TED BITS, Ted McIntyre - BUBBA IN, THEN OUT OF THE CANADIAN OPEN; AND LEVELWEAR HIRES FORMER SUNICE WHIZ

I have to share a story with you. I was invited to a Dominican Republic PR function last night at Toronto’s Sutton Place hotel. I phoned in advance to ask about parking. It was something like $25 for overnight parking.
I said, “I’m only visiting.”
The lady replied, “It’s $4.50 per half hour for underground parking.”
I asked, “Isn’t there public parking around there?”
She said, “Yes, directly across the street. It’s like a $10 max.”
Turns out it was only $5 from 7 p.m. til midnight. There was only one other car in the entire lot…a 45-second walk from the front door of the hotel. I half expected to find the tires gone and the car up on block when we returned. Bizarre. I’m gonna have to remember that one!

BUBBA WITHDRAWS FOR PERSONAL REASONS
Yesterday the Golf Canada (a.k.a. the RCGA) released that the long-hitting Bubba Watson would be playing at this year’s RBC Canadian Open at St. George’s. About the same time as that was going out, Watson was being interviewed about his cancer-stricken father, and noted that he would take time to visit his dad following the British Open, which meant he had decided not to visit Toronto.

“Once we had confirmation on Bubba’s commitment to play in the Open, along with a couple of others, we prepared the release, waited on a couple of other items, then we sent the release,” noted tournament director Bill Paul in an email to me this morning. “Unfortunately, I got word this morning that regretfully he is not able to participate during to personal reasons.”

Still, the Open field looks impressive this year, its notables including Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, two-time champ Jim Furyk, Ricky Barnes, former Canadian Open champion Scott Verplank, fan favourite John Daly (my bet is he’s withdrawn before the second round), Anthony Kim, Sean O’Hair, Rickie Fowler, Camilo Villegas, Hunter Mahan, Luke Donald, Retief Goosen, Tim Clark, Y.E. Yang, Matt Kuchar, Fred Couples, Paul Casey and defending RBC Canadian Open champion Nathan Green.

LEVELWEAR’S NEW STAR’S FROM THE OLD GUARD
Toronto-based Levelwear’s golf apparel division has recruited Angela Grams in the title of Lead Product Design and Development Consultant beginning Spring 2012.

Grams has a wealth of experience in the outerwear industry (from design, development, sourcing, production to marketing) and was involved with Sunice for over a generation in the company’s formative years. Grams will be working out of her Calgary office.

TED BITS, Ted McIntyre - TEEING IT UP AT THE NATIONAL, AND CANADIAN WOMEN IMPRESSING DOWN UNDER

The view from the terrace of The National’s new clubhouse.

I played The National yesterday with a truly entertaining foursome of head pro Adam Brown, assistant pro Justin O’Leary and fellow OG Top 100 panel member Steve Waxman. I love the stately—albeit comfortable—new clubhouse. The men’s locker room (actually, it’s the only locker room since women still aren’t allowed to be members) is the biggest and probably the most impressive I’ve seen. I’m pretty sure it has more square footage than my house. O’Leary and I almost got lost as he guided me down to look for the guest locker area.

Although it was somewhat moist due to heavy rains the night before and yesterday morning—which forced a delay of play—the course still managed to beat us all up pretty badly. I didn’t miss a lot of shots on the day, but still managed to shoot something like 92, I think. Ouch.
Still a fantastic test of golf, although a mentally draining one at that.

I love the pool table area with its big screen TV—the sort of place I might never leave if
I were a member there.

Prior to its redesign, No. 10 was one of most uninspiring of The National’s par-3s.
Now, by bringing the water more into play, it might be the best.

CANADIAN WOMEN ROCKING DOWN UNDER
Richmond Hill’s Rebecca-Lee Bentham has advanced to the semifinals at the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship in Yorkshire, England.

Bentham defeated Australian native Stacy Keating 2 UP in the quarterfinalsto move on to the semis tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. at the Ganton G&CC. She was nearly joined by two teammates, with Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. rolling into the quarters before stumbling in a 3&2 loss to two-time U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion Meghan Stasi. Kirby’s teammate, Sara-Maude Juneau of Fossambault, Que., was also unable to advance to the final four, going out against Kelly Tidy of England 3&2.

Post-round results for the 2010 Ladies’ British Open Amateur can be found at www.lgu.org.

TED BITS, Ted McIntyre - SEGUIN VALLEY’S BACK ON LINE

One of my favourite courses in Ontario, and arguably the most photogenic, is reopening tomorrow. And it’s doing it to shockingly little fanfare. Which seems only appropriate for Seguin Valley considering how mismanaged it’s been from the outset.

While the Parry Sound course remains up for sale for a rumoured $10 million, you’ve got to believe owners Ron Dennis, Marie McCulloch and the estate of the late co-founder Robert McRae would be quite happy to part with 2,300-acre property for any reasonable offer. The trick has always been finding a party that wants the whole kit and caboodle—the 300-acre course and the remaining 2,000 acres of prime real estate development land.

The course itself was closed all of last year, while five staff tried to keep the place in as good condition as possible, but with the possibility of Seguin falling into a state of disrepair, which would make the golf course aspect of the property unsalable, it was decided late this spring to reopen the course—which has been keeping golf superintendent Chris Hudswell and his crew rather busy, digging out bunkers and grooming the course in time for tomorrow’s opening.

“It’s playable, but I’m not happy with the conditioning,” admits Hudswell, who’s been at Seguin from the beginning—well, its second beginning anyway. When the original superintendent was removed from his post during the build-in phase around nine years ago, Hudswell arrived to discover foot-long rough, four-foot weeds in the fairways, rocks popping through tee decks and the usual platform of 12-14 inches of mix beneath many greens actually ranging from three inches on one side to 30 inches on the other.

“The owner (the late Robert McRae) thought we were three weeks from opening when I came here,” says Hudswell. “But we were a year away. We had to hire Evans Construction and do a total rebuild of all the greens and tees, add more drainage, re-rout some holes, build the cartpaths… We also added the floating bridge at the par-3 seventh.”

Consequently, the original quirky Dave Moote construction became a hybrid design that included input from co-owner Ron Dennis, Evans’ Ted George and even Hudswell. The finished product is, well…OK, there isn’t really a finished product. The sign says Seguin Valley Golf & Country Club, but there’s no country club experience here—just golf. Golf that’s in need of ownership that understands and appreciates golf—that will pour the money needed to make this course a Top-25 experience in Ontario, something it’s quite capable of being given it’s multiple photo-op layout.

“It’s the most spectacular piece of property for golf in Ontario,” says Hudswell. “I don’t know how you get any better.”

Having played there twice, there’s no argument here. Only Bigwin island rivals it for sheer jaw-dropping beauty.

Seguin Valley, which has never achieved its potential, is in need of new money…and maybe a new logo while they’re at it.

In the meantime, the new green fee is $75 plus taxes, which includes your cart—much more reasonable that the $100 that they were charging two seasons ago. It’s probably still a little high for the Parry Sound area, but with walking almost impossible on that layout, ownership needs to cover the expense of their power carts somehow.

By the way, the website STILL has those $100 greens fees listed. It hasn’t been updated since early in 2008…even though they’re hoping for public players tomorrow. That doesn’t bode well for Seguin’s latest incarnation, which breaks my heart.

BURIED ELEPHANT - YOU COULD BE WEARING QUAGMIRE ON TOUR

Canadian golf fashion company Quagmire Golf has been on a roll since Geoff Tait and Bobby Pasternak first launched the company becuase they were “tired of our boring golf duds and decided to create chilled, lifestyle wear”. 

Geoff and Bobby have been very successful at using promotinos and PR to establish a name for themselves very quickly.  They also have PGA touring pros wearing their gear including Aron Price, Matt Weibring and LPGA player Stephanie Louden.  Their newest player on tour is YOU!

The new release of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 by EA Sports, in stores now, includes Quagmire duds that you can dress your player in.  If you have never played Tiger Woods PGA Tour you should.  This is by far the best console golf game and it just gets better with each new release.  Whether you are playing against your friends online or against PGA players with real time scoring from live tour events or just out for a fun round of golf at the world’s best courses you can now be decked out in cool Quagmire duds.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 allows you to not only create your own character any way you like but you can also add gear and dress any way you like.  As you can see below some great new choices are available from the Quagmire collection.

 If you want to actually look this good in person while you are really playing golf you can buy Quagmire online or you visit one of the many retailers who carry thier product.

TED BITS, Ted McIntyre - REMEMBERING CHRIS HANEY

PHOTO: Bill Ironside, London Free Press

Doug Ball has more great stories than any man I know. One of the treasure trove includes the 1975 photo above, which shows (at left) Trivial Pursuit and Devil’s Pulpit Golf Association co-founder Chris Haney, who passed away Monday after a long illness at age 59. Joining Haney in the image above is George Hutchison of the London Free Press, Prince Charles and Mr. Ball, himself (on the phone at right).

“It was in a hotel in Yellowknife, NWT, in the spring of 1975,” Ball recalls. “The last stop on an arctic tour by Prince Charles. Before the gala dinner, His Royal Highness came through the press room and the photo room. The media made a collection from all members and bought a mounted narwhal tusk and presented it to Charles in the media room, but Chris and I refused to donate. Chris was our advance photo guy and would set up the darkrooms for our arrival and would then go on ahead, so he had not yet had the chance to meet Charles during the tour. As Charles came into the photo room, the phone rang and Chris answered it. Charles looked at some our our photos as I pointed them out for him. Then the second phone rang and I answered it. They wanted to speak to Chris, so he ended up with both phones….and then Charles left the room for dinner…. So Chris missed meeting him, but ended up with a great story.”

TED BITS, Ted McIntyre - BEACH RACING AT CAP CANA

—AP PHOTO

One of my favourite stretches of sand in the Caribbean, Juanillo Beach at Cap Cana resort in the Dominican Republic, was used for a little drag racing on Tuesday. While 200,000 were on hand in the capital of Santo Domingo to watch the Red Bull Racing team run on asphalt on Sunday, the next day the Red Bull car reached over 180 kilometers per hour on sand on Juanillo Beach Cap Cana, a feat never seen before in the sport.

The driver was Jaime Alguersuari, the youngest F1 pilot. “I am very happy and excited,” said the 20-year-old Spaniard minutes after racing down 400 metres of the beach coast.

He didn’t mention whether he ran over any beach loungers along the way.

 BURIED ELEPHANT - LUNCH AT ST. GEORGE’S - A CANADIAN OPEN PREVIEW 

My Grandfather was a member at St. George’s for years when I was a boy.  I used to caddy for him once in a while and afterward he would invite me into the dining room (caddies weren’t allowed but family was) for a Coke float or a ginger beer.  I also remember going to the occasional family movie night at the club house.  Such are the vivid memories I have of St. George’s but I haven’t been inside the clubhouse for 35 years or more - until today.

Today I was invited to a luncheon held by St. George’s. It was one of at least three they plan leading up to the RBC Canadian Open in July, the first held at this course since 1968.  Mostly in attendance where members and their guests.  The speakers today were three of Canada’s most influential golf power brokers;

(left to right: Jim Little RBC Chief Brand & Communications Officer, Chris Armstrong VP Golf at IMG, and Scott Simmonds Exec. Dir. of Golf Canada)

The trio talked about the plans leading up to the Canadian Open, the need and plans to grow golf in Canada and the re-branding of the RCGA into Golf Canada.  While details were lacking (there is a separate press announcement on Tuesday announcing players who have committed to come to this year’s open) all three panelists hinted at a very strong field at this year’s RBC Canadian Open.

Simmons shared his vision for a successful tournament which includes the best venues in Canada, a strong charitable component, the best field possible and a great event experience for the fans.  Simmons boasted that all these factors come together nicely at this event thanks to all the stakeholders, particularly the community and the city.

Armstrong talked from the players perspective and said that aside from the date of the event the most important factor determining which events a player participates in is the venue saying most players “would rather play a great course for a smaller purse than play a mediocre course for a larger purse”.  Everyone at the table agreed that St. George’s will attract quality players.

One topic that came up repeatedly was the charitable component of the RBC Canadian Open.  When RBC became the title sponsor and partnered with Mike Weir their goal was to raise $5 million for local organizations in 5 years.  According to Jim Little the inaugural celebrity pro-am charity event last year was a great start and they are well on their way ot reaching that goal.

As always at these events there was also talk about growing the game of golf in Canada and in particular the moderator Bob Weeks (of Score Golf) asked about the effect of golf an Olympic sport in 2016.  “It will be a huge huge step for our sport” said Simmons referring to the added funding that will be available as an Olympic Sport.  The RCGA is also working with other organizations around the globe to have golf added to both the Pan-Am Games and the Commonwealth Games.  Armstrong, of IMG, thinks that world class players will show up to represent their country because there is no bigger honour than to represent your country on the worlds biggest sporting stage.

Lunch was held at the St. George’s Clubhouse. After 35 years the building still has that special feel and an air of majesty but like so many other things in life the building seem much smaller to my adult eyes. 

 (lunch at St. George’s Country Club)

TED BITS, Ted McIntyre - CANADIAN OPEN AT DEVIL’S PULPIT IN 2015

The inside word is that Devil’s Pulpit will celebrate its 25th anniversary by hosting the RBC Canadian Open in 2015. The 2014 date, meanwhile, may be reserved for Hamilton Golf & Country Club, although George Pinches, the club’s GM and COO, tells the Hamilton Spectator that “the board believes that the earliest time we might be in a position to host would be 2015.”

That’s also a big date for the Hamilton club, since it would mark the 100th anniversary of its move to its current home in Ancaster. But my source tells me the Pulpit has the 2015 date all but nailed down.

The Pulpit’s sister course, Devil’s Paintbrush, doesn’t have the clubhouse facilities to host such an event, but it is an intriguing concept to think of players tackling both courses in each of the opening two rounds as well as weekend play.

TED BITS, Ted McIntyre - HOW DID ERICA BLASBERG DIE?

—AP PHOTO

About the same time as the news about Hank Haney’s resignation as Tiger Woods’ swing coach was making its way around golf channels, there came the tragic news of the death of 25-year-old LPGA Tour player Erica Blasberg, who was found dead about 3 p.m. Sunday after police responded to a 911 call from the two-story, three-bedroom home she bought for $281,000 in November 2007. Blasberg’s agent, Chase Callahan, said yesterday that his client had her bags packed for a tournament in Alabama when she died suddenly at her home in suburban Henderson, Nevada. Although suicide is still suspected, police aren’t yet indicating how they believe she died.

Blasberg was apparently scheduled to fly to Mobile, Alabama and tee off on Monday in qualifying rounds at the Bell Micro LPGA Classic. During yesterday’s Titleist golf ball function at Eagles Nest GC in Maple, I met a Titleist staff member who has caddied on the LPGA Tour and apparently knew Blasberg. He said she was physically abusive to herself on the course—even punching herself in the arm over errant shots. There were also rumours about her dealings with her father as not being the perfect father-daughter relationship portrayed in the media over the past 24 hours by her dad, Mel, who was also her swing coach.

Blasberg, a Southern California native, was in her sixth season on the LPGA Tour. A former junior golf standout, the 25-year-old was a two-time All-American from 2003-04, 2003 NCAA Freshman of the Year and 2003 Pac-10 Player of the Year while at University of Arizona.

She turned professional in June of 2004 and won once on the Duramed FUTURES Tour before qualifying for the LPGA Tour in 2005. Her best year on Tour was 2008 when she earned a career-best tie for eighth at the SBS Open in Hawaii and over $113,000 in winnings. This season, Blasberg had played in one event, the Tres Marias Championship, where she tied for 44th.

It’s horrible to hear of anyone taking their life, but Blasberg was a young, beautiful talent, although she had not fulfilled her potential. Hopefully that wasn’t responsible for whatever happened in her home last weekend.

On the LPGA Tour’s website, there’s a “Quick 18″ Q&A with Erica that includes a couple questions that show her more tender side:

Tell us something that most people might not know about you?
I love sleeping…I really really want a small dog probably a shitzu…I like running in pretty neighborhoods…I really like drawing hearts and stars…I snack a lot…I’m obsessed with CSI and Newlyweds…I think I am addicted to shopping…I love reading Tabloids…I can’t sing or dance…I like to cook and bake…I love my I-pod…I really like the beach at night…I think that’s a good amount of stuff most people don’t know about me, but I am sure there’s more…

What is one of the best presents you have ever given or received?
A friend of mine for my birthday one year bought me my own star…like an actual star. I even got to see it in a telescope.

Blasberg is among those stars now. A sad, sad ending.

BURIED ELEPHANT - MOVE OVER HANK - IT LOOKS LIKE TED WAS RIGHT 

USA Today is reporting that Hank Haney has stepped down as Tiger Woods swing coach.  Haney says that this was his decision and that he and Tiger will always be friends.

It looks like Ted McIntyre may have been right on the money.  In Ted’s blog earlier this week Ted speculated that Ontario Golf’s Instruction Editor Sean Foley is setup to be Tiger Woods’ next swing coach.  For the record Foley has denied rumours as recently as last week that he is in discussions with Tiger Woods to become his next swing coach.

Foley has seen much success with PGA Tour players lately and was recently featured on the front cover of Ontario Golf Magazine. Take a look at the online issue to read Sean’s story.