Texas Treats

Here is a question that most of you will have a quick answer for: How many days do you get to hold Ben Hogan AND Tiger Woods' golf clubs in your hands and spend some time in the office of Nike creative genius Tom Stites (pictured) looking through his golf memorabilia?

For me, that answer is once and it was today. As part of a trip to "The Oven", Nike's R&D facility in Ft. Worth, Texas I was afforded this amazing opportunity.

More details and fascinating stories to come about my journey after I return home this Friday.

Els Makes the Move.....To Callaway

This story was posted today on the Golf Digest South Africa website.

http://www.golfdigest.co.za/stories/df_ELS_JOINS_CALLAWAY780.php

Els On The Move?

The rumours are getting hot and heavy concerning the possibility of Ernie Els leaving Titleist in favour of Callaway Golf or even NIke Golf. Rumours have been swirling for months in various online golf forums about "The Big Easy" and his current equipment endorsements.

Not much has been substantiated but the possibility of an agreement with Callaway Golf surfaced after Els reportedly visited their UK office and testing facility in recent weeks.

Els was still using Titleist equipment last week at the Accenture World Match Play. Ernie made no mention of an equipment change on his website when he updated it on Saturday as he flew from Hawaii (he had left for there to check out a golf course after bowing out of the match play) and on to Thailand for this week's Johnny Walker Championship.

In the last day or so, images of Els, which were once prominent on the Titleist.com website, have been removed - further fueling the speculation of a split from Acushnet, owner of the Titleist and Cobra brands. His images were replaced with those of Titleist staffer Robert Karlsson and Els is no longer listed under their staff players directory.

That seems to be evidence enough of a departure from Titleist but where exactly will Els end up? Els is a former TaylorMade staffer, their stable is quite full so that is likely not an option. It would make more sense to be a part of a staff where he could be more prominent - after all, his contract will not be a cheap one and any manufacturer will want to get as much exposure for their dollars as possible.

Callaway Golf, looking to make a big push in Europe where Ernie has a strong following is a VERY strong candidate. With Henrik Stenson moving from Callaway to Srixon in the off-season it would seem they need a strong world-wide player to lead the charge in Europe. If this is the case, he would join Phil Mickelson and Annika Sorenstam as the most prominent members of their endorsee staff.

An uncorroborated witness report has Ernie using a Callaway Fusion driver this morning in Phuket during a practice round at Blue Canyon GC so there should be some verifiable news available shortly.

Officials/personnel from Acushnet and Callaway were not available yet this morning to comment on Els' endorsement/contract status. His agent, "Chubby" Chandler of ISM, has yet to be contacted.

As a publicly traded company it is highly unlikely that Callaway (if that is where Els is heading) would release any preliminary information until a deal is finalized.

Another long standing rumour is a move to Nike, which makes sense as well given the companies deep financial resources, worldwide recognition, and ever expanding professional staff. I will be able to investigate this possibility further when I visit their Tour R&D facility in Texas this coming wednesday.

I will be sure to provide updates as they become available.

Exciting Days To Come - Nike Up Next In A Big Way

Spring is lurking here in the frozen north and golfers are getting antsy. With the professional tours in full swing and Flagstick's print publishing season on the horizon the thoughts of golf are heavy on my mind.

In the last few months on this Blog I have brought you several stories on major professional golfers, something I hope to add more of as the year progresses. But there are plenty more stories out there than just what is on the mind of touring pros so I have a few treats in store in the coming weeks. How about a chance to get a little insight from some of the game's top golf equipment designers? The itinerary of luminaries is a work in progress but I will reveal that you can expect some stories regarding Nike, Acushnet, and Nicklaus Golf (for example) hitting this space quite soon.

To start it off, I will be travelling to Ft. Worth, Texas next week to visit the Nike Golf R&D facility ("The Oven") that is under the direction of club genius Tom Stites. I hope to provide some Blog entries live on my visit days. It will be just a taste of Nike related articles you will see online and print from Flagstick publications this year.

For fans of the late, great Ben Hogan, I also have the opportunity to play at his old club, Shady Oaks Golf & Country Club next week. I look forward to extracting a few tales from that adventure as well.

Hang on for the ride, the next few weeks could be mighty interesting!

Inside TaylorMade - A Chat With Key Personnel

Clearly TaylorMade is one of the largest players in the golf club manufacturing industry. As such there are many questions from consumers about the company and their product lines (latest R7 Iron pictured).

This includes not only the retail products but extends to those being used on the professional tours.

While plenty of rumours and speculation always seem to arise when you speak with ardent players about these topics, there is not better way to cut to the truth than to hear the facts. In TaylorMade's case these truths come by way of Sean Toulon, Vice President, and Benoit Vincent, TaylorMade’s Vice President of Research & Development.

The two recently spoke with the staff at the www.golfwrx.com web forum, leading to an animated one hour discussion that all golf equipment enthusiasts should find interesting.

You can see the transcript or download the audio by following this link:

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=74501

So Long Good Friends - A New Phase For Eagle Creek

As many of our readers located in the Flagstick Magazine print coverage region are becoming aware, one of the top golf courses in the region officially changed hands today.

Eagle Creek Golf Course is now part of the Clublink family.

The deal was publicly announced this afternoon with this release:

CLUBLINK ACQUIRES OTTAWA’S EAGLE CREEK GOLF CLUB

KING CITY, ONTARIO – February 12, 2007 - ClubLink Corporation ("ClubLink") (TSX:LNK) is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Eagle Creek Golf Club set on 230 acres of land in Dunrobin, Ontario. Andre Lacasse, the vendor, said “Given ClubLink’s long history of enhancing the reputation and appeal of its golf course properties, I couldn’t be happier than to have ClubLink acquire our course.”

Since opening in 1991, Eagle Creek, designed by former U.S. Open Champion and Golf Analyst, Ken Venturi, has been recognized as one of the top 100 courses in Canada and the premier course in the National Capital Region.

Eagle Creek will become ClubLink’s 28th member golf club in 2008 and will be operated as a Platinum level member club. Memberships will be accepted at introductory rates immediately by calling 1-800-787-0617. In 2007, Eagle Creek will be operated as a semi-private club, available to Eagle Creek Members, other ClubLink Members, the general public, and corporate or charitable events.

Eagle Creek complements an outstanding selection of ClubLink Golf Clubs including Kanata, GreyHawk and Hautes Plaines in our Nation’s Capital, and our 23 properties in the Greater Toronto Area and Muskoka Region. Additionally, Eagle Creek is only a short drive from our Clubs in the Montreal Market which include Fontainebleau, Le Maitre and Val des Lacs.

Robert Poile, President and Chief Executive Officer of ClubLink, said: “We believe that Eagle Creek enhances the fine cluster of courses that we have developed in the National Capital Region and demonstrates our continued commitment to this important market. We believe that ClubLink members will particularly enjoy the challenge offered by this terrific golf experience.”

ClubLink is Canada’s largest owner, operator and developer of member golf clubs.

For some this will come as surprising news but given ClubLink's ability to manage and develop golf facilities it further ensures a bright future for this stunning golf property.

The only sad part of this whole transaction is that one of the most dedicated pair of golf course owners in the business, Andre and Jeanette Lacasse will be leaving the golf industry.

Since acquiring Eagle Creek in 1996, few people realize the depth of effort that this amazing couple has shown as the transformed their course into one of the most highly regarded in the country. They have given of themselves tirelessly.

From enhancing the golf course with interlocking brick paths, to accentuating the entire layout with bright floral displays, to completing the massive clubhouse project, the passion shown by Andre and Jeanette to make their course better for the golfer was commendable.

We at Bauder Media Group have been happy to have a front row seat as we worked alongside the Lacasses in their marketing efforts, in creating a program for the Canadian Tour event that was hosted at the course for several years, and more importantly, and as we became friends within the golf community.

I must disclose that we did get many inquiries about the possibility of this transaction in the last few weeks but we declined to comment out of respect for both parties and their ongoing negotiations. Now that the deal is done, we are happy for all involved.

We look forward to the ambitious plans for Eagle Creek as part of the ClubLink family of properties.

At the same time there is some sense of loss with the departure of the Lacasses as the heart of Eagle Creek.

On a personal note, I have had the opportunity to write a lot of words about Eagle Creek since 1996 and Andre and Jeanette were always a joy to work with. I am grateful to them for that and wish them nothing but the best as they move on to the next phase of their lives.

Both of you left your mark on Eagle Creek - the legacy of your efforts that will not be forgotten.

In the years to come, each time I have the pleasure of playing the course you gave such loving attention to, I will remember your efforts.

As a fan of golf and an admirer of your dedication, all that is left to say is "Thank You."

For more info on the new phase of Eagle Creek's life visit:
http://clublink.ca/eaglecreekhome.html

Price Hits The Champions Tour – Takes Aim At Issues In Game

It’s hard not to like Nick Price. Honest and forthright – he is a breathe of fresh air in professional sport. If you have met him just once or witnessed him in action, either on the golf course or interacting with spectators, you become a fan.

I had always believed that. And I always will. Even in the middle of a tournament I have observed as he took time to converse with a spectator who happened to be wearing the replica Zimbabwe cricket jersey of Price’s nephew, Raymond. How many pro athletes would you see cross the full breadth of a fairway to seek out a fan? Never mind the fact he was paying enough attention to the fans to spot it!

And now, to the delight of Champions’ Tour fans, the 18-time PGA Tour champion and 24-time International winner will be taking his show to their theatre.

Sadly, for those who pay far more attention to the PGA Tour – it means even less of the man who dominated that tour for an extended period in the early 1990’s, posting 15 wins in that decade alone. How could you not cheer for him at Turnberry in 1994 as he raised the Claret Jug and spoke so eloquently about his previous Open Championship heartbreaks?

Truthfully, Price has been pretty much been in the background on the PGA Tour over the last few years, playing a schedule near the minimum number of starts each season. But the milestone of him even being eligible for the Champions Tour seems to create a finite barrier and realization that his regular tour days are fading.

Of course he still has game, posting a top ten as recent as the 2005 United States Open. But after a hard working career where he has piled up trophies and cash, you can empathize with a move to play in the less harried environment of the older set.

When it comes down to it, I am just a fan who is being selfish about Nick Price and his Champions Tour eligibility. You see, for those of among ink stained wretches; Price was always a willing figure you could talk to by default. He would never hesitate to answer a question thoughtfully, giving you all the time you needed. Just as he would do for any fan he encountered.

His forthright nature continued today as he prepares to play in the Allianz Championship in Boca Raton, Florida. He addressed a group of press members by teleconference. During the half hour media gauntlet, he mentioned not only his true desire to play on the Champions Tour but also spoke candidly about the state of his game and all sorts of subjects ranging from the scourge of slow play, to the need for players to rival Tiger, and the “ruining” of Augusta National.

And, in typical Nick Price fashion, he made his points with clarity, with his experience as the weighted evidence to back him.

The last two years have been tough for Nick Price, an ardent competitor. He has struggled with his game in a failed attempt to find the extra yards he felt he needed to still compete at the PGA Tour level. All this before realizing, “at 47 or 48 I just wasn’t going to get any longer.”

The result was a profound lull for his attitude, and his game. Asked about a low point in the last couple years he simply said, “pick a month except for July and August when I am with my kids for summer vacation. Too many short weeks.”

Missing cuts hurts even for a player already in the World Golf Hall of Fame.

He describes his recent times on the PGA Tour as “purgatory”, specifically mentioning the length issue. “The game passed me by a bit. At least out here you don’t have to hit the ball 320 yards.” As a result, Price says his PGA Tour appearances will be limited to places like Colonial where he believes he still has a chance to compete. “The majority of my golf will be played out here,” he said mentioning a proposed Champions Tour schedule of 15 or 16 events with more to be added depending on his play.

Another fact in that equation is his family. He and wife Sue have three young kids at home and he says being a father is a greater priority over being a golfer. He wants to make sure that Greg, Robyn, and Kimberley, now 15, 13 and 10, get a proper summer break. “Staying in a hotel for a week at the British Open is not a summer vacation,” he reiterates.

The Allianz Championship is a no-brainer as a Champions Tour debut for Price as he lives just around the corner in Hobe Sound, but you can still expect some fireworks from him this weekend; he is far from being a ceremonial golfer.

He has been working of late with David Leadbetter and rates his current game as a 6 out of 10, saying he is pleased to at least be at a number on the right side of the scale, but hoping to get sharper in coming weeks. “Who knows, at times gone by I have won with a game at a 6 but I need to get my game up to a 7 or an 8 before I feel competitive out here.”

You can bet Price will probably get to a 7 or 8 fairly fast. It is hard not to imagine him raising at least one trophy on the Champions Tour in 2007.

Whatever happens, I implore all Champions Tour fans, please take care of Nick. Give him the respect he deserves and don’t be afraid to send him back out to play on the PGA Tour whenever he wants.

The Champions Tour has put a lot of ceremony into welcoming Nick Price but there is some redundancy in that.

Really, where wouldn't he be welcome?

Quinney Plays “Baddeley” – Aussie/American Neighbor Takes FBR

Jeff Quinney got a valuable lesson today. One that will sear itself into his memory even more than those he has received during the last two consecutive PGA Tour events where he has contended – if that is possible. The 2000 United States Amateur Champion, Canadian Tour and Nationwide Tour winner, and now PGA Tour rookie, is finding out the hard way just how good his competitors are on the premier tour in the world. At the same time he has become painfully aware how such a large stage will expose your vulnerabilities.

Holding a three-stroke lead with just a few holes to play at the 2007 FBR Open, some observers probably thought he had the tournament in hand, finally registering a victory after close calls in this year’s Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and the Buick Invitational. But, alas, golf is not so predictable – or easy.

If Quinney had not “choked”, as he clearly did today in the Arizona desert where he played his collegiate golf, there is still no guarantee he would have won. He looked very much out of his routine during the final two holes of the tournament, which he played in a cumulative two over par.

The one factor you can deal with in golf is yourself and even if Quinney had taken care of that properly there was still not guarantee of success. Aaron Baddeley, with birdies on four of his last six holes was just too much – winning the event, even more than Quinney was throwing it away. It is even a tougher pill to swallow considering both make their home in Scottsdale and they just happen to be neighbors.

Quinney has certainly shown he is a tremendous talent, with three top ten finishes already in the books early in 2007, but while the bulk of his play has been outstanding – the “rookie” moments” have really cost him so far this season. Failing in the heat of the moment with bad decision making and poor execution will earn you a lot of gray hairs in pro golf, and eventually a second career.

After his 3^rd round of the FBR he told the media, “Yeah, I’m going to have to fire at everything,” obviously recognizing that the other players would be looking to tear apart the TPC of Scottsdale in the final round. Sure, he had to be aggressive, it’s the PGA Tour – you have to score low if you want to win. But even the best player in the world knows there are times when you need to throttle down.

Quinney’s faux pas was the 17^th on Sunday, the drivable par 4 where he watched as Baddeley teed off first with a three wood and kept his ball dry - in position to make birdie with a well executed pitch shot. Meanwhile, to the chagrin of many, Quinney took driver out and hooked it terribly into the water, short and left of the green from where he went on to make a bogey after a horribly nervous looking first putt.

It was especially baffling to witness his tee shot selection when you consider the back hole location that not even long bomber Bubba Watson could reach. If Quinney had just studied some tapes of past events he would have known that a more conservative approach would always yield a better score on Sunday at the FBR. Only 18 birdies were recorded on #17 in this year’s final round, with the hole averaging an even 4.00. It is not the same hole as it is during the rest of the week when players average around 3.5 strokes on it with front hole locations.

Even if he did not know that – a good caddy should. Either way – someone within the duo is to blame for the poor strategy.

While Aaron Baddeley is almost three years younger, he has already won on tour. That experience showed on Sunday, as he did not wilt, instead forging ahead for the win. Good on him for posting his second tour win and seizing the opportunity and the trophy.

In time Quinney will gain the experience and mental strength to help him finish off a PGA Tour win – where you need to play well, and think well, right to the end. He already has shown he has the physical ability to score well.

He has a long rookie year to think about what could have been at the 2007 FBR Open. One made even harder knowing that trophy that could have been his sits not on his mantle, but one just down the street in the Grayhawk community.

If that is not motivation to get better, I don't know what is.