January 2012

  • Emoticons

    Emoticons, pro and con. When I wrote this I was with Lamar, I thought they were stupid. Now I'm like :|

  • Mind Game

    Couples, Elkington, Floyd, and Ballesteros delivered some nice quotes for this Golf Illustrated story from many years ago. It starts out being about whether great players are in charge of their emotions or let themselves be fueled by what they're feeling, but thanks to some keen insights from Hale Irwin, delves into the psychology of experience and being prepared -- sort of "Blink," but a millionth as long. Now it could be a handbook for them $1000/hour sports psychologists.

  • Course and Effects

    In 1991 I got interested in the subject of how golf courses interact with the environment, and with the support of Al Barkow, the editor of Golf Illustrated, started a column. I didn't much care that both golfers and the golf industry tend to be extremely conservative -- I wanted to do what I could to feel good about golf courses, and raise the level of awareness about chemicals and water usage.

  • Organic GC

    Peter Luff was one of the most fascinating, impassioned people I ever knew. He worked hard to maintain the Sagamore Golf Club in New Hampshire according to responsible environmental practices -- his son Richard has done a wonderful job of building upon his dad's work -- delighted in working outdoors in nature, enjoyed keeping his intellect engaged. There was nothing you could pigeonhole about him: his opinions were cranky and idiosyncratic, and borne of a passionate and relentless curiosity, and a visionary striving for truth and a life he could live with. Peter died in 1998. He and Richard have created a great example of what golf courses should and can be.

  • Off the Beaten Cart Path -- Exotic Golf Holidays

    A quickie about semi-exotic golf getaways for Investor's Business Daily from 1995, still pretty close to the mark.

  • Reaping Fields

    Ron Fields has done a superb job researching and preserving his grandfather W.C. Fields's legacy. Every student of comedy should own a copy of W.C. Fields: A Life on Film, and W.C. Fields By Himself.

  • It's Time to Consider Legalized Sports Betting

    Legalize sports betting? What was I thinking? A 1999 Newsday op-ed.

  • Putt for Peace

    Short and sweet peacenik-y Newsday op-ed from 1997.

  • Q-and-A with Frank Hannigan

    It's been downhill for the USGA since you left, Frank. An interview for golf.com.

  • Head Case

    It really used to rile me that the AMA had this position where they endorsed helmet use, but opposed helmet laws. I used to complain about it all the time because it was so transparently a way for them to have it both ways. Read this Newsday op-ed from July of 1998 to see me completely destroy their whole position logically, and even besmirch them with the legacy of slavery and the Confederacy! OH YEAH!! Ask them if they care. Please??!!

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