A very happy New Year to all our readers and supporters.

As is customary at this time of year I present you with my Best and Worst of the past season.

GOLFER OF THE YEAR – Henrik Stenson

In the six months from mid-July to his final event in mid-December Henrik Stenson competed in 13 tournaments winning three, finishing runner-up also in three and third in two others.

While Tiger Woods won five times on the PGA Tour and continues to reign as World No. 1 Stenson capped a best-ever season becoming not only the first Swede to win the FedEx Cup Play-Off Series but also the first player to win the FedEx and Race to Dubai Number One crown in the same year.

SHOT OF THE YEAR – Justin Rose – 4-iron, 2^nd Shot Final Round US Open.

Merion’s difficult last hole has long been immortalized in one of golf’s iconic photographs when Ben Hogan set-up victory with a 1-iron shot into the green in the 1950 US Open.

Justin Rose was among less than half the field on the last day of this year’s US Open to hit the fairway and then at spot some five yards from ‘Hogan’s plaque’ the Englishman played a 4-iron shot into the green.

Rose’s second shot didn’t find the green but it left him a fairway wood chip shot to within inches to claim a first Major Championship title.

AUSTRALIA’S AUGUSTA ACCLAIM – Adam Scott.

When Adam Scott defeated Angel Cabrera in a play-off at Augusta National it ended a 77-year ‘Green Jacket’ victory wait for the Australia sport-loving nation.

Scott’s success also ensured Australian golfers had finally won all four of golf’s majors.

Scott returned home celebrating his Masters win by electing to compete in four straight tournaments and while missing out on becoming only second player to win the Australian ‘Triple Crown’ the proud Australian endeared himself to everyone.

BEST GOLF TOURNAMENT – Turkish Airlines Open.

In past years we have been spoilt in staying at the 7-star Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and enjoying the charm of visiting Shanghai.

But for a new destination and a new tournament this year’s first-ever Turkish Airlines Open was hard to beat with upgrades to Business Class on Turkish Airlines and residing for the week at the remarkable and stunning Maxx Royal Hotel in Belek.

Of course, there was a great golf tournament won by Frenchman Victor Dubuisson.

Special mention to the Volvo World Match-Play Championship in Bulgaria.

The TV pictures were outstanding and the stories we reported on that week generated enormous print and website coverage and far more than we, and I’m sure organisers, could have anticipated.

BEST NEW TOURNAMENT VENUE – Thacian Cliffs, Bulgaria.

When Thacian Cliffs opened it immediately attracted enormous interest as one of those ‘wish list’ courses you want to play.

When Volvo and IMG announcement the Volvo World Match-Play Championship was heading to the Black Sea shoreline it was a tournament you wanted to attend.

And the venue and the tournament didn’t disappoint with Thongchai Jaidee taking Graeme McDowell down to the very last hole before the past US Open winner prevailed.

BEST AWARD OF THE YEAR – Internet Story of the Year

www.golfbytourmiss.com scoops the Australian Golf Association media awards for our coverage of Adam Scott’s Masters success.

BEST NEW CITY VISITED IN 2013 – Sophia, Bulgaria

It was one of the best decisions of the year and that was to head to Bulgaria a few days earlier and spend time visiting the capital, Sophia.

The city is a charming mix of museums, churches and old world charm, and at prices far less than most of its European counterparts.

BEST NATURAL FEATURE VISITED IN 2013 – Niagara Falls.

I have now had occasion to visit Niagara Falls three times and each time you stand overlooking this natural wonder you’re left mesmerized by the volume of water cascading over both the American and Horseshoe Falls.

SOME OF THE BEST QUOTES OF THE YEAR

“I’m going to look forward to one day receiving a letter from the then Chairman of Augusta National, whoever that may be at the time, saying that I am too old to play the course” – Adam Scott soon after being fitted with an Augusta National green jacket.

“It sounds like something you’d wax the car with.”  – Lee Westwood when asked what he knew about Deer Antler Spray.

“Christ, we’re all frightened to say anything;  we’re all frightened to open our mouths in case we say something that isn’t kosher in 2013”  – Colin Montgomerie following the Sergio Garcia ‘chicken’ scandal.

“Well, I’ve said everything I am going to say.  I talked to Bernie about it when I was in Hainan Island, and that’s it.”  – Tiger Woods after being asked if he anything more to say on the Brandel Chambelee controversy.

“He was playing the group ahead of me!”  Turkish Airlines winner Victor Dubuisson when asked who was his boyhood idol.  ‘He’ being Tiger Woods.

“Take your finger out of your ass and go win this week”.  – Tiger Woods in a text message to Rory McIlroy ahead of the Shell Houston Open.

“I’ve seen more lawyers offices and more lawyers this year than I care to see in my entire life” – Rory McIlroy on his problems off the course.

“Go ask G Mac.  He seems to know what’s going on”.  Rory McIlroy when asked to comment on rumours he was splitting from Horizon Sports.

“I’m just so brain dead!” – Rory McIlroy after posting his second worst Open Championship score of 79 and then referring to his golf in the first six months of 2013.

“We’ve got Ian Poulter”.  Paul McGinley’s response after rival Ryder Cup captain, Tom Watson spoke about the impact of playing alongside Jack Nicklaus.

“You jammy bastard!  That shot will cost you another $1,000.” – Richard Sterne to Stephen Gallacher after the Scot holed a 115-yard wedge on route to Dubai Desert Classic success, and a few days before Gallacher was set to reside at Sterne’s house.

FIRST DOWN UNDER REPORTING GRAND SLAM – Bernie reports on Adam Scott’s Masters Triumph.

Being present to report on Adam Scott’s Masters success presented me a first for an Australian-born golf correspondent.

It gave me a golf reporting ‘Grand Slam’ after having been present in 1993 to witness Greg Norman capture a second Open Championship and then in 1995 to see Steve Elkington win the PGA Championship as well as being on hand in 2006 to report on  Geoff Ogivly handed the Rodman Wanamaker Trophy.

And there was no one more proud than I was to be among the first to shake Adam’s hand at Augusta National.

BEST NEW GOLF COURSE PLAYED IN 2013 – Princes Grant, South Africa

My first ever game of golf in South Africa was on the stunning Princes Grant course located along the shores of the Indian Ocean to the north of Durban in South Africa.

It’s hilly and a motorised cart is a good option but it has to be one of the best ‘new’ golf courses I’ve also played in a long time.

Every inch of the course is meticulously maintained and every hole a treat.

SADLY MISSED – Bev Norwood

The golf world loss a true professional and close friend to so many with the passing in 2013 of Bev Norwood.

As colleague Ron Sirak stated in a tribute to Bev:  “Few have a background in journalism, like Bev did, and know what we need and understand that building trust serves all the stakeholders of the game”.

RULING OF THE YEAR – Nicolas Colsaerts, Volvo World Match-Play.

The sight of Nicolas Colsaerts having to take a penalty drop inside a toilet during round three of the Volvo World Match-Play Championship in Bulgaria turned into one of most humorous episodes I’ve ever seen in over three decades reporting on golf.

It had Colsaerts and his opponent Graeme McDowell plus caddies, officials, TV commentators and the media fall about laughing.

Of course, newspapers and websites had a field day with headlines.

Even when I asked to speak to the rules official involved to fully clarify the ruling, he indicated in all seriousness that Colsaerts had ‘to go through the motions’ of taking a drop inside the toilet.

BEST TOURNAMENT DINING – Portugal Masters.

Once again the award goes to the Portugal Masters for their stunning lunches.  How can you go past a wonderful selection of seafood, salads and hot dishes as well as spectacular array of sweets and the choice of white, red or champers.

MEDIA GIFT OF THE YEAR – Pennsylvania Highway Patrol Officer.

It used to be the custom to present the media with a gift for their coverage of tournaments.  We still get the odd gift that is always very much appreciated.

But on this occasion the best gift was a sleeve of golf balls presented to a golf-loving Pennsylvania Highway Patrol officer moments after he had issued leading Irish-born snapper, Eoin Clarke with a formal caution for an ‘incorrect movement’ – not moving into another lane when passing an emergency vehicle parked on the side of the road.

BLUNDERER OF THE YEAR – Brandel Chamblee

Some describe Brandel Chamblee as articulate and insightful but he’s a former Tour pro who won just one tournament in a 370 event-PGA career and now seeks to make a name for himself criticizing the efforts of others.

Chamblee had written off Tiger Woods in 2012 saying he would never win again yet Woods made Chamblee eat humble pie winning not once but five times in 2013.

But blundering Brandel’s biggest mistake was to again take on Woods in likening his own classroom cheating ways to rules incidents involving the 14-time Major winner.

BEST & WORST SEATS IN 2013

The best seat in 2013 was without a doubt sitting in the Captain’s seat on the USS Lexington moored at Corpus Christi in Texas.

The worst seats continue to be those fold away seats we’re forced to sit on for five days of a tournament.

WORST RULES DECISION OF 2013 – Korean Golf Association.

It was a decision that had European Tour Chief Referee, John Paramor scratching his head.

Korean Kim Hyung-tae was denied victory in the Korean Open when after nearly two hours the Korean Golf Association voted 5 – 3 he had grounded his club on the 13^th hole on the final day.

Kim had commenced the last round leading by four, and despite he and his playing partner each arguing their innocent and also in the absence of any TV footage to show either had broken the rule, he was informed of a two-shot penalty when leading by a stroke with two holes to play.

Mention also to the Augusta National rules committee in their amateurish handling of the Tiger Woods decision

WORST EXPERIENCE ON A GOLF COURSE – Beauvallon, France

Beauvallon golf course in France overlooks the ‘beautiful people’ port of St. Tropez.

It’s a great golf course and on the occasions I have played the course I have been welcomed with open arms.

However on 26^th August my day was ruined as it was later established by an ugly Romanian who stole my wallet from my golf bag.

Special mention also to the South African-born baggage handlers who generously helped themselves to my clothing on route to my first tournament of the year.

Word of caution – Lock or no lock, make sure when travelling to South Africa you have your suitcase wrapped in plastic.

WORST AIRLINE – Qantas Airlines.

Susanne Kemper is a valued contributor to www.golfbytourmiss.com but imagine her disgust upon being informed by Qantas Airlines it would cost $1,760 for her golf clubs to accompany her on a flight from Melbourne to London.

Susanne was in Australia promoting golf and was on an Emirates Airline booking that allows golf clubs to travel free of charge.

But with Emirates now code-sharing with Qantas she was switched to a London-bound flight on Australia’s national carrier.

It’s not this first time this website has slammed the airline sporting a flying red kangaroo.

The sooner Qantas Airlines is sold off the better!

WORST HOTEL OF THE YEAR – Trooper Hotel, Windsor

The Trooper Hotel is conveniently located just a short drive from Wentworth and venue for the flagship BMW PGA Championship.

However the Trooper Hotel is seriously flagging when it comes to attending the needs of those occupying the hotel rooms.

There was rubbish lying outside the room, weed ridden pathways, beds remained unmade, garbage bins unemptied and overall just a serious lack of attention to detail.

The hotel owner needs to take a serious look at the rooms as they are in desperate need of a coat of paint, the sealant in the shower is ridden with mildew whereas the asking price is just not value for money.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in and around Windsor avoid the Trooper Hotel!………….here’s to another great golfing season in 2014.