15, then tattooed about a 290-yard drive with a 3-wood that wowed the people surrounding the 16th tee box.
I moved over to the tee at No. 18, because the par-3 17th had a giant grandstand, so getting near the green or tee to watch Daly seemed impossible.
David Duval's group was just ahead of Daly, so I was able to see Double-D tee off.
Daly hit a decent tee shot on the 17th, and dropped the putt for birdie to set off a raucous celebration with waving towels.
The bleachers between the 17th green and 18th tee were dubbed the "Blue Collar Bleachers."
They were loud to the point that I almost forgot I was at a golf tournament, because it felt like a football game.
Arnold Palmer has his supporters. They're called Arnie's Army.
Daly's supporters wear the same colorful pants as he grip-it-and-rip-it two-time major winner.
Call them Daly's Duffers - aka the Average Joe.
The support for Daly is undeniable, a golfer that attracts so many, no matter what course he elects to play.
One fan yelled out, "It's your world, we're just living in it."
That's the aura that Daly has developed through all the personal demons he's battled through. He wanted to quit after the dismal showing in San Diego at the Farmer's Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
That wouldn't have looked good for the reality show, "Being John Daly," airing on The Golf Channel.
So he's fighting through the bad play, and plugging along. Sure, he said on The Golf Channel it's like playing at home this week.
But that's not why people come out in droves to watch J.D. hit the long ball.
Duval, has had personal problems that derailed his playing career during a stretch where he fell off everyone's radar.
Yet, he doesn't captivate an audience the way Daly does.
Nobody seems to do that aside from Tiger Woods.
The Woods Effect, where the tour generates tons of ratings and cash, has been one where the PGA Tour has panicked since the Woods affair saga started.
But all commissioner Tim Finchem needs to look at is Daly.
He closed with three birdies in his final four holes on Saturday.
If he can get it all back, then good things abound for the tour and a Tiger/Daly pairing would generate the most buzz and rowdiest crowds the PGA Tour might ever see.

Wenck looking to defend

BRADENTON - Ray Wenck is leading after the first round of the City Senior's Championship at River Run Golf Links.
He has a three-shot lead over Charlie Hodges and Mark Walters, after posting an even-par 70.
The following lists all eight flights for the 36-hole tournament sent by River Run head golf professional Clint Wright in an e-mail:

Championship Flight Front 9 Back 9 Total
Wenck, Ray 35 35 70
Hodges, Charlie 38 35 73
Walters, Mark 36 37 73
Baker, Stephen 36 38 74
Belcastro, Mark 37 37 74
Clayton, Ron 37 37 74
Pfrogner, Jim 36 38 74
Reasoner, Greg 38 36 74
Brickse, Ken 34 41 75
Lacher, Steve 37 38 75
Hoffman, Terry 41 35 76
Kehoe, Jim 39 37 76
Petti, Nick 41 35 76
Scheid, Ed 40 36 76

1st Flight Front 9 Back 9 Total
Block, Steve 38 39 77
Miller Russell 35 42 77
White, James 39 38 77
Bock, David 41 37 78
Morrissey, Tim 40 38 78
Peabody, David 42 36 78
Stone, Jim 44 34 78
Coulter, Mike 41 38 79
Poje, David 41 38 79
Powell, Richard 39 40 79
Sheldon, Dick 38 42 80
Snelson, Toby 42 38 80
Walters, Charles 40 40 80
Dolison, Drew 40 41 81
Goodman, John 41 40 81
Reeves, Douglas 41 40 81
Woods, Lewis 40 41 81

2nd Flight Front 9 Back 9 Total
Miller, Tom 40 42 82
Smith, Gary 40 42 82
Blackwell, Jerry 38 45 83
Bohm, Richard 40 43 83
Cooper, Barry 41 42 83
Gold, Burt 41 42 83
Kirby, Paul 38 45 83
Webb, Tony 42 41 83
Burke, Kevin 40 44 84
Fitz, Gary 40 44 84
Hamel, Charlie 41 43 84
Proos, Gary 44 40 84
Ramey, Rob 42 42 84
Swanton, William 40 44 84

3rd Flight Front 9 Back 9 Total
Boland, Mike 40 45 85
Brockett, Ron 46 39 85
Donnelly, Walter 43 42 85
George, Gary 44 41 85
Hodges, Boots 42 43 85
LaFleur, Milton 41 44 85
Davis, Carl 47 39 86
Flynn, Larry 43 43 86
Killion, Michael 44 42 86
Zajel, Adam 42 44 86
Booth, Roosevelt 45 42 87
Galon, Joseph 48 39 87
Jurkovak, Chet 40 47 87
Kovak, George 41 46 87
Ramsey, Jim 47 40 87
Smith, Paul 45 42 87
Taylor, Greg 45 42 87
Whelchel, Jay 48 40 88

4th Flight Front 9 Back 9 Total
Bernhard, John 48 41 89
Hocker, Bill 45 44 89
Hryhorchuk, John 39 50 89
Lien, John 41 48 89
McNaughton, John 42 47 89
Pierson, Shawn 42 47 89
Rosario, Rafael 41 48 89
Sprinkle, Carlton 43 46 89
Dobridge, William 48 42 90
Dykstra, Robert 48 42 90
Malone, Corneilus 43 47 90
Perry, Richard 43 47 90
Saluta, Bernard 46 44 90
Beauchamp, Marshall 45 46 91
Hall, Bruce 47 44 91
Kow, Dennis 48 43 91
Lewis, Rock 43 48 91
Love, Larry 50 41 91
Rothfuss, James 46 45 91
Terry, Alan 47 44 91

5th Flight Front 9 Back 9 Total
Beauregard, Paul 46 46 92
Eiffert, Eric 48 44 92
Falardeau, Ray 49 43 92
Gentile, Jim 43 49 92
Peterson, Tim 47 45 92
Crockett, Wiliam 45 48 93
Higgins, Paul 44 49 93
Cardoni, Marco 47 47 94
Hentshel, Bill 47 47 94
Moran, Al 45 49 94
Pfeiffer, Ben 47 47 94
Brandon, Woody 45 50 95
Finner, Mike 46 49 95
Hegarty, James 51 44 95
Shean, Gord 49 46 95
Toohey, Pete 48 47 95
Wintersteen, Denny 48 47 95

6th Flight Front 9 Back 9 Total
Bowser, Walter 48 48 96
Burzyck, Gerald 52 44 96
Chisenhall, Frank 47 49 96
Garrison, Richard 48 48 96
Larkin, Daniel 45 51 96
McMurtry, Charles 47 49 96
Miner, Dave 49 47 96
Poe, Phil 47 49 96
Sachs, Tom 51 45 96
Posma, lee 48 49 97
Shack, Ted 45 52 97
Siders, Ken 49 48 97
Swift, John 51 46 97
Wilks, Leonard 51 46 97
Ball, Bill 47 51 98

7th Flight Front 9 Back 9 Total
McGovern, Pat 49 51 100
Passaro, Dominic 46 54 100
Yavis, Bob 51 49 100
Culbreath, Floyd 51 50 101
McKay, Phil 49 52 101
Sterling, Bill 51 51 102
LeBoeuf, David 58 45 103
Chirnside, Phil 50 54 104
Rebh, Steve 55 49 104
Miller, Ray 54 51 105
Letty, Ron 55 53 108
Middleton, Ed 56 59 115
Grassifulli, Joseph 58 59 117

Head down the street for some warmup

River Run Golf Links is a longtime host of several city championships. The staff is experienced and equipped to handle large fields to make the marquee tournaments a lasting memory for each player.
However, the golf course does not possess a driving range where amateurs can loosen up before a round.
Head golf professional Clint Wright said there's been talks about adding some range-specific practice facility, but nothing in the immediate future - and Wright said that decision won't happen for awhile.
In the meantime, there is a range off 27th Street East in Bradenton not too far from the city-owned track.
Wright said John Goodman operates the range, that used to be called Coconut Creek, which he thinks doesn't have a current name.
"He opens for the tournaments," Wright said. "And makes sure he's there at 6:30 (a.m.), so that the guys that do want to hit balls can stop and hit 30-40 balls before they come up here."
Wright added he teaches at the range.
So the partnership between both places seems to be working just fine.
This weekend's 36-hole event begins Saturday with players teeing off both the front and back nines.

Here's Saturday's first-round pairings sent Wednesday from Wright via e-mail:

NAME TEE START TIME
Baker, Stephen 1 7:46
Morrissey, Tim 1 7:46
Stone, Jim 1 7:46
Wenck, Ray 1 7:46
Belcastro, Mark 1 7:54
Lacher, Steve 1 7:54
Hodges, Charlie 1 7:54
Ramey, Rob 1 7:54
Peabody, David 1 8:02
Pfrogner, Jim 1 8:02
Kirby, Paul 1 8:02
Hoffman, Terry 1 8:02
Walters, Mark 1 8:10
Snelson, Toby 1 8:10
Clayton, Ron 1 8:10
Kehoe, Jim 1 8:10
Hodges, Boots 1 8:18
Scheid, Ed 1 8:18
Walters, Charles 1 8:18
Reasoner, Greg 1 8:18
Smith, Gary 1 8:26
Dolison, Drew 1 8:26
Coulter, Mike 1 8:26
Block, Steve 1 8:26
Whelchel, Jay 1 8:34
Booth, Roosevelt 1 8:34
Petti, Nick 1 8:34
1 8:34
Brockett, Ron 1 8:42
Beauchamp, Marshall 1 8:42
Poje, David 1 8:42
Moran, Al 1 8:42
Gold, Burt 10 7:46
Galon, Joseph 10 7:46
Zajel, Adam 10 7:46
Webb, Tony 10 7:46
Hryhorchuk, John 10 7:54
Powell, Richard 10 7:54
Eiffert, Eric 10 7:54
Reeves, Douglas 10 7:54
Terry, Alan 10 8:02
Cooper, Barry 10 8:02
Jurkovak, Chet 10 8:02
Kovak, George 10 8:02
Boland, Mike 10 8:10
Brickse, Ken 10 8:10
Ramsey, Jim 10 8:10
Bernhard, john 10 8:10
Miller, Tom 10 8:18
Blackwell, Jerry 10 8:18
Poe, Phil 10 8:18
Ball, Bill 10 8:18
Garrison, Richard 10 8:26
Burzyck, Gerald 10 8:26
LeBoeuf, David 10 8:26
Dell, Lee 10 8:26
Larkin, Daniel 10 8:34
Bohm, Richard 10 8:34
LaFleur, Milton 10 8:34
Bowser, Walter 10 8:34
Peterson, Tim 10 8:42
George, Gary 10 8:42
Taylor, Greg 10 8:42
McNaughton, John 10 8:42
Goodman, John 1 12:00
Proos, Gary 1 12:00
Flynn, Larry 1 12:00
Swanton, William 1 12:00
Davis, Carl 1 12:08
Rosario, Rafael 1 12:08
Bock, David 1 12:08
Brandon, Woody 1 12:08
Pierson, Shawn 1 12:16
Fitz, Gary 1 12:16
Lewis, Rock 1 12:16
Lien, John 1 12:16
Miller Russell 1 12:24
Harding, Jack 1 12:24
Woods, Lewis 1 12:24
Sprinkle, Carlton 1 12:24
Falardeau, Ray 1 12:32
Killion, Michael 1 12:32
Siders, Ken 1 12:32
Dykstra, Robert 1 12:32
Perry, Richard 1 12:40
Hocker, Bill 1 12:40
Culbreath, Floyd 1 12:40
Kow, Dennis 1 12:40
Love, Larry 1 12:48
McKay, Phil 1 12:48
Posma, lee 1 12:48
Shack, Ted 1 12:48
Sachs, Tom 1 12:54
Malone, Corneilus 1 12:54
Saluta, Bernard 1 12:54
Passaro, Dominick 1 12:54
Sheldon, Dick 1 1:02
White, James 1 1:02
Burke, Kevin 1 1:02
1 1:02
Rebh, Steve 10 12:00
Beauregard, Paul 10 12:00
Gentile, Jim 10 12:00
Miner, Dave 10 12:00
Middleton, Ed 10 12:08
Crockett, Wiliam 10 12:08
Finner, Mike 10 12:08
Cardoni, Marco 10 12:08
Hegarty, James 10 12:16
Toohey, Pete 10 12:16
Sterling, Bill 10 12:16
Donnelly, Walter 10 12:16
McGovern, Pat 10 12:24
Swift, John 10 12:24
Miller, Ray 10 12:24
10 12:24
Grassifulli, Joseph 10 12:32
Yavis, Bob 10 12:32
Wilks, Leonard 10 12:32
10 12:32
Letty, Ron 10 12:40
Shean, Gord 10 12:40
Smith, Paul 10 12:40
Hall, Bruce 10 12:40
Chirnside, Phil 10 12:48
Hentshel, Bill 10 12:48
Chisenhall, Frank 10 12:48
Dobridge, William 10 12:48
Wintersteen, Denny 10 12:54
Pfeiffer, Ben 10 12:54
Rothfuss, James 10 12:54
10 12:54

It isn't sold out yet

There's still time left to get into this weekend's City Senior's Championship. The two-day event at River Run Golf Links costs $115 with a cart or $85 for walkers.
The entry fee covers both rounds of golf, and each participant will get a continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Players will also get hat and glove for playing, and Basil's is catering the dinner that follows Sunday's final round.
Range balls are not provided in the tournament fee.
Flight winners will receive Nike golf bags. There are eight flights, and Ray Wenck is the defending champion after shooting two-over 142 last year.
Head golf professional Clint Wright said there's three or four spots left for singles, or anyone who has a foursome can enter as well.
For more information, check out Friday's edition of The Herald.

Laurel Oak Cup

The seventh annual Coast Cadillac Laurel Oak Cup golf tournament took place Monday in Sarasota. There were club pros and amateurs teeing it up in an effort to raise money for the Special Olympics.
Since it was the seventh edition, there's not a lot that can go wrong once you've mastered the formula on running it - even with a packed field generating 47 fivesomes on both 18-hole courses at the club.
Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club director of golf Scott Lamoureaux said he thought it was his sixth time participating in the event's history.
And seeing the tournament first-hand, Lamoureaux mentioned Lakewood Ranch will try a similar type tournament benefiting the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
"Our first one, hopefully it'll grow into a similar type event," Lamoureaux said, "we want to space it out enough to where it wasn't a conflict ... May 2 will be the big gala dinner, auctions, cocktail party Sunday night at the club. And May 3 is a pro-am using a similar format."
To read more about the Laurel Oak Cup, check out Thursday's edition of The Herald.

He's back

Did anyone expect Tiger Woods' self-imposed sabbatical from golf was going to last a serious length of time?
The world's No. 1 golfer released a statement today explaining he'll return to golf for the 2010 Masters, according to the Associated Press.
"The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect," said Woods on his Web site. "After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I'm ready to start my season at Augusta."
Augusta National is known for its cordial, polite and respectful galleries.
There's a standard at the venue on how spectators should act, and heavy heckling most likely won't be tolerated.
So, Woods is coming back at the perfect spot to shield himself from antagonizing behavior from the people outside the ropes.
I've never been a pro-Tiger fan, since he turned pro and won over most golf fans and transcended the notion that golfers aren't athletes.
However, with that said, I think this is the best spot for him to return to his passion.
And there should be no doubt not only that he cares about golf, but that the Masters and Jack Nicklaus' major championship records matter the most.
Something tells me both Woods and the Masters will be prepared.
Woods' 2008 U.S. Open triumph was met with a long layoff to repair his damaged knee, the design being to get himself ready for the 2009 Masters.
He's won four green jackets - only Nicklaus has more with six .
And the Masters isn't without handling controversy, either.
The venerable tournament is hosted annually at the super exclusive club, with the caveat being it's a male-only club.
In 2002, Martha Burk led the protest outside the Augusta grounds during Masters Week, as the venue was practicing sexism by not allowing women.
So, both the Masters and Woods have past experiences to draw upon in preparation for this year's first major championship.
And while this isn't the same as an injury layoff or a women's rights movement, Woods' return to the sport from his sex scandal should please at least some people - those running the PGA Tour and the sponsors that didn't leave.
Ratings for tour events have always hinged on whether El Tigre was in the field or not.
Arguably one of the biggest annual sporting events (along with the Super Bowl, World Series, Indy 500, etc.) has never needed added exposure.
Well, get ready Augusta, because all eyes will be on the spring extravaganza April 5-11.

Can the Concession host big events?

Following the recent Ryder Cup-styled inter club match between Medinah (Ill.) Country Club and The Concession Golf Club, club ambassador Tony Jacklin said he felt the club in east Manatee could host big events in the future.
By big, he was referring to PGA Tour-level tournaments.
"I've got absolutely no doubt in my mind at all about that," Jacklin said in the beginning of March. "As I say, we've already been approached by the (PGA) Tour. They're aware of the situation here, they know about the golf course. But, it's slowly, slowly, catchy-monkey. You've got to move slowly to get the things done - Rome wasn't built in a day. And Bruce (Cassidy Sr.) is the first one to recognize that."
Jacklin would know. He's a two-time major winner having won the 1969 British Open and the 1970 U.S. Open.
Before any grand ideas take place, the club has to keep improving logistics.
Bruce Cassidy Sr. took over as new owner in late 2009, and the clubhouse was completed then.
It allowed the first-ever Ryder Cup format event for an inter club match, said Cassidy and Director of Golf Jimmy Wright.

Welcome

I want to take this space to introduce myself a bit further, and explain what this blog's aim will be with the great sport of golf. I first started playing golf during the summer months locally with the Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association back in the mid-1990s. It didn't help much, since golf and my swing were just a break from the baseball grind. Then I began to focus on golf, when I started working at Laurel Oak Country Club in Sarasota. Eventually, I dropped down to a 6-handicap before finishing my undergraduate studies in snow central (aka Central New York). I recently reacquainted myself with the links, and I'm covering golf for The Herald. That leads me to my explanation on how this blog will work. I want to make it as interactive as possible. That means posting instructional videos offering players tips for improving their games. Giving some interesting audio from events, and I'll also have opinions on some of the buzzworthy topics hitting the national/professional scene. Finally, I'll be giving a glimpse into the local golf scene.