Thanks to Nike Golf for the opportunity to see Tiger in action at the Nike Invitational at Fox Harbr Nova Scotia. 60 invited guests were flown by private charter (the Leafs and Raptors plane) to the resort and treated to 2 days of great golf.
The first day was hilighted by getting to play with Kel Devlin, the head of R and D for Nike Golf. It was a treat to discuss Tiger’s gear and the lengths they go to do get him and the other staff players “dialed in” I even got to try some “not yet publically seen’ clubs as well! Thanks Kel for a great day.
That evening Charles Barkley and Hank Haney arrived. It was great to meet Charles again as I played against him in 1992 at the Olympic qualifying tournament. He was still hot about Canada beating his US team in 1981 at the World University games and he really gave it to me. Charles swing may be ugly, but he was very entertaining.
Day two saw us able to walk 9 holes with Tiger as he played against Charles and Hanks scramble ball. There were no ropes and we literally got to see him play from 10 feet away. What a treat. Here’s what I took away:
Focus- He looked like he was playing at the US open. No shot was taken without complete commitment to the shot.
Balance- Never, including the monster drives, did he swing outside of himself.
Professional- He LOOKED like the number 1 golfer in the world.
Wedge play- Ridiculous from 100 yards in. For all you range driver bashers out there, wear out your wedges.
Thanks again to Vitty Gomes at Nike. What a treat.
AK
"Tiger call me if you need any help with your swing!"
Up close with "The man!"
"You all stole our gold medal in 81"- Charles "Yes but you kicked our $%#@ IN 92!" AK
