What a Year for Texas Golf

I’m not big on New Year resolutions … or any kind of resolutions for that matter. Most are empty promises. Either to yourself or others. Regardless, I am trying to better myself in many areas. One of which is writing.

Writing shorter in particular.

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, then you probably have noticed that sometimes I can get a little long-winded and write some really long sentences and long paragraphs and long stories and that might drive you crazy and make you click off the page, curse my name or both.

Sorry about that.

In an effort to be more efficient, here are my top-10 Texas golf moments for 2011. There are only five of them.

Shorter, see?

Lefty’s Redstone Romp: Who can forget Phil Mickelson’s course recording-setting 63 in the third round of the Shell Houston Open? With his wife’s and mother’s oncologist, Dr. Tom Buchholz, on hand again in April at the pristine Tournament Course at Redstone Golf Club, Mickelson was inspired.

Phil Mickelson dazzled the crowds
at Redstone Golf Club with a victory
a week before the Masters.

He went low on the weekend with 63-65 to post 20-under par and won by three shots.

In the past 10 years, the SHO has had plenty of quality winners—Freddy Couples, Vijay Singh (three times), Adam Scott, Stuart Appleby, Anthony Kim—but last year was extra special. Mickelson loves Houston—Dr. Buchholz and M.D. Anderson especially—and the throngs of fans following Lefty at Redstone as he dueled Dallas native Scott Verplank in the final round will remember that show for a long, long time.

It might a while before we see that kind of excitement at the SHO again.

Unless Mickelson repeats in 2012.

History in the Making: In July, Jordan Spieth took another step toward cementing his legacy as one of the most decorated amateur golfers of all time. By winning his second U.S. Junior Amateur—this one at Gold Mountain outside of Seattle—the Dallas native joined Tiger Woods as the only golfers to win the national championship twice. (Woods won it three straight times from 1991-93).

Spieth won his first U.S. Junior Am in 2009. He was the heavy favorite this year and rallied in three early matches to claim nail-biting, 2-and-1 victories. Then the ball-striking savant wasted Chelso Barrett 6-and-5 in the 36-hole final match.

The second USGA title was a glimpse into the future. It won’t be long before Spieth is winning professional major championships—yes, plural—and becomes a worldwide sensation.

Make no mistake: still just a teenager, Spieth already is a star. He’s made the cut twice in PGA Tour events. He was the only American to post an undefeated record at the Walker Cup in September. The college freshman won his first tournament for the University of Texas in his third start. He has the game, support system, maturity, personality and poise to become mega-star on the professional level.

If he continues on the path he’s on now, it’s going to happen. This is not news to those who have been paying attention.

Catching The Spirit: One of the most unique golf events in the world takes place every two years in Trinity, Texas. Whispering Pines Golf Club, the No. 1-ranked course in the state six years running, plays host to The Spirit International, a co-ed amateur championship unlike anything else you’ve seen.

The two best male and female amateurs from the top-20 golfing countries in the world comprise the teams. They all live together for a week in a camp-like setting and compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in five categories.

 

Nathan Smith (left) and Kelly Kraft
had a memorable final round
walk to the 18th green.

This year, Americans Kelly Kraft (the reigning U.S. Amateur champ), Nathan Smith (a three-time U.S. Mid-Am champ), Austin Ernst (reigning NCAA champion) and Emily Tubert (2010 U.S. Public Links champ) pulled away from Mexico for an epic 10-shot win.

Smith’s final round eagle-two on the 392-yard par-4 14th started the U.S. party early.

Tiger’s Late Prowl: From the Obvious Department, it was a joy to see Tiger Woods’ game come around at the end of the year. He looked great at the Presidents Cup—even if his record didn’t reflect it—and he capped the season with his first victory in two years at the Chevron World Classic.

I’m giving a heap of the credit to Fred Couples. Many jumped on Freddy’s case when he made Woods a captain’s pick two months before the Presidents Cup. But that early decision put a ton of pressure on Woods to get his game in order. Once fully healthy again, he started practicing six, seven even eight hours a day. Woods wasn’t going to make himself—or Couples—look foolish after the captain bypassed PGA Champion Keegan Bradley, who deserved to be on the U.S. team.

When Woods wins a few tournaments next year, including a major championship, hopefully we’ll remember that it was Fred Couples who helped jump-start the comeback.

What’s the Texas connection here? Don’t worry about that right now. (Couples played college golf at the University of Houston and Tiger won the 1997 Byron Nelson Championship in Dallas, so there.)

Junior golfers will
love this book.

Ti Ming & Tem Po: Can I be self-serving for a moment? Of course I can. This is my blog, after all. One of the biggest moments of the year (of my life, really) came in late November. That’s when my children’s book was released.

By now, I’ve surely bored you to tears about it via Twitter and Facebook. So I won’t beat you over the head here. This blog already is too long.

I’ll just mention that “Finding Ti Ming & Tem Po, Legend of the golf gods” is a magical story full of character-building morals and lessons. It’s a great read for any junior golfer—or any parent, aunt or uncle of little linksters.

Go buy a few copies and give them as gifts. The golf gods will thank you with fortuitous bounces off trees and putts that fall in the cup instead of lipping out of it.

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading.

The Spirit Personified

Lexi Thompson, 16, won three gold medals at the
2009 Spirit International. In September, she became
the youngest player to win on the LPGA Tour.

TRINITY—Sixteen-year-old Alexis “Lexi” Thompson is the fastest rising star in women’s professional golf. She stands six feet tall and hits the golf ball 280 yards off the tee. In September, she became the youngest winner in LPGA Tour history when she won the Navistar LPGA Classic by five shots.

No player on the planet has “Caught The Spirit” more than Lexi Thompson, winner of three gold medals as a 14-year-old at the 2009 Spirit International. Thompson was back again this year, delivering the past champion’s speech at the opening ceremonies and playing a practice round with the U.S. Team on Tuesday.

The first round of the 2011 Spirit International begins Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. with 80 of the world’s best amateurs playing as two-man, two-woman teams for 20 different countries. (Tee times and live scoring available at www.golfstat.com.)

Over the next four days, 54 holes of Four Ball Stroke Play will determine gold, silver and bronze medal winners in five categories: International Team, Men’s Team, Women’s Team, Men’s Individual and Women’s Individual.

Thompson made the rare clean sweep in 2009, taking the gold in the International Team, Women’s Team and Women’s Individual. Only Paula Creamer and Lorena Ochoa have accomplished the feat. Thompson said her three gold medals hang in her parents’ dining room next to the 150-plus trophies she’s amassed since winning her first U.S. Kids World Championship at age 7.

The Spirit began in 2001, and in the past decade it has become known for showcasing tomorrow’s professional golf stars in the amateur setting. Major champions such as Creamer, Ochoa, Yani Tseng, Martin Kaymer and Charl Schwartzel all participated in The Spirit as amateurs.

“On and off the course, The Spirit is the best experience,” Thompson said. “We have fun no matter what we’re doing. Team events are always so relaxing, and you really get to know the other players so well. Every minute of it is a great time.”

The players stay adjacent to Whispering Pines Golf Club in Camp Olympia, which transforms into the International Village during The Spirit. There’s a common dining hall where all the competitors eat, and players sleep 12 or more to a room in a true camp setting.



Lexi Thompson enjoyed a practice round at
Whispering Pines with the U.S. Team on Tuesday.

“The whole experience brings all the teams so close together,” Thompson said. “Sharing a cabin with about 20 other players and hanging out with all the teams for a few hours every night was such a bonding experience. I loved it.”

  

In 2007, Thompson made history by becoming the youngest player to qualify for the Women’s U.S. Open. She was 12. Two years later she was dominating at Whispering Pines with 17 birdies and posting a winning 24-under par score with teammate Jennifer Johnson. Thompson turned professional the next year as a 15-year-old.

“This tournament (in 2009) was a big step for me,” she said. “Being invited here was a big honor. I had heard so much about it. I had just come from the Junior Ryder Cup, and that was the only other time I had played on a team for my country. This tournament has the best amateurs in the world.”

With a field comprised of 75 national champions and No. 1-ranked players from 20 countries, it is highly likely that the next Lexi Thompson or Martin Kaymer are playing at Whispering Pines this week. Thompson said she sees budding star power in the two U.S. women, LSU sophomore Austin Ernst and Arkansas sophomore Emily Tubert.

“Austin and Emily are amazing players. I’ve played junior golf with both of them,” Thompson said. “They both have really consistent games. Emily hits it a mile—she hits it farther than me. They both have great advantages in their games. If they keep working hard, they’ll be out there. They’ll be on tour.”

Thompson turns 17 in February. She is fully
exempt on the LPGA Tour for next season.

Thompson planned to stay at Whispering Pines long enough to watch the U.S. Team play in the first round. The U.S. women tee off at 8:30 a.m. with the Swedish team of Daniela Holmqvist and Madelence Sagstrom, who plays at LSU with Ernst. The U.S. men follow in the 8:42 a.m. group with Swedes Robert Karlsson and Victory Tarnstorm.

Former U.S. Team captain and 2011 assistant captain Alli Jarrett texted Thompson about 10 days before The Spirit to ask if she wanted to return to give the past champion’s speech. Thompson jumped at the opportunity. Like every golfer who has passed through the front gates, Thompson absolutely loves Whispering Pines. She said taking the bus ride back down Olympia Drive to the clubhouse brought back a flood of memories.

“I was really happy to come back,” she said. “This place holds great memories. The last day at the award ceremony, it was the best experience. Receiving the gold medal and knowing I represented my country well meant so much to me.”

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NOTE: For live scoring of The Spirit, visit www.golfstat.com. The 2011 Spirit International will feature a live webcast of the competition on holes 14-18 at www.thespiritgolf.com/live-webcast.html.  Follow the action on Twitter @thespiritgolf and use the official hashtag of #thespirit11. You can “like” The Spirit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thespiritgolf.

Catch The Spirit of International Golf

Note: This article appears in the October issues of DFW Links and Houston Links magazines.

’Tis the season to don your colors.

   

No, this isn’t a column about your favorite college football team. The colors in question here are the red, white and blue of the American flag. 



The victorious U.S. Team at the 2009 Solheim Cup.

Starting last month and running through November, patriotism continues to be on high in the golf world. With apologies to the contrived FedEx Cup Playoffs, international team golf has taken center stage with the playing of the Walker Cup and Solheim Cup last month and the Presidents Cup looming in November.

    

The pageantry of individuals playing as teams from their countries will soon touch Texas, too.

The sixth playing of The Spirit International starts Nov. 2 at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity. In one of the most unique formats in all of golf competition, teams consisting of two men, two women and a coach from 20 countries will vie for gold medals in five events played through 72 holes of best ball format.

If you’ve never been to Whispering Pines, this is the perfect opportunity. Admission is free, the golf is superb and the competitive passion is contagious.

There’s something special about golf events played in team formats. Maybe it’s because golf is such an individual game. Other than one’s caddie, golfers rely solely on themselves for success. So many of our other favorite sports allow for teamwork—a key block in football, a timely pass in basketball—and it underscores how unique and difficult golf is. It’s just you, the golf ball and the course.

When you add in patriotism and playing for an entire country to the team format in golf, the results are extraordinary.

A fired up Jordan Spieth after making
a 12-foot birdie to halve his singles
match at the Walker Cup in September.

Look at the photo of Jordan Spieth on page 43. It really says everything about playing on a team for your country. The emotion is raw, genuine and unadulterated. Spieth, as an example, has played golf on the highest levels. He’s played on the PGA Tour. He’s won USGA national championships.

He’ll also be the first to tell you that playing for his country means more to him than any of it. It showed in September during the Walker Cup. Spieth was the only U.S. Team member to post an undefeated record (2-0-1) in Great Britain & Ireland’s 14-12 victory.

During the weekend of the Solheim Cup, I woke by 6 o’clock each morning, rolled out to the couch and flipped on the telecast from Ireland. One of my favorite things in the world is waking early on the weekend for international team golf played across the ocean—namely the Ryder Cup every two years. This year’s Solheim Cup was equally as thrilling.

I rooted hard for LPGA Tour rookie Ryan O’Toole, who was a controversial pick by U.S. captain Rosie Jones. Like Spieth at the Walker Cup, O’Toole finished undefeated (2-0-2) and was one of the bright spots for America.

Even though Europe rallied to win back the Solheim Cup for the first time since 2003, it was compelling TV. Watching players like Christina Kim, Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie show so much emotion was a joy to watch.

Maybe that’s why I love these international competitions so much. It’s really the only time in golf (outside of winning a major, I suppose) when it’s acceptable for players to go over the top with fist pumps and tree-rattling screams after making a clutch putt. You just don’t see that kind of emotion in other events.

I’m looking forward to witnessing firsthand that kind of passion at The Spirit International next month. With the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup and Solheim Cup all resting in the hands of the Europeans, The Spirit is the next chance for the U.S. to win one for the red, white and blue.