The WTHI Men’s City Golf Tournament began with a bang during the first round when 15 players shot scores of par or better, but by the time the final nine was being played it was a pair of six-time city champs matching shots down the stretch for the title.
A large gallery watched Ted Kaperak, who held a one-shot advantage over Tom Jones, hit a thin second shot on 18. When the ball skipped across the water and settled in a greenside bunker, it appeared that Jones might tie or even win with a birdie.
Kaperak then hit a nice blast from the sand that ran downhill about 10 feet past the pin. Jones’ second had rolled 10 feet past the pin, just off the green, but situated between two clumps of grass. When Jones chip was well short of the cup, both two putted for bogies and Kaperak had notched his seventh city championship with a one under par 297, whereas Jones matched par with 298.
There were other players who made spirited runs on the final day. Troy Farris was third, just two swings behind Kappy with one over 299. Charlie Kluesner, a recent Oakland (Mich.) University graduate, and a four year member of their golf team, tied with long hitting Stu Johnson for fourth with 290s. Both were in contention during most of the final nine.
Others who bettered the 300 stroke plateau included Scott Hess, Dave Brown, Jim Winning, Chris Cassell, Don Alumbaugh and Chris Keen.
Kudos are in order for outgoing Terre Haute Golf Association president, Craig Miller, who did an outstanding job in administrating this season’s tournaments.
At the annual THGA. dinner, Chris Keen was elected to another term as president for 2008. Keen was also THGA. president in 2006.
Brothers, Dave Alumbaugh and Don Alumbaugh, golf course superintendents at Hulman Links and Rea Park respectively, along with their maintenance crews deserve a 21 gun salute for the hard work they have contributed during the past, long, hot summer.
When most golfers throw their clubs in the trunk and head for air conditioning and refreshments after four or five hours in 90 plus degree weather, the people who work at the courses are nowhere near Miller time.
Here are the names of those who deserve the credit at Hulman Links: Dave Alumbaugh, Shawn Daugherty, Jim Shepherd, Dave Otte, Margaret Stephens, Randy Nicoson, Dave Williams, Tom Walsh, Bob Musgrave and Jim Sullivan.
Those at Rea Park include: Don Alumbaugh, Larry Atterson, John Cox, Ken Bosc, Ken Doty, Jim Doty, Pat Walker and Ted Schneider.
Kenny Bosc declared he was the hardest worker at Rea Park. When subjected to a vote of his peers, Bosc received one vote. There is nothing like democracy.
The FedEx Championship is now a thing of the past, and was it a successful venture? We would guess that would depend on whom you were asking.
The world’s number one player had to like the way it ended when he added another 10 million dollars to an already overflowing bank account, even though he’ll need to wait a couple of decades for his winning total to grow to that 10 million dollar mark.
Some of the entrants didn’t understand how players could skip one of the four playoff tourneys and still maintain their lofty positions in the race for the cup. Also, many didn’t comprehend the manner in which points were dispersed.
Some players were unhappy concerning the need to play several tournaments in a row without “time off.” Most people would wonder why playing golf would make anyone tired, but I would guess the mental aspects of competitive golf contribute to physical weariness, much like doctors or lawyers experience when faced with passing examinations to qualify for their respective medical or law licenses.
At any rate, it would appear that the “cup” accomplished its major purpose, which was to keep professional golf’s hierarchy playing tournaments under the PGA banner instead of playing in international tournaments or taking a sabbatical.
And if you didn’t bet on Tiger Woods, you shouldn’t go to a racetrack.
Most TV golf watchers have seen the MetLife blimp hovering overhead at a variety of golf courses. When my daughter, Paula Brandon, an employee of MetLife, called with an invitation to see the airship up close, the family jumped at the opportunity.
The airship is 128 feet long, holds 69,000 cubic feet of helium, and is manned by a single pilot. The camera which is mounted in a forward position on the ship can rotate 360 degrees.
The ship we saw was Snoopy One and it was moored at DuPage County Airport in the town of West Chicago. Snoopy Two and Three are operated in various sections of the country.
There is no air conditioning nor restroom facility on board. It seems that might pose a problem. The blimp usual cruises at one or two thousand feet. Propellers on two small engines move the ship at 30 to 35 miles per hour. The three Snoopies usually operate in warmer climes since the gondola is not heated. When winter approaches they head south to Florida, a trip which usually takes three or four days. When asked if flocks of geese pose a problem, the answer was, “They would just bounce off since Kevlar is used in the skin of the ship.” It was a great experience to inspect Snoopy One up close.
• Tip of the week — Most golfers who are in the “beginners” class slice their tee shots. In trying to overcome this tendency, they steer their swing to the left (for right handed players) thereby cutting across the line of flight and worsening their slice. Several things can cause a slice, from expending your wrist action too soon on the downswing to hanging back on the back foot by failing to transfer your weight to the front foot before the hit. And then there is the matter of keeping your right elbow (for right handers) in at your side.
Obviously the slice is a major bug-a-boo for many golfers. It’s best to consult your local pro for help. If that is not in your plans, you might just drop your arms straight down at the beginning of your forward swing. This action will give you a better chance to swing from the inside and combat the dreaded slice.
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Tribune-Star golf columnist Bob Arnett can be reached by e-mail at subob@aol.com or by mail at the Tribune-Star, P.O. Box 149, Terre Haute, IN, 47808.
Rub of the Green
Rub of the Green: Men’s city tournament begins, finishes with champs battling
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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’
Golf has been called “The Game You Love to Hate.” In addition, love-hate relationships have been around since the beginning of time.
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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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