In My Bag. 12/26/10

10.5 Octane tour Blur 44 3/4"
18 Burner Redboard 73
20 mx-700 mizuno hybrid YS-q
4-Pw J38 Pocket Cavs (bridgestone) i80 Steelfibers
52/58 Cleveland CG15 (52-2 dot, 58-3 dot) Nippon 950s
Rife Barbados (black) SuperStroke lite

No. 5. 188 yard par 3...

a picture is worth..a lot. hit it close.

A Ryder Cup fan. An American cheering for Monty's Boys...

@GaryVanSickle Monty got Seve on phone for team meeting last night. In the passion department, Europe takes early 1-up lead.

@JasonSobel  Stats show Miguel Angel Jimenez has been tweeted about less than any other player this week. Do you all hate wine, stogies and ponytails?

@TheChristinaKim  Oh my sweet Jesus. I just saw a glimpse of TW on the Golf Channel. WTF is Corey thinking with that rain suit?! Beyooooond tacky. Shameful!!!

@GaryVanSickle  Ryder Cup redux: Monty says there's no I in team. US asst captains have their names in big letters on jacket backs. Wouldn't "USA" suffice?

@ogilviej  Assume they are saving good looking US uniforms for game day at Ryder Cup, thus far I wouldn't rake leaves in first few costumes.

..and .. are you listening to me?  ... twitter is the medium... and Pavin has done every fan in golf a huge disservice by "banning" tweeting by Cink and others on the team who are prolific (Bubba and Fowler especially) .. am I rootin' for Paddy and Westy?... maybe... even Pavin's missteps likely won't swing me but this guy is missing a lot of the points of the Ryder Cup.. It's not war.  His wife Lisa has acted arrogant and the whole thing stinks... lets get to the playin'. I've seen Pavin caddy for his former college roommate in Q-School and I know he is a great champion... but so far as a Ryder Cup Captain ? Thumbs Down.

Pavin and Gray and Tiger and Phil...The Ryder Cup Circus

So is Tiger gonna play in the Ryder Cup? Has Corey sat with him.. Is Jim Gray telling the truth? ..Listen here folks and let's be fair, I ran big organizations in my career.. thousands of people...never would a few days go by without me at least talking with 20-25 of my top people. They would include the 10 or so Presidents/VPs  that reported to me, but also top sales and service people as well as Sales Engineers and generally the brightest stars in our universe.. Don't know if Corey was caught without an answer here but did he really think he was not going to be asked about the number one and two players in the world.. He's not doing his job very well IMO... from the little mistakes on Twitter and now with Jim Gray.. There is something about a lot of these guys I don't like. They are great competitors and guess they don't need good organizational skills or something but this is another mess. It will be forgotten quickly if the US wins the Cup, but the likelihood of this beginning is a lot of young players (Kuchar and Overton come to mind quickly) and going to be looking for leadership..not only from Phil and Tiger but from Corey as well.. He needs to step up his game. Monty would pick Tiger.. So there. Get real. He plays.. even with a broken leg.

More Travels.. The Hunt Club at London, Ontario

Am in Canada for the Open... Staying with the  B-Man. Always gracious... Went out today to the Hunt Club with Woody and George.. Lost $15 (US?).. Woody's got game..Shot 74.. George will see this and give him hell... nice day..nice course.. Only complaint?.. The Greens need to roll.. rough was a little thick for the upcoming Canadian Am.. tough on us..Drive 'em straight.

.. can you say Oosthuizen?

JAT: Just a thought... Sunday at a major is a different beast.. just ask Dustin Johnson.. a big "Duh" right? So few people have ever found out what they are made of.. going to the really big meeting or event to perform in a manner that is somewhat uncomfortable. But there is a sense that you can't wait to show 'em what you got. So far this guy has played at a level only Paul Casey has been able to keep in his sights.. Should be a great Sunday! I think we may be in for a surprise (I know I said that a few days ago and before that as well). The big O could take off (again) or another guy could shoot 66. The weather will play a part of this and no crystal ball here that really works but I'm amused by the lack of Americans on the Leaderboard (did Poulter know something?) and so forth but Westy (my choice until he finally wins a major) could make it somewhat predictable.. or Casey (who has won a World Match Play Championship) could run another seemingly unflappable South African down. PS-But Ooos hung tough. Very Tough. Congrats!

Buster takes off this week for the Canadian Open.. shoot me a note if you'll be there. Guest of the very cool guys at CFF Stainless Steel. Looking forward to seeing the big B. Have sticks will travel!

St Andrews... Looking forward.. to what?

@SFBAYGOLF Kerr & Creamer unless Tigre wins this week RT @johnraser In your opinion, what's the most exciting story in golf right now?

@PlayersTowel St Andrews: Woods Appears to Be Confident but Is Searching for Consistency http://is.gd/drZTa

I so look forward to the Open.. have, it seems, all my life... but my golf story is two Americans on top of the LPGA after a lot of years of asking the question: where are the Americans? I'm not a nationalist, but I root for the home team and sure find Paula and Cristie a bit more accessible than an interpreter.. Paula and Cristie are the biggest story in Golf unless Tiger makes a run.. Agreed. But, can I pick Westwood again?  ...beware of the wounded golfer and the "experts" have picked the top players in the world. how about Darren Clarke? Who's your pick?

Saw the story about Tiger dumping his Cameron for a  Nike Method Putter... will it matter to anything but his bank account? There is the logical answer about it being heavier and Tiger thinking that will help him on the slower greens of St. Andrews. And KJ Choi borrows a page from the handbook of one Randy Haag... Look him up at Amatuergolf.com.

I've finished watching the miserable job the Golf Channel has done to preview the Open and the much better job that ESPN has done...It's time to get this show on the road and let the players do the talking. My hope is that someone someday puts someone with an ounce of intelligence in charge of the Golf Channel someday. It is truly an embarrassment most of the time.

"This place is a beast and a half" CK... The Ladies will play their Open this week

"This place is a beast and a half".. was a tweet from Christina Kim and I've heard they will play Oakmont at just under 6600 and par 71...have heard a lot of buzz on this one... and that the US Women's Open is finally on a grown-up golf course... so let's get it straight... nothing compares to Oakmont. I say that having never played it but one of my regular companions on course has and as a close to scratch player, did not break 90... He doesn't necessarily travel well but it's a very tough course and he has tour length on his side.. I for one will be very interested to see who is number one in the world of Ladies golf after this week... I'm picking Kerr...

..a few Tweets:  

@Kstupples Played the front 9 at oakmont today. I have to hand it to Johnny Miller a 63 round this course has to be the best ever

@Kstupples pebble has nothing on this place. Pebble is like a walk in the park, this is like climbing Mount Everest!!!

@TheChristinaKim: For the record. I have never in all my life seen a golf course like Oakmont. This place is a beast and a half

..will add to this one... it's Monday night.. 

Oakmont could lay claim as the most-challenging venue used for USGA competitions. At the 2003 U.S. Amateur, only one golfer out of the 312 starters for stroke-play qualifying managed to break par (70), while the stroke average was 79.014. Then again, Johnny Miller carded a final-round 63 to win the 1973 U.S. Open, which is considered by many to be one of the best 18-hole rounds in major-championship history.

Course Preview (USGA Site).

Cristie Kerr, Yani Tseng, Anna Nordqvist go off the 1st tee at 1:14pm Tee Times

Angel Cabrera shot 5 over par to win the ’07 U.S. Open at Oakmont.

Link to a mostly (gotta be) excellent article in the New York Times about Cristie and delayed Motherhood.. and being the first American woman golfer to hold the number one ranking since??? bet you didn't know!

@KayCockerill  Mike Davis is setting up course similar to men's open in 07. Green speed is 13.5-14 on stimp and hole loc will be almost identical.  

Hmmm...prediction for the week: Winning score will be +4 and cut will be +12. Even par will be a terrific score any single day.

Can't wait for Women's Open to start tomorrow at Oakmont. I'm really curious as to how the women will play the course. Greens r outrageous!

@Golf_Tweets  Oakmont Is Cage Fighting in Fashionable Clothing Link to Armchair Golf Blog #Golf#Blog

40 Players in the Field are using a PlayersTowel. Buster Loves these Towels. Lightweight, Microfiber Waffle design that holds moisture really well.

"If the USGA wants to embarrass us, it's possible.", Natalie Gulbus in USA Today.

"I never came close to breaking par," Gulbis says. "On the first hole, you have to land the ball 15 feet short of the green, and it still might roll over the green. We've never played a course where you have to think about putting the ball off the green. You might have to think about that five or six times a round.

NYT Article: Question on Lips at Open: How Far Over Par?

NYT After Day One:  An Amateur Tames a Tricky Open Course

@ZachJohnsonPGA I'm picking Cristie Kerr to win Womens Open at Oakmont. Best of luck to all participants.  Thursday 6:48pm PDT

@ronsirak 46 players didn't break 80 in Womens Open at Oakmont. Under 10-stroke rule huge number cud play weekend. 146 players within 10 after rd 1.

What's Next? Open Champs? Tiger's $700 Million Divorce? the PGA?

About this time of year the forums start buzzin' with what will be introduced in the fall by the oems's and thoughts turn to the Open Championship and perhaps the PGA... but I'm thinking Ryder cup and all the gossip... Monty snubs Faldo and Pavin snubs Zinger? or Not? Sorta reminds me of the grave dancing in Corporate America when  a new boss comes in and has about 4-6 months where he or she will blame their predecessor for all their problems.. or do they?.. seems if they know what to do they'd just do it... haven't read Azinger's book... be interested to hear what anyone thinks about it...Oh..and lost in the hoopla at the French Lick Resort in Indiana (Larry Bird's hometown) and the 43rd PGA Professional National Championship, University of Illinois men’s head golf coach Mike Small hoisted the coveted Walter Hagen Cup last night for the third time – and the second time in as many years. Article on PGA.com.

So what are you looking forward to? 

US Open-The Random Thoughts

We live near Pebble Beach and I went out for 6 hours on Tuesday with a couple of buddies. I love getting close to the swings and that pro attitude..Chicken Caesar Wraps were the best! Out on Pebble with friends is always time well spent..Fast Forward:

Have been a Gmac fan since he  attended the University of Alabama and  won the Haskins Award in 2002 for the best collegiate golfer in the United States. I like the way he handles himself a lot.. he stayed within himself and did what he needed to do...no small feat when you are being out hit by 30-40 yards off the tee... I've tried it.. Fail.

DJ?..nobody flatlines the US Open... he has this passive/aggressive thing going on and his play on 2 was really bad... Bobby (his caddie) needed to stop him .. but that's easy to say in hindsight..think they should have had a revised plan for Sunday ..head it said a million times.. playing safe is the best choice most all of the time. "You don't need to ride in on a white horse to the applause of millions to grab the trophy".

Then there is Tiger. This week proved to me (again) how much the game really needs him. His 2nd shot 3 wood he carved out over Stillwater cove onto the 18th on Saturday was one of those Tiger shots... when Phil tried it, he found a watery grave.. Tiger delivered and he delivered a putt on 16 on Sat on his way to a back nine 31 that was exciting (especially for NBC). I have not liked the emotional displays but this time I was jacked up.  We say there is no resemblance between golf as most know it and Tournament Golf. I know that. Tiger knows it. He is very good at simulating the pressure, but you have to get out there when it counts. He's obviously not ready to win yet, but I think he will be at St Andrews for the Open Championship. Then there is the Stevie question. I have said before I think he needs a new caddie to go along with his new life.. When you try to overcome what he is you only need to change one thing.... and that's everything... that's one of the oldest tricks in the book...

My biggest disappointment for the week was Ernie.. He had a couple of "moments".. 2-3 footer for Birdie, back nine on Sunday.. he lips out... Champions make those.. He's such a good guy. I want to see him win another major. I do not like the revolving caddie situation. It is obvious who should be on Ernie's bag. After three that's all that matters. Right? .. maybe not the experts say his stock is up along with Westwood (my early pick)  and Phil.  Missing is action and expected to do better are both Geoff Ogilvy and Lucas Glover who may have a couple of top tens this year but likely has read a lot of books (on weekends).

All in all the course and Gmac get my vote...again.

US Open Prediction...

Think Westwood wins the Open next week.. good form. Good Guy.. Due. Driving will be key.. no chance from the rough. Greens very fast and no spin out of the Bunkers... fairways shaved into bankers and off cliffs... Pebble magnificent!

So..Think You'd Hold Up Against the Us Open Set-Up at Pebble?

First you might want to check out the article written in May about the process the USGA goes through to "design" the course...

and then some commentary from Bubba Watson and Chris Wilson on Twitter about the Golf Digest Challenge: 

@bubbawatson so what would a player like you shoot if a 3 shoots 102?

@TheRealCWilson 77

@bubbawatson thats legit funny, play well next week

Gets it all in perspective very quickly...saw a bunch of guys who have no trouble shooting 65 on their home courses get a taste of what tournament Golf at the highest level is all about as they failed to qualify for our National Championship... 

The Pebble caddies have been telling me that you will need a wedge to get out of the rough and the spots that were playable last time around will not be this time...if there is wind the new tee on 13 will make the hole one of the toughest par 4's on tour not to mention how 14 will play. The fairway on 6 has been repositioned so

I'll be out there starting Tuesday of next week.. the guy with the Boston Red Sox hat on prowling around at the southern end of the course... holes 10,11,12,13... Marlboro Country...

...have we named our favorite neighbor yet?

Posted via email from pgoss's posterous

Sportsmanship and Why (to me) Golf is Still a Gentleman's Game

Got a tweet tonight: @pgoss hey it's simple for the Celtics follow Jesus and he will save them... and then: @pgoss Paul pierce owes a bookie some money...The Celts tied the Lakers for the NBA Championship tonight.. it's 1-1.

I am a Celtics fan... Search Amazon.com for celtics

That Compared to: from @RickieFowlerPGA thanks everyone for the congrats...had a lot of fun this week...Justin Rose just put up a solid round..along with many congratulatory tweets from the rank and file on tour and fan base.. Justin Rose came from a couple back to win the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, OH. Jack's Place.  Hey there are drunks at events who behave poorly and half of the Club's members where I play treat the course poorly (learn to rake bunkers and fix ball marks like a pro. The right way. Remember John Wooden saying if you don't have time to do it right , when will you find time to fix it?).. But there is a lack of trash talking in Golf compared to other sports and I'll bet Zach Johnson's Caddie never gets picked up in a Bar Fight packing a pistol... Nice Ad BTW guys...

There is a quiet sense of calm and confidence in the young guns coming up... fewer fist pumps and a great future is in store for the great game.