It's been fun watching and listening to all of the pre and post press conference comments from everyone.  From the media to the average Joe, the response has been truly entertaining.  What's funny to me is that the Golf Writers Association of America boycotted the press conference because Tiger was not going to field any questions.  And still, more than 300 gathered in a banquet room at the Sawgrass Marriott about a mile away to watch exactly what everyone else saw from their homes, offices and other places.  What were they expecting to gain from being there?  There were media representatives from all across the nation and other countries.  I guess the poor economy is not having much of an effect on the media businesses and outlets.  And as far as Tiger is concerned, the only ones that deserve any explanations or apologies are his family, friends and fans.

In a recent Sports Illustrated article Tom Watson offered his thoughts on Tiger Woods.....he says he has been troubled by Woods act for a long time.  The cursing, throwing clubs, Watson says he cannot stand that stuff.  He thinks it's disrespectful to the games history, because, more than anything, he believes golf is a gentlemans game.  Watson has not commented on Tigers off-the-course stuff....but when it comes to Woods behavior on the golf course Watson rages.  He goes on to say that Woods should "clean up his act" on the golf course and show respect for the game that those before him have shown.  Watson thinks this could be Tigers opportunity to "reinvent himself" and make a fresh start.  What Watson is saying is that Woods can be just a little bit more generous:  a smile, a real tip of the cap, a wave.  It really isn't that hard.  Tiger Woods and Tom Watson both learned the game of golf from their fathers.  Earl Woods, more than anything, taught his son how to win.  And Ray Watson, more than anything, taught his son to play golf with respect.  What Tom is saying is this:  You can do both Tiger.

Are you feeling like you need a vacation?  If you are a golfer that likes to compete and you are looking for a great experience for a decent price then you may want to take a look at our 4th annual Beecher-Carlson Las Vegas Invitational.  As an On-The-Tee with Walter & Steve listener, you are invited to participate in this event which will be played June 1-2-3, 2010....we will be playing the Wolf and Snow courses at The Pauite as well as Rio Secco Golf Club, home of the Butch Harmon Golf School and the Wendy's Three Tour Challenge.  Sound expensive...?  Not as much as you might think.  For more information log on to our website:   www.ccptravel.net and find out more about this great trip.  Or simply send me an e-mail or contact me directly at Turkey Creek Golf & CC.

As if PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem didn't have enough to worry about, the groove issue is rearing it's ugly head.  Sponsor support in this poor economy already had him up at nights, then comes the whole Tiger Woods thing....and now the debacle with the new grooves rule must have him considering running out in the path of a Bubba Watson tee shot.   He did get some good news last week because John Daly said he was finishied with professional golf.  But in the midst of Finchem's preparation for a "going away party " for JD, Daly came out this week and said he would continue playing because of the fans and his sponsors.  But back to the grooves issue......How can the PGA Tour adopt a rule that has an obvious loophole?  As a result of a court ruling in the decades old PING vs. PGA Tour & USGA issue involving square grooves, all PING wedges prior to April 1, 1990 cannot be banned from play......didn't these guys think that some players would use PING wedges with square grooves made prior to 1990?  This is not an issue of cheating...it's simply a case of some players, Phil Mickelson being the most prominent, resorting to some older wedges for an advantage.  Newly elected PGA Tour Player Advisory Council member Scott McCarron called Mickelson out on this and now it's a full-blown black eye for the PGA Tour.  Stay tuned....this is going to get good.

ESPN Radios weekly golf talk show On The Tee with Walter & Steve is giving you an opportunity to win FREE GOLF at Turkey Creek Golf & CC.  All you have to do is log on to the Turkey Creek website www.turkeycreekcc.com and click on the ENTER TO WIN FREE GOLF icon on the home page.  Each week we will announce the winner live on the air during On The Tee with Walter & Steve Saturdays from 8am-9am.  The weekly winner will win a round of golf for four players, cart included.  Turkey Creek Golf & Country Club is located on US Hwy 441 between Gainesville and Alachua.

If you were comparing Colin Montgomerie to Stewart Cink what would your opinion be?  Most likely you will say Colin Montgomerie comes across as a jerk and Stewart Cink is a great guy.  Both have had issues with cheating in their careers.  Montgomeries was well documented during The Open Championship at Turnberry.  Sandy Lyle, who was passed over for the European Captaincy in favor of Montgomerie, sparking a week of accusations and "rehashing" of the incident several years ago in which Montgomerie was accused (by several European Players) of taking a very favorable drop after a rain delay.  This incident has haunted Montgomerie for years.  It just won't seem to go away.

On the other hand, you have the likeable Stewart Cink, who a couple years ago, was accused of moving too many loose impediments to create a better lie when his ball was in a waste bunker at The Heritage Classic.  Rules officials viewed the TV footage diligently but was unable to make a case for impropriety resulting in no penalty.  However, some of the players did not agree.  The result today....Colin Montgomerie is labeled a cheater, while Stewart Cink simply has the reputation of being a great guy. 

I'm not saying either guy cheated.  Both cases were reviewed by rules officials and there were no penalties imposed.  But isn't it funny how Montgomeries credibility comes into question very often.  Stewart Cink has always been a true professional, but more importantly, he is a good guy and simply nice to people.  Quit being a jerk Monty and you may occassionally get the benefit of the doubt.

-Walter Smith