50 Reasons why 2007 was great for golf
Our guide to the men, women and moments that made this year special
TIGER'S NEW ARRIVAL
After months of feverish anticipation (nine of them, to be precise) Tiger Woods’ first child was finally born on June 18, hours after the new dad had finished second in the US Open. However, no sooner had little Sam Alexis been born, the rumour mill was in full flow, with journalists all around the world trying to predict the impact that becoming a dad might have on the world No.1. So far, so good, from his point of view.
SPREADIN' THE WEALTH
While we thought it strange that Nick Faldo’s junior scheme was awarded £110,000 whereas Paul Lawrie’s junior programme got nothing, the R&A should be praised for, again, handing out cash to far flung lands by way of grants. This
year, the figure totalled £1.3m and new
golf markets such as Burundi, Pakistan, Samoa and Egypt were just a few of the beneficiaries. Good for golf? Absolutely.
MOBILE INFANTRY
Tiger Woods spoke, and the organisers of the world’s oldest and largest golf event listened. More importantly, they acted. In 2006, at Hoylake, Woods complained about the number of mobile phones going off around the course and the R&A wasted no time in taking action. At this year’s Open at Carnoustie, there was a complete ban on mobiles. And the difference was both noticeable and positive, in our opinion.
LADIES FIRST . . .
Chauvinism is dead, long live equality. In time for this year’s Ladies’ British Open at St Andrews, the R&A relaxed its antiquated rule banning ladies from its clubhouse behind the 18th green of the Old Course. Consequently, the participants in the event were allowed access to the famous building for the first time and, in doing so, smashed one of golf’s last remaining gender barriers.
FALDO @ 50
There could have been no more fitting a place for Nick Faldo to begin his career in the senior golfing ranks than at Muirfield, the scene of two of his three Open triumphs. The six-time ‘Major’ champion lifted the Claret Jug at the famous east coast links in 1987 and 1992, so it was an appropriate choice for this year’s Senior British Open, which marked the Englishman’s foray into the world of over-50 pro golf. Sadly for Faldo, there was to be no win this time around but his involvement in the senior ranks marks the start of, potentially, an exciting new era.
THE CRAGGS EFFECT
When we hired Kevin Craggs as our instruction editor, we knew we were heading in the right direction in our bid
to improve your golf. Some might say he’s been our best appointment to date. We simply haven’t got enough space to print all your letters of thanks and, yes, he will be back in 2008, better than ever, so watch this space and get ready to shave your handicap even further.
MONTY WINS
Two weeks after he turned 44, and three weeks after shooting 82 to miss the US Open cut, the big man proved he is still a force to be reckoned with by winning the European Open in Ireland. “I feel this is a new beginning for me, and I can look forward now.” That’s the spirit, Monty! He clearly took the ‘new beginnings’ bit seriously, too, as, just months later, he got down on bended knee to propose to girlfriend, Gaynor Knowles. She said ‘yes’, of course. Hurrah!
SOMETHIN’ KINDA BOO
Move over John Daly – we’ve got a new favourite redneck on the PGA Tour. Boo Weekley, a 34-year-old from Florida, endeared himself to the golfing public at large this year with his hilarious banter. A golfer by occupation and a “huntin’, shootin’, fishin’”-type by preference, he has appeared at a time when golf badly needs some characters. Plus, anyone who (a) thinks that America is the ‘Home of Golf’, (b) is named after Yogi Bear’s sidekick, and (c) openly admits to having once soiled himself whilst on the golf course, is alright in our book. More from you in 2008, please, Boo.
ADIOS AMIGO
The retirement of a golf legend may not instantly seem like an obvious inclusion on a list of the things that were good for the sport over the past year. But, in the case of Seve Ballesteros, sadly, it is. For years, Seve has battled both physical and mental demons and, on the rare occasions that he has played competitively, it would almost be too kind to call him a shadow of
his former self. The truth is he’s been far less than that. So, as much as it was sad
to hear him confirm his retirement, it
was also definitely the right decision to make. No-one wants to see a legend suffer, after all.
MOTOMOUTH PHIL
Sometimes you yearn for Phil Mickelson to keep his mouth firmly shut – but at least he’s entertaining. And his latest daft comment might just be his finest. Just minutes after scraping a play-off win in the HSBC Champions Tournament - where he just pipped English duo Lee Westwood and Ross Fisher, the world No. 25 and No.85 respectively - he said: “It is nice to win a tournament that Tiger has tried to ...
