My circle of friends and the entire Trinity college community mourns the loss of Matt Miller, ’86, DKE, varsity lacrosse and all around great guy. Matt was a passionate, dedicated and upstanding man who fought injustice wherever he found it. People gathered around his leadership like moths drawn to the flame. 39 is too young to die and no parents should...
No sports today. Instead, we’ll honor the passing of one of America’s greatest writers. Kurt Vonnegut died yesterday from complications from a head injury he received in a fall several weeks ago. He was 84. Vonnegut was born in Indianapolis but also owned homes in Manhattan and the Hamptons. He is best known for his semi-autobiographical science...
Who says there aren’t golf gods? Who says that the kharmic wheel doesn’t reward the virtuous or that nice guys will finish last? Mark Wilson called the most piddley two-stroke penalty on himself and was forced into a four man playoff. Why a two stroke penalty? Camilo Villegas asked his caddy what club he thought Wilson used. The caddy replied he thought...
Sal Johnson is a genius – you have to see the AMAZING photo he found of Mike planting the Hinkle Tree at the 1979 U.S. Open. While I have the floor, to dispel a myth, Mike Strantz never worked on Tom Fazio’s terrific designs at World Woods. I know it looks that way, but Mike told me in interviews (Part One and Part Two) that he never set foot on the...
And while the shephards lay in their field an angel of The Lord appeared to them and they were afraid. But he said “fear not for I bring you glad tidings of great joy. For today in the city of David a savior is born and he will save you from all your sins.” Then, suddenly the sky was filled with a great light and host of heavenly angels appeared and sang...
It is a sad day for baseball and for NYC, not just the New York Yankees as Cory Lidle tragically died in the crash of his Cirrus-SR20. Details are still coming out in slow drops, but the incident recalls the deaths of other great athletes in similar ways – Payne Stewart, who’s seventh annivesary will be in less than two weeks, Thurman Munson, Roberto...
You couldn’t cheer because you were crying, you couldn’t cry because you were cheering, but both felt heartwarming and overwhelming anyway. In one unforgettable weekend Darren Clarke gave us a golf performance for all time. Gritty, courageous, inspiring, grateful, humble; a broken man held all the golf world on his back this weekend and we held him up in...
Sadly, with the “crucial” week two of NFL football occupying too many sports minds, Ben Curtis’ inspiring victory at the last 84 Lumber Classic went unnoticed by too many in the sports world. That is a disappointing reflection of our society, for Ben is a terrific role model both as a golfer and a gentleman. He shows us so much not through mere...
The press buried a terrific story this weekend. Ben Curtis, the quiet, but affable pro who is best known for winning the 2003 British Open won his second tournament this year at the 84 Lumber Classic. Curtis became a hero to everyman golfers across the globe when he played steadily for four days at quirky, tricky Royal St. George’s, then watched in amazement as...
Since forming his own design firm in 1997, Colorado’s Jim Engh has won four “best new course” awards from Golf Digest, been named “Golf Architect of the Year” in 2003 (ahead of such luminaries as Fazio, Dye, Jones and Doak), built a reputation for getting world class work done on time and under budget, landed one gorgeous site after...
HOLYOKE, CO – Life sure looked good through Eddie Peck’s rose-colored glasses today. After setting down his trademark Connecticut wrapper cigar and taking that Iron Byron swing of his, Steady Eddie, owner of Black Mesa Golf Club outside Sante Fe recorded the first hole-in-one of his life. He aced the 5th hole, a 171 yard par-3 with an 8-iron. What a...
My heart feels a little empty tonight. A great light has gone out. I learned today of the passing of my English professor from Deerfield Academy, Mr Ted Littwin. Yet I owe Mr. Littwin so much more than just a mere remembrance as an English teacher. Many of my accomplishments in life are a house built on his foundation. Indeed, his was a towering achievement, taking...
Part one of this article is here. Strantz’s eyes light up as he roars “Forrest Fezler, my design partner is a perfect compliment to me. We are brothers in arms. I saw that Fu Manchu moustache and I knew I had my man.” Together, they let it roll as high as it would go, creating scorching, towering golf adventures without being contrived or campy...
Italy’s Azzurri (“Blue”) completed their cinderella run to the World Cup in the same dominating fashion with which they began, but not before giving their fans a massive case of agita. After referees awarded a highly questionable penalty kick to France after Therry Henry took a dive in the penalty area, Italy – down 1-0 thanks to Zidane...
This is a reprint of a letter I wrote on my website on February 16, 2005 after Duval had carded several i80s and missed numerous cuts. David shot the best round of the day today. 68 at Winged Foot. Setup for The U.S. Open. With the scoring average for the field over 75. The letter speaks for itself. Now excuse me for a minute while I go watch my DVD of the 2001...