If you want to know just how hard a winter it’s been up in New England just take a look at this story and this great blog – you really get a sense from afar as to how tough they’ve had it this year.

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And speaking of having it tough: just in case anyone thought I was too tough the other day on Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey, it’s hard to believe a pro can chunk a chip back into the pond he just hit into in the final round of a professional tournament (ultimately won by Mark Wilson):

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Tommy Gainey has just taken himself out of contention for his first PGA TOUR win at the drivable par-4 17th hole.

His troubles began when his drive caromed off a red hazard stake to the left of the green and went into the water. Gainey consulted with a rules official before taking his drop, but chunked his chip and watched as it rolled back down the slope into the water.

After taking another drop, Gainey’s fifth shot scooted 10 feet past the pin. He then two-putted for a triple bogey and dropped back to 14 under.

The triple bogey was extremely costly for the South Carolinian, who has missed his first three cuts of the season. Gainey was solo third at the time, which would have been worth $414,800. He’s currently in a five-way tie for eighth, which would be worth $164,700.

Hit your drive into the water? Happens all the time. Chunk your next shot back into the water? That’s Great White Shank golf. Word is that the previous day he used his putter – his putter! – to lay up 10 yards closer from where he was off the fairway. That’s just freakin’ weird. “Two Gloves” wasn’t getting a whole lot of respect from the announcing team at CBS or Golf Channel this past weekend, but when when you have a golf swing that looks like $#@! and and you make decisions and shots like that, you’re gonna take a little ribbing. I just think he’s a strange dude…

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Sure it might be the dead of winter, but spring can’t be far behind when it’s “Truck Day”. Pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers this coming Sunday. It’s great to see baseball start up again.

…of course, I’m hoping that this coming Sunday the only place(s) I’ll be reporting to are Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Las Vegas and the Spa at Treasure Island for a sauna and a steam bath. Not to mention a comfy bar or two where I can park myself to watch the final round at the AT&T at Pebble Beach. I guarantee you “Two Gloves” will not be a featured player in this weekend’s event.