TERRE HAUTE — With the last major golf tournament of 2006 now history, a look at some PGA Champions of the past would seem appropriate.
It was this writer’s great good fortune to cover his first and most memorable PGA Championship for the Tribune-Star in 1991, which was possibly the most sensational PGA of the game’s modern era. That was the year John Daly got into the tournament at Crooked Stick in Indianapolis from the ninth alternate position.
Golfers who make the PGA field from far back on the alternate list are about as plentiful as hen’s teeth. Daly, with his booming drives, was an immediate sensation with golf aficionados everywhere, and the fact that he repeatedly said “I want to win for the fans” only enhanced his popularity.
Long John, who has consistently fought battles with his weight, with alcohol and with marital problems remains one of professional golf’s most popular players despite the demons he has faced.
The 1992 PGA was contested at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. Although the weather had been uncomfortably hot, when the first day of the tourney rolled around, an unbelievable cooldown occurred, cold enough for every sweatshirt in the souvenir tents to disappear in a matter of a couple of hours.
Nick Price had relinquished his spot in the PGA Championship to Daly the year before because his wife was expecting a child. It seems that fate and good fortune intervened and it was Price who claimed the ’92 championship.
The hallowed fairways of Inverness Country Club in Toledo were the site of the ’93 PGA Championship. The event is most remembered for a tie after 72 holes and the sudden-death playoff won by Paul Azinger. The title was decided when Greg Norman three-putted in overtime, allowing “The Zinger” to capture his only major.
In ’96, the PGA utilized Valhalla Country Club in Louisville, a club the PGA later would buy and put it on rotation for future PGA Championships. Mark Brooks would win this one in a sudden-death playoff with Kenny Perry.
The ’97 PGA provided the most electrifying final when Davis Love III took the Wanamaker Trophy after finishing the final hole at Winged Foot with a rainbow shining overhead. Love had dedicated the tourney to his father, who had died several years before in a plane crash.
Despite being touted as one of the best strikers of the golf ball on tour, Love has never been able to win another major crown.
Now that Tiger Woods has picked up his second PGA at Medinah and the 12th overall, he seems destined to keep closing in on Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 majors.
With golf’s four majors, The Masters, U. S. Open, British Open and The PGA Championship, now in the record books, the remainder of the 2006 season loses some of its luster.
No doubt about it, The PGA Championship rates No. 1 in my book. It always boasts the strongest field of the majors, and it’s played on traditional courses that usually have histories of their own, venues where many of golf’s major players of a bygone era have starred.
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n Kimberly Kim — or Kim Squared as she is sometimes called — lost in the finals of the National Public Links Championship this year, but then bounced back to win the U.S. Women’s Amateur at the tender age of 14. There was a time when youngsters had to be 12 before they were allowed on golf courses.
n Chad Collins of Cloverdale finished in a tie for third in a recent Nationwide tourney played in Rochester, N.Y. He pocketed a shade under $30,000 for his efforts. Chad is hoping to finish among the top 20 money winners in order to secure a PGA card for next year. Collins currently occupies the 26th position with $118,626 in prize money.
n The Spaghetti Open in Clinton has been a staple on many Valley golfers’ schedules for nearly a half century. The annual golf fest is slated for Sept. 9 and 10 at Matthews Park, a course that plays a good deal harder than it looks. Entry fee is $50.
Bart “Cheeker” Waldrop is the tournament director with assistance from his brother, “Ooch” Waldrop. Others who help make the tourney successful are Jeremy Roehm, Bill Bray and Brian Smith. Tom Bekkering, course superintendent, grooms his greens to perfection each year and Eddie Groves and Frank Jarc man the bean pot with consummate skill. The banquet will be Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Castle. Players are invited to enter online at www.spaghettiopen.com. For further information, call Matthews Park pro shop at (765) 832-9016.
n Billy Alumbaugh III advises The Marshall (Ill.) Open was a huge success with more that 200 entries. Greg Lauritzen of Martinsville won the championship with a sterling 66. Wes Stewart of Mattoon was second carding an even par 70. Doug McDonald from Brazil tied with Jim Zebrowski and Larry Russell both Terre Hauteans.
Alumbaugh has the greens at Marshall in tip-top shape. I recall playing in this tourney with Tommy Long back in 1951 when the course featured sand greens.
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n Tip of the week — A drill can assist a player who has a chronic tendency to hang back and keep too much weight on his or her back foot. Hitting practice balls with the feet touching can help or hitting shots with the back foot off the ground may affect a cure. It pays to experiment!
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Bob Arnett can be reached by mail at the Tribune-Star, P.O. Box 149, Terre Haute, IN, 47808.
Vigo County Golf Leagues
Paitson’s Roofing Eastside Mark’s Par Three — Low gross: Sue Tipton 37. Low net: Tipton 27. Play of the day: Loeva Piepenbrink. Chip-ins: Kathy Nasser (No. 10), Lou Ann Johnson (No. 16). Birdies: Nasser (No. 10).
Elks Ladies 9-hole — Low gross: Lucy James, Mary Shake. Low net: Betty McKee. Low putts: Shake. Play of the day: Dorothy Dwyer. Chip-ins: Shake, Emma Dodson, Rita Neal, Effie Giffel.
Rea Park Wednesday Evening Ladies — Team points (Week 12): Meyer-Lanke 33, McCord-Rusk 28, Cannon-Ugo 25, Horrall-Bocard 23, Francis-Snow 22, Honselman-Arnett 21, Swalls-Bedwell 21, Padgett-Spurr 21, Newton-Atterson 21, Gosnell-Pair 19, Mann-Luttrell 18, Clements-Malone 10. Low gross: Sharon Horrall 38. Low net: Mid Rusk 32. Chip-ins: Marie Spurr (No. 4), Horrall (No. 7), Sandy Lanke (No. 9).
Hulman Links Tuesday Night Men — Low gross: Mike Schodlatz and Mike Trendleman 39. Low net: Trendleman 26. Standings: Fleschner Law Office 469, Charlie’s No. 2 466, Charlie’s No. 1 434, Tynan Equipment 431, Charlie’s No. 3 332.
Elks Ladies 18-hole — Play of the day: Shirley Underwood. Chip-in: Cathy Pusich (No. 11).
Terre Haute Savings Bank Senior Men — National Division standings: Bogey’s Family Fun Center 341, SMC 328, Bush Restaurant 318, McGuire Excavating 313, Pizza Hut 298, Paitson Bros. 276, Lough Bros. 274, T.H. Savings Bank 257. Low gross: David Shirley 39. Low net: Bill Reece 29. American Division standings: Poplar Flower Shop 367, Salt of the Earth 346, Callahan Funeral Home 345, Lee Appraisal Service 309, Spring Clean Car Wash 301, VFW No. 972 296, Gurman Container 269, Pabst Painting 260. Low gross: Jim Gormong 38. Low net: Bob Johnson 31.
Mark’s Par Three Senior Men — Low gross: Sam Shimer 37. Low net: Ed Bard 28. Longest putt: Leland Higginbotham (No. 17). Longest drive: Joe Brewer (No. 13). Closest to pin: Ken Tilford (No. 11). Standings: Midwest Gas 308, Tabco 302, Fuson Cadillac 280, Dew Drop Inn 279, Vigo Bowl 243, Old National Trust 240, Mattingly Collision 230, Don Wills Cash Register 229.
Rub of the Green
Rub of the Green: PGA Championship has produced memorable champs
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Snedeker the big winner after FedEx Championship
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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
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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
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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
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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
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Even golfers say there is drug problem on Tour
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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
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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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RUB OF THE GREEN: Ryder Cub drama a great part of American sports scene
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