Arms wide open on No. 14 at Cabot Links

I know you’re dying of anticipation to hear about our glamorous boondoggle to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, but you’ll have to wait just one more day (or two — there are several parts because of all the great content I collected)! I’m sorry for all the teasing, but sometimes things get in the way.

I’ve been happy to hear the enthusiastic response from WUP’s Facebook and Twitter followers, especially people who have already looked into planning a trip to Cabot Links — “The Bandon of the East” (Mike Keiser, the guy behind Bandon Dunes, is one of the guys behind this project…) — when it officially opens next year (including one of my heroes!). (continue reading…)

Like I said, I’m late for the group whiskey tasting soiree (we’re staying at a Whiskey Distillery in Cape Breton Island), but I just wanted to post a few teaser pics from my round at Cabot Links this afternoon — which I thoroughly enjoyed despite the cold weather and my back pain. The course isn’t finished yet — only 10 holes opened to the public in July — but we had the privilege of playing all 18. (continue reading…)

I drove out to Southampton on Tuesday to play National Golf Links of America, which has a Gatsby-esque feel to it – vintage, charming, posh (but understated) and all that jazz. Thanks to loyal reader and host Scott, it was the third time that I’ve played NGLA, my favorite course, yet only my fifth round of the year (sad, I know). (continue reading…)

On the tee with Tiger

When my friend Jeff called and asked if I was available on Tuesday morning to take part in David Feherty’s IED of Golf, which is put on by Feherty’s foundation, Troops First, in conjunction with Jeff’s, No Greater Sacrifice, I said yes without hesitation. Jeff added there was one catch — you have to stay radio silent about the event until afterward and you can’t disclose the location.

Sure, no problem. (continue reading…)

Almost Garrigus'd! Okay, 20 yards short.

I’ll start with the highlights — there weren’t many from my round on Monday at Congressional Country Club. I ended with the best drive I’d hit all day and almost knocked it into the walkway on the 18th (a la Robert Garrigus). I was standing close to the 150-yard marker and hit a 7-iron with my typical draw to the front of the green. “Roll!” I yelled. Yeah, that wasn’t happening.

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Our fivesome on 18 tee at Pebble Beach (photo via http://peiphoto.smugmug.com)

It really doesn’t get much better than spending four-ish days in December playing golf and hanging out with new and old friends at Pebble Beach Golf Resort for a wonderful cause. Before the Lexus Champions for Charity festivities began, I wrote that Christmas came early when I got to watch some old friends earn their PGA Tour cards at Q-school. Then I experienced it all and I left Pebble, thinking, “Wow, Christmas happened again!” and “Did I seriously ever question accepting the generous invite?” (Yep, I’m a moron.)

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No. 9 tee at Pebble Beach

As you know, I was at Pebble Beach Golf Resort, writing about my experiences playing golf (Spyglass Hill, Spanish Bay and Pebble Beach) and the other activities happening at the Lexus Champions for Charity tournament. The trip was courtesy of Lexus, which has brought in myself and Shane Bacon as their bloggers to cover the event (hooray for new media!). Check out more info on the charity event that has raised more than $135 million. For more pictures and updates, follow me on Twitter and join the WUP Facebook page.

It’s true what many people say about playing Pebble Beach for the first time — the “awe-factor” of the experience is so intoxicating that it makes you practically blackout. Since I covered the US Open six months earlier, I had been recalling those great memories for a few days. I’d walked the course so many times that I had the layout memorized. I felt like I kind of knew it, but obviously, I also knew that I was going to be playing Pebble from a different vantage point in entirely different conditions.

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An ace wins this Lexus on No. 16 at Spanish Bay

As you may know, I’m spending the rest of the week at Pebble Beach Golf Resort, writing about my experiences playing golf (Spyglass Hill, Spanish Bay and Pebble Beach) and the other activities happening at the Lexus Champions for Charity tournament. The trip is courtesy of Lexus, which has brought in myself and Shane Bacon as their bloggers to cover the event (hooray for new media!). Check out more info on the charity event that has raised more than $135 million. For more pictures and updates, follow me on Twitter and join the WUP Facebook page.

For some reason, when there’s been a Lexus parked at a tee box of a par 3, I’ve had success in my flag-hunting pursuits. Apparently I really, really want to win a car that I’m not eligible to win because I’m not technically a competitor in the tournament. So I just enjoy the idea of holing out only to feel like I’ve been deprived of capturing an $80,000 prize. Totally sick, I know! Actually, I just want that damn bow. I mean, if I can’t have the car, the red bow is the second best thing.

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Group pic: Kirk of Lexus, me and Shane Bacon

As you may know, I’m spending the rest of the week at Pebble Beach Golf Resort, writing about my experiences playing golf (Spyglass Hill, Spanish Bay and Pebble Beach) and the other activities happening at the Lexus Champions for Charity tournament. The trip is courtesy of Lexus, which has brought in myself and Shane Bacon as their bloggers to cover the event (hooray for new media!). Check out more info on the charity event that has raised more than $135 million. For more pictures and updates, follow me on Twitter and join the WUP Facebook page.

It only took 20 hours to get from Orlando (via NYC via delays to SFO via traffic to Pebble) to the Inn at Spanish Bay on Wednesday. But when I walked into my room and saw the fire place, that was enough to make the long trip worth it.

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