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JBHuskers
06-13-2013, 12:53 PM
http://brotherlylovesports.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/2013-us-open_logo.jpg

Wish I could get off work early to watch this today, but this week's U.S. Open is at a very challenging course, Merion.

If you're wondering what those weird things are on the flagsticks, this will explain it:

http://golf.about.com/od/historyofgolf/ss/merion-baskets.htm

http://0.tqn.com/d/golf/1/5/A/b/1/merion-flagstick-basket.jpg

One of the signature things about Merion Golf Club is that its flagsticks aren't topped by flags, but rather by baskets. Wicker baskets, painted red on the front nine and orange on the back nine. The baskets are a symbol of Merion, used in the club's logo. Smaller versions top the pins on the practice green, and smaller versions still are used inside the clubhouse.
But why baskets and not flags?

The origin of Merion's wicker baskets dates to a trip that Merion course designer Hugh Wilson made to Europe in 1912, a year after Merion's initial construction phase. Wilson toured some of the great courses in Britain and Europe at that time.

It is known that baskets were used at some British courses in that era, and earlier, and, presumably, Wilson saw such baskets and liked the look, the charm, the tradition, or something else. (Baskets in Britain had a practical use: they survived the strong seaside winds better than did the flags of the time.)

But where did Wilson see the baskets? At which clubs specifically? That's not known.

(There's another story that is often bandied about: that Wilson got the idea from Scottish shepherds, whose walking sticks, according to the story, were topped by baskets in which they stored their lunch. This has all the hallmarks of a mythology invented later on, and there's no reason to treat the idea credulously.)

On Merion's website, the club states that the origin of the baskets "is a mystery to this day."

Merion points out that the extensive newspaper coverage in the first couple years after Merion East opened in 1912 fails to mention the baskets at all. "It could be assumed they were not there," the Merion website says.

But in 1915, William Flynn (superintendent at Merion, assistant to Wilson during the building of the courses, and later a famous course architect) received a patent for a wicker basket design, according to the club's history. And from that point forward, newspaper and magazine stories about Merion often mentioned the baskets. Flynn's baskets also turned up at a few other prominent American golf clubs in the early part of the 20th century.

Does that mean Flynn, and not Wilson, was the one who created the basket tradition at Merion? Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps Flynn created the baskets at Wilson's request or under Wilson's direction. We don't know.

But the Merion historian seems to accept, based on the short history published on Merion's website, that the baskets originated in 1915 and not at the opening of Merion East in 1912.

Even if we accept that timeline, we're still left wondering why Merion's flagsticks don't have flags, and why they do have baskets.

One possible answer is that Wilson (and Wilson/Flynn) wanted to make Merion a golf course that required as much analytical thinking as possible. The layout of the course, with its multiple misaligned teeing grounds and offset fairways and false-front greens suggests that. Here is a golf course, its designers seem to be saying, on which you'll have to use all your senses, all your analytical skills, to think your way around.

And removing the flags from the flagsticks? That removes potentially valuable information: Which way the wind is blowing, and how strong the wind is blowing. Flags flap in the wind; the baskets don't. To this day, there are no yardage markers on Merion East, and the club prohibits its members and guests from using rangefinders.

The wicker baskets, in addition to their look and their charm, add to the challenge of playing Merion East.

That seems like a good theory about why the baskets are there. But it's just a theory. Maybe Wilson and/or Flynn just liked that look of the baskets, the way they harkened to golf's origins in Scotland, and wanted to do something different.

JBHuskers
06-16-2013, 01:54 PM
Yes. That is Billy Horschel wearing octopus pants for the final round of the U.S. Open. This dude is becoming one of my favorite new golfers :D

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BM5HKVlCIAAPa-X.jpg

skipwondah33
07-16-2013, 02:06 PM
Open Championship this Thursday

Looking forward to it, can't find if it will be streamed though while I'm at work.

At any rate I'll record it but still enjoy watching from work

Since it's through ESPN, probably will be through their site...which naturally doesn't support my provider :bang:

JBHuskers
07-16-2013, 02:22 PM
Doesn't help that coverage starts at 3am.

skipwondah33
07-16-2013, 02:26 PM
Doesn't help that coverage starts at 3am.lol I remember last year one night I was up when it first came on lol

By the time the groups I want to see start Thursday it will be around 9:45 est I believe if I have my math/time zone difference down lol

JBHuskers
07-16-2013, 02:29 PM
I'm lucky if I wake up on Sunday in time to watch the winner :D

skipwondah33
07-16-2013, 02:36 PM
lol

Someone should let me borrow their Comcast login info haha

In return I'll let you borrow my DirecTV info haha and you can watch Max, HBO Go and all that :D

JBHuskers
07-16-2013, 03:03 PM
I did get up for last year's Open. I remember seeing most of the final pairing.

SCClassof93
07-16-2013, 08:03 PM
Doesn't help that coverage starts at 3am.

Try 2 Am:fp:

skipwondah33
07-18-2013, 01:47 PM
Was able to watch it after all. The company that sponsors or provides the stream is the same company that is our ISP.

Didn't have to sign in or anything, just went to the watchespn.com website instead of trying to use the links on the main page. Kept telling me to login there.

Didn't get anything done today from 8:30 to now lol

JBHuskers
07-23-2013, 02:31 PM
Fans get to vote on the pin positions for the par 3 hole 15 at Oak Hill for the PGA Championship. That's pretty cool. Jack Nicklaus came up with the idea.

skipwondah33
07-23-2013, 03:32 PM
Fans get to vote on the pin positions for the par 3 hole 15 at Oak Hill for the PGA Championship. That's pretty cool. Jack Nicklaus came up with the idea.He came up with the idea or is sponsoring it? lol

Didn't think they would give that power to anyone....then again I should of since players' were able to alter the course of this past Open Championship last week haha

I voted for C earlier. Looks nasty

JBHuskers
07-23-2013, 03:34 PM
He came up with the idea or is sponsoring it? lol

Didn't think they would give that power to anyone....then again I should of since players' were able to alter the course of this past Open Championship last week haha

I voted for C earlier. Looks nasty

From what I read he came up with it.

Oh yeah, I'm going to vote for the nasty one.

skipwondah33
07-23-2013, 03:35 PM
Ah ok. Damn figured this had to be something someone has thought of already just didn't have the pull to actually get it done.

JBHuskers
07-23-2013, 03:37 PM
C is running away with it. It's not even close :D

skipwondah33
07-23-2013, 03:39 PM
Yeah earlier it was ahead easily. Thought A could give it a run for the money. I know a pin placement we had a few seasons ago in TGA was further back and tucked near the right edge near the water.

We had fucking breezy or strong winds on too...I hit it in the water that round.

JBHuskers
07-23-2013, 04:18 PM
Yeah earlier it was ahead easily. Thought A could give it a run for the money. I know a pin placement we had a few seasons ago in TGA was further back and tucked near the right edge near the water.

We had fucking breezy or strong winds on too...I hit it in the water that round.

I think when I voted it was 61%, and 2nd was 18%.

skipwondah33
07-24-2013, 07:05 AM
It was 44% to 13% when I voted

Going to be alot left and likely bunker shots on that hole. Which if in the bunker that shot is going to be absolutely scary to look at. And the green probably goes down hill to the water.....ooooh

SmoothPancakes
07-24-2013, 08:59 AM
When I voted last night, C had 63%, A had 19%. C is definitely running away with it. C just looks so nasty, I had to vote for it. That is truly a pin placement deserving of the final round.

SCClassof93
07-24-2013, 09:00 AM
link?

skipwondah33
07-24-2013, 09:08 AM
link?
http://picktheholechallenge.pga.com/

SmoothPancakes
07-24-2013, 09:09 AM
http://picktheholechallenge.pga.com/

Edit - Damn, got Bob Barkered. :D

SCClassof93
07-24-2013, 09:12 AM
Thanks guys!

SCClassof93
07-24-2013, 09:21 AM
Picked C, hope it is baked and windy :D

skipwondah33
07-24-2013, 09:44 AM
Picked C, hope it is baked and windy :Dlol

Man it's going to be a nightmare....and "unfair"

JBHuskers
02-16-2014, 05:40 PM
Just heard that the Eisenhower Tree had to be removed from Augusta due to ice storm damage. That was an iconic piece of the course. Terrible news.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

JBHuskers
04-10-2014, 02:32 PM
My seven favorite words for the next four days.... "Let's go to Verne on the 16th."

steelerfan
04-10-2014, 11:37 PM
I don't give a shit about golf, but U-verse has very cool coverage of The Masters. They're showing it on like 5 channels, including one dedicated to Amen Corner.

Of course, I still won't watch. :)

SCClassof93
04-06-2015, 02:08 PM
http://www.vegasinsider.com/golf/story.cfm/story/1664711


2015 Masters Preview
April 5, 2015
By Dan Daly
VegasInsider.com
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Editor's Note: Be sure to follow @_DanDaly on Twitter this golf season for his off-the-cuff remarks and entertaining commentary!

Hello friends, and welcome to the greatest week of the calendar year. The azaleas are in full bloom, the pine needles are in place, the magnolias are spectacular and JD is set up in the Hooter’s parking lot on Washington Ave. The only issue this week may be the weather on tap at Augusta National Golf Club. The good news though, as always, with the help of their sponsors, Augusta National and CBS will continue to bring us 56 minutes of every hour of golf coverage.

Before we go any further though, a quick prayer to God, Hootie, Bobby Jones, or whoever really controls the Masters; Please, I beg of you, anything but a repeat of last year's Masters. Not only was it the most boring Masters in my lifetime (and the lowest rated in 21 years) but you allowed that Justin Bieber loving, ring finger tattooed, whiny bitch, Bubba Watson to win a second green jacket. That was not cool and you owe us all one of the best Masters ever this year to make up for it.

Anyone who reads the Waggle even on a semi-regular basis knows I’ve had the 2015 Masters winner locked in since Sunday night of the 2014 Masters. And since then he has done nothing but make me an even a bigger believer (just to be clear God, Hootie, or Bobby Jones; that’s believer…not Belieber) you’re 2015 Masters Champion will be…

Jordan Spieth (12/1) – Someone go ahead and get this guy fitted for a green jacket already. My man Spieth held the lead on Sunday last year in his first ever Masters before finishing a very respectable T2. Well, the Masters Rookie curse is now behind him. Couple that with the fact that he comes into this year’s Masters off a win at the Valspar followed by a second place finish at the Valero and a playoff in Houston and I would say he’s pretty frickin’ dialed in right now. I know this much, if the Green Jacket comes down to making clutch putts on Sunday afternoon, there is no one on earth I have more faith in right now than Jordan Spieth.

If that wasn’t enough, 2015 marks the 44th and final Masters for the legendary Ben Crenshaw. Nothing would be more poetic (and the Masters is nothing if not poetic) than Jordan Spieth winning his first Masters the same year fellow Texas Longhorn, and Spieth idol, Ben Crenshaw played his final Masters. I’m already shedding a tear just thinking about it.

It’s your money, spend it however you want, but if you like winning 12 times your money then I would go ahead and bet on Jordan Spieth this week to win the Masters.

As for everyone else…

Bubba Watson (10/1) – Unless God, Hootie, or Bobby Jones has the world’s sickest sense of humor this can’t and won’t happen again, at least not this year.

Dustin Johnson (12/1) – I’m rooting for DJ this week just so my fantasy of Paulina posting pictures of herself in nothing but the green jacket might come true! I just don’t think he putts well enough to win here.

Lee Westwood (65/1) - LOL…this is still considered a major right?

Jason Day (12/1) – He is on a very bad pace to become the next Lee Westwood.

Angel Cabrera (60/1) - The anti-Lee Westwood. This guy only shows up in majors. As long as they play the Masters the Duck has a chance. He’s obviously a long shot at 60/1, but with those odds how can you not take the Duck for a few bucks just in case?

Henrik Stenson (18/1) – He withdrew from Houston with the Flu, and if you have ever had the Flu you know that he has no chance of winning a Major championship one week later.

JB Holmes (40/1) – Obviously coming off his win in Houston and playing very well as of late, Holmes will be a popular pick this week. Two things working against Holmes though…first, he plays a power fade on a course that favors a draw. Second, and this surprised me, Holmes has only played in one Masters in his career; 2008 where he finished T25. He will play well this week but I can’t see Holmes winning.

Jimmy Walker (35/1) – Some people can’t understand why he is only the 10th ranked player in the world and has such high odds this week as hot as he’s been the last 18 months. Well, nothing against Jimmy Walker but look at the courses he has won on and the fields he has beaten. This is Augusta National and the Masters, sorry Jimmy.

Adam Scott (22/1) - As they say in football, if you have two quarterbacks, you have none. Well, Scott has two putters right now and thus he has none. And if there is ever a course and a tournament you DON’T want to be between putters, this is it.

Phil Mickelson (27/1) – Twenty-seven to one…really? I know Phil showed signs of life this week in Houston the first two rounds, and it’s Phil at The Masters, and I agree that there is something to that; but the guy has one top 10 on the PGA Tour since August 2013. ONE. Mickelson had the 36-hole lead last weekend and still didn’t even finish in the top 10. He will make the cut, and probably even make a little run at some point that will get everyone all excited but when it’s all said and done he has no real chance to win.

Brandt Snedeker (30/1) - There is no one in the field that wants the green jacket more than Sneds. Problem is it keeps working against him. The second he gets into contention here he starts thinking too much and it leads to weekend meltdowns. I really want him to win sooner than later but it won’t happen until he calms down over the weekend.

In case you were wondering why Zach Johnson (75/1), Graeme McDowell (90/1), Keegan Bradley (90/1), Jason Dufner (100/1), Ernie Els (150/1) and Webb Simpson (150/1) all have such high odds…they all finished the 2014 Maters behind Sandy Lyle and Larry Mize. Let that sink in for a second.

Patrick Reed (30/1) – Considering he also finished the 2014 Maters behind Sandy Lyle and Larry Mize I don’t think he’s quite ready to win at Augusta just yet.

Martin Kaymer (45/1) – He won the US Open by 50 shots last year using his putter anytime he was within 100 yards of the green. This isn’t Pinehurst, you actually have to be able to chip and pitch at Augusta. Seve won there twice for a reason.

Justin Rose (50/1) - CUT, CUT, 55, CUT, T37. Those are his five starts on the PGA Tour so far this year. I’m thinking 55/1 might be pretty generous at this point.

Sergio Garcia (50/1) - Might as well be 5,000,000/1. He certainly has the game but Sergio sealed his fate forever at Augusta in 2009 when he said, "I don't like it, to tell you the truth. I don't think it's fair. It's too tricky. Even when it's dry you still get mud balls in the middle of the fairway. It's too much of a guessing game. They can do whatever they want. It's not my problem. I just come here and play and then go home." Yeah, you can’t say that at Augusta, the powers that be will never allow him to win a Masters…ever.

Rickie Fowler (25/1) - You would think he was due by now with a top 5 in all four majors last year but the guy hasn’t posted a single top 10 all year. I don’t think he wins this week but does post a top 10 and rights the ship just in time for a US Open run in June.

Jim Furyk (65/1) – You still have to play all four rounds at the Masters right? Ok, just checking.

Matt Kuchar (40/1) - He tied for the lead when he chipped in on the 3rd hole Sunday last year only to immediately 4 putt the 4th hole. Kuchar might have a little too much Furyk running through his blood to win.

Charl Schwartzel (85/1) – I still can’t believe he has one Green Jacket, he’s not going to get a second.

Luke Donald (110/1) – His odds have dropped every year. Vegas is finally figuring out what I’ve said for years… As long as they make Luke Donald play the back tees during the Masters this is one tournament he will never win.

Fred Couples (150/1) - Fred Couples at Augusta is like a stripper; every year he gets you all excited but inevitably leaves you high and dry. He lures you into believing there is actually a chance he could win again and just when you have convinced yourself this could actually happen…BAM, denied.

Miguel Angel Jimenez (200/1) – The man did shoot a 66 on Saturday last and closed with a 4th place finish. At 200/1, you can make worse investments in your life.

Tiger Woods (50/1) – I honestly don’t even know where to begin here. Tiger could shoot anywhere from 70 to 90 and neither would surprise me. Hell, he might do both. On the one hand, he came into the 2013 Masters injured, having not played in months, written off for dead and was arguably one horrible break away from winning his 5th Masters. On the other hand it has been almost 570 days since Tiger finished a PGA Tour event under par and has completed only one final round in an official PGA Tour event in the last year. I would probably bet somewhere in the middle to be honest. It also may be a sign of the times that that Nike released this “tribute” commercial to Tiger.

Rory McIlroy (8/1) – Rory is obviously the favorite and the biggest story going into Masters week. Not counting “Young” Tom Morris (back in the 1800’s) or Bobby Jones when Amateur’s counted as Majors; Rory will be looking to become only the fifth player in Modern Golf history to win three consecutive majors joining Hogan (’53), Jamie Anderson (’77-’78), Bob Ferguson (’80-’81) and of course the TigerSlam in ’00-’01. Between the pressure of the three-peat, the demons of the 2011 collapse and the fact that he just hasn’t played that well in 2015, you can go ahead and count Rory out this year. A back door top 10, sure, the green jacket come Sunday…not so much. He also got beat Saturday last year by a guy that wasn’t even in the field.

As always, here is the annual ‘Twas the Night before the Masters Poem.

Happy Master Week to Everyone!

skipwondah33
04-06-2015, 02:25 PM
It's that time of the year!!!!!

Man the opening intro always gives me goosebumps. I'd love to just be in that atmosphere for one day.

JBHuskers
04-07-2015, 09:08 AM
I can't wait for the Par 3 Contest tomorrow!

As for the Green Jacket, my pick is going to be Spieth, and the dark horse is Westwood.

skipwondah33
04-07-2015, 09:16 AM
I always pick Westwood then he crumbles lol

How can you watch the Par 3 contest JB? Never knew they aired it

Man this time of year always gets me amped up for some Golf

SCClassof93
04-07-2015, 10:32 AM
Lot of golf coverage on masters.com skip each day before tv. Look for amen corner, 15+16, and featured group cams.

SCClassof93
04-07-2015, 10:33 AM
He'll I think they have a driving range cam too and it may be on during practice days.

skipwondah33
04-07-2015, 10:47 AM
Lot of golf coverage on masters.com skip each day before tv. Look for amen corner, 15+16, and featured group cams.Oh yeah I watch the actual tournament every year online at work (if I don't take Thursday - Friday off), just never recall watching the Par 3 tournament. Actually I watch every tournament and major that streams online at work. Loved having the Golf Channel and Sports Live Extra subscriptions. Always watch the PGA Championship on TNT as well.

Just remember not being able to watch it online last year due to the job I had. Maybe that is what I am thinking. Because place I worked for 5 years prior if I didn't take off I watched online

I always get frustrated when people come to my office or need me for something...like damn it I'm trying to watch the Masters haha

Edit: The best stream speed/bandwidth is always the best for the Masters as well, granted I don't have any issue with the speed we have here at work for any of them

JBHuskers
04-07-2015, 11:09 AM
I always pick Westwood then he crumbles lol

How can you watch the Par 3 contest JB? Never knew they aired it

Man this time of year always gets me amped up for some Golf

It's always on ESPN live Wednesday from 2-4 central or so (not sure on the time).

skipwondah33
04-07-2015, 11:39 AM
Cool thanks guys, I must have not been interested in watching the past. Know I wouldn't have missed the stream. Think I checked in once before but didn't watch much else.

Know it's a goof around event really.

On that front though, did hear Tiger is playing in it for the first time since 2004 just now.

JBHuskers
04-07-2015, 11:40 AM
Cool thanks guys, I must have not been interested in watching the past. Know I wouldn't have missed the stream. Think I checked in once before but didn't watch much else.

Know it's a goof around event really.

On that front though, did hear Tiger is playing in it for the first time since 2004 just now.

It's a blast because you won't get to see Arnie, Jack, and Gary golf together many more years. Plus you see the kids in the little caddy uniforms, and everyone is just having fun. Plus all the close hole in one's.

skipwondah33
04-07-2015, 11:42 AM
It's a blast because you won't get to see Arnie, Jack, and Gary golf together many more years. Plus you see the kids in the little caddy uniforms, and everyone is just having fun. Plus all the close hole in one's.Yeah I do remember the kids being involved. I must have had a brain fart man, I know I watched online a few years back haha

I do remember seeing Rory's ex chick caddying for him when she had the red hair?

Damn it Skip haha

JBHuskers
04-07-2015, 01:03 PM
Tiger to play in the Masters Par 3 Contest for the first time since 2004 (http://espn.go.com/golf/masters15/story/_/id/12637205/2015-masters-tiger-woods-play-par-3-contest)

skipwondah33
04-07-2015, 01:50 PM
Speaking of which, I know by now everyone has seen the new Nike commercial

The marketing firm/department behind some of their commercial concepts are geniuses



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdhWhgA8Y0A&feature=youtu.be

skipwondah33
04-07-2015, 01:54 PM
delete

JBHuskers
04-08-2015, 08:39 AM
No Arnie in the par 3 this year :fdown: has a minor shoulder injury so hopefully he'll be back next year. In his place will be Ben Crenshaw so it'll still be a fun group of elder statesmen this afternoon.

skipwondah33
04-08-2015, 02:53 PM
Andy North just said on the Par 3 telecast "these kids are use to playing video game golf...and you can get good at in about 10 minutes. But the big real game is hard" :D

JBHuskers
04-09-2015, 09:23 AM
Tom Watson -1 through 8 and in 2nd right now...what a story would that be? Just like about six years ago at the British.

JBHuskers
04-09-2015, 04:09 PM
I took Spieth in my "A" group of my Master's pool that I'm in with about 200 people. I still need some other guys to pick up the slack as I have Day at -2, and the other four are hovering around -1 to +1.

JBHuskers
04-10-2015, 01:21 PM
If you didn't know who Jordan Spieth was going into this Masters, you're going to know who he is now.

skipwondah33
04-10-2015, 01:41 PM
If you didn't know who Jordan Spieth was going into this Masters, you're going to know who he is now.If he can keep it up

Rory nearly had it wrapped up as well a few years ago then crumbled down the stretch on Sunday. It was brutal

However Spieth is on FIRE!!!

JBHuskers
04-10-2015, 01:42 PM
Yeah all of a sudden Charlie Hoffman is at -10 now.

JBHuskers
04-10-2015, 01:45 PM
Spieth rolls within 5 feet for birdie on a tough 18th hole, WOW

skipwondah33
04-10-2015, 01:46 PM
Yeah he's rolling as well also.

Something about that weekend though....puckers guys up.

Looking forward to watching both days.

JBHuskers
04-10-2015, 01:47 PM
Rory nearly had it wrapped up as well a few years ago then crumbled down the stretch on Sunday. It was brutal


I think Spieth is less of a roller coaster than Rory is. Much more level headed, but still not a safe lead with Charley going off.

skipwondah33
04-10-2015, 02:00 PM
I think Spieth is less of a roller coaster than Rory is. Much more level headed, but still not a safe lead with Charley going off.True Rory has the weekend experience as well contending/winning Majors

JBHuskers
04-12-2015, 07:18 PM
Jordan Spieth at age 21 is the first wire-to-wire Masters champion since Raymond Floyd in 1976. Well done, and a great champion!