The PGA Tour begins play today at the Justin Timberlake Shiners Hospitals for Children Open (say that 5-times fast) at the TPC Summerlin course in Las Vegas - And as much as I love our game, WHO CARES!!! - Oh sure there are a few of our Washington locals in the field (Ryan Moore, Troy Kelly, and Richard Lee) and the fall season always provides an interesting story or two of guys outside the top 125 trying to play their way back on to the tour next year, but really.....Who cares? - After all of the the pomp and patriotism, nerve-racking putts, police escorts, and ultimately crushing deflation at yet another American loss at the hands of our arch-nemesis in last week's Ryder Cup, are you really rife with anticipation in watching Rod Pampling slug it out with Heath Slocum in Las Vegas? - If you answered yes, then you have a problem that you might want to have looked at! It's like hopping on the Ferris wheel after just experiencing a hair-on-fire trip down magic mountain - Slow and disappointing....Much like when Superman tried to comfort Lois Lane by telling her she'd find another guy and fall in love someday; "Shut up; You're kind of a tough act to follow" was essentially her retort - So good luck to everyone teeing it up on tour this fall - There will no doubt be some interesting story-lines as well as a the usual dose of the rich getting richer - Unfortunately we all just witnessed the very best the world of golf can offer in Chicago last week - And it's a tough act to follow...

I'm exhausted, numb, dumbfounded and a tad hacked-off - I watch in agony as the Europeans spray champagne all over the Medinah Country Club and the hearts of U.S. golf fans everywhere as they celebrate yet another Ryder Cup victory - This one snatched from the bowels of certain defeat - But alas, you knew that the spirit of the most passionate Ryder Cup performer of all time, one Severiano Ballesteros, wouldn't remain silent all weekend long - With his image adorning the European Ryder Cup team's bags and shirt sleeves, he managed to inspire the Europeans and taunt the Americans from his cart in clouds - Riding the momentum from Saturday's late charge, the European team needed only to pull off a feat never before accomplished on foreign soil - Down 10 points to 6 as the Sunday single's matches began, the Americans needed win just 4 1/2 of the 12 points available on the day - And the way they had outplayed the Euro's over the first two days in team play, there was nothing to suggest the route would be abated - Enter Seves' ghost!- The Europeans made putts from nowhere, chipped in when all looked lost and benefited from some old fashioned American gagging - Only Dustin Johnson, Jason Duffner and Zach Johnson won points for the U.S. - Tiger Woods ended up with a meaningless halve as the Cup was already in European hands when his match came the the final hole - Speaking of Tiger, 0-3-1 in this edition and still has only been part of one winning Ryder Cup team - His buddy Stricker was no better and it can be argued that captain Davis Love should have sat them down after their Friday morning beating - And in the spirit of second guessing, Love sitting Mickelson & Bradley on Saturday afternoon after they had proven to be unbeatable in their three previous matches, will be debated eternally - But in the end, a greater power was at work today - Seve, this one was for you and there is no denying that it was a fitting tribute to your unparalleled contribution to this event - But you only get to "win one for the Gipper" so hopefully in two-years hence, the U.S. will figure out how to win one for their country and crack the mysterious Ryder Cup code the Europeans seem so unwilling to share

Entertainer extraordinaire and friend to the game of golf, Andy Williams said goodbye to this life Tuesday night after a 12-month battle with bladder cancer - He was 84 - Best known for his timeless rendition of "Moon River" I also remember growing up with the "Andy Williams Variety Show" and hearing his golden tones regularly emanating from the vinyl discs gracefully spinning on my parent's stereo - Shoot, the holidays weren't official until Rudolph visited the island of misfit toys and Andy hosted his annual Christmas special - But beyond the music and gentle spirit that ensconced him in the fabric of American life, Andy Williams was a friend to the game of golf - In 1968 he lent his name to a floundering PGA tournament then known as the San Diego Open - That same year the tournament was moved to Torry Pines and has grown to become one of the most successful events on tour - Williams served as celebrity host for 21-years and aside from the Hope and Crosby, remains the longest celebrity affiliation in history - His sponsorship ended in 1989 and the tournament continues today as the Farmers Insurance Open - Thank you Mr. Williams - A class act and piece of Americana you were indeed - Safe journey's...

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