RE: ESPN Outside The Lines Interview DEC 9th 2009

This is an interview I did on ESPN OTL along with OTL's Bob Ley and Darren Rovell of CNBC. We discuss the impact of the recent personal incidents concerning Tiger Woods and how they might effect his future and his relationships with his sponsors, the media and his future endorsements.

RE: Is Tiger Woods and His “Affairs” our Affair?

As more details come out concerning Tiger Woods and his extramarital activities it appears that Tiger has been a very busy man both on and off the golf course. Tabloids, Gossip websites and even mainstream media oulets have an insatiable appetite for any and everything Tiger. A new alleged mistress seems to pop up everyday.

In typical Tiger fashion his camp as remained virtually silent by using his website as a vehicle to release generic and polished statements asking for privacy and respect. I didn’t really expect anything else from the one of the most elusive figures in all of sports. It’s no secret that Tiger’s most prized possession in this world is his privacy, just look at the name of his Yacht. He rented an entire island just to have wedding for Pete’s sake.

But now that his veil of privacy has been ripped wide open it will be very interesting to see how Tiger handles it. No matter how hard he tries to make this situation go away it only seems to grow larger and more lurid. In my opinion, Woods should just come clean, get it out in the open and show his human side. We all know he isn’t Superman despite that fact he looks like him on the golf course.

In my opinion, Tiger’s marital problems are just that, his problems. I realize that he is a public figure and we all want to know what really happened but he is also a married man who has to deal with his wife. Tiger and Elin Woods are a married couple that deserves a certain level of privacy and respect.

I have a feeling that as the days go on the media storm will intensify and the Woods household will have more than they can handle. But I urge everyone to remember “ IT’S NOT YOUR BUSINESS” not matter how much we want to know.

"Keep it in the short grass"
Edward S. Wanambwa
www.thegolfwriter.com

Tiger Woods: The 911 Call

Virtually every News outlet is flooding the airwaves with reports detailing or rather speculating about the events that occurred outside the Orlando home of golf and sports icon Tiger Woods.

Apparent Woods crashed his Luxury SUV into a tree after hitting a fire hydrant as he was leaving his home in the exclusive Windermere Subdivision in the early hours of November 27. He was transported to a local hospital, treated and later released. As you can imagine stories concerning the details of this event are all the rage and it seems as if you can’t turn on the television without hearing about Tiger Woods and his lack of driving skills.

Rumors and innuendos abound concerning the cause of this completely odd occurrence in the pristine and crystal clean universe that is Tiger Woods. After all the world’s most recognizable athlete hasn’t had as much as a jay walking ticket in his life. Well, that’s the image the Team Tiger sold us all and we eagerly bought into. Tiger Woods was the epitome of excellence. You didn’t hear about him fighting in bars, or shooting up strip clubs. He simply played golf, won major championships, ran his charitable foundation, made enormous amounts of money and took care of his family. What else could you ask for? Nike and IMG did a fantastic job of orchestrating and creating an image of Tiger as the ultimate athlete, pitchman, father and husband. But after the events of November 27, 2009, it appears that things are not as they seem.

However, before we all rush to judgment let’s resist the urge to speculate and jump to conclusions about what actually happened that morning. Obviously there is a storm brewing the Woods household and I am sure there is more to come.

"Keep it in the short grass"

Edward S. Wanambwa
www.thegolfwriter.com

RE: One of Europe’s Oldest Golf Courses is Also One of its Most Beautiful

Spectacular scenic beauty with towering snowcapped mountains and an azure blue lake separate this golf course from all others in Central Europe. Located on the shores of Lake Bled in Slovenia (formerly part of Yugoslavia and now an EU member state) the Bled Golf Course opened in 1937 and was redesigned in 1972 by famous golf architect Donald Harradine. The facility comprises an 18-hole King’s Course and a 9-hole Lake Course. There are seven different courses located within an hour’s drive of Bled in Slovenia, Austria, and Italy making Bled a great golfing destination.

The King’s Course is located near to Slovenia’s highest range of mountains the Julian Alps and the Karavanka Range At 7,490 feet the awesome Mount Stol is the highest peak.

Following the First World War, Bled was the summer home of the Yugoslav royal family. The royals and diplomatic community were interested in golf and the King’s Course course built. Abandoned during the Second World War,
it was redesigned and reopened in 1972. In 1993, the 9-hole Lake Course was opened.
It features a more contemporary design and has more varied relief and three water hazards. It also has a putting green.

The four-star King's Club House enjoys a premier location by the golf course and is most suitable for golfers wishing to stay in the immediate vicinity of the course.

Recently renovated and features 2 suites and 7 double rooms with balcony. All are equipped with direct dial telephone, satellite TV, mini bar and air-conditioning. The rooms offer wonderful views of the Karavanke range or the Julian Alps.
There are also many fine accommodations in the city center of Bled.

Learn more at www.slovenia.info

James Weaver
james35@comcast.net
Travel EditorNew York Trend,
Metropolitan NYCTravel Correspondent
Courier Times Telegraph, Tyler,
TX Journal & Topics,
Suburban Chicago Journal-Press,
Northern Virginia Independent Feature Writer Chestnut Hill Local,
Philadelphia The Crafts Report Antiques & Collecting Carousel News & Trader Old Time Herald DelMarVa Quarterly

Tiger Woods casues an Uproar Down Under

Tiger Woods is going down to Australia to play in a golf tournament. No big deal right? Wrong !! Tiger Woods is not only getting a reported $3 Million dollar appearance fee, he is getting the royal treatment. Here is a link to the Daily Telegraph article:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/golf/tiger-to-get-rock-star-treatment/story-e6frey60-1225787859394

New Mexico Offers Golfers Some Of The Nation’s Most Beautiful And Challenging Courses

by Jim Weaver

The Towa Golf Club located on the Pueblo of Pojoaque, just minutes north of the Santa Fe, NM, offers an outstanding experience in a breathtaking setting. The public course was designed by PGA Tour Champion Hale Irwin and landscape architect Bill Phillips of Tempe, AZ. They utilized the natural topography and unique natural rock and indigenous piñon trees to create a magnificent, high desert golf course. Surrounded by the majestic Sangre de Cristo and Jemez mountains, it is one of the most spectacular golf settings in the Southwest.

Three of the four nines currently are open. The Boulder nine, so named because of the amazing rock formations that frame it, also features the only island green in New Mexico (hole #4, 186 yard par 3). The first hole of the Pinon nine is a breath taking, 631 yard, par 5. At 3,332 yards, the Butterfly nine is the shortest of the three nines, but offers challenges for beginner and experienced players alike.

Golf Course Superintendent, David Smith, CGCS. Smith came to Towa in May 2009 after 8 years as superintendent at Pelican Marsh Golf
Club in Florida. He has more than 20 years experience working in the golfing industry and has experience managing tournaments including amateur and mid-amateur qualifiers and championships.

The Towa Golf Course offers twenty-seven holes of excitement for everyone. The first class clubhouse features a Golf Shop and a full service restaurant, bar, and an outdoor patio. Course photos and a virtual tour are available online at http://www.towagolf.com/.

In addition to the outstanding golf course, the Buffalo Thunder Resort (managed and operated by Hilton Hotels) offers a variety of world class amenities including 395 luxury guest rooms, a full service luxury spa, and several excellent restaurants and bars. There are also two heated swimming pools, tennis courts; walking trails, and an Indian Market art gallery and shop.


The resort’s 61,000 square foot casino offers a modern gaming floor with 1,200 new slot machines and 22 various table games. The casino is owned and operated by the Pueblo of Pojoaque.

The Towa Golf Club is located at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, Pojoaque, NM, off Highway 84/285 just 12 miles north of
Santa Fe.

James Weaver
james35@comcast.net
Travel EditorNew York Trend,
Metropolitan NYCTravel Correspondent
Courier Times Telegraph, Tyler,
TX Journal & Topics,
Suburban Chicago Journal-Press,
Northern Virginia Independent Feature Writer Chestnut Hill Local,
Philadelphia The Crafts Report Antiques & Collecting Carousel News & Trader Old Time Herald DelMarVa Quarterly

Fairway To Heaven, Golfing in Geneva, Switzerland

by Jim Weaver

Located at the foot of the Swiss Alps, on the shores of beautiful Lake Geneva, the cosmopolitan city of Geneva, Switzerland, is truly a welcome destination for golf enthusiasts. Within easy reach of Europe's major cities, the climate in Geneva is amazing. Average summer temperature is a balmy 78 degrees, perfect weather for a round of golf on a championship course and there are a tempting selection of three magnificent courses just minutes away.

Golfers will adore Geneva. Here you’ll find the Golf & Country Club de Bonmont, the most famous in Geneva for its technical difficulties and stunning views (18 holes, 71par); Golf du Domaine de Divonne, the most spectacular 18 hole championship golf course (72 par), and the Golf & Country Club de Bossey, with views over the Lake Geneva (18 holes, 71 par).

Set against the towering backdrop of snow capped peaks, with the shimmering waters of Lake Geneva nearby, few fairways and greens can compete with the golf experiences afforded by Geneva.

There are many fine hotels in Geneva and concierge staff are more than willing to secure tee times at area golf courses. Begin your travel plans at and .

James Weaver

james35@comcast.net

Travel EditorNew York Trend,

Metropolitan NYCTravel Correspondent

Courier Times Telegraph, Tyler,

TX Journal & Topics,

Suburban Chicago Journal-Press,

Northern Virginia Independent Feature Writer Chestnut Hill Local,

Philadelphia The Crafts Report Antiques & Collecting Carousel News & Trader Old Time Herald DelMarVa Quarterly