On Our Mind Golf Blog

Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith's hubris has become a lightning rod for criticism launched by opposing teams and their fans, especially during this year's NBA playoffs and especially in Los Angeles.

His on-court displays of emotion, which one could easily confuse for taunting and unsportsmanlike behavior, have branded Smith an immature kid, and at worst have given some cause to label him as a thug...again.

It's easy to overlook the abilities of the golfers taking part in the Golf Channel's Big Break reality series. While an endless string of closest-to-the-pin challenges look fun, they don't really give the viewer a decent idea of what to expect from the competitors in a serious stroke-play event.

While the show is still a few weeks from completion, one of the remaining competitors is making a serious run at this year's U.S. Open.

Wiretaps, omniscient surveillance cameras like the mega-computer type that followed Shila Labeouf's every move in the horrible sci-fi flick Eagle Eye and email evesdropping are a few methods, fictional or very real, that our government uses to keep tabs on what we're up to.

Since the beginning of time, neighbors tired of the kids next door batting, hitting or throwing balls into their yards could've used similar high tech equipment to catch the culprits.

Putting aside anything economy-related for the purpose of this discussion, just how much is too much to pay for playing a single round of golf, even on a beautiful, seaside course that has hosted a major championship or two?

Pebble Beach Golf Links has set the standard for exorbinant greens fees, especially when you factor in a stay at the Pebble Beach Resort, which is the quickest way to gain access to a tee time at the course that has hosted four Men's U.S. Open Championships, one PGA Championship and is set to host yet another U.S. Open next year.

Phil Mickelson, winner of this year's Northern Trust Open and World Golf Championships - CA Championship on the PGA Tour, has suspended his Tour schedule after learning that his wife, Amy, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The story, which was first reported by PGATour.com, also revealed that while more tests are scheduled, the treatment process will begin with a major surgical procedure, which could happen within weeks.

Peering across the 16th green at Upper Montclair Country Club to watch Michelle Wie knock in her par putt during the first round of last week's Sybase Classic, a one-man commotion just yards away at the 8th green caught my attention.

"It's in, it's in the hole," a man bellowed as he motioned back toward the tee box to indicate that the ball had dropped for a hole-in-one.

South Korea's Ji Young Oh didn't do anything spectacular at the 2009 Sybase Classic, but a great exhibition of golf can often make the game appear rather ordinary.

Using a simple formula of fairways and greens, mixed with a number of crucial sand saves and delicate greenside chip shots when the situation called for them, Oh pulled away from a top-tier field to capture her second career LPGA Tour victory by four shots over Norway's Suzann Pettersen. 

Michelle Wie worked her way through LPGA Tour qualifying school at the end of 2008, giving her the opportunity to finally become a full-fledged member of the Tour long after becoming its most recognizable name.

For now she is happy competing against her peers on a weekly basis, getting to play a full schedule and experience a number of tournaments she hadn't visited in the past, including this week's Sybase Classic. 

Twenty-two-year-old LPGA Tour star Paula Creamer exhibits all of the qualities associated with the All-American girl next door, from her down to earth demeanor to her honest, engaging smile. Unfortnately, Paula has to be disqualified because she resides in the same gated-community as golf god Tiger Woods, and he doesn't fit the profile of your typical neighbor.

A title Paula is deserving of right now is most important American female golfer. Even with the loss of a few sponsors and tournaments, the future of the Tour doesn't seem to be in immediate danger, but like many companies, the LPGA is reeling from the recession. A marketable and recognizable face contending and winning golf tournaments would mean a lot to current and potential sponsors looking for a return on an investment into an LPGA event. That's where Ms. Creamer comes in. 

The private Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, New Jersey is playing host to the LPGA Tour's Sybase Classic this week. The golf course is right off of State Route 3, which makes it convenient for fans traveling to the tournament, and it's within earshot of New York City, so the players and the sponsor's guests have plenty to do when they're not at the golf course.

I roamed the course, which was relatively empty on Monday, and took some photos. It was a really nice day for golf, still a bit cold here in the Northeast but overall not bad. Bigger crowds will start to arrive tomorrow when the Pro-Am events are played. Monday is usually a very slow day at a professional golf tournament, unless it's The Masters, or any other major for that matter.