St. Andrews is the mecca of golf and the Swilken Bridge is one of the most recognizable images of golf history. Although I have never visited St. Andrews, I had the opportunity to see a replica of the Swilken Bridge at Wildfire Golf Course! Continue reading
St. Andrews
Thank You Mr. Watson – Day 2 at The Open Championship!
Thank you Mr. Watson! Tom Watson has played The Open Championship for the last time. The 8-time Major Champion, 5 of those at The Open, missed the cut and crossed the Swilcan Bridge, as professional golfer, for the last time. Tom Watson thrilled golfing fans for 44 years by challenging the greats like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer always believed that had the game to win!
With 71 professional wins, Watson is a proven champion. Tied for 11th overall with 39 PGA Tour wins, Watson has won with class every step of the way. Through all his success, he demonstrated that winning on the links can be transferred to winning in life. The four charities he supports, one for over 25 years, has benefitted from his tremendous leadership and I am confident he will continue after he leaves professional golf.
Normally, former champions are exempt to play in The Open Championship until they are 60, however, the R&A created a new exemption after Watson was runner-up at Turnberry in 2009 when he was 59 and lost in a playoff to Stewart Cink. Past champions who finish in the top 10 are exempt for five years. Tom Watson demonstrated it is possible to play golf well into the latter stages of our lives! How inspiring is that!
Today was an emotional day for Mr. Watson. He knew after the front-nine that his time was short, but he walked tall for the closing holes and demonstrated how true champions conduct themselves through all situations. When it was all said and done, all he did was tip his hat and say thank you!
The Open Championship will a little less grandiose next year because Mr. Watson will not grace the links at Royal Troon. However, I am sure that Tom Watson will be the first to tell you that professional golf is bigger than one man, but it is the special players that make golf great!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Open Championship Day 1
Day 1 of The Open Championship was fantastic. The scores were amazing! With 63 players under par, it is not surprising to have 11 players within 2 strokes of the leader Dustin Johnson.
However, not being at The Open like Paul McCormack (a fellow golfing fan), I cannot do the action at The Open justice. However, here is what was trending last night!
Day 1 of The Open Championship was amazing! Lets hope Day 2 provides the same excitement!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Open Championship – Who Is Your Pick?
I wrote this on PunditArena.com and thought I would share my thoughts on who is going to win The Open Championship! What do you think?
After many weeks of waiting, The Open Championship is finally here. The golfing world is ready to see the top players tee it up on the famous and historic Old Course at St. Andrews. Steeped in tradition, it is second behind The Masters as the Major to win.
We never tire from watching professional golfers slay or get slain in the Scottish countryside year in and year out.
I do not follow the odds makers when picking the winner of any Major championships because I believe there are too many variables to consider. So here is my slant on the upcoming Open Championship.
The obvious choice is Jordan Spieth. He is the best golfer in the world right now and is head and shoulders above the field. However, not playing in the Scottish Open will hurt him. He will be coming off a strong finish at the John Deere Classic, but playing a links-style course like St. Andrews needs some preparation.
Additionally, his travel to Scotland from Illinois, USA will take its toll on him physically and mentally. For this reason, I predict Spieth will finish fifth.
Finishing fourth, Rickie Fowler. Winning the Scottish Open in dramatic fashion will boost his confidence and should carry over to The Open Championship. Fowler is a streaky player and if his nerves hold this week, good things will happen.
Finishing third, Phil Mickelson. Mickelson is a tough competitor. His play of late is improving, however his play at St. Andrews is always good. His short game is still as sharp as ever and he will need every part of it to play well in the upcoming week. If Mickelson gets hot on the putting surface, he may even contend for the Claret Jug.
Finishing second, Adam Scott. Everyone forgets about Scott. He has quietly gone about his business and always seems to be in the thick of things on Sunday during the Majors. He has the total game to win at The Old Course as long as his putting stays strong, which is his Achilles heel. However, this weekend he will be in the last group vying for another Major Championship on Sunday afternoon.
Finishing first, Dustin Johnson. Since coming back after a leave of absence from professional golf, Johnson is the second best player in the world. He accurately hits the ball a country mile and has a very strong short game. Yes, everyone points at his 3-putt at The US Open on the last hole, but I can overlook that mental error. Taking the week off will aid Johnson to start strong and keep the pressure on the field for the entire 4 days.
As always, I select a dark horse. A player who has an outside chance to win, but the odds are not in their favour. For The Open Championship this year, Graeme McDowell is my dark horse. I selected him to be the outright winner last October, but I am less confident now. He has the game to win and understands the “Links Mentality”. For McDowell to have an opportunity to win, but he will have to play better than he has lately.
There you have it. The Open Championship is upon us and the golfing world is ready to for the action. I have selected Dustin Johnson as The Open Champion and to raise the Claret Jug above his head on Sunday. It is fitting that this prestigious Major will be his first of many.
Chasing the Dream
How elusive is your golf dream? If 100 people were asked this question, 101 answers would be given. Chasing your dream in golf is very difficult, stressful, fun and exciting all at the same time. It is all a matter of perception.
The famous quote that “Perception is reality” absolutely applies to all golfers. In golf, many players have the dream of turning pro, hitting a hole-in-one, breaking par, breaking 100 or winning a nickel off their buddy during their Saturday money game. That is all dreams are; a varying degree of perception.
Through the years, my dreams have changed. Mostly, they changed as my skill level increased. Thus, my perception of what is acceptable on the course changed and logically my reality changed. In turn, I continue to chase my elusive golf dream. For example:
- I wanted a hole-in-one. I now have 3 and chase 5!
- I wanted to break par. I have done so several times and now want too every year.
- I am still chasing the extremely albatross….came close once – 2 inches.
But are these really dreams or milestones. It depends on who you talk to and how they perceive their game of golf.
Other golf dreams may include things like golfing with fellow bloggers who live around the world. Playing golf with my wife and daughter. Regularly playing golf with my friend in the UK and letting him win. Golfing in New Zealand or Australia. Playing St. Andrews. Always living for the moment on the golf course. Helping someone start golf. The list can go on and on.
Through the years I have met many outstanding people through golf. Some were on the course and others over a conversation. I have played on many outstanding courses and seen things that when I was young I could only dream about. However, as the years pass and my fond memories grow; I just smile and reflect.
After much pondering I have concluded that:
My perception is that I will always chase the elusive golf dream;
My reality in golf is that it is all about the JOURNEY!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 