On Our Mind Golf Blog

I've never had a particular reverence for Ellias Sports Bureau types who incessently crunch numbers to measure an athlete's might, whether it be for the purpose of rankings, Hall of Fame worthiness or bar room debate.

Numbers are no doubt helpful when comparing the careers of two players who competed in different eras, or present-day athletes who are competing side by side. Unfortunately, it's likely that the two sides of the debate, after much spirited discussion, will arrive at an impasse.

With Tuesday's announcement in Shanghai disclosing that China's HSBC Champions event has been elevated to World Golf Championships status, the lucrative WGC series immediately added a layer of legitimacy to its title by including an international venue in a tournament series that touts itself as a worldwide competition.

Sounding a bit like the villainous Dr. Evil character of Austin Powers fame, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem stopped short of fantasizing about global domination saying, "The map of the golf world may never look the same."

The smoke is finally clearing in Myrtle Beach, and according to numerous news outlets the fire is almost 100 percent contained.

Significant damage has been done since the fire started Wednesday April 22; about 70 homes were destroyed beyond repair and more than 100 homes were damaged. But more importantly, no injuries or deaths due to the fire were reported.

Kenny Perry's inbox was flooded with emails from complete strangers, fellow PGA Tour players like Phil Mickelson and Greg Norman blew up his mobile and he even received a letter from former President George W. Bush. The well-wishers expressed their sympathies for Perry's Masters plight and thanks for the way he handled himself. He was greatful for the support, but it didn't help him sleep.

"I haven't slept much," Perry admitted prior to the start of the Zurich Classic. "I told my manager, I said, this morning the alarm went off and scared me. It's the first time I've actually gotten into some deep sleep. So that was nice. I've been kind of wrestling around, waking up each and every minute, kind of reliving the last few holes of The Masters.

Tourist-dependent destinations in South Carolina were likely proceeding with caution this spring, hoping for the best but knowing tempered expectations were the order of the day in a tepid economic climate.

The news coming out of Myrtle Beach, a pillar of the state's $16 billion tourism industry, is not good.

There hasn't been this much excitement surrounding a golf course opening in the Midwest since Whistling Straits burst onto the scene more than a decade ago.

Pete Dye's newest creation is set upon a breathtaking track of land in Southern Indiana and looks destined to be mentioned with some of the best modern-day championship courses.

Do you have aspirations of playing golf at the collegiate level? Hard work and notable grades help, but there are several steps you must know to make the process easier. Though there is greater competition because of the game’s growing popularity with young people, scholarships are still attainable.

In the NCAA alone, the total number of men’s golf scholarships available is 1,980. For women, the total number is 1,812. Golf coaches, at Division I and Division II schools alike, are always searching for talented junior golfers.

What has Tiger Woods been up to since he left the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club in a huff on Easter Sunday?

Well, Mr. Woods went to Washington, D.C., and paid a visit to President Barack Obama to check out 44's new living arrangements. He then took some time to meet with the media to promote his PGA Tour event, the AT&T National, scheduled for July 2-5 at Congressional Country Club. Topics of discussion included his linguistic dexterity when it comes to household chores, Michael Jordan's chances of breaking 100 at Bethpage Black, his own Masters missteps and what exactly a week following a major consists of for Tiger Woods.

Dozens of millionaires in waiting will wade into the shark-infested waters of the National Football League Saturday, struggling upstream to meet Commissioner Roger Goodell on the stage at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

No slight to the NBA, but no other non-sporting sports event compares to this ritualistic parade of amateur players and well-groomed prognosticators fittingly enacted on a well-illumanated platform every April.

Watch enough coverage featuring Mel Kiper, Jr. and Tood McShay and you'll stump your friends with a Scrableicious vocabulary that includes upside, ceiling, potential and intangibles.

The buzz surrounding the latest incarnation of Golf Channel's reality series Big Break, which premiered its 11th season Tuesday April 20 and is set in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, can be largely attributed to the show's grand prize of $100,000 and its gorgeous female contestants.

The ladies' roster includes the undeniable Blair O'Neal, who has been burning up the blogosphere in the run up to the show and could be only a few good swings away from being in contention for "World's Hottest Athlete."