"Who knows what would have happened then.”

Ron Balicki, who reported last week that the Old Memorial pro shop sales will take a 2009 hit with the cancellation of Walker Cup winter practice sessions, talks to Colt Knost who says he wouldn't be on the Nationwide Tour today wouldn't be a former USGA champion if it weren't for those sessions. Thanks to reader John for this:

“I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now,’’ he said, had he not been named to the U.S. Walker Cup practice squad two years ago.

And...

As a senior at Southern Methodist, he was considered – even by himself – as a longshot to make the 10-man team. He entered his senior season with every intention of turning professional after the spring. However, he was one of the 20-plus players selected for the Walker Cup practice squad and went to Tampa, Fla., for a three-day practice session.

“I knew I wasn’t very high on their (USGA) list, so I felt pretty lucky to be picked,” Knost said this week. “Being able to go there and show what I could do and how I could get along with the other players was huge, especially for a guy like me. It gave me a lot of confidence and made me feel if I played well that next summer, I would have a good chance of making the (Walker Cup) team. That had always been a goal of mine.

“There is no doubt in my mind, if I hadn’t been picked for the practice squad I would have turned pro right after college, played a bunch of the mini-tours and then tried (PGA Tour) Q-School. Who knows what would have happened then.”

This much is certain: If Knost had not been a member of that practice squad, a different name would appear on the trophies of the U.S. Amateur Public Links and U.S. Amateur championships. And maybe, the U.S. would not have left Ireland with a 12 1/2-11 1/2 victory in the 41st Walker Cup Match.

Also, the sun might not have continued rising in the east and Barack Obama might still just be a junior senator from Illinois.