Stephan Ames won The Players Championship with confidence and precision shots I haven't seen in awhile from a third-round leader. What struck me was what he said during his interviews after the third round and before he teed off on Sunday. He repeated if he stayed committed to every shot, he'd do well.
He did just that. There was never a hesitant swing (except one putt on 10) or sense of indecision. His caddy-brother surely helped Ames with his comment, "Have fun with the shot!"
We can apply the wisdom of the Ames brothers to our business lives and our golf games: Commit and have fun with it!
Monday, March 27, 2006
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Sabbitani Slow Play Snafu - Round 2
Rory Sabbbitani made his dislike for slow play known when he teed off his ball on the next hole while Ben Crane (Sabbitani's playing competitor) was still putting out. On Thursday at The Players Championship, Sabbitani was put on the clock with playing partners Nick Faldo and Camillo Villegas. Sabbitani accused Faldo of slowing down play on purpose.
Sabbitani refers to Faldo's comments during the Nissan Open where Faldo suggested the way to beat Sabbitani is to slow him down. I didn't hear Faldo's remarks and he denies he played slowly intentionally. Instead Faldo explained they slowed to look for Villegas's lost ball and then got back on pace.
I don't particularly like Sabbitani, but he makes a good point about slow play. “When people say, if they are paired with you, that they will slow-play you, it leaves a lot of questions about their morals and professionalism,” said Sabbatini. “It is a matter of respect to your partners and the rest of the field.”
I hope Nick Faldo didn't slow play Sabbitani. So many golfers need to learn how to keep up the pace and keep rounds to four and one-half hours.
Sabbitani refers to Faldo's comments during the Nissan Open where Faldo suggested the way to beat Sabbitani is to slow him down. I didn't hear Faldo's remarks and he denies he played slowly intentionally. Instead Faldo explained they slowed to look for Villegas's lost ball and then got back on pace.
I don't particularly like Sabbitani, but he makes a good point about slow play. “When people say, if they are paired with you, that they will slow-play you, it leaves a lot of questions about their morals and professionalism,” said Sabbatini. “It is a matter of respect to your partners and the rest of the field.”
I hope Nick Faldo didn't slow play Sabbitani. So many golfers need to learn how to keep up the pace and keep rounds to four and one-half hours.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Take a Deep Breath
If you saw Greg Owen's three-putt on 17, which caused him to lose Arnold's tournament, you can feel his pain. I was watching the tournament after playing a wet, muddy round at my club. When he missed the first putt and immediately stood over the second putt, I yelled, "Take your time!"
Unfortunately, he didn't.
If you're working on a tight deadline, and things fall apart, say you can't find a document you thought you saved, it's best to take a deep breath and step back. Rather than randomly pushing different keys and getting angry, you need to push away from your keyboard. You might find it by doing a search of your hard drive, or the worst outcome, you'd have to re-compose the document.
The important thing is if you keep your head, you'll have a better chance to get that deadline met and make that comeback putt.
Unfortunately, he didn't.
If you're working on a tight deadline, and things fall apart, say you can't find a document you thought you saved, it's best to take a deep breath and step back. Rather than randomly pushing different keys and getting angry, you need to push away from your keyboard. You might find it by doing a search of your hard drive, or the worst outcome, you'd have to re-compose the document.
The important thing is if you keep your head, you'll have a better chance to get that deadline met and make that comeback putt.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
LPGA Tournament Thoughts
I flipped onto Golf Channel to watch some of the LPGA MasterCard Classic tournament and to my surprise I saw Annika getting into a golf cart. In fact, she was driving and her caddy was the rider. Apparently because of the elevation changes at the course, carts were allowed.
I chuckled to myself because when I speak to professionals I suggest that they drive if they're the host of a business golf round. The goal is to build a relationship and treat your guest well that day.
To see Annika driving, just showed who is in charge and is in the power position. I would have thought her caddy would drive, like he carries the clubs ordinarily, and she's thinking about her upcoming shot rather than maneuvering the cart.
As to seeing the carts in an LPGA tournament, it also surprised me to see that carts were even being used. I certainly remember the lawsuits over Casey Martin riding in PGA tournaments because of his illness that causes excruciating pain in his leg. I can't help but feel three-day tournaments and carts for players are not promoting an image of the LPGA as being on par with the caliber of competition in the PGA (at least that's what the LPGA and some players would like).
I chuckled to myself because when I speak to professionals I suggest that they drive if they're the host of a business golf round. The goal is to build a relationship and treat your guest well that day.
To see Annika driving, just showed who is in charge and is in the power position. I would have thought her caddy would drive, like he carries the clubs ordinarily, and she's thinking about her upcoming shot rather than maneuvering the cart.
As to seeing the carts in an LPGA tournament, it also surprised me to see that carts were even being used. I certainly remember the lawsuits over Casey Martin riding in PGA tournaments because of his illness that causes excruciating pain in his leg. I can't help but feel three-day tournaments and carts for players are not promoting an image of the LPGA as being on par with the caliber of competition in the PGA (at least that's what the LPGA and some players would like).
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Let's Talk Business Golf on Monday, March 13th!
On Monday, March 13, 2006 at 6 p.m. PST (9 p.m. EST), I'm having a one-hour teleseminar call. It's free. If you ask me a question at www.asksuzannewoo.com, I'll answer it during the call.
I won’t help you hit the ball farther, or help you sink those 20-footers, although I play to a 13-handicap and am the 2004 women’s club champion at her club, Mira Vista Golf and Country Club in El Cerrito, California. But I can answer these questions:
I'll answer your question during the one-hour free teleseminar. Here’s the call-in information:
Date: Monday, March 13, 2006
Time: 6 p.m. PST (9 p.m. EST)
Phone: 712-580-0100
Access Code: 841845# (Enter this number when prompted.)
NOTE: Please call in a few minutes early. The call will start
according to www.time.gov.
I won’t help you hit the ball farther, or help you sink those 20-footers, although I play to a 13-handicap and am the 2004 women’s club champion at her club, Mira Vista Golf and Country Club in El Cerrito, California. But I can answer these questions:
- When are you ready to play golf with clients and prospects?
- Why should you play business golf?
- How good of a golfer do you have to be to play business golf?
- What mistakes must you avoid while playing?
I'll answer your question during the one-hour free teleseminar. Here’s the call-in information:
Date: Monday, March 13, 2006
Time: 6 p.m. PST (9 p.m. EST)
Phone: 712-580-0100
Access Code: 841845# (Enter this number when prompted.)
NOTE: Please call in a few minutes early. The call will start
according to www.time.gov.
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