Eat Sleep Golf

Crowne Plaza - Fantasy Picks - Presented by DraftKings

2015-05-19T05:46:00.001-06:00

This week the Tour heads to the historic Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. The course plays difficult with tight fairways and doglegs throughout. Playing just over 7,200 yards, this par 70 track certainly benefits those who can hit fairways.

Adam Scott returns to defend his title after winning last year’s event in a playoff against Jason Dufner. Also returning to action is Jordan Spieth, and it will be interesting to watch how he responds to Rory McIlroy’s play as of late. Following Spieth’s Masters victory last month, there has been a ton of chatter comparing both him and Rory, with many hoping to spark a rivalry between the two young guns. McIlroy has won twice in convincing fashion since Jordan’s historic victory (World Match Play Championship & Wells Fargo), and if Spieth comes out this week and is able to impress, it will go a long way in fueling the potential rivalry.

Have a look at our picks below... Do you disagree with our favorites? Think you can do better? Prove it by joining us in this weeks DraftKings Fantasy Golf Contest! Here's the gist of it:

$100,000 prize pool
First place wins $10,000
Only $3 to enter (Free with first deposit)
Top 7,850 finishing positions are paid
Deadline is Thursday, May 14th
Salary Cap Style Drafting. $50,000 to select 6 golfers

Click here or on the banner below to start drafting your lineup for the Crowne Plaza.

Jordan Spieth - T14 & T7 in last two editions of this event. Coming in looking to redeem himself after a disappointing performance at The Players Championship where he missed the cut. Loves to play in front of family and friends, and one can assume there will be many in the gallery this week.
Zach Johnson - Won this event in 2010, again in 2012, and finished two shots out of a playoff in 2013. Course plays to his strength of placing shots rather than bombing it off the tee.
Jimmy Walker - Looking to become the first player to post three wins in 2015 and in the process make up some serious ground on Spieth’s hold on the number one spot in the FedEx points standings.
Ryan Palmer - Knows the course like the back of his hand - as he should with Colonial serving as his home course. Finished two shots outside of making the playoff last year and has not finished outside of the top-15 since 2012.
Jim Herman - Is quietly having a breakout season. Coming off a solid week at the Wells Fargo (T13). Has two other top-10’s this season (Honda Classic & Zurich Classic).
Adam Scott - Looking for his first win on Tour this year, the defending champion ranks 4th in driving distance, 8th in ball striking and 5th in strokes gained tee-to-green.
Shawn Stefani - The Texan played well in front of a home crowd at the Shell Houston Open back in April. Struggled in the final round, posting a 76, but still managed to place T25. Coming off a good week at the Wells Fargo where he finished inside the top-10 (T9).
Paul Casey - Playing inspired golf this season with five top-10’s in his last eight events. Looking to bounce back after withdrawing from the Players Championship following an opening round 79.
Kevin Kisner - Cooled off a little last week finishing T38, but with two playoff losses in the last month, it’s hard to argue against him being a solid fantasy pick.
Hunter Mahan - Missed the cut at TPC Sawgrass, but his game seems to be taking shape since the Masters. Admitted to not being as prepared earlier in the year since he and his wife welcomed home their newest child, but look for him to continue to improve as he gets into a practice schedule that he is comfortable with.

Now for the fun part, drafting our lineups for the DraftKings contest. Taking the above players into consideration, we've put together our "A" team as well as a "Sleeper" team. If you're new to the DraftKings platform, each player is assessed a dollar value, based on which, you are tasked with drafting six (6) players while staying under the $50,000 salary cap. Do you think you could draft a better 'bang for your buck' line-up? Prove it by joining the contest!

Here's a look at my teams for this week.

Zach Johnson - $12,000
Ryan Palmer - $9,600
Jim Herman - $8,000
Fredrik Jacobson - $6.400
Tom Watson - $5,200
Boo Weekley - $7,700

Zach Johnson is a previous winner, and with Ryan Palmer’s performances the past three years on his home course, he is a solid pick. Jim Herman continues to establish himself on tour, and Fredrik Jacobson has made 10 of 13 cuts on Tour this season riding his superb ability on the greens. Tom Watson may have been born in 1949, but he can still compete. I see him as a steal at $5200. It has been nice to see Boo Weekley playing well again. He won this tournament back in 2013, and has been playing well on Tour as of late, finishing T16 last week and solo 3rd at the Zurich Classic a few weeks ago.

And now my DraftKings sleeper team.

Kevin Chappell - $7,200
Jim Herman - $8,000
David Toms - $7,200
Shawn Stefani - $7,800
Chris Stroud - $6,800
Cameron Tringale - $7,000

Kevin Chappell got off to a good start last week at the Wells Fargo, and finished 3 shots out of the playoff last year. I’m taking Jim Herman on both of my teams for the second consecutive week. He has been playing well, but has been doing so under the radar, so I still consider him a sleeper. David Toms won this event back in 2011, and finished T5 last year. Shawn Stefani is a coming off a good week at Wells Fargo (finished T9), and is a Texas native playing for a home crowd. Chris Stroud finished T14 in this event last year, but I’m taking him more off a gut feeling. Cameron Tringale on the other hand is one of those young players who can compete on any given week. I’m expecting him to break out for his first victory in the near future.

About the Author
This article was written by Jonathan Carr (@jonathanwcarr) as part of our weekly #FantasyGolf series. Each week we preview the upcoming PGA Tour event and highlight some of the players we'll be keeping an eye on. As a scratch golfer himself, Jonathan has a keen eye for what it takes to be successful on and off the golf course. His passion for golf is surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family. Read some of Jonathan's other articles here.

About DraftKings
DraftKings is a leading provider of online fantasy sports. Our core product is a 1-day Fantasy Sports Contest, where users compete against each other to win cash prizes. The game works similarly to how season-long contests on ESPN or Yahoo operate, with the key difference being that instead of season-long commitments, our users only need to commit to playing for a single day at a time.

Free and entry-fee-based games are available. Featuring daily fantasy sports contests and same-day settlement, DraftKings makes playing fantasy sports simpler and faster for both seasoned and casual players.

Read more about DraftKings at: www.DraftKings.com

Wells Fargo - Fantasy Picks - Presented by DraftKings

2015-05-12T05:44:00.003-06:00

After coming off a week that saw them tackle one of the best tests in golf at TPC Sawgrass, Tour players are once again getting ready to tackle another challenging track. This week’s Wells Fargo Championship, held at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, is home of the “Green Mile”. One of the toughest set of finishing holes on the PGA Tour, it gets it’s name from it’s par 4, 3, 4 finish where the length of the holes are only half the obstacle. Players will have to contend with long approach shots on holes 16 and 17 that are surrounded by water, and then a 493-yard par 4 18th with a ravine that comes into play on the drive, and approach shot.

This tournament has provided memorable moments on the PGA Tour. There was Anthony Kim’s breakout victory in 2008, and then Rory’s in 2010 where he posted a final round 62 to win by four. Here’s looking forward to a great week, on a great course, that has a history of great finishes.

Have a look at our picks below... Do you disagree with our favorites? Think you can do better? Prove it by joining us in this weeks DraftKings Fantasy Golf Contest! Here's the gist of it:

$100,000 prize pool
First place wins $10,000
Only $3 to enter (Free with first deposit)
Top 7,850 finishing positions are paid
Deadline is Thursday, May 14th
Salary Cap Style Drafting. $50,000 to select 6 golfers

Click here or on the banner below to start drafting your lineup for the Wells Fargo.

Here are my picks for who to look for come Sunday afternoon.

Rory McIlroy - His play of late is reminiscent of last summer when he went on his hot streak winning two major championships (British Open & PGA Championship), as well as a World Golf Championship (Bridgestone Invitational). The last couple weeks (Win at World Match Play & T8 at Players) continue to prove that playing a lot seems to fuel his game,rather than hinder it.
Hideki Matsuyama - Held back by a second round 74 at The Players. Difficult to believe he won’t play solid golf with his track record so far this year. Has five top-10’s in 2015.
Henrik Stenson - Continues to play solid golf in 2015. Since November, has not placed outside of the top-25 in a stroke-play event on tour.
JB Holmes - Defending champion comes into Quail Hollow playing better golf than he was last year when he took the title. Look for his length to compliment the current consistency of his game.
Kevin Kisner - Displayed respectable poise throughout Sunday’s final round and the playoff. Continuing to contend and gain confidence. Finished T6 at this event last year.
Jim Furyk - Proved at RBC Heritage that playing difficult courses which require you to manage your way around the course plays to his strengths. Runner-up finish last year. Winner in 2006.
Ben Martin - The Carolina native has been playing very solid golf since the beginning of March. Coming off a T4 finish last week at The Players. Finished respectable T37 at RBC Heritage a few weeks ago, on a shotmakers course - as is Quail Hollow.
Bill Haas - Almost made the playoff on Sunday. The former FedEx Cup champ is returning to a course that he has played well on in past years (4th in 2011).
Ryan Moore - In past four years has played well at Quail Hollow, finishing T18, T6, T5 & T33. Incredible consistency on a difficult course.
Kevin Streelman - The Duke grad finished T14 and T6 in last two editions of this event. Played well at the Masters earlier in April, but otherwise has struggled to crack the top-30 in events. Past success at this event is the only reason for this pick.

DraftKings Starting Line-Up

Rory McIlroy - $14,000
Ryan Moore - $8,000
Kevin Kisner - $8,100
Fabian Gomez - $5,900
Troy Merritt - $6,600
Jim Herman - $7,200

With the way that McIlroy and Kisner are playing, and with Moore’s track record at Quail Hollow, I wanted to make sure they were on my list. I’m taking Gomez because he has made 11 of 16 cuts this year. Troy Merritt is a steal at $6,600 with two top-10’s already this season. Jim Herman is having a great year and has been hot as of late. He has two top-10’s in his last five starts.

DraftKings Sleeper Line-Up

Ben Martin - $8,700
Rory Sabbatini - $8,200
Martin Flores - $8,000
Jonathan Byrd - $7,700
Jim Herman - $7,200
Jason Kokrak $7,100

Martin and Sabbatini both played well last week. Sabbatini’s play came as a surprise to many, and could be the boost he needs to really contend this weekend, having played well at this event last year (T8). Flores also played decent golf last week, and was a 3rd place finisher at Quail Hollow last year. I’m taking Jonathan Byrd played well in the 2014 edition of this tournament, and Herman and Kokrak are up and comers who both have two top-10s this season. Herman’s play makes him worthy of my drafting him twice this week. If Kokrak drives the ball like he is capable, look for him to have a good finish.

About the Author
This article was written by Jonathan Carr (@jonathanwcarr) as part of our weekly #FantasyGolf series. Each week we preview the upcoming PGA Tour event and highlight some of the players we'll be keeping an eye on. As a scratch golfer himself, Jonathan has a keen eye for what it takes to be successful on and off the golf course. His passion for golf is surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family. Read some of Jonathan's other articles here.

About DraftKings
DraftKings is a leading provider of online fantasy sports. Our core product is a 1-day Fantasy Sports Contest, where users compete against each other to win cash prizes. The game works similarly to how season-long contests on ESPN or Yahoo operate, with the key difference being that instead of season-long commitments, our users only need to commit to playing for a single day at a time.

Free and entry-fee-based games are available. Featuring daily fantasy sports contests and same-day settlement, DraftKings makes playing fantasy sports simpler and faster for both seasoned and casual players.

Read more about DraftKings at: www.DraftKings.com

Rickie Fowler With Historic Win at The Players Championship

2015-05-10T19:11:00.002-06:00

COBRA PUMA GOLF Pro Rickie Fowler Climbs a Packed Leaderboard and Dominates a Playoff to Capture His Second Career Win In Florida

CARLSBAD, CA – COBRA PUMA GOLF athlete Rickie Fowler powered his way to a stunning victory on Sunday at The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Trailing by five strokes with just six holes to play, Fowler birdied 13, 15, 17 and 18 and eagled 16, finally beating out Sergio Garcia and Kevin Kisner in a dramatic playoff, to notch his third worldwide victory. Fowler was decked out in PUMA Golf pink apparel and TITANTOUR shoes in honor of Mother’s Day and Pink Out and equipped with his COBRA Golf clubs including his Fly-Z+ driver which he used to hit the longest drive of the week at 336 yards.

“Rickie is such a unique and captivating player and an excellent brand ambassador. We couldn’t be more thrilled to see him celebrate this win,” said Bob Philion, President, COBRA PUMA GOLF. “Having dynamic and colorful players such as Rickie, with this signature style and edge, coupled with his world class performance, helps reinforce COBRA PUMA GOLF’s message of game enjoyment, and adds more excitement to a tournament.”

Fowler, who had 21 birdies and an eagle this week, used his COBRA FLY-Z+ Driver (MAP $399) in his signature Orange, to help secure his win. Featuring revolutionary ‘FLIPZONE’ weighting technology, the Fly-Z+ Driver is COBRA Golf’s first ever front & back CG adjustable driver to deliver ultimate distance. A low front CG setting provides penetrating ball flight with more roll, while the low back CG setting provides more towering ball flight with more carry.

Fowler used his COBRA Golf equipment to help secure his win. His bag consists of:

Driver: Fly-Z+ Driver 10.5° in Orange weight Forward | Matrix Prototype 70X
3 Wood: Fly-Z+ 3W 14° Orange |Aldila Tour Blue 73X
5 Wood: BioCell+ 5wd Fwy 18.5° Orange Aldila Tour Blue 70X
Irons: Fly-Z Pro MB Irons 4-9 | MB Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100; Fly-Z+ Forged 3i Matrix hm2
Wedges: Tour Trusty | 47°, 51°, 57°, 62° RF Grind Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

During the final round, Fowler switched his signature PUMA Golf “Sunday Orange” for a Pink look in support of Mother’s Day and THE PLAYERS Pink Out. On his way to capture the trophy, Fowler rocked the GT Glitch Stripe Polo, Tech 6 Pocket Pants in Gray Dawn, the Script Cool Cell Snapback Cap and the TITANTOUR Golf Shoes in Pink, which helped keep him cool, steady and comfortable through all four rounds.

Fowler, who’s currently ranked 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking, captured his first PGA TOUR win at the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the first extra hole of a sudden-death playoff. Fowler has had nine top 10 finishes in the 2014, including finishing T5 at the Masters Tournament at Augusta, T2 at the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2, T2 at The Open Championship and T3 at the PGA Championship.

Canadian Rockies Golf Courses Unveil Special Rates to Open 2015 Season

2015-05-08T10:22:00.000-06:00

(CANMORE, Alberta, Canada) – Players are teeing off at Canadian Rockies Golf courses (www.canadianrockiesgolf.net) – the esteemed collection of Western Alberta mountain courses – with Canmore Golf & Curling Club and The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge the first two to debut this season.

Other top-rated CRG courses are poised to quickly follow suit:

May 8: Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club (practice range already open)
May 8: Tunnel Mountain 9-hole Course at The Fairmont Banff Springs
May 14: Silvertip Resort Golf Course
May 15: Stanley Thompson Course at The Fairmont Banff Springs

“It’s an exciting time of the year when we open for the new season,” said Darren Cooke, general manager of Canmore Golf & Curling Club. “The courses came through the winter in great condition and we look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world, who come to enjoy highly rated golf, resorts, our beautiful mountain scenery and our renowned hospitality.”

Cooke could have added another enticement luring golfers to Alberta – the extremely favorable exchange rate for the U.S. dollar, providing Americans a savings of more than 20 percent at some points this year.

Special shoulder-season rates – with savings of nearly 30 percent – are offered to start the season. An array of value-laden stay-and-play packages are also available, including Pins and Fins (golf and fly fishing), Canadian Rockies Heritage Tour (golf and helicopter tour), Pampered Putters Getaway (golf and spa) and more.

For more information on reserving tee times or booking packages, as well as course capsules, imagery and testimonials, visit www.canadianrockiesgolf.net or call 1.855.835.8484.

About Canadian Rockies Golf
Canadian Rockies Golf represents a collection of six award-winning golf properties located in the stunning landscape of the Western Alberta province: Canmore Golf & Curling Club, The Fairmont Banff Springs, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Kananaskis Country Golf Courses, Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club and Silvertip Resort. Known for dramatic, historic and untamed layouts, each course provides a unique mountain-golf experience where wildlife is regularly seen and unforgettable views are found. This is golf that inspires.

For more information call 1.855.835.8484, visit www.canadianrockiesgolf.net or "Like" the Canadian Rockies Golf Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/canadianrockiesgolf.

Top 10 - Gary Player Quotes

2015-05-07T06:07:00.002-06:00

Gary Player will always be considered one of golf’s greatest champions. Eloquent and well-spoken, Mr. Player is a man respected for his wisdom on issues pertaining to golf and life. A winner of 9 major championships and 156 other worldwide victories between 1955 and 2010, when he speaks, it pays to listen. Thankfully he has always been gracious enough to share his knowledge with those who ask. Let’s take a look at what we can learn from some of his most famous quotes.

10. “My goal was to break 80. When you get to 70, if I can break 80, I consider that a victory.” Golf is a game for every age, and victory is satisfying at every age. It may look a little different than it used to, but a victory is still a victory.

9. “If there's a golf course in heaven, I hope it's like Augusta National. I just don't want an early tee time.” Many would agree that Augusta National is golf’s Garden of Eden. Although it’s not a quote we can necessarily learn from, it is certainly one which many can appreciate.

8. “The best way to break out of a slump is to pretend you’re a player whose swing is rhythmic and beautiful.” Mr. Player has said that when slumping, he used to watch players with beautiful swings, and then try and imitate them. While in a slump it can be very easy to focus on all the negatives surrounding your game, but as this quote points out, focusing on something positive is the best way to bring about positive results.

7. “I used the same blade putter almost exclusively for more than 35 years. Won over 100 tournaments and the Grand Slam with it.” There is something to be said for sticking with what works. It would be great to hear what Mr. Player thinks about Tiger’s constant coach and swing changes.

6. “Golf is a puzzle without an answer. I've played the game for 40 years and I still haven't the slightest idea how to play.” It is refreshing to hear these words come from a man whom many would argue has in fact mastered the game of golf. Every golfer can always improve, and every golfer is constantly searching for the answers which will allow this to happen.

5. “We create success or failure on the course, primarily by our thoughts.” If you expect to play well, you need to think well. When your thoughts turn mediocre, expect mediocre results. It is for this reason that you see so many tour pros turning to mental coaches to ensure that they stay competitive. When Tiger Woods was at the top of his game back in 2000, there is no doubt that he could pull off some physically demanding golf shots, but this is not what allowed him to win as often as he did. It was his mental capabilities that were primarily responsible for his success on the golf course. His ability to think well allowed him to get the most out of his game.

4. “Arnold (Palmer) played 50 times. I'd like to play 51 times and then hang it up.” In a day full of conceited, arrogant athletes, it is refreshing to look to individuals like Mr. Player who were warriors in competition, but at the same time respected gentlemen. Mr. Player always had the utmost respect for his competition, including Arnold Palmer, but that didn’t mean he would pass on an opportunity to “one up” his competition.

3. “A good golfer has the determination to win and the patience to wait for the breaks.” Here is described one of the many qualities of a champion, and Mr. Player is one of the finest. In golf, it isn’t necessarily the competitor who wants it badly enough who will achieve victory. It’s the golfer who wants it, but is smart enough to wait for the appropriate time to make their move. A champion golfer also recognizes that they will not always get the breaks needed to defeat their competition, however; the one who is determined to patiently wait for such breaks will often be rewarded.

2. “The harder you work, the luckier you get.” Many don’t realize that it was Mr. Player who coined this phrase. He tells the story that he coined it after taking money off of a gentlemen who challenged him to hole a bunker shot. Mr. Player holed three in a row.

1. “You must work very hard to become a natural golfer.” In most sports, the premier athletes are often viewed as “naturally gifted”, but Mr. Player points out that to be a natural it requires significant time and effort. Playing the game of golf in a natural way requires complete trust in your mental and physical techniques. Developing each portion takes time, effort and experience. Implementing both simultaneously, in order to play naturally, requires exponentially more. The career of Gary Player teaches us that hard work can be rewarded when the effort is deliberate. It is important to have the physical tools necessary to compete, but combining them with mental strength is necessary for one’s potential to be manifested. Mr. Player personifies such qualities.

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This article was written by Jonathan Carr as part of our Eat Sleep Golf 'Top 10' series. Jonathan is a talented and passionate golfer surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family. Connect with Jonathan on Twitter (@JonathanWCarr) or read some of his other articles here.

GolfNow App Now Available For Apple Watch & Android Wear

2015-05-05T15:48:00.000-06:00

Featuring On-Course Yardages & In-App Scoring

Available in the iTunes, Google Play App Stores

ORLANDO, Fla. – GolfNow announced the release of watch-specific versions of its GolfNow Mobile App, now available for the Apple Watch (iTunes App store) and Android Wear (Google Play store).

The Apple Watch and Android Wear versions of the GolfNow App ($29.99 annual subscription) will allow golfers access to an innovative on-course GPS function which provides hole-by-hole yardages at more than 30,000 golf courses around the world. The GPS function clearly displays distances to the front, center and back of the green, with additional relevant yardages on each hole accessible by swiping left/right on the watch. App users also will be able to keep score during their round in multiple gameplay formats by tapping on the scoring pencil function after completing each hole on their way to the next tee box.

“Golfers will now be able to access the on-course GPS and scoring functions made popular by GolfNow’s Mobile App through the clear and easily accessible display on the face of their Apple Watch or Android Wear device,” said Mike Lowe, vice president of product development and user experience for GolfNow. “The watch-specific versions of the App, along with our previously released GolfNow Mobile App are bringing technology to golf in new and innovative ways to make the game more engaging and fun, and helping to fulfill GolfNow’s mission to encourage more golfers to play more golf by utilizing the benefits and conveniences of technology.”

The Apple Watch and Android Wear GolfNow App are extensions of the previously released premium version of its Mobile App last October, featuring a modern, intuitive feel that utilizes location services and Google Places to personalize the tee time booking experience to allow golfers to easily search for courses in their area. The advanced search allows golfers to select a course and tee time based on several criteria including location, price, time of day, and rating, which is based on GolfAdvisor.com reviews. The premium version of the Mobile App also showcases the on-course GPS platform; a personalized statistical analysis dashboard to help golfers improve their game; and in-round scoring.

About GolfNow
Founded in 2001, GolfNow is the leading online tee time booking and golf course technology and services platform offering more than 2 million registered golfers more ways to stay connected to their favorite courses and tee times through the web, e-mail and mobile devices via the GolfNow Mobile App, which features on-course GPS tracking, in-round scoring and game tracking. GolfNow provides tee time access and technology offerings to more than 8,000 golf courses around the world, and is part of the suite of digital businesses managed by Golf Channel, which is seen in more than 200 million homes worldwide through cable, satellite and wireless companies. For more information, go to GolfNowSolutions.com.

The Players - Fantasy Golf - Presented by DraftKings

2015-05-05T05:58:00.001-06:00

It’s referred to as the fifth major for good reason. One of the best stages in golf, the most famous par 3 in the game, and a finishing hole where anything can happen. With the top-50 players in the world all scheduled to attend, TPC Sawgrass plays like a major championship.

In the past 10 years of this tournament, we have seen champions such as Fred Funk (2005), Stephen Ames (2006) and Tim Clark (2010), revealing that in order to succeed in this tournament, you need to place each shot, not just bomb it off the tee. This week’s picks are based off of course familiarity, shotmaking and combined with who’s hot right now in the world of golf. And don’t forget to check out my DraftKings lineups for this week. This is a new addition to our Fantasy Golf series, one which you can also join in on. Click here or on the banner below to start drafting your lineup for The Players. Signing up now and receive a free entry, with $100,000 in cash prizes!

Rory McIlroy - Coming off a world class win, literally, at the WGC Match Play. Proved last summer that wins only fuel his fire. Look for him to compete despite the fact that he is coming off a week which saw him play a lot of mentally strenuous golf. Has finished in top-10 in last two editions of this event.
Jordan Spieth - Finished three shots back from last year’s champion, Martin Kaymer. Does not have a lot of experience on this course, but has more than proven that he can hit greens and make big putts.
Henrik Stenson - No missed cuts this season, and a couple runner-up finishes (Hero World Challenge & Arnold Palmer invitational). Ranks first in strokes gained tee-to-green and strokes gained putting. Winner of this event in 2009.
Jim Furyk - Runner-up last year to Kaymer, one of the most consistent ball strikers on tour, winner a few weeks ago at RBC Heritage, and fourth place finish last week at WGC Match Play.
Sergio Garcia - Solo 3rd place finish last year, T8 in 2013, T12 in 2011, and won in 2008. A consistent threat at TPC Sawgrass.
Jimmy Walker - Is yet to miss a cut this year, and has five top-10 finishes, including a win at Sony Open in Hawaii. Finished T6 last year for best career finish in this event, but has in general performed well at this event the past few years. This could serve as that first “big” career win.
Justin Rose - Playing very solid golf since the Masters. Win at Zurich Classic, followed by solid performance at Match Play, despite being unable to make it to round of 16. Finished T4 at last year’s event.
Hideki Matsuyama - Been playing like a seasoned veteran despite the fact that he’s only 23 years old. Has only missed one cut this season, and his name continues to surface on leaderboards. T23 finish at this event in 2014.
Morgan Hoffmann - Finished T17 at last year’s event, and is playing even better golf now than he was at this point last year.
Zach Johnson - His game is all about putting the ball in the fairway. Averages less than 280 yards off the tee, but knows how to keep the ball in the right spots that will allow him to compete.
Lee Westwood - Only missed one cut this season, and finished T9 at last week’s WGC Match Play. Is playing well, and has performed well at this event in recent years.

After reviewing the field and highlighting some key players to watch, it's time to take things to the next level and strategically draft a powerful lineup on DraftKings. Within DraftKings, each player is assessed a dollar value, based on which, you are tasked with drafting six (6) players while staying under the $50,000 salary cap. Here's a look at my teams for this week.

Draft Kings Starting Line-Up

Henrik Stenson - $10,400
Jim Furyk - $10,000
Hideki Matsuyama - $8,800
Mark Leishman - $7,000
Morgan Hoffmann - $6,900
Shawn Stefani - $6,400

Taking Stenson is a solid first pick, as he is yet to miss a cut this year, has competed for titles, and is ranked number 1 in strokes gained putting and strokes gained tee-to-green. Furyk has been playing his best golf in the past few years, Matsuyama continues to play fearless golf and Leishman is coming off a solid performance last week at the WGC. Shawn Stefani could be considered a sleeper pick, but has made 12 of 14 cuts this season. Morgan Hoffmann on the other hand has been playing solid golf all year.

Draft Kings Sleeper Line-Up

Ben Crane - $7,400
Cameron Tringale - $7,800
David Toms - $6,900
Chris Kirk - $6,700
David Hearn - $6,400
Bernhard Langer - $6,500

I’m taking Ben Crane for the fact that he is a world class putter, and he finished T8 at this event in 2013. Cameron Tringale is coming off a 2nd place finish at the Zurich Classic, narrowly missing a playoff with Justin Rose. David Toms plays well at this event, having finished T10 in 2012, 2nd in 2011 (lost in playoff to K.J. Choi). He doesn’t hit the ball a long way, but he knows how to manage his way around a golf course, which is key at TPC Sawgrass. Chris Kirk is a solid ball striker with a cool demeanor that allows him to stay calm and focused when in contention. David Hearn is another who has played well at this event in the past. He finished T6 last year, and T26 in 2013. I like Bernhard Langer for the fact that he knows how to compete. To win as often as he does on the Champions Tour takes extreme mental strength because you have proven champions shooting incredibly low scores on a weekly basis. To win on the Champions Tour, you cannot make many mistakes in a week, and Langer wins a lot. Combine this with his level of fitness and knowledge of the course, and you have a solid pick for this week.

About the Author

This article was written by Jonathan Carr (@jonathanwcarr) as part of our weekly #FantasyGolf series. Each week we preview the upcoming PGA Tour event and highlight some of the players we'll be keeping an eye on. As a scratch golfer himself, Jonathan has a keen eye for what it takes to be successful on and off the golf course. His passion for golf is surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family. Read some of Jonathan's other articles here.

About DraftKings
DraftKings is a leading provider of online fantasy sports. Our core product is a 1-day Fantasy Sports Contest, where users compete against each other to win cash prizes. The game works similarly to how season-long contests on ESPN or Yahoo operate, with the key difference being that instead of season-long commitments, our users only need to commit to playing for a single day at a time.

Free and entry-fee-based games are available. Featuring daily fantasy sports contests and same-day settlement, DraftKings makes playing fantasy sports simpler and faster for both seasoned and casual players.

Read more about DraftKings at: www.DraftKings.com

Name That Golfer - Week 19

2015-05-04T13:44:00.003-06:00

Thanks to everyone who continues to participate in our weekly #NameThatGolfer contests. We're having a lot of fun with this series and hope you are too. For those who are seeing this for the first time, the process is simple... Each week we provide a new sketch of a PGA Tour Player, LPGA Tour Player or a golf personality; if you can correctly identify the person illustrated, you could be walking away with some great prizes from our sponsoring brands.

This weeks contest is presented by Vision Golf, manufacturer of the brightest, most visible USGA conforming golf balls on the market. This week Vision will generously be offering up 8 pairs of their X-Grip golf gloves to those who can correctly identify the LPGA Tour player seen below.

Best of luck!

About Vision Golf

Vision Golf is a 100% family owned business that has no fear of the much larger OEM brands. Vision brings to the golf industry many practical innovations in golf design from the productive long-term working relationship between the well known Australian father and son pairing of Bill and Wayne Bosley and their 80+ years of combined International golf industry work experience.

The Bosley's have worked together with many of the industry’s iconic brands and elite players during the years including PGF Australia / Ram Golf / Penfold Golf / Etonic Golf / Acushnet Company (Titleist / Pinnacle and Footjoy) / Dunlop Slazengers ,,,,, and the majority of all the current Australian and New Zealand Professional Tour players on both the men’s and woman’s circuits around the world.

The goal of Vision Golf is to provide innovative golf products that players are proud to use.

For more about Vision Golf please visit: www.uvgolfball.com

Connect with Vision on: Facebook, Twitter & Google+

About Name That Golfer
"Name That Golfer" is a weekly contest series where we post caricature/sketches of PGA Tour players, LPGA Tour players and other golf personalities. If you recognize the golfer illustrated, share your answer with us through one of our social channels using #NameThatGolfer for your chance at weekly prizes.

Submit your guess in the comment section below, or join the conversation on Facebook (www.fb.com/eatsleepgolf) or on Twitter (@EatSleepGolf) and use #NameThatGolfer.

To see all our golf sketches from other weeks, click here.

Golf Fore Africa - 4th Annual East Coast Classic

2015-04-28T10:21:00.001-06:00

New York - Golf Fore Africa announces its upcoming golf tournament and event, The 4th Annual East Coast Classic on Monday, July 13, 2015 at Friar’s Head, New York.

This event allows fans of the LPGA and supporters of Golf Fore Africa to have an opportunity to spend a day golfing with stars from the LPGA while raising funds to support GFA’s Project Zambia. With 50% of rural Zambians lacking access to clean water and one of eleven children dying before the age of five, Golf Fore Africa partners with World Visions’ WASH Program that plans on reaching 305,000 people with water. Around 280 communities will benefit from WASH interventions.

This year’s group of 22 LPGA professionals includes several World Golf Hall of Fame members and current stars of the LPGA tour such as Juli Inkster, Lexi Thompson, Christina Kim, Angela Stanford and Cheyenne Woods. Each amateur will have the opportunity to play with two of the LPGA professionals, nine holes with each. The night includes a live auction hosted by Paige Mackenzie from Golf Channel that will be auctioning off a Pebble Beach Golf getaway, golf at Bandon Dunes for four and a chance to purchase a round of golf with LPGA pro Katherine Kirk at Flint Hills.

Last year’s Golf Fore Africa’s 3rd Annual East Coast Classic event raised more than $275,000.

“My experience at the recent Golf Fore Africa outing was unrivaled. As a corporate sponsor, I was delighted to assist this incredible organization to help those less fortunate with clean water. As a golfer, the experience was pure joy,” said Corey Roberts, CEO of RRD Partners Inc.

To be become a corporate sponsor for this event register here:
http://www.golfforeafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/87487-2-GFA-RegForm.pdf

To simply donate to Golf Fore Africa’s efforts: http://zambia.golfforeafrica.org/donate/

About Golf Fore Africa
Golf Fore Africa is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization dedicated to bringing help and hope to children and women in Africa. It their our core belief that a positive difference can be made in the lives of children, women and entire communities by funding projects that provide: clean water, education, medical care and assistance, training on HIV/AIDS prevention, agricultural assistance and support for micro-economic development. Golf Fore Africa was founded in early 2007 by LPGA Hall of Fame Golfer Betsy King following a 2006 trip with World Vision to Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. Betsy took this trip with a prayer to hear God’s call on her life and a desire to explore Africa. After witnessing the terrible plight of AIDS and its devastating effects on the children of Africa, she came home with a burning passion to make a difference in these children’s lives and a vision to do so using her gifts and experience in golf.

About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

See more at: http://www.worldvision.org/about-us/who-we-are#sthash.HhsyJ4h9.dpuf

About Friar’s Head
Friar's Head is a golf course located in Baiting Hollow, Long Island. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, this 350 acre private course is ranked 23rd in the USA and 37th in the World by Golf Digest.

For more information visit -- http://www.friarshead.org/

WGC - Cadillac Match Play - Fantasy Picks

2015-04-28T06:04:00.003-06:00

Match play championships are always exciting, and this year the Cadillac Match Play Championships are adding a new format. In doing so, it stands to make this week that much more intriguing.

In the past, each match had players facing elimination, but in this 2015 edition, a player could lose a match, and still go on to win the championship. Golfers have been seeded into 16 groups; beginning Wednesday they will play round robin matches against the others in their pool. The player with the best record will move on to the round of 16. It is there that the traditional elimination matches will begin.

The new format is fantastic for golf fans, for it allows us to watch more golf by keeping players in the event for longer stretches of time. On top of this, as the matches progress through the round robin, there is sure to be many interesting storylines, as matches being played concurrently will have direct effect on others within the group. With 16 groups, there will be numerous scenarios to keep an eye on.

Listed below are the players I predict will make it out of each grouping..

Group 1 (McIlroy, Horschel, Snedeker, Dufner):

Rory McIlroy - I’m tempted to take Snedeker, but hard to bet against the world number one. Horshel and Dufner having very average seasons.

Group 2 (Spieth, Westwood, Every, Ilonen):

Jordan Spieth - Went head to head with Justin Rose at the Masters in what at moments seemed like match play. Knows how to grind and make the important putts when they matter.

Group 3 (Stenson, Haas, Todd, Senden):

Bill Haas - I see both Haas and Stenson winning their first 2 matches, leading to a winner moves on scenario on Friday. Statistics say Stenson, but my gut says Haas.

Group 4 (Watson, Oosthuizen, Bradley, Jimenez):

Louis Oosthuizen - Coming off T19 and T7 at The Masters and RBC Heritage. Bubba Watson coming off two disappointing finishes at The Masters and two weeks ago in China.

Group 5 (Furyk, Kaymer, Jaidee, Coetzee):

Jim Furyk - Fresh off his win at the RBC Heritage. Played well in this event last year. Despite new venue, look to see him move through into the elimination rounds.

Group 6 (Rose, Palmer, Lahiri, Leishman):

Justin Rose - Qualified his terrific run at Augusta with a win last week at Zurich Classic. Will be difficult to eliminate.

Group 7 (Day, Z.Johnson, Grace, C.Hoffman):

Jason Day - Giving the benefit of the doubt to the defending champion. This grouping is a tough one to pick. Zach Johnson, Branden Grace and Charley Hoffman are all players who have been playing well over the past month.

Group 8 (D.Johnson, Dubuisson, Schwartzel, Jones):

Dustin Johnson - Would be easy to take Dubuisson after his runner-up finish at the event last year, but his mediocre play lately makes it difficult to make this selection. Despite Johnson’s T43 finish in New Orleans last week, and the fact that he has struggled at match play in the past, his play the last two months has been stellar.

Group 9 (Scott, Kirk, Casey, Molinari):

Paul Casey - Has been grinding it out this season, playing inspired golf, earning his way back into the top 64 in the world, and is therefore returning to this tournament. Look for him to continue to play inspired golf and come out on top in this grouping.

Group 10 (Garcia, Donaldson, Wiersberger, Fleetwood):

Sergio Garcia - Sergio played well in this event last year, while Donaldson and Wiesberger both exited in first round. Fleetwood is making his debut at the event this week.

Group 11 (Walker, Poulter, Simpson, Woodland):

Ian Poulter - Another group where a strong case could be made for each one of them. Poulter is a former champion of this event, and is well-known for his inspired play during Ryder Cup matches. He has also been playing fairly well this season.

Group 12 (Holmes, Koepka, Henley, Warren):

J.B. Holmes - Holmes has won already once this season (Shell Houston Open) and has recently been playing more solid golf than the rest of his grouping (Koepka, Henley, Warren).

Group 13 (Fowler, McDowell, Lowry, English):

Graeme McDowell - Graeme has made it through to the quarterfinals each of the past two years at this event. A spirited player who loves match play. With Fowler struggling last week, McDowell is looking like a very solid pick.

Group 14 (Kuchar, Mahan, Gallacher, Martin):

Matt Kuchar - Friday’s match between Mahan and Kuchar will be a rematch of the 2013 championship final. Kuchar is coming off a solo 5th place finish at the RBC Heritage, while Mahan has admittedly been distracted from working on his game as of late. It is for good reason, as he and his wife just welcomed their second child into the world.

Group 15 (Reed, Moore, Willett, Sullivan):

Ryan Moore - A former US Amateur champion, Moore has had success in match play formats in the past. Playing decent golf this year. I’m predicting an upset here over Patrick Reed.

Group 16 (Matsuyama, Na, Luiten, Levy):

Hideki Matsuyama - This young Japanese star has been using his beautiful golf swing to post some impressive results this season. I don’t expect him to have too much trouble getting out of this grouping.

Here are my predictions for how the elimination rounds will play out. Below are my choices to move on in each round…..

Round of 16 picks:

McIlroy
Casey
Furyk
McDowell
Spieth
Garcia
Rose
Kuchar

Quarterfinals

Casey
McDowell
Spieth
Rose

Semi-Finals

Casey
Spieth

Champion

Spieth

With the way Spieth played at the Masters, and then again the very next week at the RBC Heritage (despite exhaustion) I am predicting another big win from the youngster.

No matter who is crowned champion this Sunday, we can all look forward to a very entertaining week of golf as history is being made with a new format that is sure to excite.

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This article was written by Jonathan Carr (@jonathanwcarr) as part of our weekly #FantasyGolf series. Each week we preview the upcoming PGA Tour event and highlight some of the players we'll be keeping an eye on. As a scratch golfer himself, Jonathan has a keen eye for what it takes to be successful on and off the golf course. His passion for golf is surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family. Read some of Jonathan's other articles here.

Name That Golfer - Week 18

2015-04-27T06:50:00.004-06:00

This weeks #NameThatGolfer contest is no 'gimme'. Brought to you in part by Goose & Co, if you can correctly identify the PGA Tour player illustrated below, you'll be entered to win one of 8 Goose Golf waffle towels. Good luck and thanks for playing along.

About Goose & Co.
Goose & Co is a subsidiary of Fortune International Group (FTI); a privately owned Canadian corporation founded in 1989 with our head office located in Markham, Ontario. Our parent company was established in 1945 in Hong Kong. Fortune International Group business includes: manufacturing, importing, exporting, manufacturers sales agent and product assembly. Our customers span Europe, North America, and South-East Asia.

The Markham warehouse serves all our clients in North America to ensure timely supply and delivery of products to meet customer demand and warranty services.

For more information, visit Goose & Co online: www.gooseco.ca

Connect with Goose & Co via Facebook, Twitter, Google+

About Name That Golfer
"Name That Golfer" is a weekly contest series where we post caricature/sketches of PGA Tour players, LPGA Tour players and other golf personalities. If you recognize the golfer illustrated, share your answer with us through one of our social channels using #NameThatGolfer for your chance at weekly prizes.

Submit your guess in the comment section below, or join the conversation on Facebook (www.fb.com/eatsleepgolf) or on Twitter (@EatSleepGolf) and use #NameThatGolfer.

To see all our golf sketches from other weeks, click here.

Canadian Rockies Golf Unveils New Summer Stay-and-Play Packages

2015-04-22T13:53:00.000-06:00

(CANMORE, Alberta, Canada) – Canadian Rockies Golf (www.canadianrockiesgolf.net) – the esteemed collection of mountain courses in Alberta – announces its new stay-and-play packages for the 2015 season.

Starting in May, golfers can explore Alberta’s finest courses while also enjoying fishing, helicopter tours and world-class accommodations. Designed by internationally-renowned architects, each course offers well-appointed facilities, top-tier service and spectacular scenery.

There has never been a better time for Americans to stay and play – the exchange rate is extremely favorable for U.S. travelers (as much as 20% more bang for the U.S. dollar).

The new value-laden experiences available through September include:

Pins and Fins Package (Four nights, two rounds of golf, starting at $1,019 CDN): Along with award-winning golf courses, spend the day fishing on the Bow River – one of the finest trout-filled areas in the world. No man-made structures have affected flow or stream-bed of this freestone mountain river. Package includes an all-day guided Float & Wade trip and accommodations at Falcon Crest Lodge.
Royal Canadian Helicopter and Golf Tour (Four nights, two rounds of golf, starting at $839 CDN): Explore the Canadian Rockies in royal style with a heli-tour that soars through Canmore’s Three Sisters before continuing to the picturesque Goat and Sundance Ranges. The package also features four-night accommodations in a Deluxe Studio Suite at the Falcon Crest Lodge and two rounds of golf at two of the region’s most popular golf courses.
Pampered Putters Girls Golf Getaway (Three nights, two rounds of golf, starting at $769 CDN): The ultimate golf vacation featuring golf, spa treatments, hiking, shopping and relaxing, while staying in a three-bedroom suite at either the Falcon Crest Lodge or Stone Ridge Mountain Resort.

“Golf may be the initial draw to visit the Canadian Rockies, but there are many activities to keep groups of all tastes and sizes entertained throughout a vacation,” said Steven Young, Director of Golf at The Fairmont Banff Springs.

For more information or to view a complete listing of the new 2015 stay-and-play packages, visit www.canadianrockiesgolf.net or call 1.855.835.8484.

About Canadian Rockies Golf
Canadian Rockies Golf represents a collection of six award-winning golf properties located in the stunning landscape of the Western Alberta province: Canmore Golf & Curling Club, The Fairmont Banff Springs, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Kananaskis Country Golf Courses, Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club and Silvertip Resort. Known for dramatic, historic and untamed layouts, each course provides a unique mountain-golf experience where wildlife is regularly seen and unforgettable views are found. This is golf that inspires.

For more information call 1.855.835.8484, visit www.canadianrockiesgolf.net or “Like” the Canadian Rockies Golf Facebook page at www.facebook.com/canadianrockiesgolf.

Top 10 - NHL Golfers

2015-04-22T09:39:00.001-06:00

One could argue that NHL hockey players should be terrific golfers. Their off season is peak time for golfing. The only thing preventing a good 3-4 months out on the links would be a deep playoff run chasing Lord Stanley’s Cup.

While the golf swing is different from a slap shot, there are similarities in the weight shift as well as the inside angle of attack. Perhaps the most significant similarity between professional golfers and NHLers is the necessity to possess soft hands. Gracefully cradling a puck prepares many for stepping onto the course and using that feel to execute the wide variety of delicate shots, most often around the green.

Let’s take a look at 10 of the top NHLers, both past and present, who know how to get it around the course.

10. Joe Sakic - The highly regarded captain of the Colorado Avalanche, had the shot of his life at the 2011 American Century Championship. Sakic recorded a hole-in-one on the Million Dollar Challenge hole. He took home half, with the other half going to charity. You can see his shot here:

9. Mike Cammalleri - A golfer who consistently shoots in the 70’s, Cammalleri has stated that he credits the attitude he has developed on the ice to what he has learned on the golf course. Just like in golf, he seeks to focus what he can control and pay no attention to anything he can’t.

8. John-Michael Liles - Defenseman who has played for the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and presently the Carolina Hurricanes. As a scratch golfer, it can be assumed that he is enjoying playing hockey in a climate which allows him to golf year round.

7. Marc Savard - Now retired from the NHL due to repeated concussions, Savard is now taking a crack at golf. Has received sponsors exemptions to play in PGA Tour Canada events. A talented athlete, it will be interesting to see what he can accomplish as a golfer.

6. Jamie Langenbrunner - Retired in 2013, played in 1,109 regular season games, recording over 600 points. A scratch golfer, Jamie has been known to return home to Minnesota during summers to compete in local events. In 2010, recorded a T8 finish in the prestigious American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe where celebrities and professional athletes hit the links to compete while at the same time raise money for charity. Read more about Jamie’s game.

5. Brett Hull - An avid golfer since early in his career with the St. Louis Blues, Hull has worked to get his game into the plus-handicap digits. A man known for his strong forearms and quick hands, they have certainly served him well both on the ice as well as the links.

4. Jeremy Roenick - Always a fan favourite, played for five different NHL clubs, netting 1,216 points in 1,363 games. Roenick is regarded as one of the most competitive golfers among celebrity players. Between 2008 and 2014 he has finished in the top ten all but once at the American Century Championship.

3. Mario Lemiuex - Regarded as one of the best to ever play the game of hockey. His 1,723 points ranks 8th on the all-time list; this despite a career plagued by injury and illness. A skilled golfer throughout his days in the NHL, he claimed the American Century Championship back in 1998. Mario shot rounds of 67 and 69 in the final two rounds of the 54 hole event.

2. Grant Fuhr - Has made golf his second career since retiring from the NHL in 2000. Is currently the Director of Golf at Desert Dunes Golf Club in Palm Springs, Ca. An established tournament golfer, Fuhr has made an attempt at professional golf in the past.

1. Dan Quinn - As a youngster, received scholarship offers in both hockey and golf. Has established himself as one of the premier players on the celebrity golf circuit, having won the American Century Championship five times between 1990 and 2014. With an eye on one day possibly attempting to play his way onto the Senior PGA Tour, Quinn is a part-time caddie for Ernie Els on the PGA Tour. Listen to Els & Quinn:

And lastly, someone who has some work to do prior to cracking our top 10 list, Alex Ovechkin. As seen in the video below, playing golf for the first time, it takes Alex a few tries before connecting with the ball, but when he does, the results are unbelievable...

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This article was written by Jonathan Carr as part of our Eat Sleep Golf 'Top 10' series. Jonathan is a talented and passionate golfer surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family. Connect with Jonathan on Twitter (@JonathanWCarr) or read some of his other articles here.

Richy Werensky Wins Golf Channel's Big Break The Palm Beaches Reality Competition Series

2015-04-21T07:23:00.002-06:00

Werenski Defeats Justin Martinson 2&1 in Monday’s Season Finale at the Famed Champion Course at PGA National Resort & Spa

Werenski Earns Exemption to the 2015 Barbasol Championship and More than $80,000 in Cash and Prizes

ORLANDO, Fla. – Richy Werenski (Bluffton, S.C. / South Hadley, Mass.) defeated Justin Martinson (Savannah, Ga. / Avondale, Pa.) 2&1 in the championship match on Monday’s finale of Big Break The Palm Beaches, FL, the 23rd season of Golf Channel’s reality competition franchise.

Contested on the Champion Course at PGA National Resort & Spa – home to the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic and the famed Bear Trap – Werenski captured the early momentum by winning the first two holes. However, Martinson not only erased Werenski’s early advantage, but took the lead by converting four consecutive birdies (holes 8-11) to go 2-up. Battling the elements, Werenski won the next three holes to regain 1-up lead heading into The Bear Trap (holes 15-17). The duo traded pars on 15 and 16, and on the par-3 17th – after nearly holing out his tee shot – Werenski closed out the match with a 5-foot birdie putt to win 2&1.

“I just thought of my parents and everything they’ve done for me. I can’t wait for them to see this,” said Werenski following the conclusion of the match. “I’m through the roof right now. I thought I was good enough to win this, and I knew if I just played my game I would have a really good chance. Now I feel that much better about my game.

“I’ve never felt as much pressure that I felt here,” Werenski continued. “Now, I feel way more prepared for whatever the future has to offer.”

As champion of Big Break The Palm Beaches, FL, Werenski receives a sponsor’s exemption to compete in the 2015 Barbasol Championship on the PGA TOUR (July 16-19). In addition, he receives more than $80,000 in cash and prizes, including:

$60,000 in cash, including $10,000 courtesy of Adams Golf.
An endorsement contract from Adams Golf.
$10,000 in car rental credit courtesy of Avis Car Rental.
$10,000 in travel credit courtesy of Travelocity.
A return, week-long trip for two to PGA National Resort & Spa, including suite accommodations, daily breakfast, select Spa services, daily golf and a chef’s private dinner at Ironwood Steak & Seafood.

As a result of winning challenge prizes on the series, Werenski also earns:

$6,000 in cash
$2,250 in travel credit courtesy of Travelocity

Martinson won the following challenge prizes during the course of the series:

$6,000 in cash
$2,500 in car rental credit courtesy of Avis Car Rental
$2,250 in travel credit courtesy of Travelocity

Series Format

Golf Channel’s Big Break show concept pits highly skilled golfers against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness. During Big Break The Palm Beaches, FL, competitors are subject to skills challenges from tee-to-green, including two of the series’ signature challenges, the popular “Glass Break” and “Flop Wall.” One contestant is eliminated each week, with the last player standing awarded his Big Break, an opportunity to compete on the PGA TOUR.

For the past 22 seasons, Golf Channel’s Big Break competition series has proven to be the launching pad for many aspiring professional golfers looking to take that next step in their golf careers, including PGA TOUR winners Matt Every and Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey and U.S. Solheim Cup participants Kristy McPherson, Gerina Piller and Ryann O’Toole, all playing full time on the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour, respectively. Several other past Big Break competitors will be competing on the world’s top tours in 2015, including Tony Finau (PGA TOUR), Mallory Blackwelder, Katy Harris, Sadena Parks and Jackie Stoelting (LPGA Tour), Sophie Sandolo (Ladies European Tour) and Rick Cochran, Hugo Leon, James Nitties, Justin Peters and Mark Silvers (Web.com Tour).

About Golf Channel
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. Golf Channel, co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and now part of the NBC Sports Group, is available in more than 120 million homes and 83 countries worldwide. Exclusive partnerships with the world’s top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, as well as a programming schedule distinguished by golf’s highest-quality news, instruction and original programming. Golf Channel’s digital platforms, headed by GolfChannel.com, are the leading golf destinations on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf. Fans are able to enjoy 24/7 live streaming of Golf Channel content through Golf Live Extra and select programming is simulcast via SiriusXM’s PGA TOUR Radio. In addition, Golf Channel connects the world to golf through a wide array of digital services including Golf Channel Mobile; GolfNow, the world’s largest online booking platform; GolfAdvisor.com, a golf course ratings and review portal; the interactive Golf Channel Academy instructional app; and the Golf Channel Am Tour, the world’s largest amateur golf tour.

Zurich Classic of New Orleans - Fantasy Picks

2015-04-21T06:33:00.001-06:00

The PGA Tour continually reminds us that, “These guys are good”. We shouldn’t require any more reminders after watching Jordan Spieth make history at the Masters, and Jim Furyk conquer his demons at the RBC Heritage.

These last two weeks symbolize very nicely the current state of golf on the PGA Tour. We are witnessing greatness in the youth of our game, foreshadowing exciting times to come. At the same time, established veterans are teaching that experience is an invaluable asset to possess when earning a place in the winner’s circle.

This week’s Zurich Classic is sure to be a shootout, as it is being played at TPC Louisiana, a course which ranks as one of the easiest on the PGA Tour, and is an event that has historically shown favour to first time winners. Whether we see another first-timer get the job done this week, or one with an established presence on Tour, the state of our game is great, and these week should have no shortage of excitement.

Dustin Johnson - Has finished in the top 6 in five of the seven tournaments he’s played since returning to the game in February. One of the hottest players on the planet in the last couple months.
Jason Day - The number six ranked golfer in the world and the highest ranking player in this week’s field. One could argue that he has gone through a mini “slump” the past six weeks, but with this said, has still not finished worse than T31 all year.
Rickie Fowler - Showed signs at the Masters of getting back to being the Rickie we saw in 2014. Took last week off, look for him to come out rested and ready to compete.
Justin Rose - Has not played particularly well on Tour this year, but it’s very hard not to pick the likeable Englishman after his stellar performance at the Masters two weeks ago. Expect to see his game back in form this week at TPC Louisiana.
Morgan Hoffmann - Since making a serious run at Bay Hill, Hoffmann’s name continues to surface on leaderboards. Posted a T9 last week at RBC Heritage, further proving that this young man’s game is legit.
Steve Stricker - Finished T28 at the Masters in his first start since having back surgery. A model of consistency, Stricker appears healthy. Does not carry a heavy competitive schedule, but always a good fantasy pick when he does compete.
Keegan Bradley - Last year, a final round 75 cost him the tournament. Coming off solid performances in his last two events played (T5 @ Shell Houston Open & T22 @The Masters).
Robert Streb - Had a stretch of solid play from October to February. Showed signs of getting his game back in shape last week at the RBC Heritage. Finished T2 at this tournament last year.
Troy Merritt - Played very good golf last week at the RBC Heritage. Ranks 4th on Tour in strokes gained putting, combine this with improved ball-striking of late and you have yourself a solid fantasy pick.
Sean O’Hair - Has finished in top 30 in five of last six events played. A final round 64 led to 6th place finish last week at Hilton Head.
Branden Grace - Finished T7 last week at RBC Heritage. A name that has begun to appear on a more regular basis at Tour events lately.
Brandon de Jonge - Has been making a lot of cuts this year, and has recorded eight top 30’s. Coming off T5 finish at Shell Houston Open, and T18 finish last week.

Sleeper Picks

Will Wilcox - Playing well this year. Coming off a good week in Mexico where he placed T12 at the Web.com’s Mexico Championship.
Jim Herman - Ranks third on Tour in GIR. The former assistant pro at Trump National Bedminster in New Jersey is continuing to show signs that his game is taking shape.
David Toms - The Louisiana native played well here at home last year, finishing T15. One of the shorter hitters in the field this week, averaging just under 270 yards off the tee, David does rank second in fairways hit and has added motivation of the home crowd.

Name That Golfer - Week 17

2015-04-20T06:51:00.000-06:00

This weeks #NameThatGolfer contest is presented in part by Rudy Project. Rudy Project manufacture some of the best optics in sport sunglasses I've ever encountered. This weeks contest will undoubtedly be a challenge, but I have faith in the abundance of golf knowledge found in our community. As motivation, Rudy Project is offering a pair of their golf sunglasses (approx retail value: $275) to someone who can correctly identify the European Tour player illustrated below. With a total of 13 wins on the Sunshine Tour, this South African born player is off to a great start in 2015 on the European Tour (including a 2nd, 3rd & 6th place finish in the past 5 weeks).

Do you recognize this golfer?

About Rudy Project
In 1985 Rudy Barbazza created Rudy Project in Treviso Italy with a firm conviction to improve the performance of athletes all over the world.

A love of progress, a passion for style and a keen eye for quality all contributed to give life to his Vision: the world's most technologically advanced sports eyewear.

Rudy Project works in cooperation with athletes from all fields, listening to what they want and what they need.

Rudy Project never stops researching to find the most advanced materials to develop products that elevate your performance.

Technically Cool: the two words that can best sum up this Vision; the two words that best express the DNA of each and every design carrying the brand Rudy Project.

For more information visit: www.e-rudy.com
Connect with Rudy Project on: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram & YouTube

Justin Martinson and Richy Werenski Advance to Compete in Big Break The Palm Beaches Finale

2015-04-16T07:37:00.001-06:00

Big Break - The Palm Beaches Finale - Monday April 20 at 9 p.m. ET

More than $80,000 in Cash and Prizes on the Line for Winner of Golf Channel’s Reality Competition Series

Season Finale to Feature 18-Hole Singles Match on the Famed Champion Course at PGA National Resort & Spa, Home to The Honda Classic

Champion to Receive Exemption to Compete on the PGA TOUR in the 2015 Barbasol Championship

ORLANDO, Fla. – In a season that started with 12 competitors, Golf Channel’s Big Break The Palm Beaches, FL reality competition series has narrowed the field to the final two – Justin Martinson (Savannah, Ga. / Avondale, Pa.) and Richy Werenski (Bluffton, S.C. / South Hadley, Mass.) – who will face off in an 18-hole singles match on the season finale, Monday, April 20 at 9 p.m. ET.

Martinson and Werenski will compete for the opportunity to make their lifelong dreams of playing alongside the world’s top professional golfers a reality. The winner of Big Break The Palm Beaches, FL will earn a sponsor’s exemption to the PGA TOUR’s Barbasol Championship (July 16-19, 2015) and more than $80,000 in cash and prizes. Monday’s finale takes place at the Champion Course at PGA National Resort & Spa – home to the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic and the famed Bear Trap.

In addition to the tournament exemption, the winner will receive:

$60,000 in cash, including $10,000 courtesy of Adams Golf.
An endorsement contract from Adams Golf.
$10,000 in car rental credit courtesy of Avis Car Rental.
$10,000 in travel credit courtesy of Travelocity.
A return, week-long trip for two to PGA National Resort & Spa, including Suite Accommodations, daily breakfast, select Spa services, daily golf and a Chef’s private dinner at Ironwood Steak & Seafood.

The Finalists
Justin Martinson (26, Savannah, Ga. / Avondale, Pa.) – A graduate of the University of Delaware, Martinson was one of the most successful amateur golfers in Delaware history, recording multiple wins (two-time Delaware Open champion, Delaware Amateur and Philadelphia Amateur champion). An avid junior hockey player growing up, Martinson switched to golf in high school when his family moved to Pennsylvania from California. He recorded his first professional victory in 2011 when he won the Delaware Open and he added to this victory with several others including a win on the Swingthought.com Tour in 2014.

Richy Werenski (23, Bluffton, S.C. / South Hadley, Mass.) – The youngest competitor on Big Break The Palm Beaches, FL, Werenski turned professional immediately following graduation from Georgia Tech in May 2014, winning three of his first five professional events. Werenski also holds three university records. His greatest accomplishment in golf is winning the 2012 Porter Cup and having his name engraved on the same trophy as Phil Mickelson. Werenski is currently playing full-time on the Web.com Tour.

Series Format

About Golf Channel
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. Golf Channel, co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and now part of the NBC Sports Group, is available in more than 120 million homes and 83 countries worldwide. Exclusive partnerships with the world’s top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, as well as a programming schedule distinguished by golf’s highest-quality news, instruction and original programming. Golf Channel’s digital platforms, headed by GolfChannel.com, are the leading golf destinations on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf. Fans are able to enjoy 24/7 live streaming of Golf Channel content through Golf Live Extra and select programming is simulcast via SiriusXM’s PGA TOUR Radio. In addition, Golf Channel connects the world to golf through a wide array of digital services including Golf Channel Mobile; GolfNow, the world’s largest online booking platform; GolfAdvisor.com, a golf course ratings and review portal; the interactive Golf Channel Academy instructional app; and the Golf Channel Am Tour, the world’s largest amateur golf tour.

WE ARE GOLF Hosts Eighth Annual National Golf Day on Capitol Hill

2015-04-15T15:55:00.000-06:00

Two Million Jobs, Nearly $70 Billion Economic Impact Highlight Key Messages Reverberated through D.C.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – WE ARE GOLF – a coalition of the game’s leading associations and industry partners – today visited Capitol Hill for the eighth annual National Golf Day to discuss golf’s nearly $70 billion economy, $4 billion annual charitable impact, environmental value to local communities and fitness benefits.

Golf’s leaders met with Members of Congress throughout the day to share stories about the game’s 15,350 diverse, small businesses, which employ more than two million Americans and provide $55.6 billion in annual wage income. In addition, industry executives discussed golf courses’ positive influences on ecology, local tax revenues and tourism. They even explained how walking 18 holes can burn 2,000 calories.

This year’s event also featured participation from The Presidents Cup 2015 Captains Nick Price (International) and Jay Haas (U.S.). South Korea will play host to The Presidents Cup later this year in October, the first time the tournament will be played in Asia.

“Golf is a vital part of our country’s economy and today was a great reminder of that,” says Congressman Chris Collins (R-NY). “What better way to discuss the game’s economic, charitable and environmental findings than here in our nation’s capital.”

Organizations participating included the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Ladies Professional Golf Association, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA of America (PGA), PGA TOUR, United States Golf Association, United States Golf Manufacturers Council, World Golf Foundation and others.

National Golf Day featured a day-long exhibit in the Rayburn Foyer with live lessons for Congressional Members and staff from 2012 PGA Teacher of the Year Michael Breed, host of “The Golf Fix” on Golf Channel and LPGA Teaching Professional Karen Palacios-Jansen. Special exhibits and activities included a “Closest to the Pin” contest on an aboutGolf simulator; state-of-the-art swing analysis from GolfTEC; National Arboretum’s “Grassroots Initiative” overview; a Republican vs. Democrat “Putting Challenge;” and a turfgrass exhibit from the GCSAA.

“Today marked a unique opportunity to share golf’s significant impact with political leaders,” says Steve Mona, CEO of World Golf Foundation and administrator of WE ARE GOLF. “Our broad scope is reflected in the two million jobs supported by the game and its diverse benefits to our economy and society.”

Partnering with WE ARE GOLF, Topgolf offered free five-minute lessons at each of its 13 U.S. locations with slow-motion video swing analysis through the Topgolf U instructional program.

Visit the social media hub to continue following the action. Through April 30, be sure to use #NGD15 and tag @wearegolf on Twitter and Instagram to show your support for the golf industry.

About WE ARE GOLF

WE ARE GOLF, created in 2010, is an industry coalition that communicates the economic, charitable and environmental impact of golf, as well the health and wellness benefits of the game and the affordability and accessibility of golf, to Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and regulatory agencies. The goal of WE ARE GOLF is to ensure that laws and regulations that impact the golf industry are fair and appropriate to an industry that generates nearly $70 billion in economic impact annually, employs close to two million Americans and generates nearly $4 billion in charitable giving each year.

For more information, please visit www.wearegolf.org.

GAME GOLF Launches Free App Featuring Real-Time Tracking

2015-04-15T13:47:00.000-06:00

Download and Play The Free GAME GOLF Tracking App For A Chance To Win A Free Once-In-A-Lifetime Golf Vacation to Ireland

SAN FRANCISCO – GAME GOLF, the first wearable device that automatically tracks and graphically displays a golfer’s round with valuable game data and statistics, today announced the new GAME GOLF Tracking App enabling golfers to track their game and club distances in real-time, and manage their game with a built-in GPS rangefinder, all from their iOS or Android device. No purchase of the GAME GOLF physical device is required to use the new App.

In celebration of GAME GOLF’s newest free app and its Irish roots, the company is giving away a once-in-a-lifetime Irish golf vacation. Two players and one guest each, who post a minimum of three 18-hole golf rounds with either the GAME GOLF wearable device or the new GAME GOLF Tracking App from now through June 30, 2015, will be eligible to receive an all-expense paid golf trip to Ireland. For contest rules, log on to GAMEGOLF.com.

“If you don’t truly understand your game it’s hard to improve. The free GAME GOLF Tracking App allows golfers to see their shot performance in real-time, something which many amateur golfers will never have had access to before,” said John McGuire, CEO of GAME GOLF. “Further, it affords everyone access to the GAME GOLF platform to gather stats, collect data and share their game with friends, family, coaches and instructors.”

The GAME GOLF Tracking App can be downloaded and put in play just before teeing off. The App provides golfers with an aerial view of each hole, distances to key locations using the GPS Rangefinder feature, and the ability to “tag” each shot by selecting the club used. You’ll be able to see - greens in regulations, fairway accuracy, scrambling percentage, putts per hole, club distances and more. Golfers can view their platform profile and data on their mobile device or at GAMEGOLF.com.

The GAME GOLF TRACKING App can be downloaded for free on iOS in the App Store or on Android at the Google Play Store.

About GAME GOLF
GAME GOLF is dedicated to bringing innovative ways for golfers to connect to their game, PGA Professionals and their friends through the wearable GAME GOLF device and the GAME GOLF Tracking App. Golfers can then see their game and club performance to help them improve online at GAMEGOLF.com and on the GAME GOLF Tracking App.

The development company behind GAME GOLF is Active Mind Technology, a privately held company pioneering the gamification of sport through its development of the GAME platform.

GAME GOLF has strategic partnerships with Golf Channel, The PGA of America and British PGA. GAME GOLF is in use in 104 countries with over 36,000 worldwide golf courses mapped. For information, visit www.gamegolf.com.

RBC Heritage - Fantasy Picks

2015-04-14T05:32:00.004-06:00

There’s no doubt that golf has become a power game. Many players now rely more on huge drives than they do fairways hit in order to set up approach shots. While the long ball has added excitement to the game, it is refreshing to see the Tour make a stop at Hilton Head for the RBC Heritage.

Players will be required to follow a strict game plan based on precise placement off the tee to ensure they are providing themselves manageable looks into each green.

A beautiful layout, look for wind and weather to play a factor this week. Those who control their ball flight, while at the same time keeping it in the short grass should certainly contend. This is a shotmaker’s course, as is reflected in this week’s fantasy picks.

Jordan Spieth - Admitted in his post-Masters press conference to being tired, but says he plans to play. With the way he putted this week, makes it difficult to bet against him, despite exhaustion.
Ernie Els - Has said that he feels he can still compete at the highest level. Look for him to ride a positive week at Augusta by another positive performance.
Patrick Reed - Continued great season with T-22 at Augusta. Week after week is posting solid rounds, and has done so all year having made the cut in every event he’s competed.
Zach Johnson - Another whose game is suited to this course. A shotmaker who keeps the ball in the short grass and can grind out putts. Has played well at Hilton Head in previous years. Coming off back-to-back 68’s on the weekend at Augusta.
Luke Donald - In the past six years at Hilton Head, has three times finished in second, and twice finished third.
Jim Furyk - Ranks 5th on tour hitting 72% of his fairways. Averages 70% GIR. A shotmaker whose game is well-suited for this course.
Charlie Hoffman - Looking to build off of a very solid performance at Augusta. Ranks 7th in Fed-Ex Cup point standings.
Kevin Streelman - Leaving Augusta coming off personal best finish in a major (T12). Ranks 18th & 17th in fairways and GIR.
Graham Delaet - Averages over 300 yards off the tee, 61% fairways hit, 67% GIR. Known as one of games better overall ball strikers. Looking to finally capture that first PGA Tour victory.
Jonas Blixt - T28 at Augusta. Positive finish despite final round 75. Coming off overall good week.
Russell Henley - Has not missed a cut this year. Finished 21st at Masters and 4th previous week at Shell Houston Open.
Jason Kokrak - Three top-15’s since mid-March. Averaging 67% GIR, however 56% fairways hit could be cause for concern on Hilton Head’s tight layout.

Name That Golfer - Week 16

2015-04-13T07:33:00.000-06:00

Presented by CHASE54, this weeks #NameThatGolfer contest could be the most challenging one to date. With that being said, greater challenges often yield greater rewards, and this week is no exception. CHASE54 has generously assembled a prize pack that will have you looking the part of a professional with a complete outfit based on this Tour players top look.

Prize Pack includes: Polo Shirt, Outerwear, Pants & T-Shirt (Approximate retail value: $275)

Do you recognize this golfer?

About Chase54

CHASE54 is golf apparel designed to push the limits of what’s considered possible. In fit. In feel. In fashion and performance. Our garments are made to shatter your expectations of what golf clothing can be, both on and off the course.

As golfers and people, we believe that perfection might always be just beyond our reach, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t aim to achieve it. With over 30 years of manufacturing experience under our belt, we strive for unprecedented excellence in each and every piece of clothing we make. This passion and dedication can be found in every precise stitch and unique feature of each and every garment. From integrating the greatest fabrics and latest technologies, to designing the most striking styles and original looks, we push closer to perfection with each piece of golf wear we create.

So go ahead. Set your goals high. In golf and in life, chase 54. We’ll be right there with you.

For more information visit: www.chase54.com

Connect with Chase54 on: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest & YouTube.

Track Your Golf Game Just Like the Pros In the Masters

2015-04-11T15:42:00.001-06:00

As many have been calling it "the coolest feature on the Masters website", Track as they're calling it, provides a shot by shot analysis of a players entire round. This compelling feature allows viewers the ability to follow along with their favorite players, but also offers amazing analytical data that can be used for post round review.

Here's how Zack Whittaker from ZDNet explained it:
The Augusta National Golf Club, which hosts the Masters every year, has dozens of lasers scattered throughout the course. Those lasers kick out a number of different pieces of data, including the location of the ball (determined on three-axes) and the resting position of the ball, which IBM runs through its cloud and visualizes. The end result is a play-by-play visualization that allows the viewer to interact and see the ball's course, the distance of each drive, and other interesting nuggets of data. And this happens in a matter of seconds. Simply put, you can take any device and crank open the Masters' website, and see how the ball traveled throughout the course. Using the HTML5 web standard, any smartphone or tablet user can access a simulated map of the course. iPad users have the benefit of using the internal gyroscope to visualize the play from any angle.

Click on any shot and Track displays both the yardage and the yardage remaining, and it gives the length of every putt. It's easy to see why so many are utilizing this new tool in conjunction with watching the television broadcast. It's like having your own universal instant replay. No more wondering about what your favorite players are up to off-camera.

Interestingly enough, there's a platform currently on the market that provides these very same features to the average golfer... Enter GAME GOLF. Here's a look at a screenshot taken from within the Game Golf platform:

By inserting tiny ball marker sized sensors into the ends of each golf club, the Game Golf platform is able to wireless track any golfers entire round, providing a wealth of statistical and game improvement date for in depth analysis. Available for only $199, I can't think of a more useful tool for improving your game.

I personally have tested out the Game Golf platform, and very quickly became a believe and supporter. I now wouldn't even consider playing a round without Game Golf. Post round reviews have become a regular part of my routine, which strangely enough, I enjoy nearly as much as being out on the course.

For more information about Game Golf visit their website at: www.gamegolf.com. You can also connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Top 10 - Lessons We Can Learn From Jordan Spieth's Masters Play

2015-04-10T06:30:00.001-06:00

Jordan Spieth is the hottest player on the planet. His 64 in Thursday’s first round of the 2015 Masters was very close to being a historic round at Augusta National. Let’s take a look at some valuable lessons that golfers of every ability can learn from his near record-setting performance.

10. Do your homework

While describing his first round, Jordan consistently stated with confidence the exact breaks of putts that he had throughout the day. He was describing putts from earlier that day, but he made those putts because he knew ahead of time what they were going to do. Great players do their homework.

9. Have fun

Did anybody else notice how much Jordan seemed to be enjoying himself on Thursday? It makes a difference. A positive attitude is a very important strategy that many of us amateurs forget to implement.

8. Accept the results

Jordan mentioned a couple times in post-round interviews that he was disappointed by his club selection on the 15th which led to a bogey. Even following a great round of golf, there will always be shots that you can replay in your mind and wonder “what if?”. It’s important to accept what happens during the course of a round. Focusing too much on the past can only prevent you from performing your best as you move forward.

7. You are never too good to seek advice

This year’s Masters will serve as Ben Crenshaw’s last. As a man known for his putting prowess, Jordan took advantage of playing practice holes with “Mr. Crenshaw” earlier in the week. Spieth was quick to give credit to the golf legend for advice he received around the greens. The best become better when they accept advice and make the knowledge gained their own.

6. Practice smart

Once getting off the golf course, one of the first things Jordan mentioned was that leading up the the tournament he was trying to find the balance between “resting and solid, good practice”. Practice is not about how much you complete, but about being wise in your plans to accomplish what is required to be successful.

5. Great performances often involve great breaks

Spieth mentioned that he felt he got a lot of “lucky breaks”. He was right. On 7 he had a clear opening to the green after blocking his shot into the trees. On 12 he watched his putt roll in for birdie as he walked toward the cup, frustrated by a poor putting stroke. Two holes later he hit the pin on a shot from the right rough which required a fade around trees. Without the pin he would have been at the back of the green instead of putting from 2 feet for birdie. Ben Crenshaw alluded to this point earlier in the week when he said, “Something really good usually happens to the champion that I think is a little out of the ordinary. It seems to happen here a lot”.

4. Treat every shot the same

When asked if he treated the birdie putt on the 18th, which he made, any differently than some of the others during his round, Jordan quickly stated, “No, it was just another stroke. Just another birdie putt”. Whether it be a par save, a rare birdie putt, or a putt to win the club championship, it is important to remember that each putt is simply that - a putt. Getting in the habit of treating all shots the same can significantly improve performance and consistency.

3. Stay in the moment

“I didn’t really know how many under par I was on 13, 14”. With this statement Jordan shows the value of focusing on the task at hand, rather than the scorecard. When playing well, focus on the process. Dwelling on your score only draws attention away from what is necessary to perform your best.

2. Never focus on the outcome

Focusing on the final outcome of a round, instantaneously takes you out of the moment and brings distractions that hurt performance. Jordan mentioned that on 15 he saw the scoreboard and realized that he could accomplish a personal first as a professional - shooting 10-under. It led to his lone bogey of the day. “I saw the scoreboard on 15 and maybe tried to push it a little bit”. It was when he got out of the moment and began thinking about final results that he began making errors. Focus on the moment, not the outcome.

1. It doesn’t have to be “textbook”

Something I really like about Spieth’s game is the fact that it isn’t overly polished. Don’t get me wrong, he has a great golf swing and rolls putts as good as anyone, but I like how he does it in a way that works for him. Too often we amateurs, and many professionals for that matter, will fall into the trap of thinking that if our games don’t look elite, they can’t be elite. Jordan Spieth has a front foot that moves during the follow through, a non-conventional grip, and a lead arm which bends slightly on the backswing as well as the follow through. But don’t go sounding any alarms. He just used that swing to shoot 64 at the Masters.

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This article was written by Jonathan Carr as part of our Eat Sleep Golf 'Top 10' series. Jonathan is a talented and passionate golfer surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family. Connect with Jonathan on Twitter (@JonathanWCarr) or read some of his other articles here.

Ben Crenshaw: A Walk Through Augusta

2015-04-10T05:00:00.000-06:00

Chronicling Golfer's Special Relationship With the Masters, Premiers Monday, April 13 on Golf Channel

Interviews with Family, Friends and Fellow Pros Highlight Crenshaw’s Reverence for the Masters and its Founder Bobby Jones

Golf Channel Films Provided Access to Rarely Seen Home Movies; Highlights of Crenshaw’s ’84 and ’95 Masters Victories Punctuated by Emotional Stories of Relationships with Late Teacher Harvey Penick and Caddie Carl Jackson

ORLANDO, Fla. – Capping an emotional week marked by his last competitive round at the Masters Tournament, Golf Channel Films will premiere Ben Crenshaw: A Walk Through Augusta, a hour-long retrospective on the life and career of Ben Crenshaw and his special relationship with the Masters, premiering Monday, April 13 at 10 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.

“It’s almost as if he has green blood in him, not red.” – wife Julie Crenshaw

Via special access to Crenshaw as he prepares for and plays his last Masters, Golf Channel will weave interviews and footage shot this week throughout the film, which will explore Crenshaw’s life and Hall-of-Fame career, from his childhood and upbringing in Austin, Texas – where he became a golf prodigy by the age of 16 – to the present. Included are never-before-seen home movies, interviews with friends, family and fellow golf professionals, and highlights and stories from his first Masters victory in1984 and the improbable win in 1995.

Led by Jimmy Roberts, Ben Crenshaw: A Walk Through Augusta also explores Crenshaw’s relationships with his longtime teacher Harvey Penick and caddie Carl Jackson, and stories about the roles the two men played in his life and two Masters victories. It delves deep into the state of Crenshaw’s game leading to the ’95 Masters – a tournament that seemed out of reach due to his poor play – and his state of mind, recalling Penick’s passing during the week. The film captures Crenshaw’s memory of a dreary day in Austin when he put his friend to rest. “I’d lost a father figure, someone who gave the love of golf my whole life,” Crenshaw said. “Seemed like it was raining everywhere that day.”

Ben Crenshaw: A Walk Through Augusta also explores the reverence Crenshaw holds for the Masters, its founder, Bobby Jones, and Augusta National Golf Club, and the special place they hold in his heart.

“When you listen to him talk about Augusta, he feels it. There’s just this relationship between him and the golf course.” – Crenshaw biographer Melanie Hauser

Ben Crenshaw: A Walk Through Augusta is the second Golf Channel Films production of 2015. Arnie & Me, which premiered in March, featured a collection of fan-generated videos paying tribute to the great Arnold Palmer; the fourth installment to 2014’s critically acclaimed, three-part documentary, Arnie, which chronicled Palmer’s life and career; and the Emmy-nominated Payne, which remembered the late, great Payne Stewart.

-NBC Sports Group-

About Golf Channel
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. Golf Channel, co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and now part of the NBC Sports Group, is available in more than 120 million homes and 83 countries in 12 languages worldwide. Exclusive partnerships with the world’s top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, as well as a programming schedule distinguished by golf’s highest-quality news, instruction and original programming. Golf Channel’s digital platforms, headed by GolfChannel.com, are the leading golf destinations on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf. Fans are able to enjoy 24/7 live streaming of Golf Channel content through Golf Live Extra and select programming is simulcast via SiriusXM’s PGA TOUR Radio. In addition, Golf Channel connects the world to golf through a wide array of digital services including Golf Channel Mobile; GolfNow, the world’s largest online booking platform; GolfAdvisor.com, a golf course ratings and review portal; the interactive Golf Channel Academy instructional app; and the Golf Channel Am Tour, the world’s largest amateur golf tour.

Letter to My Younger Self - By James Hahn

2015-04-09T13:48:00.001-06:00

Dear James,

Over the next 25 years, you’ll go through struggles and triumphs that you can’t even imagine right now. From a shoe salesman at Nordstrom to a PGA Tour winner, I’m here to help walk you through that journey.

You’re about eight years old, growing up in Alameda, California, watching golf greats like Greg Norman, Nick Faldo and Chi-Chi Rodriguez. You can grow up and be like them one day. Everything in life is attainable. You can do whatever you want and be whomever you want to be. Keep dreaming big but know that there are hundreds of thousands of kids with the same aspirations as you. Some are even more dedicated to their craft than you are — so work harder.

As you grow up and become a successful junior golfer, you’ll hear some people say, “You’re one of the greatest junior golfers I’ve ever seen. You’ll win multiple PGA Tour events and The Masters one day.” Don’t listen to them. Some of those same people praising you will be the ones telling you to get a real job and give up on golf years later when you struggle on mini tours. They will be essential in your motivation to succeed.

There are a lot of haters in life. For the personality that you have, it means more to you to prove someone wrong than it means to prove someone right. Use what they say as motivation to do better. It’s a blessing in disguise. Those people will play a role in you eventually becoming a champion.

In college, you’ll have a lot of regret about going to the University of California, Berkeley. Poor you, huh? To be able to get an education at one of the nation’s most prestigious universities. But seriously … yes, there will be scholarship offers from other Division-I schools with better golf programs like Duke, Michigan and Arizona State. Yes, you wanted to venture out but instead you’re only 20 minutes away from home. However, you will learn that Cal is the best place for you. The friendships you form there will be lifelong bonds that are irreplaceable.

Also, while you’re there, please learn the true meaning of sacrifice. Making more sacrifices in college will make things a lot easier later in life. Partying and hanging out with friends is all fine, but figure out early in your college life when enough is enough. Just because you feel like you deserve better does not mean that your effort on the greens should be lacking.

In your senior year, you’ll decide to quit golf. As shocking as it sounds, this will be one of the best decisions of your life. Once you take a step away from the sport, you will realize how lucky you are to have had that opportunity. Don’t do it any other way. There will be a lot of people who will give positive and negative advice regarding the decision. Believe in yourself. This is what you need to do to get your inspiration back.

After college there will be a weird period in your life where you do a bit of everything, from working at an advertising agency to selling shoes at Nordstrom. It’s not how you envisioned it but trust me, it’s all for the better in the long run. Only thing is, please refrain from trying to morph into Hans and Franz with your friends. Trying to bench press 300 pounds will not improve your golf game; it will only blow out your shoulder and result in an injury that will plague you the rest of your career.

In 2006, your golf itch will return. A job opportunity at a local golf course in the Bay Area will allow you to work on your game, play on mini tours and eventually work your way to the Korean PGA Tour.

You’ll do fairly well over there and have about $8,000 in your bank account before entering the Canadian Tour. Your time on this tour will be the most pivotal time of your career. Before we get into that, let me tell you something that will one day save your career: be stingy. Being frugal earlier on in your career will help you more than you’ll ever know. It’s OK to have one pair of jeans. It’s OK to have one pair of shoes. It’s OK to stay at cheap hotels. When everyone else on the tour is out ordering Patron shots all night, opt to babysit your beer. You didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in your mouth, so you can’t afford to keep up with these people who did.

Continue reading article on The Players' Tribune.