RealClearSports: The Loudest, Craziest Hole in Golf

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- There's a Red Cross balloon attached to the grandstand. And this is a golf tournament, in a matter of speaking. Or a matter of drinking. Welcome to the 16th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the place where no insult goes unshouted.

It's the bleachers at Fenway with an undulating green, a rock concert mosh pit with bunkers. It's the place where a bad shot is booed. Just like Barry Bonds. Or the Celtics at Staples Center. 

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

SF Examiner: Tiger begins to rebuild with apology

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

SAN FRANCISCO — His enrollment in college the fall of 1994 made him part of a group of freshman the New York Times found impressive enough to headline, “Stanford Unveils A Five-Star Lineup.”

They were a gymnast, Dominque Dawes; basketball-volleyball star Kristen Folkl; two tennis champions, Paul Goldstein and Scott Humphries; and a golfer, Tiger Woods.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: The Joy Is Back in Mudville

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- It is time for the annual rites of baseball. Spring training has no wrongs. The joy is back in Mudville. And in Scottsdale.

Winter recedes. The season approaches. Young men think about tomorrow. Older men reminisce about yesterday.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

Global Golf Post: And The Winner Is...

By Art Spander
For GlobalGolfPost.com

MARANA, ARIZ. -- In the end, the winner of the Accenture Match Play Championship was Accenture. Ian Poulter was the one holding the trophy. Tiger Woods might have been the one holding golf hostage. But Accenture finished first.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 Global Golf Post

RealClearSports: Els Was on Target With Tiger

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

MARANA, Ariz. -- Ernie Els nailed this one. He was on target. Tiger Woods only would be on cue. Only acting out a carefully staged production.

Only telling us how he made mistakes. And telling us during the golf tournament in which Els was playing before he got eliminated.

Which is why Els nailed this one. And nailed Tiger, figuratively that is. Said on the record what many of Els fellow golf pros were saying in private.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010