Pak Overcomes Pressel's Hole in One

It's not that often that the player who starts off looking unbeatable is actually unbeatable. But Se Ri Pak clenched a victory today for her fifth win at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic. Not only was her golf as consistent and smooth as always, but Morgan Pressel had been closing in on her over the last two days.

By the time the coverage was picked up and aired, we had all missed Morgan Pressel's hole in one on number 6 that seemed like it might be the momentum she needed to win the tourney. But Pak came back with her steady hand and dropped a few birdies to give her the lead.

Other than a few technical difficulties, this was a great weekend of women's golf. It was good to see Pak take her fifth title, but Morgan Pressel is looking really hot right now and may just land a few more trophies and big checks before the year is through.

Pak Stays Strong as Mallon Moves Up

Se Ri Pak had another great round at the Jamie Farr Owen's Corning on Friday. While not as spectacular as her opening 8 under, her 3 under performance on Friday has her in the lead by 5 strokes. She not only played great, but as always, looks great with her sister designed clothing line that's a cross between golf and lighthouse watching.

The more exciting part of the day was watching Meg Mallon slowly and deliberately climb her way to a tie for 4th with an amazing 6 under performance for the day. She is definitely not out of contention and if she can find her consistency today, I'll be surprised if she's not tied for the lead for Sunday's final day.

Nancy Lopez, on the other hand, struggled through the day. Though gracious, her game is off, and she finished with an 83. I say she's only 50, and she could get right back in there with the rest of the pack, but she's going to have a tough time competing with the new rising stars. I still love to see the 50 plus out there, so hopefully she'll stick it out and keep coming back. 50 is the new 30, right?

Pak Starts Off Strong

I've always been a big college basketball fan, and after years of heartbreak, have finally learned to keep my hopes under check until the last two minutes. In golf, it's not usually the last two minutes, but sometimes it's the last two holes, and it's always the last two days.

That said, Se Ri Pak had a great start in Day 1 of the Owen's Corning Classic. She opened the day with a bogey on number 1, but corrected quickly and finished the round with an 8 under 63. I've never been a stats person, but it seems to me that she's won this tourney at least four times and is off to a good start. I might have to dig into that research tomorrow.

There are plenty of notables in the top 10 of the leaderboard. I'll have to see how Friday goes and whether the last two days, two minutes or two holes will uncover this weekend's final trophy holder.

2007 Owens Corning Field of Champions

The pairings have been released for this weekend's Owens Corning Classic and it promises to be a great weekend of women's golf.

There are some noticeable absences with Sorenstam, Ochoa, Inkster, Wie and Webb out of the mix, but there is a great leaderboard packed with a combo of classic and new talent. Stay tuned for updates on the progress of long time notables, Nancy Lopez, Meg Mallon and Pat Hurst along with defending champion, Mi Hyun Kim.

The tournament is packed with the best and is sure to be a weekend of great golf.

USGA Conitnually Searching for Ways To...

...do nothing.

I was really never irritated with the USGA until I started this blog and began a daily campaign of reading and research. In addition to writing this blog and doing my weekly 50 hour plus job, I devote a significant amount of energy to selling the game of golf to the non-golfers out there. I'm as annoying as a reformed smoker. shhh...I used to work on a golf course...a country club...had free privileges...and never, ever swung a club. WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Anyway, I had a friend recently pay their USGA dues and request a hat from the Women's US Open as opposed to Oakmont. I have to say that it seems like a totally reasonable request. They have both hats available. Here's the response that the USGA gave to the request for a different hat.

Thank you for your recent correspondence to the United States Golf Association concerning women’s visors. We appreciate your comments. Many of our members question why the USGA does not offer a ladies’ visor as an alternative to the U.S. Open promotional hat offered. The USGA cannot accommodate multiple hat styles at this time. We are continually looking for ways in which to implement something of this nature and hope to find a means by which to accommodate this in the future.

Who asked for a visor? And I'd hope that they don't spend too much time "continually looking for ways in which to implement something of this nature...." It's a hat, the one in the next bin with the pine needles instead of the squirrel. You have them in stock. Does this take a process?

Instead of spending their time scratching their heads and "hopingto find a means by which to accommodate this in the future", they ought to just stick a hat in a mailer and be done with it. I think the possibility of a Senior Women's Open is slim when they can't even figure out how to provide a hat to their loyal and paying customers.

What Is Tommy Bahama Thinking?

Are we athletes or potatoes? Doesn't this look like it's straight from the Russet line? Ready for a charity scramble in Boise?

It would almost be cooler if it was actually made from a potato bag and still had the logos on it. Kind of a chic urban farmer look. Great for a nightclub, but a golf course?

No wonder men hesitate to golf with us. This is what they think we might show up in.

I don't need to look like a man, but I definitely don't want to look like a bag of spuds.

Home On The Range

Another one of my friends came out of the golf closet today. I know it was hard for her to give up her complete identity as a soccer player, but she's going to be an awesome golfer. It's so fun to go to a pro shop and range with someone who's never golfed. Why is it they always head straight to the left handed clubs?

While she was testing out a few different models with the kind young man who got stuck with us, I snuck away to the range and swung all my clubs for the first time since my surgery. I was supposed to wait until the end of next week, but the pro shop smell was making me crazy. Everyone was doing it. What was I supposed to do?

The clubs felt great and my swing was back in no time. I even pulled out the giant Cobra M Speed Driver and let 'er rip. I'm looking forward to heading out this week for a full round of normal golf, no more of this chipping and putting stuff.

When I wandered back to the sales area, I found my pal crushing the ball with a hybrid 3. It's going to be a great summer after all.