Tiger Woods spoke to the media for the first time today after under going his third back operation back in September. It was media day at Tigers’ golf tournament the Hero World Challenge which supports his foundation.

Sitting up on the media stage, the former number one golfer in the world looked healthy, strong, and confident. On the inside I’m sure that was a different story as you could sense frustration mixed in with a little pain and anxiety as he chatted with journalists. To no one’s surprise he was grilled by the media about his return to professional golf. Some asked about when he would get back into action, while others tried to dig deeper and get him to talk about the possibility of walking away from the competitive side all together.

Tiger, who didn’t give the media journalists a lot to work with in regards to answers did make it known that he had no time line for a return to competitive golf. According to Tiger, the biggest priority at this moment is to heal and progress from strictly walking to running and playing soccer with his kids. Right, the only form of physical activity Woods can do is walk…Although he did mention that he has been playing a lot of video games but I’m sure that doesn’t count.

One reporter asked if he would feel satisfied with his career if he never hit another competitive golf shot again, with Tiger responding by saying “I think pretty much everything beyond this will be gravy, for my 20 years out here I think I’ve achieved a lot, and if that’s all it entails, then I’ve had a pretty good run. But I’m hoping that’s not it.”

As a fan I want to see T-Dub make a comeback because there is something inside of me that wants him to get back to where he was in his prime. I would also like to see him dethrone Jack Nicklaus from the most major win category, as well as surpass Sam Snead on the all time wins list. Every every operation that Tiger goes through, the less I lose confidence in his playing ability.

As much as I don’t want to say it, all of the hopes I mentioned above that I want to see from Tiger are too far removed at this stage of his career. Even assuming Tiger gets healthy enough to get back into the swing of things (no pun intended) he just isn’t the player he once was. There still is the possibility of him getting another “W’ or two, but as far as another major…time will tell.

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Scottsdale, Arizona (VIGolf.ca) – How much does he have left in the tank? That’s a question only Victoria’s Jim Rutledge can answer as he gets ready to peg it up in the final stage of the Champions Tour Q-School this week in Scottsdale, Arizona. Rutledge, has made it through his last four qualifying tournaments finishing no worse than 6th. That stat should boast well for the seasoned veteran who just finished up his 7th season on the Champions Tour.

The 72 hole event starts Tuesday at the Champions Course at TPC Scottsdale. It’s always a tough grind and with only five full exemptions up for grabs among a field of 79 players, there is no room for error.

Last year Rutledge finished in 6th at Q-School which gave gave him conditional status. His conditional status got him into 14 events, and because of his status he missed qualifying for other events because of his performance. At the end of the 2015 season, Rutledge was ranked 95th on the Champions Tour money list with just under $62,000. His best finished was a T-18 at the Encompass Championship where he earned a $27,000 pay check.

As Rutledge didn’t play up to his standards this year, he didn’t earn enough money to not only maintain his status on the Champions Tour but also not get an exemption into the final stage of Q-School. He was forced to play in the first stage which he ended up winning by four strokes at the Saboba Springs Golf Club in San Jacinto, California.

Another note of mention is Rick Gibson who is another Victoria local. Gibson, who is also a veteran of tour golf also earned a spot in the final stage of the Champions Tour Q-School.

With all of the success Rutledge has had at Q-School over the years, one would think that he would be a shoe in to gain full exempt status on the Champions Tour…But then again, it’s golf and sometimes you never know what’s going to happen.

To follow Jim Rutledge and Rick Gibson during all four rounds of Q-School you can click HERE.

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1) Who are your favorite sports teams?

Toronto Maple Leafs

2) When you’re not focused on your career, what other outside interests are you into?

Pool, snooker, fishing, hiking

3) Where are some of the places in the world you would like to visit (or live) and why?

Haven’t made it to Europe yet, really liked living in Australia and Florida.

4) What tunes are you rocking on your iPod?

Zepplin, Skynard, Pearl Jam

5) What is your favorite movie(s)?

Too many to list, All bonds, Semi-Pro is a recent great flick. Really like Comedies

6) What’s in the bag?

Ping G30 Dr/3w s56 2 iron, s55 3-pw, gorge 2 wedges, Odyssey works #9 putter

7) Dream Foursome?

Ben Hogan, Jimmy Demaret, Walter Hagen

8) What is your favorite course golf course(s)?

Tough one… I’ve played a lot. Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath outside of Canada. Royal Colwood, Victoria GC, Storey Creek on the Island

9) Finish the sentence… “When I hit a bad shot I ____________”!

Usually laugh at myself

10) What do you most enjoy about Vancouver Island?

The lifestyle and the weather

11) If you were not doing what you’re doing now, what would you be doing?

Coaching of some kind, maybe a teacher

12) What is your most memorable round of golf?

64 in the final round of the PEI Amateur to win, and the final round in the 2005 Oakfield Invitational. Shot 69 and it was my first win after I finished my Chemotherapy.

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The USGA (United States Golf Association) announced last week they were changing the rules on posting a score if you’re playing alone. The change which falls under Section 5-1, which applies to “Acceptability of Scores” now states that any score posted when you’re playing alone will not count towards your official USGA handicap.

It’s not a big change obviously, but an interesting one, and I can understand why it was implemented. A handicap is designed for competitive purposes and when you’re playing alone you’re “technically” not playing a competitive round of golf. What I don’t like about the rule is that if you play a lot of golf on your own, it won’t give you the opportunity to post a lot of scores to go towards your handicap.

“As we examine the game domestically and globally, these revisions support the integrity and reliability that millions of players around the world expect of this System. We continue to explore substantive changes as we work toward a World Handicap System in the years ahead,” said Steven Edmondson, the USGA’s managing director of Handicapping & Course Rating.

While there were rumblings of Golf Canada possibly adopting the same change, it was met with some resistance here in Canada. The concern was raised by the golfers who like to play golf alone at times. While some golfers enjoy a nice relaxed round of golf on their own, they didn’t like the idea that they were not able to post an official score.

According to the USGA it supports the premise of peer review, and the scores made while playing alone will no longer be acceptable for handicap purposes. The USGA also goes on to say “This change underscores the importance of providing full and accurate information regarding a player’s potential scoring ability, and the ability of other players to form a reasonable basis for supporting or disputing a posted score”.

With this in mind among other factors, the Golf Canada Handicap and Scoring Committee had a vote and decided not proceed with USGA handicap system change and that golfers who play alone can continue posting rounds for handicap purposes.

I’m happy with the decision to keep the handicap system as it is, and I can relate a lot to golfers who play alone at times. As I do play a lot of golf with others, I do at times prefer to play rounds alone, and if Golf Canada were to change the rule it would be disappointing because sometimes when you play by yourself you amazing rounds of golf, and not being able to post those rounds would be frustrating.

If you would like more information on exactly how Golf Canada’s handicap system works you can click HERE.

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The Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 putter has taken an insert that’s won on Tour and made it even better. It’s engineered for improved sound, feel and performance across the face.

From Tour wins to major championships, every head shape in this lineup has proven itself on Tour.

This mirror based system helps you select the proper head shape based on your setup to the ball. The closer you are to the ball (eyes over the ball), the more likely you’ll have a straight back straight through arc. The farther away you are from the ball, the more likely you’ll have an arced stroke. Each putter in the fitting process has a dash system on the sole to call out which putter should be your gamer.

For details on all of Callaway’s equipment click HERE.

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When Brook Henderson turned pro this year I was all for the decision. However, some were against the decision citing her age and the fact that she would be bypassing college. Those are all valid points of course. When you’re as talented as Henderson, the opportunity to play with the worlds best (and make more money then a university graduate) makes more sense…And let’s be honest, there is always time to go back to school if decided she wanted to in the future.

As for the life experience…She has gained more valuable life experience playing golf with the best women’s golfers in the world and traveling the LPGA Tour then someone who gets a four year college degree. What Brooke has accomplished this year is nothing short of spectacular, and is bright light for women’s golf in Canada.

When she turned pro this year, she had no status on the LPGA Tour. With that pressure, I think it’s safe to say she used it to motivation to be one of the best players on the tour this year. If you look at the numbers, Henderson made bank in 13 of 14 events she played. Her biggest pay day of the year was no doubt her win in Portland at the Cambia Portland Classic where she added just under $200,000 to her bank account. In total, Henderson earned just short of $800,000 on the LPGA Tour. She also made another $36,000 during her brief stint playing the Symetra Tour before graduating to the top women’s tour in the world.

Women’s golf in Canada is struggling at the moment in regards to participation numbers. If you break down the numbers from a recreational level, the numbers are staying level and not really growing or declining. However, on the competitive front the numbers are concerning. So concerning that some golf associations in Canada are throwing around the idea of running women’s events within the men’s event as the number of women playing in competitive events doesn’t hardly warrant having a stand alone event.

With the rise of Brooke Henderson on the international stage, a lot of people within the Canadian golf scene are hoping this will be the big boost they need to start attracting more women to the game. With Brooke Henderson being the face of women’s golf in Canada, hopefully Golf Canada will start getting more aggressive with promoting the women’s game. Having someone who is slowly becoming one of the best golfers in the world is only more fuel to the fire of getting the numbers up in women’s golf.

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The Callaway MD3 Wedges have the versatility and selection for every shot, every course condition, and every swing. It’s the most complete wedge line that Callaway has ever created. By leveraging 3 unique grinds (S-Grind, C-Grind and the new W-Grind), our new milled Progressive Groove Optimization system that optimizes spin for each loft, and advanced shaping and design, you can specialize your wedges to your game and all the shots that you want to hit.

Roger Cleveland received extensive input from Tour players, and he used their feedback to craft the toe profile, sole and grinds of MD3 Milled. And now there are even more custom options for shafts, grips and finishes. These wedges give you everything you need to get up and down from anywhere.

Features & Benefits

3 Grinds For Every Shot, Every Condition and Every Swing

Callaway developed 3 unique grinds to suit the shots you hit, the courses you play and the swings you make. It’s the versatility and selection you need to get up and down from anywhere.

W-Grind: A slightly wider sole. It’s perfect if you play in softer conditions or you come in with a steep angle to the ball. And it’s extremely playable out of all types of bunkers.

S-Grind: Callaway’s most versatile option. It’s great for a wide range of conditions (normal, soft or firm), shot types, and swings (moderate to sweeping attack angles).

C-Grind: Designed for firmer conditions and versatility around the green. The heel and toe relief allow for a number of shots, especially opening up the face and keeping the leading edge low.

Progressive Groove Optimization

The MD3 Milled line has Progressive Groove Optimization – A 3 groove package precision milled into the face of these wedges that optimizes spin as you go up in loft. It creates a smoother spin transition from your irons to wedges. The 30V grooves in the Pitching and Gap Wedges are built for shots that require a steep angle into the ball. The 20V grooves in the sand wedges are designed for full shots and bunker shots, and we put in wider 5V grooves in the lob wedges for better control for shots out of the rough and around the green.

Advanced Shaping and Design

Legendary Callaway wedge designer Roger Cleveland took Tour input and blended that with advanced CAD design. The result is a balanced wedge with a high toe profile and a semi-straight leading edge. The weight ports in the back of the wedge gave us the freedom to reposition the weight for better shot-making, especially out of deep rough.

A Wide Array Of Custom Options

Choose from a wide selection of shafts, grips and finishes.

Available Lofts: 46*, 48*, 50*, 52*, 54*, 56*, 58*, 60*
Pricing: $129.99

For the full line up of Callaway Golf Equipment click HERE.

What MD3 wedge is best for you?

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Oakville, Ontario and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida (VIGolf.ca) – The 2016 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada Qualifying Tournament will take place at four separate sites next spring, with fields of 132 players maximum competing for status.

The four 72-hole, no-cut Qualifying Tournaments will take place at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Reunion Resort in Orlando, Fla. March 21-25, PGA Village’s Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Florida from March 28 to April 1, Carlton Oaks Country Club in Santee, California from April 25-29 and Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community in Courtenay, British Columbia from May 2-6.

Players will have an opportunity to qualify at one of the four sites, with official details on the number of cards and available status to be announced at a later date.

“Over the past three seasons, we’ve had a great deal of interest from players in qualifying to play on the Mackenzie Tour, and we felt it was important to add a fourth site to give as many players as possible an opportunity to qualify,” said Mackenze Tour President Jeff Monday. “Our goal is to provide opportunities for the best players available to earn access to the Web.com Tour, and we look forward to seeing the next generation of players to make the first step on the path to the PGA TOUR.”

Reunion’s Nicklaus Course, which hosted Mackenzie Tour qualifying in 2014, returns as one of two Florida sites along with PGA Village’s Wanamaker Course, which has previously played host to PGA TOUR and Web.com Tour Q-School as well as the PGA of Canada Assistants’ Championship.

Carlton Oaks, also a previous host to PGA TOUR and Web.com Tour Q-School, will host Mackenzie Tour qualifying for the first time, while the spring’s final Qualifying Tournament will return to Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community in Courtenay, British Columbia, which was recently announced as a host of Mackenzie Tour Qualifying through 2020.

The application to enter Mackenzie Tour qualifying will be open to the public live at PGATOUR.COM/MackenzieTour on January 21, 2016. Entry fees will once again be $2,750 USD.

The full 2016 Mackenzie Tour schedule will be announced in early 2016

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