Tiger Out Strategized

It's in the record book, almost rookie Zach Johnson wins the 2007 Masters by outplaying Tiger over the last round. Who would have guessed that last Thursday morning? Right, no one! So how did he do it?

I'm sure it is the culmination of a number of things, but it's always nice to pin it on a single factor. Is it possible that Zach played the course smarter than Tiger, the consumate pro golfer. Remember last year's British Open and how Tiger beat the field, many say by leaving his driver in the bag. He figured out the course and beat it at it's own game rather than trying to overpower it. Most of us admired the genius and iron will of the game's best current player.

Is it possible that Zach 'figured out' this year's Augusta by being content to lay-up on every par 5, instead of being lured into the catastrophies that going for an eagle at Augusta can produce. Statistically Zach played the par 5's at minus 11 to Tiger's minus 9. Those 2 strokes would have left Tiger tied at the end of regulation.

We all have our ideas on why one guy wins and the rest don't. Either way, there's a great lesson from this that we can all benefit from - take what the course gives you, not what it teases you with.

Masters - Where's the beef?

Is it just me, or is something missing from the Masters so far? Certainly the greens are fast enough, the fairways narrowed – just ask Phil – and the shaved fringe around the greens can still suck a ball into the water without much effort. My wife thinks there are too many players. Is it like the Seinfeld series with an army for a supporting cast instead of George, Elaine and Kramer. There’s no ongoing, week to week, year to year character development.

Five years ago I was hoping today would come and Tiger, Phil, Ernie, VJ and Sergio would be battling each other like dogs for the fiftieth time. What a dreamer I was.

I don’t think the broadcast is helping. The guys in the booth are alright, but none of them seem to be able to create drama. Is that their shortcoming, or maybe there just isn’t any. I thought Tim Clarke being at the top of the leader board on day two was worthy. Nick seems like an OK guy, but I’m wondering if he isn’t subconsciously downplaying everything. Is he stuck on wanting us to believe that he was better than any of these guys in his prime? When someone is trying to bend a shot around the trees while keeping it no more than 5 feet off the ground, someone has got to paint the picture for the viewer to get excited.

A note to the broadcasters, knock off the star wars movie soundtrack when you’re recapping earlier play, like you did today with Tiger. Watching the shots and listening to the commentary is enough electronic input, we don’t need the Hollywood Strings accompaniment.

Don’t let it be said that I’m only full of complaints with no advice. I think you could really add to the excitement and our understanding of the course and the changes made over recent years by inserting key shots on various holes from past competitions. Show Nicklaus hitting 3 iron where the players now routinely hit an 8 or Player in his prime blasting out to a foot from the front bunker on 18, where Monty left it 25 feet short today. The boys at Augusta own everything about the competition, so rights should be no problem.

I don’t know about you, but I hope things take a dramatic change for the better today and tomorrow.

All This AND a Trophy

In addition to the famous green jacket awarded to all champions, winners also receive:

• A sterling silver replica of the Masters trophy depicting the historic Clubhouse

• Name engraved on permanent Masters Trophy which remains at Augusta National

• Gold medallion featuring a view of the Founders Circle in front of the Clubhouse

• Honory membership to Augusta National

• Five-year exemption on the PGA Tour

• Most likely bonuses from your sponsors and new endoesement deals if you are an established player OR numerous sponsorship opportunities worth big bucks if you are relatively unknown

• Oh yeah - AND approx. 1.3 million US dollars.

The chip of all chips

Somehow I just never get tired of seeing "the" shot.

Ode to Augusta

Even casual Masters viewers have heard the CBS theme music countless times, but may not have known that there are words that go with the soft tinkling piano melody to "Augusta"

Dave Loggins, wrote the song around 1980, with lyrics help from photographer Frank Christian. They then took it to CBS, which now uses the instrumental version extensively. The words are an ode to every thing Augusta:

Spice up your Mastercard!

Payment Data Systems, Inc., recently announced an agreement with Natalie Gulbis for a Natalie Gulbis Gift MasterCard.

This athlete marketing, of course, is nothing new but a facinating science nevertheless.

Natalie is now one of the top five of Advertising Age's most marketable young athletes. I believe she has over 25 marketing/advertising deals. You can see how these marketing deals EASILY eclipse their tour earnings.

I mean, what does it REALLY matter who or what is on your plastic credit card. Soon I am sure you will be able to put your family picture or favorite pet but having a world renknown athlete on it does add a certain cliquish quality.

And, if *I* were given the choice between a nice landsape or Natalie It would be a pretty easy choice.

Pack of Chesterfields Anyone?

I love these vintage golf ads and hope to display more of them here.

I especially like the headline: "Stay Out Of The Rough - Smoke Chesterfields Like I Do!"

I guess they are saying if you smoke Chesterfields you can magically stay out of the rough.

Actually Chesterfields are still being made today.

Too bad, if only I smoked.