AT&T at the Mink

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, June 29th, 2011
Categories: PGA TourPro GolfTiger Woods
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No Tiger Woods
The big news this week at the AT&T is once again that Tiger Woods will not be playing.  In fact, Tiger has said that the most golf he has done since bowing out of THE PLAYERS is hitting a few putts.  There is much speculation as to the date which Tiger will return, anything from the British Open to the PGA Championship to 2012.  I’m guessing 2012 is the most likely.

The Course

Aronomink, PA

Click to see my photos of Aronomink

Aronomink (The Mink) is a beautiful tree lined golf course designed by one of the most famous golf course designers in the last 100 years, Donald Ross.  You may have heard of one of Ross’ other designs, Pinehurst #2.  Donald Ross himself called “The Mink” his masterpiece, not #2.  There’s even a plaque near the 1st tee quoting Ross on that very fact at Aronomink.  How do I know this?  I played the course about 10 years ago with my best bud.

The Mink’s greens are quite a challenge.  They’re very undulating and can be very tough if the speeds are pushed up to tour level pace.  Think of Augusta only with some even more severe shaping on the putting surface.

Aronomink Photos

As I mentioned, I played the Mink years ago, back when digital cameras sucked.  So I have some photos of Aronomink from back then, but they’re not the quality level you may be accustomed to from the HOG Image Gallery.


Greetings from Philly, stop one en route to St. Andrews

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, June 29th, 2011
Categories: GolfHOG World Tour
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I’m now at the home of my best pal in the universe here outside of Philadelphia, PA.  I was very tempted to go watch some of the AT&T tomorrow, since coincidentally the PGA Tour is in town.  Instead, we’ve opted to play a practice round for St. Andrews at his great club called Applebrook.

Today also happens to be my best bud’s birthday, so we went out for some ribs and frosty beverages.  Tonight he gave me a lesson on scotch, so I know what they’re talking about over there.

On the fun end of things, we busted out his killer telescope and looked at Saturn.  You can actually see the rings clearly and 3 moons as well.

That’s it. I’m off to bed.  Big day tomorrow with golf in the day, then the flight to Scotland.  I have my boarding pass already!


I leave tomorrow for St. Andrews, Scotland

Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, June 28th, 2011
Categories: Golf CoursesGolf LifeHOG World TourLifeSite News
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I'll be crossing this bridge in a few days!

As some of you may know, Wednesday this week I take off on a lifetime dream HOG World Tour adventure with three super cool cats including my best friend.  This will without a doubt be the biggest and most amazing golf experience I’ve ever had, and possibly the best I’ll ever have in my lifetime. One week from now I absolutely know in my heart I’ll be a changed man–a different person.  I will have played golf in St. Andrews.

I’M GOING TO ST. ANDREWS

Yes I’m making my pilgrimage to the home of golf.  I leave tomorrow with a one day stop in Philadelphia to join up with my best friend Al.  Al and I may get a practice round under our belts Thursday at his club, then we will fly on a red eye directly to Edinburgh, Scotland.  The flight to Edinburgh lands early enough that we will be able to make it to St. Andrews by lunch time.  It is quite possible, hopefully LIKELY that we’ll be teeing off on The Old Course Friday afternoon.  Did I just type that?  Not sure I’ll be able to sleep tonight.

Brain Not Working

I’ve been tied up in knots since two nights ago when I realized that I had two days home before I leave for this incredible trip.  Two days to figure out exactly what to bring, what clubs to trust my score to, what golf balls, how much rain gear to bring and how many memory cards for my two Nikons and one Canon camera.

I’ve had quite a hard time concentrating on writing any kind of blog post about golf gear, golf courses, the PGA Tour or anything really.  Apparently the only thing I’m able to write about right now, is the fact that I can’t concentrate as a result of knowing that over a year of planning is about to culminate at the birthplace of golf, and I’m going to share that with my best friend in the world.

Can’t Wait

I can’t wait to stand on that first tee, where all the greats in golf have stood, like Old Tom Morris, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer.  Will I be able to hit a decent tee shot on the first?  The gallery will be watching.

Can’t wait to putt on the huge double greens.  Can I putt as well on those big slow greens as I do at the fast USA courses I’m accustomed to?

Can’t wait to play the Road Hole.  Which part of the “Old Course Hotel” letters do I hit my driver over?  How will I be feeling at that point?  Can I hit a fade on demand at that point or will I be just hoping to get the ball airborne?

Can’t wait to finally meet my long time friend and Old Course caddy John Boyne.  Can’t wait to trust my friend John and do my best to hit the shots where and how he suggests I do.

Can’t wait to see Hell Bunker, up close.  If my ball goes in it, fine.  I’ll take my lumps.

Can’t wait to lose a ball in the gorse or better yet, see if I can extricate myself from the gorse if I find it.

Can’t wait to have a pint at a pub in the “Auld Gray Toon.”

Can’t wait to stand on the Swilken Bridge and pose for a photo opp like Jack Nicklaus did at his last Open in 2005.

Can’t wait to meet Sid.

Can’t wait to entertain the gallery around the 18th green with either a fine golf shot or perhaps hear them snicker, reacting to a not-so-fine golf shot.

Can’t wait to share the memories with my friends who will be there.

Can’t wait to shoot about a million photos.

Better Pack

I’d better quit writing this post and start packing…


Current read: St. Andrews Sojourn: Two Years at Home on the Old Course

Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, June 28th, 2011
Categories: Golf BooksReviews
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St. Andrews SojournIn preparation for my pending golf trip to St. Andrews, my best bud sent me some books to read via Amazon. I’m doing my best to plow through them, as slow of a reader as I am.

I’m really enjoying my current read, St. Andrews Sojourn: Two Years at Home on the Old Course.

St. Andrews Sojourn is the story of a golf writer named George Peper, who slices his tee shot on the The Old Course in St. Andrews, goes into town looking for his errant ball, and ends up buying a home which looks over the course.  Though he buys the place as a rental property, he eventually moves in and experiences the dream of  living next to the world’s most famous golf course in the world’s most famous golf town, the “Auld Gray Toon.”

I hope to have this one finished by the time I land in Philly tomorrow on my way to Scotland.  It reads very easy and Peper’s humor and analogies are terrific.

I’m sure we’ll see George’s place as we play the 18th hole this coming week.  If I slice a ball into his yard, I’ll be sure to stop by and get it so I can say hello.


2011 Fantasy Golf – Spring Segment Winner

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, June 27th, 2011
Categories: Fantasy GolfMiscellaneousSite News
Tags:
sumi-g shag bag

Beautiful Sumi-G Shag Bag for winter segment winner! Click image for more Sumi-G products

Congratulations to the skilled fantasy player “Plexico” for piling up $20,359,430 in earnings and winning the SPRING segment of HOG Space Fantasy Golf.

Sumi-G Shag Bag

For the great performance, Plexico will be the winner of a magnificent Sumi-G Shag Bag. This bag is unbelievable. There isn’t a shag bag on this planet, or many other planets, which comes close to as sharp, elegant and functional.

Three more segments

There are FIVE segments to our fantasy league. Segment three is now beginning and will include another great golf prize. It isn’t too late to sign up for free and play fantasy golf for some great prizes.

Sponsors

2011 HOG Space fantasy golf sponsors who are providing prizes:

Nike Golf (VR Pro driver)
Bridgestone Golf (e5 golf balls)
FootJoy (pair of MyJoys and an FJ Layer System)
Frogger Golf (golf accessories)
Sumi-G (shag bags)
Tattoo Golf (golf accessories)
Tornado Tees (really cool golf tees)
Hooked On Golf Blog (HOG/TGS hats)
The Golf Space (HOG/TGS hats)


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