Welcome to the fourth and final post looking back at 2011 for myself and Hooked On Golf Blog. I start this post in July 1 2011, which happens to be when I’m on an airplane to golf’s home, St. Andrews, Scotland. What comes up first is the trip of a lifetime and the shot of a lifetime.
July 2011
My first July golf blog came on the 2nd, Greetings From St. Andrews. It was a quick hello from the home of golf. Not much time to write, too much golf to be played and pubs to be experienced.
My 2nd July post is Great times in St. Andrews, more to come. Look at the killer pic of my golf group standing in the Road Hole bunker.
Within a couple of hours of arriving in St. Andrews, we were teeing off on the Old Course. Having traveled all day and having no feel for the huge difference between American golf and Scottish golf, I was happy with my 81.
Shot Of A Lifetime
At 7:00am the next day, we played the Old Course again. This is where I hit the shot of a lifetime–the greatest par I’ll ever have on the Road Hole, the 17th. To cap that off I make birdie on #18 to shoot a satisfying 77.
Picking my ball out after holing out from 196 yards, Road Hole – St. Andrews, Scotland
Other courses played while in St. Andrews include the amazing Castle Course, the unbelievable Kingsbarns, Strathtyrum, Jubille Course, New Course and the Eden Course.
Interviewed Robert Duvall
August 2011
I had the great pleasure of interviewing Academy Award winning actor Robert Duvall about his starring role in the golf movie Seven Days In Utopia.
In August I had the pleasure of seeing my golf writing appear in an actual print magazine. My article on the Solstice Golfathon appeared in the Utah Golf Association’s Fairways Magazine.
On August 8th I posted a review of one of the best courses in Southern Utah, Coral Canyon.
The HOG World Tour headed for some sea and sun to southern California and the beach. While there I took some time away from basking in the sun to visit the Cleveland/Srixon world headquarters.
While doing product testing on the range at one of my local courses, someone stole the brand new MP T-11 wedge Mizuno sent me to review. Boy do I look like a schmuck to them now.
Played in my club championship, but not like a champion.
September 2011
Posted a review of the golf movie Seven Days In Utopia.
The HOG World Tour went back to one of my favorite courses in the USA, Black Mesa. I had a satisfyingly solid round of 74 on my 2nd day, highlighted by a skin winning eagle on the par-4 14th. That 74 was one of my top 4 rounds of the year.
On September 14th, my YouTube channel went over the 4,000,000 view mark.
Posted my review of the very cool PING iPing putting iPhone app and cradle.
October 2011
The HOG World Tour stopped in Moab Utah to check out the very fun Moab Golf Course, pictured below:
Moab Golf Course
Sad day when Steve Jobs died. I’m a big Mac/Apple user.
Think I’m the only person who has had a birthday cake with a Callaway driver baked into it.
Very sad day. Lost a golf buddy, Gary Arnoldus.
The HOG World Tour went to Dorado Beach Resort in Puerto Rico to review the grand re-opening of the Dorado Beach East Course. Hung out with Chi Chi Rodriguez for a couple of hours. How cool is that?
Had fun, but didn’t win the annual Hell Day Golf Tournament.
Posted my review of the PING Scottsdale Senita Putter.
Dorado Beach East Course
November 2011
On the golf travel end of things, posted my review of the Santa Claran Hotel in Espanola New Mexico. Right next to Black Mesa Golf Club.
Reviewed the new Bridgestone Golf J40 Dual Pocket Cavity irons.
Did a week’s worth of golf ball reviews, including a radar system to find lost golf balls.
Posted my review of the newly restored Dorado Beach East Course.
HOG World Tour traveled to New York City, even visited the occupy Wall Street gig.
Posted my review of the disappointing Planet Hollywood PH Tower Westgate in Las Vegas.
The long awaited 2011 HOG Turkey Awards are revealed.
Reviewed the very fun Sand Hollow Links Course.
Posted a review of the PING Scottsdale Shea putter.
December 2011
Celebrated the continued life of a golf buddy who was blown up by a road side bomb in Iraq.
Celebrated the 7th blogday/birthday of Hooked On Golf Blog.
Winds in excess of 100MPH rip up Utah golf courses, pic below:
High winds damage Utah courses
Posted my 3rd PING Scottsdale putter review, the ZB S model.
With triple press on the line, golf buddy hits shot off of frozen lake.
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