I sit here looking out the window at the snow falling thinking winter hasn’t officially begun and already I’m tired of it.  Twelve inches have fallen since 11PM last evening.  HO HO HO.  This is the way March ended, then came April and the flooding rains came.  I played one round of golf in April and one in May due to the rains.  The last round I played was September 24th, after which the cold arrived on a huge gust of wind.  Global warming indeed.  I didn’t get even 20 rounds in this year.  But enough of my whining, the year itself was quite entertaining. 

From Rocco Mediate and  Paul Goydos to Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas players both old and new popped onto the radar creating lasting memories and the promise of bright futures.  The worlds best player puts himself on the shelf and an Irishman wins two majors, never blinking on the back nine.  I should have known it would be a whacky kind of year when the first tournament goes to sudden death and two of the tours best putters, Daniel Chopra and Steve Stricker miss putt after putt. 

 If you had told me in December of 2007 that Rocco Mediate would take Tiger Woods 91 holes at the US Open my initial reaction would have been: "Right, and I’ll be the next schmoe selected to play the US Open challenge for the TV cameras."  Well, one out of two isn’t bad.  As amazing as that was Padraig Harrington, he of the splay footed walk and glacial pace of play, winning two majors.  Were it up to me I’d award all three gentlemen Player of the Year award. 

Paul Goydos and Sergio Garcia at the Players Championship convinced me that Mr. Garcia learned how to putt (or rather relearned how to putt).  Mr. Goydos reminded all of us how to be graceful in defeat, and that class plays well not just in Peoria, but everywhere.  He would be my choice for Sportsman of the Year. 

The Ryder Cup was as entertaining as it was compelling.  I won’t soon forget Anthony Kim headed off the 14th green in his match with Mr. Garcia not knowing that he’d won the match 5 and 4.  Hunter Mahan described it best, "He wanted to win 6 and 3".  Paul Azinger would be crowned King of the World, well at least the American golf world, in what will eventually be remembered as the most over rated captaincy ever.  Nick Faldo took another shot to his reputation, but at least Brenna Cepalek didn’t pound his car with a 9 iron again.  Boo Weekly wins the award for Entertainer of the Year mostly for riding his driver off the tee like a horse.  I can’t remember laughing that much watching a golf match. 

How sad watching the Masters.  No back nine charges, no roars, everything seemed a touch "off" somehow.  Hootie Johnson may be remembered as the guy who brought the US Open to Augusta and took all the fun out of the carnival.  Mr. Johnson rigged all the games so that no one will ever go home with the huge stuffed animal when he made all those changes to the golf course.  Intent, I believe that was the word which precipitated the changes to the course.  What was the architects intent?  Since the architect is a dead guy, that opens the door to interpretation and eventually all the clarity of muddy water.  It’s pronounced tomaTOE; no it’s toMAto.  I felt like I was in mourning all week.

Anthony Kim grew up, and won twice.  Very cool.  I like Mr. Kim for his style and his talent.  And that voice!  I hear his voice and I think I’m listening to a guy who is 6′4", 325lbs.  Somewhere he got hooked up with the wrong voice.  I think he got into the golf talent line about three times and got stuck with a leftover for a voice.  Not a bad thing, just amusing. 

The Playoffs.  Vijay Singh and Camilo Villegas put on a show, but to call this a playoff?  Sorry.  It’s golf.  Playoffs don’t have 144 participants,  even Hockey eliminates some teams during the regular season.  And to have the winner determined after two of the four events is beyond bizarre.  To win the Super Bowl a team has to win the Super Bowl.  The World Series is decided during the World Series not the League Championship Series.  Go ahead and call it the FedEx Cup but don’t call this a playoff.  It’s contrived.  Call it something else or nothing at all, anything but playoff.  What Tim Finchem has done is remove the luster from Mr. Singh’s and Mr. Villegas’ victories by shining a very bright light on "playoffs" instead of golf tournaments.  Dear Mr. Finchem, back away from that word.  Thank you.

And finally, my Christmas wish for Seve Ballesteros is continued recovery from illness, may he find the fairway again soon.

May the Holidays bring joy to you all.  Thanks for helping make this year entertaining and memorable.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.