2009 May | NG NATION — Nike Golf Fan Blog

Nike Golf Athletes: Tour Wrapup 5.31.09

May 31, 2009 By Bob Diercksmeier Leave a Comment

Here’s how team Nike Golf fared on tour this past week:

PGA Tour: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
Paul Casey 5
Justin Leonard T13
Stewart Cink T22
Stephen Ames T27
Lucas Glover T41
Anthony Kim T54
Bo Van Pelt T59
Carl Pettersson T64
Trevor Immelman MC

Nationwide Tour: Rex Hospital Open
Brendan Todd T67
Paul Gow MC
Chris Nallen MC
Jhonattan Vegas MC

Champions Tour: Principal Charity Classic
John Cook T6
Craig Stadler T24

European Tour: The European Open
Oliver Fisher T32
Simon Dyson MC
Richard Finch MC
Pablo Martin MC
Francesco Molinari MC

Nike STR8-FIT 8>9 Challenge Now On Twitter

May 31, 2009 By Bob Diercksmeier Leave a Comment

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893 Nike Golf’s current online ad campaign features the slogan (formula) “8>9”, representing the challenge that Nike’s new SQ DYMO STR8-FIT driver is longer than the TaylorMade R9. Effective marketing by Nike Golf (again) indeed.

Last week I also picked up on a Twitter thread – looks like the STR8-FIT 8>9 Challenge is being reported on Twitter also. Follow the hashtag #8>9 to see user tweets about the STR8-FIT 8>9 Challenge.

We’ll be following this topic on Twitter in weeks to come and we’ll do another blog post when there’s more to report.In the meantime, do you own the STR8-FIT driver? Let us know what you think of it or the STR8-FIT Challenge with a comment below.

Filed Under: Drivers, Equipment, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, Nike Golf Fans, STR8-FIT Driver

Nike Golf Athletes in the Field 5.28-5.31

May 27, 2009 By Bob Diercksmeier Leave a Comment

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Here’s the list of Nike Golf Athletes in the field at each tour event this week:

PGA Tour: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
Stephen Ames
Paul Casey
Stewart Cink
Lucas Glover
Trevor Immelman
Anthony Kim
Justin Leonard
Carl Pettersson
Bo Van Pelt

Nationwide Tour: Rex Hospital Open
Paul Gow
Chris Nallen
Brendan Todd
Jhonattan Vegas

Champions Tour: Principal Charity Classic
John Cook
Craig Stadler

European Tour: The European Open
Simon Dyson
Richard Finch
Oliver Fisher
Pablo Martin
Francesco Molinari

Filed Under: Athletes, ngnation.com, Nike Golf

The Best Nike Golf Tiger Woods Commercial?

May 26, 2009 By Bob Diercksmeier Leave a Comment

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What is the best Nike Golf Tiger Woods commercial? A tough question, but we propose these three candidates:

The 30-second spot with Tiger Woods playing “hacky-sack” with his wedge and a golf ball was an instant classic since it first aired in 2001. It remains a classic and one of the most viewed Nike Golf commercials on You Tube. Here it is:

The commercial that aired during the 2006 US Open — a Father’s Day tribute to Earl Woods just after his death in May — is another instant classic. As a dad myself this one still gets me:

The Nike Golf “Never” spot that aired last year — again during the US Open and just in time for Father’s Day — features a voiceover by the late Earl Woods speaking of Tiger’s mental toughness. This spot still sends chills down my spine:

This begs the question: What does Nike golf have in store for this Father’s Day? Or will they skip this year like they did 2007? We’ll have to see in a couple of weeks.

Which Nike Golf Tiger Woods commercial is your favorite? What are your other favorite Nike Golf TV commercials? Vote for your favorite commercials below and we’ll feature other favorites in later posts on this blog.

Update 6.23.09: Well, no new Father’s Day commercial this year. We’ll keep our eye out next year — in the meantime, keep your eye out for other favorite Nike Golf commercials in future posts on ngnation.com

Filed Under: Athletes, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, Nike Golf Fans, Tiger Woods

Nike Golf Tour Wrapup 5.25.09

May 25, 2009 By Bob Diercksmeier Leave a Comment

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Congratulations to Paul Casey on his win at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth! Paul led the charge for team Nike Golf last week — other top finishing Nike Golf athletes at the other professional events are as follows:

European Tour: BMW PGA Championship
Paul Casey 1 – Champion
Charl Schwatrzel T6
Simon Dyson T16
Marc Warren T21
Francesco Molinari T35
Pablo Martin T52
Richard Finch MC
Oliver Fisher MC

LPGA Tour: Corning Classic
Suzann Pettersen T14
Michelle Wie T26
Paige Mackenzie MC
Ashleigh Simon MC

PGA Tour: HP Byron Nelson Classic
Justin Leonard T16
Anthony Kim MC
Carl Pettersson MC
Brendan Todd MC
Bo Van Pelt MC

Champions Tour: Senior PGA Championship
John Cook T17
Bob Tway T53
Craig Stadler MC
Lany Wadkins MC

Filed Under: Anthony Kim, Athletes, Bob Tway, Carl Pettersson, John Cook, Justin Leonard, Michelle Wie, ngnation.com, Paul Casey, Simon Dyson, Suzann Pettersen

Nike Golf Athletes holding their own this weekend

May 23, 2009 By Bob Diercksmeier Leave a Comment

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Paul Casey is leading the way for Nike Golf on the weekend — he holds the 54-hole lead at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and is poised for a Sunday charge and hopefully the victory. We’re rooting for you Paul! Simon Dyson is in 10^th place and in good position also.

At The Corning Classic Suzann Pettersen is T11 after 4 holes and only 4 shots out of the lead, in position for a Sunday run at the title. Michelle Wie – who just joined Twitter this week (follow her at @TheMichelleWie) – is T39 and 9 shots back.

At the Byron Nelson Classic Justin Leonard is the lone Nike Golf athlete left in the field – he’s currently T23 after a 63 on Friday and 66 on Saturday. Perhaps he’s poised for a Sunday charge?

The Champions Tour has its first major of the year at the Senior PGA, and John Cook is currently in 30^th place after 54 holes, followed by Bob Tway in 43^rd place.

Filed Under: Athletes, Bob Tway, John Cook, Justin Leonard, Michelle Wie, ngnation.com, Paul Casey, Simon Dyson, Suzann Pettersen

Nike Golf Athletes in the Field 5.21-5.24

May 21, 2009 By Bob Diercksmeier Leave a Comment

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This week the PGA Tour is at the HP Byron Nelson Classic, The LPGA Tour is at the Corning Classic. The Champions Tour hosts its first major championship of the year, the Senior PGA Championship at Canterbury Golf Club in Ohio. Looks like the Nationwide Tour Mexico Open event is on hold until a later date (?). And the European Tour is at Wentworth this week for the BMW PGA Championship.

Here are the Nike Golf Athletes in the field at each event (if I’m missing anybody, let me know by using our contact form. Thanks!):

PGA Tour: HP Byron Nelson Classic
Anthony Kim
Justin Leonard
Carl Pettersson
Brendan Todd
Bo Van Pelt

LPGA Tour: Corning Classic
Paige Mackenzie
Suzann Pettersen
Ashleigh Simon
Michelle Wie

Champions Tour: Senior PGA Championship
John Cook
Craig Stadler
Bob Tway
Lany Wadkins

European Tour: BMW PGA Championship
Paul Casey
Simon Dyson
Richard Finch
Oliver Fisher
Pablo Martin
Francesco Molinari
Charl Schwatrzel
Marc Warren

If I’m missing anybody, please let me know by using our contact form or post a comment below. Thanks!

Filed Under: Anthony Kim, Athletes, Bob Tway, Carl Pettersson, Justin Leonard, Michelle Wie, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, Paul Casey, Suzann Pettersen

David (Duval) and (his) Goliath

May 19, 2009 By Bob Diercksmeier 2 Comments

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Anyone who follows the PGA Tour (and in particular the Nike Golf athletes on it) has seen a slow but steady transformation over the last year or so. Not the economy-driven reduction in sponsorships and advertising, not the rising number of players who average over 300 yards off the tee, not even the increasing proliferation of white belts on tour. I’m talking about the resurgence of David Duval.

His past struggles have been widely documented so I won’t repeat them here. So has his attempt at a comeback over the last several years. His fall from being the world’s number #1 ranked player, the accompanying media scrutiny, fan criticism and doubts that he could ever again regain any kind of status on tour or in the world rankings, let alone win a tournament — all add up to what amounts to a Goliath-size demon that not many people think David (Duval that is) can slay.

But watch the way David is playing now. Watch the way he walks. Watch his eyes. You can see it coming — his Nike irons are his slingshot (no pun intended) with the rock (Nike One ball?) inside poised for taking down the giant demon that injuries and a fickle media and fan base created for him. I’m sure all along David knew he could regain his form — it’s those of us outside who lost the faith.

There have been glimmers of promise on the course (evidenced by his performance at the Valero Texas Open), and a CBS interview between David and the two Peters (Kostis and Oostrhuis) was telling of how close Duval thinks he is to success on the course.

I think 5 years of hard work are coming to fruition and soon you’ll hear the simultaneous sounds the ball falling into the cup on the final hole, the roar of the crowd as the arms are raised in victory, and a distant thud as the giant falls — all as David Duval wins his first tour event since his major victory at the British Open in 2001.

I think that victory will come sooner than later, and I predict here that David Duval will win a PGA Tour event in 2009. What do you think? Will David ever regain the form of 10 years ago and give Tiger a run for his money? Let us know with a comment below.

Filed Under: Athletes, ngnation.com

Nike Golf Tour Wrapup – 5.17.09

May 17, 2009 By Bob Diercksmeier Leave a Comment

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Nike Golf athletes had a strong showing in the pro tournaments this past weekend. On the PGA Tour at the Valero Texas Open, Justin Leonard finished T5 with a final round 69, with Stephen Ames right behind with a 67 on Sunday to finish T9.

On the LPGA Tour at the Sybase Classic, Suzann Pettersen finish in solo second with a final round 74, with Michelle Wie shooting 73 on Sunday to finish T3. On the Nationwide Tour at the BMW Charity Pro-Am, Jhonattan Vegas finished T25 with a final round 67 to finish at 13 under. And in his Champions Tour debut at the rain-shortened Regions Charity Classic, Bob Tway managed a T68, but we look forward to many good things to come as Bob gets acclimated to playing the Champions Tour.

This week the PGA Tour is at the HP Byron Nelson Classic, The LPGA Tour is at the Corning Classic, and the Nationwide Tour is at the Mexico Open. The Champions Tour hosts its first major championship of the year, the Senior PGA at Canterbury Golf Club in Ohio. Jay Haas looks to defend his title there.

Filed Under: Athletes, Bob Tway, Jhonattan Vegas, Justin Leonard, Michelle Wie, ngnation.com, Stephen Ames, Suzann Pettersen

Flat Stick Envy

May 16, 2009 By Bob Diercksmeier 1 Comment

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nikeputter When I watch a golf tournament on TV, I take notice of the equipment the Nike tour staff is using in that particular event (does anyone else do this?). In last fall’s LG Skins game at Indian Wells, I noticed Stephen Ames was using a new Nike putter I hadn’t seen before.

It was a heel-toe weighted model, like Nike’s Unitized Tiempo design but different. From what I could see on my TV, it had a partial face insert made up of zig-zag lines of composite material placed into grooves in the metal face (not a very technical description I know).

Since then Lucas Glover was seen using this prototype putter in the Quail Hollow Championship, and Justin Leonard is using it this week in the Valero Texas Open. Stephen Ames also continues to use this model.

What I find interesting is the model has not hit the retail market yet, especially since it’s been over 6 months since it made its appearance on tour — and on my living room TV just before Christmas last year, what a tease!

My motivation for asking when we’ll see his putter model in stores is purely self-serving – because I want one! Hopefully the wait — for this particular equipment junkie and putter addict in particular — won’t be much longer.

Update 6.7.09: Stewart Cink used this Nike Golf prototype putter this week at the Memorial, switching from his Never Compromise Sub 30 M3 Belly putter.

Update 6.10.09: Per David Dusek at Golf.com: Looks like Stewart Cink started using this putter at Colonial, the week before The Memorial. Read David Dusek’s post here.

Update 6.22.09: Lucas Glover used this Nike Golf prototype putter this week to win the 2009 U.S. Open. Congratulations Lucas!

Update 6.30.09: More info and new photos from TheTourVan.com on the Nike prototype putter — read the blog post here.

Update 7.7.09: I found this article on Golf.com from 9.17.08 (my birthday! is this an omen? hope so…) featuring more details on the Nike prototype putter, with two great photos of it (shown below). Read David Dusek’s post from 9.17.08 here.

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Update 7.7.09: Earlier today Paul Casey tweeted these great photos of his Nike prototype putter, included are his comments about each photo:

PC: Had a bunch of people asking about my putter. Below are are couple of photos. This is a prototype so I can’t tell you much right now.

Putter face:

tge

Putter back:

uok

This is a rare view. The TV doesn’t pick up this bottom detail. Any guesses as to the meaning?

hrx

Ok, obviously it’s Texas! The dot and the FW stand for Fort Worth which is where it was made.

It was either the 26th putter to come out of the Oven to that date or the 26th putter that day? Sorry not sure.

I’ve been using this putter since Aug 2008. The technology was designed by David Franklin from Nike who works at “the Oven”.

Great stuff Paul, thanks for sharing!

Update 7.20.09: Yesterday Stewart Cink won The Open Championship using his Nike prototype putter. Here’s photo of Stewart’s putter from a blog post by David Dusek.

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