A Word from Ian Baker-Finch: G’Day Friends

February 28 2008 | Comments: 1

Over the years I have traveled the globe and have had the opportunity to visit many of the most beautiful cities and play the world’s top rated courses, including the famous old classics, so I thought a record of these experiences may be a good read.

Playing these great courses during my travels has become my hobby and many of my most memorable days are spent with my friends playing the best courses in the area I find myself that week.  Two of my favorite playing companions are Peter Kostis and Gary McCord and we play every week as we cover all 22 PGA Tour events for CBS Sports.  Peter gives the lessons, Gary tells the stories and I provide the Monte Cristo #2’s as we battle it out for “bragging” rights and the red wine at that night’s dinner!

The West Coast swing was exciting this year with both Tiger and Phil playing some great golf.  On CBS we watched Tiger win the Buick yet again at Torrey Pines and J.B. Holmes flex his muscles in beating Phil in a playoff at the F.B.R. in Phoenix, Super Bowl week.  We then traveled up to the Monterey Peninsular and Pebble Beach where Steve Lowry shocked us all with his 3rd PGA Tour win in a playoff over V.J. Singh.  The Northern Trust Open played at the famed Riviera was next with Phil winning easily and making up for his playoff loss two weeks earlier.  Last week Tiger was unstoppable at the Matchplay and Brian Gay finally got his first Tour win in Mexico.

I am home in North Palm Beach this week as the Honda Classic kicks off the Florida PGA Tour events on the road to Augusta.  On Sunday I drove down to Key Largo to host a golf event for the Ocean Reef Foundation.  They raise over $1m per year for local charities with their Gala and Golf event.  Twenty-four of us played Monday on the picturesque Card Sound Golf course, a Seth Raynor classic that you must play given the opportunity.  Tuesday I played with 3 good friends on the Hills course at the wonderful Jupiter Hills Club in Tequesta, currently rated in the US top 100 after Tom Fazio’s recent re-do.  Today I’m excited to be playing with my new set of Callaway’s at my club The Ritz-Carlton Jupiter on men’s day where all the boys get together for some fun on one of the area’s top courses.

My congratulations go to Greg Norman on his appointment as International Team Captain for the 2009 President’s Cup to be played at Harding Park in San Francisco.  Go Team!

I’ll be back with you soon for an update on what’s happening with Gary Player and I in the course design business.

Have a great day and enjoy your golf!

Finchy

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