Late-Winter Golfer's Lament

Well, here it is, March 10, and I'm watching it snow from my office at the MGA. Thank goodness (at least for us here in the TC) the bulk of this storm seems to be passing to the north, leaving little white stuff on the ground. This is important so this weekend's expected 40* heatwave will continue to melt the piles of snow rather than new snow.

In previous writings, I have talked about watching golfers walking around beautifully green courses in short-sleeved shirts enjoying sunshine and warm breezes and living vicariously through the images. It seems many others are sharing my sentiments. In fact, just today Peter Smith, a commentator on KNOW 91.1 (Minnesota Public Radio) shared his feelings on being a Minnesota golfer anxiously awaiting another golf season. Check it out by clicking here.

We can all take heart that Tiger returns this weekend at Doral for the CA Championship. Combining the two - golf course and WGC event - usually means there's a Tiger on the loose. Let's hope for TV and those of us who care about golf that this comes true. Imagine the excitement of Tiger returning to Augusta already having won in his return from surgery.

I do know the season is coming. In today's world, that seems to be the only thing secure.

Until next time-

Doug

February Wrap-Up

Well, February's gone, the Great Minnesota Golf Show is over and the TOUR is moving east to Florida. And we all know what comes after the Florida "swing" -- the MASTERS!!

The Golf Show proved rather interesting this year. It was very apparent the economy had an impact. The number of exhibitors was down and noticeably missing were the out-of-state destinations such as Arizona (Tucson/Phoenix), Mesquite NV, and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama. Yet, the traffic seemed to be good - at least while I was there.

One of the more popular exhibits was the Wanamaker Trophy, given to the victor of the PGA Championship. You can see above that I've added some shots of past champions with the trophy. Of course, Minnesota and Hazeltine National GC serve host for the second time in eight years. Everyone in Minnesota and the upper five state region who has any interest in golf MUST make plans to check out the action in person. For more information, check out the 2009 PGA Championship website.

Geoff Ogilvy made winning the Accenture Match Play about as easy as his demeanor last week. He played tremendous golf - not making a bogey in his last 57 holes - and ending up 12 under in the Championship Match versus Paul Casey. As Tom Ryan (ED for the MGA) commented to me, "How does he ever lose with that swing?"

Tiger made a somewhat successful start (except for those of you who picked him in your pool). For the most part, he looked like Tiger. I stand by my prediction in a previous posting that he will win at least once this year - and it will be a major. It's also been fun seeing the different commercials heralding his return, specifically the Nike and PGA TOUR ads.

And lastly, the TOUR moves to Florida for the East Coast segment that unofficially concludes at Augusta for The Masters. If you'd like to prepare your game for Augusta, you should check out Digital Links, a "virtual golf" facility in Hastings. It has two state-of-the-art simulators, real putting, and best of all - you can play Augusta National Golf Club!!!

A friend and I went over there a couple of weeks ago to try it out. The graphics are superior to many of the other simulators I have experienced and the opportunity to putt to a hole is a nice feature. Be careful, though, the "green" stimps to at least a 15!! Thank goodness there are no downhill putts. No need to bring your EMD (rangefinder), it is built into the system. Best of all, the azaleas are all in bloom!

Golf will be here soon, and along with it comes the need to know the Rules. If you haven't attended a rules clinic recently (or ever), you should think about checking out one of mine. Visit the MGA web site for more details. Also, if you are on Facebook, sign up to be a member of the "Fans of Minnesota Golf" group.

Until next time-

Doug

Winter Reading, the Rules & Virtual Golf

Watching the snow quickly melt due to the recent rains leads one to hope for an early Spring; yet, it is Minnesota and after the past few years, we can only hope it's nice by the end of May!

In my last post, I talked about our outgoing and incoming P.J. Boatwright, Jr Interns - Alisha Thornell and Robbie Little (respectively). It just so happened that the USGA offered a great article about the Intern Program at about the same time. Here's a link to it: http://www.usga.org/news/2009/january/BoatwrightFeature.html. I'm sure you will find it interesting to see how the program all got started.

Another bit of Rules trivia was highlighted in Wendy Uzelac's piece currently on the USGA website. (Wendy is the author of the I Hate to Slice blog) It talks about "the Ruling" most talked about - Tiger's Rock. Amazingly, it has been 10 years since this happened. And most interesting is the fact that the ruling was correct then and nothing has changed in the Rules that would make it any different now. However, Wendy mentions that the rock now has a plaque on it commemorating its place in (golfing) history. Under the Rules, the rock still remains a loose impediment while the plaque becomes an "immovable obstruction." So if you find your swing hitting the plaque, you don't need ask your friends to help you move the rock to get relief.

Lastly, I had the opportunity this past Sunday to join some friends in "virtual golf." "Virtual golf" is played in a simulator. There are many facilities within the Twin Cities area with simulators, but the one we use is at A Lot of Green Golf located within the Soccer Blast complex in Burnsville. While it is no replacement for the real thing, it was fun to be able to hit real golf balls with your own clubs to real targets in a (semi-) competitive environment. If you go to any simulator, don't get overly concerned with the results of your shots, especially the putting, but enjoy the experience. It's a good warm up to the Spring.

Next up - the Great Minnesota Golf Show.

Until next time-

Doug

Transitions - 2009

Inauguration Day, 2009

In keeping with the buzz across the country about Mr. Obama becoming President, so to is the MGA with the transition of power as Robbie Little comes in as the newest USGA P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Intern. Robbie joins us as a last-semester Senior in the Sports Management Program at the University of Minnesota. He is a 2005 graduate of Edina HS, a recreational golfer and also enjoys baseball and hockey. In fact, he coached baseball three years for 7-9 year old kids and currently serves as a hockey instructor.

Of course, Robbie's arrival meant the departure of Alisha Thornell, the 2008 USGA Boatwright Intern. Adam and I, as well as the entire MGA staff, are very appreciative of Alisha for her efforts and professionalism throughout last year. We wish her the very best!

Until next time-

Doug

Golf is Back!!

For those of us here in the frozen North, this week is something we all long for - the beginning of the golf season. True, it's not us playing, but watching the likes of Anthony, Davis, Ernie, and Camilo in Hawaii give us hope that our season will (eventually) be here. Those poor people who live in Florida and Arizona cannot appreciate this moment!

As a teenager growing up in East Texas, I anxiously awaited the ABC broadcast from Waialae CC with Chris Schenkel and Byron Nelson every January. Chris, Byron and the other announcers were my friends and how I missed hearing them the previous three months. Even in Texas, football season was simply something to keep me occupied until golf season came around. Of course, I had the single (45 record) of Barry White's Love Theme. I used to sit in the dark and play that over and over, imagining my name being on the leaderboard as the telecast came on the air. (Unfortunately, this has yet to come to pass.)

Here at the MGA, things are starting to take on a little more importance. No longer is it "next year." The need to get projects done have higher priority with deadlines looming. One of the those projects is an area on our website designed for our volunteers - where they can sign up to work tournaments and download all of the relevant information for the events they are scheduled to work. Remember to check the website often to stay up with the MGA.

I look forward to spending more time with you via this blog this year. I'll try to keep you informed, and entertained, with my writings. Pass it along if you know someone who would be interested in getting it.

Until next time -

Doug

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!