TERRE HAUTE —
The BMW tournament that concluded last Sunday at Crooked Stick in Carmel brought back a flood of memories.
One was the first PGA Championship I covered for the Terre Haute Tribune-Star. In 1991, John Daly was a most unlikely winner after making the field as the ninth alternate. What began as a fairy tale, later turned into a horror story due to twin addictions of alcohol and gambling.
Back when Crooked Stick was in its infancy, I let my high school golf teammate and good friend Bill Doan know that I would like to play Crooked Stick. Doan was a member of a prestigious group named “the Society of Seniors.” Among its members were many of the top senior amateurs in the U.S. Doan’s resume also included a charter membership in the Terre Haute Golf Association’s Hall of Fame. He teamed with Mark Fisk to win the Terre Haute 4-Ball in 1955. Later, he would win the Indiana Seniors title. On two occasions, he qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.
Some arrangements were made to meet Jack Lehr, a former Indiana Amateur champion and a close friend of Doan’s. At the clubhouse, we were informed that Mr. Lehr was in there with Mr. Mathis. I surmised that Mathis was a businessman or a golfing friend of Lehr’s. I was amazed when I saw that Mr. Mathis was really Johnny Mathis, the world-renowned singer who was in Indianapolis to perform at Starlight Musicals. Although never one to be easily impressed by celebrity, I found Johnny Mathis to be a genuinely gracious individual who was as down to earth as anyone could be.
After complimenting his playing partners and signing a number of autographs, he excused himself so he could get ready for an evening’s performance. Before he left, he related some interesting stories.
In one foreign country, he was slated to be on stage at 3 a.m. He was informed that all concerts were scheduled for that time, which was usual in that part of the world.
After each number, he waited for applause that never came. After he finished his performance, he remarked to the concert promoter: “I’m sorry I did so poorly. They never applauded once.”
The man replied, “On the contrary, they enjoyed you immensely. When they are displeased with your performance, they scream and clap.”
I indicated to Johnny that I felt his style of singing was so unique and singular; he would never have to worry about being imitated as some singers are. It was apparent that Mathis made many fans at Crooked Stick that day.
Neither Tim Clements nor his wife Susan got an early start on the current golf season. They answered a call from their daughter Annie. She and her husband Nathan are now the parents of four youngsters, which include three girls and one boy. All are under the age of 7. They are Carter, Claire, Caleb and Cole.
It hasn’t taken long for grandfather Tim’s golf game to get hot. He has carded rounds of 66, 67 and 68 at The Landing during the past two or three weeks.
Both Tim and golf buddy, Herb McConnell, can combine their talents to produce a strong two-man team. They picked up the winners’ share in a number of events held at Elks Fort Harrison Country Club in the past before it became The Landing.
Both Darrell Davis and his wife Carol have qualified for the national finals of the Golfweek Amateur Golf Tour. Darrell captured his flight a short time ago when he fired a 76 at Deer Creek Golf Club. Tournament dates are Oct. 19-21 at Hilton Head.
Some golfing friends of Loren Butts met at the Bramble Bush restaurant recently to celebrate Loren’s 93rd birthday.
They included Don Tyler, Duane Klueh, Carl McKee, Chuck Buckalew, Frank Davis Don James, Jon Rhodenbaugh, Les Brown and Bob Arnett.
David Feherty continues to be one of the most entertaining characters in the world of golf. Here are a couple of his gems:
“The ball was so far left, Lassie couldn’t find it if it was wrapped in bacon.”
On Jim Furyk’s swing — “It looks like an octopus falling out of a tree.”
Tip of the week: Former ISU men’s golf coach George Amies took a look at the grip utilized by Tim Clements and expressed amazement that Clements could hit the ball straight without being plagued with a strong hook. Tim Tennant is another golfer who utilizes the same technique. Both players are adept at some excellent scores. Tennant thinks nothing of rounds that at times are played in the low 60s.
These players are adherents to the adage, “If it works, don’t fix it.”
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Bob Arnett can be reached by e-mail at subob@aol.com.
Sports
RUB OF THE GREEN: BMW Tourney at Crooked Stick brings back memories
- Sports
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Softball sectionals
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Softball sectionals up for grabs
All three Vigo County high schools and Northview appear to have a realistic chance of winning sectional championships in softball this week.
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Rose to send 5 to national finals
Five Rose-Hulman athletes have qualified for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships later this week at Wisconsin-LaCrosse.
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500 field fills up quickly on Bump Day
In just over an hour, the field for the 2013 Indianapolis 500 was complete on Bump Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday.
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ISU's athletic treasure trove
Think of every championship that Indiana State has won in each of its sports, past and present. Think of every tournament — postseason or regular season — which the Sycamores have claimed as their own.
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Vikings win in extra innings at Rockville
West Vigo scored six runs in its first two innings Saturday, then needed a ninth-inning single by Lucas Fagg to escape with a 7-6 extra-inning win in nonconference high school baseball at Rockville.
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TH South beats Northview in Big Four makeup baseball game
Terre Haute South wrapped up a share of the MIC baseball title and finished up the Big Four Classic with an 8-1 victory over Northview in less than 24 hours on Saturday morning.
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Shooters compete to fight cancer
A team of employees at Taghleef, formally A.E.T, would like to give a personal invite for you to join in on a lot of fun while helping save lives.
Cindy and Mark Wilguess are the inspiration behind the Taghleef Team. Cindy herself fought this battle with cancer and won. Last year she led her team to be the No. 1 fundraisers in the Relay for Life. -
Carpenter arrives as Indy 500 threat
And the crowd went wild.
Not only did Ed Carpenter win the pole for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500, he is the hometown son. Carpenter, the stepson of Tony George, completed his rookie orientation in 2004 and has spent the last several years, proving he deserved to be the IZOD IndyCar Series. There is no questioning his credentials now. -
Carpenter wins Indy 500 pole
Ed Carpenter is on the pole for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500.
The native of Marshall, Ill., earned the No. 1 spot for the May 26 race with a strong run in the Fast Nine competition at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday. He is the first American driver on the pole since 2006. -
Ort sets ISU RBI record in 16-7 win
Robby Ort celebrated his Indiana State baseball Senior Day on Saturday by becoming the Sycamores’ all-time leader in RBIs as ISU ended its regular season with a 16-7 win over Bradley at Bob Warn Field.
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Softball sectionals up for grabs
- Local Interest
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Softball sectionals
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Softball sectionals up for grabs
All three Vigo County high schools and Northview appear to have a realistic chance of winning sectional championships in softball this week.
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Indiana State baseball series canceled
Heavy rain from Thursday through Saturday has forced Indiana State and Tennessee Martin to cancel their three-game weekend baseball series in northwest Tennessee.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman baseball to play DePauw on Thursday after Tuesday's rain
The Rose-Hulman baseball team has rescheduled its non-conference game with DePauw to Thursday night.
The start time remains 7 p.m. for the single nine-inning game that was originally scheduled for today. Tuesday’s scheduled Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference game at Anderson was moved to Sunday because of rain. -
Vigo County Youth Soccer Association to host Indiana Soccer Cup Games
The Vigo County Youth Soccer Association will welcome more than 7,000 people to its Springhill Drive facility through two tournaments in the next five weeks.
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METRO ROUNDUP: North, South well-represented on All-Star teams
Two Terre Haute schools, two Terre Haute coaches and four Terre Haute All-Stars.
When it comes to the 21st Annual North-South All-Star Classic on April14 at Rose-Hulman, it would be hard to discern any North-South bias.
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Softball sectionals up for grabs
- High School
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Softball sectionals up for grabs
All three Vigo County high schools and Northview appear to have a realistic chance of winning sectional championships in softball this week.
- Vikings win in extra innings at Rockville
- TH South beats Northview in Big Four makeup baseball game
- Olds pitches South to share of MIC baseball title
- South wins first half of doubleheader against Lawrence North
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- College
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Trophies: Ace Hunt rummages through several boxes loaded with sports trophies from days gone by Tuesday afternoon in the basement of the ISU Athletic offices building.
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ISU's athletic treasure trove
Think of every championship that Indiana State has won in each of its sports, past and present. Think of every tournament — postseason or regular season — which the Sycamores have claimed as their own.
-
Ort sets ISU RBI record in 16-7 win
Robby Ort celebrated his Indiana State baseball Senior Day on Saturday by becoming the Sycamores’ all-time leader in RBIs as ISU ended its regular season with a 16-7 win over Bradley at Bob Warn Field.
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Bradley ends 16-game MVC losing streak against ISU
Momentum was the only thing riding on Indiana State’s baseball game against Bradley on Friday. With a five-game winning streak going, ISU wanted to keep the good vibes going into next week’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
ISU couldn’t do it. -
Behind 16 hits and Manaea's pitching, ISU beats Bradley
Indiana State’s baseball team rode a wild ride of emotion on Thursday.
First came the public announcement that Bob Warn Field would host the 2014 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Later, Sean Manaea’s availability to pitch ISU’s series opener against Bradley was in doubt. -
Indiana State women add five transfers, including experienced D-I point guard
Indiana State coach Teri Moren believes the addition of five more newcomers to the program — in addition to the five who had already joined the program earlier this calendar year — will provide her coaching staff the athleticism and depth it needs to play a successful, up-tempo brand of basketball next season.
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ISU's athletic treasure trove
- Sports Columns
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Shooters compete to fight cancer
A team of employees at Taghleef, formally A.E.T, would like to give a personal invite for you to join in on a lot of fun while helping save lives.
Cindy and Mark Wilguess are the inspiration behind the Taghleef Team. Cindy herself fought this battle with cancer and won. Last year she led her team to be the No. 1 fundraisers in the Relay for Life. - TILL IT'S OVER: Terre Haute Triathlon's new race director seeks more events for his hometown
- TODD GOLDEN: Don't give up on ISU baseball just yet
- TRACKSIDE: Terre Haute's Carmichael enjoying strong spring in modifieds, stocks
- From Terre Haute to the major leagues: Phegley's play could earn him promotion to Chicago
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Shooters compete to fight cancer
- Pro Sports
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Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts received high marks for the impact players the team added through the NFL draft.
Of the 10 players selected, five ended up either starting or seeing extensive playing time (quarterback Andrew Luck, tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and running back Vick Ballard) during the Colts’ 11-5 season.
While this year’s class may not rival that group in terms of name recognition and flash, it may produce just as many major contributors once the 2013 season gets underway. - Colts in wait-and-see mode for tonight’s NFL draft
- Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck to back up Luck
- Colts introduce free-agent signees
- Indianapolis franchises punter McAfee
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Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
- Terre Haute Rex
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Consultation: Rex manager Brian Dorsett talks with his pitcher and players during a time-out Sunday, July 15, at Sycamore Field. (Tribune-Star file/Bob Poynter)
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2012 an up, down season for Rex
The Terre Haute Rex went through plenty of trials and tribulations during the summer of 2012.
The team got off to a sluggish start to settle for third place during the first half of the Prospect League race, but manager Brian Dorsett rallied the troops to a second-half title. - Metro Roundup: Dorsett, Rex players honored in Prospect League postseason awards
- Rex out of playoffs
- Rex mix, match their way to win
- Rex turn eye to Prospect playoffs
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2012 an up, down season for Rex
- Colts
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Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
While the Indianapolis Colts put their rookies and a handful of second-year players through workouts this weekend at the team’s Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, a pair of first-year coordinators are getting a chance to do some valuable on-field work as well.
- Werner, 36 others open Colts’ mini camp
- Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
- Werner at top of game
- Colts select pass rusher Werner in first round
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Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
- Auto Racing
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Carpenter arrives as Indy 500 threat
And the crowd went wild.
Not only did Ed Carpenter win the pole for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500, he is the hometown son. Carpenter, the stepson of Tony George, completed his rookie orientation in 2004 and has spent the last several years, proving he deserved to be the IZOD IndyCar Series. There is no questioning his credentials now. - Carpenter wins Indy 500 pole
- TRACKSIDE: Rain still a pain for Wabash Valley racing organizers
- TRACKSIDE: Tough to rise from sprint-car racing, especially in challenging financial times
- METRO ROUNDUP: Rose baseball wins another thriller
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Carpenter arrives as Indy 500 threat
Globe 10.0: Can the Bruins young defensemen keep playing well?
Does Tiger feel he should clear the air with Sergio? In a word: no.
Redskins looking to find edge at the tight end position
Galiardi: 'We think we're the better team'
Kevin Dupont discusses Bruins-Rangers Game 2
Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
Padres honor Marines
Nolan Arenado Fitting Right In With The Rockies
Preakness Day 2013
WQAM Audio: Lamar Miller's goal? 1,500 rushing yards
Red Wings beat Blackhawks 4-1 in game 2 of Western Conference Semifinals
Orb heads Preakness field
Betting at the Preakness
Amico: Grizzlies/Spurs series preview
Three and Out: Knick's Bench
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RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera
Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom
Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
Who is $600M Powerball winner in Fla.?
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Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Twiggy, the Waterskiing Squirrel
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
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