On the Green

Golf Tips Published in 2008

April 6
"The chip and run shot should be the backbone of your short game. If done correctly, it is the most reliable shot around the green. The average golfer attempts to pitch the ball in the air. The uncontrollable nature of the pitch shot makes it a poor choice, especially from a marginal lie.
"By landing the ball on the ground and having it roll as quickly as possible, your chances of predicting the ball's behavior greatly increase. For a simple chip and run style, the club of choice for me would be an 8-iron. Rules to play by - putt whenever you can, chip when you can't putt, pitch only when you have no choice."
--Rich Jones, head pro at Mill Pond Golf Course in Medford.

April 10
"Tempo is the most under-taught fundamental in golf today. True tempo needs to be something tangible, something that the student can work on during practice time. That means an audio stimulus has to be used. I use a music CD in a lot of my lessons that gives three beats. The first beat starts the swing, the second sets the club at the top and the third is heard at impact. Videotaping the golf swing while this happens gives the student validation that the club is in proper position. "
--Fred Moore, PGA professional, Golf Galaxy, Westbury

April 13
From Mark Mielke, PGA head pro, Mill River Club:
“Watching the Masters, you may hear swing analysts talk about how long hitters create lag or have a late release to maximize club head speed and increase distance. Many amateurs struggle with what we call “casting the club,” or a violent early release of the club at the top of the backswing. On the practice range, I have players try to think about holding the club lightly and forgetting about the club head. Swing the club back, nice and smooth, and in the downswing move your body, arms and grip of the club in that order. It should feel like you are moving the grip of the club to the golf ball. With practice, the club will release a little later, producing longer and more solid shots.”

April 17
"There are many variations to teaching chipping, but my preference is to teach a very dead-wristed shot with very few moving parts. If you spend some time practicing these shots you will learn how to control different situations. Place the ball at the back of your stance, more toward your right heel. Keep your hands slightly ahead of the ball to create an angle. Keep a slightly open stance, more of your chest facing the hole. Put most of your weight on your left foot. This will promote a descending blow as you go through the ball. Keeping your wrist locked, go through a putting motion keeping your hands ahead of the ball at all times."
- Guna Kunjan,PGA head professional, Harbor Links Golf Course

April 20
Mastering the uphill lie, by Rob Gick, PGA assistant professional, Sands Point Golf Club:
"Watching the Masters last week, we saw several uphill and downhill lies that are common to many Long Island courses. The first step to successfully hitting a ball from an uphill lie is get into the correct setup position. Get a feel for the severity of the slope, take your stance and try to align your shoulders and hips with the terrain.
"In this position, your back shoulder will be lower than your front shoulder, how much depends on the slope. Take a few practice swings from this position, try to match your swing path to the slope. It is a good idea to take more club than usual because the ball will launch higher and you will have to swing a little easier to maintain balance. Off an uphill lie, your ball will have a tendency to be pulled or hooked, so remember to aim accordingly."

April 24
"Most amateurs realize the fundamentals of a good setup are critical for a full swing. But those fundamentals are important for putting, too. To make more putts, you must start with the proper alignment. Use the label on the ball for guidance. To do this, mark the ball and reposition it so the label is aligned with your intended path. Next, once you are set up over the ball, match the line on your putter to the label on the ball. Trust your alignment and make a good, confident stroke."
--Len Bush, PGA professional, Brookville Country Club

April 27
By Bill Farrell, assistant pro, Plandome Country Club:
“So many amateur golfers have one common problem: they fall away from the ball. Watch the other players in your foursome. How many finish out of balance, on their back foot?
“I think there is a cause that is more mental than physical. It is a misconception that hitting the ball is the top priority, which causes many players to simply shut down the body once they make impact. Impact is only the halfway point of the swing. Using the idea of swinging THROUGH the ball instead of AT the ball, you will get a more complete swing. There is a reason so many practice swings are so great: there is no ball. Don’t let the ball be the focal point, just let it get in the way of that nice practice swing.”

May 1
: “Many competitive rounds are ruined by an inability to start off with a good first shot. Stepping to the first tee with composure can create good swings for the rest of the round. Take some extra slow practice swings, focusing on soft grip pressure and keeping your transition simple. Doing this helps make that first swing stay smooth, since most early-round pressure swings tend to be quick.”
--Jim Lusk, Head Professional, Seawane Club.

May 4

“Learn how to hook your putts. The straight-back, straight-through putting stroke is not physically possible and usually leads to a person swinging the putter left, with an open face. A putter is built with a maximum shaft angle of 80 degrees, so the putter must swing in an arc (the only way to go straight back and straight through would be with a 90-degree shaft angle). So don’t be afraid to swing your putter back and through on a little inside-to-out path. Hook it. The best putters in the world do it, and so can you.”
--Jeff Cowell, PGA Head Professional, Woodmere Club

May 8
By Michael Darrell, PGA Head Professional, Southward Ho Country Club

“A.W. Tillinghast was a brilliant golf course architect who often purposely misaligned his tees with relation to the center of the fairway. To ensure that you are properly aligned to every fairway, try starting from behind the ball to accurately establish your target. Then move to the side of the ball and proceed with your routine and swing.
“That is what some of the best amateur players in the section will be doing this week when they compete in the Havemeyer Invitational Tournament at the Tillinghast-designed Southward Ho course in Bay Shore.”

May 15
“Start with the finish. There are certainly many aspects of your game to work on. Try to copy the common denominators of the best players. Working on the finish may help you get “past the ball,” both physically and mentally. If we observe the best players at the finish, we will notice their balance, their knees somewhat connected, the back foot on the tip of the toe, the spine angle tilted toward the target line and the clubhead over where it started. Just like Sergio Garcia, winner of the Players Sunday.”
--Ed Kelly, PGA Head Professional, Cherry Valley Club

May 18
By Bob Rittberger, PGA Head Pro, Garden City Golf Club
“How do the greatest players keep their concentration with so many things like titles, television and money to distract them? One characteristic you will find is a consistent and dependable routine. When a player gets nervous or begins to struggle, they have a safety zone that is comfortable. The zone lies within the confines of their routine.
“The routine is like an automatic pilot, in that once you begin it, you put yourself in a place you have been many times before. Develop your own routine. Practice it and make it comfortable for you. If you find it difficult, ask your PGA professional and they will help you.”

May 22
“Most errors in the golf swing begin with the start of the backswing. Golfers incorrectly begin with their hands and arms, rather than a body turn. Try this exercise: Stand with your arms folded across your chest and emphasize bending over from your waist. Turn your body back, then through, while keeping your head still. This motion will help you feel that the backswing and downswing begin with your big muscles, not your hands and arms.”
--Don Beatty, PGA head professional, Garden City Country Club

Holes-in-Ones Archive, 2008

LI Golfbeat, April 10
Jimmy Tubbs, Hempstead Golf and CC, 10th hole, 187 yards, rescue club.
Frank Brown, Old Vine Golf Club, 17th hole, 172 yards, 5-wood.
Sally Scranton, Southampton Golf Club, second hole, 105 yards, 8-iron.
Harris Wellner, Dix Hills Park, seventh hole, 121 yards, gap wedge.
Cliff Burns, Heatherwood Golf Course, 12th hole, 110 yards, 8-iron
Colleen West, West Sayville Golf Club, eighth hole, 135 yards, driver.
Mary Walsh, Nassau CC, fifth hole, 130 yards, 5-iron
Elaine Ditzel, Spring Lake GC Sandpiper course, sixth hole, 88 yards, 6-iron.
Jack Martilotta, Cedars Golf Course, fourth hole, 120 yards, 8-iron
Ray Kessell, Smithtown Landing, 11th hole, 145 yards, rescue club.
Leo Varriale, Nassau CC, third hole, 195 yards, hybrid.
Robert Sturm, Colonial Springs GC Pines Course, third hole, 174 yards, 6-iron.
Harry Wager, Heatherwood GC, 12th hole, 120 yards, 7-iron.
Michael Matura, Mill River Club, 12th hole, 187 yards, 6-iron.
Glenn Bernstein, Village Course of Lake Success, sixth hole, 170 yards, 6-iron.
Chris Hawkins, Cantiague Park, seventh hole, 157 yards, 7-iron.

April 17
John McDonough, Bethpage Black, eighth hole, 176 yards, 5-iron
Rich Parisen, The Links at Shirley, seventh hole, 164 yards, 6-iron
Jack McMahon, Great Rock Golf Club, 16th hole, 161 yards, 11-wood
Sook Anderson, Bethpage Yellow, fourth hole, 130 yards, 6-iron
Joe Booker, Mill Pond Golf Course, 13th hole, 141 yards, 7-iron
Loretta Robitaille, Sunken Meadow Green Course, sixth hole, 150 yards, 7-wood
Jill Krueger, Inwood CC, sixth hole, 100 yards, 6-iron
Larry Janis, Village Club of Sands Point, 11th hole, 151 yards, 7-iron
Brian Cohen, Woodcrest Club, third hole, 170 yards, 7-iron
Michael DeLuca, West Sayville Golf Course, 12th hole, 145 yards, 3-iron
Barbara Broder, Woodcrest Club, 17th hole, 157 yards, driver

April 24
Tom Kontos, Indian Island Golf Club, eighth hole, 153 yards, 7-iron
Sam Albanese, Middle Island Country Club (Dogwood Course), third hole, 128 yards, 8-iron
Steve Scandura, Spring Lake Golf Club, 13th hole, 174 yards, 5-iron

May 1
Jim Quinn, Towers Golf Club, 13th hole, 165 yards, 6-iron.
Herb Friedman, Towers GC, second hole, 175 yards, 4-iron.
Mark Green, Towers GC, 10th hole, 165 yards, 7-iron.
Bill Dauscher, Bethpage Yellow, fourth hole, 160 yards, 9-wood.
Bud Sofield, Mill Pond GC, fifth hole, 169 yards, 5-iron.
Leo Murray, Eisenhower Blue, eighth hole, 114 yards, 8-iron.
Mike DiStefano, Holbrook CC, 11th hole, 127 yards, 9-iron.
Jason Sheehy, Glen Cove GC, third hole, 157 yards, 7-iron.
Mark Reilly, Colonial Springs Lake Course, fifth hole, 177 yards, 3-iron.
Angelo Castellano, Port Jefferson CC, second hole, 178 yards, 3-wood.
John Chabot, Sunken Meadow Red, third hole, 132 yards, 8-iron.

May 8
Joseph Mullady, Veterans Golf Course, ninth hole, 120 yards, 7-iron.
Peter Keeler, Douglaston Golf Course, 17th hole, 112 yards, 8-iron.
Matt McHugh, Timber Point GC, second hole, 124 yards, 8-iron.
Arthur Dodge, East Hampton GC, 17th hole, 145 yards, 4-rescue.
Richard Epstein, Oyster Bay GC, sixth hole, 170 yards, 5-iron.
Calvin Wilson, Tallgrass CC, 14th hole, 75 yards, 56-degree wedge.
Frank Ross, Pine Hills CC, 14th hole, 175 yards, 3-hybrid.
Donald Pugh, Pine Hills CC, 17th hole, 140 yards, 9-iron.
Kirit Dharia, Woodcrest Club, 17th hole, 175 yards, 3-hybrid.
Rich Burack, Pine Ridge GC, seventh hole, 114 yards, 9-iron.
Peter Popovich, Great Rock GC, 12th hole, 110 yards, pitching wedge.

May 15
Nicky Montemurro (age 7), Smithtown Landing Executive Course, eighth hole, 85 yards, driver.
Tyler Simmons (age 10 of Eastport) Golf Club of Jupiter (Fla) second hole, 121 yards, driver.
Bob Cantillo, Timber Point Blue, fifth hole, 188 yards, driver.
John Rathke, Spring Lake GC, 16th hole, 165 yards, 3 hybrid.
Don Schabner, Bellport Country Club, fourth hole, 171 yards, 6-iron.
Eileen Spechte, Crab Meadow GC, third hole, 128 yards. 7-wood.
Jason Sheehy, Glen Cove GC, third hole, 157 yards, 7-iron.
Joe DeMartino, Nassau CC, third hole 145 yards, 9-iron.
Ted Gross, Bethpage Yellow, seventh hole, 174 yards, driver.

May 22
Al Garbarino, Smithtown Landing Country Club, second hole, 163 yards, 5-wood.
Donna Lauro, Holbrook Country Club, eighth hole, 148 yards, driver.
Ronald Lupia, Bretton Woods Golf Club, second hole, 159 yards, 6-iron.
Charlie Garcia, Garden City Golf Club, 18th hole, 162 yards, 6-iron.
Elton McCabe, North Woodmere GC, seventh hole, 143 yards, 7-iron.
Ken Bolkcom (Point Lookout), Dye Club, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 17th hole, 147 yards, 5-iron.
Tony Chille, Douglaston GC, ninth hole, 172 yards, 7-wood.
Bill DeRose, Baiting Hollow Club, fourth hole, 202 yards, 3-wood.
Chris McCarthy, Merrick Road Park GC, second hole, 165 yards, 5-iron.
Phil Gavosto, Bethpage Red, fourth hole, 171 yards, 5-hybrid.

May 29
Kevin Nathan, Huntington Crescent Club, 17th hole, 190 yards, 6-iron.
Perry Angelson, Island’s End Golf & Country Club, seventh hole, 185 yards, hybrid.
Lynn Reinecker, Island’s End G & CC, 16th hole, 125 yards 7-wood.
Dan Abrams, E. Donald Conroy Golf Club, second hole, 118 yards, pitching wedge.
Pastor Romeo Dagee, E. Donald Conroy GC, fourth hole, 105 yards, sand wedge.
Ricardo Benadides, E. Donald Conroy GC, fifth hole, 130 yards, 8-iron.
Tom Barbaro, Garden City Country Club, fifth hole, 166 yards, 6-iron.
Erika Turner, Harbor Links Executive Course, ninth hole, 113 yards, 7-wood.
Roy Summers, Crab Meadow GC, ninth hole, 161 yards, 4-iron.
Joe Algerio, Huntington Country Club, third hole, 186 yards, 5-wood.

June 5
Robert Scalia, Bellport Country Club, fourth hole, 171 yards, 6-iron.
Paul Kennedy, Middle Bay Country Club, 12th hole, 185 yards; 7-iron.
Eileen Spechte, Crab Meadow GC, third hole, 128 yards, 7-wood.
Ian Carroll, Rolling Oaks CC, fifth hole, 135 yards, 5-iron.
Debra Maino, Olde Vine Golf Club, third hole, 107 yards, 7-hybrid.
Frank Chiarelli, Bethpage Green, sixth hole, 182 yards, 4-iron.
Thomas Casenza, Mill Pond GC, eighth hole, 183 yards, 5-wood.
Jay Deutsch, Muttontown Club, seventh hole, 131 yards, 7-iron.
Danny Tosiello, Clearview GC, 12th hole, 156 yards, 6-iron.
Tom Leavy, Robert Moses State Park, 10th hole, 70 yards, sand wedge.
Owen Spielman, Spring Lake GC, 16th hole, 135 yards, 5-iron.

June 12
Dom Cusimano, North Hempstead Country Club, sixth hole, 158 yards, 5-hybrid
Dennis McCann, Olde Vine Golf Club, seventh hole, 168 yards, 5-wood
Jason Mulholland, Indian Island Golf Course; fifth hole, 122 yards, 9-iron
Joe Morrisy, Indian Island GC, eighth hole, 153 yards, 7-wood
Brian Schifferstein, Indian Island GC, 17th hole, 190 yards, 5-wood
Marc Strauss, Woodmere Club, 16th hole, 168 yards, 7-iron
Robert Botticelli, Rock Hill Golf & Country Club, 17th hole, 170 yards, 4-iron
Nicholas Perini, Bethpage Black, 14th hole, 153 yards, 8-iron
Stacy Solow, Woodcrest Club, 14th hole, 130 yards, 7-iron
Jim Stone, Brookville CC, 16th hole, 187 yards, 5-wood
Dan Malossi, Mill Pond GC, eighth hole, 165 yards, 5-iron
Joan Galvin, Swan Lake G & CC, 16th hole, 94 yards, 5-hybrid
John Soltysik, Swan Lake G & CC, 16th hole, 124 yards, 7-iron
Vinnie Tavella, Lake Success GC, eighth hole, 156 yards, 6-iron

June 19
Tom Reilly, Spring Lake Sandpiper Course, sixth hole, 120 yards, 8-iron
Jay Schmuck, Lido Golf Club, 15th hole, 166 yards, 7-iron
Joe Scaduto, Lido GC, fifth hole, 156 yards, 8-iron
Jim Rosenthal, Engineers Country Club, 11th hole, 154 yards, hybrid
David Schildkraut, Lake Success Golf Club, sixth hole, 155 yards, 7-iron
Jarod Zeltman, Cherry Creek—The Woods, 17th hole, 174 yards, 6-iron
Eduardo Violago, Cherry Creek—The Links, second hole, 100 yards, pitching wedge
Tom Fullam, Southampton Golf Club, 10th hole, 153 yards, 5-iron
Art Post, North Hempstead CC, ninth hole, 140 yards, 8-iron
Frank McIntosh, Heatherwood Golf Club, 10th hole, 190 yards, 4-iron
Tony Scatuccio, Great Rock GC, 12th hole, 110 yards, pitching wedge
Simon Marshall, Hamlet Willow Creek, second hole, 116 yards, 8-iron
Arthur Bowler, Cedar Brook Club, 11th hole, 196 yards, driver
Jason Pettis, Mill Pond GC, eighth hole, 165 yards, 5-iron
Gerard Conway (general manager, Nissequoge GC), Fenway Club, Scarsdale, fourth hole, 145 yards, 8-iron

June 26
Fred Kain, Smithton Landing Country Club, 11th hole, 172 yards, 7-wood
Artie Altman, Tam O’Shanter Club, second hole, 139 yards, 8-iron
Peter Ingoglia, Glen Cove Golf Club, eighth hole, 115 yards, 9-iron
Lorraine Bell, Robert Moses State Park, 12th hole, 65 yards, 7-iron
Jason Pettis, Mill Pond Golf Club, eighth hole, 165 yards, 5-iron
Bonnie Filschie, Huntington Crescent Club, 17th hole, 179 yards, driver
Matt DeCarolis, Huntington Country Club, ninth hole, 197 yards, 7-wood
David Zitner, Cold Spring Country Club, third hole, 135 yards, 8-iron
John DeTemple Sr., Montauk Downs, second hole, 112 yards, 9-iron
Eric Feit, Hamlet Wind Watch, eighth hole, 169 yards, 7-iron
Herta De Turris (of Jericho), Kensington G & CC, Naples, Fla., 11th hole, 141 yards, 7-wood
Fred Giffords, Engineers CC, ninth hole, 170 yards, driver
Eileen Randolph, Calverton Links, 11th hole, 104 yards, 9-iron
Brian Meehan, Cherry Creek-The Links, 17th hole, 154 yards, 9-iron
Carlos Cardoso, Lido GC, fifth hole, 153 yards, 5-iron

The buzz is interesting and inevitable. Should Lorena Ochoa, winner in five of the six LPGA events she has entered this year and a champion four weeks in a row, get in a men's PGA Tour event?

People on the Golf Channel have been talking about this during Lorena's week off at home in Mexico, following that four-for-four run (talk about hitting for the cycle, this is much greater than the effort by unrelated Mets outfielder Alex Ochoa, who once hit for the cycle). It's logical because Annika Sorenstam played in the Colonial when she was as dominant as Lorena is now, and Michelle Wie played in several PGA Tour events in an effort to make a name for herself.

My take on it is that Lorena can play if she'd like. She is entitled to do whatever she wants. But I don't think she needs it one bit. Sorenstam did it to challenge herself and sharpen her edge for her women's major championships. It worked. WIe also did it to improve her game, and to burnish a multi-million dollar image. Check on the latter, a big minus on the former. Her game has fallen off the cliff.

Ochoa is just fine the way she is. She is a great player, having nearly qualified already for the LPGA Hall of Fame (except for the requirement to play at least 10 years on tour). She not only wins, but she wins by an average of eight shots.

More important, she seems incredibly comfortable with the person that she is. We know that because she was that way when she was losing big tournaments down the stretch. She is a tough competitor with a gentle soul. When she secured her first major win, she extracted a promise from her caddie to get the caddie's baby baptized.

Ochoa smiles. She makes eye contact with fans, proving that there is more than one way to be a dominant No. 1 (Tiger Woods prefers to remain steely focused). She doesn't have anything to prove by teeing it up against the men.

Kudos to Brian Hewitt of the Golf Channel for pointing out the one factor that would appeal to her: She possibly could earn more money, which would give her more money to distribute to needy people.

Still, I don't know how much she would enjoy the circus. She enjoys being Ochoa, the greatest female golfer in the world and, at the moment, the hottest golfer on any tour, any course.

It occurred to me yesterday why there are so many golf outings during a season: They work.

I played in one yesterday and have been reflecting ever since about what a good experience it was, and what a good idea the whole concept of outings is. And this comes from a golfer who can be skeptical about this genre--I used to think it was just an excuse for people to get out of work and drink beer during the day.

Wrong. The event I played in yesterday couldn't have been better. The details: It was the St. Jude's Golf Outing for the benefit of the Outreach program at the parish in Mastic Beach. It was at Rock Hill in Manorville.

The weather was perfect, the course was in great shape, the organization of the outing was impeccable. Everybody was in good spirits, although nobody picked up on the joke when the pastor, Father Greg Yacyshyn, opened his pre-round remarks to the golfers by saying, "Now, I've got a sermon..." I got a chance to play with two guys whom I never had met, but who proved to be great golf partners. Play moved along, too, mostly because it was a scramble format. That was fine, too, even for someone who admittedly is hopelessly hung up on a final score. (for the record,we played as a threesome among foursomes and shot 72--not good enough for a prize but honorable, we thought).

It struck me that a lot of good gets done at these outing. There is comraderie, competition, some decent golf and much work for causes that need the backing. St. Jude Outreach, for instance, helps people who can use material and/or emotional support. That is, there is a spirit that gets generated every time someone writes a check to play in an outing or to sponsor a tee sign.

Thank goodness there is such a thing as the golf outing. Thank goodness golf is such a great vehicle for the goodness. Know that I'll try the best I can to let readers know about all the outings that come across my desk in the weekly LI Golfbeat columns.

It was good news, hearing that Brandt Snedeker received so much support from galleries at the Verizon Heritage this past weekend. People evidently connected with the fact that he had poured out his heart on the course at Augusta National, and poured it out some more in the news conference afterward.

Snedeker was in the final group with champion Trevor Immelman and when he eagled the par-5 second hole, it sure looked like Snedeker had a real shot to win the Masters. But he foundered, like just about everyone else. It all caught up with him afterward, when he was in the press building.

With just about every question, he seemed like he was going to choke up. I must admit to this: The Augusta member who was hosting that news conference said, "We have time for two more questions for Brandt." So I was the one who asked Snedeker just what the emotion was that was overwhelming him: was he proud, disappointed, drained? To his credit, he said "I don't have a clue." He pointed out that he had been laughing outsided. Then he just started crying, at which time the host just ended the news conference. And I took some heat from the other writers about "knowing how to kill a news conference."

Personally, I thought it was remarkably authentic and compelling on Snedeker's part. I guess he realized how close he was but that it just wasn't his time. His time is coming.

PGA Tour rookie Marc Turnesa, who grew up in Rockville Centre, had another good showing and a decent paycheck at the Verizon Heritage. He did start Sunday in a tie for 18th, and was on track for his first top 20 finish. But he still finished in a tie for 23rd at 4 under par and made $47,575.

Boo Weekley says he doesn't feel cheated by not getting the cheers most golfers do, even when he wins a tournament as he did yesterday--the Verizon Heritage at Hilton Head. It is an odd sound, though, on the golf course, mostly the home of gentiility: "Booooo."

Even last week at the Masters, eventual champion Trevor Immelman, who played the first two rounds with Weekley, said he wondered how it felt to get booed all the time. In any event, Immelman enjoyed playing with Boo (and it obviously didn't hurt him Immelman). Most everybody enjoys playing with Weekley or watching him play.

He is a character in a game that can use them. Granted, nothing can make up for the absence of Tiger Woods, out after knee surgery for four to six weeks. But he does help. It's a kick to hear a guy admit "I don' t want to do nothing but hunt and fish." It's cool to think of a real average person out there, winning in a sport that has had an elitist label. Here's a regular guy, easy talkin' and chewin' tobacco.

He can be an inspiration. "I hope it's mostly the kids. That's who you want to touch anyway is the kids. And I hope they don't chew," he said yesterday in his champion's news conference.

There are people who think Weekley isn't really as much of a Gomer Pyle-in-spikes. They say he kind of turns it on in the press room. But fellow pro Heath Slocum, who grew up with him and remains one of his closest friends, says Boo is genuine. An outstanding profile in Sports Illustrated last week quoted people saying that with Weekley, "What you see is what you get." But the author added that Weekley determines what you see.

Well, we saw him start the past week by playing the pro-am with his mom, and finish the week by autographing a golf cart that will be auctioned for charity. Pretty dern good.

This is what you have to overcome to become a major champion: Battle your own nerves that are so severe you hit a tee shot in the water when the water is the only place you can't hit it; then hit a shot on 18 that happens to land in a divot. You just focus, and keep doing what you've done since you were 5.

Back then, Trevor Immelman said he wanted to be the best golfer in the world. And today he was. He held on through the back nine when his nearest competitors crumbled, and he won the Masters.

Tiger Woods, who never did catch fire or even have a spark all week managed to finish second at 5 under. He knew it was up to the other players to put pressure on Immelman. "I didn't do my part," Woods said.

Immelman tapped in for par to finish at 8 under and win his first green jacket.

Good for him, a good week for golf.

Thanks for stopping by to take an interest in what we had to say about it.

In the gallery watching Paul Casey on No. 2, I could have sworn I saw Carl Pavano, with some buddies. Before I could go over and say hi he was gone, swallowed up by the rest of the patrons.

That's the cliche: "The Masters doesn't begin until the back nine on Sunday." So here we go.

At this point, nothing would surprise me. I certainly wouldn't even be shocked to see Tiger Woods pull it out, even though he really hasn't done anything today. He started his back nine with a bogey that dropped him to 4 under, six behind Trevor Immelman. But who knows? A lot of guys have been leaking oil and springing leaks.

Brandt Snedeker looked great when he eagled No. 2, but he has taken a nosedive since then, making the turn at 6 under (he was 10 under after 2). Poor Paul Casey was right in the hunt at 8 under after three, but he made the turn at 2 under, having dropped six strokes in five holes.

The cliche about the back nine starting the whole thing goes back to a time when Augusta was more of a birdie wonderland, when players could go after pins and even chase eagles. These days, especially with a little wind blowing, it's a matter of who's going to back up the least. Immelman gagged a 30-inch birdie putt on 7 and stumbled to a bogey on 8, but did have a nice par save in 9.

Still interesting, though

During his homily about the Good Shepherd at the 10:30 mass at St. Mary on the Hill R.C. Church in Augusta this morning, Father Justin Ferguson recalled that when he was sitting near Amen Corner last year, he was recognized as a priest by his collar. Someone asked him, “Father, shouldn’t you be tending your flock?”
“I told him,” the priest said, “`What pasture do you think my flock is currently grazing in?’ ”

In case you haven't picked the golfer for whom to root this afternoon, obviously, there is a case to be made for a lot of them. Tiger Woods needs no extra boosting; his brilliance his history chasing speak for themselves. You've read this week (I hope) about Trevor Immelman's compelling tale, coming back from surgery to remove a tumor that turned out to be benign.

Here's a case for Brandt Snedeker. He's a very personable, upbeat young man. He's got a good attitude on and off the course. During the U.S. Open at Oakmont last year, I asked him about a report that showed him being very moved by a PGA Tour sponsored visit of St. Jude Children's Hospital. I could tell by the way he just about got choked up talking about it that he was sincere.

Then he said, referring to his profession, "My brother tells me every day how lucky I am to be doing this." Snedekers demeanor all week testified to that.

The flags are flapping, which is at least something a little different. As I mentioned yesterday, the talk about the weather here this week is more overrated than Luke Donald. People kept talking about the impending storm Saturday as if it were an approaching typhoon. It turned out to be a little 40-minute rain delay and resulted in a softer course.

Today is a beautiful day with some breeze. It's not the type that will make the pin bend, but it is the kind to make golfers think. And pros do say that wind is really the greatest hazard they face (a sand trap is nothing to these guys, they're so good out of them).

So it will be something to add a little more oomph to a day that figured to be really exciting anyway, what with Tiger Woods doing the hunting this time and some compelling potential first-timers up ahead.

Nine Examples of Interesting Headwear this Week

1. Caddies. The best caps—Masters green with Masters logo
2. Gary Player on Friday. Knight logo on white cap that accentuated his all-white outfit.
3. Justin Rose on Thursday. White Taylor Made cap with black outlines. His game went south when he changed the next day.
4. Drew Weaver. “VT” for Virginia Tech, his school, worn in honor of college mates who died and were wounded last year.
5. Michael Thompson. “A” for Alabama, his school after Tulane’s program was shut down after Hurricane Katrina.
6. Tiger Woods. Classic Nike swoosh is still understated, elegant. He also has just the right bend in the bill.
7. Heath Slocum. Just a thin visor, but somehow it keeps him safe from the sun. His skin is quite pale despite living in Florida and making his living outdoors.
8. Boo Weekley. Hunter’s camouflage patter.
9. Arnold Palmer. Honorary starter wore nothing on his head, looking remarkably like he did 50 years ago.

Who would have figured this, especially with Tiger Woods having posted a 68, finished 5 under par and served notice? Trevor Immelman and Brandt Snedeker held serve.

Both young guns, the previous two Rookies of the Year on the PGA Tour, played great down the stretch. They didn't crumble the way most young golfers do. Immelman finished 11 under par, making birdies on 13, 14 and 18. Snedeker is two strokes back, in second place, reversing a slide by birdieing 14, 15 and 18. The two will play together again tomorrow, and will make Tiger Woods try to catch them from fifth place.

Worth watching

Boo Weekley on showing up without his goatee today:
"My wife kind of told me it started looking hideous. She's like it's time to either trim it up or take it off. I didn't have no trimmers with me so I just went ahead and took it off."

[note: Boo also trimmed shots off his score, coming in with a 4-under par 68 and is currently on the leader board at 2 under]]]

One way or another, we'll probably have a first tomorrow.

Either Tiger Woods will win a major without having at least a share of the lead after 54 hoiles, or someone will be a first-time winner of a major.

That's the way it looks right now, anyway, what with Woods finished at 5 under after a sparkling 68, which was a couple of inches away from a 65 because of putts that were oh so close. the players ahead of him, Paul Casey, Trevor Immelman, Brandt Snedeker and Steve Flesch, are all non-majjor winners.

Other things could happen, such as Zach Johsonn or Padraig Harrington or Phil Mickelson overtaking everybody to win. But don't bet on it.

"Anything can happen. You can shoot yourself into it or shoot yourself out of it," Woods said.

Look first for one of the firsts.

When Tiger Woods said yesterday that a player can make up shots in a hurry here, it was enough to make anyone a little skeptical. After all, we all know birdies aren't growing on trees here, or under them, which is where Woods found himself on No. 18 yesterday.

But of course he knew what he was talking about. He knew that if he just played steadily, kept inching up and avoided giving strokes away, he would close the game. Sure enough, here he is on No. 16, tied for fifth and only five shots behind Brandt Snedeker. A show of hands of people who don't think he can make up five shots on Brandt Snedeker, who is a gut and clutch player, but never has won a major.

Then again, you never know. Former New Yorker Johson Wagner just called Snedeker "one of the most clutch players I've ever played against" and added that Snedeker, a chlidhood friend from Tennessee has the personality to handle this.

One guy who hasn't made up strokes in a hurry is Phil Mickelson. He reverted to the inscrutable, halting Phil today. making bogeys on No. 6 and 8 and missing a birdie putt on 9. At the moment, he's tied with Woods, whom Mickelson led by 4 at the start of the day.

Souinds like an interesting Sunday, eh?

Play was suspended for about 45 minutes, what with lightning in the area. But golf is back on now, with Tiger Woods ready to get going.

Nine Golfers Still in This Masters Field Who Have Had to Make Comebacks

1. Trevor Immelman (stomach ailment, surgery for a tumor, both in past year)
2. Retief Goosen (getting struck by lightning as a youth)
3. Jim Furyk (wrist surgery)
4. Tiger Woods (knee surgery)
5. Ian Poulter (flap over comments he made about being No. 2 in the world)
6. Vijay Singh (flap over comments about Annika Sorenstam)
7. David Toms (irregular heartbeat that once caused him to leave a tournament by ambulance)
8. Ian Woosnam (chronic fatigue syndrome that kept him out most of the last year)
9. Phil Mickelson (the rap that he couldn't win a major)

Tying up some loose ends from the first two rounds:

Johnson Wagner, the former Met Section standout who was such an interesting story because he qualified by winning the Shell Houston Open Sunday evening, made the cut. He had a brutal front nine yesterday (40), but bounced back with a clutch 2 under par 34 on the back to finish at 2 over, making the cut with a stroke to spare. He's playing with Ian Woosnam this morning

Among those who missed the cut: Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Rory Sabbatini, Luke Donald.

Among those who slipped on yesterday were, of course, perennial first-round leader Justin Rose, who went from a tie for first to a tie for 29th; and defending champ Zach Johnson, whose 76 in the second round knocked him off the leader board and left him 12 shots behind leader Trevor Immelman. Johnson also is tied for 29th.

You all know that Fred Couples missed the cut by a stroke, ending his Masters streak of consecutive cuts made at 23. that's somewhat interesting, but I'm not sure it was the compelling melodrama that CBS and Couples' old college buddy Jim Nantz made it out to be.

Speaking of CBS, Bobby Clampett's apology for an ethnically insensitive term wasn't perfect. I hate any apology that begins, "If I offended anyone..." Either you're sorry or you're not.
Don't start with an "if."

Bernhard Langer was penalized one stroke Thursday because his ball moved. I figured that was not a good time for me to go up and ask him if he's going to play in the Commerce Bank Championshp.

Ever since most of us got here on Monday, there has been talk about some dramatic change in the weather coming toward the end of the week. Alas, it is here.

It is drizzling out there.

There also is about a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. The one real possibility for impact is a forecast for stiff winds possibly gusting to 29 miles per hour. That would make things interesting.

In any case, though, it's not going to be a hurricane, as you might have thought from all the buzz all week. Weather always is as much a topic of conversation in golf as it is in a local barber shop. Part of it is there isn't much else to talk about, at least before a tournament starts. In fairness, the other part is that golfers are so precise in their preparation, courses are so immaculately groomed and so many golfers are so good--and one of them is beyond great. Any little deviation can be a factor.

Two points, though: 1) Everybody in the field has to play in the weather. 2) It's not going to be something right out of Shakespeare's "The Tempest."

Tiger Woods finished a round that was not terribly inspiring, but not a deal-breaker either. He was rather pleased with the eventful ending, in fact, and said, "I'm in good shape."

He isn't in the greatest shape. He's 1 under par, having shot a 71, and is seven shots behind leader Trevor Immelman. The record for most strokes overcome after two rounds by a winner is the eight stroke disadvantage that Jackie Burke withstood in 1956. But Woods, in a six-way tie for 13th place, said, "On this golf course, you can make that up."

Fred Couples fell one shot short of setting a record of making the cut for a 24th consecutive year. He missed a birdie putt on No. 18 and finished at 4 over par, missing the cut by one. "I'm kind of disappointed, but I'm really disappointed with the way I played," Couples said.

Gary Player, 72, has said all week that for him, par at Augusta National really is 80. He pledged to himself that if he broke 80 today he would come back next year. Sure enough, he shot 78, bent down to kiss the 18th green and affirmed that he will be back in '09 for his 52nd Masters.

"The way the people cheered for me today, this is something I'll never forget the rest of my life," said the man who intends to be around for a long while longer.

Boo Weekley is not, shall we say, the type of person who would be playing at Augusta National Golf Club had he not qualified for the Masters, which he did this year for the first time. He's more of a camouflage hunting shirt than green jacket type of guy.

So it was no shock that yesterday, when he was asked what he was going to do after he left the grounds, he said, "Just going to go home and cook some pork chops...I'm a meat and tater man, I ain't much on no vegetables."

Today, he explained his encounter with a hawk that flew over him as he prepared to putt on No. 17. "His shadow came right over my ball right when I was fitting to get ready to draw it back. If it was an eagle, it would have been great. I needed a couple."

Phil Mickelson had made three birdies on the front nine and eight pars and a birdie on the back, after the wind kicked up. He's at 5 under, three shots off Trevor Immelman's lead. "I'm pretty happy," Mickelson said "I'd like to be in the lead and have some shots in hand, but I'm playing well and I'll have a chance to play late in the afternoon tomorrow and, hopefully, Sunday."

Playing late in the afternoon today (on Thursday and Friday it's luck of the draw, on the weekends it's done by position) is no bargain for Tiger Woods. He has been up and down so far with more down than up. He has a birdie and two bogeys and is 1 over, nine shots back. Nothing for him to be concerned about. He has a lot of time left. But he still has work to do.

A half hour before Tiger Woods walked into the first tee box, Trevor Immelman walked off the nearby 18th green with his second consecutive 68, leaving him at 8 under par halfway through the Masters. Thus, Tiger was eight shots down before he began.

Immelman can play. That's an opinion but also an achievement, considering he was so sick here last year he was in an emergency room with a stomach ailment. And that wasn't close to being his worst health crisis of the year. In December, he was operated on for a tumor that turned out to be benigh. But no one knew that for two days, while the mass was being tested. Talk about two days of pressure.

"It was a speed bump, really," Immelman said when he was asked about how the ordeal affected his view on life. "It can be taken from you real fast."

Immelman took advantage of perfectly beautul conditions, making birdies on the tough final two holes. It might have been an even greater achievement than making the cut despite being so sick here last April.

He remained one shot ahead of Brandt Snedeker, who also birdied the final two holes.

And Phil Mickelson is steadily moving along. At the moment, he's 4 under with a bogeyless round through 12.

Specifically, don't try this on your home course.. But really there is nothing in the rules against taking a swing with a wedge at a ball on the green. Brandt Snedeker did it on No. 6 just a few minutes ago, made birdie and moved into a tie for the lead at 5 under.

Oddly, I had been walking on the course, passing a British reporter and we both agreed there was no sparkle out on the course today. I went over to the par-3 6th and figured I'd watch Snedeker hit. I almost left becuase he wasn't anywhere near the hole. In fact, he didn't believe he could putt the ball to the hole through a piece of fringe that jutted out.

So he took out his wedge and made the crowd murmur when he started taking practice swings. He set up at the ball and took a good swipe at it. He got it in the air and allowed it to rull...right into the cup! What a roar, what a shot. And he didn't take a divot.

The superintendent at ryour course would want to strangle you if he saw you try that. Then again, superintendents have to make sure that if you're on the green you always can putt to the hole.

Now, back to the course and see what other big event I might see. You'll be the first to know

Nine Players in the Masters Field who Have New York Connections:

1. Johnson Wagner. Grew up in Garrison, dominated Met Section events
2. Ray Floyd. Won U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills and moved in. Has a house in Southampton, is a member at Shinnecock
3. Vijay Singh. Three-time winner at Westchester
4. Ernie Els. Back-to-back winner at Westchester
5. Padraig Harrington. Won at Westchester
6. Retief Goosen. Won U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills
7. Tiger Woods. Won U.S. Open at Bethpage
8. Phil Mickelson. Was adopted as a favorite by crowd at Bethpage, has been a popular honorary New Yorker ever since (nearly won the Open at Shinnecock)
9. Sergio Garcia. Won at Westchester, ran afoul of the fans at Bethpage by making a gesture toward them.

Say what you will about Augusta National Golf Club--and there is plenty that women can say about the all-male membership--but they sure do know how to run a tournament here. There is a certain can-do attitude that pervades the Masters.

If there's a slippery spot outside the ropes where "patrons" walk, you can bet there will be some traction-friendly traction mixture there in minutes. The club is sparing no expense in building a new, lavish practice facility that will be ready the year after next. They made a great new spectator spot alongside the 16th green by clearing brush and building an elaborate wooden stairway.

They don't sit on all the profits they make from tickets and merchandise (and man, do they sell merchandise, the line to just get in and shop can be 100 yards long). They're not afraid to pump it back into the tournament. Golf media members are appreciative this year for the new information stations at each seat, and for the extraordinary new restaurant-caliber eating area.

Doug Ferguson, the outstanding Associated Press golf beat writer who is president of the Golf Writers Association of America, made a formal verbal thank you during chairman Billy Payne's news conference Wednesday. Ferguson ended his remarks by j