Golf Channel To Give U.S. Open Sectional's Proper Coverage

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Mentioned in today's Johnny Miller conference call and surely to be hyped some more is Golf Channel's planned coverage of U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying Monday. Considering the disaster that has been trying to get news on Sectional Qualifying day--easily the most democratic day of golf in the U.S.--the channel is rolling out all day coverage from each site.

John Eggerton explains:

On the Monday (June 4) of qualifying for the U.S. Open Championship, the channel will provide coverage from 7 a.m. to midnight as golfers try to qualify in sectional play at 11 locations. The coverage will be anchored from Golf Channel's Orlando studios, but will include dedicated shows and updates throughout the day from reporters and cameras at all those locations.

I know, I know. Not as fun as coming to GeoffShackelford.com all day and hoping that the live links to various regional golf associations are working and updated, but it's a start.

And something tells me the USGA will be stepping up their coverage as well.

"There are Nationwide Tour guys who can't do that with two good legs and plus-handicap."

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David Uchiyama with the story of Jordan Thomas, one amazing sounding person who also happens to be a golfer. He lost the lower half of his legs in a boating accident.

Thomas used a driver, then a 7-iron and two-putted for par on the hole, which plays 495 yards from those tees.

Only about 5 percent -- maybe less -- of the golfers in this country could accomplish that feat with those clubs. Even fewer could do it with Thomas' handicap. He lost his legs below the knees in a boating accident almost seven years ago.

"It's amazing, really," said Bear Trace assistant professional Heath Pendergraft. "I can't imagine having prosthetics and being able to transfer weight and being able to move the right side through the ball.

"There are Nationwide Tour guys who can't do that with two good legs and plus-handicap."

Thomas has aspirations of making the 2016 Paralympics Games in Rio.

Assuming he can find time for golf this summer while doing work for his foundation.

"I'm going on a road trip to California; then I'm going to Costa Rica for three weeks for an international business school trip. I'm going to Iceland to see a friend, then Germany to see a friend," Thomas said. "Then I'm off to Nepal to hopefully open up a prosthetics lab in Katmandu."