Posted: 26 Feb 2011 06:02 PM PST

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

MARANA, Arizona, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Having played some of his best golf at this week's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Luke Donald regards Sunday's final as one of the highpoints of his career.

The 33-year-old Briton will face Germany's Martin Kaymer over 18 holes in the title match at Dove Mountain where he will be bidding for his third PGA Tour victory.

"It will be a big day for me tomorrow for sure, but I'm looking forward to it," Donald told reporters after booking his place in the final with a commanding 6&5 victory over American Matt Kuchar on Saturday in the last four.

"In terms of feeling pressure, though, this week I've felt very relaxed for some reason, very much in control. When you're swinging well and in control, the nerves don't play so much of a part."

Asked whether Sunday's final would be the biggest day of his career, he replied: "Yes and no. Medinah, being tied for the lead with Tiger Woods, when he was number one in the world then and very dominant, that was a big moment for me."

Donald shared the 54-hole lead with Woods in the 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah before falling back into a tie for third after closing with a two-over 74.

TIGER WATCH

"It was interesting watching Tiger, how he worked his way around the golf course, really was in control of his game," Donald recalled.

"That was the one thing I learned, just watching Tiger, really. You don't have to do anything too spectacular; you just have to do things pretty well."

Chicago-based Donald, who plays most of his golf on the U.S. PGA Tour, has not trailed in any of his five matches this week.

"I'm playing well," the Englishman said. "I've been up in all my matches. I'm feeling confident. So it is what it is. I can't change that. And I'll try and do what I've been doing."

Should Donald win Sunday's final, he would climb to a career-high third in the world rankings.

"That would be an added bonus," he said. "I won't be focusing on the world rankings, those kind of things take care of themselves.

"I'll be concentrating on trying to beat whoever I'm playing against and trying to pick up a trophy.

(Editing by Ian Ransom; To comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Golf cart bills move through General Assembly

Posted: 27 Feb 2011 01:58 AM PST

RICHMOND – Golf carts aren't just for carrying golfers and their clubs down fairways. In towns such as Colonial Beach, the vehicles carry residents and tourists down public roadways as well.

The motorized carts are a form of alternative transportation for short distances – and can be more fuel-efficient and cheaper to maintain than automobiles.

Under two bills making their way through the General Assembly, more golf carts soon could be tooling along public roads in Virginia.

Last week, the Senate unanimously approved HB 1972, which would allow the state Department of Conservation & Recreation to drive golf carts and utility vehicles on state roads inside and immediately adjacent to state parks. The bill restricts the vehicles to roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less.

Delegate Roxann Robinson (R-Chesterfield) sponsored the bill. It had previously cleared the House, 98-1.

Robinson said the bill would help the DCR operate more efficiently. HB 1972 "will simply downsize the vehicle they will use to perform their job within state parks," she said.

That is not the only golf cart-related legislation on the move.

Last week, the House of Delegates voted 98-0 in favor of SB 871, which would clarify when golf carts and utility vehicles may cross highways in Colonial Beach, a town of about 3,500 residents in Westmoreland County in Virginia's Northern Neck.

SB 871 was sponsored by Sen. Richard Stuart (R-Montross). He represents Westmoreland County and eight other localities.

Under existing law, golf carts and utility vehicles may be operated only on designated public highways where the posted speed limit is 25 mph or less, and they may cross a highway at an intersection controlled by a traffic light only if the highway has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 mph.

Stuart's bill would remove the 35 mph restriction for golf carts and utility vehicles crossing roadways in Colonial Beach. Instead, in Colonial Beach, such vehicles could cross any highway at an intersection marked with a golf cart crossing sign posted by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

In January, the Senate also had unanimously approved SB 871. The House action now sends the bill to Gov. Bob McDonnell to be signed into law.

Colonial Beach is a golf cart community, according to its Chamber of Commerce. Residents and visitors often drive the motorized vehicles on public roads as well as on the boardwalk along the Potomac River. People can rent golf carts and low-speed vehicles to get around town.

"The carts are 'dressed up' and seen everywhere," the chamber's website says.

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Golf on Lake Erie a cool fundraiser

Posted: 27 Feb 2011 12:30 PM PST

Published: Feb. 27, 2011 at 3:10 PM

ERIE, Pa., Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Too eager to wait for spring, golfers in Erie, Pa., have taken to the ice to raise funds for a lakeside park.

Elmer Keisel, owner of Joe Root's Grill, organized Joe Root's Frostbite Open, a nine-hole charity tournament on the frozen bay that raised about $6,000 for Presque Isle State Park Feb. 20.

The restaurant and tournament are named for Joe Root, who lived on the Presque Isle peninsula more than a century ago.

Turf mats from an old driving range, nailed into the ice, were the tees. Pieces of carpet made the greens, and golf holes and pins were put in but kept above ice level so they would not fall into the water.

All 36 foursome tee times sold out within 16 days of Keisel's announcement.

Some of the ice melted during a warm spell before the tournament, but it was at least 5 inches thick on Feb 20. Two fire departments and a county scuba team, with an inflatable raft and air boat, were on hand in case any golfer fell through.

Golf Zone

Sunday, February 27, 2011

“Golf-Donald ready for 'big day' in Sunday's Match Play final” plus 2 more

“Golf-Donald ready for 'big day' in Sunday's Match Play final” plus 2 more

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