IN THE BUNKER WITH MICK THE GRIP – FEB 2015

PETER ALLISS has spoken of his ‘great sadness’ that the BBC will lose live coverage of The Open Championship to Sky.

Alliss, who first broadcast for the BBC at the 1961 Open, commented: “I’m just glad I am 83 not 35 and relying on working for the BBC, because I would be looking for another trade.” Sky cover golf’s other three majors, but viewers would not need to be Sky subscribers to enjoy the Open, with ‘NOW TV’ they can take a daily or weekly package without a contract. All very impressive, but it doesn’t make up for losing Peter Alliss.

PROVING THAT that you don’t always need to buy the latest equipment, Brandt Snedeker took the AT&T Pebble Beach trophy last week with a 9 yr. old putter (Odyssey White Hot) a 5 yr. old driver (TaylorMade Burner Superfast) and 4 yr. old irons. (Bridgestone J40.) He dropped only one shot in 72 holes.

“If they’re doing the job, why change them?” he said. His new swing, carefully put together over eight months with Butch Harmon, obviously helped a bit.

BILLY CASPER, who died this month aged 83, had a lethal putter and total self belief. Although overshadowed by the ‘Big Three’ (Palmer, Nicklaus and Player) he won 51 PGA Tour titles, two US Opens and the 1970 Masters. His 23 1/2 points is still a U.S. Ryder Cup record, and he also captained the U.S. squad to victory over Europe in 1979.

Casper once said: “I had a hand/eye link. I could look at a telephone pole 40 yards away and hit it with a 7 iron 10 times in a row. And somehow I understood the game, without having a lot of guidance."

THE ‘CRADLE OF CHAMPIONS’ in Beijing has produced 37 world champions and Olympic gold medallists, and is looking to produce more.

It is one of China’s ‘Centres of Excellence’ which teach badminton, gymnastics, table tennis, and now golf. The golf hall consists of bare walls, no windows, and the Chinese flag. Nothing else except about 30 children, aged between 5 and 9, putting and chipping in front of mirrors for two hours a day after normal school work. Golf however, tends to produce unlikely champions without intensive training. Like Billy Casper.

PENSIONER COLIN DAVIES, a former Staffordshire miner turned property millionaire, was saved from drowning on the paradise island of Barbados by Lee Westwood who was holidaying there after winning the Thailand Championship.

Colin, who suffers from Parkinsons disease, said: “I started waving and shouting then I felt a pair of strong arms pick me up and carry me back to my sun lounger. Lee disappeared before I could thank him.” How typically British!

ANOTHER COMEBACK ATTEMPT failed at Torrey Pines for Tiger Woods. Grimacing after every shot, he hobbled up the fairway. There was a 2 hour delay due to fog, and his lower back stiffened up. Tiger blamed ‘deactivated glutes.’ “I tried to activate my glutes as best I could, in between, but they never stayed activated," he groaned. You’d think a chap with 14 majors would have someone on the payroll to reactivate his glutes for him.

DOWNHILL PUTTS, a tip: If your ball is 20 feet from the hole, stand 15 feet from the hole while examining the line and taking practice strokes. The eyes are the window to your mind, so when you’re standing closer to the hole while rehearsing you’ll be training your mind to hit a softer shot.

BILLY HORSCHEL collected about $13.5 million when he won the FedEx Cup and BMW Championship. He handed the locker room attendants at East Lake $10.000 and gave a cheque for $1 million to his caddie. In the rarefied world of PGA Tour golf even the caddies get to holiday in Barbados!

Until next time: Happy Golfing.

Contact Mick for all your regripping and repairs. 638 859 475.

Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/46478/

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