Well, in a span of only two months since I last posted, we have completed a tournament season, celebrated Columbus Day and Halloween, endured a cold, wet Tournament Volunteer Appreciation Day (which in no way reflected the appreciation the MGA and I have for our volunteers), said good-bye to summer (and fall, it seems) and are on the doorstep of the holiday season. (In the spirit of avoiding conflict, aside from this sentence, I am not going to mention anything about the election other than "Boy, am I glad it's over!!!")

One of my favorite TV shows of all time, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, airs tomorrow night (8/7c) on ABC. Seems a fitting end to Thanksgiving Day - right up there with other Turkey Day traditions like the Macy's Parade and Dallas Cowboys games. (In respect to any Lions fans out there, I elected NOT to dwell on them.) Oh, lest I forget, the Skins Game weekend tradition to satisfy us golfers.

Speaking of golf, we came to a very abrupt end to the fall season in Minnesota. Too bad, as it is often the best time to play and enjoy the scenery, great conditions, crisp days. Likewise, things in the MGA office are slowing down. Since my last post, I have been busy with securing golf courses for upcoming MGA championships and USGA qualifying events. I try to work 3-5 years out, but it looks as though the MGA Amateur is set through 2015!! To view the future MGA schedule, click here. You should check back periodically as I update the schedule whenever I get a commitment from our great MGA Member Clubs.

Here's wishing each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Check back in December, I may actually write another post!

Until then-

Doug

35th MGA Senior Four-Ball @ Town & Country Club

While the weekend's weather for the Gopher Invitational was extremely difficult for golf, these past two days at the Town & Country Club in St. Paul have been glorious! The picture is looking over the 18th green just before dawn this morning. And, as pretty as this looks, the day itself has turned out better - bright sun, clear sky and 80* - not too bad for September 16!!

Players in the Championship Flight are just starting to finish from the afternoon rounds. MGA Executive Director Tom Ryan and his partner Marshall Nowlin are in the (proverbial) "thick of things" after firing an opening 71. However, they are chasing defending champions Jerry Gruidl and Robert Leaf, who opened with a 68. Kudos to Bob Patrick, who played alone in tribute to his long-time partner Dick Brozo, who died this past spring.

In the event you did not see the results of the Gopher Invite, the team championship ended up in a tie between the Texas Longhorns and the LSU Tigers. The trophies were awarded to the Longhorns after the tiebreaker - the 54-hole total of the highest scoring individual on each team. Minnesota's own Don Constable, a Spring Hill member, sank a long putt on the 18th hole for a birdie and a final round 1-under par 71 to aid his Longhorns in the victory.

Next week, I will be writing from Edina Country Club and the 21st MGA Mid-Amateur Championship.

Until then-

Doug

The Gopher Invitational

I'm back "on the air" after a two month delay and am out at Spring Hill Golf Club overseeing the rules for the 4th Gopher Invitational. Day 3 dawned to bright sun, but it has since been replaced with clouds and a forecast for rain and winds 20-30 mph from the NW. Let's hope the rain holds off long enough to finish on time.

Yesterday yielded some great scoring despite having weather that seemed to be similar to "Hurricane Ike" by the end of play. Tyler Obermueller of Wisconsin fired a 4-under par 68 despite finishing his round double bogey, bogey, bogey on 7-9. It included an eagle 2 on the par 4 6th. He holed his lob wedge second shot after playing a 5-iron off the tee. The tees had been moved forward to 268 yards to entice players to go for the green. However, most players stayed with the prudent strategy and laid up short off the tee.

As usual, Spring Hill is in perfect condition, thanks to Superintendent Tim Johnson and his crew. They have received nearly 3/4" rain since Wednesday night, so the fairways are soft without giving up any roll and the greens are very receptive. The rain has "slowed down" the greens to a comfortable 11-12' on the stimpmeter.

It's hard to believe, but the MGA tournament season is virtually over. The MGA Senior Four-Ball Championship begins tomorrow at the Town & Country Club in St. Paul. The season concludes the following week with the MGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Edina Country Club and Braemar Golf Course. I hope to be updating you from each of those sites, so stayed tuned!

Until next time-

Doug

Seon Hwa Lee Update

In my last posting, I wrote that one of the players in my group on Sunday at the US Women's Open was Seon Hwa Lee. Seon Hwa (pronounced Sun Wa) was never able to get her round started and struggled to a 78. Well, I guess that proved to be a valuable learning experience.

I was extremely pleased to read in today's paper that she won this past weekend's LPGA Tour event in Arkansas - the P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship Presented by John Q. Hammons - closing with a final round 68 for a 15 under par total of 201!!


Congratulations Seon Hwa!!

Reminiscing the US Women's Open

The biggest of all moments this year will be my participation as a Rules Official for the 63rd US Women's Open at Interlachen Country Club in Edina. The USGA staff and volunteers were terrific, the food they provided for us was delicious, and the golf course superb. It exceeded all of my expectations leading up to the event. It was well worth the additional effort and time out of my schedule to serve.

Required to delay my start until the Friday due to the MGA Players' Championship at Northland CC (Duluth), I worked the last three days. On Friday, I served as the Referee with the group of Louise Friberg, Allison Fouch, and Sun Young Yoo. The only "rulings" I had were to assist Allison after she hit her drive right on the 9th hole and then into the lateral water hazard on the 10th. In addition, we had the suspensions due to the thunderstorm (conveniently occurring while we were playing the 9th) and then the suspension due to darkness while we were on 17. The players elected to finish the hole and then were disappointed they could not continue. There certainly was enough daylight for us to finish - especially if the group ahead of us had let us play through!! :)

Unfortunately, only Louise made the cut, ultimately finishing T53 at +9. Sun Young was at +5 with only two holes to go, and the leader was at -6, so we knew she needed to birdie at least one of the final two holes. After driving into the left fairway bunker on 17, she played a brilliant shot to the green, but missed the putt. Then, after returning at 6:55 am Saturday morning, she again drove into the left fairway bunker. She reached the green in three, but her 30' birdie putt was short. Allison played better on Friday but was never able to recover from an opening 80.

On both Saturday and Sunday, I served as the "Observer" for groups. As an observer, my role is to work ahead of the group - typically in the landing area for their next shots - to assist in spotting the balls, locating where balls last crossed the margin of a hazard or moving spectators. These last two came into play for me on those days.

Saturday, Paola Moreno (of Columbia) "airmailed" her tee shot on the par 3, 12th into the lateral water hazard. I was able to identify the spot and placed a tee there so she had a reference point.

On Sunday, I served as the observer for the pairing of Seon Hwa Lee (+4; T27) and Stacy Prammanasudh (-1; 12th). (It took me the entire first hole of practicing to be able to pronounce her name properly.) I almost finished the entire round without incident until Lee's tee shot on 18 clipped the trees to the right. Her next stroke found the gallery left, so I had to protect her ball while starting the process of having the marshals remove the stakes and clear the spectators. Once my referee (Linda Lester) arrived, I moved forward.

The last exciting thing was that Annika and Christie Kerr were two groups behind mine. So, I was able to be inside the ropes behind the 18th green when Annika holed her 6-iron for the eagle 3. The entire scene was electric as it was going to be her last round in an Open, but it "went nuts" when she holed that shot. Now, only time will tell if she stays retired.

I hope I have this opportunity again in the future!

Tapemark Pro-Am & Radio Personality

Well, this is a busy week for golf enthusiasts and weekend for me.

This week, the three MSHSL State Championships are being conducted. The Class AAA tournament at Bunker Hills and Class A Girls tournament at Pebble Creek were completed without a hitch despite the weather forecast. However, the Class A and Class AA Boys events at Pebble Creek and the Ridges at Sand Creek, respectively, have been plagued by thunderstorms. The Class A Boys was shortened to 18 holes after lightning caused officials to clear the course and never allowed a restart. The same happened in Jordan, and they will attempt to complete the first round on Friday morning. Fortunately, the Class AA Girls were able to complete their first round before the storms hit. For complete coverage of the events, read Mike Fermoyle's stories at www.mngolf.org.

Another annual long-standing Minnesota golf event starts, or will attempt to start, Friday when I tee off in the Tapemark Pro-Am at 6:40 am at Southview Country Club in West St. Paul. The Tapemark is in its 37th year of raising money for charities that support families and individuals with cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities. This year, the Tapemark will pass the $6 million mark in donations to deserving organizations such as the ARC of Minnesota, ARC Greater Twin Cities, Pro Act, Children's Home Society and Family Services, and Dakota Communities. Check out their web site to follow me, my team, and all of the action!

The Tapemark is the one tournament I play each year. And, while my game shows I don't play competitively, it is important for me to play. As the parent of a child with disabilities (Erich, 12, has Williams Syndrome), my family has benefitted from the services of both ARC Minnesota and ARC Greater Twin Cities. I sincerely appreciate the commitment and dedication of the Klas and Cody families, as well as the countless number of volunteers who give so freely of their time, to make this event so special. However, if it were not for the 180 amateurs who generously and willingly play, then the tournament could not be a success. So, on behalf of all of the families who benefit, thank you!

As if playing a tournament isn't enough, I have the fun opportunity to co-host the Teemaster Golf Show this Saturday morning from 6-7 am. I will share the studio with Michael Hsu, Teemaster founder, on "The Talk Station - AM1500 KSTP." If you live outside the listening area, you can listen on-line. This will be the third of four times for me to host this season. I really have fun doing the show; it's amazing how quickly one hour can pass. Feel free to call in (or e-mail) with your rules questions.

Next on the schedule, the MGA Senior and Mid-Players' Championships at Golden Valley G&CC June 17-19 followed by the MGA Players' Championship at Northland CC in Duluth June 24-26.

Until next time-

Doug

US Open Local Qualifying #2 - TPC Twin Cities

On paper, TPC Twin Cities appeared to be the more difficult of the two US Open Local Qualifying courses (The Links at Northfork being the other). After all, it hosts annually the 3M Championship, a Champions Tour stop, and has hosted the 2006 MGA Players' Championship as well as previous US Open Local Qualifying events. But, even with a challenging set-up - the course measuring over 7,000 yards and some "Sunday" hole locations - many players had their way during Monday's second US Open Local Qualifying.

Perfect weather (in the morning) offered great scoring opportunities as 20 players recorded sub-par rounds. Although, in the end, even 69 wasn't good enough. Five players, lead by co-medalists Andrew Rauscher of Rancho Mirage, CA, and Jay Jurecic of Crystal Falls, MN, earned the right to advance to the 36-hole Sectional Qualifying. Rauscher and Jurecic both returned five-under par 67s. Interestingly, Rauscher had never seen the course before recording nine (yes, 9!) birdies.

Also earning the right to advance with scores of 68 were Chris Borgen (Eagan, MN), former Gopher Josh Persons (Fargo, ND) and current Gopher Victor Almstrom. Ryan Conn was declared the first alternate after his 69 tied him with another former Gopher Bronson La'Cassie, but La'Cassie was not present at the end for the playoff.

In the group of five players at 70 was former Gopher and new professional Clayton Rask. The 2007 MGA Men's Player of the Year turned professional at the qualifying after failing to make it to the NCAA Division I Championship. His 70 included nine birdies and a triple bogey.

To view all of the scores from the TPC qualifying, click here.

Coming up, the MGA-PGA Cup Matches on Tuesday (May 27) at Somerby GC in Byron.

Until the next time-

Doug

Let the Tournament Season Begin!

After all my talk about the season beginning, it finally did so yesterday with 35 players attempting for 3 spots in the first of two US Open Local Qualifiers held at the Links of Northfork. Co-medalists were Don Berry and Jordan Ensrud with 73 while Kane Hanson claimed the final spot in a 2-hole playoff over Eric Toftner.

Berry, the 14-time reigning Minnesota PGA Player of the Year from Edinburgh USA, played very steady in difficult, cold, blustery conditions that made the course extremely challenging.

Ensrud literally saved his day and chances by making a 15' par putt on the 18th hole to secure his spot after chipping long. Ensrud plays for Michigan State.

Hanson, the 2003 MGA Amateur Champion and minitour player, hit the flagstick on the 2nd playoff hole with his 6-iron, second shot leaving him a short birdie putt. He converted to earn the last spot over Toftner after both players had parred the first playoff hole. Toftner becomes the first alternate. Both players had recorded two-over par, 74s. Jeff Sorenson won a playoff over Derek Deminsky for the second alternate position after the players tied at 75.

All three will advance to the Regional Qualifying on June 2 at the Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, IL.

Today and tomorrow (Tuesday & Wednesday), I am down at Centennial Oaks Golf Club in Waverly, Iowa, (home of Wartburg College) officiating for the NCAA D-III Women's Golf Championship. Two MGA Tournament Volunteers, Bill Casey and Bruce Bromen (pictured above), also came down to help along with others, including Bill Dickens and his staff from the Iowa Golf Association.

Twenty schools and eleven individuals have qualified to participate in this prestigious event. While many may not be as talented in golf as their Division I counterparts, these players have shown tremendous spirit, poise, sportsmanship and grace struggling through tough weather today. Some (many?) Division I players - both men and women - could learn from them. These ladies play the game for all of the right reasons. And, they all have earned the right to say they have played in a national championship tournament! They are all winners!

In the team competition, Methodist College (Fayetteville, NC) is going for its 11th consecutive title!

Up next? Another US Open Local Qualifying (Monday) at TPC Twin Cities.

Until next time-

Doug

Final Preparations Underway

With the first of two US Open Qualifying events only 9 days away, I am in the "final preparation" mode. I have completed my initial "site visits," completed the starting times, Pace of Play, Notice to Competitors and volunteer work assignments. The only things left to do are to print the scorecards, finalize the Local Rules and set up the golf course.

This year, 8,390 players entered the US Open nationally. Of those, 58 are exempt into the Championship while the other 8,332 must qualify. There are over 100 "Local" qualifying sites, including the two sites in Minnesota: The Links at Northfork and TPC Twin Cities. Both sites should prove to be challenging and the better players should advance to the Sectional qualifying round.

Northfork will be playing at 6,988 yards, par 72. Thirty-seven players are vying for 3 spots. The key to the day will be the weather, and more specifically, the wind. If the wind is blowing, especially from the west or northwest, the course will play very difficult. However, if the wind is from the east or southeast, or there is no wind, the players will have an easier time. Thus, it will be up to me to create a set-up appropriate for determining the best players to advance.

TPC will be playing at 7,164 yards, par 72, and has seventy-three players going for five spots. It, too, can be influenced by the wind, but there is more trouble waiting to grab that errant shot. In addition to hosting the 3M Championship, the TPC has hosted a previous US Open Qualifying as well as the 2006 MGA Players' Championship. Again, the set-up will require a player to manage his game throughout the entire round in order to be successful.

So, does that mean I will make each course ridiculously difficult? No, but if players think my set-up is too hard, what do they expect to find if they successfully advance to Torrey Pines? I like to make sure players are rewarded for quality shots and struggle to make par for poor ones. The short game becomes extremely important when playing in an event like the US Open - or one of my US Open Local qualifiers.

You can follow the action on-line at the MGA web site. There you can view the list of players, starting times, and live scoring as the scores are returned. We will be providing "live" scoring for many of our events this year, so make sure you visit often during the tournament season!

And, finally, since I am talking about the US Open, I would be remiss if I didn't recommend you visit the new US Open web site. It has been completely redone and will be fabulous for following your favorite players and the entire tournament. It will be tough to keep the avid golfer's attention on work that Thursday and Friday!

On a personal note, I want to congratulate my son Zach on his induction into the National Honor Society at Rosemount High School. Way to go, Zach!

Until next time-

Doug

MGA Two-Day Rules & Officiating Workshop - Day 2

Day 2 has brought another perfect day - for being outside and playing golf. The forecast for sun and 70* will make staying inside to study the Rules that much more difficult, especially in light of the late start of the golf season in Minnesota. We all would much rather be outside playing golf (and applying our rules knowledge)!

The outdoor session yesterday gave all of our attendees the opportunity to "see" many of the different rules we have been, and will be, discussing. The two pictures above show both David and me "in action." The students have been great - asking pertinent questions, giving correct rulings, and showing tremendous interest.

This workshop is almost the end for "Rules Workshop Season." I have only one left - our workshop "The Rules of Golf for Tournament Players." By the time I finish, I will have conducted 14 different workshops for over 500 people.

The "Players" workshop is set for next Thursday, May 1, at Edina CC. It is designed to teach the most commonly used rules in a "player-friendly" manner to tournament players. It should be an entertaining evening for all. There is still space available if you want to join in the fun! Visit the MGA web site for more details.

Next on my schedule - Tournament Season............

Until next time -

Doug