PGA Tour: Thanksgiving for the Pilgrims: Notes from the Ballwasher

1).Golfing's circus has called a halt this week, in the US at any rate - who cares about the Aussies' Fifth Major, etc, etc?
So just a couple of notes to offer some Thanks for some personal highlights this past year.

2).Thanks to the broadcasters who bring the game to my armchair. Many are terrible of course and we p1ss and moan about them frequently.
But Thanks to Warren Humphreys and Roger Maltbie, Peter Kostis and Ken Brown, Dottie Pepper and Gary Koch - you guys are terrific! And the Golf Channel crew are slowly overhauling CBS & NBC in terms of quality of coverage - wish they'd hire Paul Azinger.

3).I don't get to see much Pro golf, but in the tournaments we got to, Thanks to Retief Goosen for producing our shot of the year. Long par-5, badly pulled drive which comes to rest on a cart-path beside a tree with heavy overhanging branches. No drop, took something like a 4-iron which he picked cleanly off the cement, drilled and drawn 200 yards, all of it less than 2 feet off the ground to avoid the tree branches. Perfect lay-up, perfect wedge, birdie! EDIT: That's the sort of shot I LOVE to see when I go to watch the Pros!
(And, incidentally, Thanks to Tim Clark, Nick Watney for making up the rest of the threesome and chatting, joking, laughing their way around the course, caddies all joining in. Plenty of pros would do well to remember that golf is meant to be fun. And, yes, all three finished Top 12.)

4).Thanks of course to Messrs McDowell, Rose, Stenson, McIlroy, Dubuisson, Garcia, Gallacher, Donaldson, Westwood, Bjorn, Poulter, Kaymer and McGinley for . . . . you know what for.

5).Thanks to 606v2 for letting us all write our drivel.

And Happy Thanksgiving to all American readers, stuff your turkeys.

And thank you for your regular, erudite write-ups Kwini. Always worth a read!

Jim Furyk is replaced by Top Five Reed at the Tiger Tournament.

I'm thankful for a World #1 that actually wins majors, the never ending Tiger Woods saga, Boo Weekly for making it to the "5th Major" (stretch if I ever heard it). And, of course, for College Basketball.

Like you Kwin, would love to see Azinger more on the boob tube.

Also, should add that I'm thankful for the trip I just booked -- More the the Heathland greats in Surrey in May (with a fellow Utican Kwin).

The Aussie Open is being played at the Australian Golf Club this week.

Anyone interested in Golf History might want to read about he clubs history.

http://www.australiangolfclub.com/guests/about/history.mhtml

Its clubhouse has burned to the ground twice and it costs guests $6Aus (w/ a member) to play 30 years ago.

GPB,
My brother is marshalling the 18th hole - so if something controversial ensues, you know the reason. Exclusive!!

Good on yer, Shotrock! Stay until the end of the month and go to Wentworth . . . . . . .

Thanks kwini for keeping this board somewhat vibrant with you weekly piece!

But I think the US PGA (the organisation, not the tournament) stole the show for providing the best non stop feed of entertainment this year. Priceless. I even get their newsletter now (even if that's rather boring).

Now let's find some indigeneous people, take their land -- and build some golf courses!!

Cheers Kwini - thanks for bringing some real information and insight to the board - it's good to have that in the mix.

Kwin, thanks for your weekly insights. Something I always look forward to.

Wish I could stay for the Wentworth event, but it's a time v money predicament ... one or the other. In tow will be 3 other Yanks and 2 from the Republic of Ireland.

And these are the problems I like to have: Play the likes of Walton Heath, Swinley Forest, New Zealand again ... or The Addington, Woking, Hankley Common, etc.?

Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday ... Not too commercial (yet) and, who knows, maybe even an Eagle's victory?

Kwini, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Thanks for all your insights and pearls of wisdom. I hope the snow wasn't too bad.

I wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all of the other US folks on here too.

Kwini/other US residents.

Do you not feel a little uncomfortable celebrating thanksgiving, considering what the pilgrims did to the aboriginals of north america?

I know that a large number of people in Australia feel uncomfortable celebrating Australia day (arrival of 1st british fleet) for very similar reasons.

Mac - Lots of shameful history to go around, that's one thing that's not in short supply!

Mac, lots of holidays have moved a long way away from their origins and, as Shotrock says there's plenty of things to be ashamed for but, there's also plenty of things that should be celebrated or not forgotten. As an expat here I see Thanksgiving as a very family orientated holiday, one without the commercialism of Christmas.

Mac,
I don't give a monkey's, just as much as I couldn't care less what the British have done over the centuries.
It's what nations do now that I care about, let's leave it at that.

Plus, I facilitate Thanksgiving, I don't "celebrate" it! Except English-style chipoltas wrapped in bacon, might scarff the lot of 'em!

Hoping to watch Everton and Spurs' games, then back to Sydney, Bills not playing!

Many thanks for your writing here Kwini. Always excellent and often a good laugh as well.

McLaren wrote:Kwini/other US residents.

Do you  not feel a little uncomfortable celebrating thanksgiving, considering what the pilgrims did to the aboriginals of north america?

I know that a large number of people in Australia feel uncomfortable celebrating Australia day (arrival of 1st british fleet) for very similar reasons.

Seriously Mac, you need to lighten up. If you want to wear a hair shirt and sack cloth, whip yourself nightly etc etc for all of the human race's sins over the eons, go right ahead.
We need an :SJW: emoticon on this site especially for Mac...I guess the will have to do.

pedro wrote:Now let's find some indigeneous people, take their land -- and build some golf courses!!

Didn't you guys try that with South Africa? How'd that work out?

Happy Thanksgiving to all (if, when or however you choose to enjoy the day) ... and Kwini... Thanks for your efforts here... your weekly columns are always terrific starters...

robopz wrote:

pedro wrote:Now let's find some indigeneous people, take their land -- and build some golf courses!! :bah:

Didn't you guys try that with South Africa?   How'd that work out?

Robo, I think we tried it pretty much everywhere. Including north america.

Navy

Is it really such a bad thing to acknowledge the crimes of your nations relatively recent history?

I think Mac is going through a desperately unhappy phase of his life.
Perhaps some sort of post-traumatic lack-of-stress syndrome?

McLaren wrote:Kwini/other US residents.

Do you  not feel a little uncomfortable celebrating thanksgiving, considering what the pilgrims did to the aboriginals of north america?

I know that a large number of people in Australia feel uncomfortable celebrating Australia day (arrival of 1st british fleet) for very similar reasons.

Last time I checked, those Pilgrims were from the East side of the Atlantic Ocean. And it was Brits that started exploiting this land first.

kwinigolfer wrote:I think Mac is going through a desperately unhappy phase of his life.
Perhaps some sort of post-traumatic lack-of-stress syndrome?

Thanks. :cry:

I was really just interested to see in what ways two nations founded on dodgy british behavior viewed days that celebrated the arrival of the aforementioned brits.

Not sure why people have taken this so badly.

Because, in the PGA Tour part of the world at least, it's time to let people give Thanks.

It's not "taken badly" it's just irrelevant.

Happy Thanksgiving to all you yanks or brit yanks. My mate who moved to nyc and now in nj with his wife . Enjoying the nfl and drinking 9% Brooklyn beer. He seems to be loving the day!

McLaren wrote:

robopz wrote:

pedro wrote:Now let's find some indigeneous people, take their land -- and build some golf courses!!

Didn't you guys try that with South Africa?   How'd that work out?

Robo, I think we tried it pretty much everywhere.  Including north america.

Navy

Is it really such a bad thing to acknowledge the crimes of your nations relatively recent history?

Well mac, here's your map...  

Spoiler:

McLaren wrote:...Navy

Is it really such a bad thing to acknowledge the crimes of your nations relatively recent history?

Acknowledge? Yes. Judge them through the SJW glasses of modern sensibilities? Not really. Wallow in some sort of public, national self-loathing? No.

GPB wrote:...And it was Brits that started exploiting this land first.

If you say so. Obviously, no-one exploited anyone in that land of milk and honey, created by the good Lord, before the Brits got there.....

pedro wrote:

McLaren wrote:

robopz wrote:

pedro wrote:Now let's find some indigeneous people, take their land -- and build some golf courses!!

Didn't you guys try that with South Africa?   How'd that work out?

Robo, I think we tried it pretty much everywhere.  Including north america.

Navy

Is it really such a bad thing to acknowledge the crimes of your nations relatively recent history?

Well mac, here's your map...  

Spoiler:

I think that's awful. How on earth did we miss those 18 places? We really ought to go for the clean sweep. Now that we've pulled out of Iraq and Afghan, let's invade Sweden!

Thanks a lot, kwini. Please continue to be the ticking heart of this board.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Rory roller coaster. Where will it end?

Can't recall seeing a Pro hit it so bad from tee to green as Chalmers today. Brilliant short game.

Golf coverage in Australia as bad as the US. Watched until 1.00 a.m. and then they shut down coverage just as the final group were chipping to the 18th.
But more smoke and mirrors from Chalmers; don't see how he can possibly pull those tricks for 18 more holes. Duel between Scott & Spieth for me, tho' Rumford was playing well (and better than he has for a long time).

kwinigolfer wrote:But more smoke and mirrors from Chalmers; don't see how he can possibly pull those tricks for 18 more holes. Duel between Scott & Spieth for me, tho' Rumford was playing well (and better than he has for a long time).

Yeah... hard to believe Chalmers could keep it going for one more round hitting it like that... but then again, in the winds they were dealing with, none of 'em looked like they were having an easy time of it. I certainly wouldn't pick Chalmers as tomorrow's favorite... but seeing as how anybody's capable of finding big trouble and shooting well over par, he might just hang in there...

Rory dressed up today in red, as if he's changed his sponsor to Royal Mail.
But nowhere near enough red figures in his week's scorecards and this will be a lost week, competitively anyway.
Spieth looking like he could run away with it . . . . . . . Be a big win for him going in to 2015 one would think.

Incredible Chalmers stat.
18 holes (Round 3 second 9, Round 4 Front 9): 4 greens in regulation - one under par.
Won't do him any good though.

Awesome win by Spieth in Australia... delivering on some of the promise many see in him.

i'm sure his detractors will go on and on about the lack of depth in the field, but the way I saw it.. he overcame his penchant for not finishing so well and annihilated #1 & #3 along with a pretty decent field that included lots of PGAT and ET experience... terrific dominating win in unfamiliar surrounds... and back up to #11 OWGR.

First China, Japan, Australia.... and now on to Florida to see how he can deal with the jet lag and a pretty stout field of ranked players including most the rest of the top-20 he didn't face this week...

Agreed robo,
It would be churlish for anyone to try to detract from such a performance on Sunday.
And three veterans get a ticket to St.Andrews, Pampling, Rumford & Chalmers.
Pity Higginbottom didn't get a spot but hopefully we'll see more of him as 2015 unfolds.

(Who cares what happens this week, whether in Florida or South Africa?)

Terrific win by Spieth!!

Someone in the golf world must have proclaimed the first week in December has limited field week.

The Florida event will have the HAVEs get richer (and higher ranked). IMO, If they are that good, they don't need the added help. It doesn't need the OWGR recognition. Wouldn't be surprised if participation this week will impact the top 50 bubble next year. Westwood has about 2 net points from last year on his resume that is helping his Top 50 ranking at this year end.

At least Nedbank has some possible Top 50 implications for year end Top 50 . (not that it should).

Japanese Tour finale is also a limited field event. Looks like 30 players. Oda is the only player that can make top 50. Iwata can get close.

At least the Asian Tour event in Indonesia is a full field event, Lahiri is playing and so is someone called Padraig Harrington who could be falling out of the top 400 before year end. Ranked about #380 after this week.

Three journeyman Aussies get an invite to St Andrews next July. Pampling, Chalmers, and Rumford. I would have like to see at least one of the young guns get an exemption.

GPB,
All one would say about Nedbank is that it's a significantly larger field than the Isleworth shuffle . . . . . . . and some decent quality too, altho' Dubuisson is a big miss, being replaced by Onyer Todd and presumably devaluing the owgr rating a shade.

How do we reckon Tiger will do at his comeback tournament this week? Anything worse than a top-20 would probably be viewed as a disappointment.

incontinentia wrote:How do we reckon Tiger will do at his comeback tournament this week? Anything worse than a top-20 would probably be viewed as a disappointment.

9C is like the English Football Team, every one of his appearances comes with less and less expectation and a waning interest with every appearance.

I didn't even know he was coming back this week, not like the media to make it so easy to miss, normally they'd be making a fanfare about this.

How big is the field he is in? I presume we'll see 2 ok rounds and 2 average ones followed by nauseating post round interviews about how "he's getting there" and beginning to "find his range" and "will be ready for next year" hoping for a "w" or two.

Spot on inco, especially as there are only 18 competitors to gobble up the guaranteed money and owgr points.

s_r,
Disagree there - at least in the US. Media has been all about the return of Tiger. Screw everything else in Golf, Tiger rules the airwaves.

Not even a peep here Kwini. He's old news it would seem.

More media coverage for Rory these days than Tiger. He's the big dog now.

But, if young Spieth can carry this form into next year, Tiger gets some mojo back, not to mention the other usual cast of characters ... could make for a great 2015 and some real competition for the Irishman.

My guess is that we will get some new buzzwords from the Tiger Woods lexicon.

Who can forget:

"I need reps"

"Its a process"

Or "Flaming Crop-Dusters"

or "Hot Pulls"

or "Working on my fast twitch muscles"

I don't have anything against these limited field events by invitation. I just don't think they should get any OWGR recognition.

Last year Dustin Johnson finished DFL and was 24 shots behind the winner. And he got 2.4 OWGR ranking points.

In the 2013 US Open, Dustin finished 16 shots behind the winner Justin Rose, and beat 100 players, and got about 2 ranking points.

World Challenge: Finish Dead Last and earn more ranking points than beating 100 players in a Major Championship.

IMO, There should be no Ranking points for this event....and there absolutely be no ranking points for finishing DEAD FRICKING LAST.

And that goes for the Nedbank, World Matchplay, and whatever event they are playing in Japan this week.

Agreed GPB, points for what is nothing more than a midweek sweep is a disgrace and players should be embarrassed to receive points for such an exhibition.

Let's hope 9C makes an exhibition of himself.

Sr's contention about Rors getting more ink than Woods just signifies his undying love for checking out the very best of everything UK!

Tiger headlines of one stripe or another every week since he jacked it in in August.
With the fortnightly Vonn update thrown in.

Kwin - Tru Dat ... Love all things UK ... and Irish too!

incontinentia wrote:How do we reckon Tiger will do at his comeback tournament this week? Anything worse than a top-20 would probably be viewed as a disappointment.

Woods still plays golf? Whoda thought it? Learn something every day it would seem...

McLaren wrote:Kwini/other US residents.

Do you  not feel a little uncomfortable celebrating thanksgiving, considering what the pilgrims did to the aboriginals of north america?

I know that a large number of people in Australia feel uncomfortable celebrating Australia day (arrival of 1st british fleet) for very similar reasons.

I'm sure Harry Enfield did a sketch about you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7W7q7pWygU

Once a year Mac is celebrating the arrival of.... his first bus pass.