Ultimate springtime golf fitness tips for "real" golfers

By Tim McDonald,
National Golf Editor

For those of you unfortunate enough to live in the North, you must be salivating at the thought of the spring golf season.

Hold on, Tiger. You ain't the man you used to be. You can't just jump up and go straight to the golf course after a long winter of sloth and mold.

Now, you will find any number of charlatans willing to sell you their total golf fitness regimens. These sleazoids always assume you're a golfer interested in a cleaner, healthier way of living and golfing. I've seen you out on the course, and I know that's not the sort of thing you're "into."

So here is my total golf fitness regimen for the "real" golfer:

• For God's sake, you have to strengthen your core! This involves eating really hard food, like jawbreakers. Eat a bag of those and have your neighbor punch you in the gut to see if your core is all it can be.

Options: Month-old fudge, Purina Dog Chow, pine bark.

• You also have to really work your obliques, I mean really work the hell out of them. Here's the perfect exercise for that. Lie flat on your back with knees bent slightly wider than your hips. If you have really fat hips, you're either going to have to really stretch your knees like in a cartoon, like The Elastic Man from India, or just skip this exercise. In fact, if you have really fat hips, just skip playing golf, nobody wants to see you out on the course.

Now, you slim-hipped people reach your hands to the ceiling like you're crying out for the Lord Jesus Christ to spare you from your miserable existence. You can hold light hand-weights, or not. What do I care? Lift your head and chest toward the ceiling and rotate to reach both hands just outside of your fat, right knee. Repeat on the left side. Now, take a breather. Ask Christ for forgiveness.

• Breathing exercises: Breathing properly and deeply is critical, especially for those tense moments on the course when normally you would start crying.
This deep-breathing exercise involves attending your local adult movie house, or calling up one of those sites on your Internet browser. Follow your instincts. It's either that or follow mine, and then you're looking at jail time.
• Horizontal abduction/adduction: I can't give you much help here, because I always get "horizontal" confused with "vertical," and I have no idea what adduction is. Who came up with that word, anyway? It's a stupid word and should be eliminated from the English language, if it's even English.

• Standing hip rotation: Don't do this. It makes you look like a girl.

• Alcohol fitness: How many times have you lost $2 Nassaus because while you were getting hamboned, your playing partners were just holding up that bottle of Jack Black pretending to drink?

Well, no need to waste good liquor. You can still drink and maintain your competitive edge. You just need to build up a tolerance. Stand upright in a dark closet, with a wide stance, and suck it down. Keep drinking until your wife leaves you.

• Aerobics: Ha! Don't make me laugh. This is golf!

• Putting: Don't bother to practice putting. Putting in golf is overrated. I play golf maybe 200 times a year and I've yet to meet anyone who can putt. You either make it or you don't. If you miss, just keep putting until the ball goes in the hole. Simple.

• Seniors: As we age, our bodies react differently, so seniors must prepare for golf differently than young punks. An important thing to remember is that there is an inverse relationship of increased ear hair to laughably short drives off the tee.

So keep those ear hairs trim and neat. If you're proud of your thick mane of ear hair, don't sweat it. If you're short off the tee, you're probably small in other areas, and I think you know what I'm talking about.

• Excuses: A healthy psychological outlook is a must for Better Golf. If you can convince yourself that the snap hook you hit into the weeds over there is not your doing at all, you'll retain the confidence needed to excel in the game.

The first time you smack one of your all-too-typical lousy shots, turn to your playing partner and snarl," "Will you stop that!" Look at him, looking all hurt and everything. Who would have thought golf fitness could be so much fun?

• Torque development in the downswing: This is so important, I can barely contain myself. This is vital to any golfer who has ever wanted to improve his score. You could even say it is absolutely critical in terms of reaching your full potential as a golfer and knowing what it is to be truly human.

• Alignment and posture: Face the target squarely and stand erect, with your rump jutting out slightly. Feels a little silly, doesn't it? Can you think of another situation in life where you would position yourself in such an odd manner? I can't.

Immelman’s Steely Nerves Win Masters

Trevor Immelman's swing has been compared to Ben Hogan by one of golf's great players, Gary Player, a three-time Masters Champion.

There is another quality Immelman shares with Hogan that until Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club probably had not received enough attention.

Hogan, also a Masters Champion, was recognized as golf's Wee Ice Mon for his steely nerves. Immelman demonstrated over 72 holes at Augusta National that he has the same kind of determination and cool demeanor.

Immelman shot a final-round 75 Sunday for a 280 total, eight-under-par, and a three-shot victory over four-time Champion Tiger Woods. It is the highest final round score by a winner since Arnold Palmer shot 75 in 1962.

Immelman made it look easy at times, but everybody knows winning the Masters certainly is anything but. He showed resolve and perseverance at every turn. When he needed to hit a key shot or make a clutch putt to ward off challengers, he did. It was quite a display of golf.

Immelman underwent surgery last December 18 to remove a non-cancerous tumor lodged beneath his ribs. He didn't touch a golf club for six weeks and then only was allowed to hit a few pitches and chips.

Now, less than four months later, he is at the pinnacle.

"I made a pretty fast recovery, got back out on tour eager to play, but my game wasn't quite there," he said. "I wasn't happy with the way I was playing. I felt I had to start from zero again. Here I am after missing the cut last week Masters Champion. It's the craziest thing I've ever heard of."

Immelman knew the conditions would be difficult, with a blowing, swirling wind.

"It was a tough day out there," Immelman said. "I knew it was going to be tough out there for us and I knew I had to stick to my game plan, play one shot at a time, and just be tough. I'm proud of myself for doing that.

"This has been the ultimate roller coaster ride and I hate roller coasters."

Two American challengers with six Masters titles between them - Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson - were poised to challenge Immelman but came up short.

They shot even-par 72 in the final round. Woods was runner-up by three shots; Mickelson finished at 286, six strokes behind the winner.

"I just didn't quite have it this week," Woods said. "I didn't make the putts I needed to make this entire week."

Mickelson, winner in 2004 and 2006, posted three rounds at par or better, including a second-round 68. His inability to play the par 3s with efficiency was costly. He made double-bogey and bogey the final two rounds at the 16th hole. He also had two bogeys each at the par-3 sixth and 12th holes.

"I hit two good shots today and made bogeys on four and 16, putting them in a tough spot and three-putting," Mickelson said. "Another three feet and the ball could have rolled down and I could have had a good opportunity (for birdie) both times. Some of it might have been play but some of it might have just been unfortunate."

Mickelson's most unfortunate break came at the par-5 eighth hole during Saturday's third round. His third shot hit the flagstick and caromed away. Instead of a short birdie putt, he three-putted. His charge had ended and try as he might, there was little he could do in the final round.

"I was hoping to make more of a run than I did," Mickelson said. "But it was a tough day and I felt like I had to fight pretty hard to keep it around par. But I certainly had some chances that could have brought it lower. It just doesn't look like it would have been enough anyway.

"I thought I struck the ball pretty well this week and it's encouraging that playing the majors I'm striking the ball better than probably I ever have. My chipping came around this week. It hasn't been where I wanted it."

Vartan Kupelian is the golf writer at The Detroit News.

Wetterich's mission: master the weekend

Jupiter's Brett Wetterich found out last year why there's only been one player to win the Masters in his first try in the past seven decades.

Few pro golfers have had a wilder ride than Wetterich in their first trek to Augusta National. The Jupiter resident was tied for the first-round lead with Justin Rose at 69, then shot a 73 to take a one-shot lead after 36 holes as he tried to join Fuzzy Zoeller (1979), Gene Sarazen (1935) and Horton Smith (1934) as the only rookies to win the Masters.

But Wetterich's lack of course knowledge caught up with him on the weekend. He closed with rounds of 83 and 77 to finish tied for 37th. Still, he has learned something important about himself as he prepares for a return trip for this week's Masters.

"I know I have the ability to play that golf course," Wetterich said by phone Friday from Humble, Texas, where he is playing in the Shell Houston Open. "It's obviously one of the tougher ones we play all year. It was nice to play well the first two days and have a chance on the weekend. At least I didn't play horrible and was back home after two days."

Wetterich knows all about making quick transitions. In late 2005, he was back at the PGA Tour's Qualifying School after he lost his card, but less than a year later he was representing the United States on the Ryder Cup team. That's how quickly things can change in this game.

But there's no bigger stage in the golf world than the Masters. Having a chance to lead the most famous golf tournament for two days is an experience few pros enjoy. Wetterich still laughs when he tells a story about how a buddy of his was in the Florida Keys last year when he asked a guy at a bar who was leading the Masters.

"When he was told it was 'some guy named Wetterich,' he was like, 'Are you kidding me?' " Wetterich said. "That was the one of the neatest things - I did lead the Masters for two days. It's documented. Nobody can take that away from me."

But Wetterich thought for several months this year he wouldn't get a return trip to Augusta National because he was told he likely would need season-ending surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He admitted the prospect of no Masters hurt him almost as much as the shoulder.

"I was really down for a while, because I didn't think I would be able to play this year, and who knows if I would ever get back," Wetterich said. "Ever since that tournament ended last year, I've really been looking for my chance to go back."

Wetterich admits he learned plenty last year. He said his biggest mistake was to try and pretend this was just another golf tournament on just another golf course. That obviously is not the case.

"The first couple of days I got by because I was hitting the ball good and making some key putts when I needed to," he said. "But it caught up with me on the weekend. This course is so totally different than any one we play on Tour. I can't play as aggressively as I normally do by going at pins. I'm still going to be aggressive when I can, but you've got to pick your spots."

At 34, Wetterich believes he'll have more return trips to the Masters. But who knows how many chances he'll have to contend? There's plenty of top pros who had that one chance at the green jacket but never got another sniff. At least he won't be as wide-eyed this time around.

"Last year was a great experience," he said. "To have that many eyes watching me was a pretty neat thing. I can't wait to get there."

Hoover captures Ladies Club Championship

HOOVER CAPTURES LADIES CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

Sonja Hoover overcame two double bogies on par 3's in the final round to win the 2007 Ladies Club Championship. This was Hoover's first club championship title. Peggy Radcliffe finished second with former champion Suzi Davis in third.

RESULTS:

GROSS DIVISION:

1st Sonja Hoover, 2nd Peggy Radcliffe, 3rd Suzi Davis

NET DIVISION:

1st Van Perkins, 2nd Dorothy Maurer, 3rd Maggie McGory

Sheila Johnson Adds Fla. Golf Resort to Portfolio

Black Entertainment Television co-founder Sheila C. Johnson, who has ownership stakes in three Washington professional sports teams, yesterday added a PGA Tour championship golf course in Florida to her hospitality company's growing portfolio.

Johnson's Salamander Hospitality bought the the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Tampa for $35 million from Golf Trust of America, according to a spokesperson for Johnson. Golf Trust, founded in 1996, is a publicly owned company that manages upscale golf courses.

The move is the latest in a series of acquisitions by Johnson, ranging from a multi-million dollar investment in the sports teams to an upscale food service and high-end resorts.

Prem Devadas, president of Middleburg-based Salamander Hospitality, which is Johnson's holding company for her resorts, said Innisbrook's golf locale will dovetail with the celebrity glamour generated by Johnson's interests in Washington sports teams. Johnson is part-owner of the Washington Capitals, the Washington Wizards and the WNBA Mystics.

"Innisbrook now gives us a property that we envision becoming one of the top golf destinations in the country," Devadas said. "A hospitality company with that type of diverse portfolio is what we set out to do and we are in a growth mode. I expect in the next five years, we are going to add several other very special properties to our portfolio."

That marketing strategy was in evidence at Monday's announcement, which was attended by former Washington Redskins Darrell Green, Art Monk and Charles Mann.

"She is one of the most interesting people in Washington," said Carol Joynt, owner of Nathan's Restaurant in Georgetown and host of an online interview show. "She is a house on fire. When you've got money, you've got to spend it."

Innisbrook is a 900-acre resort with four golf courses, and is consistent with Johnson's latest ventures into tourism and entertainment. The resort's signature course is Copperhead, which hosts the PODS Championship event.

Johnson plans to renovate Innsbrook's tennis and fitness facilities and develop a luxury spa in the next two years.
Johnson's company is currently developing Salamander Resort & Spa, a 168-room luxury resort on 340 acres in Middleburg, Va., scheduled to open in the fall of 2009. Salamander Hospitality also owns and operates Woodlands Resort & Inn, near Charleston, S.C.

Salamander Management Services, a subsidiary of Salamander Hospitality, is helping develop the Royal Cosmopolitan Hotel in New Orleans, and The Colosseum in Blacksburg, Va. The company has also launched a division of gourmet prepared food markets called Market Salamander with locations in Middleburg and Palm Beach, Fla.

Johnson two years ago bought into Lincoln Holdings, the umbrella company AOL mogul Ted Leonsis formed several years ago for his local sports team interests, which includes the Capitals, Mystics and minority shares in the Verizon Center and Wizards. Johnson holds the titles of president, managing partner and governor for the Mystics.
--Thomas Heath

Argos Finish Third in the Samford Intercollegiate Golf Tournament

ONEONTA, Ala. - In a field of predominately Division I opponents, the Argos out-shot fourteen teams, and finished just behind New Orleans and Eastern Kentucky. The Argos team score of 867 was only seven strokes behind New Orleans, and just four strokes back of Eastern Kentucky. Meanwhile, Tobias Rosendahl (Fr. / Haljarp, Sweden) had the best individual round of the tournament, with a seven under par, 65, to climb all the way into second place overall. His outstanding round helped the Argos out-shoot every team except New Orleans in the final round.

Josh Gallman, from USC-Upstate, was the overall winner with an eight under par, 208 total score. Gallman put together rounds of 69, 71, and 68 to capture the title. Rosendahl tied for second place overall with Trey Bowling (Eastern Kentucky) and Hector Arias (New Orleans), with a total score of six under par, 210. Rosendahl's third round score of 65, was one stroke better than Bowling's round of 66, also in the final round.

The West Florida team was in fourth place after round one, only four strokes behind the team leader Eastern Kentucky. West Florida had a team score of 292, while EKU led with a 288, and USC Upstate and New Orleans are tied for second with a team score of 289. The host school, Samford, was fifth with a score of 295, which put five schools within seven strokes of each other. At the end of round two, the Argos had slipped to fifth place, but within eight strokes of leader Eastern Kentucky. New Orleans was in second place, and they would surpass EKU in the final round, while the Argos would surpass both USC-Upstate and Samford in the final round.

Matthew Galloway (Sr. / Valrico, Fla.) recorded a hole-in-one during round two, on his way to a second round score of 75. Galloway would finish the third round with a one under par 71, for a combined score of 220, which tied him for 16th place overall. Meanwhile, Otto Bonning (Fr. / Skanor, Sweden), recorded the second best round for UWF, with his two under par, 70, during round two. Bonning would finish the tournament tied for 29th best, with a total of 224.

Kyle Scott (Fr. / Edenvale, South Africa) and Federico Damus (Sr. / Posadas, Argentina), had the Argos best scores in round one, with even par scores of 72. Scott would finish the tournament tied for 23rd best, with a six over par total of 222. Meanwhile, Damus put together a strong final round score of 73, which helped the Argos to catapult past two teams in the final round. His total three round score of 227 was good for 40th best in the tournament. Seventeen teams and 88 total golfers teed off on the 6,987 yard par 72 course. The outstanding finish by the Argos, followed previous tournament success that included a team victory in the Argonaut Invitational, and an individual championship for Matthew Galloway, in the tournament at Lakeland, Florida last month.

Golf: Norman, Dye play new Tuscany Reserve

Pete Dye was amazed. He may have been impressed by his co-design of Tuscany Reserve with Greg Norman. But it was the condition.

Specifically, it was the seadwarf paspalum, a saltwater-tolerant grass on the Tuscany Reserve layout in North Naples, that the noted architect couldn’t stop raving about during an appearance at the 2-year-old course on Friday.

“I haven’t seen a golf course like this anyplace in the world in as good a shape and condition as this one. Ever,’’ Dye said. “I mean anyplace. Really. And I’ve seen a few.’’

So has Norman, who enjoyed working with Dye at The Medalist, Norman’s course on the East Coast.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of Pete’s, ever since day one when we worked on The Medalist,’’ Norman said after playing the course with Dye. “To hear what he sees, it’s just phenomenal. I watched him go around today and he’d kind of disappear and go look at something. You say ‘OK, now, what’s he looking at?’ He’s got that mind that continually works and works and works.’’

The appearance of Norman, 53, and Dye, 82, came less than two months after the reported sale of the property ended. In early January, an e-mail was sent to the prospective buyer from a community sales agent saying developer WCI Communites Inc. “is no longer looking to sell it” and that marketing is gearing up again.

WCI invested hundreds of millions in the community to create an authentic Tuscan village with arched stone bridges, towering fountains, pavers and lush landscaping, including an impressive barrier berm of bushes and trees facing Interstate 75.

Later in the afternoon, Norman and Dye met with members, and WCI executives David Fry and Ed D’Alessandro.

Friday capped a big week for Norman. A week ago, he played in the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico on a course he designed. It was his second PGA Tour event of the season — the most official events since he played two on the PGA Tour and two on the Champions Tour in 2005.

He’ll also play in the BMW Asian Open in Shanghai in April, and would like to play in the British Open and Senior British Open in the summer.

“In May, I might try to play a couple,’’ he said, before catching himself. “I’m getting too far ahead of myself. I feel like I’m back on the tour.’’

Earlier in the week, Norman found out he’ll get to be closer to the tour.

He was named the captain of the International Team for the 2009 Presidents Cup at Harding Park in San Francisco. Fred Couples will captain the U.S. Team.

The PGA Tour runs the Presidents Cup, meaning Norman dealt with commissioner Tim Finchem, with whom he’s had a frosty relationship over the years.

“Very good dialogue with Finchem for about two weeks,’’ Norman said. “I’d ask him questions and he’d come back with the answers and I’d have more questions after the answers. The process was handled well, professionally. That’s why, at the end of the day, after sitting down and figuring it all out, it was probably the right decision to make.’’

Norman wanted to make sure everyone was aware of what the expectations were for him and of him, and how those would fit in with his various business and golf interests.

“I do travel a lot, a little different than Freddie in that regard,’’ Norman said.

The Presidents Cup will be in October, less than two months before Norman’s Merrill Lynch Shootout at Tiburon in North Naples. Couples has been a frequent competitor in the unofficial PGA Tour event as well.

Woody Austin and Mark Calcavecchia won the two-person event over Norman and Bubba Watson in December.

“I still continue to get notes from players or volunteers or corporate sponsors,’’ Norman said. “All of the players write back and say what a great week it was. We always try to make the next year better than the year before.’’