PINEHURST, NC – If I had a dime for every club in America that wanted to host a U.S. Open, I’d be able to buy Turnberry back from Donald Trump. Sadly, too many clubs spend inordinate amounts of time, energy and money in a futile pursuit of U.S. Open glory, and end up needlessly turning their clubs into unplayable torture chambers just to show how hard...
Just like the famous whispering pines of the region, if you stop to listen to the words of the locals, you hear the voice of golf speaking to you. Chris Buie, who has been playing the Donald Ross courses of the Pinehurst area for over four decades, has been featured in the Wall Street Journal discussing Donald Ross and is the author of “The Early Days of...
Dave Droschak, my writing mate over at Cybergolf, has written a thoughtful and thought-provoking article over at Cybergolf about how much harder Pinehurst No. 2 has become. The article is here. Here’s the crux: “With No. 2 stretching more than 7,500 yards as a par 70, and golfers facing more than 100 bunkers, the course appears harder than a year ago...
Dear Trey: Congratulations to you Page, Mike, and Fish on another stellar Fall tour and, in particular, on another excellent Halloween show. You guys totally killed it! It was both fun and interesting to see you perform so many new songs on such a special occasion. Here’s my best wishes to the four of you that the new album is a tremendous success, and I look...
Here are all the 63s in golf’s majors so far: Masters Nick Price, 1986, third round (9-under) Greg Norman, 1996, first round (9-under) U.S. Open Johnny Miller, 1973 (Oakmont), final round (8-under) Jack Nicklaus, 1980 (Baltusrol), first round (7-under) Tom Weiskopf, 1980 (Baltusrol), first round (7-under) Vijay Singh, 2003 (Olympia Fields), second round (7...
ARDMORE, PA – As Merion and all its dryad loveliness, incomparable history, and ingenious golf architecture which perennially stands the test of time and technology fades into the mists of time for what may be the last time on the U.S. Open stage, we can’t help feeling somewhat deflated and underwhelmed. Of course we rousingly celebrate our newly-minted...
[Editor’s Note: While we wait for Cybergolf to run Jay’s wrap-up, here is his piece from Saturday. We include it in this position to keep continuity with the rest of the week’s work.] Philly Mick – Fan Fave Mickelson One Round From U.S. Open Title at Merion ARDMORE, PA – And now the golf world holds its collective breath. In his typical...
It’s here – will it truly be Philly Mick at Merion?
Watch out for Charl Schwartzel (May the Schwartzel be with you) and Jason Day.
ARDMORE, PA – “Forget about moving it around, exclaimed Dan Jenkins, the dean of all golf writers. “Play it here all the time!” he said, referring to Merion’s venerable East course, which is proving all the lowest common denominator broadcasters by proving quite the tough test despite the rain, thank you very much. Still, the U.S.G.A...
The U.S.G.A. recently announced that Winged Foot West course will host the 2020 U.S. Open. The announcement was greeted with excitement by the media and golf industry. The West Course is blessed with a devastating synergy of history and misery. There’s a reason the course is called the Graveyard of Champions. Just ask Phil Mickelson about that… Here is a...
Cybergolf ran my article on other courses that should host a U.S. Open. Did your pick make the list? From the piece: Pine Valley “The place is like a shrine, and it would be so great for golf fans to get a peek inside,” said gonzo golf fan Charles “Chucky” Cordova. “It’s always rated No. 1 in all the rankings, the members all talk...
ARDMORE, PA – It’s going to be a tough week at the U.S. Open for everyone: players, officials, fans, broadcasters, writers, and locals alike. The choice of Merion – which is one of the most important golf courses in the world architecturally and historically – is proving uncommonly difficult logistically. Merion is tiny, and the U.S. Open is...
Will the Merion experiment work? We talk about that in this Cybergolf article! The Merion Experiment.
And another new piece coming soon…
ARDMORE, PA – As the first prismatic ruby shafts of sunrise illuminate the dryad loveliness of Merion Golf Club’s fabled East course, we see clear proof that time has stood still here for 100 years, a shining golf summer forever undimmed by a winter’s chill. It was in 1913 when Hugh Wilson and Friends first began designing and building Merion, and...
Hat tip: Pete Kowalski, USGA 2013 U.S. Open Championship Sectional Qualifying Results (June 3) Old Oaks Country Club and Century Country Club Purchase, N.Y. – 79 players for four spots Jesse Smith, Dover, N.H. – 70-67–137 Geoffrey Sisk, Marshfield, Mass. – 68-69—137 (a) Gavin Hall, Pittsford, N.Y. – 70-67–137 Jim Herman, Palm...