World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Watson-whose comprehensive two-DVD set, "Tom Watson: Lessons of a Lifetime," has become a best seller since its release in March-is proud to announce the debut of his new informative website, www.tomwatson.com.
The official unveiling of Watson’s high-tech website coincidentally comes just in time for two events that carry great significance in the beloved golfer’s life-Father’s Day and his playing in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in June.
After all, it was Ray Watson, an accomplished amateur, who cut down a hickory-shafted 5-iron and handed it to his 6-year-old son Tom, then showed Tom the grip, and how to hook and slice the ball-all the game’s basic fundamentals. Tom Watson would grow up to win eight major championships, including the 1982 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, when he improbably chipped in for birdie from behind the 71st green to key his victory over Jack Nicklaus, a shot many historians consider to be the shot of the 20th century.
In fact, a recreated video and play-by-play of that famous chip-in welcomes visitors to tomwatson.com, and a "Teeing Off" blog gives visitors Watson’s take on the most memorable victory of his career, which will undoubtedly surprise everyone since it’s not one of his eight major championship wins.
Visitors are then invited to view everything else on the website, which will be continually updated with Watson’s personal thoughts, golf instruction, photo and video galleries, and other interesting content. Watson’s intent is both to help golfers with their games and to help them get to know him a little better behind the scenes.
"I realized after the outpouring of love and support I’ve received over the years from fans that they really care about me and my career, so this is a great way of letting them into my life a little more," says Watson, who will be playing in this year’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and The Open Championship at St. Andrews.
Golf fans will find an unending host of informative content on tomwatson.com. Across the top of the website’s homepage are the topics "About Tom," "Galleries," "Instruction," "Pro Shop," "Charities," "Partners" and "Tom Watson Designs."
- "About Tom" features sections that include a "Biography," "Career Highlights," "Tom’s Blog," "News & Events," "Tom’s Schedule," "Off the Course" and "Personal Anecdotes."
- The "Galleries" section features a "Photo & Video Galleries" selection of numerous important on- and off-course highlights throughout Watson’s life.
- "Instruction" includes updated instructional tips from Watson that represent the culmination of more than 50 years of playing the game.
- "Pro Shop" is an online shopping area featuring a wide variety of signed Watson photographs and memorabilia, as well as his recently released two-DVD set, "Tom Watson: Lessons of a Lifetime."
- "Charities" contains information about Watson’s four charities-the Bruce Edwards Foundation for ALS Research, the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at John Hopkins, Children’s Mercy Hospital and The First Tee of Greater Kansas City.
- "Partners" highlights Watson’s business partners-Adams Golf, Golf Digest, MasterCard, Polo Ralph Lauren, The Greenbrier and the PGA TOUR.
- "Tom Watson Design" provides a link to Watson’s design company website, tomwatsondesign.com.
The bottom of the tomwatson.com homepage features three sections-"Lessons of a Lifetime," Tom’s Tips" and "Latest News."
- "Lessons of a Lifetime" features information on how to order the two-DVD set, "Tom Watson: Lessons of a Lifetime" and accompanying 16-page booklet.
- "Tom’s Tips" offers timely tips from Watson.
- "Latest News" links to recent articles and features about Watson.
Watson continues to amaze the golf world with his incredible play. Besides a stellar Champions Tour career since 1999, Watson pulled off one of sports history’s most-memorable moments at the 2009 British Open Championship by taking eventual champion Stewart Cink to a four-hole playoff at Turnberry in Scotland-two months shy of Tom’s 60th birthday. Four of Watson’s seven top-10 finishes on the 2009 Champions Tour came in major championships.
This year, Watson is showing no signs of slowing down at age 60. First, he opened the 2010 Champions Tour season by teaming with Jack Nicklaus to win the Wendy’s Champions Skins Game. The following week, Watson birdied the final two holes for a 7-under 65 and a one-stroke victory over Champions Tour rookie Fred Couples in the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship. Watson then finished T5 and T8 in his next two Champions Tour starts, but not before shooting an opening-round 67 in the Masters.
Watson-who was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1988-owns 39 PGA TOUR victories, including five British Opens, two Masters and the 1982 U.S. Open. Beginning in 1977, Watson also won six PGA TOUR Player of the Year awards and led the money list five times.
"Hopefully my website will allow fans to get to know me a little better personally," Watson says. "It also gives me a forum to be able to communicate with golf fans on a regular basis via blogs, updates, etc. I’m thrilled tomwatson.com is now up and running."
andrew long on golf 