There is a Reason Old Hickory has a Busy Tee Sheet

It’s a prized possession that every golfer holds dear and wouldn’t dare give up—unless a better one comes along: the tee time.

Few things make other golfers more jealous than hearing someone else brag about a Saturday morning tee time. Especially if that time is at the new golf course everyone is talking about or on that first perfectly warm day of the year. For decades making the tee time was a simple but somewhat onerous process—especially at the exact moment when the weekend tee sheet opened up.

Anyone who’s played long enough knows the early morning scene. Golfers who’ve been pacing outside the locked golf shop door for the previous 30 minutes rush inside the second it opens.

With foam still clinging to their mouths, the beastly golfers bark out their claims to the following week’s best times. At the same time, the telephone’s incessant ring forces the poor golf pro (who is still in desperate need of that first cup of coffee) to mind the requests of those who are too lazy to show up in person. All the while, processing the players who are supposed to be teeing off that morning and who are of course the same people making the tee times in the first place.

Every golf course has a different policy when it comes to tee times and while in person and over-the-phone requests are still accepted, more tee times than ever before are booked on-line.  The reasoning is quite simple for golfer and golf shop operator alike: convenience.

“It allows me the same access 24/7 as my customer,” says Steve Clark, director of operations for Old Hickory Golf Club in Woodbridge, Virginia. “I can see what’s going on….and it gives you flexibility [to manage the tee sheet] if you know how to use it.”

Old Hickory has utilized an on-line system since it opened in 2003. Clark says the Internet was a key component of spreading the word about the golf course and that over time the use of on-line bookings for tee times has increased.  He estimates that 25% of the times are booked this way and he expects that figure to increase over time as more people become used to making on-line reservations.

Ten years ago, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority’s courses (Pohick Bay, Algonkian and Brambleton) went to an on-line system and its managers are very happy with the results.   Instead of having people line up outside the pro shop or jam up the telephone lines, the rush for the prime tee-times is now done in front of a computer.  “If somebody has a standing time then they will go on-line and do that,” says Chris Pauley, Director of Operations for the NVRPA courses. “That is a big majority of our business.”

Interestingly, the NVRPA’s move to on-line bookings coincided with a marketing venture to join forces with the municipal courses from Fairfax and Prince William Counties.  Pauley says the joint effort was designed to increase awareness of the other courses and create friendly matches between the different systems.  But that arrangement hasn’t fulfilled NVRPA’s expectations and it will not be part of the joint-system next year.

The most significant change for NVRPA golfers in 2010 will be the elimination of an upfront reservation membership fee golfers have had to pay each year in order to make tee times two weeks in advance. Pauley says the number of people paying the annual charge has dropped and believes that cost is driving business away.

The trend towards on-line golf reservations is also working its way to some private clubs. Argyle Country Club in Silver Spring, Maryland is in the process of instituting an on-line system for its members.  Assistant Pro Fran Hogan says Internet reservations are “just a heck of a lot more convenient” for members and pro shop staff.  Hogan says the current practice of determining prized weekend times by lottery will remain in place but members will be encouraged to make weekday times through the club’s website.  Argyle like many other clubs sends out an electronic newsletter and the move towards on-line Monday-Friday tee times is another step towards using modern technology for its members.

But not all clubs have the same need. “We still do things the old fashioned way,” says Bethesda Country Club Pro Jim Folks. Clubs with more courses or more members may have a more pressing need for an on-line system.  But at Bethesda, a starter takes weekend times two days in advance and access at all other times is generally handled on a first-come first-served basis, which rarely leads to problems.

So how do on-line reservations work?

If you book a tee time at one of the 175 or so courses that use services like teetimes.com, it isn’t too difficult at all.  Computer technology allows golfers to book their spot on the tee sheet automatically.

“We are trying to help the golf course operate and sell their tee times,” says Greg Dorsett, owner of teetimes.com and its parent company Software Performance Systems, Inc.

The LaPlata, Maryland technology firm has turned the majority of its business towards the golf industry with its tee time reservations system and several websites like lastsecondgolfer.com and playgolftomorrow.com that offer discounts on unclaimed times.

While a lot of its customers are concentrated in destination markets of Williamsburg and Ocean City, teetimes.com customers can be found throughout the Mid-Atlantic.  It recently signed a five-year deal to process tee times at the Fairfax County golf courses.

But the computer technology does a lot more than simply process tee times. It also allows operators to better track customer trends and can market their services accordingly.

Dorsett describes how the tracking systems can identify all of the customers who have purchased a particular golf ball or also bought equipment at the pro shop.  In turn, golf course operators can use that information to target specific golfers with specials or other deals that based on their buying history may of interest.

“We pride ourselves in being a leader in technology and leverage the power of the Internet for their customers,” Dorsett explains.  But he is also quick to point out that while he can make the tools available; the golf courses have to do the work to take the information they’ve gathered and market it accordingly.  “We drive the technology,” Dorsett says. “But they do the marketing.”

Dorsett predicts that the future of on-line tee times will extend to social networking sites like Facebook. He also predicts that text messaging will become a more common way for golf courses to reach out to its customers and in turn for golfers to reserve their coveted tee times.

100 Holes at the Mash?

The First Tee of Montgomery County uses golf as a platform to educate our youth about how to use golf as a vehicle for success.  The National First Tee creed is Respect, Perseverance, Honesty, Integrity, Courtesy, Responsibility, Sportsmanship, Confidence and Judgement, all traits that golf emulates.

The First Tee also stands for fun, and that’s sure to be had on June 21 at Blue Mash Golf Course.  It’s the 2010 Golf Marathon, where you are challenged to complete 100 holes in a day.

You’ll tee off at 7am, but first you’ll have raised pledges for the number of holes that you will attempt to play. All proceeds will go to benefit the First Tee of Montgomery County, and all they ask is that you raise a minimum of $25 per hole played  or a maximum total of $2500.  It’s as simple as that.

There will be good times, great prizes for the top fundraisers and the individual who plays the most holes, and breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided throughout the day.

For more information and an event brochure CLICK HERE

The Show was alive and the “vibe” was palpable, reminiscent of the heyday of former PGA Shows. With over 1,000 exhibitors and close to 40,000 attendees, the convention floor was filled for three days solid. The organizers had to literally throw people out of the hall at the 3.00 pm close on Saturday. Vendor’s were writing orders and in great spirits. Hopefully, golf is on the rebound.

Top participating golf manufacturers included: Srixon, Fairway and Greene, Callaway Golf, Club Car, Bridgestone, Nike Golf, Ahead Clothing, Tour Edge, PING, Wilson Golf, Titleist and Yonex, to name just a few.

Club and putter fitting is the hottest trend in the industry right now. Aiding this trend are fitting devices, such as Mizuno’s and Edel Golf’s Putter Fitting Process.

Technology continues to thrive in the golf domain. Whether it is drivers, putters, irons, balls or shoes, advances in designs and materials continue and new products are being introduced almost monthly.

With the technology now available that allows golfers to be fitted with multiple shafts and interchangeable heads, both in putters and clubs, there is absolutely no reason why EVERY golfer should not be custom fitted. Pricing for custom fitting is negligible and in most cases offered free by retailers, however, if you prefer dealing with a specific manufacturer this could entail the purchasing of the company’s clubs or a small fee.

I personally have yet to be convinced that a shaft with an attachment is going to play the same as one without. And, until there is a standard attachment for all manufacturers, I am not convinced that this trend will be around for too long. As I was taught at business school, businesses do not create markets, markets create businesses and there is definitely not a significant market for this product, presently or in the foreseeable future.

Hybrids are still the star of this year’s show in hard goods, as performance fabrics are in the soft goods. In fact, when it comes to individual club sales, hybrids have surpassed putters in many retail stores as top sellers, checking in just behind drivers as the No. 1 revenue producer.

The following products were the 10 best of the Show:

David Edel’s Golf Fitting Technology – It’s all about AIM!

Based on imperfect visual aim, by  99% of individuals, including Tour players, Edel Golf offers a process of carefully fitting each golfer one at a time. Edel has certified fitters throughout the United States. It took Edel just 30 minutes to fit me to a putter that found the hole consistently, after he diagnosed that I was aiming to the left. Most impressive to me was that I finally was able to convey what weight and feel worked well for me and see the results fast.

After the fitting process is complete, with over 30 million permutations available to get your putter fittedperfectly, you will own a truly custom putter ideal for your game and most importantly, your confidence increases and putting statistics improve rapidly.

Edel Golf offers three unique designs that can be built to a golfer’ specific need: Basic, Variable Weight and Variable Loft. All Edel Golf putters are precisely milled from a block of 303 Stainless Steel – available in six head shapes (Columbia, Willamette, McKenzie, Rogue, Umpqua, Deschutes), and handcrafted using a CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) vertical milling press.

Edel premium putters are precision milled instruments in all models and styles, whether a mallet or a blade, a center shaft or plumber’s neck. The putters are made from only the best quality materials in the world. Edel custom putters are currently in the hands of top professionals and serious golfers all over the world.

Cost per putter varies from $375 to $800    www.edelgolf.com

Dawgs Golf Spirit Shoes

This was another of the busiest booths at the Show. More importantly, I saw more smiling faces and orders being written at this booth than anywhere else during my 3 days at the Show.

One of the most important pieces of golf equipment is your shoes. Playing a round of golf involves lots of walking and your shoes, if not fitted correctly or are too heavy, can cause issues that affect your game, both short term and long term.

DAWGS has introduced a line of lightweight shoes, including golf shoes, which weigh just 7 ounces. They are extremely stable, stylish and are ideal for moving around dry golf courses. Their only drawback is that they are not waterproof and should not be worn in wet conditions. DAWGS are especially prolific on the LPGA Tour.

Similar to the Crocs that have been on the market for a while, DAWGS has simply made a better product both in support and styling and, of course, comfort.

For “after the round”, walking and driving, there is simply no substitute that I could find in any shoe brand.

The built in properties of high quality EVA (a.k.a. Closed Cell Resin) absorb shock, protecting your heel and foot. The shoes can be worn without socks, are odor resistant, have great arch support and a wonderful massaging foot bed.

Golfing performance is further enhanced by the Golf Spirit shoe’s 9 strategically placed soft spikes embedded in rubber/EVA out soles, keeping your feet planted firmly on the ground.

Golfers wearing the golf spirit shoe also benefit from a quick adjusting Velcro strap for immediate comfort, and ventilation holes for cool comfort.

The “Spirit” line is available in both men’s (8-17) and women’s sizes from 5-11. It is suggested that you get the size larger as there are currently no half sizes. Their color combinations are terrific.

Visit their web site to see all the different styles, colors and uses for their products. It’s a fun experience.

MSRP: $50                      www.usadawgs.com

Boccieri Golf’s Heavy Wedge

If you liked Steve Boccieri’s Heavy Putters, this new wedge is quickly going to find a place in your bag. This wedge uses the same counterweight technology that is found in Boccieri’s Heavy Putters. An extra 65 grams of weight is positioned in the butt of the shaft, raising the club’s balance point and, according to Boccieri, promotes better distance control and tighter shot dispersion.

The wedge is extremely easy to hit, the weight seems perfect and it is aesthetically pleasing. The wedge comes with a Femco FST Hi REV shaft and aggressive square grooves. Lofts are available of 52 (8-degree bounce), 56 (11-degree bounce) and 60 degrees (4- or 7-degree bounce).

MSRP $109.95      Available: Feb 15   www.theheavywedge.com

Tour Edge CB3 Tour Driver

One of the busiest booths at the Show and the Demo Day, Tour Edge’s new CB3 Tour Driver is one of the stars of the Tour Edge line.

The CB3 delivers tour-caliber performance in a traditional-sized head. The CB3 driver represents a clear break from the current thinking that larger is better. By offering a classic shape and appealing 430cc head size, the CB3 is aimed at golfers who desire a driver that delivers the same tour-caliber performance as their Exotics fairway woods.

The smaller head delivers an extremely controllable driver that conveys explosive distance. Technical features include a 15-3-3-3 Beta titanium cup face, crown, and neck that are joined to a heavy hyper steel sole, using a no-weld combo-brazing process.

The CB3 further differentiates itself from other Exotics drivers in that it has a higher center of gravity location for tour-preferred trajectory, complimenting its titanium cup face and heavy steel sole. The thickness of the face is variable and includes a thinner perimeter ring around the striking surface. The result is a driver that produces the same crisp, reactive launch as the Tour-famous CB2 fairway wood.

The driver’s stock shaft is the extremely popular FUJIKURA MOTORE EXOTICS TOUR 65.

MSRP: $ 349.00   www.touredgegolf.com

Bridgestone’s  J38 Dual Pocket Cavity Irons and B330 RX Balls.

Wow! What fabulous irons these J38 Dual Pocket are! Similarly, the new Tour B33o RX ball is a performer “par excellence”.

These are probably the best looking “Players” irons I have ever seen. They look like forged irons and the feel is, basically put – awesome! They are primarily targeted for professionals to mid-handicappers.

The irons are made from premium forged 1020 carbon steel and with a  Magnesium composite that enhances perimeter weighting for more forgiveness on off-center hits, which also dampens vibration for better feel.

The club’s trailing and leading edge offers relief for better performance from a variety of lies.

Project X flighted shafts are offered and the set comes in 4-PW.

Also, coming are the J38 Cavity Back irons designed for the lower handicapper and will be available in March.

MSRP: $899.00

Essentially, the New Tour B330-RX ball maximizes Tour caliber performance for highly skilled players with varying swing speeds.

The B330 RX offers the softest, multi-layer Urethane ball on the market and its large and soft Gradational Core provides a soft feel and added forgiveness.

This ball plays as well, if not better than, as any of the premium balls currently being offered to golfers.

MSRP:  $56 per dozen

www.bridgestonegolf.com

Nike VR (Victory Red) STR8-FIT Tour Driver

Nike’s best driver to date! It delivers everything a driver should be – distance, great set-up, forgiveness and performance and it is definitely one of the most impressive performers in the premium adjustable golf driver market.

The VR STR8-FIT Tour features a brand new shape that has been designed in cooperation with Nike Golf’s highly successful stable of tour professionals.

Specifically aimed at skilled golfers, the STR8-FIT Tour offers all the adjustability and performance that Nike’s professional golfers enjoy.

Nike’s award winning innovation, the highly successful STR8-FIT Face Angle Technology, has been introduced into the Victory Red range for the first time to allow golfers the chance to select their shot shape and dictate the look of their driver. With its 32 different face angles, the VR STR8-FIT Tour provides the skilled golfers with maximum workability and confidence on every drive.

The Nike VR STR8-FIT Tour golf driver has a refined and classic appearance which helps to deliver low spin rates and a more penetrating ball flight. A distinctive red Compression Channel runs from heel to toe on the sole of the club and helps to increase the compression of the body to produce higher ball speeds on even off centre hits.

There is also a VR Tour driver available.

Available in lofts of 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5°.

MSRP:  $399.00

Nike Method Putter

Teasing the golfing public for almost a year, the Tour Proven METHOD putter has finally arrived at retailers.

The Nike METHOD putter has a flowed-through low-durometer polymetal groove technology (developed at Nike’s “Oven” in Ft. Worth) that dampens impact vibrations for soft touch, while the interspersed milled steel face maintains audible feedback for proper distance control.

Nike addressed one of ongoing issues that plague putters, that of the traditional steel faced putters – they lift the ball too much and impart backspin resulting in the ball to initially bounce slightly higher and go offline. Now, with the highly visible and distinctive polymetal groove technology, this putter is creating a faster forward roll after impact for the kind of accuracy and consistency that the Tour professionals demand.

The multi-material face starts the ball on a positive spin that is faster than both a milled steel putter, as well as putters with a polymer face insert.

For increased Moment of Inertia (MOI) and added stability, Nike’s ported polymetal groove technology allows 30 grams of internal weight to be extracted from the face and body and relocated to the perimeter.

These Anser blade style putters have a nice clean look with a matte finish that does not distract you when standing over the ball. Each of the four blade models has different characteristics, like shaft bend and alignment lines. For instance, my preference,  the METHOD 004 has three alignment lines in the cavity, while the other versions METHOD 001, 002, and 003 have slightly different necks and alignment lines. The fifth style is that of a mallet.

All five of the METHOD putters come with a standard 2 degrees of loft and will be available in 33″, 34″, and 35″ lengths.

MSRP: $249.99           www.nikegolf.com

Golf GPS or Laser Rangefinder – Which one is Better?

As with getting opinions from lawyers, there are always going to be too many. So it is with yardage finders. Both devices are designed to provide golfers with accurate yardage readings, but they both function quite differently and each has inherent different strengths and weaknesses.

How a Rangefinder Works

A rangefinder is completely different from a GPS device. The rangefinder is an optical device which is somewhere between a pair of binoculars and a laser gun that would be used to measure speeding drivers by a highway patrol officer.

The optical system, much like a rifle scope, allows you to select and lock onto the object that you want to measure the distance for (a flag stick on a green for example).

Then the golf rangefinder shoots an “eye safe” laser at the target, and measures the time it takes for the laser to bounce off of the target and return to the rangefinder. From this time delay, the rangefinder can calculate accurately how far away the target is.

How a Golf GPS Unit Works

To keep it simple, a golf GPS is a satellite based mapping device. It communicates with overhead satellites to pinpoint your exact location on the Earth and then uses previously recorded locations on the golf course to tell you the distance to any important locations near you (front of the green for the hole you are playing, for example).

Advantages of a Golf GPS

You don’t have to aim it at a target to get a yardage reading. This can be an advantage if your target is not in your line of site; an elevated green or you are behind a bush, for example.

Also, you don’t have to have a steady hand or accurate eye to line up a GPS unit like you would with a range finder.

Advantages of Laser Rangefinders for Golf

The latest model Range finders have up to 7x magnification. This can be very useful, not only for guiding the laser to get accurate yardage measurements to your target, but also for locating landing areas.

It is impossible to locate a ridge on a green that should be avoided from 175 yards with the naked eye. With a range finder, you could spot it easily and play safely to the other side of the green, resulting in an easier birdie putt. Another advantage is that a laser rangefinder can be used on the practice range to see how far you are hitting each club.

The short answer is neither a GPS nor a rangefinder is better as they are both similar, however, if one is concerned about speed of play, stick with the laser rangefinder.The best way to solve that problem is to have one of each!  But that isn’t always realistic, so study the facts to decide which one is better for your game.

SkyCaddie  GPS SGX Range Finder & SGX SmartClub Technology

The leader of the pack in the Golf GPS domain is, without adoubt, SkyCaddie. Their commitment to research is second-to-none, and now they have introduced what is probably the most advanced unit to measure distance for those golfers who love technology.

Not only will you be able to mark your distances, keep a record of your scores, but the SCG will allow you to select which club to use, even let you know if you left it behind.

For the ultimate in convenience and reliability, the SkyCaddie SGX can store up to 30,000 pre-loaded, ground-verified course maps making it ready-to-play out of the box.  The SGX boasts a durable, sleek design with a large, easy-to-read, transflective TFT-LCD screen that provides brilliant color images, even in the brightest sunlight.

The SGX uses an innovative dual navigation option to provide golfer friendly one-handed operation and enhanced precision positioning.  An intuitive user interface offers everything found in competitive rangefinders, plus better reliability and several proprietary stroke-saving essentials, like IntelliGreen Pro, TruePoint GPS Precision Positioning and SmartClubTechnology.

Lastly, SGX offers a convenient Digital Scorecard and Stat Tracking option to track key game statistics, including: greens in regulation, fairways hit, driving accuracy and distance, plus total putts.  Golfers can auto sync their scores and stats to SkyGolf’s newly created and quickly evolving online community, ClubSG, for comprehensive game tracking and analysis.

SGX Enabled With SmartClub Technology

What truly defines the SGX as the next generation rangefinder is its compatibility with SkyCaddie’s revolutionary SGX SmartClub Technology.  Expected to be released later in 2010, SGX SmartClub Technology adds intelligence and a wireless communication link to each club in a golfer’s bag.  Upon removal of a club from the golfer’s bag, SmartClub Tags located at the butt end cap of the grip establishes a direct communication link with the SkyCaddie.

This revolutionary connectivity adds new functionality and opens a huge portal to expand the game beyond the 18^th green and to golf’s future.  For example, SGX Club Reminder utilizes SmartClub technology to alert a golfer if a wedge or other club is left behind, before the player advances to the next hole.  SGX Game Tracker can also utilize the same technology to capture the club used, the geo-location and distances of each shot, while eliminating most of the effort and distraction of manual entry.  Captured round data and personal performance data are synced to ClubSG for unparalleled post-game analytics or sharing with friends, teachers and fitters.

SkyCaddie SGX will be available at most golf shops nationwide in April, 2010.  SmartClub Technology with SGX SmartClub Tags is expected to be available by June, 2010.  Pricing for SmartClub Technology with SGX SmartClub Tags will be released at a later date.

MSRP: $399.95      www.skygolf.com

Laser Link Red Hot Range Finder

The best in the range finder domain for ease of use, accuracy and style. If your course has the Laser Link Reflector System, you will be thrilled by this latest unit from Laser Link Golf. If your course is still in the 18^th century, demand that they get the FREE reflector system.

I personally like to play fast and dealing with a GPS unit is not my preference. I want to know how far it is to the pin without having to get involved in calculations and pressing more than one button to get my information.

This 8 ounce unit with a laser link reflector will give you a distance of 5 – 800 yards (5 -731 meters), while a course without a reflector gives you a range of 5 – 400 yards (5 – 366 meters).

This is a Class One laser and requires a 9-volt alkaline battery, as opposed to charging a GPS. It has an accuracy factor of +/- 1%! – Very different from a GPS unit.

The unit‘s many other features include the ability to measure landmarks, such as trees and bunkers up to 400 yards away. It has both a vibrate mode for silent use and an easy-to-use mode button.

You will be thrilled with this unit – you focus on your game without being distracted.

MSRP: $389.00       www.laserlinkgolf.com

Abacus

This Swedish clothing company made its first appearance at the PGA Show and to describe their product line in one word, “stunning”.

Their styles for both men and women bring excitement to fashion on and off the golf course. They make wearing golf clothes exciting!

Their collections are a fusion between town and country focusing on attire that can be worn on and off the course. Style and elegance combined with speed and fun is shown through the use of traditional patterns such as argyles and glen checks paired with soft shells, waterproofs and functional fabrics.

The collection continues to focus on the development of functional and stylish rain garments like the prize winning Pitch series, which was recently featured as a key uniform piece for the Ladies European Team at the 2009 Solheim Cup.

The collections stay true to their European design roots in a way that has given Abacus very strong international presence in just a few years. The company’s goal is to continue developing Abacus into a lifestyle brand that reaches beyond the world of golf. The way they are going, they should reach their goals sooner than later.

Abacus is distributed in North America by Caulfeild Apparel Group in Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Richard Johnson, Christine Hallstrom and Christian Nilsson are Tour players with the Abacus endorsement.

Price ranges at retail from $ 50 to $ 300                      www.abacus-outdoor.com

Please note that MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) may be different from the Street Price (as sold by retailers).

There were many other noteworthy products available at the Show and these will be covered in our Show Wrap-Up article next month.

Rest assured that there are many great and exiting products coming out this year that will improve all aspects of your game from shoes to balls to books and training aids that really work.

Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the California Golf Writers Association, and serves both as a Consultant and Mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers”, “How to Build Business Relationships through Golf” which is in the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s bestseller list. His latest book,” The Right Mind for Golf”, is to be released in April 2010.

He can be reached at www.pgtaa.com or drlotz@cbsgolf.net

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With all of the circumstances, this prepared statement is long overdue.  Though you would expect that this was a difficult task.  Tiger Woods took the podium at PGA TOUR Headquarters, Friday, and delivered a well prepared statement, with moments that ranged from robotic to anger filled to sorrowful.  It was an exercise in humility for the games greatest player.  That is why I respect his wishes to take no questions.  He’s right to accept no questions on the topics in the future.  His crime is one between he and his wife, and of little business to anyone else.

FULL TRANSCRIPT:

TIGER WOODS: Good morning, and thank you for joining me. Many of you in this room are my friends. Many of you in this room know me. Many of you have cheered for me or you’ve worked with me or you’ve supported me.

Now every one of you has good reason to be critical of me. I want to say to each of you, simply and directly, I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in.

I know people want to find out how I could be so selfish and so foolish. People want to know how I could have done these things to my wife Elin and to my children. And while I have always tried to be a private person, there are some things I want to say.

Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behavior. As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words; it will come from my behavior over time. We have a lot to discuss; however, what we say to each other will remain between the two of us.

I am also aware of the pain my behavior has caused to those of you in this room. I have let you down, and I have let down my fans. For many of you, especially my friends, my behavior has been a personal disappointment. To those of you who work for me, I have let you down personally and professionally. My behavior has caused considerable worry to my business partners.

To everyone involved in my foundation, including my staff, board of directors, sponsors, and most importantly, the young students we reach, our work is more important than ever. Thirteen years ago, my dad and I envisioned helping young people achieve their dreams through education. This work remains unchanged and will continue to grow. From the Learning Center students in Southern California to the Earl Woods scholars in Washington, D.C., millions of kids have changed their lives, and I am dedicated to making sure that continues.

But still, I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you. I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did. I am embarrassed that I have put you in this position.

For all that I have done, I am so sorry.

I have a lot to atone for, but there is one issue I really want to discuss. Some people have speculated that Elin somehow hurt or attacked me on Thanksgiving night. It angers me that people would fabricate a story like that. Elin never hit me that night or any other night. There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage, ever. Elin has shown enormous grace and poise throughout this ordeal. Elin deserves praise, not blame.

The issue involved here was my repeated irresponsible behavior. I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did is not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame.

I stopped living by the core values that I was taught to believe in. I knew my actions were wrong, but I convinced myself that normal rules didn’t apply. I never thought about who I was hurting. Instead, I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled. Thanks to money and fame, I didn’t have to go far to find them.

I was wrong. I was foolish. I don’t get to play by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me. I brought this shame on myself. I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife’s family, my friends, my foundation, and kids all around the world who admired me.

I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I’ve done. My failures have made me look at myself in a way I never wanted to before. It’s now up to me to make amends, and that starts by never repeating the mistakes I’ve made. It’s up to me to start living a life of integrity.

I once heard, and I believe it’s true, it’s not what you achieve in life that matters; it’s what you overcome. Achievements on the golf course are only part of setting an example. Character and decency are what really count.

Parents used to point to me as a role model for their kids. I owe all those families a special apology. I want to say to them that I am truly sorry.

It’s hard to admit that I need help, but I do. For 45 days from the end of December to early February, I was in inpatient therapy receiving guidance for the issues I’m facing. I have a long way to go. But I’ve taken my first steps in the right direction.

As I proceed, I understand people have questions. I understand the press wants to ask me for the details and the times I was unfaithful. I understand people want to know whether Elin and I will remain together. Please know that as far as I’m concerned, every one of these questions and answers is a matter between Elin and me. These are issues between a husband and a wife.

Some people have made up things that never happened. They said I used performance enhancing drugs. This is completely and utterly false. Some have written things about my family. Despite the damage I have done, I still believe it is right to shield my family from the public spotlight. They did not do these things; I did.

I have always tried to maintain a private space for my wife and children. They have been kept separate from my sponsors, my commercial endorsements. When my children were born, we only released photographs so that the paparazzi could not chase them. However, my behavior doesn’t make it right for the media to follow my two and a half year old daughter to school and report the school’s location. They staked out my wife and they pursued my mom. Whatever my wrongdoings, for the sake of my family, please leave my wife and kids alone.

I recognize I have brought this on myself, and I know above all I am the one who needs to change. I owe it to my family to become a better person. I owe it to those closest to me to become a better man. That’s where my focus will be.

I have a lot of work to do, and I intend to dedicate myself to doing it. Part of following this path for me is Buddhism, which my mother taught me at a young age. People probably don’t realize it, but I was raised a Buddhist, and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away from it in recent years. Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously I lost track of what I was taught.

As I move forward, I will continue to receive help because I’ve learned that’s how people really do change. Starting tomorrow, I will leave for more treatment and more therapy. I would like to thank my friends at Accenture and the players in the field this week for understanding why I’m making these remarks today.

In therapy I’ve learned the importance of looking at my spiritual life and keeping in balance with my professional life. I need to regain my balance and be centered so I can save the things that are most important to me, my marriage and my children.

That also means relying on others for help. I’ve learned to seek support from my peers in therapy, and I hope someday to return that support to others who are seeking help. I do plan to return to golf one day, I just don’t know when that day will be.

I don’t rule out that it will be this year. When I do return, I need to make my behavior more respectful of the game. In recent weeks I have received many thousands of emails, letters and phone calls from people expressing good wishes. To everyone who has reached out to me and my family, thank you. Your encouragement means the world to Elin and me.

I want to thank the PGA TOUR, Commissioner Finchem, and the players for their patience and understanding while I work on my private life. I look forward to seeing my fellow players on the course.

Finally, there are many people in this room, and there are many people at home who believed in me. Today I want to ask for your help. I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again.

Thank you.

Click Here to Watch the Full Tiger Woods Statement

As everyone knows, the USGA instituted a new rule on groove shape.  And while most players have decided to abide by the rules, several, including Mickelson, have experimented with 15-20 year old wedges that somehow, under lawsuit, are exempt from the USGA ban.

Read all of the Scuttlebutt Here

Click Here for More Information

When will we see Tiger Woods again?

Tiger Woods is no longer the man you thought you knew. Yet in all this hoopla; the dramatic fall from grace of the world’s most popular athlete, those who said that they actually knew Tiger as a man are just plain kidding themselves.

The fact is, Tiger Woods is a golfer. He’s the best anyone has ever seen. He has also never let any of you into his personal life, and has failed to throw his weight into any social agenda of world importance, save of course, his foundation and endorsement of President Obama. Yet now, because of his personal problems and subsequent media firestorm surrounding the details of his private business, the golf world has lost him. And it may be forever.

Tiger’s rapidly unfolding, remarkable story has been told by every sleazy publication in the world. Though I feel it is important for this media organization to now choose its side. We choose golf.

Pros N’ Hackers stands by Tiger Woods, the world’s greatest golfer. We’re in the golf business and no matter what anyone on the PGA TOUR, or otherwise says, golf can’t do business without its CEO.

Even though I’m still in love with golf, my confidence in the game’s future reached a new low on Friday, December 11^th 2009. The day the music died. The day Tiger said he would be hanging up the spikes for an “indefinite” period of time. Mark my word, until his return, minutes will seem like hours.

Part of the Never Ending Scandal

Am I the only one that’s willing to say… “Why couldn’t these sorted details have come out later in life or just remained hidden, for that matter?” because that’s how I feel. I don’t give a damn. Tiger Woods was in his prime, and in-sight of the two greatest records in this sport: Sam Snead’s 82 PGA TOUR victories and, more importantly, Jack Nicklaus’ 18 major championships. Who knows when he’ll be able to refocus on those tasks, or if he will be the unbreakable figure we all came to know. Does a broken Tiger dominate?

Woods, with 71 PGA TOUR wins and 14 major championships has done things on the golf course that are simply unthinkable. As a 34-year old lifelong golf fan, I only have room for a few dramatic golf memories that don’t involve Tiger Woods.

He won the 1997 Masters by 12 shots. He dusted the field by 15 at the 2000 U.S. Open. The list goes on and on.

He makes clutch shot after clutch shot, and every single putt that he needs to make, no matter the distance or opponent.

Say what you will about me, but I will not join the crusade to vilify this man. I don’t care about his wife, his girls on the side, his wrecked SUV or his wrecked personal life. I could give a damn about the millions of people, publications and web sites who cared nothing about golf or Tiger Woods, the magnificent corporate ornament, yet can’t report enough on the flawed infidel who is apparently addicted to sex, drugs and even rock and roll if they look hard enough I’ll bet.

Partly, Tiger Woods is being punished for creating Tiger Woods. There is no doubt in my mind that, in his veneer, he manufactured a double standard for himself. He’s up there with Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan, in terms of his athletic achievement, popularity and importance to his profession, all of whom were supernatural athletes, yet flawed men.

I could write a novel about the indiscretions of sporting celebrities. And then I’ll follow it up with one about actors and entertainers, followed by Vol. III, The Politicians.

And suddenly, I’m supposed to think that my sport’s brightest star has burnt out, just like that. Just because Tiger can’t seem to get enough when it comes to the opposite sex. Maybe he shouldn’t have gotten married. And he definitely shouldn’t have made some of the choices that he has apparently made, time and time again. However, none of this has anything to do with Tiger Woods the world’s best golfer. But listening to many reports, one might think he’s the world’s worst human being.

This is the image of Tiger that most should want to remember.

This is disastrous in more ways than one. The PGA TOUR will take a huge sponsor hit from these shenanigans. Tiger will never play the schedule that he once did. In my opinion, he may begin a Hogan type existence- Reclusion for most of the year and then perhaps we’ll see him at the majors. This has all gone too far and has ripped golf apart at the seams. In terms of notoriety and financial impact, what Tiger once giveth, he now taketh away. But it doesn’t have to be lost forever. I know he will be back, healed and ready to excite us all over again.

To many, Tiger may not fit the image of the squeaky clean, perfect man anymore. But he’s a perfect golfer. That’s all that I care about.

-Chris Counts, Editor

Tell Pros N’ Hackers how you feel about the World’s Number One Golfer.

]]> http://www.prosandhackersclub.com/2009/12/13/in-support-of-tiger-woods/feed/ 0 http://www.prosandhackersclub.com/2009/11/05/tpc-potomac-at-avenel-farm-to-host-senior-major-in-2010/ http://www.prosandhackersclub.com/2009/11/05/tpc-potomac-at-avenel-farm-to-host-senior-major-in-2010/#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:56:40 +0000 PNH http://www.prosandhackersclub.com/?p=2195 FROM PGA TOUR PRESS RELEASE:

When 14-time Champions Tour winner Jay Haas defends his Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship title next season, he’ll be doing so at the newly renovated TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm in Potomac, Md., as the PGA TOUR Board of Directors approved a one-year move to the course for Oct. 4-10, 2010.  Baltimore Country Club, which has served as host for the Champions Tour’s fifth major since 2007, has one year left in its site agreement with the PGA TOUR and will host the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship in 2011.

“We are delighted to announce this one-year move of the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship to TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, and we would like to thank the TPC Potomac membership for affording this opportunity to our players – many of whom played there during the Kemper Open and Booz Allen Classic days – and will most certainly enjoy returning to since its incredible renovation,” said Mike Stevens, Champions Tour president.

The Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship comes to the Washington, D.C., area, joining the Nationwide Tour’s Prince George’s County, Maryland, event as one of two PGA TOUR-sanctioned events in the region.  The PGA TOUR’s AT&T National will be played at Aronimink Golf Club in Newton Square, Pa., in 2010-2011.

“We want to thank the membership and leadership of Baltimore Country Club for graciously agreeing to delay the one year remaining in our contract to 2011, setting up this opportunity to showcase the Champions Tour at the new TPC Potomac,” said Stevens.  “With the Nationwide Tour’s Melwood Prince George’s County Open at the University of Maryland Golf Course in June, local golf fans will have the opportunity to experience both the PGA TOUR’s future stars and its legendary players first hand.”

“As the title sponsor for the 2010 Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship, we are pleased that this prestigious golf tournament will once again be held in and for the benefit our home state of Maryland,” said Mayo A. Shattuck III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Constellation Energy.  “Constellation Energy will continue to build on our efforts to ensure the tournament remains carbon neutral and showcases the very best of how energy and the environment can beneficially work together.  As has been the case in the past, we have enjoyed tremendous support from volunteers, particularly Constellation Energy employees and retirees, and we welcome their continued involvement in helping to make this year’s event a success. We look forward to a great tournament in 2010 at the new venue at TPC Potomac and to the return of the tournament to Baltimore Country Club in 2011.”

TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, which hosted a PGA TOUR event from 1987-2004 and 2006, was recently named No. 12 on Golfweek’s list of the “Best New Courses for 2009.”  Current Champions Tour stars who won PGA TOUR events at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm include Gil Morgan (1990), Morris Hatalsky (1988) and Tom Kite (1987).

“TPC Potomac is thrilled to serve as host of the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship in 2010,” said Mike Sullivan, TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm general manager.  “There is little doubt that the Champions Tour players will be thoroughly impressed with the renovations to TPC Potomac and the upgraded amenities.  We look forward to providing our members, homeowners and fans with an outstanding experience, while at the same time supporting worthy non-profit organizations.”

“Baltimore Country Club has enjoyed hosting the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship for the past three years, and we look forward to welcoming back the best of the Champions Tour in 2011,” said Michael Stott, Baltimore Country Club general manager and COO.  “We are in full support of the TOUR’s opportunity to take the event to TPC Potomac next year and know that the D.C. area will appreciate the event – and its commendable charitable impact on the local community – as much as we have since 2007 and will again in 2011.”

“It’s going to be great for the Champions Tour to be in the Washington, D.C., area,” said Haas.  “A lot of us out here played TPC Potomac for many years when we were on the PGA TOUR, and from what everyone says about the redesign, it’s now without question a harder, better, championship-caliber course.  I think it’s one that the Champions Tour players will appreciate as the site of our final major of the season.”

The moderator at the World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremonies couldn’t have said it better, “A native son of Richmond, Virginia will stand before up tonight to take his rightful place in the World Golf Hall of Fame.”

After a distinguished golf career, which saw him win numerous amateur titles and 21 PGA TOUR Victories,  including the 1977 PGA Championship, Lanny Wadikins entered the shrine where his accomplishments will forever be portrayed.

Jim Nantz:
I’m thinking, though, how much and how long Lanny has deserved this recognition tonight. I’m also thinking about two things I’ve heard him say so many times. We all have this kind of floating through our heads, thoughts, wishes. I’ve heard Lanny say so many times: Boy, I wish my dad were alive to see this. I heard him many times say: I wish my boys, Chad and Tucker, had a chance to see me in my prime.

Lanny’s father was a prideful man who loved his boys, Lanny and Bobby, and his daughter Ann. He was driving a truck for a living when Lanny learned how to play the game. During the week he was on the highway for Blue and Gray Transportation, and the weekends were all about any activity in which he could involve his kids.

Lanny at age six would pull his dad’s pull cart so that he could spend time with the man he idolized. And by ten, well, he was playing the game at such a high level they were writing about him in Richmond.

He was breaking 80 at the age of 10. So notable that when he did that at Meadowbrook country club, the Richmond Times Dispatch wrote a story about it. A picture ran in the paper. There was Lanny. There’s the picture. Standing next to his golf bag, the bag bigger than the boy. Still the case, too, by the way.

A few years later he would meet a PGA TOUR professional for the first time. It was a big occasion there in the Richmond area when he played an exhibition match at Country Club of Virginia with Arnold Palmer. He remembers beating his hero that day.

I’m thinking it’s been a long time coming for Jerry Lanston Wadkins, Jr., to take his rightful place in the World Golf Hall of Fame with the best who ever played. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the Hall of Fame Lanny Wadkins.

Said Wadkins of this momentous occasion, “It’s something that I never dreamed of. You start out playing golf, you don’t think about playing for a Hall of Fame. You think about trying to win tournaments and support your family and maybe accomplishing some wins and stuff, you never think it will culminate in something like this. It’s just very exciting. “