TERRE HAUTE — Golfers beware! They’re lurking out there on golf courses all over the world, ready to create havoc.
They are the dreaded “itis gang”, namely: arthritis. tendonitis and bursitis. They have the ability to cause excruciating suffering, especially to elbows and shoulders. If an avid divot digger tries to play through the pain he or she could feel misery equivalent to a firecracker exploding inside the affected joint every time a golf ball is struck.
Having been a victim of bursitis some 25 years ago, I felt my golfing days were over, until I made a trip to see a Dr. Ferguson who was Purdue University’s athletics team doctor. Besides heat and cold compresses, he recommended a strap that could be tightened about two inches below the sore elbow. This plus a shot of cortisone directly into the elbow (which in no way can be considered painless) kept this writer on fairways and greens for many additional years.
So if the “itis” culprits gang up on you, don’t wait; get to your family doctor to learn what can be done. Many physicians do not like to prescribe steroids due to possible harmful aftereffects. At any rate you shouldn’t wait to see what could be done to allow you to pursue this difficult game of golf without additional hazards being thrown in your path.
n Our sincere apologies to Kay Kaperak, wife of Ted Kaperak who was featured in our column of July 5. We’ve always been a believer in the axiom: “Behind every successful man there’s a woman”. That certainly holds true for Ted and Kay Kaperak in that Ted’s golfing prowess has definitely been on target during the six years he and Kay have been married.
Kay Kaperak is from Sullivan. She is currently employed by Indiana State Credit Union where she has worked for the past four years. Prior to that she spent 11 years with Old National Bank. She recalls that she and Ted were first acquainted back in 1983. Kay also remembers caddying for Ted during some of his tournaments. It would appear that they make a formidable team.
n A tip of the hat to Rich Schelsky for his down to the wire win in the THGA Mini-city Tourney last Sunday with a six-under-par 138 total.
He outlasted longball hitter Stu Johnson by a single stroke. Other big blasters, all of whom played some excellent golf, included former city champ Troy Farris who was just two back at four-under-par with Dave Brown at three swings out of first.
Travis Turpen and Brian Silvers deadlocked at two under with Ted Kaperak at one-under 143. Chris Keen was alone at even par despite a 42 on the outgoing nine at Hulman Links to finish in eighth place.
Keen is in his second term as president of the Terre Haute Golf Association, a task he performs most admirably.
Other players in the championship flight included Bob Kyle, Ryan Roscoe, and Tom Jones. Also, Don Alumbaugh, Dave Alumbaugh, Jason Kyle, Chris Cassell, Craig Martin, Rich Bucy, Mike Wright and Mike Payne.
All signs point to a terrific city tourney this year.
n Mark Bird cleaned up during the annual “Wagle Pilgrimage” played recently at the French Lick Hill Course, Country Oaks and Sultan’s Run.
He shot rounds of 76, 74 and 73 respectively to claim medalist honors on all three courses. Be careful Mark, you may not get an invitation next year!
n Jack Winning reports that Steuben Cain hasn’t forgotten how to hit the golf ball. Jack advises that Cain fired a nifty 73 at Rea Park recently despite the fact that he has hit the 83 mark in birthdays.
I played with Steuben the first time he teed it up in Terre Haute. I relayed the fact to the guys in our hunt that there was a new player in town named Steuben Cain and he hailed from Hazzard, Ky. They all laughed and no one would believe me.
Cain and Bill Doan Sr. are the only surviving charter members of Terre Haute Golf Association’s Hall of Fame.
n Dink Simonson celebrated hitting the age of 60 by posting a smooth 68 from the gold tees at Rea Park a week ago. He indicated that senior tees do make a difference.
n We remember Maynard Davison as an excellent teacher, administrator and golf coach for Vigo County schools. The annual Maynard Davison Memorial Golf Scramble is slated for Aug. 15 at Idle Creek. Entry fee is $50 with Aug. 10 the deadline for entering. Mail entries to James Gormong, 4460 Nottingham Court, Terre Haute, IN 47803.
n Kenny Bosc’s doctor has advised Ken that his 2009 golf season is finished. Bosc suffered injuries in a recent auto accident when two of his ribs were pulled away from his sternum. Knowing Bosc, he’ll be working hard to prove his doctor wrong and get back on the course before the season ends.
Bosc has won club championships at both Rea Park and Elks Fort Harrison. He also has a first place finish in the Lawrenceville (Ill.) Amateur.
n TIP OF THE WEEK: When putting, a slight forward press before beginning the backswing may help you make a smoother stroke. Just rock the shoulders forward before you draw the putter back. This action may pay dividends.
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Rub of the Green
RUB OF THE GREEN: The ‘itis gang’ ready to pounce on golfers
- Rub of the Green
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Ryder Cub drama a great part of American sports scene
The recent Ryder Cup matches are over, but not done with! At the time the final match had concluded the “talking heads” had already gone to work assessing blame to those who didn’t live up to their preconceived expectations.
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Snedeker the big winner after FedEx Championship
The season-long FedEx Championship has finally come to an end and Brandt Snedeker may need a Brinks truck to haul his winnings to the bank.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Memories of Crooked Stick
The BMW tournament that concluded Sept. 9 at Crooked Stick in Carmel brought back a flood of memories.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: "Fair Joe" known expects rules to be followed in local hunts
Fair Joe is the name and golf is the game when referring to Joe Bukovack, who has sponsored hunts in Terre Haute as well as throughout Indiana during the past 25 years.
The “Fair” in Joe’s title refers to the fact that players who wish to participate in Bukovack’s competition must be willing to follow the rules of golf to the letter, otherwise they will not be invited to participate. -
RUB OF THE GREEN: Enjoying the game after all these years
When golf is referred to as “The Game for a Lifetime,” you’ve got to believe that description is definitely on target. For example, there is the Danny Williams hunt that converges on the first tee at The Landing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Many players are in their 70s and retired dentist, Bill Aikin, has seen 92 birthdays.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Hunts still popular on golf course
There is something about golf that lends itself to some friendly competition and in times gone by, the competitions were called “choose-ups.” Somewhere along the line, choose-ups became “hunts.” Regardless of what you call them, they remain a most popular mode of play for Terre Haute divot-diggers on courses throughout the Wabash Valley.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Heat doesn’t deter Terre Haute golfers
“When you’re hot, you’re hot, and when you’re not, you’re not.” Those are the words of country singer Jerry Reed and they apply to golfers as well.
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Rub of the Green: Father’s golf imprint still evident today
I was lucky and I knew it. My father, Robert Erwin Arnett, was one of the best dads any youngster could hope for.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Hogan, small of stature, left big footprints
With the Crowne Plaza Invitational being played at Colonial Country Club today, it conjures up images of the man himself, Bantam Ben Hogan, who won so often at Colonial it became known as “Hogan’s Alley.”
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Rub of the Green: Bowling or golf? Both provide plenty of challenge
The question has been raised in the past, is it bowling or golf that is the more difficult endeavor?
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Sometimes this can be a confounding game
To be sure, the great Sam Snead certainly knew what he was talking about when he delivered his favorite axiom, “The sun don’t shine on the same dog every day.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Grayless takes over as golf professional at Hulman Links
Ed Grayless has assumed the “head man’s” position at the Links after Ryan Klopfenstein resigned as Hulman Links golf professional in order to pursue other interests.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Young players should match course to skills
One of the biggest mistakes a beginning golfer can make is to keep playing a golf course that is far too difficult for the ability demonstrated by that player.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: On the lanes or links, Davis is competitive
Darrell Davis carries a 240 bowling average which obviously puts him in some strong company on the alleys, but he feels that golf is a much more difficult sport than keggling.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Loquacious golfers can provide priceless quotes
Golfers always seem to have a great deal to say, but determining who said what and who said it first can be a problem.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Rick Fernandes can look back on a great golf career
What does an outstanding golfer have left when an accident has robbed him of the consummate skills he once possessed? The answer most assuredly would be one word, “Memories.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Feherty’s humor good for golf
David Feherty is an extremely funny man. If you have read his book written a few years ago, you might have guessed what to expect from him. The book, entitled “Somewhere in Ireland a Village is Missing an Idiot,” set the stage for his far out brand of humor, most of which is directed at himself.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: It's all in your head
A pair of divot diggers had been discussing their favorite sport when one could be heard saying, “You know, I think this game is 90 percent mental.” After a short pause his friend replied, “Well, I think you’re about 10 percent short in your estimation.”
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Golf: ‘The Game You Love to Hate’
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf is only sport that offers both hilarity, pathos
It’s been stated more than once that “golf is a microcosm for life itself.”
This writer would heartily agree. No sport or game can offer combinations of happiness and sadness, hilarity and pathos as evidenced by an activity called “cow pasture pool” by some of its practitioners. -
RUB OF THE GREEN: Even golfers say there is drug problem on Tour
Are professional golfers using performance-enhancing drugs? This writer wouldn’t have the foggiest, but if you asked Gary Player, one of the game’s greatest, the answer would be a resounding, “Yes.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Not all golfers display their trophies
Back in the “old days,” let’s say the 1940s, most of the time when you won something in a golf tournament your prize came in the form of a trophy. That was it, just a dust catcher. Later, merchandise prizes were added.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf full of colorful characters
Every sport has its own cast of characters and golf is definitely no exception. Whether it is diving head first into a greenside bunker or tying an unreliable putter to a car’s bumper and dragging it down the road, golfers can do some strange things.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Winter made golf impossible this year
Old Man Winter along with Mother Nature must have something against area golfers. They have joined forces to sabotage a sport called winter golf, an activity many Wabash Valley players have enjoyed in years gone by.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf instruction a strenuous art
Few who have ever tried their hands at playing the game of golf would describe the sport as “easy”. In fact, just the opposite would be the case.
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BOB ARNETT: No matter what your level, watch out for pressure
What is the affliction that can affect most any golfer from those who can’t break an egg to skilled golfers who can break 70?
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RUB OF THE GREEN: THGA tournaments include variety, long history
In days gone by, the Terre Haute Golf Association has always offered more than just a 72-hole stroke play tournament.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: PGA playoff system still needs work
Is anyone fed up with the convoluted Fed Ex playoffs? The PGA has been tweaking its so-called Fed Ex playoff system for years, and they never seem to get it right.
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Rub of the Green: Golf can be roller coaster for young pros
Dustin Johnson may be best remembered for his appearances in the major tournaments in 2010, but not because he won. He didn’t win. But he came awfully close.
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Rub of the Green: One size does NOT fit all when it comes to golfing ability
Literally hundreds of books have been written on the subject of golf instruction, and we can be certain they all agree on one fundamental, always keep your head stationary throughout the swing.
Right? Nope, wrong as it could be! How’s that, you say? As examples both David Duval and Annika Sorenstam at one time were rated the world’s No. 1 professional golfers, respectively, and both swiveled their heads well before their clubheads reached the impact zone. In fact, Duval is one of a select few who has a 59 to his credit on the PGA Tour. - More Rub of the Green Headlines
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