Two books on prominent golfers — “Tiger Project’’ by Gavin Newsham and “RORY’’ by Alan Shipnuck – came out very close together earlier this year. Both were somewhat updated when they were released, as Tiger Woods had since been involved in another auto-related catastrophe and Rory McIlroy was about to repeat as a Masters…
Pro Golf Weekly
GOOD BOOK READING: “Death in the Strike Zone”
It’s time to stray away from golf and revive Book Report duties. The strange-looking face on his page is that of James Creighton. His picture isn’t sharp because cameras weren’t of the same quality in 1860 as they are these days.Gilbert wrote a recently-published book, “Death in the Strike Zone,’’ to make the case…
BEST OF MY RECENT BOOKS: Heartland, For the Glory
It’s been too long since I’ve added to my book review contributions, but it’s not because I haven’t been enjoying a steady diet of reading material that’s come on the market, and it certainly hasn’t been limited to golf. To get back in the review routine, though, I’m trying something new. Instead of focusing…
Ryder Cup site Bethpage Black has an unusual way of doing things
Lots of golf facilities have hosted the biggest PGA events, but Bethpage Black – site of the Ryder Cup has an unusual way of doing things. The head golf professional, Justin Koff, is also the director of junior instruction at the massive five-course facility. The director of golf is Kelley Brooke whose company heads Bethpage…
Our inside look at the Horse Capital of the World
OCALA, FL. — It was no secret that we were in horse country once we moved to Ocala nearly two years ago. We were quick to find the magnificent World Equestrian Center, a 15-minute drive from our place, and have been frequent visitors for shows, dining, shopping and just prowling the premise. In the horse…
Welcoming PGA players is nothing new for Quail Hollow’s Davenport
In any business this is a rarity. Quail Hollow Club, the PGA Championship venue for the second time, opened its course in 1960 and has had only two golf professionals. The current one, Scott Davenport, has held the job since 1999. “It’s a good place to work,’’ said Davenport. “Johnny Harris and his family have…
Mountain golf makes for a two-sports story at Georgia’s Sky Valley
SKY VALLEY, Georgia – This is not a report on your traditional golf travel destinations. Sky Valley Country Club is in the Blue Ridge Mountains. At an elevation of 3,297 feet it’s the highest and northern- most course in Georgia. The location is a plus for this Georgia Golf Trail layout, which justifiably bills itself…
The evolution of Bryson DeChambeau started in Illinois
I can’t say I really know Bryson DeChambeau, but it certainly felt like it after he won the U.S. Open on Sunday at Pinehurst in such dramatic fashion. DeChambeau was just a kid out of Southern Methodist University when he won the U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields in 2015. Chicago rarely gets an event…
It’d be helpful to get Nicklaus’ take on the PGA-LIV issue
OCALA, FL. – My starting point as a golf writer came at the 1968 Western Open at Olympia Fields. Jack Nicklaus won it. Over the next 56 years I’ve reported, commented and interviewed many people in the golf industry. Many times I’ve been asked who is the best interview in the golf world, and my…
My reflections on a mind-boggling two weeks in pro golf
OCALA, FL. – Who would have thunk it? There’s some developments over the last two weeks in the pro golf world that defy the imagination – at least mine. These are changing times in golf, and that’s been the case for a while – but I never would have imagined the following series of…