SI
Gary Van Sickle

Gary Van Sickle

Joined: Aug 3, 2022

Van Sickle has covered golf since 1980, following the tours to 125 men’s major championships, 14 Ryder Cups and one sweet roundtrip flight on the late Concorde. He is likely the only active golf writer who covered Tiger Woods during his first pro victory, in Las Vegas in 1996, and his 81st, in Augusta. Van Sickle’s work appeared, in order, in The Milwaukee Journal, Golf World magazine, Sports Illustrated (20 years) and Golf.com. He is a former president of the Golf Writers Association of America. His knees are shot, but he used to be a half-decent player. He competed in two national championships (U.S. Senior Amateur, most recently in 2014); made it to U.S. Open sectional qualifying once and narrowly missed the Open by a scant 17 shots (mostly due to poor officiating); won 10 club championships; and made seven holes-in-one (though none lately). Van Sickle’s golf equipment stories usually are based on personal field-testing, not press-release rewrites. His nickname is Van Cynical. Yeah, he earned it.

Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Collin Morikawa reacts after missing a putt on No. 7 during the
NASCAR

With Mistakes at Amen Corner, Three Chasers Saw Their Masters Hopes Dashed

Scottie Scheffler may not have been caught anyway, but Ludvig Åberg, Max Homa and Collin Morikawa sped up his coronation.

Gary Van Sickle
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Apr 13, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Ludvig Aberg tees off on No. 12 during the third round of the
Soccer

Masters Rookie Ludvig Åberg Is a Contender Not to Be Overlooked

An Augusta National rookie hasn't won a green jacket in 45 years, but Gary Van Sickle says Sweden's Ludvig Åberg isn't your average first-timer.

Gary Van Sickle
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Apr 11, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Gary Player poses for a photograph alongside Jack Nicklaus and
NFL

The Masters Opening Tee Shot Ceremony Was a Reminder of Our Own Mortality

Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson started the 88th Masters in style on Thursday morning. Their remarks afterward were poignant, while time continues to march on.

Gary Van Sickle
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Winners and Losers From the Players Championship Merchandise Tent
Golf

Winners and Losers From the Players Championship Merchandise Tent

You can't attend a golf tournament without a merch run, and Gary Van Sickle found a few things worth buying (and not) at TPC Sawgrass.

Gary Van Sickle
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From Retro Finds to the Latest Tech, the PGA Show Again Had It All
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Golf

From Retro Finds to the Latest Tech, the PGA Show Again Had It All

Avid gearhead Gary Van Sickle was in Orlando last week and found plenty worth putting in the bag for 2024.

Gary Van Sickle
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With This Golf GPS Speaker, You Come for the Music and Stay for the Golf
Golf

With This Golf GPS Speaker, You Come for the Music and Stay for the Golf

The Player+ speaker and GPS unit from Blue Tees is irresistible if you like your golf with a soundtrack—just don't forget it when you leave.

Gary Van Sickle
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Orca Golf Bags Are a Splash Thanks to Two Women Founders
Golf

Orca Golf Bags Are a Splash Thanks to Two Women Founders

In addition to its regular lineup of distinctive bags, Orca Golf's newest creations feature artwork from artist/conservationist Guy Harvey.

Gary Van Sickle
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401 Feet! The Inside Story of the World's Longest Putt
Golf

401 Feet! The Inside Story of the World's Longest Putt

On a Wisconsin September evening, a semi-retired advertising executive canned a putt longer than a football field—and now you can try to beat his record.

Gary Van Sickle
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Light Is Right (and Long) With These Reimagined Woods and Irons
Golf

Light Is Right (and Long) With These Reimagined Woods and Irons

Gary Van Sickle
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Odyssey's Newest Putters Let You Look Under the Hood at the Tech
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Golf

Odyssey's Newest Putters Let You Look Under the Hood at the Tech

Gary Van Sickle
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Q&A: Rob O’Loughlin, Golf Innovator, Has One Last Big Idea for Golf
Golf

Q&A: Rob O’Loughlin, Golf Innovator, Has One Last Big Idea for Golf

Gary Van Sickle
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Save the Earth, If Not Strokes, With Sun Mountain's Best Stand Bag Yet
Golf

Save the Earth, If Not Strokes, With Sun Mountain's Best Stand Bag Yet

Gary Van Sickle
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