When you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
Beth Ann Nichols reports on a a rough start to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur where three players have WD’d due to COVID-19 positive tests. They had yet to travel from Austin to Augusta.
All three play for the University of Texas, including Kaitlyn Papp, the fifth place finisher in the inaugural 2019 ANWA.
There will be many columns like this heading into Tokyo where the field may be missing a lot of top players.
Building off Dustin Johnson’s decision to pass, Gavin Newsham writes a New York Post commentary on golf’s inclusion in the Olympic Games. After explaining the return, he writes:
In golf, the world’s best play each other all the time; in the majors, in the World Golf Championship events and then pretty much every week on tour. In that respect, Olympic soccer and tennis can make way for events that would benefit from being in the Olympics, like squash or lacrosse. And as for rugby — really?
Of course, if the IOC wanted to, it could simply make golf revert to the original ethos of the Games by making the event strictly for amateur players, giving those up-and-coming players that rarest of opportunities to represent their country in the Olympics.
Failing that, they could look at their famous Olympic motto — “Faster, Higher, Stronger” — and ask whether golf really ticks any of those boxes.
As even a less-than-thrilling WGC just proved, match play should have been the format.
And as any of the team events remind us, they’re almost always better than 72-holes of stroke play. They also lead to peer pressure to play, something the organizers might want to think about for the golf in the Games.
The USGA is insisting they haven’t closed the door on fans at Olympic Club this June, but the San Francisco Chronicle’s Ron Kroichick reports otherwise.
State and local public health officials, in coordination with the United States Golf Association and LPGA, made the decision mostly because of the challenges in controlling social distancing at golf events, according to two sources close to the situation.
Only a limited number of Olympic Club members are expected to be permitted on site during the event.
This is noteworthy for the reason (distancing) and since the men’s U.S. Open is played two weeks later in California this year. I’m surprised also surprised they could not find some accommodation for a small crowd given the recent pace of vaccinations.
The U.S. Women’s Open website currently offers a chance to sign up for ticket information and updates.
Severe tornadoes that moved through Alabama and killing five, hit Shoal Creek. The club has hosted two PGA’s and most recently, the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open.
Live Stories Media posted this surreal drone footage:
The longtime pro at Oakmont retired there in 2016 and now will call it a grand career at Seminole after this May’s Walker Cup.
Craig Dolch with a nice look at the golf pro to two of America’s most revered courses—including a 16-year run serving both clubs—for the Palm Beach Post:
“I wanted to work through the Walker Cup, because that’s such a great event,” Ford said last week. “I wouldn’t say it was a difficult decision. Everybody has a shelf life.”
What a life the 67-year-old Ford has enjoyed in golf, spending more than four decades working at two of the most prestigious golf clubs in the world. The Jupiter resident has deservedly earned his share of accolades – both as a player and as a PGA Professional.
In 2005, Ford was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame. He was also the recipient of the 2017 Bob Jones Award, the highest honor the USGA can bestow on someone. Typically, the low-key Ford downplays his accomplishments.
After his team beat Iona in round one of the NCAA tournament, Alabama men’s basketball head coach Nate Oats and Iona men’s basketball head coach Rick Pitino chatted on the phone. Oats is buddies with Pitino’s son and wanted input on his team. Apparently golf came up and Coach Pitino, a resident on the fourth hole of Winged Foot, offered to have Oats for a game.
Erik Hall of the Tuscaloosa News with this from Oats’ radio interview explaining the invite;
Although Oats appreciated the invitation, he seemed oblivious.
“He talked to me about where he’s living up there — what’s that Winwood?” Oats said. “What’s the big-time golf course up there?”
One of the show’s hosts asked if Oats meant Winged Foot.
“Winged Foot, sorry yeah, I’m not a big golfer,” Oats said. “He lives up there on Winged Foot. He was telling me I’ll have to come by.”
Winged Foot Golf Club hosted the first U.S. Open in 1929 and the 1997 PGA Championship.
“Apparently, those that are really into golf, that’s a big-time spot,” Oats said. “So maybe, I’ll take him up on it and get up there once.”
Of course Winged Foot did not host the first U.S. Open in 1929 but we’ll let that slide.
Winwood! Beautiful.
BTW, go Bruins on Sunday!
Business Insider’s Thomas Colson reports on outrage over the proposed second course at Trump International Golf Links near Aberdeen.
Trump's second course will adjoin the existing one and be built on a different area of sand dunes that remain part of the Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are fears that those, too, will now be destroyed, meaning the entire sand dune system will eventually be destroyed - or "stabilized."
"I think it will lead eventually to further damage to all of the sand dunes," said the LSE's Bob Ward.
"There will be nothing left of the natural dune system. At the moment if you go there, you go along the shoreline and there's a very large dune bank that protects the inland including the golf course. And once you go inland, there was this whole dune system. But part of it has already been destroyed by the golf course - and now a bigger area is going to be affected by this second golf course. The whole thing is going to be unrecognizable."
The council said the new course "will contribute towards the significant social and economic benefits expected to be delivered by the wider development proposals within the Menie estate."
Adding to the matter: the failure so far to deliver the promised economic benefit. Trump Golf will claim it needs the second course but given the abundance of links that seems a stretch.
But the current course has posted losses of over $1 million a year and locals say the economic benefits promised by the Trump Organisation when they built the first course have never materialized.
Guy Ingerson said: "Mr Trump and his organization promised the world: Thousands of jobs, lots of new amenities for the local community. That hasn't happened. So why are we allowing him to create a new golf course when he hasn't delivered on the existing promises made?"
Bloomberg recently offered this look at the drop in Trump’s net worth while in the White House and the golf properties stood out as a strength compared to other assets. They cite $18 million in debt, $108.3 million in and while a -19% income change from 2015-2020, and a $271.7M valuation.
Golf has been one of the few bright spots for the Trump empire during the pandemic, thanks to enthusiasm for a socially distanced outdoor sport. The number of rounds played last year was among the highest ever, according to Mike Loustalot, co-founder of Sagacity Golf, which collects data on the industry. But all isn’t well at the 19 courses his company owns or manages. Two in Scotland, Trump Turnberry and Aberdeen, have consistently lost money, U.K. filings show. After the Capitol attack, the PGA of America voted to end an agreement to host next year’s tournament at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey, saying holding it there would hurt the group’s brand. The opening of Trump World Golf Club Dubai, Trump’s second course in the United Arab Emirates, has been delayed for years. That course, and two in Indonesia, are listed on his website as “coming soon.”
The Augusta Chronicle’s Will Cheney reports on the change in policy for spectators at the 2021 Masters:
Fans attending the practice rounds and the Masters will no longer be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry. Those attending are still encouraged to get tested before arriving to Augusta.
Ticket holders were notified of the change in an email Wednesday afternoon. The protocols can also be found on the Masters website under the Patron Info tab.
The new policy only applies to those with practice round tickets, daily tournament tickets and series badges. Berkman’s Place ticket holders will still have to take the at-home test 72-hours prior to arriving and an on-site test the day of attending.
This last portion is interesting for a few reasons:
—The policy makes sense given how little non-Berckmans fans would be indoors on club property.
—A 72-hour negative window is pretty pointless given how the test will be administered before the person likely hangs in an airport or on a flight.
—The club is committed to resisting the option of adding fully vaccinated patrons or health care workers in a show of support to getting the country back to normal. Seemed like a tap-in. But so was adding women as members.
-The Augusta Chronicle or Golfweek misspelled Berckmans.
Jim Nantz has said he hopes to broadcast fifty Masters and his chances improved with a new deal at CBS. Terms have not been disclosed but he needs to stick around until 2035 to accomplish his goal.
John Ourand broke the news for Sports Business Daily.
Nantz’s current deal was set to expire this summer.
This is yet another feather for CBS as it rides a huge upswing on their early season coverage and major golf production upgrades in recent years. The Masters and PGA of America are undoubtedly thrilled to know they’ll have gravitas in the booth. And the PGA Tour is assured of having the very best in the business, especially in looking so fascinated by the dreaded CEO interviews.
No need to say much other than it sure is fun to see players use the ground so beautifully.
The PGA Tour’s Twitter account agrees. Artists at work, 2021 WGC Dell Match Play:
Artists at work. @JordanSpieth and @Matthew_Wolff5 put their imaginations to work and executed. 👏#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/ZXa9oiH2Vx
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 25, 2021
Spieth and Wolff are in a fascinating bracket both because of the recent strong play by their other group members (Fitzpatrick/Connors), but also because their Friday scenarios are wild.
From GolfDigest.com’s Christopher Powers:
Now, rather than being 2-0-0 and controlling his own destiny, Spieth is 1-0-1, as is Wolff, who will play Matthew Fitzpatrick on Friday. Fitzpatrick won his Thursday match handily over Corey Conners, the group’s fourth member, bringing his record to 1-1-0. Should Spieth lose to Conners on Friday, a Fitzpatrick victory would advance the Englishman to the knockout stage, while a Wolff win or tie would put him in the knockout stage. Even if Spieth wins, he may still have to beat Wolff in a sudden-death playoff if Wolff beats Fitzpatrick. A Spieth win and a Fitzpatrick win or Wolff-Fitzpatrick halve are Spieth’s two dream scenarios. Got all that?
Erik Matuszewski of Forbes has some first look Martin Miller images and details surrounding the April 16th unveiling of the reimagined Peter Hay Course. Now “The Hay” and reworked by TGR Design, the opening marks yet another landmark day for par-3 course legitimacy and a big upgrade for the resort.
On the backstory of the course and costs when it opens:
Hay had a passion for introducing newcomers, particularly juniors, to golf and in 1957 developed one of the nation’s first short courses at Pebble Beach. The former Peter Hay Golf Course at the same site hosted generations of young golfers along with a wealth of junior tournaments and charity events over the years, but despite its prime location had gotten a bit rough around the edges, with scruffy bunkers, some bare spots and crooked tees. Woods’s design team took advantage of the Monterey Peninsula’s expansive water views while incorporating more variety into hole lengths and shot options, and adding more puttable areas within the green surrounds.
Hay’s vision carries forward with the new course, as juniors 12 and under can play the par-3 course for free. All golfers will have access to the 20,000-square-foot putting course for no cost. Resort guests and the general public can play The Hay for $65.
At first glimpse you might wonder about the logo but the story behind it is great fun.
Bob Lewis Jr. (left) (John Mummert/USGA)
A couple of nice remembrances have been posted paying tribute to the former Walker Cup captain and lifelong amateur golfer Bob Lewis Jr.
Lewis was the 2021 recipient of the Bob Jones Award last week according to Ryan Herrington of GolfDigest.com, who noted this about his role in reinvigorating the Walker Cup:
Lewis, however, perfected a sales pitch honed over four decades of playing top-level amateur golf. Sure you could turn pro, but why forgo a chance to compete in the game’s biggest amateur event? Regardless of how many zeros might appear on your first few paychecks, you’ll never be able to buy the memories you’d be sacrificing. The Walker Cup is two days that can last a lifetime.
“I remember him saying how you’ve got 40 years to play professional golf, why can’t you wait a few more weeks to get started,” said Jeff Overton, an Indiana University All-American who was one of five graduating seniors Lewis convinced to remain amateurs through the summer of 2005 and who secured the winning point at Chicago G.C. “He sold me on what an experience it could really be.”
David Shefter at USGA.org offered this on Lewis’ playing career:
Bob Lewis Jr., the 2021 recipient of the USGA’s Bob Jones Award and a veteran of a combined six Walker Cup Matches as a competitor and captain, died on March 23 at the age of 76. A three-time USGA runner-up, including the 1980 U.S. Amateur, Lewis, who competed in 31 USGA championships, was one of the game’s best amateurs to have never claimed a USGA title. Nevertheless, his skill, integrity, competitiveness and sportsmanship made the Ohio native one of the most respected people in the amateur game.
Lewis, who received the Bob Jones Award on March 19, played on four victorious USA Walker Cup Teams – 1981, 1983, 1985 and 1987 – compiling an impressive 10-4 overall mark.
The USGA posted this tribute video:
Bob Lewis Jr., the 2021 Bob Jones Award recipient and a veteran of a combined six @WalkerCup Matches as a competitor and captain, died on March 23 at age 76.
— USGA (@USGA) March 24, 2021
His skill, integrity, competitiveness and sportsmanship made Lewis one of the most respected people in the amateur game.
We’re just 14-day from The Masters and so it features prominently in this week’s free edition of The Quadrilateral.
But there are plenty of other notes, maybe a cringe or eye roll or two and hopefully just a bit more excitement about major championship season.
Brian Wacker devotes a lot of space to recapping the NFT saga of Bryson DeChambeau and gets this intriguing blame from agent Brett Falkoff.
“Whether he made $2,000 or $20 million, he had no idea how this was going to play out,” Falkoff said. “What it shows [by the total] is that golf is still a niche sport.”
Golf was the problem here, not the crappy art and terrible rushed rollout. Right.
The Herald’s Jack Aitchison looks at the areas most threatened. St Andrews (above), would see all but a few areas lost based on projections by Climate Central.
The areas of Scotland that could be underwater by 2050
Glasgow Airport, the Old Course at St Andrews and the Kelpies in Falkirk are among the key sites that could be flooded, if research by Climate Central is correct.
The organisation is made up of leading scientists and journalists who research climate change and its impact on the public.
It has created an interactive map, using current projections to show which areas of the country could be lost to rising sea levels by 2050.
If you really want to get depressed here is the interactive map.
North Berwick is not in a great spot either:
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.
