Blasphemy

(AP Photo by Bob Child)

You're right to be pissed, AK. We have dropped the proverbial golf ball this time. With only 13 events left on the PGA Tour - including the playoffs - we've forgotten to do mid-season "Look of the Year" nominations. Looks like we'll have to do some digging in the KC archives. Give us a day and we'll offer up some options and let the readers vote on it.

_________________

-The KC Team

I've Got Friends in Ryo Places...

(Photo courtesy of the Kyodo News)

Ryo Ishikawa's game is nothing if not exciting. The drama is racheted up when this kid's in the hunt. Only 17, Ryo won his 3rd pro tournament on the Japanese Tour on Sunday at the Mizuno Open - earning him a ticket to Turnberry for the British Open Championship. This is all impressive, of course, but the way he won - his back nine included a quintuple-bogey '9' on 12 and a chip-in eagle on 16 that sent young Ryo and the crowd into a mild frenzy - was most captivating.

Distinctively clad in red shirt and trousers with black and red accessories, "the Bashful Prince" is anything but bashful with his sartorial selections in competitive rounds. And his clothing matches his attitude: When asked his strategy for the British, Ryo answered, “I hear it is windy out there and I don’t think long driver shots alone will help. But I feel like going for broke.”

Although he's made but one PGA Tour cut - at this year's Transitions Championship - don't count him out for a great round or two on the big stage in 3 weeks. And hey, if things don't go his way, it won't be from a lack of fortitude.

-KC

Friday Focus: Weaving Through Generations

(AP Photos by Mike Groll and Charles Krupa)

There was a lot of ink spilled last week about Drew Weaver and rightfully so. How can you not love this guy? The fire was contagious, the smile wide, the demeanor cool and the dialogue gracious. Not to mention the kid looks damn sharp in Polo RL. He kept it very classic and nautical all week in wovens: whites, blues and yellows. Bold white and royal stripes, crisp yellow pique, that argyle vest that everyone remembers from Day 1.

Polo Golf is a favorite of many across the nation and the world, but I find it has a special place in the hearts of young golfers that grew up, in my generation at least, watching Davis Love wear it so well in our formative years. He was the guy everyone wanted to emulate in the times when very few other golfers were making positive fashion choices. Of course the clothing itself is timeless - the drape elegant and sporty all at once - but it was DL3's nonchalance, his ease and his charm that lent themselves so well to the brand, to the very American romanticism of a windswept, sunset nine in the Georgia Isles.

Without ever asking him, I can tell you that Drew Weaver (22 years old) grew up watching and admiring Davis. I know this because in Drew I see a lot of myself, I see a lot of my friends and I see a lot of what is so magical about growing up as a young man playing golf in America. Even with all Drew has been through having been a student at Virginia Tech, there is that certain purity, excitement, resiliency. His play at the United States Open shouldn't have come as too much of a surprise. He is American through and through. Like golf in the Carolinas. Like Polo RL. Like Davis. It just felt right.

-KC

They Wore Raaaaspberry Trousers...

(AP Photos by Mel Evans and Matt Slocum)

.....The kind you find in a trendy golf store?

---Both white mock t-necks too. Kinda scary...

Honk if You're a Blogger...

The latest apparel house to debut a blog is the venerable Peter Millar, which rolled out their web log entitled "A Lifetime of Style" on May 29th. I spoke with Millie Graham from P.M. earlier today and it sounds like they have a lot planned down the road for the space. They already have several posts up with related photos and stories.

Millie was even kind enough to showcase the KC's "Gingham Surprise: Jeff Klauk" in a June 4th post featuring Steve Stricker, a P.M./Titleist player.

In our post, Jeff is sporting a woven trim knit from the spring 2009 collection. For fans of Peter Millar-sponsored guys on Tour, they are now offering shirts monogrammed with the Tour Logo, so you can wear the same shirts as Steve Stricker, Charley Hoffman and the rest of the P.M./Titleist team.

Like we talked about in yesterday's post, this is an all-encompassing game and we appreciate the guys who go the distance to provide customers with inspired apparel for every aspect of their lives. Peter Millar covers haberdashery, sportswear, activewear, outerwear, businesswear - you get the picture. Get over to a "Lifetime of Style" and leave some comments. Us bloggers LOVE that...

-KC

Art Intimidates Golf

(Photos borrowed from J.Lindeberg.com)

For those of you that liked the CV Art Polos that Camilo debuted at Bethpage, they are now available online at the JL US Webstore.

I think it's pretty exciting that Camilo is designing his own line of shirts. They are not initially something I'd think of wearing myself, but I'm pretty open to trying new things that Lindeberg puts out. Both JL and Puma are really embracing radical designs with their recent releases; they've both been-there-and-done-that with regards to bright colors and are now focusing more on detailing. It's creating this new species of golf apparel - and the crossover appeal to streetwear is staggering.

Golf clothing used to be something we purchased specifically with the intent to play golf. The thing I've always loved about JL is they have taken their golf clothing seriously enough to be considered part of their main collection. It is and has been a focal point for them. You can't go from the course to a night out on the town in your baggy Fairway & Greene shirt with your club logo - at least I wouldn't recommend it. But you can untuck your JL polo, throw on a pair of loafers and be ready for nearly anything. This may not be valuable to everyone, but to some of us, it's huge. In this kill-or-be-killed world of golf style blogging, we have to be ready to go at a moment's notice.

In the end, that's really where fashion is headed. In these times we need reliable, versatile pieces that roll as effortlessly as we do. That's why I love how many golf apparel manufacturers are seeing the need to do sportswear, to do casual pieces for off the course, etc. This game is a lifestyle. You may as well look good doing and living all parts of it.

-KC

Friends with Benefits!!

(Image borrowed from Puma Golf, it's probably a Getty Image/Cannon, please don't come after me)

I've been noticing a lot of folks getting directed to the site from Loudmouth Golf, where the KC was featured on their press releases page for this post we did back in May on J.D.

Since the post was negative on the pants, I was slightly surprised, but I'll never look a gift horse in the (Loud)mouth...That was bad, I know. So, thanks to the folks over at LMG for the shout-out. Judging by how many people are clicking on the press release, they're getting a lot more hits than I am. Loud and proud is the way to go. Plus, the best thing about Loudmouth is that they know their pants are bad and that's the beauty of the whole operation.

Also have gotten a lot of new visitors from a recent Twitter post by Puma Golf. (I refuse to say 'tweet.') I'm very bullish on Puma as a golf apparel company right now - as anyone who reads the KC regularly would know - and I appreciate the nod.

_________

(KC)

Fun with Captions

(AP Photo by Jacques Boissinot)
___________________________________________________________

Freddie: "Tell it again, Sergio..."

Sergio: "So I call up Greg and I go, 'Mister Nohrman, this is Chaarles from the Australllyan Royal Nayvy. We have a vessel washed up on the rocks down here that we thank belongs to you. Aussie Rules is the nahyme. Kinda stupid nahyme if ya asked me...'"

It's True!

(Photo by Eric Olig originally ran in the Augusta Chronicle)

I got an email from my pal Tony Q this morning and in it he mentioned Trendy Golf was bringing their fantastic apparel selection across the pond with a US Webstore. Well, after a visit to the site, I can confirm this is indeed the case.

We at the KC say Bravo! to Team Trendy on the decision. Check out Trendy Golf USA to get email updates and VIP access to the 2009 Fall/Winter collections before the official unveiling.

(Look how excited Nick is!)

-KC

Final Pairing at the US Open: When Opposites Attack

(AP Photo by Matt Slocum)

--I like this shot by Matt Slocum - it's a rare side-by-side comparison of what I'll refer to as 90's golf fashion versus the more progressive styling we're seeing "today." I'd note that Ricky Barnes, especially with this look, is a perfect example of the "new crop" - not an example of everything we're seeing on Tour, but a good guinea pig for several of today's on-course trends: white belts, military caps, trim/fitted trousers and non-traditional "polos." This gives me an idea and I'd like to elaborate at a later date, or to a later date if you're interested in dinner with a golf clothing freak...

--But I digress...Lucas in this photo is a perfect example of mid 1990's golf fashion; white polo with long full sleeves and chinos. He's the golfer's golfer, not ruffling any feathers, good ol' southern boy, lanky build, lanky game. You see 100 guys like him hitting balls at any club-pro tournament in Everytown, USA. "But, KC, he's the U.S. Open Champ"-- I know, but I'm bored...

--Lucas would look great in Polo. Everyone from the South does. Luke should take tips from Drew Weaver. That kid was rocking it this week. I'm going to do a post on him. He's like a Love III/Watson hybrid with just a touch of Kuchar's boyishness.

--I'm feeling out of sorts today - back to Ricky - I really liked his trousers in the final round. (Feel free to drop any "they cut off the circulation to his brain" jokes here.) They, for me and other tight-trouser wearin' fools, were the perfect width and cut. So much better-fitting than the fuller, checkered trousers the day before. I wanted a pair, which is the ultimate compliment I can give in this space.

--White belt was done effectively, paired with the white cap - Ricky doesn't look bad in these hats, but they are a finicky thing. I posted on Geoff Shackelford's site that you need a certain amount of edge to carry the military cap and I think Ricky has it. Edfors definitely has it, so does Ryan Moore. Camilo looks better in a traditional baseball cap like he wore this week, but he can pull it off too. You need long hair, a beard, several gruesome looking tattoos or all of the above. If you went to an Ivy league school or grew up in Fairfield County, don't wear a military cap. Trust me.

--Many people have a problem with a white belt when it flies solo. I think a white belt can be effective without the matching shoes, if incorporated somehow into the look. I'm fine with leaving half of Cleveland uninhabited. (Get it?) Call me crazy, but you wouldn't be the first.

--The shirt I am not a fan of, but we are seeing non-traditional polos pop up here and there on Tour. Ricky is wearing a zip-neck Oakley shirt that technically has a "collar." If you want a nice example of these shirts, look for Oliver Wilson, the Brit, who wears Hugo Boss variations similar to Ricky's zip-necks. Sergio likes his Adidas zip-necks, but those have traditional collars, which he wears flat.

--I could talk jive all day, the point is: this is a cool photo and lets you directly compare the influences of modern style on the modern-day golfer. Granted, the guy on the right with the boring gear finished first - doesn't hold out a lot of hope for lost golf fashion souls like me, does it? How will I live with myself...

-KC

Closest to the Pin?

(Property of AP Photo/Morry Gash)

--Phil, along with his stellar play this week, is the undisputed king of pinstripes. I love the solid polo with a pinstriped trouser look for golf. Both narrow and wider pinstriped fabrics are equally fantastic. It is really an elegant way to go and will set you apart from the khaki'd hordes.

--The struggle for amateurs is getting a great pair of tailored pants and heading out to the course, only to ruin them trying to find an errant tee shot or trudging around in a wet area. For that reason, the KC suggests sticking to darker colors: black, charcoal gray, even a nice rich brown. Unless you want to look like Michael Jordan, stick to a trimmer silhouette and go pleatless like Phil, regardless of your waist size.

--One thing I've noticed about Phil's custom trousers is they are the perfect width and drape when you see him from the side, but still offer plenty of room and comfort that you can see when looking at him from head-on. That's where a good tailor can give you the edge...That being said, there are plenty of places to pick up off-the-peg, inexpensive, trim pinstripe trousers suitable for golf. Get creative.

--For our in-house suggestions, email the KC.

Nike Scripting on The Apparel Wire

(Photo property of the Associated Press)

Need the skinny on what A.K. and the rest of the Nike boys will be wearing this weekend? 

Check out The Apparel Wire. They feature Nike's clothing lineup here - highlighting all four days, for sponsored players that qualified for the Open.  

Gray Area...continued

(Photos property of the Associated Press)

I love the whole monochrome movement. All-white and all-black (the "Gary Player") looks have been a popular choice for style-minded players for the past several years on Tour. 

Between Geoff Ogilvy's gray rainsuit by Puma on Thursday and John Mallinger's and Phil's selections today, the head-to-toe color at Bethpage is gray. (Matches the skies.)

I like especially how Phil played the steel gray shirt with the charcoal pinstriped trousers. The difference in color and texture keeps things interesting. Mallinger went for a more solid all-graphite look in Travis Mathew, but was equally as successful. Both players chose to pair with black accessories, probably the only sensible choice besides white - which could be a very cool summer look.

-KC  

Wet and Wild

(Photo property of the Associated Press)

Heavy rain forces players to make changes to their usual lineups of equipment and apparel. No "floppy hair day" for Poulter on Thursday - he's hardly recognizable shadeless and in a traditional baseball cap...Didn't stop him from draining a long par attempt on the fifth, capped (sorry) with a 'take that' gesture to Mother Nature. Let's get these boys back on the course! Make 'em earn it. 

The Gray Area

"...if you can make this stop, I'll never fly private again...I swear."

(Ogilvy photos property of Puma Golf and the Associated Press)

In a world of black rainwear, we're really liking Geoff Ogilvy's gray PUMA rainsuit today at the Open. (Top.) We also think pros should check out the Abacus rainwear featured on the KC several weeks back. Bethpage could use a little splash of color out there today. (It's getting plenty of other kinds of splashes.)

Speaking of PUMA, they've been doing some really cool things as of late. First of all, there's the Black and White Special Edition clothing that they've rolled out. You can find it on Fairway Styles. Be sure to check out the knit sweater, the 2 "Invisibonding" (PUMA's fabric fusing technology) polos and the special edition Swing Crown kicks that Ogilvy wore at the Masters. (Above.) All look clean, crisp and fantastic. 

PUMA also kept themselves on the forefront of cool with a US Open PUMA Brigade Promotion. By luring young, happenin' locals with free drinks at Stout Bar NYC, they were able to put together a group of 75 "Brigaders" - who are currently braving the elements today at Bethpage in support of Geoff and Johan Edfors. In free PUMA special edition gear of course...

You've got to set yourself apart to sell apparel these days and PUMA is keeping it progressive and different. Must be those cat-like reflexes. 

(Check out what Geoff will be wearing this week at The Apparel Wire)

-KC

Look-Alike: Matt Nagy

(Top photo from John Mummert/USGA - Bottom Photo -KC)

After a few hours at Bethpage on Tuesday, I was on a bit of a mission. I had seen everyone I wanted except Phil and Camilo and after hearing that Phil wasn't on the grounds, I was determined to at least track down the elusive Mr. Villegas. As I cruised by the clubhouse, I took a quick peek at the putting green. My eyes took in the signature military cap, the white ensemble, the dark skin; the hair seemed a bit short, but it had to be him. 

I darted over and was quickly dismayed (no offense, Matt) to find a much taller and lankier substitute. Matt Nagy (above) is a 20-year-old sophomore at Kennesaw St. University with the coolest qualifying story in the field. The 54th alternate for the sectional qualifier at Hawks Ridge in GA, he showed up and then showed up. A course record 63 on his second 18 had him sharing medalist honors with Matt Kuchar and holding a ticket to Bethpage. 

Nagy may have a few accidental fans this week given his long-distance resemblance to a certain Colombian superstar, but I have a feeling his story is what will be getting him the most attention. Best of luck, Matt. 

-KC

Camilo Preview

(Photo property of PGA TOUR/J.Lindeberg)

For everyone out there highly anticipating the Camilo, Adam Scott, Sergio pairings in the first two rounds of the Open, this should whet your appetites. PGA Tour ran a preview, with the blessing of JL of course, of what Camilo will be sporting all 4 days at Bethpage. To call these golf polos "rock and roll" would be a hearty understatement. JL is sending a message to the rest of the apparel world: just try and keep up. 

It's really miraculous - the focus placed on apparel in the golf world these days. Five years ago we wouldn't have seen the Tour run this article and we wouldn't see Adidas running 'fan's choice' clothing promotions. It's especially important during a time when golfers are scaling back on equipment and apparel purchases for rock-solid organizations like the Tour to support the entire industry. I am happy to see that this is predominantly the case. 

Thanks to Shane C. for the tip!

-KC

Best Dressed: Practice Day 2

Korea's Sang Moon Bae: He was hitting to the far left side of the range and immediately caught my eye. (Hope that doesn't rhyme)

The red, white and blue motif can go so horribly wrong, yet here he has done it with sophistication and a modern edge. Corey Pavin should be framing this for team uniform inspiration. (Photo by yours truly.) 

Practice on Day 2 - Through the KC's lens

Some of my favorites from today. (Click on each photo for full-size)

-KC

gold jacket, green jacket, who gives a s@%^?

(All 2009 winners images property of Getty/Cannon Images)

Well, we certainly do at the KC... We happen to think the Brooks Brothers number that Brian Gay received on Sunday is the best looking winner's jacket out there. I mean of course we'd take Augusta's offering over all else, but when it comes to sheer wearability the blue and white seersucker is a southern/prep classic. That's Brian's second jacket-worthy Sunday performance this year. (See above photo from Hilton Head) 

The combined collection of jackets given to PGA Tour winners is not all that extensive and looks strangely like the closets of several of our fraternity brothers. You have the wild tartans of Hilton Head and the Colonial. The classic blue and gold at both Bay Hill and Quail Hollow...Of course the "Green Jacket." 

But the seersucker stands tall, not only because of the relevance of it being given in Memphis - seersucker is always part of any tradition-minded Southern gents wardrobe - but also for its unique simplicity. When I watched Justin Leonard put it on in 2008, it was easy to picture him at a backyard party somewhere, surrounded by sunshine and the careless clinking of cocktail glasses. The jacket would never be considered gaudy, always appropriate, but with a little kick. 

Yes, traditional navy blazers like those given at Bay Hill or Quail Hollow may seem sensible, but there's nothing special, nothing historically or geographically relevant about a year-round piece. When men reach for the seersucker (a safe guide is Memorial Day to Labor Day) it means warm temps, short work days and long evenings. What could be a better gift to a champion who has just displayed an enviable amount of 'cool' down the stretch than a jacket associated with comfort, ease and enjoyment. Cheers Brian. 

-KC

 

Hot Color in Memphis: Road-Cone Orange

(Photos property of the Associated Press)

"The duds are so bright you gotta wear shades..." was the theme at the St. Jude. 

Back next week...

(Property of Cannon/Getty Images)

We'll be back next week, all week, for coverage of the United States Open at Bethpage Black...

-The KC Team

Friday Throwback

(Photo borrowed from The Ron Watts Private Collection)

Obviously we're doing the Bear this week. Kind of a cool juxtaposition with the Jesper photo. Jack had some big forearms. Reminds me of Paul Casey at address here. This is from a swing sequence in 1964. Jack was 24 and already owned 3 legs of the career Grand Slam. 

Jesper's effortlessness is old hat at this point...

(AP Photo by Jay LaPrete)

Proportion

(Images borrowed from the Associated Press)

I was watching a video segment recently where Marty Hackel from GD and David Chu (founder of Nautica/Lincs by David Chu etc.) were going through the better dressed players on Tour for 2008 and explaining why they were so effective. Marty didn't have Camilo in there, which is kind of ridiculous; although he did sub in Justin Timberlake. 

When it comes to Luke Donald, David Chu speaks of proportion. Because Luke is a shorter guy - and this is a good lesson - he compensates by wearing a more fitted shirt, shorter sleeves, a slimmer trouser. (Look at the narrow cut of the sleeves on his sweater.) A lot of shorter guys don't believe that this will make them appear taller, but it will. It will also avoid the dreaded "stumpy" appearance that I see many height-challenged guys in New York struggle with while wearing fuller cut suits. 

Luke was looking great as usual in the first round of the Memorial in RLX stripes, a bold blue pant and white FootJoys. Simple. Proportionate. Effective. It's an easy style to emulate, anyone can pull it off. (Luke's round of 64 may be a bit tougher to recreate...)  

As David Chu explains and the KC preaches, simple looks are often the best. 

A Break from the Norm...

(Photo shamelessly stolen from the New York Times article)

This article - from today's NY Times Style Section - on designer Michael Bastian has nothing to do with golf, but everything to do with loving your clothing. After all, that's really what this site is about. 

-KC

"Just Good Enough" - By Sean Hotchkiss

(Photo borrowed from the Associated Press)

"I don't play as much as I'd like to. I haven't played as much as I'd like to since I was 13 years old and played 36 a day, trying like heck to break 80 on my home course, the Woodlands Club in Falmouth, Maine. One summer morning I shot a 1-under 35, playing the back nine first. I went stiff as a two-by-four on the front. A 45 led to a broken 3-iron, tossed in the lake. 

I never took too many lessons growing up. I hated getting worse before you got better. Couldn't handle it. If I was Tiger, I wouldn't have re-tooled my swing in 1998. I wouldn't have won 4 consecutive majors. The problem is, I like knowing I am capable of hitting a good shot at any time. I am and always have been a feel player. Hell, I'm a feel person. I've never responded well to technical teachers and technical terms. I suck at math...And science. My path through golf was carved playing, enjoying...not at the range beating balls. The secret is in the dirt, they say. Not for me. 

I've seen many players turn into range zombies. Ranger Ricks. They never finished a round. "I'm going to the range to work on something." I took money from those kids. Beat them in tournaments. I rarely won the tournaments, but I usually competed. My game was just good enough to keep playing and hoping some day everything would fall into place - that perfect round. I was king of 4th place. I assumed too much and worked too little. I excelled at match-play where you could make snowmen and still win. I'd be hot and cold for 6 hole stretches, inconsistently consistent. 

In Hilton Head at the International Junior Golf Academy, I shot 100 my first day there. Everyone thought I was a 30 handicapper and a chop. Two weeks later I beat everyone in the Academy and finished 2nd in a local tournament. I told myself this was my year. I'd shoot under par in practice and 80's in the tournaments. Tournament golf is not a feel game. Tournament golf is a precision game on several levels - mental, physical and spiritual. Guys who avoid instruction rarely win tournaments. But I was just good enough. Just good enough to toss a 72 in there when all hope seemed lost. I was back. I was going to win. I shot 90. 

Fear. That's what kept me away from lessons. Fear is not in the best golfers vocabulary. Golf is a game of evolution, constant patience, a ping-pong match of frustration, optimism, outright anguish. I experienced all those emotions with my ever-ready game, my ever-ready take it back inside, drop it in, slightly over the top swing. I hit it straight. Most of the time. I was just good enough. If I didn't play every day I suffered. I sucked in college. Sucked doesn't cover it. I'm a feel player. I'm a feel person. I feel like I'll never change. The kids who practiced caught up. They made changes, got comfortable, caught up. They passed me. I played and I played and I had fun and I hated it. 

I played last weekend. First round of the year. I made 12 pars in a row to start. What followed wasn't worthy of the scorecard it was written on. But I started so well...I was just good enough. I am just good enough to keep going. To have hope. To wonder. I'll never be a champion. But I'll never be last. I am just good enough and I am happy...maybe..."

First Look: Abacus Golf

(Photos borrowed from Abacus Golf)

Rainwear has gotten so much better over the past few years, but save for RLX, Lindeberg, Adidas, Puma and maybe a few others - most rain suits are still pretty ugly. Even with some of the aforementioned brands, you only get a few color choices - black and navy come to mind. 

Abacus is a Swedish clothing company with golf at the core of its inspiration. When you punch in their website you may be thrown as a giant landscape of downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan appears; however you'll soon be greeted with a 2009 Solheim Cup logo and start to put the pieces together: Chicago is host city for the Solheim this year where Abacus will be the official provider for Europe's team. Got it. 

But I ramble...to the rainwear! My first impression is almost of a Patagonia or a Cloudveil. This is a good impression, in fact for many years I wore a Cloudveil rain jacket on the course because the fit was more suited to my tastes. The Abacus Pitch jacket and pant come in several colors and are really nice looking pieces. I love the light green men's jacket pictured above. Fits are trim, "Euro" if you will, practically synonymous with better these days, and the features: plenty of pockets, sealed seams, extra long zippers on pants etc. are exactly what a golfer needs in trusty rainwear. 

I think consumers, especially my demographic, will appreciate not only the product, but the way Abacus presents itself as a brand: sophisticated without being stuffy, contemporary with a firm nod to tradition. The trailer romanticizes the allure of the urban landscape as well as the country golf club, making both look young, vibrant and exciting; not always an easy task for the latter. The soundtrack is very 'I'm shopping at Polo and I never want to leave...'

How to get your hands on Abacus rainwear and apparel in the States? Could be tough before the start of the Solheim Cup, but here's their listed rep: 

Jay Hubbard or Kelly Hubbard, Impact 1 Marketing 
Chicago, IL - 630.730.2955 

jhubbard@impact1marketing.com