Crenshaw and Zoeller win $500,000

in Skins Game on Hawaii

Golden Oldies Ben Crenshaw and Fuzzy Zoeller won more money on Sunday in a Seniors Skins Game at Kaanapali, Hawaii on Sunday than Paul Casey's prize for winning the Abu Dhabi Championship and Adam Scott and David Toms received for finishing joint runners-up to Zach Johnson in the Sony Open..
Zoeller defended his Champions Skins Game title with his new partner, Fuzzy Zoeller by taking a dozen skins and $500,000 on the back nine to beat first-day leaders Greg Norman and Jay Haas.
Zoeller-Crenshaw finished the alternate-shot, made-for-TV event with 13 skins worth a record $530,000, surpassing the $510,000 earned by Raymond Floyd and Dana Quigley three years ago at Wailea.
Norman and Haas, who began the day with three skins and $90,000, added to their total with a par on the second play-off hole for the 18th-hole "superskin" worth $100,000.
The international duo of 73-year-old Gary Player and Champions Tour player and rookie of the year Bernhard Langer finished with one skin worth $50,000, while team-mates Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson were shut-out. They won not a dime.
It was the first time Nicklaus, making his 19th appearance, was blanked since 1998. Watson is going home empty-handed for the first time in seven trips.
On a postcard, 82-degree day on the Hawaii island of Maui, no one was hotter than Zoeller and Crenshaw, a late replacement for injured Peter Jacobsen.
"It's an honour to be picked with the defending champion," Crenshaw said. "I feel like I owe quite a lot to Peter Jacobsen."
"And he'll get nothing," Zoeller added.
The 57-year-old Zoeller, who won the Masters 30 years ago, made two birdie putts within 5 feet on Nos. 12 and 17 to win a half-million dollars in a span of six holes.
The big-money hole was the 421-yard 12th, where Crenshaw hit a gap wedge from 94 yards to 5 feet. After the other three teams missed their birdie tries, Zoeller calmly walked up and eyed his try with eight skins -- five carried over from the first day -- worth $300,000 on the line.
Zoeller, cracking one-liners all day, dropped the putt and raised his arms in the air, as a gallery packed four deep around the green roared. The clutch putt even drew hugs and handshakes from his opponents.
"We were the last to putt. We had already dodged the three bullets," Zoeller said. "It was just a matter of me executing."
Zoeller said he had no idea how much they were playing for on that hole.
"Hell, if I had known that putt was worth $300,000, I would still be wiping myself right now," he said. "I didn't have a clue how much that putt was worth. ... We were just concentrating on getting a skin."
Crenshaw said that with a field that has combined to win 43 majors and features six Hall of Famers, there was no time to keep tabs on the money.
"You've got your hands full. We're just trying to play them," he said.
Besides the huge paycheck, the winners and their caddies earn a year's worth of hamburgers from the tournament's sponsor.
"What probably means more to me (than the money) are those free damn hamburgers from Wendy's," Zoeller said. "But they'll probably charge me for the cheese."
The players only had to contend with a gentle breeze, a dramatic change compared to Saturday's wind-swept front nine at the scenic Royal Kaanapali Golf Course.
Crenshaw, a two-time Masters champion and 1999 Ryder Cup captain, hit a 7-iron over the water and stuck it to about 4½ feet on the 144-yard 17th.
With four skins and $200,000 at stake, Nicklaus nearly holed a bunker shot for birdie, Langer missed a 15-footer and Haas couldn't roll in a putt from 12 feet. Zoeller smiled and dropped his birdie try, which he said was in his "comfort zone."
The cigarette-puffing pair of Crenshaw and Zoeller, and Player-Langer were eliminated after the first playoff hole for the final $100,000. Nicklaus's tee shot sailed into the water on the next play-off hole, essentially handing the cheque to Haas and Norman.
Just like he did so many times in years past, Player shook his fist after holing a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-4 13th, pleasing the photo-snapping, fairway-walking gallery.
"How much was that, $50,000?" Player asked after the putt. "My father never made that in his life, working 12,000 feet down a gold mine. So, I say 'thank you.'"
Nicklaus, making a rare competitive start, couldn't get much going and missed several putts by a hair. On the 14th, Nicklaus looked dejected with his hands on his knees after barely missing a long putt from the fringe.

Eddie Bullock named PGA Captain-elect

to succeed Jim Farmer from 2011-2013

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY P G A
The man who oversaw the addition of the Marquess Course at Woburn has been named PGA captain elect. Eddie Bullock, a PGA Advanced Fellow, will officially take on the role in April with a view to being PGA Captain from 2011-13.
He will succeed Jim Farmer, who takes over the captaincy from Parnell Reilly, again in April.
The 58-year-old admitted to being ‘overwhelmed’ at being chosen by his peers to take on such a prestigious role which has being held by such luminaries as James Braid, J H Taylor, Harry Vardon, Henry Cotton, Max Faulkner and Peter Alliss.
Bullock, who began his career in 1971 as an assistant to Hedley Muscroft at Roundhay Municipal Golf Course in Leeds, said: “I got a call from Sandy Jones [PGA chief executive] and he told me he’d been trying to get hold of me as he wanted to ask me something. He said the board had unanimously selected me to be captain from 2011-13.“They had looked at my commitment and contribution to the golf industry and felt I ticked all the right boxes.
“I said I’d ring back in 24 hours as I thought I was dreaming. But I was delighted to accept the role and honoured by the fact that my fellow professionals offered me the position.
“I’m very proud of my association with the PGA, it has stood me in good stead. Without it I would have not got anywhere near achieving what I have.”
Bullock is one of the new breed of PGA professionals that has carved out a career by moving into the realms of golf club management.
From Roundhay he took his first club professional job in 1977 at Bedford & County Golf Club. Bullock served the club for 21 years, including 10 years as general manager. He then moved to Woburn, one of the country’s most prestigious venues, as managing director.
He now draws on his vast experience as a consultant in the golf industry and is currently attached to West Sussex’s Cowdray Park.
He is also a member of the Golf Club Managers’ Association and the British Golf Collectors Association.
Bullock is also on the Golf Foundation’s board of trustees and key advocate for the advancement of golf among all walks of society.
These are the attributes that singled him out for selection, according to Jones, who welcomed Bullock’s acceptance.
“Eddie brings wide and valued experience from not only golf but associated business skills from the golf world,” he said.“We’re fortunate that he will now bring all these skills and abilities to the Association at a time when the PGA is driving forward with the PGA brand and also in the areas of education and golf management.
“In addition, Eddie is an excellent people person which will serve him superbly as an ambassador of the PGA both in the UK and Ireland as well as around the world.”

Golfing siblings (left to right) - Lloyd, Zack and Elliot Saltman (image by courtesy of Tom Ward Photography).

Zack Saltman follows brothers

Elliot and Lloyd into pro ranks

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE

Zack Saltman today joined his two older brothers, Elliot and Lloyd, in the professional golf ranks and was immediately given a flying start to his new career.
Aegon, the Edinburgh-based life assurance and pensions company, is sponsoring the 20-year-old - he has his birthday on December 23 - in his rookie season, having already signed up Elliot and Lloyd when they turned professional.

"I am delighted that 'Team Saltman' will all be playing under the Aegon banner in 2009," said Jack Saltman, father of the golfing siblings and also their manager, at a Press Conference today.

"They have all played golf together for a long time now and it is great that Aegon are able to sponsor the three of them in the midst of a credit crunch."

Sandy Begbie, Director of HR and Corporate Responsibility at Aegon, added: "It is a very exciting time for Zack as he follows in his brothers' footsteps in his bid to succeed in professional golf.

"It's so unusual to see such a high level of sporting talent in three brothers. Ageon is committed to developing talent and we are delighted to support all three Saltman brothers at this important stage in their careers."

Zack, who won the World Hickory Open (pictured above) when he was 17, represented Scotland as an amateur at both under-16 and under-18 level and was runner-up behind his Craigielaw clubmate, Shaun McAllister, in the Scottish boys' stroke-play Championship in 2006.

Last year, he finished fifth in a strong field for the Scottish Stroke-play Championship, having also secured a top-ten placing in the Welsh equivalent the previous week.

"Having caddied for both Elliot and Lloyd in professional events in recent years, I know the standard of everyone out there and this sponsorship from Aegon is giving me the opportunity to go out and see what I can do," said Zack, whose initial target will be to try and qualify for the EuroPro Tour.

Elliot will be spending some of his time on that circuit this season but also has eight guaranteed starts on the Challenge Tour, where Lloyd has a full calendar of events to look forward to.

"I know it is going to be a challenge but I won't have to worry about the financial side of things in my first year," said Zack. "My aim will be to try and get on to the Challenge Tour for 2010."

While he may be the youngest of the trio, Zack says he's quite often been taking money off his two brothers in their bounce games at Craigielaw, the excellent facility that has become their home base over the last few years.

"When we go out for a game, we'll probably play for a fiver and I've been winning that money a bit already," he added with a smile. "Now the ultimate aim for me will be to try and overtake them on the climb up the golfing ladder."

While the brothers share the same sponsor, they now all have different coaches, with only Lloyd, the 2005 Open Championship Silver Medal winner, currently working with Colin Brooks.

Elliot has teamed up with Padraig Harrington's coach, Bob Torrance, while Zack is with Derek Scott, the professional at Craigielaw.

"One of the main things I have been working on with Derek is how to score better when you are maybe not swinging as well as you should be," said Zack. "And, while I have yet to put that to the test in a competitive environment, I certainly feel good about it."

On Elliot's switch to Largs-based Torrance, Zack revealed: "It was Elliot who asked if I'd approach Bob to see if he'd work with him and, having a good relationship with Sam Torrance and his son, Daniel, I didn't see any harm in doing so.

"Elliot was delighted when Bob said 'yes' and, having stripped down his swing, he's been building it back up again over the winter. He's been going down to Largs two or three times a week and that's what he's been needing."

Jimmy Gunn has $3,000 pay day

on Gateway Tour in Arizona

By ROBIN WILSON

Jimmy Gunn's sponsors (Coeur D'Alene Resort/Circling Raven Golf Club) have very generously continued to support him in the Gateway Tour and he is now back in Arizona playing in the Winter Series.

After a shaky start in the first tournament, where he missed the cut by one stroke, he played much better in the second and finished joint eighth on six under par with rounds of 72-68-70, which is his personal best, earning himself just under $3,000.

He is playing well at the moment, scoring seven birdies in the final round last week which was played on one of the longest courses on the tour at 7500 yards and is looking forward to scoring even better this week.

The website for the tour, http://www.thegatewaytour.com/, has all the details.

Jimmy, pictured above, has just recently been granted a five-year P-1 sports visa for the USA which means he doesn't have the hassle of having to return home every 90 days which is costly and time-consuming, sometimes for only a few days at a time.

In order to obtain this he had to have letters of recommendation from two US PGA tour players. He was lucky enough to get one from Martin Laird, the Scot currently playing on the US PGA Tour.

Jimmy became friendly with Martin after being introduced to him at a PGA event Martin was playing in. He lives near Jimmy in the Scottsdale area of Phoenix and they sometimes have a round together.

His other recommendation came from a former US PGA tour player, David Feherty, who is now a well-known golf commentator in the US. He is a friend of one of the attornies dealing with the visa and after hearing Jimmy's history and golfing achievements was more than happy to endorse his application.

Zach Johnson wins Sony Open by two

Former Masters winner Zach Johnson fired a five-under-par 65 to win the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club, Honolulu on Hawaii on Sunday.
At 15 under par, Johnson secured a two-stroke victory over David Toms and Adam Scott.
Charles Howell III finished fourth at 12 under.
Johnson entered the final round with a one-shot lead but was in a three-way tie at the turn. He started the back nine with consecutive birdies and added two more at the 14th and 18th to wrap up his fifth US PGA Tour victory.
Toms and Howell III joined Johnson at 11 under entering the final nine holes, but Toms could not match Johnson birdie for birdie and Howell ended up bogeying the 18th after consecutive birdies on the previous two holes

US PGA Tour Scoreboard
SONY OPEN
Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii
FINAL TOTALS
Par 280 (4 x 70) Players from US unless stated
265 Zach Johnson 69 65 66 65
267 Adam Scott (Aus) 71 66 66 64, David Toms 70 66 65 66
268 Charles Howell III 67 68 67 66
269 Kevin Na 72 65 66 66, Brian Gay 66 67 68 68
271 George McNeill 69 68 65 69, Steve Marino 68 67 70 66
272 Bill Haas 68 71 65 68, Boo Weekley 66 69 67 70, Webb Simpson 66 68 70 68
273 Rory Sabbatini (Rsa) 68 70 70 65, Tim Herron 68 71 68 66, Scott Piercy 67 72 69 65, Jeff Klauk 69 69 66 69, Nathan Green (Aus) 66 66 69 72, Bob Estes 72 67 68 66, Sean O'Hair 71 68 66 68, Marc Leishman (Aus) 72 66 70 65, K J Choi (Kor) 68 69 70 66, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn) 65 68 68 72, Tim Clark (Rsa) 71 70 68 64
274 Steve Stricker 70 68 67 69, Jerry Kelly 67 72 69 66, Cliff Kresge 69 69 69 67, Chez Reavie 70 70 66 68, Cameron Beckman 72 66 67 69, Ryuji Imada (Jpn) 71 70 66 67, Luke Donald (Eng) 67 70 68 69, Troy Matteson 71 67 69 67, Briny Baird 69 67 69 69
275 Tadd Fujikawa 71 69 62 73, Bart Bryant 71 69 71 64, Jimmy Walker 73 66 68 68, Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 66 69 68 72, Stewart Cink 71 65 72 67, Greg Owen (Eng) 71 67 70 67, D.J. Trahan 71 67 66 71
276 Arron Oberholser 68 73 69 66, Michael Letzig 69 70 69 68, Brendon Todd 69 71 66 70, Ernie Els (Rsa) 72 69 68 67, Scott Sterling 71 69 71 65, Hideto Tanihara (Jpn) 72 65 73 66
277 Brian Davis (Eng) 69 68 68 72, Chris Stroud 67 70 71 69, Michael Allen 72 68 70 67, Azuma Yano (Jpn) 71 70 70 66, Wil Collins 69 67 69 72, Glen Day 70 68 72 67
278 Ted Purdy 69 69 70 70, Harrison Frazar 69 70 66 73, Tim Wilkinson (Nzl) 68 70 68 72, Alex Cejka (Ger) 72 69 70 67
279 Casey Wittenberg 71 70 68 70, Steve Lowery 71 68 70 70, Kevin Streelman 70 69 67 73, Tommy Gainey 71 70 66 72
280 Kenny Perry 69 69 68 74, Richard S Johnson (Swe) 70 71 69 70, Joe Durant 73 68 70 69, David Mathis 68 68 71 73, Tom Pernice Jnr. 69 63 75 73, Matt Bettencourt 73 68 69 70
282 Jarrod Lyle (Aus) 70 69 70 73, John Merrick 70 70 72 70, Arjun Atwal (Ind) 69 71 72 70, Troy Kelly 71 66 75 70
283 Paul Azinger 68 73 71 71, Jeff Overton 71 69 71 72, Andres Romero (Arg) 73 68 71 71
284 Spencer Levin 71 69 70 74
285 Tim Petrovic 69 72 71 73, Tag Ridings 71 69 72 73, Jeff Quinney 71 70 72 72
286 D.A. Points 68 73 74 71
288 Matthew Borchert 73 67 73 75
289 Junpei Takayama (Jpn) 71 69 74 75