Revisiting Olympic Club Slow Play Controversies Through The Years

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In this week's Golf World U.S. Open preview issue, I write about the slow play crackdown at the 1966 U.S. Open that led to some dramatic changes in times and also some unhappiness from several in the field, including Jack Nicklaus.

In a real career highlight, I obtained the quotes from Mr. Nicklaus during an interview in the Memorial press center men's room. No one said I was classy. But what are you going to do when the best ever says, "well, go ahead, ask your question!"

If only I had a camera to capture the look on his face when told Johnny Miller said that the USGA policy at Olympic made Nicklaus a faster player from that day forward. It looked something like this.

"The True Heart Of San Francisco Golf"

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Bill Fields pens a wonderful story in this week's Golf World capturing the the public golf scene, its storied history and the battle to save San Francisco muni's.

GolfDigest.com also has posted a Fields image slideshow capturing the many characters and courses that make the Bay Area arguably the richest of all the American public golf scenes.

Qualifier Miller: “The man upstairs blew that one in for me."

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Rob Oller with a nice follow-up story on Dennis Miller of the lip-hanger putt fame. Lost in the putt was Miller's status as an alternate who started his day at 6:15 and learned soon after that he was going to get in the field.

The video has gone viral. On it, Miller strokes his putt, which breaks left to right before stopping on the lip. One-eighth of an inch of grass separates him from his U.S. Open dream. He takes a step and turns away in disgust, not watching as the ball makes a handshake agreement with gravity and drops. Five seconds of hesitation that felt like an eternity. The small gallery goes crazy. Miller does a double take and raises both arms.

“The man upstairs blew that one in for me,” Miller said.

As of Thursday evening, someone's cell phone camera shot of their television screen had logged 313,583 views on YouTube (Tiger's Memorial chip-in actually has fewer: 222,908). So, so, SO glad the people in golf televisoin continue to really embrace the power of YouTube!

Miller has drawn a 12:45 Thursday time and 7 a.m. Friday tee time with Casey Martin and Cameron Wilson.

Ms. Woods On Uncle's Advice: "He's always telling me just to kick butt."

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Randall Mell on Cheyenne Woods making her LPGA debut Thursday in the Wegman's LPGA Championship, just a week after qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open.

Growing up as Tiger’s niece had its advantages and its disadvantages.

“I would say the best thing is definitely just having him as an uncle and having him there to support me,” Cheyenne said. “He is obviously amazing at golf. Having him there, and knowing I can go to him whenever I need, is nice to have.

“The most difficult thing is dealing with the pressure, but I have dealt with it a long time, and I have somehow been able to play my own game. That’s what I mainly try to think about is playing my own game, just trying to do my own thing and not worrying about what others are thinking.”

Though Cheyenne didn’t accumulate an amateur record close to her famous uncle’s – who does? – she believes she has some Tiger in her. “I think I do,” she said. “It’s not like you can control it, but if I put myself in a pressure-packed situation, I think I’m definitely able to buckle down and get through it.”

Steve DiMeglio also profiled Woods and noted this.

Uncle Tiger also has given her other advice.

"He's always telling me just to kick butt," she said. "You know, Tiger is always dominating, so that is the one word of advice he would give me. He is obviously amazing at golf, and having him there and knowing I can go to him whenever I need him is nice to have."

Finchem: Cell Phone Policy Here To Stay

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Michael Buteau tracked down Commissioner Finchem after he played in a Champions Tour pro-am.

Finchem still said the tour has no plans to abandon its policy of allowing fans to bring phones into tournaments. Guidelines limit the use of phones to designated areas and prohibit photos or videos being taken during play. At the Memorial, fans weren’t following the rules and marshals weren’t actively policing the crowd, the commissioner said today.

“We’re committed to making it work,” Finchem said in an interview while playing in a pro-am round at the Champions Tour’s Tradition event in Birmingham, Alabama. “If we get to a point where we don’t have an acceptable competitive environment, we’ll do whatever we need to do, but I don’t see that happening.”

Golf's Second Wealthiest Non-Profit To Host Preview Of Golf's Largest Pro Shop For Golf's Toughest Test

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For Immediate Release...

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

USGA TO HOST MEDIA PREVIEW OF “GOLF’S LARGEST PRO SHOP”

U.S. Open Merchandise Pavilion Opens Thursday, June 7

Far Hills, N.J. (June 4, 2012) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) will host a media preview of the U.S. Open Merchandise Pavilion at The Olympic Club, site of the 2012 U.S. Open Championship, on Thursday, June 7, from 7 a.m.–10 a.m. PDT.

Nothing like a 7 a.m. start to get those writers out of bed early...if there is free golf or free food.

The event will feature broadcast and photo opportunities from the launch of the pre-championship opening of “golf’s largest pro shop.” USGA representatives will be available for interviews.

Maybe we could do a seminar on keeping your amateur status while accepting free merchandise?

The Merchandise Pavilion offers an unparalled shopping experience at a state-of-the-art 36,000-square-foot structure located just inside the main admission gate at The Olympic Club.

The pavilion features more than 400,000 items bearing the official U.S. Open logo, including outerwear, shirts, hats, golf balls and a variety of championship memorabilia.

Major apparel manufacturers represented include Ralph Lauren, adidas, Nike, Cutter & Buck, and many more. The pavilion offers the broadest array of Polo Golf/RLX men’s and women’s apparel anywhere.

Anywhere? More than the Morongo Springs RLX Outlet shop, even?

The pavilion will be open to the general public for pre-championship shopping from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from June 7-10. Tickets or credentials will not be required.

Visa/Mastercard accepted, but American Express is preferred.