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Wyndham Championship PreviewAugust 15, 20182018 Wyndham Championship Preview Dates: August 13-19, 2018 Where: Sedgefield Country Club Par/Yards: 70/7,127 2017 champion: Henrik Stenson Purse: $6,000,000/$1,080,000 FedExCup: 500 points to the winner Format: 72-hole stroke play Field: 156 Twitter: @WyndhamChamp Four Things To KnowThe Wyndham Championship is the final event before the start of the FedExCup Playoffs Four players moved into the top 125 following the 2017 Wyndham Championship The winners of the 2017 and 2018 PLAYERS, 2018 Masters and 2012 FedExCup all earned their first career victories at the event There will be a display at the first tee honoring the late Jarrod Lyle, who last competed on TOUR at the Wyndham Championship A look back at the 2017 Wyndham ChampionshipHenrik Stenson won his sixth PGA TOUR title, setting the tournament scoring record (22-under 258) Stenson career-best scores for 18 holes (62/R1), 36 holes (128), 54 holes (194) and 72 holes (258) Martin Flores (139 to 118), Rory Sabbatini (148 to 122), Harold Varner III (138 to 123) and J.J. Henry (134 to 125) entered the week outside the top 125 but qualified for the 2017 FedExCup Playoffs The Wyndham Championship and the FedExCup This is the final opportunity for players outside the top 125 in the standings to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs, and for those inside to improve their position entering the postseason. Players on the bubble entering the week Pos. 122 Player Jhonattan Vegas Pts. behind 125 +30 In field? Yes123 Seamus Power +13 Yes124 Martin Piller +7 Yes125 Tyrone Van Aswegen – Yes126 Chad Campbell 3 Yes127 Robert Garrigus 11 Yes128 Corey Conners 20 Yes129 Nick Taylor 24 Yes130 Tom Lovelady 32 Yes131 Sergio Garcia 33 Yes132 Harris English 37 Yes133 Lucas Glover 40 No134 Ben Silverman 41 Yes135 Derek Fathauer 48 Yes Sergio Garcia (131) and Bill Haas (150) are among 13 players that have qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs in each season but are currently outside the top Full history of player movement following the Wyndham Championship below. Top contenders Henrik Stenson Entering the week #50 FedExCup #19 OWGR 4 Starts at Wyndham Championship 1 Win at Wyndham Championship 185 PGA TOUR starts 6 PGA TOUR wins 13 PGA TOUR starts in 2017-18 5 Top-10s in 2017-18 Wins (6): 2007 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, 2009 THE PLAYERS Championship, 2013 Dell Technologies Championship, 2013 TOUR Championship, 2016 The Open Championship, 2017 Wyndham Championship Best 2017-18 results: T2/WGC-HSBC Champions, 4th/Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, T5/Masters TournamentWon his sixth PGA TOUR title at the 2017 Wyndham Championship, setting the tournament scoring record (22-under 258) Recorded career-best scores for 18-holes (62/R1), 36-holes (128), 54-holes (194) and 72-holes (258) In three starts at the event prior to winning, had two missed cuts (2010, 2011) and a WD (2012) Stands 49th in the FedExCup standings; won the FedExCup in 2013 and finished runner-up in 2015 One of two players (along with Tiger Woods) to win the FedExCup, THE PLAYERS, a major and a World Golf Championships event Is one of five players in the field that has won both the Wyndham Championship and THE PLAYERS (Stenson, Davis Love III, Sergio Garcia, Si Woo Kim, Webb Simpson) Webb Simpson Entering the week #12 FedExCup #20 OWGR 9 Starts at Wyndham Championship 1 Win at Wyndham Championship 5 Top-10s at Wyndham Championship 257 PGA TOUR starts 5 PGA TOUR wins 21 PGA TOUR starts in 2017-18 1 Win in 2017-18 Wins (5): 2011 Wyndham Championship, 2011 Dell Technologies Championship, 2012 U.S. Open, 2013 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, 2018 THE PLAYERS Championship Best 2017-18 results: Won/THE PLAYERS Championship, T4/Sony Open in Hawaii, T5/The Honda Classic, T5/RBC HeritageFive-time PGA TOUR winner and 2018 PLAYERS champion Earned first career victory at the 2011 Wyndham Championship Has qualified for the TOUR Championship five times, with a career-best final FedExCup standing of No. 2 in 2011 Hideki Matsuyama Entering the week #88 FedExCup #16 OWGR 4 Starts at Wyndham Championship 1 Top-10 at Wyndham Championship 121 PGA TOUR starts 5 PGA TOUR wins 16 PGA TOUR starts in 2017-18 2 Top-10s in 2017-18 Wins (5): 2014 the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide, 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open, 2016 WGC-HSBC Champions, 2017 Waste Management Phoenix Open, 2017 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational Best 2017-18 results: T4/Sentry Tournament of Champions, T5/CIMB ClassicFedExCup No. 88; qualified for the TOUR Championship each season as a TOUR member (2013-14 through 2016-17) Making first start at the event since 2016 (T3) Recorded a final-round 66 to finish T35 at the PGA Championship in his most recent startPlayers earning victory No. 1 at Wyndham Championship In addition to being the final event in the regular season, the Wyndham Championship has also served as a springboard to future success for many TOUR players. Notable first-time winners at the Wyndham Championship2018 PLAYERS Championship winner (Webb Simpson, 2011) 2018 Masters Tournament winner (Patrick Reed, 2013) 2017 PLAYERS Championship winner (Si Woo Kim, 2016) 2012 FedExCup champion (Brandt Snedeker, 2007) Top candidates in the field to earn first victory Joaquin NiemannSpecial Temporary Member (467 non-member FedExCup points; equal to No. 105 in the FedExCup standings) Four top-10s in 11 PGA TOUR starts as a professional (best result: T5/A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier)Matthew FitzpatrickSpecial Temporary Member (283 non-member FedExCup points; 81 points shy of No. 125 in the FedExCup standings) Three top-10s in 41 career PGA TOUR starts (T7/2015 WGC-HSBC Champions, T7/2016 Masters Tournament, T9/2017 WGC- HSBC Champions)Rafa Cabrera BelloHighest Official World Golf Ranking of players in the field without a PGA TOUR victory (30) FedExCup No. 64; Qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs in 2017 (first year of eligibility) Two third-place finishes in 65 career starts on TOUR (T3/2018 WGC-Mexico Championship, 3rd/2016 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play)Whee KimHighest FedExCup standing of players in the field without a PGA TOUR victory (54) Two runner-ups in 2017-18 (P2/Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, T2/RBC Canadian Open) History of player movement following the Wyndham Championship Players moving inside the top 125 following the Wyndham Championship by year Year No. In Out2017 4 Martin Flores (T7) Zac Blair (T80)Rory Sabbatini (T4) David Hearn (T64)Harold Varner III (T10) Seamus Power (T83) 2016 2 J.J. Henry (T16) Kyle Stanley (T14) Daniel Summerhays (MC) Matt Jones (MC) 2015 5 Shawn Stefani (T14) Davis Love III (Won) Whee Kim (MC) Will MacKenzie (DNP)Jason Gore (2nd) Brian Stuard (MC)Jonas Blixt (T10) Scott Stallings (DNP)Camilo Villegas (T26) Jamie Donaldson (DNP)Ryo Ishikawa (T31) Nicholas Thompson (MC)2014 1 Sangmoon Bae (T14) Nicholas Thompson (T70)2013 0 Only time in 11 seasons of the FedExCup the top 125 remained the same following the event2012 1 Heath Slocum (T31) Jhonattan Vegas (MC)2011 3 Ernie Els (T30) Matt Jones (MC)Padraig Harrington (T47) David Mathis (MC)William McGirt (T52) Cameron Beckman (MC)2010 1 Scott Piercy (T8) Chris Stroud (MC)2009 5 David Mathis (T17) Tom Watson (DNP)Kevin Stadler (T2) Chris Riley (T13) Todd Hamilton (T24) Andrew Romero (DNP) Rich Beem (63rd) Matt Jones (69th)Jeff Maggert (T13) Charles Warren (MC)2008 5 Justin Bolli (T15) Marco Dawson (WD)Lee Janzen (T15) Brett Rumford (MC)Martin Laird (T4) Rich Beem (3rd) Todd Hamilton (MC) Tag Ridings (MC)J.J. Henry (T4) Gavin Coles (MC)2007 3 Jeff Overton (T2) Lee Janzen (MC)Anders Hansen (T11) Glen Day (MC)Shigeki Maruyama (T7) Marco Dawson (MC) Players who have moved in to the top 125 following Wyndham Championship multiple timesJ. Henry (2008, 2017)Players who have moved out of the top 125 following Wyndham Championship multiple timesMarco Dawson (2007, 2008) Matt Jones (2009, 2011, 2016) Nicholas Thompson (2014, 2015)Players who have both moved in to and out of the top 125 following Wyndham ChampionshipRich Beem (in, 2008; out, 2009) Todd Hamilton (in, 2009; out, 2008) Lee Janzen (in, 2008; out, 2007) David Mathis (in, 2009; out, 2011)Wyndham Championship history Jarrod LyleFormer PGA TOUR member Jarrod Lyle passed away on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at the age of 36 Last PGA TOUR start came at the 2016 Wyndham Championship There will be a display on the first tee including a golf bag, a replica set of Jarrod’s clubs and an extra yellow hat and each player will receive a yellow hat in his locker Received initial leukemia diagnosis as a teenager and battled it for more than half his lifeScoring recordsLow 18-hole score: 61 (Si Woo Kim, R2/2016) Low 72-hole score: 258 (Henrik Stenson, 2017) Highest margin of victory: 10 (Sam Snead, 1950) Best come-from-behind victory: 7 (three times; most recent: Jim Gallagher, Jr., 1995)Holes-in-oneThere have been 29 holes-in-one at the Wyndham Championship since the PGA TOUR began tracking hole-by-hole data (1983), including seven in the last two years Three in the final round in 2017 (Roberto Castro/3rd, Ben Crane/16th, Martin Flores/16th)...
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The GolfBlogger Is Now A Member Of The Golf Writers Association of AmericaAugust 15, 2018I am proud to announce that I have been accepted as a member of the Golf Writers Association of America. It means a lot to me. I have always tried to conduct GolfBlogger.Com in a professional manner, and this, in its way, is a validation of that effort. I have long of myself as a professional writer. I have a degree in journalism from West Virginia University, and in the past have worked in reporter, ghost writer and public relations positions. Even in my current position — as a high school teacher — I think of myself as primarily a story teller. I tell stories about our Constitution, our politics, or economy and our history. Then, in my off-hours, I tell stories about golf. The Golf Writers Association of America was formed in 1946, just prior to the PGA Championship. Among the first presidents of the organization were O.B. Keeler and Grantland Rice. Current members are a Who’s Who of the most prominent names in the golf writing business. As I approach retirement from teaching, it seems that my next career may be shaping up. ...
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TaylorMade Project (s) Matte Golf BallsAugust 15, 2018TaylorMade Project (s) Matte Golf Balls TaylorMade’s entry in the hot matte golf ball category is the Project (s) matte. They feature: A three-layer design with an all new core and dimple pattern for enhanced performance. The Dual-Distance core features a larger, softer inner core that reduces spin and feels great while the resilient polymer outer core maintains velocity for maximum distance. TaylorMade compression rating of 60 for soft feel 342 dimple pattern reduces backspin and reduces drag for more distance 3 piece construction 8-18 target handicap ...
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Shipley Leads After Two At Michigan Women’s AmateurAugust 14, 2018 Shipley Leads After Two At Michigan Women’s Amateur REDFORD – Sarah Shipley of Hastings said she stayed level-headed. The 20-year-old University of Kentucky golfer also shot level-par 72 for the second consecutive day Tuesday at Western Golf & Country Club to win medalist honors in the stroke play qualifying portion of the 102nd Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship presented by Carl’s Golfland. “I felt pretty comfortable and confident going into today,” she said. “I like the golf course. The greens are tough, and I feel like for me a lot of the (tee shots) set up for a fade. At least that is what I saw, and so I hit a fade on most of them. I normally hit a draw off the tee, but I can fade it when I need to and feel comfortable doing it. I feel that’s an advantage to be able to do that.” Her 144 total for two days gave her a three-shot advantage on the first-round leader Katie Chipman of Canton, a Grand Valley State University golfer who shot 77 for 147. Chipman was the runner-up last year to Aya Johnson, who Tuesday tied for ninth at 154 and earned the No. 10 seed. Elayna Bowser of Dearborn, a Loyola University of Chicago golfer, shot 77 for 149 and the No. 3 seed. Anna Kramer, a University of Indianapolis golfer from Spring Lake, who shot 74, and Marshall University golfer Kerrigan Parks of Flushing, who shot 75, were next at 151. The cut to the low 32 scores fill out the match play bracket required an eight-golfer playoff at 164. Katie Mina Lee of Ann Arbor earned the final spot by making pars on the first two playoff holes. It earned her the final spot, and she will meet Shipley in the first match of the round of 32 Wednesday at 8 a.m. Due to the weather forecast for Thursday, tournament officials have decided two rounds of matches will be played Wednesday instead of one – the rounds of 32 and 16. Matches continue through Thursday and Friday to determine a champion. Shipley’s last tournament win was a match play event during her freshman year at Kentucky against and at the University of Michigan. She loves the match play format. “I really enjoy it, and I play a lot more aggressive,” she said. “It’s either you do or you don’t in that game.” Shipley’s 72 in the second round was aided by a chip-in for birdie on No. 10. She was happy to win the medalist trophy and be the No. 1 seed, but said she is looking forward to the rest of the week. “I want to get the other trophy this week, too, but I’m not going to think about it on the course,” she said. “It’s a whole different game, and there is a long way to go. It’s always the goal. What point is there of going into a tournament if you are not trying to win it and believe you can. I believe I can, but I’m going to think about each shot and stay in focus on each hole.” Chipman, last year’s runner-up to Aya Johnson of Muskegon, and whose opening 70 set the first-round pace Monday, said she missed several birdie chances on the low side of the hole in the second round 77. “I felt like I had the lines, but I didn’t have the speed,” she said. “My driver was also not what it should be. I’ll forget about it and get ready for match play. The game changes. I made it to the finals last year, and that gives me confidence.” Among the 32 who made it to match play are Western member Mara Mazzoni, and the three Harding sisters from South Lyon – Elizabeth, Caroline and Priscilla. Results: Scores and the match play bracket are available at gam.org on the front page About the GAM: Founded in 1919, the Golf Association of Michigan is the governing body for amateur golf in the state. As a not-for-profit organization, the GAM’s purpose is to promote, preserve and serve the game of golf. The GAM, served by over 250 dedicated volunteers as well as staff, provides membership to 60,000 golfers and more than 470 Michigan golf courses, conducts over 30 amateur championships, oversees 18 USGA qualifying events, administers the GAM/USGA Handicap System and measures and rates almost 70 courses a year for the USGA. Learn more at gam.org. via Greg Johnson...
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Michigan Golf Journal August 2018 IssueAugust 14, 2018The latest issue of Michigan Golf Journal is out. This is a great monthly publication from Back 9 Media group, which publishes a similar magazine in Ohio. The editor and publisher of the Michigan edition is Tom Lang, a longtime Michigan sports reporter. The August issue has articles on adaptive golf, the new course at Arcadia, summer golf road trips and various Michigan golf news. Michigan Golf Journal August 2018...
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Ship Sticks Makes Golf Travel A Whole Lot BetterAugust 14, 2018Ship Sticks Make Golf Travel A Whole Lot Better Ship Sticks Grade: A+ Teacher’s Comments: Makes golf travel better. If only the airlines were as pleasant. As far as I am concerned, there are few things as unpleasant as flying. A root canal, perhaps. Or a colonoscopy. Airlines seem to delight in making passengers pay ever more for increasingly unpleasant experiences. Packed into a sardine can seat, I always seem to be next to some guy with a Seth Rogen body who thinks he has the right to all of his seat and half of mine. Or next to a person who has never heard of deodorant or soap. And then there’s schlepping the luggage from car to check-in, the painful standing in the TSA line, flight delays, and the dreaded flight changes, which leave you dashing from one gate to another. On my recent trip to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Ship Sticks made at least one part of air travel much, much more pleasant. Everything about Ship Sticks is the opposite of air travel. The website is easy to navigate. The pricing structure is easy to understand. The rates are fair. FedEx showed at my doorstep on time, and whisked the clubs away. A tracking page on the Ship Sticks website let me know where my babies were located. The clubs were delivered to Bandon Dunes and were waiting for me when I arrived. When the week of golf was over, I attached the return label and left them at the Bandon Dunes club drop. A few days later — and sooner than predicted — they were returned to my doorstep. No hassle. No fuss. No schlepping. No waiting. I didn’t have to lift a finger (o.k., I did carry the clubs from the garage to my front porch). The one downside to shipping your golf clubs in this fashion is that you will be without them for a while. The most economical rates involve five days shipping in either direction. As you would expect, prices escalate quickly for three, two and overnight shipping. Fortunately, I have a backup set of old clubs. I sent my gamers to Bandon Dunes, and continued to play with my backup. Using Ship Sticks is as easy and pleasant as a one foot putt. ...
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Callaway Superhot Bold Matte Golf BallsAugust 14, 2018Callaway Superhot Bold Matte Golf Balls Callaway gets into the matte golf ball craze with the Callaway Superhot Bold Matte Golf Balls. These are a three piece design with a large core and soft Ionomer cover. Paired with the HPF Ionomer mantle layer, it is designed to limit spin and reduce hooks and slices. The 332 HEX surface geometry dimple pattern is designed for low drag and optimal lift. Callaway’s HX Hot was one of my favorite balls of all time, so I am going to give these a try. I also am a fan of matte orange balls. They are SO much easier to track and find....
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Chipman Leads Michigan Women’s AmateurAugust 13, 2018Chipman Leads Michigan Women’s Amateur Canton’s Katie Chipman Sets Pace Again in Michigan Women’s Amateur REDFORD – For the second consecutive year Canton’s Katie Chipman has set the first-round pace in the Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship. The 20-year-old junior-to-be at Grand Valley State University, who was runner-up to Aya Johnson of Muskegon in last year’s championship, shot a 2-under 70 Monday in the 102nd edition of the Amateur being presented by Carl’s Golfland at Western Golf & Country Club. Elayna Bowser of Dearborn, a Loyola University of Chicago golfer fresh off playing in last week’s U.S. Women’s Amateur and Sarah Shipley, a University of Kentucky golfer from Hastings, were next with 72s as just three golfers finished par or better on the Donald Ross-designed course. Chelsea Collura of Riverview, a 24-year-old assistant manager at Nuggett Leasing in Flat Rock, shot 73. Nichole Cox, a Bowling Green State University golfer from Empire, and Mia Sooch of South Lyon, a 15-year-old Farmington Mercy High School golfer and Catholic League champion, shot 74s. The field of 80 golfers plays 18 more holes of stroke play Tuesday to determine the low 32 scorers and seeds to fill out the match play bracket. Match play starts Wednesday and continues through Friday to determine a champion. Chipman said she is playing this year with a different thought process. “Last year I had never reached the Sweet 16 before and I ended up going all the way to the finals,” she said. “I didn’t really have a plan for what happened. This year I’m trying not to think about it being a five-day tournament. I want to take it day-by-day. It’s just a two-day stroke play tournament right now. I’m focusing on that.” Chipman made six birdies in her round, highlighted by reaching the par 5 No. 5 hole with a 232-yard 5-wood shot to five feet and making birdie. She also made a 25-foot birdie putt on No. 18, her ninth hole of the day, after hitting what she called a poor wedge shot to the green. “Last year helps me in just having more confidence and knowing that if I put myself in position, it can happen again,” she said. “I’m going to take it one step at a time, but it helps knowing what it takes to get all the way to Friday.” The 21-year-old Bowser, who will be a senior in the fall at Loyola, said last week’s experience in Tennessee at the U.S. Women’s Amateur has given her a different feeling about her golf. “It’s one of the best things that have happened to me for my golf game, even though I didn’t play well,” she said. “I found out that I was able to compete against those nationally ranked players, so coming here I just have way more confidence.” Shipley, who is 20 and will be a junior at Kentucky, said she was frustrated with her putting in the round, but didn’t feel poorly about shooting even par. “It helps that I finished well after having three bogeys in a row,” she said. “A lot of my birdie putts were five and six feet and none of them were going in. I was frustrated, but I stayed calm and kept putting my approaches close. If I keep doing that, the putts will start to fall soon.” Results: Available at gam.org on the front page About the GAM: Founded in 1919, the Golf Association of Michigan is the governing body for amateur golf in the state. As a not-for-profit organization, the GAM’s purpose is to promote, preserve and serve the game of golf. The GAM, served by over 250 dedicated volunteers as well as staff, provides membership to 60,000 golfers and more than 470 Michigan golf courses, conducts over 30 amateur championships, oversees 18 USGA qualifying events, administers the GAM/USGA Handicap System and measures and rates almost 70 courses a year for the USGA. Learn more at gam.org. via Greg Johnson ...
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Brandel Chamblee’s Old School Power MovesAugust 13, 2018Brandel Chamblee is a polarizing figure, butI think that he has done a really good job of analyzing what the classic swings have in common. In particular, I buy into the notion that lifting the heel is a good idea for us older, higher handicappers....
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Nordea Masters Winners and HistoryAugust 13, 2018Currently the only European Tour event in Scandinavia, the Nordea Scandinavian Masters has been held since 1991 under a variety of sponsorship names. The tournament’s origins date to the late 1960s, when it was the Volvo Open. Later, that was renamed the Scandinavian Enterprise Open. In 1991, the Scandinavian Enterprise Open merged with the PLM Open to form the Scandinavian masters. Nordea is a financial services group in the Nordic and Baltic regions. A list of past winners of the Nordea Scandinavian Masters follows, as well as the predecessor tournaments, the Scandinavian Enterprise Open and the PLM Open Scandinavian Masters Past WinnersYear Winner Country ScoreNordea Masters2017 Renato Paratore Italy 281 (-11)2016 Matthew Fitzpatrick England 272 (−16)2015 Alexander Norén (2) Sweden 276 (−12)2014 Thongchai Jaidee Thailand 272 (−16)2013 Mikko Ilonen Finland 267 (−21)2012 Lee Westwood England 269 (−19)2011 Alexander Norén Sweden 273 (−15)Nordea Scandinavian Masters2010 Richard S. Johnson sweden 277 (−11)SAS Masters2009 Ricardo González Argentina 282 (−10)2008 Peter Hanson Sweden 271 (−9)Scandinavian Masters2007 Mikko Ilonen Finland 274 (−6)EnterCard Scandinavian Masters2006 Marc Warren Scotland 278 (−10)POScandinavian Masters by Carlsberg2005 Mark Hensby Australia 262 (−22)PO2004 Luke Donald England 272 (−16)Scandic Carlsberg Scandinavian Masters2003 Adam Scott Australia 277 (−11)Volvo Scandinavian Masters2002 Graeme McDowell Northern Ireland 270 (−14)2001 Colin Montgomerie Scotland 274 (−14)2000 Lee Westwood England 270 (−14)1999 Colin Montgomerie Scotland 268 (−20)1998 Jesper Parnevik Sweden 273 (−11)1997 Joakim Haeggman Sweden 270 (−18)1996 Lee Westwood England 281 (−7)PO1995 Jesper Parnevik Sweden 270 (−18)Scandinavian Masters1994 Vijay Singh Fiji 268 (−20)1993 Peter Baker England 278 (−10)PO1992 Nick Faldo England 277 (−11)1991 Colin Montgomerie Scotland 270 (−18)Scandinavian Enterprise Open Past WinnersYear Winner Country1990 Craig Stadler United States1989 Ronan Rafferty Norther Ireland1988 Seve Ballesteros Spain1987 Gordon Brand, Jr Scotland1986 Greg Turner New Zealand1985 Ian Baker-Finch Australia1984 Ian Woosnam Wales1983 Sam Torrance Scotland1982 Bob Byman United States1981 Seve Ballesteros Spain1980 Greg Norman Australia1979 Sandy Lyle Scotland1978 Seve Ballesteros Spain1977 Bob Byman United States1976 Hugh Baiocchi South Africa1975 George Burns United States1974 Tony Jacklin England1973 Bob Charles New ZealandPLM Open Past WinnersYear Winner Country1990 Ronan Rafferty Northern Ireland1989 Mike Harwood Australia1988 Frank Nobilo New Zealand1987 Howard Clark England1986 Peter Senior Australia1985 Denis Durnian England1984 Tommy Horton England1983 Peter Dahlberg Sweden ...
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Wyndham Championship Winners and History – Greater Greensboro OpenAugust 13, 2018Played annually in Greensboro, North Carolina, The Wyndham Championship originally was called the Greater Greensboro Open. The first Greater Greensboro Open was held in 1938, and was won by the legendary Sam Snead. Snead would go on to win the event eight times, with his 1965 win there making him the oldest player to win a PGA Tour event. His eight victories in a single tournament also is a PGA Tour record. For most of its history, the Greater Greensboro Open was held in April or May. In its first 4 years, it was played at both Sedgefield Country Club and Starmount Forest Country Club, moving to the Starmount Forest CC in 1942. From 1942 to 1952, it alternated between Starmount Forest CC and Sedgefield CC. It was played at Starmount in 1951 and 1952. Sedgefield hosted in 1953, then it was back to Starmount through 1956. Sedgefield CC hosted in 1957 before Starmount Forest CC hosted another 3 straight 1958-60. From 1961 to 1976, it was played at Sedgefield CC. The origin of this is actually a pretty funny story. Following his win at Starmount in 1960, Snead noted that the winter had taken its toll on the course, and joked that the owner Edward Benjamin should fix it up before the next tournament. Benjamin banned Snead from his course for life. In a popularity contest, though, Snead won. The tournament has not returned to Starmount. From 1977 to 2007, Forest Oaks Country Club hosted the event. In 2008, the tournament returned to Sedgefield CC. In any case, it has been played in Greensboro, NC for its entire history. Ben Hogan won his first tournament there in 1940. In 1942, Sam Byrd, a former New York Yankee became the only MLB baseball player to win a PGA Tour event. Charlie Sifford became the first African American to play a PGA Tournament in the South when he was invited to the 1961 Greater Greensboro Open. Seve Ballesteros won his first US tournament there in 1978. Davis Love holds the course-tournament record with a 62 recorded in 1992. In 2007, the event was renamed the Wyndham Championship when Wyndham Hotels & Resorts took over from DaimlerChrysler as main sponsor. It moved from an autumn date to mid-August and is the last PGA Tour event before the Playoffs for the FedEx Cup. The 2011 purse was $5,200,000, with $936,000 going to the winner. A complete list of Wyndham Championship winners follows:...
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TaylorMade P790 Black IronsAugust 13, 2018 TaylorMade P790 Black Irons I love the look of black irons. These limited edition models are the same as the P700. They are designed to have the looks of a players iron, with features that make it usable by aspirational golfers. The irons feature a wrapped face construction, with a hollow cavity filled with SpeedFoam. This is designed to generate ball speed as well as optimizing sound and feel. The face is 1.7mm thick, with a re-implementation of Taylormade’s long standing Inverted Cone Technology. The redesign created reduced face thickness at the face’s edges, this increasing flexibility across the face. Strategically place internal metal-injection-molded tungsten weights help with placement of the center of gravity, and with improving moment of intertia. This is a set I’d love to try....
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PGA Championship WinnersAugust 12, 2018PGA Championship Winners The Fourth Major of the calendar year (although soon to be the second), the PGA Championship extends back to 1916. It was a match play event until 1958. Jim Barnes was the first PGA Championship winner, and repeated a year later. Walter Hagen, however, dominated the early years, winning five of the first ten. Dow Finsterwald won the first of the stroke play championships. Below is a list of the past results of the Championship. PGA Championship Winners Year Winner Course Scores To Par or Match Score2018 Brooks Koepka Bellerive, MO 69-63-66-66=264 -142017 Justin Thomas Quail Hollow, NC 73-66-69-68=276 -162016 Jimmy Walker Baltusrol, NJ 65-66-68-67=266 -142015 Jason Day Whistling Straits, WI 68-67-66-67=268 -202014 Rory McIlroy Valhalla, KY 66-67-67-68=268 -162013 Jason Dufner Oak Hill, NY 68-63-71-68=270 -102012 Rory McIlroy Kiawah Island, SC 67-75-67-66=275 -132011 Keegan Bradley Atlanta Athletic Club 71-64-69-68=272 -82010 Martin Kaymer Whistling Straits, Wisconsin 72-68-67-70=277 -112009 Yang Yong-eun Hazeltine National Golf Club 73-70-67-70=280 -82008 Pádraig Harrington Oakland Hills Country Club, 71-74-66-66=277 -32007 Tiger Woods (4) Southern Hills Country Club 71-63-69-69=272 -82006 Tiger Woods (3) Medinah CC 69-68-65-68=270 -182005 Phil Mickelson Baltusrol Golf Club 67-65-72-72=276 -42004 Vijay Singh Whistling Straits 67-68-69-76-280 -82003 Shaun Micheel Oak Hill CC 69-68-69-70-276 -42002 Rich Beem Hazeltine Nat’l GC 72-66-72-68-278 -102001 David Toms Atlanta Athl. Club 66-65-65-69-265 -152000 Tiger Woods Valhalla GC 66-67-70-67-270 -181999 Tiger Woods Medinah CC 70-67-68-72-277 -111998 Vijay Singh Sahalee GC 70-66-67-68-271 -91997 Davis Love III Winged Foot 66-71-66-66-269 -111996 Mark Brooks Valhalla GC 68-70-69-70-277 -111995 Steve Elkington Riviera CC 68-67-68-64-267 -171994 Nick Price Southern Hills CC 67-65-70-67-269 -111993 Paul Azinger Inverness Club 69-66-69-68-272 -121992 Nick Price Bellerive CC 70-70-68-70-278 -61991 John Daly Crooked Stick GC 69-67-69-71-276 -121990 Wayne Grady Shoal Creek CC 72-67-72-71-282 -61989 Payne Stewart Kemper Lakes GC 74-66-69-67-276 -121988 Jeff Sluman Oak Tree GC 69-70-68-65-272 -121987 Larry Nelson PGA National 70-72-73-72-287 -11986 Bob Tway Inverness Club 72-70-64-70-276 -81985 Hubert Green Cherry Hills CC 67-69-70-72-278 -101984 Lee Trevino Shoal Creek CC 69-68-67-69-273 -151983 Hal Sutton Riviera CC 65-66-72-71-274 -101982 Raymond Floyd Southern Hills CC 63-69-68-72-272 -81981 Larry Nelson Atlanta Athl. Club 70-66-66-71-273 -71980 Jack Nicklaus Oak Hill CC 70-69-66-69-274 -61979 David Graham Oakland Hills GC 69-68-70-65-272 -81978 John Mahaffey Oakmont CC 75-67-68-66-276 -81977 Lanny Wadkins Pebble Beach GL 69-71-72-70-282 -31976 Dave Stockton Congressional CC 70-72-69-70-281 +11975 Jack Nicklaus Firestone CC 70-68-67-71-276 -41974 Lee Trevino Tanglewood GC 73-66-68-69-276 -41973 Jack Nicklaus Canterbury GC 72-68-68-69-277 -71972 Gary Player Oakland Hills CC 71-71-67-72-281 +11971 Jack Nicklaus PGA National GC 69-69-70-73-281 -71970 Dave Stockton Southern Hills CC 70-70-66-73-279 -11969 Raymond Floyd NCR CC 69-66-67-74-276 -81968 Julius Boros Pecan Valley CC 71-71-70-69-281 +11967 Don January Columbine CC 71-72-70-68-281 -71966 Al Geiberger Firestone CC 68-72-68-72-280 E1965 Dave Marr Laurel Valley CC 70-69-70-71-280 -41964 Bobby Nichols Columbus CC 64-71-69-67-271 -91963 Jack Nicklaus Dallas Athl. Club 69-73-69-68-279 -51962 Gary Player Aronimink GC 72-67-69-70-278 -21961 Jerry Barber Olympia Fields CC 69-67-71-70-277 -31960 Jay Hebert Firestone CC 72-67-72-70-281 +11959 Bob Rosburg Minneapolis GC 71-72-68-66-277 -31958 Dow Finsterwald Llanerch CC 67-72-70-67-276 -141957 Lionel Hebert Miami Valley CC d. Dow Finsterwald 2 & 11956 Jack Burke Jr. Blue Hill CC d. Ted Kroll 3 & 21955 Doug Ford Meadowbrook CC d. Cary Middlecoff 4 & 31954 Chick Harbert Keller GC d. Walter Burkemo 4 & 31953 Walter Burkemo Birmingham CC d. Felice Torza 2 & 11952 Jim Turnesa Big Spring CC d. Chick Harbert 1-up1951 Sam Snead Oakmont CC d. Walter Burkemo 7 & 61950 Chandler Harper Scioto CC d. Henry Williams Jr. 4 & 31949 Sam Snead Hermitage CC d. Johnny Palmer 3 & 21948 Ben Hogan Norwood Hills CC d. Mike Turnesa 2 & 11947 Jim Ferrier Plum Hollow GC d. Chick Harbert 2 & 11946 Ben Hogan Portland GC Ed Oliver 6 & 41945 Byron Nelson Moraine CC d. Sam Byrd 4 & 31944 Bob Hamilton Manito G. & CC d. Byron Nelson 1-up1943 No Championship Played Due to WWII1942 Sam Snead Seaview CC Jim Turnesa 2 & 11941 Vic Ghezzi Cherry Hills CC d. Byron Nelson 38 ho.1940 Byron Nelson Hershey CC d. Sam Snead 1-up1939 Henry Picard Pomonok CC d. Byron Nelson 37 ho.1938 Paul Runyan Shawnee CC d. Sam Snead 8 & 71937 Denny Shute Pittsburgh F.C. d. Harold McSpaden 37 ho.1936 Denny Shute Pinehurst CC d. Jimmy Thomson 3 & 21935 Johnny Revolta Twin Hills CC d. Tommy Armour 5 & 41934 Paul Runyan Park CC d. Craig Wood 38 ho.1933 Gene Sarazen Blue Mound CC d. Willie Goggin 5 & 41932 Olin Dutra Keller GC d. Frank Walsh 4 & 31931 Tom Creavy Wannamoisett CC d. Denny Shute 2 & 11930 Tommy Armour Fresh Meadows CC d. Gene Sarazen 1-up1929 Leo Diegel Hillcrest CC d. Johnny Farrell 6 & 41928 Leo Diegel Five Farms CC d. Al Espinosa 6 & 51927 Walter Hagen Cedar Crest CC d. Joe Turnesa 1-up1926 Walter Hagen Salisbury G. L. d. Leo Diegel 5 & 31925 Walter Hagen Olympia Fields CC d. William Mehlhorn 6 & 51924 Walter Hagen French Lick Spgs. d. James M. Barnes 2-up1923 Gene Sarazen Pelham CC d. Walter Hagen 38 ho.1922 Gene Sarazen Oakmont CC d. Emmet French 4 & 31921 Walter Hagen Inwood CC d. James M. Barnes 3 & 21920 Jock Hutchison Flossmoor CC d. J. Douglas Edgar 1-up1919 James M. Barnes Engineers CC d. Fred McLeod 6 & 51917-18 No Championships Played Due to WWI1916 James M. Barnes Siwanoy CC d. Jock Hutchison 1-up...
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Western Golf & Country Club Ready for 102nd Michigan Women’s Amateur ChampionshipAugust 10, 2018Western Golf & Country Club Ready for 102nd Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship REDFORD – Western Golf & Country Club is ready for the golfers who will compete starting Monday in the 102nd Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship. “The golf course has been great all year, and is great leading into this big event,” said Brandon DiPaola, the head golf professional complimenting the first-year superintendent Michael Montney. Fire destroyed the clubhouse at Western on June 1, but a large pavilion style building has been erected in the courtyard of the clubhouse, and the building that houses the pro shop and snack shop at the course across from the main clubhouse was not damaged. “We have an amazing golf course and we are doing everything we can to make things go as normal as they can,” DiPaola said. “There was never a thought of canceling anything, even our club events. We just kept on playing. We had our Men’s Invitational two weeks after the fire. Our membership is excited about hosting the tournament.” Ken Hartmann, senior director of rules and competitions for the GAM, said the club put to rest any concerns he had in the days immediately following the fire. “The pavilion that the club put up is great and full service, and the golf course and everything across from the courtyard there was not damaged,” he said. “It’s all going according to plan. It’s a great golf course, and Western is excited to host the Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship.” Western’s timeless Donald Ross-designed course will test the top women golfers in the state Monday through Friday. The field will play two rounds of stroke play to determine a low 32 scorers to fill out the match play bracket. Round of 32 matches will be on Wednesday with Sweet 16 and quarterfinal rounds on Thursday and semifinals and the final match on Friday. This will be the third time the state championship has been played at Western, but the first since 1963. The club also hosted the 1930 Michigan Women’s Amateur just three years after the course opened to play in 1927. Defending champion Aya Johnson of Muskegon, a University of Wisconsin golfer, heads the field. She beat Katelyn Chipman in last year’s final, and Chipman, a Grand Valley State University golfer, is returning as well. Kerrigan Parks of Flushing, the 2017 GAM Women’s Champion, and Anna Kramer of Spring Lake, the 2016 GAM Women’s Champion, are also in the field. Elayna Bowser, who played this week in the U.S. Women’s Amateur in Tennessee, is playing. Allyson Geer, the 2016 and 2017 champion, elected not to enter. She also was playing in the U.S. Women’s Amateur after recently getting married. Those in the field will be taking on what DiPaola called a shotmaker’s course. “The fairways are narrow, it has small undulating greens and puts a priority on accuracy and the short game as well,” he said. “It has character, too, and will be great for match play. Our club championship is always match play, and always comes down to the last few holes.” Western can name drop with the best golf clubs in its history. In April of 1927, the course’s first year, golf legend Walter Hagen, then the reigning British Open champion, played the reigning U.S. Open champion Johnny Farrell in an exhibition match at Western. Hagen won. Gene Sarazen is another golf legend who played a match at the club as well. In 1956 the club hosted the Motor City Open won by Bob Rosburg. In 1960 Western hosted the Western Golf Association’s Western Open, which at time was regarded as one of the major championships on the PGA Tour. Stan Leonard beat Art Wall in a playoff. As for the women champions in Western history, that 1930 Michigan Women’s Amateur was won by Vi Hanley, a world traveler, writer and later a University of Michigan physical education teacher. She also won in 1924 and ’27 at other sites. The 1963 Michigan Women’s Amateur winner at Western was Sally Sharp-Werner, a four-time winner between 1956 and ’63 and the state’s dominant woman player in the 1950s. She beat legend Patti Shook-Boice in ’63 in the final match. Mara Mizzoni-Craver is the current women’s club champion at Western and holds the course record of 5-under 67. The 36-year-old working mother and former Oakland University golfer is playing in the state championship, her first appearance since college days. She said hosting the Amateur has generated a lot of excitement at the club, and that she expects a great reaction from the field of golfers. “It’s not easy here, but while it is challenging it is also fun and it a classic course that the members believe still plays the way Donald Ross would have wanted it to play,” she said. The public is welcome to attend free of charge. Find tee times and bracket information at gam.org. About the GAM: Founded in 1919, the Golf Association of Michigan is the governing body for amateur golf in the state. As a not-for-profit organization, the GAM’s purpose is to promote, preserve and serve the game of golf. The GAM, served by over 250 dedicated volunteers as well as staff, provides membership to 60,000 golfers and more than 470 Michigan golf courses, conducts over 30 amateur championships, oversees 18 USGA qualifying events, administers the GAM/USGA Handicap System and measures and rates almost 70 courses a year for the USGA. Learn more at gam.org....
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Pacific Dunes Photo GalleryAugust 10, 2018Pacific Dunes Photo Gallery Ranked by Golf Digest as the second best Public Course in America, and the eighteenth best course overall (a list that includes Pine Valley, Augusta and other courses you will never play), Pacific Dunes lives up to the hype. It is a true links course, routed through natural dunes, playing hard-and-fast on sandy fairways, and swept by ocean winds. Every hole designed by Tom Doak looks as though it was “found” rather than created. It is worth a trip to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort just to play this course. Fortunately, the resort also has the #36 (0verall) Bandon Dunes, the #47 Old MacDonald and the #70 Bandon Trails. You can knock off four bucket list courses in one trip to the Oregon coast. A Pacific Dunes photo gallery follows: ...
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Golf Guardian Biker BellAugust 10, 2018Golf Guardian Biker Bell Ridiculous Golf Item Of The Week...
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