John Daly is back in the United Kingdom for part two of his European tour. He is trying to build on the golfing mojo he gained there a few weeks ago. He has been laying low the past few days after spraining a rib ligament, but hopefully he will be gripping it and ripping it in no time.
He tees up today at the Barclays Scottish Open at the stunning site of Loch Lomond Golf Club. Then he is off to the British Open at Turnberry. JD recently shared some of his thoughts about traveling and being in Europe. He also passed along some wonderful personal photos to include in this video to his own song, "I Found It."
What is the thing you miss most about the U.S.—besides your kids? The European Tour is great and all, but there is nothing like playing at home on the PGA Tour. Tell me what you like best about Europe—besides your girlfriend Anna. I like it when it's NOT raining; it's one of the most beautiful places to be. What European language would you most like to speak? Spanish—because it seems to be the second most popular language.
What European city would you most like to come back and visit on vacation—if you didn't have to fly? Barcelona is one of the prettiest cities I've ever seen.
Have you ever considered buying a EuroBus? No, I can't even afford the one I have now.
Any secrets to making flying more bearable—besides Anna? Smoking—if we could ever smoke on these flights again.
What is the first thing you crave when back on U.S. soil—besides Anna and kids? Sex with my girlfriend always, and Dairy Queen on Wednesdays.
What do you do in Europe for the Fourth of July? Nothing really—I might wear my Patriotic Loudmouth Pants and maybe watch Independence Day on my iPod-Movie System.
Are there any European customs you love or hate? All restaurants are open too late because they eat late. Thank God for McDonald's.
Today marked a very important day in my golfing careeradventuresaga epic. I earned my first trophy. Alright already, it was probably more like a paperweight, but it still counts.
According to Merriam-Webster a "trophy" is defined as "something gained or given in victory or conquest especially when preserved or mounted as a memorial." A crystal (possibly glass) paperweight was given to each member of our team as a memorial of our victory that will be preserved in my office. So there, it's a TROPHY!
Our winning foursome had an absolute blast today in a Play For P.I.N.K. tournament at our course. The tournament was a shamble format and was organized by a dear friend who golfs in Florida during the winter. She participated in a Play For P.I.N.K. event there and decided to start one at our course.
We had 46 ladies play and raised over $2,000. Not bad for a fun day on the course AND winning a trophy.
Our foursome shot 22-under par. We were allowed to buy two mulligans each, which we all properly used. My drives would have made John Daly proud, but my irons are a little shaky these days as I am working hard on a swing change. Let's just say a few more worms have left this earth and moved on to worm heaven. And I am to blame.
In the end we all pulled together and managed a strong victory. A few golfing gal pals, who like to play 18 in three hours, gave us some ribbing for taking four-and-half hours to finish our round. I informed them that good golfing strategery takes time. After our win was announced, I turned to my "speedy" friend and responded with the proper na-na-boo-boo face.
Sure, this was probably not the way Morgan Pressel would react to Michelle Wie, but we were having some fun. I promise I will respond to victories in a more mature manner if I ever play in an LPGA event. I can hear my readers all breathe a collective sigh of relief right now.
Play For P.I.N.K. is an excellent organization that donates 100% of all monies raised directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. They make it super easy to organize a golf tournament (or any other event) to raise funds to fight breast cancer. The minimum donation for our event was $25, which resulted in a huge turnout.
The tournament was held during our normal Ladies Day at our course. If you are interested in hosting an event call the Hot "P.I.N.K." Line at 646-497-2605 or check out the Play For P.I.N.K. website.
When one thinks of wardrobe malfunctions on the golf course Henrik Stenson is sure to be the first golfer to pop into your mind. Up until now, I have prided myself as possibly having the only golf website that did NOT post this photo.
Last week I had a golfing wardrobe malfunction of my own during a Wednesday night mixer. I was playing with a golfing gal pal and my coach. On the second-to-last hole, my friend told me the zipper on my skirt was busted. At first I didn't really pay attention and told her it was fine. Then she said, "No Heather, I can see polka dots." WHAT?!
I turned around to realize my zipper had somehow busted wide open. It was attached at the top and bottom, but everything in between was open and my cute polka dot underwear was front and center (or should I say back and center) for the rest of the course to see.
I consider myself a very prepared golfer. I have everything in my bag from Band-Aids and emery boards to an assortment of Sharpies and extra pencils. However, I did not have a safety pin, which would have offered a quick solution to my problem. I finished out the last two holes with SEVEN putts. Do you think I let the situation rattle me?
Having skated in hundreds of skating shows, I am used to skimpy costumes and the challenges that come with such outfits. I always made sure my straps had an extra safety pin attached to them--just in case. But I have never had a problem with golf clothes on the course.
In order to avoid any more Stenson-esque moments, I have now added a variety of safety pins to my golf bag. I recommend every golfer do the same. However, I'm not sure a safety pin would have helped Mr. Stenson.
Fireworks, sparkle and new bling from Pink Diva Golf. Sounds like a perfect Fourth of July to me.
Pink Diva Golf has always been the place to find fantastic women’s T-shirts, hats, jewelry, and gifts with a hip, trendy golf theme. Now it's even better. Pink Diva Golf just launched a newly designed website that is easy to use and stylish as usual.
With the new website, Pink Diva has added a “golf bling” line of crystal T-shirts and hoodies. These new Swarovski crystal designs are exclusive to Pink Diva Golf.
I've already purchased a couple of the Par-Tee designs for me and my partner to wear at a tourney later this month. These T-shirts are top-notch and perfect on or off the course.
So use some downtime this weekend to check out Pink Diva Golf and some special prices on her newest jeweled designs.
I was recently chatting emailing with a reader of mine. I mentioned that I won the first round of an Old Pal match play tourney at my course. He responded with, "Why don't you ever write about your wins?" Well, there's an easy answer: Because I don't have many.
Sure I've won some Ladies Day events, a long drive contest here and there, but the truth is I don't have any big wins--YET. But my partner and I did win the first round of match play during a course tourney. It's a "W," but it doesn't come with a trophy or cash prize. If we get through the whole series, it will.
Yesterday I posted Mike Wilbon's interview with Tiger Woods. Tiger talked about some of the young guns on the PGA. He mentioned that a couple just need to get a win under their belts and then more will follow.
I'm not trying to compare myself with the gals and guys on the tour (well maybe a little bit), but I hope this is true for me too. It is tough to know how to win until you actually do it. I think the little wins help prepare you for the bigger ones.
After all my team matches, it did feel good to finally have a mark in the win column. Compared to my team matches this one felt much more relaxed, but it still had that intensity of a competition. I hope someday my team matches will seem like a walk in the park compared to other tournaments I compete in.
Until then, I will continue to put myself in competitive situations and try to learn how to deal with the pressure. It's not a trophy I covet, but the desire to string together 18 solid holes during competition. Is that too much to ask?
Editor's Note: Photo is of me and my "Old Pal" (who is clearly far from old). The naked trees demonstrate how desperate we were to play early this spring.
In case you missed it, PTI's Mike Wilbon conducted an insightful interview with Tiger Woods that aired yesterday. My favorite part is when Mr. Woods talks about bringing his daughter out on the golf course with him. It is hysterical and endearing. It sounds like she has a pretty good sense of humor for a two-year-old.
I always knew Tiger had a great smile, but I didn't think it could actually get bigger. When he talks about his daughter, it does.
Since becoming a blogger I've been interviewed many a couple of times, but I have never been the subject of an entire blog post until now. Thank you, Apryl DeLancey!
I can barely keep up with one sport, but Apryl covers them all on her engaging Women Like Sports blog. I hope she and I can hit the links together someday because I think we'd have a blast. Apryl is a talented athlete (and writer) who has a really cool profile photo with a dolphin. Something tells me that this golfing gal has some great stories of her own.
If you think you already know everything about me, then you should be able to answer these questions.If not, you better read Apryl's interview.
How old was I when I started skating?
Why did I start golfing?
How many sports do I play?
Was I the first or last one picked for school teams?
What's my current handicap? One-Eyed probably knows this one.
This week Blair O'Neal will tee off against Derek on June 29, at 9 p.m. EST, in the final challenge on Big Break. The winner will claim a cash prize of $100,000.
I had the chance to touch base with Blair this weekend before the final show airs. One thing I'm sure about, Blair can keep up with any guy on the golf course and she has nerves of steel that I greatly admire. She is also a delight to talk to and very down to earth.
Is the show the same as we see on TV? In the beginning of the season, some players were shown a lot more than others. We talked so much during those interviews, but the more you talked, and the more you talked about other people, the more air time you got. Brian and Brenda like to talk a lot so you probably got to see more of them in the beginning of the series. But it's interesting to see the different personalities on the show and how they perceived the experience. It's fun to watch now, and the players are pretty much as they appear.
What was the hardest thing about Big Break? During the filming the hardest thing was really trying to be in control of my thoughts and emotions. Watching it now I think I did that pretty well. It is so intense. The two and a half weeks of filming felt like two months. It was physically and mentally exhausting.
How is Big Break like competitive tour golf and how is it different? On Big Break there is a lot more pressure for sure, with all the cameras and you are playing for a huge prize. In a tournament you have 18 holes and if you mess one up you can still get back in the game. With Big Break, one shot can be your chance at elimination.
They are similar in that you need to take one shot at a time. Some say it is not like real golf, but in real golf you need the mentality of Big Break because every shot is so important.
How did you stay so cool and calm? I was really excited to be on the show, but I knew I had one chance to do well. I just focused on myself and didn't care, or think, about what others were doing or saying. I put everything I had into each shot and I didn't want to leave with any regrets. I wanted to leave knowing that I gave 100%. I tried to stay really mentally focused on good thoughts. It really is about controlling your emotions.
My college coach used to call it the "Blair Bubble." I just stay really focused on my game. Staying in that mentality is what works for me.
Brenda recently made a comment about you being as boring as a piece of cardboard. How do you respond to such remarks? I think she was a little upset because we weren't talking during the round. She was exactly right, I wasn't interested in talking with her for nine holes. I was focused on my golf game and getting a step closer to winning $100,000. If I want to mark a six-inch putt, I will. I'm going to do what works for me and I have one chance at this. In the end, I won the match, so what I was doing worked.
Brenda is the opposite. I think she relaxes by talking with people and joking around. But I think some of her comments made her sound bad.
How cold was it up there? It was freezing. I would wear three layers to stay warm. It was really cool in the 50's and windy and rainy.
How different is your life since you've been on Big Break? Busy, but good. I signed with a new management firm, Gaylord Sports Management. They represent some great players like Phil Mickelson and Angela Stanford. I've had a ton of interviews. I'm looking forward to playing some more pro-ams, getting sponsorships for the tour, and meeting more new people.
What's next for you? It's all about Q-school in September. I'm working on some swing changes and short game. I'm playing some tournaments here and there. After Q-school, I will be back on the Cactus Tour getting ready for the final stage of Q-school in December.
Be sure to check out Blair's fantastic Website. She has some great videos and new photos up. Also stop by the pro shop for autographed photos and golf balls. All the proceeds go to cover Blair's tournament entry fees and travel expenses.
I hate to write another post about white belts and white shoes. Okay I'm a total liar-head. I LOVE to babble about white belts, white shoes and dingleballsocks whenever I have the chance.
Obviously I am a big supporter of this powerful white duo on the golf course, otherwise known as the "full Cleveland." Some think I have gone too far with my new love of white. Others are convinced I'm currently funding this website with dirty money from the white belt industry. Today I need to call out a midlife crisis recently revived boy band for tarnishing the white belt's good image with the 'Cleveland Gone Wild.'
The New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) tried to rock this look recently on the Today show, but it's just not working for me. First of all, their look is a complete rip-off of The Hives. Second, the reason the full Cleveland works is because it is only two white items: belt and shoes. The Hives can pull off the look because they are Swedish, and because they have some serious attitude going with a black-and-white suit theme. A little retro and a little punk, it just works. They also know that you can't wear a white tie, white belt AND white shoes.
I think golf will be spared the Cleveland Gone Wild. While men on the Tour are forced to wear pants (as opposed to shorts), PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem has yet to request ties. Of course, that would force Boo Weekley and John Daly to join the European Tour full time, and wisely Mr. Finchem will foresee that risk and keep fashion advice to himself.
A little over three years ago I started golfing. Quickly after my first ball took flight, I decided I wanted to play on our course's competitive team. I played my first match last year, but this season was the first time I was a full-fledged member of our team who played all six matches.
Last week marked the end of my competitive team matches for this year. I never won a match, although I came close many times and earned points for my team. I pushed my last match 9-9. Normally I would be fine with that result, but it was a little hard to swallow this time because our team lost the overall competition by one point.
As a result, we will not play in the "First Cup," or championship tier, next year. Instead we will play in the middle tier or "Second Cup." I have mixed feelings about our loss.
Our course simply does not have many single-digit-handicap women golfers, so we were often outplayed in these matches. Being part of the Second Cup should allow us to be more competitive and better matched against the other teams. However, I will miss the ladies and courses that I have come to know in the First Cup.
During these matches, seven ladies play seven separate rounds of match play. The two lowest scores for each team (i.e., the most lopsided losses) are thrown out so only five scores from each team count. If all seven scores had counted in our final match we would have won by two points. In other words, we are feeling a little bit like Al Gore did when he won the popular vote, but lost the Presidential election in 2000 (I spoke to Al yesterday to verify this point).
The final match was played at Brookside Country Club, where Open champion Lucas Glover qualified for the tournament. Let's just say I felt like Stewart Little when I was in the rough. I also experienced steep gradations along the edge of the rough and greens that made me feel I was in over my head. I repeatedly found my ball lying right next to these steep cuts. Unfortunately, I do not have this shot...yet.
In the end, I'm a far better and stronger player than I was when I
started this little challenge. Fellow blogger and golfer extraordinaire Shane Bacon put it well:
I've heard a few quotes about tournament golf, but my favorite is probably the one that compares golf and tournament golf to tennis and ice skating. Nope, they aren't very similar.
I will never forget standing on the first tee of my first match this year at Scioto Country Club and hearing my name announced over the loudspeaker. "Next on the tee at 8:20, Heather Jones." I was sure I would puke. I didn't. But it was the closest I have ever come to feeling like a competitive golfer, let alone a tour player.
There were no galleries, no television cameras, and no scoreboards, but the pressure was there. I didn't think I could handle it, but somehow I did. Each week it got a little easier and each week I played better.
Ice skating and golf are nothing alike. I know from experience. But competitive skating and tournament golf have more in common than one might think--and it's not just the short skirts.
John Daly is back in the United Kingdom for part two of his European tour. He is trying to build on the golfing mojo he gained there a few weeks ago. He has been laying low the past few days after spraining a rib ligament, but hopefully he will be gripping it and ripping it in no time.
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