I wonder how long people will be referring to last week’s British Open, as “one for the ages.” They could also refer to it as “one for the aged!” Tom Watson’s near miss of a 9th Open Championship (as the Brits prefer to call it, and as it rightly should be by virtue of its longevity) was a rallying cry to all those golfers who have toiled for so many years at their game, but had given up hope as for ever getting it back to where they had it twenty years ago. Watson proved that on the right course, with the right strategy, low scores were still possible. He didn’t have the longest drives of anyone there, but they were long enough, thanks in part to the hard-packed terrain of the Scottish coastline. He did a better job than most on knowing where to land his tee shots so that the ball would take the bounces and rolls and end up in a decent lie, sometimes being on the opposite side of the fairway of where he had landed. That was something that could be attributed to experience, which was Watson’s most valuable asset those four days at Turnberry.
For most of those four days, Watson’s putter was working about as well as it ever did, belying the days when short putts were his nemesis. It was only on Sunday that the smooth-flowing swing wasn’t there, accounting for missed birdie putts that would have made that 8-footer for par on the 18th hole a moot point. Yet if he had made that par-putt on the 18th, the 138th Open Championship really would have been one for the ages, and we wouldn’t have to talk about what might have been.
I would say that saddest part of Watson’s near miss in the history books was the decision to hit an 8-iron instead of a 9-iron into the 18th green on the 72nd hole. His game plan, experience, and smooth swing with his irons had faced the gauntlet of Turnberry and had carried him through, until that last approach. It was really that, more so than the putt, that put him back a stroke and into a tie with Stewart Cink. That 8-iron, and the unpredictable bounces of a links course, set up a chip from the back of the green. If he had hit a 9-iron, it would have landed short, bounced on, and made for a relatively easy two-putt. Game over. Everybody goes home with a smile on their face and warm memories of the day. Instead, a mentally and physically tired 59-year old man had to face a four-hole play off against one in his prime, hungry for his first major championship. And he just didn’t have anything left in the gas tank.
The good news though, is that Stewart Cink was the winner. Ranked 33rd going into The Open Championship, Cink makes the third winner of a major in 2009 outside of the top 30. (Angel Cabrera was 69th going into the Masters, and Lucas Glover was 71st before the U.S. Open.) This was no fluke either. Cink made some changes in his game and was well prepared for this tournament. One of the first things he did was put his belly putter away. He had been very adept on short putts with the belly putter, but struggled with mid-range putts. Going to a conventional putter put more feel for distance in his hands. He also had help in switching back to a conventional putter from Dr. Morris Pickens, the same sports psychologist who helped Lucas Glover.
Cink also took a page in preparation from Tom Watson, by playing rounds at Irish links courses before The Open. He played rounds at Lahinch, Ballybunion and Doonbeg. His swing coach, Butch Harmon, told him on the way to the first tee on Sunday, “You’re playing as well or better than anyone in this tournament, and I want you to believe in that.”
Even though Stewart Cink won The Open, it will probably be remembered more by most as the Open that Tom Watson barely missed, especially since most of the footage used by ABC during The British Open was shot with BBC equipment, so we saw a lot more of Ross Fisher’s round than we did of Stewart Cink’s!
Quote of the Day: “You wonder if the wind is making a whistling noise when it blows by him.” – Paul Azinger, on the very slender Chris Wood, during The British Open telecast.
Upcoming Events:
The IWGA Mid-Amateur Championship will be at French Lick Resort on Aug. 9th and 10th. Eligible players are females who have reached the age of 25 by August 4th, 2009. Registration deadline is July 27th. To register, call the Indiana golf office at (800) 779-7271 or go online at http://iga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/iga9/schedule/index.htm
Vigo County Golf Leagues
First Financial Rea Park Ladies 9-hole — Standings: Shepard’s Gas 476, VFW No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary 455, VFW No. 2 Ladies Auxiliary 384, Bratt Animal Hospital 365. Low gross: Myrna Handley and Verla Talkington 49. Low net: Barb Kelley 34. Chip-ins: Kay Gard (6), Phyllis Pestoff (5), Levon Garrison (5).
Paitson’s Eastend Ladies — Standings: Natalie’s Consignment Furniture 469, Sandy’s Touch of Magic 452, Otis Elevator 448, Turner Coach 448, Coaches Corner 442, Krock Racing 424, Baesler’s Market 423, Advanced Chiropractic 414. Low gross: Brenda Ellis 40. Low net: Glenda McVeigh, Iva Montgomery 29. Birdies: Jimma Lou Comer (12). Chip-ins: Brenda Ellis (15), Faye Lynn King (18). Play of day: Karen Cox (longest putt).
Ft. Harrison Ladies 9-hole — Low gross: Lucy James. Low net: Betty McKee. Low putts: Sharon Nicoson, Betty McKee. Play of day: Effie Giffel, Anita Cheek, Mary Silvers, Helen Ruhl, Vivian Miemeyer. Chip-in: Clarena Mathews, Silvers, McKee.
Mark’s Par Three Men’s Senior — Standings: Watts Farms 232, C&E; Environmental 190, Dew Drop Inn 186, Vigo Bowl 180, Sycamore Chevrolet 13, Old National Trust 158, Tabco 151, Mattingly Collision 150. Low gross: Bill Turner 36. Low net: Don Sublet 29. Closest to pin: JIm Strecklin (2). Longest drive: Al Newman (18). Longest putt: Lee Higginbotham (17).
Terre Haute Savings Bank Senior Men — National Division standings: Complete Kitchen and Bath 116, Fore Seasons Golf Complex 100, Pizza Hut 98, Page’s Market 82, TH Savings Bank 78, Paitson Bros. 75, Lough Bros. 72, SMC 65. Low gross: Jim Gormong 37. Low net: Frank Hoffman 32. American Division standings: Tabco 109, Poplar Flower Shop 103, Spring Clean Car Wash 92, Salt of the Earth 87, Gurman Container 82, VFW No. 972 63, Baesler’s Market 58. Low gross: Elmer Grizzel 39. Low net: Earl Cromwell 30.
Rea Park Tuesday 18-hole — Low gross: Sharon Horrall 81. Low net: Kathleen Atterson 64. Birdies: Stephanie Meyer (1), Carolyn Hyde (3), Sandy Lanke (4), Shawn Durand (6), Sheri Harden (10), Linda Pair (12), Horrall (14). Chip-ins: Lanke (4), Virginia Anderson (8), Laury Burris (8), Shelva Gaither (10), Harden (10), Pair (12), Mary Jean Petty (13).
Idle Creek Terminal Sports and Spirits Wednesday Evening — First place team (29): Zach Wilhoyte, John Love. Second place team (30, tie) — Denise Rowlett and Matt Love; Cliff Carrithers and Matt Love. Longest putt: Rowlett. Closest to pin: Rowlett (3, 9).
Idle Creek Ladies Tuesday Morning Scramble — First place team (41): Debbie Holcomb, Mary Brannen, Susie Colligan. Second place team (42): Cathy Brannen, Candy Lovvron, Kathy Booe. Longest putt: C.Brannen (5).
Idle Creek Home Builders Tuesday Evening — Low gross: Kurt Jones 38. Low net: Mitch Lankhaar 29. Longest drive: John Eller. Closest to pin: Charlie Smith (3), Brian Cottom (9).
On & Off the Course
On and Off the Course: One for the ages … well, almost!
- On & Off the Course
-
-
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: With some tricky rules, golf is not a walk in the park
Golf is not a casual sport, even though it has a term called “casual water.”
-
On and off the course: Sycamores seeded sixth heading into MVC golf tourney
It wasn’t too long ago that Indiana State University didn’t even have a women’s golf team.
-
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: A hard ticket to come by
This is the weekend of the Masters Tournament, the first of the four major tournaments.
-
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: Some things on golf course are worse than steep putts
It’s not often that anything gets more scary on a golf course than a steep downhill putt, but on some courses around the world, things a little more on the supernatural side might give you a bigger fright!
-
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: The shot heard round the world
I don’t know if the Golf Channel will show a “Best Shots of 2011” highlight reel, much like ESPN does for baseball or football.
-
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: The Red, White and Blue visits the Isle of Green
In 2006, the Ryder Cup was held in Ireland at The K Club in County Kildare.
-
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: Fall may be coming but golf season is far from over
Once the major tournaments are over with, what’s there to look forward to in the world of golf?
-
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: Golf… simplified!
Golf is not a simple game. A golf course is made up of 18 holes, all different. There are par-3s, par-4s and par-5s; they all vary in length and elevation, and each has its own challenges. There can be water hazards, trees, sand bunkers, tall grass, hills, valleys — and then, if that’s not enough, there’s probably wind too.
-
On and Off the Course: Northern Ireland builds on golf history
Northern Ireland is only about 5,452 square miles in area and has a population about the same as West Virginia, which is about 1,880,344.
-
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: Women’s Open at the Broadmoor
This is the weekend of the U.S. Women’s Open, and this year it’s being played at The Broadmoor, East Course, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
-
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: The Fort Golf Course: A Walk in the Park…
Indiana has some pretty spectacular state parks, but one of them gives you the ability to “spoil a good walk” by chasing a little white ball.
-
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: Father’s Day is a good day for golfers
Most people consider the time around Christmas to be the gift-buying season.
-
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: Playing with lead a difficult task
As exciting as last week’s Masters was, with six players being tied for the lead at one point on Sunday, it was very difficult watching Rory McIlroy fall apart to shoot an 80.
-
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: Masters a rite of spring
This is Masters weekend, the grand kickoff to the golf season for a lot of golfers. Sure, there have been tournaments on TV, because the professionals have been playing in Hawaii, California, Texas, Dubai, and other areas not so affected by winter as we are here in the Midwest, but to me, watching The Masters is a rite of spring.
-
ON THE OFF THE COURSE: Some history on the Ryder Cup
I fell asleep in way too many history classes to ever qualify as a history buff. However, since I have grown up a bit (not much), I enjoy learning about all kinds of history. I often have questions about how something began, or how something came to be.
-
On and Off the Course: Purdue's Kampen Course a gem in Indiana's rough
About a month ago, Indiana was still heavily mired in heat and humidity, making outdoor activities such as golf less appealing than usual. At that time it felt like the repressive heat would never go away, it would never rain again, and all of the grass was just going to continue to wither and die. And the month prior to that we kept getting rained out of golf events!
-
On and Off the Course: Successful golfers know ... focus is the key
I have a good friend who coached his daughter’s basketball team for a number of years, and told me that his theme with the girls was always “focus”, until it was ingrained in their brains. Now when they play high school ball, if they hear “focus” yelled from the stands, they know the source.
-
On and Off the Course: Technology adds even more fun to the course
You’ve hit a drive into some brush in an area marked as a hazard, but you can’t find the ball to prove it is there. And no one actually witnessed it go in the hazard. You just think that’s where it probably is. What is the rule for this situation?
-
On and Off the Course: Anthony Gonzalez First Tee Classic a worthwhile charity event
On Monday, I worked as a volunteer for the Anthony Gonzalez First Tee Classic, Golf Tournament and Auction at Eagle Creek Golf Course in Indianapolis. It was an absolutely beautiful day, with clear blue skies, just a few wispy clouds here and there and a high temperature of about 76 degrees.
-
On and Off the Course: Trends show golf in decline
You don’t have to watch the news or read the paper to understand that America is struggling on the economic front. The evidence can be witnessed at the local golf course.
-
On and Off the Course: Remembering former South golfer Ian White
It’s usually a bit of a struggle for me to figure out what my topic will be for this column. This week I could have written about Tiger’s withdrawal from the Players’ Championship due to a bulging disc in his neck, or by association, the health hazards a violent golf swing can have on the human body, or any number of other golf-related topics.
-
On and Off the Course: Ochoa’s departure to impact LPGA
LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan already had a tough job, trying to promote the LPGA tour and keep the 25 events that they have on the schedule, but that job was made tougher last week when the tour’s No. 1 player announced her retirement from the game at the ripe old age of 28.
-
On and Off the Course: Examining the square groove rule change
Even though the Masters is going to have its own little drama going on with the return of Tiger Woods, an interesting thing to note will be how well the players are able to hold the hard fast greens at Augusta. An underlying part of the bigger picture that everyone might not realize is a rule change that could dramatically affect most, if not all, of the players. That rule change took effect on Jan. 1.
- On and Off the Course: President's Cup should be entertaining Just when we thought golf season was over, and it was time to concentrate on football, we must awaken from our naps, because there’s going to be some exciting golf for us to watch next weekend. The President’s Cup will run from Oct. 6-11 at Harding Park in San Francisco.
- On and Off the Course: The obscure of golf's rulebook Golfers know that the rules that govern the game are abundant. The game originated in the 15th century on the links of Scotland, and somehow as time went on and people became more civilized, rules were adopted.
- ON AND OFF THE COURSE: Women’s City Match Play had tough competition I played in the Terre Haute Golf Association Women’s City Match Play Tournament a couple of weeks ago.
- On and Off the Course: One for the ages … well, almost! I wonder how long people will be referring to last week’s British Open, as “one for the ages.” They could also refer to it as “one for the aged!” Tom Watson’s near miss of a 9th Open Championship (as the Brits prefer to call it, and as it rightly should be by virtue of its longevity) was a rallying cry to all those golfers who have toiled for so many years at their game, but had given up hope as for ever getting it back to where they had it twenty years ago.
- ON AND OFF THE COURSE: In a bad economy, should LPGA raise its fees? For 31 years The LPGA’s Corning Classic was held at Corning Country Club in Corning, N.Y., with Corning Glassware as its title sponsor. This year, however, was the end of an era as LPGA players played their final rounds in its’ longest-running event. Due to many factors Corning chose to not renew their contract for 2010.
- ON AND OFF THE COURSE: ‘Average golfer’ ready to face challenges of Bethpage Black Golf Digest, in association with the USGA and NBC Sports, has asked the question, “Can the ‘average golfer’ break 100 at Bethpage Black under U.S. Open conditions?”
- On and Off the Course: Golf is for Mother’s, too I’d like to wish all of my readers who are mothers, whether they play golf or not, a Happy Mother’s Day — and if you do play golf — I hope you have a fine day today and that you find the time to get out on the course.
- More On & Off the Course Headlines
-
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: With some tricky rules, golf is not a walk in the park
Raw Video: NATO Protesters Face-off With Police
Mary Kennedy Mourned at Private Funeral in NY
Raw Video: Demonstrations Ahead of NATO Summit
Prosecutors: Trio Planned to Attack Obama's HQ
Obama Pushes for Post-2014 Vision for Afghanista
NATO Chief: 'No Rush for Exits' in Afghanistan.
G-8 Seeks Unity on Euro-debt Crisis, Iran
Libyan Convicted in Lockerbie Bombing Is Dead
Blind Chinese Activist Arrives in NY
Video Surfaces of Alleged Abuse at Kansas School
Raw Video: Powerful Quake in Northern Italy
G-8 Leaders Hope Greece Remains in Eurozone
Violence in Aleppo, Rastan Amid Observer Warning
Police: 3 Face Terror Charges Ahead of NATO
Raw Video: Demonstrators Protest NATO
Raw Video: G8 Leaders Gather for Class Photo
Raw Video: Will Smith Slaps Kissing Reporter
Raw Video: Obama Greets Leaders at Camp David
Coffee May Be Key to Living Longer
SpaceX President: 'This Is Not Failure'
'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse as seen from Japan
ET's Last Interview with Robin Gibb
Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake Slams Italy
Wiig's Emotional SNL Sendoff
Bloodied anti-NATO protester
Bee Gees Singer Robin Gibb Dies
Facebook Founder Ties the Knot
Heat even up series with Pacers
The Dictator Overthrows Elisabetta
Anarchists Arrested at NATO Summit in Chicago
Transgender Beauty Rocks Bikini
Raw Video: Will Smith Slaps Journalist
Spurs rally, take 3-0 lead
Protesters in front of Emanuel's house
John Edwards trial: Main points jurors may be mulling
Facebook IPO underwhelms
Kate Middleton's Two Thousand Dollar Dress
Man Who Fathered 30 Kids Asks Judge for Child Support Break
Sebelius Heckled During Georgetown Speech
