2012 U.S. Womens Open promises exciting golf on pristine course

Although the 2012 U.S. Women's Open Championship week officially begins on July 2nd with flag-waving events planned for the entire week, I'm not sure how many people are aware of the history, kickoff, players or even knowledgeable about the beautiful Blackwolf Run golf courses. Allow me to brief you so that you will want to tune in and cheer on the ladies!

To be brief, the U.S. Women's Open is the oldest championship (63 years) open to women professionals and amateurs. This year's "Kohler Experience" in Wisconsin hopes to recreate a sudden death playoff that epitomizes the "Open" feel which occured thirteen years ago at this venue between Se-Ri Pak and amateur golfer Jenny Chuasiriporn.

The River and Meadow Valleys Course will merge for the 2012 U.S. Women's Open to recreate the Original Championship course, a sort of "composite course" of the two very challenging layouts.

The "Snake", first hole of the River Course, may get you on the green in two with a solid drive but you must favor the right side of a deep green to avoid the bunker and river on the left.



No matter how scary "Snake" might look, it is not the official starting point of the U.S. Women's Open Championship: golfers will have to wait until the tenth hole to feel it's bite.

The first hole will officially make the girls "Quiver".  Normally the tenth hole of the Meadow Valleys Golf Course, Quiver is a Par 4, 348 yard hole "with a daunting tee shot across the Sheboygan River to a fairway that narrows as you get closer to the green. Favoring the middle to left side of the fairway from the tee with a driver or 3-wood will open up your approach to the green. The approach shot requires an additional one to two clubs into an elevated green."


View great pictures of the Championship Course on the official U.S. Women's Open Facebook page.

With regards to the ladies, the group of entrants ranges from newcomer (and Tiger Woods' niece) Cheyenne Woods to more familiar faces Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Morgan Pressel and world-ranked number-one women's golfer Yani Tseng. The U.S. Women's Open Championship is always an exciting event with the outcoming not being a runaway but I'll lay my odds on Yani Tseng as the eventual winner. Who is your choice to win?

Watch first and second-round coverage of the 2012 U.S. Women's Open July 5, 6, from 4-8 pm on ESPN2. NBC will air live third and fourth round coverage from 3-6 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

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Is Cheyenne a chip off the old Tiger Woods?

In a recent press release it was said that Cheyenne Woods, the niece of Tiger you-know-who, is now representing the Nike Golf brand "from head-to-toe" using Nike apparel, equipment and accessories. Will Cheyenne be a better representative than her better known uncle?

Cheyenne Woods not only earned her college degree from Wake Forest U but also commanded great respect on the golf course. If this sounds like Uncle Tiger in any way, it should, with one exception. Although Tiger Woods was awarded a golf scholarship to Stanford University and made NCAA All American (among other great golf achievements), he only stayed through his sophomore year. That being said, Tiger's high school mates deemed him, "Most Likely to Succeed."

On the golf course, both Cheyenne and Tiger Woods have an unflappable quality. Cheyenne's golf coach recently said that the young Woods's strength is in her mental game. Most people who have watched Tiger Woods perform agree that the same is true of him.

That being said, neither of the Woods' future is yet written. Tiger Woods' life circumstances has dragged his name through the mud and has impeded upon his mental stamina while Cheyenne's journey is just beginning with a life ahead full of surprises. Either way, Nike has smartly taken a chance on the All-American to set an example for the Woods name.

Next stop for Cheyenne Woods is a spot in the U.S. Women's Open. All eyes will be on her, waiting for the magic to happen. Perhaps she is the Woods that can change the face of women's golf, make it more visible and interesting to the masses?

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and friend on Facebook.

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Tiger loses twice in NY, the LPGA needs Woods versus Wie and handy golf rules to keep in your bag.

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Tiger Woods was defeated at Bethpage Black not once but twice in one month! The first loss came at the 2009 U.S. Open where Woods' putter let him down. Lucas Glover, a relative "apprentice" on the PGA Tour, defeated the top brass there and Tiger probably needed to convince himself that it was the man, not the course, that kicked his butt.

Seeking out a "rematch" of sorts, Woods took on SNL comedian Jimmy Fallon where it seemed certain that Tiger would triumph and gain bragging rights on the 'Black'. But this match did not 'officially' take place on the golf course. Instead, it was through the new Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 that the number-one golfer in the world attempted to 'raise' the coveted trophy.



In a meeting arranged by EA Sports, Woods and Jimmy Fallon teed off in Times Square, Tiger wearing his Sunday red shirt, black pants ensemble and Fallon sporting typical publinks trademark of jeans and polo shirt.

Unfortunately the game was cut short. Woods did something that we, his truest of fans, would sadly never believe possible; he conceded after the third hole mentioning, "I just got killed at my own game."

Tiger is now not the only famous Woods out on the golf course. Cheyenne Woods, the niece, was given an exemption at the Wegman's and although she missed the cut, it was her first foray into the world of professional golf. Michelle Wie might have come in tied for tenth place, but all eyes will surely be following Cheyenne in the future to see if she has the eye of the Tiger.

A mere twelve strokes separated Woods and Wie this past weekend after the first two rounds of competition. Although Cheyenne did not mention Wie by name she did have this to say, "I'm going to use this tournament to see how I handle large galleries and how I stack up against the best women golfers in the world."

'Uncle Tiger' and Cheyenne were both students of Earl Woods, with similarities that propelled Tiger into greatness. Watching and waiting with bated breath, the world wonders if Cheyenne will be the next superstar to shine the spotlight brightly onto the ladies tour.

As far as who is considered the "hotter golfer" in the areas of both athletics and looks, Fannation.com "Throwdown" fans are undecided but I'm sure, as soon as Cheyenne Woods starts making strides in golf, she will certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the LPGA.

Golf for Beginners show also interprets which training aids can be used during a round and how you can make a golfer replay his shot with the use of Rule 10-1.



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

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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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