Sergio v. Tiger

If you follow golf, then you know that there is a war of words between Sergio, Tiger, and now even the marshals at The Players.

Sergio accuses Tiger of pulling a club when Sergio was in the middle of his swing causing fans to cheer. That disturbed Sergio, who hit a bad shot and now blames it on Tiger's poor sportsmanship.

I saw Sergio's shot live, but it didn't show where Tiger was in relation to Sergio. Apparently he was 50 yards away. Tiger thought Sergio had already hit and supposedly asked a marshal.

Now the marshals are in the controversy. Did they or did they not tell Tiger that Sergio hit, etc.?

I want to scream, "Children, stop, sit down, and be quiet!"

First, Sergio should have just talked to Tiger about Tiger's supposed rudeness. He didn't have to air what happened to the media and try to get sympathy. Sergio likes to play victim. Remember his comments after the Masters two years ago that he wasn't good enough to compete any longer?

Second, if Sergio was disturbed by the cheer, he should have stopped his swing midway. Tiger didn't blame the dragonfly on 14 that interrupted his swing. He stopped midway and then swung again. His shot then went into the lake, but we don't hear him complaining about the dragonfly.

Finally, Sergio needs to take responsibility for his bad shot. This isn't the first time I've seen a crowd cheer in the middle of a player's swing. Although the crowd may be on another hole, Tiger was half a football field away.

I try to like Sergio, but he needs to grow up. I've seen him spit in a golf hole, break a television camera, and now whine about Tiger. It didn't surprise me that he dumped two shots in the water at 17. He won't win a Major until he matures and stops being the victim. He doesn't need a swing coach. He needs a therapist.

Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer

I'm sure you've heard that saying and may be using "enemy" is too strong of a word. Possibly it's a client you're having issues with or a competing FA.

Numbers 1 and 2 in the golf world, Rory McIlory and Tiger, respectively, kept their enemies close last week.

After both were eliminated in Round 1 of Match Play, they played two rounds together at Tiger's course. Tiger says they're friends, and they also fierce competitors.

But I'm sure each learned about the other and developed a comfort zone with the other. I suspect that will make each play better the next time they meet in a tournament.

Do the same with your problem client or fellow competitor-FA... play a round and talk about how you might work together better, or develop some sort of unofficial partnership.

Four to five hours together during a round will relax both of you and give you a chance to figure out how to work together more efficiently and effectively.

This weekend we may see Tiger and Rory playing together in the Honda Classic.

Thursday: Golf Channel, 3-6 p.m. ET

Friday: Golf Channel, 3-6 p.m. ET

Saturday: Golf Channel, 1-3; NBC, 3-6 p.m. ET

Sunday: Golf Channel, 1-3; NBC, 3-6 p.m. ET

Accenture Match Play Starts Today

Most PGA Tour tournaments start on Thursday. And most are stroke play instead of match play.

Although it's Wednesday, the Accenture Match Play tournament starts today.

In case you don't know the difference... in stroke play, the lowest total strokes determines the winner. In contrast, in match play, the winner is the golfer who wins the most holes played. So a high score on one hole isn't the end of that player's tournament. He just lost that hole.

The leaderboard shows who is up, down, or whether the match is all square. If you see a player's name and 3 and 6, that means that player is leading by 3 with six holes to play.

Playing a match play format is different than stroke play. You should try it if you get a chance.

Here are the T.V. times for the tourney:

Weds, 2/20 - First Round
Golf Channel -- Noon to 6 p.m. ET

Thurs, 2/21 - Second Round
Golf Channel -- 1 to 6 p.m. ET

Fri, 2/22 - Third Round
Golf Channel -- 2 to 6 p.m. ET

Sat, 2/23 - Quarterfinals
Golf Channel -- Noon to 2 p.m. ET
NBC -- 2 to 6 p.m. ET

Sun, 2/22 - Final 4, Championship
& Consolation Matches
Golf Channel -- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
NBC -- 2 to 6 p.m. ET

Enjoy!

To your success,
Suzanne
ROI Golf Strategist

P.S. It's not too late to start using golf as part of your business repertoire. Let's talk to get you on course for success!

Kangaroos Take Over The Australian Open

When playing at a course that I suspect has snakes, alligators, or any other critter that can cause me pain, I will announce to my playing partners that I'm not looking for lost balls. Sorry, but it's just not worth a golf ball or even a penalty stroke.

Now I'll add kangaroos if I'm playing in Australia. I've visited Australia, but didn't play on that trip. I've seen them and they're cute. We were also warned though that they'll attack if frightened. Australian-native Karrie Webb of the LPGA tour knew what to do, which was patiently wait for the kangaroos to leave the hole.

FAs, Why You Should Play Golf for Business

This weekend is the Northern Trust Open. This tournament is played at the famed Riveria Country Club.  

The top 10 wealth manager, Northern Trust, has made a decision to invest in golfers. They've spent millions for the title sponsorship and t.v. advertisements during the tournament.

Northern Trust is obviously looking to attract the higher-than average net worth golfers as clients for their wealth management services. If you're not playing golf to gain new clients, why aren't you? Why miss having target-rich golfers as clients?

Here's the schedule to watch the tourney:

Times are ET.

Thursday: GOLF -- 3-6 p.m.

Friday: GOLF -- 3-6 p.m.

Saturday: GOLF -- 1-2:30 p.m., CBS -- 3-6 p.m.

Sunday: GOLF -- 1-2:30 p.m. , CBS -- 3-6 p.m.

Enjoy!

How Not to Behave with Clients or Friends

Sergio Garcia was a rising star when he started playing in his late teens. His challenge of Tiger at Medinah and that shot from the tree put him on everyone’s radar.

But in the last few years, he’s on our radars not because of his great play, but because of his bad behavior. Spitting in the hole at Augusta National, of all places, destroying a TV microphone, and other incidents of bad behavior for any golfer, but worse when it comes from a pro.

Here’s his latest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvpYlyc8PFg

Think Golf Is Too Quiet and Stodgy?

Golf has a reputation of being uptight and stiff.

Fans aren't screaming before the pros take their swings and aren't waving their arms to block their shots.

That all changes this weekend at the Waste Management Phoenix Open...

The 16th hole is the best tailgate party in golf. The most monetized one, too. There are 177 skyboxes surrounding the 16th... the most of any of the tournaments.

Fans harass and boo the pros at will. When Tiger got an ace there, the place rocked.

If you can watch TV coverage of at least the 16th hole, do so! Your clients and prospects who love golf will be talking about it.

Here's the TV schedule:

Thursday: GOLF -- 3-7 p.m. ET

Friday: GOLF -- 3-7 p.m. ET

Saturday: GOLF -- 1-3p.m. ET, NBC -- 3-6 p.m.

Sunday: GOLF -- 1-3p.m. ET, NBC -- 3-6 p.m.

The 16th hole action will get you ready for the Super Bowl.

Enjoy!

P.S. WARNING! This weekend's 16th is an anomaly in golf. Don't try this with your clients, prospects, and COIs.