I’m here in Tucson for my first NBC-TV gig of 2012, the Accenture Match Play Championship. The format is very exciting since its the only match play event the PGA TOUR plays all year, other than the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup (where each is played every other year). The course here at Dove Mountain is extremely quirky…undulating greens that are firm and fast, deep and tough bunkers and unpredictable weather (last year we had snow on Saturday!) but it makes for a very interesting match play course.

My picks for the week might surprise some but seeing as anyone can beat anyone else in an 18 hole match, here goes…..I think that the final 8 players will be:

Brandt Snedeker beating Dustin Johnson in the Bobby Jones bracket to make the semis.

Rickie Fowler beating Graeme McDowell in the Ben Hogan bracket, setting up an all USA semi of Snedecker vs Fowler, with Fowler winning that match to reach the finals.

In the Gary Player bracket, I think Rory McIlroy will beat Jason Day to reach the semis.

And in the Sam Snead bracket, I see last week’s champion in L.A., Bill Haas, beating the re-emerging Tiger Woods to reach the semi-finals against McIlroy.

McIlroy beats Haas to face Fowler in the finals with Rickie Fowler finally winning his first PGA TOUR event with a 5-3 victory over Rory McIlroy.

Ok, tell me where I’m wrong! Let me know who you think is going to win? I’m going off of current performance because most players play well in streaks!!

I was in LA last week for Ketel One and NOLET’S Silver Dry Gin at the Northern Trust Open.  My last trip to this event was in 2010, and you can tell that this tournament is getting better and better – there was a strong field, big crowds, and a lot of people enjoying cocktails! Another thing that always helps is a great leaderboard.  I flew home on Sunday and was on the couch watching that fantastic playoff on TV like the rest of you. Honestly, I saw more golf in an hour of watching TV than I did in three days onsite!  Overall, it was a great week for our clients and a fun week of golf.

Here are a few photos from the week. Enjoy!

Ketel One bar on the 14th hole

My NEW favorite hat

Shot of Riviera Clubhouse at the end of the day

Cameron and Whitney with the trophy

A sea of pastel Post-It’s and tons of shimmering glitter plastered my cube in honor of my birthday! And let’s not forget the monstrous banner as you enter! Amazing.

Honestly, the pictures don’t do it justice. Absolutely EVERY SQUARE INCH of my desk is dazzling. It’s sensational! What a fun birthday surprise!

Thank you to our fabulous office decorators Angela Norton and Deanna Doty! It must have taken you gals quite some time to pull this off – but it looks awesome!

Peter Jacobsen SPORTS is currently seeking three motivated and detail-oriented interns to help with the 2012 Umpqua Bank Challenge. CLICK HERE for detailed job descriptions and for instructions on how to apply.

“I’m truly blessed to have so many close friends and colleagues who have joined me in these efforts believing in the benefits of continued support to music and the arts across all neighborhoods and walks of life, and also to those groups providing a safe-haven for families in need. The magic for me in delivering much needed funds to these deserving charities and groups throughout RI, where I was raised, is that I’m blessed to be honoring my brother Clay through his foundation in supporting great organizations and acknowledging caring individuals.
~ Jeffrey Osborne

I first met Jeffrey Osborne at the 2009 CVS Caremark Charity Classic Pepsi Pro-Am in Providence, RI. As a native of Rhode Island, he knew about the success of the Charity Classic and what it does for children and families in need. We extended an invite for him to play. I believe he wanted to see for himself how big and successful the Charity Classic really is.

Jeffrey has been thinking of putting on his own charity event for awhile. Coming from a talented musical family, his charitable mission is to support music and the arts as well as charitable groups providing a safe-haven for families in need. Jeffrey has engaged some of the most successful names in the entertainment and the sports world for a two-day event. In addition to Magic Johnson as the Master of Ceremonies, celebrities on the initial invite list include Smokey Robinson, Kenny G, Peabo Bryson, Cheech Marin, Doc Rivers, Dr. J, The O’Jays, and Charles Barkley…to name a few. The 2012 Jeffrey Osborne Celebrity Classic will be held on August 13th and 14th at the exclusive Carnegie Abbey Club located on the water in Portsmouth, RI. Sponsors will be treated to an opening night Welcome Reception, followed by the Celebrity-Amateur golf outing. Concluding will be a memorable Charity Champion’s Dinner Gala with live music from Jeffrey and his invited friends.

I’m really looking forward to this event… Keep checking back with us for more details. You won’t want to miss it!

This week marked the National Signing Day for NCAA football programs. As a University of Oregon Alum and season ticket holder I have mixed feelings. I’m stoked to see who the Ducks will pick up, but on the other hand I think the entire process is a little over the top. Signing Day will determine the future for coaches, recruits, and schools. Millions of dollars are spent; careers can be made or broken depending on which school a couple of four- or five-star recruits select.

I had the good fortune of attending the Oregon Signing Day Dinner with our Umpqua Bank Challenge Pro-Am Sponsor, Regence. Oregon Coach Chip Kelly gave a rundown of his thoughts on each of the recruits.  As usual, Coach Kelly was his typical rough-around-the-edges self. I thought he had a pretty good take on signing day though. “We’re not jumping up and down when the fax machine goes off. We save that for when we’re scoring touchdowns in the fall.” He also discussed how he has a training session on signing day every year for the current team, to give them perspective. Another priceless Kelly quote “Most of these kids that have their day in the sun today with putting hats on or pulling dogs…aren’t really gonna have an impact next fall.” Maybe that is a little too much humility, but treating seventeen and eighteen year old’s like they are entering the NFL draft is ridiculous too. I blame SEC fans, like this one.

The fact that these high school kids can generate so much interest and media is amazing to me. There is around the clock coverage leading up to signing day. Each of the local sports radio stations covered signing day with interviews from Oregon and Oregon State as well as bloggers and recruiting experts that follow recruiting year round. Here is one guy that just does it for fun, in addition to breaking down the game film of each Duck football game.

When you start writing blogs like this (or even reading them) or subscribing to some recruiting news service, it might be time to re-evaluate your commitment as a fan. It’s one thing to dress your daughter in Oregon gear, and re-watch all the games the next day on the DVR, but being able to list off two-star recruits who have never seen a college snap is another level entirely (maybe I’m in denial).

At some point as a fan you have to draw the line. “I think this (Signing Day) itself has turned into this phenomenon that I just kind of shake my head at…It’s crazy to be honest with you.” Another Kelly quote. I really think that he has the best assessment.  He’s an X’s and O’s guy and that’s it. You can tell how much he hates the glad-handing. As long as he keeps classes like this coming in and the BCS games going I have no complaints. He might be direct, but I think that everyone could use a dose of his reality on signing day. Let’s make SEC fans run up-downs for spring ball!

I was lucky enough to get a picture with the Rose Bowl Trophy during the Oregon Signing Day Dinner.

On Monday January 23, The Umpqua Bank Challenge had the pleasure of presenting our two non-profit partners, “I Have A Dream” Foundation – Oregon and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, with a check totaling $100,000!

As the first “I Have A Dream” Dreamer School in the nation, Alder Elementary School was the perfect site for the auspicious presentation. Sitting on the eastern edge of Portland, Alder has one of the highest poverty rates in the state, with 94% of students eligible for free or reduced lunches and 20% of students homeless.

Led by Principal Paz Ramos, students from kindergarten through fifth grade will receive mentoring, tutoring and guidance as a way to propel them into college and beyond. Each student’s progress will be tracked for more than a decade as they move forward and break through these barriers to higher education.

Equally inspiring is Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel. In less than a month they are set to open the doors to their brand new home! With this spectacular space, children and their families will have all the room and amenities they need to fight sickness and work on recovering. Take a virtual tour of the new hospital below and notice the private patient rooms with extra-large windows, providing lots of natural light for each ailing visitor. Teen activity rooms and plenty of play space offer all the familiarities of home.  It is all designed to provide a positive, relaxing atmosphere while working on feeling better.

For us here at PJS, Monday’s check presentation was the culmination of the year’s hard work, planning and execution of the inaugural Umpqua Bank Challenge. It was exciting to see what the money is going to and how it will have a positive effect on the lives of children all across Portland!

On a more personal note, this week has been overwhelmingly eye opening. Not only did we visit Alder Elementary for the press conference, but I had the opportunity to tour the school and see first-hand the hope and drive of each child. Kindergartners are talking about college! It made me think back to what I was focused on at that age, and I can say with the utmost certainty that I was just worried about coloring in the lines. College didn’t pop into my mind until at least high school, so to hear 5 and 6-year-olds talk about college is boggling!

And it was amazing to learn just how close Randall Children’s Hospital is in their completion of the new building. I drive by it everyday to and from work. I’ve seen it’s various construction stages and I’m blown away knowing that I have a small part in helping all those children fight for their lives.

It was great to see the community and our sponsors give so much to present such an amazing gift to the children of Portland. Look out for 2012 as we aim to hold an even bigger and better event!

During this morning’s press conference at Alder Elementary it was announced that in it’s inaugural year The Umpqua Bank Challenge raised $100,000 for non-profit partners “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel. MORE

[Pictured:Peter Jacobsen (far left) and Ray Davis (far right) presented the funds raised by the 2011 Umpqua Bank Challenge to Nancy Horton, Diane Boly and Julie Ball, members of the “I Have A Dream” Foundation’s Board of Directors, Tamara Uppendahl, Director of Donor Relations for Legacy Health and Liz MacDonell,, Executive Director of the Randall Children’s Hospital Foundation. Photo courtesy of Peter Jacobsen SPORTS.]

On January 11^th, the LPGA released its 2012 Tour Schedule with some exciting news!  First, five additional tournaments have been added, four of which will be located in North America.  Over 100 participants are expected to compete for official money at each of the tournaments. Due to these five additions, the overall purse will increase from $40.4 million in 2011 to $47 million this year.  The second bit of news is that the LPGA will be adding a fifth major beginning in 2013.  The Evian Masters Presented by Societe Generale will take place for the final time in 2012 before taking on major championship status as “The Evian”.  The tournament will continue to be played in France at the Evian Masters Golf Club with the highest tournament purse of $3.25 million.

It is wonderful that the LPGA is expanding their tournament schedule through 2013 and beyond!  With these new tournaments comes additional sponsorship dollars and television exposure.  There are so many little girls who idolize their favorite LPGA Pros and the reinforcement of their idols’ success can only aid in their dreaming.  But it is not just little girls looking up to these talented ladies!  I have heard from some of our amateur male participants that they can relate to the LPGA Pros’ style of golf since it is closer to their own.  They cannot “hit bombs” like Bubba or “spider” like Camillo.  They play around the same distances as the ladies and follow their club selections.  Overall, I think adding these tournaments and the additional major in 2013 are positive steps in maintaining the viability and increasing the exposure of quite possibly the greatest female professional sports association in the world.

Rookie to watch in 2012 – Lexi Thompson! This 5’11’’ Florida native is taking the LPGA by storm.  Coming off of her 2011 win at the Navistar LPGA Classic, Lexi will be one to watch in 2012.  Not only was she the youngest player to ever qualify for the US Women’s Open at age 12 (2007), but she has played in it every year since.  Her list of accomplishments and Tour finishes is impressive for her young age and will surely only grow as she matures into a household name.

Peter Jacobsen SPORTS is currently seeking an operations assistant to help with the 2012 CVS Caremark Charity Classic. CLICK HERE for a detailed job description and for instructions on how to apply.