Tuesday, June 16, 2009
It is 7:04 pm and I'm at the Chaska Town Course conducting the 10th MGA Senior Players' and 3rd MGA Mid-Players' Championships. After nearly two days of play, we had only two matches left on the course when lightning arrived overhead causing a 3 1/2 hour delay. Of the two matches left, one finished when a player conceded on the 14th hole when four holes down. However, the other match was "all square" (tied) on the 13th green; so we waited.
The Championship matches for each event are scheduled in the morning, so it is important that we attempt to conclude this match today. And, the forecast for the overnight and morning has scattered showers; even more reason to finish this match today. We don't need to finish this match as well as get in the other two matches with the forecast.
The players - Adam Dooley and Troy Johnson - were terrific through the delay. They understood the need to finish today and the potentially sloppy conditions they will see when going back out. And, just like many "mid-players" (players ages 30 & over), they don't need all of the warm up time other players might claim they need. When asked if they wanted some time, they looked at each other and both said, "No, I'm ready!" That made getting them out much easier.
You can follow their match, as well as both tournaments, at www.mngolf.org.
Until next time-
Doug
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Catching Up on the Past
Well, it's been nearly two months since I last posted anything - an indication the golf season, and MGA Tournament Season, has officially started. Since my last post, the following have happened:
--I conducted two US Open Local Qualifying events. The first, Tuesday May 12 at Edinburgh USA (Brooklyn Park), saw chilly and quite windy conditions. Host pro Don Berry, along with former PGA TOUR player Mario Tiziani and amateur Brian Hills, claimed the three spots.
--Notice I said "quite windy," although at the time it seemed extremely windy. That was, until the next US Open Qualifying took place the following Monday, May 18, at Somerby GC (Byron). I am convinced the combination of me at Somerby creates wind as I have never conducted an event down there when the wind is less than 20-25 mph. On this day, 20 mph would have been tame. While I didn't have an anemometer, I calculated some gusts to be over 40. Needless to say, scoring was difficult. Former MGA Player of the Year and Gopher Clayton Rask lead the way with a solid 1-over par 73. Brett Swedberg, another former Gopher, also made it but with a flair for the dramatic. Turning in 7-over 43, Brett played the last nine in 3-under par for a 76.
--The next day, 33rd MGA/PGA Cup Matches took place at Bent Creek Golf Club. At the midway point, the Amateurs held a slim 10-9 lead. Unfortunately, they (we) would win only two more points of the remaining 21 to lose convincingly 28-12. Congratulations to Darren DeYoung and Team PGA for their victory! Later that day, the weather became as hot as the PGA team as it hit 98*.
--Just last week, I conducted the MGA Women's Mid-Amateur at Mankato Golf Club. Thanks to Host Professional Mike Zinni and his great staff for an outstanding two days. The women truly enjoyed it. Congratulations to Alison Hurley on her one-stroke victory!
--I, too, got into the tournament action - well, sort of. I took a team out west to the southwest Minnesota plains and the Dacotah Ridge Invitational Pro-Am. I personally feel Dacotah Ridge is one of the best courses in Minnesota. It will host the 107th MGA Amateur Championship in 2010. The aforementioned wind returned with vengeance and nothing to stop it during the first day. Sustained winds of 30+ and gusts made standing still difficult not to mention hitting a golf ball. After two days, at least I can say my team was still talking about returning with me next year. Despite my "yips", I must have done something right.
Upcoming Events:
--Tapemark Pro-Am at Southview CC, June 12-14. Follow me and your other favorite golfers at http://www.proam.mn/.
--MGA Senior & Mid-Players' Championships, Chaska Town Course, June 15-17, http://www.mngolf.org/.
--MGA Players' Championship, Oak Ridge Country Club, June 22-24, http://www.mngolf.org/.
Until next time-
Doug
--I conducted two US Open Local Qualifying events. The first, Tuesday May 12 at Edinburgh USA (Brooklyn Park), saw chilly and quite windy conditions. Host pro Don Berry, along with former PGA TOUR player Mario Tiziani and amateur Brian Hills, claimed the three spots.
--Notice I said "quite windy," although at the time it seemed extremely windy. That was, until the next US Open Qualifying took place the following Monday, May 18, at Somerby GC (Byron). I am convinced the combination of me at Somerby creates wind as I have never conducted an event down there when the wind is less than 20-25 mph. On this day, 20 mph would have been tame. While I didn't have an anemometer, I calculated some gusts to be over 40. Needless to say, scoring was difficult. Former MGA Player of the Year and Gopher Clayton Rask lead the way with a solid 1-over par 73. Brett Swedberg, another former Gopher, also made it but with a flair for the dramatic. Turning in 7-over 43, Brett played the last nine in 3-under par for a 76.
--The next day, 33rd MGA/PGA Cup Matches took place at Bent Creek Golf Club. At the midway point, the Amateurs held a slim 10-9 lead. Unfortunately, they (we) would win only two more points of the remaining 21 to lose convincingly 28-12. Congratulations to Darren DeYoung and Team PGA for their victory! Later that day, the weather became as hot as the PGA team as it hit 98*.
--Just last week, I conducted the MGA Women's Mid-Amateur at Mankato Golf Club. Thanks to Host Professional Mike Zinni and his great staff for an outstanding two days. The women truly enjoyed it. Congratulations to Alison Hurley on her one-stroke victory!
--I, too, got into the tournament action - well, sort of. I took a team out west to the southwest Minnesota plains and the Dacotah Ridge Invitational Pro-Am. I personally feel Dacotah Ridge is one of the best courses in Minnesota. It will host the 107th MGA Amateur Championship in 2010. The aforementioned wind returned with vengeance and nothing to stop it during the first day. Sustained winds of 30+ and gusts made standing still difficult not to mention hitting a golf ball. After two days, at least I can say my team was still talking about returning with me next year. Despite my "yips", I must have done something right.
Upcoming Events:
--Tapemark Pro-Am at Southview CC, June 12-14. Follow me and your other favorite golfers at http://www.proam.mn/.
--MGA Senior & Mid-Players' Championships, Chaska Town Course, June 15-17, http://www.mngolf.org/.
--MGA Players' Championship, Oak Ridge Country Club, June 22-24, http://www.mngolf.org/.
Until next time-
Doug
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