Golf Buzz

Ryder Cup TV ratings best since 1999
October 1, 2012 - 3:46pm
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John Holmes
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Ryder Cup on TV
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The ratings for this Ryder Cup are up about 20 percent over the last Ryder Cup held in the United States.

The Ryder Cup's final day drew its highest preliminary TV rating since the last big comeback 13 years ago, NBC Sports said on Monday.

Sunday's coverage earned a 4.1 overnight rating and 9 share, NBC told the Associated Press. That was the best since a 6.3/15 for the U.S. comeback in 1999 in Brookline, Mass.

The preliminary rating was up 21 percent from the last Ryder Cup in the United States, a 3.4 for the U.S. victory at Valhalla in Louisville, Ky., in 2008.

Ratings represent the percentage of all homes with televisions tuned to a program. Shares represent the percentage of all homes with TVs in use at the time. Overnight ratings measure the country's largest markets.

 

 
The bookies didn't see it coming, either
October 1, 2012 - 12:26pm
Posted by:
John Holmes
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European Ryder Cup team
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The players don't get paid for the Ryder Cup, but some bettors who kept the faith on the Europeans sure did.

There’s no shame in admitting that you didn’t see Europe’s history-making rally to win the Ryder Cup coming. Neither did some of Britain's biggest bookmakers.

Betting on sports is legal in Britain, and betting can even take place while the action is going on, with the odds shifting depending on what’s happening at the time. The Europeans, down 10-6 to the Americans heading into the singles, teed off Sunday morning facing 8-to-1 odds against them coming back to win the Ryder Cup – and that, I have to say, seemed like pretty short odds at the time, given the enormity of the challenge they faced.

Yet even as players like Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy piled up some early points for the blue and gold, the odds on a European win rose to as high as 14 to 1. So the folks who were brave enough to bet on Europe at that time were nicely compensated for keeping the faith.

The bets that cost the bookmakers the most, according to Britain’s PA Sport wire service, came right at the very end of the day. One was that Martin Kaymer or Francesco Molinari would secure the winning point or half point. The odds on either of those players were 33 to 1, seeing as how the oddsmakers figured the Ryder Cup would be decided before their matches were complete.

The other, which developed as the singles progressed, was that the Ryder Cup would end in a 14-14 tie. It looked to be headed that way until Tiger Woods missed a relatively short putt on the 18th hole and then conceded Molinari’s putt. That meant their individual match ended all square, but made the final score 14 ½ to 13 ½.

"While it was impossible not to get caught up in such a fantastic victory, Woods' miss resulted in us taking a really heavy beating," SkyBet's Ned Brooker told PA Sport.

No worries, though. The bookmakers have already laid down the preliminary odds for the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, Scotland. The Europeans are a 10/11 favorite to win yet again, and Paul McGinley of Ireland is the favorite to be named Europe's skipper.

You can even bet on who you think will make the team. Right now, the 12 favorites to be on that 2014 European squad are, in order: Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Nicolas Colsaerts, Matteo Manassero, Peter Hanson and Francesco Molinari.

 

 

 
A well-deserved exhale
October 1, 2012 - 12:31am
Posted by:
John Holmes
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Martin Kaymer at the Ryder Cup
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I cannot begin to understand how it feels to endure the kind of pressure that golfers like Martin Kaymer and Steve Stricker faced late Sunday with the Ryder Cup on the line and the whole world watching. But I’m betting that, after that clinching putt goes in and your whole world goes nuts, it feels pretty darn good to sit by yourself for a minute in the locker room and just let it all sink in.

Congrats to the players on both teams, who once again made the Ryder Cup the single most compelling event in all of sports.
Ogio's Endurance Lightweight Collection lightens the load
September 30, 2012 - 12:02am
Posted by:
John Holmes
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Ogio Nebula golf bag
Courtesy of Ogio Golf
The Nebula men's carry bag weighs in at mere 3.8 pounds.

Ogio has introduced its Endurance Lightweight Collection, the newest addition to its award-winning arsenal of golf bags. The collection consists of four men's and two women's cart and stand bags ranging in weight from 3.6 to 4.8 pounds. The new bags combine the synergy of high tensile and lightweight materials, like those used for building parachutes, says Ogio.

The Cirrus (men's cart bag) features a 14-way Diamond UltraLite Performance cart top with full-length club dividers and integrated handles, along with 10 zippered pockets and a weather-resistant fleece-lined valuables pocket with cell phone sleeve. It weighs in at 4.8 pounds and retails for $199.99.

The Aura (women's cart bag) also weighs 4.8 pounds and contains a 14-way Diamond UltraLite Performance cart top with full-length club dividers and integrated handles. Its deluxe padded shoulder strap is complemented by 10 zippered pockets and a weather-resistant fleece-lined valuables pocket with cell phone sleeve. It retails for $199.99.

The Nebula (men's carry bag) comes with a 10-inch mouth and a six-way performance top with full-length club dividers, and weighs in at 3.8 pounds. It also has eight zippered pockets and a weather-resistant fleece-lined valuables pocket with cell phone sleeve. A four-point harness shoulder strap is accompanied by an accessible water bottle holster, and the bag retails for $199.99.

The Nimbus (men's carry bag) features a nine-inch mouth and a seven-way performance top with side putter pit, full-length club dividers and integrated handle. The bag also includes six zippered pockets, a weather-resistant fleece-lined valuables pocket with cell phone sleeve, a four-point harness shoulder strap and an accessible water bottle holster. It tips the scales at 3.6 pounds, and retails for $179.99.

The Wisp (men's carry bag) offers a nine-inch WoodeLite top with full-length club dividers and a triple triangle shoulder strap system. Five zippered pockets are accompanied by a weather-resistant fleece-lined valuables pocket and an accessible water bottle holster. It weighs four pounds, and retails for $149.99.

The Halo (women's carry bag) also comes with a nine-inch mouth and seven-way performance top with side putter pit, full-length club dividers and integrated handle. It has six zippered pockets, a wather-resistant fleece-lined valuables pocket with cell phone sleeve and a four-point harness shoulder strap. It weighs 3.6 pounds, and retails for $179.99.

For more information, visit http://ogio.com/golf-5/endurance.

 

 
PGA National opens Institute of Performance as part of makeover
September 28, 2012 - 11:22pm
Posted by:
John Holmes
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PGA National
Courtesy of PGA National
PGA National is wrapping up a $100 million makeover.

PGA National Resort & Spa – the home of the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. – has opened its Institute of Performance.

This new training facility will provide advanced methods of sport-specific training, nutritional counseling and education to enable athletes to reach full their goals and potential, PGA National officials said. It will focus on four core programs: national and collegiate team training and consulting; elite player development; onsite educational conferences; and recreational golfer improvement.

David Donatucci has been named the institute’s director. He was formerly the director of fitness and performance for the PGA of America. With scores of top golf professionals on his resume, Donatucci currently works with 2010 U.S. Amateur champion Peter Uihlein, LPGA Tour standout Stacy Lewis, 2011 British Amateur champion Bryden Macpherson and 2011 Florida High School Class 2A champion Richard Donegan.

"Our goal for the new facility is to not only help the best players in the world reach their highest potential, but anyone who plays the game and wants to improve," said Donatucci. "Whether training to win the Masters, U.S. Open, LPGA money title or a club championship, we'll design an ideal regimen for peak performance and success."

The unveiling of the Institute of Performance coincides with the final stages of a $100 million renovation at PGA National.

Among the work being done is revitalizing the resort’s rooms and corridors with modern furniture and accent lighting, new carpet and blackout curtains, HD packages and iPad stations. The resort also is creating a series of specialty suites, including lush bridal suites, tranquil spa retreat suites and fully loaded media/game suites.

In addition, the 19th Hole bar is being rechristened Bar 91 and given increased seating, a built-in buffet and salad bar, and a stacked stone fireplace with a view of the lake. The Citrus Tree also is being revitalized. Renamed the Palm Terrace, it will feature three private dining areas, textured walls and a landscaped outdoor firewall.

PGA National also is unveiling the Lakeside Lawn, a new waterfront outdoor venue that will host a variety of celebrations and events. And the resort’s Haig Course is wrapping up a makeover that will see it renamed the Fazio Course and boast new grass, larger greens and championship-style tee-boxes.

For more information, visit www.pgaresort.com

 
Nicklaus endorses Romney
September 28, 2012 - 6:27pm
Posted by:
Steve Eubanks
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Mitt Romney, Jack Nicklaus
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Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney got a Golden Bear of an endorsement in Columbus, Ohio as Jack Nicklaus hit the stump and offered his unmitigated support.
Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney got one of central Ohio’s most important endorsements this week.

Jack Nicklaus went out on the stump for Romney at a Columbus, Ojio, event, and he encouraged all his native Ohioans to vote for the Republican in November.

"When I won, I certainly didn't apologize for my success," Nicklaus said in reference to one of the criticism levied toward President Obama from the Romney campaign.

"I once said that the worst thing you can do in golf is dwell on a bad shot, because it will affect your next swing," Nicklaus went on. "We are too late to change recent history, but we can write a better future for ourselves, for our children and for their children, beginning by putting Mitt Romney in the White House."
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