19th Hole

Long drive competition to form part of 2023 NFL Pro Bowl Skills competitions

Published

1 year ago

Jan 12, 2023

Yesterday, the NFL announced the eight tests that will form the make-up of the 2023 Pro Bowl, and it involves golf. Of sorts.

The All-Star game takes place on 2nd and 5th of February and ESPN will broadcast the event live for the first time, with the made-for-tv festival containing ‘skills’ that NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport called school games.

This is tremendous. The 2023 Pro Bowl Games skills competitions are out and… I can’t wait to tell my kids when they get home from school that NFL players will play all their games pic.twitter.com/D9i4gAIfAv

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2023

On Thursday, the two teams, headed by the coaches Manning – Peyton (AFC) and Eli (NFC) – will face a game of classic dodgeball. The offense and defence of each team will face each other to determine who makes the final and wins three points.

Then follows the bizarre ‘Lightning Round’, something the older readers might have found on Almost Anything Goes! (known as It’s a Knockout for UK subscribers). Then, in the middle, just before ‘Precision Passing’ and ‘Best Catch’ is ‘Longest Drive.’

As NFL.com suggests, this comprises:

“Four players from each conference will compete in a challenge to drive a golf ball the furthest distance off a tee. Each player will get three swings and the player that drives the furthest within the boundaries on each side of the fairway will win three points for his conference.”

It’s not much, and will probably get lost amidst the more relevant football games, as well as Sunday’s ‘Big Catch Finale’, ‘Gridiron Gauntlet’, ‘Kick Tack Toe’ and ‘Move The Chains’, let alone the Flag football games that conclude the jamboree.

News divided potential viewers, and their reaction was mixed.

Many felt that it was a good move, and would be more entertaining than the usual arrangement:

Anything entertaining will be better than what the actual pro bowl game has reduced to and might actually get top names to do these fun activities. Good for fans to see their favorite players being relatable

— Todd (@todd_ray) January 11, 2023

However, there was plenty of opposition too:

Waste of everyone’s time. Have them play a 4 man scramble against every team in the league. Barkley can announce it. That would more entertaining. And no injuries. Guys half ass running throwing a ball into a moving barrell or hula hoop is no bueno

— Steven R. Pearson (@BigDaddy9804) January 11, 2023

So, what about the golf element?

No matter how hard they try, the Long Drive World Championship has never seen other than a novelty event by the vast majority of golf fans, despite the best attempts of 2020 U.S Open champion Bryson DeChambeau.

It’s also worth noting how much golf viewing figures take a downturn during the football season, so whilst maybe this is some nod to the sport, it feels like nothing more than more novelty.

Fun, maybe, but the move is unlikely to bring in any converted fans to the sport.

Longest Drive?!?! They could have put soooo many other football challenges in there. But chose golf?

— Vinny Martins, BS, CSCS, USAW (@vinnymart1995) January 11, 2023

54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV

Published

12 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.

Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.

After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.

“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”

“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.

OWGR Announcement
Read more here – https://t.co/7J4bFpawqv #OWGR #OfficialWorldGolfRanking pic.twitter.com/ZfBJWCFAm8

— OWGR (@OWGRltd) April 25, 2024

The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.

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19th Hole

Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open

Published

16 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.

Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.

If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.

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19th Hole

Why Ludvig Aberg is my new favorite player – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

2 days ago

Apr 24, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

In our forums, our members have been discussing one of the new sensations in the world of golf – Ludvig Aberg. The 24-year-old finished solo second at the Masters a couple of weeks ago, and gained many plaudits, including from several WRXers.

RELATED: ‘There were a number of red flags’ – Ludvig Aberg reveals why he turned down multiple LIV offers

One member, RoyalMustang, took to the forums to explain why Aberg is now their favorite player, saying:

“I loved the way the Ludvig was out there, having a great time, not taking himself or the situation too seriously. Even after the double at 11, he was like “well, that’s golf!” Loose and relaxed: that’s the way to play. It’s obvious he loves what he’s doing, he loves the big moments, and he loves being a part of it all.

Arnold Palmer was viewed that way. Just like Brooks Robinson was forever viewed as not just a great baseball player, but a great human being and friend to Baltimore.”

And our members have been reacting and sharing their positive takes on the young Swede.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

redfirebird08: “Ludvig has a great attitude, a great smile, and a great golf swing.”
otto6457: “I’m very lucky to have talked with Ludde several times at the Rawls Course at Texas Tech. He’s a truly nice guy and very friendly. Always said hello when we passed each other in the club house and was always smiling. Watching him hit balls on the range was a joy. He has “that sound” and trajectory to die for. There were many times he was out on the range in 30+ mph winds just hitting the most beautiful shots that just seemed to ignore the wind. World class ball striker. And yes……..I am a fan boy.”
konklifer: “I like him. In an era of endless waggles and laboring, his swing and pace of play are a joy to watch.

Entire Thread: “Why Ludvig Aberg is my new favorite player – GolfWRXers discuss”

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