The Open

Can You Predict a Winner in Golf?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

Believe, Concieve, AchieveToday will be a two post day! The first is to let you know that I want to host your predictions on my golf blog. Later today, after work, I am going to ‘go live’ with this new page.

The intent is to generate some conversation and maybe a bit of good old golfing fun for all those golfing pundits out there! All you need to do is give your choices via:

  • email – thegratefulgolfer@hotmail.ca
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Comment on this Blog
  • send me the link to your blog

I will post your choices for The Masters, The Open, US Open and PGA Championship and link to your site or tweet if you want. The plan is for everyone to make their choices for all four Majors before the first tee off at The Masters!

At the end, someone will wear the crown as the greatest pundit of all time! Or at least within The Grateful Golfer Community!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

2016 Golf Majors Predictions

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments
Lost and Confused Signpost

This is how I feel predicting Major champions!

2016 is an exciting year for golf.  Many of the new young players and all the seasoned veterans are ready for golf’s biggest tournaments.  Golf’s major championships are just around the corner and, as seen in previous years, players are setting their schedules to peak at the right time. Given the rise and fall of players in the top 10 of the world rankings, it is anyone’s guess who will win golf’s most prestigious events this year.

All professional golfers covet the four Majors: The Masters, US Open, The Open, and PGA Championship.  Each unique tournament tests the skill and tenacity of every player.  This year proves to be no different.  In 1930, Bobby Jones became the only player in modern golf to win all four tournaments in one year. Several other players have come close, but none have achieved this great feat. Given the skill of today’s players, this amazing accomplishment will likely not happen this year either, but everyone keeps waiting and hoping for another grand slam in golf!
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Not Just Another Major Golf Tournament

/ The Grateful Golfer / 13 Comments

There are four Major Golf Tournaments in professional golf! For various reasons, each event is unique and offers untold excitement. Regardless of your level of play, the Majors are highlights of the golf season that catches our attention.

Recently, I asked the golfing world which was there favorite Major. I was a bit surprised at the results, but given the events of last year I guess I really should not have been all that amazed.

Spieth Record Masters

2015 Masters Golf Tournament Champion – Jordan Spieth (Masters.com)

I have to admit that I am big Masters fan. Last years performance by Jordan Spieth was what legends are made of. Spieth added to the mystique about that The Masters and is considered the most popular Major in professional golf. I have to admit that Spieth’s play was akin to the greats like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Sam Snead, and Arnold Palmer. However, it will take more that one victory to knock Nicklaus off as the greatest Masters Champion of all time; but, another performance like the one in 2015, he might well be on his way.

I am also a fan of The Open which is the oldest Major and probably the most prestigious. There is something about watching players fight the wind, conquer bunkers as deep as caverns, and greens as subtle as a sledge-hammer that brings out my competitive spirit. There is never a shortage of awesome shots and great recoveries! The Open is special and extremely popular to golfing fans.

Regardless of which Major is your favorite. Most golfing fanatics gather around their TV, watch on-line, or are fortunate enough to be there in person to watch the best players in the world slug it out for the top prizes in golf.

If you had an all expense paid trip any Major, which would you choose?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Awesome Instagram Golf Pictures!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Here are some great pictures I saw on Instagram. I hope you enjoy them.

View this post on Instagram

Life’s not fair.

A post shared by The Open (@theopen) on

 

Have an awesome golf day! I hope you are still hitting the links and enjoying the fall!

I am a grateful golfer!

See you on the links!

 

Severiano “Seve” Ballesteros Sota – Golfing Legend

/ The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

The world of golf lost one of the most charismatic golfers a few short years ago. Severiano “Seve” Ballesteros Sota was the most famous Spaniard to ever play! Known for his creative shot making, Seve was never one to shy away from any challenge. Losing his final battle to cancer on 7 May 2011, he might be gone, but definitely not forgotten!

With 90 career wins world-wide, Seve first appeared on the world stage by finishing second at The Open at the age of 19. His 5 Major Championships (3 British Open, 2 Masters), 50 European Titles, 9 PGA wins and 32 World Wide wins supports Seve’s induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1999.

ballesteros-logo-horizontal-large-gallery

The special logo of Seve Ballesteros has been emblazoned on the golf bags of the European Ryder Cup team at Medinah

He was an anchor for the European Ryder Cup team for years. More recently, in 2012 and 2014, Seve was a huge inspiration for the Europeans.   “The 2012 Ryder Cup, the first to be played after Ballesteros’ death, saw the European team wearing navy blue and white garments on the final day in memory of Seve, who traditionally wore navy blue on the last day of a tournament. Additionally, the team’s kit also bore the silhouette of Ballesteros after his win at the 1984 Open Championship. The Irish golfer Pádraig Harrington, Nick Faldo and other European players proposed that the PGA replace the image of Harry Vardon on the European Tour‘s official logo with one of Ballesteros (a silhouette of the iconic image of Ballesteros’ “salute”, following his win at the 1984 Open Championship).” In 2014, every European would tap Seve’s picture as they entered the first tee each day. The reverence held by all golfers for Seve Ballesteros cannot be mistaken.

Not surprisingly, Seve was a great teacher as well. He made some teaching videos, which despite their age, are still applicable today. Famous for his short game, it is no surprise that his videos focus on his strengths! Check these out:

Putting

Chipping

Bunker play

Severiano “Seve” Ballesteros Sota was the most notable European golfer for years. His charismatic nature and love of the game was infectious. Although he was taken far to early, his legacy will live on for a very long time!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!