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Lake Nona wins Tavistock Cup, now let the real games begin

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By Michael Williams

GolfWRX Staff Writer

Some of the best players in the world took some time off to do what most of us would do on an off day; play some golf.

The occasion was the 2012 Tavistock Cup, the ninth edition of the two-day tourney that features the residents of the some of the world’s most exclusive golf communities in a pitched battle of the “Haves” against the “Have Mores”. Six-man teams of tour professionals from four exclusive golf clubs competed for cash, prizes and bragging rights. The team from Lake Nona, led by Graeme McDowell and Gary Woodland, won the competition on its home course over rival Isleworth and two other clubs to claim a winners’ purse of $600,000 to be split amongst the team members. Queenwood and Albany finished in third and fourth place, respectively. Els (Albany), Roger Allenby (Isleworth), Retief Goosen (Lake Nona), Ross Fisher(Lake Nona),  and Thomas Björn (Queenwood) tied for low individual score honors, shooting 5-under on the second and final day of the competition.

The competition was spirited, and with luxury cars and private jets as hole-in-one prizes, the players were competing as much for pride in ownership as pride alone. Among the most entertaining facets of the competition is the long drive contest, where Gary Woodland beat out fellow bombardier Bubba Watson with a mammoth 309 yard dive into a stiff wind. Notable among the competitors were Woods (Albany) and Goosen (Lake Nona); both were last seen wincing in pain in their last competitive outings just a few days ago. Both somehow recovered enough to play, albeit not with particular distinction. Woods pattern of good ball-striking and dubious putting continued; one could only wonder what could have motivated Goosen after suffering back pain so severe just two days ago that he decided to take platelet rich plasma injections (PRP).

Known affectionately in some circles as the U.S. Closed, the PGA Tour-sanctioned competition originated in 2004, as the Orlando-based golf pros that lived at Isleworth (Tiger Woods, Mark O’Meara, Lee Janzen, et al.) started talking smack to the pros at Lake Nona on the other side of town (Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Sergio Garcia, et al.). Before a West Side Story-style turf battle broke out, a nice gentleman from Tavistock, the investment company that owns both enclaves, suggested they do their fighting with their clubs, not with their fists; before someone got clocked with a 7-iron, he further explained that he meant they should play golf, not hit each other with golf clubs. And thus the Tavistock Cup was born. In the inaugural competition Lake Nona negotiated the ultimate “sucker bet” when they boasted that they could beat Isleworth “even with a girl on our team”. That girl happened to be Annika Sorenstam, and Lake Nona began their domination of the won competition with a 14.5 to 9.5 romp.

The Tavistock Cup has expanded over the years and now includes Albany from the Bahamas (which is featured in the James Bond thriller “Casino Royale”), and Queenwood in the United Kingdom (if the Queen is in the name, it’s got to be good, right?). The vision is to have the competition become the World Country Club Championships, which means that having the The Donald as a part of the action cannot be far over the horizon.

The event raises a lot of money for charity, and raised a lot of questions about the participants as they prepare for this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Masters in two weeks. Clearly Woods is struggling with his putting, and he will have to somehow channel memories of the 62 he put up in the final round of the Honda Classic in order to challenge this week and at Augusta. Els faced similar putting nightmares last week, and must finish amongst the Top 50 ranked players in the world after Bay Hill or win the Shell Houston Open the following week. He got some positive reinforcement at Tavistock, draining several of the ticklish short- to medium putts that are requirement for scoring at Augusta.

One thing is for sure; the time for fun is decidedly over. The first major of the year is almost here, and everyone knows that the only club jacket anybody wants is that sporty green number they give out just up the Interstate. Let the games begin.

Click here for more discussion in the “Tour Talk” forum.

Michael Williams is the contributing editor of Newschannel8 Capital Golf Weekly and Bunkershot.com, as well as a member of the Golf Writers Association of America.

You can follow Michael on twitter — @Michaelontv

Williams has a reputation as a savvy broadcaster, and as an incisive interviewer and writer. An avid golfer himself, Williams has covered the game of golf and the golf lifestyle including courses, restaurants, travel and sports marketing for publications all over the world. He is currently working with a wide range of outlets in traditional and electronic media, and has produced and hosted “Sticks and Stones” on the Fox Radio network, a critically acclaimed show that combined coverage of the golf world with interviews of the Washington power elite. His work on Newschannel8’s “Capital Golf Weekly” and “SportsTalk” have established him as one of the area’s most trusted sources for golf reporting. Williams has also made numerous radio appearances on “The John Thompson Show,” and a host of other local productions. He is a sought-after speaker and panel moderator, he has recently launched a new partnership with The O Team to create original golf-themed programming and events. Williams is a member of the United States Golf Association and the Golf Writers Association of America.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Casey Morris

    Mar 21, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    You said Goosen received back injections for the Masters. Do you know that he is not in the field at the Masters currently?

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Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is wondering how many birdies other players have had in a round while still failing to break par. @Lalan45, unfortunately, asked the question after a unique experience of their own.

They wrote:

“Today I managed 8 birdies but still shot even par, could have been a round to remember! What’s the most birdies you’ve made in a round and still didn’t break par?”

Our members in the forum shared their own experiences with successful rounds that still resulted in a score over par. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • kwcsports: “I’ve had 5 a few times, still shot 80+ haha.”
  • jda: “I played a course for the first time, had 8 birdies, 9 doubles and an eagle. The infamous no-par round. I kept the scorecard. Every shot had a creek that I did not know about, or I was within 8-10 feet for a birdie look. To this day, I have no idea if I should be really jacked up or mad about that performance.”
  • jvincent: “I think my record is either 5 or 6. Probably shot 75.”
  • Instron4204: “3 birdies and shot a 92…man I suck!”

Entire Thread: “Most Birdies Without Breaking Par.”

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Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.

@DTorres asked:

The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?

Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.

We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.

Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
  • bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
  • CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”

Entire Thread: “Best current stock shaft 2026.”

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GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

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A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down. 

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

 

  • GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

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