Chambers Bay Postmortem

The 2010 Amateur was the unveiling of Chambers Bay. While the course was a stern test for the field (it can be stretched to 7700 yards) I don't know how it will fare when the US Open is contested at CB in 2015.

I don't see how CB can be groomed to US Open standards. The rough is wispy and doesn't receive irrigation, and bunkers line many of the fairways, in lieu of rough. The bunkers won't be as penal as the deep rough which has become a US Open hallmark.

The greens are severely undulated, requiring novel approaches which take advantages of the bounces to find the right level of the putting surfaces. If the surrounding turf was to be grown to US Open height, it would negate the banking required for shots to approach the hole, and detract from the original intention of the course. Conditions (wind, rain) didn't appear to play much of a factor.

What will make CB difficult? Length? The amateurs were hitting mid-iron approaches on 500+ yard par fours. I guess the course could be stretched (8000+?), but it needs to be configured in reverse. Figure out what club/shots should be hit for approaches, and place tees accordingly.

2010 US Amateur

In the same vein of Whistling Straits, the 2010 US Amateur is at Chambers Bay. Scotland in Washington (state). I'm all for introducing new courses into the 'elite US rota', but is an imported feel a prerequisite for membership in the club?

Great five by David Chung at the 26th hole. Really utilized the slope of the green for the hole-out par. Great individual, as is Peter Uihlein. Two highly ranked amateurs (#4 and #1, respectively) in the midst of great summers. (Chung winning the Western Amateur).

Sleeper Cell

In an effort to get healthy, I've tried to eat/drink better (I no longer drink soda) and exercise daily. To improve my mental health, I may need to give up sports radio.

The "analysis" of the circadian rhythms of Jim Furyk is ridiculous. The situation can be stated in two words.

He overslept.

Hosts/callers have opened Pandora's box regarding the laziness/spoiled nature of athletes ("he's entitled and doesn't have to attend mandatory functions"), which flies past the border of absurd into downright stupidity.

How it is still a story on Friday, I have no idea. There is tournament golf being played (FedEx tournament golf, for what that is worth).

PGA 2010

Great to see Darren Clarke play a good first round, a win would be well deserved.

I don't know what to make of Whistling Straits. Is it links golf, or a cookie cutter Pete Dye. Having played the Pete Dye club in West Virginia, I see many similarities, to include fairways with excessive contours, and severe changes (elevation, angle, lie) from fairway to rough. Large greens which rely on undulations rather than shape, and surrounding mounding and bunkering. Over bunkering in the fairways.

I'm not overly impressed. I guess I'm a sucker for golf history, and a Vijay Singh win doesn't qualify.

Thinking back to the Vijay win, where is Chris DiMarco these days?

Seriously?

In the vein of micromanaging, microreporting from the PGA.

"The first and ninth tees remained shrouded in fog. No player was actively hitting balls on the range. Australians Jason Day and Stuart Appleby were having a conversation, while Day simultaneously bounced a golf ball with his wedge. Appleby finally removed his visor, hooked it on his bag and walked to the locker room."

The Hawk

I've always been a huge fan of Andre Dawson. He'd wield the bat like a flyswatter with a vendetta.

Greenbrier Classic Post Mortem

A wonderful week for The Greenbrier Classic. It started with Erik Compton in the lead, and ended with Stuart Appleby's 59 to clinch the tournament win by a shot. Can anyone really complain when scores are in the mid/low 60s, with one 59? Let the pros shoot -68, I prefer the birdie-fest to the monotonous finishes at other tournaments (US Open).

Wonderful win for Appleby, he's one of the true nice guys on Tour, and easily one of the most resilient (possibly #2, behind Compton).

It was embarrassing to watch Jeff Overton repeatedly tamp down spike marks on Sunday, in addition to repeated club drops on his follow-through, cursing, and his visor toss, which brought back George Welsh memories. He needs a major demeanor adjustment.

Charles Howell III played a bogey free tournament, his reward? T9. Crazy.