Interview with a PGA professional (part 1), U.S. Open qualifying, golf tips for the tee box and a different way to hit the fairway

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Our golf podcast moves along at a brisk pace this week and is chock full of instruction mostly provided to you by PGA Professional Martin Nolletti. I had the opportunity to sit down with my coach from Fairview Golf Center and his simple tips are perfect for both the beginner as well as the advanced player. Listen to part one this week.

Golf cart oddities and an unbelievable "save" on the fairway are brought to you in our own inimitable way.

Over 8,000 entries were accepted by the USGA for the 2006 U.S. Open but if you were interested in playing it's too late as the deadline has now passed.

Here are a couple of "fun facts" about this year's qualifying (as compiled by Mike Overhiser, USGA):

Three guys named "Tiger" entered (we all know ONE of them). There are twelve "Wood" and nine "Woods".

At the time the US Open is played this June the youngest qualifier will be only thirteen (move over Dakoda Dowd). Can you guess the age of the oldest qualifier?

As always thanks for your comments and questions. We appreciate them! Continue to send all golf chat to golfforbeginners@aol.com.

You can also subscribe to our weekly podcast through this RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/golfforbeginners or subscribe through iTunes.

Come have fun with us as we romp through the world of golf!

Podcast: Golf tips, Sting headlines Tiger Woods' Jam, Korea woos Wie and Nicklaus goes fishing

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Barry and I will, unfortunately, not get to hear the legendary Sting perform at this year's TigerJam IX. I'm really disappointed because not only will the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas ROCK on April 29th but it is for a really good cause. Every year since Tiger Woods created TigerJam, he has drawn the hottest talent from around the globe so expect to be treated to a star-studded list of celebrities from film, television and sports.

Tiger Woods donates the proceeds from his event to the Tiger Woods Learning Center as well as local Las Vegas charities. Both former President Bill Clinton and Maria Shriver recently christened the education facility and it promises to help kids in reading, math, science and technology.

Michelle Wie will not be in Las Vegas celebrating with Woods but will be flying halfway across the globe to participate in the Korean Pro Golf Association’s SK Telecom Open. Being a professional golfer now makes the 16-year-old Hawaiian eligible for appearance fees. Guess how much Wie is raking in on this trip?

This will be the "Big Wiesy's" eighth attempt to make the cut in a men's golf tournament. Perhaps the eighth time is a charm?

Jack Nicklaus may not be playing in as many golf tournaments as he is now "semi-retired" (although watch for him at the TELUS Skins game this summer) but perhaps this was just a guise for Nicklaus to pursue fly-fishing. The "Golden Bear" has been an enthusiast for most of his life and he has now agreed to be the national spokesperson for the Federation of Fly Fishers. As Jack stated, "I am an avid outdoorsman and few activities or sports provide me with as much joy as fishing". Uh, Jack, what about golf?

Our golf tips segment focuses on a letter from one of our listeners.

We read all comments and questions sent to us, so keep them coming! Send all golf chat to golfforbeginners@aol.com.

You can also subscribe to our weekly golf podcasts through this RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/golfforbeginners or subscribe through iTunes.

Until next week's podcast, play good golf!