It’s the Abbey for 2009
Several sources have confirmed that the RCGA will announce Glen Abbey as the site of the 2009 Canadian Open. That’s a logical selection considering the short time line and the comfortable operational setup the Abbey provides.
The only other serious contenders for the tournament were London Hunt and Country Club, Kitchener’s Westmount and St. George’s in Toronto both. While all great layouts, an event at any of them with such a short window would be a big challenge. The logistics of putting it together probably dashed any hopes for 2009.
The choice of the Abbey, then, is perhaps understandable but extremely disappointing. For the past year or so, the RCGA has been trumpeting how it wants to move the course around to classic old courses, the ones on which players seem to love to play. It has talked about this being one cog in a machine that will re-establish the Open as a pre-eminent event. Hamilton and Shaughnessy were examples of such layouts. Players loved them.
As well, this will mark yet another championship in the Greater Toronto Area.
There’s nothing really wrong with Glen Abbey. There have been many great finishes there such as Tiger Woods’ six-iron out of the bunker on the 72nd hole, the Vijay-Weir playoff and the wild Billy Andrade-Bob Friend finish. But it’s not exactly the classic course the RCGA has been searching for or promising.
To be fair, finding a course to host a tournament is not an easy task. While there are a few that are outwardly seeking the Open, it’s not easy to make it all work. These clubs aren’t about to give up their course for free and often times the contract is what breaks the deal. Remember the RCGA isn’t exactly flush at the moment, lacking a title sponsor. So while it’s all good to say let’s go to St. George’s or The National because they have great courses, sometimes that’s the least of the problem. I’m sure Clublink, which owns the Abbey, isn’t giving it away (this hosting comes after the completion of its commitment involved in the sale of the course), it’s probably a little easier to work with than a private club.
With Glen Abbey for 2009, I hope work begins later today on finding a 2010 site that more reflects what the RCGA – and Canadian golfers – want.

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ATLANTA (AP) – Zach Johnson and Sergia Garcia were finishing out the ninth hole at East Lake when someone else’s ball came skidding through the green.

Guess who was too strong for his own good? Tiger Woods.
On his way to a dominating eight-stroke win in the Tour Championship, Woods also violated one of golf’s basic no-no’s Sunday by hitting into the group ahead of him.

It happened at the par-5 ninth to the penultimate twosome. Garcia needed extra time after knocking his second shot into the adjacent first fairway. Johnson also took three shots to reach the green on the 600-yard hole.

Coming up right behind them was Woods, whose booming drive still left him 286 yards from the flag. He went ahead and played his second shot with a 5-wood, aiming for a bunker. Instead, he wound up reaching the green that Garcia and Johnson were still playing.

“Obviously, he didn’t think he’d be able to get it there,” said Garcia, who salvaged a par. “Somehow he did. It was no big deal.”

It appeared to affect Johnson, who three-putted from 29 feet for a bogey at a hole that provided plenty of birdies. But he dismissed the breakdown in etiquette.

“I had no idea whose ball it was,” said Johnson, who tied for second with Mark Calcavecchia. “I figured it was Tiger’s. But it didn’t get to me. I just lost my focus a little bit.”

Woods apologized to Garcia and Johnson.

“I didn’t think I could hit it that far,” the winner said.

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Woods close to mega deal with Gatorade

Published: September 07, 2007

LEMONT, Ill. (AP) — Along with being a Nike client since turning pro, Tiger Woods has endorsed everything from automobiles to financial services to watches to video games. His next deal likely will be a sports drink.

Woods said Friday he is close to signing an endorsement with Gatorade.

“We’re talking about Gatorade right now, and we’re working on hopefully finalizing a contract,” he said after a second straight 67 in the BMW Championship left him one shot out of the lead.

Golfweek magazine reported on its Web site that Woods has agreed to a five-year deal that could pay him as much as $100 million. The magazine cited sources it did not identify as saying the compensation would be based on an endorsement fee and royalties from the sales of at least three Gatorade products, included a new drink that would be named after Woods.

Woods said he considered another company, but did not say which one. Golfweek reported that Gatorade beat out a bid by Vitamin Water that was said to be worth up to $75 million.

The deal comes about four months after his longtime endorsement with American Express expired amicably, with both sides wanting to go in a different direction. Among the endorsements Woods currently has are Nike, Buick, Tag Heuer, Accenture, Gillette and Electronic Arts, which has a video game that Woods promoted last week in New York.

How much money does this guy need!!! I mean how much is too much!! What do you think??

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