Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Hampton University Captures 2010 WCGC Title
The Women Collegiate Golf Championship was held this weekend at the City Club of Marietta in
Congratulations to:
- 2010 Champions - Hampton University - 319
- 2nd Place - Bethune Cookman Universisty - 322
- 3rd Place - South Carolina State University - 329
- Medalist: 1st Place - Nicloe West - Hampton University - 76 (tie breaker)
- 2nd Place - Honesty Biggers - South Carolina State - 76
- 3rd Place - Kala Williams - Hampton University - 79
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
RE: Woods and Mickelson Face Off At Quail Hollow
(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
On the eve of the 2010 Quail hollow Championship the golf world is abuzz about Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson playing in their first tournament following the Masters. Phil Mickelson picked up his 3rd green jacket and his 4th major two weeks ago in Augusta and Tiger Woods made his much anticipated return to professional golf with a good showing finishing in a tie for 4th place.
But the real story about this week about the Tiger Woods vs Phil Mickelson rivalry. Fans have been waiting a long time for someone to step up and challenge Tiger. The golf world wants a modern day Arnold vs Jack rivalry. A few have tried but no one has had the success the Mickelson has had against Woods. Phil is a tenacious competitor who has gained more and more confidence with every win. He is now poised to challenge Tiger for the title of #1 player in the world.
Don't get me wrong. By no means am I saying that Tiger is done. In fact I think that a good rival can only make Tiger that much better. We all know that Tiger hates to lose and when he has someone pushing him he usually rises to the occasion. I am looking forward to this week at Quail Hollow to see if the Tiger of old returns or if Phil takes another step towards becoming the #1 player in the world.
Edward S. Wanambwa
Senior Editor, African American Golfers Digest
www.thegolfwriter.com
www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
RE: Clearview Golf Club An American Landmark
On December 31st 2009 we Lost a golf Pioneer in Mr. William Powell. Mr. Powell was the first African American to design, construct and own a professional golf course in the United States. Powell was fond of saying "The only color that matters is the color of the greens".
Jason Bohn Wins Zurich Classic
( AP Photo)
Bohn won his second PGA Tour title on Sunday, finishing at 18-under 270 to grab the winners purse of $1,152,000 in the Zurich Classic. Bohn, who also won the 2005 B.C. Open, had it going early, shooting an opening 65 and leading after each round. Congratulations to Jason Bohn
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Lee Janzen has a strong Finish at the 2010 Zurich Classic
(AP Photo)
Kevin Hall finished T-3 at Hooters Tour Event
Kevin Hall had a great week at the
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Lorena Ochoa Announces Her Retirement From Golf
(AP Photo)
AP Story:
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Kevin Hall has a great 1st round in Hooters Tour Event
Kevin Hall fired a 4-under 68 today at the Hooter Tour Crystal lake Open in Hampton, GA. He had a bogey free round and ended the day tied for 5th place.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Why Golf Is Special
(Photo: Scott Hallern/Getty Images)
Would Lebron James or Kobe Bryant call a foul on themselves after they hit the game winning shot? Would Peyton Manning or Drew Brees throw a flag on themselves during the Superbowl? I don’t think that would ever happen. But this weekend at the Verizon Heritage PGA Tour Event Tour Player Brian Davis called a penalty on himself on the first playoff hole against Jim Furyk. Davis hit his approach shot into a waste bunker adjacent to the 18th hole and when he played his third shot out of the hazard his club brushed a twig thereby violating rule13.4 against moving a loose impediment during a takeaway.
What makes this so unbelievable is that no one saw the infraction. It wasn’t until
What an amazing act of honor and integrity. The two-stroke penalty
Edward S. Wanambwa
Senior Editor, African American Golfers Digest
www.thegolfwriter.com
www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com
Friday, April 16, 2010
The Birdie Sisters: Erica and Myah Jackson
I had the pleasure of being interviewed by the Birdie Sisters Erica and Myah Jackson. They are the Williams sisters of golf. It was such a thrill being interviewed by these remarkable young ladies. The absolute best interview I have ever had. I willpost the show when it airs. in the mean time please visit their website: www.birdiesisters.com
Tiger Woods Should Retire
After finishing tied for 4th place at the Masters it appears that Tiger Woods should hang up his golf shoes and call it a day. After All Phil Mickelson has taken over as the best player in the game. The handwriting is on the wall and it about time Tiger comes to grips with the fact that he is washed up.
According to many golf writers it’s all but over for the # 1 ranked player in the world. In one article I read that “Phil had it all and Tiger had nothing”. It appears the Tiger Woods is the only golfer who has ever cheated on his wife and the only golfer that has ever dropped an expletive or two on the golf course. Up until now all professional golfers have been faithful husbands and choirboys between the ropes.
Jim Nantz came out immediately after the Masters and chastised Tiger Woods for his language. In an interview on a New York Sport radio show Nantz said “If I would have said what he said on the air, I would be fired,". He went on to say “Guess what? Phil Mickelson had a camera in his face all weekend"Did you ever hear him come close to approaching that? He didn't hit every shot exactly the way he wanted. Have you ever heard Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus use that kind of language?” I would say yes Arnie and Jack have dropped the F-bomb in their careers it’s absurd to think that they didn’t. Let get real here.
Tiger Woods has a camera and an open mic in his face almost 24/7 when he is on the course. I have covered Tiger for the past 6 years and the cameras microphones and media around him are insane. I am not a fan of foul language but I can understand the intensity a top notch athlete has when it comes to winning a major championship. I am sure the player that’s tied for 47th in the field doesn’t say “ Golly Gee Gosh Darn, I hit a bad shot”. I guess Tiger should go to the Opie Taylor charm school and learn some etiquette. Give me a break.
I will just put it like this for all of those people that are bashing Tiger Woods about his outbursts, let’s mic you up and see how clean you are when you get cut off in traffic or when you shank a drive in the woods on the weekend with your buddies. I would love to hear what these people would say. Be careful when you call out someone publicly because if we dig deep enough I am sure that many of these critics haven’t exactly always walked the straight and narrow.
I followed Tiger Woods for four days at
Phil Mickelson is great player and great champion. I was very impressed by his play on Sunday at the Masters and I even picked him to win the 2010 Masters. It’s only natural that Phil fans are riding high now that he won his 3rd green jacket; he truly earned and deserved it. But let’s not make that same mistake that we did with Tiger Woods and put Phil on a pedestal. After all we are human and at the end of the day we all make mistakes. I could care less what professional golfers do in their personal lives. That’s their business and it would be shame if the golf media turned into a crowd of gossip hounds and TMZ wannabes.
Senior Editor, Afrrican American Golfers Digest
www.thegolfwriter.com
www.theafricanamericangolfersdigest.com
It's Not As Easy As It Looks
Hall of Fame Wide Receiver Jerry Rice played his first round of golf as a professional golfer Thursday in the first round of Nationwide Tour's Fresh Express Classic golf tournament at TPC Stonebrae. Rice will always be remembered as the best wide receiver that ever played the game but this week he wants to try his hand on the links playing against some of the best players in the game and attempting to make a name for himself as a professional golfer.
When you sit back and watch the way the world’s best players play the game, most of us can’t help but think to ourselves “wow that doesn’t look that hard”. I mean they seem to just walk around the course, make nice easy swings, sink putts and make lots of money. I mean who couldn’t do that with a little practice, some good coaching and the right equipment? How hard could it be? I would love to ask Jerry Rice that very question right now.
After his first round as a professional, Jerry rice found himself 20 shots off the lead and in last place after shooting an 83. Three numbers higher than his jersey number with the
I can remember when Michael Jordan announced his retirement from professional basketball, rumors surfaced that he might try his hand at professional golf. When his college roommate and good friend Davis Love III, a major Championship winner was asked about Jordan’s chances of making it out in the PGA Tour he said “ I have a better chance of playing in the NBA than Michael has of making it out on the PGA Tour.” By the looks of Jerry Rice’s scorecard Davis Love was right.
I think that great athletes that excel at sports other than golf think that since they were good at their sports it’s only natural that they can do the same thing in golf. They are usually single digit handicaps or in some cases even scratch golfers, so it only makes sense that they can go out and make it on the tour. Wrong! Take it from someone who has walked inside the ropes with the worlds top players, don’t even think that you can get out there and compete with these guys. They play a different game. A game we are not familiar with. Yes they make it look easy but it no way; shape form or fashion is professional golf an easy undertaking even for the best players in the world.
Senior Editor, African American Golfers Digest
www.thegolfwriter.com
www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com
Bria was selected as 2010 Golf Digest Scholars program winner
Bria Sanders
Congratulations to Bria Sanders and her family. Bria was selected as 2010 Golf Digest Scholars program winner. This means the Bria will attend the Hank Haney IJGA on Hilton Head Island, SC. Hank Haney is Tiger Woods swing coach. This is wonderful for Bria and for golf.
Complete Story:
Woods Falls Short at 2010 Masters
Tiger Woods made his much anticipated return to golf at the 2010 Masters Tournament. Woods came to Augusta National in an attempt to win his 5th Green Jacket and his 15th major Championship. Despite shooting his lowest opening round of his career at the Masters, woods inconsistent play over the weekend coast him the championship.
Woods did have some high notes at the 2010 Masters. He set the masters record for eagles with four, he recorded his best 72-hole score at the Masters in his career and he never dropped out of the top 10 during the entire tournament. Overall Woods played very well considering he had a 144 day layoff from the game. Tigers top 4 finish was of little consolation to the 4-time masters Champion “I entered this event and I only enter events to win and I didn’t get it done,” he told reporters. “I’m going to take a little time off and kind of reevaluate things.”
Speculation mounted as to where and when Woods will play his next tournament following the Masters. On April 13th Woods officially entered the 2010 U.S. Open at
Television ratings show that the golf fans missed Tiger Woods. Despite his off the course struggles the mainstream golf fan is happy to see that he is back on the course and competing again. Tiger Woods is the face of the game of golf and as he works to rebuild his family and address the issues and challenges in his personal life, the more events he plays the better off the world of golf will be. Welcome back Tiger. Good Luck as your 2010 season moves forward.
Edward S. Wanambwa
Senior Editor, African American Golfers Digest
www.thegolfwriter.com
www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com
Monday, April 12, 2010
Phil Mickelson Captures the 74th Masters Tournament
(Photo David Cannon/Getty Images)
Tiger Woods finished 5 shots back and capped of his week with a top 5 finish at Augusta. Woods inconsistent play on the weekend cost him a 5th Green Jacket. he putted terribly and his errant tee shot put him in some very tough positions throughout the weekend. But all things consider a top 5 isn't that bad for someone who took 144 days off from golf before making his return.
The membership at Augusta National couldn't have asked for a better week. Wonderful weather, big crowds and some amazing golef made the 2010 Masters on for the ages.
Congratulations to the 2010 Masters Tournament Champion Phil Mickelson.
Ed Wanambwa
Senior Editor African American Golfers Digest
www.thegolfewriter.com
www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Eagles Have Landed at the 2010 Masters
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
What started out to be a lackluster 3rd round at the 2010 Masters has exploded into a shootout. Phil Mickelson carded back to back Eagles on the 13th and 14th holes to start a barrage of low scores. Not to be outdone Fred Couples made Eagle on the 15th hole chipping with a 3-wood from off the green. Lefty still had something in is bag when he almost holed his third shot on the par 5 15th from the fairway for what would have been an astounding back to back to back eagles.
Tiger woods also made a move by making 3 straight birdies to get back to 8 under 4 shots of the lead. After a late bogey at the 17th hole Tiger hit a spectacular shot into the 18th green and converted a short birdie putt to take him to 8 under par and a second round of 70.
Phil Mickelson made his move and now finds himself in the final pairing on Sunday with a chance to take home his third Green Jacket. Woods and K.J. Choi will be paired together for the fourth straight round and both are within shots 4 of the leader Lee Westwood. Westwood has come close the past two year in his quest for winning his first major championship only to come away empty handed. Sunday will be his third and maybe last chance to claim a title.
K.J. Choi has flown under the radar all week. His steady play has been overshadowed by his playing partner Tiger Woods. But despite that mass confusion and mega galleries Choi has put together 3 solid rounds of golf and is poised to claim a green Jacket on Sunday. K.J. is a seasoned player with the skill, talent and experience to win this week.
It has been a special week at Augusta National and today was no different. We have seen the old guard make a run and now the young guns have made their move. The final round of the 2010 Masters is shaping up to be one to remember. Who will prevail in on the toughest tests of golf and find themselves donning a Green jacket tomorrow evening at the 74th Masters Tournament?. We will have to wait and see but I am confident we won’t be disappointed.
Ed Wanambwa
Senior Editor, African American Golfes Digest
www.thegolfwriter.com
www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com
It's Tee Time At The 2010 Masters
(Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
As the second round of the 2010 Masters comes to end we find two Englishmen atop the leaderboard. Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter share the lead at 8 under par. Trailing by 2 shot at 6 under par are a group of very talented golfers including 4-time champion Tiger Woods and 2-time champion Phil Mickelson. K.J. Choi, Ricky Barnes, and Anthony kim rounds out the group currently tied for third place. First round leader Fred Couple shot a second round 7 to drop to 3-under par.
Tiger Woods has shown that his game is back and if he can improve his putting he might primed to capture his 5th Green Jacket and make an emphatic statement that his back and that he is still the most dominate player in the game.
As for Lee Westwood this years Masters means a lot more. He was in the hunt at Torrey Pines along with Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate for his first Major Championship at the 2008 U.S. Open only to miss out on a playoff by one shot. Last year at the Open Champions at Turnberry he found himself in a similar position only to come up short to Tom Watson. Westwood has to realize that this maybe as good a chance as he will ever have to capture his first Major Championship and become the first European to capture a Green Jacket since José MarÃa Olazábal in 1999.
As the 3rd Round begins the 2010 Masters is up for grabs to say the least. Who will make a move and try and steal this championship away from the rest of the field. The golf course will be setup tough for the second straight day and if someone wants to win the 74th Masters Tournament they will have to show the patience required to win a major championship.
Ed Wanambwa
Senior Editor, African American Golfers Digest
www.thegolfwriter.com
www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com
RE: Better Than A Green Jacket
photo: Ed Wanambwa
Every player in the Masters Tournament enters the Masters Tournament with one goal. They want to don a Green Jacket late on Sunday afternoon. The Green Jacket has become a symbol of excellence, achievement and tradition. However, there is another prized possession that many strive to attain here at the Masters. It’s the elusive Egg Salad Sandwich.
Every morning when I enter the media center, I put my laptop down and make a b line to the cafeteria. In the cooler you will find all types of sandwiches. From the tasty Masters Club to the delicious Chicken Sandwich, but no sandwich is more delectable than the Egg salad sandwich. Media center veterans know that if you snooze you loose. So if your one of the lucky people that get in the cafeteria when the Egg Salad sandwiches have just been put out, you better grab one or two because they go fast.
I am not sure what it is about this gem of the culinary world but after you have on it’s delicacy you have to keep having. I will miss the atmosphere and the people at Augusta National come Sunday night when it’s time to pack up and leave. But what I will really miss is getting my Egg Salad sandwich in the morning.
Senior Editor, African American Golfers Digest
www.thegolfwriter.com
www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Tee Shot Heard Around The World
Thursday’s opening round of the 2010 Masters Tournament marked the first time that Tiger Woods played a competitive round of golf in 144 days. His much anticipated return began with his tee shot on the 445 yard par 1st hole at Augusta National Golf Club. I stood about midway down the fairway and watched as he striped a beautiful drive right down the middle of the fairway. The tee box was absolutely surrounded by thousands of fans in crowds that were as many as 10 to 12 rows deep.
Tigers tee marked the beginning of a great round for the worlds # 1 golfer and a man who has been subjected the slings and arrows of the media as well as the public since his early morning car accident in Nov 2009 and the following revelations about his off the course liaisons. The Masters has proven to be a safe and controlled environment for Woods to make his return and even with all the security measure taken it didn’t prevent someone from renting a plane that towed a banner poking fun at Woods and his problems.
As I looked up and read the banner I was disgusted that someone would go to such lengths to make light of Tiger and what he has been through. I am sure that the Masters committee won’t allow that to happen again. When asked the plane and the banner after his round, Tiger simply replied “What plane? I didn’t even see it”.
Tiger struck the ball beautifully and if it were not for some missed putts and a few bad chip shot he could have easily been the tournament leased after the first round. Regardless of his missed opportunities Tiger shot a 4-under 68 and finds himself 2 shots of the lead going into round 2.
It was good so see him back on the course and playing well. He seemed to finally find his rhythm and settle into the round after making an incredible birdie at the 9th hole. Based on what I saw yesterday Tiger Woods is back and it appears the he will be in the contention come Sunday.
Edward Wanambwa
Senior Editor, African American Golfers Digest
www.thegolfwriter.com
www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com
2010 Masters Round 1 Wrap Up
(Image: Harry How/ Getty Images)
Who would have thought that at the conclusion of the firs round of the Masters that we would have a 50 year old Fred Couples and a 60 year old Tom Watson atop the leaderboard.
Couples fired a 6-under 66 and Watson was one shot back with a 5-under 67. Joining Watson at 5-under were Lee Westwood, 2-Time Masters Champion Phil Mickelson, 2009 PGA Champion Y.E. Yang and K.J. Choi. Tiger Woods shot a 4-under 68 and was joined by Ian Poulter, Ricky Barnes, Anthony Kim and Nick Watney all tied for 7th place.
The day was marked with an occasional rain and high winds that favored the players that went out early. But as the day progressed the evening groups were provided with ideal scoring conditions and several players took advantage and moved up the leaderboard.
All eyes were on Tiger Woods and he did not disappoint the thousands of fans that followed him. It appears that his game is ready for this event and that he will be in the mix this weekend. Round 2 of the 2010 Masters starts at 7:40 AM on Friday and I am sure we are in store for more great golf.
Senior Editor African American Golfers Digest
www.thegolfwriter.com
www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com
Thursday, April 8, 2010
RE: "The Patch" and Augusta Landmark
During Master week in
This year I had the pleasure of playing in a golf tournament at “The Patch” to raise money for the First Tee program of
The 2010 Augusta Tournament was a huge success despite the small numbers. “We are optimistic that in 2011 this tournament will grow and help raise additional funds for this great program said Jim Beatty the organizer and host of the event”.
I can say that I had a wonderful time and knowing that this event directly affected the lives of hundreds of young people made the trip worth it. I ask anyone that loves golf and wants to help make the future of some very deserving young people brighter to register and participate in this event in 2011.
Ed Wanambwa
Senior Editor , African American Golfers Digest
www.thegolfwriter.com
RE: 20 year at the Masters and Counting
(Debbie Walker, Ed Wanambwa and Donna Williams)
“We like the fact that we get meet people from all over the world and it’s nice to sit and talk with people from other cultures” said
As they sat with me and chatted about the nuances of The Masters I quickly realized that Debbie and Donna were truly Masters Veterans and loyal patrons of the Masters. They commented about the how cheap the food was how the prices have on gone up about 2 cents in the past 20 years. The fact the you can buy a drink and a sandwich for $3.00 make the
“I have seen the place change of the past 20 years and I remember when you could just walk up to the gate the day of the tournament and buy a ticket. But now it’s just not like that anymore” said Williams. Debbie added “because we were born and raised here in
I asked Debbie and Donna what their single most memorable moment at the Masters in the past 20 years and almost in unison the said Tiger Woods win in 1997. “We felt so proud that Sunday when Tiger won. We felt he won The Masters for all the African American people that came before him. We were so proud and we feel blessed to have been able to be here to witness it” said Williams.
I can truthfully say meet this wonderful and engaging ladies will be a lasting Masters memory for me.
Ed Wanambwa
Senior Editor African American Golfers Digest
www.thegolfwriter.com
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tiger Woods 2010 Masters Pairings Announced
Yahoo Story:
Woods to play at Masters with Choi, Kuchar
AUGUSTA, Georgia (AP)—Tiger Woods will play at the Masters in a group containing K.J. Choi of South Korea and Matt Kuchar of the United States.
Woods will tee off on Thursday at 1:42 p.m. (1742 GMT). It’s about the same time he teed off in the opening round last year.
He will start the second round at 10:35 a.m. Friday (1435 GMT), with the only coverage coming on the Masters’ Web site around Amen Corner and the 15th and 16th hole.
Let's Just Talk About Golf
Now that Tiger Woods has spoken to the media and taken some very pointed questions, I would hope that we can now simply concentrate on golf and not what Tiger Woods does in his personal life.
I was truly moved by Tigers demeanor and candor yesterday and I am sure that he is remorseful and dedicated to becoming a better man, father and husband. I hope that Tiger and family are able to find healing after all of this controversy.
I like majority the of the golfing community just wants to see what Tigers game is like after this long layoff. Will he contend this week at the Masters? Can he overcome his personal challenges and claim his 15th major and his 5th green jacket? Only time will tell and for Tiger’s sake and for the health of the game, I hope Tiger has a great week and that the 2010 Masters provides enjoyment for everyone.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Tiger Woods Hello World Part II
Today Tiger Woods faced the golf media for the first time since his infamous car accident in November of 2009. 200 members of the media packed the interview room at Augusta National Golf Club to hear what the worlds # 1 golfer had to say. Taking into account that Augusta National and The Masters Tournament is far from your normal golf event, the media was primed a ready to ask tough questions.
Tiger seemed to be very upbeat and confident during the press conference. He opened with a statement about the reception he got from the fans during his early morning practice round. “ Coming here today I didn’t know what to expect with regards to the reception. And I tell you the galleries couldn’t have been nicer” said Woods. He went on to say that we was that the warm reception touched his heart.
When asked about his stint in rehab and Woods simply said that he was in therapy and that he will continue to receive treatment for his issues. Woods was then pressed to answer what type of rehab he was in and he answered by saying “ That’s personal thank you” .
Tiger faced some very tough questions today and he answered them with what I felt were direct and honest answers. A few times during the interview he sounded a bit scripted but over all he came across and being very genuine and contrite. Tiger even asked the media to lay off his fellow players by not bombarding them with Tiger questions. He even apologized to the other players for making them endure endless questions about him over the past few months.
Only time will tell if Tiger’s return will be a successful one. From all indications the golf world is glad to see him back inside the ropes. Tiger says he will respect the game more and tone down his legendary outbursts. I just hope that he doesn’t lose the killer instinct and passion that made him the world’s best golfer and owner of 14 professional majors.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
The 2010 Masters Tournament
As the 2010 Masters Tournament approaches all the buzz is about the Tiger Woods and his return to competitive golf. The fact that Tiger Woods is the focus of this tournament alone goes to show the power he holds as the face of golf in America.
Monday at 2:00 PM Woods will face the media and face real questions about his on the course and off the course actions. I am sure he will be prepared for the intense media scrutiny he will face. Honestly, I could care less about what Tiger did or didn't do in his private life. I just want to see him back inside the ropes. Tiger breathes life back into golf and the game sorely misses his presence.
The Masters will still the Masters and I am looking forward to walking those plush and pristine fairways. The Azaleas will be in full bloom and the energy and spirit of the the Masters will be in full effect again this year as it always is.
As I make my journey to Augusta I am excited to see what this year has is store for the thousands of Patrons that will will be anxiously waiting for a chance to catch a glimpse of the worlds best players at the most honored and revered golf course in the world.
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