Thursday, February 12, 2009

The Commish, Pinehurst And Other Matters

Now on the tee, the Commish.

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem is combining work and play this week by teeing it up in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Finchem is paired with Davis Love III, who he’s been fishing and skiing with but, until Wednesday, had never played golf with.

Finchem was convinced by AT&T executive Randall Stephenson to play in the celebrity-heavy pro-am this year.

“It makes you nervous to go out and play with these great players and being nervous is kind of fun,” said Finchem, who carries a six-handicap.

Finchem doesn’t have to worry about attracting the biggest galleries along the Monterey Peninsula. The Fred Couples-Justin Timberlake pairing will draw the most attention.

-- How would you like to win unlimited golf at Pinehurst for a year? It’s being offered as part of a promotion this spring at the resort. From March 8 through May 30, Pinehurst is offering an unlimited golf package which allows players access to all eight courses with unlimited play. The cost starts at $515 per night and includes the golf, a room, full use of the practice facilities, the resort’s exceptional breakfast buffet and dinner. As for the contest, registration is open at www.Pinehurst.com/sweepstakes and the winner will receive unlimited golf for two plus other exclusive benefits at the resort from June 1, 2009 through May 30, 2010.

-- It will be interesting to see how Phil Mickelson plays this weekend, given his flat start. I’m not buying into suggestions that Lefty has begun a slow fade into mediocrity. I still think he has another major win or two in him but it has been surprising to see him struggle as he has.

-- It should be a nice evening in Pinehurst Friday when the Carolinas Golf Association celebrates its centennial with a dinner featuring its 2008 players of the year, a number of former champions and guest speaker David Fay, the executive director of the United States Golf Association.

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