The object of the Chopstick Challenge is quite simple: see how many golf balls you can pick up in 60 seconds... using chopsticks. Which from the looks of this European Tour video isn't all that easy.
The event took place last week during the Euro tour's yearly China swing and features a diverse array of global golf stars. Not surprisingly Chinese golfer Liang Wen-Chong seems singularly skilled in this particular discipline.
I'm thinking it might be fun to hold a Chopstick Challenge at our house a couple of weeks from now, at Thanksgiving, when we have all those unruly relatives over. By the time the turkey dinner is done we're always in need of some animation... and the golf ball water globe was destroyed at last year's celebration after copious amounts were consumed.
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Thursday
Talking Turkey: A Golf Destination at the Crossroads of Europe and Asia
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| Traveling Twins In Istanbul © Golf Girl Media |
It was a spontaneous trip. I was living in Paris at the time, and my twin sister was based in Tokyo... when we unexpectedly found ourselves with the same week off it seemed Turkey might be a perfect mid-way meeting point.
Turns out it was. From the stunning Byzantine architecture of its bustling capital, to an expansive countryside rich in antiquities... not to mention an absolutely sublime seacoast... our week in Turkey was stellar.
There was no golf on that trip. It was before we'd ever played the game, and in Turkey the sport was then still in its infancy. However, the return trip we've been planning... for almost twenty years... will almost certainly revolve around golf.
These days golf holidays in Turkey are ultra-easy to plan, and dozens of courses offer a huge variety of playing experiences to golfers of all levels. The epicenter of the sport is the town of Belek, in Antalya province, on the alluring Adriatic coast. The area now welcomes recreational golfers form around the globe. Another sign of golf's growth in Turkey... and a testament to the standard of some of its courses... are the professional tournaments that now take place in the country; Lee-Anne Pace picked up her sixth LET title at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open place earlier this year, and in a couple of weeks The Turkish Airlines Open will welcome the world's top players, including Tiger Woods, Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose.
In addition to the on-course action, Turkey golf holidays offer travelers the opportunity to experience a country steeped in history, with a stunning coastline and a cosmopolitan capital city full of breathtaking Byzantine monuments. Oh, and the food! Turkish cuisine, with its melding of Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Balkan flavors, is as good as it gets.
I'm hoping to make my long-awaited return trip to Turkey next Spring and I've no doubt it'll be worth the wait.
This post is brought to you by our partner, Golf Escapes , however as always, the story & opinions are 100% my own.
Wednesday
Memorabilia Mystery Solved - A Most Remarkable Little Golf Pencil
That no one came up with the right answer is not at all surprising. The proportions weren't obvious in the original post, and besides, who would ever think a pencil could look anything like that?
But it IS in fact, a pencil... a golf pencil in the form of a watch fob; the tiny charm that would hang from the chain of a Victorian golfer's pocket watch.
The graphite writing point is described as "a very hard, never ending lead implant" and it certainly looks like it's holding up well... considering that it's been around for over a century.
Sunday
Rare & Wonderful, But What is It? Another Golf Memorabilia Mystery.
First of all, it's tiny; no bigger than an acorn really, and as you can see, it's made of metal.
It's a Victorian piece, probably from the late 1800's, and though it's meant to be worn, it's also utilitarian. It serves a purpose... in fact, a couple of purposes... that golfers and non-golfers alike might appreciate, but this was clearly created with a golfer in mind.
That's about all I can tell you about this particular item. Any idea what it is?
Wednesday
Hermès Does Golf: Scarves, Bags & An Impressive Place For Putting
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Coveted by fashionistas of all ages, the sumptuous silk squares are an enduring symbol of French fashion finesse, and when you consider that, A. they're still individually hand crafted, and B. the silk of 250 mulberry moth cocoons is required for each scarf, the several hundred dollar price tag seems... if not affordable... understandable.
Since 1937, Hermès has produced over 25,000 unique designs, a number of them featuring golf. In 1968 there was "The Royal and Ancient Game of Golf" a charming traditional design. A few years later came "Les Balles de Golf", which, despite its assertive golf theme, is probably my least favorite Hermès design ever. It's basically just a couple of hundred hyper-realistic white golf balls on a colored background. Sure, the golf balls are artfully rendered... and the background colors are ultra-pure, but it has none of the frothy detail I've come to expect from la maison Hermès. My absolute favorite Hermès design is Swing. Pictured above, it was introduced in 1979 in several color palettes. It's geometrically modern, but with a definite nod to the regal designs of the past... and of course it's all about golf.
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Monday
Critters on the Course - Animal Encounters Add Excitement to Golf
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| Salem Golf Club, N. Salem, NY © Golf Girl Media |
A golf course, by its very nature, can be an ideal place to observe wildlife. Whether you play on a traditional seaside links course, a lush parkland spread or an unlikely desert oasis, sooner or later you'll probably have a close encounter with a critter or two.
Autumn with its ripened berries, falling chestnuts and burnished golden foliage, is prime time for nature watchers in the northeastern US; last week, just off a pristine fairway at Salem Golf Club, our foursome observed a white tail deer casually rubbing his antlers on the bark of an ancient oak tree. It was all very picturesque until he began pounding his hoof on the ground in a blatantly aggressive manner. We collectively conceded that this eight point buck might be the most effective deterrent to slow play... ever.
This past weekend, along with a US victory, The Presidents Cup celebrated... with giddy enthusiasm... a squirrel. Sammy, as the affable rodent was known, quickly became the team mascot and provided multiple moments of brightness in a competition that took place under consistently somber skies.
Less famous than Sammy, but far more imposing was the female grizzly bear who'd been haunting the golf courses at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in British Columbia for most of the summer. It seems the ursine interloper was attracted to the area by a berry patch and salmon stream. She was finally trapped and moved to higher ground ... and wildlife officials made sure to outfit the golf course grizzly with a tracking collar to assure an advanced warning should she again be tempted to try her paws at the Creekside Par 3.
Finally, there's the now famous fairway fox at Verbier Golf Club in Verbier, Switzerland. Local residents and golfers playing the alpine course have been entertained... and frustrated... by the playful omnivore since early September. You see, this sly canid isn't content to sit on the sidelines. According to observers, he appears on course each afternoon and proceeds to steal golf balls. The impressive action is documented in the video below, and has garnered Foxy a share of celebrity; BBC News, CNN and the Huffington Post have all covered his antics. It's interesting to note that Foxy's course of choice is also a par-3. Perhaps critters prefer the playability of a shorter course.
With more and more courses focused on sustainability and conservation golfers can expect more frequent meetings with wildlife. Fortunately, for most who love the sport animal encounters only add to its awesomeness.
Wednesday
The Symposium on Affordable Golf: Taking On Golf's Biggest Challenges
The 2013 gathering will take place on October 28th - 29th and will feature outstanding speakers from all walks of golf. As in past years, the Symposium is open to anyone with a connection to golf and/or a concern for its future ...and it's free.
I've written about the Symposium on Affordable Golf... and its exceptional founder, Richard Mandell... in the past, and though I haven't yet been able to attend the event, I hope to eventually change that. In the meantime the Symposium website has videos of each year's talks. The topics are timely and the exchange of ideas allows one to look at golf's challenges from a variety of different perspectives, which make them well worth watching.
Information about attending the Symposium on Affordable Golf is on their website.
Friday
Ryo Ishikawa Has A Birthday... and Earns His 2014 PGA Tour Card
Several years ago he was known as the Bashful Prince, a talented teenage golfer who stormed to the summit of fame in his native Japan and delighted fans everywhere with his sweet, shy smile.
Ryo Ishikawa played his first PGA Tour events in 2009. Trailed by a constant crowd of Japanese journalists, his abilities impressed many as he lit up the fairways with a whimsical candy-colored wardrobe.
Expectations for the precocious phenom were stratospheric. By the Spring of 2010 more than a few golf scribes were looking for one of golf's alliterative young guns... Rory, Rickie or Ryo... to quickly become that mythical entity known as "the next Tiger". In retrospect those predictions seem somewhat silly; here we are in waning months of 2013 and Tiger's just captured both the PGA of America's Player of the Year Award and the Vardon Trophy... for the 11th and 9th time, respectively. Even the most committed Tiger detractors seem to accept that we probably won't see "the next Tiger"
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Monday
Today's Top 10: Vintage Golf Treasures You Can Own for Under $50
These days there's a massive nostalgia for the 20th century. As a result, idiosyncratic objects once considered archaic and uncool, are reemerging from attics and basements. Vintage artifacts from decades past are being coveted by collectors and sought after by those seeking to reconnect with what now seems a simpler time.
Golf, in a sense, came of age in the 20th century, and as a result it's not difficult to find a diverse array of fascinating items from the game's past. Whether or not you'd ever want to bring them into your home, it can be comforting to know they're out there... and for those who are so inclined, golf collectibles can be quite accessible. Check out my top 10 list HERE.
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Tuesday
GolfersLust: A Golf Themed Calendar... With "A Touch of Eroticism"
Back in the (very) early days of this blog, Natalie Gulbis and Sophie Sandolo were each doing them, while a gaggle of Australian golfers collectively caused some controversy with their daring daybook.
Then, a few years ago, the craze seemed to fade; where sexy glamour shots once ruled, the focus shifted towards sportiness and... golf. The traditionalists were probably pleased with this development, while fans of the sport's sensual side lamented.
Bavarian business partners Kerstin Maria Stretz and Helmut Grabowski are passionate amateur golfers and their goal with GolfersLust is to build a spirited and exciting golf lifestyle brand in a country where the sport is still perceived by many as... conservative, draconian and totally un-fun!
Inspired by the iconic Pirelli calendar... which for decades has enhanced the image of a venerable Italian tire manufacturer... Stretz and Grabowski were convinced that such a publication could help to sweep away the dusty perceptions many still have about golf. So they assembled a team that included fashion photographer Ulrich H.M. Wolf and makeup artist Bettina Wolf... both well known for their work in the European fashion scene... and headed to Ibiza. A number of stunning models (and some top of the line golf equipment) were the final ingredients.
The result is GolfersLust, an elegant calendar with... in Stretz's words... "a touch of eroticism". Golf is the theme, but I think it's safe to say, these photos transcend the game. Oh, the purists will not be pleased, that's for sure, but I don't think that matters much to the team at GolfersLust, they're too busy creating their singular golf lifestyle brand. The calender can be ordered at the GolfersLust website.
Wednesday
The Evian Resort Golf Club Course: A Quick Look At The Transformation
While the stunning Alpine backdrop remains unchanged, a slew of "substantial changes" have taken place to the fairways and greens... and bunkers and lakes... of the Evian Resort Golf Club Course.
Work started a year ago and continued through Spring to ensure that the much-loved course would meet major championship standards. That meant changes to all 18 holes with some rebuilt entirely. The video below is your ultra-condensed version of the 9 month construction project.
Work started a year ago and continued through Spring to ensure that the much-loved course would meet major championship standards. That meant changes to all 18 holes with some rebuilt entirely. The video below is your ultra-condensed version of the 9 month construction project.
Sunday
Epic Backyard Golf Course Has Eight Amazing Holes & A Sustainable Side
Personal putting greens are one thing; a small patch of land and a minimal investment are all that's needed for a basic green ...and installation specialists are relatively easy to find.
We even have a friend who installed his own putting green... over a long weekend. (while his golf-hating wife was conveniently out of town)
When it comes to backyard golf installations however, there are those that go way beyond the basic. Earlier this year we wrote about some stellar golf homes in the Hamptons but nothing I've seen there... or anywhere... can compare to the fantasmagorical golf paradise that renowned golf coach David Pelz has created at his home in Dripping Springs, TX.
Wall Street Journal called it the world's greatest backyard and it's easy to understand why. It's a lush, verdant landscape, spread across two and a half undulating acres and punctuated by sparkling basins of alabaster sand, and I'm guessing its beauty would impress even those with little interest in the game of golf. For one who plays, there's the added awesomeness of a golf architecture... including faithful reproductions of some of the sport's most famous holes... perfectly suited to taking that all important short game to the next level.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about this epic golf environment is the fact that it's made entirely out of SYNLawn, an amazing, hyper-realistic synthetic turf that requires no water, fertilizer, pesticides or mowing. The Pelz paradise has inspired me to think about installing a putting green in my yard. The idea of a beautiful, realistic, environmentally friendly practice area just steps from my back door is very appealing and with zero time spent on maintenance I'll have lots of time time to spend on my gorgeous green.
Monday
A Legendary Golfer Will Dance With the Stars, Presumably in Purple
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| Dancing Golf Shoes © Golf Girl Media |
Tony Jacklin took the golf world by storm in the late 60s and held the British and US Open titles simultaneously in 1970. That remarkable achievement... along with his stellar Ryder Cup record... was an inspiration to a generation of European golfers and was instrumental in the growth of European golf.
These days the "Lion of Lytham" keeps busy designing courses. He also actively promotes the game as a global ambassador, golf media personality and public speaker. And soon... it seems... the sprightly 69 year old will be demonstrating his hitherto unknown sense of rhythm in the popular British TV show Strictly Come Dancing, the original Dancing With The Stars.
It may seem like a stretch to go from golf to ballroom dance but it's been done before. Jan Stephenson did it on the Australian version of DWTS... she even used a golf club as a prop in one of her routines... but to no avail. She was eliminated in the third round. Tony Jacklin is certainly hoping for a longer run, and if his tenacity on the golf course is any indication he'll probably get it. And it's a good bet he'll be wearing some purple.
Sunday
In Theaters September 20th, "The Short Game" Has Come a Long Way
I wrote about "The Short Game" in early March when it was about to premiere in the feature documentary category at SXSW.
Like lots of golf fans I fell in love with the film... and its precocious cast... the first time I viewed the trailer, but I worried a distribution deal might not materialize in a landscape where a risk-averse distribution system seems to shy away from movies without extravagant special effects and A-list stars.
Well, I needn't have worried, "The Short Game" ultimately won the SXSW Audience Award, other awards followed during the Spring and Summer, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel signed on as executive producers and in early August a distribution deal was secured.
The film will hit theaters on September 20th.
Wednesday
The Secret Lives... and Surprising Metaphorical Possibilities... of Golf Balls
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| Golf Ball Guts Illustration: Golf Girl Media |
Golf balls have been getting a bit of a bad rap lately.
No less an authority than Jack Nicklaus recently stated that he felt golf balls were largely to blame for slow play. That's problematic when you consider that slow play... for many golfers and golf fans... is the scourge of the game. Or at least the scourge du jour.
The tiny, dimpled orbs have also taken some flak due to environmental concerns. Probably because it takes hundreds of years for a golf ball to decompose naturally... and because some 300 million of them are lost in the US each year. There are however, some innovative solutions to that problem.
Then there are all the stories about the errant golf balls that make calamitous contact with people and possessions. Certainly those anecdotes do nothing to enhance the reputation of that much maligned white sphere we chase around our verdant courses.
Leave it to a non-golfing artist to show us the golf ball's gorgeous side... or inside as it were... and allow us to appreciate the unique multi-chromatic beauty hidden within. The hero is photographer James Friedman, who had the ingenious idea of simply splitting a bunch of golf balls down the middle, presumably with some kind of saw. What was revealed, and artfully presented by Mr. Friedman, was something quite stunning... and rather delightful.
The story's been all over the place these past few days, allowing the humble golf ball to transcend the sport into the realms of tech and design, with Mashable gushing about the golf ball's gorgeous guts, while Gizmodo compared one bisected ball's close-up to... a pint of dragon fire ice cream. I'm not sure, but I think that's a very flattering comparison.
The photographer said it best when he wrote, "To my surprise, what I found inside inspired me to consider that I could discover, in the unlikeliest of places, elegant formal qualities and surprising metaphorical possibilities."
* You can admire each of James Friedman's sexy golf ball portraits (and his other amazing projects) at his website jamesfriedmanphotographer.com
Golf's Water Hog Reputation... And Its Little Known Green Side
In communities where water is scarce, the perception of lush emerald fairways and perfectly verdant greens... maintained at great cost for an elite few... often strikes residents as a frivolous allocation of this most vital resource.
Whether the cause of a water shortage is prolonged drought or rapid population growth... or whether there even is a water shortage in a particular area... golf courses are seen by many as the consummate water hogs. And golfers, by association, are looked upon as self-indulgent, inconsiderate, porcine primadonnas. Not a flattering image, to say the least.
However as Attaya Anthony points out in a recent article in the Sun Sentinel, many golf courses are actually helping to replenish drinking water. It's a fascinating piece that highlights the role of turf grass as a natural filtration system ...and the thing is, this is just one of numerous environmental benefits a golf course can provide when managed with sustainability in mind. As more golfers are educated to these facts, the hope is that they'll support those with an eco-friendly focus, and the sport's water hog reputation will ...pardon the pun ...no longer hold water.
Monday
"From the Rough": The Upcoming Film & The Amazing Story Behind It
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| "From The Rough" Help Support an Independent Film |
Whether it be on the fairways and greens, or during the four day grind of a major tournament, that implausible errant tee shot, the putt that seems to defy gravity... those are the kind of things that can quickly lead to an unforeseen reversal of fortune.
Golf can change the path of a career as well. Such was certainly the case for the extraordinary Catana Starks who after working as a swim coach for the Tennessee State Tigers made history when she became the first woman ever to coach a men's NCAA golf team. The story is all the more remarkable because Starks actually built the team herself, assembling what seemed like a motley group of players and transforming them into a winning force. Her team secured an NCAA Regional Championship invitation and a Division I-record win the National Minority Championship.
So impressive are Catana Starks' accomplishments that her story has now been made into a full length feature film due to be released this year. One look at the trailer (below) convinced me... and will probably convince you... that "From the Rough" is going to be a compelling, ultra-inspiring movie experience.
The thing is, even though the film is complete and ready to be released, getting it wide distribution and is going to be a challenge... as it always tends to be with independent films... because of the cost involved: over $1,000 to get it onto just one big screen!
To increase awareness and get "From the Rough" into as many theaters as possible, the producers have launched a funding campaign via Indigogo. There are various participation levels, each with nice perks for funders. Have a look at the campaign, and at the film's website. If you can't participate in the funding part, you can support the movie via social media. Like, follow, friend, etc... and encourage your contacts to do the same. Then watch for updates so you can see "From the Rough" when it comes to your town.
From the Rough on Facebook ... Twitter ... YouTube
Friday
A 4th of July Weekend Dedicated to Golf, Garden & Garage
Of course we've all lived through less-than-perfect Independence Days, because in reality, many parts of the country are subject to the possibility of heavy rain or extreme sweltering heat at this time of year. However it's the perfect ones we tend to remember. Fortunately.
Here in CT, 2013 has presented us with a 4th we won't soon forget. Pretty close to classic, it may have been a tad too hot/humid for some, but after an extremely wet month of June, the past couple of days have been sunny and dry.
This fortunate turn of meteorological events has allowed us to put a dent in our perceived golf deficit - playing twice in three days will make up for those couple of golf-less weeks in June. Unfortunately, we've also been running a bit of a deficit in the home and garden departments, thus numerous hours of digging in the dirt and a much-postponed mucking-out of our massive garage are also on the menu. Such
Monday
Women's Golf: The Babe, The Queen Bee and Who's Coming in Second
That's Babe with a capital B, and the Babe in question... the one everyone wants to emulate... is the legendary Babe Zaharias.
Now there's a contemporary golfer who's actually achieving those aspirations.
With her US Women's Open win yesterday, on the undulating greens of Sebonack Country Club, Inbee Park reached a level of... well, Babedom... that hasn't been seen since 1950.
Like the iconic Mrs. Zaharias did in the mid-20th century, the 24 year-old Korean has won the season's first three majors. If Park wins next month at the Ricoh Women's British Open she'll actually be able to best the Babe by winning the season's fourth major.
Mind you, there were only three majors back in 1950. Had there been more, The Babe would have had them in her sights and I suspect she'd have won them. One of her best known quotes, reflects the confidence that would likely have taken her there: "The Babe's here, who's coming in second?"
At Sebonack fellow players spoke about Park's performance with amazement. Brittany Lincicome went so far as to say it seemed she was, "...playing a different golf course," and Paula Creamer asked, "What are you going to do when you go against someone that hot?"
I have a feel next month at The Old Course in St. Andrews I'm guessing we might hear that famous Babe Zaharias quote adapted for the 21st Century: "The Queen Bee is here, who's coming in second?"
Saturday
Stop in Harris, MI on "Road to the LPGA" is Much Loved by Players & Fans
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| Sweetgrass Golf Course Photo via @SweetgrassGolf |
The world's top female golfers are playing, though right now all eyes are on the Queen Bee, as she attempts to achieve a history-making win in the singular coastal setting. A compelling weekend of golf is all but guaranteed.
Meanwhile, a thousand miles away on Michigan's upper peninsula, another women's golf tournament is taking place in an equally sublime... but decidedly different... setting. The Island Resort Championship is an event on the Symetra Tour; the tour known as the "Road to the LPGA". It began today at Sweetgrass Golf Club in the township of Harris, MI.
Among players, The event has become one of the most popular stops on tour. A welcoming community, enthusiastic fans and a stellar course in top condition, are some of the things that make The Island Resort Championship such an anticipated tournament. In fact, here's what Canada's Nicole Vanderware had to say about the crowds at yesterday's opening round:
“This might be the most fans I’ve ever seen out here supporting us,” said Vanderware. “There are so many out here on nine and 18, clapping and cheering for you. It’s been awesome. I’ve never been here before and it’s been great, everyone is so friendly.”Similar sentiments have been expressed by Symetra Tour players since the tour first started coming to Harris in 2011.
Far from the glitzy, high profile Hamptons, the fans and host families in this pristine, upper-peninsula enclave, are inspiring future champions. Inspiring the women who spend endless hours on the road, and practice relentlessly in pursuit of LPGA dreams.
Follow the Island Resort Championship via the Symetra Tour website and on Twitter via @road2lpga Also, check out the Symetra Tour Facebook page.
