PGA Tour: "January For Jarrod" To Help Raise Funds For Lyle

The PGA Tour announced "January for Jarrod" to support Jarrod Lyle, the Australian tour PGA Tour and Web.com Tour veteran battling a third recurrence of acute myeloid leukemia.

For Immediate Release, with a link to help Jarrod's family or just use the embed below:

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. -- The PGA TOUR today launched a fundraising effort, ‘January for Jarrod’ to help Jarrod Lyle and his family meet the significant costs he now faces after undergoing his third bone marrow transplant for acute myeloid leukemia on December 6.

Lyle, 36, and currently a member of the Web.com Tour who has also been a PGA TOUR member on five occasions between 2007 and 2016, suffered a third leukemia recurrence in July 2017. The surgery was performed in Melbourne, Australia, about 90 minutes from his home in Torquay. There is no timetable for returning to golf, with Lyle focusing exclusively on his rehabilitation at this time.

 

“It’s of utmost importance for the PGA TOUR family and the golf community to come together and help Jarrod and his family both spiritually and financially during ‘January for Jarrod’ month,” said PGA TOUR EVP and Chief Tournaments and Competitions Officer Andy Pazder. “Jarrod would be the first player to support others in their time of need, and now it’s our turn to help he and his wife Briony and their two young children, Lusi and Jemma.”

 

To make a non-tax-deductible gift to the Lyle family, do so directly at www.youcaring.com/januaryforjarrod. All proceeds will go directly to the family to offset day-to-day living, family and medical expenses.

 

Lyle’s first brush with the disease came in 1999 at age 17, as he was confined to his bed for nine months while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. It took another 12 months before he had the energy to walk a golf course again. Several years later, Lyle went on to earn his maiden PGA TOUR card in 2007.

 

In his fifth season on TOUR in 2012, Lyle’s season was limited to just seven starts due to chemotherapy and rehabilitation needed for his second battle with leukemia.  Lyle made a comeback in December 2013 at the Talisker Masters in his native Australia. He then returned to the PGA TOUR at the 2014 Safeway Open, having last played on TOUR at the 2016 Wyndham Championship.

 

Lyle was awarded the 2015 PGA TOUR Courage Award for courage and perseverance, overcoming extraordinary adversity and making a significant and meaningful contribution to the game of golf. His award came with a $25,000 donation in his name to Challenge – Supporting Kids with Cancer, an Australian non-profit organization that delivers daily support to children and families living with cancer.

 

Lyle has five top-10 finishes in 121 career PGA TOUR starts, with a best finish of T4 at the 2012 Genesis Open. On the Web.com Tour, Lyle has two wins, both coming in 2008, a season in which he finished fourth on the season-long money list.

Rosaforte, Diaz To Golf Channel Full Time

The longtime Golf Digest/Golf World scribes flee the floundering Conde Nast empire for full time TV work.

The Forecaddie has details.

Roundup: Day After New Year's Non-Dump Golf News

The folks in golf were fine tuning their press releases over the holidays to hit us on January 2nd with news. Far from a Friday news dump, it's (mostly) nice to see the announcements and moves. Expect more this week.

Golfweek.com is a great source as is the relaunched Forecaddie, your longtime friend in print now finding its way online and on Twitter. Follow!

In the meantime...

Taylor Made unveiled two new drivers, an M3 and M4. They twist, David Dusek reports for Golfweek.

Sean Foley is in at Golf Channel, Michael Breed is out and headed to SiriusXM, among many plays. The Forecaddie explains.

Adidas is rolling out a sleek looking new shoe for a limited run, to be worn this week at Kapalua by Dustin Johnson. Brentley Romine reports.

Dylan Dethier at Golf.com on Adidas renewing with several players, including Sergio Garcia whose turned to Callaway for clubs and a ball and Xander Schauffle, who Golf Central reported is also headed to Callaway for equipment needs.

Dusek on Callaway signing Garcia.

The Forecaddie on Garcia going all in with 14 clubs, including the exceptional art deco-infused new Atlanta putter by Odyssey and Sean Toulon.

I guested on Callaway's Ship Show pod with Jeff Neubarth while Harry Arnett and Amanda Balionis were away, so we had the fun of asking Sergio about his new deal.

No mutiny here! @JeffNeubarth and I comandeered the ShipShow to talk to @TheSergioGarcia about signing with @Callawaygolf. Don’t worry, @HarryArnettCG @Amanda_Balionis will be back soon.https://t.co/KpNjByZYpb

— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) January 2, 2018

Kumbaya! Taylor Made Reunites Tiger And Golf Digest

Middle East peace is right around the...well, no. But if Tiger Woods and Golf Digest can make time for each other, if it's just an hour, we know the PR team at Taylor Made wields a lot of power. Or a big checkbook. Or snipers on standby. Or all of the above!

Woods, whose business relationship with Golf Digest died a few years ago, only to be intensified over pieces by longtime editor Jerry Tarde and columnist emeritus Dan Jenkins, is now all smiles on the February issue cover.

Max Adler was tasked with covering the "all day" photo shoot arranged by Taylor Made and lasting from 1:59 pm to 2:59 pm.

Strap in, this reunion gets syrupy! Next thing you know, Tiger will be back in the monthly giving his keys to Atlantic spearfishing.

“I’m Tiger,” he says with a grin when you introduce yourself, and the handshake is as strong as it gets.

Actually, it was more than a photo shoot. With a man whose time is as valuable as Big Cat’s, you kill at least two birds. With cameras rolling on the south end of the driving range at Medalist Golf Club, TaylorMade’s top equipment staff unboxed for Woods the new line of clubs he should soon be playing. So besides capturing marketing materials, it was also the first official custom-fitting session with the staffer who sat out nearly all of 2017 injured. TaylorMade invited Golf Digest along to witness the process.

Wait, first official custom fitting? Since Tiger and Taylor Made hitched up last January? Now that's news.

Taylor Funk's Vlog Of Golf With President Trump Quickly Vanishes From YouTube

Golf.com's Dylan Dethier details the video blog posted by aspiring pro golfer, former UT star Taylor Funk, who is attempting to document his rise through the mini-tours with video diaries.

In the latest installment, Funk and dad Fred played golf with President Donald Trump over the holidays. Taylor's vlog of the round made a brief YouTube appearance before vanishing.

The Funk's even appeared on CNN to discuss their round and Trump's even-par front nine.

Pro golfer Taylor Funk on President Trump’s golf game: “He shot a legit 36 on the front nine… He’s definitely a lot better than I thought he was going to be. He’s a good player.” https://t.co/rL6YePqE1I pic.twitter.com/BUEEEYz9OR

— CNN (@CNN) January 2, 2018

Dethier details what was shown in the video, including two swings by the President and even an admonishment from him about shooting video inside the gates of Trump International, which may explain why this one disappeared quickly from the web.

But Funk seemed able to record video fairly freely. Despite a shot early in the vlog where Trump appears to tell Funk not to film him inside, Taylor continued to capture footage throughout the round, including two videos of Trump's swing.

2018 Is Here! A Brief Golf Season Overview And Teaser

When the wild antics of the fall season finally wore off after those zany PGA Tour Playoffs(C)--okay, that's all a gigantic leap--2017 turned out to be a very special golf season. So good, that I think you'll agree Ryan Herrington's list of things we've already forgotten endorses the strength of 2017 (hint: a 62 in a major, Steph Curry played respectably in a Web.com Tour event, etc...).

Oh sure, we had another embarrassing rules-related brouhaha, more expansion of the golf course footprint, longer rounds, faster greens and more awareness that we have serious overall product oversaturation. But given these issues and two potentially so-so major venues in Erin Hills and Quail Hollow, the year might not have turned out as well as it did. Instead, it will go down as a very special year in the game, especially when coupled with stellar stuff from the women's and amateur game, along with continued momentum for Golden Age design values.

The defining moment they'll show 20 years from now remains Jordan Spieth's eagle putt at Birkdale's 15th and on the heels of his 13th hole mess. Doug Ferguson included a bit more on that eagle and other notes that help put a bow on 2017, as does Michael Bamberger's Golf.com top 10 list.

I'm pretty sure that in 2018 two historic and lively venues--straight fire, as the kids today would say--suggests we are in for another above average, maybe even historic season. Throw in a possible Tiger return, the solid state of most player's games and some potential big off-course changes to the PGA Tour schedule, and we have a lot to follow. If everything comes together, we could have a generational crossroads clash for the ages.

Oh, and there will be major events at Chicago Golf Club, the Old Course and Pebble Beach, too. Not bad. It all might even help us forget about the looming dud that is...

I enjoyed Neil McLeman's summary of the year's likely key dates. It allowed him to cover Tiger's likely return to the tour, the state of Rory and Phil's career, Sergio's return to Carnoustie and September's Ryder Cup.

The Golf.com roundtable kicked around a few fun topics for 2018, including what would be a successful season for Tiger, first-time major winners and best courses they played in 2017.

Bob Harig previews the men's major venues and does his best to say nothing about the emotional tumble we will all take going from Augusta National to Shinneock Hills to Carnoustie to...I can't even type it. It's August in St. Louis. Even the mosquitoes sweat.

Matt Adams and I debated the venue we're most excited about in 2018 and you know which one was not picked.

Kevin Casey's New Year's resolutions for top players pretty much sums up where everyone's games stand as the Masters is just 95 days away.

Adams, Jaime Diaz, Rex Hoggard and Tim Rosaforte looked ahead to 2018 with this roundtable discussing who has the most to lose in 2018.

Roundup: The Best Trick Shots Of 2017

Thanks so much for all of the hard work done by Alex Myers at GolfDigest.com to round up the best trick shots of 2017.

The creativity and athleticism on display is pretty astounding and it's especially great to see so many women adding to the genre!

For my money, this compilation of the now (supposedly) retired (come on guys!) duo of Garrett Clark and Micah Morris takes the prize for overall, uh, body of work. 

Comment your favorite trick shot from us (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15) in 2017. We have gained 18.5k followers and have had over 100 million views across all social media sites! This year has truly been an amazing year and we thank every one of you guys! Y'all keep us going! Happy New Year everyone🎉🎊💥 #GMgolf #InstaGolfClub

A post shared by Garrett Clark & Micah Morris (@gm__golf) on Dec 31, 2017 at 2:51pm PST

How Schmidt Landed The Trump Golf Club Interview

Regardless of your politics, this NY Times "Insider" piece by Michael Schmidt details how he landed an incredible 30-minute interview with President Donald Trump at his golf club over the holiday break. Things went so well, Schmidt was invited by the President to play, but alas, he had something to file.

The story that ran is here.

Video: Jake Olson's Swing Still Looks Sweet

Even as lifelong golfer Jake Olson has turned his focus to USC football, the inspiration continued last week when the long snapper and his teammates went to a TopGolf in Dallas. There for the Cotton Bowl, most of the Trojans looked understandably hapless.

Except Olson, who has been blind since early childhood, he's still got a sweet swing:

USC blind long snapper @JakeOlson61 never ceases to amaze. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/Qo7Q4Wr9Hp

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 28, 2017

Is This The Future? Bighorn Opens 79,000 Square Foot, $70 Million Clubhouse

The future of Coachella Valley golf may tell us if post-Baby Boomer generations can or will buy second homes, and if they'll do it in a place synonymous with retirement.

We've already seen signs of reinvention in the region, with the golf course no longer valued as a selling point. Making Bighorn's bet on a new clubhouse--all 79,000 square feet--another intriguing form of desert reinvention. Or, is it overkill?

Robb Report's Rebekah Bell paints quite the picture of the gleaming new structure.

Made from Champagne-painted fascia, steel, concrete, glass rails, and limestone floors imported from Peru, the clubhouse is a playful mix of fanciful swoops and curvaceous elements. “The clubhouse is built on curves,” says Carl Cardinalli, president of Bighorn. “There are very few right angles to be found throughout the entire building. Visually, there is a striking acknowledgement that the radial patterning reflects the signature Bighorn sheep’s valiant horns.”

Right!

More pertinent to Coachella Valley concerns, the Desert Sun's Larry Bohannan considers the thinking of Bighorn's R.D. Hubbard and asks if "the beauty of a clubhouse sell memberships to a private country club? Can that same clubhouse somehow assure an extended life span for that club?"

“Since we announced the new clubhouse (at the start of 2016), and we just had a (rendering) and the like, we have sold 56 membership in that time,” Hubbard said. “Absolutely it has paid off. But I anticipate this year, this golf season will be by far the biggest payoff for new members. We’ve got so many prospects who are waiting to see what it is going to be.”

The reaction of members Monday was positive both in terms of the building, estimated at $70 million when construction began, and what it means for the future of Bighorn.

“This was R.D.’s vision, and he put together a great team and pulled it off,” said James Gagan, one of the original investors in the group led by Hubbard that bought Bighorn in 1996. “When people see this clubhouse, what it offers, everyone will want to be a member – if they can afford it.”

Or, if they can afford it and therefore the ability to build their own trophy home, is this really where they will spend that much time compared to the golf course?

Ferguson's AP Tales From The Tour 2017...

Always a fun read from the Associated Press golf writer, this year's tales highlight plenty of inside-the-ropes style moments.

Just a sampler from Riviera this year...

Padraig Harrington was holding court in the clubhouse at Riviera, talking about his ailing shoulder and options for surgery. He stopped in the middle of a sentence, pointed to a reporter and then motioned to the wall.

There was a framed photograph of Katherine Hepburn, wearing a skirt past her knees and a smile that made her one of Hollywood's most revered stars.

"This is the difference," Harrington said. "He's looked at that and said, 'Lovely, isn't she?' And I've looked at that and said, 'She can play golf.'"

The photo showed Hepburn with her wrists cocked as she began to rehearse the swing. That's what got Harrington's attention.

"If you can waggle like that, you can play golf," Harrington said. "She's able to hit the golf ball. That's how you tell. That's old-school. That's what Hogan used to do."

Does every PGA Tour player see the same thing?

Apparently not.

Sergio Garcia came through an hour later. He was asked to study the picture and share the first thing that came to mind.

"Her skirt is too long," Garcia said with a smile.

Roundup: R.I.P. Dick Enberg

With the passing of Dick Enberg, we lost the greatest deliverer of instant-gravitas, whose career spanned an almost unimaginable breadth of sports. Still such a remarkable broadcaster at 82-years-old after having just retired from calling Padres games, Enberg is best remembered for his associations with UCLA basketball, southern California baseball teams and of course, a national broadcasting career that included everything from Super Bowls to Wimbledon to the U.S. Open's of golf and tennis.

Enberg emerged nationally as a broadcaster when he called the 1968 "Game of the Century" in Houston's Astrodome, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. And while he'll be known best for his Hall of Fame baseball announcing work and ability to deliver instant comfort to viewers that we were about to watch something important, golfers certainly cherished his years announcing the U.S. Open and Ryder Cup.

Here is a GolfChannel.com roundup of Tweets from colleagues remembering the announcing great.

Richard Sandomir's New York Times obituary is a gem.

Mike Kupper's take on Enberg for the LA Times.

Bill Dwyre's LA Times "appreciation" hits home just how versatile an announcer Enberg was.

Tom Hoffarth interviewed Enberg countless times and covers some of his recent interactions as well as Enberg's excitement at starting a new podcast. You can check out the eight episodes that were recorded here.

Here was Jim Nantz's lovely tribute to one of his heroes and a great friend of CBS Sports:

Never before has a broadcaster commanded legendary status over so many sports. Dick Enberg did just that, and created a lifetime of memories for us in the process. Jim Nantz looks back at this broadcasting legend and his legacy pic.twitter.com/O5jQmmThWy

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 24, 2017

As John Strege noted here in recapping Enberg's career for GolfDigest.com, he also worked Masters and PGA Championships.

Mike Trostel remembers Enberg's US Open role, which amounted to five broadcasts, including his call of Payne Stewart's 1999 U.S. Open win at Pinehurst:

Enberg was Callaway Live's first guest and he discussed the difficulty of announcing golf.


Full episode here:

Here is UCLA's tribute to Enberg from last season.

Here's a recent 9-minute chat between Vin Scully and Enberg about retirement.