Mickelson Part Of Group Buying Fairbanks Ranch

The well-located by pretty dreadful design in San Diego that also hosted equestrian events in the 1984 Olympics has been purchased by Union-Tribune publisher Doug Manchester and Phil Mickelson, reports Roger Showley of the Union Tribune.

The group outbid a proposal from Club Corporation of America.

But a former board president, Louis Ferrero, said the Manchester-Mickelson bid came out of an earlier proposal to sell to ClubCorp, operator of the University Club in downtown San Diego, Morgan Run Club & Resort in Rancho Santa Fe and the Shadowridge Golf Club in Vista.

While ClubCorp offered top management credentials, Manchester offered a more ambitious improvement plan and a link to his Grand Del Mar property in Carmel Valley, Ferrero said.

Update on 2014-09-04 03:26 by Geoff

**John Strege with a few more details on why Phil might be getting in the golf course purchasing business.

MJ (Unsuccessfully) Heckled Ian Poulter At Medinah

I'm not sure this will bode well for Michael Jordan getting an inside-the-ropes badge at future Cups after fessing up to heckling Ian Poulter down the stretch in the 2012 Ryder Cupi.

In the first of three "Road To The Ryder Cup" shows airing on NBC Sunday at 2:30 PM ET and Golf Channel Wednestday at 6:30 ET, Mark Rolfing sheds light on the little known battle between Poulter and Jordan. Tune in for the first episode of 'Road to the Ryder Cup' on NBC Sunday 8/31 at 2:30PM ET and Golf Channel Wednesday 9/3 at 6:30PM ET.

The preview: