Golf is on the verge of changing dramatically because of a creation from an inventor in Fort Erie, Ont.
His name is Tom Falkiner, and he’s come up with a personal caddy system unlike any other. He’s calling it The Turf Chopper — a walking cart that can be converted into a motorized rider cart in seconds.
“I have a bad back and had trouble carrying my golf bag,” Falkiner, 53, explained yesterday. “So I built one for myself. It turned out to be a riot to play with, even on the most demanding courses. I figured I should share this with people. I just started marketing it a month ago and the reaction has been incredible. The phone’s been ringing off the hook.”
For details, log on to www.bridgeburggolf.com.
• Sports journalists in Chicago are generally ticked at the White Sox after the club became the first in major-league history to move its press box from behind home plate.
The press box at U.S. Cellular Field is now located just beyond first base on the fourth level.
Chisox owner Jerry Reinsdorf decided to make the switch after research revealed that the old press box, which was on the second level, could be transformed into a club/lounge that would generate about $5-million in revenue.
“A press box behind home plate is a very valuable piece of real estate,” Reinsdorf said. “I imagine other owners will take a look at making similar changes.”
Which, of course, would tick off more media types.
•Former Blue Jays second baseman Orlando Hudson has become all the rage in Arizona. He’s been established by manager Bob Melvin as the Diamondbacks’ No. 3 batter and by the club’s business bosses as the face of their new advertising campaigns.
He’s even become friends with an owner of a rival team, Colorado Rockies’ minority owner Peter Coors, after he recently asked the renowned beer mogul for an autograph. Coors appreciated the suckup, saying: “No one’s ever asked me for my autograph before.”
•ESPN analyst Steve Phillips is picking Milwaukee to finish first in the NL Central and is heaping all kinds of praise on the club’s Canadian braintrust of general manager Doug Melvin and assistant GM Gord Ash … The Memphis Grizzlies intend to make Billy Donovan a big offer to become their coach. Donovan, 42, has coached the University of Florida to back-to-back titles in the NCAA … And would you like to watch the NHL playoffs with, say, Mark Messier and the Stanley Cup sitting beside you at your home? Check out www.cbc.ca/bringhomethecup.
