Michael Allen's 65 jumps him within one stroke of Tiger and lead

Michael Allen, who I consider the best driver of the ball on the planet, rallied with a 65 Saturday at Congressional. Just one shot behind the leaders Tiger Woods and Anthony Kim. Not only is he a good friend and ex-roomie on the 1989 European Tour he's a 19th Hole Wine Club member and he loves our wines!

While most his age are chasing the Senior Tour Michael Allen feels he's playing too darned good not to play with the best on the PGA Tour. I'm personally excited because our wine club followed Michael on the "West Coast Swing" earlier this year(Pebble Beach Pro-am, Bob Hope in Palm Springs and the LA Open) and he's ball striking was superb, if he'd made a putt or two he might have won in all three events.

Well now he's putting and it's fun to see a guy whose played for twenty plus years on tour and have a chance to win on the PGA Tour at fifty year young. He had a big victory a month back in the Senior PGA Championship in Ohio and I know that victory gave him a huge boost of confidence.

Hopefully he'll have a great day tomorrow and win the tournament which with Tiger on top would make the victory even more sweet!

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Michael Allen wins Senior PGA Championship

Just in....... Michael Allen wins the Senior PGA Championship in Cleveland and claims drinking 19th Hole wines is his secret!

O.K a little late for April Fools but I'm going to share in Michael's glory because we drank my wines during our "19th Hole West Coast Swing" at the Bob Hope Desert Classic, ATT and Los Angeles Open. I believe the wine takes a little time to kick in but when it does you'll win golf tournaments like Michael Allen. And yes he is a 19th Hole Wine Club member (and friend).

On a serious note Michael is truely one of the best ball strikers in the world and if you get a chance get out and follow him. Not only is a great golfer he is also a really cool guy and someone you want to see do well.

I think his swing may be one many other pros are going to try to emulate. His coach Mike Mitchell (Palm Desert) and him have really honed an awesome swing. It's very flat, as are his clubs (five degrees flat). He even flattens he driver lie angle which helps him avoid the left side of the golf course.

Watch for his name, because I think this victory is really going to give him the confidence he needs to win on the regular tour too.

The Masters Delivers Again

Although turning my shoulder on my family as they did Easter lunch I had a great Masters viewing. I was not going to miss this one with Phil and Tiger charging up the leader board!

The weekend was kicked up a notch with our 19th Hole Wine Club outing Friday, the second round of the tournament at the Presidio in San Francisco.

We had twelve golfers teeing off at 8:00 am and we each picked a player from the Masters field to be out partner. Mike Zaczek won his first major on the 19th Hole Golf Tour with his partner for the day Phil Mickelson (Mike net 72 and Phil 68 with a steller late charge).

Presidio Golf Club was in surprisenly good condition and the weather was pristine. Of course when we played another nine in the afternoon it was blowing and more typical of the old military course.

Video Blog from the Sonoma Valley February 27

Kris Moe continues his reports from the vineyards during the various months of the season.

19th Hole Wines in LA as Lefty wins at Riviera

I had the pleasure of watching the Los Angeles Open Wednesday through Friday. I set up a 19th Hole wine club event on Thursday which gave me a valid excuse to be in Los Angeles.

The players love this gem of a golf course. It's beautiful, straight forward, steeped in history and challenges these guys with all the shots and usually fine weather.

I spent most of my time watching my friend Michael Allen play with two super players, Vaughn Taylor and Bill Haas. I was most impressed with Luke Donald who was the group in front of us. He makes it look really easy, strikes it very solid and boy can he roll the ball on the greens!

I can't imagine a better golf tournament to spectate. It has a great field, it's a nice walk and the holes parallel each other so often times you can jump over to another group.

It's really worth going to one of professional events. I think you'll really benefit from watching these great swings, pure ball striking and the tempo of their shot routines.

George Lopez buys a shot

So here we are at the end of a long day at Poppy Hills Golf Course in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (rounds took over six hours) and the temperature is dropping to into bone chilling levels that only the hearty or drunk can still enjoy.

I'd heard George Lopez interviewed on the KNBR show in the am with Murph and Mac that he continue his tradition of buying a round of Tequila for any that were willing and able in the clubhouse. Sure enough it gave some of a little more motivation to stick around and I'm glad I did.

First off Bill Murray who is the comedian of the ages on the golf course decides to duck into the clubhouse for a drink with his group, in true 19th Hole fashion. I'd been pouring my wines all day on the deck for corporate folks and the NCGA board and guests. So I walk up to old Bill with a bottle of the 19th Hole's finest a bit shyly because I've seen Bill tear into some autograph seekers and I didn't want that same treatment. Thankfully he took the wine graciously and enjoyed it with his friends.

Ten minutes later Mr. Lopez, now to me Sir Patron, walks in and announces that he'd like to buy everyone there a shot of Patron. Off course the bar erupts. I shout, "George Lopez stimulus package". Then he asks that we all join him in singing "God Bless America"! The whole bar and clubhouse sings and as if staged two Marines in camos are there singing with us.

Anyway a great moment I wanted to share. The tournament continues today and the celebs are at Pebble Beach and for most this is their last round with the cut taking place today. The weather great again so try to make it down or least join in the fun through the broadcast. I'm following my buddy Michael Allen whose in the hunt at Poppy Hills.

Cheers!