11 Years of Golf Blogging
Today marks the 11th birthday blogday of this humble, single-writer, independent golf blog. This blog was founded before most people had heard the word “blog” and before all the magazines and newspapers started calling their columns blogs. This blog is one of the originals, in the group of perhaps the first 4-5 golf blogs ever founded, and one of 2-3 that are still in operation since 2004. To date, I’ve “crafted” (ahem) 5,268 golf blog posts, 2-3 of them are actually quite good.
Diamante Dunes 16 Green
In 11 years I’ve traveled to some of the world’s most spectacular golf destinations, from St Andrews to Cabo to Colombia to New Mexico. I affectionately call these travels the HOG World Tour. I’ve played many of the world’s top courses, some which had not even opened yet like Ballyneal in Colorado and Diamante Dunes in Los Cabos, Mexico. I’ve tested and blogged about hundreds of golf clubs, golf gadgets, and golf apparel items. Though not the primary focus of this blog, I’ve covered many PGA Tour and amateur golf events. I’ve been to the hallowed grounds Augusta National Golf Club several times. I was one of the first bloggers to do live blogging from the PGA Merchandise Show. Now it’s old hat.
Anna Rawson and me. You can tell she’s in love…
The People
The gear, the golf, and the travel are great, but by far the best part of my experience in the golf blog world has been all the amazing and interesting people. Many of the people whom I would never have met without this golf blog have become lifelong friends.
I’ve managed to make acquaintance with so many of golf’s greats and celebrities it could take me a long while to write them all down. Highlights include Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Gary Player (check out my interview with Mr. Player), actor Robert Duval (nice long interview), Dave Stockton, Chi Chi Rodriguez, played golf with George Brett, Fuzzy Zoeller, Duffy Waldorf, Anna Rawson, Blair O’ Neal (interview), Fred Funk (interviewed), John Daly, Rocco Mediate, Billy Casper, Dave Pelz, Charles Barkley, Doctor J – Julius Irving, John Elway, Mario Lemieux, Michael Strahan… There are many I forget.
Celebrities aside there are some amazing people I’ve established relationships with in the golf world. Some are bloggers like John Retzer (Golf Blogger), Jay Flemma, Kristen Williams (The Golf Chick), John Duval, Robert Rodriguez, Mike Bailey… It’s a long list of great people and some great writers. Other amazing people I’ve met through golf blogging are golf pros or directors of golf at fantastic resorts like Tom Velarde at Black Mesa Golf Club who has become a very close friend. Some of the great people I’ve met are in golf equipment like Jesse Ortiz (Bobby Jones Golf), or small entrepreneurs like Scottish putter maker Grant Mackay.
My pal John Boyne (left) and myself at the Home of Golf, St Andrews Scotland
Last but certainly not least is a special friend John Boyne of Caddie Golf Tours, who is a caddie at the Old Course in St Andrews (pictured right).
Thankful
I’m so thankful for all the great opportunities that have presented themselves to me as a result of this golf blog and quite frankly as a result of my hard work. The past 11 years have been 11 of the greatest years I’ve had on this planet. This last year has been a struggle in my golf game and in my personal world and some of my blogging (or lack thereof) has reflected that. But I’ve stuck with it and plan to continue on this journey, wherever it leads.
Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to get going on year #12 of golf blogging. Stay tuned and thanks for your patronage.
Related
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10th blogiversary
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