Spending More Time in the Sand Than David Hasselhoff

I ran into Jay Busbee’s interview with David Feherty online today and I just had to share some of it.

For those who don’t know, Feherty is a former European tour player from Ireland who retired in 1997 and since, has been the best on-course announcer in golf history for my money. He has a way with words that, well, no one else has. For example, he has used the phrase “pulled up on the back of his underwear violently” in describing how a certain PGA player felt after flubbing a shot. Another favorite: “that ball ran across the green like a frozen sloat” – I think that means the green was slick.

But, as this interview shows, he isn’t just funny, but a man who may care about America more than most Americans.

Some excerpts:

His view on the war in Iraq: “What you think of the war — whether we should be there, whether we shouldn’t — isn’t truly relevant anymore. This is one of the greatest good deeds the world has ever seen. Iraq had the fourth largest army in the world, and we blew right through it. And now you’ve got Iran pushing in, looking to gain control. It’s truly terrifying — we think in four-year election cycles, and these people think in hundreds of years.”

On how great it is to live in the US: “I’ve lived so many other places, and it’s given me some perspective. The average American wouldn’t believe how extraordinary we have it here. Every day I wake up, I think, “Am I still in America? Yes? Thank f—!”"

And some of the funny stuff.

Speaking about a golf tour he did in Iraq for the American troops where a long drive champ hit a ball off a rubber tee in Feherty’s button fly, “When you’ve got a club coming 200mph right at your plums, that’ll wake you up.”

On how amazing Tiger was compared to the players Feherty was used to on the tour when he hit the scene: “And then every round, Tiger would hit a couple shots, and I’d say, “F—, I didn’t see that one coming.”"

Another reference to how unique the Striped One is: “You just can’t say enough about the guy. He’s winning majors by 10, 12, 15 shots. We haven’t seen that kind of stuff since the 1800s, when Old Tom Morris was playing with a badger’s testicle stuffed with seagull feathers.”

Badger’s testicle stuffed with seagull feathers? How does he even imagine this stuff?

And finally, how’s this for an attitude about life after nearly dying in a bicycle accident last year: “But still, man, I’m a lucky guy. Can’t wait to see what’s going to be next.”?

The world needs more Fehertys.

Tags: Blogging, College Golf, Equipment, European PGA Tour, History, Junior Golf, PGA, PGA Tour, Ryder Cup by
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Playing for your country. Awesome, intimidating even. Olympic athletes, national soccer teams – anything with USA on the chest brings that added bit of pressure to any sporting event. And after the Ryder Cup experience a couple of weeks ago, playing golf for your country is a hot topic – how it changes you (Anthony Kim), how it changes people’s perception of you (Anthony Kim), etc.

How about this scenario? In 1681, a pair of English noblemen told the Duke of York, a Scotsman who would later become king of both countries, that golf originated in England. This was an over-the-top insult to the grand Scot and so a challenge match was agreed upon in order to settle the matter. The two English dogs on one side, the Duke and John Patersone, a local cobbler said to be the best golfer in Edinburgh, on the other.

For the heritage of golf and the pride of your country. That is pressure! Not just having to answer to Vince Cellini from The Golf Channel in the post-match interview or dodge the champagne spray from the winning side – but for history! Real history, not the nauseating fake history that CBS puts on for every overly dramatic golf tournament promo they run (”Last Chance for Glory – the 84 Lumber Invitational is next!”)

The Englishmen and the duke struck their drives, then Mr. Patersone ripped his tee ball well past the other three. And the match continued in that manner to lead the Scotsmen to a rout of the English. The Duke was so pleased, he split his winnings with his partner, a fair and just thing to do it seems.

So Scotland’s honor was assuaged and history need not be re-written.

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A few fun facts about the Duke of York:

• The Duke of York title has been granted since the 15th century
• It is usually bestowed upon the second son of the British monarch
• The current Duke of York is HRH The Prince Andrew (that’s how he is described – I didn’t make it up!)
• The city and state of New York were named for James Stuart when he was Duke of York
  • This is the golfing Duke in the story above as well
• In ancient times. York was the main city in northern England

Who said golf wasn’t educational?

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You may have noticed a new title to the blog – thanks to Jess and JMac!

Tags: History, Ryder Cup by
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As I’m sure most of us will hear around town, on line, and on TV this next few days, “we” won the Ryder Cup. You know, me, Jimmy, Phil and the guys. We.

Riiiiiiight.

It is one of my many pet peeves: when fans use the proverbial “we” in talking of a team’s victory. I love the Packers but “we” won’t be playing the dreaded Cowboys tonight – they will. You know, the Packers. The professionals. Some might say the collection of mercenaries who represents the Green Bay community. They aren’t my teammates, my friends – not even my acquaintances. They are the people who wear the uniform of the team I’ve grown attached to over 4 decades of fandom and Wisconsin living. I am no more a part of their lives and circles of influence than I am for the elite of the elite pro golfers who played in Louisville this week. That has no bearing on how frustrated I’ll get when Tony Romo throws 6 touchdowns to TO tonight, though.

Likewise, “we” did not win the Ryder Cup. The American team did. And my congratulations to them. It was fun to watch and good to see an “underdog” win, just like most Americans like to see. But I didn’t play a role. Neither did you – unless Steve Stricker has heard my compliments about him that came from this blog and has been checking in regularly. Then, Stevie, you won the Ryder Cup, but me and the rest of the misfits who read this did not.

I like the American team and I rooted for them this weekend. But I also like the Euros. Lee Westwood is a stand up guy and great golfer who came from oblivion a few years ago to rework his game and become a dominant force on the Tour. Sergio, whatever his other faults, brings an enthusiasm to golf, and the Ryder Cup specifically, that is tremendous. Miguel Angel Jimenez is great – he reminds me that overweight 40-somethings can still play great golf. I tuned in not to cheer for “my” team but to see great golf. And I saw a lot of it.

America won the Ryder Cup. Paul Azinger and his men won it. Anthony Kim and Boo won it. But “we” didn’t.

Tags: European PGA Tour, PGA, PGA Tour, Ryder Cup by
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I’ve succeeded in avoiding hearing any news about the Ryder Cup all day today – through work, a quick visit to the golf course, and now sitting in Caribou Coffee sipping a mocha waiting for my son to call to pick him up. Can I hold off until I get home to watch today’s recorded matches? Can I fast forward through enough commercial breaks and fluff to see the whole 10 hours of coverage before sleep overtakes me?

No and No.

But I still like the suspense of not knowing.

Tags: European PGA Tour, PGA, PGA Tour, Ryder Cup by
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It’s started – Ryder Cup Fevah!

Someone thinks that because Sergio and Padraig Harrington can’t stand each other that the US will win.

Some think that since the US of A has two native Kentuckians who, gasp, are going to possibly, maybe play together in a match (Kenny Perry and JB Holmes), that the crowd will be in such a frenzy for their fellas, they will spur the US to victory.

Some (Tim Rosaforte from Golf World and The Golf Channel) feel that this is the Ryder Cup of Lefty – Mickelson, sans El Tigre, has the opportunity to become the leader that Colin Montgomery has been for the Euros.

Settle down, folks. The Ryder Cup will come down to putting. The US hasn’t hit the broad side of a barn in almost a decade (since Justin Leonard’s bomb that led to the stampede in 1999). The Euros hit everything, under pressure and, well, over pressure – if that’s the opposite.

Specifically:

Sergio and Paddy have never liked each other but they still play well in the RC and kick the US upside the head every other year.

JB and Kenny, though good players, haven’t had high pressure situations like this before. And I haven’t seen the crowd come out and hit a 5 foot downhill slider for a match tie in foursomes yet.

And, Mr. Rosaforte, Philly has been uninspiring in the Cup in his career, in spite of his many attempts at it. He’s probably best known for infuriating Tiger in their alternate shot match together (I can still picture the Striped One with a stone face, fuming about his next shot while standing next to the fence that Phil’s drive landed by). Oh, and changing clubs immediately before that same Ryder Cup.

So watch the putting green, kids. That’s where the next champ will rise to the top. And that’s one reason I love Steve Stricker as a Captain’s pick.

Tags: European PGA Tour, PGA, PGA Tour, Ryder Cup by
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Paul Azinger has made his long awaited captain’s choices. As you may remember, he lobbied to get 4 picks instead of just 2 so he could catch the “hot” players who might not make the top 10 on the points list. Let’s see how Zinger did:

Chad Campbell

• Tough Texan, used to big, big, big stuff, like the Ryder Cup (he’s from Texas, right?)
• Swing flatter than me singing the high part of the National Anthem (Roseanne Barr memories, anyone?) which will do great in the horrible, soul-numbing wind of . . . Kentucky?
• Best finishes in 2008 – T2 at the pressure packed Shell Houston Open, and a T3 at the US Bank Championship in Milwaukee
  • Not going to rip on Milwaukee, not matter how little I’m impressed with this resume. Love the man, though. I can’t help but hope he succeeds, but I’m worried.

Hunter Mahan

• Tough Texan – no, I’m sorry, he is a tough Californian who decided to travel to the garden spot of Stillwater, Oklahoma for school at OSU (maybe some judgement issues there, Paulsy?)
• The man who ripped on the Ryder Cup powers that be
  • This is a great strategy by Zinger. He doesn’t like the press and would normally be bothered by them constantly for the whole week of the RC. Now, he sticks Mahan out there at every press-related event and, like a shark in bloody water, they consume him, not Paul. Cagey!

JB Holmes

• Tough Tex – er, Kentuckian
• Home stater for the Ryder Cup. This is essential, and he is, along with the other native Kentuckian Kenny Perry, the reason experts are picking the US to win. The US record would be so much better if the PGA was wiser and picked Phil’s or Tiger’s stomping grounds for the Ryder Cup.
• Actually, JB crushes the Valhalla course in Louisville. He supposedly has never hit more than a 9 iron into the par 5, 545 yard 18th – for a second shot! (I heard it on the Golf Channel, so it must be true)
• Proud owner of 99,621 FedEx points – how many do you have?

Steve Stricker

• You are not going to see me joke around about Stevo. I love the Strickster – native Wisconsonian, kind, beloved by all his fellow competitors, one of the premier putters on tour. GREAT pick, Zing!!

There you have it. I’ve got to give Zinger a top ten finish with his picks – Great putter & guy, lightning rod, tough Texan, native Valhalla killer. US dominates – they win it in 5!

Tags: PGA, PGA Tour, Ryder Cup by
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