By KrisF on 3/29/2009

I got a call from a friend of mine in Seattle Sunday afternoon (KIRO's Chris Sullivan) and he told me that he had been wearing the Bay Hill hat I'd recently given him.  He's a Tiger fan and was hoping to see a little magic over the weekend.Oddly enough, he got it.  While some are willing to chalk up Tiger's win on Sunday to the game's best player being himself, I'd say that there were a lot of factors that went Woods' way in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.First off, there's Tiger's skill.  He made a bunch of clutch putts coming down the stretch that continuously put pressure on Sean O'Hair.  It's hard to play with the crowds that follow Tiger, and even harder to play when he's making great shots and whipping those crowds into a frenzy.Second, there was O'Hair's attitude going into the final round of the tournament.  Right from the start, he looked like a beaten man, like he knew he was going to end up on the short end of the stick when the tournament was over.  He just wasn't ready to get over that hump.So...

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By KrisF on 3/27/2009

Golfsmith customers who have purchased a new TaylorMade R9, r7 Limited or '09 Burner driver now have reason to cheer for Sergio Garcia at next month's Masters.  If El Nino wins at Augusta, Golfsmith will refund the entire purchase price of the drivers to their customers.

A big risk for Golfsmith?  Hardly.

In addition to being a notoriously shaky putter (not good on those slick Augusta National greens), Garcia only has two top ten finishes at the Masters.  In fact, aside from those two places, he's never placed higher than 28th.  Great record.

But, to hedge their bets, Golfsmith bought an insurance policy that will cover the cash they've be giving back, should Sergio suddenly pull it together.

Make no mistake, I'm a fan of Garcia's. Having met him and played a round with him, I know he has the game and can make the shots needed to win a major. I just don't think the first one of the year is where he'll make his breakthrough.

By KrisF on 3/25/2009

GoDaddy.com, the web domain service that's made its name with racy Super Bowl ads featuring sexy women, has announced that a new spokesperson has been signed. Anna Rawson, an LPGA golfer, will join Danika Patrick, Vanessa Rousso and Candice Michelle in pitching for GoDaddy.com.Who the hell is Anna Rawson?  As someone who spends way too much time at the LPGA's stop here in Portland (the Safeway Classic), I can tell you that Rawson is one of the most attractive women on tour - and she knows it.  She's only in her second year on tour (Rawson made just over $62k last year, making the cut five times in 13 tries), and has her hand in several different pies like writing and fashion.Rawson's recent...

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By KrisF on 3/23/2009

Anyone who's ever been to the Resort at the Mountain knows that it's a special property. Three nine-hole tracks all have unique qualities about them that can make for a really nice 27-hole round with family and friends.Players who have been there also know that it wouldn't hurt for all three courses to be undated, just a bit.  That's exactly what's happening this year.The Foxglove course is currently closed while greens, tee boxes and bunkers are being remodeled.  It's expected to open sometime in the early Summer months for public play.  The other two courses will get upgrades later in the year.I've always looked at The Resort as a great way for folks from Portland to get out of the city for a day in the Summer.  When it's wickedly hot in the valley, you can drive just over an hour to Welches and The Resort and be in much cooler climes for a round of golf.  It's quick, it's easy and rooms and golf aren't that expensive.Naturally, if you're looking for a great stay-and-play package for The Resort, Northwest Golf...

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By KrisF on 3/21/2009

I normally don't get all that excited to see Tiger Woods in the field for a regular PGA TOUR stop.  It's always fun to watch him in the majors as he chase Nicklaus' record, but the regular events aren't that thrilling.  The Arnold Palmer Invitational will be a little different for me this year, though.I got a chance to play Bay Hill Country Club for the first time in November.  It was one of the rare chances I got to play the site of a professional tournament (read about my round in Pacific Northwest Golfer Magazine). I'd watched the Bay Hill on television many times, but have a new appreciation for it after a loop there.The guys I played with that sunny day in Orlando both wanted to play the course from the tips.  It was a lot of fun to visualize where the galleries would be and what it would be like to stand next to some of the world's best as they made their way around the course.  Back to Tiger.Now that Woods has committed to defending...

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