The Monday Recap

Robert Garrigus and putter at Hyundai Tournament of Champions/provided by Associated Press

Just a few tidbits from this past week's pro circuits:

- Yes, Robert Garrigus' putter is that small. And just like a golf swing, there's no correct way - whatever works, works.

In Garrigus' case, the small putter earned him a playoff berth before Jonathan Byrd eventually won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions to begin the 2011 PGA Tour season.

- Tiger Woods was not present, because you had to win a tournament in 2010. It was something Woods failed to do for the first time in his pro career.

- Don't be fooled with the massive yardages the pros were mashing tee shots.

Elevation and trade winds in Hawaii in January can make it seem like the PGA Tour pros are trying out for the World Long Drive Championship.

- The European PGA Tour also kicked off this past week with the South African Open.

And who would have figured a South African would win?

Louis Oosthuizen did that as the reigning British Open champ begins 2011 in style, shooting 16-under for a playoff victory.

Tip of the week: Chipping

This week's tip hits on one key facet to everyone's game - chipping.

Not even the best players in the world hit every green in regulation.

So, the short game is an area that can prove the difference between a par, bogey or worse on all the missed greens.

Check out this video from the IMG Academies, home to the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, to learn how to take your chipping to the next level:

2011 LPGA Tour schedule unveiled

Logo from lpga.com

The LPGA Tour announced its 2011 schedule Thursday.

There are some differences between last year's schedule and this years.

First, when the LPGA Tour hits the domestic portion of the schedule after beginning in Asia, a new charity event will begin play on United States soil.

The RR Donnelly LPGA Founders Cup is the tournament slated for Phoenix in March without a prize purse, as players are competing for what commissioner Mike Whan called a "mock purse" in a national conference call Thursday.

Also, the season-ending LPGA Tour championship has been repackaged as the Titleholders.

The tournament is the lone Florida stop, despite the Sunshine State's penchant for attracting world-class professionals to its borders for a residence.

Another glaring tidbit from a first glance at the schedule is how three majors are sandwiched together in a four-tournament stretch.

Whan said they'll try spacing the majors out a bit more in 2012.

As it stands, however, those tournaments are wedged together, unless some shifting goes on before.

Whan also said a domestic tournament or two could be added to the current 25 official events listed.

Bradenton's Jessica Korda, who turns 18 at the end of February, said she hasn't had a chance to discuss the schedule with her parents yet.

The high school senior gained a special age waiver to play the LPGA Tour in 2011 following her success at Q-School.

There are just two tournaments - both in Asia - prior to Korda turning 18, so it's likely she won't begin her professional life until the LPGA Tour returns to America.

2011 Golf Guide trivia contest winner announced

Congrats are in order for Jeff Folb, who was announced the 2011 Golf Guide trivia contest winner in today's Herald.

Folb answered all the questions correctly.

Here are the questions and corresponding answer:

1. What former Pendleton School student broke through for his/her first major championship in 2010? Paula Creamer

2. How many tournaments did Tiger Woods win on the PGA Tour in 2010? None/Zero

3. Jack Nicklaus visited Manatee County prior to the Masters. How many green jackets has he won? Six

4. What is Tiger Woods' real first name? Eldrick

5. What notable Sarasota High grad and Bradenton resident made his Champions Tour debut in 2010? Paul Azinger

6. Who won the 2010 Ryder Cup held at Celtic Manor in Wales? Europe

7. How many Americans won a men's major in 2010? One

8. What's the name of the mini-tour located in Manatee/Sarasota counties? West Florida Golf Tour

9. Who is the only golfer to win the U.S. Open, British Open, U.S. Amateur and British Amateur in the same year? Bobby Jones

10. What two-time major winner calls Manatee County home? Tony Jacklin

11. Who won this year's Curtis Cup? United States

12. How many more major championships does Tiger Woods need to pass Jack Nicklaus? Five

13. What local course did Nicklaus visit prior to the Masters? The Concession Golf Club

14. What former Bradenton residents won the 2009 and 2010 U.S. Amateur? Byeong-hun An and Peter Uihlein

15. Which course boasts of having the highest point of elevation in Manatee County? Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club

16. Who won the last Champions (then Senior PGA) Tour event at TPC Prestancia? Tom Wargo

17. Lee Westwood took over the No. 1 ranking from Woods this year. How many weeks was Woods at No. 1? 281 weeks in a row

18. All-Star Golf once taped a match between Sam Snead and Bob Rosburg in Manatee County. What current course was it at? Palm Aire Country Club

Bonus 19. An up-and-coming golfer won a national tournament this year. What animal name does he go by? Lion Kim

The WFAT's discounted fee is hard to beat

Logo provided by the WFGT

The West Florida Am Tour is extending its special holiday membership offer through the next event.

That tournament is Monday's stop at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club.

The offer is a membership fee that is waived.

Call Stephen Arnold at 215-813-0237 for more information on the tour and if there are any spots remaining for the upcoming tournament.

And to find out how the mini-tour pros fared in the opening major to the 2011 schedule, pick up Thursday's edition of the Herald.

Augusta National featured in new Woods' game

Tiger Woods at last year's Masters/courtesy McClatchy News-Service

Augusta National is that crown jewel most of us only dream of playing.

That's not the case anymore ... if you enjoy video games.

The venerable layout that hosts the Masters each year is lending itself to EA Sports for its annual Tiger Woods video game series.

The franchise's next installment is "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12" and is slated for release a week before the Masters.

It's the first time Augusta National has allowed itself to be featured in a video game.

And while Augusta National is still a male-only club, the move to the video game world looks like an attempt to gain interest from a younger audience.

Here's a commercial from a previous version of the game:

West Florida Golf Tour's first major offers nice prize

Logo provided by WFGT

The West Florida Golf Tour's first major takes place Wednesday for its 2011 Winter Season.

A hefty purse and prize for the winner is sure to be had considering the field size is 31 as of late Monday night.

The tournament is at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in east Manatee County.

The competition looks stiff with several players from the top five at the end of the WFGT's inaugural Order of Merit standings taking part at the Ritz.

Oh, and the winner gets a free entry into another tournament.

Not a bad incentive for some good golf.