2011 East Of Ireland Championship First Round Leaderboard

East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship - Results

Round 1 - Sat 4th June

SSS 74; CSS 74

68  A Dunbar (Rathmore)
69  B Casey (Headfort), C Martin (Kilkenny), G Kelly (Co. Louth)
70  M Durcan (Co. Sligo), C Selfridge (Knock), E McCormack (Galway), E Stack (Ballybunion), J Hopkins (Skerries), D McElroy (Ballymena)
71  D Holland (Castle), S Smyth (Co. Louth), S O Connor (Skerries), G Bohill (Co. Louth), B Fennelly (The Royal Dublin), K Shannon (Greenore), A Kiernan (Forrest Little), P Cullen (Royal Tara), R O Donovan (Lucan)
72  D Downie (Sutton), C Molloy (Ardee), W Hanna (Kilkeel), I O'Rourke (Cork), J Lyons (Birr), E Arthurs (Forrest Little), G Lenehan (Portmarnock), A Hogan (Newlands), D Murray (Skerries)

When Tony Out-Seveed Seve For A Ruling

I came across this when looking through some archives of Seve Ballesteros most famous rulings and free drops.

Sometime in the early 90s, Seve Ballesteros was partnered with Tony Johnstone in a European tour event. Over the course of this round, Seve is hitting it all over the place, and by two thirds of the way through the round has asked for 4 rulings and gotten relief every time, much to Johnstone's annoyance.
On the 15th, a semi-blind dogleg left over the brow of a hill, both players overdraw it through the dogleg into the trees. When they arrive down the hole, one ball is sitting just to the left of a big tree (allowing a normal-ish second shot) and the other ball is absolutely dead behind the tree, virtually touching it.
TJ approaches the second ball, and asks Seve if he thinks a mark near it is a rabbit scraping. No, says Seve.
Tony then addresses the ball in a ridiculously convoluted way, and gets his foot just about touching a dirt path. Can I get relief now, asks TJ? No, says Seve.
Lastly, Tony questions whether or not the area is in fact GUR. No, no, no, says Seve.
Finally...
TJ: "So there's no way you can get relief from here?"
SB: "No Tony"
TJ: GOOD, BECAUSE IT'S YOUR BALL!"

Technorati Tags: tony johnstone,seve ballesteros,rabbit scrapings,ruling,referee,anecdote

Durka Durka Separated at Birth Hunter Mahan and “Gary”. Go Team America

Technorati Tags: hunter mahan funny pic,gary,team america

2011 The Memorial and Saab Wales Open Second Round Highlights

Click on pic below to view second round highlights from the Saab Wales Open 2011 on the European Tour site.

Technorati Tags: 2011 Saab Wales Open Second Round Highlights,2011 The Memorial second round highlights,european tour,pga tour

What’s In The Bag 2011 Alvaro Quiros - Video

Technorati Tags: What’s In The Bag 2011 Alvaro Quiros Video

Messi Inspires McIlroy To Visit Haiti for UNICEF

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is the man that inspired Rory McIlroy to get involved with aid agency UNICEF.  Rors first became aware of the work UNICEF carries out on a visit to the Camp Nou where Messi acts as an international ambassador.

Himself now also an ambassador to UNICEF, McIlroy chose to go to Haiti, a country still reeling after last years devastating earthquake.  Rors expects the trip to be "an eye-opening experience."

McIlroy plans to go to Haiti on Monday and Tuesday, before two days practice at Congressional ahead of the US Open.

Technorati Tags: lionel messi,rory mcilroy,haiti,unicef

The Memorial 2011 and Saab Wales Open First Round Highlights

2011 Saab Wales Open First Round Highlights. Click pic below to view highlights on European Tour site (opens in a new window)

Technorati Tags: 2011 Saab Wales Open First Round Highlights,2011 The Memorial First Round Highlights,European Tour,PGA Tour

Ogilvy’s Wacko Jacko Preparation for US Open

Geoff Ogilvy has been more injury prone than Michael Owen lately.  Firstly he ripped his finger on some coral at the beach (kids avoid horseplay in the water), then he went and tore out his shoulder at Sawgrass.

Ogilvy is now so desperate to play in the US Open, he is spending his time in a Michael Jackson style hyperbaric chamber, which helps get blood pumping in the injured shoulder.  Doctors fear however that while his shoulder is expected to be perfect for Congressional, the hyperbaric chamber is not exactly selective on where the blood gets pumping in the male anatomy and fear Ogilvy might cause himself another, more sensitive injury, as a result.  Chief doctor Herbert Van Yerkoff has ordered a box of man sized Kleenex be drafted into the chamber as a precaution.

“It’s in an area where there’s not a lot of blood flow,” his coach Dale Lynch said. (how does he know?)

Technorati Tags: geoff ogilvy funny story

“My Golf Majors”, A Crackin’ Idea From Mygolfsociety.ie

Irish society golf specialists Mygolfsociety have come up with a cracking new concept which will give club golfers the chance to play in four “Majors” around Ireland this Summer.  The events are titled to twin with real Major Championships,  and will be hosted on top Irish courses including Old Head and Bunclody.

Major qualifiers from each event, will meet for the Playoff event to be staged at The Heritage where the My Golf Majors winner will walk away with a trip for two to La Manga in Spain.

The venues are set to be groomed and prepared to Tour standard with pins set and greens rolling to Major Championship specifications for the My Golf Major events.  It all sets up to give amateur golfers a unique chance to play under Major conditions and live the pro dream, a win a Major.  Wouldn’t that be something to tell the Grandkids.

The events are open to all.  More details on http://www.mygolfsociety.ie/golf-events.html  or contact Tom on 087 6644344.

Technorati Tags: my golf majors,mygolfsociety.ie,tom kennedy,knightsbrook,bunclody golf and fishing club,old head course review,the heritage

2011 Memorial Tournament Betting Preview and Tips – PGA Tour

2011 Memorial Tournament: Betting preview and tips

Odds from paddypower

KJ Choi 25/1

KJ is on a five tournament cut streak, with four top 10’s in six events and just off a big win at The Players. Hated the weather last week at the Byron Nelson, but will love coming back to Muirfield Village. Fifth in 2004, tied for eighth in 2005 and won here in 2007 when his final round 65 pipped Ryan Moore by one. His best result since is 13^th in 2009 but KJ hasn’t been in form like he is this season for yonks.

 

Luke Donald 8/1

If you think tiredness is going to be a factor with Luke this week, skip to the next tip, you could be right. If you like me think Luke is on fire, a machine, fit, bulked up even, continue reading. Two wins, nine top 10’s, an average finishing position of 3.4 in his five events, this is phenomenal stuff. Yes it has to end sometime, but until then lets continue to make hay while the sun shines. Luuuuuuke forever. Or for another few weeks at least!

 

Ryan Moore 40/1

There’s always one or two players that have a natural affinity for a course and play well irrespective of current form. I think Ryan Moore fit that bill nicely this week. He’s solid if unspectacular this season to date on a 13 event cut streak and with a worst finish of 35^th in his last five events. Played well at the Northern Trust Open in March to finish fourth. Second to Choi at the 2007 Memorial, Moore tied for 10^th in 2008 and after a horrible best forgotten missed cut in 2009, he came back with a tied fifth last year.

Matt Kuchar 18/1

Tied for sixth last week in atrocious conditions at the HP Byron Nelson and looking like he might soon be a winner again. Almost Luke Donald like in his top 10 hit rate this season with seven so far. Kuch tied eighth here last year and tied fifth in 2009. Possibilities.

 

 

 

Robert Karlsson 66/1

This might seem a little bit out of left field but I have real feeling for Robert Karlsson at the craziest of odds at 66/1. After a string of frankly terrible results Robert finally got going two weeks back at the Crowne Plaza tying fifth. Four rounds in 60’s then and with Alastair McLean on the bag Karlsson may be hitting form just at the right time. Amazed he didn’t go to Wentworth last week, he was hot on my radar then, so I predict another good week.

Technorati Tags: 2011 memorial tournament betting preview and tips,2011 saab Wales Open betting tips,paddpower golf tips,boylesports golf tips,betfair golf tips

Join Me at Killeen Castle 10th June for Doc’s Dawn Raid

Summer is here and I am looking for 10 readers to join me in Killeen Castle, home of the 2011 Solheim Cup, on Friday 10^th June, for our first Golfbidder “Doc’s Dawn Raid” of the Summer. The day starts with Golfbidder club testing on the range at 7.30am, followed by brekkie and a round on the Jack Nicklaus course. Leave your wallet at home, it’s all on me!

Sign up through the entry form widget on the right and we will draw 10 people next week.

Technorati Tags: doc's dawn raid,killeen castle,2011 solheim cup,golfbidder club testing

Fit and Able Week 8: Hip Mobility with Robbie Cannon TPI, Harrington Golf

With top Irish amateur and TPI certified fitness instructor Robbie Cannon of Harrington Golf. To book a session call Robbie on 086-6002432.

Hip mobility is vital in the golf swing because it makes it much easier for you to swing through the ball, much easier to maintain the correct posture, and much easier to generate lots of power in the golf swing.

A great exercise to help you greatly improve the mobility in your hips is called “Hip Drops”. Lie on your back with knees raised and feet on the ground, played out a little wider than your hips. It’s very important to keep your hips as close as possible throughout this exercise. Whilst keeping those hips stationary, let your right knee drop in as far as comfortably possible. Bring the right knee back up and repeat with the left. Do this five times on each side. Adding this hip mobility exercise to your regular morning stretching routine will yield massive benefits for your golf swing. 

Technorati Tags: tpi fitness,robbie cannon,harrington golf,john kelly,instructional video

Karl Morris Golf Brain: The Incredible Story of Moe Norman

Karl Morris is one of the finest thinkers in the game of golf.  They say that on his deathbed Einstein asked for a piece of paper and scrawled the letters “KM” inside a diagram of the human brain.

Be sure to Check out Karl’s website www.golf-brain.com

Have you ever heard of Moe Norman?

Probably not. Well that is a shame because his story is close to being THE most fascinating golf story of all time. If you haven’t heard of him then you have missed out on learning about arguably one of the greatest ball strikers of all time. Amongst other many achievements Moe won over 50 tournaments, shot 59 THREE times in tournaments, had 19 holes in one and the straightness of his shots apparently had to be seen to be believed.

I am lucky enough to own two pieces of Moe Norman memorabilia. The first is picture of Moe on a practice range hitting balls. I looked at it and there stood in the picture clearly spellbound by what they were seeing were none other than Nick Price, Nick Faldo, Ben Crenshaw and Fred Couples. Multiple Major winners who had taken the time to watch Moe hit golf balls. A friend of mine called Jim Farrelly used to play golf with Moe virtually every day and his stories about Moe’s shotmaking left you awestruck.

Recently Tiger Woods said that he felt that there were only two men in the HISTORY of the game that actually OWNED their golf swing, one was Ben Hogan and the other was Moe Norman!

The other Moe treasure I have is a simple piece of A4 paper which has written on it “My Main Thoughts in Performing Well” by Moe Norman. There were about 25 one liners that had been Moe’s guiding principles throughout his career. You would think that they would have been all about the swing from such a legendary ball striker but take a look at some of them here:

• Full Extension Back and Through
• I play INTO my legs
• I swing ‘Through’ the ball not at it
• You are what you think you are
• Never think of the money, get the ball into the hole
• Winners see what they want, Losers see what they don’t want
• Solid thinking ‘Good Golf’, bad thinking ‘Bad Golf’
• Always be in a good frame of mind
• I always play ‘Target Golf’
• Negative thinking hurts more than negative swinging
• I always concentrate on playing one shot at a time
• Stop being afraid of yourself
• Winners play golf automatically
• Believing in your ‘Mental Image’ will make you a Master
• Imagination is the key to success
• Stop worrying about when you are going to die, but how to live
• Imagination and visualisation are my keys to success!

Amazing that way before anybody had heard about Mind Coaches or Sports Psychologists that here was a man who was famed for his ball striking ability but who had clearly worked out the importance of understanding the role that the mind plays in golf. Without any formal tuition he had worked it out by his own intelligence and desire to be the very best he could be. Moe Norman clearly understood what I have talked about over and over again that to be the best that you can be at this wonderful game you need to control TWO things. The BALL and YOURSELF. One without the other will leave you well short of what you are truly capable of being. Look into the legend that is Moe Norman you will find it a truly fascinating story.

 

Check out Karl’s website www.golf-brain.com

Technorati Tags: Karl morris,golf brain,instruction,tips,drills,european tour mind coach,chipping yips cure

GCD Druids Glen Fourball Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered the Druids Glen Fourball quiz last week.  The winner was Paul Anderson, Aylesbury, Dublin, Ireland.

This week we have 10 places on the Docs Dawn Raid at Killeen Castle, 2011 Solheim Cup venue to be filled.  Enter through the widget on the site.

The Skirmish May Be Lost But Two Major Battles Ahead For Westwood

Lee Westwood may have lost the skirmish at Wentworth but there are two Major battles looming in the war.

Congressional Meeting For Shane Lowry But Ramsey Robbed

Shane Lowry is on his way to the US Open at Congressional.  He  booked his place during qualifying today after rounds of 69 and 67 at Walton Heath.

Eleven spots were up for grabs at Congressional, with 82 players in the field. Among those who failed to qualify was Ross Fisher and Colin Montgomerie.

The event was won by Nico Colosaerts.

The hardest luck story of the day was the manner in which Richie Ramsay was eliminated.  He was summoned to a play-off at 9.10 pm with Swede Johan Edfors and Dane Andreas Harto for the final spot but had already left to attend the wedding reception of Gareth Maybin in Belfast. Ramsey returned to the course only to find Edfors had just finished the playoff as victor.  

Scores:

135 Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel) 64 71

136 Shane Lowry 69 67, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 73 63

137 Thomas Levet (Fra) 66 71

138 Robert Rock 70 68, David Howell 72 66

139 Stephen Gallacher 70 69, Alexander Noren (Swe) 67 72, Marcel Siem (Ger) 67 72, Robert Dinwiddie 69 70

140 (after play-off) Johan Edfors (Swe) 70 70

*** The following players failed to qualify ***

Hedwall Beats Poulter To Inaugural PowerPlay Title

from the European Tour website:

PowerPlay Golf’s inaugural Tour-style event – officially titled PowerPlay Golf driven by Saab: IGNITION – was won by rising Swedish star Caroline Hedwall, in a gripping finish that saw her win by three points from fellow Swede Helen Alfredsson.

Hailed as golf’s equivalent to Twenty20 Cricket, in that it delivers a high-excitement version of the sport in a short time frame, PowerPlay Golf’s two-flag ‘risk and reward’ format was played out on nine specially selected holes on The Celtic Manor Resort’s Twenty Ten course.

Paula Creamer and Victor Dubuisson set the early pace but Hedwall finished with three PowerPlay birdies for 6 points each to sprint from the pack and take victory.

“That was a lot of fun. I was in the middle of the pack with three to play but knew I still had a chance with PowerPlays in reserve. I was very nervous on the first tee but playing with Ian Poulter and Helen Alfredsson was a great experience,” said Hedwall, who picked up a £100,000 first prize – 50% of which she is donating to the Swedish Golf Federation.

The victory caps a memorable few days for Hedwall who secured her first Ladies European Tour victory yesterday at the Allianz Slovak Ladies Open.

Fans at Celtic Manor and at home on TV saw a stellar 12-player field alongside Hedwall, Alfredsson and Creamer  including golfing legend Gary Player, U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell ,Major Champions John Daly and Ian Woosnam  plus Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter and Paul Casey and several other big names.

For more information on PowerPlay Golf and to watch the TV coverage again visit www.powerplay-golf.com.

Final scores:
Caroline Hedwall   32, Helen Alfredsson  29, Paula Creamer   27, Ian Poulter   27, Victor Dubuisson  26, Ian Woosnam   25, Maximilian Kieffer 22, Paul Casey   20, Gary Player  18
Thongchai Jaidee  16, Graeme McDowell   15, John Daly   15

Technorati Tags: powerplay golf,ignition,celtic manor,rob hill,carolione hedwall

Men’s Tenny Classic Golf Shoes from James Lepp at Kikkor

When I read recently that Canada was famous for three things: Celine Dion, Terrance and Phillip from South Park and Kikkor golf shoes I had to investigate.  I then found myself on www.kikkor.com watching founder and pro James Lepp do some pretty sweet chip shots with moving targets.

Now Carlsberg don’t do golf shoes but if they did they would probably be exactly like Kikkor Golf’s 2011 range.  I ordered a pair of  Men’s Tenny Classics on www.kikkor.com and exactly seven days later they arrived here in Ireland.

Pic: James Lepp, the boss, in his Kikkor tenny’s. Dont know what he’s doing with his arms, maybe someone robbed his ski poles!

Kikkor golf shoes are not really golf shoes, they’re sneakers disguised as golf shoes. According to James, Kikkor is an alternative golf footwear brand targeting the younger players at heart. The shoes are built with comfort and style first in mind, without ignoring the important technical attributes, such as grip, stability, waterproofing, and durability.

And if you, like me, like to make the course ranger so angry he’ll race over to you on the practice green, veins popping out the side of his head, and order you off for breaching some stupid dress code from 1927, then these are the babies for you.  All you’ll need to do is show him the studs, flip him the bird, and get on with it.  Kikkor’s are 100% legal.

 

Kikkor’s are a kind of two in one, golf shoes and sneakers.  If you could manage to get your golf trousers off and put your jeans around them, you technically would only need to remove them when going to bed.  And they look equally good with both.

With all due respect to footwear experts, and I’m not one, let me describe Kikkor golf shoes.  First and foremost, they are a big solid chunky shoe.  They even have the feel of a quality shoe, built to last, not like some piece of cardboard made from a Corn Flakes box.

Waterproof leather on the outside, the (Tenny Classic) shoes are also fabric lined on the inside and instantly comfortable. The insole is not the thickest on the planet but it’s not glued in there, so after I subbed my own insoles I felt like my Kikkors were an extension of my foot.  Which technically they are.

The bottom of my tenny’s are rubber, kind of Converse like, with soft spikes moulded in or with replaceable spikes. The moulded spike versions cant be replaced when they wear out so best to wear to wear those Kikkors exclusively on the golf course and around the bar for max longevity.

So if you’re not a slave to ‘My this’ or ‘joy that’ and you are looking for a top quality shoe on and around the golf course, with contemporary and retro styling, then make sure you check out the Kikkor website.  Order about a size bigger than your normal size too, the lining and the thick tongue that hug your feet take up space.   And if they can make it from Canada to Ireland in seven days for me, you wont have to wait long.  The Kikkor UK website is on the way also; when that’s up and running, we’re talking next day delivery.

And oh yeah, here’s James doing his thing with his wedge and a few pairs of shoes!

Technorati Tags: kikkor golf shoes review,james lepp,men's tenny classic

5pm. We Have Ignition. We Have PowerPlay Golf

THE FORMAT: PowerPlay Golf: Ignition uses a modified Stableford points system but the key to the format is the use of two pins on every green: white for easy and black for hard. Each player has the option to go for the hard pin on three occasions in the first eight holes. Doing so allows them to score more points for eagles, birdies and pars.

On the final hole every player can opt for the black pin should they wish but there is an added risk: bogey or worse on the final hole results in a loss of points.

THE VENUE:

The back-nine of the 2010 Course at Celtic  Manor will host the event.

THE FIELD:

Graeme McDowell: “Mejor Chompion”, winner at the Manor on Tour and devoured it in The Ryder Cup.

Ian Poulter: Well dressed, matchplay expert and Ryder Cup king.

Paul Casey: Paul Casey

John Daly:If Hannibal Lecter played golf…...

Gary Player: Stomach crunching 80 something who dresses like Simon Cowell.

Ian Woosnam: Pint sized powerhouse and 4 second drinker of pint of Guinness.

Paula Creamer: I love her and so does my wife. Not in the same way though

Thongchai Jaidee:  Hitman with a parachute who golfs

PowerPlay Golf: Ignition tees off at 5pm on Monday 30th May. Will it be the start of a golfing revolution? We'll soon find out.

Technorati Tags: powerplay golf,saab wales open,ignition,rob hill

2011 Saab Wales Open Betting Preview and Tips- European Tour

Betting Preview And Tips: 2011 Saab Wales Open

Saab Wales Open, The Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, Wales 02 Jun 2011 - 05 Jun 2011

Winner Alright: Last week we scored a one-two with Luke Donald and Lee Westwood at Wentworth.

Odds on exchanges

Simon Dyson 28/1

I really liking Simon Dyson’s chances in Celtic Manor this week. After top 10’s in Sicily and Malaysia, Dyson is on another good run with a fifth at the Open de Espana and third on his own last week in Wentworth. It’s all action with Dyson, fidgety and emotional. Tied for sixth in Wales in 2009 and was in the running for a time last year after a third round 64. Looking for his fifth Tour win.

Thomas Bjorn 34/1

They say ‘Life begins at 40’ and on the golf course at least it’s all good right now for Thomas Bjorn. Since his comeback win in Estoril this time last year Bjorn has looked a classier more confident and rededicated player. He won again in Qatar in February and finished in the top 30 in his last three events. Bjorn hasn’t played since April due to his father’s ill health and he sadly passed away last week. The Dane likes Celtic Manor, he finished ninth here last year after missing six cuts in a row. May be inspired to great things.

Raphael Jacquelin 28/1

Looks like Raf-jack might be coming back into a bit of form after his tied fourth finish at Wentworth. The Frenchman bridged a four year winless gap back in March when he took the Sicilian Open title and contended again the following week at the Open de Andalucía finishing fourth. After missing the cut in Spain two weeks ago, Jacquelin has worked hard on the range and reaped the rewards at Wetworth. Finished third here in 2008.

David Horsey 38/1

Another man having a great season is England’s David Horsey. Next week he will be defending the BMW International title that he won this time last year in Germany and all the indicators are good for a repeat. Horsey added his second win at the Trophee Hassan in March and though he had a blip in form after, recovered well with a fifth at the Open de Espana and a tied seventh last week. Thus the perfect opportunity to go into your bookies for a golf bet on a Horsey!

Shane Lowry 40/1

Let’s hope Bruce Critchley and Ewen Murray take some time away from their prawn sandwiches this week to go the range and maybe learn a little about Clara’s Shane Lowry. That way they might know a little more about him than his name when he’s in the mix at Celtic Manor. The 2009 Irish Open champion is on an excellent run since the Ballantines when he finished 13^th. Lowry has improved his finish in each event since, with an 11^th and 5^th in Spain followed by a tied fourth at the BMW PGA Championship last week. Shane might not be in the best of moods to talk to the Sky guys however; he’s a die hard Man united fan so might be a bit tender right now!

 

Technorati Tags: 2011 Saab Wales Open,Betting Preview and Tips,European Tour,betfair golf tips,paddypower,boylesports golf tips

,

Monty and Hempleman- The Final Hours

Technorati Tags: colin montgomerie,jason hempleman,funny pic

No Sabbatini Until Majors: Banned But Wont Admit It?

Rory Sabbatini wont be playing this week at The Memorial. After shooting 82 in the second round of the HP Byron Nelson last week, Sabbo said he wont be playing again before the U.S. Open and after that until the British Open because he is already exempt from qualifying.

Pic: Exclusive pic of Sabbatini’s head to head to Sean O’Hair.

The withdrawal has fuelled speculation that Sabbatini will actually being serving out his PGA Tour ban during that period.

Although the PGA don’t disclose the bans they hand out publicly Sabbatini is said to have been sin binned for his on-course shouting match with Sean O’Hair followed by his verbal machine gunning a young kid who was helping him to look for his ball at the Northern Trust Open.

The ban would not apply to the majors, the US Open is run by the USGA (not the PGA) and the British Open by the R&A.

 

Technorati Tags: rory sabbatini funny pic,fievel goes west,lookalike,sean o'Hair

Isabelle Beisiegel Defies Health Issues and Earns Card To Join The Men on Canadian Tour

Several women have tried it, including Annika Sorenstam, Michelle Wie and Laura Davies. But very few have succeeded.

Now a 32 year old lady from Montreal named Isabelle Beisiegel has defied the odds and overcome battles with her health to become the first female player to earn a playing card on a “men’s” professional golf tour, by tying for ninth place in the Canadian Tour’s Spring Qualifying School to earn the last non-exempt spot.

The way qualifying works for the Candian Tour is a little complicated. The top 12% of the field at Canadian Q School earns exempt status and the next 12% earns non-exempt status. Exempt status means a player can enter and play in any field event. Non-exempt status means you qualify for certain events based on your ranking coming out of Q-School and your ranking on tour. Non-exempt members may have to qualify to earn a spot in events.

In 2008 Beisiegel overcame Graves' Disease, an auto-immune disease and made her goal then to one day play alongside men. “The ball doesn't know whether it is a man or a woman hitting it," Beisiegel said back in ‘08.

She was diagnosed with Graves' Disease in November 2005. Ironically, the first symptoms were traced back to 2004. The auto-immune disease is considered rare and primarily affects women older than 20. It causes hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid produces too much of the hormones that control the body's metabolism, which has a negative effect on heart rate as well as muscle and bone strength. In Beisiegel's case, the disease – which resulted in her resting heart rate routinely climbing to 130 beats per minute - went undetected for nearly a year.

This isnt the first time she has tried to mix it with the men. She has previously played in the U.S. PGA Tour qualifying school and tried to qualify for the men’s U.S. Open.

In 2006 Beisiegel underwent surgery to have her thyroid removed, and at the same time doctors discovered she had been suffering from Hashimoto's Thyroiditis,a rare second type of auto-immune thyroid disease where the immune system destroys the thyroid gland. The subsequent recovery from surgery forced her to withdraw from the LPGA final qualifying tournament later that year.

Now completely recovered Beisiegel’s 8-over finish Morningstar Golf Club was enough to get the job done and earn her Canadian Tour card albeit with non-exempt status.

Rumours are now rife that Sergio Garcia will attempt to be the first man to play on the LPGA Tour next season.

Technorati Tags: isabelle beisiegel,canadian tour,graves disease

2011 HP Byron Nelson Final Round Highlights- PGA Tour

Technorati Tags: 2011 HP Byron Nelson Final Round Highlights,PGA Tour

Tom Watson wins 2011 Senior PGA at Valhalla

Tom Watson again played the role of living legend, holing a 3-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to beat (rules official) David Eger in the Senior PGA Championship at Valhalla. Both Eger and Watson had missed short putts on the 72nd hole for birdie.
Watson at 61 became the second oldest player to win a major since the seniors tour was created in 1980. He finished with a 70 to finish at 10-under and capture his 14th career major, six since turning 50 to go with five British Opens, two Masters and a U.S. Open.
More famous as a rules official than as a player, Eger closed with a 67.
Both Eger and Watson missed short putts on the 72nd hole for birdie.

What’s In The Bag Luke Donald at the 2011 BMW PGA Championship

Congrats to Luke Donald on winning the 2011 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Here’s what’s in his bag.

Technorati Tags: What’s In The Bag Luke Donald,2011 BMW PGA Championship

2011 BMW PGA Championship Final Round Highlights

Click on pic below to watch final round highlights from the 2011 BMW PGA Championship.

 

Technorati Tags: 2011 BMW PGA Championship Final Round Highlights,european tour,final round highlights

2011 BMW PGA Championship and HP Byron Nelson Third Round Highlights

Click on pic above to view highlights from the third round of the 2011 BMW PGA Championship on the European Tour site (opens in a new window)

Technorati Tags: 2011 BMW PGA CHampionship,2011 HP Byron Nelson,Third Round Highlights