2009 MGA Two-Day Rules Workshop @ Minnesota Valley CC

Morning, Day 2

Reed is teaching Rules 1, 13 & 15 as I write. The workshop has gone really well thus far, aside from the fact that the outdoor session was cancelled due to wind (20-30) and temperatures. While it wasn't truly cold, when combined with the wind, it would have been uncomfortable. No problem, right? Well, I had a perfect plan - to show the R&A DVD entitled "Golf Rules in Action." Unfortunately, I had some technical difficulties that resulted in few people actually seeing it and my ending the day early.

It's been great having Reed (Mackenzie) and his extensive knowledge as my co-instructor. He brings such a wealth of knowledge and experience to the workshop. It truly benefits the 31 students attending. Hopefully, this will inspire these to continue their study of the Rules and get them ready to officiate their respective events.

I have one more seminar to conduct - "The Rules of Golf for Tournament Players" - and then comes our MGA Spring Meeting at Medina on May 4 and then..........tournament season!!

Until next time -

Doug

The Masters, MGA Rules Workshops, Handicap Season & the TeeMaster Golf Show!

It's amazing what five weeks will do to the spirit! In my last post - back on March 10 - I was lamenting the snow storm that was approaching yet hopeful of a good start to the 2009 golf season. It appears I got my wish.

We are basking in the glory of 70* temperatures for the second day in a row in over six months, and virtually all courses in and around the Twin Cities are open. Unfortunately, northern Minnesota saw 10" or more of snow as recent as early last week, so they may be a little behind, but that isn't tempering the enthusiasm of golfers here.

The Masters, another one of those "unofficial" signs that golf season is here, lived up to the hype. We had many early rounds in the 60s, including Anthony Kim recording an amazing 11 birdies during Round 2, and had many marquee players still in the mix on Sunday morning. Even starting seven strokes back, Phil and Tiger got everyone excited with their magnificent play over the first 11 holes. Unfortunately, their respective trains got derailed (Phil) or slowed (Tiger), and they were never factors the back nine. In the end, by virtue of a playoff filled with some unexpected heros, Angel Cabrera outlasted Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell.

Another sign that the tournaments are about to start is the fact that my rules workshops are almost over. The MGA Two-Day Rules & Officiating Workshop is next Tuesday & Wednesday at Minnesota Valley CC in Bloomington. I am fortunate to have former MGA & USGA President Reed Mackenzie as my co-instructor. This workshop is always fun and educational for me, even as an instructor. It also helps me to get my "rules mind" back - just in time for tournament season.

Another milestone - well, maybe not "milestone" but certainly a date to note - occurred this past Wednesday. April 15 marks the beginning of the handicap season in Minnesota. You should be posting your rounds from now until October 15. Make sure you sign up for e-Revisions, too!

Lastly, I will be a part of the TeeMaster Golf (radio) Show and the Golf Bound (TV) Show again this year. For the radio show, there is time and day change to the program. It will be on at 6:30-7:00 am Sunday mornings on "the talk station AM1500 KSTP." Listen in and win valuable prizes by answering the trivia question. If you're not within earshot of a radio that can pick up AM1500, listen on-line!

Golf Bound will again aire on KARE 11, but this year it moves up 30 minutes to 11:05 pm Sunday nights. I will be providing rules segments on most shows.

It is shaping up to be another great year. I'm even hoping to get out a little more myself. See you on the links!

Doug

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