Christmas presents for the golf buddies

Christmas is right around the corner and there are some people that are very hard to by presents for. I mean what do you buy the golfing buddy who has everything? Usually I try to find something a little wacky, but this year I have decided to go serious!

The LA police gear website stocks all the kinds of Tactical gear you can think of. They also have some great torches that caught my eye while browsing the website. So if you have someone that you want to buy an interesting present for, but can't quite find the right thing why not have a look through their website.

Lin Wen-tang wins Hong Kong Open

Taiwan's Lin Wen-tang won a nail-biting UBS Hong Kong Open on the second play-off hole on Sunday, becoming the first Asian champion here in 10 years.

Lin drilled an astonishing pitch to within a foot for a tap-in birdie as Northern Irish teenager Rory McIlroy found trees and missed a long putt to end a day of high drama.

Lin, from Taipei, seals the biggest victory of his career after three previous triumphs on the regional tour and becomes the first Asian Hong Kong Open winner since Kang Wook Soon in 1998.

The 34-year-old had missed a six-foot birdie on the last hole of regulation play to go into the play-off with McIlroy, 19, and Italy's Francesco Molinari, with all three locked at 15-under 265.

Lin then looked to have lost his chance when he drove into thick trees on the first play-off hole, the par-four 18th. But he made a miraculous escape to within four feet for birdie.

Molinari missed his 15-foot birdie putt to drop out of the play-off but there were no such problems for McIlroy, who lasered his pitch to within two feet to take them back to the 18th tee.

The teenager then found trees but kept his hopes alive with another breathtaking shot to the edge of the green. But he could not hole the putt, making Lin's victory a formality.

"Lin probably should have won it in regulation, and he made two threes in the play-offs. You can't beat that, to be honest," said McIlroy.

"I had an incredible shot for my second shot, but it just wasn't meant to be," he added.

The thrilling finish marked the first play-off here since 1994 and continues a tradition of excitement at the Hong Kong Open, which had been decided by a single stroke in each of the past five editions.

My Thoughts

Another great finish to the Hong Kong Open. If you are only going to watch one Asian tour event make sure it is this one!

Golf Christmas Cards

I don't usually send Christmas cards (my wife does), but I always give Christmas cards to my golf buddies at the end of the year. I am constantly on the lookout for golf themed Christmas cards and this year I came across on the ball greetings. They offer some of the best collection of Golf Christmas Cards I have seen! They also stock other great golf themed gifts which are well worth checking out!

If you are looking for a great golfing gift for your golfing buddies, husband, wife or someone else close to you then make sure you check out their website!

HSBC Champions

Sergio Garcia won the five-million-dollar HSBC Champions tournament in a play-off here on Monday over England's Oliver Wilson, a victory that will see him rise to number two in the world rankings.

Garcia sank a seven-foot birdie putt from the fringe of the 18th green on the second play-off hole, after the pair finished regulation play in the rain-delayed tournament at 14 under.

The win means Garcia will overtake American Phil Mickelson as the world number two. Mickelson, the defending champion in Shanghai, fired a disappointing 73 in the fourth round to finish five shots back tied for eighth.

"I feel great.... I'm just so proud to win and (reach) number two in the world, so very happy. Great week," said the 28-year-old shortly after his dramatic victory that gave him his second European Tour title in three weeks.

In the final round that began on Sunday afternoon and was completed on Monday due to heavy rain earlier in the tournament, Garcia carded a 68 while Wilson, leader after three rounds, fired a 70.

Garcia lifted himself to 14 under on the par-five 18th thanks to a brilliant approach to about eight feet followed by a nerveless putt.

Wilson, who was playing in the final group behind Garcia, was already at 14 under and made an equally brilliant put for par on the 18th from about 10 feet to force the play-off.

The players then returned to the 18th tee for the play-off.

On the first play-off hole, Garcia missed a 15-foot birdie putt but Wilson left his birdie effort from half that distance short and to the right.

On the second play-off hole, again the 18th, Wilson's approach shot almost hit the pin, before spinning back to rest 10 feet short of the hole.

Wilson's birdie effort just slipped past the hole and he slumped to his knees and rested his head on the end of his putter in frustration.

Garcia then stepped up to knock in his birdie putt and collect the winner's prize cheque of 833,000 dollars, giving him his 19th professional title and the perfect start in the European Tour's lucrative "Race to Dubai."

Eyeglasses

Unfortunately I am one of the many people who need glasses for many of my daily tasks like reading and using a computer. While this isn't a huge affliction to have I often have the problem of leaving my glasses somewhere and forgetting where I put them, or I forget to take them with me where I go! For this reason it pays to have a spare pair (or two) of glasses in places you are likely to need them such as in your desk at work, in the car glove box and even in less common laces like your golf bag. Unfortunately, in the past, this could be an expensive task, but with online glasses store Zenni Optical cheap spare glasses are now a reality.

Zenni Optical have been selling cheap eyeglasses online now for quite a while and have established a strong reputation for quality and low price! They were even featured in the Chicago Tribune see this link for the story! If you are looking for a cheap pair of prescription glasses or sunglasses then check out Zenni Optical.

Oh and don't forget, if you are purchasing a new pair of glasses and don't need your old ones then donate them to a charity in your area so someone else can make use of them!

Chinese golf becomes a major force

By Nick Mulvenney

SHANGHAI, Nov 8 (Reuters) - China's golf chief Zhang Xiaoning said extending the rain-disrupted HSBC Champions to Monday signified the world's most populous country had arrived as a major force in international golf.

Wet weather washed out play on Friday and delayed the start of the second round by three hours on Saturday, forcing organisers of the $5 million tournament to schedule a fifth day.

"Monday play is an honour reserved for only the most important tournaments," said Zhang, secretary-general of the China Golf Association (CGA).

"It has proved we have one of the world's most important tournaments and it has proved Chinese golf has truly arrived on the world stage."

The 2005 Asian Open in Shanghai was also rain-disrupted and extended to Monday but China's golfing trailblazer Zhang Liangwei said the decision to extend this week's event was a "significant moment".

"I'm very proud for Chinese golf," said the 43-year-old, who was the first man from his country to play at one of golf's four majors, the 2004 U.S. Masters.

"At the start of my career there were almost no tournaments in China. Now we have an event that is treated with the respect normally given to the majors."

My thoughts

I keep hearing China is the future and this step shows that they are serious about their golf. What will the golfing world look like in 50 years? I am not sure, but I am convinced China will be involved!

Report that call

I am sure most of us can say we have received an annoying call or prank at some stage. Sometimes these are harmless fun, but at other times these calls can becoming quite annoying or even a little threatening. There is a new website that is trying to fight back by allowing users to report harassing calls. You can submit the details to their Harassing Caller Report and have it listed for others to watch out for.

I am not a lawyer and do not know the legal implications of this service. Make sure you know where you stand in your jurisdiction.

This week in golf

CHINA GOLF ASSOCIATION

HSBC Champions

Site: Shanghai, China.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Sheshan International Golf Club (7,199 yards, par 72).

Purse: US$5 million. Winner's share: $833,300.

PGA TOUR

Children's Miracle Network Classic

Site: Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

NATIONWIDE TOUR

Nationwide Tour Championship

Site: McKinney, Texas.

Don't forget the binoculars

Recently one of my golfing buddies was telling me he scored tickets to one of the major golfing events next year. My first reaction was to see if he had another ticket for me (or at least if he could get me one). Secondly I told him to remember his binoculars. I had once gone to a top tournament and while I had a great time I wished I had taken my binoculars.

If you don't have any binoculars then you are in luck. Nikon (one of the best manufacturers) are offering a $25 or $50 gift card with a purchase of certain models of their binoculars. This Nikon ATB Promotion is valid until the end of the year (2008) so there is still time to act. They would even make a great Christmas present!

Volvo Masters comes to a close

Soren Kjeldsen only needed an even-par 71 in Sunday's final round to win the season-ending Volvo Masters.

Kjeldsen finished the tournament at eight-under 276 and won the championship by two strokes over Martin Kaymer (68) and Anthony Wall (69) at a soggy Valderrama.

The third round was completed Sunday morning and then the players went back out for the final round. There was some rain on Sunday, but the final round was contested under mostly sunny skies.

It was certainly a sunny day on Sunday for Robert Karlsson.

The Swede, who only tied for 32nd place, won the Order of Merit title.

Padraig Harrington, winner of two majors this year, had the best chance to catch Karlsson before the tournament, but it was Lee Westwood who had the opportunity on Sunday.

If Westwood would have won the event, he would have gone past Karlsson for the money title, but it didn't happen.

My thoughts
Karlsson is a great golfer with a great future and one to watch out for in the majors next year. Also congratulations to Soren Kjeldsen who played very solidly to win the last Volvo masters.

Sunglasses

I make it a point to remind people from time to time about the damage the sun can do to your eyes. As golfers we spend a lot of time in the sun and can be vulnerable to the effects of sun damage to the eyes. It is also important to remember that not all sunglasses are created equal and it can pay to have a read through a sunglasses buying guide before making a purchase. This will ensure you get the best protection for your eyes as well as the best visibility for the golf course and conditions (a desert course might offer different light conditions than an ocean course for example).

When looking to buy sunglasses and accessories there is plenty of choice, especially with the advent of online shopping. With quality online shopping comparison sites like shopwiki you can find the best prices from stores all over the Internet. Search exactly what you are looking for (for example polarized sunglasses) and you will be presented with a list of results from many different stores and the prices of each item. This way you can compare prices and get the best deal on exactly what you are looking for!

Whether you are looking for a new pair of sunglasses or a laptop computer it is well worth checking out the shopping comparison site shopwiki where you can find everything from jewelery to watches. The site is well designed, easy to use and list many more stores than most of the shopping comparison sites I have used before. Of course there are many golfing products available and you will be hard pressed to find an item that isn't listed!

Strange golf news of the week

The Morgan County Sheriff's Office says a golf cart had more under the hood than it needed to putter across the fairway.
It had enough horsepower to elude deputies during a chase.
Sheriff's Sgt. Scott Peay says the driver took the cart into an alfalfa field, where it jumped irrigation ditches during the chase. Peay says the cart wasn't faster than sheriff's cruisers, but deputies couldn't get through the ditches that the cart cleared.
Peay says the chase started when the cart was spotted spinning out in a city park on Aug. 16. The driver got away, but officers recognized him and arrested him the next day at his grandmother's house.
Peay suspects the cart was fitted with a car engine instead of the original electric motor. He says the hot-rod golf cart's whereabouts are still unknown.

Area Codes

There are often times when you need to Find Area Codes for a specific location (after all there are lots of them and you can't remember them all!) The simplest way of doing this is to find a good website like www.areacodelocator.org which lists every area code down to the exchanges. You can also perform a reverse call look up with the site and it is very simple to use!

Crazy golf trick shot

Before I say anything else I will say this - Do not try this at home!

I have actually seen this trick shot performed by a couple of golfers before, but this video has the best introduction speech I have ever heard! Watch this shot and be amazed!

Did any of your family play golf?

There are many people interested about finding more about their family history and with the invention of the Internet there has never been an easy way to trace your genealogy. The site www.publicgenealogy.org contains all the family history information you could ever need including; census records, birth and death certificates, passenger manifests and more. So if you are looking to trace your family tree I would recommend a visit to their website!

Golf tips: Improve your driving

When somebody asks me why I can hit the ball off the tee and they can I usually describe the process as less hitting like a caveman and more controlled deliberately slow swing. Once they start moving the ball off the tee they realize that it isn't always about trying to hit it as hard as you possibly can! This simple set of driving tips can help you make the correct adjustments to your swing so you can start hitting it longer and straighter!

Website reviews

Have you ever wanted to find out more information about a website or find out what other people think of it? Well with www.talkreviews.co.uk you can find Website Reviews of many sites from around the world. The reviews show information like daily visitors, google pagerank, alexa rank and other important and interesting information. The site also has a top websites page where you can find out what is the most popular websites on the Internet (great for when you want something new to visit!)

Euorpean Golfer Ballesteros battles cancer

Golf legend Seve Ballesteros has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and will undergo a biopsy on Tuesday.

The Spaniard was admitted to Madrid's La Paz hospital on 6 October after briefly losing consciousness.

The hospital said on Friday he had left intensive care, having been "admitted because of a partial epileptic fit".

But on Sunday, Ballesteros, 51, said: "I inform you that after an exhaustive check that was realised at Hospital La Paz, a brain tumour has been detected."

Ballesteros said he will undergo a biopsy on Tuesday and then doctors would decide on a course of treatment and thanked all those people who have shown affection and interest in his state of health

Fellow star golfers Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez have wished Ballesteros a speedy recovery.

Olazabal, who visited Ballesteros in hospital, said: "I thought Seve seemed very well. We were talking for a good while. I wish him a speedy recovery."

Jimenez said: "Seve, we love you. We hope you recover as soon as possible."

Ballesteros,a five-time major winner who suffered from an arthritic back and knee problems late in his career, retired in 2007.

He won 87 titles during his career, including the Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and the Masters in 1980 and 1983.

He also played an inspirational role in the Ryder Cup, winning 20 points from 37 matches, as well as captaining Europe to victory at the Spanish course of Valderrama in 1997.

My Thoughts

A sad day for European golf as one of their favorite sons is diagnosed. We all wish him a speedy and safe recovery!

Golfers in trouble?

All of us get into trouble at one time or another, but sometimes people can get into quite a bit of trouble and find themselves in jail. Usually jail is reserved for serious offenses, but even things like unpaid parking tickets can land you in hot water. On the other hand there are times when employers, church groups and others may require a records of their workers/volunteers to keep things safe for everyone. In these cases a search of the free jail records from sites like www.countyjailrecords.org can help.

Choosing golf club length

For golfers who are just starting out with the game, choosing the right equipment can be just as hard as mastering the swing or grip. There are so many options available and most people end up utterly confused by the situation. A part of this whole process is choosing the correct club length. If you are getting clubs fitted then someone will guide you in that process, but if you are simply buying a set of clubs this is something you are going to have to choose yourself. However, there are some tips to help you do this correctly.

This great little video shows how to choose the correct club length in a fairly accurate way.

Stop those pranks!

If you have suffered through a bad episode of prank calling then you will know that it can be a real pain. Sometimes the calls are light hearted fun and other times they can really get quite nasty. In these cases it is worth looking into performing a reverse call lookup with a good quality Reverse Phone Registry. The www.nationalphoneregistry.net provides a quality service covering the entire country and is dead simple to use!

Woods to return even better?

Tiger Quotes

"It's getting better; there's a little discomfort there, more than any real pain," Woods said.

"The doctors are pleased with my progress, though - I'm moving fairly freely, so the plan is to hit a few balls in January and see how it feels," he added.

"As far as coming back and playing goes, though, your guess is as good as mine. I have no idea how it's going to respond or heal. If I tried to hit a golf shot now, it would be one of the worst shots you'd ever seen. Hopefully in time, though, it'll be fine. It's my job, it's what I do, and I love doing it. If you love doing the job you do, then you have the greatest job in the world, whatever it is - and I'm lucky that I do.

"I'm addicted to golf, always have been, and I can't wait to go to work every day. Right now I can't do my work, which is hard to accept, but I'll be back and, I hope, better than ever. Would I have won more majors had I not had that injury? Who knows? I could speculate all day, but the fact is that we'll never know.

"I hope I'll come back stronger than ever, but until I get back hitting golf balls, who knows?"

My Thoughts
If he can win in that much pain on a buggy knee, imagine what he is going to be able to do after surgery to repair the problem! He is going to be hungry for a victory after so much time away from the game and will have a year of complete mental focus. He might be rusty at first, but expect the Tiger we all know to come back fighting!

Who is calling?

Have you ever received a call from a cell phone only to discover the number isn't from someone you immediately recognize? Or have you been constantly pranked/threatened by a cell phone number over and over again? If this is the case then you can use a great service like Mobile Phone Reverse Lookup to find out more information about the person who is calling you.

Will the credit crisis effect golf?

It is safe to say that professional golf and corporate sponsorship go hand in hand. When times are good for big corporations times are usually also good for golf. However, the global credit crisis is certainly making its presence felt. Everyone from major companies to the small investors is being hammered by the crisis, but this being a golf blog I want to know your opinion on how this will effect golf especially the PGA tour?

Please leave a comment

Search for those lost golfing buddies

Back when I was a kid I was constantly moving to new towns every couple of years because of my parents work. That meant that I had friends all over the country, but as I grew older it became more and more difficult to keep contact. With the Internet I can now use search sites like worldwidepeoplelocator.com to find these old friends. With it's fantastic People Locator you can search for people by state and name and the quality of results is quite amazing.

Golf grip tips

After posting a great little swing setup video yesterday I realized that I probably should have started at the basics first. Before you start swinging a golf club or sorting out any problems in your swing it is important to make sure that you have the correct grip. The wrong grip can cause all kinds of problems. Fortunately there are some great resources online for helping beginning players set up that perfect grip. This video is a fantastic instructional piece on the golf grip and is well worth watching!

Long Iron Tips

Apart from the driver, long irons are probably the most feared clubs in any amateurs bag. They can provide some amazing highs and some discouraging lows as two shots never seem to be the same.

This great video shows the correct set up and swing for hitting consistent long irons. Follow the advice and you will be well on your way to hitting those long irons and long way!

Glasses for golfers (or anyone else really)

The words cheap and prescription glasses have never really gone together in the past. Most people that need glasses pray they will be covered by their medical insurance. I have even heard of other people that are forced to take out small loans just to pay for them!

Fortunately this is no longer the case with online glasses store zennioptical.com offering full prescription glasses starting at $8 (yes you read that correctly!) As well as being so affordable they also offer every type of eye glasses you can think of including; single vision lens, sunglasses, bifocals, progressive lens and sunsensor glasses (the ones that tint in the sun).

You might be thinking there must be a catch to this great offer, but there isn't one. They can offer glasses for such a good price because they sell only their frames direct to the public. The store is genuine and has even been featured and recommended by the Clark Howard show - http://clarkhoward.com/liveweb/shownotes/2007/06/27/12362/

All you need to do is get a full prescription from your eye doctor, then visit the site to choose your frames, type of glasses and further options - a simple way to get affordable eyeglasses! If you are looking for cheap glasses for yourself or someone in your family I recommend a visit to their website.

The greatest golf shot ever?

I am sure you have seen this video many, many times already, but I want to know what you think of it. Is it the greatest golf shot ever? Consider the pressure, consider the stage and the imagination it takes to play such a shot.

Tell me what you think in the comments

Sports Videos

As a big fan of golf, and sports in general, I am always looking around for great sites with sports related content. I am interested in great sites that give me the news, scores and videos I am looking for. So far I have great resources for news and scores, but I have found great sports video sites to be lacking (youtube is alright, but many of the videos get deleted due to copyright restrictions). This is where SportsVids comes into the picture.

SportsVids is a new site featuring sports videos from all your favorite sports (yes, including golf!) and is poised to become one of, if not, the best sports related video sites on the Internet. I was impressed with the number of videos already available for such a new site and I found over 12 pages of football videos alone! They even have the video of one of my favorite golf moments of all time, which I will post up for everyone to see this week.

The site also includes basic sports news and scores so you can find everything at one central location. If you are into sports I recommend you try it out and if you like it sign up to comment and upload videos - it is completely free!

Ultimate golf game!

If you are a fan of golf games (like I am) you will have probably heard of the impending release of protee. A golf game for the computer (and eventually the wii), which allows you to play with real clubs and balls (optional). The following video gives a little glimpse into the game, but I am already excited and I can't wait for it to start raining!

Golf prank calls are no fun!

Have you ever been bothered by someone calling who simply hangs up, is pulling a prank or doesn't leave a message? I know I have many, many times! Now you can find out who is calling you with the website 50 state lookup who provide a fantastic Reverse Phone Lookup service. The website is easy to use and you can finally find the name and number of the parents of that kid that keeps pranking you.

iGolf application for iPhone

I have well and truely joined the digital age with my latest purchase, an iPhone and I have been enjoying it so far! Today an application called iGolf was released which gives golf loving iPhone users another excuse to spend too much time with their phone.

This application is a virtual driving range. You can swing the phone like a golf club and see how far you hit the ball. Simple yet brilliant - just don't let go of the phone! You will find this application on the iTunes store and it is FREE!

Here is a little video of how it works:

The great debate

In Australia (where I live) there is great debate amongst the masses as to who are the better drivers. A survey of 2500 people was conducted and the results make quite interesting reading. You can take the survey and read the results via the following link Holden drivers vs Ford Drivers. I won't spoil it for you, but suffice to say that I am staying away from South Australia in the near future!

Rider Cup 2008 Predictions

This years rider cup is shaping up as a great battle and hopefully the actual event matches my enthusiasm.

The US Team
Although Tiger Woods has not quite been as dominant in team tournaments the US team will miss him. However, they still have a very strong team and should take a fair effort to beat.

The Euro Team
European golf is getting stronger all the time and with pride on the line I can see them mounting a good challenge, which on its day might just be enough to take out the title.

What do you think? Please leave a comment.

Vacations without golf

Starting tomorrow I am on vacation and I am pretty excited because for the first time in years my wife and I will be on vacation at the same time in the same place! One of our favorite places for a family vacation is New Jersey which holds a special place for us. There are plenty of things to do and see in New Jersey including some awesome theme parks like Morey's Piers which is the perfect family beach vacation. Send the kids off to one of the two water parks and amusement rides and take some time for yourself again - you probably deserve it!

It is a fun place where you can avoid the long amusement park rides and enjoy a laid back traditional sea side amusement park. For your accommodation needs morey's resorts have you covered with everything from beach front to affordable family wildwood hotels motels all of which can be found on their website. Another great thing about Morey's Piers is the great weekly specials they offer to visitors. Some example are the all-you-can-ride specials which feature quite frequently. If you are looking for your next vacation it is well worth checking out Morey's piers, after all they were voted as one of the best seaside parks in the world!

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2009 Review

Available on almost every console known to man (xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, PSP) Tiger Woods 2009 is the latest golf game in the EA sports series. In this video review you will find out if this years installment stacks up to the hype and offers significant new features to make you want to rush out and buy it. For what its worth I will be making the purchase on the wii as it is just so fun to play with the "real" swing.

Find that home on the golf course

Have you ever been looking for someone to do something around the house, plan an event or buy/sell a house and wondered how you can know if a company is any good? Fortunately there is a solution - clicksmart. This website offers certified experts in many areas - for example you might be looking for an orlando realtor and with this web site you can find a certified Orlando real estate agent in seconds. The site is simple to use and it is really easy to find exactly what you are looking for. Before you do anything else make sure you check out their website!

Golf Bloopers

It was a very slow day at work today so I spent the morning trolling through youtube clips that people had recommended I watch. One of the funniest videos I was sent was titled golf bloopers and is well worth watching if you like watching crazy things on the golf course.



I must admit to practicing my golf swing inside (without damaging anything fortunately), but I haven't personally seen anything like these on my local course. I would love to hear from anyone who has witnessed something a little strange on their course. Please leave a comment

Football Superstar

I know I have said it before, but I love sport! When I was younger I often complained that the sport based video games on computer were second rate compared with all the other types of games out there and for many years I was probably correct. These days you can pick up the latest copy of FIFA or Tiger Woods and it almost looks and plays better than the real thing. With the invention of the wii you can even swing the "club" like the real thing and if you have a slice in real life it translated into the game (unfortunately for me).

These lifelike games have been taken to a new level by a fantastic game called football superstars, which is an entire online world (called a massively multiplayer online game) in which you can create a virtual character to represent you. You can then train your players, play in games and simply explore the massive game environment! The best part about these MMOG type games is that every person you encounter in the game is a real person somewhere in the world. So you play as one footballer and if you pass the ball to another player that is a real person!

Just for the record the football I am talking about is also called soccer, but it is the most popular game in the world so there should be many players! If their website is anything to go by this game is going to be very professionally done. If you are interested in games make sure you check out their website!

Woods won't even swing a club until next year

Tiger Woods said he's begun riding a stationary exercise bike, can't move fast enough to catch his 13-month-old daughter, and won't start swinging his golf clubs until next year.

Woods said things are getting a ``lot better,'' seven weeks after surgery on his left knee. He's also regained some weight after dropping 10 pounds since his June 24 surgery to reconstruct his torn anterior cruciate ligament.

My thoughts
With Tiger out of the action it gives others a chance, but there is always something hanging over players who win when Tiger is injured - "would they have won with Tiger playing?". We will never know.

Pool is my second favorite sport

Pool is one of my favorite sports (apart from golf of course) and I have been playing before I could actually reach the table. Dad would prop me up on a 44 gallon drum and I would play all day. Unfortunately for me it didn't translate into world beating success as an adult, but I still have just as much fun!

The problem I have found is that I have heaps of trouble finding quality accessories. Most of my local stores stock inferior products that just don't cut it. That is where the Internet comes in as there are some great online stores like pooldawg.com that stock quality products at great prices. They have a great range of pool cues, balls and many other pool and billiards accessories. They have all the top brands and all levels of players will find something to suit their budget. They also have a great list of articles to help you will choose the right cue for you as well as covering all aspects of play - these are well worth a read! The best part is they offer completely free ground shipping for orders over $75 and have a 60 day money back guarantee.

If you are looking for pool cues, balls, accessories and even darts then I can highly recommend a visit to the pooldawg website!

The shark declines PGA Championship exemption

Greg Norman turned down an invitation Monday to play in the PGA Championship, deciding to stick to a previous commitment instead of competing for the fourth straight week.

The PGA of America offered Norman an exemption after he had the 54-hole lead in the British Open and finished third. Norman tied for fifth last week at the Senior British Open, and will play this week in the U.S. Senior Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado.

"While I truly appreciate the PGA extending me an exemption for this year's PGA Championship, I have elected to decline in favour of adhering to the professional and personal commitments I made prior to The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale," Norman said on his website. "I wish the PGA and Oakland Hills all the very best for what I'm sure will be a great week for golf."

The PGA Championship will be played Aug. 7-10 at Oakland Hills in Bloomfield Township, Mich.

Norman, who played the British Open while on his honeymoon with former tennis great Chris Evert, said he would return to work next week as CEO of Great White Shark Enterprises.

Still to be determined is whether he will accept his invitation to the Masters for finishing among the top four in the British Open.

My Thoughts
Greg Norman was my favorite golfer as a kid growing up in Australia. The Shark is a man of his word and it is good of him to keep his commitments. He, like the rest of us, probably realized he didn't have much of a chance anyway. I do hope that he does take up the masters invitation though - I would love to see him play there again!

A career outside of golf

When I am not on the golf course hacking away at the nearest tree I work for a living in the booming area of information technology. More specifically repairing computers and setting up small home and office networks. Like most people in the field I received first class training to get into this career and since making the decision to enter the area I have never looked back. My training was provided by my employer and I am forever in debt to them for putting me through a great certification program (even if I didn't like doing exams!) The best part about being in the IT area is that with more training I can offer even more to my employer and clients (and hopefully get a pay rise) such as in the area of network security.

Cisco offers some of the top IT certification programs available with areas like network security, routing and switching, storage networking, design, service provider and voice. Cisco certification offers three different levels of IT certification (associate, professional and expert), which are suitable for many different career paths possible in the industry. They have a great online support center and learning network to support those completing the courses. The courses are well recognized worldwide and they are a fantastic leg up into the IT industry. The courses themselves look very strong and I personally like the fact that their courses are quite focused and I have found this leads to a better knowledge than a general IT course. If you are interested in a career in this industry I can highly recommend a visit to their website.

Leonard wins St. Jude Classic

Justin Leonard gave himself a second chance, then made the most of it as he won the six million-dollar St. Jude Classic with a birdie at the second playoff hole.

Leonard needed two holes of the playoff to dispatch Masters Champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa and Australian Robert Allenby, who like Leonard finished regulation tied at 4-under 276.

"It has been a great week," Leonard said. "When I won here in 2005, I led every day and almost let it slip away at the end. This week I've kind of been back in the pack a little bit and was able to shoot a really solid round today."

Leonard started the day three shots off the pace.

He took a one-stroke lead with a birdie on 15, but gave it right back when a wayward drive led to a bogey on 17.

At the final hole of regulation, he slid a 15-foot birdie putt just over the lip.

"Gave myself a really good putt at 18 in regulation and hit a really good putt," Leonard said. "I thought I made the putt and the ball was halfway there, and unfortunately it didn't go in but, you know, was able to hit some good shots in the playoff and make a nice putt there at 11."

Given a reprieve in the playoff, Leonard dropped a 19-foot birdie into the cup and then watched as Immelman missed his chance to extend the playoff.

All three had parred the first playoff hole.

My Thoughts
Justin is a great golfer to watch and is completely comfortable on the big stage. There has been much talk about his chance of a major within the next few years, but like many others I find it hard to look past Tiger! However, you never know! Congratulations on the great win and good luck for the future.

Sunglasses for golf

Whenever I head out onto the golf course I make sure I take my sunglasses. I don't know about you, but if I spend a lot of time in the sun without sunglasses I get a cracking headache and there is nothing worse than starting the back nine with one of those! If you are looking for Sunglasses then Optics Planet is a great online shop worth checking out. They stock a huge range of sunglasses as well as many other useful products like binoculars, telescopes, range finders, laser sights and much more. They have the best brands available and a massive range of products all with free ground shipping.

LPGA Championship - Round 1 Wrap

Seconds after striking her fourth tee shot Thursday in Havre de Grace, Md., Lorena Ochoa yelled "Fore left!" as her ball hooked ominously toward the gallery at the 415-yard 13th hole, took a big bounce and ultimately was buried in thick, waist-high grass 25 yards from the fairway.

It was an uncharacteristic blunder by the No. 1 player in the world, and over the next 10 minutes, she pondered all manner of unsatisfying options before taking a penalty shot for an unplayable lie. She then moved back 50 yards to the parallel 11th hole and somehow managed to salvage a double bogey that might have caused less poised players to lose focus.

But Ochoa never faltered.

Instead, she birdied two of the last four holes on that side, including a 40-foot birdie putt at the 422-yard No. 18, to get back to even par. With three more birdies on her bogey-free back nine, she posted a 3-under-par 69 in the opening round of the LPGA Championship at Bulle Rock, three shots off the 18-hole lead of 6-under 66 posted by veteran Lorie Kane and Futures Tour graduate Emily Bastel earlier on a hot, muggy afternoon in northeast Maryland.

After her near-calamity at No. 13, Ochoa was soon back on a seemingly relentless path toward her publicly stated goal of becoming the first woman to win all four major championships in a season. She is already halfway to a "Lorena Slam" of four straight majors, winning the British Open at St. Andrews in July and the Kraft Nabisco in April in the first major of 2008.

"I knew I had a lot of holes left, and I still had three par 5s and I'm feeling good," Ochoa said about her thought process after the debilitating early double. "I didn't get too stressed. I just thought it would be fine to make a couple of birdies on the front and finish even, and then three more on the back. So I did that.

"Today was important just not to get away too far from the leaders, and that's why I'm so happy that I did. Three under for the first day of a major is good, even though I had the double bogey. And hopefully, tomorrow I'll have a great round."

Neither of the leaders has had a top 10 finish all year, and Kane has struggled to make cuts. But they found their way across a long and soggy golf course, which took on so much rain overnight that fairways felt like carpet in a home that had been flooded.

Bastel finished her bogey-free 66 with a birdie on the 18th hole, one of two holes where the tees were moved up some 30 yards to accommodate the wet conditions.

Lindsey Wright had a 67 and was one shot behind, followed by a group at 68 that included Nicole Castrale.

Annika Sorenstam, who shot a 70, certainly had her chances, but couldn't convert several birdie putts inside 12 feet.

"Hit the ball beautifully today," said Sorenstam, a three-time LPGA champion in her final year on tour. "Just didn't make some putts today, unfortunately. But I'm very, very happy with my game..."

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The perfect gift

Have you got someone in your family that is almost impossible to buy a present for? I know I certainly have and I am constantly trying to think up inventive gifts for every Christmas and birthday that comes around. Have you considered a beer of the month club, wine of the month club, coffee of the month club or something similar? These clubs send a certain amount of a different beer (coffee, wine etc) out each month a bit like a magazine subscription. This type of gift is perfect for that certain someone who has everything or is impossible to buy for!

Clubs of America have been offering monthly gift clubs since 1994. Their website is really well designed and is easy to use and order your desired membership. The Beer of the month club membership gets you (or the person you are sending this too) four twelve packs of different types of beer each month. The prices for all their club memberships are very reasonable and with their online ordering system you can choose membership length, payment term, month to begin the service and when to deliver. Whether you are interested in becoming a wine connoisseur, joining a monthly beer club or are just looking for the perfect gift for someone I recommend a visit to their website.

St. Jude Championship Round 1 Wrap

Boo Weekley grabbed a one-shot lead Thursday after the opening round of the six million-dollar St. Jude Championship, last tuneup event before the US Open.

Weekley fired a five-under-par 65 at TPC Southwind, nabbing six birdies with just one bogey.

"I drove the ball well today for a change and my irons were superb," Weekley said. "I hit my irons real good, and then my putting, my putting was excellent today."

Tommy Armour was alone in second on 66, with Fiji's Vijay Singh a further shot back on 67.

A group of seven players were tied for fourth on two-under, including Davis Love, Spain's Sergio Garcia, Justin Leonard and Aussie Stuart Appleby.

Defending champion Woody Austin stumbled out of the gate with a one-over 71. He had two birdies and a double-bogey on the par-three 14th, the dropped another shot at 17.

The tournament is the last US PGA Tour stop before the US Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego.

Many of the top Open contenders are taking the week off, but for some in Memphis it's a chance to hone their games prior to the second major championship of the year.

Armour started at the 10th tee and picked up two birdies in his first nine holes.

He added three more coming in, but a bogey at the par-three eighth dropped him a shot off the lead.

"I was happy," Armour said. "The rough isn't real deep. So, I mean, if you get blown off in the rough, it's not penal like next week would be. You've got to hit the shots because the greens are firm, and the greens are perfect. The course is in great shape."

Weekley opened with back-to-back birdies but a bogey at the fourth saw him one-under at the turn.

He birdied 10 and 12, then added two more birdies in his last three holes.

"I picked a good line there and made it," Weekley said of his closing birdie. "Pretty good putting today."

College Sports

College sports are a big deal and as an athlete getting into the college of your choice is even bigger. One of the best things you can do to increase your chances is to network with other athletes and others in the know and get yourself known. This used to be a difficult task (especially if you lived in a little town), but has been made much easier with the advent of the Internet and in particular social networking.

SportsGist is a college and high school sports social network that offers a bunch of great features for future college students, parents or simply college sports fans. As a member you can upload video or photos, discuss relevant topics on the forum, write a blog, make contact with other athletes and much more. The site also offers tips and tools for College Recruiting including information for parents.

The site makes it very easy to complete a detailed profile that contains all of the relevant information that a coach is looking for when recruiting. This will help to promote yourself and hopefully get you noticed by a college recruiter. It also pays to contact schools you are interested in and include a College recruiting video with your letter of interest. If you are interested in high school and college sports, want to watch High school sports live or just want to network with other athletes I would recommend visiting their website

Scott Strange Wins Manor Wales Open

IF the 2008 Celtic Manor Wales Open is looked back upon as the “Strange Open”, it will be because of one man’s complete dominance rather than any odd golfing goings-on.

Scott Strange left the rest of the field trailing in his wake from the very first day to claim his maiden European Tour victory, repelling a spirited challenge by former winner Robert Karlsson with a superb bogey-free round of 64.

At 22-under-par, Strange broke Ian Poulter’s record total for the tournament on the Wentwood Hills course by four strokes, and joined Poulter and Paul McGinley in becoming a wire-to-wire winner at Newport.

He had felt so unwell on the 15th tee during the third round that he almost collapsed.

But if the chasing pack, which included Nick Dougherty and Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke, were banking on the Australian producing a final-round wobble, they were soon sorely disappointed.

The first of seven birdies came on the par-five second, and having produced four more by the ninth hole, he reached the turn in just 31 shots.

Strange had one hand on the trophy, but Karlsson was doing his best to wrestle it from his grasp.

The statuesque Swede emerged as the Aussie’s nearest challenger, a string of birdies closing the gap to just two shots at one point.

But when Karlsson eventually slipped up, Strange marched relentlessly on, only an understandably anxious tee shot on 18 betraying any sign of nerves.

“I had no idea Robert was chasing me until I asked my caddie what sort of lead I had on 15,” said the 31-year-old, who picks up a winner’s cheque for £300,000.

“I was seven-under for the day, so I knew someone would have had to produce something exceptional to catch me.

“I think people were expecting me to slip up a little bit, but I had nothing to prove or lose and everything to gain.

“All you can do when you’re leading a tournament is go out there and play.

“If you start thinking about other players and what they’re doing, then you’re in trouble.”

Strange confessed that the ill-effects he suffered on Saturday had not completely disappeared by the time he teed off for his final round on the brand new Ryder Cup course.

“I was still a bit dodgy this morning and wasn’t 100 per cent,” he said.

“As the day progressed, though, I got better and better.

“It was almost the perfect round of golf.

“There was a fair bit going on in my head on the final tee and I was a bit numb.

“I should have taken a few deep breaths, but pushed it into the rough.

“I calmed myself down, got it back in play and managed to finish it off.”

Surfing

When I was younger I was a bit of a surfer and I loved going down to the beach for an early morning surf. Living in a place called surfers paradise made it very easy indeed. I have tried all kinds of surfing including longboard surfing and body boarding. The longboard is a very cool style of surfing and the boards themselves can be up to 14 foot long. Longboards are great for beginners because they are very stable and great for catching waves, but advanced surfers can also have great fun with a longboard. I learned to surf on a longboard and graduated to a shorter board once I was confident in what I was doing and this is a popular method.

If you are looking for a surfboard or longboard one of the best places to purchase them online is buyboardz.com. They have a very good range of quality products to suit every budget and they come with a full 100% satisfaction guarantee. They have many types of surfboards for sale and you will be able to find longboards, shortboards, soft surfboards and more. It is also worth checking out their clearance sale for a good bargain. The site is 100% secured and is a verified Authorize.Net merchant so you can shop in confidence. There are many payment options including all the major credit cards and google checkout. The site is really well designed, easy to navigate and is a pleasure to use.

The site also contains some fantastic informative articles that are very helpful to a beginner or more advanced surfer. They cover areas such as choosing a surfboard, what size do i need, boarding terminology, board buying guide and more. These are certainly worth a read before deciding on the right board for you. If you are looking to buy surfboards then I would recommend a visit to their website.

BMW PGA Championship - Round 1 Wrap

Paul McGinley has never made any secret of his love affair with the West Course and here yesterday he did everything but fall to his knees and start kissing Surrey's most famous piece of turf. An opening 65, that gave him the first round lead of the BMW PGA Championship, no doubt helped intensify this affection, although the Dubliner had a point to make amid all that salivating.

"When it's playing hard and like this, this is a real test of golf, a proper test," he declared. "We're not tested enough on course management anymore. A lot of the courses we play are soft and one-dimensional." McGinley did not go so far as to say that the modern golfer is thus soft and one-dimensional. Yet he would not be alone in believing it.

In fact, the demise of the shot-maker is lamented throughout the game. True, there is Tiger Woods, but how many chances does he get to parade these skills? Indeed, how many chances do any of the professionals get, including McGinley, who plotted his way around yesterday by chasing two-irons off the tee up the bone-dry fairways and, on the sixth, purposefully aimed a wedge 20 feet left of the pin? "It is the substantial majority," he confirmed when asked how many of the Tour's venues fall into the "long and one-dimensional" category. "Everyone just thinks 7,500 yards is the future of golf. But firm and fast is what makes courses tough for us.

Rummaging

I can often be found rummaging around disposal stores or army and police surplus stores because I just love all the weird and wonderful gadgets and supplies that can be found. I even picked up a GPS in one of these shops years ago that I still use for my golfing distance and yardage calculations today. One of the best sites for police gear like tactical gloves and much more is LA police gear and it is well worth a visit to their website.

Annika Sorenstam announces her retirement

ONCE, she was too shy to even try to win a tournament because she was afraid she would have to give a speech. Annika Sorenstam has proven a lot to herself and everyone else since then: playing well in a men's PGA Tour event, winning 10 majors and becoming one of the most dominant players in the history of women's golf.

Now she has proved one more thing: that she has the strength to say goodbye.

Sorenstam, 37, has announced she will retire after this season to pursue other interests. Top of the list is the desire to start a family. "This is something that came from the heart," she said at the Sybase Classic in Clifton, New Jersey.

A winner of 72 women's pro tour events, including three US women's opens, a player who once shot 59 in a competitive round, Sorenstam said she intended to have one last shot at overtaking Lorena Ochoa and reclaiming the world No.1 spot.

"I have other priorities in my life. I have a lot of dreams I want to follow, that I want to live," she said.

Those dreams include spending more time on her golf academy, her charitable foundation, course design business, clothing line and tournament-hosting duties.

Her last event will be the Dubai Ladies Masters in December, after which she will marry fiance, golf agent Mike McGee, in January.

"This is obviously a very difficult decision for me to make, because I love this game very much," she said. "But I know it's the right one. I'm leaving the game on my own terms."

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Car Rental (with room for the golf clubs)

When I travel I almost always rent a car simply because I prefer to drive myself around rather than rely on public transport or taxis and I like to hire a car with room for my golf clubs! One of the best sites when you are looking to rent a car is advantge.com. Their website is beautifully designed and is a pleasure to use. From the site you can choose the dates you need the car, the location and type of car you want to rent. Then you will receive a quote and be able to make a booking - it is that simple! They also have some great specials that are well worth checking out. If you are looking for a great car rental service then I recommend a visit to their website!

Spanish Open - Day 1 Wrap

A stunning putting round earned Swede Martin Erlandsson a course-record 65 and the first-round lead in the Spanish Open on Thursday.

Erlandsson, seeking his maiden win in his fifth full year on the European Tour, needed only 23 putts in a flawless seven-under-par round to beat the previous Real Club record by a stroke.

The 34-year-old sank putts of 40-feet, 25-feet and two from about 18 feet as he carded seven birdies, three to finish, to lead by a stroke from Spaniards Ignacio Garrido and Jordi Garcia.

Gary Clark was a further stroke back.

"I was putting my head off today and I holed a lot of big ones," Erlandsson told reporters.

"I need to get used to being up there (on the leaderboard), avoid putting pressure on myself and make a few good rounds at weekends to take the (next) step," added the Swede, whose best finish was second at the 2005 Welsh Open.

Used Cars

My first car was an absolute beast (not in a good way) and when it finally gave up I was only slightly sad. However, I didn't replace it with a new car as I am a firm believer that cars simply lose too much value and a second hand car is the way to go. Many people think scam, rip off or some other form of negative connotation when they think of used cars, but it doesn't have to be the case.

A used car can save you quite a decent amount of money and if you are careful second hand doesn't have to mean second best. If you are looking for a used car or just want some sound advice BuyYourCar.co.uk is a great resource. The used car search is one of the best I have seen and whether you are looking for a used ford or a hummer you will be able to find it here. You are also given the option of searching for cars available for private sale or through a dealer. The site also has many other useful features including car leasing, reviews, loans and insurance as well as a great section that features advice on avoiding scams. I would certainly recommend a visit to their website!

Resession hurting golf and the sponsors

A visitor to this week's Wachovia Championship in Charlotte might notice the opulence that envelops the Quail Hollow Club, one of the reasons this is among the PGA Tour's most popular stops.

Each and every one of the corporate skyboxes that surround various holes is sold out, giving those companies that purchased them the opportunity to wine and dine clients, employees and friends. The tournament has become so successful in its sixth year that high-end seating was added behind the 16th green and 17th tee. Regular tickets sold out months ago.

A few days spent watching golf in North Carolina would never lead to the conclusion that the country borders on recession, gas prices have hit all-time highs and the American economy is suffering.

But golf is certainly not above such issues, even if everything looks perfect at Quail Hollow...

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CD rates

Saving money was drilled into me as a kid and my parents made sure I learned the value of a dollar from an early age. Since I was young I have had a good part of my savings in a high interest certificate of deposit (CD) account earning interest. CD accounts are offered by major banks and financial institutions and pay you interest for your money you deposit and that money is locked down for a specific amount of time (that you choose). Basically, the longer the term you deposit your money for the higher the interest rate and your money makes money!

I know this all sounds great, but the problem is that there is so many of these accounts offered by many different financial institutions and the rates can vary up to a whole percent or two. Fortunately, there are some fantastic sites like eMoneyCentral.com that collects all of the information and provides an overview of the current CD rates and where they are being offered. They also offer information on the latest savings rates and checking rates. With this information you can find the best places to invest your money with federally insured banks and credit unions. If you have some money to save or would like to start I would recommend a visit to their website!

Golf drug testing is put on hold

Anti-doping bosses have backed the Open's organisers over the decision to delay introducing drugs tests, but want golf to go further in policing itself.

The R&A had to scrap plans to screen every player this year as some tours have not implemented drugs policies.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) agreed with the R&A's decision but warned the sport against complacency.

"No sport is immune to doping and anti-doping measures protect the game's integrity," a Wada spokesman said.

"It would be helpful for all golfers if each of the tours had the same rules, the same prohibited list and the same education activities.

"We expect the players themselves will see the sense in such harmony and look forward to its development."

The R&A had hoped the 2008 Open would be the first major to implement drugs tests but was forced to postpone them until 2009 when it realised players from tours without adequate doping education programmes had already qualified.

Drug testing on the PGA and European Tours, world golf's two richest circuits, starts in July. But the Asian, Australian and South African tours - who have all already held Open qualification events - have not yet agreed their anti-doping plans...

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Home Security

Yesterday I was watching a documentary about a man wanting to insure himself against being hit by a golf ball when walking his dog and the method the insurance company uses to decide the cost of the policy (it was a slow day). Whilst that example may seem a little extreme insurance is one of life's necessities and homeowners insurance is probably at the top of the list importance wise. It insures our things against burglary, fires and natural disasters (always check the policy). However, even with a good insurance policy it is still important to make sure we pay attention to home security as this can prevent anything bad from happening in the first place.

Adam Scott Wins the Byron Nelson Championship

Adam Scott felt he needed to make a statement by winning Sunday. He did, though, not quite the way he wanted to do it.

After blowing the three-stroke lead he carried into the final round, Scott made a 9-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to force a playoff, then made a 48-footer playing it again on the third playoff hole to beat Ryan Moore in the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.

"In the end, I think (the statement) was to myself, I could actually win it when things weren't going my way," Scott said. "But it wasn't quite the statement I had in mind. I would have liked to have gone out there and have played like Ryan played and won by a few."

Still, Scott made the clutch shots when he needed them for his sixth PGA Tour victory after cutting short his post-Masters trip home to Australia so not to waste his good play there.

Playing the 18th hole for the third time in less than an hour, the second time in the playoff, Scott hit his tee shot into a fairway bunker to the right. But he got his approach to the front of the green, then rolled the putt over two ridges and into the cup.

"I got away with one today," said Scott, at No. 10 in the world the highest-ranked player in the Nelson field. "A bit lucky."

This week in golf

LPGA TOUR

Ginn Open

Site: Reunion, Fla.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Ginn Reunion Resort (6,505 yards, par 72).

Last year: Brittany Lincicome beat Lorena Ochoa by a stroke for her second tour title, closing with an even-par 72 in windy conditions. Ochoa finished with a 77.

PGA TOUR

Verizon Heritage

Site: Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Harbour Town Golf Links (6,973 yards, par 71).

Purse: $5.5 million. Winner's share: $990,000.

FedEx Cup points: 25,000. Winner's share: 4,500.

Last year: Boo Weekley won his first PGA Tour title, chipping in on the final two holes to hold off Ernie Els by a stroke.

PGA EUROPEAN TOUR/ASIAN TOUR/CHINA GOLF ASSOCIATION

Volvo China Open

Site: Beijing.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Beijing CBD International Golf Club (7,321 yards, par 72).

Purse: $2.2 million. Winner's share: $367,740.

Last year: Austria's Markus Brier won at Shanghai Silport, finishing with a 4-under 67 for a five-stroke victory.

Call your loved ones

When you are a long way from home and feeling a bit down there is nothing like making a call home to your friends and family. This is especially true if you happen to be living in a completely different country. Unfortunately international calls can be expensive and this often restricts the amount of time you can talk with your loved ones. However, there is a great site offering cheap international prepaid phone cards, which allow you to call your loved ones with much cheaper rates than the major phone companies like at&t, sprint etc. This means that you will be able to talk longer to your friends and family without being worried about the cost.

The prepaid phone cards website is well designed and easy to use and they offer many different cards for the many countries in the world. They also deliver the card and PIN instantly online after purchase. The site also lists the minutes you can talk to each country with certain cards so that you can find the best deal available. They also have a great page which explains how to use a prepaid phone card and how they work. If you have loved ones overseas and are looking for a great deal on a prepaid phone card then it is worth paying a visit to the website.

Another push for golf at the Olympics

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem offered his support Tuesday for golf to become an Olympic sport, an endorsement that could give golf its strongest chance since it was dropped from the Olympic program more than 100 years ago.

"While there remain questions to be answered and issues to be resolved, I believe the time is now right to move forward," Finchem said on a blog he posted on the tour's Web site.

Because the International Olympic Committee requires seven years for a sport to be added, the earliest golf could be part of the Olympics is 2016. The IOC will meet next year to vote on a host for the 2016 Games and decide whether to include additional sports.

Any bid would have to come through the International Golf Federation, which the IOC recognizes as golf's ruling body for the Olympics. It is run jointly by USGA executive director David Fay and Royal & Ancient Golf Club chief executive Peter Dawson.

Golf last was played in the Olympics in 1904, with Canadian George Lyon winning the gold medal.

It almost was part of the Atlanta Games in 1996 - at Augusta National, no less - until IOC member Anita DeFrantz and others criticized the club's all-male membership, and the fact it had only recently taken a black member.

The last attempt for Olympic golf came in 2005.

"It failed for a pragmatic reason," Fay said. "It's not going to succeed unless the professional tours are behind it. We haven't had the professional bodies express support for it since Atlanta."

Finchem said golf as an Olympic sport would promote growth around the world. And while he mentioned that golf already has four majors, three World Golf Championships and The Players Championship, he thought there was room for golf in the Olympics...

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Social networks

On the Internet social communities or networks are all the rage and the 3GB community is fairly new to the market. Once registered you can meet up with old friends, listen to MP3's of the latest chart toppers, share your photos, chat and make friends with other people from your area or around the world. If you are interested in social networking you can join 3gb community www.3gb.biz via the link.

Ochoa wins Corona Championship.

Lorena Ochoa didn't have much trouble with the course or the competition at the Corona Championship.

After entering the final round with a seven-stroke lead Ochoa carded a 4-under-par 69 for a total of 25-under-par 267 and an 11-stroke victory in the $1.3-million LPGA Tour event at Tres Marias Residential Golf Club.

Ochoa, who posted three consecutive 66s to start the tournament, easily her third consecutive victory and fourth in five events this year. Top prize was $195,000 U.S.

With the victory, Ochoa qualified for the LPGA Hall of Fame, though she can't be inducted until she finishes her 10th tour season in 2012.

"It was an amazing week," Ochoa said. "I did enjoy myself a lot.... I guess I can say I'm in the Hall of Fame now."

At 26 years four months 29 days, Ochoa is the second- youngest player to gain Hall of Fame honours.

Australia's Karrie Webb became the youngest, at 25 years seven months two days, when she qualified by winning the U.S. Women's Open in 2000.

Pure Air

There is nothing like the pure air of a country golf course, but when we come home to the city there are many air pollutants that can effect our health on the streets and inside our homes. When I had my first child I decided to get an air purifier and I have noticed an improvement in our health already. Air purifiers work by removing the pollutants and allergens (the things that cause allergies) from the air, which can lead to better health.

Trevor Immelman wins Masters

AS IF the nerves and pressure of securing the first major title of his career were not enough to contend with, the addition of a gusting wind and quickening greens at Augusta yesterday made life devilishly complicated for Trevor Immelman as he became the first South African in 30 years to win the Masters.

The slippery conditions were so treacherous that the 2008 tournament resembled a giant game of snakes and ladders in which every advance seemed to be countered by a calamity of tumbles. Immelman, who had coped with the lead or a share of the top spot since Thursday, was steadier than any of his rivals on a day when par was glorious.

Signing for 75 and 280, eight under par, Immelman even had enough leeway near the end to survive a few wobbles and close out the competition. His nearest rival, Tiger Woods, finished three shots adrift. The measure of the South African's achievement was that he became the first player since Seve Ballesteros in 1980 to lead the Masters from first to last.

"It was so tough," recalled the new champion. "I was trying to be tough myself and hang in there. There was a disaster waiting to happen around every corner. I got a message from Gary Player who told me to believe in myself. That meant so much."...
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Golf cart quotes

Once I asked my golfing partner about the greatest invention in golf expecting him to answer with something like graphite shafts, titanium drivers or on course toilets he answered with golf carts. Thinking about it myself they are an extremely useful invention with many advantages over the traditional way to get around the course (walking for those that are wondering). They have the ability to speed up play, allow older or injured persons to travel around the golf course and are usually run on battery power which is great for the environment! Of course golf cart type vehicles are not only used for transporting golfers, they can be used to traverse large campuses like a University, transporting cargo or people over short distances, towing and just about anything else where a small utility vehicle would be needed.

If you are looking for a golf cart, or have purchased one before, you will know it can sometimes be difficult to find exactly what you are looking for and at the price you want to pay. Unlike cars there are few choices when it comes to golf cart dealerships and this often means paying more for the golf cart than we would like. Fortunately, there is a great online resource that finds you the type of golf cart you are looking for at the right price.

Golf Carts price quotes offer a fantastic golf cart quotes service free of charge with absolutely no obligation to purchase after you receive the quotes. They will get quotes on new and used golf carts from a variety of dealers. To receive a quote on a golf cart you will need to fill in an easy form with 15 questions about your wants and needs so that the dealer can come to you with an accurate quote. You will be asked about the type of cart, whether you want a new or used, when you want to buy, what the vehicle will be used for, what terrain you are driving on, your choice between gas or electric golf carts and more similar easy questions. You are also given the opportunity to list any special features or additional needs you may have. Once you have completed this easy form, up to four dealers will call you via telephone with their best quotes.

The website also features some great golf cart buying advice and a guide to golf carts which will help you make the correct choice for your needs.

This is a fantastic service and if you are looking to purchase a golf cart or utility vehicle and want the best price available I would recommend visiting the golf carts price quotes website.

The Masters - Day 3 Wrap

Trevor Immelman and Brandt Snedeker were supposed to fade Saturday at the Masters, but instead they flourished.

Phil Mickelson was supposed to lurk on the leader board, but instead he limped almost entirely out of contention.

And Tiger Woods? Well, Tiger gave the fans at Augusta National something to roar about on a few occasions. He shot four-under-par 68 to climb within six shots of the lead and set the stage for today's final round.

Immelman birdied three of his last six holes and shot three-under-par 69. That put him at 11-under 205 and increased his lead to two shots over Snedeker, who rallied from potential disaster with three straight bogeys at Amen Corner. Snedeker birdied three of his last five holes for a 70.

Steve Flesch shot 69 and was in third at eight-under. Paul Casey shot 32 on the front nine but collapsed on the back nine with a 37 and was at seven-under.

Next was Woods, alone in fifth place at five-under. While Woods has never won a major while trailing after the third round, his competitors are far from comfortable.

"Who is the guy in fifth place?" joked Snedeker. "Oh, Tiger Woods. Yeah, that guy.

"Yeah, I'm sure he's going to be a factor. His name is going to be on the leader board somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be there on the back nine."

If Woods' back-nine charge Saturday was any indication, he could have a good chance. He made one birdie on his first nine holes, then stormed to three birdies on the back and made a big par save on the 18th hole, hitting an eight-iron off the pine straw and through the trees that reached the green.

"I got a lot of work to do tomorrow," Woods said. "Obviously, with the conditions are supposed to be pretty blustery tomorrow and a little cooler. And again you got to hang in there and be patient out there because it doesn't take much to make a high number out here."

Mickelson could attest to that. He began the round three shots off the lead and finished nine shots back at two-under after a 75...

Click to read the complete golf news story

American golf courses

Having a quality online golf resource can be a big advantage and offer some great features only available online. If you are an avid golfer like me the American golf website is one such website that should be on your bookmark list. They provide a really great service and offer tee times for many parts of the country including, but not limited to, San Diego tee times, New York tee times and la tee times.

The tee time booking service is available online and it is as simple as choosing an area, a course, the number of golfers and a time. Then the automated service will search for tee times within your selected parameters. If there is a tee time available you are shown the time and date together with the green fees. You are then able to book the tee time online after you have accepted their terms and conditions. This service is easy to use and you will never be charged a service fee for using the online tee time booking service.

The website also features information on many public golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States including many great california golf courses. This information covers a quality description of the course, green fees, course amenities, yardage and par details and much more. They even have directions so that you will never get lost on your way to a new golf course again. You can also sign up to receive golf course email specials which can save you a few dollars when playing your favorite courses. There is also a fantastic list of event venues and services offered by the golf courses and is perfect if you are looking to plan a wedding, tournament, social or corporate event.

You can also sign up for a golfers club through the website which offers discount green fees, early twilight access, merchandise discounts and more. If you are looking for golfing instruction you will also find listings of the golf learning centers including details of the courses and pricing information. Signing up for a golfers club or golf instruction at a learning center is easy and can be completed online.

The site also features a pro shop that offers gift cards that are accepted like cash throughout the listed courses. You can also order personalized Titleist golf balls with a three lines customizable message. Also included in the pro shop is some awesome looking Callaway eye wear and Titleist golfing accessories.

Whether you are looking for, golf course information, online tee time bookings, golf lessons or anything else golf related the American golf website should be on your bookmark list.

The Masters - Round 2 Wrap

Twelve months ago, Trevor Immelman left the Masters with an intestinal parasite that caused him to lose 20 pounds off his slender frame.
Now he's halfway to a possible green jacket.
Tiger Woods owns four Masters trophies, but no one would blame him for reaching for the antacid with the mountain left for him to scale this weekend.
Immelman's second consecutive 4-under-par 68 was good enough for a one-shot advantage Friday, grabbing the clubhouse lead even before Woods could be summoned to the first tee.
Back-to-back birdies to end his round left Immelman at 8-under 136, the lowest 36-hole Masters total in three years.
"Yeah, this year is special," said the South African, who has just one bogey through his two tours of Augusta National. "To shoot two 68s in the first two days is probably beyond my expectations, so I'm pretty thrilled right now."
Brandt Snedeker stayed one stroke off Immelman's pace after his own 68, also carding birdies on his final two holes. Two-time champion Phil Mickelson was another two shots back in a tie for third with England's Ian Poulter (69) and Steve Flesch, whose 67 was the week's best.
Woods found himself seven shots back after a 1-under 71, the 11th straight Masters round in which he's failed to break 70.

Photography

When I was younger I had a part time job taking photos in my local mall each Christmas (you know the ones where kids sit on Santa's lap). From this job I developed a love of photography and have been an avid photography enthusiast ever since. Photography can be a rewarding hobby, but if you are wanting to take it seriously it an be difficult to master and it has taken me a while to learn what I needed to know. Fortunately there are some fantastic resources online to help you with everything related to photography.

The Digital Photography Forum is one of the best resources available and their inner circle group has all your photography needs in one location. The forums are a friendly place to get some advice, ask some questions, find tutorials and tips or offer your expertise to help others in the wonderful world of photography. The testimonials page is an indication of the quality of the forums and there are many very happy members. They also have some great products to help photographers start and run a successful wedding a portrait studio. If you are looking for a great place with friendly members to help you with your photography then it is worth paying a visit to the Photography Forum.

Corona Championship - Round 1 Wrap

Lorena Ochoa maintained her recent fine form with a seven-under-par 66 in the first round of the Corona Championship in Mexico.

World number one Ochoa, who won her second major at the Kraft Nabisco Championship on Sunday, recorded a pair of eagles in her round at the Tres Marias Residential Golf Club.

Playing on home soil, the Mexican shares the lead with South Korea's Song-Hee Kim, who recorded six birdies in an eight-hole stretch to pull into contention.

"Playing here in my country is extra special," Ochoa said.

"I like it here very much, it's much easier than Mexico City. It looks like on Friday we'll have a great group and more spectators on Friday afternoon.

"I'm ready for it. I can't wait to get the feel of the big crowd and hopefully play good for all of them."

The 2006 champion here, Ochoa started on the back nine and overcame her lone blemish - a bogey on 14 - to finish with eagles on the fifth and the eighth.

"I don't think I've ever done that before, two eagles in nine holes," Ochoa said.

"It will be something that I'll remember for a long time."

Golf, police and greg norman

When I was growing up I either wanted to be a professional golfer (just like my childhood hero Greg Norman) or a big city police officer. Suffice to say I didn't achieve either of those dreams, but I still love to look around army surplus and police gear shops for all the latest and greatest gear. I enjoy looking at the latest flashlights, GPS units, tactical gear and all the rest. LA police gear have a great website for all these kinds of items and if you are interested it is worth paying a visit to their website.

The Masters - Round 1 Wrap

While pre-tournament favorite Tiger Woods plodded his way to an even-par 72, Rose and Immelman both fired 68s. The first round was delayed an hour because of fog, but the field finished just before dark.

"I think what (the trip) did was it took the pressure off the practice days this week," Rose said. "I was just trying to hold myself back and not get too excited."

Rose started 2 over after five holes before making birdie on six of the next eight. He holds a share of the first-round lead for the third time in four Masters appearances. He led last year and finished tied for fifth. He was also in the lead in 2004 but ended up tied for 22nd after a third-round 81.

"I have learned you can't count your chickens too early," Rose said.

Immelman, the last player to record a hole-in-one at the Masters in 2005, has just one top-50 finish in five previous Masters appearances. He shot a 34 on both sides.

"You know in major championships, you can't get too far ahead of yourself and you can't get too overconfident," Immelman said.

No first-round leader has won the Masters since Ben Crenshaw in 1984, and the two friends certainly have plenty of company.

On a course Woods said played tough as some U.S. Open courses, only 18 players broke par, but 42 are within six shots of the lead.

Brian Bateman, Brandt Snedeker and Lee Westwood are one shot back after carding 69. Poulter, Robert Karlsson, defending champion Zach Johnson, Stephen Ames and Jim Furyk fired 70s.

Among the eight players at 71 are two-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, Retief Goosen and former winner Mark O'Meara.

Consider a career in golf

Golf is a fantastic sport, makes great exercise and is one of the highest participation sports in the world. Golf can also make a fantastic career choice and there are many people making their living from the game they love. However, finding a job in the golf industry can be difficult as it is a competitive area and completing appropriate training can help you gain an advantage on the competition.

The San Diego Golf Academy (SDGA) is a renowned golf college that has an excellent curriculum to prepare you for a rewarding golf career. They offer a two year associate degree program and even allow students to complete a bachelors degree in golf through a partnership with Virginia College. The graduation rate of the academy is over 85% and the academy boasts over 90% placement rate. Many of the students who complete studies with the San Diego Golf Academy are either recruited directly from the academy or find a job within 3 months of completing their course. Their website is very easy to use and you will find heaps of information and you are even able to apply online. If you are interested in a career in golf and are looking for one of the best golf schools available then it is worth paying a visit to the SDGA website.

Ochoa leads Kraft Nabisco Championship

World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa tightened her grip on the opening women's major of the year, moving one stroke clear in the Kraft Nabisco Championship third round yesterday.

Co-leader overnight with American playing partner Heather Young, Mexican Ochoa eked out a one-under-par 71 in strengthening winds at Mission Hills Country Club.

The 26-year-old reeled off three consecutive birdies from the par-4 10th to shake off the chasing pack before ending a gruelling day with a three-putt bogey at the last.

hat left Ochoa at 6-under 210 in pursuit of her second major title.

South Korea's Han Hee-won carded a 70 to lie second at 5 under, a stroke in front of compatriot Lee Seon-hwa (68), American Cristie Kerr (66) and Swede Maria Hjorth (72).

Three-time champion Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, battling stomach pain for the second day in a row, ground out a 73 to share ninth spot at 2 under.

Ochoa is bidding for her third victory in four starts on the 2008 LPGA Tour.

Shopping comparison

I love shopping online, you could almost call it an addiction. I shop online for all kinds of things, but electronics and golf stuff are right at the top of my list. The only thing better than the shopping online itself, is discovering that I have made a good saving over the regular store price. Every time I shop online, without fail, I use an online shopping comparison website. To put it simply these websites collect prices from all over the Internet and provide you with the very best price available so you don't have to spend the time trawling the different online shops to find it.

Digxa.com is one of the newer shopping comparison sites I have stumbled across and they have a great range of stores and categories to compare prices in. Having a gadget addiction means that I was drawn to their categories for computers and if you dig a little deeper you can even find categories for each individual component, accessories and more. If you know exactly what you are looking for then simply type it in the search box and you will be presented with the different online stores selling the product and the best price available - brilliant! If you are wanting to make a shopping comparison or two then check out their website you wont be disappointed.