Sharpe Golf

Watson Wins! Well almost...

2009-07-19T17:59:00.000-07:00

The most unthinkable, unbelievable and unlikely story, Tom Watson leads the Open Championship heading into the final round. The day began with the regular crowd of players checking in (at Pheasant Run) and commenting on the unlikely. Can Tom Watson really do it? Can he win The Open Championship? I don't think anyone really thought he could. We put our hearts on the line last year when Greg Norman filled us with promise, only to see his game slowly crumble in the final nine. Dare we think it again?

But this was different. After all it was Tom Watson and The Open Championship. He has hoisted the Claret Jug 5 times. He is the worlds best links player. As the round progressed, the comments I heard from players making their way through the golf shop started to change. "Watson's still hanging in there" and "He's going to do it". The complexity of the round was changing rapidly, the tournament lead was shuffling hands. Yet, Watson remained steady, not more than a single stroke from the leader.

Admittedly, my nerves were on edge. I was pacing from the Cafe then back to the Golf Shop. I could feel the excitement surging, anticipating the final moments. I finally sat down with a few members who were gathering in the Cafe. Events like this bring together an unlikely cast of personalities. Members who never play together or even know one-another were sitting together. "Dobri" and "Dr. Bob" were doing their best to keep me calm.

All Watson needed now was a par on the final hole. Tee shot in the middle of the fairway. Done. Approach shot to the center of the green. Almost done. Now all that remained was a short chip and a putt. History is in the balance. Putting from the short rough to 8 feet past. My heart is racing. Adrenaline is pumping. I feel sick. 8 feet for history. 8 feet for Tom. 8 feet for me to cheer.

8 feet of heart-break. Tom Watson, you are still my Champion.

Mark Sharpe
mark@sharpegolf.ca

The Red Hat Club

2009-05-28T19:08:00.001-07:00

World Calling Gary...

2009-05-07T18:06:00.001-07:00

Yes that's right Gary, mismanagement of a multi-billion dollar organization can get you fired. In particular, it's called asset management. When you have an asset that is underperforming, it's time to reallocate the capital. That means, in this case, relocate to a new marketplace. Now Gary, in this economy you would think finding a suitable marketplace and someone to supply the capital would be a huge challenge. Apparently not.

Gary. Be smart. Do what's right. Give the fans what they want.

Mark Sharpe

mark[at]sharpegolf.ca

Shank-O-Potamus

2009-02-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

Before I explain where I have been and whats happening, I have to show you this video.

I. LOVE. IT. Now, I am not endorsing E*Trade, but someone got something right! The ad is relevant to the times. Check. I laughed. Check. I remembered the product. Check. Check.

Mark Sharpe

mark[at]sharpegolf.ca

Tiger Credits/Blames Scientology

2008-06-23T19:43:00.000-07:00

Tiger credits Tom Cruise and Scientology for his incredible, come from behind (twice), double play-off US Open win against the lovable underdog, Rocco Mediate. Yes. It's true. Tiger has been secretly studying and training at a Scientology school in California. Tiger turned to Scientology to alleviate the incredible pain that comes with being so fabulously rich. Scientology has solved this problem.

Here's the rub. At a Scientology (Celebrity) family picnic, Tiger trashed his knee in a disastrous accident during a three-legged race with partner Tom Cruise. The pair violently collided into the heftier John Travolta and Kristie Alley. With a torn ACL, Tiger and Tom still got up and won the race. Incredible.

Mark Sharpe

sharpe.golf[at]gmail.com

My life is empty

2008-05-18T19:39:00.000-07:00

Since Tiger's departure from the golf scene and his rumoured retirement, my life is now empty. Seriously. I don't watch golf anymore. Check that. I don't watch sports anymore. Lately, I have noticed that my favourite after round nutrition, beer and wings, have lost their flavour.

In fact everything about me is changing. I have been spending less time in my den of solitude and more time gardening, walking my dog and generally fixing things around the house. I am reading books, having conversations and starting to understand my feelings. Really. It's true.

The US Open is around the corner. Please Tiger. Come back. Only you can save me.

Mark Sharpe

sharpe.golf[at]gmail.com

Red Hats Dance Like JabbaWockeez

2008-04-23T19:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, so things like this just keep happening. I have never seen anything like it. These lads are wearing the famous Red Hat. Yes the very same one from Pheasant Run's membership. I feel like suing them, but they are actually members.

Don't know exactly who these dudes are, but they dance like JabbaWockeez. Shane Sparks called me and said "Hey, yoh man, listen. What they did was amazing. They knocked it out of the park". I didn't really understand what he was talking about, but I think he liked their celebration.

Mark Sharpe

sharpe.golf[at]gmail.com

The Spirit of Our Community

2007-12-01T09:32:00.000-08:00

Brad Warren, a 5 year Pheasant Run staffer, kicked-off the idea of entering Pheasant Run into the Newmarket Santa Claus Parade. I didn't know what to expect, after-all I had never done anything like this in the past. Walking the streets as a participant, "What was that going to be like?"

The day was excellent for a walk, cool morning, bright sun and no wind. Pheasant Run's contingent of volunteers were pumped and ready to go. We heard rumours that 15000 people would be on the streets. "Could this be true?" I thought.

The Parade of 62 floats started down Lorne Ave to Eagle St, both streets were nicely lined with Families and children, wow, I thought good turn-out. The crowds steadily began to build, more kids, from newborns in the arms of Moms and Dads, strollers, troddlers, school aged to teenagers. The energy on the street was electric. The bags of candy canes on my arms began to hand themselves out, the smiles on the young-ones faces lifted me.

I was not prepared for the crowds that awaited us as we made the turn onto Main Street. Wow! The boulevard was packed with young and old from all parts of Newmarket. So that's what 15000 people looks like! I definitely needed more candy canes, my bags were almost empty. I hurried back to our slay...I mean the Pheasant Run float and filled my sacks to the top, and raced back to the awaiting crowds.

Great job Brad, thanks for asking me to participate. Did I mention that we won "Best Commercial/Business Float"...
Merry Christmas!

Mark Sharpe

sharpe.golf[at]gmail.com

The Presidents Cup - Day 2

2007-09-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

Wow, now that's excitement! The players, some down to the wire golf, the wet and wild fun! Today was an all around winner with some great golf out-of-the gate from the International Team. Thanks to some great play from Mike Weir and Ernie Els, the International Team closed the deficit to within 2 points from the 5 they were down at the start of the day. Weir's play in particular was a stand out, making 7 birdies and carrying the duo most of the day. Weir and Els were notably lifted from the incredible support of the hometown fans.

For the American Team, Woody Austin made the biggest splash of the day with his inspired play and deft ability as an aquatic athlete. The dip did nothing to cool his great play, finishing with 3 birdies on the home holes. Being a rookie at age 43, Austin makes it clear that he is leaving nothing out on the course.

The only question remaining is; Is it Weir and Woods or Woody that are headed for a collision on Sunday? And will it deliver what we are all hoping for?

Mark Sharpe

sharpe.golf[at]gmail.com

The Presidents Cup

2007-09-27T20:17:00.000-07:00

After a long wait and little media attention here in Toronto and the GTA, The Presidents Cup has arrived. Day one proved to be a challenge for the International Team, playing on a course that is decidedly more North American for the host team than European and in a city, Montreal, that has the most European flare on this continent.

Home-country favourite, Mike Weir along with partner Vijay Singh, posted the only half point for the International Team with a conceded putt on the 18th hole. With Captain Jack Nicklaus standing close by, the conceded putt may have been more showmanship then sportsmanship. We can't have our local hero shut-out on the first day.

"I want the Canadian fans to treat the International Team like the Canadian hockey team," assistant captain Ian Baker-Finch said Wednesday. "We are 12 Canadians this week". I am sure that in Montreal as in any city here, we will not disappoint.

Mark Sharpe

sharpe.golf[at]gmail.com

It's the Play-Offs

2007-09-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

It's the finals and as you could have guessed Tiger Woods is in the point lead for the Fed-Ex Cup. Congratulations to the PGA Tour for pulling off what I thought to be difficult, creating excitement with both the fans and players in the late season. Known in the past as the second season for the lack of stars and the race of the unknowns to get their tour cards for the following season. Golf needs this kind of a conclusion to stay competitive with the big 3 sports in North America, Baseball, Football and Basketball. An honourable mention to the NHL of course, although huge here at home, not so south of the border.

Surprising the the race is close with Steve Sticker a little more than 3000 points away and the colourful and unpredictable Phil Mickelson just 4000 points behind. Mickelson produced a fantastic performance head-to-head with Tiger during his victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship. In Phil fashion he promptly took the next week off. A vacation well deserved, but no rest for the world's # 1 Tiger Woods, who is pursuing another first, to have his named engraved on the Fedex Cup.

Mark Sharpe

sharpe.golf[at]gmail.com