This morning, my seven-year-old son Charlie was watching SportsCenter while he ate breakfast. During the broadcast, ESPN aired a report on the New York Yankees receiving their rings for winning the 2009 World Series. Charlie was captivated as the video showed the Bronx Bombers being presented with their rings.

Quickly, I retrieved and invited Charlie to hold the 1986 NCAA Championship Ring that I received as a member of the Wake Forest Golf Team. As he opened the Jostens ring box, his eyes lit up and became big as saucers. He slowly took the ring out of the box and put his tiny finger through the large hole. Totally enthralled, he simply said, “Wow!”

Then, he fired off a series of questions. First, he asked, “Who was your coach?” I told him about the legendary Jesse Haddock, who led the Demon Deacons to three national championships as well as many other honors in a 30-year coaching career.

Next, he wondered aloud, “Who was the best golfer?” Pulling out the team picture, I pointed out the five starters: Billy Andrade, Len Mattiace, Tim Straub, Chris Kite, and Barry Fabyan – all of whom were All-America selections and future PGA Tour players.

Later, as we were walking out of the house, Charlie ran back into the kitchen to take one more look at the championship ring before heading off to another exciting day as a first grader.

Until next time, enjoy golf, America!

New blog post: http://philbundy.com/march-madness-charlies-season-of-roundball-comes-to-a-cl...

New blog post: http://philbundy.com/kentwool-tour-redefines-golf-socks/

I was just notified that I have been nominated to be featured in the Hot Blogger Calendar!

By the look of some of the other male nominees, I am challenging some pretty stiff competition, but I’m sure my Mom thinks I am better looking than the wildly popular Gary Vaynerchuck. According to the contest website, “It’s an honor just to be nominated… Right?”

If you like my golfer look and want to support my quest to play on the PGA Tour, you can vote for me at http://bit.ly/HotBloggerCalendar. The contest closes on Friday, March 5 so please vote now. Let’s be sure to see a golfer in the Hot Blogger Calendar!

I attended the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show, in part, to search for equipment to help my game as I pursue my quest to play on the PGA Tour. After combing the 10 miles of aisles inside the massive Orange Country Convention Center, I am happy to share the best new products from the industry event:

Drivers: I saw some nice looking drivers, but I did not find any new driver that would replace my Bobby Jones Workshop Edition Driver by Jesse Ortiz, who may be the finest club designer in the game.

Fairway Woods: Tour Edge Exotics CB3 Tour is a refinement of the company’s popular CB2 fairway woods, which are the longest fairway woods that I have ever played.

Hybrids: With a slight offset, the Adams Golf Idea Pro Black is built for the better player and is the fastest growing hybrid on tour.

Irons: I hit the Fourteen Golf TC-550 -- which is a great looking and feeling forged iron from the Japanese clubmaker -- at the Equipment Test Center, aka the largest indoor range in all of golf.

Wedges: Scratch Golf, with custom fitting and grinding available, have attracted players like Ryan Moore and Cristie Kerr and must have other top wedge companies looking over their shoulders.

Putters: STX ProFIT 6 is part of a new line of the company’s soft face insert putters, which offer better control, less skidding, and truer roll than metal face and other insert putters.

Balls: For the last few years, I have played the Bridgestone Golf Tour B330-S after my original evaluation by the manufacturer’s Ball Fitting Challenge, and I am looking forward to trying the new Tour B-330RX, which will be available in March of this year.

Training Aids: The SKLZ Practice Pod provides a simple and lightweight solution to establishing a consistent practice station with proper alignment and ball position, and now, with the addition of a reflective mirror, the new Practice Pod Pro also allows monitoring of shoulder alignment.

Accessories: Cleatskins are designed to slip over shoes and take golfers quickly and conveniently from the golf course to the street and will become part of a regular wardrobe for someone like me who wears golf shoes on a daily basis.

Video Analysis Software: For several years, V1 Pro has been the industry leader in golf swing video analysis, and the new version of the software offers even more capabilities for your local golf instructor to communicate valuable keys for swing improvement to you.

Photo Memento: Going beyond the shadow box design, the Ballkeeper is a patented three-dimensional memory holder that includes fitted spaces for a golf ball, photo, and signature card and will be an instant hit for memorabilia collectors and tournament committees looking for unique tee favors.

You may notice that I have not included products from the major manufacturers. When my nephew looks through my golf bag, he jokes that I am loyal to indie brands. As an entrepreneur, I am drawn to smaller ventures with interesting stories and innovative products. To be fair, Titleist, Callaway, Nike, TaylorMade, and other big companies make some great golf equipment, too.

Until next time, enjoy golf America!