January 2012 Archives

Andy Walker, a Pepperdine product, was chosen as the Northern Trust Open's exemption winner. He'll tee it up in his first PGA Tour event. He's won 28 times around the world, but he's never played on the PGA Tour. What an opportunity! His good friend, Jason Gore, received an exemption also, so Waves fans should be out in full force. http://www.dailynews.com/ci_19804485?IADID=Search-www.dailynews.com-www.dailynews.com

bunkers! Golf writer and course designer Geoff Shackelford will redesign the bunkers at Woodland Hills Country Club, a Bill Bell-designed course.

"We are so pleased to partner with Geoff on this bunker project as he is the world expert on Billy Bell Sr. designs and 1920's classic golf courses," said Phil Lopez, general manager of WHCC. "Geoff has been involved in some great restorations and renovations at classic courses around the country and we wanted to return our bunkers to a more classic 1920's look and feel, while at the same time improving our playability characteristics."

Woodland Hills CC has made rennovations to the clubhouse, bar and dining room and now will begin improvements to the course.

President Clinton will play in Saturday's third round of the Humana Challenge. His playing partners will be Greg Norman, former UCLA star Scott McCarron and Humana CEO Mike McCallister. The Clinton effect in this tournament has been real. He got Norman to play in the field, and all sorts of other big names followed, like Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. He participated in a health conference yesterday, and he'll be a gallery star on Saturday. Presidents are good for golf!

Jerry West, the executive director for the Northern Trust Open, starts his speaking tour of sorts this month. You can have lunch with Jerry West and the SCGA Foundation Jan. 19 at Brookside. $69 per person. Click here for more information or to sign up for the lunch.
I went to his speaking engagment at a rotary club last year. He's a fantastic speaker.

Greg Norman! Bill Clinton already is having a positive effect on the field, adding some pop with this name. Norman, who won two British Opens and has quite a fan following, will play in the Humana Challenge - the former Bob Hope Classic - beginning Jan. 19.
"We're thrilled to be able to add Greg Norman to our tournament field," said Humana Challenge Tournament Chairman Larry Thiel. "Greg continues to be one of the great names in golf. Because he plays a limited schedule, we know golf fans in Southern California and our national and international TV audiences will enjoy having the rare opportunity to see him compete."