Euro Dominance

 

So now as I pack for tomorrow's flight home, I take with me memories of an amazing week in Ireland and feeling strangely settled at the thought of the USA leaving the cup in the very appreciative hands of the Europeans.

BILL’S IRELAND OBSERVATIONS

BILL’S IRELAND OBSERVATIONS

It's Saturday night and the USA is heading into tomorrow's singles matches facing a 10-6 deficit. It will take a herculean effort to bring the cup back to the states because a 9-point day is unlikely given the way the top US players have been performing. In fact, if someone could please put out a missing person's report perhaps we could locate the Mickelson/DiMarco team. They have been invisible during these matches, while Sergio and Darren Clarke have been routing opponents with great regularity.

Aside from the golf - and who knows? Perhaps that memorable Brookline comeback can be matched tomorrow - this part of the world is absoutely stunning. Below you find a list of observations and ramblings I shared on the air during the season finale of MGL Radio earlier today.

10) Of all the places in the world to enact this rule, would you believe the pubs and restaurants have gone totally smoke-free, with instant $3,000 Euro fines against the establishment for a first offense? See, Michigan? It CAN be done!

9) On your first trip to Europe, do not attempt to drive. It will ruin your day and may take your life. Hire a driver, budget for taxis, buy good walking shoes – whatever it takes. Let someone else do the driving.

8) A bit of media “insider” insight. In every press box in America rules are posted that forbid cheering of any sort among the media, under threat of having your credentials revoked. Not so in Europe – as demonstrated by a rousing cheer that rose from the home press corps when Monty drilled a big putt yesterday. I like it! Anything that can remove the sterile, lifeless atmosphere of a major media center is welcome to this boy who still thinks it’s OK to enjoy competition, even when covering it is part of a job.

7) I’ve never seen anywhere in the world where the weather is cartoonishly changing. From bright sunlight to intense rain, and back again within a span of 40 seconds is not at all unusual. You think Michigan weather is fickle? Welcome to Dublin!

6) For all of his talent and competitive skills, this setting brings out the most annoying tendencies and traits of Sergio Garcia. His gestures and enthusiasm are wonderful for Euro fans, but sentiments of “grow up!” are being shared by many of the Americans here.

5) Life inside Dublin is quaint, but still city-like with the traffic congestion and grit. But move 30 minutes out to the countryside and your breath will be taken away like no place I have ever visited. All those travel videos and movie scenes you remember spring to life right before your eyes. It’s another reason to hire a drive – so you can take in the scenery, pull over and take a picture with both camera and mind.

4) The roads here are ridiculous! Your driveway is much wider and every car that passes on a country road causes passengers to death grip the seatbelt. Don’t hang your arm out the window because it may be gone at the next curve. It’s no surprise that Ireland is the 2^nd most dangerous place to drive in a Europe, leading in per capita traffic deaths. Hey, Ireland – cars are wider now than they were in 1400.

3) If there was one accent I could somehow adopt and call upon whenever I wanted, it would easily be the lilt of the Irish. Even when they are upset and trying to win an argument, it sounds pleasant… not that I’ve been arguing with anyone.

2) Don’t like Johnny Miller? The you’ll love the Euro broadcasters. I just heard one team refer to Stewart Cink and JJ Henry as stupid, stupid players because they decided to putt out of order. That comment was also followed up with “they are in terrible shape both mentally and physically.” Huh? I didn’t think the pubs opened that early, but somebody has been enjoying the Guinness at a quite early hour. Speaking of Miller, in the media center we have access to the raw audio feed from NBC. During a commercial break, Johnny and Dan Hicks were chatting – while eating chips in my ear! – and Johnny said “Phil is playing like crap, just like he did at Oakland Hills.” Don’t know what you’ll hear him say on the air in a few hours – but now you know Johnny’s unvarnished thoughts.

1) What an amazing way to close out season 7 of MGL!

One Grand Weekend!

        

     

Tiger or The Truman Show?

These guys love talking golf

Once upon a time, there were a couple guys who threw their clubs in the trunk of a car and golfed Michigan's courses every weekend they could.

It used to be for fun. Now, it's their profession.

It's a tough job, but Bill Hobson and Tom Waske decided someone had to do it.

Hobson is the host and Waske is the producer of "Michigan Golf Live!" The show began seven years ago on a few tiny radio stations and a Web site, michigangolflive.com. This weekend, it will make its first television appearance on FSN, which reaches more than 3.6 million homes in Michigan, Northern Ohio and Northern Indiana.

"We're calling it a major- league move," Hobson said.

The pair has seen the show grow.

"It took off pretty well right away," Waske said. "And it's just gotten better and better. We've taken a step forward every year, and this is a huge step for us."

The half-hour TV show -- two hours on the radio -- spotlights the state's top golf destinations on location. This weekend, the pair will be at Black Lake Golf Course in Onaway.

"Our vision at the very beginning was to get on the air and have fun talking about golf," Hobson said. "It grew into a strong radio show. Now, with television, we're able to tell the stories in picture form."

People make the show

A normal weekend for the guys in the spring, summer and early fall goes like this: They head to a designated course Friday and meet with the owners, pros and whoever might be there.

"There are so many cool stories to tell," Hobson said. "There's the resort, but it's mostly the people you meet."

The show evolved from jobs Hobson and Waske had at Saginaw Valley State University.

Hobson called play by play for the college's football team, while Waske was the school's sports information director. The two would bring their clubs on road trips, and the golf show eventually evolved from there.

"Bill needed a sidekick," Waske said. "We play 26 weekends. That's not a bad thing."

Last weekend, the show included a phone conversation with world-renowned teacher David Ledbetter. The show also features instruction segments that help the ordinary golfers, plus giveaways and trivia contests.

Anyone interested in winning a trip to the Ryder Cup in Ireland next year can tune in and find out how to qualify. Hint: You have to play the game.

"We're going to add some round-table discussions," Hobson said, "but our primary focus is still golf in Michigan."

And, oh yeah, the courses

The show also highlights courses' unique features. For example, this weekend's visit to Black Lake, a course owned by the United Auto Workers, has definite twists.

"When we arrive on the property, they check your vehicle, and if it's made in America, they will let you in," Waske said.

If you drive a foreign car, you will park off the property and be shuttled in. Black Lake's pro shop also sells only U.S.-made products.

The show also visits golf shops such as King Par and Golfsmith, because everyone knows how much golfers love gadgets.

Getting paid to golf the best courses in the state, talking to some of the top names in the sport -- could one have a better summer?

"We do play a little bit of golf," Hobson said a bit defensively, "but we really enjoy telling the stories. A lot of people think when you do a golf show, all you do is tee it up.

"But we work hard at it."

I think Waske speaks for most golfers when he gives his job description.

"It's a pretty cool gig," he said.