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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Last minute golf accessories and golf gifts for Christmas

Last minute holiday shoppers with golfers on their gift list have no fear: you can still buy great golf accessories and gifts before Christmas!

Here are a few notable golf gifts ranging from kitchy to cool!


1. Axis1 Eagle golf putter:

The Axis1 Eagle golf putter was created by Industrial Designer Luis Pedraza to be perfectly balanced so that it resists being pulled open when twisted in your hands.
A lighter grip and perfect balance = less stress and fewer off-line putts.

With a long list of accolades including BusinessWeek's Design Excellence Award and 2009 PGA Show winner "Best in Show", the Axis1 Eagle golf putter will make your significant other want to get out and practice putting on the green, even in the cold of a New York winter...brrr.
Still available for Christmas by heading over to either TGW.com, Edwin Watts Golf or to the Axis1Golf.com website.
Listen to this great interview with Luis Pedraza and Phil Long about the Axis1 putter on the Golf Club Radio Show with Danielle Tucker.



2. Golf jewelry for the lady with almost everything:
From beginner golfers to those players with more than a few years under their belt, there still is the outside chance of unwittingly omitting a stroke or two after a snowman hits your scorecard.


Combining beauty with functionality, the golf score counter, a bracelet from GlamorousGolfer.com, is handcrafted with love (and crystals) by individuals with mental and physical difficulties. You will not only look great but feel good helping others at this time of year!




3. Adidas Golf aG Strike stand bag:

Adidas has created one of the most lightweight and durable golf stand bags on the market with its new aG Strike. Colorful and stylish for both men and women, this golf bag will not disappoint! There are plenty of pockets, insulated water bottle area and the new FAS-TEK system which allows a golfer to attach everything from GPS to cell phone right onto the bag.

The Adidas aG Strike stand bag will not break your budget and will give your golfer the biggest golf gift under the Christmas tree!




4. Kodak Playsport Camera:

I originally wrote about this tiny Kodak PLAYSPORT Camera not only because its really cute, lightweight and waterproof but also because it can help a golfer to analyze the golf swing at close range. Yes, there are hundreds of cameras on the market to choose from but the little Kodak is created with the golfer in mind. Playback on an HDTV or upload your golf swing onto Youtube.com for the whole world to watch and rate!


5. For those with unlimited funds, how about the Porsche of Luxury golf carts? Costing about $50K, the Garia Soleil de Minuit will make an impression on the golfer who has everything but wants more!


Don't know what to get and don't have much money to spend? A gift card can be impersonal but on the flip side, the golfer can buy anything they want.


If presents are more fun for your family during the holiday season, why not put together a package of golf balls, golf gloves (remembering to check for the correct golf hand), golf ball markers (with swarovski crystals for the ladies?) and divot repair tool from G-Clip?


Need more ideas? Just ask golfforbeginners@aol.com


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