This Week at WorldGolf.com: Nov. 09, 2005

Jean Van de Velde: A true golf
hero without a lot of common cents

That's not cause for eternal derision. That's reason for everlasting celebration. This is a Frenchman with a sense of humor (and not just the Jerry Lewis kind). This is one of those rare golfing souls who doesn't take himself too seriously, a kindred spirit to bad, bold golfers everywhere.

And really, who's left a bigger mark on golf: A fluke one-time Ben Curtis type major champion or an all-time JEAN VAN DE VELDE no-way-did-he-lose-that nonchampion?

The answer's pretty self explanatory. Jean Van de Velde's had an entire facet of the game named after him. As in You just pulled a Jean Van de Velde. Ben Curtis is a future Trivial Pursuit answer in one of the most specialized Trivial Pursuits ever (you know, one of those Obscure Sports Figures of the 21st Century editions that Parker Brothers breaks out these days).

So it's probably no surprise that when Van de Velde talked of playing in the Women's British Open as payback for the R & A rule change allowing women (i.e. Michelle Wie's marketing millions) into the British Open, I was all for it. Doubly so when our national golf editor, Tim McDonald, who is so PC that Ryan Seacrest asks him for advice on how to be blandly nonoffensive, immediately jumped all over my favorite Frenchman.

But the more I thought about it, I realized that shaving his legs and putting on a skirt would not be enough for Jean Van de Velde to show his women's golf simpatico. No, he'd have to be willing to take a paycut.

For Annika Sorenstam, only the most dominant athlete in her sport on the planet, just pushed her season earnings past $2.3 million. That would place Sorenstam 21st on the PGA Tour money list, behind such legends as Ben Crane and Chad Campbell.Remember, this is Annika Sorenstam, who's only won nine tournaments this season. It makes you realize why Michelle Wie wants to play with the men so badly. She cannot win anyway, she might as well play with the men and get paid better for not winning.

Figuring out Jean Van de Velde's motivation is a little murkier. Doesn't he realize that going to the women's tour means a pay cut? Then again, my man Van de Velde never minded a little murk or muck. As long as he's up for the voluntary income reduction, he should absolutely be allowed in the Women's British Open.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Ron Garl on golf courses'
long battle with hurricanes

A hurricane can be a golf course owner's worst nightmare. High winds will knock down trees and flooding can create a quagmire where there was once a pristine course, making the cleanup job a monumental task. Renowned golf architect Ron Garl has seen hurricanes ravage a few of the golf courses he has designed, and gives some examples of the hard work involved as the courses made the long reconstructive journey back to playability.

Full story | Also: In Katrina's wake, Gulf Coast courses soldier on

Modest royalty: Duff House Royal
produces pleasant play for golfers in Banff

In Banff, the course the locals play is Duff House Royal, and there are two good reasons to recommend it. First, with a lack of tourists, this is golf the way the Scots have played it for generations. That means golf that's short on pretense and long on pure enjoyment. The other draw, and maybe the more intriguing, is that Duff House Royal is one of very few courses in Scotland that bears the imprint of Alister Mackenzie.

Full story | The best Irish links you've never heard of

Kapalua: Maui's golf mecca
lives up to its reputation

Nestled in the northwest region of the West Maui mountains lies the golf triumvirate known as Kapalua. While not packed with golf options like other areas in Hawaii, Kapalua offers three courses that all fall under "must-play." Most famous for the Plantation Course - home of the PGA Tour's Mercedes Championship - Kapalua is also home to two other courses, the Bay and the Village, and golfers from duffer to pro are singing their praises.

Full story | Also: Your comprehensive guide to golf in Hawaii