Michelle Wie Joins the Blogging World
Over the last several months, Michelle Wie has given fans a glimpse into her world via her Twitter updates. Now fans a new source of information on the life of the 19-year-old LPGA golfer… her very own blog.
Wie describes her blog as “a mindless blog about life … and the stuff that doesn’t quite fit in,” and features some of her art work as well as clothing designs. Her first post details the idea behind the blog.
“so i never used be into art or anything about art. i hated art class back in 7 and 8th grade and just dreaded going to that damn art class. but all of a sudden (i’m a junior in college), the artsy fartsy wheels have just begun to spin. I have all of a sudden been obsessed with drawing, painting, spray painting, and anything to do with diy. so here is my first post i guess about my stuff. I dont feel like any of this fit into any category. maybe they do and im just hopelessly clueless about this stuff but i hope u guys what i do. and if no one likes it…then…oh wells…i guess im truly just a black flamingo.”
Head over there and check it out. She really is very talented.
Weekend Links – Volume 2
One of the things that I like to do on my blogs is share a little link love with my fellow bloggers. I do that by putting together a list of posts that caught my attention over the last week. If you have a post or blog you would like to suggest feel free to drop me a line and I’ll be sure to check it out.
Let’s get to this week’s list…
- Aussie Golfer posts an ode to real golfers.
- Addicted2Golf with a reminder that you’re not going pro so get over it.
- Bushwood Country Club was able to find Sergio Garcia.
- Hound Dog LPGA lists 15 to watch among the LPGA’s young guns.
- kokogirl chronicles breaks down different styles of bras for golf.
- Me and Old Man Par reminds us to beware the clubslinger and the volcano.
- Real Women Golf conducted a pick one interview with John Daly.
- Waggle Room sat down for an interview with with USGA setup chief Mike Davis.
- Stephanie Wei talks with LPGA caddy Ray “AK” Kim.
- The Orlando Golf Blogger reviews the World Golf Tour.
That’s it for this week… have a great weekend!
LPGA Players Reject In-Round Twitter Updates
Photo from AP Photo
I’m sure you remember LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens saying that she would love to see LPGA Tour players posting to their Twitter pages during tournament rounds. If not, here is her quote from the original article:
“I’d love it if players Twittered during the middle of a round,” Bivens said in an interview, according to Bloomberg News. “The new media is very important to the growth of golf and we view it as a positive, and a tool to be used.”
As you can imagine, the overall reaction to Commissioner Bivens’ idea has been decidedly negative. In fact, in all the discussions that I have read/heard on the subject there are very few people who even defend the idea.
However, the majority of LPGA players have yet to comment on whether they would support the use of Twitter during a competitive round. I have a feeling that will change now that Paula Creamer made her feelings known.
Earlier today Paula posted this on her Twitter page:
“I will not be twittering in my round. It should not happen in any sport. The players have already told the tour no way.”
So, according to Creamer, the players have rejected the idea of in-round Twitter Updates.
Mickelson to Return at St. Jude Championship
Photo from Getty Images
Two weeks after announcing that his wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer and he was taking an indefinite leave of absence from the PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson is already planning his return. Lefty will play in next week’s St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tenn., and then head up to Bethpage Black for the U.S. Open.
The last time he played the St. Jude Championship was in 2001, when he missed the cut.
I consider this to be great news but it certainly happened sooner than expected. Fortunately, everything we have heard about Amy Mickelson’s condition since the diagnosis has been very positive. It sounds as if the cancer was caught early enough to be treated effectively. And, it was originally thought that Amy’s surgery would happen relatively quickly but that has now been pushed back for another month.
The rest of Mickelson’s summer schedule will depend on how well Amy’s treatment and recovery progresses.
Weekend Links – Volume 1
One of the things that I like to do on my blogs is share a little link love with my fellow bloggers. I do that by putting together a list of posts that I found interesting over the last week. From now on, this will be a regular weekly feature here at SpikeMarkz.com.
If you have a post or blog you would like to suggest feel free to drop me a line and I’ll be sure to check it out.
Let’s get to this week’s list…
- MyGolfSpy conducted a Twitter interview with John Daly.
- Wei Under Par wonders if Adam Scott and Anthony Kim likes beer and babes more than golf.
- Waggle Room reveals that Sergio Garcia needs a rebound girlfriend.
- The Sand Trap talks about the strange gallery at Corning.
- Golf Girl’s Diary tackles the Play Golf Design debate and wonders if Time is pandering for readers.
- Dogs That Chase Cars has video of the best golf swing you’ve ever seen.
- Armchair Golf Blog steps up by lending a hand to Charlie Sifford.
That’s it for this week… have a great weekend!
LPGA Players Encouraged to Twitter During Rounds?
Photo from Getty Images
Would you like to know what Michelle Wie is thinking on the golf course? Have you ever wondered how Paula Creamer feels after sinking a long birdie putt? If LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens has her way, you could get that info as it happens… even during tournaments.
From Bloomberg.com:
LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens says she wouldn’t mind players using social media Web sites during a competitive round.
“I’d love it if players Twittered during the middle of a round,” Bivens said in an interview, according to Bloomberg News. “The new media is very important to the growth of golf and we view it as a positive, and a tool to be used.”
Bivens said she “encourages” players to update their Twitter or Facebook pages in the middle of a tournament.
The LPGA’s focus on social media is a relatively new development. In early May, players were encouraged to join Twitter and other social networking sites in an effort to connect more effectively with fans. As a result: Christina Kim, Morgan Pressel, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Natalie Gulbis, Anna Rawson and many other LPGA players now allow fans a glimpse into their lives on and off the course via the magic of Twitter.
This “suggestion” from Commissioner Bivens would certainly take it to the next level. And honestly, I think it’s an interesting but unrealistic idea and I’m sure many players will feel the same way.
In this day and age it is important for players to connect with fans and potential sponsors in every possible way, including social media. On the other hand, it takes a tremendous amount of focus to compete at the highest level of any sport and golf is certainly no different. I’m guessing some players would find it too distracting while others would welcome the opportunity. LPGA player Paige Mackenzie had this to say via her Twitter account:
Lots of ?s bout Twitter during the round – could be amazing, love it. How much fun for followers, and what if they had tweets on TV too?!
There is also the possibility that twittering during a competitive round would be outside the USGA’s Rules of Golf. Rule 14-3 states that a player may not use any equipment “that might assist him in making a stroke or in his play; or for the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might affect his play.” The penalty for violation of Rule 14-3 is disqualification. The following note is also included in the USGA’s etiquette guidelines, “players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.”
If the USGA decides that the use of Twitter does not violate any rules you may be able to get updates from your favorite LPGA players… in real time.
It’s Alive!
I can’t stand it anymore. Other than few posts here and there I’ve gone over a year without a regular blogging gig. After I sold my primary blog early last year I dabbled with a few ideas and tried a few new topics but nothing really stuck. The only thing I’m sure of is… I miss blogging.
So, I have decided to brush the cobwebs off an old project (The Golf Herald) and see if I can breathe a little life into it. One of the changes you probably have already noticed is the new domain name. I decided to move the site over to SpikeMarkz.com for various reasons… mostly because I like it better than the old domain.
I also decided to start fresh and not bring the old content here. I know that means I am pretty much starting from scratch but I felt a lot those posts were dated and irrelevant. I did include a couple of posts that were originally written for another blog but are no longer being used there.
Anyway, thanks for stopping by the new place. Hopefully over the next few days I can give you a reason to come back.
2009 Masters: Some Final Thoughts
Photo from Reuters Pictures
Where do I begin? The final round of the 2009 Masters was just about as good as it gets.
First of all, congratulations to Angel Cabrera. With the win “El Pato” elevates himself from a player who had the US Open title fall into his lap to a two time major championship winner and an Argentinian golfing legend.
Then you have the two best players in the world battling head-to-head. Not only are Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson trading punches like two heavyweights, they look as if they might just be able to pull off the impossible. Going to the tee box at 17 it looked as if one of them was actually going to win… then the wheels came flying off.
Woods couldn’t stay out of the trees and Mickelson could not find the hole with his putter. And that was that, but it sure was fun while it lasted.
Meanwhile, you have Kenny Perry, Cabrera, and Chad Campbell just grinding along. Perry just kept making par after par while Cabrera struggled at times but regained his composure and stayed within striking distance.
When Perry teed off on 17 with a 2 stroke lead it looked as if he had it in the bag. Then the pressure of Sunday at Augusta clearly got the best of him. After his bogey-bogey finish on 17 and 18 led to a three-way playoff with Cabrera and Campbell I didn’t think he had a chance. By that time, Cabrera had regained his composure and Campbell had looked solid all day.
I feel bad for Perry. It would have been neat to see someone that age win a major. I was pulling for him and really thought he was going to hang on. In the end, it was not to be but one thing is for sure… the roars were back at Augusta for this Sunday.
