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?

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Mohegan Sun Country Club Golf Course Shines in Connecticut

Although Mohegan Sun calls its Country Club “Connecticut’s best kept secret”, once a golfer stands upon this golf course’s cushioned tee boxes and walks along its pristine fairways, word will most certainly spread.

For any golfer visiting Mohegan Sun for the obvious fun, your stay would not be complete without playing eighteen holes at the newly redesigned Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug. Located about fifteen minutes from the hotel/casino, the drive time is worth the effort as this parkland-like golf course boasts a redesign with added yardage and all new greens. We played a best-ball format and although we didn’t hit out of the sand, we raked bunkers which were thick and powdery.

From the moment Barry and I walked towards the welcoming clubhouse, we were greeted by everyone from the attendant who hoisted our bags to members who were eager to share the history of their golf course (and on which hole they made an ace!) Even former pro football player Ahmad Rashad gave us a pep-talk before our round! This friendliness made me feel at home and, while on the small yet efficient practice range, I felt like a member of this exclusive private club, not just a guest.

The practice putting green is well manicured and resembles the golf course greens in speed and lie. It is important to get in a bit of practice here before heading out to the first tee as you will learn much about the course and feel more comfortable as you enter the 18-hole 6471-yard (from the blues) maze of forestry, sand and water.

Our group began Media Day scramble format on the ninth hole, a 411-yard (blue tee/349 ladies) par-4 with a pretty view of trees and a big bite which started our team off with a bogey.



in spite of its straight-forward appearance.The tenth hole, "Double Down", a 353-yard par-4, put us right back into the game with a birdie. Although it's a relatively short hole, the fairway on ten is surrounded by water with bunkers left, right and center of the fairway forcing a golfer to be precise or land in the drink.

One memorable hole on the course was the redesigned sixth, a tricky 485-yard par-5 in which you might focus your attention on the small waterfall on the right side of the fairway while the left drop surrounding the green tricks you into thinking you can go for it. Yes I did "go for it"...I thought I took enough club and guess where I landed? Smart play on this golf course is essential in order to score well, and golf training aids might have been a help here in advance.



Barry’s favorite golf hole was the seventh, High Meadow, the number-one handicap hole on the course. This 384-yard par-4  is deceptively difficult for it's length yet Barry played it wisely from tee to green making a birdie without assistance from his playing partners.



A warm welcome did not just begin at the golf course, it extended throughout the Mohegan Sun hotel. Aquai is a Mohegan word meaning "welcome" and is not just a term that is bandied about, it was shown by all of the employees we encountered within Mohegan Sun “country”.

We would like to thank Mohegan Sun for the five-star attention given to us at both the Country Club and throughout their property.

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