Going extra holes
Posted 02:55 p.m., April 24, 2008
Bits and pieces after catching my breath from two weeks on the road…
Boo Weekley is every golf fan’s dream, whether you’re standing outside the ropes watching him or conducting an interview. There are those who think Weekley’s redneck charm is a well-conceived act, but in my opinion he’s the real thing.
Just after Saturday’s third round of the Masters, I went looking for Boo to make sure he was indeed driving from Augusta to Hilton Head and not flying. I caught him near the clubhouse trying to square away family travel arrangements and posed my question.
“Yeah, I’m driving. You wanna ride?” If I had said yes, I’m sure he would have been more than happy to accommodate me. And I think it would have been a heckuva ride, talking fishing, hunting and golf.
The Heritage participated in the Caddy For a Cure Project in conjunction with Wounded Warriors this year. Jan Trobaugh of California won the right to caddie for Weekley in the Heritage Pro-Am, and Sgt. Andy Butterworth, who lost his right leg in a tank while serving in Iraq, was a Wounded Warrior who walked with Weekley in the pro-am. Afterward, Butterworth had Weekley and other PGA Tour golfers autograph his prosthetic leg.
…Interesting excerpt from Dallas Morning News story about EDS signing a new sponsorship deal for the Byron Nelson Championship through 2014. EDS was unhappy with its new date, mainly because many of the top players are taking the week off. And EDS had expressed its unhappiness to PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem. The Nelson moves to May 20-23 next year.
“The main thing the Nelson wants is to be cut loose from the Wachovia Championship-Players Championship string. The dates immediately preceding or following those two conflict with the schedules of most top players. (D.A. Weibring, who redesigned the TPC Four Seasons at Los Colinas) said he has been in touch with Woods’ camp, inquiring about dates that might work.
“The Nelson could find itself in some exciting developments. A Texas swing is being discussed. This would involve the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, the Shell Houston Open and the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio. It’s unlikely the four Texans will be played in succession. But the swing could include a performance bonus, adding motivation to play those events.”
…From AP golf writer Doug Ferguson, the Stat of the Week: In four tournaments this year, Lorena Ochoa has finished a combined 45 strokes ahead of Annika Sorenstam.
…Also from Ferguson’s weekly golf notes: “We have our Olympics — we have our major championships. And to add another layer in the Olympics, I think is the wrong thing to do. We need to concentrate on getting more affordable golf for people to play.” — Tom Watson.
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