Well another month plus has slipped by without my chiming in. Not that there hasn't been anything newsworthy at the MGA or in golf, but it was a fairly busy finish to the season.
Firstly, condolences to the Pitts family as they lost their patriarch, Fordie, this week. I can't say that I knew him well other than to know that he was a golfing legend in the state over a very long period of time. There is a great article by Nate Crossman from The Patriot Ledger that was posted on the MGA web site. I know that he had many, many friends and I'm sure it will be fully evident to his family at the wake and funeral services.
The MGA season has finally wound down. It was a great finish to the season at the Senior Amateur at Salem the last week of September with Paul Murphy capturing his first individual MGA title. Talk about a player who's been on the scene a long time competing at a high level, that's definitely Murph. Well deserved.
The Tri-State Matches were another romp for Team Mass. Pleasant Valley Country Club was the scene for the 6th straight win for Team MGA. The guys played extremely well especially in the foursomes format on the first day. Mass is so deep right now that if CT and RI are missing any of their top guns (they were), then it really is an uphill battle for them. Aside from the competition, the Tri-States are just a great couple of days of camaraderie. It's a feather in the cap for the 12 players from each state who make their respective teams. It means they've played well all year and earned a spot on the team. This is the first year that each team expanded from 10 to 12 players. Traditionally, each team comprised eight mid-am players and two seniors. With the explosion of senior golf the three state associations got together after last year's matches and agreed to add two more seniors per state beginning in 2009. It was very well received by all involved.
I have to admit that I didn't get too jazzed up about the Presidents Cup. As one golf writer put it, "it's not even Ryder Cup Lite." The Internationals need to get more competitive in order for it to be a little more compelling. It certainly put exlamation marks on the years of Tiger and Steve Stricker, though.
Rickie Fowler has certainly proven to be the real deal since turning pro after the Walker Cup. He's already earned enough money to be partially exempt for next year and is now exempt to the finals of Q-School. Wouldn't surprise me a bit if he locked up his 2010 full card this week and thereby bypassing Q-school altogether. Either way, this kid is going to be a force. I love that he has a home-made sort of swing that relies on feel. Definitely old school. Here's a link to a great article from Golfchannel.com talking about the evolution of Rickie's swing.
http://www.thegolfchannel.com/tour-insider/quick-barry-mcdonnell-33410/
Two other big developments on the bigger golf scene have been the approval of golf as an Olympic sport and the naming of a new LPGA commissioner. I think it's almost impossible to overstate the significance of golf making it to the Olympics. Even though the game has leveled off here and many clubs are struggling in the USA, the impact for the game worldwide is going to be huge. And I think the trickle down effect will eventually add new energy to the game here in the states. The appointment of new LPGA Commissioner, Michael Whan, comes at a critical time for the LPGA. It's quite telling that they hired a marketing expert who is an unknown quantity to most in golf circles. I'll admit, I'd never heard of the guy. I hope he can turn things around and repair some of the damaged relationships with tournament sponsors. The ladies' tour has a great product, so hopefully Mr. Whan can get them firing on all cylinders before too long.
We're busy putting 2009 to bed here at the MGA while also planning for 2010. All the sites for the 2010 championship proper schedule are in place, and we're working to finalize all the qualifying sites. Hopefully we'll be just about there by Thanksgiving.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Brian Higgins - Lights Out
Some of the players at last week's 25th MGA Mid-Am were wondering what course Brian Higgins was playing. With rounds of 66-65-65 at Haverhill Country Club, Brian absolutely lapped the field. The runner-up was Phil Smith who was 12 shots back. It was a very deep field - all the best players were there. I watched Brian play a few holes and he was definitely in the zone. The best part was that many of the players stuck around for the trophy ceremony. Oftentimes players just hit the road when they're done and there are not too many people around other than MGA officials and staff. This time, though, there were a dozen players or more who stuck around. I thought that was very classy.
Brian will be representing Mass in the USGA State Team Championship this week in St. Louis along with teammates Frank Vana and John Hadges. That's a strong team that I know can contend. Hopefully the putts will be dropping for the boys. The tournament is Wednesday thru Friday.
Since the Pats weren't looking too sharp on Sunday, I started flipping to different channels and happened upon the Nationwide event where Fran Quinn was in contention. He made a couple of clutch putts while I was tuned in, and even though I didn't stick around to watch the finish I went online later to find out that Fran had won with a clutch birdie on the final hole. It was Fran's first win on the Nationwide in nine years. Congrats to him. That puts him 18th on the money list with about four events to go. The top-25 at year's end get their PGA Tour cards. Hopefully he can hang in there.
Brian will be representing Mass in the USGA State Team Championship this week in St. Louis along with teammates Frank Vana and John Hadges. That's a strong team that I know can contend. Hopefully the putts will be dropping for the boys. The tournament is Wednesday thru Friday.
Since the Pats weren't looking too sharp on Sunday, I started flipping to different channels and happened upon the Nationwide event where Fran Quinn was in contention. He made a couple of clutch putts while I was tuned in, and even though I didn't stick around to watch the finish I went online later to find out that Fran had won with a clutch birdie on the final hole. It was Fran's first win on the Nationwide in nine years. Congrats to him. That puts him 18th on the money list with about four events to go. The top-25 at year's end get their PGA Tour cards. Hopefully he can hang in there.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
42nd Walker Cup Match at Merion
The 42nd Walker Cup Match is being played at Merion Golf Club this week. The biennial match pits 10 amateurs from the USA against 10 from Great Britain and Ireland. I took the rainy, 5 1/2 hour drive to the Philadelphia area on Friday morning. My reasons for going were two-fold. First, I had never been to a Walker Cup before and this one was driveable. Second, I lived in and around Philadelphia for nearly seven years in the 1980's to early-90's and really enjoyed the area. When I was workin at UPENN in Philly I used to caddy at Merion on weekends just for a chance to see the course. In fact, I was married nearby and was fortunate to play Merion with my dad the day before my wedding. So the course has some extra meaning for me personally.
And what a course it is. Designed by the father of the Philadelphia-style of golf course architecture, Hugh Wilson, the course features one of the most memorable collection of holes of any course this side of the Atlantic. The flagsticks are topped by red wicker baskets instead of traditional flags which only adds to it mystique. Bobby Jones completed the final leg of the Grand Slam by winning the US Amateur here in 1930. Ben Hogan came back from his brush with death in a 1949 car accident by winning the US Open here in 1950. Hogan's one-iron shot at the 72nd hole is immortalized in the famous photograph. These are the two most famous exploits at Merion, but that only begins to tell the story .
The 2009 Walker Cup marks the 18th USGA event hosted by Merion, more than any other club in the country. The scheduled 2013 US Open will be Merion's fifth. Short by modern standards, the backs tees measure 'only' 6,846 yards, and this after the course has been lengthened some 300 yards. This is the distance to course will play for 2013, but it's all the golf course a player could want. I've seen many of the best courses in the US - more as a caddy than a player - but Merion takes a back seat to none of them. And I'm talking Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Pine Valley, Winged Foot, Augusta. You name them and Merion does not pale in comparison to any.
So do you get the sense that I really like this place? It's an absolute shrine to the game. Nicklaus said, 'Acre for acre Merion may be the best golf course in the world.' Other greats have spoken more eloquently about the place but none more succinctly. It's that good. That I had a chance to play it a couple of times and walk around it perhaps a hundred times as a caddy makes it even more special for me.
OK, now that I've completly gone over the top in gushing about the place, what about the Match? I arrived at Merion early Friday afternoon for what was scheduled to be a practice round and the Opening Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. There wasn't much practice going on as it was pouring buckets when I arrived. I had my full gortex on - coat and pants - and decided to walk the course anyway. I got about six holes in but decided the tent outside the clubhouse might be a better idea. I bumped into a gentleman, Clive, from the UK who is over here watching for the week. He was non-plussed about the rain so he pressed on. I headed for the pro shop to look at the merchandise.
The outdoor ceremony was supposed to be in the middle of the 1st fairway. There were chairs laid out for the teams and flag poles erected for the respective colors to be raised, but it was just raining too hard. Hastily, the Opening Ceremony was moved under the large tent that had been set up over the outdoor patio sited next to the clubhouse. It was quite cramped, but at exactly 5:30 the players and captains filed out followed by the committee members from the USGA and R&A. In his opening welcome, USGA President, Jim Vernon, wryling stated, 'Welcome to the 109th United States Open Championship at Bethpage State Park' which drew a round of laughter. The rainy conditions dampened the grounds but not everyone's spirits. After the GBI team was introduced, the local high school band played 'God Save The Queen' followed by the Irish national anthem (I forget the name of that one).
Then US Captain, Buddy Marucci, introduced the US team followed by the band's rendition of the 'Star Spangled Banner'. Made all the more poignant by the 9/11 anniversay, when Marucci went back up to the mike he said, 'If that doesn't get you then you're not breathing.' The entire ceremony was pomp and circumstance, but demonstrated all that was great about the Walker Cup - camaraderie and competition.
Today (Saturday) I was able to bump into and speak to many people who I knew. Everyone from MGA 1st Vice-President, Jack Dezieck, to one of my old Merion caddy friends, Poncho, who is caddying for one of the GBI players. I was even able to chat with Titleist CEO Wally Uihlein, who was not here as a giant of the golf industry but as a proud father watching his son, Peter, compete in his first Walker Cup Match. And Peter performed. He holed a crucial 15-foot par putt on the 18th hole of his morning foursomes match to win the hole and secure a 1-up victory for he and partner, Nathan Smith. It was an unlikely win after the team had been down all day. The crucial point helped the US to a 3-1 lead after the morning.
Peter continued his great play in the afternoon by winning a tight singles match against opponent Tommy Fleetwood. The star of the day, though, was Rickie Fowler. He and partner, Bud Cauley, closed out their match early with a 6-5 victory and then Fowler waxed Sam Hutsby 7-6 in his singles match. Although he's supposed to be entering his junior year at Oklahoma State, Fowler will be turning pro right after the Match. I can't say I blame him. This kid has got 'it' - that special something. I watched him play a few holes today. He's just got that Lanny Wadkins-style swagger that says, 'I'm going to beat you and you're going to watch me while I put this beating on you.' In other words, quietly cocky but with the game to back it up.
Truth be told it's tough to actually see the golf at the Walker Cup unless you sit on a green or tee. There is a charm to being able to walk the fairways with the players, but it doesn't translate into great golf viewing. Figuring that I'd seen some good golf, talked with friends and soaked up the atmosphere at my favorite course, I took the shuttle back to my hotel at about 3:00. I watched the remainder of the singles matches on the Golf Channel (while also flipping over to NBC occasionally to watch Tiger put the finishing touches on his 62) and the day finished up with the USA in command with an 8-4 lead. It's far from over, though. Sunday should be a good one. I'm driving back tomorrow, but my wife is setting the DVR.
And what a course it is. Designed by the father of the Philadelphia-style of golf course architecture, Hugh Wilson, the course features one of the most memorable collection of holes of any course this side of the Atlantic. The flagsticks are topped by red wicker baskets instead of traditional flags which only adds to it mystique. Bobby Jones completed the final leg of the Grand Slam by winning the US Amateur here in 1930. Ben Hogan came back from his brush with death in a 1949 car accident by winning the US Open here in 1950. Hogan's one-iron shot at the 72nd hole is immortalized in the famous photograph. These are the two most famous exploits at Merion, but that only begins to tell the story .
The 2009 Walker Cup marks the 18th USGA event hosted by Merion, more than any other club in the country. The scheduled 2013 US Open will be Merion's fifth. Short by modern standards, the backs tees measure 'only' 6,846 yards, and this after the course has been lengthened some 300 yards. This is the distance to course will play for 2013, but it's all the golf course a player could want. I've seen many of the best courses in the US - more as a caddy than a player - but Merion takes a back seat to none of them. And I'm talking Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Pine Valley, Winged Foot, Augusta. You name them and Merion does not pale in comparison to any.
So do you get the sense that I really like this place? It's an absolute shrine to the game. Nicklaus said, 'Acre for acre Merion may be the best golf course in the world.' Other greats have spoken more eloquently about the place but none more succinctly. It's that good. That I had a chance to play it a couple of times and walk around it perhaps a hundred times as a caddy makes it even more special for me.
OK, now that I've completly gone over the top in gushing about the place, what about the Match? I arrived at Merion early Friday afternoon for what was scheduled to be a practice round and the Opening Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. There wasn't much practice going on as it was pouring buckets when I arrived. I had my full gortex on - coat and pants - and decided to walk the course anyway. I got about six holes in but decided the tent outside the clubhouse might be a better idea. I bumped into a gentleman, Clive, from the UK who is over here watching for the week. He was non-plussed about the rain so he pressed on. I headed for the pro shop to look at the merchandise.
The outdoor ceremony was supposed to be in the middle of the 1st fairway. There were chairs laid out for the teams and flag poles erected for the respective colors to be raised, but it was just raining too hard. Hastily, the Opening Ceremony was moved under the large tent that had been set up over the outdoor patio sited next to the clubhouse. It was quite cramped, but at exactly 5:30 the players and captains filed out followed by the committee members from the USGA and R&A. In his opening welcome, USGA President, Jim Vernon, wryling stated, 'Welcome to the 109th United States Open Championship at Bethpage State Park' which drew a round of laughter. The rainy conditions dampened the grounds but not everyone's spirits. After the GBI team was introduced, the local high school band played 'God Save The Queen' followed by the Irish national anthem (I forget the name of that one).
Then US Captain, Buddy Marucci, introduced the US team followed by the band's rendition of the 'Star Spangled Banner'. Made all the more poignant by the 9/11 anniversay, when Marucci went back up to the mike he said, 'If that doesn't get you then you're not breathing.' The entire ceremony was pomp and circumstance, but demonstrated all that was great about the Walker Cup - camaraderie and competition.
Today (Saturday) I was able to bump into and speak to many people who I knew. Everyone from MGA 1st Vice-President, Jack Dezieck, to one of my old Merion caddy friends, Poncho, who is caddying for one of the GBI players. I was even able to chat with Titleist CEO Wally Uihlein, who was not here as a giant of the golf industry but as a proud father watching his son, Peter, compete in his first Walker Cup Match. And Peter performed. He holed a crucial 15-foot par putt on the 18th hole of his morning foursomes match to win the hole and secure a 1-up victory for he and partner, Nathan Smith. It was an unlikely win after the team had been down all day. The crucial point helped the US to a 3-1 lead after the morning.
Peter continued his great play in the afternoon by winning a tight singles match against opponent Tommy Fleetwood. The star of the day, though, was Rickie Fowler. He and partner, Bud Cauley, closed out their match early with a 6-5 victory and then Fowler waxed Sam Hutsby 7-6 in his singles match. Although he's supposed to be entering his junior year at Oklahoma State, Fowler will be turning pro right after the Match. I can't say I blame him. This kid has got 'it' - that special something. I watched him play a few holes today. He's just got that Lanny Wadkins-style swagger that says, 'I'm going to beat you and you're going to watch me while I put this beating on you.' In other words, quietly cocky but with the game to back it up.
Truth be told it's tough to actually see the golf at the Walker Cup unless you sit on a green or tee. There is a charm to being able to walk the fairways with the players, but it doesn't translate into great golf viewing. Figuring that I'd seen some good golf, talked with friends and soaked up the atmosphere at my favorite course, I took the shuttle back to my hotel at about 3:00. I watched the remainder of the singles matches on the Golf Channel (while also flipping over to NBC occasionally to watch Tiger put the finishing touches on his 62) and the day finished up with the USA in command with an 8-4 lead. It's far from over, though. Sunday should be a good one. I'm driving back tomorrow, but my wife is setting the DVR.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Tiger Fans On The Prowl (Including Me)
Yes, I am a fan of Tiger just like -seemingly- everybody else. When I looked at the starting times for Friday's first round, whose name did I search out first? That's right, Mr. Eldrick T. Woods. Because I happen to follow the game so closely I recognize most of the players in the field and can tell you a little bit about each one. (Although Michael Letzig, James Nitties and Scott Piercy - not so sure.) So the very casual fan, of which there are many, is even more about Tiger. I ducked out of my office to watch Tiger play a hole in Thursday's pro-am and I went out of my way to watch him tee off on his first hole (#10) on Friday and then I made my way to the grandstands behind 9 green to watch him finish his round.
He finished his round with a par and a pedestrian one-under round, but it was on this final hole that Tiger subtley displayed his genious. After his fellow competitors Steve Stricker and Heath Slocum had hit their seconds -to the middle of the green and a short, right flair to the gallery respectively- Tiger was third to play. He was standing in the middle of the fairway maybe 165 out. The hole was cut front right not more than four paces from the nearest edge, not readily accessible. At first blush it looks like the shot calls for a right-handed player to hit some sort of little cut shot in order to get it close.
Tiger launched some type of short iron that - from my perspective sitting in the grandstands behind the green - first looked like some crazy little block shot. I lost sight of it and others were oohing and ahhing that it was off-line, too, until a couple of people said, 'here it comes', and the ball landed just short and right of the green and began to trickle left, coming to rest just off the green about 12 feet right of the hole.
It wasn't until hours later that I realized exactly what Tiger had done. Because the end of the fairway just short and right of the green in the approach area slopes right to left towards the green, Tiger was actually trying to draw the ball into a right flag, land the ball on that pitched area of ground and use both the slope and the hook spin that he imparted on the ball to feed the ball to the hole. Even though he just missed the putt for an uneventful day, it was an amazing shot, but one that didn't fully sink in for me until hours later.
Shots like the one I describe are what separates Tiger. Like Wayne Gretzky in hockey who could 'see the ice' better than anyone - that is, envision where the puck would be 2, 3 or even 4 plays ahead and get himself or the puck in the perfect position, Tiger has the uncanny ability to see golf shots and the golf course better than anyone else.
The tag line goes, 'These Guys Are Good', and they are. They're the best players in the world. They're all operating in the stratosphere of golf skill level. But when Tiger is firing on all his cylinders he's operating in outer space and the other guys can't get there. When he's on, he is the best. He knows it and the other players know it. He knows they know it, and they know that he knows they know it.
Tiger has appeared mortal this year, missing putts on the 72nd hole at both the PGA Championship and The Barclays that would have forced play-offs. But five wins and rarely a finish out of the top-10 after major knee reconstruction is pretty good. He was still rehabbing when the rest of the guys were coming out of the gate in Hawaii. It will be interesting to see how 2010 will play out for Tiger.
I love wathcing all the guys play. Even when Tiger isn't in the field I enjoy sitting down on a Sunday afternoon and watching some guys have a good battle down the stretch. But when Tiger is in the mix it's even more fun. Phil The Thrill is great to watch because he is like watching a drag racer. The peddle-to-the-metal mentality yields a lot of excitement when everything works out perfectly and unfortunately a lot of morbid curiosity when he gets in a wreck. When Tiger is in full command he is like a maestro, conducting beautiful music, always in control, ready to take a bow when the masterpiece has been flawlessly executed.
Here's to a weekend of beautiful music at the Deutsche Bank Championship.
He finished his round with a par and a pedestrian one-under round, but it was on this final hole that Tiger subtley displayed his genious. After his fellow competitors Steve Stricker and Heath Slocum had hit their seconds -to the middle of the green and a short, right flair to the gallery respectively- Tiger was third to play. He was standing in the middle of the fairway maybe 165 out. The hole was cut front right not more than four paces from the nearest edge, not readily accessible. At first blush it looks like the shot calls for a right-handed player to hit some sort of little cut shot in order to get it close.
Tiger launched some type of short iron that - from my perspective sitting in the grandstands behind the green - first looked like some crazy little block shot. I lost sight of it and others were oohing and ahhing that it was off-line, too, until a couple of people said, 'here it comes', and the ball landed just short and right of the green and began to trickle left, coming to rest just off the green about 12 feet right of the hole.
It wasn't until hours later that I realized exactly what Tiger had done. Because the end of the fairway just short and right of the green in the approach area slopes right to left towards the green, Tiger was actually trying to draw the ball into a right flag, land the ball on that pitched area of ground and use both the slope and the hook spin that he imparted on the ball to feed the ball to the hole. Even though he just missed the putt for an uneventful day, it was an amazing shot, but one that didn't fully sink in for me until hours later.
Shots like the one I describe are what separates Tiger. Like Wayne Gretzky in hockey who could 'see the ice' better than anyone - that is, envision where the puck would be 2, 3 or even 4 plays ahead and get himself or the puck in the perfect position, Tiger has the uncanny ability to see golf shots and the golf course better than anyone else.
The tag line goes, 'These Guys Are Good', and they are. They're the best players in the world. They're all operating in the stratosphere of golf skill level. But when Tiger is firing on all his cylinders he's operating in outer space and the other guys can't get there. When he's on, he is the best. He knows it and the other players know it. He knows they know it, and they know that he knows they know it.
Tiger has appeared mortal this year, missing putts on the 72nd hole at both the PGA Championship and The Barclays that would have forced play-offs. But five wins and rarely a finish out of the top-10 after major knee reconstruction is pretty good. He was still rehabbing when the rest of the guys were coming out of the gate in Hawaii. It will be interesting to see how 2010 will play out for Tiger.
I love wathcing all the guys play. Even when Tiger isn't in the field I enjoy sitting down on a Sunday afternoon and watching some guys have a good battle down the stretch. But when Tiger is in the mix it's even more fun. Phil The Thrill is great to watch because he is like watching a drag racer. The peddle-to-the-metal mentality yields a lot of excitement when everything works out perfectly and unfortunately a lot of morbid curiosity when he gets in a wreck. When Tiger is in full command he is like a maestro, conducting beautiful music, always in control, ready to take a bow when the masterpiece has been flawlessly executed.
Here's to a weekend of beautiful music at the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Circus Has Arrived
But I mean that in a good way. The PGA Tour and FedEx Cup Play-offs have arrived at TPC Boston for the Deutsche Bank Championionship. With our office building which is on site at TPC serving as tournament headquarters, the place is buzzing with activity. The DB staff led by Tournament Director, Eric Baldwin, works full-time, year-round preparing for this one week. Since May they have added about 15 interns to the staff. The 18-wheelers first arrived more than a month ago building the grandstands and scoreboards. It's only gotten busier from there. The FedEx and UPS trucks have been delivering truckloads of boxes for weeks.
The MGA staff (as well as all the other organizations' staffs - Ouimet, WGAM, etc) have to wear lanyards with special badges identifying ourselves to gain entrance to the building. Most of the staff has to park remotely and walk to the office, but the inconveniences are fairly minor. It's an exciting week around the office.
This morning is the Red Sox pro-am. It was an 8:00 shot-gun that features a tour player, Red Sox legend and three amateurs. Tomorrow is just a practice round with another pro-am scheduled for Thursday. The first tournament round is Friday with the Monday, Labor Day finish.
Of course the buzz is Tiger Woods. Word on the street is that he will be arriving early on Wednesday for his first practice round. That usually means about 6:00AM. Tiger likes to get his work done before the crowds arrive.
The MGA staff (as well as all the other organizations' staffs - Ouimet, WGAM, etc) have to wear lanyards with special badges identifying ourselves to gain entrance to the building. Most of the staff has to park remotely and walk to the office, but the inconveniences are fairly minor. It's an exciting week around the office.
This morning is the Red Sox pro-am. It was an 8:00 shot-gun that features a tour player, Red Sox legend and three amateurs. Tomorrow is just a practice round with another pro-am scheduled for Thursday. The first tournament round is Friday with the Monday, Labor Day finish.
Of course the buzz is Tiger Woods. Word on the street is that he will be arriving early on Wednesday for his first practice round. That usually means about 6:00AM. Tiger likes to get his work done before the crowds arrive.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Going Low & Going Global
I'm not sure what was more impressive recently - Ryan Riley's 63 in the final round of the Public Links at Franconia to seal victory or Y.E. Yang facing off with Tiger and beating the world's best.
Obviously two different stages here, but Ryan Riley's 63 last week was phenomenal. Sure, there were a total of 20 players who finished the tournament under par. Sure, Franconia GC is a little on the short side. But you still have to get the ball in the hole, and to sleep on the lead after a 66 and then come out and fire a 63 is a rare feat for pro golfers, let alone amateurs. I was at the scoring table when Ryan handed in his scorecard. I looked at the card and said out loud, 'I've never seen so many 3's on a card before.' The 63 overshadowed host club favorite Bobby Loguidice's 64. It's tough to shoot 64 and lose ground. That's really golfing your ball, guys. Congrats to champion Ryan and everyone who played well.
I thnk the entire golfing world was waiting for two things as the PGA Championship unfolded Sunday at Hazeltine: 1) Tiger Woods to kick it into gear, and 2) Y.E. Yang to fold up his pup tent on the back nine and go packing. Neither happened and when Yang stuffed his 3-hybrid at 18, I was stunned to think that Tiger Woods wasn't going to win. It was a stretch to think that Tiger would hole that chip from the muff at 18 to force Yang's hand, and when he didn't the reality really sank in.
I'm as big a Tiger fan as anyone. He's great for the game, always has been, and especially in these tough economic times. I've always rooted for Tiger, but when I root for him now I feel like I'm rooting for history. I want to see Tiger catch and surpass Jack's record 18 majors. A few years ago it seemed like a foregone conclusion. Now I think that it seems likely but not sure bet. As Brandel Chamblee and Frank Nobilo analyzed the Tiger of 2009 versus the Tiger of, say, 2000 they are two completely different players. The old Tiger used to demoralize a field and have the ability to win by 10 or more. The new more tactical Tiger is more consistent, but probably a little less intimidating to some of the players. Yang's victory on Sunday only adds fuel to the notion that Tiger is actually human and beatable in certain circumstances.
Taking a longer view it certainly isn't the end of the world that Tiger lost. I don't think anyone could really feel bad for Tiger. If he never hit another shot he still goes down as arguably the best who ever played. Y.E. Yang's win is huge for golf on the global level and specifically throughout Asia. With China in its infancy in golf terms, Y.E. Yang winning a major proves that it can be done by an Asian player. The women of South Korea have certainly proven they can win majors starting with Se Ri Pak, but not until Hazeltine has a male golf from that part of the world closed the deal. Most close watchers of the game probably thought it would be K.J. Choi, but no matter. That Y.E. Yang pulled it off helps grow the game almost overnight several time zones from us. And what perfect timing by Y.E. to win a big one right after the anouncement that golf will likely be added to the 2016 Olympic Games.
Many of us in the states - especially those of us who work in the game - have been bemoaning the stagnation in golf, how the game has been flat or declined, how fewer players are taking up the game. This is all true, but I like to think the glass is half full. Golf is still strong in the USA, and with Y.E. Yang's win golf becomes a bigger sport around the world which can only help the game here. Just think, only eight months til Augusta. Or maybe more importantly, only two weeks to the Deutsche Bank Championship when we get to see Tiger and Y.E. in person.
Obviously two different stages here, but Ryan Riley's 63 last week was phenomenal. Sure, there were a total of 20 players who finished the tournament under par. Sure, Franconia GC is a little on the short side. But you still have to get the ball in the hole, and to sleep on the lead after a 66 and then come out and fire a 63 is a rare feat for pro golfers, let alone amateurs. I was at the scoring table when Ryan handed in his scorecard. I looked at the card and said out loud, 'I've never seen so many 3's on a card before.' The 63 overshadowed host club favorite Bobby Loguidice's 64. It's tough to shoot 64 and lose ground. That's really golfing your ball, guys. Congrats to champion Ryan and everyone who played well.
I thnk the entire golfing world was waiting for two things as the PGA Championship unfolded Sunday at Hazeltine: 1) Tiger Woods to kick it into gear, and 2) Y.E. Yang to fold up his pup tent on the back nine and go packing. Neither happened and when Yang stuffed his 3-hybrid at 18, I was stunned to think that Tiger Woods wasn't going to win. It was a stretch to think that Tiger would hole that chip from the muff at 18 to force Yang's hand, and when he didn't the reality really sank in.
I'm as big a Tiger fan as anyone. He's great for the game, always has been, and especially in these tough economic times. I've always rooted for Tiger, but when I root for him now I feel like I'm rooting for history. I want to see Tiger catch and surpass Jack's record 18 majors. A few years ago it seemed like a foregone conclusion. Now I think that it seems likely but not sure bet. As Brandel Chamblee and Frank Nobilo analyzed the Tiger of 2009 versus the Tiger of, say, 2000 they are two completely different players. The old Tiger used to demoralize a field and have the ability to win by 10 or more. The new more tactical Tiger is more consistent, but probably a little less intimidating to some of the players. Yang's victory on Sunday only adds fuel to the notion that Tiger is actually human and beatable in certain circumstances.
Taking a longer view it certainly isn't the end of the world that Tiger lost. I don't think anyone could really feel bad for Tiger. If he never hit another shot he still goes down as arguably the best who ever played. Y.E. Yang's win is huge for golf on the global level and specifically throughout Asia. With China in its infancy in golf terms, Y.E. Yang winning a major proves that it can be done by an Asian player. The women of South Korea have certainly proven they can win majors starting with Se Ri Pak, but not until Hazeltine has a male golf from that part of the world closed the deal. Most close watchers of the game probably thought it would be K.J. Choi, but no matter. That Y.E. Yang pulled it off helps grow the game almost overnight several time zones from us. And what perfect timing by Y.E. to win a big one right after the anouncement that golf will likely be added to the 2016 Olympic Games.
Many of us in the states - especially those of us who work in the game - have been bemoaning the stagnation in golf, how the game has been flat or declined, how fewer players are taking up the game. This is all true, but I like to think the glass is half full. Golf is still strong in the USA, and with Y.E. Yang's win golf becomes a bigger sport around the world which can only help the game here. Just think, only eight months til Augusta. Or maybe more importantly, only two weeks to the Deutsche Bank Championship when we get to see Tiger and Y.E. in person.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Final Thoughts From Crooked Stick
Well, not actually from Crooked Stick since I'm back here at the MGA office. I had hoped to get home before the tournament concluded so I could watch a bit, but as luck would have it my connecting flight from Chicago Midway was delayed almost two and a half hours. While sitting there at the gate I had my Blackberry refreshing every ten minutes to see how things were progressing. Fred Funk had a two-shot lead when I had to shut my phone off and when I landed in Providence I turned the phone back on and saw that he'd won by six. After shooting 33 on the front, I guess it was academic. Norman faltered, Sindelar couldn't keep pace and Loren Roberts was too far back from the start despite his big move. I taped it, though, and will look forward to watching later this week.
Tim Jackson is still a tremendous story. He shot 73-76 on the weekend to fall to 11th, but what a showing. Many other players who found themselves in his position after two days might have folded up like a pup tent, but he really hung in there. A T11 for and amateur at the US Senior Open is an amazing accomplishment, and I'm sure it will be one of his all-time personal highlights.
A couple of other Rules situations cropped up that I forgot to mention. In Friday's round Kemp Richardson missed the green on the par-3 13th. His ball ended up in a terrible lie in thick rough. In gouging the ball out on his second shot he double hit the ball. The strange part came after the double hit - the ball went straight up in the air, landed on the green and began rolling. It rolled right into the cup. The other two players in the group were dumbstruck. The referre in the group was Bob Ruby from the CSGA who I had been hanging around with. Later that night I heard about the whole situation first-hand from Bob. The player knew he had incurred a penalty, but didn't know if it was one or two strokes. It's actually a very simple, straightforward ruling. Rule 14-4 says 'if a player's club strikes the ball more than once in the course of a stroke, the player must count the stroke and add a penalty stroke, making two strokes in all. So Mr. Richardson made a routine par.
The other reportable Rules incident actaully occurred in my group on Saturday, but I didn't realize it until reaching the 18th. Because I was the forward observer in the Jim Thorpe-Scott Simpson group, I was always ahead of the players, either in the drive zone or by the green. Referee Glen Nager informed me on the 18th green while the two players were putting out that there had been a problem on the 15th hole. I hadn't heard any radio transmission or seen any commotion so I couldn't imagine what it could have been. 'Scott Simpson was in front of the markers on 15 tee,' remarked Glen. So Glen saved Scott Simpson a two-stroke penalty. He thanked Glen and Jim Thorpe joked that maybe he should play way behind the markers because Simpson had been outdriving him all day. Simpson ended up finishing T6 and making more than $83,000. It would have been a very costly mistake. It underscores the importance for all the referees to walk up to each tee box and be positioned to see where the players are teeing it. On some of the holes it was not convenient to walk back to the tee boxes, but Glen did the right think. In my one day of serving as walking referee - Friday - I did the same, and I made sure to look where the players were teeing it on every hole in case there was a problem. It's highly unusual for this situation to happen, but it did.
I don't know if they mentioned it on-air, but Roger Maltby was in one of the towers instead of doing his usual foot-soldier duty because he got hurt earlier in the week. Rog was following a group on Thursday when he walked up an embankment to get a better vantage point. In doing so he tore a calf muscle, went down and had to be taken from the course. Sounds like Roger is out of commission for awhile, at least for following groups on-course.
That's about it, I think. Back to the work at the MGA. We've got the Father & Son this week at Segregansett and we're preparing for next week's Public Links at Franconia. All in all, a grat week in Carmel, Indianna. I hope to get a chance to do it again. One thing I learned, though. I'm pretty good with the Rules, but I've got a long way to go to even get in the same ball park with some of these top Rules people. They are the best of the best. I have a feeling that I know what a lot of my winter reading will be about.
Tim Jackson is still a tremendous story. He shot 73-76 on the weekend to fall to 11th, but what a showing. Many other players who found themselves in his position after two days might have folded up like a pup tent, but he really hung in there. A T11 for and amateur at the US Senior Open is an amazing accomplishment, and I'm sure it will be one of his all-time personal highlights.
A couple of other Rules situations cropped up that I forgot to mention. In Friday's round Kemp Richardson missed the green on the par-3 13th. His ball ended up in a terrible lie in thick rough. In gouging the ball out on his second shot he double hit the ball. The strange part came after the double hit - the ball went straight up in the air, landed on the green and began rolling. It rolled right into the cup. The other two players in the group were dumbstruck. The referre in the group was Bob Ruby from the CSGA who I had been hanging around with. Later that night I heard about the whole situation first-hand from Bob. The player knew he had incurred a penalty, but didn't know if it was one or two strokes. It's actually a very simple, straightforward ruling. Rule 14-4 says 'if a player's club strikes the ball more than once in the course of a stroke, the player must count the stroke and add a penalty stroke, making two strokes in all. So Mr. Richardson made a routine par.
The other reportable Rules incident actaully occurred in my group on Saturday, but I didn't realize it until reaching the 18th. Because I was the forward observer in the Jim Thorpe-Scott Simpson group, I was always ahead of the players, either in the drive zone or by the green. Referee Glen Nager informed me on the 18th green while the two players were putting out that there had been a problem on the 15th hole. I hadn't heard any radio transmission or seen any commotion so I couldn't imagine what it could have been. 'Scott Simpson was in front of the markers on 15 tee,' remarked Glen. So Glen saved Scott Simpson a two-stroke penalty. He thanked Glen and Jim Thorpe joked that maybe he should play way behind the markers because Simpson had been outdriving him all day. Simpson ended up finishing T6 and making more than $83,000. It would have been a very costly mistake. It underscores the importance for all the referees to walk up to each tee box and be positioned to see where the players are teeing it. On some of the holes it was not convenient to walk back to the tee boxes, but Glen did the right think. In my one day of serving as walking referee - Friday - I did the same, and I made sure to look where the players were teeing it on every hole in case there was a problem. It's highly unusual for this situation to happen, but it did.
I don't know if they mentioned it on-air, but Roger Maltby was in one of the towers instead of doing his usual foot-soldier duty because he got hurt earlier in the week. Rog was following a group on Thursday when he walked up an embankment to get a better vantage point. In doing so he tore a calf muscle, went down and had to be taken from the course. Sounds like Roger is out of commission for awhile, at least for following groups on-course.
That's about it, I think. Back to the work at the MGA. We've got the Father & Son this week at Segregansett and we're preparing for next week's Public Links at Franconia. All in all, a grat week in Carmel, Indianna. I hope to get a chance to do it again. One thing I learned, though. I'm pretty good with the Rules, but I've got a long way to go to even get in the same ball park with some of these top Rules people. They are the best of the best. I have a feeling that I know what a lot of my winter reading will be about.
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