McGladrey Classic joins the 2010 Kodak Challenge

Kodak and the PGA TOUR today announced that hole Number 13 at The McGladrey Classic on October 7-10 has been added to the 2010 Kodak Challenge schedule. Infamous (?) number 13 at the Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club in Sea Island, GA was selected based on the recommendation of tournament host Davis Love III.

The McGladrey Classic will be the 27th of 30 holes in the $1 million Kodak Challenge competition. Rickie Fowler currently leads the Kodak Challenge at 12-under-par.

“Basically unchanged since its original design in 1920, Number 13 at the Seaside Course is a classic par-4, as beautiful as it is challenging,” said Love. “For this reason, it fits perfectly into the Kodak Challenge. The late season action of the Kodak Challenge looks to be exciting again this year, and we’re pleased that the players and fans of The McGladrey Classic can be a part of it.”

The Kodak Challenge celebrates beautiful holes and memorable moments on the PGA TOUR and challenges players to perform their best on 30 designated Kodak Challenge holes.

A few of the memorable Kodak holes this year were the 18th hole at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the "Wild Hole" at TPC Scottsdale.

Credit

PGA Tour golfers must play at least 18 of the 30 designated Kodak Challenge holes. The player with the lowest cumulative score on his best 18 Kodak Challenge holes will win $1 million. The Kodak Challenge concludes on No. 17 at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic on November 11-14. The McGladrey Classic joins the Kodak Challenge at a highly competitive juncture. Fifteen PGA TOUR players are currently within three strokes of Fowler, and another eighteen sit four shots back.


According to Steve Powell, director of program development for the Kodak Challenge, The McGladrey Classic is a great addition to the final chapter of the Kodak Challenge season.

“No. 13 at The McGladrey Classic brings added excitement to the final stretch of the Kodak Challenge, as it gives pros a challenging, yet viable scoring opportunity. With just seven holes to go and more than 30 TOUR players within striking distance of our leader, our Kodak Challenge hole at Sea Island is sure to deliver some great action,” Powell commented.

About the Par 4, 408-yard Hole #13 at The Seaside Course:

Golfers need to take steady aim off the tee as this dog leg left has bunkers along the entire right side of the fairway and a marsh along the left. Depending on the wind, a driver will still leave golfers with a middle iron in to the green, which is protected by a front side bunker.



Kodak Challenge Provides Picture-Taking Moments

Since the Kodak Challenge records a player’s best 18 Kodak Challenge holes scores, pros with a full Kodak Challenge scorecard can move up the leaderboard quickly. Once a player reaches 18 holes, subsequent holes (beyond 18) provide the opportunity to replace bogeys and pars on their Kodak Challenge scorecards with birdies (or even eagles!). This can create a one, two, or even three-shot swing in a player’s score on just one hole.

Several players within striking distance of Fowler have bogeys to replace, including Steve Lowery (-10), Jimmy Walker (-9) and Aaron Baddeley (-9). Three other players at 8-under-par have bogeys on their Kodak Challenge scorecards.

Kevin Streelman claimed the first Kodak Challenge title at the PGA TOUR’s final event of the 2009 season, the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Streelman’s early-round birdie at No. 17 on the Magnolia Course clinched the Kodak Challenge crown, netting the second-year TOUR professional the Kodak Challenge trophy and the winner-take-all $1 million prize.

Here's the up-to-date Kodak Challenge Leaderboard (as of 8/18) with the name of golfer, holes played and score:

Rickie Fowler 16 -12

Troy Merritt 17 -11

Brendon de Jonge 17 -10

Ted Purdy 17 -10

Steve Lowery 15 -10

Charlie Wi 14 -10

Carl Pettersson 16 -9

Mark Wilson 16 -9

Jason Bohn 15 -9

John Senden 13 -9

Zach Johnson 12 -9

Kodak Challenges golfers on PGA West par-3 17th hole

The Kodak Challenge, a first-of-its-kind competition for PGA TOUR players and fans, visits hole #17 at the Palmer Private Course of PGA West during the Bob Hope Classic on February 19-23.  The 130-yard par 3 at the Bob Hope Classic is the 2nd of 30 Kodak Challenge holes on the 2011 PGA TOUR this season.

The trip to the Bob Hope Classic marks a unique transition for the season-long $1 million Kodak Challenge competition, as it moves from the PGA TOUR’s longest hole (the 663-yard No. 18 at Kapalua) to the shortest (the 130-yard No. 17 at PGA West).

Robert Garrigus and Bubba Watson both eagled the first Kodak Challenge hole of the season at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and co-lead the Kodak Challenge at 2-under-par.  Watson is scheduled to play in the Bob Hope Classic.

The Kodak Challenge celebrates the beautiful holes and memorable moments in golf. PGA TOUR pros must play at least 18 of 30 Kodak Challenge holes throughout the season to qualify. The golfer with the best Kodak Challenge score relative to par at the end of the season will win the Kodak Challenge trophy and $1 million.

Troy Merritt won the 2010 Kodak Challenge in a sudden-death playoff on No. 17 at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. Merritt defeated Rickie Fowler and Aaron Baddeley in a one-hole playoff at Walt Disney World Resort’s Magnolia Course in Lake Buena Vista, FL, to capture the Kodak Challenge trophy and the winner-take-all $1 million prize.


About Hole #17 at the Bob Hope Classic

Proper position is a must on this beautiful, yet dangerous little hole. The 130-yard par 3 No. 17 offers a panoramic view of PGA West and its surrounding mountains.  The deep narrow green is well bunkered on the left and protected by rocks on the right side.  Players must watch the pin placement carefully, as this tricky green slopes right to left towards a nearby canal.  The PGA TOUR’s shortest hole, No. 17 was the 7th hardest hole at the Bob Hope Classic in 2010, yielding 43 birdies, 124 pars, 29 bogeys and 5 double bogeys.

 credit: PremierAerials.com

“The 2011 Kodak Challenge schedule builds upon the tremendous success of the 2010 season, offering players greater opportunities to participate and move up the leaderboard, while showcasing to fans the greatest scorecard in golf,” said Steve Powell, director of development for the Kodak Challenge.


The Kodak Challenge will once again highlight many of golf’s most exciting and picturesque holes in 2011 as players take on “the greatest scorecard in golf.” From the breathtaking 18th hole at The Plantation Course at Kapalua and the one-of-a-kind 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, to the fabulous finishing holes at Pebble Beach, Harbour Town and Bay Hill, the Kodak Challenge provides fans and players a unique and compelling competition within a competition.


The Kodak Challenge schedule includes 26 of the 30 holes from the 2010 season. The RBC Canadian Open and The Barclays will debut new Kodak Challenge holes in 2011 as the tournaments visit new tournament venues. The Farmers Insurance Open moves to a new Kodak Challenge hole this year, the 570-yard, par-5 18th on the Torrey Pines South Course. Twenty-nine of the 30 Kodak Challenge tournaments for 2011 have been finalized. An announcement on the 30th tournament will be made in the near future.


For more on the Kodak Challenge visit pgatour.com/kodakchallenge. Fans can also follow the Kodak Challenge at facebook.com/kodakchallenge, twitter.com/kodakchallenge, and 1000words.kodak.com/kodakchallenge.


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Kodak Challenge Visits Wild Hole at TPC Scottsdale

For the second consecutive year the Kodak Challenge, a first-of-its-kind competition for PGA TOUR players and fans, visits the wild par-3, 162-yard 16th hole of TPC Scottsdale at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on February 25-28 in Scottsdale, AZ. The Waste Management Phoenix Open is the 6^th of 30 tournaments to participate in the $1 million Kodak Challenge competition.

The Kodak Challenge was created to celebrate the beautiful holes and memorable moments in golf. Golfers must play at least 18 of 30 Kodak Challenge holes throughout the season to qualify. The golfer with the best Kodak Challenge score relative to par at the end of the season will win the Kodak Challenge trophy and $1 million. An Advisory Board of leading golf experts selected the par-3 16th at TPC Scottsdale as one of 30 holes that make up the Kodak Challenge.

Scottsdale resident, Kevin Streelman claimed the first Kodak Challenge title and the winner-take-all $1 million prize at the PGA TOUR’s final event of the 2009 season, the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Matt Kuchar, Brenden Pappas and Tim Clark are currently in a three-way tie for first at 4-under-par on the Kodak Challenge. Kuchar and 2009 Kodak Challenge champ, Streelman are in the field this week at TPC Scottsdale.

Kodak Fan Photo Zone

The Kodak Fan Photo Zone, located at the south end of the driving range, between the #10 and #16 greens, allows fans to have their picture taken at Hole #16 – a live shot during tournament play when cameras are not typically allowed. Fans can pick up a free copy of their photo at the Kodak Fan Photo Zone throughout the entire tournament. While visiting the Kodak Fan Photo Zone, fans can also learn about Kodak’s latest products and how they can even be used for their golf game.

About Kodak Challenge hole #16 at TPC Scottsdale

The par-3, 162-yard 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale is among the most celebrated holes on the PGA TOUR. The enthusiasm of the fans in seating that surrounds the entire hole gives this short par-3 a "stadium" atmosphere and creates one of the most exciting settings in professional sports.

"We’re thrilled to have the Kodak Challenge visit #16 at TPC Scottsdale, one of the most unique and exciting holes in golf.  Hole #16 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open is the perfect example of what the Kodak Challenge is all about for players and fans," commented Steve Powell, Director of Development for the Kodak Challenge.

Kodak and PGA TOUR Release 2010 Kodak Challenge Schedule

The 2010 Kodak Challenge schedule includes 21 of the original 30 holes, with two tournaments joining the Kodak Challenge: No. 15 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, NC, site of the Quail Hollow Championship; and No. 14 at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, OH, home of the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley.

Kodak's marketing partnership with the TOUR includes the designation as Official Imaging Provider of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour, including cameras, printers and scanners. For more on the Kodak Challenge visit pgatour.com/kodakchallenge. 

Fans can also follow the Kodak Challenge at facebook.com/kodakchallenge, twitter.com/kodakchallenge, and 1000words.kodak.com/kodakchallenge.

About Kodak

As the world’s foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.

To learn more, visit http://www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at http://www.kodak.com/go/followus.

More than 75 million people worldwide manage, share and create photo gifts online at KODAK Gallery – join today at www.kodakgallery.com.

About the PGA TOUR

The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to expand the PGA TOUR domestically and internationally so as to substantially increase player financial benefits while maintaining our commitment to growth in charity and integrity to the game.

In 2010, the three Tours are competing in 102 events for more than $350 million in prize money. Tournaments will be held in 10 countries outside the U.S. and in 35 states. In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours have surpassed the $1 billion mark in overall charitable contributions.  The PGA TOUR’s web site address is www.pgatour.com and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

Golf Channel coverage starts Thursday at 4PM EST.  You can also follow the action at www.pgatour.com/kodakchallenge.0

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Happy with par at Zurich Kodak Challenge Hole #17?

Although there have been a few aces in the history of the 215-yard 17th golf hole at TPC Louisiana, many golfers at the Zurich Classic consider this Kodak Challenge hole to be a very long and difficult par-3.

Darron Stiles may have used a 7-iron to ace the 17th hole in 2005 with Daniel Chopra needing a 5-iron to do the same in the final round of the 2007 New Orleans Zurich Classic but the vision of water and newly reshaped green may be problematic for the players.

Tournament Director Rommy Fonseca conveyed about TPC Louisiana's Hole #17, "This is a unique hole that has proved very challenging for the players. It has also provided some great play over the years."

RotoExperts.com assessed that the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina caused the redesign of the 17th...

"...giving Dye the opportunity to move some bunkers around, redesign the green and generally make it hell for everyone who dares to gaze upon it from the tee box. Last year, the hole was ferocious, ceding just 38 birdies against 85 bogeys. The 17th claimed another 26 double-bogeys or worse. With a scoring average of 3.23, par will be considered a victory."

Photo Credit: WamGolf.com

WamGolf.com affirmed the 17th golf hole as a favorite, detailing the way an average golfer might play it (from about 70 yards forward):

"This was clearly a different hole from the TOUR Tees than our tees. From our tee box there was almost no forced carry over the water which runs down the left side of this hole. If you miss the green left, you're wet. A tee shot right and you're left with a chip shot to a green running away from you. It's a long green and a back left pin placement makes this hole more challenging. I was fortunate enough to hit the green in one and then three putt."


Luke Donald, looking for a way to win the Zurich Classic this weekend and take the number-one spot in the OWGR from Lee Westwood had a different version of the hole, saying a birdie at 17 during the opening round helped him to get back on track.

“I was playing great, 2 under, just not holing the putts when I had the chances," mentioned Donald. "It will make dinner feel a lot better with those birdies on 17 and 18. I played really solid today. I only missed a couple of greens. It was as good a display of iron play as I’ve done all year.”




Watch as Brad Faxon drops in a 27-foot putt for birdie on TPC Louisiana at the par-3 17th Kodak Challenge hole...opening round of the 2011 Zurich Classic of New Orleans:





Will the wind wreak havoc this week at the Kodak Challenge Hole #17 or will one of the PGA Tour players ace the hole creating a Kodak moment?



About the Kodak Challenge

The Kodak Challenge highlights many of golf's most exciting and picturesque holes in 2011 as players take on "the greatest scorecard in golf."

Created to celebrate the beautiful holes and memorable moments in golf, the Kodak Challenge is a first-of-its-kind competition on the PGA TOUR. Players must play at least 18 of 30 Kodak Challenge holes throughout the season to qualify. The golfer with the best Kodak Challenge score relative to par at the end of the season will win the Kodak Challenge trophy and $1 million dollars.


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Kodak and Devlin's Billabong Challenge Mickelson, Haas at Torrey Pines

The tricky par 5 18th at Torrey Pines South Course has been intimidating PGA Tour golfers the entire week. For Phil Mickelson and Bill Haas, this golf hole could be the deciding factor in who wins both the Farmers Insurance Open and this week's Kodak Challenge.

As the finishing hole at Torrey Pines, the long par-5 18th hole (572 yards from the tips) has seen its share of great plays, none more calamitous than Bruce Devlin’s "10" in 1975 during the Andy Williams San Diego Open.  Devlin, who was among the lead contenders in the tournament, dropped six consecutive approaches into the pond in front of the green en-route to the 10.

“Devlin's Billabong” is the name now given to the troublesome pond in front of the green.

About Hole No. 18 at Torrey Pines South CourseThe par-5 eighteenth on the South Course demands a very long drive before a challenging second shot over a small but dangerous lake in front of the green. From the back tees this par 5 is a three-shot hole for most players. From the front tees it’s reachable in two shots. Approach shots must be wary of “Devlin’s Billabong,” the small, yet troublesome pond in front of the green.

The quick, terraced green slopes from back to front.


Torrey Pines South Course par 5-18th hole

The Kodak Challenge was created to celebrate the beautiful holes and memorable moments in golf. Golfers must play at least eighteen of thirty Kodak Challenge holes throughout the season to qualify. The golfer with the best Kodak Challenge score relative to par at the end of the season will win the Kodak Challenge trophy and $1 million. 

For more on the Kodak Challenge visit pgatour.com/kodakchallenge. Fans can also follow the Kodak Challenge at facebook.com/kodakchallenge, twitter.com/kodakchallenge, and 1000words.kodak.com/kodakchallenge.

Read more about Kodak Challenge on PGA West par 3, 17th hole


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A Memorable Kodak Challenge at The Memorial

Although Steve Stricker trophied with a one-stroke win at The Memorial (and had a memorable hole-in-one this week), it was Zack Miller who captured Kodak Challenge Shot of the Day honors when he dropped his 136-yard approach to one inch of the cup on hole fourteen during final round action. Miller was one of thirteen pros to birdie the tricky 363-yard par-4 Kodak hole at Muirfield Village.

While Miller's near eagle led to the easiest Kodak birdie, Daniel Summerhays drained a twenty-one-footer for the final round's longest Kodak birdie putt.

About Kodak Challenge hole #14 at Muirfield Village GC

Kodak Challenge hole number fourteen is a tricky 363-yard par-4. The picturesque hole presents golfers with a downhill tee shot into a wide, tree-lined valley. About 245 yards from the championship tee, a creek emerges from the left woods to border the fairway. This carries on for some 40 yards before angling across it and then on down to flank the right side of the green. The green is long and narrow and heavily guarded left by several bunkers.

Earlier in the week, Charley Hoffman picked up a stroke in the opening round for sole possession of second place on the Kodak leaderboard at 10-under-par. Hoffman sits just one shot behind frontrunner Bill Lunde, who played No. 14 at par before withdrawing due to illness. J.B. Holmes and Matt Kuchar also gained ground at Muirfield Village with Kodak birdies to move within two shots of Lunde at 9-under.

Kodak Challenge hole fourteen played exactly at par during the final round of the Memorial Tournament hosted by Jack Nicklaus. The firm and fast green yielded thirteen birdies, forty-nine pars, nine bogeys and two double bogeys.

The next Kodak Challenge hole is the 239-yard par-3 fourteenth at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee during the FedEx St. Jude Classic this week, June 9-12.

The FedEx St. Jude Classic will be the eighteenth of thirty tournaments to participate in the $1 million season-long Kodak Challenge competition.

photo credit: GolfObserver.com


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What makes the 18th hole at the Arnold Palmer Invitational a Kodak moment?

For the second consecutive year, Kodak selected the 18th hole of the Bay Hill Golf Club & Lodge as a participant in the $1 million Kodak Challenge competition.

What makes this final hole worthy of a Kodak moment?

According to Kodak, "the Kodak Challenge was created to celebrate the beautiful holes and memorable moments in golf."

Steve Powell, Director of Development for the Kodak Challenge added, " Number Eighteen at the Bay Hill Golf Club & Lodge is one of the most historic and exciting holes in golf and is the perfect example of what the Kodak Challenge is all about for players and fans."

The par-4, 485-yard finishing hole looks simple on paper. It's straight away to a wide fairway, but that's where simple ends. The large, kidney shaped green is fronted by rocks and water, requiring a longer carry to the right half. The bunkers left of the green await errant shorts of the hydrophobic.

Tee shots on this great finishing hole must find the fairway to give you a chance to get home in two. From the tee, favor the fairway's left side. Then take enough club to carry the lake. Shots hit over or left of this green will find a bunker or heavy grass. Take deep breath and fire away.

Renovation Notes

A back tee was added to increase the hole yardage by approximately 10 yards. The renovated green is almost a carbon copy of the old green with slight modifications in the green size to accommodate an additional front pin location and middle back pin location.

Despite Tiger Woods' absence from the Arnold Palmer Invitational, it was reported that ticket sales remained unaffected. Although the media questioned whether or not Woods would defend his title (which briefly raised sales for the event) the Masters will benefit from his return.

Look for Woods' image, removed from the top banner of the official Arnold Palmer Invitational web site after the scandal erupted, to be back on the site as the 2009 champion.

This event has now become glory's last stand for Phil Mickelson who has one chance remaining to make his mark this season before having to compete with a hungry Tiger Woods.

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Share Your Golf Swing with the Kodak PLAYSPORT Camera

Kodak's tiny new PLAYSPORT video camera is adorable: it's also lightweight, waterproof, it can take a fall or two as well as help you to analyze your golf swing at close range in high-definition.

But what makes this $150 video camera worth its purchase price?  Storage room within my golf bag is limited and, being a similar size to my uPro GPS, I may get the two confused while groping around for it.

Here are some of the key features which Kodak insists will enhance My Golf Experience:

·         Video action print – Included in the built-in software. With the click of a mouse, any swing can automatically be turned into a 9-up video action print showing start-to-finish snapshots that are great for analysis and comparison.

·         Easy playback and upload – Playback on your HDTV television with included HDMI cable, or upload to YouTube and Facebook with the included USB cable and built-in software.

·         Slow-motion playback speeds – A variety of playback speeds, plus frame-by-frame stop action to allow golfers (and their coaches) to analyze every swing movement.

·         Five image capture modes – From 5MP stills to full 1080p HD video, including 720p/60 fps which is ideal for capturing golf swings and other high-speed action.

·         Electronic image-stabilization – Helps you get sharper videos and less blur.

·         Made for rugged outdoor use – Has an LCD Glare Shield feature and is waterproof up to 10 feet (so if I fall into a creek on the course, I can capture videos of all of the floating golf balls.)

"The KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera combines the superior quality and features of our HD digital video cameras with a rugged, waterproof exterior so you can capture your adventures anywhere they happen – including the golf course,” said Phil Scott, Vice President of Marketing, Digital Capture and Devices, Kodak.

Kodak also has a group of accessories which they claim will act as the "15th club in my bag." Unfortunately for Kodak, I am limited to fourteen golf clubs and so this bundle, listed below, will have to find somewhere else to rest but may help you on the driving range:

The KODAK Pocket Video Accessory Kit, sold separately, includes:

 

·         Mini Tripod – Set up for stationary image capture and use with remote control

·         Remote Control – Makes it easy to record your own swing

·         Memory Card – 4 GB high-speed card stores up to 80 minutes of video ¹

·         Extra Battery – Provides extended use on the course and back in the clubhouse

·         Easy-carry pack – To neatly stow away in golf bag

I honestly don't know if you are willing to share over an hour of your attempts to make it out of the bunker with your Facebook friends, but perhaps you'll hand it to a member of your foursome while you make the Kodak Challenge shot of the day! The frame-by-frame playback will also help you and your coach work through any swing glitches.

The Kodak PLAYSPORT video camera has all of the makings of a nifty birthday gift (in Adrenaline Rush purple, of course) that your golf buddy would enjoy unwrapping for my their birthday (hint, hint.)

More information about the Kodak PLAYSPORT, go to www.kodak.com/go/playgolf.

More exciting golf hole-16 or 17 at TPC Scottsdale?

Some fans prefer taking a seat at the 16th hole, a.k.a. the "loudest hole in golf" while others who may be part of the "overflow" find themselves at the 17th at TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course. Either way, expect to hear a raucus crowd echoing through the hills at the Waste Management Open.

Anthony Kim explained the reason why both golf holes are equally flooded with fans, "The people who can't get into 16 go to 17 and it's a great carry-over effect."

The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale is a 162-yard par 3 from the Championship tees. Accuracy is required and a golfer will get booed if their golf shot falls short of perfection! This is also the Kodak Challenge hole selected for the event.


TPC Scottsdale 16th hole: credit

The 17th hole at TPC Scottsdale is a 355 yard drivable par-4 edged with water. Caddybytes.com said that the 17th is, "narrow and protected by mounding and slopes with a very narrow back portion making the player 'challenge' the trouble to make a birdie three."



I personally prefer the risk/reward of 17 over 16 at TPC Scottsdale but, with over 20,000 fans squeezing into the seats at 16, both golf holes are going to be crowded and expecting plenty of action!

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Read blogs on 2011 Kodak Challenge Holes:
PGA West par-3 17th hole
Torrey Pines-18th hole

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Sorenstam career cut short, Wie redux. Will Thanksgiving pay off for Mickelson? Also, Kodak's $1 million challenge, play automatic golf

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Annika Sorenstam’s missed cut at the $1 million dollar ADT Championship resembles the 2008 LPGA season as a whole. As Sorenstam limped through the early rounds, a noticeably hurt Bivens on crutches did the same as she gave her “State of the Tour” address. Both were frustrated by their final tallies. Sorenstam definitely wanted to ace the finals and Bivens wanted to let everyone know that under her jurisdiction the LPGA was just dandy but neither could muster up the drive needed to do so.

The new season will show a loss of three tournaments (to 31) as well as a drop of over $5 million in prize money. To further the bad news, this year’s ending was lackluster at best as top golfers Sorenstam, Ochoa and Pressel all packed their bags early leaving the Asians to save face at the event.

To add insult to injury and add to the ineptitude of the LPGA Tour, Annika was randomly selected after her last event for a drug test after already passing one given to her last month. "Pathetic" mentioned Sorenstam’s fiancé, Mike McGee. "I don’t know what they’re trying to prove."

Wonder Woman to the rescue! Now would be a great time for Michelle Wie to ace Q-School and revive the Tour! Bivens would be grateful for any light at the end of this tunnel.

Also in the spirit of giving thanks for no more Euro Tour events, Phil Mickelson will be back in the States playing in the LG Skins Game this weekend. No trophies, no standings, means no pressure and that Mickelson can let loose, showing fans why he is rated the number three player on the PGA Tour.

We will discuss all of the above news on this week’s Golf for Beginners broadcast as well as offer up how to play golf on automatic and how to hit your woods like a pro. The $1 million Kodak Challenge is also mentioned as we further talk about the company’s switch of funding from NASCAR to the PGA Tour.


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Is the Bear Trap the toughest finishing stretch in golf?

Although five golf courses make up the PGA National Resort and Spa, it is the 16th hole of the Champion course that provides this week's Kodak moment at the Honda Classic.

The 15th, 16th and 17th holes of The Champion golf course, or "The Bear Trap" are legendary and have been called "the real killer in golf" by Lee Trevino.


Why is this stretch of three golf holes called "The Bear Trap"?


Although Team Fazio originally designed the course, Jack Nicklaus redesigned it in 1981. Known as the "Golden Bear", Nicklaus left his "footprint" behind on what he considered to be these "Three Great Finishing Holes on the PGA Tour."



"That stretch is about precision," said Nicklaus. "That stretch is about guts."


It is the 16th hole that has been designated as the Kodak Challenge hole for the Honda Classic and is considered the toughest par-4 of all of PGA National's 90 holes. According to PGATour.com, on this dogleg right...


"Off the tee, everything slopes toward the water on the right, but a bunker was added to catch balls that roll too far right. Those who bail out left are faced with a 220-yard second shot over water, into the wind" and on to a two-tiered green.


With strong winds whipping on Thursday, double bogeys outnumbered birdies.


The hazards and the elements of nature that golfers will contend with this week make the PGA National Champion golf course a truly memorable yet difficult experience but, are these three golf holes, as USA Today has stated, the toughest test in golf?

Last week's winner of the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship, Luke Donald, called the Bear Trap finishing stretch, "one of the toughest we have all year" while Ernie Els claimed, "those are the holes that really sits in people's minds."


You decide.



Photo credit:  PGA National


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Woods, Mickelson pairing at U.S. Open? Kodak golf shots worth $1 million, casting drill

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What do Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington and Angel Cabrera all have in common? Aside from major victories in 2008, all three will be grouped together during the first two rounds of the 109th U.S. Open.

This was a smart pairing by tournament officials as each has a story to tell.

Tiger Woods is not only the defending champion (holding off Rocco Mediate and a bum knee) but also held on to victory (and a score of par) in 2002 at Bethpage with Phil Mickelson on his tail. With fourteen majors under his belt, a fresh win at the Memorial and a great family behind him "I couldn’t be happier than where I am right now", Woods is ready to tackle Jack Nicklaus' record.

"It's five to pass him, four to tie him," Woods said. "I'm healthy enough where I think I can give it a go."

Harrington is one of the odds favorites this year (+2500 for a payout potential of US$2500 on every US$100 bet at SBG Global.) Paddy should be as he has won the past two British Open Championships as well as last year's PGA Championship. Sure, Padraig may be a bit stale coming out of the gate (his best finish this year on the PGA Tour is a tie for 11th) for but make no mistake; when the chips are down, Harrington goes into champion mode.

Cabrera has made five cuts this year on the PGA Tour but his crowning achievement for 2009 has to be victory at the Masters. Going for an Angel-slam, Cabrera should think back to his 2007 US Open win (his first in the U.S.) where he bombed drives and putted with aplomb in spite of hitting only five fairways in the final round to beat Woods and Furyk.

Where does Phil Mickelson fit into the U.S. Open fervor? Paired with golfers equally qualified to get the job done (Goosen and Els) he has taken second place in the Open four times, with three of those battles taking place at Bethpage. Always a bridesmaid? This could be the year for FIGJAM's vindication on the Black Course.

Will any of the golfers read the warning before stepping out onto the first tee? Will being a "highly skilled golfer" be enough this week to escape the treacherous conditions at Bethpage? Tiger Woods' belief that the Black is "as big as they come" and a course where "you have to hit the ball well all week." will certainly come in handy.

Tweeting from the golf course is not permitted however there should be plenty of fist pumps.

Golf for Beginners also discusses the odds of the only male contestant remaining on the Big Break and offers a golf drill from Rick Smith for those who fish better than they golf. We also wonder if Chris DiMarco can hold on to his lead at the $1 million Kodak Challenge?


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Why Magnolia is Hardly a Mickey Mouse Golf Course

As Mickey Mouse stands guard at the par-3 sixth hole of Magnolia Golf Course, some PGA Tour players this week might be lulled into a false sense of security believing that Mickey is their friend. Think again for the trap has quite a snap to it!

 

Magnolia Golf Course 6th Hole

 

The unique Mouse Trap carved of sand with the assistance of ninety-six additional bunkers helps to make Magnolia Golf Course the second most difficult within Walt Disney World. Course length (7,516 from the tips), undulating greens and water introduced into eleven of the holes had Payne Stewart claim the course record of sixty-one one day and a seventy-six the following day. Stewart's take on Mickey? "Avoid Mickey and two side sand bunkers for best result."

 

Five of the golf holes on Magnolia extend to over five hundred yards and even though the fifth hole, a par-4, 492-yard monster, is considered to be Magnolia's toughest hole, Lanny Wadkins claimed the 17th, a 485-yard par-4, as "the most dangerous hole on the course...give me a 4 here and I'll run to 18!"

 

Magnolia was a 2010 Kodak Challenge golf course; natural wetlands, alligators and eagles seemlessly combine with the ability to salvage drives off of wide fairways and plan putts through exceptionally well-maintained greens. As long as you are a solid bunker player, avoid the water and know your distances (Disney says it has the latest GPS technology on their golf carts), playing it safe should yield positive results.

 

Take a virtual tour of Magnolia Golf Course.

 

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Photo credit: Intercot

 

 

Posted via email from stacysolomon's posterous

Cheyenne, a splinter off Tiger Woods' family tree. Seniors give us a lesson in scoring low and stop topping the ball

Click here to listen.

Tiger Woods looked a bit like Phil Mickelson and family after his win at the Target World Challenge with grandma holding up baby Sam to receive a wet one while Elin proudly looked on. Perfect Kodak moment!

Now it's time for a six-week respite. Perhaps a holiday aboard the yacht, then Christmas with the relatives?

Or, maybe a powow with the lesser known side of the family? Cheyenne Woods signed a National Letter of Intent to play golf at Wake Forest University so a bit of catching up couldn't hurt, especially since Tiger and Cheyenne both share a common bond. Earl Woods Sr. gave his granddaughter her first set of golf clubs and, as Tiger remarked, "she started in the garage where I started. I'll never forget that day."

Besides the apparent similar features, Cheyenne, daughter of Earl Woods Jr., is becoming an accomplished golfer. But she lacks Tiger's humble nature, commenting in an interview earlier in the year that she doesn't just want to be known as "somebody's relative" making sure to mention that "other people tell me that I play a little bit better under pressure and that my composure on the course is Tiger-like." Perhaps there is a bit of sibling rivalry between Earl Jr. and Tiger? Still, they're not your typical family.

This week Golf for Beginners podcast discusses Cheyenne Woods, the Earl Woods legacy and the probability of defeating Michelle Wie in competitve golf.

We also have a bevy of golf tips including a discussion on how seniors can beat younger players on the course and easy ways to stop topping the ball.

P.S. Crybaby Rory Sabbatini may have escaped with $170,000 of last place payout under Tiger Woods' radar but I'm sure the only thing that bothered Woods about this issue was that the Foundation could have used the money. I'll bet that Sabbatini won't be asked to come back next year. (Hmmm, did Sabbatini pull a Michelle Wie or was he gracious enough to thank the host before he disappeared?)



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