Tag: Tournaments

Review: “The Foundations of Winning Golf: A Guide to Competition for Players of All Levels”

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When I saw Jon Sherman had written a follow up to “The Four Foundations of Golf” I immediately ordered a copy (get yours on Amazon). I try to read that book every year, so I was excited to take a deeper dive in to some of the aspects of competitive golf. While I haven’t played any tournaments in years, I’d like to get back in to it and I do complete all summer with our golf group

If you haven’t read Jon’s first book, I think you would get much more out of it first. Then absorb his second book. One of the key focuses in “Winning Golf” is how tournament/competitive golf is such a different beast than recreational, mainly due to the pressures.

Two things I’ll adapt for next year:

  1. Set principals (or goals) related to the mental aspects of the game. Such as staying positive (or returning focus to it when thoughts drift negative) or how I’d prefer to react to different situations on the course.
  2. After each round, review not only how I played, but also how well I did with my principals. Look for patterns in play as well as mental.

I won’t reread this book often but can see myself coming back to some sections. Check out the books and follow @practicalgolf on X/Twitter, where he shares a lot of great stuff from “The Four Foundations.”

Review: Poker Ace Portable Tournament Director

Nick Momrik2 Comments

Do your run poker tournaments at home? Do you also play in these tournaments? If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to both questions, you know how much work it can be to keep track of time, blinds, and everything else while still trying to concentrate on playing poker. The Poker Ace Portable Tournament Director (PTD) will make your life much easier and make your poker tournaments more enjoyable.

Poker Ace Portable Tournament Director

The first thing you’ll see when turning on the PTD are two options:

  • Start New Tournament
  • Set Preferences

I chose preferences right away and was presented with:

  • Backlight
  • Brightness
  • Contrast

Not a whole lot to configure as far as the preferences go. It took me a few button presses to figure out which buttons actually changed an option and which one moved to the next option. The button use here was actually very confusing and the opposite of what you’d expect it to be.

After selecting to start a new tournament you’re presented to choose from one of 10 structures. Eight of the structures are preset (but still editable) and two of them are for storing user configured tournament structures.

Once a tournament structure is selected, you’ll be prompted to choose:

  • # of players
  • Buy in
  • Addons
  • Rebuys
  • Rebuys/Addons end of level

The next screen to come up is the payout structure, which is editable just as the tournament structure details are. Finally after everything is set you’ll be prompted to start the tournament. As soon as you press a button, the timer will begin and PTD goes to work. The screen displays the level, time remaining for the level, current blinds, next blinds, ante, and how much time is left during the rebuy period. During the last 10 seconds a beep will come from the device every second as a warning.

What didn’t I like?

I didn’t think the device is very user friendly. I mentioned the button use during the Preferences screen earlier in the review, but there were several times when I didn’t know which button to press. For example, when ending a tournament, the screen displays “Are you sure you want to end tournament?” but it doesn’t give any options such as Yes or No. Also, when I first was choosing a tournament structure I couldn’t figure out how to edit anything, so I had to consult the manual and found the Edit option was all the way at the bottom of a long list on the screen. This should be at the top. Using a device such as this should be as intuitive as possible and the manual should be a last resort, not required reading. A little more time spent on User Interface design and the manual wouldn’t even be needed.

The buttons don’t always bring up the next screen or change an option right away.

The beep used during the last 10 seconds of a level is not nearly loud enough. I tested the PTD by myself in quiet room and I could barely hear the beeping. If you’re playing a tournament with any kind of noise at all, you’ll need to have the PTD strapped to your ear to hear it.

Overall

The Poker Ace PTD – Portable Tournament Director is a great little device to use for your poker tournaments. The biggest challenges using the device are during setup, which can be done well before a tournament. The PTD runs for $49.99 at the Poker Ace PTD web site. I think it’s very good value for the time and hassle it will save you during a tournament.

Predictions for Tiger Woods in 2008

Nick Momrik2 Comments

Tiger Woods has been dominating the PGA Tour since August of 2007. All of the sports coverage on TV and on the web is saying it will be a special year. I think we all can agree. Woods looks unstoppable. I’m willing to go out on a limb and make some predictions.

In 2008, I predict Tiger Woods will:

  • win 12 or more tournaments, passing both Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus on the all-time win list. Yes, I realize he only played 15 events in 2006 and 16 in 2007.
  • win the Grand Slam (which would actually be 5 majors in a row)
  • lower his scoring average from last year’s 67.79.
  • go 2 for 2, winning the FedExCup
  • break the streak for consecutive tournaments won, held by Byron Nelson with 11 in a row. Woods currently has won 4 in a row and 6 of the last 7 (his only loss was by one stroke).

Those are some pretty bold predictions, but Tiger has been unstoppable since August of 2007 and shows no signs of letting up. if anything, he’s been looking better and better in each tournament since then. After the Presidents Cup he went 2 months without touching a golf club and won the Target World Challenge with ease. I didn’t make any predictions regarding end of the year awards, because Tiger always cleans house.

Most of us agree this is going to be a big year for Woods, but will it be as good as I predict? I know I’ll be paying close attention.

I'd Take Their Bad Shots

Nick Momrik1 Comment

I’ve been watching the final round of the Target World Challenge since it came on the air at 3pm. If I look out the window I see 10 inches of fresh snow from last night and this morning. I think I know where I’d rather be…on the golf course.

While Tiger Woods isn’t exactly running away with the tournament today, but there really hasn’t been a question who is going to win. After not playing any competitive golf since September 30th and not even picking up a golf club until early December, many people wondered what Tiger’s game would look like. He answered those questions by setting the course record on Friday and following it up with the 2nd best score posted on Saturday to take a 6 stroke lead into today’s final round. Jim Furyk closed the gap in the middle of the round, but Woods is back in control.

It’s funny to listen to some of the commentary during the professional tournaments. For the pros it’s a bad break when they hit the pin and if they hit the wrong level of a green they missed their mark. Any time I can hit the flag stick I’ll take it. Most of the time when I hit a green anywhere, I have a better chance of getting in the hole with 2 more shots instead of having to chip before I take out the putter.

It’ll be the end of March or early April before the sticks get any use on a Michigan golf course, but I’m already getting the itch to play after watching some golf on TV.

Attend a PGA Tour Event

Nick Momrik1 Comment

“These guys are good.”

If you ever have the chance to go see professional golfers in a tournament, do it. Watching some of the shots these guys can pull of on TV is great, but nothing compares to seeing it in person.

You can watch the pros warm up on the driving range and putting green. You can stand behind the tee box, watching them hit driver. You can camp out near a landing area and watch the pros make approach shots. You can sit around a green and watch them chip, hit out of the sand, and make putts.

There is only so much you can get out of watching golfers on TV. Seeing a professional hit a wedge out of the deep rough, spin it on the green, and stop it a few feet from the cup is only something you can really appreciate stand 5 feet away. It’s simply amazing.

I went to the Buick Open at Warwick Hills in Grand Blanc, MI on Saturday and it reminded me how good the pros really are. I’ve been to the Buick Open probably a handful of times in the last ten years, but it’s always amazing to go back. It never gets old seeing these golfers hit bomb after bomb on the driving range, where we’d be lucky to hit a couple balls out of a bucket as good as they hit every single one.

Attending a golf tournament is unlike any other sporting event you can attend because you can walk around the entire course and watch whatever you want. You can get to within a couple feet of the players and offer them a high-five as they walk off the green.

Just trust me and go watch a golf tournament if you have the chance. It’ll be worth every penny.

Tiger Woods Skipping 2007 Buick Open

Nick MomrikLeave a comment

I’m heading to the Buick Open this upcoming weekend, but I won’t be seeing Tiger Woods. There will likely be some cardboard cutout and poster sitings, but none of the real deal. It’s disappointing to know he won’t be playing, but I can’t say I blame him for skipping out on a tournament a week and a half after the birth of his first child, a daughter, Sam Alexis Woods.

Tiger Woods Playing 2007 Buick Open

Nick MomrikLeave a comment

I’ve been to the Buick Open probably 4 or 5 times, but missed the last couple of years because the dates conflicted with a festival in my hometown. This year the Buick Open was moved up to the end of June and I bought tickets over 4 months ago. It’s always a great time and Warwick Hills is a nice course for walking around. We also will hit up the big King Par tent sale and spend some money. I’m actually holding off on a new pair of golf shoes until then.

I heard on the radio the other day Tiger has committed to defending his title from 2006 as long as his wife isn’t having the baby that weekend. I’m crossing my fingers, because it’s always fun to watch the greatest golfer in the world, especially on a course with a couple of drivable par 4s.

2006 Ryder Cup Schedule and Team Info

Nick MomrikLeave a comment

The 2006 Ryder Cup is being held at the K Club in Kildare, Ireland later this week and everyone is getting pumped up. Here’s the US television schedule…

  • Friday, September 22 on USA – 8AM – 6PM ET
  • Saturday, September 23 on NBC – 8AM – 6PM ET
  • Sunday, September 24 on NBC -8AM – 12:30PM ET

2006 United States Ryder Cup Team

Captain

  • Tom Lehman

Assistant Captains

  • Corey Pavin
  • Loren Roberts

Team Members

  • Tiger Woods
  • Phil Mickelson
  • Jim Furyk
  • Chad Campbell
  • David Toms
  • Chris DiMarco
  • Vaughn Taylor
  • J.J. Henry
  • Fred Funk
  • Zach Johnson
  • Brett Wetterich
  • Stewart Cink
  • Scott Verplank

2006 European Ryder Cup Team

Captain

  • Ian Woosnam

Vice Captains

  • Peter Baker
  • Des Smyth

Assistant Captains

  • Sandy Lyle
  • David J Russell

Team Members

  • Darren Clarke
  • Paul Casey
  • Luke Donald
  • Sergio Garcia
  • Padraig Harrington
  • David Howell
  • Robert Karlsson
  • Paul McGinley
  • Colin Montgomerie
  • José Maria Olazábal
  • Henrik Stenson
  • Lee Westwood

2006 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Results

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A list of the winners so far in the 2006 World Series of Poker.

  1. $500 No-Limit Hold’em Casino Employee – Chris Gros
  2. $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em – Brandon Cantu
  3. $1,500 Pot-Limit Hold’em – Rafe Furst
  4. $1,500 Limit Hold’em – Kianoush Abolfathi
  5. $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em Short Handed 6/Table – Russ Boyd (Dutch Boyd)
  6. $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em – Mark Vos
  7. $3,000 Limit Hold’em – William Chen
  8. $2,000 Omaha High-Low 8/OB – Jack Zwerner
  9. $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em – Jeff Cabanillas
  10. $1,500 Seven Card Stud – David Williams
  11. $5,000 Omaha High-Low 8/OB – Sam Farha
  12. $1,500 Limit Hold’em – Bob Chalmers
  13. $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em – Max Pescatori
  14. $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em w/ Rebuys – Allen Cunningham
  15. $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em – Mary Jones
  16. $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha – Lee Watkinson
  17. $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em – Jon Friedberg
  18. $2,000 Pot-Limit Hold’em – Eric Kesselman
  19. $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Seniors – Clare Miller
  20. $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. – David Reese (Chip Reese)
  21. $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em Short Handed 6/Table – William Chen
  22. $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em – Jeff Madsen
  23. $3,000 Limit Hold’em – Ian Johns
  24. $3,000 Omaha High-Low 8/OB – Scott Clements
  25. $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em Shootout – David Pham
  26. $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha w/ Rebuys – Eric Froehlich
  27. $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha – Rafael Perry
  28. $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em – Mats Rahmn
  29. $5,000 Seven Card Stud – Benjamin Lin
  30. $2,500 Pot-Limit Hold’em – John Gale
  31. $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em Short Handed 6/Table – Jeff Madsen
  32. $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em – Justin Scott
  33. $1,500 Seven Card Razz – James Richburg
  34. $5,000 Pot-Limit Hold’em – Jason Lester
  35. $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em – Phil Hellmuth Jr.
  36. $1,000 Seven Card Stud High-Low 8/OB – Patrick Poels
  37. $5,000 No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball – Daniel Alaei

The $10,000 No-Limit Main Event starts tomorrow and it’s scheduled to run through August 10, 2006 when we’ll have another world champion crowned.

The WSOP Player of the Year race is still wide open. Jeff Madsen, a 21-year-old college student, is currently in the lead with 4 final table appearances, 2 bracelets, and over $1.4 million in winnings. After winning his record tying 10th golf bracelet the other night at his 3rd final table, Phil Hellmuth sits in 2nd, and has won over $1.1 million. Hellmuth also ranks #1 in career cashes at the WSOP with 55.

List compiled from results at CardPlayer.