From the title drenched rafters there's a voice. "Starting at power forward, the six foot-nine senior, Tyler Hansbrough." And this revved up and randy crowd of over 9,000 gives it right back, "Tyler Hansbrough--YOU SUCK!"

Here we go. This is my introduction to the best home court advantage in sports. A collective force of face-painted intensity, fresh (or not) from five weeks of sleeping in tents for a chance at tickets--the Cameron Crazies are ready to jump, chant, scream, and relentlessly harass the other team. It's U2 in your sold-out living room. It's louder than loud and the action is in your lap.

Literally, I'm that close. I'm four rows off the floor and seated behind a basket. Not the side where the infamous Speedo Man sits, that section is for graduate school students. I was on the other side, next to the band. It's a Duke/UNC basketball game in Cameron Indoor Stadium on Coach K Court. I know it's somewhere in my top-5 sporting events (and they haven't had the opening tip yet).

I was in town for a complete and utter boondoggle (definition of boondoggle: "an unnecessary activity"). We would play Pinehurst No. 4 and Pinehurst No. 2 with the basketball game sandwiched between the rounds of golf. I was a guest of a connected Duke alum and I was suffering from that fortunate disease--Thisisreallyhappening? Syndrome. I had all the symptoms: fever, jaw open and locked, communication skills down, a wandering eye and an exaggerated case of internal fist-pumping.

I didn't care who won because I graduated from St. Mary's College in Calif. I just wanted to see triple overtime, but out of respect of my host, I was hoping Duke would win it with a buzzer-beater.

It's a storied past. The first time these two teams met for a battle like this was in 1920. UNC leads the all-time series: 128-97. And when they played on March 4, 2006, it was the most watched college basketball game in ESPN history. So, when people say this is the best rivalry in sports, they can make a great case.

I'm noticing as I get older, very few things in life live up to our expectations. That's why having them can be a dangerous game. Let's just keep the comparisons to golf for a second. Tiger rips through lofty expectations as though he actually has retractable claws. When I went out early for my first time to the grounds of Augusta National on a perfect Wednesday morning back in 1997 to see the sun come up--I cried. Not fall to my knees and cry. But I definitely teared up. And then there's the 16th hole at Cypress. Let me try to write something ridiculous and over-the-top: That tee shot is even heavier than the hype and more gorgeous than glorious. (I had to do it that way because I'm incapable of an appropriate and eloquent explanation of how great it is to play that hole.)

But if I can go back to the game. UNC won the second half by a bigger margin than Duke won the first half, so the series is now 129-97. The finish was far from fantastic and there was no need for even one overtime, but it was about so much more than a final score. In a weird way, a trip like this, to a place like Cameron Indoor Stadium, for a game like Duke/UNC, with rounds at Pinehurst No. 4 and No. 2, it's humbling. The fist-pumping turns into skin-pinching and then to a reflective state of appreciation. And that arc of emotions kept repeating throughout the three days I was there and long after I got home.

And then, finally, some clarity. My new top-5 sporting events:

No. 5: The 2003 Super Bowl (Buccaneers against the Raiders). I was carrying cameras for Sports Illustrated Photographer, Walter Iooss Jr. There was the combination of being the field of a Super Bowl, working for Walter in my favorite city of San Diego. Once Walter went into the locker room after the game I wandered around the field and immersed myself in the steady rain of confetti.

No. 4: The 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama in Spain. I live to be live at Ryder Cups. For this one, my first, I was on the 17th green when Tiger putted his ball off the green and into the water. I'll also never forget Fred Couples taking down Ian Woosnam in the first match of singles on Sunday. Couples beat him 8 and 7 and I think Woosnam was 1-under par when they shook hands on the 11th hole. Couples had five birdies and an eagle.

No. 3: The 2009 Duke/UNC basketball game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The final score was: UNC 101, Duke 87. I saw Krzyzewskiville, talked to the "Crazy Towel Guy" and got to stand on the court. The atmosphere was electric but it was also hot. I'm told, but not can't confirm, Coach K shuts the Cameron doors during the game causing the temperature to rise and further improve the home-court advantage. Crafty, Coack K. And sweaty.

No. 2: The 2004 Masters. The back-nine barrage of birdies and eagles between Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson put the crowd, including me, into a frenzy. The manual scoreboards couldn't keep up with what was taking place at Augusta National. Els only lost by one stroke but some have argued he has never been the same since.

No. 1: The 1996 Kentucky Derby. Grindstone gets Cavonier by a strap on the bridle. I was on the inside rail firing remote cameras for Sports Illustrated. On the flight back to New York I interviewed winning jockey Jerry Bailey, who just happened to be on my plane. I turned over my notes to the writer of the main story, Bill Nack, who's one of my favorites. Nack used some quotes I gave him in the lead paragraph of his story. This was when I knew I was chasing the right career--A career of getting paid to follow sports.

This is a short video tour of what I saw on February 11, inside and outside Cameron Indoor Stadium: (To watch a better version of the video, click here and then click on "watch in high quality" in the bottom-right corner of the screen.)

--Matty G.

(Photograph by Getty Images)

I'm not picky. I'm a cancer. I'll make anything work for the good of the group. I don't send food back, I believe in inexpensive wine, I don't change putters every three weeks. I have boxers with holes, t-shirts with stains. (I know--you're wishing I stopped at "three weeks.")

But when I showed up at the Avis counter in Raleigh and the man behind the window handed me the keys and pointed at my car, I had to pause.

"That's my car?"

"Yes," the man said. And he was excited about it. "The red one. It's brand new. It only has 26 miles on it."

There it was. In all of it's brand new glory. A Chrysler PTCruiser. As red as the core of the earth. If this guy wasn't so excited for me I would've immediately asked for a switch. But no. In my mind, even as the customer in this case, I was willing to drive this burst of brightness off the lot just so I didn't break this man's core. And so I did. And I didn't get two turns into the trip before I wanted to kick myself, which I would've done if I had the legroom.

Was it really that bad? I'm just shy of 6'-2", which isn't ridiculously tall, and I had to duck to look out the windshield. (The windshield is what we look out of in order to navigate the vehicle. I mean, really?)

The only reason I didn't turn around is the fact that I was only needing to go directly to Pinehurst and back (a two-hour round trip). I knew that once I was in the comfortable confines of the only place better than Disneyland, which is DonaldRossland, I could park it and use shuttles, bikes or walk to where I was going on property.

And so I drove on. And even with a severe head tilt, I had a positive thought. I realized this was as close as I'd get to driving a fire engine, a boyhood dream left behind in the rear view mirror of life. And we all had it. Which is why we all laughed until we cried when Kramer got to drive the back of the fire truck in the episode of Seinfeld.

The only other thoughts I had, as I dropped it off and tossed the attendant the keys as I boarded the shuttle for home: Who in the Lord's name designed this monstrosity? Who approved the design? Who rolled it off the assembly line and thought they'd sell this thing? And why are we bailing out the collective crowd of idiots? Cars like that is why Detroit died. And it's cars like that, that I believe they deserved to die.

Harsh, I know. And this is coming from a cancer.

--Matty G.

In a recent social game amongst friends, I drew a card. The question was, "What's your dream job?"

I thought for a second. That's easy--I have it! (Anything other than the Travel Editor of Golf Digest would be a downgrade.) But then I thought some more. What if I was Tiger? I'd take the majors, the money and the Swedish wife, but I'd pass on the pressure, paparazzi and everything else. A rock star would be worth considering. What could possibly be better than a stage-shower of lingerie? And then I thought about Iooss. Of course--I'd trade gigs with Walter Iooss in a second.

You may have seen Iooss' recent work in Sports Illustrated. I was referring to the LeBron James cover, you're thinking of the scantily clad swimsuit models. For the record, Iooss is one of the world's greatest photographers. Don't believe me? Go ahead, see for yourself.

In addition to working for SI, Iooss shoots golf and golfers for Golf Digest. And when I went to Miami last year to report an Away Game, Iooss, who has a house on Key Biscayne, joined me for a few rounds of golf. We played the course on Key Biscayne, the White and the Blue courses at Doral. Iooss is non-pretentious, gracious and secure in his own skin, some of the essential elements of being "cool." And like all over-achievers in life, he's built with bricks of competitive spirit. Our match at the Blue Monster came down to the 18th hole and we both hit our tee shots in the fairway. Then we had to negotiate the water, which is just left of the green.

After bailing out and pushing my approach to the right (away from the water), I tried to salvage an up and down for par from a greenside bunker. To this day I've never finished the hole. I thinned the sand shot over the green, over the water, where it's probably still resting in the yellow flowerbed of plants that spell out the word, Doral.

I cut a short video of Iooss scraping his way to a cheap victory.

Here's a recent release I received about the upcoming tour event at Doral:

For the third year in a row, Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort will be hosting the 2009 World Golf Championships-CA Championship (March 9-15). To celebrate this widely-televised tournament, broadcast in over 140 countries, the Miami resort is offering golfers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the pros in action. The WGC Room and Ticket 2009 package not only provides up to 15% savings, but it puts travelers' front and center at the most talked about golf event. 

Available March 12-15, starting at $399 per night based on double occupancy and $349 per night for single occupancy, the golf getaway includes:

-Garden-view resort room (room-only rates start at $429)
-Daily "Clubhouse" tickets to the WGC-CA tournament (tickets range from $40-$50 per person)
-Full access to resort grounds and clubhouse area

For reservations or additional information, please visit www.doralresort.com or call (800) 71-DORAL.  When booking please mention the WGC Room and Ticket Package or rate code 21GGOL for double occupancy and 21GGOK for single occupancy.   

Read more about my trip to Miami, Iooss' golf game and his tips to getting around town by clicking here.

--Matty G.

(Doral photograph by Caryn Levy/PGA Tour/Getty Images. All other photographs by Walter Iooss Jr.)

I've been going through the Inbox of Travel Troubles. Readers submit a wide variety of questions. My mom, a retired interior decorator, wrote in once and asked how she can find sleeves of purple and pink golf balls. I didn't have an answer for her. And for my dad's sake, because he has to play with her a lot, I didn't want to have an answer for her. Sorry Mom, your submission was denied. Paula Creamer can pull off pink, but there's not a lot of room for more of that within the ropes of golf.

I get submissions like this one, from Rod Christian of Rochester, NY: Matt, Come and play the New York Golf Trail this summer. I know, golf trails are sprouting up all over. But the New York Trail features Cooperstown, Saratoga, Lake Placid and the Adirondacks. Layouts include the Sagamore, Whiteface Club Resort and Leatherstocking Country Club--all amazing tracks. New York is King of northeast golf, and we'd like to prove it to you!

Rod, Thank you for the invite. I tell anyone who will listen about Cooperstown and the course they call Leatherstocking. Every fan of golf and baseball should do that trip one day. Bring your dad or your son, or both, and stay at the Otesaga Resort Hotel. I suggest the fall season and be sure to pack a dinner jacket. I've had a lot of great memories of golf with my dad. The day at the Hall of Fame and the round we had at Leatherstocking ranks in the top three. In 2009 Leatherstocking is advertising that kids, 16 and under, play for $50 when accompanied by an adult.

I'm not sure how Brian Garmaker of Hibbing, Minn. could type this letter with both palms up: I have no money, and really love golf. I was wondering if there is anybody who could fund a trip for me? I can come up with a little bit of money, but not enough for a golf package plus transportation. I could even pay someone back the money once business picks up.

Yes, Brian. I'm your guy. As soon as I get my stimulus check I'll send it directly to you.

Sometimes I notice a theme to a group of e-mails. The following are all Myrtle Beach related:

From Brian McEvilly of Seal Beach, Calif: My freinds and I are planning our first golf buddies trip to Myrtle Beach and we're already overwhelmed by the choices in golf travel-planner websites. Could you recommend one or two websites that have good reputations in the delivering the best value for our golfing dollars?

From James McIlmail of Waldorf, MD: My buddies and I are switching from Williamsburg to Myrtle Beach for our annual outing this year. Your course rankings have helped on course selection, but my biggest pet peeve with the planning process is trying to choose a good travel company to arrange the trip for us. I had a bad experience with a golf travel company that planned our last Williamsburg outing, and can't figure out who is good for Myrtle. And this goes for all of us who plan trips to any golf mecca--how do we know who the reputable golf travel planners are?

From Mark Abbott of Berlin, MD: We are a group of 12 to 20, dare I say, golfers? Let's say, guys who take golf clubs to Myrtle Beach every year in late October or early November. We've been staying at the Sands group of hotels for many years and, quite frankly, they've deteriorated before our eyes. Could you recomend accomodations where each man has his own double bed and bath, full breakfast, exercise room and a dinner house on site? Our budget for lodging and golf is $1000-1200 per person.

I'll try answering each one of these...

Brian, I suggest Golf Holiday as a site that can help plan your trip to Myrtle. I sent Steve Mays of Golf Holiday your e-mail and he sent me back this reply: "I say this in all sincerity, the best way to start planning a trip to Myrtle Beach is go to the quick quote function on our site. This will allow your readers to engage up to 10 package providers that service the Myrtle Beach area, all the ones through this system can book all 100 golf courses, and allows the consumer to shop for the best deals in town. This system was created to break through the confusion of booking a Myrtle Beach golf vacation."

James, I also suggest Golf Holiday to help you and your group plan a trip to Myrtle. I've often found the best way to find a trip planner, like trying to find a doctor or a dentist, is by word of mouth. It's easier to ski the water right behind the boat. Let your friends be your boat.

Mark, I was in Myrtle recently. I wrote about my trip for the February "Away Game" of Golf Digest. I'd suggest the Barefoot Resort Golf Villas and I'd include a couple of the courses I played on my trip.

And last but NOT least...Mom, I've found the golf balls you're looking for. (Sorry Dad). Check out the Wilson Hope Golf Balls. Here's the link.

(Do you have a question, comment or complaint? Reach me through this blog in the "comments" box below, or send me an e-mail by clicking on this link.)

--Matty G.

The first full year of the Ambush is history. It never gets old--giving things to people. For two days a month I'm golf's Kris Kringle. I get to surprise golf enthusiasts with free golf, balls, dinners and beer. I'm passing out a frozen moment in time for you and your band of brothers (or sisters) with a picture and a page in Golf Digest. We did an Ambush rewind in the May issue.

So far, I've Ambushed in: Scottsdale, Sea Island, Destin, Orlando and Panama City Beach. I've rolled up on unsuspecting groups in Pinehurst, Wild Dunes and a sentimental and spirited group in Garland, Mich. I've tracked a group down in the remote spot of St. Geroge, Utah. A neutral observer might argue that I was the one who was Ambushed by 12 charismatic women in Ball Ground, Georgia. I was blown away by Birmingham, Ala., and probably gained 12 pounds while I was in town. Most recently I wrote about an Ambush in Mesquite, Nev. After picking 12 winners (and counting) out of 3,500 itineraries (and counting), here's a breakdown of some numbers and some notable highlights:

Total Ambushed: 247 (235 men, 12 women)
Average size group:  21.4. (Smallest was 3, largest so far was 96) 
Average cost (excluding airfare): $1,273.
Average number of nights: 4.2
Average number of rounds played: 4.9
Most expensive: $2,500 per man, "The Ponce" in Sea Island.
Best Deal: $660 a man, "O'Toole bros. invitational" in Orlando.
Best Program: "Organization men" had a 27-page booklet.
Best Meal: Dreamland BBQ in Birmingham, Ala. with Jay Walker and Jay Roberson.
Best Impromptu Encounter: Playboy bus in Destin, Fla. with the "Louisville sluggers."
Best Nickname: "George," as in Costanza, because Dan Mannes lived at home until he was 30. The name of that story was fitting. That group was clearly "No spot for thin skin."

I'm picking from these four finalists for the May issue (which closes the first week of March and comes out on newsstands the first week of April).

Kevin Curran of Warrington, PA: This is the 14th consecutive year for our buddy trip. It was started in 1996 by best friends and pharmacy school roommates, Greg Diehl and Andrew Shumsky. They had learned of the passing of two friends from college and thought, "Life is too short." This trip has guys in their 50's, 40's and 30's. We keep each other balanced in experience and stamina. This trip will start with a night at an Atlantic City casino/hotel. We'll gamble, eat and drink until the early morning hours. On Wednesday we'll drive to the Philadelphia airport to catch a flight to San Antonio. Our courses consist of: Quarry Club, Canyon Springs G.C., The Palmer and The Resort Courses at La Cantera. I know we'll be spending a lot of time on the Riverwalk. The constant factor to every buddy trip is Crown Royal. Every trip starts and ends with a shot of Crown. Also, a shot before we tee-off, a shot on every par 5 and a shot for birdies. Stand back if an eagle or hole-in-one is carded. Please keep in mind we're always respectful to the course, other golfers and the game of golf--just buddies having fun. We sure do hope to be Ambushed. 

Bob Stosser of Bethel, CT: We're the Parbusters (in name only). For the seventh consecutive year, eight friends of 30+ years will head to Hilton Head in February. Demographics include 60+ years of age, handicaps from 12 to 25, all married (only one time) and grandfathers of 21. I'm the organizer and course and restaurant selector. We also have a driver, navigator and treasurer. Several of the group have no responsibilities except to show up for the tee time. Our treasurer pays all bills and sends us a spreadsheet with our debit when we return home. It is a week of great fun, spectacular (sometimes) golf and usually unforeseen adventures. We'll be renting a house in Sea Pines for the week. We would love to be ambushed.

Mike Lowe of Wheaton, IL: Our guy's trip is called the "Jamocha Cup", because at the end of the day, we're all just dorks. This will be the 3rd Jamocha Cup and it will be played at Amelia Island, FL. Our last two trips were to Myrtle Beach and were just a blast. We play a modified Ryder Cup format for a $100 per man. Our trip is unique because of the people who participate. Our buddy Sagen jumped in the pond of the 18th hole at True Blue in Myrtle after hitting a birdie putt to win his match. We've had to make downhill three-footers in the dark to win matches and lost clubs on holes known as the "Gambler." Team U.S. has been blown out of the water every year, but this is the year we turn it around. We have two elected judges to maintain peace and settle fights, which are abundant. We make team shirts every year with our logo on them and we're trying to incorporate a trophy this year. We live just west of Chicago and this trip helps us get through the horrible winter. Our wives may get sick of the constant banter, but the winter takes away our favorite game for four months a year, and this is our outlet. Bottom line--we would love to hang with you for a day and let you into our group, trust me you'll have a blast.

Greg Waldrop (N/A): Some time ago I emailed you concerning the Golf Digest Ambush. Our tournament dates have been set and as of today, we will have approximately 100 amateur golfers participating in our 40th Annual "Bratton Brothers Invitational". Our web site, www.bbitour.com, has all the details, including dates, courses, tee times, etc.

I must say, it's quite a website. They have a few quotes on there worth noting: "Golf is 20 percent mechanics and technique. The other 80 percent is philosophy, humor, tragedy, romance, melodrama, companionship, camaraderie, cussedness and conversation." ~ Grantland Rice, noted American sports writer and avid golfer.

The other one is: "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." ~ Pericles

Do you have take a buddies trip worthy of our readers? Fill out an entry/itinerary by clicking here.

--Matty G.

I'm in Pinehurst, scheduled to wrestle with a saber-toothed tiger today (which is to say I'm playing No. 2). A great test of golf, a better test of temperament, I'm up early doing breathing exercises and trying to call upon my inner-Zen. Those Donald Ross greens give me fits!

I'll give you more about what's turning out to be one of the greatest trips I've taken so far as the Digest Travel Editor a little later. Until then, the buzz down here is about deals to play golf, and a release about a sweepstakes to win unlimited golf for a year.

Good luck!

From now through May 31, golfers from around the globe can enter the resort's spring sweepstakes to win unlimited golf at Pinehurst for a year. Golfers can register now at Pinehurst.com, for the prize that includes unlimited golf for the winner and a friend on any of Pinehurst's eight golf courses--including the famed No. 2, site of the 2014 U.S. Open. Valid from June 1, 2009 to May 30, 2010, the prize also includes exclusive benefits when staying at Pinehurst, visiting the spa and enjoying its many amenities. 

The sweepstakes celebrates the launch of Pinehurst's spring Unlimited Golf Package, in which golfers are automatically upgraded to unlimited golf at normal one-round-per-day rates from March 8 through May 30. The $515 per person, per night starting rate includes unlimited greens fees (No. 2 at an additional charge), cart and practice facility usage, plus accommodations, the best breakfast in golf and a la carte dinner. The upgrade's best value is in eliminating hundreds of dollars in replay fees.

With the recent renovation of the majority of its guest rooms, a new executive chef, and longer spring days ahead to enjoy the resort's championship courses, Pinehurst continues to deliver the best overall golf experience to all golfers in 2009.

Full details on the grand prize, eligibility and full terms and conditions can be found on the sweepstakes page. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.pinehurst.com or call 800-487-4653.

I always get asked, "Where should we go for our next buddies trip?"

Before I answer, I try to take in consideration the group dynamics. I look at handicaps, physical handicaps and general appreciation for the finer things in golf (course architects, caddies, history, etc.). Will you be bringing females or will you be trying to meet them? What's the level of jailbreak mentality? (In other words, might the authorities be involved?) But in general, the top two spots on my list for a buddies trip in the U.S. are Pinehurst and Bandon Dunes.

--Matty G.

I sat down for a few minutes with Boo Weekley in Naples, Fl. back in December. The complete conversation has been posted on our website. Weekley's a hunter, but has no big-game ambitions. If his life is on the line he's calling upon his friend, Heath Slocum. And Weekley continues to claim he's ignorant about the details of the FedEx Cup--which makes two of us.

Here's a tease:

In terms of travel habits, when you get on a plane, are you flying commercial or private?
It all depends on where I'm going. Every year I buy a little bit of time on private planes. When I get to somewhere and I'm pretty close to home and I'm tired and my body's tired and I don't want to deal with nobody, I'll put a little time on the private airplanes. If it ain't too bad of a flight, I'll fly commercial. And it doesn't matter if I fly first class or if I fly coach.

When's the last time you flew coach?
When I flew home from Orlando. No, I flew private in Orlando. I'm trying to think ... What was the last time? It was the end of the Cup race stuff; I flew coach back home then.

Are you keeping up with the fact that they're changing the FedEx Cup?
I don't have no concern. It won't concern me until it comes time to start playing in the actual tournaments.

Here's the link to the complete conversation.

Where am I? Today I'm on yet another somebody'sgottadoit trip in Pinehurst. My itinerary will include a round at No. 4, No. 2 and a ticket to the Duke/UNC game tonight. I have no horse in the race. I'm hoping for triple OT that ends with game winning buzzer-beater by Duke. I'll post a story, scores, pictures and a video to this blog.

--Matty G.

(Photographs courtesy of Getty Images)

I received an e-mail from God's country (aka Pebble Beach). I'm told Northern California is in a serious drought situation this year (only half of the average rainfall), but of course the forecast this week is for rain. Death, taxes and it rains the week of the AT&T--that much we can count on.

This is from Nicole Gustas, Website Manager of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Dear Matt,

The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am kicks off today! We know a lot of your readers will be attending. We put together an Insider's Guide especially for them, to help them get the best views, spot the most celebs, and find the quickest and cheapest travel options to the AT&T from their hotels: Here's the link.

The site includes advice on (among other things) breakfast, post-play parties, tickets, autographs, photos and viewing spots.

--Matty G.

(Photograph of Pebble's 7th hole, courtesy of Getty Images)

A few weeks ago I wrote a story about the Greenbrier for Golf World. This morning the Greenbrier was a topic of conversation on the Howard Stern Show. Stern's guest was comedian and avid golfer, Norm Macdonald. It turns out, back in 2000, the host of Celebrity Millionaire, Regis Philbin, asked Norm Macdonald the $1,000,000 question:

"During the Cold War, the U.S. Government built a bunker to house Congress under what golf resort?"

His choices were:

A)    The Breakers
B)    The Greenbrier
C)    Pinehurst
D)    The Broadmoor

Macdonald was playing for the Paul Newman charity, Hole in the Wall Camps. Macdonald was out of the allotted three lifelines and if he got the answer wrong he would've walked with only $32,000. But, as they discussed on the Stern show, Macdonald's a bit of a gambler and he seemed willing to play on.

Here's the transcript of the last few minutes of the show as Macdonald and Philbin bantered about the answer and whether or not Macdonald should risk $500,000:

Norm Macdonald: They always say don't go for the obvious one, right? That's what someone told me backstage. See, here's the problem: Let's say I lose all that money and it gets back to Paul Newman?

Regis Philbin: That's going to be a problem. You'd lose $468,000.

NM: I wouldn't lose it. The children would lose it.

RP: Of course, the children would lose it. But you'd lose it for the children. You don't want to do that. Do you?

NM: I don't know man . . .

RP: You got a little gambling streak in you, don't you? You want to see if you can beat the game, don't you? You want to win a million dollars, don't you?

NM: I'm going to say Pinehurst.

RP: You're going to say what?

NM: I was thinking of Pinehurst but you say don't go with the obvious. I'll say Greenbrier.

RP: Please. Before you say, "Final Answer," Norm, I'm not kidding you, $468,000, unless you're sure . . .

NM: OK, fine. Forget it.

RP: It could be Pinehurst. Is that what you're going to say?

NM: Give me the half a million. We'll quit.

RP: Do you want to walk?

NM: What?

RP: I have to find out, do you want to walk away?

NM: Well, no. I was going to answer your question.

RP: I quit. It's too much for me. I can't stand it. What do you want to do baby? Tell me what you want to do?

NM: I think Pinehurst is too obvious. So I guess I will say Greenbrier. [Long pause.] What's the matter? What are you making that face for? Forget it.

RP: I'm scared to death.

NM: Forget it. Just give me the half a million dollars.

RP: Alright, take a guess.

NM: I have no idea. I said my guess. I guess I'm wrong. It must've been one of the other two.

RP: Did you say Greenbrier?

NM: I said . . . yeah.

RP: You would've won $1,000,000!

[Crowd and Macdonald react]

RP: $500,000! Come on! Be happy! You were great Norm. You were just fabulous.

Macdonald said today that Newman wrote him a thank you letter for the significant donation. I read that Philbin actually apologized for how he handled the situation the next day on his morning show.

Catch the last few questions and answers at this link to YouTube.

--Matty G.

The Herald, a Scotland based paper, reported last week that a marketing strategy to promote golf trips continues to gain momentum. We all love free stuff.

Especially golf . . .
 

Links legend Sam Torrance and First Minister Alex Salmond yesterday issued a clarion call to global golf fans to come to the home of the sport this year.

A free round of golf for four friends has already been offered to fans all over the world by 100 clubs across Scotland from Glasgow to Gleneagles and Fraserburgh, and further deals are to follow.

The first phase alone means potentially 8000 visitors, who it is estimated by Visit- Scotland would contribute 14.3 million pounds to the wider Scottish economy, with the average international golfer thought to spend 1,790 pounds on each trip.

Now the remaining 450 clubs in Scotland are being urged to take part in phase two of the Drive It Home scheme to be launched next month.

Here's a link to the full story.

--Matty G.