1st U.S. most expensive car

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport “World Record Edition”

If your passion for performance and luxury autos cannot be stopped, and your McLaren F1 is becoming a bore along with the rest of your exotic cars, it might be time to check out Top Gear’s “Car of the Decade,” the Bugatti Veyron. The most recent model, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, has an estimated price tag of $2.3 million and, if that figure is even close to the ultimate price, will be the most expensive car in the world.

If your passion for performance and luxury autos cannot be stopped, and your McLaren F1 is becoming a bore along with the rest of your exotic cars, it might be time to check out Top Gear’s “Car of the Decade,” the Bugatti Veyron. The most recent model, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, has an estimated price tag of $2.3 million and, if that figure is even close to the ultimate price, will be the most expensive car in the world.

The Veyron is named after Pierre Veyron, who won the 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans while driving a Bugatti Type 57 with Jean-Pierre Wimille.

Specification

 

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Ideal car for your needs

Don Sherman opinion says, whether you’re single and “active” (whatever that means) or a mom with three screaming kids, how you live points directly toward the kind of car you’ll need.

Commuting many miles to work makes gas mileage a primary concern, but you should also include reliability as a major purchase consideration you don’t ever want to be stranded on the side of a busy highway. Also bear in mind that some people feel safer in larger cars and with more powerful engines the better to accelerate away from danger, they may reason and these typically get fewer miles to the gallon than smaller cars with less power.

Maintenance requirements such as oil-change intervals can be an excellent means of breaking ties for road warriors who pile up the miles, whether on the highway or in the city. While most cars today can be driven longer between routine maintenance stops than a decade ago, some luxury brands, such asw BMW and Volvo, include the cost of such upkeep in the price of many models. Let that be a guide for your purchase to the extent that trouble- and cost-free maintenance matter to you.

The more stops you make to pick up or deliver kids to their appointed activities, the more doors you need to minimize their entry-exit hassles. When kids factor in, coupes and convertibles naturally migrate to the special-occasions spot in the garage, if you’re lucky enough to have kids and more than two parking stalls and special occasions.

Let’s say you’re a young couple or single with the ability to indulge weekend trips, hobbies and athletic activities. You’ll need a ride that’s long-legged for ski trips, fuel efficient so you have funds left over for lift tickets and flexible enough to sacrifice at least one of its rear seating positions to accommodate your skis. While most coupes and sedans provide split-folding rear seats, they’re not always standard equipment. For example, that handy feature costs an extra $290 on the Mercedes C-Class.

Feel free to convert our downhill example to the leisure activity of your choice without forgetting that the car you choose will probably play some role in landscaping, remodeling, camping or mall-browsing. In other words, if you’re building the ultimate surround-sound theater experience, you might as well own a wagon to skip delivery charges during this phase of your life. Unlike the one your grandparents owned, today’s wagons can be cool.

Speaking of that impossible-to-pin-down dimension, you will know cool when you see it. Of course an $87,375 Mercedes CLS55 AMG four-door coupe is cool, but don’t stop with the window sticker. Mazda’s RX-8 is a very chic way to carry your grade-school twins or your loveable lab at one-third the price. If style is your thing, turn toward the coupes and convertibles in this guide.

If you’ve earned a treat and don’t mind flaunting your fine fortune, the scope of the luxuries awaiting your investment dollars will astound you. Pile on the optional gear leather-wrapped seats and steering wheel, air suspension, in-dash navigation and you can boost a $40,000 Audi A6 to more than $60,000. A top Audi, BMW, Jaguar or Mercedes-Benz costs well over $100,000. When you have big bucks to spend, the power and panache for sale is practically unlimited.

But let’s say you’re a city-bound working stiff who can’t live without wheels. In L.A. or New York, a car well worth considering is the Toyota Prius, because its hybrid powertrain (combination of combustion and electric power sources) excels in producing the maximum number of city miles versus the fuel consumed and the pollution produced. Short-wheelbase coupes (Acura RSX) and compact sedans (Lexus IS) are adept at punching clean holes through clotted traffic. Larger, more expensive sedans are harder to maneuver and more susceptible to theft, vandalism and bashed corners.

Read on to search for a car that suits your lifestyle and tastes according to size, body style or specialty.

Do not forget, Supplemental accident insurance helps by giving you specified benefits for hospitalization, emergency room care, recovery income, outpatient surgery and more. Combined Insurance's Accident and Sickness Protector offerings help you fill in the gaps in your major medical insurance coverage.

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HSBC Bank announced as new patron of the Open Champions

According to news from http hsbcgolf.com, This Bank was today named as a Patron of the Open Championship for the next five years.

The partnership means that HSBC will become the 'Official Banking Partner' of The Open Championship, which next year will return to Royal St George's (14-17 July, 2011), Sandwich, Kent.

The R&A's Chief Executive, Peter Dawson said: "We are very pleased to welcome HSBC. The Open is golf’s oldest major championship and its most international. For many years, The R&A has looked to establish relationships that help golf’s growth globally. As The R&A seeks to engage in and support activities to grow the game, a partnership with 'the world's local bank' is a natural progression."

Over the last five years, HSBC has been at the forefront of the expansion of the game in Asia with the creation of the HSBC Champions in China, which it has helped develop from inception in 2005 to become Asia’s first World Golf Championship tournament. It has also created a comprehensive programme of grassroots activity across China designed to increase both interest and participation in the game.

Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship at HSBC commented: “The Open Championship is, without a doubt, one of the world’s most important golf tournaments and HSBC is very honoured to become a Patron. Golf sponsorship continues to be an important investment tool for us to grow and sustain our business and brand. This new partnership is an exciting opportunity to take our current activity with professional and grassroots golf in both established and emerging markets to a new level.”

2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen said: “Winning The Open, particularly at St Andrews, is the pinnacle of any golfer’s career. I could not have got there without the great support I’ve received from within the game and I hope this announcement will lead to further opportunities for The R&A to do even more to help the game to grow around the world.”

The R&A is the governing body of world golf outside the US, with affiliated national governing bodies in 126 countries around the world. In 2010, 200,000 spectators attended The Open Championship and over 3,000 hours of television coverage were broadcast to 193 countries worldwide. There were over three million unique visitors to The Open’s official website (www.opengolf.com) during this year’s Championship, with 300,000 hours of streamed coverage via the internet.

Playing a role in helping to develop and grow the game globally is typical of the way HSBC does business, particularly in emerging markets. Helping The R&A realise its full potential is consistent with the way HSBC works with all of its partners and customers.

Buy tickets soon to see the match live
Event Schedule	Wednesday, 3rd November --- Pro-Am Competition Thursday, 4th November --- 1st round Friday, 5th November --- 2nd round Saturday, 6th November --- 3rd round Sunday, 7th November --- Final round
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Become professional PGA golfer

"The PGA's training courses are tried and tested and helped put me on the pathway to success."
Ian Poulter, PGA Professional

"Every golfer dreams of success, and I was certainly no different when starting out on my career to become a professional golfer.

"Your vision may be crystal clear, but without a plan it's just a dream, which is why becoming a qualified member of the PGA has provided me with a secret weapon and the solid foundations and springboard for my playing career.

"Today's programme is even more technologically advanced than when I completed the diploma in 2000 and even if you pursue a career on the Tour the depth of knowledge and understanding of the game will always stand you in good stead.

A Career in Golf

Becoming a PGA professional unlocks the door to a rewarding and exciting career in a sport that spans the globe and is played by 60 million people. Many young golfers set their hearts on playing on tour alongside Tiger Woods and Co. but plenty of other opportunities exist in professional golf far beyond the confines of the golf course and PGA professionals fill many of these roles while also successfully playing. See Careers in Golf and for a revealing insight into becoming a PGA professional read the account by former Ladies European Tour star Alison Munt who graduated in 2009 and shares her experiences of taking the PGA Foundation Degree here.

Opportunities

The PGA, both regionally and nationally, organises upwards of 900 tournaments a year with prize money in excess of 3.5m. Joining the ranks of the PGA unlocks the door to a broad spectrum of career opportunities. PGA pros are top class players but are also experts in other areas of the golf industry whether managing and running clubs in a club pro role, coaching and teaching, utilising their equipment knowledge as custom-fit technicians or pursuing senior management roles such as director of golf posts.

Qualifying

Qualifying as a PGA professional is done via two routes. The first, and most popular, is by becoming a registered assistant at a PGA recognised golf facility where trainees complete a three year Foundation Degree in Professional Golf Studies, accredited by the University of Birmingham. The degree involves working through study guides, assignments, residential weeks at the National Training Academy at the PGA's Belfry headquarters, exams and attaining coaching awards. Among the subjects studied are golf coaching, sports science, equipment technology, business management, marketing, golf rules and tournament administration.

The second route into the PGA is via a three year BA Hons Degree in Applied Golf Management Studies at the University of Birmingham. The AGMS is the first degree of its kind in the UK and is ideal for golfers interested in pursuing senior managerial roles in golf.

More Information

The PGA offers a three-year Foundation Degree leading to full PGA membership. The university has a number of set open days and students are encouraged to visit, see the campus and facilities and talk to our students and staff - visit the University of Birmingham for more information. There are also specific AGMS open days at The Belfry, which are by invitation only. For further information on the course, prospective students are asked to register their interest by contacting: Dr Martin Toms AGMS Programme Manager School of Education University of Birmingham Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT Tel: 0121 415 8392 m.r.toms@bham.ac.uk The partnership between the School of Education and the PGA is an innovative and exciting collaborative venture. It provides the basis for combining aspects of professional and vocational practice with rigorous scholarship. In an increasingly differentiated market-place for sports-related programmes of study, it is ground-breaking. - Dr Martin Toms, Programme Manager Gary Jackson Business Skills Development Manager PGA National Training Academy, PING House The Belfry Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B76 9PW Tel: 01675 470333 gary.jackson@pga.org.uk

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U.S. Masters Tournament - History

History at a Glance

Looking to provide a service to golf by hosting a tournament, Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts decided to hold an annual event beginning in 1934. The final decision was made at a meeting in New York at the office of member W. Alton Jones. Roberts proposed the event be called the Masters Tournament, but Bobby Jones objected thinking it too presumptuous. The name Augusta National Invitation Tournament was adopted and the title was used for five years until 1939 when Jones relented and the name was officially changed. An early decision was whether Jones would play or serve as an official. Jones preferred not to compete but was persuaded by the Club's members to join the field. In the 12 Tournaments that Jones played, his best finish was 13th in 1934.

Many decisions made in the early days of the Tournament remain today. Among these are the four-day stroke playing of 18 holes each day instead of the then customary 36 holes on the third day, eliminating qualifying rounds, and denying permission for anyone except the player and caddie to be in the playing area. A complimentary pairing sheet and a spectator booklet were provided, and commercialization in any form of the Tournament was limited.


The first Tournament was held March 22, 1934, and beginning in 1940, the Masters was scheduled each year during the first full week in April. That first Tournament was won by Horton Smith, and in the Fall of 1934 the nines were reversed. In 1935 Gene Sarazen hit "the shot heard 'round the world" scoring a double eagle on the par 5 15th hole, tying Craig Wood and forcing a playoff. Sarazen won the 36-hole playoff the following day by five strokes. In 1942 Byron Nelson defeated Ben Hogan 69-70 in an 18-hole playoff and the Tournament was not played the following three years, 1943, 1944 and 1945, during the war. To assist the war effort, cattle and turkeys were raised on the Augusta National grounds.

The 1950's included two victories by Ben Hogan, and the first of four for Arnold Palmer. Palmer's 1958 win began the tradition of Amen Corner. In 1960 the Par 3 Contest was begun, and in 1965-1966 Jack Nicklaus became the first Masters champion to defend his title successfully. During the decade of the 1970's the two founders of the Masters Tournament passed away. Both Jones and Roberts left indelible impressions on the Masters and on the world of golf. The following decade Spaniard Seve Ballesteros won twice and Tom Watson captured his second title. In 1986 at age 46, Nicklaus donned his sixth Green Jacket. And in 1997, Tiger Woods broke the Tournament four-day scoring record that had stood for 32 years. At the 2001 Masters, Woods won his fourth consecutive professional major, and in 2002 became only the third player to win consecutive Masters titles. In 2005 he became the third person to win at least four Tournaments.

History of the Club

Upon his retirement from championship golf in 1930, Bobby Jones had hoped to realize his dream of building a golf course. Following a brief conversation with Clifford Roberts, with whom Jones had met several times during the mid-1920s, it was decided the club would be built near Augusta, Georgia, provided a suitable piece of ground was available. According to Jones' plans, the course would utilize the natural advantages of the property and use mounds rather than too many bunkers. It was hoped the property would have a natural creek to use as a water hazard. Jones wanted this concept of golf course architecture to make a contribution to the game as well as give expression to his ideas about golf course design. This club would be open during the winter season only.

A mutual friend of Jones and Roberts, Thomas Barrett, Jr., was consulted and recommended a 365-acre property called Fruitland Nurseries. Once an indigo plantation, it was purchased in 1857 by Belgian Baron Louis Mathieu Edouard Berckmans who was a horticulturist by hobby. Berckmans' son, Prosper Julius Alphonse, was an agronomist and horticulturist by profession and the two formed a partnership in 1858. Operating under the name Fruitland Nurseries, the company imported many trees and plants from various countries. The Baron died in 1883. Prosper's death followed in 1910 and the nursery ceased operations by the time its charter expired in 1918. A great variety of flowering plants and trees, including a long row of magnolias which were planted before the Civil War and a plant Prosper popularized called the azalea, remained on the property.

Upon seeing the property from what is now the practice putting green, Jones said, "Perfect! And to think this ground has been lying here all these years waiting for someone to come along and lay a golf course on it."

An option was taken on the property for $70,000. It was decided to establish a national membership for the club, and Jones proposed Augusta National would be an appropriate name. Jones also decided in the planning stage that he wanted Dr. Alister Mackenzie of Scotland to serve as the course architect since the pair held similar views. Before coming to Augusta, Mackenzie had designed two courses in California, Pasatiempo and Cypress Point. Mackenzie died in January 1934, two months before the first Tournament.

Construction on the new course began in the first half of 1931 and the course opened in December 1932 with a limited amount of member play. Formal opening took place in January 1933.

Bobby Jones	Clifford Roberts
Robert (Bobby) Tyre Jones, Jr., was born on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia. The amateur golfer Bobby Jones dominated the game of golf from the early 1920's through 1930. From 1923 through 1930, Jones won 13 of 21 major championships he entered. His record includes five U. S. Amateur	Clifford Roberts was born on a farm in Morning Sun, Iowa, in 1894. He was the co-founder with Bobby Jones of Augusta National Golf Club. Roberts served as Chairman of Augusta National from 1931 through 1976 and was named Chairman in Memoriam after his death in 1977. He was Chairman of the Masters Tournament

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Fred-Couples surges to victory at The Woodlands

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (AP) -- Fred Couples left Corey Pavin and everybody else way behind in the Administaff Small Business Classic, shooting a 9-under 63 on Sunday for a seven-stroke victory.

Two strokes behind Pavin after 10 holes in the final round, the 50-year-old Couples played the final eight in 7 under, making an eagle -- his second of the round -- and five birdies.

"I don't know if I putted like that on the PGA Tour, ever," said Couples, who had only 24 putts in the final round. "I used to putt well and once you hit your mid-40s, every putt is important."

The former University of Houston star finished at 17-under 199 on The Woodlands Country Club course and earned $255,000 for his fourth Champions Tour victory of the year.

Mark Wiebe (71) was second, Dan Forsman (66) and Brad Bryant (66) followed at 9 under, and Pavin (74) and John Cook (67) tied for fifth at 8 under.

Couples birdied Nos. 11 and 12 to tie Pavin, then made a long eagle putt on the par-5 13th. After Couples' eagle, Pavin made a bogey, missing a 7-foot putt.

"That was something," Couples said. "I played well yesterday and I felt I'd play well today. I assumed one of us (in lead threesome) would win. To be honest, I hit the ball well and made a lot of putts and it all added up to a 63."

Couples moved two more shots ahead on the next hole with another birdie and Pavin's bogey.

Couples also birdied Nos. 16 and 18.

"Fred played great, it was a pretty amazing nine holes," Pavin said. "It was tough to keep up with him. I wasn't playing well anyway. I was out in front of the ball today. I struggled all day and it never turned around. ... Things weren't clicking, I'll try again next week. I haven't played much golf lately, only the second event since Oregon. I hope to compete the next two weeks. It would be nice to get a win."

Bernhard Langer, 535 points ahead of second-place Couples in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, shot a 66 to tie for 13th at 3 under. Kenny Perry tied for 35th in his first start on the 50-and-over tour, closing with a 70 to finish at 1 over.

Couples is skipping the AT&T Championship this week in San Antonio.

"I'd have to say it is important, but I physically couldn't play next week," Couples said. "I'm exhausted. If I played next week, I wouldn't be ready for the Schwab Cup.

"I physically couldn't play next week I'm drained. I'd get a couple of days off and then have to play in the Wednesday pro-am and the Thursday pro-am."

Quoted from: http://www.pgatour.com

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Daily-Wrap-up: Round 4, Shriners Hospitals

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- In a swift and shocking finish, Jonathan Byrd won a three-man playoff Sunday with a hole-in-one on the fourth extra hole in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital Open.

Moments earlier, Byrd stood on the 18th green with Martin Laird and Cameron Percy as they discussed whether there was enough light to continue. They agreed to play one more hole -- the 204-yard 17th at the TPC Summerlin.

And the playoff essentially ended with one swing.

It was too dark for Byrd to see his ball land about 10 feet short of the flag and roll into the cup, and even the cheers from a smattering of fans around the green weren't convincing.

"Did that go in?" Byrd asked his caddie.

Almost as stunning was that Byrd remained in the playoff. On the third playoff hole, the par-4 18th, Byrd's approach tumbled over the green and was one hop away from going into the water. Instead, it settled in a clump of grass, he chipped up to 7 feet and made the par putt just to stay alive.

One swing later, he only had to wait for Laird and Percy to hit their shots -- and they both hit into the water -- to come up with his first win of the year.

"I'm in shock," Byrd said, certainly speaking for everyone watching another Fall Series thriller.

Only a week ago, Rocco Mediate won the Frys.com Open at CordeValle by holing a wedge for eagle on the 17th hole of the final round, right after Alex Prugh came within inches of holing out from the tee box with a driver.

This one was even more incredible, and it came at just the right time. Byrd was No. 117 on the money list going into Las Vegas, and his fourth career victory gives him a two-year exemption.

Players have made an eagle with a full swing on the final hole to win tournaments -- Isao Aoki in the Hawaiian Open -- but a walk-off ace is among the rarest moments in golf.

Byrd closed with a 68, and he had to watch four times -- once in regulation, three times in a playoff -- as Laird stood over a birdie putt with a chance to win. That sequence started in regulation, when Laird had a 30-foot birdie try. Laird, the defending champion, shot 69.

Percy, the Australian rookie who needed to win to keep his job on the PGA Tour, earlier holed a 15-foot birdie putt on the last hole for a 67 that allowed him to get into the playoff. They finished at 21-under 263.

Byrd won $774,000 for his first win since the 2007 John Deere Classic.

Webb Simpson was at 22 under and had a one-shot lead until he pulled his tee shot into the water on the 17th and made double bogey. He finished with a 68 and wound up one shot out of the playoff, along with Spencer Levin, who had a 66.

Nick Watney, who lives in Las Vegas and was playing his final tournament before his wedding, had a 66 and tied for sixth with Cameron Beckman, who had a 67.

For those chasing a PGA TOUR card, they now wait two weeks before the final tournament at Disney.

quoted from: http://www.pgatour.com

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