Celebrating Mom's Birthday Last Night

Last night's birthday get together for my Mom's birthday was a success. I met up with her, Vicki Linde, Marg and John Perrin, my brother Cory and his girlfriend. It didnt get out of control at all. Just a few good stories shared over drinks and appetizers. No pictures were taken so I decided to post a picture of my Mom celebrating her 50th birthday two years ago. (Front row, left to right: Tacey, Hope(my lovely bride), Barbie. Back row, left to right: Marg, Vicki) Too bad I wasnt allowed to participate in the festivities that year. Looks like everyone was a little FULL.

Happy birthday again to THE BEST MOM IN THE WORLD. All she needs to do now is decide which one of the three outfits she is wearing to my wedding. Its ok mom, you still have 8 days to figure it out. Might even find another one by then.

Brad

Camilo Villegas is leaving Cobra/Puma Golf for Taylormade

After doing my morning reviews of the golf blogs & websites I read I found a few articles stating that Camilo Villegas is leaving Cobra/Puma Golf for Taylormade. I have heard that he was shopping around for new deals this year. The places that I seen this said they is no confirmation from Cobra/Puma or Taylormade on the matter, but they all have very reliable sources and normally when they have some breaking news like this it is going to happen.

Personally I think this is an amazing pick up for Taylormade. Camilo is coming into the spot light more and more each week. He is a well known golfer on and off the course. I posted the picture above so that any random person reading this (which I only think I have 4-5 ppl that know of my website) will know who I am talking about. The signature Spiderman pose, and yes its a lot harder than it looks. I have never been the type of person to play golf equipment because a tour professional plays it, so Camilo being one of the golfers I follow each week wont make me put Taylormade clubs in my bag. The main reason is because I have no more room for more Taylormade clubs (Burner driver & 3wood, R7 TP irons). I commend Camilo on this move though, Taylormade is such a solid brand and I see the 2 of them doing great things in the future.

As for Cobra/Puma golf, you do need to feel a little for them. Since Puma purchased Cobra this year they have been busy trying to acquire new faces and up coming stars. Rickie Folwer is one of the newer stars on tour, and he has helped promote the Puma brand. Although Rickie is rocking the Puma Golf gear, he has been quoted that he will always play Titleist clubs. Kind of a slap in the face, but Im sure a six figure check might change his mind. The Cobra side of the business needs more attention then the Puma side right now. Cobra's big three included Camilo, Ian Poulter and JB Holmes. To strength this company and both brands they need to add more pros, but really should focus on JB Holmes. He is an up and coming, young, bomber of the golfing ball, who rocks a black golf glove all the time. He is a marketing teams dream! Most people would say why not Ian Poulter? He is international known and ranked top 10 in the world. Well do as much as you can with him regarding Cobra, but Ian has his own clothing company, so no amount of money will get him to change his wardrobe.

Maybe Cobra/Puma Golf will get really desperate and start sponsoring regular hacks like myself. Heck, just give me some clothes, maybe 1 new club a year and I will live your brand every day. Could turn into the best marketing/advertising move ever. I'm just saying.

Cobra/Puma Golf - stands for innovation, advanced design and performance with an edge. I can do this all day. I will update you on the process of my endorsement deal.

Until then, hit'em straight.

Brad

Custom Wedge Design = My Soon-To-Be New Hobby

Titleist just started a WedgeWorks program (http://www.vokey.com/wedgeworks/default.aspx) that allows golfers to custom order wedges that are stamped on the back with their initials or nickname. Most of the PGA professionals have had this for years, but with the customization of the Scotty Cameron putters taking off like it has Titleist knew there was a market for their wedges. The picture above is of a few of the designs that Titleist will be offering. I came across this picture on Twitter one day and was immediately interested. But when they finally launched their website I wasnt too keen on the idea of spending $150+ to get custom wedges with "BH" or "PIN SEEKER" or "DART THROWER" on the back of them when I just purchased brand new wedges this spring. The solution to my dilemma is to find a set of metal alphabet punches, some model car paint and a vice grip and design my wedges myself. This could easily turn into a new hobby for me, which is just what I need (Hope would disagree). I have a great location in the "man shed" to convert into a mini-shop. To make this into a profitable outfit, once I practice on my wedges, I will offer my services to some friends and have them be my free advertising at their local courses & country clubs. Hopefully in the next few weeks I will be posting pictures of wedges that I have stamped.

Stay Thirsty My Friends.

Brad

The 2010 Open Championship

I dont know how everyone feels about the outcome of The 2010 Open Championship, Im still sitting with mixed feelings. Congratulations to Louis Oosthuizen for playing 4 solid rounds of golf at St. Andrews this week. The kid didnt faulter one bit on Sunday, even threw in an eagle and a few birdies that took the wind out of Paul Casey's sails. I dont want to say that I will forget who ended up winning (2010 will always be the year the guy won that no one could pronounce his name right until the back nine on Sunday) but I think I will be taking a way a few other things from this year's Open Championship.

1) TOM WATSON is a class act. The above picture is of Tom crossing the infamous bridge on #18 at St. Andrews. Possibly his last time playing in an Open Championship at St. Andrews, but boy did he show us a few things. After his great run last year, that came up just a few feet short he still knows how to play. I was impressed with they way he carried himself and took his pride out of some of his shots. Showing people that you dont need to land it pin high everytime, but can land it 30 or 40 yards short of the green and watch it roll to 10 feet.

2) How exciting it is to watch two fearless young guns attack pins. Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler sure put on a heck of a show. Yes they both had one bad day that definitely cost them a chance at the Claret Jug, but they showed the world they will be contending for many years to come. Rory with a salty 63 the first day, I wasn't too excited about getting up at 4am Thursday morning to wath golf, but after his round I was glad I did. I had Rickie Fowler finishing 10th in my pool, but after his first round 79 I thought he wasn't even going to make the cut and that we weren't going to get to see the signature Orange Outfit at St. Andrews. Then he goes and shoots 67, 71, 67 and finishes T14. Capped by his 126 ft putt on the road hole. http://www.opengolf.com/en/VideoAndAudio/ShotOfTheDay.aspx?assetid=6814&num=2&fld=Video I am predicting these two guys to be battling over Major titles for many years to come.

3) Tiger changing putters, then changing back for the final round. This was a big topic going into the Open and it seemed to pay off for the first day. I am a firm believer of new clubs give you more confidence, I love putting new clubs in my bag, but at the end of the day the golfer has to hit the shot. The double bogeys in his final round stopped any momentum that he might have had going for him. I just dont see him winning at all this year, The Open at St. Andrews was the closest thing to a guaranteed W for Tiger and he ended in a tie for 23rd. I hope he gets everything together before The PGA Championship, it would be nice to see him in the final group again come Sunday.

Introducing Dave Braet to Templeton Rye / Carroll, IA

One of my great friends from Iowa State came to visit me this weekend. I would like to think Dave Braet had a blast. Not because he continued to say it on the walk from Kerp's to my house Saturday evening, but because of the things he accomplished. The day started out with a golf match at the Carroll Country Club. Dave, myself and TDub hit the links at 9:30am. The day was full of great shots, great stories, and great drinks. Dave and Tdub ended up tieing with two 90s, and I squeeked out a 71. After golf we took our 3 man party to Bloomer's Sports Bar & Grill for the "Coldest Beer in Town." We ended up hooking Dave up with a little Templeton Rye and not the stuff they sell in stores. Dave has never tried Templeton Rye before, but after his first of many shots all he could say was, "that's so smooth." Following this stop on our mini-tour of Carroll County, we headed to a going away party in Halbur, IA. This place was full of GREAT PEOPLE & GREAT FOOD!!! During our time there I had at least four people come up to me and tell me that my friend Dave was a riot. It was great to see some old friends of my family at this outing as well. Fast forward a few hours and our wolfpack had grown a few, and we are sitting at Kerps for a night cap.

Thanks again Dave for showing up and taking in what Carroll had to offer. I hope you are able to attend the wedding reception in a few weeks. If not, then we will have to get together soon to hit the links and take over your home town.

WEDDING UPDATE - The wedding planning is stilling moving forward. Hope will be heading out of town tomorrow to pick up the candy for the candy bar and some other things. These next two weeks are going to be super busy and will go by faster than we think. Next project on the list is finalizing the Rehersal Dinner.

- Brad

Golf is the most fun you can have without taking your clothes off.

The beginning....

Well this is officially my 1st post ever on my blog, hope its a good one. Im sure everyone is aware that Hope and I will be getting married here in 2 weeks (July 31, 2010). I wanted to start blogging our trips and major events so friends & family could follow along.

Hope and I got engaged May 29, 2009. I was back in Carroll for her grandparents 50th anniversary (Congrats out to Mox and Norma). After I presented her with the ring, she grabbed it out of my hands and ran into her bedroom. All I could hear her say was "Brad, Ohh My God, Ohh My God, Are You Serious?" So me being the kind of guy that I am, I continued to get dressed and ready for the big party in Arcadia. To make a long story short, Hope really hadnt given me a definite answer yet, but she did have time to update her Facebook status. WHAT KIND OF WORLD ARE WE LIVING IN?!?! I cant get a yes said back to me that she will marry me, but she can change her relationship status to engaged. Crazy. Finally when we were almost to Arcadia (10 mile drive) I asked her again and she said yes. But thanks to her posting the news on Facebook our friends & family were already calling and texting.

This past year has been a lot of ups and downs for us. We bought a house in Carroll (125 S. Walnut St) so stop over whenever you are in town. The door is usually always open and there is always cold beer in the fridge. Owning a house is a true test, but I think we are getting the hang of it. Once again Hope has been putting her 2nd talent to work which is shopping & decorating. I remember one trip to Gordmans in DSM, all I can say is that girl knows how to shop for decorations, because on the way back to Carroll the only windows I could see out in the Jeep was the windshield and my driver side window. But without her I think I would have 1 couch, a big TV and my PS3. Everything has been going great for us back in Carroll. I know both of our families are happy to have us back in town.

We think we having everything planned for the wedding (July 31, 2010 didnt know if I mentioned it yet). I personally did not think there was that many decisions that needed to be made to plan a wedding. But Hope has done an AMAZING job at planning this ceremony/party. I know all her hard work is going to pay off.

Well that is where I will start this off at. I know this blog is going to go in a million directions and I know I will be posting stuff on here weekly especially in the next 2 weeks since the wedding is July 31, 2010.

Until then -

Brad