Course Source: Grayhawk (Talon), North Scottsdale, Ariz

Course Source: Grayhawk (Talon), North Scottsdale, Ariz










Derek Harper, The Sports Xchange April 2, 2013 2:00 PMThe SportsXchange


COURSE SOURCE


IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Grayhawk Golf Club - The Talon Course, in North Scottsdale, Ariz.

THE LAYOUT: Phil Mickelson has enjoyed a long relationship with Grayhawk dating back to the opening of the facility in 1988, and Mickelson still carries a Grayhawk logo on his bag. He's friends developer Gregg Tryhus, there are pictures of Mickelson's career highlights throughout the clubhouse and "Phil's Grill" - the restaurant looking out at the Raptor course - is named in his honor.

It stands to reason Mickelson would only associate himself with a top-tier golfing experience, and Grayhawk offers two of the best tracks in the Phoenix area.

We had the opportunity to play Talon, designed by former U.S. Open and PGA Champion David Graham and regularly ranked among the top 100 public courses in the country.

While most of Grayhawk's bigger events are now held on the Raptor course, Talon is steep with its own tradition. It once played host to the semifinals and finals of the Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf - now known as the Accenture Match Play Championship.

Talon can be stretched out to 6,973 yards (73.3/146) from the tips, and is still a very challenging test from the green "Palo Verde" tees (6,391/70.8/134). There are five sets of tee boxes in all, down to the "Heather" (5,143/70.1/126). You'll notice from the rankings that Talon is challenging, but it's a fun test and very playable for most anyone.

Graham and course architect Gary Panks designed the course to place a premium on driving the ball accurately. Most fairways are lined with swaths of bush-ridden desert on both sides, and while water rarely comes into play, almost every green is protected by multiple bunkers and features a tiered putting surface.

Talon weaves its way through the property with beautiful views of the McDowell Mountains while blending into its natural surroundings. Nothing about Grayhawk feels forced - it's extremely well maintained, but it's not a resort-style course, which many golfers will appreciate.

Miss left or right off the tee and you'll find trouble. The areas surrounding the large putting surfaces are generous, but bunkers come into play around 15 of 18 greens.

GENERAL MANAGER: Joe Shershenovich

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE: Two pre-round thoughts to keep in mind - the fairways are bigger than they appear, and don't be fooled by the massive greens.

Talon is certainly a course you'll score better on the first time around if you play with someone familiar with the layout. From the opening tee shot, fairways often look significantly smaller than they are - and local knowledge keys you into which side they open up on.

The 385-yard Par-4 first hole isn't long from the green tees, but it gives a good feel for the experience at Talon. There's more landing area to the right than it appears off the tee box, but an accurate drive leaves a short iron in to a big green. It's a common theme with six par-4s under 400 yards but featuring tight landing views from the box.

Sixteen of 18 greens are at least 34 feet deep, and nearly all feature multiple tiers. So while the landing surfaces are very large, they're also deceptive because three-putts are commonplace without solid approach shots. Pay attention to the pin locations and avoid the mindset of simply attempting to hit the putting surface.

One of the highlights of the front nine is the 465-yard par-5 third hole. It features a strong dogleg left and is reachable in two with a well-placed drive down the left-hand side. The green is 34-feet deep, but is also elevated and protected by deep bunkers on the front right that you want no part of.

The par-3 eighth hole is a ball-striking test. There are no bunkers to contend with and plenty of room to miss the green, but at 189 yards it requires a well-hit long iron to avoid a testy up-and-down for par.

The front nine closes with another excellent par-5 that runs 507 yards. The green is protected by a deep bunker stretching from the front right all the way around behind the back right side.

Talon's back nine was built around several deep box canyons that provide some unique layouts and a bit of a different flair from the front nine.

The par-4 13th hole is appropriately named "Heaven or Hell." At 277 yards it is drivable, although the wind often is in your face off the tee. It requires a 235-yard carry over a canyon and is 250 to the front edge of the green. Miss short right and you're in the hazard. Miss left and there are five bunkers protecting the three-tiered green. The landing area is small, but the potential reward is an eagle putt.

Take in the Mesquite, Palo Verde and Ironwood trees that line the course as you traverse through the inward nine.

Water only comes into real play on one hole - but there is 360 degrees of it.

The par-3 17th is a pretty island green. At 114 yards from the green tees it's a short iron to a green that is 32-feet deep, so the danger is minimal as long as you don't let the vision of carrying the water - and stopping before it on the back side - paralyze your brain.

The par-5 18th is an excellent closing hole. Playing 552 from the green tees with a dogleg right protected by a string of reachable bunkers, it's not a two-shot hole for most. The fairway is undulating, creating many uneven stances for your approach shot. But the green is 36 feet deep and inviting for a closing birdie.

After the round, grab a pint at Phil's Grill, or the new Italian restaurant, Isabella's Kitchen, which has a big patio facing out to the 10th tee box and the 18th green.

OTHER COURSES IN THE AREA: It's hard to go wrong in the Phoenix area, and there are more courses than even the locals have time to get tired of.

Many of the top facilities feature two courses worthy of lining up a 36-hole day for, including Troon (Pinnacle, Monument) and TPC (Stadium, Champions) in Scottsdale, We-Ko-Pa (Cholla and Saguaro) in Fort McDowell and the Boulders (North, South) in Carefree.

Talking Stick, owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, is another Troon establishment with a pair of consistently top-ranked tracks.

WHERE TO STAY: There are a number of rentals available in the Grahawk community - www.vrbo.com is an excellent resource to see what is available during your stay.

For those seeking a quality hotel or resort, the Four Seasons in the Pinnacle Peak area is just a few miles north and around more excellent golf courses. Ten minutes to the south, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princes and the Sheraton Desert Oasis are walking distance to TPC Scottsdale, along with the Hilton Garden Inn and Zona Resort Suites.

There is also a wealth of more budget-friendly options centrally located for avid golfers, including a pair of Residence Inns and a Marriott Courtyard in the North Scottsdale area.

Woods loses momentum after hitting flagstick

Woods loses momentum after hitting flagstick











PGA.COM April 13, 2013 1:12 AM

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Tiger Woods, after taking a penalty stroke when his balls struck the flagstick and rebounded into a …


By Paul Newberry, Associated Press


AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tiger Woods knew this day should've turned out so much better.

He was cruising toward the end of the second round at the Masters on Friday, in a share of the lead and looking every bit like the player who would be in control heading to the weekend.

Then, with one tough break at the 15th hole, everything changed.

Woods struck the flagstick and wound up in the water, forcing him to scramble for bogey. A three-putt at the final hole left him with another bogey. Instead of leading, he found himself three shots behind 36-hole leader Jason Day of Australia.

"The sun was in my eyes, so I knew I started the ball on the flag," Woods said. "I didn't know if I cut it enough, but evidently it was a really good one."

Too good, in fact.

The ball struck the stick with a resounding thud, which sent it back into the pond in front of the green. After taking his penalty stroke, Woods needed a brilliant do-over just to salvage bogey. The unfortunate bounce seemed to take all the momentum out of his round.

Woods finished with a 1-under 71 for a 3-under 141 overall.

He's still in contention heading to the weekend, but seemed a bit stunned that his name wasn't higher on the leaderboard.

"I really swung the club well and didn't really get a lot out of this round," Woods said. "Granted, these conditions were tough. It was swirling all over the place."

Even playing in the afternoon, when the wind picked up significantly after a rainy, overcast morning, Woods got off to a stellar start. There was a stretch of three birdies in four holes on the front side. After a gust caught his tee shot at the par-3 12th, he pulled off a brilliant up-and-down from the back bunker to keep pace with the leaders.

He figured to have a good shot at birdie after laying up about 90 yards from the hole at the 15th, leaving him just a soft wedge over the pond.

Unfortunately for Woods, it didn't work out.

"I felt like I played really well today and the round should've been in the 60s."

At least Woods managed a better finish than Dustin Johnson, who tumbled off the leaderboard with a 76 after being up by two strokes. Johnson was the victim of a double-bogey at the 15th (he also dunked one in the pond), a bogey at the 17th, and another double-bogey at the 18th. Then there's Sergio Garcia, who was the 18-hole leader but also soared to a 76, nary a birdie on his card.

Compared to them, Woods is in much better shape.

"There's a long way to go," said Woods, again cheered by his girlfriend, Olympic ski champion Lindsey Vonn. "We've got 36 holes and this is a tricky test."

He's faced more daunting 36-hole deficits in two of his four Masters victories, but Saturday's round will likely go a long way toward determining whether he's donning a green jacket for the fifth time on Sunday.

Woods has never won any of his 14 major championships without holding at least a share of the lead going to the final round.

But if he plays like he did on Friday, he likes his chances.

"I really played well," Woods said. "The score is not indicative of quite how well I played."

Augusta National gives Tiger Woods two-shot penalty for bad drop

Augusta National gives Tiger Woods two-shot penalty for bad drop











PGA.COM April 13, 2013 10:56 AM

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Tiger Woods' drop after his ball bounced off the flag stick on hole No. 15 and bounded into the water …



By DOUG FERGUSON, AP Golf Writer

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) -- Tiger Woods got a reprieve Saturday in the Masters when he was given a two-shot penalty for a bad drop but allowed to stay in the tournament.

Woods' shot on the 15th hole of the second round hit the flag stick and bounced back into the water. He took his penalty drop two yards behind where he hit the original shot, which was a violation of the rules.

Augusta National added the two-shot penalty to his score, meaning he had a 73 instead of a 71 and now is five shots out of the lead. Officials said he was allowed to stay in the tournament under a new rule that keeps players from being disqualified based on television evidence.

©2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press.

Augusta National Official Statement on Tiger Woods penalty

Augusta National Official Statement on Tiger Woods penalty











PGA.COM April 13, 2013 11:05 AM



AUGUSTA, Georgia (AP) -- Tiger Woods was assessed a two-stroke penalty Saturday for his drop in the second round of the Masters, but was not disqualified. Below is the Masters' statement on the decision:

"Yesterday afternoon, the Rules Committee was made aware of a possible Rules violation that involved a drop by Tiger Woods on the 15th hole.

"In preparation for his fifth shot, the player dropped his ball in close proximity to where he had played his third shot in apparent conformance with Rule 26. After being prompted by a television viewer, the Rules Committee reviewed a video of the shot while he was playing the 18th hole. At that moment and based on that evidence, the Committee determined he had complied with the Rules.

"After he signed his scorecard, and in a television interview subsequent to the round, the player stated that he played further from the point than where he had played his third shot. Such action would constitute playing from the wrong place.

"The subsequent information provided by the player's interview after he had completed play warranted further review and discussion with him this morning. After meeting with the player, it was determined that he had violated Rule 26, and he was assessed a two stroke penalty. The penalty of disqualification was waived by the Committee under Rule 33 as the Committee had previously reviewed the information and made its initial determination prior to the finish of the player's round."

-- Fred Ridley, Chairman, Competition Committees

©2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press.

Norman calls golf's drug policy 'disgraceful'

Norman calls golf's drug policy 'disgraceful'










The Sports Xchange April 29, 2013 4:00 PMThe SportsXchange



Greg Norman told The Australian newspaper on Monday that golf's anti-drugs policies are "disgraceful" and that blood testing needs to be included.

"You only have to look at what happened to Vijay Singh just recently to know the drugs issue is there," Norman said.

Singh said in January that he had used deer antler spray, which is banned by the PGA Tour because it has a muscle-building hormone and can only be detected by blood tests.

Norman said he does not know how widespread the problem is.

"I have no idea because we only do urine analysis instead of blood testing," he said. "If you really want to be serious about it and find about what's really going on, we need to do blood testing. I think it's disgraceful, to tell you the truth. The golf associations have to get together and step it up."

Norman believes all sports should prioritize drug testing.

"Any sportsman or sportswoman who uses an outside agency to improve their skills is cheating," he said. "It sickens me. They're putting a black eye on their sport. If a sport gets itself clean, the corporate dollars will always be there because people will know it's a sport they can trust. The rest will take care of itself."

Will the Players Ever Become the Official Fifth Major?

Will the Players Ever Become the Official Fifth Major?











Travis Mewhirter April 30, 2013 5:25 PM




COMMENTARY | Adam Scott bellowed. Aussies drank. Long putter supporters rejoiced. The Masters happened. Now what?

After Augusta delivered another outstanding spectacle, as is the norm with the Masters, the large majority of the golfing world went back into hibernation, sleeping out the two month drag between majors. The U.S. Open doesn't tee off until June 13; the British not till mi
d-July; and the PGA Championship closes out the grand slam in early August.



So, what to feed the golfing fans with the most voracious appetites? The Players Championship, the unofficial fifth major, of course.

That tag has long been the moniker of the Players, a tournament segueing the gap between the recognized majors, and one that the PGA Tour has long been pushing to become an official major. It's an event that's big enough and loud enough to excite the casual golfing fan who generally only flicks over to the Golf Channel on Sundays and major weeks, and attracts the most attention of any non-major tournament from the players.

It typically hosts the most elite field (the top 50 in the World Golf Rankings are exempt), playing for the biggest purse ($9.5 million since 2008), at one of golf's most prestigious and well-known venues (TPC Sawgrass), with one of the most signature holes on Earth (the island green 17th), and is the biggest event put on by the PGA Tour.

This is the Tour's baby. It has been since 1974 when Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural title. So what's the problem? What exactly does it take for the Players -- or any other tournament -- to become the official fifth major?

Of all of golf's governing bodies, you would think that the PGA Tour would have its own major. The United States Golf Association has the U.S. Open, the R&A hosts the British, PGA of America puts on the PGA Championship and the Masters is Augusta's pride and joy. But the Tour, while it does have the FedEx Cup and a staggeringly lucrative playoff system in order, doesn't have a major.

Golf, as even any 36-handicap will tell you, is a tradition-driven sport. It takes a whole heck of a lot to change anything, aside from the courses themselves, about the game. And the majors, golf's four shining pillars, are apparently not to be messed with. Ernie Els has long decried the addition of the Players to golf's Big Four, even going as far to give another tournament the nod over the Players.

"[The BMW] is definitely taking the place of the Players," he told Sports Illustrated. "I also feel we have a stronger field here and a classic course."

Els isn't the first to point to a different tournament. Nicklaus used to say the same about the Australian Open and, as SI noted, wrote in his 1969 autobiography, The Greatest Game of All: My Life in Golf, with Herbert Warren Wind: "In conversations with friends I referred to the Australian Open as a major championship, but they knew and I knew I was kidding myself. Being the national championship of a golf-minded country, the ­Australian Open was a most estimable tournament to be won but simply wasn't a major championship except in the eyes of Australians. Of course, the men who won it prized it highly."

SI would also note that Lee Trevino sided with the Canadian Open as one of the top four tournaments in the world.

Will golf ever actually add a fifth major? Who knows? I sure don't. It's getting to the point where nearly a dozen tournaments could make a case as the next logical major addition. The Accenture Match Play Championship would provide a non-stroke play major, something we haven't seen since the PGA Championship did away with match play in 1958. I know I'd like to see a match play major somewhere down the road.

But for now, renowned golf writer John Feinstein seems to have it right when he said that the Players isn't the fifth major.

There is no fifth major.



Travis Mewhirter has been working in the golf industry since 2007, when he was a bag room manager at Piney Branch Golf Club in Carroll County, Maryland, and has been involved, as a player, since 2004. Since then, he has worked at Hayfields Country Club, where the Constellation Energy Classic was formerly held, and has covered golf at the high school, college, and professional levels.

Singh avoids suspension for deer-antler spray

Singh avoids suspension for deer-antler spray










The Sports Xchange April 30, 2013 6:20 PMThe SportsXchange



Vijay Singh acknowledged earlier this year that he had used a banned substance, but he will not be penalized by the PGA Tour as a result.

Singh, 50, was told Tuesday by commissioner Tim Finchem before a practice round for the Wells Fargo Championship that he would not face sanctions for taking a deer-antler spray after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) determined its use was no longer considered prohibitive.

The three-time major champion's case was subsequently dropped, Finchem said at a news conference, because WADA no longer considers the substance to be prohibited unless a positive test for 1GF-1, a growth factor, results from taking it. Singh did not test positive for the banned substance found in the spray.

"Based on this new information, and given WADA's lead role in interpreting the prohibited list, the tour deemed it only fair to no longer treat Mr. Singh's use of deer-antler spray as a violation of the Tour's anti-doping program," Finchem said.

Singh contended that he didn't know the spray contained a growth hormone. He was sanctioned by the tour on Feb. 19 for admitting its use, but the tour does not administer blood tests -- the only way to detect growth hormones -- as part of its routine regimen.

Singh appealed the sanctions and continued to play.

Earlier this week, former Tour player Greg Norman called for blood testing in the sport.