After an exhausting hour signing autographs on the Srixon stand Ireland’s newest major champion Graeme McDowell broke free from his Srixon handlers at 
the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show to meet up with friends from the Irish Golfing Industry at the Golf Ireland stand.
GMac congratulated John McLaughlin and delegates from the North West Ireland group which won IAGTO’s prestigious European Golf Destination of the Year Award for 2011. For more details check out http://www.northandwestcoastlinks.com/
It’s all go on the Bushnell stand at the PGA show but we caught up with the European Tour Rep Brian McConnell. The “Silver Fox” as he is know on the ranges of Europe’s Tour stops demonstrated the new Bushnell Hybrid rangefinder which combines both laser and GPS technology. The result is an incredibly accurate device with readings to the front, middle and back of the green.
Already in use in the USA, McConnell thinks the Hybrid will hit European shores around April. The pricepoint for the Hybrid stateside is $499 which equates to €365.
Click on pic below to view 2011 Farmers Insurance Open Second Round Highlights from the PGA Tour.
Click on pic below to view highlights from the second round of the Volvo Golf Champions 2011 on the European Tour website.
After an extensive search of the halls of the Orange County Convention Centre at the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show one product stood out head and shoulders above the rest and win the GolfCentralDaily Award for the best new product.
Dawgs are unlike any other golf shoe on the market and left us banging our heads and wondering “why didn’t we think of those!”
In Europe we may be familiar with Crocs, but according to brothers Steve and Barrie Mann “Crocs bite, but Dawgs are man’s best friend!” Or a foots best friend to be more precise, as these Dawgs weigh less than 7 ounces per shoe and come complete with built in cleats. Dawgs will be perfect for the practice ground, golf teachers, golf holidays or simply propping up the bar after a game.
Like Crocs, Dawgs are made of ultra cushioning EVA material to absorb shock when walking and are heaven on the feet. Retailing at €30 or $40, they’re certainly not expensive and come in a range of trendy colours. There’s even a pair without holes in the upper inspired by our Irish and British weather.
So well done to all the guys in Dawgs. For more information check out www.dawgsgolf.com
Click on pic below to view highlights from the first round of the Volvo Golf Champions 2011 on the European Tour website.
Volvo Golf Champions
The Royal Golf Club
Kingdom of Bahrain, Bahrain 27 Jan 2011 - 30 Jan 2011
![francesco molinari funny_thumb[2]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_K5YBwW8ZZgY/TUCcbZTmAdI/AAAAAAAAEJo/5f66znyGdmI/s1600-h/francesco%20molinari%20funny_thumb%5B2%5D%5B5%5D.jpg "francesco molinari funny_thumb[2]")
Shook the rust off the Italian paintwork last week in Abu Dhabi and impressed on Sunday with a 66 to climb into the top 10. I spoke to his caddy last season about the way his man builds momentum and his read was that Francesco is most likely to win in the third or fourth week of his cycle. Definitely one to watch with four top-5 finishes last season on courses that rank similar to Bahrain.
The track in Bahrain this week is approximately 7200 yards and could be right up Miguel Angel Jimenez’ ally. Comparable courses include Le Golf National in Paris and Crans sur Sierre in Switzerland. And no prizes for guessing who won on both of those courses last year. That’s right, the Mechanic! Found the formula last Sunday and if he’s still in the slot is sure to contend.
This kid is destined for greatness and is already regarded by fellow pros as having one of the best swings in the world. And having filmed his swing on the slo-mo cam last season let me tell you, for a small guy Noh is crazy long. My feeling is that this, being a virgin venue for the Tour, should play into the Korean’s hands as he normally starts each event not knowing the course. This week nobody does.
Expect a great season from Robert Karlsson. The Swede showed he was right back to his best in winning the Dubai World Championship in November, the 11th victory of his career. Certainly won to watch this week and next having also won in Qatar in January of last year. With the turmoil of his depth perception problem in his eye now firmly behind, the 41 year is once again set to be major power in European golf.
Venezuelan PGA Tour rookie Jhonathon Vegas pulled off an amazing playoff victory in the Bob Hope Classic despite finding the hazard with his tee shot. Playing the 10th hole, the second of the playoff, Vegas drove into the water, but produced a stunning approach to 15 feet. When Gary Woodland missed his par putt it left Vegas to can for victory. All the highlights below.
Just days after being DQ’d for a spot of greenside Subbuteo, Irish golfing ace Padraig Harrington has today launched a special 2011 Pro Golf Edition of the famous board game.
Finger dinkin’ Pod comes from a family of Subbuteo champions with brother Tadhg having won the 1985 All Ireland table soccer crown before representing Ireland in the World Subbuteo Games in Wrexham in 1986.
The deluxe version of the Harrington Subbuteo game comes with 11 changes to the original which Pod hopes will make the game better, including realistic referee sounds featuring the voice of Andy McFee.
“Ever since watching Tadhg in Wrex-ico ‘86 I’ve loved Subbuteo and I’m delighted, just delighted, absolutely delighted with the 11 changes in my new version”, said a clearly delighted Harrington at the launch.
![tiddlywinks poulter[5]](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_K5YBwW8ZZgY/TTxECmY2pJI/AAAAAAAAEJc/xoYpIQdVmv4/tiddlywinks%20poulter%5B5%5D%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800 "tiddlywinks poulter[5]")
It’s not the first time a professional golfer has launched his own board game with Ian Poulter unveiling his version of Tiddlywinks for the Christmas market.
Rumours are now circulating that Harrington may even get to stand alongside his longtime idol, broadcasting giant Ryan Tubridy, on the 2011 Late Late Toy Show, though RTE sources cannot confirm whether this will fit with Tubridy’s busy schedule.
Click on pic below to view highlights from the final round of the 2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the European Tour website.
