By Gregory Crawford---TV, Print and Radio Golf Analyst---twitter @wchoops @crawssportsbiz
Michelle Wie---It is obvious we are seeing the true growing up of Michelle Wie. With her win yesterday, we have to expect more during the 2014 LPGA season. I first saw Michelle Wie at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in the 2003 U.S. Women's Open and there was no question about the ability she had, but it was all about how she was going to handle the future.
That was 11 years past, the future has not been the greatest for Wie, but that appears now to be all behind her. Michelle Wie is a classy person, I think the whole world is going to get behind her to be a big time star on the LPGA Tour.
We do have to admit that her thinking at one time of playing on the PGA Tour, might have really messed up her golf swing for a long time, as she had to add distance.
That once again was a bad part of the future, but you would have to think still at the age of 24, Wie has one bright future ahead of her.
Miguel Angel Jimenez---This guy is a true international sports star. He wins all around the world and today became the 18th player on the Champions Tour to win in their debut on the Tour. The Gwinnett Championship had a great field and Jimenez dominated that field.
Now he has some tough choices to make. Does he stay in the states or go back to Europe to try and make the 2014 European Ryder Cup team.
If he does not play regularly on the Champions Tour, it will be a huge loss for golf fans in the United States. The guy is a star, a really true international sports star.
Matt Kuchar---How can you not root for Matt Kuchar, the winner today in the RBC Heritage Classic.
He is a great golfer and class person, who is a certain Hall of Famer down the road. He does need to win a major however and he has to be a strong contender at Pinehurst, where Kuchar one of the great short game players in all of golf can succeed.
Lanny Wadkins---Wadkins in the king of commentators when it comes to learning about golf and strategy. Wadkins once again was at his best this weekend for the Champions Tour event in Georgia.
He tells you just enough, without overdoing it. So the next time he is on a telecast, pay attention, because you sure will learn much from him.
More from Gregory Crawford:
http://gregcrawfordbasketball.blogspot.com
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Crawfords Golf Daily, For April 19th, 2014
By Gregory Crawford---TV, Print and Radio Golf Analyst @wchoops @crawssportsbiz
Masters Cleanup---- 1. Interesting to note, that six of the last 12 Masters' winners have been left handed. Is it meaningless trivia, or a great statistical fact about one of the world's greatest golf courses.
2. If Bubba wins one more Masters, which he probably will, he will go down with some of the great one namers in the history of sports. Wilt, Russ, Michael, Magic, Pele, Tiger, LeBron and perhaps the biggest one namer of all time Babe.
3. Is Bubba now the favorite to win the U.S. Open, which will be played at the historic Pinehurst No. 2 course ?
4. There is no question, as I have documented many times before, that Jordan Spieth is going to be a big time super star in golf. I often wondered last Saturday, if Spieth would have had a more experienced caddy on the bag, would he not have won. He needed someone at 20 years of age, to cool him down and take charge, as many great caddies can do.
5. Interesting to note that CBS did not show any of the ice damage which took place with the awful February ice storm that hit many parts of Georgia. Not sure with CBS as well, that they realize how much longer they can go with Jim Nantz as their lead announcer. Nantz has gone from boring to totally dull.
6. Nantz's work only enhances more the work of Dan Hicks at NBC on golf. Hicks when you consider every booth talent in golf, is without question the best in the biz right now.
7. Is it about time the Masters' TV coverage went to Turner Broadcasting, a natural move with both great sports entities being in Georgia. CBS has had it way too long and their coverage is getting stale.
8. Overall, it probably was one of the most boring Masters of all time, not even considering the fact Tiger was not there and Phil missed the cut. But the great thing, we will all be watching next April again.
Gregory Crawford's other blogs:
http://gregcrawfordbasketball.blogspot.com
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
Masters Cleanup---- 1. Interesting to note, that six of the last 12 Masters' winners have been left handed. Is it meaningless trivia, or a great statistical fact about one of the world's greatest golf courses.
2. If Bubba wins one more Masters, which he probably will, he will go down with some of the great one namers in the history of sports. Wilt, Russ, Michael, Magic, Pele, Tiger, LeBron and perhaps the biggest one namer of all time Babe.
3. Is Bubba now the favorite to win the U.S. Open, which will be played at the historic Pinehurst No. 2 course ?
4. There is no question, as I have documented many times before, that Jordan Spieth is going to be a big time super star in golf. I often wondered last Saturday, if Spieth would have had a more experienced caddy on the bag, would he not have won. He needed someone at 20 years of age, to cool him down and take charge, as many great caddies can do.
5. Interesting to note that CBS did not show any of the ice damage which took place with the awful February ice storm that hit many parts of Georgia. Not sure with CBS as well, that they realize how much longer they can go with Jim Nantz as their lead announcer. Nantz has gone from boring to totally dull.
6. Nantz's work only enhances more the work of Dan Hicks at NBC on golf. Hicks when you consider every booth talent in golf, is without question the best in the biz right now.
7. Is it about time the Masters' TV coverage went to Turner Broadcasting, a natural move with both great sports entities being in Georgia. CBS has had it way too long and their coverage is getting stale.
8. Overall, it probably was one of the most boring Masters of all time, not even considering the fact Tiger was not there and Phil missed the cut. But the great thing, we will all be watching next April again.
Gregory Crawford's other blogs:
http://gregcrawfordbasketball.blogspot.com
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Crawford's Golf Daily, for April 12th, 2014
By Gregory Crawford----TV, Print and Radio Golf Analyst @wchoops @crawssportsbiz
Bubba---Bubba Watson is really popular with golf fans. He obviously is in great shape as the weekend starts to win his second Masters green jacket in the last three years, winning in dramatic fashion in 2012.
I for one will not be as excited about a Watson win, unless it would be Tom Watson. In my opinion Bubba kind of dissed the game of golf and its fans after winning the Masters in 2012. After his victory, he played very little the rest of year, sighting family reasons. Bubba forgot he was a professional golfer and forgot that he owed it to the fans to get out there and let everyone celebrate his great fete of winning his first major.
I am also a believer in you honor the game of golf. In 2012, Bubba did just the opposite. So Bubba if you win this year, let the fans celebrate with you, by playing more than you did in 2012 following your great victory. It would do wonders to help your image with me and many others, as to how you treat and respect the game of golf.
Future Stars---It is no surprise that future golf super-stars, Jordan Spieth and Jimmy Walker are in the top ten of the Masters leaderboard heading to the weekend and very easily could win the 2014 Masters.
As I have stated before, I honestly feel at the age of 20 and already a star on the Tour, Spieth will break every record of Nicklaus and Woods, before his career on the Tour is over. He really is that good and will be good for a long time, providing he avoids serious injury.
Augusta National---Everyone loves to talk about Amen Corner at the Masters, but we often forget holes 10 and 11, are so strategic and wonderful par-4 golf holes, with great emphasis on the drive, extremely tough putting surfaces and the fact they can create heavy mental damage on any players, who starts his second nine, especially on Saturday and Sunday at Augusta.
As a golf fan, I would really pay attention to who plays well on these holes, cause that person is more than likely going to be your winner come Sunday evening.
Lexi Thompson---It would be pretty exciting, if Lexi Thompson parlayed her major win last week at the Kraft Nabisco on the LPGA Tour, into four to five more victories this year. No matter how you cut it, the Tour for the most part is dominated by international stars and very few Americans have stepped up to challenge, outside of Stacy Lewis.
Another words, the LPGA is starved for an American super star. Lexi, the golf ball is in your hands at present, let's see what you do with it.
Gregory Crawford's other blogs:
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
http://gregcrawfordbasketball.blogspot.com
Bubba---Bubba Watson is really popular with golf fans. He obviously is in great shape as the weekend starts to win his second Masters green jacket in the last three years, winning in dramatic fashion in 2012.
I for one will not be as excited about a Watson win, unless it would be Tom Watson. In my opinion Bubba kind of dissed the game of golf and its fans after winning the Masters in 2012. After his victory, he played very little the rest of year, sighting family reasons. Bubba forgot he was a professional golfer and forgot that he owed it to the fans to get out there and let everyone celebrate his great fete of winning his first major.
I am also a believer in you honor the game of golf. In 2012, Bubba did just the opposite. So Bubba if you win this year, let the fans celebrate with you, by playing more than you did in 2012 following your great victory. It would do wonders to help your image with me and many others, as to how you treat and respect the game of golf.
Future Stars---It is no surprise that future golf super-stars, Jordan Spieth and Jimmy Walker are in the top ten of the Masters leaderboard heading to the weekend and very easily could win the 2014 Masters.
As I have stated before, I honestly feel at the age of 20 and already a star on the Tour, Spieth will break every record of Nicklaus and Woods, before his career on the Tour is over. He really is that good and will be good for a long time, providing he avoids serious injury.
Augusta National---Everyone loves to talk about Amen Corner at the Masters, but we often forget holes 10 and 11, are so strategic and wonderful par-4 golf holes, with great emphasis on the drive, extremely tough putting surfaces and the fact they can create heavy mental damage on any players, who starts his second nine, especially on Saturday and Sunday at Augusta.
As a golf fan, I would really pay attention to who plays well on these holes, cause that person is more than likely going to be your winner come Sunday evening.
Lexi Thompson---It would be pretty exciting, if Lexi Thompson parlayed her major win last week at the Kraft Nabisco on the LPGA Tour, into four to five more victories this year. No matter how you cut it, the Tour for the most part is dominated by international stars and very few Americans have stepped up to challenge, outside of Stacy Lewis.
Another words, the LPGA is starved for an American super star. Lexi, the golf ball is in your hands at present, let's see what you do with it.
Gregory Crawford's other blogs:
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
http://gregcrawfordbasketball.blogspot.com
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Crawford's Golf Daily, for April 6th, 2014
By Gregory Crawford----TV, Print and Radio Golf Analyst @wchoops @crawssportsbiz
Matt Kuchar----After the stunning loss by Matt Kuchar today in a playoff with Matt Jones at the Shell Houston Open, can you take Kuchar out of one the favorites pack at this week's Masters. I say so, as this was a stunner, after Kuchar has a big lead at times during the tournament and is a seasoned enough veteran to keep that lead.
If you are looking for somewhat of dark horse to win the Masters, go with Jason Day, who always seems to come up big in major championships.
Lexi Thompson---Congrats to the 19 year old star on winning her fourth LPGA title today, this one is the big one, the Kraft Nabisco, the first LPGA major of 2014, with four more to follow.
Thompson now will most certainly take the title as the next women's super star to come along, having won before, but there is just something special about a first major.
Portland Classic----The oldest consecutive non-major championship on the LPGA Tour seems to be in a state of flux at present. The event is to be played on August 28th-31st, but as of today has no title sponsor and no golf course.
There has been some buzz this past week that the world famous group that runs the event, Tournament Golf Foundation is close to getting a sponsor, but everyone is silent at this time. Obviously after getting a sponsor wrapped up the next move it secure a golf course. Last year, the event which for 17 years was known as the Safeway Classic, moved back to Columbia Edgewater. The previous four years, the Safeway Classic was held at the world famous Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, Ghost Creek course.
This is a tremendous event for the state of Oregon/SW Washington sports and it needs stability, needs it quick. Here is hoping for a long term commitment from a title sponsor and at the same time a return to the iconic North Portland, Columbia Edgewater course. Standby, we will be all over this story in the coming weeks.
Every Sunday night you can listen to Gregory Crawford and David Ogrin on the CO Golf Show starting at 9:00 PDT on Blog Talk Radio
Gregory Crawford's other blogs:
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
http://gregcrawfordbasketball.blogspot.com
Matt Kuchar----After the stunning loss by Matt Kuchar today in a playoff with Matt Jones at the Shell Houston Open, can you take Kuchar out of one the favorites pack at this week's Masters. I say so, as this was a stunner, after Kuchar has a big lead at times during the tournament and is a seasoned enough veteran to keep that lead.
If you are looking for somewhat of dark horse to win the Masters, go with Jason Day, who always seems to come up big in major championships.
Lexi Thompson---Congrats to the 19 year old star on winning her fourth LPGA title today, this one is the big one, the Kraft Nabisco, the first LPGA major of 2014, with four more to follow.
Thompson now will most certainly take the title as the next women's super star to come along, having won before, but there is just something special about a first major.
Portland Classic----The oldest consecutive non-major championship on the LPGA Tour seems to be in a state of flux at present. The event is to be played on August 28th-31st, but as of today has no title sponsor and no golf course.
There has been some buzz this past week that the world famous group that runs the event, Tournament Golf Foundation is close to getting a sponsor, but everyone is silent at this time. Obviously after getting a sponsor wrapped up the next move it secure a golf course. Last year, the event which for 17 years was known as the Safeway Classic, moved back to Columbia Edgewater. The previous four years, the Safeway Classic was held at the world famous Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, Ghost Creek course.
This is a tremendous event for the state of Oregon/SW Washington sports and it needs stability, needs it quick. Here is hoping for a long term commitment from a title sponsor and at the same time a return to the iconic North Portland, Columbia Edgewater course. Standby, we will be all over this story in the coming weeks.
Every Sunday night you can listen to Gregory Crawford and David Ogrin on the CO Golf Show starting at 9:00 PDT on Blog Talk Radio
Gregory Crawford's other blogs:
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
http://gregcrawfordbasketball.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Crawford's Golf Daily, for April 5th, 2014
By Gregory Crawford, TV, Radio and Print Golf Analyst, @wchoops @crawssportsbiz
I am proud to say that I work around women all the time, they will all tell you I am respectful and do not make inappropriate comments ever.
With that said, why is everyone so upset that Paulina Gretzky is going to be on the cover of Golf Digest. Yes, women's golf gets short changed my many, including the media, but the LPGA has never gotten so much attention in years as it got this past week.
You have to look at the bright side, everyone is talking about the LPGA, which needs to happen. I also realize that Paulina Gretzky is not a member of the LPGA, but she has pretty famous father and she is also the fiancee of popular professional golfer Dustin Johnson.
Everyone needs to relax. I did not see the level of upset about three years past when Paula Creamer did a pretty sexy photo shoot for Golfweek.
When I go to an LPGA event, I go to watch the golf and excitement of a terrific sporting event. I have never missed the 43 years of the LPGA event in my hometown of Portland, Oregon. Yes, some men, it is obvious are just out there to watch beauty and bodies. Such is life, it will never end, this great relationship between men and women.
So let's all chill in the golf community. We have a lot bigger issues, like growing the game and making it accessible to women and men. Golf is cool and that is what we should be thinking about. Bring on the Golf Digest cover and forever let's respect the LPGA.
More Gregory Crawford blogs:
http://gregcrawfordbasketbal.blogspot.com
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
I am proud to say that I work around women all the time, they will all tell you I am respectful and do not make inappropriate comments ever.
With that said, why is everyone so upset that Paulina Gretzky is going to be on the cover of Golf Digest. Yes, women's golf gets short changed my many, including the media, but the LPGA has never gotten so much attention in years as it got this past week.
You have to look at the bright side, everyone is talking about the LPGA, which needs to happen. I also realize that Paulina Gretzky is not a member of the LPGA, but she has pretty famous father and she is also the fiancee of popular professional golfer Dustin Johnson.
Everyone needs to relax. I did not see the level of upset about three years past when Paula Creamer did a pretty sexy photo shoot for Golfweek.
When I go to an LPGA event, I go to watch the golf and excitement of a terrific sporting event. I have never missed the 43 years of the LPGA event in my hometown of Portland, Oregon. Yes, some men, it is obvious are just out there to watch beauty and bodies. Such is life, it will never end, this great relationship between men and women.
So let's all chill in the golf community. We have a lot bigger issues, like growing the game and making it accessible to women and men. Golf is cool and that is what we should be thinking about. Bring on the Golf Digest cover and forever let's respect the LPGA.
More Gregory Crawford blogs:
http://gregcrawfordbasketbal.blogspot.com
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Crawford's Golf Daily, for March 30th, 2014
By Gregory Crawford, golf analyst @wchoops @crawssportsbiz
Dan Hicks----It is apparent as the years go by that Dan Hicks is rapidly becoming the best golf announcer of all time. His work at NBC is nothing short of sensational, week and week out. Hicks gives you just enough each week, but not too much.
His story telling about Steven Bowditch the winner of the Valero Texas Open this weekend was at times magical. Of course it was quite the compelling story talking about Bowditch's battles with depression and how he has fought hard to overcome those issues.
NBC realizes it and all the rest of the world is starting to realize, Hicks in the best in the business.
The Masters---One guy who never falls off the map and another guy who has of late, are two players to watch in this year's Masters. Matt Kuchar, Mr. Top Ten certainly has to be one of the favorites. With five top ten finishes already in 2014, Kuchar has the ability and the mental game to win at Augusta.
It should also be noted that Jim Furyk has been playing well as of late. He knows how to win a major championship and is still capable of bringing home the big trophy, even though his play overall in the last couple of years has been "sub par", as compared to what we are accustomed too out of one of the world's best players of all time.
Pacific Northwest---It will not be long now that every golf course in the Pacific Northwest will start to plug their greens. It sometimes is a painful time for all golfers, considering the first plugging of the greens comes usually wants the weather starts to turn good. Keep in mind this is so needed to give all of us golfers great greens all the way into the fall. If you have questions, I am sure your local golf course superintendent will be happy to answer any of them.
PGA Tour---I have often written that not the now retired David Stern was the best commissioner in sports, but instead it is Tim Finchem. The way Finchem has been able to sustain the Tour through the toughest economic period this country has ever gone through and actually grow the Tour is nothing short of sensational.
Since the formation of the PGA in late 1968, after breaking away from the PGA of Amercia, the PGA Tour has had only three commissioner. Joe Dey (69-74, Deane Beman (74-94) and Finchem from 1994 to present.
Recently the PGA Tour has promoted Jay Monahan to deputy commissioner, much the same way that the NBA promoted Adam Silver to deputy commissioner early on, so that it would be an easy transition become commissioner as he is now. Nothing formal yet, but it sure would appear that Jay Monahan is the heir apparent to Tim Finchem, whenever that happens.
More Gregory Crawford blogs:
gregcrawfordbasketball.blogspot.com
crawscorner.blogspot.com
Dan Hicks----It is apparent as the years go by that Dan Hicks is rapidly becoming the best golf announcer of all time. His work at NBC is nothing short of sensational, week and week out. Hicks gives you just enough each week, but not too much.
His story telling about Steven Bowditch the winner of the Valero Texas Open this weekend was at times magical. Of course it was quite the compelling story talking about Bowditch's battles with depression and how he has fought hard to overcome those issues.
NBC realizes it and all the rest of the world is starting to realize, Hicks in the best in the business.
The Masters---One guy who never falls off the map and another guy who has of late, are two players to watch in this year's Masters. Matt Kuchar, Mr. Top Ten certainly has to be one of the favorites. With five top ten finishes already in 2014, Kuchar has the ability and the mental game to win at Augusta.
It should also be noted that Jim Furyk has been playing well as of late. He knows how to win a major championship and is still capable of bringing home the big trophy, even though his play overall in the last couple of years has been "sub par", as compared to what we are accustomed too out of one of the world's best players of all time.
Pacific Northwest---It will not be long now that every golf course in the Pacific Northwest will start to plug their greens. It sometimes is a painful time for all golfers, considering the first plugging of the greens comes usually wants the weather starts to turn good. Keep in mind this is so needed to give all of us golfers great greens all the way into the fall. If you have questions, I am sure your local golf course superintendent will be happy to answer any of them.
PGA Tour---I have often written that not the now retired David Stern was the best commissioner in sports, but instead it is Tim Finchem. The way Finchem has been able to sustain the Tour through the toughest economic period this country has ever gone through and actually grow the Tour is nothing short of sensational.
Since the formation of the PGA in late 1968, after breaking away from the PGA of Amercia, the PGA Tour has had only three commissioner. Joe Dey (69-74, Deane Beman (74-94) and Finchem from 1994 to present.
Recently the PGA Tour has promoted Jay Monahan to deputy commissioner, much the same way that the NBA promoted Adam Silver to deputy commissioner early on, so that it would be an easy transition become commissioner as he is now. Nothing formal yet, but it sure would appear that Jay Monahan is the heir apparent to Tim Finchem, whenever that happens.
More Gregory Crawford blogs:
gregcrawfordbasketball.blogspot.com
crawscorner.blogspot.com
Monday, March 24, 2014
Crawford's Golf Daily, For March 24th, 2014
By Gregory Crawford, Golf Insider @wchoops @crawssportbiz
Gregory Crawford has been in golf business for 45 years, both on the business side and media side. He really wants to bring you the best in golf news, six days a week, taking every Tuesday off. This column will always be interactive, so please feel free to comment in the section below.
The New Guys---Are we really seeing the end of the Woods and Mickelson era in golf with all these new great players? I would have to say a strong maybe and want your opinion on the matter.
For my money the greatest new player on the scene is Jordan Speith, followed by Jimmy Walker, Patrick Reed and of course yesterday's winner, Matt Every, a really talented player.
Will Woods and Mickelson win again. Of course they will, but even a better question, will they win big again and will either player win another major. It is doubtful, but not out of the realm of possibility.
Clubs and Balls----What is your favorite model of clubs and what golf balls do you use on a regular basis if that is the case?
gregorycrawfordspeaks@gmail.com
Gregory Crawford has been in golf business for 45 years, both on the business side and media side. He really wants to bring you the best in golf news, six days a week, taking every Tuesday off. This column will always be interactive, so please feel free to comment in the section below.
The New Guys---Are we really seeing the end of the Woods and Mickelson era in golf with all these new great players? I would have to say a strong maybe and want your opinion on the matter.
For my money the greatest new player on the scene is Jordan Speith, followed by Jimmy Walker, Patrick Reed and of course yesterday's winner, Matt Every, a really talented player.
Will Woods and Mickelson win again. Of course they will, but even a better question, will they win big again and will either player win another major. It is doubtful, but not out of the realm of possibility.
Clubs and Balls----What is your favorite model of clubs and what golf balls do you use on a regular basis if that is the case?
gregorycrawfordspeaks@gmail.com
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