Will 2012 be the year that Tiger Woods get back on track to catching Jack? 

2011 ended with an improved Tiger and now he says he healthy.  So will he start collecting majors again this year?  And is time still on his side?

Even if he never returns to his superhuman golf form of 2008 he still is one of the top golfers on the tour.  And being only in his 30s he still has plenty of time to make his run.  Remember, Nicklaus was donning the green jacket at age 46.

I recently ran across an interesting blog post from Ken Pomerory making the statistical case for Tiger.  If you’re a fan of college basketball stats you may be familiar with Mr. Pomeroy for his kenpom.com website.

Here’s a link to his blog post “The case for Tiger Woods“.

If a strong finish in 2011 is any indicator of what to expect in 2012, then Tiger made his case at the end of the year.

Fred Couples made the decision to make Tiger a Captains Pick for The Presidents Cup.  A controversial choice, perhaps, but definitely good for TV ratings if not the team.  And he played well, closing out Baddeley (4 and 3), in the match that clinched the cup.

In November Tiger went out to the 36-hole lead at the Australian Open.  A tough 3rd round took him seemingly out of contention but he had a strong final round and eventually finished third.

Finally, one shot down with two holes to play, Tiger birdied the last two holes to top Zach Johnson at the Chevron World Challenge.  Even though this was just 18 players competing in a showcase event, Tiger seemed more like the Tiger of old.

Since the Chevron there was a Tiger siting at the Fiesta Bowl on January 2nd when he served as Stanford’s honorary captain in the Cardinal’s overtime loss.  But his first golf appearance on the 2012 PGA Tour will be at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, February. 9th.

Tiger recently turned 36 and has the same number of majors as Jack at that age.  So it will be interesting to see what kind of run he will make over the next several years.

Whatever 2012 brings it should be fun to watch. Enjoy the show!

Warm up your swing and your taste buds for the Marlton Golf Club Chili Bowl Golf Tournament on Saturday February 11, 2012.

Start of with a 10am shotgun start scramble tournament for only $40 per player.  You get the golf, cart, range balls, prizes, and even coffee and donuts to fuel you up.

After the round – you get to be the judge in their chili contest.  You’ll warm up after your round with (3) Hot Bowls of Homemade Chili.  Then you vote on which you liked the best!

Call 301-856-7566 and register your team today.

Marlton Golf Club – Upper Marlboro, MD

If you are looking for a little more competition than the weekend nassau the Virginia State Golf Association (VSGA) has some events for you.

The VSGA will host 105 One-Day golf events open to male and female golfers of all ages and abilities.  Players signing up online for VSGA One-Day events may sign up individually or in groups of two, three or four.

The VSGA One-Day entry fee is $56 for VSGA members ($76 for non-VSGA members) and covers green fee, cart fee and a chance to win a gift certificate. Whether you’re a beginner or a tournament player, all you have to do is sign up, show up and tee it up. Everything else is done by the VSGA staff.

Continuing for 2012, a VSGA One-Day Individual Championship series will be held. Players can attempt to qualify at any of the designated VSGA One-Day events around the commonwealth. The VSGA One-Day Individual Championship is set for Wednesday, Oct. 17 at Independence Golf Club in Midlothian.

The Two-Person qualifiers, in which golfers team up in a four-ball format, will be held as they have in the past, with designated qualifying sites. The VSGA Two-Person (Four-Ball) Championship is set for Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club in Kilmarnock. See the VSGA One-Day event schedule and entry form for qualifying sites and dates.

Back for 2012, the VSGA One-Day Four-Person Captain’s Choice Championship will be conducted. The event will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 1 at Fauquier Springs Country Club in Warrenton. Teams will be flighted by team handicap and gross and net prizes will be awarded.

Non-VSGA members may golf in VSGA One-Day events, under the following conditions:

- They must pay an entry fee of $76.
- They are not eligible to win a prize.
- They may only compete if the field is not otherwise full.

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2012 VSGA ONE-DAY EVENTS SCHEDULE AND SIGN UP

See how your putting stroke is holding out during the winter break at the 1st Annual Putt and Dine event inside the Old Hickory Grille at Old Hickory Golf Club.

On Friday, January 27, 2012 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. you can test your putting skills on their custom designed indoor putting course .

Prizes will be awarded for low score, most efficient putting stroke, and high score.

There will be raffle drawings for a free full swing 3D analysis and a free putter fitting.

The cost is $25.00 per person and includes buffet dinner, beer/wine, contest entry & prizes.

Reservations are required.  Sign up by Friday, January 20th by calling the Pro Shop at 703-580-9000.

Old Hickory Golf Club – Woodbridge, VA

The North Coast Washington Golf Show will be held, Feb 3-5, 2012 at the Dulles Expo Center.

While you are checking out all the great deals on golf equipment, local courses, and golf destinations be sure to stop by the Waggle.com booth (#332/334) and say HELLO.

You can test your skills at the long drive, long putt and closest-to-the-pin contests.  And enjoy shows by Michael Breed, Brian Pavlet, and Chuck “The Hit Man” Hiter on the celebrity stage.

Show Hours:  Fri: 12pm – 6pm;  Sat: 9am – 6pm;  Sun: 10am – 4pm

Admission is only $10 (kids under 12 free) and good for all 3 days.

Get all the details at washingtongolfshow.com.

You Think You Got Game?  Then Bring it On!

The Battlefield Golf Club will hosting their 3rd Annual Cross Country Tournament on Saturday February 18, 2012 at 10am.

Tee off from places you never thought of before and work your way to a green some 500 to 1,000 yards away in the challenging 4 person scramble.

The cost is only $30 and includes food and beverage provided upon completion of play.

Only the first 18 teams will be accepted so sign up early. Call 757-482-4779 to enter your team.

Battlefield Golf Club – Chesapeake, VA – playthebattlefield.com

Attention all Wii Golf professionals… Are you the best?

Join the Blue Ridge Shadows Wii Golf Tournament and show them your skills!

The tournament takes place on Saturday, January 14th and Sunday, January 15th at 11 am.

Wii Golfers of all ages are encouraged to participate as prizes will be given away for lowest score, closest to the pin and more!

Entry fee is only $10 per person and includes prizes and one beverage of choice.

For more information or to sign up, call Angela at (866) 631-9661.

Blue Ridge Shadows – Front Royal, VA – blueridgeshadows.com

With this great January weather continuing here’s a great opportunity to hit the replica links at Renditions on Monday January 16th, 2012.  Take advantage of the MLK holiday and enjoy a round of golf.

The Renditions All Inclusive Day of Golf includes…

-  18 Holes of Grand Slam Championship Golf
-  Golf cart with on course GPS
-  Clean range balls before round
-  Complimentary warm non alcoholic beverages before golf
-  Super Sandwich and Soup buffet after golf
-  30% off All Apparel (not valid with other discounts and offers)
-  Covered Golf Carts available for $15.00 (reservations required)

You get all of this for just $49 (tax included).

Call 410-798-9798 to book your group.

Renditions – Davidsonville, MD – renditionsgolf.com

East Potomac’s Frozen Tundra tournaments are coming up soon.  It looks like good weather so get out and play.

The Frozen Tundra consists of two tournaments in one weekend…

On Saturday, Dec 14, 2012 is a 9-hole tourney on the Blue Course for intermediate and advanced golfers.

On Sunday, Dec 15, 20212 is a 9-hole tourney on the White Course for all skill levels.

The format is a 2-Person Scramble Format.  Check-In At 9:00am and Tee-Times Start at 10:00am.

$55 per Player Entry Fee for Saturday and $50 per Player Entry Fee on Sunday.

ENTRY INCLUDES…  Greens Fee, Riding Cart Fee, Food & Beverages, and On-Course Contests.

BONUS…  All Players Receive 1 doz. Callaway IS Balls (a $45 Value).

Call the proshop at (202) 554-7660 x 0 to register.

Maybe Santa didn’t bring everything on your golf list this Christmas, but if he forgot golf balls then Hilltop is here to help.   Take a run down Telegraph Road in Alexandria, VA to take advantage of Hilltop Golf Club’s January Golf Ball Sale.

The more you buy, the more you save…

• Buy 1 dozen golf balls and save 5%
• Buy 2 dozen golf balls and save 10%
• Buy 3 dozen golf balls and save 15%
• Buy 4 dozen golf balls and save 20%

This offer may not be combined with any other offer and excludes Callaway Tour I Series Golf Balls.

The deal for Callaway Tour I Series golf balls is Buy one dozen and get one free while supplies last.

So gas up the car and go get those balls.  You know you’re gonna need them this year.

Hilltop Golf Club – www.hilltopgolfclub.com