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Trending: Star Wars golf

Friday, May 25, 2012 Comments

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the original Star Wars movie, or for those of who insist on recognizing the cash extravaganza prequels, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. Star Wars is as iconic a brand as any of the last 35 years, and like every facet of our culture, golf has not remained untouched by the marketing blitz that has become synonymous with the movie.

A quick jaunt around the internet will offer golf bags, head covers, balls, and even a fan fiction Jack Nicklaus Computer Golf Support Board. In fact, you can customize just about any golf utility or clothing item with something from the Star Wars lineage. Luckily, the video results are just as rewarding.

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Trending: Rhein Gibson's 55, and nine other 'unbeatable' sports records

Friday, May 18, 2012 Comments

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(Rhein Gibson center, flanked by his playing partners Eric Fox, left, and Ryan Munson, right. Photo via GolfOklahoma.org)

Let us all take a moment to congratulate Rhein Gibson for the remarkable 16-under 55 he shot over the weekend at River Oaks GC in Edmond, Oklah. As amazing as it was, it's still only tied for the lowest round of golf ever recorded -- Homero Blancas fired a 55 at the 1962 Premier Invitational, in Longview, Tex. While both rounds are equally remarkable, the Guinness Book of World Records does not recognize Blancas' round because it was shot on a course deemed "too short" (the course, which actually no longer exists, was a 9-hole layout with two different tee boxes on each hole to create the full 18 and was only slightly longer than 5,000 yards). So Gibson's 55 stands alone as the pinnacle of golf records; one that I am going to go on record as saying is unbeatable.

Unbeatable the way Joe Dimaggio's 56-game hitting streak is unbeatable; or Wilt's 100 point game (or his 55 rebound game); or Byron Nelson's 11-straight consecutive tour wins. But these records are all of the sports-bar trivia variety, the kind that even the most novice of fan would be able to answer. Luckily, sports is filled with enough bizarre facts to keep the Elias Sports Bureau in business, so I've collected nine more of the most random unbeatable records to never grace the pages of Guinness. With Gibson's 55, this is a top 10 list for you to throw around the water cooler.

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Trending: Josh Beckett will spend his 18 off days on the golf course if he wants to

Friday, May 11, 2012 Comments

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(Josh Beckett being pulled by manager Bobby Valentine. Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images Sport.)

When the ESPN headline about your most recent performance reads 'Indians pound embattled Red Sox starter Josh Beckett', you know you're in for some scrutiny. The fact Beckett plays in Boston with a guaranteed contract will only draw more ire from the Fenway faithful.

The reason for his embattlement? Golf.

Beckett's commitment to the Red Sox organization was brought into question after he spent his off-day on the golf course. This is a very normal occurrence for baseball players during the course of their rigorous summer schedule, but frustration started seeping in when it was revealed Beckett played golf the day after skipping a scheduled start due to a sore lat muscle in his back. Tensions boiled over when he returned to the mound and proceeded to give up seven runs in 2 1/3 innings. When pulled by manager Bobby Valentine, a chorus of boos descended down upon the pitcher as he exited.

Beckett's reaction?

"We get 18 off days a year. I think we deserve a little bit of time to ourselves."

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Trending: Dan Jenkins' World Golf Hall of Fame induction speech

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 Comments
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(Photo by Will Dickey/AP)

Last night, Dan Jenkins was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame for his contributions to golf journalism over the past 60-plus years. Covering the sport as only he could, Jenkins infused a wry humor that inspired both the literary elite and the average Joe who looked forward to a six-pack with his round -- because sometimes You Gotta Play Hurt, right?

As the first living writer (and only third ever) to be inducted into the WGHOF, Jenkins deservedly took his place alongside the other inductees -- Phil Mickelson, Hollis Stacy, Sandy Lyle, and Peter Allis -- at last night's ceremony. And while my induction may be forthcoming in a few decades, there is no way I can do the man justice with a pen (or keyboard as the case may be). Then again, few can. So here, in its entirety, is Dan Jenkins' World Golf Hall of Fame induction speech with an introduction by Golf Digest's Editor In Chief, Jerry Tarde. There's really little else to say, except, congratulations Dan.

-- Derek Evers

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Trending: Remembering Seve one year later

Monday, May 7, 2012 Comments

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(Photo by Steve Powell/Getty Images.)

It's been one year since we lost Seve Ballesteros, and while thoughts of his death may cloud our recent memories of the five-time major winner, the creativity and charisma he brought to the game will live on for years to come. Which is why many in the golf world are honoring Seve today with individual tributes, each offering their own interpretation on the life and golf of the Spaniard.

As a thirty-something who grew up in the 80s, my first cognizant memory of Seve was his last major win at the 1988 British Open, although admittedly, it had little to do with his game. The thing I remember most about Ballesteros was that he was the only golfer my mom rooted for -- she is not much of a golf fan, and especially not a fan of watching it on television. But she would always take notice when Seve was on, and his march up the 18th at Royal Lytham might be the only time both of my parents were intrigued by a golf tournament's result. It might seem like a random memory, but that's why Ballesteros was, and is, a looming figure in the sport; as with any of the game's greats, his appeal wasn't limited to the golf course.

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Trending: Our own Ashley Mayo on CBS

Monday, April 30, 2012 Comments

If you were watching CBS' coverage of the Zurich Classic on Sunday then you probably caught this piece on the New York City golf haven, Chelsea Piers. Among the group of dignitaries profiled as some of NYC's biggest golf enthusiasts was our very own Associate Editor Ashley Mayo. Ashley probably would've posted this video herself, but true to her CBS title, she's out playing golf today.

-- Derek Evers

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Trending: Tiger Jam 2012 photos

Monday, April 30, 2012 Comments

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(All photos: Getty Images)

While you were out playing golf this weekend, Tiger Woods was raising money for charity. And he was still having more fun than you.

Woods brought his annual Tiger Jam to Sin City this past weekend, with a star-studded lineup that included a poker tournament and concert. Believe it or not, this was his 15th annual Tiger Jam, and besides his shirt and the music of Jon Bon Jovi, there was nothing to complain about. Hear that haters? Nothing... To... Complain... About. I still await your comments though, because nothing short of the revelation it's actually Magic Eye artwork will allow me to appreciate that shirt.

Related: Tiger Woods, Phil Ivey and other Golf celebrity doppelgangers

I can even give Bon Jovi a pass since he's been a regular at the event over the course of it's 15 years. Sadly, there's no photos of the poker tournament to share, which cost a cool $10,000 to enter and featured such high-rollers as MC Hammer, Ben Lamb, Phil Hellmuth, and poker legend Doyle Brunson. Luckily there are photos of gold-medal skier Lindsey Vonn.

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Trending: Tiger Woods and Bon Jovi team up for charity

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 Comments

Hold your jokes until the end, but Tiger Woods is returning to Vegas, and for only $10,000 you can join him.

While much can be said of Tiger's well-publicized Vegas exploits, just as much can be said of his philanthropy, and the two will collide this weekend when he hosts "the weekend of your life!" at the Mandalay Bay. According to his website, he'll be hosting Tiger's Poker Night this Friday, April 27, which you can have a seat at and two nights in a suite at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay for the $10,000 entry fee.

Related: Tiger Woods, Phil Ivey and other Golf celebrity doppelgangers

The winner of the tournament will receive a foursome of golf and a putting lesson with Tiger Woods, as well as "Pro-Am spots at PGA TOUR events, rounds at exclusive golf courses across the country, unique Tiger Woods autographed memorabilia items and a Nike Golf custom club-fitting at "The Oven" in Fort Worth, Texas."

Think the other two golfers will be security detail?

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Trending: Putting Ben Curtis' win in perspective

Monday, April 23, 2012 Comments

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(Ben Curtis' last victory on the PGA Tour came at the 2006 84 Lumber Classic. Photo: Getty Images.)

Ben Curtis' win at the Valero Texas Open ended a nearly six-year drought that saw the former British Open winner relegated to a journeyman who lost his tour exemption and hadn't finished in the top-10 in any of his last 44 starts. As unlikely as Curtis' victory was, this is not the first time we've seen some lengthy win droughts come to an end in 2012. Remember that guy Tiger Woods?

Roughly a month ago, when Tiger won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, we compared his two and half year winless streak to the longest stretches between wins ever on the PGA Tour. And while the nearly 1000 days between wins might have seemed like an eternity to Woods, it wasn't even close to making the top-5 longest. Luckily for Curtis, his dubious accomplishment (if winning can ever be considered dubious) doesn't scratch the surface either. The record 15 years and six months Robert Gamez went in between wins is safe -- for now.

Related: The five longest stretches between PGA Tour victories

Still, six years can seem like an eternity. In fact, it's been nearly that long since 84 Lumber last hosted a golf tournament -- September 17, 2006 to be exact -- which just happens to be Ben Curtis previous Tour victory. To put that in perspective, here is a quick look back at some other notables from that week in history.

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Trending: Kevin Na's redemption

Friday, April 20, 2012 Comments

Kevin Na returned to the site of his infamous 16 at TPC San Antonio yesterday and tried to put some demons to rest. His first trip back to the ninth hole, where one year ago he had a run in with the trees that would leave him with the fifth-worst score ever recorded in a PGA Tour round, was drama free on this day. On the scorecard at least. Na carded a pedestrian par, but took time out to memorialize the site of his meltdown by hanging the shirt he wore that notorious day in the trees. Unfortunately, things did not end well on this day either; Na finished his first round of the Valero Texas Open with a seven-over 79 -- only one better than his score from last year -- and proceeded to withdraw.

And in a twist of irony, Matt Every shot a course record 63 sending him into 4/20 as the tournament leader. I'll leave the jokes to you.

-- Derek Evers

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