Tiger is Coming!

Sorry it has been two weeks since my last post, but other events have been keeping me away from golf. That being said, some big news was announced this week when Tiger Woods committed to play in the AT&T National at Aronimink Golf Club in July. The event, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, has been played at Congressional Country Club outside Washington, D.C., but will be played at Aronimink this year and next because Congressional is hosting the 2011 U.S. Open.

After Tiger's off-course problems became public back in November, AT&T dropped its sponsorship of Woods and the PGA Tour announced he would not serve as host of this year's AT&T National when Tiger took an indefinite leave from the Tour. It was unclear whether Woods would play in his own tournament until his announcement earlier this week. He is the tournament's defending champion.

This will mark the first time Woods has played in the Philadelphia area as either a professional or an amateur. He did, however, make an national television appearance as a two-year-old on the locally based Mike Douglas Show, hitting golf balls with the legendary Bob Hope.

Tiger Co-author Speaking at Temple April 1

Pete McDaniel, who covers Tiger Woods for Golf Digest and has co-authored books with the world’s number one golfer and his late father Earl, will give a free public talk at Temple University on Thursday evening, April 1, 6 p.m. on the 2nd Floor of the Entertainment and Community Education Center, 1509 Cecil B. Moore Ave.

He was originally scheduled to speak at Temple in February, but the event was canceled because of the weather.

In his talk, McDaniel will discuss the historic struggles that have been faced by black golfers. In addition, he will also show “Uneven Lies,” a documentary produced last year by The Golf Channel. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, the hour-long documentary is based on McDaniel’s book, “Uneven Lies: The Heroic Story of African Americans in Golf.”

In addition to authoring “Uneven Lies,” McDaniel has also co-authored two best-selling books: “Training a Tiger--The Official Book on How to Be the Best” with Tiger Woods, and “Training a Tiger--A Father's Guide to Raising a Winner in Both Golf and Life” with Earl Woods, Tiger's late father.

The event, which happens one week before The Masters, golf’s first major championship of the year and the return of Woods to tournament play, is being sponsored by Temple’s Office of Community Relations.

For information or to RSVP, contact Temple’s Office of Community Relations at 215/204-7913.

Golf Digest Sr Writer to Speak @ Temple U

While the world's top golfer is a man of color, African Americans have historically struggled for the opportunity to tee it up, as well as access the nation’s golf courses and tournaments.

Golf Digest Senior Consultant Pete McDaniel will discuss the struggles that have been faced by black golfers in a free public talk at Temple University on Thursday evening, Feb. 25, 6 p.m. on the 2nd Floor of the Entertainment and Community Center, 1509 Cecil B. Moore Ave. His talk is being held in honor of Black History Month and is being sponsored by Temple University's Office of Community Relations.

McDaniel is the author of "Uneven Lies: The Heroic Story of African Americans in Golf," which was produced into a documentary called “Uneven Fairways”, narrated by actor Samuel L. Jackson, which aired last year on the Golf Channel.

I had the privilege of meeting McDaniel last year at Temple as he discussed "Uneven Lies" and the obstacles that African Americans have overcome to make it into recreational, amateur and professional golf. He is a very engaging speaker and I encourage anyone who has an interest in golf, particularly this often overlooked part of the game's history, to come out and hear McDaniel speak.

McDaniel's Book "Uneven Lies"

In addition to authoring "Uneven Lies" and being a Senior Consultant at Golf Digest, McDaniel has also co-authored two best-selling books: "Training a Tiger--The Official Book on How to Be the Best" with Tiger Woods, and "Training a Tiger--A Father's Guide to Raising a Winner in Both Golf and Life" with Earl Woods, Tiger's late father.

For more information on McDaniel's talk or to RSVP for the event, contact Temple’s Office of Community Relations at 215/204-7913.

No Longer Tiger's Tournament

News has come out today that AT&T is the latest corporate sponsor to drop Tiger Woods because of his well documented off-course personal problems. AT&T will remain as the sponsor of the AT&T National on the PGA Tour, which will be played the next two years--2010 and 2011--at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square. That tournament, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, had been previously billed as being "hosted by Tiger Woods." Along with the news that AT&T is dropping its sponsorship of Woods, the PGA Tour announced that since the golfer was taking an "indefinite leave" from professional golf, Woods would not be serving as host the AT&T National in 2010. As of today, Tiger Woods' image is still prominent on the tournament's Website. As I wrote earlier, the tournament is still proceeding as it originally intended before the Tiger Woods mess began on Thanksgiving.

Tiger Tales

Unless you have been hiding in a cave in Afghanistan with Osama bin Laden, you know by now the off-course problems of Eldrick "Tiger" Woods. Those problems, which I will not chronicle here, have led Tiger to take an "indefinite" leave from the PGA Tour. It is yet to be determined what impact his leave will have on the Tour, but one local place could be affected if Tiger doesn't return by the July 4th holiday. Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square is scheduled to host the AT&T National hosted by Tiger Woods, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, June 28-July 4.

The tournament, which is referred to as "Tiger's tournament," announced that it was moving from its normal home at Congressional Country Club outside Washington, D.C. to Aronimink for 2010 and 2011. One of the draws to hosting the tournament is the presumption that Tiger will play. That assumption is now up in the air. Former Inquirer golf writer Joe Logan wrote recently on his Web site My Golf Philly that the tournament organizers are proceding as normal. It will be interesting to see what kind of attendance the tournament gets if Woods has not returned to playing when the event is held. Read Logan's entire story here.

Book Review: The Scorecard Always Lies

I recently finished reading The Scorecard Always Lies, A Year Behind the Scenes on the PGA Tour. Written by Chris Lewis, who covers golf for Sports Illustrated, the book follows the players and events that shaped the 2006 PGA Tour season. From Phil Mickelson's triumph at The Masters to his collapse at the U.S. Open, the death of Tiger Wood's father Earl, Tiger's victories at the British Open and PGA Championship, John Daly's ongoing troubles both on and off the course, the emergence of long-hitting J.B. Holmes, and the European's crushing defeat of the U.S. at the Ryder Cup in Ireland, the year is vividly captured the compelling behind-the-scenes access of someone who regularly covers the tournaments and the people who play play them. The book is good read, entertaining read, although you will occasionally notice a few factual errors. Still, I would recommend this book to anyone who is a golf fan.

Uneven Lies with Pete McDaniel

This past Monday I had the opportunity to hear Pete McDaniel, Golf Digest Senior Writer and author of Uneven Lies, The Heroic Story of African Americans in Golf, speak at Temple University. McDaniel talk was part of the University's observance of Black History Month and sponsored by Temple's Office of Community Relations. McDaniel's book has also been produced into a documentary, "Uneven Fairways," which is currently airing on The Golf Channel.

In his talk, McDaniel took us on a bus ride through time, back to 1896, when the first U.S. Open was being held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island. Many of the top players of the day, who hailed mosted from Great Britain and Europe, threatened to withdraw because John Shippen, a black caddie had qualified to play in the Open. The USGA held firm that Shippen and another minority--a Native American--would be allowed to compete. Shippen led the tournament after the first round, and later finished fifth, before becoming this country's first golf professional.

Our journey, via McDaniel, took us to Boston in 1899 where dentist George F. Grant, an African-American, avid golfer and Harvard graduate, developed and patented the first wooden golf tee. We stopped in Harlem, N.Y., to learn about Althea Gibson, a celebrated tennis champion, winning the 1957 U.S. Open and 1958 Wimbledon Championship, before later becoming the first black female pro golfer, competing for more than a dozen years on the ladies pro golf tour.

We met such notable black golfers as John Brooks Dendy, who once opened a round with a 1, 2, 3 and 4 on his first four holes en route to shooting a 59. Ted Rhodes, who was nicknamed "Rags" because of his always stylish attire, while winning 150 tournaments, but never was allowed to compete on the PGA Tour.

McDaniel enlightened us about Dewey Brown, a light-skinned African American who earned membership in the Professional Golfers Association of America and worked in the Poconos as a club professional at Shawnee-on-the Delaware in the 1920s and 30s. In 1934, his membership in the PGA was revoked and the "Caucasian only" rule was added into the PGA's by-laws. This rule wasn't rescinded until 1962.

We also ventured to nearby Cobbs Creek Golf Course, which was the home course for awhile to Charlie Sifford, who at age 39 finally made it to the PGA Tour when the "Caucasian only" rule was abolished. Sifford received death threats at tournaments and once had someone defecate into the cup on the first hole while attempting to qualify for a PGA event in Phoenix. But Sifford persevered thanks to advice from Jackie Robinson, who had broken the color barrier in baseball about 15 years before.

We learned about Joe Louis, the Brown Bomber, who is probably better known for his exploits in the boxing ring, but was a very good golfer and became the first African American to compete in a PGA event when he was allowed to enter the 1952 San Diego Open as an amateur on a sponsor's exemption. McDaniel said that Louis was "civil right leader without ever knowing it."

McDaniel's talk was educational, entertaining, but more importantly, enlightening. We learned about the many talented golfers who were denied the opportunity to compete on the professional tours, simply because of their skin color. We heard about the UGA, or "Chitlin Circuit," where these golfers who ply their trade, hone their game and compete against each other less-than-pristine courses for meager purses in pursuit of a dream.

I also had the opportunity to have lunch with McDaniel on Monday, where he updated on the current status on Tiger Woods. McDaniel has co-authored co-two books: "Training a Tiger--The Official Book on How to Be the Best" with Tiger Woods, and "Training a Tiger--A Father's Guide to Raising a Winner in Both Golf and Life" with Earl Woods, Tiger's late father. McDaniel says that Tiger's game is in very good shape and he has spoken with Tiger's swing coach, Hank Haney. McDaniel predicts that Tiger will return to the PGA Tour at Doral, instead of the World Match Play, as many are predicting. He believes that Tiger will then play at the Arnold Palmer Invitational tow weeks later, before taking a week off before The Masters.

Golf Digest's Pete McDaniel to Speak at Temple

Golf Digest Senior Writer Pete McDaniel, the author of "Uneven Lies: The Heroic Story of African Americans in Golf," will speak at Temple University on Monday evening, Feb. 9, 6 p.m. on the 2nd Floor of the Entertainment and Community Center, 1509 Cecil B. Moore Ave. McDaniel's book has been produced into a documentary, narrated by actor Samuel L. Jackson, which will debut on the Golf Channel Feb. 11. As someone interested in golf and its history, we invite you come hear McDaniel speak. His free public talk is being held in honor of Black History Month and is being sponsored by Temple University's Office of Community Affairs. In addition to authoring "Uneven Lies" and being a Senior Writer at Golf Digest, McDaniel has also co-authored two books: "Training a Tiger--The Official Book on How to Be the Best" with Tiger Woods, and "Training a Tiger--A Father's Guide to Raising a Winner in Both Golf and Life" with Earl Woods, Tiger's late father.

A Wickedly Good Read

The Wicked Game: Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and the Story of Modern Golf is a must read for any golf fan. Wonderfully entertaining, author Howard Sounes chronicles the rise of golf through three of modern golf's most prominent players--Palmer Nicklaus and Woods--as well as their impact on the professional game as we know it today. From Palmer's humble beginnings as the son of a course superintendent in Western Pennsylvania, to Nicklaus' Country Club education, to the training of Woods by an overzealous father, the book gives some fascinating behind the scenes views of how these three have impacted the game, as well as their successes and shortcomings.

Palmer, who became the first truly marketed golf superstar by Mark McCormack, and was used Palmer to build International Management Group, perhaps the most influential agency in sports. Nicklaus, who, while surpassing Palmer on the golf course, remained envious of his success off the course and nearly went bankrupt trying to maintain a lifestyle similar to Palmer's. And of course Woods, who has become the most recognized golfer, and perhaps athlete, of all time, yet remains a mystery to most.

The book also looks at how racism has long been a hallmark of golf and how these three leading golfers have done little to open the top echelons of the sport to minorities and women. It also paints a very revealing portrait of Tiger's late father, Earl Woods, who long held that he was a constant victim of racism, abandoned his first wife and children for Tiger's mother and believes he was chosen by God to raise Tiger and nurture his special talent.

Although a short read at 260+ pages, it is well worth it and I highly recommend it if you want a better understanding of the figures who have shaped the game we love.

It's Official: Tiger's Tourney Coming to Philly

At a meeting last Wednesday, the members of Aronimink GolfClub in Newtown Square voted to host the PGA Tour's AT&T National hosted by Tiger Woods in 2010 and 2011. The tournament, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, is currently played at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., but has to temporarily relocate after 2009 because Congressional is hosting the 2011 U.S. Open. AT&T National officials were attracted to Aronimink because it is a Donald Ross designed course and has previously hosted the 1962 PGA Championship and the 2003 Senior PGA Championship. This will mark the first time the PGA Tour has played in the Philadelphia region since the 2000 and 2002 Pennsylvania Classic was held at Waynesborough Country Club in Paoli. It will also be the first time Tiger Woods has teed it up in the area. The 2010 AT&T National will be held June 28-July 4.

Philly Becoming Tiger's Town?

Reports in today's Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News indicate that the AT&T National hosted by Tiger Woods may be held at Aronimink Golf Club, just outside Philadelphia, in 2010 and 2011. The tournament, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, is currently played at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., but that course will be undergoing renovations after next year's tournament in preparation for hosting the U.S. Open in 2011. Aronimonk, which was designed by the legendary Donald Ross, has hosted the 1962 PGA Championship, which was won by Gary Player, and the 2003 Senior PGA Championship. The members of Aronimink are scheduled to vote on hosting the AT&T National after an Oct. 15 town hall-style meeting with tournament officials. If the course, located in Newtown Square, accepts hosting the tournament, it will mark the first time the world's number one player will tee it up in the Philadelphia area.

Behind the Scenes at Bethpage Black

I just finished reading Open: Inside the Ropes at Bethpage Black, John Feinstein's chronicling of the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black in New York. The Open at Bethpage Black marked the first time the U.S. Open was held at a truly public course. If you might not be familiar with Bethpage Black, it is one of five courses that comprise Bethpage State Park on Long Island. The Black Course was designed by the famous golf architect A.W. Tillinghast. The course is so famous and desirable to play, even though it is suggested for only low handicapped golfers, that people literally sleep in their cars overnight for the opportunity to gain one of the coveted daily tee times.

In his book, Feinstein takes us from David Fay first developing the idea in 1995 to play the Open at Bethpage, the logistics and difficulties behind making that idea a reality--including the fallout from 9/11, the actual tournament that was won by Tiger Woods, to the USGA's agreement with the State of New York to have The Black again host the Open in 2009. In this book, Feinstein gives us an in-depth look at people who run the United States Golf Association, as well what it takes to stage one of the largest and most prestigious golf championships in the world. It is both fascinating and entertaining, and I highly recommend it for any true golfer's reading list.

By reading Open, I have now completed the John Feinstein "Grand Slam" of golf books, which also includes A Good Walk Spoiled, The Majors, and Tales from Q School. Tonight at Borders I picked up my next read: One Magical Sunday: (But Winning Isn't Everything). Co-authored by Phil Mickelson, it is his firsthand account of his life leading up to his winning his first major, The Masters, in 2004.