Times staff, wires
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Local program gets big boost
The $1 million purse of last week's inaugural RR Donnelly LPGA Founder's Cup was donated to charity. Half went to the LPGA/USGA Girls Golf Program. The other half was split among the top 10 finishers and given to charities of their choice. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome tied for second, which meant the First Tee of St. Petersburg got $85,110. "It takes the help and support of great people like Brittany Lincicome to allow us to do what we do best," said Thomas Charlton, program director of the First Tee of St. Petersburg, "which is provide quality golf instruction and valuable life skills to all of the youth in our community who would like the opportunity.''
Tiger to teach via technology
Tiger Woods is now giving lessons on mobile phones. Woods launched a mobile application called "Tiger Woods: My Swing" for the iPhone and iPod that aims to help golfers of all skill levels. The $9.99 fee goes to the Tiger Woods Foundation. The application allows golfers to capture video of their swings to analyze and compare with Woods'. Woods is going through his fourth swing change since turning pro in 1996, so it's not clear which swing will be on display. The app also includes personalized videos in which Woods answers questions.
Between golf and school
U.S. Amateur champion Peter Uihlein played the Transitions Championship last week and easily made the cut. He's back at Oklahoma State this week even though he has an exemption to Bay Hill and doesn't need to worry about burning them because he won't be turning pro any time soon. It's all a matter of scheduling, and Uihlein has one busy schedule. "I'm going to be missing a lot of school because of the Masters," he said. Uihlein makes his way to Georgia next week for the 14th annual Georgia Cup match, which features the U.S. and British amateur champions. He plays Jin Jeong on Tuesday at The Golf Club of Georgia. Then it's back to school before a weekend at Augusta National to get ready for his first Masters. The rest of his summer should be easier to juggle. The U.S. Open and British Open come while school is out.
Local tournament
The second annual Forever Friends tournament is April 9 at Seminole Lake Country Club. The tournament is held in remembrance of Keith MacCollom, Joey Ruzecki, Nate Richardson and LeShawn Smith, friends who were killed in a car crash in 2009. The tournament is a four-player scramble with shotgun starts at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Entry fee is $160 per person. For details, call John Ruzecki at (727) 647-4169.
This week on tour
PGA: Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill Club and Lodge, Orlando. TV: Today-Friday, 3 p.m. on Golf Channel; Saturday-Sunday, 12:30-2:30 p.m. on Golf Channel, and 2:30 p.m. on Ch. 8
LPGA: Kia Classic, Industry Hills Golf Club, Industry, Calif. TV: Today-Friday-Saturday, 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, 7 p.m., all on Golf Channel
PGA Europe: Andalucia Open, Parador de Malaga, Malaga, Spain. TV: Today-Friday, 10:30 a.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m., all on Golf Channel
Times staff, wires