Golf

PODS: News and notes

By Dave Scheiber, Times Staff Writer
Published March 7, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT [Daniel Wallace | Times] Stewart Cink, waiting to putt on No. 5, finished with 66 and is one off the clubhouse lead. " ... I made some good putts," he said.

Hometown hero

As Patrick Olive approached his final hole Thursday, he was greeted by cheers, whoops and loud applause. It didn't matter that he was 13 over par. The Tarpon Springs native received an ovation fit for Tiger Woods from a large hometown contingent of family members, longtime friends and co-workers. They were there to support the field's lone amateur, who qualified by winning the Gasparilla Invitational two weeks ago.

"The experience is incredible, there's no doubt about it," said Olive, 36, who works for Life Brokerage Partners in Oldsmar. He has played the course many times, but it was a different experience alongside PGA Tour players - and, after some early pars, his game went off track. Still, it was a day to remember. "It was great seeing everybody come around and cheering," he said. Pros ribbed him over his gallery. "The running joke was, 'Boy, they're going to really startgoing crazy when you start making some birdies.' Unfortunately I was shut out today, but it was still great having everybody here."

Cink sinking 'em

Stewart Cink came to the PODS fresh off a sound thrashing by Tiger Woods in the final of the WGC-Match Play on Feb. 24. But the loss, after a strong performance to reach the final, clearly wasn't weighing on Cink's mind Thursday. He finished at 5-under 66, one off the clubhouse lead. "I was pleased with the way I drove the ball, hit a lot of good irons and I made some putts," he said. Cink took the poor performance against Woods in stride. "I got waxed pretty good. I obviously wish I'd have gone out there and matched birdies with him. But I think I was tapped out (after) I'd birdied all those holes leading up to it. ... Everyone understands you have to play really well to get to the finals. And when you go up against one of the best players in history, and he's on one of the best days of his life, it's not really in the cards."

Keep greens green

The PGA Tour Wives Association has launched a "green" initiative in conjunction with Waste Management. The goal: raise awareness among spectators about the importance of recycling. It asks those onsite to recycle plastic water and beverage bottles, literature, programs and papers. "We want fans to be cognizant of this," said Julia Petrovic, wife of golfer and Dade City resident Tim and head of the association. "You need to take care of the environment."

Divots

Dudley Hart withdrew with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Jon Mills, who also got the final spot in January at the FBR Open, where he enjoyed his best outing, a tie for 34th. ... Eight golfers have competed in all eight PGA Tour events at Copperhead: Billy Andrade, Robert Gamez, Brian Gay, Tim Herron, John Huston, Lee Janzen, Billy Mayfair and Shaun Micheel. ... Jeff Maggert's 66 ended a streak of 15 rounds without breaking 70. ... Kevin Na (76) withdrew because of food poisoning. ... Paul Azinger (79) four-putted the last hole for double bogey.

[Last modified March 6, 2008, 22:30:20]