NARUO GOLF CLUB, JAPAN

Naruo Golf Club, Japan. The first hole pictured here on the left. One of the most historic courses of Japan. Beautiful looking. Nope I've never been to that country, one day I'd like to visit with my clubs, and an appetite for real Japanese food.

How did I get to looking at this golf course? I was just browsing the net looking at international courses, playing roulette in my mind..(don't ask).. and Japan was what popped up. And the course that came up when I hit the computer button, Naruo was the course that came to view. I scrolled their website and found some interesting information on Japanese golf.

Excerpts from NARUO GOLF CLUB

The origins of golf in Japan can be traced back over a century to a small private course in Kobe’s Rokko mountains. During the Meiji Period, many Europeans and Americans lived in the bay-front foreign settlement in Kobe, introducing various aspects of foreign culture into Japan.

The British-born trading merchant Arthur Hesketh Groom (1846–1918) built a summerhouse atop Mt. Rokko, an area he chose for its peace and quiet as a perfect location for social gatherings. There he built a four-hole golf course. Two years later, in 1903, he expanded the course to nine holes and founded the Kobe Golf Club, the first golf club in Japan.

The Naruo course was steadily expanded, and in 1924 a full 18 holes were completed. But in 1927, severe economic constraints forced the course to be shortened to nine holes.

The Club members were desperate for a new course, so they entrusted its development to the Club’s most stalwart members, the Crane brothers—Joe E., Harry C. and Bertie E. Crane. Every weekend the brothers inspected candidate sites all over the Kansai area until they happened upon the location where the present course was built.

Harry C. Crane had long sought validation of his course by a famous golf course designer. In 1930, Charles Hugh Alison came to Japan to design the Asaka course for the Tokyo Golf Club. He also designed golf courses in Hirono and Kawana. Crane asked Alison to survey the Naruo golf course and offer recommendations. Alison spent a full week on the project in early 1931. In his report he wrote, “The skeletal construction uses the site’s features well, and no changes are required.” At the same time he submitted detailed recommendations to improve 16 of the 18 holes.

In the mid-1990s Naruo became internationally famous through photos taken in May 1992 by the well-known golf photographer Brian Morgan. Morgan was the official photographer for the four major worldwide tournaments and a master of his craft. His shots of Naruo, taken with great skill and discerning perspective, make the course come alive, artistically depicting one of Japan’s oldest courses with grace and dignity.
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PHIL Leads at Pebble

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Phil Mickelson stayed away from all the celebrity commotion Saturday at Pebble Beach. More importantly, he stayed away from bogeys on the toughest day.

Mickelson took only 21 putts and shot a 6-under 66 to take a two-shot lead in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, leaving him one round away from tying the record with his fifth victory at this event.

"It's fun to be back in the thick of it," Mickelson said.

It's his first 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour since the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion. Mickelson has gone 52 events worldwide since his last victory at Muirfield in the 2013 British Open that gave him the third leg of the Grand Slam. It is the longest drought of his career.

He was at 16-under 199 and led by two shots over Hiroshi Iwata of Japan, who had a 69 at Spyglass Hill.

FROM PGA.COM

Here's a reason why I like Phil, although I have never met the guy. I met a few guys that played on the PGA Tour. I met Davis Love 3, the first time was at one of the Mercedes Championships out at Kapalua. I just asked him, "Hey Mr. Love how'd you shoot today?" and he barked back, "Hey it's just a game!" At that time, I had no idea he played like crap that particular day, oops sorry.

And that year when Vijay Singh lost at another Mercedes Championships, I just joked with him, "Hey Vjay stop pouting, you just made more money than me and six of my friends put together for a year." He gave me that look like he wanted to chop my head off.

So I see commercials and interviews of Phil, and he seems like a together dude, like if we were in Little League he'd be the all star pitcher, but his mom was the coolest and they'd take you to get ice cream cones before going home after practice. Phil, looks like you could go up to him even if he lost in sudden death and go, "Hey Phil, maybe you need a new putter, hahahaha!" And he'd be all, "Yeah right? Have a nice day Ron."

Ron Sambrano- Golf Blogger.

CASEY MARTIN

Casey Martin, remember him? He made headlines back in the day, because of a defect in his right leg, that limited him on the golf course. 
Casey is from Eugene, Oregon, he stands 6-2, weighs 170 lbs. Turned pro in 1995. He played briefly with Tiger Woods at Stanford. He successfully sued the PGA Tour for the right to use a golf cart during tournament play. He was a hot topic for many 19th holes around the country. I even remember almost getting into a fight with my good friend Ben who defended him in using the cart, I felt for Casey but said, if that's the case, then if some free safety in the NFL one day would be able to have some handicap system in football to his advantage. Or some major leaguer might have an extra strike instead of three because his eyes can't focus. My point was back then, and still to this day is I don't think in that case, he should have had the right to use a cart. I don't know. Call me mean, call me heartless, but I just did not see that. But God Bless him.

This is a post for those who were wondering, "Hey what happened to Casey?"

Ron Sambrano
Golf Blogger

1964 ARNOLD PALMER GETS A GREEN JACKET

You heard of the sports fan that jumps the bandwagon, he follows the teams that win, like after the Broncos won the Super Bowl last week, although he was a fan of the Panthers, for half of 2015, he buys a Broncos cap and jersey. Fake, fake, fake, fake. Like Elaine Benes on Seinfeld when she told Jerry she never had an orgasm with him. Funny ___! 

Well when I was a kid, my favorite golfer was the guy that won the Masters. Haha, I was a bandwagon jumper at a young age. Well, here's something me and Arnold Palmer have in common. I was born in 64, and that's the year Arnold won a green jacket at Augusta National. Check out his scores that year.

RD. 1- 69
RD. 2- 68
RD. 3- 69
RD. 4- 70
F at -12 

But what's really interesting is this, he won like $20,000. Is that like 4 million today? I don't know but that's some historic stuff here folks. Arnold Palmer was the designer of the Bay and Village Golf Courses just 10 miles from my house at Kapalua. He's a legend for sure. That year he beat the likes of Dave Marr by 6, Jack by 6, well he just kicked everybody's ass that year. 

1964 he became the first four-time winner at Augusta National. And he didn't have adjustable drivers back then, in fact they used restricted flight golf balls. Haha. You ever looked at Arnold Palmer? He could have been a western cowboy actor killing Indians and fist fighting with John Wayne. But he's a good commercial actor.

Ron Sambrano
Golf Blogger

MOPPIN NEAR AUGUSTA NATIONAL

Moppin (to stuff one's face, pig out, eat without shame, nothing goes to waste on a plate of food), this is a verb, let's use this word in a sentence.

"We went to Frog Hollow Tavern in Augusta, Georgia. And everything we ordered we went moppin! Chucky even licked his plate!" 

I know the Masters is a few weeks off, but why not hype it up early right. And yours truly is here on the Valley Isle Maui, Hawaii. I ran into some folks from Georgia and I asked them if they played golf, and they said they do. I asked if they ever played at Augusta, and the two men in their late 40s laughed. "Yeah right, we aren't connected and we don't make enough money, we stick to the public courses."

These two guys were big Falcons fans and Bulldog fans. Georgia bred, all that good Georgia stories they were telling me. One guy named Brad said he and his dad went to the Masters a long time ago when Freddy Couples won the Green Jacket. Hey that was in the 90s sometime. So besides these Georgia boys playing golf on Maui, they were raving about the good fresh fish we got here. "You guys got fresh ahi, I love it." Well, we do ahi well, we know our fish, we'll eat it prepared anyway, raw, poke, grilled, whatever and wherever ahi is, we will eat it.

So with the Masters over a month away, I had to ask, "Hey Brad where's a good place to eat in Augusta?" He looked at me and said, "Frog Hollow Tavern, good food man." The other guy's name was Jimmy he agreed. "Yeah Frog Hollow."

Ok, so I went online to check out this Frog Hollow Tavern these men spoke of. And voila I found it on Google, Yelp and Trip Advisor.

Check out this pic below it's a Sugar Roasted Duck Breast 

Frog Hollow does catering up to 1000 at a time now that's some action!

Now I don't know what this is, but it sure looks good, looks like a good cut of beef

Ok, if I ever get to Augusta one of these days I'll go check this place out. They are located at 

1282 Broad St. Augusta, GA 30901, Ph: 706-364-6906 

Click this link for more info FROG HOLLOW TAVERN

I just checked out their website, and I went straight for the Large Plates. One of the dishes I would try is the Maple Leaf Farm's Duck Breast for 24.00, with warm Brussels Leaves Salad, Roast Organic Beets, Pears, & GA Pecans. Local Turnip Puree, Spiced Cherry Vinaigrette. 

Or the Braised Berkshire Pork Shoulder for 22.00, with Smoked Tomato Pork Jus. Smoked Gouda Mac n Cheese. Port Wine & Vinegar Braised Collards.

Or the Angus Cowgirl Ribeye for 32.00, with Creamed Kale Twice Baked Russet Potato. Meyer Lemon Chive Marrow Butter. Sauce Bordelaise. Woo that's some rich stuff!!!! Love it, anything with _____aise at the end sound delicious.

Well go check it out, if you decide to travel to Georgia and feel generous, buy my plane ticket, and I'll need per diem, and a rental car so I can do my own thang.

2016 MASTERS TOURNAMENT

Augusta National Golf Club the host of golf's most iconic tournament on the PGA Tour, will be happening this year from April 07-10, 2016. I was looking at some of the prices to get into the tournament, and this is what I found. For the Executive Club Hospitality it can run $1293.75 per guest on Thursday, $1251.25 on Friday, $1,336.25 on Saturday and $1,421.25 on the final round Sunday. 


Those prices aren't expensive for the people with the money, it's like me giving a homeless guy .25 cents to help him out. Would I pay that much to watch a tournament? Probably not, even if I had that kind of money. In fact watching golf on t.v. is easier, I'd save that money and buy something else. But for me, the only time I'm really interested in watching golf, is watching any of the four majors. Not a LPGA fan, but watching the men play at that high level is like watching the Final Four, the Super Bowl, or the NBA Finals.

Last year's winner Jordan Spieth set a milestone for himself by beating Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose by four shots. Still a young man on tour, can Jordan (Green Jordan) win it again this year? With March Madness around the corner which is one of my favorite sports tournament, and right after that it's the Masters, t.v. sports is good, something to look forward too. I love the Super Bowl, but I can do away with all that hype and marketing crap. At least the Final Four and the Masters is a little bit less in your face. Just a thought on the Masters today as I drink my coffee.

Ron Sambrano
Golf Blogger

BOMB TECH THE NEW KID ON THE TEE BOX

Bomb Tech is the new kid on the tee box, I have yet to sample this cool looking driver. I'd like one, hope maybe Sully the designer can send me one, and we can video tape me swinging it despite I got a bad back and heading down the home stretch to the old age of 52 in like 6 1/2 months.

BOMB TECH GOLF

BOMB TECH GOLF
CLICK THIS LINK

Check out the video guys of Bomb Tech Golf.

What looks interesting is the color scheme, the green stands out, it's totally branded. Like KTM dirt bikes with the orange branding. This product is well thought out, I would not mind sampling one of these. Remember, I live on Maui in Hawaii, and the trade winds can crank up big time. I'd take this puppy out to the Kapalua Village Driving range where the wind blows into your face about 85% of the time at various speeds.

Then I'd have a couple of Kapalua Golf Pros (Troon) taking it up to the Plantation Golf Course and rip this thing down the 18th! With a slight breeze behind those guys can really rope it close to the green. Me, I'd take a while with my bad back but WTF, this thing looks juicy man.

Click the link and check it out.

Ron

Golf Blogger.

JAN T STEPHENSON WAS A REBEL ON THE LPGA TOUR

In the 70s there were a lot of manly looking LPGA golfers, but when Jan Stephenson who was on tour did this cover, it made a lot of us curious boys choke on our cheeseburgers and sodas, "Wow! Boobies!!!!" Jan did some risqué things back then, I remember one article she said that she loved to get dirty! Hmmm, of course when we were little curious kids, we were like, "She likes to get dirty." But it took one of our older buddies to tell us, "You stupid kids, she likes to ___________, __________."  We were like, "ooooooooo...oooooo."

m.ebay.com

Jan in a May 1977 Issue of Sport

Jan in the modern day

Born December 22, 1951 (64)

Height: 5-5

Nationality: Australia

Residence: Florida

College: Hales College

Turned pro: 1973

Professional wins: 26

LPGA Tour wins: 16

Ladies Euro wins: 1

LPGA of Japan wins: 2

ALPGA Tour wins: 2

Other: 5

Majors (3 wins)

1982: Women's PGA C'ship

1983: U.S. Women's Open

1981: du Maurier Classic

Check this classic video out

MEG MALLON

I remember at one time in sports history, the name Meg Mallon was always on the news, she was on the leaderboard most of the time. Meg Mallon. Now days with so many young women professionals out there from all over the world I can't really keep up with who's who on the LPGA Tour. 

She was at the top of her profession in the 90s and in the beginning of the 2000s, winning a few major championships.

Meg as born in Natick, Massachusetts, on April 14, 1963.
Height: 5-6
College: Ohio State University 
Turned pro: 1987
Retired: 2010
Total Professional wins 20
Best Player of the Year 1991
LPGA William and Mousie Powell Award 1999

She has garnered 18 LPGA Tour Victories

And 4 Majors.
- LPGA Championship in 91
- U.S. Women's Open in 91 and 04
- du Maurier Classic in 2000
Solheim cup 1992, 1994(winners), 1996(winners),1998(winners), 2000, 2002(winners) 2003,2005(winners)

The girl could play. 

WORKING THE BAG ROOM AT THE KAPALUA BAY COURSE

It was a long time ago. Let's just say when we blasted the FM radio when we were done at work as the sun set we'd have the cold brews going, and these are the songs that were being played.

Jeremy- Pearl Jam
Under The Bridge- Red Hot Chili Peppers
One- U2
Come As You Are- Nirvana
Friday I'm In Love- The Cure
Everybody Hurts- R.E.M.
Nothing Else Matters- Metallica
Steam- Peter Gabriel
Mama I'm Coming Home- Ozzy Osbourne
Let's Get Rocked- Def Leppard

Okay so now you know I'm an old fart! But hey working there for over a year was the best freeking job in the world. First of all I was a lame golfer, and quite frankly still am. But when I worked there with my friends, Weasle, Willy, Ben, Rafter, Porter, Eddie, Ben H. it was fun. I got pretty good playing because I hung around the teaching pros who were cool. We'd go out and play nine after the early shift ended, got free lessons, all it cost was beers at the bar. Well, looking back all those beers added up but what the hell we had fun.

I remember one time, the D.O.G. (Director of Golf's dad) was in town from Chicago, I don't want to disclose his name for obvious reasons. I'd need all those legal papers, "Hey can I write about you?" Nah.. this is safer. But anyhow, they had a local PGA Section tournament that was held at the Bay Course. Lots of local pros from all of the golf courses in Hawaii. So it was busy, besides those guys, there was the regular resort golfers we had to service. 

But Joe comes in from Chicago, and he's got beers. We were all thinking, "Joe's got beers, but we can't drink we're on the clock." But Joe's all cool, "C'mon, help me drink this before it gets warm."

Well, his son is the D.O.G., and he's on the course someplace playing in the tournament, what if he stops by real quick for business, after all he's also on the clock so to speak. So Rafter is this guy from Cincinnati, loved the Reds and was one of my pals at work. "Hey Ronnie, let's drink this beer real quick!" "Okay shit might as well." So we took the beers Joe handed everyone (on the clock) and took it to the back where the ball washer was. So we started laugh at the fact that Joe the father of our boss is giving us beers during work hours. Rafter chugs his real fast, and I do as well. 

Now if you didn't know unless you've worked there or played there a lot, the ball washer is right below the 10th tee box. And guess who was there watching us chug the brews? You guessed it, it was Joe's son our boss the D.O.G., all he did was shake his head, and teed up. Joe was a cool guy.

FABIAN GOMEZ WINS THE SONY OPEN

So it wasn't Zac Blair or Brandt Snedeker that is the 2016 SONY OPEN Champion but Fabian Gomez in sudden death. He shot a 69-64-65-62 for a 260 Total. It was the 37 year olds second win in his PGA career.

In his bag.
Taylor Made Aero Burner TP (9 degrees, Matrix Ozix 7x4 White Tie X shaft) driver.
Taylor Made Burner Super Fast 2.0 (15 degrees, Oban Devotion 80X shaft) 3 wood
19 degrees Taylor Made Hybrid, R15 TP Rescue,
4-9 Irons: Taylor Made RS i2 True Temper Project X Rifle 6.5 shafts
48 degree wedge Taylor Made RSi2
52 degree wedge Titleist Vokey SM4
60 degree wedge Titleist Vokey SM4
Putter: Titelst Scotty Cameron Newport 2
Ball: Titelst Pro V1x

Winnings $376.193

Current ranking: 19

WIE AND LEADBETTER

Michele Wie is working with David Leadbetter. According to Michele she's starting from scratch with some injuries Leadbetter wants her to be more natural. I thought she was? Then again what the hell do I know? Aren't all LPGA pros natural? If I had a natural swing, I'd be doing a golf gig somewhere. That's what I thought, that her swing was natural.

I guess she's paying Leadbetter a lot of money to coach her into 2016. Let's see if that shit really works. I could watch her swing for half what she's paying Leadbetter. Of course that would never take place just saying.

I

BLAIR & SNEDEKER SHARE THE LEAD AFTER 3 ROUNDS AT THE SONY

Brandt Snedeker shot a -4 at Waialae C.C. for a total of -16 for the first 3 rounds, right next to him sharing the lead is Zac Blair who shot a-6 and is at -16 for the tournament. The final round should be interesting as Si Woo Kim is at -14 for the 3 rounds and shot a -5 today. Kevin Kisner shot a -3 today to share the -14 spot with Si Woo Kim.

Fabian Gomez is at -12 at four back. Seven others are at -11 for the 3 rounds. A few birdies by the close followers, and some miscues by the two leaders can prove to be a very intriguing last round before the players head back for mainland soil.

On a good note, non of the players got drugged and tossed in a car's trunk and then tossed on to the back streets of Honolulu early in the morning.

2016 NEW MODELS THE CALLAWAY XR16 DRIVER

2016 is here, and the new drivers are out for you golfing fanatics. Need a new driver to help with your game? Maybe you just need practice. When was the last time you bought a driver last year? C'mon guys I'm being real, it's not the arrow it's the Indian. It's not the ____ it's the _______. 

Just kidding. We are going to talk about the long stick, the big boy, the driver. Today's blog post is all about Callaway's new XR16 driver.

At $349.00 retail, the XR16 driver is designed to produce lots of speed through the swing with lots more forgiveness than the last  model.

Boeing helped with the new shape of the crown supposedly to create 30% less air drag than the last XR driver. The club face is thinner and 9g lighter than the last model. This helps to increase the ball speed, while it enhances the MOI and forgiveness. 

The pro model comes in 9 degrees and 10.5 degrees loft that's adjustable

The Fujikura Evolution II TS 665 shaft is standard. 

I never tried this one out yet, but for me I just need a better back, and knees. Here's a sample video.

Ron Sambrano, Golf Blogger check out Facebook/golffiends

BRANDT SNEDEKER LEADS BY 1 AT THE SONY

Brandt Snedeker leads by 1 at the Sony Open at Waialae C.C. on Oahu. "Hey Brandt just don't go to any f...ing strip clubs, stay near your hotel, and avoid foul play on the streets like that Aussie last year. Keep your nose clean and you may win this thing."

Here's what the Friday's leaderboard looked like.



Snedeker - 12
Kisner - 11
Z. Johnson -10
Donald - 10
Blair - -10
Reavie - 10
Pierce -9 
O'Hair - 9
Kelly - 9
Hoffman - 9
Kim - 9
Summer hays -8
Hahn -8

For more go to PGA

THE BALATA GOLF BALL

PHOTO FROM TITLEIST GOLF.
(THIS BLOGGER IS NOT MAKING MONEY OFF OF THIS POST)

Remember the Balata golf ball? Back in the 90s when I worked at Kapalua Golf Club, all the pros had these balls in their bags, and one pro told me, they are great around the greens, the good player could control his shot better as opposed to the shitty hard balls I would play with. And when a pro gave me some old balatas to play with I would slice those mother f...ers up badly. The outer skin was soft, even a good player couldn't keep a ball for too long it would get all out of whack. Titleist made these balls, but I was instructed by the pro to at least buy the red box 90s, the distance ball. At my caliber at the time, those distance Titleist were great, I was a lousy golfer, so any ball felt great, any ball fresh out of a sleeve. But as I got somewhat better, and I mean very slightly, I started to use the balatas. I'd get ridiculed for doing that.

"Hey Ron don't waste your money on that man, I understand you're breaking 90 now, but still man you don't need the balata golf ball."

"Oh no worries, because I'm taking these balatas out of the pros bags, you know one by one and little by little, just like a sneaky accountant padding her retirement fund, a little at a time, no one knows."

LEE TREVINO

Lee Trevino was one of my favorite golfers, why? Because he had character. In fact I met him one time when he played in a tournament in Kaanapali, Maui. He had his caddy with him, and I walked to them and said, "How's Mr. Trevino." He looked at me and said, "Call me Lee." So I called him Lee. 

So he was asking me all kinds of questions, he was a laid back guy, in fact he had a little bottle in the golf cart. Let's just say, it wasn't organic cleanse. His caddy was the wide body Herman Mitchell, he was huge like a lineman in the NFL. So they're asking me where to eat, like I'm their good friend or something. They're laughing and joking around, a few cuss words thrown in. I was like, "These two mother fuckers are pretty funny."

So I'm telling them where to go and eat, but Herman looks at Lee and says, "How about some fried chicken?" And Lee looks at him and goes, "Shit yeah, fried chicken, that sounds good fried chicken." And for like two minutes the both of them were talking about where on the tour they got good fried chicken. After their banter, Herman looks at me and goes, "So where can we get good fried chicken?" And Lee chimes in right after that, "Yeah were can we get good fried chicken, not this resort shit?" So I told them to go to Kentucky Fried Chicken in Lahaina. Herman looks at me and goes, "You got a Kentucky Fried Chicken here?" And then Lee says,"Yeah you guys got a Kentucky Fried Chicken around here?" And I'm like, "yeah three miles in Lahaina, across from the post office."

"Hmm, sounds good," said Herman.

"Yeah, that really sounds good," said Lee.

"Okay after we get done, let's drive to Lahaina, to get some Kentucky Fried Chicken."

"Okay, let's do that. Hey Ron thanks for the tip."

I'm thinking, Lee Trevino is a fucking millionaire golfer, and he's going to buy Kentucky Fried Chicken? I mean they were seriously happy that a Kentucky Fried Chicken existed on Maui. They seemed like they couldn't wait for the round to start and end so they could stuff their faces with original and extra crispy fried chicken.

Ron Sambrano Golf Blogger

GREEN JORDAN TAKES HOME THE PINEAPPLE

Photo from golf digest.com

Green Jordan takes hold of the first PGA W in 2016, tying El Tigre for the most wins at his age, 7 tour victories before the age of 23... that my Golf Fiends is a feat, a milestone to reckon with. No, there will only be one Tiger Woods, and I really don't think any of these young guys will catch his record. They'll make a serious run in their careers, but Tiger's records won't be touched for a long time.

Of course I could be dead wrong, I could be very very wrong. But I do believe I'm right, Tiger was one of a kind, like Jordan..Michael that is had Kobe chasing his mark of championships, his Airness is safe. But let's celebrate Green Jordan, he finished in convincing fashion at Kapalua on Sunday at minus 30 for the four rounds, and minus 6 for the day. The man was a machine out there for four rounds, the closest competitor was Patrick Reed at minus 22 for the four rounds, that's eight back, and that's a pretty good margin of victory. It's like an NFL team smoking its opponent by 35 points or something in the fourth quarter.

What Kapalua needs to give the winners is a golden pineapple and an Aloha shirt, if the Masters got a green jacket, give em an Aloha shirt. Who's got the pull in the tournament for 2017? Let em know Ron said that.

JORDAN "GREEN" SPEITH'S VIDEO ON HIS SWING IN SLOW MO

Watch the soon to be winner of the 2016 Hyundai Tournament of Champion's swing in slow motion. I used to have this swing guys. Yeah right in my dreams!

GREEN JORDAN STILL LEADS AT KAPALUA

scoreboardtx.com

Green Jordan still leads big through 15 at the Planation Course for this year's 2016 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Currently at -28 for the tournament, Patrick Reed is 6 back after 16 holes. Looks like Green Jordan will win once more and be back again in 2017!

GREEN JORDAN LEADS HYUNDAI

Air Jordan? Nope it's Green Jordan, Jordan Spieth that is, after 3 rounds he leads the 2016 Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

Today he shot a -8, to stand alone the leaderboard at -24, he leads by 5 strokes over Keopka, 6 over Reed, and 9 over Snedeker, and Gomez. Tomorrows final round should be interesting, if Jordan can maintain his control, he can win this years tournament. Koepka and Reed have a shot, they'll need to play exceptionally without error and hope Jordan has a few bad holes. These are tournaments that can offer some drama. Watch the tournament on NBC Sports and enjoy.

I DID DRIVE THE 18TH IN TWO AT THE PLANTATION!

PHOTO from puunoa.com

The 18th hole at the Plantation Golf Course in Kapalua is drivable in two. With a good strong trade wind at your back, the wind from God up above, anything's possible.

I was playing the course back in the 90s, yeah I'm old so piss off you young shit heads! I played with a club pro, and the wind was blowing probably in the mid 30 mph range. He tells me, "Ron, tee it up high, and aim for the clubhouse, just rip it high!" So I do, with my Freddy Couples Lynx Parallax driver, 10.5 degree loft, medium flex shaft, Foot Joy Dry Joys on my feet, a McGregor glove, a Kapalua shirt, Levi's Docker shorts, a Lynx visor (when I had hair).. I rip the shit out of the ball. From the men's tees not the back ones. But that ball traveled, it flew like an eagle. I heard Steve Miller's band singing, "Fly like an eagle, eagle let your spirit carry me." I saw the ball bank off the slope on the right, then rolled left, and kept a rolling. Then I heard Tina and Ike, "Proud Ronnie keep on rollin!" haha, I was a champ! That ball went a mile. Then I hit a seven to the green. But ended up with a bloody double bogey. My friends. Stay thirsty for golf!

Ron Sambrano

Blogger

PATTY LEADS AFTER THE FIRST ROUND AT THE HYUNDAI

After one round Patrick Reed leads the Hyundai Tournament of Champions at the Kaplaua Plantation Course. Right behind him is fellow Americans Jordan Spieth one behind at -7, Brandt Snedaker at -6, J.B. Holmes also at -6. Danny Lee also is tied at -6. Fabian Gomez is the sole -5, with five golfers at -4 that includes Watson and Fowler. Seven golfer are at -3 including five time winner in 2015 Jason Day.

Reed's -8 totaling 65 for the day was the best and he and Jordan Spieth will be playing partners for the second round. Reed is the defending tournament champion. Reed converted on hole 18 for an eagle, that gives the golfer tons of confidence on the next round, and we've all watched what confidence can do to past PGA champs, they may seem cocky, but that's the way you need to be if you want to remain focused. 

LPGA HOTTIES

This is for all the guys out there, who is your favorite LPGA hotty? If you had a chance to take out any one of the LPGA tour players, if she wasn't taken, and of course you as well, which ones would you ask out?

GO TO MY FACEBOOK GROUP PAGE Facebook/Golf Fiends and add it to the timeline.

2016 HYUNDAI TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS KAPALUA PLANTATION COURSE

Who's going to win this years' tournament at Kapalua? I will put all of my money on Jason Day winning the whole thing. I just feel it, he's going to tear it up big time. My predictions are as follows.

Round 1: Jason shoots a -5

Round 2: Jason shoots a -4

Round 3: Jason shoots a -6

Round 4: Jason shoots a -5

He shoots a 20 under championship!

That is my prediction.

Question: Hey Ron are you at the tournament?

Answer: No, my blogging prowess doesn't meet the media standards set by the PGA I guess, I couldn't get a media pass. But don't worry fans, I'll be blogging the same stuff the real media is putting out, I'll just put my own funny ass spin on it alright? Good.

DAVID DUVAL 1997 TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

The 1997 Tour Championship close to 20 years ago, when David Duval had a game. David was not one of my favorite players to watch, he came across as some arrogant prick head! Fuck him! I never liked that dude. Working out at Kapalua for one Mercedes Championships, I had to drive several amateurs that paid good money to play in the pro-am, I forgot what year this was, but what these fat cats were saying about Duval made my feelings reality.

These were some of the comments I heard as I drove them up to the Plantation Golf Course out in Kapalua.

1. Guy doesn't say "Hi" when meeting his amateurs, very cold.

2. Acts like a kid.

3. Down right rude and doesn't understand that sponsors and the amateurs have a hand in his livelihood.

4. He's a jerk.

Well, maybe during those years he had shit on his mind, or he was socially inept. We Hawaiians see through bullshit. Leave your drama at home, everyone's got it, if you can't be friendly stay in the house and don't come out. As far as the fat cats that got the money for those pro-ams, Mr. Duval was just a down right prick!

If I made shit loads of money swinging a golf club, I'd be the happiest dude on the planet, these Bozos should count their blessings that they are doing something they love to do and paying the bills doing it. 

Ron Zambrano

Golf Blogger

FREDDY COUPLES, BOOM BOOM & KAPALUA

In the early 90s, I worked at the Kapalua's Bay Golf Course bag room, washing carts, shoes, and helping wealthy guests have a good time on the course. Back in the day Mark Rolfing created that after regular season golf tournament, at one time it was the Isuzu, then the Ping, and for a while it was the Lincoln Mercury Tournament, it helped benefit some local charities. So this one year, I had a gig. "Ron get your ass in the mini van and go to OGG (Kahului airport), and pick up Fred Couples!" I'm like standing there going "Hah?" "Ron a volunteer forgot to pick him up, go get him!"

This was the Lincoln Mercury Tournament, a volunteer forgot to pick up Couples, so I'm like freeking nuts happy, Freddy Couples was one of my favorite golfers, his smooth casual swing, Jack was getting old, I needed a new golf hero, and Freddy fit the bill. I was picking up Freddy Couples.

So I drive up, I'm holding up that stupid sign with his name on it. Suddenly this disheveled dude with stubbles on his face, and a grunge looking outfit on, (Pearl Jam and Nirvana) was in at the time, walks up to me, "Hey man you my ride to Kapalua?" I'm like, "Yes sir Mr. Couples." He's like "Fuck it, call me Fred." Hmmm, fuck it it is, Fred it is too. I like Fred, he's cool.

So long story short, he's talking sports, mostly NCAA hoops to be exact, and since the Lincoln was in November, college hoops was out of first gear. My job was to take him to this welcoming party at the Ritz Carlton. But Freddy had other plans, he wanted to go to the Bar & Grill, have some pupus, a brew and watch hoops. "Ah Freddy...my boss said to take you to the Ritz man, I'm gonna get in trouble." Fred is playing with his stubble as he chews on an old toothpick. "Ah no you're not Ron, if your bosses say shit, I'll back you up, and here, take this as a tip for you man." In my hand is some cash, let's say it was good cash. Hey, I am not going to the Ritz, I'm going to the Grill & Bar. I dropped him off at the restaurant, gave him a hand shake, and I'm back to the volunteer tent.

"Ron you what?!!! says the transportation boss. "Are you deaf? I said to make sure you drop Mr. Couples off at the Ritz!" Me, "Yeah but that's Freddy Couples, and if he tells me to drop him off that the Bar & Grill to watch hoops, his word supersedes yours. So there!" So I didn't lose my job, and I guess they sent someone else to explain to Freddy that he really should be at the Ritz for the party. 

Ron Sambrano
Golf Blogger

I CAN'T PLAY GOLF FOR ______, BUT I LOVE IT, SO I'LL BLOG IT

When a pro wideout ends his career, or a NASCAR driver calls it quits, what the hell are they going to do? I love few things I'll call hobbies, but really not good enough to well, really make a dent of it if you can smell my coffee coming out of my Contigo tumbler. I love rock and roll drumming, but not good enough to sustain a band, why? I can keep the beat, I can hold my own to a few Led Zeppelin tunes, some ACDC, Motley Crue, hey shows my age eh? I like to golf, but now I'm 51 and got a gut, can't even hit my driver 300 plus like I used to. Just kidding. So then heck, I might as well blog about golf, I love golf, want to make it a big part of my life. Can I combine a rock and roll attitude with golf? Sure, I think there's a few golfers that have that rock and roll mentality.

So right now as I sit here in Barnes and Noble's cafe drinking coffee, about 10 miles up the road in Kapalua, they are getting ready for the start of the 2016 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. I heard Fowlers in town, just hope he doesn't go paddle boarding and gets eating by a tiger shark. Jason Day's 5 wins brings him here. These guys are incredible, I watch them at the range at the Plantation Course while those PGA Elites practice. All you see is swing after swing of smooth powerful grace. I mean some of those guys hit a wedge like I hit my 7 wood, ahhhhh!!!!!

Anyway, blog posts are supposed to be short not long, so I'll end it here. 2016 is upon us, be happy, and many birdies to you.

Ron Sambrano
Golf Blogger

JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY FROM THE HYUNDAI 2016 TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

Someone spotted Rickie Fowler in Kapalua, he's invited because he did win in 2015 at The Players Championship.

Full name: Rick Yutaka Fowler

Born: 12/13/1988 (age 27) Murrieta, California

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 150 lb.

College: Oklahoma State University

Turned Pro: 2009

Pro wins: 5  PGA Tour (3); European Tour (1); Other (1)

MAJORS

2014 Masters Tournament T5

2014 U.S. Open T2

2014 The Open Championship T2

2014 PGA Championship T3

OTHER AWARDS

Ben Hogan Award 2008
PGA Tour Rookie of the Year 2010

Driving Distance: 306 yds.
Driving Accuracy: 60%
Greens in Regulation: 70%
Birdie Average: 4.38