Love him or hate him, praise him or bait him, no one generates more mail then the Angry Golfer, John Hawkins. His most recent rant, in which he took broadcasters, including Nick Faldo, to task for using Golf World stories without crediting them, drew quick response.

--Bob Carney

You send us lots of mail about television golf coverage, and almost as much about our comments about that coverage. A couple of your latest...

Dear Editor,
I realize that hyperbole is a traditional part of sports broadcasting, but I would like to strongly suggest that it is time for golf announcers to stop using the word "tragic" to describe events between the ropes. "Tragic" is a flag-draped coffin coming home from Iraq, a young mother being diagnosed with breast cancer, or a beloved caddie dying of ALS. It is *not* missing a three-foot putt to win a tournament. Unless a standard bearer drops dead while walking up the fairway, guys, let's stick to "unfortunate", OK?

Barbara Padgett
Toledo, OH

Barbara, we couldn't agree more.

Dear Editor,
I read with disappointment your comments about Bobby Clampett's recent work for CBS. Bobby's clean, accurate calls are a welcome change from the constant blabbering and futile attempts at wit by others in the CBS camp. Like Ken Venturi, Clampett applies the "less is more" approach to his color work. Bobby realizes he's calling a golf tournament, not hosting a talk show.

Patrick S. Koons
Dayton, OH

Clampett is a lightning rod, isn't he. Very knowledgeable about the swing, though, and pretty succinct these days. But you either like him or you don't....

Dear Editor,
Watching the Champion Tour on television is similar to watching paint
dry on the wall you just painted.

Gene Martineau
Roseville, CA

Gene, We don't paint much anymore. But we do watch the Champions Tour events when we can and it seems a whole lot better than painting.We had the chance to visit the Senior PGA Championship in Cleveland and walk a great old golf course, Canterbury, and really enjoyed it, not because these guys play perfect golf--although Michael Allen pretty much did--but because they don't. We can relate. If your point, though, is that they could act like they enjoy being able to play golf for a living at the age when most of us are worried about keeping our jobs, we agree.

--Bob Carney

Sam Weiman's affecting recollection of Gene Borek, longtime head professional at Metropolis Country Club in New York who died this month, prompted this letter from Florida reader Joe Feinberg.

Dear Editor,
I first met Gene Borek in Barranquilla, Colombia, at the Fifth Caribbean Open, in 1978. As an amateur, I'd been invited by a sponsor who played at our same club in ,Miami.
Staying at the Intercontinental Hotel, most of us would eat breakfast in the Gourmet Restaurant, before riding out to Lagos de Cajaraul, and it had been my pleasure to become acquainted with Gene there.

One morning, Gene described a scary experience from the night before. He had gone to his room about 9:00 pm, written a few letters & after placing the back of a chair under the doorknob, got into bed to go to sleep. About 20 minutes later, not yet asleep, he realized someone was going through his wallet, left on the night table, just next to him! Afraid to challenge the intruder, he continued to appear sleeping, knowing that there was $1,300.00, in one-hundred dollar bills, winnings from the previous week's tourney, now being removed from his wallet. Finally, the thief was then struggling with the chair, under the door knob, trying to get out & as the door swung open, Gene had jumped out of bed to see a man in a hotel uniform, running down the outside hall.

Gene theorized that the guy had been hiding under the bed, as he wrote letters & then thinking Gene was asleep, had rifled his wallet! Of course, the hotel had made up the $1,300.00 & the story would be over except that years later, as I sat in the stands in Wellington (FL) watching the polo matches, a man sitting directly behind me, tapped me on the shoulder, saying that he knew me. It was Gene Borek & we both laughed hard, recalling Barranquilla!

Joe Feinberg
Coral Gables, FL

Thanks, Joe.

--Bob Carney

Golf World reader Jay Lawrence of Fort Myers, FL, struck a chord here and in the May 25 Mail column when he reacted to our story on tour Twitterers. "Just what we need, more people carrying self-important communication devices to disrupt decorum finding out what Stewart Cink had for lunch," was how Jay began. His letter, which warmed up from there, drew several admirers.

Dear Editor,
All I can say is "Amen Brother, Amen!"

Carl Goodwin
Houston, TX

Canadian reader John Wood took the opportunity to get some other things off his chest.

Dear Editor,
I second the motion presented by Jay Lawrence. Why can't tour security people get these "new fans" off the premises with their ignorant shouts of "get in the hole", etc. Golf doesn't need these louts. Golf is a special game with special traditions and standards that ought to be promoted and maintained.

In the same edition Mike Purkey's TV Rewind column showed its partiality toward the worst announcer in golf, Gary McCord. McCord was a failed professional player and is a failed announcer. He needs to grow up and learn to shut up. Golf is the show, not him and his inane, juvenile rantings. He could learn a lot from another announcer mentioned in Purkey's column, Renton Laidlaw.

John Wood,
Ancaster, Ontario

John: I'm guessing that a Twitter from Gary McCord is nothing you'll be signing up for, is that accurate? (FYI, I also love Laidlaw.) On your other point: I'd like to think that the guys shouting "Get in the hole" are simply imbeciles and not necessarily Twitterers. As Roger Maltbie said to Charles Barkley, to whom he'd given a tip, when Barkley accused him of being the worst golf teacher in the world: "That would be too much of a coincidence."

Of course that's not fair. I think Twitter is great for, say, scoring updates second by second. Beyond that, have whatever you want for lunch, no need to run it by me.

--Bob Carney

If your main concern today is a missed putt that kept you from breaking 90, welcome to the Dagger Driving Range at the Ridgefield Country Club (Middle East). This golfing outpost in Baghdad is named for the Ridgefield, Connecticut vets who donated the makings of the range t to the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, so that they could build the range. The vets are friends of Lt. Christopher Beckert, deputy commander of the unit. As one member of the 2ns HBCT said: "It's a relief. It gives soldiers a chance to come out during the day, whenever they get a minute, got get a little taste of home."

Troops1

In honor of Memorial Day and in response to letters from you that have alerted us to such programs, we list three non-profits that are using golf to support our troops and their dependents. If you know of others, please send them in.

Golf Supports Our Troops donates golf equipment to military medical facilities for rehabilitation. Donate at: http://www.golfsupportsourtroops.org/DonateToOurTroops.htm

Patriot Golf Day, founded by Air Force pilot Maj. Dan Rooney provides scholarships for dependents and service members that have been killed or disabled as a result of military service. The day's activities contribute to the non-profit, Folds of Honor Foundation. Rooney explains the program in this YouTube video.

Tee it Up for the Troops was created to help support disabled members of the Armed Forces and their families. It is celebrated on the closest to September 11, a national day of golf saluting those who serve. Donations go to such organizations as the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. This year the event will be played on Friday, Sept. 11. Donate at: http://www.teeitupforthetroops.com/donate.cfm

Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman's Operation Links, based on a USO trip she made there, airs tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET, Operation Links will chronicle Tilghman's journey of discovery, understanding and gratitude during the USO Tour. In addition the channel's Golf Fix program will include a session with two wounded Iraqi vets.

A thank you from all golfers to the troops serving today. Here's hoping the golfers among you will be back on the course soon.

--Bob Carney

Max Adler's Golf World story this week about getting on Bethpage Black, site of next month's U.S. Open, tells the story of the "gray" market in Black tee times.

The first return of a Google search for the phrase "get on bethpage black" is nygolfshuttle.com. This company, which boldly accepts all major credit cards, states, "If camping out is not an option, the civilized way to tee up at this course is to let NY Golf Shuttle handle all the necessary arrangements to secure your tee time." Service is provided for a number of metropolitan area layouts, including all five Bethpage courses, but prices are most shocking for the Black, ranging from $850 for a single to $450 per person for a foursome. This includes black car transportation to and from New York City. Oh, and tack on a $50 surcharge for non-New York State residents.

Adler, who, by the way, is trying to earn legitimate access to the Black as an Open qualifier, writes of his own experience obtaining a gray-market time. It's worth a read.

One California reader who played the course offers a different tale altogether:

Dear Editor,

In contrast to Mr. Adler's experience with NY Golf Shuttle (Bethpage Gray (Market), May 25), I found Bethpage delightfully accessible using the the traditional method--showing up as a single. In August, '06, I flew a red-eye to join my wife at a Manhattan trade show and just had to try my shot at the infamous Black. Driving a rental car straight from JFK, I stepped into the tee-time line about 7:00 AM; I paid $75 for my out-of-state, Wednesday morning green fee and was given a slot with about 3 hours to kill. To my surprise, the other Bethpage courses (the only ones which allow carts) seemed in much greater demand to the locals. After breakfast in the coffee shop, I hit a bucket of balls and putted. When I went to the starter with my ticket to see if I could get out any sooner, he moved me up to join a threesome at 9:30--2 Long Islanders and another tourist like me. We had a great day walking the Black, with no sleeping in cars and no scalping. Was it worth it?....................Priceless!

Gregg Hopkins
Healdsburg, CA

As someone who has played the Black several times-once on my wedding day-I can only add, get on it as you will. You won't be sorry.

--Bob Carney

(Illustration: John Euland)

Dear Editor, I read with great interest your "Bunker News" (May 18, 2009) regarding "Feherty apologizes for D Magazine article." I casually know David Feherty, and with him there are no pulled punches. He speaks his mind fairly and directly, and for that I admire and respect him. His comments concerning Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are shared by many Americans. An apology may have been politically correct, but unfortunately not really necessary. Further, I am willing to guess that David has given more of his time and money for the benefit of our troops than these two politicians combined. Ron Stahlschmidt

Dear Editor, No I hadn't heard about the 2-bullets-for-Pelosi comment, and want to thank you for including it. Not sure why it's a PR nightmare however-if he doesn't know and tell the truth about his knowledge of how our troops feel, how can his comments about the golfers he covers have any validity. When a golfer craps-Feherty is on it. Why should politicians be treated any differently. Problem is his is dead on-Pelosi and Reid have earned and deserve to be insulted. Score another for Feherty and the Truth Wagon. Love the publication-keep telling it straight. Ed Kaake Indianapolis, IN

Your public servants serve you right.
Adlai Stevenson
Based on your letters to Golf World, I'm not sure how the Democrats got elected. The David Feherty controversy, in which commentator Feherty wrote in D Magazine that our soldiers would save their last bullets for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Harry Reid--and then apologized for it--has your conservative juices flowing. Is there no one defending these two fine public servants?

Dear Editor,
I can assure you that David's comments regarding Pelosi, Reid and bin Laden are applauded by the vast majority of your readers, me included.
I could add many more names to the list.

Please consider the very latest news regarding Speaker Pelosi. She is a disgrace to this nation and the position she holds. So is Reid.

I trust that David will only get a slap on the wrist to remind him to be somewhat more discrete with his comments in the future.

Everybody loves the guy. He is a bright spot in the "golf world".

Thanks,
Donald Noel

Dear Editor, With Ms. Pelosi's remarks this week about the CIA being liars you can probably add them to the list with the U.S. Soldier, although, it would only take the CIA one shot. NBC and MSNBC get away with this kind of stuff on a weekly basis and no one calls them on it. David didn't need to apologize for anything, he only spoke what he has heard about those who are in charge. Don Richardson Fredericksburg, VA

Dear Editor,
While his remarks were not "politically correct" , David Feherty accurately described the feelings of most US military personnel.....active and former. Lighten up everybody.

Bob Brewer
Vero Beach, FL

--Bob Carney

There are few certainties in life, but one of them is that we'll get a letter almost every week complaining that caddies, and often caddy Steve Williams, are removing their caddy bibs prior to their players holing out on the 18th green. It bugs you viewers (readers) and you tell us about it. The latest letters to Golf World on the subject:

Dear Editor, Are there rules governing when a caddy can remove his/her bib at the end of a round?

A group of friends and I notice that Tiger Woods caddy consistently removes his bib on the 18th hole before the players finish. While the other caddies tend the whole with their bibs on, Woods caddy does not. Or is it because this particular caddy has a sponsorship agreement that pays him to display their logo on his shirt?

Does the PGA Tour or USGA have rules that would enforce uniformity in this regard? Or is it up to each tournament/event? I'm sure after a long round every caddy ache to remove the bids. Not sure why one caddy would be allowed to do it. If for no other reason than maintaining comraderie and the class of the game.

D. Rodriguez
Rochester, MI
USGA Member

<blockquote>Dear Editor,
Why does Steve Williams feel compelled to remove his caddie vest when he gets to the 18th green? Why can't he wait to remove it until he leaves the green like all of the other caddies do? Does he think he's better than all of the other caddies? Is it because Valvoline pays him big bucks to show off his mock neck logoed shirt?

Its funny how there are rules on the tour and then there are the rules for Tiger and his clan.

Andrew Cohoon
Metairie, LA

Gentlemen, as much as this bothers you, it seems less a hot topic with the Tour. We've learned from Andy Pazder of the Tour that there isn't a hard-and-fast, written rule about the exact length of time caddies are expected to wear bibs. The Tour says that they are expected to wear them during the competition. I think you can assume that the Tour (or the USGA for that matter) is not interested in picking a fight with Steve Williams or any other caddy about the early removal of bibs. Players begin to pack up at the 18th green, handing balls and glove over to the caddy, and the caddies seem to be doing the same with their "equipment."

--Bob Carney