The Course that has it All

Oitavos Dunes, a premiere golf course in Portugal has topped Golf Digest's list of best golf courses in the world. This is an astonishing feat considering it opened only 8 years ago in 2001. Additionally the Audubon Society named it as its first "Signature Sanctuary Golf Course" in Europe. The course isn't just pretty to look at either. It's difficult enough to eleven professional events including the Portuguese Open, four times over.

Golf for Gold?

Many kids dream that one day they will be in the Olympics and have the chance to win a medal for their country. Unfortunately for golfers, that was never an option. However, that may change for the 2016 Summer Olympics. The International Golf Federation is supporting the proposal for the inclusion of golf in 2016. The Federation had selected two World Golf Hall of Famers, Jack Niclaus and Annika Sorenstam, to act as ambassadors. As one of the world's most popular sports it sure has a shot, and the possibility is very exciting for golfers everywhere.

LPGA Update

Today we are revisiting the LPGA as the final round of the CVS/Pharmacy LPGA Challenge is underway. Coverage of the round is on Golf Channel from 7:00 pm until 9:30 pm ET tonight. From an international viewpoint Lorena Ochoa (Mexico) and Sophie Gustafson (Sweden) are tied atop the leader board going into today. As usual internationals are excelling at a LPGA tournament. Not a surprise but still exciting.

Golf the World

Finding where to golf around the world is much easier now with WorldGolf.com. I was googling South American Golf courses and this web site came up. Come to find out it has ratings on golf courses all over the world! You can search anywhere from Macau to El Salvador and find vacation rates, pictures or even laugh at some golf humor. It really is an all encompassing media source and any avid golfer could check it out.

Fore Mate! Golf Down Under

Making our way around the globe, it's time to stop in Australia. To be honest I didn't really know of any Australian golfers other than Adam Scott. Also, I had never seen a tournament on television held in Australia. However, all that is about to change because Tiger is going to tangle with the Koalas in the Australian Masters. According to ausgolf.com , which is heralded as Australia's most informative Golf source, Tiger will play in November at Kingston Heath golf Club. As we all know, where Tiger goes, media follows and I really do think that this shift of spotlight onto Australia will give it a big boost in the international golf world.

On to Africa

So far in my blog the focus of international golf has been placed primarily in Asia and the UK. Then I started to think, why not look into another continent? And why not Africa? Some of the world's best players, like Gary Player, Trevor Immelman, and Ernie Els are Africans. the South African Golf Association does have a web site, but right now its under repair so the nest best thing is Golf Safari. This website shows where the best golf destinations in South Africa are and will even suggest rides and flights on how to get there. A list of hotels is also provided for your benefit, and the links sure do look luxurious for the "dark continent"

Golf in the Papers

I was just wondering if any newspapers highlighted golf in particular and I happened to find one called The Guardian. It's a UK newspaper and of course it has other things like politics, business and travel. However, it's golf section is quite good, with sub links like Tiger Woods, The Open, and The Masters under the general "Golf". The site also features video clips, links to other writer's blogs and the most recent headlines in golf.

Made in Japan

So I'll just stick on my Japanese kick for another post. However, this time it will be on Japanese clubs. I suppose I never realized how popular Japanese clubs were until a guy I know started marketing his own line of clubs in Japan. Granted its not Nokishima, but he seems to be doing fairly well for himself in his first year of business. Just scanning over the Tour Spec Golf Website, it's crazy to see how Japanese labels that I have never heard of sell for as much, if not more, than the mainline" American" brands of Ping, Taylormade, and Calloway. What's also interesting are special Japanese lines of Mizuno, Taylormade, and others that look somewhat different than there American counterparts.

Budding Golf Interests in the Land of the Rising Sun

Ai Miyazato, Japanese golfing phenom, has been sweeping the LPGA world. Her success in the US aside, her influences reach far beyond prize money in Japan. Young golfers, like Ai, are encouraging a golf surge in Japan. This surge is allowing for citizens to have a hobby once seen as "unhip" and "expensive", and according to Golf Today News has boosted the economy as well. In 2006, the biggest golf course operator in Japan, Pacific Golf International Holdings K.K. boasted share raises of 45% in their first year, and the popularity trend doesn't show any signs of stopping.

Back to the UK

Once again we are taking it back across the pond for another UK magazine. This one, Golf International Magazine, covers anything from news, to results, to tips from teaching pros. The web site it fairly user friendly and contains links to twitter as well as opportunities to win products if you sign up for a membership. Also, check out some of their pictures, like the one to the right, from big golf tournaments throughout the year.

While looking over media coverage for the European Tour I came across a magazine's website. The magazine is GolfPunk, and the coverage is unique. With titles across the header reading "Quick Liveners, Bunker Babes, and Golf Junk", it's easy to see that this magazine does things a little different. For example, their "Quick Liveners" tab brings you to the players lounge. This is merely interviews with pros about funny little quirks and very little about golf itself. It really gives you a feel for who the players are without a sand wedge in their hands.

The Biggest Tour You've Never Heard Of

The Asian Tour is quickly sweeping, well Asia of course. With a mission statement of "Growing golf in Asia while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game" it hosted tournaments from 2004 to the present. This isn't your average "mini-tour". When it started the annual prize money was just over 12 million. Now, five years later, the prize money is expected to exceed 36 million! And it's not like they don't have a fan base. In fact, they are televised in Hong Kong, China, Chinese Taipei, India, and Southeast Asia. I'm sure that much more news from the Asian tour will be coming shortly.

Rookie Winner

If you have watched LPGA golf at all it's easy to see how many Asian players there are. Even as I logged on to the LPGA's website today pictures M.J. Hur scrolled past my eyes. She won the Safeway Classic Presented by Coca-Cola in a playoff. Mind you, this is her rookie season and she is from Seoul, South Korea. It's not uncommon to see South Koreans take off hot from the start, and you will see this in future blogs I'm sure.

Welcome Golfers and Fans

Welcome this is my first blog. I'm a little nervous considering I haven't done this before. I look forward to learning about international golf alongside you and seeing you on the nineteenth tee.