Saturday, June 30, 2012

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.

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

Friday, June 22, 2012

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.