Yep, as sad as this may be...playing too much golf has made me really lazy about my golf game. It seems that the more I play, the lazier I get about what I'm doing! When I practice, I usually practice with a purpose. Since I've been playing so much, I haven't really practiced AND therefore, I haven't played the way that I should be playing. Is that strange? I think it is.
The other byproduct of so much play is that I have been far too tired to sit for long hours at the keyboard and share my experiences. Therefore, I have also been a bad blogger! Of course, if you follow my blogs, you already know this. Here is some good news...I'm off the course for awhile (my choice) and I will be at the keyboard to bring you all the news and Nut Stories and some truly amazing "stuff." Of course, most of you are all out playing as well, so I haven't gotten a lot of grief for being so behind!
I promise, more articles, features, products and Golf Nut "firsts" over the weekend, so check back!
The Head Nut #0001
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Written by Head Nut
Monday, 04 May 2009 11:50
Dear Golf Nut Family,
Look, I know that times are
tough and money is really tight but sometimes we need to give until it hurts to
help someone who really needs it!
I added the Mark Snodgrass Foundation Benefit Golf
Tournament to my own event schedule because I know this young man personally
and he NEEDS OUR HELP.
Imagine yourself, or one of your own kids, at age 9 being diagnosed with
a malignant, recurrent brain tumor. Pretty devastating, huh? Now imagine you
are 20 years old (almost 21) and you have gone through six (6) surgeries for
the removal of the tumor since the initial diagnosis. Yet, despite this entire
adversary, you are still hanging-in and even playing golf when the effects of
chemotherapy allow.
As you can imagine, the road Matt has been forced to
walk has been difficult and very expensive. Here's where you come in. At
Dragon Ridge Country Club on May 29, 2009, the 2nd Annual Matt
Snodgrass Foundation Golf Benefit will take place. It just so happens that
May 29 is Matt's 21st birthday as well! MATT NEEDS YOUR HELP! THE TOURNAMENT NEEDS PLAYERS! THE TOURNAMENT
NEEDS TEE SPONSORS!
Look guys and gals, it is time
to step up and help. It is time to put another's need before our own and get
involved. I can tell you, because I know Matt, that he'd do it for you. You can
visit the Desert Duffers Home Page at http://www.desertduffers.comand get signed up to play! You can also
go to www.mattsnodgrass.orgor contact Sharman Snodgrass, Matt’s mom, at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or call (702)498-9303.
This is the last time I'll ask.
I know you will all do the right thing! I hope to see you there on May 29, 2009
at Dragon Ridge Country Club. I know I’ll be there!
Michael Donovan - Head Nut #0001
Last Updated on Monday, 04 May 2009 12:18
Why Does Everybody Want to Kick My Ass!
Written by Head Nut
Tuesday, 28 April 2009 09:12
Three Rounds of Misery Ended With a Full-Out Ass Kicking!
I love Match Play. I believe it is the best competitive format in golf. I usually play quite well in any Match Play competition. So, with all that being said, I GOT STOMPED this weekend at Dragon Ridge's Annual Match Play Championship!
My first opponent was Dr. Bob Goudge. I really like playing golf with Bob, he is a genuine nice guy and I have never seen him "lose it" on the golf course. Sometimes it is more difficult when you are playing against someone you really like. However, Bob and I are both competitive and even though neither of us played very well, Bob was able to out-grind me for a 4 & 3 victory in the very first match. The only good news was that my loss sent me into the afternoon "consolation" round. Here's a news flash for whoever named it a "consolation" round... it isn't any consolation to know that you now are in the "LOSERS BRACKET."
My afternoon match was against Dennis Fleischer. Our match was a back and forth affair, with neither of us able to get more than a +1 advantage. The other two players in our 4-some seemed to be rooting hard for Dennis, making me wonder even more why people enjoy seeing me get my ass kicked so much? Finally, on the 18th hole, I ended the match by sinking a five foot Par putt after Dennis dropped an 18 footer for his par. We tied the hole and I won the match one-up meaning I got to get up early on Sunday and play for pride and, if I won, $25! Yipppeee!
My Sunday match was against #6356 Stan King. Stan is a Golf Nut, Dragon Ridge Member and a Realtor and a good stick! We tied the first hole. That was all the good news for me on the front 9. We made the turn with Stan holding a 6-up lead! I have never been that far down in ANY match-play...EVER! It was starting to look like I'd be getting home in time for the first NBA Playoff game. But, golf is a funny game. I hitched up my pants like Arnie...tugged my shirt sleeve like Tiger and drilled a perfect drive on #10. Stan hit a serviceable drive, about 10 yards behind me. His approach looked like it was about a foot from the hole. No worries... I dropped a Gap Wedge just outside his shot. I missed my birdie putt and Stan drained his to put me 7 holes down with 8 left to play.
I find that players with a big lead sometimes lift their foot off your throat just enough for you to make a comeback. My run started on #11. I won 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Suddenly, I am 2-down with 3 to play. We tied 16 when I missed a short putt for Par and Stan closed me out on 17 where we both made Par.
Even though I lost, I was happy with myself for not giving up. There is a lesson in there somewhere. I guess it is that no "lead" in golf is a "safe" lead until the round is over. Stan played great shooting 1-over on the front and I also played great with a 1-over on the back. In the end, he had simply won more holes and that's what Match Play is all about. When I asked him what he would have done if I had come back to win, he let one picture speak a thousand words...
And the Winner is...
Written by Head Nut
Monday, 13 April 2009 08:29
At a time when Golf needed a shot-in-the-arm, the "Powers that be" at August National Golf Club made all the right moves. With Mother Nature lending a helping hand, the golf course was set up magnificently for the 2009 Masters. The course played the way so many of us remember it playing when Norman dueled Price. The roars, that were such news prior to the tournament, were clearly audible and defined each great moment, each spectacular shot.
Media pundits have siad that the Masters "ended on a downer note," nothing could be more incorrect. The Masters ended with the last man standing raising his right arm, fist clenched, and firing a punch in the direction of the Golf Gods. Argentina now has a Green Jacket because Angel Cabrera overcame the Golf Gods and his own demons to win the 3-Man Playoff against Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell.
Sure, there was plenty of excitement earlier in the day, most of it generated by the World's #1 and #2 golfers, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. In the end it simply set the stage for another head-scratcher of a finish, the type that makes golf the amazing game it is and the Masters golf's premier tournament. From my point of view, the Masters was Kenny Perry's tournament to win or lose after his spectacular shot and kick-in birdie on #16. On that same hole Cabrera made a difficult birdie putt to remain two strokes behind. That putt would loom large as events unfolded on the final two holes. Wether it was nerves, we'll never know but following a perfect drive at 17, Perry struck his approach shot which, if just hit to the center of the green, would have pretty much assured Kenny Perry a Green Jacket and his 1st Major Championship. Everything that happened fro that point is prologue.
Our 2009 Masters Champion is Angel Cabrera! Our 2009 Masters Champion overcame a flubbed chip, a SHANK, and a solidly struck tree (thank you Golf Gods and Happy Easter) to earn his 1st Masters and 2nd Major. A victory for every golfer. A testament to resilience and perseverance.
Now, on to the Golf Nuts 2009 Masters Challenge... no playoff here! The winner is
John L. Eichenlaub #4046. John's nickname is "Ike" and he plays out of Eagle Creek in Norwalk Ohio.
Head Nut's Blog 
