The Druzy Putting Green: A Rather Odd Piece of Golf Jewelry

At first, I didn't know what to make of it.

The headline presents it as a "Cocktail Ring for the Golf Wife" but the styling seems altogether too rustic to complement a contemporary cocktail dress.  The oxidized silver certainly isn't very shiny, and the Garnet Druzy Uvarovite... that crystallized green rock that represents the putting surface... appears to have seen better days.  However it's the silver flag stick that really renders this ring unwearable. Can you imagine what it would be like to wear a ring like this around town... or even just out to dinner?  I can: with an unwieldy object like that on my finger, I'm quite sure I'd end up hurting someone ...or tearing something.  In any case, I'm quite certain disaster would ensue. Then there's the price: $890.00.  It's not quite in my range.

So when a friend of mine showed me this photo the other day I wasn't too impressed.  However I will admit that it's unique.  So with that in mind, I'm posting it, and those who like unique may wish give this ring a second look here.

Iranian Amateur Open - Golf Tournament Transcends Politics

Mehdi M Shanjani - 2012 Iranian Amateur Open Winner.

Dylan Harris didn't let the naysayers dissuade him.  From the time the idea of an international amateur golf tournament in Iran first came to him, the stalwart British travel and event planner confronted myriad obstacles, but this past weekend The Inaugural Iranian Golf Open took place on schedule at Tehran's Enghelab Golf Course.

Despite the endless political posturing that has pitted the Iranian Government against those of Europe and North America for years, despite a takeover of the British embassy by protesters and an errant US spy drone now in Iranian custody... and the resonant rattling of sabers that accompanied those and other events... Dylan Harris persisted ... and this past weekend, working with the Iranian Golfing Federation, he succeeded in staging the tournament.

We'll have more on this groundbreaking tournament, including interviews and commentary from some of the participants, later in this week, but according to Dylan's latest dispatches Iran's Mehdi M Shanjani, took home the trophy, winning the event by two strokes. In an interesting side note, Mr. Shanjani also happens to own the country's largest chocolate factory.

The real story here, and I think this will be revealed as we hear more from Dylan and other IAO participants, is that the vast majority of Iranians are very friendly and completely open to foreigners, that international travelers feel very safe on the streets of Iranian cities, and that despite tensions and animosity created by politicians and perpetuated by news outlets desperate for drama, people who are passionate about golf... whatever their national origins... can get together and enjoy the game.

I had planned to go to Tehran for the tournament myself but in the end had scheduling conflicts that... when combined with negative reaction from friends and family who surmised it would be unsafe... caused me to cancel.  I'm glad Dylan didn't back out... and I definitely plan to be there for the next event.

Golf Refugees: I Love These Guys & Their Multi-chromatic Balls

We've written about Golf Refugees numerous times over the past few years, which isn't surprising as they tend to come up with innovative, exciting products quite regularly. In addition, their unyielding commitment to environmental sustainability is remarkable... and "making golf greener" is something that anyone who loves the game should be thinking about.

The UK based indie eco golf brand produces an awesome, edgy collection carbon neutral organic cotton polos and t-shirts,  and recently introduced a gorgeous line of hand-dyed, striped polos that one can customize to create a beautiful, bespoke golf shirt.
Golf Refugees also produces the BinBag, my favorite golf accessory... ever.

It was their elegant black balls, however, that first caught my eye several years back, making me an instant fan, and now in the spirit of multi-chromatic awesomeness come spiral graphic golf balls.

"These are golf ball designs from Golf Refugees, I want these more than I want anything" 

That was the immediate response from one of their Facebook fans.  I second the emotion... and their awesome looks are the only things these kaleidoscopic orbs have going for them. According to the ball's designer, the line that's created where the clockwise spiral on one side meets the counter-clockwise spiral on the other, serves as a natural alignment aid. How cool is that?  I'm guessing these balls would be easier to find than less brilliant balls... and I'm hoping the double spiral design may just have a hypnotic effect that'll help me get "into the zone" when I'm standing over it.

Visit Golf Refugees' Facebook page and let them know which of the color combinations you like best.

Valero Texas Open: Historic Tournament, Awesome Photo Op

Last month we wrote about the quintessentially Texan Valero Open and its impending 90th birthday celebration. Well, the tournament/celebration is now underway.

Matt Every's history-making, course-record was a highlight of round one... which certainly gives him reason to celebrate... along with the stellar weather, awesome ancilary activities and ultra-enthusiastic fans, ensure that the excitement will continue through the upcoming weekend.

One of the things I love most about golf is its unique history, so I'm really enjoying the VTO throwback photos.  They feature, modern day folk... presumably volunteers, staffers and fans... posing in old-time golf apparel with golden age golf equipment. The full gallery is on the Valero Texas Open Facebook page as are other timely updates from the San Antonio tournament, and I reccomend you check it out.

If you love golf and can't make to the Lone Star State, it's the next best thing to being there.

The Valero Texas Open on Facebook and Twitter

Guan Tian-lang - Is Golf"s New Young Gun Too Young?

At Age 13, Many Feel Guan Tian-lang is too Young
Photo via GolfToday

One year ago, a 12-year-old by the name of Guan Tian-lang won the inaugural Mission Hills Nike Golf Junior Championship and proudly accepted the trophy from his long-time idol, Tiger Woods.

Both wore red as they stood on the stage together, surrounded by golf officials and Nike executives. Looking back at photos of that day, one gets the sense that the precocious, pubescent winner felt more than ready to assume his share of the stage.

Flash forward a few of hundred days and you'll find Guan Tian-lang, at 13, preparing to play in the Volvo China Open this week ...and poised to become the youngest player in European Tour history.

Having finished fourth in a qualifying event three weeks ago, the prodigious young player was put on a reserve list, and for a short while, feared he'd missed his chance at history.  But his hopes were restored when it was announced that the player who won the qualifier already had a China Open exemption.  So the Tiger trajectory... that began when Guan was introduced to golf at age four by his golf-obsessed, Woods worshiping  Dad...  remains solidly on course.

China golf expert, Dan Washburn wrote a piece for ESPN.com back in 2005 about huge impact Tiger Woods was beginning to have on golf in China. In the article Washburn introduces us to Guan Han Wen, an interior designer from Southern China, who spent a considerable amount of money to bring his wife and son up to Sheshan International Golf Club, outside of Shanghai for HSBC Champions tournament where Tiger would be playing.  His son, you may have surmised, was Tian-lang who, at age 7 had just placed fourth in the 6-and-under division at the Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego. 

The record Guan Tian-lang will break this week at age 13 years and 173 days is currently held by Lo Shik-kai who was about 100 days older when he played in the Hong Kong Open almost a decade ago, and as will be the case anytime such an age record is broken there are questions.  It's a given that child prodigies are compelling to watch and young guns make headlines,  but from an ethical standpoint, when is a young gun too young?

Guan Tian-lang on the front page of the European Tour site

"Are we fools?"

Writing in stellar Spanish golf blog Fuera de Límites Ovidiov Vidal asks that question, and it's clear from his post that when it comes to having children as young as 13... however talented and mature they may be... compete in professional tournaments against top tour players, we are, in fact, fools.  ...and exploitative, self-interested fools at that.

As the father of young children himself the spaniard questions the purpose of encouraging such a young kid to play in a top level tournament.  He points out when you put a 13-year-old in this kind of situation, he stands a chance of being unfairly compared to men who started playing before he was even born and as such this kind of test isn't even a good measure of potential.

What it definitely is... no matter what your opinion is on the ethics of encouraging youngsters to play in adult events... is a news story.  Child prodigies are captivating; they grab ratings, sell tickets and generate buzz but as exciting as an ultra-young star like Guan may be, it's hard not to worry about the pressures that such an early entry into the top levels of any sport or dicipline may bring. After all there have been some epic flame outs that are hard to overlook.


Those stories won't stop Guan Tian-lang and his family from forging ahead this we. Nor will they stop the promoters from promoting him, the media from covering him or the fans from clamoring for him and hopefully this particular 13-year-old will be able to keep it all in perspective.


On the topic of child prodigies a couple of interesting links: The Downside of Being a Child Prodigy
presents Alyssa Quart whose own experiences inspired her to write "Hothouse Kids: The Dilemma of the Gifted Child" and 8 Child Prodigies so Amazing They'll Ruin Your Day and humorous look at prodigies both historical and contemporary who are amazing. And they did ruin my day.

Bubba Watson: Stylistic Shifts & Social Media Lessons

After watching Bubba Watson's shot out of the woods for maybe the 10th time, and seeing him interviewed on several prime time TV shows, I came upon PGA Trending - Sean O'Hair and Bubba Watson's Hair, a post I wrote several years ago.

It was May of 2009 Sean O'Hair had just just won at Quail Hollow... despite the presence of a pre-scandal Tiger in field... and The 2012 Masters champion was still a couple of years away from a PGA Tour win.  However he'd taken a share of second, and he... or more specifically his hair... was trending on a social network called Twitter that had just been proclaimed "the next big thing".  Here's an excerpt:

 

... The inimitable, long hitting Bubba Watson, who also edged out Tiger yesterday when he tied with Lucas Glover for second, was, in fact, trending on Twitter.

And a though he played some excellent golf at Q.Hol, much of the BubbaCentric Twittering was not focused on golf, but on ...other aspects of Mr. Watson's persona. Like his...hair:

You see what I mean? ...And the thing is, this charismatic player has undergone a couple of rather radical stylistic transformations over the years as evidenced by the graphic.

So, now that we're officially on the subject of Bubba Watson's hair, which Bubba do you like best?

So yes, that was three years ago.  Watson now owns a green jacket and when it comes to social media he's being seen as something of an expert, and someone to emulate.  Sree Sreenivasan, of Cnet, claims to have learned a few things about twitter from the nascent golf star, he outlines them in "Five Social Media Lessons from Bubba Watson, Masters Champ".

Naomichi Ozaki & the Curious Case of the Mouthpiece DQ

Naomichi Ozaki Photo Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images

Out of Japan yesterday came an interesting story. 

It has nothing to do with Ryo Ishikawa... who's currently T16 at the Token Homemate Cup... but instead involves Naomichi Ozaki, a brilliant player at the other end of the age spectrum, playing in the same tournament.

The 55-year-old, known as Joe, has won 32 times on the Japan Tour, has played on the PGA Tour in the 80s and 90s and has recently been playing on the Champions Tour where he's finished 2nd two times. Yesterday however, Ozaki  ran afoul of Rule 14-3.

For those who don't have their rule books handy that's the one that deals with "Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment".

The "equipment" in question is being described as a "mouthpiece" and here's what I found most interesting: it seems these "mouthpieces" can actually give a player more distance.  From what I understand, the veteran player was discussing the device... and the added distance he got from it... when the realization hit that a mouthpiece, when used for enhancement rather than protection, could be illegal.  Rules officials were asked and ultimately the result was disqualification.

For now I've only found this story in Japanese but I'm guessing there'll be more on it by tomorrow.  In the meantime I'm trying to figure out where I can obtain one of those mouthpieces.

Thank you Minoru Mike Aoki for sharing this unusual story.

Paula Creamer Presents Her Studley Golf Companion

If I had to take a guess at the contents of Paula Creamer's golf bag I'd be thinking there might be some sparkley ball markers... and a supply of pink golf balls. That.. in addition to the kind of equipment that can get it done at the US Women's Open... is the type of thing I'd think of.

What I probably wouldn't think of,  Paula reveals in the video below.

Thank you SAP Sponsors ... for sharing this ultra-cute video!

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Ryo Ishikawa's Engagement Defies Demographic Trends

When he arrived at Tokyo's Narita airport on Sunday, Ryo Ishikawa wasn't dwelling on his disappointment over a missed Master's cut, choosing instead to tell the gathered media of his recent engagement.

"I got engaged last month, to a junior high school classmate," revealed the 20 year old Japanese superstar, without mentioning her name.  Rumors of a Ryo romance first surfaced several months ago and speculation has been rife ever since, but the identity of the fortunate future WAG is still a mystery.

The Japanese press have described her only as "a tall, slender beauty with long black hair".  No photos were released, though it seems she was in fact, in Augusta for the Masters last week, and at Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational prior to that, and was introduced a number of her fiance's close friends.

"I'm now 20 years old, so I decided the time was right" Ishikawa told reporters without elaborating.  In Japan, age 20 does hold a special significance as the year one officially comes of age, however the average marrying age in Japan is significantly old than that... 30.5 for Japanese men and 28.8 for Japanese women... and those demographic statistics are a source of concern for many of the country's economists, who worry about the subsequent declining birth rates and aging population.

For Japan it's a continuing conundrum that began quite a while ago.  One look at a chart representing Japan's birth rate over the past several decades makes that clear.  It resembles an ultra-treacherous black diamond ski slope, particularly as it's coupled with substantial increases in Japanese longevity.

The crisis is often attributed, at least in part, to the fact that young people are choosing to get married later... or not at all.   And the government has tried everything from cash incentives to policies that provide more support for working parents. They've even gone so far as to develop a government dating site to help those unable to find Mr./Mrs. Right... and in what is perhaps the cutest/coolest initiative: robot babies.

Getting back to Ryo Ishikawa, he'll be competing at the Token Tado Country Club in Nagoya, Japan this week for the Japan Golf Tour's Token Homemate Cup.  As for his recent announcement though many in the media are writing jokingly about legions of disappointed female admirers, I'm guessing that those saddled with the task of coaxing Japan's birth rate higher were delighted weren't unhappy to hear that one of the country's top role models has decided to marry so young.

Fans can congratulate Ryo on his engagment at his Panasonic site.

Of Green Jackets, Boyfriends and a Bubba-Bieber Bromance

We wrote about the Bubba-Bieber Bromance a few months ago when it was in its early stages. Then, not long ago mega-popstar Justin Bieber revealed (see video above) that he had an ultra-close friendship with Bubba Watson. Soon after Mr. Watson's big Masters win yesterday, a tweet from @JustinBieber offering congratulations:

@bubbawatson proud of u man! congrats! #MASTERS
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) April 9, 2012

The youthful Mr. Bieber... by the way... has a new single. The much anticipated Boyfriend made its debut at number two on America's Billboard Hot 100 recently and has been conquering global markets as well. It's not often that a professional golfer gets covered by Access Hollywood... or makes the pages of contactmusic.com or starpulse.com or omg! or... you get my drift. Bubba Watson may be a bit... polarizing... within the rarified world of golf media, but the fact that he can transcend that insular world - thanks in part his friendship with The Biebs - is clearly going to expose the sport to a wider audience. I think the most impressive thing I've read about this relationship is that Justin Bieber is now down to an eight handicap.

Watching the Masters... With a Healthy Dose of Reality

Watching the Masters... on television and online... is not quite the same for me this year.

Augusta National still looks sublime, as it no doubt always will, but this year its sublimity is contained, in a certain sense, by my not-too-distant memories of actually being there.

It's not that the velvety green of the fairways is any less vivid than it was... the azaleas are every bit as bright and the Masters song just as evocative... but for me, there's a difference.

After spending four sultry days there in 2011, strolling narrow paths through the towering loblolly pines, stopping regularly for icy pink lemonades and spending time before and after the tournament in the town of Augusta and the rural countryside that surrounds it, The Masters is real to me now in a way that, makes it more tangible... and consequently, less magical.

If you've attended the tournament you probably know what I mean, or you may have experienced a similar sensation after visiting Paris or Hawaii... or even Disney World... for the first time.  When you grow up hearing, reading and catching carefully edited glimpses of a place purported to be magical, finally visiting that place... in the flesh... inevitably and forever changes the way you think of it.

Up till now my impressions of The Masters, and the classic MacKenzie course it's played on, were based entirely on the florid distillation of stories and imagery that came out of Augusta each year.  It existed in my mind as a completely insular place, a kind of Brigadoon that appeared out of the mist, annually, for one week in early April, then disappeared until the following Spring... when we'd once again be able to briefly experience that cloistered corner of the world with it's well preserved traditions and old-fashioned sensibilities.

The thing is,  I now realize that Augusta National during The Masters does feel magical from the inside.  Like the fictional highland hamlet of Brigadoon it's quaint and beautiful, and the Scottish villagers patrons really do seem to be harboring some sort of mysterious secret.  

Downtown Augusta

However, upon leaving the grounds each day... in the inevitable cloud of bliss a day at the Masters brings with it... a one encounters something a bit unsettling: reality.  It's right outside the gates and it's just the normal reality of life in an American city, and Augusta apart from the Masters is a contemporary Southern river city.  As in many cities though out the US, the big box retailers and ubiquitous chain restaurants make it a tough go for the small independent retailers. In downtown, one comes upon numerous empty store fronts, and some of the charming old wood houses are in woeful disrepair.  Meanwhile gentrification has resulted in leafy suburbs lined with stately homes and a revitalized Riverfront... and the hospitality and charm of the Augustans is truly heartwarming. 

So that's where the reality intersects with the fantasy, and if you're like me, once you've experienced it you'll find your Master's viewing experience has changed, just a bit... which in the end is probably a good thing.

Multifarious Masters Musings from the Folks on Twitter

Last year I was in Augusta at this time.  This year my current writing job has kept me in CT... with a deadline that's making it difficult for me to do more than take an occasional glimpse at the livestream and perform a periodic #Masters Twitter search. 

Augusta... not surprisingly... looks beautiful, but it's way too early to get a sense of how things'll play out.  At least Twitter provided me with a measure of consolation on my current plight.  In the misery-loves-company sense.

Those who find themselves at work... or school... and far from the lush fairways of Augusta may (or may not) take comfort in the fact that they're not alone:

Work is really getting in the way of watching the Masters #worksucks
— Keith Kennedy (@kkgolf32) April 5, 2012

I can certainly relate to that sentiment right now. And these.

Augusta National - A Beauty Both Simple... and Complicated

I posted this last year as I got ready to leave for The Masters. The real thing was more beautiful than I ever imagined, but I'm still impressed by the way this landscape came together.

They call it Golden Bell.  The narrow green...  protected by Rae's Creek in front and a cloud of bright pink azaleas behind... is incredibly beautiful.  Ben Hogan Bridge leads to the cloistered corner and adds a mystical element.

It's no surprise that many artists have been inspired by the 12th hole.  However the artist who created the above representation did so in a rather unique way... and it's quite impressive to watch.  See for yourself.

More from this artist
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Fashion Inspires Fairway Fauna - Women's Golf Style Gets Wild

The plethora of awesome animal prints appearing on golf bags this Spring is a trend that's moved from fashion runways to country club fairways with with the stealth of a mountain lion.

The Spring/Summer 2012 collections presented by top designers last fall, included a diverse array of animal print satchels, clutches, totes and hobo bags from the likes of Gucci, Lanvin and Alexander McQueen... to name just a few. Golf designers have transitioned the trend to create a slew of sophisticated, animal print golf bags.

The same exotic skins appear to have inspired golf apparel designers this season, with everything from leopard trimmed polos to zebra striped skorts.  Lady golfers can also display their wild streak with a myriad of animal print accessories this season.  Be it ball marker or a belt... a cap or visor... you'll probably find it this season.  Oh, and don't forget footware;  zebra striped golf shoes... and multi-species women's golf socks are out there too, so why not give animal prints a try this golf season... and make your walk in the park a bit wilder. 

You can find animal prints galore and so much else at Lori's Golf Shop.  Lori's is one of our stellar sponsors!

Multi-talented Golfer Girl Will Head to Harvard this Fall

Five years ago we wrote about a unique and exciting new magazine for junior golfers. The target audience was girls, age 5 to 17 and Golfer Girl magazine was the work of a single family.

Claude and Michelle Hooton and their three daughters, Libby, Courtney and Chloe Belle... all of them passionate about golf... produced a top quality publication through the fall of 2008, when the economy took its famous nosedive and ad dollars dried up.

At its peak, Golfer Girl had a circulation of 10,000, with subscribers in all 50 states, Mexico and Canada and clearly served its specialized niche very well. A photo from the summer of 1977 shows the girls... aged 16, 13 and 10...  surrounded by stacks of their first issue.  A total of six seasonal issues hit the stands, and one can still view them at golfergirlmagazine.com.

The Hooton sisters may not be writing about golf these days but it's still very much a part of their lives.  Libby, now 20 plays on the golf team at the University of Pennsylvania and 15 year-old Chloe Belle has taken up rowing in addition to golf, but it's middle sister Courtney who's now in the spotlight, making golf history with a ninth consecutive San Diego Junior Golf Association age class triumph and having recently been signed to play collegiate golf at her dream school, Harvard.  The Hootons have an interesting hole-in-one story too. Courtney spoke about it recently from the Kraft Foods Junior Challenge.