Am I the only one who thought Tom Watson was out of line on Sunday's telecast of the Open Championship from Royal Birkdale? To constantly criticize Greg Norman's course strategy when Norman, at 53 years young, was in the final group with the lead seemed disingenuous at best. That same strategy had placed Norman in position to be golf's oldest major championship winner by five years with 18 holes to play and had him in the lead as he made Sunday's turn for home. Padraig Harrington should be congratulated for shooting four under par 32 on the championship's final nine- that's the stuff that makes champions. Watson, not much older than Norman, missed the cut.
It's no wonder Watson has been barely visible in the booth over all these years, particularly considering he holds eight of golf's Majors. Frankly, he's a better player than commentator. Then again, this is the same guy that wrote Augusta National disapproving of Gary McCord's comments during CBS' 1995 Masters telecast. That was the last we saw of Gary at golf's hallowed grounds.
Personally, I not sure if Watson should spend more time working on his on-screen delivery or his putting stroke. Both are in need of serious attention.
OK, that's yesterday's generation. And now yesterday's news. How about what's going on at the USGA Boy's and Girl's Junior Amateur Championships this week? Golf's next generation have moved out of stoke play and now are in the round of 32. How many of these players will move from here to the professional ranks remains to be seen, but all are gaining experiences that will last a lifetime.
I'm admittedly partial to two players in particular. Hank Haney IJGA students Stephanie Meadow from Northern Ireland and Richy Werenski from my home state of Massachusetts both qualified for the tournament proper this year for the first time. Both are talented young players. Both are better young people.
Yesterday, Stephanie tied for 6oth with nine players after the 36-hole stroke play qualifying rounds for match play. Ultimately, one shot separated Stephanie from moving on to the Round of 64.
Werenski, who tied for 6th in the 36-hole stroke play qualifying rounds Tuesday, won his first match today over Scottsdale, Arizona's Nicholas Losole III, 3 & 1. Richy's caddie this week is his teacher, Matt Fields, Lead Instructor at Hank Haney IJGA. Prior to the second round of stroke play, Matt found a quarter on the ground and observed it was dated "1969." Matt handed the coin to Richy telling him, "look at the date, that's what you are going to shoot today, 69." Saving par from the greenside bunker at 18, Richy posted 69 for the day. How much of this was purely coincidence versus a passionate coaches subliminal suggestion, we'll never know. But, one thing's for sure, it is the stuff that makes the game great and keeps us wanting more.
That's my view on the game.
Mark Gonsalves
CEO
Hank Haney IJGA
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
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