#TBT: The Barclays - Liberty National

Here is a checklist of sporting events for everybody to attend this year, in no particular order:

1. PGA golf match
2. Horse Race
3. MLB baseball game
4. well you get the point...

Classic American sports are in this year. American sport has returned to its beginnings as the "game-day experience" is even more important. All three of these events are better served on site. Let's take a look into the Barclays, the first event of the PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoffs.

Tell me any other event where you can sit on a grassy hill and take in professional sport with a backdrop as beautiful as this. Sun setting over the beautiful Liberty National golf course in Jersey City, NJ. Never will this be achieved at an NFL game.

Sperry, always approved out on the golf course. Classic American sport means classic American style. Don't be caught looking like Joe Shmoe out on the golf course. This isn't the place for Air Jordans. 

Often the best golf you will find on the course involves some of the players least followed. Pictured here is Hunter Mahan waiting on Stewart Cink to take his approach shot.

Be on the lookout and you might even be lucky enough to see a Tiger in its natural habitat! Lookout though, with Tiger comes a large crowd of adventure seekers.

©Robert J. Hanlon

Starbucks: Cheers to blue skies

Shoutout to Arnold Palmer (referred to now on as Arnie P) for one of the greatest creations of all time. Thanks for the half and half, also referred to as the iced tea-lemonade . This is the Starbucks version. Pictured below is the green tea lemonade, unsweetened. A go-to refreshing drink for me when I'm parched and certainly never a let down. Cheers to Arnie P!

Well this was a passion tea lemonade. It didn't quite make it home this time. Despite that, cheers to a beautiful back yard. Asking for "light ice" is always a good idea if you want to have a drink to enjoy when you get home.

When the going gets tough, the tough get iced coffee. Finished with 2% milk and caramel one can never go wrong. Just make sure it's Venti. When in doubt, use your nickname at your local Starbucks.

 ©Robert J. Hanlon

#TBT: Nautical Afternoon

What's classier than a wood boat with an American flag hung off the back? Crickets...

Definitely worth the high-maintenance upkeep if you have the time. Possibly the classiest vessel man has ever built.

Every good boat has its first mate. Shoutout to Bentley for being one of the best first mates in the game. Bent always looks the part and has a can't stop won't stop attitude unmatched by any other first mate I've ever met.

Don't even think about setting out on a boat with a classic pair of Sperry Top-Sider boat shoes. Classic colors are always in style, though I mixed it up with tan shoe and red laces in Summer 2013.

 When finally docking after an afternoon of boating, always make sure your first mate receives plenty of attention and keep hydrated.

    August, 2014 ©Robert J. Hanlon

#RoadToSochi

Certainly can't think of anything more American and more classy than rooting for Team USA in the Olympics, winter or summer. It has to be something about those rings and the red, white and blue that just bleed class. 

Robert J. Hanlon sporting Olympic threads: courtesy of Nike

#TBT: Summer weddings, summer style

Well we're certainly a ways away from summer, but couldn't think of a better time to rejoice in the life of the warmest months. Blue gingham, Raybans on and plenty of cold beverages to go around. Sounds like my kinda party, and no I'm not referring to Jason Aldean.

Suit: by J.Crew

Shirt: Blue gingham by Tommy Hilfiger

Sunglasses: Havana squared clubmaster by Rayban

Not pictured: Blue socks by Ralph Lauren

Every good wedding has a man behind this scenes. Summer 2013 that was Mr. Robert J. Hanlon himself. Filling in on silk pocket square folding when no other man, or woman, was ready to step up for the challenge.

If you aren't familiar with proper silk square folding techniques Google it! The fold of the day for the groomsmen you ask? We went with the three mountain fold, an all time favorite

A summer wedding wouldn't be complete without a porch open to the elements at the reception. I could not think of a better back drop to cool off after some dancing out on the floor. Country clubs are always a good choice.

There is absolutely no better time to sing and dance to JT than a summer wedding. Suit and tie? Yep. Not ashamed one bit. Don't even question who sings it better there. Me over my brother any day.

The Official boots of New England; and just about everywhere else

Looking for the best darn boots in the biz? Head no further than your nearest L.L.Bean store, or llbean.com and you'll be set for life. Why you ask? Well just check out their guarantee. Can't beat it.

“Not many things in life are guaranteed, but L.L.Bean is, and that’s pretty unique" 

- L.L.Bean

Not many things in life are guaranteed, except death, taxes and L.L.Bean. Not sure about everybody else out there but I prefer the latter.  Best customer service in the game, and that's certainly a rarity these days.

Engineered to save you through the blizzards of New England and built to last through the rain, snow and slush of just about anywhere you can imagine. Just take a look at that boot mobile. Guaranteed that thing never breaks down.

© Robert J. Hanlon